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8-K - FORM 8-K - CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INCd935996d8k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

POST OFFICE BOX 787

LEBANON, TENNESSEE

37088-0787

 

LOGO

 

Investor Contact: Lawrence E. Hyatt
(615) 235-4432
Media Contact:

Janella Escobar

(615) 235-4618

CRACKER BARREL REPORTS RESULTS FOR THIRD QUARTER FISCAL 2015, RAISES FULL-YEAR EARNINGS GUIDANCE, INCREASES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND AND DECLARES SPECIAL DIVIDEND

Positive Comparable Store Traffic, Restaurant and Retail Sales

Adjusted EPS Increased 21% to $1.49

Board Increases Quarterly Dividend to $1.10 per share and Declares Special Dividend of $3.00 per share

LEBANON, Tenn.June 2, 2015 – Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (“Cracker Barrel” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq:CBRL) today reported financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2015 ended May 1, 2015.

Third-Quarter Fiscal 2015 Highlights

 

    Compared to the prior-year third quarter, comparable store traffic increased 1.8%, comparable store restaurant sales increased 5.2% and comparable store retail sales increased 4.5%.

 

    Fourteenth consecutive quarter of outperformance of the Knapp-TrackTM casual dining index.

 

    On a GAAP basis, operating income margin was 8.1% of total revenue, compared with 7.0% in the prior year quarter. Adjusted to exclude the impact of additional charges related to the settlement of the previously disclosed Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) litigation, adjusted operating income margin was 8.2% of total revenue, compared to prior year adjusted operating income margin of 7.2%. (See non-GAAP reconciliation below.)

 

    On a GAAP basis, earnings per diluted share were $1.47, or $1.49 when adjusted to exclude the impact of charges related to the FLSA settlement, a 21% increase over adjusted earnings per diluted share of $1.23 in the prior year quarter.

Commenting on the third-quarter results, Cracker Barrel President and Chief Executive Officer Sandra B. Cochran said, “We believe that our strong sales performance in the quarter is the result of general

 

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Cracker Barrel Reports Third Quarter Results

Page 2

June 2, 2015

 

increases in consumer spending, our strong value positioning, and the continuing success of our marketing initiatives. Our margin improvement in the quarter reflects the continuing implementation of our cost savings initiatives and the leverage of higher sales.”

Third-Quarter Fiscal 2015 Results

Revenue

The Company reported total revenue of $683.7 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2015, representing an increase of 6.3% over the third quarter of the prior year. Comparable store restaurant sales increased 5.2%, including a 3.4% increase in average check. Average menu prices for the quarter were approximately 2.5% higher than in the prior year quarter. Comparable store retail sales increased 4.5% for the quarter.

Comparable store restaurant traffic, average check, and comparable store restaurant and retail sales for the fiscal months of February, March and April and for the third quarter were as follows:

 

     February     March     April     Third
Quarter
 

Comparable restaurant traffic

     1.9     1.1     2.4     1.8

Average check

     3.4     3.2     3.6     3.4

Comparable restaurant sales

     5.3     4.3     6.0     5.2

Comparable retail sales

     4.6     5.0     4.1     4.5

Operating Income

GAAP operating income in the third quarter was $55.5 million, or 8.1% of total revenue. Adjusted to exclude the impact of charges related to the FLSA settlement, adjusted operating income was $56.2 million, or 8.2% of total revenue, compared with adjusted operating income of $46.3 million, or 7.2% of total revenue, in the prior year quarter. As a percentage of total revenue, reductions in labor and related expenses and store operating expenses were partially offset by an increase in cost of goods sold and general and administrative expenses.

Diluted Earnings per Share

On a GAAP basis, earnings per diluted share in the third quarter of fiscal 2015 were $1.47, compared with $1.20 in the prior year quarter. Adjusted to exclude the impact of charges related to the FLSA settlement, adjusted earnings per diluted share were $1.49, compared with adjusted earnings per diluted share of $1.23 in the prior year quarter.

