ATAT Atour Lifestyle Holdings Ltd

The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
 Registration No. 333-275880​

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED DECEMBER 4, 2023

Preliminary Prospectus Supplement
(to Prospectus dated December 4, 2023)

8,000,000 American Depositary Shares
Representing 24,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares

Atour Lifestyle Holdings Limited

This prospectus supplement relates to a public offering by Shanghai Yi Nan Enterprise Management Partnership and Shanghai Yin Nai Enterprise Management Partnership (both of which are ultimately controlled by Legend Capital Management Co., Ltd. and are collectively referred to as the “Selling Shareholder”) of an aggregate of 8,000,000 American depositary shares, or ADSs, each representing three Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share, of Atour Lifestyle Holdings Limited. Our ADSs are listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “ATAT.” The last reported sale price of our ADSs on The Nasdaq Global Select Market on December 1, 2023 was US$18.00 per ADS.

We are an “emerging growth company” as defined under applicable U.S. securities laws and, as such, we are eligible for reduced public company reporting requirements.

Investing in the ADSs involves risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-17 of this prospectus supplement for a discussion of certain risks that you should consider in connection with an investment in the ADSs.

Investors in the ADSs are not purchasing equity securities of our subsidiaries that have substantive business operations in China but instead are purchasing equity securities of a Cayman Islands holding company. Atour Lifestyle Holdings Limited is a Cayman Islands holding company that conducts all of its operations and operates its business in China through its PRC subsidiaries, in particular, Shanghai Atour Business Management Group Co., Ltd. (“Atour Shanghai”), Shanghai Rongduo Business Management Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai Rongduo”), and their respective subsidiaries.

We face various legal and operational risks and uncertainties related to being based in and having all of our operations in China. The PRC government has significant authority to exert influence on the ability of a China-based company, such as us, to conduct its business, accept foreign investments or list on an U.S. or other foreign exchanges. For example, we face risks associated with regulatory approvals of offshore offerings, anti-monopoly regulatory actions, oversight on cybersecurity and data privacy. Such risks could result in a material change in our operations and/or the value of the ADSs representing our Class A ordinary shares or could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer our Class A ordinary shares represented by ADSs and/or other securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless. For a detailed description of risks related to doing business in China, see “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China” from page S-22 to S-24 of this prospectus supplement and “Item 3. Key Information — 3.D. Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China” of our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 originally filed with the SEC on April 28, 2023 (File No. 001-40540), or the 2022 Annual report.

In addition, our auditor is headquartered in mainland China, a jurisdiction where the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”) was unable to conduct inspections without the approval of the Chinese authorities. Trading in our securities on U.S. markets, including Nasdaq, may be prohibited under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act (the “HFCAA”) if the PCAOB determines that it is unable to inspect or investigate completely our auditor for two consecutive years. On December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued the HFCAA Determination Report to notify the SEC of its determinations that the PCAOB was unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong (the “2021 Determinations”), including our auditor. On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB announced that it was able to conduct inspections and investigations of PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong in 2022. The PCAOB vacated its previous 2021 Determinations accordingly. As a result, we do not expect to be identified as a “Commission-Identified Issuer” under the HFCAA. However, whether the PCAOB will continue to be able to satisfactorily conduct inspections

The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

and investigations of PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong is subject to uncertainty and depends on a number of factors out of our, and our auditor’s, control, including positions taken by authorities of the PRC. The PCAOB is expected to continue to demand complete access to inspections and investigations against accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong in the future and states that it has already made plans to resume regular inspections in early 2023 and beyond. The PCAOB is required under the HFCAA to make its determination on an annual basis with regards to its ability to inspect and investigate completely accounting firms based in the mainland China and Hong Kong. The possibility of being a “Commission- Identified Issuer” and risk of delisting could continue to adversely affect the trading price of our securities. If the PCAOB determines in the future that it no longer has full access to inspect and investigate accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong and we continue to use such accounting firm to conduct audit work, we would be identified as a “Commission-Identified Issuer” under the HFCAA following the filing of the annual report for the relevant fiscal year, and if we were so identified for two consecutive years, trading in our securities on U.S. markets would be prohibited under the HFCAA. For more details, see “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China —  Trading in our securities may be prohibited under the HFCAA if the PCAOB determines that it is unable to inspect or investigate completely our auditor, and as a result, U.S. national securities exchanges, such as Nasdaq, may determine to delist the ADSs” on the page S-22 of this prospectus supplement.

The PRC government has oversight over the conduct of our business and its laws, regulations and policies may affect our operations. The PRC government has recently published new policies that affected certain industries certain industries with respect to matters such as cybersecurity, data privacy, antitrust and competition, foreign investments, and overseas listings, and we cannot rule out the possibility that it will in the future release regulations or policies regarding our industry that could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, the PRC regulatory authorities have recently issued new laws and regulations to exert more oversight and control over overseas securities offerings and other capital markets activities and foreign investment in China-based companies like us. Any such action, once taken by the PRC regulatory authorities, could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or in extreme cases, become worthless. For additional information, see “Item 3. Key Information — 3.D. Risk Factors —  Risks Related to Doing Business in China — Uncertainties regarding the enforcement of laws, and changes in laws and regulations in China could adversely affect us and limit the legal protections available to you and us” in the 2022 Annual Report.

Cash is transferred among the Company, our Hong Kong subsidiary, Atour Hotel (HK) Holdings Limited, or Atour Hong Kong, Atour Shanghai and its PRC subsidiaries, in the following manner: (i) funds are transferred to Atour Shanghai from the Company as needed through Atour Hong Kong in the form of capital contributions or shareholder loans, as the case may be; and (ii) dividends or other distributions may be paid by Atour Shanghai to the Company through Atour Hong Kong. Other than the restructuring for our initial public offering, none of our PRC subsidiaries have issued any dividends or distributions to their respective holding companies, including the Company, or any investors as of the date of this prospectus supplement. Our subsidiaries in the PRC generate and retain cash generated from operating activities and re-invest it in our business. In the future, the Company’s ability to pay dividends, if any, to its shareholders and ADS holders and to service any debt it may incur will depend upon dividends paid by our PRC subsidiaries. Atour Shanghai has also received equity financing from its shareholders to fund the business operations of our PRC subsidiaries. In 2020, 2021 and 2022 and the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we did not transfer any cash proceeds to any of our PRC subsidiaries except for the cash transfers within our Group in connection with the restructuring for our initial public offering. In the future, cash proceeds raised from overseas financing activities, may be transferred by us through our Atour Hong Kong to Atour Shanghai via capital contribution and shareholder loans, as the case may be. Atour Shanghai then will transfer funds to its subsidiaries to meet the capital needs of our business operations. For details about the applicable PRC regulations and rules relating to such cash transfers through our Group and the associated risks, see “Item 3. Key Information — 3.D. Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — We may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have, and any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to make payments to us could have a material and adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business” and “Item 3. Key Information — 3.D. Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — PRC regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may restrict or delay us from using the proceeds of our initial public offering to make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries, which could adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business” in the 2022 Annual Report.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved the issuance of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

PRICE US$      PER ADS

(1)

See “Underwriting” beginning on page S-65 of this prospectus supplement for a description of the compensation payable to the underwriters.

​

The Selling Shareholder has granted the underwriters the right to purchase up to 1,200,000 additional ADSs at the offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions, within 30 days after the date of this prospectus supplement.

The underwriters expect to deliver the ADSs against payment in U.S. dollars in New York, New York, to purchasers on or about      , 2023.

BofA SecuritiesCMBICitigroup

Prospectus Supplement dated      , 2023

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

PROSPECTUS

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We and the Selling Shareholder have not, and the underwriters

 

S-i

 

have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. The Selling Shareholder is not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell the ADSs in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference therein is accurate only as of each of their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

 

S-ii

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are part of a registration statement that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under the shelf registration process, from time to time, we may sell any combination of the securities described in the accompanying prospectus in one or more offerings, subject in certain cases to the receipt of regulatory approval. This document is in two parts. The first part is the prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering of our ADSs and supplements information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into the accompanying prospectus. The second part consists of the accompanying prospectus, which gives more general information about us and the securities we may offer from time to time under our shelf registration statement, some of which may not be applicable to this offering. If the description of the offering varies between this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement.

Unless otherwise indicated and except where the context otherwise requires, all discrepancies in any table between the amounts identified as total amounts and the sum of the amounts listed herein are due to rounding, and in this prospectus supplement, unless otherwise indicated or unless the context otherwise requires:

Unless we indicate otherwise, all information in this prospectus supplement reflects the following:

•

no exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase up to 1,200,000 additional ADSs representing 3,600,000 Class A ordinary shares from the Selling Shareholder; and

​

Except where the context otherwise requires and for purposes of this prospectus supplement only:

•

“ADR” refers to average daily room rate, which means room revenue divided by the number of rooms in use for a given period;

​

•

“ADSs” refers to the American depositary shares, each representing Class A ordinary shares;

​

•

“ADRs” refers to the American depositary receipts that may evidence the ADSs.

​

•

“Atour,” “we,” “us,” “our,” “ours,” “our company,” and the “Company,” refer to Atour Lifestyle Holdings Limited, a Cayman Islands exempted company and its subsidiaries;

​

•

“China” or “PRC” refers to the People’s Republic of China and only in the context of describing PRC laws, regulations and other legal or tax matters in this prospectus supplement, excludes Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan;

​

•

“Class A ordinary shares” refers to our Class A ordinary shares with a par value of US$0.0001 per share;

​

•

“Class B ordinary shares” refers to our Class B ordinary shares with a par value of US$0.0001 per share;

​

•

“GMV” refers to gross merchandise value, which is the total value of confirmed orders placed by our end customers with us or our franchisees, as the case may be, and sold as part of our retail business, regardless of whether the products are delivered or returned, calculated based on the prices of the ordered products net of any discounts offered to our end customers;

​

•

“leased hotels” refers to leased-and-operated hotels, which, for the avoidance of doubt, include three hotels that are exclusively operated by us on properties leased by certain designated third parties;

​

•

“manachised hotels” refers to franchised-and-managed hotels;

​

•

“occupancy rate” refers to the number of rooms in use divided by the number of available rooms for a given period;

​

•

“RevPAR” refers to revenue per available room, which is calculated by total revenues during a period divided by the number of available rooms of our hotels during the same period;

​

•

“ordinary shares” refers to our Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares;

​

 

S-iii

 

•

“RMB” or “Renminbi” refers to the legal currency of the People’s Republic of China;

​

•

“Tier 1 cities” refers to, based on China Business Network’s rankings of 2020, the four Chinese cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen;

​

•

“New Tier 1 cities” refers to, based on China Business Network’s rankings of 2020, the 15 Chinese cities of Chongqing, Suzhou, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Wuhan, Nanjing, Tianjin, Qingdao, Changsha, Zhengzhou, Foshan, Hefei, Xi’an, Dongguan and Shenyang;

​

•

“Tier 2 cities” refers to, based on China Business Network’s rankings of 2020, the 30 Chinese cities of Nanning, Ningbo, Wuxi, Quanzhou, Jinan, Nantong, Fuzhou, Yantai, Changzhou, Xuzhou, Dalian, Wenzhou, Kunming, Changchun, Xiamen, Shaoxing, Shijiazhuang, Langfang, Nanchang, Jiaxing, Taizhou, Harbin, Jinhua, Guiyang, Huizhou, Taiyuan, Zhuhai, Baoding, Zhongshan and Lanzhou;

​

•

“US$,” “dollars” or “U.S. dollars” refers to the legal currency of the United States; and

​

•

“U.S. GAAP” refers to the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

​

Unless otherwise noted, all translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars and from U.S. dollars to Renminbi in this prospectus supplement were made at RMB7.2960 to US$1.00, the exchange rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board on September 29, 2023. We make no representation that any Renminbi or U.S. dollar amounts could have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars or Renminbi, as the case may be, at any particular rate, or at all.

This prospectus supplement contains information and statistics relating to China’s economy and the industries in which we operate derived from various publications issued by market research companies and PRC governmental entities, which have not been independently verified by us, the underwriters or any of their respective affiliates or advisers. The information in such sources may not be consistent with our internal operating data and other information compiled in or outside of China.

 

S-iv

 

INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with or submit to the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents that are considered part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Each document incorporated by reference is current only as of the date of such document, and the incorporation by reference of such documents should not create any implication that there has been no change in our affairs since such date. Information that we file with or submit to the SEC in the future and incorporate by reference will automatically update and supersede the previously filed information.

Our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 originally filed with the SEC on April 28, 2023 (File No. 001-40540), or our 2022 Annual Report, and our current report on Form 6-K furnished with the SEC on December 4, 2023 that attaches as exhibits our Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, are incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus.

As you read the documents incorporated by reference, you may find inconsistencies in information from one document to another. If you find inconsistencies, you should rely on the statements made in the most recent document. See “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” in the accompanying prospectus for more information. All of the documents incorporated by reference are available at www.sec.gov under Atour Lifestyle Holdings Limited, CIK number 0001853717.

Unless expressly incorporated by reference, nothing in this prospectus supplement shall be deemed to incorporate by reference information furnished to, but not filed with, the SEC. We will provide a copy of any or all of the information that has been incorporated by reference into the accompanying prospectus, other than exhibits to those documents unless such exhibits are specially incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, upon written or oral request, to any person, including any beneficial owner of the securities, to whom a copy of this prospectus supplement is delivered, at no cost to such person. You may make such a request by writing or telephoning us at the following mailing address or telephone number:

Atour Lifestyle Holdings Limited
18th floor, Wuzhong Building,
618 Wuzhong Road, Minhang District,
Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
Tel: (+86) 021-64059928
Attention: Investor Relations Department

 

S-v

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement and the information incorporated by reference herein contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of, and are intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by, the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements, which are not statements of historical fact, may contain estimates, assumptions, projections and/or expectations regarding future events, which may or may not occur. These statements relate to future events or to our future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our or our industry’s actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “could,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “future,” “is/are likely to,” “project” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements include:

•

general economic, political, demographic and business conditions in China and globally;

​

•

fluctuations in inflation and exchange rates in China and globally;

​

•

our ability to implement our growth strategy;

​

•

our ability to compete and conduct our business in the future;

​

•

the availability of qualified personnel and the ability to retain such personnel;

​

•

the expected growth and competition in the hospitality industry in China;

​

•

changes in government policies and regulation;

​

•

other factors that may affect our financial condition, liquidity and results of operations; and

​

•

other risk factors discussed under “Risk Factors.”

​

The forward-looking statements included in this prospectus supplement, in the accompanying prospectus, and in the documents incorporated by reference therein are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions about our company. Although we believe that our expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, our expectations may later be found to be incorrect. Our actual results of operations may differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of the risk factors disclosed in this prospectus supplement, in the accompanying prospectus, and in the documents incorporated by reference therein.

You should read thoroughly this prospectus supplement and the documents that we refer to with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from and worse than what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

This prospectus supplement contains certain data and information that we obtained from various government and private publications. Statistical data in these publications also include projections based on a number of assumptions. Furthermore, if any one or more of the assumptions underlying the market data are later found to be incorrect, actual results may differ from the projections based on these assumptions.

We would like to caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. You should read these statements in conjunction with the risk factors disclosed herein, in the accompanying prospectus, and in the documents incorporated by reference therein for a more complete discussion of the risks of an investment in our securities. We operate in a rapidly evolving environment. New risks emerge from time to time and it is impossible for our management to predict all risk factors, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking statement. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements except as required under applicable law.

 

S-vi

 

MARKET AND INDUSTRY DATA

Market data and certain industry forecasts used in or incorporated into this prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference herein were obtained from internal surveys, market research, industry reports, publicly available information and industry publications. Industry publications generally state that the information contained therein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but that the accuracy and completeness of such information is not guaranteed. Similarly, internal surveys, industry forecasts, market research and publicly available information, while believed to be reliable, cannot be verified with complete certainty due to the limits on the availability and reliability of raw data, the voluntary nature of the data gathering process and other limitations and uncertainties, and neither we nor the underwriters can guarantee the accuracy of such information.

 

S-vii

 

S-1

 

​

S-2

 

S-3

 

S-4

 

S-5

 

​

S-6

 

​

S-7

 

S-8

 

S-9

 

S-10

 

S-11

 

S-12

 

S-13

 

S-14

 

S-15

 

​

S-16

 

RISK FACTORS

Investing in the ADSs involves risk. In addition to the other information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, you should carefully consider the risks described below before investing in the ADSs. The following factors, individually and in the aggregate, could cause our business, results of operations and financial condition to suffer or materially differ from expected and historical results. As a result, the trading price of the ADSs may decline, and you may lose part or all of your investment.

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

We may not be able to manage our expected growth, which could adversely affect our operating results.

We have experienced substantial growth in the past. Over the past few years, we increased the number of our hotels in China to 1,112 as of September 30, 2023, and we intend to continue to convert, operate and manage additional hotels in markets where we have a presence and in additional cities in China. Our expansion has placed, and will continue to place, substantial demands on our managerial, financial, operational, IT, and other resources. In order to manage and support our growth, we must continue to improve our existing managerial, operational and IT systems, including our financial and management controls, and recruit, train and retain qualified hotel management and other personnel. Our planned expansion will also require us to maintain consistent and high-quality accommodations and services to ensure that our brand does not suffer as a result of any deviations, whether actual or perceived, in our quality standards. We cannot assure you that we will be able to effectively and efficiently manage the growth of our operations or maintain our quality standards. If we are unable to do so, our results of operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.

Some of our existing development pipeline may not be developed into new hotels, which could materially and adversely affect our growth prospects.

As of September 30, 2023, we had 577 manachised hotels with a total of 62,689 hotel rooms in our development pipeline, which we define as hotels under construction or approved for development under our hotel brands. The commitments of owners and developers with whom we have contracts are subject to numerous conditions, and the eventual development and construction of our development pipeline not currently under construction is subject to numerous risks, including, in certain cases, the owner’s or developer’s ability to obtain adequate financing and obtaining governmental or regulatory approvals. As a result, not every hotel in our development pipeline may develop into a new hotel that enters our system.

Our legal right to lease certain properties to operate our leased hotels could be challenged by property owners or other third parties, which could prevent us from continuing to operate our leased hotels or increase the costs associated with operating these hotels.

We rely on leases with third parties who either own or lease the properties from the ultimate property owners to operate our leased hotels. The land use rights and other property rights with respect to properties we currently lease for our existing hotels could be challenged. As of September 30 2023, our lessors failed to provide us with the valid property ownership certificates and/or the land use rights certificates for approximately 5.05% of all of our leased hotels in terms of gross floor area. While we have performed due diligence to verify the rights of our lessors to lease such properties, including inspecting documentation issued by competent government authorities evidencing these lessors’ land use rights and other property rights with respect to these properties, the lessees’ rights under those leases could be challenged by other parties including government authorities in China. If the properties are deemed to be illegal constructions or the landlords do not have the rights to lease the properties to the lessees for hotel operations purposes, the lessors (instead of the lessees) may be subject to monetary penalties and the lease agreements may be invalidated. We may therefore be required to relocate our relevant hotels. In addition, some of our properties where our leased hotels are located are owned by governmental and other third-party organizations, and such leases are subject to present and future policies in China related to government-owned properties or other similar types of properties. In the event that we could no longer operate on such sites, we may suffer financial losses.

We also cannot assure you that we can always keep good title of the properties we lease currently or will lease in the future, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects. If the ultimate owner of the

 

S-17

 

property changes after the original owner of such property mortgages such property to any third party, lessees’ legal rights under the lease agreement may be affected adversely and we may not rank senior in the right of continuing occupying the property. In addition to the above risks, we also face potential disputes with property owners, primary lease holders or third parties. Such disputes, whether or not resolved in our favor, may divert management attention, involve significant cost, harm our reputation and otherwise disrupt our business.

Failure to comply with lease registration under PRC law may subject both parties to such leases to fines or other penalties that may negatively affect our ability to operate our leased hotels.

Under PRC law, all lease agreements of commodity housing tenancy are required to be registered with the local housing bureau, including those relating to the leased properties underlying our leased hotels. While the majority of our standard lease agreements require the lessors to make such registrations, most of our leases entered into in connection with our leased hotels as of September 30, 2023 have not been registered as required by PRC law, which may expose both lessors and lessees to potential monetary fines ranging from RMB1,000 to RMB10,000 for each non-registration. Some of our rights under the unregistered leases may also be subordinated to the rights of other interested third parties.

In addition, in some instances where the lessors or lessees are not the ultimate owners of hotel properties, no consents or permits have been obtained from the property owners, the primary lease holders or competent government authorities, as applicable, for the subleases of the hotel properties to certain of our hotels, which could potentially invalidate the leases for our hotel properties or lead to the renegotiation of such leases that result in terms less favorable to us or even relocation of our relevant hotels. Some of the properties leased from third parties were also subject to mortgages at the time the leases were signed. Moreover, the property ownership or leasehold in connection with our manachised hotels could be subject to similar third-party claims.

Failure to comply with land- and property-related requirements under PRC law may subject lessors to fines or other penalties that may negatively affect our ability to operate our leased hotels.

Lessors of our hotel properties are required to comply with various land- and property-related laws and regulations to enable them to lease effective titles of their properties for our hotel use. For example, before any properties located on state-owned land in China with allocated or leased land use rights or on land owned by collective organizations may be leased to third parties, lessors should obtain appropriate approvals from competent government authorities. In addition, properties used for hotel operations and the underlying land should be approved for hospitality use or appropriate commercial use purposes by competent government authorities. Some of the lessors of our hotel properties have not obtained the required governmental approvals, including approvals of the properties for hospitality use purposes. As of September 30, 2023, for approximately 25.10% of our leased hotels in terms of gross floor area, the lessors have not obtained the required governmental approvals for the properties to be used for hospitality use purposes. Failure to comply with the land- and property-related laws and regulations may subject the lessors to monetary fines or other penalties and may lead to the invalidation or termination of the leases and relocation of our relevant leased hotels, and therefore may adversely affect our results of operations. While some lessors have agreed to indemnify lessees against the losses resulting from the lessors’ failure to obtain the required approvals, there is no assurance that the lessees will be able to successfully enforce such indemnification obligations against the lessors or that such indemnification can cover losses from all the property defects. As a result, we may suffer significant losses resulting from the lessors’ failure to obtain required approvals to the extent that the lessees are not fully indemnified by the lessors.

Default in payment by franchisees and/or corporate account clients that have large account receivable balances could adversely impact our cash flows, working capital, results of operations and financial condition.

Our accounts receivable include amounts due from our franchisees and corporate clients whose employees are guests in our leased hotels. Our corporate clients may choose to settle with us directly, and we typically require our franchisees to pay various fees pursuant to their franchise and management agreements with us on a monthly basis. Our net accounts receivable balance was RMB100.0 million, RMB132.7 million and RMB143.4 million (US$19.7 million) as of December 31, 2021 and 2022 and September 30, 2023, respectively.

