师从茶咖的袁记云饺，能否得出中餐连锁的终极答案

Core Viewpoint - The prevailing belief among restaurant investors is that "the end of dining is retail," suggesting that creating standardized, replicable food products is more profitable than traditional restaurant operations. Yuanji Yunjiao exemplifies this approach by focusing on retail and standardized production of dumplings, achieving significant growth in a short period [1][2]. Company Overview - Yuanji Yunjiao has adopted a "raw and cooked integrated" retail strategy, generating approximately 97% of its revenue from ingredient sales to franchisees. This model has allowed it to become the largest Chinese fast-food chain globally by store count, with 4,266 locations projected by September 2025, doubling from early 2023 [1][2][4]. Supply Chain and Operations - The company operates five factories and 24 self-operated warehouses, with 86% of its stores located within a 200-kilometer radius of these warehouses, enabling efficient two-day delivery. This "front store, back factory" model allows for standardized production and quick turnover of inventory, with a stock turnover period of just 12.1 days compared to the industry average of 25 days [4][6]. - Yuanji Yunjiao has strong bargaining power with franchisees, as its accounts receivable turnover days are only 2.8 and 5.3 days for 2023 and 2024, respectively, indicating rapid cash flow back to headquarters [7][8]. Financial Performance - Despite a stable gross margin, the profit per order has been declining, with gross profit per order dropping from 2.9 yuan to 2.3 yuan between 2023 and the first three quarters of 2025. This indicates a reliance on scale and high turnover to maintain profitability [9][10]. - The company's gross merchandise volume (GMV) from takeout increased from 32.4% to 44.6% from the previous year, reflecting a shift in consumer behavior towards delivery services [8]. Market Position and Challenges - Yuanji Yunjiao's rapid expansion has led to over 3,500,000 members and a quarterly repurchase rate of 32.3%. However, the growth rate of new franchisees has slowed, raising concerns about sustaining momentum [20][17]. - The company faces challenges in maintaining profitability due to rising material costs, particularly pork, which constitutes 35% of total sales costs. This makes the company vulnerable to fluctuations in the pork market [20][21]. Strategic Initiatives - To address franchisee pressures, Yuanji has reduced product prices below cost to stimulate sales. Additionally, the company is expanding its footprint into lower-tier cities, with a significant increase in store numbers in these areas [14][21]. - Yuanji is also exploring international markets, having opened its first overseas store in Singapore and planning further expansion in Southeast Asia. However, the challenge of recruiting and training labor for its "freshly wrapped" model abroad remains a significant hurdle [26][27].