BUKIT MERTAJAM, MALAYSIA, Jan. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CCH Holdings Ltd (Nasdaq: CCHH) (“CCH” or the “Company”), a Malaysia-based specialty hotpot restaurant chain, today issued further details on a series of anticipated acquisitions, new business ventures, and international expansion planned for 2026. These developments include the following: Acquisition of three Malaysia-based restaurant groups, including three additional outlets of the Sichuan cuisine franchise, Banbudian Bistro; thirteen outlets o ...

Core Insights - Keke's Breakfast Cafe has opened its first location in the Los Angeles market, specifically in Corona, California, marking a significant expansion into the state [1][2] - The cafe is part of a broader strategy to grow the brand in California, with additional locations planned for the near future [2][5] Company Overview - Keke's Breakfast Cafe is a restaurant chain that specializes in breakfast, brunch, and lunch, known for its freshly prepared meals and a variety of offerings including pancakes, waffles, omelets, and paninis [7] - The brand emphasizes high-quality ingredients and excellent customer service, aiming to provide a friendly and relaxed dining experience [7] Location Details - The new Corona location is situated at 3915 Bedford Canyon Road and is designed to be a welcoming space for families and friends, featuring a bright and comfortable design [2][4] - The cafe operates daily from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., serving breakfast, brunch, and lunch [6] Community Engagement - The president of Keke's Breakfast Cafe expressed excitement about entering the California market and emphasized the brand's commitment to becoming a part of the local community [5]

Innovation & Operational Efficiency JOEY WAT CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Cautionary Statements Forward-Looking Statements. This presentation contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We intend all forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the fact that the ...

Core Insights - Wingstop reported a decline in same-store sales of 5.6% for the third quarter, which was more than anticipated, and lowered its full-year guidance, yet the company continues to expand aggressively with a record 114 openings this quarter, aiming for over 10,000 locations globally [1][3][9] Company Performance - The company has experienced two years of strong same-store sales growth of nearly 40%, but is now facing broader consumer pressures, particularly among lower-income and middle-income demographics [3][4] - Despite the decline in same-store sales, the company sees strength in brand health metrics, particularly in the dinner segment, which grew during the third quarter [5][6] Growth Strategy - Wingstop is focusing on long-term growth strategies, including the rollout of the Wingstop Smart Kitchen and a new advertising campaign, with plans to launch a loyalty program by the second quarter of 2026 [6][7] - The company anticipates growth in 2026 that is not heavily reliant on changes in the macroeconomic environment [7] Expansion Plans - Wingstop is on track to open between 475 and 485 new restaurants this year, with a goal of reaching 3,000 restaurants by the end of the fourth quarter [9][10] - The company has entered five new countries this year and plans to enter three more by early 2026, with a long-term opportunity of over 1,000 restaurants in India [14][15] Operational Efficiency - The new kitchen operating platform has shown positive results, with same-store sales growth spreading across the system, indicating a long-term opportunity for operational improvements [12][13] - The company is not planning to reduce prices, focusing instead on quality and maintaining brand strength in the face of industry-wide pricing challenges [16][18]

Core Insights - First Watch is poised for significant growth, expecting to open nearly 60 company-owned locations this year, already halfway to that goal, with a total addressable market of 2,200 units [2][6] - The company is capitalizing on second-generation real estate opportunities as other casual dining brands close locations, allowing for quicker build-out times and access to prime real estate [3][4] - First Watch's average unit volume stands at $2.3 million, enhancing its appeal to landlords and enabling the company to be selective in location choices [5] Growth Strategy - The company focuses on finding the right locations based on visibility and access rather than size, allowing for flexibility in unit prototypes ranging from 3,500 to 6,000 square feet [4][5] - First Watch has improved operational efficiency and team retention, contributing to a stronger brand and better restaurant performance [6] - The chain is expanding into new states, having recently opened its first restaurant in Idaho and entered Nevada with a location in Las Vegas [6]

