Potbelly Corporation Reports Strong Results for Third Fiscal Quarter 2023
8.0% same-store sales growth and AWS of $25,190, with traffic growth as a major driver
150 new shop commitments to-date under the Franchise Growth Acceleration Initiative
Delivered at or above all guidance ranges; provides fourth quarter outlook
CHICAGO, Nov. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Potbelly Corporation (NASDAQ: PBPB), (“Potbelly” or the “Company”) the iconic neighborhood sandwich shop concept, today reported financial results for the third fiscal quarter ended September 24, 2023.
Key highlights for the quarter ended September 24, 2023, compared to September 25, 2022:
- Total revenues increased by 2.7% to $120.8 million compared to $117.6 million.
- Average Weekly Sales (AWS) increased 7.7% to $25,190 and, despite refranchising, total company shop sales increased by 1.6% to $118.3 million compared to $116.4 million.
- Positive same-store sales for the tenth-consecutive quarter, ending the third quarter at +8.0%, with traffic growth as a major driver and expansion of traffic share during each period of the quarter.
- GAAP net income attributable to Potbelly Corporation was $1.5 million compared to $9.0 million. GAAP diluted earnings per share (EPS) was $0.05 compared to $0.31.
- Adjusted net income1 attributable to Potbelly Corporation was $1.1 million compared to $0.3 million. Adjusted diluted EPS1 was $0.04 compared to $0.01.
- Adjusted EBITDA1 increased 55.6% to $7.3 million compared to $4.7 million.
(1) Adjusted net income, adjusted diluted EPS and adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures. For reconciliations of these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, see the accompanying financial tables. For a discussion of why we consider them useful, see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.
Bob Wright, President and Chief Executive Officer of Potbelly Corporation, commented, “We delivered another excellent quarter for Potbelly, which represented the cumulative effect of our disciplined strategy and execution efforts over the past many quarters and years, further driving our confidence in the sustainability of the results we’ve achieved thus far. During the quarter, we grew same-store sales by 8% with traffic as a major driver; continued to take traffic share from the fast-casual category each week through the quarter and grew shop-level margins by 400 basis points. These results have allowed us to further amplify Potbelly’s attractive unit economic model for franchisees, and we are thrilled to have signed additional development deals, bringing our total shop commitments to 150 shops-to-date.”
Wright continued, “Our momentum has continued into the fourth quarter, culminating in same-store sales guidance of 4.0-6.0% with a focus on continuing to grow traffic. Overall, we expect our top-line momentum and profitability improvements to drive adjusted EBITDA growth more than 65% for the year, totaling between $25.9 million and $27.9 million. We are pleased with what we’ve accomplished thus far and excited for how much further we can drive our unique brand.”
Outlook
| Fourth Quarter 2023 | Fiscal Year 2023 | |
| Average Sales | $24,250 to $24,750 AWS | $1.29M AUV |
| Same-store sales | 4.0% to 6.0% | 11.5% to 12.0% |
| Shop-level margin | 12.5% to 14.5% | 13.4% to 13.9% |
| Adj. EBITDA | $5.0 million to $7.0 million | $25.9 million to $27.9 million |
Conference Call
A conference call and audio webcast has been scheduled for 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time today to discuss these results. Investors, analysts, and members of the media interested in listening to the live presentation are encouraged to join a webcast of the call with accompanying presentation slides, available on the investor relations portion of the Company's website at www.potbelly.com. For those that cannot join the webcast, you can participate by dialing 1-844-825-9789 in the U.S. & Canada, or 1-412-317-5180 internationally.
For those unable to participate, an audio replay will be available through Wednesday, November 8, 2023. To access the replay, please call 1-844-512-2921 (U.S.) or 1-412-317-6671 (International) and enter confirmation code 10182310. A web-based archive of the conference call will also be available at the above website.
About Potbelly
Potbelly Corporation is a neighborhood sandwich concept that has been feeding customers’ smiles with warm, toasty sandwiches, signature salads, hand-dipped shakes and other fresh menu items, customized just the way customers want them, for more than 40 years. Potbelly promises Fresh, Fast & Friendly service in an environment that reflects the local neighborhood. Since opening its first shop in Chicago in 1977, Potbelly has expanded to neighborhoods across the country - with approximately 430 shops in the United States including approximately 69 franchised shops in the United States. For more information, please visit our website at www.potbelly.com.
