Dine Brands Global, Inc. Reports Strong Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2018 Results

Dine Brands Global, Inc.
Published: February 21st, 2019

• Applebee’s Fourth Quarter Same-Restaurant Sales Increase 3.5%
• IHOP Fourth Quarter Same-Restaurant Sales Increase 3.0%
• Company Declares and Raises First Quarter 2019 Dividend New Share Repurchase Authorization of $200 Million

GLENDALE, Calif. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - February 21, 2019 - Dine Brands Global, Inc. (NYSE: DIN), the parent company of Applebee's Neighborhood Grill + Bar® and IHOP® restaurants, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal 2018.

“Dine Brand’s strong performance in the fourth quarter and throughout 2018 is the result of a clear strategic vision and unwavering commitment to sustainable growth. Both Applebee’s and IHOP have outperformed their respective categories by delivering on comprehensive efforts to drive their businesses and delight guests. The momentum we are seeing is bolstered by meaningful improvements in the in-restaurant experience, ongoing investment in guest-facing technologies, breakthrough marketing and further extending our off-premise platforms for both brands. I am very proud of the Dine teams, our franchisees and their operators and team members for their contributions, hard work and commitment to a multi-pronged strategy and our collective success,” said Steve Joyce, Chief Executive Officer of Dine Brands Global, Inc.

Mr. Joyce continued, “As we head into 2019, we are very encouraged by our outlook and growth opportunities. We have the right strategies in place to drive long-term momentum and create additional value for our shareholders.”

Key Highlights

• Applebee’s comparable same-restaurant sales increased 3.5% for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, achieving the fifth consecutive quarter of sales growth.
• IHOP’s comparable same-restaurant sales increased 3.0% for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, achieving the fourth consecutive quarter of sales growth.
• IHOP’s reported system-wide sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 increased 4.5% year-over-year to $863.7 million.
• Gross profit for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 increased 41.9% year-over-year to $98.4 million.
• GAAP earnings per diluted share of $1.47 for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 compares to $3.82 for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017. The decline was primarily due to a tax benefit of $58.8 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, partially offset by a $29.0 million increase in gross profit.
• Adjusted earnings per diluted share increased to $1.70 for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to $0.48 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017. (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.)
• GAAP net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 was $27.0 million.
• Consolidated adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 increased 66.7% year-over-year to $65.0 million (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and reconciliation of GAAP net income to consolidated adjusted EBITDA.)
• IHOP franchisees and area licensees developed 34 net new domestic restaurants in fiscal 2018, marking at least a decade of consecutive net domestic development.
• For the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2018, the Company repurchased 478,839 shares of its common stock for a total cost of approximately $34.9 million and paid quarterly cash dividends totaling approximately $51.1 million.

Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2018 Financial Highlights

• GAAP net income available to common stockholders was $26.1 million, or earnings per diluted share of $1.47, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018. This compares to net income available to common stockholders of $67.8 million, or earnings per diluted share of $3.82, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017. The decrease in net income was primarily due to a tax benefit of $58.8 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017. The tax benefit was mainly a result of the revaluation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities due to a future reduction in our corporate tax rate following the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act tax legislation in December 2017. There was no similar tax benefit from the revaluation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018. This item was partially offset by an increase in gross profit of $29.0 million, which was due to lower bad debt expense and cash collections of previously unrecognized royalty revenues, a lower advertising fund deficit, increases in Applebee’s and IHOP domestic system-wide comparable same-restaurant sales and IHOP restaurant development.
• Adjusted net income available to common stockholders was $30.3 million, or adjusted earnings per diluted share of $1.70, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018. This compares to adjusted net income available to common stockholders of $8.6 million, or adjusted earnings per diluted share of $0.48, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017. The increase in adjusted net income was mainly due to higher franchise segment profit as the result of increases in Applebee’s and IHOP domestic system-wide comparable same-restaurant sales, lower bad debt expense and cash collections of previously unrecognized royalty revenues. These items were partially offset by an increase in general and administrative expenses. (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.)
• General and administrative expenses were $45.3 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to $40.0 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017. The increase was primarily due to higher personnel-related costs and business acquisition costs related to 69 Applebee’s restaurants acquired by the Company in December 2018. These items were partially offset by a decline in costs related to conferences and professional services.

