Nutritious meals grow in popularity in Chinese cities

Customers enjoy health food at an Obentos restaurant in Beijing.[Guan Xin/China Daily]

"We are looking to raise funds and expand," said Stevenson. "I will love to lock down a new location this year, but it is already mid-year so we will have to see."

Beijing-based Factory Fresh, a catering enterprise and restaurant based within Beijing's 798 Art District, delivers healthy meal plans to the busy Chinese urbanites who want to improve their diet.

Customers can get a dietary schedule arranged for them, which includes three main meals and two midday snacks. All the menus offered are designed by the restaurant with the help of a nutritionist and are delivered to customers the night before.

"We decided to focus on meal plans because it is very convenient to have something that is ready for you in Beijing and that arrives at your door," said executive chef and co-founder Camilla Betin. "Everyone is always working and they don't have the time to go to the market or to decide what to eat."

Since launching in May last year, 100 customers have signed up for the service so far. The company said it delivers the menus to an average of 25 clients per day who place their orders either by e-mail or through WeChat.