Wingstop Restaurants Inc. Investor Relations

Press release Details

Wingstop Inc. Reports Fiscal Second Quarter Financial Results

Delivers Over 200 New Restaurants Over Last 12 Months, Resulting in 13.1% Unit Growth

DALLAS, July 28, 2021 — Wingstop Inc. (“Wingstop” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: WING) today announced financial results for the fiscal second quarter ended June 26, 2021.

Highlights for the fiscal second quarter 2021 compared to the fiscal second quarter 2020:

  • System-wide sales increased 15.8% to $589.7 million
  • 45 net new openings in the fiscal second quarter 2021, an increase of 13.1%
  • Domestic same-store sales increased 2.1%
  • Domestic restaurant AUV increased to approximately $1.6 million, compared to $1.4 million in the prior fiscal second quarter
  • Digital sales increased to 64.5% of sales, compared to 63.7% in the prior fiscal second quarter
  • Total revenue increased 11.9% to $74.0 million
  • Net income was $11.3 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, compared to net income of $11.5 million, or $0.39 per diluted share in the prior fiscal second quarter. Adjusted net income* and adjusted earnings per diluted share*, both non-GAAP measures, increased 13.1% to $11.3 million and $0.38 per diluted share, compared to $10.0 million and $0.34 per diluted share in the prior fiscal second quarter
  • Adjusted EBITDA*, a non-GAAP measure, increased 9.5% to $22.9 million

* Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, and adjusted diluted earnings per share are non-GAAP measures. Reconciliations of adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, and adjusted earnings per diluted share to the most directly comparable financial measure presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) are set forth in the schedule accompanying this release. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

“Our results in the second quarter continue to prove the strength of our brand and our growth strategies. We successfully lapped last year’s outstanding results and generated domestic same-store sales growth of 2.1% during this year’s fiscal second quarter, or 34.0% on a two-year basis, an acceleration from the 30.6% we saw in the first quarter,” commented Charlie Morrison, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Wingstop. “Despite the challenging commodity environment, we had another record quarter for development and have now opened more than 200 restaurants during the last 12 months, highlighting our brand partners’ continued excitement to grow with our brand. We believe we are well positioned to execute against our strategic long-term growth drivers.”

Key operating metrics for the fiscal second quarter 2021 compared to the fiscal second quarter 2020:

Thirteen Weeks Ended

June 26, 2021

June 27, 2020

Number of system-wide restaurants open at end of period

1,624

1,436

Number of domestic franchise restaurants open at end of period

1,415

1,244

Number of international franchise restaurants open at end of period

175

162

System-wide sales (in thousands)

$

589,665

$

509,045

Domestic restaurant AUV (in thousands)

$

1,556

$

1,366

Domestic same-store sales growth

2.1

%

31.9

%

Company-owned domestic same store sales growth

(3.1)

%

24.7

%

Net income (in thousands)

$

11,312

$

11,539

Adjusted net income (in thousands)

$

11,312

$

10,006

Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands)

$

22,882

$

20,888

Fiscal second quarter 2021 financial results

Total revenue for the fiscal second quarter 2021 increased to $74.0 million from $66.1 million in the fiscal second quarter last year. Royalty revenue, franchise fees and other increased $5.3 million primarily due to domestic same-store sales growth of 2.1% as well as 184 net franchise restaurant openings since June 27, 2020. Advertising fees increased $2.7 million due to domestic system-wide sales growth in the fiscal quarter ended June 26, 2021 compared to the fiscal quarter ended June 27, 2020. Company-owned restaurant sales were comparable to the prior year period.

Cost of sales increased to $14.2 million from $13.4 million in the fiscal second quarter of the prior year. As a percentage of company-owned restaurant sales, cost of sales increased to 77.7% from 73.1% in the prior year comparable period. The increase was primarily due to a 64.8% increase in the cost of bone-in chicken wings as compared to the prior year period, in which we experienced unusually significant deflation in the cost of bone-in chicken wings.

