Exhibit 99
Contact: | Claudia San Pedro | |||||
Vice President of Investor Relations and Treasurer | ||||||
(405) 225-4846 |
SONIC REPORTS SECOND QUARTER 2011 EARNINGS OF $0.07 PER SHARE
Sales Trends Continue Improvement in the Second Quarter
OKLAHOMA CITY (March 22, 2011) – Sonic Corp. (NASDAQ: SONC), the nation’s largest chain of drive-in restaurants, today announced results for the second fiscal quarter ended February 28, 2011. Key highlights of the company’s second quarter report included:
• | Net income per diluted share totaled $0.07 versus a net loss per diluted share of $0.01 in the year-earlier quarter; excluding a gain on early extinguishment of debt, net income per diluted share would have been $0.02 in the second quarter of fiscal 2011; |
• | System-wide same-store sales increased 1.2% for the second quarter compared with a decline of 13.2% in the second quarter of fiscal 2010; |
• | Same-store sales at franchise drive-ins increased 1.0% in the second quarter, while same-store sales at company-owned drive-ins increased 2.2%; and |
• | Franchise drive-in openings totaled five for the quarter. |
“Sales momentum continued to build in the second quarter, highlighted by positive same-store sales,” said Clifford Hudson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “This rebound in same-store sales underscores the ongoing positive impact of our strategic initiatives and a modestly strengthening economy. As one of the most highly differentiated brands in the quick-service restaurant industry, we have placed renewed emphasis on high-quality products and personalized customer service.”
Hudson noted that not only is the system experiencing improved sales, progress has been especially apparent in company-owned drive-ins as their same-store sales have outperformed the system for three consecutive quarters. This performance reflects improved customer service, as well as the impact of new management added in the fall of 2009.
“It is nice to see this increasing momentum in our business for the second quarter, and we expect to see continued improvement throughout fiscal 2011,” Hudson continued. “We are especially pleased with the recent launch of our new line-up of six-inch premium beef hot dogs, which complements our popular Coney offering and adds depth and variety to our hot dog category. These new differentiated products deliver value the Sonic way and have the potential of driving traffic or check in various day parts.”
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SONC Reports Second Quarter 2011 Results
Page 2
March 22, 2011
Financial Overview
For the second quarter ended February 28, 2011, revenues were essentially flat at $113.5 million compared with $113.3 million in the year-earlier period. Net income for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 totaled $4.3 million or $0.07 per diluted share compared with a net loss of $0.6 million or $0.01 per diluted share in the year-earlier quarter.
During the second quarter of fiscal 2011, Sonic repurchased $62.5 million of the company’s Class A-1 variable funding senior notes at a discount, recognizing a $5.2 million ($3.3 million after-tax) gain from early extinguishment of debt. Excluding this gain, net income and net income per diluted share for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 were $1.0 million and $0.02, respectively.
“These purchases, combined with regularly scheduled principal payments, enhance Sonic’s capital structure and provide additional financial flexibility in managing our business,” Hudson said. Currently, Sonic’s outstanding debt totals approximately $500 million compared with $677 million at the same time last year, and Sonic has approximately $30 million of unrestricted cash available for general corporate uses.
The following non-GAAP adjustments are intended to supplement the presentation of the company’s financial results in accordance with GAAP. The company believes that the presentation of these items provides useful information to investors and management regarding the underlying business trends and the performance of the company’s ongoing operations and is helpful for period-to-period and company-to-company comparisons, which management believes will assist investors in analyzing the financial results of the company and predicting future performance.
Quarter Ended February 28, 2011 | Quarter Ended February 28, 2010 | |||||||||||||||
Net Income | Diluted EPS | Net Loss | Diluted EPS | |||||||||||||
Reported - GAAP | $ | 4,348 | $ | 0.07 | $ | (642 | ) | $ | (0.01 | ) | ||||||
After-tax impact of gain from early extinguishment of debt | (3,321 | ) | (0.05 | ) | — | — | ||||||||||
Adjusted - Non-GAAP | $ | 1,027 | $ | 0.02 | $ | (642 | ) | $ | (0.01 | ) | ||||||
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SONC Reports Second Quarter 2011 Results
Page 3
March 22, 2011
For the first six months of fiscal 2011, revenues declined 3% to $242.7 million compared with $249.8 million in the first six months of fiscal 2010. Net income for the first half of fiscal 2011 totaled $11.6 million or $0.19 per diluted share compared with net income of $5.6 million or $0.09 per diluted share in the first half of fiscal 2010. Excluding a one-time tax benefit of $1.1 million in the first fiscal quarter of 2011 and the gain on early extinguishment of debt recorded in the second fiscal quarter of 2011, net income and net income per diluted share for fiscal 2011 increased 29% and 33%, respectively.
