DineEquity, Inc. Reports Successful Second Quarter 2014 Results

DineEquity, Inc. (NYSE: DIN), the parent company of Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar^® and IHOP^® restaurants, today announced financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2014.

“We delivered successful results for the second quarter, driven by the continued focus on our strategic objectives,” said Julia A. Stewart, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DineEquity, Inc. Ms. Stewart added, “We are very pleased to announce that IHOP and Applebee’s reported positive same-restaurant sales and outperformed their respective categories based on industry sales data. We are doing the work necessary to drive long-term success at both of our brands. In addition, we continue to generate substantial free cash flow, tightly manage our general and administrative expenses, and return significant cash to shareholders. We remain clearly focused on maximizing shareholder value and driving sustainable growth.”

Second Quarter 2014 Financial Highlights

• Adjusted net income available to common stockholders was $22.1 million, representing adjusted earnings per diluted share of $1.16 for the second quarter of 2014. This compares to $19.7 million, or adjusted earnings per diluted share of $1.02, for the second quarter of 2013. Adjusted earnings per diluted share increased by 14% compared to the second quarter of 2013. The improvement in adjusted net income was due to higher segment profit, lower general and administrative expenses, and lower cash interest expense. These items were partially offset by higher income taxes. (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.)
• GAAP net income available to common stockholders was $18.9 million, or earnings per diluted share of $1.00, for the second quarter of 2014. This compares to $16.6 million, or earnings per diluted share of $0.87, for the second quarter of 2013. Earnings per diluted share improved by 15% compared to the second quarter of 2013. The increase in net income was primarily due to higher segment profit, lower general and administrative expenses, and a gain on the disposition of assets in the second quarter of 2014 compared to a loss in the same period of 2013. These items were partially offset by higher income tax expense and an increase in closure and impairment charges.
• General and administrative expenses were $34.8 million for the second quarter of 2014 compared to $35.6 million for the same period of 2013.

First Six Months of 2014 Highlights

• Adjusted net income available to common stockholders was $46.1 million in the first six months of 2014, representing adjusted earnings per diluted share of $2.43. This compares to $41.5 million, or adjusted earnings per diluted share of $2.16, for the same period in 2013. Adjusted earnings per diluted share for the first six months of 2014 rose by 13% compared to the same period in 2013. The increase was primarily due to higher segment profit, lower general and administrative expenses, and a decline in cash interest expense. These items were partially offset by higher income taxes. (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.)
• GAAP net income available to common stockholders was $39.3 million in the first six months of 2014, or earnings per diluted share of $2.07, compared to $34.5 million, or earnings per diluted share of $1.80 for the same period in 2013. Earnings per diluted share for the first six months of 2014 improved by 15% compared to the same period in 2013. The increase was primarily due to higher segment profit, debt modification costs that occurred in the first six months of 2013 that did not recur in the first six months of 2014, and a decline in general and administrative expenses. These items were partially offset by higher income tax expense and a loss on the disposition of assets in the first six months of 2014 compared to a gain in the first six months of 2013.
• General and administrative expenses were $69.0 million in the first six months of 2014 compared to $69.7 million for the same period of 2013.
• EBITDA was $149.4 million for the first six months of 2014. (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.)
• For the first six months of 2014, cash flows from operating activities were $56.0 million and free cash flow was $50.0 million. (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.)

Same-Restaurant Sales Performance

Second Quarter 2014

• Applebee’s domestic system-wide same-restaurant sales increased 0.6% for the second quarter of 2014 compared to the second quarter of 2013.
• IHOP’s domestic system-wide same restaurant sales increased 3.2% for the second quarter of 2014 compared to the same quarter of 2013.

First Six Months of 2014 Highlights

• Applebee’s domestic system-wide same-restaurant sales remained flat for the first six months of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013.
• IHOP’s domestic system-wide same restaurant sales increased 3.6% for the first six months of 2014 compared to the first six months of 2013.

Financial Performance Guidance for Fiscal 2014

DineEquity reiterates its financial performance guidance for fiscal 2014 contained in the press release issued on February 26, 2014, except for IHOP’s domestic system-wide same restaurant sales. The Company revised IHOP’s sales performance guidance to range between positive 1.0% and positive 2.5%. This reflects an increase from the previous expectations of between positive 0.5% and positive 2.0%.

Investor Conference Call Today

The Company will host a conference call to discuss its results on the same day at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time / 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time. To participate on the call, please dial (800) 708-4539 and reference pass code 37666196. International callers, please dial (847) 619-6396 and reference pass code 37666196.

