YUM CHINA(YUMC)2024-04-30 05:28Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - System sales grew 6% year-over-year, following a 17% growth last year [6][22] - Revenue reached an all-time high of US396 million from US0.71 [27] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - KFC system sales increased 7% year-over-year, with 307 net new stores added [23] - KFC same-store sales were at 98% of prior year levels, with 4% same-store traffic growth [23] - Pizza Hut system sales increased 4% year-over-year, with 113 net new stores added [24] - Pizza Hut same-store sales were at 95% of prior year levels, driven by strong traffic growth of 8% [24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Two-thirds of new store openings were in smaller store formats [9] - KFC's delivery sales grew by 14%, maintaining consistent growth over the past decade [36] - Sales at shopping malls surpassed 2019 levels, indicating robust trading [35] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to open 1,500 to 1,700 net new stores in 2024, focusing on strategic locations [29] - The flexible store models and franchise partnerships are key to capitalizing on opportunities in lower-tier cities [9] - The company is committed to enhancing operational efficiency through initiatives like Project Fresh Eye [20][21] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that competition remains intense but is viewed positively as it drives industry growth [50] - The company anticipates a challenging second quarter due to high base comparisons from last year [28] - Management emphasized the importance of adapting to consumer behavior and maintaining a balanced approach to pricing and product offerings [34][39] Other Important Information - The company returned a record US$745 million to shareholders in the first quarter through share repurchases and dividends [29] - The effective tax rate was 26.9% in the first quarter, lower than the previous year due to fewer non-tax deductible expenses [27] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on same-store sales and consumption trends - Management highlighted robust transaction growth during the Chinese New Year and noted that consumers are responding well to both high-ticket and lower-ticket items [33][34] Question: Traffic growth sources - Management indicated that traffic growth is coming from both new customers and increased frequency from existing customers, with a focus on value for money [41][42] Question: Competitive environment and promotional intensity - Management acknowledged that competition has intensified but emphasized the importance of evolving with competitors and maintaining a consistent strategy [50][51] Question: Cost of goods sold and food cost outlook - Management noted that food costs have increased due to promotional activities but expect favorable commodity prices to help manage costs moving forward [60][61] Question: Delivery services resilience post-COVID - Management confirmed that delivery sales have remained strong and are focusing on smaller order sizes to enhance growth in this segment [66]