EX-99 2 d508964dex99.htm EX-99 EX-99

Exhibit 99

 

LOGO

 

  Contact:    Claudia San Pedro
     Vice President of Investor
     Relations, Communications and
     Treasurer
     (405) 225-4846

SONIC DOUBLES EARNINGS PER SHARE FOR SECOND FISCAL QUARTER 2013

OKLAHOMA CITY (March 25, 2013) – Sonic Corp. (NASDAQ: SONC), the nation’s largest chain of drive-in restaurants, today announced results for the second fiscal quarter ended February 28, 2013.

Key highlights of the company’s second quarter report included:

 

   

The company’s net income per diluted share increased 100% to $0.06 in the second quarter of fiscal 2013 compared with net income per diluted share of $0.03 in the second quarter of fiscal 2012;

 

   

With one less day than prior year as a result of leap year, system-wide same-store sales were flat during the second quarter, with an increase of 1.9% at company drive-ins; excluding the impact of the extra day in 2012, system-wide same-store sales increased 1.3% and company drive-in same-store sales increased 3.3%;

 

   

Company drive-in margins improved by 140 basis points; and

 

   

The company purchased over $6 million of stock representing approximately 1% of its outstanding stock.

“Given more than a 1% negative impact from the loss of leap year day, we are pleased with our system-wide same-store sales performance,” said Clifford Hudson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We are especially pleased with the growth in same-store sales at our company drive-ins which led to a 140 basis point improvement in drive-in margins. Our innovative product pipeline and shift from local to national media expenditures are having a positive impact across our core, developing and new markets.

“In the second quarter we repaid $23.7 million of debt and increased our current share repurchase program by $15 million to $55 million. Since authorization of the current program in August of 2012, we have repurchased $25.6 million of stock representing approximately 4% of our outstanding shares.” added Hudson. “As we have done in the recent past, we will utilize the strength and flexibility of our business model to grow operating income and use our free cash flow1 to invest in our brand, opportunistically repurchase stock and pay down debt.

“In addition, over the next one to three years, initiatives such as our new point-of-sale system will complement our same-store sales initiatives to increase sales and profits. This, combined with a new lower-cost, small building prototype, will improve the return on investment of new drive-ins, encouraging increased development in fiscal 2014 and subsequent years. Our multi-layered growth strategy, comprised of same-store sales growth, operating leverage, new unit growth and effective deployment of free cash flow, is expected to drive double-digit earnings growth in the near and long term.”

 

1 

Free cash flow is defined as net income plus depreciation, amortization and stock compensation expense, less capital expenditures.


Financial Overview

For the second fiscal quarter ended February 28, 2013, the company’s net income totaled $3.6 million or $0.06 per diluted share compared with net income of $1.7 million or $0.03 per diluted share in the same period prior year. Excluding a $0.9 million tax benefit that includes the retroactive reinstatement of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) and resolution of certain tax matters, as well as a $0.5 million ($0.3 million after-tax) charge from the write-off of debt origination costs associated with the $20.0 million early extinguishment of debt, net income per diluted share was $0.05 for the second quarter of fiscal 2013.

The following non-GAAP adjustments are intended to supplement the presentation of the company’s financial results in accordance with GAAP. The company believes that the presentation of these items provides useful information to investors and management regarding the underlying business trends and the performance of the company’s ongoing operations and is helpful for period-to-period and company-to-company comparisons, which management believes will assist investors in analyzing the financial results of the company and predicting future performance.

 

     February 28, 2013     February 29, 2012                             
     Net     Diluted     Net      Diluted      Net Income     Diluted EPS  
     Income     EPS     Income      EPS      $ Change      % Change     $ Change      % Change  

Reported - GAAP

   $ 3,577      $ 0.06      $ 1,677       $ 0.03       $ 1,900         113   $ 0.03         100

After-tax loss from early extinguishment of debt

     315        0.01        —           —                

Retroactive tax benefit of WOTC and resolution of tax matters

     (857     (0.02     —           —                
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted - Non-GAAP

   $ 3,035      $ 0.05      $ 1,677       $ 0.03       $ 1,358         81   $ 0.02         67
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Company drive-in sales in the second quarter of fiscal 2013 decreased by $3.5 million compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2012 primarily as a result of the refranchising of 34 company drive-ins during the second fiscal quarter of 2012, partially offset by an increase in same-store sales.

For the first six months of fiscal 2013, net income totaled $9.7 million or $0.17 per diluted share compared with net income of $7.2 million or $0.12 per diluted share for the same period in 2012. Excluding the items outlined below, net income and net income per diluted share increased 29% and 33%, respectively.

