Kura Sushi USA, Inc.
- Open
- 44.00
- Day high
- 45.14
- Day low
- 43.21
- Prev close
- 44.38
- Volume
- 45K
- Mkt cap
- $540M
- P/E (TTM)
- —
- EPS (TTM)
- —
- P/B
- 2.3
- P/S
- 1.7
- Yield
- —
- Per share
- —
Kura Sushi USA, Inc. (KRUS) is a Consumer Cyclical company listed on NASDAQ. The stock is down 46% over the past year.
Kura Sushi USA, Inc. (KRUS) financials & analyst ratings
Fundamentals (TTM)
Analyst consensus · 6 analysts
Source: exchange market data + company filings. Figures are trailing-twelve-month or as most recently reported. For informational purposes only — not investment advice.
KRUS earnings date, history & EPS estimates
| Report date | EPS est | EPS actual | Surprise | Revenue | Rev. surprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 7, 2026 | $-0.05 | $0.03 | +160.0% | $86M | -0.6% |
| Apr 7, 2026 | $-0.17 | $-0.04 | +76.8% | $80M | +3.2% |
| Jan 7, 2026 | $-0.17 | $-0.23 | -35.3% | $73M | -4.0% |
| Nov 6, 2025 | $0.17 | $0.20 | +17.6% | $79M | +5.4% |
| Jul 8, 2025 | $-0.02 | $0.05 | +350.0% | $74M | -5.3% |
| Apr 8, 2025 | $-0.08 | $-0.14 | -75.0% | $65M | -9.7% |
| Jan 7, 2025 | $-0.24 | $-0.08 | +66.7% | $64M | -3.2% |
| Jul 9, 2024 | $-0.02 | $-0.05 | -100.0% | $63M | -1.4% |
| Apr 4, 2024 | $-0.03 | $-0.09 | -181.2% | $57M | +1.1% |
| Jan 4, 2024 | $-0.11 | $-0.18 | -63.6% | $51M | -0.3% |
| Jul 6, 2023 | $0.13 | $0.16 | +23.1% | $49M | -11.6% |
| Apr 4, 2023 | $-0.20 | $-0.10 | +50.0% | $44M | -11.9% |
KRUS insider trading activity (SEC Form 4)
| Date | Insider | Type | Shares | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 4, 2026 | PETOKAS ARLENEofficer: Chief People Officer | Tax | 101 | $69.29 |
| Feb 4, 2026 | ALLAMEH SHAHINofficer: Chief Operating Officer | Tax | 126 | $69.29 |
| Feb 4, 2026 | UTTZ JEFFREY Jofficer: See Remarks | Tax | 162 | $69.29 |
| Feb 4, 2026 | UBA HAJIMEdirector, officer: SEE REMARKS (a) | Tax | 255 | $69.29 |
| Feb 4, 2026 | KLUGER ROBERTofficer: Chief Development Officer | Tax | 105 | $69.29 |
| Feb 4, 2026 | TAKAO BRENTofficer: See Remarks | Tax | 93 | $69.29 |
| Feb 3, 2026 | KLUGER ROBERTofficer: Chief Development Officer | Grant | 1,740 | — |
| Feb 3, 2026 | KLUGER ROBERTofficer: Chief Development Officer | Tax | 107 | $66.81 |
| Feb 3, 2026 | UBA HAJIMEdirector, officer: SEE REMARKS (a) | Grant | 4,228 | — |
| Feb 3, 2026 | UBA HAJIMEdirector, officer: SEE REMARKS (a) | Tax | 223 | $66.81 |
| Feb 3, 2026 | UTTZ JEFFREY Jofficer: See Remarks | Grant | 2,514 | — |
| Feb 3, 2026 | UTTZ JEFFREY Jofficer: See Remarks | Tax | 163 | $66.81 |
| Feb 3, 2026 | BOWERS TREASAdirector | Grant | 1,047 | — |
| Feb 3, 2026 | STUTZ CARINdirector | Grant | 1,047 | — |
| Feb 3, 2026 | Schaefer Claudiadirector | Grant | 2,000 | $66.81 |
Source: KRUS SEC Form 4 filings, latest Feb 4, 2026. For informational purposes only — not investment advice.
See the full KRUS insider & 13F page →Kura Sushi USA, Inc. company profile
Overview
Kura Sushi USA, Inc. (NASDAQ:KRUS) is a technology-enabled Japanese restaurant chain that operates revolving sushi restaurants across the United States. Founded in 2008 as a subsidiary of Japan's Kura Sushi, Inc., the company went public in August 2019 and is headquartered in Irvine, California. The company has grown from a small regional chain to operating over 50 locations across multiple states, bringing the unique Japanese "kaiten-zushi" (revolving sushi) dining experience to American consumers through its signature "Kura Experience."
