Core Viewpoint - Xibei has implemented a nationwide price reduction, with some dishes seeing a decrease of over 20% [2][5][7] Price Adjustment Details - On October 1, Xibei began a significant price reduction across all locations, particularly in first-tier and quasi-first-tier cities [7] - The price changes were so sudden that staff had to manually update old menus with new price tags [7] - Examples of price reductions include: - Grassland tender grilled lamb chops from 119 yuan to 99 yuan - Yellow rice cake (6 pieces) from 29 yuan to 26 yuan - Sesame oil scrambled eggs from 43 yuan to 33 yuan, a reduction of 23% - Five-tomato sour soup with fish from 29 yuan to 23 yuan, a reduction of 20% [10] Customer Feedback and Reactions - Xibei's customer service confirmed that the price adjustments were made based on customer feedback, ensuring consistent reductions within the same city [12] - Despite the price cuts, some customers remain skeptical, believing the reductions are too late to regain their patronage [12] Operational Changes and Challenges - Following a series of criticisms regarding high prices and low value, Xibei's founder stated that the average profit margin for the first half of the year was below 5%, with raw material and labor costs being the highest expenses [13] - Xibei has been making operational adjustments, including moving from centralized kitchen processing to on-site preparation in stores, which has increased the workload for staff [16] Management and Public Relations - The founder of Xibei, Jia Guolong, has shifted his public stance from confrontational to more conciliatory, indicating a willingness to adapt based on feedback [18] - Jia has recently cleared his social media accounts, which has drawn attention from the market [18][21]

Core Viewpoint - Xibei has implemented a nationwide price reduction on its menu, with some dishes seeing price cuts exceeding 20% as of October 1, 2023, particularly in first-tier and quasi-first-tier cities [5][6][11]. Price Adjustment Details - The price reduction began at 7 AM on October 1, with staff across the country busy updating price tags on existing menus due to the sudden nature of the announcement [6][11]. - Specific examples of price changes include: - Grassland tender roasted lamb chop reduced from 119 yuan to 99 yuan - Yellow rice cake (6 pieces) reduced from 29 yuan to 26 yuan - Sesame oil scrambled eggs reduced from 43 yuan to 33 yuan, a decrease of 23% - Five kinds of tomato sour soup with fish reduced from 29 yuan to 23 yuan, a decrease of 20% [9][10]. Customer Feedback and Company Response - Xibei's customer service confirmed that the price adjustments were made based on customer feedback, ensuring consistent reductions within the same city [11]. - In response to previous criticisms regarding high prices and low value, Xibei's founder stated that the pricing strategy is "high quality at a reasonable price," with an average profit margin of no more than 5% in the first half of the year [13]. Operational Changes and Challenges - Despite the price cuts, Xibei's customer traffic remains low, with reports of very few diners in some locations [14]. - The company has made operational adjustments, including moving food preparation from a central kitchen to in-store cooking to enhance customer experience [15]. - The previous commitment to serve all dishes within 25 minutes has been removed, emphasizing that dishes are now prepared fresh [14][15]. Leadership and Public Relations - The founder of Xibei, Jia Guolong, has shifted his public stance from confrontational to more conciliatory, even clearing his social media accounts amid ongoing scrutiny [16][19]. - Jia previously faced backlash for his comments regarding criticism from public figures, indicating a change in approach to public relations [17][21].

Core Viewpoint - The public dispute between Luo Yonghao and Xibei over the use of pre-prepared dishes has escalated into a significant debate involving legal, public opinion, and industry standards [1][2][3] Company Response - Xibei's founder, Jia Guolong, firmly denied Luo's accusations regarding the use of pre-prepared dishes, stating that all dishes served are made fresh and not pre-prepared according to national regulations [1][2] - Xibei announced the launch of a "Luo Yonghao Menu" featuring three signature dishes made fresh, along with a "pre-prepared dish knowledge manual" to educate customers about industry standards [2][3] - The company has opened its kitchen for public tours, allowing customers to see the cooking process and ensuring transparency [3][6] Luo Yonghao's Actions - Luo Yonghao offered a reward of 100,000 yuan for anyone who could provide evidence of Xibei using pre-prepared dishes, aiming to promote transparency in the restaurant industry [2][4] - In a live broadcast, Luo criticized Xibei's claims, arguing that the absence of national standards for defining pre-prepared dishes makes their assertions questionable [4][5] Financial Impact - The controversy has negatively affected Xibei's business, with a reported loss of over 2 million yuan in revenue on the day following the dispute [2][3] Industry Standards - The incident highlights the ambiguity surrounding the definition of pre-prepared dishes in the industry, as existing standards leave room for interpretation regarding what constitutes pre-prepared food [5][6] - Current regulations specify that dishes prepared in central kitchens do not fall under the category of pre-prepared dishes, which complicates the classification of certain menu items [6][7] Consumer Engagement - The "Luo Yonghao Menu" has generated interest among consumers, with many visiting Xibei to verify the freshness of the dishes [7] - Luo's reward announcement has led to hundreds of comments from netizens, although no verified evidence has emerged yet [7]

Core Viewpoint - The debate over the definition of "pre-prepared dishes" has been reignited by a public dispute involving prominent figures in the restaurant industry, particularly focusing on the claims made by Luo Yonghao regarding the use of pre-prepared dishes at Xibei [1][2]. Group 1: Company Responses - Xibei's CEO, Jia Guolong, firmly stated that none of the dishes served in their restaurants are pre-prepared, emphasizing that they utilize a central kitchen for certain pre-processing tasks but cook on-site [1][9]. - Following the controversy, Xibei released a detailed letter to customers outlining the preparation processes of 13 dishes ordered by Luo Yonghao, demonstrating their commitment to transparency [3][10]. Group 2: Regulatory Definitions - The official definition of "pre-prepared dishes" was established by the State Administration for Market Regulation and other departments, clarifying that these dishes must undergo industrial pre-processing and be packaged for retail, excluding items that can be consumed without heating [7][8]. - The new regulations specify that pre-prepared dishes do not include staple foods or ready-to-eat items, which further narrows the scope of what constitutes a pre-prepared dish in the restaurant context [8][12]. Group 3: Industry Standards and Consumer Perception - The introduction of the official definition in March 2024 is seen as a significant step towards standardizing the pre-prepared dish industry, which previously lacked uniformity in definitions and standards [14][15]. - There is a noted disconnect between public understanding of "pre-prepared dishes" and the regulatory definitions, indicating a need for better consumer education regarding food preparation practices in restaurants [11][18]. - The industry is calling for a unified national standard for pre-prepared dishes to ensure safety and quality, with ongoing efforts to develop comprehensive guidelines [16][17].