DineEquity, Inc. Reports Strong Results for the Third Quarter 2015

Dine Brands Global, Inc.
Published: October 29th, 2015

Adjusted EPS (Non-GAAP) of $1.43, a 25% increase over the third quarter 2014
GAAP EPS of $1.28, a 29% increase over the third quarter 2014
Returned approximately $32 million to shareholders, including $15 million in the form of share repurchases and approximately $17 million in cash dividends
Gross segment profit increased 6% over the third quarter 2014
Domestic system-wide comparable same-restaurant sales increased 5.8% at IHOP and declined 0.5% at Applebee's

GLENDALE, Calif. - Oct. 29, 2015 // PRNewswire // - DineEquity, Inc. (NYSE: DIN), the parent company of Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar® and IHOP® restaurants, today announced financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2015.

"We ended the quarter with several notable achievements, highlighted by continued solid growth in adjusted earnings per diluted share and significant free cash flow generation," said Julia A. Stewart, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DineEquity, Inc.

Ms. Stewart added, "We are leveraging our strong brands and collaborating with our franchisees to move the business forward. New restaurant development continues at a healthy pace. Our ongoing focus on enhancing the guest experience, operational excellence and financial discipline has positioned us for continued growth and success."

Third Quarter of Fiscal 2015 Financial Highlights

Adjusted net income available to common stockholders was $26.7 million, or adjusted earnings per diluted share of $1.43, for the third quarter of 2015. This compares to $21.5 million, or adjusted earnings per diluted share of $1.14, for the same period of 2014. The increase in adjusted net income was mainly due to a significant decline in cash interest expense and higher gross segment profit, partially offset by higher general and administrative expenses. The improvement in gross segment profit was primarily due to the 5.8% increase in IHOP's domestic system-wide same-restaurant sales. (See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below.)
GAAP net income available to common stockholders was $23.9 million for the third quarter of 2015, or earnings per diluted share of $1.28. This compares to net income available to common stockholders of $18.6 million, or earnings per diluted share of $0.99, for the third quarter of 2014. The increase was primarily due to significantly lower interest expense, an increase in gross segment profit and a higher gain on the disposition of assets in the third quarter of 2015 compared to the same period of 2014. The increase was partially offset by higher general and administrative expenses.
In July 2015, DineEquity completed the refranchising and sale of 23 Applebee's company-operated restaurants in the Kansas City area. The Company received gross proceeds of approximately $9 million from the sale and recognized a gain of approximately $2 million on the transaction.

First Nine Months of Fiscal 2015 Financial Highlights

Adjusted net income available to common stockholders was $86.7 million, or adjusted earnings per diluted share of $4.59, for the first nine months of 2015. This compares to $67.6 million, or adjusted earnings per diluted share of $3.57, for the same period of 2014. The increase in adjusted net income was primarily due to a significant decline in cash interest expense and higher gross segment profit. The increase was partially offset by higher income taxes and an increase in general and administrative expenses. (See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below.)
GAAP net income available to common stockholders was $78.5 million for the first nine months of 2015, or earnings per diluted share of $4.16. This compares to net income available to common stockholders of $58.0 million, or earnings per diluted share of $3.06, for the same period of 2014. The increase was mainly due to a significant decline in interest expense, higher gross segment profit and a higher gain on the disposition of assets in the first nine months of 2015 compared to the same period of 2014. The increase was partially offset by higher income taxes and an increase in general and administrative expenses.
For the first nine months of fiscal 2015, cash flows from operating activities were $70.6 million and free cash flow was $75.6 million. (See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below.)

Same-Restaurant Sales Performance

Third Quarter of Fiscal 2015

IHOP's domestic system-wide comparable same restaurant sales increased 5.8% for the third quarter of 2015.
Applebee's domestic system-wide comparable same-restaurant sales declined 0.5% for the third quarter of 2015.

First Nine Months of Fiscal 2015

IHOP's domestic system-wide comparable same restaurant sales increased 5.6% for the first nine months of 2015.
Applebee's domestic system-wide comparable same-restaurant sales increased 1.2% for the first nine months of 2015.

Financial Performance Guidance for Fiscal 2015

DineEquity reiterates its financial performance guidance for fiscal 2015 that was affirmed on July 29, 2015, except for the metrics below.

Applebee's sales performance guidance was revised to range between flat and positive 1%. This reflects a decrease from the previous expectations of between positive 1.0% and positive 3.0%.
New restaurant development by Applebee's franchisees was revised to range between 35 and 45 restaurants, the majority of which are expected to be opened in the U.S. This reflects an increase from the previous range of between 30 and 40 new restaurants.
Combined profit for the Rental and Financing segments was revised to approximately $42 million. This reflects an increase from previous expectations of roughly $39 million.
Net receipts from notes and equipment contracts receivable were revised to approximately $13 million. This reflects an increase from the previous projection of approximately $8 million. The higher expected receipts are due to certain franchisee notes that were paid in full earlier than their respective due dates.
Capital expenditures were revised to approximately $8 million. This reflects a slight decline from previous expectations of roughly $9 million.
Free cash flow was revised to range between $120 million and $130 million, reflecting an increase from the previous range of between $114 million and $124 million. The $9 million in gross proceeds received from the refranchising and sale of 23 Applebee's company-operated restaurants is not included in our definition of free cash flow. However, the proceeds are available to return to shareholders. (See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below.)

