Toronto Stock Exchange: BPF.UN

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Franchise Sales1 of $229.8 million for the Period and $627.8 million YTD, representing an increase of 7.9% and 31.7%, respectively, versus the same periods one year ago.
  • Same Restaurant Sales2 of 8.4% for the Period and 32.6% YTD. As COVID-19 began to adversely affect sales in Boston Pizza restaurants in March of 2020, the Fund believes that it is also useful to calculate and report SRS comparing 2022 Franchise Sales to 2019 Franchise Sales. If SRS were calculated comparing Franchise Sales in the Period and YTD to Franchise Sales in the same periods in 2019, SRS would be 7.4% and 0.7%, respectively.
  • Cash flows generated from operating activities of $9.7 million for the Period and $25.4 million YTD, representing an increase of 0.8% and 15.9%, respectively, versus the same periods one year ago.
  • Distributable Cash3 increased 12.0% for the Period and 27.7% YTD, and Distributable Cash per Unit4 increased 11.9% for the Period and 27.7% YTD.
  • Payout Ratio5 of 82.0% for the Period, 93.2% YTD and 92.5% on a trailing 12-month basis. Cash balance at the end of the Period was $6.7 million.
  • On November 9, 2022, the trustees of the Fund declared a distribution for the period of October 1, 2022 to October 31, 2022 of $0.100 per unit of the Fund ("Unit"), which will be payable on November 30, 2022 to unitholders of the Fund ("Unitholders") of record on November 21, 2022.

VANCOUVER, BC, Nov. 10, 2022 /CNW/ - Boston Pizza Royalties Income Fund (the "Fund") and Boston Pizza International Inc. ("BPI") reported financial results today for the third quarter period from July 1, 2022 to September 30, 2022 (the "Period") and January 1, 2022 to September 30, 2022 ("YTD").  A copy of this press release, the condensed consolidated interim financial statements and related management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") of the Fund and BPI are available at www.sedar.com and www.bpincomefund.com.  The Fund will host a conference call to discuss the results on November 10, 2022 at 8:30 am Pacific Time (11:30 am Eastern Time).  The call can be accessed by dialling 1-800-319-4610 or 604-638-5340.  A replay will be available until December 10, 2022 by dialling 1-800-319-6413 or 604-638-9010 and entering the access code: 9355 followed by the # sign.  The replay will also be available at www.bpincomefund.com.  Capitalized terms used in this press release that are not otherwise defined have the meanings ascribed to them in the Fund's MD&A for the Period and YTD.

"The third quarter of 2022 was the second consecutive quarter that Boston Pizza exceeded pre-pandemic sales levels, so we continue to be pleased with how our sales are trending in this post-pandemic recovery period.  The elimination of government-imposed restrictions related to COVID-19 was a key factor contributing to our improved performance." said Jordan Holm, President of BPI.  "As we close out 2022, we have several initiatives designed to continue our positive momentum, while remaining cautious as we help our franchisees navigate the current macroeconomic conditions and other challenges facing the restaurant industry."

COVID-19 continues to impact the business of the Fund, BPI and Boston Pizza Canada Limited Partnership ("BP Canada LP"), and the operation of Boston Pizza restaurants.  Despite the impact of COVID-19, Franchise Sales of Boston Pizza restaurants in the Royalty Pool, and the resulting Royalty and Distribution Income, for October 2022 increased by approximately 23% compared to October 2021 and approximately 9% compared to October 2019.  SRS for October 2022 was approximately 24% when compared to the same period in 2021 and approximately 12% when compared to the same period in 2019.

PERIOD AND YTD RESULTS

SRS, a key driver of distribution growth for Unitholders, was 8.4% for the Period compared to 15.1% reported in the third quarter of 2021.  If SRS were calculated comparing Franchise Sales in the Period to Franchise Sales for the same period in 2019, SRS would be 7.4%.  SRS was 32.6% YTD compared to 3.1% reported year-to-date in 2021.  If SRS were calculated comparing Franchise Sales YTD to Franchise Sales year-to-date in 2019, SRS would be 0.7%.  The increase in SRS for the Period and YTD was due to increases in restaurant guest traffic mainly due to the easing and elimination of dining restrictions, and increased average guest cheque. 

