How Munchi Pancakes grew from a hawker stall to an outlet chain (with an FDAWU partnership)

Starting from humble beginnings at a Yishun coffee shop in 2016, Munchi Pancakes began as a modern take on the beloved traditional Min Jiang Kueh. With soft, chewy textures and a menu that pushed the boundaries of local snacks—featuring innovative flavours like Matcha Red Bean, Thai Milk Tea, and Oreo Cheese—Munchi quickly earned a name for itself among a new generation of food lovers. What began as a single hawker stall is now a thriving local brand with over a dozen outlets islandwide—from heartland malls like Hillion to prime business hubs such as Guoco Tower.

Behind this phenomenal growth is a fruitful and collaborative partnership with the Food, Drinks and Allied Workers Union (FDAWU). Through the grant provided by Company Training Committee (CTC), as well as guidance from the Operation & Technology Roadmap (OTR), Munchi Pancakes received funding support and strategic guidance. This allowed them to digitise their processes, upskill their team, and ultimately future-proof their company, enabling them to scale effectively without falling victim to common pitfalls associated with running a larger F&B operation.

Munchi Pancake flavours — Munchi Pancakes come in a wide variety of flavours.
*Source: Instagram*

Upskilling and upgrading with the CTC Grant

With the funding support of the CTC Grant, Munchi was able to set-up an in-house training department—a rare initiative for an F&B SME. Led by long-time crew member Trixie, the internal trainer role allowed for ground-up mentoring that equipped staff with the know-how to deal effectively with the operational challenges of running an outlet. This hands-on approach ensured that every outlet was able to recreate the magic that the original hawker store had, maintaining consistency across all of their outlets.

Additionally, the funding support also allowed the team to adopt, and train themselves in, the use of practical AI tools and automation strategies tailored for the F&B sector. This helped the team cultivate a digital-ready mindset, allowing them to optimise the management and administration of their business through the use of modern, cutting-edge IT tools and software. Processes like leave management and payroll were streamlined, reducing administrative load and improving accuracy—freeing staff to focus on areas of growth, instead of being burdened by the management of day-to-day tasks.

Hillion Mall outlet - Munchi Pancakes — Over the years, Munchi Pancakes has opened dozens of outlets across Singapore.
*Source:* *Instagram*

Scaling Sustainably with OTR: Using Tech to Grow Smart

Under the guidance of a personalised Operation & Technology Roadmap (OTR) from FDAWU, Munchi identified the right digital tools to optimise their operations, allowing them to scale efficiently and effectively.

They implementated an ERP system that allowed for real-time inventory tracking and data-driven ordering. This provided them with more clarity over their existing resources, reducing wastage and generating cost savings.
Using tools like Power BI, the team could visualise sales trends across outlets and forecast demand with far greater accuracy—critical for multi-location growth.
The adoption of StaffAny for scheduling and attendance brought further efficiency. With real-time shift updates, automated payroll syncing, and accurate work hour tracking, Munchi saved many hours of manual, shift-planning work and reduced scheduling conflicts among their staff.

Together, these tech upgrades allowed Munchi to transition from running a single stall to managing a network of outlets without being overburdened and overwhelmed, as well as maintain consistency and control over the quality of their brand-name pancakes.

Munchi Pancakes Operations and Productions Manager — With the help of technology, Munchi Pancakes optimises their staffing and production capabilities, ensuring their operation runs as smooth as butter.
*Source: Instagram*

A Model for F&B Growth in Singapore

In Singapore’s highly competitive retail and F&B landscape, businesses must constantly optimise to stay ahead. Through their partnership with FDAWU and NTUC, Munchi transformed into a well-oiled and tech-savvy enterprise capable of scaling sustainably. Their journey stands as a powerful example of how SMEs in the F&B sector can evolve with the right support, smart tools, and a team-driven mindset.

Want to learn more about the benefits of a partnership with FDAWU? Read more about it in our Partnership Benefits page.