File photo: A photo of Zhao Han, founder of Chinese restaurant chain Yunhaiyao, known internationally as Mystic South Yunnan Ethnic Cuisine. Photo: VCG

Chinese restaurant chain Yunhaiyao, known internationally as Mystic South Yunnan Ethnic Cuisine, on Friday confirmed on its official Sina Weibo account that the company's founder, Zhao Han, has died of a heart attack at the age of 40 in Kunming, Southwest China's Yunnan Province, on Thursday.

According to the brand's Weibo post, Zhao's farewell ceremony will be held on Saturday at the Kunming funeral home.

"The incident happened so suddenly. Thank you all for your concern. During the pandemic, the catering industry went through many challenges, and Zhao Han had long been under great pressure. Yesterday, he suffered a sudden heart attack and left us forever. I will carry on with the promise I made with Zhao Han, striving to make Yunhaiyao better and realize our shared dream," Zhu Haiqin, CEO of Yunhaiyao, said on the brand's Weibo post.

Born in July 1985, Zhao graduated from Renmin University of China. In 2009, together with his cousin Lü Zhitao and friend Zhu Haiqin, he co-founded Yunhaiyao, aiming to bring Yunnan cuisine beyond the province and gradually expanding across China and overseas, according to Lianhe Zaobao.

The brand's official WeChat account shows that since its founding in 2009, Mystic South Yunnan Ethnic Cuisine has grown to more than 200 restaurants across three countries, including Singapore.

In February 2025, the company's board underwent a leadership reshuffle. Zhao stepped down as chairman and from other posts, while Zhu took over as chairman and CEO, assuming full responsibility for the company's decision-making and management, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Global Times