Papa John’s International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA) today announced financial results for the three and nine months ended September 26, 2021.

Third quarter 2021 highlights compared to prior year

• Total company revenues increased 8.4% to $512.8 million
• Comparable sales up 6.9% in North America and 8.3% Internationally; Global system-wide restaurant sales of $1.2 billion, up 11.2% driven by continued benefit from innovation strategies and accelerating unit growth
• 46 net unit openings driven by strong International openings
• Earnings per diluted share of $0.79; Adjusted earnings per diluted share grew to $0.83 from $0.35 a year ago
• For first nine months of 2021, cash flow from operations of $193.6 million, up from $168.5 million a year ago; free cash flow of $145.9 million up from $134.0 million
• New $425 million share repurchase program authorized

“With hard work, dedication and the support of our customers, Papa John’s team members and franchisees delivered another quarter of industry outperformance in Q3, as system-wide sales grew 11.2% and adjusted EPS more than doubled. Comparable sales in North America and internationally grew 6.9% and 8.3%, respectively, on top of last year’s tremendous results, as our innovation strategy continues to attract new customers and engage our loyal ones, while also driving sustainable ticket growth,” said President & CEO Rob Lynch. “Escalating interest and excitement among new and existing franchisees continues to accelerate unit growth and led to signing our largest international and domestic development deals ever last quarter.”

Mr. Lynch continued, “We also are delivering on our commitment to optimize our capital structure and allocation priorities to support long-term value creation and growth. Last quarter we strategically refinanced our debt and this morning announced a new $425 million share repurchase program. Now, more than two years into our brand’s return to positive results, with the foundations of our business stronger than ever, Papa John’s has passed the inflection point from turn-around to long-term growth story. I’m excited to say that we are all firmly focused on the future and realizing our enormous global opportunity.”

Financial Highlights

Revenues

Consolidated revenues of $512.8 million increased $39.8 million, or 8.4%, in the third quarter of 2021 compared to the prior year primarily as a result of higher comparable sales of 6.9% for North America restaurants, which benefited from continued execution of our innovation strategies and customer retention as reflected in higher company-owned restaurant revenues, franchise royalties and commissary sales. International revenues also increased primarily due to higher royalties from strong comparable sales results of 8.3% for the quarter and higher unit counts.

Operating Results

Consolidated operating income of $38.6 million for the third quarter of 2021 increased $14.0 million compared to the third quarter of 2020. The increase reflects strong consolidated revenue on higher comparable sales and year-over-year unit growth domestically and internationally. Additionally, temporary franchise support of $13.5 million ($10.0 million of discretionary marketing fund investments and $3.5 million of royalty relief) was provided in the prior year comparable period as part of our franchise assistance program, which was non-recurring and concluded in the third quarter of 2020. These benefits more than offset higher costs associated with labor shortages and commodity inflation experienced within our domestic company-owned restaurants and supply chain.

The effective income tax rate was 11.7% for the third quarter of 2021 representing a decrease of 9.9% from the prior year period. The decrease in the effective rate was primarily due to the finalization of our 2020 federal income tax return, which resulted in a $2.7 million benefit to tax expense, including immaterial prior year true-up adjustments. Diluted earnings per share was $0.79 for the third quarter of 2021 representing an increase of $0.44 over the third quarter of 2020. Excluding the impact of Special items, adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.83 representing an increase of $0.48 over the third quarter of 2020.

Global Restaurant Sales Information

Global restaurant and comparable sales information for the three and nine months ended September 26, 2021, compared to the three and nine months ended September 27, 2020 are as follows (See “Supplemental Information and Financial Statements” below for related definitions):

Global Restaurant Unit Data

As of September 26, 2021, there were 5,569 Papa John’s restaurants operating in 50 countries and territories, as follows:

Free Cash Flow

The company’s free cash flow (a non-GAAP financial measure defined as net cash provided by operating activities, less purchases of property and equipment and dividends paid to preferred shareholders) was as follows (in thousands):

We view free cash flow as an important financial measure because it is one factor that management uses in determining the amount of cash available for discretionary investment. Free cash flow is not a term defined by GAAP, and as a result, our measure of free cash flow might not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Free cash flow should not be construed as a substitute for or a better indicator of the company’s performance than the company’s GAAP measures.

See the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC for additional information concerning our operating results for the three and nine months and cash flow for the nine months ended September 26, 2021.

Senior Notes Offering and Refinancing of Revolving Credit Facility

On September 14, 2021, the company issued $400.0 million of 3.875% senior notes which will mature on September 15, 2029. Concurrently with the closing of the offering, the company amended and restated its credit agreement, which provides for a senior secured revolving credit facility in an aggregate available principal amount of $600.0 million. The revolving facility will mature on September 14, 2026. The company used borrowings under the amended credit agreement, together with the net proceeds from the offering of the senior notes, to repay outstanding revolver and term loan borrowings under the company’s previously existing credit agreement.

Cash Dividend

The company paid cash dividends of $12.8 million ($0.35 per common share) in the third quarter of 2021. On October 28, 2021, our Board of Directors declared a fourth quarter dividend of $0.35 per common share. The common share dividend will be paid on November 19, 2021 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 9, 2021. The declaration and payment of any future dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors.

