GEN Restaurant Group Completes Successful Costco Roadshow
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jun 02 2026
0mins
Source: Newsfilter
- Successful Roadshow: GEN Restaurant Group's inaugural Costco roadshow in the Northwest achieved remarkable success, securing purchase commitments from approximately 60 to 70 Costco warehouse locations, reflecting strong market demand and brand recognition.
- Expanded Market Coverage: With 40 additional warehouse commitments from Southern California and Hawaii, GEN now has purchase commitments from over 100 Costco locations in the U.S., representing more than 16% of the chain's domestic footprint, with expectations to reach 30% to 40% nationwide.
- Sales Performance Exceeds Expectations: Sales during the roadshow approached record levels for a Costco event, surpassing even the expectations of Costco's regional team, indicating that the recognition of the GEN brand is directly driving sales growth.
- Quality Assurance: GEN's ready-to-cook marinated meats are prepared using the same recipes and quality standards as their restaurant offerings, providing consumers with a convenient way to recreate the GEN Korean BBQ experience at home, further enhancing the brand's competitive edge.
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Analyst Views on GENK
Wall Street analysts forecast GENK stock price to rise
3 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 2.310
Low
3.00
Averages
4.50
High
6.00
Current: 2.310
Low
3.00
Averages
4.50
High
6.00
About GENK
GEN Restaurant Group, Inc. operates Asian casual dining restaurant concepts in the United States. The Company has grown over 40 Company-owned locations where guests serve as their own chefs, preparing meals on embedded grills in the center of each table. The menu consists of traditional Korean and Korean-American food, including meats, poultry, seafood, and mixed vegetables. The Company operates restaurants which are located in California, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, Washington, New York, Texas, New Jersey, Florida, Oregon, and North Carolina, specializing in a variety of special flavored meats for Korean barbeque. Its restaurants have modern decor, lively Korean pop music playing in the background and embedded grills in the center of each table. The Company's subsidiaries include GEN Restaurant Group, LLC; JC Group International Inc.; GEN Restaurant Investment, LLC; GEN California, LLC; GEN Torrance, LLC; GEN San Jose, LP; GEN Chino Hills, LP, and GEN Fremont, LP, among others.
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.
GEN Restaurant Group Signs Distribution Agreement with UNFI
- Distribution Agreement Signed: GEN Restaurant Group has signed a distribution agreement with UNFI, one of North America's largest food distributors, leveraging UNFI's wholesale network to further expand its retail market, particularly in the natural and specialty food sectors.
- Market Coverage Expansion: UNFI serves over 30,000 customer locations, including natural product superstores and conventional supermarkets, and this partnership is expected to significantly enhance GEN's brand visibility and market penetration.
- Product Innovation: GEN's ready-to-cook marinated meat products will utilize the same recipes and quality standards as those in its restaurants, aiming to provide consumers with a convenient home BBQ experience, thereby driving sales growth.
- Long-Term Growth Strategy: CEO David Kim stated that this agreement provides a meaningful platform to support the company's long-term distribution strategy and retail expansion plans, which are expected to boost future revenue growth.
See More
GEN Restaurant Group Signs Distribution Agreement with UNFI
- Distribution Agreement Signed: GEN Restaurant Group has signed a distribution agreement with UNFI, one of North America's largest food distributors, granting access to UNFI's wholesale distribution network, which is expected to significantly enhance its market reach.
- Customer Base Expansion: UNFI serves over 30,000 customer locations, including natural product superstores, independent retailers, and e-commerce platforms, which will provide GEN with a broader customer base to support its retail expansion strategy.
- Product Promotion Support: The agreement will facilitate GEN's rollout of ready-to-cook marinated meat products through additional retail channels, further diversifying its product line and meeting consumer demand for convenient food options, thereby enhancing its market competitiveness.
- Strategic Implications: By partnering with UNFI, GEN Restaurant Group can accelerate its product market penetration and leverage UNFI's resources and network to strengthen its position in the rapidly evolving food industry.
See More
GEN Restaurant Group Partners with Save Mart Supermarkets for Retail Expansion
- Retail Partnership: GEN Restaurant Group has announced that its consumer packaged goods will be placed in Save Mart Supermarkets, featuring six SKUs, marking a significant expansion into the retail market that is expected to enhance brand visibility and attract more family consumers.
