BEIJING: It is lunch time in Beijing, but the only diner in Cindy's Cafe is an employee having a staff meal - it has been closed for more than three weeks as China battles a deadly virus epidemic.
He estimates losses to the company, which has more than 10 outlets in China, could be"at least a few million " given rent and unused stock from the unexpected Chinese New Year closures."If there is no business, staff may be asked to take more days off," said Cai. Some, including hotpot chain Haidilao - which has temporarily closed its mainland China outlets - have turned to selling fresh and frozen products directly to communities.In Yunhaiyao, a chain specialising in Yunnan cuisine, restaurant tables are piled with fresh vegetables instead of cooked dishes - ready to be packed and delivered to housing compounds.
Zhao Yebule, store manager at Yunhaiyao's Tongzhou branch in Beijing, said deliveries can rake in up to 6,000 yuan daily.Li Jianying, a regional manager overseeing 10 outlets, said only around half of his staff were ready to resume work. Yunhaiyao remains worried about expenses such as rent, and has taken a 10 million yuan loan to ease cashflow pressures.One way out is to"share" employees with other businesses that are enjoying an increase in demand: E-commerce platforms.
A survey by Peking and Tsinghua universities, covering around 1,000 small- and medium-sized enterprises, said about 85 per cent of these firms could only survive up to three months on their cash reserves.