Core Viewpoint - The recent news about "Zhang Liang's Spicy Hot Pot without Zhang Liang" highlights the founder's exit from the management company, raising concerns about food safety and rising prices, leading to consumer dissatisfaction [1][4][14]. Company Changes - Zhang Liang has exited the Zhang Liang Enterprise Management Group, with Shanghai Yiyan Jiuding Enterprise Management Co., Ltd. becoming the new controlling shareholder, holding 100% of the company [4][6]. - Despite the exit, Zhang Liang still controls the group through complex shareholding structures [7]. Consumer Sentiment - Consumers have expressed dissatisfaction with the rising average spending at Zhang Liang's hot pot, which has increased from approximately 20 yuan to 40 yuan, leading to perceptions of the brand as "luxurious" [1][14]. - Complaints on platforms like Black Cat Complaints indicate significant hygiene issues across various franchise locations, with reports of foreign objects found in food [2][10]. Market Position - Zhang Liang's hot pot has over 6,000 stores globally, primarily franchise-operated, with a presence in 303 cities across 33 provinces [8]. - The franchise fees are set at 19,800 yuan per year for major cities and 10,000 yuan for smaller cities, with total startup costs ranging from 70,000 to 150,000 yuan depending on store size [9]. Industry Comparison - Compared to competitors like Yang Guofu, which has nearly 7,000 stores, Zhang Liang's hot pot is facing challenges in maintaining market share and brand reputation due to rising complaints and health concerns [15]. - Industry analysts suggest that food safety and consistent quality are critical for maintaining consumer trust and brand integrity in the competitive hot pot market [16].

Core Viewpoint - The recent news about "Zhang Liang's Spicy Hot Pot without Zhang Liang" highlights the founder's exit from the company, raising concerns about pricing and food safety issues, which have led to a decline in brand reputation and consumer trust [2][4][15]. Company Changes - Zhang Liang has exited the shareholder list of Zhang Liang Enterprise Management Group Co., Ltd., with Shanghai Yiyan Jiuding Enterprise Management Co., Ltd. becoming the new controlling shareholder, holding 100% of the shares [4][6]. - Despite the exit, Zhang Liang still controls the group through complex shareholding structures [6]. Pricing and Consumer Sentiment - The average consumer spending at Zhang Liang's Spicy Hot Pot has increased from approximately 20 yuan to 40 yuan, leading to complaints about high prices and small portion sizes [2][14]. - Consumers have expressed dissatisfaction on social media, indicating that the current pricing makes the hot pot feel like a luxury item [2][14]. Food Safety Issues - Zhang Liang's Spicy Hot Pot has faced nearly a thousand complaints on the Black Cat Complaint platform, with many reports of hygiene issues across various franchise locations, including finding hair, insect parts, and other contaminants in food [7][10][11]. - The company claims that all ingredients are sourced from headquarters, which is responsible for quality control, but there are concerns about the effectiveness of these measures [11][15]. Market Position and Competition - Zhang Liang's Spicy Hot Pot operates over 6,000 stores globally, primarily through franchises, but faces stiff competition from other brands like Yang Guofu, which has around 7,000 stores [6][15]. - Both brands have seen a decline in consumer favor due to health and pricing issues, with consumers increasingly opting for healthier alternatives [15].