Luckin Coffee posts Q3 profit surge as margins recover and buyback expands

Luckin Coffee reported third-quarter 2026 revenue of RMB 17.9 billion, up 17.0% year-over-year, while operating income rose 55.1% to RMB 2.8 billion and operating margin reached 15.4%. Net income increased 45.4% to RMB1.86 billion despite an 11.1% decline in same-store sales at self-operated locations. The company added 2,599 net new stores to reach 38,909 locations and authorized a share repurchase programme of up to $500 million.

The results show consolidated growth and improved profitability alongside weaker comparable-store sales, with expansion and customer growth offsetting pressure at established locations. The new repurchase authorization adds a capital-return mechanism for shareholders.

  • 1Self-operated store-level operating margin rose to 23.3% from 17.5% in the third quarter of 2025.
  • 2Average monthly transacting customers reached 123 million, up 9.6% year-over-year.
  • 3Non-GAAP net income increased 50.9% to RMB2.14 billion.
  • 4Luckin's new share repurchase programme permits purchases of up to $500 million.
  • 5The company had 25,402 self-operated stores and 13,507 partnership stores at the end of September.

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