The owner of a high-end hotpot restaurant chain in China has ignited public outrage for suggesting that individuals earning less than 5,000 yuan (US$680) per month should refrain from dining at his establishment.
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The controversial comment from Du Zhongbing, founder of Banu Hotpot, occurred during a hotpot industry symposium in Sichuan province, southwestern China, and has since gone viral on social media, as reported by China Business News.
“Hotpot is not intended to cater to grass roots customers,” Du stated at the meeting, later adding, “If you earn only 5,000 yuan a month, please do not visit my restaurants. Just opt for some malatang (spicy hotpot typically available at street stalls).”
Banu Hotpot, which has a per-person consumption of around 200 yuan (US$28), operates 140 outlets across mainland China. The restaurant prides itself on its signature dishes, featuring tender cattle stomach and flavourful mushroom soup.
In the wake of the public backlash his remarks provoked, Du took to social media on February 27 to clarify what he claimed was a misinterpretation of his true intentions, according to the report.
He asserted that the statements regarding “hotpot not serving the low-class” and “those earning less than 5,000 yuan per month should avoid his restaurant” were made separately and not in conjunction with one another during his address.
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