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The Singapore-founded cupcake chain has been placed under provisional liquidation effective 29 October 2025.
Singapore-based bakery chain Twelve Cupcakes Pte. Ltd. has officially closed its doors. In a notice published on its website and Instagram, the company shared that it has been placed under provisional liquidation with effect from 29 October 2025, and that its last day of operations was on the same day.
According to its website at the time of writing, the brand operated 20 stores across Singapore. No further details were provided on the reasons behind the closure. The website has since been taken down.
The following is a screenshot of the notice on Instagram:
Twelve Cupcakes was founded in 2011 by Daniel Ong, radio DJ and Jaime Teo, former model. The business was later bought for S$2.5mn by Kolkata-based Dhunseri Group in 2016, as reported by The Straits Times.
The brand had previously made headlines in 2020 when it was charged for underpaying foreign workers. Per The Straits Times' report, the company pleaded guilty to 15 charges of underpaying seven employees between 2017 and 2018, an offence under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act. Additionally, 14 other similar charges were taken into consideration during sentencing.
Following the closure announcement, the Food, Drinks and Allied Workers Union (FDAWU), an affiliated union of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), released a statement saying it was only informed of Twelve Cupcakes’ decision to commence provisional liquidation on the same day the company announced it to its workers. The union stated that about 80 employees, including rank-and-file staff, executives and managers, have been affected by the sudden decision.
In its statement, FDAWU strongly objected to the "business owner’s complete lack of prior consultation and advance notice", despite the company being unionised under FDAWU. It described the move as "irresponsible" and said the abrupt termination and insufficient notice failed to consider the human consequences of the closure. The union added that workers were now left struggling to secure alternative employment on short notice, resulting in uncertainty regarding their livelihoods and payments owed to them.
Sankaradass, General Secretary, FDAWU, said: "The sudden notice is completely unacceptable and unfair to both the workers and the union."
He added that the union had immediately mobilised its team to be on the ground to support affected members and workers, ensuring they receive accurate information and guidance throughout the process. FDAWU has also called on the appointed liquidator to work with the union to ensure that benefits under the collective agreement are considered as part of the workers’ preferential claims.
FDAWU will also be assisting members and workers with salary-related claims and job assistance, tapping into its network of unionised companies and NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute) for job matching services, career coaching and skills upgrading advisory. The union added that it will continue to monitor the situation and provide further support to affected employees where required.
Image / Twelve Cupcakes' Instagram
Screenshot / Twelve Cupcakes' Instagram
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