From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

The next day, Feng Zhengming did not come to the shop again, and he also pulled his third senior brother away from the shop.

This effectively meant that all matters concerning the new store were completely handed over to Yang Peng and Hong Zhenshan.

Sun Hai was only there to help with some work to stabilize morale among the troops.

Yang Peng and He Xiaona's son, Yang Jundong, was also taken out to play by Feng Zhengming, who also wanted He Xiaona to go to the store to get a feel for being the store manager.

Yang Jundong has been playing with Feng Nuanyou and Lu Jinghao for the past few days and clearly doesn't care whether his parents are around or not.

While playing outside, Feng Zhengming watched the three children having a great time.

He suddenly had a whim and said something to his third senior brother, uncle, and aunt.

"What do you think about opening our own kindergarten?"

"what?"

These words stunned the uncle, aunt, and third senior brother.

However, after thinking about it carefully, the third senior brother felt that it might not be a bad idea.

"It seems like that's possible. We're sending more and more young chefs out to work in the future, and they all need to start families and take care of their children."

Auntie immediately laughed and felt it was inappropriate: "No, you guys can't just do whatever you want. Running a kindergarten isn't just about playing with the kids; you also need to take good care of them and teach them things while they play."

The uncle also felt it was inappropriate: "Besides, you've transferred your staff to other places. You can't possibly open kindergartens all over the country, can you? If you open one in Jinan, won't the parents still be separated from their children?"

Then the uncle gave a better suggestion: "I think it would be better if you could help coordinate with the staff you send to stores in other places so that they can take their children to local kindergartens."

After his uncle said that, Feng Zhengming nodded: "Uncle is very thoughtful."

Lu Zhongqi laughed: "It's not that I'm being thoughtful, it's just that you're a little anxious right now."

Feng Zhengming looked at his uncle and nodded with a wry smile.

"Uncle, you can tell I'm a bit anxious. Opening a shop is easy, but maintaining the good taste is not so easy. There are so many things to consider."

Yang Bin then spoke up to comfort him: "Zhengming, you have done very well. To put it bluntly, which other restaurant or hotel can treat you like this?"
How could the people working in those restaurants and hotels possibly have dormitories? They basically have to find their own places to live; they can only eat the staff meals in the kitchen.

My aunt agreed: "Yes, what kind of business do you run like this?"

Uncle: "Even those big catering groups can't train chefs like you do."

Feng Zhengming: "I know that others will not do it like I do, but I do it so that chefs can cook well without any worries."

"The reason our restaurant has been able to open so many chain stores and enjoy such a good reputation across the country is because of our excellent quality control of the food."

Hearing Feng Zhengming say this, his uncle, aunt, and third senior brother indeed agreed.

Many people now believe that the reason why Feng Zhengming's branches are doing so well is mainly because he is famous as the top scorer in the national college entrance examination.

But if you've eaten at all his restaurants, you'll understand the real reason for his success: the food is genuinely delicious.

Therefore, the key to Feng Zhengming's successful business actually lies in the culinary skills of the chefs in the kitchen.

The most crucial point is that Feng Zhengming personally investigates the local taste preferences for each store he opens, and then adjusts the dishes and seasonings in the kitchen accordingly.

This is something no other catering company can learn.

Only Feng Zhengming, the national culinary champion, was able to make timely adjustments based on his exceptional abilities.

More importantly, it's crucial to ensure that the store staff can execute the instructions effectively.

Feng Zhengming's method for opening stores in various parts of Shandong is to recruit local chefs to be in charge, which makes it easier to make the food suit the local tastes.

However, this method is easy to implement in Shandong, after all, he is the president of the Shandong Chefs Association.

In his various shops in Jinan, the apprentices come from all over Shandong province.

It is relatively easy to select suitable young chefs.

However, it's not so easy to extend this to other provinces and regions.

After all, Feng Zhengming's shop couldn't possibly have that many apprentices from other places.

Moreover, even if apprentices from other places go to Shandong to learn cooking, there may not be enough staff to support a restaurant.

Therefore, we still need to transfer some chefs from Shandong to restaurants in other places.

Feng Zhengming's anxiety lies here: he feels it's too much of a burden for the young chefs to be transferred to restaurants in other cities without providing them with sufficient security.

