Pizza Pizza Royalty Corp. Announces 10% Dividend Increase and Third Quarter 2020 Results
TORONTO, Nov. 11, 2020 /CNW/ - Pizza Pizza Royalty Corp. ("PZA", the "Company"), which indirectly owns the Pizza Pizza and Pizza 73 Rights and Marks, released financial results today for the three months ("Quarter") and nine months ("Period") ended September 30, 2020.
Third Quarter highlights:
- Working capital reserve increased $1.3 million during the quarter to $4.6 million at September 30, 2020
- Payout ratio was 74%
- November dividend increases 10%, or by $0.06 per share annually.
- Royalty Pool sales decreased 9.4%, largely attributable to the temporary closure of non-traditional restaurants
- Same store sales decreased 9.5%
- Adjusted earnings per share decreased 10.4%
- Restaurant network decreased by 5 locations; pipeline steadily building for 2021 growth
Paul Goddard, CEO, Pizza Pizza Limited said, "Since the pandemic began, Pizza Pizza Royalty Corp and Pizza Pizza Limited, the private operating company, adapted and innovated even faster than we normally do to boost both companies' financial strength. Stronger order volumes – particularly in delivery, pick up and digital ordering – have enabled the Company to increase the shareholder dividend 10%, as the Company generated $1.3 million in surplus cash during the third quarter."
Year-to-Date highlights:
- Payout ratio was 92% after adjusting the monthly dividend in April
- Royalty Pool sales decreased 10.3%
- Same store sales decreased 10.8%
- Adjusted earnings per share decreased 11.2%
- Restaurant network decreased by 22 locations
- Royalty Pool of restaurants decreased by 23 net restaurants effective January 1, 2020
Paul Goddard continued, "Our market-leading brands, operating in one of the more stable segments of the restaurant industry, continue to generate attractive investment returns despite losing restaurant dine-in sales as well as the majority of our non-traditional sales, particularly at sports and entertainment venues. We believe that our strong "Delivery Done Better" promise at both brands will continue providing sales-driving advantages especially during the back half of the year which has historically seen our strongest sales quarters. A special thanks to our restaurant owners and their teams, our employees, and especially our restaurant delivery drivers for their tireless work, resilience and commendable customer focus through these unprecedented market conditions."
SALES
For the three months ended September 30, 2020, System Sales from the 749 restaurants in the Royalty Pool decreased 9.4% to $125.4 million from $138.5 million in the same quarter last year when there were 772 restaurants in the Royalty Pool. By brand, sales from the 645 Pizza Pizza restaurants in the Royalty Pool decreased 10.2% to $104.7 million and sales from the 104 Pizza 73 restaurants decreased 5.6% to $20.7 million for the Quarter.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, System Sales decreased 10.3% to $364.6 million from $406.6 million in the prior year's comparative period. For those nine months, sales from the 645 Pizza Pizza restaurants in the Royalty Pool decreased 11.1% to $301.9 million and sales from the 104 Pizza 73 restaurants decreased 6.3% to $62.7 million.
Total Royalty Pool System Sales for the Quarter decreased over the comparative periods largely as a result of the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the change in the number of restaurants in the Royalty Pool on January 1, 2020.
SAME STORE SALES GROWTH ("SSSG")
SSSG, the key driver of yield growth for shareholders of the Company, decreased 9.5% (2019 – decreased 0.1%) for the Quarter and decreased 10.8% (2019 – flat) for the Period.
As mentioned previously, the loss of walk-in sales and non-traditional sales have resulted in a reduction in System Sales; however, the increase in delivery and pickup sales at both brands are working to offset this reduction.
SSSG |
Third Quarter (%) |
Year-to-Date (%) |
||
2020 |
2019 |
2020 |
2019 |
|
Pizza Pizza |
(10.6) |
(0.4) |
(11.9) |
(0.7) |
Pizza 73 |
(3.4) |
1.7 |
(4.8) |
3.4 |
Combined |
(9.5) |
(0.1) |
(10.8) |
0.0 |
SSSG is normally driven by the change in the customer check and customer traffic, both of which are affected by changes in pricing and sales mix. As mentioned earlier, beginning in mid-March, SSSG was negatively impacted as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the government-mandated social distancing policies. As a result of closing restaurant seating, walk-in sales decreased significantly, negatively impacting overall customer traffic. The decline in walk-in sales resulted in an overall increase in the average check at both brands as the average check of a walk-in customer is much lower than a delivery order check amount. The negative sales effect from the decline in customer traffic, as well as the decrease in non-traditional sales, more than offset the effect of the increase in the average check, resulting in negative SSSG for the Quarter and year-to-date.
