惊爆，近40家门店集体改名，牵出餐饮加盟“黑幕”

Core Viewpoint - The conflict between restaurant brands and franchisees is intensifying, exemplified by the recent name change of nearly 40 stores from "Electric Plant Noodle" to "Zhu Popo Sweet Noodle," highlighting the underlying tensions in the franchise model [1][2]. Group 1: Incident Overview - The incident involves the "Electric Plant Noodle" brand, which currently has nearly 50 stores [2]. - Franchisee Zhu Liye opened her first store in Jinan in 2021 and expanded to nearly 40 stores over four years [2]. - Disputes arose over rising franchise fees, which increased from 15,800 to 39,800, along with demands for substantial security deposits [2][3]. Group 2: Franchisee's Perspective - Zhu Liye expressed frustration over the lack of operational support from the brand, feeling that she was left to manage without adequate assistance [2]. - After refusing to pay the demanded security deposit, Zhu stopped purchasing core supplies from the brand and rebranded her stores [3]. Group 3: Brand's Perspective - The brand accused Zhu of mixing their proprietary ingredients with others to cut costs, justifying the demand for a security deposit [3]. - Following the rebranding, the brand issued legal notices claiming Zhu's actions constituted a breach of contract [3]. Group 4: Broader Industry Context - The article discusses the increasing frequency of disputes between restaurant brands and franchisees, citing examples like Xianhe Zhuang and Natural Daze, which faced similar legal challenges [4][7]. - Common issues include disagreements over return on investment timelines, rising operational costs, and inadequate support from brand headquarters [8][9][10]. Group 5: Future Trends - The franchise model is seen as a key avenue for growth and industry upgrade in the restaurant sector, with major brands like Haidilao and Hey Tea entering the franchise market [12]. - The emergence of professional franchisees who manage multiple locations is becoming more common, indicating a shift in the franchise landscape [14].