Jollibean Crisis: Unpaid Wages and Sudden Closures Rock Beloved Singaporean Brand!

07/11/2025

Reading Time : 5 min

The iconic Singaporean brand Jollibean is facing a severe crisis, with numerous outlet closures and allegations of unpaid wages and CPF contributions from current and former staff. Once a household name with over 30 outlets, only a handful remain, leaving many employees in limbo and seeking redress. The company’s director attributes these issues to a recent change in ownership and is working with authorities to resolve them.

Highlights:

Jollibean, once a prominent Singaporean F&B brand, has significantly downsized, with many outlets abruptly closing.
Current and former Jollibean staff allege months of unpaid salaries and Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions.
The director of Jollibean Foods claims a new owner is in place and salary issues will be resolved by the end of the month.
Affected workers have been advised to approach the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM) for assistance.

Jollibean Crisis Unpaid Wages and Sudden Closures Rock Beloved Singaporean Brand!

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Jollibean Under Fire: Unpaid Wages and Sudden Closures Rock Beloved Singaporean Brand

Jollibean, a brand once synonymous with Singapore’s bustling F&B scene, is currently at the center of a distressing saga. What was once a thriving chain with over 30 outlets across the island has dwindled to a mere handful, leaving a trail of unanswered questions and, more critically, unpaid wages and Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions for its dedicated staff.

The unfolding crisis paints a grim picture for a brand that, for decades, served as a comforting presence in shopping malls and MRT stations with its signature soya milk and traditional pancakes.

The recent spate of Jollibean outlet closures has sent shockwaves, particularly among its employees. Numerous current and former staff members have come forward, alleging that they are owed months of salaries and CPF contributions, casting a dark cloud over their livelihoods. Stories of employees arriving at work only to find their outlets abruptly shut, without any prior notice, highlight the sudden and seemingly uncommunicated nature of these closures.

One such poignant account comes from a former employee of the Pioneer MRT station outlet, which closed last December. She described the bewildering experience of arriving for her shift only to be told by her leader, “today you don’t need to work, you need to close shop.” This abrupt termination, without advanced notice or explanation, left her and her colleagues in a state of shock and uncertainty. Similarly, the Lavender MRT outlet was repossessed by SMRT Trains, with a notice affixed to the door, leaving staff in the lurch.

For many of these workers, often part-timers and older individuals, the unpaid wages represent a significant portion of their income. A 68-year-old woman, who had worked at the Pioneer MRT outlet for five to six years, tearfully recounted being owed over S$1,000 in salary for her last month of work, along with three months of unpaid CPF.

Despite visiting Jollibean‘s headquarters and being promised payment by the following month, she, like many others, is still waiting. “So we waited and waited, until now, July, there is no news,” she lamented, expressing a sense of helplessness and resignation. “I will just treat it as charity,” she said wistfully, highlighting the emotional toll this situation has taken.

While some, like the 68-year-old woman, feel too overwhelmed to pursue official avenues, others are bravely seeking recourse. A 74-year-old part-timer from the same Pioneer MRT branch, initially prepared to let the matter go, was encouraged by her son to fight for her hard-earned money. She approached the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM), an organization that helps resolve employment disputes.

TADM reportedly worked out a payment scheme with Jollibean, proposing monthly installments. However, despite TADM’s intervention, she states, “We went to the authorities in April, but now it is July and we have not received a cent… The authorities have intervened but the company is still dragging its feet, it’s hopeless.”

The impact extends beyond former employees. Current staff members at operational Jollibean outlets are also feeling the pinch. A 49-year-old counter staff member, a Chinese national, revealed she is still awaiting her salaries for May and June, emphasizing the dire consequences for those who rely on timely payments for basic necessities and rent.

Another employee, Mars, 40, noted that her wages come with a delay of over a month. More concerning is the revelation from a co-worker at the same outlet: Jollibean has allegedly stopped paying CPF contributions since last November, with only a solitary payment in March. When queried, supervisors reportedly stated that it was unknown when funds would be available.

In response to the mounting allegations, the director of Jollibean Foods, Shahrul Nazrin Mohd Dahlan, who is still listed in public business records as the company’s director, told CNA that the company has a new owner and is actively working with authorities to resolve the salary issues by the end of the month.

While this offers a glimmer of hope, the lack of immediate communication and the sudden nature of the closures have left many employees feeling betrayed and disillusioned. Mr. Shahrul Nazrin indicated that the closures were part of a “downsizing exercise” but did not elaborate on why workers were not paid on time.

