BWLD Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. (delisted)

-FY2017 Guidance Updated to $4.00 to $4.50 GAAP EPS and $4.50 to $5.00 adjusted EPS-

Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. (NASDAQ: BWLD) announced today financial results for the second quarter ended June 25, 2017.

Key metrics for the second quarter, versus the same period a year ago, were:

• Total revenue increased 2.0% to $500.0 million.
• Company-owned restaurant sales increased 1.9% to $475.7 million.
• Same-store sales decreased 1.2% at company-owned restaurants.
• Net earnings decreased 62.9% to $8.8 million from $23.7 million, and earnings per diluted share decreased 57.0% to $0.55 from $1.27.
• Adjusted net earnings decreased 57.6% to $10.6 million from $25.0 million, and adjusted earnings per diluted share decreased 50.7% to $0.66 from $1.34.

Sally Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "During the second quarter, we continued to work on stabilizing the business in the challenging restaurant environment. Our profitability was pressured this quarter driven by historically high wing costs, a mix shift to our promotional days, lower than expected same-store sales, and higher operating expenses."

Ms. Smith concluded, "As traditional chicken wing costs remain at historically high levels, we're adapting our value day on Tuesday to feature our boneless wings at company-owned restaurants. In addition, we continue to implement our cost savings plan to improve margins and profitability in areas we can control. Due to our disappointing second quarter earnings and an outlook for slowing traffic as we manage through the Tuesday promotional change, we are lowering our 2017 earnings outlook. We are optimistic about the transition to boneless wings which provides a more stable promotional platform for the future."

Revenue

• Total revenue increased $9.8 million to $500.0 million in the second quarter, compared to $490.2 million in the second quarter of 2016. There was a $4.1 million revenue deferral for the Blazin' Rewards loyalty program in the second quarter.
• Company-owned restaurant sales for the second quarter increased 1.9% over the same period in 2016 to $475.7 million, driven by 26 additional company-owned restaurants.
• Franchise royalties and fees increased 3.1% to $24.3 million for the quarter, versus $23.6 million in the second quarter of 2016, driven by 28 additional franchised restaurants.

Restaurant-level costs and expenses

• Cost of sales for the second quarter was 32.1% of restaurant sales, compared to 29.7% in the quarter last year, driven by higher traditional chicken wing prices compounded by a change in sales mix from promotional activity compared to the second quarter of 2016.
  • Traditional wings were $2.05 per pound in the second quarter, representing an $0.11 increase, or 5.7%, higher than last year's second quarter average of $1.94. Traditional wings as a percent of cost of sales was 30.7% in the second quarter.
• Cost of labor for the second quarter was 32.4% of restaurant sales, 40 basis points higher than second quarter last year, resulting from increased healthcare costs and management salaries, partially offset by lower hourly labor.
• Restaurant operating expenses as a percentage of restaurant sales were 15.7%, an increase of 110 basis points from the second quarter of 2016, driven by an increase in general liability expenses, higher repair and maintenance expenses, and third-party delivery commissions.
• Occupancy costs were 5.9% as a percentage of restaurant sales, 10 basis points higher compared to the same quarter last year.
• Restaurant-level profit was $65.9 million, or 13.8%, of restaurant sales, compared to $83.3 million, or 17.9%, in the second quarter last year.

Other Expenses

• Depreciation and amortization expense for the second quarter was $38.1 million, increasing 0.4%, due to new unit openings over the last 12 months.
• General and administrative expenses were $39.2 million in the second quarter, increasing 31.3% from the same period last year, due to increased advisory fees and consulting services as well as stock-based compensation.
  • Stock-based compensation was $3.4 million in the second quarter, compared to $0.7 million of expense in the prior year, which included a reversal of previously recognized expense.
• Preopening expenses for the quarter totaled $0.9 million, versus $1.8 million in the second quarter last year, due to fewer openings.
• Loss on asset disposal for the second quarter totaled $2.6 million, compared to last year of $1.9 million. The 2017 expense represented impairment of two restaurants totaling $1.7 million and the write-off of miscellaneous equipment. The expense in 2016 represented disposals due to remodels, and the write-off of miscellaneous equipment.
• Interest expense was $3.3 million in the second quarter, compared to $0.8 million in the prior year period.
• Other income was $5.9 million for the quarter, which is primarily from a gain on the sale of our minority investment in PizzaRev, compared to an expense of $1.0 million in 2016.
• The effective tax rate during the quarter was 27.9%, compared to 29.9% in the prior year.

