Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2020 Results

Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. ("Fiesta" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: FRGI), parent company of the Pollo Tropical® and Taco Cabana® restaurant brands, today reported results for the 13-week third quarter 2020, which ended on September 27, 2020 and provided a business update related to current operations.

Fiesta President and Chief Executive Officer Richard Stockinger said, "While prioritizing the well-being of our team members and guests during these challenging times, we are very encouraged that our business trajectory continues to strengthen. Pollo Tropical’s comparable sales trend improved from -31.6% in the second quarter of 2020 to -11.1% in the third quarter. Taco Cabana’s comparable sales trend accelerated by 500 basis points compared to the second quarter of 2020. Notably, our progress was achieved despite reclosing our dining rooms in mid July in response to COVID outbreaks in Florida and Texas, the two states where we operate. Our evolving operating model is making it easier and safer for consumers to order the freshly prepared food that they love through an improved drive-thru experience, expanded delivery options, new curbside and pickup capabilities, and a much-enhanced online and mobile ordering experience at both brands. These off-premise initiatives and investments are addressing real consumer needs for convenience and we believe will be key revenue growth drivers going forward."

Stockinger added, “Our operating model optimization and cost management efforts have significantly increased profit margins at both brands at a sustainable level. Third quarter Pollo Tropical Adjusted EBITDA margin improved 120 basis points and Taco Cabana Adjusted EBITDA margin expanded by 540 basis points. Net income was $4.6 million, which includes benefits from deferred tax valuation allowance adjustments and benefits from the CARES Act, and pre-tax income was $0.4 million for the quarter. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure(1), increased 22% vs. last year to $14.8 million, driven by significant improvement in Restaurant-level Adjusted EBITDA margins at both brands. Restaurant-level Adjusted EBITDA margins, a non-GAAP measure(1), improved in the third quarter of 2020 to 21.2% for Pollo Tropical and 14.9% for Taco Cabana. In this evolving environment, our primary focus remains on driving profitable sales growth. We will continue focusing on increasing ease of use and capacity for the most desired channels by consumers including online, drive-thru, pickup and delivery, and selectively opening dining rooms in situations in which we can achieve profitable sales.”

Stockinger concluded, “We have bolstered our liquidity through better working capital management, generation of cash flow from operations, and by significantly reducing our revolving credit facility(2) and net revolver debt balances(3). As of November 2, total debt was $21.4 million and net revolver debt was $9.0 million(3). At the beginning of the COVID crisis, on March 18, our total debt was $148.4 million and our net revolver debt was $74.4 million(3). We continue to improve our financial position and believe we will exit this challenging period with a stronger financial position that will support continued growth.”

________

(1)

See non-GAAP reconciliation table below.

(2)

Outstanding revolving credit facility balance plus outstanding letters of credit.

(3)

We define net revolver debt as outstanding revolving credit facility borrowings plus outstanding letters of credit less unrestricted cash balance as defined in our credit agreement (generally cash in bank less outstanding payments), which were $19.5 million, $3.5 million and $14.0 million, respectively, as of November 2, 2020 and $146.4 million, $3.5 million and $75.5 million, respectively, as of March 18, 2020. Net revolver debt is a non-GAAP measure which we believe assists investors in understanding of our management of our overall liquidity and financial flexibility.

Third Quarter 2020 Financial Summary

  • Total revenues decreased 16.4% to $137.3 million in the third quarter of 2020 from $164.2 million in the third quarter of 2019;
  • Comparable restaurant sales at Pollo Tropical decreased 11.1%;
  • Comparable restaurant sales at Taco Cabana decreased 14.2%;
  • Net income of $4.6 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2020, which included a benefit from income taxes of $4.2 million, compared to net loss of $22.2 million, or ($0.84) per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2019, which included the unfavorable net impact of $19.3 million, or $0.73 per diluted share, related to a non-cash impairment of goodwill;
  • Adjusted net income (a non-GAAP financial measure) of $2.1 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2020, compared to adjusted net income of $0.2 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2019 (see non-GAAP reconciliation table below);
  • Adjusted EBITDA for Pollo Tropical of $10.6 million in the third quarter of 2020 compared to $11.0 million in the third quarter of 2019;
  • Restaurant-level Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP financial measure) for Pollo Tropical of $16.4 million, or 21.2% of Pollo Tropical restaurant sales, in the third quarter of 2020 compared to $17.8 million, or 20.1% of Pollo Tropical restaurant sales, in the third quarter of 2019 (see non-GAAP reconciliation table below);
  • Adjusted EBITDA for Taco Cabana of $4.2 million in the third quarter of 2020 compared to $1.2 million in the third quarter of 2019;
  • Restaurant-level Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP financial measure) for Taco Cabana of $8.8 million, or 14.9% of Taco Cabana restaurant sales, in the third quarter of 2020 compared to $6.9 million, or 9.2% of Taco Cabana restaurant sales, in the third quarter of 2019 (see non-GAAP reconciliation table below); and
  • Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP financial measure) of $14.8 million in the third quarter of 2020 compared to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA of $12.2 million in the third quarter of 2019 (see non-GAAP reconciliation table below).

