Kura Sushi USA(US:KRUS) Globenewswire·2026-01-07 21:05Core Insights - Kura Sushi USA, Inc. reported financial results for the fiscal first quarter ended November 30, 2025, highlighting a total sales increase but a decline in comparable restaurant sales [1][5][10]. Financial Performance - Total sales reached $73.5 million, up from $64.5 million in the first quarter of 2025, representing a year-over-year increase of approximately 12.3% [5][10]. - Comparable restaurant sales decreased by 2.5%, driven by negative traffic of 2.5% and flat price/mix compared to the same quarter in the previous year [5][10]. - The operating loss was $3.7 million, worsening from a loss of $1.5 million in the first quarter of 2025 [9][10]. - Net loss was $3.1 million, or $(0.25) per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $1.0 million, or $(0.08) per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2025 [11][10]. Cost Structure - Food and beverage costs as a percentage of sales increased to 29.9% from 29.0% in the first quarter of 2025, primarily due to tariffs on imported ingredients [6]. - Labor and related costs as a percentage of sales decreased to 32.5% from 32.9% in the first quarter of 2025, attributed to menu price increases and operational initiatives [6]. - General and administrative expenses rose to $9.6 million from $8.7 million in the first quarter of 2025, but as a percentage of sales, they decreased to 13.0% from 13.5% [8]. Restaurant Development - The company opened four new restaurants during the fiscal first quarter of 2026, bringing the total to 83 locations across 22 states and Washington D.C. [13][17]. - Kura Sushi aims to open a total of 16 new restaurants in fiscal 2026, with ten units currently under construction [4]. Outlook - For the full fiscal year of 2026, Kura Sushi maintains its guidance of total sales between $330 million and $334 million, with an annual unit growth rate above 20% [19].