Core Insights - GEN Restaurant Group, Inc. has announced the grand opening of three new international locations in South Korea, marking its entry into the South Korean market and its 55th location overall [1][2] Company Overview - GEN Korean BBQ is one of the largest Asian casual dining restaurant concepts in the United States, founded in 2011 by two Korean immigrants in Los Angeles [2] - The brand has expanded to over 53 company-owned locations, offering a unique dining experience where guests grill their own meals at the table [2] - The menu features traditional Korean and Korean-American dishes, including high-quality meats, poultry, seafood, and mixed vegetables [2] Expansion Details - The new locations include two GEN Korean BBQ restaurants and one KAN Sushi [2] - The expansion is seen as a significant milestone for the company, reflecting its confidence in the South Korean market [2]

Core Insights - GEN Restaurant Group, Inc. reported a total revenue increase of 2.2% year-over-year to $55.0 million for Q2 2025, driven by the expansion of its restaurant count from 40 to 50 locations [6][7][23] - The company opened its first restaurant in South Korea and plans to exceed its target of 12 to 13 new restaurants by the end of 2025, with 7 additional locations currently under development [4][5][7] - Despite facing economic headwinds, including tariffs and immigration concerns, the company remains optimistic about its growth trajectory, supported by strong cash flow and a robust development pipeline [4][5] Financial Performance - The loss from operations for Q2 2025 was $1.9 million, representing 3.4% of revenue, compared to an income from operations of $1.6 million in Q2 2024 [7][10][28] - Restaurant-level adjusted EBITDA was $9.0 million, or 16.3% of revenue, for the quarter, showing an improvement from 15.6% in Q1 2025 [7][8][28] - General and administrative expenses increased to $6.4 million, or 11.6% of revenue, in Q2 2025, up from $5.1 million, or 9.4% of revenue, in Q2 2024 [9][10] Operational Highlights - The company has a total of 52 locations across eleven states and South Korea as of July 2025, with plans for further expansion [7][19] - Cash and cash equivalents stood at $9.6 million as of June 30, 2025, with no material long-term debt and full access to a $20 million line of credit [5][11][27] - The company paid its first dividend of $0.03 per share during the second quarter [7][11] Cost Structure - Total restaurant operating expenses as a percentage of revenue increased to 91.7% in Q2 2025 from 87.6% in Q2 2024, primarily due to higher costs associated with new restaurant openings [8][9] - Payroll and benefits decreased by 29 basis points compared to Q2 2024, indicating improved labor efficiencies [13][28] - Pre-opening expenses rose to $2.1 million in Q2 2025 from $1.6 million in Q2 2024, reflecting the company's aggressive expansion strategy [13][28]

Core Insights - GEN Restaurant Group, Inc. has opened its 13th location in Texas, specifically in El Paso, marking it as the 9th new restaurant opened by the company this year, indicating strong growth momentum [1][2] Company Overview - GEN Korean BBQ is one of the largest Asian casual dining restaurant concepts in the United States, founded in 2011 by two Korean immigrants in Los Angeles, and has expanded to over 50 company-owned locations [3] - The restaurant offers a unique dining experience where guests serve as their own chefs, cooking meals on embedded grills at their tables, featuring a menu that includes traditional Korean and Korean-American dishes [3] Strategic Importance - The El Paso location is strategically positioned to attract customers from both Texas and the surrounding communities, including New Mexico and Mexico, enhancing the company's reach [2] - The CEO of GEN highlighted the strong demand for the brand's cuisine and value proposition in Texas, emphasizing the significance of this new location [2]

Core Viewpoint - GEN Restaurant Group, Inc. continues its expansion in Texas, opening its eighth restaurant in 2025, indicating strong performance and progress towards its expansion goals [1][2]. Group 1: Expansion and Growth - The new GEN Korean BBQ location in Waco, Texas, is part of the company's strategy to share its all-inclusive, value-focused dining experience with more communities [2]. - The Waco location is strategically positioned near Baylor University, allowing access to a diverse demographic [2]. Group 2: Company Overview - GEN Korean BBQ is one of the largest Asian casual dining concepts in the U.S., founded in 2011, and has grown to over 40 company-owned locations [3]. - The restaurant offers a unique dining experience where guests prepare their meals on embedded grills, featuring a menu that includes traditional Korean and Korean-American dishes [3].

Core Insights - GEN Restaurant Group, Inc. has opened its first international location in Ilsan, South Korea, marking a significant milestone in its global expansion strategy [1][2] - The company aims to honor its cultural heritage while enhancing its domestic offerings by introducing authentic Korean flavors to the international market [2] - The Ilsan location is the first of three planned international sites in South Korea, indicating a strategic approach to growth in a competitive dining market [3] Company Overview - GEN Korean BBQ is one of the largest Asian casual dining concepts in the United States, founded in 2011 by two Korean immigrants in Los Angeles [3] - The brand operates over 40 company-owned locations, offering a unique dining experience where guests grill their own meals at the table [3] - The menu features a wide range of traditional Korean and Korean-American dishes, appealing to a diverse customer base [3]

