OKLAHOMA CITY - Jan. 6, 2014 - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Sonic Corp. (NASDAQ: SONC), the nation's largest chain of drive-in restaurants, today announced results for the first fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2013.
Key highlights of the company's first fiscal quarter included:
"Fiscal year 2014 is off to a solid start as we focus on key initiatives such as increased media effectiveness, our innovative product pipeline and layered day-part promotional strategy to drive same-store sales growth and, in turn, margin improvement," said Cliff Hudson, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President. "During the first quarter we built on our solid foundation of service, products and pricing with increased media effectiveness, which is having a positive impact across all markets. We also continued to have strong promotions during the quarter with the continuation of the Summer of Shakes promotion into September, our new Spicy Chicken Sandwich and our popular Cheesecake Bites.
"For the remainder of 2014 we will focus on our multi-layered growth strategy, which incorporates same-store sales growth, leverage from higher sales, deployment of free cash flow1, increasing royalty revenues and new drive-in development to build shareholder value. Over the next few years, we are implementing a number of technology initiatives such as a new digital point-of-purchase technology and a new point-of-sale system to drive improved sales and profits for our brand. We believe these initiatives will fuel our multi-layered growth strategy and will enable us to achieve double-digit earnings per share growth in the near and long term," concluded Mr. Hudson.
For the first fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2013, system-wide same-store sales increased 2.2%, which was comprised of a 2.3% same-store sales increase at franchise drive-ins and an increase of 1.9% at company drive-ins.
For the first fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2013, the company's net income totaled $8.2 million or $0.14 per diluted share, compared with net income of $6.1 million or $0.11 per diluted share in the same period in the prior year. During the first quarter of fiscal 2014, the company recognized a $0.5 million tax benefit from a favorable tax ruling. Excluding this tax benefit, net income and net income per diluted share for the first fiscal quarter increased 26% and 18%, respectively.
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.
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During the first fiscal quarter, seven new franchise drive-ins were opened versus one new franchise drive-in opening during the first quarter of fiscal 2013.
The company expects its initiatives to drive 14% to 15% earnings per share growth in fiscal 2014 as compared to the adjusted non-GAAP earnings per share for fiscal 2013. The macroeconomic environment and its impact on consumer confidence, in addition to the pacing of capital investments, may impact results. The outlook for fiscal 2014 anticipates the following elements:
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 by dialing (888) 601-3862 or (913) 312-6664 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 8332005. The replay will be available until Monday, January 13, 2014. 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 may be found on the company's investor relations website at http://ir.sonicdrivein.com/.
SONIC®, America's Drive-In®, is the nation's largest chain of drive-in restaurants with more than 3,500 drive-ins serving approximately 3 million customers every day. Over the past 60 years, SONIC has delighted guests with signature menu items, more than 1 million drink combinations, friendly service by iconic Carhops and ongoing support of education through its award-winning Limeades for Learning® program. SONIC received top honors as America's "#1 burger quick service restaurant" in the 2013 Temkin Experience Ratings report. For more information about Sonic Corp. (NASDAQ/NM: SONC) and its subsidiaries, please visit sonicdrivein.com. Customers can also connect with SONIC at facebook.com/sonicdrivein or on Twitter @sonicdrive_in.
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.
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1 Free cash flow is defined as net income plus depreciation, amortization and stock compensation expenses, less capital expenditures.
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Note: Change in same-store sales based on restaurants open for a minimum of 15 months.
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Claudia San Pedro
405-225-4846
Vice President of Investor Relations,
Communications and Treasurer
Source: Sonic Corp.