SONC Sonic Corp. (delisted)

Development Pipeline for New Drive-Ins Continues to Build

Sonic Corp. (NASDAQ: SONC), the nation’s largest chain of drive-in restaurants, today announced results for its third fiscal quarter ended May 31, 2017.

Key highlights of the company’s third quarter of fiscal year 2017 included:

• Net income per diluted share increased 42% to $0.44 versus $0.31 in the prior-year period; adjusted net income per diluted share remained the same as the prior-year period at $0.43;
• System same-store sales declined 1.2%, consisting of a 1.1% same-store sales decrease at franchise drive-ins and a 3.2% decrease at company drive-ins;
• Company drive-in margins increased by 40 basis points;
• 15 new drive-ins opened; and
• The company repurchased 1.2 million outstanding shares.

"Our third quarter results reflect the expected improvement in underlying sales and store profit versus the first half of the fiscal year, driven by a more balanced promotional calendar, including a reinvigorated SONIC Summer Nights promotion featuring our Real Ice Cream Slush," said Cliff Hudson, Sonic Corp. CEO. “Despite continued sluggish traffic, we are working to improve same-store sales this summer and beyond, with new product news, targeted value and quality customer service.

“Our unit growth, capital structure and technology initiatives are on track,” continued Hudson. “During the quarter, we continued to build our development pipeline with new and existing franchisee groups, we successfully released our redesigned mobile app that is fully integrated with our POPS network and we repurchased 1.2 million shares of our stock, bringing total shares repurchased to 4.9 million fiscal year to date, representing 9.9% of shares outstanding. We have made significant strides in transitioning to a more highly-franchised business model and look forward to driving increased free cash flow over the next several years.”

Same-Store Sales

For the third quarter ended May 31, 2017, system same-store sales decreased 1.2%, which was comprised of a 1.1% same-store sales decline at franchise drive-ins and a decline of 3.2% at company drive-ins.

Financial Overview

For the third fiscal quarter of 2017, the company’s net income totaled $18.8 million or $0.44 per diluted share compared to net income of $15.4 million or $0.31 per diluted share in the same period of the prior year. Excluding the items outlined below, net income decreased 13% and net income per diluted share was flat.

The following analysis of non-GAAP adjustments is intended to supplement the presentation of the company’s financial results in accordance with GAAP. The company believes that the presentation of this analysis provides useful information to investors and management regarding the underlying business trends and the performance of the company’s ongoing operations and is helpful for period-to-period and company-to-company comparisons, which management believes will assist investors in analyzing the financial results of the company and predicting future performance.

           

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

  Three months ended Three months ended May 31, 2017 May 31, 2016 Net   Diluted Net   Diluted Net Income Diluted EPS Income EPS Income EPS $ Change % Change $ Change % Change Reported – GAAP $ 18,751 $ 0.44 $ 15,353 $ 0.31 $ 3,398 22

 %

$ 0.13 42 % Net gain on refranchising transactions (1) (814 ) (0.02 ) — — Tax impact on refranchising transactions (2) 396 0.01 — — Loss from early extinguishment of debt — — 8,750 0.18 Tax impact on debt extinguishment (3) —   —   (3,027 ) (0.06 )         Adjusted - Non-GAAP $ 18,333   $ 0.43   $ 21,076   $ 0.43   $ (2,743 ) (13

)%

$ —   — %  

________________

(1)   During the third quarter of fiscal year 2017, we made adjustments of $0.8 million to the retained minority investment related to the refranchising transactions that occurred in the first six months of the fiscal year. Additionally, we recorded a net loss as a franchisee initiated exercise of an option to purchase real estate related to a first quarter refranchising transaction, which was offset by amortization of the deferred gain recorded for a second quarter refranchising transaction. (2) Tax impact during the period at an adjusted effective tax rate of 48.7%. (3) Tax impact during the period at an effective tax rate of 34.6%.  

For the first nine months of fiscal year 2017, net income totaled $42.8 million or $0.96 per diluted share compared with net income of $38.6 million or $0.77 per diluted share for the same period in 2016. Excluding the items outlined below, net income and net income per diluted share decreased 15% and 5%, respectively.

