Denny's Corporation Reports Results for Third Quarter 2018

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- Announces Refranchising And Development Strategy -

SPARTANBURG, S.C., Oct. 30, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Denny's Corporation DENN, franchisor and operator of one of America's largest franchised full-service restaurant chains, today reported results for its third quarter ended September 26, 2018, and announced a refranchising and development strategy.

Third Quarter 2018 Highlights

  • Total Operating Revenue grew 19.4% to $158.0 million, primarily due to the benefit of revenue recognition changes.
  • Domestic system-wide same-store sales** grew 1.0%, including increases of 2.1% at company restaurants and 0.8% at domestic franchised restaurants.
  • Completed 59 remodels, including 53 at franchised restaurants.
  • Operating Income was $18.5 million.
  • Company Restaurant Operating Margin* was $15.8 million and Franchise Operating Margin* was $26.2 million.
  • Net Income was $10.8 million, or $0.16 per diluted share.
  • Adjusted Net Income* was $11.4 million, or $0.17 per diluted share.
  • Adjusted EBITDA* was $27.3 million.
  • Adjusted Free Cash Flow* increased 5.7% to $13.7 million.
  • Repurchased $8.6 million of common stock.

John Miller, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Denny's delivered another quarter of positive system-wide same-store sales** growth as we navigated through a challenging competitive environment where the focus is primarily on value offerings.  Furthermore, the Company's total operating revenue growth coupled with a disciplined focus on costs resulted in strong cash flow generation and a 24.3% increase in Adjusted Net Income per share*."

Miller added, "We are excited to be announcing a strategic initiative that will further stimulate growth at Denny's.  It is expected the Company will migrate to a business model that will be between 95% and 97% franchised through the sale of company operated restaurants over the next 18 months.  Our refranchising and development strategy will enable us to further evolve as a franchisor of choice that provides more focused support services, all while yielding a higher quality, more asset-light business model.  As always, we remain committed to profitable system sales growth, driving market share gains, delivering strong returns on invested capital and generating compelling returns for shareholders, including the return of capital."

Third Quarter Results

The following table summarizes the impact of adopting Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)," on the line items within the Company's Consolidated Statement of Income for the quarter ended September 26, 2018. Additional details related to revenue recognition changes are located on page 4.

 Quarter ended September 26, 2018
Consolidated Statement of IncomeAs Reported Adjustments Amounts without adoption of Topic 606
 (In thousands, except per share amounts)
Franchise and license revenue$54,414  $(20,397) $34,017 
Costs of franchise and license revenue28,174  (20,007) 8,167 
Provision for income taxes2,810  (101) 2,709 
Net income10,805  (289) 10,516 
Basic net income per share$0.17  $0.00  $0.17 
Diluted net income per share$0.16  $0.00  $0.16 
            

Denny's total operating revenue grew 19.4% to $158.0 million primarily due to recognizing franchise advertising revenue on a gross basis in accordance with Topic 606 and an increase in company restaurant sales. Company restaurant sales grew 5.8% to $103.6 million due to a greater number of company restaurants compared to the prior year quarter and a 2.1% increase in same-store sales. Franchise and license revenue grew 57.9% to $54.4 million compared to $34.5 million in the prior year quarter. The increase was primarily due to recognizing $19.5 million of advertising revenue and a rise in initial fees, both of which were impacted by Topic 606, partially offset by lower occupancy revenue due to scheduled lease terminations.

Company Restaurant Operating Margin* was $15.8 million, or 15.2% of company restaurant sales, compared to $16.6 million, or 16.9%, in the prior year quarter. The change was primarily due to increases in minimum wages and third-party delivery costs, partially offset by higher sales. Franchise Operating Margin* was $26.2 million, or 48.2% of franchise and license revenue, compared to $25.0 million, or 72.5%, in the prior year quarter. This was primarily due to recording advertising revenue and related costs on a gross basis, an increase in initial fees, and an improving occupancy margin.

