Rebirth in Hong Kong: From Dessert Shop to Industrial Empire

Chapter 93 The Subversion of Cognition and the Pursuit of Capital (Seeking monthly votes and recommendations to continue reading)

The vast and mature consumer market in North America is a depth that Chen Ji could not reach even in ten or twenty years on its own!

Europe’s complex multi-country market environment, with its different regulations, consumer habits, and distribution systems, coupled with Coca-Cola’s decades-old bottling plant network, is the only shortcut for “Rinba” to avoid risks and quickly establish itself in the market!

The capillary-like logistics and distribution capabilities of Coca-Cola's bottling plant system, its strong bargaining power at retail outlets, and the brand trust it has built with consumers—these intangible resources are far more valuable than cold, hard dollar figures can measure!
With the help of this golden channel, "Jingba" will go from Hong Kong Island to the world's top consumer markets, and the leap in brand value will be exponential!

This is not only a channel for "Jinba" to go global, but also the cornerstone of Chenji Food's future globalization strategy!
With this starting point, subsequent new products, and even other categories, have a basis and reference!

In Chen Bingwen's view, the 3% channel commission is simply a highway toll paid to Coca-Cola, which is excellent value for money!
As long as "Jinba" can gain a foothold in these core channels and open up sales channels, the 3% commission will bring about a geometric increase in sales and a global leap in brand value!
However, any oversight in business negotiations can come at a heavy price.

He still needed to confirm some details with Thompson. "Mr. Thompson, Coca-Cola's sincerity and decisiveness are truly impressive."

This cooperation framework reflects our shared recognition of values ​​and demonstrates Coca-Cola's vision as an industry leader.

He then changed the subject and asked, "What are the standards for the detailed rules on channel access, especially the clause on 'approved new products'?"
What is the review process and timeframe?
We want to ensure that the launch efficiency of future new products is not unnecessarily delayed.

Thompson, clearly prepared, calmly replied, "Mr. Chen, please rest assured. The review criteria will be based on objective factors such as the product's market potential, quality and safety, and its alignment with the Coca-Cola brand image. The process will be simplified and made as efficient as possible."

Our headquarters will assign a dedicated team to liaise with your new product development department and complete a preliminary assessment within 30 business days. Specific timelines and process details can be clearly outlined in the agreement's appendix.

Chen Bingwen pondered for a moment, then nodded. “30 working days is acceptable. But I hope this process is efficient and predictable.”

The core obstacles have been cleared! Both sides have reached a high degree of consensus on matters of principle!
A satisfied smile finally appeared on Chen Bingwen's face.

He stood up and extended his hand to Thompson again: "Mr. Thompson, it's a pleasure to work with you!"

Chenji Foods looks forward to joining hands with Coca-Cola to jointly explore the blue ocean market of global functional beverages and create a win-win future!

Thompson immediately stood up and shook hands firmly, saying, "It's a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Chen!"
I believe this will be a strategic partnership that will go down in the history of the beverage industry!

Coca-Cola and Chen Ji are destined to embark on a brand new chapter together!

The finalization of the agreement framework signifies the end of the most difficult negotiations.

The remaining task was for the legal and business teams of both parties, led by Vincent Fang, Emily Carter, and others, to work day and night to fill in the details of the agreement, finalize every clause, and clarify every definition.

To ensure that this strategic cooperation agreement, which involves the global market and has far-reaching implications, accurately reflects the will of both parties and has a solid legal foundation.

The atmosphere in the conference room on the top floor of the Weiye Building did not immediately relax after Thompson and his group left. Instead, it was filled with a strange tranquility, as if the battle had just ended and the dust had settled.

"Mr. Chen, did we really do it?"

Looking at the preliminary memorandum of understanding on the table, Ling Peiyi felt like she was dreaming.

A base licensing fee of $80!
A commission of 0.02 cents per bottle!

Most importantly, channel access in core markets such as North America and Europe!
This is not just about money; it's Chenji Foods' passport to the world's top stage!
Fang Wenshan pushed up his glasses and said excitedly, "The framework is set. Although filling in the details is challenging, the core terms are no longer in dispute."

Coca-Cola has indeed shown unprecedented boldness this time.

Mr. Chen, your move was a stroke of genius!

Chen Bingwen leaned back in his chair, listened to Ling Peiyi and Fang Wenshan's words, and smiled happily:

"This is not the end, it is just the beginning."

