HAIDILAO(HK:06862) 2 1 Shi Ji Jing Ji Bao Dao·2026-01-14 03:10Group 1: Company Leadership Changes - Zhang Yong has returned to the CEO position of Haidilao, effective January 13, 2026, following the resignation of Guo Yiqun as CEO [1] - Zhang Yong previously handed over the CEO role to Yang Lijuan in March 2022, and Guo Yiqun took over in June 2024 [1] - The leadership change comes as Haidilao faces performance challenges, with a 3.0% year-on-year revenue decline to 20.703 billion yuan and a 13.7% drop in net profit to 1.755 billion yuan in the first half of 2025 [1] Group 2: Industry Context - The restaurant industry in China is experiencing a slowdown, with the China Cuisine Association noting a trend of "slowing revenue growth, declining profits, and intensified competition" in the first half of 2025 [1] - Competitors like Xiaobing Xiaobing reported an 18.88% revenue decline to 1.942 billion yuan and a net loss of 84 million yuan during the same period [1] Group 3: Strategic Initiatives - Zhang Yong's return is linked to the "Pomegranate Plan," a multi-brand incubation strategy launched in August 2024, aimed at creating a second growth curve for Haidilao [2] - As of June 2025, the "Pomegranate Plan" has incubated 14 restaurant brands, with a total of 126 stores, and the related business saw a 227% year-on-year revenue increase to 600 million yuan in the first half of 2025 [2] - The company is at a critical juncture for transformation, with Zhang Yong becoming more involved in operational details [2]