Group 1 - The founder of Xibei, Jia Guolong, admitted to mistakes in his approach and expressed a desire to learn from the practices of another company, Pang Donglai, emphasizing transparency and customer service [2] - Jia Guolong stated that Xibei will adopt a transparent approach moving forward, indicating a shift in strategy to better meet customer expectations [2] - The recent controversy surrounding "Xibei pre-made dishes" appears to be nearing resolution, which may lead to increased standardization and transparency in the pre-made food industry [5] Group 2 - Luo Yonghao announced a "ceasefire" regarding the Xibei incident, expressing hope for the swift introduction of national regulations related to pre-made dishes [3] - A draft national standard for pre-made food, led by the National Health Commission, has passed expert review and will soon be open for public consultation, marking a significant step towards regulation in the pre-made food sector [4] - Luo Yonghao reiterated his support for the use of pre-made dishes under certain circumstances, while emphasizing the consumer's right to know whether restaurants use pre-made food [4]

Core Viewpoint - The recent controversy surrounding Xibei's food safety practices and the use of pre-prepared dishes has led to a significant trust crisis for the company, prompting a response from its founder and management to enhance transparency and address public concerns [1][2][3][4]. Group 1: Company Response - Xibei's founder, Jia Guolong, acknowledged mistakes in handling the situation and expressed a commitment to transparency, stating that the company will learn from competitors [1]. - Following the backlash, Xibei announced the suspension of kitchen visits in all its 370+ locations to ensure normal operations and prevent further issues [5][6]. - The company has also decided to remove the "Luo Yonghao" meal package from its offerings while allowing customers to order individual dishes from the menu [6]. Group 2: Food Safety Concerns - A viral video showed Xibei employees using a ladle to clear a drain, raising serious food safety concerns among the public [3]. - Xibei's customer service clarified that the tools used in the kitchen are supposed to be designated for specific purposes and that the incident was due to improper practices at the involved location [3][5]. - The company is under scrutiny regarding its use of pre-prepared dishes, with Jia Guolong asserting that none of Xibei's dishes fall under the category of pre-prepared food as defined by national regulations [8]. Group 3: Financial Performance and Future Plans - Xibei has experienced fluctuating revenue, with reported annual revenues of approximately 5.2 billion, 5.5 billion, 5.0 billion, 6.2 billion, 5.8 billion, and 2.9 billion from 2020 to mid-2025, indicating a peak in 2023 followed by a slowdown in growth [8]. - Prior to the crisis, Xibei was planning for an IPO in 2026 and had begun preparations, including attracting strategic investors to improve its equity structure [9]. - The company faces the challenge of restoring brand trust and improving operational performance over the next 1-2 years following the crisis [14].

Core Viewpoint - The incident involving Xibei Restaurant Group has led to a significant trust crisis due to allegations of using "pre-prepared dishes" and food safety concerns stemming from a viral video showing unsanitary practices in the kitchen [1][2][3]. Group 1: Incident Overview - On September 12 and 13, media reporters visited Xibei's kitchens, revealing issues with food preparation practices, including the use of a strainer to clean a drain, raising public health concerns [1]. - Following the backlash, Xibei announced that over 370 locations would allow kitchen tours and introduced a "Lao Luo" meal option for customers [2]. - On September 14, Xibei suspended kitchen tours to ensure normal operations and removed the "Lao Luo" meal from the menu, although some items remained available for individual order [2]. Group 2: Regulatory Context - On March 21, 2024, the State Administration for Market Regulation and other departments issued guidelines defining "pre-prepared dishes" and clarifying that dishes made in central kitchens for chain restaurants do not fall under this category [3]. - Xibei's founder, Jia Guolong, stated that none of their dishes are pre-prepared according to national regulations [3]. Group 3: Company Performance and Future Outlook - Xibei operates over 370 stores across 62 cities, employing approximately 18,000 staff members, with annual revenues fluctuating between 50 billion to 62 billion from 2020 to mid-2025 [3]. - The company had plans for an IPO in 2026, including strategic investments to improve its equity structure, but is now facing operational pressures and a slowdown in growth [3][4]. - Moving forward, Xibei aims to enhance supply chain transparency and restore brand trust as key priorities for the next 1-2 years [4].

