The China Chain Store & Franchise Association (CCFA) said in a 1H 2026 brief that 71.7% of surveyed chain catering firms reported YoY sales growth or flat performance, with 13.0% posting >10% sales growth. On profitability, 58.7% saw net profit growth or stability and 10.9% achieved >20% net profit growth. Store footprint: 60.0% recorded net outlet additions in 1H; combined with firms keeping counts flat, roughly two-thirds maintained stable or expanding store networks.