they know if the staffs bei song..just resigned loh.
they will get replacement easily at the bottom hierarchy.
they will get replacement easily at the bottom hierarchy.
-
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Chitchat Suck-It Sushi In Bad Shape! No Bonus This Year! Sinkie Staff Totally Dead!
- Thread starter JohnTan
- Start date
From almost exactly ten years ago:
Singapore sushi king dreams of opening shop in Pyongyang | The Japan Times
japantimes.co.jp/news/2007/01/12/news/singapore-sushi-king-dreams-of-opening-shop-in-pyongyang
(Posted on Jan 12, 2007 by Siti Rahil)
SINGAPORE – Singapore’s sushi king dreams of opening a shop in an unlikely place as he looks to expand his huge chain of conveyor-belt sushi restaurants: Pyongyang.
Douglas Foo, 37, owner of Sakae Sushi, Singapore’s largest sushi chain, would probably make most Japanese blush with his zeal to bring Japanese cuisine to unusual places like North Korea, but Foo sees the isolated country as an unexploited market with big potential.
“It’s a market (where) you really get your first-mover advantage. There’s almost no competition to speak of,” said Foo, chief executive officer of Apex-Pal International Ltd., which operates the sushi chain.
“We are targeting the top people, top executives of state-owned enterprises, foreign expatriate communities and the humanitarian NGOs” based in Pyongyang. “These people will want nice places to dine.”
Unfortunately, his plan stalled after North Korea’s nuclear test last October led the U.N. Security Council to slap trade, travel and other sanctions on the hermit state.
Foo, who was in Pyongyang to meet potential business partners on the day the test was carried out, remains undaunted.
“Actually, we were hoping for sometime next year, but because of the situation, now we may have to shelve it for little while. But ultimately we are still very interested to go ahead with the plans.”
His sushi chain has grown to 50 outlets, including 36 shops in Singapore. Most of his rivals in the city-state operate fewer than 10.
“We hope to be reaching our 100 mark within these two years. We should be heading toward 500 in the medium term,” he said.
His sleek, high-tech sushi chain serves sushi, sashimi and other delicacies on small colored plates that zip by on conveyor belts. Most dishes are priced at 1.90 Singapore dollars (147 yen) each. Customers place orders electronically on interactive computer menus.
Foo speaks with passion about sushi, which he believes fits well with Singaporeans’ love for Japanese cuisine and the rising interest in health foods.
The restaurant chain has spread overseas to Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and China. Foo is also eyeing Russia, the Middle East and South Africa.
“I love sashimi and sushi and I have a deep interest in the whole Japanese culture,” Foo said in a recent interview at Hibiki, his more upmarket Japanese restaurant in downtown Singapore.
“We hope to build Sakae Sushi into a global brand, and so we have to be everywhere on the globe. North Korea is part of this globe,” he said in a private wood-paneled dining room lined floor to ceiling with fine sake.
“We are in talks with many parties in Moscow; we might be moving forward very quickly in markets like this. We have got people that we talk to even in South Africa, the Middle East. We are very open to try to bring our concept to all these places.”
Last year, the company had an annual turnover of S$52 million and a pretax profit of S$4.7 million.
Foo had his first taste of sushi in the 1990s while on a date. His first impression of sushi?
“Very small, and very expensive!” he said.
When he opened his first outlet in Singapore in 1997, Japanese food hadn’t caught on.
“Generally, the perception of Japanese food was ‘expensive and raw.’ Sushi was only popular for certain groups of people. There was the majority who were not really exposed to this delicacy.”
Foo’s goal is to make good sushi at affordable prices.
Although his plan to open a branch in North Korea has hit a snag because of U.N. sanctions, Foo is going ahead with plans to open a North Korean restaurant in Singapore, probably a first for the country.
It will offer North Korean dishes served in tiny gold-colored bowls by talented North Koreans who will also entertain guests with traditional songs and dances.
“North Korean food is very interesting. The country has not had the opportunity to experience the outside medical advancement, so Koreans depend on food to keep their health, using certain roots and plants.”
In the meantime, Foo remains optimistic about the prospects for his first restaurant in North Korea.
“The sanctions would definitely affect everybody and that’s why we decided to delay and not to rush into it, because sometimes these things will be blown over after a certain period of time. During the cooling-off, that’s the time we can do the entry.
“But the advantage that we have today is that we already have established relations. We have a network with people there, as compared to other companies who want to try to go there. Our partners have visited us and they have seen what we do, so the bond is there.”
He became attracted to North Korea when he went there as part of a business mission from Singapore in 2001.
