Foodpanda opens dine-in restaurant in Singapore

Food-delivery company Foodpanda Singapore has launched a 30-seater restaurant, Favourites by Foodpanda.

In Woodlands Avenue, the 3100sqft (288sqm) restaurant allows customers to pick and match dishes from nine restaurants such as Ichiban Bento, Crystal Jade Kitchen and Wingzone.

At the same time, the restaurant acts as a collective kitchen where customers in the nearby districts of Sembawang and Yishun can place delivery orders for the nine restaurants with a single delivery fee.

Foodpanda Singapore MD Luc Andreani says there was a demand in the northern part of Singapore for more delivery options, but many restaurants were unable oblige because of their more central locations.

“Favourites by Foodpanda offers brands an opportunity to expand output and reach a new customer base.”

This move follows Foodpanda competitor Deliveroo opening its first central kitchen last year. While not available to the public for dine-in, Deliveroo Edition gathers chefs from six different restaurants at a 2110sqft kitchen space in Katong to prepare delivery orders.

After setting up at Deliveroo Edition, New Ubin Seafood had a 600 per cent jump in delivery sales, says a Deliveroo spokesman.

Beyond R&B, furniture retailer HipVan is another online business that has opened its first permanent 11,000sqft flagship store at The Cathay in Dhoby Ghaut. Luxury e-commerce retailer Reebonz also opened an eight-storey, 200,000sqft outlet in Tampines last year.

Meanwhile, Foodpanda says it is looking to open another two outlets in Singapore by the end of the year.