HAIDILAO(HK:06862) Sou Hu Cai Jing·2026-01-15 00:01Core Viewpoint - Haidilao is undergoing significant management changes to address operational challenges and cultivate a new generation of leadership, with founder Zhang Yong returning as CEO after nearly four years away from daily operations [1][3][5]. Management Changes - On January 13, Haidilao announced the resignation of CEO Gou Yiqun and two other executive directors, who will still hold important management roles within the company [4]. - Zhang Yong has reassumed the CEO position, which he had stepped down from in March 2022, and will also continue as Chairman of the Board, despite potential conflicts with listing rules [5]. - Four young female executives, all of whom have risen through the ranks at Haidilao, have been appointed as executive directors to support innovation and long-term development [5][6]. Background of New Executives - The new executive directors include Li Nana, Zhu Yinhua, Jiao Defeng, and Zhu Xuanyi, all of whom have extensive experience within the company, reflecting Haidilao's talent selection philosophy [6][7]. - Li Nana has been with Haidilao since 2005, while Zhu Yinhua joined in 2007, Jiao Defeng in 2012, and Zhu Xuanyi in 2018, showcasing a commitment to internal talent development [6][7]. Operational Challenges - Haidilao experienced significant operational pressure and a decline in performance, particularly after aggressive expansion strategies during the pandemic [8][12]. - The company faced a major crisis in 2020, with a rapid increase in store openings not translating into revenue growth, leading to a need for strategic adjustments [12][14]. - In 2025, Haidilao reported a revenue of 20.7 billion yuan and a net profit of 1.759 billion yuan, reflecting a year-on-year decline of 3.66% and 13.72%, respectively, alongside a drop in table turnover rate from 4.2 to 3.8 [15][16].