           

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

  Nine months ended Nine months ended May 31, 2017 May 31, 2016 Net   Diluted Net   Diluted Net Income Diluted EPS Income EPS Income EPS $ Change % Change $ Change % Change Reported – GAAP $ 42,832 $ 0.96 $ 38,630 $ 0.77 $ 4,202 11

 %

$ 0.19 25

 %

Net gain on refranchising transactions (1) (6,645 ) (0.15 ) — — Tax impact on refranchising transactions (2) 2,501 0.05 — — Gain on sale of investment in refranchised drive-in operations (3) (3,795 ) (0.08 ) — — Tax impact on sale of investment in refranchised drive-in operations (4) 1,350 0.03 — — Loss from early extinguishment of debt — — 8,750 0.18 Tax impact on debt extinguishment (5) — — (3,027 ) (0.06 ) Gain on sale of real estate — — (1,875 ) (0.04 ) Tax impact on real estate sale (6) — — 664 0.01 Retroactive benefit of Work Opportunity Tax Credit and resolution of tax matters —   —   (585 ) (0.01 )         Adjusted - Non-GAAP $ 36,243   $ 0.81   $ 42,557   $ 0.85   $ (6,314 ) (15 )% $ (0.04 ) (5

)%

 

________________

(1)  

During the first quarter of fiscal year 2017, we completed two transactions to refranchise the operations of 56 company drive-ins. Of the proceeds, $3.8 million was applied as the initial lease payment for an option to purchase the real estate within 24 months. The franchisee initiated exercise of a portion of the option during the third fiscal quarter, resulting in a loss of $0.4 million. Until the option is fully exercised, the franchisee is making monthly lease payments which totaled $0.6 million for the fiscal year-to-date, net of sub-lease expense. During the second quarter of fiscal year 2017, we completed transactions to refranchise the operations of 54 company drive-ins, one of which resulted in a gain of $7.8 million and another in a loss of $1.4 million. The loss transaction reflects a deferred gain of $0.9 million as a result of a real estate purchase option extended to the franchisee. The deferred gain is being amortized into income through January 2020 when the option becomes exercisable. During the third quarter of fiscal year 2017, we made adjustments of $0.8 million to the retained minority investment related to the refranchising transactions that occurred in the first six months of the fiscal year.

(2) Combined tax impact at an effective tax rate of 35.6% during the first quarter of fiscal year 2017 and at adjusted effective tax rates of 36.0% and 48.7% during the second and third quarters of fiscal year 2017, respectively. (3) Gain on sale of investment in refranchised drive-in operations is related to minority investments in franchise operations retained as part of a refranchising transaction that occurred in fiscal year 2009. Income from minority investments is included in other revenue on the condensed consolidated statements of income. (4) Tax impact during the period at an effective tax rate of 35.6%. (5) Tax impact during the period at an effective tax rate of 34.6%. (6) Tax impact during the period at an adjusted effective tax rate of 35.4%.  

Fiscal Year 2017 Outlook

While the macroeconomic environment may impact results, the company continues to expect adjusted earnings per share for fiscal year 2017 to decline 2% to 5% year over year. The outlook for fiscal 2017 anticipates the following elements:

• An approximate 2.5% same-store sales decline for the system;
• Royalty revenue growth from new unit development;
• 65 to 75 new franchise drive-in openings;
• Drive-in-level margins of 15.3%, depending upon the degree of same-store sales growth at company drive-ins;
• Selling, general and administrative expenses of approximately $81 million;
• Depreciation and amortization expense of $39.0 million to $39.5 million reflecting the divestiture of company drive-ins and the shorter depreciable life of technology investments;
• Net interest expense of approximately $27.5 million to $28.0 million;
• Capital expenditures of $46 million to $48 million; excluding spending on build-to-suit drive-in development, capital outlays would be $40 million to $42 million;
• Free cash flow(1) of approximately $55 to $60 million;
• An income tax rate between 34.0% to 34.5%;
• The planned use of the remaining $45 million share repurchase authorization across the fiscal year, inclusive of refranchising proceeds; and
• An expected quarterly cash dividend of $0.14 per share.

