老乡鸡港股IPO再出发：资金缺口待解，华东市场占比超八成，社保问题待观察

Core Viewpoint - The company, Lao Xiang Ji, is attempting to list on the Hong Kong stock market after multiple failed attempts to go public in the A-share market, aiming to become the "first stock of Chinese fast food" [1] Financial Performance - Revenue has shown consistent growth, with figures of 45.28 billion yuan in 2022, 56.51 billion yuan in 2023, 62.88 billion yuan in 2024, and 21.2 billion yuan in the first four months of this year. Net profit increased from 2.52 billion yuan to 4.09 billion yuan, with 1.74 billion yuan in the first four months of this year [2] - The rapid growth in the number of franchise stores has been a significant driver of this revenue increase, with franchise stores expanding from 118 to 653 as of April this year [2] Store Network and Distribution - As of April 30, the total number of stores reached 1,199, with 911 being direct-operated and 653 being franchise stores. The majority of stores are concentrated in the East China region, with 79.69% of direct-operated stores and 94.79% of franchise stores located in Anhui and the Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai area [3][4] - The company’s reliance on the East China market is closely tied to its supply chain network, which is primarily based in this region [4] Supply Chain and Operational Efficiency - The company has a fully integrated supply chain, with chicken farms and central kitchens located in East China. However, this concentration poses challenges for expansion outside the region due to increased transportation costs and potential impacts on food freshness [4] - The company has achieved a chicken processing utilization rate exceeding 100%, but the near-full capacity of its central kitchens necessitates further expansion, such as the construction of a new logistics base with an investment of 30.6 billion yuan [4] Franchise vs. Direct-Operated Stores - Despite the growth in franchise stores, operational metrics indicate that they underperform compared to direct-operated stores. For instance, the average daily sales per franchise store is approximately 12,400 yuan, while for direct-operated stores, it is 16,000 yuan [5][6] - The gross profit margin for direct-operated stores increased from 19.8% in 2022 to 24.1%, while the margin for franchise stores decreased from 28.9% to 22% [5] Future Expansion Plans - The company plans to open approximately 150 to 180 new direct-operated stores annually over the next three years. The success of this expansion is contingent on the funds raised through the IPO, highlighting the importance of addressing financial bottlenecks for long-term strategic growth [6]