Third Quarter 2020 Financial Results
Total GAAP revenues increased 79.0% to $39.6 million in the third quarter of 2020 from $22.1 million in the third quarter of 2019. The increase was primarily driven by the addition of the Kona Grill restaurants, which the Company acquired on October 4, 2019, partly offset by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including occupancy limitations in locations resuming in person dining due to state and local mandates.
Total owned restaurant net revenues increased 97.1% to $37.8 million in the third quarter of 2020 from $19.2 million in the third quarter of 2019. The increase in revenue is primarily attributable to the addition of the Kona Grill restaurants, which had revenues of $22.8 million in the third quarter of 2020, partially offset by limited in-person seating due to state and local mandates. Comparable restaurant sales decreased 15.6% in the third quarter of 2020.
Management, license and incentive fee revenues were $1.7 million in the third quarter of 2020 compared to $2.9 million in the third quarter of 2019. Management and license fee revenue decreased primarily as a result of temporary closures for managed locations due to COVID-19.
Restaurant Operating Profit*** was $6.3 million, or 16.6% of company-owned restaurant net revenues, in the third quarter of 2020 compared to $2.0 million, or 10.2% of company-owned restaurant net revenues, in the third quarter of 2019. The 640 basis point improvement was primarily driven by the strong management of operating costs coupled with menu development and optimizations as restaurants re-opened.
GAAP net loss attributable to The ONE Group Hospitality, Inc. in the third quarter of 2020 was $0.9 million, or $0.03 net loss per share, compared to GAAP net income of $0.5 million, or $0.02 per share, in the third quarter of 2019. Third quarter 2020 net loss includes $1.7 million of incremental costs related to COVID-19.
Adjusted EBITDA** increased to $4.7 million in the third quarter of 2020 from $2.6 million in the third quarter of 2019.
***Restaurant Operating Profit. We define Restaurant Operating Profit as owned restaurant net revenue minus owned restaurant cost of sales and owned restaurant operating expenses. Restaurant Operating Profit has been presented in this press release and is a supplemental measure of financial performance that is not required by, or presented in accordance with, GAAP. Refer to the reconciliation of Restaurant Operating Profit to Operating income (loss) in this release.
COVID-19 Update
Starting in May 2020, state and local governments began easing restrictions on stay-at-home orders. The Company has taken significant steps to adapt its business to increase sales while providing a safe environment for guests and employees, which resulted in a significant increase in revenues in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the second quarter of 2020. As the Company navigates through the pandemic, it has also implemented measures to reduce its costs including the deferral of capital projects and negotiations with suppliers and landlords regarding deferral or abatement of payments.
As of September 30, 2020, the Company had $26.6 million in cash and cash equivalents, $47.5 million in term loan debt, and $10.7 million available on its revolving credit facility, subject to restrictions.
Restaurant Re-Openings and Return to In-Person Dining
As of November 5, 2020, the Company has resumed in-person dining at 34 of 36 domestic restaurants and will resume in-person dining at its El Paso Kona Grill restaurant, which is currently open for takeout and delivery only, and re-open its San Juan STK restaurant as soon as conditions permit. The Company has also resumed in-person dining at three international STK restaurants and takeout and delivery only at one international STK location. The Company anticipates reopening three additional international STK locations in December and one international STK location, Ibiza, is seasonally closed. The Company has recalled approximately 3,000 furloughed employees since April 2020.