Chinese Malatang Chain Apologizes for Fake Yuzuru Hanyu Flower Baskets in Japan
AM730 · 4 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Yang Guofu Malatang, a leading Chinese spicy hotpot chain, has apologized after a franchise location in Sendai, Japan, fabricated celebrity endorsements for its grand opening. The store displayed flower baskets supposedly sent by Japanese figure skating champion Yuzuru Hanyu and former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, but both celebrities denied any involvement. The company confirmed the flower baskets were created unilaterally by the franchisee without authorization, violating company standards and franchise agreements.
Key Points
- The Yang Guofu Malatang Sendai Station Front Store, located in Aoba Ward, opened for trial operations on March 17, displaying flower baskets with Hanyu's and Hatoyama's names
- Yuzuru Hanyu's official fan account released a statement confirming the skater had absolutely no involvement with the floral arrangements and expressed dismay over the unauthorized use of his name
- The Yang Guofu Group issued an apology on March 18, acknowledging the franchisee violated operating standards by using third-party names without permission
- The company ordered the store to immediately remove all flower baskets, delete promotional posts, and temporarily suspended operations while conducting an internal investigation
- Hanyu, a native of Sendai, is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and one of Japan's most celebrated national sports icons
Why It Matters
The incident highlights the reputational risks facing international franchises when local operators act independently, potentially damaging brand trust across global markets. The controversy also underscores how rapidly information spreads on social media, enabling quick debunking of false claims but also amplifying the initial damage to both the celebrity and the company's image.
The incident highlights the reputational risks facing international franchises when local operators act independently, potentially damaging brand trust across global markets. The controversy also underscores how rapidly information spreads on social media, enabling quick debunking of false claims but also amplifying the initial damage to both the celebrity and the company's image.