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8-K - 8-K - PANTRY INCa09252014-form8xk.htm
EX-99.2 - EARNINGS CALL PRESENTATION - PANTRY INCq4fy2014pantryincearning.htm


Exhibit 99.1

 
 
 
Contact: Clyde Preslar
 
(919) 774-6700

THE PANTRY ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER AND FISCAL 2014 RESULTS

Cary, North Carolina, December 9, 2014 - The Pantry, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTRY), a leading independently operated convenience store chain in the southeastern U.S., today announced financial results for its fiscal fourth quarter and fiscal year ended September 25, 2014.

Fourth Quarter Summary:

Net income was $14.7 million or $0.63 per diluted share. This compares to net income of $1.0 million or $0.04 per share in last year's fourth quarter. Excluding the impact of impairment charges, net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 was $15.4 million, or $0.66 per diluted share, compared to net income of $1.4 million, or $0.06 per share, in the prior year (see reconciliation below).

Adjusted EBITDA was $71.1 million, up from $49.0 million in the prior year quarter.

Comparable store merchandise revenue increased 2.5%.

Merchandise gross margin increased to 35.2% from 34.3%. Excluding the adjustment for our last-in, first out (LIFO) merchandise inventory method which was $5.6 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 versus $2.5 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, merchandise gross margin increased to 34.0% from 33.8%.

Fuel gross profit increased to $57.7 million from $47.8 million a year ago as retail fuel margin per gallon increased to $0.133 from $0.107 in the prior year quarter. Comparable store fuel gallons sold declined 2.5%.

Store operating and general and administrative expenses were $156.6 million compared to $162.0 million a year ago. Favorable actuarial adjustments to our self-insurance reserves were $1.9 million, $700 thousand more than the adjustments in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013. During the prior year quarter, the company accrued $3.1 million and $1.5 million, respectively, for a litigation matter and strategy consulting costs.

The effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 was 31.6%.

Fiscal Year 2014 Summary:

Net income was $13.2 million or $0.57 per share. This compares to net loss of $3.0 million or $0.13 per share in the last fiscal year. Excluding the impact of impairment charges, net income for fiscal 2014 was $15.7 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, compared to net loss of $0.1 million, or $0.00 per diluted share, in the prior year (see reconciliation below).

Adjusted EBITDA was $220.9 million, up from $202.4 million for the prior fiscal year.

Comparable store merchandise revenue increased 2.6%.






Merchandise gross margin increased to 34.2% from 34.0%. Excluding adjustments for our last-in, first out (LIFO) method for merchandise inventory which was $4.1 million in fiscal 2014 versus $0.4 million in fiscal 2013, merchandise gross margin declined to 33.9% from 34.0%.

Fuel gross profit increased to $203.8 million, from $199.3 million a year ago as retail fuel margin per gallon increased to $0.122 from $0.115 a year ago. Comparable store fuel gallons sold declined 2.9%.

Store operating and general and administrative expenses were $609.8 million compared to $609.0 million a year ago. Favorable adjustments to our self-insurance reserves were $6.2 million, $1.0 million less than the adjustments in fiscal 2013.

The effective tax rate for fiscal 2014 was 32.0% compared to 65.8% in fiscal 2013 due to an increase in pre-tax income which lessened the impact of work opportunity credits in fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013.
 
President and Chief Executive Officer Dennis G. Hatchell said, "We were pleased with our fourth quarter as we grew merchandise and fuel gross profit while controlling expenses. Improved merchandising effectiveness and a 4.5% increase in sales per customer drove our 2.5% increase in comparable store merchandise sales. We have now had positive comparable store merchandise sales in 11 out of our last 12 quarters. Overall fuel performance was encouraging as our balanced approach led to an increase in fuel gross profit. Our team is working to build on all of these results in fiscal 2015.”









Fiscal 2015 Outlook

The Company announced the following guidance ranges for its expected performance in fiscal 2015, which is a 52-week fiscal year:


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Q1 FY14
 
 
Q1 FY15 Guidance(1)
 
 
FY14
 
 
FY15 Guidance(1)
 
Actual
 
 
Low
 
High
 
 
Actual
 
 
Low
 
High
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Merchandise sales ($B)
$0.441
 
 
$0.448
 
$0.453
 
 
$1.84
 
 
$1.85
 
$1.88
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Merchandise gross margin
33.5%
 
 
33.4%
 
33.9%
 
 
34.2%
 
 
33.9%
 
34.3%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail fuel gallons (B)
0.409
 
