Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Reports Earnings for the Fiscal First Quarter 2008, Completes Acquisition of 15 Existing Franchised Red Robin Restaurants and Increases Earnings Guidance for Fiscal Year 2008
GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc., (NASDAQ: RRGB), a casual dining restaurant chain focused on serving an innovative selection of high-quality gourmet burgers in a family-friendly atmosphere, today reported financial results for the sixteen weeks ended April 20, 2008.
Financial and Operational Highlights
Highlights for the sixteen weeks ended April 20, 2008, compared to the sixteen weeks ended April 22, 2007, are as follows:
-- Total revenues increased 20.4% to $255.6 million.
-- Restaurant revenue increased 21.2% to $250.9 million.
-- Company-owned comparable restaurant sales increased 3.9%.
-- Restaurant-level operating profit increased 14.9% to $47.9
million.
-- Diluted earnings per share were $0.43 vs. $0.44 in the first
quarter a year ago.
-- A total of 10 new Red Robin(R) restaurants, nine company-owned
and one franchised location, were opened during the first
quarter 2008.
As of the end of the fiscal first quarter of 2008, there were 258 company-owned and 135 franchised Red Robin(R) restaurants.
"While the overall macroeconomic environment remains very challenging for our industry, we were pleased to achieve increased comparable restaurant sales in the first quarter and we are encouraged by the traction that we are getting from our national media campaign, along with our other sales and marketing efforts. Our brand building initiatives continue to raise awareness and excitement for Red Robin, and are helping us manage the headwinds facing our traffic counts, which were down only slightly during the quarter," said Dennis B. Mullen, chairman and chief executive officer.
"Looking ahead, in anticipation of further intense commodity and other margin pressures, we will continue managing costs while maintaining the great dining experience that our Guests enjoy and expect. We are on plan with new restaurant development and also recently completed the accretive acquisition of 15 Red Robin franchised restaurants."
Acquisitions of 15 Franchised Restaurants
The Company also announced the completion of its acquisitions of 15 existing Red Robin franchised restaurants from three franchise partners for a combined purchase price of $28.6 million, net of working capital adjustments. The purchase price was paid in cash, funded primarily through borrowings under the Company's existing credit facility. In addition, on April 15, 2008, the Company completed the purchase of a restaurant that was under construction in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and has since been opened by the Company on May 5, 2008. The acquisition of one existing restaurant in New Jersey was completed on April 28, 2008, and the acquisition of eight existing restaurants in Wisconsin, three restaurants in Minnesota and three restaurants in northern Indiana was completed on May 19, 2008. In addition to the acquisition of existing restaurants, the Company will gain access to development rights where these restaurants are located - territories that were formerly subject to exclusivity provisions. The combined revenue from the 15 existing restaurants was approximately $41.8 million in 2007.
The acquisitions are expected to add between $25 and $27 million of revenue, and approximately $0.04 per diluted share to earnings for the remainder of fiscal year 2008. For accounting purposes the financial results of all 15 restaurants will be included in the Company's financial results from their acquisition dates forward.
Fiscal First Quarter 2008 Results
Comparable restaurant sales increased 3.9% for company-owned restaurants in the fiscal first quarter of 2008 compared to the fiscal first quarter of 2007, driven by a 4.3% increase in the average guest check, which was offset by a 0.4% decline in guest counts. Average weekly comparable sales for company-owned restaurants were $64,543 from the 200 comparable restaurants in the fiscal first quarter of 2008, compared to $63,169 for the 151 comparable restaurants in the fiscal first quarter of 2007. Average weekly sales for the 42 non-comparable company-owned restaurants were $55,165 in the fiscal first quarter of 2008, compared to $53,979 for the 52 non-comparable restaurants in the fiscal first quarter a year ago. Average weekly sales for 16 California restaurants acquired in June and July of 2007 and one managed restaurant in California were $61,396 in the fiscal first quarter of 2008 compared to $63,350 for the first quarter of 2007.