Franchise Sales of Boston Pizza restaurants in the Royalty Pool were $229.8 million for the Period and $627.8 million YTD compared to $213.0 million and $476.9 million, respectively, for the same periods one year ago.  The $16.8 million increase in Franchise Sales for the Period and $150.9 million increase in Franchise Sales YTD were primarily due to positive SRS.

The Fund's net and comprehensive income was $9.5 million for the Period compared to $5.4 million for the third quarter of 2021.  The $4.1 million increase in the Fund's net and comprehensive income for the Period compared to the third quarter of 2021 was primarily due to an increase in fair value gain of $3.7 million and an increase in Royalty and Distribution Income of $0.9 million, partially offset by an increase in interest and financing expenses of $0.2 million and an increase in income tax expense of $0.2 million.

The Fund's net and comprehensive income was $24.2 million YTD compared to $24.8 million year-to-date in 2021.  The $0.6 million decrease in the Fund's net and comprehensive income YTD compared to the same period in 2021 was due to a decrease in fair value gain of $6.0 million, an increase in income tax expense of $2.0 million and an increase in interest and financing expense of $0.5 million, partially offset by an increase in Royalty and Distribution Income of $8.0 million.

The Fund's cash flows generated from operating activities was $9.7 million compared to $9.6 million in the third quarter of 2021. The increase of $0.1 million was due to an increase of Royalty and Distribution Income of $0.9 million, partially offset by a decrease in changes in working capital of $0.8 million.  The Fund's cash flows generated from operating activities YTD was $25.4 million compared to $22.0 million for the same period one year ago.  The increase of $3.4 million was due to an increase of Royalty and Distribution Income of $8.0 million, partially offset by a decrease in changes in working capital of $2.8 million and an increase in income taxes paid of $1.6 million.

The Fund generated Distributable Cash of $7.5 million for the Period compared to $6.7 million for the third quarter of 2021.  The increase in Distributable Cash of $0.8 million or 12.0% was primarily due to a decrease of repayments of long-term debt of $1.0 million and an increase of cash flows generated from operating activities of $0.1 million, partially offset by increased BPI Class B Unit entitlement of $0.2 million and increased SIFT Tax on Units of $0.2 million.  The Fund generated Distributable Cash of $18.4 million YTD compared to $14.4 million year-to-date in 2021.  The increase in Distributable Cash of $4.0 million or 27.7% was primarily due to an increase in cash flow generated from operating activities of $3.4 million and a decrease in repayments of long-term debt of $1.6 million, partially offset by increased BPI Class B Unit entitlement of $0.7 million and increased SIFT Tax on Units of $0.4 million.

The Fund generated Distributable Cash per Unit of $0.347 for the Period compared to $0.310 per Unit for the third quarter of 2021.  The Fund generated Distributable Cash per Unit of $0.853 YTD compared to $0.668 per Unit
year-to-date in 2021.  The increase in Distributable Cash per Unit of $0.037 or 11.9% for the Period and $0.185 or 27.7% YTD was primarily attributable to the increase in Distributable Cash outlined above.

The Fund's Payout Ratio for the Period was 82.0% compared to 62.9% in the third quarter of 2021.  The increase in the Fund's Payout Ratio for the Period was due to distributions paid increasing by $1.9 million or 46.2%, partially offset by Distributable Cash increasing by $0.8 million or 12.0%.  The Fund's Payout Ratio YTD was 93.2% compared to 117.6% year-to-date in 2021.  The decrease in the Fund's Payout Ratio YTD was due to Distributable Cash increasing by $4.0 million or 27.7%, partially offset by distributions paid increasing by $0.2 million or 1.3%.  Payout Ratio is calculated by dividing the amount of distributions paid during the applicable period by the Distributable Cash for that period.  Accordingly, the Payout Ratio for year-to-date in 2021 factors in the Special Distribution that was paid on January 29, 2021 even though the cash generated to fund the Special Distribution was generated during 2020.  If the Special Distribution was excluded in the calculation of Payout Ratio for year-to-date 2021, the Payout Ratio would be 87.6%.  The Fund's Payout Ratio is typically higher in the first and fourth quarters compared to the second and third quarters since Boston Pizza restaurants generally experience higher Franchise Sales levels during the summer months when restaurants open their patios and benefit from increased tourist traffic.  On a trailing 12-month basis, the Fund's Payout Ratio was 92.5% as at September 30, 2022.

