NPC International, Inc. Reports First Quarter Results

Updated

NPC International, Inc. Reports First Quarter Results

OVERLAND PARK, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- NPC International, Inc. (the "Company"), today reported results for its first fiscal quarter ended March 26, 2013.

FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Comparable store sales decreased (2.2)% rolling over an increase of +5.1% last year.

  • Adjusted EBITDA (reconciliation attached) of $38.5MM was essentially flat with the prior year.

  • Net income was $13.2MM, or $4.2MM higher than last year.

  • Cash balances were $52.1MM, an increase of $26.6MM from fiscal year-end.

  • Our leverage ratio was 3.74X Consolidated EBITDA, net of allowable cash balances of $30.0MM (as defined in our Credit Agreement).


NPC's President and CEO Jim Schwartz said, "The first quarter was challenging as the consumer remained under pressure and our marketing message did not drive adequate perceived value to compel the consumer to trade with us. However, despite soft top line performance and rising commodities, we were able to deliver EBITDA equivalent with the prior year primarily due to the outstanding controls exhibited by our operators.

The brand balanced value and product bundling this quarter with innovation as Pizza Sliders were introduced in the back half of the quarter. However, this marketing platform was not sufficient to produce positive comparable store sales in light of the prevailing macro-economic factors and the rollover of the prior year's robust 5.1% comparable store sales growth.

Importantly, we leveraged our strong cash flow characteristics this quarter with cash balances increasing by over $26MM from fiscal year end and maintaining covenant leverage at a very comfortable 3.74X. As a result, we have ample financial flexibility to aggressively pursue our growth initiatives.

We remain focused on expanding the Delco Lite footprint, opening 6 Delco Lite units during the first quarter on our way to our target of 40 new Delco Lites. Additionally, we are commencing our Wingstreet conversion efforts and have completed 15 of the 290 conversions planned for fiscal 2013. We believe that we are well in range of delivering our targeted growth for both of these key initiatives in 2013.

We look forward to the balance of the fiscal year with optimism for continued growth and deleveraging as we continue to expand the great Pizza Hut brand in our existing communities and in the new ones we will begin to serve under our Delco Lite growth strategy."

The Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NPC Restaurant Holdings, LLC ("Parent", formerly NPC Acquisition Holdings, LLC), which has guaranteed the Company's 10.50% Senior Notes due 2020. As a result of its guaranty, Parent is required to file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission which include consolidated financial statements of Parent and its subsidiaries (including the Company). Parent's only material asset is all of the stock of the Company. The quarterly financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for Parent and the Company on a consolidated basis are set forth in Parent's Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 26, 2013 which can be accessed atwww.sec.gov.

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION:

The Company's First quarter earnings conference call will be held Monday, May 6, 2013 at 9:00 am CT (10:00 ET). You can access this call by dialing 866-783-2138. The international number is 857-350-1597. The access code for the call is 33104247.

For those unable to participate live, a replay of the call will be available until May 13, 2013 by dialing 888-286-8010 or by dialing international at 617-801-6888. The access code for the replay is 77679280.

A replay of the call will also be available at the Company's website at www.npcinternational.com.

NPC International, Inc. is the world's largest Pizza Hut franchisee and currently operates 1,232 Pizza Hut restaurants and delivery units in 28 states.

For more complete information regarding the Company's financial position and results of operations, investors are encouraged to review the Parent's annual financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, incorporated into the Parent's Form 10-Q which can be accessed atwww.sec.gov.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

Certain statements contained in this news release that do not relate to historical or current facts constitute forward-looking statements. These include statements regarding our plans and expectations. Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be correct. Actual results may vary materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including lower than anticipated consumer discretionary spending; deterioration in general economic conditions; competition in the quick service restaurant market; adverse changes in food, labor and other costs; price inflation or deflation; and other factors. These risks and other risks are described in Parent's and NPC's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Parent's Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Copies of these filings may be obtained by contacting NPC. All forward-looking statements made in this news release are made as of the date hereof. NPC does not intend to update these forward-looking statements and undertakes no duty to any person to provide any such update under any circumstances. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.

