Teens fined about $309,000 after urinating into Haidilao broth in Shanghai
Shanghai court orders two youths and their guardians to pay 2.2 million yuan in damages and costs after a viral video, with Haidilao compensating thousands of diners.
A Shanghai court on Monday ordered two teenagers to pay about 2.2 million yuan, roughly $309,000, in damages and costs after they filmed themselves urinating into a pot of broth at a Haidilao hot pot restaurant. The video, shared on social media, provoked widespread outrage and prompted Haidilao to compensate diners who ate at the restaurant in the days after the incident.
The court ruled that the youths infringed the restaurant's property rights and harmed Haidilao's reputation through acts of insult, noting that the act caused strong discomfort among the public. The boys’ parents were also found to have failed in their duties of guardianship. Haidilao had sought 23 million yuan in damages from the two teenagers, a figure that included compensation to thousands of customers who were affected.
Haidilao reported that it offered compensation to about 4,000 customers who dined at the chain between February 24 and March 8. The payout included a full refund and cash payment totaling more than 10 times the bill in some cases, as part of the restaurant’s effort to address the disruption. The court’s ruling limited the damages to 2.2 million yuan, including about 15,000 USD in legal costs, and the judgment highlighted the incident as a matter of reputational harm rather than a food-safety issue.
The video showed one of the teens appearing to stand on a table and urinating into the broth, a scene observed by staff and later reported to authorities. Haidilao said it disinfected all utensils and equipment used in the dining area and took steps to dispose of any items that could not be adequately sanitized. The restaurant remains one of the world’s best-known hot pot chains, with roughly 1,700 stores worldwide, including locations in Australia.
The case illustrates the impact of social media on consumer brands in China and the legal responsibilities of minors and guardians when such acts are captured on video. It also reflects the broader scrutiny facing major hospitality brands as they navigate safety, sanitation and customer trust in a highly connected marketplace.