Definitions
The following definitions apply to these terms as used throughout this press release:
- Revenues – represents net company-operated sandwich shop sales and our franchise royalties and fees. Net company-operated shop sales consist of food and beverage sales, net of promotional allowances and employee meals. Franchise royalties and fees consist of royalty income, franchise fee, and other fees collected from franchisees including advertising and rent.
- Company-operated comparable store sales or same-store traffic – an operating measure that represents the change in year-over-year sales or transactions for the comparable company-operated store base open for 15 months or longer.
- Average Weekly Sales (AWS) – an operating measure that represents the average weekly sales of all company-operated shops which reported sales during the associated time period.
- Average Unit Volume (AUV) – an operating measure that represents the average annual sales of all company-operated shops which reported sales during the associated time period.
- System-wide sales – an operating measure that represents the sum of sales generated by company-operated shops and sales generated by franchised shops, net of all promotional allowances, discounts, and employee meals. Net sales from franchised shops are not included in total revenues. Rather, revenues are limited to the royalties, fees and other income collected from franchisees.
- EBITDA – a non-GAAP measure that represents income before depreciation and amortization expense, interest expense and the provision for income taxes.
- Adjusted EBITDA – a non-GAAP measure that represents income before depreciation and amortization expense, interest expense and the provision for income taxes, adjusted to eliminate the impact of other items, including certain non-cash and other items that we do not consider reflective of underlying business performance.
- Shop-level profit (loss) – a non-GAAP measure that represents income (loss) from operations excluding franchise royalties and fees, franchise support, marketing and rent expenses, general and administrative expenses, depreciation expense, pre-opening costs, restructuring costs, loss on Franchise Growth Acceleration Initiative activities and impairment, loss on the disposal of property and equipment and shop closures.
- Shop-level profit (loss) margin – a non-GAAP measure that represents shop-level profit expressed as a percentage of net company-operated sandwich shop sales.
- Adjusted net income (loss) – a non-GAAP measure that represents net income (loss), adjusted to eliminate the impact of restructuring costs, impairment, loss on the disposal of property and equipment, shop closures, and other items we do not consider representative of our ongoing operating performance, including the income tax effects of those adjustments and the change in our income tax valuation allowance.
- Adjusted diluted EPS – a non-GAAP measure that represents adjusted net income (loss) divided by the weighted average number of fully dilutive common shares outstanding.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We prepare our financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). Within this press release, we make reference to EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted diluted EPS, adjusted net income, shop-level profit, and shop-level profit margin, which are non-GAAP financial measures. The Company includes these non-GAAP financial measures because management believes they are useful to investors in that they provide for greater transparency with respect to supplemental information used by management in its financial and operational decision making.
Management uses adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted EPS to evaluate the Company’s performance and in order to have comparable financial results to analyze changes in our underlying business from quarter to quarter. Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted EPS exclude the impact of certain non-cash charges and other items that affect the comparability of results in past quarters and which we do not believe are reflective of underlying business performance. Management uses shop-level profit and shop-level profit margin as key metrics to evaluate the profitability of incremental sales at our shops, to evaluate our shop performance across periods and to evaluate our shop financial performance against our competitors.
Accordingly, the Company believes the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures, when used in conjunction with GAAP financial measures, is a useful financial analysis tool that can assist investors in assessing the Company’s operating performance and underlying prospects. This analysis should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. This analysis, as well as the other information in this press release, should be read in conjunction with the Company’s financial statements and footnotes contained in the documents that the Company files with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The non-GAAP financial measures used by the Company in this press release may be different from the methods used by other companies. For more information on the non-GAAP financial measures, please refer to the table, “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures to GAAP Financial Measures.”
Forward-Looking Statements
In addition to historical information, this presentation and our earnings conference call contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements, written, oral or otherwise made, represent the Company’s expectation or belief concerning future events. Without limiting the foregoing, the words “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “intends,” “plans,” “strives,” “goal,” “estimates,” “forecasts,” “projects” or “anticipates” or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements included in this presentation may include, among others, statements relating to our (i) future financial position and results of operations, (ii) business strategy, including our five-pillar strategic plan and our short- and long-term goals, (iii) growth potential, including franchise unit growth, (iv) ability to sustain progress made towards our profitability targets and long-term strategic growth through fiscal year 2024, (v) intentions to leverage sales and control costs, (vi) expectation that we will make meaningful progress in Potbelly’s next phase of growth, (vii) anticipated revenue and profitability growth in 2023, (viii) expectations and plans for new shop development deals; (ix) expectations regarding digital business growth and opportunities for digital innovation; and (x) plans for food and marketing innovations; (xi) ability to drive demand; (xii) fourth quarter and fiscal year 2023 outlook including our projections regarding AWSs, AUVs, same-store sales, shop-level margin and adjusted EBITDA; and (xiii) expectations regarding wages.
By nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied by the forward-looking statement, due to reasons including, but not limited to, risks related to the COVID-19 outbreak; compliance with our Credit Agreement covenants; competition; general economic conditions; our ability to successfully implement our business strategy; the success of our initiatives to increase sales and traffic; changes in commodity, energy and other costs; our ability to attract and retain management and employees; consumer reaction to industry-related public health issues and perceptions of food safety; our ability to manage our growth; reputational and brand issues; price and availability of commodities; consumer confidence and spending patterns; and weather conditions. In addition, there may be other factors of which we are presently unaware or that we currently deem immaterial that could cause our actual results to be materially different from the results referenced in the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations are reasonable, we may not achieve our plans, intentions or expectations. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and currently available data and are neither predictions nor guarantees of future events or performance. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. See “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Statements” included in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and other risk factors described from time to time in subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or other subsequent filings, all of which are available on our website at www.potbelly.com. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.
Investor Contact:
Jeff Priester
ICR
investor@potbelly.com
Media Contact:
ICR
PotbellyPR@icrinc.com
| Potbelly Corporation Consolidated Statements of Operations and Margin Analysis – Unaudited (Amounts in thousands, except per share data) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| For the Quarter Ended | For the Year to Date Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Sep 24, 2023 | % of Revenues | Sep 25, 2022 | % of Revenue | Sep 24, 2023 | % of Revenue | Sep 25, 2022 | % of Revenue | ||||||||||||||
| Revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Sandwich shop sales, net | $118,340 | 98.0% | $116,449 | 99.0% | $359,995 | 98.5% | $328,873 | 99.1% | |||||||||||||
| Franchise royalties, fees and rent income | 2,428 | 2.0 | 1,200 | 1.0 | 5,665 | 1.5 | 2,950 | 0.9 | |||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 120,768 | 100.0 | 117,649 | 100.0 | 365,660 | 100.0 | 331,823 | 100.0 | |||||||||||||
| Expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (Percentages stated as a percent of sandwich shop sales, net) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Sandwich shop operating expenses, excluding depreciation | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Food, beverage and packaging costs | 32,901 | 27.8 | 34,814 | 29.9 | 100,424 | 27.9 | 94,952 | 28.9 | |||||||||||||
| Labor and related expenses | 34,188 | 28.9 | 36,031 | 30.9 | 108,556 | 30.2 | 105,405 | 32.1 | |||||||||||||
| Occupancy expenses | 12,653 | 10.7 | 13,559 | 11.6 | 39,046 | 10.8 | 41,209 | 12.5 | |||||||||||||
| Other operating expenses | 21,277 | 18.0 | 19,743 | 17.0 | 62,686 | 17.4 | 56,977 | 17.3 | |||||||||||||
| (Percentages stated as a percent of total revenues) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Franchise support, rent and marketing expenses | 1,553 | 1.3 | 115 | NM | 3,359 | 0.9 | 361 | 0.1 | |||||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | 11,894 | 9.8 | 9,554 | 8.1 | 33,558 | 9.2 | 26,899 | 8.1 | |||||||||||||
| Depreciation expense | 3,044 | 2.5 | 2,922 | 2.5 | 8,902 | 2.4 | 9,089 | 2.7 | |||||||||||||
| Pre-opening costs | 59 | NM | - | NM | 114 | NM | - | NM | |||||||||||||
| Loss on Franchise Growth Acceleration Initiative activities | 110 | NM | - | NM | 1,073 | 0.3 | - | NM | |||||||||||||
| Impairment, loss on disposal of property and equipment and shop closures | 458 | 0.4 | 1,616 | 1.4 | 2,161 | 0.6 | 3,980 | 1.2 | |||||||||||||
