Papa John's Announces Third Quarter 2020 Financial Results and New $75 Million Share Repurchase Program

Papa John’s International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA) today announced financial results for the three and nine months ended September 27, 2020.

Highlights

• Company revenues increased 17.1% compared to third quarter of 2019
• Comparable sales increased 23.8% in North America and 20.7% Internationally in the third quarter
• Earnings per diluted share increased to $0.35 compared to third quarter 2019 loss per diluted share of ($0.10)
• Cash flow from operations of $168.5 million and free cash flow of $134.0 million for the first nine months of 2020
• Previously announced temporary franchise support program ended in the third quarter, concluding a $55 million investment in the system over the past four quarters
• New $75 million share repurchase program authorized

“Thanks to our focus on our strategic priorities, our commitment to an innovation mindset, and our dedication to supporting our team members and franchisees, Papa John’s delivered another quarter of outstanding results,” said President & CEO Rob Lynch. “Double-digit comparable sales growth, dramatically higher earnings and robust free cash flow all reflect a winning strategy and execution that have helped us outperform our competition and deliver five straight quarters of same store sales growth.”

Mr. Lynch continued, “The new share repurchase program demonstrates our commitment to value creation in the near and long term, as well as our confidence in Papa John’s future. The tremendous progress we have made this year – a fast-growing customer base, a truly differentiated brand, a robust innovation pipeline and a vast global development opportunity – positions us to continue expanding our slice of the pizza and food delivery market, which itself has a promising future. Looking ahead, we are excited to continue taking care of our team members and customers, delivering great pizza, and realizing our tremendous potential.”

Global Restaurant and Comparable Sales Information

Global restaurant and comparable sales information for the three and nine months ended September 27, 2020, compared to the three and nine months ended September 29, 2019 are as follows:

Financial Highlights

Revenues

Consolidated revenues of $472.9 million increased $69.2 million, or 17.1%, in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the third quarter of 2019. Excluding the impact of refranchising 46 domestic restaurants in 2019, consolidated revenues increased approximately $77.2 million, or 19.6%, primarily due to strong comparable sales results for North America restaurants, including 18.2% for company-owned restaurants and 25.6% for franchised restaurants, resulting in higher company-owned restaurant revenues, franchise royalties and commissary sales. International revenues also increased primarily due to higher Papa John’s United Kingdom (“PJUK”) commissary revenues and higher royalties from increased equivalent units and strong comparable sales results.

Operating Results and Cash Flow

Consolidated income before income taxes of $20.9 million for the third quarter of 2020 increased $20.2 million compared to the third quarter of 2019. Excluding the impact of Special items in 2019, consolidated income before income taxes increased $19.1 million for the three months ended September 27, 2020. See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures,” below. These increases were primarily due to higher income from higher comparable sales both domestically and internationally.

Diluted earnings per common share was $0.35 for the third quarter of 2020, compared to a diluted loss per common share of $0.10 for the third quarter of 2019, an increase of 450%. Diluted earnings per common share was reduced by approximately $0.02 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2020 due to income attributable to participating securities, including our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series B Preferred Stock”), based on the allocation of undistributed earnings to participating securities in the period. See “Participating Securities Earnings Per Share” below for additional information related to the calculation of income attributable to participating securities for the three and nine months ended September 27, 2020.

The company’s cash flow from operating activities for the nine months ended September 27, 2020 was $168.5 million, compared to $50.0 million a year ago, reflecting higher net income and favorable working capital changes, including timing of payments. This resulted in significantly higher free cash flow (a non-GAAP financial measure defined as net cash provided by operating activities, less purchases of property and equipment and dividends paid to preferred shareholders) of $134.0 million, compared to $15.8 million in the nine months ended September 29, 2019. See “Free Cash Flow” below for additional information.

The company paid common and preferred stock dividends of $10.8 million in the third quarter of 2020. The company declared fourth quarter 2020 dividends of approximately $10.8 million on October 30, 2020, which will be paid to common shareholders on November 20, 2020. The fourth quarter preferred dividend will be paid on January 4, 2021. The declaration and payment of any future dividends on our common stock will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors, subject to the company’s financial results, cash requirements, and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors. The holders of Series B Preferred Stock receive quarterly preferred dividends and common stock dividends on an as converted to common stock basis.