MONTHLY DIVIDEND AND WORKING CAPITAL RESERVE
Today, the Company's Board announced a 10% increase to its monthly dividend. The November dividend increased to $0.055 from $0.05 per share. Annualized, the dividend will increase $0.06 per share from $0.60 to $0.66 per share. The November dividend will be payable to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 30, 2020, and will be paid on December 15, 2020.
For the Quarter, the Company declared shareholder dividends of $3.7 million, or $0.15 per share compared to $5.3 million, or $0.2139 per share, for the prior year comparable quarter. The payout ratio was 74% for the Quarter and was 103% in the prior year, comparable quarter.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company declared shareholder dividends of $12.7 million, or $0.5139 per share, compared to $15.8 million, or $0.6417 per share, for the prior year comparable period. The payout ratio was 92% for the nine month period and was 106% in the prior year, comparable period.
When COVID-19 first impacted System Sales in March, the Company reduced its monthly dividend from $0.0713 per share to $0.05 per share beginning with the April 2020 dividend. Since April, System Sales has partially recovered resulting in a 74% payout ratio for the Quarter.
The Company's working capital reserve is $4.6 million at September 30, 2020, which is an increase of $1.3 million in the Quarter due largely to the 30% dividend decrease in April which resulted in an 74% payout ratio for the Quarter. For the Period, the reserve increased $1.1 million attributable to the April dividend reduction, offset by the first quarter's payout ratio of 123%, the ongoing financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a 2020 true-up payment to PPL of $164,000 made in relation to the January 1, 2019 Adjustment Date.
The reserve is available to stabilize dividends and fund other expenditures in the event of short- to medium-term variability in System Sales and, thus, the Company's royalty income. The Company has historically targeted a payout ratio at or near 100% on an annualized basis. However, this policy is under review as the Company continues to closely monitor System Sales and royalty income, and will consider further changes to the monthly dividend taking into account the duration and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on restaurant operations, and the timing and pace of economic recovery in the markets that Pizza Pizza and Pizza 73 service.
EARNINGS PER SHARE ("EPS")
Fully-diluted basic EPS decreased 10.4% to $0.190 for the Quarter compared to the prior year comparable quarter, and decreased 8.6% to $0.574 for the Period.
As compared to basic EPS, the Company considers adjusted EPS1 to be a more meaningful indicator of the Company's operating performance and, therefore, presents fully-diluted, adjusted EPS. Adjusted EPS for the Quarter decreased 10.4% to $0.198 when compared to the same period in 2019, and decreased 11.2% for the Period.
CURRENT INCOME TAX EXPENSE
Current income tax expense for the Quarter and Period were $1.3 million and $3.8 million, respectively, and decreased when compared to the prior year comparative periods at $1.5 million and $4.3 million, respectively. The Company's decreases in royalty income and ownership of the Partnership, offset by a decrease in tax amortization, resulted in the reduction in tax expense.
Of particular note is that the Company's earnings from operations before income taxes, calculated under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), can differ significantly from its taxable income, largely due to the tax amortization of the Pizza Pizza and Pizza 73 Rights and Marks, as well as the taxable income allocated to PPL. The amount of the tax amortization deducted is based on a declining basis and will decrease annually.
RESTAURANT DEVELOPMENT
The number of restaurants in the Company's Royalty Pool decreased by 23 locations to 749 on the January 1, 2020 Adjustment Date. The number of restaurants in the Royalty Pool will remain unchanged through December 31, 2020.
During the Quarter, PPL opened two traditional restaurants and one non-traditional Pizza Pizza location; five traditional and three non-traditional Pizza Pizza restaurants were permanently closed. During the Period, PPL opened five traditional restaurants and two non-traditional Pizza Pizza location; 14 traditional and 15 non-traditional Pizza Pizza restaurants were closed. Additionally, one traditional Pizza 73 restaurant opened and one closed.
During the third quarter, substantially all traditional Pizza Pizza and Pizza 73 restaurants remained open across Canada; however, the majority of non-traditional Pizza Pizza and Pizza 73 restaurants have remained closed, with the exception of a few locations in hospitals and gas stations.
New restaurant construction continues across Canada as government-mandated restrictions on commercial construction have been lifted in all provinces. We expect accelerated restaurant network expansion and increased renovations in 2021, assuming pandemic effects are mitigated in the coming months.
When PPL reports closed restaurants, an amount reflecting the reduction in the Royalty resulting from the decrease in System Sales will be paid by PPL to the Partnership, monthly (the "Make-Whole Payment"), commencing from the date of permanent closure of a restaurant and paid until the following Adjustment Date (January 1). On the subsequent Adjustment Date, the calculated lost System Sales from the closed restaurants will be offset against forecasted System Sales of the new restaurants added to the Royalty Pool. The details of the full calculation can be found in the Company's Annual Information Form.
