Reborn, back to a small county town to become a wealthy family

Chapter 823 The Project That Was Missed by a Twist of Fate

Luo Yang did not satisfy Song Wan's curiosity.

"An Ying's current focus is entirely on building a chain of coffee shops."

"Coffee shop?"

Song Wan asked in surprise, "Does she want to compete with Starbucks?"

"If Starbucks is like Nayuki, then the chain coffee that An Ying wants to make is Lemon CC."

Luo Yang didn't care about revealing business information and said with a smile, "Not everyone can treat Starbucks as an everyday beverage. She wants to use extremely low prices to seize the low-end market."

"That's a good business idea."

Song Wan paused for a moment, then laughed: "This time you're fully funding it, right?"

"An Ying owns 5% of the shares."

Luo Yang looked at Song Wan with a smile and said, "I can't treat someone who truly follows me unfairly."

"I thought you would give Luo Shengtang shares."

"That's for later."

Perhaps not wanting to discuss this further, Luo Yang gave a brief reply and then changed the subject, saying, "The projects that Group Four is reporting on aren't going to be like Hengrui Medicine again, are they?"

"I have carefully considered and mustered up the courage to leave this project for later review."

Song Wan said self-deprecatingly, "If I still don't have any self-awareness, then I'm challenging your bottom line. This isn't the way to court death."

This woman is very clear about her feelings.

Luo Yang smiled and didn't ask any further questions.

After the break in the meeting, he and Song Wan returned to the conference room together.

The team leaders in the investment department breathed a sigh of relief when they saw the two of them walking in, chatting and laughing.

The argument between the two bigwigs not long ago created a very tense atmosphere. Although it was all for work, Luo Yang was, after all, the chairman. If he really angered him, Song Wan would have a hard time handling the situation.

It seems that there is no big problem now.

So when Lu Yongqiang, the leader of the fourth group, reported on the project, his tone became much lighter.

"As of June this year, Haidilao has opened a total of 83 stores in China, and has initially achieved a certain scale."

"To date, Haidilao has undergone three rounds of financing. The first round of financing was earlier, in 1994, when Haidilao was just established. Founder Zhang Yong borrowed 2 yuan from his family, which can be considered Haidilao's first round of financing. The second round of financing was in 2008, which was Haidilao's first real round of financing. It attracted some venture capital by issuing equity. Apart from an angel investor named Wang Cen, we have not found more detailed information about the investors."

At this point, Lü Yongqiang paused and subconsciously glanced at Luo Yang.

Seeing that the big boss didn't seem to want to interrupt and was listening attentively, I became a little bolder.

"The angel investor I just mentioned, Wang Cen, is known as the 'King of Consumption.' He has invested in several well-known consumer brands, including Zhou Hei Ya and Ciming Health Checkup. Wang Cen's investment style leans towards the consumer sector, especially the chain restaurant and retail industries."

Lu Yongqiang briefly elaborated on the topic before stopping and returning to the main point: "In 2010, Haidilao conducted its second round of financing, attracting investment from some professional investment institutions and private equity funds by issuing preferred shares. This information was not disclosed to the public, including the specific amount of financing and the equity transferred."

"Currently, we know almost nothing about this company's valuation, financing institutions, or equity distribution."

Upon hearing this, Luo Yang couldn't help but comment: "Judging from the report just now, Haidilao's early financing was very likely from friends of the founder. Only last year's financing was publicly with professional investment institutions. However, the lack of transparency in this information shows that the company is quite closed. So, what are the reasons that the investment department is optimistic about this company, and how does it plan to invest in it?"

Perhaps it was what Song Wan said in his office earlier that had an effect.

Even though Luo Yang knew that investing in Haidilao was profitable, he no longer made decisions simply and rashly based solely on information from a prophet, as he had done before.

He raised questions based entirely on the reports from the four groups.

"First of all, this chain hot pot restaurant has a very good development prospect and great potential."

In response to Luo Yang's questions, Lü Yongqiang answered them one by one: "Our four teams have conducted research in cities with Haidilao stores multiple times, and personally visited the stores to try the food. We found that this chain hot pot restaurant has the potential to become a hit, both in terms of service and taste."