| Total expenses | 118,137 | 97.8 | 118,354 | 100.6 | 359,879 | 98.4 | 338,872 | 102.1 | |||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from operations | 2,631 | 2.2 | (705) | (0.6) | 5,781 | 1.6 | (7,049) | (2.1) | |||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | 853 | 0.7 | 354 | 0.3 | 2,531 | 0.7 | 1,037 | 0.3 | |||||||||||||
| (Gain) Loss on extinguishment of debt | — | NM | (10,191) | (8.7) | 239 | 0.1 | (10,191) | NM | |||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 1,778 | 1.5 | 9,132 | 7.8 | 3,011 | 0.8 | 2,105 | 0.6 | |||||||||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | 129 | 0.1 | (4) | NM | 186 | NM | 148 | NM | |||||||||||||
| Net income | 1,649 | 1.4 | 9,136 | 7.8 | 2,825 | 0.8 | 1,957 | 0.6 | |||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to non-controlling interest | 154 | 0.1 | 107 | NM | 442 | 0.1 | 267 | NM | |||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Potbelly Corporation | $1,495 | 1.2% | $9,029 | 7.7% | $2,383 | 0.7% | 1,690 | 0.5% | |||||||||||||
| Net income per common share attributable to common stockholders: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $0.05 | $0.31 | $0.08 | $0.06 | |||||||||||||||||
| Diluted | $0.05 | $0.31 | $0.08 | $0.06 | |||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | 29,324 | 28,726 | 29,143 | 28,563 | |||||||||||||||||
| Diluted | 30,028 | 28,867 | 29,915 | 28,947 | |||||||||||||||||
_______________________________
"NM" - Amount is not meaningful
| Potbelly Corporation Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures to GAAP Financial Measures – Unaudited (Amounts in thousands, except per share data) | |||||||||||||||
| For the Quarter Ended | For the Year To Date Ended | ||||||||||||||
| September 24, 2023 | September 25, 2022 | September 24, 2023 | September 25, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Potbelly Corporation, as reported | $ | 1,495 | $ | 9,029 | $ | 2,383 | $ | 1,690 | |||||||
| Impairment, loss on disposal of property and equipment and shop closures | 458 | 1,616 | 2,161 | 3,980 | |||||||||||
| (Gain) / Loss on extinguishment of debt(1) | — | (10,191 | ) | 239 | (10,191 | ) | |||||||||
| Loss on Franchise Growth Acceleration Initiative activities(2) | 110 | — | 1,073 | — | |||||||||||
| Total adjustments before income tax | 568 | (8,575 | ) | 3,473 | (6,211 | ) | |||||||||
| Income tax adjustments(3) | (983 | ) | (183 | ) | (2,160 | ) | 1,826 | ||||||||
| Total adjustments after income tax | (415 | ) | (8,758 | ) | 1,313 | (4,385 | ) | ||||||||
| Adjusted net income (loss) attributable to Potbelly Corporation | $ | 1,080 | $ | 271 | $ | 3,696 | $ | (2,695 | ) | ||||||
| Adjusted net income (loss) attributable to Potbelly Corporation per share, basic | $ | 0.04 | $ | 0.01 | $ | 0.13 | $ | (0.09 | ) | ||||||
| Adjusted net income (loss) attributable to Potbelly Corporation per share, diluted | $ | 0.04 | $ | 0.01 | $ | 0.12 | $ | (0.09 | ) | ||||||
| Shares used in computing adjusted net income (loss) attributable to Potbelly Corporation per share: | |||||||||||||||
| Basic | 29,324 | 28,726 | 29,143 | 28,563 | |||||||||||
| Diluted | 30,028 | 28,867 | 29,915 | 28,947 | |||||||||||
| For the Quarter Ended | For the Year To Date Ended | ||||||||||||
| September 24, 2023 | September 25, 2022 | September 24, 2023 | September 25, 2022 | ||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Potbelly Corporation, as reported | $ | 1,495 | $ | 9,029 | $ | 2,383 | $ | 1,690 | |||||
| Depreciation expense | 3,044 | 2,922 | 8,902 | 9,089 | |||||||||
| Interest expense, net | 853 | 354 | 2,531 | 1,037 | |||||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | 129 | (4 | ) | 186 | 148 | ||||||||
| EBITDA | 5,521 | 12,301 | 14,002 | 11,964 | |||||||||
| Impairment, loss on disposal of property and equipment and shop closures | 458 | 1,616 | 2,161 | 3,980 | |||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | 1,192 | 951 | 3,407 | 2,446 | |||||||||
| (Gain) / Loss on extinguishment of debt(1) | - | (10,191 | ) | 239 | (10,191 | ) | |||||||
