Dine Brands Global, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2021 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Dine Brands Global, Inc. (DIN) reported a 17% increase in consolidated revenues to $229.6 million for Q4 2021, with gross profit improving 43% to $96.5 million. Applebee's and IHOP both experienced year-over-year comparable same-restaurant sales growth, with Applebee's up 34.8% and IHOP up 39.2%. The GAAP earnings per diluted share were $1.14, compared to a loss of $0.10 in Q4 2020. With a cash position of $425.4 million and plans for significant capital return, the outlook remains positive despite anticipated challenges from the Omicron variant in early 2022.

Positive

• 17% revenue growth in Q4 2021 to $229.6 million
• 43% increase in gross profit to $96.5 million
• Applebee's comparable same-restaurant sales up 34.8%; IHOP up 39.2%
• GAAP EPS improved to $1.14 from a loss of $0.10 in Q4 2020
• Strong cash position of $425.4 million

Negative

• IHOP's two-year comparable same-restaurant sales decreased 3.0% relative to Q4 2019
• General and administrative expenses increased to $48.9 million from $39.4 million in Q4 2020

Fourth Quarter 2021 Domestic Average Weekly Unit Sales for Both Brands Exceed Pre-Pandemic Levels for the Second Consecutive Quarter

Fourth Quarter 2021 Consolidated Revenues Increased 17% to $229.6 Million

Fourth Quarter 2021 Gross Profit Improved by 43% to $96.5 Million

Applebee’s and IHOP Franchisees Opened 46 New Restaurants in Fiscal 2021

GLENDALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Dine Brands Global, Inc. (NYSE: DIN), the parent company of Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar^® and IHOP^® restaurants, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal 2021.

Historical Domestic System-Wide Comparable Same-Restaurant Sales Relative to the Prior Year (Graphic: Business Wire)

“This past year delivered strong growth for our business that can best be defined by our top-line results, Applebee’s record-setting full-year comp sales performance relative to 2019, marked improvement in gross profit, and the ability to resume returning capital to shareholders. We’re encouraged by our fourth-quarter results as our disciplined strategies continue to drive strong underlying performance. As we continue to evolve the company by making strategic investments in the business, we’ve broadened our vision to include our impact on the environment, society, and growing in a more sustainable way,” said John Peyton, chief executive officer of Dine Brands Global, Inc.

Vance Chang, chief financial officer, added, “We ended the year in a position of strength. Our highly franchised business model enabled us to generate meaningful adjusted free cash flow, supported by a stable recovery at our two strong brands. Looking ahead, we will continue to create value for our shareholders by returning capital while concurrently investing to unlock long-term growth.”

Domestic System-Wide Comparable Same-Restaurant Sales Relative to the Fourth Quarter of 2020

Domestic Same-Restaurant Sales (Fiscal Month)
		October		November		December		Q4 2021
Applebee's		19.2%		36.1%		49.7%		34.8%
IHOP		26.1%		40.2%		50.1%		39.2%

• Applebee’s year-over-year comparable same-restaurant sales increased 34.8% for the fourth quarter of 2021.

• IHOP’s year-over-year comparable same-restaurant sales increased 39.2% for the fourth quarter of 2021.

• Both brands outperformed their respective categories in the fourth quarter of 2021 relative to the fourth quarter of 2020, according to Black Box Intelligence^TM.

Domestic System-Wide Comparable Same-Restaurant Sales Relative to the Fourth Quarter of 2019

Domestic Same-Restaurant Sales (Fiscal Month)
		October		November		December		Q4 2021
Applebee's		13.6%		10.0%		5.0%		9.1%
IHOP		-3.0%		-1.0%		-4.6%		-3.0%

• Applebee’s two-year comparable same-restaurant sales increased 9.1% for the fourth quarter of 2021 relative to the fourth quarter of 2019.

• IHOP’s two-year comparable same-restaurant sales decreased 3.0% for the fourth quarter of 2021 relative to the fourth quarter of 2019.

• Applebee’s outperformed its category in the fourth quarter of 2021 relative to the fourth quarter of 2019, according to Black Box Intelligence^TM.

Average Weekly Unit Sales Comparison Relative to the Fourth Quarter of 2019

($ in thousands)
		Q4 2021		Q4 2019		% Change Compared to Pre-Pandemic Sales
Applebee's (Domestic Unit Sales)		$51.9		$46.1		12.6%
IHOP		$37.5		$37.3		0.5%

• Applebee’s domestic franchise average weekly unit sales increased 12.6% for the fourth quarter of 2021 relative to the fourth quarter of 2019.

• IHOP’s average weekly unit sales increased 0.5% for the fourth quarter of 2021 relative to the fourth quarter of 2019.

