Denny’s Corporation Reports Results for Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020

Rhea-AI Summary

Denny's Corporation (NASDAQ: DENN) reported its Q4 and full-year results for 2020, highlighting significant impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. Total operating revenue was $80.1 million for Q4, down from $113.8 million last year, with same-store sales declining 32.9%. The full-year revenue reached $288.6 million, reflecting a 31.4% decrease in same-store sales. Despite an operating loss of $1.1 million in Q4, net income was reported at $2.4 million. Denny's remains optimistic for 2021, bolstered by vaccine distribution and new virtual concepts. However, uncertainty persists due to ongoing pandemic effects.

Positive

• Achieved net income of $2.4 million in Q4 2020.
• Opened four franchise restaurants, including one international location.
• Doubled average off-premise sales since the pandemic began.
• Introduced two new virtual concepts with favorable test results.

Negative

• Total operating revenue decreased from $113.8 million in Q4 2019 to $80.1 million.
• Same-store sales declined 32.9% in Q4 2020 and 31.4% for the full year.
• Operating loss of $1.1 million in Q4 2020 compared to previous year's profit.
• Increased general and administrative expenses to $20.5 million from $15.4 million.

SPARTANBURG, S.C., Feb. 16, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Denny’s Corporation (NASDAQ: DENN), franchisor and operator of one of America's largest franchised full-service restaurant chains, today reported results for its fourth quarter and full year ended December 30, 2020 and provided a business update on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s operations.

John Miller, Chief Executive Officer, stated, “While 2020 was a year of unprecedented challenges, Denny's operators diligently protected the health and well-being of our guests and restaurant teams, while embracing innovative solutions like curbside pickup, drive up ordering and outdoor dining in an ever-evolving environment. We have since entered 2021 with confidence in our team's ability to continue navigating near-term headwinds and remain optimistic for the anticipated economic recovery. Our confidence is supported by an increasing distribution of vaccines, fiscal stimulus that should benefit our franchisees and consumers, and our rollout of two new virtual concepts where test results have been favorable and suggest a high degree of incremental transactions.”

Fourth Quarter 2020 Highlights

• Total Operating Revenue was $80.1 million.
• Domestic system-wide same-store sales** decreased 32.9%.
• Opened four franchise restaurants, including one international location.
• Completed five remodels at franchised restaurants.
• Operating Loss was $1.1 million.
• Franchise Operating Margin* was $21.4 million, or 45.2% of franchise and license revenue, and Company Restaurant Operating Margin* was $1.4 million, or 4.3% of company restaurant sales.
• Net Income was $2.4 million, or $0.04 per diluted share.
• Adjusted Net Loss* was $3.0 million, or $0.05 per diluted share.
• Adjusted EBITDA* was $8.0 million.
• Approximately $2.0 million of Adjusted EBITDA* was attributable to an additional operating week.
• Cash provided by (used in) operating, investing, and financing activities was $8.5 million, $3.4 million, and ($19.2) million, respectively.
• Adjusted Free Cash Flow* was $2.1 million.

Full Year 2020 Highlights

• Total Operating Revenue was $288.6 million.
• Domestic system-wide same-store sales** decreased 31.4%.
• Opened 20 franchise restaurants, including 8 international locations.
• Completed 22 remodels, including 20 at franchised restaurants.
• Operating Income was $6.7 million.
• Franchise Operating Margin* was $76.1 million, or 44.6% of franchise and license revenue, and Company Restaurant Operating Margin* was $3.6 million, or 3.0% of company restaurant sales.
• Net Loss was $5.1 million, or $0.08 per diluted share.
• Adjusted Net Loss* was $7.2 million, or $0.12 per diluted share.
• Adjusted EBITDA* was $26.6 million.
• Cash provided by (used in) operating, investing, and financing activities was ($3.1) million, $4.7 million, and ($1.0) million, respectively.
• Adjusted Free Cash Flow* was $1.6 million.

Current Trends

Following a consistent level of domestic system-wide same-store sales** performance in October and November, December results were significantly impacted by reinstated stay-at-home orders and additional capacity restrictions. As these restrictions began to ease during January and February, domestic system-wide same-store sales** improved as compared to the equivalent periods in 2019.

Average unit volumes of off-premise sales have more than doubled since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, supported by temporarily waived delivery fees, curbside service programs, and shareable family meal packs.

