Core Viewpoint - The company, Guoquan, is facing significant scrutiny due to a food safety incident involving the discovery of maggots in its hot pot products, which has raised concerns about its quality control and brand reputation [2][3][4]. Group 1: Food Safety Incident - On September 8, a consumer reported finding maggots in a hot pot product purchased from Guoquan, leading to widespread attention on social media [2]. - Guoquan's representatives stated that an investigation found no quality issues with the batch in question, asserting that the conditions for maggot survival were not present [3]. - The company established a special task force to address the incident and communicated with the affected consumer, offering compensation, but no agreement was reached [3][4]. Group 2: Financial Performance - Guoquan's financial performance showed a recovery trend in 2025, with revenue of 32.4 billion yuan in the first half of the year, a year-on-year increase of 21.6%, and net profit of 1.9 billion yuan, up 122.5% [5]. - The significant increase in net profit was attributed to a rise in gross profit, which increased by 1.08 billion yuan year-on-year [5]. - The company has a total of 10,400 stores, with 10,386 being franchise locations, indicating a reliance on franchisees for expansion [5]. Group 3: Market Expansion Strategy - Guoquan is focusing on expanding its presence in lower-tier towns, with 270 new stores opened in these areas in the first half of 2025, contributing to overall store growth [6]. - The company plans to differentiate its new town stores from standard ones to better meet local consumer needs, taking advantage of lower rental costs and a less saturated market [6]. - Despite the growth in lower-tier markets, challenges remain, including low average spending and traditional consumer preferences, necessitating ongoing supply chain and product optimization [6].
业绩回暖之际遭遇食安考验，锅圈万店狂奔遇波折