Want Want China Reportedly Planning to Lay Off 1,000 Employees, Requires Staff Self-Evaluation

Earlier this month, an internal letter from Tsai Yen-ming, chairman of Want Want China Group, went viral. In the letter, Tsai stated the company is facing a 'major operational crisis' and that underperforming managers will be eliminated. The announcement has triggered widespread public and industry discussion.

Multiple sources close to Want Want Group revealed the company has recently initiated a layoff plan. A former employee said they heard the group's layoff target is around 1,000 people, with approximately 400 already laid off.

According to a report by Caixin on Friday the 21st, another former employee said their department planned to cut 8% of staff, meaning nearly 20 people would be affected.

Additionally, several employees said Want Want Group has recently required staff to write self-evaluation reports. 'This is the first time the company has asked all employees to reflect due to a sharp decline in net profit,' said a source close to Want Want.

Specifically, Want Want Group requires all headquarters staff to conduct a 'truly know yourself, thoroughly reflect on yourself' review based on actual results from the past year, though unit top executives are exempt from participation.

The group requires that employee self-evaluation reports adhere to the principle of 'truly know yourself, thoroughly reflect on yourself, constantly remind yourself, firmly grasp yourself, and fully realize yourself,' and 'honestly and objectively analyze one's shortcomings with facts as the basis and data as support.'

After employees complete their self-evaluations, direct supervisors (N+1) and higher-level supervisors (N+2) will score each item on the review form, with the evaluation chain extending up to the unit's top executive.

Recently, an internal open letter from Want Want China circulated online. Tsai Yen-ming directly labeled the company's Q1 2026 performance slowdown as a 'major operational crisis,' frankly stating, 'We've lived off a few flagship products for nearly 30 good years, failing to innovate and adapt all along,' and 'Today's bitter fruit is the result of years of complacency and inertia.'

Financial forecasts show that Want Want China's Q1 2026 (April 1 to June 30, 2026) revenue declined by about 6% year-on-year, with net profit plunging approximately 38%. Under such financial pressure, Tsai admitted that any 'Want Want person' who produces no output or merit will be eliminated.