Q2 2026 GEN Restaurant Group Inc Earnings Call

August 10, 2026

Speaker #1: Good afternoon, and welcome to the GEN Restaurant Group, Inc. second quarter 2026 earnings conference call. At this time, all lines are in a listen-only mode.

Operator: Good afternoon, and welcome to the GEN Restaurant Group, Inc. Second Quarter 2026 Earnings Conference Call. At this time, all lines are in a listen-only mode. Following the presentation, we will conduct a question and answer session. If at any time during this call you require immediate assistance, please press star zero for the operator. Please be advised that this call is being recorded today, Monday, 10 August 2026. I would now like to turn the conference over to Lucas Zimmerman, investor relations. Please go ahead.

Operator: Good afternoon, and welcome to the GEN Restaurant Group, Inc. Second Quarter 2026 Earnings Conference Call. At this time, all lines are in a listen-only mode. Following the presentation, we will conduct a question-and-answer session. If at any time during this call you require immediate assistance, please press star zero for the operator. Please be advised that this call is being recorded today, Monday, 10 August 2026. I would now like to turn the conference over to Lucas Zimmerman, investor relations. Please go ahead.

Speaker #1: Following the presentation, we will conduct a Q&A session. If, at any time during this call, you require immediate assistance, please press *0 for the operator.

Speaker #1: Please be advised that this call is being recorded today, Monday, August 10, 2026. I would now like to turn the conference over to Lucas Zimmerman, investor relations, please go ahead.

Speaker #2: Good afternoon, everyone, and thank you for standing by. Welcome to GEN Restaurant Group's second quarter 2026 earnings conference call. During today's presentation, all participants will be in listen-only mode.

Lucas A. Zimmerman (MZ Group: Good afternoon, everyone, and thank you for standing by. Welcome to GEN Restaurant Group's second quarter 2026 earnings conference call. During today's presentation, all participants will be in a listen-only mode. Following the prepared remarks, the call will be open for questions. This conference is being recorded today, Monday, 10 August 2026, and the earnings press release accompanying this call was issued after the market closed today. Joining us for today's call are GEN Restaurant Group's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, David Kim, and Chief Financial Officer, Luke Hewko.

Lucas Zimmerman (MZ Group: Good afternoon, everyone, and thank you for standing by. Welcome to GEN Restaurant Group's second quarter 2026 earnings conference call. During today's presentation, all participants will be in a listen-only mode. Following the prepared remarks, the call will be open for questions. This conference is being recorded today, Monday, 10 August 2026, and the earnings press release accompanying this call was issued after the market closed today. Joining us for today's call are GEN Restaurant Group's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, David Kim, and Chief Financial Officer, Luke Hewko.

Speaker #2: Following the prepared remarks, the call will be open for questions. This conference is being recorded today, Monday, August 10, 2026, and the earnings press release accompanying this call was issued after the market closed today.

Speaker #2: Joining us for today's call are GEN Restaurant Group's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, David Kim, and Chief Financial Officer, Luke Yuko. Before we begin, I'd like to remind everyone that some of the statements management makes on this call are forward-looking statements, that reflect current expectations about future operating and financial results, including expectations relating to the company's CPG division, growth prospects, and statements regarding the non-binding letter of intent and the proposed transaction contemplated thereby, including whether definitive agreements will be executed or any transaction consummated.

Lucas A. Zimmerman (MZ Group: Before we begin, I would like to remind everyone that some of the statements management makes on this call are forward-looking statements that reflect current expectations about future operating and financial results, including expectations relating to the company's CPG division, growth prospects, and statements regarding the non-binding letter of intent and the proposed transaction contemplated thereby, including whether definitive agreements will be executed or any transaction consummated. Although management believes these expectations and assumptions are reasonable, they remain subject to significant risks and uncertainties, and the actual results could differ materially from what is stated or implied today. For more information, please refer to the Forward-Looking Statements section in today's press release and the risk factors described in the company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended 31 December 2025, and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Lucas Zimmerman (MZ Group: Before we begin, I would like to remind everyone that some of the statements management makes on this call are forward-looking statements that reflect current expectations about future operating and financial results, including expectations relating to the company's CPG division, growth prospects, and statements regarding the non-binding letter of intent and the proposed transaction contemplated thereby, including whether definitive agreements will be executed or any transaction consummated. Although management believes these expectations and assumptions are reasonable, they remain subject to significant risks and uncertainties, and the actual results could differ materially from what is stated or implied today.

Speaker #2: Although management believes these expectations and assumptions are reasonable, they remain subject to significant risks and uncertainties, and the actual results differ and could differ materially from what is stated or implied today.

Speaker #2: For more information, please refer to the forward-looking statements section in today's press release, and the risk factors describing the company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Lucas Zimmerman (MZ Group: For more information, please refer to the forward-Looking Statements section in today's press release and the risk factors described in the company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended 31 December 2025, and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements made on this call speak only as of today, and the company undertakes no obligation to update them except as required by law. Please also note that today's call will include a discussion of adjusted EBITDA, restaurant-level adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted net income or loss, which are non-GAAP financial measures. Important information, including reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, is detailed in today's press release. With that, it is my pleasure to turn the call over to GEN Restaurant Group's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, David Kim. David, the floor is yours.

Speaker #2: The forward-looking statements made on this call speak only as of today, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update them except as required by law.

Lucas A. Zimmerman (MZ Group: The forward-looking statements made on this call speak only as of today, and the company undertakes no obligation to update them except as required by law. Please also note that today's call will include a discussion of adjusted EBITDA, restaurant-level adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted net income or loss, which are non-GAAP financial measures. Important information, including reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, is detailed in today's press release. With that, it is my pleasure to turn the call over to GEN Restaurant Group's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, David Kim. David, the floor is yours.

Speaker #2: Please also note that today's call will include a discussion of adjusted EBITDA, restaurant-level adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted net income or loss, which are non-GAAP financial measures.

Speaker #2: Important information, including reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, is detailed in today's press release. With that, it is my pleasure to turn the call over to GEN Restaurant Group's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, David Kim.

Speaker #2: David, the floor is yours.

Speaker #3: Thank you, Lucas, and good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for joining us today for our second quarter 2026 earnings conference call. I want to start today somewhere different than I normally would.

David Kim: Thank you, Lucas, and good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for joining us today for our Q2 2026 earnings conference call. I want to start today somewhere different than I normally would. Not with a number and not with our restaurants, but where the food business in this country is going and why I believe GEN is standing in exactly the right place at exactly the right time. One of the things that I have learned in the past 15 years building this company is that you cannot manufacture demand. You can only find it and then get in front of it. What I want investors to understand is that Korean food in America is not a trend we are trying to create. It is current that is already running hard, and it is getting stronger every quarter. Let me put some outside numbers behind that.

