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1. Company Snapshot

1.a. Company Description

Kura Sushi USA, Inc.operates technology-enabled Japanese restaurants in the United States.The company's restaurants provide Japanese cuisine through an engaging revolving sushi service model, which is known as ‘Kura Experience'.


As of August 31, 2021, it operated 33 restaurants in nine states and Washington DC.The company was formerly known as Kula Sushi USA, Inc.and changed its name to Kura Sushi USA, Inc.


in October 2017.The company was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Irvine, California.Kura Sushi USA, Inc.


is a subsidiary of Kura Sushi, Inc.

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1.b. Last Insights on KRUS

Kura Sushi USA, Inc.'s recent performance was negatively impacted by increasing costs, although specifics are not detailed. However, the company reported strong Q4 earnings, with quarterly earnings of $0.2 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.17 per share. This represents a significant year-over-year increase from $0.09 per share. The company's management participated in investor conferences, potentially boosting investor confidence. No information on share buybacks, new product launches, or legal issues was available.

1.c. Company Highlights

2. Kura Sushi USA's Q4 2025 Earnings: A Resilient Performance

Kura Sushi USA reported total sales of $79.4 million for the fiscal fourth quarter, representing a 20.3% increase from $66 million in the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA was $7.4 million, up from $5.5 million in the prior year quarter. The company's earnings per share (EPS) came in at $0.2, beating analyst estimates of $0.17. The cost of goods sold as a percentage of sales was 28.4%, and labor as a percentage of sales improved by 30 basis points to 31.1%.

Publication Date: Nov -26

📋 Highlights
  • Adjusted EBITDA Growth:: Achieved over 30% annual growth, reaching $7.4M in Q4 2025 vs. $5.5M in Q4 2024.
  • Revenue Growth:: Q4 2025 sales rose to $79.4M from $66M in Q4 2024, with 15 new store openings in FY 2025.
  • Cost Management:: Labor costs improved to 31.1% of sales (30 bps improvement) and COGS stabilized at 28.4%.
  • 2026 Guidance:: Projects $330–$334M in sales, 16 new units, and 18% restaurant-level operating profit margins.
  • Cash Position:: Ended Q4 2025 with $92M in cash, cash equivalents, and investments, maintaining a debt-free balance sheet.

Guidance and Outlook

The company provided guidance for fiscal year 2026, expecting total sales between $330 million and $334 million, with 16 new units, maintaining an annual unit growth rate above 20%. The company expects general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales to be between 12% and 12.5%. Full-year restaurant-level operating profit margins are expected to be approximately 18%. As Jeff Uttz stated, "We're expecting COGS for fiscal '26 to be around 30%, which we've never shared before."

Operational Highlights

The company delivered its strongest class of restaurant openings, adding 15 new locations, and successfully managed corporate G&A expenses, resulting in an annual adjusted EBITDA growth of over 30%. The company is working on improving products from menu development and sourcing perspectives, and is excited about Japan-sourced LTOs and IP campaigns. The reservation system is off to a strong start, supporting the quarter from being weaker.

Valuation and Growth Expectations

Analysts estimate next year's revenue growth at 17.1%. Given the current valuation metrics, with a P/S Ratio of 2.02 and EV/EBITDA of 57.12, the market is pricing in a certain level of growth. However, with the company's guidance and operational highlights, it remains to be seen if Kura Sushi USA can meet these expectations. The company's focus on traffic and menu development to offer new great items that guests want to try and return to will be crucial in achieving its growth expectations.

Tariff Pressures and Menu Pricing

The company took a 3.5% menu price increase in November and saw a 70 basis point impact in Q4. The negotiations with suppliers are ongoing, and the company is considering additional pricing to offset the costs. As Jeff Uttz mentioned, "We're controlling the rest of the P&L, despite the COGS expectation of 30% next year, which is 140 basis points higher than this year."

