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8-K - FORM 8-K - Ruths Hospitality Group, Inc.ruth20130801_8k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

Contacts:

 

Media

Alecia Pulman (203) 682-8224

apulman@icrinc.com 

 

 

For Immediate Release 

 

 

Investor Relations

Fitzhugh Taylor (203) 682-8261

ftaylor@icrinc.com 

 

 

Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2013 Financial Results

- Total Revenues Grew 4.8% -

- Quarterly Earnings per Share Increased 29% to $0.22 –

 

WINTER PARK, Fla.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—August 2, 2013—Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: RUTH) today reported unaudited financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2013.

 

Highlights for the second quarter of 2013 compared to the second quarter of 2012 were as follows:

 

The Company reported net income of $7.8 million or $0.22 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2013, compared to net income of $5.8 million or $0.17 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2012. 

 

Net income in the second quarter of 2013 included a non-recurring $0.6 million income tax benefit pertaining to state employment credits.

 

Excluding non-recurring income tax items and results from discontinued operations, non-GAAP diluted earnings per common share was $0.20 in the second quarter of 2013 compared to $0.17 in the second quarter of 2012. The Company believes that non-GAAP earnings per diluted share, which excludes non-recurring and non-operating items from both periods, provides a useful alternative measure of financial performance. Investors are advised to see the attached Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures table for additional information.

 

Restaurant sales in the second quarter increased 4.3% to $95.1 million compared to $91.2 million in the prior year.

 

Company-owned comparable restaurant sales for Ruth’s Chris Steak House increased 4.6%.

 

Company-owned comparable restaurant sales for Mitchell’s Fish Market decreased 1.4%.

 

Total operating costs in the second quarter increased by 3.1% or $2.7 million compared to the second quarter of 2012.

 

Food and beverage costs, as a percentage of restaurant sales, decreased 180 basis points in the second quarter to 30.4% due to lower beef costs and the effect of a 2% increase in menu pricing.

 

Restaurant operating expenses, as a percentage of restaurant sales, decreased 74 basis points in the second quarter to 50.3% primarily due to lower occupancy costs and the effect of higher sales on fixed costs.

 

General and administrative expenses increased $1.1 million to $7.3 million in the quarter.

 

 
 

 

 

At the end of the second quarter of 2013, the Company had $40.0 million in debt outstanding under its senior credit facility, a decrease of $3.0 million from $43.0 million at the end of the first quarter and a decrease of $31.0 million from the end of the second quarter of 2012. The Company also announced that its Board of Directors, as part of the Company’s focus on shareholder returns, has approved the payment of a quarterly cash dividend to shareholders of $0.04 per share. This dividend will be paid to shareholders on August 29, 2013 to all common shareholders of record as of the close of business on August 15, 2013.

 

Michael P. O'Donnell, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ruth's Hospitality Group, Inc., stated, “We maintained our operating momentum during the second quarter, highlighted by the 13th straight quarter of positive comparable sales growth and an 18% increase in our adjusted earnings per share. As we look to the second half of 2013, we are excited about the health of our business and our prospects for continued growth. With a healthy capital structure and growing free cash flow, we are well-positioned to reinvest in our existing business, continue to invest in new restaurant development and return capital to shareholders, which we believe will drive shareholder value.”

 

Review of Second Quarter 2013 Operating Results

Total revenues, which include Company-owned restaurant sales, franchise income, and other operating income, were $101.8 million in the second quarter of 2013 compared to $97.1 million in the same quarter last year.

 

Company-owned restaurant sales increased 4.3% to $95.1 million for the second quarter of 2013 from $91.2 million in the same quarter last year. Excluding discontinued operations, total operating weeks for all brands during the second quarter increased to 1,105 from 1,092 in the second quarter of 2012.

  

Ruth’s Chris Steak House Sales

 

63 Company-owned Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurants were open at the end of the second quarter of 2013 compared to 62 at the end of the prior year second quarter.

 

Total operating weeks for the second quarter of 2013 increased to 819 weeks from 806 weeks in the second quarter of 2012.

 

Average weekly sales for Ruth’s Chris Steak House were approximately $92.0 thousand in the second quarter of 2013, an increase of 4.3% compared to approximately $88.2 thousand in the second quarter of 2012.

 

For the second quarter of 2013, the increase in comparable sales at Company-owned Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurants was 4.6%, which consisted of a traffic increase of 2.1% along with an average check increase of 2.5%.

 

Mitchell’s Fish Market Sales

 

19 Company-owned Mitchell’s Fish Market restaurants were open at the end of the second quarter of 2013, which is the same number of restaurants open at the end of the prior year second quarter.

