Sonic Franchise Reports Second Quarter 2010 Results

April 1, 2010 - PRLog -- Sonic Reports Second Quarter 2010 Results
OKLAHOMA CITY,  (BUSINESS WIRE) the nation's largest chain of drive-in restaurants, today announced results for the second fiscal quarter ended February 28, 2010. Key elements of the company's second quarter report included:

-- Net loss per diluted share totaled $0.01 versus net income per diluted share of $0.14 in the year-earlier quarter, with the latter including a $0.06 gain from the purchase of debt at a discount in the second quarter of fiscal 2009;

-- System-wide same-store sales declined 13.2% for the second quarter; same-store sales at partner drive-ins (those in which the company owns a majority interest) declined 14.9% in the quarter; and

-- Franchise drive-in openings totaled 17 for the quarter versus 24 in the same period last year.

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"The second fiscal quarter is typically the most volatile one for Sonic, and this year was no exception," said Clifford Hudson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "As we announced earlier, our second quarter sales were adversely affected by severe winter weather. Many of our core markets registered much colder temperatures along with record snowfalls, which not only affected sales, but also the pace of new drive-in development. Information provided to the company by a third-party weather analytics consultant estimated that inclement weather accounted for about two-thirds of the decline in same-store sales for the second quarter. In addition, many of Sonic's core markets, particularly Oklahoma and Texas, recently have started to experience a more pronounced decline in consumer spending, as evidenced by double-digit declines in sales tax collections in both of these states.

"In fiscal 2009, we implemented initiatives that focused on pricing and improved customer service at the drive-in level," Hudson added. "With that foundation set, we have a number of initiatives in place and in development that should attract more consumers into the drive-in and, in turn, improve sales and earnings in the second half of the current fiscal year and over the longer term. These include product quality improvements to several core menu items as well as new product news featuring innovative limited-time offers. We also have refined our messaging and promotional strategy to highlight Sonic's key points of differentiation, high-quality, distinctive food, such as our steak melt toaster and handmade onion rings, and skating carhops. Recognizing consumers are still looking for value, we have chosen to provide value in a unique way by offering a free medium order of handmade onion rings or tater tots with the purchase of a premium sandwich. We believe this strategy will not only resonate with our consumers looking for value, but also will provide an opportunity to feature differentiated items from our menu. Furthermore, beginning in April, we will deploy a new media strategy to maximize media impressions within the trade area of each individual Sonic Drive-In. In conjunction with our initiatives to improve customer service, which continues to show signs of promise and progress, these efforts are expected to have a positive impact on our sales trends in the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2010. Considering that approximately 70% of our earnings historically occur in the third and fourth quarters of the fiscal year, we are optimistic about both our short-term and long-term prospects."

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Income Statement Overview

For the second quarter ended February 28, 2010, revenues declined 33% to $112.8 million from $169.0 million in the year-earlier period. Sonic's lower second quarter revenues were attributable primarily to the impact on the company's revenue mix from refranchising 205 partner drive-ins during fiscal 2009. Sonic now receives franchise royalties from these refranchised drive-ins instead of partner drive-in sales; likewise, partner drive-in operating expenses have declined. The company's revenues also reflected the impact of lower same-store sales on partner drive-in revenues and franchise royalties, as well as reduced franchisee fees related to fewer new drive-in openings versus the year-earlier quarter. Offsetting these declines, to some extent, was increased other income related to income from refranchised drive-ins, in which Sonic retained a minority ownership interest and rental revenue from refranchised drive-ins. The net loss for the quarter was $642,000 or $0.01 per diluted share versus net income of $8.7 million or $0.14 per diluted share in the same quarter last year. Excluding a one-time $0.06 gain from the purchase of debt at a discount in the second quarter of fiscal 2009, earnings per diluted share were $0.08 in the year-earlier period.

Same-Store Sales

For the second fiscal quarter ended February 28, 2010, system-wide same-store sales declined 13.2% versus a decrease of 3.6% for the same quarter last year and reflected 12.9% lower same-store sales at franchise drive-ins and a 14.9% decline at partner drive-ins. For the first six months of fiscal 2010, system-wide same-store sales declined 9.7% versus a decrease of 3.6% in the prior-year period. The decline in system-wide same-store sales for the first half of fiscal 2010 reflected 9.3% lower same-store sales at franchise drive-ins and an 11.8% decline at partner drive-ins.

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