DALLAS, Aug. 6, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT) today announced results for the fiscal fourth quarter ended June 24, 2015.

Highlights include the following:

• Earnings per diluted share, excluding special items, increased 10.6 percent to $0.94 compared to $0.85 for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014. Earnings per diluted share, excluding special items, increased 14.0 percent to $3.09 compared to $2.71 for the full year fiscal 2014 (see non-GAAP reconciliation below)
• On a GAAP basis, earnings per diluted share increased 114.0 percent to $0.92 compared to $0.43 for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 driven primarily by pre-tax charges of $39.5 million recorded in the prior year related to litigation reserves. On a GAAP basis, earnings per diluted share increased to $3.05, compared to $2.26 for the full year fiscal 2014
• Brinker International company sales increased 0.5 percent to $738.4 million
• Chili's company-owned comparable restaurant sales decreased 0.8 percent
• Maggiano's comparable restaurant sales decreased 0.1 percent
• Chili's franchise comparable restaurant sales increased 1.9 percent which includes a 2.1 percent increase for U.S. franchise restaurants and a 1.2 percent increase for international franchise restaurants
• Restaurant operating margin,¹ as a percent of company sales, improved approximately 80 basis points to 18.5 percent compared to 17.7 percent for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014
• For fiscal 2015, cash flows provided by operating activities were $368.6 million and capital expenditures totaled $140.3 million. Free cash flow² was approximately $228.3 million
• The company repurchased approximately 1.5 million shares of its common stock for $89.2 million in the fourth quarter and a total of approximately 5.4 million shares for $306.3 million year-to-date
• The company paid a dividend of 28 cents per share in the fourth quarter, an increase of 17 percent over the prior year fourth quarter, and declared a dividend of 28 cents per share to be paid in the first quarter of fiscal 2016

"We delivered solid sales and earnings performance for fiscal 2015, and we improved margins for both the fourth quarter and fiscal year," said Wyman Roberts, Chief Executive Officer and President.  "We experienced some comp sales challenges during the quarter, which we're already taking steps to address," he added.

"Looking ahead to fiscal 2016, we're excited about our new My Chili's Rewards program and have signed up 2.6 million members in just over two months since the national launch.  We're also focused on implementing our differentiated culinary point of view and enhancing our digital guest experience, which are key components of our plan to drive fiscal 2016 sales and traffic.  We remain confident in our long-term strategy to deliver top line growth and increased shareholder value," Wyman concluded.

¹ Restaurant operating margin is defined as Company sales less Cost of sales, Restaurant Labor and Restaurant expenses. Restaurant operating margin is widely regarded in the restaurant industry as a useful metric by which to evaluate restaurant-level operating efficiency and performance. Restaurant operating margin is not a measurement determined in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered in isolation, or as an alternative, to operating income or other similarly titled measures of other companies.

² Free cash flow is defined as cash flows provided by operating activities less capital expenditures.

 

Quarterly Operating Performance

CHILI'S fourth quarter company sales decreased 0.3 percent to $638.2 million from $639.8 million in the prior year primarily due to decreases in comparable restaurant sales, partially offset by increases in restaurant capacity. As compared to the prior year, Chili's restaurant operating margin¹ improved.  Cost of sales, as a percent of company sales, was positively impacted by favorable menu pricing and commodity pricing related to cheese, avocados, limes and oil, partially offset by unfavorable menu item mix and commodity pricing primarily related to fajita meat. Restaurant expenses, as a percent of company sales, decreased slightly due to lower asset retirements, favorable utilities and the timing of restaurant opening expenses, partially offset by expenses associated with the launch of My Chili's Rewards. Restaurant labor, as a percent of company sales, was flat compared to the prior year, as the benefit of lower employee health insurance expense was offset by higher wage rates.

MAGGIANO'S fourth quarter company sales increased 5.3 percent to $100.2 million from $95.2 million in the prior year primarily due to increases in restaurant capacity. As compared to the prior year, Maggiano's restaurant operating margin¹ improved. Cost of sales, as a percent of company sales, was positively impacted by menu item changes and increased menu pricing, partially offset by unfavorable commodity pricing on beef and seafood. Restaurant expenses, as a percent of company sales, were positively impacted by leverage related to higher company sales, the timing of restaurant opening expenses, and favorable utilities and workers' compensation insurance expense, partially offset by higher advertising costs. Restaurant labor, as a percent of company sales, was flat.

¹ Restaurant operating margin is defined as Company sales less Cost of sales, Restaurant labor and Restaurant expenses.  Restaurant operating margin is widely regarded in the restaurant industry as a useful metric by which to evaluate restaurant-level operating efficiency and performance. Restaurant operating margin is not a measurement determined in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered in isolation, or as an alternative, to operating income or other similarly titled measures of other companies.

FRANCHISE AND OTHER revenues increased 3.5 percent to $25.8 million for the fourth quarter compared to $24.9 million in the prior year driven primarily by royalty revenues related to Chili's new retail food products, higher revenues associated with tabletop devices, and higher royalty income primarily driven by international franchise restaurant openings. U.S. franchise comparable restaurant sales increased 2.1 percent and international comparable restaurant sales increased 1.2 percent. Brinker franchisees generated approximately $426 million in sales² for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015.

