Hangzhou Wahaha Group has completed its executive reshuffle.
Today, the company finalized its business registration changes, with Zong Fuli stepping down as legal representative, chairman, and general manager. Xu Simin has taken over these roles. Shareholding information reveals that Zong Fuli still holds a 29.40% stake in Hangzhou Wahaha Group.
The new leader, Xu Simin, has become the center of attention. Why was he chosen to succeed Zong Fuli?
At just 31 years old, Xu Simin has a legal background. He previously ventured into the catering industry, running a hotpot business, but joined Hongsheng Group less than a year after starting his entrepreneurial journey. He still holds shares in his catering startup. Some Wahaha insiders speculate, "Xu Simin has close ties with Zong Fuli and is seen as her proxy. His appointment ensures that actual control remains in Zong Fuli’s hands."
Other analysts believe Xu Simin’s rise is linked to his "dual trust" attributes—viewed as part of "Zong Fuli’s circle" due to his Hongsheng tenure, while also gaining recognition from state-owned shareholders for his long-term handling of compliance matters (such as trademarks and environmental regulations).
**Helped Zong Fuli Resolve Crisis, Leading to Promotion** Xu Simin’s career path appears unconventional.
Public records show that Xu Simin, born in 1994, graduated with a law degree from Zhejiang University. In 2015, he founded the fast-food brand "Yuan Niu Dao" and co-established Shenzhen Jiu Niu Catering Investment Management Co., Ltd. He remains a 38% shareholder in the company, unchanged since its inception.
Tianyancha data indicates Xu Simin still serves as legal representative for seven Yuan Niu Dao-related companies, including Shenzhen Yuan Niu Dao Brand Management Co., Ltd. and Shenzhen Yuan Xiao Guo Brand Management Co., Ltd.
Currently, Yuan Niu Dao operates three hotpot restaurants in Shenzhen.
That same year, Xu Simin joined Hongsheng Group’s legal department but retained his stakes in his catering ventures.
Though his career began at Hongsheng, Xu Simin is now deeply integrated into Wahaha’s system. From his initial appointment as supervisor in Wahaha’s executive team in August 2024 to overseeing production and capital operations in 2025, and now assuming the roles of general manager, chairman, and legal representative, he achieved a meteoric rise within Wahaha in just 14 months.
Currently, Xu Simin also serves as supervisor for Wahaha Venture Capital and Wahaha Food Co., legal representative and general manager of two core production bases in Jilin and Chongqing, and director of Wahaha Industrial Co., Ltd.
Reports suggest a pivotal moment in Xu Simin’s career came in 2021 when multiple Hongsheng factories faced environmental compliance upgrades. He proposed a "phased renovation + policy subsidy application" strategy, avoiding shutdowns and saving nearly 10 million yuan. This earned him an exceptional promotion from legal specialist to head of the legal department, joining Hongsheng’s core team.
Previously, Xu Simin rarely engaged in Wahaha’s external affairs, making it difficult to find a high-resolution image of him online.
**Immediate Challenges for the New Chairman** The foremost issue for Xu Simin may be trademark-related.
Under the current shareholding structure, the use of the "Wahaha" trademark requires unanimous approval from all shareholders of Wahaha Group; otherwise, no party has the right to use it. This rule has raised compliance concerns.
Hangzhou Wahaha Group’s shareholding structure was established through reforms in the 2000s. Currently, state-owned Hangzhou Shangcheng District Wenshanglv Investment Holding Group Co., Ltd. holds 46%, Zong Fuli owns 29.4%, and the employee持股会 holds 24.6%.
Earlier reports indicated Zong Fuli planned to launch her own brand, "Wahaha Xiao Zong." Hongsheng Beverage Group applied for dozens of "Wahaha Xiao Zong" trademarks in 2025. On September 13, Hongsheng-affiliated companies announced they would adopt the new brand starting in 2026.
However, just over a month later, rumors emerged about "Wahaha Xiao Zong" being discontinued. Wahaha distributors claimed they were instructed not to represent "Wahaha Xiao Zong," or risk losing their Wahaha distribution rights. Some were also told by Hongsheng sales staff that Wahaha-branded products would continue next year.
Zhao Fangchen, president of Master Zong Beverage (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd., noted that some distributors refused to pay deposits to Hongsheng over concerns about receiving "Wahaha Xiao Zong" products. This led to significantly lower deposit collections this year—reportedly only 10%-20% completed in many provinces, compared to full completion last year.
Zhao suggested the sudden reversal from "Wahaha Xiao Zong" back to "Wahaha" may stem from distributor resistance. To recover deposit collections, Hongsheng signaled a return to Wahaha-branded products.
Xu Simin first made his mark at Hongsheng in a trademark dispute. He tackled post-settlement conflicts between Wahaha and Danone over sub-brand licensing, systematically clarifying responsibilities for 300+ trademarks in OEM production—a move seen as demonstrating his strategic approach to trademark issues.
At Wahaha’s 2025 sales conference on November 18, Xu Simin emphasized the company’s resilience amid a challenging global economic recovery and intense competition. "Wahaha has maintained its peak performance over the past decade, achieving steady growth," he stated.
Xu Simin highlighted Wahaha’s 30-year commitment to manufacturing and aligning with national strategies, stressing that private enterprises must anchor themselves in real economy fundamentals to seize opportunities and ensure stable progress.
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