SONIC Reports Fourth Quarter 2007 Earnings up 17% to $0.34 Per Share, Ahead of Prior Outlook, on Strong Sales Momentum
Same-Store Sales Trends, Accelerating Retrofit Program and Strong Development Pipeline Position Company for Solid Start to Fiscal 2008
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oct 15, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Sonic Corp. (Nasdaq: SONC), the nation's largest chain of drive-in restaurants, today announced record results for the fourth quarter and year ended August 31, 2007. Highlights of the company's fourth quarter performance included:
-- A 17% increase in net income per diluted share to $0.34 per diluted
share from $0.29 per diluted share in the year-earlier period, and a
penny ahead of the company's previously expected range of between $0.32
and $0.33 per diluted share;
-- A 13% increase in total revenues to $224.3 million from $198.0 million
in the prior-year quarter;
-- System same-store sales growth of 3.1%, including a 4.9% increase at
partner drive-ins (partner drive-ins are drive-ins in which the company
owns a majority interest);
-- The opening of 61 new drive-ins, including 47 by franchisees; and
-- The completion of 298 retrofits, including 245 by franchisees,
reflecting a significant acceleration of this program at franchisee
drive-ins.
In addition to these financial and operational highlights, Sonic achieved other milestones in fiscal 2007 that demonstrate the growing strength of its brand. These included:
-- The first drive-ins to exceed $3 million in sales for a 12-month
period - four in total, two in core markets and two in new markets;
and
-- A 58% increase in commitments to develop new drive-ins versus
commitments at the end of fiscal 2006.
"We are pleased to announce such a strong finish to our fiscal year, highlighted by fourth quarter earnings per share that were above our expectations - a great reflection of the strength and depth of our brand as Sonic continues to expand in new and existing markets," said Clifford Hudson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "A number of factors contributed to this success, including increased media expenditures, which rose 21% to $175 million in fiscal 2007, coupled with compelling new products, such as our Banana Pudding Shake and Cheesecake Bites. Together, these strategies continue to help build our business in non-traditional day parts - mornings, afternoons and evenings, and further differentiate Sonic in the QSR industry. They also create excitement for the Sonic brand and have played a key role in increasing sales in core and developing markets and generating opening volumes in new markets that were significantly above the system average.
Hudson added, "We believe our strategies that produced the strongest sales performance for partner drive-ins since 2005 will help drive solid same-store sales growth this year. Our franchisees, in turn, have benefited from our sales-driving strategies, which have paid off with four consecutive years of increased drive-in level profits, and are actively embracing the investments we are making in technology and the retrofit program. They have accelerated the adoption of the retrofit since the franchisee phase was launched in early calendar 2007. During the month of September, system-wide same-store sales were positive, but below our targeted range. In October, same-store sales have strengthened and have moved within our targeted range."
Income Statement Overview
Net income per diluted share for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 increased 17% to $0.34 versus $0.29 for the same quarter last year. For the year, diluted earnings per share increased 3% to $0.91 from $0.88 for fiscal 2006. As previously announced, the company's earnings for the full year were reduced by special items associated with Sonic's tender offer and subsequent financing activities earlier in fiscal 2007, which totaled approximately $0.05 per diluted share. Excluding the special charges, net income per diluted share was $0.96 for fiscal 2007, representing a year-over-year increase of 9%. The following table shows the impact of special items on reported net income per diluted share:
Fiscal Year Fiscal Year
2007 2006
Net income per share, reported $0.91 $0.88
Debt extinguishment charges 0.05 --
Net income per share, excluding debt
extinguishment charges $0.96 $0.88
While the share repurchases and financing activities had a dilutive impact on earnings in the first half of fiscal 2007, they were accretive in the second half of the year by $0.01 to $0.02 per diluted share. These steps should continue to yield long-term benefits for stockholders and are expected to be accretive to fiscal 2008 earnings by $0.03 to $0.04 per diluted share.
Because of higher net interest expense related to Sonic's tender offer, which was completed in October 2006, net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 declined 14% to $22.0 million versus $25.5 million in the year- earlier quarter. Similarly, as a result of increased interest expense related to the securitization, net income for fiscal 2007 declined 18% to $64.2 million versus $78.7 million in fiscal 2006.