Total general and administrative expenses improved 2.8% to $16.0 million, compared to $16.4 million in the prior year quarter. This was primarily due to reductions in share-based compensation. Interest expense, net was $5.3 million versus $4.1 million in the prior year quarter primarily due to increases in the credit facility balance and related interest rates. Denny's ended the quarter with $308.6 million of total debt outstanding, including $278.0 million of borrowings under its revolving credit facility.

The provision for income taxes was $2.8 million, reflecting an effective tax rate of 20.6%, primarily due to the new 21.0% federal statutory income tax rate. Given the Company's utilization of tax credit carryforwards, approximately $0.9 million in cash taxes was paid during the quarter.

Net Income was $10.8 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, compared to $9.3 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, in the prior year quarter. Adjusted Net Income Per Share* grew 24.3% to $0.17 compared to $0.14 in the prior year quarter.

Adjusted Free Cash Flow* and Capital Allocation

Denny's generated $13.7 million of Adjusted Free Cash Flow* in the quarter after investing $7.8 million in cash capital expenditures, including the remodel of six company restaurants, facilities maintenance, and new construction.

During the quarter, the Company allocated $8.6 million to share repurchases. As of September 26, 2018, the Company had approximately $159 million remaining in authorized share repurchases under its existing $200 million share repurchase authorization.

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Business Outlook

The following full year 2018 expectations reflect the current business environment, the impacts of recent tax reform, and revenue recognition changes.

  • Same-store sales** growth at company restaurants between 1% and 2% (vs. 0% and 2%) and domestic franchised restaurants between 0% and 1% (vs. 0% and 2%).
  • 35 to 45 new restaurant openings, with net restaurant decline of 10 to 20 restaurants (vs. net decline of 5 to 10 restaurants).
  • Total operating revenue between $626 and $634 million including franchise and license revenue between $216 and $219 million.
  • Company Restaurant Operating Margin* between 15% and 16% and Franchise Operating Margin* between 47% and 48%.
  • Total general and administrative expenses between $67 and $69 million.
  • Adjusted EBITDA* between $105 and $107 million.
  • Depreciation and amortization expense between $27 and $28 million.
  • Net interest expense between $19.5 and $20.5 million.
  • Effective income tax rate between 16% and 19% with cash taxes between $3 and $5 million.
  • Cash capital expenditures between $37 and $39 million (vs. $33 to $35 million).
  • Adjusted Free Cash Flow* between $44 and $46 million (vs. $48 to $50 million).

Refranchising and Development Strategy

Over the next 18 months, the Company intends to migrate from a 90% franchised business model to one that is between 95% and 97% franchised.  The anticipated sale of between 90 and 125 company operated restaurants with attached development commitments will create an opportunity for development-focused franchisees to expand their businesses, while also attracting and welcoming new, well-capitalized franchisees.  With this transition, Denny's will further evolve into a franchisor of choice that provides more focused support services.  The nature, timing and extent of any related corporate overhead changes will be shared in the coming quarters.  In addition to refranchising, we will upgrade the quality of our real estate portfolio through a series of like-kind exchanges.  Refranchising proceeds and a moderate increase in leverage will be used to generate more compelling returns for shareholders, including the return of capital.

* Please refer to the Reconciliation of Net Income to Non-GAAP Financial Measures, as well as the Reconciliation of Operating Income to Non-GAAP Financial Measures included in the following tables. The Company is not able to reconcile the forward-looking non-GAAP estimates set forth above to their most directly comparable GAAP estimates without unreasonable efforts because it is unable to predict, forecast or determine the probable significance of the items impacting these estimates, including gains, losses and other charges, with a reasonable degree of accuracy. Accordingly, the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP estimates are not provided.

