Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the recent controversies surrounding the hotpot brand Ba Nu, including an incident of stolen advertisements at its new store in Lianyungang, which coincided with the expiration of its IPO prospectus and subsequent resubmission. The article highlights the competitive tension with Haidilao and raises concerns about Ba Nu's governance and financial practices. Group 1: Incident and Competitive Dynamics - Ba Nu reported that several advertisements installed outside its Lianyungang store were stolen before the store's official opening, prompting the company to file a police report and seek public assistance [3][4] - The incident has fueled speculation about a competitive "war" with Haidilao, as both brands operate in the same shopping mall, with Ba Nu's advertisements allegedly being removed by Haidilao employees [7][11] - Ba Nu's customer service confirmed that the advertisements were published on December 12 and reported missing the next day, but no investigation results have been disclosed yet [11][12] Group 2: Financial Performance and IPO Resubmission - Ba Nu's latest prospectus reveals significant growth in revenue and profit for the first three quarters of 2025, with revenue reaching 2.077 billion RMB, a 24.5% increase year-on-year, and net profit of 156 million RMB, up 58.46% [14][15] - Despite the positive financial indicators, Ba Nu's average customer spending has declined from 150 RMB in 2023 to 138 RMB in the first three quarters of 2025 [16] - The company has rapidly expanded its store count from 145 to 162 within six months, with plans to open over 150 new stores from 2026 to 2028, raising concerns about supply chain management and financial sustainability [16][17] Group 3: Governance and Regulatory Scrutiny - Ba Nu's founder, Du Zhongbing, has faced criticism for a substantial dividend payout of 70 million RMB just before the IPO, raising questions about corporate governance and financial practices [18][19] - Regulatory authorities have initiated inquiries into Ba Nu's dividend distribution, employee social security contributions, and overall governance structure, highlighting potential compliance issues [19][20] - Du Zhongbing's controversial public statements have also negatively impacted Ba Nu's brand image, further complicating the company's market position [20]
火锅界“黑吃黑”?客单价连降的巴奴广告牌被盗,海底捞“躺枪”?