DineEquity, Inc. Reports Strong Third Quarter 2014 Results

DineEquity, Inc. (NYSE: DIN), the parent company of Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar® and IHOP® restaurants, today announced financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2014.

“DineEquity has had several recent notable achievements, including the refinancing of our long-term debt through a $1.4 billion securitization transaction, locking in a significantly lower fixed interest rate for the next seven years,” said Julia A. Stewart, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DineEquity, Inc. Ms. Stewart added, “In addition to strong same-restaurant sales at both brands in the third quarter, we announced significant increases in both our dividend and share repurchase authorization. Looking ahead, we are better positioned for long-term success and focused on the right goals to build on our momentum.”

Third Quarter 2014 Financial Highlights

• Adjusted net income available to common stockholders was $21.5 million, representing adjusted earnings per diluted share of $1.14 for the third quarter of 2014. This compares to $21.0 million, or adjusted earnings per diluted share of $1.10, for the third quarter of 2013. The increase in adjusted net income was mainly due to lower general and administrative expenses, lower income taxes, and lower cash interest expense. These items were partially offset by lower segment profit due to a significant decline in termination, transfer, and extension fees related to Applebee’s franchise restaurants compared to the third quarter of 2013. Third quarter financial results do not reflect the financial impact of the securitization transaction. (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.)
• GAAP net income available to common stockholders was $18.6 million for the third quarter of 2014, or earnings per diluted share of $0.99. This compares to $18.4 million, or earnings per diluted share of $0.97, for the third quarter of 2013. The increase in net income was primarily due to a decline in general and administrative expenses, lower income tax expense, and a higher gain on the disposition of assets in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same period of 2013. These items were partially offset by lower segment profit and an increase in closure and impairment charges.
• General and administrative expenses were $33.8 million for the third quarter of 2014 compared to $35.3 million for the same period of 2013.

First Nine Months of 2014 Highlights

• Adjusted net income available to common stockholders was $67.6 million in the first nine months of 2014, representing adjusted earnings per diluted share of $3.57. This compares to $62.5 million, or adjusted earnings per diluted share of $3.26, for the same period in 2013. The increase was primarily due to higher segment profit, a decline in general and administrative expenses, and lower cash interest expense. These items were partially offset by higher income taxes. (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.)
• GAAP net income available to common stockholders was $58.0 million in the first nine months of 2014, or earnings per diluted share of $3.06, compared to $53.0 million, or earnings per diluted share of $2.76 for the same period in 2013. The increase was primarily due to higher segment profit, lower general and administrative expenses, and debt modification costs that occurred in the first nine months of 2013 that did not recur in the first nine months of 2014. These items were partially offset by higher income tax expense and a loss on the disposition of assets in the first nine months of 2014 compared to a gain in the same period of 2013.
• General and administrative expenses were $102.8 million in the first nine months of 2014 compared to $105.0 million for the same period of 2013.
• For the first nine months of 2014, cash flows from operating activities were $102.4 million and free cash flow was $95.1 million. (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.)

Same-Restaurant Sales Performance

Third Quarter 2014

• Applebee’s domestic system-wide same-restaurant sales increased 1.7% for the third quarter of 2014 compared to the third quarter of 2013.
• IHOP’s domestic system-wide same restaurant sales increased 2.4% for the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same quarter of 2013.

First Nine Months of 2014 Highlights

• Applebee’s domestic system-wide same-restaurant sales increased 0.6% for the first nine months of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013.
• IHOP’s domestic system-wide same restaurant sales increased 3.2% for the first nine months of 2014 compared to the first nine months of 2013.

DineEquity Raises Financial Performance Outlook for Fiscal 2014

Except for the following revised performance measures, DineEquity reiterates its financial performance guidance for fiscal 2014 contained in the press release issued on February 26, 2014.

• Applebee’s domestic system-wide same-restaurant sales performance is expected to range between 0.0% and positive 1.0%. This reflects an improvement from previous expectations of between negative 2.0% and positive 1.0%.

• IHOP’s domestic system-wide same-restaurant sales performance is expected to range between positive 2.5% and positive 3.5%. This reflects an improvement from previous expectations of between positive 1.0% and positive 2.5%.
• Franchise segment profit is expected to be between $331 million and $334 million. The revised franchise segment profit reflects an increase from previous expectations of between $323 million and $332 million.
• Rental and Financing segments are expected to generate approximately $40 million in combined profit, reflecting an increase from previous projections of $37 million.

• Interest expense is expected to be approximately $97 million for fiscal 2014. This reflects a reduction from previous expectations for interest expense to be approximately $101 million.
  
