Chuy’s Holdings, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2023 Financial Results
- Revenue increased by 11.8% to $116.3 million in the 14-week fourth quarter of 2023.
- Net income rose by 121.2% to $5.5 million in Q4 2023.
- The company had no debt outstanding and $25.0 million available under its revolving credit facility.
- For the fiscal year, revenue grew by 9.3% to $461.3 million, with net income increasing by 51.1% to $31.5 million.
- Chuy's opened one new restaurant in Q4 2023 and repurchased $28.9 million worth of shares in 2023.
- The company expects adjusted net income per diluted share of $1.82 to $1.87 for 2024.
- None.
Insights
The reported increase in revenue and net income for Chuy's Holdings, Inc. reflects a positive trend in the company's financial performance. The 11.8% revenue growth in the fourth quarter, partly attributed to an extra operating week, is still significant when considering the modest 0.3% increase in comparable restaurant sales. This suggests that the company's revenue streams are not solely dependent on existing store performance but also benefit from new store openings and other operational factors.
The 121.2% increase in net income is particularly notable, as it signals improved profitability. The substantial expansion in restaurant-level operating margin by 300 basis points to 20.0% is a clear indicator of efficient cost management, especially in an industry where margins are typically tight. The lack of debt and a strong cash position provide the company with financial flexibility, which is crucial for sustained expansion and shareholder value through repurchases or dividends.
Chuy's strategy of focusing on core markets with high Average Unit Volume (AUV) and brand awareness is a targeted approach that maximizes the potential for successful new openings. The planned 6 to 8 new restaurants indicate a controlled yet optimistic expansion, which could further enhance market presence without overextending resources. The company's emphasis on fresh, made-from-scratch offerings at a value aligns with current consumer preferences for quality and affordability.
However, the projected adjusted net income per diluted share for 2024 suggests a potential decrease when excluding the impact of the extra operating week in 2023. This forecast may indicate caution about future cost pressures or uncertainties in consumer spending patterns. Stakeholders should monitor how Chuy's navigates these challenges while maintaining its growth trajectory.
The reported deflation in commodity costs, which contributed to a 240 basis point decrease in cost of sales, is an interesting economic indicator. While beneficial for Chuy's operating margins in the short term, it is essential to understand whether this deflation is a temporary market condition or part of a longer-term trend. The increase in labor costs due to hourly labor rate inflation is consistent with broader economic patterns of wage growth and could signal ongoing operational cost challenges for the restaurant industry.
Furthermore, the effective tax rate increase from 9.3% to 21.0% due to changes in employee tax credits and the settlement of an IRS tax audit is a reminder of the impact fiscal policy has on corporate earnings. Investors should consider how changes in tax legislation or audits could affect future profitability.
AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chuy’s Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHUY) today announced financial results for the 14 week fourth quarter and the 53 week fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
Highlights for the 14 week fourth quarter ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the 13 week fourth quarter ended December 25, 2022, were as follows:
- Revenue increased
11.8% to$116.3 million compared to$104.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. The extra operating week in fiscal 2023 contributed approximately$8.7 million in revenue. - Comparable restaurant sales increased
0.3% as compared to the fourth quarter of 2022 (13 weeks vs. 13 weeks). - Net income increased
$3.0 million , or121.2% , to$5.5 million , or$0.31 per diluted share, as compared to$2.5 million , or$0.14 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2022. - Adjusted net income(1) increased
$2.9 million , or58.3% , to$7.9 million , or$0.45 per diluted share, as compared to$5.0 million , or$0.27 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2022. - Restaurant-level operating margin(1) increased
$5.6 million , or31.6% , to$23.3 million as compared to$17.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. Restaurant-level operating margin(1) as a percentage of revenue increased 300 basis points to20.0% , compared to17.0% in the fourth quarter of 2022. - Cash and cash equivalents were
$67.8 million and the Company had no debt outstanding with$25.0 million available under its revolving credit facility.
