Exhibit 99.1
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CONTACT: | | Kim Rudd / Tabatha Santiago Executive Assistant (585)784-3324 Investors and Media: Melanie Dambre / Jamie Baird FTI Consulting (212)850-5600 | | |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONRO, INC. PROVIDES BUSINESS UPDATE AMIDCOVID-19 OUTBREAK
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – April 2, 2020 –Monro, Inc. (Nasdaq: MNRO), a leading provider of automotive undercar repair and tire services, today provided a business update for its fourth quarter ended March 28, 2020 in light of the outbreak ofCOVID-19.
Brett Ponton, President and Chief Executive Officer said, “First and foremost, Monro is focused on the safety and well-being of our teammates, customers and the communities that we serve during this critical period. As our stores remain open to provide essential services during theCOVID-19 pandemic, we are focused on the areas of our business within our control, including aligning labor with demand, reinforcing disciplined cost management protocols and leveraging our diversified supply chain. WhileCOVID-19 significantly impacted our fourth quarter financial results, and continues to impact our store operations, we believe our ample liquidity and solid balance sheet position us well to navigate this challenging environment.”
The Company’s estimate of sales for the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended March 28, 2020 (“fiscal 2020”) is approximately $286.1 million, a decrease of .4% compared to $287.2 million in the prior year quarter, driven by a comparable store sales decrease of approximately 9.5% offset by sales from new stores. The decline in comparable store sales, based on the Company’s preliminary estimate, was largely driven by a substantial decrease in traffic sincemid-March as government authorities took actions to curb theCOVID-19 outbreak. Mild weather in the Company’s Northern markets during January and February also negatively impacted comparable store sales during the quarter. Monro exited the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 with a comparable store sales decrease of approximately 45% during the last week of the quarter and expects the slowdown in traffic to continue to negatively impact its top line performance in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, as authorities have announced expanded measures to prevent the further spread ofCOVID-19. Due to the decline in sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company now expects fiscal 2020 diluted earnings per share to be well below the low end of its previously issued guidance range of $2.25 to $2.35, which did not include the impact ofCOVID-19.
Monro is closely monitoring the guidelines of local, state and federal officials. The Company’s stores have been deemed essential services and continue to operate on reduced hours, even in those areas that have issued“shelter-in-place” orders. The Company has implemented and continues to adjust comprehensive business contingency plans in response toCOVID-19 to ensure that its stores are operating efficiently while focusing on the health and safety of its teammates and customers.
Monro believes its solid balance sheet and strong liquidity position provide ample financial flexibility to support its business operations in the current environment. Given the prevailing uncertain market conditions, the Company has also taken appropriate precautionary steps to further mitigate near-term headwinds and strengthen its cash position, including:
| • | | drawing down the remaining $350 million from its revolving credit facility; |
| • | | deferringnon-critical capital expenditures including store reimage; |
| • | | reducing store hours and store labor to match demand; |
| • | | reducing selling, general and administrative expenses; and |
| • | | bolstering its working capital position. |
Ponton continued, “As we navigate this unprecedented period of uncertainty, we are closely monitoring the evolving situation and the ongoing impact ofCOVID-19. I would like to thank the entire Monro organization for their extraordinary efforts during this challenging time.”