Food

10 Fascinating Facts About Astons You Probably Don’t Know

2016-08-24 , 1:29 pm

Last Updated on 2020-02-21 , 2:21 pm

Does a filling and more-than-satisfying meal of char-grilled chicken with two sides of your choice when you have only $10 in your pocket ring any bell?

We all have dined at Astons at least once and some are such hardcore diners that they probably have its menu memorised.

But just exactly how much do we know about Astons?

1. Astons was named after its founder, Aston Soon.

His Hanyu pinyin name is Sun Wen Biao. Mr Soon originally took on the name ‘Astor’ from an American tobacco box and later changed it to ‘Aston’ when many mistook him for a woman named ‘Ester’.

2. Astons began in a coffee shop along East Coast Road in 2005.

Mr Soon borrowed $35,000 from a friend to set up a one-man kopitiam stall along East Coast Road in 2005, which broke even within 6 months. In a food nation like Singapore where stalls all compete for our stomachs, this is considered a real feat.

3. Astons expanded very quickly

Business was so overwhelming that he had to expand into dining space with ten staff eight months after the opening of his first stall. It later expanded from a 33-seater to a 90-seater restaurant. In no time, Astons restaurants were divided into Astons Specialities, Astons Steak & Salad, and Astons Express with 20 outlets scattered throughout Singapore.

4. Mr Aston Soon works 15 hours a day.

In the beginning, he did most of the cooking and was so busy that he would take power-naps behind his kopitiam stall by squatting by the drain for 10 minutes. But as his restaurant expanded, he now travels between outlets to ensure quality standards and deals with landlords. Although he made it a point not to work on Sundays, he still researches recipes at home.

5. Like his restaurant, Aston Soon has humble beginnings.

In his childhood, Mr Soon helped his mother to prepare and sell confectioneries on the streets and worked as a factory packer during the holidays. Although his family was not poor, he just wanted to find ways to make more money and be independent. Much as he disliked school, his parents were strict and ensured he complete his education.

6. Mr Soon gave the ownership of his second outlet to his friend.

Aston opened his second outlet in 2007 and then gave the outlet’s ownership to his old friend, ex-colleague, and business partner. Don’t we all wish our bosses could be as generous as Mr Soon?

7. Expansion of the business was almost loan-free

When the third outlet was opened, business boomed. Besides his first kopitiam stall, the start-up costs of subsequent outlets were covered by the business’s revenues. Talk about running a successful business!

8. What are the differences between Astons Express and Astons Specialities?

You pay less at Astons Express than at Astons Specialities and beverages are on Astons Specialities’ menus while they are absent on Astons Express.

9. Great food but decently priced.

Aston works closely with suppliers who share his vision of providing affordable but quality cuisine. Also, service tax is left out of your bill, which makes Astons the to-go restaurant of many diners.

10. Winner of AsiaOne’s People’s Choice 2016 Best Western Restaurant

With this award, Astons is truly the bonafide choice of Singaporeans when it comes to western cuisine. Of course, even without it, we all believe that its marvellous-tasting char-grilled chicken has a firm grip on our hearts, minds, stomachs, and wallets.