Core Viewpoint - The ongoing "takeout war" in China's food delivery industry, characterized by unprecedented subsidy levels, is significantly impacting restaurant operators, leading to unsustainable business practices and financial strain [1][8]. Group 1: Subsidy Impact - Goldman Sachs estimates that Meituan, JD, and Alibaba may spend 25 billion RMB in a single month on subsidies, resulting in extremely low prices for consumers, such as 6.9 RMB for a cup of milk tea and 15 RMB for a meal [1]. - The cost structure for restaurants has become increasingly complex, with merchants often receiving less than 8 RMB from a 14 RMB order, while platforms provide only 3 RMB in subsidies [3][4]. Group 2: Business Operations - Many restaurants are experiencing a significant increase in order volume due to promotional activities, but the profitability of these orders is questionable, with some merchants reporting that they only cover basic ingredient costs [5][6]. - The disparity in order subsidies leads to unpredictable revenue for merchants, complicating cost management and financial forecasting [4][5]. Group 3: Market Dynamics - Platforms like Meituan and JD are using aggressive promotional strategies to attract customers, but this often results in higher costs for merchants, who feel pressured to participate in these activities to maintain visibility [5][6]. - Some merchants are opting out of platform activities altogether, focusing instead on in-store dining to achieve more sustainable business practices [6][7]. Group 4: Industry Reflection - Industry leaders are calling for a reevaluation of the current competitive landscape, emphasizing that the ongoing price war is unsustainable and detrimental to all parties involved [7][8]. - The expectation of low prices among consumers, driven by heavy subsidies, is creating a challenging environment for restaurants, which struggle to maintain profitability while competing with artificially low prices [8].