Core Viewpoint - The sudden passing of Zhao Han, co-founder of the well-known Yunnan cuisine brand "Yunhaiyao," has raised concerns about the future leadership and direction of the company, which he helped establish and grow into a national brand [1][4]. Company Overview - Yunhaiyao is a Chinese restaurant chain under Yunnan Yunhaiyao Restaurant Management Co., Ltd., focusing on fresh Yunnan ingredients and diverse culinary culture, offering healthy, fashionable, delicious, and reasonably priced dishes [6]. - The brand was co-founded in 2009 by Zhao Han, his cousin Lü Zhitang, and friend Zhu Haiqin, with the aim of promoting Yunnan cuisine beyond the province [4][6]. Leadership Changes - In February 2025, Zhao Han stepped down from his position as chairman and other roles within the board, with Zhu Haiqin taking over as chairman and CEO, responsible for company decisions and management [6]. - Zhao Han's contributions included the establishment of the first Yunhaiyao restaurant in Beijing, which was funded by pooling personal savings from family and friends [6]. Achievements and Recognition - Under Zhao Han's leadership, Yunhaiyao received several accolades, including being named a leading enterprise in Yunnan cuisine and winning various awards for brand influence and consumer popularity [8]. - The company expanded its market presence, including opening a restaurant in Singapore in 2019, marking its foray into international markets [6]. Recent Challenges - In July 2025, Yunhaiyao faced legal issues when it was fined 7,000 Singapore dollars (approximately 39,000 RMB) due to a food poisoning incident involving employees of ByteDance in Singapore [6].