Unlike Japanese businesspeople who are hampered by the government’s policy toward North Korea, Foo thinks Singaporeans have the edge because they face fewer restrictions.
Singapore sushi king dreams of opening shop in Pyongyang | The Japan Times
japantimes.co.jp/news/2007/01/12/news/singapore-sushi-king-dreams-of-opening-shop-in-pyongyang
(Posted on Jan 12, 2007 by Siti Rahil)
SINGAPORE – Singapore’s sushi king dreams of opening a shop in an unlikely place as he looks to expand his huge chain of conveyor-belt sushi restaurants: Pyongyang.
Douglas Foo, 37, owner of Sakae Sushi, Singapore’s largest sushi chain, would probably make most Japanese blush with his zeal to bring Japanese cuisine to unusual places like North Korea, but Foo sees the isolated country as an unexploited market with big potential.
“It’s a market (where) you really get your first-mover advantage. There’s almost no competition to speak of,” said Foo, chief executive officer of Apex-Pal International Ltd., which operates the sushi chain.
“We are targeting the top people, top executives of state-owned enterprises, foreign expatriate communities and the humanitarian NGOs” based in Pyongyang. “These people will want nice places to dine.”
Unfortunately, his plan stalled after North Korea’s nuclear test last October led the U.N. Security Council to slap trade, travel and other sanctions on the hermit state.
Foo, who was in Pyongyang to meet potential business partners on the day the test was carried out, remains undaunted.
“Actually, we were hoping for sometime next year, but because of the situation, now we may have to shelve it for little while. But ultimately we are still very interested to go ahead with the plans.”
His sushi chain has grown to 50 outlets, including 36 shops in Singapore. Most of his rivals in the city-state operate fewer than 10.
“We hope to be reaching our 100 mark within these two years. We should be heading toward 500 in the medium term,” he said.
His sleek, high-tech sushi chain serves sushi, sashimi and other delicacies on small colored plates that zip by on conveyor belts. Most dishes are priced at 1.90 Singapore dollars (147 yen) each. Customers place orders electronically on interactive computer menus.
Foo speaks with passion about sushi, which he believes fits well with Singaporeans’ love for Japanese cuisine and the rising interest in health foods.
The restaurant chain has spread overseas to Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and China. Foo is also eyeing Russia, the Middle East and South Africa.
“I love sashimi and sushi and I have a deep interest in the whole Japanese culture,” Foo said in a recent interview at Hibiki, his more upmarket Japanese restaurant in downtown Singapore.
“We hope to build Sakae Sushi into a global brand, and so we have to be everywhere on the globe. North Korea is part of this globe,” he said in a private wood-paneled dining room lined floor to ceiling with fine sake.
“We are in talks with many parties in Moscow; we might be moving forward very quickly in markets like this. We have got people that we talk to even in South Africa, the Middle East. We are very open to try to bring our concept to all these places.”
Last year, the company had an annual turnover of S$52 million and a pretax profit of S$4.7 million.
Foo had his first taste of sushi in the 1990s while on a date. His first impression of sushi?
“Very small, and very expensive!” he said.
When he opened his first outlet in Singapore in 1997, Japanese food hadn’t caught on.
“Generally, the perception of Japanese food was ‘expensive and raw.’ Sushi was only popular for certain groups of people. There was the majority who were not really exposed to this delicacy.”
Foo’s goal is to make good sushi at affordable prices.
Although his plan to open a branch in North Korea has hit a snag because of U.N. sanctions, Foo is going ahead with plans to open a North Korean restaurant in Singapore, probably a first for the country.
It will offer North Korean dishes served in tiny gold-colored bowls by talented North Koreans who will also entertain guests with traditional songs and dances.
“North Korean food is very interesting. The country has not had the opportunity to experience the outside medical advancement, so Koreans depend on food to keep their health, using certain roots and plants.”
In the meantime, Foo remains optimistic about the prospects for his first restaurant in North Korea.
“The sanctions would definitely affect everybody and that’s why we decided to delay and not to rush into it, because sometimes these things will be blown over after a certain period of time. During the cooling-off, that’s the time we can do the entry.
“But the advantage that we have today is that we already have established relations. We have a network with people there, as compared to other companies who want to try to go there. Our partners have visited us and they have seen what we do, so the bond is there.”
He became attracted to North Korea when he went there as part of a business mission from Singapore in 2001.
Unlike Japanese businesspeople who are hampered by the government’s policy toward North Korea, Foo thinks Singaporeans have the edge because they face fewer restrictions.