Third Quarter 2020 Comparable Restaurant Sales Summary

Fiscal July

Fiscal August

Fiscal September

Third Quarter 2020

Pollo Tropical

-13.8%

-10.8%

-8.7%

-11.1%

Taco Cabana

-14.4%

-14.1%

-14.2%

-14.2%

  • Due to ongoing uncertainty and volatility surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and guidelines, effective July 12, 2020, we closed all of our dining rooms and began re-opening certain dining rooms and patios with limited capacity and hours at both brands in late September at locations in which we believe we can generate profitable dining room sales while maintaining health safety. We continue to operate our restaurants for drive-thru, delivery and pickup, and we have accelerated efforts to better enable our customers to enjoy our brands safely and conveniently across all channels—wherever and whenever they choose.
  • Third quarter comparable restaurant sales at Pollo Tropical benefited from the negative impact of Hurricane Dorian in 2019. After adjusting for the impact of that named storm, 2020 third quarter comparable sales would have been approximately 140 basis points lower.

Cash and Liquidity

  • At the end of the third quarter of 2020, we had $18.0 million in cash and $41.8 million in debt, which includes $39.9 million outstanding under our amended senior credit facility and $1.9 million in finance lease obligations.
  • The reduction in our net revolver debt to $9.0 million(3) as of November 2, 2020 was funded by cash flow from operations and the sale or sale-leaseback of nine Company-owned properties. We currently have offers or contracts in place for the sale or sale-leaseback of our seven remaining Company-owned properties being marketed, with additional transactions expected to close in the fourth quarter to enable further debt pay down. However, there can be no assurance that such transactions will be completed during the fourth quarter or at all. We are also exploring the potential refinancing of our current credit agreement, although we cannot make any assurance of the timing or certainty of completing any refinancing transactions at this time.
  • 2020 full year capital expenditures will not exceed $22.0 million.

Third Quarter 2020 Brand Results

Total Pollo Tropical restaurant sales decreased 12.1% to $77.6 million in the third quarter of 2020 compared to $88.3 million in the third quarter of 2019 primarily due to a comparable restaurant sales decrease of 11.1%. Comparable restaurant sales for Pollo Tropical improved through the third quarter, from a decrease of 13.8% in fiscal July to a decrease of 8.7% in fiscal September. Off-premise sales consisting of online, catering, and delivery orders comprised 12.1% of total restaurant sales in the third quarter of 2020 compared to 4.4% of total restaurant sales in the third quarter of 2019.

The decrease in comparable restaurant sales resulted from a 22.1% decrease in comparable restaurant transactions and an 11.0% increase in the net impact of product/channel mix and pricing. The increase in product/channel mix and pricing was driven primarily by increases in delivery and drive-thru average check and sales channel penetration, and menu price increases of 0.2%. Sales cannibalization from new restaurants on existing restaurants negatively impacted comparable restaurant sales by approximately 10 basis points. As noted above, comparable restaurant sales for Pollo Tropical in the third quarter of 2020 benefited from the negative impact of Hurricane Dorian in 2019. After adjusting for the impact of that named storm, 2020 third quarter comparable restaurant sales would have been approximately 140 basis points lower.

Adjusted EBITDA for Pollo Tropical decreased to $10.6 million in the third quarter of 2020 from $11.0 million in the third quarter of 2019. The decrease was primarily due to the impact of lower comparable restaurant sales. Rent expense and other restaurant operating expenses increased as a percentage of restaurant sales—driven in large part by the impact of lower comparable restaurant sales as well as higher delivery fee expense in operating expenses. This was partially offset by lower cost of sales, restaurant wages, and advertising expense. Pollo Tropical incurred incremental costs related to COVID-19 of $0.2 million for the quarter including quarantine pay, and costs related to COVID testing, masks and sanitizer. Restaurant wages and related expenses decreased as a percentage of restaurant sales, primarily driven by efficiency initiatives. Driven by operating model optimization and cost management efforts, third quarter Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues increased from 12.4% in 2019 to 13.6% in 2020 and Restaurant-level Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of restaurant sales increased from 20.1% in 2019 to 21.2% in 2020.

Taco Cabana restaurant sales decreased 21.3% to $59.2 million in the third quarter of 2020 from $75.3 million in the third quarter of 2019 due primarily to a comparable restaurant sales decrease of 14.2% along with a decrease in sales related to closed restaurants. Off-premise sales consisting of online, catering, and delivery orders comprised 7.9% of total restaurant sales in the third quarter of 2020 compared to 3.6% of total restaurant sales in the third quarter of 2019. The decrease in comparable restaurant sales resulted from a 23.8% decrease in comparable restaurant transactions and a 9.6% increase in the net impact of product/channel mix and pricing. The increase in product/channel mix and pricing was driven primarily by increases in drive-thru and delivery sales channel penetration, growth in average check for drive-thru versus last year due in part to an increase in transactions that include alcohol, and menu price increases of 1.6%.

