The Haidilao Paradox

Case Study

Culinary Hospitality as a Strategic Moat

Updated: 2026.04.21

5 min read · Intermediate

The Haidilao Paradox

하이디라오 성공의 역설

Articles

China hot pot chain Haidilao plans US expansion to escape slump at home

Videos

How to Eat Hotpot Like a Pro (First Timer Guide at Haidilao!)Story of Hai Di Lao | The Billion Dollar Hotpot EMPIRE

Discussion Questions

In your own words, please briefly summarize the article.

여러분의 언어로 교재를 간단히 요약해 주세요.

What part of the reading resonated with you most?

이번 교재에서 가장 공감하는 내용은 무엇인가요?

Have you ever experienced exceptional customer service that stayed with you?

기억에 오래 남을 만큼 뛰어난 고객 서비스를 경험해 본 적이 있나요?

What aspects of a dining experience matter more to you: food quality or service?

외식 경험에서 음식의 품질과 서비스 중 어떤 요소를 더 중요하게 생각하시나요?

How do you feel about “experience-driven” restaurants like Haidilao?

하이디라오 같은 ‘경험 중심’ 레스토랑에 대해 어떻게 느끼시나요?

Why do you think service can be a stronger competitive advantage than product quality?

서비스가 제품 품질보다 더 강력한 경쟁력이 될 수 있는 이유는 무엇이라고 보시나요?

How important is cultural adaptation when global brands expand into new markets?

글로벌 브랜드가 새로운 시장에 진출할 때 문화적 적응은 얼마나 중요하다고 보시나요?

What role does employee satisfaction play in delivering great customer experiences?

직원 만족도가 훌륭한 고객 경험을 만드는 데 어떤 역할을 한다고 생각하시나요?

In your view, can “sincerity” really be scaled in large organizations? How?

대규모 조직에서도 ‘진정성’을 확장할 수 있다고 보시나요? 그렇다면 어떻게 가능하다고 생각하시나요?

Q10

If you have a question or questions that you'd like to discuss during your class, please write them down.

궁금한 점이 있거나 수업 중에 얘기해 보고 싶은 질문이 있으면 적어주세요.

Expressions

participatory

involving or allowing many people to take part or be involved

Ví dụ

A key feature of the museum is its participatory exhibits.

Ví dụ

We need a more participatory approach to decision-making.

reverse-engineered

to study the construction or composition of a device or system to obtain details of its design, usually to make a similar one

Ví dụ

The competitor’s product was quickly reverse-engineered by the tech team.

Ví dụ

The goal was to reverse-engineer the famous sauce recipe.

moat

a strategic advantage that makes a business difficult for competitors to attack

Ví dụ

A strong brand identity can act as a deep competitive moat.

Ví dụ

The company’s technology is its primary moat against rivals.

nuisance

a person, thing, or situation that is annoying or causes trouble

Ví dụ

The noise from the construction site is a constant nuisance.

Ví dụ

He considered waiting in line a major nuisance.

bespoke

made for a particular customer or user; custom-made

Ví dụ

The interior designer created a bespoke solution for the small apartment.

Ví dụ

Haidilao aims to provide a familiar yet bespoke dining experience.

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