** Same-store sales include sales at company restaurants and non-consolidated franchised and licensed restaurants that were open the same period in the prior year. Total operating revenue is limited to company restaurant sales and royalties, fees and occupancy revenue from franchised and licensed restaurants. Accordingly, domestic franchise same-store sales and domestic system-wide same-store sales should be considered as a supplement to, not a substitute for, our results as reported under GAAP.

Revenue Recognition Changes

Effective December 28, 2017, the first day of fiscal 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)," and all subsequent ASUs that modified Topic 606 on a modified retrospective basis. Results for reporting periods beginning after December 28, 2017 are presented under Topic 606. Prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historical accounting under Topic 605 "Revenue Recognition."

The adoption of Topic 606 did not impact the recognition of company restaurant sales or royalties from franchised restaurants. The most significant effects of the new guidance on the comparability of our results of operations between 2018 and 2017 include the following:

  • Under Topic 606, advertising revenues and expenditures are recorded on a gross basis within the Consolidated Statements of Income. Under the previous guidance of Topic 605, the Company recorded franchise advertising expense net of contributions from franchisees to our advertising programs, including local co-operatives. While this change materially impacts the gross amount of reported franchise and license revenue and costs of franchise and license revenue, the impact is generally an offsetting increase to both revenue and expense with little, if any, impact on operating income and net income. Similarly, upon adoption, other franchise services fees are recorded on a gross basis within the Consolidated Statements of Income, whereas, under previous guidance, they were netted against the related expenses.
     
  • Under Topic 606, recognition of initial franchise fees is deferred until the commencement date of the agreement and occurs over time based on the term of the underlying franchise agreement. In the event a franchise agreement is terminated, any remaining deferred fees are recognized in the period of termination. Under the previous guidance, initial franchise fees were recognized upon the opening of a franchise restaurant. The effect of the required deferral of initial franchise fees received in a given year is mitigated by the recognition of revenue from fees received in prior periods. Upon adoption, the Company recorded deferred franchise revenue of $21.0 million, and increases of $15.6 million to opening deficit and $5.4 million to deferred tax assets. The deferred franchise revenue will be amortized over the term of the individual franchise agreements.
  • Under previous guidance, we recorded gift card breakage when the likelihood of redemption was remote. Breakage was recorded as a benefit to our advertising fund or reduction to other operating expenses, depending on where the gift cards were sold. Under Topic 606, gift card breakage is recognized proportionally as redemptions occur. The Company's gift card breakage primarily relates to cards sold by third parties. Breakage revenue related to third party sales is recorded as advertising revenue (included as a component of franchise and license revenue) with an offsetting amount recorded as advertising expense (included as a component of costs of franchise and license revenue).

Conference Call and Webcast Information

Denny's will provide further commentary on the results for the third quarter ended September 26, 2018, and the newly announced refranchising and development strategy on its quarterly investor conference call today, Tuesday, October 30, 2018 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Interested parties are invited to listen to a live broadcast of the conference call accessible through the investor relations section of Denny's website at investor.dennys.com. A replay of the call may be accessed at the same location later in the day and will remain available for 30 days.

About Denny's

Denny's Corporation is the franchisor and operator of one of America's largest franchised full-service restaurant chains, based on the number of restaurants. As of September 26, 2018, Denny's had 1,715 franchised, licensed, and company restaurants around the world including 128 restaurants in Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico, New Zealand, Honduras, the Philippines, Costa Rica, the United Arab Emirates, Guam, El Salvador, Guatemala, and the United Kingdom. For further information on Denny's, including news releases, links to SEC filings, and other financial information, please visit the Denny's investor relations website at investor.dennys.com.