In an effort to provide greater transparency due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Denny's is providing the following tables that present monthly results for 2020 and 2021 compared to the equivalent fiscal months in 2019:

Domestic System-Wide Same-Store Sales^** Compared to 2019 Fiscal Periods:

Fiscal Year 2020: (31%)																									Fiscal Year 2021: (29%)1
Q1: (6%)						Q2: (57%)						Q3: (34%)						Q4: (33%)
Jan		Feb		Mar		Apr		May		Jun		Jul		Aug		Sep		Oct		Nov		Dec			Jan		Feb1
3	%	2	%	(19	%)	(76	%)	(65	%)	(41	%)	(39	%)	(35	%)	(28	%)	(26	%)	(27	%)	(41	%)		(31	%)	(25	%)
1. Preliminary results through the first two weeks of fiscal February.

 

Domestic System Same-Store Sales^** Compared to 2019 Fiscal Periods and Domestic Average Units for 2020 and 2021 Fiscal Periods

(Open Dining Rooms vs Closed Dining Rooms):

	Q2 2020						Q3 2020						Q4 2020						Q1 2021
	Apr		May		Jun		Jul		Aug		Sep		Oct		Nov		Dec		Jan		Feb1
Open Dining Rooms	(74%)		(47%)		(33%)		(36%)		(29%)		(24%)		(24%)		(23%)		(26%)		(15%)		(15%)
	2		222		1,087		1,244		1,044		1,127		1,289		1,239		891		927		1,010
Closed Dining Rooms	(76%)		(69%)		(68%)		(55%)		(47%)		(39%)		(33%)		(42%)		(61%)		(55%)		(42%)
	1,060		938		327		237		444		369		207		256		586		531		444
Temporary Closures	480		378		120		47		35		22		19		20		31		46		50
	1. Preliminary results through the first two weeks of fiscal February.

Domestic System Same-Store Sales^** Compared to 2019 Fiscal Periods and Domestic Average Units for 2020 and 2021 Fiscal Periods
(24/7 Units vs Limited Hour Units):

	Q2 2020						Q3 2020						Q4 2020						Q1 2021
	Apr		May		Jun		Jul		Aug		Sep		Oct		Nov		Dec		Jan		Feb1
24/7 Units	(68%)		(57%)		(30%)		(31%)		(25%)		(19%)		(18%)		(18%)		(30%)		(20%)		(14%)
	185		323		435		458		472		496		516		538		516		519		528
Limited Hour Units	(78%)		(69%)		(47%)		(44%)		(41%)		(34%)		(31%)		(33%)		(49%)		(38%)		(33%)
	877		837		979		1,023		1,016		1,000		980		957		961		939		926
Temporary Closures	480		378		120		47		35		22		19		20		31		46		50
	1. Preliminary results through the first two weeks of fiscal February.

Domestic Capacity Restrictions as of February 12, 2021¹:

% of Domestic System
75% Capacity or Social Distancing	25	%
50% - 66% Capacity	31	%
25% - 33% Capacity	15	%
Off-Premise Only	26	%
No Restrictions	1	%
Temporarily Closed	2	%
Total	100	%
1. Preliminary results.

Fourth Quarter Results

Denny’s total operating revenue was $80.1 million compared to $113.8 million in the prior year quarter. Franchise and license revenue was $47.2 million compared to $65.0 million in the prior year quarter. Company restaurant sales were $32.9 million compared to $48.8 million in the prior year quarter. These changes were primarily due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sales and fewer equivalent units, partially offset by an additional operating week.

Franchise Operating Margin* was $21.4 million, or 45.2% of franchise and license revenue, compared to $31.8 million, or 48.9%, in the prior year quarter. This change in margin was primarily due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sales and fewer equivalent units, partially offset by an additional operating week.

Company Restaurant Operating Margin* was $1.4 million, or 4.3% of company restaurant sales, compared to $8.7 million, or 17.7%, in the prior year quarter. This change in margin was primarily due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sales and fewer equivalent units, partially offset by approximately $1.0 million of favorable reserve adjustments and tax credits related to the CARES Act and an additional operating week.

Total general and administrative expenses were $20.5 million, compared to $15.4 million in the prior year quarter. This change was primarily due to an increase in share-based compensation expense, partially offset by a $3.1 million improvement in corporate administrative expenses from cost savings initiatives and previous reductions in personnel due to the COVID-19 pandemic including approximately $0.9 million in tax credits related to the CARES Act.

Interest expense, net was $4.6 million, compared to $3.6 million in the prior year quarter, with the increase primarily due to higher interest related to the Company's recent debt amendments and the amortization of dedesignated interest rate swap losses from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net. Denny’s ended the quarter with $225.4 million of total debt outstanding, including $210.0 million of borrowings under its credit facility.

