Brinker International Reports Year-Over-Year Increase In Second Quarter EPS

Earnings per diluted share, excluding special items, increased 9.9 percent to $0.78 compared to $0.71 for the second quarter of fiscal 2015

Jan 21, 2016 - 13:33

Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:  EAT) yesterday announced results for the fiscal second quarter ended Dec. 23, 2015.

Highlights include the following:

  • Earnings per diluted share, excluding special items, increased 9.9 percent to $0.78 compared to $0.71 for the second quarter of fiscal 2015 
  • On a GAAP basis, earnings per diluted share increased 25.0 percent to $0.80 compared to $0.64 for the second quarter of fiscal 2015 
  • Brinker International total revenues increased 6.2 percent to $788.6 million and company sales increased 6.7 percent to $765.7 million attributable to the 103 restaurants acquired with the Pepper Dining transaction in the first quarter of fiscal 2016 
  • Chili's company-owned comparable restaurant sales decreased 2.8 percent 
  • Maggiano's comparable restaurant sales decreased 1.8 percent 
  • Chili's franchise comparable restaurant sales increased 0.9 percent which includes a 2.6 percent increase for international franchise restaurants, partially offset by a 0.1 percent decrease for U.S. franchise restaurants 
  • Restaurant operating margin,1 as a percent of company sales, declined approximately 30 basis points to 16.1 percent compared to 16.4 percent for the second quarter of fiscal 2015 
  • For the first six months of fiscal 2016, cash flows provided by operating activities were $155.6 million and capital expenditures totaled $52.2 million. Free cash flow2 was approximately $103.4 million
  • The company repurchased approximately 1.9 million shares of its common stock for $89.0 million in the second quarter and a total of approximately 2.8 million shares for $140.1 million year-to-date 
  • The company declared a dividend of 32 cents per share to be paid in the third quarter, representing a 14.3% increase over the prior year 
  • The company reaffirms earnings per diluted share, excluding special items, to increase 15 to 18 percent in fiscal 2016 in the range of $3.55 to $3.65

"Our second quarter earnings reflect solid performance despite top-line challenges," said Wyman Roberts, chief executive officer and president. "We believe our current initiatives will improve sales during the remainder of the fiscal year and help deliver our annual earnings guidance."

1 Restaurant operating margin is defined as Company sales less Cost of sales, Restaurant Labor and Restaurant expenses. Restaurant operating margin is widely regarded in the restaurant industry as a useful metric by which to evaluate restaurant-level operating efficiency and performance. Restaurant operating margin is not a measurement determined in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered in isolation, or as an alternative, to operating income or other similarly titled measures of other companies.

2 Free cash flow is defined as cash flows provided by operating activities less capital expenditures.

 

Table 1: Q2 comparable restaurant sales
Company-owned, reported brands and franchise; percentage








Q2 16


Q2 15

Brinker International


(2.6)


3.7

  Chili's Company-Owned1





     Comparable Restaurant Sales


(2.8)


4.0

     Pricing Impact2


0.8


1.7

     Mix-Shift2


0.4


0.6

     Traffic2


(4.0)


1.7

  Maggiano's





     Comparable Restaurant Sales


(1.8)


2.3

     Pricing Impact2


2.3


2.4

     Mix-Shift2


(1.2)


(1.6)

     Traffic2


(2.9)


1.5






Chili's Franchise3


0.9


3.2

  U.S. Comparable Restaurant Sales


(0.1)


4.9

  International Comparable Restaurant Sales


2.6


(0.5)






Chili's Domestic4


(2.1)


4.2

System-wide5


(1.6)


3.5







1

Chili's company-owned comparable restaurant sales includes 103 Chili's restaurants acquired from a franchisee in the first quarter of fiscal 2016.

2

Reclassifications have been made between pricing impact, mix-shift and traffic in the prior year to conform with current year classification.

3

Revenues generated by franchisees are not included in revenues on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income; however, we generate royalty revenue and advertising fees based on franchisee revenues, where applicable. We believe including franchise comparable restaurant sales provides investors information regarding brand performance that is relevant to current operations and may impact future restaurant development.

4

Chili's Domestic comparable restaurant sales percentages are derived from sales generated by company-owned and franchise operated Chili's restaurants in the United States.

5

System-wide comparable restaurant sales are derived from sales generated by company-owned Chili's and Maggiano's restaurants in addition to the sales generated at franchise operated restaurants.

 

Quarterly Operating Performance

CHILI'S second quarter company sales increased 8.1 percent to $651.0 million from $602.0 million in the prior year primarily due to an increase in restaurant capacity resulting from the acquisition of 103 Chili's restaurants on June 25, 2015, partially offset by a decline in comparable restaurant sales. As compared to the prior year, Chili's restaurant operating margin1 declined primarily due to the impact of the recently acquired restaurants. Cost of sales, as a percent of company sales, was positively impacted by favorable menu pricing and commodity pricing related to burger meat, cheese, seafood, and avocados, partially offset by unfavorable menu item mix and commodity pricing primarily related to steak and chicken. Restaurant expenses, as a percent of company sales, increased slightly due to higher repairs and maintenance and rent expenses, partially offset by decreased advertising, workers' compensation insurance expenses and operations supervision expenses. Restaurant labor, as a percent of company sales, increased compared to the prior year due to higher wage rates, partially offset by lower incentive bonus and productivity initiatives.

