The American Restaurant Development Association was officially established in New York.

On August 12, 2026 (Eastern Time), the inaugural press conference of the American Restaurant Development Association (ARDA) was held in New York. More than a dozen prominent entrepreneurs and industry representatives from across the U.S. restaurant sector gathered to jointly establish the Association, marking the beginning of a new chapter in industry resource integration and collaborative development.

Andy Yang (Yang Hui), John Lam（Lin Jianzhong ）, Tony Wang（Wang Guiyang）, Deniel Chen（Chen Shipin）, Zheng Xu, Andy Yang (Yang Yingqin), Eddie Zheng, Ryan Zhu（Zhu Chunlei）, Ken Chen(Chen Kezhu), and other co-founders attended the inaugural meeting and witnessed this significant milestone together.

Andy Yang（Yang Hui）, Chairman of the American Restaurant Development Association (ARDA)

Chinese-American entrepreneur and Chairman of Lin’s Group, John Lam

Tony Wang, Chairman of VERTEX Group

Daniel Chen, Chairman of Fushimi Japanese Restaurant Group

Zheng Xu, Chairman of Pokiddo North America

Andy Yang (Yang Yingqin), Chairman of DADONG Restaurant Equipment & Supply and AY Enterprise Group

Eddie Zheng, Chairman of Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao and Chao Cha

Ryan Zhu (Zhu Chunlei), Founder of Mikiya

By unanimous recommendation of the founding members, Yang Hui was appointed the inaugural Chairman of the American Restaurant Development Association, Lin Jianzhong was appointed Honorary Chairman, and Wang Guiyang was appointed Chief Advisor.

Guided by its mission to unite the industry and promote mutually beneficial cooperation, ARDA will build a platform that connects brands, supply chains, capital, technology, and talent. The Association aims to advance the restaurant industry through stronger branding, chain expansion, digital transformation, and international development, while promoting innovation and industrial upgrading and helping shape a new landscape for the U.S. restaurant industry.

Chairman Andy Yang（Yang Hui） stated that the restaurant industry is one of the most established and competitive sectors for the Chinese community in the United States. Looking ahead, the Association will promote deeper collaboration between the restaurant industry and the broader business, hospitality, real estate, community, and investment sectors, thereby strengthening the influence and growth potential of Chinese restaurant brands in the mainstream U.S. market.

He expressed his hope that the Association would bring together resources and strengths that were previously dispersed, unite a group of responsible and forward-looking entrepreneurs who share positive values and a common vision, and help them move from pursuing individual growth toward sharing resources, empowering one another, and achieving collective development. Through these efforts, more outstanding Chinese restaurant businesses will be able to grow further and stronger while gaining greater influence and broader opportunities in the United States.

Chairman Andy Yang (Yang Hui) delivers a speech

Honorary Chairman John Lam（Lin Jianzhong ）noted that, as the restaurant industry faces growth constraints and an increasing need for transformation, integrating artificial intelligence and digital technologies, improving operational efficiency, and identifying new avenues for growth have become critical priorities. The Association will establish a platform for resource integration and technology-driven empowerment, bringing together stakeholders from across the industry to jointly advance transformation and upgrading.

Honorary Chairman John Lam (Lin Jianzhong) delivers a speech

Chief Advisor Tony Wang（Wang Guiyang ）emphasized that alliance-based development, chain expansion, and brand building represent important trends for the industry. The Association will promote standardized operating models and help more restaurant businesses evolve from single-location operations into scalable, multi-location brands.

Chief Advisor Tony Wang (Wang Guiyang) delivers a speech

Also attending the press conference were Executive Chairman Jay Li, Secretary-General David Zhu(Zhu Liye), Office Director Henry He, Special Assistant to the Chairman Ricky Fang, and Jiang Jiansheng, Director of Branding, Communications and Public Relations, among others.

Jay Li of VERTEX Group

Secretary-General David Zhu (Zhu Liye)

Office Director Henry He

Ricky Fang, Assistant to the Chairman

Andy Jiang, Director of Brand Promotion and Public Relations