Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Reports Results for the Fiscal Fourth Quarter and Year Ended December 25, 2011

Submitted by admin on Sat, 02/18/2012 - 11:22am

GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo.--(www.hospitalitybusinessnews.com)--Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc., (NASDAQ: RRGB), a casual dining restaurant chain focused on serving an innovative selection of high-quality gourmet burgers in a family-friendly atmosphere, today reported financial results for the 12 and 52 weeks ended December 25, 2011.

Financial and Operational Results

During the Company’s fiscal fourth quarter 2011:

Adjusted earnings per diluted share were $0.28 compared to $0.13 a year ago; GAAP earnings per diluted share were $0.20 compared to $0.14 in the fiscal fourth quarter 2010 (See Schedule I)
Company-owned comparable restaurant gross sales increased 4.8%
Restaurant-level operating profit margin increased to 19.9% from 17.0% (See Schedule II)
The Company opened four new company-owned Red Robin® restaurants, including its first Red Robin’s Burger Works™ and one new franchised Red Robin® restaurant

Adjusted net income for the 12 weeks ended December 25, 2011, was $4.1 million compared to $2.0 million earned for the comparable period in fiscal 2010. Adjusted net income excludes $1.2 million of expense and $0.4 million of income in the fiscal fourth quarter 2011 and 2010, respectively, related to asset impairments, restaurant closing and executive transition costs net of taxes as detailed in Schedule I below. GAAP net income during the fiscal fourth quarter 2011 was $2.9 million compared to $2.2 million during the comparable period in fiscal 2010.

For the 52 weeks ended December 25, 2011, the Company reported adjusted earnings per diluted share of $1.58 compared to $0.71 in fiscal 2010. Adjusted net income in fiscal 2011 was $24.3 million compared to $11.1 million in 2010 as detailed in Schedule I. GAAP earnings per diluted share for fiscal 2011 amounted to $1.34 compared to $0.46 in 2010. GAAP net income in fiscal 2011 and 2010 was $20.6 million and $7.3 million, respectively.

“Our strong fourth quarter 2011 performance reflects the sales growth we realized from a sequential improvement in guest count trends, accentuating value with the continued success of our limited time offerings and execution of happy hour and other revenue-driving initiatives,” said Steve Carley, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. Chief Executive Officer. “In addition, despite continued pressure from commodity inflation, our team members were able to capture substantial net cost savings, which resulted in significantly higher profits in the fourth quarter. The targeted reduction in restaurant costs we announced in early 2011 with Project Red are being realized more quickly than we anticipated.”

Continued Growth in Operating Results

Total Company revenues, which include company-owned restaurant sales and franchise royalties, increased 7.0% to $206.0 million in the fiscal fourth quarter of 2011 versus $192.6 million in the same period last year. For fiscal 2011, total revenues increased 5.9% to $914.9 million.

Comparable restaurant gross sales increased 4.8% for company-owned restaurants in the fiscal fourth quarter of 2011 compared to the fiscal fourth quarter of 2010, driven by a 5.6% increase in average guest check, partially offset by a 0.8% decrease in guest counts. Net of loyalty incentive and other discounts, comparable sales increased 3.1% in the fiscal fourth quarter of 2011 compared to the prior year. Comparable sales for the 52 weeks ended December 25, 2011 grew 2.9% on a gross basis and 2.3% net of incentives and discounts.

Average weekly net sales in company-owned restaurants increased to $51,844 per unit in the fiscal fourth quarter of 2011 (3,904 operating weeks) compared to $50,198 a year ago (3,771 operating weeks). In the Company’s franchised restaurants, average weekly net sales per unit were $50,004 in the fiscal fourth quarter of 2011, an increase of 4.8% compared to $47,723 last year. System-wide net sales in the fiscal fourth quarter of totaled $284.7 million, compared to $266.1 million in the prior year, and were $1,267.4 million for fiscal year 2011.

Restaurant-level operating profit margins at company-owned restaurants were 19.9% in the fiscal fourth quarter of 2011 compared to 17.0% in the fiscal fourth quarter of 2010, an improvement of 290 basis points as a result of lower operating costs that more than offset higher food and beverage costs. Schedule II of this earnings release defines restaurant-level operating profit, discusses why it is a useful metric for investors and reconciles this metric to income from operations and net income.¹

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses were $23.6 million in the 12 weeks ended December 25, 2011, compared to $19.5 million in the same period of fiscal 2010. SG&A in the fiscal fourth quarter of 2011 increased due to higher performance-based compensation costs and included $1.3 million related to development of the Company’s new information systems which will be implemented in fiscal 2012.

