Old Chang Kee

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Old Chang Kee (official website) is an established food and beverage chain that originated in Singapore. It is well-known for its Hainanese-style curry puffs and assorted fried snacks. As of 2019, Old Chang Kee has 77 outlets in Singapore. Over the years, it has also expanded to Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia and United Kingdom, selling approximately 1.5 million curry puffs a month worldwide.[1] According to the official annual report for Old Chang Kee in 2018, the brand had made SGD$85,487,000 that financial year.[2]

Origins

The signature Old Chang Kee curry puffs. Photo from Eatbook.sg.

In 1956, Chang Chuan Boon, a Hainanese foreigner opened a food stall at Koek Road (currently located between Orchard Point and Orchard Plaza).[3] The stall sold Hainanese-style curry puffs, a fried pastry filled with chicken, egg and potatoes, infused with a variety of herbs and spices.[4]


Chang then moved his stall from Koek Road to Albert Street. In 1973, Chang opened another stall outside Rex Cinema along Mackenzie Road. This stall is officially recognised as the first flagship stall of Old Chang Kee.[5] The stall in Albert Street became the main manufacturer of the curry puffs. The uncooked curry puffs were then delivered to the stall outside Rex Cinema and were fried to order. The curry puffs were very popular among the locals and it became widely known as the “Rex Curry Puff”. In 1981, the Albert Street stall was relocated by the Environment Ministry in a move to re-home street-side hawkers into food centres.[6]


In 1986, Chang decided to stop working and return to China. Han Keen Juan then bought over the business from Chang at a sum of SGD$70,000 through a group of shareholders and named the stall “Old Chang Kee” to stand out from the other curry puff stalls at Rex Cinema.[7]


Growth in Singapore

Mr. Han Keen Juan (right) pictured in front of the Old Chang Kee stall at Rex Cinema, Mackenzie Road in the 1980s. Photo from SG Magazine.

In the early years of Old Chang Kee under the leadership of Han Keen Juan, there were other individuals who contributed to the growth of the brand. Han's cousin, Bugs Tan flew to Sri Lanka and India to study spices to ensure that the quality of the curry puffs remain consistent.[8] Han’s nephew, William Lim contributed SGD$5,000 for advertising purposes after the stakeholders refused to invest for the project.[9] After 10 years of training from Han, William Lim eventually became the Chief Executive officer of the company.[10] He helped to strategise for new projects by following the changing taste and preferences of consumers.[11]  


By 1991, there were 12 Old Chang Kee branches in Singapore and customers had also started to order in bulk.[12] Han later shifted the manufacturing of curry puffs to a bigger factory in Ubi.[13] He implemented new food production technologies such as electric dough mixers and automated potato peelers to regulate the quality of the curry puffs. The factory was able to manufacture more than 10,000 curry puffs a day.[14] He later provided capital for a 20,000 sq. feet modernised manufacturing amenity in Woodlands. From 1989 to 1991, Old Chang Kee's yearly revenue had risen from SGD$700,000 to SGD$1,600,000.[15] In 1992, Han was given the title of the “Entrepreneur of the Year” and “Small Scale Entrepreneur” from the Rotary Club[16] and the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises respectively.[17]

Old Chang Kee Coffee House @ Rex located at the site of the original Mackenzie Road stall. Photo from SG Magazine.


By 2002, business in Singapore was performing well. With 33 branches, the company earned an annual revenue of approximately SGD$14,000,000.[18] In 2005, Old Chang Kee attained its Halal certification from Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS). Two years later, the company also received the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) qualification for the production of curry puffs and administered a quality guarantee initiative.[19]


In Singapore, Old Chang Kee outlets are presently located at petrol stations, shopping centres, MRT stations and bus interchanges. In more recent years, Old Chang Kee had expanded their menu to include a variety of food items. They offer a diverse range of food items from fried chicken wings to green bean desserts.[20] The stalls also offer exclusive breakfast food items such as braised bee hoon, porridge and curry vegetables.[21] The company also currently offers delivery and catering services to homes, events and companies. The catering menu offers more nutritious and customisable food items in comparison to the outlets. For example, there are “Healthier Choice” food bundles where wholegrain rice is served.[22]


