Kura Sushi anticipates 16 new locations and projected sales of $330M–$334M in 2026, facing margin challenges from tariffs and economic factors.
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Nov 07 2025
0mins
Should l Buy KRUS?
Source: SeekingAlpha
Management Insights: Kura Sushi USA's CEO highlighted a record 15 new restaurant openings in fiscal 2025, despite challenges from a volatile consumer environment and tariff pressures. The company is also implementing a new robotic dishwasher expected to improve labor efficiency in many locations.
Financial Performance: The company reported total sales of $79.4 million for Q4 2025, with a slight comparable sales growth of 0.2%. Net income improved to $2.3 million, a significant turnaround from a net loss in the previous year.
Fiscal 2026 Guidance: Kura Sushi anticipates total sales between $330 million and $334 million, with plans to open 16 new units and maintain restaurant-level operating profit margins around 18%. However, Q1 2026 is expected to face negative comp challenges due to tough year-over-year comparisons.
Analyst Sentiment: Analysts expressed cautious optimism, focusing on macroeconomic pressures and cost containment. Management's tone shifted from previous confidence in growth to a more measured approach, acknowledging the impact of tariffs and consumer behavior on future performance.
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Analyst Views on KRUS
Wall Street analysts forecast KRUS stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for KRUS is 78.43 USD with a low forecast of 59.00 USD and a high forecast of 95.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
8 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
3 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 74.600
Low
59.00
Averages
78.43
High
95.00
Current: 74.600
Low
59.00
Averages
78.43
High
95.00
About KRUS
Kura Sushi USA, Inc. is a technology-enabled Japanese restaurant concept with approximately 70 locations across 20 states and Washington DC. The Company offers guests a dining experience built on authentic Japanese cuisine and an engaging revolving sushi service model. Its various sushi items are made fresh using fish and rice. Its vinegar, made using old-world methods, is sourced from Japan. Its broths are made in-house daily using ingredients that impart complex umami flavors. It also offers a variety of side dishes and desserts including gyoza, tempura, soups, ramen, mochi, and cheesecake. The Company prepares its food without artificial sweeteners, seasonings, colorings or preservatives. Its restaurant layout blends a traditional Japanese dining experience characterized by wood designs throughout the dining room mixed with the brand's technology utilizing the revolving conveyor belt, the express belt, the robot server, the tablet ordering and the Bikkura-Pon rewards machines.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Kura Sushi (KRUS) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
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Kura Sushi (KRUS) Reports Q1 Loss of $3.06M, Revenue Up 14%
- Widening Loss: Kura Sushi USA, Inc. reported a first-quarter loss of $3.06 million, or $0.25 per share, which is a significant increase from last year's loss of $0.96 million, indicating greater pressure on the company's profitability.
- Revenue Growth: Despite the widening losses, the company achieved a 14% year-over-year revenue increase to $73.46 million, reflecting improved sales performance in the market, which may lay the groundwork for future recovery.
- Market Expectation Miss: Analysts had expected a loss of $0.18 per share, but the actual results fell significantly short, highlighting challenges in cost management and profitability that could impact investor confidence.
- Full-Year Guidance: Kura Sushi provided a full-year revenue guidance of $330 million to $334 million, indicating optimism about future revenue growth despite current losses, suggesting potential growth opportunities in the market.
See More
Kura Sushi Reports $73.5M Q1 Sales with $3.1M Net Loss
- Sales Growth: Kura Sushi reported total sales of $73.5 million in Q1, a 16.8% increase from $64.5 million in Q1 2025, indicating market demand volatility despite overall performance falling short of expectations.
- Comparable Sales Decline: Comparable restaurant sales decreased by 2.5%, primarily due to reduced traffic, reflecting challenges in attracting customers that could impact future market share.
- Widening Operating Loss: The operating loss expanded to $3.7 million from $1.5 million in the prior year, highlighting increased pressure on cost control and profitability, necessitating measures to improve financial health.
- New Restaurant Openings: During the first quarter, Kura Sushi opened four new restaurants, actively pursuing business expansion despite financial challenges, with plans to open 16 new locations this year to maintain an annual growth rate above 20%.
See More
Kura Sushi Expects Q1 Loss to Widen to 16 Cents per Share
- Earnings Forecast: Kura Sushi anticipates a first-quarter loss of 16 cents per share for 2026, widening from an 8-cent loss a year earlier, indicating pressure on profitability that may affect investor confidence.
- Revenue Growth: Despite the increased loss expectation, the company is projected to report quarterly revenue of $73.05 million, up from $64.46 million last year, demonstrating resilience in sales that could lay the groundwork for future profitability recovery.
- Stock Price Reaction: Ahead of the earnings report, Kura Sushi's stock rose 1.7% to close at $52.33, suggesting market optimism about the company's future performance, even as analysts adjust their ratings and price targets.
- Analyst Rating Changes: TD Cowen analyst lowered Kura Sushi's price target from $79 to $59, reflecting a cautious outlook on the company's future performance, while other analysts maintained or adjusted their ratings, indicating market divergence on the company's prospects.
See More
Kura Sushi to Release Q1 2026 Financial Results on January 7
- Earnings Call Announcement: Kura Sushi will host a conference call on January 7, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET to discuss its fiscal Q1 2026 financial results, with the press release issued after market close, aiming to keep investors informed about the company's financial performance.
- Executive Participation: The call will feature insights from President and CEO Hajime “Jimmy” Uba, CFO Jeff Uttz, and SVP of Investor Relations & System Development Benjamin Porten, ensuring that investors receive direct commentary from the executive team.
- Access Options: Interested parties can join the call by dialing 201-689-8471, with a replay available shortly after at 412-317-6671, providing convenient access for investors to review the discussion.
