GEN Restaurant Group, Inc. Class A (GENK)

Over the past six months, GENK's stock has experienced a significant decline, dropping 53.73% in the last six months and 68.00% over the past year. In Q3 2025, GEN Restaurant Group announced an EPS of -$0.02, exceeding the consensus estimate of -$0.03, but quarterly revenue was $50.42 million, falling below analysts' expectations of $54.25 million. Comparable restaurant sales declined by 9.9% in Q3 2025, attributed to lower customer traffic and macroeconomic headwinds. Despite these challenges, the company opened 15 new restaurants in the first nine months of 2025, including six in South Korea, bringing the total to 57 units. A significant positive event was the expansion of its ready-to-cook Korean meats into over 600 grocery stores, with a target of potentially exceeding $100 million in annual revenue from this channel within 4-5 years. Management indicated that they chose not to raise menu prices in the near term despite rising protein costs. In Q2 2025, total revenue increased by 2.2% to $55.0 million compared to Q2 2024, but the company reported an operating loss of $1.9 million and a net loss of $0.05 per share. Total restaurant operating expenses as a percentage of revenue increased, primarily due to new store openings and inflationary cost increases. Same-store sales traffic also declined in May and June of 2025.

Direct information regarding the specific demand seasonality for GEN Restaurant Group's products and services is not explicitly stated. However, the fact that GEN's ready-to-cook Korean meats were added during the holiday season due to "unusually strong demand" suggests that these products may experience consistent or even heightened demand that can overcome typical seasonal retail patterns. No specific seasonal trends were identified for its restaurant business.

GEN Restaurant Group, Inc. operates as an Asian casual dining restaurant concept in the United States, specializing in Korean barbecue, offering an interactive dining experience where guests prepare traditional Korean and Korean-American food on embedded grills. The restaurants feature modern decor and lively Korean pop music, and the company has expanded into the retail sector with ready-to-cook Korean meats.

GEN Restaurant Group, Inc. has a significant presence across the United States, with over 40 company-owned locations, and as of Q3 2025, the company operated 57 units, including six in South Korea. Its U.S. restaurants are located in states such as California, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, Washington, New York, Texas, New Jersey, Florida, Oregon, and North Carolina. The company has also expanded its ready-to-cook Korean meat line into over 600 grocery stores, partnering with retailers like Albertsons, Vons, Pavilions, Safeway, and Sam's Club.

GEN Restaurant Group's brand reputation in the past year appears to be largely tied to its growth initiatives and customer experience, emphasizing its "unique culinary experience" and "engaging and interactive dining experience" with modern decor and lively Korean pop music. The rapid expansion of its restaurant footprint and the successful launch of its ready-to-cook Korean meats in major grocery chains suggest a positive perception of the brand's growth potential and appeal to a broader market. The company's financial performance, including declining comparable restaurant sales and net losses in recent quarters, could indirectly influence investor and consumer sentiment. The strong demand for their ready-to-cook products in grocery stores indicates a favorable consumer reception for these offerings.

GEN Restaurant Group, Inc. has a mix of institutional and individual owners, with 76 institutions holding shares, accounting for 30.12% of the total shares as of Q3 2025. Major institutional shareholders include Vanguard Group Inc., Skylands Capital, LLC, Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Geode Capital Management, Llc, CastleKnight Management LP, State Street Corp, Citadel Advisors Llc, Northern Trust Corp, Bard Associates Inc., 1492 Capital Management LLC, Sanders Morris Harris LLC, Wasatch Advisors LP, Portolan Capital Management LLC, and Renaissance Technologies LLC. Key individual owners include David Kim (Co-CEO), Jae Chang (Director), Don Kim, Lauren Wang, and Jose Manzanarez.