The second-generation owner of Founder Bak Kut Teh has taken to social media with a public plea: Help save the 42-year-old business in dire straits now or else it will be gone for good in a matter of weeks.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, business has gone down 85 percent over the past five months, the note posted on Facebook and Instagram by the current owner read.

The post said: "If we don't turn around in the next two months, we will need to shut down."

Founder Bak Kut Teh has been around since 1978.

The letter appealing for the public's help said it is giving a 30 per cent discount for dine-in customers from July 17 to Aug. 17 as a show of appreciation:

In this last attempt to save our brand, we will give over 30% off curated sets for dine-in customers from 17 July to 17 August at selected outlets. This special discount is to thank you for your support during Circuit Breaker (we couldn’t have lasted this long without you) and to encourage you and your family to dine with us.

The appeal also said: "The decision to write this letter is a heavy one."

The post said the owner was initially heartened that Phase 2 had rolled around, but things did not pan out as expected:

"We heaved sighs of relief when Phase 2 was announced and dine-in, finally permitted. My dad was elated, grinning from ear to ear, and gleefully headed down to the restaurant in the wee hours to prepare the aromatic Bak Kut Teh broth himself. We were hopeful the situation would turn for the better. But we were wrong. Even now, we continue to walk into our empty restaurants with no diners in sight."

Founder Bak Kut Teh is a favourite of Taiwanese pop star Jay Chou.

Founder Bak Kut Teh is located at Balestier, Hotel Boss, Bugis and Downtown East.