{"id":13538,"date":"2026-03-26T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/?p=13538"},"modified":"2026-03-27T15:37:15","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T07:37:15","slug":"inside-the-spread-how-an-nus-alumnus-built-a-campus-cafe-serving-1000-orders-a-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/2026\/03\/26\/inside-the-spread-how-an-nus-alumnus-built-a-campus-cafe-serving-1000-orders-a-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Inside The Spread: How an NUS Alumnus Built a Campus Caf\u00e9 Serving 1,000 Orders a Day"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Located at the Mochtar Riady Building of the NUS Business School<\/a>, The Spread<\/a> has become a familiar stop for students, staff and visitors. The space exudes the rustic charm of old-world European caf\u00e9 bistros, with plaid wallpaper, bentwood furniture, and floral centrepieces creating a sense of calm. During term time, however, life here is anything but tranquil.<\/p>

As the clock approaches 11am, the caf\u00e9 suddenly bursts into life. Tables quickly fill up, and the crowd spills out into the building\u2019s lobby. At 800-1,000 orders daily, there is virtually no let-up until 6.30pm, when the kitchen calls for last orders. \u201cWhen school is on, it\u2019s busy \u2014 as busy as it gets,\u201d co-founder Mr Foo Yuk Sam (Arts & Social Sciences ’14) explained.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Mr Sam Foo<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

He was thrown into the deep end of running an F&B establishment shortly after graduating. The desire to build something of his own, however, predated the caf\u00e9. Mr Foo had always leaned towards being entrepreneurial rather than desk-bound. During internships and early work experiences, he realised he was not suited to sitting behind a screen all day. \u201cI knew quite quickly that I wasn\u2019t cut out for that,\u201d he recalled. Running a business, even a difficult one, felt more aligned with how he wanted to work.<\/p>

His first attempt was an off-campus eatery, where reality quickly set in. Running a caf\u00e9, he discovered, is not just about food and drinks. It is about making the most of manpower and resources to squeeze an often thin margin.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Like many first-time entrepreneurs, he admitted his early understanding of the industry was somewhat na\u00efve. \u201cFrom the outside, it looks like a good business,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd it is \u2014 but it\u2019s much harder than it looks.\u201d His passion kept him going, and in 2016, an opportunity emerged to operate a caf\u00e9 within NUS through an open tender. There was an existing operator, but Mr Foo and his co-founder were confident of making a winning proposal.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Located at the Mochtar Riady Building, The Spread often has a queue extending beyond its doors.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

WHAT \u2018VALUE\u2019 REALLY MEANS<\/strong><\/p>

From the outset, Mr Foo had a clear vision \u2013 to be a caf\u00e9 bistro that the NUS Business School could proudly call its own and host visitors in, rather than a run-of-the-mill school cafeteria. A core pillar of that vision is to serve food and drinks of a standard comparable to what one might find in town, sans the town prices.<\/p>

Still, students sometimes say the caf\u00e9\u2019s offerings are slightly beyond what they can afford regularly. While Mr Foo perfectly understands the sentiment, he also knows what drives the price tag. He points to the drink of the moment, matcha, as an example. Using a cheaper, and lower-grade matcha would reduce costs and consequently, prices, but he has consciously chosen not to. \u201cWe have a baseline quality we won\u2019t go below,\u201d he explained.<\/p>

For Mr Foo, value is not about being the cheapest option. It is about delivering quality that holds up over time. He often hears this from alumni who return after graduating and now work in town: what once felt expensive now feels undervalued. \u201cThat\u2019s when they realise,\u201d he added.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Pasta dishes are among The Spread's specialties.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Mr Foo is quick to note that NUS did not train him to run a caf\u00e9 in any direct sense. What it did provide, however, was a way of thinking. He studied economics, and concepts like elasticities of demand and economies of scale show up in how he thinks about problems at the caf\u00e9.<\/p>

One example is his effort to make premium pour-over coffee more accessible. As manual, single-serve pour-overs are time-consuming and costly to brew, he is experimenting with more efficient batch-brewing techniques that will allow more people to experience fine-filter coffee.<\/p>

Like many F&B operators, Mr Foo points to manpower as the toughest and most persistent business challenge. The Spread employs about 10 full-time staff \u2014 the minimum needed to keep operations smooth during peak periods. Hiring is difficult, and retention even harder. Many applicants are attracted by the hours \u2014 weekday shifts, no late nights \u2014 but they quickly discover that the pace is anything but that of a laid-back caf\u00e9. \u201cWe are demanding employers,\u201d Mr Foo acknowledged. \u201cThe nature of the business requires it.\u201d When staffing falls short, Mr Foo steps in himself, working the counter and bar. \u201cIt\u2019s not by choice,\u201d he admitted. \u201cBut consistency has a cost.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Grab-and-go options from The Spread<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

THE MAN BEHIND THE APRON<\/strong><\/p>

Away from the counter, Mr Foo\u2019s time is shaped by the same intensity that defines his work. His personal time, he shared, is largely dedicated to sports like football and volleyball. He also visits other caf\u00e9s and F&B establishments \u2014 not for leisure, but to observe. Travel, when it happens, rarely switches this instinct off. Even on holiday, he finds himself studying spaces and operations, thinking about what might translate back home. \u201cIt\u2019s an occupational hazard,\u201d he added with a laugh.<\/p>

He enjoys the daily interactions that come with running a caf\u00e9. Languages in particular interest him, and his work at The Spread has given him the opportunity to practice everything from Mandarin and Malay to Italian and Spanish. He also remembers regulars\u2019 orders without trying to \u2014 a habit that surprises them more than it does him.<\/p>

Despite the long hours and unrelenting pace, Mr Foo admits he would miss the counter if he ever had to step away from it completely. \u201cNo doubt, there are easier ways to make money,\u201d he reflected. \u201cBut we continue because we are passionate about this. And that counts for something.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

STUDYING<\/strong> WHAT PEOPLE ORDER<\/strong><\/p>

Most popular dish<\/strong>
Pasta dishes remain The Spread\u2019s forte and signature. Every semester, the team relishes the challenge of winning over newly arrived, and understandably skeptical, Italian students. Tomato-based pasta dishes like alla Norma or all\u2019Arrabbiata are the caf\u00e9\u2019s greatest hits.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>

Muffins<\/strong>
Molten-filled muffins are perennial crowd favourites, especially during class breaks.<\/p>

Matcha
<\/strong>The caf\u00e9 sources its first-flush matcha from Uji and Fukuoka. The quality is comparable, if not equal to, what is being used at specialty matcha bars in town.<\/p>

Bagels<\/strong>
Bagels with herbed cream cheese are sold by halves to allow more affordable pricing, making them a popular grab-and- go breakfast option among students.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

For nearly a decade, Mr Foo Yuk Sam (Arts & Social Sciences \u201914) has run The Spread at NUS Business School with a simple philosophy: serve food and drink comparable to what one would find at casual eateries in town, but at prices students can afford.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":13539,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_theme","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13538","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-leadership"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13538","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13538"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13538\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13765,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13538\/revisions\/13765"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13539"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13538"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13538"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13538"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}