  Interest expense in the fourth quarter of 2014 is expected to be approximately $22 million, of which $6.0 million is related to the additional interest paid in October on the outstanding 9.5% senior notes, which are expected to be repaid on or about October 30, 2014. The $6.0 million of additional interest will be excluded from our adjusted earnings per diluted share.

• Cash from operations is expected to range between $120 million and $130 million. This reflects an increase from previous projections of between $98 million and $116 million.
• Free cash flow (see "Non-GAAP Measures" below) is projected to range between $109 million and $119 million. This reflects an increase from previous expectations of $86 to $104 million.
• Regarding the mandatory annual repayment of 1% on the previously outstanding Term Loan principal, the Company is no longer subject to certain mandatory debt reduction requirements related to the annual amortization payment of approximately $5 million associated with its previous senior secured credit facility, which was entirely repaid on September 30, 2014.
  
  Under the terms of the new securitization, effective on September 30, 2014, the Company would be subject to quarterly scheduled principal payments based on a 1% annual amortization if its leverage ratio exceeds 5.25x as calculated quarterly.

• IHOP franchisees and its area licensees are projected to develop between 55 and 60 new restaurants, the majority of which are expected to be domestic openings. This reflects an improvement from previous expectations of between 40 and 50 new restaurants, the majority of which were expected to be domestic openings.
• Applebee’s franchisees projected to develop between 33 and 38 new restaurants, the majority of which are expected to be opened in the U.S. This reflects a reduction from previous expectations of between 40 and 50 new restaurants, the majority of which were expected to be domestic openings.
• Our income tax expense rate of approximately 38% for fiscal 2014 excludes the impact of the fourth quarter 2014 income tax benefit expected on the write-off of costs related to the pay-off of our senior secured credit facility and 9.5% senior notes.

Investor Conference Call Today

The Company will host a conference call to discuss its results on the same day at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time / 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time. To participate on the call, please dial (800) 708-4539 and reference pass code 38233715. International callers, please dial (847) 619-6396 and reference pass code 38233715.

A live webcast of the call will be available on DineEquity's Web site at www.dineequity.com, and may be accessed by visiting Calls & Presentations under the site’s Investors section. Participants should allow approximately ten minutes prior to the call's start time to visit the site and download any streaming media software needed to listen to the webcast. A telephonic replay of the call may be accessed from 10:30 a.m. Pacific Time on October 28, 2014 through 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on November 3, 2014 by dialing (888) 843-7419 and referencing pass code 38233715#. International callers, please dial (630) 652-3042 and reference pass code 38233715#. An online archive of the webcast will also be available on the Investors section of DineEquity's Web site.

About DineEquity, Inc.

Based in Glendale, California, DineEquity, Inc., through its subsidiaries, franchises and operates restaurants under the Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar and IHOP brands. With more than 3,600 restaurants combined in 19 countries, over 400 franchisees and approximately 200,000 team members (including franchisee- and company-operated restaurant employees), DineEquity is one of the largest full-service restaurant companies in the world. For more information on DineEquity, visit the Company's Web site located at www.dineequity.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these forward-looking statements by words such as "may," "will," "should," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "plan" and other similar expressions. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied in such statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: the effect of general economic conditions; the Company's indebtedness and risks associated with the timing and our ability to refinance the Company’s indebtedness; risk of future impairment charges; trading volatility and the price of the Company’s common stock; the Company's results in any given period differing from guidance provided to the public; the highly competitive nature of the restaurant business; the Company's business strategy failing to achieve anticipated results; risks associated with the restaurant industry; risks associated with locations of current and future restaurants; rising costs for food commodities and utilities; shortages or interruptions in the supply or delivery of food; ineffective marketing and guest relationship initiatives and use of social media; changing health or dietary preferences; our engagement in business in foreign markets; harm to our brands' reputation; litigation; fourth-party claims with respect to intellectual property assets; environmental liability; liability relating to employees; failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations; failure to effectively implement restaurant development plans; our dependence upon our franchisees; concentration of Applebee's franchised restaurants in a limited number of franchisees; credit risk from IHOP franchisees operating under our previous business model; termination or non-renewal of franchise agreements; franchisees breaching their franchise agreements; insolvency proceedings involving franchisees; changes in the number and quality of franchisees; inability of franchisees to fund capital expenditures; heavy dependence on information technology; the occurrence of cyber incidents or a deficiency in our cybersecurity; failure to execute on a business continuity plan; inability to attract and retain talented employees; risks associated with retail brand initiatives; failure of our internal controls; and other factors discussed from time to time in the Company's Annual and Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q and in the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are made as of the date hereof and the Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This news release includes references to the Company's non-GAAP financial measures "adjusted net income available to common stockholders (adjusted EPS)," "EBITDA," "free cash flow," and "segment EBITDA." "Adjusted EPS" is computed for a given period by deducting from net income or loss available to common stockholders for such period the effect of any closure and impairment charges, any gain or loss related to debt extinguishment, any intangible asset amortization, any non-cash interest expense, any debt modification costs, and any gain or loss related to the disposition of assets. This is presented on an aggregate basis and a per share (diluted) basis. The Company defines "EBITDA" for a given period as income before income taxes less interest expense, loss on extinguishment of debt, depreciation and amortization, closure and impairment charges, non-cash stock-based compensation, gain or loss on disposition of assets and other charge backs as defined by its credit agreement. "Free cash flow" for a given period is defined as cash provided by operating activities, plus receipts from notes and equipment contracts receivable ("long-term notes receivable"), less principal payments on capital lease and financing obligations, the mandatory 1% of Term Loan principal balance repayment, and capital expenditures. "Segment EBITDA" for a given period is defined as gross segment profit plus depreciation and amortization as well as interest charges related to the segment. Management utilizes EBITDA for debt covenant purposes and free cash flow to determine the amount of cash remaining for general corporate and strategic purposes and for the return of cash to stockholders pursuant to our capital allocation strategy, after the receipts from long-term receivables, and the funding of operating activities, capital expenditures and debt service. Management believes this information is helpful to investors to determine the Company's adherence to debt covenants and the Company's cash available for these purposes. Adjusted EPS, EBITDA, free cash flow and segment EBITDA are supplemental non-GAAP financial measures and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

