The FINANCIAL — Domino’s Pizza, Inc. on October 12 announced results for the third quarter of 2017, comprised of strong growth in same store sales, global store counts and earnings per share.
Domestic same store sales grew 8.4% during the quarter versus the year-ago period, which represents the 26th consecutive quarter of positive sales momentum in the Company’s domestic business. International same store sales grew 5.1% during the quarter, marking the 95th consecutive quarter of positive international same store sales growth. The Company had global net store growth of 217 stores in the quarter, comprised of 53 net new domestic stores and 164 net new stores internationally, and has added 1,182 net new stores over the trailing four quarters.
Diluted EPS was $1.18 for the third quarter, which was up 22.9% over the Company’s diluted EPS in the prior year quarter. Management noted that the as-reported diluted EPS for the third quarter was negatively impacted by expenses related to the Company’s recapitalization. Diluted EPS, as adjusted, was $1.27 for the third quarter, which was up 32.3% over the Company’s diluted EPS in the prior year quarter, according to Domino’s Pizza.
In connection with the Company’s recapitalization, as further discussed below, the Company borrowed $1.9 billion, and used a portion of the proceeds to repay its remaining debt under its 2012 fixed rate notes. The Company also entered into a $1.0 billion accelerated share repurchase (ASR) agreement with a counterparty, which was completed subsequent to the quarter. In connection with the ASR agreement, the Company will receive and retire a total of 5,218,670 shares of its common stock at an average price of $191.62, including 4,558,863 shares of its common stock received and retired during the third quarter.
The Company’s Board of Directors declared a 46-cent per share quarterly dividend for shareholders of record as of September 15, 2017 that was paid on September 29, 2017. The Company’s Board of Directors also declared a 46-cent per share quarterly dividend for shareholders of record as of December 15, 2017, to be paid on December 29, 2017.
“The third quarter was an excellent example of us simply continuing to do what we do best: executing on our long-term strategy, relying upon our strong fundamentals and aligning with our outstanding U.S. and international operators to turn in another quarter of phenomenal results,” said J. Patrick Doyle, Domino’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “The momentum behind this business continues to amaze me, proving once again that our domestic and international franchisees are second to none.”
Revenues were up 13.6% for the third quarter versus the prior year period, due primarily to higher supply chain revenues from increased volumes. Higher same store sales and store count growth in both our domestic and international markets also contributed to the increase in revenues.
Net Income increased 19.3% for the third quarter versus the prior year period, primarily driven by an increase in same store sales growth and store count as well as higher supply chain volumes. The adoption of the new equity-based compensation accounting standard also positively impacted net income. These increases were partially offset by higher general and administrative expenses, primarily from investments in technological initiatives. Net income was also negatively impacted by expenses related to the Company’s recapitalization.
Diluted EPS was $1.18 for the third quarter versus $0.96 in the prior year quarter, which represents a 22-cent or 22.9% increase over the prior year quarter. Diluted EPS, as adjusted, was $1.27 for the third quarter versus $0.96 in the prior year quarter, which represents a 31-cent or 32.3% increase over the prior year quarter. These increases were driven by higher net income, as well as lower diluted share count, primarily as a result of the share repurchases made during the trailing four quarters. (See the Items Affecting Comparability section on page three and the Comments on Regulation G section on page four.)
On July 24, 2017, the Company completed its recapitalization with the receipt of $1.9 billion of gross proceeds. The Company borrowed $1.6 billion of fixed rate senior secured notes and $300.0 million of floating rate senior secured notes and entered into a new $175.0 million variable funding note facility, which replaced its previous $125.0 million variable funding note facility. The Company used a portion of the proceeds from the recapitalization to repay the remaining $910.5 million in outstanding principal and interest under its 2012 fixed rate notes on July 27, 2017.
Additionally, the Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program that allows the Company to repurchase up to $1.25 billion of its common stock. This repurchase program replaced the remaining availability of approximately $136.4 million under the Company’s previously approved $250.0 million share repurchase program. As part of this $1.25 billion share repurchase program, the Company entered into a $1.0 billion ASR agreement with a counterparty, which was completed subsequent to the quarter. In connection with the ASR agreement, the Company will receive and retire a total of 5,218,670 shares of its common stock at an average price of $191.62, including 4,558,863 shares of its common stock received and retired during the third quarter. As of October 12, 2017, the Company had authorization for repurchases of $250.0 million remaining under its open market share repurchase program.
The Company incurred certain expenses in connection with the recapitalization that are outlined in the items affecting comparability table below. Separately, the Company also recorded $16.8 million of debt issuance costs, which are included as a reduction of long-term debt on the consolidated balance sheet at September 10, 2017 and are expected be amortized into interest expense over the terms of its fixed and floating rate notes.
Adoption of New Accounting Guidance
The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 in the first quarter of 2017. This standard addresses the accounting for income taxes and forfeitures and the cash flow presentation of share-based compensation. The adoption resulted in a $3.5 million decrease in our third quarter 2017 provision for income taxes, or a 4.2 percentage point decrease in our third quarter 2017 effective tax rate, due to the recognition of excess tax benefits for options exercised and the vesting of equity awards. This item positively impacted our diluted EPS by approximately seven cents in the third quarter of 2017. Refer to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 10, 2017 for additional detailed information regarding the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-09.
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