Beyond Chinese, beyond food: unpacking the regulated Chinese restaurant business in Germany

Drawing upon findings from in-depth interviews with 22 Chinese restauranteurs, supplemented with communication with key informants and ethnographic observations, this paper illustrates the policy context in which the Chinese restaurant trade in Germany is embedded. Based on the typology from Esping-Andersen, characteristics of the German welfare state regimes are identified with special focus on their impact on immigration and migrants' employment options. This establishes the background for a closer examination of a selection of policies that govern, to different levels of success: (1) the migration of Chinese migrants, (2) the right of work for asylum seekers, (3) the level of authenticity of speciality restaurants, and (4) migrants' access of financial support and advice regarding self-employment. The paper shows how (migrant) entrepreneurs, facing changing levels of market challenges and policy controls, are active and creative agents in optimizing their performances. Strategies adopted include the modification of their business operations and range or products as well as tapping their resourceful ethnic social network for venture capital, necessary information and other forms of support.