RCI Reports Positive Operating Cash Flow and EPS for 1Q21

HOUSTON , Feb. 9, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- RCI Hospitality Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: RICK) today reported results for the fiscal 2021 first quarter ended December 31, 2020 and filed its Form 10-Q. Results are not comparable to year-ago periods due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused state and local governments to restrict the opening, occupancy, and operating hours of locations in different ways, at different times.

1Q21 Highlights

• GAAP EPS of $1.07 and non-GAAP EPS of $0.39
• GAAP results included $4.9 million pre-tax gain from debt extinguishment and a $384,000 tax benefit
• Weighted average shares outstanding declined 3.3% year-over-year
• $17.0 million cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2020
• Net cash from operating activities of $6.3 million and free cash flow* of $5.7 million
• Total revenues of $38.4 million , up 33% from 4Q20 and equal to 79% of 1Q20 revenues
• Nightclubs segment revenues of $25.2 million with 33.7% operating margin
• Bombshells segment revenues of $13.0 million with 20.9% operating margin

Eric Langan , President & CEO, said: "1Q21 saw the best overall company and Nightclubs performance since the pandemic began in our March 2020 quarter, as well as continued strong Bombshells results. This enabled us to keep our teams employed, generate free cash flow, build cash, and achieve operating and net profitability on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis. Once again, we thank our loyal customers, dedicated team members, and steadfast investors.

"Looking ahead, we're encouraged more clubs have been allowed to reopen and hope this trend continues as the COVID-19 vaccines are rolled out. As of today, 31 clubs and all 10 Bombshells are open. We're also evaluating potential club acquisitions. To expand Bombshells, we recently acquired a great site in the Dallas area and are conducting due diligence on three more. In addition, we are closely collaborating with our initial franchisee on their first location and continue to speak with potential new franchisees. As part of the effort to refinance our real estate debt at better terms, we are awaiting results of appraisals."

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1Q21 Statement of Operations ( All comparisons are to 1Q20)

• Consolidated revenues of $38.4 million compared to $48.4 million . By segment, Bombshells generated $13.0 million compared to $10.4 million , and Nightclubs generated $25.2 million compared to $37.9 million .
• During 1Q21, 24 clubs were open the full quarter and 26 by period end, and all 10 Bombshells were open the full quarter. During 1Q20, 38 clubs were open, and the ninth Bombshells opened October 2019 .
• Cost of goods sold was 16.2% vs. 14.0% of revenues due to the change in sales mix from a higher proportion of food and a lower proportion of service revenues.
• Salaries and wages were 29.9% vs. 27.3% of revenues, reflecting the impact of fixed salaries on lower sales.
• SG&A was 31.6% vs. 34.2% of revenues due to cost-savings initiatives and lower variable expenses due to lower sales, partially offset by fixed expenses.
• Income from operations was $6.6 million (17.1% of revenues) vs. $9.7 million (20.0% of revenues).
• Bombshells segment profitability increased 73% to $2.7 million on a 26% increase in sales and a 570 basis point increase in margin to 20.9% of segment revenues. Results reflected higher sales, more consistent traffic while operating in line with indoor restrictions, and greater operating leverage.
• Nightclubs segment generated $8.5 million in operating income with a 33.7% operating margin. This is the segment's best performance since the 2Q20 quarter, when the pandemic was declared March 13, 2020 .
• Non-operating gains of $4.9 million pre-tax from debt extinguishment of forgiven loans.
• Tax benefit of $384,000 caused primarily by reversal of the tax valuation allowance and the impact of the loan forgiveness.

December 31, 2020 Balance Sheet (All comparisons are to September 30, 2020 )

• Cash and cash equivalents of $17.0 million compared to $15.6 million .
• Debt of $134.8 million compared to $141.4 million , reflecting debt extinguishment and regular paydowns.

Note

• As of the release of this report, we do not know the future extent and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic on our businesses. Lower sales caused by social distancing guidelines could lead to adverse financial results. We are continually monitoring and evaluating the situation and will determine any further measures to be instituted, which could include refinancing several of our debt obligations.
• All references to the "company," "we," "our," and similar terms include RCI Hospitality Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.

*Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to our financial information presented in accordance with GAAP, management uses certain non-GAAP financial measures, within the meaning of the SEC Regulation G, to clarify and enhance understanding of past performance and prospects for the future. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company's operating performance, financial position or cash flows that excludes or includes amounts that are included in or excluded from the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. We monitor non-GAAP financial measures because it describes the operating performance of the Company and helps management and investors gauge our ability to generate cash flow, excluding (or including) some items that management believes are not representative of the ongoing business operations of the Company, but are included in (or excluded from) the most directly comparable measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Relative to each of the non-GAAP financial measures, we further set forth our rationale as follows:

• Non-GAAP Operating Income and Non-GAAP Operating Margin. We calculate non-GAAP operating income and non-GAAP operating margin by excluding the following items from income from operations and operating margin: (a) amortization of intangibles, (b) gains or losses on sale of businesses and assets, (c) gains or losses on insurance, and (d) settlement of lawsuits. We believe that excluding these items assists investors in evaluating period-over-period changes in our operating income and operating margin without the impact of items that are not a result of our day-to-day business and operations.
• Non-GAAP Net Income and Non-GAAP Net Income per Diluted Share. We calculate non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net income per diluted share by excluding or including certain items to net income attributable to RCIHH common stockholders and diluted earnings per share. Adjustment items are: (a) amortization of intangibles, (b) gains or losses on sale of businesses and assets, (c) gains or losses on insurance, (d) unrealized gains or losses on equity securities, (e) settlement of lawsuits, (f) gain on debt extinguishment, and (g) the income tax effect of the above described adjustments. Included in the income tax effect of the above adjustments is the net effect of the non-GAAP provision for income taxes, calculated at 19.1% and 21.8% effective tax rate of the pre-tax non-GAAP income before taxes for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and the GAAP income tax expense (benefit). We believe that excluding and including such items help management and investors better understand our operating activities.
• Adjusted EBITDA. We calculate adjusted EBITDA by excluding the following items from net income attributable to RCIHH common stockholders: (a) depreciation and amortization, (b) income tax expense (benefit), (c) net interest expense, (d) gains or losses on sale of businesses and assets, (e) gains or losses on insurance, (f) unrealized gains or losses on equity securities, (g) settlement of lawsuits, and (h) gain on debt extinguishment. We believe that adjusting for such items helps management and investors better understand our operating activities. Adjusted EBITDA provides a core operational performance measurement that compares results without the need to adjust for federal, state and local taxes which have considerable variation between domestic jurisdictions. The results are, therefore, without consideration of financing alternatives of capital employed. We use adjusted EBITDA as one guideline to assess our unleveraged performance return on our investments. Adjusted EBITDA is also the target benchmark for our acquisitions of nightclubs.
• Management also uses non-GAAP cash flow measures such as free cash flow. Free cash flow is derived from net cash provided by operating activities less maintenance capital expenditures. We use free cash flow as the baseline for the implementation of our capital allocation strategy.

About RCI Hospitality Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: RICK)

With more than 40 units, RCI Hospitality Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is the country's leading company in gentlemen's clubs and sports bars/restaurants. Clubs in New York City , Chicago , Dallas/Ft. Worth , Houston , Miami , Minneapolis , St. Louis , Charlotte, Pittsburgh , and other markets operate under brand names such as Rick's Cabaret, XTC, Club Onyx, Vivid Cabaret, Jaguars Club, Tootsie's Cabaret, and Scarlett's Cabaret. Sports bars/restaurants operate under the brand name Bombshells Restaurant & Bar. Please visit http://www.rcihospitality.com/

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause the company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated in this press release, including, but not limited to, the risks and uncertainties associated with (i) operating and managing an adult business, (ii) the business climates in cities where it operates, (iii) the success or lack thereof in launching and building the company's businesses, (iv) cyber security, (v) conditions relevant to real estate transactions, (vi) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and (vii) numerous other factors such as laws governing the operation of adult entertainment businesses, competition and dependence on key personnel. For more detailed discussion of such factors and certain risks and uncertainties, see RCI's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2020 as well as its other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The company has no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of future events or circumstances.

Media & Investor Contacts

Gary Fishman and Steven Anreder at 212-532-3232 or gary.fishman@anreder.com and steven.anreder@anreder.com

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SOURCE RCI Hospitality Holdings, Inc.