Lu Yongqiang was prepared for this, and while answering Luo Yang's question, he opened another folder on his computer screen.

This is full of photos.

Looking at these photos taken on site, Lü Yongqiang earnestly explained Haidilao's exceptional service.
"Regarding the investment issue that the chairman just asked about, our judgment was based on the company's expansion rate."

After answering the first question, Lü Yongqiang moved on to the second: "According to our investigation, Haidilao raised funds in 2010 to accelerate the pace of its nationwide store expansion. From 67 stores at the end of 2011 to 83 stores in June of this year, Haidilao added 16 stores nationwide in just six months. All of these stores have a floor area of ​​over 800 square meters, with an investment cost of over 600,000 yuan per store. At this rate of expansion, we believe Haidilao needs more funds."

"The four promising Haidilao projects reminded me of Nayuki and Lemon CC from Luoshengtang."

Luo Yang stated objectively, "You only considered their external financing, but you didn't consider another factor: if this chain hot pot brand is really doing so well, I believe the profitability of their 83 stores that have already opened will be quite good, which means that their self-replicating ability is very strong."

What does it mean to have a strong ability to reproduce?
Just look at Nayuki.

When Nayuki first opened three flagship stores in Shanghai, the initial funding came from Luo Yang.

More than a month later, Luo Yang found Liu Haishan, He Maosong and Cai Fujun and raised 5000 million yuan in one go by selling 45% of his shares.

This is Nayuki's first and only round of financing.

Since then, Nayuki's initial expansion relied on the 5000 million yuan raised in its first round of financing, while subsequent expansion relied entirely on the profits from its existing stores. Through its self-replicating capabilities, it has developed this chain of milk tea shops into a well-known brand with annual profits exceeding 20 billion yuan.

Lemon CC was almost the same. At the beginning of its establishment, it directly borrowed 1 million yuan from the bank, which was considered a relatively high starting point.

Luo Yang subsequently found Sequoia Capital and completed a round of financing.

Similarly, this was Lemon CC's only round of financing. In order to accelerate expansion, it even relaxed the franchisee system and did not seek any further external financing.

Luo Yang believes that as long as Haidilao's founder isn't mentally unstable, he would do the same.

"Did I hit the nail on the head?"

Just as Lü Yongqiang was speechless, Song Wan interjected, "I concluded at the previous internal meeting that this project was good, but the chances of investment were slim. I didn't explain why at the time, but now you know, right?"

Gee.
So this project is another typical example that Song Wan has put forward?
You said you wouldn't be pretentious before?

"Let's conduct another round of thorough investigation."

Luo Yang clicked his tongue and said, "It would be best to try to contact Haidilao's founding team first. No matter what the result is, at least we can have a more intuitive conclusion, and we can be more targeted when we report. Unlike now, a lot of information is vague, and I get tired of listening to it."

He actually knew that if he could invest in Haidilao now and get about 20% of the shares, the amount of money he would have to spend would not be too much, and could be kept within 5000 million yuan.

Moreover, this investment is risk-free and the returns should be quite good.

However, this time Luo Yang delegated authority to his subordinates. "Since General Manager Luo has given his instructions, your Group Four should carry them out accordingly."

Song Wan added, "If you can persuade Haidilao's founding team to accept our funding, the project can continue. If after several contacts they don't have this need, then don't waste any more time and energy."

Luo Yang was careless.

He knew that investing in Haidilao could be profitable, but he didn't know how profitable it would be.

No one else, including Song Wan, knew that more than five years later, Haidilao would be listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange with a market value of 1000 billion.

If you can acquire 20% of the shares with 5000 million at this stage, this investment will increase 40 times in just over five years!
Given the current attitude, there is a very high chance that this investment project will ultimately be abandoned.

Years later, when these people look back on the results of today's discussion, will they have any regrets?

It's already past five o'clock.

Song Wan checked the time, then tapped the table and said, "Group Four, hurry up and report."

Lü Yongqiang then closed the first presentation slide and opened the second presentation slide.

Judging from the title alone, it's another unfamiliar name.

However, Luo Yang remained patient and listened to the entire report from Group Four.

