西贝闭店潮，终于撑不下去了！

Core Insights - The article highlights the contrasting performance of Xibei restaurants, with some locations closing while others in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai still see long queues, indicating a significant disparity in consumer demand [1][2]. Group 1: Company Challenges - Xibei has faced multiple crises, with the pre-prepared food controversy leading to a significant cash flow issue as consumers rushed to redeem stored value cards [3][4]. - The company previously held 2 billion in stored value funds from 8 million users, which was a crucial cash flow support [4]. - Following the controversy, consumer confidence plummeted, resulting in a rush to redeem cards and further straining cash flow [5]. Group 2: Market Dynamics - Industry estimates suggest that Xibei needs to serve an average of 280 customers per day per store to break even, but many locations are struggling to meet even a fraction of this number [6]. - The overall restaurant industry is experiencing a high closure rate, with 51% of establishments shutting down in 2023, making Xibei's closures a reflection of broader industry challenges [6]. Group 3: Consumer Perception - Xibei's attempts to recover, such as opening kitchens for transparency, backfired when evidence of using pre-prepared ingredients surfaced, damaging its reputation [8]. - The company has faced backlash for using genetically modified soybean oil and for inconsistent messaging regarding its food preparation practices, leading to a loss of consumer trust [8][11]. - The article emphasizes that consumers are willing to pay for quality but expect honesty and transparency from brands, which Xibei has failed to provide [9][12]. Group 4: Industry Implications - The situation with Xibei serves as a cautionary tale for the restaurant industry, highlighting the importance of consumer trust and food safety as foundational elements for success [11][12]. - The article suggests that brands that survive in the current market will either offer good value or maintain strong food safety practices, contrasting with Xibei's approach [11].