Two of Hong Kong’s largest fast-food chains, Cafe de Coral and Fairwood, both suffered a near 30 per cent drop in profits last year, with experts attributing their struggles during the economic downturn to ageing diners and intense competition from delivery platforms.

The two companies were considered resilient players during previous downturns caused by the Asian financial meltdown in 1997 and the global one in 2008, as well as two health crises – the 2003 outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) and the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

But Cafe de Coral, founded in 1968, and Fairwood, established in 1972, are arguably facing their biggest challenge in more than half a century.

“Fairwood and Cafe de Coral are ‘inferior goods’, which means they perform better when the economy is bad, and even outperformed some mid- to high-tier restaurants during previous recessions,” said Billy Mak Sui-choi, an associate professor at Baptist University’s department of accountancy, economics and finance.

“Now, the competitive market, the ageing population, shifts in consumer habits, and these chains not going onto delivery platforms all contribute to their decreasing profits.”

In the last financial year, Cafe de Coral Holdings’ net profit dropped by 29.6 per cent from 2023-24 to HK$233 million. Fairwood Holdings’ net profit fell by 28.8 per cent to HK$36 million.