S hi Yonghong is a Chinese billionaire and one of the four co-founders of the Haidilao International Holding, the world's largest chain of hot pot restaurants. His story is a classic rags-to-riches tale. Along with his friend Zhang Yong and their respective partners, he started the business in 1994 from a single, small restaurant in Jianyang, Sichuan province. None of the founders had a background in the restaurant industry; they learned the business through hands-on experience and a relentless focus on the customer.
Haidilao became famous not just for its food, but for its obsessive and often over-the-top customer service. The chain is known for offering free manicures, shoe shines, and snacks to customers waiting for a table, a strategy that created immense customer loyalty and word-of-mouth buzz. As a co-founder and executive director, Shi Yonghong has been a key part of the company's leadership team, contributing to its strategic decisions and massive expansion. The company grew from its humble beginnings into a global behemoth with thousands of restaurants across China and internationally. The successful IPO of Haidilao in Hong Kong in 2018 turned all four co-founders into multi-billionaires.
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Shi Yonghong is a Chinese businessman, the self-made billionaire Co-founder and Executive of Haidilao International Holding Ltd. (HKSE: 6862), the dominant global hot pot restaurant chain. His career is rooted in food service, hospitality, and entrepreneurial audacity.
Shi's philosophical approach centers on scale, operational excellence, and long-term commitment to customer experience (pioneering the high-service, theatrical hot pot model). He co-founded Haidilao in 1994 with his wife, Shu Ping, recognizing the immense, untapped domestic and international demand for high-quality, themed dining experiences.
Shi Yonghong's strategic genius was his commitment to customer service and high-quality experience. He co-founded Haidilao in 1994 in Jianyang, Sichuan Province. His structural contribution is immense: pioneering the modern, theatrical hot pot dining model (famous for manicure services for waiting customers) that transformed the Chinese food service sector. The company successfully executed its IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKSE) in 2018.
He and his wife have successfully expanded the chain globally (reaching over 1,300 locations). His wealth is secured by the colossal, long-term, stable profitability of the global food service and hospitality sectors.
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Co-founds Haidilao with his wife, Shu Ping (Founding).
Haidilao expands aggressively into international markets (Global Expansion Apex).
Haidilao executes its successful IPO on the HKSE (Financial Milestone).
Continues as Co-founder and Executive, guiding the global hospitality giant (Executive Oversight).
Shi Yonghong's wealth is concentrated in his founding equity and continued executive leadership of the publicly traded hospitality giant, Haidilao International Holding Ltd. (HKSE: 6862), and his private investments.
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Shi Yonghong's social impact stems from Haidilao's role as a massive global employer and provider of food service, creating thousands of jobs and pioneering specialized customer service training programs. The company contributes significantly to the global recognition of high-quality Chinese cuisine. His personal philanthropy supports various community and educational initiatives.
His personal philanthropy supports various community and educational initiatives.
Shi Yonghong maintains the professional, composed style of a corporate executive. His attire is consistently formal and high-quality, favoring tailored business suits. His aesthetic reflects serious authority and stability, typical of a leader in the global food service sector.
Residing in Singapore (with operations globally), his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to retail scale, strategic management, and corporate governance.
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+1.9% | +$168.48M
-0.06% | -$4.92M
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