EX-99.1 2 q32024ex991earningspressre.htm EX-99.1 Document

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DENNY’S CORPORATION REPORTS RESULTS FOR THIRD QUARTER 2024
AND HOSTS INVESTOR DAY TODAY


SPARTANBURG, S.C., October 22, 2024 - Denny’s Corporation (the "Company") (NASDAQ: DENN), owner and operator of Denny's Inc. ("Denny's") and Keke's Inc. ("Keke's") today reported results for its third quarter ended September 25, 2024 and provided a business update on the Company’s operations.

Kelli Valade, Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Our third quarter sales results directly reflect ongoing brand investments and dedicated focus on value that resulted in outpacing the category. Denny’s domestic system-wide same-restaurant sales** outperformed the BBI Family Dining index for the third consecutive quarter driven by the relaunch of our fan favorite $2-$4-$6-$8 value menu and the continued expansion of off-premises with our third virtual brand, Banda Burrito. Keke’s also experienced significant sequential improvement in same-restaurant sales** as our initiatives to enact foundational marketing strategies and expand the alcohol program continued our efforts to close the gap to the competitive set. We are also very excited to be hosting an Investor Day today.”

Beginning at 9:00am EST this morning, the Company will be hosting an Investor Day in New York, as well as a live webcast, to detail strategic initiatives to build on its third quarter progress and ensure long-term financial opportunities for its brands. The investor day will highlight the Company’s plan to grow average unit volume sales, margins and the portfolio, while balancing capital allocations to maximize shareholder returns.


Third Quarter 2024 Highlights(1)

Total operating revenue was $111.8 million compared to $114.2 million for the prior year quarter.
Denny's domestic system-wide same-restaurant sales** were (0.1%) compared to the equivalent fiscal period in 2023, including (0.1%) at domestic franchised restaurants and (0.4%) at company restaurants.
Opened two Denny's domestic franchised restaurants.
Completed six Denny's remodels, including three company remodels.
Operating income was $11.7 million compared to $14.0 million for the prior year quarter.
Adjusted franchise operating margin* was $30.1 million, or 51.0% of franchise and license revenue, and Adjusted company restaurant operating margin* was $6.2 million, or 11.8% of company restaurant sales.
Net income was $6.5 million, or $0.12 per diluted share.
Adjusted net income* and adjusted net income per share* were $7.2 million and $0.14, respectively.
Adjusted EBITDA* was $20.0 million.

(1) Beginning fiscal 2024, the Company has evolved its definition of non-GAAP measures. Please see the definitions, explanations, and reconciliations further in this release.






1


Third Quarter 2024 Results

Total operating revenue was $111.8 million compared to $114.2 million for the prior year quarter.

Franchise and license revenue was $59.1 million compared to $61.0 million for the prior year quarter. This change was primarily driven by a decrease in initial and other fees associated with the sale of kitchen equipment in the prior year quarter, and decreases in equivalent units and franchise occupancy revenue, partially offset by an increase in franchise advertising revenue primarily related to higher local advertising co-op contributions for the current quarter.

Company restaurant sales were $52.7 million compared to $53.2 million for the prior year quarter primarily driven by four fewer Denny's equivalent units, including three refranchised units, partially offset by three additional Keke's equivalent units for the current quarter.

Adjusted franchise operating margin* was $30.1 million, or 51.0% of franchise and license revenue, compared to $31.1 million, or 51.0% for the prior year quarter. This margin change was primarily driven by the impact of fewer equivalent units on royalty revenues and lease terminations.

Adjusted company restaurant operating margin* was $6.2 million, or 11.8% of company restaurant sales, compared to $7.6 million, or 14.3% for the prior year quarter. This margin change was primarily due to investments in marketing and higher occupancy costs, including general liability insurance costs, for the current quarter.

Total general and administrative expenses were $19.8 million compared to $18.2 million in the prior year quarter. This change was primarily due to an increase in corporate administration expense.

The provision for income taxes was $1.5 million, reflecting an effective tax rate of 18.5% for the current quarter.

Net income was $6.5 million, or $0.12 per diluted share. Adjusted net income* per share was $0.14.

The Company ended the quarter with $272.0 million of total debt outstanding, including $261.0 million of borrowings under its credit facility.

Capital Allocation

The Company invested $7.8 million in cash capital expenditures, which included Keke's new development and Denny's company remodels.