Segment Results

Consolidated income before income taxes of $20.9 million for the third quarter of 2020 increased $20.2 million from the third quarter of 2019. Excluding the impact of Special items in 2019, the increase was $19.1 million. Significant changes in income before income taxes, excluding Special items in 2019, are as follows:

• Domestic Company-owned restaurants increased $1.0 million to $8.4 million primarily due to higher profits from comparable sales of 18.2%, partially offset by higher labor, bonuses and commodities. Additionally, the prior period benefited from the expiration of customer rewards associated with our Papa Rewards loyalty program ($5.1 million unfavorable for the third quarter of 2020).
• North America commissaries increased $1.3 million to $8.1 million primarily due to higher profits from higher volumes, partially offset by higher bonuses.
• North America franchising increased $9.3 million to $23.4 million primarily due to higher comparable sales of 25.6% and a higher effective royalty rate due to lower temporary royalty relief which was part of our financial assistance program (see “Temporary Franchise Support”).
• International increased $3.9 million to $8.1 million primarily due to higher profits from comparable sales increases of 20.7% and higher PJUK commissary income attributable to increased units and higher comparable sales.
• All others, which primarily includes our online and mobile ordering business, our wholly owned print and promotions subsidiary and our North America marketing funds, increased $4.0 million primarily due to higher online revenues.
• Unallocated corporate expenses increased approximately $1.1 million primarily due to higher marketing fund investments as discussed in “Temporary Franchise Support” and higher management incentive costs, partially offset by reduced travel as a result of COVID-19 and lower professional and consulting fees.

Year-to-Date Results

Consolidated revenues increased 11.8% to $1,343.4 million for the nine months ended September 27, 2020, compared to the prior year comparable period, primarily due to higher comparable sales which benefited each of the company’s operating segments. Income before income taxes increased $49.5 million for the nine months ended September 27, 2020, compared to the prior year comparable period, primarily due to improved results from North America franchising and Domestic Company-owned restaurants.

For the nine months ended September 27, 2020, diluted earnings per share was $0.99 compared to a diluted loss per share of $0.06 for the prior year period (diluted earnings per share of $0.28, excluding Special items of $0.34 in the prior year, an increase of 254%). Diluted earnings per common share was reduced by approximately $0.06 per diluted share for the nine months ended September 27, 2020, due to income attributable to participating securities, including Series B Preferred Stock, based on the allocation of undistributed earnings to participating securities.

See the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC for additional information concerning our operating results for the three and nine months ended September 27, 2020 and cash flow for the nine months ended September 27, 2020.

Global Restaurant Unit Data

As of September 27, 2020, there were 5,360 Papa John’s restaurants operating in 48 countries and territories, as follows:

Our development pipeline as of September 27, 2020 included approximately 1,380 restaurants (180 units in North America and 1,200 units internationally), the majority of which are scheduled to open over the next six years. Our development pipeline includes 49 stores in Philadelphia and southern New Jersey to be opened between 2021 and 2028 as previously announced. This represents our largest traditional store development agreement in North America in over 20 years.

New $75 million Share Repurchase Authorization

On November 4, 2020, our Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase program for up to $75 million of the company’s common stock, effective through December 31, 2021. This represents approximately 3.0% of the company’s currently outstanding common stock based on the closing price of the stock as of November 4, 2020. The timing and volume of share repurchases may be executed at the discretion of management on an opportunistic basis, subject to market and business conditions, regulatory requirements and other factors, or pursuant to trading plans or other arrangements. Repurchases under the new program may be made through open market, block, and privately negotiated transactions, including Rule 10b5-1 plans, at times and in such amounts as management deems appropriate. Repurchases under the company’s share repurchase program may be commenced or suspended from time to time at the company’s discretion without prior notice.

