Founder of Wee Nam Kee Chicken Rice dies at age 81
Mr Wee Toon Ouut, founder of popular local chicken rice chain Wee Nam Kee Chicken Rice Restaurant, died yesterday morning, aged 81.
In a Facebook post yesterday, Wee Nam Kee Chicken Rice announced the death and said all its outlets will be closed this Saturday "to send him off on his final journey".
Mr Wee founded Wee Nam Kee Chicken Rice in 1989 and oversaw its successful growth here and expansion into the Philippines, Japan, Korea and Indonesia.
The restaurant has several outlets across Singapore, including in United Square, Marina Square and the Esplanade.
The restaurant said in its post that Mr Wee's "warm smile and sincere personality will be missed by all", as it pledged to uphold his philosophy of cooking for customers like how a "mum cooks with passion for (her) children".
The post added: "Rest In Peace, Towkay! - From all of us in the WNK family!"
Many of Mr Wee's friends and Wee Nam Kee's regulars offered their condolences online.
Facebook user Francis Poulose wrote: "It's the chicken rice I grew up with... Started bringing my kids there and every time we dined there, Mr Wee would bring extra bowls of rice for them and tell them to grow up strong and to study hard."
Mr Albert Tan, the manager of Wee Nam Kee Chicken Rice, told The Straits Times that Mr Wee was a boss who was never aloof.
"He was very humble and made it a point to be in his restaurants almost every day. He interacted with his customers like they were his old friends," said Mr Tan. "We will ensure his legacy carries on and do our best to not let him down."
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