Taiwanese hospitality powerhouse Jhu Jian Catering Group is shuttering all operations in Hong Kong, pulling the plug on its three local outlets by the end of November 2025. The strategic retreat, announced on November 12, stems from a challenging market characterized by persistently weak consumer spending and the inability of operational adjustments to reverse mounting financial losses. The company plans to redirect resources and investment toward its more robust core markets of Taiwan and Japan.
Shifting Focus Amid Economic Headwinds
Jhu Jian entered the highly competitive Hong Kong dining sector relatively recently, establishing a presence in early 2024. The group rapidly launched three distinct dining concepts: JHUJIAN Hotpot, Yakiniku Smile (a Japanese-style barbecue outlet), and Jhujian SuanCaiYu (a pickled vegetable fish offering). These locations included a cluster in Mong Kok and a standalone branch in Causeway Bay.
However, the aggressive expansion quickly met with significant resistance from an increasingly cautious consumer base. According to a company filing obtained via Taiwan’s Central News Agency, the firm’s Hong Kong subsidiary, JHU JIAN CATERING (HK) LIMITED, consistently saw declining year-over-year performance, with revenue falling substantially short of internal projections.
Following an extensive review of cost structures, management efficiency, and prevailing demand trends, the board determined that the Hong Kong operations were no longer strategically viable. The subsidiary’s liquidation will proceed in compliance with local regulatory procedures in the coming months.
Timeline of Closures
The closure process is already underway, impacting all three of the group’s brands:
- The Jhujian SuanCaiYu outlet in Causeway Bay has already ceased trading.
- The Mong Kok locations for JHUJIAN Hotpot and Yakiniku Smile are scheduled to remain open for limited service until late November 2025 before permanently closing.
The swift withdrawal highlights the increasingly volatile environment for mid-tier restaurant groups in the city, where high rents and intense local competition exacerbate the effects of reduced discretionary consumer spending.
Prioritizing Growth Markets
In contrast to its Hong Kong difficulties, Jhu Jian reports positive performance in its other international venture. The group successfully expanded into Japan in October 2024, and its initial location in Osaka continues to trade strongly.
Moving forward, the Jhu Jian Catering Group has cemented its commitment to a refined market strategy. Leadership confirmed that all future capital investment and development efforts will exclusively target Taiwan and Japan as the group’s two primary growth engines.
The closure serves as a potent reminder of the selective recovery in the Asian dining industry. While certain regional markets show strong post-pandemic growth, Hong Kong continues to pose a formidable challenge for newly established international entrants seeking sustainable profitability. International operators entering the city must conduct rigorous, ongoing analysis of local economic indicators and be prepared for swift strategic adjustments if consumer sentiment remains subdued.