Del Taco Restaurants, Inc. Reports Fiscal Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results
Company Added
Company Removed
Apply to Request List

Del Taco Restaurants, Inc. Reports Fiscal Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results

Updates Fiscal Year 2018 Annual Guidance

LAKE FOREST, Calif - (BUSINESS WIRE) - October 16, 2018 - Del Taco Restaurants, Inc. (“Del Taco” or the “Company”), (NASDAQ: TACO), the second largest Mexican-American quick service restaurant chain by units in the United States, today reported fiscal third quarter 2018 financial results. The Company also updated its guidance for fiscal year 2018.

Fiscal Third Quarter 2018 Highlights

  • System-wide comparable restaurant sales grew 1.4%, marking the 20th consecutive quarter of gains;
    • Company-operated comparable restaurant sales grew 0.3%, marking the 25th consecutive quarter of gains. Company-operated comparable restaurant sales growth was comprised of average check growth of 2.9%, partially offset by a transaction decrease of 2.6%;
    • Franchised comparable restaurant sales grew 3.0%;
  • Total revenue increased 6.2% to $117.8 million (including $3.2 million of franchise advertising contributions and $0.2 million of other franchise revenue required as part of the new revenue recognition rules adopted in the fiscal first quarter whereby the offsetting impact is an increase to expenses such that there is no impact on operating income and net income) compared to $111.0 million in the fiscal third quarter 2017;
  • Company restaurant sales increased 3.1% to $109.6 million compared to $106.3 million in the fiscal third quarter 2017;
  • Net income was $5.9 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, compared to $5.1 million in the fiscal third quarter 2017, or $0.13 per diluted share;
  • Adjusted net income* was $6.0 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, compared to $5.1 million in the fiscal third quarter 2017, or $0.13 per diluted share;
  • Restaurant contribution* margin increased 70 basis points to 19.9% compared to 19.2% in the fiscal third quarter 2017; and
  • Adjusted EBITDA* increased 6.4% to $17.7 million compared to $16.6 million in the fiscal third quarter 2017.

Adjusted net income*, Restaurant contribution*, and Adjusted EBITDA* are non-GAAP measures and defined below under “Key Financial Definitions”. Please see the reconciliation of non-GAAP measures accompanying this release.

John D. Cappasola, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of Del Taco, commented, “During the quarter we made strategic progress led by the launch of Elevated Combined Solutions which furthers our mission to be the leader in the value oriented QSR+ segment. We again experienced strong franchise comparable restaurant sales trends demonstrating our strengthening franchise system which supports brand portability. We remained focused on strengthening our great culture with the launch of our company values and our new advertising campaign centered on real employees. And, despite soft company-operated comparable restaurant sales, our effective margin management strategy helped us deliver an improved restaurant contribution margin after adjusting for the favorable timing of advertising expenses.”

Cappasola continued, “Although the new $1 Chicken Quesadilla Snacker did not support check or transaction trends during the third quarter, our flexible barbell menu strategy allowed us to quickly pivot to mid-tier and premium products which achieved an immediate improvement in menu mix. As we enter the fourth quarter our plan to generate transaction momentum includes the launch of Shredded Beef as a limited time offer, which has already sequentially improved our trends, and premium innovation with a new Triple Meat Epic Burrito. Still, we have opted to take a more cautious approach to our fiscal year outlook and have therefore updated our annual guidance.”

Cappasola concluded, “Next month, we will launch our Del Taco mobile app and begin offering delivery in the Los Angeles market through GrubHub, followed by a system-wide launch in 2019 that will include partnerships with Postmates and DoorDash. We believe delivery will provide another convenient channel to enjoy our fresh, high quality food and that moving toward a multiple delivery service provider approach will position us to maximize consumer demand.”