 

Total operating weeks for the quarter were flat year-over-year at 247.

 

Average weekly sales at Mitchell’s Fish Market were approximately $72.3 thousand in the second quarter of 2013, a decrease of 1.4% compared to approximately $73.3 thousand in the second quarter of 2012.

 

For the second quarter of 2013, the decrease in comparable sales at Mitchell’s Fish Market restaurants was 1.4%, which consisted of a traffic decrease of 2.8% and an average check increase of 1.5%.

 

 
 

 

 

Franchise Income

 

74 franchise-owned Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurants were open at the end of the second quarter of 2013 compared to 69 at the end of the prior year second quarter.

 

Franchise income increased 12.5% to $3.6 million in the second quarter of 2013 from $3.2 million in the prior year period, driven by the increase in comparable franchise restaurant sales and new franchised unit development during the last 12 months.

 

For the second quarter of 2013, the increase in comparable franchise-owned restaurant sales was 3.5% in the second quarter of 2013, which included a 3.6% increase in domestic comparable franchise-owned restaurant sales and a 3.2% increase in international comparable franchise-owned restaurant sales.

 

Financial Outlook

The following statements are not guarantees of future performance, and therefore, undue reliance should not be placed upon them. We refer all of you to our recent filings with the SEC for a more detailed discussion of the risks that could impact future operating results and financial conditions.

 

Based on current information, Ruth's Hospitality Group, Inc. is updating its full year 2013 outlook:

 

 

Cost of goods sold of 31.5% to 32.5% of restaurant sales

 

Restaurant operating expenses of 50.0% to 51.0% of restaurant sales

 

Marketing and advertising expenses of 3.0% to 3.5% of total revenues

 

General and administrative expenses of $28 million to $29 million

 

Effective tax rate of 28% to 32%

 

Capital expenditures of $14 to $16 million

 

Basic shares outstanding of 34.5 million to 35.5 million, and fully-diluted shares outstanding of 35.5 million to 36.5 million, in both cases exclusive of any share repurchases under the Company’s share repurchase program

 

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call to discuss second quarter 2013 financial results today at 8:30 AM Eastern Time. Hosting the call will be Mike O’Donnell, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Arne Haak, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

 

The conference call can be accessed live over the phone by dialing 719-325-2144. A replay will be available one hour after the call and can be accessed by dialing 858-384-5517; the password is 2708862. The replay will be available until August 9, 2013. The call will also be webcast live from the Company's website at www.rhgi.com under the investor relations section.

 

About Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc.

Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: RUTH) is a leading restaurant company focused exclusively on the upscale dining segment. The Company owns the Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Mitchell’s Fish Market, Mitchell’s Steakhouse and Cameron’s Steakhouse concepts. Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc., headquartered in Winter Park, Fla, was originally founded in 1965 and currently has more than 150 Company- and franchisee-owned restaurants worldwide.

 

 
 

 

 

For further information about our restaurants, to make reservations, or to purchase gift cards, please visit: www.RuthsChris.com, www.MitchellsFishMarket.com, www.MitchellsSteakhouse.com and www.Camerons-Steakhouse.com. For more information about Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc., please visit www.rhgi.com.

 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” that reflect, when made, the Company’s expectations or beliefs concerning future events that involve risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include all statements other than those made solely with respect to historical facts and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s financial outlook. Actual results could differ materially from those projected, implied or anticipated by these forward-looking statements. Some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ include the risk factors identified in the reports the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2012 and subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, all of which are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update this press release after the date hereof.

 

 
 

 

 

RUTH'S HOSPITALITY GROUP, INC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) - Unaudited

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)


   

13 Weeks Ended

   

26 Weeks Ended

 
   

June 30,

2013

   

June 24,

2012

   

June 30,

2013

   

June 24,

2012

 
                                 

Revenues:

                               

Restaurant sales

  $ 95,135     $ 91,221     $ 197,929     $ 187,774  

Franchise income

    3,647       3,243       7,310       6,698  

Other operating income

    3,034       2,647       3,937       2,904  

Total revenues

    101,816       97,111       209,176       197,376  
                                 

Costs and expenses:

                               

Food and beverage costs

    28,888       29,339       60,949       60,235  

Restaurant operating expenses

    47,823       46,529       97,218       93,615  

Marketing and advertising

    3,600       2,409       5,600       4,138  

General and administrative costs

    7,339       6,227       14,592       13,112  

Depreciation and amortization expenses

    3,138       3,639       6,743       7,347  

Pre-opening costs

    142       75       143       120  

Total costs and expenses

    90,930       88,218       185,245       178,567  
                                 

Operating income

    10,886       8,893       23,931       18,809  
                                 

Other income (expense):