Earnings

• Operating income was $9.4 million in the second quarter, or 1.9% of total revenue, compared to $35.5 million and 7.2% in the prior year. For the year to date period, operating income was $43.2 million, or 4.2% of total revenue, compared to $82.1 million and 8.2%.
• Net earnings decreased 62.9% to $8.8 million in the second quarter, versus $23.7 million in the second quarter of 2016. For the year to date period, net earnings decreased 46.3% to $30.3 million, versus $56.5 million in 2016.
• Earnings per diluted share were $0.55, compared to second quarter 2016 earnings per diluted share of $1.27. Earnings per diluted share decreased 39.3% to $1.83 for the year to date period, compared to $3.00 in the same period last year.
• Adjusted earnings per diluted share were $0.66, compared to first quarter 2016 adjusted earnings per diluted share of $1.34. Adjusted earnings per diluted share for the year to date period decreased 31.7% to $2.13, compared to $3.12 in the same period last year.

Balance Sheet

• Cash totaled $19.9 million at the end of the second quarter.
• The credit facility had an outstanding balance of $390 million as of the end of the quarter.

Cash Flow

• Cash flow from operations was $49.9 million for the quarter, a 31.0% decrease over the second quarter last year. For the year to date period, cash flow from operations was $98.8 million, a 33.9% decrease over 2016.
• Free cash flow in the second quarter was $32.5 million, compared to $35.8 million in the prior year. Free cash flow in the year to date period was $64.2 million, compared to $78.8 million in the same period of the prior year.
• 659,598 shares were repurchased for a total of $100.0 million during the second quarter of 2017. For the year to date period, 2,022,488 shares were repurchased for a total of $312.2 million.

2017 Outlook

The company expects approximately the following new unit development in 2017:

• 15 company-owned Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants in the United States, with 2 in the third quarter
• 15 franchised Buffalo Wild Wings locations in the United States, with 6 in the third quarter
• 20 franchised Buffalo Wild Wing locations internationally, with 5 in the third quarter
• 2 company-owned and 10 to 13 franchised R Taco restaurants

The company expects the following in 2017:

• Same-store sales growth of approximately -1% to -2%
• Traditional chicken wing inflation of 8% to 10%
• Depreciation and amortization expense of $153 to $155 million
• General and administrative expense of $138 to $142 million, including stock-based compensation of $8 to $9 million
• Interest expense of approximately $13 million
• Earnings per diluted share of $4.00 to $4.50
• Adjusted earnings per diluted share of $4.50 to $5.00
• Capital expenditures of approximately $100 million

Buffalo Wild Wings will be hosting a conference call today, July 26, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time to discuss these results. There will be a simultaneous webcast conducted at our investor website IR.BuffaloWildWings.com.

A replay of the call will be available until August 2, 2017. To access this replay, please dial 1-412-317-6671 password 5733019.

About the Company

Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc., founded in 1982 and headquartered in Minneapolis, is a growing owner, operator and franchisor of Buffalo Wild Wings® restaurants featuring a variety of boldly-flavored, made-to-order menu items including its namesake Buffalo, New York-style chicken wings. The Buffalo Wild Wings menu specializes in 21 mouth-watering signature sauces and seasonings with flavor sensations ranging from Sweet BBQ™ to Blazin’®. Guests enjoy a welcoming neighborhood atmosphere that includes an extensive multi-media system for watching their favorite sporting events. Buffalo Wild Wings is the recipient of hundreds of "Best Wings" and "Best Sports Bar" awards from across the country. There are currently more than 1,240 Buffalo Wild Wings locations around the world.

To stay up-to-date on all the latest events and offers for sports fans and wing lovers, like Buffalo Wild Wings on Facebook, follow @BWWings on Twitter and visit www.BuffaloWildWings.com.

