Dine Brands Global, Inc. Reports Solid Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2019 Results

Dine Brands Global, Inc. (NYSE: DIN), the parent company of Applebee's Neighborhood Grill + Bar® and IHOP® restaurants, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal 2019.

“This past year for Dine Brands was defined by several significant achievements. Notably, we successfully completed a $1.3 billion refinancing of our existing debt through a securitization. We delivered a significant increase in net income of 30%, which resulted in strong growth in adjusted EBITDA of 19% for the year. Our franchised business model continued to generate robust adjusted free cash flow, enabling us to both return capital to shareholders and invest in technology. We also drove significant growth in our off-premise business at both Applebee’s and IHOP and launched domestic development initiatives at IHOP to expand our footprint in high-demand locations,” said Steve Joyce, Chief Executive Officer of Dine Brands Global, Inc.

Mr. Joyce added, “We’ve built a solid foundation for sustainable growth. While we are pleased with our success, we will not be complacent. Looking ahead, we will leverage our accomplishments and focus on guest-centric decisions and opportunities that will deliver long-term profitability. We’re excited about our future and confident in our ability to build momentum.”

Financial Summary

Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2019 Key Highlights

• GAAP earnings per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2019 increased 8.2% year-over-year to $1.59.
• Adjusted earnings per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2019 increased 4.7% year-over-year to $1.78. (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and reconciliation of GAAP earnings per diluted share to adjusted earnings per diluted share.)
• GAAP earnings per diluted share for fiscal 2019 increased 33.9% year-over-year to $5.85.
• Adjusted earnings per diluted share for fiscal 2019 increased 29.4% year-over-year to $6.95. (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and reconciliation of GAAP earnings per diluted share to adjusted earnings per diluted share.)
• IHOP’s comparable same-restaurant sales increased 1.1% for the fourth quarter of 2019, achieving the eighth consecutive quarter of sales growth.
• Applebee’s franchisees completed three transactions in 2019, bringing new and deeply experienced operators into the domestic system.
• IHOP’s franchisees completed over 200 remodels in 2019, bringing the total number of domestic restaurants remodeled to approximately 1,100 since the inception of the current program.
• IHOP’s reported system-wide sales for the fourth quarter of 2019 increased 2.1% year-over-year to $882.2 million.
• General and administrative expenses for the fourth quarter of 2019 declined 7.8% year-over-year to $41.7 million.
• Net income for fiscal 2019 increased 29.9% year-over-year to $104.3 million.
• Consolidated adjusted EBITDA for fiscal 2019 increased 18.6% to $273.5 million compared to $230.6 million for fiscal 2018. (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and reconciliation of GAAP net income to consolidated adjusted EBITDA.)
• Cash flows from operating activities for fiscal 2019 increased 10.6% to $155.2 million compared to $140.3 million for fiscal 2018.
• Adjusted free cash flow for fiscal 2019 increased 5.6% to $148.8 million compared to $140.9 million for fiscal 2018. (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and reconciliation of the Company’s cash provided by operating activities to adjusted free cash flow.)
• For 2019, the Company repurchased over 1.3 million shares of its common stock for a total cost of $111.7 million and paid quarterly cash dividends totaling $46.9 million.

Domestic System-Wide Comparable Same-Restaurant Sales Performance

Fourth Quarter of 2019

• IHOP’s comparable same-restaurant sales increased 1.1% for the fourth quarter of 2019.
• Applebee’s comparable same-restaurant sales decreased 2.5% for the fourth quarter of 2019.

Fiscal 2019

• IHOP’s comparable same-restaurant sales increased 1.1% for 2019.
• Applebee’s comparable same-restaurant sales decreased 0.7% for 2019.

Fourth Quarter of 2019 Financial Highlights

• GAAP net income available to common stockholders was $26.5 million, or earnings per diluted share of $1.59, for the fourth quarter of 2019. This compares to net income available to common stockholders of $26.1 million, or earnings per diluted share of $1.47, for the fourth quarter of 2018. The increase in net income was primarily due to lower general and administrative expenses. These items were partially offset by a decline in gross profit.
• Adjusted net income available to common stockholders was $29.7 million, or adjusted earnings per diluted share of $1.78, for the fourth quarter of 2019. This compares to adjusted net income available to common stockholders of $30.3 million, or adjusted earnings per diluted share of $1.70, for the fourth quarter of 2018. The decrease in adjusted net income was primarily due to lower gross profit and a slightly higher income tax rate. These items were partially offset by a decline in general and administrative expenses. The increase in adjusted earnings per diluted share was due to lower general and administrative expenses and fewer weighted average diluted shares outstanding. (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.)
• General and administrative expenses were $41.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to $45.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2018. The improvement was mainly due to lower compensation expenses and a decline in professional services costs.

