Papa Johns Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Financial Results
Full year 2021 total company revenues of $2.1 billion, up 14.1% over 2020
Papa John’s International, Inc. (Nasdaq: PZZA) today announced financial results for the three months and full year ended December 26, 2021.
Fourth quarter 2021 highlights compared to prior year fourth quarter
- Total company revenues of $528.9 million, up 12.6% over 2020
- Comparable sales up 11.1% in North America and 2.4% Internationally; Global system-wide restaurant sales of $1.2 billion, up 13.1% from 2020 (excluding the impact of foreign currency)
- Earnings per diluted share grew 139% to $0.67; Adjusted earnings per diluted share grew 88% to $0.75
- Repurchased $52 million of common stock during the fourth quarter, completing the previous $75 million share repurchase authorization
Full year 2021 highlights compared to prior year
- Total company revenues of $2.1 billion, up 14.1% over 2020
- Comparable sales up by 11.8% in North America and 13.0% Internationally; Global system-wide restaurant sales of $4.8 billion, up 15.4% from 2020 (excluding the impact of foreign currency)
- 250 net unit openings driven by continued domestic and international growth
- Earnings per diluted share of $0.12, including Special items of $3.39 per share, largely related to repurchase and conversion of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock
- Adjusted earnings per diluted share grew to $3.51 from $1.40 in 2020
- Cash flow from operations of $184.7 million and free cash flow of $109.7 million for full year 2021
“In 2021 Papa Johns achieved strong comparable sales growth and industry outperformance for a second consecutive year, driving 15% system-wide sales gains and demonstrating our ability to sustain growth, even during one of the most uncertain and difficult business environments we have ever seen,” said President & CEO Rob Lynch. “On a two-year basis, comparable sales rose 29% in North America and 26% internationally last quarter, as our innovation culture continued to deliver high-value, premium products that customers love, such as Epic Stuffed Crust and New York Style pizza. With North America average annual unit sales exceeding $1.1 million and 2021 adjusted EPS of $3.51, a company record, I’m proud to say that we also delivered great value to our franchisees and shareholders.”
Mr. Lynch continued, “While the current labor and commodity environment presents great challenges across the restaurant industry and the economy as a whole, we have been able to continue growing and protect margins thanks to Papa Johns differentiated strategy, premium position and our dedicated franchisees and team members, especially in our restaurants and vertically integrated supply chain. In addition, Papa Johns development momentum is at an all-time high. In one of our best years, we opened 250 net new units in 2021 and since last summer we have signed multiple historic development deals for the brand, including most recently for 1,350 new stores in southern China. In short, Papa Johns long-term growth outlook has never been brighter.”
Financial Highlights
Three Months Ended | Year Ended | ||||||||||||||||||
In thousands, except per share amounts | Dec. 26, 2021 | Dec. 27, 2020 | Increase | Dec. 26, 2021 | Dec. 27, 2020 | Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||||
Revenue | $ | 528,885 | $ | 469,811 | $ | 59,074 | $ | 2,068,421 | $ | 1,813,234 | $ | 255,187 | |||||||
Operating income | 38,165 | 19,698 | 18,467 | 168,241 | 90,253 | 77,988 | |||||||||||||
Net income | 24,623 | 13,167 | 11,456 | 120,016 | 57,932 | 62,084 | |||||||||||||
Diluted earnings per share | 0.67 | 0.28 | 0.39 | 0.12 | 1.28 | (1.16 | ) | ||||||||||||
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (a) | 0.75 | 0.40 | 0.35 | 3.51 | 1.40 | 2.11 |
(a) | Adjusted diluted earnings per share is a non-GAAP measure that excludes “Special items,” which impact comparability. Special items include strategic corporate reorganization costs associated with the company’s new office in Atlanta, Georgia of $3.7 million and $13.1 million for the three months and year ended December 26, 2021, and $6.0 million for the three months and year ended December 27, 2020, respectively. For the year ended December 26, 2021, Special items also include $109.9 million of one-time charges associated with the repurchase and conversion of all shares of the company’s Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series B Preferred Stock”) during the second quarter. The reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial results is included in “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below. |
Quarterly Results
Consolidated revenues of $528.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 increased $59.1 million, or 12.6%, compared to the fourth quarter of the prior year primarily as a result of comparable sales increases of 11.1% and 2.4% for North America and International restaurants, respectively, which benefited from our menu innovation and growth strategies and higher customer retention from our customer rewards program which drove higher company-owned restaurant revenues, franchise royalties and commissary sales.
