Haidilao turns to hamburgers, sushi as hotpot business slows

China’s largest hotpot chain Haidilao International Holding is aiming to further diversify its business with hamburger stores and has also opened up more sushi stores to tap new growth drivers, reports the South China Morning Post. This comes as its core hotpot business shows slowing momentum.

Hong Kong-listed Haidilao officially launched its burger outlet Fresh Burger in downtown Wuhan, in China’s central Hubei province, in late July. Fresh Burger mainly offers freshly grilled burgers with no pre-made frozen meat patties. Burgers are priced between RMB 18.9 ($2.80) and RMB 41.9, and its menu includes items like pizza, pasta, coffee and ice cream, according to the group.

Meanwhile, Haidilao’s new sushi brand, Nyoisushi, opened two new stores in Wuhan in late July. The brand’s first store in Hangzhou, in eastern China’s Zhejiang province, saw immediate popularity upon its launch.