Andie Chen Acquires Creative Eateries with Brothers, Expands F&B Reach

Actor Andie Chen has made a significant career move by entering the food and beverage industry alongside his brothers, Ash and Adam Chen. On November 17, 2023, it was announced that the brothers and their business partners have acquired Creative Eateries, a well-known restaurant group in Singapore. This acquisition includes popular brands such as Bangkok Jam, Suki-Ya, Tanglin Cookhouse, and Barossa Steak & Grill.

The new venture is backed by the brothers’ company, Asia White Knight Group, which already holds the franchise rights to six Joe & Dough outlets in Singapore. Adam Chen has gained valuable operational experience in the food and beverage sector over the past few years. He describes himself as a “platforms guy” and has been involved in various entrepreneurial projects, including the entertainment platform Effro.

In an interview with CNA Lifestyle, Andie Chen shared that it was Adam who invited him to join the team. While continuing to pursue his acting career, Andie is excited to take on the role of Chief Marketing Officer at Creative Eateries. He expressed his commitment to supporting fellow creatives in the F&B industry, stating, “We are trying to build the back engine so we can support F&B people with concepts that might not be able to play with the big players.”

Brothers Aiming to Transform the F&B Landscape

The decision to enter the food and beverage market comes during a time of significant transition in the industry. Adam noted that while the market may seem challenging, it presents unique opportunities for those who specialize in optimizing operations, systems, and processes. He believes that a comprehensive leadership team is essential to navigate the current landscape effectively.

Creative Eateries, according to Adam, offers a platform that emphasizes a “marketing and data-driven approach” to the F&B sector. He believes that the group, despite its strengths, requires a collective effort from multiple management teams to adapt to the evolving market conditions.

Andie acknowledged that he is currently undergoing a steep learning curve in his new marketing role. He commented, “There are many aspects that are quite similar to my producing work, but there are also a lot of elements and specific knowledge I have to learn, like SEO and working with PR companies.” He is optimistic that the principles of marketing align closely with his previous experiences.

The company currently employs approximately 250 people, and the brothers plan to enhance resources to support their growing business. Despite his new responsibilities, Andie emphasized that his passion for acting will remain his top priority. “I will always be an actor first. That will not change,” he affirmed.

A New Chapter for Andie Chen

As he enters this new phase of his career, Andie reflected on his decision-making process regarding acting projects. He indicated a shift towards quality over quantity, stating, “I’ve been very focused on becoming a good actor.” At 40 years old, he humorously described his venture into the F&B industry as possibly a “midlife crisis.”

Andie has committed to being more open to new opportunities, suggesting that his previous focus may have limited his potential experiences. “Now, I kind of need to let life happen,” he concluded.

With the acquisition of Creative Eateries, Andie and his brothers are poised to make their mark in the food and beverage landscape while continuing to pursue their individual passions. Their approach reflects a blend of creativity and strategic business acumen, aiming to support the next generation of culinary innovators.