Adjusted EBITDA for Taco Cabana increased to $4.2 million from $1.2 million in the third quarter of 2019. The increase was primarily due to lower cost of sales, restaurant wages, and advertising expense as a percentage of Taco Cabana restaurant sales. This was partially offset by higher rent expense as a percentage of restaurant sales and the impact of lower comparable restaurant sales. Higher delivery fee expense was offset by lower operating supplies, repair and maintenance and other costs within other operating expenses as a percentage of restaurant sales. Taco Cabana incurred incremental costs related to COVID-19 of $0.2 million for the quarter including quarantine pay, and costs related to COVID testing, masks and sanitizer. Restaurant wages and related expenses decreased as a percentage of restaurant sales, primarily driven by efficiency initiatives. Driven by operating model optimization and cost management efforts, third quarter Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues increased from 1.6% in 2019 to 7.0% in 2020 and Restaurant-level Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of restaurant sales increased from 9.2% in 2019 to 14.9% in 2020.

Restaurant Portfolio

As of September 27, 2020, there were 138 Company-owned Pollo Tropical restaurants, 145 Company-owned Taco Cabana restaurants, 33 franchised Pollo Tropical restaurants in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Panama, Guyana, Ecuador and the Bahamas, and seven franchised Taco Cabana restaurants in the U.S.

Investor Conference Call Today

We will host a conference call at 4:30 p.m. ET today. The conference call can be accessed live over the phone by dialing 1-631-891-4304. A replay will be available after the call until Wednesday, November 11, 2020 and can be accessed by dialing 1-412-317-6671. The passcode is 10011317. The conference call will also be webcast live from the corporate website at www.frgi.com, under the Investor Relations section. A replay of the webcast will be available through the corporate website shortly after the call has concluded.

About Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc.

Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., owns, operates and franchises the Pollo Tropical® and Taco Cabana® restaurant brands. The brands specialize in the operation of fast casual/quick service restaurants that offer distinct and unique flavors with broad appeal at a compelling value. The brands feature fresh-made cooking, drive-thru service and catering. For more information about Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., visit the corporate website at www.frgi.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this news release and in our public disclosures, whether written, oral or otherwise made, relating to future events or future performance, including any discussion, express or implied regarding our anticipated growth, plans, objectives and the impact of our initiatives designed to strengthen our liquidity and cash position, including those related to working capital efficiency initiatives and sales of real property, our investments in strategic and sales building initiatives, including those relating to advertising and marketing, operations improvements, menu development and simplification, digital ordering and online sales, catering and third-party delivery and the impact of the recent COVID-19 outbreak and our initiatives designed to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak on future sales, margins, earnings and liquidity, contain 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. These statements are often identified by the words "may," "might," "believes," "thinks," "anticipates," "plans," "positioned," "target," "continue," "expects," "look to," "intends" and other similar expressions, whether in the negative or the affirmative, that are not statements of historical fact. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict, and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Our actual results and timing of certain events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including, but not limited to, those discussed from time to time in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2019 and our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. All forward-looking statements and the internal projections and beliefs upon which we base our expectations included in this release are made only as of the date of this release and may change. While we may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we expressly disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

FIESTA RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 AND SEPTEMBER 29, 2019

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

Three Months Ended (a)

Nine Months Ended (a)

September 27, 2020

September 29, 2019

September 27, 2020

September 29, 2019

Revenues:

Restaurant sales

$

136,819

$

163,589

$

404,452

$

499,483

Franchise royalty revenues and fees

513

659

1,447

1,998

Total revenues

137,332

164,248

405,899

501,481

Costs and expenses:

Cost of sales

41,752

52,056

125,835

156,324

Restaurant wages and related expenses (b)

35,545

44,459

109,787

135,261

Restaurant rent expense

11,174

11,970

33,792

35,613

Other restaurant operating expenses

21,138

24,153

61,638

68,429

Advertising expense

2,033

6,385

9,959

17,789

General and administrative expenses (b)(c)

11,855

13,820

38,527

42,387

Depreciation and amortization

9,432

10,165

28,427

29,520

Pre-opening costs

77

69

863

Impairment and other lease charges (d)

2,404

3,254

8,922

4,667

Goodwill impairment (e)

21,424

67,909

Closed restaurant rent, net of sublease income (f)

1,481

726

4,943

3,485

Other expense (income), net (g)

(1,304

)

64

388

920

Total operating expenses

135,510

188,553

422,287

563,167

Income (loss) from operations

1,822

(24,305

)

(16,388

)

(61,686

)

Interest expense

1,172

823

3,370

3,024

Loss on extinguishment of debt (i)

212

212

Income (loss) before income taxes

438

(25,128

)

(19,970

)

(64,710

)

Benefit from income taxes (h)

(4,155

)

(2,946

)

(8,903

)

(1,377

)

Net income (loss)

$

4,593

$

(22,182

)

$

(11,067

)

$

(63,333

)

Earnings (loss) per common share:

Basic

$

0.18

$

(0.84

)

$

(0.44

)

$

(2.37

)

Diluted

0.18

(0.84

)

(0.44

)

(2.37

)

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

Basic

25,290,357

26,548,116

25,359,004

26,734,822

Diluted

25,291,719

26,548,116

25,359,004

26,734,822

(a)

The Company uses a 52- or 53-week fiscal year that ends on the Sunday closest to December 31. The three- and nine-month periods ended September 27, 2020 and September 29, 2019 each included 13 and 39 weeks, respectively.

