Luby's Reports Fiscal Year 2017 and Fourth Quarter Results

HOUSTON, Nov. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Luby's, Inc. (NYSE: LUB) ("Luby's") today announced unaudited financial results for its fifty-two week fiscal year 2017 and its twelve-week fourth quarter fiscal 2017, which ended on August 30, 2017.  Comparisons in this press release for the fourth quarter fiscal 2017 are referred to as "fourth quarter." Comparisons to the fourth quarter fiscal 2016 are to the thirteen-week period that ended August 31, 2016. The company reports 16 weeks in its first fiscal quarter, and the remaining three quarters typically include 12 weeks. The fourth fiscal quarter will be 13 weeks in certain fiscal years to adjust for our standard 52-week, or 364-day, fiscal year compared to the 365-day calendar year. Fiscal 2016 was a year where the fourth quarter had 13 weeks, resulting in a 53-week fiscal year.  Comparability between quarters may be affected by varying lengths of the quarters, as well as the seasonality associated with the restaurant business.

Fiscal Year 2017 Summary Points:

• Total sales were $376.0 million, including $350.8 million in restaurant sales. On a comparable 52-week basis, total sales decreased approximately $19.5 million, including a $9.2 million reduction in sales due to closure of underperforming restaurants in fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016.
• Total same-store sales decreased 3.4%, including a 3.3% same-store sales decrease at the Luby's Cafeterias and a 1.8% same-store sales decrease at Fuddruckers. Hurricane Harvey reduced Luby's same-store sales by approximately 1.0% and reduced Fuddruckers same-store sales by approximately 0.6%.
• Culinary contract services revenue increased $1.2 million, or 7.5%, to $17.9 million compared to fiscal 2016. Culinary contract services operated at 25 locations at the end of fiscal 2017 compared to 24 locations at the end of fiscal 2016.
• Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $4.5 million, or 10.7%, to $37.9 million compared to fiscal 2016. This decrease included reductions in salaries, benefits, and other compensation expense, lower corporate travel expense, and reduced investment in marketing and advertising.
• Loss from continuing operations was $22.8 million, or $0.77 per diluted share, in fiscal 2017, compared to a loss of $10.3 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, in fiscal 2016. Loss from continuing operations included non-cash asset impairment charges of $10.6 million ($7.0 million after-tax) and $1.4 million ($1.0 million after-tax) in fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016, respectively. Loss from continuing operations also included non-cash charges for deferred tax asset valuation allowance increases of approximately $9.5 million and $6.9 million in fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016, respectively. Excluding special items, loss from continuing operations was $6.1 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, in fiscal 2017, compared to a loss of $1.6 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, in fiscal 2016.
• Adjusted EBITDA was $13.3 million in fiscal 2017 compared to $22.1 million in fiscal 2016. $6.0 million of the $8.8 million decline in Adjusted EBITDA occurred in the first two fiscal quarters of fiscal 2017.
• One company-owned Fuddruckers Restaurant and eight franchise-owned Fuddruckers Restaurants opened during fiscal 2017.
• Nine underperforming company-owned restaurants were closed in fiscal 2017 and five were closed in fiscal 2016. These restaurants accounted for $2.1 million in pre-tax loss, or $1.4 million in after-tax loss from continuing operations, in fiscal 2017 prior to their closure.
• Five owned property locations were sold generating $8.0 million in net cash proceeds; the proceeds were used to reduce our outstanding debt balance.

Chris Pappas, President and CEO, commented, "We ended the year with improved cost controls and reduced capital expenditures despite a challenging economic environment and unforeseen weather conditions during the quarter.  We are encouraged by the progress of operational and guest initiatives that were implemented during the year to help improve guest service, store level profit and EBITDA going forward.

"Hurricane Harvey and its after effects impacted the last week of the fiscal year.  While we lost almost 200 restaurant days due to closures, we were fortunate that approximately 60 restaurants in the path of the storm were mostly spared from severe physical damage.  No Luby's Cafeteria suffered major damage, and only two Fuddruckers restaurants in the Houston area had water damage and remain closed for restoration.  We have operated multiple restaurant brands throughout Texas, particularly near the Gulf Coast, for decades and I am continually impressed by the tremendous dedication of our team members during major weather events.  Our team members worked tirelessly to get all of our restaurants open and fully operational as quickly as possible to serve relief workers and guests — all with the goal of providing food service to assist our communities recover from the impact of the storm.  Luby's is proud to be Houston Strong!

"Our team continues to focus on enhancing guest experiences across all of our brands, including through technological advances to improve guests' interactions and speed of service. We now have three Fuddruckers locations with self-order kiosks and our iconic brands are now available for delivery through multiple trusted third party options.