Core Insights - Rave Restaurant Group, Inc. (RAVE) shares have decreased by 9.4% since the earnings report for the quarter ended June 29, 2025, contrasting with a 1% increase in the S&P 500 Index during the same period [1] - The company reported a fourth-quarter fiscal 2025 net income of $0.8 million, a 3.6% decline year over year, with total revenues falling 6% to $3.2 million [2] - For the full fiscal year, net income rose 9.3% to $2.7 million, while revenues decreased by 0.9% to $12 million [3] Financial Performance - RAVE's fourth-quarter diluted earnings per share (EPS) remained flat at $0.06, while adjusted EBITDA decreased by 7.3% to $1.1 million [2] - Annual adjusted EBITDA increased by 13.5% to $3.6 million in fiscal 2025, indicating operational strength despite challenging sales conditions [5] - Operating efficiency led to a 17.1% rise in annual pre-tax income to $3.6 million, reflecting improved profitability and expense control [4] Segment Performance - Pizza Inn's domestic comparable store sales grew by 6.3%, while Pie Five experienced a 7.2% decline in the fourth quarter [2] - For the full fiscal year, Pizza Inn comparable sales increased by 1.9%, whereas Pie Five sales contracted by 8.4% [3] Management Commentary - CEO Brandon Solano noted the success of the "$8 value promotion" at Pizza Inn, which resulted in a 30.6% sales lift and a 34.7% increase in traffic during the last eight weeks of the quarter [6] - CFO Jay Rooney attributed the 6.3% comparable store sales growth to cost discipline and strong performance at Pizza Inn [7] Growth Initiatives - RAVE did not provide formal financial guidance for fiscal 2026 but indicated optimism about growth through promotional expansion, domestic reimaging, and international openings [9] - The company opened new Pizza Inn locations in North Carolina and Oklahoma and launched its first unit in Egypt, highlighting its commitment to international growth [10]

Core Insights - Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (CMG) is expanding internationally as part of its long-term growth strategy, with significant progress reported in Canada, Europe, the Middle East, and an upcoming entry into Mexico [1][10] Expansion in Canada - In Canada, Chipotle operates 61 restaurants, with sales nearly tripling over the past five years, and unit economics are comparable to U.S. operations, supporting further development [2][10] Growth in Europe - The company has observed improved consumer reception in Europe, projecting potential for hundreds of restaurants in current markets and possibly thousands across Western Europe in the long term [2][4] Middle East Development - In the Middle East, Chipotle's restaurant in Kuwait's Avenues Mall exceeded U.S. average unit volume in its first year, with five restaurants now operating in Kuwait and Dubai, and plans for accelerated development in 2025 [3][4] Overall International Strategy - Chipotle's international expansion is still in early stages, but performance in Canada, Europe, and the Middle East indicates scalability. The company targets 7,000 restaurants in the U.S. and Canada, with significant untapped demand abroad [4] Industry Context - Other restaurant chains like Dutch Bros Inc. and Shake Shack Inc. are also pursuing expansion to capture market share, indicating a competitive landscape in the fast-casual space [5] Financial Performance - Chipotle's shares have declined by 20.1% over the past six months, compared to a 4.1% decline in the industry [8] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Chipotle's earnings in 2025 and 2026 suggests year-over-year growth of 8.04% and 17.74%, respectively [15]