Douglas Foo | Infopedia
eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_1515_2009-05-07.html
Douglas Foo (b. 1969, Singapore–), is the chairman, chief executive officer and founder of Apex-Pal International Ltd., a public listed food and beverage company, which owns and operates Sakae Sushi – one of the leading kaiten (conveyer belt) sushi chains in Singapore. The success of Sakae Sushi has won the company numerous accolades such as the Enterprise 50 Award in 2002, Most Promising Brand Award in 2003, the Singapore Prestige Brand Award (Regional) in 2006 and the Singapore 1000 Award in 2007. In recognition of his entrepreneurial spirit and philanthropic efforts, Foo was awarded the Rotary-ASME Entrepreneur of the Year in 2002, and the Public Service Star in 2013.
Early life
Foo, the eldest of three children, was born in Singapore in 1969. His father, an immigrant from Hainan, China, worked as a mechanical and electrical consultant. Foo received his early education at the Red Swastika Primary School, where he was both a prefect and top student. He went on to study at Dunman High School, and furthered his education at Victoria Junior College. An active sportsman in college, Foo participated in long-distance running, laser sailing and windsurfing.
Following his GCE “A” Levels, he served his national service with the Singapore Air Force. During his military service, Foo would read up on topics relating to radar and electronics in order to understand the workings of the missile systems. It was then that he discovered that his interest was not in engineering.
Although Foo had already secured a place with the engineering school at the Nanyang Technological University, he decided to make the switch to study business administration. However, his ‘A’ Level grades did not qualify him for the university's business school. So, aided in part by funds from his parents, Foo enrolled in the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia for his degree in business administration (finance), where he graduated with distinction in 1994.
The value of money
Foo was taught the value of money from an early age. Once, when he was 10, Foo, who was running a fever, called his father to ask for a lift home. His father, instead, chided him for wasting 10 cents on the phone call, and told him that he should make his own way home as their house was within walking distance from school. Since primary school, Foo was given only a modest monthly allowance of $50 for his food, transport and outings.
To supplement his allowance , Foo gave tuition on weekends, earning up to $5,000 a month. He also worked during the six-month vacation before his enlistment, juggling a number of jobs at the same time. His typical day then involved taking turbine readings at Pulau Seraya in the mornings, relief teaching at Pin Yi Secondary School in the afternoons, and conducting door-to-door market surveys in the evenings. He also had a brief stint as a baker at Delifrance, where he met his wife. While studying in Melbourne, Foo continued to earn extra pocket money by selling shoes at the Queen Victoria Market.
Early career
Upon returning from Australia, Foo found employment as a marketing executive with the real estate arm of Tokyu Group in 1995. During the course of his work, he formed friendships with a number of Japanese clients. Through these networks, one of his Japanese business contacts approached him to start a business to manufacture garments in India for sale in Japan.
Foo took the plunge despite an attractive counter offer from his employer, and his lack of experience in the fashion business. He invested $100,000 of his savings and registered Apex-Pal in 1996. The trading office was located at International Plaza, while a factory with 50 workers and equipped with reconditioned sewing machines from Taiwan was established in India. The business yielded profits in its first year.
Beginnings of Sakae Sushi
With the success of the garment manufacturing and trading business, Foo began exploring various ways of diversifying the business. He studied the basic needs of consumers, and decided that the food industry would be good to venture into. Having learned that Singaporeans were becoming more health conscious and discerning about what they consume, Foo ventured into the food and beverage industry in 1997.
Although, Japanese fare was generally considered to be one of the healthiest among the various cuisines, it was also a relatively expensive dining choice for the masses at the time. Hence, Foo came up with the business proposition to offer Japanese food at affordable prices. By targeting the middle-class masses, the company would be less vulnerable to economic downturns. However, with the Japanese economic slump during that period, Foo’s business partner was reluctant to take on this new venture. In the ensuing months, Foo faced the uphill task of raising funds to buy out his partner’s share as well as setting up the sushi business.
In planning for Sakae Sushi, Foo made frequent trips to Japan and Hong Kong to study the operations of conveyor-belt sushi joints. He decided to implement a single price for all plates (with the exception of delicacies on red plates) because he felt that the various coloured plates (indicating the different prices of sushi dishes) used in Japanese restaurants deterred customers from ordering more. He also created a dining concept unique to Sakae Sushi to differentiate the restaurant from other Japanese dining establishments: the company uses a conveyor belt system that runs on blocks of wheels to deliver sushi to customers, provides hot water taps for customer to make their tea as well as interactive menus for placing orders. Over time, the company added more innovations such as sushi-making robots, and portable conveyor belts for catered dining.
