MTY reports earnings for its 2015 fiscal period

TSX Trading Symbol: "MTY"

MONTREAL, Feb. 15, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - MTY Food Group Inc. ("MTY" or the "Company") (TSX: MTY), franchisor and operator of multiple concepts of quick and casual service restaurants, reports today the results of its operations for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended November 30, 2015.

Highlights of the fourth quarter and fiscal year:

• Revenues grew 26%, to $145.2 million during the year.
• EBITDA reached $50.7 million for the fiscal year and $13.5 million for the fourth quarter, up 19% and 20% respectively over the same period last year.
• Net income was impacted adversely by a non-recurring impairment charge on the intangible assets related to two of the Company's brands, Extreme Pita and Croissant Plus.
• Despite the $8.1 million in impairment charges, net income attributable to shareholders for the year progressed by 3%; on a normalized basis, net income attributable to shareholders grew by 18% for the year and by 27% during the fourth quarter
• Cash flows from operations excluding working capital items increased by 22% in 2015.
• Cash net of the line of credit was at $27.1 million at year end, compared to -5.0 million at the end of 2014.
• System sales have exceeded the $1 billion mark for the first time in MTY's history, reaching $1.07 billion, an increase of 20% over 2014.
• Same store sales declined by 1.2% in the fourth quarter; for the year, same store sales decreased by 0.5%, with the impact of intense competition and weakness in Western Canada continuing to impact certain stores adversely.
• Location count at the end of the year was 2,738 outlets; during the year, 120 new restaurants opened, 149 were acquired and 258 were closed.

(In thousands of $, except per share information)
	3-month period ended						12-month period ended
	November 30, 2015	November 30, 2014*		Variance			November 30, 2015		November 30, 2014*		Variance
Revenues	39,481	29,939		32%			145,203		115,177		26%
Operating expenses	26,006	18,670		39%			94,521		72,518		30%
EBITDA	13,475	11,269		20%			50,682		42,659		19%
Impairment charge (reversal)	7,893	2,356		n/a			8,093		2,356		n/a
Income before taxes	4,146	7,255		-43%			35,903		34,308		5%
Net income attributable to shareholders	3,119	5,299		-41%			26,015		25,204		3%
Normalized net income attributable to shareholders	8,889	7,021		27%			31,931		26,926		19%
Basic and diluted EPS	0.16	0.28					1.36		1.32
Impact of impairment charge, on a per share basis (net of taxes)	0.30	0.09					0.30		0.09
Normalized EPS	0.46	0.37					1.66		1.41

* 2014 results were restated. See consolidated financial statements for more information.

Note: These are financial highlights only. Management's Discussion and Analysis, the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended November 30, 2015 will be available on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com and on the Company's website at www.mtygroup.com.

Certain information in this News Release may constitute "forward-looking" information that involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties, future expectations and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. When used in this News Release, this information may include words such as "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "expect", "believe", "plan" and other terminology. This information reflects current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speaks only as of the date of this News Release. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update or revise forward-looking information to reflect new events or circumstances. Additional information is available in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis, which can be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors of
MTY Food Group Inc.

_____________________________________
Stanley Ma, Chairman, President & CEO

SOURCE MTY Food Group Inc.

Eric Lefebvre, Chief Financial Officer at 1-514-336-8885 or by email at [email protected], or visit our website: www.mtygroup.com or SEDAR's website at www.sedar.com under the Company's name.