Earnings Conference Call

The company will host a conference call to review financial results at 5:00 PM ET this evening. The conference call can be accessed live over the phone by dialing (877) 681-3375 or (719) 457-2601 for international callers. A replay will be available one hour after the call and can be accessed by dialing (844) 512-2921 or (412) 317-6671 for international callers; the conference ID is 9328359. The replay will be available until Thursday, June 29, 2017. An online replay of the conference call will be available approximately two hours after the conclusion of the live broadcast. A link to this event may be found on the company's investor relations website at http://ir.sonicdrivein.com/.

About Sonic

SONIC, America's Drive-In is the nation's largest drive-in restaurant chain serving approximately 3 million customers every day. Nearly 94 percent of SONIC's 3,500 drive-in locations are owned and operated by local business men and women. For 64 years, SONIC has delighted guests with signature menu items, 1.3 million drink combinations and friendly service by iconic Carhops. Since the 2009 launch of SONIC's Limeades for Learning philanthropic campaign in partnership with DonorsChoose.org, SONIC has donated $8.4 million to public school teachers nationwide to fund essential learning materials and innovative teaching resources to inspire creativity and learning in today's youth. To learn more about Sonic Corp. (NASDAQ/NM: SONC), please visit sonicdrivein.com and please visit or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. To learn more about SONIC's Limeades for Learning initiative, please visit Limeadesforlearning.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements reflect management’s expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date hereof. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or underlying, these forward-looking statements are detailed in the company’s annual and quarterly report filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly release revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unforeseen events, except as required to be reported under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The tables that follow provide information regarding the number of company drive-ins, franchise drive-ins and system drive-ins in operation as of the end of the periods indicated. In addition, these tables provide information regarding franchise sales, system growth in sales, and both franchise and system average drive-in sales and change in same-store sales. System information includes both company and franchise drive-in information, which we believe is useful in analyzing the growth of our brand. While we do not record franchise drive-in sales as revenues, we believe this information is important in understanding our financial performance since we calculate and record franchise royalties based on a percentage of franchise sales. This information also is indicative of the financial health of our franchisees.

(1) Free cash flow is defined as net income plus depreciation, amortization and stock compensation expenses, less capital expenditures and spending on build-to-suit drive-in development.