The third senior brother reached out and gently patted Feng Zhengming's shoulder.

"You put too much pressure on yourself. You're already a very good boss."

The uncle agreed: "Yes, you are already the best boss, a benchmark in the industry. Don't put too much pressure on yourself. You have arranged dormitories for them and paid them high salaries. Most importantly, you have also given Yang Peng and Hong Zhenshan a share of the profits."

All of this is enough to motivate them to work hard to run the store well for you, so you don't need to feel bad. They're willing to work for you not just for these reasons, but also because they can improve themselves as well.

Third Senior Brother: "Yes, they have also improved here, and will have better and more choices in the future."

After listening to his uncle and third senior brother's advice, Feng Zhengming finally calmed down.

Thinking about it carefully, perhaps for everyone who was transferred to branches in various places, they didn't seem to feel that being transferred to other places was anything bad.
On the contrary, it seems that when people learn that a new branch is going to be opened in another city, almost everyone will actively strive for such an opportunity.

After this period of reflection, Feng Zhengming finally understood everything.

People are willing to follow me because they hope to gain more opportunities.

Whether in various parts of Shandong Province or other cities in other provinces, this is an opportunity for everyone.

Feng Zhengming realized that instead of starting his own kindergarten or something similar, he should focus on maintaining his reputation and ensuring his branch's business was doing well.

When the branches do well, the people who are dispatched to various places can earn more income.

With more income, people will feel more confident even when buying property in branches in other provinces.

"Okay, let's work together to make our branch more and more famous and attract more customers."

Hearing Feng Zhengming's words made his uncle, aunt, and third senior brother laugh.

They understood that Feng Zhengming had come to his senses.

At this moment, Feng Nuanyou led two boys back.

"Dad, we're all tired from playing. Can we have some ice cream?"

Feng Zhengming: "Okay, but you can't eat too much."

Feng Nuanyou smiled and said, "Okay, I won't eat too much."

Yang Bin stood up: "Okay, I'll go buy you ice cream. You can sit down here and rest for a bit."

The three children immediately thanked Yang Bin together.

Yang Bin was thanked by the three children and suddenly realized that taking care of children wasn't such a hard job after all.

At the Zhengcheng branch, Yang Peng and Hong Zhenshan were directing and arranging staff in the kitchen.

He Xiaona also learned to manage the store's service staff.

At first, He Xiaona was actually a little embarrassed to manage everyone. So when she spoke, she used a consultative tone with the service staff.

After seeing this, Sun Hai quickly realized that this wouldn't do, so he took the initiative to step forward and help He Xiaona establish her authority.

“Remember, she is your store manager. She can manage you, and you must obey her arrangements. If any of you are unwilling to obey her arrangements, or fail to perform the tasks assigned to you properly, she has the right to fire any of you.”

Sun Hai's words were very direct and also full of deterrence.

This immediately made the service staff, who had previously been dismissive of He Xiaona, take her seriously.

Seeing this, He Xiaona felt even more embarrassed.

Sun Hai pulled He Xiaona aside for a private talk.

“Sister-in-law, you can’t be too weak. If you’re weak to them, they’ll think you’re easy to bully. Have you forgotten? Your master is handing this place over to you. If you, as the store manager, are weak and can’t direct the staff to do their jobs properly…”

Wouldn't all the hard work of Peng Ge and Hong Zhenshan in the kitchen be wasted? Even though their food is excellent, if the poor service from the staff makes customers unwilling to return, wouldn't that damage the restaurant's reputation?

Sun Hai's words made He Xiaona understand immediately.

"Yes, yes, Sun Hai, you're right. I didn't manage them well. I'll pay attention and manage them properly in the future."

Sun Hai: "Sister-in-law, remember this: you don't have to be too strict with them, but if they slack off or have problems, you must point out their mistakes and not tolerate them."

Because if you condone their mistakes, you are showing disrespect for the hard work of everyone in the kitchen.

He Xiaona nodded seriously: "Yes, yes, you're right. I didn't understand. My junior uncle said that a store is a group, and respect is mutual."

We must respect the efforts of the kitchen staff; the only way to do so is to provide equally excellent service.

Sun Hai smiled: "Sister-in-law, you understand. I believe you will become a very good store manager."

