Putien, a popular Chinese restaurant chain in Singapore, has announced that it will no longer charge customers for Goods and Services Tax (GST) or service fees at any of its locations. This news also comes after losing the Michelin star.
The decision to waive these additional fees is part of Putien’s continual efforts to improve customer satisfaction. By eliminating the 10% service charge and absorbing the current 9% GST, the restaurant hopes to make dining more accessible and straightforward for its customers.
This decision is especially noteworthy given the escalating expenses of dining out, because it dramatically cuts the entire bill for guests, allowing them to experience Putien’s award-winning Fujian cuisine at a more affordable price.
But the real question is, is this a real service charge and GST really absorbed away hence reducing the overall price or has it just been absorbed into the prices to make it seem “cheaper”?
After speaking to the spokesperson, she confirmed that before this announcement, a customer paid S$16.55 for their Fujian Seafood Lor Mee.
After this service charge and GST removal, the customer pays S$13.80 for their Fujian Seafood Lor Mee.
However, the timing of this announcement has raised eyebrows, as it comes on the heels of a recent food poisoning incident linked to the restaurant that gained widespread attention.
This change in pricing is also conveniently said to have been planned since January but was disrupted by the food poisoning incident. If you are wondering if this is just a temporary promotion to boost sales after the food poisoning incident, the chairman of Putien Group, has confirmed that this is permanent.
For worse or for better, I just hope the hygiene standards of the restaurant and its subsidiaries improve and will continue to gain back its patrons (or Michelin star).
For a list of all the locations, contact numbers and operating hours, please click here.
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