Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Outperform" rating for the food and beverage industry [4][5]. Core Insights - The Chinese restaurant supply chain is undergoing an efficiency revolution driven by the pre-preparation of ingredients and the snackification of dining [1][14]. - The market for the restaurant supply chain is substantial, estimated at approximately 2.4 trillion yuan, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 9% from 2019 to 2023 [2][50]. - The report highlights the need for a more efficient supply chain system to address the challenges faced by traditional food supply chains, which include high costs, low quality, and lack of standardization [1][23]. Summary by Sections 1. Industry Overview - The restaurant industry in China is expected to reach a market size of 5.57 trillion yuan by 2024, with a year-on-year growth of 5.3% [13]. - The current restaurant market is predominantly composed of small and medium-sized operators, with a chain rate of approximately 20.1% projected for 2024 [1][16]. 2. Direction One: Ingredient Pre-Preparation - Ingredient pre-preparation is seen as a key driver for standardization in the restaurant supply chain, with a market size of around 2.39 trillion yuan in 2023 [2][50]. - The industry is in the early stages of development, with a projected 890,000 production and processing enterprises by April 2025 [2][50]. - Companies like Anjij and Sanquan have established national production capacity barriers, enhancing their competitive edge [2][51]. 3. Direction Two: Snackification of Dining - The trend of snackification reflects a shift in consumer behavior towards more fragmented and personalized food consumption [2][56]. - Emerging channels such as community supermarkets and convenience stores have seen significant growth rates of 10%, 11%, and 76% respectively in 2023 [2]. - The report notes that the demand for ready-to-eat products has increased, with categories like crayfish and marinated snacks leading the way [2]. 4. Comparison with Overseas Markets - The U.S. restaurant supply chain market was valued at approximately $382 billion in 2022, with Sysco achieving revenues of $78.8 billion in 2024 through extensive acquisitions [3][14]. - Japan's frozen food industry has reached maturity, with companies like Kobe Bussan achieving a 12% revenue CAGR through vertical integration [3][14]. 5. Investment Recommendations - The report recommends several companies for investment, including Anjij Food, Qianwei Central Kitchen, Lihigh Food, Weilong Delicious, and Yanjinpuzi [3][4].