SONC-F

  SONIC CORP. UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (In thousands, except per share amounts)           Three months endedMay 31, Nine months endedMay 31,  2017 2016 2017 2016 Revenues: Company Drive-In sales $ 72,062 $ 115,143 $ 223,500 $ 314,339 Franchise Drive-Ins: Franchise royalties and fees 48,220 46,687 122,687 122,656 Lease revenue 2,418 2,141 5,474 5,132 Other 1,290   1,268   2,038   2,075   Total revenues 123,990 165,239 353,699 444,202  Costs and expenses: Company Drive-Ins: Food and packaging 19,380 32,089 61,112 87,248 Payroll and other employee benefits 25,590 39,912 82,688 111,635 Other operating expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below 13,836   22,442   47,540   65,450   Total cost of Company Drive-In sales 58,806 94,443 191,340 264,333  Selling, general and administrative 20,763 20,617 58,813 62,342 Depreciation and amortization 9,520 11,405 29,531 33,461 Other operating income, net (540 ) (106 ) (11,105 ) (3,071 ) Total costs and expenses 88,549   126,359   268,579   357,065   Income from operations 35,441 38,880 85,120 87,137  Interest expense 7,318 6,776 21,734 19,465 Interest income (291 ) (121 ) (1,047 ) (326 ) Debt extinguishment costs —   8,750   —   8,750   Net interest expense 7,027   15,405   20,687   27,889     Income before income taxes 28,414 23,475 64,433 59,248 Provision for income taxes 9,663   8,122   21,601   20,618   Net income $ 18,751   $ 15,353   $ 42,832   $ 38,630    Basic income per share $ 0.44   $ 0.32   $ 0.97   $ 0.79   Diluted income per share $ 0.44   $ 0.31   $ 0.96   $ 0.77    Weighted average basic shares 42,402   48,377   43,972   49,192   Weighted average diluted shares 43,093   49,326   44,729   50,213       SONIC CORP. Unaudited Supplemental Information              Three months endedMay 31, Nine months endedMay 31, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Drive-Ins in Operation: Company: Total at beginning of period 233 375 345 387 Opened 2 — 3 — Sold to franchisees (5 ) — (115 ) (9 ) Closed (net of re-openings) —   —   (3 ) (3 ) Total at end of period 230   375   230   375   Franchise: Total at beginning of period 3,329 3,153 3,212 3,139 Opened 13 16 36 34 Acquired from the company 5 — 115 9 Closed (net of re-openings) (6 ) (1 ) (22 ) (14 ) Total at end of period 3,341   3,168   3,341   3,168   System-wide: Total at beginning of period 3,562 3,528 3,557 3,526 Opened 15 16 39 34 Closed (net of re-openings) (6 ) (1 ) (25 ) (17 ) Total at end of period 3,571   3,543   3,571   3,543            Three months endedMay 31,   Nine months endedMay 31,  2017   2016 2017   2016    ($ in thousands) ($ in thousands) Sales Analysis: Company Drive-Ins: Total sales $ 72,062 $ 115,143 $ 223,500 $ 314,339 Average drive-in sales 312 307 818 829 Change in same-store sales (3.2 )% 0.9 % (4.7 )% 3.6 % Franchised Drive-Ins: Total sales $ 1,145,042 $ 1,107,725 $ 2,971,775 $ 2,963,155 Average drive-in sales 348 352 915 945 Change in same-store sales (1.1 )% 2.1 % (3.2 )% 4.5 % System-wide: Change in total sales (0.5 )% 3.3 % (2.5 )% 5.3 % Average drive-in sales $ 346 $ 347 $ 907 $ 933 Change in same-store sales (1.2 )% 2.0 % (3.3 )% 4.4 %

Note: Change in same-store sales based on restaurants open for a minimum of 15 months.

  SONIC CORP. Unaudited Supplemental Information               Three months endedMay 31, Nine months endedMay 31,  2017 2016 2017 2016    (In thousands) (In thousands) Revenues: Company Drive-In sales $ 72,062 $ 115,143 $ 223,500 $ 314,339 Franchise Drive-Ins: Franchise royalties 47,890 46,296 121,910 121,565 Franchise fees 330 391 777 1,091 Lease revenue 2,418 2,141 5,474 5,132 Other 1,290   1,268   2,038   2,075 Total revenues $ 123,990   $ 165,239   $ 353,699   $ 444,202      Three months endedMay 31,   Nine months endedMay 31,  2017   2016 2017   2016 Margin Analysis (percentage of Company Drive-In sales): Company Drive-Ins: Food and packaging 26.9 % 27.9 % 27.3 % 27.8 % Payroll and employee benefits 35.5 34.7 37.0 35.5 Other operating expenses 19.2   19.4   21.3   20.8   Cost of Company Drive-In sales 81.6 % 82.0 % 85.6 % 84.1 %      May 31,   August 31,  2017 2016    (In thousands) Selected Balance Sheet Data: Cash and cash equivalents $ 52,050 $ 72,092 Current assets 117,956 137,657 Property, equipment and capital leases, net 327,527 392,380 Total assets $ 563,834 $ 648,661  Current liabilities, including capital lease obligations and long-term debt due within one year $ 57,558 $ 74,663 Obligations under capital leases due after one year 15,413 17,391 Long-term debt due after one year, net of debt issuance costs 601,631 566,187 Total liabilities 736,932 724,304

Stockholders' deficit

$ (173,098 ) $ (75,643 )  

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Sonic Corp.Corey Horsch, 405-225-4800Vice President of Investor Relations and Treasurer