Core Viewpoint - The company, Lao Xiang Ji, is advancing its listing process on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange after previous unsuccessful attempts to list on the A-share market due to regulatory issues and other challenges [1][4]. Group 1: Company Expansion and Performance - As of April 30, 2025, Lao Xiang Ji has a total of 1,564 stores, an increase of 85 stores from 1,479 on December 31, 2024, averaging 21 new stores per month [3]. - From April 30 to June 30, 2025, the store count increased by 60, averaging 30 new stores per month, indicating an acceleration in expansion [3]. - The company achieved revenues of RMB 45.28 billion, RMB 56.51 billion, and RMB 62.88 billion for the years 2022, 2023, and 2024 respectively, with profits of RMB 2.52 billion, RMB 3.75 billion, and RMB 4.09 billion during the same period [6]. - In the first four months of 2025, revenues reached RMB 21.2 billion, a year-on-year increase of 9.92%, with profits of RMB 1.74 billion, up 7.27% [7]. Group 2: Market Position and Strategy - Lao Xiang Ji holds a 0.9% market share in the Chinese fast-casual dining sector, ranking first in the Chinese Chinese fast food industry, and eighth in the overall fast food market with a 0.5% share [4]. - The company has seen a sixfold increase in franchise stores from 118 at the end of 2022 to 653 by April 30, 2025, with franchise revenue growing from RMB 1.74 billion to RMB 7.17 billion, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 102.9% [9]. - The average sales per store for company-operated stores in the first four months of 2025 was RMB 1.9786 million, while franchise stores averaged RMB 1.483 million, about 75% of the company-operated stores [10]. Group 3: Supply Chain and Operational Strategy - The company’s supply chain strategy includes three standardized chicken farms, two central kitchens with automated production lines, and eight distribution centers nationwide [14]. - The integrated supply chain is viewed as a competitive barrier, although it has resulted in lower gross margins compared to competitors, with gross margins of 20.3%, 23.3%, and 22.8% from 2022 to 2024 [17]. - The company aims to use IPO proceeds to enhance supply chain integration, expand store networks, improve information technology capabilities, and strengthen brand marketing [14]. Group 4: Industry Context and Future Outlook - The Chinese fast-casual dining market is projected to grow from RMB 809.7 billion in 2024 to RMB 1,205.8 billion by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.3% [12]. - The current chain penetration in the Chinese fast-casual dining market is only 32.5%, indicating significant growth potential compared to Western fast food chains [12][13]. - The company’s future success will depend on its ability to manage franchise operations effectively while leveraging supply chain efficiencies to improve margins [18].

Core Viewpoint - The company Lao Xiang Ji has restarted its IPO application in Hong Kong, aiming to become the leading Chinese fast-food brand listed in the market, following a wave of new listings in the restaurant industry [1][10]. Company Overview - Lao Xiang Ji operates 1,564 stores across 58 cities in China, with 911 being directly operated and 653 franchised, predominantly in the East China region [3][4]. - The company is recognized as the only major Chinese fast-food chain with a full industry chain layout, leading in average daily sales per store and turnover rate among its peers [2][3]. Financial Performance - From 2022 to 2024, Lao Xiang Ji's revenue grew from 4.528 billion RMB to 6.288 billion RMB, with year-on-year growth rates of 58.38%, 24.8%, and 11.27% respectively [10]. - The net profit for the same period increased from 252 million RMB to 409 million RMB, with growth rates of 86.67%, 48.81%, and 9.07% [10]. - In the first four months of 2025, the company achieved a revenue of 2.12 billion RMB, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 9.9% [10]. Market Position - The Chinese fast-food market is currently dominated by non-chain restaurants, with a chain penetration rate of only 32.5%, significantly lower than the 67.9% for Western fast food [2]. - The top five Chinese fast-food brands hold a combined market share of just 3.6%, compared to 50.8% for the top five Western brands [2]. Store Performance - The average customer spending at direct-operated stores has decreased from 29.7 RMB in 2022 to 27.5 RMB in 2024, while franchise stores saw a decline from 31.5 RMB to 28.9 RMB during the same period [4]. - The turnover rate for direct-operated stores was 4.8 in early 2025, consistent with 2024, while franchise stores lagged behind at 3.3 [4]. Family Business Structure - Lao Xiang Ji is characterized as a family business, with key positions held by family members, including the CEO and other executives [5][6]. - The founder's shares have been passed to the next generation, with significant voting power concentrated among family members [6]. Rental Agreements - The company has established rental agreements with related parties, with rental liabilities recorded at 20.2133 billion RMB as of December 31, 2024 [7][8]. - Payments to related parties have been consistent, with specific amounts detailed for the years 2022 to 2025 [7][9]. Competitive Landscape - Compared to other listed companies in the sector, Lao Xiang Ji's revenue scale is larger than that of competitors like Xiao Cai Yuan and Green Tea Group, although its net profit is lower than that of Xiao Cai Yuan [10][12]. - Other competitors, such as Ba Nu and Yu Jian Xiao Mian, have lower revenue figures and are also seeking to expand through IPOs [11][12].

Group 1: Company Overview - Anhui Laoxiangji Catering Co., Ltd. updated its prospectus and re-submitted its application to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on July 7, following the expiration of its previous application earlier this year [1] - As of April 30, 2025, Laoxiangji operates 1,564 stores across 58 cities, with 911 being company-owned and 653 franchised [3][7] - The company reported revenues of 4.528 billion, 5.651 billion, and 6.288 billion yuan for the years 2022 to 2024, with adjusted net profits of 268 million, 403 million, and 439 million yuan respectively [3] Group 2: Market Position and Performance - Laoxiangji holds a 0.9% market share in the Chinese fast food industry, ranking first by transaction volume in 2024 [4] - The average spending per customer in company-owned and franchised stores was 28 yuan and 29.2 yuan respectively in the first four months of 2025 [4] - The company has seen a 9.9% increase in revenue in the first four months of this year compared to the same period in 2024, reaching 2.12 billion yuan [3] Group 3: Expansion and Strategy - Laoxiangji's expansion strategy includes a mix of company-owned and franchised stores, with a significant increase in franchise locations since 2020 [3][7] - The company plans to open approximately 150 to 180 new company-owned stores annually over the next three years, supported by funds raised from the IPO [8] - The majority of Laoxiangji's stores are concentrated in the East China region, with 750 stores in Anhui province alone, accounting for 48% of total stores [7] Group 4: Competitive Landscape - The Chinese fast food market is fragmented, with a chain penetration rate of only 32.5% in 2024, indicating significant growth opportunities [8] - Competitors such as Mi Village Rice and Country Base are rapidly expanding, with Mi Village Rice surpassing 1,000 stores nationwide as of March 31 this year [8] - Maintaining expansion capabilities remains a priority for Laoxiangji as it navigates a competitive landscape with increasing pressure from other brands [8]