Folks

Singapore  ·  Est. 2007

Innovation through change

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The Progressive Folks  ·  tpfolks.com
Who We Are

A collective built on passion, led by people

Established in Singapore in 2007, The Progressive Folks is a brand management group behind some of the city's most distinctive food and beverage concepts. We build, grow and operate brands that reflect our identity — forward-thinking, unapologetically original, and rooted in quality.

Our portfolio spans Korean BBQ dining, artisan confectionery and bar dining — each brand built from the ground up by the same tight-knit management team that continues to lead them today.

18
Years in Operation
3
Portfolio Brands
SG
Headquartered
F&B
Industry Focus
Our Portfolio

The brands we build

8 Korean BBQ Korean BBQ · Two Outlets

8 Korean BBQ

Premium Korean BBQ at Clarke Quay and Shaw Centre. The only Korean BBQ in Singapore committed to 100% seed oil free cooking, with eight signature flavours of pork belly and a full-service tableside experience.

Explore the brand Sticky Artisan Confectionery · Est. 2008

Sticky

Singapore's first handmade rock candy store. Every piece pulled by hand in our Macpherson studio — character rock candy, novelty lollipops and curated gift sets for weddings, events and festive occasions.

Explore the brand Joo Bar Modern Korean Bar · Makgeolli

Joo Bar

Singapore's first makgeolli bar — a modern Korean bar and kitchen with house-brewed makgeolli, creative cocktails and a menu built around Korean drinking culture. Warm hospitality, creative cocktails and a kitchen that punches above its weight.

Explore the brand
For Businesses

Working with The Progressive Folks

We welcome partnerships, supplier enquiries, event collaborations and media engagements across all our brands. Our management team handles all third-party correspondence directly.

Events & Venues

Private events, corporate functions and exclusive venue hire across our F&B properties.

Suppliers & Trade

Product supply, ingredient sourcing and trade partnerships with any of our brands.

Media & Press

Editorial features, press visits and brand collaboration requests handled personally.

Get In Touch
Frequently Asked

Common questions about the group

What is The Progressive Folks?

The Progressive Folks is a Singapore-based food and beverage brand management group, established in 2007. The group builds, grows and operates distinctive F&B concepts — currently 8 Korean BBQ, Sticky and Joo Bar.

Which brands does The Progressive Folks operate?

Three brands: 8 Korean BBQ (premium Korean BBQ with two outlets in Singapore — Clarke Quay and Shaw Centre), Sticky (handmade rock candy, established 2008), and Joo Bar (Singapore's first makgeolli bar). All three are built and operated by the same management team.

Who owns Joo Bar, 8 Korean BBQ and Sticky?

All three brands are owned and operated by The Progressive Folks, an independent Singapore-based F&B group. The same tight-knit management team has run the group continuously since 2007.

When was The Progressive Folks founded?

The Progressive Folks was founded in Singapore in 2007. Sticky followed in 2008, and the portfolio has since grown to include 8 Korean BBQ and Joo Bar.

Where is The Progressive Folks based?

Singapore. The group operates exclusively in Singapore, with restaurants at Clarke Quay and Shaw Centre, a Joo Bar outlet in the city centre, and a confectionery studio in Macpherson.

How can businesses, suppliers or media reach us?

Brand-specific enquiries are handled directly by each brand team — questions@8koreanbbq.com, questions@sticky.com.sg, or questions@joo-bar.com. The management team handles all third-party partnership, supplier and media correspondence personally.

Contact

Reach our management team directly

All enquiries are handled by The Progressive Folks management. Please reach out to the relevant brand team or contact us at our Singapore address below.

Address

5 Tan Quee Lan Street
Singapore 188094

Phone

+65 8138 1628

Brand Enquiries

questions@8koreanbbq.comquestions@sticky.com.sgquestions@joo-bar.com