Review of Fiscal Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results

Total revenue increased 6.2% to $117.8 million (including $3.2 million of franchise advertising contributions and $0.2 million of other franchise revenue required as part of the new revenue recognition rules adopted in the fiscal first quarter whereby the offsetting impact is an increase to expenses such that there is no impact on operating income and net income) compared to $111.0 million in the fiscal third quarter 2017. Excluding these revenue recognition impacts, total revenue increased 3.1%.

Comparable restaurant sales increased 1.4% system-wide, resulting in a 5.5% increase on a two-year basis. The Del Taco system has now generated comparable restaurant sales growth for 20 consecutive quarters. Company-operated comparable restaurant sales increased 0.3%, marking 25 consecutive quarters of comparable restaurant sales growth. Franchise comparable restaurant sales increased 3.0%, reflecting the strength of our system across a diverse geographic footprint.

Net income was $5.9 million, representing $0.15 per diluted share, compared to $5.1 million in the fiscal third quarter 2017, representing $0.13 per diluted share.

Adjusted net income* was $6.0 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, compared to $5.1 million in the fiscal third quarter 2017, or $0.13 per diluted share.

Restaurant contribution* was $21.8 million compared to $20.4 million in the fiscal third quarter 2017. As a percentage of Company restaurant sales, restaurant contribution margin increased approximately 70 basis points year-over-year to 19.9%. The increase was the result of an approximate 90 basis point decrease in food and paper costs and a 40 basis point decrease in occupancy and other operating expenses, which was due to the timing of advertising expenses, offset by an approximate 60 basis point increase in labor and related expenses.

Adjusted EBITDA* increased 6.4% to $17.7 million compared to $16.6 million in the fiscal third quarter 2017.

Restaurant Portfolio

During the fiscal third quarter 2018, we opened two company-operated restaurants and three franchised restaurants and closed three company-operated restaurants and one franchised restaurant. We also purchased three restaurants from franchisees.

Thus far in the fiscal fourth quarter 2018, we have opened two company-operated restaurants and there are currently 17 restaurants (eleven franchised and six company) under construction, of which 13 to 16 are expected to open this fiscal year.

Repurchase Program for Common Stock and Warrants

During the fiscal third quarter 2018, we repurchased 235,041 shares of common stock at average price of $12.74 per share for a total of $3.0 million, and repurchased 5,972 warrants at an average price per warrant of $3.07. At the end of the fiscal third quarter approximately $38.1 million remained under our $75 million repurchase authorization.

Updated Fiscal Year 2018 Guidance

We are updating our guidance for fiscal year 2018, which is a 52-week period ending January 1, 2019.

  • System-wide same store sales growth of approximately 3% (previously 2% to 4%);
  • Total revenue between $504 million and $507 million (previously $506 to $516 million), reflecting the new revenue recognition rules adopted in the first fiscal quarter whereby franchise advertising contributions and other franchise revenue, which totaled $12.7 million and $0.8 million in fiscal year 2017, respectively, will now be reported on a gross basis. This guidance also includes an estimated $0.5 million unfavorable impact from the timing of initial franchise fees and renewal fees which must be deferred and recognized over the term of the related franchise agreement;
  • Total company-operated restaurant sales between $470 million and $473 million (previously $473 to $483 million);
  • Restaurant contribution margin between 19.3% and 19.5% (previously 19.3% to 19.8%);
  • General and administrative expenses between approximately 8.5% and 8.7% of total revenue (previously 8.2% to 8.5%), including the expense side of the other franchise revenue that will now be reported on a gross basis;
  • Effective tax rate of approximately 26.0% to 27.0% (previously 26.5% to 27.5%);
  • Adjusted diluted earnings per share of approximately $0.53 to $0.56 (previously $0.59 to $0.63);
  • Adjusted EBITDA between $70.5 million and $71.5 million (previously $71.5 to $74.0 million);
  • 25 to 28 new system-wide restaurant openings; and
  • Net capital expenditures between $39.0 million to $42.0 million (previously $35.0 million to $38.0 million).

