Fork out less for quality meals

As more Singaporeans tighten their belts amid an uncertain economic outlook, fast-casual eateries are offering air-conditioned comfort and convenience without breaking the bank

- Hedy Khoo

Veterinary nurse Natasha Allen, 25, has cut back on dining expenses — but not on meals with friends.

She used to dine at full-service restaurants such as Spanish restaurant Tinto and Italian restaurant Sospiri twice a week, spending close to $100 an outing. Now, she opts for fast-casual eateries like Korean chain Jinjja Chicken, where her bill size is about $20.

"Fast-casual restaurants offer a similar experience — high-quality food that is cooked to order and a nice ambience — but at wallet-friendly prices," she says.

As more Singaporeans tighten their belts amid an uncertain economic outlook, fast-casual restaurants are emerging as an attractive middle ground between hawker centres and full-service dining, offering air-conditioned comfort and convenience without breaking the bank.

Many of these eateries shave manpower costs with self-ordering systems via kiosks or QR codes. Diners collect their food when their buzzers go off and clear their trays after they are done eating. Most do not charge a service fee, and those registered for goods and services tax usually include it in their listed prices.

Ms Serene Ang, 48, chief executive of Foodtech F&B Ventures, says: "Singaporeans want quick service and a comfortable air-conditioned environment, but not the pain of paying a 10 per cent service charge."

Her latest venture, Jiak Ba Food Heaven (Express), opened in April at VivoCity. The 425 sq ft outlet seats 33 diners and serves dishes such as Oyster Mee Sua ($7.80) and Braised Trio Combo Rice ($12.80), featuring pig's trotter, pork knuckle and pork belly bento-style. All prices are nett, and the average spend per diner is about $12.

Ms Ang, who runs two full-service Jiak Ba Food Heaven outlets — at Alexandra Retail Centre and Far East Square — launched her third in a fast-casual format to adapt to changing market demands.