Philippines’ Largest Shawarma Chain Plants Flag in Singapore, Eyes Global Expansion

SINGAPORE — Shawarma Shack, the Philippines’ largest and fastest-growing shawarma chain, has selected Singapore as the home of its first international outlet. The move marks a significant milestone for the brand as it celebrates its 10th anniversary and looks to use the city-state as a springboard for future global expansion.

Shawarma Shack’s first international outlet in Singapore, located at Toa Payoh HDB Hub.

The highly-anticipated Singapore outlet opened on 30 July at Toa Payoh’s HDB Hub, with a second location at Poiz Centre in Potong Pasir already scheduled to open in October. The brand’s decision to launch in Singapore comes after a two-year exploration of overseas markets, including the United States, with founder Walther Buenavista citing the country’s straightforward regulations and efficiency as key factors in its favour.

With over 850 outlets across the Philippines and serving more than 120,000 meals a day, Shawarma Shack has become the most widely consumed take-and-go meal in its home country. The company’s meteoric rise began from a single night market stall in Manila in 2015, quickly evolving into a major national chain. Mr. Buenavista noted that the brand’s rapid growth forced it to invest heavily in central kitchens, technology, and staff to maintain quality and value. “The crazy thing is, over the last five years we opened an outlet every two days,” he said.

For Shawarma Shack, Singapore is more than just a new market; it is a critical stepping stone to proving the global appeal of its brand. “If Singapore proves successful, Shawarma Shack will go a long way,” Mr. Buenavista stated, highlighting his ambition to establish a second headquarters here. The company plans to open a total of five self-owned outlets in Singapore within the next year and is also open to franchise requests for the region.

Broasted Chicken Rice Meal with Salad, a popular offering from Shawarma Shack’s Singapore menu.

The Singapore menu will feature the same hearty, value-for-money meals that made Shawarma Shack a household name in the Philippines. Customers can enjoy signature Wraps, Rice Meals, and Salad Boxes with chicken or beef, complemented by side dishes like Sloppy Fries and Potato Popcorn. Prices for a regular shawarma wrap start at S$5.90, while a must-try for new customers is the popular Classic Broasted Chicken Rice.