Workflow
西贝贾国龙,其实和于东来是一类人
36氪·2025-09-15 13:35

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the challenges and controversies faced by Xibei, a prominent Chinese restaurant chain founded by Jia Guolong, as he approaches retirement and navigates a competitive industry landscape [5][6]. Group 1: Company Background and Leadership - Jia Guolong, the founder of Xibei, has dedicated his life to building the brand, which now generates an annual revenue of 6 billion yuan [5]. - Xibei has undergone significant transformations, focusing solely on its brand since 2009 after experimenting with various restaurant concepts [5][6]. - Jia's leadership style is characterized by a strong personal presence and a tendency to engage directly with public controversies, which has both helped and hindered the brand [6][10]. Group 2: Industry Challenges - The Chinese restaurant industry is currently experiencing intense competition, with trends such as online transformation, consumer segmentation, and the rise of central kitchen models [6][30]. - Xibei has faced scrutiny over its pricing strategies and the quality of its food, particularly regarding allegations of using pre-prepared ingredients [31][35]. Group 3: Financial Performance and Future Plans - Xibei's revenue for 2023 was reported at 6.2 billion yuan, with plans to achieve 20 billion yuan by 2026-2027, necessitating a compound annual growth rate of at least 33% [34][35]. - The company is exploring an IPO as a means to strengthen its financial position, having previously faced cash flow issues [33][34]. Group 4: Public Relations and Controversies - Jia Guolong's public statements have often led to backlash, such as the "715 work system" controversy and accusations of price hikes during the pandemic [11][14][15]. - Despite the controversies, Jia has received support from industry peers, indicating a level of respect for his contributions to the sector [17][20]. Group 5: Strategic Shifts and Recommendations - The article suggests that Xibei needs to find new growth avenues and possibly adopt a more decentralized management approach to mitigate risks associated with Jia's strong personal influence [35][36]. - The brand's future success may depend on balancing Jia's vocal leadership style with a more collaborative approach to decision-making [28][36].