He Xiaona was a little embarrassed by what was said: "Actually, I really didn't expect that my junior uncle would make me the store manager."

Sun Hai: "Junior Uncle has always been very good at using people, Sister-in-law, you need to be more confident."

He Xiaona did indeed become much more confident after being told that.

The two returned to the store, and He Xiaona's management of the service staff became more serious from then on.

Although he would occasionally chat and laugh with everyone, and even talk about everyday things with some of the female service staff who were around the same age.

However, He Xiaona would firmly emphasize to them the importance of providing service to guests and demand that they do their best to provide good service.

Watching He Xiaona gradually take on the look of a store manager.

Sun Hai also smiled and seemed quite satisfied.

From the moment he was sent here to help his master open a branch store, Sun Hai understood his junior uncle's intentions.

The reason why Sun Hai was sent to open branches in Henan and Hebei provinces with his third senior brother was...

It's because among the several branches in Shanghai, Sun Hai managed his branch the best.

On the one hand, Sun Hai's branch has very stable profits, and on the other hand, the atmosphere in his branch is also the best.

When it comes to making money, the branch near the train station is the most profitable among the several branches in Shanghai.

After all, that store is right next to the train station, so the customer traffic is enormous.

But sometimes, it gets surpassed by the store run by Jiang Chengzhe.

In terms of stability, it was definitely the store that Sun Hai had been in charge of.

The store mainly relied on the surrounding residents, and Sun Hai managed the store very well, which built up a good reputation.

Feng Zhengming trusted Sun Hai's abilities, which is why he sent him to help his third senior brother open a branch store.

Sun Hai understands his mission, so he will teach the kitchen staff and store manager a lot of things more diligently.

This ensures that each store maintains a positive atmosphere, which in turn helps newly opened branches operate well.

He Xiaona has gradually adapted to her role as store manager. Although there are still some problems, she will gradually correct them and things will get better and better.

Sun Hai looked at the harmonious scene in the restaurant, between the kitchen and the dining area.

He couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for his junior uncle.

Junior Uncle always manages to select the most suitable people and put them in the right positions.

When Feng Zhengming and the others returned after taking the children on a tour.

When I stepped into the store again, I could clearly feel that everyone in the branch had a different demeanor than before.

Feng Zhengming and his third senior brother checked the area together, but couldn't find any problems.

Then Feng Zhengming made the announcement in public.

"Alright, you've passed our review today, and you can officially open for business tomorrow."

Feng Zhengming's announcement of the opening excited everyone in the store.

Then Feng Zhengming solemnly announced it again.

"The future manager of this store will be He Xiaona, the head chef in charge of the kitchen will be Yang Peng, and the sous chef will be Hong Zhenshan. I hope that you can all work well with them and run this store well."

Everyone looked at Yang Peng, He Xiaona, and Hong Zhenshan.

They all nodded earnestly, indicating that they would run the store well.

Yang Peng, He Xiaona, and Hong Zhenshan also stated that they would manage the store well and would not let Feng Zhengming down.

Feng Zhengming: "Alright, everyone has worked hard today. I'll treat you all to a nice meal tonight, and then go back and get some rest. I hope everyone can arrive early for the opening tomorrow so we can all be in the best possible condition."

Then, Feng Zhengming led everyone from the branch, including the service staff and the cleaning lady, to Hao Zongcheng's restaurant for a nice meal.

This surprised both the store staff and the cleaning lady.

They usually wouldn't dare to eat at Hao Zongcheng's restaurant.

Even when attending wedding banquets, many people have never been to such a large restaurant.

This meal truly opened their eyes to a new world.

After dinner, they went home and bragged about it to their families.

Feng Zhengming returned to the hotel and, together with his daughter, called his wife.

After exchanging information on both sides, the wife's side was almost ready as well.

“Okay, after our branch opens, my aunt and I will take the two kids to Hangzhou. Then we’ll open the store there.”

Luo Qing asked on the phone, "What happens after the store in Hangzhou opens?"

Feng Zhengming: "Of course we'll go back to Jinan together. Youyou and I will accompany you and give birth to the baby in Jinan."

Hearing her husband's words on the other end of the phone, Luo Qing's face lit up with a happy smile. (End of Chapter)