 

S-18

 

We are subject to the risk that we may be unable to collect accounts receivable in a timely manner, or at all. An extended period of hotel room vacancy or decrease in room rates, which may be the result of a variety of factors such as unfavorable economic conditions in China and globally, may adversely affect our ability to collect accounts receivable in a timely manner, or at all. Such risk was higher as a result of the outbreak of COVID-19 resulting in financial difficulties of certain of our franchisees. We extended credit terms to certain franchisees during the pandemic as part of our support for franchisees. As a result, our franchisees and/or corporate account clients may not be able to pay us in a timely fashion and our accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts may accordingly increase. Our liquidity and cash flows from operations may be adversely affected if our accounts receivable cycles or collections periods lengthen or if we encounter a material increase in defaults of payment of our account receivable.

We may be liable for improper collection, use or appropriation of personal information provided by our customers.

Our business involves collecting and retaining large volumes of internal and customer data, including personal information as our various information technology systems enter, process, summarize and report such data. We also maintain information about various aspects of our operations as well as regarding our employees. The integrity and protection of our customer, employee and company data are critical to our business. Our customers and employees expect that we will adequately protect their personal information.

We are required by applicable laws to keep strictly confidential the personal information that we collect, and to take adequate security measures to safeguard such information.

The PRC Criminal Law, as amended by its Amendment 7 (effective on February 28, 2009) and Amendment 9 (effective on November 1, 2015), prohibits institutions, companies and their employees from selling or otherwise illegally disclosing a citizen’s personal information obtained during the course of performing duties or providing services or obtaining such information through theft or other illegal ways. On November 7, 2016, the Standing Committee of the PRC National People’s Congress issued the Cybersecurity Law of the PRC, or Cybersecurity Law, which became effective on June 1, 2017. Pursuant to the Cybersecurity Law, network operators must not, without users’ consent, collect their personal information, and may only collect users’ personal information necessary to provide their services. Providers are also obliged to provide security maintenance for their products and services and shall comply with provisions regarding the protection of personal information as stipulated under the relevant laws and regulations. The Civil Code of the PRC (issued by the PRC National People’s Congress on May 28, 2020 and effective from January 1, 2021) provides main legal basis for privacy and personal information infringement claims under the Chinese civil laws. PRC regulators, including the Cyberspace Administration of China, MIIT, and the Ministry of Public Security have been increasingly focused on regulation in the areas of data security and data protection. The PRC regulatory requirements regarding cybersecurity are constantly evolving. For instance, various regulatory bodies in China, including the Cyberspace Administration of China, the Ministry of Public Security and the State Administration for Market Regulation, or the SAMR, have enforced data privacy and protection laws and regulations with varying and evolving standards and interpretations. On December 28, 2021, the Cyberspace Administration of China and 12 other relevant PRC government authorities published the amended Cybersecurity Review Measures, which came into effect on February 15, 2022. The final Cybersecurity Review Measures provide that a “network platform operator” that possesses personal information of more than one million users and seeks a listing in a foreign country must apply for a cybersecurity review. Further, the relevant PRC governmental authorities may initiate a cybersecurity review against any company if they determine certain network products, services, or data processing activities of such company affect or may affect national security. As a network platform operator who possesses personal information of more than one million users for purposes of the Cybersecurity Review Measures, we previously had applied for and completed a cybersecurity review with respect to the listing of the ADSs on Nasdaq in November 2022 pursuant to the Cybersecurity Review Measures. We have been advised by our PRC legal advisor that this secondary offering is not subject to the cybersecurity review requirements under the Cybersecurity Review Measures.

On June 10, 2021, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, or the SCNPC, promulgated the PRC Data Security Law, which came into effect in September 2021. The PRC Data Security Law imposes data security and privacy obligations on entities and individuals carrying out

 

S-19

 

data activities, and introduces a data classification and hierarchical protection system based on the importance of data in economic and social development, as well as the degree of harm it will cause to national security, public interests, or legitimate rights and interests of individuals or organizations when such data is tampered with, destroyed, leaked, or illegally acquired or used. The PRC Data Security Law also provides for a national security review procedure for data activities that may affect national security and imposes export restrictions on certain data and information.

We are subject to various hospitality industry, health and safety, construction, fire prevention and environmental laws and regulations that may subject us to liability.

Each hotel in our chain must hold a basic business license and a special industry license issued by the local public security bureau and must have hotel operation included in the business scope of their respective business license. In addition, each of our hotels must complete fire prevention safety inspection/​commitment with the local public security bureau and obtain hygiene permits and environmental impact assessment approvals. We also need to obtain approvals and make filings for most of our hotel construction projects with fire prevention authorities and construction authorities. Our business also is subject to various health and safety and environmental laws and regulations that affect our operations and conversion activities in the jurisdictions in which we operate, including construction, building, zoning, environmental protection, food safety, public safety, health and sanitary requirements.

As of the date of this prospectus, a small number of our leased hotels have not obtained approvals from or made appropriate filings with applicable fire prevention authorities, construction authorities, environmental protection authorities, health administration or public security bureau, and a small number of our leased hotels selling or serving food have not obtained the relevant approvals from local counterparts of the SAMR for such activities. As a result of these non-compliance matters, we have been and may be subject to monetary damages, the suspension or disruption of our operations or conversion activities, or other administrative penalties or investigations, which could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

We cannot assure you that we or our employees comply with or will comply with all present and future laws and regulations related to our business, including without limitation to hospitality industry, health, safety, construction, fire prevention and environmental laws and regulations. Such non-compliance may subject us to monetary damages, the imposition of fines or other administrative penalties or investigations against us, or the suspension of our operations or conversion activities, which in turn could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, if there are new laws, regulations, policies or guidelines introduced to impose additional regulatory approvals, licenses, permits and requirements, our business may be disrupted and our results of operations may suffer. For example, new regulations could require us to retrofit or modify our hotels or incur other significant expenses. Any failure by us to control the use of, or to adequately restrict the discharge of, hazardous substances in our conversion activities, or otherwise operate in compliance with environmental laws, could subject us to potentially significant monetary damages and fines or suspension of our business operations, which could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Owners of our manachised hotels are subject to these same permit and safety requirements. Although our manachised hotel arrangements require the hotel owners to obtain and maintain all required permits or licenses, we have limited control over the manachised hotel owners. Any failure to obtain and maintain the required permits or licenses may require us to delay opening of a manachised hotel or to forgo or terminate our manachised hotel arrangement, which could harm our brand, result in lost management revenues and subject us to potential indirect liability. Each of the foregoing could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Our financial and operating performance may be adversely affected by epidemics, adverse weather conditions, natural disasters and other catastrophes.

Losses caused by epidemics, adverse weather conditions, natural disasters and other catastrophes, earthquakes or typhoons, are either uninsurable or too expensive to justify insuring against. In the event an uninsured loss or a loss in excess of insured limits occurs, we could lose all or a portion of the capital we have invested in a hotel, as well as the anticipated future revenue from the hotel. In that event, we might

 

S-20

 

nevertheless remain obligated for any financial obligations related to the hotel. Similarly, war (including the potential for war), terrorist activity (including threats of terrorist activity) and travel-related accidents (such as bed bug infestations), as well as geopolitical uncertainty and international conflict, may affect travel and may in turn have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. In addition, we may not be adequately prepared in contingency planning or recovery capability in relation to a major incident or crisis, and as a result, our operational continuity may be adversely affected and our reputation may be harmed.

If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud.

In connection with the audits of our consolidated financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, we and our independent registered public accounting firm had previously identified certain material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022. As defined in the standards established by the U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or PCAOB, a “material weakness” is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

The material weaknesses identified include:

1)

our company’s lack of sufficient financial reporting and accounting personnel with appropriate knowledge of U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting requirements to properly address complex U.S. GAAP accounting issues and related disclosures in accordance with U.S. GAAP and financial reporting requirements set forth by the SEC; and

​

2)

our company’s lack of sufficient trained and knowledgeable resources to execute its responsibilities with respect to internal control over financial reporting. As a consequence, we did not design and implement effective process-level controls activities for certain financial statement accounts and disclosures, including impairment of long-lived assets for leased hotels, share-based compensation and income tax.

​

Neither we nor our independent registered public accounting firm undertook a comprehensive assessment of our internal control for purposes of identifying and reporting material weaknesses and other control deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting. Had we performed a formal assessment of our internal control over financial reporting or had our independent registered public accounting firm performed an audit of our internal control over financial reporting, additional deficiencies may have been identified.

As of the date of this prospectus supplement, we have taken measures to continue to remediate these weaknesses. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Internal Control Over Financial Reporting” in the exhibit 99.2 to our current report on Form 6-K furnished with the SEC on December 4, 2023. However, the implementation of these measures may not fully address such weaknesses and deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting. Our failure to correct these deficiencies or our failure to discover and address any other deficiencies could result in inaccuracies in our financial statements and impair our ability to comply with applicable financial reporting requirements and related regulatory filings on a timely basis. Moreover, ineffective internal control over financial reporting could significantly hinder our ability to prevent fraud.

We are a public company in the United States that is subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or Section 404, requires that we include a report from management on our internal control over financial reporting in our annual report on Form 20-F beginning with our annual report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. In addition, once we cease to be an “emerging growth company” as such term is defined in the JOBS Act, our independent registered public accounting firm must attest to and report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Our management may conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is not effective. Moreover, even if our management concludes that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, our independent registered public accounting firm, after conducting its own independent testing, may issue a

 

S-21

 

report that is qualified if it is not satisfied with our internal control over financial reporting or the level at which our controls are documented, designed, operated or reviewed, or if it interprets the relevant requirements differently from us. In addition, our reporting obligations as a public company may place a significant strain on our management, operational and financial resources and systems for the foreseeable future. We may be unable to timely complete our evaluation testing and any required remediation.

During the course of documenting and testing our internal control procedures, in order to satisfy the requirements of Section 404, we may identify other or more material weaknesses or deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting. In addition, if we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting, as these standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, we may not be able to conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404. If we fail to achieve and maintain an effective internal control environment, we could suffer material misstatements in our financial statements and fail to meet our reporting obligations, which would likely cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information. This could in turn limit our access to capital markets, harm our results of operations and lead to a decline in the trading price of the ADSs. Additionally, ineffective internal control over financial reporting could expose us to increased risk of fraud or misuse of corporate assets and subject us to potential delisting from the stock exchange on which we list, regulatory investigations and civil or criminal sanctions. We may also be required to restate our consolidated financial statements for prior periods.

Our net profit could be adversely affected by share-based compensation.

In 2017, our PRC subsidiary, Shanghai Atour Business Management Group Co., Ltd. (“Atour Shanghai”) adopted the 2017 Share Incentive Plan, or the 2017 PRC Plan. In 2021, we adopted the Public Company Share Incentive Plan, or the Public Company Plan, at the Cayman Islands’ level in preparation for our initial public offering in November 2022, to replace the 2017 PRC Plan. The purpose of the Public Company Plan is to recognize and reward participants for their contribution to our company, to attract suitable personnel and to provide incentives to them to remain with and further contribute to us.

Under the Public Company Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Class A ordinary shares we are authorized to issue pursuant to equity awards granted thereunder, subject to certain adjustments pursuant to the terms thereof, is 51,029,546 Class A ordinary shares, which have been reserved for issuance pursuant to the Public Company Plan accordingly. As of November 20, 2023, a total of 26,101,014 share options corresponding to underlying 26,101,014 Class A ordinary shares had been granted to the participants under the Public Company Plan.

For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2021, we did not recognize any share-based compensation expenses for the share options granted as such awards contain a performance condition such that the awards vest upon the completion of a Qualified IPO defined under our share incentive plans and is not considered probable until the event happens. Upon the completion of our initial public offering in November 2022, we immediately recognized share-based compensation expenses of RMB96.6 million with respect to the share options vested cumulatively. For the year ended December 31, 2022 and the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we recognized RMB163.2 million and RMB161.5 million (US$22.1 million) of share-based compensation expenses, respectively.

We believe the granting of share-based awards is of significant importance to our ability to attract and retain key personnel and employees, and we expect to grant additional share-based awards to our employees in the future. As a result, our expenses associated with share-based awards may increase, which may have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

Risks Related to Doing Business in China

Trading in our securities may be prohibited under the HFCAA if the PCAOB determines that it is unable to inspect or investigate completely our auditor, and as a result, U.S. national securities exchanges, such as Nasdaq, may determine to delist the ADSs.

Our independent registered public accounting firm that issues the audit report included in our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2022, as an auditor of companies that are traded

 

S-22

 

publicly in the United States and a firm registered with the PCAOB, is required by the laws of the United States to undergo regular inspections by the PCAOB to assess its compliance with the laws of the United States and professional standards. Our auditor is located in China, a jurisdiction where the PCAOB has historically been unable to conduct inspections and investigations of auditors completely, without the approval of the Chinese authorities. The inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of auditors in China in the past has made it more difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of our independent registered public accounting firm’s audit procedures or quality control procedures as compared to auditors outside of China subject to the same requirements. As a result, certain investors have historically been deprived of the benefits of such PCAOB inspections.

Recently, as part of a continued regulatory focus in the United States on access to audit and other information currently protected by national law, in particular China’s, the United States enacted the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, or the HFCAA, in December 2020. One of the effects of this HFCAA is that trading in our securities on U.S. markets, including Nasdaq, may be prohibited if the PCAOB determines that it is unable to inspect or investigate our auditor to its satisfaction for two consecutive years. On December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued the HFCAA Determination Report to notify the SEC of its determinations that the PCAOB was unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong, one of which is our auditor. On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB announced that it had been able to conduct inspections and investigations completely of PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong in 2022, vacating its previous 2021 Determinations accordingly. As a result, we do not expect to be identified as a “Commission-Identified Issuer” under the HFCAA for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 after we file this registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, because of the fact our auditor is no longer in the category of audit firms the PCAOB is unable to inspect and investigate to its satisfaction.

However, whether the PCAOB will continue to conduct inspections and investigations completely to its satisfaction of PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong is subject to uncertainty and depends on a number of factors out of our, and our auditor’s, control, including positions taken by authorities of the PRC. The PCAOB is expected to continue to demand complete access to inspections and investigations against accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong in the future and states that it has already made plans to resume regular inspections in early 2023 and beyond. On May 10, 2023, the PCAOB released its inspection report with respect to its inspections of audits performed by KPMG in mainland China and PCAOB inspectors found multiple deficiencies other than audits with an incorrect opinion on the financial statements and/or internal control over financial reporting. The PCAOB inspection reports do not make public criticisms or potential defects in the accounting firms’ systems of quality control, to the extent any are identified. If the accounting firms do not address to the PCAOB’s satisfaction any criticism of, or potential defect in, the firms’ systems of quality control within 12 months after the issuance of the reports, the PCAOB will make public any such deficiency.

The PCAOB is required under the HFCAA to make its determination on an annual basis with regards to its ability to inspect and investigate completely accounting firms based in the mainland China and Hong Kong. The possibility of being a “Commission-Identified Issuer” and the consequential risk of necessitating delisting of our securities in the United States could continue to adversely affect the trading price of the ADSs.

If the PCAOB determines in the future that it no longer has full access to inspect and investigate accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong and we continue to use such accounting firm to conduct audit work, we would be identified as a “Commission-Identified Issuer” under the HFCAA following the filing of the annual report for the relevant fiscal year. If we were so identified for two consecutive years, trading in our securities on U.S. markets would be prohibited. Additionally, we may be unable to switch to a suitable and acceptable auditor within two years following an adverse determination by the PCAOB of its ability to inspect KPMG. Any of these circumstances would substantially impair your ability to sell or purchase the ADSs when you wish to do so. Furthermore, such trading prohibition would significantly affect our ability to raise capital on terms acceptable to us, or at all, which would have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and prospects.

The PCAOB inspects the accounting firms over which it has jurisdiction from time to time. If PCAOB inspections were to lead to an investigation of an accounting firm that found violations of laws, professional

 

S-23

 

standards or rules, the PCAOB could impose sanctions on such firm. These sanctions could include censures, monetary penalties, and limitations on such firm’s ability to audit public company financial statements. If an accounting firm were subject to such sanctions, any company whose financial statements are audited by such firm, including our company, could need to find an alternative auditor. Any change in auditor or inability to find a suitable replacement auditor could materially adversely affect the company’s share price, business, financial condition and prospects or subject the company to delisting risk.

Risks Related to The ADSs and This Secondary Offering

The trading price of the ADSs is likely to be volatile, which could result in substantial losses to investors.

The trading price of the ADSs is likely to be volatile and could fluctuate widely due to factors beyond our control. This may happen because of broad market and industry factors, including the performance and fluctuation of the market prices of other companies with business operations located mainly in China that have listed their securities in the United States. In addition to market and industry factors, the price and trading volume for the ADSs may be highly volatile for factors specific to our own operations, including the following:

•

variations in our net revenues, earnings and cash flows;

​

•

announcements of new investments, acquisitions, strategic partnerships or joint ventures by us or our competitors;

​

•

announcements of new offerings, solutions and expansions by us or our competitors;

​

•

changes in financial estimates by securities analysts;

​

•

detrimental adverse publicity about us, our services or our industry;

​

•

announcements of new regulations, rules or policies relevant to our business;

​

•

additions or departures of key personnel;

​

•

our controlling shareholder’s business performance and reputation; and

​

•

potential litigation or regulatory investigations.

​

Any of these factors may result in large and sudden changes in the volume and price at which the ADSs will trade.

In the past, shareholders of public companies have often brought securities class-action suits against those companies following periods of instability in the market price of their securities. If we were involved in a class-action suit, it could divert a significant amount of our management’s attention and other resources from our business and operations and require us to incur significant expenses to defend the suit, which could harm our results of operations. Any such class action suit, whether or not successful, could harm our reputation and restrict our ability to raise capital in the future. In addition, if a claim is successfully made against us, we may be required to pay significant damages, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or if they adversely change their recommendations regarding the ADSs, the market price for the ADSs and trading volume could decline.

The trading market for the ADSs will be influenced by research or reports that industry or securities analysts publish about our business. If one or more analysts who cover us downgrade the ADSs, the market price for the ADSs would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease to cover us or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause the market price or trading volume for the ADSs to decline.

Our dual-class voting structure will limit your ability to influence corporate matters and could discourage others from pursuing any change of control transactions that holders of our Class A ordinary shares and the ADSs may view as beneficial.

Our authorized and issued ordinary shares are divided into Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. Holders of Class A ordinary shares will be entitled to one vote per share, while the holder

 

S-24

 

of Class B ordinary shares will be entitled to ten votes per share. Each Class B ordinary share is convertible into one Class A ordinary share at any time by the holders thereof, while Class A ordinary shares are not convertible into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstances.

As of November 20, 2023, Mr. Haijun Wang beneficially owned 73,680,917 Class B ordinary shares and controlled the voting power of 25,209,187 Class A ordinary shares. Accordingly, Mr. Haijun Wang beneficially owns approximately 24.0% of our total issued and outstanding share capital and 70.8% of the aggregate voting power of our total issued and outstanding share capital as of the same date due to the disparate voting powers associated with our dual-class share structure. As a result of the dual-class share structure and the concentration of ownership, the holder of Class B ordinary shares will have considerable influence over matters such as decisions regarding mergers and consolidations, election of directors, and other significant corporate actions. Such holders may take actions that are not in the best interest of us or our other shareholders. This concentration of ownership may discourage, delay, or prevent a change in control of our company, which could have the effect of depriving our other shareholders of the opportunity to receive a premium for their shares as part of a sale of our company and may reduce the price of the ADSs. This concentrated control will limit your ability to influence corporate matters and could discourage others from pursuing any potential merger, takeover, or other change of control transactions that holders of Class A ordinary shares and ADSs may view as beneficial.

The dual-class structure of our ordinary shares may adversely affect the trading market for the ADSs.

Certain shareholder advisory firms have announced changes to their eligibility criteria for inclusion of shares of public companies on certain indices, including the S&P 500, to exclude companies with multiple classes of shares and companies whose public shareholders hold no more than 5% of total voting power from being added to such indices. In addition, several shareholder advisory firms have announced their opposition to the use of multiple class structures. As a result, the dual class structure of our ordinary shares may prevent the inclusion of the ADSs representing Class A ordinary shares in such indices and may cause shareholder advisory firms to publish negative commentary about our corporate governance practices or otherwise seek to cause us to change our capital structure. Any such exclusion from indices could result in a less active trading market for the ADSs. Any actions or publications by shareholder advisory firms critical of our corporate governance practices or capital structure could also adversely affect the value of the ADSs.

Forum selection provisions in our memorandum and articles of association could limit the ability of holders of our Class A ordinary shares, ADSs, or other securities to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us, our directors and officers, the depositary bank, and potentially others.

Our memorandum and articles of association provide that the federal district courts of the United States are the exclusive forum within the United States for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising out of or relating in any way to the federal securities laws of the United States, regardless of whether such legal suit, action, or proceeding also involves parties other than us. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any share or other securities in our company shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of our articles of association. However, the enforceability of similar federal court choice of forum provisions has been challenged in legal proceedings in the United States, and it is possible that a court could find this type of provision to be inapplicable, unenforceable, or inconsistent with other documents that are relevant to the filing of such lawsuits. If a court were to find the federal choice of forum provision contained in our memorandum and articles of association to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions. If upheld, the forum selection clause in our memorandum and articles of association may limit a security-holder’s ability to bring a claim against us, our directors and officers, and potentially others in his or her preferred judicial forum, and this limitation may discourage such lawsuits. In addition, the Securities Act provides that both federal and state courts have jurisdiction over suits brought to enforce any duty or liability under the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. Accepting or consent to this forum selection provision does not constitute a waiver by you of compliance with federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. You may not waive compliance with federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. The exclusive forum provision in our memorandum and articles of association will not operate so as to deprive the courts of the Cayman Islands from having jurisdiction over matters relating to our internal affairs.

 

S-25

 

We are a “controlled company” as defined under the Nasdaq Stock Market corporate governance rules. As a result, we will qualify for, and intend to rely on, exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements that would otherwise provide protection to shareholders of other companies.

We are a “controlled company” as defined under the Nasdaq corporate governance rules because Mr. Haijun Wang will own more than 50% of our total voting power. For so long as we remain a controlled company, we may rely on certain exemptions from the corporate governance rules, including the rule that we have to establish a nominating and corporate governance committee composed entirely of independent directors. As a result, you will not have the same protection afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to these corporate governance requirements. Even if we cease to be a controlled company, we may still rely on exemptions available to foreign private issuers, including being able to adopt home country practices in relation to corporate governance matters. See “— We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act, and as such we are exempt from certain provisions applicable to U.S. domestic public companies” and “— As an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, we are permitted to adopt certain home country practices in relation to corporate governance matters that differ significantly from the Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards. These practices may afford less protection to shareholders than they would enjoy if we complied fully with the Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards.”