Consolidated operating income of $38.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2021 increased $18.5 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2020. The increase reflects stronger consolidated revenue from higher comparable sales and year-over-year restaurant unit growth internationally. These benefits more than offset an increase in expenses, including higher labor costs as a result of labor shortages in the market and higher commodity costs associated with our supply chain.
Diluted earnings per share was $0.67 for the fourth quarter of 2021 representing an increase of $0.39 over the fourth quarter of 2020. Excluding the impact of Special items, adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.75 representing an increase of $0.35 over the fourth quarter of 2020.
Full Year Results
Consolidated revenues increased 14.1% to $2.1 billion for the year ended December 26, 2021, compared to the prior year, primarily due to higher comparable sales which benefited each of the company’s operating segments. Consolidated operating income increased $78.0 million for the year ended December 26, 2021 ($85.1 million excluding Special items), compared to the prior year, primarily due to double-digit comparable sales growth and strong net unit growth domestically and internationally.
For the year ended December 26, 2021, diluted earnings per share was $0.12 representing a decrease of $1.16 over the prior year period. Diluted earnings per share includes a $3.10 diluted impact from the repurchase and conversion of all shares of Series B Preferred Stock in the second quarter of 2021, which reflects the excess of the one-time cash payment over the carrying value of the Series B Preferred Stock. Excluding Special items, adjusted diluted earnings per share was $3.51 representing an increase of $2.11 over the prior year.
See the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for additional information concerning our operating results for the year ended December 26, 2021.
Global Restaurant Sales Information
Global restaurant and comparable sales information for the three months and full year ended December 26, 2021, compared to the three months and full year ended December 27, 2020 are as follows (See “Supplemental Information and Financial Statements” below for related definitions):
Three Months Ended | Year Ended | ||||||
Dec. 26, 2021 | Dec. 27, 2020 | Dec. 26, 2021 | Dec. 27, 2020 | ||||
Comparable sales growth: | |||||||
Domestic company-owned restaurants | 10.2% | 10.2% | 11.3% | 14.2% | |||
North America franchised restaurants | 11.3% | 14.5% | 12.0% | 18.6% | |||
North America restaurants | 11.1% | 13.5% | 11.8% | 17.6% | |||
International restaurants | 2.4% | 21.4% | 13.0% | 12.6% | |||
Total comparable sales growth | 8.6% | 15.6% | 12.1% | 16.3% | |||
System-wide restaurant sales growth: | |||||||
(excluding the impact of foreign currency) | |||||||
Domestic company-owned restaurants | 10.9% | 8.0% | 11.1% | 7.5% | |||
North America franchised restaurants | 12.7% | 13.7% | 13.0% | 18.7% | |||
North America restaurants | 12.3% | 12.4% | 12.6% | 16.0% | |||
International restaurants | 15.2% | 24.8% | 24.4% | 15.5% | |||
Total global system-wide restaurant sales growth | 13.1% | 15.4% | 15.4% | 15.9% |
Global Restaurant Unit Data
As of December 26, 2021, there were 5,650 Papa John’s restaurants operating in 50 countries and territories, as follows:
Domestic Company- owned | Franchised North America | Total North America | International | System-wide | |||||
Fourth Quarter | |||||||||
Beginning - September 26, 2021 | 591 | 2,732 | 3,323 | 2,246 | 5,569 | ||||
Opened | 9 | 17 | 26 | 94 | 120 | ||||
Closed | - | (10 | ) | (10 | ) | (29 | ) | (39 | ) |
Ending - December 26, 2021 | 600 | 2,739 | 3,339 | 2,311 | 5,650 | ||||
Net unit growth | 9 | 7 | 16 | 65 | 81 | ||||
Year-to-Date | |||||||||
Beginning - December 27, 2020 | 588 | 2,701 | 3,289 | 2,111 | 5,400 | ||||
Opened | 11 | 74 | 85 | 304 | 389 | ||||
Closed | - | (35 | ) | (35 | ) | (104 | ) | (139 | ) |
Acquired | 1 | - | 1 | - | 1 | ||||
Sold | - | (1 | ) | (1 | ) | - | (1 | ) | |
Ending - December 26, 2021 | 600 | 2,739 | 3,339 | 2,311 | 5,650 | ||||
Full year net store growth | 12 | 38 | 50 | 200 | 250 |
Free Cash Flow
The company’s free cash flow (a non-GAAP financial measure defined as net cash provided by operating activities, less purchases of property and equipment and dividends paid to preferred shareholders) was as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended | ||||||||
Dec. 26, | Dec. 27, | |||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 184,675 | $ | 186,439 | ||||
Purchases of property and equipment (1) | (68,559 | ) | (35,652 | ) | ||||
Dividends paid to preferred shareholders (2) | (6,394 | ) | (13,649 | ) | ||||
Free cash flow | $ | 109,722 | $ | 137,138 |
(1) | Increase of $32.9 million primarily driven by investment in growth, including technology and development initiatives. |
(2) | Excludes cash consideration of $188.6 million paid for the repurchase and conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock in the second quarter of 2021. |
2022 Outlook
Given on-going uncertainty surrounding the future impact of COVID-19, and especially the Omicron variant, we are not providing comprehensive outlook metrics for 2022 at this time.
