This guide profiles eight proven durian cafe franchises in Singapore, detailing their unique concepts, startup costs, and operational support so you can choose the best opportunity for your investment goals.
1. Durian King Cafe Franchise
Durian King Cafe established its brand on premium Mao Shan Wang durian sourced directly from Pahang, Malaysia. Franchisees receive comprehensive training in fruit selection, paste preparation, and dessert creation including durian crepes and puffs. The initial investment ranges from SGD 80,000 to SGD 120,000 covering equipment, renovation, and royalty fees for the first year. This opportunity suits investors targeting high-traffic areas like Chinatown or Bedok with a strong dine-in component.
2. Mao Shan Wang Cafe Franchise
Mao Shan Wang Cafe differentiates itself through a laser focus on the flagship durian variety, offering only Mao Shan Wang based products such as ice cream, mooncakes, and pure durian platters. The franchise provides an exclusive supply chain agreement with a Malaysian plantation guaranteeing consistent quality year-round. Startup costs sit around SGD 100,000 with ongoing royalties at 6% of gross sales. Ideal for entrepreneurs wanting a niche, high-margin concept with minimal menu complexity.
3. Golden Phoenix Durian Cafe Franchise
Golden Phoenix Durian Cafe blends traditional Hainanese coffee with durian desserts, creating a unique breakfast and tea time appeal. Franchisees benefit from a turnkey store design, pre-negotiated supplier contracts, and a proprietary durian purée stabiliser that reduces waste. The total investment is approximately SGD 130,000 for a 600-square-foot outlet. This concept works best in housing estate centres where families seek both coffee and dessert.
4. 99 Old Tree Durian Cafe Franchise
Specialising in premium old-tree durians from Penang, this franchise targets connoisseurs willing to pay SGD 20–30 per portion. The brand offers a low-inventory model where durians are ordered weekly based on pre-sales, minimising spoilage. Initial franchise fee is SGD 25,000 plus a SGD 50,000 fit-out cost. Royalties are 5% but capped after the first SGD 10,000 monthly revenue. A strong choice for operators in Orchard Road or Marina Bay residential towers.
5. The Durian Lab Cafe Franchise
The Durian Lab differentiates itself through experiential dining—customers can watch durians being shelled and desserts assembled in an open kitchen. The franchise includes a proprietary dessert recipe book and annual menu updates. Startup capital needed is SGD 140,000 which covers a 1,200-square-foot space. Monthly royalty is a flat SGD 2,500 after the first six months. Best suited for pricier locations like Bugis or Tanjong Pagar targeting young office workers.
6. Heirloom Durian Cafe Franchise
Heirloom Durian Cafe focuses on rare and lesser-known varieties such as D24, XO, and Black Thorn, educating customers through tasting flights. The franchise invests heavily in staff training on variety identification and storage best practices. Initial outlay is SGD 110,000 including a SGD 15,000 marketing launch kit. Royalties are 4% with no cap. Works well in neighbourhoods with higher expat density like Holland Village or Katong.
7. Durian Empire Cafe Franchise
Durian Empire Cafe operates a multi-brand strategy under one roof, offering both fresh durian and cooked dishes like durian fried rice. The franchise provides a modular store layout that can expand from 800 to 1,500 square feet. Investment ranges from SGD 120,000 to SGD 150,000 depending on size. Ongoing support includes centralised delivery of frozen durian pulp to ensure consistency. Recommended for investors wanting a larger footprint and menu diversity.
8. Fresh Harvest Durian Cafe Franchise
Fresh Harvest Durian Cafe prides itself on direct-from-plantation durians delivered within 48 hours of harvest. The model uses a lean menu of only seven core items to simplify operations and reduce training time. Franchise fee is SGD 20,000 with a total setup cost of SGD 90,000. No royalties for the first year, then 5% thereafter. Perfect for first-time franchisees in suburban centres like Tampines or Jurong West with lower rent overhead.
Franchise Comparison Table
| Franchise Name | Initial Investment Range | Royalty Structure | Unique Selling Point | Target Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Durian King Cafe | SGD 80,000–120,000 | 6% of gross sales | Premium Mao Shan Wang supply chain | High-traffic, dine-in |
| Mao Shan Wang Cafe | SGD 100,000 | 6% of gross sales | Single-variety focus, low menu | Specialised dessert hub |
| Golden Phoenix Durian Cafe | SGD 130,000 | 5% of gross sales | Coffee & dessert hybrid | Housing estate centres |
| 99 Old Tree Durian Cafe | SGD 75,000 | 5% (capped) | Pre-sale model, low waste | Premium residential |
| The Durian Lab Cafe | SGD 140,000 | Flat SGD 2,500/month | Open kitchen experience | Central business district |
| Heirloom Durian Cafe | SGD 110,000 | 4% gross sales | Rare variety tasting flights | Expat-rich neighbourhoods |
| Durian Empire Cafe | SGD 120,000–150,000 | 5% gross sales | Multi-brand, savoury dishes | Large footprint areas |
| Fresh Harvest Durian Cafe | SGD 90,000 | 0% year 1, 5% after | 48-hour farm-to-table freshness | Suburban heartland |
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