Advertising expenses were $23.3 million compared to $20.4 million in the fiscal second quarter of the prior year primarily due to domestic system-wide sales growth. Advertising expenses are recognized at the same time as the related revenue, which does not necessarily correlate to the actual timing of the related advertising spend.

Selling, general & administrative expense (“SG&A”) increased $2.7 million to $16.1 million from $13.4 million in the fiscal second quarter of the prior year. The increase in SG&A expense was primarily due to an increase of $2.0 million in headcount related expenses to support the growth in our business, an increase of $0.5 million in stock-based compensation expense, and an increase of $1.0 million in professional fees to support the Company’s strategic initiatives. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $1.0 million related to a donation made in the prior year period to the National Restaurant Employee Relief Fund to support restaurant workers in times of need.

Interest expense, net was $3.7 million in the fiscal second quarter of 2021, a decrease of $0.5 million, or 11.6%, compared to $4.2 million in the prior fiscal period. The decrease was due to the refinancing of our securitized financing facility on October 30, 2020, which increased our outstanding debt by $162.4 million and reduced our interest rate from 4.97% to 2.84%.

Net income was $11.3 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, compared to net income of $11.5 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, in the fiscal second quarter of the prior year. Adjusted net income, which excludes a $2.0 million gain resulting from the re-franchise of company-owned restaurants to a franchisee during the prior year period, increased 13.1% to $11.3 million and $0.38 per diluted share, compared to $10.0 million and $0.34 per diluted share in the prior fiscal second quarter.

Change in Presentation

Beginning in the fiscal first quarter 2021, we have reclassified headcount related expenses that support our national advertising fund to Advertising expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. These expenses were previously presented within SG&A and totaled $1.9 million and $1.8 million for each of the thirteen weeks ended June 26, 2021 and June 27, 2020, respectively. Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. This reclassification had no impact on operating income, the consolidated balance sheets or statements of cash flows.

Financial Outlook

Consistent with our three- to five-year outlook, the Company reiterates mid-single digit domestic same store sales growth. Additionally, the Company expects the following for the fiscal year ending December 25, 2021:

  • Unit growth of 12%+
  • Food, Beverage and Packaging costs of approximately 44%, as a percentage of company owned restaurant sales and total cost of sales of approximately 80%, as a percentage of company owned restaurant sales
  • SG&A of $64.8 to 66.8 million; and
  • Adjusted SG&A, a non-GAAP measure, of between $55.1$56.6 million. A reconciliation of Adjusted SG&A to SG&A, the nearest applicable GAAP measure, is provided below:

2021 Outlook

Low

High

SG&A, reported

$

64.8

$

66.8

Stock compensation expense

9.7

10.2

Adjusted SG&A (a)

$

55.1

$

56.6

(a) Adjusted SG&A is a non-GAAP measure.

Restaurant Development

As of June 26, 2021, there were 1,624 Wingstop restaurants system-wide. This included 1,449 restaurants in the United States, of which 1,415 were franchised restaurants and 34 were company-owned, and 175 franchised restaurants in international markets. During the fiscal second quarter 2021, there were 45 net system-wide Wingstop restaurant openings.

Quarterly Dividend

In recognition of the Company’s strong cash flow generation, confidence in the business, and our commitment to returning value to stockholders, our board of directors approved a 21% increase in the quarterly dividend payable to Wingstop stockholders from $0.14 to $0.17 per share of common stock, resulting in a total dividend of approximately $5.06 million. This dividend will be paid on September 3, 2021 to stockholders of record as of August 13, 2021.

The following definitions apply to these terms as used in this release:

Domestic average unit volume (“AUV”) consists of the average annual sales of all restaurants that have been open for a trailing 52-week period or longer. This measure is calculated by dividing sales during the applicable period for all restaurants being measured by the number of restaurants being measured. Domestic AUV includes revenue from both company-owned and franchised restaurants. Domestic AUV allows management to assess our company-owned and franchised restaurant economics. Changes in domestic AUV are primarily driven by increases in same-store sales and are also influenced by opening new restaurants.

Domestic same-store sales reflect the change in year-over-year sales for the comparable restaurant base. We define the comparable restaurant base to include those restaurants open for at least 52 full weeks. This measure highlights the performance of existing restaurants, while excluding the impact of new restaurant openings and permanent closures.