 
0.414
 
0.419
 
 
1.65
 
 
1.63
 
1.66
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail fuel margin per gallon
$0.118
 
 
$0.150
 
$0.160
 
 
$0.122
 
 
$0.118
 
$0.138
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Store operating and general and administrative
   expenses ($M)
$154
 
 
$152
 
$156
 
 
$610
 
 
$622
 
$632
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation & amortization ($M)
$29
 
 
$25
 
$27
 
 
$112
 
 
$105
 
$110
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Effective corporate tax rate
39.2%
 
 
38.0%
 
39.0%
 
 
32.0%
 
 
38.0%
 
39.0%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense ($M)
$21
 
 
$21
 
$22
 
 
$85
 
 
$83
 
$85
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures, net ($M)
$30
 
 
$17
 
$20
 
 
$102
 
 
$127
 
$137

(1) Fiscal 2015 guidance assumes closure of approximately 40-50 stores


Conference Call
Interested parties are invited to listen to the fourth quarter earnings conference call scheduled for Tuesday, December 9, 2014 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. The call will be broadcast live over the Internet and will be accessible through the Investors section of the Company's website at www.thepantry.com. A slide presentation for the conference call will also be available for download at the investor section of our website. An online archive will be available immediately following the call and will be accessible for 30 days.





Use of Non-GAAP Measures

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA is defined by the Company as net income (loss) before interest expense, gain/loss on extinguishment of debt, income taxes, impairment charges and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of operating performance or liquidity under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("GAAP") and should not be considered as a substitute for net income, cash flows from operating activities or other income or cash flow statement data. The Company has included information concerning Adjusted EBITDA because it believes investors find this information useful as a reflection of the resources available for strategic opportunities including, among others, to invest in the Company's business, make strategic acquisitions and to service debt. Management also uses Adjusted EBITDA to review the performance of the Company's business directly resulting from its retail operations and for budgeting and compensation targets. Adjusted EBITDA does not include impairment of long-lived assets and other charges. The Company excluded the effect of impairment losses because it believes that including them in Adjusted EBITDA is not consistent with reflecting the ongoing performance of its remaining assets. Adjusted EBITDA does not include gain/loss on extinguishment of debt because it represents financing activities and is not indicative of the ongoing performance of the Company's remaining stores.

Net Income and Net Income Per Share Excluding Certain Items

In addition to net income and net income per share presented in accordance with GAAP, the Company has also presented net income and net income per share excluding the after-tax impact of non-cash charges related to impairment. Management believes that investors find this information useful as a reflection of the Company's underlying operating performance and that this information facilitates comparisons between the Company and other companies in its industry. Management uses these measures as part of its preparation of operating plans, budgets and forecasts and in its assessment of the Company's historical performance.

Additional Information Regarding Non-GAAP Measures

Any measure that excludes interest expense, gain/loss on extinguishment of debt, depreciation and amortization, impairment charges, or income taxes has material limitations because the Company uses debt and lease financing in order to finance its operations and acquisitions, uses capital and intangible assets in its business and must pay income taxes as a necessary element of its operations. Due to these limitations, the Company uses non-GAAP measures in addition to and in conjunction with results and cash flows presented in accordance with GAAP. The Company strongly encourages investors to review its consolidated financial statements and publicly filed reports in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure.
Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, the measures referenced above, each as defined by the Company, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. It therefore may not be possible to compare the Company's use of these measures with non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names used by other companies.






About The Pantry

Headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, The Pantry, Inc. is a leading independently operated convenience store chain in the southeastern United States and one of the largest independently operated convenience store chains in the country. As of December 9, 2014, the Company operated 1,513 stores in thirteen states under select banners, including Kangaroo Express®, its primary operating banner. The Pantry's stores offer a broad selection of merchandise, as well as fuel and other ancillary services designed to appeal to the convenience needs of its customers.