We have not reconciled guidance for Adjusted diluted earnings per share and Adjusted EBITDA to the corresponding GAAP financial measure because we do not provide guidance for the various reconciling items. We are unable to provide guidance for these reconciling items because we cannot determine their probable significance, as certain items are outside of our control and cannot be reasonably predicted since these items could vary significantly from period to period. Accordingly, a reconciliation to the corresponding GAAP financial measure is not available without unreasonable effort.

Conference Call

A conference call and webcast to discuss Del Taco’s financial results and annual guidance is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET today. Hosting the conference call and webcast will be John D. Cappasola, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer; and Steven L. Brake, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

Interested parties may listen to the conference call via telephone by dialing 201-689-8471. A telephone replay will be available shortly after the call has concluded and can be accessed by dialing 412-317-6671; the passcode is 13683448.

The webcast will be available at www.deltaco.com under the investors section and will be archived on the site shortly after the call has concluded.

Key Financial Definitions

Comparable restaurant sales growth reflects the change in year-over-year sales for the comparable company, franchise and total system restaurant base. Restaurants are included in the comparable store base in the accounting period following its 18th full month of operations and excludes restaurant closures.

Restaurant contribution* is defined as company restaurant sales less restaurant operating expenses, which are food and paper costs, labor and related expenses and occupancy and other operating expenses. Restaurant contribution margin is defined as restaurant contribution as a percentage of company restaurant sales. Restaurant contribution and restaurant contribution marginare neither required by, nor presented in accordance with, GAAP. Restaurant contribution and restaurant contribution margin are supplemental measures of operating performance of restaurants and the calculations thereof may not be comparable to those reported by other companies. Restaurant contribution and restaurant contribution margin have limitations as analytical tools, and you should not consider them in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of results as reported under U.S. GAAP. Management believes that restaurant contribution and restaurant contribution margin are important tools for investors because they are widely-used metrics within the restaurant industry to evaluate restaurant-level productivity, efficiency and performance. Management uses restaurant contribution and restaurant contribution margin as key performance indicators to evaluate the profitability of incremental sales at Del Taco restaurants, to evaluate restaurant performance across periods and to evaluate restaurant financial performance compared with competitors.

Adjusted EBITDA* is defined as net income/loss prior to interest expense, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization, as adjusted to add back certain charges, such as stock-based compensation expense and transaction-related costs, as these expenses are not considered an indicator of ongoing company performance. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and should not be considered as an alternative to operating income or net income/loss as a measure of operating performance or cash flows or as measures of liquidity. Non-GAAP financial measures are not necessarily calculated the same way by different companies and should not be considered a substitute for or superior to GAAP results. We believe Adjusted EBITDA facilitates operating performance comparisons from period to period by isolating the effects of some items that vary from period to period without any correlation to core operating performance or that vary widely among similar companies. These potential differences may be caused by variations in capital structures (affecting interest expense), tax positions (such as the impact on periods or changes in effective tax rates or net operating losses) and the age and book depreciation of facilities and equipment (affecting relative depreciation expense). We also present Adjusted EBITDA because (i) we believe this measure is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties to evaluate companies in our industry and (ii) we use Adjusted EBITDA internally as a benchmark to compare performance to that of competitors.

Adjusted net income* represents company net income before impairment of long-lived assets, restaurant closure charges, and other income related to the write-off of unfavorable lease liabilities, net of tax. Adjusted diluted net income per share represents company diluted net income per share before impairment of long-lived assets, restaurant closure charges, and other income related to the write-off of unfavorable lease liabilities, net of tax.

About Del Taco Restaurants, Inc.

