Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Outperform" (maintained) [1] Core Views - The company has shown strong revenue and profit growth, exceeding expectations, with a year-on-year revenue increase of 40.4% to 1.24 billion yuan and a net profit increase of 43.3% to 170 million yuan for the first three quarters of 2025 [4][5] - The growth momentum is driven by new product channels and strong performance in existing markets, particularly in the poultry product segment [5][6] - The company maintains its profit forecast for 2025-2027, expecting net profits of 220 million, 270 million, and 320 million yuan, representing year-on-year growth rates of 41.2%, 22.8%, and 16.2% respectively [4][6] Financial Performance Summary - For Q3 2025, the company reported revenue of 470 million yuan, a 32.7% increase year-on-year, and a net profit of 70 million yuan, up 44.8% year-on-year [4][5] - The revenue from meat products reached 450 million yuan, with poultry products contributing 420 million yuan, reflecting a growth of 34.7% and 36.1% respectively [5] - The gross margin decreased by 1.95 percentage points to 26.95% due to lower margins from newly developed channels, but the net margin improved by 1.15 percentage points to 13.78% due to reduced expense ratios [7] Market Channel Analysis - Offline channel revenue grew by 33.6% to 450 million yuan, with membership supermarkets and snack wholesale showing strong trends [6] - Online channel revenue increased by 17.7% to 30 million yuan, indicating ongoing expansion efforts [6] - The Southeast region saw a significant revenue increase of 59.6%, primarily driven by the rapid growth of new channels [6] Earnings Forecast and Valuation Metrics - The company forecasts earnings per share (EPS) of 0.52, 0.64, and 0.74 yuan for 2025, 2026, and 2027 respectively, with corresponding price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios of 22.7, 18.5, and 15.9 [4][8] - The projected revenue for 2025 is 1.643 billion yuan, with a year-on-year growth of 38.9% [8]

Investment Rating - The report gives a "Strong Buy" rating for Youyou Food [2] Core Insights - Youyou Food is a leading enterprise in the marinated food sector, focusing on product innovation and channel expansion to drive growth. The company aims to optimize its supply chain and improve operational efficiency, which is expected to stabilize and enhance profitability. The projected net profits for 2025-2027 are 230 million, 280 million, and 330 million respectively, with a corresponding PE of 18 times in 2026 [1][7][8] Company Overview - Youyou Food has over 30 years of experience in the marinated chicken feet market, with its core product, spicy marinated chicken feet, leading the industry. The company is actively innovating flavors and developing new products to meet changing consumer demands [7][12] - The company has established a stable shareholding structure, with the chairman holding 49.73% of the shares, ensuring consistent management and strategic direction [21][24] Financial Performance - The total revenue for Youyou Food is projected to grow from 966 million in 2023 to 1.609 billion in 2025, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 36% [8] - The net profit is expected to increase from 116 million in 2023 to 225 million in 2025, reflecting a CAGR of 43% [8] Market and Industry Trends - The snack food industry in China is projected to exceed 1.15 trillion yuan by 2026, with spicy snacks leading the growth at a rate of 9.6% [26][28] - The marinated chicken feet market is also experiencing growth, with the market size increasing from 29.6 billion in 2018 to 43.8 billion in 2021, reflecting a CAGR of 13.1% [26] Growth Opportunities - Youyou Food is expanding its product matrix with new offerings such as deboned duck feet and sour soup double crispy snacks, which are expected to drive additional revenue [7][49] - The company is actively pursuing new retail channels, including membership-based supermarkets and discount stores, to enhance market penetration and sales [7][31][42] Supply Chain and Production - Youyou Food has invested in production capacity, with a new facility expected to add 30,800 tons of annual capacity, enhancing its ability to meet growing demand [54][55] - The company is focusing on optimizing its supply chain by increasing domestic sourcing, which helps mitigate raw material price fluctuations [64][65]