(b)

Restaurant wages and related expenses include stock-based compensation of $47 and $102 for the three months ended September 27, 2020 and September 29, 2019, respectively, and $152 and $145 for the nine months ended September 27, 2020 and September 29, 2019, respectively. General and administrative expenses include stock-based compensation expense of $597 and $509 for the three months ended September 27, 2020 and September 29, 2019, respectively, and $2,332 and $1,993 for the nine months ended September 27, 2020 and September 29, 2019, respectively.

(c)

See notes (h) and (i) to the reconciliation of net income (loss) to adjusted net income (loss) in the tables titled "Supplemental Non-GAAP Information."

(d)

See note (c) to the reconciliation of net income (loss) to adjusted net income (loss) in the tables titled "Supplemental Non-GAAP Information."

(e)

See note (d) to the reconciliation of net income (loss) to adjusted net income (loss) in the tables titled "Supplemental Non-GAAP Information."

(f)

See note (e) to the reconciliation of net income (loss) to adjusted net income (loss) in the tables titled "Supplemental Non-GAAP Information."

(g)

See note (f) to the reconciliation of net income (loss) to adjusted net income (loss) in the tables titled "Supplemental Non-GAAP Information."

(h)

See notes (a) and (b) to the reconciliation of net income (loss) to adjusted net income (loss) in the tables titled "Supplemental Non-GAAP Information."

(i)

See note (g) to the reconciliation of net income (loss) to adjusted net income (loss) in the tables titled "Supplemental Non-GAAP Information."

FIESTA RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

September 27, 2020

December 29, 2019

Assets

Cash

$

17,997

$

13,413

Other current assets

36,261

25,870

Property and equipment, net

174,551

211,944

Operating lease right-of-use assets

258,913

251,272

Goodwill

56,307

56,307

Other assets

7,739

9,835

Total assets

$

551,768

$

568,641

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

Current liabilities

$

80,944

$

63,620

Long-term debt, net of current portion

41,586

76,823

Operating lease liabilities

265,356

256,798

Deferred tax liabilities

5,311

4,759

Other non-current liabilities

12,646

8,405

Total liabilities

405,843

410,405

Stockholders' equity

145,925

158,236

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

551,768

$

568,641

FIESTA RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

Supplemental Information

The following table sets forth certain unaudited supplemental financial and other data for the periods indicated

(In thousands, except percentages):

 

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September 27, 2020

September 29, 2019

September 27, 2020

September 29, 2019

Segment revenues:

Pollo Tropical

$

77,940

$

88,741

$

227,503

$

273,280

Taco Cabana

59,392

75,507

178,396

228,201

Total revenues

$

137,332

$

164,248

$

405,899

$

501,481

Change in comparable restaurant sales (a):

Pollo Tropical

(11.1

)%

(3.8

)%

(16.8

)%

(2.5

)%

Taco Cabana

(14.2

)%

(4.8

)%

(15.7

)%

(2.8

)%

Average sales per Company-owned restaurant:

Pollo Tropical

Comparable restaurants (b)

$

568

$

639

$

1,644

$

1,986

New restaurants (c)

387

447

1,233

1,333

Total Company-owned (d)

562

626

1,628

1,943

Taco Cabana

Comparable restaurants (b)

$

406

$

457

$

1,216

$

1,392

New restaurants (c)

410

460

1,140

1,369

Total Company-owned (d)

406

456

1,212

1,389

Income (loss) before income taxes:

Pollo Tropical

$

3,035

$

3,857

$

(3,978

)

$

16,731

Taco Cabana

(2,385

)

(28,985

)

(15,780

)

(81,441

)

Adjusted EBITDA:

Pollo Tropical

$

10,621

$

10,980

$

24,394

$

39,943

Taco Cabana

4,172

1,174

5,937

8,189

Restaurant-level Adjusted EBITDA (e):

Pollo Tropical

$

16,430

$

17,751

$

42,202

$

60,352

Taco Cabana

8,794

6,917

21,391

25,860

(a)

Restaurants are included in comparable restaurant sales after they have been open for 18 months or longer.

(b)

Comparable restaurants are restaurants that have been open for 18 months or longer. Average sales for comparable Company-owned restaurants are derived by dividing comparable restaurant sales for such period for the applicable segment by the average number of comparable restaurants for the applicable segment for such period.

(c)

New restaurants are restaurants that have been open for less than 18 months. Average sales for new Company-owned restaurants are derived by dividing new restaurant sales for such period for the applicable segment by the average number of new restaurants for the applicable segment for such period.

(d)

Average sales for total Company-owned restaurants are derived by dividing restaurant sales for such period for the applicable segment by the average number of open restaurants for the applicable segment for such period.

(e)

Restaurant-level Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. Please see the reconciliation from net income (loss) to Restaurant-level Adjusted EBITDA in the table titled "Supplemental Non-GAAP Information."