Readers should note that the number of restaurants added to the Royalty Pool each year may differ from the number of restaurant openings and closings reported by PPL on an annual basis as the periods for which they are reported differ slightly.
1 Adjusted earnings and adjusted EPS are not recognized measures under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") and may be calculated in a manner that differs from that used by other issuers. For additional information about the calculation and use of these measures, please see "Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Measures" in the Company's Management's Discussion & Analysis ("MD&A"). |
||
SELECTED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following table sets out selected financial information and other data of the Company and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Company. Readers should note that the 2020 results are not directly comparable to the 2019 results because of the fact that there are 749 restaurants in the 2020 Royalty Pool compared to 772 restaurants in the 2019 Royalty Pool.
(in thousands of dollars, except number of |
Three months September 30, |
Three months September 30, |
Nine months ended September 30, |
Nine months September 30, |
||||
Restaurants in Royalty Pool(1) |
749 |
772 |
749 |
772 |
||||
Same store sales growth(2) |
-9.5% |
-0.1% |
-10.8% |
0.0% |
||||
Days in the Period |
92 |
92 |
274 |
273 |
||||
System Sales reported by Pizza Pizza restaurants in |
$ |
104,653 |
$ |
116,506 |
$ |
301,936 |
$ |
339,712 |
the Royalty Pool(6) |
||||||||
System Sales reported by Pizza 73 restaurants in the |
20,731 |
21,957 |
62,704 |
66,914 |
||||
Royalty Pool(6) |
||||||||
Total System Sales |
$ |
125,384 |
$ |
138,463 |
$ |
364,640 |
$ |
406,626 |
Royalty – 6% on Pizza Pizza System Sales |
$ |
6,279 |
$ |
6,990 |
$ |
18,116 |
$ |
20,383 |
Royalty – 9% on Pizza 73 System Sales |
1,866 |
1,976 |
5,644 |
6,022 |
||||
Royalty income |
$ |
8,145 |
$ |
8,966 |
$ |
23,760 |
$ |
26,405 |
Interest paid on borrowings(3) (5) |
(324) |
(327) |
(904) |
(942) |
||||
Administrative expenses |
(157) |
(108) |
(453) |
(352) |
||||
Adjusted earnings available for distribution to the |
||||||||
Company and Pizza Pizza Limited(5) |
$ |
7,664 |
$ |
8,531 |
$ |
22,403 |
$ |
25,111 |
Distribution on Class B and Class D Exchangeable |
(1,384) |
(1,935) |
(4,909) |
(5,836) |
||||
Shares(4) |
||||||||
Current income tax expense |
(1,307) |
(1,471) |
(3,792) |
(4,314) |
||||
Adjusted earnings available for shareholder |
$ |
4,973 |
$ |
5,125 |
$ |
13,702 |
$ |
14,961 |
dividends(5) |
||||||||
Add back: |
||||||||
Distribution on Class B and Class D Exchangeable |
1,384 |
1,935 |
4,909 |
5,836 |
||||
Shares(4) |
||||||||
Adjusted earnings from operations(5) |
$ |
6,357 |
$ |
7,060 |
$ |
18,611 |
$ |
20,797 |
Adjusted earnings per share(5) |
$ |
0.198 |
$ |
0.221 |
$ |
0.578 |
$ |
0.651 |
Basic earnings per share |
$ |
0.190 |
$ |
0.212 |
$ |
0.574 |
$ |
0.628 |
Dividends declared by the Company |
$ |
3,693 |
$ |
5,266 |
$ |
12,651 |
$ |
15,798 |
Dividend per share |
$ |
0.150 |
$ |
0.2139 |
$ |
0.5139 |
$ |
0.6417 |
Payout ratio(5) |
74% |
103% |
92% |
106% |
||||
September 30, 2020 |
December 31, |
|||||||
Working capital(5) |
$ |
4,643 |
$ |
3,583 |
||||
(1) |
The number of restaurants for which the Pizza Pizza Royalty Limited Partnership earns a royalty, as defined in the amended and restated Pizza Pizza license and royalty agreement (the "Pizza Pizza License and Royalty Agreement") and the amended and restated Pizza 73 license and royalty agreement (the "Pizza 73 License and Royalty Agreement"). For the 2020 fiscal year, the Royalty Pool includes 645 Pizza Pizza restaurants and 104 Pizza 73 restaurants. The number of restaurants added to the Royalty Pool each year may differ from the number of restaurant openings and closings reported by Pizza Pizza Limited on an annual basis as the periods for which they are reported differ slightly. |
(2) |
SSSG means the change in period gross sales of Pizza Pizza and Pizza 73 restaurants as compared to sales in the previous period, where the restaurants have been open at least 13 months. Additionally, for a Pizza 73 restaurant whose restaurant territory was adjusted due to an additional restaurant, the sales used to derive the Step-Out Payment may be added to sales to arrive at SSSG. SSSG does not have any standardized meaning under IFRS. Therefore, these figures may not be comparable to similar figures presented by other companies. See "Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Measures" in the Company's MD&A. |
(3) |
The Company, indirectly through the Partnership, incurs interest expense on the $47 million outstanding bank loan. Interest expense also includes amortization of loan fees and off-market swap payments. See "Interest Expense" in the Company's MD&A. |
(4) |