Del Taco (NASDAQ: TACO) offers a unique variety of both Mexican and American favorites such as burritos and fries, prepared fresh in every restaurant's working kitchen with the value and convenience of a drive-thru. Del Taco's menu items taste better because they are made with quality ingredients like fresh grilled chicken and carne asada steak, hand-sliced avocado, hand-grated cheddar cheese, slow-cooked beans made from scratch, and creamy Queso Blanco. Del Taco’s new advertising campaign, “Celebrating the Hardest Working Hands in Fast Food,” further communicates the company’s commitment to providing guests with fresh, quality food prepared by hand every day. Founded in 1964, today Del Taco serves more than three million guests each week at its more than 560 restaurants across 14 states. For more information, visit www.deltaco.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

In addition to historical information, this release may contain a number of “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, information concerning Del Taco’s possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, competitive position, industry environment, potential growth opportunities and the effects of regulation. These statements are based on Del Taco’s management’s current expectations and beliefs, as well as a number of assumptions concerning future events. When used in this press release, the words “estimates,” “projected,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “forecasts,” “plans,” “intends,” “believes,” “seeks,” “target,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “future,” “propose,” “preliminary,” “guidance,” “on track” and variations of these words or similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside Del Taco’s management’s control that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. These risks included, without limitation, consumer demand, our inability to successfully open company-operated or franchised restaurants or establish new markets, competition in our markets, our inability to grow and manage growth profitably, adverse changes in food and supply costs, our inability to access additional capital, changes in applicable laws or regulations, food safety and foodborne illness concerns, our inability to manage existing and to obtain additional franchisees, our inability to attract and retain qualified personnel, our inability to profitably expand into new markets, changes in, or the discontinuation of, the Company’s repurchase program, and the possibility that we may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Additional risks and uncertainties are identified and discussed in Del Taco’s reports filed with the SEC, including under Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 2, 2018, and available at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and the Company’s website at www.deltaco.com.

Forward-looking statements included in this release speak only as of the date of this release. Del Taco undertakes no obligation to update its forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release or otherwise.

         
Del Taco Restaurants, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
         
    September 11, 2018   January 2, 2018
Assets   (unaudited)    
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 6,628   $ 6,559
Accounts and other receivables, net     3,565     3,828
Inventories     2,596     2,712
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     4,793     6,784
Total current assets     17,582     19,883
Property and equipment, net     172,094     156,124
Goodwill     321,531     320,638
Trademarks     220,300     220,300
Intangible assets, net     19,450     21,498
Other assets, net     4,562     3,881
Total assets   $ 755,519   $ 742,324
         
Liabilities and shareholders' equity        
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable   $ 20,172   $ 18,759
Other accrued liabilities     40,706     35,257

Current portion of capital lease obligations and deemed landlord financing liabilities

    1,109     1,415
Total current liabilities     61,987     55,431
Long-term debt, capital lease obligations and deemed landlord financing

liabilities, excluding current portion, net

    169,174     170,639
Deferred income taxes     69,137     68,574
Other non-current liabilities     31,945     31,431
Total liabilities     332,243     326,075
         
Shareholders' equity:        
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; no shares

issued and outstanding

       
Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 400,000,000 shares authorized; 38,066,801 shares issued and

outstanding at September 11, 2018; 38,434,274 shares issued and outstanding at January 2, 2018

    4     4
Additional paid-in capital     343,412     349,334
Accumulated other comprehensive income     357     14
Retained earnings     79,503     66,897
Total shareholders' equity     423,276     416,249
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity   $ 755,519   $ 742,324
             

 

                 
Del Taco Restaurants, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
                 
    12 Weeks Ended   36 Weeks Ended
    September 11, 2018   September 12, 2017   September 11, 2018   September 12, 2017
Revenue:                
Company restaurant sales   $ 109,559     $ 106,298     $ 324,468     $ 311,542  
Franchise revenue     4,308       3,978       12,249       11,494  
Franchise advertising contributions     3,155             9,227        
Franchise sublease income     808       712       2,253       1,878  
Total revenue     117,830       110,988       348,197       324,914  
Operating expenses:                
Restaurant operating expenses:                
Food and paper costs     29,601       29,648       88,656       86,336  
Labor and related expenses     35,301       33,635       105,541       100,041  
Occupancy and other operating expenses     22,844       22,608       67,457       64,243  
General and administrative     9,606       8,817       30,356       27,177  
Franchise advertising expenses     3,155             9,227        
Depreciation and amortization     5,855       5,522       17,616       15,903  
Occupancy and other - franchise subleases     762       654       2,051       1,738  
Pre-opening costs     259       354       900       531  
Impairment of long-lived assets                 1,661        
Restaurant closure charges, net     672       (16 )     635       (1 )
Loss on disposal of assets, net     580       233       760       524  
Total operating expenses     108,635       101,455       324,860       296,492  
Income from operations     9,195       9,533       23,337       28,422  
Other expense, net                

