Investment Rating - The report indicates a positive investment outlook for the barbecue skewers market, with a projected market size growth from 1,128 billion yuan in 2021 to over 1,600 billion yuan by 2025, reflecting an annual growth rate of 12.2% [2][3]. Core Insights - The barbecue skewers market in China is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing consumer demand, yet faces challenges such as a lack of standardization and high reliance on manual labor [2][4]. - The chicken wing segment is highlighted as a key growth area, with chicken meat being the second most consumed meat in China, accounting for 25% of total meat consumption [8][9]. - The "Three Good Chicken Wings" solution by Wildfire aims to address industry pain points such as low standardization and high labor costs by providing a standardized product that reduces reliance on skilled labor and improves operational efficiency [13][18]. Summary by Sections Market Overview - The barbecue skewers market size is expected to grow from 1,128 billion yuan in 2021 to 1,540 billion yuan in 2024, with a projected increase to over 1,600 billion yuan in 2025 [2][3]. - The number of barbecue skewers outlets in China has shown a growth trend, increasing from 292,000 in January 2025 to 307,000 by June 2025 [2][3]. Supply Chain Challenges - The low chain rate in the barbecue skewers market is attributed to regional flavor variations and a fragmented supply chain, which hinders standardized operations and brand expansion [4][5]. - High labor dependency in the preparation process leads to inefficiencies and increased operational costs [5]. Product Innovation - Wildfire's "Three Good Chicken Wings" solution offers a standardized product that eliminates the need for marination, thus reducing preparation time and labor costs significantly [13][18]. - The solution utilizes AI technology and a robust cold chain logistics system to ensure product quality and consistency across various outlets [14][18]. Financial Performance - The labor cost per chicken wing in the Wildfire model is only 0.2 yuan, a reduction of 83.3% compared to traditional methods, with a gross margin of approximately 60%, exceeding the industry average [18][19]. - The standardized process reduces flavor variability to below 3%, enhancing customer retention and satisfaction [18][19]. Market Applications - The "Three Good Chicken Wings" solution is adaptable across various dining scenarios, including fried chicken, barbecue, and traditional Chinese cuisine, demonstrating its versatility in the food service industry [24][26]. - Successful case studies show significant improvements in operational efficiency and profitability for various types of barbecue outlets that have adopted this solution [23].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the challenges and strategies for Chinese restaurant brands entering the U.S. market, focusing on the fragmented supply chain and the importance of local adaptation in operations and management [2][3][41]. Group 1: Background and Experience - The guest, Huang Wenbing, transitioned from a Fintech entrepreneur to managing multiple Asian restaurant brands in the U.S., overseeing 7 brands and 53 locations [3][5]. - Huang's initial interest in restaurants stemmed from viewing them as tangible assets, similar to real estate, and aimed to make the industry more transparent and calculable [4][5]. Group 2: Market Strategy - The strategy of "encircling the city from the countryside" is emphasized, suggesting that focusing on suburban markets in the U.S. is more viable than targeting major cities like New York or Los Angeles [5][11]. - The U.S. market is characterized by a significant middle-class population residing in suburban areas, which presents unique opportunities for restaurant brands [11][12]. Group 3: Supply Chain Challenges - The U.S. restaurant supply chain is highly fragmented, requiring operators to manage multiple suppliers for different needs, complicating operations [17][20]. - Each restaurant typically needs to coordinate with six suppliers, and the lack of a unified supply chain can lead to inefficiencies and increased costs [17][20]. Group 4: Operational Insights - The importance of standardization in restaurant operations is highlighted, as it is crucial for scalability and efficiency [14][27]. - The article discusses the necessity of digital transformation in the U.S. restaurant industry, particularly post-pandemic, to enhance operational efficiency and reduce cash handling risks [15][16]. Group 5: Future Outlook - Huang believes that leveraging local experience and adapting to the U.S. market's unique characteristics will be key to successful expansion [29][30]. - The potential for growth in the U.S. restaurant market is significant, with many areas still underdeveloped, indicating opportunities for brands that can effectively navigate the supply chain and operational challenges [31][36].