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Case Study

Kungfu Catering Management Co., Ltd.

By Denise H. Kenyon-Rouvinez and Nan Li

4 pages

November 2015

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Reference: IMD-7-1665

Known as China’s most successful Chinese-style fast-food restaurant chain, Kungfu Catering Management Co., Ltd. (Zhengongfu) grew from humble beginnings as the dream of three young people in a roadside dessert store in Guangdong, China. The dessert store was opened by 17 year old Pan Yuhai in 1990. He was joined by his elder sister Minfeng and her husband Cai Dabiao in 1994. By 2008, the company had grown to over 100 successful fast-food style restaurants and was ready for a deal with VCs to further expand when trouble started between the brothers-in-law.

Learning Objective

This case sets the scene for a discussion on the pros and cons of equal ownership. It also covers issues of family conflicts, power, jealousy, and betrayal.

Keywords

Family Business, Ownership, Power Struggle, Conflict, Family Relationship

Settings

Asia, China
Kungfu Catering Management, Consumer Goods, Food and Beverage, Travel and Leisure, Catering
1994-2014

Type

Published Sources

Available Languages

English

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