Chinese hotpot chain Haidilao bets on takeaway, new brands, lower-tier reach for growth

China’s largest hotpot chain Haidilao International Holding has seen takeaway emerge as its fastest-growing segment, with demand for single-serving meals like rice-bowl sets surging, amid positive revenue and profit growth in the first half. Takeaway revenue for the Hong Kong-listed group reached 2.05 billion yuan (US$305 million) in the first six months, surging 121.2 per cent year on year. The segment accounted for 9.2 per cent of total revenue, up from 4.5 per cent a year earlier, according...