Quarterly Dividend Increase and Special Dividend

The Company announced that its Board of Directors increased the quarterly dividend to $1.10 per share on the Company’s common stock, which represents a 10% increase over the Company’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.00. The Board of Directors also declared a special dividend of $3.00 per share on the Company’s common stock. Both the quarterly dividend and the special dividend are payable on August 5, 2015, to shareholders of record on July 17, 2015.

 

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Cracker Barrel Reports Third Quarter Results

Page 3

June 2, 2015

 

Commenting on the quarterly and special dividend, Ms. Cochran said, “We remain committed to a balanced approach to capital allocation, through appropriate reinvestment in our business, a competitive regular quarterly dividend, and now the payment of a special dividend. The decision to increase the quarterly dividend and declare a special dividend reflects our Board’s ongoing evaluation of our financial performance, capital investment and liquidity needs, and ability to deliver total shareholder return.”

Fiscal 2015 Outlook

Based upon year-to-date financial performance, recent trends, and current estimates, the Company raised its full-year earnings guidance. For fiscal 2015, the Company now expects to report adjusted earnings per diluted share of between $6.60 and $6.70, which implies EPS for the fourth quarter of between $1.75 and $1.85. The Company expects total revenue for the year between $2.8 billion and $2.85 billion and an adjusted operating income margin between 8.5% and 9.0% of total revenue. The revenue projection for fiscal 2015 reflects the expected opening of six new Cracker Barrel stores over the course of the year, projected increases in comparable store restaurant sales of between 4.5% and 5.0%, and comparable store retail sales of between 3.5% and 4.0%. The Company’s projections are based upon expected food commodity inflation of approximately 3.0% for the year, and approximately flat for the fourth quarter. The Company expects annual depreciation expense between $71 million and $73 million; net interest expense of approximately $17 million; and an effective tax rate of between 31% and 32%. The Company expects capital expenditures for fiscal 2015 to be approximately $95 million.

Fiscal 2015 Third-Quarter Conference Call

As previously announced, the live broadcast of Cracker Barrel’s quarterly conference call will be available to the public online at investor.crackerbarrel.com on June 2, 2015 beginning at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Time). An online replay will be available at approximately 2:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) and continue through June 15, 2015.

About Cracker Barrel

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store provides a friendly home-away-from-home in its old country stores and restaurants. Guests are cared for like family while relaxing and enjoying real home-style food and shopping that’s surprisingly unique, genuinely fun and reminiscent of America’s country heritage…all at a fair price. The restaurants serve up delicious, home-style country food such as meatloaf and homemade chicken n’ dumplins as well as our signature biscuits using an old family recipe. The authentic old country retail store is fun to shop and offers unique gifts and self-indulgences.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBRL) was established in 1969 in Lebanon, Tenn. and operates 634 company-owned locations in 42 states. Every Cracker Barrel store is open seven days a week with hours Sunday through Thursday, 6 a.m. – 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 6 a.m. - 11 p.m. For more information, visit: crackerbarrel.com.

 

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Cracker Barrel Reports Third Quarter Results

Page 4

June 2, 2015

 