Strategic Corporate Reorganization for Long-term Growth

On September 17, 2020, we announced plans to open a new headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. Certain corporate functions, including menu innovation, marketing, digital customer experience, human resources, diversity, equity and inclusion, communications, operations and development, will be relocated to the new Atlanta headquarters. Our information technology, finance, supply chain, and legal teams will continue to operate in our Louisville, Kentucky headquarters, which remains critical to our success. We also maintain a headquarters office outside of London, UK, where our international operations are managed.

The new Atlanta headquarters is part of a broader strategic reorganization of corporate functions reflecting the company’s ongoing transformation into a brand and culture that can effectively and efficiently deliver on the company’s purpose, values and strategic business priorities. The opening of the new Atlanta location and related organizational changes are expected to be completed by the summer of 2021. Affected employees who do not relocate to Atlanta have been offered a separation package. As a result, we expect to incur certain one-time corporate reorganization costs of approximately $15 to $20 million related to employee severance and transition, recruitment and relocation and other third-party costs through 2021. Of that amount, we expect to incur costs of approximately $4 to $5 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. There were no significant corporate reorganization costs incurred in the third quarter of 2020.

Conference Call and Website Information

A conference call is scheduled for November 5, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time to review the company’s third quarter 2020 earnings results. The call can be accessed from the company’s web page at www.papajohns.com in a listen-only mode or dial 877-312-8816 (U.S. and Canada) or 253-237-1189 (International). The conference call will be available for replay, including by downloadable podcast, from the company’s web site at www.papajohns.com . The Conference ID is 9888185.

Investors and others should note that we announce material financial information to our investors using our investor relations website, press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts. We intend to use our investor relations website as a means of disclosing information about our business, our financial condition and results of operations and other matters and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. The information we post on our investor relations website, including information contained in investor presentations, may be deemed material. Accordingly, investors should monitor our investor relations website, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts. We encourage investors and others to sign up for email alerts at our investor relations page under Shareholder Tools at the bottom right side of the page. These email alerts are intended to help investors and others to monitor our investor relations website by notifying them when new information is posted on the site.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain matters discussed in this press release and other company communications that are not statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Generally, the use of words such as “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “will,” “forecast,” “plan,” “project,” or similar words identify forward-looking statements that we intend to be included within the safe harbor protections provided by the federal securities laws. Such forward-looking statements include or may relate to projections or guidance concerning business performance, revenue, earnings, cash flow, earnings per share, the financial impact of the temporary business opportunities, disruptions and temporary changes in demand we are experiencing related to the current outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), including our cash on hand and access to our credit facilities, commodity costs, currency fluctuations, profit margins, unit growth, unit level performance, capital expenditures, restaurant and franchise development, the duration of changes in consumer behavior caused by the pandemic, the duration and number of temporary store closures, our plans to open our new headquarters in Atlanta, the associated reorganization costs and the related organizational, employment and real estate changes that are expected to be made in connection therewith, royalty relief, the effectiveness of our strategic turnaround efforts and other business initiatives, marketing efforts, liquidity, compliance with debt covenants, strategic decisions and actions, dividends, effective tax rates, regulatory changes and impacts, adoption of new accounting standards, and other financial and operational measures. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Our forward-looking statements are based on our assumptions which are based on currently available information, including assumptions about our ability to manage difficulties associated with or related to the COVID-19 pandemic or our corporate reorganization, including risks related to: the impact of governmental restrictions on freedom of movement and business operations including quarantines, social distancing requirements and mandatory business closures; the virus’s impact on the availability of our workforce; the potential disruption of our supply chain; changes in consumer demand or behavior; the overall contraction in global economic activity, including rising unemployment; our liquidity position; our ability to navigate changing governmental programs and regulations relating to the pandemic; the increased risk of phishing and other cyber-attacks; our ability to successfully implement or fully realize the anticipated benefits of our corporate reorganization and new headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia in the timeframes we desire or within the expected range of expenses, or at all; turnover in our support teams due to our relocations to Georgia; and potential difficulty in retention and recruitment of new employees. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those matters expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Other risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are involved in our forward-looking statements are discussed in detail in “Part I. Item 1A. – Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2019, and in “Part II. Item 1A. – Risk Factors” in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the first and third quarters of 2020. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of future events, new information or otherwise, except as required by law.

