In an Instagram post on July 28, Ong said the business could no longer absorb mounting operating costs, citing higher food prices, staff wages and rental expenses.

He did not specify an exact closing date, saying only that the Serangoon Gardens outlet is expected to shut within the next few months as the business works to repay its debts.

Founded six years ago during the Covid pandemic, Dan’s Steaks began as a home-based passion project before expanding into a restaurant chain, The Straits Times reported.

A steak serving at Dan’s Steaks restaurant in Singapore. Photo courtesy of the restaurant’s Facebook

Over the years, it closed three outlets in Upper East Coast Road, The Star Vista and Greenwood Avenue.

Ong rose to prominence as a radio personality on Singapore’s 987 and later One 91.3 from the late 1990s to 2011. He also built a television career, starring in the sitcom “Mr Kiasu” (2001–2002), co-hosting “Singapore Idol” in 2006, and emceeing major national events, including the 2006 National Day Parade, Channel News Asia reported.

A string of casual and fine-dining restaurants in Singapore have shut down since the start of the year, citing rising operating costs and weak consumer demand.

Singapore saw 1,267 food business closures between January and April this year, nearly half the total number of shutdowns seen throughout last year.