Taking over a traditional business that has since established its name in 1969 is not an easy task, shares Yeo Hart Pong, Managing Director of Song Fa Bak Kut Teh, also eldest son of Yeo Eng Song, Founder of Song Fa Bak Kut Teh.

The biggest challenge Hart Pong faced was the opposing views between his father and him, on how to manage the business. Unlike his father’s very traditional way of business management and operations, Hart Pong wanted to innovate and improve efficiency, through the use of technological systems to facilitate the food ordering and payment method.

This clash of views created tensions between the father and son. However, it takes time for the results of the change to be shown and eventually, his father saw that the change was necessary in this fast-moving industry.

“Stagnation offers a false, momentary sense of balance; momentum keeps balance.” 

Song Fa Bak Kut Teh’s Background

Song Fa Bak Kut Teh is founded by Yeo Eng Song in 1969. It has its humble beginnings from a pushcart stall to a coffee shop at Victoria Street, to 5 outlets island-wide to date. Song Fa have in turn grown into a well-known traditional brand that all every neighbourhood is familiar with. At Song Fa, one can relive the heritage of good old Bak Kut Teh in its truest sense. Their popular original Bak Kut Teh recipe, fall-off-the-bone tender pork ribs and flavourful, peppery, spice-infused hot broth is till now still popular among households.