City living changes the ways that people live and eat. All of this change impacts dining habits, thus enhancing growth in the food industry. In 2014, the food industry is expected to reach $990 billion with 586 billion transactions. This represents a compounded annual growth rate of 18% over the past five years. Restaurants and cafes make up over 50% of the total industry.
The three companies under analysis here are focused on increasing their presence in the global market to take advantage of the rise in city living. How will the expansion plans benefit stomachs everywhere as well as investors?
Re-imaging and opening new restaurants for incremental sales
Coffee sales in China will increase from $1 billion in 2011 to $2.61 billion in 2017. To maximize this opportunity, the company is planning to expand its coffee house, McCafé, in China. It will increase number of McCafé outlets by 200 this year, bringing the total to 750 outlets. Furthermore, the company is expanding by opening up to 1,600 new restaurants globally. This will include 300 new restaurants in China, totaling 2,000 restaurants by 2014. It will spend approximately $1.6 billion on the expansion plan, from allotted funds.
With re-imaging its existing stores and by opening new restaurants, its operating income will grow by 7% and the company will experience a total sales increase of 3% to 6% year-over-year.
Competitor’s advantage
In 2012, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG) increased its restaurant presence in new locations by 15%. With this expansion, the company has reported revenue growth of 20% year-over-year. It is planning to continue its expansion with 180 new restaurants this year. This will include opening four restaurants outside the U.S, increasing its international presence by 25% and bringing its number of locations worldwide to approximately 1,590. Single unit revenue is approximately $2.1 million annually, and the company expects the same revenue from its new restaurants. The company’s total revenue will increase from $2.7 billion in 2012, to $3.1 billion in 2013, and $3.7 billion in 2014.
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG) and its close competitor Qdoba both specialize in burritos. Qdoba is facing financial problems, so it is planning to close 67 restaurants in United Stated by September. It is expected that approximately 25% of Qdoba’s customers will be converted to Chipotle’s customers. This will drive $14.2 million in additional sales revenue in the fourth quarter of 2013.
With the various strategies adopted by the company, its earnings per share will increase from $8.77 in 2012 to $10.52 in 2013. This will be followed by $12.69 in 2014.
Expanding in emerging markets
Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM) has both company-owned businesses and franchises, with 33% of its stores being company-owned while the rest are all franchised. Company-owned business generates 60% of the company’s total annual sales. With this high percentage of returns, Yum! plans to expand its company-owned stores by 700 new restaurants in China; this is due to China having the second-largest economy in the world. The total number of restaurants will reach to 6,400 by the end of this year. With this expansion strategy, the company’s revenue from China will grow from $6.7 billion in 2012 to $8.3 billion in 2014.