Fiscal 2019 Financial Highlights

• GAAP net income available to common stockholders was $100.8million, or earnings per diluted share of $5.85, for 2019. This compares to net income available to common stockholders of $77.6 million, or earnings per diluted share of $4.37, for 2018. The increase in net income was primarily due to higher gross profit as the result of $30 million in franchisor contributions to the Applebee’s national advertising fund made in 2018 that did not recur in 2019. This was partially offset by approximately $8.3 million in debt extinguishment costs related to the refinancing of our long-term debt, which was completed on June 5, 2019.
• Adjusted net income available to common stockholders was $119.7 million, or adjusted earnings per diluted share of $6.95, for 2019. This compares to adjusted net income available to common stockholders of $95.5 million, or adjusted earnings per diluted share of $5.37 for fiscal 2018. The increase in adjusted net income was primarily due to higher gross profit as the result of $30.0 million in franchisor contributions to the Applebee’s national advertising fund made in 2018 that did not recur in 2019. (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.)
• General and administrative expenses were approximately $162.8 million for 2019 compared to $166.7 million for 2018. The improvement was mainly due to lower compensation expenses and a decline in professional services costs.

GAAP Effective Tax Rate

Our effective tax rates for the fourth quarter and fiscal 2019 were 25.0% and 24.6%, respectively.

Financial Performance Guidance for 2020

The following financial performance guidance for fiscal 2020 is based on management’s expectations as of February 24, 2020. The projections are as of this date, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement these estimates.

• Applebee’s domestic system-wide comparable same-restaurant sales performance is expected torange between 0% and positive 2.0%.
• IHOP’s domestic system-wide comparable same-restaurant sales performance is expected to range between 0% and positive 2.0%.
• Domestic development activity by Applebee’s franchisees is expected to result in net closures between 0 and 10 restaurants.
• Domestic development activity by IHOP franchisees and area licensees are expected to result in net new openings between 40 and 50 restaurants.
• Total segment profit, excluding the company restaurants segment, is expected to be between approximately $385 million and $395 million.
• General and administrative expenses are expected to range between approximately $170 million and $175 million, including non-cash stock-based compensation expense and depreciation totaling approximately $45 million. This projection includes approximately $5 million of general and administrative expenses related to the company restaurants segment.
• GAAP net income is expected to range between approximately $105 million and approximately $115 million.
• Consolidated adjusted EBITDA is expected to range between approximately $275 million and approximately $285 million. This projection includes company restaurants segment EBITDA, which is expected to be between approximately $9 million and approximately $11 million. (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and reconciliation of GAAP net income to consolidated adjusted EBITDA.)
• Capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $17 million, inclusive of approximately $4 million related to the company restaurants segment.
• GAAP earnings per diluted share is expected to range from $6.40 to $6.60.
• Adjusted earnings per diluted share is expected to range from $7.08 to $7.28 after tax. (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and reconciliation of GAAP earnings per diluted share to adjusted earnings per diluted share.)

Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2019 Conference Call Details

Dine Brands will host a conference call to discuss its results on February 24, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time/12:00 p.m. Eastern Time. To participate on the call, please dial (888) 771-4371 and reference passcode 49342172. International callers, please dial (847) 585-4405 and reference passcode 49342172.

A live webcast of the call will be available on www.dinebrands.com and may be accessed by visiting Events and 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 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time on February 24, 2020 through 8:59 p.m. Pacific Time on March 2, 2020 by dialing (888) 843-7419 and referencing passcode 49342172#. International callers, please dial (630) 652-3042 and reference passcode 49342172#. An online archive of the webcast will also be available on Events and Presentations under the Investors section of the Company’s website.

About Dine Brands Global, Inc.

