How a bad dining experience birthed a Hong Kong catering empire
In short: In 1956, two brothers decided to fix a problem they encountered at a local café. What began as a quest for better service and fresh ingredients evolved into a massive conglomerate that dominates the Hong Kong food scene, managing everything from high-end nightclubs to fast-food chains and bakeries.
The origins of Maxim's Caterers trace back to an unpleasant dining experience at the New Paris Café in Hong Kong. Motivated by this encounter, brothers Wu Shun Tak and James Wu opened their first Western-style restaurant, Maxim's Restaurant, in the basement of Telephone House on 3 December 1956. To differentiate themselves, they focused on meticulous hospitality, such as offering hot tea to Chinese customers—who often preferred it over cold water—and ensuring waiters carried lighters to assist guests with cigarettes.
The company's business model has undergone significant shifts. Initially positioned as a first-class restaurant and nightclub, the group pivoted toward morning tea, lunch, and snacks in the 1960s to compete with new international hotels. By 1966, the launch of Maxim's Boulevard marked a move into café-style dining and pastries, a precursor to the massive Maxim's Cakes brand. They further innovated in 1971 with Jade Garden, which introduced a management model combining Chinese cuisine with Western-style service, such as selling Western pastries and eliminating traditional table-sharing.
Today, Maxim's is a major economic force. In 2018, independent analyst David Webb estimated the company's revenue at HKD 16.2 billion, representing approximately 13.5% of Hong Kong's total catering revenue of HKD 119.6 billion. While the group is 50% owned by Jardine Matheson via DFI Retail Group, decision-making power remains with the Ng family. The group's diverse portfolio includes brands like Maxim's MX and Starbucks franchises, serving various sectors from hospitals to commercial clients.
The company has also navigated complex market expansions and controversies. While they successfully entered the mooncake market in 1986, selling out 100,000 boxes in days, their expansion into Mainland China in the 1990s faced financial losses. Additionally, the group has faced criticism from conservationists regarding previous sales of shark fins and scrutiny over political comments made by founder Annie Wu's daughter during the 2019–2020 protests.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Maxim's Caterers
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