Liu Kai Xuan's words made Zhao Fei Yan feel a sense of urgency.
The closure of Moon Restaurant was more Zhao Da Jun's responsibility than Chen Yue's.
In the beginning, although the restaurant's business wasn't booming, Moon Restaurant's actual profitability was not inferior to Fei Yan Restaurant.
Later, Chen Yue wanted to change the situation and sought advice from Zhao Fei Yan.
In this regard, Zhao Fei Yan and Liu Kai Xuan did indeed help.
After tasting the dishes at the restaurant, they pointed out the problem of insufficient portion sizes at Moon Restaurant.
Chen Yue decided to change the situation by increasing the portion sizes to satisfy the diners.
However, this led to new problems.
As the quantity of food increased, the cost of each dish naturally rose.
But for a restaurant to build a reputation and attract customers, a long period is required.
It's not as if you increase the portion sizes today and a large number of customers will immediately flock to patronize you.
After Chen Yue increased the portion sizes, the restaurant's operating costs increased significantly, but the customer base did not increase immediately, nor did the total revenue.
This resulted in the restaurant's net profit not only failing to increase but shrinking considerably.
Faced with this situation, Zhao Da Jun was naturally unhappy.
"I was doing well before, making a lot of money."
"But now? I'm busy all day for nothing, and the boss makes less than the head chef."
"If this continues, aren't we joking around?"
Zhao Da Jun suggested immediately restoring the previous portion sizes and finding ways to adjust the chefs' compensation.
"If all else fails, replace the chef. As long as the food tastes good, even with small portions, we can attract customers."
However, Chen Yue disagreed with this plan. Chen Yue believed the restaurant's chef had no issues with their skills.
"If we forcibly dismiss the restaurant's chef, the restaurant might not be able to open tomorrow."
Since replacing the chef was not an option, Zhao Da Jun came up with other plans.
"It's just about increasing the portion sizes, right? Can't we add more cheap dishes to the plate and less of the expensive meat dishes?"
This way, the quantity of a dish would increase, but the cost would remain under control, not affecting their ability to make big money.
Using this method, the restaurant's expenses were indeed reduced.
For a period, Zhao Da Jun felt very clever.
But in reality, he was simply being self-deceptive.
At restaurants, meat dishes generally cost significantly more than vegetable dishes.
When diners come to a restaurant, they order meat dishes because they want to eat meat.
As a result, a large plate of food only had a couple of slices of meat on top, with the rest being cheap side dishes.
Diners felt extremely frustrated after a meal at such a restaurant, and its reputation naturally collapsed.
For the first few months, Moon Restaurant could barely sustain itself because their operating environment was stable, and they had no competitors.
Later, a new restaurant opened across the street, competing for customers.
Moon Restaurant had a terrible reputation, while the restaurant opposite used genuine ingredients.
Customers voted with their feet and knew where to go to eat.
The restaurant's business plummeted, and it was deserted every day, barely earning enough to pay its employees' salaries.
At this point, Zhao Da Jun and his wife finally realized the seriousness of the problem.
They began to adjust their strategy, increasing portion sizes, improving service, and even offering some complimentary side dishes to diners.
Unfortunately, building a reputation is extremely difficult, while destroying it is incredibly easy.
Moon Restaurant's reputation was completely ruined, and it wouldn't be easy to restore.
Perhaps, if Moon Restaurant persisted with genuine ingredients for a year, the business might pick up.
But let's not forget that rent and employee salaries are significant expenses.
Moreover, every day the restaurant was open, it had to prepare a large amount of ingredients.
With no business, these ingredients couldn't be sold and had to be discarded.
For every day the restaurant was open, it lost dozens of yuan.
If they persisted in this manner for a year, the loss in capital alone would be tens of thousands of yuan.
Doing business to this extent, what's the point of continuing?
The next morning, Zhao Fei Yan went to the restaurant to make new arrangements, instructing Zhao Da Jun to work at Liu Kai Xuan's company.
"What?"
"Have Da Jun become Liu Kai Xuan's personal bodyguard?"
Zhao Fei Yan's arrangement shocked Chen Yue.
"Yes!"
Zhao Fei Yan smiled and nodded, "This is a lateral transfer, and your salary and benefits will remain the same!"
"One lobby manager is enough for the restaurant's lobby. Having two managers would only cause chaos in the restaurant's management and order!"
"This matter is settled!"
"Brother, you're reporting to work at Meng Hu Industrial today!"
"I'm not going!"
Zhao Da Jun replied indignantly, "Zhao Fei Yan, what exactly are you trying to do?"
"I'm doing well as the assistant manager at the restaurant, and suddenly you want me to be a security guard!"
"I haven't made any mistakes. Why are you treating me like this!"
Zhao Fei Yan patiently explained, "Brother, why are you so stubborn?"
"I've already told you that your transfer is a lateral move and your salary and benefits have not been reduced!"
"Since you're coming to work at my company, you must first obey the company's arrangements and dispatch!"
"This is the most basic condition for being a qualified employee. I hope you understand!"
Zhao Da Jun wanted to say more, but Chen Yue intervened, "Alright Da Jun, just take on this job!"
"Fei Yan said your salary and benefits won't be reduced!"
"Since we're taking someone else's salary, we must obey their work arrangements!"
"If you're truly unable to handle it, then you'll have to resign!"
"But I..."
Zhao Da Jun tried to say something again, but Chen Yue interrupted him once more!
"There's no 'but.' Da Jun, I believe you can do this job well!"
"Hurry up and go to work. Don't give the boss a bad impression!"
Zhao Da Jun, although flawed in personality and a bit petty,
treated Chen Yue with utmost respect. He would generally do whatever Chen Yue asked.
This time was no exception.
Under Chen Yue's urging, Zhao Da Jun obediently left the restaurant and went to Meng Hu Industrial to find Liu Kai Xuan.
Watching Zhao Da Jun's receding back, Chen Yue said with a smile, "Fei Yan, please don't take it to heart!"
"Your brother is just a bit prideful. In reality, he's quite cooperative when it comes to work!"
"Forget it!"