The value of an agreement lies in its execution.

To consolidate our gains, the real test for Chen's family will begin next.

He paused, then said, "Initiate two actions immediately."

First, contact all the media outlets we are familiar with, especially the financial and business sectors, and release the news of our strategic cooperation framework with Coca-Cola as quickly and prominently as possible!

Second, notify the Sha Tin plant that the first batch of 50,000 bottles of Jinba should be bottled and shipped immediately! The "buy one get one free" bundled promotion will be launched tomorrow morning at all Chan Kee standard stores, franchise stores, mobile sales points on Hong Kong Island, as well as the convenience stores covered by our grid team!

"Understood!" Ling Peiyi and Fang Wenshan replied simultaneously.

They knew that Chen Bingwen was trying to leverage the influence of the Coca-Cola beverage giant to pave a golden road for Jinba's IPO!
The next morning.

Mainstream media outlets such as the Commercial Daily, Oriental Daily News, and Ming Pao almost monopolized the front page headlines with news of Coca-Cola signing a contract with Chan Kee.

Radio and television financial commentators were also giving their opinions at length, analyzing the profound impact of this deal on the global beverage landscape.

"This is insane! Utterly insane!" The financial elites in Central were buzzing with discussion during breakfast. "A bottle cap, selling for $80?"
They even got involved with Coca-Cola's distribution channels?
Is Chen Bingwen some kind of Midas touch?

“Midas turned into gold?
I think it's a case of getting something for nothing!

Using a single patent to leverage Coca-Cola's global network! That's brilliant business acumen!

"Jinba? What's that? An energy drink? Chen Ji's new product? Coca-Cola is even willing to pave the way for it? It must be something special!"

"Chen's has really taken off this time! From Sham Shui Po to the mainstream European and American markets, how long has it been?"
It's simply a miracle in Hong Kong's commercial history!

Shaw Brothers Studio Building, Kowloon Tong.

Shaw put down the newspaper, remained silent for a long time, and finally sighed softly: "The younger generation is truly formidable. Yihua, there's no need to hesitate any longer regarding the Japanese copyright issue."

At the highest market price—no, at a 20% premium—immediately contact Chen Bingwen to buy out the Japanese rights to "Drunken Master".

"We at Shaw Brothers are willing to sell this favor!"

Fang Yihua nodded in agreement, equally shocked.

She finally understood the deeper meaning behind Chen Bingwen's decision to give up box office revenue sharing in Hong Kong and Taiwan in exchange for the Japanese copyright.

This is the moment he's been waiting for: to ride the wave of Coca-Cola's success and launch both Cheng Long and Chen Ji's brands in Japan!
The Peninsula Hotel, Pepsi Suite.

Deathly silence.

David Ross's face was ashen, and the newspaper in his hand was almost torn to shreds.

Looking at the glaring "80 US dollars" and "access to European and American channels" on the front page, he felt as if an invisible hand was tightly gripping his heart, almost suffocating him.

“80… channel access,” he muttered to himself, his voice hoarse. “Coca-Cola… they actually agreed. How dare they?!”

Chen Ziming and Emily Carter stood to the side, their faces equally grim.

Chen Ziming said bitterly, "David, we've completely lost. The terms Coca-Cola offered, whether it's patent licensing fees or the degree of channel openness, far exceed the bottom line that headquarters gave us for licensing."

Chen Bingwen: He chose the best partner.

Emily began, "What's worse is that the news has spread all over the world."

Now everyone knows that Coca-Cola has recognized the value of Chen Ji's patents with a payment of $80 plus distribution channels.

Our very qualifications and bargaining power for renegotiating have been significantly diminished.

Ross slammed his fist on the coffee table. "FUCK! Those idiots at headquarters! Their conservatism and shortsightedness cost us a strategic high ground!"

Coca-Cola obtained the patent and even bundled it with that "Jinba"!
what does this mean?
This means they will be one step ahead of us globally in terms of user experience!
This means that in the emerging market of functional beverages, they may be able to gain a competitive edge by leveraging Chen Ji's products!

After saying that, he slumped back onto the sofa and covered his face with his hands.

He knew that in this patent battle led by Chen Bingwen and ultimately won by Coca-Cola, PepsiCo had become the biggest loser.

Not only did they lose priority access to key patents, but they also fell behind their competitors in terms of strategic planning.