In 2018, Old Chang Kee opened its flagship 50-seater casual restaurant in Singapore called Old Chang Kee Coffee House @ Rex. The nearest MRT station to the restaurant is Rochor (DT13). The outlet is located where the first Old Chang Kee food stall started at in 1956. On top of the food items that are traditionally sold at other local branches, the restaurant offers special menu items of local dishes such as curry chicken, served with flower bread and baked beef stew rice with cheese.[23]

Expansion overseas

In 1993, Old Chang Kee expanded overseas to countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, China and Japan, with the catchphrase “A Taste of Singapore”. By 1997, Old Chang Kee also expanded to Myanmar, South Africa, India and New Zealand.[24] In one and a half years, business in Malaysia and Indonesia earned a revenue of SGD$1,700,000 and SGD$1,000,000 respectively.[25] In 1994, a manufacturing site was built in South Africa. The curry puffs produced were sold and distributed to 60 bars in Cape Town.[26] By 2002, Han had to close down 24 overseas branches in South Africa, Japan, New Zealand, India and Myanmar. The overseas outlets performed poorly due to poor standards of manufacturing.[27] The company faced a loss of approximately SGD$50,000.[28]

Australia

The first Old Chang Kee stall in Australia was launched at Waterford Plaza Shopping Centre, Perth in 2012. It offers similar food items as the outlets in Singapore. The outlet also sells rice sets on weekdays.[29]

China

In 2008, Han reattempted to open an outlet in China. It was located at YY Sports Mall along Chunxi Road, Chengdu province. Former Singaporean politician, Mr. Koo Tsai Kee and Mandopop singer, JJ Lin were invited to the opening ceremony. The eatery was decorated with paintings inspired by the company’s homeland, Singapore.[30] In the same year, the restaurant closed down due to poor business.[31]

The storefront of Old Chang Kee at Covent Garden, London, UK. Photo from Old Chang Kee UK Facebook page.

Indonesia

As of 2019, there are five branches in Indonesia, four stalls located at Jakarta and one outlet located at Bintan.[32] For both years 2007 and 2008, Old Chang Kee collaborated with the Indonesian Franchisee and signed a franchise contract.[33] The outlets in Indonesia offer exclusive drink items such as avocado coffee, taro and brown sugar milk tea.[34]

Malaysia

In 2005, a manufacturing site was opened in Malaysia to produce seafood menu items such as crab claws and sotong balls.[35] As of March 2019, there two stores in Malaysia, located in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor respectively. The outlets provide similar food items in comparison to the outlets in Singapore. In 2017, it attained the “halal” certification from Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM).[36]

United Kingdom

In June 2017, a pop-up stall was held at Kentish Town in north-west London. A total of approximately 1,200 puffs were sold, running out within four hours on both days of the event.[37] Four months later, Old Chang Kee’s curry puffs were also featured at the “Visiting Singapore” event at London Cocktail week.[38] Ms Sandra Leong, a London-based Singaporean suggested introducing Old Chang Kee’s puffs to the UK. She eventually collaborated with Old Chang Kee to open and manage the branch in Covent Garden, London in 2018.[39]


On top of the usual snacks, the eatery serves local Singaporean dishes such as nasi lemak and laksa.[40] The eatery was subsequently featured in UK print media such as Evening Standard, Daily Express and Times magazine. Notable individuals such as actor Ian McKellen and Malaysian artist Tiara Jacquelina have patronised the London eatery.[41]

Awards[42]

Year Title
2017 Influential Brands HALL OF FAME
2016 Influential Brands Award
2015 Influential Brands Award
2014 Influential Brands Award
2013 Influential Brands Award
2012 Best Fast-Food Chains in the World
2008 Singapore SGX Catalist
2007 Lifelong Learner Award (Corporate Category)
2005 SPBA - Heritage Brand Award

SPBA - Distinctive Brand Award

2004 Singapore Prestige Brand Award (SPBA) - Singapore Promising Brand Award

Other franchises in Singapore

Year Business Description
2018 O’ My Kampong A nostalgic Kampong-inspired eatery that serves Asian-inspired dishes and also sells knick knacks and snacks from an older Singapore. The restaurant is located at Sengkang Riverside Park.[43]
O’ My Darling A catering company that provides snacks and prepared food servings.It also provides delivery services for Dip ‘n’ Go. The company also actively participates in charity programmes and community involvement activities.[44]
2015 Bun Times (official website) A food stall serving Hainanese-style buns.[45] There are 2 outlets at Joo Koon and Tiong Bahru respectively.
2013 Dip ‘n’ Go