Speaker #3: Not with a number and not with our restaurants, but where the food business in this country is going, and why I believe GEN is standing in exactly the right place at exactly the right time.

Speaker #3: One of the things that I have learned in the past 15 years building this company is that you cannot manufacture demand. You can only find it, and then get in front of it.

Speaker #3: And what I want investors to understand is that Korean food in America is not a trend we are trying to create. It is a current—it is current—that is already running hard, and it is getting stronger every quarter.

Speaker #3: Let me put some outside numbers behind that. Korea's government reported in January that K-food exports to the U.S. grew 13.2% in a single year.

David Kim: Korea's government reported in January that K-food exports to the US grew 13.2% in a single year. Korean sauce exports hit a record $411 million. Ramyeon crossed $1.5 billion, up nearly 22%. This is not a niche. This is a global food culture arriving in America's homes at scale, and the American consumer is reaching for it. Circana Consumer Intelligence Platform has reported that retail sales of Asian packaged food in the United States grew nearly four times faster than overall packaged food sales in a market where total packaged food dollar growth has been running in the low single digit with flat units. In its category work on Korean food, Circana found Kimchi cases up 80%, the strongest growth of any vegetable it tracked.

Speaker #3: Korean sauce exports hit a record 411 million; ramyeon across a billion and a half dollars up nearly 22%. This is not a niche. This is a global food culture arriving in America's homes at scale.

Speaker #3: And the American consumer is reaching for it. So can a consumer intelligence platform has reported that retail sales of Asian packaged food in the United States grew nearly 4 times faster than overall packaged food sales in a market where total package food dollar growth has been running in the low single-digit with flat units.

Speaker #3: It is category work on Korean food. So can a found kimchi cases up 80% the strongest growth of any vegetable it tracked? Supermarket news reports that 61% of American say they like or want to try Korean foods.

David Kim: Supermarket News reports that 61% of Americans say they like or want to try Korean foods, and the pull-through is visible in American grocery data. Asian food unit sales in mainstream US supermarkets are growing roughly 4% a year on unit growth in a market where overall packaged food units are flat. Part of what is unlocking shelf space is generational. As veteran purchasing managers retire, the younger managers being promoted grew up inside the Korean culture wave, the K-pop music, the Netflix movies, the K-dramas, the live shows, and of course, the foods, and they know these products. That wave have reached Middle America, where Korean is the fastest growing of the international food categories, tracking roughly 10% annual growth internationally, led by Gen Z and millennial shoppers. There are millions of Americans who have never experienced Korean barbecue in their grocery aisles.

Speaker #3: And the pull-through is visible in American grocery data. Asian food unit sales in mainstream U.S. supermarkets are growing roughly 4% a year, on unit growth.

Speaker #3: In a market where overall packaged food units are flat, part of what is unlocking shelf space is generational. As veteran purchasing managers retire, the younger managers being promoted grew up inside the Korean culture wave.

Speaker #3: The K-pop music, the Netflix movies, the K-dramas, the live shows, and of course the foods. And they know these products and that wave have reached middle America where Korean is the fastest growing of the international food categories.

Speaker #3: Tracking roughly 10% annual growth internationally, led by Gen Z and millennial shoppers. There are millions of Americans who have never experienced Korean barbecue in their grocery aisles.

Speaker #3: The second tailwind is just as important, and it is about where this demand is being served. The American Frozen Food Institution and FMI released the fourth edition of their Power of Frozen report in February.

David Kim: The second tailwind is just as important, and it is about where this demand is being served. The American Frozen Food Institute and FMI released the fourth edition of their Power of Frozen report in February. US frozen food is now an $87 billion business, and it has grown more than 45% since 2019. The single best performing corner of that aisle? Frozen processed meat and poultry, which more than doubled to $8 billion. That is our aisle. That is our category. And within that report is a number that matters most to a company like ours. 71% of frozen shoppers say they are actively looking for items they have not bought before, and 30% say they plan to buy more frozen in the year ahead. A brand new to the freezer case usually has to fight for trial. Right now, the consumer is coming and looking for us.

Speaker #3: U.S. frozen food is now an $87 billion business, and it has grown more than 45% since 2019. The single best-performing corner of that aisle?

Speaker #3: Frozen processed meat and poultry which more than doubled to 8 billion that is our aisle. That is our category. And within that report is the number that matters most to a company like ours, 71% of frozen shoppers say they're actively looking for items they have not bought before.

Speaker #3: And 30% say they plan to buy more frozen in the year ahead. A brand new entry to the freezer case usually has to fight for trial.

Speaker #3: Right now, the consumer's is coming and looking for us. The channel data tells the same story. Over the same period, retail club grew frozen food sales by nearly 14%, far outpacing the traditional grocery and warehouse clubs and mass merchandisers like Walmart and Target now account for as much of the frozen dollars as conventional supermarkets do.

David Kim: The channel data tells the same story. Over the same period, retail club grew frozen food sales by nearly 14%, far outpacing the traditional grocery, and warehouse clubs and mass merchandisers like Walmart and Target now account for as much of the frozen dollars as conventional supermarkets do. We launched our retail business in grocery, and it gives us our foundation. But our newest push has been the club channel led by Costco. That was not an accident, and as you will hear in a moment, it is working. The third current is the one every restaurant operator in America is feeling, and I am not going to pretend otherwise. Circana reported that US food service traffic declined 0.3% in 2025, and they project industry-wide traffic growth of less than 1% this year. Consumers have not stopped wanting restaurant food.

Speaker #3: We launched our retail business in grocery, and it gives us our foundation. But our newest push has been the club channel, led by Costco.

Speaker #3: That was not an accident, and as you will hear in a moment, it is working. The third current is the one every restaurant operator in America is feeling.

Speaker #3: And I'm not going to pretend otherwise. So can a reported that U.S. food service traffic declined 3/10 of a percent in 2025 and they project industry-wide traffic growth of less than 1% this year.

Speaker #3: Consumers have not stopped wanting restaurant food. They're simply feeling the strain of the macro environment, and they cannot pay restaurant prices as often as they would like.

David Kim: They are simply feeling the strain of the macro environment, and they cannot pay restaurant prices as often as they would like. Conagra sized this precisely in their Future of Frozen report earlier this year. Takeout-style frozen food is now a $14 billion category, and they contribute its growth directly to global flavors and to consumers recreating the restaurant experience at home. Here is the picture. Restaurant traffic is flat. The freezer aisle is booming. Korean flavors are among the fastest moving thing in global food. And restaurant quality foods sold in grocery stores is a $14 billion category. Every one of those current runs straight through GEN, a real restaurant brand with a proven retail engine. I think GEN is one of the best-positioned companies to take advantage of this. Which brings me to the point I want everyone to understand today.

Speaker #3: Conagra sized this precisely in their future of frozen report earlier this year. Takeout style frozen food is now a 14 billion dollar category and they contribute its growth directly to global flavors and to consumers recreating the restaurant experience at home.

Speaker #3: So here is the picture. Restaurant traffic is flat. The freezer aisle is booming. Korean flavors are among the fastest moving thing in global food.

Speaker #3: And restaurant quality foods sold in grocery stores is a 14 billion dollar category. Every one of those current runs straight through Gen a real restaurant brand with a proven retail engine.

Speaker #3: I think Gen is one of the best positioned companies to take advantage of this. Which brings me to the point I want everyone to understand today.

Speaker #3: Most CPG brands hope a consumer who has never heard of them picks up the package. We do not have that problem. We have served millions of customers at the Gen tables.

David Kim: Most CPG brands hope a consumer who has never heard of them picks up the package. We do not have that problem. We have served millions of customers at the GEN tables. Those guests already know what our Bulgogi tastes like. When a shopper sees our packages in the freezer aisle and freezer doors, we are not introducing ourselves for the first time. We are being recognized. BDA Partners, in their study of Asian foods rise in North America, calls the winning formula accessible authenticity. This is a very good description of what GEN sells. And our in-store demonstrations, staffed by our own trained people, continue to deliver sell-through well above typical demo programs. Now, let me talk about capital, because this is the part I think the market has not yet fully appreciated. Opening a GEN restaurant is a good business, and it built everything we have.

Speaker #3: Those guests already know what our bulgogi tastes like. When a shopper sees our packages in the freezer aisle and behind the freezer doors, we're not introducing ourselves for the first time.

Speaker #3: We are being recognized. BDA partners in their study of Asian foods rise in North America calls the winning formula accessible authenticity. This is a very good description of what Gen sells.

Speaker #3: And our in-store demonstration staffed by our own trained people continue to deliver sell through well above typical demo programs. Now, let me talk about capital, because this is the part, I think, the market has not yet fully appreciated.

Speaker #3: Opening a GEN restaurant is a good business, and it built everything we have. It is a capital-intensive business with very stiff competition. Every new location requires meaningful build-out, a construction timeline, a lease commitment, and a ramp-up period.

David Kim: It is a capital-intensive business with very stiff competition. Every new location requires meaningful build-out, a construction timeline, a lease commitment, and a ramp-up period. Our CPG division does not work that way. We do not own a single manufacturing plant. We produce through co-packing partners who make our products to GEN's own recipes and quality standards, just as we do in the restaurant business. That means our growth comes down to speed, execution, and scale. We can add a SKU, add a region, or double a production run in weeks. We scale with purchase orders, not capital projects. The consequence of that are significant, and I want to say them plainly. We can grow this business quickly without major CapEx. Our incremental return on invested capital in CPG is meaningfully higher than what we can achieve opening restaurants in this environment, and the margin profile is structurally better.

Speaker #3: Our CPG division does not work that way. We do not own a single manufacturing plant. We produce through co-packing partners who make our products through Gen's own recipes and quality standards.

Speaker #3: Just as we do in the restaurant business. That means our growth comes down to speed, execution, and scale. We can add a SKU, add a region, or double a production run in weeks.

Speaker #3: We scale with purchase orders not capital projects. The consequence of that are significant. And I want to say them plainly. We can grow this business quickly without major CapEx.

Speaker #3: Our incremental return on invested capital in CPG is meaningfully higher than what we can achieve opening restaurants in this environment, and the margin profile is structurally better.

Speaker #3: We continue to expect this division to deliver even margins in the high teens at scale after promotional investments. Simply put, we found a way to take our brand that we spent 15 years and a lot of capital building, and monetize it in a channel that requires much less.

David Kim: We continue to expect this division to deliver EBITDA margins in the high teens at scale after promotional investments. Simply put, we found a way to take our brand that we spent 15 years and a lot of capital building and monetize it in a channel that requires much less. The CPG division is already profitable. Our CPG business delivered its best quarter yet, with revenue up 341% sequentially from the first quarter, driven by frozen, raw, non-cooked marinated meats.

Speaker #3: The CPG division is already profitable. Our CPG business delivered its best quarter yet, with revenue up 341% sequentially from the first quarter. Driven by frozen raw, non-cooked marinated meats, June was our biggest month, with revenue surpassing $2 million and Gen products being placed in nearly 2,000 retail doors nationwide.

David Kim: June was our biggest month, with revenue surpassing $2 million and GEN products being placed in nearly 2,000 retail doors nationwide, exceeding the expectations set on 20 March press release, which stated, "By the end of 2026, GEN is projected to have our CPG products in 1,500 to 2,000 locations across the United States, with a run rate in excess of $20 million in revenue." With all the other stores in the current pipeline, we are estimating the 12-month revenue run rate going forward to be between $35 to $40 million. The pipeline extends well beyond the doors already secured. Current customers include the likes of, and not limited to, the Albertsons banners, the Stater Bros., Smart & Final, Save Marts, BevMo!, and multiple Costco regions.

Speaker #3: Exceeding the expectations set on March 20th, press release which stated, "By the end of 2026, Gen is projected to have our CPG products in 1,500 to 2,000 locations across the United States, with a run rate in excess of 20 million in revenue." With all the other stores in the current pipeline we are estimating the 12-month revenue run rate going forward to be between 35 to 40 million dollars.

Speaker #3: The pipeline extends well beyond the doors already secured. Current customers include, but are not limited to, the Albertsons banners, Stater Brothers, Smart & Final, Save Mart, BevMo, and multiple Costco regions.

Speaker #3: More than 1,000 additional doors have been presented to buyers including the likes of BJ Wholesale Clubs, Walmarts, Cruise Lines, and wholesalers like Cisco of the world.

David Kim: More than 1,000 additional doors have been presented to buyers, including the likes of BJ's Wholesale Clubs, Walmarts, cruise lines, and wholesalers like Sysco of the world. These are not just names we're mentioning, but have had meetings and are in the process of testing our products. Furthermore, more than 8,000 future doors are in active outreach with grocery stores and mass retailers. I want to describe this business the way we now run it in three distinct layers. The first layer is the core, and it is the engine of our run rate. Frozen raw, non-cooked marinated meats in the freezer section. Six SKUs of beef, pork, and chicken.

Speaker #3: These are not just names we're mentioning, but have had meetings and are in the process of testing our products. Furthermore, more than 8,000 future doors are in active outreach with grocery stores and mass retailers.