 

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     Six Months Ended     Six Months Ended                             
     February 28, 2013     February 29, 2012                             
     Net     Diluted     Net      Diluted      Net Income     Diluted EPS  
     Income     EPS     Income      EPS      $ Change      % Change     $ Change      % Change  

Reported - GAAP

   $ 9,710      $ 0.17      $ 7,176       $ 0.12       $ 2,534         35   $ 0.05         42

After-tax loss from early extinguishment of debt

     315        0.01        —           —                

Retroactive tax benefit of WOTC and resolution of tax matters

     (743     (0.02     —           —                
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted - Non-GAAP

   $ 9,282      $ 0.16      $ 7,176       $ 0.12       $ 2,106         29   $ 0.04         33
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Company drive-in sales for the first six months of fiscal 2013 decreased by $6.8 million compared to the same period prior year primarily as a result of the refranchising of 34 company drive-ins during the second fiscal quarter of 2012 partially offset by an increase in same-store sales.

Same-Store Sales

For the second quarter ended February 28, 2013, system-wide same-store sales were flat, which was comprised of a 1.9% increase at company drive-ins and essentially flat same-store sales at franchise drive-ins. System-wide same-store sales were negatively impacted due to one less operating day in the second quarter of fiscal 2013 as a result of leap day in last year’s results. Excluding the extra day in 2012, system-wide same-store sales increased 1.3% and company drive-in same-store sales increased 3.3%.

Development

Three new franchise drive-ins were opened in the second quarter of fiscal 2013 versus 10 new franchise drive-in openings during the second quarter of fiscal 2012.

Fiscal Year 2013 Outlook

The company expects its initiatives to drive sales improvements going forward. However, uncertainty with regard to the macroeconomic environment and its impact on consumer confidence may result in sales volatility. The outlook for fiscal 2013 anticipates the following elements:

 

   

Positive same-store sales in the low single digit range;

 

   

Drive-in level margins to improve between 50 to 100 basis points;

 

   

Slightly more franchise drive-in openings than fiscal 2012;

 

   

Selling, general and administrative expenses of $17.5 to $18 million for each of the third and fourth quarters, respectively;

 

   

Depreciation and amortization of $10 to $10.5 million for each of the third and fourth quarters, respectively;

 

   

Net interest expense of approximately $28 to $28.5 million excluding the impact of the debt origination cost write-off from the $20 million early extinguishment of debt;

 

   

An income tax rate of between 37% and 38% for each of the third and fourth fiscal quarters, respectively;

 

   

Capital expenditures of $30 to $35 million which includes partial implementation of the point-of-sale system in company drive-ins and the supply chain management system; and

 

   

Free cash flow of $45 to $50 million for fiscal 2013.

 

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About Sonic

Sonic, America’s Drive-In, originally started as a hamburger and root beer stand in 1953 in Shawnee, Oklahoma called Top Hat Drive-In, and then changed its name to Sonic in 1959. The first drive-in to adopt the Sonic name is still serving customers in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Sonic has more than 3,500 drive-ins coast to coast, where approximately three million customers eat every day. For more information about Sonic Corp. and its subsidiaries, visit Sonic at www.sonicdrivein.com.

Earnings Conference Call

The company will host a conference call and online web simulcast this afternoon beginning at 5:00 p.m. ET. The conference call can be accessed live over the phone by dialing (888) 690-2878 or (913) 312-1296 for international callers. A replay will be available one hour after the call and can be accessed by dialing (877) 870-5176 or (858) 384-5517 for international callers; the conference ID is 6986684. The replay will be available until Monday, April 1, 2013. An online replay of the conference call will be available approximately two hours after the conclusion of the live broadcast. A link to this event will be available on the investor section of the company’s website, www.sonicdrivein.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements reflect management’s expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date hereof. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or underlying, these forward-looking statements are detailed in the company’s annual and quarterly report filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly release revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unforeseen events, except as required to be reported under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The tables that follow provide information regarding the number of company drive-ins, franchise drive-ins and system drive-ins in operation as of the end of the periods indicated. In addition, these tables provide information regarding franchise sales, system growth in sales, and both franchise and system average drive-in sales and change in same-store sales. System information includes both company and franchise drive-in information, which we believe is useful in analyzing the growth of our brand. While we do not record franchise drive-in sales as revenues, we believe this information is important in understanding our financial performance since we calculate and record franchise royalties based on a percentage of franchise sales. This information also is indicative of the financial health of our franchisees.

SONC-G

 

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SONIC CORP.

Unaudited Supplemental Information

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Second Quarter Ended     Six Months Ended  
     February 28,     February 29,     February 28,     February 29,  
     2013     2012     2013     2012  

Statement of Operations

        

Revenues:

        

Company Drive-In sales

   $ 83,706      $ 87,185      $ 177,162      $ 183,967   

Franchise Drive-Ins:

        

Franchise royalties and fees

     25,996        25,954        55,916        55,030   

Lease revenue

     949        1,261        2,435        2,549   

Other

     490        684        1,636        1,817   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     111,141        115,084        237,149        243,363   

Costs and expenses:

        

Company Drive-Ins:

        

Food and packaging

     23,546        24,686        50,178        52,411   

Payroll and other employee benefits

     31,448        32,740        64,913        67,824   

Other operating expenses, exclusive of depreciation
and amortization included below