(official website)

A fast food stall serving fried snacks located at Woodlands.[46]
2012 Curry Times

(official website)

A restaurant that specialises in curry dishes. There is currently 5 outlets island and 1 branch for delivery services.[47]
2010 Mushroom Cafe An outdoor eatery located at Macritchie Reservoir Park that serves both local and international cuisines.[48]
2008 The Pie Kia Shop Food stall selling a variety of savoury and sweet pies. The outlets are currently no longer in operation.[49]

Citations / References

  1. ↑ Quek, Eunice. “Old Chang Kee opens in London’s Covent Garden”. The Straits Times. June 4, 2018. Accessed on 7 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/food/old-chang-kee-opens-in-londons-covent-garden-on-june-6
  2. ↑ Old Chang Kee. "Annual Report 2018". Accessed on 11 March 2019. For more information on Old Chang Kee's yearly revenue (from FY 2014): http://oldchangkee.listedcompany.com/misc/ar2018.pdf
  3. ↑ Seah, R. “New face at Old Chang Kee”. Today. January 10, 2005. Accessed on 4 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Page/today20050110-1.1.20
  4. ↑ "About Us - Our Heritage". Old Chang Kee. Accessed on 4 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.oldchangkee.com/our-heritage.htm
  5. ↑ "About Us - Our Heritage". Old Chang Kee. Accessed on 4 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.oldchangkee.com/our-heritage.htm
  6. ↑ Suat Lian, Tan. "Albert Street to lose its flavour next month". The Straits Times. January 28, 1981. Accessed on 11 March 2019. Retrieved from: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19810128-1.2.68
  7. ↑ Seah, R. “New face at Old Chang Kee”. Today. January 10, 2005. Accessed on 4 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Page/today20050110-1.1.20  
  8. ↑ “Old Chang Kee’s recipe for success”. The Business Times. December 9, 1991. Accessed on 4 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Page/biztimes19911209-1.1.11
  9. ↑ Tan, Lorna. “Curry puff boss has small appetite for risk”. The Straits Times. September 14, 2008. Accessed  on 4 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Page/straitstimes20080914-1.1.20
  10. ↑ Seah, R. “New face at Old Chang Kee”. Today. January 10, 2005. Accessed on 4 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Page/today20050110-1.1.20
  11. ↑ "About Us - Our Heritage". Old Chang Kee. Accessed on 4 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.oldchangkee.com/our-heritage.htm
  12. ↑ Old Chang Kee’s recipe for success”. The Business Times. December 9, 1991. Accessed on 4 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Page/biztimes19911209-1.1.11
  13. ↑ "About Us - Our Heritage". Old Chang Kee. Accessed on 4 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.oldchangkee.com/our-heritage.htm
  14. ↑ “Old Chang Kee’s recipe for success”. The Business Times. December 9, 1991. Accessed on 4 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Page/biztimes19911209-1.1.11
  15. ↑ “Two winners raring to go abroad”. Business times. June 18, 1992. Accessed on 4 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/biztimes19920618-1.2.11.4
  16. ↑ "About Us - Our Heritage". Old Chang Kee. Accessed on 4 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.oldchangkee.com/our-heritage.htm
  17. ↑ “Two winners raring to go abroad”. Business times. June 18, 1992. Accessed on 4 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/biztimes19920618-1.2.11.4
  18. ↑ Chow, H. “Want to make money? Work hard, with passion”. The Straits Times. December 4, 2003. Accessed on 7 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes20031204-1.2.47.23.32
  19. ↑ "Milestones". Old Chang Kee. Extracted from Annual Report 2018. Accessed on 7 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://oldchangkee.listedcompany.com/miles_stones.html
  20. ↑ Old Chang Kee Singapore. Facebook. Accessed on 7 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.facebook.com/oldchangkee1956/
  21. ↑ "Singapore Breakfast Set". Old Chang Kee. Accessed on 7 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.oldchangkee.com/breakfast-singapore.htm
  22. ↑ "Online Ordering". Old Chang Kee. Accessed on 7 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.oldchangkeecatering.com/menus
  23. ↑ Quek, Eunice. “Open For Business: Old Chang Kee Coffee House @ Rex, Clan Cafe and East Manhattan-Bakery Cafe”. The Straits Times. June 3, 2018. Accessed on 7 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/open-for-business-18
