Dine Brands Global, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2023 Results

Dine Brands Global, Inc. (NYSE: DIN), the parent company of Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar®, IHOP® and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop® restaurants, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2023.

“Our solid performance in the fourth quarter concluded a year of significant progress for Dine. We delivered another year of positive comp sales growth at IHOP and Applebee’s and generated year-over-year EBITDA growth while fully integrating Fuzzy’s into our system,” said John Peyton, chief executive officer, Dine Brands Global, Inc. “We are further strengthening our recipe for growth in 2024 with our methodical development strategy that will generate sustainable value over the long-term for our shareholders and franchisees.”

Vance Chang, chief financial officer, Dine Brands Global, Inc. added, “Our financial performance in the fourth quarter and throughout the course of 2023 has allowed us to strengthen our balance sheet and invest in our business while returning capital to shareholders. In spite of the challenging operating environment, we continued to improve our profitability and exceeded our EBITDA guidance. Overall, Dine remains very well positioned to support its franchisees, navigate near-term headwinds and drive growth over time.”

Domestic Restaurant Sales for the Fourth Quarter of 2023

• Applebee’s year-over-year comparable same-restaurant sales declined 0.5% for the fourth quarter of 2023. Off-premise sales accounted for 20.8% of sales mix, representing per restaurant average weekly sales of approximately $10,900.

• IHOP’s year-over-year domestic comparable same-restaurant sales increased 1.6% for the fourth quarter of 2023. Off-premise sales accounted for 20.4% of sales mix, representing per restaurant average weekly sales of approximately $8,000.

Fourth Quarter of 2023 Summary

• Total revenues for the fourth quarter of 2023 were $206.3 million compared to $208.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2022. The decline was primarily due to the refranchising of the 69 company-operated Applebee’s units in October 2022 and the negative comparable same-restaurant sales growth at Applebee’s, offset by the positive comparable same-restaurants sales growth at IHOP and a full quarter’s revenue contribution from Fuzzy’s acquired in December 2022. Total revenues excluding the refranchised Applebee’s restaurants for the fourth quarter of 2023 were $204.3 million compared to $196.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2022.

• General and Administrative (“G&A”) expenses for the fourth quarter of 2023 were $50.5 million compared to $58.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2022. The variance was primarily attributable to transaction costs related to the acquisition of Fuzzy’s in December 2022, a decrease in compensation-related expenses, the refranchising of the Applebee’s restaurants and lower conference expenses partially offset by the inclusion of Fuzzy’s operations in the fourth quarter of 2023.

• GAAP net income available to common stockholders was $32.3 million, or earnings per diluted share of $2.14, for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to net income available to common stockholders of $11.0 million, or earnings per diluted share of $0.72 for the fourth quarter of 2022. The increase was primarily due to an income tax benefit resulting from the conclusion of a state income tax audit settlement, a decrease in G&A expenses and a decrease in weighted-average diluted shares as a result of share repurchases.

• Adjusted net income available to common stockholders was $21.1 million, or adjusted earnings per diluted share of $1.40, for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to adjusted net income available to common stockholders of $20.6 million, or adjusted earnings per diluted share of $1.34, for the fourth quarter of 2022. The increase was primarily due to an increase in segment profit, a decrease in G&A expenses and a decrease in weighted-average diluted shares as a result of share repurchases offset by higher interest expense and income taxes. (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and reconciliation of GAAP net income available to common stockholders to adjusted net income available to common stockholders.)

• Consolidated adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $62.2 million compared to $57.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2022. (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and reconciliation of GAAP net income to consolidated adjusted EBITDA.)

• Development activity by Applebee’s and IHOP franchisees for the fourth quarter of 2023 resulted in 24 new restaurant openings and the closure of 14 restaurants.

2023 Summary

• Total 2023 revenues were $831.1 million compared to $909.4 million for the prior year. The decline was primarily due to the refranchising of the 69 company-operated Applebee’s units in October 2022, offset by the positive comparable same-restaurants sales growth at IHOP and Applebee’s. Total revenues excluding the refranchised Applebee’s restaurants for 2023 were $822.7 million compared to $780.7 million for the prior year.

• G&A expenses for 2023 were $198.1 million compared to $190.7 million for 2022. The variance was primarily due to costs resulting from the inclusion of Fuzzy’s operations acquired in December 2022, the stopping of the IHOP Flip’d initiative and increases in professional services, compensation-related and software maintenance costs, partially offset by the decreases due to the refranchised Applebee’s restaurants and the transaction costs related to the Fuzzy’s acquisition in 2022.

• GAAP net income available to common stockholders was $94.9 million, or earnings per diluted share of $6.22, for 2023 compared to net income available to common stockholders of $78.9 million, or earnings per diluted share of $4.96 for 2022. The increase was primarily due to an increase in segment profit, an income tax benefit resulting from the conclusion of a state income tax audit settlement and a decrease in weighted-average diluted shares as a result of share repurchases offset by an increase in interest expense and an increase in G&A expenses.

• Adjusted net income available to common stockholders was $101.4 million, or adjusted earnings per diluted share of $6.65, for 2023 compared to adjusted net income available to common stockholders of $98.5 million, or adjusted earnings per diluted share of $6.20, for 2022. The increase was primarily due to an increase in segment profit and a decrease in weighted-average diluted shares as a result of shares repurchases offset by higher G&A expenses and interest expense. (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and reconciliation of GAAP net income available to common stockholders to adjusted net income available to common stockholders.)