The first Sakae Sushi outlet opened at the OUB Centre at Raffles Place in the midst of the Asian financial crisis in September 1997. Despite the weak economic situation, the business took off. Today, there are over 200 Sakae Sushi outlets in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, China, Japan, India, New Zealand and the United States.
In its efforts to reach out to Muslim consumers, Apex-Pal International went a step ahead by offering halal sushi under the Hei Sushi brand in 1997, and currently operates five outlets around the island. Foo, however, did not stop at sushi. He further cemented his foothold in the food and beverage scene by launching Black Tea Box (now defunct), and Crepes & Cream in 2000. The following year, he established Nouvelle Events, an events catering company with its own bakery and butchery. Apex-Pal International was listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange in 2003.
Community work
Currently the president of the Singapore Manufacturing Federation, Foo also sits on numerous boards for corporate, governmental and non-profit organisations such as MILK (Mainly I Love Kids) Fund, Radin Mas Community Club, the ASEAN Business Advisory Council as well as the Lee Kong Chian School of Business Advisory Board at the Singapore Management University.
Foo received the Public Service Star in 2013 in recognition of his philanthropic efforts. In 2016, he was conferred the Seri Pangeran Temenggong Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin III (S.P.T.M) by His Royal Highness Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin III, Prabu Diraja, Sultan Palembang Darussalam, which carries the title Dato’ Seri.
Personal awards
2002: Rotary-ASME Entrepreneur of the Year (joint winner).
2002: Top Outstanding Young Person Award, by Junior Chamber of Singapore International.
2002: Merit, Yazhou Zhoukan Chinese Entrepreneur Merit Award.
Hobbies
2003: Singapore Youth Award.
2004: ASEAN Youth Award (Youth & Entrepreneurship).
2005: Health Leader (Excellence) Award, by the Singapore Human Resource Institute.
2007: Public Service Medal, National Day Award.
2007: International Management Action Award.
2008: Commendation, Singapore Youth Award.
2010: Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) Champion.
2011: ASEAN-China Young Entrepreneur Outstanding Entrepreneur Award.
2012: MCYS Volunteers Award.
2013: Public Service Star (BBM), National Day Award.
2015: Asia Corporate Excellence and Sustainability (ACES) “"Entrepreneur of the Year"” Award.
2016: NTUC May Day Friend of Labour Award.
Family
Wife: Koh Yen Khoon
Children: Donavan, Dominic, Donahue, Donaghan
wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakae_Sushi
sakaeholdings.com/board-of-directors.html
eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_1515_2009-05-07.html
Douglas Foo (b. 1969, Singapore–), is the chairman, chief executive officer and founder of Apex-Pal International Ltd., a public listed food and beverage company, which owns and operates Sakae Sushi – one of the leading kaiten (conveyer belt) sushi chains in Singapore. The success of Sakae Sushi has won the company numerous accolades such as the Enterprise 50 Award in 2002, Most Promising Brand Award in 2003, the Singapore Prestige Brand Award (Regional) in 2006 and the Singapore 1000 Award in 2007. In recognition of his entrepreneurial spirit and philanthropic efforts, Foo was awarded the Rotary-ASME Entrepreneur of the Year in 2002, and the Public Service Star in 2013.
Early life
Foo, the eldest of three children, was born in Singapore in 1969. His father, an immigrant from Hainan, China, worked as a mechanical and electrical consultant. Foo received his early education at the Red Swastika Primary School, where he was both a prefect and top student. He went on to study at Dunman High School, and furthered his education at Victoria Junior College. An active sportsman in college, Foo participated in long-distance running, laser sailing and windsurfing.
Following his GCE “A” Levels, he served his national service with the Singapore Air Force. During his military service, Foo would read up on topics relating to radar and electronics in order to understand the workings of the missile systems. It was then that he discovered that his interest was not in engineering.
Although Foo had already secured a place with the engineering school at the Nanyang Technological University, he decided to make the switch to study business administration. However, his ‘A’ Level grades did not qualify him for the university's business school. So, aided in part by funds from his parents, Foo enrolled in the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia for his degree in business administration (finance), where he graduated with distinction in 1994.
The value of money
Foo was taught the value of money from an early age. Once, when he was 10, Foo, who was running a fever, called his father to ask for a lift home. His father, instead, chided him for wasting 10 cents on the phone call, and told him that he should make his own way home as their house was within walking distance from school. Since primary school, Foo was given only a modest monthly allowance of $50 for his food, transport and outings.
