Item 1A. Risk Factors.
The occurrence of any of the events discussed in the following risk factors may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, which may materially adversely affect the value of our common stock. It is not possible to identify or predict all risk factors. There may be risks and uncertainties that are not currently known or that are currently deemed by us to be immaterial. These other risks and uncertainties may also impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Relating to Our Business and Financial Condition
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted and may further disrupt our business, which could further materially affect our operations, and business and financial results. In addition, any other epidemic, disease outbreak or public health emergency may result in similar adverse effects. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted and may continue to impact sales and traffic at our and our franchisees’ restaurants, may make it more difficult to staff restaurants and, in more severe cases, may damage our reputation, cause an inability to obtain supplies, increase commodity costs or continue to cause partial or total closures of impacted restaurants. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic and other epidemics, disease outbreaks or public health emergencies will impact our business, liquidity, financial condition, and results of operations, will depend on numerous evolving factors that we may not be able to accurately predict or assess, including the duration and scope of the pandemic; the negative impact on the economy; the short and longer-term impacts on the demand for restaurant services and levels of consumer confidence; the ability of us and our franchisees to successfully navigate the impacts; government action, including restrictions on restaurant operations; increased unemployment; and reductions in consumer discretionary spending. Even if a virus or other disease does not spread significantly, the perceived risk of infection or health risk may damage our reputation and adversely affect our business, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations. The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened many of the other risks described in this Item 1A, “Risk Factors.”
We and our franchisees have been and could further be adversely affected by government restrictions on public gatherings; shelter-in-place orders; and limitations on operations of restaurants, including dine-in restrictions, mandatory or voluntary closures or restrictions on hours of operations. As of December 31, 2022, almost all of our restaurants were operating without government-mandated restrictions. However, the operating status of our restaurants could face uncertainty if governmental authorities implement new restrictions on restaurant operations in response to changes in the number of COVID-19 infections and the emergence of variant strains of the virus in their respective jurisdictions.
To assist franchisees impacted by COVID-19, we have offered and may offer deferral of royalty, advertising, and other fees, including, in some cases, lease payments. In addition, we have allowed and may allow franchisee to defer development obligations. These changes and any additional changes may materially adversely affect our business, liquidity, financial condition, and results of operations, particularly if these changes are in place for a prolonged amount of time. The COVID-19 pandemic as well as other epidemics, disease outbreaks or public health emergencies may also materially adversely affect our ability to implement our growth plans, including delays in development of new locations or adversely impact our overall ability to successfully execute our plans to enter into new markets.
Furthermore, the impacts of COVID-19 as well as other epidemics, disease outbreaks or public health emergencies could cause us to fail to meet certain financial performance measures, including debt service coverage ratios (“DSCR”) and minimum domestic franchise system sales amounts, that must be met to avoid a possible rapid amortization event or event of default under the terms of our existing debt arrangements. In addition, as a result of the risks described above, we may be required to raise additional capital, and there is no guarantee that debt and/or equity financings will be available in the future to fund our obligations, or will be available on terms consistent with our expectations.
Our business is affected by general economic conditions that are largely out of our control. Our business is dependent to a significant extent on national, regional and local economic conditions, and, to a lesser extent, on global economic conditions, particularly those conditions affecting the demographics of the guests that frequently patronize restaurants. If our customers' disposable income available for discretionary spending is reduced (because of circumstances such as job losses, credit constraints, higher housing costs, inflation, changes to tax regulations, energy costs, interest rates or other costs) or if the perceived wealth of customers decreases (because of circumstances such as inflation, lower residential real estate values, increased foreclosure rates, changes to tax regulations or other economic disruptions), our business could experience a decline in sales and/or customer traffic as potential customers choose lower-cost alternatives (such as quick-service restaurants) or other alternatives to dining out. The current inflationary period could negatively impact consumers’ discretionary income and reduce the amount of income previously used for dining outside the home. Additionally, negative trends in the availability of credit and in expenses such as interest rates and the cost of construction materials could affect our and our franchisees' ability to maintain and remodel existing restaurants. Any decreases in customer traffic or average customer check due to these or other reasons could reduce gross sales at our and our franchised restaurants, resulting in lower revenues, royalty payments and other
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payments from franchisees. This could negatively impact the financial performance of our company-operated restaurants and reduce the profitability of franchised restaurants, potentially impacting the ability of franchisees to make royalty payments owed to us when due and negatively impacting franchisees’ ability to develop new restaurants as may be required in their respective development agreements.
Our level of indebtedness could adversely affect our financial health and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations under our debt. As of December 31, 2022, certain of our indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries had approximately $1.3 billion of long-term debt. In addition, we had approximately $0.4 billion in operating lease, finance lease and other financing obligations as of December 31, 2022. We may incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future. If new debt is added to our current debt levels, the related risks that we now face could increase. Our level of indebtedness and the financial and other restrictive covenants in our indebtedness could have important consequences to our financial health. For example, it could:
•make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our debt or refinance any of our debt on attractive terms, commercially reasonable terms, or at all;
•increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions or a downturn in our business;
•require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to debt service, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flow to pay dividends to our stockholders, repurchase shares of our common stock, fund working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes;
•limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate;
•place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that are not as highly leveraged;
•limit our ability to borrow additional funds;
•prevent us from taking actions that we believe would be in the best interest of our business and make it difficult for us to successfully execute our business strategy;
•subject us to risks associated with rising interest rates and uncertainty related to the phase-out of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and the use of alternate benchmark interest rates; and
•result in an event of default if we fail to satisfy our obligations under our debt or fail to comply with the financial and other restrictive covenants contained in our debt documents, which event of default could result in all of our debt becoming immediately due and payable and could permit certain of our lenders to foreclose on our assets securing such debt.
The terms of the securitized debt issued by certain of our indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries have restrictive terms and the failure to comply with such restrictive terms could put us in default, which would have an adverse effect on our business and prospects. Unless and until we repay all outstanding borrowings under our securitized debt, we will remain subject to the restrictive terms of the securitized debt issued by certain of our indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries. For example, the indenture entered into by such subsidiaries in connection with the securitized debt contains covenants that limit the ability of certain of our wholly-owned subsidiaries to, among other things: sell assets; alter the business conducted by such subsidiaries; engage in mergers or acquisitions; declare dividends or redeem or purchase certain equity interests; incur, assume or permit to exist additional indebtedness or guarantees; make loans and investments; incur liens; and enter into transactions with affiliates other than on an arms-length basis. These covenants are applicable only to the securitization subsidiaries and do not apply to any of Dine Brands Global, Inc., International House of Pancakes, LLC, Applebee’s International, Inc., Dine Brands International, Inc. or FTO Holding Company, LLC as these entities are not parties to the indenture. A breach of a covenant could result in a rapid amortization event or default under the securitized debt.
Further, the securitized debt also includes limitations on our ability to incur additional indebtedness and contains a number of financial performance measures that must be met to avoid a possible rapid amortization event or event of default. The most significant of these measures include a minimum DSCR and minimum domestic franchise system sales. The ability to meet these financial performance measures can be affected by events beyond our control and there can be no assurance that we will satisfy these financial measures.
If amounts owed under the securitized debt are accelerated because of a default and we are unable to pay such amounts, the investors may have the right to assume control of substantially all of the securitized assets, which consist of substantially all of our domestic revenue-generating assets and domestic intellectual property.
During the five-year term following issuance, the outstanding fixed-rate class A-2-I senior notes will accrue interest at a rate of 4.194% per year. During the seven-year term following issuance, the outstanding fixed-rate class A-2-II senior notes will accrue interest at a rate of 4.723% per year. It is anticipated that the Class A-2-I Notes will be repaid or refinanced prior to June 2024 and the Class A-2-II Notes will be repaid or refinanced prior to June 2026. If these notes are not repaid or refinanced prior to these anticipated dates, under certain circumstances additional interest will accrue on these notes. Additionally, the fixed-rate class A-2-I and class A-2-II senior notes have scheduled quarterly principal amortization payments of $1.75 million and $1.5
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million, respectively. If we maintain a leverage ratio of less than or equal to 5.25x total debt to adjusted EBITDA, we may elect to not make the scheduled principal payments. From time to time, our leverage ratio has exceeded the 5.25x total debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio and we have made the required scheduled principal payments. If we are unable to refinance or repay amounts under the securitized debt prior to the expiration of the applicable five- or seven-year term, our cash flow would be directed to the repayment of the securitized debt and, other than a weekly management fee sufficient to cover minimal selling, general and administrative expenses, would not be available for operating our business.
In the event that a rapid amortization event occurs under the indenture (including, without limitation, upon an event of default under the indenture or the failure to repay the securitized debt at the end of the applicable five- or seven-year term), the funds available to us would be reduced or eliminated, which would in turn reduce our ability to operate or grow our business.
Our ability to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness or obtain additional financing depends on many factors beyond our control. No assurance can be given that any refinancing or additional financing will be possible when needed or that we will be able to negotiate favorable terms. In addition, our access to capital is affected by prevailing conditions in the financial and capital markets and other factors beyond our control. There can be no assurance that market conditions will be favorable at the times that we require new or additional financing. Further, changes by any rating agency to our credit rating may negatively impact the value and liquidity of both our debt and equity securities, as well as the potential costs associated with refinancing our debt. Downgrades in our credit ratings could also affect the terms of any such financing and restrict our ability to obtain additional financing in the future.
We are heavily dependent on information technology and any material failure of that technology could impair our ability to effectively and efficiently operate our business. We rely heavily on information technology systems across our operations, including point-of-sale processing in our and our franchisees’ restaurants, online ordering and delivery, management of our supply chain, collection of cash and other receivables, payment of obligations and various other processes and procedures. Our ability to effectively and efficiently manage our business depends significantly on the reliability and capacity of these systems. The failure of these systems to operate effectively, problems with maintenance, upgrades or the transition to replacement systems, inaccurate or fraudulent manipulation of sales reporting from our restaurants resulting in loss of sales and royalty payments, or a breach in security of these systems could be harmful and cause delays in customer service, reduce efficiency in our operations and negatively impact our business. Significant capital investment might be required to remediate any problems.
In addition, we outsource certain essential technology-based business processes to third-party vendors and we may share sensitive financial and other information with third party vendors which subjects us to risks, including disruptions in business, increased costs and exposure to data breaches or privacy law compliance issues of our third-party vendors.
The occurrence of cyber incidents, or a deficiency in our cybersecurity, could negatively impact our business by causing a disruption to our operations, a compromise or corruption of our confidential information, and/or damage to our employee and business relationships, all of which could subject us to loss and harm our brands. Any adverse event that threatens the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of our information resources is considered to be a cyber incident. More specifically, a cyber incident is an intentional attack or an unintentional event that can include gaining unauthorized access to systems to disrupt operations, corrupt data, or steal confidential information about our customers, franchisees, vendors and employees. As our reliance on technology has increased, so have the risks posed to our systems, both internal and those that we have outsourced. Primary adverse events that could directly result from the occurrence of a cyber incident include: (i) exposure of confidential data about our customers, franchisees, vendors and employees; (ii) damage to the reputation of our brands; (iii) damage to our relationship with our franchisees; (iv) interruption of our business; and (v) an event of default under our securitized debt agreements if a cybersecurity breach impacts our ability to comply with the terms of securitized debt agreements. We, our franchisees, third-party vendors and others with whom we may do business or interact with may have inadequate cyber liability insurance or coverage terms may be restrictive or insufficient to cover potential losses and remediation costs associated with a cyber incident.
As a merchant and service provider of point of sale related services, we and our franchisees are subject to PCI DSS, issued by the Payment Card Industry Council. PCI DSS contains compliance guidelines and standards with regard to our security surrounding the physical and electronic storage, processing and transmission of individual cardholder data. Despite our cybersecurity measures and our efforts to comply with PCI DSS guidelines, we cannot be certain that all of our information technology systems are able to prevent, contain or detect any cyber-attacks or security breaches from known malware or malware that may be developed in the future.
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Our use of personal information is regulated by international, federal and state laws, as well as by certain third-party agreements. If our security and information systems are compromised or if our employees or franchisees fail to comply with these laws and regulations, and this information is obtained by unauthorized persons or used inappropriately, it could adversely affect our reputation and could disrupt our operations and result in costly litigation, judgments, or penalties resulting from violation of federal and state laws and payment card industry regulations. As privacy and information security laws and regulations change, we may incur additional costs to ensure that we remain in compliance with those laws and regulations. For example, we are subject to the California Consumer Privacy Act and California Privacy Rights Act, which require various processes and protections to be implemented.
In connection with the implementation of our corporate strategies, we may face risks associated with the acquisition of businesses, the integration of acquired businesses, and the growth and development of these businesses. In pursuing our corporate strategy, from time to time we may acquire other businesses or brands, as we did in December 2022 when we acquired Fuzzy’s. There can be no assurance that we will realize the anticipated synergies or cost savings related to acquisitions or that they will be achieved in our estimated timeframe. In addition, continued integration efforts may result in material challenges. We may not be able to successfully integrate and streamline overlapping functions from past or future acquisitions, and integration may be more costly to accomplish than we expect. Furthermore, growth and development plans with respect to acquired businesses may not be achievable or may not be achieved in our estimated time frame. We could also encounter difficulties in managing our combined company due to its increased size and scope.