Speaker #3: I want to describe this business the way we now run it in three distinct layers. The first layer is the core and it is the engine of our run rate.

Speaker #3: Frozen raw, non-cooked marinated meats in the freezer section—six SKUs of beef, pork, and chicken. That is the frozen aisle in the US retail meat market that topped $100 billion last year and reached nearly 98% of American households, in the world of big names like Tyson's and Carnegie.

David Kim: That is the frozen aisle in the US retail meat market that topped $100 billion last year and reached nearly 98% of American households in the world of big names like Tyson and Conagra, and it is where roughly 90% of our focus remains. The second layer is where we go next. Freshly prepared replacement meals in the deli section, the world of Kevin's and the Del Reals. Kevin's was acquired by Mars for roughly $800 million, which tells you what that category is worth. Grocers tell us there is room for both. Frozen raw and pre-cooked replacement meals are two separate categories, and we intend to be in both.

Speaker #3: And it is where roughly 90% of our focus remains. The second layer is where we go next: freshly prepared replacement meals in the deli section.

Speaker #3: The world of Kevin's, and the Del Reals, Kevin's was acquired by Mars for roughly $800 million, which tells you what that category is worth.

Speaker #3: And grocers tell us there is room for both. Frozen raw and pre-cooked replacement meals are two separate categories and we intend to be in both.

Speaker #3: We will support this with new branded offerings new packaging technologies and new protein formats and we believe that daily cook side of the business can ultimately be a multiple double or triple of what our frozen section is today.

David Kim: We will support this with new branded offerings, new packaging technologies, and new protein formats, and we believe the daily cook side of the business can ultimately be a multiple, double, or triple of what our frozen section is today. The third layer is what we call the Korean incubator. The beverages, the snacks, the beef jerkies, and other non-meat related SKUs manufactured in South Korea. We started this because the grocery markets we serve wanted more GEN Korean products from us, and now its velocity is starting to grow. Regarding execution, GEN already buys over $40 million of meat a year for its restaurants. The procurement scale, supplier relationships, and buying power that CPG requires are already built. We are not standing up a supply chain from ground zero. We are pointing an existing one at the freezer aisle.

Speaker #3: The third layer is what we call the Korean incubator: the beverages, the snacks, the beef jerkies, and other non-meat related SKUs, manufactured in South Korea.

Speaker #3: We started this because the grocery markets we serve wanted more Gen Korean products from us, and now its velocity is starting to grow. Regarding execution, Gen already buys over $40 million of meat a year for its restaurants.

Speaker #3: The procurement scale, supplier relationships, and buying power that CPG requires are already built. We're not standing up a supply chain from ground zero—we're pointing an existing one at the freezer aisle.

Speaker #3: To meet this demand, the company has also addressed supply chain and manufacturing capacity, securing multiple manufacturing partners across several states and overseas in South Korea.

David Kim: To meet this demand, the company has also addressed supply chain and manufacturing capacity, securing multiple manufacturing partners across several states and overseas in South Korea. This proves GEN has the ability to execute and scale. Now, I want to discuss the announcement we made today because I do not want anyone to mistake it for a defensive move. It is not. As we discussed, we received a non-binding letter of intent from a nationwide multi-concept restaurant operator to acquire only the company's US restaurant operation, including assignment of related restaurant leases. The LOI contemplates a transaction valued at approximately $100 million for the restaurant operations alone only. Under the terms contemplated by the LOI, GEN will retain 100% of its rapidly growing CPG and retail business. The proposed transaction will allow GEN to put its capital and focus behind its fastest-growing business, the CPG.

Speaker #3: This proves Gen has the ability to execute and scale. Now, I want to discuss the announcement we made today because I do not want anyone to mistake it for a defensive move.

Speaker #3: It is not. As we discussed, we received a non-binding letter of intent from a nationwide multi-concept restaurant operator to acquire only the company's U.S. restaurant operation.

Speaker #3: Including a sign of related restaurant leases. The LOI contemplates a transaction valued at approximately $100 million for the restaurant operations alone. Under the terms contemplated by the LOI, Gen will retain 100% of its rapidly growing CPG and retail business.

Speaker #3: The proposed transaction will allow Gen to put its capital and focus behind its fastest growing business, the CPG. The proposed transaction could create value for shareholders in two distinct ways.

David Kim: The proposed transaction could create value for shareholders in two distinct ways. First, the sale will monetize GEN's restaurant operations while materially strengthening the company's balance sheet, eliminating long-term liabilities tied to the restaurant business, and providing additional capital. Second, shareholders would retain a second opportunity to create value, full ownership of GEN's rapidly growing CPG business, and full participation in its accelerating growth and rising revenue run rate. Our board of directors with our financial and legal advisors is reviewing it under the proper protocols of a public company and may evaluate a broader process, and there can be no assurance that any transaction will result. Consistent with that, we do not intend to comment further on or provide updates regarding the proposal unless and until we determine that further disclosure is appropriate or required.

Speaker #3: First, the sale will monetize Gen's restaurant operations while materially strengthening the company's balance sheet, eliminating long-term liabilities tied to the restaurant business, and providing additional capital.

Speaker #3: Second, shareholders would retain a second opportunity to create value: full ownership of Gen's rapidly growing CPG business and full participation in accelerating growth and rising revenue run rate.

Speaker #3: Our board of directors, with our financial and legal advisors, is reviewing it under the proper protocols of a public company and may evaluate a broader process.

Speaker #3: And there can be no assurance that any transaction will result. Consistent with that, we do not intend to comment further on or provide updates regarding the proposal unless and until we determine that further disclosure is appropriate or required.

Speaker #3: Before I hand off, I want to formally welcome Luke Huco to his first earnings call as our chief financial officer. Luke joined us effective June 1, succeeding Tom Croal who retired following a planned succession process.

David Kim: Before I hand off, I want to formally welcome Luke Hewko to his first earnings call as our Chief Financial Officer. Luke joined us effective 1 June, succeeding Tom Croal, who retired following a planned succession process. I want to thank Tom once again for his years of service and partnership. Luke is a builder. He is a builder in exactly the right places. He built a direct-to-consumer e-commerce business into the foundation of a platform that grew to more than $100 million in annual revenue, then built and led a finance organization through a successful sale to a Nasdaq-listed company.

Speaker #3: And I want to thank Tom once again for his years of service and partnership. Luke is a builder. He is a builder in exactly the right places.

Speaker #3: He built a direct-to-consumer e-commerce business into the foundation of a platform that grew to more than $100 million in annual revenue and then built and led a finance organization through a successful sale to a NASDAQ-listed company.