In the first quarter 2008, the Company's results were negatively impacted by lower restaurant sales in California, Arizona and Nevada - markets that have been disproportionately impacted by macroeconomic factors. Excluding the impact from the Company's 56 comparable restaurants in these three markets, comparable restaurant sales would have been about 2.3% higher or approximately 6.2%. The Company's comparable guest counts excluding the negative 2.1% impact from the restaurants in these three markets would have been a positive 1.7%. The restaurants in California, Arizona and Nevada represent 28% of the total company-owned comparable restaurants and these 56 comparable restaurants contributed more than 30% of the Company's restaurant revenues in fiscal 2007.
Total Company revenues, which include company-owned restaurant sales and franchise royalties and fees, increased 20.4% to $255.6 million in the fiscal first quarter of 2008, versus $212.3 million last year. Franchise royalties and fees decreased 11.2% to $4.6 million in the fiscal first quarter of 2008 compared to $5.2 million in the same period a year ago. Franchise royalties and fees in the fiscal first quarter 2007 included $588,000 from royalties attributed to 17 acquired or managed restaurants in California and $315,000 in fees from the openings of nine franchised restaurants in the first quarter 2007 versus $35,000 for one franchised restaurant opening the first quarter 2008.
For the fiscal first quarter of 2008, the Company's franchise system reported a decrease in total U.S. franchise restaurant sales of 6.2% to $105.9 million, compared to $113.1 million in the prior year period, due primarily to $17.4 million of first quarter 2007 revenue from the California restaurants acquired by the Company in June and July of 2007. Comparable sales in the fiscal first quarter of 2008 for franchise restaurants in the U.S. and Canada increased 4.0% and 6.7%, respectively, over the fiscal first quarter of 2007. Average weekly comparable sales for the U.S. franchised restaurants were $56,809 from the 94 comparable restaurants in the fiscal first quarter of 2008, compared to $56,855 for the 95 comparable restaurants in the fiscal first quarter of 2007. Average weekly sales in the fiscal first quarter of 2008 for the Company's 18 comparable franchise restaurants in Canada were C$50,662 versus C$47,501 in the same period last year. Canadian results are in Canadian dollars.
Restaurant-level operating profit margins at company-owned restaurants were 19.1% in the fiscal first quarter of 2008 compared to 20.1% in the fiscal first quarter of 2007. Fiscal first quarter 2008 restaurant-level operating profit margins were negatively impacted by approximately 0.95% of higher food and beverage costs and approximately 0.45% of increased operating costs which includes higher year-over-year contributions to the Company's national advertising fund, offset by 0.4% of lower labor costs. The Company's first quarter 2008 restaurant level operating profit without the 56 comparable restaurants in California, Arizona and Nevada would have been 19.9%.
The Company's restaurant-level operating profit metric does not represent income from operations or net income calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Schedule I of this earnings release reconciles restaurant-level operating profit to income from operations and net income for all periods presented.
General and administrative expense was $22.5 million in the fiscal first quarter of 2008 and $18.9 million in the fiscal first quarter of 2007, which were 8.8% and 8.9% of total revenue, respectively. The first quarter 2008 G&A expense includes expenses associated with first quarter national advertising spending, which will be offset through the remainder of the year.
Interest expense was $2.3 million in both the fiscal first quarter of 2008 and first quarter of 2007.
Net income for the fiscal first quarter of 2008 was $7.3 million or $0.43 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $7.5 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, in the fiscal first quarter of 2007.
Outlook
For the fiscal second quarter of 2008, which is a twelve week quarter, the Company expects to open seven to eight new company-owned restaurants with the franchisees opening one to two new franchised restaurants. Four company-owned and one new franchised restaurant have already opened during the fiscal second quarter of 2008 and 13 company-owned and 5 franchise restaurants are currently under construction. In fiscal 2008, the Company plans to open 30 to 32 new company-owned units, while franchisees are expected to open between nine and 11 new restaurants.
