[ad_1]
South China morning post
James Wu, Co-Founder of Hong Kong’s Largest Restaurant Group Maxim’s, Attacked During Protests, Dies at 98
The co-founder of Hong Kong’s largest restaurant operator Maxim’s Group died last month at the age of 98. James Wu died peacefully on October 29 at the Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital, and a private funeral was held, according to an obituary in the south. China Morning Post posted by his family on Thursday. “Dr. Wu (James Wu) once said that the establishment of the Maxim’s Center has made his dream come true,” said Michael Wu Wei-kuo, his great-nephew, president and managing director of Maxim’s. Get the latest insights and analysis from our global impact newsletter on the great stories originating in China. “With his dedication and that of the team, the group has become one of the leaders in F&B in Asia; Western restaurant businesses, ”the president said in a statement. “With a big heart, he also dedicated himself to serving the community and the education sector.” Maxim’s Center is a green building on Cheung Shun Street, completed in 2015 to house all of the group’s main operations. Wu passed away in 101, according to Chinese media reports, adding three years to the age of the deceased according to Chinese tradition, who was born in the United States but returned to his ancestral home, the southern city of Taishan in Guangdong, with his mother a the age of two. He received his education in Guangzhou, graduating from Lingnan University in 1947, before coming to Hong Kong. He and his brother, ST Wu, co-founded Maxim’s Group in 1956 as a western restaurant offering French cuisine. The brothers had decided to set up their own establishment after often found themselves sitting next to the toilets in other restaurants because many owners at the time thought that the Chinese were not important customers. From that single downtown restaurant where the Landmark now stands, Maxim’s has come a long way to become Hong Kong’s largest restaurant group, with more than 1,700 establishments and 24,000 employees in Hong Kong, China, Cambodia and Vietnam. . It operates the popular Chinese restaurant chains Jade Garden and Peking Garden, as well as Western restaurants such as Lawry’s The Prime Rib, Cova Luxury Italian Bakery and Japanese restaurants such as Genki Sushi. It has several bakeries commonly found at MTR stations and is also the largest manufacturer of holiday products ranging from moon cakes and rice balls to Chinese corned meats. Starting in 2000, it introduced Starbucks in Hong Kong, and later brought the coffee chain to Vietnam, Cambodia and Singapore. Before this year’s coronavirus took a huge toll on the restaurant industry, Maxim’s served an average of 680,000 customers every day, according to 2016 Data. It was always known that some of its restaurants in mainland China were full within three months. In advance, Wu is survived by his wife Eugenia and their six children, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His eldest daughter, Annie Wu Suk-ching, spoke out against Hong Kong’s anti-government protests at the United Nations Human Rights Council. in September of last year. The move sparked anger among some protesters, making Maxim’s cafes and restaurants a target for vandals. Maxim’s is 50 percent owned by Dairy Farm, part of the Jardine Matheson Group. The Wu family still run the business, but use their partner to secure prime locations for their restaurants, particularly in Central, Hong Kong’s main business district. “[James Wu] played a key role in forging the successful partnership between Maxim’s and Jardines nearly five decades ago, which remains strong and flourishing to this day, “said an obituary for Jardine Matheson and The Dairy Farm Group in the Post on Thursday.” We will miss Dr. Wu very much as a business partner and friend, and we would like to express our condolences to his family. ” More from the South China Morning Post: * Hong Kong caterer Maxim was told to stay away from the courts and cockroaches. * Maxim Founder ST Wu Dies, 92 This article James Wu, co-founder of Hong Kong’s largest restaurant group Maxim’s, attacked during protests, dies at 98, first appeared in the South China Morning Post. the latest news from the South China Morning Post, download our mobile app. Copyright 2020.