Dine Brands Global, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2021 Results

Meaningful Improvement in Domestic System-Wide Comparable Same-Restaurant Sales

99% of Domestic Restaurants Open

Ten New Domestic Restaurants Opened by Franchisees

Robust Recovery Continued in the First Quarter

Cash Position Remains Strong

Repaid $220 Million Drawn Against Revolving Credit Facility

GLENDALE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Dine Brands Global, Inc. (NYSE: DIN), the parent company of Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar^® and IHOP^® restaurants, today announced financial results for the first quarter of 2021.

“Dine Brands first-quarter 2021 results demonstrate positive momentum across our company. Thanks to the strength of our brands, and the resilience and collaboration of our franchisees and team members, we have a sharper focus on digital and marketing capabilities, operational basics and a steadfast dedication to the safety of our people, guests and the communities we serve,” said John Peyton, chief executive officer of Dine Brands Global, Inc.

Mr. Peyton continued, “The restaurant renaissance is here. As we transition to a post-pandemic environment, we see continued opportunity to invest in innovation and strategic platforms, building on the strong foundation we’ve established to drive market share gains and deliver profitable growth for years to come.”

Allison Hall, interim chief financial officer and vice president, controller, added, “Dine Brands started the year in a position of strength. Our cash position remained strong, enabling us to repay the $220 million drawn against our revolving credit facility. Maintaining our financial flexibility will be a top priority as our business continues to improve.”

Domestic System-Wide Comparable Same-Restaurant Sales Performance Relative to Fiscal 2020

• Applebee’s year-over-year comparable same-restaurant sales increased 11.9% for the first quarter of 2021. This compares to a decrease of 10.6% for the first quarter of 2020, representing a net increase of 22.5 percentage points.
  
• IHOP’s comparable same-restaurant sales decreased 0.9% for the first quarter of 2021. This compares to a decrease of 14.7% for the first quarter of 2020, representing a net increase of 13.8 percentage points.
  
• Comparable same-restaurant sales for the first quarter of 2021 at both Applebee’s and IHOP improved sequentially from the fourth quarter of 2020 partially due to the continued improvement in our business conditions as state and local level governments eased restrictions on dine-in operations in some states as well as a shift in consumer behavior.

Domestic System-Wide Comparable Same-Restaurant Sales Performance Relative to Fiscal 2019

Off-Premise and Dine-In Sales Growth Comparison

• Applebee’s off-premise comparable same-restaurant sales for the first quarter of 2021 increased by 122.7%.
  
• Applebee’s off-premise sales accounted for 36.7% of sales mix for the first quarter of 2021. This compares to 36.8% of sales mix for the fourth quarter of 2020.
  
• Applebee’s delivery sales accounted for 14.7% of sales mix and take-out sales accounted for 22.0% of sales mix for the first quarter of 2021. This compares to delivery sales mix of 14.0% and take-out sales mix of 22.8% for the fourth quarter of 2020.
  
• IHOP’s off-premise comparable same-restaurant sales for the first quarter of 2021 increased by 123.7%.
  
• IHOP’s off-premise sales accounted for 33.3% of sales mix for the first quarter of 2021, unchanged from the fourth quarter of 2020.
  
• IHOP’s delivery sales accounted for 16.4% of sales mix and take-out sales accounted for 16.9% of sales mix for the first quarter of 2021. This compares to delivery sales mix of 15.6% and take-out sales mix of 17.7% for the fourth quarter of 2020.

First Quarter of 2021 Summary

• GAAP earnings per diluted share of $1.51 for the first quarter of 2021 compared to earnings per diluted share of $1.31 for the first quarter of 2020. The increase was primarily due to lower income tax expense and an increase in gross profit, partially offset by higher general and administrative expenses and an increase in closure and impairment charges. The decline in income tax expense was mainly due to the recognition of excess tax benefits on stock-based compensation primarily associated with the departure of our previous chief executive officer. The improvement in gross profit was mainly due to higher revenue from Applebee’s company-operated restaurants because of a higher average check and increased traffic for the first quarter of 2021.
  
• Adjusted earnings per diluted share of $1.75 for the first quarter of 2021 compared to adjusted earnings per diluted share of $1.45 for the first quarter of 2020. The increase was primarily due to lower taxes and higher gross profit as discussed above. (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and reconciliation of GAAP earnings per diluted share to adjusted earnings per diluted share.)
  
• General and administrative expenses for the first quarter of 2021 were $39.9 million compared to $37.6 million for the first quarter of 2020. The variance was mainly due to higher personnel costs related to equity-based and other incentive compensation. These costs were partially offset by lower travel expenses.
  