We face a variety of risks associated with doing business in international markets. Our expansion into and continued operations in international markets could create risks to our brands and reputation. There is no assurance that our international operations will be profitable or that international growth will continue. Our international operations are subject to the same risks associated with our domestic operations, as well as a number of additional risks. These include, among other things, international economic and political conditions, issues with collections, international currency fluctuations, difficulty in enforcing intellectual property rights, terrorism, civil unrest, global travel risks and differing cultures and consumer preferences.
We also are subject to governmental regulations throughout the world that impact the way we do business with our international franchisees and vendors. These include antitrust and tax requirements, import/export/customs regulations, anti-boycott regulations, other international trade regulations, the USA Patriot Act and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Failure to comply with any such legal requirements could subject us to monetary liabilities and other sanctions, which could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We may be subject to litigation and other legal proceedings that could be time consuming, require significant amounts of management time and result in the diversion of significant operational resources. We are involved in lawsuits, claims and proceedings incident to the ordinary course of our business. Litigation is inherently unpredictable. Any claims against us, whether meritorious or not, could be time consuming, result in costly litigation, require significant amounts of management time and result in the diversion of significant operational resources. There have been a growing number of lawsuits in recent years. There also has been a rise in employment-related lawsuits. From time to time, we have been subject to these types of lawsuits. The cost of defending claims against us or the ultimate resolution of such claims may harm our business and operating results. In addition, the increasingly regulated business environment may result in a greater number of enforcement actions and private litigation. This could subject us to increased exposure to stockholder lawsuits.
We and our franchisees are subject to complaints or litigation from guests alleging illness, injury or other food quality, food safety, health or operational concerns as well as claims related to social issues (e.g., allegations of discrimination), the Americans with Disabilities Act and other premises liability. We and our franchisees are also subject to "dram shop" laws in some states pursuant to which we and our franchisees may be subject to liability in connection with personal injuries or property damages incurred in connection with wrongfully serving alcoholic beverages to an intoxicated person.
Although our franchise agreements require our franchisees to defend and indemnify us, we may be named as a defendant and sustain liability in legal proceedings against franchisees under the doctrines of vicarious liability, agency, negligence or otherwise. Claims against our franchisees may reduce the ability of our franchisees to make payments to us. We may also initiate legal proceedings against franchisees for breach of the terms of their franchise agreements, including underreporting of sales, failure to operate restaurants according to standard operating procedures and payment defaults. These claims also may reduce the ability of franchisees to enter into new franchise agreements with us.
Third-party claims with respect to intellectual property assets, if decided against us, may result in competing uses or require adoption of new, non-infringing intellectual property, which may in turn adversely affect sales and revenues. We regard our service marks and trademarks related to our restaurant businesses as having significant value and being important to our marketing efforts. To protect our brands from infringement, we rely on contracts, copyrights, patents, trademarks, service marks and other common law rights, such as trade secret and unfair competition laws. We have registered certain trademarks
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and service marks in the United States and international jurisdictions; however, effective intellectual property protection may not be available in every country in which we have or intend to open or franchise a restaurant. Although we believe we have taken appropriate measures to protect our intellectual property, there can be no assurance that these protections will be adequate.
In addition, there can be no assurance that third parties will not assert infringement or misappropriation claims against us, or assert claims that our rights in our trademarks, service marks and other intellectual property assets are invalid or unenforceable. Any such claims could have a material adverse effect on us or our franchisees if such claims were to be decided against us. If our rights in any intellectual property were invalidated or deemed unenforceable, it could permit competing uses of intellectual property which, in turn, could lead to a decline in restaurant revenues and sales of other branded products and services (if any). If the intellectual property became subject to third-party infringement, misappropriation or other claims, and such claims were decided against us, we may be forced to pay damages, be required to develop or adopt non-infringing intellectual property or be obligated to acquire a license to the intellectual property that is the subject of the asserted claim. There could be significant expenses associated with the defense of any infringement, misappropriation, or other third-party claims.
Our delivery initiatives and use of third-party delivery vendors subjects us and our franchisees to a variety of risks related to the delivery of our products by third parties and may not generate expected returns. There can be no assurance that delivery vendors will not take actions that could have a material adverse effect on our brands and/or subject us to increased litigation and costs. Our delivery initiatives also introduce new operating procedures to our and our franchisees’ restaurants, which could adversely affect the business, brands, and the experience of our guests.
Our business depends on the proper allocation of our human capital and our ability to attract and retain talented management and other key employees. We have dedicated brand resources for key functions such as marketing, consumer insights and operations and a shared service model for certain other functions such as legal, technology and human resources. There can be no assurance that our allocation of our human capital will effectively meet the needs of our business and brands. Further, our business is based on successfully attracting and retaining talented employees. The market for highly skilled employees and leaders in our industry is extremely competitive. If we are less successful in our recruiting efforts, or if we are unable to retain management and other key employees, our ability to develop and deliver successful products and services may be adversely affected. Effective succession planning is also important to our long-term success. The departure of a key executive or employee and/or the failure to ensure an effective transfer of knowledge and a smooth transition upon such departure may be disruptive to the business and could hinder our strategic planning and execution.
Our failure or the failure of our franchisees to comply with federal, state and local governmental regulations may subject us to losses and harm our brands. We and our franchisees are subject to a variety of laws enacted, or rules and regulations promulgated by federal, state and local governmental authorities that govern our operations. We are subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act (which governs such matters as minimum wage, overtime, collective bargaining and other working conditions), along with the Americans with Disabilities Act (which provides civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities in the context of employment, public accommodations, and other areas), the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, various family leave mandates and various other laws, rules, and regulations promulgated by federal, state and local governmental authorities that govern these and other employment matters, including tip credits, working conditions, safety standards, collective bargaining and immigration status. There have been several complaints alleging franchisors to be joint employers with franchisees. Although we do not consider ourselves to be joint employers with our franchisees, there can be no assurance that other franchisors will not receive similar complaints in the future which may result in legal proceedings based on the actions of franchisees. Increases in payroll expenses as a result of any federal and state mandated increases in the minimum wage or changes to the tip credit may negatively impact our and our franchisees’ profitability. Enactment and enforcement of various federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations on immigration, collective bargaining and labor organizations may adversely impact the availability and costs of labor in a particular area or across the United States. Other labor shortages, unionization or increased team member turnover could also impact labor costs. In addition, our vendors may be affected by higher minimum wage standards or availability of labor, which may increase the price of goods and services they supply to us. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has impacted our franchisees’ employee costs in some respects. There are no assurances that a combination of cost management and price increases can accommodate all of the costs associated with compliance.
We and our franchisees are subject to extensive federal, state and local governmental regulations, including those relating to food safety and inspection and the preparation and sale of food and alcoholic beverages. Disruptions within any government agencies could impact the U.S. food industry, which may have an adverse effect on our business. We and our franchisees are also subject to laws and regulations relating to building and zoning requirements. Our and our franchisees' restaurants are also subject to licensing and regulation by alcoholic beverage control, health, sanitation, safety and fire agencies in the state, county and/or municipality where the restaurant is located. We cannot assure you that we or our franchisees will not encounter material
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difficulties or failures, including with respect to obtaining and maintaining required licenses and approvals, which could impact the continuing operations of an existing restaurant, or delay or prevent the opening of a new restaurant.
In addition, we are subject to laws and regulations, which vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, relating to nutritional content and menu labeling. Compliance with these laws and regulations may lead to increased costs and operational complexity and may increase our exposure to governmental investigations or litigation. In connection with the continued operation or remodeling of certain restaurants, we and our franchisees may be required to expend funds to meet federal, state, local and international regulations. The inability to obtain or maintain such licenses or publicity resulting from actual or alleged violations of such laws could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
We are subject to federal regulation and certain foreign and state laws, including state laws that govern the offer and sale of franchises. Many state franchise laws contain provisions that supersede the terms of franchise agreements, including provisions concerning the termination or non-renewal of a franchise. Some state franchise laws require that certain materials be registered before franchises can be offered or sold in that state. The failure to obtain or retain licenses or approvals to sell franchises could adversely affect us and the franchisees. Changes in, and the cost of compliance with, government regulations could have a material effect on operations.
Finally, regulatory changes or actions under current or future U.S. political administrations may impact the laws or regulations described above. We cannot predict whether or when any of these potential changes in law might become effective in any jurisdiction nor the impact, if any, of these changes to our business.
We are subject to risks associated with self-insurance for medical, dental and vision benefits. We self-insure all of our employee medical, dental and vision benefits. We maintain a per claim stop loss coverage but do not maintain coverage at an aggregate level. Our reserves are based on historical loss trends that may not correlate to actual loss experience in the future. If we experience an unexpectedly large number of claims that result in costs or liabilities in excess of our projections, our reserves may prove to be insufficient and we may be exposed to significant and unexpected losses. For these and other reasons, including our inability to renew stop loss coverage at competitive rates, we are subject to risks associated with self-insurance that may have an adverse effect on our financial condition and operating results.
In addition, access to personal medical information is regulated by federal, state and/or local laws as well as by certain third-party agreements. If our security and information systems or the systems of our third-party vendors are compromised, we could be subject to costly litigation or penalties and our reputation and operations could be adversely affected.
Any inability or failure to execute on a comprehensive business continuity plan following a major natural disaster such as an earthquake, tornado, flood or a man-made disaster, including terrorism, civil unrest or a cyber incident, at or affecting our corporate facilities could materially adversely impact our business. Our corporate systems and processes and corporate support for our restaurant operations are handled primarily at our restaurant support centers. We have disaster recovery procedures and business continuity plans in place to address most events of a crisis nature, including earthquakes, tornadoes, floods and other natural or man-made disasters, and back up and off-site locations for recovery of electronic and other forms of data and information. However, if we are unable to fully implement our disaster recovery plans, we may experience delays in recovery of data, inability to perform vital corporate functions, tardiness in required reporting and compliance, failures to adequately support field operations and other breakdowns in normal communication and operating procedures that could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operation and exposure to administrative and other legal claims.
Development initiatives outside our core business could negatively impact our brands. Our business expansion into virtual brands, dual-branded restaurants, and non-traditional restaurant formats, including restaurants with a smaller footprint, restaurants located in non-traditional locations and restaurants that operate on a delivery-only and/or ghost kitchen basis, could create new risks to our brands and reputation.
Failure of our internal controls over financial reporting and future changes in accounting standards may cause adverse unexpected operating results, affect our reported results of operations or otherwise harm our business and financial results. Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal controls over financial reporting. Internal controls over financial reporting is a process to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting is not intended to provide absolute assurance that we would prevent or detect a misstatement of our financial statements or fraud. Any failure to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting could limit our ability to report our financial results accurately and timely or to detect and prevent fraud. A significant financial reporting failure or material weakness in internal control over financial reporting could cause a loss of investor confidence and decline in the market price of our common stock.
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A change in accounting standards can have a significant effect on our reported results and may affect our reporting of transactions before the change is effective. New pronouncements and varying interpretations of pronouncements have occurred and may occur in the future. Changes to existing accounting rules or the questioning of current accounting practices may adversely affect our reported financial results. Additionally, our assumptions, estimates and judgments related to complex accounting matters could significantly affect our financial results. Generally accepted accounting principles and related accounting pronouncements, implementation guidelines and interpretations are highly complex and involve many subjective assumptions, estimates and judgments by us. Changes in these rules or their interpretation or changes in underlying assumptions, estimates or judgments by us could significantly change our reported or expected financial performance.
Changes in tax laws and unanticipated tax liabilities could adversely affect our financial results. We are subject to income and other taxes in the United States and foreign jurisdictions. Any significant changes in U.S. or foreign laws and related authoritative interpretations could affect our tax expense and profitability. We are also impacted by the outcome of tax audits, which could have a material effect on our results of operations and cash flows in the period or periods for which that determination is made. In addition, our effective income tax rate and our results may be impacted by our ability to realize deferred tax benefits and any increases or decreases of our valuation allowance applied to our deferred tax assets.
Declines in our financial performance have resulted in and could result in future impairment charges. United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) require annual (or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances warrant) impairment tests of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets. Generally speaking, if the carrying value of the asset is in excess of the estimated fair value of the asset, the carrying value will be adjusted to fair value through an impairment charge. Fair values of goodwill and intangible assets are primarily estimated using discounted cash flows based on five-year forecasts of financial results that incorporate assumptions including, among other things, same-restaurant sales trends, future development plans, brand-enhancing initiatives, restaurant closures and an appropriate discount rate. Fair values of long-lived tangible assets are primarily estimated using discounted cash flows over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Significant underachievement of forecasted results or changes in the discount rate assumption could reduce the estimated fair value of these assets below the carrying value, requiring non-cash impairment charges to reduce the carrying value of the asset. In the second quarter of 2020, as a result of performing the interim quantitative test, we recognized an impairment of Applebee's goodwill of $92.2 million, an impairment of Applebee's tradename of $11.0 million and an impairment of various long-lived assets of $17.2 million. As of December 31, 2022, our total stockholders' deficit was $301.1 million. Any significant impairment write-down of goodwill, intangible assets or long-lived assets in the future could increase the stockholders' deficit. Repurchases of our common stock will also increase the stockholders' deficit. While such a deficit balance does not create an event of default in any of our contractual agreements, the negative perception of such a deficit could have an adverse effect on our stock price and could impair our ability to obtain new financing, or refinance existing indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms or at all.
