The Implementation of Sportscene's Strategic Plan Accelerates in the Second Quarter

MONTREAL, April 16, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - SPORTSCENE GROUP INC. ("Sportscene" or "the Company") (TSXV: SPS.A) is pleased to announce that the implementation of its strategic plan aimed at positioning the Company for a new growth cycle is progressing in accordance with management's expectations. During the second quarter ended March 1^st, 2015, in particular, the Company invested a large portion of the amounts and efforts needed to upgrade the La Cage aux Sports concept in order to enhance every aspect of the customer experience.

Achievements and Results for the 13 and 26-Week Periods Ended March 1^st, 2015

A core feature of the banner's renewal, the higher quality of the food offering entails in-depth changes in procurement and kitchen processes, backed with intensive staff training activities, which is translating into substantial costs during the rollout period.

Consequently, Sportscene closed the second quarter, being the 13-week period ended March 1^st, 2015, with a net loss attributable to shareholders of $361,000 or $0.09 per share. Management views this temporary set back in results as an investment that will enable the Company to reinforce the strategic positioning of the La Cage aux Sports network and give Sportscene access to a new cycle of growth and profitability over the medium and long term. During the same period, La Cage aux Sports' total network sales ⁽¹⁾ posted a 5.0% decrease to stand at $25.8 million, due to the challenging economic context that has been affecting the Quebec restaurant industry for the past several quarters. Sportscene's management sees this situation as further motivation to accelerate the implementation of its positioning and growth strategy. Despite the decrease in network sales, the Company's revenues increased by 8.6% to stand at $19.7 million, thanks to activities other than the operation of the La Cage aux Sports network, namely the sale of La Cage aux Sports branded products in grocery stores, the organization of sporting events and the renovation of Cages. Finally, consolidated adjusted EBITDA ⁽³⁾ amounted to $0.6 million, compared with $1.7 million for the same quarter of the previous year, as a result of the costs incurred in connection with the implementation of the strategic plan coupled with the decline in average same-Cage sales ⁽²⁾.

For the 26-week period ended March 1^st, 2015, Sportscene posted a net loss attributable to shareholders of $336,000 or $0.08 per share. Total network sales ⁽¹⁾ decreased by 5.1% from the same period in 2014 to stand at $52.0 million. Conversely, Sportscene's revenues grew by 3.9% to total $37.0 million. Consolidated adjusted EBITDA ⁽³⁾ amounted to $1.8 million, compared with $3.6 million for the same period of the previous year, due to the aforementioned factors.

Sportscene continues to benefit from a sound financial position, posting short-term available cash ⁽⁴⁾ of $5.5 million and a total net debt ratio ⁽⁵⁾ of 20.2% as at March 1^st, 2015.

Outlook

"Although most of the costs associated with the strategic plan implementation are behind us, further investments are to be expected over the next few months to fulfill the extensive transition we have undertaken in the best interests of Sportscene Group and its shareholders," indicated Jean Bédard, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sportscene.

"The Quebec restaurant industry currently faces major challenges that are prompting its players to reconsider their positioning and their business model. Once again, Sportscene is taking the lead in this transition, so as to avail itself of an enviable competitive position for the years to come. Over the next few months, we will focus on the following three major courses of action: (1) the gradual and targeted transformation of Cages according to the new design today showcased by seven of them, (2) the rollout of the new menu network-wide, with all the operational ramifications it entails, and (3) the profitable development of our related activities, in particular InterBox and the sale of La Cage aux Sports products in grocery stores."

Appointments

To support the efficient execution or its plan and ensure its future success, Sportscene Group has made the following appointments to its management team. Renowned chef Louis-François Marcotte has been appointed Vice-President, Restaurant Operations of Sportscene Group, which will benefit from his great expertise and his knowledge of the restaurant market. Furthermore, Pierre Duc recently joined Sportscene's team as Vice-President, Sales and Marketing. His solid sales and marketing experience will give the Company an edge in identifying and pursuing development projects for the La Cage aux Sports banner and Sportscene's other activities. Finally, François-Xavier Pilon, CPA, CA is appointed Interim Vice President Finance for the upcoming months, while Josée Pepin is on maternity leave.  Her return is scheduled for next fall.

Profile

In business since 1984, Sportscene Group Inc. operates Quebec's leading chain of sports-themed resto-bars: La Cage aux Sports. This banner comprises 51 "Cages", 40 of which are wholly or jointly owned by the Company, and 11 are franchises. Enjoying a strong brand image, La Cage aux Sports' most distinctive feature is its "Sports, Gang, Fun" culture, showcased by an original decor, a festive ambience, the use of the latest telecommunications technologies, and the hosting and organization of multiple contests and special events.

The following items are not performance measures consistent with IFRS: 

(1)	Total network sales correspondent to sales achieved by all o La Cage aux Sports' restaurants: franchisees, partnerships and corporate units.
(2)	Average same-Cage sales isolate the impact of restaurant openings and closures to assess the actual trend in restaurant sales.
(3)	In Sportscene's statement of comprehensive income, adjusted EBITDA corresponds to "Earnings before financial expenses, amortization, share of net earnings of joint ventures and associates and income taxes", from which gains and losses on the disposal of property, plant and equipment are excluded
(4)	Short- term available cash includes cash and cash equivalents as well as investments, if any.
(5)	Total net debt consists of long-term debt including its current portion, net of short-term available cash.

