“卤味三巨头”，热卤寻增

Core Viewpoint - The hot marinated food sector is experiencing a resurgence as major players like Huang Shang Huang, ST Jue Wei, and Zhou Hei Ya enter the market with new offerings, aiming to adapt to declining growth in traditional cold marinated products [2][5][8]. Group 1: Company Developments - Huang Shang Huang opened its first "Huang Shang Huang Hot Marinated" store in Nanchang, featuring a menu focused on hot marinated dishes, with average customer spending around 29 yuan [3][4]. - ST Jue Wei launched the "Jue Wei Hot Marinated Cup" across multiple locations, which quickly gained popularity, leading to stock shortages in some stores [4]. - Zhou Hei Ya introduced a new sub-brand "3 Jin Ban. Xiao Guo Xian Lu" in June, offering a variety of marinated products alongside staple foods, with an average spending of about 23 yuan [4]. Group 2: Market Trends - The hot marinated food segment, which gained traction in 2021, is characterized by freshly prepared, hot dishes that cater to modern consumer preferences for convenience and quality [5][6]. - The competition in the hot marinated sector is intensifying, with established brands facing challenges from regional players and the need to differentiate their offerings [6][7]. Group 3: Financial Performance - The marinated food industry is experiencing a slowdown, with projected market growth of only 3.7% in 2024, leading to revenue declines for major companies [8][9]. - Huang Shang Huang reported a revenue drop of 5.08% to 1.379 billion yuan in the first three quarters of 2025, despite a net profit increase of 28.59% [8]. - ST Jue Wei's revenue fell by 15.04% to 4.26 billion yuan, with a net profit decrease of 36.07% [8]. Group 4: Strategic Shifts - The three major companies are shifting their focus towards integrating staple foods into their offerings to enhance customer spending and extend consumption occasions [7][10]. - The transition to hot marinated products requires significant operational adjustments, including staff training and management of dining experiences, which may pose challenges for these companies [10].