After the death of founder Zong Qinghou, a family inheritance dispute broke out at Chinese beverage giant Wahaha. The only daughter, Kelly Zong, reportedly intends to accelerate 'de-Wahaha-ization' to avoid inheritance contention. Chinese media reports that an internal Wahaha document circulating online indicates the group plans to change its name to 'Wa Xiao Zong.'
According to Chinese media reports, an alleged internal document from 'Hangzhou Wahaha Honghui Food & Beverage Co., Ltd.' circulating online shows that, starting from the new sales year next year, Wahaha may officially abandon its classic trademark with a 38-year history, and change its name to 'Wa Xiao Zong.'
The document states that, since the passing of Wahaha Group's founder Zong Qinghou, the company has been working hard to resolve various outstanding issues. In order to ensure brand compliance, it has been decided that from the 2026 new sales year, the new brand 'Wa Xiao Zong' will be adopted.
Observers interpret the name change as a move by current Chairwoman and 'princess' Kelly Zong to set up her own camp after inheriting her father's business and to rid herself of the family inheritance storm, thereby gaining complete control over brand discourse.
As of press time, Wahaha Group has not responded to the above rumors.
Zong Qinghou was once China's richest man and passed away in February last year, after which Kelly Zong fully took over Wahaha Group.
In July this year, Kelly Zong was sued over family assets by three half-siblings (same father, different mothers), with lawsuits initiated in both the Hong Kong High Court and Hangzhou Intermediate People's Court.