ASN F&B Catalyst Workshop
Are you at career crossroads and always dreamt of having your own cafe or restaurant?
Do you love perfecting a cup of latte or a delicious dish and wonder how to make it a small business?
Or do you already have a small F&B business and would like to expand it further?
Join us for our upcoming workshop
🍽️ Dreaming of opening a café or restaurant?
What if you could learn from others who have been there and done that? So you could plan and start fulfilling your dream and avoid the pitfalls?
Whether you're starting from scratch, exploring acquisition, or eyeing a franchise, this series of panels and exclusive networking segment will help you pressure-test your idea and avoid costly mistakes.
💡 What You’ll Experience:
✅ 3 Expert Panels (1.30pm to 4pm)
Hear raw, practical insights from seasoned F&B founders and operators—on what worked, what didn’t, and what they wish they knew when starting out.
✅ Santino Coffee Warehouse Tour (4pm onwards)
Go behind the scenes of one of Singapore's premier providers of coffee-related products and services with a tour of the warehouse and where you will be able to learn about their operations, for an immersive, educational experience.
✅ Curated exclusive Networking
Connect with F&B entrepreneurs, investors, and mentors who can support your next move.
(Note that there will be media coverage and filming on the day itself)
Agenda
1:30 PM – 1:55 PM | Welcome & Introductions
* What you’ll get out of today
* About Asia Startup Network (ASN)
* Introduction to Ee Chien Chua (ex-owner of Jekyll & Hyde)
▸ Ee Chien's sharing: Route to success: Setting up vs Acquiring an Existing Brand
2:00 PM – 2:30 PM | Panel: Passion vs. Reality
Speakers: Fu Yong Hong (CEO & Co-founder, Greendot) & Jacinta Lee (Ex-owner Wrap & Roll), moderated by Elise Tan
Starting from scratch: their journey from canteen stall to 15 outlets islandwide (Greendot)
Choosing between Master Franchise and single store Franchise (Wrap & Roll)
What the founders wish they knew before they started
What worked — and what nearly broke them
Live Q\&A (10 mins)
2:40 PM – 3:10 PM | Panel: Routes to Market – Picking Your Model
Panel Speakers: Ee Chien Chua, Kian Peng Ang (Founder, The Social Kitchen), moderated by Elise Tan
How to pick the right strategy - Cloud kitchens/ Pop-ups & festivals/ Delivery-first vs. dine-in
Basics of figuring out licensing, investors, and partnerships
Common beginner mistakes
How to make space for Inclusivity and impact
Live Q\&A (10 mins)
3:20 PM – 4:00 PM | Panel: Numbers That Make or Break You
Panel Speakers: Bobby Yeoh (Founder, Excelerate) and Harvey Yew, Santino Coffee, moderated by Ee Chien Chua
What are the Silent killers
Acquiring a business - what to consider
Live Q\&A (10 mins)
Why Join?
✅ Reality Check:
We’ll give you a clear, honest look at what it takes to start and sustain an F&B venture — from hidden costs to operational pitfalls.
✅ F&B-Focused Insights:
Hear from successful food entrepreneurs and industry insiders who’ve been in your shoes — and survived.
✅ Peer & Mentor Network:
Join a powerful community of 1,000+ founders, mentors, and investors across Southeast Asia to support your growth.
Who It’s For:
Aspiring F&B founders who want to validate their idea before quitting their job
Buyer of existing F&B businesses
Career switchers curious about entering the food business smartly
Side hustlers or creators who want to build a café, bakery, or restaurant brand
📍Location: Santino Coffee, 911 Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 589622
💰Fee: $199
(includes 3 panels, Q&A, Santino Coffee warehouse tour and exclusive networking with other entrepreneurs who are cafe/ restaurant/bakery owners)
The F&B dream is beautiful — but it's not for the faint-hearted.
Come prepared, build strong, and give your idea the best chance of success.
🎟️ Read more and Register now on www.lu.ma/asn-fnb2 (limited places available)