Forward-looking Statements

Various remarks we make about future expectations, plans, and prospects for the company constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the Safe Harbor provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to our future financial and restaurant performance measures and growth goals, including but not limited to those relating to our third quarter trends, projected unit and net earnings growth rates, and projected share repurchase activity and capital expenditures. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements and are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of our management. We have attempted to identify forward-looking statements by terminology, including “anticipates,” “believes,” “can,” “continue,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “goal,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “should,” “scheduled,” or “will” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Actual results may vary materially from those contained in forward-looking statements based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, our ability to achieve and manage our planned expansion, the ability of our franchisees to open and manage new restaurants, market acceptance in the new geographic regions we enter (particularly international locations), success of acquired restaurants, success of investments in new or emerging concepts, unforeseen obstacles in developing nontraditional sites or non-U.S. locations, our ability to obtain and maintain licenses and permits necessary to operate our existing and new restaurants, our franchisees’ adherence to our system standards, the cost of commodities such as traditional chicken wings, supply chain consistency, the success of our key initiatives and our advertising and marketing campaigns, our ability to control restaurant labor and other restaurant operating costs, the continued service of key management personnel, our ability to protect our name and logo and other proprietary information, economic conditions (including changes in consumer preferences or consumer discretionary spending), the impact of federal, state or local government regulations relating to our employees, the sale of food and alcoholic beverages, the effect of competition in the restaurant industry, and other factors disclosed from time to time in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the factors described under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2016, as updated in subsequent reports filed with the SEC. 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. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

  BUFFALO WILD WINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (Dollar and share amounts in thousands except per share data) (unaudited)         Three months ended Six months ended June 25,     June 26, June 25,     June 26, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Revenue: Restaurant sales $ 475,665 466,583 984,870 950,494 Franchise royalties and fees 24,315   23,595   49,873   47,941   Total revenue 499,980   490,178   1,034,743   998,435   Costs and expenses: Restaurant operating costs: Cost of sales 152,714 138,480 312,715 282,303 Labor 154,324 149,375 315,358 298,504 Operating 74,628 68,180 152,168 137,860 Occupancy 28,126 27,205 56,589 53,928 Depreciation and amortization 38,103 37,953 76,980 75,502 General and administrative 39,155 29,821 71,907 61,486 Preopening 917 1,838 1,504 3,701 Loss on asset disposals and impairment 2,628   1,874   4,356   3,096   Total costs and expenses 490,595   454,726   991,577   916,380   Income from operations 9,385 35,452 43,166 82,055 Interest expense 3,334 846 5,692 1,686 Other expense (income) (5,940 ) 1,028   (4,780 ) 161   Earnings before income taxes 11,991 33,578 42,254 80,208 Income tax expense 3,342   10,033   12,218   23,985   Net earnings including noncontrolling interests 8,649   23,545   30,036   56,223   Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests (133 ) (157 ) (295 ) (252 ) Net earnings attributable to Buffalo Wild Wings $ 8,782   23,702   30,331   56,475   Earnings per common share – basic $ 0.55 1.27 1.83 3.01 Earnings per common share – diluted $ 0.55 1.27 1.83 3.00 Weighted average shares outstanding – basic 15,983 18,605 16,573 18,764 Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted 16,048 18,636 16,619 18,797  

The following table expresses results of operations as a percentage of total revenue for the periods presented, except for restaurant operating costs which are expressed as a percentage of restaurant sales:

        Three months ended Six months ended June 25,     June 26, June 25,     June 26, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Revenue: Restaurant sales 95.1 % 95.2 % 95.2 % 95.2 % Franchise royalties and fees 4.9   4.8   4.8   4.8   Total revenue 100.0   100.0   100.0   100.0   Costs and expenses: Restaurant operating costs: Cost of sales 32.1 29.7 31.8 29.7 Labor 32.4 32.0 32.0 31.4 Operating 15.7 14.6 15.5 14.5 Occupancy 5.9 5.8 5.7 5.7 Depreciation and amortization 7.6 7.7 7.4 7.6 General and administrative 7.8 6.1 6.9 6.2 Preopening 0.2 0.4 0.1 0.4 Loss on asset disposals and impairment 0.5   0.4   0.4   0.3   Total costs and expenses 98.1   92.8   95.8   91.8   Income from operations 1.9 7.2 4.2 8.2 Interest expense 0.7 0.2 0.6 0.2 Other expense (income) (1.2 ) 0.2   (0.5 ) 0.0   Earnings before income taxes 2.4 6.9 4.1 8.0 Income tax expense 0.7   2.0   1.2   2.4   Net earnings including noncontrolling interests 1.7   4.8   2.9   5.6   Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests (0.0 ) (0.0 ) (0.0 ) (0.0 ) Net earnings attributable to Buffalo Wild Wings 1.8 % 4.8 % 2.9 % 5.7 %     BUFFALO WILD WINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Dollar amounts in thousands) (unaudited)         June 25, December 25, 2017 2016 Assets Current assets: Cash $ 19,941 49,266 Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $251 37,927 34,225 Inventory 15,080 16,532 Prepaid expenses 7,503 9,075 Refundable income taxes 4,483 1,018 Restricted assets 24,532   66,471   Total current assets 109,466 176,587   Property and equipment, net 551,317 592,806 Reacquired franchise rights, net 112,348 118,973 Other assets 39,889 41,625 Goodwill 117,228   117,228   Total assets $ 930,248   1,047,219     Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity Current liabilities: Deferred revenue $ 8,316 3,089 Accounts payable 37,887 45,797 Accrued compensation and benefits 43,944 47,304 Accrued expenses 33,367 32,347 Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations 3,599 3,745 Current portion of deferred lease credits 4,685 873 System-wide payables 58,588   108,814   Total current liabilities 190,386 241,969   Long-term liabilities: Other liabilities 16,529 16,109 Deferred income taxes 15,166 21,588 Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of current portion 426,074 205,312 Deferred lease credits, net of current portion 40,866   44,341   Total liabilities 689,021   529,319     Commitments and contingencies Stockholders’ equity: Undesignated stock, 1,000,000 shares authorized, none issued — — Common stock, no par value. Authorized 44,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 15,491,688 and 17,462,465 shares, respectively 139,334 147,234 Retained earnings 106,135 374,683 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (3,808 ) (3,878 ) Total stockholders’ equity 241,661   518,039   Noncontrolling interests (434 ) (139 ) Total equity 241,227   517,900   Total liabilities and equity $ 930,248   1,047,219       BUFFALO WILD WINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Dollar amounts in thousands) (unaudited)     Six months ended June 25,     June 26, 2017 2016 Cash flows from operating activities: Net earnings including noncontrolling interests $ 30,036 56,223 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operations: Depreciation and amortization 76,980 75,502 Loss on asset disposals and impairment 4,356 3,096 Deferred lease credits 1,548 3,380 Deferred income taxes (6,489 ) 2,397 Stock-based compensation 4,021 2,108 Excess tax benefit from stock issuance — (35 ) Change in fair value of contingent consideration 359 (1,106 ) Gain on sale of investment in affiliate (5,692 ) — Loss on investments in affiliate 1,488 1,247 Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions: Accounts receivable (6,007 ) 802 Inventory 1,458 1,418 Prepaid expenses 1,573 567 Other assets (4,334 ) (2,462 ) Deferred revenue 5,227 118 Accounts payable (2,004 ) (3,520 ) Income taxes (3,465 ) 16,607 Accrued expenses (294 ) (6,943 ) Net cash provided by operating activities 98,761   149,399   Cash flows from investing activities: Acquisition of property and equipment (34,553 ) (70,630 ) Acquisition of businesses — (3,862 ) Proceeds from sale of investment in affiliate 8,126   —   Net cash used in investing activities (26,427 ) (74,492 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from revolving credit facility 330,000 286,873 Repayments of revolving credit facility (110,000 ) (263,343 ) Borrowings from (payments to) restricted funds (6,533 ) 12,288 Repurchases of common stock (312,249 ) (99,981 ) Other financing activities (1,715 ) (1,065 ) Issuance of common stock 2,570 1,960 Excess tax benefit from stock issuance — 35 Tax payments for restricted stock units (3,796 ) (9,172 ) Net cash used in financing activities (101,723 ) (72,405 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 64   (87 ) Net increase (decrease) in cash (29,325 ) 2,415 Cash at beginning of period 49,266   11,220   Cash at end of period $ 19,941   13,635       BUFFALO WILD WINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Supplemental Information   Restaurant Count  

