Susser Holdings Reports Strong Second Quarter 2012 Results

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, Aug. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Susser Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SUSS) today reported strong financial and operating results for the second quarter ended July 1, 2012.

Same-store merchandise sales increased by 8.0 percent, compared with growth of 5.8 percent in the prior-year period. Average retail gallons per store also increased 8.0 percent year-over-year, versus growth of 3.6 percent a year earlier.

Retail net merchandise margin was 34.1 percent, compared with 34.0 percent in the second quarter of 2011. Retail fuel margins before credit card expense averaged 32.4 cents per gallon, versus 31.2 cents a gallon a year earlier and an average of 21.6 cents per gallon for the previous five years' second quarter.

Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ was $72.9 million in the latest quarter, up 19.6 percent from a year ago.  Consolidated gross profit was $179.8 million, an increase of 13.1 percent versus the second quarter of 2011.  Net earnings increased by 26.0 percent from a year earlier to $29.8 million, or $1.40 per diluted share.

Total revenues for the second quarter increased 9.5 percent year-over-year to $1.5 billion.  The increase was driven by a 6.8 percent increase in retail fuel revenues, a 13.3 percent increase in wholesale fuel revenues, and an 11.8 percent increase in merchandise sales.  The higher fuel revenues were driven by increases both in retail and wholesale volumes sold.

"The 8 percent increase in both same-store sales and average gallons per store demonstrates our team's superior execution and the sustained growth we are seeing in the economy in the markets we serve," said Sam L. Susser, President and Chief Executive Officer.

"On the fuel side, continued strong commercial activity - particularly in markets with strong oil and gas drilling activity - helped drive gallons sold in the second quarter.  On the merchandise side, robust same-store growth reflects the continued jobs growth we are seeing in our markets in South and West Texas, as well as the positive customer response to our Stripes® stores and our delicious Laredo Taco Company® restaurant offerings," Susser said.

"Adjusted EBITDA and net income benefited from strong retail fuel margins, robust merchandise sales growth and solid cost control inside our convenience stores.

"At the corporate level, the secondary stock offering in July by our largest shareholder, Wellspring Capital Management, was positive both for Wellspring and for Susser.  At the $36 offering price, Wellspring made a very strong return on its original investment, and we expect the 5.8 million shares that are now added to our public float will improve the trading liquidity of our stock.

"Wellspring became our largest holder in 2005 when we recapitalized the Company and replaced three different private equity firms. They have been a great partner over the years," Susser said.

New Convenience Store/Wholesale Dealer Site Update

The Company opened six new large-format Stripes® convenience stores and closed one smaller store during the second quarter, for a total of 545 stores in operation as of July 1.  Four additional stores have opened during the third quarter, bringing the number of new Stripes stores constructed year-to-date to 11.  The Company has 13 additional retail stores under construction and plans to build a total of 26 to 29 stores in fiscal 2012. In fiscal 2013, the Company expects to build 28 to 35 new Stripes stores, and it is continuing to invest in its land bank for future development.

Susser Petroleum, the Company's wholesale fuel distribution subsidiary, added seven new wholesale dealer sites during the second quarter and discontinued seven for a total of 567 contracted branded dealer and consignment locations as of July 1. 

Financing Update

Net debt at July 1 declined slightly to $322.1 million, based on total debt of $451.0 million less cash of $128.9 million. The Company's ratio of net debt to trailing 12-months Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ improved 13 basis points versus the first quarter, to 1.8 times.  The Company had no outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit facility and $15.3 million in standby letters of credit, leaving borrowing capacity on the revolver at July 1 of $104.7 million.

The Company invested $43.0 million in new store construction, land purchases and other capital expenditures during the latest quarter. 

Secondary Offering of Shares by Wellspring

In July 2012, an underwritten public secondary offering was conducted on behalf of affiliates of Wellspring Capital Management of 5,000,000 shares of Susser common stock at a price of $36.00 per share.  The offering closed July 23.  The underwriters also exercised their full overallotment option and purchased an additional 750,000 of Wellspring's shares in the Company on August 1 at the offering price.  Susser did not receive any proceeds from the offering, and its total number of shares outstanding - which was 20,956,237 as of July 1, 2012 - remained unchanged as a result of the offering.  Prior to this transaction, Wellspring had never sold any shares in Susser and now owns approximately 850,000 shares or 4.1% of the Company.

