Chapter 423 Bazhou Restaurant

This was the first time Li Yan met Zhao Ke.

The only private room in the first branch of Bazhou Restaurant.

It sounds very strange that a chain store that specializes in freshly cooked fast food would have private rooms.

Li Yan originally thought that after work she could just take Wang Zi's car and come together, but she didn't expect Wang Zi to refuse on the grounds that there was a party at home on the Lantern Festival.

Li Yan expressed her understanding. She probably felt that it would be a bit difficult to be present at the event, as she was both Li Yan's employee and Zhao Ke's wife. Of course she would be happy if the cooperation was successful, but she would also be embarrassed if the cooperation failed.

Bazhou Restaurant is a fast food chain. The first store was opened several years ago, so the conditions are naturally very ordinary.

Even after Zhao Ke built up his business, he renovated and expanded the place to commemorate its special significance as the "first", but the place still looked very, very ordinary.

In addition to the vibrant red-and-white signboard "Bazhou Restaurant", which is quite special - because it can be seen everywhere in Linjiang...

Li Yan got off the car and was surprised to find that although it was the Lantern Festival, there were tables full of guests in the restaurant.

The food on the table didn't look like fast food. From the portion, the dishes to the presentation, it was all at the level of a high-end Bazhong restaurant.

As soon as Li Yan walked in, a waiter came up to her and led her to the private room in a warm and low-key manner - on the way, he even passed by the door of the back kitchen, and those who didn't know would think he was going to the toilet or the backyard.

What was even more unexpected was that the table in the box was not even as big as the big table outside.

It is probably a square table that can accommodate six to eight people.

Zhao Ke was waiting inside, making tea. When he saw Li Yan, he stood up enthusiastically and said, "Li Yan, President Li, nice to meet you. I have heard a lot about you."

Zhao Ke is not handsome, and his figure and appearance are just ordinary, but he is energetic and has a good figure, and he looks particularly handsome for someone in his thirties.

Of course it’s not because he is wealthy.

"Mr. Zhao, you're too polite. I've heard a lot about you."

After all, Mr. Li has not been famous in the business world for long.

"Serve the food." Zhao Ke said to the waiter, and then motioned for Li Yan to sit down.

Li Yan was still wondering, buddy, why don’t you ask me if I can eat spicy food?

Thinking back, this is Wang Zi's husband, and I'm afraid that all my information has already been known.

"Mr. Li, please don't think this place is too shabby." Zhao Ke sat down with a smile, "I also thought about inviting you to a high-end restaurant for dinner, but after thinking about it, I think it's more appropriate to talk about what we want to talk about here."

"It's good, but I'm quite surprised that a fast food restaurant that makes fresh food has private rooms."

"Because this is the first one. When we first started, my own office was here. I did all the negotiation and meeting with customers here." Zhao Ke said with some pride, "You should know that I directly nailed a few wooden boards to separate it. I also tasted the food here. There was grease all over the floor. Even my desk was stained with the grease."

Li Yan smiled and said, "So when Mr. Zhao renovated this place, he still kept a reception room. Is it a sentimental thing? Do guests usually eat here?"

"Normally, I don't use it. Most of the time, it's for food tasting."

"You are quite impressive. You are from Linjiang and you opened a small Bazhou restaurant in Linjiang. We all like light dishes. The spicy Bazhou dishes have been popular for many years but never became popular. It was you who made them popular."

When praising Zhao Ke, he was modest. "It's also luck. I feel that the less people touch a place, the more chances of success it has. I have improved all the dishes. People in Linjiang love them very much. As long as people in Bazhou ask for medium spiciness or above, it will be the authentic Bazhou flavor."

As we were talking, the first two dishes had already arrived, Bazhou grilled fish and twice-cooked pork with garlic sprouts.

"We don't have any expensive ingredients today, but they're definitely good with rice."

There is a strong vitality in Zhao Ke, which makes Li Yan feel very comfortable.

"Pick up your chopsticks, Mr. Zhao, and let's eat and chat."

Li Yan smelled the rice in the bowl. It had a strong aroma and the grains were plump. It could be considered a relatively high-quality rice.

"Boss Zhao, do you usually eat this kind of rice when you come here to eat?"

"Of course, the dishes we'll have with you today are the same as our usual set meals. They're all stir-fried in small pots, one portion at a time."

"Bazhou Restaurant... There are more than 200 restaurants in Linjiang. Do you always ask for the same?"

"That's the requirement, but whether it can be implemented depends on the region. Economically developed areas have higher prices, better materials, and more choices."

"Have you considered expanding to other provinces?" Li Yan picked up another piece of twice-cooked pork. It was spicy and spiciness was just right, which stimulated the taste buds. The aroma of fermented black beans was very rich.

