HAIDILAO(HK:06862) Sou Hu Cai Jing·2026-01-13 16:08Core Viewpoint - The return of Zhang Yong as CEO of Haidilao, accompanied by a group of young executives, signals a transformative phase for the company amidst challenges in the restaurant industry and declining performance [1][3]. Group 1: Leadership Changes - Zhang Yong has taken over as CEO from Guo Yiqun, marking a significant leadership shift as the company faces a complex operational environment [1][3]. - The previous CEO transitions at Haidilao have typically coincided with periods requiring strategic change, indicating a pattern of leadership responding to performance challenges [3][5]. Group 2: Financial Performance - Haidilao's stock price has dropped from a peak of 85 HKD in 2021 to 14 HKD currently, reflecting the company's struggles [3]. - The company reported a net profit of 44.95 billion CNY in 2023, following a recovery from significant losses during the pandemic [3][6]. Group 3: Strategic Initiatives - The "Red Pomegranate Plan," initiated in August 2024, aims to develop various restaurant business models and enhance multi-brand strategies [6][7]. - Since the launch of the "Red Pomegranate Plan," Haidilao has successfully incubated 14 new restaurant brands, with 126 stores generating 5.97 billion CNY in revenue, a 227% increase year-on-year [6][7]. Group 4: Management Structure - The introduction of younger executives into the board, aged between 35 and 44, is seen as a strategic move to optimize decision-making processes during a phase of multi-business operations [7]. - Zhang Yong's implementation of the "Five More Strategy" focuses on multi-brand operations, diverse product categories, extended service scenarios, channel development, and monetizing various consumer demographics [7].