Core Viewpoint - The recent viral video of a Mxue Ice City employee crying while working has sparked discussions about the working conditions and pressures faced by employees in the fast-food and beverage industry, particularly in the context of the company's rising stock prices and popularity due to its low-priced lemon water product [1][3][5]. Group 1: Employee Experience and Working Conditions - The employee's emotional breakdown was initially attributed to overwhelming work demands, but later clarified to be due to personal issues unrelated to work [5][9]. - Employees report long hours, with some working over 10 hours a day, often without breaks, especially during peak hours [13][21]. - The company has a policy discouraging employees from discussing negative aspects of their work experience publicly [5][9]. Group 2: Company Performance and Market Position - Mxue Ice City has seen significant stock price increases, with a nearly 5% rise following the viral incident, and over 20% increase in stock price over the past 20 days [3][9]. - The company has established itself as a leader in the lemon water market, capturing 80% of the market share and selling 11 billion cups in the first nine months of 2024 [26][28]. - Mxue Ice City operates over 46,000 stores globally, with a focus on maintaining low prices, exemplified by its 3 yuan lemon water [9][26]. Group 3: Financial Metrics and Employee Compensation - Mxue Ice City reported a revenue of 153.93 billion yuan in 2023, with an average revenue per employee of 237.2 thousand yuan, ranking second among major tea beverage companies [21][22]. - The average annual salary for employees is reported at 105,000 yuan, but actual earnings can vary significantly based on location and store performance [21][22]. - Employees often do not receive overtime pay or benefits, leading to disparities in compensation across different regions and stores [22][24]. Group 4: Franchise Model and Challenges - The majority of Mxue Ice City stores are franchises, with franchisees bearing significant operational risks and costs, while the company profits from selling raw materials to these franchises [36][37]. - The process to become a franchisee has become increasingly competitive, with a low acceptance rate of around 5% for applicants [33][34]. - Franchisees face pressure from rising operational costs and competition, which can lead to conflicts between franchisees and the company regarding pricing and product offerings [36][37].