To supplement his allowance , Foo gave tuition on weekends, earning up to $5,000 a month. He also worked during the six-month vacation before his enlistment, juggling a number of jobs at the same time. His typical day then involved taking turbine readings at Pulau Seraya in the mornings, relief teaching at Pin Yi Secondary School in the afternoons, and conducting door-to-door market surveys in the evenings. He also had a brief stint as a baker at Delifrance, where he met his wife. While studying in Melbourne, Foo continued to earn extra pocket money by selling shoes at the Queen Victoria Market.
Early career
Upon returning from Australia, Foo found employment as a marketing executive with the real estate arm of Tokyu Group in 1995. During the course of his work, he formed friendships with a number of Japanese clients. Through these networks, one of his Japanese business contacts approached him to start a business to manufacture garments in India for sale in Japan.
Foo took the plunge despite an attractive counter offer from his employer, and his lack of experience in the fashion business. He invested $100,000 of his savings and registered Apex-Pal in 1996. The trading office was located at International Plaza, while a factory with 50 workers and equipped with reconditioned sewing machines from Taiwan was established in India. The business yielded profits in its first year.
Beginnings of Sakae Sushi
With the success of the garment manufacturing and trading business, Foo began exploring various ways of diversifying the business. He studied the basic needs of consumers, and decided that the food industry would be good to venture into. Having learned that Singaporeans were becoming more health conscious and discerning about what they consume, Foo ventured into the food and beverage industry in 1997.
Although, Japanese fare was generally considered to be one of the healthiest among the various cuisines, it was also a relatively expensive dining choice for the masses at the time. Hence, Foo came up with the business proposition to offer Japanese food at affordable prices. By targeting the middle-class masses, the company would be less vulnerable to economic downturns. However, with the Japanese economic slump during that period, Foo’s business partner was reluctant to take on this new venture. In the ensuing months, Foo faced the uphill task of raising funds to buy out his partner’s share as well as setting up the sushi business.
In planning for Sakae Sushi, Foo made frequent trips to Japan and Hong Kong to study the operations of conveyor-belt sushi joints. He decided to implement a single price for all plates (with the exception of delicacies on red plates) because he felt that the various coloured plates (indicating the different prices of sushi dishes) used in Japanese restaurants deterred customers from ordering more. He also created a dining concept unique to Sakae Sushi to differentiate the restaurant from other Japanese dining establishments: the company uses a conveyor belt system that runs on blocks of wheels to deliver sushi to customers, provides hot water taps for customer to make their tea as well as interactive menus for placing orders. Over time, the company added more innovations such as sushi-making robots, and portable conveyor belts for catered dining.
The first Sakae Sushi outlet opened at the OUB Centre at Raffles Place in the midst of the Asian financial crisis in September 1997. Despite the weak economic situation, the business took off. Today, there are over 200 Sakae Sushi outlets in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, China, Japan, India, New Zealand and the United States.
In its efforts to reach out to Muslim consumers, Apex-Pal International went a step ahead by offering halal sushi under the Hei Sushi brand in 1997, and currently operates five outlets around the island. Foo, however, did not stop at sushi. He further cemented his foothold in the food and beverage scene by launching Black Tea Box (now defunct), and Crepes & Cream in 2000. The following year, he established Nouvelle Events, an events catering company with its own bakery and butchery. Apex-Pal International was listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange in 2003.
Community work
Currently the president of the Singapore Manufacturing Federation, Foo also sits on numerous boards for corporate, governmental and non-profit organisations such as MILK (Mainly I Love Kids) Fund, Radin Mas Community Club, the ASEAN Business Advisory Council as well as the Lee Kong Chian School of Business Advisory Board at the Singapore Management University.
Foo received the Public Service Star in 2013 in recognition of his philanthropic efforts. In 2016, he was conferred the Seri Pangeran Temenggong Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin III (S.P.T.M) by His Royal Highness Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin III, Prabu Diraja, Sultan Palembang Darussalam, which carries the title Dato’ Seri.
Personal awards
2002: Rotary-ASME Entrepreneur of the Year (joint winner).
2002: Top Outstanding Young Person Award, by Junior Chamber of Singapore International.
2002: Merit, Yazhou Zhoukan Chinese Entrepreneur Merit Award.
Hobbies
2003: Singapore Youth Award.
2004: ASEAN Youth Award (Youth & Entrepreneurship).
2005: Health Leader (Excellence) Award, by the Singapore Human Resource Institute.
2007: Public Service Medal, National Day Award.
2007: International Management Action Award.
2008: Commendation, Singapore Youth Award.
2010: Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) Champion.
2011: ASEAN-China Young Entrepreneur Outstanding Entrepreneur Award.
2012: MCYS Volunteers Award.
2013: Public Service Star (BBM), National Day Award.