Core Insights - CAVA Group, Inc. is aggressively pursuing its expansion strategy, with new restaurants achieving average unit volumes (AUV) exceeding $3 million, surpassing the company's target of $2.3 million, and supporting its goal of over 1,000 units by 2032 [1][9] - The company reported strong cash-on-cash returns from its restaurant classes, with the 2024 cohort exceeding 40% and the 2023 class trending above 50%, alongside a solid liquidity position of $385.8 million in cash and investments with no debt [2][9] - Menu innovation is a critical factor for customer engagement, with upcoming launches including chicken shawarma and cinnamon sugar pita chips, aimed at enhancing brand visibility and driving sales growth [3] Expansion and Performance - In Q2 2025, CAVA added 16 net new restaurants, bringing the total to 398 locations, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 16.7% [1] - The company's disciplined expansion and strong performance of new units, combined with steady innovation, provide a robust foundation for long-term growth, despite facing challenges from discretionary headwinds and softer traffic trends [4] Comparisons with Peers - Shake Shack reported average weekly sales of approximately $78,000 per unit, leading to annualized AUVs of about $4 million, with a year-over-year comparable sales growth of 1.8% [5] - Chipotle Mexican Grill, the category benchmark, has systemwide AUVs above $3.5 million but experienced a 4% decline in comparable sales in Q2 2025 due to macro pressures [6] Financial Metrics - CAVA's shares have declined by 20.1% over the past three months, compared to a 3.9% decline in the industry [7] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CAVA's earnings per share (EPS) indicates a year-over-year increase of 33.3% for 2025 and 18.8% for 2026, although EPS estimates have decreased in the past 60 days [10] - CAVA trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 5.6X, which is above the industry's average of 3.78X [11]

Core Insights - Portillo's Inc. (PTLO) is pursuing an aggressive expansion strategy with plans to open 12 new locations in 2025, including various formats such as "restaurant of the future" prototypes and a walk-up restaurant in Florida [1][10] - The company reported a 6.4% year-over-year increase in revenues for Q1 2025, reaching $176.4 million, but faced challenges with a 3.1% decline in transactions, impacting overall performance [1][10] - Management acknowledged that new units, particularly in markets like Houston, have struggled due to low brand awareness and macroeconomic challenges, which has resulted in performance below long-term average unit volume (AUV) targets [2] Financial Performance - The same-store sales growth of 1.8% was offset by a decline in transactions, leading to a decrease in restaurant-level EBITDA margin to 20.8%, down 110 basis points from the previous year [1][10] - PTLO shares have increased by 12.7% over the past six months, outperforming the industry average growth of 4.1% [8] Marketing and Demand Generation - To enhance visibility and customer traffic, Portillo's is focusing on localized advertising, loyalty programs, and operational improvements, with early positive results from campaigns in Dallas and Phoenix [3][4] - The company is under pressure to ensure that demand aligns with its expansion plans, especially with most new openings scheduled for the latter half of 2025 [4] Competitive Landscape - Competitors like Shake Shack and CAVA are also navigating similar growth and demand dynamics, with Shake Shack investing in new formats and digital enhancements while CAVA maintains steady growth with strong same-store sales [5][6][7] Valuation Metrics - PTLO is currently priced at a premium compared to its industry, with a forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio of 27.89, exceeding the industry average [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PTLO's earnings per share for 2025 and 2026 has remained unchanged over the past 30 days, indicating stability in earnings expectations [15]

Core Insights - Dutch Bros Inc. (BROS) is experiencing rapid expansion supported by strategic investments in real estate, development, and construction [1][3] - The company reported a 29% year-over-year increase in total revenues for Q1 2025, reaching $355.2 million, driven by new shop openings and improved productivity [2][9] - Dutch Bros aims to open at least 160 new shops in 2025 and targets a total of 2,029 shops by 2029, supported by a total addressable market of 7,000 shops [4][9] Financial Performance - In Q1 2025, Dutch Bros achieved a system same-shop sales growth of 4.7%, alongside steady transaction gains [2][9] - Earnings estimates for 2025 remain unchanged at 61 cents per share, indicating a year-over-year growth of 24.5% [11] - The stock has increased by 35.2% year-to-date, outperforming the industry growth of 0.1% [8] Expansion Strategy - The company is focusing on long-term growth through disciplined development and a strong real estate pipeline [3][4] - Dutch Bros opened 30 new shops in Q1 2025 and plans to increase the opening rate in the second half of the year [3] - The company's disciplined approach to development and strong unit economics are expected to support long-term value creation [5] Market Position - Dutch Bros is trading at a premium with a forward 12-month price-to-sales ratio of 6.64X, significantly above the industry average of 4.04X [14]