DALLAS — TGI Fridays is planning to go public. The casual dining chain announced a definitive agreement to merge with Allegro Merger Corp., a blank-check special purpose acquisition company, early next year in a transaction valued at $380 million.

TGIF Holdings, L.L.C. shareholders will receive approximately $30 million in cash and stock upon completion of the transaction, and Allegro will assume approximately $350 million of net debt.  TriArtisan Capital Advisors L.L.C., the majority owner of TGI Fridays, will exchange most of its ownership for shares of Allegro, the companies said.

“Allegro’s board and I believe that Fridays is an unparalleled iconic international brand, and we are excited to be able to bring this opportunity to our shareholders,” said Eric Rosenfeld, chief executive officer at Allegro Merger Corp. “Fridays’ highly predictable stream of franchise and licensing revenue is very attractive, and we believe that Fridays provides a compelling value to our shareholders.”

The merger is subject to approval by Allegro shareholders. It is expected to close in the first quarter of 2020.

TGI Fridays has 396 domestic units and 442 international units in more than 55 countries. Systemwide sales were approximately $2 billion last year, with an average unit volume of $2.7 million.

The company made several leadership changes throughout the past year. Ray Blanchette became c.e.o. in October 2018. He was joined by John Neitzel, president and chief operating officer for franchise locations. Jim Mazany, chief operating officer for company stores, joined the team in June.

“The first order of business when I took over this company was to bring in the best talent to improve operations and innovation,” Mr. Blanchette said. “This transaction is the next significant strategic move and will allow us to gain public company status and access incremental equity capital to accelerate the rejuvenation of this iconic global brand.”

View source version at TGI Fridays

Nathan’s Famous, Inc. Reports Second Quarter Results and Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend of $.35 Per Share

JERICHO, N.Y., Nov. 08, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nathan’s Famous, Inc. (NASDAQ:NATH) today reported results for the second quarter of its 2020 fiscal year that ended September 29, 2019.

For the fiscal quarter ended September 29, 2019:

  • Revenues were $29,726,000, as compared to $29,330,000 during the thirteen weeks ended September 23, 2018;
  • Income from operations was $7,366,000, as compared to $8,480,000 during the thirteen weeks ended September 23, 2018;
  • Adjusted EBITDA1, a non-GAAP financial measure, was $8,123,000, as compared to $9,153,000 for the thirteen weeks ended September 23, 2018;
  • Income before provision for income taxes was $5,103,000, as compared to $6,463,000 for the thirteen weeks ended September 23, 2018;
  • Net income was $3,658,000, as compared to $4,484,000 for the thirteen weeks ended September 23, 2018; and
  • Earnings per diluted share was $0.87 per share, as compared to $1.06 per share for the thirteen weeks ended September 23, 2018.

For the twenty-six weeks ended September 29, 2019:

  • Revenues were $60,244,000, as compared to $59,498,000 during the twenty-six weeks ended September 23, 2018;
  • Income from operations was $16,814,000, as compared to $17,567,000 during the twenty-six weeks ended September 23, 2018;
  • Adjusted EBITDA1, a non-GAAP financial measure, was $18,296,000, as compared to $18,748,000 for the twenty-six weeks ended September 23, 2018;
  • Income before provision for income taxes was $12,288,000, as compared to $12,982,000 for the twenty-six weeks ended September 23, 2018;
  • Net income was $9,027,000, as compared to $9,279,000 for the twenty-six weeks ended September 23, 2018; and
  • Earnings per diluted share was $2.14 per share, as compared to $2.19 per share for the twenty-six weeks ended September 23, 2018.

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1 EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. Please see the definitions of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA on pages 2 and 3 of this release and the reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to net income in the table at the end of this release.

The Company also reported the following:

