AFC Enterprises Reports Financial Results for First Quarter 2013; Increases Fiscal 2013 Earnings Gui

AFC Enterprises Reports Financial Results for First Quarter 2013; Increases Fiscal 2013 Earnings Guidance

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AFC Enterprises, Inc. (NAS: AFCE) , the franchisor and operator of Popeyes® restaurants, today reported results for its first quarter 2013 which ended April 21, 2013. The Company also increased earnings guidance for fiscal 2013 and provided an update on its Strategic Plan.

Commenting on the first quarter performance, AFC Enterprises Chief Executive Officer Cheryl Bachelder stated, "We continue to demonstrate both the accelerating momentum of the Popeyes brand and its staying power. We increased our market share and are staying ahead of the broader QSR category in terms of same-store sales growth. We have an effective marketing strategy with innovative menu promotions and improving restaurant operations. This high-performance business model is enabling disciplined growth in domestic and international markets that are awaiting Popeyes arrival."

First Quarter 2013 Highlights

• Reported net income was $9.6 million compared to $8.3 million last year. On a diluted share basis, reported net income was $0.40 compared to $0.34 last year. Adjusted earnings per diluted share increased by 14% to $0.40 compared to $0.35 in 2012. Adjusted earnings per diluted share is a supplemental non-GAAP measure of performance. See the heading entitled "Management's Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures."

• Global same-store sales increased 4.5% rolling over a 7.4% increase last year. Domestic same-store sales increased 4.5% compared to an 8.1% increase in 2012. International same-store sales increased 4.1% versus a 2.3% increase last year. Our first quarter two-year same-store sales growth was 12.6% for domestic and 6.4% for international.

• Global system-wide sales increased 10.2% compared to an 11.8% increase last year.

• The Popeyes system opened 40 restaurants and permanently closed 24 restaurants, resulting in 16 net openings compared to 9 net openings last year.

• Operating EBITDA was $18.1 million, or 30.0% of total revenues, compared to $16.0 million, or 30.3% of total revenues in the prior year. Operating EBITDA is a supplemental non-GAAP measure of performance. See the heading entitled "Management's Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures."

• The Company's free cash flow was $11.5 million compared to $9.8 million in the first quarter of 2012. The Company invested $8.2 million in various capital projects and used approximately $5.0 million of cash to repurchase 138,100 shares of our common stock. Free cash flow is a supplemental non-GAAP measure of performance. See the heading entitled "Management's Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures."

Strategic Plan Update

The Company continues to strengthen its competitive position in the restaurant industry and quick service restaurant sector by executing its Strategic Plan which is based on the following pillars:

• Build a Distinctive Brand

  • The first quarter consisted of three consecutive successful national promotions: Butterfly Shrimp Tackle Box, Cajun Surf N' Turf and Rip'n Chicken.

  • Popeyes' first quarter domestic same-store sales of 4.5% represents the 12^th consecutive quarter of positive results and the 20^th consecutive quarter we have outpaced the Chicken-QSR category according to independent industry research. Our strong appeal to a broader audience, more effective messaging and sustained media has also led us to beat the overall QSR category for six consecutive quarters.

• Run Great Restaurants

  • In the first quarter, we made several design changes to our Guest Experience Monitor, or GEM, in order to improve the accuracy and reduce the amount of time needed to take the survey. With these adjustments, GEM percent delighted scores were approximately 65% at the end of the first quarter.

  • As of the end of the first quarter, approximately 35% of the domestic system was in the new Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen image. We expect to end our fiscal year with approximately 60% of our domestic system in the new image. Excluding new restaurants, sales volumes of remodeled restaurants are trending approximately four percentage points higher than the system average based on preliminary data.

• Grow Restaurant Profits

  • Average restaurant operating profit before rent of Popeyes domestic freestanding franchised restaurants increased by nearly $40,000 to 20.4% of total revenues for fiscal 2012, marking the fourth consecutive year of increased profits.

  • Our strong sales performance and our continued focus on cost saving initiatives helped offset commodity inflation of approximately 2% for the first quarter 2013. For full year 2013, we expect commodity costs to be essentially flat versus the prior year.

• Accelerate Quality Restaurant Openings

  • The average annualized volumes of Popeyes new domestic freestanding restaurants opened in 2012 are trending at approximately $1.6 million compared to the overall system average of approximately $1.2 million.

  • Popeyes opened 23 domestic restaurants, representing the highest number of restaurants opened in the first quarter in seven years.

  • In the first quarter, the Company converted and franchised three of the 26 restaurants acquired in 2012 in California and Minnesota. Fees associated with the franchising of these units totaled approximately $700,000. The remaining 21 acquired restaurants are expected to be converted at a steady pace over the balance of 2013. Two acquired restaurants were converted and franchised in 2012.

  • In the first quarter, 17 new restaurants were opened internationally. The initial sales results of new international restaurants are trending higher than their respective market averages as a result of improved site selection and marketing support.

• Create a Culture of Servant Leaders

  • Popeyes greatest opportunity lies in creating a guest experience that is as distinctive as our food. We believe the guest experience begins with employees. Using research and insights from employees and guests, we are building new tools to better support our restaurant leaders.

First Quarter 2013 Financial Performance Review

Total system-wide sales increased by 10.2% reflecting continued strong sales performance driven by our successful product promotions and our expanding domestic footprint. System-wide sales were comprised of $706.6 million in franchise restaurant sales and $23.9 million in company-operated restaurant sales.