This agreement, like a shadow, will cast a shadow over PepsiCo's development path for years to come.

Swire Group Building, Swire Coca-Cola Company.

John Thompson looked at the overwhelming media coverage and a satisfied smile spread across his face.

Although the details of the agreement have not yet been finalized, the sensational effect in the media has met or even exceeded expectations.

Chen Ji's reputation was pushed to its peak, and Coca-Cola's image as an industry leader was greatly enhanced.

"Notify headquarters that the first phase objective has been perfectly achieved."

The enthusiastic public response and soaring brand value of Chenji have created an excellent external environment for our subsequent promotion of this patent and introduction of the 'Jinba' product within the bottling plant system.

Thompson instructed his assistant, "Also, urge our legal team to finalize the details of the agreement as soon as possible. We need to make it a done deal!"

Nestlé Asia Pacific Headquarters.

Hans Müller looked at the newspaper, frowned slightly, and then relaxed.

"US$50, non-exclusive worldwide. Looking back now, we didn't lose out."

At least we were the first to confirm the authorization, saving us from subsequent troubles and potential premiums.

He consoled himself, but deep down, he still felt a pang of envy at Coca-Cola's extravagance with its $80+ distribution channels.

It seems that Coca-Cola has elevated Chen Ji's value to a level he never anticipated.

Suntory headquarters in Japan.

Tanaka Ichiro looked at the faxed summary of the Hong Kong newspaper and let out a long sigh of relief.

"$20, 0.025 cents, and 3% commission—that's what gets me priority access to the Japanese market!"

He secretly rejoiced that he had acted decisively and secured the partnership before Coca-Cola entered the market with exorbitant prices.

If we wait until now, Chen Bingwen's asking price would probably be even higher, and his conditions would be even more demanding.

He immediately ordered: "Expedite the agreement signing process with Chen Ji!"
At the same time, the marketing department immediately launched preliminary market research and channel preparation for "Jinba" energy drinks in Japan!

The framework agreement between Chan Kee and Coca-Cola was like a powerful earthquake, completely overturning the perception of this "Sham Shui Po dessert shop" in Hong Kong Island and even the business community.

In most people's eyes, Chen Ji's image has instantly undergone a three-level leap.

From "King of Dessert Soup" to "Patent Newcomer".

Chen's is no longer a traditional shop that relies on craftsmanship, but a technology company with strong technological barriers.

From "regional brand" to "international player".

Being able to negotiate on equal footing with global giants like Coca-Cola and get them to open up core channel resources means that Chenji has obtained a ticket to the top international circles.

Its stage is no longer limited to Hong Kong Island and Southeast Asia, but has expanded to global consumption centers such as North America and Europe.

From "rising star" to "darling of capital".

The three consecutive agreements clearly demonstrate Chen Ji Foods' formidable profit potential and growth space.

Patent licensing brings stable cash flow, channel opening brings expectations of explosive sales growth, and the new product "Jinba" is poised for launch. All of this makes Chenji a shining gold mine in the eyes of capital.

Those with the keenest sense of smell are the first to act.

The phone at Dexin Accounting Firm was ringing off the hook.

Representatives from investment funds and investment banks in Hong Kong Island, Southeast Asia, and even Europe and the United States have expressed strong interest in investing or cooperating.

They were no longer satisfied with simple financial data, but were eager to understand Chenji's equity structure, future development plans, and especially the market prospects of "Jinba" functional beverage.

Vincent Fang became the busiest person.

He needs to carefully screen information, avoiding prematurely revealing Chen Ji's core secrets while also leaving room for potential high-quality capital to cooperate.

Chen Bingwen gave him clear instructions: at this stage, maintain an open attitude, make extensive contacts, focus on examining the resources the other party can bring, but do not conduct substantive financing negotiations for the time being.

Chenji needs to first digest the benefits brought by the three agreements with Coca-Cola and others, and successfully list "Jinba" to further enhance its valuation through market performance.

At the same time, the attitudes of Chenji's supply chain partners have also undergone subtle changes.

Raw material suppliers proactively offered more favorable payment terms and purchase prices;

The packaging factory assured the customer that it would prioritize supply and ensure quality control.

Everyone realized that clinging to Chenji, this soon-to-be-soaring dragon, meant stable and huge future orders and profits.

(End of this chapter)