Off-Premise Sales Growth Comparison Relative to the Fourth Quarter of 2020

• Applebee’s off-premise sales accounted for 26.9% of sales mix for the fourth quarter of 2021.

• Applebee’s off-premise average weekly sales were approximately $13,800 for the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to approximately $14,300 for the fourth quarter of 2020.

• IHOP’s off-premise sales accounted for 23.7% of sales mix for the fourth quarter of 2021.

• IHOP’s off-premise average weekly sales were approximately $9,300 for the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to approximately $9,200 for the fourth quarter of 2020.

Fourth Quarter of 2021 Summary

• GAAP earnings per diluted share of $1.14 for the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to a net loss per diluted share of $0.10 for the fourth quarter of 2020. This improvement was primarily due to an increase in gross profit and a decrease in closure and impairment charges, partially offset by an increase in general and administrative expenses and higher income tax expense.

• Adjusted earnings per diluted share of $1.32 for the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to adjusted earnings per diluted share of $0.39 for the fourth quarter of 2020. The increase was primarily due to higher gross profit, partially offset by higher general and administrative expenses. (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and reconciliation of GAAP earnings per diluted share to adjusted earnings per diluted share.)

• General and administrative expenses for the fourth quarter of 2021 were $48.9 million compared to $39.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2020. The variance was mainly due to higher incentive compensation accrual.

• Consolidated adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2021 was $60.1 million compared to $42.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2020. (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and reconciliation of GAAP net income to consolidated adjusted EBITDA.)

• Development activity by Applebee’s and IHOP franchisees for the fourth quarter of 2021 resulted in the opening of 15 new restaurants and the closure of 23 restaurants.

Fiscal 2021 Summary

• GAAP earnings per diluted share of $5.66 for 2021 compared to a net loss per diluted share of $6.43 for 2020. This variance was primarily due to closure and impairment charges incurred in 2020 totaling $132.6 million primarily related to the non-cash write-downs of Applebee’s goodwill and other intangible assets because of the impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s operations and higher gross profit for 2021, partially offset by higher general and administrative expenses. There were no similar impairments in 2021.

• Adjusted earnings per diluted share of $6.54 for 2021 compared to adjusted earnings per diluted share of $1.79 for 2020. The increase was primarily due to higher gross profit, partially offset by an increase in general and administrative expenses. (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and reconciliation of GAAP earnings per diluted share to adjusted earnings per diluted share.)

• General and administrative expenses for 2021 were $171.8 million compared to $144.8 million for 2020. The variance was mainly due to higher incentive compensation accrual.

• Consolidated adjusted EBITDA for 2021 was $253.3 million. This compares to $158.7 million for 2020. (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and reconciliation of GAAP net income to consolidated adjusted EBITDA.)

• The Company generated adjusted free cash flow of $191.0 million for 2021. This compares to adjusted free cash flow of $106.6 million for 2020. (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and reconciliation of the Company’s cash provided by operating activities to adjusted free cash flow.)

• Cash flows from operating activities for 2021 were $195.8 million. This compares to cash flows from operating activities of $96.5 million for 2020. The improvement in both adjusted free cash flow and cash flows from operating activities was mainly due to an increase in gross profit and a favorable change in working capital, partially offset by an increase in general and administrative expenses.

• Development activity by Applebee’s and IHOP franchisees for 2021 resulted in the opening of 46 new restaurants and the closure of 96 restaurants. The number of closures in 2021 was 46% lower than in 2020.

Cash Position

As of December 31, 2021, the Company had $425.4 million of total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, of which $361.4 million was unrestricted cash. The Company believes that its asset-light business model and cash position will continue to provide strong liquidity during the ongoing recovery from the pandemic.

As of December 31, 2021, the Company’s leverage ratio was 3.86x compared to 4.36x as of September 30, 2021.

As of December 31, 2021, the Company’s debt service coverage ratio was approximately 4.7x compared to approximately 4.8x as of September 30, 2021.

As of December 31, 2021, there were no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility. As of December 31, 2021, $3.3 million was pledged against the revolving credit facility for outstanding letters of credit, leaving $221.7 million available.

GAAP Effective Tax Rate

The Company’s effective tax rate for 2021 was a 19.7% tax expense compared to a 4.2% tax benefit for 2020. The 2021 effective tax rate of 19.7% applied to pretax book income was different than the statutory Federal income tax rate of 21% primarily due to the recognition of excess tax benefits on stock-based compensation. The 2020 effective tax rate of 4.2% applied to pretax book loss was significantly different than the statutory Federal income tax rate of 21% primarily because of the $92.2 million impairment of goodwill incurred, which was not deductible for income tax purposes and therefore had no associated tax benefit.