Safe Harbor Statement

Statements made by the Company in this press release relating to future plans, events, or financial condition or performance are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of words such as "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "intend," "outlook," "guidance," "believes," "should," "target," "goal," "forecast," "will," "may" or words of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements are likely to address matters such as the Company's anticipated sales, expenses, margins, tax rates, capital expenditures, profits, cash flows, liquidity and debt levels, as well as our pricing and merchandising strategies and their anticipated impact and our intentions with respect to acquisitions, the construction of new stores, including additional quick service restaurants, and the remodeling and addition of new equipment and products to our existing stores. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current plans and expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to vary materially from the results and events anticipated or implied by such forward-looking statements. Any number of factors could affect actual results and events, including, without limitation; the Company's ability to enhance its operating performance through its in-store initiatives, its store remodel program and the addition of new equipment and products to our existing stores; fluctuations in domestic and global petroleum and fuel markets; realizing expected benefits from the Company's fuel supply agreements; changes in the competitive landscape of the convenience store industry, including fuel stations and other non-traditional retailers located in the Company's markets; the effect of national and regional economic conditions on the convenience store industry and the Company's markets; the global financial crisis and uncertainty in global economic conditions; wholesale cost increases of, and tax increases on, tobacco products; the effect of regional weather conditions and climate change on customer traffic and spending; legal, technological, political and scientific developments regarding climate change; financial difficulties of suppliers, including the Company's principal suppliers of fuel and merchandise, and their ability to continue to supply its stores; the Company's financial leverage and debt covenants; a disruption of our IT systems or a failure to protect sensitive customer, employee or vendor data; the ability of the Company to identify suitable acquisition targets and to take advantage of expected synergies in connection with acquisitions; the actual operating results of new or acquired stores; the ability of the Company to divest non-core assets; environmental risks associated with selling petroleum products; governmental laws and regulations, including those relating to the environment and the impact of mandated health care laws; and unanticipated legal and other expenses. These and other risk factors are discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and in its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release are based on the Company's estimates and plans as of December 9, 2014. While the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, it specifically disclaims any obligation to do so.





The Pantry, Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Selected Financial Data
(In thousands, except per share and per gallon amounts, margin data and store count)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Fiscal Year Ended
 
September 25,
2014
 
September 26,
2013
 
September 25,
2014
 
September 26,
2013
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Merchandise
$
483,545

 
$
475,608

 
$
1,834,929

 
$
1,800,001

   Fuel
1,471,714

 
1,546,272

 
5,710,735

 
6,021,954

      Total revenues
1,955,259

 
2,021,880

 
7,545,664

 
7,821,955

Costs and operating expenses:

 

 

 

   Merchandise cost of goods sold
313,501

 
312,371

 
1,208,027

 
1,187,870

   Fuel cost of goods sold
1,414,051

 
1,498,446

 
5,506,919

 
5,822,688

   Store operating
128,999

 
132,506

 
505,916

 
504,315

   General and administrative
27,634

 
29,532

 
103,912

 
104,711

   Impairment charges
1,153

 
727

 
3,971

 
4,681

   Depreciation and amortization
27,346

 
30,154

 
112,240

 
117,724

      Total costs and operating expenses
1,912,684

 
2,003,736

 
7,440,985

 
7,741,989

Income from operations
42,575

 
18,144

 
104,679

 
79,966

Other expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Interest expense
21,145

 
21,561

 
85,226

 
88,779

      Total other expenses
21,145

 
21,561

 
85,226

 
88,779

Income (loss) before income taxes
21,430

 
(3,417
)
 
19,453

 
(8,813
)
   Income tax expense (benefit)
6,775

 
(4,389
)
 
6,229

 
(5,801
)
      Net income (loss)
$
14,655

 
$
972

 
$
13,224

 
$
(3,012
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings (loss) per diluted share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Earnings (loss) per diluted share
$
0.63

 
$
0.04

 
$
0.57

 
$
(0.13
)
   Weighted average and potential dilutive shares outstanding
23,149

 
22,884

 
23,004

 
22,691

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selected financial data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Adjusted EBITDA
$
71,074

 
$
49,025

 
$
220,890

 
$
202,371

   Payments made for lease finance obligations
$
13,161

 
$
13,078

 
$
52,799

 
$
51,767

   Merchandise gross profit
$
170,044

 
$
163,237

 
$
626,902

 
$
612,131

   Merchandise margin
35.2
 %
 
34.3
 %
 
34.2
 %
 
34
 %
   Retail fuel data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        Gallons
428,252

 
441,124

 
1,650,551

 
1,708,167

        Margin per gallon (1)
$
0.133

 
$
0.107

 
$
0.122

 
$
0.115

        Retail price per gallon
$
3.39

 
$
3.45

 
$
3.41

 
$
3.46

Total fuel gross profit
$
57,663

 
$
47,826

 
$
203,816

 
$
199,266

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparable store data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Merchandise sales %
2.5
 %
 
2.0
 %
 
2.6
 %
 
0.9
 %
   Retail fuel gallons %
(2.5
)%
 
(2.5
)%
 
(2.9
)%
 
(4.8
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of stores:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   End of period
1,518

 
1,548

 
1,518

 
1,548

   Weighted-average store count
1,524

 
1,557

 
1,534

 
1,567


(1) Fuel margin per gallon represents fuel revenue less cost of product and expenses associated with credit card processing fees and repairs and maintenance on fuel equipment. Fuel margin per gallon as presented may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.









