Mexican restaurant business Guzman Y Gomez (ASX: GYG) has served up a strong set of numbers in the first half of the 2025 financial year (H1 FY25) headlined by a strong jump in global sales as its ongoing network expansion marches on.

🌮 Delivers 23% year-on-year improvement in global network sales as total number of restaurants rises to 239
🌶️ EBITDA of $32 million in the half-year up by 28% with NPAT of $7.3 million nearly doubling
🥑 Pipeline of more than 100 future restaurants to help drive growth

Food and beverage business Retail Food Group (ASX: RFG) has delivered a strong set of numbers in the first half of the 2025 financial year whilst also announcing plans to introduce and expand American premium sandwich brand Firehouse Subs within Australia.

🍩 Underlying revenue of $66.5 million up by 24.7% from the previous corresponding period, driven by core brands such as Gloria Jean’s, Donut King, and Brumby’s
🍕 Statutory net profit after tax of $7.3 million up by nearly 74% year-on-year
🥪 Plans to open 165 Firehouse Subs outlets in Australia over the next decade

“Firehouse Subs is a key pillar of our ambitious growth strategy and we are confident consumers will be excited by the brand’s high-quality sandwich product together with an excellent guest experience.” – Matt Marshall, Retail Food Group Chief Executive Officer

Optiscan Imaging (ASX:OIL) has unveiled its next generation microscopic medical imaging device known as InForm, specifically designed to transform pathology workflows by delivering real-time digital insights at point of contact with a tissue sample.

🔹Improves efficiency and accuracy of analysis and diagnosis across all pathology workflows.
🔹Expands Optiscan’s product portfolio into the pathology market, marking a pivotal milestone in advancing the company`s strategic objectives.
🔹Enhances the entire pathology workflow across a range of settings, enabling efficiencies and on-the-spot digital decision making for pathologists to improve diagnostic capabilities.

“The reveal of our revolutionary InForm™ device, the latest addition to our ever-expanding suite of hardware products, represents a significant advancement in the evolution of digital pathology. InForm™ has the ability to enhance the entire pathology workflow from bedside to laboratory and beyond, by improving the speed, accuracy and flexibility of testing, analysis and diagnosis." - Optiscan CEO and Managing Director, Dr Camile Farah

Baby goods retailer Baby Bunting (ASX: BBN) has reported a boost in profitability in the first half of the 2025 financial year driven by an uptick in sales, a rise in new customer acquisitions, and gross margin expansion. The company is implementing a series of strategic initiatives to fuel further growth.

👶 Net profit after tax (NPAT) of $4.8 million on a pro-forma basis up by 37% from same time last year as new customer acquisitions rise by 12%
🍼 Gross margin expands by 260 basis points to 39.8 per cent with the company on track to meet its margin target for the full financial year
🧸 Progresses new store rollout and refurbishment of existing shops to fuel growth

“Our focus on driving sales through range innovation and new customer acquisition is delivering results. Newness in our ranges continues to resonate, with new customer acquisition up 12% on the prior period. Our exclusive branded products remain a key traffic driver and, with a strong pipeline of exclusive launches in the second half, we expect this momentum to continue.” – Mark Teperson, Baby Bunting Chief Executive Officer

Australian retailer Adore Beauty (ASX: ABY) has reported a sharp rise in profitability and margin growth in the first half of FY25 as its refreshed operational strategy focused on disciplined cost management and the expansion of its retail network begins to take shape.

💄 Operating earnings (EBIT) of $2.8 million in H1 FY25 up by 126% from same time last year
🧴 Delivers cash flow positive half-year and record gross margin of 36.2%
💅 Launches physical store roll out with opening of first shop in Victoria as it targets national retail network of 25 shops

“Our half-year results demonstrate the strength of the Adore Beauty brand and the early momentum of our strategy refresh focusing in the near-term on enhancing quality of earnings and optimising our operating model. I am delighted with the demonstrated gains in gross margin which delivered material improvement and the subsequent 126% growth in EBIT in the half.” – Sacha Laing, Adore Beauty Chief Executive Officer

Ahead of appearing at the Stocks On Track event, Kingston Resources (ASX:KSN) Managing Director Andrew Corbett speaks with The Stock Network`s Lel Smits and highlights:

⛏️ Rising gold price and operations
⚒️ Maiden underground Ore Reserve at Mineral Hill
⛰️ Mineral Hill upside

Medical technology business Artrya (ASX: AYA) has pocketed $15 million from a placement as it looks to fast track the commercialisation of its patented Salix artificial intelligence (AI) platform used to detect heart disease.

⚕️ Proceeds will be used to accelerate regulatory approvals in the lucrative US market, as well as customer implementation, clinical studies, and regulatory costs
🧑‍⚕️ Clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expected soon
🏥 Adds to recent contract win with Australia’s second largest diagnostic imaging provider, Sonic Healthcare

“The Company continues the regulatory pathway to expand FDA approvals this year with a portion of Placement proceeds applied to accelerate regulatory applications for our SCP & SCF products, along with customer implementation costs including the Sonic Healthcare Australia Radiology commercial agreement announced on 12 February 2025.” – Mathew Regan, Artrya Chief Executive Officer