Fiscal 2018 Financial Highlights

• GAAP net income available to common stockholders was $77.6 million, or earnings per diluted share of $4.37, for fiscal 2018. This compares to a net loss available to common stockholders of $336.0 million, or a net loss per diluted share of $18.96, for fiscal 2017. The increase in net income was primarily due to non-cash impairment charges totaling $531.6 million in fiscal 2017 related to the write-downs of Applebee’s goodwill and other intangible assets as well as higher gross profit. The non-cash impairment charges were partially offset by a tax benefit of $85.6 million in 2017 primarily because of a fourth-quarter revaluation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities due to a future reduction in our corporate tax rate.
• Consolidated adjusted EBITDA for fiscal 2018 was $230.6 million. This compares to adjusted EBITDA for fiscal 2017 of $221.3 million. (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and reconciliation of GAAP net income to consolidated adjusted EBITDA.)
• Adjusted net income available to common stockholders was $95.5 million, or adjusted earnings per diluted share of $5.37, for fiscal 2018. This compares to adjusted net income available to common stockholders of $72.5 million, or adjusted earnings per diluted share of $4.09, for fiscal 2017. The increase in adjusted net income was mainly due to lower income tax expense as well as higher franchise segment profit, driven by increases in Applebee’s and IHOP domestic system-wide comparable same-restaurant sales, lower bad debt expense and cash collections of previously unrecognized royalty revenues. These items were partially offset by an increase in general and administrative expenses. (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.)
• General and administrative expenses were $166.7 million for fiscal 2018 compared to $165.7 million for fiscal 2017. The increase was due to higher costs of stock-based and other incentive compensation, partially offset by a decline in professional services costs.
• Cash flows from operating activities were $140.3 million for fiscal 2018 compared to $65.7 million for fiscal 2017. Adjusted free cash flow was $140.9 million for fiscal 2018 compared to $63.0 million for fiscal 2017. (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.)

Fiscal 2018Same-Restaurant Sales Performance

• Applebee’s domestic system-wide comparable same-restaurant sales increased 5.0% for fiscal 2018.
• IHOP’s domestic system-wide comparable same-restaurant sales increased 1.5% for fiscal 2018.

GAAP Effective Tax Rate

Our effective tax rates for the fourth quarter and fiscal 2018 were 15.8% and 27.4%, respectively. The fourth quarter effective tax rate was 15.8% primarily due to the revaluation of state deferred taxes due to the December 2018 acquisition of Applebee’s 69 restaurants in North Carolina and South Carolina and state legislative changes enacted in 2018. The effective tax rates were impacted by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) enacted in December 2017, which lowered the federal statutory corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, beginning in 2018.

During fiscal, 2018, we increased our tax provision by $5.1 million related to adjustments resulting from IRS audits for tax years 2011 through 2013. This increased our effective tax rate from what would have been an estimated combined federal and state rate of 25% (reflecting the reduction in the federal tax rate from the Tax Act) to approximately 27.4% for fiscal 2018. Completion of the IRS audits for tax years 2011 through 2013 will allow us to accelerate the collection of certain tax benefits recognized in prior years. As a result, we expect to receive a cash refund of approximately $12.5 million within the next 12 months.

Capital Allocation

The Company’s board of directors approved a 10% increase in its quarterly cash dividend to $0.69 per share of common stock. The dividend for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 will be payable on April 5, 2019 to the Company’s stockholders of record at the close of business on March 20, 2019.

The board of directors also approved replacing the Company’s existing share repurchase authorization for its common stock, effective immediately, with an authorization of up to $200 million.

Financial Performance Guidance for Fiscal 2019

The following financial performance guidance for fiscal 2019 is based on management’s expectations as of February 21, 2019. The projections are as of this date, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement these estimates.

• Applebee’s domestic system-wide comparable same-restaurant sales performance is expected torange between positive 2.0% and positive 4.0%.
• IHOP’s domestic system-wide comparable same-restaurant sales performance is expected to range between positive 2.0% and positive 4.0%.
• Development activity by Applebee’s franchisees is expected to result in net closures between 20 and 30 restaurants globally, the majority of which are expected to be domestic closures.
• IHOP franchisees and area licensees are expected to develop between 35 and 55 net new restaurants globally, the majority of which are expected to be domestic openings.
• Total segment profit, excluding the company restaurants segment, is expected to be between approximately $373 million and $394 million.
• General and administrative expenses are expected to range between approximately $165 million and approximately $170 million, including non-cash stock-based compensation expense and depreciation totaling approximately $40 million. This projection includes approximately $6 million of general and administrative expenses related to the company restaurants segment.
• GAAP net income is expected to range between approximately $104 million and approximately $113 million.
• Consolidated adjusted EBITDA is expected to range between approximately $268 million and approximately $277 million. This projection includes company restaurants segment EBITDA, which is expected to be between approximately $9 million and approximately $11 million. (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and reconciliation of GAAP net income to consolidated adjusted EBITDA.)
• GAAP earnings per diluted share is expected to range from $6.15 to $6.45.
• Adjusted earnings per diluted share is expected to range from $6.90 to $7.20. (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and reconciliation of GAAP earnings per diluted share to adjusted earnings per diluted share.)

Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2018 Conference Call Details

Dine Brands will host a conference call to discuss its results on February 21, 2019 at 6:00 a.m. Pacific Time/9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To participate on the call, please dial (888) 771-4371 and reference passcode 48199137. International callers, please dial (847) 585-4405 and reference passcode 48199137.

A live webcast of the call will be available on www.dinebrands.com and may be accessed by visiting Events and Presentations under 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 8:30 a.m. Pacific Time/11:30 a.m. Eastern Time on February 21, 2019 through 8:59 p.m. Pacific Time/11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on February 28, 2019 by dialing (888) 843-7419 and referencing passcode 48199137#. International callers, please dial (630) 652-3042 and reference passcode 48199137#. An online archive of the webcast will also be available on Events and Presentations under the Investors section of the Company’s website.

About Dine Brands Global, Inc.

Based in Glendale, California, Dine Brands Global, Inc. (NYSE: DIN), through its subsidiaries, franchises restaurants under both the Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar and IHOP brands. With approximately 3,700 restaurants combined in 18 countries and approximately 380 franchisees, Dine Brands is one of the largest full-service restaurant companies in the world. For more information on Dine Brands, visit the Company’s website located at www.dinebrands.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. You can identify these forward-looking statements by words such as "may," "will," “would,” "should," “could,” "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "plan," “goal” 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: general economic conditions; our level of indebtedness; compliance with the terms of our securitized debt; our ability to refinance our current indebtedness or obtain additional financing; our dependence on information technology; potential cyber incidents; the implementation of restaurant development plans; our dependence on our franchisees; the concentration of our Applebee’s franchised restaurants in a limited number of franchisees; the financial health our franchisees; our franchisees’ and other licensees’ compliance with our quality standards and trademark usage; general risks associated with the restaurant industry; potential harm to our brands’ reputation; possible future impairment charges; the effects of tax reform; trading volatility and fluctuations in the price of our stock; our ability to achieve the financial guidance we provide to investors; successful implementation of our business strategy; the availability of suitable locations for new restaurants; shortages or interruptions in the supply or delivery of products from third parties or availability of utilities; the management and forecasting of appropriate inventory levels; development and implementation of innovative marketing and use of social media; changing health or dietary preference of consumers; risks associated with doing business in international markets; the results of litigation and other legal proceedings; third-party claims with respect to intellectual property assets; our ability to attract and retain management and other key employees; compliance with federal, state and local governmental regulations; risks associated with our self-insurance; natural disasters or other series incidents; our success with development initiatives outside of our core business; the adequacy of our internal controls over financial reporting and future changes in accounting standards; 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 does not intend to, nor does it assume any obligation to, update or supplement any forward-looking statements after the date hereof to reflect actual results or future events or circumstances.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release includes references to the Company's non-GAAP financial measure “adjusted net income available to common stockholders”, “adjusted earnings per diluted share (Adjusted EPS)”, “Adjusted EBITDA” and “Adjusted free cash flow.” 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, any gain or loss related to the disposition of assets, and other items deemed not reflective of current operations. This is presented on an aggregate basis and a per share (diluted) basis. Adjusted EBITDA is computed for a given period by deducting from net income or loss for such period the effect of any closure and impairment charges, any interest charges, any income tax provision or benefit, any non-cash stock-based compensation, any depreciation and amortization, any gain or loss related to the disposition of assets and other items deemed not reflective of current operations. “Adjusted free cash flow” for a given period is defined as cash provided by operating activities, plus receipts from notes and equipment contracts receivable, less capital expenditures. Management may use certain of these non-GAAP financial measures along with the corresponding U.S. GAAP measures to evaluate the performance of the business and to make certain business decisions. Management uses adjusted free cash flow in its periodic assessments of, among other things, the amount of cash dividends per share of common stock and repurchases of common stock and we believe it is important for investors to have the same measure used by management for that purpose. Adjusted free cash flow does not represent residual cash flow available for discretionary purposes. Additionally, adjusted EPS is one of the metrics used in determining payouts under the Company’s annual cash incentive plan. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide additional meaningful information that should be considered when assessing the business and the Company’s performance compared to prior periods and the marketplace. Adjusted EPS and adjusted free cash flow 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 U.S. GAAP.

Media Contact:

Thien Ho
Executive Director, Communications
Dine Brands Global, Inc.
818-549-4238

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Source: Dine Brands Global, Inc.