  24. ↑ Lee, J. “Going global the Singapore way”. The Straits Times. September 25, 1993. Accessed on 4 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19970917-1.2.48.19
  25. ↑ Low, Michelle. “S’pore’s Old Chang Kee selling curry puffs in South Africa”. The Business Times. December 12, 1994. Accessed on 4 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/biztimes19941212-1.2.7
  26. ↑ Low, Michelle. “S’pore’s Old Chang Kee selling curry puffs in South Africa”. The Business Times. December 12, 1994. Accessed on 4 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/biztimes19941212-1.2.7
  27. ↑ Cheong, S-W. “Jobless get preference at this curry puff chain”. The Straits Times. May 11, 2003. Accessed on 7 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes20030511-1.2.9.10
  28. ↑ Cheong, S-W. “Jobless get preference at this curry puff chain”. The Straits Times. May 11, 2003. Accessed on 7 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes20030511-1.2.9.10
  29. ↑ Old Chang Kee Australia. Instagram. Accessed on 7 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.instagram.com/oldchangkeeaus/?hl=en
  30. ↑ Old Chang Kee Media Release. "OLD CHANG KEE MARKS ITS FORAY INTO THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA (“PRC”) WITH FLAGSHIP RESTAURANT IN CHENGDU". October 28, 2008. Accessed on 7 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://oldchangkee.listedcompany.com/newsroom/20081028_183234_5ML_A24ABD18948BC9BE482574ED002879D4.1.pdf
  31. ↑ Yusof, Helmi. “Han Keen Juan”. The Business Times. August 3, 2018. Accessed on 7 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/lifestyle/weekend-interview/han-keen-juan
  32. ↑ "Outlets". Old Chang Kee. Accessed on 7 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.oldchangkee.com/outlets.htm#outlet
  33. ↑ "PROSPECTUS". Accessed on 7 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://infopub.sgx.com/FileOpen/OLDCHA_1.ashx?App=IPO&FileID=3482
  34. ↑ Old Chang Kee Indonesia. Instagram. Accessed on 7 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.instagram.com/oldchangkee_indonesia/
  35. ↑ Quek, Eunice. “No. 2: Old Chang Kee”. The Straits Times. July 5, 2015. Accesssed on 7 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/food/no-2-old-chang-kee
  36. ↑ "Milestones". Accessed on 7 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://oldchangkee.listedcompany.com/miles_stones.html
  37. ↑ Goh, Kenneth. “Old Chang Kee to open in London”. The Straits Times. June 1, 2017. Accessed on 7 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/old-chang-kee-curry-puffs-head-for-london
  38. ↑ Old Chang Kee UK. Instagram. October 6, 2017. Accessed on 7 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.instagram.com/p/BZ6Yf4LhlwU/
  39. ↑ Goh, Kenneth. “Old Chang Kee to open in London”. The Straits Times. June 1, 2017. Accessed on 7 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/old-chang-kee-curry-puffs-head-for-london
  40. ↑ Quek, Eunice. “Old Chang Kee opens in London’s Covent Garden”. The Straits Times. June 4, 2018. Accessed on 7 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/food/old-chang-kee-opens-in-londons-covent-garden-on-june-6
  41. ↑ Old Chang Kee UK. Instagram. January 2, 2019. Accessed on 7 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.instagram.com/p/BsIMck6F7pu/
  42. ↑ "Our Awards". Old Chang Kee. Accessed on 11 March 2019.Retrieved from: http://www.oldchangkee.com/our-awards.htm
  43. ↑ "About us". Facebook. Accessed on 7 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.facebook.com/pg/OMyKampong/about/
  44. ↑ Facebook. Accessed on 7 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.facebook.com/O-My-Darling-509218529147164/
  45. ↑ "About Us". Bun Times. Accessed on 7 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.buntimes.com.sg/about-us.html
  46. ↑ "About Us". Dip n Go. Accessed on 7 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.dipngo.com.sg/aboutus.html
  47. ↑ Curry Times. Accessed on 7 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.currytimes.com.sg/location.htm
  48. ↑ Facebook. Accessed on 7 february 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.facebook.com/MushroomCafeInThePark/
  49. ↑ Yelp. Accessed on 7 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.yelp.com.sg/biz/the-pie-kia-shop-singapore-2
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