Texas Roadhouse, Inc. Announces Second Quarter 2020 Results and Provides Business Update

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Aug. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Texas Roadhouse, Inc. TXRH, today announced financial results for the 13 and 26 week periods ended June 30, 2020 and provided a business update in response to the continued COVID-19 pandemic.

Statement from Kent Taylor, Founder and CEO

Let me start by thanking our operators and support teams for their hard work, dedication, courage, and commitment during the most challenging times we've experienced. Our operators were able to quickly transition nearly 600 full-service restaurants to a To-Go only model in March and then transition the majority of those same restaurants back to a hybrid operating model of limited capacity dining rooms together with enhanced To-Go service in May and June.  Along the way, they came up with creative ways to drive traffic through increased outdoor dining, executing To-Go, managing wait times and other initiatives, with a priority of keeping our employees and guests safe.

As we began re-opening our dining rooms in May, it was clear that our guests were excited to return. Since then, we have been encouraged to see our sales trend favorably through a solid combination of re-opened dining rooms, outdoor dining, and strong To-Go sales.  With these increased sales, we have also seen our cashflows steadily improve.  While we know there are challenges that remain relating to the pandemic and its impact on our business, I know that our operators will continue to face them head on.

Financial Results

Financial results for the 13 and 26 week periods ended June 30, 2020 were as follows:

Results for the second quarter included the following:  

• For the April, May, and June periods, comparable restaurant sales at company restaurants decreased 46.7%, 41.9%, and 14.1%, respectively.  Sales during the June period were positively impacted by the re-opening of dining rooms in a limited capacity in the majority of company restaurants.  For the quarter, comparable restaurant sales decreased 32.8% at company restaurants and 32.1% at domestic franchise restaurants;
• Three company restaurants were opened.  One company restaurant and two international franchise restaurants were permanently closed.  In addition, one company restaurant and five international franchise locations remain temporarily closed;
• Restaurant margin, as a percentage of restaurant and other sales, was 2.5% and restaurant margin dollars were $11.8 million.  Restaurant margin was impacted by a decrease in comparable restaurant sales and higher costs related to the pandemic.  These costs included $4.7 million incurred for relief pay and benefits for hourly restaurant employees; and,
• The Company increased the capacity of its revolving credit facility by $82.5 million to further enhance financial flexibility and subsequently drew down $50 million of this amount.  The Company ended the quarter with debt of $240.0 million and $282.5 million of cash on hand. 

Results for the year-to-date period included the following highlights:

• Comparable restaurant sales decreased 20.5% at company restaurants and 20.2% at domestic franchise restaurants;
• Eight company restaurants and one domestic franchise restaurant were opened.  One company restaurant and two international franchise restaurants were permanently closed;
• Restaurant margin, as a percentage of restaurant and other sales, was 8.1% and restaurant margin dollars were $90.4 million.  Restaurant margin included $15.4 million of costs incurred for relief pay and benefits for hourly restaurant employees; and,
• The Company repurchased 252,409 shares of common stock for $12.6 million.  These repurchases continued through mid-March and no proceeds from the revolving credit facility were utilized.

Business Update

Comparable restaurant sales during the second quarter were impacted by the re-opening of dining rooms across the country.  For the April period, the Company operated under a fully To-Go model, while the May and June periods included various capacity restrictions in the dining rooms.  By period, the comparable restaurant sales and average weekly sales for all company restaurants were as follows:

For the July period, comparable restaurant sales at company restaurants decreased 13.0% and average weekly sales at all restaurants were $86,062.  The decrease in average weekly sales was impacted by the decision of some states to further limit capacity or require dining rooms to be re-closed, the negative impact of the shift in the Fourth of July holiday, and normal seasonality.  As of the end of July, over 95% of company restaurants had dining rooms operating in a limited capacity.  For the July period, comparable restaurant sales per week and the average weekly sales for all company restaurants were as follows:

For the second quarter, the Company's cash on hand position increased approximately $51.9 million due to working capital inflows, proceeds from the revolving credit facility and increased sales performance, partially offset by cash used for capital expenditures.  At the current level of restaurant sales, the Company expects to continue to generate cash from operations and continue restaurant development.  As of today, the Company has opened 10 restaurants and has resumed construction on an additional 12 restaurants.  The Company currently expects to open as many as six restaurants in the third quarter, with two of these already opened.  To the extent that state and local guidelines begin to further reduce capacity and/or re-close dining rooms, the Company will evaluate further development and reduce capital expenditures accordingly.

2020 Outlook

As previously announced, due to the current unprecedented global market and economic conditions, the Company withdrew the financial outlook for the fiscal year ending December 29, 2020.  The Company cannot yet reasonably estimate the impact to the business and therefore cannot provide an updated outlook.

Non-GAAP Measures

The Company prepares the consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP").  Within the press release, the Company makes reference to restaurant margin (in dollars and as a percentage of restaurant and other sales).  Restaurant margin represents restaurant and other sales less restaurant-level operating costs, including cost of sales, labor, rent and other operating costs.  Restaurant margin should not be considered in isolation, or as an alternative, to income from operations.  This non-GAAP measure is not indicative of overall company performance and profitability in that this measure does not accrue directly to the benefit of shareholders due to the nature of the costs excluded.  Restaurant margin is widely regarded as a useful metric by which to evaluate restaurant-level operating efficiency and performance.  In calculating restaurant margin, the Company excludes certain non-restaurant-level costs that support operations, including pre-opening and general and administrative expenses, but do not have a direct impact on restaurant-level operational efficiency and performance.  The Company also excludes depreciation and amortization expense, substantially all of which relates to restaurant-level assets, as it represents a non-cash charge for the investment in restaurants.  The Company also excludes impairment and closure expense as it believes this provides a clearer perspective of ongoing operating performance and a more useful comparison to prior period results.  Restaurant margin as presented may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies in the industry.  A reconciliation of income from operations to restaurant margin is included in the accompanying financial tables.

Conference Call

Texas Roadhouse is hosting a conference call today, August 3, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss these results.  The dial-in number is (877) 699-0953 or (647) 689-5456 for international calls.  A replay of the call will be available for one week following the conference call.  To access the replay, please dial (800) 585-8367 or (416) 621-4642 for international calls and use 8064639 as the pass code.  There will be a simultaneous Web cast conducted at www.texasroadhouse.com.

About the Company

Texas Roadhouse is a casual dining concept that first opened in 1993 and today has grown to 620 restaurants system-wide in 49 states and ten foreign countries.  For more information, please visit the Web site at www.texasroadhouse.com.

Forward-looking Statements

Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements related to the potential impact of the COVID-19/Coronavirus outbreak and other non-historical statements. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the management of Texas Roadhouse. Actual results may vary materially from those contained in forward-looking statements based on a number of factors including, without limitation, conditions beyond its control such as weather, natural disasters, disease outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics impacting customers or food supplies; food safety and food-borne illness concerns; and other factors disclosed from time to time in its filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. These factors include but are not limited to those described under "Part I—Item 1A. Risk Factors" of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 and in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 3, 2020. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors should take such risks into account when making investment decisions. Shareholders and other readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law.

Contacts:

Investor Relations
Tonya Robinson
(502) 515-7269

Media
Travis Doster
(502) 638-5457