Interest expense

    2,062       1,628       5,984       4,798  
Other income     (523 )           (523 )      
Total other expense, net     1,539       1,628       5,461       4,798  
Income from operations before provision for income taxes     7,656       7,905       17,876       23,624  
Provision for income taxes     1,782       2,804       4,563       8,955  
Net income     5,874       5,101       13,313       14,669  
Other comprehensive income (loss):                
Change in fair value of interest rate cap, net of tax     23       (35 )     312       (271 )
Reclassification of interest rate cap amortization included in

net income

    15             31        
Total other comprehensive income (loss)     38       (35 )     343       (271 )
Comprehensive income   $ 5,912     $ 5,066     $ 13,656     $ 14,398  
Earnings per share:                
Basic   $ 0.15     $ 0.13     $ 0.35     $ 0.38  
Diluted   $ 0.15     $ 0.13     $ 0.34     $ 0.37  
Weighted-average shares outstanding                
Basic     38,191,335       38,695,099       38,310,842       38,744,963  
Diluted     39,391,284       39,839,571       39,108,573       40,016,062  
                                 

 

                 
Del Taco Restaurants, Inc.
Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
                 
    12 Weeks Ended   36 Weeks Ended
    September 11, 2018   September 12, 2017   September 11, 2018   September 12, 2017
Net income   $ 5,874     $ 5,101     $ 13,313     $ 14,669  
Non-GAAP adjustments:                
Provision for income taxes     1,782       2,804       4,563       8,955  
Interest expense     2,062       1,628       5,984       4,798  
Depreciation and amortization     5,855       5,522       17,616       15,903  
EBITDA     15,573       15,055       41,476       44,325  
Stock-based compensation expense (a)     1,445       1,191       4,079       3,340  
Loss on disposal of assets, net (b)     580       233       760       524  
Restaurant closure charges, net (c)     672       (16 )     635       (1 )
                                 
Amortization of favorable and unfavorable lease assets and liabilities, net (d)     (352 )     (229 )     (602 )     (521 )
Pre-opening costs (e)     259       354       900       531  
Impairment of long-lived assets (f)                 1,661        
Other income (g)     (523 )           (523 )      
Adjusted EBITDA   $ 17,654     $ 16,588     $ 48,386     $ 48,198  
                 
(a) Includes non-cash, stock-based compensation.
(b) Loss on disposal of assets, net includes the loss or gain on disposal of assets related to sales, retirements and replacement or write-off of leasehold improvements or equipment in the ordinary course of business, net of gains or losses recorded associated with the sale of company-operated stores to franchisees.
(c) Includes costs related to future obligations associated with the closure or net sublease shortfall of a restaurant and lease termination costs, partially offset by sublease income from leases which are treated as deemed landlord financing.
(d) Includes amortization of favorable lease assets and unfavorable lease liabilities.
(e) Pre-opening costs consist of costs directly associated with the opening of new restaurants and incurred prior to opening, including restaurant labor, supplies, cash and non-cash rent expense and other related pre-opening costs. These are generally incurred over the three to five months prior to opening.
(f) Includes costs related to impairment of long-lived assets.
(g) Other income consists of a gain related to the write-off of unfavorable lease liabilities related to franchise subleases which were terminated in connection with the Company's acquisition of the related franchise-operated restaurants.
 

