Chinese hotpot owner gifts two staff members BMWs after seeing them brave icy scooter rides

Ma Yanli, proprietor of a beef hotpot chain headquartered in Jiaozuo, Henan, decided to reward two long-standing employees with new BMW automobiles after observing them ride electric scooters in bitter cold. The idea had been forming since the previous winter, and on September 24 she led the staff to a dealership, presenting each with a car that had been bought two weeks earlier for about 300,000 yuan (approximately Rs 43 lakh).

Li Jie, who has worked eight years at the restaurant, and Liu Yingying, praised the unexpected gift, noting it would greatly improve their commutes. Ma described the cars as “big toys” and emphasized that the company’s prosperity stems from collective employee effort, prompting her to share the success directly. No payment or contract was required from the recipients, and the vehicles were registered in their names the same day. The unusual reward has sparked discussion about employee appreciation practices in China.