Papa Johns Announces 2022 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Financial Results

Global system-wide restaurant sales up 3%(a) for full year

Third straight year of positive North America comparable sales

System-wide units up 4.5%(b) for full year

Papa John’s International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA)(“Papa Johns®”) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 25, 2022.

Fourth Quarter Highlights

• North America comparable sales were up 1% from a year ago and up 26% on a three-year stack; International comparable sales were down 3% from a year ago and up 20% on a three-year stack.
• 117 net unit openings in the fourth quarter largely within international markets.
• Global system-wide restaurant sales were $1.20 billion, a 3%(a) increase over the prior year.
• Total revenues of $526 million were down $3 million, or less than 1%, from a record fourth quarter 2021. Revenues increased 3% excluding the impact of refranchising 90 restaurants in the first quarter of 2022.
• Diluted earnings per common share of $0.66, compared with $0.67 for 2021; adjusted diluted earnings per common share(c) of $0.71 compared with $0.75 a year ago.

Full Year Highlights

• North America comparable sales were up 1% from a year ago and up 30% on a three-year stack; International comparable sales were down 5% from a year ago and up 20% on a three-year stack.
• 244 net unit openings(b) for the full year 2022 driven by continued international growth.
• Global system-wide restaurant sales were $4.84 billion, a 3%(a) increase over the prior year.
• Record total revenues of $2.10 billion were up $34 million, or 2%, from 2021.
• Diluted earnings per common share of $1.89 compared with $0.12 for 2021; adjusted diluted earnings per common share(c) of $2.94 compared with $3.51 a year ago.

“We had a strong finish to 2022, posting our third straight year of positive North America comparable sales,” said Rob Lynch, Papa Johns’ President and CEO. “Our performance demonstrates the resiliency of our brand, the agility of our teams and the strength of our business model despite the macro headwinds we faced. This past year, we continued to introduce impactful menu innovations, such as our Epic Pepperoni Stuffed Crust and New York Style pizzas, addressed the need of value-seeking consumers with Papa Pairings, continued to grow our Papa Rewards loyalty program and further expanded our footprint domestically and internationally.”

“Looking ahead to 2023, we will continue to grow on top of the solid foundation we have built over the past three years as we deliver on our strategic priorities and build the world’s best pizza company,” added Lynch. “Investments in product and digital innovation, combined with strong operational excellence, will continue to enhance the customer experience and contribute to healthy North America comparable sales and unit economics. Our differentiated brand positioning, winning product innovation and operational excellence will continue to deliver strong unit development and system-wide sales growth globally.”

Quarterly Results

Total revenues of $526.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 decreased $2.7 million, or 0.5%, compared with the fourth quarter of the prior year. Excluding the impact of refranchising 90 restaurants in the first quarter of 2022, total revenues increased $14.6 million, or 2.8%. The higher total revenue is primarily the result of a 7.9% increase in North America commissary sales tied to commodity inflation and a 1.1% increase in North America restaurants comparable sales, partially offset by lower international revenues.

For the fourth quarter of 2022, global system-wide restaurant sales were $1.20 billion, up 2.8% from a year ago (excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations and previously disclosed franchisee suspended restaurants). The increase reflects higher equivalent units from net restaurant openings primarily in international markets as well as the increase in comparable sales in North America.

Operating income of $36.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2022 decreased $1.9 million or 5.1% compared to the fourth quarter last year. Adjusted operating income(a) was $38.2 million, down $3.7 million or 8.8% from the prior year comparable period. The decreases in both operating income and adjusted operating income were attributable to higher commodity costs, wage inflation and increased depreciation and amortization costs linked to investments in digital innovation.

Diluted earnings per common share was $0.66 for the fourth quarter of 2022, representing a decrease of $0.01 from the fourth quarter of 2021. Adjusted diluted earnings per common share(a) was $0.71, representing a decrease of $0.04 from the fourth quarter of 2021. Diluted earnings per common share and adjusted diluted earnings per common share for the fourth quarter of 2022 reflected lower tax expenses compared to the fourth quarter of 2021, which partially offset lower operating income (or adjusted operating income) and higher interest expense linked to borrowings during 2022 that were utilized largely to fund share repurchases.

Full Year Results

Total revenues of $2.10 billion for 2022 were 1.6% higher than 2021 total revenues of $2.07 billion. Excluding the impact of refranchising 90 restaurants in the first quarter of 2022, total revenues increased $86.9 million or 4.4% for the year. The growth was primarily due to a 14.2% increase in North America commissary revenues in addition to a 4.5% increase in system-wide units and positive comparable sales for the year. This growth was partially offset by lower international revenues.

Operating income of $109.0 million for 2022 decreased $59.2 million or 35.2% compared with the prior year, as inflation drove commodity prices and wages higher during 2022. 2022 results also include $12.1 million in refranchising and impairment losses and $15.0 million of legal settlement costs. Adjusted operating income(a) for 2022, which excludes the refranchising and impairment losses and legal settlement costs, was $157.5 million, down $23.9 million or 13.2% from the prior year comparable period.

Diluted earnings per common share was $1.89 for 2022 compared with $0.12 in 2021. The increase in diluted earnings per common share in 2022 primarily resulted from the effect of cash consideration paid for the redemption of preferred stock in the 2021 comparable period. Adjusted diluted earnings per common share was $2.94 for 2022 representing a decrease of $0.57 compared with 2021. The decrease in adjusted diluted earnings per common share was attributable to lower adjusted operating income combined with higher interest expense in 2022 linked to higher borrowings utilized for share repurchases.

See the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for additional information concerning our operating results for the year ended December 25, 2022.