Revenues for the fourth fiscal quarter rose 13% to $224.3 million from $198.0 million in the year-earlier period, with the year-over-year increase reflecting new unit growth, solid same-store sales gains, the company's unique ascending royalty rate, and a recent license conversion. Revenues for fiscal 2007 increased 11% to $770.5 million from $693.3 million in fiscal 2006.
Same-Store Sales
Sonic's system same-store sales increased 3.1% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 versus 4.0% in the year-earlier period. Same-store sales for the fourth quarter reflected a 2.8% increase at franchise drive-ins and a 4.9% increase at partner drive-ins. Management believes the higher percentage of drive-ins retrofitted at partner drive-ins contributed to the stronger sales performance. For fiscal 2007, system-wide same-store sales increased 3.1% compared with 4.5% for fiscal 2006, reflecting a 3.3% increase at franchise drive-ins and a 2.5% increase at partner drive-ins.
Development and Retrofit
During the fourth quarter, Sonic opened 61 new drive-ins, including 47 franchise drive-ins, bringing total system openings for the fiscal year to 175, with 146 franchise drive-ins. This represents overall system growth of 6% and an increase from openings of 173 in fiscal 2006, which included 138 franchise drive-ins.
In fiscal 2007, Sonic signed a record 71 area development agreements, representing commitments for 441 new units. A reflection of the national growth prospects for the brand, 73% of those commitments were from franchisees new to the Sonic system. With these additions, Sonic ended fiscal 2007 with total commitments for 908 new drive-ins under 173 area development agreements, a 58% increase from the end of fiscal 2006. In addition to the area development agreement commitments, during fiscal 2007, existing franchisees purchased options to develop approximately 480 drive-ins. These options allow franchisees to open new drive-ins under the more favorable #6A license agreement. Together, these commitments reflect a development pipeline of over 1,300 drive-ins - the largest in the company's history. Sonic anticipates opening a total of 180 to 200 new drive-ins in fiscal 2008, including approximately 155 to 165 by franchisees.
Sonic retrofitted a total of 173 partner drive-ins in fiscal 2007, completing 53 in the fourth quarter. The company now has retrofitted a total of 226 partner drive-ins since the program began, and currently over 40% of partner drive-ins have the new look. Franchise drive-in retrofits, which began in early calendar 2007, continued to gain momentum with the completion of 245 in the fourth quarter and a total of 326 for the fiscal year. In fiscal 2008, the company expects to retrofit an additional 150 partner drive- ins with franchisees completing 600 to 700 additional drive-in retrofits.
Concluding Comments
Concluding, Hudson said, "The milestones we have achieved in the past year provide a sound platform for Sonic's future success. Increased investments in media, which are expected to reach $190 million this year with approximately one-half going toward network cable advertising, will continue to be an important part of building brand awareness in new and developing markets. This, combined with other initiatives, such as the retrofit program, technology improvements and our plan to feature innovative products and promotions throughout the year, set the stage for increased new unit development, sales and drive-in profitability in fiscal 2008 and future years.
"Signs of the growing strength and reach of our brand are clearly apparent," Hudson added. "We start fiscal 2008 with the strongest development pipeline ever, and our expansion to new markets has proven to be very successful, due in no small part to our multi-layered growth strategies. As we continue to build our presence, we will maintain a keen focus on further differentiating our brand and building on our momentum as a high-growth, high- value company."
