We first reported that Liang Sandwich Bar had quietly shuttered all its franchised outlets in Singapore. And it seems like Singaporeans would no longer be able to get its signature prata-like “hand-grabbed” scallion pancake sandwiches. But there’s a plot twist now — the brand’s master franchisee for South East Asia, Liang Group of Companies, has released a terse statement today (February 21) to explain that the “sudden closure of all outlets in Singapore was made solely by the local franchisee without proper consultation or authorisation from us or the Brand Principal”.

The statement, which is attributed to the Group’s chief executive officer Jarvin Leow, also describes Singapore as a “key market”. The CEO adds that the company is “deeply concerned that these actions have caused confusion and put Liang Sandwich Bar in bad light”, and that “the local franchisee has been censured and we have taken firm and appropriate measures to resolve this matter”. Sounds serious.

He points out that the Singapore outlets’ sudden closure has “impeded the brand’s regional transformation efforts which commenced in July 2019 where Liang Sandwich Bar is being rebranded to Liang Crispy Roll”.

Jarvin avers that “this closure is not permanent”, as the company is in the midst of relaunching the brand in Singapore. “Liang Crispy Roll is on track to make its debut in Singapore at several locations in Q4 2020. We are upbeat about the relaunch and will be ready to serve Singaporeans our signature crispy rolls and other exciting new menu offerings,” he says.

The Chinese sandwich chain will also open new branches in New York, Chicago, London, Melbourne, Seoul and Manila by June 2020. Oh, and Jay Chou will remain as the brand's ambassador, so you will definitely see more of him gobbling up Liang sarnies.

Liang Crispy Roll/Sandwich Bar is not the first F&B brand to be embroiled in drama; Spanish froyo chain Llaollao closed all its stores here in 2017 and was ‘replaced’ by another froyo chain called Yole, only to reopen again in Singapore. Meanwhile bubble tea chain Gong Cha had also briefly shuttered all its outlets in 2017, and was taken over by homegrown brand LiHo before making a comeback just a few months later.

Watch this space for more updates on Liang Crispy Roll.