Revenue Performance - Revenue for 1H2024 increased by 9.9% to HK1,387.4millioncomparedtoHK1,261.7 million in 1H2023[39] - In 1H2024, the Group's revenue increased by 10.0% year-on-year to HK1,387.4million,withanetincreaseof14restaurants,bringingthetotalto222restaurants[45]−RevenuefromHongKongincreasedby8.21,296.1 million in 1H2024, driven by a 2.9% increase in comparable restaurant revenue[64] - The Group opened 7 new restaurants in Mainland China during 1H2024, leading to a 58.6% increase in revenue from this market compared to 1H2023[70] - Revenue from the Group's Japan operations grew by 22.2% year-on-year in 1H2024, supported by the addition of delivery channels and improved operational standards[102] - Revenue from Mainland China and overseas markets surged by 44.1% to HK91.3millionin1H2024fromHK63.3 million in 1H2023[197] Profitability - Profit excluding government subsidies for 1H2024 surged by 153.1% year-on-year to HK81.4million,whiletheprofitfortheperiodwasHK81.6 million[62] - Operating profit for Hong Kong increased by 12.9% to HK262.4million,whileMainlandChinaandoverseasmarketsreportedalossofHK5.3 million, a decrease of 68.3%[153] - Total operating profit rose by 19.3% to HK257.0millioncomparedtoHK215.5 million in the previous year[153] - Operating profit margin for the Group's Hong Kong business improved to 20.2% in 1H2024, up from 19.4% in 1H2023, reflecting enhanced operational efficiency and effective cost control[97] - The operating profit margin improved from 17.1% in 1H2023 to 18.5% in 1H2024, attributed to reduced costs of consumables and food ingredients[153] Expenses and Costs - Income tax expense rose from HK18.6millionin1H2023toHK20.0 million in 1H2024 due to an increase in taxable profits[7] - Other expenses increased by 21.1% from HK31.9millionin1H2023toHK38.6 million in 1H2024, primarily due to headquarters and office expansion[14] - Finance costs increased by 22.2% from HK9.0millioninthefirsthalfof2023toHK11.0 million in the first half of 2024 due to increased interest on lease liabilities[132] - The overall staff costs increased by 7.8% from HK405.2millionin1H2023toHK436.9 million in 1H2024, with staff costs as a percentage of revenue decreasing from 32.1% to 31.5%[186] - Cost of food and beverages consumed rose by 8.5% from HK302.1millionin1H2023toHK327.8 million in 1H2024, representing 23.9% of revenue in 1H2023 and 23.6% in 1H2024[184] Dividends and Shareholder Returns - An interim dividend of HK3.0 cents per share was declared for 1H2024, representing a payout ratio of approximately 49.2%[28] - The interim dividend for 1H2024 was declared at HK0.03pershare,withapayoutratioofapproximately49.239,137 in 1H2024 from HK38,581in1H2023[181]ExpansionandMarketStrategy−Thecompanyplanstoexpanditsrestaurantnetworkthroughjointventuresandfranchisingarrangementsinselectedoverseasmarkets[1]−AjointventurehasbeenestablishedwithSTGroupFoodIndustriesHoldingsLimitedtoentertheAustralianmarket,aimingforlowerinitialinvestmentandreducedrisks[49]−TheGroupisimplementingamulti−brandingstrategyinHongKong,includingafranchiseagreementwithToridollHoldingsCorporationforthe"MarugameSeimen"brand[52]−TheGroupplanstoslowdownexpansioninMainlandChina,focusingonGuangzhouandsecond−tiercitiesintheGreaterBayArea,whileenhancingbrandcompetitivenessthroughlocalization[148]−TheGroup′sentryintotheAustralianmarketwillutilizeajointventureandfranchisingmodeltoreducecapitalinputandrisk,aimingforrapidexpansionandmarketpenetration[158]SustainabilityandCorporateResponsibility−TheGroup′scommitmenttosustainabilityandgeneratingstablereturnsforstakeholdersremainsapriority[54]−ThecompanyhasmadesignificantprogressinsustainabilitybyimplementinganewtakeawayutensilpolicytophaseoutdisposableplasticutensilsstartingOctober2023[159]MarketConditionsandChallenges−ComparablerestaurantrevenueinMainlandChinaexperiencedaslightdeclineduetochallengingmarketconditionsinShenzhen,leadingtoreducedcustomerspending[98]−TheGroup′sbusinessinSingaporesawatotalrevenueincreaseof38.8768.6 million as of March 31, 2023, to HK858.3millionasofSeptember30,2023,reflectingmoretenancyagreements[9]−LeaseliabilitiesincreasedfromHK787.8 million to HK881.6million,primarilyduetonewleaseagreementsforrestaurantsinthefirsthalfof2024[111]−TradeandotherreceivablesremainedstableatHK215.1 million as of March 31, 2023, and HK213.8millionasofSeptember30,2023[11]−CashandcashequivalentsdecreasedfromHK1,375.7 million to HK$1,339.0 million as of September 30, 2023[113]