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Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, South Korea’s Lotteria join global F&B giants tapping Singapore consumers’ evolving taste

New openings come as China brands like Luckin, Chagee, Mixue consolidate, upgrade after breakneck expansion to over 400 outlets

Chong Xin Wei
Published Tue, Nov 4, 2025 · 01:01 PM
    • Premium rents for retail spaces in prime locations remain underpinned by deep-pocketed international operators, says Ethan Hsu, Knight Frank Singapore's head of retail.
    • Premium rents for retail spaces in prime locations remain underpinned by deep-pocketed international operators, says Ethan Hsu, Knight Frank Singapore's head of retail. PHOTO: BT FILE

    [SINGAPORE] Singapore’s food and beverage scene is entering a new phase, where Chinese chains that once expanded at breakneck speed are refining concepts as new players from China and beyond continue to arrive.

    “The initial wave of Chinese expansion, marked by the rapid roll-out of major hotpot and mass-market chains, has now transitioned into a phase of strategic maturity,” Knight Frank Singapore head of retail Ethan Hsu told The Business Times.

    “Rather than reaching a saturation point, the market is evolving from broad-based expansion to a more refined, quality-focused growth model.”

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