Except for specific historical information, certain of the matters discussed in this press release may express or imply projections of revenues or expenditures, statements of plans and objectives or future operations or statements of future economic performance. These, and similar statements are forward-looking statements concerning matters that involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual performance of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. and its subsidiaries to differ materially from those expressed or implied by this discussion. All forward-looking information is subject to completion of our financial procedures for Q3 FY 2015 and is provided pursuant to the safe harbor established under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and should be evaluated in the context of these factors. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “trends,” “assumptions,” “target,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “opportunity,” “future,” “plans,” “goals,” “objectives,” “expectations,” “near-term,” “long-term,” “projection,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “potential,” “regular,” “should,” “projects,” “forecasts,” or “continue” (or the negative or other derivatives of each of these terms) or similar terminology and include the expected effects of operational improvement initiatives, such as new menu items and retail offerings. Factors which could materially affect actual results include, but are not limited to: the effects of uncertain consumer confidence, higher costs for energy, general or regional economic weakness, weather on sales and customer travel, discretionary income or personal expenditure activity of our customers; our ability to identify, acquire and sell successful new lines of retail merchandise and new menu items at our restaurants; our ability to sustain or the effects of plans intended to improve operational or marketing execution and performance; changes in or implementation of additional governmental or regulatory rules, regulations and interpretations affecting tax, wage and hour matters, health and safety, pensions, insurance or other undeterminable areas; the effects of plans intended to promote or protect our brands and products; commodity price increases; the ability of and cost to us to recruit, train, and retain qualified hourly and management employees in an escalating wage environment; the effects of increased competition at our locations on sales and on labor recruiting, cost, and retention; workers’ compensation, group health and utility price changes; consumer behavior based on negative publicity or concerns over nutritional or safety aspects of our food or products or those of the restaurant industry in general, including concerns about pandemics, as well as the possible effects of such events on the price or availability of ingredients used in our restaurants; the effects of our substantial indebtedness and associated restrictions on our financial and operating flexibility and ability to execute or pursue our operating plans and objectives; changes in interest rates or capital market conditions affecting our financing costs and ability to refinance all or portions of our indebtedness; the effects of business trends on the outlook for individual restaurant locations and the effect on the carrying value of those locations; our ability to retain key

 

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Cracker Barrel Reports Third Quarter Results

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June 2, 2015

 

personnel; the availability and cost of suitable sites for restaurant development and our ability to identify those sites; changes in land, building materials and construction costs; the actual results of pending, future or threatened litigation or governmental investigations and the costs and effects of negative publicity associated with these activities; practical or psychological effects of natural disasters or terrorist acts or war and military or government responses; disruptions to our restaurant or retail supply chain; changes in foreign exchange rates affecting our future retail inventory purchases; implementation of new or changes in interpretation of existing accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”); and other factors described from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, press releases, and other communications. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein, or elsewhere, speaks only as of the date on which made. We expressly disclaim any intent, obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based.

 

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Cracker Barrel Reports Third Quarter Results

Page 6

June 2, 2015

 

CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts, percentages and ratios)

 

     Third Quarter Ended     Nine Months Ended  
                 Percentage                 Percentage  
   5/1/15     5/2/14     Change     5/1/15     5/2/14     Change  

Total revenue

   $ 683,705      $ 643,298        6   $ 2,123,099      $ 1,990,930        7

Cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation and rent)

     216,142        201,507        7        700,592        650,451        8   

Labor and other related expenses

     246,805        242,977        2        740,806        718,466        3   

Other store operating expenses

     126,711        121,060        5        390,609        374,501        4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Store operating income

  94,047      77,754      21      291,092      247,512      18   

General and administrative expenses

  38,570      32,541      19      108,952      99,356      10   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating income

  55,477      45,213      23      182,140      148,156      23   

Interest expense

  4,030      4,327      (7   13,138      13,205      (1
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Pretax income

  51,447      40,886      26      169,002      134,951      25   

Provision for income taxes

  16,130      12,158      33      52,498      42,008      25   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net income

$ 35,317    $ 28,728      23    $ 116,504    $ 92,943      25   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Earnings per share – Basic:

$ 1.48    $ 1.21      22    $ 4.87    $ 3.90      25   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Earnings per share – Diluted:

$ 1.47    $ 1.20      23    $ 4.85    $ 3.88      25   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Weighted average shares:

Basic

  23,937,844      23,820,309      0      23,904,945      23,816,841      0   

Diluted

  24,066,061      23,978,474      0      24,033,296      23,958,058      0   

Ratio Analysis

Total revenue:

Restaurant

  81.5   81.4   79.2   79.1

Retail

  18.5      18.6      20.8      20.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total revenue

  100.0      100.0      100.0      100.0   

Cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation and rent)

  31.6      31.3      33.0      32.7   

Labor and other related expenses

  36.1      37.8      34.9      36.1   

Other store operating expenses

  18.5      18.8      18.4      18.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Store operating income

  13.8      12.1      13.7      12.4   

General and administrative expenses

  5.7      5.1      5.1      5.0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating income

  8.1      7.0      8.6      7.4   

Interest expense

  0.6      0.6      0.6      0.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Pretax income

  7.5      6.4      8.0      6.8   

Provision for income taxes

  2.3      1.9      2.5      2.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net income

  5.2   4.5   5.5   4.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

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Cracker Barrel Reports Third Quarter Results

Page 7

June 2, 2015

 

CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited and in thousands, except share amounts)

 

     5/1/15      5/2/14  

Assets

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 202,054       $ 88,239   

Accounts receivable

     25,858         16,402   

Income tax receivable

     8,269         3,570   

Inventory

     136,405         147,378   

Prepaid expenses

     13,826         13,148   

Deferred income taxes

     4,964         4,339   

Property and equipment, net

     1,042,898         1,034,834   

Other long-term assets

     66,793         60,625   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

$ 1,501,067    $ 1,368,535   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

Accounts payable

$ 89,327    $ 71,971   

Other current liabilities

  226,602      240,024   

Long-term debt

  400,000      381,250   

Interest rate swap liability

  9,633      7,908   

Other long-term obligations

  130,083      122,223   

Deferred income taxes

  61,350      57,956   

Shareholders’ equity, net

  584,072      487,203   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$ 1,501,067    $ 1,368,535   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Common shares issued and outstanding

  23,949,084      23,820,500   

 

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Cracker Barrel Reports Third Quarter Results

Page 8

June 2, 2015

 

CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT

(Unaudited and in thousands)

 

     Nine Months Ended  
     5/1/15     5/2/14  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 116,504      $ 92,943   

Depreciation and amortization

     53,928        50,601   

Loss on disposition of property and equipment

     5,413        3,159   

Share-based compensation, net of excess tax benefit

     7,571        5,520   

Decrease (increase) in inventories

     29,021        (691

(Decrease) in accounts payable

     (9,150     (38,666

Net changes in other assets and liabilities

     13,393        (11,669
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

  216,680      101,197   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

Purchase of property and equipment, net of insurance recoveries

  (60,055   (62,337

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

  1,563      1,572   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

  (58,492   (60,765
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

Net payments for credit facilities and other long-term obligations

  0      (1

(Taxes withheld) from exercise of share-based compensation awards, net

  (3,432   (8,430

Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation

  3,224      612   

Purchases and retirement of common stock

  0      (12,473

Deferred financing costs

  (3,537   0   

Dividends on common stock

  (71,750   (53,619
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

  (75,495   (73,911
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

  82,693      (33,479

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

  119,361      121,718   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$ 202,054    $ 88,239   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Cracker Barrel Reports Third Quarter Results

Page 9

June 2, 2015

 

CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC.

Supplemental Information

(Unaudited)

 

     Third Quarter Ended      Nine Months Ended  
     5/1/15      5/2/14      5/1/15      5/2/14  

Units in operation:

           

Open at beginning of period

     634         625         631         624   

Opened during period

     0         2         3         3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Open at end of period

  634      627      634      627   

Total revenue: (In thousands)

Restaurant

$ 557,098    $ 523,557    $ 1,681,363    $ 1,573,895   

Retail

  126,607      119,741      441,736      417,035   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenue

$ 683,705    $ 643,298    $ 2,123,099    $ 1,990,930   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cost of goods sold: (In thousands)