Three Months Ended | Year Ended | |||||||||||||||
Dec. 26, | Dec. 27, | Dec. 26, | Dec. 27, | |||||||||||||
(In thousands, except per share amounts) | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||
(Note) | (Note) | |||||||||||||||
GAAP operating income | $ | 38,165 | $ | 19,698 | $ | 168,241 | $ | 90,253 | ||||||||
Strategic corporate reorganization costs (1) | 3,730 | 5,985 | 13,094 | 5,985 | ||||||||||||
Adjusted operating income | $ | 41,895 | $ | 25,683 | $ | 181,335 | $ | 96,238 | ||||||||
GAAP net income attributable to common shareholders | $ | 24,389 | $ | 9,319 | $ | 4,073 | $ | 41,737 | ||||||||
Strategic corporate reorganization costs (1) | 3,730 | 5,985 | 13,094 | 5,985 | ||||||||||||
Repurchase and conversion of Series B Preferred Stock (2) | - | - | 109,852 | - | ||||||||||||
Tax effect of strategic corporate reorganization costs (3) | (839 | ) | (1,346 | ) | (2,946 | ) | (1,346 | ) | ||||||||
Two-class impact for Non-GAAP adjustment to net income (4) | - | (658 | ) | - | (662 | ) | ||||||||||
Adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders | $ | 27,280 | $ | 13,300 | $ | 124,073 | $ | 45,714 | ||||||||
GAAP diluted earnings per common share | $ | 0.67 | $ | 0.28 | $ | 0.12 | $ | 1.28 | ||||||||
Strategic corporate reorganization costs (1) | 0.10 | 0.18 | 0.37 | 0.18 | ||||||||||||
Repurchase and conversion of Series B Preferred Stock (2) | - | - | 3.10 | - | ||||||||||||
Tax effect of strategic corporate reorganization costs (3) | (0.02 | ) | (0.04 | ) | (0.08 | ) | (0.04 | ) | ||||||||
Two-class impact for Non-GAAP adjustment to net income (4) | - | (0.02 | ) | - | (0.02 | ) | ||||||||||
Adjusted diluted earnings per common share | $ | 0.75 | $ | 0.40 | $ | 3.51 | $ | 1.40 |
(Note) The above table does not include the impact of the allocation of undistributed earnings to participating securities for Special items in 2021. | |
(1) | Represents strategic corporate reorganization costs associated with our new office in Atlanta, Georgia. |
(2) | Represents the one-time charge related to the repurchase and conversion of all shares of Series B Preferred Stock and includes related professional fees incurred as part of the transaction. |
(3) | The tax effect for strategic corporate reorganization costs was calculated by applying the marginal tax rate of 22.5%. There was no tax effect on the repurchase and conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock as the one-time charge was non-deductible for tax purposes. |
(4) | Represents an adjustment to the allocation of undistributed earnings to participating securities for the strategic corporate reorganization costs. |
Papa John's International, Inc. and Subsidiaries | ||||||||
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets | ||||||||
December 26, | December 27, | |||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||
Assets | ||||||||
Current assets: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 70,610 | $ | 130,204 | ||||
Accounts receivable, net | 81,370 | 90,135 | ||||||
Notes receivable, current portion | 12,352 | 11,318 | ||||||
Income tax receivable | 9,386 | 1,273 | ||||||
Inventories | 34,981 | 30,265 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 46,310 | 43,212 | ||||||
Total current assets | 255,009 | 306,407 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net | 223,856 | 200,895 | ||||||
Finance lease right-of-use assets, net | 20,907 | 16,840 | ||||||
Operating lease right-of-use assets | 176,256 | 148,110 | ||||||
Notes receivable, less current portion, net | 35,504 | 36,538 | ||||||
Goodwill | 80,632 | 80,791 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes | 5,156 | 10,800 | ||||||
Other assets | 88,384 | 72,389 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 885,704 | $ | 872,770 | ||||
Liabilities, Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, Redeemable noncontrolling interests and Stockholders' deficit | ||||||||
Current liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 28,092 | $ | 37,370 | ||||
