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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
___________________________

FORM 10‑Q

(Mark One)

x           QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2003

OR

o            TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from _____________ to _____________.

1-15935
(Commission File Number)
___________________________


OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

___________________________

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

                            

59-3061413
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

                                                                                                         

                                  

                                                                                                        

2202 N. West Shore Boulevard, Suite 500
Tampa, Florida
(Address of principal executive offices)

                           

33607
(Zip Code)

(813) 282-1225
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
___________________________

                Indicate by check mark whether registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such report(s)), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

YES  x  NO  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

YES  x  NO  o

              As of November 10, 2003, the registrant had outstanding 74,816,612 shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value.




OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10‑Q
For the Period Ended September 30, 2003

INDEX

                                                                                                                                                                         &n bsp;                                         

 

PART I:  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

                   

 

Page

Item 1.

Consolidated Financial Statements:

 

 

 

 

                   

Consolidated Balance Sheets—September 30, 2003 (Unaudited)
and December 31, 2002, as restated

3

 

 

                   

 

Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) -
For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, as restated

4

 

 

                   

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows  (Unaudited) -
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, as restated

5

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

6

 

 

Item 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations

18

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

37

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

38

 

                                                                                                                                

 

                                                                                                                                

 

PART II:  OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

39

Item 6.

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8‑K

39

 

 

SIGNATURE

41

 

 

2


Table of Contents

PART I:  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands)

September 30,

December 31,

2003

2002

(unaudited)

(restated)



ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

           74,142

 

$

         187,578

 

Short term investments

           20,736

           20,576

 

Inventories

 

           53,820

 

 

            34,637

 

Deferred income tax asset

           14,583

           12,105

 

Other current assets

 

           33,835

 

 

           31,386

 



Total current assets

         197,116

         286,282

PROPERTY, FIXTURES AND EQUIPMENT, NET

 

      1,013,742

 

 

         915,022

 

INVESTMENTS IN AND ADVANCES TO

 

UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES, NET

           34,285

           38,180

GOODWILL

 

           84,927

 

 

           46,337

 

OTHER ASSETS

            67,647

           67,011



 

 

 

 

$

      1,397,717

 

$

      1,352,832

 



LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

$

           52,308

$

           54,519

 

Sales taxes payable

 

           18,716

 

 

           16,205

 

Accrued expenses

           87,184

           70,127

 

Unearned revenue

 

           13,562

 

 

           68,926

 

Income taxes payable

             5,818

           15,647

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 

           43,096

 

 

           17,464

 



Total current liabilities

         220,684

         242,888

PARTNER DEPOSIT AND ACCRUED BUYOUT LIABILITY

 

           58,500

 

 

           55,720

 

DEFERRED INCOME TAX LIABILITY

           11,769

           15,916

LONG-TERM DEBT

 

 

           31,747

 

 

           14,436

 

OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

             5,189

             6,189



 

Total liabilities

 

         327,889

 

 

         335,149

 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

INTEREST OF MINORITY PARTNERS IN

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED PARTNERSHIPS

           47,751

           43,400



STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 200,000 shares authorized; 78,750 and

78,750 shares issued; 74,818 and 75,880 shares outstanding as of

September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively

                788

                788

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

         249,501

 

 

         240,083

 

Retained earnings

         902,750

         820,360

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

           (1,228

)

 

  -

 



      1,151,811

      1,061,231

 

Less treasury stock, 3,932 and 2,870 shares at September 30, 2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

and December 31, 2002, respectively, at cost

       (129,734

)

         (86,948

)



 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

      1,022,077

 

 

         974,283

 



$

      1,397,717

$

      1,352,832



 

  See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

3



Table of Contents

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands except per share data, unaudited)

  Three Months Ended

  Nine Months Ended

  September 30,

  September 30,



2003

2002

2003

2002

 

(restated)

 

(restated)





REVENUES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restaurant sales

$

       680,919

$

       579,677

$

  2,011,716

$

  1,745,654

 

Other revenues

 

           4,420

 

 

           4,570

 

 

       14,562

 

 

       13,782

 





TOTAL REVENUES

       685,339

       584,247

  2,026,278

  1,759,436





COSTS AND EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales

       247,646

       212,452

     728,833

     644,593

 

Labor & other related

 

       167,563

 

 

       142,490

 

 

      494,714

 

 

     425,451

 

Other restaurant operating

       145,040

       120,423

     422,687

     352,853

 

Distribution expense to employee partners, excluding stock expense

 

         14,224

 

 

         13,694

 

 

       45,256

 

 

       42,831

 

Employee partner stock buyout expense

           1,266

           1,162

         3,956

         3,115

 

Depreciation & amortization

 

         21,755

 

 

         18,589

 

 

       62,266

 

 

       53,940

 

General & administrative

         26,985

         21,656

       74,463

       64,992

 

Provision for impaired assets and restaurant closings

 

           5,319

 

 

           4,284

 

 

         5,319

 

 

         4,284

 

Income from operations of unconsolidated affiliates

         (1,543

)

         (1,334

)

        (4,482

)

        (4,384

)





 

 

Total costs and expenses

 

       628,255

 

 

       533,416

 

 

  1,833,012

 

 

  1,587,675

 





INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

         57,084

         50,831

     193,266

     171,761

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET

 

            (191

 

         (1,412

)

 

           (781

)

 

        (2,299

)

INTEREST INCOME

              192

              799

         1,165

         1,964

INTEREST EXPENSE

 

            (487

)

 

            (356

)

 

        (1,264

)

 

           (965

)





INCOME BEFORE ELIMINATION OF MINORITY

  PARTNERS’ INTEREST AND INCOME TAXES

          56,598

         49,862

     192,386

     170,461

ELIMINATION OF MINORITY PARTNERS' INTEREST

 

            (247

 

            (455

)

 

         1,865

 

 

           (619





INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

         56,845

         50,317

     190,521

     171,080

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

 

         19,254

 

 

         17,495

 

 

       65,653

 

 

       59,488

 





INCOME BEFORE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF A

CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE

         37,591

         32,822

     124,868

     111,592

CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF A CHANGE IN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE (NET OF TAXES)

                 -  

                 -  

               -  

           (740

)





NET INCOME

$

         37,591

 

$

         32,822

 

$

     124,868

 

$

     110,852

 





BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before cumulative effect of a change

  in accounting principle

$

             0.50

$

             0.43

$

           1.66

$

           1.45

Cumulative effect of a change in

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

accounting principle (net of taxes)

                  -  

                 -  

               -  

          (0.01

)





Net income

$

             0.50

 

$

             0.43

 

$

           1.66

 

$

           1.44

 





BASIC WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON

SHARES OUTSTANDING

         75,099

         76,771

       75,415

       77,040





DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before cumulative effect of a change

in accounting principle

$

             0.48

$

             0.42

$

           1.59

$

           1.40

Cumulative effect of a change in

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

accounting principle (net of taxes) 

                 -  

                 -  

               -  

          (0.01

)





Net income

$

             0.48

 

$

             0.42

 

$

           1.59

 

$

           1.39

 





DILUTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF

COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING

         78,354

         78,576

       78,333

       79,673





DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE

$

             0.12

$

                 -  

$

             0.36

$

                 -  





See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

4


Table of Contents

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands, unaudited)

Nine Months Ended September 30,


2003

2002

 

(restated)



Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

       124,868

$

       110,852

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

         62,266

         53,936

 

Provision for impaired assets and restaurant closings

 

           5,319

 

 

           4,284

 

Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle (net of taxes)

                -  

              740

 

Minority partners’ interest in consolidated partnerships’ income

 

           1,865

 

 

            (619

Income from operations of unconsolidated affiliates

         (4,482

)

         (4,384

)

 

Loss on disposal of property, fixtures and equipment

 

            2,746

 

 

                -  

 

Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:

 

 

(Increase) decrease in inventories

 

       (18,314

) 

 

         14,052

 

(Increase) decrease in other current assets

         (1,920

)

           3,171

 

 

Decrease in other assets and intangible assets, net

 

           4,603

 

 

           6,509

 

Increase in accounts payable, sales taxes payable

and accrued expenses

         10,771

           9,034

 

 

Increase in partner deposit and accrued buyout liability

 

           2,780

 

 

           8,529

 

Decrease in unearned revenue

       (55,667

)

       (49,109

)

 

 

(Decrease) increase in income taxes payable

 

         (1,662

)

 

         29,970

 

(Decrease) increase in deferred income taxes

         (5,476

)

           7,462

 

 

Decrease in other long-term liabilities

 

         (1,000

)

 

            (825

)



Net cash provided by operating activities

       126,697

       193,602



Cash flows used in investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of investment securities

       (27,907

)

            (257

)

 

Maturities and sales of investment securities

 

         27,747

 

 

           9,835

 

Cash paid for acquisition of business, net of cash acquired

       (47,677

)

                -  

 

Capital expenditures

 

     (135,379

)

 

     (125,213

)

Proceeds from the sale of property, fixtures and equipment

           2,273

                 -  

 

Payments from unconsolidated affiliates

 

         11,143

 

 

           5,290

 

Distributions to unconsolidated affiliates

         (2,649

)

         (4,042

)

 

Investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates

 

         (1,345

) 

 

         (5,718

)



Net cash used in investing activities

     (173,794

)

     (120,105

)



Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

         22,868

           5,305

 

Proceeds from minority partners' contributions

 

           7,571

 

 

              993

 

Distributions to minority partners

         (3,223

)

         (2,632

)

 

Repayments of long-term debt

 

            (642

)

 

            (823

) 

Dividends paid

       (27,153

)

                -  

 

Payments for purchase of treasury stock

 

       (93,746

) 

 

       (72,596

)

Proceeds from reissuance of treasury stock

         27,986

         25,597



 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

       (66,339

) 

 

       (44,156

)



Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (113,436

)

         29,341

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

       187,578

 

 

       115,928

 



Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$

         74,142

$

       145,269



Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest

$

           1,375

$

           1,080

 

Cash paid for income taxes

$

         67,131

 

$

         14,001

 

 

See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

5



Table of Contents

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

1.         Basis of Presentation and Restatement

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared by Outback Steakhouse, Inc. (the "Company") pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of the Company, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring entries) necessary for the fair presentation of the Company's results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the periods presented have been included.

The December 31, 2002 restated consolidated balance sheet has been derived from the Company’s consolidated financial statements but does not include all of the disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and financial notes thereto included in the Company's 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K/A, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

RESTATEMENT

In connection with a review of our periodic filings by the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Staff”), the Company is restating its Consolidated Financial Statements for the quarters ended June 30, 2003 and March 31, 2003 and for the year ended December 31, 2002. 

Since the Company’s inception, the Company has required its general managers to enter into a five to seven year employment agreement and pay the Company for the right to receive a percentage of their restaurant’s annual cash flows for the duration of the agreement.  Upon completion of the employment agreement, the Company generally grants stock options to the general managers equal to an amount prescribed by a formula in their employment agreement.  Stock option grants made under this plan are issued at the weighted average closing price of the Company’s Common Stock in the prior three months and are exercisable in periods up to 10 years.  Options expire five years after the options become exercisable.

The Company has also required its area operating partners to enter into a five-year employment agreement and pay the company for the right to receive a percentage of their restaurants’ annual cash flows for the duration of the agreement.  Upon completion of the restaurant’s fifth year of operation, the Company generally grants Common Stock to the area operating partners equal to the fair value of the partners’ percentage of the cash flows.

The Company previously accounted for the arrangements under the general managers’ and area operating partners’ programs as ownership interests in the underlying restaurants.  Accordingly, such interests were reflected as minority interests in the Consolidated Financial Statements.  In addition, at the conclusion of the arrangements under the general managers’ program, the Company recorded an intangible asset, amortized over five years, for amounts paid in excess of the carrying amount of the minority interests.  Under the area operating partners’ program, the Company recorded goodwill for value granted in excess of the minority interest’s share of the restaurant’s cash flow at the conclusion of the agreement.

As a result of the review of the Company’s periodic filings by the Staff, the Company is restating its Consolidated Financial Statements as noted above and is accounting for these arrangements under the general managers’ and area operating partners’ programs as compensation arrangements.  Accordingly, amounts received from the Company’s general managers and area operating partners will be recorded as other long-term liabilities.  Payments made pursuant to both programs will be recognized as compensation expense in the period earned by the general managers and the area operating partners and included in the line “Distribution expense to employee partners” in the Consolidated Statements of Income.  The Company will estimate future purchases of its area operating partners’ cash flow interests using current information on store performance to calculate and record a liability in the line item “Partner deposit and accrued buyout liability” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, with associated expenses in the line “Employee partner stock buyout expense” in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

6


Table of Contents

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

Basis of Presentation and Restatement (continued)

In addition to the restatements, certain amounts shown in the 2002 consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2003 presentation. These reclassifications did not have an effect on total assets, total liabilities, stockholders’ equity or net income.