Failure to meet investor and stakeholder expectations regarding environmental, social and corporate governance (“ESG”) matters may damage our reputation. There is an increasing focus from certain investors, customers, consumers, employees and other stakeholders concerning ESG matters. Additionally, public interest and legislative pressure related to public companies’ ESG practices continue to grow. If our ESG practices fail to meet investor, customer, consumer, employee or other stakeholders’ evolving expectations and standards for responsible corporate citizenship in areas including environmental stewardship and animal welfare, Board of Directors and employee diversity, human capital management, corporate governance and transparency, our reputation, brand, appeal to investors and employee retention may be negatively impacted, which could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.
Many factors, including those over which we have no control, affect the trading volatility and price of our stock. Many factors, in addition to our operating results, may have an impact on the trading volatility and price of our common stock. These factors include general economic and market conditions, publicity regarding us, our competitors, or the restaurant industry generally, changes in financial estimates by securities analysts, changes in financial or tax reporting and accounting principles or practices, trading activity in our common stock, overall liquidity and the impact of our capital allocation initiatives, including any future stock repurchase programs or dividend declarations. Many of these factors are outside of our control, and any failure to meet market expectations whether for sales growth, earnings per share or other metrics could cause our share price to decline.
Our actual operating and financial results in any given period may differ from guidance we provide to the public, including our most recent public guidance. From time to time, in press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls and other contexts, we have provided guidance to the public regarding current business conditions and our expectations for our future financial results. We expect that we will provide guidance periodically in the future. Our guidance is based upon a number of assumptions, expectations and estimates that are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. In providing our guidance, we also make various assumptions with respect to our future business decisions, some of which will change. Our actual financial results, therefore,
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may vary from our guidance due to our inability to meet the assumptions upon which our guidance is based and the impact on our business of the various risks and uncertainties described in these risk factors and in our public filings with the SEC. Variances between our actual results and our guidance may be material. To the extent that our actual financial results do not meet or exceed our guidance, the trading prices of our securities may be materially adversely affected.
Risks Related to Our Franchised Business Model
Restaurant development plans under development agreements may not be implemented effectively and developed restaurants may not achieve desired results. We rely on franchisees to develop Applebee's, IHOP and Fuzzy's restaurants. From time to time, our franchisees have failed to fulfill their commitments to build new restaurants in the numbers and within the timeframes required by their development agreements, and we expect that this will continue to varying degrees in the future. Restaurant development and the success of restaurants opened by our franchisees involve substantial risks, including the following:
•the demand for Applebee’s, IHOP and Fuzzy's restaurants and the selection of appropriate franchisee candidates;
•costs of construction, permit issuance and regulatory compliance;
•the availability of suitable locations and terms for potential development sites, including lease or purchase terms for new locations;
•the availability of financing, at acceptable rates and terms, to both franchisees and third-party landlords, for restaurant development and/or implementation of our business strategy through new remodel programs and other operational changes;
•delays in obtaining construction permits and in completion of construction;
•competition for suitable development sites;
•challenges in the general labor market and our franchisees' ability to maintain adequate staffing of restaurants;
•changes in governmental rules, regulations, and interpretations (including interpretations of the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act); and
•general economic and business conditions.
Additionally, developed restaurants may not achieve desired revenue or cash flow levels once opened. This could result in restaurant closures, which may be significant in number, and may cause our royalty revenues and financial performance to decline. The inability to open new restaurants that achieve and sustain acceptable sales volumes and/or the closure of existing restaurants that do not achieve or sustain acceptable sales volumes may have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
We are significantly franchised; as a result, we are highly dependent upon our franchisees. All IHOP and Applebee's and almost all Fuzzy’s restaurants are owned and operated by our franchisees. Our dependence on our franchisees could adversely affect us, our brands, and our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our financial results are significantly contingent upon the performance of our franchised restaurants because we derive a substantial portion of our revenues from royalties that are based on a percentage of gross sales at franchised restaurants. Worsening economic conditions and declining trends in sales, traffic and/or average check could impact the performance of our franchised restaurants, resulting in lower royalty, advertising fund and other payments from franchisees. If declining conditions persist, franchisee profitability and financial health may worsen and franchisees may suffer from financial, personal or other difficulties, including insolvency. Franchisees may also experience financial risks unrelated to the operation of restaurants under our brands, such as a decline in performance of other brands or businesses held by franchisees. Additionally, lenders to our franchisees may be less likely to provide current or prospective franchisees necessary financing on favorable terms, or at all, due to market conditions and our or our franchisees’ operating results. These and other factors could impact franchisees’ ability to make royalty and other payments owed to us when due and franchisees could default on their financial obligations to us. A decrease in franchisee profitability as well as other reasons could also cause franchisees’ failure or inability to meet new restaurant development obligations and other obligations such as maintenance or remodel requirements and rent obligations for certain leases on which we retain contingent liability.
Additionally, our franchise agreements have expiration dates. Upon expiration, franchisees are generally offered new franchise agreements in order to extend the franchise relationship. We or the franchisee may or may not elect to enter into these successor franchise agreements based on a number of factors, including a failure to meet our criteria, lack of interest by either party and/or the inability of franchisees to enter into successor franchise agreements. It is expected that, in the ordinary course of business, some franchise agreements will expire without successor franchise agreements. As our franchise portfolio matures with initial franchise agreements that are successfully renewed being replaced with renewal or successor franchise agreements, we generally expect to see a larger number of franchise agreements coming up for renewal on an annual basis due to the fact that the duration of renewal agreements is less than the duration of initial franchise agreements. We continue to have a
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substantial number of franchise agreements set to expire for our brands. We cannot ensure that renewal or successor franchise agreements or extensions will be entered into once the current term expires. This may result in reduced royalties and other payments due to a decrease in the number of restaurants operating under our brands.
As independent third parties, franchisees own, operate and oversee the daily operations of their restaurants and their employees are not our employees. Accordingly, we do not control their actions. While our franchise agreements are designed to maintain brand consistency, having almost all franchisee-operated restaurants may expose us to risks not otherwise encountered if we maintained ownership and control of all of the restaurants. Franchisees may breach the terms of their franchise agreements in a manner that adversely affects our brands, such as failing to operate restaurants in accordance with our required standards, and we may be limited in our ability to enforce franchise obligations. Franchisees are required to conform to specified product quality standards and other requirements pursuant to their franchise agreements in order to protect our brands and to optimize restaurant performance. If franchisees do not successfully operate their restaurants in a manner consistent with our standards, or customers have negative experiences due to issues with food quality or operational execution, our reputation and brands could suffer, and we could be subject to claims by guests even if we are not legally liable for the franchisee's actions or failure to act. This could result in a material adverse effect on our business. The quality of franchisees’ operations may also be diminished by factors beyond our control, including a lack of investment in enhancing or maintaining acceptable standards for restaurant operations due to financial and other constraints. Franchisees also may fail or be unable to hire or retain qualified managers and other personnel and training of managers and other personnel may be inadequate. These and other such negative factors could reduce franchisees' restaurant revenues, impact payments to us under the franchise agreements and could have a material adverse effect on us.
Various other risks associated with the operation of a franchised business model that may have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition include:
•inability or unwillingness of franchisees to participate in implementing changes or to participate in business strategy changes;
•inability or unwillingness of franchisees to support our marketing programs and strategic initiatives;
•inability of franchisees to participate in business strategy changes due to financial constraints;
•failure of franchisees to report sales information accurately;
•greater proportional impact of general and administrative expenses on our business and financial condition; and
•inability to retain franchisees in the future, both in terms of number and quality, and inability to attract, retain and motivate sufficient numbers of franchisees of the same caliber, including top performing franchisees.
While we try to maintain positive working relationships with our franchisees, the nature of the franchisor-franchisee relationship inherently subjects us to potential disagreements with our franchisees on matters pertaining to the business and/or our brands. From time to time, we have experienced, and we may continue to experience, poor franchise relations caused by the efforts of one or more of our larger franchisees or an organized franchise association.
Concentration of Applebee's franchised restaurants in a limited number of franchisees subjects us to greater risk. As of December 31, 2022, Applebee's franchisees operated 1,569 Applebee's restaurants in the United States. Of those restaurants, the ten largest Applebee's franchisees owned 1,220 restaurants, representing 78% of all franchised Applebee's restaurants in the United States. The largest Applebee's franchisee owned 439 restaurants, representing 28% of all franchised Applebee's restaurants in the United States. The concentration of franchised restaurants in a limited number of franchisees subjects us to a potentially higher level of risk with respect to such franchisees because their obligations to us, including financial obligations, are greater as compared to those franchisees with fewer restaurants. The risk associated with these franchisees is also greater where franchisees are the sole or dominant franchisee for a particular region of the United States, as is the case for most domestic Applebee's franchised territories. In particular, if any of these franchisees experience financial or other difficulties, the franchisee may default on its obligations under multiple franchise agreements, notes receivable or other agreements, including payments to us and the maintenance and improvement of its restaurants. From time to time, we may work with our franchisees who are experiencing financial difficulties to assess and address their financial health and their ability to satisfy their financial obligations to us. In certain of these situations, we may agree to alternative arrangements with franchisees for the payment of amounts due to us under our franchise and other agreements. We cannot assure you that these arrangements will be successful, nor can we assure you that they will result in us receiving all or any of the amounts due to us under our franchise agreements, notes receivable and other agreements. Any franchisee that owns and operates a significant number of Applebee's restaurants and fails to comply with other obligations under the franchise agreement, such as those relating to the quality and preparation of food and maintenance of restaurants, could cause significant harm to the Applebee's brand and subject us to claims by consumers even if we are not legally liable for the franchisee's actions or failure to act. Development rights for Applebee's restaurants are also concentrated among a limited number of existing franchisees. If any of these existing franchisees experience financial difficulties, future development of Applebee's restaurants may be materially adversely affected.
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An insolvency or bankruptcy proceeding involving a franchisee could prevent or delay the collection of payments or the exercise of rights under the related franchise agreement. An insolvency proceeding involving a franchisee could prevent or delay us from collecting payments or exercising any of our other rights under the related franchise agreement. If a franchisee is subject to bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, a bankruptcy court may prevent the termination of the related franchise and development agreement. In particular, the protection of the statutory automatic stay that arises under Section 362 of the United States Bankruptcy Code upon the commencement of a bankruptcy proceeding by or against a franchisee may prohibit us from terminating a franchise agreement previously entered into with a franchisee. Furthermore, a franchisee that is subject to bankruptcy proceedings may reject the franchise agreement in which case we would be limited to a general unsecured claim against the franchisee's bankruptcy estate on account of breach-of-contract damages arising from the rejection. Payments previously made to us by a franchisee that is subject to a bankruptcy proceeding also may be recoverable from us on behalf of the franchisee as a preferential transfer under the United States Bankruptcy Code.
We are subject to credit risk from our IHOP franchisees operating under our Previous IHOP Business Model, and a default by these franchisees may negatively affect our cash flows. Prior to 2003, new IHOP restaurants were generally developed by us, and we were involved in all aspects of the construction and financing of the restaurants. We typically identified and leased or purchased the restaurant sites for new company-developed IHOP restaurants, built and equipped the restaurants and then franchised them to franchisees. In addition, we typically financed as much as 80% of the franchise fee for periods ranging from five to eight years and leased the restaurant and equipment to the franchisee over a 25-year period. Therefore, in addition to franchise fees and royalties, the revenues received from an IHOP franchisee operating under the Previous IHOP Business Model may include, among other things, lease or sublease rents for the restaurant property building, rent under an equipment lease and interest income from the financing arrangements for the unpaid portion of the franchise fee under the franchise notes. If any of these IHOP franchisees were to default on their payment obligations to us, we may be unable to collect the amounts owed under the building property lease/sublease agreement and our notes and equipment contract receivables, as well as outstanding franchise royalties. The additional amounts owed to us by each of these IHOP franchisees subject us to greater credit risk and defaults by IHOP franchisees operating under our Previous IHOP Business Model and may negatively affect our cash flows. Of the 1,677 IHOP domestic franchise and area license restaurants as of December 31, 2022, approximately 570 restaurants have property lease/sublease agreements and/or notes and equipment contract obligations outstanding.
We and our franchisees are subject to potential losses that may not be covered by insurance. We and our franchisees may have insufficient insurance coverage to cover all of the potential risks associated with the ownership and operation of restaurants. We and our franchisees may have insufficient funds to cover future unanticipated increases in insurance premiums or losses that are not covered by insurance. Certain extraordinary hazards may not be insurable and insurance may not be available (or may be available only at prohibitively expensive rates) with respect to many other risks. Moreover, there is no assurance that any loss incurred will not exceed the limits on the policies obtained, or that claim payments on such policies will be received on a timely basis. Further, there can be no assurance that any such payments, even if obtained on a timely basis, will prevent losses to franchisees or enable timely franchise payments. Accordingly, in cases in which a franchisee experiences increased insurance premiums or must pay out-of-pocket claims, the franchisee may not have the funds necessary to make franchise and other payments to us, and franchisees may be unable to perform other obligations under their franchise agreements.
If franchisees and other licensees do not observe the required quality and trademark usage standards, our brands may suffer reputational damage, which could in turn adversely affect our business. We license our intellectual property to our franchisees, product suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, advertisers and other third parties. The franchise agreements and other license agreements require that each franchisee or other licensee use our intellectual property in accordance with established or approved quality control guidelines. However, there can be no assurance that the franchisees or other licensees will use the intellectual property assets in accordance with such guidelines. Franchisee and licensee noncompliance with the terms and conditions of the governing franchise agreement or other license agreement may reduce the overall goodwill associated with our brands. Franchisees and other licensees may refer to our intellectual property improperly in communications, resulting in the weakening of the distinctiveness of our intellectual property. There can be no assurance that the franchisees or other licensees will not take actions that could have a material adverse effect on our intellectual property.