During the quarter, the Company allocated $1.8 million to share repurchases resulting in approximately $89.2 million remaining under its existing repurchase authorization.











2


Business Outlook

The following full year 2024 expectations reflect management's expectations that the current consumer and economic environment will not change materially, as well as the Company's strategic initiative to accelerate the closure of lower volume Denny's restaurants.

Denny's domestic system-wide same-restaurant sales** between (1%) and 0% (vs. between (1%) and 1%).
Consolidated restaurant openings of 30 to 40, including 12 to 16 new Keke's restaurants, with a consolidated net decline of 45 to 55 (vs. 20 to 30).
Commodity inflation of approximately 2% (vs. between 0% and 2%).
Labor inflation between 3% and 4%.
Total general and administrative expenses between $82 million and $85 million, including approximately $11 million related to share-based compensation expense which does not impact Adjusted EBITDA*.
Adjusted EBITDA* between $81 million and $84 million (vs. between $83 million and $87 million).

*    Please refer to the Reconciliation of Net Income to Non-GAAP Financial Measures, as well as the Reconciliation of Operating Income to Non-GAAP Financial Measures included in the tables below. The Company is not able to reconcile the forward-looking non-GAAP estimate set forth above to its most directly comparable U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) estimates without unreasonable efforts because it is unable to predict, forecast or determine the probable significance of the items impacting these estimates, including gains, losses and other charges, with a reasonable degree of accuracy. Accordingly, the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP estimate is not provided.

**     Same-restaurant sales include sales at company restaurants and non-consolidated franchised and licensed restaurants that were open during the comparable periods noted. Total operating revenue is limited to company restaurant sales and royalties, advertising revenue, initial and other fees and occupancy revenue from non-consolidated franchised and licensed restaurants. Accordingly, domestic franchise same-restaurant sales and domestic system-wide same-restaurant sales should be considered as a supplement to, not a substitute for, the Company's results as reported under GAAP.


Conference Call and Webcast Information

The Company will provide further commentary on the results for the third quarter ended September 25, 2024 and its investor day on a webcast today, Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Interested parties are invited to listen to the webcast accessible through the Company's investor relations website at investor.dennys.com.

About Denny's Corporation

Denny’s Corporation is one of America’s largest full-service restaurant chains based on number of restaurants. As of September 25, 2024, the Company consisted of 1,586 restaurants, 1,514 of which were franchised and licensed restaurants and 72 of which were company operated.

The Company consists of the Denny’s brand and the Keke’s brand. As of September 25, 2024, the Denny's brand consisted of 1,525 global restaurants, 1,464 of which were franchised and licensed restaurants and 61 of which were company operated. As of September 25, 2024, the Keke's brand consisted of 61 restaurants, 50 of which were franchised restaurants and 11 of which were company operated.

For further information on Denny's Corporation, including news releases, links to SEC filings, and other financial information, please visit investor.dennys.com.


3


Non-GAAP Definition Changes

The Company has evolved its definition of non-GAAP financial measures starting in fiscal 2024 to provide more clarity and comparability relative to peers. Denny's Corporation management uses certain non-GAAP measures in analyzing operating performance and believes that the presentation of these measures provides investors and analysts with information that is beneficial to gaining an understanding of the Company's financial results. Non-GAAP disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for financial results determined in accordance with GAAP.

The Company excludes legal settlement expenses, pre-opening expenses, and other items management does not consider in the evaluation of its ongoing core operating performance from adjusted operating margin*, adjusted net income*, adjusted net income per share*, and adjusted EBITDA*. In addition, the Company no longer deducts cash payments for restructuring and exit costs, or cash payments for share-based compensation from Adjusted EBITDA*. Lastly, the Company has transitioned to utilizing GAAP cash flows included in its SEC filed documents in lieu of a non-GAAP financial measure.

Reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures are included in the tables of this press release and a recast of historical non-GAAP financial measures can be found on the Company's website, or its most recent investor presentation.