Represents the distribution to PPL from the Partnership on Class B and Class D Units of the Partnership. The Class B and D Units are exchangeable into common shares of the Company ("Shares") based on the value of the Class B Exchange Multiplier and the Class D Exchange Multiplier at the time of exchange as defined in the License and Royalty Agreements, respectively, and represent 23.5% of the fully diluted Shares at March 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019 – 23.0%). During the quarter ended March 31, 2020, as a result of the final calculation of the equivalent Class B and Class D Share entitlements related to the January 1, 2019 Adjustment to the Royalty Pool, PPL was paid a distribution on additional equivalent Shares as if such Shares were outstanding as of January 1, 2019. Included in the three months ended March 31, 2020, is the payment of $164 in distributions to PPL pursuant to the true-up calculation (March 31, 2019 - PPL was paid $31). |
(5) |
"Adjusted earnings from operations", "Adjusted earnings available for shareholder dividends", "Adjusted earnings per Share", "Payout Ratio", "Working Capital" and "Interest paid on borrowings" do not have any standardized meaning under IFRS. Therefore, these figures may not be comparable to similar figures presented by other companies. See "Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Measures" in the Company's MD&A. |
(6) |
System Sales (as defined in the Licence and Royalty Agreements) reported by Pizza Pizza and Pizza 73 restaurants include the gross sales of Pizza Pizza company-owned, jointly-controlled and franchised restaurants, excluding sales and goods and service tax or similar amounts levied by any governmental or administrative authority. System Sales do not represent the consolidated operating results of the Company but are used to calculate the royalties payable to the Partnership as presented above. |
A copy of the Company's unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and related MD&A will be available at www.sedar.com and www.pizzapizza.ca after the market closes on November 11, 2020.
As previously announced, the Company will host a conference call to discuss the results. The details of the conference call are as follows:
Date: |
Wednesday, November 11, 2020 |
Time: |
5:00 p.m. ET |
Call-in number: |
647-427-7450 / 888-231-8191 |
Recording call in number: |
416-849-0833 / 855-859-2056 |
Available until midnight, November 25, 2020 |
|
Passcode: 1194942 |
A recording of the call will also be available on the Company's website at www.pizzapizza.ca.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in this report, including information regarding the Company's dividend policy, its ability to meet covenants and other financial obligations, and the potential business and financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company, PPL and its franchisees and restaurant operators and their ability to achieve their business objectives, constitute "forward-looking" statements, which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. When used in this report, such statements include such words as "may", "will", "expect", "believe", "plan", and other similar terminology in conjunction with a discussion of future events or operating or financial performance. These statements reflect management's current expectations regarding future events and operating and financial performance and speak only as of the date of this report. The Company does not intend to or assume any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The following are some factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or underlying such forward-looking statements: changes in national and local business and economic conditions including those resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic (such as restrictions on restaurant operations, customers' ability and willingness to visit restaurants and their perception of health and food safety issues, discretionary spending patterns and supply chain limitations, and the related financial impact on PPL and its franchisees and restaurant operators and their ability to meet debt and lease obligations), impacts of legislation and governmental regulation, accounting policies and practices, competition, changes in demographic trends and changing consumer preferences, and the results of operations and financial condition of PPL. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other information included in the Company's MD&A, the PPL financial statements and the related MD&A and the Company's Annual Information Form.
SOURCE Pizza Pizza Royalty Corp.
Curt Feltner, Chief Financial Officer, Pizza Pizza Limited, (416) 967-1010 x307, [email protected], www.pizzapizza.ca and www.pizza73.com or www.sedar.com; Christine D'Sylva, Vice President, Finance & Investor Relations, Pizza Pizza Limited, (416) 967-1010 x393, [email protected], www.pizzapizza.ca and www.pizza73.com or www.sedar.com
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