Speaker #3: We're also strengthening the organization around this opportunity, adding senior CPG executives, including Mark Cotrona, who is a results-driven CPG sales professional with more than 30 years of experience in account management, broker leadership, category management, and trade marketing, who will be focused on expanding east of Texas.

David Kim: We are also strengthening the organization around this opportunity, adding senior CPG executives, including Mark Cutrona, who is a result-driven CPG sales professional with more than 30 years of experience in account management, broker leadership, category management, and trade marketing, who will be focused on expanding the east of Texas. Luke, over to you.

Speaker #3: Luke, over to you.

Speaker #2: Thank you, David. And good afternoon, everyone. It is a privilege to be speaking with you on my first earnings call as Gen's Chief Financial Officer.

Luke Hewko: Thank you, David, and good afternoon, everyone. It is a privilege to be speaking with you on my first earnings call as GEN's Chief Financial Officer. Since joining in June, I have spent my time deep in our operations, our systems, and our data, and what I have seen has only strengthened my conviction in the opportunity in front of us. My focus as CFO is on building the financial foundation that scalable multi-channel growth requires. Disciplined inventory controls, margin visibility by channel and by SKU, rigorous forecasting, and clear KPI reporting. Now, let me walk you through our Q2 results. Total revenue increased 1.2% to $55.7 million in Q2 2026, compared to $55 million in Q2 2025.

Speaker #2: Since joining in June, I've spent my time deep in our operations our systems and our data. And what I have seen has only strengthened my conviction in the opportunity in front of us.

Speaker #2: My focus as CFO is on building the financial foundation that scalable, multi-channel growth requires: disciplined inventory controls, margin visibility by channel and by SKU, rigorous forecasting, and clear KPI reporting.

Speaker #2: Now let me walk you through our second quarter results. Total revenue increased 1.2% to $55.7 million in the second quarter of 2026, compared to $55.0 million in the second quarter of 2025.

Speaker #2: As the increase in revenue from our CPG business and revenue from our restaurants opened in 2025 and 2026 more than offset a decline in comparable restaurant sales.

Luke Hewko: As the increase in revenue from our CPG business and revenue from our restaurants opened in 2025 and 2026 more than offset a decline in comparable restaurant sales and the loss of revenue from the restaurants we contributed to a joint venture during the quarter, which contributed $2.3 million of revenue in the prior year period. This quarter marked a return to year-over-year revenue growth following a 6% revenue decline in Q1 of this year. Cost of goods sold was 39.1% of revenue compared to 33.8% a year ago, an increase of just over five percentage points. Of the $3.2 million increase in food cost dollars, 81% came from our CPG business, which carries a retail cost of goods sold and was not in the prior year period. The balance reflects commodity cost inflation in our results.

Speaker #2: And the loss of revenue from the restaurants we contributed to a joint venture during the quarter. Which contributed 2.3 million of revenue in the prior year period.

Speaker #2: This quarter marked a return to year-over-year revenue growth. Following a 6% revenue decline in the first quarter of this year. Cost of goods sold was 39.1% of revenue.

Speaker #2: Compared to 33.8% a year ago, that's an increase of just over 5 percentage points. Of the $3.2 million increase in food cost dollars, 81% came from our CPG business, which carries a retail cost of goods sold.

Speaker #2: And was not in the prior year period. The balance reflects commodity cost inflation in our results. Payroll and benefits improved to 28% of revenue from 30.1%.

Luke Hewko: Payroll and benefits improved to 28% of revenue from 30.1%, an improvement of roughly 2 percentage points, reflecting continued labor efficiencies. Occupancy costs were 9.6% of revenue compared to 9.3%. The restaurants we exited operated through their respective transfer dates, so the occupancy benefit from those exits begins in Q3. Other operating costs were 12.1% of revenue compared to 10.7%, and restaurant pre-opening expenses declined to $1.3 million from $2.1 million in the prior year period, reflecting our deliberate slowing of new development. Loss from operations was $5.2 million, or 9.2% of revenue, which includes a $0.6 million loss on a lease termination, compared to a loss from operations of $1.9 million, or 3.4% of revenue, in the prior year period. General and administrative expenses totaled $7.1 million, or 12.8% of revenue, compared to $6.4 million or 11.6% of revenue in the prior year period.

Speaker #2: An improvement of roughly 2 percentage points reflecting continued labor efficiencies. Occupancy costs were 9.6% of revenue, compared to 9.3%. The restaurants we exited operated through their respective transfer dates, so the occupancy benefit from those exits begins in the third quarter.

Speaker #2: Other operating costs were 12.1% of revenue compared to 10.7%. Restaurant pre-opening expenses declined to $1.3 million from $2.1 million in the prior year period, reflecting our deliberate slowing of new development.

Speaker #2: Loss from operations was $5.2 million, or 9.2% of revenue, which includes a $0.6 million loss on a lease termination. This compares to a loss from operations of $1.9 million, or 3.4% of revenue, in the prior year period.

Speaker #2: General and administrative expenses totaled $7.1 million, or 12.8% of revenue, compared to $6.4 million, or 11.6% of revenue in the prior year period. That increase is entirely investment in our CPG go-to-market, including marketing and in-store demonstrations.

Luke Hewko: That increase is entirely investment in our CPG go-to-market, including marketing and in-store demonstrations. Excluding CPG, our corporate and restaurant general and administrative expenses declined year-over-year. Net loss was $4.6 million, compared to a net loss of $1.7 million in Q2 2025. Net loss attributable to GEN Restaurant Group was negative $0.14 per basic and diluted share of Class A common stock, compared to negative $0.05 per share in the prior year period. Turning to our non-GAAP measurements. Restaurant level adjusted EBITDA was $6.3 million, or 11.3% of revenue, compared to $9 million, or 16.3% of revenue in Q2 2025. However, this quarter marked a sequential inflection. Restaurant level margin improved from 7.4% in Q1 and 7.9% in Q4 2025, our strongest margin in three quarters. Turning to the balance sheet.

Speaker #2: Excluding CPG, our corporate and restaurant general and administrative expenses declined year over year. Net loss was $4.6 million compared to a net loss of $1.7 million in the second quarter of 2025.

Speaker #2: Net loss attributable to Gen restaurant group was 14 negative 14 cents for basic and diluted share of class A common stock. Compared to negative 5 cents per share in the prior year period.

Speaker #2: Turning to our non-GAAP measurements. Restaurant-level adjusted EBITDA was $6.3 million, or 11.3% of revenue, compared to $9 million, or 16.3% of revenue, in the second quarter of 2025.

