James Wu, co-founder of Hong Kong’s biggest restaurant group Maxim’s, targeted during protests, dies aged 98
- Starting out as a single restaurant in Central in 1956, Maxim’s now has over 1,700 outlets and 24,000 staff
- James Wu’s daughter, Annie Wu Suk-ching, spoke out against the anti-government protesters, resulting in many of Maxim’s cafes and restaurants being vandalised
James Wu died peacefully on October 29 at Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital, and a private funeral service has been held, according to an obituary in the South China Morning Post placed by his family on Thursday.
“Dr Wu (James Wu) once said the establishment of Maxim’s Centre has made his dream come true,” said Michael Wu Wei-kuo, his grandnephew, the chairman and managing director of Maxim’s.
“With his and the team’s dedication, the group has developed into one of Asia’s leading F&B companies from one western restaurant,” the chairman said in a statement. “With a big heart, he also dedicated himself to serving the community as well as the education sector.”
Maxim’s Centre is an environmentally-friendly building in Cheung Shun Street, completed in 2015 to house all the group’s main operations.
