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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 31, 2024

GEN Restaurant Group, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware	001-41727	87-3424935
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)
11480 South Street, Suite 205 Cerritos, CA		90703
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (562) 356-9929

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

☐	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class		Trading Symbol(s)		Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A Common stock, par value $0.001 per share		GENK		The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (The Nasdaq Global Market)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☒

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

 

 

 

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Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On July 31, 2024, GEN Restaurant Group, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this report.

The information included or incorporated by reference in this Item 2.02, including Exhibit 99.1, is being furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits. The following exhibits are filed herewith.

 

Exhibit Number		Description
99.1		Press release, dated July 31, 2024, issued by GEN Restaurant Group, Inc.
104		Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

		GEN RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.
Date: July 31, 2024		By:	/s/ Thomas V. Croal
			Thomas V. Croal
			Chief Financial Officer

 

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Exhibit 99.1

 

GEN Restaurant Group, Inc. Announces Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Cerritos, CA, July 31, 2024 - GEN Restaurant Group, Inc. (“GEN” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: GENK), owner of GEN Korean BBQ, a fast-growing casual dining concept with an extensive menu and signature “grill at your table” experience, is announcing financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024.

 

Second Quarter 2024 Financial and Recent Operational Highlights

 

(1) Adjusted EBITDA and restaurant-level adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures. For reconciliations of adjusted EBITDA and restaurant-level adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP measure see the accompanying financial tables. For definitions and a discussion of why we consider them useful, see “Non-GAAP Measures” below.

Management Commentary

“Our second-quarter results highlight our ongoing commitment to improving our operating margins, rapidly expanding GEN’s geographic footprint and increasing our market share,” said David Kim, Co-Chief Executive Officer of GEN. “We are pleased to report another strong quarter with a 16% year-over-year increase in total revenue and our restaurant-level adjusted EBITDA margin exceeding expectations at 19%. While the broader environment is experiencing a pullback in consumer spending related to persistent inflationary pressures, we continue to see outperformance at the new locations we’ve opened and our entire footprint is generating profitability levels in-line or exceeding our internal targets.

“Our expansion efforts remain robust as we spent much of the quarter preparing for new restaurant openings later this year and beyond. In fact, we are increasing our guidance and now anticipate opening 10 to 11 new locations by the end of 2024, with three already complete and seven currently under construction. As we progress into the second half of the year, our focus remains steadfast on expansion while delivering an exceptional, value-focused dining experience. Initiatives like our recently introduced premium menu have performed well alongside some enhanced operational procedures, as we remain committed to keeping our customer at the forefront of everything we do. With a strong balance sheet and profitable operating model, we are confident in our ability to continue executing our growth strategy and delivering long-term value to our shareholders.”

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Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Total revenue increased 15.9% to $53.9 million in the second quarter of 2024 compared to $46.5 million in the second quarter of 2023. Comparable restaurant sales decreased 5.6% in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the same period last year.

Total restaurant operating expenses (excluding pre-opening expenses) as a percentage of revenue increased 230 basis points to 84.5% in the second quarter of 2024 from 82.2% in the second quarter of 2023, while declining 230 basis points compared to 86.8% in the first quarter of 2024. The year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter changes as a percentage of revenue are primarily driven by the following:

General and administrative expenses increased to $4.3 million, or 8.0% as a percentage of total revenue, excluding non-cash stock compensation expense, for the second quarter of 2024, primarily due to additional personnel required for new restaurant development as well as public company costs which weren’t present in the prior year period.

Net income was $2.1 million or 3.8% of revenue for the second quarter of 2024 compared to $4.5 million or 9.6% of revenue in the second quarter of 2023. The decrease was primarily due to higher expenses for new restaurant development and increased general and administrative expenses from being a public company.

Adjusted EBITDA was $4.9 million or 9.1% of revenue,inclusive of pre-opening expense of approximately $1.6 million for the second quarter of 2024, compared to $6.3 million or 13.7% of revenue, inclusive of pre-opening expenses of $0.9 million in the prior year period.

As of June 30, 2024, the Company had $29.2 million in cash and cash equivalents compared to $28.1 million at March 31, 2024, as the Company continued to generate positive free cash flow and internally finance new restaurant development. The Company continues to operate with no long-term debt, except for approximately $5 million in government-funded EIDL loans.

Non-GAAP Measures

Restaurant-level adjusted EBITDA represents income (loss) from operations plus adjustments to add-back the following expenses: depreciation and amortization, pre-opening costs, general and administrative expenses, related party consulting fees, management fees and non-cash lease expense. Management believes that restaurant-level adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors because this measure highlights trends in our core business that may not otherwise be apparent to investors when relying solely on GAAP financial measures and enabling investors to more effectively compare the Company’s performance to prior and future periods.

