OKLAHOMA CITY - March 28, 2017 - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Sonic Corp. (NASDAQ:SONC), the nation's largest chain of drive-in restaurants, today announced results for its second fiscal quarter ended February 28, 2017.
Key highlights of the company's second quarter of fiscal year 2017 included:
"Our second quarter results reflect a sluggish consumer environment, weather headwinds and share losses following exceptionally strong performance over the prior two years," said Cliff Hudson, Sonic Corp. CEO. "As we enter the key spring and summer seasons, we believe a better balance of new product news and targeted value will result in sequential improvement in same-store sales and profitability.
"Our unit growth, capital structure and technology initiatives are on track," continued Hudson. "We completed our refranchising program ahead of schedule with 54 drive-ins divested during the quarter, leaving us with a stronger portfolio of company-owned stores. We are also pleased to have repurchased 1.8 million shares of our stock in the second quarter of 2017, representing 4% of shares outstanding, while continuing to invest in the development, people and technology that will drive us to deliver the most personalized guest experience in the industry."
For the second quarter ended February 28, 2017, system same-store sales decreased 7.4%, which was comprised of a 7.3% same-store sales decline at franchise drive-ins and a decline of 8.9% at company drive-ins.
For the second fiscal quarter of 2017, the company's net income totaled $11.0 million or $0.25 per diluted share compared to net income of $10.8 million or $0.22 per diluted share in the same period of the prior year. Excluding the items outlined below, net income and net income per diluted share declined 27% and 17%, 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.
View Original for Full Data Table
View Original for Full Data Table
For the first six months of fiscal year 2017, net income totaled $24.1 million or $0.53 per diluted share compared with net income of $23.3 million or $0.46 per diluted share for the same period in 2016. Excluding the items outlined below, net income and net income per diluted share decreased 17% and 7%, respectively.
View Original for Full Data Table
View Original for Full Data Table
While the macroeconomic environment may impact results, the company continues to expect 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:
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) 545-1402 or (719) 325-4771 for international callers. A replay will be available one hour after the call and can be accessed by dialing (844) 512-2921 or (412) 317-6671 for international callers; the conference ID is 8513191. The replay will be available until Tuesday, April 4, 2017. 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. Over 90 percent of SONIC's 3,500 drive-in locations are owned and operated by local business men and women. For 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.
SONC-F
(1) Free cash flow is defined as net income plus depreciation, amortization and stock compensation expenses, less capital expenditures.
View Original for Full Data Table
View Original for Full Data Table
Note: Change in same-store sales based on restaurants open for a minimum of 15 months.
View Original for Full Data Table
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170328006448/en/
Corey Horsch
Sonic Corp.
Vice President of Investor Relations and Treasurer
(405) 225-4800
SOURCE Sonic Corp.