DISTRIBUTIONS

During the Period, the Fund declared and paid distributions on the Units in the aggregate amount of $6.1 million or $0.285 per Unit.  During the third quarter of 2021, the Fund declared and paid distributions on the Units in the aggregate amount of $4.2 million or $0.195 per Unit.  The amount of distributions declared and paid during the Period increased by $1.9 million or $0.090 per Unit due to the monthly distribution rate increasing from $0.065 per Unit to $0.085 per Unit commencing with the September 2021 distribution and increasing again from $0.085 per Unit to $0.100 per Unit commencing with the July 2022 distribution (collectively, the "Distribution Increases").  YTD, the Fund declared distributions on the Units in the aggregate amount of $15.3 million or $0.710 per Unit.  During the same period in 2021, the Fund declared distributions on the Units in the aggregate amount of $11.2 million or $0.520 per Unit.  YTD, the Fund paid distributions on the Units in the aggregate amount of $17.1 million or $0.795 per Unit.  During the same period in 2021, the Fund paid distributions on the Units in the aggregate amount of $16.9 million or $0.785 per Unit.  The amount of distributions declared YTD increased by $4.1 million or $0.190 per Unit due to due to the Distribution Increases. The amount of distributions paid YTD increased by $0.2 million or $0.010 per Unit due to the Distribution Increases, which was partially offset by a combination of the special distribution of $0.200 per Unit, that was declared on December 16, 2020 and paid on January 29, 2021 to Unitholders of record at the close of business on December 31, 2020 (the "Special Distribution") without any special distribution being paid YTD.

On November 9, 2022, the trustees of the Fund declared a distribution for the period of October 1, 2022 to October 31, 2022 of $0.100 per Unit, which will be payable on November 30, 2022 to Unitholders of record on November 21, 2022.  Including the October 2022 distribution, which will be paid on November 30, 2022, the Fund will have paid out total distributions of $389.3 million or $24.46 per Unit which includes 238 monthly distributions and the Special Distribution.

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

The tables below set out selected information from the Fund's condensed consolidated interim financial statements together with other data and should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated interim financial statements and MD&A of the Fund for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021.

For the periods ended September 30

Q3 2022

Q3 2021

YTD 2022

YTD 2021

(in thousands of dollars – except restaurants, SRS, Payout Ratio and per Unit items)





Number of restaurants in Royalty Pool

383

387

383

387

Franchise Sales reported by restaurants in the Royalty Pool

229,848

213,038

627,834

476,874






Royalty6 income

9,194

8,522

25,113

19,075

Distribution Income7

3,027

2,815

8,285

6,329

Total revenue

12,221

11,337

33,398

25,404

Administrative expenses

(334)

(317)

(1,021)

(972)

Interest expense on debt and financing fees

(886)

(1,000)

(2,802)

(2,940)

Interest expense on Class B Unit liability

(835)

(450)

(2,133)

(1,469)

Interest income

31

18

46

87

Profit before fair value gain (loss) and income taxes

10,197

9,588

27,488

20,110

Fair value gain (loss) on investment in BP Canada LP

2,183

(3,928)

(873)

13,912

Fair value (loss) gain on Class B Unit liability

(972)

1,751

389

(6,197)

Fair value gain on Swaps

572

262

3,785

1,573

Current and deferred income tax expense

(2,478)

(2,230)

