Din Tai Fung to close some branches in China over menus

Din Tai Fung, a Taiwanese renowned restaurant for Xiao Long Bao (小籠包) and Shanghai Dim Sum, enjoys a total of 55 stores worldwide, including 4 in Taiwan.

Seven years ago, Din Tai Fung signed a contract with a Chinese proprietor to start 8 braches in Shenzhen and one in Guangzhou; however, the nine branches had been operated on a different business principle and failed to meet Din Tai Fung's required management and service standards over the past few years.

Around one year ago, the nine branches were found serving Taiwanese snack such as braised pork rice, stewed pig's knuckles, bubble milk tea and shaved fruit ice on their menus, along with other original Din Tai Fung dishes, said Hu Hui-yi, manager of Din Tai Fung.

The stores refused to remove the additional items on their menus after several negotiations with Din Tai Fung's head office, so the head office rejected to renew the contracts after they are due on Apr. 25, Hu added.

Featuring Xiao Long Bao, Din Tai Fung head office allows foreign branches to serve Xiao Long Bao of different flavors with various local ingredients added, such as Kimchi-Xiao Long Bao in Korean braches.

However, it is unacceptable for the nine branches to provide items unrelated to Din Tai Fung cuisine and thus it may affect the restaurants' long-established reputations.

Although nine overseas braches are to close next month, the company is expected to open branches in Bangkok, Seattle, Hangzhou (杭州) and Singapore; their fifth store in Taiwan is set to be launched in Hsinchu this summer, explained Hu.

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