Cautionary Language Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The Company urges caution in considering its current trends and any outlook on earnings disclosed in this press release. In addition, certain matters discussed in this release may constitute forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements, which reflect management's best judgment based on factors currently known, are intended to speak only as of the date such statements are made and involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual performance of Denny’s Corporation, its subsidiaries, and underlying restaurants to be materially different from the performance indicated or implied by such statements. Words such as “expect”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “intend”, “plan”, “hope”, "will", and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Except as may be required by law, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Factors that could cause actual performance to differ materially from the performance indicated by these forward-looking statements include, among others: economic, public health and political conditions that impact consumer confidence and spending, commodity and labor inflation; the ability to effectively staff restaurants and support personnel; the Company's ability to maintain adequate levels of liquidity for its cash needs, including debt obligations, payment of dividends, planned share repurchases and capital expenditures as well as the ability of its customers, suppliers, franchisees and lenders to access sources of liquidity to provide for their own cash needs; competitive pressures from within the restaurant industry; the Company's ability to integrate and derive the expected benefits from its acquisition of Keke's Breakfast Cafe; the level of success of the Company’s operating initiatives and advertising and promotional efforts; adverse publicity; health concerns arising from food-related pandemics, outbreaks of flu viruses or other diseases; changes in business strategy or development plans; terms and availability of capital; regional weather conditions; overall changes in the general economy (including with regard to energy costs), particularly at the retail level; political environment and geopolitical events (including acts of war and terrorism); and other factors from time to time set forth in the Company’s SEC reports and other filings, including but not limited to the discussion in Management’s Discussion and Analysis and the risks identified in Item 1A. Risk Factors contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 27, 2023 (and in the Company’s subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K).


Investor Contact:    877-784-7167

Media Contact:    864-597-8005
4


DENNY’S CORPORATION
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
($ in thousands)9/25/2412/27/23
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents$1,466 $4,893 
Investments2,902 1,281 
Receivables, net17,038 21,391 
Inventories1,835 2,175 
Assets held for sale— 1,455 
Prepaid and other current assets10,610 12,855 
Total current assets33,851 44,050 
Property, net101,532 93,494 
Finance lease right-of-use assets, net6,411 6,098 
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net121,169 116,795 
Goodwill66,357 65,908 
Intangible assets, net92,112 93,428 
Deferred financing costs, net1,225 1,702 
Other noncurrent assets38,966 43,343 
Total assets$461,623 $464,818 
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Current finance lease liabilities$1,457 $1,383 
Current operating lease liabilities15,076 14,779 
Accounts payable14,685 24,070 
Other current liabilities56,474 63,068 
Total current liabilities87,692 103,300 
Long-term liabilities  
Long-term debt261,000 255,500 
Noncurrent finance lease liabilities9,540 9,150 
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities117,390 114,451 
Liability for insurance claims, less current portion7,160 6,929 
Deferred income taxes, net4,619 6,582 
Other noncurrent liabilities28,705 31,592 
Total long-term liabilities428,414 424,204 
Total liabilities516,106 527,504 
Shareholders' deficit
Common stock533 529 
Paid-in capital13,129 6,688 
Deficit(7,009)(21,784)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net(43,445)(41,659)
Treasury stock(17,691)(6,460)
Total shareholders' deficit(54,483)(62,686)
Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit$461,623 $464,818 
Debt Balances
Credit facility revolver due 2026$261,000 $255,500 
Finance lease liabilities10,997 10,533 
Total debt$271,997 $266,033 
5


DENNY’S CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
Quarter Ended
($ in thousands, except per share amounts)9/25/249/27/23
Revenue:
Company restaurant sales$52,701 $53,153 
Franchise and license revenue59,058 61,030 
Total operating revenue111,759 114,183 
Costs of company restaurant sales, excluding depreciation and amortization46,820 45,893 
Costs of franchise and license revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization28,999 29,810 
General and administrative expenses19,831 18,237 
Depreciation and amortization3,622 3,605 
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net746 2,620 
Total operating costs and expenses, net100,018 100,165 
Operating income11,741 14,018 
Interest expense, net4,571 4,381 
Other nonoperating (income) expense, net(824)43 
Income before income taxes7,994 9,594 
Provision for income taxes1,478 1,686 
Net income$6,516 $7,908 
Net income per share - basic$0.12 $0.14 
Net income per share - diluted$0.12 $0.14 
Basic weighted average shares outstanding52,148 55,869 
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding52,207 56,082 
Comprehensive (loss) income$(2,468)$20,469 
General and Administrative Expenses
Corporate administrative expenses$15,875 $14,580 
Share-based compensation3,006 2,864 
Incentive compensation447 1,049 
Deferred compensation valuation adjustments503 (256)
Total general and administrative expenses$19,831 $18,237 