"Our Culinary Contract Services segment revenue grew significantly in the fourth quarter and is on track to show meaningful growth in fiscal year 2018. In addition, sales of Luby's famous Mac & Cheese and Fried Fish from our partnership with H-E-B grocery stores in the state of Texas remain promising and continue to provide additional product branding opportunities for our Company. We remain optimistic in our ability to overcome industry challenges and strengthen our iconic brands that guests have loved and trusted for decades."

Same-Store Sales Year-Over-Year Comparison

Fourth Quarter Same-Store Sales:

• Luby's Cafeterias same-store sales decreased 4.5% in the fourth quarter. An 8.6% decrease in guest traffic was offset by a 4.1% increase in average spend per guest. Hurricane Harvey reduced Luby's same-store sales by approximately 3.9%.
• Fuddruckers Restaurants same-store sales decreased 3.6% in the fourth quarter. The 3.6% decrease was the result of a 7.6% decrease in guest traffic offset by a 4.0% increase in average spend per guest. Hurricane Harvey reduced Fuddruckers restaurant same-store sales by approximately 2.3%.
• Cheeseburger in Paradise same-store sales (representing eight Cheeseburger in Paradise locations) decreased 15.4% in the fourth quarter.
• Combo location same-store sales (representing all six Combo locations) declined 7.2% in the fourth quarter.

Fourth Quarter Total Restaurant Sales:
($ thousands)

• Restaurant sales in the fourth quarter decreased to $79.1 million versus $91.8 million in the fourth quarter fiscal 2016. The decrease was due to one less operating week in the fourth quarter fiscal 2017 compared to the fourth quarter fiscal 2016, the impact of closed restaurants, and a 5.1% decline in same-store sales, partially attributable to the impact of Hurricane Harvey. Four Luby's Cafeterias and five company-owned Fuddruckers Restaurants closed in fiscal 2017.
• Store level profit, defined as restaurant sales plus vending revenue less cost of food, payroll and related costs, other operating expenses, and occupancy costs, was $8.6 million, or 10.8% of restaurant sales, in the fourth quarter compared to $12.9 million, or 14.0% of restaurant sales, during the fourth quarter fiscal 2016. Hurricane Harvey reduced store level profit by approximately $1.5 million in the fourth quarter. The impact of the hurricane as well as lower underlying same-store sales, coupled with higher restaurant labor cost, higher restaurant services costs, and higher repairs and maintenance costs led to this decrease in profitability. Payroll and related costs were impacted by changes in workers' compensation liability estimates in both fourth quarter fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016; these changes in estimates amounted to an approximate decrease of 0.8% of restaurant sales. Store level profit is a non-GAAP measure, and reconciliation to loss from continuing operations is presented after the financial statements.
• Culinary Contract Services revenues increased to $5.8 million with 25 operating locations at the end of the fourth quarter compared to $4.0 million with 24 operating locations at the end of fourth quarter fiscal 2016; the increase in sales was due to a change in the mix of locations whereby new higher sales volume locations replaced lower sales volume locations that ceased operations. Culinary profit was 17.5% of Culinary Contract Services sales in the fourth quarter and 12.3% in the fourth quarter fiscal 2016.
• Franchise revenue decreased to $1.6 million during the fourth quarter compared to $1.8 million during the fourth quarter fiscal 2016; the decrease was due in part to one less operating week and decreases in sales volumes at franchise locations. In the fourth quarter, a franchisee opened one location in Delaware that we previously operated as a company-owned location. We ended fiscal 2017 with a franchise network of 113 domestic and international locations; during fiscal 2017 eight franchise locations opened and a separate eight franchise locations ceased operations.
• Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $1.8 million, or 17.4%, to $8.3 million compared to fiscal 2016. This decrease included reductions in salaries, benefits, and other compensation expense, lower outside professional service fees, lower corporate travel expense, and reduced investment in marketing and advertising.
• Loss from continuing operations was $4.1 million, or a loss of $0.14 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter compared to a loss of $7.8 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter fiscal 2016. Excluding special items, loss from continuing operations in the fourth quarter was $1.7 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, compared to income of $0.3 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter fiscal 2016.

Balance Sheet and Capital Expenditures

We ended the fourth quarter with a debt balance outstanding of $31.0 million, down from $37.0 million at the end  of fiscal 2016, a reduction of 16.3%.  During the fourth quarter, our capital expenditures were $2.4 million, compared to $3.9 million in the fourth quarter fiscal 2016.  For the full year, capital expenditures were $12.5 million for fiscal 2017, compared to $18.3 million for fiscal 2016.  At the end of the fourth quarter, we had $1.1 million in cash and $144.1 million in total shareholders' equity.