Company-owned Restaurants (includes Buffalo Wild Wings, R Taco, and Buffalo Wild Wings-owned PizzaRev locations):

               

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

2017 634 635 2016 603 609 617 631 2015 501 517 573 596 2014 443 449 463 491 2013 397 407 415 434  

Franchised Restaurants (includes Buffalo Wild Wings and R Taco locations):

 

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

2017 616 624 2016 587 596 602 609 2015 593 593 569 579 2014 569 579 588 591 2013 514 525 534 559    

Restaurant Count Rollforward:

    Six Months Ended June 25, 2017     June 26, 2016 Corporate     Franchise     Total Corporate     Franchise     Total Buffalo Wild Wings Beginning of period 621 602 1,223 590 573 1,163 Opened 6 12 18 11 18 29 Acquired — — — 1 (1) — Closed/Relocated (1) (3) (4) (1) (1) (2) End of period 626 611 1,237 601 589 1,190 R Taco Beginning of period 8 7 15 4 6 10 Opened 1 6 7 2 1 3 Acquired — — — — — — Closed/Relocated — — — — — — End of period 9 13 22 6 7 13 PizzaRev Beginning of period 2 n/a 2 2 n/a 2 Opened — n/a — — n/a — Acquired — n/a — — n/a — Closed/Relocated (2) n/a (2) — n/a — End of period — n/a — 2 n/a 2 Consolidated             End of the period 635 624 1,259 609 596 1,205     BUFFALO WILD WINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Supplemental Information   Same-Store Sales at Buffalo Wild Wings in United States and Canada   Company-owned Restaurants:                    

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Year

2017 0.5 % (1.2 %) 2016 (1.7 %) (2.1 %) (1.8 %) (4.0 %) (2.4 %) 2015 7.0 % 4.2 % 3.9 % 1.9 % 4.2 % 2014 6.6 % 7.7 % 6.0 % 5.9 % 6.5 % 2013 1.4 % 3.8 % 4.8 % 5.2 % 3.9 %  

Franchised Restaurants:

 

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Year

2017 0.6 % (2.1 %) 2016 (2.4 %) (2.6 %) (1.6 %) (3.9 %) (2.7 %) 2015 6.0 % 2.5 % 1.2 % 0.1 % 2.5 % 2014 5.0 % 6.5 % 5.7 % 5.1 % 5.6 % 2013 2.2 % 4.1 % 3.9 % 3.1 % 3.3 %   Average Weekly Sales Volumes at Buffalo Wild Wings locations in United States and Canada   Company-owned Restaurants:  

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Year

2017 $ 62,970 58,912 2016 62,829 59,894 59,690 59,120 60,366 2015 64,851 61,960 61,831 61,971 62,529 2014 60,966 59,403 59,643 62,119 60,470 2013 56,953 54,759 55,592 58,204 56,392  

Franchised Restaurants:

 

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Year

2017 $ 65,713 61,217 2016 65,636 62,454 61,497 61,397 62,662 2015 67,075 63,904 62,819 64,032 64,474 2014 63,852 61,845 61,586 63,949 62,595 2013 60,050 58,186 58,926 61,167 59,594  

Restaurant-Level Profit and Restaurant-Level Margin

Restaurant-level profit and restaurant-level margin are neither required by, nor presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP and are non-GAAP financial measures. Restaurant-level profit is defined restaurant sales less restaurant operating costs (cost of sales, labor, operating, and occupancy expense). Restaurant-level margin is defined as restaurant-level profit as a percentage of restaurant sales. Restaurant-level profit and restaurant-level margin have limitations as analytical tools, and should not be evaluated in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of results as reported under U.S. GAAP. Management believes the restaurant-level profit and restaurant-level margin are important tools for investors because they are widely-used metrics within the restaurant industry to evaluate restaurant-level productivity, efficiency and performance. Management uses restaurant-level profit and restaurant-level margin as key performance indicators to evaluate the profitability of company-owned restaurants.