Core Viewpoint - The company has temporarily suspended kitchen visits at its nationwide stores to ensure normal kitchen operations and has removed the "Luo Yonghao" menu from some locations [1][2]. Group 1: Company Actions - On September 12, the company launched the "Luo Yonghao menu," which included 13 dishes, with one dish exclusive to Beijing, and was offered at regular prices without discounts [2]. - As of October 14, the company confirmed that it has notified certain stores to discontinue the "Luo Yonghao" menu [1]. - The company has implemented a policy requiring health certificates for media personnel wishing to visit and film in the kitchen during weekdays [1]. Group 2: Financial Details - A sample bill from the "Luo Yonghao menu" totaled 663.00, with individual dish prices including: - Grassland tender roasted lamb chop: 119.00 - Grilled fish: 89.00 - Various other dishes priced between 23.00 and 79.00 [3]. Group 3: Industry Context - Luo Yonghao expressed a desire for national regulations regarding prepared dishes to be established soon, indicating a potential shift in industry standards [4].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the ongoing crisis faced by the company Xibei, led by CEO Jia Guolong, due to public criticism from influencer Luo Yonghao, which has significantly impacted the company's revenue and customer traffic [4][5][6]. Group 1: Impact of Luo Yonghao's Criticism - Luo Yonghao's social media posts and live broadcasts have led to a drastic decline in Xibei's daily revenue, with estimates of a drop of 1 million yuan on September 10 and 11, and projections of 2 to 3 million yuan on September 12 [9][12]. - The company is experiencing a "cliff-like" decrease in customer traffic, which Jia Guolong describes as the most significant external crisis in the company's history [31][32]. Group 2: Company Response and Legal Action - Jia Guolong has expressed a firm decision to pursue legal action against Luo Yonghao, stating that even if the business suffers, the truth must be clarified [13][16]. - Despite receiving advice to take a softer approach, Jia insists on confronting the issue head-on, emphasizing the importance of integrity and accountability [17][18]. Group 3: Company Operations and Strategy - Xibei operates over 370 stores and employs more than 18,000 staff, with a reported revenue of 6.2 billion yuan in 2023 [4][6]. - The company has been focusing on improving its management and operational efficiency, with Jia Guolong returning to the CEO position to lead these efforts [34][35]. Group 4: Clarification on Pre-prepared Dishes - Jia Guolong clarifies that while Xibei utilizes pre-preparation techniques, it does not serve pre-prepared dishes as defined by industry standards [40][42]. - The company has previously operated a fast-food brand that included pre-prepared items, but this brand has since been closed, and no pre-prepared dishes are currently offered in Xibei's main operations [37][38].

Core Viewpoint - The recent controversy between Luo Yonghao and Xibei has led to significant public attention, prompting Xibei to hold a large employee meeting to support its staff facing online harassment [1] Group 1: Company Response - Luo Yonghao's live stream on September 12 addressed the ongoing dispute with Xibei, attracting over 100,000 viewers within the first minute [1] - Xibei organized a meeting for its 18,000 employees to encourage them amidst the backlash, emphasizing the importance of service and quality improvement [1] Group 2: Employee Impact - Many Xibei employees have faced online abuse and harassment due to the "Xibei pre-made dishes" controversy, highlighting the negative impact on staff morale [1] - The meeting led by Xibei's leadership aimed to bolster employee spirits and reinforce their commitment to customer service [1]

