As a selling point, Little Blue Whale has even established its own environmentally friendly garden plot in the suburbs to ensure a constant supply of fresh and unpolluted vegetables. They strive to transform themselves into franchise chains to transcend regional barriers, creating economies of scale. Wuhan Sanwu has even opened branches in Beijing. It now has a total of 13 outlets. Competition has also fuelled the need for improved management and services.
Enterprises now operate along modern management lines rather than as family businesses.
Many have set up their own central buying offices for unified purchasing, quality inspection and distribution. And as they collide in competition with more established heavyweights, that has triggered a recruitment drive for high-calibre staff. Wuhan's hotel and restaurant sectors have long been attractive to Hong Kong's catering trades, which now dominate the top-end of the market. Some Hong Kong-owned establishments employ local staff to manage their operations. These restaurants, which mainly serve Chaozhou cuisine and seafood, pride themselves on comfortable dining and quality of service.