The sale or availability for sale of substantial amounts of ADSs could adversely affect their market price.

Sales of substantial amounts of ADSs in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of the ADSs and could materially impair our ability to raise capital through equity offerings in the future. The ADSs sold in this secondary offering will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, and shares held by our existing shareholders may also be sold in the public market in the future, subject to the restrictions in Rule 144 and Rule 701 under the Securities Act and the applicable lock-up agreements. In connection with this secondary offering, we and the Selling Shareholder have agreed not to sell, transfer or dispose of any ordinary shares, ADSs or similar securities for 180 days after the date of this prospectus supplement without the prior written consent of the underwriters, subject to certain exceptions. We cannot predict what effect, if any, market sales of securities held by our significant shareholders or any other shareholder or the availability of these securities for future sale will have on the market price of the ADSs.

Techniques employed by short sellers may drive down the market price of the ADSs.

Short selling is the practice of selling securities that the seller does not own but rather has borrowed from a third party with the intention of buying identical securities back at a later date to return to the lender. The short seller hopes to profit from a decline in the value of the securities between the sale of the borrowed securities and the purchase of the replacement shares, as the short seller expects to pay less in that purchase than it received in the sale. As it is in the short seller’s interest for the price of the security to decline, many short sellers publish, or arrange for the publication of, negative opinions regarding the relevant issuer and its business prospects in order to create negative market momentum and generate profits for themselves after selling a security short. These short attacks have, in the past, led to selling of shares in the market.

Public companies that have substantially all of their operations in China have been the subject of short selling. Much of the scrutiny and negative publicity have centered on allegations of a lack of effective internal control over financial reporting resulting in financial and accounting irregularities and mistakes, inadequate corporate governance policies or a lack of adherence thereto and, in many cases, allegations of fraud. As a result, many of these companies are now conducting internal and external investigations into the allegations and, in the interim, are subject to shareholder lawsuits and/or SEC enforcement actions.

It is not clear what effect such negative publicity could have on us. If we were to become the subject of any unfavorable allegations, whether such allegations are proven to be true or untrue, we could have to expend a significant amount of resources to investigate such allegations and/or defend ourselves. While we would strongly defend against any such short seller attacks, we may be constrained in the manner in which we can proceed against the relevant short seller by principles of freedom of speech, applicable state law or issues of commercial confidentiality. Such a situation could be costly and time-consuming, and could distract our

 

S-26

 

management from growing our business. Even if such allegations are ultimately proven to be groundless, allegations against us could severely impact our business operations, and any investment in the ADSs could be greatly reduced or even rendered worthless.

You may need to rely on a price appreciation of the ADSs for a return on your investment.

Our board of directors has discretion as to whether to distribute dividends, subject to certain requirements of Cayman Islands law. In addition, our shareholders may by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our directors. In either case, all dividends are subject to certain restrictions under Cayman Islands law, namely that our company may pay a dividend out of either profit or a share premium account, provided always that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in us being unable to pay our debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business.

Even if our board of directors decides to declare and pay dividends, the timing, amount and form of future dividends, if any, will depend on our future results of operations and cash flow, our capital requirements and surplus, the amount of distributions, if any, received by us from our subsidiaries, our financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. Accordingly, the return on your investment in the ADSs will likely depend entirely upon any future price appreciation of the ADSs. There is no guarantee that the ADSs will appreciate in value or even maintain the price at which you purchased the ADSs. You may not realize a return on your investment in the ADSs and you may even lose your entire investment in the ADSs.

The approval or filing of the China Securities Regulatory Commission or other PRC regulatory agencies may be required to maintain our listing status or conduct future offshore securities offerings.

The Regulations on Mergers of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, purport to require offshore special purpose vehicles that are controlled by PRC companies or individuals and that have been formed for the purpose of seeking a public listing on an overseas stock exchange through acquisitions of PRC domestic companies or assets to obtain CSRC approval prior to publicly listing their securities on an overseas stock exchange. The interpretation and application of the regulations remain unclear. If CSRC approval is required, it is uncertain whether we can or how long it will take us to obtain the approval and, even if we obtain such CSRC approval, the approval could be rescinded. Any failure to obtain or delay in obtaining CSRC approval for any of our offshore offerings, or a rescission of such approval we have obtained, would subject us to sanctions imposed by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory authorities, which could include fines and penalties on our operations in China, restrictions or limitations on our ability to pay dividends outside of China, and other forms of sanctions that may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Furthermore, numerous regulations, guidelines and other measures have been or are expected to be adopted under the umbrella of or in addition to the Cybersecurity Law, Data Security Law and Personal Information Protection Law, including (i) the Measures for the Security Assessment for Cross-border Transfer of Personal Information (Draft for Comments) published by the Cyberspace Administration of China, or CAC, in 2019, which may, upon enactment, require security review before transferring personal information out of China, (ii) the amended Cybersecurity Review Measures published on December 28, 2021, which came into effect on February 15, 2022, provide that a “network platform operator” that possesses personal information of more than one million users and seeks a listing in a foreign country must apply for a cybersecurity review, and (iii) the Measures for the Security Assessment of Cross-boarder Data Transfer, which came into effect on September 1, 2022, provide that certain types of data processors transferring important data or personal information collected and generated during operations within the territory of the PRC to an overseas recipient must apply for security assessment of cross-boarder data transfer. As a network platform operator who possesses personal information of more than one million users for purposes of the Cybersecurity Review Measures, we had applied for and completed a cybersecurity review with respect to the listing of the ADSs on Nasdaq in November 2022 pursuant to the Cybersecurity Review Measures. We have been advised by our PRC legal advisor that this secondary offering is not subject to the cybersecurity review requirements under the Cybersecurity Review Measures.

 

S-27

 

On February 17, 2023, the CSRC, as approved by the State Council, released the CSRC Filing Rules, which came into effect on March 31, 2023. Under the CSRC Filing Rules, a filing-based regulatory system shall be applied to “indirect overseas offerings and listings” of PRC domestic companies. Pursuant to the CSRC Filing Rules, if the issuer meets either of the following conditions, its securities offerings and listing will be deemed as an “indirect overseas offering and listing by a PRC domestic company” and is therefore subject to the filing requirements: (i) any of the revenues, profits, total assets or net assets of the issuer’s Chinese operating entities in the most recent financial year accounts for more than 50% of the corresponding data in the issuer’s audited consolidated financial statements for the same period; and (ii) the key link of its business operations are conducted in mainland China or its principal place of business is located in the mainland China, or the majority of senior management in charge of business operations are Chinese citizens or have domicile in the PRC. The CSRC Filing Rules state that, any post-listing follow-on offering by an issuer in the same overseas market, including issuance of shares, convertible notes and other similar securities, shall be subject to filing requirement within three business days after the completion of the offering. Therefore, any of our future offerings and listings of our securities in an overseas market will be subject to the filing requirements under the CSRC Filing Rules. As this secondary offering is conducted by the Selling Shareholder, rather than by us, we have been advised by our PRC legal advisor that this secondary offering by the Selling Shareholder is not subject to any filing requirements under the CSRC Filing Rules. However, there can be no assurance that relevant PRC regulatory authorities, including the CSRC, would reach the same conclusion. If the CSRC disagrees with our view on the applicability of the CSRC Filing Rules to this secondary offering or if we fail to complete the filing procedures with the CSRC for any future overseas securities offering, we may face sanctions by the CSRC, which may include fines and penalties, limitations on our operating privileges in China, restrictions on or prohibition of the payments or remittance of dividends by our subsidiaries in China, restrictions on or delays to our future overseas securities offerings, or other actions that could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation and prospects, as well as the trading price of the ADSs.

We believe, to the best of our knowledge, our business operations do not violate any of the above PRC laws and regulations currently in force in all material respects. Nevertheless, we cannot guarantee that new rules or regulations promulgated in the future will not impose any additional requirement on us. If there are any other approvals, filings and/or other administration procedures to be obtained from or completed with any other PRC regulatory agencies as required by any new laws and regulations for any of our future proposed offering of securities overseas or the listing of the ADSs, we cannot assure you that we can obtain the required approval or complete the required filings or other regulatory procedures in a timely manner, or at all. Any failure to obtain the relevant approvals or complete the filings and other relevant regulatory procedures may subject us to regulatory actions or other sanctions from such PRC regulatory agencies, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

You may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through U.S. courts may be limited, because we are incorporated under Cayman Islands law.

We are an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. Our corporate affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, as amended from time to time, the Companies Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against our directors, actions by our minority shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from the common law of England and Wales, the decisions of whose courts are of persuasive authority, but are not binding, on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors under Cayman Islands law may be narrower in scope or less developed than they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws than the United States. Some U.S. states, such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law than the Cayman Islands. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States. In addition, while under Delaware law, controlling shareholders owe fiduciary duties to the companies they control and their minority shareholders, under Cayman Islands law, our controlling shareholders do not owe any such fiduciary duties to our company or to our minority shareholders. Accordingly, our controlling

 

S-28

 

shareholders may exercise their powers as shareholders, including the exercise of voting rights in respect of their shares, in such manner as they think fit, subject only to very limited equitable constraints. One of the examples of such constraint is that the exercise of voting rights to amend the memorandum or articles of association of a Cayman Islands company must be exercised in good faith for the benefit of the Company as a whole.

Shareholders of Cayman Islands exempted companies like us have no general rights under Cayman Islands law to inspect corporate records (other than the memorandum and articles of association, special resolutions which have been passed by shareholders, register of mortgages and charges, and a list of current directors) or to obtain copies of lists of shareholders of these companies. Our directors have discretion under our articles of association to determine whether or not, and under what conditions, our corporate records may be inspected by our shareholders, but are not obliged to make them available to our shareholders. This may make it more difficult for you to obtain the information needed to establish any facts necessary for a shareholder motion or to solicit proxies from other shareholders in connection with a proxy contest.

Certain corporate governance practices in the Cayman Islands, which is our home country, differ significantly from requirements for companies incorporated in other jurisdictions such as the United States. If we choose to follow home country practice, our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they otherwise would under rules and regulations applicable to U.S. domestic issuers.

As a result of all of the above, our public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by our management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a company incorporated in the United States.

It may be difficult for overseas regulators to conduct investigations or collect evidence within China.

Shareholder claims that are common in the United States, including securities law class actions and fraud claims, generally are difficult to pursue as a matter of law or practicality in China. For example, in China, there are significant legal and other obstacles to obtaining information needed for shareholder investigations or litigation outside China or otherwise with respect to foreign entities. Although the local authorities in China may establish a regulatory cooperation mechanism with the securities regulatory authorities of another country or region to implement cross-border supervision and administration, such regulatory cooperation with the securities regulatory authorities in the Unities States have not been efficient in the absence of a mutual and practical cooperation mechanism. According to Article 177 of the PRC Securities Law which became effective in March 2020, no overseas securities regulator is allowed to directly conduct investigation or evidence collection activities within the territory of the PRC. While detailed interpretation of or implementation of rules under Article 177 have yet to be promulgated, the inability for an overseas securities regulator to directly conduct investigation or evidence collection activities within China may further increase difficulties faced by you in protecting your interests.

Certain judgments obtained against us by our shareholders may not be enforceable.

We are an exempted company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands and substantially all of our assets are located outside of the United States. All of our current operations are conducted in China. In addition, most of our current directors and officers are nationals and residents of countries other than the United States. Substantially all of the assets of these persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for you to bring an action against us or against these individuals in the United States in the event that you believe that your rights have been infringed under the U.S. federal securities laws or otherwise. Even if you are successful in bringing an action of this kind, the laws of the Cayman Islands and of China may render you unable to enforce a judgment against our assets or the assets of our directors and officers. For more information regarding the relevant laws of the Cayman Islands and China. However, the deposit agreement gives you the right to submit claims against us to binding arbitration, and arbitration awards may be enforceable against us and our assets in China even when court judgments are not.

ADS holders may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to claims arising under the deposit agreement, which could result in less favorable outcomes to the plaintiff(s) in any such action.

The deposit agreement governing the ADSs representing our Class A ordinary shares provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, ADS holders waive the right to a jury trial for any claim they may have

 

S-29

 

against us or the depositary arising out of or relating to our shares, the ADSs or the deposit agreement, including any claim under the U.S. federal securities laws.

If we or the depositary were to oppose a jury trial based on this waiver, the court would have to determine whether the waiver was enforceable based on the facts and circumstances of the case in accordance with applicable state and federal law. To our knowledge, the enforceability of a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver in connection with claims arising under the federal securities laws has not been finally adjudicated by the United States Supreme Court. However, we believe that a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver provision is generally enforceable, including under the laws of the State of New York, which govern the deposit agreement, or by a federal or state court in the State of New York, which has nonexclusive jurisdiction over matters arising under the deposit agreement. In determining whether to enforce a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver, courts will generally consider whether a party knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily waived the right to a jury trial. We believe that this would be the case with respect to the deposit agreement and the ADSs. It is advisable that you consult legal counsel regarding the jury waiver provision before investing in the ADSs.

If you or any other owners or holders of ADSs bring a claim against us or the depositary in connection with matters arising under the deposit agreement or the ADSs, including claims under federal securities laws, you or such other owners or holders may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to such claims, which may have the effect of limiting and discouraging lawsuits against us or the depositary. If a lawsuit is brought against us or the depositary under the deposit agreement, it may be heard only by a judge or justice of the applicable trial court, which would be conducted according to different civil procedures and may result in different outcomes than a trial by jury would have, including outcomes that could be less favorable to the plaintiff(s) in any such action.

Nevertheless, if this jury trial waiver is not permitted by applicable law, an action could proceed under the terms of the deposit agreement with a jury trial. No condition, stipulation or provision of the deposit agreement or the ADSs serves as a waiver by any owner or holder of ADSs or by us or the depositary of compliance with any substantive provision of the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

The voting rights of holders of ADSs are limited by the terms of the deposit agreement, and you may not be able to exercise your right to direct the voting of the Class A ordinary shares represented by your ADSs.

As an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, we are not obliged by the Companies Act (As Revised) to call shareholders’ annual general meetings. Our Ninth Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association provide that we may (but are not obliged to) each year hold a general meeting as our annual general meeting. As a holder of ADSs, you will not have any direct right to attend general meetings of our company or to cast any votes at such meetings. You will only be able to exercise the voting rights which attach to the Class A ordinary shares represented your ADSs indirectly by giving voting instructions to the depositary in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement. Under the deposit agreement, you may vote only by giving voting instructions to the depositary, as holder of the Class A ordinary shares represented by the ADSs. Upon receipt of your voting instructions, the depositary may try to vote the Class A ordinary shares represented by the ADSs in accordance with your instructions. If we ask for your instructions, then upon receipt of your voting instructions, the depositary will try to vote the underlying Class A ordinary shares in accordance with those instructions. If we do not instruct the depositary to ask for your instructions, the depositary may still vote in accordance with instructions you give, but it is not required to do so. You will not be able to directly exercise any right to vote with respect to the underlying Class A ordinary shares unless you cancel the ADSs and withdraw the Class A ordinary shares and become the registered holder of such shares prior to the record date for the general meeting. When a general meeting is convened, you may not receive sufficient advance notice of the meeting to enable you to withdraw the shares represented by the ADSs and become the registered holder of such shares prior to the record date for the general meeting to allow you to attend the general meeting and to vote directly with respect to any specific matter or resolution to be considered and voted upon at the general meeting. In addition, under our amended and restated articles of association, for the purposes of determining those shareholders who are entitled to attend and vote at any general meeting, our directors may close our register of members and/or fix in advance a record date for such meeting, and such closure of our register of members or the setting of

 

S-30

 

such a record date may prevent you from withdrawing the Class A ordinary shares represented by the ADSs and becoming the registered holder of such shares prior to the record date, so that you would not be able to attend the general meeting or to vote directly. Where any matter is to be put to a vote at a general meeting, the depositary will notify you of the upcoming vote and deliver our voting materials to you, if we ask it to. We cannot assure you that you will receive the voting materials in time to ensure you can direct the depositary to vote the Class A Ordinary share represented by your ADSs. In addition, the depositary and its agents are not responsible for failing to carry out voting instructions or for their manner of carrying out your voting instructions. This means that you may not be able to exercise your right to direct how the shares underlying the ADSs are voted and you may have no legal remedy if the shares represented by the ADSs are not voted as you requested.

You may be subject to limitations on the transfer of the ADSs.

The ADSs are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close its books at any time or from time to time when it deems it expedient in connection with the performance of its duties and in emergencies, and on weekends and public holidays. The depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of the ADSs generally when our share register or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any time if we or the depositary thinks it is advisable to do so because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body, or under any provision of the deposit agreement, or for any other reason.

We are an emerging growth company within the meaning of the Securities Act and may take advantage of certain reduced reporting requirements.

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act, and we may take advantage of certain exemptions from requirements applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies, including, most significantly, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for so long as we remain an emerging growth company. As a result, if we elect not to comply with such auditor attestation requirements, our investors may not have access to certain information they may deem important.

We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act, and as such we are exempt from certain provisions applicable to U.S. domestic public companies.

Because we qualify as a foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act, we are exempt from certain provisions of the securities rules and regulations in the United States that are applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, including:

•

the rules under the Exchange Act requiring the filing with the SEC of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, quarterly certifications by the principal executive and financial officers or current reports on Form 8-K;

​

•

the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents or authorizations in respect of a security registered under the Exchange Act;

​

•

the sections of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their stock ownership and trading activities and liability for insiders who profit from trades made in a short period of time; and

​

•

the selective disclosure rules by issuers of material nonpublic information under Regulation FD.

​

We will be required to file an annual report on Form 20-F within four months of the end of each fiscal year. In addition, we intend to publish our results on a quarterly basis as press releases, distributed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq. Press releases relating to financial results and material events will also be furnished to the SEC on Form 6-K. However, the information we are required to file with or furnish to the SEC will be less extensive and less timely compared to that required to be filed with the SEC by U.S. domestic issuers. For example, U.S. domestic issuers are required to file annual reports within 60 to 90 days from the end of each fiscal year. As a result, you may not be afforded the same protections or information that would be made available to you were you investing in a U.S. domestic issuer.

 

S-31

 

As an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, we are permitted to adopt certain home country practices in relation to corporate governance matters that differ significantly from the Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards. These practices may afford less protection to shareholders than they would enjoy if we complied fully with the Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards.

As an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands and listed on the Nasdaq, we are subject to corporate governance listing standards of Nasdaq. However, Nasdaq rules permit a foreign private issuer like us to follow the corporate governance practices of its home country. Certain corporate governance practices in the Cayman Islands, which is our home country, may differ significantly from the Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards. We currently intend to follow Cayman Islands corporate governance practices in lieu of the corporate governance requirements of the Nasdaq that listed companies must have: (i) a majority of independent directors; (ii) a nominating/corporate governance committee composed entirely of independent directors; and (iii) a majority of independent directors and that the audit committee consist of at least three members. To the extent that we choose to follow home country practice in the future, our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they otherwise would enjoy under Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards applicable to U.S. domestic issuers.

There can be no assurance that we will not be a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for the current or any future taxable year, which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. investors in the ADSs or our Class A ordinary shares.

In general, a non-U.S. corporation is a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes for any taxable year in which (i) 75% or more of its gross income consists of passive income or (ii) 50% or more of the average value of its assets (generally determined on an average quarterly basis) consists of assets that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income. For purposes of these calculations, a non-U.S. corporation that owns, directly or indirectly, at least 25% by value of the shares of another corporation is treated as if it held its proportionate share of the assets of the other corporation and received directly its proportionate share of the income of the other corporation. Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, rents, royalties (other than certain royalties derived in an active business), and certain investment gains. Cash is generally a passive asset for these purposes. Goodwill (the value of which may be determined by reference to the excess of the sum of the corporation’s market capitalization and liabilities over the value of its assets) is generally characterized as an active asset to the extent it is associated with business activities that produce active income.

Based on the manner in which we currently conduct our business, the expected composition of our income and assets and the estimated value of our assets (including goodwill), we do not expect to be a PFIC for our 2023 taxable year. However, our PFIC status for any taxable year is an annual factual determination that can be made only after the end of that year and depends on the composition of our income and assets and the average value of our assets from time to time, including the value of our goodwill (which may be determined, in part, by reference to our market capitalization, which could be volatile). Therefore, we may be or become a PFIC for any taxable year if our market capitalization declines while we hold a substantial amount of cash and financial investments. In addition, if in the future we change the type of services we provide with respect to our franchised hotels, our PFIC status for any taxable year may depend on whether and to what extent our income from franchised hotels will be treated as derived in the active conduct of a trade or business within the meaning of applicable Treasury regulations. Because of these uncertainties, there can be no assurance that we will not be a PFIC for our current or any future taxable year.

If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. taxpayer owns ADSs or Class A ordinary shares, the U.S. taxpayer generally will be subject to adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences, including increased tax liability on disposition gains and “excess distributions” ​(subject to alternative treatment if the U.S. taxpayer is able to, and makes, a valid mark-to-market election) and additional reporting requirements. See “Taxation — Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules.”

 

S-32

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

The Selling Shareholder expects to receive gross proceeds from this secondary offering of approximately US$                million, without deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable by the Selling Shareholder and assuming the underwriters do not exercise the option to purchase additional ADSs.

We will not receive any of the proceeds from the offering of ADSs by the Selling Shareholder.

 

S-33

 

DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL

We are an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands and our affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, as amended and restated from time to time, and Companies Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands, which we refer to as the “Companies Act” below, and the common law of the Cayman Islands.

Our share capital is divided into ordinary shares. In respect of all of our ordinary shares we have power insofar as is permitted by law, to redeem or purchase any of our shares and to increase or reduce the share capital subject to the provisions of the Companies Act and the articles of association and to issue any shares, whether such shares be of the original, redeemed or increased capital, with or without any preference, priority or special privilege or subject to any postponement of rights or to any conditions or restrictions and so that unless the conditions of issue shall otherwise expressly declare every issue of shares whether declared to be preference or otherwise shall be subject to the powers under our memorandum and articles of association.

As of the date of this prospectus supplement, our authorized share capital consists of US$300,000 divided into 3,000,000,000 ordinary shares of par value US$0.0001 each, consisting of 2,900,000,000 Class A ordinary shares and 100,000,000 Class B ordinary shares of par value of US$0.0001 each. As of November 20, 2023, there are 339,104,792 Class A ordinary shares (excluding 1,211,514 Class A ordinary shares issued to our depositary bank for bulk issuance of ADSs reserved for future issuances upon the exercising or vesting of equity awards under our Public Company Plan) and 73,680,917 Class B ordinary shares issued and outstanding. All of our shares issued and outstanding are fully paid.

The following are summaries of material provisions of our currently effective ninth amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (the “Memorandum and Articles of Association”) and the Companies Act (as amended) of the Cayman Islands insofar as they relate to the material terms of our ordinary shares.