The benefit from income taxes was $0.1 million, compared to a tax provision of $5.1 million in the prior year quarter, reflecting an effective tax rate of 2.7%. Approximately $0.5 million in net cash refunds were received during the quarter.

Net income was $2.4 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, compared to net income of $18.6 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, in the prior year quarter. Adjusted Net Loss* per diluted share was $0.05 compared to Adjusted Net Income* per diluted share of $0.23 in the prior year quarter.

Adjusted Free Cash Flow* and Capital Allocation

Denny’s Adjusted Free Cash Flow* in the quarter was $2.1 million after investing $1.5 million in cash capital expenditures, including maintenance capital.

Business Outlook

Given the dynamic and evolving impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's operations and uncertainty about the timing and extent of an anticipated recovery, the Company cannot reasonably provide a business outlook for the fiscal year ending December 29, 2021 at this time.

*   Please refer to the Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) and Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities to Non-GAAP Financial Measures, as well as the Reconciliation of Operating Income (Loss) to Non-GAAP Financial Measures included in the following tables.

** Same-store sales include sales at company restaurants and non-consolidated franchised and licensed restaurants that were open the same period in the noted prior period. Total operating revenue is limited to company restaurant sales and royalties, advertising revenue, fees and occupancy revenue from non-consolidated franchised and licensed restaurants. Accordingly, domestic franchise same-store sales and domestic system-wide same-store sales should be considered as a supplement to, not a substitute for, the Company's results as reported under GAAP.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

Denny’s will provide further commentary on the results for the fourth quarter ended December 30, 2020 on its quarterly investor conference call today, Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Interested parties are invited to listen to a live broadcast of the conference call accessible through the investor relations section of Denny’s website at investor.dennys.com.

About Denny’s

Denny's Corporation is the franchisor and operator of one of America's largest franchised full-service restaurant chains, based on the number of restaurants. As of December 30, 2020, Denny’s had 1,650 franchised, licensed, and company restaurants around the world including 146 restaurants in Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico, the Philippines, New Zealand, Honduras, the United Arab Emirates, Costa Rica, Guam, Guatemala, El Salvador, Indonesia, and the United Kingdom. For further information on Denny's, including news releases, links to SEC filings, and other financial information, please visit the Denny's investor relations website at investor.dennys.com.

Cautionary Language Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The Company urges caution in considering its current trends and any outlook on earnings disclosed in this press release. In addition, certain matters discussed in this release may constitute forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements, which reflect management's best judgment based on factors currently known, are intended to speak only as of the date such statements are made and involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual performance of Denny’s Corporation, its subsidiaries, and underlying restaurants to be materially different from the performance indicated or implied by such statements. Words such as “expect”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “intend”, “plan”, “hope”, "will", and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Except as may be required by law, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Factors that could cause actual performance to differ materially from the performance indicated by these forward-looking statements include, among others: the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic and related containment measures, including the potential for further operational disruption from government mandates affecting restaurants; economic, public health, social and political conditions that impact consumer confidence and spending with respect to social unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic; competitive pressures from within the restaurant industry; the level of success of the Company’s operating initiatives and advertising and promotional efforts; adverse publicity; health concerns arising from food-related pandemics, outbreaks of flu viruses or other diseases; changes in business strategy or development plans; terms and availability of capital; regional weather conditions; overall changes in the general economy (including with regard to energy costs), particularly at the retail level; political environment (including acts of war and terrorism); and other factors from time to time set forth in the Company’s SEC reports and other filings, including but not limited to the discussion in Management’s Discussion and Analysis and the risks identified in Item 1A. Risk Factors contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 25, 2019 (and in the Company’s subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K).

