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.