Core Viewpoint - Company is positioned as a leading local fast-food brand in China with strong shareholder returns and a focus on expanding into lower-tier markets through a small-town model [1][2] Financial Performance - In Q3 2025, the company reported total revenue of $3.21 billion, with a currency-adjusted growth of 4%, aligning with market expectations [1] - Adjusted operating profit reached $400 million, exceeding market expectations of $398 million, with a currency-adjusted growth of 8% [1] - Adjusted net profit for Q3 was $282 million, resulting in an adjusted net profit margin of 8.8% [1] Sales and Store Expansion - As of Q3 2025, the company operated 17,514 stores, including 12,640 KFC, 4,022 Pizza Hut, and 852 other brand locations [2] - In Q3, the company opened a net of 536 new stores, with KFC and Pizza Hut contributing 402 and 158 new openings, respectively [2] - The company aims to complete 1,600-1,800 new store openings for the year, having achieved nearly 70% of this target by Q3 [2] Shareholder Returns - In Q1-Q3 2025, the company returned $950 million to shareholders, including $268 million in dividends and $682 million in share buybacks [2] - The company plans to return $3 billion to shareholders from 2025 to 2026, with a target of $1.5 billion for the current year, resulting in an annual return rate of approximately 9% based on the latest market capitalization [2] Digital and Operational Efficiency - The company benefits from raw material price advantages, digital empowerment in delivery services, and operational streamlining, which are expected to drive marginal improvements in the single-store model [1]

Core Insights - Cheesecake Factory reported Q2 FY2025 earnings with GAAP revenue of $955.8 million, exceeding analyst estimates of $947.3 million, and adjusted EPS of $1.16, surpassing the consensus of $1.06, indicating strong performance despite slowing comparable sales growth [1][5][12] Financial Performance - GAAP revenue increased by 5.7% year-over-year from $904.0 million in Q2 FY2024 to $955.8 million in Q2 FY2025 [2][5] - Adjusted EPS grew by 6.4% from $1.09 in Q2 FY2024 to $1.16 in Q2 FY2025 [2][5] - Net income rose by 4.6% from $52.4 million in Q2 FY2024 to $54.8 million in Q2 FY2025 [2][5] - Comparable restaurant sales for The Cheesecake Factory increased by 1.2%, a slowdown from 1.4% in Q2 FY2024 [2][6] Business Overview - Cheesecake Factory operates a diverse portfolio of full-service restaurants, including its flagship brand, North Italia, and Flower Child, with dessert sales accounting for approximately 17% of total sales [3] - The company emphasizes menu innovation, high-traffic locations, international expansion through licensing, employee retention, and a resilient supply chain [4] Operational Highlights - Off-premise sales constituted 22% of total sales in Q1 FY2025, with delivery and digital orders being significant contributors [8] - The company opened four new FRC restaurants and six new Flower Child locations during Q1 and Q2 FY2025 [7] - Employee retention remains a priority, with attrition rates for salaried managers in the mid-teens and hourly staff turnover between 60% and 70% [10] Capital Allocation and Guidance - The company maintained its quarterly dividend at $0.27 per share and executed minimal share repurchases of $0.1 million in Q2 FY2025 [11] - Management provided cautious guidance for Q2 FY2025 revenue, projecting between $935 million and $950 million, and updated annual comparable sales growth expectations to flat to 1% for FY2025 [12][13]