Core Viewpoint - The Chinese catering supply chain industry is undergoing an efficiency revolution, driven by the increasing demand for standardized and efficient supply chains due to rising consumer expectations and market growth [1] Group 1: Industry Overview - Since 2020, the capital market's interest in the catering supply chain sector has been rising, with the Wande seasoning/prepared food concept index growing by 88% and 82% from March 2019 to May 2021 [1] - The catering market is primarily composed of small and medium-sized operators, with a projected chain rate of only 20.1% by 2024, indicating significant room for growth and consolidation [1] Group 2: Key Trends - **Pre-prepared Ingredients**: The trend towards pre-prepared ingredients represents a shift towards industrialized production in the food sector, with the catering supply chain market size estimated at approximately 2.4 trillion yuan, and the number of processing enterprises expected to reach 890,000 by April 2025 [2] - **Catering Snackification**: The shift towards snackification reflects changing consumer lifestyles and preferences, with products becoming lighter and more retail-oriented, leading to a 10% growth in community supermarkets and an impressive 76% growth in snack discount stores in 2023 [3] Group 3: Comparative Analysis - The U.S. catering supply chain was valued at approximately $382 billion in 2022, with Sysco achieving $78.8 billion in revenue by 2024 through extensive acquisitions, showcasing the potential for growth in the Chinese market [4] - Japan's frozen prepared food industry has matured, with companies like Kobe Bussan achieving a 12% compound revenue growth through vertical integration, serving as a benchmark for cost-effective franchise models [4] Group 4: Future Outlook - The catering supply chain industry is entering a new phase where inefficient producers face significant survival pressure, leading to an expected optimization of supply-side dynamics, favoring leading companies with established capacity and efficiency barriers [5] - Companies that understand consumer needs and adapt to changes are more likely to maintain stability and seize long-term growth opportunities during industry adjustments [5]

Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Outperform" rating for the food and beverage industry [4][5]. Core Insights - The Chinese restaurant supply chain is undergoing an efficiency revolution driven by the pre-preparation of ingredients and the snackification of dining [1][14]. - The market for the restaurant supply chain is substantial, estimated at approximately 2.4 trillion yuan, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 9% from 2019 to 2023 [2][50]. - The report highlights the need for a more efficient supply chain system to address the challenges faced by traditional food supply chains, which include high costs, low quality, and lack of standardization [1][23]. Summary by Sections 1. Industry Overview - The restaurant industry in China is expected to reach a market size of 5.57 trillion yuan by 2024, with a year-on-year growth of 5.3% [13]. - The current restaurant market is predominantly composed of small and medium-sized operators, with a chain rate of approximately 20.1% projected for 2024 [1][16]. 2. Direction One: Ingredient Pre-Preparation - Ingredient pre-preparation is seen as a key driver for standardization in the restaurant supply chain, with a market size of around 2.39 trillion yuan in 2023 [2][50]. - The industry is in the early stages of development, with a projected 890,000 production and processing enterprises by April 2025 [2][50]. - Companies like Anjij and Sanquan have established national production capacity barriers, enhancing their competitive edge [2][51]. 3. Direction Two: Snackification of Dining - The trend of snackification reflects a shift in consumer behavior towards more fragmented and personalized food consumption [2][56]. - Emerging channels such as community supermarkets and convenience stores have seen significant growth rates of 10%, 11%, and 76% respectively in 2023 [2]. - The report notes that the demand for ready-to-eat products has increased, with categories like crayfish and marinated snacks leading the way [2]. 4. Comparison with Overseas Markets - The U.S. restaurant supply chain market was valued at approximately $382 billion in 2022, with Sysco achieving revenues of $78.8 billion in 2024 through extensive acquisitions [3][14]. - Japan's frozen food industry has reached maturity, with companies like Kobe Bussan achieving a 12% revenue CAGR through vertical integration [3][14]. 5. Investment Recommendations - The report recommends several companies for investment, including Anjij Food, Qianwei Central Kitchen, Lihigh Food, Weilong Delicious, and Yanjinpuzi [3][4].