Global same-store sales increased 4.5% compared to a 7.4% increase in 2012, for a two-year growth of 11.9%.

Total domestic same-store sales increased 4.5% compared to an 8.1% increase last year for a two-year growth of 12.6%.

Same-store sales growth of our company-operated restaurants was positive 3.1% in the first quarter compared to 4.6% for the domestic franchise system. The two-year same-store sales growth of Company-operated restaurants was 7.0%

International same-store sales increased 4.1% and represented the 13^th consecutive quarter of positive same-store sales growth. First quarter two-year international same-store sales growth was 6.4%.

As a result of positive same-store sales growth and new restaurant growth, total revenues were $60.4 million, compared to $52.8 million last year, an increase of 14.4% year-over-year.

Company-operated restaurant operating profit ("ROP") was $4.7 million, or 19.7% of sales, compared to $3.8 million, or 19.2% of sales, last year. The $0.9 million increase in ROP was due to an increase in same-store sales and sales at new company-operated restaurants. Company-operated restaurant operating profit is a supplemental non-GAAP measure of performance. See the heading entitled "Management's Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures."

General and administrative expenses were $22.0 million, at 3.0% of system-wide sales, compared to $20.4 million, at 3.1% of system-wide sales last year. The $1.6 million increase was primarily attributable to international franchise development, international marketing support and Company restaurant development.

Operating EBITDA was $18.1 million, at 30.0% of total revenues, compared to $16.0 million, at 30.3% of total revenues, in 2012. The $2.1 million increase was primarily a result of strong same-store sales increases and higher Company-operated restaurant operating profit. The Company's Operating EBITDA margin is among the highest in the QSR industry. Operating EBITDA is a supplemental non-GAAP measure of performance. See the heading entitled "Management's Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures."

Reported net income grew to $9.6 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, compared to $8.3 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, last year. Adjusted earnings per diluted share were $0.40 compared to $0.35 last year. This improvement was primarily due to stronger same-store sales and higher average new store sales, partially offset by higher general and administrative expenses. Adjusted earnings per diluted share is a supplemental non-GAAP measure of performance. See the heading entitled "Management's Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures."

As a result of strong revenue and operating profit, the Company generated free cash flow of $11.5 million compared to $9.8 million in 2012. As a percentage of total revenue, free cash flow increased to 19.0%, compared to 18.6% last year. Free cash flow is a supplemental non-GAAP measure of performance. See the heading entitled "Management's Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures."

During the first quarter, the Company repurchased 138,100 shares of its common stock for approximately $5.0 million. These purchases were made in accordance with the Company's previous stock repurchase guidance for 2013 of $15 to $20 million.

The Popeyes system opened 40 restaurants in the first quarter, which included 23 domestic and 17 international restaurants, compared to 26 openings last year. The Company permanently closed 24 restaurants, resulting in 16 net openings compared to 9 net openings in the first quarter of 2012. The 24 closures in 2013 included 7 domestic and 17 international restaurants.

On a system-wide basis, Popeyes had 2,119 restaurants operating at the end of the first quarter, compared to 2,044 at the end of the first quarter of 2012. Total unit count was comprised of 1,696 domestic and 423 international restaurants in 28 foreign countries and three territories. Of the domestic total, 1,650 were franchised and 46 were Company-operated restaurants.

Fiscal 2013 Guidance

The Company expects its fiscal 2013 global same-store sales growth to be at the upper end of its previously stated guidance of 3 to 4% based on first quarter performance. As a result, the Company also expects adjusted earnings per diluted share to be at the upper end of the range of its previously stated guidance of $1.37 to $1.42.

The Company reiterates the following guidance for fiscal 2013:

• New restaurant openings in the range of 175-195 restaurants, and net restaurant openings in the range of 85 to 115.

  • Included in this total are 6 to 10 new Company-operated restaurants and approximately 60 international restaurants.

• General and administrative expenses are expected to be $72 to $74 million.

• Capital expenditures of $24 to $28 million, including the conversion of restaurants acquired in 2012 in California and Minnesota and the development of 6 to 10 Company-operated restaurants.

• An expected effective income tax rate in 2013 of 37% compared to 36.3% in 2012.

• The Company plans to repurchase approximately $15 to $20 million in outstanding shares, compared to $15.2 million of share repurchases in 2012.

Long-Term Guidance

Consistent with previous guidance, over the course of the upcoming five years, the Company believes the execution of its Strategic Plan will deliver on an average annualized basis the following results: same-store sales growth of 1 to 3%; net unit growth of 4 to 6%; and earnings per diluted share growth of 13 to 15%.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call and internet webcast with the investment community at 9:00 A.M. Eastern Time on May 30, 2013, to review the results of first quarter 2013. To access the Company's webcast, go to www.afce.com, select "Investor Information" and then select "AFC Enterprises First Quarter 2013 Earnings Conference Call." A replay of the conference call will be available for 90 days at the Company's website or through a dial-in number for a limited time following the call.

Corporate Profile

AFC Enterprises, Inc. is the franchisor and operator of Popeyes® restaurants, the world's second-largest quick-service chicken restaurant concept based on number of units. As of April 21, 2013, Popeyes had 2,119 restaurants operating in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Cayman Islands and 28 foreign countries. AFC's primary objective is to deliver industry-leading growth in sales and profits by offering excellent investment opportunities in its Popeyes brand and providing exceptional support systems and services to its franchisee owners. AFC Enterprises can be found at www.afce.com.