ANN ARBOR, Mich., April 29, 2021 // PRNewswire // - Domino's Pizza, Inc. (NYSE: DPZ), the largest pizza company in the world based on global retail sales, announced results for the first quarter. Global retail sales increased 16.7% in the first quarter, or 14.0% excluding foreign currency impact. U.S. same store sales grew 13.4% during the quarter versus the year-ago period, continuing the positive sales momentum in the Company's U.S. stores business. The international business also posted strong results, with same store sales growth of 11.8% during the quarter. The first quarter marked the 109th consecutive quarter of international same store sales growth and the 40th consecutive quarter of U.S. same store sales growth.
The Company had first quarter global net store growth of 175 stores, comprised of 36 net U.S. store openings and 139 net international store openings.
First quarter diluted EPS was $3.00, down 2.3% over the prior year quarter.
Subsequent to the first quarter, on April 27, 2021, the Company's Board of Directors declared a $0.94 per share quarterly dividend on its outstanding common stock for shareholders of record as of June 15, 2021, to be paid on June 30, 2021.
"It was a strong first quarter for the Domino's brand, with balanced growth across all areas of our global business," said Ritch Allison, Domino's Chief Executive Officer. "I applaud our franchisees and operators all across the globe, who once again demonstrated why they are the best in the restaurant business."
First Quarter Highlights (Unaudited):
The table below outlines certain statistical measures utilized by the Company to analyze its performance (unaudited). Refer to Comments on Regulation G below for additional details.
Share Repurchases
During the first quarter of 2021, the Company repurchased and retired 65,870 shares of its common stock in open market repurchases under its Board of Directors-approved share repurchase program for approximately $25.0 million. As of March 28, 2021, the Company had a total remaining authorized amount for share repurchases of $1.0 billion.
Liquidity
As of March 28, 2021, the Company had approximately:
Net cash provided by operating activities was $152.9 million during the first quarter of 2021. The Company invested $16.6 million in capital expenditures during the first quarter of 2021. Free cash flow, as reconciled below to net cash provided by operating activities, as determined under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"), was approximately $136.3 million during the first quarter of 2021 (refer to Comments on Regulation G below for additional details).
Subsequent to the end of the first quarter of 2021, on April 16, 2021 (the "closing date"), the Company completed a previously announced $1.85 billion recapitalization transaction, including the issuance by certain of its subsidiaries of $850.0 million of 2.662% fixed rate senior secured notes with an anticipated term of 7.5 years and $1.0 billion of 3.151% fixed rate senior secured notes with an anticipated term of 10 years (collectively, the "2021 Notes").
The Company used a portion of the proceeds from the recapitalization transaction to repay the remaining $291.0 million in outstanding principal under its 2017 five-year floating rate notes and to repay the remaining $582.0 million in outstanding principal under its 2017 five-year fixed rate notes. The proceeds were also used to prefund a portion of the interest payable on the 2021 Notes and pay transaction fees and expenses. The Company expects to use the remaining proceeds for general corporate purposes, which may include distributions to holders of the Company's common stock, other equivalent payments and/or stock repurchases. Certain of the Company's subsidiaries also issued a new $200.0 million variable funding note facility, which was undrawn on the closing date, and the Company's previous variable funding note facility was canceled. For additional information related to this recapitalization transaction, refer to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 20, 2021 and the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 28, 2021.
In addition to the GAAP financial measures set forth in this press release, the Company has included non-GAAP financial measures within the meaning of Regulation G, including free cash flow metrics. The Company has also included metrics such as global retail sales, global retail sales growth, global retail sales growth, excluding foreign currency impact and same store sales growth, which are commonly used statistical measures in the quick-service restaurant industry that are important to understanding Company performance.
The Company uses "Global retail sales" to refer to total worldwide retail sales at Company-owned and franchise stores. The Company believes global retail sales information is useful in analyzing revenues because franchisees pay royalties and advertising fees that are based on a percentage of franchise retail sales. The Company reviews comparable industry global retail sales information to assess business trends and to track the growth of the Domino's Pizza® brand. In addition, supply chain revenues are directly impacted by changes in franchise retail sales. Retail sales for franchise stores are reported to the Company by its franchisees and are not included in Company revenues. "Global retail sales growth" is calculated as the change of U.S. Dollar global retail sales against the comparable period of the prior year. "Global retail sales growth, excluding foreign currency impact" is calculated as the change of international local currency global retail sales against the comparable period of the prior year.
The Company uses "Same store sales growth," which is calculated by including only sales from stores that also had sales in the comparable weeks of both years. International same store sales growth is calculated similarly to U.S. same store sales growth. Changes in international same store sales are reported excluding foreign currency impacts, which reflect changes in international local currency sales.
The Company uses "Free cash flow," which is calculated as net cash provided by operating activities, less capital expenditures, both as reported under GAAP. The Company believes that the free cash flow measure is important to investors and other interested persons, and that such persons benefit from having a measure which communicates how much cash flow is available for working capital needs or to be used for repurchasing debt, making acquisitions, repurchasing common stock or paying dividends.
TABLES TO FOLLOW
SOURCE Domino's Pizza®
Founded in 1960, Domino's Pizza is a pizza delivery franchise, with a significant business in carryout pizza.