Capital Return to Shareholders

The Company repurchased 59,099 shares of its common stock in 2021 for a total of approximately $4.5 million. On October 29, 2021, the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.40 per share of common stock for the fourth quarter of 2021, which was paid on January 7, 2022.

On February 22, 2022, the Company announced that its Board of Directors declared and approved a 15% increase in the quarterly cash dividend to $0.46 per share of common stock. The dividend will be payable on April 1, 2022, to the Company’s stockholders of record at the close of business on March 21, 2022.

Effective April 1, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors also approved a new share repurchase program of up to $250 million and terminated the existing share repurchase program, approved in February 2019. Approximately $66 million remained available for repurchases under the existing share repurchase program as of December 31, 2021.

Financial Performance Guidance for 2022

The Company’s guidance assumes there are no significant disruptions to its business due to COVID-19 during 2022, except for the impact from Omicron in the first quarter. The projections are as of this date. The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement this information.

• General and administrative expenses are expected to range between approximately $188 million and $198 million, including non-cash stock-based compensation expense and depreciation of approximately $30 million. This range reflects incremental investments in technology and operational initiatives as well as unit development and is inclusive of general and administrative expenses related to the company restaurants segment.

• Capital expenditures are expected to range between $33 million and $38 million, reflecting incremental investments in the business to support sustainable growth.

• Domestic development activity by IHOP franchisees and area licensees are expected to result in net new openings between 50 and 65 restaurants.

• Domestic development activity by Applebee’s franchisees is expected to result in between 5 and 15 net fewer restaurants. In 2021, Applebee’s concluded a strategic initiative to close underperforming domestic restaurants to improve the performance of the franchised system.

• Consolidated adjusted EBITDA is expected to range between approximately $235 million and $250 million. This range is inclusive of adjusted EBITDA related to the company restaurants segment.

Fourth Quarter of 2021 Earnings Conference Call Details

Dine Brands will host a conference call to discuss its results on March 2, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time.

To participate on the call, please dial (833) 528-0602 and enter the conference identification number 3224056. International callers, please dial (830) 221-9708 and enter the conference identification number 3224056.

A live webcast of the call will be available on www.dinebrands.com and may be accessed by visiting Events and Presentations under the site’s Investors section. Participants should allow approximately ten minutes prior to the call’s start time to visit the site and download any streaming media software needed to listen to the webcast. A telephonic replay of the call may be accessed from 12:00 p.m. Eastern time on March 2, 2022 through 12:00 p.m. Eastern time on March 9, 2022, by dialing (855) 859-2056 and entering the conference identification number 3224056. International callers, please dial (404) 537-3406 and enter the conference identification number 3224056. An online archive of the webcast will also be available on Events and Presentations under the Investors section of the Company’s website.

Investor and Analyst Day on March 9, 2022

Dine Brands will host an investor and analyst day on March 9, 2022 in New York City. The meeting will consist of presentations by John Peyton, chief executive officer of Dine Brands Global, Inc., and members of the Company’s senior management team.

To learn more about the Company’s growth strategy, the business presentations will begin at approximately 9:30 a.m. Eastern time, followed by a question-and-answer session, and conclude at approximately 1:00 p.m. Eastern time.

Space is limited and in-person attendance is by invitation only. A live webcast, including presentation material, will be available on www.dinebrands.com and may be accessed by visiting Events and Presentations under the site’s Investors section.

About Dine Brands Global, Inc.

Based in Glendale, California, Dine Brands Global, Inc. (NYSE: DIN), through its subsidiaries, franchises restaurants under both Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar^® and IHOP^® brands. With over 3,400 restaurants combined in 16 countries and 338 franchisees, Dine Brands is one of the largest full-service restaurant companies in the world. For more information on Dine Brands, visit the Company’s website located at www.dinebrands.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. You can identify these forward-looking statements by words such as “may,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal” and other similar expressions. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied in such statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: uncertainty regarding the duration and severity of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its ultimate impact on the Company; the effectiveness of related containment measures; general economic conditions; our level of indebtedness; compliance with the terms of our securitized debt; our ability to refinance our current indebtedness or obtain additional financing; our dependence on information technology; potential cyber incidents; the implementation of restaurant development plans; our dependence on our franchisees; the concentration of our Applebee’s franchised restaurants in a limited number of franchisees; the financial health of our franchisees; our franchisees’ and other licensees’ compliance with our quality standards and trademark usage; general risks associated with the restaurant industry; potential harm to our brands’ reputation; possible future impairment charges; the effects of tax reform; trading volatility and fluctuations in the price of our stock; our ability to achieve the financial guidance we provide to investors; successful implementation of our business strategy; the availability of suitable locations for new restaurants; shortages or interruptions in the supply or delivery of products from third parties or availability of utilities; the management and forecasting of appropriate inventory levels; development and implementation of innovative marketing and use of social media; changing health or dietary preference of consumers; risks associated with doing

