Luby's Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2018 Results

HOUSTON, April 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Luby's, Inc. (NYSE: LUB) ("Luby's") today announced unaudited financial results for its twelve-week second quarter fiscal 2018, which ended on March 14, 2018. Comparisons in this earnings release for the second quarter fiscal 2018 are referred to as "second quarter."

Second Quarter Key Metrics
(comparisons to second quarter fiscal 2017)

• Total sales were $82.2 million, a decrease of 4.8%
• Same-store sales decreased 3.7%
• Culinary Contract Services sales increased $3.0 million; Opened three new locations in the second quarter
• Loss from continuing operations of $11.1 million in the second quarter compared to loss from continuing operations of $12.8 million in the second quarter fiscal 2017
• Adjusted EBITDA decreased $5.3 million (see non-GAAP reconciliation below)
• Re-opened one company-owned Fuddruckers location that was restored after Hurricane Harvey and one new Fuddruckers franchise location opened (in Florida) in the second quarter

Chris Pappas, President and CEO, commented, "In Culinary Contract Services we opened three new locations and sales increased $3.0 million compared to the second quarter last year. At our restaurant brands, we experienced a transitional quarter compared to the year ago quarter as we reduced the level of discounting and promotional activity while focusing on product quality and service. The change in the level of discounting led to a higher average price per guest, but a decrease in guest traffic in the quarter. We have since renewed our marketing and promotion plans to encourage guest frequency by delivering compelling value offerings, balanced with a pricing and discounting level that we expect will result in improved profit margins.

"We also made additional investments in our team members and in research and development during the quarter and our entire team across all of our business segments remains focused on enhancing our guests' experiences through superior service, excellent product quality and variety, and speed of service. In a very competitive restaurant market, we closely evaluate all of our restaurants to enhance performance and to identify underperforming locations. We continue to believe that our iconic restaurant brands remain well positioned for the long-term to enhance our financial performance."

The Company has entered into an amended credit facility which permits higher financial leverage in the short term, but shortens the loan maturity to May 1, 2019. We have identified approximately 9 owned properties, in addition to other properties previously identified as property held for sale or part of discontinued operations, that we plan to sell as part of a limited asset sales plan.  These properties (totaling approximately 14 locations) are expected to be sold over the next 18 months and estimated proceeds of approximately $25 million will be used to accelerate repayment of the outstanding term loans totaling $25.2 million, as of April 23, 2018.

This limited asset sales plan, in conjunction with other operational changes, is designed to lower the outstanding debt and improve our financial condition as we pursue a new credit facility.

Same-Store Sales Year-Over-Year Comparison

Second Quarter Restaurant Sales:
($ thousands)

• Luby's Cafeterias sales decreased $2.7 million versus the second quarter fiscal 2017, due to the closure of six locations over the prior year and a 1.8% decrease in Luby's same-store sales. The 1.8% decrease in same-store sales was the result of a 8.6% decrease in guest traffic, partially offset by a 7.5% increase in average spend per guest.
• Fuddruckers sales at company-owned restaurants decreased $2.9 million versus the second quarter fiscal 2017, due to eight restaurant closings (seven permanent closings and one temporary closing which we re-opened during the second quarter) and a 6.4% decrease in same-store sales. The 6.4% decrease in same-store sales was the result of a 11.8% decrease in guest traffic, partially offset by a 6.0% increase in average spend per guest.
• Combo location sales decreased $0.3 million, or 5.4%, versus second quarter fiscal 2017.
• Cheeseburger in Paradise sales decreased $0.8 million. The closure of one location in the first quarter fiscal 2018 reduced sales by $0.4 million and declines in sales at the remaining seven locations reduced sales by $0.4 million.
• Loss from continuing operations was $11.1 million, or a loss of $0.37 per diluted share, compared to a loss of $12.8 million, or a loss of $0.44 per diluted share, in the second quarter fiscal 2017. Excluding special non-cash items, loss from continuing operations was $5.2 million, or a loss of $0.17 per diluted share, in the second quarter compared to a loss of $2.1 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, in the second quarter fiscal 2017. Loss from continuing operations, excluding special items, is a non-GAAP measure, and reconciliation to loss from continuing operations is presented on page 10 of this release.
• 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 $5.7 million, or 7.7% of restaurant sales, in the second quarter compared to $10.2 million, or 12.6% of restaurant sales, during the second quarter fiscal 2017. The decline in store level profit was primarily the result of the decline in same-store sales combined with increased investment in hourly labor, restaurant supplies, and repairs and maintenance. The decline in same-store sales was partially impacted by a significant reduction in menu item discounting and reduced promotional activity compared to the second quarter fiscal 2017. In addition, we accepted a reduced level of catering orders, re-directing focus on our restaurant teams excelling at core operations within the restaurant. Furthermore, sales were adversely impacted to a lesser extent by a disruption in our point of sale system functioning which also affected our volume of mobile ordering through third party channels. The increase in hourly labor was due in part to a concerted effort to reinvest in training programs as well as continue to increase the service level offered to our guests. The increase in restaurant supplies and repairs and maintenance was part of our program to refresh our stores in lieu of completing full remodels in the current fiscal year. 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 by $3.0 million to $6.3 million with 24 operating locations during the second quarter. New Culinary Contract Services locations and retail sales combined contributed approximately $3.7 million (primarily driven by the addition of one higher sales volume location) in revenue which was partially offset by a $0.5 million decrease in revenue from locations that ceased operations and an approximate $0.2 million decrease in revenue at locations continually operated over the prior full year. Culinary Contract Services profit margin decreased to 9.5% of Culinary Contract Services sales in the second quarter compared to 10.5% in the second quarter fiscal 2017.
• Franchise revenue decreased $418 thousand, or 23.0%, in the second quarter compared to the second quarter fiscal 2017. The decrease reflects 1) a $348 thousand decrease in non-royalty fee income mostly due to comparison to the second quarter fiscal 2017 when approximately $365 thousand in fee income was realized related to franchise development fees and franchise store openings and 2) a $71 thousand decrease in franchise royalty income. In the second quarter, one franchise location opened in Florida.

Balance Sheet and Capital Expenditures

We ended the second quarter with a debt balance outstanding of $38.2 million (less deferred financing costs of $0.2 million), an increase from $31.0 million (less deferred financing costs of $0.3 million) at the end of fiscal 2017. During the second quarter, our capital expenditures increased to $3.7 million compared to $3.0 million in the second quarter fiscal 2017. At the end of the second quarter, we had $1.6 million in cash and $129.2 million in total shareholders' equity.

Restaurant Counts:

Conference Call

Luby's will host a conference call on April 23, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. Central Time to discuss further its second quarter fiscal 2018 results. To access the call live, dial (412) 902-0030 and use the access code 13678419# 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 April 30, 2018 and may be accessed by calling (201) 612-7415 and using the access code 13678419#.  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 160 restaurants nationally as of March 14, 2018: 86 Luby's Cafeterias, 67 Fuddruckers, seven Cheeseburger in Paradise restaurants. Luby's is the franchisor for 110 Fuddruckers franchise locations across the United States (including Puerto Rico), Canada, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Panama, and Colombia. Additionally, a licensee operates 36 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 24 sites consisting of healthcare and corporate dining locations.

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.

For additional information contact:

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

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.

Store Level Profit

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.

Reconciliation of loss from continuing operations to loss from continuing operations, before special items ^(1,2):

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 loss (gain) on disposing of property and equipment, provision for asset impairments and restaurant closings, non-cash compensation expense, franchise taxes, and decrease / (increase) in fair value of derivatives.

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.

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SOURCE Luby's, Inc.