For the 2008 fiscal year, which is a 52-week year, the Company now expects revenues of $905 to $918 million and net income of $2.04 to $2.23 per diluted share, up from prior fiscal year 2008 revenue projections of $880 to $893 million and net income of $2.00 to $2.20 per diluted share. These updated projected fiscal year 2008 results are also based upon certain assumptions, including an expected comparable restaurant sales increase of approximately 2.5% to 4%, including the Company's late March 2008 price increase of approximately 0.5%, and an anticipated late-June price increase of approximately 2.7%. The updated fiscal year 2008 financial guidance includes the impact from the acquisitions of 15 Red Robin franchised restaurants, including acquisition-related expenses.
The Company's 2008 annual financial guidance includes the national advertising campaign that is being funded by company-owned and franchised restaurants. Total 2008 spending is expected to be approximately $18.0 million to $19.0 million -- up from $11.5 million in fiscal year 2007 -- which will continue to be funded by a national advertising fund, whereby each restaurant in the system, company-owned and franchised, is contributing approximately 1.5% of their restaurant revenue in fiscal year 2008. The 2008 advertising campaign began on February 4, 2008, and will run for 24 weeks ending in mid November 2008.
Investor Conference Call and Webcast
Red Robin will host an investor conference call to discuss its first quarter 2008 results today at 5:00 p.m. ET. The conference call number is (888) 740-6143. To access the webcast, please visit www.redrobin.com and select the "Investors" link from the menu. The quarterly financial information that we intend to discuss during the conference call is included in this press release and will be available on the "Investors" link of the Company's website at www.redrobin.com following the conference call.
About Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (NASDAQ: RRGB)
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (www.redrobin.com), a casual dining restaurant chain founded in 1969 that operates through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Red Robin International, Inc., serves up wholesome, fun, feel-good experiences in a kid- and family-friendly environment. Red Robin(R) restaurants are famous for serving more than two dozen insanely delicious, high-quality gourmet burgers in a variety of recipes with Bottomless Steak Fries(R), as well as salads, soups, appetizers, entrees, desserts, and signature Mad Mixology(R) Beverages. There are more than 390 Red Robin(R) restaurants located across the United States and Canada, including corporate-owned locations and those operating under franchise agreements.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain information and statements contained in this press release, including those under the heading "Outlook", are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, intentions, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance and underlying assumptions and other statements which are other than statements of historical facts. These statements may be identified, without limitation, by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "anticipation," "assumptions" "believes," "continue," "expects," "guidance", "plan," "projected," or comparable terms or the negative thereof. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof. Such statements speak only as of the date hereof and we undertake no obligation to update any such statement to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date hereof. These statements are based on assumptions believed by us to be reasonable, and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: our ability to achieve and manage our planned expansion, including both in new markets and existing markets; our ability to successfully integrate the acquired franchise restaurants; changes in general economic conditions, consumer preferences, or consumer discretionary spending; the concentration of our restaurants in the Western United States and the associated disproportionate impact of macroeconomic factors; changes in the availability and costs of food; changes in labor and energy costs; labor shortages, particularly in new markets; lack of awareness of our brand in new markets; higher percentage of operating weeks from non-comparable restaurants; concentration of less mature restaurants in the comp restaurant base which impacts profitability; the ability of our franchisees to open and manage new restaurants; the continued effectiveness of our initiative to normalize new restaurant operations; the continued effectiveness of our advertising strategy; potential fluctuation in our quarterly operating results due to seasonality, increases in costs and other factors; the effect of increased competition in the casual dining market; health concerns about our food products and food preparation; our ability to protect our intellectual property and proprietary information; the impact of federal, state or local government regulations relating to our team members or the sale of food or alcoholic beverages; our franchisees' adherence to our practices, policies and procedures; changes in availability of capital or credit facility borrowings; and other risk factors described from time to time in the Company's 10-Q and 10-K filings with the SEC.
RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share amounts)
(Unaudited)
April 20, 2008 December 30, 2007
-------------- -----------------
Assets:
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $17,028 $12,914
Accounts receivable, net 6,607 4,751
Inventories 10,956 10,367
Prepaid expenses and other current
assets 7,831 9,246
Income tax receivable 4,622 4,760
Deferred tax asset 3,159 3,159
Restricted current assets--
marketing funds 3,656 2,095
-------------- -----------------
Total current assets 53,859 47,292
-------------- -----------------
Property and equipment, net 403,547 399,270
Goodwill 56,299 56,299
Intangible assets, net 40,119 41,059
Other assets, net 5,554 4,869
-------------- -----------------
Total assets $559,378 $548,789
============== =================
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:
Current Liabilities:
Trade accounts payable $14,954 $9,263
Construction related payables 7,534 13,416
Accrued payroll and payroll related
liabilities 25,450 29,146
Unredeemed gift certificates 8,688 10,789
Accrued liabilities 22,440 19,404
Accrued liabilities--marketing
funds 3,656 2,095
Current portion of term loan notes
payable 11,250 11,250
Current portion of long-term debt
and capital lease obligations 606 558
-------------- -----------------
Total current liabilities 94,578 95,921
-------------- -----------------
Deferred rent 22,769 21,728
Long-term portion of term loan notes
payable 130,313 133,125
Other long-term debt and capital
lease obligations 11,749 8,813
Other non-current liabilities 4,730 4,760
-------------- -----------------
Total liabilities 264,139 264,347
-------------- -----------------
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock; $0.001 par value:
30,000,000 shares authorized;
16,851,385 and 16,793,057 shares
issued and outstanding 17 17
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value:
3,000,000 shares authorized; no
shares issued and outstanding -- --
Treasury stock, 11,517 shares, at
cost (83) (83)
Paid-in capital 159,788 156,928
Accumulated other comprehensive
income, net of tax 684 --
Retained earnings 134,833 127,580
-------------- -----------------
Total stockholders' equity 295,239 284,442
-------------- -----------------
Total liabilities and stockholders'
equity $559,378 $548,789
============== =================
RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(In thousands, except share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Sixteen Weeks Ended
-----------------------------
April 20, April 22,
2008 2007
--------------- -------------
Revenues:
Restaurant revenue $250,902 $207,057
Franchise and royalty fees 4,634 5,218
Rent revenue 57 50
--------------- -------------
Total revenues 255,593 212,325
--------------- -------------
Costs and expenses:
Restaurant operating costs:
Cost of sales 59,348 47,035
Labor 85,139 71,002
Operating 42,506 34,056
Occupancy 16,002 13,253
Depreciation and amortization 14,849 12,289
General and administrative 22,475 18,933
Pre-opening costs 2,563 2,479
--------------- -------------
Total costs and expenses 242,882 199,047
--------------- -------------
Income from operations 12,711 13,278
Other expense:
Interest expense, net 2,296 2,299
Other 13 4
--------------- -------------
Total other expenses 2,309 2,303
--------------- -------------
Income before income taxes 10,402 10,975
Provision for income taxes 3,149 3,512
--------------- -------------
Net income $7,253 $7,463
=============== =============
Earnings per share:
Basic $0.43 $0.45
=============== =============
Diluted $0.43 $0.44
=============== =============
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic 16,736 16,609
=============== =============
Diluted 16,946 16,775
=============== =============
RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Sixteen Weeks Ended
-----------------------
April 20, April 22,
2008 2007
----------- -----------
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income $ 7,253 $ 7,463
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 14,849 12,289
Stock-based compensation expense 1,828 1,768
Other, net 82 92
Changes in operating assets and
liabilities 3,884 4,675
----------- -----------
Cash provided by operating activities 27,896 26,287
----------- -----------
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Changes in marketing fund restricted cash 26 (749)
Acquisition of franchise restaurants, net
