Core Viewpoint - The discussion revolves around whether the dishes served at Xibei restaurants are considered pre-prepared meals, with the China Chain Store & Franchise Association having previously provided clarity on this matter [1][2]. Group 1: Industry Insights - According to the "2022 China Chain Catering Industry Report," the use of pre-prepared meals by catering enterprises can reduce overall costs by 8% [7]. - An increasing number of catering businesses are adopting pre-prepared meals through central kitchens or partnerships with pre-prepared meal producers, with leading chain restaurants showing a high usage rate of over 80% [7]. - The rising chain rate in China's catering industry is expected to drive B-end chain restaurants to expand their application of pre-prepared meal products, contributing to the maturation of the entire pre-prepared meal supply chain [7]. Group 2: Company Response - In response to the allegations, Xibei's management conducted a live broadcast on September 11, showcasing the entire kitchen operation process, including ingredient handling, cooking, and serving [7]. - During the live stream, Xibei's team displayed various ingredients and packaging, including a bagged chicken soup product, asserting that these items comply with new regulations and do not fall under the category of pre-prepared meals [10]. - Xibei's founder, Jia Guolong, emphasized that according to national regulations, none of their dishes are classified as pre-prepared meals, asserting that they are 100% freshly made [10]. Group 3: Company Background - Xibei, originally known as "Xibei Youmian Village," was founded by Jia Guolong in November 2001 and is headquartered in Beijing, specializing in Chinese casual dining and Northwest cuisine [13]. - The brand traces its origins back to a small eatery in Inner Mongolia in 1988, with formal registration occurring in 1993 [13]. - Xibei plans to complete an IPO by 2026, aiming to achieve a market value exceeding 100 billion [13].

Core Insights - The report highlights that major chain restaurants in China, such as Zhen Gongfu, Yoshinoya, and Xibei, have over 80% of their dishes made from pre-prepared ingredients [1] Industry Summary - The pre-prepared food industry is gaining significant traction in China, with a notable percentage of dishes in leading chain restaurants being pre-made [1] - The Chinese Chain Operation Association has previously addressed the question regarding whether dishes at Xibei restaurants are pre-prepared, indicating a level of transparency in the industry [1]

Core Viewpoint - The discussion around whether the dishes at Xibei restaurant are pre-prepared has been addressed by the China Chain Store & Franchise Association, which provides authoritative insights into the industry [4][5]. Industry Insights - According to the "2022 China Chain Catering Industry Report," the use of pre-prepared dishes by catering enterprises can reduce overall costs by 8% [3]. - An increasing number of catering businesses are adopting pre-prepared dishes through central kitchens or partnerships with pre-prepared food manufacturers, with leading chain restaurants utilizing pre-prepared dishes at rates exceeding 80%, as seen with Xibei [3]. - The trend towards standardization, scalability, and industrialization in the catering industry is expected to drive the application of pre-prepared food products, leading to a more mature supply chain in the pre-prepared food sector [3].

Core Viewpoint - The controversy surrounding the restaurant chain "Xibei" involves allegations of using pre-prepared dishes, with significant public discourse initiated by influencer Luo Yonghao, who criticized the high cost and prevalence of such dishes in Xibei's offerings [1][4]. Group 1: Company Response - Xibei's founder, Jia Guolong, responded to the allegations, asserting that the restaurant does not use pre-prepared dishes as defined by national standards, emphasizing that their food is prepared on-site and not pre-packaged [1][4]. - Jia expressed that the terms "pre-prepared" and "pre-prepared dishes" are distinct, clarifying that their cooking process involves pre-preparation but does not equate to serving pre-packaged meals [1]. Group 2: Industry Context - The pre-prepared dish industry is rapidly evolving, driven by the need for cost reduction and efficiency in the restaurant sector, with a reported 8% decrease in overall costs for restaurants utilizing pre-prepared dishes [4]. - Major chain restaurants, including Xibei, are reported to have a pre-prepared dish usage rate exceeding 80%, indicating a significant trend towards standardization and industrialization in the food service industry [4][5]. - The growth of food delivery platforms has further accelerated the shift towards pre-prepared meals, with estimates suggesting that 70% of delivery merchants utilized pre-packaged meals in 2022 [5].

