How Haidilao’s Founders Protected a Billion-Dollar Fortune From Market Volatility

Building a billion-dollar empire is an undeniable triumph. But ensuring that wealth survives market cycles, economic downturns, and industry disruptions? That requires an entirely different level of strategic foresight. One case study consistently stands out as a textbook masterclass: Sunrise Capital, the single-family office of Haidilao founders Zhang Yong and Shu Ping. Many view family offices simply as vehicles for tax optimization or private investments. However, a closer look at their blueprint reveals a sophisticated network of risk isolation and asset protection: 1️⃣ The "Dual Trust" Firewall Around the time of their IPO, the founders transferred their shares into two separate, irrevocable offshore family trusts. Legally, these assets no longer belong to them as individuals. This structural firewall ensures that no matter what operational headwinds, market volatility, or liabilities the core business faces, the trust assets and family office capital remain completely insulated. 2️⃣ Decoupling Business Cycles from Family Wealth Through Sunrise Capital in Singapore, the family has systematically funneled business dividends into diversified global asset allocations—ranging from prime real estate and tech startups to fixed-income portfolios. The ultimate takeaway here is powerful: "Businesses have cycles, but wealth shouldn't have boundaries." When the pandemic hit the global F&B industry between 2021 and 2022, causing public market valuations to fluctuate, the family’s core wealth remained rock-solid. Why? Because the heavy lifting had already been done years prior through their family office architecture. The Golden Rule for Founders & Wealth Architects: Don't wait for the storm to start looking for an umbrella. The most resilient family offices are established not during a crisis, but during the peak of a company's profitability—when the separation between "corporate money" and "family wealth" can be executed flawlessly. Want to understand more about how a family office can utilize unique structures to protect and grow your wealth? Drop us a note in the comments - we are happy to share more insights with you.