Reborn in 1985: From Selling Braised Duck to Becoming the World's Richest Man

"Sister Meizhuang, have you noticed that your restaurant's menu looks very similar to that of state-run restaurants?" Liang Ming asked.

“Brother Liang Ming, to be honest, I designed this menu this way on purpose, and the prices of our dishes are even cheaper than those of state-run restaurants.”

Jiang Meizhuang frankly stated:

"Moreover, our food tastes better than that of state-run restaurants. That's why our Xiangmanlou restaurant business has reached its current scale."

Liang Ming was not surprised to hear Jiang Meizhuang's words.

In the context of the catering industry in later generations, this behavior would be considered following the trend. However, in the context of the fast-food economy in later generations, following the trend is not a problem.

However, in this era, it wouldn't be feasible for Jiang Meizhuang to simply follow the menu of state-run restaurants.

“Sister Meizhuang, when your private restaurant was just starting out, you were able to make some money by copying the dishes of state-run restaurants!”

Liang Ming shook his head and chuckled:

“But your restaurant is already quite large. If the dishes remain unchanged, in less than two years, your Xiangmanlou will be unable to make ends meet.”

Hearing Liang Ming describe it so seriously, Jiang Meizhuang's expression also turned serious, and she asked, "Brother Liang Ming, why is this?"

"Small restaurants follow the trend of state-run restaurants because the prices are low. Diners feel that they can eat the food of state-run restaurants for very little money, which satisfies their vanity."

Liang Ming analyzed:

“Your private restaurant is almost as big as a state-owned restaurant. If you continue to rely on the low-profit, high-volume model, the profits won’t keep up, and you’ll have a hard time staying afloat.”

"Furthermore, unlike state-owned restaurants, your privately owned restaurant doesn't allow customers to sign bills. Under these circumstances, where do you think customers would prefer to eat?"

The signing of contracts that Liang Ming mentioned is a phenomenon unique to this era.

Many leaders of government agencies hold banquets at state-run restaurants, and afterwards simply put the money directly into the agency's public account.

It's like using public funds to do your own thing without spending a single penny of your own money.

In this situation, as long as the food at state-run restaurants isn't too bad, people would prefer to go to state-run restaurants.

After hearing Liang Ming's analysis, Jiang Meizhuang suddenly understood.

It turns out that it wasn't because her Xiangmanlou restaurant's dishes were tastier or cheaper than those of state-run restaurants that she was able to attract customers.

In a society where public funds are used for lavish meals, private restaurants that try to imitate the menus of state-run restaurants are doomed to failure.

At this moment, Jiang Meizhuang was completely impressed by Liang Ming's business acumen.

"Brother Liang Ming, you can see the shortcomings of our Xiangmanlou, so you must have already thought of a solution, right?"

Jiang Meizhuang looked directly at Liang Ming with her beautiful eyes and asked expectantly.

Liang Ming had said so much, just waiting for Jiang Meizhuang to ask him this question.

His expression turned serious as he analyzed, "Rather than a solution, it's more accurate to say that Xiangmanlou's innovative suggestion has some ideas in mind.

"It's probably unrealistic to expect to implement all of our ideas in a short period of time."

"At this stage, the most important thing is to comprehensively optimize and upgrade Xiangmanlou's dishes!"

Restaurant innovation suggestions: menu optimization and upgrades?

The two novel terms proposed by Liang Ming impressed Jiang Meizhuang, who was living in the 80s.

“Brother Liang Ming, how should we improve and upgrade the dishes at Xiangmanlou?” Jiang Meizhuang asked.

As she spoke, she had already taken a pen and a palm-sized memo pad from the front desk, and like a humble student, she prepared to take notes.

Just then, the restaurant waiter brought up the dishes that Liang Ming had ordered.

Liang Ming pointed to the dishes on the table and said, "First of all, the dishes at Xiangmanlou must be distinguished from those at state-run restaurants. Apart from keeping a few traditional dishes, all other dishes have been removed from the menu."

"But what will our privately owned restaurants use to entertain our guests?" Jiang Meizhuang asked as she took notes.

"That's my second point," Liang Ming said.

"If Xiangmanlou wants to attract diners and compete with state-run restaurants, it must introduce new and signature dishes."

"Ordinary people have a sense of curiosity, especially now that the reform and opening up has made them wealthier. With money in their hands, they want to eat some fresh, special, and rare dishes."

"For example, mountain delicacies and seafood. The rarer the ingredients, the more they want to try them."

Jiang Meizhuang suddenly realized and chimed in, "That makes sense. I heard that a few days ago, a hunter sold a wild boar to a state-run restaurant, and within half a day, all the parts of the boar were reserved."

Liang Ming nodded slightly. In this era, the country had not yet banned people from hunting in the mountains, and laws protecting wild animals had not yet been introduced. Therefore, many urban residents wanted to eat wild game after they had money.

“Sister Meizhuang, let’s forget about wild game. It’s hard to get a stable supply of that stuff. If we want to launch new specialty dishes, we can start with wild mushrooms, wild vegetables, and wild bamboo shoots from the mountains.”

Liang Ming said:

"There are also river shrimp, river crabs, loach, and small river fish from the countryside, all of which can be used as specialty ingredients."

“These ingredients are readily available in the mountains and rivers, and they can be distinguished from the traditional dishes of state-run restaurants.”

After Liang Ming's analysis, Jiang Meizhuang also had some ideas and thoughts, and her eyes lit up as she said:

“Brother Liang Ming, your suggestion is excellent. This way, our Xiangmanlou restaurant won’t need to compete with state-run restaurants on taste or price; we can compete on the uniqueness and rarity of our ingredients!”

At this point, Jiang Meizhuang hesitated for a moment: "But where can we find suppliers for these mountain products and river delicacies? Your sister doesn't have that kind of channel."

Liang Ming grinned and said, "Sister Meizhuang, isn't that what I'm here for?"

"You?" Jiang Meizhuang was taken aback.

A few seconds later, Jiang Meizhuang realized what was happening and said meaningfully:

"Brother Liang Ming, you've said so much, so this is what you were waiting for me to do all this time?"

"At first I thought you came in, touching and looking around, to learn how to open a restaurant."

"So it turns out you're a food supplier!"

Upon seeing Jiang Meizhuang and revealing his identity and purpose, Liang Ming remained calm and composed.

In the turbulent 80s, talented people were everywhere.

Liang Ming did not become complacent or look down on others just because he had been reborn, had memories of his previous life, grasped some business opportunities, and had a forward-looking vision of the times.

"Sister Meizhuang, I said from the beginning that I didn't come here to open a restaurant!"

"Moreover, the problems I just analyzed with you regarding Xiangmanlou do indeed exist."

"My suggestion can indeed solve the problem of Xiangmanlou Restaurant."

Liang Ming admitted frankly.

Hearing Liang Ming's words, Jiang Meizhuang gave him a playful glare: "You've said all the nice things. With your clever tongue, I wonder how many young girls you'll fool in the future."

"Compared to young girls, I still prefer a mature and sophisticated woman like you, Sister Meizhuang," Liang Ming murmured softly.

"What did you say?" Jiang Meizhuang retorted.

"No, it's nothing," Liang Ming quickly shook his head.

If Jiang Meizhuang knew that he was after her not only for her money but also for her as a person, she would surely kick him out.

Seeing Liang Ming's flustered appearance, Jiang Meizhuang's lips curled up slightly. He must think she didn't hear clearly.