A reconciliation of restaurant sales to restaurant-level margin is provided below:

                Three months ended Six months ended June 25, 2017 June 26, 2016 June 25, 2017 June 26, 2016 Restaurant sales $ 475,665 466,583 984,870 950,494 Restaurant operating costs 409,792   383,240   836,830   772,595   Restaurant-level profit 65,873   83,343   148,040   177,899   Restaurant-level margin 13.8 % 17.9 % 15.0 % 18.7 %  

EBITDA

Earnings before interest, taxes, and depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) is not required by, nor presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP and is a non-GAAP financial measure. The Company defines EBITDA as net earnings including non-controlling interests plus interest expense, income tax expense, and depreciation and amortization. EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be evaluated in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of results as reported under U.S. GAAP. Management utilizes this metric as a basis for evaluating our ongoing operations, and believes investors' understanding of our performance is enhanced by including this non-GAAP financial measure as a reasonable basis for evaluating our ongoing results of operations, without the effects of interest, taxes, and depreciation and amortization.

A reconciliation of net earnings including noncontrolling interests to EBITDA is provided below:

                Three months ended Six months ended June 25, 2017 June 26, 2016 June 25, 2017 June 26, 2016 Net earnings including noncontrolling interests $ 8,649 23,545 30,036 56,223 Income tax expense 3,342 10,033 12,218 23,985 Interest expense 3,334 846 5,692 1,686 Depreciation and amortization 38,103   37,953   76,980   75,502 EBITDA $ 53,428   72,377   124,926   157,396  

Adjusted Net Earnings and Adjusted Earnings per Diluted Share

Adjusted net earnings and adjusted earnings per diluted share are not required by, nor presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP and are non-GAAP financial measures. The Company defines adjusted earnings diluted per share as adjusted net earnings attributable to Buffalo Wild Wings divided by our weighted diluted average shares outstanding. Adjusted net earnings attributable to Buffalo Wild Wings is calculated as earnings before income taxes plus loss on asset disposals and impairment (excluding store closing reserve costs), proxy costs for contested election, advisory and consulting fees, restructuring costs, acquisition costs, and divestiture costs less gain on sale of investment in affiliate. This amount is then adjusted for an estimated income tax expense and net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests. Adjusted net earnings and adjusted earnings per diluted share have limitations as analytical tools, and should not be evaluated in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of results as reported under U.S. GAAP. Management utilizes these metrics as a basis for evaluating our ongoing operations, and believes investors' understanding of our performance is enhanced by including these non-GAAP financial measures as a reasonable basis for evaluating our ongoing results of operations, without the effects of certain non-recurring or non-cash items.

                Three months ended Six months ended June 25, June 26, June 25, June 26, 2017 2016 2017   2016 Earnings before income taxes (a) $ 11,991 33,578 42,254 80,208 Loss on asset disposals and impairment (b) 2,566 1,858 4,261 3,063 Proxy costs for contested election (c) 3,991 — 5,901 — Advisory and consulting fees, and restructuring costs (d) 1,582 — 2,502 — Gain on sale of investment in affiliate (e) (5,692 ) — (5,692 ) — Acquisition costs (f) — — — 145 Divestiture costs (g) 80   —   80     —   Adjusted earnings before income taxes 14,518 35,436 49,306 83,416 Estimated income tax expense (h) 4,046   10,588   14,257     24,944   Adjusted earnings including noncontrolling interests 10,472 24,848 35,049 58,472 Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests (a) (133 ) (157 ) (295 )   (252 ) Adjusted net earnings attributable to Buffalo Wild Wings $ 10,605   25,005   35,344     58,724   Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted (a) 16,048 18,636 16,619 18,797 Adjusted earnings per diluted share $ 0.66 1.34 2.13 3.12       (a) Equals the amount shown on our Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

(b)

Consists of loss on asset disposals and impairments, excluding store closing reserve costs of $62 and $16, for the three-month periods ended June 25, 2017 and June 26, 2016, respectively. Consists of loss on asset disposals and impairments, excluding store closing reserve costs of $95 and $33, for the six-month periods ended June 25, 2017 and June 26, 2016, respectively.

