Morton's Restaurant Group, Inc. Reports Results For Third Quarter 2009

Morton's Restaurant Group, Inc. (NYSE:MRT) today reported unaudited financial results for its fiscal 2009 third quarter ended October 4, 2009.

The three month period ended October 4, 2009 as compared to the three month period ended September 28, 2008 (13 weeks to 13 weeks)

• Revenues decreased 12.2% to $64.1 million.

• Comparable restaurant revenues for Morton's steakhouses decreased 16.8% for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 ended October 4, 2009.

• The decrease in revenues is primarily attributable to the decrease in comparable restaurant revenues. A portion of the decrease was offset by an increase in revenues from four new Morton's steakhouses opened during fiscal 2008 and two new Morton's steakhouses opened during fiscal 2009.

• The three month period ended October 4, 2009 included a charge of $1.1 million pre-tax and $0.7 million after-tax, or $0.05 per diluted share, which represents the change in the fair value of the share-based component to be issued in connection with the settlement of certain wage and hour claims that we announced in the second quarter of fiscal 2009. The Company previously reported in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 that it had recorded a charge related to the settlement of certain wage and hour and similar labor claims of approximately $10.6 million pre-tax and approximately $6.7 million after-tax, or approximately $0.42 per diluted share. A portion of these claims will be settled with the issuance of Company shares and, as a result, the portion of the liability attributed to the share-based component will be adjusted to fair value at each quarter-end, with fair value estimated based on the trading price of our common stock per share and other observable inputs, until the settlement has been approved by the court at which time a final adjustment will be recorded.

• The three month period ended September 28, 2008 included a non-cash impairment charge of $66.2 million pre-tax and $57.6 million after-tax from continuing operations and $3.6 million pre-tax and $3.1 million after-tax from discontinued operations.

• Including these unusual items, the Company's GAAP net loss from continuing operations was $(3.3) million, or $(0.21) per diluted share, for the three month period ended October 4, 2009, compared to a net loss from continuing operations of $(60.1) million, or $(3.79) per diluted share, for the three month period ended September 28, 2008.

• Excluding these unusual items, the Company's adjusted net loss from continuing operations was $(2.6) million, or $(0.16) per diluted share, for both the three month periods ended October 4, 2009 and September 28, 2008. (Please refer to the reconciliation of adjusted net income (loss) to GAAP net income (loss) in the financial tables that follow.)

The nine month period ended October 4, 2009 as compared to the nine month period ended September 28, 2008 (39 weeks to 39 weeks)

• Revenues decreased 16.8% to $203.3 million.

• Comparable restaurant revenues for Morton's steakhouses decreased 22.4% for the nine month period ended October 4, 2009.

• The decrease in revenues is primarily attributable to the decrease in comparable restaurant revenues. A portion of the decrease was offset by an increase in revenues from four new Morton's steakhouses opened during fiscal 2008 and two new Morton's steakhouses opened during fiscal 2009. The nine month period ended October 4, 2009 included three unusual items:

• The Company incurred a charge of $11.7 million pre-tax and $7.4 million after-tax, or $(0.47) per diluted share, relating to the settlement of certain wage and hour claims and similar labor claims.

• The Company incurred a first quarter charge of $0.2 million pre-tax and $0.1 million after-tax, or $0.01 per diluted share, for the partial write-off of deferred financing costs related to the amendment of the Company's senior revolving credit facility that was executed on March 4, 2009, pursuant to which the amount available under the credit facility was reduced from $115.0 million to $75.0 million, with a further reduction to $70.0 million effective December 31, 2009.

• The Company's effective tax rate for the nine month period ended October 4, 2009 was negatively impacted by a non-cash charge of $0.7 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, related to the tax treatment of the vesting of certain restricted stock awards, compared to a similar non-cash charge of $0.3 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, incurred in the nine month period ended September 28, 2008.

• The nine month period ended September 28, 2008 included a non-cash impairment charge of $66.2 million pre-tax and $57.6 million after-tax from continuing operations and $3.6 million pre-tax and $3.1 million after-tax from discontinued operations.

• Including these unusual items, the Company's GAAP net loss from continuing operations was $(10.8) million, or $(0.68) per diluted share, for the nine month period ended October 4, 2009 compared to a net loss from continuing operations of $(55.5) million, or $(3.43) per diluted share, for the nine month period ended September 28, 2008.

