Crowds waiting patiently as they are served seasonal fruit or given free nail polish bottles have become a regular scene outside mid-range restaurants such as The Grandma's or HaiDiLao Hot Pot.

The former is famous for its low prices on certain dishes while the latter often offers free entertainment including dance shows.

These middle-range caterers, which target the masses for family occasions or gatherings with friends, have been developing so rapidly that many shopping mall developers have made them tempting offers to get them in their malls.