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There’s been a lot of buzz about home-based F&B businesses lately, with many people wondering what’s going on. It may seem like a full-blown saga is unfolding, but the truth is, it’s not really a saga, just a growing trend that has sparked some debate. The story kicked off when news broke that traditional eateries were closing down due to high rentals.

At the same time, a different kind of F&B model began gaining traction on TikTok: home-based businesses that look and feel like full-fledged cafés or restaurants. These aren’t the usual COVID-era home bakers; we’re talking about people turning their car porches or HDB living rooms into makeshift cafés or dining spots.

The situation took a turn when someone from the traditional F&B sector spoke up. A restaurateur running a bar for six years publicly voiced frustration, pointing out the lack of fairness: home-based businesses don’t pay high rent or adhere to the same regulations. This sparked more discussion, and soon, more traditional eateries joined in, expressing their concerns about the uneven playing field. The heart of the debate centered around one word: “unfair.”

So, are these home-based eateries legal? The answer is yes… and no. Small-scale F&B businesses are allowed in HDB and private homes, as long as they remain residential in nature, don’t hire external staff, and don’t put up signage. Some, like a recent viral “HDB food truck,” were told to remove their signs but otherwise continued operating. As for food safety, these businesses aren’t licensed like traditional eateries, but the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) monitors them, having taken enforcement action six times in 2024.