By MA Yue
Haidilao, an international chain of hotpot restaurants, has acquired a hotel operator Japan Hai.
Japan Hai holds a license to develop hot spring businesses in Japan. A resort is expected to be completed by 2027.
The hot spring resort can offer added-value services to Haidilao members and customers, creating additional consumption scenarios.
Haidilao entered the Japanese market in 2015, and Japanese stores account for nearly 10 percent of all international stores. Spending in East Asia is higher than the international average, but table turnover rates are lower.
Haidilao is transforming its management approach to balance standardization and personal touches. This year, store and regional managers have been given more autonomy, allowing them to adjust products and services according to local needs.
This shift has given rise to interesting experiments, such as catering to concert crowds and outdoor food stalls.
However, in unfamiliar international markets, Haidilao faces challenges such as labor and rent costs and increased managerial complexity.
