Kura Sushi USA (KRUS) Q3 2026 earnings summary

Executive summary

• Total sales reached $85.9 million in Q3 2026, up 16.2% year-over-year, driven by new restaurant openings and menu price increases.

• Comparable restaurant sales declined 0.4% due to a 5.1% drop in traffic, offset by a 4.7% increase in price/mix.

• Restaurant-level operating profit margin rose to 19.1%, up from 18.2% year-over-year.

• Adjusted EBITDA margin improved to 7.7%, with adjusted EBITDA dollars up over 20% year-over-year.

• Net income for the quarter was $423,000 ($0.03 per share), down from $565,000 ($0.05 per share) in the prior year.

Financial highlights

• Quarterly sales were $85.9 million, up $11.9 million year-over-year; nine-month sales reached $239.4 million.

• Food and beverage costs increased to 30.2% of sales, up from 28.3%, mainly due to tariffs.

• Labor costs as a percentage of sales improved to 30.6% from 33.1% due to operational efficiencies.

• Adjusted EBITDA was $6.6 million, up from $5.4 million, with margin improving to 7.7% from 7.3%.

• Restaurant-level operating profit was $16.4 million (19.1% of sales), up from $13.5 million (18.2%).

Outlook and guidance

• Fiscal 2026 sales expected between $330.5 million and $331.5 million.

• Plan to open 16 new units, maintaining annual unit growth above 20%.

• Full-year restaurant-level operating profit margin expected at approximately 18.5%.

• G&A expenses as a percentage of sales expected to be around 12%, excluding litigation.

• Menu price increases implemented to help offset inflation and tariff impacts.