证券时报·2025-08-14 00:25Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the transformation of the food delivery industry driven by major internet companies like JD and Meituan, focusing on their new business models that aim to optimize costs and improve efficiency in the restaurant sector [1][4][10]. Group 1: JD and Meituan's New Business Models - JD's Qixian Kitchen achieved over 1,000 daily orders in its first week, with a repurchase rate 220% higher than the industry average, supported by a significant investment of over 10 billion yuan in a new kitchen model [3][4]. - Meituan's Raccoon Kitchen plans to open 1,200 locations nationwide over the next three years, offering a transparent and safe food delivery infrastructure for various restaurant businesses [3][4]. - Both companies are moving towards centralized kitchen models, which can reduce operational costs by 10% to 15% compared to traditional delivery methods [4][6]. Group 2: Industry Transformation and Challenges - The shift towards centralized kitchens aims to upgrade small, dispersed restaurants into more efficient, factory-like operations, leveraging data and scale to restructure industry cost structures [6][9]. - The restaurant industry in China is experiencing a significant transformation, with a reported revenue of 27,480 billion yuan in the first half of the year, reflecting a 4.3% year-on-year growth [11]. - The new model is expected to create a three-tier market structure, potentially pushing traditional small restaurants out of the market due to increased competition and operational challenges [12]. Group 3: Implications for Small and Medium-sized Businesses - Small and medium-sized restaurant operators face both opportunities and challenges from the new centralized kitchen model, which offers access to digital tools and supply chains but also leads to increased competition and brand dilution [12]. - The article suggests that small businesses should leverage the advantages of these new kitchen models while maintaining their unique brand identity and customer relationships [12].