Highlights for the 53 week fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the 52 week fiscal year ended December 25, 2022, were as follows:
- Revenue increased
9.3% to$461.3 million compared to$422.2 million in fiscal 2022. The extra operating week in fiscal 2023 contributed approximately$8.7 million in revenue. - Comparable restaurant sales increased
3.3% as compared to fiscal 2022 (52 weeks vs. 52 weeks). - Net income increased
$10.6 million , or51.1% , to$31.5 million , or$1.76 per diluted share, as compared to$20.9 million , or$1.11 per diluted share, in fiscal 2022. - Adjusted net income(1) increased
$9.5 million , or36.9% , to$35.3 million , or$1.97 per diluted share, as compared to$25.8 million , or$1.37 per diluted share, in fiscal 2022. - Restaurant-level operating margin(1) increased
$16.4 million , or21.5% , to$93.1 million as compared to$76.7 million in fiscal 2022. Restaurant-level operating margin(1) as a percentage of revenue increased 200 basis points to20.2% , compared to18.2% in fiscal 2022.
(1) Adjusted net income and restaurant-level operating margin are non-GAAP measures. For reconciliations of adjusted net income and restaurant-level operating margin to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, see the accompanying financial tables. For a discussion of why we consider them useful, see “Non-GAAP Measures” below.
Steve Hislop, President and Chief Executive Officer of Chuy’s Holdings, Inc. stated, “I am proud of what our team accomplished in 2023 with continued revenue growth of
Hislop added, “We successfully opened one new restaurant during the fourth quarter and are pleased with the performance of our recent openings. As we look into 2024, we are encouraged by our robust pipeline of 6 to 8 new restaurants, focusing primarily on core markets where our concept is already proven with high AUVs and brand awareness. We have a long runway ahead of us and are excited by the opportunity to grow the Chuy’s brand and maximizing shareholder value in 2024 and beyond.”
Fourth Quarter 2023 Financial Results
Revenue was
Comparable restaurant sales increased
Total restaurant operating costs as a percentage of revenue decreased by approximately 300 basis points to
- Cost of sales decreased 240 basis points driven by overall commodity deflation of approximately
8% during the quarter as compared to the same period a year ago as well as leverage on a menu price increase taken subsequent to the fourth quarter of 2022. - Labor costs increased 30 basis points largely as a result of hourly labor rate inflation of approximately
4% at comparable restaurants as well as an incremental improvement in our hourly labor staffing levels as compared to last year. This increase was partially offset by menu price increases taken subsequent to the fourth quarter of 2022. - Operating costs increased 10 basis points primarily driven by higher delivery service charges as a result of increased delivery sales, an increase in restaurant repair and maintenance costs, and higher insurance premiums, partially offset by lower utility costs as compared to the fourth quarter of 2022.
- Occupancy costs decreased 100 basis points primarily as a result of sales leverage on fixed occupancy expenses.
General and administrative expenses increased to
Impairment, closed restaurant and other costs were
The effective income tax rate was
As a result of the foregoing, net income was
Adjusted net income was
Development Update
During the fourth quarter of 2023, one restaurant was opened in Terrell, TX, which brings our total number of restaurants to 101 as of December 31, 2023.
Share Repurchase Program
During the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company repurchased 167,535 shares of its common stock for a total of approximately
2024 Outlook
The Company currently expects 2024 adjusted net income(1) per diluted share of
- General and administrative expense of
$30.0 t o$31.0 million (on a 52-week comparable basis); - Six to eight new restaurants;
- Net capital expenditures (net of tenant improvement allowances) of approximately
$41 t o$46 million ; - Restaurant pre-opening expenses of approximately
$2.7 t o$3.2 million ; - An effective annual tax rate (excluding unusual items) of approximately of
13% to14% ; - Annual weighted diluted shares outstanding of approximately 17.4 million.
The Company does not provide a reconciliation of 2024 adjusted net income per diluted share or the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP measure of net income per diluted share because the timing and nature of excluded items are unreasonably difficult to fully and accurately estimate. As a result, we are unable to assess the probable significance of the unavailable information.
(1) Adjusted net income is a non-GAAP measure. For a reconciliation of adjusted net income for fiscal 2023 to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, see the accompanying financial tables. For a discussion of why we consider adjusted net income useful, see “Non-GAAP Measures” below.
We report our financial statements on a fiscal calendar basis. Due to the 53rd week in fiscal year 2023, our financial statement comparison will be one week different year over year. However, we believe that reporting our comparable restaurant sales on a comparable calendar basis will help facilitate period-over-period comparisons.