Core Insights - The article discusses various significant events and developments in the tech industry, particularly focusing on companies like Tencent, Baidu, JD, and OpenAI, highlighting their strategic moves, employee changes, and industry impacts. Group 1: Company Developments - Tencent officially denied rumors regarding former OpenAI researcher Yao Shunyu joining the company with a salary exceeding 100 million [3] - Baidu's CEO Li Yanhong awarded a team with a $1 million bonus for their innovative project, which achieved end-to-end multimodal content understanding and generation [5] - JD responded to rumors about former Xiaomi executive Wang Teng joining their team, stating there are currently no such plans [6] Group 2: Industry Changes - OpenAI signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Microsoft, potentially valuing the company at over $100 billion, and plans to transition its profit-making division into a Public Benefit Corporation [12][13] - The Chinese Ministry of Commerce initiated an anti-dumping investigation into imported American analog chips, citing a 37% increase in import volume and a 52% decrease in prices from 2022 to 2024 [14] - xAI, founded by Elon Musk, laid off 500 employees from its data annotation team, representing about one-third of the team, as part of a strategic shift [9] Group 3: Technological Innovations - Alibaba and Baidu have begun using self-developed chips for training AI models, reducing reliance on NVIDIA chips amid tightening export restrictions from the U.S. [21] - Tencent launched a new AI CLI tool, CodeBuddy, and announced the public beta of CodeBuddy IDE, enhancing its AI development capabilities [30] - ByteDance released the Seedream 4.0 image creation model, allowing various creative modes including text-to-image and image editing [32]

Core Viewpoint - The core issue in the "prepared food controversy" involves a misunderstanding between the public perception of "prepared food" and industry standards, highlighting the need for the company to address both legal and public relations challenges [1][2]. Group 1: Company Response and Strategy - The founder of the company, Jia Guolong, emphasizes the importance of addressing public concerns rather than solely focusing on legal battles, indicating a need for a balanced approach to crisis management [2][3]. - The company has experienced a significant decline in customer traffic, with daily revenue losses escalating from 1 million yuan to between 2 million and 3 million yuan [1]. - There is a call for the company to improve its product offerings and customer service by clearly categorizing its food products and addressing consumer feedback directly [3]. Group 2: Industry Context and Implications - The situation reflects a broader responsibility of the company towards its employees, suppliers, and consumers, suggesting that the actions of the founder can have far-reaching consequences beyond personal grievances [2]. - The founder's initial support from another industry leader, Yu Donglai, illustrates the complexities of public support in times of crisis, as positions can quickly change in response to public sentiment [3]. - The emphasis on maintaining business operations and focusing on customer satisfaction is presented as a more sustainable approach for the company in the face of adversity [3].

Group 1 - The controversy surrounding Xibei's use of frozen broccoli in children's meals, which has a shelf life of two years, has gained significant public attention following criticism from Luo Yonghao [1][7] - A visit by Phoenix Finance to a Xibei store revealed the presence of frozen broccoli in the kitchen, which was confirmed by the head chef, who stated that the storage time and processing procedures for ingredients vary [3][7] - The head chef emphasized that as long as the ingredients meet national standards, the shelf life is acceptable, and the packaging includes an organic code [9]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the evolution and future of the prepared food industry, emphasizing that while there are criticisms, the trend towards industrialization and prepared meals is likely to continue and evolve rather than decline [5][10]. Group 1: Prepared Food Industry Dynamics - A significant majority (90%) of restaurants in shopping malls and on delivery platforms utilize prepared foods, driven by the need for quick service, cost control, and simplified kitchen operations [5]. - The industrialization of food has expanded supply but has also led to a loss of traditional cooking flavors and personalization in meals [5][6]. - Consumers express a desire for fresh, handmade meals but are often unwilling to pay a premium for them, complicating the market for differentiated food offerings [9][10]. Group 2: Consumer Behavior and Market Challenges - The willingness of consumers to pay for quality and differentiated products is limited, particularly in lower-tier markets where traditional cooking is often a low-cost alternative [9]. - The prevalence of low-cost, industrialized products suppresses the market for handmade items, as consumers are conditioned to expect lower prices [9][10]. - The article highlights the challenge of effectively communicating the quality and freshness of prepared foods to consumers, which is essential for justifying higher prices [9]. Group 3: Economic Implications and Industry Profitability - Despite the widespread adoption of prepared foods, the restaurant industry's profit margins remain low, raising questions about market pricing and hidden costs [10]. - The high turnover of service staff in the restaurant industry aligns with the need for standardized, industrialized products, further entrenching this trend [10]. - The article suggests that the future may see a clearer distinction in pricing between handmade and industrialized food products, similar to trends observed in developed markets [10].