business in international markets; the results of litigation and other legal proceedings; third-party claims with respect to intellectual property assets; our ability to attract and retain management and other key employees; compliance with federal, state and local governmental regulations; risks associated with our self-insurance; natural disasters, pandemics, epidemics, or other serious incidents; our success with development initiatives outside of our core business; the adequacy of our internal controls over financial reporting and future changes in accounting standards; and other factors discussed from time to time in the Corporation’s Annual and Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q and in the Corporation’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and the Corporation does not intend to, nor does it assume any obligation to, update or supplement any forward-looking statements after the date hereof to reflect actual results or future events or circumstances.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release includes references to the Company’s non-GAAP financial measure “adjusted net income available to common stockholders,” “adjusted earnings per diluted share (Adjusted EPS),” “Adjusted EBITDA” and “Adjusted free cash flow.” Adjusted EPS is computed for a given period by deducting from net income or loss available to common stockholders for such period the effect of any closure and impairment charges, any gain or loss related to debt extinguishment, any intangible asset amortization, any non-cash interest expense, any gain or loss related to the disposition of assets, and other items deemed not reflective of current operations. This is presented on an aggregate basis and a per share (diluted) basis. Adjusted EBITDA is computed for a given period by deducting from net income or loss for such period the effect of any closure and impairment charges, any interest charges, any income tax provision or benefit, any non-cash stock-based compensation, any depreciation and amortization, any gain or loss related to the disposition of assets and other items deemed not reflective of current operations. “Adjusted free cash flow” for a given period is defined as cash provided by operating activities, plus receipts from notes and equipment contracts receivable, less capital expenditures. Management may use certain of these non-GAAP financial measures along with the corresponding U.S. GAAP measures to evaluate the performance of the business and to make certain business decisions. Management uses adjusted free cash flow in its periodic assessments of, among other things, the amount of cash dividends per share of common stock and repurchases of common stock and we believe it is important for investors to have the same measure used by management for that purpose. Adjusted free cash flow does not represent residual cash flow available for discretionary purposes. Additionally, adjusted EPS is one of the metrics used in determining payouts under the Company’s annual cash incentive plan. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide additional meaningful information that should be considered when assessing the business and the Company’s performance compared to prior periods and the marketplace. Adjusted EPS and adjusted free cash flow are supplemental non-GAAP financial measures and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
		Three Months Ended								Twelve Months Ended
		December 31,								December 31,
		2021				2020				2021				2020
		(Unaudited)
Revenues:
Franchise revenues:
Royalties, franchise fees and other		$	92,008			$	76,044			$	357,146			$	267,959
Advertising revenues			70,872				58,744				274,790				201,494
Total franchise revenues			162,880				134,788				631,936				469,453
Company restaurant sales			36,582				32,627				146,000				108,054
Rental revenues			29,136				27,029				113,933				105,939
Financing revenues			1,032				1,585				4,298				5,822
Total revenues			229,630				196,029				896,167				689,268
Cost of revenues:
Franchise expenses:
Advertising expenses			68,385				59,262				272,303				202,012
Bad debt (credit) expense			(682	)			4,340				(4,928	)			12,756
Other franchise expenses			8,315				8,205				28,512				24,204
Total franchise expenses			76,018				71,807				295,887				238,972
Company restaurant expenses			35,238				31,776				136,748				111,550
Rental expenses:
Interest expense from finance leases			769				1,110				3,446				4,563
Other rental expenses			21,038				23,818				84,397				84,939
Total rental expenses			21,807				24,928				87,843				89,502
Financing expenses			108				135				464				528
Total cost of revenues			133,171				128,646				520,942				440,552
Gross profit			96,459				67,383				375,225				248,716
General and administrative expenses			48,947				39,440				171,838				144,791
Interest expense, net			15,375				17,752				63,331				66,895
Closure and impairment charges			385				8,099				5,409				132,620
Amortization of intangible assets			2,664				2,663				10,679				10,903
Loss (gain) on disposition of assets			609				(561	)			2,045				2,069
Income before income taxes			28,479				(10	)			121,923				(108,562	)
Income tax (provision) benefit			(8,691	)			(1,551	)			(24,059	)			4,568
Net income (loss)		$	19,788			$	(1,561	)		$	97,864			$	(103,994	)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders:
Net income (loss)		$	19,788			$	(1,561	)		$	97,864			$	(103,994	)
Less: Net income allocated to unvested participating restricted stock			(409	)			—				(2,295	)			(420	)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders		$	19,379			$	(1,561	)		$	95,569			$	(104,414	)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders per share:
Basic		$	1.14			$	(0.10	)		$	5.69			$	(6.43	)
Diluted		$	1.14			$	(0.10	)		$	5.66			$	(6.43	)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic			16,941				16,232				16,799				16,230
Diluted			16,991				16,232				16,890				16,230
Dividends declared per common share		$	0.40			$	—			$	0.40			$	0.76
Dividends paid per common share		$	—			$	—			$	—			$	1.45

Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
		December 31, 2021				December 31, 2020
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	361,412			$	383,369
Receivables, net of allowance of $4,959 (2021) and $15,057 (2020)			119,968				121,897
Restricted cash			47,541				39,884
Prepaid gift card costs			28,175				29,080
Prepaid income taxes			10,529				6,178
Other current assets			6,728				6,098
Total current assets			574,353				586,506
Other intangible assets, net			539,390				549,671
Operating lease right-of-use assets			335,428				346,086
Goodwill			251,628				251,628
Property and equipment, net			179,411				187,977
Deferred rent receivable			50,257				56,449
Long-term receivables, net of allowance of $6,897 (2021) and $7,999 (2020)			42,493				54,512
Non-current restricted cash			16,400				32,800
Other non-current assets, net			10,006				9,316
Total assets		$	1,999,366			$	2,074,945
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Deficit
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt		$	—			$	13,000
Accounts payable			55,956				37,424
Gift card liability			165,530				144,159
Current maturities of operating lease obligations			72,079				69,672
Current maturities of finance lease and financing obligations			10,693				11,293
Accrued employee compensation and benefits			40,785				21,237
Accrued advertising			33,752				21,641
Deferred franchise revenue, short-term			7,246				7,682
Dividends payable			6,919				—
Other accrued expenses			17,770				22,460
Total current liabilities			410,730				348,568
Long-term debt, net, less current maturities			1,279,623				1,491,996
Operating lease obligations, less current maturities			320,848				345,163
Finance lease obligations, less current maturities			59,625				69,012
Financing obligations, less current maturities			31,967				32,797
Deferred income taxes, net			76,228				78,293
Deferred franchise revenue, long-term			46,100				52,237
Other non-current liabilities			17,052				11,530
Total liabilities			2,242,173				2,429,596
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ deficit:
Preferred stock, $1 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding			—				—
Common stock, $0.01 par value; shares: 40,000,000 authorized; 2021 -24,992,275 issued, 17,163,946 outstanding; 2020 - 24,882,122 issued, 16,452,174 outstanding			250				249
Additional paid-in-capital			256,189				257,625
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)			35,415				(55,553	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(59	)			(55	)
Treasury stock, at cost; shares: 2021 - 7,828,329; 2020 - 8,429,948			(534,602	)			(556,917	)
Total stockholders’ deficit			(242,807	)			(354,651	)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit		$	1,999,366			$	2,074,945

Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
		Twelve Months Ended
		December 31,
		2021				2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)		$	97,864			$	(103,994	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash flows provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			39,885				42,829
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense			11,577				12,508
Non-cash impairment and closure charges			5,324				132,501
Non-cash interest expense			2,852				2,698
Deferred income taxes			(2,065	)			(20,049	)
Deferred revenue			(6,573	)			(7,111	)
Loss on disposition of assets			2,041				2,069
Other			(1,593	)			(1,246	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net			7,301				(9,750	)
Deferred rent receivable			6,192				13,859
Current income tax receivables and payables			(3,837	)			16,143
Operating lease assets and liabilities			(18,212	)			(15,179	)
Gift card receivables and payables			14,759				12,231
Other current assets			(629	)			(2,191	)
Accounts payable			13,131				6,455
Accrued employee compensation and benefits			19,714				(1,909	)
Accrued advertising expenses			12,111				12,881
Other current liabilities			(4,007	)			3,758
Cash flows provided by operating activities			195,835				96,503
Cash flows from investing activities:
Principal receipts from notes, equipment contracts and other long-term receivables			20,230				31,155
Net additions to property and equipment			(16,849	)			(10,927	)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment			946				537
Additions to long-term receivables			—				(1,475	)
Other			(466	)			(565	)
Cash flows provided by investing activities			3,861				18,725
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of long-term debt			(9,750	)			(3,250	)
Borrowing from revolving credit facility			—				220,000
Repayment of revolving credit facility			(220,000	)			—
Dividends paid on common stock			—				(23,934	)
Repurchase of common stock			(4,191	)			(29,853	)
Principal payments on finance lease obligations			(10,238	)			(12,451	)
Proceeds from stock options exercised			25,337				20,523
Repurchase of restricted stock for tax payments upon vesting			(1,771	)			(2,480	)
Tax payments for share settlement of restricted stock units			(9,783	)			(205	)
Cash flows (used in) provided by financing activities			(230,396	)			168,350
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash			(30,700	)			283,578
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period			456,053				172,475
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period		$	425,353			$	456,053

Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

Reconciliation of net income (loss) available to common stockholders to net income (loss) available to common stockholders, as adjusted for the following items: Closure and impairment charges; amortization of intangible assets; non-cash interest expense; gain or loss on disposition of assets; and the combined tax effect of the preceding adjustments, as well as related per share data:

		Three Months Ended								Twelve Months Ended
		December 31,								December 31,
		2021				2020				2021				2020
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders, as reported		$	19,379			$	(1,561	)		$	95,569			$	(104,414	)
Closure and impairment charges			385				8,099				5,409				132,620
Amortization of intangible assets			2,664				2,663				10,679				10,903
Non-cash interest expense			706				708				2,852				2,698
Loss (gain) on disposition of assets			609				(561	)			2,045				2,069
Net income tax provision for above adjustments			(1,178	)			(2,727	)			(5,666	)			(14,014	)
Net income allocated to unvested participating restricted stock			(68	)			(216	)			(363	)			(585	)
Net income available to common stockholders, as adjusted		$	22,497			$	6,405			$	110,525			$	29,277
Diluted net income (loss) available to common stockholders per share:
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders per share, as reported		$	1.14			$	(0.10	)		$	5.66			$	(6.43	)
Closure and impairment charges			0.02				0.37				0.23				7.50
Amortization of intangible assets			0.11				0.12				0.46				0.50
Non-cash interest expense			0.03				0.03				0.12				0.12
Loss (gain) on disposition of assets			0.03				(0.03	)			0.09				0.10
Net income allocated to unvested participating restricted stock			(0.00	)			(0.01	)			(0.02	)			(0.03	)
Rounding			(0.01	)			0.01				—				0.03
Diluted net income available to common stockholders per share, as adjusted		$	1.32			$	0.39			$	6.54			$	1.79
Numerator for basic EPS - net income available to common stockholders, as adjusted		$	22,497			$	6,405			$	110,525			$	29,277
Effect of unvested participating restricted stock using the two-class method			1				2				15				4
Numerator for diluted EPS - net income available to common stockholders, as adjusted		$	22,498			$	6,407			$	110,540			$	29,281
Denominator for basic EPS - weighted-average shares			16,941				16,232				16,799				16,230
Dilutive effect of stock options			50				137				91				100
Denominator for diluted EPS - weighted-average shares			16,991				16,369				16,890				16,330

Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(Unaudited)

Reconciliation of the Company’s cash flows provided by operating activities to “adjusted free cash flow” (cash flows provided by operating activities, plus receipts from notes and equipment contracts receivable, less additions to property and equipment). Management uses this liquidity measure in its periodic assessments of, among other things, the amount of cash dividends per share of common stock and repurchases of common stock. We believe it is important for investors to have the same measure used by management for that purpose. Adjusted free cash flow does not represent residual cash flow available for discretionary purposes.

		Twelve Months Ended
		December 31,
		2021				2020
		(In millions)
Cash flows provided by operating activities		$	195.8			$	96.5
Receipts from notes and equipment contracts receivable			12.0				21.0
Net additions to property and equipment			(16.8	)			(10.9	)
Adjusted free cash flow			191.0				106.6
Dividends paid on common stock			—				(23.9	)
Repurchase of common stock			(4.2	)			(29.9	)
		$	186.8			$	52.8

Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)

Reconciliation of the Company’s net income (loss) to “adjusted EBITDA.” The Company defines adjusted EBITDA as net income or loss, adjusted for the effect of closure and impairment charges, interest charges, income tax provision or benefit, depreciation and amortization, non-cash stock-based compensation, gain or loss on disposition of assets, other non-income based taxes and other items deemed not reflective of current operations. Management may use certain non-GAAP measures along with the corresponding U.S. GAAP measures to evaluate the performance of the Company and to make certain business decisions.