• Consolidated adjusted 2023 EBITDA was $256.4 million compared to $251.9 million for 2022. (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and reconciliation of GAAP net income to consolidated adjusted EBITDA.)

• Cash flows provided by operating activities for 2023 were $131.1 million. This compares to cash provided by operating activities of $89.3 million for 2022. The increase was primarily due to a favorable change in working capital and an increase in segment profit.

• The Company had adjusted free cash flow of $103.3 million for 2023. This compares to adjusted free cash flow of $64.6 million for 2022. (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and reconciliation of the Company’s cash provided by operating activities to adjusted free cash flow.)

• Development activity by Applebee’s and IHOP franchisees for 2023 resulted in 72 new restaurant openings and the closure of 75 restaurants.

Key Balance Sheet Metrics (as of December 31, 2023)

• Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of approximately $200.6 million, of which approximately $146.0 million was unrestricted cash.

• Leverage ratio of approximately 4.2x compared with approximately 4.6x as of September 30, 2023.

• Available borrowing capacity under the Variable Funding Senior Secured Notes is over $220 million.

GAAP Effective Tax Rate

The fiscal year 2023 effective tax rate of 13.0% applied to pretax book income was different than the statutory Federal income tax rate of 21% primarily due to the conclusion of a state income tax audit settlement, resulting in an income tax benefit of $15.1 million.

Capital Returns to Equity Holders

During the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company repurchased approximately $6 million of its common stock. In 2023, the Company repurchased approximately $26 million of its common stock.

On February 26, 2024, the Company announced that its Board of Directors declared and approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.51 per share of common stock. The dividend will be paid on April 5, 2024, to the Company’s stockholders of record at the close of business on March 20, 2024.

Financial Performance Guidance for 2024

The Company introduced its fiscal 2024 guidance items:

• Applebee’s domestic system-wide comparable same-restaurant sales performance is expected to range between 0% and 2%.

• IHOP’s domestic system-wide comparable same-restaurant sales performance is expected to range between 1% and 3%.

• Domestic development activity for Applebee’s franchisees is between 25 and 35 net fewer restaurants.

• Domestic development activity by IHOP franchisees and area licensees is expected to be between 15 and 25 net new openings.

• Consolidated adjusted EBITDA is expected to range between approximately $255 million and $265 million.

• G&A expenses are expected to range between approximately $200 million and $210 million. This total includes non-cash stock-based compensation expense and depreciation of approximately $35 million.

• Gross capital expenditures are expected to range between approximately $15 million and $20 million.

Dine Brands does not provide forward-looking guidance for GAAP net income because it is unable to predict certain items contained in the GAAP measure without unreasonable efforts. These items may include closure and impairment charges, loss on extinguishment of debt, gain or loss on disposition of assets, other non-income-based taxes and other items deemed not reflective of current operations.

Fourth Quarter of 2023 Earnings Conference Call Details

Dine Brands will host a conference call to discuss its results on February 28, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time. To access the call, please click this conference call registration link, and you will be provided with dial in details. A live webcast of the call, along with a replay will be available for a limited time at https://investors.dinebrands.com. 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. 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 Pasadena, California, Dine Brands Global, Inc. (NYSE: DIN), through its subsidiaries and franchisees, supports and operates restaurants under the Applebee's Neighborhood Grill + Bar®, IHOP®, and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop® brands. As of December 31, 2023, these three brands consisted of over 3,500 restaurants across 18 international markets. Dine Brands is one of the largest full-service restaurant companies in the world and in 2022 expanded into the Fast Casual segment. 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, including the impact of inflation, particularly as it may impact our franchisees directly; 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 including any insolvency or bankruptcy; credit risks from our IHOP franchisees operating under our previous IHOP business model in which we built and equipped IHOP restaurants and then franchised them to franchisees; insufficient insurance coverage to cover potential risks associated with the ownership and operation of restaurants; 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; risks of food-borne illness or food tampering; possible future impairment charges; 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; delivery initiatives and use of third-party delivery vendors; our allocation of human capital and 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, pandemics, epidemics, 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 Corporation’s Annual and Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q and in the Corporation’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and the Corporation 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 intangible asset amortization, any non-cash interest expense, any gain or loss related to the disposition of assets, any gain or loss related to debt extinguishment, any charges related to stopping the IHOP Flip’d initiative, 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 interest charges, any income tax provision or benefit, any depreciation and amortization, any non-cash stock-based compensation, any closure and impairment charges, any gain or loss related to debt extinguishment, 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. Additionally, the Company has provided total revenues excluding the refranchised Applebee’s restaurants for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2023 and for the comparative prior year periods. 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. Total revenues excluding the refranchised Applebee’s restaurants is helpful for Management to evaluate the performance of franchised restaurants over comparative periods. 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.

FBN-R

As of December 31, 2023, 44 franchise groups operated 131 Fuzzy's restaurants in 18 states within the United States and we had one company-owned restaurant in Texas, totaling 132 restaurants. Fuzzy's average weekly sales for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2023 were $27,406 and $30,547, respectively.

The restaurant counts and activity presented above do not include one domestic Applebee's ghost kitchen (small kitchens with no store-front presence, used to fill off-premise orders), 10 international Applebee's ghost kitchens and 33 international IHOP ghost kitchens at December 31, 2023. There were seven domestic and 15 international Applebee's ghost kitchens and 42 international IHOP ghost kitchens at December 31, 2022.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240228165969/en/