Famous Dave’s of America, Inc. Appoints Eric Hirschhorn To Board of Directors and Reports Results For First Quarter Fiscal 2017


MINNEAPOLIS, May 15, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Famous Dave's of America, Inc. (NASDAQ:DAVE) today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed experienced industry executive, Eric Hirschhorn, to the Board, effective May 15, 2017. Mr. Hirschhorn has served in various capacities at Restaurant Brands International, most recently as the President of Burger King Canada. Prior to joining Restaurant Brands International, Mr. Hirschhorn served as general counsel of 3G Capital, where he served as key counsel in the acquisition of Burger King.

Chuck Mooty, Chairman of the Board, commented, “I am delighted to welcome Eric to the Board of Directors. His deep industry experience will be instrumental in assisting the rest of the Board and Management team in revitalizing this wonderful Brand.”

Today, the Company reported financial results for the first quarter ending April 2, 2017.

Highlights for the first quarter of 2017:

  • Franchise-operated comparable restaurant sales decreased 4.8%
  • Company-owned comparable restaurant sales decreased 3.3%
  • Restaurant-level operating margin increased to 2.8%, from 2.1% during the first quarter of 2016
  • Closed one franchise-operated restaurant
  • Closed two Company-owned restaurants

Key Operating Metrics

 Three Months Ended
 April 2, April 3,
 2017
 2016
Restaurant count:     
Franchise-operated 138  141
Company-owned 35  37
Total 173  178
Comparable restaurant sales %:     
Franchise-operated (4.8)%  (6.1)%
Company-owned (3.3)%  (7.7)%
Total (4.5)%  (6.3)%
 
(in thousands, expect per share data)
 
System-wide restaurant sales(1)$100,389
 $104,112
 
Net (loss) income from continuing operations$(1,246) $149
Adjusted net loss from continuing operations(2) (332)  (22)
      
Net (loss) income from continuing operations, per share$(0.18) $0.02
Adjusted net loss from continuing operations, per share(2) (0.05)  ---
      
Adjusted EBITDA(2)$363 $1,126

____________________________________

(1) System-wide restaurant sales for all Company-owned and franchise-operated restaurants, as reported by franchisees. Restaurant sales for franchise-operated restaurants are not revenues of the Company and are not included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
(2) Adjusted net (loss) income and adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures.  A reconciliation of all non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure is included in the accompanying financial tables.  See “Non-GAAP Reconciliation.”

First Quarter 2017 Review

Total revenue for the quarter was $22.0 million, down 6.4% from the first quarter of 2016.  The decrease in Company-owned revenue was primarily driven by a comparable sales decline of 3.3% and the net closure of two restaurants.  The declines in franchise royalty and fee revenue were driven by a comparable sales decline of 4.8%, the net closure of three franchise-operated restaurants, and the prior year’s franchise fee revenues associated with the signing of two area development agreements in the first quarter of 2016.

Restaurant-level operating margin for Company-owned restaurants was 2.8%, an increase from 2.1% in the first quarter of 2016.  The improvement was primarily driven by the continued focus on our actual versus theoretical food cost initiative, commodity deflation, more effective and efficient management of labor versus optimum, and the timing of marketing spend.  These benefits were slightly offset by wage rate inflation and sales deleverage on fixed costs.

General and administrative expenses increased to $4.6 million from $3.7 million in the first quarter of 2016.  The increase was primarily driven by employee severance and professional fees incurred in the current quarter, the prior year’s early removal of a short-term incentive compensation accrual and the prior year’s recapture of stock-based compensation associated with an executive departure.

Net (loss) income from continuing operations was a loss of $1.2 million, or $0.18 loss per share, compared to income of $149,000, or $0.02 per share, in the first quarter of 2016.  In the first quarter of 2017, the Company recorded $1.1 million of charges related to lease termination costs for two previously refranchised restaurants and the closure of two Company-owned restaurants.

Adjusted net (loss) income from continuing operations, a non-GAAP measure, decreased to a loss of $332,000, or $0.05 loss per share, compared to a loss of $22,000, or $0.00 loss per share, in the first quarter of 2016.  A reconciliation between adjusted net (loss) income and its most directly comparable GAAP measure is included in the accompanying financial tables.

Refranchising and Restaurant Optimization Plan

On May 2, 2017, the Company announced its plans to accelerate the refranchising and optimization of its 33 Company-owned restaurants over the next 12 to 24 months. This will permit the Company to shift its resources and energy to the growth and viability of its franchise system, which is paramount to its success. The Company closed two additional underperforming restaurants subsequent to the end of the quarter.