The Company urges caution in considering its current trends and any outlook on earnings disclosed in this press release. In addition, certain matters discussed in this release may constitute forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements, which reflect its best judgment based on factors currently known, are intended to speak only as of the date such statements are made and involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual performance of Denny's Corporation, its subsidiaries, and underlying restaurants to be materially different from the performance indicated or implied by such statements. Words such as "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "plan", "hope", and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Except as may be required by law, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Factors that could cause actual performance to differ materially from the performance indicated by these forward-looking statements include, among others: competitive pressures from within the restaurant industry; the level of success of our operating initiatives and advertising and promotional efforts; adverse publicity; health concerns arising from food-related pandemics, outbreaks of flu viruses, such as avian flu, or other diseases; changes in business strategy or development plans; terms and availability of capital; regional weather conditions; overall changes in the general economy (including with regard to energy costs), particularly at the retail level; political environment (including acts of war and terrorism); and other factors from time to time set forth in the Company's SEC reports and other filings, including but not limited to the discussion in Management's Discussion and Analysis and the risks identified in Item 1A. Risk Factors contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 27, 2017 (and in the Company's subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q).

DENNY'S CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
       
(In thousands)9/26/18 12/27/17
Assets   
 Current assets   
  Cash and cash equivalents$1,871  $4,983 
  Investments1,709   
  Receivables, net17,186  21,384 
  Assets held for sale193   
  Other current assets13,546  14,922 
   Total current assets34,505  41,289 
 Property, net143,459  139,856 
 Goodwill39,843  38,269 
 Intangible assets, net59,907  57,109 
 Deferred income taxes15,595  16,945 
 Other noncurrent assets35,449  30,314 
   Total assets$328,758  $323,782 
       
Liabilities   
 Current liabilities   
  Current maturities of capital lease obligations$3,282  $3,168 
  Accounts payable20,327  32,487 
  Other current liabilities53,911  59,246 
   Total current liabilities77,520  94,901 
 Long-term liabilities   
  Long-term debt, less current maturities278,000  259,000 
  Capital lease obligations, less current maturities27,305  27,054 
  Other55,913  40,187 
   Total long-term liabilities361,218  326,241 
   Total liabilities438,738  421,142 
       
Shareholders' deficit   
  Common stock1,085  1,077 
  Paid-in capital597,344  594,166 
  Deficit(317,917) (334,661)
  Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax2,541  (2,316)
  Treasury stock(393,033) (355,626)
   Total shareholders' deficit(109,980) (97,360)
   Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit$328,758  $323,782 
       
Debt Balances
(In thousands)9/26/18 12/27/17
Credit facility revolver due 2022$278,000  $259,000 
Capital leases30,587  30,222 
 Total debt$308,587  $289,222 
         


DENNY'S CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)
      
   Quarter Ended
(In thousands, except per share amounts)9/26/18 9/27/17
Revenue:   
 Company restaurant sales$103,609  $97,915 
 Franchise and license revenue54,414  34,469 
  Total operating revenue158,023  132,384 
Costs of company restaurant sales87,846  81,322 
Costs of franchise and license revenue28,174  9,493 
General and administrative expenses15,981  16,446 
Depreciation and amortization6,760  5,958 
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net793  630 
  Total operating costs and expenses, net139,554  113,849 
Operating income18,469  18,535 
Interest expense, net5,314  4,067 
Other nonoperating income, net(460) (286)
Net income before income taxes13,615  14,754 
Provision for income taxes2,810  5,429 
Net income$10,805  $9,325 
      
      
Basic net income per share$0.17  $0.14 
Diluted net income per share$0.16  $0.13 
      
Basic weighted average shares outstanding63,246  66,873 
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding65,522  69,210 
      
Comprehensive income$15,363  $9,548 
    
General and Administrative ExpensesQuarter Ended
(In thousands)9/26/18 9/27/17
Share-based compensation$1,100  $2,493 
Other general and administrative expenses14,881  13,953 
 Total general and administrative expenses$15,981  $16,446 
         


DENNY'S CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)
      