 

                     
Del Taco Restaurants, Inc.
Reconciliation of Company Restaurant Sales to Restaurant Contribution
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
                     
        12 Weeks Ended   36 Weeks Ended
        September 11, 2018   September 12, 2017   September 11, 2018   September 12, 2017
Company restaurant sales       $ 109,559     $ 106,298     $ 324,468     $ 311,542  
Restaurant operating expenses         87,746       85,891       261,654       250,620  
Restaurant contribution       $ 21,813     $ 20,407     $ 62,814     $ 60,922  
Restaurant contribution margin         19.9 %     19.2 %     19.4 %     19.6 %
                     

 

                 
Del Taco Restaurants, Inc.
Reconciliation of Net Income and Diluted Earnings Per Share to Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)
                 
                 
    12 Weeks Ended   12 Weeks Ended
    September 11, 2018   September 12, 2017
    $   Per Share   $   Per Share
Net income and diluted earnings per share, as reported   $ 5,874     $ 0.15     $ 5,101     $ 0.13
Impairment of long-lived assets (a)                      
Restaurant closure charges, net (b)     672       0.02       (16 )    
Other income (c)     (523 )     (0.01 )          
Tax impact of adjustment (d)     (40 )                
Non-GAAP adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share   $ 5,983     $ 0.15     $ 5,085     $ 0.13
                 
                 
    36 Weeks Ended   36 Weeks Ended
    September 11, 2018   September 12, 2017
    $   Per Share   $   Per Share
Net income and diluted earnings per share, as reported   $ 13,313     $ 0.34     $ 14,669     $ 0.37
Impairment of long-lived assets (a)     1,661       0.04            
Restaurant closure charges, net (b)     635       0.02       (1 )    
Other income (c)     (523 )     (0.01 )          
Tax impact of adjustment (d)     (479 )     (0.01 )          
Non-GAAP adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share   $ 14,607     $ 0.37     $ 14,668     $ 0.37
                               
(a) Includes costs related to impairment of long-lived assets.
(b) Includes costs related to future obligations associated with the closure or net sublease shortfall of a restaurant and lease termination costs, partially offset by sublease income from leases which are treated as deemed landlord financing.
(c) Other income consists of a gain related to the write-off of unfavorable lease liabilities related to franchise subleases which were terminated in connection with the Company's acquisition of the related franchise-operated restaurants.
(d) Represents the income tax associated with the adjustments in (a) through (c) that are deductible for income tax purposes.
 

?

                 
Del Taco Restaurants, Inc.
Restaurant Development
                 
    12 Weeks Ended   36 Weeks Ended
   

September 11, 
2018

 

September 12, 
2017

 

September 11, 
2018

 

September 12, 
2017

Company-operated restaurant activity:                
Beginning of period   315     304     312     310  
Openings   2     2     6     3  
Closures   (3 )   (1 )   (4 )   (3 )
Purchased from franchisees   3         3      
Sold to franchisees               (5 )
Restaurants at end of period   317     305     317     305  
Franchise-operated restaurant activity:                
Beginning of period   251     251     252     241  
Openings   3     2     4     7  
Closures   (1 )       (3 )    
Purchased from Company               5  
Sold to Company   (3 )       (3 )    
Restaurants at end of period   250     253     250     253  
Total restaurant activity:                
Beginning of period   566     555     564     551  
Openings   5     4     10     10  
Closures   (4 )   (1 )   (7 )   (3 )
Restaurants at end of period   567     558     567     558  
   

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181016005979/en/

Contacts:

Julia Young
For Del Taco Restaurants, Inc.
Media Relations
646-277-1280
julia.young@icrinc.com

Raphael Gross
For Del Taco Restaurants, Inc.
Investor Relations
203-682-8253
investor@deltaco.com

Source: Del Taco Restaurants, Inc.

###

Comments:

comments powered by Disqus
Share This Page

Subscribe to our Newsletters