"Of course, we are already working on it."

"The craftsmanship is indeed good." Li Yan praised.

"Some Bazhou restaurants will switch their business model during holidays or anniversaries, changing their fast food set menus to mid- to high-end Bazhou dishes, mostly serving groups of customers." Zhao Ke handed over a small cup of tea. "There are not many restaurants of this type. I try to arrange one in each core area, and I hire experienced chefs from Bazhou. They are paid well and have better skills."

Li Yan smiled and said, "The publicity effect is not bad, right? People outside will think that the chef who cooks small dishes can have such skills, which should be very effective in expanding the main audience."

Zhao Ke nodded, "Mr. Li is indeed a smart man. This is also my goal."

"Are these masters hired temporarily from restaurants or something like that, or are they..."

Zhao Ke showed a proud expression, "Boss Li, you underestimate me. They are all permanent chefs. Although I can't have the chefs personally cook in every store, it's no problem for me to be the one in charge of everything."

"A small fast food restaurant has an executive chef?" Li Yan was a little surprised. "Then your costs are not low."

"On average, we only have one chef per store. Even if the salary is a little higher, so what? The key is to increase the quantity." Zhao Ke held a piece of grilled fish and swung it in the air. "In addition, I personally went to Bazhou to find these chefs. They cooked for small restaurants in Bazhou and only made 4,000 to 5,000 yuan a month. I brought them here and paid them 7,000 to 8,000 yuan, and even made them small leaders. What do you call this? It's a two-way trip."

Soon the next three dishes were served. All three were slightly spicy, including stir-fried vegetables with garlic and fish head and tofu soup. The combination of meat and vegetables was nutritionally balanced.

After the conversation, Li Yan also had a certain impression of Zhao Ke.

This is a boss who is very demanding on quality, and even after making a lot of money he is able to stick to his original intention and maintain the management standards of the restaurant.

It is quite rare, and it is perfect to be used as the vanguard of Hungry Bar.

The two of them evaluated the food for a while before finally getting to the point.

"Mr. Li, I have always been interested in your Ele.ba app. To be honest, Wang Zi has already told me about the specific model."

Li Yan nodded. It was his idea in the first place.

"I think it's easy to understand. It's also good to combine it with the map." Zhao Ke finished a bowl of rice and poured himself half a bowl of soup. "But I have some questions I want to discuss with you."

"Welcome, this is also the main purpose of our gathering today." Li Yan said with a smile. "Ele.com is part of the function of the Super Life Circle software you developed, right?"

"That's understandable."

"Is it exclusive to the Jiaolong phone? Only people who buy the Jiaolong phone can use it?"

"Yes."

Zhao Ke said "Oh" and looked thoughtful.

"Mr. Zhao, don't worry. Although I have absolute confidence in sales, I won't let others shoulder this risk for me." Li Yan said with a smile, "We can reach a cooperation agreement first, and then start the cooperation when sales reach a certain level."

Zhao Ke scratched his head. "It's a necessary worry, haha. Then, Mr. Li, how should we deal with the delivery staff? I thought about it. After all, on the one hand, I have to collect money, and on the other hand, I have to bear the risk. If the delivery is late, delivered to the wrong place, or the food is damaged, I have to be in charge of the people so that I can discuss punishment and compensation. But if that's the case... my labor cost is really high."

It seems that although Mr. Zhao has the information, the version has not been updated yet.

"For collecting money, there is mobile payment. When each transaction is completed, the platform will pay the merchant, and the customer will pay the platform again."

"The middleman makes a profit from the price difference?"

"That's not the case," Li Yan shook her head. "I can't be considered a middleman. I think it's the platform's commission. The specific percentage can be discussed later. Anyway, I can make concessions. I just hope to form a scale effect. If everyone uses it, the follow-up will be easy."

“Where’s the deliveryman?”

"I will form a special delivery team."

Zhao Ke raised his eyebrows, "What I just said..."

"I will take the risk," Li Yan said. "I will formulate the corresponding rules myself, and clearly distinguish between rewards and punishments."

"I have another concern," Zhao Ke asked. "If something goes wrong when eating at my restaurant, I can directly judge and compensate. But what if someone blackmails me after the takeaway is delivered?"

"I will set up a testing station to regularly conduct hygiene inspections on the corresponding businesses and make the results public," said Li Yan. "Don't worry about the system. I have thought about it in detail. If the scale reaches my expectations, it will be implemented immediately."

"Regular inspection?" Zhao Ke was stunned. "You have to think about it carefully. There are not many restaurants that can withstand this. Even if I have high standards, I dare not tell you that every small restaurant can pass the inspection. I can only say that if there is a problem, it will be dealt with quickly."