2015: Asia Corporate Excellence and Sustainability (ACES) “"Entrepreneur of the Year"” Award.
2016: NTUC May Day Friend of Labour Award.
Family
Wife: Koh Yen Khoon
Children: Donavan, Dominic, Donahue, Donaghan
wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakae_Sushi
sakaeholdings.com/board-of-directors.html
Attachments
Last edited:
Early life
Foo, the eldest of three children, was born in Singapore in 1969. His father, an immigrant from Hainan, China, worked as a mechanical and electrical consultant. Foo received his early education at the Red Swastika Primary School, where he was both a prefect and top student. He went on to study at Dunman High School, and furthered his education at Victoria Junior College. An active sportsman in college, Foo participated in long-distance running, laser sailing and windsurfing.
Following his GCE “A” Levels, he served his national service with the Singapore Air Force. During his military service, Foo would read up on topics relating to radar and electronics in order to understand the workings of the missile systems. It was then that he discovered that his interest was not in engineering.
Although Foo had already secured a place with the engineering school at the Nanyang Technological University, he decided to make the switch to study business administration. However, his ‘A’ Level grades did not qualify him for the university's business school. So, aided in part by funds from his parents, Foo enrolled in the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia for his degree in business administration (finance), where he graduated with distinction in 1994.
The value of money
Foo was taught the value of money from an early age. Once, when he was 10, Foo, who was running a fever, called his father to ask for a lift home. His father, instead, chided him for wasting 10 cents on the phone call, and told him that he should make his own way home as their house was within walking distance from school. Since primary school, Foo was given only a modest monthly allowance of $50 for his food, transport and outings.
To supplement his allowance , Foo gave tuition on weekends, earning up to $5,000 a month. He also worked during the six-month vacation before his enlistment, juggling a number of jobs at the same time. His typical day then involved taking turbine readings at Pulau Seraya in the mornings, relief teaching at Pin Yi Secondary School in the afternoons, and conducting door-to-door market surveys in the evenings. He also had a brief stint as a baker at Delifrance, where he met his wife. While studying in Melbourne, Foo continued to earn extra pocket money by selling shoes at the Queen Victoria Market.
Early career
Upon returning from Australia, Foo found employment as a marketing executive with the real estate arm of Tokyu Group in 1995. During the course of his work, he formed friendships with a number of Japanese clients. Through these networks, one of his Japanese business contacts approached him to start a business to manufacture garments in India for sale in Japan.
Foo took the plunge despite an attractive counter offer from his employer, and his lack of experience in the fashion business. He invested $100,000 of his savings and registered Apex-Pal in 1996. The trading office was located at International Plaza, while a factory with 50 workers and equipped with reconditioned sewing machines from Taiwan was established in India. The business yielded profits in its first year.
Beginnings of Sakae Sushi
With the success of the garment manufacturing and trading business, Foo began exploring various ways of diversifying the business. He studied the basic needs of consumers, and decided that the food industry would be good to venture into. Having learned that Singaporeans were becoming more health conscious and discerning about what they consume, Foo ventured into the food and beverage industry in 1997.
Although, Japanese fare was generally considered to be one of the healthiest among the various cuisines, it was also a relatively expensive dining choice for the masses at the time. Hence, Foo came up with the business proposition to offer Japanese food at affordable prices. By targeting the middle-class masses, the company would be less vulnerable to economic downturns. However, with the Japanese economic slump during that period, Foo’s business partner was reluctant to take on this new venture. In the ensuing months, Foo faced the uphill task of raising funds to buy out his partner’s share as well as setting up the sushi business.
In planning for Sakae Sushi, Foo made frequent trips to Japan and Hong Kong to study the operations of conveyor-belt sushi joints. He decided to implement a single price for all plates (with the exception of delicacies on red plates) because he felt that the various coloured plates (indicating the different prices of sushi dishes) used in Japanese restaurants deterred customers from ordering more. He also created a dining concept unique to Sakae Sushi to differentiate the restaurant from other Japanese dining establishments: the company uses a conveyor belt system that runs on blocks of wheels to deliver sushi to customers, provides hot water taps for customer to make their tea as well as interactive menus for placing orders. Over time, the company added more innovations such as sushi-making robots, and portable conveyor belts for catered dining.
The first Sakae Sushi outlet opened at the OUB Centre at Raffles Place in the midst of the Asian financial crisis in September 1997. Despite the weak economic situation, the business took off. Today, there are over 200 Sakae Sushi outlets in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, China, Japan, India, New Zealand and the United States.