Six Months Ended February 28, 2011 | Six Months Ended February 28, 2010 | Year-Over-Year Percent Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Income | Diluted EPS | Net Income | Diluted EPS | Net Income | Diluted EPS | |||||||||||||||||||
Reported - GAAP | $ | 11,590 | $ | 0.19 | $ | 5,588 | $ | 0.09 | 107 | % | �� | 111 | % | |||||||||||
After-tax impact of gain from early extinguishment of debt | (3,321 | ) | (0.05 | ) | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
One-time tax benefit from favorable tax settlement | (1,073 | ) | (0.02 | ) | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted - Non-GAAP | $ | 7,196 | $ | 0.12 | $ | 5,588 | $ | 0.09 | 29 | % | 33 | % | ||||||||||||
Same-Store Sales
For the second fiscal quarter ended February 28, 2011, system-wide same-store sales increased 1.2% versus a decline of 13.2% in the second quarter of fiscal 2010. These sales reflected 1.0% higher same-store sales at franchise drive-ins compared with a decline of 12.9% in the second quarter of fiscal 2010. Same-store sales at company-owned drive-ins increased 2.2% versus a decline of 14.9% in the second quarter of fiscal 2010. For the first six months of fiscal 2011, system-wide same-store sales declined 0.8% versus a decline of 9.7% in the first six months of fiscal 2010. These sales reflected 0.9% lower same-store sales at franchise drive-ins for the first six months of fiscal 2011 compared with a decline of 9.3% for the same period in fiscal 2010. Same-store sales at company-owned drive-ins were flat for the first six months of fiscal 2011 compared with a decline of 11.8% in first half of fiscal 2010.
Development
Across the Sonic system, a total of five new drive-ins were opened in the second quarter, all by franchisees, versus 17 new drive-in openings during the second quarter of fiscal 2010, also all by franchisees. Most new drive-in openings in fiscal 2011 will be by franchisees, and Sonic expects those openings to total approximately 40 for the fiscal year.
Concluding Comments
“We are encouraged by the continued success of our strategic initiatives and their impact on our second quarter results,” Hudson said. “These steps are expected to strengthen our brand and our business, with improved sales and profitability on a sustained basis over the near and longer term.”
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SONC Reports Second Quarter 2011 Results
Page 4
March 22, 2011
Fiscal 2011 Outlook
The company’s outlook for certain key performance metrics for fiscal 2011 remains mostly unchanged from that reported in January and includes:
• | The opening of a total of approximately 40 new franchise drive-ins; |
• | Continuing improvement in same-store sales trends throughout the fiscal year, based on sales-building initiatives; |
• | Slightly unfavorable restaurant-level margins as a result of: |
• | Investments in product quality improvements along with higher commodity costs, |
• | partially offset by improving sales trends and labor efficiencies; |
• | Selling, general and administrative expenses of $66 to $67 million; |
• | Depreciation and amortization of $41 to $42 million; |
• | Interest expense of $33 to $34 million; |
• | An income tax rate between 37% and 38% for the remainder of the fiscal year; and |
• | Capital expenditures in the range of $20 to $25 million. |
Assuming no change in cost structure, each percentage-point change in same-store sales impacts diluted earnings per share by approximately three cents, based on fiscal 2010 average unit volumes.
About Sonic
Sonic, America’s Drive-In, originally started as a hamburger and root beer stand in 1953 in Shawnee, Okla., called Top Hat Drive-In, and then changed its name to Sonic in 1959. The first drive-in to adopt the Sonic name is still serving customers in Stillwater, Okla. Sonic has more than 3,500 drive-ins coast to coast, where approximately three million customers eat every day. For more information about Sonic Corp. and its subsidiaries, visit Sonic atwww.sonicdrivein.com.
A listen-only simulcast of Sonic’s second quarter conference call will begin today at approximately 4:00 p.m. Central Time and can be accessed at the company’s web site. An on-demand replay, using the same link, will be available at approximately 7:00 p.m. Central Time today and will continue until April 22, 2011.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements reflect management’s expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date hereof. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or underlying, these forward-looking statements are detailed in the company’s annual and quarterly report filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly release revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unforeseen events, except as required to be reported under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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SONC Reports Second Quarter 2011 Results
Page 5
March 22, 2011
The tables that follow provide information regarding the number of company-owned drive-ins, franchise drive-ins and system drive-ins in operation as of the end of the periods indicated. In addition, these tables provide information regarding franchise sales, system growth in sales, and both franchise and system average drive-in sales and change in same-store sales. System information includes both company-owned and franchise drive-in information, which we believe is useful in analyzing the growth of our brand. While we do not record franchise drive-in sales as revenues, we believe this information is important in understanding our financial performance since we calculate and record franchise royalties based on a percentage of franchise sales. This information also is indicative of the financial health of our franchisees.
