Mulan Group

Mulan Group operates as a producer and distributor of Asian-inspired ready meals, positioning itself as a bridge between authentic Asian culinary traditions and the Italian market. The company was formally established in 2018 by CEO Giada Zhang, who took the helm of her family's long-standing food business. The story began in 1990 when Zhang's parents immigrated from China to Cremona, Italy, and opened one of the area's first Chinese restaurants. Recognizing a market opportunity in the early 2000s, the family began supplying their dishes to a local supermarket, a venture that proved highly successful and led to expansion into the retail sector.

Giada Zhang, a second-generation Chinese Italian, leveraged her bicultural identity and professional background to accelerate the company's growth. After graduating from Bocconi University and gaining experience at firms like Goldman Sachs and McKinsey, she returned to the family business with a vision for expansion. Her journey reflects a desire to turn a personal identity struggle into a strength, using food as a medium for cultural connection. The company name itself is inspired by the legendary Chinese heroine, reflecting the family's wish for their three daughters to be strong and courageous.

Mulan Group's business model centers on producing fresh and frozen Asian meals for large-scale distribution. Its primary clients are major supermarket and retail chains throughout Italy and other parts of Europe, with products available in over 8,000 stores. Revenue is generated through these retail partnerships and, since 2020, through a direct-to-consumer (DTC) e-commerce platform and collaborations with food delivery services. The company emphasizes a "Made in Italy" approach, sourcing approximately 95% of its ingredients locally while importing the small remainder from Asia to maintain authenticity. The production process combines traditional, artisanal methods, such as the hand-folding of dumplings, with modern food technologies in its 4,000-square-meter facility in Cremona to ensure quality and scalability.

The product portfolio includes a variety of fresh and frozen items like spring rolls, Cantonese rice, dumplings, and soy noodles. These offerings are designed to provide a convenient and authentic Asian dining experience at home, blending traditional family recipes with high-quality ingredients. The company has achieved significant milestones, including being recognized as a "Growth Leader 2023" by Il Sole24Ore and securing investment from Tamburi Investment Partners (TIP) in 2022 to fuel further European expansion. Giada Zhang has also been featured in Forbes' 30 Under 30 Europe, highlighting her impact on the food industry.

Keywords: Asian cuisine, Italian food production, ready meals, frozen food, food distribution, ethnic food, direct-to-consumer food, e-commerce food, supermarket supplier, Giada Zhang, family business, made in Italy, culinary tradition, retail food products, foodtech, Cremona, dumplings, spring rolls, authentic recipes, cultural fusion