     18,811        20,727        40,787        43,638   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     73,805        78,153        155,878        163,873   

Selling, general and administrative

     15,467        16,084        31,597        31,501   

Depreciation and amortization

     10,069        10,510        20,664        20,976   

Provision for impairment of long-lived assets

     —          173        —          173   

Other operating income, net

     (218     (384     (211     (462
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     99,123        104,536        207,928        216,061   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations

     12,018        10,548        29,221        27,302   

Interest expense

     7,448        7,930        15,123        15,971   

Interest income

     (168     (139     (309     (303

Loss from early extinguishment of debt

     492        —          492        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net interest expense

     7,772        7,791        15,306        15,668   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     4,246        2,757        13,915        11,634   

Provision for income taxes

     669        1,080        4,205        4,458   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 3,577      $ 1,677      $ 9,710      $ 7,176   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income per share:

        

Basic

   $ 0.06      $ 0.03      $ 0.17      $ 0.12   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

   $ 0.06      $ 0.03      $ 0.17      $ 0.12   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average shares used in calculation:

        

Basic

     55,798        60,579        56,735        61,136   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

     56,423        60,602        57,254        61,170   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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SONIC CORP.

Unaudited Supplemental Information

 

     Second Quarter Ended     Six Months Ended  
     February 28,     February 29,     February 28,     February 29,  
     2013     2012     2013     2012  

Drive-Ins in Operation

        

Company:

        

Total at beginning of period

     409        446        409        446   

Opened

     —          —          —          —     

Sold to franchisees

     —          (34     —          (34

Closed (net of re-openings)

     (4     —          (4     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total at end of period

     405        412        405        412   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Franchise:

        

Total at beginning of period

     3,140        3,109        3,147        3,115   

Opened

     3        10        4        12   

Acquired from company

     —          34        —          34   

Closed (net of re-openings)

     (22     (15     (30     (23
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total at end of period

     3,121        3,138        3,121        3,138   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

System-wide:

        

Total at beginning of period

     3,549        3,555        3,556        3,561   

Opened

     3        10        4        12   

Closed (net of re-openings)

     (26     (15     (34     (23
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total at end of period

     3,526        3,550        3,526        3,550   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Second Quarter Ended     Six Months Ended  
     February 28,     February 29,     February 28,     February 29,  
     2013     2012     2013     2012  
     ($ in thousands)     ($ in thousands)  

Sales Analysis

        

Company Drive-Ins:

        

Total sales

   $ 83,706      $ 87,185      $ 177,162      $ 183,967   

Average drive-in sales

     207        201        437        419   

Change in same-store sales

     1.9     3.1     3.1     1.4

Franchised Drive-Ins:

        

Total sales

   $ 712,934      $ 712,903      $ 1,527,736      $ 1,494,126   

Average drive-in sales

     232        229        494        480   

Change in same-store sales

     -0.3     3.6     1.3     1.7

System-wide:

        

Change in total sales

     -0.5     3.6     1.6     2.0

Average drive-in sales

   $ 229      $ 225      $ 487      $ 472   

Change in same-store sales

     0.0     3.5     1.5     1.7

Note: Change in same-store sales based on restaurants open for a minimum of 15 months.

 

6


SONIC CORP.

Unaudited Supplemental Information

 

     Second Quarter Ended     Six Months Ended  
     February 28,     February 29,     February 28,     February 29,  
     2013     2012     2013     2012  

Revenues (in thousands)

        

Company Drive-In sales

   $ 83,706      $ 87,185      $ 177,162      $ 183,967   

Franchise Drive-Ins:

        

Franchise royalties

     25,821        25,590        55,736        54,381   

Franchise fees

     175        364        180        649   

Lease revenue

     949        1,261        2,435        2,549   

Other

     490        684        1,636        1,817   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 111,141      $ 115,084      $ 237,149      $ 243,363   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Second Quarter Ended     Six Months Ended  
     February 28,     February 29,     February 28,     February 29,  
     2013     2012     2013     2012  

Margin Analysis (percentage of Company Drive-In sales)

        

Company Drive-Ins:

        

Food and packaging

     28.1     28.3     28.3     28.5

Payroll and employee benefits

     37.6     37.5     36.6     36.9

Other operating expenses

     22.5     23.8     23.1     23.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     88.2     89.6     88.0     89.1

 

     February 28,      August 31,  
     2013      2012  
     (In thousands)  

Balance Sheet Data

  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 42,487       $ 52,647   

Current assets

     96,108         107,151   

Property, equipment and capital leases, net

     397,883         443,008   

Total assets

     624,663         680,760   

Current liabilities, including capital lease obligations and long-term debt due within one year

     63,482         80,516   

Obligations under capital leases due after one year

     25,004         27,377   

Long-term debt due after one year

     439,744         466,613   

Total liabilities

     575,908         621,513   

Stockholders’ equity

   $ 48,755       $ 59,247   

 

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