Chapter 152: New Cooperation

“Dexter, I really think it’s a shame you live in Xiangshui Town. Delicious food like this would surely earn a lot of money if you opened a restaurant in a big city,” George said with emotion after eating for a while.

“Haha, although that would make me more money, it would make my life much busier,” Liu Heming said with a laugh.

“This is good enough now. Every day after finishing work on the ranch, I can play with Alex. Thinking about what yummy food to make for her—that already makes me very happy.”

“Dexter, I’ve been thinking recently about expanding my restaurant,” Lewis put down his fork and said.

“Because of your Chinese Hamburgers, many drivers choose to make a short stop here now, or even rest here completely. My little restaurant isn’t really big enough anymore.”

“I have ideas about expanding the space and building a better parking lot, but I know the main reason so many people come is because of your Chinese Hamburgers. I don’t know when you plan to open your own restaurant.”

“Lewis, just say whatever idea you have directly,” Liu Heming said as he handed Lewis a bottle of Beer.

“This is what I think: could we continue our cooperation the way we do now? For each product sold from now on, I will only take thirty US Cents,” Lewis said with an embarrassed smile.

After saying this, he looked at Liu Heming with a hopeful expression, waiting for his reply.

“I thought it was something serious. So it’s this,” Liu Heming shook his head, taking a bite of chicken.

A slightly disappointed look appeared on Lewis’s face. He also felt that even if he lowered the share he took, it was still a bit too much to ask.

It was just that these Chinese Hamburgers were too popular. Just when everyone thought selling over two hundred a day was already a lot, the daily sales had increased greatly again, often exceeding four hundred. The highest number sold in one day even reached 523.

Even if they calculated based on 400, his daily share would be 200 US Dollars. That profit alone already matched his usual daily net profit.

Lately, his restaurant had also earned a lot more. After eating the Chinese Hamburgers, people often ordered drinks or other dishes, which boosted his sales too.

He also knew that sooner or later, Liu Heming would choose to open his own shop, because this profit was essentially Liu Heming’s extra expense—amounting to six or seven thousand US Dollars a month.

“Lewis, why look unhappy? I didn’t say I would refuse your cooperation offer,” Liu Heming glanced at him and said with a laugh.

“I have indeed considered opening a fast-food restaurant on my own soon. But your proposal is quite good too. A 30 US Cent share isn’t very much, and the key is it would save me a lot of trouble and worry. However, there’s one thing I’m a bit concerned about: the salary issue in that restaurant.”

“The method for making Chinese Hamburgers is very simple. Before, when sales weren’t this high, Amelia and the others earned slightly less compared to the staff in your restaurant, and there weren’t any issues between them.”

“But now Amelia’s salary has reached forty-six hundred US Dollars, and the other two earn close to four thousand US Dollars each. I also plan to introduce new products, so future sales might be even higher, and their salaries would increase further. That would create a noticeable gap compared to the servers in your restaurant.”

“For a while, everyone might not feel uncomfortable, but what about after a longer time? Could conflicts arise? Have you thought about how to handle that?”

When Liu Heming started speaking, a happy expression appeared on Lewis’s face, but as Liu Heming continued, Lewis also grew worried. He had forgotten to consider the problem Liu Heming just mentioned, and now it really needed to be addressed.

Servers’ salaries were hourly wages plus tips. The hourly wage was fixed, and tips depended on their luck. Currently, the servers he hired could earn up to around four thousand US Dollars because of the high customer flow. But that was only for the luckier ones; normally their earnings were around thirty-six hundred US Dollars.

Judging from the drivers’ feedback, they really liked the Chinese Hamburgers. Those with smaller appetites ate at least three in one meal, while bigger eaters often had five or six.

If Liu Heming launched new products, it would certainly have an even greater impact, allowing people to try different flavors. That would attract even more drivers in the future, increasing his revenue further. Amelia and the others’ salaries would also rise accordingly.

Thinking it over carefully, Lewis said, “It seems I need to carefully consider their salaries too. Each month, I’ll set aside part of my income to give them a supplement.”

“I think even doing that, I’d still make a profit. Many passing drivers already treat this place as their midway rest stop.”

“OK, then there’s no problem. Go ahead and expand as planned. I actually think you should focus on building a proper Parking Lot and hire more security personnel. Otherwise, if bad people notice this place, it could harm your reputation here.”

Lewis nodded. “I plan to hire three more security personnel to strengthen the security work at the Parking Lot.”

Liu Heming’s concern wasn’t unnecessary. Last month, there had already been two theft incidents. Now he sometimes had to go out at night to patrol the area.

If people chose to rest at your place, you had to ensure the safety of their goods and personal property. Otherwise, even if your food was delicious, people wouldn’t dare to stop here.

“OK, to celebrate your new cooperation, I propose we all have a good drink together,” George patted the table and raised his glass.

He was very happy too. Although the permanent population of Xiangshui Town was still very small, more and more people were passing through. This was a good sign. No matter what place wanted to develop, it needed people.

The town used to be very empty, but with these outside drivers coming, there was already a bit of a lively atmosphere. The bigger the businesses of Lewis and Liu Heming grew, the better. He just needed people to pay more and more attention to Xiangshui Town. Even if the weather didn’t return to normal in the future, maybe they could find another path for Xiangshui Town’s revival.

No one hesitated. You could say that both John and Anderson were beneficiaries. With more vehicles passing by, business was really good now for both John’s repair shop and Anderson’s little store. Even Anderson, who was usually somewhat stingy, had brought drinks with him today.