Pizza Inn Holdings, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2014 Financial Results

THE COLONY, Texas, Sept. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Pizza Inn Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZI) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended June 29, 2014.

Fourth Quarter Highlights:

• Pizza Inn domestic comparable sales increased 1.5% from the same period in the prior year.
• Pie Five comparable store sales increased 12.9% from the same period in the prior year.
• Pie Five Company-owned average weekly sales per store increased 25.2% year over year.
• Company-owned restaurant sales from continuing operations increased 42.6% year over year, or 53.6% when prior year quarter is normalized to 13 weeks.
• Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, increased by $0.3 million sequentially over the previous quarter to $0.1 million.
• Net losses improved by $0.3 million over the same quarter of the prior year to a loss of $0.4 million.

Annual Highlights:

• Pizza Inn domestic comparable store franchisee retail sales decreased 1.1% year over year.
• Pie Five Company-owned average weekly sales per store increased 12.4% year over year.
• Company-owned restaurant sales increased 33.0% year over year, or 35.5% when prior year is normalized to 52 weeks.
• The Company continued to invest in infrastructure to support future Pie Five growth, contributing to an Adjusted EBITDA loss of $0.5 million, a decrease of $1.1 million compared to prior year.
• Net loss increased $0.3 million from prior year to a loss of $1.6 million

Pizza Inn Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZI) today announced results for the fourth fiscal quarter and year ended June 29, 2014. The Company's net loss in the fourth quarter improved by $0.3 million over the comparable period in the prior fiscal year to $0.4 million from a loss of $0.7 million.  Conversely, the Company's net loss for the 2014 fiscal year increased $0.3 million to $1.6 million compared to a net loss of $1.3 million in the prior fiscal year. The increase in net loss from prior year was primarily due to higher general and administrative expenses and franchise costs attributable to growth of the Pie Five brand, as well as lower food and supply sales.  The fourth fiscal quarter and fiscal year 2014 had 13 and 52 weeks, respectively, as compared to 14 and 53 weeks, respectively, in the same periods of the prior fiscal year.

"Fiscal 2014 was an investment year as we continued to build the talent and infrastructure to effectively grow both of our restaurant brands.  That investment is reflected in the losses recorded for the last several quarters," said Randy Gier, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are very pleased to see the improving financial performance each of the last three quarters, and especially pleased with the most recent quarter results which we believe reflect our turning the corner on this investment of resources.  Both of our brands recorded strong positive comparable store sales growth for the fourth quarter, a trend that has continued in the first quarter of fiscal 2015," added Gier.

Fourth Quarter 2014 Operating Results

Total revenues for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 and the comparable prior year quarter were $10.9 million and $10.4 million, respectively. When the prior year period is normalized to 13 weeks, fourth quarter franchise revenue increased by 1.5% year over year.  Additional franchise development fees previously received from Pie Five franchisees have been deferred and will be recognized as future restaurants are opened.

Pizza Inn domestic franchisee sales for comparable stores increased 1.5% from the same period in the prior year.  "We are very pleased to report positive comparable store sales for domestic franchisees in the Pizza Inn system.  These results reflect the hard work that we have undertaken in partnership with our franchise leadership to improve quality, drive consistent operating standards, create aligned marketing programs, establish tools, and instill training to run better, more profitable restaurants," said Gier.  "We have terrific franchise leaders with whom we are working very closely to restore growth to Pizza Inn.  Comparable store sales trends have strengthened each of the last four quarters, with the most recent quarter reporting the first year over year increase in nearly three years.  Improving sales and profitability has helped to slow the rate of restaurant closures, and is beginning to instill greater interest in building new restaurants.  We have only begun this journey, but appreciate the dedication of all of our franchisees to the work that is required to achieve excellence for our flagship brand," Gier stated.    

Pie Five comparable store sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 increased 12.9% when compared to the same period in the prior year.  Average weekly sales in Company-owned Pie Five restaurants increased 25.2% reflecting both strong comparable store sales growth and higher average sales of Company-owned restaurants opened during fiscal 2014. 

Gier explained, "We have worked hard over the past two years to refine our Pie Five concept to respond to consumer feedback, to improve site selection through rigorous analysis of each opening, to enhance marketing productivity, and to establish replicable, scalable operating processes.  The continued improving results are a direct reflection of that work.  We are not only seeing strong positive comparable store sales in our existing restaurants, we are also seeing newer restaurants opening that are sustaining at higher sales levels than the previous restaurants.  This is leading to an acceleration of new restaurant openings and additional franchise signings." 

Fourth quarter fiscal 2014 food and supply sales decreased by $0.1 million, or 1.5%, compared to the same quarter of the prior year.  However, when the prior year period is normalized to 13 weeks, fourth quarter food and supply sales increased over the prior year by $0.4 million, or 6.0%, primarily due to increased average weekly domestic franchisee retail sales. 

