Premier Xi’s impromptu lunch boosts sales at local eatery
A meal fit for a Chairman Image: Qing Feng Dumplings |
On December 30th last year, China’s man-of-the-people leader Xi Jinping made an unexpected, low key appearance at the Qing Feng Steamed Dumpling Shop in Beijing’s Xicheng district, much to the delight of fellow diners.
The humble Chairman, unaccompanied by a large retinue or lavish motor cavalcade, ordered a plate of steamed dumplings, a local delicacy and a plate of vegetables. Xi footed the whole 21-yuan bill himself ($3.50).
Since his unexpected visit, thousands have flocked to the now-famous Yuetan branch to chow down on the “President’s set meal”. Tourists from as far as Suzhou are flocking to the nation’s capital to indulge in the meal, where, at one point, there was a queue of 500 people waiting for dumplings.
Sales of Qingfeng buns have since increased by 40% across the whole franchise. Franchising applications, which earn the chain 320,000 yuan ($52,850) apiece, have also increased dramatically since the visit, according to a company official.
Other steamed bun chains are also benefiting from the nation’s appetite for the steamed snack. Quanjude, a restaurant group which owns a rival bun chain, saw its stock surge 4.8% to 19.76 yuan as a result of the visit, increasing its market value by 255m yuan ($42.1m).