Food Republic will close its final outlet in Beijing on June 15, marking the end of more than 25 years in the city for the Singaporean food court chain. The move follows a broader trend of foreign and Hong Kong brands exiting mainland China, as shifting consumer habits and evolving retail environments reshape the market. The outlet, located in The Malls at Oriental Plaza, was the chain’s first in Beijing when it opened in the 1990s. The company did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Changing consumer habits and rising competition
Analysts say the decline of food courts in China reflects a shift in how people eat. Once popular for their affordability and variety, food courts now face competition from food delivery apps and the transformation of shopping malls into experiential spaces. Fu Yifu, a researcher at Su Merchants Bank in Nanjing, noted that outdated business models have left many operators struggling. “The rise of delivery platforms and mall economics have squeezed food courts,” he said.
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BreadTalk Group, which owns Food Republic, operated over 40 outlets in mainland China at its peak in 2016. Locations spanned Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, and Chongqing. After the Beijing closure, only four stores will remain, all in Shanghai. The chain’s decline mirrors that of other foreign brands, including Western fast-food chains and Hong Kong retailers, which have faced challenges adapting to local tastes and regulatory hurdles.
The model that made food courts successful in the 1990s—leasing large mall spaces to sublet stalls—has grown less viable. Consumer preferences have shifted toward convenience, with delivery services offering faster access to meals. Malls, too, have evolved, prioritizing entertainment and luxury over traditional retail formats. These changes have left food courts with shrinking foot traffic and declining revenue.
Food Republic’s departure from Beijing adds to a list of closures by international operators. Some have cited rising costs, strict regulations, and difficulty competing with local brands. Others have struggled to balance menu offerings with Chinese tastes. The company’s silence on the closure’s cause has left questions unanswered, but industry observers point to broader structural issues in the sector.
A fading era for food courts
At its height, Food Republic was a fixture in major Chinese cities, offering a mix of local and international cuisines. Its presence in Oriental Plaza, one of Beijing’s most iconic shopping areas, highlighted its role in the city’s retail scene. Now, the empty space where the outlet once stood will likely be repurposed for something else, reflecting the mall’s ongoing transformation.
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The closure signals a turning point for food courts in China. While some operators have tried to modernize by integrating technology or expanding delivery options, few have managed to keep pace with the market’s rapid changes. Local competitors, meanwhile, have adapted more swiftly, leveraging digital tools and tailored menus to attract customers.
BreadTalk Group’s loss of its Beijing outlet marks a significant retreat from the Chinese market. The company’s remaining operations in Shanghai may face similar challenges, but its future in the country remains uncertain. As foreign brands continue to pull back, the question of whether food courts can reinvent themselves—or if they will fade entirely—looms over the sector.