In its efforts to reach out to Muslim consumers, Apex-Pal International went a step ahead by offering halal sushi under the Hei Sushi brand in 1997, and currently operates five outlets around the island. Foo, however, did not stop at sushi. He further cemented his foothold in the food and beverage scene by launching Black Tea Box (now defunct), and Crepes & Cream in 2000. The following year, he established Nouvelle Events, an events catering company with its own bakery and butchery. Apex-Pal International was listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange in 2003.
Community work
Currently the president of the Singapore Manufacturing Federation, Foo also sits on numerous boards for corporate, governmental and non-profit organisations such as MILK (Mainly I Love Kids) Fund, Radin Mas Community Club, the ASEAN Business Advisory Council as well as the Lee Kong Chian School of Business Advisory Board at the Singapore Management University.
Foo received the Public Service Star in 2013 in recognition of his philanthropic efforts. In 2016, he was conferred the Seri Pangeran Temenggong Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin III (S.P.T.M) by His Royal Highness Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin III, Prabu Diraja, Sultan Palembang Darussalam, which carries the title Dato’ Seri.
Personal awards
2002: Rotary-ASME Entrepreneur of the Year (joint winner).
2002: Top Outstanding Young Person Award, by Junior Chamber of Singapore International.
2002: Merit, Yazhou Zhoukan Chinese Entrepreneur Merit Award.
Hobbies
2003: Singapore Youth Award.
2004: ASEAN Youth Award (Youth & Entrepreneurship).
2005: Health Leader (Excellence) Award, by the Singapore Human Resource Institute.
2007: Public Service Medal, National Day Award.
2007: International Management Action Award.
2008: Commendation, Singapore Youth Award.
2010: Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) Champion.
2011: ASEAN-China Young Entrepreneur Outstanding Entrepreneur Award.
2012: MCYS Volunteers Award.
2013: Public Service Star (BBM), National Day Award.
2015: Asia Corporate Excellence and Sustainability (ACES) “"Entrepreneur of the Year"” Award.
2016: NTUC May Day Friend of Labour Award.
Family
Wife: Koh Yen Khoon
Children: Donavan, Dominic, Donahue, Donaghan[/I]
wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakae_Sushi
sakaeholdings.com/board-of-directors.html
the Leeport has been twisted to make him look good from my reliable source, he was a neng kah white horse peng gia (soft legged) clerk at the ex cable car tower registry.
Now all the real Japanese food are here to show Sinkies what dog shit they had been eating at Suckit.
many yrs back his cheques esp on poker table bounce repeatedly............
No choice. Cost of living go up by so much. Without rich people, the poor will have no jobs.
if what YoY wrote is true , it is indeed very mean of the management to mislead the staff into believing there will be a bonus . And also being a listed food operator company , it is shocking to hear it is suffering huge losses . Could it be mismanagement or lack of attention in running this business that led to heavy losses?
To relate an incident last year , I had just finished visiting a Chia Mei Mei staying at Lim Ah Woo road condo when I saw a guy arriving in a bicycle with a jockey cap at the car park of this small condo . But I could recognise him since he is such a prominent entrepreneur being featured on Tv and news media frequently plus offering $3000 for a dish washer in his advertisemnt . Out of curiosity I deliberately followed him and went back to the lift lobby to confirm his identity , true enough it's the well known entrepreneur who shared the same surname of another well known bar entrepreneur ' D.Fool ' . I then called the Mei Mei to check if she's expecting someone who's taking the lift to her apartment . True enough she said yes , so I told her you are in luck to have a very rich client . Wish her luck that she gets a good tip provided he's not stingy.
A week later I visited her again and casually asked if he gave her a good tip ? Was shocked that she said ' la chi' client which I later found out it's meaning to be lousy . Perhaps, he should spend more time putting the business back on track instead of fooling around with women . Maybe some of the girls working there will throw some light on his character .
To relate an incident last year , I had just finished visiting a Chia Mei Mei staying at Lim Ah Woo road condo when I saw a guy arriving in a bicycle with a jockey cap at the car park of this small condo . But I could recognise him since he is such a prominent entrepreneur being featured on Tv and news media frequently plus offering $3000 for a dish washer in his advertisemnt . Out of curiosity I deliberately followed him and went back to the lift lobby to confirm his identity , true enough it's the well known entrepreneur who shared the same surname of another well known bar entrepreneur ' D.Fool ' . I then called the Mei Mei to check if she's expecting someone who's taking the lift to her apartment . True enough she said yes , so I told her you are in luck to have a very rich client . Wish her luck that she gets a good tip provided he's not stingy.