Fiscal 2008 Outlook
Sonic expects that its earnings per diluted share will increase in the range of 15% to 17% in fiscal 2008. Broadly, the following factors are anticipated to contribute to this growth:
-- An increase of between 2% and 4% in same-store sales, with partner
drive-ins performing slightly higher than this range;
-- Continued solid expansion trends for the chain with the opening of 180
to 200 total new drive-ins, including 155 to 165 franchise drive-ins
and reflecting system growth of about 6%;
-- The retrofit of an additional 150 partner drive-ins and 600 to 700
franchise drive-ins;
-- An ongoing outlook for capital expenditures of approximately $75
million to $85 million for the year, excluding acquisitions, including
the costs of new partner drive-ins and retrofits as well as higher
expenditures for drive-in remodels, relocations, and new equipment;
-- Continued growth in cash flow from operations, which is expected to be
used to fund capital expenditures, interest and principal payments
associated with the company's securitized financing, and, on an
opportunistic basis, to repurchase company stock or purchase franchise
drive-ins; and
-- A remaining share-repurchase authorization of $43 million during fiscal
year 2008, after purchasing over $578 million in stock in fiscal 2007;
subject to the level of future share repurchases, weighted average
diluted shares outstanding are expected to be in the range of 62
million to 64 million shares for fiscal 2008.
With respect to the first fiscal quarter ending November 30, 2007, the company expects the following:
-- Total revenue growth of 10% to 12% based on:
-- Targeted same-store sales increase of 2% to 4%, with slightly higher
sales for partner drive-ins;
-- Approximately 40 to 45 new drive-in openings in the first quarter,
including 35 to 40 by franchisees; and
-- Increased revenue from royalty fees as a result of increased sales,
new development and incremental income from the license conversion
implemented in fiscal 2007, which, together with the company's
unique ascending royalty rate, should produce approximately $2.5
million to $3.0 million in incremental franchising income;
-- Slightly unfavorable restaurant-level costs, as a percentage of sales;
-- Slight leverage from selling, general and administrative expenses and
depreciation and amortization expense;
-- Net interest expense of $11 million to $13 million, resulting from
increased interest expense related to the tender offer and subsequent
share repurchases, which were only partially completed during the first
quarter of fiscal 2007; and
-- A tax rate in the range of 37% to 37.5% for the quarter.
About Sonic
Sonic, America's Drive-In, originally started as a hamburger and root beer stand in 1953 in Shawnee, Okla., called Top Hat Drive-In, and then changed its name to Sonic in 1959. The first drive-in to adopt the Sonic name is still serving customers in Stillwater, Okla. Sonic has more than 3,300 drive-ins coast to coast, where more than a million customers eat every day. For more information about Sonic Corp. and its subsidiaries, visit Sonic at www.sonicdrivein.com.
A listen-only simulcast of Sonic's fourth quarter conference call can be accessed at the company's web site. The simulcast will begin at approximately 9:00 a.m. Central Time tomorrow, October 16, 2007. An on-demand replay, using the same link, will be available at approximately noon tomorrow and will continue until November 16, 2007.
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 partner 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 partner 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.
SONIC CORP.
Unaudited Supplemental Information
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Fourth Quarter Ended Fiscal Year Ended
August 31, August 31,
2007 2006 2007 2006
Income Statement Data
Revenues:
Partner Drive-In sales $188,462 $167,113 $646,915 $585,832
Franchise Drive-Ins:
Franchise royalties 32,906 28,566 111,052 98,163
Franchise fees 1,456 1,659 4,574 4,747
Other 1,482 707 7,928 4,520
224,306 198,045 770,469 693,262
Costs and expenses:
Partner Drive-Ins:
Food and packaging 47,428 42,244 166,531 151,724
Payroll and other employee
benefits 55,633 49,252 196,785 175,610
Minority interest in earnings
of Partner Drive-Ins 8,565 7,731 26,656 25,234
Other operating expenses 37,618 32,905 130,204 116,059
149,244 132,132 520,176 468,627
Selling, general and
administrative 15,066 13,345 58,736 52,048
Depreciation and amortization 12,021 10,617 45,103 40,696
Provision for impairment of
long-lived assets 423 88 1,165 264
176,754 156,182 625,180 561,635
Income from operations 47,552 41,863 145,289 131,627
Interest expense 12,077 2,331 41,227 8,853
Debt extinguishment costs -- -- 6,076 --
Interest income (731) (371) (2,897) (1,275)
Net interest expense 11,346 1,960 44,406 7,578
Income before income taxes 36,206 39,903 100,883 124,049
Provision for income taxes 14,173 14,366 36,691 45,344
Net income $22,033 $25,537 $64,192 $78,705
Net income per share:
Basic $0.35 $0.30 $0.94 $0.91
Diluted $0.34 $0.29 $0.91 $0.88
Weighted average shares used in
calculation:
Basic 63,162 85,405 68,019 86,260
Diluted 65,445 88,168 70,592 89,239
SONIC CORP.
