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Yun Nans' restaurant co-founder dies of heart attack at 40, was under 'great pressure'
Zhao had stepped down as chairman in February 2025.
September 22, 2025, 04:11 PM
The co-founder of Yun Hai Yao, Zhao Han, died of a heart attack at 40 in Yunnan, China on Thursday, Sep. 18.
The news was shared by the brand's Weibo account.
The CEO of the company, Zhu Haiqin, said the incident happened suddenly.
Zhu said Zhao had "long been under great pressure" and that the catering industry had been through many challenges since the pandemic.
Zhu said he will carry on the promise he made with Zhao to make Yun Hai Yao a better place.
According to Global Times, Zhao had co-founded Yun Hai Yao with his cousin Lu Zhitao, and his friend Zhu in 2009.
Zhao stepped down as chairman in February 2025, with Zhu taking over as chairman and CEO.
The brand has grown to over 200 restaurants across three countries, including Singapore.
The company, better known as Yun Nans here, had recently made the news in Singapore over a food poisoning case back in 2024.
Image from Global Times
