CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC - FORM 8-K - EX-99.1

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8-K - FORM 8-K - CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC	d339274d8k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

LOGO

Investor Contact: Jessica Hazel

(615) 235-4367

Media Contact: Janella Escobar

(615) 235-4618

CRACKER BARREL REPORTS RESULTS FOR SECOND QUARTER FISCAL 2017

AND REAFFIRMS EARNINGS GUIDANCE FOR FISCAL 2017

Eleventh Consecutive Quarter of Positive Comparable Restaurant Sales Growth

Second Quarter Operating Income Margin increased 150 basis points

LEBANON, Tenn. – February 21, 2017 – Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (“Cracker Barrel” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: CBRL) today reported its financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2017 ended January 27, 2017.

Second Quarter Fiscal 2017 Highlights

•

Compared to the prior year second quarter, comparable store restaurant sales increased 0.6%, marking the Company’s eleventh consecutive quarter of positive comparable store restaurant sales.

•

Operating income as a percent of total revenue increased 150 basis points, over the prior year quarter, to 10.7%.

•

Earnings per diluted share were $2.19, compared to GAAP earnings per diluted share of $2.01 in the prior year quarter, an increase of 9.0%. Adjusted for the impact of the prior year retroactive reinstatement of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (“WOTC”), earnings per diluted share increased 15% from adjusted EPS of $1.91 in the prior year quarter. (See non-GAAP reconciliation below.)

Commenting on the second quarter, Cracker Barrel President and Chief Executive Officer Sandra B. Cochran said, “I am pleased to report another significant increase in earnings per diluted share. We delivered second quarter operating margin growth largely driven by continued commodity favorability and the success of our cost reduction initiatives. As we look to the second half of this fiscal year, our teams remain focused on executing at the store level, providing the great food, friendly service, welcoming atmosphere and retail shopping experience that differentiates our brand from our competitors.”

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February 21, 2017

Second Quarter Fiscal 2017 Results

Revenue

The Company reported total revenue of $772.7 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2017, representing an increase of 1.1% over the second quarter of the prior year. Comparable store restaurant sales increased 0.6%, including a 2.7% increase in average check partially offset by a 2.1% decrease in comparable store restaurant traffic. The average menu price increase for the quarter was approximately 2.1%. Comparable store retail sales decreased 2.2% from the prior year quarter.

Comparable store restaurant traffic, average check and comparable store restaurant sales and retail sales for the fiscal months of November, December and January and the second quarter were as follows:


	November	December^(1,2)	January⁽²⁾	Second Quarter
Comparable restaurant traffic	0.8%	-1.0%	-5.7%	-2.1%
Average check	2.6%	3.0%	2.6%	2.7%
Comparable restaurant sales	3.4%	2.0%	-3.1%	0.6%
Comparable retail sales	-1.7%	-2.6%	-1.9%	-2.2%

(1)	The Company estimates inclement weather in December reduced traffic and sales by approximately 1.6%.

(2)	The Company estimates the Christmas fiscal calendar timing shift, from fiscal December in the prior year to fiscal January in the current year, increased December traffic and sales by approximately 5.7% while reducing January traffic and sales by approximately 5.0%.

Operating Income

Operating income in the second quarter was $82.7 million, or 10.7% of total revenue, an increase over the prior year quarter result of $70.5 million, or 9.2% of total revenue. As a percentage of total revenue, reductions in cost of goods sold, other store operating expenses, and general and administrative expenses were partially offset by an increase in labor and related expenses.

Diluted Earnings per Share

Earnings per diluted share were $2.19, compared to GAAP EPS of $2.01 in the prior year quarter, an increase of 9.0%. Adjusted for the impact of the prior year retroactive reinstatement of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, earnings per diluted share increased 15% from adjusted EPS of $1.91 in the prior year quarter. (For a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures, please see the tables accompanying this release.)

Fiscal 2017 Outlook

The Company reaffirmed its previous earnings guidance and expects to report earnings per diluted share for the 2017 fiscal year between $8.10 and $8.25. The Company now expects total revenue of approximately $2.95 billion, reflecting the expected opening of eight new Cracker Barrel stores and four new Holler & Dash Biscuit House restaurants. The Company now expects comparable store restaurant sales of between 0.5% and 1.0% and comparable store retail sales of approximately -2.0%, reflecting the Company’s more cautious expectations for the second half of the fiscal year. The Company expects food commodity deflation of approximately 4.0% for the year. The Company projects an operating income margin in the range of 10.0% and 10.5% of total revenue for fiscal 2017. The Company expects depreciation expense between $85 million and $87 million; net interest expense of approximately $15 million; and capital expenditures of approximately $125 million. The Company anticipates an effective tax rate for fiscal 2017 of approximately 32%.