6


DENNY’S CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
Three Quarters Ended
($ in thousands, except per share amounts)9/25/249/27/23
Revenue:
Company restaurant sales$159,391 $161,486 
Franchise and license revenue178,269 187,083 
Total operating revenue337,660 348,569 
Costs of company restaurant sales, excluding depreciation and amortization142,516 138,953 
Costs of franchise and license revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization89,801 92,657 
General and administrative expenses61,539 58,515 
Depreciation and amortization10,938 10,878 
Goodwill impairment charges20 — 
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net1,984 2,467 
Total operating costs and expenses, net306,798 303,470 
Operating income30,862 45,099 
Interest expense, net13,564 13,288 
Other nonoperating (income) expense, net(1,685)9,470 
Income before income taxes18,983 22,341 
Provision for income taxes4,208 5,298 
Net income$14,775 $17,043 
Net income per share - basic$0.28 $0.30 
Net income per share - diluted$0.28 $0.30 
Basic weighted average shares outstanding52,635 56,764 
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding52,739 56,973 
Comprehensive income$12,989 $31,980 
General and Administrative Expenses
Corporate administrative expenses$46,843 $43,919 
Share-based compensation8,406 8,477 
Incentive compensation4,868 5,335 
Deferred compensation valuation adjustments1,422 784 
Total general and administrative expenses$61,539 $58,515 
7


DENNY’S CORPORATION
Reconciliation of Net Income to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(Unaudited)

The Company believes that, in addition to GAAP measures, certain non-GAAP financial measures are useful information to investors and analysts to assist in the evaluation of operating performance on a period-to-period basis. However, non-GAAP measures should be considered as a supplement to, not a substitute for, operating income, net income, and net income per share, or other financial performance measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Company uses adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted net income per share internally as performance measures for planning purposes, including the preparation of annual operating budgets, and for compensation purposes, including incentive compensation for certain employees. These non-GAAP measures are adjusted for certain items the Company does not consider in the evaluation of its ongoing core operating performance. These adjustments are either non-recurring in nature or vary from period to period without correlation to the Company's ongoing core operating performance.

Quarter EndedThree Quarters Ended
($ in thousands, except per share amounts)
9/25/249/27/239/25/249/27/23
Net income$6,516 $7,908 $14,775 $17,043 
Provision for income taxes1,478 1,686 4,208 5,298 
Goodwill impairment charges— — 20 — 
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net
746 2,620 1,984 2,467 
Other nonoperating (income) expense, net(824)43 (1,685)9,470 
Share-based compensation expense3,006 2,864 8,406 8,477 
Deferred compensation plan valuation adjustments503 (256)1,422 784 
Interest expense, net4,571 4,381 13,564 13,288 
Depreciation and amortization3,622 3,605 10,938 10,878 
Legal settlement expenses152 245 1,809 475 
Pre-opening expenses209 105 766 130 
Other adjustments40 (78)2,532 (75)
Adjusted EBITDA$20,019 $23,123 $58,739 $68,235 
Net income$6,516 $7,908 $14,775 $17,043 
Losses and amortization on interest rate swap derivatives, net194 94 502 10,838 
Losses (gains) on sales of assets and other charges, net(88)(88)(2,132)
Impairment charges (1)
78 1,711 812 1,840 
Legal settlement expenses152 245 1,809 475 
Pre-opening expenses209 105 766 130 
Other adjustments40 (78)2,532 (75)
Tax effect (2)
(4)(237)(1,406)(2,581)
Adjusted net income$7,191 $9,660 $19,702 $25,538 
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding52,207 56,082 52,739 56,973 
Net income per share - diluted$0.12 $0.14 $0.28 $0.30 
Adjustments per share0.02 0.03 0.09 0.15 
Adjusted net income per share$0.14 $0.17 $0.37 $0.45 

(1)Impairment charges include goodwill impairment charges of less than $0.1 million for the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2024.
(2)Tax adjustments for the quarter and year-to-date period ended September 25, 2024 reflect effective tax rates of 0.6% and 22.2%, respectively. Tax adjustments for the quarter and year-to-date period ended September 27, 2023 reflect effective tax rates of 11.9% and 23.3%, respectively.