Proposed IPO of Master Limited Partnership for Susser's Wholesale Fuel Business

On June 22nd, a registration statement was filed with the SEC for an initial public offering (IPO) of a master limited partnership (MLP) that would operate substantially all of Susser Holdings' legacy wholesale fuel distribution business.  The registration statement is publicly available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Susser Holdings would own the general partner of the new entity, Susser Petroleum Partners LP, as well as all of the MLP incentive distribution rights and a majority of its units representing limited partner interests.  Concurrent with the closing of the IPO, Susser Holdings expects to receive a cash distribution from the MLP in an amount corresponding to net IPO offering proceeds (after discounts, fees and expenses).  Susser Holdings in turn intends to use the proceeds of that distribution to build or acquire new convenience stores and to repay, repurchase or redeem outstanding debt.  The amount to be raised in the IPO, including the amount and price of the units to be offered, has not yet been determined.

Second Quarter Financial and Operating Highlights

Merchandise - Merchandise sales totaled $253.1 million in the latest quarter, an increase of $26.7 million, or 11.8 percent year-over-year.  Approximately $17.9 million of the increase came from stores that have been operating a year or longer, and the remainder from new stores that were opened during the last four quarters.  Same-store merchandise sales increased 8 percent, compared with growth of 5.8 percent a year earlier. Beer, food service, packaged drinks, cigarettes and snacks drove most of this growth.

Net merchandise margin as a percentage of sales was 34.1 percent, versus 34.0 percent in the second quarter of 2011.  Merchandise gross profit was $86.4 million, up 12.0 percent versus a year ago.

Retail Fuel - Retail fuel volumes increased 10.7 percent compared with a year ago to 215.3 million gallons.  Average gallons sold per store per week increased 8.0 percent versus a year ago to approximately 30,800 gallons.  Retail fuel revenues totaled $774.1 million, an increase of 6.8 percent versus the prior-year period, reflecting the increased gallons sold, partly offset by a 13 cent-per-gallon reduction in the average selling price of fuel.     

Retail fuel gross margin averaged 32.4 cents per gallon, compared with 31.2 cents per gallon in the second quarter of last year.  After deducting credit card expense, net fuel margin was 26.8 cents per gallon, versus a net 25.3 cents per gallon a year earlier.  Retail fuel gross profit increased 15.0 percent versus a year ago to $69.8 million, reflecting significantly higher volumes and slightly higher margins.

Wholesale Fuel - Wholesale fuel volumes sold to 567 independent, contracted dealers and other third-party customers increased 19.9 percent from a year ago to 153.6 million gallons. Wholesale fuel revenues increased 13.3 percent year-over-year to $466.7 million.  The revenue increase is the result of the sizeable increase in volumes sold, partly offset by an 18 cent-per-gallon reduction in average wholesale fuel selling prices.

Wholesale gross margin was 7.2 cents per gallon, versus 7.0 cents in the second quarter of last year.  Wholesale fuel gross profit increased by 22.6 percent from a year ago to $11.1 million.

Year-to-Date Financial and Operating Highlights

For the six months ended July 1, 2012, Susser's same-store merchandise sales grew 7.4 percent. First half revenues totaled $2.9 billion, up 14.7 percent versus the first half of 2011, driven by increases in retail and wholesale fuel revenues and in merchandise sales. Merchandise sales totaled $479.2 million year-to-date, up 11.6 percent versus the prior-year period.  Merchandise margin was 33.8 percent, versus 34.0 percent a year ago. 

Retail fuel margin was 23.0 cents per gallon year-to-date, compared with 23.3 cents the year before.  After deducting credit card expense, net fuel margin was 17.5 cents per gallon, compared with 17.8 cents per gallon in the first half of 2011.  Wholesale fuel margin was 6.1 cents per gallon, compared with 6.1 cents per gallon in the prior-year period. 

Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ for the first half totaled $95.8 million, up 14.0 percent from the prior year. Gross profit was $302.7 million, an increase of 10.2 percent over the first six months of 2011, reflecting improved volumes in both fuel and merchandise. First half net income was $29.3 million, or $1.38 per diluted share, versus reported net income of $23.6 million, or $1.36 per diluted share, a year ago. 

