Please wait



Bravo Brio Restaurant Group, Inc. Reports Third Quarter Financial Results
Company Updates Full Year 2014 Outlook; Provides Development Guidance for 2015
Expects to Commence $50 Million Modified “Dutch Auction” Tender Offer
Secures New Five-Year $100 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility

Columbus, Ohio - November 6, 2014 - Bravo Brio Restaurant Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: BBRG) (the Company) owner and operator of the BRAVO! Cucina Italiana (BRAVO!) and BRIO Tuscan Grille (BRIO) restaurant concepts, today reported financial results for the thirteen and thirty-nine week periods ended September 28, 2014, updated its outlook for 2014, and provided development guidance for 2015. BBRG also announced that it expects to seek to purchase up to $50 million in value of its common shares through a modified “Dutch auction” tender offer that it expects to commence on or about November 12, 2014 and that it has secured a new five-year $100 million senior secured credit facility.

Selected Third Quarter 2014 Highlights Compared to the Third Quarter 2013:

Revenues decreased 1.8% to $94.6 million from $96.3 million.
Total comparable restaurant sales decreased 5.8%.
Comparable restaurant sales decreased 6.7% at BRAVO! and 5.2% at BRIO.
Restaurant-level operating profit decreased 21.7% to $11.6 million from $14.9 million.
Net income was $1.1 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, compared to net income of $2.2 million, or $0.11 per diluted share.

Saed Mohseni, Chief Executive Officer, said, “Our performance during the third quarter fell short of our expectations and has caused us to revise our full year outlook for revenues and earnings. The decline in comparable restaurant sales reflected an intense competitive promotional environment within casual dining particularly in the Italian segment.”
 
Mohseni continued, “While the environment is unlikely to change in the near term, we believe that our current plan to limit discounting while catering to our core guest by focusing on those attributes that differentiate us within the upscale affordable Italian dining segment, is in our long-term best interests. These attributes include, but are not limited to, our popular Light menu offerings, chef feature cards that reflect the creative talents of our executive chefs, sourcing more products from suppliers using sustainable agricultural methods, our new Eat/Repeat/Reward loyalty program, and the implementation of an on-line reservation system that will be completed in early 2015.”
 
Mohseni concluded, “We have remained active in the market, repurchasing $6.6 million of our common shares during the third quarter and $22.4 million cumulatively since the inception of the buyback program in 2012. To further enhance shareholder value, we expect to commence a $50 million modified “Dutch auction” tender offer of our common shares that would be funded through our new $100 million credit facility. We believe these actions reflect our confidence in the long-term vitality of our brands and determination to use all the resources available to us for value creation.”

Third Quarter 2014 Financial Results

Revenues decreased $1.7 million, or 1.8%, to $94.6 million in the third quarter of 2014, from $96.3 million in the third quarter of 2013. The decrease in revenues was primarily due to a comparable restaurant sales decrease of 5.8% that was only partially offset by an additional 41 operating weeks compared to the third quarter last year. The comparable restaurant sales decrease consisted of a 6.4% decrease in guest counts partially offset by a 0.6% increase in average check.

Total restaurant operating costs, which include costs of sales, labor costs, operating costs and occupancy costs, increased $1.5 million, or 1.9%, to $82.9 million in the third quarter of 2014, from $81.4 million in the third quarter of 2013. Total restaurant-level operating profit decreased $3.3 million, or 21.7%, to $11.6 million from $14.9 million in the same period last year. As a percentage of revenues, total restaurant-level operating profit decreased to 12.3% in the third quarter of 2014 from 15.4% in the third quarter of 2013.






Net income in the third quarter of 2014 was $1.1 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, compared to net income of $2.2 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, in the same period last year.

Third Quarter 2014 Brand Operating Highlights

Comparable restaurant sales decreased 6.7% at BRAVO! and 5.2% at BRIO. Average weekly sales for BRAVO! and BRIO were $58,400 and $76,900, respectively.

During the third quarter of 2014, one BRIO opened in Irvine, California. As of September 28, 2014, the Company operated 47 BRAVO! restaurants, 59 BRIO restaurants, and one Bon Vie restaurant across 33 states. Included in this total is one BRIO restaurant that is operated under a management agreement.

Modified “Dutch Auction” Tender Offer

The Company expects to seek to purchase up to $50 million of its common shares through a modified "Dutch auction" tender offer that it expects to commence on or about November 12, 2014. The anticipated modified "Dutch auction" tender offer would be financed from borrowings under a new, five-year $100 million senior secured credit facility.

Under the terms of the anticipated tender offer, BBRG’s shareholders would have the opportunity to tender some or all of their shares at a price per share of not less than $12.50 and not greater than $14.50. The terms and conditions of the anticipated tender offer will be described in an Offer to Purchase and the related Letter of Transmittal that will be distributed to shareholders upon commencement of the tender offer.