NPC INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Income

(Dollars in thousands)


(Unaudited)

13 Weeks Ended

Mar. 26, 2013

Mar. 27, 2012

Net product sales (1)

$

264,671

100.0

%

$

257,819

100.0

%

Fees and other income (2)

14,298

5.4

%

12,595

4.9

%

Total sales

278,969

105.4

%

270,414

104.9

%

Comparable store sales (net product sales only)

-2.2

%

5.1

%

Cost of sales (3)

76,848

29.0

%

75,335

29.2

%

Direct labor (4)

75,590

28.6

%

73,958

28.7

%

Other restaurant operating expenses (5)

81,730

30.9

%

77,726

30.1

%

General and administrative expenses (6)

14,424

5.4

%

14,011

5.5

%

Corporate depreciation and amortization of intangibles

4,393

1.7

%

4,244

1.7

%

Other

133

0.0

%

264

0.1

%

Total costs and expenses

253,118

95.6

%

245,538

95.3

%

Operating income

25,851

9.8

%

24,876

9.6

%

Interest expense (7)

10,240

3.9

%

12,914

5.0

%

Income before income taxes

15,611

5.9

%

11,962

4.6

%

Income tax expense

2,367

0.9

%

2,957

1.1

%

Net income

$

13,244

5.0

%

$

9,005

3.5

%

Percentages are shown as a percent of net product sales.

Capital Expenditures

$

9,630

$

8,496

Cash Rent Expense

$

13,466

$

12,851

(1)

Net product sales increased 2.7% due to a 5.5% increase in equivalent units partially offset by a 2.2% decline in comparable store sales.

(2)

Fees and other income increased 13.5% due to higher delivery charge income from customer delivery charge increases and an increase in equivalent delivery units.

(3)

Cost of sales, as a percentage of net product sales, decreased primarily due to favorable product mix changes and costs savings initiatives that more than offset an increase in ingredient costs.

(4)

Direct labor, as a percentage of net product sales, decreased largely due to improved labor productivity partially offset by deleveraging of the fixed labor components.

(5)

Other restaurant operating expenses, as a percentage of net product sales, increased largely due to higher delivery driver reimbursement expense and higher rent and occupancy costs as a result of sales deleveraging partially offset by lower depreciation.

(6)

General and administrative expenses increased largely due to higher field personnel costs related to an increase in equivalent units and higher credit card transaction fees due to increased rates and a larger number of credit card transactions.

(7)

Interest expense decreased primarily due to lower interest rates resulting from the refinancing of our credit facility in the second and fourth quarters of 2012 and lower average outstanding debt levels.

Note: The explanations above are abbreviated disclosures. For complete disclosure see Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Parent's Form 10-Q filed with the SEC.

NPC INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Dollars in thousands)


(Unaudited)

March 26, 2013

December 25, 2012

Assets

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

52,061

$

25,493

Other current assets

36,718

43,293

Total current assets

88,779

68,786

Facilities and equipment, net

143,588

143,625

Franchise rights, net

618,992

622,634

Other noncurrent assets

336,294

334,737

Total assets

$

1,187,653

$

1,169,782

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

Current liabilities:

Current liabilities

$

92,028

$

89,743

Long-term debt, less current portion

558,125

558,125

Other noncurrent liabilities

288,785

286,443

Total liabilities

938,938

934,311

Stockholders' equity

248,715

235,471

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

1,187,653

$

1,169,782

NPC INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Dollars in thousands)


(Unaudited)

13 Weeks Ended

Mar. 26, 2013

Mar. 27, 2012

Operating activities

Net income

$

13,244

$

9,005

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization

12,950

13,312

Amortization of debt issuance costs

829

1,032

Deferred income taxes

350

2,957

Other

87

7

Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding acquisitions:

Assets

4,306

1,055

Liabilities

5,032

(3,148

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

36,798

24,220

Investing activities

Capital expenditures

(9,630

)

(8,496

)

Purchase of the stock of the Company

-

(431,589

)

Purchase of business assets, net of cash acquired

-

(19,322

)

Proceeds from sale or disposition of assets

40

21

Net cash used in investing activities

(9,590

)

(459,386

)

Financing activities

Contingent consideration paid to sellers

(602

)

-

Borrowings under revolving credit facility

-

9,700

Payments under revolving credit facility

-

(9,700

)

Proceeds from equity contribution, net of costs of $18,735

-

216,635

Retirement of predecessor entity debt

-

(372,700

)

Issuance of debt

-

565,000

Debt issuance costs

(38

)

(27,794

)

Interest rate derivative

-

(636

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

(640

)

380,505

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

26,568

(54,661

)

Beginning cash and cash equivalents

25,493

78,394

Ending cash and cash equivalents

$

52,061

$

23,733

NPC INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

(in thousands)


(Unaudited)

13 Weeks Ended

Mar. 26, 2013

Mar. 27, 2012

Adjusted EBITDA:

Net income

$

13,244

$

9,005

Adjustments:

Interest expense

10,240

12,914

Income tax expense

2,367

2,957

Depreciation and amortization

12,950

13,312

Transaction costs

36

283

Net facility impairment charges

85

-

Development incentives

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