From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

Chapter 206: Change your way of thinking to deal with competition

Feng Zhengming left the train station and rode his bicycle for a while. He also passed by a market and bought some vegetables, which he took back to the Feng Family Restaurant.

Give the dishes brought back to Wei Xiuling and Duan Sufen who have already come over to handle them.

Feng Zhengming chatted with his grandfather alone about seeing the opening of Chaoxingxinggan Restaurant at the train station.

"Although I didn't go in, I looked inside from the door and saw that the store was quite big, and the various configurations and designs inside were somewhat similar to what I had imagined before."

Feng Zonggu was also a little surprised after listening to Feng Zhengming's introduction.

But after thinking for a moment, the old man said: "Zhao Chaoxing is a very thoughtful guy. The layout of his new store at the train station actually coincides with yours. It's interesting."

Grandpa looked at Feng Zhengming and asked: "How is it? Do you have the confidence to compete with him?"

Feng Zhengming smiled and said: "Of course I am confident. My senior fellow apprentice and I are definitely better than them in our craftsmanship."

Grandpa shook his head: "You are wrong to think this way. In many cases, the key to business competition is not craftsmanship. Think about Yanxilou, isn't the craftsmanship of Lao Yan and your senior brothers not good?"

Being reminded by his grandfather, Feng Zhengming suddenly realized that he was indeed a little too optimistic.

After careful calculation, Feng Zhengming said: "Grandpa is right. I was too optimistic. After being boasted by newspapers and TV news, I was a little carried away. I didn't realize that there would be many variables in the business."

Feng Zonggu understood immediately when he saw Feng Zhengming, nodded with satisfaction and said, "Then what are you going to do?"

Feng Zhengming thought seriously for a while, and an idea came to his mind.

"I have an idea, grandpa, do you want to hear it?"

Feng Zonggu nodded with some expectation.

Feng Zhengming whispered his thoughts seriously.

After going shopping today, Feng Zhengming originally wanted to open a new store elsewhere so that he would not have to compete with Zhao Chaoxing and others at the train station.

But after his grandfather reminded him, Feng Zhengming came up with a new idea.

"We won't open a new store now. When Third Brother and the others arrive, I will ask Third Brother to help me take care of the shop and be responsible for cooking in the back kitchen of the shop. After the South Station is decommissioned, we will continue to use the cart to push meat and pigs. Hoof and Sixi meatballs, and then bring the stove, pot and other things, as well as tables and chairs, and go to the train station to continue setting up a stall."

After listening to Feng Zhengming's words, Grandpa seemed to have expected it.

"This is a good idea. It can give you more income, and you can continue to use the cart instead of throwing it away. Moreover, the train station has a large flow of people, and it is more suitable for you to build your brand and reputation."

Having said this, Grandpa stared at Feng Zhengming and added: "And this way, you need to invest the least amount of money."

After listening to his grandfather's words, Feng Zhengming said with a smile: "Grandpa understands me. I was thinking about this on the way back. How can I reduce the capital investment? This shop still owes my third uncle money, and more capital needs to be invested." To open a new store, I can only go to the bank and my third uncle..."

Feng Zhengming did not continue talking until the end.

No need for him to explain clearly, Grandpa understood what he was thinking.

"In the final analysis, I don't want to bear too much affection for your third uncle."

Before Feng Zhengming could speak, his grandfather patted him on the shoulder and said, "You are right. If you rely too much on others, you will gradually develop a kind of dependence. One day, you may also lose your own initiative because of your reliance on others." sex.

Although you are somewhat famous now, you cannot use your fame as capital just yet.

First stabilize your current business, use the resources at your disposal to do a good job, and earn every penny based on your skills in a down-to-earth manner, so that you can be more confident. "

Feng Zhengming was very happy to see his grandfather supporting his desire to be independent.

"Grandpa, that's what we've decided."

Grandpa nodded: "That's it. After your third senior brother arrives, I will leave the restaurant to him for the time being. You can continue to set up a stall at the train station. I will ask you later to help you get things ready, including stools and tables. You should prepare a gas stove so that you can cook at the train station, but it is best to go to the old train station at night."

Feng Zhengming agreed: "I know."

In the evening, the third uncle came to the dry rice shop specially.

Somewhat anxious, before the shop was closed, the third uncle came to the back kitchen door and shouted to Feng Zhengming inside.

"Did you know that a new dry rice shop has opened over at the train station?"

Feng Zhengming was frying the vegetables on his hands while responding to his third uncle: "I know, it just opened at noon, and I was still there."

The third uncle then said: "You know? Are you not in a hurry?"

