Flash Coffee, a Singapore-based coffee chain, has closed its operations in Singapore to focus on other markets, the company said in a statement on Friday (Oct 13).
The chain previously operated 11 outlets in Singapore, but these have all been closed. Employees at the Jurong Point outlet had previously put up a notice suggesting that they were protesting delayed salary payments, but the company clarified that staff in Singapore were “not on strike”.
In a statement, Flash Coffee said that the decision to discontinue its Singapore operations was part of a strategic shift to enhance profitability and sustainability by concentrating on more promising markets.
The company also said that it was committed to supporting affected team members proactively. Most of its Singapore head office staff have been offered positions in other markets or within the regional team, and the company is actively trying to connect its baristas with opportunities in other coffee chains.
Flash Coffee was founded in 2020 and has rapidly expanded to over 200 stores across Southeast Asia. However, the company has faced increasing competition from other coffee chains, such as Starbucks and Costa Coffee.
The closure of Flash Coffee’s Singapore operations is a blow to the local coffee scene, but it is also a reminder of the challenges faced by startups in a competitive market.