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SONC Reports Second Quarter 2011 Results
Page 6
March 22, 2011
SONIC CORP.
Unaudited Supplemental Information
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Second Quarter Ended | Six Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
Feb. 28, 2011 | Feb. 28, 2010 | Feb. 28, 2011 | Feb. 28, 2010 | |||||||||||||
Statement of Operations | ||||||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
Company-owned drive-in sales | $ | 86,435 | $ | 86,627 | $ | 183,709 | $ | 190,211 | ||||||||
Franchise drive-ins: | ||||||||||||||||
Franchise royalties | 24,813 | 24,364 | 53,825 | 53,814 | ||||||||||||
Franchise fees | 517 | 390 | 886 | 1,082 | ||||||||||||
Lease revenue | 1,152 | 1,246 | 2,519 | 2,821 | ||||||||||||
Other | 606 | 702 | 1,730 | 1,882 | ||||||||||||
113,523 | 113,329 | 242,669 | 249,810 | |||||||||||||
Costs and expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
Company-owned drive-ins: | ||||||||||||||||
Food and packaging | 24,564 | 23,691 | 51,563 | 52,362 | ||||||||||||
Payroll and other employee benefits | 32,579 | 30,744 | 67,899 | 65,713 | ||||||||||||
Other operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization below | 20,810 | 21,399 | 43,216 | 45,721 | ||||||||||||
77,953 | 75,834 | 162,678 | 163,796 | |||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative | 15,285 | 17,324 | 31,566 | 33,456 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 10,367 | 10,647 | 20,667 | 21,313 | ||||||||||||
Provision for impairment of long-lived assets | 176 | — | 264 | — | ||||||||||||
103,781 | 103,805 | 215,175 | 218,565 | |||||||||||||
Other operating income (expense), net | (2 | ) | (540 | ) | 275 | (522 | ) | |||||||||
Income from operations | 9,740 | 8,984 | 27,769 | 30,723 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense | 8,141 | 9,586 | 16,423 | 19,390 | ||||||||||||
Interest income | (149 | ) | (209 | ) | (352 | ) | (493 | ) | ||||||||
Gain from early extinguishment of debt | (5,205 | ) | — | (5,205 | ) | — | ||||||||||
Net interest expense | 2,787 | 9,377 | 10,866 | 18,897 | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) before income taxes | 6,953 | (393 | ) | 16,903 | 11,826 | |||||||||||
Provision (benefit) for income taxes | 2,466 | (789 | ) | 4,937 | 3,088 | |||||||||||
Net income - including noncontrolling interest | 4,487 | 396 | 11,966 | 8,738 | ||||||||||||
Net income - noncontrolling interest | 139 | 1,038 | 376 | 3,150 | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) - attributable to Sonic Corp. | $ | 4,348 | $ | (642 | ) | $ | 11,590 | $ | 5,588 | |||||||
Net income (loss) per share attributable to Sonic Corp.: | ||||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 0.07 | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | 0.19 | $ | 0.09 | |||||||
Diluted | $ | 0.07 | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | 0.19 | $ | 0.09 | |||||||
Weighted average shares used in calculation: | ||||||||||||||||
Basic | 61,687 | 61,146 | 61,663 | 61,116 | ||||||||||||
Diluted | 61,865 | 61,385 | 61,809 | 61,400 | ||||||||||||
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SONC Reports Second Quarter 2011 Results
Page 7
March 22, 2011
SONIC CORP.
