boy oh boy

So, Rotiboy has finally announced that it is closing all its outlets in Singapore, following months of diminishing business. The total lack of sales these days is a sad sight compared to the snaking queues when they were churning out buns after buns at the first outlet in China Square back in 2004. Not only that, most, if not all, of the similar acts like PapaRoti, RotiMum, RotiUncles, and RotiAunties are shutting down as well. Oh dear, all the relatives are going back home.

Why, oh why, aren't we surprised by this bit of news?

You hardly need to be a business guru to know that you shouldn't go opening dozens of outlets in barely two years when you have only one product to offer, not unless you're Coca Cola of course. Although in the last few months the outlet in China Square had started selling "pizzas", they look more pathetic than anything - sort of like those microwave-ready types you'll find in 7-Elevens. So inevitably, what's happened had to happen. And before you start complimenting Oh for his eagle-esque hindsight, I'll have you know that I've seen this day coming since several moons ago!

A pity, really. Rotiboy tastes great fresh from the oven. But when left cold it's pretty ordinary. And contrary to its slogan "One is never enough", one bun is often too much for many people as a result of the overpowering coffee butter taste. I'll have my Tip Top curry puffs any day, thank you very much! (I said this because there's a Rotiboy outlet just next to Tip Top at Ang Mo Kio Central, and for a while, it had threatened the curry puff business. But quality and 老字号 has prevailed, thankfully!)

So, what's the next food fad to go kaput?