Ordinary Shares

General.   Immediately prior to the completion of this secondary offering, our authorized share capital is US$300,000 divided into 2,900,000,000 Class A ordinary shares and 100,000,000 Class B ordinary shares, with a par value of US$0.0001 each. Holders of ordinary shares will have the same rights except for voting and conversion rights. All of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares are non-assessable. Certificates representing the ordinary shares are issued in registered form. We may not issue share to bearer. Our shareholders who are non-resident of the Cayman Islands may freely hold and transfer their ordinary shares.

Immediately following the completion of this secondary offering, the holder of Class B ordinary shares will continue to control the outcome of a shareholder vote (i) with respect to matters requiring an ordinary resolution which requires the affirmative vote of a simple majority of shareholder votes, to the extent that the Class B ordinary shares represent at least 9.1% of our total issued and outstanding share capital; and (ii) with respect to matters requiring a special resolution which requires the affirmative vote of no less than two-thirds of shareholder votes, to the extent that the Class B ordinary shares represent at least 16.7% of our total issued and outstanding share capital. The holder of Class B ordinary shares may take actions that are not in the best interest of us or our other shareholders or holders of the ADSs. It may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company, which could have the effect of depriving our other shareholders of the opportunity to receive a premium for their shares as part of a sale of our company and may reduce the price of the ADSs. This concentrated control will limit your ability to influence corporate matters and could discourage others from pursuing any potential merger, takeover or other change of control transactions that holders of Class A ordinary shares and ADSs may view as beneficial.

Future issuances of our Class B or Class A ordinary shares, which can be approved by our board of directors, could result in dilution to existing holders of our Class A ordinary shares. Such issuances, or the perception that such issuances may occur, could depress the market price of the ADSs. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to The ADSs and This Secondary Offering — Our dual-class voting structure will

 

S-34

 

limit your ability to influence corporate matters and could discourage others from pursuing any change of control transactions that holders of our Class A ordinary shares and the ADSs may view as beneficial.”

Conversion.   Each Class B ordinary share is convertible into one Class A ordinary share at any time by the holder thereof. Class A ordinary shares are not convertible into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstances. Upon any sale, transfer, assignment, disposition, or a change of ultimate beneficial ownership of Class B ordinary shares by a holder thereof to any person who is not an Affiliate (as defined in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association) of the holders of such ordinary shares, such Class B ordinary shares shall be automatically and immediately converted into the same number of Class A ordinary shares.

Dividends.   The holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors subject to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and the Companies Act. Our amended and restated articles of association provide that dividends may be declared and paid out of our profits, realized or unrealized, or from any reserve set aside from profits which our board of directors determine is no longer needed. Dividends may also be declared and paid out of share premium account or any other fund or account which can be authorized for this purpose in accordance with the Companies Act. No dividend may be declared and paid unless our directors determine that, immediately after the payment, we will be able to pay our debts as they become due in the ordinary course of business and we have funds lawfully available for such purpose.

Voting Rights; Meeting of Shareholders.   In respect of all matters subject to a shareholders’ vote, each holder of Class A ordinary shares is entitled to one vote per share and each holder of Class B ordinary shares is entitled to ten votes per share on all matters subject to vote at our general meetings. Holders of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares shall, at all times, vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote by the members at any such general meeting. Voting at any meeting of shareholders is by a poll and not a show of hands.

A quorum required for a meeting of shareholders consists of shareholders holding a majority of the votes attaching to the issued and outstanding shares entitled to vote at general meetings present in person or by proxy or, if a corporate or other non-natural person, by its duly authorized representative. As a Cayman Islands exempted company, we are not obliged by the Companies Act to call shareholders’ annual general meetings. Our memorandum and articles of association provide that we may (but are not obliged to) in each year hold a general meeting as our annual general meeting in which case we will specify the meeting as such in the notices calling it, and the annual general meeting will be held at such time and place as may be determined by our directors. We, however, will hold an annual shareholders’ meeting during each fiscal year, as required by the Listing Rules at the Nasdaq. Each general meeting, other than an annual general meeting, shall be an extraordinary general meeting. Shareholders’ annual general meetings and any other general meetings of our shareholders may be called by a majority of our board of directors or our chairman or upon a requisition of shareholders holding at the date of deposit of the requisition not less than one-third of the votes attaching to the issued and outstanding shares entitled to vote at general meetings, in which case the directors are obliged to call such meeting and to put the resolutions so requisitioned to a vote at such meeting; however, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association do not provide our shareholders with any right to put any proposals before annual general meetings or extraordinary general meetings not called by such shareholders. Advance notice of at least seven (7) business days is required for the convening of our annual general meeting and other general meetings unless such notice is waived in accordance with our articles of association.

An ordinary resolution to be passed at a meeting by the shareholders requires the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the votes attaching to the ordinary shares cast by those shareholders entitled to vote who are present in person or by proxy at a general meeting, while a special resolution also requires the affirmative vote of no less than two-thirds of the votes attaching to the ordinary shares cast by those shareholders entitled to vote who are present in person or by proxy at a general meeting. A special resolution will be required for important matters such as a change of name or making changes to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.

Transfer of Ordinary Shares.   Subject to the restrictions in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association as set out below, any of our shareholders may transfer all or any of his or her

 

S-35

 

ordinary shares by an instrument of transfer in the usual or common form or any other form approved by our board of directors.

Our board of directors may, in its absolute discretion, decline to register any transfer of any ordinary share which is not fully paid up or on which we have a lien. Our board of directors may also decline to register any transfer of any ordinary share unless:

•

the instrument of transfer is lodged with us, accompanied by the certificate for the ordinary shares to which it relates and such other evidence as our board of directors may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer;

​

•

the instrument of transfer is in respect of only one class of shares;

​

•

the instrument of transfer is properly stamped, if required;

​

•

in the case of a transfer to joint holders, the number of joint holders to whom the ordinary share is to be transferred does not exceed four;

​

•

the shares are free from any lien in favor of the Company; and

​

•

a fee of such maximum sum as the Nasdaq may determine to be payable or such lesser sum as our directors may from time to time require is paid to us in respect thereof.

​

If our directors refuse to register a transfer they shall, within five business days of such refusal, notify the transferee and provide a detailed explanation of the reason therefor.

The registration of transfers may, after compliance with any notice required of the Nasdaq, be suspended and the register closed at such times and for such periods as our board of directors may from time to time determine, provided, however, that the registration of transfers shall not be suspended nor the register closed for 30 more than days in any year as our board may determine.

Liquidation.   On winding up, if the assets available for distribution amongst our shareholders shall be more than sufficient to repay the whole of the share capital at the commencement of the winding up, the surplus shall be distributed amongst our shareholders in proportion to the par value of the shares held by them at the commencement of the winding up, subject to a deduction from those shares in respect of which there are monies due, of all monies payable to our company for unpaid calls or otherwise. If our assets available for distribution are insufficient to repay all of the paid-up capital, the assets will be distributed so that the losses are borne by our shareholders in proportion to the par value of the shares held by them. Any distribution of assets or capital to a holder of ordinary share will be the same in any liquidation event.

Calls on Ordinary Shares and Forfeiture of Ordinary Shares.   Our board of directors may from time to time make calls upon shareholders for any amounts unpaid on their ordinary shares in a notice served to such shareholders at least 14 days prior to the specified time of payment. The ordinary shares that have been called upon and remain unpaid are subject to forfeiture.

Redemption, Repurchase and Surrender of Ordinary Shares.   We may issue shares on terms that such shares are subject to redemption, at our option or at the option of the holders thereof, on such terms and in such manner as may be determined, before the issue of such shares, by our board of directors. Our company may also repurchase any of our shares provided that the manner and terms of such purchase have been approved by our board of directors, or are otherwise authorized by our memorandum and articles of association. Under the Companies Act, the redemption or repurchase of any share may be paid out of our company’s profits or out of the proceeds of a fresh issue of shares made for the purpose of such redemption or repurchase, or out of capital (including share premium account and capital redemption reserve) if the company can, immediately following such payment, pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. In addition, under the Companies Act no such share may be redeemed or repurchased (a) unless it is fully paid up, (b) if such redemption or repurchase would result in there being no shares outstanding, or (c) if the company has commenced liquidation. In addition, our company may accept the surrender of any fully paid share for no consideration.

Variations of Rights of Shares.   If at any time our share capital is divided into different classes or series of shares, the rights attached to any class or series of shares (unless otherwise provided by the terms

 

S-36

 

of issue of the shares of that class or series), whether or not our company is being wound-up, may be varied with the consent in writing of the holders of not less than a majority of the issued shares of that class or series or with the sanction of a special resolution at a separate meeting of the holders of the shares of the class or series. The rights conferred upon the holders of the shares of any class issued shall not, unless otherwise expressly provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class, be deemed to be varied by the creation or issue of further shares ranking pari passu with such existing class of shares.

Inspection of Books and Records.   Holders of our ordinary shares have no general right under Cayman Islands law to inspect our corporate records (other than the memorandum and articles of association, special resolutions which have been passed by our shareholders, our register of mortgages and charges, and a list of our current directors) or obtain copies of our list of shareholders. However, we will provide our shareholders with annual audited financial statements. See “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”

Issuance of Additional Shares.   Our amended and restated memorandum of association authorizes our board of directors to issue additional ordinary shares from time to time as our board of directors shall determine, to the extent of available authorized but unissued shares.

Our amended and restated memorandum of association also authorizes our board of directors to establish from time to time one or more series of preferred shares and to determine, with respect to any series of preferred shares, the terms and rights of that series, including:

•

the designation of the series;

​

•

the number of shares of the series;

​

•

the dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights; and

​

•

the rights and terms of redemption and liquidation preferences.

​

Our board of directors may issue preferred shares without action by our shareholders to the extent authorized but unissued. Issuance of these shares may dilute the voting power of holders of ordinary shares.

Anti-Takeover Provisions.   Some provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association may discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company or management that shareholders may consider favorable, including provisions that authorize our board of directors to issue preferred shares in one or more series and to designate the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such preferred shares without any further vote or action by our shareholders or limit the ability of shareholders to requisition and convene general meetings of shareholders.

However, under Cayman Islands law, our directors may only exercise the rights and powers granted to them under our memorandum and articles of association for a proper purpose and for what they believe in good faith to be in the best interests of our company.

Exempted Company.   We are an exempted company with limited liability under the Companies Act. The Companies Act distinguishes between ordinary resident companies and exempted companies. Any company that is registered in the Cayman Islands but conducts business mainly outside of the Cayman Islands may apply to be registered as an exempted company. The requirements for an exempted company are essentially the same as for an ordinary company except that an exempted company:

•

does not have to file an annual return of its shareholders with the Registrar of Companies;

​

•

is not required to open its register of members for inspection;

​

•

does not have to hold an annual general meeting;

​

•

may issue shares or shares with no par value;

​

•

may obtain an undertaking against the imposition of any future taxation (such undertakings are usually given for 20 years in the first instance);

​

•

may register by way of continuation in another jurisdiction and be deregistered in the Cayman Islands;

​

 

S-37

 

•

may register as a limited duration company; and

​

•

may register as a segregated portfolio company.

​

“Limited liability” means that the liability of each shareholder is limited to the amount unpaid by the shareholder on that shareholder’s shares of the company (except in exceptional circumstances, such as involving fraud, the establishment of an agency relationship or an illegal or improper purpose or other circumstances in which a court may be prepared to pierce or lift the corporate veil).

Exclusive Forum.   Without limiting the jurisdiction of the Cayman courts to hear, settle and/or determine disputes related to our company, the courts of the Cayman Islands shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of our company, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, or other employee of our company to our company or the members, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Companies Act or our articles of association including but not limited to any purchase or acquisition of shares, security, or guarantee provided in consideration thereof, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against our company which if brought in the United States of America would be a claim arising under the internal affairs doctrine (as such concept is recognized under the laws of the United States from time to time).

Unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, federal courts of the United States of America shall have exclusive jurisdiction within the United States for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising out of or relating in any way to the federal securities laws of the United States, including those arising from the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, regardless of whether such legal suit, action, or proceeding also involves parties other than our company. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any share or other securities in our company shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of our articles of association.

Register of Members

Under the Companies Act, we must keep a register of members and there should be entered therein:

•

the names and addresses of our members, together with a statement of the shares held by each member, and such statement shall confirm (i) the amount paid or agreed to be considered as paid, on the shares of each member, (ii) the number and category of shares held by each member, and (iii) whether each relevant category of shares held by a member carries voting rights under the articles of association of our company, and if so, whether such voting rights are conditional;

​

•

the date on which the name of any person was entered on the register as a member; and

​

•

the date on which any person ceased to be a member.

​

Under the Companies Act, the register of members of our company is prima facie evidence of the matters set out therein (that is, the register of members will raise a presumption of fact on the matters referred to above unless rebutted) and a member registered in the register of members is deemed as a matter of the Companies Act to have legal title to the shares as set against its name in the register of members. In connection with this secondary offering, we will perform the procedure necessary to immediately update the register of members to record and give effect to the delivery of shares by the Selling Shareholder to the Depositary (or its nominee) as the depositary. Once our register of members has been updated, the shareholders recorded in the register of members will be deemed to have legal title to the shares set against their name. The Court may either refuse such application or it may, if satisfied of the justice of the case, make an order for the rectification of the register.

Differences in Corporate Law

The Companies Act is derived, to a large extent, from the older Companies Acts of England, but does not follow many recent English law statutory enactments. In addition, the Companies Act differs from laws applicable to United States corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of the significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Act applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the State of Delaware.

 

S-38

 

Mergers and Similar Arrangements.   The Companies Act permits mergers and consolidations between Cayman Islands companies and between Cayman Islands companies and non-Cayman Islands companies. For these purposes, (a) “merger” means the merging of two or more constituent companies and the vesting of their undertaking, property and liabilities in one of such companies as the surviving company, and (b) a “consolidation” means the combination of two or more constituent companies into a consolidated company and the vesting of the undertaking, property and liabilities of such companies to the consolidated company. In order to effect such a merger or consolidation, the directors of each constituent company must approve a written plan of merger or consolidation, which must then be authorized by (a) a special resolution of the shareholders of each constituent company, and (b) such other authorization, if any, as may be specified in such constituent company’s articles of association. The written plan of merger or consolidation must be filed with the Registrar of Companies of the Cayman Islands together with a declaration as to the solvency of the consolidated or surviving company, a declaration as to the assets and liabilities of each constituent company and an undertaking that a copy of the certificate of merger or consolidation will be given to the members and creditors of each constituent company and that notification of the merger or consolidation will be published in the Cayman Islands Gazette. Court approval is not required for a merger or consolidation which is effected in compliance with these statutory procedures.

A merger between a Cayman parent company and its Cayman subsidiary or subsidiaries does not require authorization by a resolution of shareholders of that Cayman subsidiary if a copy of the plan of merger is given to every member of that Cayman subsidiary to be merged unless that member agrees otherwise. For this purpose a company is a “parent” of a subsidiary if it holds issued shares that together represent at least ninety percent (90%) of the votes at a general meeting of the subsidiary.

The consent of each holder of a fixed or floating security interest over a constituent company is required unless this requirement is waived by a court in the Cayman Islands.

Save in certain limited circumstances, a shareholder of a Cayman constituent company who dissents from the merger or consolidation is entitled to payment of the fair value of his shares (which, if not agreed between the parties, will be determined by the Cayman Islands court) upon dissenting to the merger or consolidation, provide that the dissenting shareholder complies strictly with the procedures set out in the Companies Act. The exercise of dissenter rights will preclude the exercise by the dissenting shareholder of any other rights to which he or she might otherwise be entitled by virtue of holding shares, save for the right to seek relief on the grounds that the merger or consolidation is void or unlawful.

Separate from the statutory provisions relating to mergers and consolidations, the Companies Act also contains statutory provisions that facilitate the reconstruction and amalgamation of companies by way of schemes of arrangement, provided that the arrangement is approved by (a) 75% in value of the shareholders or class of shareholders, as the case may be, or (b) a majority in number representing 75% in value of the creditors or each class of creditors, as the case may be, with whom the arrangement is to be made, that are, in each case, present and voting either in person or by proxy at a meeting, or meetings, convened for that purpose. The convening of the meetings and subsequently the arrangement must be sanctioned by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. While a dissenting shareholder has the right to express to the court the view that the transaction ought not to be approved, the court can be expected to approve the arrangement if it determines that:

•

the statutory provisions as to the required majority vote have been met;

​

•

the shareholders have been fairly represented at the meeting in question and the statutory majority are acting bona fide without coercion of the minority to promote interests adverse to those of the class;

​

•

the arrangement is such that may be reasonably approved by an intelligent and honest man of that class acting in respect of his interest; and

​

•

the arrangement is not one that would more properly be sanctioned under some other provision of the Companies Act.

​

The Companies Act also contains a statutory power of compulsory acquisition which may facilitate the “squeeze out” of a dissenting minority shareholder upon a tender offer. When a tender offer is made

 

S-39

 

and accepted by holders of 90.0% of the shares affected within four months, the offeror may, within a two-month period commencing on the expiration of such four-month period, require the holders of the remaining shares to transfer such shares to the offeror on the terms of the offer. An objection can be made to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands but this is unlikely to succeed in the case of an offer which has been so approved unless there is evidence of fraud, bad faith or collusion.

If an arrangement and reconstruction is thus approved, or if a tender offer is made and accepted, a dissenting shareholder would have no rights comparable to appraisal rights, which would otherwise ordinarily be available to dissenting shareholders of Delaware corporations, providing rights to receive payment in cash for the judicially determined value of the shares.

Shareholders’ Suits.   In principle, we will normally be the proper plaintiff to sue for a wrong done to us as a company, and as a general rule a derivative action may not be brought by a minority shareholder. However, based on English authorities, which would in all likelihood be of persuasive authority in the Cayman Islands, the Cayman Islands court can be expected to follow and apply the common law principles (namely the rule in Foss v. Harbottle and the exceptions thereto) which permit a minority shareholder to commence a class action against or derivative actions in the name of the company to challenge actions where:

•

a company acts or proposes to act illegally or ultra vires;

​

•

the act complained of, although not ultra vires, could only be effected duly if authorized by more than a simple majority vote that has not been obtained; and

​

•

those who control the company are perpetrating a “fraud on the minority.”

​

Indemnification of Directors and Executive Officers and Limitation of Liability.   Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s memorandum and articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Under our memorandum and articles of association, to the fullest extent permissible under Cayman Islands law every director and officer of our company shall be indemnified against all actions, proceedings, costs, charges, losses, damages and expenses incurred or sustained by him by reason of any act done or omitted in or about the execution of their duty in their respective offices or trusts. This standard of conduct is generally the same as permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law for a Delaware corporation.

In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers that provide such persons with additional indemnification beyond that provided in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers or persons controlling us under the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

Directors’ Fiduciary Duties.   Under Delaware corporate law, a director of a Delaware corporation has a fiduciary duty to the corporation and its shareholders. This duty has two components: the duty of care and the duty of loyalty. The duty of care requires that a director act in good faith, with the care that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances. Under this duty, a director must inform himself of, and disclose to shareholders, all material information reasonably available regarding a significant transaction. The duty of loyalty requires that a director acts in a manner he reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the corporation. He must not use his corporate position for personal gain or advantage. This duty prohibits self-dealing by a director and mandates that the best interest of the corporation and its shareholders take precedence over any interest possessed by a director, officer or controlling shareholder and not shared by the shareholders generally. In general, actions of a director are presumed to have been made on an informed basis, in good faith and in the honest belief that the action taken was in the best interests of the corporation. However, this presumption may be rebutted by evidence of a breach of one of the fiduciary duties. Should such evidence be presented concerning a transaction by a director, the director must prove the procedural fairness of the transaction, and that the transaction was of fair value to the corporation.

 

S-40

 

As a matter of Cayman Islands law, a director of a Cayman Islands company is in the position of a fiduciary with respect to the company and therefore it is considered that he owes the following duties to the company — a duty to act bona fide in the best interests of the company, a duty not to make a profit based on his position as director (unless the company permits him to do so), a duty not to put himself in a position where the interests of the company conflict with his personal interest or his duty to a third party, and a duty to exercise powers for the purpose for which such powers were intended. A director of a Cayman Islands company owes to the company a duty to act with skill and care. It was previously considered that a director need not exhibit in the performance of his duties a greater degree of skill than may reasonably be expected from a person of his knowledge and experience. However, English and Commonwealth courts have moved towards an objective standard with regard to the required skill and care and these authorities are likely to be followed in the Cayman Islands.

Shareholder Action by Written Consent.   Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may eliminate the right of shareholders to act by written consent by amendment to its certificate of incorporation. The Companies Act and our amended and restated articles of association provide that our shareholders may approve corporate matters by way of a unanimous written resolution signed by or on behalf of each shareholder who would have been entitled to vote on such matter at a general meeting without a meeting being held.

Shareholder Proposals.   Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a shareholder has the right to put any proposal before the annual meeting of shareholders, provided it complies with the notice provisions in the governing documents. A special meeting may be called by the board of directors or any other person authorized to do so in the governing documents, but shareholders may be precluded from calling special meetings.

The Companies Act provides shareholders with only limited rights to requisition a general meeting, and does not provide shareholders with any right to put any proposal before a general meeting. However, these rights may be provided in a company’s articles of association. Our amended and restated articles of association allow our shareholders holding in aggregate not less than one-third of all votes attaching to the issued and outstanding shares of our company entitled to vote at general meetings to requisition an extraordinary general meeting of our shareholders, in which case our board is obliged to convene an extraordinary general meeting and to put the resolutions so requisitioned to a vote at such meeting. Other than this right to requisition a shareholders’ meeting, our amended and restated articles of association do not provide our shareholders with any other right to put proposals before annual general meetings or extraordinary general meetings not called by such shareholders. As an exempted Cayman Islands company, we are not obliged by law to call shareholders’ annual general meetings.

Cumulative Voting.   Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, cumulative voting for elections of directors is not permitted unless the corporation’s certificate of incorporation specifically provides for it.

Cumulative voting potentially facilitates the representation of minority shareholders on a board of directors since it permits the minority shareholder to cast all the votes to which the shareholder is entitled on a single director, which increases the shareholder’s voting power with respect to electing such director. There are no prohibitions in relation to cumulative voting under the laws of the Cayman Islands but our amended and restated articles of association do not provide for cumulative voting. As a result, our shareholders are not afforded any less protections or rights on this issue than shareholders of a Delaware corporation.

Removal of Directors.   Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a director of a corporation with a classified board may be removed only for cause with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under our amended and restated articles of association, directors may be removed with or without cause, by an ordinary resolution of our shareholders or the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the other directors present and voting at a board meeting. A director shall hold office until the expiration of his or her term or his or her successor shall have been elected and qualified, or until his or her office is otherwise vacated. In addition, a director’s office shall be vacated if the director (i) dies, becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors; (ii) is found to be or becomes of unsound mind; (iii) resigns his office by notice in writing to

 

S-41

 

the company; (iv) is prohibited by law or stock exchange rules from being a director; or (v) is removed from office pursuant to any other provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.