  • License royalties increased to $14,147,000 during the twenty-six weeks ended September 29, 2019, (“fiscal 2020 period”), as compared to $13,844,000 during the twenty-six weeks ended September 23, 2018.  During the fiscal 2020 period, royalties earned under the retail agreement, including the foodservice program, from John Morrell & Co., increased 2.3% to $13,092,000, as compared to $12,795,000 of royalties earned during the twenty-six weeks ended September 23, 2018.
  • In the Branded Product Program, which features the sale of Nathan’s hot dogs to the foodservice industry, income from operations declined by approximately $934,000 to $4,327,000 during the fiscal 2020 period, as compared to $5,261,000 for the twenty-six weeks ended September 23, 2018.  Sales were $32,295,000 during the fiscal 2020 period, compared to sales of $31,855,000 during the twenty-six weeks ended September 23, 2018, while the volume of hot dogs sold by the Company increased 2.2%.  However, the sales and volume results were partially related to winding down the new re-distributor’s temporary service to certain of our regular distributor customers. Our average selling price, which is partially correlated to the beef markets, decreased by approximately 0.4% during the fiscal 2020 period compared to the twenty-six weeks ended September 23, 2018.
  • Sales from Company-operated restaurants were $10,048,000 during the fiscal 2020 period compared to $10,189,000 during the twenty-six weeks ended September 23, 2018. Sales at the four comparable Company-owned restaurants increased by $633,000 or 6.7% during the fiscal 2020 period. Sales were positively affected, especially at our two Coney Island locations, by favorable weather conditions during the fiscal 2020 period in addition to higher sales at our other traditional Company-owned restaurants.
  • Revenues from franchise operations were $2,575,000 during the fiscal 2020 period, compared to $2,343,000 during the twenty-six weeks ended September 23, 2018. Total royalties were $2,027,000 during the fiscal 2020 period as compared to $2,101,000 during the twenty-six weeks ended September 23, 2018. Total franchise fee income was $548,000 during the fiscal 2020 period compared to $242,000 during the twenty-six weeks ended September 23, 2018. Thirteen new franchised outlets opened during the fiscal 2020 period.
  • During the fiscal 2020 period, we recorded Advertising Fund revenue of $1,179,000 and expense of $1,549,000.
  • During the fiscal 2020 period, the Board of Directors declared two quarterly cash dividends of $0.35 per share totaling $2,958,000.
  • Effective November 8, 2019, the Board of Directors declared its quarterly cash dividend of $0.35 per share payable on December 6, 2019 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 25, 2019.

Certain Non-GAAP Financial Information:

In addition to disclosing results that are determined in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States of America (“US GAAP”), the Company is disclosing EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure which is defined as net income, excluding (i) interest expense; (ii) provision for income taxes and (iii) depreciation and amortization expense. The Company is also disclosing Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure which is defined as EBITDA, excluding (i) share-based compensation and (ii) (gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment that the Company believes will impact the comparability of its results of operations.

The Company believes that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are useful to investors to assist in assessing and understanding the Company’s operating performance and underlying trends in the Company’s business because EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are (i) among the measures used by management in evaluating performance and (ii) are frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties as a common performance measure.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not recognized terms under US GAAP and should not be viewed as alternatives to net income or other measures of financial performance or liquidity in conformity with US GAAP. Additionally, our definitions of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may differ from other companies. Analysis of results and outlook on a non-US GAAP basis should be used as a complement to, and in conjunction with, data presented in accordance with US GAAP.  Please see the table at the end of this press release for a reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to net income.

About Nathan’s Famous
Nathan’s is a Russell 2000 Company that currently distributes its products in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and fourteen foreign countries through its restaurant system, foodservice sales programs and product licensing activities. Last year, over 700 million Nathan’s Famous hot dogs were sold. Nathan’s was ranked #22 on the Forbes 2014 list of the Best Small Companies in America and was listed as the Best Small Company in New York State in October 2013. For additional information about Nathan’s, please visit our website at www.nathansfamous.com.

View source version at Nathan’s Famous

Noodles & Company Announces Third Quarter 2019 Financial Results

Adjusted Net Income Increased 118%; Restaurant Contribution Margin Increased 70 bps;
Comparable Sales Increased 2.1% System-Wide With 7.6% Two Year Comparable Sales Growth

BROOMFIELD, Colo., Nov. 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Noodles & Company (Nasdaq: NDLS) today announced financial results for its third quarter ended October 1, 2019.

Key highlights for the third quarter of 2019 versus the third quarter of 2018 include:

  • Total revenue increased 1.4% to $118.3 million from $116.7 million, primarily due to the increase in comparable restaurant sales.
  • Comparable restaurant sales increased 2.1% system-wide, comprised of a 2.2% increase at company-owned restaurants and a 1.6% increase at franchise restaurants.
  • Digital sales grew 47% and accounted for 23% of sales and contributed to an increase in total off premise sales of 490 bps to 54% of sales.
  • Net income was $4.2 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, compared to net income of $1.1 million, or $0.02 per diluted share.
  • Adjusted net income(1) increased 118% to $4.1 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, compared to an adjusted net income of $1.9 million, or $0.04 per diluted share.
  • Restaurant contribution margin(1) increased 70 basis points to 17.1%.
  • Adjusted EBITDA(1) increased 6.4% to $11.0 million from $10.4 million.

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(1) Adjusted EBITDA, restaurant contribution margin, and adjusted net income (loss) are non-GAAP measures. Reconciliations of net income (loss) to adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income (loss) and of operating income (loss) to restaurant contribution margin are included in the accompanying financial data. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

“We are pleased with our results from the third quarter, which marked the sixth consecutive quarter of positive comparable sales growth,” said Dave Boennighausen, Chief Executive Officer. “The Company continues to make strides in expanding both the top and bottom line resulting in a 118% increase in our adjusted net income, and is further evidence that the Company is on a continued strong upward trajectory.”

