Chinese Hotpot Chain Haidilao Issues Compensation After Disturbing Urination Incident

The popular hotpot chain Haidilao has initiated a comprehensive compensation plan for over 4,000 customers who dined during a shocking incident where two intoxicated teenagers urinated into a broth pot. This unsettling event, which occurred at one of their Shanghai locations, has raised serious hygiene concerns, prompting the company to undertake extensive cleaning measures.

Haidilao, the renowned Chinese hotpot chain famous for its dining experience, is offering compensation to more than 4,000 customers who dined at one of its branches in Shanghai following a distressing incident involving two teenagers urinating into a hotpot broth. This incident, which surfaced in a viral video last month, depicted the boys defiling their meal while they were purportedly intoxicated. Authorities quickly detained the 17-year-old culprits, and thankfully, no diners reportedly consumed the tainted broth.

In a statement, Haidilao publicly apologized and indicated that they have since replaced all hotpot equipment and disinfected other dining utensils in light of the incident. Management learned of the event days after it occurred in late February, after which they faced challenges in identifying the specific location involved from their numerous outlets in the city.

Although the restaurant chain employs a system where diners use individual hotpot equipment, there remain concerns about the thoroughness of cleaning protocols followed before the pot was reused. "We understand that the distress caused to our customers cannot be adequately compensated, but we pledge to take full responsibility," Haidilao stated.

To address the situation, the company announced a complete refund for customers who dined at the affected location between February 24 and March 8, as well as additional cash compensation that amounts to ten times their original bill. Haidilao, which began in Sichuan province and has since expanded to over 1,000 outlets worldwide, is especially recognized for its customer-centric services including amenities like manicures for ladies and free candy floss for children while they wait.