Important Information Regarding the Anticipated Tender Offer

This press release is for informational purposes only and is not an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell any common shares of the Company. The anticipated tender offer described in this press release has not yet commenced, and there can be no assurances that the Company will commence the tender offer on the terms described in this press release or at all. If the Company commences the offer, the offer will be made solely by an Offer to Purchase and the related Letter of Transmittal, as they may be amended or supplemented. Shareholders and investors are urged to read the Company’s commencement tender offer statement on Schedule TO anticipated to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in connection with the tender offer, which will include as exhibits the Offer to Purchase, the related Letter of Transmittal and other offer materials, as well as any amendments or supplements to the Schedule TO when they become available, because they will contain important information. If the Company commences the offer, each of these documents will be filed with the SEC, and, when available, investors may obtain them for free from the SEC at its website (www.sec.gov), under the "SEC Filings" tab at http://investors.bbrg.com or from the Company’s information agent in connection with the tender offer.

New $100 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility

The Company also announced that it has entered into a new five-year $100 million senior secured revolving credit facility. This credit facility replaces the prior $85 million credit facility that was scheduled to mature in the fourth quarter of 2015. The Company used borrowings under the new revolving credit facility to repay in full the balances due under the prior credit facility and subsequently terminated the prior credit facility. The outstanding balance under the prior credit facility was $14.4 million as of September 28, 2014.

In connection with the termination of the prior credit facility, the Company anticipates that it will record a non-cash, pre-tax charge of approximately $375,000, or $0.01 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2014 comprised of a write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs from the prior credit facility.

The transaction was arranged by Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent; Bank of America, N.A., as Syndication Agent; KeyBanc National Association, as Documentation Agent; and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc, as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners.






2014 Outlook

As follows, the Company is updating its outlook for the 52-week period ending December 28, 2014. This outlook excludes the potential impact of the expected modified “Dutch Auction” Tender Offer as well as the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs from the prior facility.

Total comparable restaurant sales of minus 5.4% to minus 5.0% (versus minus 5.0% to minus 4.0% previously).
Revenues of $405 million to $408 million (versus $405 million to $410 million previously) reflecting lower estimated comparable sales.
Development of six restaurants - three BRAVO! and three BRIO (versus four BRAVO! and two BRIO previously).
Pre-opening costs of $3.5 million to $4.0 million.
Diluted earnings per share of $0.60 to $0.63 (versus $0.71 to $0.75 previously).
Capital expenditures of $22 million to $24 million.
Diluted share count of approximately 19.8 million (versus 20.2 million previously).
Estimated annual tax rate of approximately 22% (versus 27% previously).

The Company is also providing preliminary guidance for the development of five restaurants in 2015.

Investor Conference Call and Webcast

The Company will host an investor conference call to discuss third quarter 2014 financial results today at 5:00 PM ET. Hosting the call will be Saed Mohseni, Chief Executive Officer; Jim O'Connor, Chief Financial Officer; and Brian O'Malley, President and Chief Operating Officer.

The conference call can be accessed live over the phone by dialing (877) 879-6174, or for international callers (719) 325-4917. A replay will be available one hour after the call and can be accessed by dialing (877) 870-5176 or (858) 384-5517 for international callers; the conference ID is 3581796. The replay will be available until Thursday, November 13, 2014.

The call will also be webcast live and later archived on the Company's investor relations website at http://investors.bbrg.com in the ‘Calendar of Events’ section.

About Bravo Brio Restaurant Group, Inc.

Bravo Brio Restaurant Group, Inc. is a leading owner and operator of two distinct Italian restaurant brands, BRAVO! Cucina Italiana and BRIO Tuscan Grille. BBRG has positioned its brands as multifaceted culinary destinations that deliver the ambiance, design elements and food quality reminiscent of fine dining restaurants at a value typically offered by casual dining establishments, a combination known as the upscale affordable dining segment. Each of BBRG's brands provides its guests with a fine dining experience and value by serving affordable cuisine prepared using fresh flavorful ingredients and authentic Italian cooking methods, combined with attentive service in an attractive, lively atmosphere. BBRG strives to be the best Italian restaurant company in America and is focused on providing its guests an excellent dining experience through consistency of execution.

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements in this release contain forward-looking statements, which involve risks and uncertainties. These statements relate to future events or Bravo Brio Restaurant Group, Inc.'s future financial performance. The Company has attempted to identify forward-looking statements by terminology including “anticipates,” “believes,” “can,” “continue,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “should” or “will” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 3, 2014.

Although Bravo Brio Restaurant Group, Inc. believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable based on its current knowledge of the business and operations, it cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. The Company assumes no obligation to provide revisions to any forward-looking statements should circumstances change.