The table below sets forth our fiscal and comparable calendar dates.
| Fiscal Calendar Basis | Comparable Calendar Basis | |||
| First Quarter | January 1, 2024 - March 31, 2024 | January 1, 2024 - March 31, 2024 | ||
| vs. | vs. | |||
| December 26, 2022 - March 26, 2023 | January 2, 2023 - April 2, 2023 | |||
| Second Quarter | April 1, 2024 - June 30, 2024 | April 1, 2024 - June 30, 2024 | ||
| vs. | vs. | |||
| March 27, 2023 - June 25, 2023 | April 3, 2023 - July 2, 2023 | |||
| Third Quarter | July 1, 2024 - September 29, 2024 | July 1, 2024 - September 29, 2024 | ||
| vs. | vs. | |||
| June 26, 2023 - September 24, 2023 | July 3, 2023 - October 1, 2023 | |||
| Fourth Quarter | September 30, 2024 - December 29, 2024 | September 30, 2024 - December 29, 2024 | ||
| vs. | vs. | |||
| September 25, 2023 - December 31, 2023 | October 2, 2023 - December 31, 2023 | |||
| Year | January 1, 2024 - December 29, 2024 | January 1, 2024 - December 29, 2024 | ||
| vs. | vs. | |||
| December 26, 2022 - December 31, 2023 | January 2, 2023 - December 31, 2023 |
The following definitions apply to these terms as used in this release:
Comparable restaurant sales reflect changes in sales for the comparable group of restaurants over a specified period of time as compared to that time in the prior year. We consider a restaurant to be comparable in the first full quarter following the 18th month of operations. Changes in comparable restaurant sales reflect changes in customer count trends as well as changes in average check. Our comparable restaurant base consisted of 94 restaurants at December 31, 2023.
Restaurant-level operating margin represents income from operations plus the sum of general and administrative expenses, restaurant pre-opening costs, impairment, closed restaurants and other costs, and depreciation.
Average check is calculated by dividing revenue by total entrées sold for a given time period. Average check reflects menu price increases as well as changes in menu mix.
Average weekly customers is measured by the number of entrées sold per week. Our management team uses this metric to measure changes in customer traffic.
Operating margin represents income from operations as a percentage of our revenue. By monitoring and controlling our operating margins, we can gauge the overall profitability of our Company.
Total restaurant operating costs includes cost of sales, labor, operating, occupancy and marketing costs.
Conference Call
The Company will host a conference call to discuss financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2023 today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Steve Hislop, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Jon Howie, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will host the call.
The conference call can be accessed live over the phone by dialing 201-689-8560. A replay will be available after the call and can be accessed by dialing 412-317-6671; the passcode is 13743232. The replay will be available until Thursday, March 7, 2024.
The conference call will also be webcast live from the Company’s corporate website at www.chuys.com under the Investors section. An archive of the webcast will be available on the Company's corporate website shortly after the call has concluded.
About Chuy’s
Founded in Austin, Texas in 1982, Chuy's owns and operates full-service restaurants across 16 states serving a distinct menu of authentic, made from scratch Tex-Mex inspired dishes. Chuy's highly flavorful and freshly prepared fare is served in a fun, eclectic and irreverent atmosphere, while each location offers a unique, "unchained" look and feel, as expressed by the concept's motto "If you've seen one Chuy's, you've seen one Chuy's!" For further information about Chuy's, including the nearest location, visit the Chuy's website at www.chuys.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this release that are not historical facts, including, without limitation, those relating to the Company’s 2024 outlook, including 2024 adjusted net income per diluted share, general and administrative expense, new restaurant openings, net capital expenditures, restaurant pre-opening expenses, effective annual tax rate and annual weighted diluted shares outstanding guidance, [organic growth opportunities ahead] and other statements that can often be identified by words such as “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” “estimate,” “plans” and similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of management of the Company. Actual results may vary materially from those contained in forward-looking statements based on a number of factors including, without limitation, the actual number of restaurant openings, the sales at the Company’s restaurants, changes in restaurant development or operating costs, such as food and labor, the Company’s ability to leverage its existing management and infrastructure, changes in restaurant pre-opening expense, general and administrative expenses, capital expenditures, our effective tax rate, impairment, closed restaurant and other costs, changes in the number of diluted shares outstanding, strength of consumer spending, conditions beyond the Company’s control such as timing of holidays, weather, natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism, the timing and amount of repurchases of our common stock, if any, changes to the Company’s expected liquidity position, the possibility that the repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued and other factors disclosed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors should take such risks into account when making investment decisions. Stockholders and other readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
Non-GAAP Measures
We prepare our financial statements in accordance with GAAP. Within our press release, we make reference to non-GAAP restaurant-level operating margin and adjusted net income. Restaurant-level operating margin represents income from operations plus the sum of general and administrative expenses, restaurant pre-opening costs, impairment, closed restaurant and other costs, and depreciation. Restaurant-level operating margin is presented because: (i) we believe it is a useful measure for investors to assess the operating performance of our restaurants without the effect of non-cash depreciation expense; and (ii) we use restaurant-level operating margin internally as a benchmark to evaluate our restaurant operating performance and to compare our performance to that of our competitors. Additionally, we present restaurant-level operating margin because it excludes the impact of general and administrative expenses, which are not incurred at the restaurant level, restaurant pre-opening costs, and impairment, closed restaurant and other costs. Although we incur pre-opening costs on an ongoing basis as we continue to open new restaurants, the pre-opening costs, and impairment, closed restaurant and other costs are not components of a restaurant's ongoing operating expenses. The use of restaurant-level operating margin thereby enables us and our investors to compare operating performance between periods and to compare our operating performance to the performance of our competitors. The measure is also widely used within the restaurant industry to evaluate restaurant-level productivity, efficiency and performance. The use of restaurant-level operating margin as a performance measure permits a comparative assessment of our operating performance relative to our performance based on our GAAP results, while isolating the effects of some items that vary from period to period without any correlation to core operating performance or that vary widely among similar companies.
