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Forbes
28-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
China's Spicy Hotpot Leader Cooks Up A New Brand In The U.S.
MalaTown specializes in spicy hot pot cuisine. MalaTown Expansion by China's largest restaurant chains in recent years has been fueled by the country's tasty cuisine, economic growth and improved management. Among the biggest winners: Yang Guofu, the founder of Yang Guo Fu. The Shanghai-headquartered business serves up spicy mala hotpot at more than 6,000 franchised locations across China and another 500-plus overseas; combined, the brand's restaurants employ more than 70,000 individuals globally. The founder tested the water for an IPO in Hong Kong in 2022 but that hope collided with the Covid pandemic. A bigger push for international growth at the business is now coming from Gao Yang, a hometown classmate of the founder's son. Gao, born in mainland China but who has lived in the U.S. for the past decade and a half, believes the time is right in the American market for mala hotpot because of its healthy attributes. 'Food is universal,' Gao recently told Forbes China. 'Everyone wants something that's delicious and good for you.' A Harvard grad who took over leadership of Yang Guo Fu's U.S. business in 2023, Gao is looking to expand beyond the franchising model that has brought success date; in October that year, he debuted a new brand in Union City, California: MalaTown. Gao believes the name and quality lifestyle positioning will help extend its appeal to non-Chinese diners. 'Great food knows no borders,' he said. 'Scalable business models don't either.' So far, Gao has opened nine directly operated MalaTown U.S. locations. Founded in 2003, Yang Guo Fu illustrates how Chinese restaurant chains are moving up the rankings of franchise restaurants long dominated by Western giants such as McDonald's and KFC. Management at the Chinese eateries has improved to such an extent that larger ones are now able to attract graduates from top global business schools, Gao said approvingly. MalaTown's mala-style hotpot, also known in Chinese as 'mala-tang,' differs from other Chinese hotpot flavors because of its unusually strong taste: the word 'mala' loosely translates into 'numb and hot.' Diners draw servings from a big, soupy pot holding spices such as chili and peppercorn, and can select from ingredients that include beef, tofu, bamboo shoots, ham, Chinese cabbage and shitake mushroom. Ambitious Gao came to the U.S. from China to attend high school at age 16. In 2015 at age 20, he founded Regulus, which provided high-end lifestyle services to more than 1,000 overseas Chinese customers across the U.S. Gao later earned a master's degree in finance from Harvard University. Returning to China after graduation, Gao joined e-commerce giant Alibaba as a senior specialist in customer operations, getting exposure to world-class strategic planning, entrepreneurship, business development and operational management. By 2023, he was ready to step up as Yang Guo Fu's CEO in North America. Yang Guo Fu had earlier debuted in that market with a franchise-led model, primarily targeting the Chinese diaspora and catering to its tastes. Gao has already lifted the number of restaurants operating under the parent brand's name to 30 from only three when he first joined. He attributes that growth in part to the 'Matthew effect' – in which 'success compounds and attracts more success.' Gao, however, has bigger goals and sees an even larger opportunity to bring the Chinese spicy hotpot concept to a wider group of North American consumers -- not just the Chinese community. Unlike the parent company's franchise approach, MalaTown has at least for now been directly operated by Gao. 'It's easy to open a store — it's much harder to keep it running well,' Gao said. 'Getting to the top of the mountain is one thing, but staying there takes much more.' The U.S. stores in markets like Cupertino, California have both Chinese and English details on the wall with a focus in messaging on health, helping mala-tang resonate with non-Chinese speakers, he said. It seems to be working: As of 2024, more than 70% of MalaTown's customers aren't ethnic Chinese, a share that's still on the rise, Gao said. Tight management standards will be critical to future growth, he said. 'That means improving operational efficiency, strengthening management systems, and keeping tighter control of costs,' Gao explained. 'It's about building a solid foundation — refining the structure and processes to support the next stage of scaling.' To that end, the company operates a proprietary mobile app and point of sales system to enhance customer experience and streamline operations online. MalaTown is deepening its own supply chain through the purchase of a central kitchen and plans to begin selling frozen and dry goods. The results have been good financially, Gao said. Each MalaTown store has been profitable so far, and even with centralized operational costs factored in, the parent company remains in the black; the new brand's revenue was $20 million in 2024, he said. MalaTown CEO Gao Yang. MalaTown Looking ahead, Gao believes the company's internal systems — from IT to logistics — may one day be made available to other restaurant chains. 'This could not only become a new source of revenue,' he noted, 'but also lay the tech foundation for a future franchising model.' Asked about his outlook for the future, Gao said: 'Painful, but joyful — and full of promise.' Above all, he believes, MalaTown has to be about more than just selling a bowl of mala-tang.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Organizations come together to put food on families' tables as school lets out for the summer