		Three Months Ended							Twelve Months Ended
		December 31,							December 31,
		2021			2020				2021			2020
Net income (loss), as reported		$	19,788		$	(1,561	)		$	97,864		$	(103,994	)
Closure and impairment charges			385			8,099				5,409			132,620
Interest charges on finance leases			1,246			1,644				5,397			6,618
All other interest charges			16,379			18,700				66,488			70,261
Income tax provision (benefit)			8,691			1,551				24,059			(4,568	)
Depreciation and amortization			9,882			10,769				39,851			42,800
Non-cash stock-based compensation			3,006			3,315				11,580			12,508
Loss (gain) on disposition of assets			609			(561	)			2,045			2,069
Other			113			41				567			412
Adjusted EBITDA		$	60,099		$	41,997			$	253,260		$	158,726

Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Restaurant Data
(Unaudited)

The following table sets forth, for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the number of “Effective Restaurants” in the Applebee’s and IHOP systems and information regarding the percentage change in sales at those restaurants compared to the same periods in the prior year and, as such, the percentage change in sales at Effective Restaurants is based on non-GAAP sales data. Sales at restaurants that are owned by franchisees and area licensees are not attributable to the Company. However, we believe that presentation of this information is useful in analyzing our revenues because franchisees and area licensees pay us royalties and advertising fees that are generally based on a percentage of their sales, and, where applicable, rental payments under leases that partially may be based on a percentage of their sales. Management also uses this information to make decisions about future plans for the development of additional restaurants as well as evaluation of current operations.

		Three Months Ended								Twelve Months Ended
		December 31,								December 31,
		2021				2020				2021				2020
Applebee's
Global Effective Restaurants(a)
Franchise			1,614				1,636				1,621				1,624
Company			69				69				69				68
Total			1,683				1,705				1,690				1,692
System-wide(b)
Domestic sales percentage change(c)			23.4	%			(13.3	) %			34.4	%			(24.1	) %
Domestic same-restaurant sales percentage change(d)			34.8	%			(17.6	) %			38.2	%			(22.4	) %
Franchise(b)
Domestic sales percentage change(c)			23.8	%			(13.8	) %			34.4	%			(24.3	) %
Domestic same-restaurant sales percentage change(d)			35.3	%			(18.1	) %			38.2	%			(22.6	) %
Average weekly domestic unit sales (in thousands)		$	51.9			$	38.4			$	50.9			$	37.1
IHOP
Global Effective Restaurants(a)
Franchise			1,581				1,577				1,571				1,532
Area license			156				157				156				155
Total			1,737				1,734				1,727				1,687
System-wide(b)
Sales percentage change(c)			30.8	%			(27.2	) %			38.5	%			(34.9	) %
Domestic same-restaurant sales percentage change, including area license restaurants(d)			39.2	%			(30.1	) %			40.2	%			(32.8	) %
Franchise(b)
Sales percentage change(c)			31.0	%			(27.3	) %			38.1	%			(35.0	) %
Domestic same-restaurant sales percentage change(d)			40.3	%			(30.6	) %			39.7	%			(32.8	) %
Average weekly unit sales (in thousands)		$	37.5			$	26.7			$	34.9			$	25.4
Area License (b)
Sales percentage change(c)			27.9	%			(25.5	) %			42.4	%			(34.2	) %

Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Restaurant Data
(Unaudited)

(a)		“Global Effective Restaurants” are the weighted average number of restaurants open in a given fiscal period, adjusted to account for restaurants open for only a portion of the period. Information is presented for all Effective Restaurants in the Applebee’s and IHOP systems, which includes restaurants owned by franchisees and area licensees as well as those owned by the Company. Effective Restaurants do not include units operated as ghost kitchens (small kitchens with no store-front presence, used to fill off-premise orders).
(b)		“System-wide” sales are retail sales at domestic Applebee’s restaurants operated by franchisees and IHOP restaurants operated by franchisees and area licensees, as reported to the Company, in addition to retail sales at company-operated restaurants. System-wide sales do not include retail sales of ghost kitchens.  Sales at restaurants that are owned by franchisees and area licensees are not attributable to the Company. An increase or decrease in franchisees' reported sales will result in a corresponding increase or decrease in our royalty revenue. Unaudited reported sales for Applebee's domestic franchise restaurants, Applebee's company-operated restaurants, IHOP franchise restaurants and IHOP area license restaurants for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows:

		Three Months Ended						Twelve Months Ended
		December 31,						December 31,
		2021			2020			2021			2020
		(In millions)
Reported sales
Applebee's domestic franchise restaurant sales		$	1,020.9		$	824.6		$	4,021.7		$	2,993.0
Applebee's company-operated restaurants			36.6			32.6			146.0			108.0
IHOP franchise restaurant sales			771.1			588.5			2,850.3			2,063.6
IHOP area license restaurant sales			68.9			53.9			271.3			190.5
Total		$	1,897.5		$	1,499.6		$	7,289.3		$	5,355.1

(c)		“Sales percentage change” reflects, for each category of restaurants, the percentage change in sales in any given fiscal period compared to the prior fiscal period for all restaurants in that category.
(d)		“Domestic same-restaurant sales percentage change” reflects the percentage change in sales, in any given fiscal period, compared to the same weeks in the prior year for domestic restaurants that have been operated during both fiscal periods that are being compared and have been open for at least 18 months. Because of new unit openings and restaurant closures, the domestic restaurants open during both fiscal periods being compared may be different from period to period.

Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Restaurant Data
(Unaudited)

		Three Months Ended						Twelve Months Ended
		December 31,						December 31,
		2021			2020			2021			2020
Applebee's Restaurant Development Activity
Summary - beginning of period:
Franchise		1,620			1,659			1,640			1,718
Company		69			69			69			69
Total Applebee's restaurants, beginning of period		1,689			1,728			1,709			1,787
Franchise restaurants opened:
Domestic		1			—			5			1
International		—			—			1			3
Total franchise restaurants opened		1			—			6			4
Franchise restaurants closed:
Domestic		(10	)		(16	)		(25	)		(68	)
International		—			(3	)		(10	)		(14	)
Total franchise restaurants closed		(10	)		(19	)		(35	)		(82	)
Net franchise restaurant reduction		(9	)		(19	)		(29	)		(78	)
Summary - end of period:
Franchise		1,611			1,640			1,611			1,640
Company		69			69			69			69
Total Applebee's restaurants, end of period		1,680			1,709			1,680			1,709
Domestic		1,578			1,598			1,578			1,598
International		102			111			102			111
IHOP Restaurant Development Activity
Summary - beginning of period:
Franchise		1,591			1,648			1,611			1,680
Area license		156			159			158			161
Company		3			—			3			—
Total IHOP restaurants, beginning of period		1,750			1,807			1,772			1,841
Franchise/area license restaurants opened:
Domestic franchise		13			8			35			16
Domestic area license		—			—			2			3
International franchise		1			3			3			8
Total franchise/area license restaurants opened		14			11			40			27
Franchise/area license restaurants closed:
Domestic franchise		(12	)		(21	)		(47	)		(56	)
Domestic area license		—			—			(3	)		(3	)
International franchise		(1	)		(24	)		(10	)		(34	)
International area license		—			(1	)		(1	)		(3	)
Total franchise/area license restaurants closed		(13	)		(46	)		(61	)		(96	)
Net franchise/area license restaurant reduction		1			(35	)		(21	)		(69	)
Refranchised from Company restaurants		3			—			4			—
Franchise restaurants reacquired by the Company		—			(3	)		(1	)		(3	)
Net franchise/area license restaurant decrease		4			(38	)		(18	)		(72	)
Summary - end of period
Franchise		1,595			1,611			1,595			1,611
Area license		156			158			156			158
Company		—			3			—			3
Total IHOP restaurants, end of period		1,751			1,772			1,751			1,772
Domestic		1,657			1,670			1,657			1,670
International		94			102			94			102

The restaurant counts and activity presented above do not include two domestic Applebee’s ghost kitchens (small kitchens with no store-front presence, used to fill off-premise orders) and eight Applebee’s and 13 IHOP international ghost kitchens at December 31, 2021 and two domestic Applebee’s ghost kitchens at December 31, 2020.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220302005403/en/

Investor Contact

Ken Diptee

Executive Director, Investor Relations

Dine Brands Global, Inc.

818-637-3632

Ken.Diptee@dinebrands.com

Media Contact

Susan Nelson

Vice President, Global Communications

and Public Affairs

Dine Brands Global, Inc.

Susan.Nelson@dinebrands.com

Source: Dine Brands Global, Inc.

FAQ

What are Dine Brands Global's Q4 2021 earnings results?

Dine Brands reported GAAP earnings per diluted share of $1.14 for Q4 2021, compared to a loss of $0.10 per diluted share in Q4 2020.

How did Dine Brands Global perform compared to pre-pandemic levels?

In Q4 2021, Applebee's domestic unit sales grew by 12.6% compared to Q4 2019, while IHOP saw a slight increase of 0.5%.

What is Dine Brands Global's revenue forecast for 2022?

The company anticipates continued growth in 2022, with consolidated adjusted EBITDA expected to range between approximately $235 million and $250 million.

What was Dine Brands Global's total cash position as of December 31, 2021?

As of December 31, 2021, Dine Brands had a total cash position of $425.4 million, with $361.4 million in unrestricted cash.