The Covid-19 pandemic discouraged indoor dining, food sharing, and close quarters. That was bad news for more restaurants, but it seemed to be a death sentence for hotpot shops, a Chinese “family-style” dining concept in which large parties dip meat and vegetables into communal vats of flavoured soup.  Chinese hot pot chain, Haidilao International Holding Ltd (“Haidilao”) (HKG:6862) – known for its customer service – focused restaurants that offer free manicures, snacks for diners waiting in line, and even a giant teddy bear companion for those dining alone – didn’t see it that way.  Instead of waiting out Covid lockdowns and capacity restrictions, the chain launched an expansion plan that would have been ambitious in a normal year, let alone in pandemic times, when takeout – alone on a couch – was all the rage.  In 2020, Haidilao expanded at its fastest pace ever, opening 530 restaurants, nearly 1.5...