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DineEquity, Inc. Announces Solid First Quarter 2012 Results

2012 MAY 20 - (VerticalNews.com) -- DineEquity, Inc. (NYSE: DIN), the parent company of Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar and IHOP Restaurants, reported financial results for the first quarter of 2012.

"We are pleased with our first quarter performance. At DineEquity, we continue to work closely with IHOP and Applebee's on their respective brand-building strategies to innovate the menu, drive operational performance, and provide value for our guests," said Julia A. Stewart, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DineEquity. "Our business fundamentals remain healthy and our unique, highly franchised business model is generating strong free cash flow and enabling debt reduction, which are key measures of our success." First Quarter 2012 Financial Highlights Total debt was reduced by $85.9 million in the first quarter of 2012 as a result of net cash proceeds and financing obligation reductions from the refranchise and sale of Applebee's company-operated restaurants and free cash flow. The Company reduced Term Loan balances by $69.0 million, Senior Notes by $4.5 million, and financing and capital lease obligations by $12.4 million.

Adjusted net income available to common stockholders was $24.6 million, representing adjusted earnings per diluted share of $1.36 for the first quarter of 2012. This compares to $26.0 million, or adjusted earnings per diluted share of $1.42, for the same quarter in 2011. The decrease in adjusted earnings was due to a higher income tax rate and lower segment profit driven by the execution of our strategy to refranchise Applebee's company-operated restaurants, partially offset by lower cash interest expense. (See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below.)

Net income available to common stockholders was $29.9 million, or earnings per diluted share of $1.64 for the quarter, compared to $28.1 million, or earnings per diluted share of $1.53 for the same quarter in 2011. The increase was primarily due to lower interest expense, a lower loss on debt extinguishment and modification costs, and lower impairment and closure charges. These items were partially offset by a lower gain on the refranchise and sale of Applebee's company-operated restaurants, lower segment profit due to refranchising, and a higher income tax rate.

EBITDA was $85.7 million for the first quarter of 2012.

Cash flows from operating activities were $44.7 million, capital expenditures were $4.2 million, and free cash flow was $44.0 million. (See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below.)

Consolidated general and administrative expenses were $39.6 million compared to $38.0 million for the first quarter of 2011. The increase was mainly attributable to higher stock based compensation and severance charges.

Applebee's company-operated restaurant operating margin was 17.8% in the first quarter of 2012 compared to 15.3% for the same quarter in 2011. The increase of 250 basis points was primarily due to lower hourly labor expense, the refranchising of lower margin company-operated restaurants, a reduction in depreciation, and a higher average guest check, partially offset by commodities inflation. Same-Restaurant Sales Performance Same-restaurant sales performance for each brand is provided below, but it is important to note that because the Company's is now over 95% franchised, same-restaurant sales variations do not significantly affect DineEquity's EBITDA, Adjusted EPS, or free cash flow generation.

Applebee's domestic system-wide same-restaurant sales increased 1.2% for the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011. The increase in first quarter 2012 domestic system-wide same-restaurant sales was mainly driven by a higher average guest check, partially offset by a decline in traffic.

Keywords: Economics, DineEquity Inc., Investing and Investments.