Income and other taxes payable | 19,996 | 10,263 | ||||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 190,116 | 174,563 | ||||||
Current deferred revenue | 21,700 | 19,590 | ||||||
Current finance lease liabilities | 4,977 | 3,545 | ||||||
Current operating lease liabilities | 22,543 | 23,538 | ||||||
Current portion of long-term debt | - | 20,000 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 287,424 | 288,869 | ||||||
Deferred revenue | 13,846 | 13,664 | ||||||
Long-term finance lease liabilities | 16,580 | 13,531 | ||||||
Long-term operating lease liabilities | 160,672 | 124,666 | ||||||
Long-term debt, less current portion, net | 480,730 | 328,292 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes | 258 | 948 | ||||||
Other long-term liabilities | 93,154 | 111,364 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 1,052,664 | 881,334 | ||||||
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock | — | 251,901 | ||||||
Redeemable noncontrolling interests | 5,498 | 6,474 | ||||||
Total Stockholders' deficit | (172,458 | ) | (266,939 | ) | ||||
Total liabilities, Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, Redeemable noncontrolling interests and Stockholders' deficit | $ | 885,704 | $ | 872,770 | ||||
Note: The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets have been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements, but do not include all information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for a complete set of financial statements. |
Papa John's International, Inc. and Subsidiaries | ||||||||||||||||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations | ||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Year Ended | |||||||||||||||
December 26, 2021 | December 27, 2020 | December 26, 2021 | December 27, 2020 | |||||||||||||
(In thousands, except per share amounts) | (Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
Domestic company-owned restaurant sales | $ | 193,381 | $ | 174,440 | $ | 778,323 | $ | 700,757 | ||||||||
North America franchise royalties and fees | 32,187 | 27,837 | 129,310 | 96,732 | ||||||||||||
North America commissary revenues | 200,562 | 176,414 | 761,305 | 680,793 | ||||||||||||
International revenues | 40,142 | 36,371 | 150,771 | 123,963 | ||||||||||||
Other revenues | 62,613 | 54,749 | 248,712 | 210,989 | ||||||||||||
Total revenues | 528,885 | 469,811 | 2,068,421 | 1,813,234 | ||||||||||||
Costs and expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
Operating costs (excluding depreciation and amortization shown separately below): | ||||||||||||||||
Domestic company-owned restaurant expenses | 156,213 | 144,717 | 621,871 | 563,799 | ||||||||||||
North America commissary expenses | 185,312 | 164,261 | 703,622 | 630,937 | ||||||||||||
International expenses | 24,495 | 21,219 | 87,286 | 73,994 | ||||||||||||
Other expenses | 58,228 | 52,085 | 226,320 | 200,304 | ||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses | 54,486 | 55,562 | 212,265 | 204,242 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 11,986 | 12,269 | 48,816 | 49,705 | ||||||||||||
Total costs and expenses | 490,720 | 450,113 | 1,900,180 | 1,722,981 | ||||||||||||
Operating income | 38,165 | 19,698 | 168,241 | 90,253 | ||||||||||||
Investment income | 530 | 436 | 1,912 | 2,131 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense | (6,548 | ) | (4,097 | ) | (19,205 | ) | (17,022 | ) | ||||||||
Income before income taxes | 32,147 | 16,037 | 150,948 | 75,362 | ||||||||||||
Income tax expense | 6,606 | 2,764 | 25,993 | 14,748 | ||||||||||||
Net income before attribution to noncontrolling interests | 25,541 | 13,273 | 124,955 | 60,614 | ||||||||||||
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | (918 | ) | (106 | ) | (4,939 | ) | (2,682 | ) | ||||||||
Net income attributable to the company | $ | 24,623 | $ | 13,167 | $ | 120,016 | $ | 57,932 | ||||||||
Calculation of net income for earnings per share: | ||||||||||||||||
