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Billionaire Profile
Li Haiyan
Global Rank
#2382

Image: Public domain | via Wikimedia Commons

Li Haiyan

CEO, Haidilao International Holdings
CN
Real-Time Net Worth
$1.6B
As of December 2025
Age
0
Source
Restaurants
Industry
food-beverage
Citizenship
CN

Biography

Li Haiyan is a co-founder of the hot-pot chain Haidilao International Holdings, a globally recognized restaurant brand with over 1,300 locations worldwide. As of December 5, 2025, her estimated net worth is $1.6 billion, according to Forbes. Her wealth stems from her significant stake in Haidilao, where she has served as a company supervisor since 2009. She is married to Shi Yonghong, a director at Haidilao and the chairman of hotpot seasonings supplier Yihai International. Li Haiyan's career reflects the success of Haidilao, one of the most popular restaurant chains in China, built on customer service and attentive operations.

Wealth Over Time

In-Depth Profile

Early Life

Li Haiyan co-founded Haidilao International Holdings in 1994 with Zhang Yong, Shu Ping, and Shi Yonghong. The initial investment came from their personal savings, launching a hot-pot restaurant that would become a global success story. She has been a supervisor at Haidilao since 2009.

Rise to Success

Haidilao's rise is attributed to its exceptional customer service and innovative practices. This focus on the customer experience helped the chain expand rapidly, establishing a strong brand presence throughout China and internationally. The brand built its reputation on offering exceptional and innovative services that encourage customer loyalty. Haidilao went public on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2018, which made Zhang Yong the wealthiest restaurant entrepreneur globally at the time.

Key Business Strategies

Haidilao's success stems from a focus on customer satisfaction, operational excellence, and rapid expansion. The company established separate businesses to manage warehousing, food ingredient supply, human resources, and renovation and security services for the chain and other restaurants.

Philanthropy

While specific amounts are difficult to pinpoint, MoneyGram also contributed to relief efforts following Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 in the Philippines.

Career Milestones

1994

Co-founded Haidilao

Founded a hot-pot chain that would become one of the most popular restaurant chains in China and globally.

2009

Haidilao Supervisor

Became a supervisor at Haidilao International Holdings.

Philanthropy & Social Impact

Disaster Relief

Typhoon Haiyan Relief

Undisclosed

MoneyGram contributed to relief efforts following Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.