Adjusted net income represents net income before impairment, closed restaurant and other costs, and the income tax effect of these adjustments. We believe the use of adjusted net income provides additional information to enable us and our investors to facilitate year-over-year performance comparisons and a comparison to the performance of our peers.
Restaurant-level operating margin and adjusted net income exclude various expenses as discussed above that may materially impact our consolidated results of operations. As a result, these measures are not indicative of the Company’s consolidated results of operations. We present these measures exclusively as supplements to, and not substitutes for, net income or income from operations computed in accordance with GAAP. As supplemental disclosures, restaurant-level operating margin and adjusted net income should not be considered as alternatives to net income or income from operations as an indicator of our performance or as alternatives to any other measure determined in accordance with GAAP.
| Chuy’s Holdings, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Income Statements (Unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share data) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quarter Ended | Year Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | December 25, 2022 | December 31, 2023 | December 25, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 116,347 | 100.0 | % | $ | 104,101 | 100.0 | % | $ | 461,310 | 100.0 | % | $ | 422,215 | 100.0 | % | |||||||
| Costs and expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | 29,203 | 25.1 | 28,637 | 27.5 | 115,870 | 25.1 | 114,903 | 27.2 | |||||||||||||||
| Labor | 35,851 | 30.8 | 31,779 | 30.5 | 139,660 | 30.3 | 126,249 | 29.9 | |||||||||||||||
| Operating | 19,466 | 16.7 | 17,272 | 16.6 | 75,487 | 16.4 | 68,436 | 16.2 | |||||||||||||||
| Occupancy | 6,964 | 6.0 | 7,266 | 7.0 | 30,734 | 6.7 | 29,964 | 7.1 | |||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | 8,057 | 6.9 | 6,485 | 6.2 | 31,446 | 6.8 | 26,333 | 6.2 | |||||||||||||||
| Marketing | 1,559 | 1.4 | 1,436 | 1.4 | 6,411 | 1.3 | 6,004 | 1.4 | |||||||||||||||
| Restaurant pre-opening | 548 | 0.5 | 629 | 0.6 | 1,985 | 0.4 | 1,362 | 0.3 | |||||||||||||||
| Impairment, closed restaurant and other costs | 3,118 | 2.7 | 3,249 | 3.1 | 4,988 | 1.1 | 6,452 | 1.5 | |||||||||||||||
| Depreciation | 5,400 | 4.5 | 5,111 | 5.0 | 21,140 | 4.7 | 20,176 | 4.9 | |||||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 110,166 | 94.6 | 101,864 | 97.9 | 427,721 | 92.8 | 399,879 | 94.7 | |||||||||||||||
| Income from operations | 6,181 | 5.4 | 2,237 | 2.1 | 33,589 | 7.2 | 22,336 | 5.3 | |||||||||||||||
| Interest income, net | (755 | ) | (0.6 | ) | (494 | ) | (0.5 | ) | (3,331 | ) | (0.8 | ) | (872 | ) | (0.2 | ) | |||||||
| Income before income taxes | 6,936 | 6.0 | 2,731 | 2.6 | 36,920 | 8.0 | 23,208 | 5.5 | |||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 1,456 | 1.3 | 254 | 0.2 | 5,410 | 1.2 | 2,353 | 0.6 | |||||||||||||||
| Net income | 5,480 | 4.7 | % | 2,477 | 2.4 | % | 31,510 | 6.8 | % | 20,855 | 4.9 | % | |||||||||||
| Net income per common share: Basic | $ | 0.32 | $ | 0.14 | $ | 1.77 | $ | 1.12 | |||||||||||||||
| Net income per common share: Diluted | $ | 0.31 | $ | 0.14 | $ | 1.76 | $ | 1.11 | |||||||||||||||