MAGGIANO'S second quarter company sales decreased 0.9 percent to $114.7 million from $115.8 million in the prior year primarily due to a decline in comparable restaurant sales. As compared to the prior year, Maggiano's restaurant operating margin1 improved. Cost of sales, as a percent of company sales, was positively impacted by menu item changes, increased menu pricing and favorable commodity pricing. Restaurant expenses, as a percent of company sales, increased compared to prior year due to higher preopening and repair and maintenance expenses, partially offset by lower advertising expenses. Restaurant labor, as a percent of company sales, increased compared to prior year due to higher wage rates.

1 Restaurant operating margin is defined as Company sales less Cost of sales, Restaurant labor and Restaurant expenses.  Restaurant operating margin is widely regarded in the restaurant industry as a useful metric by which to evaluate restaurant-level operating efficiency and performance. Restaurant operating margin is not a measurement determined in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered in isolation, or as an alternative, to operating income or other similarly titled measures of other companies.

FRANCHISE AND OTHER revenues decreased 8.8 percent to $22.9 million for the second quarter compared to $25.1 million in the prior year driven primarily by a decrease in royalty revenues resulting from the acquisition of 103 Chili's restaurants from a former franchisee. Brinker franchisees generated approximately $338 million in sales2 for the second quarter of fiscal 2016.

2Royalty revenues are recognized based on the sales generated and reported to the company by franchisees.

Other

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $3.0 million for the quarter primarily due to depreciation on acquired restaurants, asset replacements and new restaurant openings, partially offset by an increase in fully depreciated assets.

General and administrative expense decreased approximately $0.8 million primarily due to lower performance-based compensation, partially offset by the termination of accounting and information technology support fees resulting from the acquisition of 103 Chili's restaurants.

On a GAAP basis, the effective income tax rate increased to 30.1 percent in the current quarter from 29.7 percent in the prior year quarter.  The effective income tax rate increased due to higher profits, partially offset by an increase in the FICA Tip Credit and the positive impact of the resolution of certain tax positions. Excluding the impact of special items, the effective income tax rate increased to 31.3 percent in the current quarter compared to 30.7 percent in the prior year quarter.  The effective income tax rate increased due to higher profits, partially offset by an increase in the FICA Tip Credit.

Non-GAAP Reconciliation

Brinker believes excluding special items from its financial results provides investors with a clearer perspective of the company's ongoing operating performance and a more relevant comparison to prior period results.

 

Table 2: Reconciliation of net income excluding special items
Q2 16 and Q2 15; $ millions and $ per diluted share after-tax












Q2 16


EPS Q2 16


Q2 15


EPS Q2 15

Net Income


47.7


0.80


41.3


0.64

     Other (Gains) and Charges, net of taxes1


0.0


0.0


5.1


0.07

     Adjustment for tax items2


(0.8)


(0.02)



Net Income excluding Special Items


46.9


0.78


46.4


0.71



1

Pre-tax Other gains and charges included a gain of $0.1 million and a charge of $8.3 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively. See footnote "b" to the consolidated statements of comprehensive income for additional details.

2

Discrete tax items result from the resolution of certain tax positions which directly impacts tax expense.

 

Guidance Policy

Brinker provides annual guidance as it relates to comparable restaurant sales, earnings per diluted share, excluding special items, and other key line items in the statement of comprehensive income and will only provide updates if there is a material change versus the original guidance. Consistent with prior practice, management will not discuss intra-period sales or other key operating results not yet reported as the limited data may not accurately reflect the final results of the period or quarter referenced.

About Brinker

Brinker International, Inc. is one of the world's leading casual dining restaurant companies. Founded in 1975 and based in Dallas, Texas, as of Dec. 23, 2015, Brinker owned, operated, or franchised 1,646 restaurants under the names Chili's® Grill & Bar (1,595 restaurants) and Maggiano's Little Italy® (51 restaurants).

 

BRINKER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)








Thirteen Week Periods Ended


Twenty-Six Week Periods Ended



Dec. 23, 2015


Dec. 24, 2014


Dec. 23, 2015


Dec. 24, 2014

Revenues:









Company sales


$

765,672



$

717,768



$

1,506,153



$

1,404,632


Franchise and other revenues (a)



22,938




25,130




45,016




49,284


Total revenues


788,610



742,898



1,551,169



1,453,916


Operating costs and expenses:









Company restaurants (excluding depreciation and amortization)









Cost of sales


203,799



193,762



400,402



378,547


Restaurant labor


247,596



227,733



494,173



455,009


Restaurant expenses


190,660



178,898



379,833



354,436


Company restaurant expenses


642,055



600,393



1,274,408



1,187,992


Depreciation and amortization


39,114



36,072



78,285



71,614


General and administrative


31,909



32,660



65,020



65,294


Other gains and charges (b)


