Chapter 392: Chapter 313 One Person Beats You All

Zhou Guodong, known among Hang City’s milk tea shop owners as President Guo, was one of the three “Super Franchisees” in Hang City’s milk tea industry and a big name with a fierce reputation.

He had nearly 20 milk tea shops in Hang City alone, and six of those were located on properties he owned.

If Wang Zhenggang wasn’t his fellow townsman, he wouldn’t even be in the same league as President Guo in the milk tea circles.

Gangzi’s admiration for him stemmed from the fact that he had set his sights on Yididian milk tea early on, opening shops when the brand was still off the mainstream radar–and indeed, he made a fortune!

Wang Zhenggang had wanted to ride the same wave, but by the time he decided to franchise, he didn’t even qualify; the application didn’t pass muster.

Following this encounter, his respect for his fellow-townsman President Guo soared. His foresight was just too astute!

But what had President Guo just said?

He said this Youu Tea had no future?

Gangzi’s first reaction was almost like, “Kid, you’ve blown your cover!”

He couldn’t explain it, but he was really optimistic about this young man, Cheng Zhu.

Or perhaps it was that Cheng Zhu’s impression from before was too deep.

In the cold wind, he walked with his hands stuffed into his coat pockets toward the mall. Overhead, the LED screen displayed numerous luxury brand ads, yet among them was the phrase: “Youu Tea, creating China’s new force in beverages.”

He and all the people in the milk tea business were not doing the same thing!

At that moment, as Gangzi watched the people in the night, and the glaring screen among it, he felt not as though he were walking towards the mall, but rather that he was treading the ambitious path of life!

Damn it, the one thing us men can’t stand is this thing!

It’s the thrill of feeling like an overlord that counts!

President Guo, all you did was take one look at someone’s shop, hear they’re not doing franchising, and then declare them without a future. I think you’re being a tad hasty!

Zhou Guodong, finished dispensing advice, turned to Wang Zhenggang and curiously asked, “This… Cheng Zhu, right? Is he a second-generation rich kid?”

“No, he’s apparently just a regular kid from an ordinary family who succeeded early in entrepreneurship. At first, he made his first pot of gold in e-commerce, and then opened a claw machine shop on our street…” Gangzi recited Cheng Zhu’s history like the back of his hand.

It was like a fan preaching the achievements of their idol!

“Not a rich second-generation? Then there’s no chance,” President Guo started to draw his conclusion directly.

“President Guo, what do you mean?” insisted Gangzi, wanting him to spell it out.

“Look at his store, the investment is huge, one surpassing several of ours,” Zhou Guodong explained.

“Look at his location and you can guess the rent is expensive. Then look at his decor, feel this quality. Also, he definitely spent a big chunk on advertising, right?”

Wang Zhenggang nodded, “But his milk tea also sells at high prices. His profit margin must be pretty much the same as ours.”

Their ten-yuan milk tea profit margin, Wang thought, probably wouldn’t differ much from Cheng Zhu’s thirty-yuan milk tea.

The turnover and profit of this Youu Tea must be a startling number.

So what if initial investments are high, as long as they can be earned back?

More investment, more earnings!

Zhou Guodong looked at him and continued, “Since he’s not opening up for franchise, he must want to open his own direct stores. Let’s say the investment for his next store is one million, just to throw out a number.”

“How much would he need for ten stores?”

“What about when he expands to twenty?”

“If he doesn’t have cash on hand, the pace of opening new branches will be slow.”

“And for a brand, are that many stores across the country considered many?”

“Yes, his store is currently very hot, and his milk tea innovations are truly original.”

“But you are in the trade yourself, so you should be well aware that such new offerings… others can duplicate them, it’s just a matter of time.”

“To be blunt, you should know that I have a say in our company, and I’ve been considering proposing to the company to imitate his shop and release a batch of similar new products.”

“Moreover, since he’s selling so expensively, we can wage a price war after copying him.”

Gangzi: You filthy creature!

You’re actually planning to propose to the brand to copy Youu Tea!

But he also felt there was some truth to what Zhou Guodong said.

In the milk tea business, there are technical barriers indeed, but they’re not high.

Is it that hard to copy something like roasted Black Sugar Boba Milk Tea?

In fact, later a brand called Deer Horn Alley did catch on with their Black Sugar Boba, but before you knew it, counterfeits were rampant nationwide, and since Black Sugar Boba’s production threshold is super low, the brand never really exploded.

“President Guo, are you suggesting that Youu Tea’s current momentum is strong and requires frantic expansion, and if the expansion is too slow, it’s a dead end?” Wang Zhenggang asked sincerely for guidance.

“That’s right!” Zhou Guodong said with a smile: “If he had a few franchisees like me to back him up, the brand could get hot in an instant.”

Zhou Guodong patted Wang Zhenggang’s shoulder lightly and said, “You can talk to him. Take my business card and give it to him. If he’s interested, he can arrange to meet with me.”

The “Super Franchisee” began to bare his fangs!