• Consolidated adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2021 was $58.1 million. This compares to $61.7 million for the first quarter of 2020. (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and reconciliation of GAAP net income to consolidated adjusted EBITDA.)
  
• Cash flows from operating activities for the first quarter of 2021 were $30.6 million. This compares to cash flows from operating activities of $29.6 million for the first quarter of 2020. The increase was mainly due to the recognition of excess tax benefits on stock-based compensation.
  
• The Company generated strong adjusted free cash flow of $30.7 million for the first quarter of 2021. This compares to adjusted free cash flow of $27.5 million for the first quarter of 2020. The improvement is primarily due to the increase in cash flows from operating activities discussed above and lower capital expenditures compared to the first quarter of 2020. (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and reconciliation of the Company’s cash provided by operating activities to adjusted free cash flow.)
  
• Development activity by IHOP’s domestic franchisees resulted in the opening of eight new restaurants.
  
• Development activity by Applebee’s domestic franchisees resulted in the opening of two new restaurants.

Cash Position

On March 5, 2021, the Company repaid the entire $220 million drawn from its revolving credit facility. As of March 31, 2021, $3.3 million was pledged against the revolving credit facility for outstanding letters of credit.

As of March 31, 2021, the Company had $272.4 million of total cash and cash equivalents, of which $179.6 million was unrestricted cash. Excluding the $220 million the Company drew from its revolving credit facility, the Company had total cash of $236.1 million as of December 31, 2020, of which $163.4 million was unrestricted cash. The Company believes that its asset-light business model and cash position will continue to provide strong liquidity as the recovery from the pandemic continues.

As of March 31, 2021, the Company’s leverage ratio was 7.02x.

GAAP Effective Tax Rate

Our effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2021 was -6.6% compared to 23.2% for the first quarter of 2020. The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2021 was significantly different than the rate of the prior comparable period and the statutory federal tax rate of 21% primarily due to the recognition of excess tax benefits on stock-based compensation primarily associated with the departure of our previous chief executive officer.

Financial Performance Guidance for 2021

The Company believes that its consolidated financial results for 2021 could continue to be materially impacted by the global impact from COVID-19. Considering the uncertainty and timing of a reversal in consumer behavior due to the pandemic, the Company currently cannot provide a complete business outlook for fiscal 2021.

The projections are as of this date. The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement this information.

• Reiterates expectations for general and administrative expenses for 2021 to range between approximately $160 million and $170 million, including approximately $5 million of general and administrative expenses related to the Applebee’s company-owned restaurants. Expectations include non-cash stock-based compensation expense and depreciation totaling approximately $45 million, of which approximately $30 million is included in the general and administrative expense guidance cited above.
  
• Revises expectations for capital expenditures, which are now projected to be approximately $19 million, inclusive of approximately $7 million related to the company restaurants segment. This compares to previous expectations of capital expenditures to be approximately $14 million, inclusive of approximately $5 million related to the company restaurants segment. This change is due to additional investments in the business.

Domestic System Reopening Update

As of March 31, 2021, out of 3,256 domestic restaurants, 3,224, or 99%, were open for either dine-in service or off-premise service comprised of take-out and delivery, and 32 were temporarily closed. This compares to as of December 31, 2020, when out 3,270 domestic restaurants, 3,211, or 98%, were open for either dine-in service or off-premise service comprised of take-out and delivery, and 59 were temporarily closed.

Applebee’s Reopening Update

As of March 31, 2021, out of 1,596 domestic Applebee’s franchise and company-operated restaurants, 1,590, or approximately 100%, were open for either dine-in service or off-premise service comprised of take-out and delivery, and 6 were temporarily closed. This compares to as December 31, 2020, when out of 1,600 domestic Applebee’s franchise and company-operated restaurants, 1,591 were open for either dine-in service or off-premise service comprised of take-out and delivery, and 9 were temporarily closed.

IHOP Reopening Update

As of March 31, 2021, out of 1,660 domestic IHOP franchise and area license restaurants, 1,634, or 98%, were open for either dine-in service or off-premise service comprised of take-out and delivery, and 26 were temporarily closed. This compares to as of December 31, 2020, when out of 1,670 domestic IHOP franchise and area license restaurants, 1,620 were open for either dine-in service or off-premise service comprised of take-out and delivery, and 50 were temporarily closed.

First Quarter of 2021 Earnings Conference Call Details

Dine Brands will host a conference call to discuss its results on May 5, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time. To participate on the call, please dial (833) 528-0602 and enter the conference identification number 7382556. International callers, please dial (830) 221-9708 and enter the conference identification number 7382556.