Transactions with Interested Shareholders.   The Delaware General Corporation Law contains a business combination statute applicable to Delaware corporations whereby, unless the corporation has specifically elected not to be governed by such statute by amendment to its certificate of incorporation, it is prohibited from engaging in certain business combinations with an “interested shareholder” for three years following the date that such person becomes an interested shareholder. An interested shareholder generally is a person or a group who or which owns or owned 15% or more of the target’s outstanding voting share within the past three years. This has the effect of limiting the ability of a potential acquirer to make a two-tiered bid for the target in which all shareholders would not be treated equally. The statute does not apply if, among other things, prior to the date on which such shareholder becomes an interested shareholder, the board of directors approves either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the person becoming an interested shareholder. This encourages any potential acquirer of a Delaware corporation to negotiate the terms of any acquisition transaction with the target’s board of directors.

Cayman Islands law has no comparable statute. As a result, we cannot avail ourselves of the types of protections afforded by the Delaware business combination statute. However, although Cayman Islands law does not regulate transactions between a company and its significant shareholders, the directors of the Company are required to comply with fiduciary duties which they owe to the Company under Cayman Islands laws, including the duty to ensure that, in their opinion, any such transactions must be entered into bona fide in the best interests of the company, and are entered into for a proper corporate purpose and not with the effect of constituting a fraud on the minority shareholders.

Restructuring.   A company may present a petition to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands for the appointment of a restructuring officer on the grounds that the company:

(a)

is or is likely to become unable to pay its debts; and

​

(b)

intends to present a compromise or arrangement to its creditors (or classes thereof) either pursuant to the Companies Act, the law of a foreign country or by way of a consensual restructuring.

​

The Grand Court may, among other things, make an order appointing a restructuring officer upon hearing of such petition, with such powers and to carry out such functions as the court may order. At any time (i) after the presentation of a petition for the appointment of a restructuring officer but before an order for the appointment of a restructuring officer has been made, and (ii) when an order for the appointment of a restructuring officer is made, until such order has been discharged, no suit, action or other proceedings (other than criminal proceedings) shall be proceeded with or commenced against the company, no resolution to wind up the company shall be passed, and no winding up petition may be presented against the company, except with the leave of the court. However, notwithstanding the presentation of a petition for the appointment of a restructuring officer or the appointment of a restructuring officer, a creditor who has security over the whole or part of the assets of the company is entitled to enforce the security without the leave of the court and without reference to the restructuring officer appointed.

Dissolution; Winding up.   Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, unless the board of directors approves the proposal to dissolve, dissolution must be approved by shareholders holding 100% of the total voting power of the corporation. Only if the dissolution is initiated by the board of directors may it be approved by a simple majority of the corporation’s outstanding shares. Delaware law allows a Delaware corporation to include in its certificate of incorporation a supermajority voting requirement in connection with dissolutions initiated by the board.

Under Cayman Islands law, a company may be wound up by either an order of the courts of the Cayman Islands or by a special resolution of its members or, if the company is unable to pay its debts as they fall due, by an ordinary resolution of its members. The court has authority to order winding up in a number of specified circumstances including where it is, in the opinion of the court, just and equitable to do so. Under the Companies Act and our amended and restated articles of association, our company may be dissolved, liquidated or wound up by a special resolution of our shareholders.

 

S-42

 

Variation of Rights of Shares.   Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may vary the rights of a class of shares with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of such class, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under Cayman Islands law and our amended and restated articles of association, if our share capital is divided into more than one class of shares, we may vary the rights attached to any class with the written consent of the holders of a majority of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a general meeting of the holders of the shares of that class.

Amendment of Governing Documents.   Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation’s governing documents may be amended with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under the Companies Act and our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, our memorandum and articles of association may only be amended by a special resolution of our shareholders.

Rights of Nonresident or Foreign Shareholders.   There are no limitations imposed by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association on the rights of nonresident or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on our shares. In addition, there are no provisions in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that require our company to disclose shareholder ownership above any particular ownership threshold.

History of Securities Issuances

The following is a summary of our securities issuances in the past three years.

Issuance of Ordinary Shares

On February 3, 2021, we issued 35,389,948 Class A ordinary shares to Engine Holdings Limited as part of our restructuring in 2021 for our initial public offering (the “Restructuring”) in exchange of cancellation and forfeiture of the existing equity interests in Atour Shanghai held by affiliates of Engine Holdings Limited before the Restructuring. For more details regarding Engine Holdings Limited, see “Principal and Selling Shareholders.”

On February 3, 2021, we issued 14,876,172 Class A ordinary shares to Li Real Limited as part of the Restructuring in exchange of cancellation and forfeiture of the existing equity interests in Atour Shanghai held by affiliates of Li Real Limited before the Restructuring.

On February 3, 2021, we issued 20,673,814 Class A ordinary shares to GLV Holding Limited as part of the Restructuring in exchange of cancellation and forfeiture of the existing equity interests in Atour Shanghai held by affiliates of GLV Holding Limited before the Restructuring. For more details regarding GLV Holding Limited, see “Principal and Selling Shareholders.”

On February 3, 2021, we issued 69,177,590 Class B ordinary shares to Sea Pearl Worldwide Holding Limited as part of the Restructuring in exchange of cancellation and forfeiture of the existing equity interests in Atour Shanghai held by affiliates of Sea Pearl Worldwide Holding Limited before the Restructuring. For more details regarding Sea Pearl Worldwide Holding Limited, see “Principal and Selling Shareholders.”

On March 3, 2021, we issued 4,503,327 Class B ordinary shares to Sea Pearl Worldwide Holding Limited for nominal consideration in connection with the Restructuring.

On March 3, 2021, we issued 301,464 Class A ordinary shares to Engine Holdings Limited for nominal consideration in connection with the Restructuring.

On March 3, 2021, we issued 50,244 Class A ordinary shares to Li Real Limited for nominal consideration in connection with the Restructuring.

On March 3, 2021, we issued 5,923,200 Class A ordinary shares to Ikaria Hotel Investment Holding Limited as part of the Restructuring in exchange of cancellation and forfeiture of the existing equity interests in Atour Shanghai held by affiliates of Ikaria Hotel Investment Holding Limited before the Restructuring.

 

S-43

 

On March 3, 2021, we issued 48,394,000 Class A ordinary shares to Trip.com Travel Singapore Pte. Ltd. as part of the Restructuring in exchange of cancellation and forfeiture of the existing equity interests in Atour Shanghai held by affiliates of Trip.com Travel Singapore Pte. Ltd. before the Restructuring.

On March 29, 2021, we issued 1,935,663 Class A ordinary shares to Sea Pearl Worldwide Holding Limited as part of the Restructuring in exchange of cancellation and forfeiture of the existing equity interests in Atour Shanghai beneficially owned by a minority shareholder before the Restructuring. The 1,935,663 Class A ordinary shares are held by Sea Pearl Worldwide Holding Limited on behalf and for the benefit of the minority shareholder. Haijun Wang disclaims economic interests with respect to the foregoing Class A ordinary shares.

On April 23, 2021, we issued 98,973,600 Class A ordinary shares to Shanghai Yi Nan Enterprise Management Partnership as part of the Restructuring in exchange of cancellation and forfeiture of the existing equity interest in Atour Shanghai held by affiliates of Shanghai Yi Nan Enterprise Management Partnership before the Restructuring.

On April 23, 2021, we issued 60,912,400 Class A ordinary shares to Diviner Limited as part of the Restructuring in exchange of cancellation and forfeiture of the existing equity interest in Atour Shanghai held by affiliates of Diviner Limited before the Restructuring.

On May 17, 2021, we issued 5,360,625 Class A ordinary shares to Xing Duo Technology Investment Limited in exchange of cancellation and forfeiture of the existing equity interest in Atour Shanghai beneficially owned by affiliates of Xing Duo Technology Investment Limited before the Restructuring.

On May 17, 2021, we issued 1,753,720 Class A ordinary shares to Vsixty Limited in exchange of cancellation and forfeiture of the existing equity interest in Atour Shanghai beneficially owned by affiliates of Vsixty Limited before the Restructuring.

On May 17, 2021, we issued 3,731,140 Class A ordinary shares to Every Fair Limited in exchange of cancellation and forfeiture of the existing equity interest in Atour Shanghai beneficially owned by affiliates of Every Fair Limited before the Restructuring.

On May 17, 2021, we issued 545,149 Class A ordinary shares to Rui Duo Investment Limited in exchange of cancellation and forfeiture of the existing equity interest in Atour Shanghai beneficially owned by affiliates of Rui Duo Investment Limited before the Restructuring.

On May 17, 2021, we issued 272,574 Class A ordinary shares to Fortune River Limited in exchange of cancellation and forfeiture of the existing equity interest in Atour Shanghai beneficially owned by affiliates of Fortune River Limited before the Restructuring.

On May 17, 2021, we issued 4,195,824 Class A ordinary shares to East Way Holding Limited in exchange of cancellation and forfeiture of the existing equity interest in Atour Shanghai beneficially owned by affiliates of East Way Holding Limited before the Restructuring.

In November 2022, we completed an initial public offering in which we offered and sold an aggregate of 16,387,500 Class A ordinary shares represented by ADSs. On November 11, 2022, the ADSs commenced trading on Nasdaq under the symbol “ATAT.”

On May 10, 2023, we issued 20,224,869 Class A ordinary shares to The Bank of New York Mellon, our depositary bank, for bulk issuance of ADSs reserved for future issuances upon the exercising or vesting of equity awards under our Public Company Plan.

Issuance of Warrants

As part of the Restructuring, we have granted the following warrants to certain existing equityholders of Atour Shanghai to allow them to acquire certain number of Class A ordinary shares in our company based on their respective equity ownership in Atour Shanghai, such that the shareholding structure of our company at the Cayman Islands level would be substantially similar to the equity ownership structure of Atour Shanghai prior to the Restructuring upon the consummation of the Restructuring.

 

S-44

 

On February 8, 2021, we granted warrants to Holgus Junlian Chengyu Venture Capital Co., Ltd. and Zhuhai Junlian Lingheng Equity Investment Enterprise LLP to purchase a total of 98,973,600 Class A ordinary shares in our company at the total exercise price of RMB522,330,000. On April 23, 2021, Holgus Junlian Chengyu Venture Capital Co., Ltd. and Zhuhai Junlian Lingheng Equity Investment Enterprise LLP exercised such warrants in full.

On February 8, 2021, we granted a warrant to Trip.com Travel Singapore Pte. Ltd. to purchase a total of 48,394,000 Class A ordinary shares in our company at the total exercise price of RMB32,798,000. On March 3, 2021, Trip.com Travel Singapore Pte. Ltd. exercised such warrant in full.

On February 8, 2021, we granted a warrant to Ikaria Hotel Investment Holding Limited to purchase a total of 5,923,200 Class A ordinary shares in our company at the total exercise price of RMB30,000,000. On March 3, 2021, Ikaria Hotel Investment Holding Limited exercised such warrant in full.

On March 29, 2021, we granted a warrant to Xing Duo Technology Investment Limited to purchase a total of 5,360,625 Class A ordinary shares in our company at the total exercise price of US$536.0625. On May 17, 2021, Xing Duo Technology Investment Limited exercised such warrant in full.

On March 29, 2021, we granted a warrant to Diviner Limited to purchase a total of 60,912,400 Class A ordinary shares in our company at the total exercise price of RMB41,282,000. On April 23, 2021, Diviner Limited exercised such warrant in full.

On March 29, 2021, we granted a warrant to Every Fair Limited to purchase a total of 3,731,140 Class A ordinary shares in our company at the total exercise price of US$373.1140. On May 17, 2021, Every Fair Limited exercised such warrant in full.

On March 29, 2021, we granted a warrant to Rui Duo Investment Limited to purchase a total of 545,149 Class A ordinary shares in our company at the total exercise price of US$54.5149. On May 17, 2021, Rui Duo Investment Limited exercised such warrant in full.

On March 29, 2021, we granted a warrant to Fortune River Limited to purchase a total of 272,574 Class A ordinary shares in our company at the total exercise price of US$27.2574. On May 17, 2021, Fortune River Limited exercised such warrant in full.

On March 29, 2021, we granted a warrant to East Way Holding Limited to purchase a total of 4,195,824 Class A ordinary shares in our company at the total exercise price of US$419.5824. On May 17, 2021, East Way Limited exercised such warrant in full.

Share Option Grants

We have granted share options to certain of our executive officers and employees. See “Management —  Share Incentive Plans.”

 

S-45

 

CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our capitalization as of September 30, 2023. This secondary offering will not affect our capitalization as we will not issue any new Class A ordinary shares and will not receive any proceeds from such offering.

You should read this table in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” in the 2022 Annual Report and our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in Exhibit 99.1 to our current report on Form 6-K furnished to the SEC on December 4, 2023, both of which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

 

S-46

 

DIVIDEND POLICY

On August 17, 2023, we declared a cash dividend of US$0.05 per ordinary share, or US$0.15 per ADS, with each ADS representing three Class A ordinary shares. The total amount of cash distributed for the dividend was approximately US$21 million.

We are a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands. We rely principally on dividends from our PRC subsidiaries for our cash requirements, including any payment of dividends to our shareholders. PRC regulations may restrict the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to us. See “Item 4. Information on The Company — 4.B. Business Overview — Regulation — Regulations on Dividend Distribution” and “Item 3. Key Information — 3.D. Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — Governmental control of currency conversion may limit our ability to utilize our revenues effectively and affect the value of your investment” in the 2022 Annual Report.

Our board of directors has discretion as to whether to distribute dividends, subject to certain requirements of Cayman Islands law. In addition, our shareholders may by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our board of directors. Under Cayman Islands law, a Cayman Islands company may pay a dividend out of either profit or share premium account, provided that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in the company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. If our board of directors decides to pay dividends, the form, frequency and amount will depend upon our future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that the board of directors may deem relevant. If we pay any dividends on our ordinary shares, we will pay those dividends which are payable in respect of the ordinary shares represented by the ADSs to the depositary, as the registered holder of such ordinary shares, and the depositary then will pay such amounts to the ADS holders in proportion to the Class A ordinary shares represented by the ADSs held by such ADS holders, subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, net of the fees and expenses payable thereunder. See “Description of American Depositary Shares.”

 

S-47

 

MANAGEMENT

Directors and Executive Officers

The following table provides information regarding our directors and executive officers as of the date of this prospectus supplement.

Mr. Haijun Wang is our founder and has served as our Chairman of Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer since 2013. Prior to founding Atour in 2013, Mr. Wang served as the executive vice president of China Lodging Group, Limited, currently known as Huazhu Group Ltd., a company listed on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol of “HTHT” and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the stock code of “1179.” Prior to joining Huazhu in 2005, Mr. Wang worked for Home Inns, Jinjiang Inn, as well as other reputable hotel companies. As the founder of Atour, the first upper midscale lifestyle hotel chain in China, Mr. Wang is a well-respected industry veteran with extensive hotel development and management experience. Mr. Wang was recognized as a leader in various industry leadership lists, including the List of the Most Innovative Business Figures in China, the List of 40 Leaders of China’s Hospitality Industry within the Past 40 Years, the List of the Most Innovative Figures in China’s Travel Industry. Mr. Wang graduated from Yanshan University and received his EMBA degree from the China Europe International Business School.

Mr. Shoudong Wang has served as our Co-Chief Financial Officer since 2021 and oversees the financial reporting and related strategic, management and operational matters of our company. Prior to joining us, Mr. Wang served in various positions for TANSH Global Food Group Co., Ltd., a company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the stock code of “3666.” Mr. Wang served as the chief financial officer of TANSH Global Group Co., Ltd. from 2019 to 2020. During 2011 to 2016, Mr. Wang was in charge of the management of finance, legal affairs and internal audit at TANSH Global Group Co., Ltd. and also served as board secretary and joint company secretary. Previously, Mr. Wang served in the finance department of Best Buy Commercial (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. and Dazhong Transportation (Group) Co., Ltd., a company listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange under the stock code of “600611.” Mr. Wang graduated from Fudan University, and received his master’s degree in business administration from Fudan University.

Mr. Jianfeng Wu has served as our Co-Chief Financial Officer since 2023. Mr. Wu oversees our capital market matters, including investor relations and financing related matters, and is responsible for providing administrative and other support to our board. Prior to joining us, Mr. Wu spent eight years with CMB International Capital Limited, where he has served as a Managing Director, a member of Investment Banking Business Management Committee and the Head of Consumer sector in the Corporate Finance Department. Prior to joining CMBI in 2015, Mr. Wu also served in the Investment Banking Division of UBS Securities Co. Limited since 2008. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the School of Economics and Management of Tsinghua University in 2008.

Mr. Hong Lu has served as our Senior Vice President and a director since 2021. Mr. Lu joined us in 2019 and served as a Vice President from 2019 to 2020. Previously, Mr. Lu served as a vice president and the

 

S-48

 

board secretary of Xiamen 35.com Technology, a company listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange under the stock code of “300051,” a vice president and the board secretary of Shandong Zhongji Electrical Equipment Co., Ltd., a company listed on Shenzhen Stock Exchange under the stock code of “300308,” and the board secretary of Guangzhou Goaland Energy Conservation Tech. Co., Ltd., a company listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange under the stock code of “300499.” Mr. Lu graduated from Fuzhou University and received his MBA degree from the New York Institute of Technology.

Mr. Gang Chen has served as our Co-Chief Operating Officer since 2022. Mr. Chen joined us as a Vice President in 2018 and was then promoted to a Senior Vice President in 2019. Previously, Mr. Chen served as a vice president of Zhuyou Hotel Management Co., Ltd. Mr. Chen graduated from Zhejiang Gongshang University.

Mr. Xun Zhang has served as our Chief Operating Officer since 2021 and our Co-Chief Operating Officer since 2022. Mr. Zhang joined us in 2013 and held various positions successively from 2013 to 2021, including regional general manager, chief operating officer of our hotel business unit, chief customer officer and head of chief executive officer’s office. Mr. Zhang brought us extensive hotel development and management experience. Prior to joining Atour from 2007 to 2013, Mr. Zhang served as hotel manager and regional manager for China Lodging Group, Limited, currently known as Huazhu Group Ltd., a company listed on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol of “HTHT” and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the stock code of “1179.” Previously, Mr. Zhang also worked for multiple reputable local resort hotels in Chongqing, China. Mr. Zhang graduated from Chongqing University of Technology.

Ms. Lijun Gao has served as our Chief Compliance Officer since 2023 and a director since 2021. Ms. Gao joined us in 2013 and served as our general counsel from January 2015 to October 2018 and as our Vice President in charge of legal matters from January 2018 to December 2022. Ms. Gao contributes more than a decade of experience in the practice of law and is specialized in corporate finance, risk management, and regulatory compliance. Ms. Gao graduated from Shanghai Normal University.

Mr. Shiwei Zhou currently serves as our director. Mr. Zhou has also served as a vice president of Trip.com Group Ltd. since 2015. Mr. Zhou is also a director of Luxuriant Holdings Limited, Teamsport Topco Limited and Tuniu Corporation. Mr. Zhou graduated from Tongji University. He received his Master of Science degree in Structural Engineering from Columbia University and his MBA degree from University of Southern California.

Mr. Hongbin Zhou currently serves as our director. Mr. Zhou has also been working at Legend Capital Management Co., Ltd. since 2005, and currently serves as its managing director. Mr. Zhou is also a director of Jiangsu Lihua Livestock Co., Ltd., Beijing Chemclin Diagnostics Co., Ltd., Milkway Chemical Engineering Supply Chain Service Co., Ltd., Pharmaron (Beijing) Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd. and Jiangsu Rec-Biotechnology Co., Ltd. Mr. Zhou graduated from Wuhan University and received his doctor’s degree in Business Administration from Fudan University.

Ms. Chao Zhang has served as our director since November 2022. Ms. Zhang has been a professor in Beijing International Studies University since 2015. Ms. Zhang graduated from Yanshan University and received her master’s degree in Tourism Administration from Nankai University and her doctor’s degree in Regional Economics from Peking University.

Mr. Cong Lin has served as our director since November 2022. Previously, Mr. Lin had served as a senior vice president at Marriott International China between 2003 and 2020. Mr. Lin graduated from Beijing Union University.

Mr. Can Wang has served as our director since November 2022. Mr. Wang has been appointed as the chief financial officer of New Hope Group Co. Ltd since 2022. Mr. Wang has also been a director at Health and Happiness International Holdings Limited from 2020 to 2023. Mr. Wang has also served in various senior management roles, including chief financial officer, chief growth officer and executive director, at Fosun International from 2012 to 2020. Mr. Wang is a non-practicing member of Chinese Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CICPA) and a member of The Association of International Accountants (AIA) and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), and has been appointed as Deputy President of China Association of Chief Financial Officers on 2021. Mr. Wang graduated from Anhui University in 1997 and received his MBA degree from China Europe International Business School.

 

S-49

 

Employment Agreements and Indemnification Agreements

We have entered into employment agreements with each of our executive officers. Each of our executive officers is employed for an indefinite term, unless terminated pursuant to the terms of the agreements or as mutually agreed by the parties thereto. We may terminate an executive officer’s employment for cause at any time without advance notice in certain events. We may terminate an executive officer’s employment by giving a prior written notice or by paying certain unpaid compensation. An executive officer may terminate his or her employment at any time by giving a prior written notice.

Each executive officer has agreed to hold, unless expressly consented to by us, at all times during and after the termination of his or her employment agreement, in strict confidence and not to use, any of our confidential information or the confidential information of our customers and suppliers. In addition, each executive officer has agreed to be bound by certain non-competition and non-solicitation restrictions during the term of his or her employment and for a specific period of time following the last date of employment.

We have also entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers. Under these agreements, we agree to indemnify our directors and executive officers against certain liabilities and expenses incurred by such persons in connection with claims made by reason of their being a director or officer of our company.

Board of Directors

Our board of directors consists of eight directors, including three independent directors within the meaning of Section 303A of the Corporate Governance Rules of the Nasdaq, namely Can Wang, Chao Zhang and Cong Lin. A director is not required to hold any shares in our company to qualify to serve as a director. The Corporate Governance Rules of the Nasdaq generally require that a majority of an issuer’s board of directors must consist of independent directors. However, the Corporate Governance Rules of the Nasdaq permit foreign private issuers like us to follow “home country practice” in certain corporate governance matters. We rely on this “home country practice” exception and do not have a majority of independent directors serving on our board of directors.