Restaurant

$ 153,351    $ 141,757    $ 470,511    $ 432,735   

Retail

  62,791      59,750      230,081      217,716   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total cost of goods sold

$ 216,142    $ 201,507    $ 700,592    $ 650,451   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average unit volume: (In thousands)

Restaurant

$ 878.7    $ 836.5    $ 2,654.1    $ 2,517.9   

Retail

  199.7      191.3      697.3      667.2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 1,078.4    $ 1,027.8    $ 3,351.4    $ 3,185.1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating weeks:

  8,242      8,137      24,706      24,378   

 

     Q3 2015 vs. Q3 2014     9 mo. 2015 vs. 9 mo. 2014  

Comparable store sales period to period increase:

    

Restaurant

     5.2     5.5

Retail

     4.5     4.5

Number of locations in comparable store base

     624        621   

 

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Cracker Barrel Reports Third Quarter Results

Page 10

June 2, 2015

 

CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC.

Reconciliation of GAAP basis operating

results to adjusted non-GAAP operating results

(Unaudited and in thousands)

In the accompanying press release the company makes reference to As Adjusted general and administrative expenses, operating income, provision for taxes and net income per share before the impact of the Fair Labor Standards Act litigation, the retroactive restatement of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit and proxy contest expenses. The company believes that excluding these items and their related tax effects from its financial results reflects operating results that are more indicative of the Company’s ongoing operating performance while improving comparability to prior periods, and, as such may provide investors with an enhanced understanding of the Company’s past financial performance and prospects for the future. This information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating income or earnings per share information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

     Third Quarter ended May 1, 2015      Third Quarter ended May 2, 2014  
     As Reported      Adjust     As Adjusted      As Reported      Adjust     As Adjusted  
            (1)                   (3)        

Store operating income

     94,047         —          94,047         77,754         —          77,754   

General and administrative expenses

     38,570         (769     37,801         32,541         (1,113     31,428   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

  55,477      769      56,246      45,213      1,113      46,326   

Interest Expense

  4,030      —        4,030      4,327      —        4,327   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pretax income

  51,447      769      52,216      40,886      1,113      41,999   

Provision for income taxes

  16,130      239      16,369      12,158      346      12,504   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

$ 35,317    $ 530    $ 35,847    $ 28,728    $ 767    $ 29,495   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earning per share - Basic

$ 1.48    $ 0.02    $ 1.50    $ 1.21    $ 0.03    $ 1.24   

Earning per share - Diluted

$ 1.47    $ 0.02    $ 1.49    $ 1.20    $ 0.03    $ 1.23   
     Nine months ended May 1, 2015      Nine months ended May 2, 2014  
     As Reported      Adjust     As Adjusted      As Reported      Adjust     As Adjusted  
            (1), (2)                   (3)        

Store operating income

     291,092         —          291,092         247,512         —          247,512   

General and administrative expenses

     108,952         (2,919     106,033         99,356         (4,313     95,043   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

  182,140      2,919      185,059      148,156      4,313      152,469   

Interest Expense

  13,138      —        13,138      13,205      —        13,205   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pretax income

  169,002      2,919      171,921      134,951      4,313      139,264   

Provision for income taxes

  52,498      3,226      55,724      42,008      1,343      43,351   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

$ 116,504    $ (307 $ 116,197    $ 92,943    $ 2,970    $ 95,913   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earning per share - Basic

$ 4.87    $ (0.01 $ 4.86    $ 3.90    $ 0.12    $ 4.02   

Earning per share - Diluted

$ 4.85    $ (0.01 $ 4.84    $ 3.88    $ 0.12    $ 4.00   

 

(1) Accrued liability and tax effects related to the settlement of the Fair Labor Standards Act litigation.
(2) Provision for taxes adjusted to exclude the $2.3 million prior year favorable effect of the retroactive reinstatement of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit.
(3) Charges and tax effects of the special meeting of shareholders or proxy contest at the annual shareholders meeting.