The Pantry, Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 25,
2014
 
September 26,
2013
ASSETS
 
  
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
81,652

  
$
57,168

Receivables
65,666

   
64,936

Inventories
133,904

   
132,229

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
17,593

   
19,120

Deferred income taxes
35,836

   
26,186

Total current assets
334,651

   
299,639

 
 
 
 
Property and equipment, net
873,197

   
902,796

Goodwill and other intangible assets
440,628

   
440,982

Other noncurrent assets
85,278

   
79,297

Total assets
$
1,733,754

  
$
1,722,714

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
  
 
Current maturities of long-term debt
$
2,715

  
$
2,550

Current maturities of lease finance obligations
11,555

   
11,018

Accounts payable
149,388

   
153,693

Other accrued liabilities
104,617

 
114,400

Total current liabilities
268,275

   
281,661

 
 
   
 
Long-term debt
496,063

   
498,414

Lease finance obligations
423,073

   
434,022

Deferred income taxes
83,545

   
66,670

Deferred vendor rebates
8,629

   
10,152

Other noncurrent liabilities
114,712

   
108,096

Total shareholders' equity
339,457

   
323,699

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$
1,733,754

  
$
1,722,714

 
 
 
 







The Pantry, Inc.
Unaudited Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Fiscal Year Ended
 
September 25,
2014
 
September 26,
2013
 
September 25,
2014
 
September 26,
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA
$
71,074


$
49,025


$
220,890


$
202,371

Impairment charges
(1,153
)

(727
)

(3,971
)

(4,681
)
Interest expense
(21,145
)

(21,561
)

(85,226
)

(88,779
)
Depreciation and amortization
(27,346
)

(30,154
)

(112,240
)

(117,724
)
Income tax (provision) benefit
(6,775
)

4,389


(6,229
)

5,801

Net income (loss)
$
14,655

 
$
972

 
$
13,224

 
$
(3,012
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA
$
71,074


$
49,025


$
220,890


$
202,371

Interest expense
(21,145
)

(21,561
)

(85,226
)

(88,779
)
Income tax (provision) benefit
(6,775
)

4,389


(6,229
)

5,801

Stock-based compensation expense
973


390


3,322


2,738

Changes in operating assets and liabilities
7,526


17,377


(7,432
)

5,317

Benefit for deferred income taxes
6,490


(4,641
)

6,546


(5,697
)
Other
1,242

 
2,019

 
4,997

 
6,360

Net cash provided by operating activities
$
59,385


$
46,998


$
136,868


$
128,111

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additions to property and equipment, net
$
(24,306
)
 
$
(27,923
)
 
$
(96,834
)
 
$
(82,939
)
Acquisitions of businesses, net

 
(1,221
)
 

 
(1,723
)
Net cash used in investing activities
$
(24,306
)

$
(29,144
)

$
(96,834
)

$
(84,662
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash used in financing activities
$
(3,432
)

$
(4,833
)

$
(15,550
)

$
(75,456
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash
$
31,647


$
13,021


$
24,484


$
(32,007
)




 
Three Months Ended
 
September 25, 2014
 
September 26, 2013
 
Pre Tax
 
After Tax
 
EPS
 
Pre Tax
 
After Tax
 
EPS
Income (loss), as reported
$
21,430

 
$
14,655

 
$
0.63

 
$
(3,417
)
 
$
972

 
$
0.04

Impairment charges
1,153

 
708

 
0.03

 
727

 
446

 
0.02

Income (loss), as adjusted
$
22,583

 
$
15,363

 
$
0.66

 
$
(2,690
)
 
$
1,418

 
$
0.06

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fiscal Year Ended
 
September 25, 2014
 
September 26, 2013
 
Pre Tax
 
After Tax
 
EPS
 
Pre Tax
 
After Tax
 
EPS
Income (loss), as reported
$
19,453

 
$
13,224

 
$
0.57

 
$
(8,813
)
 
$
(3,012
)
 
$
(0.13
)
Impairment charges
3,971

 
2,438

 
0.11

 
4,681

 
2,874

 
0.13

Income (loss), as adjusted
$
23,424

 
$
15,662

 
$
0.68

 
$
(4,132
)
 
$
(138
)
 
$