The Food, Drinks and Allied Workers Union (FDAWU), a trade union affiliated with the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), confirmed that Jollibean is a non-unionized company. They advised affected workers to approach TADM for advisory services on employment disputes. CNA has reached out to both TADM and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) for further comment.

The 30-Year Journey of Jollibean Singapore: From Household Name to Uncertainty

The current plight of Jollibean is a stark contrast to its once-illustrious history. Founded in Singapore in 1995, Jollibean quickly carved out a niche for itself, becoming a beloved brand known for its fresh soya milk and traditional pancake snacks. Its strategic locations in high-traffic areas, particularly shopping malls and MRT stations, made it a convenient and popular choice for many Singaporeans.

In 2012, Jollibean Foods was acquired by Malaysian F&B operator Berjaya Food for a substantial S7.5million(US5.86 million), a period when the brand boasted 35 outlets in Singapore. However, the brand’s trajectory began to shift in recent years. By June 2023, the number of Jollibean outlets had significantly dropped to just 19, as detailed in Berjaya Food’s annual report.

The COVID-19 pandemic is cited as a major turning point. Berjaya Food’s annual report attributed a drop in Jollibean’s revenue to weakening consumer sentiment, reduced foot traffic in the Central Business District due to flexible work arrangements, increasing cost of living, and an uncertain economic outlook.

Even after the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, challenges persisted. The report noted consumer price sensitivity and a preference for freshly prepared hot meals over grab-and-go options, which was a core part of Jollibean’s offering. Inflated cost of goods and escalated operational expenses further contributed to losses.

The final blow to Berjaya Food’s involvement came in November 2023, when it completed its “disposal” of Jollibean Foods for a mere S$637,000 – a stark difference from its acquisition price. This divestment has undoubtedly added to the uncertainty surrounding Jollibean’s future and its ability to address its current financial obligations.

Despite the ongoing hardships, a curious sense of hope persists among some of the remaining Jollibean employees. They cling to the belief that their salaries will eventually be paid and that a new “boss” will take over in July. However, the identity of this new employer remains a mystery even to the staff, including managers, adding another layer of ambiguity to an already complex situation.

The Jollibean saga serves as a somber reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by both businesses and their employees in a dynamic economic landscape. While the brand attempts to navigate its troubled waters with a new owner, the immediate priority remains the fair and timely payment of its dedicated workers who, despite their hardships, have continued to believe in the brand they once helped build. The eyes of many, including the authorities, are now on Jollibean to see if it can honor its commitments and emerge from this difficult period.

Table: Timeline of Key Events for Jollibean

Year / Date	Event
1995	Jollibean founded in Singapore.
2012	Acquired by Berjaya Food for S7.5million(US5.86 million), with 35 outlets in Singapore.
June 2023	Number of Jollibean outlets in Singapore falls to 19.
Nov 2023	Berjaya Food completes “disposal” of Jollibean Foods for S$637,000.
Dec 27, 2023	Pioneer MRT station outlet closes abruptly.
Jan/Feb 2024	Affected staff visit Jollibean HQ regarding unpaid salaries; promised payment by next month.
June 30, 2024	Lavender MRT Station branch repossessed by SMRT Trains.
July 8, 2024	Ng Teng Fong General Hospital and Raffles Place MRT Station outlets confirmed shut.
Current (July 2024)	Allegations of unpaid wages & CPF persist; director states new owner working with authorities to resolve.

Jollibean FAQs

1. What is the current situation with Jollibean and its employees?

Jollibean is currently facing allegations of unpaid wages and Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions from numerous current and former staff members. Several Jollibean outlets have also shut down abruptly, leaving employees without prior notice.

2. Why are Jollibean outlets closing down and employees not being paid?

The director of Jollibean Foods attributes the issues to a downsizing exercise and a recent change in ownership. The brand’s popularity and revenue were also reportedly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, weakening consumer sentiment, and increased operational costs.

3. What is Jollibean Singapore’s plan to address the unpaid salaries?

The director of Jollibean Foods has stated that the company has a new owner and is working closely with authorities to resolve salary issues by the end of the month.

4. Where can affected Jollibean employees seek help for their unpaid wages?

Affected Jollibean workers can approach the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM) for advisory services on employment disputes. The Food, Drinks and Allied Workers Union (FDAWU) also advises this course of action.

5. How has the popularity of Jollibean changed over the years in Singapore?

Jollibean, founded in 1995, was once a household name in Singapore with over 30 outlets. Its popularity took a hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a significant reduction in its number of outlets and eventual sale by Berjaya Food at a much lower price than its acquisition.

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