In addition, even if the licensee product suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, or advertisers observe and maintain the quality and integrity of our intellectual property assets in accordance with the relevant license agreement, any product manufactured by such suppliers may be subject to regulatory sanctions and other actions by third parties which can, in turn, negatively impact the perceived quality of our restaurants and the overall goodwill of our brands, regardless of the nature and type of product involved. Any such sanctions or actions could reduce restaurant revenues and corresponding franchise payments to us.
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Our business strategy may not achieve anticipated results. We expect to continue to apply a business strategy that includes operation of a significantly franchised restaurant system across multiple brands and brand-specific business strategies suited to each brand. There can be no assurance that the business strategy we apply to one franchise system will be suitable or will achieve results similar to the application of such business strategy to another franchise system. In addition, operational improvement, purchasing and other strategic initiatives for any of our brands may not be successful or achieve the desired results, and there can be no assurance that franchisees will respond favorably to such initiatives. Additionally, our strategic initiatives may subject us and our franchisees to new and additional risks. Our business strategy includes the addition of new brands to our restaurant portfolio through mergers and acquisitions. There can be no assurance that any such transaction will be successful or produce favorable financial or other results.
Risks Related to Operating in the Restaurant Industry
Our performance is subject to risks associated with the restaurant industry, including the highly competitive nature of the industry. We derive a substantial portion of our revenues in the form of royalties based on the gross sales of our franchised restaurants. Sales and profitability of these restaurants may be negatively impacted by a number of factors associated with operating in the restaurant industry, some of which are outside of our control. These factors include:
•changes in consumer behavior driven by macro-level shifts in retail, technology, media, e-commerce, global safety and demography which may impact where, when, whether and how often customers visit full-service restaurants;
•declines in comparable restaurant sales growth rates due to: (i) failure to meet or adequately adapt to changing customer expectations for food type, quality and taste, or to innovate and develop new menu items to retain existing customers and attract new customers; (ii) competitive intrusions in our markets, including competitive pricing initiatives and day-part expansion by competitors; (iii) opening new restaurants that cannibalize the sales of existing restaurants; (iv) failure of national or local marketing to be effective; and (v) natural or man-made disasters or adverse weather conditions;
•negative trends in operating expenses such as: (i) increases in food and other commodity costs or related distribution costs; (ii) increases in labor costs due to minimum wage and other employment laws or regulations, immigration reform, the potential impact of union organizing efforts and tight labor market conditions; and (iii) increases in other operating costs including advertising, utilities, lease-related expenses and credit card processing fees;
•the highly competitive nature of the restaurant and related industries with respect to, among other things: (i) price, service, location, personnel and the type and quality of food; (ii) the trend toward convergence in grocery, deli, retail and restaurant services, as well as the continued expansion of restaurants into the breakfast day-part; (iii) the entry of major market players in non-competing industries into the food services market; (iv) the decline in the price of groceries which may increase the attractiveness of dining at home versus dining out; and (v) the emergence of new or improved technologies and changes in consumer behavior facilitated by such technology;
•the inability to increase menu pricing to offset increased operating expenses; and
•failure to effectively manage further penetration into mature markets.
Factors outside our control may harm our brands' reputations. The success of our business is largely dependent upon brand recognition and the strength of our franchise systems. Our and our franchisees’ continued success is directly dependent upon maintaining a favorable public view of the Applebee's, IHOP and Fuzzy's brands. Negative publicity (e.g., crime, scandal, litigation, on-site accidents and injuries or other harm to customers, social issues and food-borne illness) at a single Applebee's, IHOP or Fuzzy's location can have a substantial negative impact on all restaurants within their respective system. Multi-unit food service businesses such as ours can be materially and adversely affected by widespread negative publicity of any type, including through social media, but particularly regarding food quality, food-borne illness, food tampering or preparation, obesity, discrimination or bias, injury or other health concerns with respect to certain foods and actions of our or our franchisees’ managers or employees, regardless of whether such claims are accurate or valid.
The risk of food-borne illness or food tampering cannot be completely eliminated. Any outbreak of food-borne illness or other food-related incidents attributed to Applebee's, IHOP or Fuzzy's restaurants or within the food service industry or any widespread negative publicity regarding the Applebee's, IHOP or Fuzzy's brands or the restaurant industry in general could harm our reputation. Even where such food-related incidents occur solely at restaurants of our competitors or within the industry, our business could be adversely affected by negative publicity about the restaurant industry generally. Our company-owned restaurants and our franchisees may produce or receive through the supply chain sub-standard or non-compliant food or beverage products. In addition, our franchisees’ failure to comply with food quality and preparation requirements may subject us to potential losses, even when we are not legally liable for a franchisee's actions or failure to act. Although we maintain liability insurance, and each franchisee is required to maintain liability insurance pursuant to its franchise agreements, a liability claim could injure the reputation of all Applebee's, IHOP or Fuzzy's restaurants, whether or not it is ultimately successful.
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A lack of availability of suitable locations for new restaurants or a decline in the quality of the locations of our current restaurants may adversely affect our sales and results of operations. The success of our brands depends in large part on restaurant locations. As demographic and economic patterns change, current locations may not continue to be attractive or profitable. Potential declines in neighborhoods where restaurants are located or adverse economic conditions in areas surrounding those neighborhoods could result in reduced sales in those locations. In addition, desirable locations for new restaurant openings or for the relocation of existing restaurants may not be available at an acceptable cost when we identify a particular opportunity for a new restaurant or relocation. Additionally, restaurant revitalization initiatives may not be completed as and when projected and may not produce the results we expect. We also may be unable to operate effectively in new and/or highly competitive geographic regions or local markets in which our franchisees have limited operating experience.
We may experience shortages or interruptions in the supply or delivery of food and other products from third parties or in the availability of utilities. Our and our franchised restaurants are dependent on frequent deliveries of fresh produce, food, beverages and other products. Shortages or interruptions in food and beverage supplies may result from a variety of causes, including shortages due to adverse weather, labor unrest, labor shortages, political unrest, terrorism, pandemics, epidemics, outbreaks of food-borne illness, disruption of operation of production facilities, financial difficulties (including bankruptcy) of our distributors or suppliers or other unforeseen circumstances. Such shortages could adversely affect our and our franchisees’ ability to operate our restaurants and, in turn, affect our and our franchisees’ revenue and profits. Additionally, the inability to secure adequate and reliable supplies or distribution of food and beverage products could limit our ability to make changes to our core menus or offer promotional "limited time only" menu items, which may limit our ability to implement our business strategies. Our and our franchisees’ restaurants bear risks associated with the timeliness of deliveries by suppliers and distributors as well as the solvency, reputation, labor relationships, freight rates, prices of raw materials and health and safety standards of each supplier and distributor. Other significant risks associated with our suppliers and distributors include improper handling of food and beverage products and/or the adulteration or contamination of such food and beverage products. Disruptions in our relationships with suppliers and distributors may reduce the payments we receive from our franchisees or our pancake and waffle dry mix distributors or the profits generated by our company-operated restaurants. In addition, interruptions to the availability of gas, electric, water or other utilities may adversely affect the operations of our and our franchised restaurants.
Any inability to effectively manage or forecast appropriate inventory levels may adversely affect our business. Effective management of inventory levels depends, in part, on our ability to anticipate and respond in a timely manner to changing consumer demand and preferences. From time to time, we may carry excessive inventory resulting from menu events that vary from forecasted demand which may result in financial loss to us and/or to our franchisees. Conversely, if we underestimate demand, we may experience inventory shortages, which may result in lost revenues.
A failure to develop and implement innovative marketing and guest relationship initiatives, ineffective or improper use of social media or other marketing initiatives and increased advertising and marketing costs could adversely affect our business results. If our competitors increase their spending on advertising and promotions, if our advertising, media or marketing expenses increase, or if our advertising and promotions become less effective than those of our competitors, we could experience a material adverse effect on our business results. A failure to sufficiently innovate, develop guest relationship initiatives, or maintain adequate and effective advertising could inhibit our ability to maintain brand relevance and drive increased sales.
As part of our marketing efforts, we rely on search engine marketing and social media platforms to attract and retain guests. These efforts may not be successful, resulting in expenses incurred without the benefit of higher revenues or increased employee engagement. In addition, a variety of risks are associated with the use of social media, including the improper disclosure of proprietary information, posting of negative comments about our brands or experiences in our or our franchisees’ restaurants, exposure of personal information, fraud, and use of outdated information. The use, including any inappropriate or otherwise harmful use, of social media vehicles by our franchisees and their employees, guests, our employees or others in the general public could increase our costs, lead to litigation or result in negative publicity that could damage our reputation.
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Changing health or dietary preferences may cause consumers to avoid Applebee's, IHOP and Fuzzy's restaurants in favor of alternative options. The food service industry as a whole rests on consumer preferences and demographic trends at the local, regional, national and international levels. Franchise development and system-wide sales depend on the sustained demand for our products, which may be affected by factors we do not control. New information regarding diet, nutrition and health and efforts by advocacy groups to influence consumer eating habits may negatively affect the demand for our food. Various additional factors such as: (i) the Food and Drug Administration’s menu labeling rules; (ii) nutritional guidelines issued by the United States Department of Agriculture and issuance of similar guidelines or statistical information by state or local municipalities; (iii) academic studies; or (iv) efforts by environmental, animal welfare and sustainability advocacy groups, may impact consumer choice and cause consumers to select foods other than those that are offered by Applebee's, IHOP or Fuzzy's restaurants. We may not be able to adequately adapt Applebee's, IHOP or Fuzzy's restaurants' menu offerings to keep pace with developments in consumer preferences, which may result in reduced royalty revenues from a decline in demand for our food and fewer guests visiting our restaurants.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.
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Item 2. Properties.
The table below shows the location and ownership type of Applebee's, IHOP, and Fuzzy's restaurants as of December 31, 2022:
Applebee's (a) IHOP (a)(b) Fuzzy's Total Restaurants
Franchise Franchise Area License Franchise Company
United States
Alaska 1 4 — — — 5
District of Columbia — 2 — — — 2
Hawaii — 5 — — — 5
New Hampshire 13 6 — — — 19
North Dakota 11 2 — — — 13
Rhode Island 7 5 — — — 12
South Dakota 6 2 — — — 8
Vermont 3 1 — — — 4
West Virginia 14 8 — — — 22
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Applebee's (a) IHOP (a)(b) Fuzzy's Total Restaurants
Franchise Franchise Area License Franchise Company
International
Bahrain 1 — — — — 1
Dominican Republic 2 — — — — 2
Ecuador — 6 — — — 6
Egypt — 1 — — — 1
Guam 1 2 — — — 3
Guatemala 4 — — — — 4
India 1 2 — — — 3
Kuwait 7 — — — — 7
Pakistan — 2 — — — 2
Panama 4 3 — — — 7
Peru — 2 — — — 2
Puerto Rico 8 7 — — — 15
Qatar 8 1 — — — 9
Saudi Arabia 14 — — — — 14
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(a) The properties identified in this table generate revenue in our franchise, rental, financing and company restaurant operating segments.
(b) There are 18 IHOP restaurants in the U.S. state of Florida and five IHOP restaurants in Canada that have been sub-licensed by the area licensee.
Of the 1,625 IHOP restaurants operated by franchisees, 52 were located on sites owned by us, 530 were located on sites leased by us from third parties and 1,043 were located on sites owned or leased by franchisees. All of the IHOP restaurants operated by area licensees and 1,676 of the franchisee-operated Applebee's restaurants were located on sites owned or leased by the area licensees or the franchisees. We owned one site on which a franchisee-operated Applebee's restaurant was located and one franchisee-operated Applebee's restaurant was located on site leased by us from third parties.
Leases of IHOP restaurants generally provide for an initial term of 20 to 25 years, with most having one or more five-year renewal options. Leases of Applebee's restaurants generally have an initial term of 10 to 20 years, with renewal terms of five to 20 years. In addition, a substantial number of the leases for both IHOP and Applebee's restaurants include provisions calling for the periodic escalation of rents during the initial term and/or during renewal terms. The leases typically provide for payment of rents in an amount equal to the greater of a fixed amount or a specified percentage of gross sales and for payment of taxes, insurance premiums, maintenance expenses and certain other costs. Historically, it has been our practice to seek to extend, through negotiation, those leases that expire without renewal options. However, from time to time, we choose not to renew a lease or are unsuccessful in negotiating satisfactory renewal terms. When this occurs, the restaurant is closed and possession of the premises is returned to the landlord.
Under our Applebee's and Fuzzy's franchise agreements, we have certain rights to gain control of a restaurant site in the event of default under the franchise agreement. Because substantially all IHOP franchised restaurants developed by us under our Previous IHOP Business Model are subleased to the franchisees, IHOP has the ability to regain possession of the subleased restaurant if the franchisee defaults in the payment of rent or other terms of the sublease.
We currently occupy our principal corporate offices and restaurant support center located in Glendale, California, under a lease expiring in April 2023. We will be moving from our Glendale office to Pasadena, California in May 2023, leasing approximately 93,000 square feet of office space under a lease expiring in August 2035. We also lease approximately 20,000 square feet of office space in Leawood, Kansas under a lease expiring in October 2031 and lease approximately 8,000 square feet of office space in Irving, Texas under a lease expiring in February 2026.
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Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
We are subject to various lawsuits, administrative proceedings, audits, and claims arising in the ordinary course of business. Some of these lawsuits purport to be class actions and/or seek substantial damages. We are required to record an accrual for litigation loss contingencies that are both probable and reasonably estimable. Legal fees and expenses associated with the defense of all of our litigation are expensed as such fees and expenses are incurred. Management regularly assesses our insurance deductibles, analyzes litigation information with our attorneys and evaluates our loss experience in connection with pending legal proceedings. While we do not presently believe that any of the legal proceedings to which we are currently a party will ultimately have a material adverse impact on us, there can be no assurance that we will prevail in all the proceedings we are party to, or that we will not incur material losses from them.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosure.
Not Applicable.
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Market Information
Our common stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol “DIN”.
Holders
As of February 21, 2023, there were 381 holders of our common stock. This number does not include beneficial owners whose shares are held in street name by brokers and other nominees.
Dividends on Common Stock
Refer to Note 12 - Stockholders' Deficit, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information on dividends declared and paid in the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Company
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(a) These amounts represent shares owned and tendered by employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations arising upon the vesting of restricted stock awards. Shares so surrendered by the participants are repurchased by us pursuant to the terms of the plan under which the shares were issued and the applicable individual award agreements and not pursuant to publicly announced repurchase authorizations.
(b) Total number of shares repurchased includes 2,894 shares owned and tendered by employees at an average price of 68.46 per share to satisfy tax withholding obligations arising upon the vesting of restricted stock awards. Shares so surrendered by the participants are repurchased by us pursuant to the terms of the plan under which the shares were issued and the applicable individual award agreements and not pursuant to publicly announced repurchase authorizations.
(c) On February 17, 2022, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program, effective April 1, 2022, of up to $250 million (the “2022 Repurchase Program”). In connection with the approval of the 2022 Repurchase Program, the 2019 repurchase program terminated effective April 1, 2022.
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Stock Performance Graph
The graph below shows a comparison of the cumulative total stockholder return on our common stock with the cumulative total return on the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Index ("S&P 500") and the Standard & Poor's Composite 1500 Restaurants Index (“Restaurants Index”) over the five-year period ended December 31, 2022. The graph and table assume $100 was invested at the close of trading on the last day of trading in 2017 in our common stock and in each of the market indices, with reinvestment of all dividends. Stockholder returns over the indicated periods should not be considered indicative of future stock prices or stockholder returns.
Comparison of Five-Year Cumulative Total Stockholder Return
Dine Brands Global, Inc., S&P 500 and the Restaurants Index
(Performance Results through December 31, 2022)
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(1) The S&P Composite 1500 Restaurants Index is a comprehensive restaurant industry index. In addition to the family dining and casual dining segments, the Index also includes the fast-casual and quick-service segments of the restaurant industry.
The foregoing performance graph is being furnished as part of this report solely in accordance with the requirement under Rule 14a-3(b)(9) to furnish our stockholders with such information, and therefore, shall not be deemed to be filed or incorporated by reference into any filings by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or the Exchange Act.
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Item 6. [Reserved]
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
General
The following discussion provides analyses of our results of operations and reasons for material changes for 2022 as compared to 2021 and should be read together with the financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. For a detailed discussion of year-to-year comparisons between fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, please refer to the applicable portion of “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on March 2, 2022, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
The financial tables appearing in Management's Discussion and Analysis present amounts in millions of dollars that are rounded from our consolidated financial statements presented in thousands of dollars. As a result, the tables may not foot or cross foot due to rounding.
The first International House of Pancakes restaurant opened in 1958 in Toluca Lake, California. Shortly thereafter, the Company's predecessor began developing and franchising additional restaurants. The Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in 1976 with the name IHOP Corp. In November 2007, the Company completed the acquisition of Applebee's International, Inc., which became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Effective June 2, 2008, the name of the Company was changed to DineEquity, Inc. and on February 20, 2018, the name of the Company was changed to Dine Brands Global, Inc.®(“Dine Brands Global,” “we” or “our”). Through various subsidiaries (see Exhibit 21, Subsidiaries of Dine Brands Global, Inc.), we own and franchise the Applebee's Neighborhood Grill + Bar® (“Applebee's”) concept in the American full-service restaurant segment within the casual dining category of the restaurant industry and we own and franchise the International House of Pancakes® (“IHOP”) concept in the midscale full-service restaurant segment within the family dining category of the restaurant industry. In December 2022, we acquired the Fuzzy's Taco Shop® (“Fuzzy's”) concept in the Mexican limited-service restaurant segment within the fast-casual dining category of the restaurant industry and as such, Fuzzy's did not have a significant impact to the fiscal 2022 results of operations. References herein to Applebee's® and IHOP® restaurants are to these two concepts, whether operated by franchisees, area licensees or us.
Domestically, IHOP restaurants are in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, while Applebee's restaurants are located in every state except Hawaii and Fuzzy's restaurants are located in 18 states. Internationally, IHOP restaurants are in two United States territories and nine countries, while Applebee's restaurants are in two United States territories and 11 countries. With over 3,500 franchised restaurants combined, we believe we are one of the largest full-service restaurant companies in the world. The June 2022 issue of Nation's Restaurant News reported that IHOP was the largest restaurant system in the midscale full-service restaurant segment and Applebee's was the second largest restaurant system in the American full-service restaurant segment, in terms of United States system-wide sales during 2021.
We have a 52/53 week fiscal year ending on the Sunday nearest to December 31 of each year. For convenience, in this annual report on Form 10-K, we refer to all fiscal years as ending on December 31 and all interim fiscal quarters as ending on March 31, June 30 and September 30 of the respective fiscal year. There were 52 calendar weeks in our 2022 fiscal year ended January 1, 2023. There were 52 calendar weeks in our 2021 fiscal year ended on January 2, 2022. There were 53 calendar weeks in our 2020 fiscal year ended January 3, 2021, and our fiscal 2020 fourth quarter contained 14 calendar weeks.
Events Impacting Comparability of Financial Information
Comparisons of financial results for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 were impacted by the extent of restrictions in place on restaurant operations in 2021. In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic related to the outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus, designated “COVID-19.” Initially, federal, state, local and international governments reacted to the COVID-19 pandemic by implementing restrictions that resulted in, to varying degrees, reduced operating hours, restaurant dine-in and/or indoor dining limitations, capacity limitations or other restrictions.
The operating status of our restaurants was fluid during the year ended December 31, 2021 and subject to change. Restrictions on restaurant operations were relaxed, removed or increased in response to changes in the number of COVID-19 infections, the availability and acceptance of vaccines and an increase in vaccination rates within the respective governmental jurisdictions. Generally speaking, during the second quarter of 2021, many federal, state and local governments began to relax or remove the restrictive protocols noted above, while most international governments maintained the restrictions, the degree of which varied by country.
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As of December 31, 2022 and 2021 almost all of our restaurants were operating without government-mandated restrictions, a significant improvement from December 31, 2021, at which time many international restaurants were operating with some restrictions.
Government-mandated restrictions notwithstanding, some IHOP restaurants that operated 24 hours a day for all or parts of a week prior to the pandemic are currently closed during overnight hours. As of December 31, 2022, approximately 545 IHOP restaurants operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with approximately 178 additional restaurants operating 24 hours a day for some portion of the week. In comparison, approximately 448 IHOP restaurants operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with 68 additional restaurants operating 24 hours a day for some portion of the week as of December 31, 2021.
We have experienced a number of temporary and permanent closures of our restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic. These closures occurred for a variety of reasons, and all closures were not necessarily related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic or related restrictions. We cannot predict the duration of the pandemic, recurrences of the virus (including the emergence of new variants of the virus), the availability and acceptance of vaccines and booster vaccines worldwide, whether any restrictions on in-restaurant dining may be re-imposed, and, in general, what the ultimate impact on consumer discretionary spending the COVID-19 pandemic might have on our operations and the restaurant industry as a whole.
Executive Summary of 2022 Results
Highlights
•We reported net income of $81.1 million, or $4.96 per diluted share, in 2022 compared to $97.9 million, or $5.66 per diluted share, in 2021;
•Applebee's reported system-wide sales grew 4.7% in 2022 driven by a 5.1% increase in domestic same-restaurant sales partially offset by an 1% decrease in domestic effective restaurants;
•IHOP's reported system-wide sales grew 7.7% in 2022 driven by a 5.8% increase in domestic same-restaurant sales and an increase in franchise restaurants due to development;
•We generated cash from operating activities of $89.3 million;
•We returned over $151 million to our stockholders, comprised of $30.8 million in cash dividends and $120.5 million in the form of stock repurchases; and
•We made voluntary repayments of long-term debt of $38.8 million purchased under par which resulted in a $1.4 million gain on debt extinguishment.
Overview of 2022 Performance
Key Performance Indicators
In evaluating the performance of each restaurant concept, we consider the key performance indicators to be the system-wide sales percentage change, the percentage change in domestic system-wide same-restaurant sales (“domestic same-restaurant sales”), net franchise restaurant development/reduction and the change in total effective restaurants. Changes in both domestic same-restaurant sales and in the number of Applebee's and IHOP restaurants will impact our reported retail sales that drive franchise royalty revenues and, where applicable, rental payments under leases that partially may be based on a percentage of their sales. Net franchise restaurant development/reduction also impacts franchise revenues in the form of initial franchise fees and, in the case of IHOP restaurants, sales of proprietary pancake and waffle dry mix.
Our key performance indicators for the year ended December 31, 2022 were as follows:
Applebee's IHOP
System-wide sales percentage increase 4.7 % 7.7 %
Domestic system-wide same-restaurant sales percentage increase 5.1 % 5.8 %
Net franchise restaurant development(1) 67 30
Net (decrease) increase in global effective restaurants(2) (17) 26
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(1) Franchise and area license restaurant openings, net of closings, and includes the 69 former Applebee's company-operated restaurants refranchised in October 2022.
(2) Change in the weighted average number of franchise, area license and company-operated restaurants open during the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to the weighted average number of those open during the prior year referenced.
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The change in total effective restaurants for each brand reflects both a net reduction in franchise restaurants due to permanent closures, net of openings, and the weighted effect of restaurants temporarily closed during the course of the years being compared.
A summary of our financial summary for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 is as follows:
Financial Summary Variance 2022 vs 2021 Favorable(Unfavorable)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Net income per diluted share $ 4.96 $ (0.70) $ 5.66
Weighted average diluted shares (in millions) 15.9 (1.0) 16.9
The primary reasons for the variances in income before income taxes are summarized as follows:
(In millions)
Increase (decrease) in gross profit:
Franchise operations $ 4.5
Company operations (4.1)
Rental and Financing operations 1.8
Total gross profit increase 2.2
Decrease in closure and impairment charges 2.3
Increase in General & Administrative (“G&A”) expenses (18.9)
Increase in (gain) loss on disposition of assets 4.6
All other 2.7
Decrease in income before income taxes $ (7.1)
The decrease in income before income taxes in fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021 was due to higher G&A expenses including acquisition costs, partially offset by the increase in gross profit. The increase in gross profit in fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021 was primarily due to the increases in Applebee's and IHOP domestic same-restaurant sales and in the number of IHOP effective restaurants, partially offset by the decrease in company operations impacted by the sale of Applebee's company-owned restaurants in October 2022.
Our 2022 effective tax rate of 29.3% applied to pretax book income was different than the statutory Federal income tax rate of 21% due to the state and local income taxes and the non-deductibility of executive compensation. The effective tax rate further increased due to the increase in the effective state tax rate applied to revaluing deferred tax balances. The increase in the effective state tax rate was due to the non-recurring refranchising of 69 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants in the fourth quarter of 2022 and various state legislative changes. See Note 16 - Income Taxes, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report, for reconciliations between our effective rates and the statutory Federal income tax rate.
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Domestic Same-Restaurant Sales
Restaurant Data - System-wide Sales and Domestic Same-Restaurant Sales
The following table sets forth for each of the past three years the number of Global 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 two years. Sales at restaurants that are owned by franchisees and area licensees are not attributable to the Company and, as such, the percentage changes in sales presented below are based on non-GAAP internal sales data. 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.
Applebee's
Year Ended December 31,
System-wide:(b)
Domestic sales percentage change(c) 4.7 % 34.4 % (24.1) %
Domestic same-restaurant sales percentage change(d) 5.1 % 38.2 % (22.4) %
Franchise:(b)
Domestic sales percentage change(c)(e) 5.3 % 34.4 % (24.3) %
Domestic same-restaurant sales percentage change(d) 5.1 % 38.2 % (22.6) %
Domestic average weekly unit sales (in thousands) $ 53.7 $ 50.9 $ 37.1
IHOP
Global Effective Restaurants:(a)
System-wide:(b)
Sales percentage change(c) 7.7 % 38.5 % (34.9) %
Domestic same-restaurant sales percentage change(d) 5.8 % 40.2 % (32.8) %
Franchise:(b)
Sales percentage change(c) 7.7 % 38.1 % (35.0) %
Domestic same-restaurant sales percentage change(d) 5.7 % 39.7 % (32.8) %
Average weekly unit sales (in thousands) $ 37.0 $ 34.9 $ 25.4
Area License:(b)
IHOP sales percentage change(c) 7.9 % 42.4 % (34.2) %
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(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, domestic and international, which includes restaurants owned by franchisees and area licensees as well as those owned by the Company.