System-wide sales represents net sales for all of our company-owned and franchised restaurants, as reported by franchisees.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income before interest expense, net, income tax expense, and depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) further adjusted for losses on debt extinguishment and refinancing transactions, transaction costs, costs and fees associated with investments in our strategic initiatives, gains and losses on the disposal of assets, and stock-based compensation expense. We caution investors that amounts presented in accordance with our definitions of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by our competitors, because not all companies and analysts calculate EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA in the same manner.

Adjusted net income is defined as net income adjusted for transaction costs, costs and fees associated with investments in our strategic initiatives, and related tax adjustments.

Adjusted net income per diluted share is defined as adjusted net income divided by weighted average diluted share count.

Adjusted SG&A is defined as selling, general and administrative expenses adjusted for losses on debt extinguishment and refinancing transactions, transaction costs, costs and fees associated with investments in our strategic initiatives, and stock-based compensation expense.

Conference Call and Webcast

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Charlie Morrison, and Chief Financial Officer, Michael Skipworth, will host a conference call today to discuss the fiscal second quarter 2021 financial results at 10:00 AM Eastern Time.

The conference call can be accessed live by dialing 1-877-259-5243 or 1-412-317-5176 (international). A replay will be available two hours after the call and can be accessed by dialing 1-877-344-7529 or 1-412-317-0088 (international) and entering the passcode 10157790. The replay will be available through Wednesday, August 4, 2021.

The conference call will also be webcast live and later archived on the investor relations section of Wingstop’s corporate website at ir.wingstop.com under the ‘News & Events’ section.

About Wingstop

Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Dallas, TX, Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ: WING) operates and franchises over 1,600 locations worldwide. The Wing Experts are dedicated to Serving the World Flavor through an unparalleled guest experience and offering of classic wings, boneless wings and tenders, always cooked to order and hand sauced-and-tossed in fans’ choice of 11 bold, distinctive flavors. Wingstop’s menu also features signature sides including fresh-cut, seasoned fries and freshly-made ranch and bleu cheese dips. In addition, Wingstop launched virtual brand Thighstop in June 2021 featuring crispy bone-in and boneless thighs sauced and tossed in Wingstop’s 11 signature flavors, available through Thighstop.com and DoorDash.

In fiscal year 2020, Wingstop’s system-wide sales increased 28.8% year-over-year to approximately $2.0 billion, marking the 17th consecutive year of same store sales growth, and Wingstop achieved over 700% stockholder return since its 2015 initial public offering. With a vision of becoming a Top 10 Global Restaurant Brand, it’s system is comprised of independent franchisees, or brand partners, who account for approximately 98% of Wingstop’s total restaurant count of 1,624 as of June 26, 2021. During the fiscal quarter ended June 26, 2021, Wingstop opened 45 net new restaurants, an increase of 13.1%, and announced domestic same-store sales increased 2.1%. During the fiscal quarter ended June 26, 2021, Wingstop generated 64.5% of sales via digital channels including Wingstop.com and the Wingstop app.

A key to Wingstop’s success is the Wingstop Way, which includes a core value system of being Authentic, Entrepreneurial, Service-minded, and Fun. This value system extends to its environmental, social and governance platform as Wingstop seeks to provide value to all stakeholders.

The Company has been ranked on Entrepreneur Magazine’s “150 Strongest-growing Franchises” and “The World’s Best Franchises” (2020), Franchise Business Review’s “Top Food Franchises” (2020), Nation’s Restaurant News’ “Top 200 Restaurant Chains” (2020), Fast Casual’s “Top 100 Movers & Shakers” (2020), and named to The Stevie Awards for Great Employers (2020).