DENNY’S CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)				12/30/20				12/25/19
Assets
	Current assets
		Cash and cash equivalents		$	3,892			$	3,372
		Investments		2,272				3,649
		Receivables, net		21,349				27,488
		Assets held for sale		1,125				1,925
		Other current assets		20,028				16,299
			Total current assets	48,666				52,733
	Property, net			86,154				97,626
	Financing lease right-of-use assets, net			9,830				11,720
	Operating lease right-of-use assets, net			139,534				158,550
	Goodwill			36,884				36,832
	Intangible assets, net			51,559				53,956
	Deferred income taxes, net			23,210				14,718
	Other noncurrent assets, net			35,112				34,252
			Total assets	$	430,949			$	460,387
Liabilities
	Current liabilities
		Current finance lease liabilities		$	1,839			$	1,674
		Current operating lease liabilities		16,856				16,344
		Accounts payable		12,021				20,256
		Other current liabilities		46,462				57,307
			Total current liabilities	77,178				95,581
	Long-term liabilities
		Long-term debt		210,000				240,000
		Noncurrent finance lease liabilities		13,530				14,779
		Noncurrent operating lease liabilities		137,534				152,750
		Other		123,153				95,341
			Total long-term liabilities	484,217				502,870
			Total liabilities	561,395				598,451
Shareholders' deficit
		Common stock		640				1,094
		Paid-in capital		123,833				603,980
		Deficit		(194,514		)		(189,398		)
		Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax		(60,405		)		(33,960		)
		Treasury stock		—				(519,780		)
			Total shareholders' deficit	(130,446		)		(138,064		)
			Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit	$	430,949			$	460,387
Debt Balances
(In thousands)				12/30/20				12/25/19
Credit facility revolver due 2022				$	210,000			$	240,000
Finance lease liabilities				15,369				16,453
	Total debt			$	225,369			$	256,453

DENNY’S CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
			Quarter Ended
(In thousands, except per share amounts)			12/30/20				12/25/19
Revenue:
	Company restaurant sales		$	32,892			$	48,803
	Franchise and license revenue		47,213				65,033
		Total operating revenue	80,105				113,836
Costs of company restaurant sales, excluding depreciation and amortization			31,475				40,147
Costs of franchise and license revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization			25,861				33,261
General and administrative expenses			20,451				15,359
Depreciation and amortization			3,909				4,227
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net			(511		)		(5,721		)
		Total operating costs and expenses, net	81,185				87,273
Operating income (loss)			(1,080		)		26,563
Interest expense, net			4,645				3,570
Other nonoperating expense (income), net			(8,022		)		(652		)
Income before income taxes			2,297				23,645
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes			(62		)		5,086
Net income			$	2,359			$	18,559
Basic net income per share			$	0.04			$	0.32
Diluted net income per share			$	0.04			$	0.31
Basic weighted average shares outstanding			64,898				58,406
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding			65,467				60,343
Comprehensive income			$	3,159			$	26,506
General and Administrative Expenses			Quarter Ended
(In thousands)			12/30/20				12/25/19
Corporate administrative expenses			$	9,833			$	12,923
Share-based compensation			5,976				(448		)
Incentive compensation			3,046				2,096
Deferred compensation valuation adjustments			1,596				788
	Total general and administrative expenses		$	20,451			$	15,359

DENNY’S CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
			Fiscal Year Ended
(In thousands, except per share amounts)			12/30/20				12/25/19
Revenue:
	Company restaurant sales		$	118,160			$	306,377
	Franchise and license revenue		170,445				235,012
		Total operating revenue	288,605				541,389
Costs of company restaurant sales, excluding depreciation and amortization			114,569				258,396
Costs of franchise and license revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization			94,348				120,326
General and administrative expenses			55,040				69,018
Depreciation and amortization			16,161				19,846
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net			1,808				(91,180		)
		Total operating costs and expenses, net	281,926				376,406
Operating income			6,679				164,983
Interest expense, net			17,965				18,547
Other nonoperating expense (income), net			(4,171		)		(2,763		)
Income (loss) before income taxes			(7,115		)		149,199
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes			(1,999		)		31,789
Net income (loss)			$	(5,116	)		$	117,410
Basic net income (loss) per share			$	(0.08	)		$	1.96
Diluted net income (loss) per share			$	(0.08	)		$	1.90
Basic weighted average shares outstanding			60,812				59,944
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding			60,812				61,833
Comprehensive income (loss)			$	(31,561	)		$	87,596
General and Administrative Expenses			Fiscal Year Ended
(In thousands)			12/30/20				12/25/19
Corporate administrative expenses			$	41,135			$	50,319
Share-based compensation			7,948				6,694
Incentive compensation			4,351				9,425
Deferred compensation valuation adjustments			1,606				2,580
	Total general and administrative expenses		$	55,040			$	69,018

DENNY’S CORPORATION

Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) and Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities to Non-GAAP Financial Measures

(Unaudited)

The Company believes that, in addition to GAAP measures, certain non-GAAP financial measures are appropriate indicators to assist in the evaluation of operating performance and liquidity on a period-to-period basis. The Company uses Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Free Cash Flow, Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted Net Income (Loss) Per Share internally as performance measures for planning purposes, including the preparation of annual operating budgets, and for compensation purposes, including incentive compensation for certain employees. Adjusted EBITDA is also used in the calculation of financial covenant ratios in accordance with the Company’s credit facility. Adjusted Free Cash Flow is also used as a non-GAAP liquidity measure by Management to assess the Company’s ability to generate cash and plan for future operating and capital actions. Management believes that the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income (Loss), Adjusted Net Income (Loss) Per Share and Adjusted Free Cash Flow provide useful information to investors and analysts about the Company’s operating results, financial condition or cash flows. However, each of these non-GAAP financial measures should be considered as a supplement to, not a substitute for, operating income (loss), net income (loss), net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, or other financial performance and liquidity measures prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