                               

Interest expense, net

    (415 )     (598 )     (931 )     (1,079 )

Debt issuance costs written-off

    0       0       0       (807 )

Other

    4       (48 )     38       (61 )
                                 

Income from continuing operations before income tax expense

    10,475       8,247       23,038       16,862  

Income tax expense

    2,612       2,403       6,419       4,976  
                                 

Income from continuing operations

    7,863       5,844       16,619       11,886  

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

    (96 )     (12 )     (1,192 )     41  
                                 

Net income

  $ 7,767     $ 5,832     $ 15,427     $ 11,927  
                                 

Preferred stock dividends

    0       0       0       514  

Accretion of preferred stock redemption value

    0       0       0       73  
                                 

Excess of redemption value over carrying value of preferred shares redeemed

    0       0       0       35,776  

Net income (loss) applicable to preferred and common shareholders

  $ 7,767     $ 5,832     $ 15,427       (24,436 )

Basic earnings (loss) per common share:

                               

Continuing operations

  $ 0.22     $ 0.17     $ 0.48     $ (0.71 )

Discontinued operations

    0       0       (0.03 )     0  

Basic earnings (loss) per share

  $ 0.22     $ 0.17     $ 0.45     $ (0.71 )
                                 

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:

                               

Continuing operations

  $ 0.22     $ 0.17     $ 0.46     $ (0.71 )

Discontinued operations

    0       0       (0.03 )     0  

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

  $ 0.22     $ 0.17     $ 0.43     $ (0.71 )
                                 

Shares used in computing net income (loss) per common share:

                               

Basic

    34,660,149       34,304,948       34,554,692       34,237,788  

Diluted

    35,681,077       35,133,637       35,585,807       34,237,788  
                                 

Dividends declared per common share

  $ 0.04     $ 0     $ 0.04     $ 0  
  

 
 

 

 

RUTH'S HOSPITALITY GROUP, INC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Selected Balance Sheet Data - Unaudited

(Dollar amounts in thousands)


   

June 30,

2013

   

December 30,

2012

 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 5,530     $ 7,909  

Total assets

    222,160       231,357  

Long-term debt

    40,000       45,000  

Total shareholders' equity

    96,975       82,388  

The operating results of a location closed in March 2013 have been reclassified to the discontinued operations line of the condensed consolidated statements of income (loss). These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported net income.

 

NON-GAAP MEASURE

 

We prepare our financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Within our press release, we make reference to non-GAAP diluted earnings per common share. This non-GAAP measurement was calculated by excluding certain non-recurring items and income (loss) on discontinued operations. This non-GAAP measurement has been included as supplemental information. We believe that this measure represents a useful internal measure of performance. Accordingly, where this non-GAAP measure is provided, it is done so that investors have the same financial data that management uses in evaluating performance with the belief that it will assist the investment community in assessing our underlying performance on a quarter-over-quarter basis. However, because this measure is not determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, such a measure is susceptible to varying calculations and not all companies calculate the measure in the same manner. As a result, the aforementioned measure as presented may not be directly comparable to a similarly titled measure presented by other companies. This non-GAAP measure is presented as supplemental information and not as alternatives to any GAAP measurements.

  

 
 

 

 

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measure - Unaudited

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)


   

13 Weeks Ended

   

26 Weeks Ended

 
   

June 30,

2013

   

June 24,

2012

   

June 30,

2013

   

June 24,

2012

 

GAAP net income (loss) applicable to preferred and common shareholders

  $ 7,767     $ 5,832     $ 15,427       (24,436 )

Net of tax impact of excluding certain non-recurring items - see Note

    -       -       -       546  

Impact of excluding certain non-recurring income tax items

    (616 )     114       (632 )     242  

Net of tax impact of excluding loss (income) on discontinued operations

    96       12       1,192       (41 )

Impact of excluding excess of redemption value over carrying value of preferred shares redeemed

    -       -       -       35,776  

Non-GAAP net income applicable to preferred and common shareholders

  $ 7,247     $ 5,958     $ 15,987     $ 12,087  
                                 

Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share

  $ 0.20     $ 0.17     $ 0.45     $ 0.31  
                                 

Shares:

                               

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic

    34,660,149       34,304,948       34,554,692       34,237,788  

Dilutive shares

    1,020,928       828,689       1,031,115       831,073  

Dilutive convertible preferred stock

    -       -       -       3,552,482  

Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding - diluted

    35,681,077       35,133,637       35,585,807       38,621,343  

Note: Excludes 2012 after tax impacts of debt issuance costs written-off and legal fees related to the amendment to the senior credit facility.