(c)

Consists of costs related to the advisory fees and preparation of proxy materials in a contested election for the board of directors.

(d)

Consists of costs related to consulting services pertaining to the identification of best practices and improving efficiencies, and organizational restructuring costs.

(e)

Consists of the gain recorded from the sale of our investment in affiliate, Pie Squared Holdings.

(f)

Consists of costs associated with an acquisition of a franchise-owned store.

(g)

Consists of costs associated with the proposed divestiture of company-owned stores.

(h)

Our effective tax rates for the three-month periods ended June 25, 2017 and June 26, 2016 were 27.9% and 29.9%, respectively.

Our effective tax rates for the six-month periods ended June 25, 2017 and June 26, 2016 were 28.9% and 29.9%, respectively. The calculated estimated income tax expense is based on these rates.

 

Adjusted Earnings per Diluted Share Forecast

Adjusted earnings per diluted share is not required by, nor presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP and is a non-GAAP financial measure. The Company defines adjusted earnings per diluted share as diluted earnings per share on a U.S. GAAP basis, plus diluted earnings per share impacts of loss on tangible and intangible asset disposals and impairment, costs related to the advisory fees and preparation of proxy materials in a contested election for the board of directors, and costs related to consulting services pertaining to the identification of best practices and improving efficiencies. Adjusted earnings per diluted share has limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be evaluated in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of results as reported under U.S. GAAP. Management utilizes this metric to forecast and evaluate our ongoing operations, and believes investors' understanding of our performance is enhanced by including this non-GAAP financial measure as a reasonable basis for forecasting and evaluating our ongoing results of operations, without the effects of certain non-recurring or non-cash items.

    Twelve months ending December 31, 2017 Low Projection     High Projection Earnings per diluted share forecast (a) $ 4.00 4.50 Loss on asset disposals and impairment (b) 0.38 0.38 Proxy costs for contested election(c) 0.26 0.26 Advisory and consulting fees, and restructuring costs (d) 0.11 0.11 Gain on sale of investment in affiliate (e) (0.25 ) (0.25 ) Adjusted earnings per diluted share forecast (f) $ 4.50 5.00       (a) Equals the projected earnings per diluted share on a U.S. GAAP basis for fiscal year 2017.

(b)

Consists of the projected earnings per diluted share impact of our loss on tangible and intangible asset disposals and impairment for fiscal year 2017.

(c)

Consists of the projected earnings per diluted share impact of costs related to the advisory fees and preparation of proxy materials in a contested election for the board of directors.

(d)

Consists of the projected earnings per diluted share impact of costs related to consulting services pertaining to the identification of best practices and improving efficiencies, and organizational restructuring costs for fiscal year 2017.

(e)

Consists of the projected earnings per diluted share impact of the gain recorded from the sale of our investment in affiliate, Pie Squared Holdings.

(f)

This estimate assumes diluted weighted average shares outstanding of 16,070 for fiscal year 2017.

 

Free Cash Flow

Free cash flow is not required by, nor presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP and is a non-GAAP financial measure. The Company defines free cash flow as net cash provided operating activities minus acquisition of property and equipment. Free cash flow has limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be evaluated in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of results as reported under U.S. GAAP. Management utilizes this metric, and also believes investors' understanding of our performance is enhanced by including this non-GAAP financial measure, as a basis for evaluating our cash flow available after capital expenditures.

        Six months ended June 25, 2017 June 26, 2016 Net cash provided by operating activities $ 98,761 149,399 Acquisition of property and equipment (34,553 ) (70,630 ) Free cash flow $ 64,208   78,769    

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170726006208/en/

Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc.Heather Pribyl, 952-540-2095