OKLAHOMA CITY - June 23, 2016 - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Sonic Corp. (NASDAQ:SONC), the nation's largest chain of drive-in restaurants, today announced results for its third fiscal quarter ended May 31, 2016.
Key highlights of the company's third quarter of fiscal year 2016 included:
"Although consumer trends slowed somewhat in April and May, our business performed well during the quarter overall, generating 2.0% same-store sales growth for the system and adjusted earnings per share growth of 19%," said Cliff Hudson, Sonic Corp. CEO. "Our system opened fifteen net new drive-ins during the quarter, a strong increase compared to the same period a year ago. The product pipeline remains robust with recent introductions of premium products like Frozen Lemonades and Limeades and Bacon Lovers Chili Cheese Coneys. While the consumer environment has weakened, Sonic remains focused on delivering one of the most differentiated customer experiences in the quick service industry.
"We are also pleased to have completed our debt transaction during the third quarter, allowing us to maintain a solid capital structure while returning excess cash to shareholders," continued Hudson. "As well, we are excited to announce our intention to move toward an approximately 95%-franchised system by the end of fiscal year 2017. We believe the divestiture will improve the capital efficiency of Sonic Corp. and allow our franchisees to optimize performance of the refranchised stores and expand our brand in the same markets."
For the third quarter ended May 31, 2016, system same-store sales increased 2.0%, which was comprised of a 2.1% same-store sales increase at franchise drive-ins and an increase of 0.9% at company drive-ins.
For the third fiscal quarter of 2016, the company's net income decreased to $15.4 million or $0.31 per diluted share compared with net income of $20.4 million or $0.38 per diluted share in the same period in the prior year. Excluding the items outlined below, net income and net income per diluted share increased 9% and 19%, respectively.
The following analysis of non-GAAP adjustments is intended to supplement the presentation of the company's financial results in accordance with GAAP. The company believes that the presentation of this analysis 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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For the first nine months of fiscal year 2016, net income totaled $38.6 million or $0.77 per diluted share compared with net income of $38.2 million or $0.70 per diluted share for the same period in fiscal year 2015. Excluding the items outlined below, net income and net income per diluted share increased 17% and 27%, respectively.
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While the macroeconomic environment may impact results, the company is reaffirming its outlook for adjusted earnings per share growth for fiscal year 2016 of 20% to 25%. The outlook for fiscal 2016 anticipates the following elements:
1 Free cash flow is defined as net income plus depreciation, amortization and stock compensation expenses, less capital expenditures.
The company will host a conference call to review financial results at 5:00 PM ET this evening. The conference call can be accessed live over the phone by dialing (888) 438-5525 or (719) 325-2428 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 746719. The replay will be available until Thursday, June 30, 2016. 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 drive-in restaurant chain serving more than 3 million customers every day. Nearly 90 percent of SONIC's 3,500 drive-in locations are owned and operated by local business men and women. Over more than 60 years, SONIC has delighted guests with signature menu items, more than 1.3 million drink combinations and friendly service by iconic Carhops. Since the 2009 launch of SONIC's Limeades for Learning philanthropic campaign in partnership with DonorsChoose.org, SONIC has donated more than $5 million to public school teachers nationwide to fund essential learning materials and innovative teaching resources to inspire creativity and learning in today's youth. To learn more about Sonic Corp. (NASDAQ/NM: SONC), please visit sonicdrivein.com and please visit or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. To learn more about SONIC's Limeades for Learning initiative, please visit Limeadesforlearning.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.
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Note: Change in same-store sales based on restaurants open for a minimum of 15 months.
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SOURCE Sonic Corp.
Corey Horsch
Sonic Corp.
405-225-4800
Vice President of Investor Relations and Treasurer