For more information visit www.wingstop.com or www.wingstop.com/own-a-wingstop and follow @Wingstop on Twitter and Instagram and at Facebook.com/Wingstop. Learn more about Wingstop’s involvement in its local communities at www.wingstopcharities.org.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement our consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, we use non-GAAP financial measures, including those indicated above. By providing non-GAAP financial measures, together with a reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP measure, we believe we are enhancing investors’ understanding of our business and our results of operations, as well as assisting investors in evaluating how well we are executing our strategic initiatives. These measures are not intended to be considered in isolation or as substitutes for, or superior to, financial measures prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP measures used in this press release may be different from the measures used by other companies. A reconciliation of each measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure is available in this news release. In addition, the Current Report on Form 8-K furnished to the SEC concurrent with the issuance of this press release includes a more detailed description of each of these non-GAAP financial measures, together with a discussion of the usefulness and purpose of such measures.

Forward-looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this news release, as well as other information provided from time to time by Wingstop Inc. or its employees, may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements may include words such as “guidance,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “target,” “project,” “potential,” “plan,” “intend,” “believe,” “think,” “confident,” “may,” “should,” “can,” “have,” “will,” “seek,” “likely,” “future” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events. Examples of forward-looking statements in this news release include our 2021 fiscal year outlook for SG&A expenses, Adjusted SG&A expenses, Food, Beverage and Packaging costs, and unit growth, as well as our three- to five- year outlook for domestic same store sales growth, and statements regarding our progress toward our goal of becoming a top 10 global restaurant brand. Any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance or results and involve risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond the Company’s control), and assumptions. Although we believe any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, you should be aware that many factors could affect our actual financial results and cause them to differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements.

Our ability to achieve or maintain sales and earnings may be affected by COVID-19 related factors, including, among others: the length of time that the pandemic continues; the inability of workers, including third party delivery drivers, to work due to illness, quarantine, or government mandates; temporary store closures due to reduced workforces or government mandates; the unemployment rate; the extent and effectiveness of any COVID-19 stimulus packages; the ability of our franchisees to operate their restaurants during the pandemic and pay royalties; and trends in consumer spending during and after the end of the pandemic. Please refer to the risk factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which can be found at the SEC’s website www.sec.gov. The discussion of these risks is specifically incorporated by reference into this news release.

Any forward-looking statement made by Wingstop Inc. in this press release speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Media Contact
Megan Sprague
972-331-9155
[email protected]

Investor Contacts
Alex Kaleida and Susana Arevalo
972-331-8484
[email protected]

WINGSTOP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

June 26,
2021

December 26,
2020

(Unaudited)

Assets

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

$

43,504

$

40,858

Restricted cash

4,657

4,815

Accounts receivable, net

5,854

4,929

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

9,132

5,532

Advertising fund assets, restricted

21,561

16,486

Total current assets

84,708

72,620

Property and equipment, net

39,598

27,948

Goodwill

53,690

53,690

Trademarks

32,700

32,700

Customer relationships, net

10,951

11,600

Other non-current assets

12,617

13,007

Total assets

$

234,264

$

211,565

Liabilities and stockholders’ deficit

Current liabilities

Accounts payable

$

3,812

$

3,658

Other current liabilities

25,072

26,729

Current portion of debt

1,200

3,600

Advertising fund liabilities

21,561

16,486

Total current liabilities

51,645

50,473

Long-term debt, net

468,774

466,933

Deferred revenues, net of current

26,156

24,962

Deferred income tax liabilities, net

5,416

4,480

Other non-current liabilities

4,516

6,027

Total liabilities

556,507

552,875

Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders’ deficit

Common stock, $0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 29,743,375
and 29,687,123 shares issued and outstanding as of June 26, 2021 and
December 26, 2020, respectively

298

297

Additional paid-in-capital

594

421

Retained deficit

(323,026)

(342,028)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(109)

Total stockholders’ deficit

(322,243)

(341,310)

Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit

$

234,264

$

211,565

WINGSTOP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(amounts in thousands, except per share data)

Thirteen Weeks Ended

June 26,
2021

June 27,
2020

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

Revenue:

Royalty revenue, franchise fees and other

$

33,135

$

27,858

Advertising fees

22,577

19,923

Company-owned restaurant sales

18,288

18,324

Total revenue

74,000

66,105

Costs and expenses:

Cost of sales (1)