Feng Zhengming turned off the fire, put the dishes on the plate, and asked Chen Anbang to serve the guests in front of him. All the actions were done in one go.

Chen Anbang took the dishes out, and Feng Zhengming invited his third uncle to the back door of the kitchen.

"Uncle Third, I know you came here because you were worried about me opening a new store. I told grandpa at noon that I am not going to open a new store yet."

Feng Jiandong looked at Feng Zhengming with some surprise: "Not opening a new store?"

Feng Zhengming nodded: "I want to continue setting up a stall at the train station."

The third uncle was still a little confused for a while.

"Continuing to set up stalls at the train station? Isn't the South Station going to be closed soon..."

Before Feng Zhengming could speak, Feng Jiandong figured out what he meant.

"Do you want to set up a stall at the old station?"

Feng Zhengming nodded again, and told his third uncle carefully and in detail some of his thoughts and the plan he had discussed with his grandfather at noon.

After listening to this, Feng Jiandong asked excitedly: "What do you want me to say about you? Didn't we agree that the third uncle of the new store will invest in it and it will be considered as a shareholding. When the money is made, the third uncle can share it with him. If he doesn't make any money in the beginning, the third uncle will help you." You just have to bear the initial expenses and do it, why have you changed your mind now?"

Feng Zhengming smiled a little embarrassed and replied: "I changed my mind. I still don't want my third uncle to take the risk for me. I had a little fame before and it was a little inflated. Today I saw that Chaoxingxing opened, and I was so excited when I walked in. There are many people, and there are more than a dozen waiters inside to greet the guests.

I feel that for the time being, running a store like that, or even a store bigger than that, may not be within my capabilities.

We should still be down-to-earth, slowly expand our operations step by step, and do a good job in one store first. "

Feng Jiandong asked again: "We won't open a new store for the time being. What will we do when your senior brother comes?"

Feng Zhengming replied with a smile: "I am going to the train station to set up a stall, and there must be a chef in the shop. The third brother is here, and it just happens that the third brother is in charge of the shop."

Seeing that the third uncle was speechless.

Feng Zhengming hurriedly said: "Don't worry, Third Uncle, the new store will open sooner or later. It's just a matter of pushing it back. Just like what grandpa said today, this year we will start with a steady approach, run a store well, and gain experience before trying to open a new store." .”

Once he heard that Feng Zhengming had moved his father out, Feng Jiandong couldn't say anything more.

"Anyway, you just don't want me to invest in it."

Feng Zhengming said: "Uncle San, haven't you already invested in the shares? Uncle San Feng Restaurant also has a share, and if my Zhengluxing Catering Company wants to open a restaurant or restaurant in the future, it will definitely need Uncle San's support." Feng Jiandong stared at After Feng Zhengming looked it over, he finally said: "Okay, we have agreed that when we open restaurants and restaurants in the future, my third uncle must be included in the share."

Feng Zhengming stretched out his hand to his third uncle.

The uncle and nephew held hands together.

Feng Zhengming said seriously: "Definitely."

After the uncle and nephew finished chatting, they returned to the shop through the back door.

Feng Zhengming continued to stay busy in the back kitchen, so Feng Jiandong naturally left from the back kitchen first.

After coming out, Feng Jiandong saw his old father waiting for him.

Feng Jiandong walked out of the dry rice shop with his father again.

Feng Zongguo got straight to the point: "Have you made an agreement with Zhengming? Do you know that he has decided not to open a new store?"

Feng Jiandong nodded: "I know, I originally thought that Zhao Chaoxing would open a new store at the train station, and our new store would also be opened at the train station to compete with Zhao Chaoxing."

After hearing this, Feng Zonggu smiled and said, "Didn't Zhengming use his own method to fight Zhao Chaoxing?"

Feng Jiandong was stunned at first by his father's words.

But he immediately understood what his father meant.

"Dad, Zhengming is becoming more and more like our family. He refuses to admit defeat and must defeat his opponents in his own way. No wonder you like Zhengming so much. He is indeed very bad-tempered towards our family."

Feng Zonggu looked at his son and said, "Remember, when you first started doing business, your second sister and brother-in-law also wanted to help you. Aren't you just like Zhengming today, but you still chose to refuse in the end? What happened to Zhengming today? , have you seen yourself back then? You should believe in him just like you believed in yourself back then."

Feng Jiandong laughed: "Believe him, of course I believe him, my nephew."

Feng Zonggu added: "You can help me find a house nearby. It doesn't need to be big. When the third senior brother Zhengming and his family come over, let them live there and let the children go to school."