The effects of the Company’s restatement on previously reported Consolidated Financial Statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2002, and as of December 31, 2002 are summarized below.

The following table reflects the effect of the restatement on Consolidated Statements of Income (in thousands):

  Three months ended

  Nine months ended

September 30, 2002

September 30, 2002



As previously

 

As

As previously

 

As

reported

 

restated

reported

 

restated





Selected Statement of Income Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distribution expense to employee partners, excluding stock expense

$

                 -  

$

         13,694

$

               -  

$

       42,831

Employee partner stock buyout expense

 

                 -  

 

 

           1,162

 

 

                -  

 

 

         3,115

 

Depreciation & amortization

         19,206

         18,589

       55,882

       53,940

Income from operations of unconsolidated affiliates

 

 

         (1,359

)

 

         (1,334

)

 

        (4,460

)

 

         (4,384

)

Total costs and expenses

       519,152

       533,416

  1,543,595

  1,587,675

Income from operations

 

         65,095

 

 

         50,831

 

 

     215,841

 

 

     171,761

 

Income before elimination of minority partners' interest

and income taxes

         64,126

         49,862

     214,541

     170,461

Elimination of minority partners' interest

 

           8,880

 

 

            (455

)

 

       29,895

 

 

           (619

)

Income before provision for income taxes

         55,246

         50,317

     184,646

     171,080

Provision for income taxes

 

         19,447

 

 

         17,495

 

 

       64,996

 

 

       59,488

 

Income before cumulative effect of a change in

accounting principle

         35,799

         32,822

     119,650

     111,592

Cumulative effect of a change in accounting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

principle (net of taxes)

                 -  

                 -  

        (4,422

)

           (740

)

Net income

 

         35,799

 

 

         32,822

 

 

     115,228

 

 

     110,852

 

BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

Income before cumulative effect of a change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  in accounting principle

$

             0.47

$

             0.43

$

           1.55

$

           1.45

Cumulative effect of a change in

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

accounting principle (net of taxes)

                 -  

                 -  

           (0.06

)

          (0.01

)

Net income

$

             0.47

 

$

             0.43

 

$

           1.50

 

$

           1.44

 

DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

Income before cumulative effect of a change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

in accounting principle

$

             0.46

$

             0.42

$

           1.50

$

           1.40

Cumulative effect of a change in

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

accounting principle (net of taxes) 

                 -  

                  -  

          (0.06

)

          (0.01

)

Net income

$

             0.46

 

$

             0.42

 

$

           1.45

 

$

           1.39

 

7


Table of Contents

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

1.         Basis of Presentation and Restatement (continued)

The following table reflects the effect of the restatement on the Consolidated Balance Sheet (in thousands):

December 31, 2002


As previously

As

reported

Restated



Selected Balance Sheet Data:

 

 

 

 

 

Investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates, net

$

           38,667

$

           38,180

Goodwill

 

           85,842

 

 

           46,337

Other assets and intangible assets, net

         75,867

             67,011

Total assets

 

      1,389,575

 

 

      1,352,832

Accrued expenses

           66,360

           70,127

Total current liabilities

 

         239,121

 

 

         242,888

Partner deposit and accrued buyout liability

                   -  

           55,720

Deferred income tax liability

 

           35,365

 

 

           15,916

Total liabilities

         295,111

         335,149

Interest of minority partners in consolidated partnerships

 

           41,488

 

 

           43,400

Additional paid-in capital

         236,226

         240,083

Retained earnings

 

         902,910

 

 

         820,360

Total stockholders’ equity

      1,052,976

         974,283

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

1,389,575

1,352,832

The following table reflects the effect of the restatement on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (in thousands):

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2002


As previously

As

reported

Restated



Selected Cash Flow Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

         115,228

$

         110,852

Amortization

 

             1,946

 

 

                   -  

 

Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle (net of taxes)

              4,422

                740

Minority partners' interest in consolidated partnerships' income

 

           29,895

 

 

              (619

)

Income from operations of unconsolidated affiliates

           (4,460

)

           (4,384

)

Decrease in goodwill, other assets and intangible assets, net

 

             2,882

 

 

             6,509

 

Increase in accounts payable, sales taxes payable and accrued expenses

             7,575

             9,034

Increase in partner deposit and accrued buyout liability

 

                   -  

 

 

             8,529

 

Increase in deferred income taxes

           13,483

             7,462

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

         226,450

 

 

         193,602

 

Proceeds from minority partners' contributions

             7,878

                993

Distributions to minority partners

 

         (42,365

)

 

           (2,632

)

Net cash used in financing activities

         (77,004

)

         (44,156

)

8


Table of Contents

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

2.         Other Current Assets

Other current assets consisted of the following (in thousands):

September 30,

December 31,

2003

2002

(unaudited)

 

 



Deposits

$

         5,453

 

$

         4,911

Accounts receivable

         8,584

         8,614

Accounts receivable franchisees

 

         1,353

 

 

         2,920

Prepaid expenses

       17,807

       14,255

Other current assets

 

            638

 

 

            686



$

       33,835

$

       31,386



3.         Property, Fixtures and Equipment, Net

Property, fixtures and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):

September 30,

December 31,

2003

2002

(unaudited)

 



Land

$

       170,540

 

$

       166,600

 

Buildings & building improvements

       508,948

       454,682

Furniture & fixtures

 

       137,642

 

 

       119,450

 

Equipment

       334,668

       295,718

Leasehold improvements

 

       239,435

 

 

       201,975

 

Construction in progress

         28,967

         30,992

Accumulated depreciation

 

     (406,458

)

 

     (354,395

)



$

    1,013,742

$

       915,022



4.         Goodwill

The change in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 is as follows (in thousands):

December 31, 2002, restated

$

       46,337

Acquisitions (see Note 10 of Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements)

       38,590


September 30, 2003

$

       84,927


9


Table of Contents

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

5.         Other Assets

Other assets consisted of the following (in thousands):

September 30,

December 31,

2003

2002

(unaudited)

 



Other assets

$

       44,827

 

$

       43,157

Liquor licenses, net of accumulated amortization of $3,460 and $3,024, respectively

         9,570

         8,854

Deferred license fee, net of valuation provision of approximately $1,750 at September 30, 2003

 

       13,250

 

 

       15,000



$

       67,647

$

       67,011



Aggregate amortization expense on liquor licenses was approximately $446,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.

During January 2001, the Company entered into a ten-year licensing agreement with an entity owned by minority interest owners of certain non-restaurant operations. The licensing agreement transferred the right and license to use certain assets of these non-restaurant operations. License fees originally receivable under the agreement totaled approximately $22,000,000. During 2002, the Company agreed to defer certain scheduled payments and revise the remaining payment schedule.

In 2002, the licensee made additional payments towards amounts due under the licensing agreement.  Accordingly, based upon meeting certain criteria necessary to record the sale of the assets subject to the licensing agreement, the Company reduced the net book value of the assets with the deferred gain associated with the transaction.  No gain has been recognized on the transaction and the remaining deferred gain of approximately $1,189,000, as of September 30, 2003, associated with future licensing fees under the licensing agreement will not be recognized until such time as the amounts due under the licensing agreement are realized.  (See Note 8 of Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.)  

As of December 31, 2002, other assets includes approximately $5,569,000 in principal and accrued interest on loans made to Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse II, LLC (“FPSH II”), the operator of three unaffiliated Fleming’s Prime Steakhouses, which the Company had agreed to purchase. The value of these restaurants approximated the Company’s carrying value of the loan as of December 31, 2002, as calculated by discounting the expected future after tax cash flows of the restaurants by an appropriate discount rate.  For these restaurants, the Company used a cost of capital of 10% and a cash flow growth rate of 2%.  The Company and FPSH II have agreed that the conveyance of the restaurants to the Company will satisfy the outstanding balance. Subsequent to December 31, 2002, the restaurants were conveyed to the Company.  (See Note 10 of Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements).

Other assets also includes approximately $10,059,000in loans to the Company’s operating partner in the Outback/Fleming’s, LLC (the “LLC”) for its partners’ share of capital to build new restaurants required beyond the initial capital contributed by the Company pursuant to the LLC agreement. The Company expects to continue to make advances to its operating partners for the construction of new restaurants, and the assets of the LLC will continue to collateralize these advances.  The Company periodically assesses the loan balance for impairment, which is generally measured by expected future cash flows of the restaurant system as compared to the partners’ interest in the LLC. The Company has a 51% ownership interest in the LLC, and is subject to a purchase or sale option after the twentieth restaurant is opened, which may require the Company to purchase an additional 40% in the LLC at a market value as determined by the terms of the LLC agreement.

10


Table of Contents

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

6.         Accrued Expenses

Accrued expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):

September 30,

December 31,

2003

2002

(unaudited)

 



Accrued payroll and other compensation

$

       31,835

 

$

       25,877

Accrued insurance

       19,633

       17,002

Accrued property taxes

 

       10,511

 

 

         8,361

Other accrued expenses

       25,205

       18,887



 

$

       87,184

 

$

       70,127



During the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company recorded a provision for impaired assets and restaurant closings of approximately $5,281,000.  Remaining accrued restaurant closing expenses of approximately $300,000 were included in other accrued expenses as of December 31, 2002, and there were no remaining restaurant closing accruals as of September 30, 2003 related to this provision.  In the quarter ended September 30, 2003, the Company recorded a provision of approximately $5,319,000 for impaired assets and restaurant closings, which included approximately $1,200,000 for one Outback Steakhouse restaurant closing in Puerto Rico.  The restaurant closing provision primarily consisted of the write off of leasehold improvements and furniture and fixtures as well as expenses to terminate the restaurant’s property lease.  Remaining accrued restaurant closing expenses of approximately $250,000 were included in other accrued expenses as of September 30, 2003 related to the restaurant closing provision.

7.         Long-term Debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands):

September 30,

December 31,

2003

2002

(unaudited)

 



Revolving lines of credit, interest rates ranging from 1.70% to 1.92% at

 

 

 

 

 

September 30, 2003 and 2.39% at December 31, 2002, respectively

$

       27,500

$

       10,000

Notes payable to Korean banks, uncollateralized, interest rates ranging from

 

 

 

 

 

5.75% to 6.00% at September 30, 2003 and 6.50% to 6.75% at December 31, 2002

       21,416

       16,353

Notes payable to Japanese banks, uncollateralized, interest rates ranging from

 

 

 

 

 

0.56% to 1.88% at September 30, 2003

       19,882

               -  

Other notes payable, uncollateralized, interest rates ranging

 

 

 

 

 

from 2.4% to 7.0% at September 30, 2003 and

3.07% to 6.65% at December 31, 2002

         6,045

         5,547



 

 

 

       74,843

 

 

       31,900

Less current portion

       43,096

       17,464



Long-term debt

$

       31,747

 

$

       14,436



LONG-TERM DEBT

The Company has an uncollateralized revolving line of credit which permits borrowing of up to a maximum of $125,000,000 at 57.5 basis points over the 30, 60, 90 or 180 day London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) (ranging from 1.12% to 1.18% at September 30, 2003 and ranging from 1.37% to 1.44% at December 31, 2002).  At September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002 the unused portion of the revolving line of credit was $105,000,000 and $115,000,000, respectively. The credit agreement requires payment of a credit facility fee of 17.5 basis points on the total facility and matures in December 2004.

11


Table of Contents

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

7.         Long-term Debt (continued)

The Company has a $15,000,000 uncollateralized line of credit bearing interest at rates ranging from 57.5 to 95.0 basis points over LIBOR.  As of September 30, 2003, the Company had drawn $7,500,000 on the line.  Additionally, approximately $6,974,000 and $4,042,000 of the line of credit was committed for the issuance of letters of credit at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively, as required by insurance companies that underwrite the Company’s workers compensation insurance and also where required for construction of new restaurants.  At September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002 the unused portion of the line of credit was $526,000 and $10,958,000, respectively.

The Company has notes payable with banks bearing interest at rates ranging from 5.75% to 6.00% for the Company’s Korean operations. As of September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, the outstanding balance was approximately $21,416,000 and $16,353,000, respectively. The notes are denominated and payable in Korean won and mature at dates ranging from October 2003 to September 2004.