Based in Glendale, California, Dine Brands Global, Inc. (NYSE: DIN), through its subsidiaries, franchises restaurants under both the Applebee's Neighborhood Grill + Bar and IHOP brands. With over 3,600 restaurants combined in 17 countries and approximately 370 franchisees, Dine Brands is one of the largest full-service restaurant companies in the world. For more information on Dine Brands, visit the Company’s website located at www.dinebrands.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. You can identify these forward-looking statements by words such as "may," "will," “would,” "should," “could,” "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "plan," “goal” 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: general economic conditions; our level of indebtedness; compliance with the terms of our securitized debt; our ability to refinance our current indebtedness or obtain additional financing; our dependence on information technology; potential cyber incidents; the implementation of restaurant development plans; our dependence on our franchisees; the concentration of our Applebee’s franchised restaurants in a limited number of franchisees; the financial health of our franchisees; our franchisees’ and other licensees’ compliance with our quality standards and trademark usage; general risks associated with the restaurant industry; potential harm to our brands’ reputation; possible future impairment charges; the effects of tax reform; trading volatility and fluctuations in the price of our stock; our ability to achieve the financial guidance we provide to investors; successful implementation of our business strategy; the availability of suitable locations for new restaurants; shortages or interruptions in the supply or delivery of products from third parties or availability of utilities; the management and forecasting of appropriate inventory levels; development and implementation of innovative marketing and use of social media; changing health or dietary preference of consumers; risks associated with doing business in international markets; the results of litigation and other legal proceedings; third-party claims with respect to intellectual property assets; our ability to attract and retain management and other key employees; compliance with federal, state and local governmental regulations; risks associated with our self-insurance; natural disasters or other serious incidents; our success with development initiatives outside of our core business; the adequacy of our internal controls over financial reporting and future changes in accounting standards; 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 does not intend to, nor does it assume any obligation to, update or supplement any forward-looking statements after the date hereof to reflect actual results or future events or circumstances.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release includes references to the Company's non-GAAP financial measure “adjusted net income available to common stockholders”, “adjusted earnings per diluted share (Adjusted EPS)”, “Adjusted EBITDA” and “Adjusted free cash flow.” 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 gain or loss related to the disposition of assets, and other items deemed not reflective of current operations. This is presented on an aggregate basis and a per share (diluted) basis. Adjusted EBITDA is computed for a given period by deducting from net income or loss for such period the effect of any closure and impairment charges, any interest charges, any income tax provision or benefit, any non-cash stock-based compensation, any depreciation and amortization, any gain or loss related to the disposition of assets and other items deemed not reflective of current operations. “Adjusted free cash flow” for a given period is defined as cash provided by operating activities, plus receipts from notes and equipment contracts receivable, less capital expenditures. Management may use certain of these non-GAAP financial measures along with the corresponding U.S. GAAP measures to evaluate the performance of the business and to make certain business decisions. Management uses adjusted free cash flow in its periodic assessments of, among other things, the amount of cash dividends per share of common stock and repurchases of common stock and we believe it is important for investors to have the same measure used by management for that purpose. Adjusted free cash flow does not represent residual cash flow available for discretionary purposes. Additionally, adjusted EPS is one of the metrics used in determining payouts under the Company’s annual cash incentive plan. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide additional meaningful information that should be considered when assessing the business and the Company’s performance compared to prior periods and the marketplace. Adjusted EPS and adjusted free cash flow 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 U.S. GAAP.

Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

Reconciliation of net income available to common stockholders to net income available to common stockholders, as adjusted for the following items: Amortization of intangible assets; loss on extinguishment of debt; non-cash interest expense; administrative reorganization costs; closure and impairment charges; debt refinancing costs; business acquisition costs; nonrecurring restaurant costs; gain or loss on disposition of assets; the combined tax effect of the preceding adjustments, and income tax adjustments considered unrelated to the respective current period operations, as well as related per share data:

Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(Unaudited)

Reconciliation of the Company's cash provided by operating activities to “adjusted free cash flow” (cash provided by operating activities, plus receipts from notes and equipment contracts receivable, less additions to property and equipment). Management uses this liquidity measure in its periodic assessments of, among other things, the amount of cash dividends per share of common stock and repurchases of common stock. We believe it is important for investors to have the same measure used by management for that purpose. Adjusted free cash flow does not represent residual cash flow available for discretionary purposes.

Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)

Reconciliation of the Company's net income to “adjusted EBITDA.” The Company defines adjusted EBITDA as net income, adjusted for the effect of interest charges, income tax provision or benefit, depreciation and amortization, non-cash stock-based compensation, closure and impairment charges, debt refinancing costs, gain or loss related to the extinguishment of debt and disposition of assets, other non-income based taxes and other items deemed not reflective of current operations. Management may use certain non-GAAP measures along with the corresponding U. S. GAAP measures to evaluate the performance of the company and to make certain business decisions.

Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Restaurant Data
(Unaudited)

The following table sets forth, for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, 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 and, as such, the percentage change in sales at Effective Restaurants is based on non-GAAP sales data. 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 partially may be 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.

Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Restaurant Data
(Unaudited)

The following table summarizes our restaurant development activity:

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200224005225/en/