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(b)“System-wide sales” are retail sales at Applebee’s domestic 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. 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. Sales at company-operated restaurants and unaudited reported sales for Applebee's domestic franchise restaurants, IHOP franchise restaurants and IHOP area license restaurants for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 were as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
(In millions)
Applebee's domestic franchise restaurant sales $ 4,235.3 $ 4,021.7 $ 2,993.0
(c)“Sales percentage change” reflects, for each category of restaurants, the percentage change in sales in any given fiscal year compared to the prior fiscal year for all restaurants in that category.
(d)“Domestic same-restaurant sales change” reflects the percentage change in sales in any given fiscal year, compared to the same weeks in the prior year, for domestic restaurants that have been operated throughout both fiscal years that are being compared and have been open for at least 18 months. Because of new restaurant openings and restaurant closures, the domestic restaurants open throughout the fiscal years being compared may be different from year to year.
(e)The Applebee's franchise sales percentage change for 2022 was impacted by the refranchising of 69 company-operated restaurants in October 2022 now reported as franchised.
Domestic Same-Restaurant Sales Trends
Applebee’s system-wide domestic same-restaurant sales increased 1.7% for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and increased 5.1% for the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the same respective periods of 2021. The increase in both periods was due to an increase in average check. The increase in average check was primarily due to favorable mix shifts related to a reduction in core menu items, successful promotional food and beverage offerings and a larger number of items purchased with off-premise orders, as well as menu price increases by franchisees.
Based on data from Black Box Intelligence, a restaurant sales reporting firm (“Black Box”), Applebee's increase in same- restaurant sales during the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2022 underperformed the casual dining segment of the restaurant industry (excluding Applebee's) as compared to the same respective periods of 2021. The casual dining segment also experienced an increase in average customer check, partially offset by a decline in customer traffic.
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(1) Primarily to-go, delivery and catering sales.
Applebee's off-premise sales dollars and percentage of sales mix for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2022 decreased as compared with the same respective periods of 2021, due to guests returning to in-restaurant dining. While Applebee's off-premise sales for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2022 declined as compared to the same respective periods of 2021, both off-premise sales dollars and percentage of sales mix have increased significantly compared to the pre-pandemic levels of 2019.
IHOP’s domestic same-restaurant sales increased 2.0% for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and increased 5.8% for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to the same respective periods of 2021. Most of the improvement in both periods was due to an increase in average check. The increase in average check was primarily due to an increase in menu prices, as well as a general increase in consumer spending due to larger party sizes and greater spending per person.
Based on data from Black Box, IHOP's increase in same-restaurant sales for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2022 underperformed the family dining segment of the restaurant industry (excluding IHOP) as compared with the same respective periods of 2021. According to Black Box, the family dining segment also experienced increases in same-restaurant sales resulting from an increase in average customer check, partially offset by a decline in customer traffic.
(1) Primarily to-go, delivery and catering sales.
IHOP's off-premise sales dollars for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2022 decreased as compared to the same respective periods of 2021, due to guests returning to in-restaurant dining. While IHOP's off-premise sales for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2022 declined as compared to the same respective periods of 2021, both off-premise sales dollars and percentage of sales mix have increased significantly compared to the pre-pandemic levels of 2019.
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Restaurant Development
Year Ended December 31,
Net Restaurant Development Activity
Net restaurant development (reduction) 28 (50) (147)
In response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our franchisees, in March 2020, we allowed our franchisees to defer their development obligations for up to 15 months. Additionally, in 2020, we and certain of our IHOP franchisees evaluated the long-term viability of certain IHOP restaurants in light of individual restaurant-level economics impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The evaluation resulted in the closure of 41 IHOP restaurants in fiscal 2021.
Restaurant closures can occur for a variety of reasons that may differ for each restaurant and for each franchisee. Closures generally fall into one of two categories: restaurants in older locations whose retail, residential and traffic demographics have changed unfavorably over time, and restaurants with non-viable unit economics. Our franchisees are independent businesses and their decisions to close restaurants, both temporarily and permanently, can be impacted by numerous factors that are outside of our control, including but not limited to, the impact of COVID-19 on individual franchisees as well as franchisees' agreements with their lenders and landlords.
The total number of Applebee's restaurants (domestic and international) open at December 31, 2022 declined 0.1% from the number open at December 31, 2021. The total number of IHOP restaurants (domestic and international) open at December 31, 2022 increased 1.7% from the number open at December 31, 2021. Internationally, the number of restaurants of both brands increased 8.7% from the number open at December 31, 2021.
The following tables present Applebee's and IHOP net restaurant development activity over the past three years:
Year Ended December 31,
Applebee's Restaurant Development Activity
Summary - beginning of period:
Total Applebee's restaurants, beginning of period 1,680 1,709 1,787
Franchise restaurants opened:
Total franchise restaurants opened 16 6 4
Franchise restaurants closed:
International (5) (10) (14)
Total franchise restaurants closed (18) (35) (82)
Net franchise restaurant reduction (2) (29) (78)
Refranchised from Company restaurants 69 — —
Net franchise restaurant additions/(reductions) 67 (29) (78)
Summary - end of period:
Company restaurants — 69 69
Total Applebee's restaurants, end of period 1,678 1,680 1,709
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Year Ended December 31,
IHOP Restaurant Development Activity
Summary - beginning of period:
Company — 3 —
Total IHOP restaurants, beginning of period 1,751 1,772 1,831
Franchise/area license restaurants opened:
Domestic area license 3 2 3
International franchise 14 3 8
Total franchise/area license restaurants opened 51 40 27
Franchise/area license restaurants closed:
Domestic franchise (14) (47) (56)
Domestic area license (3) (3) (3)
International franchise (4) (10) (34)
International area license — (1) (3)
Total franchise/area license restaurants closed (21) (61) (96)
Net franchise/area license restaurant development (reduction) 30 (21) (69)
Refranchised from Company restaurants — 4 —
Franchise restaurants reacquired by the Company — (1) (3)
Net franchise/area license restaurant additions (reductions) 30 (18) (72)
Summary - end of period:
Company — — 3
The restaurant counts and activity presented above do not include ghost kitchens (small kitchens with no store-front presence, used to fill off-premise orders). As of December 31, 2022, there was a total 64 ghost kitchens. The Applebee's franchise restaurant count of 1,642 restaurants originally reported at the end of the year ended December 31, 2020 was adjusted downward by two restaurants, representing two ghost kitchens that had been included in the total reported count as of December 31, 2020.
The closures presented in the tables above represent permanent closures of restaurants. Temporary closures, which can occur for a variety of reasons, are not reflected as reductions in these tables and temporarily closed restaurants are included in the summary counts at the beginning and end of each period shown. However, temporary closures are reflected in the weighted calculation of Global Effective Restaurants presented in the preceding Restaurant Data tables.
Closures of Applebee's and IHOP restaurants adversely impact our system-wide retail sales that drive our franchise royalty revenues as well as, in the case of IHOP restaurants, sales of proprietary pancake and waffle dry mix. Further, with certain restaurants, we own or lease the underlying property and sublease it to the applicable franchisee. Thus, our rental income also could be adversely affected due to our obligation to make rental or other payments for such properties.
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Consolidated Results of Operations - Fiscal2022, 2021 and 2020
The tables in the following section of this Form 10-K present information from our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for our 2022, 2021 and 2020 fiscal years. The discussion of year-to-year comparisons between fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021 can be found below.
For a detailed discussion of year-to-year comparisons between fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020 as well as between fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2019, please refer to the applicable portion of “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Financial Review
(In millions)
Our 2022 total revenue increased $13.2 million compared to 2021, primarily due to the increase in franchise operations revenue, offset by the decrease in company restaurant operations revenue. Franchise operations revenue primarily increased due to a 5.8% increase in IHOP domestic same-restaurant sales and a 5.1% increase in Applebee's domestic same-restaurant sales. Company restaurant operations revenue decreased primarily due to the sale of our 69 Applebee's company-operated restaurants to a franchisee in October 2022.
(In millions)
Our 2022 total gross profit grew by $2.1 million compared to 2021, primarily due to the revenue increases cited above, partially offset by a $5.2 million increase in bad debt expense. We recorded a bad debt expense of $0.3 million in 2022 compared to a bad debt recovery of $4.9 million in 2021. Company restaurant gross profit decreased primarily due to the sale of our Applebee's company-operated restaurants as noted above. Rental operations gross profit increased primarily due to a $2.6 million increase in rental income.
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(In millions, except number of restaurants)
Global Effective Franchise Restaurants:(1)
Franchise Revenue:
Fuzzy's 0.6 0.6 — — —
Franchise Expenses:
Fuzzy's 0.0 0.0 — — —
Franchise Segment Profit:
Fuzzy's 0.6 0.6 — — —
Gross profit as % of total revenue 51.4 % 53.2 % 49.1 %
Gross profit as % of franchise fees(2) 90.7 % 93.4 % 86.2 %
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(1) Effective Franchise Restaurants are the weighted average number of franchise and area license restaurants open in a given fiscal period, adjusted to account for franchise and area license restaurants open for only a portion of the period.
(2) Total franchise revenue excluding advertising.
Our total franchise revenue increased $30.5 million in 2022 compared to 2021, due to the following changes:
•Applebee's franchise revenue increased $5.6 million, or 3.3%, compared to 2021 primarily due to higher royalty revenues resulting from a 5.1% increase in domestic franchise same-restaurant sales and the refranchising of the former company-operated restaurants. These favorable changes were partially offset by the decrease in the number of effective franchise restaurants and lower franchise fees.
•IHOP franchise revenue increased $9.8 million, or 5.2%, compared to 2021, primarily due to higher royalty and pancake and waffle dry mix revenues resulting from a 5.8% increase in domestic franchise same-restaurant sales and a 1.5% increase in effective franchise restaurants. These favorable changes were partially offset by a $4.0 million decrease in domestic and international termination fees.
•Advertising revenue increased $14.5 million, compared to 2021, as discussed by brand below.
Our 2022 total franchise expenses increased $26.0 million compared to 2021, due to changes in the following components:
•Applebee's franchise expenses increased $1.4 million, primarily due to a $1.3 million increase in bad debt expense. We had a bad debt expense of $0.4 million in 2022 as compared to a bad debt recovery of $0.9 million in 2021.
•IHOP franchise expenses increased $9.8 million, primarily due to a $4.0 million increase in bad debt expense and an increase in purchases of pancake and waffle dry mix. IHOP had a bad debt recovery of $0.1 million in 2022 compared to a bad debt recovery of $4.1 million in 2021.
•Advertising expenses increased $14.8 million, primarily due to a corresponding increase in advertising revenue.
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Gross profit as a percentage of total revenue decreased in 2022 compared to 2021, primarily because of the $5.3 million increase in bad debt expense.
Advertising revenue and expense by brand for fiscal 2022, 2021 and 2020 were as follows:
(In millions)
Advertising Revenues
Fuzzy's 0.2 0.2 — — —
Advertising Expenses
Fuzzy's 0.2 (0.2) — — —
Applebee's advertising revenue for 2022 increased 4.6% compared to 2021, primarily due to the increase of 5.1% in domestic franchise same-restaurant sales, partially offset by a $1.1 million decrease to unfavorable collectability. The increase in Applebee's advertising expenses was less than the increase in advertising revenue primarily because of the recovery of an advertising fund deficit that had been recognized in prior years. IHOP's advertising revenue for 2022 increased by 6.2%, compared to 2021, primarily due to the increase of 5.8% in domestic franchise same-restaurant sales, partially offset by an increase in incentive credits that reduce advertising revenue. The increase in IHOP advertising expenses was greater than the increase in advertising revenue due to recognition of a deficit in the international advertising fund.
It is our accounting policy to recognize any deficiency in advertising fee revenue compared to advertising expenditure, or recovery of a previously recognized deficiency in advertising fee revenue compared to advertising expenditures, in the fourth quarter of our fiscal year.
(In millions)
Gross profit as % of revenue(1) 24.5 % 22.9 % 15.5 %
_________________________________
(1)Percentages calculated on actual amounts, not rounded amounts shown above.
Rental operations relate primarily to IHOP franchise restaurants that were developed under the Previous IHOP Business Model described under Item 1. - Business. Rental income includes revenue from operating leases and interest income from direct financing leases. Rental expenses are costs of prime operating leases and interest expense on prime finance leases on certain franchise restaurants.
Rental segment revenue for the year ended December 31, 2022 increased as compared to the same period of 2021, primarily due to a $2.2 million increase resulting from lease renewals and scheduled rent escalations and a $1.4 million increase in rental income based on a percentage of franchisees' retail sales, offset by a progressive decline of $1.0 million in interest income as real estate leases are repaid.
Rental segment expenses for the year ended December 31, 2022 increased compared to the same period of 2021, primarily due to an $1.2 million increase resulting from lease renewals and scheduled rent escalations offset by a $0.6 million decrease in interest expense as finance lease obligations are repaid and a $0.4 million decrease in depreciation expense.
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(In millions)
Financing revenues $ 3.6 $ (0.7) $ 4.3 $ (1.5) $ 5.8
Financing operations segment profit $ 3.2 $ (0.6) $ 3.8 $ (1.5) $ 5.3
Gross profit as % of revenue(1) 88.4 % 89.2 % 90.9 %
_________________________________
(1) Percentages calculated on actual amounts, not rounded amounts shown above.
