Hotpot chain compensates diners after teenagers urinate in soup

Haidilao, a well-known hotpot restaurant chain, has recently faced a troubling incident at one of its locations in Shanghai. The restaurant is famous for its delicious food and excellent customer service. However, two teenagers caused a significant disturbance when they urinated in the hotpot broth while dining in a private room. This shocking act was recorded on video and quickly spread across social media, leading to widespread outrage among customers and the public. The incident occurred late in February, but the restaurant management only became aware of it days later when the video went viral. The two boys involved in this incident are 17 years old and were reportedly under the influence of alcohol at the time. They were detained by the police shortly after the event. Fortunately, there is no evidence to suggest that any customers consumed the contaminated broth. In response to the incident, Haidilao issued a public apology, acknowledging the distress caused to their customers. The company stated that they have taken immediate action by replacing all hotpot equipment and dining utensils, as well as thoroughly disinfecting other crockery and utensils to ensure the safety of their patrons. The restaurant chain also admitted that the staff on duty failed to intervene during the incident. It took them an additional week to identify which outlet was involved, as Haidilao operates numerous locations throughout the city. At Haidilao, customers typically use their own personal hotpot equipment to cook their food, and the broths are not reused for other diners. However, it remains unclear whether the hotpot in question was adequately cleaned and disinfected before being used by the next customer. In a statement, Haidilao expressed their understanding that the distress caused to their customers could not be fully compensated, but they are committed to taking responsibility for the situation. The company announced that customers who dined at the affected outlet between February 24 and March 8 would receive a full refund, along with cash compensation amounting to ten times their original bill. Since its inception in Jianyang, Sichuan province, Haidilao has expanded rapidly and now operates over 1,000 restaurants worldwide. The chain is particularly known for its family-friendly atmosphere, where customers can enjoy unique services such as manicures for women and candy floss for children while they wait for a table. Despite this unfortunate incident, Haidilao remains a popular choice for hotpot lovers, and the company is determined to restore customer trust and ensure a safe dining experience.