A week later I visited her again and casually asked if he gave her a good tip ? Was shocked that she said ' la chi' client which I later found out it's meaning to be lousy . Perhaps, he should spend more time putting the business back on track instead of fooling around with women . Maybe some of the girls working there will throw some light on his character .
I was feeling cheated and disappointed with my current employer Sakae Sushi Pte Ltd.
Chinese New Year is a big and important day for Chinese, as this is the day where all family members gather together and this is also the day to harvest the hardship and effort you put on your career.
As all the people out there, I'm looking forward for bonus to enjoy this Chinese New Year. I don't believe that there is people out there who do not desire bonus.
Early Jan, I asked my Finance VP if there is any bonus ( as Sakae suffer from huge loss ), she answered me yes but it will solely depends on performance.
This really comfort me as I am really afraid that Sakae would not afford. Then comes the meno, as per attached, announcing that staff entitle for early pay out advance half month salary for staff to prepare for Chinese New Year, the balance of salary and bonus would be fall on the Chinese New Year eve.
This is a great news! Even though advance half month salary ( for assistant level, not exceeding 1k ) is less than 1k, but at least I have spare money to buy Chinese New Year preparation.
Thinking that I still have another half month and bonus, honestly speaking I did not put much hope of getting half month bonus, I think at least got 300-500 as an Ang bao.
On Tuesday, outlet staffs were called for urgent meeting, then rumors was that outlet staffs did not entitle for bonus this year.
This is a shocking news as operations is very important in F&B, if at all outlet staffs don't have bonus, office staffs stand slimmer chance. But I still try to put hope, as this memo thing is not a joke.
Until today, Thursday , 5.30pm, half an hour left to knock off, CEO called for meeting n announced that there will be no bonus, she explained that company is in a very bad shape and had tried very very best but still unable to comes up with the money.
I felt cheated and furious. Not because no bonus, but because the company confirm that we will get, so I believe I will get, but last min, left only about a day, breaking this news.
Aren't managent trying to lied to us and hope that staffs will at least work as normal until this very last day? The company does not turning into bad shape over a night, who else can be more understand the company financial status other than the CEO and higher management? Don't give us excuse that this a very last min decision made as money is not enough. Why sending out memo when you know you have not enough to pay for bonus? Why decide to announced on the very last day?
This sound so stupid, CEO shd be more aware that there will be no bonus pay out for this year, memo is to smooth out anxiety, then choose to announced the very last min where not chances can be made anymore.
I was totally dead. My early half month salary finished, I left only another half month which about 800-900 after Cpf deduction.
Hw do I survive for next month? When the company choose to be honest in the very first place, I will only feel disappointed as I already expected due to company condition, therefore I will have a plan in how to use my Jan salary wisely for Chinese New Year and feb expenses.
But when the company choose to lie, giving stupid empty promise, it will really makes my life miserable and painful. Now, I am not only overdraft on salary, where shd I get $ to pay for sch fees n loan ?
Some ppl might not be affected by this bonus scheme , but don't they need to think of others also? Wad kind of business brain they have so they can think of this way to settle this bonus issue?
This act is solely in selfishness,
Clare
A.S.S. Contributor
- More at AllSingaporeStuff.com https://www.allsingaporestuff.com/article/sakae-sushi-staff-told-not-expect-bonus-year
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Default Re: Suck-It Sushi In Bad Shape! No Bonus This Year! Sinkie Staff Totally Dead!
if what YoY wrote is true , it is indeed very mean of the management to mislead the staff into believing there will be a bonus . And also being a listed food operator company , it is shocking to hear it is suffering huge losses . Could it be mismanagement or lack of attention in running this business that led to heavy losses?
To relate an incident last year , I had just finished visiting a Chia Mei Mei staying at Lim Ah Woo road condo when I saw a guy arriving in a bicycle with a jockey cap at the car park of this small condo . But I could recognise him since he is such a prominent entrepreneur being featured on Tv and news media frequently plus offering $3000 for a dish washer in his advertisemnt . Out of curiosity I deliberately followed him and went back to the lift lobby to confirm his identity , true enough it's the well known entrepreneur who shared the same surname of another well known bar entrepreneur ' D.Fool ' . I then called the Mei Mei to check if she's expecting someone who's taking the lift to her apartment . True enough she said yes , so I told her you are in luck to have a very rich client . Wish her luck that she gets a good tip provided he's not stingy.
A week later I visited her again and casually asked if he gave her a good tip ? Was shocked that she said ' la chi' client which I later found out it's meaning to be lousy . Perhaps, he should spend more time putting the business back on track instead of fooling around with women . Maybe some of the girls working there will throw some light on his character .
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