The Company reiterates guidance for general and administrative expenses, which are expected to range between $149 million and $153 million, including non-cash stock-based compensation expense and depreciation of approximately $18 million. This does not include estimated non-recurring, pre-tax charges of approximately $5 million related to our support center consolidation announced on September 3, 2015.

DineEquity's financial performance guidance reflects the impact of a 53rd operating week in fiscal 2015, in which the last month of the fiscal fourth quarter contains six weeks.

Investor Conference Call Today

DineEquity will host a conference call to discuss its results on the same day at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time / 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time. To participate on the call, please dial (800) 708-4539 and reference passcode 40861530. International callers, please dial (847) 619-6396 and reference passcode 40861530.

A live webcast of the call will be available at www.dineequity.com, and may be accessed by visiting Calls & Presentations on the site's Investors section. Participants should allow approximately ten minutes prior to the call's start time to visit the site and download any streaming media software needed to listen to the webcast. A telephonic replay of the call may be accessed from 10:30 a.m. Pacific Time on October 29, 2015 through 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on November 5, 2015 by dialing (888) 843-7419 and referencing passcode 40861530#. International callers, please dial (630) 652-3042 and reference passcode 40861530#. An online archive of the webcast will also be available on the Investors section of DineEquity's website.

About DineEquity, Inc.

Based in Glendale, California, DineEquity, Inc., through its subsidiaries, franchises and operates restaurants under the Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar and IHOP brands. With more than 3,600 restaurants combined in 20 countries and U.S. territories and over 400 franchisees, DineEquity is one of the largest full-service restaurant companies in the world. For more information on DineEquity, visit the Company's Web site located at www.dineequity.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these forward-looking statements by words such as "may," "will," "should," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "plan" and other similar expressions. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied in such statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: the effect of general economic conditions; the Company's indebtedness; risk of future impairment charges; trading volatility and the price of the Company's common stock; the Company's results in any given period differing from guidance provided to the public; the highly competitive nature of the restaurant business; the Company's business strategy failing to achieve anticipated results; risks associated with the restaurant industry; risks associated with locations of current and future restaurants; rising costs for food commodities and utilities; shortages or interruptions in the supply or delivery of food; ineffective marketing and guest relationship initiatives and use of social media; changing health or dietary preferences; our engagement in business in foreign markets; harm to our brands' reputation; litigation; fourth-party claims with respect to intellectual property assets; environmental liability; liability relating to employees; failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations; failure to effectively implement restaurant development plans; our dependence upon our franchisees; concentration of Applebee's franchised restaurants in a limited number of franchisees; credit risk from IHOP franchisees operating under our previous business model; termination or non-renewal of franchise agreements; franchisees breaching their franchise agreements; insolvency proceedings involving franchisees; changes in the number and quality of franchisees; inability of franchisees to fund capital expenditures; heavy dependence on information technology; the occurrence of cyber incidents or a deficiency in our cybersecurity; failure to execute on a business continuity plan; inability to attract and retain talented employees; risks associated with retail brand initiatives; failure of our internal controls; and other factors discussed from time to time in the Company's Annual and Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q and in the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are made as of the date hereof and the Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This news release includes references to the Company's non-GAAP financial measures "adjusted net income available to common stockholders (adjusted EPS)," "free cash flow," and "segment EBITDA." "Adjusted EPS" is computed for a given period by deducting from net income or loss available to common stockholders for such period the effect of any closure and impairment charges, any gain or loss related to debt extinguishment, any intangible asset amortization, any non-cash interest expense, and any gain or loss related to the disposition of assets. This is presented on an aggregate basis and a per share (diluted) basis. For fiscal 2015, "free cash flow" for a given period is defined as cash provided by operating activities, plus net receipts from notes and equipment contracts receivable, excluding direct financing lease receivables ("net receipts from notes and equipment contracts receivable"), less capital expenditures. "Segment EBITDA" for a given period is defined as gross profit plus depreciation and amortization as well as interest charges related to the segment. Management utilizes free cash flow to determine the amount of cash remaining for general corporate and strategic purposes and for the return of cash to stockholders pursuant to our capital allocation strategy, after the receipts from notes and equipment contracts receivable, and the funding of operating activities, capital expenditures and debt service. Management believes this information is helpful to investors to determine the Company's adherence to debt covenants and the Company's cash available for these purposes. Adjusted EPS, free cash flow and segment EBITDA are supplemental non-GAAP financial measures and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles.

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SOURCE DineEquity, Inc.

Contacts:

Ken Diptee
Executive Director
Investor Relations
DineEquity, Inc.
818-637-3632

Patrick Lenow
Media Relations
Vice President
Communications
DineEquity, Inc.
818-637-3122

About Dine Brands Global, Inc.

Based in Glendale, California, Dine Brands Global, Inc. (formerly DineEquity, Inc.) (NYSE: DIN), through its subsidiaries, franchises restaurants under the Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar and IHOP brands.

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