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Core Viewpoint - The incident involving a staff member of Bawang Chaji preparing tea in an unsanitary manner has raised significant concerns about food safety and brand trust, highlighting the challenges the company faces in balancing rapid expansion with maintaining hygiene standards and profitability [5][6][7]. Summary by Sections Incident Overview - A viral video showed a Bawang Chaji employee preparing tea without gloves, leading to public outrage and a trust crisis for the brand [5][11]. - The company quickly announced measures, including the indefinite closure of the involved store and the dismissal of the employee, attempting to distance itself from the incident [13]. Brand Positioning and Challenges - Bawang Chaji, positioned as a "new Chinese-style fresh milk tea" brand, has expanded rapidly from Yunnan to nationwide, but faces declining single-store GMV and frequent franchise disputes [7][26]. - The brand's rapid expansion has resulted in high store density, leading to intense competition in key markets like Beijing and Chengdu [24]. Financial Performance - Despite a significant increase in the number of stores, Bawang Chaji's total GMV decreased from approximately 83.01 billion yuan in 2024 to 79.3 billion yuan in 2025, indicating a decline of 3.71 billion yuan [26]. - The average monthly GMV per store has also been on a downward trend, dropping from 57.4 million yuan to 37.85 million yuan over several quarters [26]. Food Safety and Management Issues - The company has faced multiple food safety complaints, including a recent incident where a customer found plastic in their drink, raising questions about the effectiveness of its food safety management [20][21]. - Bawang Chaji's franchise model, which requires significant investment from franchisees, has led to concerns about the adequacy of training and oversight for food safety practices [27]. Industry Context - While Bawang Chaji has aggressively expanded, other leading tea brands like Heytea and Nayuki have slowed their growth, indicating a potential shift in industry dynamics [28]. - The essence of the new tea beverage industry is service, and maintaining food safety is crucial for long-term brand success, emphasizing the need for a balance between expansion and quality control [29].