Core Viewpoint - The frequent turnover of the board secretary position at Youyou Foods has raised concerns, despite the company's impressive revenue growth driven by its partnership with Sam's Club [2][3][4]. Group 1: Board Secretary Changes - Youyou Foods has appointed Xie Yaling as the new board secretary, marking the fifth change in this position since the company went public in 2019 [2]. - The recent turnover includes two previous secretaries who left within three months for "personal reasons," prompting regulatory scrutiny from the Shanghai Stock Exchange [2]. - The annual salary of the current board secretary, Liu Yuzhan, was reported at 215,700 yuan, which is considered low compared to peers in similar companies [2]. Group 2: Financial Performance - Youyou Foods reported a revenue of 771 million yuan for the first half of 2025, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 45.59% [3]. - The significant revenue increase is attributed to the successful collaboration with Sam's Club, where Youyou Foods became a supplier for a popular product [3]. Group 3: Challenges Ahead - The company faces challenges related to a high level of accounts receivable, which has surged due to the partnership with Sam's Club [3]. - Youyou Foods has a product structure that is heavily reliant on a single category, with over 65% of its main business revenue coming from its signature product, the spicy chicken feet [4]. - The new board secretary, being an internal promotion, may help stabilize operations, but the company still needs to address issues related to executive stability, channel risk, and corporate governance [4].

Core Viewpoint - Youyou Foods, known as the "first stock of spicy chicken feet," is facing governance issues highlighted by the frequent turnover of its board secretary, which has occurred five times in six years, raising concerns about internal management and stability [1][3][5]. Group 1: Management and Governance Issues - The recent resignation of the board secretary after only three months in office has sparked widespread scrutiny regarding the company's governance structure [3][5]. - Since its listing in May 2019, Youyou Foods has experienced a high turnover rate in the board secretary position, with five individuals having held the role, indicating potential internal chaos and instability [4][5]. - The frequent changes in the board secretary position may disrupt strategic execution and highlight deeper issues such as management confusion and lack of commitment from professional managers [4][5]. Group 2: Financial Performance and Market Dynamics - Youyou Foods has shown a significant recovery in financial performance, with a revenue increase of 45.59% year-on-year in the first half of 2025, reaching 771 million yuan, and a net profit growth of 42.47% to 108 million yuan [11]. - The partnership with Sam's Club has been a key driver of this turnaround, with products like "deboned duck feet" becoming bestsellers [11][12]. - However, the company's reliance on Sam's Club raises concerns about cash flow, as accounts receivable surged to 156 million yuan in the first half of 2025, significantly exceeding the net profit for the same period [12]. Group 3: Shareholder Actions and Dividend Policies - The actual controller of Youyou Foods, Zhao Ying, recently reduced her holdings by 12.83 million shares, amounting to 151 million yuan, which has raised investor concerns about the timing of the sale following a stock price increase [6][8]. - The company has maintained a high dividend payout ratio, with a payout rate exceeding 90% during downturns and reaching 127.77% in 2024, indicating a strategy that may prioritize short-term returns for shareholders [8][9]. Group 4: Product and Market Strategy - Youyou Foods faces challenges with a narrow product structure, as 93.42% of its revenue comes from poultry products, particularly spicy chicken feet, which are in a highly competitive market [14]. - The company's heavy reliance on Sam's Club for sales could limit its growth potential and expose it to risks associated with dependency on a single customer [13][14]. - The overall gross margin has been under pressure, declining from 30.84% to 27.57% in the first half of 2025, reflecting the challenges posed by the pricing power of large retail partners [13].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights significant concerns regarding the quality control of products at Sam's Club, particularly in the context of fresh produce and meat, suggesting a systemic failure in their quality assurance processes [14][32]. Group 1: Quality Control Issues - Customers have reported multiple instances of receiving spoiled or moldy fresh produce, such as carrots and cucumbers, leading to refunds and dissatisfaction with the service [4][6][14]. - A specific case involved a customer receiving pork ribs that were spoiled upon delivery, raising questions about the freshness and safety of meat products sold by Sam's Club [13][14]. - The frequency of complaints about product quality has increased since July, indicating a potential decline in Sam's Club's quality control standards [9][14]. Group 2: Management and Strategic Changes - The change in leadership at Sam's Club, with the appointment of Jane Ewing as the new president, has been linked to a perceived decline in product selection and quality control [14][15]. - Under the new management, there has been a shift towards cost-cutting measures and a focus on efficiency, which may have compromised product quality [15][16]. - The article suggests that the introduction of more mainstream brands into Sam's Club's offerings may be driven by profit margin considerations rather than maintaining high-quality standards [16][22]. Group 3: Market Position and Consumer Perception - Sam's Club has become a significant player in the snack food market, with many food companies seeing entry into Sam's Club as a catalyst for stock price increases [20][21]. - The company has been expanding rapidly, with a notable increase in the number of stores, but this growth may be outpacing its ability to maintain quality control [30][33]. - Membership numbers have surpassed 5 million, generating substantial revenue, but the perceived value of membership is declining due to quality issues, leading to customer dissatisfaction [31][32].