FIESTA RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

Supplemental Information

The following table sets forth certain unaudited supplemental data for the periods indicated:

 

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September 27, 2020

September 29, 2019

September 27, 2020

September 29, 2019

Company-owned restaurant openings:

Pollo Tropical

1

2

Taco Cabana

1

3

Total new restaurant openings

1

1

5

Company-owned restaurant closings:

Pollo Tropical

(3

)

(4

)

Taco Cabana

(1

)

(20

)

Net change in restaurants

(4

)

1

(23

)

5

Number of Company-owned restaurants:

Pollo Tropical

138

141

138

141

Taco Cabana

145

165

145

165

Total Company-owned restaurants

283

306

283

306

Number of franchised restaurants:

Pollo Tropical

33

31

33

31

Taco Cabana

7

8

7

8

Total franchised restaurants

40

39

40

39

Total number of restaurants:

Pollo Tropical

171

172

171

172

Taco Cabana

152

173

152

173

Total restaurants

323

345

323

345

FIESTA RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

Supplemental Information

The following table sets forth certain unaudited supplemental financial and other data for the periods indicated

(In thousands, except percentages):

 

Three Months Ended

September 27, 2020

September 29, 2019

Pollo Tropical:

(a)

(a)

Restaurant sales

$

77,604

$

88,309

Cost of sales

24,614

31.7

%

28,239

32.0

%

Restaurant wages and related expenses

18,051

23.3

%

20,944

23.7

%

Restaurant rent expense

5,585

7.2

%

5,477

6.2

%

Other restaurant operating expenses

12,125

15.6

%

12,807

14.5

%

Advertising expense

815

1.1

%

3,130

3.5

%

Depreciation and amortization

5,171

6.7

%

5,529

6.3

%

Pre-opening costs

%

68

0.1

%

Impairment and other lease charges

2,395

3.1

%

165

0.2

%

Closed restaurant rent expense, net of sublease income

356

0.5

%

601

0.7

%

Taco Cabana:

Restaurant sales

$

59,215

$

75,280

Cost of sales

17,138

28.9

%

23,817

31.6

%

Restaurant wages and related expenses

17,494

29.5

%

23,515

31.2

%

Restaurant rent expense

5,589

9.4

%

6,493

8.6

%

Other restaurant operating expenses

9,013

15.2

%

11,346

15.1

%

Advertising expense

1,218

2.1

%

3,255

4.3

%

Depreciation and amortization

4,261

7.2

%

4,636

6.2

%

Pre-opening costs

%

9

%

Impairment and other lease charges

9

%

3,089

4.1

%

Goodwill impairment

%

21,424

28.5

%

Closed restaurant rent expense, net of sublease income

1,125

1.9

%

125

0.2

%

Nine Months Ended

September 27, 2020

September 29, 2019

Pollo Tropical:

(a)

(a)

Restaurant sales

$

226,617

$

271,955

Cost of sales

72,666

32.1

%

85,855

31.6

%

Restaurant wages and related expenses

54,196

23.9

%

63,387

23.3

%

Restaurant rent expense

16,885

7.5

%

16,393

6.0

%

Other restaurant operating expenses

35,225

15.5

%

36,665

13.5

%

Advertising expense

5,497

2.4

%

9,351

3.4

%

Depreciation and amortization

15,682

6.9

%

16,118

5.9

%

Pre-opening costs

%

307

0.1

%

Impairment and other lease charges

8,023

3.5

%

(162

)

(0.1

)%

Closed restaurant rent expense, net of sublease income

1,629

0.7

%

2,784

1.0

%

Taco Cabana:

Restaurant sales

$

177,835

$

227,528

Cost of sales

53,169

29.9

%

70,469

31.0

%

Restaurant wages and related expenses

55,591

31.3

%

71,874

31.6

%

Restaurant rent expense

16,907

9.5

%

19,220

8.4

%

Other restaurant operating expenses

26,413

14.9

%

31,764

14.0

%

Advertising expense

4,462

2.5

%

8,438

3.7

%

Depreciation and amortization

12,745

7.2

%

13,402

5.9

%

Pre-opening costs

69

%

556

0.2

%

Impairment and other lease charges

899

0.5

%

4,829

2.1

%

Goodwill impairment

%

67,909

29.8

%

Closed restaurant rent expense, net of sublease income

3,314

1.9

%

701

0.3

%

(a)

Percent of restaurant sales for the applicable segment.

FIESTA RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.
Supplemental Non-GAAP Information
The following table sets forth certain unaudited supplemental financial data for the periods indicated
(In thousands):

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Restaurant-level Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings (loss) attributable to the applicable operating segments before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, impairment and other lease charges, goodwill impairment, closed restaurant rent expense, net of sublease income, stock-based compensation expense, other expense (income), net, and certain significant items for each segment that are related to strategic changes and/or are not related to the ongoing operation of our restaurants as set forth in the reconciliation table below. Adjusted EBITDA for each of our segments includes an allocation of general and administrative expenses associated with administrative support for executive management, information systems and certain finance, legal, supply chain, human resources, construction and other administrative functions. Restaurant-level Adjusted EBITDA is defined as Adjusted EBITDA excluding franchise royalty revenues and fees, pre-opening costs and general and administrative expenses (including corporate-level general and administrative expenses).

Adjusted EBITDA for each of our segments is the primary measure of segment profit or loss used by our chief operating decision maker for purposes of allocating resources to our segments and assessing their performance. In addition, management believes that Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Restaurant-level Adjusted EBITDA, when viewed with our results of operations calculated in accordance with GAAP and our reconciliation of net income (loss) to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Restaurant-level Adjusted EBITDA (i) provide useful information about our operating performance and period-over-period changes, (ii) provide additional information that is useful for evaluating the operating performance of our business, and (iii) permit investors to gain an understanding of the factors and trends affecting our ongoing earnings, from which capital investments are made and debt is serviced. However, such measures are not measures of financial performance or liquidity under GAAP and, accordingly, should not be considered as alternatives to net income or cash flow from operating activities as indicators of operating performance or liquidity. Also, these measures may not be comparable to similarly titled captions of other companies.

