The Family Feud That Built Hong Kong's Fast-Food Empires

As is the case in many regions across the developed world, the fast-food industry in Hong Kong is dominated by American giants such as McDonald’s, KFC, and Pizza Hut. However, a local family rivalry led to the creation of three Hong Kong-style fast-food chains, two of which grew to rival these American brands in the city today.

In 1968, at the peak of Hong Kong’s industrial boom, Victor Lo Tang-seong and his nephew Lo Kai-muk founded Café de Coral, opening their first outlet on Sugar Street in Causeway Bay in September 1969. Its Chinese name, 大家樂 (dai ga lok), literally translates to “All Happy Together”.

Witnessing the success of Café de Coral, Lo Fong-seong—the younger brother of Victor Lo Tang-seong—and his son Alfred Lo Hoi-fook founded their own fast-food chain, Fairwood. Its first branch opened in December 1972 on Chung On Street in Tsuen Wan. Its Chinese name, 大快活 (dai faai wut), literally translates to “Great Happiness.”

In 1996, Alfred Lo Hoi-fook sold his stakes in Fairwood to his brother to launch his own brand. In July 1998, he opened Fruito Ricci (福多多飲食) in Whampoa Garden, Hung Hom. Unfortunately, Fruito Ricci did not find the same success as Café de Coral and Fairwood, and the company was dissolved in 2005.

Yet, the story of the Lo family does not end there. Remarkably, in 1940, Dr. Lo Kwee-seong—the older brother of Tang-seong and Fong-seong—had already founded Vitasoy. Originally known as the Hong Kong Soya Bean Products Co., Ltd., it grew to become the largest homegrown beverage company in Hong Kong.