   Three Quarters Ended
(In thousands, except per share amounts)9/26/18 9/27/17
Revenue:   
 Company restaurant sales$307,543  $290,049 
 Franchise and license revenue163,087  103,621 
  Total operating revenue470,630  393,670 
Costs of company restaurant sales261,279  240,854 
Costs of franchise and license revenue85,779  29,483 
General and administrative expenses48,138  50,536 
Depreciation and amortization19,965  17,493 
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net1,615  3,459 
  Total operating costs and expenses, net416,776  341,825 
Operating income53,854  51,845 
Interest expense, net15,324  11,348 
Other nonoperating income, net(877) (1,053)
Net income before income taxes39,407  41,550 
Provision for income taxes7,217  15,103 
Net income$32,190  $26,447 
      
      
Basic net income per share$0.50  $0.38 
Diluted net income per share$0.49  $0.37 
      
Basic weighted average shares outstanding63,774  69,095 
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding66,122  71,377 
      
Comprehensive income$37,047  $24,531 
    
General and Administrative ExpensesThree Quarters Ended
(In thousands)9/26/18 9/27/17
Share-based compensation$3,661  $6,546 
Other general and administrative expenses44,477  43,990 
 Total general and administrative expenses$48,138  $50,536 
         

DENNY'S CORPORATION
Reconciliation of Net Income to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(Unaudited)

The Company believes that, in addition to GAAP measures, certain other non-GAAP financial measures are appropriate indicators to assist in the evaluation of operating performance on a period-to-period basis. The Company uses Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Free Cash Flow and Adjusted Net Income internally as performance measures for planning purposes, including the preparation of annual operating budgets, and for compensation purposes, including bonuses for certain employees. Adjusted EBITDA is also used to evaluate the ability to service debt because the excluded charges do not have an impact on prospective debt servicing capability and these adjustments are contemplated in our credit facility for the computation of our debt covenant ratios. We define Adjusted Free Cash Flow for a given period as Adjusted EBITDA less the cash portion of interest expense net of interest income, capital expenditures, and cash taxes. Management believes that the presentation of Adjusted Free Cash Flow provides useful information to investors because it represents a liquidity measure used to evaluate, among other things, operating effectiveness and is used in decisions regarding the allocation of resources. However, each of these non-GAAP financial measures should be considered as a supplement to, not a substitute for, operating income, net income or other financial performance measures prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 Quarter Ended Three Quarters Ended
(In thousands, except per share amounts)9/26/18 9/27/17 9/26/18 9/27/17
Net income$10,805  $9,325  $32,190  $26,447 
Provision for income taxes2,810  5,429  7,217  15,103 
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net793  630  1,615  3,459 
Other nonoperating income, net(460) (286) (877) (1,053)
Share-based compensation1,100  2,493  3,661  6,546 
Deferred compensation plan valuation adjustments457  286  487  1,117 
Interest expense, net5,314  4,067  15,324  11,348 
Depreciation and amortization6,760  5,958  19,965  17,493 
Cash payments for restructuring charges and exit costs(236) (274) (801) (1,483)
Cash payments for share-based compensation(21)   (1,934) (3,946)
Adjusted EBITDA$27,322  $27,628  $76,847  $75,031 
        
Cash interest expense, net(5,017) (3,800) (14,468) (10,536)
Cash paid for income taxes, net(852) (2,371) (2,347) (5,039)
Cash paid for capital expenditures(7,782) (8,522) (27,710) (23,601)
Adjusted Free Cash Flow$13,671  $12,935  $32,322  $35,855 
        
 Quarter Ended Three Quarters Ended
(In thousands, except per share amounts)9/26/18 9/27/17 9/26/18 9/27/17
Net income$10,805  $9,325  $32,190  $26,447 
Losses (gains) on sales of assets and other, net(695) 590  (759) 3,023 
Impairment charges1,440    1,558   
Tax effect (1)(136) (214) (146) (1,097)
Adjusted Net Income$11,414  $9,701  $32,843  $28,373 
        
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding65,522  69,210  66,122  71,377 
        
Diluted Net Income Per Share$0.16  $0.13  $0.49  $0.37 
Adjustments Per Share$0.01  $0.01  $0.01  $0.03 
Adjusted Net Income Per Share$0.17  $0.14  $0.50  $0.40 
                


(1) Tax adjustments for the three and nine months ended September 26, 2018 are calculated using the Company's year-to-date effective tax rate of 18.3%. Tax adjustments for the three and nine months ended September 27, 2017 are calculated using the Company's year-to-date effective tax rate of 36.3%.
   