			Quarter Ended								Fiscal Year Ended
(In thousands, except per share amounts)			12/30/20				12/25/19				12/30/20				12/25/19
Net income (loss)			$	2,359			$	18,559			$	(5,116	)		$	117,410
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes			(62		)		5,086				(1,999		)		31,789
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net			(511		)		(5,721		)		1,808				(91,180		)
Other nonoperating expense (income), net			(8,022		)		(652		)		(4,171		)		(2,763		)
Share-based compensation			5,976				(448		)		7,948				6,694
Deferred compensation plan valuation adjustments			1,596				788				1,606				2,580
Interest expense, net			4,645				3,570				17,965				18,547
Depreciation and amortization			3,909				4,227				16,161				19,846
Cash payments for restructuring charges and exit costs			(575		)		(529		)		(2,981		)		(2,581		)
Cash payments for share-based compensation			(1,354		)		—				(4,578		)		(3,559		)
Adjusted EBITDA			$	7,961			$	24,880			$	26,643			$	96,783
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities			$	8,473			$	11,301			$	(3,137	)		$	43,327
Capital expenditures			(1,486		)		(1,329		)		(6,962		)		(13,975		)
Acquisition of restaurants and real estate			—				(1,864		)		—				(11,320		)
Cash payments for restructuring charges and exit costs			(575		)		(529		)		(2,981		)		(2,581		)
Cash payments for share-based compensation			(1,354		)		—				(4,578		)		(3,559		)
Deferred compensation plan valuation adjustments			1,596				788				1,606				2,580
Other nonoperating expense (income), net			(8,022		)		(652		)		(4,171		)		(2,763		)
Gains on investments			6				1				123				180
Gains (losses) on early extinguishment of debt and leases			(181		)		(153		)		(224		)		4
Amortization of deferred financing costs			(285		)		(152		)		(876		)		(608		)
Gains (losses) on interest rate swap derivatives, net			6,349				—				2,164				—
Interest expense, net			4,645				3,570				17,965				18,547
Cash interest expense, net (1)			(4,912		)		(3,332		)		(18,047		)		(17,551		)
Deferred income tax expense			(6,486		)		(6,411		)		(3,981		)		(16,005		)
Decrease in tax valuation allowance			3,041				2,935				3,041				2,935
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes			(62		)		5,086				(1,999		)		31,789
Income taxes received (paid), net			539				(6,294		)		(6		)		(24,147		)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities			816				9,096				23,691				22,937
Adjusted Free Cash Flow			$	2,102			$	12,061			$	1,628			$	29,790

(1)		Includes cash interest expense, net and cash payments of approximately $0.8 million and $1.9 million for dedesignated interest rate swap derivatives for the quarter and year ended December 30, 2020, respectively.

DENNY’S CORPORATION
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) and Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(Unaudited)
			Quarter Ended								Fiscal Year Ended
(In thousands, except per share amounts)			12/30/20				12/25/19				12/30/20				12/25/19
Adjusted EBITDA			$	7,961			$	24,880			$	26,643			$	96,783
Cash interest expense, net (1)			(4,912		)		(3,332		)		(18,047		)		(17,551		)
Cash received (paid) for income taxes, net			539				(6,294		)		(6		)		(24,147		)
Cash paid for capital expenditures			(1,486		)		(3,193		)		(6,962		)		(25,295		)
Adjusted Free Cash Flow			$	2,102			$	12,061			$	1,628			$	29,790
			Quarter Ended								Fiscal Year Ended
(In thousands, except per share amounts)			12/30/20				12/25/19				12/30/20				12/25/19
Net income (loss)			$	2,359			$	18,559			$	(5,116	)		$	117,410
(Gains) losses on interest rate swap derivatives, net			(6,349		)		—				(2,164		)		—
(Gains) losses on sales of assets and other, net			(2,418		)		(6,111		)		(4,678		)		(93,608		)
Impairment charges			1,564				—				4,083				—
Tax effect (2)			1,848				1,571				706				24,057
Adjusted Net Income (Loss)			$	(2,996	)		$	14,019			$	(7,169	)		$	47,859
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding			64,898				60,343				60,812				61,833
Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share			$	0.04			$	0.31			$	(0.08	)		$	1.90
Adjustments Per Share			$	(0.09	)		$	(0.08	)		$	(0.04	)		$	(1.13	)
Adjusted Net Income (Loss) Per Share			$	(0.05	)		$	0.23			$	(0.12	)		$	0.77

