A restaurant chain owner in Jiaozuo, Henan province, has given BMW cars to some of her best-performing employees after seeing them struggle to reach work during the winter cold.

Ma Yanli, who runs the hotpot restaurant chain, handed over the car keys on 24 September. The employees were taken to a BMW showroom, where the vehicles were registered in their names. Each car was reported to cost about 3 lakh yuan, or approximately 45 thousand US dollars.

The decision followed an incident involving employee Li Ji during the previous winter. Ma said Li arrived at the restaurant after travelling by electric scooter. The cold had left Li's face red, her ears purple and her hands stiff.

Li had worked at the restaurant for about 8 years. Seeing her discomfort prompted Ma to question why employees should travel in freezing conditions when she could commute in warmth and comfort in her own car.

Employees receive cars without conditions

Li was among the staff members who received a BMW. She said she had never imagined receiving such a gift. Before the trip to collect the car, Ma had only told her that she would receive a “big toy”.

Li did not have to pay anything for the vehicle. Ma also did not ask her to sign an agreement in exchange for the car.

Another employee, Liu Yingying, received a grey BMW. Liu said Ma told her that she worked very hard and had delivered an excellent performance, making her deserving of the vehicle.

Ma had paid the full amount for the cars about 2 weeks before the handover. She said the company's progress was not the result of her efforts alone. In her view, employees had made a major contribution to the business's success and should share in its benefits.

Ma said she had been working in the catering business for about two decades. Alongside the BMW gifts, she has also given staff daily-use goods and cash bonuses during traditional Chinese festivals.

Other examples of large employee rewards

The BMW gifts have drawn attention amid other stories in China involving business owners who provide employees with substantial bonuses or expensive presents.

The source also cites Cui Peijun, chairman of Henan Kuangshan Crane Company. Before Chinese New Year last year, he reportedly distributed a total of 18 crore yuan, or about 27 million US dollars, among employees. The amount was described as roughly two-thirds of the company's profit from the previous year.

The company reportedly gives each of its about 2,000 female employees 800 yuan on International Women's Day. In August, employees from rural areas receive a 1,000-yuan grain-reaper subsidy to help their families hire harvesting equipment.

These examples show how some companies provide support beyond salaries and regular bonuses. Ma's decision focused on a practical difficulty faced by her employees: travelling to work in severe cold on electric scooters.

Conclusion

Ma Yanli's BMW gifts linked employee recognition with a specific hardship faced during winter travel. The cars were given to selected high-performing staff without payment or a required agreement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Where were the BMW cars given to employees?

The gifts were made in Jiaozuo, in China's Henan province.

Q. Why did Ma Yanli decide to give employees cars?

She saw employees arriving for work in freezing weather on electric scooters, including Li Ji during the previous winter.

Q. When were the car keys handed over?

Ma handed the keys to employees on 24 September.

Q. How much did each BMW cost?

Each vehicle was reported to cost about 3 lakh yuan, or approximately 45 thousand US dollars.

Q. Did Li Ji have to pay for her BMW?

No. She did not have to pay anything and was not asked to sign an agreement in return.

Q. Which other employee was named as receiving a BMW?

Liu Yingying was also reported to have received a grey BMW.

Q. What other benefits does Ma provide to staff?

She gives employees daily-use goods and cash bonuses during traditional Chinese festivals.