Global Restaurant Sales Information

Global restaurant and comparable sales information for the fourth quarter and year ended December 25, 2022, compared with the fourth quarter and year ended December 26, 2021 are as follows (See “Supplemental Information and Financial Statements” below for related definitions):

Global Restaurant Unit Data

As of December 25, 2022, there were 5,706 Papa Johns restaurants operating in 48 countries and territories, as follows:

Free Cash Flow

Free cash flow, a non-GAAP financial measure which the Company defines as net cash provided by operating activities, less purchases of property and equipment and dividends paid to preferred shareholders, was $39.4 million for the year ended December 25, 2022, compared with $109.7 million in the prior year period. The year over year change primarily reflects lower cash flow from operating activities as a result of overall business performance and lower accrued expenses, as well as increases in purchases of property and equipment.

We view free cash flow as an important financial 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.

Cash Dividend and Share Repurchases

The Company paid cash dividends of $14.8 million ($0.42 per common share) in the fourth quarter of 2022. On January 26, 2023, our Board of Directors declared a first quarter 2023 dividend of $0.42 per common share. The dividend was paid on February 17, 2023 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 6, 2023.

During the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company repurchased 361,000 shares of common stock for $30.0 million pursuant to its share repurchase program. For the year ended December 25, 2022, the Company repurchased 1,343,000 shares of common stock for $125.0 million. As of December 25, 2022, the Company had $299.8 million remaining available for repurchase under its outstanding share repurchase authorization.

Conference Call

Papa Johns will host a call with analysts today, February 23, 2023, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To access the conference call or webcast, please register online at: ir.papajohns.com/events-presentations. A replay of the webcast will be available two hours after the call and archived on the same web page.

About Papa Johns

Papa John’s International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA) opened its doors in 1984 with one goal in mind: BETTER INGREDIENTS. BETTER PIZZA.® Papa Johns believes that using high-quality ingredients leads to superior quality pizzas. Its original dough is made of only six ingredients and is fresh, never frozen. Papa Johns tops its pizzas with real cheese made from mozzarella, pizza sauce made with vine-ripened tomatoes that go from vine to can in the same day and meat free of fillers. It was the first national pizza delivery chain to announce the removal of artificial flavors and synthetic colors from its entire food menu. Papa Johns is co-headquartered in Atlanta, Ga. and Louisville, Ky. and is the world’s third-largest pizza delivery company with more than 5,700 restaurants in approximately 50 countries and territories. For more information about the Company or to order pizza online, visit www.PapaJohns.com or download the Papa Johns mobile app for iOS or Android.

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,” “outlook,” “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, share repurchases, the current economic environment, the continuing impact of the coronavirus pandemic, commodity and labor costs, currency fluctuations, profit margins, net unit growth, unit level performance, capital expenditures, restaurant and franchise development, labor shortages and price increases, inflation, royalty relief, franchisee support, the effectiveness of our menu innovations and other business initiatives, investments in product and digital innovation, marketing efforts, liquidity, compliance with debt covenants, impairments, 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. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those matters expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements.

Our forward-looking statements are based on our assumptions which are based on currently available information. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those matters expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including but not limited to risks related to: deteriorating economic conditions in the U.S. and international markets, including the United Kingdom; labor shortages at Company and/or franchised stores and our quality control centers; increases in labor costs, commodity costs or sustained higher other operating costs, including as a result of supply chain disruption, inflation or climate change; the potential for delayed new store openings, both domestically and internationally, or lower net unit development targets due to changing circumstances outside of our control; the increased risk of phishing, ransomware and other cyber-attacks; risks and disruptions to the global economy and our business related to the conflict in Ukraine and other international conflicts; and continuing risks related to outbreak of COVID-19 and other health crises. These and 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 25, 2022. 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

Definitions

“Comparable sales” represents the change in year-over-year sales for the same base of restaurants for the same fiscal periods. Comparable sales excludes sales of restaurants that were not open during both the current and prior fiscal periods and franchisees for which we suspended corporate support. “Global system-wide restaurant sales” represents total restaurant sales for all Company-owned and franchised restaurants open during the comparable periods, and “Global system-wide restaurant sales growth (decline)” represents the change in total system restaurant sales year-over-year. Global system-wide restaurant sales and global system-wide sales growth (decline) exclude franchisees for which we suspended corporate support.

“Equivalent units” represents the number of restaurants open at the beginning of a given period, adjusted for restaurants opened, closed, acquired or sold during the period on a weighted average basis.

We believe North America, International and global restaurant and comparable sales growth and Global system-wide restaurant sales 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. Comparable sales and Global system-wide restaurant sales results for restaurants operating outside of the United States are reported on a constant dollar basis, which excludes the impact of foreign currency translation. 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.

Non-GAAP Measures

In addition to the results provided in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we provide certain non-GAAP measures, which present results on an adjusted basis. These are supplemental measures of performance that are not required by or presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP and include the following: adjusted operating income, adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders and adjusted diluted earnings per common share. We believe that our non-GAAP financial measures enable investors to assess the operating performance of our business relative to our performance based on U.S. GAAP results and relative to other companies. We believe that the disclosure of these non-GAAP measures is useful to investors as they reflect metrics that our management team and Board of Directors utilize to evaluate our operating performance, allocate resources and administer employee incentive plans. The most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures to adjusted operating income, adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders and adjusted diluted earnings per common share are operating income, net income attributable to common shareholders and diluted earnings per common share, respectively. These non-GAAP measures should not be construed as a substitute for or a better indicator of the Company’s performance than the Company’s U.S. GAAP results. The table below reconciles our GAAP financial results to our non-GAAP financial measures.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230221005931/en/