In the fiscal fourth quarter of 2011, the Company recorded a pre-tax non-cash asset impairment charge of $2.4 million related to two locations where the net book value exceeded the estimated fair value of the related assets.

The Company had an effective tax rate of 2.8% in the fiscal fourth quarter of 2011, compared to an effective tax benefit in the fiscal fourth quarter of 2010. For the full fiscal year 2011, the Company’s effective tax rate was 6.8%.

¹Schedule II of this earnings release defines restaurant-level operating profit and reconciles this metric to income from operations and net income for all periods presented. The Company’s restaurant-level operating profit metric is designed to afford management and investors with a basis for considering and comparing restaurant performance. It is not calculated in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). It is intended to supplement, rather than replace GAAP results. Restaurant-level operating profit is useful to management and to the Company’s investors because it is widely regarded in the restaurant industry as a meaningful metric by which to evaluate restaurant-level operating efficiency and performance.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

On December 25, 2011, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $35.0 million and total debt of $156.9 million, including $10.7 million of capital lease liabilities. For the 52 weeks ended December 25, 2011, cash from operations totaled $95.7 million compared to $70.6 million for the same period in 2010. During fiscal 2011, Red Robin’s capital investments amounted to $44.1 million compared to $35.0 million in fiscal 2010.

During the fiscal fourth quarter of 2011, the Company repurchased approximately 92,000 shares for $2.3 million. For the full fiscal year 2011, the Company repurchased a total of 1.2 million shares, or 7.6% of shares outstanding, for $33.0 million.

Restaurant Openings

As of the end of the fiscal fourth quarter of 2011, there were 327 company-owned restaurants and 137 franchised Red Robin® locations. In the fiscal fourth quarter of 2011, the Company opened three full-size prototype Red Robin® restaurants and its first smaller prototype Red Robin’s Burger Works™, while franchisees opened one new restaurant. During fiscal 2011, the Company opened 13 new company-owned restaurants and three franchised Red Robin® restaurants.

Outlook for 2012

Red Robin’s fiscal 2012 will consist of 53 weeks ending on December 30, 2012.

In fiscal 2012, the Company expects low-single-digit growth of comparable restaurant net sales compared to the prior year.

Cost of sales is expected to increase to near 26.0% of sales, or 60 to 80 basis points higher than fiscal 2011. Improvements in operating expenses and the impact of select item price increases implemented in fiscal 2011 are expected to offset the higher commodity costs. Average restaurant-level operating profit margins are expected to increase modestly in fiscal 2012 from fiscal 2011.

The income tax rate in fiscal 2012 is expected to increase to a range of 22% to 24% from 6.8% in fiscal 2011 as a result of higher income before income taxes and expiration of the HIRE Act tax credit.

During fiscal 2012, the Company expects to open between 13 and 15 new company-owned restaurants, including four Red Robin’s Burger Works™. The increase in new store openings from the prior year and additional restaurant remodeling investments are expected to increase fiscal 2012 capital expenditures to a range of $50 million to $60 million.

The sensitivity of the Company’s earnings per diluted share to a 1% change in guest counts for fiscal 2012 is estimated to be $0.25. Additionally, a 10 basis point change in restaurant-level operating margin is expected to impact earnings per diluted share by approximately $0.05, and a change of $191,000 in pre-tax income or expense is equivalent to approximately $0.01 per diluted share.


RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited)

	Twelve Weeks Ended						Fifty-Two Weeks Ended
	December 25, 2011			December 26, 2010			December 25, 2011			December 26, 2010
Revenues:
Restaurant revenue	$	202,504		$	189,295		$	898,842		$	846,389
Franchise royalties and fees		3,087			3,117			14,151			13,409
Other revenue		390			162			1,857			4,471
Total revenues		205,981			192,574			914,850			864,269
Costs and expenses:
Restaurant operating costs:
Cost of sales		51,464			46,206			227,063			206,639
Labor		67,915			67,798			303,503			300,878
Operating		27,270			28,442			124,238			125,137
Occupancy		15,570			14,694			65,785			63,055
Depreciation and amortization		12,521			12,959			55,272			56,738
Selling, general and administrative expenses		23,616			19,505			103,124			92,958
Pre-opening costs		728			1,024			3,527			3,015
Asset impairment charge		2,418			-			4,337			6,116
Total costs and expenses		201,502			190,628			886,849			854,536
Income from operations		4,479			1,946			28,001			9,733
Other (income) expense:
Interest expense		1,487			828			5,885			5,112
Interest income		(14	)		(20	)		(62	)		(63	)
Other		16			(33	)		90			(46	)
Total other expenses		1,489			775			5,913			5,003
Income before income taxes		2,990			1,171			22,088			4,730
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		85			(1,057	)		1,511			(2,569	)
Net income	$	2,905		$	2,228		$	20,577		$	7,299
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.20		$	0.14		$	1.36		$	0.47
Diluted	$	0.20		$	0.14		$	1.34		$	0.46
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		14,620			15,563			15,122			15,536
Diluted		14,823			15,703			15,357			15,709


RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands, except share amounts) (Unaudited)

	December 25, 2011			December 26, 2010
Assets:
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	35,036		$	17,889
Accounts receivable, net		14,785			6,983
Inventories		18,040			16,037
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		9,970			7,600
Income tax receivable		1,387			3,822
Deferred tax asset		1,429			1,294
Total current assets		80,647			53,625
Property and equipment, net		402,360			414,048
Goodwill		61,769			61,769
Intangible assets, net		38,969			43,056
Other assets, net		9,231			6,759
Total assets	$	592,976		$	579,257

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:
Current Liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	$	14,798		$	12,776
Construction related payables		3,328			2,943
Accrued payroll and payroll related liabilities		35,044			29,137
Unearned revenue, net		24,139			14,391
Accrued liabilities		19,045			18,592
Current portion of term loan notes payable		9,375			18,739
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations		757			838
Total current liabilities		106,486			97,416
Deferred rent		40,025			34,214
Long-term portion of term loan notes payable		136,875			85,214
Other long-term debt and capital lease obligations		9,924			53,731
Other non-current liabilities		4,968			8,021
Total liabilities		298,278			278,596

Stockholders’ Equity:
Common stock; $0.001 par value: 30,000,000 shares authorized; 17,276,404 and 17,101,897 shares issued; 14,579,257 and 15,600,867 shares outstanding		17			17
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value: 3,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding		-			-
Treasury stock 2,697,147 and 1,501,030 shares, at cost		(83,285	)		(50,321	)
Paid-in capital		178,111			171,558
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax		(326	)		(197	)
Retained earnings		200,181			179,604
Total stockholders’ equity		294,698			300,661
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	592,976		$	579,257


Schedule I Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Results to GAAP Results (In Thousands, Except for Per Share Data)

In addition to the results provided in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) throughout this press release, the Company has provided non-GAAP measurements which present the twelve and fifty-two weeks ended December 25, 2011, and December 26, 2010, net income (loss) and basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share, excluding the effects of the asset impairment charges, restaurant closure costs, severance expense, executive transition costs, and initial gift card breakage revenue recorded in first quarter 2011. The Company believes that the presentation of net income and earnings per share exclusive of the identified items gives the reader additional insight into the ongoing operational results of the Company. This supplemental information will assist with comparisons of past and future financial results against the present financial results presented herein. The non-GAAP results were calculated using an assumed 13.8% normalized tax rate in 2011 and a tax benefit of 3.2% in 2010 on income and expense items before taxes excluding the identified items. The non-GAAP measurements are intended to supplement the presentation of the Company’s financial results in accordance with GAAP.

	Twelve Weeks Ended						Fifity-two Weeks Ended
	December 25, 2011			December 26, 2010			December 25, 2011			December 26, 2010

Net income (loss) as reported	$	2,905		$	2,228		$	20,577		$	7,299
Executive transition and severance expense		-			47			2,228			2,559
Asset impairment and restaurant closure costs		2,418			767			4,337			6,972
Initial cumulative gift card breakage income		-			-			(438	)		(3,507	)
Income tax benefit (expense)		(1,208	)		(994	)		(2,391	)		(2,230	)

Adjusted net income	$	4,115		$	2,048		$	24,313		$	11,093


Basic net income (loss) per share:
Net income (loss) as reported	$	0.20		$	0.14		$	1.36			0.47
Executive transition and severance expense		-			-			0.15			0.16
Asset impairment and restaurant closure costs		0.17			0.05			0.29			0.45
Initial cumulative gift card breakage income		-			-			(0.03	)		(0.23	)
Income tax benefit (expense)		(0.09	)		(0.06	)		(0.16	)		(0.14	)