For more information about the company, please visit www.papajohns.com .

Supplemental Information and Financial Statements

Definition

Comparable sales: We believe North America, international and global restaurant and comparable sales growth information is useful in analyzing our results since our franchisees pay royalties and marketing fund contributions that are based on a percentage of franchise sales. Franchise sales also generate commissary revenue in the United States and in certain international markets. Franchise restaurant and comparable sales growth information is also useful for comparison to industry trends and evaluating the strength of our brand. Management believes the presentation of franchise restaurant sales growth, excluding the impact of foreign currency, provides investors with useful information regarding underlying sales trends and the impact of new unit growth without being impacted by swings in the external factor of foreign currency. Franchise restaurant sales are not included in the company’s revenues.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Effective as of the first quarter of 2020, the company modified its presentation of adjusted (non-GAAP) financial results to no longer present certain financial assistance provided to the North America system in the form of royalty relief and discretionary marketing fund investments as Special charges. This financial assistance, which began in the third quarter of 2018 in response to declining sales in North America, concluded in the third quarter of 2020. The adjusted financial results for the three and nine months ended September 27, 2019 have been revised to remove these items. See “Temporary Franchise Support” for additional information regarding this change in presentation.

The table below reconciles our GAAP financial results to our adjusted financial results, which are non-GAAP measures (collectively defined as “Special items”). We present these non-GAAP measures because we believe the Special items in 2019 impact comparability to our 2020 results.

The 2019 non-GAAP adjusted results shown above and within this press release, which exclude the Special items, should not be construed as a substitute for or a better indicator of the company’s performance than the company’s GAAP results. Management believes presenting certain financial information excluding the Special items is important for purposes of comparison to current year results. In addition, management uses these metrics to evaluate the company’s underlying operating performance and to analyze trends.

Temporary Franchise Support

As previously mentioned, effective as of the first quarter of 2020, the company no longer presents certain royalty relief and discretionary marketing fund investments, included herein as “Temporary Franchise Support,” as Special items within its adjusted financial results. The prior period adjusted financial measures presented above in “Reconciliation of non-GAAP Financial Measures” have also been revised to remove the impact of these items. The Temporary Franchise Support concluded in the third quarter of 2020.

Temporary Franchise Support investments were $13.5 million (or approximately $0.31 per diluted share) and $29.3 million (or approximately $0.69 per diluted share) for the three and nine months ended September 27, 2020, respectively, compared to $11.4 million (or approximately $0.28 per diluted share) and $21.2 million (or approximately $0.52 per diluted share) for the three and nine months ended September 29, 2019, as follows (in thousands):

Free Cash Flow

We define free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities (from the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows) less the purchases of property and equipment and dividends paid to preferred shareholders. We view free cash flow as an important measure because it is one factor that management uses in determining the amount of cash available for discretionary investment. Free cash flow is not a term defined by GAAP, and as a result, our measure of free cash flow might not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Free cash flow should not be construed as a substitute for or a better indicator of the company’s performance than the company’s GAAP measures. The company’s free cash flow for the first nine months of 2020 and 2019, respectively, was as follows (in thousands):

Participating Securities Earnings Per Share

We compute earnings (loss) per common share using the two-class method, by which net income attributable to participating securities, in addition to preferred stock dividends and accretion, is deducted from net income attributable to the company to determine net income attributable to common shareholders. Net income attributable to participating securities is the portion of undistributed earnings, defined as net income attributable to the company, less dividends paid to common and preferred shareholders, that would be allocated to the holders of participating securities on an as-converted basis.

The calculation to determine the amount of undistributed earnings to allocate to participating securities is as follow (in thousands):

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Ann Gugino
Chief Financial Officer
502-261-7272

Steve Coke
Vice President of Investor Relations and Strategy
502-261-7272