Core Insights - The prepared food industry is experiencing explosive growth, with significant sales figures and market potential [1][3][23] Market Overview - The prepared food market in China reached a scale of 485 billion yuan in 2024, marking a year-on-year growth of 33.8%, and is expected to exceed 617.3 billion yuan in 2025 and reach 749 billion yuan by 2026 [3][23] - In Hong Kong, it is estimated that at least 60% of restaurants use some form of prepared food [3] Industry Trends - Prepared foods are defined as convenient food options that require minimal preparation, such as heating or light cooking [5] - Regulatory measures are being strengthened, including a ban on preservatives, which is pushing the industry towards standardized development [5][19] Entrepreneurial Success Stories - Entrepreneurs like Mao Zuxuan, a former Huawei executive, have successfully transitioned into the prepared food industry, achieving significant sales milestones [7][23] - The success of prepared food products, such as a popular stir-fried meat dish, demonstrates the potential for high sales volumes [7] Market Positioning and Strategy - Successful entrepreneurs focus on niche markets and regional specialties to differentiate their products [9] - Innovations in lesser-known seafood ingredients and regional dishes are effective strategies to overcome market homogenization [9] Production and Technology - Entrepreneurs face a critical decision between small-batch custom production and large-scale industrial production [13] - The application of digital technologies and automation in production can enhance efficiency and product quality [15] Sales Channels - Diversifying sales channels beyond traditional dining options is crucial, with e-commerce and social media marketing being key strategies [17] - Collaborations with restaurants and delivery platforms can expand market reach and stabilize order volumes [17] Challenges - The industry faces challenges related to food safety and flavor authenticity, necessitating efforts to rebuild consumer trust [19] - Companies must focus on meeting consumer demands for freshness, healthiness, and taste [19] Regional Distribution - The majority of prepared food enterprises are concentrated in provinces like Shandong, Henan, and Jiangsu, with Shandong having the highest number of companies [21] - These regions benefit from established food industrial bases and logistics systems, providing a supportive environment for new ventures [21] Future Outlook - The market penetration of prepared foods is expected to rise over the next five years due to technological advancements and improved production processes [23] - Entrepreneurs are advised to prioritize product innovation, food safety, and flexible sales strategies to capitalize on the growing market [23]

Group 1 - The number of existing and active prepared food-related enterprises in China exceeds 74,000 as of now [1][4] - Approximately 9,500 new registered related enterprises have been added in 2025, with a peak registration expected in 2024, surpassing 10,000 [1][4] - The registration trend shows a steady increase in the number of prepared food enterprises before 2020, a decline during 2021-2022 due to the pandemic, and a recovery starting in 2023 [1][4] Group 2 - The top three provinces with the highest number of prepared food-related enterprises are Shandong, Henan, and Jiangsu, collectively accounting for over 24,000 enterprises, or 35.5% of the total [1][4] - Approximately 7.18% of prepared food-related enterprises are involved in judicial cases according to Tianyancha's risk assessment [3][4]

Group 1: Company Performance and Strategy - The company held a performance briefing for the fiscal year 2024 and the first quarter of 2025 on June 3, 2025, via the Shanghai Stock Exchange's online platform [1] - As of the end of 2024, the company had a total of 1,744 franchise stores, with plans to enhance store upgrades and expand online-to-offline (O2O) channels to improve customer experience and market competitiveness [2][4] - Approximately 90% of the company's products are delivered using its own cold chain logistics vehicles, with plans to increase this capacity while maintaining partnerships with third-party logistics providers [3] Group 2: Industry Challenges and Opportunities - The prepared food industry faces challenges such as inconsistent standards, food safety concerns, and regulatory issues, but the company believes that high-quality products will be favored by consumers in the long term [2] - The company aims to enhance its brand influence and market presence by collaborating with major supermarkets and developing products tailored to specific market needs [4] - The prepared food industry is expected to grow rapidly, driven by diverse consumer demands and increasing competition, necessitating strong brand development and adherence to emerging industry standards [5]

