朱光玉火锅馆首度回应“闭店”风波：长沙代理商投资失败，牵连火锅业务

Core Viewpoint - The recent closure of five stores of the popular hotpot brand "Zhu Guangyu" in Changsha has raised public concerns about the brand's stability, but the company clarified that the issue is limited to a specific regional franchisee and that overall operations remain stable nationwide [1][4][6]. Company Summary - Zhu Guangyu has five stores in Changsha, all operated by a single regional franchisee, which faced operational challenges due to issues in other non-food investments [6][7]. - The brand's headquarters has intervened to assist the franchisee and ensure minimal disruption to operations, emphasizing that the financial and legal consequences of the closures are the responsibility of the franchisee [8][9]. - Zhu Guangyu has been expanding rapidly since its establishment in 2020, with over 200 stores across 31 provinces, and has served nearly 6 million customers [11]. Industry Summary - The restaurant industry is experiencing a wave of closures, with over 30 chain brands reducing their operations between April and July 2025, highlighting the intense competition and market pressures [11][12]. - The challenges faced by Zhu Guangyu's franchisee reflect broader issues within the restaurant franchise model, where cross-industry investment failures can impact food business operations [9][12]. - The brand's successful opening of its first overseas store in Kuala Lumpur, which achieved significant daily revenue, indicates a strategic move to expand into Southeast Asia while managing domestic challenges [11][12].