Haidilao
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 1 March 1994 in Jianyang, Sichuan, China |
| Founder | Zhang Yong and three associates |
| Headquarters | Jianyang , China |
Area served | China, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, United States, Indonesia, Philippines, UAE |
| Products | Hot pot cuisine |
Number of employees | 60000+ (2018) |
| Website | www |
Haidilao International Holding Ltd., commonly known as Haidilao (), is a Chinese hot pot restaurant chain that was established in Jianyang, Sichuan in 1994. It has evolved into the largest hot pot franchise in China, predominantly operating under the brand name Haidilao Hot Pot.
By 2022, Haidilao had expanded to approximately 1,300 locations throughout China, Hong Kong, and Macau. Its international division, Super Hi International, oversees 97 branches globally, with presence in countries such as Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States. The company’s yearly revenue surpasses CN¥10 billion.
Etymology
The Mandarin term haidilao means deep-sea fishing or literally "scooping from the ocean floor." This expression is derived from the Chinese proverb hǎidǐlāozhēn (meaning "to fish a needle from the bottom of the sea"), which signifies undertaking a challenging task. Additionally, in mahjong, it refers to the fortunate occurrence of winning with the final tile.
History
The inaugural Haidilao hot pot restaurant was launched by Zhang Yong and three associates in March 1994 in Jianyang, Sichuan Province, starting with an investment of only 8,000 Yuan. The brand experienced swift growth by emphasizing exceptional customer service and expanded beyond Sichuan within five years to regions including Xi'an and Shanxi, as well as venturing into international markets.
By 2018, Haidilao was serving over 160 million patrons annually, achieving an average daily table turnover rate of 5.0. It also accumulated more than 36 million VIP members and employed upwards of 60,000 staff members. In 2019, it introduced its first robot-assisted hot pot restaurant located in Beijing.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, all Haidilao outlets on mainland China closed temporarily on January 26, 2020, which led to substantial financial setbacks. Comparable competitors such as Xiabu Xiabu also reduced their number of stores due to diminished consumer demand. Haidilao began reopening its restaurants in March 2020; however, it encountered sluggish sales alongside government-imposed capacity restrictions and customer dissatisfaction related to price hikes intended to recover pandemic-related losses.
Throughout 2021, Haidilao inaugurated 421 new locations but simultaneously shuttered 276 outlets to improve operational effectiveness and profitability. By 2022, amid China's zero-COVID policy, its stock value declined by over 60%. Presently, the company is concentrating on expanding internationally by separating its overseas operations into a distinct entity named Super Hi International.
Innovation and expansion
In 2018, Haidilao collaborated with Japanese electronics manufacturer Panasonic to establish a "smart" dining venue featuring Panasonic’s robotics and image recognition technologies for complete kitchen automation. Guests place orders through tablets while the system autonomously manages order processing and food preparation.
Haidilao runs more than 180 outlets worldwide with a workforce exceeding 20,000 employees and generates annual revenues near 5 billion RMB (approximately US$0.77 billion). By mid-2020, it operated 935 restaurants across China and international markets including Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Taiwan, the UK, Canada, the US, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, and the UAE.
The company’s first international restaurant debuted in Singapore’s Clarke Quay in 2012; this was followed by its entry into the US market at Westfield Santa Anita (California) in 2013. Further expansions included South Korea (2014), Taiwan and Japan (2015), Hong Kong (2017), and Canada (2018).
In 2024, Haidilao modified select Jakarta locations to adopt a "No Pork, No Lard" menu concept aimed at accommodating Muslim customers.
IPO
In 2008, Haidilao intended to secure between $600 million and $700 million via an initial public offering on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, aiming to strengthen its international market footprint.
By 2017, the company achieved a 22% rise in net profit, reaching 1.19 billion yuan, alongside a 36% growth in revenue, which totaled 10.64 billion yuan.
The following year, Haidilao successfully launched its Hong Kong IPO, generating close to US$1 billion despite earlier safety concerns, reflecting robust investor trust in its expansion potential. Established as a private entity, Haidilao International Holding Ltd. sought up to US$700 million through this public offering to support its growth initiatives. Shares were priced at HK$17.80 each, valuing the firm at about $12 billion—exceeding Domino's Pizza's market capitalization at that time.
Operations
Haidilao enforces rigorous criteria when selecting food suppliers to guarantee product quality. Its dining venues provide over 20 varieties of self-service dipping sauces and side options such as peanuts and cucumbers. Patrons can customize their hotpot experience by choosing up to four distinct soup bases simultaneously.
Automation
The chain incorporates automated kitchens featuring robotic chefs and automated food delivery systems to improve operational productivity. In 2013, Haidilao introduced a video conferencing service enabling customers to engage remotely with diners at other locations within the brand’s network.
"Hi to send" service
Initiated in 2003, the "Hi to send" delivery program includes dispatching an electromagnetic pan, induction cooker, and wiring board directly to customers' residences, with staff assisting in meal preparation and collecting equipment afterward. Since 2013, Haidilao has operated around the clock and expanded its food delivery services.
Amenities
Haidilao outlets offer waiting areas equipped with amenities like nail salons and children's play zones. Complimentary services before dining include car washes, fresh fruit, snacks, beverages, and board games. During meals, staff provide aprons, phone holders, and hair accessories for guests with long hair. Special celebrations such as birthdays or weddings are marked with gifts. The dining atmosphere is further enriched by live performances including face-changing acts and hand-pulled noodle demonstrations. After the meal concludes, customers receive snacks, fruit, mints, and toothpicks as part of the service experience.
Hygiene
On August 25, 2017, reports surfaced via the Legal Evening News following a viral video on Weibo showing a rat near a sink at a Haidilao location. The company promptly issued an apology within hours. Subsequently, Haidilao implemented a "bright kitchen" policy by installing transparent glass panels to allow customers to observe kitchen operations directly. After consultations with the Beijing Municipal Food and Drug Administration, the company was mandated to enhance sanitation measures and ensure all Beijing outlets underwent inspections within one month.
Price hikes
When COVID-19 restrictions eased in China on March 12, 2020, Haidilao reopened numerous restaurants but encountered customer dissatisfaction due to increased prices. Some patrons threatened not to return as a result. In response, Haidilao capped price increases at 6%, granting individual restaurants discretion to adjust prices within this limit.
Compensation following incident of teenagers contaminating soup
In February 2025, two intoxicated adolescents urinated into the hotpot broth at a Haidilao location in Shanghai. The management became aware of the situation several days later after videos of the event were shared online. Haidilao responded by offering full refunds and providing cash compensation amounting to ten times the original bill for all customers who dined there between February 24 and March 8.
Honors and recognitions
Haidilao Hot Pot has received more than ten prestigious awards such as "Advanced Enterprise," "Consumer Satisfaction Unit," and "Famous Hot Pot" across various provinces including Sichuan, Shanxi, and Henan. From 2008 through 2012, it was consecutively honored as a "Top 10 Hot Pot Restaurant" on a prominent Chinese public review platform for five years running, while also holding the title of "Top 100 Chinese Catering Enterprises" during the same timeframe. In 2009, Haidilao was featured as a case study at Harvard Business School. On May 27, 2011, it earned the "China Famous Brand" accolade. Between 2007 and 2018, Haidilao consistently ranked among the "China Top 100 Catering Companies" for twelve consecutive years. In 2018, the company garnered distinctions including "Best Hot Pot," "Outstanding Service," and "Outstanding Chinese Restaurant of the Year" from respected industry media such as Time Out and The Beijinger.