HAIDILAO handling of the "urine gate" is called "the most failed public relations in history" because
HAIDILAO recently faced a public relations crisis after two customers urinated in the hot pot broth at its Shanghai Bund store, with public opinion widely criticizing its handling as "the most failed public relations in history." Following the incident, HAIDILAO activated a three-level emergency response, closed the store, replaced pots and utensils, established a crisis team for hygiene self-inspection, and decided to file a civil lawsuit against the involved individuals. Although HAIDILAO emphasized that the individuals involved were minors and warned the public against malicious dissemination, its response has sparked public skepticism
There are rumors that someone urinated in the hot pot at HAIDILAO.
Recently, the chain hot pot restaurant HAIDILAO has been embroiled in a "urination incident," with many public opinions criticizing HAIDILAO's public relations performance, deeming the handling of the incident as "the most failed public relations in history." Mainland media Shenlan Finance published an article analyzing how the unethical behavior of two customers triggered this public relations disaster.
The incident originated on the evening of February 24, when two men dined in a private room at HAIDILAO's Bund location in Shanghai and actually urinated into the hot pot broth. On March 5, related videos went viral online. The next day, HAIDILAO announced the activation of a level three emergency response.
Netizens warned "not to maliciously spread"
It was reported that the involved store was closed that day, completely replacing 56 sets of pots and 283 pieces of tableware, and conducting a "moving-style cleaning" according to relevant standards; secondly, a cross-department crisis team was established to complete a nationwide hygiene self-inspection of all 932 stores within 48 hours; finally, HAIDILAO decided to file a civil compensation lawsuit against the two men involved.
Related news: HAIDILAO | Drunken man urinates in hot pot at Shanghai branch, over 4,000 customers compensated tenfold, involving millions
The article stated that HAIDILAO seems to be a victim, suffering from an undeserved disaster. However, its response and subsequent actions have raised many questions.
First, the "urination incident" occurred on February 24, while the video was exposed on March 5. HAIDILAO has not disclosed whether it took special disinfection measures for the involved store during the 10 days in between. If the store only implemented routine cleaning procedures without activating special disinfection mechanisms, this would constitute a failure to execute the mandatory provisions in the "General Sanitation Standards for Food Service" regarding "immediate cessation of use and thorough disinfection upon discovering food contamination."
Suing the involved men alleviates some public dissatisfaction
Second, HAIDILAO emphasized in its statement that "the involved parties are minors" and warned the public "not to maliciously spread." Some netizens questioned: "HAIDILAO would rather let go of the two people who urinated in the pot than pursue the netizens who help protect its rights; this operation is truly incomprehensible."
By March 10, HAIDILAO announced that it would formally file a compensation lawsuit against the two men involved, alleviating some public dissatisfaction.
Related news: HAIDILAO | Mainland man urinates in hot pot? Public security authorities have filed a case for investigation HAIDILAO announced today (12th) that it will fully refund the meal expenses for 4,109 customers who dined at the Shanghai Bund store from 00:00 on February 24 to 24:00 on March 8, and will additionally provide ten times the order payment amount as cash compensation.
Some netizens remain dissatisfied with HAIDILAO's public relations strategy. They not only warned the public "not to maliciously spread" but also called for "forgiveness" for the violators. Many view this incident as HAIDILAO's "most failed public relations" case in history