(6,612)

(4,633)

Net and comprehensive income

9,502

5,443

24,177

24,765






Basic earnings per Unit

0.44

0.25

1.12

1.15

Diluted earnings per Unit

0.41

0.13

1.00

1.15






Distributable Cash3 / Distributions / Payout Ratio5





Cash flows generated from operating activities

9,667

9,586

25,436

21,951

BPI Class B Unit entitlement[8]

(1,083)

(923)

(2,635)

(1,912)

Interest paid on long-term debt

(939)

(991)

(2,777)

(2,800)

Principal repayments on long-term debt

-

(1,036)

(1,500)

(3,108)

Current income tax expense

(2,438)

(2,190)

(6,492)

(4,493)

Current income tax paid

2,270

2,230

6,319

4,730

Distributable Cash3

7,477

6,676

18,351

14,368

Distributions paid

6,133

4,196

17,109

16,894

Payout Ratio5

82.0 %

62.9 %

93.2 %

117.6 %

Distributable Cash per Unit4

0.347

0.310

0.853

0.668

Distributions paid per Unit

0.285

0.195

0.795

0.785






Other





Same Restaurant Sales2

8.4 %

15.1 %

32.6 %

3.1 %

Number of restaurants opened

0

0

0

0

Number of restaurants closed

1

0

3

2






Sep 30, 2022

Dec 31, 2021

Total assets



415,906

411,313

Total liabilities



131,210

135,514







 

SHORT-TERM OUTLOOK

The two principal factors that affect SRS are changes in guest traffic and changes in average guest cheque.  BPI's and BP Canada LP's strategies to drive higher guest traffic include attracting a wide variety of guests into the restaurant, sports bar and take-out and delivery parts of each location, offering a compelling value proposition to guests and leveraging a larger marketing budget versus the previous year along with a revised calendar of national and local store promotions.  Increased average cheque levels are expected to be achieved through a combination of culinary innovation and annual menu re-pricing. 

The actions taken by BPI and BP Canada LP to strengthen its business during COVID-19 have allowed BPI and BP Canada LP to be in a good position to address any on-going COVID-19 related challenges or other future challenges in the restaurant industry.  The easing and elimination of government-imposed restrictions in Canada related to COVID-19 has enabled Boston Pizza to continue to drive improved performance and guest traffic.  However, with supply chain challenges, rising interest rates, increasing input costs and labour shortages impacting most of the restaurant industry, BPI's management remains cautious.  The focus of BPI's management is to adapt the business to mitigate these challenges and capitalize on the recent sales momentum resulting from the elimination of COVID restrictions in the restaurant industry.

The trustees of the Fund will continue to closely monitor the Fund's available cash balances given the volatile economic outlook.