Net income attributable to the company | $ | 24,623 | $ | 13,167 | $ | 120,016 | $ | 57,932 | ||||||||
Dividends on redemption of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock | — | — | (109,852 | ) | — | |||||||||||
Dividends paid to participating securities | (127 | ) | (3,513 | ) | (6,091 | ) | (14,059 | ) | ||||||||
Net income attributable to participating securities | (107 | ) | (335 | ) | — | (2,136 | ) | |||||||||
Net income attributable to common shareholders | $ | 24,389 | $ | 9,319 | $ | 4,073 | $ | 41,737 | ||||||||
Basic earnings per common share | $ | 0.67 | $ | 0.29 | $ | 0.12 | $ | 1.29 | ||||||||
Diluted earnings per common share | $ | 0.67 | $ | 0.28 | $ | 0.12 | $ | 1.28 | ||||||||
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding | 36,171 | 32,698 | 35,007 | 32,421 | ||||||||||||
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding | 36,513 | 32,981 | 35,337 | 32,717 | ||||||||||||
Dividends declared per common share | $ | 0.350 | $ | 0.225 | $ | 1.150 | $ | 0.900 |
Papa John's International, Inc. and Subsidiaries | ||||||||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | ||||||||
Year Ended | ||||||||
(In thousands) | December 26, 2021 | December 27, 2020 | ||||||
Operating activities | ||||||||
Net income before attribution to noncontrolling interests | $ | 124,955 | $ | 60,614 | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||||||||
Benefit for allowance for credit losses on accounts and notes receivable | (852 | ) | (4,734 | ) | ||||
Depreciation and amortization | 48,816 | 49,705 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes | 3,753 | (9,268 | ) | |||||
Stock-based compensation expense | 16,919 | 16,310 | ||||||
Other | 581 | 2,257 | ||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions: | ||||||||
Accounts receivable | 4,023 | (22,420 | ) | |||||
Income tax receivable | (8,113 | ) | 3,760 | |||||
Inventories | (4,708 | ) | (2,736 | ) | ||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 2,866 | 2,884 | ||||||
Other assets and liabilities | (20,077 | ) | 20,879 | |||||
Accounts payable | (9,278 | ) | 8,229 | |||||
Income and other taxes payable | 9,733 | 2,664 | ||||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 15,875 | 59,353 | ||||||
Deferred revenue | 182 | (1,058 | ) | |||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 184,675 | 186,439 | ||||||
Investing activities | ||||||||
Purchases of property and equipment | (68,559 | ) | (35,652 | ) | ||||
Notes issued | (16,132 | ) | (16,589 | ) | ||||
Repayments of notes issued | 18,555 | 11,154 | ||||||
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired | (699 | ) | — | |||||
Other | 3,323 | 16 | ||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (63,512 | ) | (41,071 | ) | ||||
Financing activities | ||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes | 400,000 | — | ||||||
Repayments of term loan | (340,000 | ) | (20,000 | ) | ||||
Net proceeds of revolving credit facilities | 80,000 | — | ||||||
Debt issuance costs | (9,179 | ) | — | |||||
Repurchase of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock | (188,647 | ) | — | |||||
Acquisition of Company common stock | (72,499 | ) | (2,701 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from exercise of stock options | 11,969 | 30,622 | ||||||
Dividends paid to common stockholders | (40,356 | ) | (29,362 | ) | ||||
Dividends paid to preferred stockholders | (6,394 | ) | (13,649 | ) | ||||
Tax payments for equity award issuances | (5,847 | ) | (3,974 | ) | ||||
Distributions to noncontrolling interests | (5,942 | ) | (2,420 | ) | ||||
Other | (3,631 | ) | (1,977 | ) | ||||
Net cash used in financing activities | (180,526 | ) | (43,461 | ) | ||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (231 | ) | 386 | |||||
Change in cash and cash equivalents | (59,594 | ) | 102,293 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 130,204 | 27,911 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 70,610 | $ | 130,204 |