Core Insights - Zhao Ji Chuan Cheng has successfully expanded from a local brand in Jiangmen to a national leader in the dessert market, with 650 stores across China, breaking the stereotype that dessert products do not thrive outside Guangdong [5][21] - The brand's signature product, hand-poured ginger milk pudding, has gained immense popularity, with sales exceeding 15 million bowls in 2024, showcasing a blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern consumer preferences [10][21] Group 1: Brand Development - Zhao Ji Chuan Cheng's story is rooted in a family tradition of dessert-making, with five generations passing down the unique technique of hand-poured ginger milk pudding, which has been recognized as an intangible cultural heritage [7][9] - The brand's rapid growth attracted significant investment, including angel funding from notable investors, which has fueled its national expansion [9] Group 2: Product Innovation - The brand has innovated traditional desserts to meet modern health trends, reducing sugar content in its double-skin milk by 30% while maintaining high-quality ingredients sourced from specific regions [12] - Zhao Ji Chuan Cheng has introduced a "sweet + savory" product structure, with desserts making up 65%-70% of offerings and snacks constituting 30%-35%, catering to various dining occasions [12] Group 3: Market Strategy - The brand has effectively broken the "not leaving Guangdong" myth by implementing differentiated strategies tailored to regional markets, such as offering hot drinks in northern regions during winter [13][24] - Zhao Ji Chuan Cheng targets high-end shopping districts and family-oriented neighborhoods, optimizing store sizes to balance cost and customer engagement [13][15] Group 4: Financial Performance - The dessert category boasts strong profitability, with gross margins exceeding 65%, and Zhao Ji Chuan Cheng's flagship stores achieving monthly revenues of over 1 million yuan in Shenzhen and 500,000 yuan in other key cities [16][17] Group 5: Industry Trends - The dessert market is experiencing significant growth, with projections indicating that the number of dessert stores in China will reach nearly 200,000 by 2025, driven by changing consumer preferences towards personalized and health-oriented products [19][21] - The rise of dessert consumption aligns with a broader trend of health consciousness among younger consumers, who are increasingly drawn to the "light health" attributes of ingredients like peach gum and silver ear [19] Group 6: Future Outlook - Zhao Ji Chuan Cheng aims to expand its footprint into more cities and explore international markets, with plans to deepen the integration of traditional Chinese dessert culture with modern consumer experiences [25] - The brand emphasizes the importance of a healthy competitive landscape in the dessert category, advocating for the growth of multiple brands rather than a single dominant player [25]