A live webcast of the call will be available on www.dinebrands.com and may be accessed by visiting Events and Presentations under the site’s Investors section. Participants should allow approximately ten minutes prior to the call’s start time to visit the site and download any streaming media software needed to listen to the webcast. A telephonic replay of the call may be accessed from 12:00 p.m. Pacific time on May 5, 2021 through 12:00 p.m. Pacific time on May 12, 2021 by dialing (855) 859-2056 and entering the conference identification number 7382556. International callers, please dial (404) 537-3406 and enter the conference identification number 7382556. An online archive of the webcast will also be available on Events and Presentations under the Investors section of the Company’s website.

About Dine Brands Global, Inc.

Based in Glendale, California, Dine Brands Global, Inc. (NYSE: DIN), through its subsidiaries, franchises restaurants under both the Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar and IHOP brands. With approximately 3,500 restaurants combined in 17 countries and approximately 350 franchisees, Dine Brands is one of the largest full-service restaurant companies in the world. For more information on Dine Brands, visit the Company’s website located at www.dinebrands.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release may constitute 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. You can identify these forward-looking statements by words such as “may,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal” and other similar expressions. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied in such statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: uncertainty regarding the duration and severity of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its ultimate impact on the Company; the effectiveness of related containment measures; general economic conditions; our level of indebtedness; compliance with the terms of our securitized debt; our ability to refinance our current indebtedness or obtain additional financing; our dependence on information technology; potential cyber incidents; the implementation of restaurant development plans; our dependence on our franchisees; the concentration of our Applebee’s franchised restaurants in a limited number of franchisees; the financial health of our franchisees; our franchisees’ and other licensees’ compliance with our quality standards and trademark usage; general risks associated with the restaurant industry; potential harm to our brands’ reputation; possible future impairment charges; the effects of tax reform; trading volatility and fluctuations in the price of our stock; our ability to achieve the financial guidance we provide to investors; successful implementation of our business strategy; the availability of suitable locations for new restaurants; shortages or interruptions in the supply or delivery of products from third parties or availability of utilities; the management and forecasting of appropriate inventory levels; development and implementation of innovative marketing and use of social media; changing health or dietary preference of consumers; risks associated with doing business in international markets; the results of litigation and other legal proceedings; third-party claims with respect to intellectual property assets; our ability to attract and retain management and other key employees; compliance with federal, state and local governmental regulations; risks associated with our self-insurance; natural disasters, pandemics, epidemics, or other serious incidents; our success with development initiatives outside of our core business; the adequacy of our internal controls over financial reporting and future changes in accounting standards; and other factors discussed from time to time in the Corporation’s Annual and Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q and in the Corporation’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and the Corporation does not intend to, nor does it assume any obligation to, update or supplement any forward-looking statements after the date hereof to reflect actual results or future events or circumstances.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release includes references to the Company’s non-GAAP financial measure “adjusted net income available to common stockholders”, “adjusted earnings per diluted share (Adjusted EPS)”, “Adjusted EBITDA” and “Adjusted free cash flow.” Adjusted EPS is computed for a given period by deducting from net income or loss available to common stockholders for such period the effect of any closure and impairment charges, any intangible asset amortization, any non-cash interest expense, any gain or loss related to the disposition of assets, and other items deemed not reflective of current operations. This is presented on an aggregate basis and a per share (diluted) basis. Adjusted EBITDA is computed for a given period by deducting from net income or loss for such period the effect of any closure and impairment charges, any interest charges, any income tax provision or benefit, any non-cash stock-based compensation, any depreciation and amortization, any gain or loss related to the disposition of assets and other items deemed not reflective of current operations. “Adjusted free cash flow” for a given period is defined as cash provided by operating activities, plus receipts from notes and equipment contracts receivable, less capital expenditures. Management may use certain of these non-GAAP financial measures along with the corresponding U.S. GAAP measures to evaluate the performance of the business and to make certain business decisions. Management uses adjusted free cash flow in its periodic assessments of, among other things, the amount of cash dividends per share of common stock and repurchases of common stock and we believe it is important for investors to have the same measure used by management for that purpose. Adjusted free cash flow does not represent residual cash flow available for discretionary purposes. Additionally, adjusted EPS is one of the metrics used in determining payouts under the Company’s annual cash incentive plan. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide additional meaningful information that should be considered when assessing the business and the Company’s performance compared to prior periods and the marketplace. Adjusted EPS and adjusted free cash flow are supplemental non-GAAP financial measures and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Contacts

Investor Contact
Ken Diptee

Executive Director, Investor Relations

Dine Brands Global, Inc.

818-637-3632

Ken.Diptee@dinebrands.com

Media Contact
Susan Nelson

Vice President, Global Communications

and Public Affairs

Dine Brands Global, Inc.

Susan.Nelson@dinebrands.com

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