Speaker #2: However, this quarter marked a sequential inflection. Restaurant-level margin improved from 7.4% in the first quarter and 7.9% in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Speaker #2: Our strongest margin in three quarters. Turning to the balance sheet, cash and cash equivalents were $5.9 million as of June 30, 2026, compared to $2.8 million as of December 31, 2025.

Luke Hewko: Cash and cash equivalents were $5.9 million as of 30 June 2026, compared to $2.8 million as of 31 December 2025. Total debt outstanding was $24 million, compared to $14.6 million at year-end. The increase in borrowing primarily reflects an $11 million net draw on our line of credit, which funded working capital including the inventory build behind our CPG expansion, while we cut H1 capital expenditures to $5.3 million from $16.5 million a year ago. Finally, let me update our outlook for the balance of 2026. We are reaffirming our full year revenue guidance of $215 to $225 million. On the portfolio, we expect to complete the fifth and final restaurant transfer under our previously announced transaction in Q3, and keeping development spending near maintenance levels. Our focus remains on improving operations and margins at our existing restaurants and growth through our CPG initiatives.

Speaker #2: Total debt outstanding was $24 million, compared to $14.6 million at year end. The increase in borrowing primarily reflects an $11 million net draw on our line of credit, which funded working capital, including the inventory billed behind our CPG expansion, while we cut first half capital expenditures to $5.3 million from $16.5 million a year ago.

Speaker #2: Finally, let me update our outlook for the balance of 2026. We are reaffirming our full-year revenue guidance of $215 to $225 million. On the portfolio, we expect to complete the fifth and final restaurant transfer under our previously announced transaction in the third quarter, and we plan to keep development spending near maintenance levels.

Speaker #2: Our focus remains on improving operations and margins at our existing restaurants, as well as growth through our CPG initiatives. That completes my financial review. I will now turn the call back to David for some closing remarks before we open the line for questions.

Luke Hewko: That completes my financial review. I will now turn the call back to David for some closing remarks before we open the line for questions. David?

Speaker #2: Thank you, Luke. Our priorities for the balance of 2026 are simple, and there are three of them. First, protect profitability in our restaurants through disciplined development, continued labor efficiencies, direct action wherever possible on food cost, and operating benefits of our joint venture structure.

David Kim: Thank you, Luke. Our priorities for the balance of 2026 are simple, and there are three of them. First, protect profitability in our restaurants through disciplined development, continued labor efficiencies, direct action wherever possible on food cost, and operating benefits of our joint venture structure. Second, scale CPG aggressively, convert as much of the current pipeline as possible by year end, and keep doing it in a capital efficient way. Co-packers, third-party distribution, and our own people running the demos. Third, maintain the financial discipline that lets us put every available dollar behind the highest return opportunity we have. I said at the beginning of the call that you cannot manufacture demand. You can only get in front of it. Korean food is moving into American mainstream. The freezer aisles is where American families are increasingly shopping, and club channels is where they are shopping most.

Speaker #2: Second, scale CPG aggressively. Convert as much of the current pipeline as possible by year end and keep doing it in a capital efficient way.

Speaker #2: Co-packers, third-party distribution, and our own people running the demos. Third, maintain the financial discipline that lets us put every available dollar behind the highest-return opportunity we have.

Speaker #2: I said at the beginning of the call that you cannot manufacture demand; you can only get in front of it. Korean food is moving into the American mainstream.

Speaker #2: The freezer aisle is where American families are increasingly shopping, and club channels are where they are shopping most. GEN sits at the intersection of all three, with a brand millions of guests already know and trust, and a business model that lets us scale into the opportunity without heavy capital investment.

David Kim: GEN sits at the intersection of all three with a brand millions of guests already know and trust, and a business model that lets us scale into the opportunity without heavy capital investment. We are building a formidable K-food platform in the United States, and I believe the most valuable chapter of this company story is the one directly in front of us. With that, operator, let's open the lines for questions.

Speaker #2: We're building a formidable K food platform in the United States and I believe the most valuable chapter of this company story is the one directly in front of us.

Speaker #2: With that, operator, let's open the lines for questions.

Speaker #1: Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, we will now begin the question-and-answer session. Should you have a question, please press star followed by the number one on your touchtone phone.

Operator: Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, we will now begin the question and answer session. Should you have a question, please press star followed by the number 1 on your touchtone phone. You will hear a prompt that your hand has been raised. Should you wish to decline from the polling process, please press the star followed by the number 2. If you are using a speakerphone, please lift the handset before pressing any keys. Once again, it is star 1 if you wish to ask a question. One moment please for your first question. Our first question comes from the line of Todd Brooks from StoneX. Please go ahead.

Speaker #1: You will hear a prompt that your hand has been raised. Should you wish to decline from the polling process, please press the star, followed by the number two.

Speaker #1: If you are using a speakerphone, please lift the handset before pressing any keys. Once again, it is *star one* if you wish to ask a question.

Speaker #1: One moment, please, for your first question. Our first question comes from the line of Todd Brooks from StoneX. Please go ahead.

Speaker #2: Hey, thanks for taking my questions. There's a lot of news tonight and a lot of ground to cover, so thanks for your time.

Todd Brooks: Hey, thanks for taking my questions. A lot of news tonight, a lot of ground to cover here, so thanks for the time. I appreciate it. First of all, I know we are not talking about the transaction itself. But if we could talk about the run rate goals that you set out for the next 12 months for the CPG business, David, that $35 to $40 million. What is the algorithm that gets you there as far as velocity levels, where you would be as far as launching the non-core prepared food tier, which you sized at 2 to 3x? How do you envision getting to that $35 to $40 million run rate?

Speaker #2: I appreciate it.

Speaker #3: First of all, I know we're not we're not talking about the transaction itself. But if we could talk about the the kind of the run rate goals that you set out for the next 12 months for the CPG business, David, that 35 to 40 million.

Speaker #3: What's the algorithm that gets you there as far as velocity levels? Where would you be as far as launching the non-core prepared food tier, which you sized at 2x to 3x?

Speaker #3: How do you envision getting to that 35 to 40 million dollar run rate?

Speaker #2: The run rate was something that we discussed at the beginning of last quarter, I believe, and we're meeting those run rates today or exceeding them.

David Kim: The run rate was something that we discussed in the beginning of last quarter, I believe, and we are meeting those run rates today or exceeding them. That is why we were able to talk about that and disclose it. One of the areas that this run rate is current business that we have. It contemplates very little of new business. We wanted to be as conservative as we can, and if we do start getting into larger agreements with the likes of larger names, other than who we have already have distribution going in today, we will come out and let the street know that the projection could change to a bigger number. But this run rate that I have put out, that our company put out, is just currently what we are running right now.

Speaker #2: That's why we were able to talk about that and disclose it. One of the areas that this run rate is, is current business that we have.