Core Viewpoint - The collaboration with Sam's Club has significantly revitalized Youyou Food's performance, leading to substantial revenue and profit growth in 2024 and the first half of 2025, despite concerns about reliance on a single channel and rising accounts receivable [1][2][3]. Group 1: Financial Performance - In 2024, Youyou Food achieved revenue of 1.182 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 22.36%, and a net profit of 157 million yuan, up 35.34% [1]. - For the first half of 2025, revenue reached 771 million yuan, a remarkable increase of 45.59%, with net profit soaring by 42.47% to 108 million yuan [1]. - The partnership with Sam's Club has been identified as a key growth driver, with second-quarter revenue exceeding 100 million yuan [1][2]. Group 2: Product and Market Strategy - Youyou Food's duck feet product quickly became a bestseller at Sam's Club, with monthly sales exceeding 30 million units [2]. - The company has successfully launched additional products like the sour soup series and vegetable products, achieving significant sales milestones [2][6]. - Youyou Food has been actively expanding its presence in other retail channels, including Costco and Hema, and exploring new sales avenues such as live e-commerce [7]. Group 3: Supply Chain and Financial Risks - The accounts receivable for Youyou Food surged from 379,500 yuan in 2023 to 74.61 million yuan in 2024, marking a staggering increase of 1866% [3]. - By mid-2025, accounts receivable further escalated to 156 million yuan, with the largest debtor accounting for nearly 90% of the total [3][4]. - The financial director mentioned initiatives from Walmart China aimed at improving suppliers' cash flow efficiency, which may help mitigate financial risks [4]. Group 4: Corporate Governance and Shareholder Actions - Youyou Food has faced scrutiny over frequent changes in its company secretary, with the latest resignation occurring just four months after appointment [4][5]. - The major shareholder has reduced their stake by 3%, raising concerns among investors, although the company stated that the process complied with regulations [5][6]. Group 5: Future Outlook - Analysts from reputable firms maintain a buy rating on Youyou Food, citing the ongoing expansion of Sam's Club and the potential for continued growth [7]. - The company is positioned for a "second spring" in its business trajectory, supported by product innovation and market expansion strategies [6][7].

Summary of Youyou Foods Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Youyou Foods - **Industry**: Snack Food Industry Key Points and Arguments Revenue Growth Projections - Youyou Foods expects revenue to exceed 1.6 billion yuan in 2025, with growth rates of 40% and 22% for 2025 and 2026 respectively [2][3][16] - The contribution from membership supermarkets is projected to be 60% in 2025 and 40% in 2026, while snack wholesale channels are expected to contribute about 20% and 30% respectively [3][4][16] Market Position and Competition - Youyou Foods is positioned in the first tier of the ready-to-eat chicken feet and duck feet market, with a 2024 revenue of 1.17 billion yuan, including 785 million yuan from spicy chicken feet [2][6] - Competitors include brands like Wang Xiaolu and various regional brands, with a concentrated competitive landscape [6] Industry Trends - The snack food industry is experiencing significant channel structure changes, with rapid growth in snack wholesale and membership supermarkets, while traditional channels are under pressure [2][4][5] - By the end of 2024, the number of snack wholesale stores is expected to reach 35,000 to 40,000, generating approximately 140 billion yuan in sales [5] Product Innovation - Youyou Foods focuses on product innovation, introducing diverse flavors and new products such as lemon-flavored and spicy chicken feet, as well as chicken tendons and bone sticks [9] - The collaboration with Sam's Club has led to the successful launch of deboned duck feet, achieving monthly sales close to 20 million yuan [9][11] Management and Ownership - As of the end of 2024, Chairman Lu Youzhong and family hold 67.82% of the shares, with a stable and experienced management team [8] - Key executives have over 10 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, providing a solid foundation for the company's growth [8] Future Catalysts for Growth - Future growth catalysts include organizational adjustments, new product launches, and expansion into emerging channels such as interest e-commerce and snack wholesale [7][10] - The partnership with Sam's Club is expected to enhance brand visibility and drive sales growth [10] Channel Development - The membership supermarket channel is anticipated to generate over 100 million yuan in revenue in 2024, primarily from deboned duck feet [11] - The snack wholesale channel is expected to double its revenue in 2025, with ongoing expansion plans [12] E-commerce Growth - E-commerce revenue has accelerated since 2024, with a year-on-year growth of over 200% [13][14] - The Douyin platform is expected to feature popular products such as chicken tendons and spicy chicken feet, contributing to significant revenue growth [14] Profitability and Valuation - Projected revenue growth rates for 2025 and 2026 are approximately 40% and 22%, with a stable net profit margin around 14% [16] - The increase in low-margin membership supermarkets and snack wholesale channels is expected to impact gross margins, decreasing from 29.2% in 2024 to 27.8% in 2026 [16] Additional Important Insights - The overall snack food industry is seeing a shift towards discount e-commerce, with significant growth in the number of snack wholesale stores since 2021 [5] - The company has a total of 804 distributors and covers over 200,000 terminal points, indicating room for improvement compared to traditional snack food companies [15]

