The FINANCIAL — Domino’s Pizza, Inc. on February 25 announced results for the fourth quarter and fiscal 2015, comprised of strong growth in same store sales, global store counts and earnings.
Domestic same store sales grew 10.7% during the quarter versus the year-ago period, and 12.0% for the full year, continuing the positive sales momentum in the Company’s domestic business. The international division also posted strong results, with same store sales growth of 8.6% during the quarter and 7.8% for the full year. The fourth quarter marked the 88th consecutive quarter – or 22nd full year – of positive international same store sales growth. The Company also had global net store growth of 901 stores in 2015, comprised of 133 net new domestic stores and a record 768 net new stores internationally.
On an as-reported basis, fourth quarter diluted EPS was $1.18, up 38.8% over the prior-year quarter; full year diluted EPS was $3.47, up 21.3% over the prior year. Management noted that the as-reported diluted EPS for both the fourth quarter and fiscal year was negatively impacted by expenses related to the Company’s recapitalization, which was completed during the fourth quarter, and was positively impacted by the inclusion of an extra, or 53rd, week in the fourth quarter of 2015. On an as-adjusted basis, fourth quarter diluted EPS was $1.15, up 26.4% over the prior-year quarter; full year as-adjusted diluted EPS was $3.45, up 19.0% over the prior year, according to Domino’s Pizza.
In connection with the Company’s recapitalization, as further discussed below, the Company borrowed $1.3 billion, and used a portion of the proceeds to retire a portion of its existing debt and enter into a $600 million accelerated share repurchase (ASR) program. As part of the ASR, the Company received and retired 4,858,994 shares of its common stock during the quarter. Additionally, on February 24, 2016, the Board of Directors declared a 38-cent per share quarterly dividend for shareholders of record as of March 15, 2016 to be paid on March 30, 2016. This represents a 22.6% increase over the previous quarterly dividend amount.
“Our network of strong franchisees has become even more profitable during these years of continued positive same store sales growth,” said J. Patrick Doyle, Domino’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Great store economics around the world have led to accelerated unit growth. It’s a positive cycle and the momentum continued through 2015.”
Revenues were up 15.3% for the fourth quarter versus the prior year period largely due to the estimated $49.7 million positive impact of the 53rd week in 2015. Revenue growth was also driven by higher supply chain volumes and sales of equipment to stores in connection with the Company’s global store reimaging program. Higher domestic same store sales and store count growth, which resulted in increased royalties from franchised stores and higher revenues at Company-owned stores, also contributed to this increase. International revenues also benefited from increased same store sales and store count growth, and were offset in part by the negative impact of foreign currency.
Net Income was up 30.7% for the fourth quarter versus the prior year period, driven by domestic and international same store sales growth, global store count growth and higher supply chain volumes. The estimated $6.3 million positive impact of the 53rd week, and the non-recurrence of an asset impairment charge in the fourth quarter of 2014 also contributed to the increase. These increases were offset in part by the negative impact of foreign currency exchange rates and, to a lesser extent, expenses related to the Company’s recapitalization.
Diluted EPS increases, as noted earlier, were due to higher net income and lower weighted average diluted shares outstanding. (See the Items Affecting Comparability section and the Comments on Regulation G section.)
On October 27, 2015, the Company announced it had completed its recapitalization. The Company borrowed $1.3 billion of fixed rate senior secured notes and entered into a new $125.0 million of variable funding note facility, which replaced its previous $100.0 million variable funding note facility. The Company used a portion of the proceeds from the recapitalization to repurchase and retire approximately $551.3 million of its outstanding 2012 fixed rate notes, at par. Additionally, in connection with the recapitalization, the Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program that allows the Company to repurchase up to $800.0 million of its common stock. This $800.0 million share repurchase program replaced the then existing $200.0 million share repurchase program. As part of this $800.0 million share repurchase program, the Company entered into a $600.0 million ASR agreement with a counterparty. On October 30, 2015 and as part of the ASR, the Company received and retired 4,858,994 shares of its common stock. At final settlement of the ASR, which is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company may receive additional shares of common stock, or, under certain circumstances, the Company may be required to deliver shares of its common stock or may elect to make a cash payment to the counterparty, based on the terms of the related ASR agreement. As of February 18, 2016, the Company had authorization for repurchases of $200.0 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 $17.4 million of debt issuance costs, which are included as a reduction of long-term debt on the consolidated balance sheet at January 3, 2016 and are expected be amortized into interest expense over the terms of its fixed rate notes.
Dividends
On February 24, 2016, the Board of Directors declared a 38-cent per share quarterly dividend for shareholders of record as of March 15, 2016, to be paid on March 30, 2016. This represents a 22.6% increase over the previous quarterly dividend amount.
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