² Royalty revenues are recognized based on the sales generated and reported to the company by franchisees.

"For the fourth quarter, our overall restaurant operating margin improved 80 basis points," said Tom Edwards, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. "On an annual basis, we delivered our fifth consecutive year of double-digit earnings per share growth and are on target to achieve our $4.00 dollar EPS goal by Fiscal 2017."

Other

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $1.9 million for the quarter primarily due to investments in the Chili's reimage program, new restaurant openings and asset replacements, partially offset by an increase in fully depreciated assets.

General and administrative expense decreased $0.3 million primarily due to cost management and lower performance-based compensation.

On a GAAP basis, the effective income tax rate increased to 29.7 percent in the current quarter from 18.1 percent in the prior year quarter primarily due to the impact of tax benefits related to special items in the prior year quarter. Excluding the impact of special items, the effective income tax rate increased to 31.2 percent in the current quarter compared to 29.4 percent in the prior year primarily due to increased earnings.

Non-GAAP Reconciliation

Brinker believes excluding special items from its financial results provides investors with a clearer perspective of the company's ongoing operating performance and a more relevant comparison to prior period results. Special items in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 consist primarily of the impairment of restaurants, acquisition-related costs and severance charges.

 

 

Fiscal 2016 Outlook

Fiscal 2016 includes a 53rd week versus 52 weeks in fiscal 2015. The company anticipates earnings per diluted share, excluding special items, to increase 16 to 19 percent in the range of $3.55 to $3.65. Earnings are based on the following expectations, including the impact of the recently acquired Chili's restaurants from Pepper Dining:

• Revenues are expected to increase approximately 12 to 14 percent including the 53rd week
• Comparable restaurant sales are expected to increase one and a half to two percent
• Company-owned new restaurant development is expected to add year-over-year capacity growth of about one percent before the addition of the recently acquired Chili's restaurants
• Restaurant operating margin is expected to be flat to down 25 basis points year-over-year. Excluding the impact of the recently acquired Chili's restaurants, restaurant operating margin is expected to increase 25 to 50 basis points year-over-year
• Depreciation expense is expected to increase $12 to $15 million, assuming capital expenditures of $110 to $120 million
• General and administrative expense is expected to be $10 to $12 million higher on a dollar basis due to information technology expenses related to sales driving initiatives, the impact of the 53rd week as well as planning incentive compensation at target
• Interest expense is expected to increase $4 million to $6 million due to a higher debt balance in fiscal 2016
• Excluding the impact of special items, the effective income tax rate is projected to be approximately 31 to 32 percent
• Free cash flow is expected to be $250 to $260 million
• Diluted weighted average shares outstanding is expected to be 60 to 62 million

The company believes providing fiscal 2016 earnings per diluted share guidance provides investors the appropriate insight into the company's ongoing operating performance.

Guidance Policy

Brinker provides annual guidance as it relates to comparable restaurant sales, earnings per diluted share, and other key line items in the comprehensive income statement and will only provide updates if there is a material change versus the original guidance. Consistent with prior practice, management will not discuss intra-period sales or other key operating results not yet reported as the limited data may not accurately reflect the final results of the period or quarter referenced.

Webcast Information

Investors and interested parties are invited to listen to today's conference call, as management will provide further details of the quarter. The call will broadcast live on the Brinker website (www.brinker.com) at 9 a.m. CDT today (Aug. 6). For those who are unable to listen to the live broadcast, a replay of the call will be available shortly thereafter and will remain on the Brinker website until the end of the day Sept. 3, 2015.

Additional financial information, including statements of income which detail operations excluding special items, franchise and other revenues, and comparable restaurant sales trends by brand, is also available on the Brinker website under the Financial Information section of the Investor tab.

Forward Calendar

-  SEC Form 10-K for fiscal 2015 filing on or before Aug. 24, 2015; and
-  First quarter earnings release, before market opens, Oct. 20, 2015.

About Brinker

Brinker International, Inc. is one of the world's leading casual dining restaurant companies. Founded in 1975 and based in Dallas, Texas, as of June 24, 2015, Brinker owned, operated, or franchised 1,629 restaurants under the names Chili's^® Grill & Bar (1,580 restaurants) and Maggiano's Little Italy^® (49 restaurants).

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and, consequently, could be affected by general business and economic conditions, financial and credit market conditions, credit availability, reduced disposable income, the impact of competition, the impact of mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and other strategic transactions, franchisee success, the seasonality of the company's business, increased minimum wages, increased health care costs, adverse weather conditions, future commodity prices, product availability, fuel and utility costs and availability, terrorist acts, consumer perception of food safety, changes in consumer taste, health epidemics or pandemics, changes in demographic trends, availability of employees, unfavorable publicity, the company's ability to meet its business strategy plan, acts of God, governmental regulations, inflation, technology failures, and failure to protect the security of data of our guests and teammates.

 

 

 

 

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SOURCE Brinker International, Inc.

JOE TAYLOR, INVESTOR RELATIONS, (972) 770-9040, ASHLEY JOHNSON, MEDIA RELATIONS, (800) 775-7290, 6820 LBJ FREEWAY, DALLAS, TEXAS 75240