Recently, according to several Chinese media reports, multiple “Wasabi Family – Creative Cuisine” stores in Hangzhou suddenly suspended operations overnight. Additionally, there have been reports of store closures in Chongqing, Shaoxing, Xi’an, Chengdu, Fuzhou, and other cities.
In a report by Chao News, the Wasabi Family store in the Kerry Centre in Hangzhou had its doors tightly shut with a notice stating, “Equipment testing in progress, operations temporarily suspended.” A nearby store employee mentioned that the store had not opened since September 26.
The Wasabi Family store on the third floor of Baolong in Binjiang was also closed, with no lights on inside and no staff present. An employee from a neighboring restaurant stated that the store had been open two days prior but suddenly closed in the afternoon. The employee mentioned hearing from mall staff that the store had likely not paid utility bills for quite some time.
According to Orange News, on September 27, the “Wasabi Family – Creative Cuisine” store at In77 Hubin also had a notice posted on its door stating, “Due to equipment testing, the store will be closed for one day.”
Another branch of “Wasabi Family – Creative Cuisine” located in the Wulin business district also remained closed with a note on the door saying “Store under adjustment.” A nearby employee mentioned that this store had not opened since September 25.
Apart from Hangzhou, closures of Wasabi Family stores have been reported in Chongqing, Xi’an, Shaoxing, and other places. According to VN News, the Wasabi Family store at Guojin Yuyue City, Yuezhou District in Shaoxing, had its doors shut with no one inside, and a notice on the door cited “Equipment maintenance, operations temporarily suspended.”
As reported by Cover News, the sole “Wasabi Family – Creative Cuisine” store in Chengdu is facing operational abnormalities and has currently suspended operations. On September 29 at 11 am, although it was during the store’s stated operating hours, the store was listed as “temporarily closed” on Dianping (a popular review platform). When journalists called the store to inquire about the situation, the staff confirmed that the store was temporarily closed due to equipment issues being under maintenance, and the reopening time was uncertain.
Public records show that Hangzhou Wasabi Family Catering Management Co., Ltd. was established in 2011, overseeing the management of Hangzhou Wasabi Family Catering Management Co., Ltd., Hangzhou Jiu Zan Catering Management Co., Ltd., and Hangzhou Xi Tun Catering Management Co., Ltd. They operate over forty direct stores nationwide, including brands like Wasabi Family, New Jiu Zan, Hua Jiang Nan, Xiao Xiao Kui, and Ba Zan.
On Meituan, it is indicated that several Wasabi Family stores have ceased operations and closed down. On Dianping, the status of many Wasabi Family stores is listed as “temporary closure” or “closed,” with store phones either unanswered or out of service.
According to Hangzhou Traffic 91.8, a chef who previously worked at the Xi Xi Yintai City store of Wasabi Family stated, “The closure came too suddenly! We had not heard any news prior to this. Because of unpaid rent to the mall, the store was closed by the mall management on September 27. Currently, the management has instructed us (employees) to find our own jobs…”
The chef mentioned, “I’m owed over two months’ worth of salary, totaling over 10,000 yuan personally. Our store manager is owed over five months’ worth of salary. Hundreds of us employees went to demand explanations, but it appeared that the Hangzhou headquarters had disappeared!”
Furthermore, some suppliers have reported having been owed supply fees amounting to millions by Wasabi Family, with these debts only starting recently. Upon visiting the Hangzhou headquarters for inquiry, they found the doors tightly closed. All stores in Hangzhou had shut down overnight! A brand that had been deeply rooted in Hangzhou for so many years closed so swiftly, almost unbelievably.
Moreover, legal disputes involving Wasabi Family restaurants continue. According to the Daily Economic News, a new court notice was issued on September 11 this year, citing a dispute over a property lease contract involving the Wasabi Family headquarters and the Chongqing branch, and the case has yet to be heard.