老乡鸡“公然”晒预制菜，会是所有餐厅的未来吗？

Core Viewpoint - The competition between Luo Yonghao and Xibei has highlighted the importance of transparency in the prepared food industry, with consumers increasingly concerned about the authenticity of prepared dishes rather than the outcome of the rivalry [2][4]. Group 1: Old Country Chicken's Strategy - Old Country Chicken has emerged as the biggest winner in the prepared food debate, having previously faced scrutiny over its use of prepared dishes [4]. - The company proactively addressed concerns by publishing a comprehensive food safety open letter and a 200,000-word "Old Country Chicken Dish Traceability Report," detailing the sourcing and preparation of its dishes [6][10]. - The report indicates that out of 119 main dishes, 70.6% are freshly made, 27.7% are semi-prepared, and only 1.7% are fully prepared [6]. Group 2: Transparency as a Competitive Advantage - Old Country Chicken's transparency strategy has proven to be commercially beneficial, enhancing consumer trust and brand differentiation [12][14]. - The company has embraced a model that allows customers to choose between prepared and freshly made dishes, thereby increasing consumer confidence [12][16]. - This approach has garnered positive public sentiment, with even critics acknowledging the brand's commitment to honesty [10][14]. Group 3: Industry Trends and Challenges - The trend towards transparency in the prepared food sector is expected to grow, driven by regulatory pressures and evolving consumer expectations [16][20]. - However, challenges remain, including increased costs associated with compliance and the need for a unified definition of prepared foods to align consumer perceptions with industry standards [20][22]. - The establishment of a national standard for prepared foods is underway, which will require restaurants to disclose their use of prepared ingredients, marking a significant shift in the industry [16][24].