Contacts:
Investor Relations
Don Duffy / Raphael Gross
(203) 682-8200







BRAVO BRIO RESTAURANT GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE THIRTEEN AND THIRTY-NINE WEEKS ENDED SEPTEMBER 28, 2014 AND SEPTEMBER 29, 2013
(in thousands except per share data)

 
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
 
Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
 
September 28, 2014
 
September 29, 2013
 
September 28, 2014
 
September 29, 2013
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Unaudited)
Revenues
$
94,576

 
 
$
96,290

 
 
$
301,679

 
 
$
304,975

 
Costs and expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales
25,038

26.5
 %
 
24,620

25.6
%
 
78,799

26.1
%
 
78,635

25.8
%
Labor
34,643

36.6
 %
 
34,027

35.3
%
 
107,902

35.8
%
 
107,491

35.2
%
Operating
16,292

17.2
 %
 
15,796

16.4
%
 
49,370

16.4
%
 
48,504

15.9
%
Occupancy
6,965

7.4
 %
 
6,977

7.2
%
 
21,433

7.1
%
 
20,983

6.9
%
General and administrative expenses
5,053

5.3
 %
 
5,471

5.7
%
 
16,701

5.5
%
 
17,166

5.6
%
Restaurant preopening costs
668

0.7
 %
 
1,249

1.3
%
 
1,694

0.6
%
 
2,508

0.8
%
Depreciation and amortization
5,054

5.3
 %
 
5,028

5.2
%
 
15,099

5.0
%
 
14,859

4.9
%
Total costs and expenses
93,713

99.1
 %
 
93,168

96.8
%
 
290,998

96.5
%
 
290,146

95.1
%
Income from operations
863

0.9
 %
 
3,122

3.2
%
 
10,681

3.5
%
 
14,829

4.9
%
Interest expense, net
238

0.3
 %
 
269

0.3
%
 
730

0.2
%
 
870

0.3
%
Income before income taxes
625

0.7
 %
 
2,853

3.0
%
 
9,951

3.3
%
 
13,959

4.6
%
Income tax expense (benefit)
(514
)
(0.5
)%
 
604

0.6
%
 
1,963

0.7
%
 
3,749

1.2
%
Net income
$
1,139

1.2
 %
 
$
2,249

2.3
%
 
$
7,988

2.6
%
 
$
10,210

3.3
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income per basic share
$
0.06

 
 
$
0.12

 
 
$
0.42

 
 
$
0.52

 
Net income per diluted share
$
0.06

 
 
$
0.11

 
 
$
0.40

 
 
$
0.50

 
Weighted average shares outstanding-basic
18,853

 
 
19,525

 
 
19,084

 
 
19,574

 
Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted
19,768

 
 
20,439

 
 
19,977

 
 
20,469

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Certain percentage amounts may not sum due to rounding.






BRAVO BRIO RESTAURANT GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF SEPTEMBER 28, 2014 AND DECEMBER 29, 2013
(Dollars in thousands)

 
September 28,
2014
 
December 29, 2013
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
Current assets
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
346

 
$
7,640

Accounts receivable
6,406

 
8,181

Tenant improvement allowance receivable
1,016

 
1,386

Inventories
2,661

 
2,941

Deferred income taxes, net
3,682

 
2,625

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
1,634

 
5,434

Total current assets
15,745

 
28,207

Property and equipment — net
175,125

 
169,127

Deferred income taxes — net
51,205

 
53,381

Other assets — net
4,071

 
4,137

Total assets
$
246,146

 
$
254,852

 
 
 
 
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 
 
 
Current liabilities
 
 
 
Trade and construction payables
$
14,175

 
$
8,781

Accrued expenses
21,382

 
23,651

Current portion of long-term debt

 
2,082

Deferred lease incentives
7,460

 
7,021

Deferred gift card revenue
8,611

 
12,876

Total current liabilities
51,628

 
54,411

Deferred lease incentives
57,193

 
60,539

Long-term debt
14,406

 
13,611

Other long-term liabilities
22,531

 
22,515

Commitments and contingencies
 
 
 
Stockholders’ equity
 
 
 
Common shares, no par value per share— authorized 100,000,000 shares; 20,079,592 shares issued at September 28, 2014 and 19,991,927 shares issued at December 29, 2013
199,511

 
197,913

Preferred shares, no par value per share— authorized 5,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding, 0 shares at September 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013

 

Treasury shares, 1,511,850 shares at September 28, 2014; and 633,273 shares at December 29, 2013
(22,352
)
 
(9,378
)
Retained deficit
(76,771
)
 
(84,759
)
Total stockholders’ equity
100,388

 
103,776

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
246,146

 
$
254,852