• Excluding these unusual items, the Company's adjusted net loss from continuing operations was $(2.6) million, or $(0.16) per diluted share, for the nine month period ended October 4, 2009, which compares to adjusted net income from continuing operations of $2.3 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, for the nine month period ended September 28, 2008.

As previously reported, Morton's revenues and results have been pressured by the continuing global recession, which has impacted guest traffic throughout the industry. Negative comparable restaurant revenues adversely impacted earnings due to the deleveraging effect on the fixed cost base.

"Over the past year we have seen unprecedented economic conditions which have impacted business travel, convention business, hotel occupancy and air travel, all of which have had a direct impact on our Morton's business," said Thomas J. Baldwin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Morton's Restaurant Group, Inc. "Throughout this period, we have taken many action steps to drive our marketing initiatives, profit enhancements and cost management programs, meeting these economic challenges head on. These steps are fully aligned with our uncompromising commitment to our guests' experience and we believe that our strong Morton's brand continues to remain well positioned for long-term growth as the economy improves. At Morton's we offer 'The Best Steak Anywhere,' the best service and the best people in the fine dining steakhouse segment and believe the best is yet to come."

Restaurants

On March 3, 2009, the Company opened a Morton's steakhouse in Mexico City, Mexico (through a joint venture) and on October 2, 2009, opened a Morton's steakhouse in Miami Beach, FL. The Company has entered into a lease to open a new Morton's steakhouse in Indian Wells, CA.

During the second quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company closed its Morton's steakhouses in Southfield, MI; Westchester, IL; and Minneapolis, MN and during the third quarter of fiscal 2009 closed its Morton's steakhouses in Columbus, OH and Vancouver, Canada and its Bertolini's restaurant in King of Prussia, PA. During fiscal 2008, the Company closed its Bertolini's restaurant in Indianapolis, IN, and its Morton's steakhouses in Kansas City, MO and in Charlotte (Southpark), NC. The Company has determined that all closed restaurants should be accounted for as discontinued operations due to the fact that the Company does not expect any further direct or indirect cash inflows from these restaurants. Accordingly, the results of operations for the closed restaurants listed above have been reclassified to discontinued operations in the statements of operations for all periods presented.

Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2009 and Revised Full Year Fiscal 2009 Financial Guidance

The current economic environment significantly increases the inherent uncertainty of guidance. Actual results could differ materially from the guidance provided herein as a result of numerous factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control and are highly dependent upon overall economic conditions. In particular, a further decrease in consumer and/or business spending in one or more of the geographic areas in which the Company operates could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's guidance. Refer to "Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements" later in this press release.

The Company currently expects fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 revenues to range between $82 million and $84 million, including decreases in comparable restaurant revenues for Morton's steakhouses of approximately 10% to 12% as compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. The Company's guidance takes into account a 13 week quarter for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 compared to a 14 week quarter for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Fourth quarter diluted net income per share from continuing operations is expected to approximate $0.22 to $0.25. This range assumes an expected effective income tax rate for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 not exceeding 45%.

The Company has revised its fiscal 2009 guidance and now expects fiscal year 2009 revenues to range between $285 million and $287 million, which reflects a decrease in comparable restaurant revenues for Morton's steakhouses of approximately 19% to 21% as compared to fiscal 2008. The Company's revenue guidance takes into account a 52 week year for fiscal 2009 compared to a 53 week year for fiscal 2008. Furthermore, fiscal 2009 will include revenue from one New Year's Eve (December 31, 2009) whereas fiscal 2008 included revenue from two New Year's Eves (December 31, 2007 in the first quarter and December 31, 2008 in the fourth quarter). Diluted net income per share from continuing operations for fiscal 2009 is expected to approximate $0.06 to $0.09. The range excludes the aforementioned charge related to the settlement of certain wage and hour and similar labor claims of $11.7 million pre-tax and $7.4 million after-tax or $0.47 per diluted share, a non-cash charge of $0.7 million or $0.04 per diluted share related to the tax treatment of the vesting of certain restricted stock awards, the partial write-off of deferred financing costs of $0.2 million pre-tax and $0.1 million after-tax or $0.01 per diluted share recorded during the first quarter of fiscal 2009 and includes the full year impact of the additional interest expense of approximately $0.7 million pre-tax and $0.4 million after-tax or $0.03 per diluted share. This range assumes an expected effective income tax rate not exceeding 38%. During fiscal 2009, the Company opened Morton's steakhouses in Mexico City and Miami Beach. In addition, during fiscal 2009, the Company has retrofit one Morton's steakhouse to include Bar 12-21.

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