How many franchise restaurants would be too many in Singapore?
Michelin star Hong Kong dim sum chain, Tim Ho Wan (添好運) just opened a fifth restaurant in Singapore at Aperia in Lavender and there is no sign of diners fatigue from the steady stream of customers there as well as at the other four branches.
I suppose the key is to maintain the consistency and quality across all the branches. This way, the dining crowd can be spread out among the five outlets. Customers get to enjoy shorter queues, travel lesser distance to the outlet nearest to them and have a better overall dining experience.
In addition, make sure there is always new, innovative dishes, while maintaining the same high standards for the popular mainstays. The chefs at Tim Ho Wan regularly try out new menu items and rotate them among the restaurants. If they prove popular enough, these dishes will earn a place in the minimalist menu.
At Aperia, these were the three new items introduced for the restaurant’s launch:
I sampled other of their favourites as well:
I am happy that their best-selling items like the baked bun with BBQ pork tastes just as delicious as it is at other outlets. The new items were not bad, but nothing beats their top four best sellers. Consistency is always a winner for chain restaurants (consistently good of course).
For folks living near the Lavender area, you know where to head to now if you have a dim sum craving! 🙂
Address: Lavender Aperia, 12 Kallang Ave #01-01/02/03, Singapore 339511
Tel: (65) 6684-2000
Opening Hours:
Mon to Fri: 11am to 10pm, Last order at 9.30pm
Sat, Sun and Public Holiday: 10am to 10pm