Archive · 9 Oct 2026
China Hotpot Owner Gifts Employees BMWs After Cold Commutes
Ma Yanli runs a beef hotpot business in China.
She noticed that some workers rode electric scooters to work in cold, windy, and rainy weather.
One day, she saw an employee arrive looking very cold.
Ma decided to give cars to some workers to make their journeys easier.
She took them to a BMW showroom on September 24 and surprised them with the gifts.
One report says two employees received cars, while another does not give an exact number.
The cars reportedly cost about 300,000 yuan each, and Ma had paid for them.
She said her workers helped the business succeed, and many people online praised her.
Ma Yanli, who runs a beef hotpot chain in Jiaozuo, gave BMWs to employees who had braved cold commutes on electric scooters.
Ma took workers to a BMW showroom on September 24, saying they were going to a meeting.
One account says two employees received cars; the other describes gifts to selected employees without specifying a number.
The cars reportedly cost around 300,000 yuan each and had been bought in full about two weeks earlier.
Ma said her employees helped the business succeed and should share in that success; the gifts received praise online.
- Who
- Ma Yanli, owner of a beef hotpot chain, gave BMWs to selected employees, including Li Jie.
- What
- She gifted BMW cars to employees after noticing their difficult commutes on electric scooters.
- When
- The cars were handed over on September 24; one report says they were purchased about two weeks earlier.
- Where
- A BMW showroom in Jiaozuo, Henan province, China.
- Why
- Ma wanted to help employees avoid harsh commuting weather and share in the business's success.
- Business owner
- Ma Yanli runs a beef hotpot chain.
- Business location
- Jiaozuo, Henan province, China.
- Gift date
- September 24.
- Number of cars
- One report says two employees received BMWs; another does not specify the number.
- Reported price
- Around 300,000 yuan per car.
- Purchase timing
- The cars were reportedly purchased about two weeks before the handover.
- Reason given
- Ma cited employees' difficult commutes and said they should share in the company's success.