Financing operations relate primarily to IHOP franchise restaurants that were developed under the Previous IHOP Business Model described under Item 1. - Business. Financing operations revenue primarily consists of interest income from the financing of IHOP equipment leases and franchise fees, as well as from notes receivable from Applebee's and IHOP franchisees. Financing expenses are the cost of taxes related to IHOP equipment leases.
Financing revenues decreased $0.7 million in 2022 compared to 2021. The change was primarily due to a $0.8 million decrease in IHOP interest income resulting from a decline in interest income from the financing of franchise fees and equipment leases as note balances were repaid offset by an increase in interest income on notes from franchisees.
Effective Company Restaurants:
Average weekly unit sales (in thousands) $ 43.6 $ 3.0 $ 40.6 $ 10.9 $ 29.7
(In millions)
Company restaurant segment profit (loss) $ 5.1 $ (4.2) $ 9.3 $ 12.8 $ (3.5)
Gross profit (loss) as % of revenue(3) 4.0 % 6.4 % (3.2) %
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(1) Related to 69 Applebee's company-operated restaurants. Company restaurant sales are retail sales at company-operated restaurants. Company restaurant expenses are operating expenses at company-operated restaurants and include food, beverage, labor, benefits, utilities, rent, depreciation and other operating costs.
(2) Costs associated with IHOP restaurants in the process of being refranchised.
(3) Calculated for Applebee's company-operated restaurants only. Percentages calculated on actual amounts, not rounded amounts shown above.
From time to time, we may reacquire restaurants from franchisees that we subsequently refranchise. These restaurants may or may not be operated by us on a temporary basis until refranchised. In October 2022, we sold 69 Applebee's restaurants in North Carolina and South Carolina to an Applebee's franchisee. The decrease in effective restaurants (a weighted average calculation) for 2022 reflects the period of time during fiscal 2022 when we no longer operated these Applebee's restaurants.
Applebee's company restaurant sales for the year ended December 31, 2022 decreased 13% compared to the same period of 2021 primarily due to the sale of the 69 Applebee's company-operated restaurants in October 2022, offset by an increase in average check and an increase in traffic prior to the sale.
Company segment restaurant expenses for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 included $0.9 million and $1.9 million, respectively, of costs associated with certain IHOP restaurants incurred while the restaurants were being refranchised. None of the reacquired IHOP restaurants were operated during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, and IHOP recorded no restaurant revenues in this period. We held no reacquired restaurants at or during the year ended December 31, 2022.
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(In millions)
G&A expenses for 2022 increased 11.0% compared to 2021, primarily due to increases in professional service fees including acquisition costs, occupancy costs, travel and conference expenses, and software maintenance costs, some of which are non-recurring expenditures, offset by lower personnel-related expenses. The decrease in personnel-related expenses primarily was due to lower costs of bonus and equity-based incentive compensation offset by increased costs of salaries and benefits.
(In millions)
Impairment of goodwill — — — 92.2 92.2
Impairment of tradename — — — 11.0 11.0
Impairment of reacquired franchise rights — — — 3.3 3.3
Impairment of favorable leasehold intangible — — — 0.8 0.8
Closure Charges
The closure charges of $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 comprised of $1.3 million for revisions to existing closure reserves, including accretion for approximately 40 IHOP restaurants closed prior to 2022 and $0.4 million related to three IHOP restaurants closed in 2022. The closure charges of $3.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 comprised $2.1 million related to 20 IHOP restaurants closed in 2021 and $1.6 million for revisions to existing closure reserves, including accretion for 28 IHOP restaurants closed prior to 2021.
Impairment Charges
The Company evaluates its goodwill and the indefinite-lived Applebee's tradename for impairment annually in the fourth quarter of each year or on an interim basis if events or changes in circumstances between annual tests indicate a potential impairment. Definite-lived intangible assets and long-lived tangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable based on estimated undiscounted future cash flows.
The long-lived asset impairment of $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 comprised of $1.1 million related to the 69 Applebee's company-owned restaurants in North Carolina and South Carolina that were sold in October 2022 and $0.3 million related to two IHOP franchisee-operated restaurants. The impairment recorded represented the difference between the carrying value and the estimated fair value. The long-lived asset impairment of $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 related to five IHOP franchisee-operated restaurants for which the carrying amount exceeded the undiscounted cash flows.
(In millions)
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets (2.5) 4.5 2.0 0.1 2.1
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Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net, decreased $2.6 million in 2022 compared to 2021, primarily due to a $4.3 million increase in interest income offset by a $1.6 million increase in interest expense related to our revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”). See the “Liquidity and Capital Resources of the Company” section for additional discussion related to borrowings under our Credit Facility.
Amortization of Intangible Assets
Amortizationof intangible assets primarily relates to franchising rights arising from the November 2007 acquisition of Applebee's and reacquired franchise rights arising from the December 2018 acquisition of 69 Applebee's restaurants from a former franchisee. The decrease in amortization expense in 2022 as compared to 2021 was insignificant.
(Gain) Loss on Disposition of Assets
The gain on disposition of assets for the year ended December 31, 2022 primarily related to the gain on sales of the land and buildings on which three IHOP restaurants were located, the 69 Applebee's company-operated restaurants and the termination of two IHOP restaurant leases. The loss on disposition of assets for the year ended 2021 primarily related to the disposition of capitalized software no longer in use.
(In millions)
Income tax provision (benefit) $ 33.7 $ (9.6) $ 24.1 $ (28.7) $ (4.6)
The income tax provision will vary from period to period for two primary reasons: a change in pretax book income and a change in the effective tax rate. Changes in our pretax book income between 2022 and 2021 and are addressed in the preceding sections of “Consolidated Results of Operations - Fiscal 2022, 2021 and 2020.”
The fiscal year 2022 effective tax rate of 29.3% applied to pretax book income was different than the statutory Federal income tax rate of 21% due to the state and local income taxes and the non-deductibility of executive compensation. The effective tax rate further increased due to the increase in the effective state tax rate applied to revaluing deferred tax balances. The increase in the effective state tax rate was due to the non-recurring refranchising of 69 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants in the fourth quarter of 2022 and various state legislative changes.
The fiscal year 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, offset by non-deductibility of executive compensation and state and local income taxes.
As of each reporting date, we consider new evidence, both positive and negative, that could impact our view with regards to future realization of deferred tax assets. During fiscal 2022, we released a valuation allowance of $1.1 million related to state deferred tax assets based on positive evidence which suggests that deferred tax assets will be more likely than not to be realizable in the future. We also believe that the future realizability of benefits arising from foreign tax credit carryforwards and certain state net operating loss carryforwards does not meet the more-likely-than-not threshold. In recognition of this risk, there is a valuation allowance of $3.5 million as of December 31, 2022.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources of the Company
Our total cash balances, net of revolving credit facility borrowings, at December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 were as follows:
(In millions)
Total cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents 325.0 425.3 456.1
Less: Revolving credit facility borrowing (100.0) — (220.0)
Total cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents, net $ 225.0 $ 425.3 $ 236.1
At December 31, 2022, we had contractual obligations to repay debt, make payments under operating leases, finance leases and financing obligations, and to purchase certain goods and services. Material cash requirements to satisfy these obligations were as follows:
Obligation Due in Fiscal 2023 Due Thereafter Total Reference(1)
(in millions)
Long-term debt (principal) $ 100.0 $ 1,247.0 $ 1,347.0 Note 8 - Long-term Debt
Long-term debt (interest) 64.1 83.8 147.9 Note 8 - Long-term Debt
Financing obligations 4.0 41.1 45.1 Note 9 - Financing Obligations
Purchase commitments 95.2 0.4 95.6 Note 11 - Commitments and Contingencies
_________________________________
(1)See referenced note of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information about the obligation.
See Note 11 - Commitments and Contingencies, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, for a description of the Company's lease guarantees.
We believe that our unrestricted cash and cash equivalents on hand, cash flow from operations and the borrowing capacity available under our Credit Facility will provide us with adequate liquidity for at least the next twelve months.
Long-Term Debt
Key provisions of our long-term debt potentially impacting liquidity are summarized below. See Note 8 - Long-term Debt, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, for additional detail on long-term debt, including the balances outstanding at December 31, 2022 and 2021.
Instruments
Our long-term debt consists of two tranches of fixed rate senior secured notes, the Series 2019-1 4.194% Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes, Class A-2-I (“Class A-2-I Notes”) in an initial aggregate principal amount of $700 million and the Series 2019-1 4.723% Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes in an initial aggregate principal amount of $600 million (the “Class A-2-II Notes” and, together with the Class A-2-I Notes, the “2019 Class A-2 Notes”). In August 2022, Applebee's Funding LLC and IHOP Funding LLC (the “Co-Issuers”) entered into the Credit Facility that allows for drawings up to $325 million of variable funding notes on a revolving basis and the issuance of letters of credit.
Maturity
The legal final maturity of the 2019 Class A-2 Notes is in June 2049, but it is anticipated that, unless repaid earlier, the Class A-2-I Notes will be repaid in June 2024 and the Class A-2-II Notes will be repaid in June 2026.
The renewal date of the Credit Facility is June 2027, subject to two additional one-year extensions at the option of the Company upon the satisfaction of certain conditions.
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Payment of Principal and Interest
While the 2019 Class A-2 Notes are outstanding, payment of principal and interest is required to be made on the Class A-2 Notes on a quarterly basis. The payment of principal on the 2019 Class A-2 Notes may be suspended when the leverage ratio for the Company and its subsidiaries is less than or equal to 5.25x. Exceeding the leverage ratio of 5.25x does not violate any covenant related to the Class A-2 Notes. On February 16, 2023, our Company's Board of Directors authorized a debt repurchase program of up to $100 million.
As of December 31, 2022, our leverage ratio was 4.4x. Therefore, quarterly principal payments are not required.
Make-whole Premiums
We may voluntarily repay the Class A-2 Notes at any time; however, if repaid prior to certain dates we would be required to pay make-whole premiums. As of December 31, 2022, the make-whole premium associated with voluntary prepayment of the Class A-2-I Notes was zero and will remain as such. As of December 31, 2022, the make-whole premium associated with voluntary prepayment of the Class A-2-II Notes was approximately $0.5 million; this amount declines each quarter to zero in June 2024. We would also be subject to a make-whole premium in the event of a mandatory prepayment required following certain rapid amortization events or certain asset dispositions. The mandatory make-whole premium requirements are considered embedded derivatives that must be bifurcated for separate valuation. We estimated the fair value of these derivatives to be immaterial as of December 31, 2022, based on the probability-weighted discounted cash flows associated with either event.
Covenants and Restrictions
Our long-term debt is subject to a series of covenants and restrictions customary for transactions of this type, including maintenance of a DSCR. In general, the DSCR ratio is net cash flow for the four quarters preceding the calculation date divided by the total debt service payments of the preceding four quarters. The complete definitions of the DSCR and all calculation elements are contained in the indenture, and subsequent amendments thereto, under which the Class A-2 Notes were issued.
Failure to maintain a prescribed DSCR can trigger the following events:
•DSCR less than 1.75x - Cash Flow Sweeping Event
•DSCR less than 1.20x - Rapid Amortization Event
•Interest-only DSCR less than 1.20x - Manager Termination Event
•Interest-only DSCR less than 1.10x - Default Event
Our DSCR for the reporting period ended December 31, 2022 was approximately 4.1x.
Credit Facility
In August 2022, the Co-Issuers entered into the Credit Facility that allows for drawings up to $325 million of variable funding notes on a revolving basis and the issuance of letters of credit. The applicable interest rate under the Credit Facility depends on the type of borrowing by the Co-Issuers. The applicable interest rate for advances is generally calculated at a per annum rate equal to the commercial paper funding rate or one-, two-, three- or six-month Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), in either case, plus 2.50%. The applicable interest rate for swingline advances and unreimbursed draws on outstanding letters of credit is a per annum base rate equal to the sum of (a) the greatest of (i) the prime rate in effect from time to time; (ii) the federal funds rate in effect from time to time plus 0.50%; and (iii) SOFR for a one-month tenor in effect at such time plus 0.50% plus (b) 2.00%.
In August 2022, the Company borrowed $100 million against the Credit Facility, all of which was outstanding at December 31, 2022. The amount of $3.4 million was pledged against the Credit Facility for outstanding letters of credit, leaving $221.6 million of the Credit Facility available for borrowing at December 31, 2022. It is anticipated that any principal and interest on the Credit Facility outstanding will be repaid in full on or prior to the quarterly payment date in June 2027, subject to two additional one-year extensions at the option of the Company upon the satisfaction of certain conditions. The letters of credit are used primarily to satisfy insurance-related collateral requirements. The weighted average interest rate on Credit Facility borrowings for the period outstanding during the year ended December 31, 2022 was 3.64%.
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Cash Flows Variance 2022 vs 2021 Favorable(Unfavorable)
(In millions)
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 89.3 $ (106.5) $ 195.8
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (80.9) (84.8) 3.9
Operating Activities
Cash provided by operating activities is primarily driven by revenues earned and collected from our franchisees, and profit from our company-owned restaurants, rental operations and financing operations.
