Majority of F&B outlets that shut in 2025 did not last over 5 years

Of these, 82 per cent had never recorded a profit in their annual tax declarations, says DPM Gan

- Chin Soo Fang Senior Correspondent

More than six in 10 food establishments here that closed between January and October 2025 had been registered for five years or fewer.

Of these, 82 per cent had never recorded a profit in their annual tax declarations, said Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong.

The first 10 months of 2025 also saw 3,357 new food and beverage (F&B) outlets being registered, while there were 2,431 closures, added DPM Gan, who is also Minister for Trade and Industry.

These figures were disclosed by DPM Gan on Nov 5 in response to parliamentary questions filed by Mr Foo Cexiang (Tanjong Pagar GRC).

Industry observers said the churn rate and profitability numbers are sobering, but not surprising given Singaporeans’ love for food and the relatively low barriers to entry compared with other sectors.

Associate Professor Lau Kong Cheen said a major reason for this “massive churn” among new F&B players is that some may have been blinded by their passion and dream of being their own boss.

Such entrants may have joined the industry without having put in sufficient thought to work out a profitable business model, said the Singapore University of Social Sciences’ marketing programme head.