Tan Wang Cheow 

Founder and Executive Chairman, Food Empire Holdings 

BAcc, Class of 1981 

From an early age, Tan Wang Cheow learned the values of hard work and generosity from his father, who had to borrow money to migrate to Singapore and start his business. Despite these challenges, Tan felt grateful for having a roof over his head and access to education and tuition. As a child, he often accompanied his father on marketing trips, closely observing his sales engagements, which sparked his passion for entrepreneurship. His family’s background also instilled in him a deep empathy for the underprivileged, planting the seeds for both his entrepreneurial spirit and his future journey of giving. 

Tan began his career in the computer industry as a fresh graduate, after a tryst in an international audit firm, in a bid to develop his marketing skills. A year later, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to enter the computer trading business, and eventually, he transitioned to the food and beverage (F&B) sector, where he would spend the majority of his career. 

In 1994, Tan launched MacCoffee, the first brand under his company Food Empire. Over the years, MacCoffee has become a global F&B brand and remains the company’s flagship product. Starting this business journey was not without challenges. In the beginning, Tan struggled to sell even one or two containers of coffee a month. With perseverance and a vision to grow the business, he gradually expanded his brand’s reach, overcoming obstacles in foreign markets. Under his leadership and great support from his management team, the company expanded rapidly, with Food Empire’s products now sold in over 60 countries. 

Tan’s business journey has had a far-reaching impact, both in the corporate world and through his philanthropic efforts. As Food Empire flourished, he began his journey of giving back, helping underprivileged students and contributing to various causes. He believed that giving, no matter how small, could transform lives. His personal success has enabled him to support a range of charitable initiatives, including several bursaries and awards. Among them is the Food Empire Bursary Fund, which is set to launch in the near future and will provide underprivileged students with access to higher education. 

In addition, Tan has established several bursaries in support of NUS Business School students as well as in honour of his family members. These include the Tan Wang Cheow & Tan Guek Ming Bursary in his and his wife’s names, and the Tan Seok Wah Study Bursary in his sister’s name. He has also initiated the Tan Wang Cheow Entrepreneurship Bursary, and the Tan Heng Lim & Lim Siew Hong Bursary at NUS Business School. These initiatives ensure that deserving students, regardless of their financial background, have the opportunity to pursue higher education and achieve their dreams. 

Tan’s advice to us is simple: “Giving should always come from the heart. Even the smallest contribution can make a huge difference in someone’s life.” His journey from a young entrepreneur to a global business leader and philanthropist continues to inspire others to give back and create positive change in their communities.