1 hr ago
Chinese Restaurant Owner Gifts BMWs to Protect Workers From Weather
Ma Yanli owns a beef hotpot business in China.
She noticed that some of her workers travelled to work on electric scooters.
They had to ride through cold, rainy, and windy weather.
After seeing one worker return with a red face from the cold, she decided to help.
She surprised some employees with new BMW cars.
The cars had already been paid for, so the workers did not have to buy them.
Ma said her employees helped the business succeed and deserved to share in that success.
Many people online praised her for the gifts.
Ma Yanli, who runs a beef hotpot chain in Jiaozuo, gifted BMWs to selected top-performing employees.
She said she wanted to spare workers the difficult weather they faced while commuting on electric scooters.
Ma took employees to a BMW dealership on September 24, telling them they were going to a meeting.
The cars reportedly cost about 300,000 yuan each and had been paid for in full by Ma.
Ma said employees should share directly in the business’s success; the gifts drew widespread online praise.
- Who
- Ma Yanli gifted BMW cars to selected employees of her beef hotpot chain; employee Li Jie was among those quoted.
- What
- She gave some top-performing employees new BMWs, saying she wanted to protect them from harsh commuting weather.
- Where
- A BMW dealership; Ma’s business is in Jiaozuo, Henan province, central China.
- When
- The dealership visit took place on September 24; the cars had reportedly been purchased about two weeks earlier.
- Why
- Ma said employees endured cold, rainy, and windy commutes on electric scooters and should share in the company’s success.
Supporters of the gesture
Broader workplace discussion
How employers reward staff
Supporters of the gesture
Online users praised Ma’s generosity and concern for her employees.
Broader workplace discussion
The gifts prompted discussion about the different ways employers recognise and reward hardworking employees.
Key facts
- Business owner
- Ma Yanli, who runs a beef hotpot chain
- Business location
- Jiaozuo, Henan province, China
- Dealership visit
- September 24
- Reported price per car
- Around 300,000 yuan
- Payment
- The cars were reportedly bought in full by Ma
- Reason given
- To help employees avoid difficult weather during their commutes
- Employee reaction
- Li Jie said he was thrilled and had not expected the gift
Quotes
Li Jie
An employee who received a BMW from Ma Yanli
“On the way to the BMW showroom, Boss Ma just told me she would gift me a big toy.”
NDTV
“I am so thrilled! I dared not think about this before.”
NDTV