A director who is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in a contract or proposed contract with our company is required to declare the nature of his or her interest at a meeting of our directors. A general notice given to the directors by any director to the effect that he or she is a member, shareholder, director, partner, officer or employee of any specified company or firm and is to be regarded as interested in any contract or transaction with that company or firm shall be deemed a sufficient declaration of interest for the purposes of voting on a resolution in respect to a contract or transaction in which he/she has an interest, and after such general notice it shall not be necessary to give special notice relating to any particular transaction. A director may vote in respect of any contract or proposed contract or arrangement notwithstanding that he/she may be interested therein and if he/she does so, his/her vote shall be counted and he/she may be counted in the quorum at any meeting of the directors at which any such contract or proposed contract or arrangement is considered. Our board of directors may exercise all of the powers of our company to borrow money, to mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and uncalled capital, or any part thereof, and to issue debentures, debenture stock or other securities whenever money is borrowed or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of our company or of any third party. None of our directors has a service contract with us that provides for benefits upon termination of service as a director.

Committees of the Board of Directors

We have established an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee under our board of directors and have adopted a charter for each of the three committees. Each committee’s members and functions are described below.

Audit Committee.   Our audit committee consists of Can Wang, Cong Lin and Chao Zhang, and is chaired by Can Wang. We have determined that each of Can Wang, Cong Lin and Chao Zhang satisfies the requirements of Section 303A of the Corporate Governance Rules of the Nasdaq and meet the independence standards under Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We have determined that Can Wang qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert.” The audit committee

 

S-50

 

oversees our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the financial statements of our company. The audit committee is responsible for, among other things:

•

reviewing and recommending to our board for approval, the appointment, re-appointment or removal of the independent auditor, after considering its annual performance evaluation of the independent auditor;

​

•

approving the remuneration and terms of engagement of the independent auditor and pre-approving all auditing and non-auditing services permitted to be performed by our independent auditors;

​

•

obtaining a written report from our independent auditor describing matters relating to its independence and quality control procedures;

​

•

reviewing with the independent registered public accounting firm any audit problems or difficulties and management’s response;

​

•

discussing with our independent auditor, among other things, the audits of the financial statements, including whether any material information should be disclosed, issues regarding accounting and auditing principles and practices;

​

•

reviewing and approving all proposed related party transactions, as defined in Item 7 of Form 20-F;

​

•

reviewing and recommending the financial statements for inclusion within our quarterly earnings releases and to our board for inclusion in our annual reports;

​

•

discussing the annual audited financial statements with management and the independent registered public accounting firm;

​

•

reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our accounting and internal control policies and procedures and any special steps taken to monitor and control major financial risk exposures;

​

•

periodically, reviewing and reassessing the adequacy of the committee charter;

​

•

at least annually, approving annual audit plans, and undertaking an annual performance evaluation of the internal audit function;

​

•

overseeing and evaluating the handling of complaints and whistleblowing;

​

•

meeting separately and periodically with management and the independent registered public accounting firm;

​

•

monitoring compliance with our code of business conduct and ethics, including reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our procedures to ensure proper compliance; and

​

•

reporting regularly to the board.

​

Compensation Committee.   Our compensation committee consists of Haijun Wang, Can Wang and Chao Zhang and is chaired by Haijun Wang. We have determined that each of Can Wang and Chao Zhang satisfies the “independence” requirements of Section 303A of the Corporate Governance Rules of the Nasdaq. The compensation committee assists the board in reviewing and approving the compensation structure, including all forms of compensation, relating to our directors and executive officers. Our chief executive officer may not be present at any committee meeting during which their compensation is deliberated upon. The compensation committee is responsible for, among other things:

•

overseeing the development and implementation of compensation programs in consultation with our management;

​

•

reviewing and approving, or recommending to the board for its approval, the compensation for our executive officers;

​

•

reviewing periodically and submitting for board’s approval of any equity incentive plans, programs or other similar arrangements;

​

•

overseeing our regulatory compliance with respect to compensation matters, including our policies on restrictions on compensation plans and loans to directors and executive officers;

​

 

S-51

 

•

periodically, reviewing and reassessing the adequacy of the committee charter;

​

•

selecting compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser only after taking into consideration all factors relevant to that person’s independence from management; and

​

•

reporting regularly to the board.

​

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.   Our nominating and corporate governance committee consists of Haijun Wang, Cong Lin and Chao Zhang, and is chaired by Haijun Wang. We have determined that each of Can Wang and Chao Zhang satisfies the “independence” requirements of Section 303A of the Corporate Governance Rules of the Nasdaq. The nominating and corporate governance committee assists the board in selecting individuals qualified to become our directors and in determining the composition of the board and its committees. The nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for, among other things:

•

recommending nominees to the board for election or re-election to the board, or for appointment to fill any vacancy on the board;

​

•

reviewing periodically the current composition of the board with regards to characteristics such as issues of judgment, diversity, age, skills, background and experience;

​

•

reviewing candidates’ qualifications for membership on the board or a committee of the board based on the criteria approved by the board;

​

•

making recommendations to the board as to determinations of director independence;

​

•

reviewing and reassessing the adequacy of the committee charter;

​

•

reviewing and approving compensation (including equity-based compensation) for our directors; and

​

•

evaluating the performance and effectiveness of the board as a whole.

​

Duties and Functions of Directors

Under Cayman Islands law, our directors owe fiduciary duties to our company, including a duty of loyalty, a duty to act honestly and a duty to act in what they consider in good faith to be in our best interests. Our directors must also exercise their powers only for a proper purpose. Our directors also owe to our company a duty to exercise the skill they actually possess and such care and diligence that a reasonable prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances. It was previously considered that a director need not exhibit in the performance of his duties a greater degree of skill than may reasonably be expected from a person of his knowledge and experience. However, English and Commonwealth courts have moved towards an objective standard with regard to the required skill and care and these authorities are likely to be followed in the Cayman Islands. In fulfilling their duty of care to us, our directors must ensure compliance with our memorandum and articles of association, as amended and restated from time to time. Our company has the right to seek damages if a duty owed by our directors is breached. In limited exceptional circumstances, a shareholder may have the right to seek damages in our name if a duty owed by our directors is breached. In accordance with our ninth amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, the functions and powers of our board of directors include, among others, (i) convening shareholders’ annual general meetings and reporting its work to shareholders at such meetings, (ii) declaring dividends, (iii) appointing officers and determining their terms of offices and responsibilities, and (iv) approving the transfer of shares of our company, including the registering of such shares in our share register. In addition, in the event of a tie vote, the chairman of our board of directors has, in addition to his personal vote, the right to cast a tie-breaking vote.

Terms of Directors and Officers

Our officers are elected by and serve at the discretion of the board. A director shall hold office until the expiration of his or her term, if applicable, or his or her successor shall have been elected and qualified, or until his or her office is otherwise vacated. A director may be removed from office by ordinary resolution of shareholders or the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the other directors present and voting at a board meeting. A director will be removed from office automatically if, among other things, the director

 

S-52

 

(i) resigns by notice in writing to our company; (ii) dies, becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his or her creditors generally; (iii) is prohibited by any applicable law or stock exchange rules from being a director; (iv) is found to be or becomes of unsound mind; or (v) is removed from office pursuant to any other provision of our ninth amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.

Interested Transactions

A director may, subject to any separate requirement for audit committee approval under applicable law or applicable Nasdaq rules, vote in respect of any contract or transaction in which he or she is interested, provided that the nature of the interest of any directors in such contract or transaction is disclosed by him or her at or prior to its consideration and any vote in that matter.

Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers

In 2022, we paid an aggregate of RMB14.1 million (US$2.0 million) in cash to our executive officers and directors. We have not set aside or accrued any amount to provide pension, retirement or other similar benefits to our directors and executive officers. Our PRC subsidiaries are required by law to make contributions equal to certain percentages of each employee’s salary for his or her pension insurance, medical insurance, unemployment insurance and other statutory benefits and a housing provident fund. For share incentive grants to our directors and executive officers, see “Management — Share Incentive Plans.”

Employment Agreements and Indemnification Agreements

We have entered into employment agreements with each of our executive officers. Each of our executive officers is employed for an indefinite term, unless terminated pursuant to the terms of the agreements or as mutually agreed by the parties thereto. We may terminate an executive officer’s employment for cause at any time without advance notice in certain events. We may terminate an executive officer’s employment by giving a prior written notice or by paying certain unpaid compensation. An executive officer may terminate his or her employment at any time by giving a prior written notice.

Each executive officer has agreed to hold, unless expressly consented to by us, at all times during and after the termination of his or her employment agreement, in strict confidence and not to use, any of our confidential information or the confidential information of our customers and suppliers. In addition, each executive officer has agreed to be bound by certain non-competition and non-solicitation restrictions during the term of his or her employment and for a specific period of time following the last date of employment.

We have also entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers. Under these agreements, we agree to indemnify our directors and executive officers against certain liabilities and expenses incurred by such persons in connection with claims made by reason of their being a director or officer of our company.

Share Incentive Plans

2017 PRC Incentive Plan

In 2017, our PRC subsidiary Atour Shanghai adopted the 2017 Share Incentive Plan, or the 2017 PRC Plan. In 2021, we adopted the Public Company Share Incentive Plan, or the Public Company Plan, at the Cayman Islands’ level in preparation for our initial public offering, to replace the 2017 PRC Plan. Under the 2017 PRC Plan, Atour Shanghai had granted a total of 14,196,882 share based awards, representing the corresponding amount of equity interests of Atour Shanghai to certain of its officers, employees and consultants. All of the outstanding and unvested awards under the 2017 PRC Plan were replaced by the share options granted under, and governed by the terms and conditions of, the Public Company Plan in April 2021.

Public Company Plan

We adopted the Public Company Share Incentive Plan, or the Public Company Plan, in 2021 in preparation for our initial public offering, to replace the 2017 PRC Plan. The purpose of the Public

 

S-53

 

Company Plan is to recognize and reward participants for their contribution to our company, to attract suitable personnel and to provide incentives to them to remain with and further contribute to us.

Under the Public Company Plan, the maximum aggregate number of ordinary shares we are authorized to issue pursuant to equity awards granted thereunder, subject to certain adjustments pursuant to the terms thereof, is 51,029,546 Class A ordinary shares, which have been reserved for issuance pursuant to the Public Company Plan accordingly. As of November 20, 2023, a total of 26,101,014 share options corresponding to 26,101,014 underlying Class A ordinary shares had been granted to the participants under the Public Company Plan.

The following paragraphs summarize the key terms of the Public Company Plan.

Types of Awards.   The Public Company Plan permits the awards of options, restricted stock, restricted stock unit and other stock-based award.

Plan Administration.   The Public Company Plan shall be solely administrated by the board or its compensation committee, or the Administrator, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Public Company Plan.

Eligibility.   Equity awards authorized under the Public Company Plan may be granted to any key employee, and any prospective key employee, director or consultant who has accepted an offer of employment, directorship or consultancy from us or our subsidiaries, or any other individual as designated and approved by the Administrator.

Notice of Grant.   Each award under the Public Company Plan shall be evidenced by an award agreement to be entered into by the grantee and our company, in such form as the Administrator may from time to time determine.

Conditions of Award.   The Administrator shall determine the provisions, terms, and conditions of each award including, but not limited to, eligible participant, vesting schedule, the lock-up arrangements upon vesting and other terms and conditions that the award is subject to.

Transfer Restrictions.   Unless the Administrator or our chief executive officer otherwise determines, no award and no right under any such award shall be assignable, alienable, saleable or transferable by a grantee otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. No award and no right under any such award may be pledged, alienated, attached, or otherwise encumbered, and any purported pledge, alienation, attachment or encumbrance thereof shall be void and unenforceable against the Company.

Voting Power and Dividend Right of Shares Issued Pursuant to the Public Company Plan.   Until the issuance of the shares, no grantee shall have any right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights with respect to such shares.

Amendment of the Public Company Plan.   The Public Company Plan may be altered or amended in any respect by the board, except to the extent prohibited by applicable laws.

Term of the Public Company Plan.   Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, the term of the Public Company Plan shall be indefinite.

Termination of the Public Company Plan.   The Public Company Plan may be suspended, discontinued or terminated by the board, except to the extent prohibited by applicable laws.

 

S-54

 

The following table summarizes, as of November 20, 2023, the number of Class A ordinary shares under the options that we granted to our directors and executive officers:

*

The shares held by each of these directors and executive officers represent less than 1% of our total outstanding shares.

​

(1)

Certain awards shown in this table were issued under the Public Company Plan to replace the awards previously granted to such individuals under the 2017 PRC Plan between July 2017 and March 2021.

​

As of November 20, 2023, our employees and other qualified individuals other than members of our senior management as a group held a total of 13,634,898 share options granted under the Public Company Plan.

For discussions of our accounting policies and estimates for awards granted pursuant to the Public Company Plan and the 2017 PRC Plan, see “Item 5.Operating and Financial Review and Prospects — 5.E. Critical Accounting Estimates — Share-based compensation” in the 2022 Annual Report.

 

S-55

 

PRINCIPAL AND SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

The following table sets forth information concerning the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as of November 20, 2023:

•

each of our directors and executive officers;

​

•

each person known to us to beneficially own more than 5% of our ordinary shares; and

​

•

the Selling Shareholder.

​

The calculations in the table below are based on (i) 339,104,792 Class A ordinary shares (excluding 1,211,514 Class A ordinary shares issued to our depositary bank for bulk issuance of ADSs reserved for future issuances upon the exercising or vesting of equity awards under our Public Company Plan) and (ii) 73,680,917 Class B ordinary shares outstanding as of November 20, 2023. Each holder of Class A ordinary shares is entitled to one vote per share and each holder of our Class B ordinary shares is entitled to ten votes per share on all matters submitted to them for a vote.

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, we have included shares that the person has the right to acquire within 60 days, including through the exercise of any option, warrant, or other right or the conversion of any other security. These shares, however, are not included in the computation of the percentage ownership of any other person.

 

S-56

 

Notes:

*

Less than 1% of our total outstanding shares.

​

**

For each person and group included in this table, percentage ownership is calculated by dividing the number of shares beneficially owned by such person or group by the sum of (i) 339,104,792 Class A ordinary shares (excluding 1,211,514 Class A ordinary shares issued to our depositary bank for bulk issuance of ADSs reserved for future issuances upon the exercising or vesting of equity awards under our Public Company Plan) and 73,680,917 Class B ordinary shares outstanding as of November 20, 2023, and (ii) the number of Class A ordinary shares underlying the share options held by such person that are exercisable within 60 days after November 20, 2023.

​

***

For each person and group included in this column, percentage of voting power is calculated by dividing the voting power beneficially owned by such person or group by the voting power of all of our Class A and Class B ordinary shares as a single class. Each holder of Class B ordinary shares is entitled to ten votes per share and each holder of Class A ordinary shares is entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to them for a vote. Our Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of our shareholders, except as may otherwise be required by law. Our Class B ordinary shares are convertible at any time by the holder thereof into Class A ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis.

​

†

Except as indicated otherwise below, the business address of our directors and executive officers is 18th floor, Wuzhong Building, 618 Wuzhong Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China.

​

(1)

Represents (i) 73,680,917 Class B ordinary shares held of record by Express Ocean Universe Limited, a company registered in British Virgin Islands, (ii) 19,691,412 Class A ordinary shares beneficially owned by Engine Holdings Limited, (iii) 5,517,775 Class A ordinary shares beneficially owned by certain minority shareholder based on our register of members dated as of November 11, 2023, and (iv) 4,000,000 Class A ordinary shares underlying 4,000,000 share options granted to Haijun Wang on March 30, 2023 under our Public Company Plan, which became vested and exercisable on the same date. Express Ocean Universe Limited is wholly owned by Dreamline Worldwide Ventures Limited, which is in turn wholly owned by Eternal River Trust, or the Trust, for which Trident Trust Company (HK) Limited acts as the trustee. Haijun Wang is the sole director of Express Ocean Universe Limited and the settlor of the Trust, retaining the investment and dispositive powers with respect to the assets of the Trust. The beneficiaries of the Trust are Haijun Wang and Sea Pearl Worldwide Holding Limited, a company registered in the British Virgin Islands and wholly owned by Haijun Wang. Haijun Wang and Sea Pearl Worldwide Holding Limited exercise voting power over the 19,691,412 Class A ordinary shares beneficially owned by Engine Holdings Limited and the 5,517,775 Class A ordinary shares beneficially owned by the minority shareholder based on our register of members dated as of November 11, 2023. As such, each of Haijun Wang and Sea Pearl Worldwide Holding Limited may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of the foregoing Class A ordinary shares. Both of Haijun Wang and Sea Pearl Worldwide Holding Limited disclaim economic interests with respect to the foregoing Class A ordinary shares. The registered address of Sea Pearl Worldwide Holding Limited is P.O. Box 4301 Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

​

(2)

The business address of Shiwei Zhou is 968 Jinzhong Road, Changning District, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China.

​

(3)

The business address of Hongbin Zhou is 825-6, Block A, Sino-Danish Ecological Life Science Industrial Park I, 3-1 Xinjinhu Road, Jiangbei New District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China.

​

(4)

The business address of Chao Zhang is 1 Dingfuzhuang Nanli, Beijing International Studies University, College of Tourism Science, Chaoyang District, Beijing, People’s Republic of China.

​

(5)

The business address of Cong Lin is 2 Guanghua Road, C-2711, Chaoyang District, Beijing, People’s Republic of China.

​

(6)

The business address of Can Wang is Floor 18, Block A, Tower 3, WangjingSOHO, 1 East Futong Avenue, Chaoyang District, Beijing, People’s Republic of China.

​

(7)

Represents (i) 81,791,688 Class A ordinary shares held of record by Shanghai Yi Nan Enterprise Management Partnership, a limited liability partnership incorporated under the laws of PRC and (ii) 12,805,730 Class A ordinary shares held of record by Shanghai Yin Nai Enterprise Management Partnership, a limited liability partnership incorporated under the laws of PRC. Shanghai Yi Nan Enterprise Management Partnership and Shanghai Yin Nai Enterprise Management Partnership are collectively referred to as Legend Capital. Both of Shanghai Yi Nan Enterprise Management Partnership and Shanghai Yin Nai Enterprise Management Partnership are ultimately controlled by Legend Capital Management Co., Ltd., a PRC limited company. Legend Capital Management Co., Ltd. is majority-owned by Beijing Juncheng Hezhong Investment Management Partnership (Limited Partnership), which is controlled by Beijing Junqi Jiarui Business Management Limited, its general partner. The powers to vote and sell the shares beneficially owned by Beijing Junqi Jiarui Business Management Limited are exercised by its board of directors, which consists of Mr. Zhu Linan, Mr. Wang Nengguang, Mr. Chen Hao and Mr. Li Jiaqing. The registered address of Shanghai Yi Nan Enterprise Management Partnership is Room 368, No. 302 Lane 211, North Fute Road, Pilot Free Trade Zone, Shanghai, China. The registered address of Shanghai Yin Nai Enterprise Management Partnership is No. 2800, Wanyuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, China.

​

(8)

Represents 55,970,815 Class A ordinary shares held of record by Trip.com Travel Singapore Pte. Ltd., a company registered in Singapore. Trip.com Travel Singapore Pte. Ltd. is ultimately controlled by Trip.com Group Limited, a company registered in the Cayman Islands. The registered address of Trip.com Travel Singapore Pte. Ltd. is 72 Anson Road, #12-01, Anson House, Singapore (079911).

​

(9)

Represents (i) 20,751,102 Class A ordinary shares being sold by Shanghai Yi Nan Enterprise Management Partnership, and (ii) 3,248,898 Class A ordinary shares being sold by Shanghai Yin Nai Enterprise Management Partnership.

​

As of the date of this prospectus supplement, none of our outstanding ordinary shares are held by record holders in the United States. None of our shareholders has informed us that it is affiliated with a

 

S-57

 

member of Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA. We are not aware of any arrangement that may, at a subsequent date, result in a change of control of our company. See “Description of Share Capital — History of Securities Issuances” for a description of issuances of our ordinary shares and preferred shares that have resulted in significant changes in ownership held by our major shareholders. The Selling Shareholder acquired its shares in offerings that were exempted from registration under the Securities Act because such offerings involved either private placements.

 

S-58

 

TAXATION

The following discussion of Cayman Islands, PRC and United States federal income tax consequences of an investment in the ADSs or ordinary shares is based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this prospectus supplement, all of which are subject to change. This discussion does not deal with all possible tax consequences relating to an investment in the ADSs or ordinary shares, such as the tax consequences under U.S. state, or local laws or the tax laws of any jurisdiction other than the Cayman Islands, the PRC and the United States. To the extent that the discussion relates to matters of Cayman Islands tax law, it represents the opinion of Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP, our Cayman Islands legal counsel, and to the extent that the discussion relates to matters of PRC tax law, it represents the opinion of JunHe LLP, our PRC legal counsel.

Cayman Islands Taxation

The Cayman Islands currently levies no taxes on individuals or corporations based upon profits, income, gains or appreciation, and there is no taxation in the nature of inheritance tax or estate duty. There are no other taxes likely to be material to us levied by the government of the Cayman Islands, except for stamp duties which may be applicable on instruments executed in, or after execution brought within the jurisdiction of the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands is not party to any double tax treaties that are applicable to any payments made to or by our company. There are no exchange control regulations or currency restrictions in the Cayman Islands.

Payments of dividends and capital in respect of the ADSs or ordinary shares will not be subject to taxation in the Cayman Islands and no withholding will be required on the payment of a dividend or capital to any holder of the ADSs or ordinary shares, nor will gains derived from the disposal of the ADSs or ordinary shares be subject to Cayman Islands income or corporate tax.

People’s Republic of China Taxation

Under the PRC EIT Law, which became effective on January 1, 2008 and was last amended on December 29, 2018, an enterprise established outside the PRC with “de facto management bodies” within the PRC is considered a “resident enterprise” for PRC enterprise income tax purposes and is generally subject to a uniform 25% enterprise income tax rate on its worldwide income. Under the implementation regulations to the PRC EIT Law, a “de facto management body” is defined as a body that has material and overall management and control over the manufacturing and operations, personnel and human resources, finances and properties of an enterprise.

