Pangasius and tilapia are both on the menu at one of China’s upstart seafood informal dining chains, which is seeking to expand rapidly across the country’s prosperous east coast.
The Hai Xian Lian Shang Mian chain also offers shrimp, squid, surimi, and fish balls served in its seafood noodle and seafood served with rice dishes in the chain's trendy outlets, which are mostly located in malls.
The owner of the chain, Nanjing-based Jing Guo Tuo Food and Beverage Management Co., contracts catering and canteen services and provides training and consultancy services. It also owns a range of brands selling localized snacks like pizza, honey fried chicken, cake and yogurt to China’s affluent youth.
Now it wants investors to put between CNY 100,000 and 200,000 (USD 14,400 and 28,800, EUR 12,500 and 25,000) to open a Hai Xian Lian store, selling it as a “low investment, quick return” proposition. Jing Guo Tuo recently signed a cooperation agreement with an investment portal, 5988.com, to promote its new seafood chain among investors.
However, Hai Xian Lian Shang Mian isn’t the only seafood-themed chain looking for investors and franchisees. Han Mei Mei is another new chain featuring traditional Chinese seafood soups and dishes served in a youth-focused setting. The Han Mei Mei chain has 40 stores nationwide and is owned by Jinan Rui Liang Food and Beverage Management Co.
