86 Years Strong, 1,000+ Stores: Discovering Chaotianmen Hotpot's Business Secrets.

Chaotianmen Hotpot: How an 86-Year-Old Brand Stays Young

When people think of “time-honored brands”, they often recall names filled with history and cultural meaning. Yet, many of these once-famous brands are now struggling or even disappearing.

For example:

Quanjude, the “first roast duck brand”, has seen a major drop in customers.

Dong’e Ejiao is facing financial challenges.

Goubuli in Tianjin has closed down.

Statistics show that among the 1,128 time-honored brands recognized by the Chinese government:

Only 10% are doing well.

40% are barely making a profit.

The remaining 50% are losing money or barely surviving.

But there’s one exception in Chongqing—the “Hotpot Capital of China”—called Chaotianmen Hotpot. Founded in 1935, this 86-year-old brand is still growing fast. It now has over 1,000 stores worldwide.

How does Chaotianmen stay successful while other old brands fade away?

Staying Relevant to Young People

Many old brands lose touch with younger customers who prefer trendy, Instagram-worthy restaurants.

But Chaotianmen knows how to talk to Gen Z.

A report shows:

39% of old-brand customers are aged 30-40.

32% are in their 20s.

The number of young customers is growing by 50% each year.

Chaotianmen has won many awards, like “Chongqing Time-Honored Brand” and “Top 10 Chinese Hotpot Brand”. But it doesn’t just rely on its history. It keeps innovating to stay attractive to the young.

More Than Just Food: An Experience

Chongqing is a port city, and its hotpot culture reflects that.

Chaotianmen offers more than a meal—it offers a cultural experience through food, atmosphere, and performance.

When you walk into a Chaotianmen restaurant:

You’ll see traditional Chongqing-style design.

Staff greet you in an old-fashioned way.

Dishes come with creative names and presentations.

This makes dining fun and shareable—perfect for young people who love to post on social media.

Traditional Taste, Modern Options

The hotpot base is made using traditional methods—spicy, rich, and full of flavor.

But they also offer other soup bases like:

Tomato soup

Thai tom yum

Pumpkin chicken soup

Peppercorn pork belly

This variety makes Chaotianmen popular even outside Sichuan—and even overseas.

Going Digital

Chaotianmen is not afraid of technology. They use:

Robots in the kitchen

AI for management

Big data for marketing

They also let customers order and pay through apps, making service faster and more efficient.

All stores are connected to a smart system that manages supplies and customer data. This helps them run over 1,000 locations smoothly.

Conclusion

Being an old brand is not enough to survive. You must keep improving and understanding new customers.

Chaotianmen Hotpot does exactly that—mixing tradition with innovation. That’s why it’s still growing after 86 years.