- Company Overview: Kura Sushi USA, Inc. operates 83 locations across 22 states and Washington DC, offering a unique dining experience with authentic Japanese cuisine and a revolving sushi model, highlighting its strong brand presence and 45 years of history in the Japanese restaurant industry.
See More
Kura Sushi to Release Q1 2026 Financial Results on January 7
- Earnings Call Announcement: Kura Sushi will host a conference call on January 7, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET to discuss its fiscal Q1 2026 financial results, with the press release scheduled for after market close, aiming to keep investors informed about the company's latest financial performance.
- Executive Participation: The call will be led by President and CEO Hajime Uba, CFO Jeff Uttz, and SVP of Investor Relations & System Development Benjamin Porten, ensuring that investors receive insights and analyses directly from the company's leadership.
- Call Replay Availability: A telephone replay will be accessible after the call by dialing 412-317-6671 with passcode 13757545, allowing investors who cannot attend the live session to catch up on the discussion.
- Company Overview: Kura Sushi USA operates 83 locations across 22 states and Washington DC, offering a unique dining experience centered on authentic Japanese cuisine and a revolving sushi service model, reflecting its strong brand presence and 45 years of history as a subsidiary of Kura Sushi, Inc.
See More
Kura Sushi (KRUS) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
See More
Kura Sushi (KRUS) Reports Q1 Loss of $3.06M, Revenue Up 14%
- Widening Loss: Kura Sushi USA, Inc. reported a first-quarter loss of $3.06 million, or $0.25 per share, which is a significant increase from last year's loss of $0.96 million, indicating greater pressure on the company's profitability.
- Revenue Growth: Despite the widening losses, the company achieved a 14% year-over-year revenue increase to $73.46 million, reflecting improved sales performance in the market, which may lay the groundwork for future recovery.
- Market Expectation Miss: Analysts had expected a loss of $0.18 per share, but the actual results fell significantly short, highlighting challenges in cost management and profitability that could impact investor confidence.
- Full-Year Guidance: Kura Sushi provided a full-year revenue guidance of $330 million to $334 million, indicating optimism about future revenue growth despite current losses, suggesting potential growth opportunities in the market.
See More
Kura Sushi Reports $73.5M Q1 Sales with $3.1M Net Loss
- Sales Growth: Kura Sushi reported total sales of $73.5 million in Q1, a 16.8% increase from $64.5 million in Q1 2025, indicating market demand volatility despite overall performance falling short of expectations.
- Comparable Sales Decline: Comparable restaurant sales decreased by 2.5%, primarily due to reduced traffic, reflecting challenges in attracting customers that could impact future market share.
- Widening Operating Loss: The operating loss expanded to $3.7 million from $1.5 million in the prior year, highlighting increased pressure on cost control and profitability, necessitating measures to improve financial health.
- New Restaurant Openings: During the first quarter, Kura Sushi opened four new restaurants, actively pursuing business expansion despite financial challenges, with plans to open 16 new locations this year to maintain an annual growth rate above 20%.
See More
Kura Sushi Expects Q1 Loss to Widen to 16 Cents per Share
- Earnings Forecast: Kura Sushi anticipates a first-quarter loss of 16 cents per share for 2026, widening from an 8-cent loss a year earlier, indicating pressure on profitability that may affect investor confidence.
- Revenue Growth: Despite the increased loss expectation, the company is projected to report quarterly revenue of $73.05 million, up from $64.46 million last year, demonstrating resilience in sales that could lay the groundwork for future profitability recovery.
- Stock Price Reaction: Ahead of the earnings report, Kura Sushi's stock rose 1.7% to close at $52.33, suggesting market optimism about the company's future performance, even as analysts adjust their ratings and price targets.
- Analyst Rating Changes: TD Cowen analyst lowered Kura Sushi's price target from $79 to $59, reflecting a cautious outlook on the company's future performance, while other analysts maintained or adjusted their ratings, indicating market divergence on the company's prospects.
See More
Kura Sushi to Release Q1 2026 Financial Results on January 7
- Earnings Call Announcement: Kura Sushi will host a conference call on January 7, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET to discuss its fiscal Q1 2026 financial results, with the press release issued after market close, aiming to keep investors informed about the company's financial performance.
- Executive Participation: The call will feature insights from President and CEO Hajime “Jimmy” Uba, CFO Jeff Uttz, and SVP of Investor Relations & System Development Benjamin Porten, ensuring that investors receive direct commentary from the executive team.
- Access Options: Interested parties can join the call by dialing 201-689-8471, with a replay available shortly after at 412-317-6671, providing convenient access for investors to review the discussion.
- Company Overview: Kura Sushi USA, Inc. operates 83 locations across 22 states and Washington DC, offering a unique dining experience with authentic Japanese cuisine and a revolving sushi model, highlighting its strong brand presence and 45 years of history in the Japanese restaurant industry.
See More
Kura Sushi to Release Q1 2026 Financial Results on January 7
- Earnings Call Announcement: Kura Sushi will host a conference call on January 7, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET to discuss its fiscal Q1 2026 financial results, with the press release scheduled for after market close, aiming to keep investors informed about the company's latest financial performance.
- Executive Participation: The call will be led by President and CEO Hajime Uba, CFO Jeff Uttz, and SVP of Investor Relations & System Development Benjamin Porten, ensuring that investors receive insights and analyses directly from the company's leadership.
- Call Replay Availability: A telephone replay will be accessible after the call by dialing 412-317-6671 with passcode 13757545, allowing investors who cannot attend the live session to catch up on the discussion.
- Company Overview: Kura Sushi USA operates 83 locations across 22 states and Washington DC, offering a unique dining experience centered on authentic Japanese cuisine and a revolving sushi service model, reflecting its strong brand presence and 45 years of history as a subsidiary of Kura Sushi, Inc.
See More