(1)		Includes cash interest expense, net and cash payments of approximately $0.8 million and $1.9 million for dedesignated interest rate swap derivatives for the quarter and year ended December 30, 2020, respectively.
(2)		Tax adjustments for the quarter ended December 30, 2020 reflect an effective tax rate of 25.7%. Tax adjustments for the year ended December 30, 2020 are calculated using an effective tax rate of 25.6%. Tax adjustments for the gains on sales of assets and other, net for the quarter and year ended December 25, 2019 are calculated using an effective tax rate of 25.7%.

DENNY’S CORPORATION

Reconciliation of Operating Income (Loss) to Non-GAAP Financial Measures

(Unaudited)

The Company believes that, in addition to GAAP measures, certain other non-GAAP financial measures are appropriate indicators to assist in the evaluation of restaurant-level operating efficiency and performance of ongoing restaurant-level operations. The Company uses Restaurant-level Operating Margin, Company Restaurant Operating Margin and Franchise Operating Margin internally as performance measures for planning purposes, including the preparation of annual operating budgets, and these three non-GAAP measures are used to evaluate operating effectiveness.

The Company defines Restaurant-level Operating Margin as operating income (loss) excluding the following three items: general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization, and operating (gains), losses and other charges, net. Restaurant-level Operating Margin is presented as a percent of total operating revenue. The Company excludes general and administrative expenses, which include primarily non-restaurant-level costs associated with support of company and franchised restaurants and other activities at their corporate office. The Company excludes depreciation and amortization expense, substantially all of which is related to company restaurant-level assets, because such expenses represent historical sunk costs which do not reflect current cash outlays for the restaurants. The Company excludes special items, included within operating (gains), losses and other charges, net, to provide investors with a clearer perspective of its ongoing operating performance and a more relevant comparison to prior period results.

Restaurant-level Operating Margin is the total of Company Restaurant Operating Margin and Franchise Operating Margin. The Company defines Company Restaurant Operating Margin as company restaurant sales less costs of company restaurant sales (which include product costs, company restaurant level payroll and benefits, occupancy costs, and other operating costs including utilities, repairs and maintenance, marketing and other expenses) and presents it as a percent of company restaurant sales. The Company defines Franchise Operating Margin as franchise and license revenue (which includes franchise royalties and other non-food and beverage revenue streams such as initial franchise fees, advertising revenue and occupancy revenue) less costs of franchise and license revenue and presents it as a percent of franchise and license revenue.

These non-GAAP financial measures provide a meaningful comparison between periods and enable investors to focus on the performance of restaurant-level operations by excluding revenues and costs unrelated to food and beverage sales in addition to corporate general and administrative expense, depreciation and amortization, and operating (gains), losses and other charges, net. However, each of these non-GAAP financial measures should be considered as a supplement to, not a substitute for, operating income (loss), net income (loss) or other financial performance measures prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Restaurant-level Operating Margin, Company Restaurant Operating Margin and Franchise Operating Margin do not accrue directly to the benefit of shareholders because of the aforementioned excluded items, and are not indicative of the overall results for the Company.

	Quarter Ended										Fiscal Year Ended
(In thousands)	12/30/20					12/25/19					12/30/20				12/25/19
Operating income (loss)	$	(1,080	)			$	26,563				$	6,679			$	164,983
General and administrative expenses	20,451					15,359					55,040				69,018
Depreciation and amortization	3,909					4,227					16,161				19,846
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net	(511		)			(5,721		)			1,808				(91,180		)
Restaurant-level Operating Margin	$	22,769				$	40,428				$	79,688			$	162,667
Restaurant-level Operating Margin consists of:
Company Restaurant Operating Margin (1)	$	1,417				$	8,656				$	3,591			$	47,981
Franchise Operating Margin (2)	21,352					31,772					76,097				114,686
Restaurant-level Operating Margin	$	22,769				$	40,428				$	79,688			$	162,667

(1)		Company Restaurant Operating Margin is calculated as operating income plus general and administrative expenses; depreciation and amortization; operating (gains), losses and other charges, net; and costs of franchise and license revenue; less franchise and license revenue.
(2)		Franchise Operating Margin is calculated as operating income plus general and administrative expenses; depreciation and amortization; operating (gains), losses and other charges, net; and costs of company restaurant sales; less company restaurant sales.

