26 August 2025 | 4:41PM HKT Haidilao International Holding (6862.HK): Earnings Review: Enhance operation and cultivate new brands in fluid market backdrop; Neutral Xinyu Ruan +852-2978-7347 | xinyu.ruan@gs.com Goldman Sachs (Asia) L.L.C. Haidilao hosted an online results briefing on Aug 26 post 1H25 results. Key highlights include: 1) In the face of competition and changing consumer demand in the catering industry, management has been making efforts in providing differentiated service, enhancing product off ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported total revenue of $340.9 million for Q2 2025, an increase of 13.3% compared to $300.9 million in Q2 2024 [21] - Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $147.6 million, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 15.8%, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 43.3% compared to 42.4% in the prior year [24] - Net income was $58.3 million, with adjusted net income at $72.6 million, translating to an adjusted net income per diluted share of $0.86 [24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - System-wide same club sales growth was 8.2% in Q2, with franchisee same club sales increasing by 8.3% and corporate same club sales rising by 7% [20] - Black Card membership penetration reached 65.8%, a 340 basis point increase from the previous year [21] - Equipment segment revenue increased by 21.5%, primarily driven by higher revenue from replacement equipment sales [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company ended the quarter with approximately 20.8 million members and 2,762 clubs globally [5][7] - The company has a club within a twelve-minute drive of 170 million people in the U.S., indicating strong market penetration [5] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on four strategic imperatives: redefining brand promise, enhancing member experience, refining product offerings, and accelerating new club growth [7] - The company is committed to an asset-light model, planning to own approximately 10% of its fleet while expanding franchisee relationships [18] - Internationally, the company opened its ninth club in Spain, indicating a commitment to global expansion [12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving full-year growth targets for 2025, despite a slightly elevated attrition rate due to the rollout of online membership management [15][25] - The company anticipates continued strong demand for its offerings, supported by a growing focus on health and wellness among consumers, particularly Gen Z [6][58] - Management noted that the macroeconomic environment remains volatile, which has led to a conservative outlook for the second half of the year [27] Other Important Information - The company completed the national rollout of online cancellation functionality, which has led to a higher attrition rate but is expected to benefit future rejoining rates [10][16] - The company is evaluating potential price increases for the Black Card membership, with timing dependent on the impact of recent changes [8][70] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the proportion of clubs with the new layout focused on strength equipment? - By the end of the year, over 70% of clubs will have an optimized format with a balanced mix of cardio and strength equipment [31] Question: What is the status of new amenities for Black Card members? - The company is piloting new amenities like red light therapy and spray tanning, with evaluations ongoing [35] Question: How does the company view market density and expansion opportunities? - The company is exploring both urban densification and opportunities in rural markets to expand its footprint [41] Question: What are the plans to offset higher churn rates? - The company is focusing on marketing initiatives and programs like the high school summer pass to drive membership [66] Question: How is the company performing in Spain compared to the U.S.? - Clubs in Spain are ramping up similarly to domestic clubs, indicating strong performance in the new market [61] Question: What are the plans for franchisee expansion? - The company aims to cultivate new franchisee relationships to support long-term growth ambitions [54] Question: How quickly do cancellation rates normalize after implementing online cancellation? - Generally, cancellation rates moderate about twelve weeks after rollout, but this nationwide rollout may behave differently [75]

Company Overview - Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Inc. is a leading franchiser of premium chocolate and confectionary retail stores, known as America's Chocolatier™ [4] - The company has been producing a wide range of premium chocolates and confectionery products since 1981, including gourmet caramel apples [4] - Headquartered in Durango, Colorado, the company operates nearly 260 stores across the United States and has several international locations [4] Upcoming Conference Call - The company will host a conference call on July 16, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time to discuss its fiscal first quarter 2026 results [1] - Attendees can submit questions in advance via email to the investor relations team [2] - The conference call will be available for live broadcast and replay on the company's investor relations website [3] Recognition and Rankings - Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is ranked among Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 for 2025 and Franchise Times' Franchise 400 for 2024 [4] - The company's common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "RMCF" [4]

Company Overview - Wingstop Inc. operates and franchises over 2,650 locations globally, focusing on providing a unique guest experience with a technology-driven platform and a diverse menu featuring wings, tenders, and chicken sandwiches [4] - The company aims to become a Top 10 Global Restaurant Brand, with approximately 98% of its restaurants being operated by independent franchisees [5] Financial Performance - In fiscal year 2024, Wingstop's system-wide sales rose by 36.8% to around $4.8 billion, marking the 21st consecutive year of same-store sales growth [5] Recognition and Awards - Wingstop was listed on Ad Age's 'Hottest Brands' list in 2024 and recognized by QSR Magazine as one of the "Best Brands to Work For" [6] - The company was also acknowledged by Fast Company as one of the "Most Innovative Companies" and ranked 14 on Entrepreneur Magazine's 'Franchise 500' [6]

Core Insights - Dickey's Barbecue is addressing inaccuracies in a New York Times article regarding its franchise operations and is highlighting the positive aspects reported by other media outlets [1][3][8] Company Overview - Founded in 1941, Dickey's Barbecue is the world's largest barbecue franchise with over 375 restaurant locations and more than 800 restaurants across eight concepts [2][10] - The brand has been family-owned for over 80 years, emphasizing its commitment to authentic Texas-style barbecue [4][9] Franchisee Support and Success - The company focuses on empowering franchisees through clear expectations and robust support systems, which is crucial for success in the restaurant industry [5][6] - Franchisees have expressed satisfaction with the support provided by Dickey's, highlighting the rewarding nature of their franchise experience [5] Media Coverage and Brand Representation - Dickey's leadership has called for fair and fact-based media coverage, contrasting the New York Times' reporting with more balanced articles from outlets like The Dallas Morning News [3][6] - The company emphasizes the importance of context in reporting and has criticized biased storytelling that could harm its brand reputation [8] Industry Recognition - Dickey's has received multiple accolades, including recognition on Newsweek's "America's Favorite Restaurant Chains" list and ranking in the Top 20 of Fast Casual's "Top 100 Movers and Shakers" [11]