8


DENNY’S CORPORATION
Reconciliation of Operating Income to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(Unaudited)

The Company believes that, in addition to GAAP measures, certain other non-GAAP financial measures are useful information to investors and analysts to assist in the evaluation of restaurant-level operating efficiency and performance of ongoing restaurant-level operations. However, non-GAAP measures should be considered as a supplement to, not a substitute for, operating income, net income, and net income per share, or other financial performance measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Company uses restaurant-level operating margin, company restaurant operating margin and franchise operating margin internally as performance measures for planning purposes, including the preparation of annual operating budgets, and for compensation purposes, including incentive compensation for certain employees.

Restaurant-level operating margin is the total of company restaurant operating margin and franchise operating margin and excludes: (i) general and administrative expenses, which include primarily non-restaurant-level costs associated with support of company and franchised restaurants and other activities at their corporate office; (ii) depreciation and amortization expense, substantially all of which is related to company restaurant-level assets, because such expenses represent historical sunk costs which do not reflect current cash outlays for the restaurants; (iii) special items, included within operating (gains), losses and other charges, net, to provide investors with a clearer perspective of its ongoing operating performance and a more relevant comparison to prior period results.

Company restaurant operating margin is defined as company restaurant sales less costs of company restaurant sales (which include product costs, company restaurant level payroll and benefits, occupancy costs, and other operating costs including utilities, repairs and maintenance, marketing and other expenses) and presents it as a percent of company restaurant sales. Adjusted company operating restaurant margin is defined as company restaurant operating margin less certain items such as legal settlement expenses, pre-opening expenses, and other items the Company does not consider in the evaluation of its ongoing core operating performance.

Franchise operating margin is defined as franchise and license revenue (which includes franchise royalties and other non-food and beverage revenue streams such as initial franchise and other fees, advertising revenue and occupancy revenue) less costs of franchise and license revenue and presents it as a percent of franchise and license revenue. Adjusted franchise operating margin is defined as franchise operating margin less certain items the Company does not consider in the evaluation of its ongoing core operating performance.

Adjusted restaurant-level operating margin is the total of adjusted company restaurant operating margin and adjusted franchise operating margin and is defined as restaurant-level operating margin adjusted for certain items the Company does not consider in the evaluation of its ongoing core operating performance. These adjustments are either non-recurring in nature or vary from period to period without correlation to the Company's ongoing core operating performance.

Quarter EndedThree Quarters Ended
($ in thousands)9/25/249/27/239/25/249/27/23
Operating income$11,741 $14,018 $30,862 $45,099 
General and administrative expenses19,831 18,237 61,539 58,515 
Depreciation and amortization3,622 3,605 10,938 10,878 
Goodwill impairment charges— — 20 — 
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net746 2,620 1,984 2,467 
  Restaurant-level operating margin$35,940 $38,480 $105,343 $116,959 
Restaurant-level operating margin consists of:
 Company restaurant operating margin (1)
$5,881 $7,260 $16,875 $22,533 
 Franchise operating margin (2)
30,059 31,220 88,468 94,426 
  Restaurant-level operating margin$35,940 $38,480 $105,343 $116,959 
    Adjustments (3)
401 272 5,107 530 
  Adjusted restaurant-level operating margin$36,341 $38,752 $110,450 $117,489 
(1)Company restaurant operating margin is calculated as operating income plus general and administrative expenses; depreciation and amortization; operating (gains), losses and other charges, net; and costs of franchise and license revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization; less franchise and license revenue.
(2)Franchise operating margin is calculated as operating income plus general and administrative expenses; depreciation and amortization; operating (gains), losses and other charges, net; and costs of company restaurant sales, excluding depreciation and amortization; less company restaurant sales.
(3)Adjustments include legal settlement expenses, pre-opening costs, and other adjustments the Company does not consider in the evaluation of its ongoing core operating performance. Adjustments for the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2024 include a $2.6 million distribution to franchisees related to a review of advertising costs.
9