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February 21, 2017

The Company expects to report earnings per diluted share for the third quarter of 2017 of between $1.75 and $1.85. The Company reminds investors that its outlook for fiscal 2017 reflects a number of assumptions, many of which are outside the Company’s control.

Fiscal 2017 Second Quarter Conference Call

As previously announced, the live broadcast of Cracker Barrel’s quarterly conference call will be available to the public on-line at investor.crackerbarrel.com today beginning at 11:00 a.m. (ET). The on-line replay will be available at 2:00 p.m. (ET) and continue through March 7, 2017.

About Cracker Barrel Old Country Store^®

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 641 company-owned Cracker Barrel locations and four company-owned Holler & Dash Biscuit House locations across 43 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.

CBRL-F

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 Q2 FY 2017 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

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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 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 personnel; the availability and cost of suitable sites for restaurant development and our ability to identify those sites; our ability to enter successfully into new geographic markets that may be less familiar to us; 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 OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

(Unaudited)

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


	Second Quarter Ended									Six Months Ended
							Percentage									Percentage
	1/27/17			1/29/16			Change			1/27/17			1/29/16			Change
Total revenue	$	772,682		$	764,002			1	%	$	1,482,653		$	1,466,631			1	%
Cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation and rent)		254,920			264,932			(4	)		468,029			487,905			(4	)
Labor and other related expenses		259,270			251,935			3			508,374			496,257			2
Other store operating expenses		140,979			141,103			(0	)		278,905			276,810			1

Store operating income		117,513			106,032			11			227,345			205,659			11
General and administrative expenses		34,817			35,507			(2	)		68,905			69,826			(1	)

Operating income		82,696			70,525			17			158,440			135,833			17
Interest expense		3,638			3,569			2			7,314			7,113			3

Pretax income		79,058			66,956			18			151,126			128,720			17
Provision for income taxes		26,331			18,714			41			50,044			39,613			26

Net income	$	52,727		$	48,242			9		$	101,082		$	89,107			13

Earnings per share – Basic:	$	2.19		$	2.02			8		$	4.21		$	3.72			13

Earnings per share – Diluted:	$	2.19		$	2.01			9		$	4.19		$	3.70			13

Weighted average shares:
Basic		24,040,243			23,937,812			0			24,020,976			23,947,183			0
Diluted		24,109,000			24,047,042			0			24,106,748			24,060,047			0
Ratio Analysis
Total revenue:
Restaurant		76.5	%		76.0	%					78.6	%		77.9	%
Retail		23.5			24.0						21.4			22.1

Total revenue		100.0			100.0						100.0			100.0
Cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation and rent)		33.0			34.7						31.6			33.3
Labor and other related expenses		33.6			33.0						34.3			33.8
Other store operating expenses		18.2			18.4						18.8			18.9

Store operating income		15.2			13.9						15.3			14.0
General and administrative expenses		4.5			4.7						4.6			4.7

Operating income		10.7			9.2						10.7			9.3
Interest expense		0.5			0.5						0.5			0.5

Pretax income		10.2			8.7						10.2			8.8
Provision for income taxes		3.4			2.4						3.4			2.7

Net income		6.8	%		6.3	%					6.8	%		6.1	%

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February 21, 2017

CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited and in thousands, except share amounts)


	1/27/17		1/29/16
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	185,698	$	171,643
Accounts receivable		19,654		15,900
Income tax receivable		0		2,447
Inventory		155,879		150,959
Prepaid expenses		18,727		18,289
Deferred income taxes		2,252		5,795
Property and equipment, net		1,088,612		1,048,715
Other long-term assets		64,069		63,051

Total assets	$	1,534,891	$	1,476,799

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Accounts payable	$	100,388	$	91,474
Other current liabilities		259,247		234,854
Long-term debt		400,000		400,000
Interest rate swap liability		6,538		15,649
Other long-term obligations		126,607		134,552
Deferred income taxes		60,394		45,401
Shareholders’ equity, net		581,717		554,869

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	1,534,891	$	1,476,799

Common shares issued and outstanding		24,042,573		23,939,248

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CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT (Unaudited and in thousands)
	Six Months Ended
	1/27/17			1/29/16
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	101,082		$	89,107
Depreciation and amortization		41,830			37,783
Loss on disposition of property and equipment		2,472			2,667
Share-based compensation, net of excess tax benefit		2,808			3,007
(Increase) decrease in inventories		(3,571	)		2,099
(Decrease) in accounts payable		(32,105	)		(41,643	)
Net changes in other assets and liabilities		36,986			(7,407	)