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Adjusted EBITDA represents net income (loss) before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, and consulting fees paid to a related party and we also exclude non-recurring items, such as stock-based compensation expense, gain on extinguishment of debt, and Restaurant Revitalization Fund, or RRF, grants, employee retention credits, litigation accruals, aborted deferred IPO costs written off, non-cash lease expenses and non-cash lease expense related to pre-opening costs. Management believes that restaurant-level adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors because this measure highlights trends in our core business that may not otherwise be apparent to investors when relying solely on GAAP financial measures and enabling investors to more effectively compare the Company’s performance to prior and future periods.

Conference Call

GEN will conduct a conference call today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time to discuss its results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024.

David Kim, Co-Chief Executive Officer, and Tom Croal, Chief Financial Officer, will host the conference call, followed by a question-and-answer session.

Date: Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Time: 5:00 p.m. Eastern time (2:00 p.m. Pacific time)

Toll-free dial-in number: 1-877-407-0792

International dial-in number: 1-201-689-8263

Conference ID: 13747302

Please call the conference telephone number 5-10 minutes prior to the start time. An operator will register your name and organization. If you have any difficulty connecting with the conference call, please contact Gateway Group at 949-574-3860.

The conference call will be broadcast live and available for replay here and via the investor relations section of the Company’s website at www.genkoreanbbq.com.

A telephonic replay of the conference call will also be available after 8:00 p.m. Eastern time on the same day through August 7, 2024.

Toll-free replay number: 1-844-512-2921

International replay number: 1-412-317-6671

Replay ID: 13747302

About GEN Restaurant Group, Inc.

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, the brand has now grown to 40 company-owned locations where guests serve as their own chefs, preparing meals on embedded grills in the center of each table. The extensive menu consists of traditional Korean and Korean-American food, including high-quality meats, poultry, seafood and mixed vegetables. With its unique culinary experience alongside its modern décor and lively atmosphere, GEN Korean BBQ delivers an engaging and interactive dining experience that appeals to a vast segment of the population. For more information, visit GenKoreanBBQ.com and follow the brand on Facebook and Instagram.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “believe,” “intend,” “expect”, “will,” “may”, and other similar words or expressions that predict or indicate future events. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including any statements regarding our strategy, future operations, and growth prospects, any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance, any statements of belief or expectation, and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing or other future events. Forward-looking statements are based on current information available at the time the statements are made and on management’s reasonable belief or

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expectations with respect to future events, and are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from the belief or expectations expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Additional factors or events that could cause actual results to differ may also emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of them. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect future events, developments or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law. Investors are referred to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and in our subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, for additional information regarding the risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement.

Investor Relations Contact:

Cody Slach and Cody Cree

Gateway Group, Inc.

1-949-574-3860

GENK@gateway-grp.com

 

Media Relations Contact:

Zach Kadletz and Anna Rutter

Gateway Group, Inc.

1-949-574-3860

GENK@gateway-grp.com

 

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GEN RESTAURANT GROUP

Condensed Consolidated Income Statements

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

		Three months ended June 30,								Six months ended June 30,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)		2024				2023				2024				2023
Revenue		$	53,860			$	46,473			$	104,620			$	90,335
Restaurant operating expenses:
Food cost			17,700				14,786				34,668				29,091
Payroll and benefits			16,362				14,323				32,514				27,975
Occupancy expenses			4,389				3,673				8,682				7,104
Operating expenses			5,358				4,299				10,457				8,425
Depreciation and amortization			1,706				1,131				3,243				2,244
Pre-opening costs			1,645				881				3,547				1,400
Total restaurant operating expenses			47,160				39,093				93,111				76,239
General and administrative			5,058				1,958				9,731				4,013
Consulting fees - related party			—				1,445				—				2,325
Management fees			—				589				—				1,176
Depreciation and amortization - corporate			29				18				57				37
Total costs and expenses			52,247				43,103				102,899				83,790
Income from operations			1,613				3,370				1,721				6,545
Employee retention credits			200				1,318				200				2,483
Other income (loss)			—				(7	)			—				(7	)
Gain on remeasurement of previously held interest			—				—				3,402				—
Interest income (expense), net			262				(207	)			538				(396	)
Equity in income (loss) of equity method investee			—				86				(17	)			467
Net income before income taxes			2,075				4,560				5,844				9,092
Provision for income taxes			(11	)			(96	)			(83	)			(96	)
Net income			2,064				4,464				5,761				8,996
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest			1,787				504				4,990				901
Net income attributable to GEN Restaurant Group, Inc.			277				3,960				771				8,095
Net income attributable to Class A common stock per share - basic and diluted (1)		$	277				—			$	771				—
Weighted-average shares of Class A common stock outstanding - basic (1)			4,572				4,249				4,446				4,249
Weighted-average shares of Class A common stock outstanding - diluted (2)			4,572				4,249				4,446				4,249
Net income per share of Class A common stock - basic		$	0.06				—			$	0.17				—
Net income per share of Class A common stock - diluted		$	0.06				—			$	0.17				—

