Group 1 - Luckin Coffee's CEO revealed the company's intention to return to the US main board for listing, but there is no specific timeline yet [2] - The company is currently focused on executing its business strategy and development [2] - Yoshinoya has reopened its ramen business in China with a new store "Kiramekino Mirai" in Shanghai, aiming to expand its overseas operations [2] Group 2 - Yoshinoya's ramen is positioned as the third major pillar of its business after beef rice and udon, with a signature ramen priced at 39 yuan, lower than in Japan [2] - The company plans to introduce exclusive dishes for the Chinese market, such as fried pork cutlet and fried oysters [2] - Blue Bottle Coffee in China has appointed a new legal representative, Chen Yixiang, filling a six-month vacancy [4] Group 3 - Izakaya Shokudo reported its first profit decline in five years, with a net profit of 23.2 billion yen (approximately 1.07 billion yuan), a 6% year-on-year decrease [5] - The decline is attributed to rising sales costs, particularly due to soaring rice prices in Japan [6] - The sushi chain "Hama Sushi" under the same parent company showed strong performance, with operating profit increasing by 23% to 11.9 billion yen (approximately 550 million yuan) [6] Group 4 - Huang Jihuang has launched a new store concept "Huang Jihuang Braised Small Restaurant," offering a variety of new dishes [7] - The new menu includes braised dishes and stir-fried small pots, featuring local flavors and ingredients [7]

Core Viewpoint - KURA Sushi is gradually closing all its stores in mainland China due to significant losses and inability to compete effectively in a crowded market [4][11]. Group 1: Company Performance - KURA Sushi has accumulated losses exceeding 80 million yuan (approximately 8.19 million) in just two years of operation in mainland China [8]. - The company initially opened three stores in Shanghai but has not expanded further since [9]. - KURA Sushi's first store in Shanghai was met with high consumer interest, but the subsequent performance has been disappointing, leading to the closure of its first store by June 30 [4][7]. Group 2: Consumer Feedback - Consumer reviews on platforms like Dianping highlight issues such as poor taste, limited product variety, and freshness concerns [11]. - Specific complaints include the salmon sashimi having a fishy taste and the menu being too limited [11]. - Despite attempts to adjust pricing, including promotional offers reducing prices to as low as 8 yuan per plate, these efforts have not salvaged the brand's performance [11]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - In contrast to KURA Sushi, other Japanese sushi brands like Sushi郎 and滨寿司 are thriving in the Chinese market, with significant sales growth and expansion plans [12][13]. - Sushi郎 reported a net sales increase of 41.5% in overseas markets, with plans to expand its store count significantly by 2026 [13]. - The success of these brands is attributed to their ability to cater to local tastes and offer a wider variety of dishes at competitive prices [13][17].