1,500 restaurants to offer discounted meals on July 1
Some 1,500 restaurants will be offering discounts on selected menu items to celebrate the 26th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the mainland on July 1, catering sector lawmaker Tommy Cheung said on Thursday. Restaurants taking part in the scheme include major chains like McDonald's, Pizza Hut and Maxim's, as well as upscale bars and restaurants like Foxglove and Porterhouse. A 29-percent discount will apply to selected meals at these participating eateries. McDonald's, for example, will charge HK$11 for two pineapple pies on the day, while Fairwood will sell its creamed corn with pork rice at a lower price.  Catering sector lawmaker Tommy Cheung said the restaurants are unable to offer an across-the-board discount due to profit concerns and manpower shortage.  "In March the trade was telling the government that we were short of more than 40,000 [staff]. I think it got worse by now... because the business is better and we don't see a lot of new people coming into the trade," he said. "This is one reason why we cannot offer [around] 30 percent [off] across the board. Because then we will be having a long queue outside and we won’t be able to serve our customers properly with a discount going.” Dennis Wu, Chairman of the Hong Kong Japanese Food and Cuisine Association, said he expects good business over the July 1 weekend.  "It's a holiday. Plus a discount. We hope not only the Hong Kong people but the travellers from overseas will come to the restaurants and have fun," he said. Meanwhile, Jonathan Zeman of the Lan Kwai Fong Group said his company is happy to join the promotion and will offer free-flow packages and champagne offers.  "It's a time for celebration, so champagne is always important," Zeman said.