DENNY'S CORPORATION
Reconciliation of Operating Income to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(Unaudited)

The Company believes that, in addition to GAAP measures, certain other non-GAAP financial measures are appropriate indicators to assist in the evaluation of restaurant-level operating efficiency and performance of ongoing restaurant-level operations. The Company uses Total Operating Margin, Company Restaurant Operating Margin and Franchise Operating Margin internally as performance measures for planning purposes, including the preparation of annual operating budgets, and these three non-GAAP measures are used to evaluate operating effectiveness.

We define Total Operating Margin as operating income excluding the following three items: general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization, and operating (gains), losses and other charges, net. We present Total Operating Margin as a percent of total operating revenue. We exclude general and administrative expenses, which includes primarily non-restaurant-level costs associated with support of company and franchise restaurants and other activities at our corporate office. We exclude depreciation and amortization expense, substantially all of which is related to company restaurant-level assets, because such expenses represent historical sunk costs which do not reflect current cash outlays for the restaurants. We exclude special items, included within operating (gains), losses and other charges, net, to provide investors with a clearer perspective of the Company's ongoing operating performance and a more relevant comparison to prior period results.

Total Operating Margin is the total of Company Restaurant Operating Margin and Franchise Operating Margin. We define Company Restaurant Operating Margin as company restaurant sales less costs of company restaurant sales (which include product costs, company restaurant level payroll and benefits, occupancy costs, and other operating costs including utilities, repairs and maintenance, marketing and other expenses) and present it as a percent of company restaurant sales. We define Franchise Operating Margin as franchise and license revenue (which includes franchise royalties and other non-food and beverage revenue streams such as initial franchise fees and occupancy revenue) less costs of franchise and license revenue and present it as a percent of franchise and license revenue.

These non-GAAP financial measures provide a meaningful comparison between periods and enable investors to focus on the performance of restaurant-level operations by excluding revenues and costs unrelated to food and beverage sales in addition to corporate general and administrative expense, depreciation and amortization, and other gains and charges. However, each of these non-GAAP financial measures should be considered as a supplement to, not a substitute for, operating income, net income or other financial performance measures prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Total Operating Margin, Company Restaurant Operating Margin and Franchise Operating Margin do not accrue directly to the benefit of shareholders because of the aforementioned excluded costs, and are not indicative of the overall results for the Company.

 Quarter Ended Three Quarters Ended
(In thousands)9/26/18 9/27/17 9/26/18 9/27/17
Operating income$18,469  $18,535  $53,854  $51,845 
General and administrative expenses15,981  16,446  48,138  50,536 
Depreciation and amortization6,760  5,958  19,965  17,493 
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net793  630  1,615  3,459 
Total Operating Margin$42,003  $41,569  $123,572  $123,333 
        
Total Operating Margin consists of:       
Company Restaurant Operating Margin (1)$15,763  $16,593  $46,264  $49,195 
Franchise Operating Margin (2)26,240  24,976  77,308  74,138 
Total Operating Margin$42,003  $41,569  $123,572  $123,333 
                


(1) Company Restaurant Operating Margin is calculated as operating income plus general and administrative expenses; depreciation and amortization; operating (gains), losses and other charges; and costs of franchise and license revenue; less franchise and license revenue.
   
(2) Franchise Operating Margin is calculated as operating income plus general and administrative expenses; depreciation and amortization; operating (gains), losses and other charges; and costs of company restaurant sales; less company restaurant sales.
   


