TH International (THCH) Q2 2025 Earnings Call August 26, 2025 08:00 AM ET Company ParticipantsGemma Bakx - IR & Corporate CommunicationYongchen Lu - CEO & DirectorDong Li - CFOConference Call ParticipantsSteve Silver - Senior Equity Research AnalystOperatorLadies and gentlemen, welcome to TIM's China's Second Quarter twenty twenty five Earnings Conference Call. All participants will be in listen only mode during management's prepared remarks and there will be a question and answer session to follow. Today's ...

Group 1 - KPRO, a brand under KFC, launched its new brand proposition "Assured Quality, Balanced Light Food" along with six commitments to enhance consumer trust and expand its store presence in more cities [1] - The Chinese Culinary Association, in collaboration with KPRO, advocated for the selection of high-quality ingredients and strict quality management to ensure consumer safety and health [4] - KPRO introduced its "Six Assurances," which include using raw eggs, thorough washing of fruits and vegetables, proper storage of ingredients, time management for each ingredient, careful seasoning with controlled sugar and salt, and scientific food pairing [4] Group 2 - The shift in China's food consumption structure towards nutrition and health is driving the light food trend from a niche option to a mainstream choice [5] - The Chinese Culinary Association established the "Light Food Nutrition Meal Design Guidelines" in 2022 to standardize the industry, defining the essence, nutritional design, cooking methods, and serving of light food [5] - The light food market in China is projected to grow significantly, with the market size for meal replacement light food exceeding 160 billion yuan in 2023 and an expected compound annual growth rate of 30% over the next five years [5]

Core Viewpoint - Naixue's tea is facing significant challenges in achieving stable profitability, with a decline in revenue and increasing competition in the beverage market [2][3][4]. Financial Performance - Naixue's revenue from 2021 to 2024 was 42.97 billion, 42.92 billion, 51.64 billion, and 49.21 billion respectively, with net profits of -4.526 billion, -476 million, 11.166 million, and -926 million [2]. - The adjusted net profits for the same years were -145 million, -461 million, 20.912 million, and -919 million [2]. Business Model and Expansion - Naixue has a low proportion of franchise stores, with 90.8% of revenue coming from direct stores, which saw a decline in income [3][4]. - In 2023, Naixue launched a "partner plan" to open franchise stores, requiring an investment of approximately 1 million and management experience [3]. - By the end of 2024, the number of franchise stores increased to 345, while direct store revenue decreased by 6.3% [4]. Market Strategy and Product Development - Naixue is exploring new store formats to adapt to different consumer scenarios, including the introduction of "Naixue green stores" focusing on healthy food options [6][7]. - The company has simplified its brand name and launched a "no sugar natural nutrition+" initiative to promote healthier products [8]. Investor Sentiment and Market Position - Naixue's market capitalization has significantly decreased from approximately 290 billion HKD at its IPO to about 24.93 billion HKD [8][9]. - Major investors have been reducing their stakes, indicating a loss of confidence in the company's future prospects [9][10].

Core Insights - The opening of Nai Xue's second Green store in Shenzhen has generated significant consumer interest, with long queues and over a thousand real-time orders on the first day [1][3] - The store quickly topped the beverage rankings on popular review platforms, indicating a strong market response to its product offerings [1][8] - A recent promotional "flash purchase" campaign led to a more than 200% year-on-year increase in order volume within 24 hours, showcasing the effectiveness of innovative marketing strategies [1][10] Group 1: Store Performance - The Nai Xue Green store at Dajianli achieved over 12 million yuan in sales within three days of opening, reflecting its popularity and high consumer demand [8] - The store's menu features a range of light meals and beverages, including popular items like the "Slim Green Bottle" and "Energy Bowl," which have received positive feedback from customers [3][6] - The successful launch of the Dajianli store is part of a broader strategy to expand the Green store format across major cities, with 31 locations already established in key urban areas [10] Group 2: Consumer Trends - Social media discussions around the Green store's opening have surged, with consumers sharing tips and experiences, particularly praising the bagel offerings [4][6] - The trend towards health-conscious consumption is evident, as products featuring superfoods and balanced nutrition are gaining traction among consumers [10] - The recent sales data indicates a significant increase in overall orders during the May Day holiday, with some stores experiencing a more than 300% increase compared to the pre-holiday period [9]