Forward Looking Information

Certain information in this press release constitutes "forward-looking information" that involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties, future expectations and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Fund, Boston Pizza Holdings Trust, Boston Pizza Royalties Limited Partnership, Boston Pizza Holdings Limited Partnership, Boston Pizza Holdings GP Inc., Boston Pizza GP Inc., BPI, BP Canada LP, Boston Pizza Canada Holdings Inc., Boston Pizza Canada Holdings Partnership, Boston Pizza restaurants, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information.  All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that the Fund or its trustees expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future, including such things as, the continued impact of COVID-19 on the business of the Fund, BPI and BP Canada LP and the operation of Boston Pizza restaurants, Boston Pizza restaurants generally experiencing higher Franchise Sales levels during the summer months when restaurants open their patios and benefit from increased tourist traffic, BPI and BP Canada LP's ability to implement strategies driving higher guest traffic and increased average cheque levels, continued improved performance and guest traffic due to the easing and elimination of government-imposed COVID-19 restrictions in the Canadian restaurant industry, the focus of BPI's management to adapt the business to mitigate challenges related to supply chain, rising interest rates, increasing input costs and labour shortages, the trustees of the Fund continuing to closely monitor the Fund's available cash balances given the volatile economic outlook, and other such matters are forward-looking information.  When used in this press release, forward-looking information may include words such as "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "expect", "believe", "plan", "should", "continue" and other similar terminology.  The material factors and assumptions used to develop the forward-looking information contained in this press release include the following: the Fund maintaining the same distribution policy, expectations related to future general economic conditions, expectations that the Fund's Payout Ratio is typically higher in the first and fourth quarter; Boston Pizza restaurants maintaining operational excellence, the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to negatively impact the restaurant industry, Franchise Sales, SRS and Distributable Cash; and that COVID-19 and its negative impacts will eventually dissipate. Risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievement expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained herein, relate to (among others): competition, demographic trends, consumer preferences and discretionary spending patterns, business and economic conditions, legislation and regulation, reliance on operating revenues, accounting policies and practices, the results of operations and financial condition of BPI, BP Canada LP and the Fund, pandemics and national health crises, in particular COVID-19, as well as those factors discussed under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in the most recent Annual Information Form of the Fund. This information reflects current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speaks only as of the date of this press release.  Except as required by law, neither the Fund nor BPI assumes any obligation to update previously disclosed forward-looking information.  For a complete list of the risks associated with forward-looking information and the Fund's business, please refer to the "Risks and Uncertainties" and "Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information" sections included in the most recent Annual Information Form of the Fund available at www.sedar.com and www.bpincomefund.com.

The trustees of the Fund have approved the contents of this news release.

® Boston Pizza Royalties Limited Partnership. All Boston Pizza registered Canadian trademarks and unregistered Canadian trademarks containing the words "Boston", "BP", and/or "Pizza" are trademarks owned by the Boston Pizza Royalties Limited Partnership and licensed by the Boston Pizza Royalties Limited Partnership to Boston Pizza International Inc.

© Boston Pizza International Inc. 2022.

___________

Notes – Non-GAAP, Specified Financial Measures and Other Information



1

"Franchise Sales" is the basis upon which Royalty and Distribution Income are payable, and means the gross revenue: (i) of the corporate Boston Pizza restaurants in Canada owned by BPI that are in the Royalty Pool; and (ii) reported to BP Canada LP by franchised Boston Pizza restaurants in Canada that are in the Royalty Pool, without audit or other form of independent assurance, and in the case of both (i) and (ii), after deducting revenue from the sale of liquor, beer, wine and revenue from BP Canada LP approved national promotions and discounts and excluding applicable sales and similar taxes. Nevertheless, BP Canada LP periodically conducts audits of the Franchise Sales reported to it by its franchisees, and the Franchise Sales reported herein include results from sales audits of earlier periods. Franchise Sales is reported on a quarterly basis in the Fund's financial statements, however, the financial statements do not report it on a monthly basis.  Therefore, when disclosed on a monthly basis herein, this is a supplementary financial measure under National Instrument 52-112 Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Disclosure ("NI 52‑112").  The Fund believes that Franchise Sales for this month provides useful information to investors regarding recent performance of Boston Pizza.



2

"Same Restaurant Sales" or "SRS" is a supplementary financial measure under NI 52-112 and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers.  Prior to the fourth quarter of 2021, the Fund defined SRS as the change in gross revenues of Boston Pizza restaurants in the Royalty Pool as compared to the gross revenues for the same period in the previous year (where restaurants were open for a minimum of 24 months).  Commencing with the fourth quarter of 2021, the Fund defines SRS as the change in Franchise Sales of Boston Pizza restaurants in the Royalty Pool as compared to the Franchise Sales for the same period in the previous year (where restaurants were open for a minimum of 24 months).  The Fund believes that the current method of calculating SRS provides Unitholders more meaningful information regarding the performance of Boston Pizza restaurants since Royalty and Distribution Income are payable to the Fund by BPI and BP Canada LP on Franchise Sales and not gross revenues of Boston Pizza restaurants.  All historical SRS figures contained in this press release have been restated to conform to the current method of calculating SRS.