Unaudited Supplemental Information
Second Quarter Ended | Six Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
Feb. 28, 2011 | Feb. 28, 2010 | Feb. 28, 2011 | Feb. 28, 2010 | |||||||||||||
Drive-Ins in Operation | ||||||||||||||||
Company-owned: | ||||||||||||||||
Total at beginning of period | 452 | 476 | 455 | 475 | ||||||||||||
Opened | — | — | — | 3 | ||||||||||||
Acquired from (sold to) franchisees | — | (16 | ) | (2 | ) | (16 | ) | |||||||||
Closed | (1 | ) | (3 | ) | (2 | ) | (5 | ) | ||||||||
Total at end of period | 451 | 457 | 451 | 457 | ||||||||||||
Franchise: | ||||||||||||||||
Total at beginning of period | 3,106 | 3,084 | 3,117 | 3,069 | ||||||||||||
Opened | 5 | 17 | 14 | 39 | ||||||||||||
Acquired from (sold to) company | — | 16 | 2 | 16 | ||||||||||||
Closed (net of reopening) | (7 | ) | (14 | ) | (29 | ) | (21 | ) | ||||||||
Total at end of period | 3,104 | 3,103 | 3,104 | 3,103 | ||||||||||||
System-wide: | ||||||||||||||||
Total at beginning of period | 3,558 | 3,560 | 3,572 | 3,544 | ||||||||||||
Opened | 5 | 17 | 14 | 42 | ||||||||||||
Closed (net of reopening) | (8 | ) | (17 | ) | (31 | ) | (26 | ) | ||||||||
Total at end of period | 3,555 | 3,560 | 3,555 | 3,560 | ||||||||||||
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SONC Reports Second Quarter 2011 Results
Page 8
March 22, 2011
SONIC CORP.
Unaudited Supplemental Information
($ in thousands)
Second Quarter Ended | Six Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
Feb. 28, 2011 | Feb. 28, 2010 | Feb. 28, 2011 | Feb. 28, 2010 | |||||||||||||
Sales Analysis | ||||||||||||||||
Company-owned drive-ins: | ||||||||||||||||
Total sales | $ | 86,435 | $ | 86,627 | $ | 183,709 | $ | 190,211 | ||||||||
Average drive-in sales | 193 | 186 | 409 | 404 | ||||||||||||
Change in same-store sales | 2.2 | % | -14.9 | % | 0.0 | % | -11.8 | % | ||||||||
Franchise drive-ins: | ||||||||||||||||
Total sales | $ | 685,659 | $ | 674,035 | $ | 1,461,951 | $ | 1,459,832 | ||||||||
Average drive-in sales | 222 | 219 | 470 | 473 | ||||||||||||
Change in same-store sales | 1.0 | % | -12.9 | % | -0.9 | % | -9.3 | % | ||||||||
System-wide: | ||||||||||||||||
Change in total sales | 1.5 | % | -10.2 | % | -0.3 | % | -6.2 | % | ||||||||
Average drive-in sales | $ | 218 | $ | 214 | $ | 462 | $ | 463 | ||||||||
Change in same-store sales | 1.2 | % | -13.2 | % | -0.8 | % | -9.7 | % |
Note: Change in same-store sales based on drive-ins open for a minimum of 15 months.
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SONC Reports Second Quarter 2011 Results
Page 9
March 22, 2011
SONIC CORP.
Unaudited Supplemental Information
($ in thousands)
Second Quarter Ended | Six Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
Feb. 28, 2011 | Feb. 28, 2010 | Feb. 28, 2011 | Feb. 28, 2010 | |||||||||||||
Margin Analysis (percentage of Company-owned drive-in sales) | ||||||||||||||||
Company-owned drive-ins: | ||||||||||||||||
Food and packaging | 28.4 | % | 27.3 | % | 28.1 | % | 27.5 | % | ||||||||
Payroll and employee benefits** | 37.7 | % | 35.5 | % | 37.0 | % | 34.5 | % | ||||||||
Other operating expenses | 24.1 | % | 24.7 | % | 23.5 | % | 24.1 | % | ||||||||
Cost of sales, as reported | 90.2 | % | 87.5 | % | 88.6 | % | 86.1 | % | ||||||||
Noncontrolling interest** | 0.2 | % | 1.2 | % | 0.2 | % | 1.7 | % | ||||||||
Pro forma cost of sales, including noncontrolling interest | 90.4 | % | 88.7 | % | 88.8 | % | 87.8 | % |
** | Effective April 1, 2010, the Company revised its compensation program. Most managers changed from partners to employees and their compensation is now reflected in Payroll and employee benefits rather than Noncontrolling interest. |
Feb. 28, 2011 | Aug. 31, 2010 | |||||||
Balance Sheet Data | ||||||||
Current assets | $ | 72,242 | $ | 133,928 | ||||
Property, equipment and capital leases, net | 475,681 | 489,264 | ||||||
Total assets | 658,020 | 737,320 | ||||||
Current maturities of long-term debt and capital leases | 122,723 | 118,608 | ||||||
Obligations under capital leases due after one year | 31,186 | 32,872 | ||||||
Long-term debt due after one year | 433,475 | 529,872 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 620,440 | 714,754 | ||||||
Stockholders’ equity | 37,580 | 22,566 |
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