DENNY'S CORPORATION
Operating Margins
(Unaudited)
    
 Quarter Ended
(In thousands)9/26/18 9/27/17
Company restaurant operations: (1)     
Company restaurant sales$103,609 100.0% $97,915 100.0%
Costs of company restaurant sales:     
Product costs25,303 24.4% 24,896 25.4%
Payroll and benefits41,041 39.6% 37,332 38.1%
Occupancy6,083 5.9% 5,054 5.2%
Other operating costs:     
Utilities3,926 3.8% 3,767 3.8%
Repairs and maintenance1,870 1.8% 1,642 1.7%
Marketing3,791 3.7% 3,740 3.8%
Other5,832 5.6% 4,891 5.0%
Total costs of company restaurant sales$87,846 84.8% $81,322 83.1%
Company restaurant operating margin (non-GAAP) (2)$15,763 15.2% $16,593 16.9%
      
Franchise operations: (3)     
Franchise and license revenue:     
Royalties$25,518 46.9% $25,174 73.0%
Advertising revenue19,546 35.9%  %
Initial and other fees1,415 2.6% 507 1.5%
Occupancy revenue7,935 14.6% 8,788 25.5%
Total franchise and license revenue$54,414 100.0% $34,469 100.0%
      
Costs of franchise and license revenue:     
Advertising costs$19,546 35.9% $364 1.1%
Occupancy costs5,585 10.3% 6,343 18.4%
Other direct costs3,043 5.6% 2,786 8.1%
Total costs of franchise and license revenue$28,174 51.8% $9,493 27.5%
Franchise operating margin (non-GAAP) (2)$26,240 48.2% $24,976 72.5%
      
Total operating revenue (4)$158,023 100.0% $132,384 100.0%
Total costs of operating revenue (4)116,020 73.4% 90,815 68.6%
Total operating margin (non-GAAP) (4)(2)$42,003 26.6% $41,569 31.4%
      
Other operating expenses: (4)(2)     
General and administrative expenses$15,981 10.1% $16,446 12.4%
Depreciation and amortization6,760 4.3% 5,958 4.5%
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net793 0.5% 630 0.5%
Total other operating expenses$23,534 14.9% $23,034 17.4%
      
Operating income (4)$18,469 11.7% $18,535 14.0%
      


(1) As a percentage of company restaurant sales.
(2) Other operating expenses such as general and administrative expenses and depreciation and amortization relate to both company and franchise operations and are not allocated to costs of company restaurant sales and costs of franchise and license revenue. As such, operating margin is considered a non-GAAP financial measure. Operating margins should be considered as a supplement to, not as a substitute for, operating income, net income or other financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
(3) As a percentage of franchise and license revenue.
(4) As a percentage of total operating revenue.
   


DENNY'S CORPORATION
Operating Margins
(Unaudited)
    
 Three Quarters Ended
(In thousands)9/26/18 9/27/17
Company restaurant operations: (1)     
Company restaurant sales$307,543 100.0% $290,049 100.0%
Costs of company restaurant sales:     
Product costs75,292 24.5% 72,798 25.1%
Payroll and benefits123,332 40.1% 113,221 39.0%
Occupancy17,165 5.6% 15,291 5.3%
Other operating costs:     
Utilities10,690 3.5% 9,873 3.4%
Repairs and maintenance5,647 1.8% 4,972 1.7%
Marketing11,267 3.7% 10,982 3.8%
Other17,886 5.8% 13,717 4.7%
Total costs of company restaurant sales$261,279 85.0% $240,854 83.0%
Company restaurant operating margin (non-GAAP) (2)$46,264 15.0% $49,195 17.0%
      
Franchise operations: (3)     
Franchise and license revenue:     
Royalties$75,875 46.5% $75,056 72.4%
Advertising revenue58,386 35.8%  %
Initial and other fees4,642 2.8% 1,579 1.5%
Occupancy revenue24,184 14.8% 26,986 26.0%
Total franchise and license revenue$163,087 100.0% $103,621 100.0%
      
