Mainland catering brands exit Hong Kong amid high rents

A wave of mainland Chinese catering brands is exiting or scaling back operations in Hong Kong due to high commercial rents and intense local competition. Mixue Bingcheng, a major low-cost tea brand, has closed its flagship Mong Kok store and has shuttered six locations in Hong Kong this year alone after an aggressive initial expansion.

Other notable exits include Manner Coffee, which closed its single outlet in Causeway Bay, and Xita Laotaitai, a popular barbecue brand that reportedly faced rent arrears and legal auction notices at its Tseung Kwan O location. Various other specialty brands, including hot pot, noodle, and snack outlets, have also closed within months of opening, highlighting the challenges mainland businesses face when attempting to adapt to the Hong Kong market's high operating costs and specific consumer preferences.