Like the little red dots marking its curry puffs, Old Chang Kee has helped put Singapore firmly on the global food map.

Old Chang Kee has long been an indelible part of Singapore’s food landscape. Renowned for its signature Hainanese-style curry puffs, it has grown from humble beginnings as a stall outside the former Rex Cinema along Mackenzie Road to become an iconic brand - celebrated for its commitment to heritage, quality, and innovation.

Mr Han Keen Juan, Chairman of Old Chang Kee

TRANSFORMATION AND GROWTH

The brand’s turning point came in 1986 when Mr Han Keen Juan took a leap of faith, leaving his corporate career to acquire Old Chang Kee. Setting about to modernise the business while preserving authenticity, he rebranded the company, introducing standardised food preparation processes, and enhanced quality control measures.

Mr Han Keen Juan at the REX outlet in 1986

Fulfilling Mr Han’s strategic vision has propelled Old Chang Kee to its current heights, with the brand garnering numerous accolades and awards along the way. For his efforts helming Old Chang Kee, Mr Han was awarded the Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 1992 - a source of great personal pride to this day.

Understanding early on the need for scalability, Mr Han transitioned production from a small coffee shop to a modern factory in Ubi. Despite initial resistance to his foresight, he persevered and invested in a 20,000 square-foot facility in Woodlands to support growing demand. A regional factory in Malaysia soon followed, ensuring that mechanised processes complemented, rather than replaced, traditional craftsmanship under his leadership.

EXPANSION AND BRAND DEVELOPMENT

Old Chang Kee’s mission has remained constant: to deliver high-quality hot finger food and ready meals at accessible prices to busy city dwellers. To meet consumer demand and evolving tastes, the company expanded beyond traditional kiosks, and also introduced new products crafted to the same high standards as its beloved curry puffs.

While its early international forays saw mixed results due to operational and quality control challenges, Old Chang Kee’s domestic success saw it surpass S$16 in annual sales by 2003. The company later made a renewed push to go internationally and bring a taste of Singapore to the world. Today, with over 100 outlets worldwide, including locations in the United Kingdom (London), Indonesia, and Malaysia, Old Chang Kee has its sights set on pushing even further afield.

Old Chang Kee’s mission has remained constant: to deliver high-quality hot finger food and ready meals at accessible prices to busy city dwellers.

The flagship Old Chang Kee Coffee House

LEGACY, MILESTONES AND THE NEXT GENERATION

Succession and continuity at Old Chang Kee have been carefully planned, with Mr Han putting in place the current generation of senior leadership early on. In 1995 Mr William Lim was appointed as Managing Director before eventually assuming the role of CEO, helping to usher in a new phase of growth.

The first decade of the 2000s saw a host of milestones achieved. First, with the attainment of Halal certification in 2005 to further broaden the brand’s appeal to an expanded demographic. Then next in 2008, when Old Chang Kee was listed on the Singapore Exchange’s Catalist board, raising funds to support its plans for international expansion.

Continuing to innovate, the company would introduce a host of new retail concepts. This included the opening of its flagship Old Chang Kee Coffee House in 2018 at its original Mackenzie Road location - an homage to its heritage while adapting to modern dining trends.

CEO Mr William Lim with the Forbes Asia Best Under A Billion Award 2024

By 2024, the company crossed another milestone by hitting S$100 million in sales. This latest achievement saw its inclusion on Forbes Asia’s Best Under A Billion list, cementing Old Chang Kee’s status as a true Singaporean success story.

SINGAPOREAN THROUGH AND THROUGH

Today, Old Chang Kee remains a household name. More than a retail chain, it is a cultural touchstone that has become a standard bearer for Singapore’s vibrant culinary identity. Its rise is an enduring testament to perseverance from humble origins and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

Ubiquitous within Singaporean consciousness, Old Chang Kee has today become deeply entrenched in our national identity. From being named as an official caterer for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games, to becoming synonymous with the National Day Parade and other major events, the company has grown in tandem with generations of Singaporeans.