Cash provided by operating activities decreased $106.5 million in 2022 compared to 2021. The components of those changes are as follows:
Variance 2022 vs 2021 Favorable(Unfavorable)
(In millions)
Non-cash reconciling items 46.8 (4.6) 51.4
Cash provided by operating activities $ 89.3 $ (106.5) $ 195.8
The change in net income was primarily due to higher G&A expenses, as discussed in preceding sections of this MD&A. Non-cash reconciling items (primarily closure and impairment charges, depreciation and amortization, deferred income taxes, stock-based compensation and gain/loss on extinguishment of debt) decreased $4.6 million from fiscal 2021. Net changes in working capital used cash of $38.6 million during fiscal 2022 compared to providing cash of $46.5 million during fiscal 2021. This unfavorable change of $85.1 million between years primarily resulted from a decrease in accrued employee incentive compensation and the timing of payments of advertising and marketing accruals as well as a decrease in income taxes paid.
Investing Activities
Investing activities used net cash of $80.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to providing net cash of $3.9 million in 2021. The components of those changes are as follows:
Variance 2022 vs 2021 Favorable(Unfavorable)
(In millions)
Additions to property and equipment (35.3) (18.5) (16.8)
Acquisition of business (78.3) (78.3) —
Additions to long-term receivables (1.1) (1.1) —
Proceeds from sale of assets 17.0 17.0 —
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities $ (80.9) $ (84.8) $ 3.9
The Company acquired Fuzzy's for $80 million in December 2022 (See Note 19 - Business Acquisition of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements) but had no acquisitions in 2021.
Additions to property and equipment increased in 2022 as compared to 2021 due to increased capital spending such as investments in consumer-facing technology. Proceeds from the sales of assets in 2022 related to the sales of the land and buildings on which three IHOP restaurants were located and the 69 Applebee's company-operated restaurants. There were no such sales of assets in 2021.
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The following table represents the timing of principal receipts from the Company's long-term receivables for equipment, real estate leases receivable, and other notes receivable from franchisees as of December 31, 2022:
Principal Receipts Due By Period
(In millions)
__________________________________________
(1)Equipment leases receivable extend through the year 2029.
(2)Real estate leases receivable extend through the year 2042.
(3)Other notes receivable extend through the year 2028.
Financing Activities
Financing activities used cash of $108.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to using cash of $230.5 million in 2021. The components of the changes are as follows:
Variance 2022 vs 2021 Favorable(Unfavorable)
(In millions)
Repurchase of common stock $ (120.5) $ (116.3) $ (4.2)
Net repayment of long-term debt, including issuance costs (45.1) (35.3) (9.8)
Net borrowing (repayment of) from Credit Facility 100.0 320.0 (220.0)
Cash used in financing activities $ (108.9) $ 121.6 $ (230.5)
Financing activities used net cash of $108.9 million during 2022. The primary uses of cash in financing activities consisted of repurchases of our common stock totaling $120.5 million, voluntary repayments of long-term debt of $38.8 million purchased under par which resulted in a $1.4 million gain on debt extinguishment, dividends paid of $30.8 million and debt issuance costs of $6.3 million. These outflows were partially offset by net borrowings under our Credit Facility of $100.0 million. In March 2021, we repaid $220 million that was drawn on our Credit Facility in March 2020.
Adjusted Free Cash Flow
We define “adjusted free cash flow” for a given period as cash provided by operating activities, plus receipts from notes and equipment contract receivables, 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 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.
Adjusted free cash flow is a non-U.S. GAAP measure. This non-U.S. GAAP measure is not defined in the same manner by all companies and may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. Non-U.S. GAAP measures should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, the U.S. GAAP information contained within our financial statements. Reconciliation of the cash provided by operating activities to adjusted free cash flow is as follows:
Variance 2022 vs 2021 Favorable(Unfavorable)
(In millions)
Cash flows provided by operating activities $ 89.3 $ (106.5) $ 195.8
Net receipts from notes and equipment receivables 10.6 (1.4) 12.0
Additions to property and equipment (35.3) (18.5) (16.8)
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The decrease in adjusted free cash flow in 2022 compared to 2021 was primarily due to the decrease in cash provided by operating activities and an increase in capital expenditures, each of which was discussed in preceding sections of this MD&A.
Capital Allocation
We suspended our repurchasing of common stock and the declaration of dividends on our common stock after the first quarter of 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic. After evaluating repurchases of common stock and dividend payments on common stock within the context of our overall capital allocation strategy, giving consideration to our current and forecast earnings, financial condition, cash requirements and other factors, we resumed repurchasing our common stock and the declaration of dividends in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Dividends
During the year ended December 31, 2022, our Board of Directors declared a fourth quarter 2022 cash dividend of $0.51 per share, paid in January 2023. See Note 12 - Stockholders' Deficit, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report for all dividends paid and declared in fiscal 2022, 2021 and 2020.
Share Repurchases
On February 17, 2022, our Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program, effective April 1, 2022, of up to $250 million. In connection with the approval of the 2022 Repurchase Program, effective April 1, 2022, the 2019 share repurchase program ended.
A summary of shares repurchased under the 2022 Repurchase Program, during the year ended December 31, 2022 and cumulatively, is as follows:
Shares Cost of shares
(In millions)
2022 Repurchase Program
Cumulative (life-of-program) repurchases 1,149,589 $ 78.7
Remaining dollar value of shares that may be repurchased n/a $ 171.3
See Note 12 - Stockholders' Deficit, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report for shares repurchased in fiscal 2022, 2021 and 2020.
From time to time, we also repurchase shares owned and tendered by employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations on the vesting of restricted stock awards. Shares are deemed purchased at the closing price of our common stock on the vesting date. See Part II, Item 5 - Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities for detail on all share repurchase activity during the fourth quarter of 2022.
Critical Accounting Estimates
We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). Our significant accounting policies are comprehensively described in Note 2 - Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statementscontained in Part II, Item 8 of this 10-K. We believe the accounting policies discussed below are particularly important to the understanding of our consolidated financial statements and require higher degree of judgment and/or complexity in the preparation of those consolidated financial statements. In exercising those judgments, we make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosures. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates based on historical experience, current conditions and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. We adjust such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. Accounting assumptions and estimates are inherently uncertain and actual results may differ materially from our estimates. Changes in estimates and judgments could significantly affect our results of operations, financial condition and cash flow in the future.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill and intangible assets considered to have an indefinite life are evaluated throughout the year to determine if indicators of impairment exist. Such indicators include, but are not limited to, events or circumstances such as a significant adverse change in our business, in the business overall climate, unanticipated competition, a loss of key personnel, adverse legal or regulatory developments or a significant decline in the market price of our common stock.
If no indicators of impairment have been noted during these preliminary assessments, we perform an assessment of goodwill and intangible assets annually in the fourth fiscal quarter. We first assess qualitatively whether it is more-likely-than-
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not that an impairment does not exist. Significant factors considered in this assessment include, but are not limited to, macro-economic conditions, market and industry conditions, cost considerations, the competitive environment, share price fluctuations, overall financial performance and results of past impairment tests. If we do not qualitatively determine that it is more-likely-than-not that an impairment does not exist, we perform a quantitative impairment test.
In performing a quantitative test for impairment of goodwill, we primarily use the income approach method of valuation that includes the discounted cash flow method and the market approach that includes the guideline public company method to determine the fair value of goodwill and intangible assets. Significant assumptions made by management in estimating fair value under the discounted cash flow model include future trends in sales, operating expenses, overhead expenses, depreciation, capital expenditures, changes in working capital and an estimated income tax rate, along with an appropriate discount rate based on our estimated cost of equity capital and after-tax cost of debt. Significant assumptions used to determine fair value under the guideline public company method include the selection of guideline companies and the valuation multiples applied.
In the process of a quantitative test, if necessary, of the Applebee's tradename intangible asset, we primarily use the relief of royalty method under the income approach method of valuation. Significant assumptions used to determine fair value under the relief of royalty method include future trends in sales, a royalty rate, an estimated income tax rate and a discount rate to be applied to the forecast revenue stream.
There is an inherent degree of uncertainty in preparing any forecast of future results. Future trends in system-wide sales are dependent to a significant extent on national, regional and local economic conditions, and, to a lesser extent, on global economic conditions, particularly those conditions affecting the demographics of the guests that frequently patronize our restaurants. There are numerous potential events that could reasonably be expected to negatively affect the forecast of system-wide sales, including a decrease in customers' disposable income available for discretionary spending or a decrease in the perceived wealth of customers, as well as unexpected events such as a global pandemic. As a result, our restaurants could experience a decline in sales and/or customer traffic as potential customers choose lower-cost alternatives (such as quick-service restaurants) or other alternatives to dining out. Any decreases in customer traffic or average customer check due to these or other reasons could reduce gross sales at franchise restaurants, resulting in lower royalty and other payments from franchisees. This could reduce the profitability of franchise restaurants, potentially impacting the ability of franchisees to make royalty payments owed to us when due, which could adversely impact our current cash flow from franchise operations, and negatively impacting franchisees’ ability to develop new restaurants, which could adversely impact our future cash flows from franchise operations. Any decreases in customer traffic or average customer check also could reduce the profitability of our company-operated restaurants. Significant increases in either the estimated income tax rate or the discount rate also could adversely impact estimated fair values used in quantitative tests for impairment.
As discussed above under “Events Impacting Comparability of Financial Information - COVID 19 Pandemic,” government-mandated restrictions had a significant adverse impact on industry-wide restaurant operations in 2020. As a result, we performed quantitative impairment tests of our goodwill and intangible that reflected, among other things, a reduction in future system-wide sales and resulted in impairment of the goodwill of the Applebee's franchise unit, Applebee's tradename and other intangible assets during the year ended December 31, 2020. See Note 6 - Goodwill and Note 7 - Intangible Assets, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a detail description of these impairments.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, we qualitatively assessed our goodwill and intangible assets for impairment. One of the primary considerations underlying those assessments was the improvement inour system-wide sales in 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, as discussed above under “Consolidated Results of Operations - Fiscal 2022, 2021 and 2020,” and the impact that had on future system-wide sales forecasts relative to the sales forecasts that had been used in performing the 2021 quantitative tests for impairment. We concluded it was more likely than not that the fair values of goodwill and intangible assets exceeded their respective carrying amounts and quantitative tests of impairment were not necessary during the year ended December 31, 2022.
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Long-Lived Assets
On a regular basis, we assess whether events or changes in circumstances have occurred that potentially indicate the carrying value of long-lived tangible assets (primarily assets related to properties and equipment leased or subleased to franchisees, including operating lease right-of-use assets recorded upon adoption of ASC 842) may not be recoverable. We test impairment using historical cash flows and other relevant facts and circumstances as the primary basis for our estimates of future cash flows. Significant factors considered include, but are not limited to, current and forecast sales, current and forecast cash flows, the number of years the franchisee's restaurant has been in operation, its remaining lease life, and other factors which apply on a case-by-case basis. The analysis is performed at the individual restaurant level for indicators of permanent impairment. Recoverability of the Company's assets is measured by comparing the assets' carrying value to the undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated over the assets' remaining useful life or remaining lease term, whichever is less. This assessment requires the use of estimates and assumptions as to future cash flows of individual restaurants and properties, which are subject to a high degree of judgment and are unique to each property. If assumptions as to future cash flows decrease in the future, we may be required to record impairment charges for these assets. See Note 13 - Closure and Long-lived Tangible Asset Impairment Charges, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on impairments of long-lived tangible assets.
On a regular basis, we assess whether events or changes in circumstances have occurred that potentially indicate the carrying value of intangible assets with finite lives, primarily assets related to Applebee's franchise rights. Recoverability of the asset is measured by comparing the assets' carrying value to the discounted future cash flows expected to be generated over the asset's remaining useful life. Significant factors considered include, but are not limited to, current and forecast sales, current and forecast cash flows and a discount rate to be applied to the forecast revenue stream.
Current Expected Credit Losses (“CECL”)
The CECL reserve methodology requires companies to measure expected credit losses on financial instruments based on the total estimated amount to be collected over the lifetime of the instrument. Under the CECL model, reserves may be established against financial asset balances even if the risk of loss is remote or has not yet manifested itself.
We estimate credit loss reserves in the following manner. We record specific reserves against account balances of franchisees deemed “at-risk” when a potential loss is likely or imminent as a result of prolonged payment delinquency (greater than 90 days past due) and where notable credit deterioration has become evident. For financial assets that are not currently deemed “at-risk,” an allowance is recorded based on expected loss rates that consider four components - historical losses, current conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts and a reversion to history, if applicable.
The majority of our allowance for credit losses is comprised of specific reserves related to individual franchisees. These reserves are subject to a high degree of judgment and are unique to each franchisee. Changes in circumstances relating to each franchisee may result in increases or decreases to the allowance for credit losses in the future. Since adoption of the CECL methodology, the portion of the allowance based on expected loss rates has not been a material component of the total allowance for credit losses.
Income Taxes
We provide for income taxes based on our estimate of federal and state income tax liabilities. We make certain estimates and judgments in the calculation of tax expense and the resulting tax liabilities and in the recoverability of deferred tax assets that arise from temporary differences between the tax and financial statement recognition of revenue and expense. Tax laws are complex and subject to different interpretations by the taxpayers and respective governmental authorities. We review our tax positions quarterly and adjust the balances as new information becomes available.
We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities using the enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of recorded assets and liabilities. Deferred tax accounting requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portions or all the net deferred tax assets will not be realized. This test requires projection of our taxable income into future years to determine if there will be taxable income sufficient to realize the tax assets. The preparation of the projections requires considerable judgment and is subject to change to reflect future events and changes in the tax laws. When we establish or reduce the valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets, our income tax expense will increase or decrease, respectively, in the period such determination is made.
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