When Barbara Pickett pulled up to the front of Gullatt Elementary School in Union City Wednesday, her car was filled with hope. She needed it. 'It's hard during the summer, because the kids still need the food,' Barbara said. So many parents and grandparents whose little ones attend the school can have a hard time putting enough food on the table over the next few months. 'Many children come to school and sometimes it's the only meal they get. So as school breaks for the summer, it's a great time to provide,' Amazon's Sandy Gordon said. Amazon and the hunger relief organization, Goodr, teamed up to make it happen. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] They gave away enough groceries for the families of 125 students. Five dozen volunteers packed it up and packed it in cars at the drive-thru event. Koaleshia Simon says times are hard and groceries prices are high, so she appreciated the help. 'We all are working two jobs and we're barely making ends meet. I think it's a great idea. We all need help. It takes a village,' Koaleshia said. Barbara Pickett says it'll makes things a little bit easier this summer. 'Oh my gosh. It's extremely important for not just the kids, but the whole community,' Barbara said. TRENDING STORIES: GBI says teen brothers died of self-inflicted injuries on north GA mountain Facebook Marketplace car theft ring ends in dozens of charges for 2 women, Gwinnett police say Severe weather leaves behind multiple reports of damage [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Multi-car crash expected to close roads for hours: Union City police
UNION CITY, Calif. - A multi-car crash was reported in Union City Friday night, and authorities are asking the public to avoid the area as they expect the roads to be shut down for the next few hours. The collision occurred on Mission Boulevard and Whipple Road, and officials sent a notice out at about 9:55 p.m. Union City police officers are investigating the collision. What we don't know Officials didn't say how many cars were involved in the accident but said there were multiple. It's unclear if there are any injuries, and if so, to what extent. It's also unclear how many victims were involved in the collision. This story is developing. Check back for updates.
CBS News
13-05-2025
- CBS News
Assault suspect arrested following hours-long standoff in Union City
A 34-year-old Fremont man was arrested after an alleged assault and armed standoff at a Union City apartment Monday night, according to police. At about 8:30 p.m., Union City officers were sent to the Parkside Apartments on Decoto Road to investigate a call about an assault. When they arrived, officers learned that the suspect, Navroop Sandhu, had allegedly punched a woman in his family while armed with a knife, according to police. Officers were able to evacuate the other people in the apartment but Sandhu allegedly brandished a knife at officers and refused commands to leave the unit, police said in a news release Tuesday. Sandhu eventually left the apartment after several hours of negotiations involving SWAT team members but was allegedly still armed with the knife and refused officers' commands, police said. He was soon taken into custody by officers using non-lethal force and with the help of a police dog. The woman Sandhu allegedly punched suffered minor injuries and no officers were hurt, according to police. Sandhu has had previous encounters with East Bay police, most recently in January when he was arrested after allegedly leading Fremont officers on a chase in a stolen delivery truck. In that case, Sandhu also allegedly refused officers' commands after they were able to stop the truck using a technique that involves a police vehicle nudging a suspect vehicle, usually from behind, in an effort to make it spin out and stop. Also in that case, officers used less-than-lethal force to arrest Sandhu after he allegedly refused to exit the box truck. He was booked into jail on suspicion of evading police against traffic, unlawful taking or driving a vehicle and possession of a stolen vehicle, according to Fremont police. Anyone with information regarding the Union City case is encouraged to contact UCPD at Tips@ or (510) 675-5207.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Poll: Who was the high school Wrestler of the Year in Battle Creek area?
The high school wrestling season has come to an end in the Battle Creek area. Who had the best season? Vote here for the 2024-25 Battle Creek Enquirer 'Readers Choice' High School Wrestler of the Year. Vote in our online poll below. Poll closes Tuesday at noon. MORE: 2024-25 Battle Creek Enquirer All-Area Wrestling Team Here's our list of the Enquirer High School Wrestler of the year poll (in alphabetical order): Harland Begg - Marshall Alex Boyer - Union City Haylen Buell - Climax-Scotts/Martin Montana Connell - Union City Blayne Crance - Union City Devan Garcia - Harper Creek Logan Gilbert - Climax-Scotts/Martin Ricky Johnson - Harper Creek Uriah Joostberns - Climax-Scotts/Martin Ben Kelenske - Olivet Layne Knisely - Bronson Logan Mears - Union City Rasler Warner - Gull Lake Aubreonna Armstrong - Harper Creek Zionah Gardner - Homer Elayna Johns - Olivet Abigail Judy - Marshall Kylee Malloy - Olivet Brianna Preston - Olivet Alexandra Stiltner - Harper Creek Bill Broderick can be reached at bbroderi@ Follow him on X/Twitter: @billbroderick This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Vote for Battle Creek-area wrestler of the year
