Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - System sales grew 4% year-over-year, outpacing the China restaurant industry, while same-store sales grew for the second consecutive quarter [4][12] - Restaurant margin expanded to 17.3%, contributing to an 8% year-over-year increase in operating profit to $400 million, a record for adjusted operating profit in quarter three [4][14] - Net income was $282 million, down 5% year-over-year, but grew 7% year-over-year when excluding the investment in Meituan [14][15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - KFC opened a record 402 net new stores, with system sales growing 5% and same-store sales growing 2% [10][12] - Pizza Hut surpassed the 4,000-store milestone, with system sales growth improving sequentially from 2% in Q1 to 4% in Q3, and same-store sales growth of 1% driven by 17% same-store transaction growth [12][18] - K-Coffee Café expanded to 1,800 locations, with daily cups sold per store increasing 30% year-over-year [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Delivery sales accounted for 51% of total sales, up from 40% in the same quarter last year, indicating a shift in consumer purchasing behavior [9] - Lower-tier cities performed slightly better due to greater domestic travel, reflecting a trend in consumer spending [32] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on a multi-brand portfolio and operational efficiency, leveraging synergies across brands to drive growth [19][20] - The LGM strategy (Resilience, Growth, Moat) continues to guide the company's operations and expansion plans [21] - The company aims to reach 20,000 stores by the end of 2026, with a commitment to return approximately $1.5 billion to shareholders annually from 2024 to 2026 [5][16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that while the environment remains challenging, they are optimistic about maintaining mid-single-digit system sales growth and improving margins [17][18] - The company is committed to menu innovation and operational efficiency to navigate the competitive landscape and consumer price sensitivity [32][33] Other Important Information - The company plans to continue its focus on new growth drivers, including K-Pro and K-Coffee, which are designed to capture different customer segments [19][51] - The company is on track for 1,600-1,800 net new stores in 2025, with a capital expenditure target of $600 million-$700 million [16][17] Q&A Session Summary Question: Delivery platform subsidy impact and competitive landscape - Management observed a decrease in subsidies in coffee and tea but only a slight decrease in QSL, expecting limited impact on the company [26] - Long-term, management believes subsidies will normalize, emphasizing the importance of menu innovation and food quality [26] Question: Macro perspective on the restaurant industry in China - Management noted good performance in Q3, with lower-tier cities performing slightly better due to domestic travel, while consumers remain value-cautious [32][33] Question: Expansion strategy focusing on smaller formats and franchise stores - Management indicated that the ratio of system sales growth to store count growth may not remain constant due to strategic optimizations and timing of openings [35][36] Question: Delivery order mix and membership sales - Management clarified that the decrease in membership sales contribution is a mechanical result of increased aggregator orders, and they are working on improving delivery efficiency [42][43] Question: KFC business operating leverage - Management acknowledged that the increase in delivery mix has created headwinds for operating leverage but remains committed to maintaining stable restaurant margins [56] Question: Sustainability of KFC's same-store sales growth - Management expressed optimism about maintaining similar same-store sales growth levels, emphasizing the importance of transaction growth [60][61]