Former DJ Daniel Ong Closes Dan’s Steaks After 6 Years, Cites Rising Costs

Daniel Ong, the 50-year-old former radio DJ, announced on July 28 that Dan’s Steaks will close its last remaining outlet at Serangoon Gardens within a few months. Rising food costs, staff salaries, and rental rates have made the business unsustainable, he said on Instagram. The closure leaves Ong with a six-figure debt from three previous outlets that have already shut.

Why the steakhouse chain is shutting down

Food costs, staff salaries, and rent have all climbed faster than revenue, Ong explained in his Instagram post. He wrote that “with increasing competition all around us, it has become impossible to keep going sustainably.” The 38-seat restaurant at 12 Maju Avenue, which opened in 2021, was the sole survivor of a four-outlet chain. Three earlier locations on Upper East Coast Road, The Star Vista, and Greenwood Avenue have already closed.

The six-figure debt holding back the business

Closing the three previous outlets left Dan’s Steaks with a six-figure debt that Ong is still trying to clear, he revealed in a follow-up post on July 29. He also faces outstanding vendor payments, payroll obligations, and rent deadlines. “I’m hoping our last months will have enough customer support to pay off some closing debt,” Ong told 8days.sg.

Promotions to drive final sales before closure

Ong has rolled out several offers to attract customers in the restaurant’s final months. From August 1, Dan’s Steaks will absorb the 9 per cent GST to keep menu prices flat. The restaurant is also running “Dan’s Disappearing Deals,” exclusive 24-hour promotions posted on its Instagram Stories each day. Ong encouraged diners to visit one last time and try his personal favourites: the beef ragu pasta and the Black Angus ribeye.

From home kitchen to restaurant chain to closure

Dan’s Steaks began in 2020 during Singapore’s Circuit Breaker lockdown when Ong cooked steak in his home kitchen for family and friends. Demand grew, and he opened the first physical outlet at Maju Avenue in 2021. At its peak, the chain had four restaurants. Ong, who was a radio DJ on 987 and One 91.3 from the late 1990s to 2011 and hosted the 2006 National Day Parade, is now planning to focus on wellness consulting, work he previously juggled alongside the restaurant.

Final Thoughts

Dan’s Steaks’ closure reflects the mounting pressure on Singapore’s F&B operators as food, labour, and property costs squeeze margins. Ong’s exit from the restaurant business signals how difficult it has become to sustain small dining chains without significant capital reserves or investor backing.

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