3

"Distributable Cash" is a non-GAAP financial measure under NI 52-112.  Distributable Cash is not a standardized financial measure under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other issuers.  The Fund defines Distributable Cash to be, in respect of any particular period, the Fund's cash flows generated from operating activities for that period (being the most comparable financial measure in the Fund's primary financial statements) minus (a) BPI's entitlement in respect of its Class B Units in respect of the period (see note 8 below), minus (b) interest paid on long-term debt during the period, minus (c) principal repayments on long-term debt that are contractually required to be made during the period, minus (d) the current income tax expense in respect of the period, plus (e) current income tax paid during the period (the sum of (d) and (e) being "SIFT Tax on Units").  Management believes that Distributable Cash provides investors with useful information about the amount of cash the Fund has generated and has available for distribution on the Units in respect of any period.  The tables in the "Financial Highlights" section of this press release provide a reconciliation from this non-GAAP financial measure to cash flows generated from operating activities, which is the most directly comparable IFRS measure.  Current income tax expense in respect of any period is prepared using reasonable and supportable assumptions (including that the base rate of SIFT Tax will not increase throughout the calendar year and that certain expenses of the Fund will continue to be deductible for income tax purposes), all of which reflect the Fund's planned courses of action given management's judgment about the most probable set of economic conditions.  There is a risk that the federal government of Canada could increase the base rate of SIFT Tax or that applicable taxation authorities could assess the Fund on the basis that certain expenses of the Fund are not deductible.  Investors are cautioned that if either of these possibilities occurs, then the actual results for this component of Distributable Cash may vary, perhaps materially, from the amounts used in the reconciliation.



4

"Distributable Cash per Unit" is a non-GAAP ratio under NI 52-112.  Distributable Cash per Unit is not a standardized financial measure under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other issuers.  The Fund defines Distributable Cash per Unit for any period as the Distributable Cash generated in that period divided by the weighted average number of Units outstanding during that period.  Management believes that Distributable Cash per Unit provides investors with useful information regarding the amount of cash per Unit that the Fund has generated and has available for distribution in respect of any period.



5

"Payout Ratio" is a non-GAAP ratio under NI 52-112.  Payout Ratio is not a standardized financial measure under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other issuers.  The Fund defines Payout Ratio for any period as the aggregate distributions paid by the Fund during that period divided by the Distributable Cash generated in that period.  Management believes that Payout Ratio provides investors with useful information regarding the extent to which the Fund distributes cash generated on Units.



6

Boston Pizza Royalties Limited Partnership ("Royalties LP") licenses BPI the right to use various Boston Pizza trademarks in return for BPI paying Boston Pizza Royalties Limited Partnership a royalty equal to 4% of Franchise Sales of Boston Pizza restaurants (the "Royalty") in the Fund's royalty pool (the "Royalty Pool").



7

"Distribution Income" is income received indirectly by the Fund on Class 1 LP Units and Class 2 LP Units of BP Canada LP.  See the "Overview – Purpose of the Fund / Sources of Revenue" section of the Fund's MD&A for the Period for more details.



8

"BPI Class B Unit entitlement" is a supplementary financial measure under NI 52-112 and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers.  The BPI Class B Unit entitlement is the interest expense on Class B Units in respect of a period plus management's estimate of how much cash BPI would be entitled to receive pursuant to the limited partnership agreement governing Royalties LP (a copy of which is available on www.sedar.com) on its Class B Units if Royalties LP fully distributed any residual cash generated in respect of that period after the Fund pays interest on long-term debt, principal repayments on long-term debt and SIFT Tax on Units in respect of that period.  Management believes that the BPI Class B Unit entitlement is an important component in calculating Distributable Cash since it represents the amount of residual cash generated that BPI would be entitled to receive and therefore would not be available for distribution to Unitholders.  Management prepares such estimate using reasonable and supportable assumptions that reflect the Fund's planned courses of action given management's judgment about the most probable set of economic conditions.

 

SOURCE Boston Pizza Royalties Income Fund

Copyright 2022 Canada NewsWire

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