The ONE Group names former Benihana CFO as new finance chief

DENVER - The ONE Group Hospitality, Inc. (NASDAQ:STKS) announced Monday the appointment of Nicole Thaung as Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. Thaung replaces Tyler Loy, who is leaving the company to pursue other opportunities. According to InvestingPro data, Thaung joins at a crucial time as the company manages $638 million in total debt while analysts expect improved profitability this year.

Thaung brings over 15 years of experience with Benihana, where she has served as CFO since August 2018. Prior to her CFO role, she held various leadership positions at Benihana including Vice President of Finance and Controller. Before joining Benihana in 2009, Thaung spent nearly eight years at Ernst & Young LLP, last serving as Audit Manager.

"Nicole’s extensive financial knowledge and deep understanding of our business make her the ideal leader for our finance organization," said Emanuel "Manny" Hilario, Chief Executive Officer, in a press release statement.

According to the company, Thaung’s leadership has been instrumental in integrating the Benihana acquisition, which now represents over 55% of The ONE Group’s total revenues. The company stated it remains on track to capture $20 million in expected synergies from the acquisition by the end of 2026. InvestingPro data shows the acquisition has helped drive impressive revenue growth of 96.6% over the last twelve months, though gross margins remain challenged at 17.6%.

Thaung holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from the University of Florida.

The ONE Group Hospitality operates several restaurant brands including STK, Benihana, Kona Grill, RA Sushi, and others. The company develops and operates upscale restaurants and lounges and provides hospitality management services for hotels, casinos and other venues in the U.S. and internationally. With annual revenue now exceeding $834 million, InvestingPro analysis indicates the company is currently undervalued despite near-term cash flow challenges. Subscribers can access 12 additional ProTips and a comprehensive analysis in the Pro Research Report.

In other recent news, The ONE Group Hospitality announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2025, which did not meet analysts’ expectations. The company reported earnings per share (EPS) of $0.05, falling short of the anticipated $0.09, representing a negative surprise of 44.44%. Revenue was slightly below projections, coming in at $207.4 million compared to the expected $207.95 million. In light of these results, Freedom Broker has adjusted its price target for The ONE Group Hospitality from $5.50 to $5.10, although they maintained a Buy rating on the stock. This revision was based on the company’s recent earnings and other developments. These updates provide investors with a clearer view of the company’s current financial standing and future outlook as assessed by analysts.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.