Barbeque Nation: The share of the most prominent casual dining restaurant, Barbeque-Nation Hospitality Limited, has lost 31.5% over the last year. The company got listed amidst COVID around 2021, and it has not been an easy sail for the last two years. But the interesting thing is that the institutional investors have raised their stake in this company from 34% in March 2022 to around 50% in June 2022.
Even the ace investor, Ashish Kacholia has bought 2.53 lakh shares of Barbeque Nation which amounts to around 1.43% stake in the company. As he bought the share around the average price of ₹1,163 or ₹29.5 crore in April 2022, the share surged up 6%. Kacholia so far has not sold any shares based on BSE data.
So, let’s find answers to some important questions – How does Barbeque make money? Why is the share price down? What does the future of the company look like despite a not-so-good start?
Barbeque Nation – Business Overview .
Barbeque Nation was established in 2006 and entered the restaurant segment with the ‘all you can eat’ concept. It is now one of the leading casual dining chains in India. It is also a pioneer of the concept of “over the table barbeque” live grills embedded in dining tables which allow guests to grill their barbecues right at their tables.
Let’s understand the diversification process taken by the company. Six years ago, 97% of the revenue came from the Barbeque Nation India dine-in business. Over time, the company has successfully created multiple growth levers for the business.
It is more than just a dine-in business today. They have a steady international business, a large delivery platform, and four brands – Barbeque Nation, Toscano, UBQ, and Dum Safar. As of FY2023, the Barbeque Nation India dine-in business contribution has reduced to 75%.
Recently, Barbeque Nation Hospitality Limited (BNHL) and Red Apple Kitchen Consultancy Pvt. Ltd. (Toscano) have jointly acquired a majority stake of 53.3% in Blue Planet Foods Private Ltd. (Salt).
Blue Planet Foods runs an a-la-carte pan Indian cuisine restaurant chain under the brand name ‘Salt’. Currently, it operates 6 restaurants and has 2 restaurants under construction/pipeline. Salt delivered revenues of ₹32.8 crores in FY23 with 19.4% EBITDA margin and 10.0% PAT margin.
Out of all the brands operated by the company, UBQ and Dum Safar are their brands, whereas Toscano and Salt were acquired. The company has 212 restaurants under its portfolio as of Q2 FY23.
Reasons for adversity
Although the company has been in an expansion stage, it has been facing losses for the last two quarters. It launched 31 restaurants over the past two years but had to close 12 as losses hit.
You can also assume competition when it comes to the Dining Industry. The competition from Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) is also affecting the business. The average ticket size for a QSR is around ₹500-₹600 whereas for BBQN it is around ₹950. So it is evident that, in a price-sensitive market, QSR has an edge over BBQN.
Rising inflation and a market slowdown in the dine-in are adding problems to the business. The industry is experiencing a slow demand environment. But when disposable income increases, casual dining will pick up as well.
Although one could argue that the industry overall had a tough year. Yes, that is true, but BBQN’s lack of performance stands out among others.
The figures for net sales and other operating income are from April to September.
To be true, most of the restaurant companies listed are Quick service restaurants (QSR). As their price point is around ₹500-₹600 and BBQN has doubled that, it is putting pressure on the operating part of the business.
What’s next for the company?
Although it has been a difficult phase recently for BBQN, metropolitan cities have been a silver lining. The restaurant has mostly done well in tier I cities, but that wasn’t the case with tier II & III cities.
Rahul Agrawal, CEO, and whole-time director, of Barbeque Nation mentioned during the earnings call of Q2FY24 that over the last two quarters, the company has expanded the stores in the Barbeque Nation India business and is focusing on increasing the capacity utilization of existing stores. They have also exited unprofitable tier II & tier III markets.
The company is planning to expand the stores to 220 in FY24. In the long term, the company aims to maintain 70% of its stores in Tier I and the remaining 30% in Tier II and Tier III cities.
A Look At Financials
The company had made losses of ₹92 and ₹25 crores in the financial year 2021 and 2022 respectively. The revenue increased by 43 % to ₹1,234 crore in the financial year 2023. As a result, the company had a profit of ₹19 crore in that respective financial year.