DENNY’S CORPORATION
Operating Margins
(Unaudited)
					Quarter Ended
(In thousands)					12/30/20								12/25/19
Company restaurant operations: (1)
	Company restaurant sales				$	32,892			100.0%				$	48,803			100.0%
	Costs of company restaurant sales:
			Product costs		8,275				25.2%				11,849				24.3%
			Payroll and benefits		14,614				44.4%				18,331				37.6%
			Occupancy		2,712				8.2%				3,030				6.2%
			Other operating costs:
				Utilities	1,333				4.1%				1,443				3.0%
				Repairs and maintenance	680				2.1%				1,050				2.2%
				Marketing	1,133				3.4%				1,838				3.8%
				Other direct costs	2,728				8.3%				2,606				5.3%
	Total costs of company restaurant sales				$	31,475			95.7%				$	40,147			82.3%
	Company restaurant operating margin (non-GAAP) (2)				$	1,417			4.3%				$	8,656			17.7%
Franchise operations: (3)
	Franchise and license revenue:
	Royalties				$	19,039			40.3%				$	29,071			44.7%
	Advertising revenue				15,060				31.9%				21,562				33.2%
	Initial and other fees				2,399				5.1%				2,291				3.5%
	Occupancy revenue				10,715				22.7%				12,109				18.6%
	Total franchise and license revenue				$	47,213			100.0%				$	65,033			100.0%
	Costs of franchise and license revenue:
	Advertising costs				$	15,060			31.9%				$	21,561			33.2%
	Occupancy costs				6,636				14.1%				7,788				12.0%
	Other direct costs				4,165				8.8%				3,912				6.0%
	Total costs of franchise and license revenue				$	25,861			54.8%				$	33,261			51.1%
	Franchise operating margin (non-GAAP) (2)				$	21,352			45.2%				$	31,772			48.9%
Total operating revenue (4)					$	80,105			100.0%				$	113,836			100.0%
Total costs of operating revenue (4)					57,336				71.6%				73,408				64.5%
Restaurant-level operating margin (non-GAAP) (4)(2)					$	22,769			28.4%				$	40,428			35.5%
Other operating expenses: (4)(2)
	General and administrative expenses				$	20,451			25.5%				$	15,359			13.5%
	Depreciation and amortization				3,909				4.9%				4,227				3.7%
	Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net				(511		)		(0.6)%				(5,721		)		(5.0)%
	Total other operating expenses				$	23,849			29.8%				$	13,865			12.2%
Operating income (loss) (4)					$	(1,080	)		(1.3)%				$	26,563			23.3%
(1)	As a percentage of company restaurant sales.
(2)	Other operating expenses such as general and administrative expenses and depreciation and amortization relate to both company and franchise operations and are not allocated to costs of company restaurant sales and costs of franchise and license revenue. As such, operating margin is considered a non-GAAP financial measure. Operating margins should be considered as a supplement to, not as a substitute for, operating income (loss), net income (loss) or other financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
(3)	As a percentage of franchise and license revenue.
(4)	As a percentage of total operating revenue.