 

(1) (2) Basic and diluted net income per share of Class A common stock is presented only for the period after the Company’s organization transactions.

 

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GEN RESTAURANT GROUP

Selected Balance Sheet Data and Selected Operating Data

(in thousands, except restaurants and percentages)

 

		For the period ending
		30-Jun-24				31-Dec-23
(amounts in thousands)
Selected Balance Sheet Data:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	29,229			$	32,631
Total assets		$	218,805			$	183,870
Total liabilities		$	171,409			$	146,352
Total Stockholders' equity		$	45,896			$	36,018

		Three months ended June 30,								Six months ended June 30,
(in thousands)		2024				2023				2024				2023
Selected Operating Data
Restaurants at end of period			40				34				40				34
Comparable restaurant sales performance			-5.6	%			1.4	%			-3.8	%		n/a
Net income			2,064				4,464				5,761				8,996
Net income margin			3.8	%			9.6	%			5.5	%			10.0	%
Adjusted EBITDA			4,875				6,348				11,241				12,196
Adjusted EBITDA margin			9.1	%			13.7	%			10.7	%			13.5	%
Income from operations			1,613				3,370				1,721				6,545
Income from operations margin			3.0	%			7.3	%			1.6	%			7.2	%
Restaurant level Adjusted EBITDA			10,243				9,491				18,675				17,899
Restaurant level Adjusted EBITDA margin			19.0	%			20.4	%			17.9	%			19.8	%

 

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GEN RESTAURANT GROUP

Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

(in thousands)

(amounts in thousands)		Three months ended June 30,								Six months ended June 30,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
EBITDA:
Net income		$	2,064			$	4,464			$	5,761			$	8,996
Net Income Margin			3.8	%			9.6	%			5.5	%			10.0	%
Interest income (expense), net			(262	)			207				(538	)			396
Provision for income taxes			11				96				83				96
Depreciation and amortization			1,735				1,149				3,300				2,281
EBITDA		$	3,548			$	5,916			$	8,606			$	11,769
EBITDA Margin			6.6	%			12.7	%			8.2	%			13.0	%
Adjustments to EBITDA:
EBITDA		$	3,548			$	5,916			$	8,606			$	11,769
Stock-based compensation expense (1)			759				—				1,518				—
Consulting fees - related party (2)			—				1,445				—				2,325
Employee retention credits (3)			(200	)			(1,318	)			(200	)			(2,483	)
Non-cash lease expense (4)			192				99				376				159
Non-cash lease expense related to pre-opening costs (5)			576				206				941				426
Adjusted EBITDA		$	4,875			$	6,348			$	11,241			$	12,196
Adjusted EBITDA Margin			9.1	%			13.7	%			10.7	%			13.5	%

 

Reconciliation of Income from Operations to Restaurant-level Adjusted EBITDA

(in thousands)

(amounts in thousands)		Three months ended June 30,								Six months ended June 30,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Income from Operations		$	1,613			$	3,370			$	1,721			$	6,545
Income Margin from Operations			3.0	%			7.3	%			1.6	%			7.2	%
Depreciation and amortization			1,735				1,149				3,300				2,281
Pre-opening costs			1,645				881				3,547				1,400
General and administrative			5,058				1,958				9,731				4,013
Consulting fees - related party			—				1,445				—				2,325
Management Fees			—				589				—				1,176
Non-cash lease expense			192				99				376				159
Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA		$	10,243			$	9,491			$	18,675			$	17,899
Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA Margin			19.0	%			20.4	%			17.9	%			19.8	%

(1) Stock-based compensation expense: During the first and second quarter of 2024, we incurred expenses related to the granting of Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”") to employees.

(2) Consulting fees—related party: These costs ended following the completion of the IPO.

(3) Employee retention credits: These are refundable credits recognized under the provisions of the CARES Act.

(4) Non-cash lease expense: This reflects the extent to which lease expense is greater than or less than contractual rent.

(5) Non-cash lease expense related to pre-opening costs: Cost for stores in development in which the lease expense is greater than the contractual rent.

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