- Growing Market Demand: This partnership reflects the increasing consumer interest in Korean cuisine, and GEN's brand crossover appeal is likely to help capture a larger market share in the at-home cooking segment, driving sales growth.
- Brand Influence: GEN's products will be prepared using the same high standards and recipes as in its restaurants, ensuring that consumers can recreate an authentic Korean BBQ experience at home, thereby enhancing customer loyalty and brand image.
- Retail Network Expansion: The addition of Save Mart to GEN's retail network further expands its reach, now including well-known retailers like Costco and Albertsons, which strengthens the company's competitive position in the Western U.S. market.
See More
GEN Restaurant Group Signs Distribution Agreement with C&S Wholesale Grocers
- Distribution Agreement Signed: GEN Restaurant Group has signed a distribution agreement with C&S Wholesale Grocers, one of the largest wholesale grocery distributors in the U.S., to expand its market reach for ready-to-cook marinated meats and other CPG products.
- Market Coverage Expansion: C&S services over 7,500 customers, including independent supermarkets and major chain stores, allowing GEN to access additional retail and institutional channels, thereby enhancing brand visibility.
- Quality Assurance: GEN's ready-to-cook marinated meats are prepared using the same recipes and quality standards as its restaurant offerings, aiming to provide consumers with a convenient way to enjoy the Korean BBQ experience at home, thus increasing brand loyalty.
- Strategic Importance: CEO David Kim stated that this partnership is a significant step in scaling their CPG business, with expectations to substantially enhance consumer access and awareness of the GEN brand.
See More
GEN Restaurant Group Appoints New CFO
- Executive Change: GEN Restaurant Group has appointed Luke A. Hewko as Chief Financial Officer, effective June 1, 2026, succeeding retiring Thomas V. Croal, indicating a strategic shift in leadership to support future growth.
- Business Expansion: Hewko's appointment coincides with GEN's expansion beyond its restaurant business into consumer packaged goods, retail, and e-commerce, leveraging his experience in building financial systems to enhance competitiveness in new sectors.
- Financial Background: Hewko previously served as CFO of Westcliff Technologies, where he established the finance function and led the asset sale to Bitcoin Depot, showcasing his extensive experience in financial management and corporate transformation.
- Stock Performance: GEN Restaurant Group's shares closed up 12.06% at $2.09 on Tuesday, reflecting positive market sentiment regarding the company's strategic direction and executive changes.
See More
GEN Restaurant Group Appoints New CFO to Support Growth Strategy
- Executive Change: GEN Restaurant Group appointed Luke A. Hewko as CFO effective June 1, 2026, succeeding retiring Thomas V. Croal, aiming to enhance financial stability and strategic execution under new leadership.
- Strategic Support: Hewko's previous role as CFO at Westcliff Technologies equips him with extensive financial management experience, which will be crucial for supporting GEN's expansion in the consumer packaged goods sector and achieving growth objectives.
- Revenue Target: The company has set a revenue target of $215 million to $225 million for 2026 while planning to reduce new store openings to 5-7, a strategy designed to optimize resource allocation and improve profitability at existing locations.
- Retail Expansion: GEN Korean BBQ plans to roll out new products to 190 grocery stores, further expanding its retail footprint, which is expected to enhance brand visibility and drive sales growth.
See More
GEN Restaurant Group Signs Distribution Agreement with UNFI
- Distribution Agreement Signed: GEN Restaurant Group has signed a distribution agreement with UNFI, one of North America's largest food distributors, leveraging UNFI's wholesale network to further expand its retail market, particularly in the natural and specialty food sectors.
- Market Coverage Expansion: UNFI serves over 30,000 customer locations, including natural product superstores and conventional supermarkets, and this partnership is expected to significantly enhance GEN's brand visibility and market penetration.
- Product Innovation: GEN's ready-to-cook marinated meat products will utilize the same recipes and quality standards as those in its restaurants, aiming to provide consumers with a convenient home BBQ experience, thereby driving sales growth.
- Long-Term Growth Strategy: CEO David Kim stated that this agreement provides a meaningful platform to support the company's long-term distribution strategy and retail expansion plans, which are expected to boost future revenue growth.
See More
GEN Restaurant Group Signs Distribution Agreement with UNFI
- Distribution Agreement Signed: GEN Restaurant Group has signed a distribution agreement with UNFI, one of North America's largest food distributors, granting access to UNFI's wholesale distribution network, which is expected to significantly enhance its market reach.