3. NewsRoom

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Kura Sushi USA, Inc. (KRUS) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript

Nov -07

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Kura Sushi (KRUS) Surpasses Q4 Earnings and Revenue Estimates

Nov -07

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The Ultimate Growth Stock to Buy With $1,000 Right Now

Oct -02

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Kura Sushi USA to Participate in Two Investor Conferences in September

Sep -02

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Kura Sushi: We Ate Well In The $50s, Now It's Time To Digest (Rating Downgrade)

Jul -11

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These Analysts Boost Their Forecasts On Kura Sushi USA Following Upbeat Q3 Results

Jul -09

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Kura Sushi USA, Inc. (KRUS) Q3 2025 Earnings Call Transcript

Jul -09

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Kura Sushi (KRUS) Q3 Earnings and Revenues Beat Estimates

Jul -08

4. Business Breakdown

4.a. Revenues by Country

4.b. Revenues by Segment

5. Expected revenues mid-term growth (10.27%)

6. Segments

Technology-enabled Japanese Restaurant

Expected Growth: 10.27%

Kura Sushi USA's 10.27% growth is driven by increasing popularity of technology-enabled dining experiences, rising demand for convenient and affordable Japanese cuisine, successful implementation of conveyor belt sushi concept, strategic expansion into new markets, and effective marketing strategies targeting health-conscious millennials and Gen Z consumers.

7. Detailed Products

Sushi

A variety of traditional and innovative sushi rolls, sashimi, and nigiri made with fresh, sustainable ingredients

Hot Food

Japanese-inspired hot dishes, including udon, ramen, and tempura, made with high-quality ingredients

Beverages

A selection of Japanese beers, sake, and specialty drinks, including Ramune and Mugicha

Desserts

Traditional Japanese-style desserts, such as mochi and manju, as well as unique fusion desserts

Catering

Customizable catering services for events and parties, featuring Kura Sushi's signature dishes

8. Kura Sushi USA, Inc.'s Porter Forces

Forces Ranking

Threat Of Substitutes

Kura Sushi USA, Inc. faces moderate threat from substitutes, as customers have alternative dining options such as other sushi restaurants and food delivery services.

Bargaining Power Of Customers

Kura Sushi USA, Inc. has a high bargaining power of customers, as customers have many options and can easily switch to competitors, making it essential for the company to maintain high-quality products and services.

Bargaining Power Of Suppliers

Kura Sushi USA, Inc. has a low bargaining power of suppliers, as the company has multiple suppliers for its ingredients and materials, reducing the dependence on a single supplier.

Threat Of New Entrants

Kura Sushi USA, Inc. faces a moderate threat of new entrants, as entering the sushi restaurant market requires significant investment and expertise, but new entrants can still pose a threat to the company's market share.

Intensity Of Rivalry

Kura Sushi USA, Inc. operates in a highly competitive market, with many established players, making it essential for the company to differentiate itself through its unique revolving sushi bar concept and high-quality products.

9. SWOT Analysis

10. Capital Structure

10.a. Balance Sheet

10.b. Weighted Average Cost of capital

Value
Debt Weight 42.07%
Debt Cost 3.95%
Equity Weight 57.93%
Equity Cost 13.88%
WACC 9.70%
Leverage 72.62%

11. Quality Control: Kura Sushi USA, Inc. passed 3 out of 9 key points

12.a Historical Valuation

12.b Price/Earnings Ratio

12.c Margin Valuation

12.d Peers Valuation

Peers Group Analysis

Stock-Card
Potbelly

A-Score: 4.1/10

Value: 2.4

Growth: 6.0

Quality: 3.5

Yield: 0.0

Momentum: 9.5

Volatility: 3.0

1-Year Total Return ->

Stock-Card
Red Robin

A-Score: 3.6/10

Value: 8.2

Growth: 1.4

Quality: 3.6

Yield: 0.0

Momentum: 7.5

Volatility: 1.0

1-Year Total Return ->

Stock-Card
Portillo's

A-Score: 3.6/10

Value: 8.1

Growth: 5.0

Quality: 4.1

Yield: 0.0

Momentum: 1.0

Volatility: 3.3

1-Year Total Return ->

Stock-Card
ONE Group Hospitality

A-Score: 3.5/10

Value: 9.3

Growth: 6.4

Quality: 2.1

Yield: 0.0

Momentum: 2.0

Volatility: 1.3

1-Year Total Return ->

Stock-Card
Good Times Restaurants

A-Score: 3.3/10

Value: 7.9

Growth: 5.2

Quality: 2.5

Yield: 0.0

Momentum: 1.0

Volatility: 3.0

1-Year Total Return ->

Stock-Card
Kura Sushi USA

A-Score: 2.7/10

Value: 3.4

Growth: 6.0

Quality: 2.7

Yield: 0.0

Momentum: 1.5

Volatility: 2.3

1-Year Total Return ->

Peers Metrics

12.e Scoring Insights

12.f DCF BETA

Parameters

Short Term Growth

Short term Time

Long-Term Growth

WACC

Target Price

53.94$

Current Price

53.94$

Potential

-0.00%

Expected Cash-Flows