Instead of making a decision on the spot, he asked Lü Yongqiang to provide more detailed information so that he could have a more comprehensive and detailed understanding of the project and ultimately decide whether to invest.

"The investment department has completed the presentations for all seven projects. Now, please welcome Mr. Luo to give the final summary remarks."

When Song Wan said this, it was already 5:30.

"I won't comment further on the seven projects reported today."

After thinking for a moment and organizing his thoughts, Luo Yang said, "During the break in the meeting, I'd like to discuss with President Song the matter of further standardizing and improving the investment decision-making agenda of the investment department. Although it's still just a general concept, I think it's necessary to say a few words about it at today's meeting."

He paused here and glanced at Song Wan.

"President Song offered sincere advice, believing that not only the investment department, but also the entire group level, should have a set of standardized procedures and norms for future investment projects. We haven't formulated this yet."

Luo Yang first made a self-deprecating remark, "Speaking of which, it's not just you guys. I used to just go with my gut feeling. I'd think a project or industry had good prospects, and on a whim, I'd make a passionate investment. You guys are a little better; at least you did some market research and produced some data."

The people in the investment department laughed in agreement.

"I'll assign a task to the investment department for the next period of time."

Luo Yang smiled and said in a relaxed tone, "For a project, from the initial screening to tracking, research, discussion at the meeting, preliminary approval, and the formation of an investment report, each step must have a standard. All the standards will be compiled into the company's investment manual, and everyone will follow this system in their future work."

Song Wan's suggestion finally achieved its effect.

"There's another very important point I want to tell everyone."

Before concluding today's meeting, Luo Yang said his final words: "The investment department will play an increasingly important role within the group, and its size will expand accordingly. Consequently, the investment department will have higher requirements for the professionalism of its staff."

After he left, the meeting room immediately became lively.

The chairman's final remarks were packed with information, exciting the four team leaders present while also putting them under pressure.

Song Wan did not participate in their discussion, and followed Luo Yang out of the meeting room the moment he left.

"What, are you planning to treat me to dinner?"

Seeing Song Wan following behind him, Luo Yang teased her, "It's already past get off work hours, let's make it clear, no work-related matters."

He was afraid that the woman would follow him into his office and block the door to continue their work-related conversation.

"Being able to treat the boss to dinner is an opportunity that every subordinate would love to have."

Song Wan was smiling very sweetly and speaking very pleasantly, but this appearance made Luo Yang feel uneasy.

"No, just say what you want to say, don't do this, okay?"

As Luo Yang quickened his pace, he said, "I'm getting creeped out."

Song Wan had never been so polite to him before, let alone so obsequious.

"I want to ask you a favor."

"You're asking me for help?"

Upon hearing this, Luo Yang immediately stopped and looked at Song Wan with surprise: "I'm really curious, what do you think?"

Leaving aside Song Wan's family, she has earned nearly ten million yuan in salary and bonuses alone during her two years as the group's vice president, so it's definitely not a matter of money.

As for connections, in some circles, Luo Yang might not even be as good as her.

"I'm in my early thirties this year."

Facing Luo Yang's gaze, Song Wan hesitated for a moment before speaking, "My family is forcing me to go on blind dates, wanting me to get married as soon as possible."

"I also think you should find someone."

Luo Yang's mind immediately went into overdrive, and he quickly replied, "Even if we don't get married right away, it's better to start a relationship first than to stay single."

Do you think I have time to talk?

Seeing Luo Yang's behavior, Song Wan felt both angry and amused, so she sneered, "Why don't you lighten my load and give me some free time to talk about love?"

Which line of this?
The company is at a critical juncture in its development, and Song Wan is a capable leader who can handle things on her own. It would be fine if we didn't give her more responsibility, but how could we possibly reduce her burden?

"You don't want me to act for you, do you?"

Luo Yang quickly made his stance clear: "I'm already engaged, and I'm going to get my marriage certificate with my fiancée at the end of the year."

"hehe."

Song Wan laughed in exasperation, then chuckled twice, speechless: "You're overthinking it!"

"That's good, that's good."

Luo Yang masked his fleeting embarrassment with a smile and quickly asked, "So, how do you want me to help?"

(End of this chapter)