Core Viewpoint - The pricing discrepancy between iced and hot soy milk at KFC has sparked widespread consumer debate, with many questioning the rationale behind the higher price for iced soy milk, leading to complaints and even product withdrawals in some locations [1][4][5]. Pricing Discrepancy - KFC has maintained that iced soy milk is priced higher than hot soy milk due to a difference in cup size and capacity, with iced soy milk being approximately 1/4 larger [3][4]. - Industry analysts suggest that the higher cost for iced drinks is justified by the increased energy consumption for refrigeration and the complexity of the ice-making process [4]. Customer Complaints - KFC has faced a significant number of customer complaints, totaling over 20,000, primarily related to food quality, service issues, and after-sales support [5]. - Specific complaints include the presence of foreign objects in food, unresponsive customer service, and complicated refund processes, indicating a gap between service quality and consumer expectations [5]. Sales Performance - KFC remains a crucial revenue source for Yum China, contributing approximately 70% of its total revenue. In the first half of 2025, KFC's sales grew by 4% year-on-year, with total revenue reaching $43.42 billion [6][7]. - The growth in sales is largely attributed to the expansion of store locations rather than organic growth, with KFC's store count reaching 12,238 by mid-2025 [7]. Store Expansion and New Ventures - KFC is accelerating its store expansion, with a net addition of 295 stores in the second quarter of 2025 and a significant increase in franchise stores, which accounted for 39% of new openings [7]. - The company is also diversifying its offerings by launching new sub-brands, such as "Fried Chicken Brothers," indicating a strategic move to capture more market segments [8].

Core Viewpoint - The pricing discrepancy between iced and hot soy milk at KFC has sparked widespread consumer confusion and criticism, with many questioning the rationale behind the higher price for iced soy milk, leading to increased customer complaints and even the removal of the iced product from some locations [2][4][6]. Pricing Discrepancy - KFC has maintained a pricing policy where iced soy milk is priced one yuan higher than hot soy milk, which has been a longstanding practice [2][7]. - Some KFC staff indicated that the difference in cup size and capacity accounts for the price variation, although specific measurements were not provided [2][7]. Customer Complaints - KFC has faced a significant number of customer complaints, with over 20,000 reported issues related to food quality, service, and order errors, indicating a gap between service quality and consumer expectations [8][9]. - Complaints include the presence of foreign objects in food, unresponsive customer service, and complicated refund processes, which have contributed to negative consumer experiences [9]. Sales Performance - Despite quality control issues, KFC continues to expand aggressively, with a reported 3% increase in sales and a 2% increase in total revenue to $5.8 billion in the first half of 2025 [11]. - The growth in sales is primarily attributed to store expansion rather than organic growth, with KFC's store count reaching 12,238 and a net addition of 295 stores in the second quarter [12]. New Market Strategies - KFC is diversifying its offerings by entering the fried chicken market with new stores branded as "Fried Chicken Brothers," indicating a strategic shift to adapt to market changes [14]. - The company is also increasing its focus on franchise operations, with a goal of having 40-50% of new stores as franchises in the coming years [12].

Core Viewpoint - Haidilao's financial report for the first half of 2025 shows a revenue of 20.703 billion yuan and a net profit of 1.755 billion yuan, indicating challenges in the competitive dining market, but a significant increase in "other restaurant" income by 227% to 597 million yuan highlights a potential growth avenue through its multi-brand strategy [1][5][6]. Group 1: Financial Performance - In the first half of 2025, Haidilao's revenue decreased by 3.7% year-on-year, and net profit fell by 13.7% [5][6]. - The table turnover rate dropped from 4.2 times per day to 3.8 times per day, with total customer visits nearing 190 million but showing a slowdown in growth [5][6]. Group 2: Multi-Brand Strategy - The "Pomegranate Plan" initiated in 2024 has led to the creation of 14 new restaurant brands, with 126 locations opened nationwide, positioning it as a second growth curve for the company [2][6]. - The multi-brand strategy is seen as a necessary response to the increasingly competitive dining market and changing consumer demands, with industry experts noting that it has become a survival strategy for restaurant chains [7][8]. Group 3: Market Trends and Consumer Behavior - The Chinese dining industry faced challenges in the first half of 2025, with national dining revenue growth slowing to 4.3% in the first half and further down to 1.1% in July [5][7]. - The emergence of diverse consumer needs, particularly among the "Z generation," has made it difficult for single brands to meet all market demands, thus necessitating a multi-brand approach [7][8]. Group 4: Future Outlook - Haidilao plans to focus on optimizing single-store models and developing prototype stores for key brands, aiming to enhance the success rate of its entrepreneurial brands [9][11]. - The company intends to involve more franchisees in its expansion efforts, particularly for its second brands, indicating a potential acceleration of the "Pomegranate Plan" [11].

Investment Rating - The report assigns an "Outperform" rating to multiple companies including Pop Mart, Anta Sports, and Haidilao, while Budweiser APAC is rated "Neutral" [1]. Core Insights - Pop Mart reported a revenue of 13.9 billion yuan for 1H 2025, a year-on-year increase of 204%, with an adjusted net profit of 4.71 billion yuan, up 363% year-on-year, and a net profit margin of 33.9%, an increase of 11.6 percentage points [1]. - Miniso's 2Q 2025 revenue was 4.97 billion yuan, a 23% year-on-year increase, with an adjusted net profit of 690 million yuan, up 11% year-on-year, but a net profit margin of 13.9%, down 1.6 percentage points [1]. - Haidilao opened its first innovative concept store in Beijing, featuring significant innovations in functionality and design, including an AI education integration [1]. - KFC launched a new fried chicken sub-brand "Fried Chicken Brothers" in Shanghai, focusing on takeout and delivery with lower average prices compared to its main brand [1]. - GE Appliances plans to invest over 3 billion USD in its U.S. operations over the next five years to expand its product capacity and modernize manufacturing facilities [1]. Summary by Category F&B Sector - Xiaocaiyuan (+9.8%), Mixue Group (+6.8%), and Chagee (+5.2%) showed strong performance, while Guoquan (-6.8%) lagged [2][6]. - Haidilao's innovative concept store aims to enhance customer experience through advanced design and technology [1]. Designer Toys Sector - Miniso (+35.0%) and Pop Mart (+18.1%) performed exceptionally well in the market [2][6]. - Pop Mart's collaboration with Uniqlo for a new clothing line indicates strong brand synergy and market presence [1]. Home Appliance Sector - Roborock (+16.1%), JS Global Life (+14.8%), and Sanhua (+8.2%) demonstrated solid growth in stock performance [2][6]. - GE Appliances' investment plan is expected to create 1,000 jobs across five states, indicating a positive outlook for the home appliance industry [1].