Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the struggles of small restaurant businesses in first-tier cities, particularly focusing on the impact of delivery platforms on their profitability and operational viability. It highlights how rising costs and complex fee structures imposed by these platforms are squeezing margins and leading to closures of many small eateries [5][6][37]. Group 1: Business Challenges - A small restaurant in Shenzhen, after 10 years of stable operation, faced declining profits due to increased reliance on delivery platforms, which began offering higher consumer discounts funded largely by the merchants themselves [5][6]. - The restaurant's revenue from delivery orders increased, but net profits fell significantly, with nearly 40% of costs going to delivery platforms [6][7]. - By the end of 2024, online food delivery users in China reached 545 million, with over 480 billion orders, leading to higher operational costs for merchants as platform commissions rose [7][8]. Group 2: Fee Structures and Transparency - The article explains the complex fee structures of delivery platforms, where the actual commission is often obscured by various charges such as delivery service fees and promotional subsidies, leading to confusion among merchants [10][15][20]. - For example, a delivery order of 26 yuan resulted in a merchant receiving only 14.32 yuan after deducting comprehensive fees, which amounted to 45% of the total order value [10][20]. - Merchants often find themselves in a position where they are unaware of the true costs associated with each order due to the lack of transparency in the platforms' fee calculations [20][27]. Group 3: Marketing and Promotion Costs - Merchants are compelled to invest in paid promotions to improve visibility on delivery platforms, but these efforts often yield diminishing returns, leading to a cycle of increased spending without guaranteed sales [22][24]. - A coffee shop owner experienced a temporary boost in sales through paid promotions and "brushing" (fake orders) but ultimately found the costs outweighed the benefits, leading to a return to lower sales volumes [24][25]. - The reliance on paid promotions and the need for constant investment in marketing to maintain visibility has created a challenging environment for small businesses, with many unable to sustain profitability [25][32]. Group 4: Market Trends and Closure Rates - The article notes that in 2024, the online food delivery sector accounted for approximately 26% of the restaurant industry's market share, with a total market size of 1.6357 trillion yuan [37]. - Despite the growth in the delivery market, the number of restaurant closures reached 4.09 million in 2024, indicating a closure rate of 61.2%, highlighting the unsustainable nature of many small eateries in the current market [37][38]. - The narrative concludes with the story of a small dessert shop that ultimately closed due to the inability to compete with larger, more established brands and the overwhelming costs associated with maintaining an online presence [38].

Core Viewpoint - The incident involving a well-known chain restaurant, Wei's Liangpi, where a dead mouse was placed in a beverage machine, has been confirmed as a deliberate act by a customer, leading to criminal charges against the individual involved. The restaurant claims it has no issues with food safety, despite ongoing complaints from consumers about food quality and hygiene [1][3][5]. Group 1: Incident Details - On August 31, 2025, a customer placed a dead mouse in the restaurant's beverage machine, causing public concern over food safety [1]. - The police confirmed the incident and detained the individual for disturbing public order, indicating that the restaurant was not at fault [1][5]. - The restaurant's staff conducted thorough checks and found no evidence of mice in the premises, asserting that their monitoring systems are effective [5]. Group 2: Brand Reputation and Consumer Complaints - Despite the incident being labeled as a "setup," Wei's Liangpi continues to face numerous complaints on consumer platforms regarding food safety, including reports of strange odors and foreign objects in food [5][6][14]. - The brand has a history of food safety issues, raising questions about its internal quality control systems [5][20]. Group 3: Business Strategy and Market Position - Wei's Liangpi, established in 1999, has expanded to over 400 locations, primarily known for its Liangpi dish but has gained popularity for its beef burgers and pizzas [15][19]. - The company has recently withdrawn from major food delivery platforms, becoming the first chain restaurant in China to do so, citing high commission fees as a significant burden [20][21]. - Experts suggest that while this move may improve profitability by reducing costs associated with delivery platforms, it risks losing a segment of customers who rely on delivery services [21].

Core Viewpoint - JD.com has announced emergency measures to support delivery riders affected by the "choose one" policy imposed by competing platforms, ensuring riders can freely accept orders and maintain their income [1][3][6]. Group 1: Emergency Measures - JD.com will guarantee sufficient order volume for riders who have been blocked by competing platforms to ensure their income does not decrease [3][6]. - The company will increase its recruitment of full-time riders from 50,000 to 100,000 over the next three months [3][6]. - JD.com will prioritize job placements for the partners of riders, such as full-time delivery personnel and cleaners, to significantly boost household income [3][6]. - The company commits to never forcing part-time riders to choose one platform, encouraging them to maximize their income by accepting orders from various platforms [3][6]. Group 2: Industry Context and Criticism - JD.com criticized competing platforms for their practices, highlighting that over 60% of restaurants in the industry are operating at a loss while some platforms enjoy gross margins exceeding 40% [4][6]. - The company pointed out the safety issues faced by riders, noting that accident rates for riders are more than three times higher than those for delivery personnel [4][6]. - JD.com expressed concern over the monopolistic behavior of certain platforms, which have led to significant income reductions for millions of riders [4][6]. Group 3: Internal Policies and Profit Management - JD.com's CEO, Liu Qiangdong, has mandated that the net profit margin for JD's delivery service should not exceed 5%, aiming to avoid the high commission rates seen in other platforms [11][12]. - The company plans to provide full-time riders with social insurance and is exploring commercial health insurance options for part-time riders to address their medical needs [12][11]. - Liu emphasized the importance of technology in reducing costs and improving efficiency rather than exploiting merchants and riders [12][11].