1987: Sleepless Tonight

"KFC opened a branch here last year. Originally, we were cautious about your market, because although this market is huge and has great potential, it also contains uncertain factors, coupled with the consumption level of residents. Generally low, but we didn’t expect that the first branch opened with great success. Everyone loved KFC very much, which was beyond our expectation. And to this day, the business is also very good, and many people are also seeking cooperation with us. , some are from the government, some are foreign-invested like us, and there are also some private bosses like you, Mr. Lu." Kevin said.

"But the plans they wrote are not as good as yours, and their expectations for KFC's development here are not as bold and optimistic as yours, Mr. Lu."

The content of the plan was good, but there were some parts that shocked Kevin.

"I have said that I am very optimistic about KFC, and I am confident that after cooperating with me, KFC will be able to accelerate its domestic development, gain a foothold in the catering market, especially the fast food market, and be able to withstand the attacks of competitors. It can penetrate the roots firmly into the domestic catering soil. Even if there are wind and rain, there are competitors, whether they are domestic or foreign, they can rely on the roots that have been planted first to absorb the nutrients first. , to support the body and prevent it from collapsing." Lu Hao said.

When doing any business, you must take advantage of the good times to expand quickly and capture most of the market share.

By doing this, one can leave a deep impression in the minds of customers and let them know about the brand, which will definitely be beneficial to the development of the brand.

"But the content written in your plan still surprises me." Kevin lowered his head and looked at the document in his hand, "In one year, we will open 3 branches in Jiangcheng, and in 3 years, we will open 15 branches in Jiangcheng." branches, and in 5 years, we will open 30 branches.”

While reading, Kevin raised his head and looked at Lu Hao, with a look of shock on his face, "Did you really write the name of the city wrong? It shouldn't be Jiangcheng, but the whole country. Is it because of your negligence that you wrote the wrong place? Already?"

After KFC tasted the sweetness, it gained some confidence in the domestic market and was planning to open branches. However, the first batch of cities to open branches preferred cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Because the economic strength of these places is relatively strong and the average income of residents is relatively high, which can support KFC's consumption, it is relatively safe for KFC to invest in opening stores in such places.

But even if I open a store in such a place, I don't expect to open 3 stores in one year, 3 stores in 15 years, and 5 stores in 30 years.

It is too exaggerated to open so many branches in one city.

Even locally, there is no such plan.

A city's consumption will definitely be saturated. If more stores are opened, the consumer groups covered will overlap, which means they will compete with themselves.

Hannah and Fang Bilong had not seen Lu Hao's plan, and they did not know the specific contents. After hearing Kevin tell some of the contents of the plan and the number of branches, they were both surprised.

Hannah looked at Lu Hao, "As a friend, I have to remind you that although KFC is a very strong fast food restaurant, it has a global presence and is developing very rapidly. This is a company that has been established for more than 30 years. Some It’s a new year, but they have always maintained a very high level of energy, aggressiveness, and a positive layout.”

"Other restaurants are afraid of difficulties and challenges, and their expansion speed is very slow, but KFC has been challenging and making progress. While other restaurants are still hesitant, they have already opened their first store here. And we also have long-term plans for the future.”

“However, everything is gradual, and we must remain vigilant about this emerging market. We must not be too pessimistic, because if we are too pessimistic, we may lose this huge market, and we must not be too optimistic. Because if you are too optimistic, you may fall and invest blindly.”

She looked at Lu Hao and said bluntly, "The problem you are facing now is that you are too optimistic about KFC. You are blindly investing and opening 3 branches in Jiangcheng in one year, 3 in 15 years, and 5 in 30 years." Home, too fast, too frequent. Jiangcheng is not a small city, but its consumption level is much lower than that of cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Even in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, they dare not open so many branches in such a short period of time, but you said that in Jiangcheng wants to open so many branches, and in such a short period of time, if we really do it to this extent, I am afraid we will lose money and the money invested will be lost."

She was kindly reminding Lu Hao not to be too blind.

At this moment, Fang Bilong on the side said, "Boss Lu, this is a little trick. He wrote in the plan that he is very optimistic about KFC and is very confident about KFC opening a branch in Jiangcheng. In such a short time Opening so many branches in Jiangcheng is actually a trick to coax people, in order to cooperate with KFC and win the cooperation rights. As for whether it will really open so many branches in such a short period of time, I think in the future It’s definitely not that important in Boss Lu’s plan.”

"Boss Lu must first use this exaggerated method to get Mr. Kevin to agree to cooperate with you. After the cooperation is achieved, he can then find a reason to say that the original plan is difficult to achieve, so that he can win the contract with KFC. Cooperation gains leverage and the ability to shirk responsibility.”

Lu Hao glanced at him, "You followed Mr. Kevin here just to remind him and prevent him from being deceived?"

"Yes, I followed here just to prevent Mr. Kevin from being deceived. He has not been in China for a long time. He used to be responsible for matters related to the operation of KFC abroad. Later he was transferred to China and served as the general manager of the domestic region. The person in charge, and I happened to be selected by him to be the manager of KFC. I mainly handle KFC’s domestic business affairs. Of course, it also includes personnel matters, including cooperation with domestic parties. I also have a relatively large right to make suggestions. ." Fang Bilong nodded, "Mr. Kevin still respects my suggestions very much, because he doesn't know the Chinese people that well, and he is not very familiar with the behavior of the Chinese people. He must have someone to remind him."

Having said this, he smiled and said to Lu Hao, "Mr. Lu, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to target you, but to tell the truth, I must be responsible for my position. If it's because of me, you and Boss Lu The cooperation with KFC has had an impact, causing Mr. Kevin to not be optimistic about cooperation with you, so I am sorry to you here, but I still have to say it."

"This is my responsibility. Mr. Kevin entrusts me with such an important position, and I have to be worthy of this position. I hope you can understand."