This Youu Tea was too fierce, the momentum online was unstoppable!

Zhou Guodong had never seen such a well-marketed milk tea case before. It was as if they were truly stepping over Starbucks to rise!

He didn’t understand how the other party did it, but he knew that if they were willing to go the franchising route, he could get a slice of the pie.

The boss was young and had no background; maybe he could even be… manipulated a bit?

Youu Tea’s roots were just too weak.

For “Super Franchisees,” the brand was still in its infancy.

Merely a tender sapling.

Joining now would mean a whole different level of say in the matter.

President Guo firmly believed, “Either you can produce tens of millions right now and expand on your own, or you’ll need the support of super franchisees like us.”

“Otherwise, you’ll be definitely out by next summer!”

…

…

A few minutes later.

Gangzi arrived, bringing the business card with him.

He felt President Guo had a point.

Besides, he had his own little scheme: if Cheng Zhu changed his mind and was willing to franchise, he wanted to join in too.

In the jargon of fan groups, he was a bit like evolving from a hater to a fan, then aspiring to become a fan club manager.

Cheng Zhu didn’t expect that the man standing next to Wang Zhenggang, the brand-name belt-guy, turned out to be the legendary “Super Franchisee.”

Once upon a time, he too had contemplated becoming a “Super Franchisee.”

However, after hearing Wang Zhenggang’s relayed words, he showed a nonchalant smile on his face.

Gangzi, looking at the expression on this young man’s face, thought of the phrase often seen in novels: “A mix of derision, mockery, and nonchalance.”

Damn! That’s the vibe!

You wouldn’t have thought that he himself was a veteran fan of online fiction, albeit having always read pirated copies.

Cheng Zhu looked at the business card in Wang Zhenggang’s hand and took a glance at it.

It simply bore Zhou Guodong’s name and a contact number.

They’re actually pulling this business card stunt, thinking I would certainly seek him out? He chuckled inwardly.

He looked up at Wang Zhenggang and said, “Boss Wang, Mr. Zhou Guodong might be disappointed to hear that I won’t franchise and I have no intention of contacting him.”

Most of what Zhou Guodong said was nonsense to Cheng Zhu, but one thing he got half right–this direct operation model did require a significant amount of capital in hand.

But he underestimated the amount.

Just a few tens of millions?

That won’t cover shit!

“Boss Cheng, it’s fine if you don’t want to franchise, but I think it’s still worthwhile to meet President Guo. Half a loaf is better than none.” Wang Zhenggang continued, “These types of franchisees have pull within their brands.”

“I’ve heard that many big franchisees in Hang City are suggesting that brands should try copying your milk tea.” Gangzi was incredibly earnest and well-meaning.

This somewhat surprised Cheng Zhu.

His words were indeed hinting at something.

“Don’t tell me you’ve become a double agent?” Cheng Zhu didn’t understand why Boss Wang had changed so much.

Gangzi, I still prefer your obstinate self from before!

But he could tell Wang Zhenggang genuinely meant well, just like during their last encounter, he suggested, “Boss Wang, care to step out for a smoke?”

“Sure.” How could he refuse?

The two went to the trash can outside the mall, and this time Wang Zhenggang offered a cigarette quite actively.

Cheng Zhu: “…”

Although last time I pretended to be cool to screw with you a bit, now you’re too eager, like you’ve been trained by me.

After taking the cigarette from Gangzi and putting it to his mouth, Cheng Zhu looked up to see Gangzi’s right hand lifted, the flame on his lighter flickering, lighting the cigarette for him.

Gangzi, stop it, you’re scaring me!

Just then, on the LED screen outside Star City, an ad for Youu Tea appeared:

Youu Tea, creating China’s new force in beverages.

To be exact, that was the brand’s slogan.

Cheng Zhu flicked the ash from his cigarette on the trash can, then pointed at the phrase on the screen, “Boss Wang, see that phrase?”

“I do. Impressive indeed, Boss Cheng, securing an ad spot in such a place, mixing with all these major brands.”

Cheng Zhu smirked and asked, “So looking at that slogan, who do you think are the competitors for my milk tea brand?”

This actually stumped Wang Zhenggang.

The next moment, he saw Cheng Zhu pointing at him.

“It’s you.”

Then he reached into his pocket, took out the business card, and tapped it lightly with his index finger.

“And him.”

Gangzi was a little stunned.

Damn, did I just get called out?

Thankfully, Cheng Zhu quickly added, “But essentially, it’s the brands behind you.”

“Whether Zhou Guodong harbors hostility or friendliness towards me, I truly don’t care.”

“Because what I’m doing now is completely disruptive for the current milk tea industry.”

“So, I’m not worried about whatever communications Mr. Zhou Guodong or his company have, nor am I concerned about what their milk tea brands will do.”

“Because I was very clear before opening… ”

Cheng Zhu paused, took a deep drag, then stubbed out his cigarette fiercely on the trash can.

“My enemies are the entire traditional milk tea industry.”

…

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