Business
Kura Sushi operates in the casual dining restaurant industry, specifically within the Japanese cuisine segment. The company's core offering is revolving sushi restaurants that feature an automated conveyor belt system where pre-made sushi plates continuously circulate around a counter where customers sit. This dining format, known as "kaiten-zushi" in Japan, allows customers to select items directly from the moving belt or order custom items through touch-panel systems. The Kura Experience encompasses several distinctive elements that differentiate it from traditional sushi restaurants. Customers can enjoy freshly prepared sushi, sashimi, and other Japanese dishes in an interactive environment enhanced by technology including robot servers, tableside payment systems, and gamified elements like prize-earning mechanisms when customers consume certain quantities of plates. The restaurants also feature automated dishwashing systems and streamlined kitchen operations designed for efficiency. Beyond sushi, Kura's menu includes ramen, udon, tempura, and various Japanese appetizers and desserts. The company targets a broad demographic by offering affordable pricing compared to traditional sushi restaurants while maintaining quality and authenticity. The revolving sushi format creates an engaging, family-friendly dining experience that appeals to both sushi enthusiasts and newcomers to Japanese cuisine.
Competitive moat
Kura Sushi's competitive moat is moderately strong but not insurmountable, primarily built around its unique dining experience and operational expertise rather than traditional economic moats. The company's primary competitive advantage lies in its authentic revolving sushi concept combined with technology integration, which creates a differentiated customer experience that is difficult to replicate exactly. The company benefits from operational know-how inherited from its Japanese parent company, including specialized equipment, supply chain relationships, and operational processes that have been refined over decades in Japan. This expertise creates barriers for new entrants who would need to develop similar capabilities from scratch. Additionally, Kura's investment in proprietary technology systems, including automated dishwashing, robot servers, and integrated ordering platforms, provides some competitive differentiation. However, the moat faces several vulnerabilities. The revolving sushi concept, while unique in the U.S. market, is not proprietary and could be copied by well-funded competitors. Traditional sushi restaurants, fast-casual Asian chains, and even established restaurant groups could potentially develop similar concepts. The company also faces competition from the broader casual dining segment and changing consumer preferences toward delivery and takeout, which don't fully leverage Kura's experiential dining advantage. The company's brand recognition and customer loyalty are still developing in the U.S. market, and its geographic concentration in certain regions makes it vulnerable to local economic downturns or competitive pressures. While Kura has demonstrated some pricing power, the casual dining market remains highly competitive and price-sensitive, limiting the company's ability to pass through all cost increases to customers.
Risks & safety
Kura Sushi presents a moderate margin of safety with solid liquidity but elevated valuation metrics and ongoing profitability challenges. Liquidity and Solvency: - Strong cash position of $85.2 million with minimal debt burden - Current ratio of 2.67 indicates solid short-term liquidity - Debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72 is manageable for a growing restaurant chain - Positive operating cash flow of $4.3 million, though free cash flow remains negative at -$7.4 million due to expansion capital requirements Valuation Metrics: - Price-to-book ratio of 3.34 appears reasonable for a growth company - Negative EBITDA makes traditional valuation metrics challenging to assess - Enterprise value reflects growth expectations but creates downside risk if expansion falters Other Considerations: - Company is currently unprofitable with negative $3.8 million net income in recent quarter - High capital requirements for expansion ($2.5 million per new location) strain cash generation - Restaurant-level margins of 17.3% provide operational viability but corporate overhead creates losses - Geographic concentration in certain markets creates regional economic exposure
Recent development
Over the past few years, Kura Sushi has undergone significant strategic evolution focused on technology integration, operational efficiency, and geographic expansion. The company has systematically implemented technology solutions including mobile ordering systems, reservation capabilities, automated seating systems, and robotic dishwashers to improve operational efficiency and customer experience. A major strategic shift has been the diversification of marketing approaches, moving beyond heavy reliance on intellectual property collaborations with anime and gaming franchises (such as One Piece, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Pikmin) toward more food-focused marketing campaigns and "Perfect Pair" combo promotions. While IP collaborations continue to drive traffic spikes, management is reducing their frequency to improve cost efficiency and develop more sustainable marketing strategies. The company has also focused on operational streamlining, reducing back-of-house operations from four to three stations and implementing labor-saving technologies. These initiatives target a reduction in labor costs by approximately 50 basis points while maintaining service quality. Additionally, Kura has been expanding into smaller market opportunities beyond the top 40-50 designated market areas (DMAs), testing the concept's viability in secondary markets. Geographic expansion remains a key strategic priority, with the company maintaining a target of over 20% annual unit growth. Recent expansion has included new markets in the Pacific Northwest, Southeast, and Northeast regions, with management expressing confidence in the brand's adaptability to diverse geographic markets across the United States.
KRUS company profile · for informational purposes only — not investment advice.
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