- Customer Base Expansion: UNFI serves over 30,000 customer locations, including natural product superstores, independent retailers, and e-commerce platforms, which will provide GEN with a broader customer base to support its retail expansion strategy.
- Product Promotion Support: The agreement will facilitate GEN's rollout of ready-to-cook marinated meat products through additional retail channels, further diversifying its product line and meeting consumer demand for convenient food options, thereby enhancing its market competitiveness.
- Strategic Implications: By partnering with UNFI, GEN Restaurant Group can accelerate its product market penetration and leverage UNFI's resources and network to strengthen its position in the rapidly evolving food industry.
See More
GEN Restaurant Group Partners with Save Mart Supermarkets for Retail Expansion
- Retail Partnership: GEN Restaurant Group has announced that its consumer packaged goods will be placed in Save Mart Supermarkets, featuring six SKUs, marking a significant expansion into the retail market that is expected to enhance brand visibility and attract more family consumers.
- Growing Market Demand: This partnership reflects the increasing consumer interest in Korean cuisine, and GEN's brand crossover appeal is likely to help capture a larger market share in the at-home cooking segment, driving sales growth.
- Brand Influence: GEN's products will be prepared using the same high standards and recipes as in its restaurants, ensuring that consumers can recreate an authentic Korean BBQ experience at home, thereby enhancing customer loyalty and brand image.
- Retail Network Expansion: The addition of Save Mart to GEN's retail network further expands its reach, now including well-known retailers like Costco and Albertsons, which strengthens the company's competitive position in the Western U.S. market.
See More
GEN Restaurant Group Signs Distribution Agreement with C&S Wholesale Grocers
- Distribution Agreement Signed: GEN Restaurant Group has signed a distribution agreement with C&S Wholesale Grocers, one of the largest wholesale grocery distributors in the U.S., to expand its market reach for ready-to-cook marinated meats and other CPG products.
- Market Coverage Expansion: C&S services over 7,500 customers, including independent supermarkets and major chain stores, allowing GEN to access additional retail and institutional channels, thereby enhancing brand visibility.
- Quality Assurance: GEN's ready-to-cook marinated meats are prepared using the same recipes and quality standards as its restaurant offerings, aiming to provide consumers with a convenient way to enjoy the Korean BBQ experience at home, thus increasing brand loyalty.
- Strategic Importance: CEO David Kim stated that this partnership is a significant step in scaling their CPG business, with expectations to substantially enhance consumer access and awareness of the GEN brand.
See More
GEN Restaurant Group Appoints New CFO
- Executive Change: GEN Restaurant Group has appointed Luke A. Hewko as Chief Financial Officer, effective June 1, 2026, succeeding retiring Thomas V. Croal, indicating a strategic shift in leadership to support future growth.
- Business Expansion: Hewko's appointment coincides with GEN's expansion beyond its restaurant business into consumer packaged goods, retail, and e-commerce, leveraging his experience in building financial systems to enhance competitiveness in new sectors.
- Financial Background: Hewko previously served as CFO of Westcliff Technologies, where he established the finance function and led the asset sale to Bitcoin Depot, showcasing his extensive experience in financial management and corporate transformation.
- Stock Performance: GEN Restaurant Group's shares closed up 12.06% at $2.09 on Tuesday, reflecting positive market sentiment regarding the company's strategic direction and executive changes.
See More
GEN Restaurant Group Appoints New CFO to Support Growth Strategy
- Executive Change: GEN Restaurant Group appointed Luke A. Hewko as CFO effective June 1, 2026, succeeding retiring Thomas V. Croal, aiming to enhance financial stability and strategic execution under new leadership.
- Strategic Support: Hewko's previous role as CFO at Westcliff Technologies equips him with extensive financial management experience, which will be crucial for supporting GEN's expansion in the consumer packaged goods sector and achieving growth objectives.
- Revenue Target: The company has set a revenue target of $215 million to $225 million for 2026 while planning to reduce new store openings to 5-7, a strategy designed to optimize resource allocation and improve profitability at existing locations.
- Retail Expansion: GEN Korean BBQ plans to roll out new products to 190 grocery stores, further expanding its retail footprint, which is expected to enhance brand visibility and drive sales growth.
See More