Boennighausen continued “We are proud that the team continued to deliver solid comparable sales growth with two year growth of 7.6% system-wide, especially as our sales driving marketing and promotional activity will be more concentrated during the fourth quarter to support the recent launches of our Cauliflower noodle and our new rewards program. Our culinary, operational, and digital initiatives position the brand well to continue to drive AUV and margin expansion. Additionally, we are very pleased with the performance thus far of our new restaurants opened this year and look to accelerate new restaurant growth in the quarters to come.”

Third Quarter 2019 Financial Results

Total revenue increased $1.6 million in the third quarter of 2019, or 1.4%, to $118.3 million, compared to $116.7 million in the third quarter of 2018.  This increase was primarily due to the increase in comparable restaurant sales and new restaurant openings, partially offset by the impact of restaurants closed since the beginning of the third quarter of 2018, most of which were approaching the expiration of their leases. Average unit volume (“AUV”) for the quarter increased $50,000 to $1,157,000 compared to $1,107,000 in the third quarter of 2018.

In the third quarter of 2019, system-wide comparable restaurant sales growth was 2.1%, comprised of a 2.2% increase at company-owned restaurants and a 1.6% increase at franchise restaurants.

There were three new company-owned restaurants opened, two company-owned restaurants closed and five company-owned restaurants refranchised to a franchisee in the third quarter of 2019. The Company had 458 restaurants at the end of the third quarter 2019, comprised of 391 company-owned restaurants and 67 franchise restaurants.

For the third quarter of 2019, the Company reported net income of $4.2 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, compared with net income of $1.1 million in the third quarter of 2018, or $0.02 per diluted share. Income from operations for the third quarter of 2019 was $5.0 million, compared to $2.1 million in the third quarter of 2018. Closure costs in the third quarter of 2019 included ongoing costs as well as adjustments to liabilities as lease terminations occur.

Restaurant contribution margin increased 70 bps to 17.1% in the third quarter of 2019, compared to 16.4% in the third quarter of 2018. This increase was primarily due to leverage on increased AUV and lower utilities costs, offset by increased third-party delivery fees associated with higher delivery sales.

Adjusted net income was $4.1 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2019, compared to adjusted net income of $1.9 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2018. Adjusted EBITDA increased to $11.0 million in the third quarter of 2019 from $10.4 million in the third quarter of 2018.

View full version at Noodles

Farmer Bros. Co. Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2020 Financial Results

NORTHLAKE, Texas, Nov. 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Farmer Bros. Co. (NASDAQ: FARM) (the “Company”) today reported financial results for its first fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2019.

First Quarter Fiscal 2020 Highlights:

  • Volume of green coffee processed and sold increased by 0.5 million to 26.0 million pounds, a 2.0% increase over the prior year period;
    • Green coffee pounds processed and sold through our DSD network were 8.3 million, or 32.0% of total green coffee pounds processed and sold
    • Direct ship customers represented 17.4 million, or 67.0%, of total green coffee pounds processed and sold
    • Distributor customers represented 0.3 million pounds, or 1.0%, of total green coffee pounds processed and sold
  • Net sales were $138.6 million, a decrease of $8.8 million, or 6.0%, from the prior year period;
  • Gross margin decreased to 29.3% from 32.7% in the prior year period, while operating expenses as percentage of sales improved to 24.3% from 34.1% in the prior year period;
  • Net income was $4.7 million compared to net loss of $3.0 million in the prior year period; and
  • Adjusted EBITDA was $4.0 million compared to $11.0 million in the prior year period.*

(*Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, is reconciled to its corresponding GAAP measure at the end of this press release.)

“After my first weeks as CEO, I remain excited about joining Farmer Brothers at this critical moment in the Company’s history,” said Deverl Maserang, President and CEO. “I recognize and understand the challenges and the opportunities we face, and I believe we have the assets, the platform, as well as a talented and dedicated employee base to return the Company to growth and profitability.”

Mr. Maserang continued, “Under the leadership of Chris Mottern, solid progress was made towards identifying key priorities aimed at improving and evolving our business for the future. As CEO, I have refined these and am committed to focusing on: optimizing our supply chain, elevating our execution, enhancing our service capability, differentiating our product portfolio through innovation, and engaging our talent. I look forward to working with all our employees to execute with purpose and urgency on our strategic initiatives in order to best position Farmer Brothers to deliver enhanced value for our stakeholders.”

View full version at Farmer Brothers