‘Vicious circle' for Hong Kong restaurants: how many more on the chopping block?
Industry representatives gave their grim assessment on Sunday, just days after King Parrot Group announced it would close nine of its eateries, ending a 33-year run.
The move has reportedly left over 100 staff out of pocket to the tune of more than HK$1 million (US$127,430), as concerns mounted that other restaurants would also close due to cash-flow pressures and the poor economic outlook.
Chiu Kwun-chung, head of the Eating Establishment Employees General Union's labour rights committee, said the sector was facing rising levels of unemployment.
'From the struggles of affordable eateries such as Ocean Empire Food Shop to the collapse of higher-end, multi-cuisine groups such as King Parrot, Hong Kong's dining scene is caught in a vicious circle,' Chiu said.
Two long-standing establishments, the 33-year-old congee chain Ocean Empire Food Shop and 44-year-old Daniel's Restaurant cha chaan teng chain, last month joined a growing list of closures.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
an hour ago
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong CEOs get crash course in AI to pass on skills to 5,000 students
More than a dozen CEOs and top-level executives in Hong Kong are taking a crash course in AI with the help of a non-profit to equip them with the skills to help 5,000 secondary school students learn the essentials of the technology. The CEO training on Sunday was a key component of the AI-5000 Initiative, a collaborative effort between Project Melo and Preface, a Hong Kong-based education technology company. The project garnered support from 17 top-level executives and leaders, including M+ museum chairman Bernard Chan, Link Reit CEO George Hongchoy, and Randy Lai, the CEO of McDonald's Hong Kong. 'We believe that Hong Kong secondary students absolutely have to focus on AI,' said Kenny Lam Kwok-fung, a co-founder of Project Melo, a local non-profit focused on empowering young people that is co-running the programme. Being held between September this year and March 2026, more than 50 schools are taking part in the programme. The courses will be delivered by Preface staff, students from Project Melo and the 15 participating CEOs. The training programme is being launched amid a wider push by the government to get young people interested in the technology.
South China Morning Post
2 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Singapore beyond 60: Lawrence Wong vows to keep country ‘exceptional'
Singapore 's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong mapped out his vision for the city state on Sunday in his first National Day Rally since his ruling party won the general election in May, promising to expand on a cross-border economic initiative and inject new life to northern towns. Advertisement Noting that the country was at a critical juncture after marking its 60th year of independence on August 9, Wong outlined long-term policy plans to 'take charge of our own destiny' in an era of global uncertainty with international trust waning, nations prioritising self-interest and a United States in retreat. 'We are not going to sit back and resign ourselves to being mere bystanders in a world shaped by others,' Wong said, addressing his Cabinet colleagues and members of the establishment and grass roots in the Singapore equivalent of a state of the union address. 'We take pride in whatever we do, and strive to be the best possible versions of ourselves [ …] That's how we've achieved exceptional performance. That's how we will continue to stay exceptional – as a people and a country,' Wong added. The central business district skyline in Singapore in May. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has outlined long-term policy plans to 'take charge of our own destiny' in an era of global uncertainty. Photo: Reuters Independent political observer Felix Tan called Wong's rally a 'rousing' speech that sought to 'make everybody feel that [ …] they all belong and they can contribute in some way or other'.
South China Morning Post
3 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Singapore beyond 60: Lawrence Wong vows to keep country ‘exceptional'
Singapore 's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong mapped out his vision for the city state on Sunday in his first National Day Rally since his ruling party won the general election in May, promising to expand on a cross-border economic initiative and inject new life to northern towns. Noting that the country was at a critical juncture after marking its 60th year of independence on August 9, Wong outlined long-term policy plans to 'take charge of our own destiny' in an era of global uncertainty with international trust waning, nations prioritising self-interest and a United States in retreat. 'We are not going to sit back and resign ourselves to being mere bystanders in a world shaped by others,' Wong said, addressing his Cabinet colleagues and members of the establishment and grassroots in the Singapore equivalent of a state of the union address. 'We take pride in whatever we do, and strive to be the best possible versions of ourselves [...] That's how we've achieved exceptional performance. That's how we will continue to stay exceptional – as a people and a country,' Wong added. The central business district skyline in Singapore in May. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has outlined long-term policy plans to 'take charge of our own destiny' in an era of global uncertainty. Photo: Reuters The US had imposed a baseline 10 per cent tariff rate on Singapore, but Wong said this gave little comfort since no one knew if or when the US would raise the baseline or set higher tariffs on specific industries.
