2026 Maryland–China Catering Investment & Expansion Summit Successfully Held
Unlocking New Opportunities for Chinese Restaurant Brands in the U.S.
On March 16, 2026, the 2026 Maryland–China Catering Investment & Expansion Summit, jointly hosted by the Maryland Department of Commerce and the U.S.–China Association of Commerce (USCAC), was successfully held in Maryland. The event brought together government representatives, industry leaders, and business executives from both the United States and China to explore opportunities and pathways for Chinese restaurant brands to enter and expand in the U.S. market.
The China delegation consisted of leading restaurant brands, food supply chain companies, and investment institutions, covering sectors such as chain dining, tea and bakery, supply chain, brand management, and industry investment. The delegation demonstrated strong capabilities in large-scale operations and international expansion.
Among them, the U.S. Commercial Service (USCS) in China, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, plays a key role in facilitating bilateral trade and investment by providing market insights and business connections. Tomato Capital, a leading investment firm focused on the restaurant and food sector, has supported numerous high-growth consumer brands, with its portfolio companies operating over 20,000 stores globally, showcasing strong industry expertise and capital support capabilities.
The participating companies span multiple segments, including Chinese fast casual dining, specialty cuisine, tea beverages, bakery, food seasoning supply chains, and restaurant-related services. Many brands already operate hundreds to thousands of locations domestically and internationally, with well-established chain systems and standardized operations. Several companies have expanded into North America and Southeast Asia or are actively pursuing global strategies, aiming to establish and scale their presence in the U.S. market.
In the morning, the delegation visited the Maryland Food Center Authority, a 400-acre food distribution hub that includes wholesale produce markets, seafood processing, and distribution facilities. The visit provided valuable insights into the U.S. food supply chain system and infrastructure.
Participants then proceeded to the Maryland Innovation Center, operated by the Howard County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA), where the summit officially commenced.
Opening remarks were delivered by Ricardo Benn, Deputy Secretary of Commerce of Maryland; Bob Zhang, Head of International Business Development at HCEDA; and Lei Huang, Vice President of USCAC. The speakers welcomed Chinese restaurant brands to Maryland and highlighted the strong potential for collaboration in the restaurant, supply chain, and investment sectors.
Representatives from the Maryland Department of Commerce and the Maryland Department of Agriculture presented on the state’s investment environment, policy support, and agricultural and food resources, showcasing Maryland’s advantages as a prime destination for restaurant brand expansion.
A panel discussion on “The Development and Expansion of Chinese Restaurant Brands in Maryland” brought together experts from the restaurant, commercial real estate, and technology sectors. Panelists included Chris Zhu (Han Restaurant Group), Ping Wu (Founder of Chuan Zhi Wei), Lin Mao (Director of Acquisitions, Ryan Stuart Development), and Brian Zhong (Head of Architecture, Americas, Alibaba Cloud). They shared insights on brand operations, site selection strategies, capital deployment, and digital supply chain development.
Representatives from the China delegation, including the U.S. Commercial Service in China and Tomato Capital, also shared their perspectives. As a key organizer and participant, Mr. Qing Yong, Founder of Tomato Capital, highlighted the rapid evolution of China’s restaurant industry and its growing global competitiveness.
He noted that the delegation included leading brands such as Juewei Food, a publicly listed company with over 10,000 stores; Fish With You, a fast-growing sauerkraut fish chain with more than 2,700 locations; and Yeren Gelato, a premium gelato brand with rapidly expanding store networks. The delegation also included supply chain companies such as Mumande Furniture Group, a major commercial furniture manufacturer serving global brands including McDonald’s, Starbucks, Burger King, and KFC.
Mr. Qing emphasized that these companies represent a new generation of highly competitive Chinese restaurant enterprises, particularly in branding, chain operations, supply chain management, and digitalization. As a global investment and incubation platform, Tomato Capital has been actively supporting the growth of restaurant brands and facilitating their international expansion.
With the support of the U.S. Commercial Service, Tomato Capital has already established a presence in the United States and plans to collaborate with local partners across different states to identify opportunities in brand partnerships, supply chain collaboration, and co-investment in proven restaurant concepts.
He further expressed the hope of building connections with local partners, including restaurant operators, supply chain companies, and business stakeholders, to bring successful restaurant concepts into the U.S. market. Such collaborations are expected to create jobs, drive investment, increase tax revenue, and enhance local sourcing, while also enriching the dining landscape and promoting cultural exchange between China and the United States.
During the discussion session, participants engaged actively, sharing insights and exchanging ideas in a dynamic and lively atmosphere, bringing the event to a highlight.
In the afternoon, participants visited the Merriweather District in Columbia and attended a welcome luncheon at Peter Chang. As one of the fastest-growing mixed-use developments in the Greater Washington, D.C. area, the district offers strong potential for flagship restaurants and regional headquarters.
The successful hosting of this summit not only strengthened collaboration in the food and restaurant industries between China and the United States, but also created an effective platform for Chinese restaurant brands to enter the U.S. market. Moving forward, USCAC will continue to work with partners across Maryland to support the successful expansion of Chinese businesses and further promote economic and cultural exchange between the two countries.