Three Months Ended

Pollo Tropical

Taco Cabana

Other

Consolidated

September 27, 2020:

Net income

$

4,593

Benefit from income taxes

(4,155

)

Income (loss) before taxes

$

3,035

$

(2,385

)

$

(212

)

$

438

Add:

Non-general and administrative expense adjustments:

Depreciation and amortization

5,171

4,261

9,432

Impairment and other lease charges

2,395

9

2,404

Interest expense

593

579

1,172

Closed restaurant rent expense, net of sublease income

356

1,125

1,481

Loss on extinguishment of debt

212

212

Other expense (income), net

(1,404

)

100

(1,304

)

Stock-based compensation expense in restaurant wages

15

32

47

Total non-general and administrative expense adjustments

7,126

6,106

212

13,444

General and administrative expense adjustments:

Stock-based compensation expense

307

290

597

Restructuring costs and retention bonuses

99

117

216

Digital and brand repositioning costs

54

44

98

Total general and administrative expense adjustments

460

451

911

Adjusted EBITDA

$

10,621

$

4,172

$

$

14,793

Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of total revenues

13.6

%

7.0

%

10.8

%

Restaurant-level adjustments:

Add: Other general and administrative expense(1)

6,145

4,799

10,944

Less: Franchise royalty revenue and fees

336

177

513

Restaurant-level Adjusted EBITDA

$

16,430

$

8,794

$

$

25,224

Restaurant-level Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of restaurant sales

21.2

%

14.9

%

18.4

%

September 29, 2019:

Net loss

$

(22,182

)

Benefit from income taxes

(2,946

)

Income (loss) before taxes

$

3,857

$

(28,985

)

$

$

(25,128

)

Add:

Non-general and administrative expense adjustments:

Depreciation and amortization

5,529

4,636

10,165

Impairment and other lease charges

165

3,089

3,254

Goodwill impairment

21,424

21,424

Interest expense

398

425

823

Closed restaurant rent expense, net of sublease income

601

125

726

Other expense (income), net

5

59

64

Stock-based compensation expense in restaurant wages

39

63

102

Total non-general and administrative expense adjustments

6,737

29,821

36,558

General and administrative expense adjustments:

Stock-based compensation expense

268

241

509

Digital and brand repositioning costs

118

97

215

Total general and administrative expense adjustments

386

338

724

Adjusted EBITDA

$

10,980

$

1,174

$

$

12,154

Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of total revenues

12.4

%

1.6

%

7.4

%

Restaurant-level adjustments:

Add: Pre-opening costs

68

9

77

Add: Other general and administrative expense(1)

7,135

5,961

13,096

Less: Franchise royalty revenue and fees

432

227

659

Restaurant-level Adjusted EBITDA

$

17,751

$

6,917

$

$

24,668

Restaurant-level Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of restaurant sales

20.1

%

9.2

%

15.1

%

Nine Months Ended

Pollo Tropical

Taco Cabana

Other

Consolidated

September 27, 2020:

Net loss

$

(11,067

)

Benefit from income taxes

(8,903

)

Loss before taxes

$

(3,978

)

$

(15,780

)

$

(212

)

$

(19,970

)

Add:

Non-general and administrative expense adjustments:

Depreciation and amortization

15,682

12,745

28,427

Impairment and other lease charges

8,023

899

8,922

Interest expense

1,701

1,669

3,370

Closed restaurant rent expense, net of sublease income

1,629

3,314

4,943

Loss on extinguishment of debt

212

212

Other expense (income), net

(653

)

1,041

388

Stock-based compensation expense in restaurant wages

53

99

152

Total non-general and administrative expense adjustments

26,435

19,767

212

46,414

General and administrative expense adjustments:

Stock-based compensation expense

1,140

1,192

2,332

Restructuring costs and retention bonuses

551

556

1,107

Digital and brand repositioning costs

246

202

448

Total general and administrative expense adjustments

1,937

1,950

3,887

Adjusted EBITDA

$

24,394

$

5,937

$

$

30,331

Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of total revenues

10.7

%

3.3

%

7.5

%

Restaurant-level adjustments:

Add: Pre-opening costs

69

69

Add: Other general and administrative expense(1)

18,694

15,946

34,640

Less: Franchise royalty revenue and fees

886

561

1,447

Restaurant-level Adjusted EBITDA

$

42,202

$

21,391

$

$

63,593

Restaurant-level Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of restaurant sales

18.6

%

12.0

%

15.7

%

September 29, 2019:

Net loss

$

(63,333

)

Benefit from income taxes

(1,377

)

Income (loss) before taxes

$

16,731

$

(81,441

)

$

$

(64,710

)

Add:

Non-general and administrative expense adjustments:

Depreciation and amortization

16,118

13,402

29,520

Impairment and other lease charges

(162

)

