INDIANAPOLIS - May 5, 2014 // PRNewswire // - Noble Roman's, Inc. (OTC/BB: NROM), the Indianapolis based franchisor and licensor of Noble Roman's Pizza and Tuscano's Italian Style Subs, today announced results for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2014.
First Quarter 2014 Financial and Operational Highlights Compared to First Quarter 2013
"We are extremely pleased with the increase in revenue and net income in the first quarter this year compared to the comparable quarter last year considering the extreme winter weather during this quarter," said Paul Mobley, Chairman and CEO of Noble Roman's, Inc. "Because of the weather, new openings were delayed, exploratory visits for new prospects were canceled or rescheduled, and many locations faced weather-related closings. Despite this challenge, we generated higher revenue and net income, as well as an increased operating margin which grew to 40.7% of revenue."
Mr. Mobley added, "Interest in the grocery store take-n-bake locations has increased significantly after displaying the new packaging and new products at the National Grocers Association show in February and at distributor food shows during the first quarter. The grocery store take-n-bake pizzas are now displayed in bakeable, treated aluminum pans with a clear plastic top. Consumers bake the pizzas in these pans and the anodized treatment on the bottom is designed to increase home baking performance, drawing in more heat to make the pizzas crispy on the bottom but soft in the middle. The clear plastic top allows the entire pizza to be visible and appealing. The new products include gluten-free crust to appeal to a growing segment of the population and 14 inch mega-topped pizzas which are called 'Mile-High Extra Meat Pizza', 'Extra Cheese Four Cheese Pizza' and 'Double-Topped Pepperoni Pizza'. The interest shown at these shows by large grocery distributors and many retailers was a very positive sign for additional growth in this venue for the remainder of 2014."
The company has entered into agreements for 57 stand-alone take-n-bake locations and is currently in discussions with many other prospects. The first stand-alone take-n-bake pizza location opened in October 2012 and, to date, a total of 26 have been opened. The company's stand-alone take-n-bake program features the chain's popular traditional Hand-Tossed Style pizza, Deep-Dish Sicilian pizza, SuperThin pizza, all with a choice of three different types of sauce, all in a convenient cook-at-home format. Additional menu items include Noble Roman's famous breadsticks with spicy cheese sauce, fresh salads, cookie dough, cinnamon rounds, bake-able pasta and more.
Mr. Mobley added, "Our stand-alone take-n-bake concept is still relatively new and we are continuing to look at further enhancements to improve sales and to make the concept even more appealing. We just completed a three-unit test of our new, in-store baking service called 'You Bake or We Bake!' which is resulting in improved sales. In addition to broadening consumer appeal in general, this service has expanded our take-n-bake daypart earlier into the day, as we now offer hot pizzas and other menu items for lunch. The new baking service requires no substantial change in unit layouts, square footage or labor requirements, and can easily be incorporated into existing operations as well as new ones. Additional franchisees are now in the process of adding 'You Bake or We Bake!'"
"Our marketing initiatives to attract potential take-n-bake franchisees continues to be successful in generating a significant number of leads" concluded Mr. Mobley. "However we remain highly selective in the approval process for accepting new franchisees."
Thus far in 2014, the company has signed 15 additional new franchise/license agreements for non-traditional locations and is in discussion with numerous other convenience store chains and entertainment facilities for additional non-traditional locations. The primary source of growth in this segment comes from existing franchisees and exhibiting in various industry trade shows including the National Association of Convenience Stores, Western Petroleum Marketers Association, International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, and selected state convenience store associations.
Cash totaled approximately $400,491 as of March 31, 2014 compared to $157,787 as of December 31, 2013. Total bank debt was $3.55 million as of March 31, 2014 compared $3.85 million as of December 31, 2013. Total stockholders' equity as of March 31, 2014 was approximately $12.15 million compared to $11.70 million as of December 31, 2013.
The statements contained in this press release concerning the company's future revenues, profitability, financial resources, market demand and product development are forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) relating to the company that are based on the beliefs of the management of the company, as well as assumptions and estimates made by and information currently available to the company's management. The company's actual results in the future may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties that exist in the company's operations and business environment, including, but not limited to, competitive factors and pricing pressures, non-renewal of franchise agreements, shifts in market demand, general economic conditions, changes in purchases of or demand for the company's products, licenses or franchises, the success or failure of individual franchisees and licensees, changes in prices or supplies of food ingredients and labor, and the success or failure of its recently developed stand-alone take-n-bake operation. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions or estimates prove incorrect, actual results may differ materially from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated, expected or intended. The company undertakes no obligations to update the information in this press release for subsequent events.
SOURCE Noble Roman's, Inc.
Brett Maas
Managing Partner
tel: 646-536-7331
cell: 480-861-2425
email: brett@haydenir.com
Hayden IR
1441 Broadway
3rd Floor, Suite 3054
New York, NY 10018
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Noble Roman's, Inc. sells and services franchises and licenses for non-traditional foodservice operations under the trade names "Noble Roman's Pizza," "Noble Roman's Take-n-Bake," and "Tuscano's Italian Style Subs."