Restaurant Counts:

Conference Call

Luby's will host a conference call on November 9, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. Central Time to discuss further its fourth quarter fiscal 2017 results. To access the call live, dial (412) 902-0030 and use the access code 13671860# at least 10 minutes prior to the start time, or listen live over the Internet by visiting the events page in the investor relations section of www.lubysinc.com.  For those who cannot listen to the live call, a telephonic replay will be available through November 16, 2017 and may be accessed by calling (201) 612-7415 and using the access code 13671860#.  Also, an archive of the webcast will be available after the call for a period of 90 days on the "Investors" section of the Company's website.

About Luby's

Luby's, Inc. (NYSE: LUB) operates 163 restaurants nationally as of November 8, 2017: 88 Luby's Cafeterias, 68 Fuddruckers, and 7 Cheeseburger in Paradise. The Company is also the franchisor for 110 Fuddruckers franchise locations across the United States (including Puerto Rico), Canada, Mexico, Italy, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Chile, and Colombia. Additionally, a licensee operates 34 restaurants with the exclusive right to use the Fuddruckers proprietary marks, trade dress, and system in certain countries in the Middle East.  The Company does not receive revenue or royalties from these Middle East restaurants.  Luby's Culinary Contract Services provides food service management to 23 sites consisting of healthcare, higher education, sport stadiums, and corporate dining locations as of November 8, 2017.

This press release contains statements that are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  All statements contained in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking statements" for purposes of these provisions, including the statements under the caption "Outlook" and any other statements regarding scheduled openings of units, scheduled closures of units, sales of assets, expected proceeds from the sale of assets, expected levels of capital expenditures, effects of food commodity costs, anticipated financial results in future periods and expectations of industry conditions.

Luby's cautions readers that various factors could cause its actual financial and operational results to differ materially from those indicated by forward-looking statements made from time-to-time in news releases, reports, proxy statements, registration statements, and other written communications, as well as oral statements made from time to time by representatives of Luby's.  The following factors, as well as any other cautionary language included in this press release, provide examples of risks, uncertainties and events that may cause Luby's actual results to differ materially from the expectations Luby's describes in such forward-looking statements: general business and economic conditions; the impact of competition; our operating initiatives; fluctuations in the costs of commodities, including beef, poultry, seafood, dairy, cheese and produce; increases in utility costs, including the costs of natural gas and other energy supplies; changes in the availability and cost of labor; the seasonality of Luby's business; changes in governmental regulations, including changes in minimum wages; the effects of inflation; the availability of credit; unfavorable publicity relating to operations, including publicity concerning food quality, illness or other health concerns or labor relations; the continued service of key management personnel; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in Luby's annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.

The following table contains information derived from the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations expressed as a percentage of sales.  Percentages may not total due to rounding.

Although store level profit, defined as restaurant sales plus vending revenue, less cost of food, payroll and related costs, other operating expenses, and occupancy costs is a non-GAAP measure, we believe its presentation is useful because it explicitly shows the results of our most significant reportable segment.   The following table reconciles between store level profit, a non-GAAP measure to loss from continuing operations, a GAAP measure:

The Company has also provided a non-GAAP measurement which presents income (loss) from continuing operations, before special items.  The non-GAAP measurement is not intended to replace the presentation of our financial results in accordance with GAAP.  Rather, the Company believes that the presentation of income (loss) from continuing operations, before special items, provides additional information to investors to facilitate the comparison of past and present operations, excluding items that the Company does not believe are indicative of our ongoing operations due to their size and/or nature.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as income (loss) from continuing operations before interest, provision (benefit) for income taxes, and depreciation and amortization and excluding net gain (loss) on disposing of property and equipment, provision for asset impairments and restaurant closings, non-cash compensation expense, and other income (expense).

Adjusted EBITDA is intended as a supplemental measure of our performance that is not required by, or presented in accordance with GAAP.  We believe Adjusted EBITDA  provides useful information to management and investors in valuing the Company and evaluating ongoing operating results and trends and in comparing our results to other competitors. Our management uses Adjusted EBITDA in evaluating management's performance when determining incentive compensation.

Adjusted EBITDA, as defined, may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures as computed by other companies. These measures should be considered supplemental and not a substitute or superior to other GAAP performance measures.

For additional information contact:

Dennard-Lascar Associates
Rick Black / Ken Dennard
Investor Relations
713-529-6600

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SOURCE Luby's, Inc.