4,829

4,667

Goodwill impairment

67,909

67,909

Interest expense

1,534

1,490

3,024

Closed restaurant rent expense, net of sublease income

2,784

701

3,485

Other expense (income), net

749

171

920

Stock-based compensation expense in restaurant wages

48

97

145

Total non-general and administrative expense adjustments

21,071

88,599

109,670

General and administrative expense adjustments:

Stock-based compensation expense

1,196

797

1,993

Restructuring costs and retention bonuses

827

137

964

Digital and brand repositioning costs

118

97

215

Total general and administrative expense adjustments

2,141

1,031

3,172

Adjusted EBITDA

$

39,943

$

8,189

$

$

48,132

Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of total revenues

14.6

%

3.6

%

9.6

%

Restaurant-level adjustments:

Add: Pre-opening costs

307

556

863

Add: Other general and administrative expense(1)

21,427

17,788

39,215

Less: Franchise royalty revenue and fees

1,325

673

1,998

Restaurant-level Adjusted EBITDA

$

60,352

$

25,860

$

$

86,212

Restaurant-level Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of restaurant sales

22.2

%

11.4

%

17.3

%

(1)

Excludes general and administrative adjustments above.

FIESTA RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.
Supplemental Non-GAAP Information
The following table sets forth certain unaudited supplemental financial data for the periods indicated
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts):

Adjusted net income and related adjusted diluted earnings per share are non-GAAP financial measures. Adjusted net income is defined as net income (loss) before impairment and other lease charges, goodwill impairment, closed restaurant rent expense, net of sublease income, other expense (income), net, board and shareholder matter costs, restructuring costs and retention bonuses, certain legal settlements and related costs and other significant items that are related to strategic changes and/or are not related to the ongoing operation of our restaurants. Management believes that adjusted net income and related adjusted earnings per diluted share, when viewed with our results of operations calculated in accordance with GAAP (i) provide useful information about our operating performance and period-over-period growth, (ii) provide additional information that is useful for evaluating the operating performance of our business, and (iii) permit investors to gain an understanding of the factors and trends affecting our ongoing earnings, from which capital investments are made and debt is serviced. However, such measures are not measures of financial performance or liquidity under GAAP and, accordingly should not be considered as alternatives to net income or net income per share as indicators of operating performance or liquidity. Also, these measures may not be comparable to similarly titled captions of other companies.

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

September 27, 2020

September 29, 2019

Income
Before
Income
Taxes

Benefit
From
Income
Taxes (a)

Net
Income

Diluted
EPS

Income
(Loss)
Before
Income
Taxes

Provision
For
(Benefit
From)
Income
Taxes (a)

Net
Income
(Loss)

Diluted
EPS

Reported - GAAP

$

438

$

(4,155

)

$

4,593

$

0.18

$

(25,128

)

$

(2,946

)

$

(22,182

)

$

(0.84

)

Adjustments:

Non-general and administrative expense adjustments:

Income tax due to tax law change (a)

1,919

(1,919

)

(0.07

)

Deferred tax asset valuation allowance (b)

2,968

(2,968

)

(0.11

)

Impairment and other lease charges (c)

2,404

575

1,829

0.07

3,254

903

2,351

0.09

Goodwill impairment (d)

21,424

2,111

19,313

0.73

Closed restaurant rent expense, net of sublease income (e)

1,481

354

1,127

0.04

726

201

525

0.02

Other expense (income), net (f)

(1,304

)

(312

)

(992

)

(0.04

)

64

18

46

Loss on extinguishment of debt (g)

212

51

161

0.01

Total non-general and administrative expense

2,793

5,555

(2,762

)

(0.11

)

25,468

3,233

22,235

0.84

General and administrative expense adjustments:

Restructuring costs and retention bonuses (h)

216

52

164

0.01

Digital and brand repositioning costs (i)

98

23

75

215

60

155

0.01

Total general and administrative expense

314

75

239

0.01

215

60

155

0.01

Adjusted - Non-GAAP

$

3,545

$

1,475

$

2,070

$

0.08

$

555

$

347

$

208

$

0.01

(Unaudited)

Nine Months Ended

September 27, 2020

September 29, 2019

Loss
Before
Income
Taxes

Benefit
From
Income
Taxes (a)

Net
Income
(Loss)

Diluted
EPS

Income
(Loss)
Before
Income
Taxes

Provision
For
(Benefit
From)
Income
Taxes (a)

Net
Income
(Loss)

Diluted
EPS

Reported - GAAP

$

(19,970

)

$

(8,903

)

$

(11,067

)

$

(0.44

)

$

(64,710

)

$

(1,377

)

$

(63,333

)

$

(2.37

)

Adjustments:

Non-general and administrative expense adjustments:

Income tax due to tax law change (a)

3,522

(3,522

)

(0.14

)

Deferred tax asset valuation allowance (b)

1,294

(1,294

)

(0.05

)

Impairment and other lease charges (c)

8,922

2,132

6,790

0.27

4,667

1,295

3,372

0.13

Goodwill impairment (d)

67,909

2,111

65,798

2.46

Closed restaurant rent expense, net of sublease income (e)

4,943

1,181

3,762

0.15

3,485

967

2,518

0.09

Other expense (income), net (f)

388

93

295

0.01

920

255

665

0.02

Loss on extinguishment of debt (g)