(87)



8,291



1,590



9,224


Total operating costs and expenses


712,991



677,416



1,419,303



1,334,124


Operating income


75,619



65,482



131,866



119,792


Interest expense


7,907



7,349



15,674



14,348


Other, net


(560)



(611)



(833)



(1,114)


Income before provision for income taxes


68,272



58,744



117,025



106,558


Provision for income taxes


20,578



17,438



36,124



32,514


Net income


$

47,694



$

41,306



$

80,901



$

74,044











Basic net income per share


$

0.81



$

0.65



$

1.35



$

1.15











Diluted net income per share


$

0.80



$

0.64



$

1.34



$

1.13











Basic weighted average shares outstanding


59,198



63,590



59,712



64,129











Diluted weighted average shares outstanding


59,899



64,963



60,553



65,613











Other comprehensive loss:









Foreign currency translation adjustment (c)


$

(460)



$

(3,529)



$

(3,265)



$

(4,336)


Other comprehensive loss


(460)



(3,529)



(3,265)



(4,336)


Comprehensive income


$

47,234



$

37,777



$

77,636



$

69,708













(a)   

Franchise and other revenues primarily includes royalties, development fees, franchise fees, banquet service charge income, gift card activity (breakage and discounts), tabletop device revenue, Chili's retail food product royalties and delivery fee income. 



(b)   

Other gains and charges include:

 


Thirteen Week Periods Ended


Twenty-Six Week Periods Ended


Dec. 23, 2015


Dec. 24, 2014


Dec. 23, 2015


Dec. 24, 2014

Litigation

$

(2,032)



$

5,800



$

(2,032)



$

5,800


Restaurant impairment charges

468



747



525



747


Severance

209





2,368




Acquisition costs





580




Loss (Gain) on the sale of assets, net



1,069



(1,762)



1,093


Restaurant closure charges



509





1,381


Impairment of liquor licenses



175





175


Other

1,268



(9)



1,911



28



$

(87)



$

8,291



$

1,590



$

9,224


(c)   

The foreign currency translation adjustment included in comprehensive income on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income represents the unrealized impact of translating the financial statements of the Canadian restaurants and the Mexican joint venture from their respective functional currencies to U.S. dollars. This amount is not included in net income and would only be realized upon disposition of the businesses.

 

BRINKER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)








Dec. 23, 2015


June 24, 2015






ASSETS





Current assets


$

253,938



$

189,717


Net property and equipment (a)


1,071,232



1,032,044


Total other assets


254,714



214,112


Total assets


$

1,579,884



$

1,435,873


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT





Current installments of long-term debt


$

3,605



$

3,439


Other current liabilities


445,405



415,036


Long-term debt, less current installments


1,156,493



970,825


Other liabilities


139,313



125,033


Total shareholders' deficit


(164,932)



(78,460)


Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit


$

1,579,884



$

1,435,873




(a)   

At Dec. 23, 2015, the company owned the land and buildings for 191 of the 999 company-owned restaurants. The net book values of the land and buildings associated with these restaurants totaled $141.7 million and $110.7 million, respectively.

 

BRINKER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)






Twenty-Six Week Periods Ended



Dec. 23, 2015


Dec. 24, 2014

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:





Net income


$

80,901



$

74,044


Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:





Depreciation and amortization


78,285



71,614


Stock-based compensation


7,522



6,992


Restructure charges and other impairments


1,229



8,326


Net (gain) loss on disposal of assets


(274)



2,974


Changes in assets and liabilities


(12,098)



(1,485)


Net cash provided by operating activities


155,565



162,465


Cash Flows from Investing Activities:





Payments for property and equipment


(52,199)



(79,481)


Payment for purchase of restaurants


(105,577)




Proceeds from sale of assets


2,756



1,950


Net cash used in investing activities


(155,020)



(77,531)


Cash Flows from Financing Activities:





Borrowings on revolving credit facility


207,500



83,000


Purchases of treasury stock


(140,089)



(112,789)


Payments of dividends


(37,363)



(35,409)


Payments on revolving credit facility


(20,000)




Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation


4,907



10,351


Payments on long-term debt


(1,024)



(13,338)


Proceeds from issuances of treasury stock


1,691



3,975


Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities


15,622



(64,210)


Net change in cash and cash equivalents


16,167



20,724


Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period


55,121



57,685


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period


$

71,288



$

78,409


 

BRINKER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
RESTAURANT SUMMARY










Second Quarter

Openings

Fiscal 2016


Total Restaurants

Dec. 23, 2015


Projected Openings 
Fiscal 2016

Company-Owned Restaurants:







Chili's Domestic


4


935


11-13

Chili's International



13


Maggiano's


2


51


2



6


999


13-15

Franchise Restaurants:







Chili's Domestic


2


326


8-10

Chili's International


11


321


25-30



13


647


33-40

Total Restaurants:







Chili's Domestic


6


1,261


19-23

Chili's International


11


334


25-30

Maggiano's


2


51


2



19


1,646


46-55