Fourth quarter Company-owned restaurant sales from continuing operations increased $0.7 million, or 42.6%, compared to the prior year as a result of the opening of one new Company-owned Pie Five restaurant in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 and four new Company-owned Pie Five restaurants in fiscal 2014 (one of which was a relocation of an existing restaurant), partially offset by the closing of two Company-owned Pizza Inn restaurants.  Fourth quarter general and administrative expenses decreased $0.1 million.

Fiscal Year 2014 Operating Results

Total revenues for the 2014 fiscal year and prior year were $42.2 million and $41.2 million, respectively. Fiscal 2014 franchise revenue decreased by $0.1 million compared to the prior year, primarily due to one less week in fiscal year 2014.  A decrease in franchise fees and royalties from Pizza Inn franchisees was largely offset by increased royalties and franchise fees from Pie Five franchisees. Additional franchise development fees previously received from Pie Five franchisees have been deferred and will be recognized as future restaurants are opened.

Fiscal 2014 food and supply sales decreased by $1.3 million, or 4.3%, compared to the prior year, primarily due to decreased Pizza Inn domestic franchisee retail sales.  However, based on a comparable 52 week year, fiscal 2014 food and supply sales decreased by only $0.7 million, or 2.4%. 

Fiscal 2014 Company-owned restaurant sales increased $2.5 million, or 33.0%, compared to the prior year as a result of the opening of two new Company-owned Pie Five restaurants in the second half of fiscal 2013 and four new Company-owned Pie Five restaurants in fiscal 2014 (one of which was a relocation of an existing restaurant).  Fiscal 2014 general and administrative expenses increased $0.3 million over the prior year primarily to support growth for new Company-owned Pie Five restaurants and future growth plans.

Development Review

Nine new Pie Five restaurants were opened by the Company and franchisees in fiscal 2014, including one in the fourth quarter, to bring the fiscal year-end total to 20 stores.  Franchisees opened 24 new Pizza Inn restaurants for the year while closing 21 restaurants, ending the fiscal year at 253 total Pizza Inn Company and franchise stores.

"The five Pie Five restaurants opened by franchisees so far in fiscal 2015 are off to a strong start, and we remain on track to nearly double our fiscal year end Pie Five restaurant count by the end of the calendar year," said Gier.

During fiscal 2014, the Company signed nine new franchise development agreements to develop up to 131 Pie Five restaurants and has signed two additional development agreements during the first quarter of fiscal 2015.  The Company currently has Pie Five franchise restaurant development commitments for a total of up to 229 restaurants.

Gier continued, "Most importantly, we have prepared and resourced our organization with the tools, the talent, and the systems to reliably replicate and expand.  In our business, there is no substitute for great operations delivering comeback food quality and service that surprises on every visit.  We are prepared to support our franchisees and to run our own restaurants at world class standards even as we ramp up new restaurant openings."

Gier concluded, "As a result of continued strength in our restaurant performance we will be accelerating Pie Five Company-owned restaurant growth in the coming quarters by expanding the development of Company-owned Pie Five restaurants into several new metropolitan markets in addition to the continued development of the Dallas-Fort Worth market."

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company uses certain non-GAAP financial measures in evaluating operating performance.  These non-GAAP financial measures should not be viewed as an alternative or substitute for its financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  Adjusted EBITDA represents earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock compensation expense and impairment on long lived assets and other lease charges.  A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income is included with the accompanying financial statements.  The fourth fiscal quarter and fiscal year 2014 had 13 and 52 weeks, respectively, as compared to 14 and 53 weeks, respectively, in the same periods of the prior year.  For purposes of certain year to year comparisons, fourth quarter and full year fiscal 2013 results have been divided by the actual number of weeks in the respective period and then multiplied by the comparable number of weeks in the same period of fiscal 2014.

Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release, other than historical information, may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations that involve numerous risks, uncertainties and assumptions.  Assumptions relating to these forward-looking statements involve judgments with respect to, among other things, future economic, competitive and market conditions, regulatory framework and future business decisions, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond the control of Pizza Inn Holdings.  Although the assumptions underlying these forward-looking statements are believed to be reasonable, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate and, therefore, there can be no assurance that any forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate.  In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in these forward-looking statements, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation that the objectives and plans of Pizza Inn Holdings will be achieved.  

About Pizza Inn Holdings, Inc.:

Headquartered in the Dallas suburb of The Colony, TX, Pizza Inn Holdings, Inc., is an owner, franchisor and supplier of a system of restaurants operating domestically and internationally under the trademarks "Pizza Inn" and "Pie Five Pizza Co." Pizza Inn is an international pizza chain featuring traditional and specialty pizzas, as well as freshly made pastas, sandwiches, and desserts. Pie Five Pizza Co. is a fast-casual concept offering individual pizzas made to order and cooked in less than five minutes. Founded in 1958, Pizza Inn Holdings, Inc. owns and franchises approximately 273 restaurants. The Company's common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol "PZZI". For more information, please visit www.pizzainn.com.

Contact:
Investor Relations
Pizza Inn Holdings, Inc.
469-384-5000

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SOURCE Pizza Inn Holdings, Inc.