212

51

161

0.01

Total non-general and administrative expense

14,465

8,273

6,192

0.24

76,981

4,628

72,353

2.71

General and administrative expense adjustments:

Restructuring costs and retention bonuses (h)

1,107

265

842

0.03

964

268

696

0.03

Digital and brand repositioning costs (i)

448

107

341

0.01

215

60

155

0.01

Total general and administrative expense

1,555

372

1,183

0.05

1,179

328

851

0.03

Adjusted - Non-GAAP

$

(3,950

)

$

(258

)

$

(3,692

)

$

(0.15

)

$

13,450

$

3,579

$

9,871

$

0.37

(a)

The provision for (benefit from) income taxes related to the adjustments was calculated using the Company's combined federal statutory and estimated state rate of 23.9% and 27.7% for the periods ending September 27, 2020 and September 29, 2019, respectively. For fiscal years beginning January 1, 2018, our federal statutory tax rate is 21% as a result of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Act") in December 2017. For the three and nine months ended September 27, 2020, we recorded a $0.1 million and $1.9 million tax benefit, respectively, related to prior year net operating losses as a result of a provision in the CARES Act that allows net operating losses from 2018–2020 to be carried back for five years. Additionally, the three and nine months ended September 27, 2020 includes an incremental benefit of $1.9 million related to reclassifying certain assets as qualified improvement property as permitted by the CARES Act and other changes to depreciation methods for certain assets made in conjunction with a cost segregation study conducted prior to filing the Company’s 2019 federal income tax return.

(b)

For the three and nine months ended September 27, 2020, we recorded a reduction of $3.0 million and $1.3 million, respectively, to our valuation allowance against deferred income tax assets primarily related to reclassifying certain assets as qualified improvement property and filing our 2019 federal income tax returns as well as other changes in our deferred income tax assets where it was determined to be more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized through the reversal of existing deferred tax liabilities.

(c)

Impairment and other lease charges for the three and nine months ended September 27, 2020 consist of impairment charges of $2.6 million and $8.4 million, respectively, and other lease charges (gains) of $(0.2) million and $0.5 million, respectively. For the three months ended September 27, 2020, impairment charges primarily relate to the write-down of saucing islands and self-service soda machines that are being removed from dining rooms as a result of COVID-19. For the nine months ended September 27, 2020, impairment charges also include the impairment of assets from three underperforming Pollo Tropical restaurants, two of which were closed in the third quarter of 2020, and two underperforming Taco Cabana restaurants, as well as the write-down of assets held for sale to their fair value. For the three months ended September 27, 2020, other lease gains primarily relate to a gain from a lease termination of $(0.2) million. For the nine months ended September 27, 2020, other lease charges also include lease termination charges of $0.9 million for restaurant locations we decided not to develop, net of a gain from a lease termination of $(0.2) million.

Impairment and other lease charges for the three and nine months ended September 29, 2019 primarily consist of impairment charges of $3.3 million and $5.5 million, respectively, and a lease charge recoveries benefit related to closed restaurant lease terminations of $(0.9) million for the nine months ended September 29, 2019. The impairment charges primarily related to assets for eight underperforming Taco Cabana restaurants that we continued to operate and equipment from previously impaired restaurants.

(d)

Goodwill impairment for the three and nine months ended September 29, 2019 consists of a non-cash impairment charge to write down the value of goodwill for the Taco Cabana reporting unit.

(e)

Closed restaurant rent expense, net of sublease income for the three and nine months ended September 27, 2020 primarily consists of closed restaurant lease costs of $3.0 million and $8.9 million, respectively, partially offset by sublease income of $(1.5) million and $(3.9) million, respectively. Closed restaurant rent expense, net of sublease income for the three and nine months ended September 29, 2019 primarily consists of closed restaurant lease costs of $1.9 million and $6.2 million, respectively, partially offset by sublease income of $(1.1) million and $(2.8) million, respectively.

(f)

Other expense (income), net for the three and nine months ended September 27, 2020 primarily consists of total gains of $(1.6) million on the sale-leaseback of two restaurant properties and the sale of two restaurant properties, partially offset by costs for the removal, transfer, and storage of equipment from closed restaurants and other closed restaurant related costs of $0.3 million and $1.4 million, respectively. Other expense (income), net for the nine months ended September 27, 2020 also includes the write-off of site development costs of $0.6 million. Other expense (income), net for the three and nine months ended September 29, 2019 consists of the write-off of site development costs of $0.1 million. Other expense (income), net for the nine months ended September 29, 2019 also includes costs for the removal, transfer, and storage of equipment from closed restaurants of $0.7 million.

(g)

Loss on extinguishment of debt for the three and nine months ended September 27, 2020 consists of the write-off of unamortized deferred financing fees related to extinguished debt.

(h)

Restructuring costs and retention bonuses for the three and nine months ended September 27, 2020 include severance costs related to terminations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Restructuring costs and retention bonuses for the nine months ended September 29, 2019 include severance costs related to eliminated positions.

(i)

Digital and brand repositioning costs for the three and nine months ended September 27, 2020 and September 29, 2019 include consulting costs related to repositioning the digital experience for our customers.

Contacts:

Investor Relations:
Raphael Gross
203-682-8253
investors@frgi.com

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