| Weighted-average shares outstanding: Basic | 17,351,230 | 18,024,393 | 17,823,187 | 18,682,255 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted-average shares outstanding: Diluted | 17,462,866 | 18,150,724 | 17,934,520 | 18,793,455 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Chuy’s Holdings, Inc. Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income and Net Income Per Share to Adjusted Results (Unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share data) | |||||||||||||||
| Quarter Ended | Year Ended | ||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | December 25, 2022 | December 31, 2023 | December 25, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Net income as reported | $ | 5,480 | $ | 2,477 | $ | 31,510 | $ | 20,855 | |||||||
| Impairment, closed restaurant and other costs | 3,118 | 3,249 | 4,988 | 6,452 | |||||||||||
| Income tax effect on adjustment (1) | (719 | ) | (749 | ) | (1,150 | ) | (1,487 | ) | |||||||
| Adjusted net income | $ | 7,879 | $ | 4,977 | $ | 35,348 | $ | 25,820 | |||||||
| Adjusted net income per common share: basic | $ | 0.45 | $ | 0.28 | $ | 1.98 | $ | 1.38 | |||||||
| Adjusted net income per common share: diluted | $ | 0.45 | $ | 0.27 | $ | 1.97 | $ | 1.37 | |||||||
| Weighted-average shares outstanding: basic | 17,351,230 | 18,024,393 | 17,823,187 | 18,682,255 | |||||||||||
| Weighted-average shares outstanding: diluted | 17,462,866 | 18,150,724 | 17,934,520 | 18,793,455 | |||||||||||
(1) Reflects the tax expense associated with the adjustments for impairment, closed restaurant and other costs during the quarter ended and fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and December 25, 2022. The Company uses its statutory rate to calculate the tax effect on adjustments.
| Chuy’s Holdings, Inc. Reconciliation of GAAP Income from Operations to Restaurant-Level Operating Margin (Unaudited, in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Quarter Ended | Year Ended | ||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | December 25, 2022 | December 31, 2023 | December 25, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||
| Income from operations as reported | $ | 6,181 | 5.4 | % | $ | 2,237 | 2.1 | % | $ | 33,589 | 7.2 | % | $ | 22,336 | 5.3 | % | |||
| General and administrative | 8,057 | 6.9 | $ | 6,485 | 6.2 | 31,446 | 6.8 | 26,333 | 6.2 | ||||||||||
| Restaurant pre-opening expenses | 548 | 0.5 | $ | 629 | 0.6 | 1,985 | 0.4 | 1,362 | 0.3 | ||||||||||
| Impairment, closed restaurant and other costs | 3,118 | 2.7 | $ | 3,249 | 3.1 | 4,988 | 1.1 | 6,452 | 1.5 | ||||||||||
| Depreciation | 5,400 | 4.5 | $ | 5,111 | 5.0 | 21,140 | 4.7 | 20,176 | 4.9 | ||||||||||
| Restaurant-level operating margin | $ | 23,304 | 20.0 | % | $ | 17,711 | 17.0 | % | $ | 93,148 | 20.2 | % | $ | 76,659 | 18.2 | % | |||
| Chuy’s Holdings, Inc. Selected Balance Sheets Data (Unaudited, in thousands) | ||||||
| December 31, 2023 | December 25, 2022 | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 67,774 | $ | 78,028 | ||
| Total assets | 476,634 | 474,781 | ||||
| Long-term debt | — | — | ||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | 249,847 | 244,561 | ||||
Investor Relations
Jeff Priester
332-242-4370
investors@chuys.com
FAQ
What was Chuy's revenue in the 14-week fourth quarter of 2023?
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Did Chuy's have any debt outstanding in Q4 2023?
How many new restaurants did Chuy's open in Q4 2023?
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What is Chuy's expected adjusted net income per diluted share for 2024?