Core Insights - GEN Restaurant Group, Inc. reported a strong start to 2025 with the opening of six new restaurants, including a dual-concept location in Austin, Texas, combining GEN Korean BBQ and Kan Sushi [4][8] - The company anticipates total revenue for the year to be between $245 million and $250 million, with a restaurant-level adjusted EBITDA margin projected between 17% and 18% [5][8] - Despite a cautious consumer spending environment, the company achieved a 13% increase in total revenue year-over-year for Q1 2025, reaching $57.3 million compared to $50.8 million in Q1 2024 [6][8] Financial Performance - Total revenue increased by 13.0% to $57.3 million in Q1 2025 compared to $50.8 million in Q1 2024 [6][8] - Restaurant-level adjusted EBITDA rose by 6.0% to $9.0 million from $8.4 million in the prior year [8] - The company reported a net loss before income taxes of $2.1 million, equating to $(0.06) per diluted share, compared to a net income of $3.8 million or $0.11 per diluted share in Q1 2024 [11][32] Operational Highlights - The company opened six new locations in Q1 2025, bringing the total to 49 locations across eleven states [8][25] - Comparable restaurant sales decreased by 0.7% in Q1 2025, a slight improvement from a 5.6% decline for all of 2024 [8][25] - The company has a robust development pipeline, aiming to open 12 to 13 new restaurants in fiscal 2025, including three international locations in South Korea [5][8] Cost and Expense Analysis - Total restaurant operating expenses as a percentage of revenue increased by 120 basis points to 88.0% in Q1 2025 from 86.8% in Q1 2024 [7][8] - General and administrative expenses increased to $5.6 million, or 9.8% of total revenue, reflecting increased personnel for new restaurant development and additional marketing expenditures [10][8] - Pre-opening expenses rose to $2.6 million in Q1 2025 from $1.9 million in Q1 2024 due to the opening of six new restaurants [17][8] Cash Position and Liquidity - As of March 31, 2025, the company had $15.4 million in cash and cash equivalents, with no material long-term debt and full access to a $20 million line of credit [13][8] - The company maintains a strong cash flow position, which supports its strategic priorities for growth [5][8]

Core Viewpoint - GEN Restaurant Group, Inc. will hold a conference call on May 13, 2025, to discuss its financial results for Q1 2025, which ended on March 31, 2025 [1] Company Overview - GEN Korean BBQ is one of the largest Asian casual dining restaurant concepts in the U.S., founded in 2011 by two Korean immigrants in Los Angeles [3] - The brand has expanded to over 40 company-owned locations, offering a unique dining experience where guests grill their own meals at the table [3] - The menu features traditional Korean and Korean-American dishes, including high-quality meats, poultry, seafood, and mixed vegetables [3] - The restaurant's modern décor and lively atmosphere create an engaging and interactive dining experience appealing to a broad demographic [3] Conference Call Details - The conference call will be hosted by Chairman and CEO David Kim and CFO Tom Croal, followed by a Q&A session [2] - Date and Time: May 13, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time (2:00 p.m. Pacific time) [2] - Dial-in numbers: Toll-free 1-844-825-9789, International 1-412-317-5180, with Conference ID 10199261 [2] - A live webcast will be available, and a replay will be accessible through the investor relations section of the company's website [3]

Core Insights - GEN Restaurant Group, Inc. has opened its first location in North Carolina, marking a significant milestone in its strategic growth plan [2] - The new restaurant is located in Cary, strategically positioned to serve a thriving population in the Triangle region of North Carolina [2][3] - GEN Korean BBQ operates over 40 company-owned locations across the United States, offering a unique dining experience where guests grill their own meals at the table [3] Company Overview - GEN Korean BBQ is one of the largest Asian casual dining restaurant concepts in the U.S., founded in 2011 by two Korean immigrants in Los Angeles [3] - The restaurant features an extensive menu that includes traditional Korean and Korean-American dishes, focusing on high-quality meats, poultry, seafood, and mixed vegetables [3] - The dining experience is characterized by modern décor and a lively atmosphere, appealing to a broad segment of the population [3]

Core Viewpoint - GEN Restaurant Group, Inc. has announced a stock repurchase program authorizing the repurchase of up to $5.0 million worth of its Class A common stock, indicating confidence in its financial position and commitment to shareholder value [1][2]. Stock Repurchase Program - The stock repurchase program allows the company to buy back shares through various means, including open market transactions and privately negotiated transactions, with the timing and number of shares to be determined at the company's discretion [2]. - The program may be suspended or discontinued at any time, and there is no obligation for the company to acquire a specific number of shares [1][2]. Trading Plan - The company plans to adopt a trading plan in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act, which will allow for repurchases during periods when the company might otherwise be restricted from trading due to insider trading laws [3]. - This trading plan will be managed by an independent broker and will adhere to specific price, market volume, and timing restrictions [3]. Company Overview - GEN Korean BBQ is one of the largest Asian casual dining concepts in the U.S., founded in 2011, with over 40 company-owned locations [4]. - The restaurant offers a unique dining experience where guests grill their own meals at the table, featuring a menu that includes traditional Korean and Korean-American dishes [4]. - The brand's modern décor and lively atmosphere cater to a broad demographic, enhancing its appeal in the casual dining market [4].