Industry Overview - The pre-prepared food, also known as pre-prepared dishes, is defined as packaged meals made from one or more edible agricultural products, which undergo industrial pre-processing without preservatives and are ready to be consumed after heating [1][3] - The pre-prepared food industry can be categorized into four types based on processing degree and subsequent handling: ready-to-eat, ready-to-heat, ready-to-cook, and ready-to-assemble [1] Industry Chain Analysis - The production enterprises in China's pre-prepared food industry are mainly divided into self-produced and commissioned processing categories [3] - Key upstream participants include agricultural producers, initial processing companies, and packaging manufacturers, while downstream participants consist of various consumer outlets and logistics companies [6] Industry Development History - The pre-prepared food industry in China has evolved since the 1990s, with significant growth during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2023, driven by changes in consumer behavior [9] - The industry is currently in a phase of enhanced food safety regulation and innovation to meet diverse consumer demands [9] Industry Policy Direction - The Chinese government has issued multiple policies to support and regulate the pre-prepared food industry, focusing on food safety management, production base construction, and cold chain logistics improvement [11] Current Industry Status - The market size of China's pre-prepared food industry has expanded significantly, growing from 244.5 billion yuan in 2019 to 516.5 billion yuan in 2023, with an average annual growth rate exceeding 20% [14] - The industry's gross profit margin has been declining, from 20.07% in 2018 to an estimated 13.79% in 2024, due to increased competition [16] Competitive Landscape - The majority of pre-prepared food production companies are concentrated in East and Central China, particularly in Shandong and Henan provinces, which account for a significant portion of the industry [21] - Leading companies in the industry include Shuanghui Development and Anjijia Food, with annual revenues exceeding 10 billion yuan [23] Future Industry Trends - The pre-prepared food industry is expected to continue its rapid growth, with market size projected to exceed 600 billion yuan by 2025, driven by urbanization, consumer demand upgrades, and agricultural industrialization [25] - The industry is moving towards standardization, diversification, and full-chain integration, with a focus on enhancing supply chain efficiency and food safety standards [26]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the articles highlights the rapid growth and expansion of the prepared food market in China, despite public controversies regarding food safety and hygiene standards, particularly in schools [1][16] - The market size of prepared food in China surged from 244.5 billion yuan in 2019 to 419.6 billion yuan in 2020, and is expected to exceed 1 trillion yuan by 2026 [1] - The modern concept of prepared food has evolved significantly, influenced by historical preservation methods and the development of food processing technologies [2][4] Group 2 - The prepared food industry has been shaped by advancements in food industrialization, packaging, and cold chain logistics, which have facilitated mass production and high-quality consumption [4][5] - The U.S. and Japan emerged as key markets for prepared food post-World War II, with the U.S. experiencing a boom in the 1950s due to changing family dynamics and the rise of fast-food chains [5][6] - The Asian market, particularly Japan, has developed a unique consumer-oriented model for prepared food, exemplified by innovations like instant noodles and convenience store offerings [6][7] Group 3 - The rise of central kitchens and prepared food is transforming traditional dining, reducing reliance on skilled chefs and altering the definition of cooking in the modern context [9][10] - The prepared food sector is increasingly integrated with e-commerce and live-streaming sales, which gained momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to significant sales figures for various brands [13][14] - The shift towards prepared food is also reflected in changing consumer behaviors, with younger generations favoring convenience and quick meal solutions over traditional cooking [14][15] Group 4 - The prepared food market is expected to continue growing, driven by urbanization, changing family structures, and the increasing pace of life, which necessitates quick meal options [7][15] - The integration of prepared food into dining experiences is evident, as consumers are willing to pay for the social and emotional aspects of dining out, even when similar quality meals are available at home [15][16] - The emergence of innovative marketing strategies, such as reality shows and immersive experiences, is creating new consumer engagement pathways in the prepared food sector [15][16]

Group 1: Industry Overview - The prepared food industry has undergone significant technological upgrades and category expansions, moving beyond traditional offerings like frozen dumplings to include complex dishes such as Baota meat and Squirrel Fish [1] - The chain restaurant trend in China is accelerating, with the national chain rate increasing from 15% in 2020 to 22% in 2024, and expected to reach around 24% by 2025, indicating substantial growth potential for standardized and pre-processed ingredients [2] Group 2: Company Performance - Anjiu Food reported a total revenue of 15.127 billion yuan in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 7.70%, with core categories like frozen prepared foods and frozen dishes achieving revenues of 7.839 billion yuan and 4.349 billion yuan, respectively, reflecting growth rates of 11.41% and 10.76% [1] - Qianwei Central Kitchen faced a decline in overall performance with a revenue of 1.868 billion yuan, down 1.71% year-on-year, but its frozen prepared dishes and other products saw a remarkable increase in sales revenue to 142 million yuan, up 273.39% [1] Group 3: Market Dynamics - The growth of frozen dish revenue is closely linked to the trend of restaurant chain expansion, as standardized production of prepared foods optimizes cooking processes and ensures consistent consumer experiences across multiple locations [2] - The industry faces challenges such as low market concentration, intense competition from emerging brands and traditional restaurants, and a strong consumer focus on cost-effectiveness, leading to price pressures on restaurant businesses [3] Group 4: Challenges and Opportunities - The prepared food sector is experiencing issues with product homogeneity, leading to price wars and a lack of innovation, while consumer concerns about quality and safety are increasing [3] - Companies need to innovate through technology, focusing on personalized and diverse consumer demands, and enhance brand trust by prioritizing quality and safety through transparent production and strict quality control [3]