In April 2003, the Company obtained a controlling interest in its franchisee operations in Japan. As a result, the Company became directly liable for borrowings outstanding upon closing of the transaction that it had previously guaranteed. (See Note 10 of Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.)  As of September 30, 2003, the Company has notes payable with banks of approximately $19,882,000 that are collateralized by letters of credit and bear interest at rates ranging from 0.56% to 1.88%.  The notes are denominated and payable in Japanese yen, with outstanding balances maturing at dates ranging from October 2003 through June 2004.

DEBT GUARANTEES

In November 2002, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 45 (“FIN 45”), “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others.”  FIN 45 requires that upon the issuance of a guarantee, the guarantor must recognize the liability for the fair value of the obligation it assumes under the guarantee.  FIN 45 provides that initial recognition and measurement should be applied on a prospective basis to guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002, irrespective of the guarantor’s fiscal year end.  The disclosure requirements are effective for financial statements of both interim and annual periods that end after December 15, 2002.  The Company has complied with the disclosure requirements and did not have any modifications of outstanding guarantees in the nine months ended September 30, 2003.  The Company has the following outstanding debt guarantees, all of which existed prior to December 31, 2002, that could require recognition in the Consolidated Financial Statements if future modifications occur or upon renewal of the guarantee.

The Company is the guarantor of an uncollateralized line of credit that permits borrowing of up to $35,000,000, maturing in December 2004, for one of its franchisees. At September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, the outstanding balance was approximately $28,323,000 and $28,496,000, respectively.

The Company is the guarantor of an uncollateralized line of credit that permits borrowing of up to a maximum of $24,500,000, maturing in December 2004, for its joint venture partner in the development of Roy’s restaurants. At September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, the outstanding balance was approximately $21,223,000 and $19,939,000, respectively.

The Company was the guarantor of bank loans made to certain franchisees operating Outback Steakhouse restaurants through June 30, 2003.  At June 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, the outstanding balance on these loans was approximately $120,000 and $195,000, respectively. Subsequent to June 30, 2003, the Company acquired the restaurants of these franchisees.  As a result, the Company became directly liable for borrowings outstanding upon closing of the transaction. (See Note 10 of Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements).

The Company is the guarantor of up to $9,445,000 of a $68,000,000 note for an unconsolidated affiliate in which the Company has a 22.22% equity interest and for which the Company operates catering and concession facilities. Payments on this note begin in December 2003 with final maturity December 2022. At September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, the outstanding balance on the note was approximately $68,000,000.

The Company’s contractual debt obligations and debt guarantees as of September 30, 2003 are summarized in the table below (in thousands):

Current

Long-term

Total

Portion

Portion




Debt

$

         74,843

 

$

         43,096

 

$

         31,747

Debt guarantees

$

         68,945

$

              201

$

         68,744

Amount outstanding under debt guarantees

$

         58,991

 

$

              201

 

$

         58,790

12


Table of Contents

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

8.         Other Long-term Liabilities

Other long-term liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):

September 30,

December 31,

2003

2002

(unaudited)

 



Accrued insurance

$

         4,000

 

$

         4,000

Other deferred liability

         1,189

         2,189



 

$

         5,189

 

$

         6,189



In January 2001, the Company entered into a ten-year licensing agreement with an entity owned by minority interest owners of certain non-restaurant operations. The licensing agreement transferred the right and license to use certain assets of these non-restaurant operations. The Company has deferred recognition of any gain associated with the transaction until such time as the amounts due under the licensing agreement are realized.  (See Note 5 of Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.)

9.         Foreign Currency Translation and Comprehensive Income

For all significant non-U.S. operations, the functional currency is the local currency.  Assets and liabilities of those operations are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date.  Results of operations are translated using the average exchange rates for the reporting period.  Translation gains and losses are reported as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity. 

Comprehensive income includes net income and foreign currency translation adjustments.  Total comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 was approximately $123,640,000, which included the effect of losses from translation adjustments of approximately $1,228,000.

10.        Business Combinations

In January 2003, the Company acquired two restaurants from FPSH II, which the Company had previously agreed to purchase.  The estimated fair market value of the assets received was deemed to satisfy outstanding principal and accrued interest on amounts owed by FPSH II to the Company of approximately $5,569,000. As a result of this transaction, the

13


Table of Contents

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

10.        Business Combinations (continued)

Company recorded goodwill of approximately $3,674,000, all of which is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

In April 2003, the Company obtained a controlling interest in its franchise operating restaurants in Japan.  The results of the Japanese operations and the associated minority interest have been reflected in the consolidated financial statements since that date.  As part of this realignment, the Company contributed approximately $2,488,000 in capital and became directly liable for approximately $19,741,000 of debt that the Company previously guaranteed for the franchise.  (See Note 7 of Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.)  As a result of this transaction, the Company recorded goodwill of approximately $10,440,000, none of which is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

On July 1, 2003, the Company acquired from a franchisee 14 Outback Steakhouse restaurants operating in Alabama and Florida for approximately $29,500,000 in cash and the retirement of approximately $1,200,000 in the franchisee’s debt.  The results of the Alabama restaurants have been reflected in the consolidated financial statements since that date.  As a result of this transaction, the Company recorded goodwill of approximately $19,903,000, all of which is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

On August 20, 2003, the Company acquired a 68.4% interest in two Bonefish Grill restaurants from a franchisee operating in Indiana and Kentucky.  The Company also increased its ownership in one Bonefish Grill restaurant operating in Indiana from 45% to 68.4%.  The results of these restaurants and the associated minority interest have been reflected in the consolidated financial statements since that date.  The purchase price for these acquisitions was approximately $4,400,000 in cash and the Company recorded goodwill of approximately $2,845,000 associated with this transaction, all of which is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

On September 1, 2003, the Company acquired from a franchisee five Outback Steakhouse restaurants operating in New York for a total of approximately $13,164,000 of which $12,077,000 was paid in cash and $1,087,000 as settlement of receivables.  The results of the New York restaurants have been reflected in the consolidated financial statements since that date.  The Company recorded goodwill of approximately $1,440,000 associated with this transaction, all of which is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

On September 1, 2003, the Company acquired from a franchisee one Roy’s restaurant operating in Chicago for approximately $1,800,000 in cash.  The results of the Chicago restaurant have been reflected in the consolidated financial statements since that date.  The Company recorded goodwill of approximately $288,000 associated with this transaction, all of which is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

The following table presents the pro forma results of the ongoing operations for the Company as though the acquisitions above had occurred at the beginning of the periods shown.  The pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of the results that would have resulted had the acquisitions occurred at the beginning of the periods presented, nor is it necessarily indicative of future results:

  Pro Forma Three Months

  Pro Forma Nine Months

  Ended September 30,

  Ended September 30,



2003

2002

2003

2002





REVENUES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restaurant sales

$

       684,471

$

       600,526

$

  2,058,670

$

  1,819,919

 

Other revenues

 

           4,374

 

 

           3,706

 

 

       13,135

 

 

       11,023

 





TOTAL REVENUES

$

       688,845

  $

       604,232

  $

  2,071,805

  $

  1,830,942





INCOME BEFORE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE

$

         37,796

$

         33,075

$

     126,896

$

     113,806

CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF A CHANGE IN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE (NET OF TAXES)

                 -  

                 -  

                -  

           (740

)





NET INCOME

$

         37,796

 

$

         33,075

 

$

     126,896

 

$

     113,066

 





BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

$

             0.50

$

             0.43

$

           1.68

$

           1.47





DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

$

             0.48

 

$

             0.42

 

$

           1.62

 

$

           1.42

 





14


 

Table of Contents

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

11.        Recently Issued Financial Accounting Standards

On June 30, 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) finalized SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations”, and SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”.  SFAS No. 141 requires all business combinations initiated
after June 30, 2001, to be accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. With the adoption of SFAS No. 142 effective January 1, 2002, goodwill is no longer subject to amortization. Rather, goodwill will be subject to at least an annual assessment for impairment by applying a fair-value-based test. Under the new rules, an acquired intangible asset should be separately recognized if the benefit of the intangible asset is obtained through contractual or other legal rights, or if the intangible asset can be sold, transferred, licensed, rented, or exchanged regardless of the acquirer’s intent to do so. These intangible assets will be required to be amortized over their useful lives.  Generally, the Company performs its annual assessment for impairment during the third quarter of its fiscal year unless facts and circumstances require differently.

In connection with the adoption of SFAS No. 142, the Company completed the transitional impairment testing of goodwill during the six months ended June 30, 2002.  The adoption was made effective as of the beginning of 2002.  The transitional impairment testing resulted in an initial goodwill impairment charge of approximately $740,000, net of taxes of approximately $446,000 during 2002, as restated.  In accordance with SFAS No. 142, the initial impairment charge was recorded as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income for the six-month period ended June 30, 2002.

“Accounting for Exit or Disposal Activities”

In June 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, “Accounting for Exit or Disposal Activities”.  SFAS No. 146 addresses significant issues regarding the recognition, measurement and reporting of costs that are associated with exit and disposal activities, including restructuring activities that are currently accounted for pursuant to the guidance that the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) has set forth in EITF Issue No. 94-3, “Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an Activity (including Certain Costs Incurred in a Restructuring)”.  The scope of SFAS No. 146 also includes: (1) costs related to terminating a contract that is not a capital lease, and (2) termination benefits that employees who are involuntarily terminated receive under the terms of a one-time benefit arrangement that is not an ongoing benefit arrangement or an individual deferred-compensation contract.  The Company has adopted SFAS No. 146 effective January 1, 2003.  The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations in the nine months ended September 30, 2003.

  “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure”

In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure, an amendment of SFAS No. 123.”  This standard amends SFAS 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” to provide alternative methods of transition for companies that voluntarily change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation.  It also requires prominent disclosure about the effects on reported net income of the company’s accounting policy decisions with respect to stock-based employee compensation in both annual and interim financial statements.  The transition provisions and annual disclosure requirements are effective for all fiscal years ending after December 15, 2002, while the interim period disclosure requirements are effective for all interim periods beginning after December 15, 2002. (See Note 12 of Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.)

“Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities”

In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46 (“FIN 46”), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities.”  This interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin 51, “Consolidated Financial Statements,” addresses consolidation by business enterprises of variable interest entities in which an enterprise absorbs a majority of the entity’s expected losses, receives a majority of the entity’s expected residual returns, or both, as a result of ownership, contractual or other financial interests in the entity.  The interpretation requires that if a business enterprise has a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity, the assets, liabilities, and results of the activities of the variable interest entity must be included in the consolidated financial statements with those of the business enterprise. 

15


Table of Contents

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

11.        Recently Issued Financial Accounting Standards (continued)

This interpretation applies immediately to variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003 and to variable interest entities in which an enterprise obtains an interest after that date.  FIN 46 initially applied to preexisting variable interest entities no later than the beginning of the first interim reporting period beginning after June 15, 2003.  However, the implementation deadline has been delayed by the FASB to periods ending after December 15, 2003.  The Company invests in joint ventures that operate certain of its restaurants, which may be considered variable interest entities and which may require consolidation beginning in the fourth quarter of 2003.

The Company’s joint ventures in the Outback/Fleming’s LLC (the “LLC”) and the Roy’s/Outback Joint Venture (the “Roy’s JV”) are currently consolidated.  These ventures would be considered variable interest entities under the provisions of FIN 46, and the Company believes it will continue to consolidate them upon adoption of that interpretation.  The LLC and the Roy’s JV restaurant systems consist of approximately 16 and 13 restaurants as of September 30, 2003, respectively.  The Company’s maximum exposure to loss as a result of our involvement with the LLC is estimated to be the investment in the LLC and outstanding loans to its partner in the LLC (see Note 5 of Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements) and totals approximately $33,118,000 at September 30, 2003.  The Company’s maximum exposure to loss as a result of our involvement with the Roy’s JV is estimated to be the investment in the Roy’s JV and the outstanding debt guarantee on a line of credit for our partner in the Roy’s JV (see Note 7 of Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements) and totals approximately $42,229,000 at September 30, 2003.

The Company has ownership interests in 43 unconsolidated development joint venture restaurants.  These ventures could be characterized as variable interest entities under the final interpretations of FIN 46, and the Company may be required to consolidate them upon adoption of that interpretation.  The Company does not believe that consolidation of these entities would materially impact its Consolidated Financial Statements. 

The Company has a minority investment in an unconsolidated affiliate in which we have a 22.22% equity interest and for which we operate catering and concession facilities.  Additionally, the Company guarantees a portion of the affiliate’s debt (see Note 7 of Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements).  Although the Company holds an interest in this variable interest entity, it is currently believed that the Company is not the primary beneficiary of this entity and therefore will not consolidate its results upon adoption of FIN 46.