Adjusted earnings per basic share	$	0.28		$	0.13		$	1.61		$	0.71



Diluted net income (loss) per share:
Net income (loss) as reported	$	0.20		$	0.14		$	1.34		$	0.46
Executive transition and severance expense		-			-			0.15			0.16
Asset impairment and restaurant closure costs		0.16			0.05			0.28			0.45
Initial cumulative gift card breakage income		-			-			(0.03	)		(0.22	)
Income tax benefit (expense)		(0.08	)		(0.06	)		(0.16	)		(0.14	)

Adjusted earnings per diluted share	$	0.28		$	0.13		$	1.58		$	0.71

Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		14,620			15,563			15,122			15,536
Diluted		14,823			15,703			15,357			15,709


Schedule II Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Restaurant-Level Operating Profit to Income from Operations and Net Income (In thousands, except percentage data)

The Company believes that restaurant-level operating profit is an important measure for management and investors because it is widely regarded in the restaurant industry as a useful metric by which to evaluate restaurant-level operating efficiency and performance. The Company defines restaurant-level operating profit to be restaurant revenues minus restaurant-level operating costs, excluding restaurant closures and asset impairment costs. The measure includes restaurant level occupancy costs, which include fixed rents, percentage rents, common area maintenance charges, real estate and personal property taxes, general liability insurance and other property costs, but excludes depreciation related to restaurant buildings and leasehold improvements. The measure excludes depreciation and amortization expense, substantially all of which is related to restaurant level assets, because such expenses represent historical sunk costs which do not reflect a current cash outlay for the restaurants. The measure also excludes selling, general and administrative costs, and therefore excludes occupancy costs associated with selling, general and administrative functions, and pre-opening costs. The Company excludes restaurant closure costs as they do not represent a component of the efficiency of continuing operations. Restaurant impairment costs are excluded, because, similar to depreciation and amortization, they represent a non-cash charge for the Company’s investment in its restaurants and not a component of the efficiency of restaurant operations. Restaurant-level operating profit is not a measurement determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and should not be considered in isolation, or as an alternative, to income from operations or net income as indicators of financial performance. Restaurant-level operating profit as presented may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. The table below sets forth certain unaudited information for the 12 and 52 weeks ended December 25, 2011, and December 26, 2010, expressed as a percentage of total revenues, except for the components of restaurant operating costs, which are expressed as a percentage of restaurant revenues.

	Twelve Weeks Ended										Fifty-two Weeks Ended
	December 25, 2011					December 26, 2010					December 25, 2011				December 26, 2010
	As Reported					As Reported					As Reported				As Reported
Restaurant revenues	$	202,504		98.3	%	$	189,295		98.3	%	$	898,842	98.3	%	$	846,389		97.9	%
Restaurant operating costs:
Cost of sales		51,464		25.4			46,206		24.4			227,063	25.3			206,639		24.4
Labor		67,915		33.5			67,798		35.8			303,503	33.8			300,878		35.5
Operating		27,270		13.5			28,442		15.0			124,238	13.8			125,137		14.8
Occupancy		15,570		7.7			14,694		7.8			65,785	7.3			63,055		7.4
Restaurant-level operating profit		40,285		19.9			32,155		17.0			178,253	19.8			150,680		17.8

Add – other revenues		3,477		1.7			3,279		1.7			16,008	1.7			17,880		2.1
Deduct – other operating:
Depreciation and amortization		12,521		6.1			12,959		6.7			55,272	6.0			56,738		6.6
Selling, general and administrative		23,630		11.5			18,738		9.7			103,078	11.3			92,102		10.7
Pre-opening costs		728		0.4			1,024		0.5			3,527	0.4			3,015		0.3
Asset impairment charge		2,418		1.2			-		-			4,337	0.5			6,116		0.7
Restaurant closure costs		(14	)	(0.0	)		767		0.4			46	0.0			856		0.1
Total other operating		39,283		19.1			33,488		17.4			166,260	0.5			158,827		18.4

Income from operations		4,479		2.2			1,946		1.0			28,001	3.1			9,733		1.1

Total other expenses, net		1,489		0.7			775		0.4			5,913	0.6			5,003		0.6
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		85		0.0			(1,057	)	(0.5	)		1,511	0.2			(2,569	)	(0.3	)
Total other		1,574		0.8			(282	)	(0.1	)		7,424	0.8			2,434		0.3

Net income	$	2,905		1.4	%	$	2,228		1.2	%	$	20,577	2.2	%	$	7,299		0.8	%

Certain percentage amounts in the table above do not total due to rounding as well as the fact that restaurant operating costs are expressed as a percentage of restaurant revenues, as opposed to total revenues.

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Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Reports Results for the Fiscal Fourth Quarter and Year Ended December 25, 2011