Food Republic joins wave of foreign brands retreating in China
Singaporean operator leaves capital after 25 years as food court model loses favour amid rise of food delivery, shopping-mall evolution
Food Republic, the Singaporean food court chain owned by BreadTalk Group, is set to close its last remaining outlet in Beijing on June 15, ending more than two decades in the Chinese capital, according to a notice outside the location in late May.
Its closure comes amid a wave of store shutdowns among foreign and Hong Kong brands across mainland China. Many have struggled to adapt to the local market, hampered by outdated business models and fast-evolving consumer preferences.
“[Food Republic’s] retreat highlights mounting challenges facing China’s food-court industry, which has come under pressure from changing consumer habits, the rapid growth of food-delivery platforms and shifting mall economics,” said Fu Yifu, a special research fellow at Su Merchants Bank in Nanjing, in the eastern Jiangsu province.
Located in The Malls at Oriental Plaza, one of Beijing’s best-known shopping complexes, the outlet was the operator’s first store in the city when it opened more than 25 years ago. The company did not give a reason for the closure. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Food Republic operated more than 40 outlets across mainland China at its peak in 2016, with locations in Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin and Chongqing. Following the Beijing closure, only four will remain, all in Shanghai.
Food courts rose to prominence in China during the 1990s by offering consumers affordable, hygienic and diverse dining options. Operators typically leased large spaces in shopping malls and sublet stalls to small food vendors. Analysts said their competitive edge gradually faded as consumer priorities evolved.