14,207

13,387

Advertising expenses

23,301

20,424

Selling, general and administrative

16,066

13,375

Depreciation and amortization

1,523

1,398

Gain on sale of restaurants and other expenses, net

(2,016)

Total costs and expenses

55,097

46,568

Operating income

18,903

19,537

Interest expense, net

3,724

4,214

Income before income tax expense

15,179

15,323

Income tax expense

3,867

3,784

Net income

$

11,312

$

11,539

Earnings per share

Basic

$

0.38

$

0.39

Diluted

$

0.38

$

0.39

Weighted average shares outstanding

Basic

29,739

29,588

Diluted

29,873

29,793

Dividends per share

$

0.14

$

0.11

(1)

Cost of sales includes all operating expenses of company-owned restaurants, including advertising expenses, and excludes depreciation and amortization, which are presented separately.

WINGSTOP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Unaudited Supplemental Information

Cost of Sales Margin Analysis

(amounts in thousands)

Thirteen Weeks Ended

June 26, 2021

June 27, 2020

In dollars

As a % of
company-

owned
restaurant sales

In dollars

As a % of

company-

owned
restaurant sales

Cost of sales:

Food, beverage and packaging costs

$

8,023

43.9

%

$

5,954

32.5

%

Labor costs

3,774

20.6

%

4,687

25.6

%

Other restaurant operating expenses

2,820

15.4

%

3,086

16.8

%

Vendor rebates

(410)

(2.2)

%

(340)

(1.9)

%

Total cost of sales

$

14,207

77.7

%

$

13,387

73.1

%

WINGSTOP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Unaudited Supplemental Information

Restaurant Count

Thirteen Weeks Ended

June 26,
2021

June 27,
2020

Domestic Franchised Activity:

Beginning of period

1,371

1,221

Openings

44

23

Closures

(2)

Re-franchised by Company

2

Restaurants end of period

1,415

1,244

Domestic Company-Owned Activity:

Beginning of period

33

32

Openings

1

Closures

Re-franchised to franchisees

(2)

Restaurants end of period

34

30

Total Domestic Restaurants

1,449

1,274

International Franchised Activity:

Beginning of period

175

160

Openings

4

2

Closures

(4)

Restaurants end of period

175

162

Total System-wide Restaurants

1,624

1,436

WINGSTOP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Non-GAAP Financial Measures – EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

(Unaudited)

(amounts in thousands)

Thirteen Weeks Ended

June 26,
2021

June 27,
2020

Net income

$

11,312

$

11,539

Interest expense, net

3,724

4,214

Income tax expense

3,867

3,784

Depreciation and amortization

1,523

1,398

EBITDA

$

20,426

$

20,935

Additional adjustments:

Gain on disposal of assets, net (a)

(2,016)

Stock-based compensation expense (b)

2,456

1,969

Adjusted EBITDA

$

22,882

$

20,888

(a)

Represents a gain resulting from the re-franchise of company-owned restaurants to a franchisee which is included in Gain on sale of restaurants and other expenses, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

(b)

Includes non-cash, stock-based compensation.

WINGSTOP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Non-GAAP Financial Measures – Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS

(Unaudited)

(amounts in thousands, except per share data)

Thirteen Weeks Ended

June 26,
2021

June 27,
2020

Numerator:

Net income

$

11,312

$

11,539

Adjustments:

Gain on disposal of assets, net (a)

(2,016)

Tax effect of adjustments (b)

483

Adjusted net income

$

11,312

$

10,006

Denominator:

Weighted-average shares outstanding – diluted

29,873

29,793

Adjusted earnings per diluted share

$

0.38

$

0.34

(a)

Represents a gain resulting from the re-franchise of company-owned restaurants to a franchisee which is included in Gain on sale of restaurants and other expenses, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

(b)

Represents the tax effect of the aforementioned adjustments to reflect corporate income taxes at an assumed effective tax rate of 24% for the periods ended June 26, 2021 and June 27, 2020, which includes provisions for U.S. federal income taxes, and assumes the respective statutory rates for applicable state and local jurisdictions.

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SOURCE Wingstop Restaurants Inc.