automated kitchens with robot chefs to increase efficiency. Some Haidilao restaurants have robots for food delivery. In 2013, Haidilao developed a new new videoconference service where customers could see each other by using video conference facilities and remotely videoconference with customers at other Haidilao restaurants. "Hi to send" service Haidilao created the “Hi to send” delivery service in 2003. Once a customer orders food to be delivered, staff will send an electromagnetic pan, an induction cooker, and a wiring board to customers’ home, where they will also help the customers divide their food. They wait outside until customers finish their food, after which they will take away the kitchenware. Since 2013, Haidilao is open for 24 hours a day and offers service of delivery food. In-person dining Every Haidilao restaurant has a waiting room for customers, some of which offer additional services such as nail salon or children's play areas. Additional free before-meal services and amenities include a car wash, fruits, snacks, drinks, and board games. During the meal, staff offer diners aprons and mobile phone bags, and provide small hairpins for long-haired customers. If customers are celebrating a birthday party or wedding ceremony at Haidilao, they get a special gift. While dining, the restaurant puts on face-changing and hand-pulled noodles performances. Customers are given snacks, fruit, mints, and toothpicks after their meal. Controversies Kitchen hygiene On August 25, 2017, kitchen hygiene problems were reported from the Legal Evening News in the restaurants of Beijing Jinsong and Taiyanggong. A video of a rat lying on a sink was uploaded to Weibo, a Chinese social media platform. After three and a half hours, Haidilao posted an apology letter about the hygiene issues. Haidilao indicated that all stores needed to have a “bright kitchen”, meaning that the kitchen is now visible to all customers thanks to the installment of transparent glass and opening up of the space. The Beijing Municipal Food and Drug Administration had two meetings with the representatives of this Haidilao's hygiene problem and required Haidilao to make rectification to their cleanliness, resulting in the requirement that all stores in Beijing would need to be inspected within one month. In 2022, The Food Standards Agency gave the hygiene rating of "0 - Urgent Improvement necessary" to the chain in Birmingham UK. Price hikes On March 12, 2020, Haidilao reopened many stores after the COVID-19 situation in mainland China improved. However,