Net cash provided by operating activities		149,502			85,613

Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment, net of insurance recoveries		(52,934	)		(36,797	)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		412			472

Net cash (used in) investing activities		(52,522	)		(36,325	)

Cash flows from financing activities:
(Taxes withheld) from exercise of share-based compensation awards, net		(6,031	)		(5,343	)
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation		1,203			1,948
Purchases and retirement of common stock		0			(14,653	)
Dividends on common stock		(57,420	)		(125,052	)

Net cash (used in) financing activities		(62,248	)		(143,100	)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		34,732			(93,812	)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		150,966			265,455

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	185,698		$	171,643

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CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC. Supplemental Information (Unaudited)
	Second Quarter Ended				Six Months Ended
	1/27/17		1/29/16		1/27/17		1/29/16
Units in operation:
Open at beginning of period		643		635		641		637
Opened during period		2		0		4		0
(Closed) during period		0		0		0		(2	)

Open at end of period		645		635		645		635
Total revenue: (In thousands)
Restaurant	$	591,113	$	580,918	$	1,164,790	$	1,143,197
Retail		181,569		183,084		317,863		323,434

Total revenue	$	772,682	$	764,002	$	1,482,653	$	1,466,631

Cost of goods sold: (In thousands)
Restaurant	$	153,316	$	164,776	$	298,852	$	319,566
Retail		101,604		100,156		169,177		168,339

Total cost of goods sold	$	254,920	$	264,932	$	468,029	$	487,905

Average unit volume: (In thousands)
Restaurant	$	917.6	$	914.9	$	1,811.3	$	1,798.0
Retail		281.8		288.3		494.3		508.7

Total	$	1,199.4	$	1,203.2	$	2,305.6	$	2,306.7

Operating weeks:		8,375		8,255		16,720		16,531


	Q2 2017 vs. Q2 2016		6 mo. 2017 vs. 6 mo. 2016
Comparable store sales period to period increase (decrease):
Restaurant	0.6	%	0.9	%
Retail	(2.2	%)	(3.0	%)
Number of locations in comparable store base:
	632		632

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February 21, 2017

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 provision for taxes and net income per share before the impact of the retroactive restatement of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit. The Company believes that excluding this item and its 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.


	Second Quarter ended January 27, 2017						Second Quarter ended January 29, 2016
	As Reported		Adjust		As Adjusted		As Reported		Adjust			As Adjusted
									(1)
Store operating income	$	117,513	$	—	$	117,513	$	106,032	$	—		$	106,032
General and administrative expenses		34,817		—		34,817		35,507		—			35,507

Operating income		82,696		—		82,696		70,525		—			70,525
Interest Expense		3,638		—		3,638		3,569		—			3,569

Pretax income		79,058		—		79,058		66,956		—			66,956
Provision for income taxes		26,331		—		26,331		18,714		2,292			21,006

Net income	$	52,727	$	—	$	52,727	$	48,242	($	2,292	)	$	45,950

Earnings per share—Basic	$	2.19	$	—	$	2.19	$	2.02	($	0.10	)	$	1.92
Earnings per share—Diluted	$	2.19	$	—	$	2.19	$	2.01	($	0.10	)	$	1.91


	Six Months ended January 27, 2017						Six Months ended January 29, 2016
	As Reported		Adjust		As Adjusted		As Reported		Adjust			As Adjusted
									(1)
Store operating income	$	227,345	$	—	$	227,345	$	205,659	$	—		$	205,659
General and administrative expenses		68,905		—		68,905		69,826		—			69,826

Operating income		158,440		—		158,440		135,833		—			135,833
Interest Expense		7,314		—		7,314		7,113		—			7,113

Pretax income		151,126		—		151,126		128,720		—			128,720
Provision for income taxes		50,044		—		50,044		39,613		2,292			41,905

Net income	$	101,082	$	—	$	101,082	$	89,107	($	2,292	)	$	86,815

Earnings per share—Basic	$	4.21	$	—	$	4.21	$	3.72	($	0.09	)	$	3.63
Earnings per share—Diluted	$	4.19	$	—	$	4.19	$	3.70	($	0.09	)	$	3.61

(1)	Provision for income taxes adjusted to exclude the prior year favorable effect of the retroactive reinstatement of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit.

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CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC - FORM 8-K - EX-99.1 - February 21, 2017

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CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC Reports