Unaudited Supplemental Information
Fourth Quarter Ended Fiscal Year Ended
August 31, August 31,
2007 2006 2007 2006
Drive-Ins in operation:
Partner:
Total at beginning of period 644 604 623 574
Opened 14 19 29 35
Acquired from (sold to)
franchisees (3) -- 5 15
Closed (1) -- (3) (1)
Total at end of period 654 623 654 623
Franchise:
Total at beginning of period 2,647 2,525 2,565 2,465
Opened 47 45 146 138
Acquired from (sold to) company 3 -- (5) (15)
Closed (net of reopening) (8) (5) (17) (23)
Total at end of period 2,689 2,565 2,689 2,565
System-wide:
Total at beginning of period 3,291 3,129 3,188 3,039
Opened 61 64 175 173
Closed (net of reopening) (9) (5) (20) (24)
Total at end of period 3,343 3,188 3,343 3,188
Core markets 2,500 2,435 2,500 2,435
Developing markets 843 753 843 753
All markets 3,343 3,188 3,343 3,188
Note: Partner Drive-Ins are those Sonic Drive-Ins in which the company
owns a majority interest, typically at least 60%. Most supervisors and
managers of Partner Drive-Ins own a minority equity interest.
Markets are identified based on television viewing areas and further
classified as core or developing markets based upon the number of drive-
ins in a market and the level of advertising support. Market
classifications are updated periodically.
SONIC CORP.
Unaudited Supplemental Information
($ in thousands)
Fourth Quarter Ended Fiscal Year Ended
August 31, August 31,
2007 2006 2007 2006
Sales Analysis
Partner Drive-Ins:
Total sales $188,462 $167,113 $646,915 $585,832
Average drive-in sales 290 273 1,017 980
Change in same-store
sales 4.9% 1.2% 2.5% 1.9%
Franchise Drive-Ins:
Total sales $847,708 $778,876 $2,961,168 $2,735,802
Average drive-in sales 317 306 1,132 1,092
Change in same-store sales 2.8% 4.7% 3.3% 5.1%
System-wide:
Change in total sales 9.5% 10.1% 8.6% 10.7%
Average drive-in sales $312 $300 $1,109 $1,070
Change in same-store
sales 3.1% 4.0% 3.1% 4.5%
Core and Developing Markets
System-wide average drive-in sales:
Core markets $318 $306 $1,145 $1,105
Developing markets 293 280 998 954
System-wide change in
same-store sales:
Core markets 3.8% 5.3% 3.6% 5.3%
Developing markets 0.6% -0.5% 1.2% 1.5%
Note: Change in same-store sales based on drive-ins open for at least 15
months.
Markets are identified based on television viewing areas and further
classified as core or developing markets based upon the number of drive-
ins in a market and the level of advertising support. Market
classifications are updated periodically.
SONIC CORP.
Unaudited Supplemental Information
Fourth Quarter Ended Fiscal Year Ended
August 31, August 31,
2007 2006 2007 2006
Margin Analysis
Partner Drive-Ins:
Food and packaging 25.2% 25.3% 25.7% 25.9%
Payroll and employee benefits 29.5 29.5 30.4 30.0
Minority interest in
earnings of Partner Drive-Ins 4.5 4.6 4.1 4.3
Other operating expenses 20.0 19.7 20.1 19.8
79.2% 79.1% 80.3% 80.0%
August 31, August 31,
2007 2006
(In thousands)
Balance Sheet Data
Total assets $758,520 $638,018
Current assets 73,703 42,510
Current liabilities 114,487 78,095
Obligations under capital leases, long-term debt,
and other non-current liabilities 750,835 168,230
Stockholders' equity (106,802) 391,693
SONC-F
SOURCE Sonic Corp.
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