| Loss on Franchise Growth Acceleration Initiative activities(2) | 110 | - | 1,073 | - | |||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 7,281 | $ | 4,677 | $ | 20,882 | $ | 8,199 | |||||
| Potbelly Corporation Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures to GAAP Financial Measures – Unaudited (Amounts in thousands, except per share data) | |||||||||||||||
| For the Quarter Ended | For the Year To Date Ended | ||||||||||||||
| September 24, 2023 | September 25, 2022 | September 24, 2023 | September 25, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from operations | $ | 2,631 | $ | (705 | ) | $ | 5,781 | $ | (7,049 | ) | |||||
| Less: Franchise royalties, fees and rent income | 2,428 | 1,200 | 5,665 | 2,950 | |||||||||||
| Franchise support, rent and marketing expenses | 1,553 | 115 | 3,359 | 361 | |||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | 11,894 | 9,554 | 33,558 | 26,899 | |||||||||||
| Pre-opening costs | 59 | — | 114 | — | |||||||||||
| Loss on Franchise Growth Acceleration Initiative activities(2) | 110 | — | 1,073 | — | |||||||||||
| Depreciation expense | 3,044 | 2,922 | 8,902 | 9,089 | |||||||||||
| Impairment, loss on disposal of property and equipment and shop closures | 458 | 1,616 | 2,161 | 3,980 | |||||||||||
| Shop-level profit [Y] | $ | 17,321 | $ | 12,302 | $ | 49,283 | $ | 30,330 | |||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 120,768 | $ | 117,649 | $ | 365,660 | $ | 331,823 | |||||||
| Less: Franchise royalties, fees and rent income | 2,428 | 1,200 | 5,665 | 2,950 | |||||||||||
| Sandwich shop sales, net [X] | $ | 118,340 | $ | 116,449 | $ | 359,995 | $ | 328,873 | |||||||
| Shop-level profit margin [Y÷X] | 14.6 | % | 10.6 | % | 13.7 | % | 9.2 | % | |||||||
| Potbelly Corporation Consolidated Selected Balance Sheet Data & Selected Operating Data – Unaudited (Amounts in thousands, except per share data) | |||||
| September 24, 2023 | December 25, 2022 | ||||
| Selected Balance Sheet Data | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 30,938 | $ | 15,619 | |
| Restricted cash | 749 | — | |||
| Total assets | 251,281 | 245,171 | |||
| Current portion of long-term debt | 1,250 | — | |||
| Long-term debt, net of current portion | 20,918 | 8,550 | |||
| Total liabilities | 241,622 | 240,898 | |||
| Total equity | 9,659 | 4,273 | |||
| For the Quarter Ended | For the Year to Date Ended | ||||||||||
| September 24, 2023 | September 25, 2022 | September 24, 2023 | September 25, 2022 | ||||||||
| Selected Operating Data | |||||||||||
| Shop Activity: | |||||||||||
| Company-operated shops, end of period | 361 | 388 | 361 | 388 | |||||||
| Franchise shops, end of period | 69 | 46 | 69 | 46 | |||||||
| Revenue Data: | |||||||||||
| Company-operated comparable store sales | 8.0 | % | 15.0 | % | 14.0 | % | 18.5 | % | |||
| For the Quarter Ended | For the Year to Date Ended | ||||||||||
| September 24, 2023 | September 25, 2022 | September 24, 2023 | September 25, 2022 | ||||||||
| Sales from company-operated shops, net | $ | 118,340 | $ | 116,449 | $ | 359,995 | $ | 328,873 | |||
| Sales from franchise shops, net | 19,863 | 12,892 | 52,203 | 35,953 | |||||||
| System-wide sales | $ | 138,203 | $ | 129,341 | $ | 412,198 | $ | 364,826 | |||
Potbelly Corporation
Footnotes to the Press Release, Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures to GAAP Financial Measures & Selected Operating Data
1) This adjustment relates to the loss recognized upon termination of the Company’s former credit agreement which was completed during the first quarter of 2023.
2) This adjustment includes net losses recognized during the period which relate to the Company’s Franchise Growth Acceleration Initiative, including net gains and losses on the sale of assets and fair value adjustments for assets classified as held-for-sale.
3) This adjustment includes the tax impacts of the other adjustments listed above based on the Company’s effective tax rate and the change in the Company’s income tax valuation allowance during the period.
