Jack's Place (restaurant)

Jack's Place is a Western-styled restaurant that targets the family demographic. It is a subsidiary group of JP Pepperdine, established in 1966 by Jack Hunt. There are 16 outlets in Singapore and a central kitchen in 10 Defu Lane.[1]

History

Say Lip Hai immigrated to Singapore from Hainan and first found work as a cookboy, serving British troops in the Sembawang Barracks. He opened his first restaurant, the Cola Restaurant and Bar, in 1967. In 1968, Say was approached by a British couple, Jack Hunt and his wife, about starting a catering business operating out of Hunt's pub in Killiney Road which eventually became Jack’s Place Steak House. In 1974, Hunt sold the business to Say.[2]

Say began opening locations in suburban neighbourhoods. He obtained a location in Ang Mo Kio and named his new outlet Jack's Garden.[3] The colours of the original Jack's Place were changed to green and white after Mr Say bought the company.,[4]

In 1991, a headquarters building at Defu Lane was built. In 1993, the company began providing catering services.

Female waitresses at one time wore traditional Malay Kebaya sarongs (Malay ethnic dress) as their outfits. In the 1990s, it was changed to the current outfit. The restaurant design for Jack's Place started out with dark colours and wood tones. The colour scheme later changed to blue and red checkers.

In 1996, the company faced a financial setback caused by an outbreak of mad cow disease.[5] Business fell by as much as 25 percent, as Singaporeans avoided Jack’s Place and its primarily bovine menu.

In 2003, the company opened the first Jack's Place outlet in Utama, Malaysia. In 2006, a new brand, Eatzi Gourmet, was introduced.

In 2008, the company went through a re-branding and the restaurants now fall under the new umbrella company JP Pepperdine.[6] Table spreads were changed to match the green and white checkered design following the rebranding. The company also opened Brewbaker's Kitchen & Bar.

In 2010, the company acquired Restaurant Hoshigaoka. The latest Jack's Place outlet opened in JEWEL Changi Airport in Summer 2019.

Products

Jack's Place features a variety of steaks,[7] and also serves grills, salads, seafood, pizza and pasta.[8]

Recent projects

In collaboration with the Health Promotion Board, Jack's Place participates in the Healthier Dining Programme. The first phase of HPB’s food strategy aims to increase the number of healthier eat-out meals consumed to 180 million meals per year by 2020 by partnering with 18 food service providers to offer 500-calorie meals across 700 outlets and stalls island-wide. In accordance with this, the restaurants features healthier options throughout their menu.[9]

References
  1. Ling, N. (Jan 2, 1982). "Jack's success amid flats". The Straits Times. Retrieved Apr 6, 2015.
  2. Mendoza, Don (23 April 2015). "New look for Jack's Place". Today.
  3. "About us". Jack’s Place. Retrieved Jul 7, 2014.
  4. Tan, A. (Mar 6, 1985). "Succulent steaks, good wines give Jack's new flavour". The Straits Times. Retrieved Apr 6, 2015.
  5. Hau, B.L. (Mar 23, 1996). "Little beef from Britain but S'poreans taking no chances". The Straits Times. Retrieved Apr 6, 2015.
  6. Huang, L. (Feb 7, 2010). "Old F&B brands are being vitalised by a younger generation of leaders to remain fresh and exciting". The Straits Times. Retrieved Apr 6, 2015.
  7. Lim, S.H. (Apr 17, 1989). "Different prices that give same, good value". The New Paper. Retrieved Apr 6, 2015.
  8. Koh, W. T. (Jun 26, 2014). "Delicious steaks at Jack's Place". My Paper. Archived from the original on December 22, 2014. Retrieved Oct 24, 2014.
  9. "Eat out but eat healthy: HPB's new food strategy". The Sunday Times. 2014. Retrieved Apr 6, 2015.

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