of cash acquired of $21 and $0,
respectively (1,097) --
Purchases of property and equipment (23,627) (27,737)
----------- -----------
Cash used in investing activities (24,698) (28,486)
----------- -----------
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Borrowings of long-term debt 3,000 16,000
Payments of long-term debt (2,812) (10,365)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and
employee stock purchase plan 773 845
Excess tax benefit related to exercise of
stock options 128 213
Payments of other debt and capital lease
obligations (173) (162)
----------- -----------
Cash provided by financing activities 916 6,531
----------- -----------
Net change in cash and cash equivalents 4,114 4,332
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of
period 12,914 2,762
----------- -----------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 17,028 $ 7,094
=========== ===========
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow
Information:
Income taxes paid $ 90 $ 891
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized 2,273 3,316
Supplemental Disclosure of Non-Cash Items:
Increases (decreases) of property and
equipment purchased on account $ (5,882)$ 1,262
Capital lease obligations incurred for
equipment purchases 156 --
Unrealized gain on cash flow hedge, net of
tax 684 --
Schedule I
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Restaurant-Level Operating Profit to
Income from Operations and Net Income
The Company defines restaurant-level operating profit to be restaurant revenues minus restaurant-level operating costs, excluding restaurant closures and impairment costs in the event closure or impairment charges are incurred. It does not include general and administrative costs, depreciation and amortization, franchise development costs and pre-opening costs. The Company believes that restaurant-level operating profit is an important measure of financial performance because it is widely regarded in the restaurant industry as a useful metric by which to evaluate restaurant-level operating efficiency and performance. The Company excludes restaurant closure costs as they do not represent a component of the efficiency of continuing operations. Restaurant impairment costs are excluded, because, similar to depreciation and amortization, they represent a non-cash charge for the Company's investment in its restaurants and not a component of the efficiency of restaurant operations. Restaurant-level operating profit is not a measurement determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and should not be considered in isolation, or as an alternative, to income from operations or net income as indicators of financial performance. Restaurant-level operating profit as presented may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. The table below sets forth certain unaudited information for the sixteen weeks ended April 20, 2008 and April 22, 2007, expressed as a percentage of total revenues, except for the components of restaurant operating costs, which are expressed as a percentage of restaurant revenues.
Sixteen Weeks Ended
------------------------------------
April 20, 2008 April 22, 2007
Restaurant revenues $250,902 98.2% $207,057 97.5%
Restaurant operating costs:
Cost of sales 59,348 23.7 47,035 22.7
Labor 85,139 33.9 71,002 34.3
Operating 42,506 16.9 34,056 16.4
Occupancy 16,002 6.4 13,253 6.4
--------- -------- -------- --------
Restaurant-level operating profit 47,907 19.1 41,711 20.1
--------- -------- -------- --------
Add - other revenues 4,691 1.8 5,268 2.5
Deduct - other operating:
Depreciation and amortization 14,849 5.8 12,289 5.8
General and administrative 22,475 8.8 18,933 8.9
Pre-opening costs 2,563 1.0 2,479 1.2
--------- -------- -------- --------
Total other operating 39,887 15.6 33,701 15.9
--------- -------- -------- --------
Income from operations 12,711 5.0 13,278 6.3
Total other expenses 2,309 0.9 2,303 1.1
Provision for income taxes 3,149 1.2 3,512 1.7
--------- -------- -------- --------
Total other 5,458 2.1 5,815 2.7
Net income $7,253 2.9% $7,463 3.5%
========= ======== ======== ========
Certain percentage amounts in the table above do not sum due to rounding as well as the fact that restaurant operating costs are expressed as a percentage of restaurant revenues, as opposed to total revenues.
Source: Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc.
Released May 20, 2008