Cozying up with Little Sheep Hot Pot

Enjoying a meal together with family and friends in a hot pot restaurant is gaining popularity. The feeling of togetherness is enjoyed by both the young and older customers. Little Sheep Hot Pot is one such popular brands that is making waves around the world. Little Sheep was founded in Inner Mongolia in 1999 and has since grown to become one of the most well-known hot pot companies in China and around the world, with around 300 restaurants in 120+ cities including Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo, New York, and Toronto. Let us dig deeper in this interview with Johnson Liu, Franchise Specialist of Little Sheep Hot Pot.

1. How did you enter the franchise business?

I carry with me more than 15 years of experienced in hospitality industry. My career path have evolved from operation to training and now to business development.

2. Where and how did the idea of your concept come from?

Little Sheep first opened its doors in 1999 in Baotou, China. What started as a single store is now the world’s largest hot pot brand with nearly 300 stores in more than 120 regions and cities worldwide.

3. What inspired the brand name?

Little Sheep specializes in lamb hot pot. And takes pride in sourcing the highest quality, most natural, and rarest ingredients from all over the globe to create an what we think is the world’s best hot pot.

4. What is the story behind the brand’s logo?

The logo represents the warm and friendly attributes of the restaurant. The dish “a plate of superb meat” that is created from 4-12 months old spring lambs.

5. What makes your brand different from your competitors?

Little Sheep has always adhered to the priority of using “natural”, “healthy” and “rare” ingredients. Its unique pairing of a pot of exceptional broth and a plate of superb meat, is what makes the legend of Little Sheep Hot Pot.

6. What are the essential qualities that you look for in a franchisee?

An ideal franchisee must have the below listed qualities:
• Preferably have a background in Food and Beverage or the Retail Industry
• Looking for a long-term partnership
• Excellent learning ability
• Have a Strong Financial Standing
• Willingness to open single store or multiple branches

7. How long does it take, on average, for your franchisee to realize their investment?

On average it takes about 2 to 3 years to realize their investment.

8. What was the major challenge you faced in your career and how did you overcome it?

hospitality industry is challenging everyday. be positive, be active and self motivated

8.1 What is your best achievement?

For me personally it is to reach all the KPI 🙂

9. How does your business day start?

I like to start my day by enjoying a cup of coffee and checking my to do list.

10. What was your best moment throughout your franchise career?

signing franchise agreement

11. Where do you see your brand in the next 5 years?

Little Sheep first opened its doors in 1999 in Baotou, China. What started as a single store is now the world’s largest hot pot brand with nearly 300 stores in more than 120 regions and cities worldwide including China, USA, Japan, Singapore, New Zealand, Cambodia, Indonesia and Myanmar. Over the last 2 decades, it has been our mission to serve the world’s most comforting hot pot with the best ingredients the world has to offer. Little Sheep takes pride in sourcing the highest quality, most natural and rarest ingredients from all over the globe to create what we think is the world’s best hot pot. With its seven magic spices, Little Sheep aims to serve you pot of broth which is full of flavour, nutritious, and leave you with an unforgettable experience that is the world’s best hotpot.

12. Any tips you want to impart to our readers who want to be in the franchise industry?

• Looking for a long-term partnership
• Excellent learning ability

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