“So I only allow businesses that are able to pass the inspection or make rectifications to come in.”

"In that case... forget it, you've already considered it, I won't say anything more." Zhao Ke shook his head, "Mr. Li, then I have another question, how much will it cost me to join this platform in the beginning?"

"It's free. I'll install the corresponding terminal for you."

This sentence really exceeded Zhao Ke's expectations.

"No? What about you?"

"I told you I can make concessions first and expand the scale." Li Yan said, "Boss Zhao, you should understand this very well. Wasn't it the exaggerated cost-effectiveness that made Bazhou Restaurant famous in the beginning?"

"You mean you want me to lower the price?" Zhao Ke frowned. He was about to explain that he had already reduced the cost to a very low level and that he believed in small profits but quick turnover, when he heard Li Yan say directly:
"You pay the original price, and I subsidize you with red envelopes and vouchers, as well as various promotional discounts. The cost is borne by the platform."

After saying this, Zhao Ke was indeed a little confused.

He even put back the vegetables he had just put up and said with a hiss, "Boss Li, it's not that I'm not optimistic or anything, but according to what you said, even if you expand your business, you will still lose money, and the bigger the business, the more you lose."

Then he thought of something and waved his hands repeatedly, "Of course, if the capital behind you says that this is not a big deal, then I will just say that I am being nosy."

"I don't have the confidence to do that." Li Yan smiled. "Boss Zhao, even if I only run a food delivery platform, I will definitely need this kind of investment if I want to seize the market. If there are other platforms competing, it might become a bottomless pit."

"All for red envelopes?"

"Yes, customers got bargains, merchants made a lot of money, capital fought fiercely, the successful ones took over the world, and the unsuccessful ones disappeared." As Li Yan spoke, some memories seemed to be triggered in his mind.

As he was thinking, he actually read it out loud: "Hundred Regiments...Battle?"

Zhao Ke thought he was talking about a famous battle in history, and said with a smile, "With this name, there shouldn't be that many people competing with you by then, right? After all, yours is exclusive to mobile phones."

Li Yan's brain flashed instantly, yes! He was different from the Hundred Regiments Campaign in his previous life. He was a hardware pioneer. If he could seize the market in the first step, other people's software would not be able to enter. And it was impossible for everyone to buy a new phone just to enjoy the red envelopes from other food delivery platforms - besides, Ele.ba already had subsidies...

This is Li Yan's unique advantage.

Thinking of this, he spoke with confidence to the point of bursting, "So, Mr. Zhao, actually, for you, this cooperation is risk-free. We can start with a 'free' cooperation. You can just be the first merchant to enter the Ele.ba app. If the sales of the mobile phone are not good, it will be considered as providing you with a little more customers. If the sales of the mobile phone explode, I believe there is nothing to hesitate about."

Zhao Ke had never thought that Li Yan would make concessions to this extent. He had originally thought that he would at least have to pay a franchise fee, or ask him to send people or lower the price, etc. Unexpectedly...

He even thought at one point that Li Yan was not confident enough to make such concessions, but looking at his excited look, how could he look "unconfident" at all?

At the end of the dinner, Li Yan answered Zhao Ke's doubts with one sentence:

"Mr. Zhao, Ele.ba is only part of my overall plan. Once the users it attracts develop consumption habits that rely on the super life circle, it can even boost mobile phone sales in turn."

When Zhao Ke returned home that night, he said to Wang Zi from the bottom of his heart:
"He is really ambitious. If he succeeds, the impact will be immeasurable."

Zhao Ke's old father snorted on the sofa, "It's just a mobile phone. There are so many people making mobile phones. How can he have such a huge influence?"

Zhao Ke shook his head. "Dad, that's not even about making a cell phone..."

Li Yan was satisfied with the meal. The cooperation intention that could be negotiated in the early stage has a cumulative effect. If you are happy and optimistic about it, it can influence other people to be happy and optimistic as well.

This is how a virtuous cycle is established.

The next step is to negotiate the mobile payment cooperation and finalize the cooperation process, and then Li Yan can be free.

He felt excited just imagining it. All the major difficulties and directions were firmly in his hands. It just depended on how the employees of Future Technology would make the product perfect.

After that, it is the moment to reveal the direction of the major node of destiny.

He has risen to prominence overnight, becoming a top boss with a net worth of tens of billions, the world's leader in smartphones, and the helmsman of many large life-related Internet platforms...

Still, sales plummeted, the myth collapsed, and it ended miserably.

It’s fucking exciting.

Li Yan was very tight on the progress of the Jiaolong phone, and others didn't seem to want to give him a break.

On the afternoon of February 2, a meeting on mobile payment was waiting for him on the third floor of Linjiang Provincial Conference Center.

(End of this chapter)