Jack’s Place
Jack's Place is a Western-styled restaurant that targets the family demographic. It is a subsidiary group of JP Pepperdine, established in 1966 by Jack Hunt. There are 16 outlets in Singapore and a central kitchen in 10 Defu Lane.[1]
History
Mr Say Lip Hai immigrated to Singapore from Hainan and first found work in the Sembawang Barracks, where he spent his time cooking and serving meals to British troops. He opened the Cola Restaurant and Bar in 1967 in Sembawang where he served both the public and British and Commonwealth troops.
In 1969, Mr Say was approached by a British couple, Mr and Mrs Jack Hunt, who were impressed by the quality of steak prepared and subsequently suggested they collaborate. As partners, Mr Jack Hunt and Mr Say Lip Hai opened a catering business operating out of Mr Jack Hunt's pub in Killiney Road,[2] which eventually became Jack’s Place Steak House.
In 1972, Mr Hunt moved back to England and sold the business to Mr Say.
Because Western-themed restaurants had congregated in the town area, Mr Say opened locations in suburban neighbourhoods. He obtained a location in Ang Mo Kio and named his new outlet Jack's Garden.[3] The colours of the original Jack's Place were changed to green and white after Mr Say bought the company.[2]
In 1991, a headquarters building at Defu Lane was built. In 1993, the company began providing catering services.
Female waitresses at one time wore traditional Malay Kebaya sarongs (Malay ethnic dress) as their outfits. In the 1990s, it was changed to the current outfit. The restaurant design for Jack's Place started out with dark colours and wood tones. The colour scheme later changed to blue and red checkers.
In 1996, the company faced a financial setback caused by an outbreak of mad cow disease.[4] Business fell by as much as 25 percent, as Singaporeans avoided Jack’s Place and its primarily-bovine menu.
In 2003, the company opened the first Jack's Place outlet in Utama, Malaysia. In 2006, a new brand, Eatzi Gourmet, was introduced.
In 2008, the company went through a re-branding and the restaurants now fall under the new umbrella company JP Pepperdine [5] Table spreads were changed to match the green and white checkered design following the rebranding. The company also opened Brewbaker's Kitchen & Bar.
In 2010, the company acquired Restaurant Hoshigaoka. The latest Jack's Place outlet opened in Paya Lebar Square on Christmas 2014.
Products
Jack's Place features a variety of steak.[6] The restaurant also serves grills, salads, seafood, pizza and pasta.[7] The signature dish is the Jack's Special Steak which is a centre-cut tenderloin topped with fresh asparagus and black mushroom sauce.[7] Another offering is the Sambal Steak which combines local-style sambal chilli with the Western steak.[8]
Branches in Singapore
S/No | Location in Singapore | Opening year |
---|---|---|
1 | Ang Mo Kio | 1979 |
2 | Bras Basah Complex | 1980 |
3 | Parkway Parade | 1985 |
4 | West Coast Recreation Centre | 1987 |
5 | Bukit Panjang Plaza | 1998 |
6 | Compass Point | 2004 |
7 | Great World City | 2004 |
8 | Century Square | 2005 |
9 | Anchorpoint | 2007 |
10 | United Square | 2008 |
11 | SAFRA Jurong Clubhouse | 2009 |
12 | NEX Serangoon | 2010 |
13 | Woodlands Civic Centre | 2011 |
14 | The Grandstand | 2012 |
15 | JEM | 2013 |
16 | Orangetee Building | 2013 |
17 | Paya Lebar Square | 2014 |
Awards
Year | Awards Received |
---|---|
2012 | • Received Total Defence Awards [11]
• Received Singapore SME1000 Company Award |
2011 | • Received double winner awards for:
(i) Most Popular Brand Award (ii) Singapore Prestige Brand Award – Promising Brands • Received AsiaOne People’s Choice Award 2010[12] |
2007 | • Awarded HACCP Certification
• Received RAS Restaurant Award • Awarded People Developer Certification |
2006 | • Awarded Singapore Promising Brands |
2005 | • Awarded Singapore Promising Brands |
2004 | • Awarded Singapore Promising Brands
• Received HPB Health Award – Bronze |
2003 | • Received Super Brands Award |
2001 | • Singapore SME 500/1000 |
Recent projects
In collaboration with the Health Promotion Board, Jack's Place participates in the Healthier Dining Programme. The first phase of HPB’s food strategy aims to increase the number of healthier eat-out meals consumed to 180 million meals per year by 2020 by partnering with 18 food service providers to offer 500-calorie meals across 700 outlets and stalls island-wide. In accordance with this, the restaurants features healthier options throughout their menu.[13]
References
- ↑ Ling, N. (Jan 2, 1982). "Jack’s success amid flats". The Straits Times. Retrieved Apr 6, 2015.
- 1 2 Tan, A. (Mar 6, 1985). "Succulent steaks, good wines give Jack's new flavour". The Straits Times. Retrieved Apr 6, 2015.
- ↑ "About us". Jack’s Place. Retrieved Jul 7, 2014.
- ↑ Hau, B.L. (Mar 23, 1996). "Little beef from Britain but S’poreans taking no chances". The Straits Times. Retrieved Apr 6, 2015.
- ↑ Huang, L. (Feb 7, 2010). "Old F&B brands are being vitalised by a younger generation of leaders to remain fresh and exciting". The Straits Times. Retrieved Apr 6, 2015.
- ↑ Lim, S.H. (Apr 17, 1989). "Different prices that give same, good value". The New Paper. Retrieved Apr 6, 2015.
- 1 2 Koh, W. T. (Jun 26, 2014). "Delicious steaks at Jack’s Place". My Paper. Retrieved Oct 24, 2014.
- ↑ "Grilling with the right temperature is crucial: Interview with Jack’s Place Executive Chef Heman Tan". Singapore Online. Retrieved Oct 24, 2014.
- ↑ "Location". Jack’s Place. Retrieved Sep 29, 2014.
- ↑ "Milestones". JP pepperdine. Retrieved Sep 29, 2014.
- ↑ "Total Defence Awards". NS Matters. Retrieved Sep 30, 2014.
- ↑ "AsiaOne People’s Choice Awards 2010: The Winners". Asiaone people’s choice 2010. Retrieved Sep 30, 2014.
- ↑ "Eat out but eat healthy: HPB’s new food strategy". The Sunday Times. 2014. Retrieved Apr 6, 2015.