In addition, the SAT Circular 82 issued by the SAT in April 2009 specifies that certain offshore incorporated enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises or PRC enterprise groups will be classified as PRC resident enterprises only if all of the following conditions are met: (a) the primary location of the day-to-day operational management is in the PRC; (b) decisions relating to the enterprise’s financial and human resource matters are made or are subject to approval by organizations or personnel in the PRC; (c) the enterprise’s primary assets, accounting books and records, company seals, and board and shareholder resolutions are located or maintained in the PRC; and (d) at least 50% of voting board members or senior executives habitually reside in the PRC. Further to SAT Circular 82, the SAT issued the SAT Bulletin 45, which took effect in September 2011, to provide more guidance on the implementation of SAT Circular 82. SAT Bulletin 45 provides for procedures and administration details of determination on resident status and administration on post-determination matters. Our company is a company incorporated outside the PRC. As a holding company, its key assets are its ownership interests in its subsidiaries, and its key assets are located, and its records (including the resolutions of its board of directors and the resolutions of its shareholders) are maintained, outside the PRC. As such, we do not believe that our company meets all of the conditions above or is a PRC resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes. For similar reasons, we believe our other entities outside of China are not PRC resident enterprises either. However, the tax resident status of an enterprise is subject to determination by the PRC tax authorities and uncertainties remain with respect to the interpretation of the term “de facto management body.” There can be no assurance that the PRC government will ultimately take a view that is consistent with us. If the PRC tax authorities determine that our Cayman Islands holding company is a PRC resident enterprise for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, a number of unfavorable PRC tax consequences could follow. For example, a 10% withholding tax would

 

S-59

 

be imposed on dividends we pay to our non-PRC enterprise shareholders (including the ADS holders). In addition, non-resident enterprise shareholders (including the ADS holders) may be subject to PRC tax at a rate of 10% on gains realized on the sale or other disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares, if such income is treated as sourced from within the PRC. Furthermore, if we are deemed a PRC resident enterprise, dividends paid to our non-PRC individual shareholders (including the ADS holders) and any gain realized on the sale or other disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares by such shareholders may be subject to PRC tax at a rate of 20% (which, in the case of dividends, may be withheld at source by us). These rates may be reduced by an applicable tax treaty, but it is unclear whether non-PRC shareholders (including the ADS holders) of our company would be able to obtain the benefits of any tax treaties between their country of tax residence and the PRC in the event that we are treated as a PRC resident enterprise. See “Item 3. Key Information — 3.D. Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — If we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, such classification could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders and ADS holders” in the 2022 Annual Report.

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

The following are material U.S. federal income tax consequences to the U.S. Holders described below of the ownership and disposition of the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares, but this discussion does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to a particular person’s decision to acquire the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares.

This discussion applies only to a U.S. Holder that acquires ADSs in this offering and holds the ADSs or underlying Class A ordinary shares as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition, it does not describe all of the tax consequences that may be relevant in light of a U.S. Holder’s particular circumstances, including the alternative minimum tax, the Medicare contribution tax on net investment income and tax consequences applicable to U.S. Holders subject to special rules, such as:

•

certain financial institutions;

​

•

insurance companies;

​

•

regulated investment companies;

​

•

dealers or traders in securities that use a mark-to-market method of tax accounting;

​

•

persons holding ADSs or Class A ordinary shares as part of a straddle, integrated or similar transaction;

​

•

persons whose functional currency for U.S. federal income tax purposes is not the U.S. dollar;

​

•

entities classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes and their partners;

​

•

tax-exempt entities, “individual retirement accounts” or “Roth IRAs”;

​

•

persons that own or are deemed to own ADSs or Class A ordinary shares representing 10% or more of our stock by vote or value; or

​

•

persons holding ADSs or Class A ordinary shares in connection with a trade or business outside the United States.

​

If a partnership (or other entity that is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) owns ADSs or Class A ordinary shares, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships owning ADSs or Class A ordinary shares and their partners should consult their tax advisers as to their particular U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of ADSs or Class A ordinary shares.

This discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions, final, temporary and proposed Treasury regulations, and the income tax treaty between the United States and the PRC, or the Treaty, all as of the date hereof, any of which is subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. This discussion does not address any state, local or non-U.S. tax considerations, or any federal taxes (such as estate or gift taxes) other than income taxes. This discussion assumes that each obligation under the deposit agreement and any related agreement will be performed in accordance with its terms.

 

S-60

 

As used herein, a “U.S. Holder” is a person that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a beneficial owner of the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares and:

•

a citizen or individual resident of the United States;

​

•

a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state therein or the District of Columbia; or

​

•

an estate or trust the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source.

​

In general, a U.S. Holder that owns ADSs will be treated as the owner of the underlying Class A ordinary shares represented by those ADSs for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, no gain or loss will be recognized if a U.S. Holder exchanges ADSs for the underlying Class A ordinary shares represented by those ADSs.

U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers concerning the U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences of owning and disposing of ADSs or Class A ordinary shares in their particular circumstances.

Except as described below under “— Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules,” this discussion assumes that we are not, and will not be, a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for any taxable year.

Taxation of Distributions

Distributions (if any) paid on the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares (including any PRC withholding taxes, as discussed above under “— People’s Republic of China Taxation”), other than certain pro rata distributions of ADSs or Class A ordinary shares, will be treated as dividends to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Because we do not maintain calculations of our earnings and profits under U.S. federal income tax principles, it is expected that distributions generally will be reported to U.S. Holders as dividends. Dividends will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally available to U.S. corporations under the Code. Subject to applicable limitations, dividends paid to certain non-corporate U.S. Holders of ADSs may be taxable at a preferential rate. Non-corporate U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the availability of this preferential tax rate on dividends in their particular circumstances.

Dividends will be included in a U.S. Holder’s income on the date of receipt by the depositary (in the case of ADSs) or the U.S. Holder (in the case of ordinary shares). The amount of any dividend income paid in foreign currency will be the U.S. dollar amount calculated by reference to the spot rate in effect on the date of receipt, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars on such date. If the dividend is converted into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, a U.S. Holder generally should not be required to recognize foreign currency gain or loss in respect of the amount received. A U.S. Holder may have foreign currency gain or loss if the dividend is converted into U.S. dollars after the date of receipt.

Dividends will be treated as foreign-source income for foreign tax credit purposes. As described in “— People’s Republic of China Taxation,” dividends paid by us may be subject to PRC withholding tax. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the amount of the dividend income will include any amounts withheld in respect of PRC taxes. Subject to applicable limitations, which vary depending upon the U.S. Holder’s circumstances, PRC taxes withheld from dividend payments generally will be creditable against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability. The rules governing foreign tax credits are complex. For example, Treasury regulations provide that, in the absence of an election to apply the benefits of an applicable income tax treaty, in order for foreign income taxes to be creditable the relevant foreign income tax rules must be consistent with certain U.S. federal income tax principles, and we have not determined whether the PRC income tax system meets these requirements. The United States Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) recently released a notice which indicates that the United States Treasury Department and the IRS are considering amendments to these Treasury regulations and provides relief from certain of their provisions for taxable years ending on or before December 31, 2023. The notice also indicates that the United States Treasury Department and the IRS are considering whether, and under what conditions, to provide additional temporary relief for later taxable years. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding

 

S-61

 

the creditability of foreign taxes in their particular circumstances. In lieu of claiming a credit, a U.S. Holder may elect to deduct such PRC taxes in computing its taxable income, subject to applicable limitations. An election to deduct foreign taxes instead of claiming foreign tax credits applies to all foreign taxes paid or accrued in the relevant taxable year.

Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of ADSs or Class A Ordinary Shares

A U.S. Holder will generally recognize capital gain or loss on a sale or other taxable disposition of ADSs or Class A ordinary shares in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares disposed of, in each case as determined in U.S. dollars. The gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of the sale or disposition, the U.S. Holder has owned the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares for more than one year. Long-term capital gains recognized by non-corporate U.S. Holders may be subject to tax rates that are lower than those applicable to ordinary income. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

As described in “— People’s Republic of China Taxation,” gains on the sale of ADSs or Class A ordinary shares may be subject to PRC taxes. Under the Code, capital gains of U.S. persons are generally treated as U.S.-source income. However, a U.S. Holder that is eligible for Treaty benefits may be able to elect to treat gains on the disposition of ADSs or Class A ordinary shares as foreign-source income under the Treaty and claim a foreign tax credit in respect of any PRC taxes on such disposition gains. Under certain Treasury regulations, a U.S. Holder will generally be precluded from claiming a foreign tax credit with respect to PRC income taxes on gains from dispositions of ADSs or Class A ordinary shares, unless the U.S. Holder is eligible for Treaty benefits and elects to apply them. As discussed above under “— Taxation of Distributions,” the IRS recently released a notice which indicates that the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS are considering amendments to these Treasury regulations and provides relief from certain of their provisions (including the limitation described in the preceding sentence) for taxable years ending on or before December 31, 2023. However, even if these Treasury regulations do not prohibit a U.S. Holder from claiming a foreign tax credit with respect to PRC income taxes on disposition gains, other limitations under the foreign tax credit rules may preclude a U.S. Holder from claiming a foreign tax credit with respect to such taxes. If a U.S. Holder is precluded from claiming a foreign tax credit, it is possible that any PRC taxes on disposition gains may either be deductible or reduce the amount realized on the disposition. The rules governing foreign tax credits and the deductibility of non-U.S. taxes are complex. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding their eligibility for benefits under the Treaty and the consequences of the imposition of any PRC tax on disposition gains, including the Treaty’s resourcing rule, any reporting requirements with respect to a Treaty-based return position and the creditability or deductibility of any PRC tax on disposition gains in their particular circumstances (including any applicable limitations).

Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules

In general, a non-U.S. corporation is a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes for any taxable year in which (i) 75% or more of its gross income consists of passive income or (ii) 50% or more of the average value of its assets (generally determined on an average quarterly basis) consists of assets that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income. For purposes of these calculations, a non-U.S. corporation that owns, directly or indirectly, at least 25% by value of the shares of another corporation is treated as if it held its proportionate share of the assets of the other corporation and received directly its proportionate share of the income of the other corporation. Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, rents, royalties (other than certain royalties derived in an active business), and certain investment gains. Cash is generally a passive asset for these purposes. Goodwill (the value of which may be determined by reference to the excess of the sum of the corporation’s market capitalization and liabilities over the value of its assets) is generally characterized as an active asset to the extent it is associated with business activities that produce active income.

Based on the manner in which we currently conduct our business, the expected composition of our income and assets and the estimated value of our assets (including goodwill), we do not expect to be a PFIC for our 2023 taxable year. However, our PFIC status for any taxable year is an annual factual determination that can be made only after the end of that year and depends on the composition of our income and assets and the average value of our assets from time to time, including the value of our goodwill (which may be

 

S-62

 

determined, in part, by reference to our market capitalization, which could be volatile). Therefore, we may be or become a PFIC for any taxable year if our market capitalization declines while we hold a substantial amount of cash and financial investments. In addition, if in the future we change the type of services we provide with respect to our franchised hotels, our PFIC status for any taxable year may depend on whether and to what extent our income from franchised hotels will be treated as derived in the active conduct of a trade or business within the meaning of applicable Treasury regulations. Because of these uncertainties, there can be no assurance that we will not be a PFIC for our current or any future taxable year.

If we are a PFIC for any taxable year and any entity in which we own equity interests is also a PFIC (any such entity, a “Lower-tier PFIC”), U.S. Holders will be deemed to own a proportionate amount (by value) of the shares of each Lower-tier PFIC and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax according to the rules described in the next paragraph on (i) certain distributions by a Lower-tier PFIC and (ii) dispositions of shares of Lower-tier PFICs, in each case as if the U.S. Holders held such shares directly, even though the U.S. Holder does not receive any proceeds of those distributions or dispositions.

In general, if we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder owns the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares, gain recognized by such U.S. Holder on a sale or other disposition (including certain pledges) of the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares will be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period. The amounts allocated to the taxable year of the sale or disposition and to any year before we became a PFIC will be taxed as ordinary income. The amount allocated to each other taxable year will be subject to tax at the highest rate in effect for individuals or corporations, as appropriate, for that taxable year, and an interest charge will be imposed on the resulting tax liability for each such year. Furthermore, to the extent that distributions received by a U.S. Holder in any taxable year on its ADSs or Class A ordinary shares exceed 125% of the average of the annual distributions on the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares received during the preceding three taxable years or the U.S. Holder’s holding period, whichever is shorter, the excess distributions will be subject to taxation in the same manner. If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder owns ADSs or Class A ordinary shares, we will generally continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to the U.S. Holder for all succeeding taxable years during which the U.S. Holder owns the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares, even if we cease to meet the threshold requirements for PFIC status, unless the U.S. Holder makes a timely “deemed sale” election, in which case any gain on the deemed sale will be taxed under the PFIC rules described above.

Alternatively, if we are a PFIC for any taxable year and if the ADSs are “regularly traded” on the Nasdaq, a U.S. Holder that owns ADSs could make a mark-to-market election that will result in tax treatment different from the general tax treatment for PFICs described in the preceding paragraph. The ADSs will be treated as regularly traded for any calendar year in which more than a de minimis quantity of the ADSs is traded on the Nasdaq on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter. If a U.S. Holder of ADSs makes the mark-to-market election, for each taxable year that we are a PFIC, the U.S. Holder generally will recognize as ordinary income any excess of the fair market value of the ADSs at the end of such U.S. Holder’s taxable year over their adjusted tax basis, and will recognize an ordinary loss in respect of any excess of the adjusted tax basis of the ADSs over their fair market value at the end of such U.S. Holder’s taxable year, but only to the extent of the net amount of income previously included as a result of the mark-to-market election. If a U.S. Holder makes the election, the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the ADSs will be adjusted to reflect the income or loss amounts recognized. Any gain recognized on the sale or other disposition of ADSs in a taxable year in which we are a PFIC will be treated as ordinary income and any loss will be treated as an ordinary loss (but only to the extent of the net amount of income previously included as a result of the mark-to-market election, with any excess loss treated as a capital loss). If a

U.S. Holder makes the mark-to-market election, distributions paid on ADSs will be treated as discussed under “— Taxation of Distributions” above (but subject to the discussion in the immediately subsequent paragraph). Once made, the election will remain in effect for all taxable years in which we are a PFIC, unless it is revoked with the IRS’s consent, or the ADSs cease to be regularly traded on a qualified exchange. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the availability and advisability of making a mark-to-market election in their particular circumstances in the case that we are a PFIC for any taxable year. In particular, U.S. Holders should consider carefully the impact of a mark-to-market election with respect to their ADSs given that we may have Lower-tier PFICs, and there is no provision in the Code or Treasury regulations that would enable a U.S. Holder to file a mark-to-market election with respect to any Lower-tier PFICs the shares of which are not regularly traded. In addition, because our ordinary shares are not

 

S-63

 

publicly traded, a U.S. Holder that holds ordinary shares that are not represented by ADSs will generally not be eligible to make a mark-to-market election with respect to such shares.

If we are a PFIC (or are treated as a PFIC with respect to a U.S. Holder) for a taxable year in which we pay a dividend or for the prior taxable year, the preferential tax rate described above with respect to dividends paid to certain non-corporate U.S. Holders will not apply.

If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holders owns any ADSs or Class A ordinary shares, the U.S. Holder will generally be required to file annual reports with the IRS. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the determination of whether we are a PFIC for any taxable year and the potential application of the PFIC rules to their ownership of ADSs or Class A ordinary shares.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Payments of dividends and sales proceeds that are made within the United States or through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding, unless (i) the U.S. Holder is a corporation or other “exempt recipient” or (ii) in the case of backup withholding, the U.S. Holder provides a correct taxpayer identification number and certifies that it is not subject to backup withholding. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a U.S. Holder will be allowed as a credit against its U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle it to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Certain U.S. Holders who are individuals (and certain specified entities) may be required to report information relating to their ownership of ADSs or Class A ordinary shares, or non-U.S. accounts through which the ADSs or ordinary shares are held. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding their reporting obligations with respect to ADSs and Class A ordinary shares.

 

S-64

 

UNDERWRITING

BofA Securities, Inc., CMB International Capital Limited and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. are acting as representatives of each of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in an underwriting agreement among us, the Selling Shareholder and the underwriters, the Selling Shareholder has agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each of the underwriters has agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Selling Shareholder, the number of ADSs set forth opposite its name below.

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, the underwriters have agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase all of the ADSs sold under the underwriting agreement if any of these ADSs are purchased. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated.

We and the Selling Shareholder have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

The underwriters are offering the ADSs, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of legal matters by their counsel, including the validity of the ADSs, and other conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, such as the receipt by the underwriters of officer’s certificates and legal opinions. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.

Commissions and Discounts

The representatives have advised us and the Selling Shareholder that the underwriters propose initially to offer the ADSs to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement. After the initial offering, the public offering price, concession or any other term of the offering may be changed.

The following table shows the public offering price, underwriting discount and proceeds before expenses to the Selling Shareholder. The information assumes either no exercise or full exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional ADSs.

The expenses of the offering, not including the underwriting discount, are estimated at US$      and are payable by the Selling Shareholder. The Selling Shareholder has agreed to reimburse the underwriters for all costs and expenses in connection with the offering in an amount up to US$     .

Certain of the underwriters are expected to make offers and sales both inside and outside the United States through their respective selling agents. Any offers or sales in the United States will be conducted by broker-dealers registered with the SEC. CMB International Capital Limited is not a broker-dealer registered with the SEC and may not make sales in the United States or to U.S. persons. CMB International Capital Limited has agreed that it does not intend to and will not offer or sell any of the ADSs in the United States or to U.S. persons in connection with this offering.

 

S-65

 

The address of BofA Securities, Inc. is One Bryant Park, New York, NY 10036, United States of America. The address of CMB International Capital Limited is 45F, Champion Tower, 3 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong. The address of Citigroup Global Markets Inc. is 388 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10013, United States of America.

Option to Purchase Additional ADSs

Each selling shareholder, severally and not jointly, has granted an option to the underwriters, exercisable for 30 days after the date of this prospectus supplement, to purchase up to 1,200,000 additional ADSs at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount. If the underwriters exercise this option, each will be obligated, subject to conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, to purchase a number of additional ADSs proportionate to that underwriter’s initial amount reflected in the above table.

No Sales of Similar Securities

We and the Selling Shareholder have agreed not to sell or transfer any of the ADSs or ordinary shares for 180 days after the date of this prospectus supplement without first obtaining the written consent of the representatives. Specifically, we and these other persons have agreed, with certain exceptions, not to directly or indirectly:

•

offer, pledge, sell or contract to sell any ordinary shares or ADSs,

​

•

sell any option or contract to purchase any ordinary shares or ADSs,

​

•

purchase any option or contract to sell any ordinary shares or ADSs,

​

•

grant any option, right or warrant to purchase any ordinary shares or ADSs,

​

•

lend or otherwise dispose of or transfer any ordinary shares or ADSs, or

​

•

enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, the economic consequence of ownership of any ordinary shares or ADSs whether any such swap or transaction is to be settled by delivery of ADSs or other securities, in cash or otherwise.

​

In addition, the Selling Shareholder has agreed not to make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to the registration of any ADSs or ordinary shares for 180 days after the date of this prospectus supplement.

These lock-up provisions also apply to securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for ordinary shares or ADSs. They also apply to ordinary shares or ADSs owned now or acquired later by the person executing the agreement or for which the person executing the agreement later acquires the power of disposition.

Nasdaq Global Select Market Listing

Our ADSs are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “ATAT”.

Price Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids

Until the distribution of the ADSs is completed, SEC rules may limit underwriters and selling group members from bidding for and purchasing the ADSs. However, the representatives may engage in transactions that stabilize the price of the ADSs, such as bids or purchases to peg, fix or maintain that price.

In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell the ADSs in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, purchases on the open market to cover positions created by short sales and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of ADSs than they are required to purchase in the offering. “Covered” short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ option to purchase additional ADSs described above. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their option to purchase additional ADSs or purchasing ADSs in the open market. In determining the source of ADSs to close out the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of ADSs available for purchase in

 

S-66

 

the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase ADSs through the option granted to them. “Naked” short sales are sales in excess of such option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing ADSs in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the ADSs in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of various bids for or purchases of ADSs made by the underwriters in the open market prior to the completion of the offering.

The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the representatives have repurchased ADSs sold by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.

Similar to other purchase transactions, the underwriters’ purchases to cover the syndicate short sales may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of the ADSs or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the ADSs. As a result, the price of the ADSs may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. The underwriters may conduct these transactions on Nasdaq, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

Neither we, the Selling Shareholder nor any of the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of the ADSs. In addition, neither we, the Selling Shareholder nor any of the underwriters make any representation that the representatives will engage in these transactions or that these transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

Electronic Distribution

In connection with the offering, certain of the underwriters or securities dealers may distribute this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus by electronic means, such as e-mail.

Other Relationships

Some of the underwriters and their affiliates have engaged in, and may in the future engage in, investment banking and other commercial dealings in the ordinary course of business with us or our affiliates. They have received, or may in the future receive, customary fees and commissions for these transactions.

In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the underwriters and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

Notice to Prospective Investors in European Economic Area

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area (each an “EEA State”), no ADSs have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offer to the public in that EEA State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the ADSs which has been approved by the competent authority in that EEA State or, where appropriate, approved in another EEA State and notified to the competent authority in that EEA State, all in accordance with the EU Prospectus Regulation, except that it may make an offer to the public in that EEA State of any ADSs at any time under the following exemptions under the EU Prospectus Regulation:

(a)   to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under the EU Prospectus Regulation;

(b)   to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under the EU Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of representatives for any such offer; or

 

S-67

 

(c)   in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the EU Prospectus Regulation,

provided that no such offer of the ADSs shall require the Issuer or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the EU Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the EU Prospectus Regulation.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to the ADSs in any EEA State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any ADSs to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any ADSs, and the expression “EU Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.

Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Kingdom

In relation to the United Kingdom, no ADSs have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offer to the public in the United Kingdom prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the ADSs which has been approved by the Financial Conduct Authority in accordance with the UK Prospectus Regulation, except that it may make an offer to the public in the United Kingdom of any ADSs at any time under the following exemptions under the UK Prospectus Regulation:

(a)   to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under the UK Prospectus Regulation;

(b)   to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under the UK Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of representatives for any such offer; or

(c)   in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the UK Prospectus Regulation,

provided that no such offer of the ADSs shall require the Issuer or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the UK Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the UK Prospectus Regulation.

In the United Kingdom, the offer is only addressed to, and is directed only at, “qualified investors” within the meaning of Article 2I of the UK Prospectus Regulation, who are also (i) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments who fall within the definition of “investment professionals” in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”); (ii) high net worth bodies corporate, unincorporated associations and partnerships and trustees of high value trusts as described in Article 49(2) of the Order; or (iii) persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be communicated (all such persons being referred to as “relevant persons”). This document must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not relevant persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to the ADSs in the United Kingdom means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any ADSs to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any ADSs, and the expression “UK Prospectus Regulation” means the UK version of Regulation (EU) No 2017/1129 as amended by The Prospectus (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, which is part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Switzerland

The ADSs may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (“SIX”) or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This document has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the ADSs or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, the Company, the ADSs have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In

 

S-68

 

particular, this document will not be filed with, and the offer of ADSs will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA (FINMA), and the offer of ADSs has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes (“CISA”). The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of ADSs.

Notice to Prospective Investors in the Dubai International Financial Centre

This prospectus supplement relates to an exempt offer in accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (“DFSA”). This prospectus supplement is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in the Offered Securities Rules of the DFSA. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with exempt offers. The DFSA has not approved this prospectus supplement nor taken steps to verify the information set forth herein and has no responsibility for the prospectus supplement. The ADSs to which this prospectus supplement relates may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the ADSs offered should conduct their own due diligence on the ADSs. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus supplement you should consult an authorized financial advisor.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Australia

No placement document, prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document has been lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (“ASIC”), in relation to the offering. This prospectus supplement does not constitute a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act 2001 (the “Corporations Act”), and does not purport to include the information required for a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act.

