OKLAHOMA CITY - October 24, 2016 - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Sonic Corp. (NASDAQ:SONC), the nation's largest chain of drive-in restaurants, today announced results for its fourth fiscal quarter and year ended August 31, 2016.
Key highlights of the company's fourth quarter of fiscal year 2016 included:
Key highlights of the company's fiscal year 2016 included:
"We delivered good overall performance in fiscal 2016, including 2.6% system-wide same-store sales growth. Slowing consumer trends that began in April, however, persisted through the fourth quarter, resulting in lower-than-expected sales and profits in the fourth fiscal quarter," said Cliff Hudson, Sonic Corp. CEO. "At the same time, we are pleased to see approximately 1% net unit growth for fiscal 2016 with 31 net new units, sound progress towards our net unit growth goal of 2% to 3% by the end of the decade.
"While our unit growth, capital structure and refranchising initiatives are performing well, low commodity costs, resulting in an aggressive promotional and pricing environment, are expected to continue to pressure sales and earnings in fiscal year 2017, particularly in the first half of the year. We believe our current initiatives to deliver one of the most differentiated customer experiences will improve sales late in the fiscal year. This, combined with a more-highly franchised system, better company drive-in margins, penetration of digital POPS units in 80% of our system, a strong development pipeline, and a significantly lower number of shares outstanding, provides a solid foundation for good sales and earnings growth over the next few years."
For the fourth quarter ended August 31, 2016, system same-store sales decreased 2.0%, which was comprised of a 1.8% same-store sales decline at franchise drive-ins and a decline of 3.0% at company drive-ins.
For the fourth fiscal quarter of 2016, the company's net income totaled $25.4 million or $0.53 per diluted share compared to net income of $26.3 million or $0.50 per diluted share in the same period of the prior year. Excluding the items outlined below, net income declined 6% and net income per diluted share increased 5%.
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.
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
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For fiscal year 2016, net income totaled $64.1 million or $1.29 per diluted share compared with net income of $64.5 million or $1.20 per diluted share for fiscal year 2015. Excluding the items outlined below, net income and net income per diluted share increased 8% and 17%, respectively.
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
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Fiscal Year 2017 Outlook
While the macroeconomic environment may impact results, the company expects adjusted earnings per share for fiscal year 2017 to be in the range of down 7% to flat year over year. The outlook for fiscal 2017 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 (877) 419-6590 or (719) 325-4786 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 5500371. The replay will be available until Monday, October 31, 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.
Vice President of Investor Relations and Treasurer
(405) 225-4800