A live webcast of the call will be available on DineEquity's Web site at www.dineequity.com, and may be accessed by visiting Calls & 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 10:30 a.m. Pacific Time on July 29, 2014 through 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on August 5, 2014 by dialing (888) 843-7419 and referencing pass code 37666196#. International callers, please dial (630) 652-3042 and reference pass code 37666196#. An online archive of the webcast will also be available on the Investors section of DineEquity's Web site.

About DineEquity, Inc.

Based in Glendale, California, DineEquity, Inc., through its subsidiaries, franchises and operates restaurants under the Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar and IHOP brands. With more than 3,600 restaurants combined in 19 countries, over 400 franchisees and approximately 200,000 team members (including franchisee- and company-operated restaurant employees), DineEquity is one of the largest full-service restaurant companies in the world. For more information on DineEquity, visit the Company's Web site located at www.dineequity.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these forward-looking statements by words such as "may," "will," "should," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "plan" 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: the effect of general economic conditions; the Company's indebtedness and risks associated with the timing and our ability to refinance the Company’s indebtedness; risk of future impairment charges; trading volatility and the price of the Company’s common stock; the Company's results in any given period differing from guidance provided to the public; the highly competitive nature of the restaurant business; the Company's business strategy failing to achieve anticipated results; risks associated with the restaurant industry; risks associated with locations of current and future restaurants; rising costs for food commodities and utilities; shortages or interruptions in the supply or delivery of food; ineffective marketing and guest relationship initiatives and use of social media; changing health or dietary preferences; our engagement in business in foreign markets; harm to our brands' reputation; litigation; fourth-party claims with respect to intellectual property assets; environmental liability; liability relating to employees; failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations; failure to effectively implement restaurant development plans; our dependence upon our franchisees; concentration of Applebee's franchised restaurants in a limited number of franchisees; credit risk from IHOP franchisees operating under our previous business model; termination or non-renewal of franchise agreements; franchisees breaching their franchise agreements; insolvency proceedings involving franchisees; changes in the number and quality of franchisees; inability of franchisees to fund capital expenditures; heavy dependence on information technology; the occurrence of cyber incidents or a deficiency in our cybersecurity; failure to execute on a business continuity plan; inability to attract and retain talented employees; risks associated with retail brand initiatives; failure of our internal controls; 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 assumes no obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This news release includes references to the Company's non-GAAP financial measures "adjusted net income available to common stockholders (adjusted EPS)," "EBITDA," "free cash flow," and "segment EBITDA." "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 debt modification costs, and any gain or loss related to the disposition of assets. This is presented on an aggregate basis and a per share (diluted) basis. The Company defines "EBITDA" for a given period as income before income taxes less interest expense, loss on extinguishment of debt, depreciation and amortization, closure and impairment charges, non-cash stock-based compensation, gain or loss on disposition of assets and other charge backs as defined by its credit agreement. "Free cash flow" for a given period is defined as cash provided by operating activities, plus receipts from notes and equipment contracts receivable ("long-term notes receivable"), less principal payments on capital lease and financing obligations, the mandatory 1% of Term Loan principal balance repayment, and capital expenditures. "Segment EBITDA" for a given period is defined as gross segment profit plus depreciation and amortization as well as interest charges related to the segment. Management utilizes EBITDA for debt covenant purposes and free cash flow to determine the amount of cash remaining for general corporate and strategic purposes and for the return of cash to stockholders pursuant to our capital allocation strategy, after the receipts from long-term receivables, and the funding of operating activities, capital expenditures and debt service. Management believes this information is helpful to investors to determine the Company's adherence to debt covenants and the Company's cash available for these purposes. Adjusted EPS, EBITDA, free cash flow and segment EBITDA 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 United States generally accepted accounting principles.

Restaurant Data

The following table sets forth, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, the number of "Effective Restaurants" in the Applebee’s and IHOP systems and information regarding the percentage change in sales at those restaurants compared to the same periods in the prior year. Sales at restaurants that are owned by franchisees and area licensees are not attributable to the Company. However, we believe that presentation of this information is useful in analyzing our revenues because franchisees and area licensees pay us royalties and advertising fees that are generally based on a percentage of their sales, and, where applicable, rental payments under leases that may be partially based on a percentage of their sales. Management also uses this information to make decisions about future plans for the development of additional restaurants as well as evaluation of current operations.