Any offer in Australia of the ADSs may only be made to persons (the “Exempt Investors”) who are “sophisticated investors” ​(within the meaning of section 708(8) of the Corporations Act), “professional investors” ​(within the meaning of section 708(11) of the Corporations Act) or otherwise pursuant to one or more exemptions contained in section 708 of the Corporations Act so that it is lawful to offer the ADSs without disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act.

The ADSs applied for by Exempt Investors in Australia must not be offered for sale in Australia in the period of 12 months after the date of allotment under the offering, except in circumstances where disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act would not be required pursuant to an exemption under section 708 of the Corporations Act or otherwise or where the offer is pursuant to a disclosure document which complies with Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act. Any person acquiring ADSs must observe such Australian on-sale restrictions.

This prospectus supplement contains general information only and does not take account of the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person. It does not contain any securities recommendations or financial product advice. Before making an investment decision, investors need to consider whether the information in this prospectus supplement is appropriate to their needs, objectives and circumstances, and, if necessary, seek expert advice on those matters.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Hong Kong

The securities have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than (a) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong and any rules made under that Ordinance; or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of that Ordinance. No advertisement, invitation or document relating to the securities has been or may be issued or has been or may be in the possession of any person for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to securities

 

S-69

 

which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance and any rules made under that Ordinance.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Japan

The securities have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948, as amended) and, accordingly, will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan, or for the benefit of any Japanese Person or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to any Japanese Person, except in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines promulgated by relevant Japanese governmental or regulatory authorities in effect at the relevant time. For the purposes of this paragraph, “Japanese Person” shall mean any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Singapore

This prospectus supplement has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the ADSs may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the ADSs be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA) pursuant to Section 274 of the SFA, (ii) to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA) pursuant to Section 275(1) of the SFA, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA and (where applicable) Regulation 3 of the Securities and Futures (Classes of Investors) Regulations 2018, or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Where the ADSs are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:

•

a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or

​

•

a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor, securities or securities-based derivatives contracts (each term as defined in Section 2(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the ADSs pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:

​

(1)

to an institutional investor or to a relevant person, or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(c)(ii) of the SFA;

​

(2)

where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer;

​

(3)

where the transfer is by operation of law;

​

(4)

as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or

​

(5)

as specified in Regulation 37A of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Securities and Securities-based Derivatives Contracts) Regulations 2018.

​

Any reference to the SFA is a reference to the Securities and Futures Act 2001 of Singapore and a reference to any term as defined in the SFA or any provision in the SFA is a reference to that term as modified or amended from time to time including by such of its subsidiary legislation as may be applicable at the relevant time.

Notification under Section 309B(1)(c) of the SFA — The ADSs are prescribed capital markets products (as defined in the Securities and Futures (Capital Markets Products) Regulations 2018) and Excluded

 

S-70

 

Investment Products (as defined in Monetary Authority of Singapore, or the MAS, Notice SFA 04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and MAS Notice FAA-N16: Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products).

NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS IN CANADA

The securities may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45 – 106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31 – 103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the securities must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus supplement (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

Pursuant to section 3A.3 (or, in the case of securities issued or guaranteed by the government of a non- Canadian jurisdiction, section 3A.4) of National Instrument 33 – 105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI33 – 105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33 – 105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering

 

S-71

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

We are subject to periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as applicable to foreign private issuers. Accordingly, we are required to file reports, including annual reports on Form 20-F, and other information with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC on www.sec.gov.

As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt under the Exchange Act from, among other things, the rules prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our executive officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we are not required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act. However, we intend to furnish the depositary with our annual reports, which will include a review of operations and annual audited consolidated financial statements prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, and all notices of shareholders’ meeting and other reports and communications that are made generally available to our shareholders. The depositary will make such notices, reports, and communications available to holders of ADSs and, upon our request, will mail to all record holders of ADSs the information contained in any notice of a shareholders’ meeting received by the depositary from us.

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-3 relating to the securities covered by this prospectus supplement. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are part of the registration statement and do not contain all the information in the registration statement. You will find additional information about us in the registration statement. Any statement made in this prospectus supplement concerning a contract or other document of ours is not necessarily complete, and you should read the documents that are filed as exhibits to the registration statement or otherwise filed with the SEC for a more complete understanding of the document or matter. Each such statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the document to which it refers.

 

S-72

 

LEGAL MATTERS

We are being represented by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP with respect to certain legal matters as to United States federal securities and New York State law, by Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP with respect to legal matters of Cayman Islands law and by JunHe LLP with respect to legal matters of PRC law. The underwriters are being represented by Latham & Watkins, LLP with respect to certain legal matters as to United States federal securities and New York State law, and by Zhong Lun Law Firm with respect to legal matters of PRC law. The validity of the ordinary shares represented by the ADSs offered in this secondary offering will be passed upon for us by Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP. Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP may rely upon Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP with respect to matters governed by Cayman Islands law and JunHe LLP with respect to matters governed by PRC law. Latham & Watkins, LLP may rely upon Zhong Lun Law Firm with respect to matters governed by PRC law.

 

S-73

 

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Atour Lifestyle Holdings Limited as of December 31, 2021 and 2022, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2022, have been incorporated by reference herein and in the registration statement in reliance upon the report of KPMG Huazhen LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

The office of KPMG Huazhen LLP is located at 25th Floor, Tower II, Plaza 66, 1266 Nanjing West Road, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China.

 

S-74

PROSPECTUS

Atour Lifestyle Holdings Limited

Class A Ordinary Shares

We may from time to time in one or more offerings offer and sell our Class A ordinary shares, including Class A ordinary shares represented by American depositary shares, or ADSs.

In addition, from time to time, selling shareholders named in a prospectus supplement may offer and sell our Class A ordinary shares held by them. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of our Class A ordinary shares by selling shareholders.

We will provide specific terms of any offering in a supplement to this prospectus. Any prospectus supplement may also add, update, or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement as well as the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus before you purchase any of the securities offered hereby.

These securities may be offered and sold in the same offering or in separate offerings; to or through underwriters, dealers, and agents; or directly to purchasers. The names of any underwriters, dealers, or agents involved in the sale of our securities, their compensation and any options to purchase additional securities held by them will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. For a more complete description of the plan of distribution of these securities, see the section entitled “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page 37 of this prospectus.

The ADSs are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “ATAT.” On December 1, 2023, the last reported sale price of the ADSs on the Nasdaq Global Select Market was US$18.00 per ADS.

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described under “Risk Factors” starting on page 5 of this prospectus, included in any prospectus supplement or in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus before you invest in our securities.

This prospectus may not be used to offer or sell any securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is December 4, 2023

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

i

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

We are a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. This prospectus is part of an automatic shelf registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. By using an automatic shelf registration statement, we or any selling shareholder may, at any time and from time to time, sell the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. We may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus by means of a prospectus supplement or by incorporating by reference information that we file or furnish to the SEC. As allowed by the SEC rules, this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement do not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. For further information, we refer you to the registration statement, including its exhibits. Statements contained in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement about the provisions or contents of any agreement or other document are not necessarily complete. If the SEC’s rules and regulations require that an agreement or document be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, please see that agreement or document for a complete description of these matters.

You should carefully read this document and any applicable prospectus supplement. You should also read the documents we have referred you to under “Where You Can Find More Information About Us” and “Incorporation of Documents by Reference” below for information on our company, the risks we face and our financial statements. The registration statement and exhibits can be read on the SEC’s website as described under “Where You Can Find More Information About Us.”

In this prospectus, unless otherwise indicated or unless the context otherwise requires:

•

“ADSs” refers to our American depositary shares, each of which represents three Class A ordinary shares;

​

•

“China” or “PRC” refers to the People’s Republic of China;

​

•

“shares” or “ordinary shares” refers to our Class A and Class B ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share;

​

•

“RMB” and “Renminbi” are the legal currency of China and “U.S. dollars,” “US$,” “dollars” and “$” are the legal currency of the United States; and

​

•

“we,” “us,” “our company” and “our” refer to Atour Lifestyle Holdings Limited, a Cayman Islands exempted company, and its subsidiaries.

​

 

1

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus may contain forward-looking statements that reflect our current or then-current expectations and views of future events. All statements other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

You can identify some of these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “likely to” or other similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:

•

general economic, political, demographic and business conditions in China and globally;

​

•

fluctuations in inflation and exchange rates in China and globally;

​

•

our ability to implement our growth strategy;

​

•

our ability to compete and conduct our business in the future;

​

•

the availability of qualified personnel and the ability to retain such personnel;

​

•

the expected growth and competition in the hospitality industry in China;

​

•

changes in government policies and regulation;

​

•

other factors that may affect our financial condition, liquidity and results of operations; and

​

•

other risk factors discussed under “Risk Factors.”

​

The forward-looking statements included in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about our company. Our actual results of operations may differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of the risk factors disclosed in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus or in any accompanying prospectus supplement.

We would like to caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and you should read these statements in conjunction with the risk factors disclosed in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus or in any accompanying prospectus supplement for a more complete discussion of the risks of an investment in our securities. The forward-looking statements included in this prospectus or incorporated by reference into this prospectus are made only as of the date of this prospectus or the date of the incorporated document, and we do not undertake any obligation to update the forward-looking statements except as required under applicable law.

 

2

 

CORPORATE INFORMATION

Our principal executive offices are located at 1st floor, Wuzhong Building, 618 Wuzhong Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China. Our telephone number at this address is +86-021-64059928. Our registered office in the Cayman Islands is located at P.O. Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands. Our agent for service of process in the United States is Cogency Global Inc., located at 122 East 42nd Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10168.

We are subject to the periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange Act as applicable to foreign private issuers. Under the Exchange Act, we are required to file reports and other information with the SEC. Specifically, we are required to file annually a Form 20-F within four months after the end of each fiscal year. The SEC also maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding registrants that make electronic filings with the SEC using its EDGAR system. Such information can also be found on our investor relations website at https://ir.yaduo.com. The information contained on our website is not a part of this prospectus.

 

3

 

IMPLICATIONS OF BEING AN EMERGING GROWTH COMPANY

As a company with less than US$1.235 billion in revenue for the last fiscal year, we qualify as an “emerging growth company” pursuant to the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (as amended by the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act of 2015), or the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other requirements that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include exemption from the auditor attestation requirement under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or Section 404, in the assessment of the emerging growth company’s internal control over financial reporting. The JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company does not need to comply with any new or revised financial accounting standards until such date that a private company is otherwise required to comply with such new or revised accounting standards. Pursuant to the JOBS Act, we have elected to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards. As a result, our operating results and financial statements may not be comparable to the operating results and financial statements of other companies who have adopted the new or revised accounting standards.

We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (i) the last day of our fiscal year during which we have total annual gross revenues of at least US$1.235 billion; (ii) the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the completion of our initial public offering; (iii) the date on which we have, during the previous three-year period, issued more than US$1.0 billion in non-convertible debt; or (iv) the date on which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, which would occur if the market value of the ADSs that are held by non-affiliates exceeds US$700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter. Once we cease to be an emerging growth company, we will not be entitled to the exemptions provided in the JOBS Act discussed above. See “Item 3. Key Information — 3.D. Risk Factors —  Risks Related to The ADSs — We are an emerging growth company within the meaning of the Securities Act and may take advantage of certain reduced reporting requirements” in our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2022, or the 2022 Annual Report, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

 

4

 

RISK FACTORS

Please see the risk factors set forth under “Item 3. Key Information — 3.D. Risk Factors” in the 2022 Annual Report, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus and is further supplemented and updated by the risk factors below, and any accompanying prospectus supplement before investing in any securities that may be offered pursuant to this prospectus.

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

We may not be able to manage our expected growth, which could adversely affect our operating results.

We have experienced substantial growth in the past. Over the past few years, we increased the number of our hotels in China to 1,112 as of September 30, 2023, and we intend to continue to convert, operate and manage additional hotels in markets where we have a presence and in additional cities in China. Our expansion has placed, and will continue to place, substantial demands on our managerial, financial, operational, IT, and other resources. In order to manage and support our growth, we must continue to improve our existing managerial, operational and IT systems, including our financial and management controls, and recruit, train and retain qualified hotel management and other personnel. Our planned expansion will also require us to maintain consistent and high-quality accommodations and services to ensure that our brand does not suffer as a result of any deviations, whether actual or perceived, in our quality standards. We cannot assure you that we will be able to effectively and efficiently manage the growth of our operations or maintain our quality standards. If we are unable to do so, our results of operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.

Some of our existing development pipeline may not be developed into new hotels, which could materially and adversely affect our growth prospects.

As of September 30, 2023, we had 577 manachised hotels with a total of 62,689 hotel rooms in our development pipeline, which we define as hotels under construction or approved for development under our hotel brands. The commitments of owners and developers with whom we have contracts are subject to numerous conditions, and the eventual development and construction of our development pipeline not currently under construction is subject to numerous risks, including, in certain cases, the owner’s or developer’s ability to obtain adequate financing and obtaining governmental or regulatory approvals. As a result, not every hotel in our development pipeline may develop into a new hotel that enters our system.

Our legal right to lease certain properties to operate our leased hotels could be challenged by property owners or other third parties, which could prevent us from continuing to operate our leased hotels or increase the costs associated with operating these hotels.

We rely on leases with third parties who either own or lease the properties from the ultimate property owners to operate our leased hotels. The land use rights and other property rights with respect to properties we currently lease for our existing hotels could be challenged. As of September 30 2023, our lessors failed to provide us with the valid property ownership certificates and/or the land use rights certificates for approximately 5.05% of all of our leased hotels in terms of gross floor area. While we have performed due diligence to verify the rights of our lessors to lease such properties, including inspecting documentation issued by competent government authorities evidencing these lessors’ land use rights and other property rights with respect to these properties, the lessees’ rights under those leases could be challenged by other parties including government authorities in China. If the properties are deemed to be illegal constructions or the landlords do not have the rights to lease the properties to the lessees for hotel operations purposes, the lessors (instead of the lessees) may be subject to monetary penalties and the lease agreements may be invalidated. We may therefore be required to relocate our relevant hotels. In addition, some of our properties where our leased hotels are located are owned by governmental and other third-party organizations, and such leases are subject to present and future policies in China related to government-owned properties or other similar types of properties. In the event that we could no longer operate on such sites, we may suffer financial losses.

We also cannot assure you that we can always keep good title of the properties we lease currently or will lease in the future, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects. If the ultimate owner of the property changes after the original owner of such property mortgages such property to any third party,

 

5

 

lessees’ legal rights under the lease agreement may be affected adversely and we may not rank senior in the right of continuing occupying the property. In addition to the above risks, we also face potential disputes with property owners, primary lease holders or third parties. Such disputes, whether or not resolved in our favor, may divert management attention, involve significant cost, harm our reputation and otherwise disrupt our business.

Failure to comply with lease registration under PRC law may subject both parties to such leases to fines or other penalties that may negatively affect our ability to operate our leased hotels.

Under PRC law, all lease agreements of commodity housing tenancy are required to be registered with the local housing bureau, including those relating to the leased properties underlying our leased hotels. While the majority of our standard lease agreements require the lessors to make such registrations, most of our leases entered into in connection with our leased hotels as of September 30, 2023 have not been registered as required by PRC law, which may expose both lessors and lessees to potential monetary fines ranging from RMB1,000 to RMB10,000 for each non-registration. Some of our rights under the unregistered leases may also be subordinated to the rights of other interested third parties.

In addition, in some instances where the lessors or lessees are not the ultimate owners of hotel properties, no consents or permits have been obtained from the property owners, the primary lease holders or competent government authorities, as applicable, for the subleases of the hotel properties to certain of our hotels, which could potentially invalidate the leases for our hotel properties or lead to the renegotiation of such leases that result in terms less favorable to us or even relocation of our relevant hotels. Some of the properties leased from third parties were also subject to mortgages at the time the leases were signed. Moreover, the property ownership or leasehold in connection with our manachised hotels could be subject to similar third-party claims.

Failure to comply with land- and property-related requirements under PRC law may subject lessors to fines or other penalties that may negatively affect our ability to operate our leased hotels.

Lessors of our hotel properties are required to comply with various land- and property-related laws and regulations to enable them to lease effective titles of their properties for our hotel use. For example, before any properties located on state-owned land in China with allocated or leased land use rights or on land owned by collective organizations may be leased to third parties, lessors should obtain appropriate approvals from competent government authorities. In addition, properties used for hotel operations and the underlying land should be approved for hospitality use or appropriate commercial use purposes by competent government authorities. Some of the lessors of our hotel properties have not obtained the required governmental approvals, including approvals of the properties for hospitality use purposes. As of September 30, 2023, for approximately 25.10% of our leased hotels in terms of gross floor area, the lessors have not obtained the required governmental approvals for the properties to be used for hospitality use purposes. Failure to comply with the land- and property-related laws and regulations may subject the lessors to monetary fines or other penalties and may lead to the invalidation or termination of the leases and relocation of our relevant leased hotels, and therefore may adversely affect our results of operations. While some lessors have agreed to indemnify lessees against the losses resulting from the lessors’ failure to obtain the required approvals, there is no assurance that the lessees will be able to successfully enforce such indemnification obligations against the lessors or that such indemnification can cover losses from all the property defects. As a result, we may suffer significant losses resulting from the lessors’ failure to obtain required approvals to the extent that the lessees are not fully indemnified by the lessors.

Default in payment by franchisees and/or corporate account clients that have large account receivable balances could adversely impact our cash flows, working capital, results of operations and financial condition.

Our accounts receivable include amounts due from our franchisees and corporate clients whose employees are guests in our leased hotels. Our corporate clients may choose to settle with us directly, and we typically require our franchisees to pay various fees pursuant to their franchise and management agreements with us on a monthly basis. Our net accounts receivable balance was RMB100.0 million, RMB132.7 million and RMB143.4 million (US$19.7 million) as of December 31, 2021 and 2022 and September 30, 2023, respectively.

 

6

 

We are subject to the risk that we may be unable to collect accounts receivable in a timely manner, or at all. An extended period of hotel room vacancy or decrease in room rates, which may be the result of a variety of factors such as unfavorable economic conditions in China and globally, may adversely affect our ability to collect accounts receivable in a timely manner, or at all. Such risk was higher as a result of the outbreak of COVID-19 resulting in financial difficulties of certain of our franchisees. We extended credit terms to certain franchisees during the pandemic as part of our support for franchisees. As a result, our franchisees and/or corporate account clients may not be able to pay us in a timely fashion and our accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts may accordingly increase. Our liquidity and cash flows from operations may be adversely affected if our accounts receivable cycles or collections periods lengthen or if we encounter a material increase in defaults of payment of our account receivable.

We may be liable for improper collection, use or appropriation of personal information provided by our customers.

Our business involves collecting and retaining large volumes of internal and customer data, including personal information as our various information technology systems enter, process, summarize and report such data. We also maintain information about various aspects of our operations as well as regarding our employees. The integrity and protection of our customer, employee and company data are critical to our business. Our customers and employees expect that we will adequately protect their personal information.

We are required by applicable laws to keep strictly confidential the personal information that we collect, and to take adequate security measures to safeguard such information.

The PRC Criminal Law, as amended by its Amendment 7 (effective on February 28, 2009) and Amendment 9 (effective on November 1, 2015), prohibits institutions, companies and their employees from selling or otherwise illegally disclosing a citizen’s personal information obtained during the course of performing duties or providing services or obtaining such information through theft or other illegal ways. On November 7, 2016, the Standing Committee of the PRC National People’s Congress issued the Cybersecurity Law of the PRC, or Cybersecurity Law, which became effective on June 1, 2017. Pursuant to the Cybersecurity Law, network operators must not, without users’ consent, collect their personal information, and may only collect users’ personal information necessary to provide their services. Providers are also obliged to provide security maintenance for their products and services and shall comply with provisions regarding the protection of personal information as stipulated under the relevant laws and regulations. The Civil Code of the PRC (issued by the PRC National People’s Congress on May 28, 2020 and effective from January 1, 2021) provides main legal basis for privacy and personal information infringement claims under the Chinese civil laws. PRC regulators, including the Cyberspace Administration of China, MIIT, and the Ministry of Public Security have been increasingly focused on regulation in the areas of data security and data protection. The PRC regulatory requirements regarding cybersecurity are constantly evolving. For instance, various regulatory bodies in China, including the Cyberspace Administration of China, the Ministry of Public Security and the State Administration for Market Regulation, or the SAMR, have enforced data privacy and protection laws and regulations with varying and evolving standards and interpretations. On December 28, 2021, the Cyberspace Administration of China and 12 other relevant PRC government authorities published the amended Cybersecurity Review Measures, which came into effect on February 15, 2022. The final Cybersecurity Review Measures provide that a “network platform operator” that possesses personal information of more than one million users and seeks a listing in a foreign country must apply for a cybersecurity review. Further, the relevant PRC governmental authorities may initiate a cybersecurity review against any company if they determine certain network products, services, or data processing activities of such company affect or may affect national security. As a network platform operator who possesses personal information of more than one million users for purposes of the Cybersecurity Review Measures, we previously had applied for and completed a cybersecurity review with respect to the listing of the ADSs on Nasdaq in November 2022 pursuant to the Cybersecurity Review Measures. We have been advised by our PRC legal advisor that the offering from time to time of our Class A ordinary shares, including Class A ordinary shares represented by ADSs, for which we may from time to time file a prospectus supplement hereto, is not subject to the cybersecurity review requirements under the Cybersecurity Review Measures, so long as such offering does not constitute a listing in a foreign country.

 

7

 

On June 10, 2021, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, or the SCNPC, promulgated the PRC Data Security Law, which came into effect in September 2021. The PRC Data Security Law imposes data security and privacy obligations on entities and individuals carrying out data activities, and introduces a data classification and hierarchical protection system based on the importance of data in economic and social development, as well as the degree of harm it will cause to national security, public interests, or legitimate rights and interests of individuals or organizations when such data is tampered with, destroyed, leaked, or illegally acquired or used. The PRC Data Security Law also provides for a national security review procedure for data activities that may affect national security and imposes export restrictions on certain data and information.

We are subject to various hospitality industry, health and safety, construction, fire prevention and environmental laws and regulations that may subject us to liability.

Each hotel in our chain must hold a basic business license and a special industry license issued by the local public security bureau and must have hotel operation included in the business scope of their respective business license. In addition, each of our hotels must complete fire prevention safety inspection/​commitment with the local public security bureau and obtain hygiene permits and environmental impact assessment approvals. We also need to obtain approvals and make filings for most of our hotel construction projects with fire prevention authorities and construction authorities. Our business also is subject to various health and safety and environmental laws and regulations that affect our operations and conversion activities in the jurisdictions in which we operate, including construction, building, zoning, environmental protection, food safety, public safety, health and sanitary requirements.