DENNY’S CORPORATION
Operating Margins
(Unaudited)
					Fiscal Year Ended
(In thousands)					12/30/20						12/25/19
Company restaurant operations: (1)
	Company restaurant sales				$	118,160		100.0%			$	306,377			100.0%
	Costs of company restaurant sales:
			Product costs		29,816			25.2%			74,720				24.4%
			Payroll and benefits		51,684			43.7%			118,806				38.8%
			Occupancy		11,241			9.5%			18,613				6.1%
			Other operating costs:
				Utilities	5,148			4.4%			10,359				3.4%
				Repairs and maintenance	2,608			2.2%			6,792				2.2%
				Marketing	3,904			3.3%			11,195				3.7%
				Other direct costs	10,168			8.6%			17,911				5.8%
	Total costs of company restaurant sales				$	114,569		97.0%			$	258,396			84.3%
	Company restaurant operating margin (non-GAAP) (2)				$	3,591		3.0%			$	47,981			15.7%
Franchise operations: (3)
	Franchise and license revenue:
	Royalties				$	67,501		39.6%			$	108,813			46.3%
	Advertising revenue				53,745			31.5%			81,144				34.5%
	Initial and other fees				7,332			4.3%			6,541				2.8%
	Occupancy revenue				41,867			24.6%			38,514				16.4%
	Total franchise and license revenue				$	170,445		100.0%			$	235,012			100.0%
	Costs of franchise and license revenue:
	Advertising costs				$	53,745		31.5%			$	81,144			34.5%
	Occupancy costs				26,732			15.7%			25,806				11.0%
	Other direct costs				13,871			8.1%			13,376				5.7%
	Total costs of franchise and license revenue				$	94,348		55.4%			$	120,326			51.2%
	Franchise operating margin (non-GAAP) (2)				$	76,097		44.6%			$	114,686			48.8%
Total operating revenue (4)					$	288,605		100.0%			$	541,389			100.0%
Total costs of operating revenue (4)					208,917			72.4%			378,722				70.0%
Restaurant-level operating margin (non-GAAP) (4)(2)					$	79,688		27.6%			$	162,667			30.0%
Other operating expenses: (4)(2)
	General and administrative expenses				$	55,040		19.1%			$	69,018			12.7%
	Depreciation and amortization				16,161			5.6%			19,846				3.7%
	Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net				1,808			0.6%			(91,180		)		(16.8)%
	Total other operating expenses				$	73,009		25.3%			$	(2,316	)		(0.4)%
Operating income (4)					$	6,679		2.3%			$	164,983			30.5%
(1)	As a percentage of company restaurant sales.
(2)	Other operating expenses such as general and administrative expenses and depreciation and amortization relate to both company and franchise operations and are not allocated to costs of company restaurant sales and costs of franchise and license revenue. As such, operating margin is considered a non-GAAP financial measure. Operating margin should be considered as a supplement to, not as a substitute for, operating income (loss), net income (loss) or other financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
(3)	As a percentage of franchise and license revenue.
(4)	As a percentage of total operating revenue.

DENNY’S CORPORATION
Statistical Data
(Unaudited)
Changes in Same-Store Sales (1)				Quarter Ended										Fiscal Year Ended
(increase (decrease) vs. prior year)				12/30/20					12/25/19					12/30/20					12/25/19
	Company Restaurants			(34.9)%					0.5%					(36.7)%					1.9%
	Domestic Franchised Restaurants			(32.8)%					1.8%					(30.9)%					2.0%
	Domestic System-wide Restaurants			(32.9)%					1.7%					(31.4)%					2.0%
Average Unit Sales				Quarter Ended										Fiscal Year Ended
(In thousands)				12/30/20					12/25/19					12/30/20					12/25/19
	Company Restaurants			$	499				$	695				$	1,812				$	2,477
	Franchised Restaurants			$	314				$	427				$	1,181				$	1,669
									Franchised
Restaurant Unit Activity				Company					& Licensed					Total
Ending Units September 23, 2020				66					1,598					1,664
	Units Opened			—					4					4
	Units Closed			(1)					(17)					(18)
			Net Change	(1)					(13)					(14)
Ending Units December 30, 2020				65					1,585					1,650
Equivalent Units
	Fourth Quarter 2020			66					1,594					1,660
	Fourth Quarter 2019			70					1,634					1,704
			Net Change	(4)					(40)					(44)
									Franchised
Restaurant Unit Activity				Company					& Licensed					Total
Ending Units December 25, 2019				68					1,635					1,703
	Units Opened			—					20					20
	Units Closed			(3)					(70)					(73)
			Net Change	(3)					(50)					(53)
Ending Units December 30, 2020				65					1,585					1,650
Equivalent Units
	Year-to-Date 2020			65					1,614					1,679
	Year-to-Date 2019			124					1,578					1,702
			Net Change	(59)					36					(23)
(1)	Same-store sales include sales at company restaurants and non-consolidated franchised and licensed restaurants that were open the same period in the prior year. Total operating revenue is limited to company restaurant sales and royalties, advertising revenue, fees and occupancy revenue from non-consolidated franchised and licensed restaurants. Accordingly, domestic franchise same-store sales and domestic system-wide same-store sales should be considered as a supplement to, not a substitute for, the Company's results as reported under GAAP.

FAQ

What were Denny's Q4 2020 revenue results?

Denny's Q4 2020 total operating revenue was $80.1 million, down from $113.8 million in Q4 2019.

How did Denny's same-store sales perform in 2020?

Denny's domestic system-wide same-store sales decreased by 31.4% for the full year 2020.

Did Denny's report a profit or loss in Q4 2020?

Denny's reported a net income of $2.4 million, but had an operating loss of $1.1 million.

What is the outlook for Denny's in 2021?

Denny's is optimistic for 2021, supported by vaccine distribution and new initiatives, although uncertainty remains due to COVID-19.