Speaker #2: It does not—it contemplates very little new business. We wanted to be as conservative as we can. And if we do start getting into larger agreements with the likes of larger names, other than who we already have distribution going in with today, we will come out and let the Street know that the projection could change to a bigger number.

Speaker #2: But we're not. We're not—this run rate that I have put out, that our company put out, is just currently what we're running right now.

Speaker #2: And what 'right now' means is it's taking longer than I thought. By the time you make a presentation to the decision makers—every grocer has their own different calendar year dates of when you can go present, and how they start changing and accepting new products. But the run rate that I'm talking about is currently what we're selling today.

David Kim: What right now means is, it is taking longer than I thought by the time you make a presentation to the decision-making to every grocer has their own different calendar year dates of when you can go present and how they start changing and accepting new products in. The run rate that I am talking about are currently what we are selling today. We are monitoring the velocity very carefully because it is one thing to go into the grocery markets, it is another thing to keep it in the grocery market. So, we support that with promotions, we support that with demos, and et cetera. So going back to your question, the run rate that we have disclosed, the $35 to $40 million, is just what we are going to do with the current sales we have with very little new customers coming on board.

Speaker #2: And we're monitoring the velocity very, very carefully because it's one thing to go into the grocery markets; it's another thing to keep it in the grocery market.

Speaker #2: So we support that with promotions. We support that with demos and etc. So going back to your question, is the run rate that we've disclosed that are 30 35 to 40 million is just what we are going to do with the current sales we have with very little new customers coming on board.

Speaker #3: So that implies that July revenue, because the $2 million in June really annualized to $24 million. So July stepped up over the $3 million level then?

Todd Brooks: That implies that July revenue, because the $2 million in June really annualize to 24. So July stepped up over the $3 million level then?

Speaker #2: Yeah. That June was a run rate where we got into new locations. Those are new businesses, right? Once you go into new businesses, they order based on velocity.

David Kim: Yeah. That June was a run rate where we got into new locations. Those are new businesses, right? Once you go into new businesses, they order based on velocity. They either order every 2 weeks, every 4 weeks, but mostly they are ordering every 2 weeks.

Speaker #2: They either order every two weeks or every four weeks, but mostly they're ordering every two weeks.

Speaker #3: Okay.

Speaker #2: So that June number that we talked about is a lot of new business that we got on the shelves and into the doors.

Todd Brooks: Okay.

David Kim: So that June number that we talked about is a lot of new business that we got on the shelves into the doors.

Speaker #3: Okay, great. And then, I know you talked about the three tiers of products, and the prepared food is still on the come. When you look at the incubators and you talked about some improving velocities there, in your discussions with your retail partners, do you really need to offer 50 SKUs in the category? Or can this be rationalized back to a number that would still give you a dominant presence within the Korean category, but not require you to stock and support 50 different product SKUs?

Todd Brooks: Okay, great. I know you talked about the three tiers of products and the prepared food is still on the come. When you look at the incubators, and you talked about some improving velocities there, in your discussions with your retail partners, do you really need to offer 50 SKUs in the category, or can this be rationalized back to a number that would still give you a dominant presence within the Korean category, but not trying to stock and support 50 different product SKUs?

Speaker #2: I agree with you. We are focused on just the meat products. The one that we got into was not a choice we made, but was one of its 130 locations.

David Kim: I agree with you. We are focused on just the meat products. The additional SKUs that we got into was not a choice we made, but it is 130 locations. They wanted to try it, and I couldn't turn them down because the velocity on the meats was high, so I said, "We'll do it." But the data is coming out of that, I can't deny the fact that it keeps growing. It is not growing by single digit. These are growing by double digits here. Yes, it will distract us from our core focus. Our focus is meats right now. There is a good and a bad about dealing with the other SKUs other than the meats. The good is the manufacturing capacities that are set up in South Korea, these are big conglomerates, and we don't have a capacity issue.

Speaker #2: They wanted to try it, and I couldn't turn them down because the velocity on the meats was high. So I said, we'll do it.

Speaker #2: But the data is coming out of that. I can't deny the fact that it keeps growing. And it's not growing by single digits.

Speaker #2: These are growing by double digits here. So yes, it it will distract us from our core focus. Our focus is meats right now. But the good thing about there's a good and a bad about dealing with the other SKUs other than the meats.

Speaker #2: The good is the manufacturing capacities that are set up in South Korea. These are big conglomerates, and we don't have a capacity issue. The only issue that we will have is maintaining inventory.

David Kim: The only issue that we will have is maintaining inventory, because it takes a longer time by the time an order is placed from manufacturing to shipping to the warehouse to the customer. In the meat side of the business, we get a PO, we place a PO with the manufacturer, and they produce it and ship it directly to our end user. So the inventory time is much shorter than buying products from South Korea. Yes, we probably did not want to do it, but the market forces is telling us if it is double-digit increases, and some are triple-digit increases, which we don't understand why it is so high, I cannot just say ignore it. I will say, "Okay, let's get that incubator division with some personnel and make sure." The margins are much better in that category versus the meat category.

Speaker #2: Because it takes a longer time from when an order is placed—from manufacturing to shipping, to the warehouse, to the customer. On the meat side of the business, we get a PO.

Speaker #2: We place a PO with the manufacturer, and they produce it and ship it directly to our end user. So the inventory time is much shorter than buying products from South Korea.

Speaker #2: So yes, it's it we we probably did not want to do it, but the market forces is telling us if it's double digit increases, and some are triple digit increases, which we don't understand why it's so high, I cannot not just say ignore it.

Speaker #2: I'll say, okay, let's get that incubator division with some personnel and make sure, and then the margins are much, much better in that category versus the meat category.

Speaker #2: But our whole focus right now is the driver is meat, because that's where all the consumers are spending their money right now.

David Kim: Our whole focus right now, the driver, is meat, because that's where all the consumers are spending their money right now.

Speaker #3: Okay, great. Two more, and then I'll jump back into the $35 to $40 million revenue run rate over the next 12 months. What do you envision being the contribution from the fresh prepared meals?

Todd Brooks: Okay, great. Two more and then I'll jump back in queue. The $35 to $40 million revenue run rate over the next 12 months, what do you envision being the contribution from the fresh prepared meals? What's the lead time to really get that sort of business stood up in grocery? How fast can that be done, and how much of a contributor is that within the $35 to $40 that you've vocalized here?

Speaker #3: What's the lead time to really get that sort of business stood up in grocery? How fast can that be done? And how much of a contributor is that within the 35 to 40 that you've kind of vocalized here?

Speaker #2: We did not put the prepared meat category into the cooked one in that projection at all. This is only what we're selling currently today on the frozen side.