Costs of franchise and license revenue:     
Advertising costs$58,386 35.8% $1,477 1.4%
Occupancy costs17,059 10.5% 19,420 18.7%
Other direct costs10,334 6.3% 8,586 8.3%
Total costs of franchise and license revenue$85,779 52.6% $29,483 28.5%
Franchise operating margin (non-GAAP) (2)$77,308 47.4% $74,138 71.5%
      
Total operating revenue (4)$470,630 100.0% $393,670 100.0%
Total costs of operating revenue (4)347,058 73.7% 270,337 68.7%
Total operating margin (non-GAAP) (4)(2)$123,572 26.3% $123,333 31.3%
      
Other operating expenses: (4)(2)     
General and administrative expenses$48,138 10.2% $50,536 12.8%
Depreciation and amortization19,965 4.2% 17,493 4.4%
Operating gains, losses and other charges, net1,615 0.3% 3,459 0.9%
Total other operating expenses$69,718 14.8% $71,488 18.2%
      
Operating income (4)$53,854 11.4% $51,845 13.2%
      


(1) As a percentage of company restaurant sales.
(2) Other operating expenses such as general and administrative expenses and depreciation and amortization relate to both company and franchise operations and are not allocated to costs of company restaurant sales and costs of franchise and license revenue. As such, operating margin is considered a non-GAAP financial measure. Operating margins should be considered as a supplement to, not as a substitute for, operating income, net income or other financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
(3) As a percentage of franchise and license revenue.
(4) As a percentage of total operating revenue.
   


DENNY'S CORPORATION
Statistical Data
(Unaudited)
        
Changes in Same-Store Sales (1)Quarter Ended Three Quarters Ended
(increase vs. prior year)9/26/18 9/27/17 9/26/18 9/27/17
Company Restaurants2.1% 0.6% 1.7% 0.6%
Domestic Franchised Restaurants0.8% 0.6% 0.4% 0.7%
Domestic System-wide Restaurants1.0% 0.6% 0.6% 0.7%
        
Average Unit SalesQuarter Ended Three Quarters Ended
(In thousands)9/26/18 9/27/17 9/26/18 9/27/17
Company Restaurants$582  $577  $1,716  $1,706 
Franchised Restaurants$409  $403  $1,207  $1,188 
        
   Franchised    
Restaurant Unit ActivityCompany  & Licensed Total  
Ending Units June 27, 2018180  1,540  1,720   
Units Opened1  6  7   
Units Reacquired       
Units Closed  (12) (12)  
Net Change1  (6) (5)  
Ending Units September 26, 2018181  1,534  1,715   
        
Equivalent Units       
Third Quarter 2018178  1,536  1,714   
Third Quarter 2017170  1,550  1,720   
Net Change8  (14) (6)  
        
   Franchised    
Restaurant Unit ActivityCompany  & Licensed Total  
Ending Units December 27, 2017178  1,557  1,735   
Units Opened1  24  25   
Units Reacquired6  (6)    
Units Closed(4) (41) (45)  
Net Change3  (23) (20)  
Ending Units September 26, 2018181  1,534  1,715   
        
Equivalent Units       
Year-to-Date 2018179  1,541  1,720   
Year-to-Date 2017170  1,557  1,727   
Net Change9  (16) (7)  
        


(1) Same-store sales include sales at company restaurants and non-consolidated franchised and licensed restaurants that were open the same period in the prior year. Total operating revenue is limited to company restaurant sales and royalties, fees and occupancy revenue from franchised and licensed restaurants. Accordingly, domestic franchise same-store sales and domestic system-wide same-store sales should be considered as a supplement to, not a substitute for, our results as reported under GAAP.
   
Investor Contact:
Curt Nichols
877-784-7167

Media Contact:
Hadas Streit, Allison+Partners
646-248-0629

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