The Company is a franchisor of approximately 140 restaurants and is currently assessing the impact of FIN 46 on the status of those franchisees as variable interest entities.  As of the date of this filing, the FASB is in the process of modifying and/or clarifying certain provisions of FIN 46.  Additionally, certain FASB Staff Positions (“FSPs”) relating to FIN 46 are being deliberated. These modifications and FSPs, when finalized, could impact the Company’s analysis of the applicability of FIN 46 to entities that are franchisees of our concepts.  The Company does not possess any ownership interests in our franchisees and generally does not provide financial support to franchisees in our typical franchise relationship.  However, the Company does guarantee an uncollateralized line of credit that permits borrowing of up to $35,000,000, maturing in December 2004, for one of its franchisees (see Note 7 of Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements).  Depending on the final adoption provisions and interpretations of FIN 46, the Company may be required to consolidate certain of its franchisees, which could have a material effect on the Consolidated Financial Statements, and the Company is unable to quantify the total impact as of the date of this filing.

16


Table of Contents

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

12.        Stock-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation under the intrinsic value method and has disclosed pro forma net income and earnings per share amounts using the fair value based method prescribed by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.”  (See “Recently Issued Financial Accounting Standards” in Note 11 of Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.)

 

Three months ended September 30,

Nine months ended September 30,



2003

2002

2003

2002

         

 

 restated

 

restated





Net income

 $

         37,591

 

$

         32,822

 

 $

       124,868

 

$

       110,852

Stock-based employee compensation expense included in

  net income, net of related tax effects

791

877

2,492

2,322

Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined

  under fair value based method, net of related tax effects

         (4,089

)

         (3,489

)

         (12,126

)

         (10,065

)





Pro forma net income

 $

         34,293

 

$

          30,210

 

 $

       115,234

 

$

       103,109





Earnings per common share:

  Basic

 $

             0.50

 

$

             0.43

 

$

             1.66

 

$

             1.44





  Basic - pro forma

 $

             0.46

$

             0.39

 $

             1.53

$

             1.34





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Diluted

$

             0.48

$

             0.42

$

             1.59

$

             1.39





  Diluted - pro forma

 $

             0.44

 

$

             0.38

 

 $

             1.47

 

$

             1.29





13.  Commitments and Contingencies

In June 2003, in a civil case against the Company in Indiana state court alleging liability under the "dram shop" liquor liability statute, a jury returned a verdict in favor of the two plaintiffs who were injured by a drunk driver.  The portion of the verdict against the Company was $39,000,000.  The Company intends to appeal the decision and believes it has valid grounds for appeal.  The Company has insurance coverage related to this case provided by its primary carrier for $21,000,000 and by an excess insurance carrier for the balance of the verdict of approximately $19,000,000.  During the quarter ended September 30, 2003, the excess insurance carrier filed a declaratory judgment suit claiming it was not notified of the case and is therefore not liable for its portion of the verdict.  The Company does not believe the excess carrier’s case has any merit and the Company intends to vigorously defend the case.  If the excess carrier’s suit were to succeed, the Company believes it would have rights against the primary carrier and its third party administrator to recover any amounts the Company may have to pay.

14.        Subsequent Event

On October 22, 2003, the Company announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.13 per share of the Company’s Common Stock. The dividend is payable December 5, 2003 to shareholders of record as of November 21, 2003.

17



Table of Contents

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and the related Notes.  Comparisons to reported amounts for 2002 are based upon restated results as discussed in Note 1 of the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

Results of Operations (unaudited)

The following tables set forth, for the periods indicated, (i) the percentages that the items in our Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income bear to total revenues, or restaurant sales as indicated, and (ii) selected operating data:

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

September 30,



2003

2002

2003

2002

 

(restated)

 

(restated)





REVENUES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restaurant sales

           99.4

%

           99.2

%

           99.3

%

           99.2

%

Other revenues

             0.6

 

             0.8

 

             0.7

 

             0.8

 





TOTAL REVENUES

         100.0

         100.0

         100.0

         100.0

COSTS AND EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales (1)

           36.4

           36.7

           36.2

           36.9

 

Labor & other related (1)

           24.6

 

           24.6

 

           24.6

 

           24.4

 

Other restaurant operating (1)

           21.3

           20.8

           21.0

           20.2

 

Distribution expense to employee partners, excluding stock expense 

             2.1

 

             2.3

 

             2.2

 

             2.4

 

Employee partner stock buyout expense

             0.2

             0.2

             0.2

             0.2

 

Depreciation & amortization

              3.2

 

             3.2

 

             3.1

 

             3.1

 

General & administrative

             3.9

             3.7

             3.7

             3.7

 

Provision for impaired assets and restaurant closings

             0.8

 

             0.7

 

             0.3

 

             0.2

 

Income from operations of unconsolidated affiliates

            (0.2

)

            (0.2

)

            (0.2

)

            (0.2

)

 

Total costs and expenses

           91.7

 

           91.3

 

           90.5

 

           90.2

 





INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

             8.3

             8.7

             9.5

             9.8

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET

  *

 

            (0.2

)

  *

 

            (0.1

)

INTEREST INCOME

  *

             0.1

             0.1

             0.1

INTEREST EXPENSE

  *

 

            (0.1

)

            (0.1

)

            (0.1

)





INCOME BEFORE ELIMINATION OF MINORITY

PARTNERS' INTEREST AND INCOME TAXES

              8.3

             8.5

             9.5

             9.7

ELIMINATION OF MINORITY PARTNERS' INTEREST

  *

 

            (0.1)

 

             0.1

 

  *

 





INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

             8.3

             8.6

             9.4

             9.7

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

             2.8

 

             3.0

 

             3.2

 

             3.4

 





INCOME BEFORE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF A CHANGE

IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE

             5.5

             5.6

             6.2

             6.3

CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF A CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRINCIPLE (NET OF TAXES)

               -  

               -  

               -  

               -  





NET INCOME

             5.5

%

             5.6

%

             6.2

%

             6.3

%





(1) As a percentage of restaurant sales.

*Less than 1/10 of one percent of total revenues

18



Table of Contents

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Results of Operations (unaudited) (continued)

System-wide sales grew by 11.9%, to $809,000,000, for the quarter and by 12.1%, to $2,437,000,000, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2003.  System-wide sales is a non-GAAP financial measure that includes sales of all restaurants operating under our brand names, whether we own them or not.  The two components of system-wide sales, including those of Outback Steakhouse, Inc. and those of franchisees and unconsolidated development joint ventures, is provided below:

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

September 30,



2003

2002

2003

2002





OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC. RESTAURANT

SALES (in thousands):

Outback Steakhouses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic

$

    522,000

$

    477,000

$

  1,557,000

$

  1,441,000

 

International

 

      31,000

 

 

      17,000

 

 

      77,000

 

 

      42,000





Total

    553,000

    494,000

  1,634,000

  1,483,000

Carrabba's Italian Grills

 

      78,000

 

 

      60,000

 

 

    235,000

 

 

    184,000

Other restaurants

      50,000

      26,000

    143,000

      79,000





Total Company-owned restaurant sales

$

    681,000

 

$

    580,000

 

$

  2,012,000

 

$

  1,746,000





The following information presents sales for the franchised and unconsolidated development joint venture restaurants.  These are restaurants that are not owned by us and from which we only receive a franchise royalty or a portion of their total net income.  Management believes that franchise and unconsolidated development joint venture sales information is useful in analyzing our revenues because franchisees and affiliates pay service fees and/or royalties that generally are based on a percent of sales.  Management also uses this information to make decisions about future plans for the development of additional restaurants and new concepts as well as evaluation of current operations.


These sales do not represent sales of Outback Steakhouse, Inc., and are presented only as an indicator of the changes in the restaurant system, which we believe is important information regarding the health of our restaurant brands.

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

September 30,



2003

2002

2003

2002





FRANCHISE AND DEVELOPMENT JOINT

VENTURE SALES (in thousands) (1):

Outback Steakhouses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic

$

      86,000

$

      94,000

$

    285,000

$

    284,000

 

International

 

      19,000

 

 

      23,000

 

 

      63,000

 

 

      68,000





Total

    105,000

    117,000

    348,000

    352,000

Carrabba's Italian Grills

 

      22,000

 

 

      23,000

 

 

      67,000

 

 

      68,000

Other restaurants

        1,000

        3,000

      10,000

        8,000





Total franchise and development joint venture sales (1)

$

    128,000

 

$

    143,000

 

$

    425,000

 

$

    428,000





(1)  Franchise and development joint venture sales are not included in Company revenues as reported in our

Consolidated Statements of Income.

 

19



Table of Contents

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Results of Operations (unaudited) (continued)

September 30,


2003

2002



Number of restaurants (at end of the period):

 

 

 

Outback Steakhouses

 

Company owned– domestic

        616

 

        570

Company owned – international

          49

          30

 

Franchised and development joint venture– domestic

        101

 

        118

Franchised and development joint venture- international

           48

          53



 

Total

        814

 

        771



Carrabba's Italian Grills

 

Company owned

        104

 

          86

Development joint venture

          29

          29



 

Total

        133

 

        115



Bonefish Grills

 

  Company owned

          25

 

            7

  Franchised and development joint venture

            4

            2



 

  Total

          29

 

            9



Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bars

 

Company owned

          21

 

          14



Roy’s                                                 

 

Company owned

          17

 

          12

Franchised and development joint venture

            1

             2



 

Total

          18

 

          14



Lee Roy Selmon’s

 

Company owned

            2

 

            1



Cheeseburger in Paradise

 

Company owned

            1

 

            1



System-wide total

     1,018

        925



20


 
Table of Contents

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Three months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 (unaudited)

REVENUES

Restaurant sales.Restaurant sales increased by 17% to $680,919,000 during the third quarter of 2003 compared with $579,677,000 in the same period in 2002.  The increase in restaurant sales was primarily attributable to the opening of new restaurants after September 30, 2002. The following table includes additional activities that influenced the changes in restaurant sales at domestic Company owned restaurants for the three months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002:

Three Months Ended

September 30,


2003

2002



Average unit volumes (weekly) for restaurants opened for one year or more (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

Outback Steakhouses

$

64,546

$

64,253

 

Carrabba's Italian Grills

$

57,050

 

$

56,831

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bars

$

64,619

$

67,388

 

Roy's

$

53,006

 

$

51,745

Bonefish Grills

$

55,347

$

52,718

Average unit volumes (weekly) for restaurants opened for less than one year (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

Outback Steakhouses

$

62,715

$

55,829

 

Carrabba's Italian Grills

$

57,669

 

$

57,854

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bars

$

66,952

$

55,207

 

Roy's

$

65,101

 

$

46,665

Bonefish Grills

$

57,375

$

58,112

Operating weeks

 

 

 

 

 

Outback Steakhouses

7,971

7,365

 

Carrabba's Italian Grills

 

1,363

 

 

1,059

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bars

1,810

1,265

 

Roy's

 

1,502

 

 

1,165

Bonefish Grills

2,169

630

Year to year percentage change:

 

 

 

 

 

Menu price increases (1)

 

 

Outback Steakhouses

 

1.0%

 

 

2.1%

Carrabba's Italian Grills

0.0%

1.4%

 

Same-store sales (stores open 18 months or more):

 

 

 

 

 

Outback Steakhouses

1.2%

0.0%

 

 

Carrabba's Italian Grills

 

0.3%

 

 

-0.3%

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bars

14.5%

10.2%

 

 

Roy's

 

4.6%

 

 

3.5%

Bonefish Grills

2.8%

-

(1) Reflects nominal amounts of menu price changes, prior to any change in product mix because of price increases, and

may not reflect amounts effectively paid by the customer.  Menu price increases are not provided for Fleming's and Roy's

as the menus at these restaurants fluctuate on a more frequent basis than Outback and Carrabba's.

Other revenues.  Other revenues, consisting primarily of initial franchise fees and royalties, decreased by $150,000 to $4,420,000 during the third quarter of 2003, compared with $4,570,000 in the same period in 2002.  The decrease was primarily attributable to the purchase of 14 domestic Outback Steakhouse franchised restaurants in July 2003, which resulted in a decline in franchise fee revenue since we now record 100% of the restaurants’ revenues as Company owned restaurants.  The decrease was partially offset by increased royalties from international franchisees.

21


Table of Contents

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Three months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 (unaudited) (continued)

COSTS AND EXPENSES

Cost of sales.  Cost of sales as a percentage of restaurant sales decreased by 0.3% to 36.4% in the third quarter of 2003 compared with 36.7% in the same period in 2002.  The decrease was primarily attributable to an increase in the proportion of consolidated sales associated with our non-Outback Steakhouse restaurants, which have lower cost of goods sold ratios than Outback Steakhouses.  The change in cost of sales as a percentage of restaurant sales was reduced slightly by commodity cost increases for crab and lobster, which were partially offset by decreased costs for potatoes and onions. 

Labor and other related expenses.  Labor and other related expenses as a percentage of restaurant sales were unchanged at 24.6% in the third quarter of 2003 compared with the same period in 2002.  Increased productivity in most of our brands was offset by higher labor costs in international markets.

Other restaurant operating expenses.  Other restaurant operating expenses include all other unit-level operating costs, the major components of which are operating supplies, rent, repairs and maintenance, advertising expenses, utilities, pre-opening costs and other occupancy costs. A substantial portion of these expenses is fixed or indirectly variable. These costs increased by 0.5% of restaurant sales to 21.3% in the third quarter of 2003, compared with 20.8% in the same period in 2002. The increase was attributable to increased advertising expense, higher credit card discounts due to rate and volume increases, higher natural gas costs, and increased repairs and maintenance expenses resulting from the remodel of several Outback Steakhouses.  The increase was also attributable to an increase in the proportion of new format restaurants and international Outback Steakhouses in operation, which have higher average restaurant operating expenses as a percentage of restaurant sales than domestic Outback Steakhouses and Carrabba’s Italian Grills.

Distribution expense to employee partners.  Distribution expense to employee partners includes distributions of restaurant cash flows to our managing partners and area operating partners under their partnership agreements and cash buyouts of managing partners’ interest in their restaurants.  These costs as a percentage of total revenues decreased 0.2% to 2.1% in the third quarter of 2003, compared with 2.3% in the same period in 2002.  The decrease was attributable to fewer cash buyouts of managing partners occurring in 2003 compared to the same period in 2002, offset by increased average unit volumes and operating margins across the consolidated brands.

Employee partner stock buyout expense.  Employee partner stock buyout expense includes non-cash expenses recorded for the accrual of future buyouts of our area operating partners’ interest in their restaurants.  Upon buyout, an area operating partner generally receives common stock in exchange for their partnership interest in a restaurant.  Employee partner stock buyout expense was flat as a percentage of total revenues at 0.2% of total revenues for the third quarter 2003, compared with the same period in 2002.  Increases in expense due to new restaurants opened by area operating partners were offset by buyouts of existing restaurants.

Depreciation and amortization.  Depreciation and amortization costs as a percentage of total revenues was 3.2% in the third quarter of 2003 and the same period in 2002. Higher depreciation costs for the new restaurant formats, which have higher average construction costs than an Outback Steakhouse, were offset by higher average unit volumes at both domestic and international Outback Steakhouses, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouses and Roy’s.

General and administrative.  General and administrative costs increased by $5,329,000 to $26,985,000 in the third quarter of 2003 compared with $21,656,000 during the same period in 2002. This increase resulted from an increase in overall administrative costs associated with operating additional domestic and international Outback Steakhouses, Carrabba's Italian Grills, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouses, Roy’s and Bonefish Grills.  Additionally, the increase resulted from costs associated with the development of new restaurant formats, including the addition of area operating partners to provide for expansion of new restaurant brands.

Income from operations of unconsolidated affiliates.  Income from operations of unconsolidated affiliates represents our portion of the income from restaurants operated as development joint ventures. Income from development joint ventures was $1,543,000 during the third quarter of 2003 compared with income of $1,334,000 during the same period in 2002. This

22


Table of Contents

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Three months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 (unaudited) (continued)

increase was attributable to improved performance at Brazilian development joint venture Outback Steakhouses and favorable exchange rates.

Income from operations. As a result of the increase in revenues, the changes in the relationship between revenues and expenses discussed above and the opening of new restaurants, income from operations increased by $6,253,000 to $57,084,000 in the third quarter of 2003 compared with $50,831,000 in the same period in 2002.

Other income (expense), net. Other income (expense) includes the net of revenues and expenses from non-restaurant operations. Net other expense was $191,000 during the third quarter of 2003 compared with net other expense of $1,412,000 in the same period in 2002. The change in net other income (expense) in 2003 is primarily the result of changes in the cash surrender value of certain life insurance policies from a loss of approximately $880,000 in the third quarter of 2002 to a gain of approximately $108,000 in the same period in 2003.

Interest income. Interest income was $192,000 during the third quarter of 2003 compared with interest income of $799,000 in the same period in 2002. Interest income decreased due to lower short-term investment balances from the use of cash for acquisitions of franchisees and treasury stock purchases during the third quarter of 2003 compared with the same period in 2002.

Interest expense.  Interest expense was $487,000 during the third quarter of 2003 compared with interest expense of $356,000 in the same period in 2002.  The increase in interest expense is due to higher average debt balances on borrowings for Outback Steakhouse’s international operations during the third quarter of 2003 compared with the third quarter of 2002.

Elimination of minority partners' interest. The allocation of minority partners’ income included in this line item represents the portion of income from operations included in consolidated operating results attributable to the ownership interests in certain other restaurants in which we have a controlling interest. As a percentage of revenues, these allocations were less than 1/10 of 1% and 0.1% during the quarters ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively.  The decrease in the ratio is the result of the recording of the partner’s share of an impairment charge during the quarter, offset by an increase in overall restaurant operating margins and improvement in the performance of new format restaurants, which have a higher percentage of minority interest than our older formats.

Provision for income taxes. The provision for income taxes in the third quarter of both 2003 and 2002 reflected the expected income taxes due at federal statutory rates and state income tax rates, net of the federal benefit. The effective income tax rate was 33.9% during the third quarter of 2003 and 34.8% during the third quarter of 2002.  The decrease in the rate resulted from an increase in FICA tax credits for employee-reported tips during 2003.  Approximately 50% of our international restaurants in which we have a direct investment are owned through a Cayman Island corporation.

Net income and earnings per share. Net income for the third quarter of 2003 was $37,591,000 compared with $32,822,000 in the same period in 2002. Basic earnings per share increased to $0.50 during the third quarter of 2003 compared with $0.43 for the same period in 2002.  Basic weighted shares outstanding decreased by approximately 1,672,000 shares from 76,771,000 shares at September 30, 2002 to 75,099,000 at September 30, 2003.  Diluted earnings per share increased to $0.48 during the third quarter of 2003 compared with $0.42 for the same period in 2002.  Diluted weighted shares outstanding decreased by approximately 222,000 shares from 78,576,000 shares at September 30, 2002 to 78,354,000 shares at September 30, 2003.  The decrease in both basic and diluted weighted shares outstanding for the quarter ended September 30, 2003 compared with September 30, 2002 was primarily due to the purchase of treasury shares during the quarter ended September 30, 2003, partially offset by the issuance of shares for stock option exercises.

23


Table of Contents

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 (unaudited)

REVENUES

Restaurant sales.  Total restaurant sales increased by 15% to $2,011,716,000 during the first nine months of 2003 compared with $1,745,654,000 in the same period in 2002.  The increase in restaurant sales was primarily attributable to the opening of new restaurants after September 30, 2002. The following table depicts additional activities that influenced the period-to-period changes in restaurant sales at domestic Company owned restaurants for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002:

Nine Months Ended

September 30,


2003

2002



Average unit volumes (weekly) for restaurants opened for one year or more (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

Outback Steakhouses

$

66,716

$

66,024

 

Carrabba's Italian Grills

$

61,207

 

$

60,733

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bars

$

74,907

$

80,048

 

Roy's

$

60,933

 

$

65,386

Bonefish Grills

$

61,930

$

58,928

Average unit volumes (weekly) for restaurants opened for less than one year (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

Outback Steakhouses

$

64,707

$

57,804

 

Carrabba's Italian Grills

$

58,337

 

$

62,167

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bars

$

77,875

$

62,695

 

Roy's

$

63,245

 

$

55,154

Bonefish Grills

$

56,597

$

61,814

Operating weeks

 

 

 

 

 

Outback Steakhouses

23,009

21,602

 

Carrabba's Italian Grills

 

3,883

 

 

3,031

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bars

5,068

3,588

 

Roy's

 

4,220

 

 

3,336

Bonefish Grills

5,313

1,383

Year to year percentage change:

 

 

 

 

 

Menu price increases (1)

 

 

Outback Steakhouses

 

1.4%

 

 

1.3%

Carrabba's Italian Grills

0.9%

0.9%

 

Same-store sales (stores open 18 months or more):

 

 

 

 

 

Outback Steakhouses

1.5%

-0.5%

 

 

Carrabba's Italian Grills

 

0.9%

 

 

1.4%

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bars

12.5%

10.1%

 

 

Roy's

 

0.1%

 

 

-11.5%

Bonefish Grills

2.4%

-

(1) Reflects nominal amounts of menu price changes, prior to any change in product mix because of price increases, and

may not reflect amounts effectively paid by the customer.  Menu price increases are not provided for Fleming's and Roy's

as the menus at these restaurants fluctuate on a more frequent basis than Outback and Carrabba's.

Other revenues.  Other revenues, consisting primarily of initial franchise fees and royalties, increased by $780,000 to $14,562,000 during the first nine months of 2003, compared with $13,782,000 in the same period in 2002.  The increase was attributable to higher royalties from restaurants operated as franchises during the first nine months of 2003 compared with the same period in 2002.  The increase was partially offset by our decision to allow 14 of our international franchised restaurants in certain markets to spend the royalties due to us on additional advertising to increase brand awareness and penetration in new markets.  The increase was also partially offset by the purchase of 14 domestic Outback Steakhouse franchised restaurants in July 2003, which resulted in a decline in franchise fee revenue since we now record 100% of the restaurants’ revenues as Company owned restaurants.

24


Table of Contents

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 (unaudited) (continued)

COSTS AND EXPENSES

Costof sales. Cost of sales as a percentage of restaurant sales decreased by 0.7% to 36.2% in the first nine months of 2003 compared with 36.9% in the same period in 2002.  The decrease was attributable to commodity cost decreases for beef, and shrimp, partially offset by higher lobster and fresh fish costs.  The decrease was also attributable to higher menu prices and an increase in the proportion of consolidated sales associated with our non-Outback Steakhouse restaurants, which have lower cost of goods sold ratios than Outback Steakhouse.

Labor and other related expenses.  Labor and other related expenses increased as a percentage of restaurant sales by 0.2% to 24.6% in the first nine months of 2003, compared with 24.4% in the same period in 2002.  The increase resulted from higher state unemployment taxes, higher employee health insurance and benefits costs, and higher international labor costs, partially offset by increased productivity in most of our brands and higher average unit volumes at domestic Outback Steakhouses.

Other restaurant operating expenses.  Other restaurant operating expenses include all other unit-level operating costs, the major components of which are operating supplies, rent, repairs and maintenance, advertising expenses, utilities, pre-opening costs and other occupancy costs. A substantial portion of these expenses is fixed or indirectly variable.  Other restaurant operating expenses increased by 0.8% of restaurant sales to 21.0% in the first nine months of 2003, compared with 20.2% in the same period in 2002. The increase was attributable to increased advertising expenses, higher natural gas and supplies costs and higher credit card discounts due to rate and volume increases. The increase was also attributable to an increase in the proportion of new format restaurants and international Outback Steakhouses in operation, which have higher average restaurant operating expenses as a percentage of restaurant sales than domestic Outback Steakhouses and Carrabba’s Italian Grills.  The increase was partially offset by higher average unit volumes at both domestic and international Outback Steakhouses, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouses and Roy’s.

Distribution expense to employee partners.  Distribution expense to employee partners includes distributions of restaurant cash flows to our managing partners and area operating partners under their partnership agreements, and cash buyouts of managing partners’ interest in their restaurants.  These costs as a percentage of total revenues decreased 0.2% to 2.2% in the first nine months of 2003, compared with 2.4% in the same period in 2002.  The decrease was attributable to fewer cash buyouts of managing partners occurring in 2003 compared to the same period in 2002, offset by increased average unit volumes and operating margins across the consolidated brands.

Employee partner stock buyout expense.  Employee partner stock buyout expense includes non-cash expenses recorded for the accrual of future buyouts of our area operating partners’ interest in their restaurants.  Upon buyout, an area operating partner generally receives common stock in exchange for their partnership interest in a restaurant.  Employee partner stock buyout expense was flat as a percentage of total revenues at 0.2% of total revenues for the first nine months of 2003, compared with the same period in 2002.  Increases in expense due to new restaurants opened by area operating partners were offset by buyouts of existing restaurants.

Depreciation and amortization.  Depreciation and amortization costs as a percentage of total revenues was 3.1% in the first nine months of 2003 and the same period in 2002. Additional depreciation related to new unit development and higher depreciation costs for the new restaurant formats, which have higher average construction costs than an Outback Steakhouse, were offset by higher average unit volumes at both domestic and international Outback Steakhouses, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouses, and Roy’s.

General and administrative.  General and administrative costs increased by $9,471,000 to $74,463,000 during the first nine months of 2003 compared with $64,992,000 during the same period in 2002. This increase resulted from an increase in overall administrative costs associated with operating additional domestic and international Outback Steakhouses, Carrabba's Italian Grills, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouses, Roy’s and Bonefish Grills.  Additionally, the increase resulted from costs associated with the development of new restaurant formats, including the addition of area operating partners to provide for expansion of new restaurant brands, primarily in the third quarter of 2003.

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OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 (unaudited) (continued)

Income from operations of unconsolidated affiliates.  Income from operations of unconsolidated affiliates represents our portion of the income from restaurants operated as development joint ventures. Income from the development joint ventures was $4,482,000 during the first nine months of 2003 compared with income of $4,384,000 during the same period in 2002. This increase was attributable to improved performance of Outback Steakhouses located in Brazil that are operated under a development joint venture agreement, partially offset by lower average unit volumes at Carrabba’s Italian Grills operated as development joint ventures.

Income from operations. As a result of the increase in revenues, the changes in the relationship between revenues and expenses discussed above and the opening of new restaurants, income from operations increased by $21,505,000 to $193,266,000 in the first nine months of 2003 compared with $171,761,000 in the same period in 2002.

Other income (expense), net. Other income (expense) includes the net of revenues and expenses from non-restaurant operations. Net other expense was $781,000 during the first nine months of 2003 compared with net other expense of $2,299,000 in the same period in 2002. The decrease in net other expenses in 2003 is primarily the result of changes in the cash surrender value of certain life insurance policies from a loss of approximately $1,757,000 in the first nine months of 2002 to a gain of approximately $442,000 in the same period in 2003, which was partially offset by a gain of approximately $500,000 from the sale of a non-operating asset during the first quarter of 2002, which did not recur in 2003.

Interest income. Interest income was $1,165,000 during the first nine months of 2003 compared with interest income of $1,964,000 in the same period in 2002. Interest income decreased due to lower short-term investment balances resulting from the use of cash for acquisitions of franchisees and treasury stock purchases during the nine-month period.

Interest expense.  Interest expense was $1,264,000 during the first nine months of 2003 compared with interest expense of $965,000 in the same period in 2002.  The increase in interest expense is due to higher average debt balances on borrowings for Outback Steakhouse’s international operations during the first nine months of 2003 compared with the first nine months of 2002.

Elimination of minority partners' interest. The allocation of minority partners’ income included in this line item represents the portion of income from operations included in consolidated operating results attributable to the ownership interests in certain other restaurants in which we have a controlling interest. As a percentage of revenues, these allocations were 0.1% and less than 1/10 of 1% during the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively.  The increase in the ratio is the result of an increase in overall restaurant operating margins and improvement in the performance of new format restaurants, which have a higher percentage of minority interest than our older formats.

Provision for income taxes. The provision for income taxes in the first nine months of both 2003 and 2002 reflected the expected income taxes due at federal statutory rates and state income tax rates, net of the federal benefit. The effective income tax rate was 34.5% during the first nine months of 2003 and 34.8% during the first nine months of 2002.  The decrease in the rate resulted from an increase in FICA tax credits for employee-reported tips during 2003.  Approximately 50% of our international restaurants in which we have a direct investment are owned through a Cayman Island corporation.

Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle.  The cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle represents the effect of the adoption of the transitional impairment provisions of SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.”  The adoption was made effective as of the beginning of 2002.  The cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle in the first nine months of 2002 was approximately $740,000, net of taxes of approximately $446,000.  Basic and diluted earnings per share were both reduced by $0.01 due to the impact of the change in accounting principle.

Net income and earnings per share. Net income for the first nine months of 2003 was $124,868,000 compared with $110,852,000 in the same period in 2002. Basic earnings per share increased to $1.66 during the first nine months of 2003 compared with $1.45 for the same period in 2002.  Basic weighted shares outstanding decreased by approximately 1,625,000 shares from 77,040,000 shares at September 30, 2002 to 75,415,000 at September 30, 2003.  Diluted earnings per share increased to $1.59 during the first nine months of 2003 compared with $1.39 for the same period in 2002.  Diluted weighted

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OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 (unaudited) (continued)


shares outstanding decreased by approximately 1,340,000 shares from 79,673,000 shares at September 30, 2002 to 78,333,000 shares at September 30, 2003.  The decrease in both basic and diluted weighted shares outstanding for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 compared with September 30, 2002 was primarily due to the purchase of treasury shares during the nine months ended September 30, 2003, partially offset by the issuance of shares for stock option exercises.

Liquidity and Capital Resources (unaudited)

The following table presents a summary of our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities for the periods indicated (in thousands):

Nine Months Ended

September 30,


2002

2003

(restated)



Net cash provided by operating activities

$

    126,697

 

$

    193,602

 

Net cash used in investing activities

   (173,794

)

   (120,105

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

     (66,339

)

 

     (44,156

)



Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

$

   (113,436

)

$

      29,341



We require capital principally for the development of new restaurants, remodeling of older restaurants and investment in technology. We also require capital to pay dividends to common stockholders (refer to additional discussion in the Dividend section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation). Capital expenditures totaled approximately $181,798,000 for the year ended December 31, 2002 and approximately $135,379,000 and $125,213,000 during the first nine months of 2003 and 2002, respectively. We either lease our restaurants under operating leases for periods ranging from 5 to 30 years (including renewal periods) or purchase free standing restaurants where it is cost effective.

If demand for our products and services were to decrease as a result of increased competition, changing consumer tastes, changes in local, regional and national economic conditions or changes in the level of consumer acceptance of our restaurant brands, our total revenues could decline significantly.  The following table sets forth approximate amounts by which cash provided by operating activities may decline in the event of a decrease in revenues of 5%, 10% and 15% compared with total revenues for the period ended December 31, 2002 (in thousands):

5%

10%

15%

Decrease in totalrevenues

$

(118,105

)

$

(236,211

)

$

(354,316

)

Decrease in net income

$

(23,104

)

$

(46,208

)

$

(69,312

)

Decrease in cash provided by operating activities

  $

(28,787

)

  $

(57,573

)

  $

(86,360

)

The estimates above are based on the assumption that income before minority partners’ interest and provision for income taxes decreases approximately $0.35 for every $1.00 decrease in total revenues.  These numbers are estimates only and do not consider other measures we could implement were such decreases in revenue to occur.

During 2001, we entered into an agreement with the founders of Bonefish Grill (“Bonefish”) to develop and operate Bonefish restaurants. Under the terms of the Bonefish agreement, we purchased the Bonefish restaurant operating system for approximately $1,500,000. In addition, the interest in the three existing Bonefish Grills was contributed to a partnership formed between the Bonefish founders and us, and, in exchange, we committed to the first $7,500,000 of future construction costs in the development of new restaurants, all of which was expended as of June 30, 2003.

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OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Liquidity and Capital Resources (unaudited) (continued)

We have formed joint ventures to develop Outback Steakhouses in Brazil and the Philippines. We are also developing Company owned restaurants internationally in Puerto Rico, Korea, Hong Kong and Japan.

We have an agreement to develop and operate Fleming’s Prime Steakhouses and Wine Bars with our partner in the Outback/Fleming’s, LLC (the “LLC”).  In conjunction with this agreement, we have loaned approximately $10,059,000 to our operating partners for their share of capital to build new restaurants beyond the initial agreed upon development under the LLC.  We expect to continue to make advances to our operating partners for the construction of new restaurants, and the assets of the LLC will continue to collateralize these advances.  Additionally, we are subject to a purchase or sale option after the twentieth restaurant is opened, which may require us to purchase an additional 40% in the LLC at a market value as determined by the terms of the LLC agreement.

LONG-TERM DEBT

We have an uncollateralized revolving line of credit which permits borrowing of up to a maximum of $125,000,000 at 57.5 basis points over the 30, 60, 90 or 180 day London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) (all approximately 1.12% at September 30, 2003). At September 30, 2003, the unused portion of the revolving line of credit was $105,000,000. The credit agreement requires payment of a credit facility fee of 17.5 basis points on the total facility and matures in December 2004.

We have a $15,000,000 uncollateralized line of credit bearing interest at rates ranging from 57.5 to 95.0 basis points over LIBOR.  As of September 30, 2003, we had drawn $7,500,000 on the line.  Additionally, approximately $6,974,000 of the line of credit was committed for the issuance of letters of credit at September 30, 2003, as required by insurance companies that underwrite our workers compensation insurance and also where required for construction of new restaurants. The remaining $526,000 at September 30, 2003 is available credit.

We expect that our capital requirements through the end of 2003 will be met by cash flows from operations and, to the extent needed, advances on our line of credit. The revolving line of credit contains certain restrictions and conditions that require us to maintain net worth of $595,082,000 as of September 30, 2003, a fixed charge coverage ratio of 3.5 to 1.0, and a maximum total debt to EBITDA ratio of 2.0 to 1.0. At September 30, 2003, we were in compliance with all of the above debt covenants. (See Note 7 of Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.)

We have notes payable with banks bearing interest at rates ranging from 5.75% to 6.00% for our Korean operations. As of September 30, 2003, the outstanding balance was approximately $21,416,000. The notes are denominated and payable in Korean won and mature at dates ranging from October 2003 to September 2004.

In connection with the realignment of our international operations during the quarter ended June 30, 2003, we merged the interests of our franchisee operating restaurants in Japan into a new Japanese corporation which is now majority owned by us and which has responsibility for the future development of Outback Steakhouse restaurants in Japan. As part of the realignment, we became directly liable for the debt, which we previously guaranteed, which totaled approximately $19,741,000.  As part of this transaction, we invested approximately $2,488,000 in equity in addition to the assumption of the bank debt.  As of September 30, 2003, we have notes payable with banks of approximately $19,882,000 that are collateralized by letters of credit and bear interest at rates ranging from 0.56% to 1.88%.  The notes are denominated and payable in Japanese yen, with outstanding balances maturing at dates ranging from October 2003 through June 2004.

Our primary source of credit is an uncollateralized revolving line of credit that permits borrowing up to $125,000,000.   Based upon provisions of the line of credit agreement as of December 31, 2002, the margin over LIBOR rates charged to the us on future amounts drawn under the line would not be affected unless: (i) outstanding debt balances increased by more than $100,000,000; or (ii) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization decreased more than 50%.  In addition, based upon provisions of the line of credit agreement as of December 31, 2002, availability of funds under the uncollateralized revolving line of credit would not be affected unless: (i) outstanding debt balances increased by more than

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OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Liquidity and Capital Resources (unaudited) (continued)

$200,000,000; (ii) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization decreased more than 45%; or (iii) our net worth decreased approximately 40%.

DEBT GUARANTEES

Prior to the quarter ended June 30, 2003, we were the guarantor of notes payable, collateralized by letters of credit, of up to $20,000,000 for our franchisee operating Outback Steakhouses in Japan. As of June 30, 2003, we became directly liable for amounts outstanding under these notes (see LONG-TERM DEBT above).

We are the guarantor of an uncollateralized line of credit that permits borrowing of up to $35,000,000 for our franchisee operating Outback Steakhouses in California. At September 30, 2003, the balance on the line of credit was approximately $28,323,000.

We are the guarantor of an uncollateralized line of credit that permits borrowing of up to a maximum of $24,500,000 for our joint venture partner in the development of Roy’s restaurants. At September 30, 2003, the outstanding balance was approximately $21,223,000.

We are the guarantor of up to approximately $9,445,000 of a $68,000,000 note for an unconsolidated affiliate in which we have a 22.22% equity interest and for which we operate catering and concession facilities. At September 30, 2003, the outstanding balance on the note was approximately $68,000,000. Our investment is included in the line item entitled “Investments In and Advances to Unconsolidated Affiliates”. This affiliate has not yet reached its operating break-even point. Accordingly, we have made three additional working capital contributions, $667,000 in December 2001, $444,000 in July 2002 and $333,333 in August 2003, in addition to our original investment. We anticipate that we may need to make additional contributions for our pro rata portion of future losses, if any.

We are not aware of any non-compliance with the underlying terms of the borrowing agreements for which we provide a guarantee that would result in us having to perform in accordance with the terms of the guarantee.

DEBT AND DEBT GUARANTEE SUMMARY

Our contractual debt obligations, debt guarantees and commitments, excluding lease commitments, as of September 30, 2003 are summarized in the table below (in thousands):

Current

Long-term

Total

Portion

Portion




Debt

$

         74,843

 

$

         43,096

 

$

         31,747

Debt guarantees

$

         68,945

$

              201

$

         68,744

Amount outstanding under debt guarantees

$

         58,991

 

$

              201

 

$

         58,790

SHARE REPURCHASE

On July 26, 2000, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 4,000,000 shares of our Common Stock, with the timing, price, quantity and manner of the purchases to be made at the discretion of management, depending upon market conditions. In addition, the Board of Directors also authorized the repurchase of shares on a regular basis to offset shares issued as a result of stock option exercises.  On July 23, 2003, our Board of Directors extended the repurchase authorization for an additional 2,500,000 shares of the Company's common stock.  The Board of Directors also extended the authorization to repurchase shares on a regular basis to offset shares issued as a result of stock option exercises. During the period from the authorization date through September 30, 2003, approximately 4,593,000 shares of our Common Stock have been issued as the result of stock option exercises. We will fund the repurchase program with available cash and bank credit facilities. As of September 30, 2003, under these authorizations we have repurchased approximately 8,525,000 shares of our Common Stock for approximately $255,259,000. 

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OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Liquidity and Capital Resources (unaudited) (continued)

DIVIDEND

Our Board of Directors authorized the following dividends during 2003:

Declaration

Record

Payable

Amount per Share

Date

Date

Date

of Common Stock





January 22, 2003

February 21, 2003

March 7, 2003

 

$

0.12

April 23, 2003

May 23, 2003

June 6, 2003

$

0.12

July 23, 2003

August 22, 2003

September 5, 2003

 

$

0.12

October 22, 2003

November 21, 2003

December 5, 2003

$

0.13

On October 22, 2003, our Board of Directors authorized an increase in the quarterly dividend rate from $.12 to $.13.  At the current dividend rate, the annual dividend payment is expected to be between $38,000,000 and $40,000,000 depending on the shares outstanding during the respective quarters. We intend to pay dividends with cash flow from operations.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities during the reporting period (see Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K). We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. We consider the following policies to be the most critical in understanding the judgments that are involved in preparing our financial statements.

Property, Fixtures and Equipment

Property, fixtures and equipment are recorded at cost. We expense repair and maintenance costs incurred to maintain the appearance and functionality of the restaurant that do not extend the useful life of any restaurant asset or are less than $1,000.  Depreciation is computed on the straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives:

                                       

Buildings and building improvements……

20 to 31.5 years

                                       

Furniture and fixtures……………………..

7 years

                                       

Equipment…………………………………

2 to 15 years

                                       

Leasehold improvements………………….

5 to 20 years

                                       

Our accounting policies regarding property, fixtures and equipment include certain management judgments and projections regarding the estimated useful lives of these assets and what constitutes increasing the value and useful life of existing assets.  These estimates, judgments and projections may produce materially different amounts of depreciation expense than would be reported if different assumptions were used.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

We assess the potential impairment of identifiable intangibles, long-lived assets and goodwill whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.  Recoverability of assets is measured by comparing

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OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES (continued)

the carrying value of the asset to the future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset.  In evaluating long-lived restaurant assets for impairment, we consider a number of factors such as:

                

a)

 

Restaurant sales trends;

                

b)

 

Local competition;

                

c)

 

Changing demographic profiles;

                

d)

 

Local economic conditions;

                

e)

 

New laws and government regulations that adversely affect sales and profits; and

                

f)

 

The ability to recruit and train skilled restaurant employees.


If the aforementioned factors indicate that we should review the carrying value of the restaurant’s long-lived assets, we perform an impairment analysis.  Identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of other assets and liabilities typically exist for land and buildings, and for combined fixtures, equipment and improvements for each restaurant.  If the total future cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the asset, the carrying amount is written down to the estimated fair value, and a loss resulting from value impairment is recognized by a charge to earnings.

Judgments and estimates made by us related to the expected useful lives of long-lived assets are affected by factors such as changes in economic conditions and changes in operating performance. As we assess the ongoing expected cash flows and carrying amounts of our long-lived assets, these factors could cause us to realize a material impairment charge.

Insurance Reserves

We self-insure a significant portion of expected losses under our workers compensation, general liability, health and property insurance programs. We purchase insurance for individual claims that exceed the amounts listed in the following table:

                                           

Workers Compensation……………..…....

$ 1,000,000

                                           

General Liability…………………………

$ 1,000,000

                                           

Health……………………………………

$    230,000

                                           

Property damage…………………………

$ 5,000,000

We record a liability for all unresolved claims and for an estimate of incurred but not reported claims at the anticipated cost to us based on estimates provided by a third party administrator and insurance company. Our accounting policies regarding insurance reserves include certain actuarial assumptions and management judgments regarding economic conditions, the frequency and severity of claims and claim development history and settlement practices. Unanticipated changes in these factors may produce materially different amounts of expense that would be reported under these programs.

Revenue Recognition

We record revenues for normal recurring sales upon the performance of services. Revenues from the sales of franchises are recognized as income when we have substantially performed all of our material obligations under the franchise agreement. Continuing royalties, which are a percentage of net sales of franchised restaurants, are accrued as income when earned. These revenues are included in the line “Other revenues” in the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income.

Unearned revenues primarily represent our liability for gift certificates that have been sold but not yet redeemed and are recorded at the anticipated redemption value. When the gift certificates are redeemed, we recognize restaurant sales and reduce the related deferred liability.

Employee partner stock Buyout Expense

Area operating partners are required to purchase a 4-9% limited partner ownership interest in the restaurants they develop for an initial investment of $50,000.  Under the terms of these partners’ employment agreements, we have the option to


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OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES (continued)

purchase their interest after a five-year period under the conditions of the agreement.  We estimate future purchases of our area operating partners’ ownership interests using current information on restaurant performance to calculate and record an accrued buyout liability in the line item “Partner deposit and accrued buyout liability” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  When partner buyouts occur, they are primarily completed through issuance of our Common Stock to the partner equivalent to the fair value of their ownership interest as calculated under the terms of their employment agreement.  In the period we complete the buyout, we record an adjustment to recognize any remaining expense associated with the purchase and reduce the related accrued buyout liability.

Principles of Consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts and operations of the Company and affiliated partnerships in which we are a general partner and own a controlling financial interest.  The consolidated financial statements also include the accounts and operations of consolidated ventures in which we have a less than majority ownership.  We consolidate these ventures because we control the board of directors or have control through representation on the board by related parties and we are able to direct or cause the direction of management and operations on a day-to-day basis.  Additionally, the majority of capital contributions made by partners in the consolidated ventures have been funded by loans to the partners either directly from us, or from a third party where we are required to be a guarantor of the debt, which provides us control through our collateral interest in the joint venture partners’ membership interests.  The portion of income or loss attributable to the minority interests, not to exceed the minority interest’s equity in the subsidiary, is eliminated in the line item in our Consolidated Statements of Income entitled “Elimination of minority partners’ interest.”  All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

OUTLOOK

The following discussion of our future operating results and expansion strategy and other statements in this report that are not historical statements constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements represent our expectations or beliefs concerning future events and may be identified by words such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “should,” “estimates” and similar expressions. Our forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied in the forward-looking statement. Actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those in the section entitled “Cautionary Statement” below. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

In the Outlook portion of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, we provided information on the outlook for our businesses in 2003 and factors that may affect our financial results for that year.

In the Outlook portion of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in its Quarterly Report to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, we reported that average unit volumes for our Outback Steakhouse restaurants had increased by approximately 1.2% and average unit volumes for Carrabba's Italian Grills decreased by approximately 3.6% during the quarter as compared with the same quarter a year ago.

In the Outlook portion of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in its Quarterly Report to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003, we reported that average unit volumes for our Outback Steakhouse restaurants had increased by approximately 2.2% and were flat for Carrabba’s Italian Grills during the quarter as compared with the same quarter a year ago.

The remaining paragraphs in this Outlook section update the information provided in the three Forms referenced above and we recommend that this section be read in conjunction with those Outlook sections.

Future Operating Results

Our revenue growth expectations summarized in the following paragraph assume that current spending trends do not worsen in the remaining quarter of 2003. Our revenues and financial results in the remainder of 2003 could vary significantly depending upon consumer and business spending trends.

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OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

OUTLOOK (continued)

During the three month period ended September 30, 2003, compared with the same period a year ago, average unit volumes for Outback Steakhouses increased by approximately 1.0% and increased approximately 0.3% for Carrabba’s Italian Grills.  Average unit volumes for Carrabba’s Italian Grills were below those anticipated in our comments in Form 10-K referenced above.  As a result of the year-to-date average unit volumes experienced for Carrabba’s Italian Grills, we are now anticipating gains of 1% to 2% for the remainder of 2003 for Carrabba’s Italian Grills.  For the remainder of 2003, average unit volumes for Outback Steakhouses are expected to meet anticipated levels as provided in Form 10-K referenced above.

As a result of anticipated declines in fresh fish costs and the effect of a 1% price increase at Outback Steakhouses and Carrabba's Italian Grills, we now expect cost of goods sold as a percentage of restaurant sales for the full year to be 30 to 40 basis points lower than originally expected, for a total of approximately 70 to 80 basis points decrease for the full year from 2002 amounts.

Because of increased productivity in most of our brands, offset by higher health insurance and benefits costs, higher state unemployment taxes and higher wage rates for kitchen employees, we now expect labor costs as a percentage of restaurant sales for the full year to meet our original plan, for a 10 to 20 basis points increase for the full year from 2002 amounts.

Because of higher than anticipated advertising, natural gas, supply costs associated with our take-out business, and higher credit card discounts, we are now planning for restaurant operating expenses as a percentage of sales for the remainder of the year to be approximately 40 basis points higher than originally expected, for a total of 70 to 80 basis points increase for the full year from 2002 amounts.

We are now planning for the remainder of 2003 for all other expense ratio variances to be comparable to those experienced in and reported for the first nine months of 2003.

2004 Operating Results.

2004 Revenue.  We plan to grow revenues in 2004 by opening additional restaurants and increasing comparable store sales in all brands.  Our expansion plans are summarized in this section.  Based upon current economic conditions, we are currently planning for average unit volumes for Outback to increase by approximately 1% to 2% and for Carrabba’s Italian Grills to increase by approximately 2% to 3% during 2004 compared with 2003.  At present, we are planning a 1.5% price increase during early 2004 for Outback Steakhouse.  We are also planning a 1% price increase during 2004 for Carrabba’s Italian Grills.  We will reevaluate menu pricing for our brands periodically and may change prices as economic and commodity conditions dictate.  We are also currently planning for average unit volumes to increase by approximately 3% to 5% for Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, to remain consistent with 2003 for Roy’s and decrease approximately 1% for Bonefish Grill.

2004 Cost of Revenue.  Based upon current and anticipated commodity markets, we are expecting unfavorable beef pricing versus 2003, which will be offset by planned price increases and anticipated favorable pricing of certain other commodities, including produce.  Cost of revenue is expected to increase in 2004, while being mitigated as new format restaurants are developed and continue to expand that have a lower cost of revenue as compared with Outback Steakhouses and Carrabba’s Italian Grills.  Although the total change in food cost is subject to several factors, such as the mix of new restaurants, commodity availability and usage and price fluctuations in commodities for which we do not have purchase contracts, the current expectation for the Company is for an increase of approximately 0.4% to 0.5% of sales for the full year.

2004 Labor Costs.  As more of the new format restaurants (Roy’s and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse) are opened, labor costs as a percentage of restaurant sales are expected to increase because the labor costs as a percentage of sales at the new restaurant formats run at a higher rate than at Outback and Carrabba’s.  However, we anticipate increases in average unit volumes will leverage increased costs as a percentage of restaurant sales.  As a result, we are currently planning for labor costs as a percentage of restaurant sales to be flat in 2004 compared with 2003.

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OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

OUTLOOK (continued)

2004 Restaurant Operating Expenses.  Costs incurred prior to the opening of new restaurants are expected to increase as a result of additional restaurant openings in 2004 versus 2003.  Currently, we are planning approximately 20 more new restaurant openings as compared to restaurants opened in 2003.  These preopening expenses total approximately $150,000 for each new Company owned and joint venture Outback Steakhouse, approximately $195,000 for each new Carrabba’s Italian Grill, approximately $125,000 for each new Bonefish Grill, and approximately $300,000 for each new Roy’s and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar.  Restaurant operating expense ratios may vary materially from quarter to quarter depending on when units open.  As a result of an increase in planned openings of new restaurants, restaurant operating expenses may increase in 2004 by 0.3% to 0.4% of restaurant sales.