David Kim: We did not put the prepared meat category, the cooked one, in that projection at all. This is only what we're selling currently today on the frozen side. When that comes on, it's been some time that we've been working on this, but many times, as I said, the market is dictating us right now. The market keeps telling us, and then the buyers keep What's the word? They're really pressuring us to say, "Come up with the cooked replacement product line.

Speaker #2: So, when that comes on, it's been some time that we've been working on this. But, you know, we—many times, as I said, the market is dictating us right now.

Speaker #2: So the market keeps telling us, and then the buyers keep, like—what's the word? They're really pressuring us to, say, come up with the cooked replacement product line.

Speaker #2: We need it desperately. So, when that is mentioned in that way—and the reason why we're slow to roll that out—is we want to focus on the frozen side.

David Kim: We need it desperately." When that is mentioned in that way, and the reason why we're slow to roll that out is we want to focus on the frozen side, because the cooked side has a little different technology involved in making it right, because the current competitors in the field that makes cooked food doesn't have the kind of velocity that the grocers are telling us because they don't taste good. We are very concerned about the taste and the texture profile, and we're just not going to put out bad products. So it took a little longer to get through that, but we're in testing phases now. We approved three out of the four products to launch. Once we conclude the fourth one, we're actually introducing the cooked product to the grocers as we speak today.

Speaker #2: Because the cooked side has a little different technology involved in making it right, since the current competitors in the field that make cooked food don't have the kind of velocity that the grocers are telling us, because they don't taste good.

Speaker #2: So, we are very concerned about the taste and the texture profile, and we're just not going to put out bad products. So, it took a little longer to get through that, but we're in testing phases now.

Speaker #2: We approved three out of the four products to launch. Once we conclude the fourth one, we're actually introducing the cooked product to the grocers as we speak, today.

Speaker #2: We don't even have packaging done, but we've got the meats the way we want them. But that is not factored in at all in the projection.

David Kim: We don't even have packaging done, but we got the meats the way we want it. That is not factored in at all in the projection whatsoever. The industry, the prepared meal replacement business is double the sales than the frozen products. That's all we keep hearing. So we're saying, okay, as long as we get that taste profile right, we get that texture right, then we'll launch. So we have three out of the four done. I don't want to say anything negative about the space we're going to go, but the space is going to be direct competition with the likes of the Kevin's Natural Foods, which they grew very fast during the COVID era, and they're like the big gorilla at this time. But there is pressure from the marketplace and the buyers about the taste profile that their customers are experiencing.

Speaker #2: Whatsoever. And the at the prepared meal replaced replacement prepared meal business is double the sales than the frozen products. That's all we keep hearing.

Speaker #2: So we're saying, okay, as long as we get that taste profile right, we get that texture right, then we'll launch. So we have three out of the four done.

Speaker #2: And I don't—I don't want to say anything negative about the space we're going to go, but this space is going to be in direct competition with the likes of the Kevins, which—they grew very fast during the COVID era.

Speaker #2: And they're like the big gorilla at this time. But there is pressure from the marketplace and the buyers about the taste profile that their customers are experiencing.

Speaker #2: They want something better than the—than them. So that is the space that we will continuously fight for.

David Kim: They want something better than them. So that is the space that we will continuously fight for.

Speaker #3: Okay. And that last—assuming that this transaction announced tonight ends up proceeding and the restaurant operation goes to a new owner, you talked about as you've been building.

Todd Brooks: Okay, and then last one. Assuming that this transaction announced tonight ends up proceeding and the restaurant operation goes to a new owner, you talked about as you've been building the early stages of the CPG business, that you've been levering a lot of the restaurant-related labor for trial and sampling and things like that. I'm just trying to think, does the profitability in this business dip if the restaurant operation is separated out and you've got to go and build that capability yourself with new folks? Just what sort of scale do you need to get to that high teens type of EBITDA margin for CPG? Thanks, Dave.

Speaker #3: The early stages of the CPG business that you've been levering a lot of kind of the restaurant related labor for for trial and sampling and and things like that.

Speaker #3: I'm just trying to think, does the profitability in this business dip if the restaurant operation is separated out and you've got to go and build that capability yourself with new folks? And just what sort of scale do you need to get to that high-teens type of EBITDA margin for CPG, thanks?

Speaker #2: I don't know how to answer that in the context you're asking. So, if I'm not answering it properly, please rephrase the question for me, okay?

David Kim: I don't know how to answer that in the context how you're asking. So if I'm not answering it properly, please rephrase the question to me again, okay? But initially, the way that I'm thinking the answer to be is we own the brand. The brand does not go anywhere. They're only buying the restaurant and the leases. We even have talked to them about doing co-ops of maybe some of their products to go into the CPG with us, and using some of their infrastructure if need be in the future, but we are not selling the brand. We're keeping the brand. So I don't know if that was the question that you're asking.

Speaker #2: But initially, the way that I'm thinking the answer to be is, we own the brand. The brand does not go anywhere. They're only buying the restaurants and the leases.

Speaker #2: We have even talked to them about doing co-ops of maybe some of their products to go into the CPG with us, and using some of their infrastructure if need be in the future.

Speaker #2: But we are not selling the brand. We're keeping the brand. So I don't know if that was the question you were asking.

Speaker #3: We can cover that one in a follow-up. But just, what do you think you need from a revenue scale to get to the high teens EBITDA margin target that you're talking about for CPG?

Todd Brooks: We can cover that one in a follow-up. What you think you need from a revenue scale to get to the high teens EBITDA margin target that you are talking about for CPG. Thanks.

Speaker #3: Thanks.

Speaker #2: We are actually achieving that now. We actually brought the— we’re getting more conservative. Actually, our EBITDA margin is higher than what we’re disclosing right now.

David Kim: We are actually achieving that now. We are getting more conservative. Actually, our EBITDA margins are higher than what we are disclosing right now.

Speaker #3: That's great. Thanks, David.

Todd Brooks: That is right. Thank you.

Speaker #1: At this time, this concludes our question and answer session. I would now like to turn the call back to Mr. Kim for closing remarks.

Operator: At this time, this concludes our question and answer session. I would now like to turn the call back to Mr. Kim for closing remarks.

Speaker #2: Thank you very much for listening to our quarterly call. If there are any questions or concerns, please let us know. And thank you very much for your time.

David Kim: Thank you very much for listening to our quarterly call. If there is any questions or concerns, please let us know, and thank you very much for your time.

Todd Brooks: Thank you.

Operator: This concludes today's conference call. You may now disconnect your lines, and thank you for your participation.

Q2 2026 GEN Restaurant Group Inc Earnings Call

Request DemoDemo

GEN Restaurant Group

Earnings