The debt of the company stands at 711 crore with a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.86. It has an ROE of 3.68% and an ROCE of 8.92% as of FY2023.
Conclusion
Like most of the consumer category businesses, the restaurant industry had a rough 2023. Although it can be said that 2022 was an outlier and can’t be compared, what is important to understand is that it is still a challenge for BBQN to operate with the pricing they have.
Consumers will tighten their purses until the inflation cools down. What that implies is that the majority of the population will have their attention towards the more affordable options. But once inflation cools down, and the disposable income of the population increases, the dine-in business will do well in the future.
Sizzling Success: In-Depth Analysis of Barbeque Nation’s Appeal to Institutional Investors
Introduction: Unveiling Barbeque Nation’s Allure to Institutional Investors
In the bustling world of investments, Barbeque Nation has emerged as a hotbed of attention, attracting significant interest from institutional investors. This comprehensive analysis explores the factors contributing to Barbeque Nation’s appeal, shedding light on why institutional investors are placing substantial bets on this sizzling venture.
**1. Grilling the Financials: A Closer Look at Barbeque Nation’s Fiscal Performance
Dive into the financial realm as we dissect Barbeque Nation’s fiscal performance, examining key indicators such as revenue growth, profit margins, and earnings per share. By scrutinizing the financial landscape, investors gain insights into the company’s stability and potential for lucrative returns.
**2. Savoring Success: Barbeque Nation’s Unique Selling Proposition (USP) that Charms Investors
Explore the distinct elements that set Barbeque Nation apart in the competitive restaurant industry. From its interactive dining experience to a diverse menu offering, we uncover the unique selling propositions that contribute to its success and attract institutional investors seeking sustainable business models.
**3. Grill to Green: Sustainability Initiatives Making Barbeque Nation an ESG Darling
In an era where environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors weigh heavily on investment decisions, discover how Barbeque Nation’s sustainability initiatives are making it an attractive prospect for institutional investors. From eco-friendly practices to community engagement, explore the company’s commitment to responsible business practices.
**4. Expansion Plans: Barbeque Nation’s Recipe for Growth and Institutional Investor Confidence
Delve into Barbeque Nation’s ambitious expansion plans, spanning both domestic and international markets. By assessing the company’s growth strategy, investors can gauge the potential for increased market share and profitability, influencing their investment decisions.
**5. Analyzing Market Trends: Barbeque Nation’s Adaptability to Changing Consumer Preferences
Examine how Barbeque Nation stays ahead of the curve by adapting to evolving consumer preferences and market trends. Institutional investors keen on understanding the dynamics of the food and beverage industry will find valuable insights into Barbeque Nation’s responsiveness to shifting market landscapes.
**6. Management Spotlight: Leadership Excellence and Its Impact on Investor Confidence
Shift the spotlight to Barbeque Nation’s leadership team and their role in steering the company towards success. Explore the track record of the management, their strategic decisions, and the impact of leadership excellence on institutional investor confidence.
**7. Risk Assessment: Navigating the Challenges and Barbeque Nation’s Resilience
No investment is without risks, and Barbeque Nation is no exception. Evaluate the potential risks the company faces, from market competition to economic uncertainties, and understand how Barbeque Nation’s resilience positions it as an attractive investment despite these challenges.
**8. The Consumer Experience: A Key Ingredient in Barbeque Nation’s Investment Allure
Uncover the significance of the consumer experience in Barbeque Nation’s investment allure. From customer reviews to loyalty programs, explore how the company’s focus on customer satisfaction contributes to its brand strength and, consequently, its appeal to institutional investors.
**9. Peer Comparison: Barbeque Nation in the Context of the Restaurant Industry
Position Barbeque Nation within the broader context of the restaurant industry by conducting a peer comparison. Evaluate how the company stacks up against competitors, providing institutional investors with a comprehensive view of its competitive standing.
**10. Investment Outlook: Unlocking Potential Returns and Future Prospects for Barbeque Nation
Wrap up the analysis by projecting the investment outlook for Barbeque Nation. Consider potential returns, growth prospects, and factors influencing the stock’s performance, providing institutional investors with a forward-looking perspective to inform their investment decisions.
1 thought on “Stakeholder’s Grill: Institutional Investors Bet Big on Barbeque Nation”