For further information regarding the results and financial position of Sportscene Group Inc., refer to the interim management's report as well as the interim consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes for the 13 and 26-week periods ended March 1^st, 2015, available on SEDAR.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(in thousands of Canadian dollars, except for earnings per share and number of outstanding shares)
(unaudited)
		13 weeks ended		26 weeks ended
		March 1^st,  2015	February 23,  2014	March 1^st,  2015	February 23, 2014
		$	$	$	$
Revenues		19,680	18,128	37,022	35,649
Cost of sales		7,301	6,201	12,934	11,234
Selling and administrative expenses, excluding amortization		11,794	10,250	22,316	20,788
(Gain) loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment		(234)	7	(224)	13
Earnings before financial expenses, amortization, share of net earnings of joint ventures and associates and income tax		819	1,670	1,996	3,614
Amortization		985	940	1,966	1,843
Financial expenses		134	133	297	276
Share of net earnings of joint ventures and associates		165	(420)	184	(552)
Earnings before income tax expenses		(465)	1,017	(451)	2,047
Income tax expenses		(71)	169	(62)	410
Net earnings and comprehensive income		(394)	848	(389)	1,637
Net earnings and comprehensive income attributable to:
The Company's shareholders		(361)	842	(336)	1,629
Non-controlling interests		(33)	6	(53)	8
Net earnings and comprehensive income		(394)	848	(389)	1,637
Earnings per share (in $):
	Basic	(0.09)	0.20	(0.08)	0.39
	Diluted	(0.09)	0.20	(0.08)	0.39
Weighted average number of outstanding
	Class A shares (in thousands):
	Basic	4,165	4,165	4,165	4,165
	Diluted	4,165	4,231	4,165	4,231

Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)
(unaudited)
		March 1^st,   2015	August 31, 2014
		$	$
Assets
Current assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	5,548	8,528
	Accounts receivable	4,015	3,722
	Income tax receivable	498	568
	Inventories	1,934	2,041
	Prepaid expenses	537	336
	Current portion of notes receivable	150	-
Total current assets		12,682	15,195
Notes receivable		1,964	1,514
Property, plant and equipment		34,847	36,046
Intangible assets		730	719
Deferred tax asset		1,649	1,783
Investments in joint ventures and associates		3,893	4,137
Goodwill		2,792	2,792
Total assets		58,557	62,186
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Current liabilities
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	7,278	7,560
	Income tax payable	99	216
	Deferred revenues and credits	899	872
	Current portion of long-term debt	2,058	2,052
Total current liabilities		10,334	10,700
Long-term debt		12,210	14,531
Deferred revenues and credits		940	1,078
Deferred tax liability		726	1,168
Total liabilities		24,210	27,477
Shareholders' equity
	Share capital	3,551	3,551
	Stock-based compensation reserve	395	368
	Retained earnings	30,170	30,506
Shareholders' equity attributable to the Company's shareholders		34,116	34,425
Non-controlling interests		231	284
Total shareholders' equity		34,347	34,709
Commitments, guarantees and contingencies
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity		58,557	62,186

Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)
(unaudited)
			13 weeks ended		26 weeks ended
			March 1^st,  2015	February 23,   2014	March 1^st, 2015	February 23, 2014
			$	$	$	$
Operating activities
	Net earnings		(394)	848	(389)	1,637
	Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash flows from operating activities
		(Gain) Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment	(234)	7	(224)	13
		Amortization of property, plant and equipment	971	935	1,938	1,826
		Amortization of intangible assets	14	5	28	17
		Share of net earnings of joint ventures and associates	165	(420)	184	(552)
		Dividends received from joint ventures and associates	-	120	125	420
		Stock-based compensation	12	19	27	31
		Financial expenses recognized in net earnings	134	133	297	276
		Financial expenses paid	(131)	(150)	(288)	(290)
		Income tax expenses recognized in net earnings	(71)	169	(62)	410
		Income tax paid	(1)	26	(293)	(274)
			465	1,692	1,343	3,514
	Net change in non-cash working capital items, net of acquisitions and disposals of subsidiaries		(379)	1,143	(1,457)	512
			86	2,835	(114)	4,026
Financing activities
	Increase of long-term debt		-	-	800	1,500
	Repayment of long-term debt		(991)	(584)	(3,124)	(1,100)
	Dividends paid to the Company's shareholders		-	(1,250)	-	(1,250)
			(991)	(1,834)	(2,324)	(850)
Investing activities
	Business combination and acquisition of assets,net of cash and cash equivalents acquired		-	-	-	(881)
	Investments in joint ventures and associates		-	-	(65)	-
	Change in notes receivable		(507)	70	(600)	2
	Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment		(582)	(1,915)	(1,233)	(3,475)
	Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment		1,387	-	1,395	5
	Acquisitions of intangible assets		(14)	-	(39)	(18)
			284	(1,845)	(542)	(4,367)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents			(621)	(844)	(2,980)	(1,191)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period			6,169	7,478	8,528	7,825
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period			5,548	6,634	5,548	6,634

SOURCE Sportscene Group Inc.

Jean Bédard, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer; François-Xavier Pilon, Interim Vice-President, Finance, 450-641-3011