
Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Buy" (maintained) [5] Core Insights - The company achieved a net profit of 4.7 billion yuan in 2024, exceeding expectations, with total revenue of 42.8 billion yuan (yoy +3%) and core operating profit of 6.2 billion yuan (yoy +19%) [1][3] - The company plans to maintain a high dividend payout ratio of approximately 95% for 2024, which is the highest since its listing, providing attractive shareholder returns with a current annualized dividend yield of about 5% [1] - The company is expected to continue its growth trajectory with a focus on enhancing customer spending and improving table turnover rates, which are projected to reach 4.1 in 2024, up from 3.8 in 2023 [1][2] Summary by Sections Financial Performance - In 2024, the company reported a revenue of 42.8 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 3%, and a net profit of 4.7 billion yuan, reflecting a 5% growth [1][11] - The core operating profit margin improved by 2 percentage points, with gross margin increasing by approximately 3 percentage points due to enhanced supply chain efficiency and reduced raw material costs [2] Growth Potential - The company is expected to open new stores at a moderate single-digit growth rate in 2025, supported by a high table turnover rate and the introduction of the "Pomegranate Plan" to encourage the development of new restaurant brands [1][3] - The "Pomegranate Plan" aims to foster the growth of new dining brands, which has already resulted in 74 new stores by the end of 2024, enhancing long-term growth potential [1] Profit Forecast and Valuation - The company is projected to achieve net profits of 5.2 billion yuan, 5.9 billion yuan, and 6.5 billion yuan for 2025, 2026, and 2027 respectively, with year-on-year growth rates of 11%, 13%, and 10% [3][11] - The price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios are expected to be 18, 16, and 14 for the years 2024, 2025, and 2026, respectively, indicating a potential valuation premium due to the company's leading position in the industry [3][11]