New $425 million Share Repurchase Program

Subsequent to the end of the third quarter, on October 28, 2021, our Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase program for up to $425.0 million of the company’s common stock, which will be funded by our operating cash flows and increased liquidity following the senior notes offering and refinancing of our revolving credit facility, to further enhance shareholder returns as we also continue to invest in our long-term growth. This additional program represents approximately 9.4% of the company’s currently outstanding common stock based on the closing stock price as of October 29, 2021. The new share repurchase program has an indefinite duration and will initially operate alongside the Company’s existing $75.0 million share repurchase authorization, which expires on December 26, 2021.

The timing and volume of share repurchases under the new share repurchase program may be executed at the discretion of management on an opportunistic basis, subject to market and business conditions, regulatory requirements and other factors, or pursuant to trading plans or other arrangements. Repurchases under the new program may be made through open market, block, and privately negotiated transactions, including Rule 10b5-1 plans, at times and in such amounts as management deems appropriate. Repurchases under the company’s share repurchase program may be commenced or suspended from time to time at the company’s discretion without prior notice.

Conference Call

A conference call is scheduled for November 4, 2021 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time to review the company’s third quarter 2021 earnings results. The call can be accessed from the company’s web page at www.papajohns.com in a listen-only mode or dial 877-312-8816 (U.S. and Canada) or 253-237-1189 (International). The conference call will be available for replay, including by downloadable podcast, from the company’s web. The Conference ID is 6323967.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain matters discussed in this press release and other company communications that are not statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Generally, the use of words such as “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “will,” “forecast,” “plan,” “project,” or similar words identify forward-looking statements that we intend to be included within the safe harbor protections provided by the federal securities laws. Such forward-looking statements include or may relate to projections or guidance concerning business performance, revenue, earnings, cash flow, earnings per share, share repurchases, the financial impact of the temporary business opportunities, disruptions and temporary changes in demand we are experiencing related to the current outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), commodity costs, currency fluctuations, profit margins, unit growth, unit level performance, capital expenditures, restaurant and franchise development, the duration of changes in consumer behavior caused by the pandemic, reorganization costs and the related organizational, employment and real estate changes from opening our new office in Atlanta, royalty relief, the effectiveness of our menu innovations and other business initiatives, marketing efforts, liquidity, compliance with debt covenants, strategic decisions and actions, dividends, effective tax rates, regulatory changes and impacts, adoption of new accounting standards, and other financial and operational measures. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control.

Our forward-looking statements are based on our assumptions which are based on currently available information, including assumptions about our ability to manage difficulties and opportunities associated with or related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including risks related to: the impact of governmental restrictions on freedom of movement and business operations including quarantines, social distancing requirements and mandatory business closures; changes in consumer demand or behavior; labor shortages at company and/or franchised stores; impact of delayed new store openings, both domestically and internationally; our ability to navigate changing governmental programs and regulations relating to the pandemic; the increased risk of phishing, ransomware and other cyber-attacks; and our ability to successfully implement or fully realize the anticipated benefits of our corporate reorganization and new office in Atlanta, Georgia and corporate reorganization in the timeframes we desire or within the expected range of expenses, or at all. In addition, turnover in our support teams due to our relocations to Georgia could distract our employees, decrease employee morale, harm our reputation, and negatively impact the overall performance of our corporate support teams. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those matters expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. These and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are involved in our forward-looking statements are discussed in detail in “Part I. Item 1A. – Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2020. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of future events, new information or otherwise, except as required by law.

For more information about the company, please visit www.papajohns.com.

Supplemental Information and Financial Statements

Definition

“Comparable sales” represents the change in year-over-year sales for the same base of restaurants for the same fiscal periods. “Global system-wide restaurant sales” represents total restaurant sales for all company-owned and franchised stores open during the comparable periods, and “Global system-wide restaurant sales growth” represents the change in such sales year-over-year. We believe North America, international and global restaurant and comparable sales growth and Global system-wide restaurant sales information is useful in analyzing our results since our franchisees pay royalties and marketing fund contributions that are based on a percentage of franchise sales. Comparable sales and Global system-wide restaurant sales results for restaurants operating outside of the United States are reported on a constant dollar basis, which excludes the impact of foreign currency translation. Franchise sales also generate commissary revenue in the United States and in certain international markets. Franchise restaurant and comparable sales growth information is also useful for comparison to industry trends and evaluating the strength of our brand. Management believes the presentation of franchise restaurant sales growth, excluding the impact of foreign currency, provides investors with useful information regarding underlying sales trends and the impact of new unit growth without being impacted by swings in the external factor of foreign currency. Franchise restaurant sales are not included in the company’s revenues.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The table below reconciles our GAAP financial results to our adjusted financial results, which are non-GAAP measures. The non-GAAP adjusted results shown below and within this press release, which exclude the items in the table below (collectively defined as “Special items”), should not be construed as a substitute for or a better indicator of the company’s performance than the company’s GAAP results. Management believes presenting certain financial information excluding the Special items is important for purposes of comparison to current year results. In addition, management uses these metrics to evaluate the company’s underlying operating performance and to analyze trends.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211104005163/en/