DENNY’S CORPORATION
Operating Margins
(Unaudited)
Quarter Ended
($ in thousands)9/25/249/27/23
Company restaurant operations: (1)
Company restaurant sales$52,701 100.0 %$53,153 100.0 %
Costs of company restaurant sales, excluding depreciation and amortization:
Product costs13,611 25.8 %13,587 25.6 %
Payroll and benefits19,838 37.6 %19,754 37.2 %
Occupancy4,443 8.4 %4,085 7.7 %
Other operating costs:
Utilities1,959 3.7 %2,120 4.0 %
Repairs and maintenance964 1.8 %996 1.9 %
Marketing1,859 3.5 %1,393 2.6 %
Legal settlements152 0.3 %245 0.5 %
Pre-opening costs209 0.4 %105 0.2 %
Other direct costs3,785 7.2 %3,608 6.8 %
Total costs of company restaurant sales, excluding depreciation and amortization$46,820 88.8 %$45,893 86.3 %
Company restaurant operating margin (non-GAAP) (2)
$5,881 11.2 %$7,260 13.7 %
Adjustments (3)
3610.7 %3500.7 %
Adjusted company restaurant operating margin (non-GAAP) (2)
$6,242 11.8 %$7,610 14.3 %
Franchise operations: (4)
Franchise and license revenue:
Royalties$29,101 49.3 %$29,703 48.7 %
Advertising revenue20,172 34.2 %19,297 31.6 %
Initial and other fees1,639 2.8 %3,388 5.6 %
Occupancy revenue8,146 13.8 %8,642 14.2 %
Total franchise and license revenue$59,058 100.0 %$61,030 100.0 %
Costs of franchise and license revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization:
Advertising costs$20,172 34.2 %$19,297 31.6 %
Occupancy costs5,256 8.9 %5,389 8.8 %
Other direct costs3,571 6.0 %5,124 8.4 %
Total costs of franchise and license revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization$28,999 49.1 %$29,810 48.8 %
Franchise operating margin (non-GAAP) (2)
$30,059 50.9 %$31,220 51.2 %
Adjustments (3)
40 0.1 %(78)(0.1)%
Adjusted franchise operating margin (non-GAAP) (2)
$30,099 51.0 %$31,142 51.0 %
Total operating revenue (5)
$111,759 100.0 %$114,183 100.0 %
Total costs of operating revenue (5)
75,819 67.8 %75,703 66.3 %
Restaurant-level operating margin (non-GAAP) (5)
$35,940 32.2 %$38,480 33.7 %
(1)As a percentage of company restaurant sales.
(2)Other operating expenses such as general and administrative expenses and depreciation and amortization relate to both company and franchise operations and are not allocated to costs of company restaurant sales and costs of franchise and license revenue. As such, operating margin and adjusted operating margin are considered non-GAAP financial measures and should be considered as a supplement to, not as a substitute for, operating income, net income or other financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.
(3)Adjustments include legal settlement expenses, pre-opening costs, and other adjustments the Company does not consider in the evaluation of its ongoing core operating performance.
(4)As a percentage of franchise and license revenue.
(5)As a percentage of total operating revenue.
10