Core Viewpoint - The frequent changes in the secretary position at Youyou Food may indicate underlying issues related to company strategy, internal management, governance structure, and competitive pressures in the industry [10]. Company Management Changes - Youyou Food received a regulatory work letter from the Shanghai Stock Exchange on September 19, 2025, regarding the change of the company’s board secretary [1][2]. - The recent departure of the vice president and board secretary, Xiao Chuan Zhi, on September 15, 2025, occurred just over three months after his appointment [3][5]. - During the vacancy of the board secretary position, the board designated the finance director, Cui Haibin, to perform the duties of the board secretary [4]. Historical Context of Secretary Changes - Since its listing in November 2019, Youyou Food has experienced four board secretary departures, all citing "personal reasons" [7]. - The previous board secretaries included Zeng Li, Zhou Zenning, Liu Yuchan, and Liang Yu, with each leaving for personal development choices [8][9]. Company Performance - Youyou Food's revenue and net profit from 2021 to 2023 were as follows: - 2021: Revenue of 1.22 billion, Net profit of 220 million - 2022: Revenue of 1.02 billion, Net profit of 154 million - 2023: Revenue of 966 million, Net profit of 116 million [11]. - In 2024, the company reported a revenue of 1.18 billion, a year-on-year increase of 22.37%, and a net profit of 157 million, up 35.44% [11]. - In the first half of 2025, Youyou Food achieved a revenue of 771 million, a year-on-year growth of 45.59%, and a net profit of 108 million, an increase of 42.47% [12].

Core Viewpoint - The company maintains a strong focus on the prepared food sector and is optimistic about its development, planning to develop personalized products based on consumer trends in the future [2] Group 1: Company Strategy - The company has been experiencing consecutive years of revenue and net profit decline prior to becoming a supplier for Sam's Club's deboned duck feet in July 2024 [2] - The collaboration with high-potential channels is part of the company's long-term strategic layout, which includes product innovation and channel optimization to enhance operational quality [2] - The company believes that sustainable development stems from systematic competitiveness and will continue to deepen its multi-channel construction and refined operations to provide better products and services to consumers [2]

Core Viewpoint - Youyou Foods (603697.SH), known as the "first stock of spicy chicken feet," reported significant revenue and profit growth in the first half of 2025, largely attributed to its collaboration with Sam's Club [2][4]. Financial Performance - In the first half of 2025, Youyou Foods achieved revenue of 771 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 45.59% [2] - The net profit attributable to shareholders was 108 million yuan, up 42.47% year-on-year [2] - The company noted that market expansion efforts, particularly the partnership with Sam's Club, significantly contributed to this growth [2][4]. Accounts Receivable Concerns - Accounts receivable surged to 74.61 million yuan in 2024, a dramatic increase of 1866% from 3.795 million yuan in 2023 [6] - By mid-2025, accounts receivable rose to 156 million yuan, doubling from the end of the previous year, with the largest debtor accounting for approximately 90% of this amount [6][7] - The increase in accounts receivable is primarily attributed to new customer additions, believed to include Sam's Club [6][7]. Channel and Product Structure Issues - Youyou Foods heavily relies on offline channels, which contributed over 93% of its main business revenue, while online channels accounted for only 485.3 million yuan [9] - The core product, spicy chicken feet, generated 713 million yuan, representing 93.42% of main business revenue, indicating a concentration in product offerings [9]. Management Changes - The company experienced a high turnover in its secretary position, with the recent resignation of the secretary and vice president, who served for just over three months [10][11] - This pattern of frequent management changes raises concerns about stability within the company [11].