2004 Distribution expense to employee partners.  Distribution expense to employee partners is affected by the number of cash buyouts of managing partners’ interests in their restaurants, average unit volumes, ownership percentage levels of our employee partners and operating margins across the consolidated brands.  We are currently planning for distribution expense as a percentage of total sales to be flat in 2004 compared with 2003.

2004 Employee partner stock buyout expense.  The proportion of restaurants where the area operating partners’ interest is remaining to be purchased, the relative value of those interests, and the timing of buyouts all affect employee partner stock buyout expense.  As a percentage of total sales, we currently anticipate expenses recorded in 2004 associated with accrued buyouts of our area operating partners to remain consistent with those experienced in 2003.

2004 Depreciation and Amortization.  We expect depreciation costs, which are directly affected by investment in fixed assets, to increase as we build new restaurants, improve and remodel existing restaurants and invest in technology.  We estimate that capital expenditures for the development of new restaurants will be approximately $200,000,000 to $240,000,000 in 2004.

2004 General and Administrative Expenses.  Based upon its current plan, we expect that total general and administrative costs will decrease by approximately 0.1% to 0.2% in 2004 compared with 2003.  The increase in costs associated with the addition of area operating partners in order to provide for expansion of new restaurant brands, which occurred primarily in the third quarter of 2003, is not expected to recur to the same extent in 2004.

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OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

OUTLOOK (continued)

Expansion Strategy

Our goal is to add new restaurants to the system during the remainder of 2003 and during 2004.  The following table presents a summary of the expected restaurant openings during the fourth quarter of 2003 and for the full year 2004:

4th Quarter

Full Year

2003

2004



Outback Steakhouses – Domestic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Company owned

4

to

5

30

to

35

 

Franchised

3

to

4

 

2

to

3

Outback Steakhouses – International

 

Company owned

 

2

 

 

13

to

15

Franchised

2

2

to

3

Carrabba’s Italian Grills

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Company owned

13

to

15

25

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bars

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Company owned

1

to

2

10

to

12

Roy’s

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Company owned

  -

1

to

2

Lee Roy Selmon’s

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Company owned

  -

-

Bonefish Grills

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Company owned

8

to

9

32

to

35

 

Franchised

 

1

 

 

 

  -

 

Cheeseburger in Paradise

 

Company owned

 

1

 

 

5

to

6

Paul Lee's Chinese Kitchen

 

Company owned

 

-

 

 

 

3

 

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OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Cautionary Statement

As noted above, our actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in the forward-looking statements included in the discussion of future operating results and expansion strategy and elsewhere in this report as a result, among other things, of the following:

 

(i)

 

The restaurant industry is a highly competitive industry with many well-established competitors;

 

 

 

(ii)

 

Our results can be impacted by changes in consumer tastes and the level of consumer acceptance of our restaurant concepts; local, regional and national economic conditions, which could be adversely affected by further weakening in consumer spending; the seasonality of our business; demographic trends; traffic patterns; consumer perception of food safety; employee availability; the cost of advertising and media; government actions and policies; inflation; and increases in various costs;

 

 

 

(iii)

 

Our ability to expand is dependent upon various factors such as the availability of attractive sites for new restaurants; ability to obtain appropriate real estate sites at acceptable prices; ability to obtain all required governmental permits including zoning approvals and liquor licenses on a timely basis; impact of government moratoriums or approval processes, which could result in significant delays; ability to obtain all necessary contractors and subcontractors; union activities such as picketing and hand billing that could delay construction; the ability to generate or borrow funds; the ability to negotiate suitable lease terms; and the ability to recruit and train skilled management and restaurant employees;

 

 

 

(iv)

 

Price and availability of commodities, including but not limited to such items as beef, chicken, shrimp, pork, seafood, dairy, potatoes, onions and energy costs are subject to fluctuation and could increase or decrease more than we expect; and/or

 

 

 

(v)

 

Weather and acts of God could result in construction delays and also adversely affect the results of one or more restaurants for an indeterminate amount of time.

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OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Item 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates on debt, changes in foreign currency exchange rates and changes in commodity prices.

Our exposure to interest rate fluctuations is limited to its outstanding bank debt.  Outstanding borrowings under our revolving lines of credit of $27,500,000 and $10,000,000 at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively, bear interest at 57.5 basis points over the 30, 60, 90 or 180 London Interbank Offered Rate.  The weighted average effective interest rate on the $10,000,000 outstanding balance at December 31, 2002 was 2.39%.  Notes payable of approximately $21,416,000 to Korean banks bear interest at rates ranging from 5.75% to 6.00% at September 30, 2003.  As of December 31, 2002, we were the guarantor of notes payable, collateralized by letters of credit, of up to $20,000,000 for our franchisee operating Outback Steakhouses in Japan.  During the quarter ended June 30, 2003, we became directly liable for the outstanding amounts under these notes (see Note 10 of Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements), which totaled approximately $19,741,000.  At September 30, 2003, the borrowings totaled approximately $19,882,000, bearing interest at rates ranging from 0.56% to 1.88%.

Our debt balance has not exceeded $30,000,000 for each of the years ending December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000.  At September 30, 2003, our total debt was approximately $75,000,000.  Should interest rates based on our average borrowings of approximately $50,000,000 through September 30, 2003 increase by one percentage point, our estimated annual interest expense would increase by approximately $500,000 over amounts reported for the year ended December 31, 2002.

Our exposure to foreign currency exchange fluctuations relates primarily to its direct investment in restaurants in Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, the Philippines and Brazil, its notes payable to Japanese and Korean banks of approximately $19,882,000 and $21,416,000, respectively, at September 30, 2003 and to its royalties from international franchisees in 21 countries. We do not use financial instruments to hedge foreign currency exchange rate changes.  Our investments in these countries totaled approximately $18,600,000 and $17,500,000 as of September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively.

Many of the ingredients used in the products sold in our restaurants are commodities that are subject to unpredictable price volatility.  Although we attempt to minimize the effect of price volatility by negotiating fixed price contracts for the supply of key ingredients, there are no established fixed price markets for certain commodities such as produce and wild fish and we are subject to prevailing market conditions when purchasing those types of commodities. Other commodities are purchased based upon negotiated price ranges established with vendors with reference to the fluctuating market prices. The related agreements may contain contractual features that limit the price paid by establishing certain price floors and caps. We do not use financial instruments to hedge commodity prices because these purchase arrangements help control the ultimate cost paid.  Extreme changes in commodity prices and/or long-term changes could affect our financial results adversely, although any changes in commodity prices would affect our competitors at about the same time as us.  We expect that in most cases increased commodity prices could be passed through to our consumers via increases in menu prices.  However, if there is a time lag between the increasing commodity prices and our ability to increase menu prices or, if we believe the commodity price increase to be short in duration and we choose not to pass on the cost increases, our short-term financial results could be negatively affected. Additionally, from time to time, competitive circumstances could limit menu price flexibility, and in those cases margins would be negatively impacted by increased commodity prices.    

In addition to the market risks identified above and to the risks discussed in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” we are subject to business risk as our beef supply is highly dependent upon four vendors.  We currently purchase approximately 75% of our beef from the two largest beef suppliers in the country.  If these vendors were unable to fulfill their obligations under their contracts, we would encounter supply shortages and incur higher costs to secure adequate supplies.

This market risk discussion contains forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from the discussion based upon general market conditions and changes in domestic and global financial markets.

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OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Item 4.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES      

We have established and maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company and our subsidiaries required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation of these disclosure controls and procedures, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the date of such evaluation.

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OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
PART II:  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

We are subject to legal proceedings, claims and liabilities, such as liquor liability, sexual harassment and slip and fall cases etc., which arise in the ordinary course of business and are generally covered by insurance.  In the opinion of management, the amount of the ultimate liability with respect to those actions will not have a materially adverse impact on our financial position or result of operations and cash flows.

In June 2003, in a civil case against us in Indiana state court alleging liability under the "dram shop" liquor liability statute, a jury returned a verdict in favor of the two plaintiffs who were injured by a drunk driver.  The portion of the verdict against us was $39,000,000.  We intend to appeal the decision and believe we have valid grounds for appeal.  We have insurance coverage related to this case provided by our primary carrier for $21,000,000 and by an excess insurance carrier for the balance of the verdict of approximately $19,000,000.  As of the date of this filing, the excess insurance carrier has filed a declaratory judgment suit claiming it was not notified of the case and is therefore not liable for its portion of the verdict.  We do not believe the excess carrier’s case has any merit and we intend to vigorously defend the case.  If the excess carrier’s suit were to succeed, we believe we would have rights against the primary carrier and its third party administrator to recover any amounts the Company may have to pay.

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

     (a) Exhibits

4.45b

Loan Agreement by and between FPSH Limited Partnership, an Arizona limited partnership and AWA III Steakhouses, Inc.

4.66

Asset Purchase Agreementby and between Outback Steakhouse of Florida, Inc., Outback/Alabama-I, Limited Partnership, Birmingham I & II Steakhouses, Ltd., Alabama III Steakhouse Ltd., Montgomery Steakhouse, Ltd., Mobile Steakhouse, Ltd., Inverness Steakhouse, Ltd., Tuscaloosa Steakhouse, Ltd., Pensacola Steakhouse, Ltd., Tiger Steak, Ltd., Houston County Steakhouse, Ltd., Fultondale Steakhouse, Ltd., Oxford Steakhouse, Ltd., Sheffield Steakhouse, Ltd., Destin Steakhouse, Ltd., Birmingham I & II Management, Inc., Alabama III, Management, Inc., Panhandle Restaurant Management, Inc., Houston County Steakhouse, Inc., and Tiger Steak, Inc.  (filed herewith)

4.67

Purchase Agreement by and between Bonefish Grill, Inc. and Fishbuds of Greenwood, LLC (filed herewith)

                 

                                                                                                                                    

4.68

Purchase Agreement by and between Bonefish Grill, Inc., Fishbuds Inc. And Fishbuds Funding/Indianapolis I Inc. (filed herewith)

                 

                                                                                                                                    

4.69

Purchase Agreement by and between Bonefish Grill, Inc. Fishbuds, Inc. and Fishbuds Funding/Louisville I Inc. (filed herewith)

                 

                                                                                                                                    

4.70

Asset Purchase Agreement by and between Outback Steakhouse-NYC, Ltd. And Forrest Smith, Kimberly Smith, Smith Foods Corp. and Smith Foods LLC (filed herewith)

                 

                                                                                                                                    

4.71

Asset Purchase Agreement by and between Outback Steakhouse-NYC, Ltd., Forrest Smith, Kimberly Smith, Smith Foods Corp. and SF 86th Street LLC (filed herewith)

                 

                                                                                                                                    

4.72

Asset Purchase Agreement by and between Outback Steakhouse-NYC, Ltd., and Forrest Smith, Kimberly Smith, Smith Foods Corp. and SF Queens Place LLC (filed herewith)

                 

                                                                                                                                    

4.73

Asset Purchase Agreement by and between Outback Steakhouse-NYC, Ltd., and Forrest Smith, Kimberly Smith, Smith Foods Corp. and SF 919 Third Avenue LLC (filed herewith)

                 

                                                                                                                                    

4.74

Asset Purchase Agreement by and between Outback Steakhouse-NYC, Ltd., and Forrest Smith, Kimberly Smith, Smith Foods Corp. and SF 700 Sixth Avenue LLC (filed herewith)

                 

                                                                                                                                    

4.75

Asset Purchase Agreement by and between OS Pacific, Inc., Roy’s/Chicago, Limited Partnership, Restaurant Concepts of Chicago, Limited Partnership, F. Beaven Smith and Ronald A Patak (filed herewith)

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Table of Contents

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
PART II:  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

     (a) Exhibits (continued)

31.1

Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act

                 

                                                                                                                                    

31.2

Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act

                 

                                                                                                                                    

32.1

Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Exchange Act and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 20021

                 

                                                                                                                                    

32.2

Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Exchange Act and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 20021

1These exhibits are deemed to accompany this report and are not “filed” as part of the report.

     (b) Reports on Form 8-K

Form 8-K filed on July 2, 2003 containing a press release reporting comparable store sales and the acquisition of 14 franchisee restaurants in Alabama and Florida.

                                                                                                                      

Form 8-K filed on July 23, 2003 containing a press release reporting declaration of a quarterly dividend and authorization of additional shares under the Company’s repurchase program, and a press release reporting financial results for the second quarter of 2003.

                                                                                                                         

Form 8-K filed on August 13, 2003 announcing a 10b5-1 plan entered into by Chris T. Sullivan.

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf of the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

                             

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.

Date:  November 17, 2003

                             

 

                                                              

                             

  

 

 

By:  /s/ Robert S. Merritt                                   
                Robert S. Merritt
                Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
                (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

 

 

41