2012 Guidance Update

The Company is increasing certain of its previously issued 2012 full-year guidance metrics as follows:

Second Quarter Earnings Conference Call

Susser's management team will hold a conference call today at 11:00 a.m. ET (10:00 a.m. CT) to discuss second quarter results. To participate in the call, dial 480-629-9692 10 minutes early and ask for the Susser Holdings conference call. The call will also be accessible via webcast on Susser's web site at www.susser.com. To listen live, please visit the Investor Relations page.  A telephone replay will be available through August 15 by calling 303-590-3030 and using the pass code 4552146#. A webcast archive will be available for approximately 60 days on Susser's web site.

Corpus Christi, Texas-based Susser Holdings Corporation is a third-generation family led business with approximately 1,100 Company-operated or contracted locations. The Company operates approximately 545 convenience stores in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma under the Stripes® banner. Restaurant service is available in more than 335 of its stores, primarily under the proprietary Laredo Taco Company® brand. The Company also supplies branded motor fuel to approximately 565 independent dealers through Susser Petroleum Company, its wholesale fuel division.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" which may describe Susser's objectives, expected results of operations, targets, plans, strategies, costs, anticipated capital expenditures, potential acquisitions, new store openings and/or new dealer locations. These statements are based on current plans and expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to vary materially, including but not limited to: competitive pressures from convenience stores, gasoline stations, other non-traditional retailers located in our markets and other wholesale fuel distributors; volatility in crude oil and wholesale petroleum costs; increasing consumer preferences for alternative motor fuels, or improvements in fuel efficiency; intense competition and fragmentation in the wholesale motor fuel distribution industry; the operation of our retail stores in close proximity to stores of our dealers; seasonal trends in the industries in which we operate; severe or unfavorable weather conditions; cross-border risks associated with the concentration of our stores in markets bordering Mexico; inability to build or acquire and successfully integrate new stores; our ability to comply with federal and state regulations including those related to environmental matters and the sale of alcohol and cigarettes and employment laws and health benefits; dangers inherent in storing and transporting motor fuel; pending or future consumer or other litigation; wholesale cost increases of tobacco products or future legislation or campaigns to discourage smoking; litigation or adverse publicity concerning food quality, food safety or other health concerns related to our restaurant facilities; dependence on two principal suppliers for merchandise and two principal suppliers for motor fuel; dependence on suppliers for credit terms; dependence on senior management and the ability to attract qualified employees; acts of war and terrorism; risks relating to our substantial indebtedness and dependence on our subsidiaries for cash flow generation; dependence on our information technology systems; changes in accounting standards, policies or estimates; impairment of goodwill or indefinite lived assets; ability to complete the initial public offering of Susser Petroleum Partners LP; and other unforeseen factors.

For a full discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, refer to the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 1, 2012 and subsequent quarterly filings.  These forward-looking statements are based on and include our estimates as of the date hereof. Subsequent events and market developments could cause our estimates to change. While we may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, even if new information becomes available, except as may be required by applicable law. 

Financial statements follow

Key Operating Metrics

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, information concerning key measures we rely on to gauge our operating performance:

We believe EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR are useful to investors in evaluating our operating performance because:

• they are used as performance and liquidity measures under our existing revolving credit facility and the indenture governing our notes, including for purposes of determining whether we have satisfied certain financial performance maintenance covenants and our ability to borrow additional indebtedness and pay dividends;
• securities analysts and other interested parties use such calculations as a measure of financial performance and debt service capabilities;
• they facilitate management's ability to measure the operating performance of our business on a consistent basis by excluding the impact of items not directly resulting from our retail convenience stores and wholesale motor fuel distribution operations;
• they are used by our management for internal planning purposes, including aspects of our consolidated operating budget, capital expenditures, as well as for segment and individual site operating targets; and
• they are used by our Board and management for determining certain management compensation targets and thresholds.

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR are not recognized terms under GAAP and do not purport to be alternatives to net income (loss) as measures of operating performance or to cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR have limitations as analytical tools, and you should not consider them in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations include:

• they do not reflect our cash expenditures, or future requirements, for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;
• they do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, working capital;
• they do not reflect significant interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our existing revolving credit facility or existing notes;
• they do not reflect payments made or future requirements for income taxes;
• although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR do not reflect cash requirements for such replacements; and
• because not all companies use identical calculations, our presentation of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

The following table presents a reconciliation of net income (loss) attributable to Susser Holdings Corporation to EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR:

The following table presents a reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities to EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR:

SOURCE Susser Holdings Corporation