Feng Jiandong immediately took care of everything: "Dad, don't worry about these little things, I promise to take care of them."

When his son was about to leave, the old father gave his final instructions.

"Drink less when you go out to socialize, and try to stay home every night. Don't let your wife and children worry about you."

After listening to his father's instructions, Feng Jiandong joked: "In the end, he remembered to care about me. Sure enough, a son is not as close as a grandson."

"Go back quickly." The old man had a straight face and ordered his son to be kicked out without any politeness.

But the old father still stood in front of the shop, watching until his son's car taillights were out of sight.

A few days later, the third senior brother rushed back to Quancheng alone.

Feng Zhengming felt a little strange when he saw his third senior brother Yang Bin coming back alone.

"Third brother, why are you coming back alone? Where are your sister-in-law and the child?"

Yang Bin could only tell his junior brother what happened at home.

"Your sister-in-law feels that bringing her here now that her children have started school is afraid of affecting their studies, so she asked me to come here alone while she takes care of her children's studies at home.

Wait until next year, when we have made arrangements here, she will bring her children over. "

I understand that Third Senior Brother wants to come here alone to start his career.

Feng Zhengming no longer hesitated and told his third senior brother again some of his thoughts.

After hearing this, Yang Bin immediately said: "Before I came, I talked to your sister-in-law at home about your situation. Your sister-in-law and I also felt that it was a bit risky to open a new store directly. I also planned to tell you that we should continue to set up a store near the train station first. Start a stall, build your reputation, accumulate some money, and then open a big store."

Feng Zhengming laughed when he heard this: "We have the same idea."

Yang Bin then said: "I think, from now on you will be in charge of the shop, and let me take care of setting up stalls at the train station. Find a place over there, and let's set up a food stall at night."

Feng Zhengming rushed to say: "Third brother, it's me who should go. Originally, I asked you to come and help me. I asked you to help me open a new store. Now that the new store is temporarily closed, how can I let you, third brother, set up a stall on the street?" "

When Yang Bin heard this, he was immediately unhappy: "What? You think the third brother can't do it?"

Before Zhengming could speak, Yang Bin patted him and said, "Don't worry, you can do it. Third brother will not do worse than you, and he will definitely not ruin your brand."

Feng Zhengming said: "It's not that I don't believe in Third Brother's craftsmanship, but I originally thought that Third Brother, you would work in the back of the shop and ask the master to recommend two vocational school graduates to come over, and Third Brother, you would lead them."

Yang Bin was a little surprised: "Let me take it? Don't you take it yourself? Your craftsmanship is not bad."

Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "I'll take Anbang to the train station to set up a stall."

Yang Bin asked a little strangely: "You don't sell box lunches, are you addicted to setting up a stall?"

Feng Zhengming nodded: "It's quite a bit. I think setting up a stall is quite interesting. You can see a lot of people of all kinds. And before, I was selling box lunches. This time I went to the train station to work as a food stall. It's different."

Yang Bin didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "You still regard setting up a street stall as just having fun."

Feng Zhengming said happily: "Yes, it's just for fun. I think cooking is just for fun, but we have to play tricks."

Feng Zhengming continued to say to the third senior brother with confidence: "Do you believe it, third brother? I work as a food stall at the train station, and I will definitely become the best business in the train station."

Yang Bin answered firmly: "I believe it, of course I believe it. With your craftsmanship and your reputation in Quancheng, if you go to the train station to work as a food stall, it must be a booming business."

Feng Zhengming then rode over seriously: "Third brother, you must help me secure the store."

Yang Bin promised solemnly: "Don't worry, if third brother messes up the food, you don't need to tell me. Third brother will pay your money and go back to his hometown. From now on, he will never touch the pot or spoon again."

The return of the third senior brother made Feng Zhengming feel much more relaxed in the next period of time.

Although the space of Fengjiagang Restaurant has not been expanded, it is because there are three senior brothers working in the back kitchen with Feng Zhengming.

The efficiency of serving food in the evening is improved, which also allows the dry rice shop to receive more customers.

Feng Zhengming relaxed, but he was not idle. He and his grandfather went to find someone to improve the cart, welded the iron frame to support the table, made several long tabletops, and through the help of his third uncle, he bought a food stall. Used awning.

After preparing everything for the food stalls, Feng Zhengming also used the inside information obtained by Luo Qing to find out the situation around the train station in advance and learned where food stalls were allowed around the train station.

In late September, Quancheng Railway Station Square finally completed renovations and reopened.

When the South Railway Station was decommissioned, Feng Zhengming made the transition almost seamlessly. On the night when the train station was restored to service, he started working on the food stalls.

(End of this chapter)