Reconciliation of (i) net income available to common stockholders to (ii) net income available to common stockholders excluding closure and impairment charges; loss on extinguishment of debt; amortization of intangible assets; non-cash interest expense; debt modification costs; and gain or loss on disposition of assets, all items net of taxes, and related per share data:

DineEquity, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

Reconciliation of the Company's cash provided by operating activities to "free cash flow" (cash from operations, plus receipts from notes, equipment contracts and other long-term receivables, less consolidated capital expenditures, principal payments on capital leases and financing obligations and the mandatory annual repayment of 1% of our Term Loan principal balance):

DineEquity, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(In millions)
(Unaudited)

Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP gross segment profit to segment EBITDA:

Restaurant Data

The following table sets forth, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the number of "Effective Restaurants" in the Applebee’s and IHOP systems and information regarding the percentage change in sales at those restaurants compared to the same periods in the prior year. Sales at restaurants that are owned by franchisees and area licensees are not attributable to the Company. However, we believe that presentation of this information is useful in analyzing our revenues because franchisees and area licensees pay us royalties and advertising fees that are generally based on a percentage of their sales, and, where applicable, rental payments under leases that may be partially based on a percentage of their sales. Management also uses this information to make decisions about future plans for the development of additional restaurants as well as evaluation of current operations.

(a) "Effective Restaurants" are the weighted average number of restaurants open in a given fiscal period, adjusted to account for restaurants open for only a portion of the period. Information is presented for all Effective Restaurants in the Applebee’s and IHOP systems, which includes restaurants owned by the Company as well as those owned by franchisees and area licensees.

(b) “System-wide” sales are retail sales at Applebee’s restaurants operated by franchisees and IHOP restaurants operated by franchisees and area licensees, as reported to the Company, in addition to retail sales at company-operated restaurants. Sales at restaurants that are owned by franchisees and area licensees are not attributable to the Company. Unaudited reported sales for Applebee's domestic franchise restaurants, IHOP franchise restaurants and IHOP area license restaurants for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:

(c) “Sales percentage change” reflects, for each category of restaurants, the percentage change in sales in any given fiscal period compared to the prior fiscal period for all restaurants in that category.

(d) “Domestic same-restaurant sales percentage change” reflects the percentage change in sales, in any given fiscal period, compared to the same weeks in the prior year for domestic restaurants that have been operated throughout both fiscal periods that are being compared and have been open for at least 18 months. Because of new unit openings and restaurant closures, the domestic restaurants open throughout both fiscal periods being compared may be different from period to period. Same-restaurant sales percentage change does not include data on IHOP area license restaurants located in Florida.

(e) The sales percentage change for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 for Applebee’s franchise restaurants was impacted by the refranchising of 154 company-operated restaurants during 2012.

DineEquity, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Restaurant Data (unaudited)

The following table summarizes our restaurant development activity: