Investment Rating - The report initiates coverage with a BUY rating and sets a target price of HK$4.5 [2][7][11] Core Insights - Guoquan Food, established in 2015, has rapidly grown to become a leading one-stop home meal products brand in China, reaching the 10,000-store milestone in just six years [5][7] - The company focuses on lower-tier markets with approximately 72% of its stores located in prefecture-level cities, county-level cities, and townships, differentiating itself through a unique community central kitchen positioning [8][46] - The integrated supply chain enhances operational efficiency and self-production capabilities, with seven factories established by 1H25 [10][11] - Revenue growth is projected to be driven mainly by new store openings, with net profit expected to increase significantly over the next three years [11][15] Financial Data and Earnings Forecast - Revenue is forecasted to be Rmb 6,094 million in 2023, Rmb 6,470 million in 2024, and Rmb 7,471 million in 2025, with year-on-year growth rates of -15%, 6%, and 15% respectively [6][15] - Net profit is expected to be Rmb 263 million in 2023, Rmb 241 million in 2024, and Rmb 420 million in 2025, with growth rates of 9%, -8%, and 74% respectively [6][15] - The company anticipates a steady rise in net margin, supported by economies of scale and optimized expense ratios [11][15] Market Position and Competitive Advantage - Guoquan holds a 3.0% market share in the home meal products market, leading in retail sales and store count [28][30] - The company operates under a franchise model, with over 99% of its stores being franchisee-operated, primarily by family-owned businesses [8][39] - The focus on high-cost performance products, particularly in the hotpot and barbecue categories, contributes to approximately 90% of the company's revenue [9][39] Growth Strategy - The company plans to add 1,000 new stores in 2025, reaching a total of 11,150 stores, with further acceleration in store openings in subsequent years [11][15] - Guoquan aims to enhance its product offerings and expand into new consumption scenarios, including unmanned retail and late-night dining options [11][15] - The brand's marketing strategy includes partnerships with well-known ambassadors to strengthen its market presence and consumer engagement [70][71]

Core Viewpoint - The company reported a significant increase in revenue and profit for the first half of 2025, indicating strong growth and operational efficiency [1][4][11]. Financial Performance - Revenue for the first half of 2025 reached RMB 3.24 billion, a year-on-year increase of 21.56% [1][3]. - Net profit attributable to shareholders was RMB 183 million, reflecting a substantial year-on-year increase of 113.22% [1][3]. - Gross profit margin improved to 22.1%, up from 17.8% in the previous year [3][4]. - The total shareholder return for 2025 is expected to exceed RMB 499 million, including cash dividends and share buybacks [4]. Market Expansion and Strategy - The company expanded its retail presence by adding 270 new town stores in the first half of 2025 [5]. - It launched a new 24-hour unmanned retail store format and completed the smart transformation of over 2,000 retail outlets [5]. - The company is focusing on enhancing member engagement and loyalty, with a significant increase in registered members and prepaid card amounts [7]. Product Development and Supply Chain - The company is implementing a "single product, single factory" strategy to optimize its supply chain and enhance cost efficiency [9][8]. - It currently operates seven food production facilities and is planning to establish a new production base in Hainan Province [8]. ESG and Community Engagement - The company achieved an AA rating in ESG, marking a two-level improvement from the previous year, leading the daily consumer goods distribution and retail sector [9]. - It is committed to community-centric strategies and aims to strengthen its position in the instant retail market [11].

Core Viewpoint - The company is expected to achieve significant profit growth in the first half of 2025, driven by supply chain efficiency, effective pricing strategies, and an increase in self-sourcing [1][2]. Revenue Growth Drivers - Same-store sales are projected to increase due to the introduction of new meal packages that boost sales during off-peak seasons, with an expected mid-high single-digit growth in same-store sales [1][2]. - The company is on track to open 1,000 new stores in 2025, with a steady expansion plan and successful new store signings [2]. - The 2B revenue segment is anticipated to grow rapidly, contributing to overall revenue growth as production capacity is released [2]. Profitability and Margin Improvement - The core operating profit is expected to rise to between 180-210 million yuan, with a projected increase in core operating profit margin exceeding 1 percentage point compared to the previous year [2]. - The improvement in profitability is attributed to a higher proportion of self-sourcing and the release of scale effects on the cost side [2]. Strategic Focus and Growth Potential - The company is committed to its "community central kitchen" strategy, expanding its food solutions across various scenarios, including home-cooked meals and late-night snacks [3]. - The focus on high-cost performance products and the development of new store models are expected to enhance customer acquisition and improve store efficiency [3]. - The company aims to cover all meal scenarios throughout the day, providing long-term growth momentum [3]. Earnings Forecast and Valuation - The adjusted net profit forecasts for 2025-2027 have been raised by 14.1%, 23.8%, and 39.7% to 410 million, 530 million, and 680 million yuan respectively [3]. - The target price has been increased by 79.2% to 4.3 HKD, reflecting a clear turning point in profitability and solidifying supply chain barriers [3].

Investment Rating - The report assigns an "Accumulate" rating for the company, marking the first coverage of the stock [5][12]. Core Insights - The company is a leading one-stop solution brand for home dining in China, ranking first among all retailers. It focuses on hot pot and barbecue meal categories, providing diverse, high-quality, and cost-effective products through a franchise model, establishing a significant scale advantage with a community central kitchen concept. After experiencing operational fluctuations during the pandemic, the company has innovated its store model, implemented a best-selling product strategy, and strengthened its membership ecosystem, leading to a recovery in same-store sales and a return to growth. Looking ahead, the company is expected to achieve sustainable growth through "quality supply, cost-effectiveness, and food equity" [3][11][14]. Summary by Sections Company Overview - The company has expanded its sales network from B2B to B2C since its establishment in 2015, growing from 1,441 stores in early 2020 to 10,150 stores by the end of 2024, covering all provinces in China [27][28]. Industry Analysis - The home dining market in China has seen rapid growth, with a market size increasing from 3,248.2 billion RMB in 2018 to 5,615.6 billion RMB in 2022, reflecting a CAGR of 14.7%. The proportion of home dining meal products is expected to rise from 4.55% in 2022 to 13.22% by 2027 [11][49][54]. Competitive Advantages - The company offers a three-pronged competitive advantage through products, channels, and supply chain integration. Its products are generally priced 60%-80% lower than social dining channels and about 20% lower than supermarket retail channels. The average profit margin for franchisees is between 8%-10%, indicating a healthy and sustainable model [11][12][14]. Financial Forecast and Valuation - Revenue projections for 2025-2027 are estimated at 71.2 billion RMB, 82.4 billion RMB, and 95.2 billion RMB, with corresponding growth rates of 10.1%, 15.6%, and 15.6%. The gross margin is expected to improve slightly, reaching 22.4% by 2027. The core operating net profit is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 20% over three years [12][16].