DENNY’S CORPORATION
Operating Margins
(Unaudited)
Three Quarters Ended
($ in thousands)9/25/249/27/23
Company restaurant operations: (1)
Company restaurant sales$159,391 100.0 %$161,486 100.0 %
Costs of company restaurant sales, excluding depreciation and amortization:
Product costs40,554 25.4 %41,796 25.9 %
Payroll and benefits60,805 38.1 %60,482 37.5 %
Occupancy13,687 8.6 %12,259 7.6 %
Other operating costs:
Utilities5,309 3.3 %6,037 3.7 %
Repairs and maintenance2,977 1.9 %2,667 1.7 %
Marketing5,339 3.3 %4,207 2.6 %
Legal settlements1,809 1.1 %475 0.3 %
Pre-opening costs766 0.5 %130 0.1 %
Other direct costs11,270 7.1 %10,900 6.7 %
Total costs of company restaurant sales, excluding depreciation and amortization$142,516 89.4 %$138,953 86.0 %
Company restaurant operating margin (non-GAAP) (2)
$16,875 10.6 %$22,533 14.0 %
Adjustments (3)
2,575 1.6 %605 0.4 %
Adjusted company restaurant operating margin (non-GAAP) (2)
$19,450 12.2 %$23,138 14.3 %
Franchise operations: (4)
Franchise and license revenue:
Royalties$88,421 49.6 %$90,106 48.2 %
Advertising revenue59,098 33.2 %58,818 31.4 %
Initial and other fees5,903 3.3 %10,994 5.9 %
Occupancy revenue24,847 13.9 %27,165 14.5 %
Total franchise and license revenue$178,269 100.0 %$187,083 100.0 %
Costs of franchise and license revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization:
Advertising costs$59,098 33.2 %$58,818 31.4 %
Occupancy costs15,482 8.7 %16,853 9.0 %
Other direct costs15,221 8.5 %16,986 9.1 %
Total costs of franchise and license revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization$89,801 50.4 %$92,657 49.5 %
Franchise operating margin (non-GAAP) (2)
$88,468 49.6 %$94,426 50.5 %
Adjustments (3)
2,532 1.4 %(75)0.0 %
Adjusted franchise operating margin (non-GAAP) (2)
$91,000 51.0 %$94,351 50.4 %
Total operating revenue (5)
$337,660 100.0 %$348,569 100.0 %
Total costs of operating revenue (5)
232,317 68.8 %231,610 66.4 %
Restaurant-level operating margin (non-GAAP) (5)
$105,343 31.2 %$116,959 33.6 %
(1)As a percentage of company restaurant sales.
(2)Other operating expenses such as general and administrative expenses and depreciation and amortization relate to both company and franchise operations and are not allocated to costs of company restaurant sales and costs of franchise and license revenue. As such, operating margin and adjusted operating margin are considered non-GAAP financial measures and should be considered as a supplement to, not as a substitute for, operating income, net income or other financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.
(3)Adjustments include legal settlement expenses, pre-opening costs, and other adjustments the Company does not consider in the evaluation of its ongoing core operating performance. Adjustments for the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2024 include a $2.6 million distribution to franchisees related to a review of advertising costs.
(4)As a percentage of franchise and license revenue.
(5)As a percentage of total operating revenue.
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DENNY’S CORPORATION
Statistical Data
(Unaudited)
Denny'sKeke's
Changes in Same-Restaurant Sales (1)
Quarter EndedThree Quarters EndedQuarter EndedThree Quarters Ended
(Increase (decrease) vs. prior year)9/25/249/27/239/25/249/27/239/25/249/27/239/25/249/27/23
Company Restaurants(0.4)%(1.4)%(2.0%)4.1%(1.7)%(3.4)%(2.4%)(3.4)%
Domestic Franchise Restaurants(0.1)%2.1%(0.6%)4.3%(0.9)%(5.3)%(3.2%)(5.3)%
Domestic System-wide Restaurants(0.1)%1.8%(0.7%)4.3%(1.0)%(5.0)%(3.1%)(5.0)%
Average Unit Sales
($ in thousands)
Company Restaurants$771$755$2,288$2,303$423$429$1,323$1,354
Franchised Restaurants$465$458$1,395$1,376$439$430$1,368$1,397
(1)
Same-restaurant sales include sales at company restaurants and non-consolidated franchised and licensed restaurants that were open during the comparable periods noted. Total operating revenue is limited to company restaurant sales and royalties, advertising revenue, initial and other fees and occupancy revenue from non-consolidated franchised and licensed restaurants. Accordingly, domestic franchise same-restaurant sales and domestic system-wide same-restaurant sales should be considered as a supplement to, not a substitute for, the Company's results as reported under GAAP.

Restaurant Unit ActivityDenny's
Keke's
FranchisedFranchised
Company & LicensedTotalCompany& LicensedTotal
Ending Units June 26, 202464 1,477 1,541 11 51 62 
Units Opened— — — — 
Units Refranchised(3)— — — — 
Units Closed— (18)(18)— (1)(1)
Net Change(3)(13)(16)— (1)(1)
Ending Units September 25, 202461 1,464 1,525 11 50 61 
Equivalent Units
Third Quarter 202462 1,470 1,532 11 50 61 
Third Quarter 202366 1,523 1,589 48 56 
Net Change(4)(53)(57)
Ending Units December 27, 202365 1,508 1,573 50 58 
Units Opened— 10 10 — 
Units Refranchised(3)— (1)— 
Units Closed(1)(57)(58)— (1)(1)
Net Change(4)(44)(48)— 
Ending Units September 25, 202461 1,464 1,525 11 50 61 
Equivalent Units
Year-to-Date 202463 1,485 1,548 10 50 60 
Year-to-Date 202365 1,525 1,590 47 55 
Net Change(2)(40)(42)
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