Executive Comments

Mike Lister, CEO, commented, “I am proud of the progress we are making in returning our Brand to a position of strength. The Company’s refranchising initiative will allow us to focus tirelessly on supporting our franchisees by improving Guest acquisition and experience through marketing, food and beverage innovation, training and development.”

About Famous Dave’s

The Company develops, owns, operates and franchises barbeque restaurants. Its menu features award-winning barbequed and grilled meats, a selection of salads, sandwiches, side items, and made-from-scratch desserts. As of May 15, 2017, the Company owns 33 locations and franchises an additional 135 restaurants in 32 states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Canada, and United Arab Emirates.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call May 15, 2017, at 3:30 p.m. Central Time to discuss its first quarter financial results. There will be a live webcast of the discussion through the Investor Relations section of Famous Dave's web site at www.famousdaves.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement its consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), the Company uses non-GAAP measures including those indicated below. These non-GAAP measures exclude significant expenses and income that are required by GAAP to be recorded in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and are subject to inherent limitations. By providing non-GAAP measures, together with a reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP measure, the Company believes that it is enhancing investors’ understanding of the Company’s business and results of operations. These measures are not intended to be considered in isolation of, as substitutes for, or superior to, financial measures prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP measures presented may be different from the measures used by other companies. The Company urges investors to review the reconciliation of its non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, included in the accompanying financial tables.

Adjusted net (loss) income from continuing operations is net (loss) income from continuing operations, plus items such as asset impairment, estimated lease termination and other closing costs, net (loss) gain on disposal of equipment, settlement agreements, stock-based compensation, severance, and the related tax impact. This number is divided by the weighted-average number of basic shares of stock outstanding during each period presented to arrive at adjusted net (loss) income from continuing operations, per share. Adjusted EBITDA is net (loss) income from continuing operations, plus items such as asset impairment, estimated lease termination and other closing costs, depreciation and amortization, interest expense, net, provision (benefit) for income taxes, net (loss) gain on disposal of equipment, settlement agreements, stock-based compensation, and severance.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical, including but not limited to statements regarding the timing of the Company’s restaurant openings and the timing or success of refranchising plans, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, which may cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from expected results. Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectation will be attained. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Famous Dave’s expectation include financial performance, restaurant industry conditions, execution of restaurant development and construction programs, franchisee performance, changes in local or national economic conditions, availability of financing, governmental approvals and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s SEC reports.


FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
APRIL 2, 2017 AND APRIL 3, 2016
 (in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 Three Months Ended
 April 2, April 3,
 2017 2016
Revenue:     
Restaurant sales, net$17,977  $18,992 
Franchise royalty revenue 3,782   4,110 
Franchise fee revenue ---   135 
Licensing and other revenue 217   248 
Total revenue 21,976   23,485 
      
Costs and expenses:     
Food and beverage costs 5,438   6,023 
Labor and benefits costs 6,509   6,853 
Operating expenses 5,534   5,709 
Depreciation and amortization 755   981 
General and administrative expenses 4,593   3,720 
Asset impairment and estimated lease     
termination and other closing costs 1,133   8 
Net loss (gain) on disposal of property 1   (204)
Total costs and expenses 23,963   23,090 
      
(Loss) income from operations (1,987)  395 
      
Other expense:     
Interest expense (187)  (178)
Interest income ---   1 
Total other expense, net (187)  (177)
      
(Loss) income before income taxes (2,174)  218 
      
Income tax benefit (expense) 928   (69)
      
Net (loss) income from continuing operations (1,246)  149 
Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax ---   681 
      
Net (loss) income$(1,246) $830 
      
Basic net (loss) income per share - continuing operations$(0.18) $0.02 
Basic net income per share - discontinued operations$---  $0.10 
Basic net (loss) income per share$(0.18) $0.12 
      
Diluted net (loss) income per share - continuing operations$(0.18) $0.02 
Diluted net income per share - discontinued operations$---  $0.10 
Diluted net (loss) income per share$(0.18) $0.12 
      
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic 6,954   6,948 
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted 6,954   6,958 
      


FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
OPERATING RESULTS
(unaudited)
 
  Three Months Ended
  April 2, April 3,
  2017 2016
Food and beverage costs(1) 30.2% 31.7%
Labor and benefits(1) 36.2% 36.1%
Operating expenses(1) 30.8% 30.1%
Restaurant level operating margin(1)(3) 2.8% 2.1%
Depreciation & amortization(2) 3.4% 4.2%
General and administrative(2) 20.9% 15.8%
(Loss) income from operations(2) (9.0%) 1.7%
     
(1)As a percentage of restaurant sales, net     
(2)As a percentage of total revenue     
(3)Restaurant level margins are equal to restaurant sales, net, less restaurant level food and beverage costs, labor and benefit costs, and operating expenses.



FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
APRIL 2, 2017 AND JANUARY 1, 2017
 (in thousands, except per share data)
       
   April 2,  January 1,
   2017  2017
ASSETS (Unaudited)  
Current assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents$4,865 $4,450
Restricted cash 1,796  1,714
Accounts receivable, net 5,474  5,257
Inventories 1,425  1,499
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 5,473  3,531
Assets held for sale ---  1
Total current assets  19,033  16,452
       
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net 25,354  25,912
       
Other assets:     
Intangible assets, net 2,556  2,565
Deferred tax assets 4,229  4,633
Other assets 1,355  1,383
 $52,527 $50,945
       
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:       
Current portion of long-term debt and financing lease obligation$2,084 $1,371
Accounts payable 6,299  5,311
Accrued compensation and benefits 1,965  1,321
Other current liabilities 4,186  3,140
Total current liabilities 14,534  11,143
        
Long-term liabilities:     
Long-term debt, less current portion 8,608  8,849
Financing lease obligation, less current portion 1,469  2,280
Other liabilities 9,142  8,705
Total liabilities 33,753  30,977
       
Shareholders’ equity:       
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000 shares authorized,      
6,958 shares issued and outstanding at      
April 2, 2017 and January 1, 2017, respectively 66  66
Retained earnings 18,708  19,902
Total shareholders’ equity 18,774  19,968
  $52,527 $50,945
       


FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
APRIL 2, 2017 AND APRIL 3, 2016
 (in thousands)
(Unaudited)
      
 Three Months Ended
 April 2, April 3,
 2017 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:     
Net (loss) income from continuing operations$(1,246) $149 
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to cash flows provided by operations:     
Depreciation and amortization 755   981 
Asset impairment and estimated lease termination and other closing costs 1,133   8 
Net loss (gain) on disposal of property 1   (204)
Amortization of deferred financing costs 7   9 
Deferred income taxes 348   --- 
Deferred rent 144   192 
Stock-based compensation 107   (54)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:     
Restricted cash (81)  (115)
Accounts receivable, net (184)  (428)
Inventories 74   210 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (2,087)  (105)
Accounts payable 853   240 
Accrued compensation and benefits 619   107 
Other current liabilities 420   329 
Other liabilities 1   (18)
Cash flows provided by continuing operating activities 864   1,301 
Cash flows used for discontinued operating activities ---   (785)
Cash flows provided by operating activities 864   516 
      
Cash flows used for investing activities:     
Proceeds from the sale of assets ---   1,053 
Purchases of property, equipment and leasehold improvements (104)  (129)
Cash flows (used for) provided by continuing investing activities (104)  924 
Cash flows provided by discontinued investing activities ---   1,150 
Cash flows (used for) provided by investing activities (104)  2,074 
      
Cash flows used for financing activities:     
Proceeds from line of credit ---   1,855 
Payments of debt issuance costs (15)  --- 
Payments on long-term debt and financing lease obligation (330)  (2,145)
Cash flows used for financing activities (345)  (290)
      
Increase in cash and cash equivalents 415   2,300 
      
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 4,450   5,300 
      
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period$4,865  $7,600 
      


FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
 
  Three Months Ended
   April 2,
  April 3,
  2017  2016 
Net (loss) income from continuing operations$ (1,246) $ 149 
Asset impairment and estimated lease termination     
and other closing costs  1,133    8 
Net loss (gain) on disposal of equipment  1    (204)
Stock-based compensation  107    (54)
Severance  354   --- 
Tax adjustment  (681)   79 
       
Adjusted net loss from continuing operations$ (332) $ (22)
       
Basic adjusted net loss per common share     
from continuing operations$ (0.05) $--- 
Diluted adjusted net loss per common share     
from continuing operations$ (0.05) $--- 
       
Weighted average common share outstanding - basic  6,954    6,948 
Weighted average common share outstanding - diluted  6,954    6,958 
       
      
      
Net (loss) income from continuing operations$ (1,246) $ 149 
Asset impairment and estimated lease termination     
and other closing costs  1,133    8 
Depreciation and amortization 755   981 
Interest expense, net 187   177 
(Benefit) provision for income taxes (928)  69 
Net gain on disposal of equipment  1    (204)
Stock-based compensation  107    (54)
Severance  354   --- 
       
Adjusted EBITDA$ 363  $1,126 

 


            

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