Susser Holdings Reports Strong Third Quarter 2011 Results

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, Nov. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Susser Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SUSS) today reported strong financial and operating results for the third quarter ended October 2, 2011, driven by robust performance in both merchandise and fuel.

Same-store merchandise sales increased by 7.4 percent, compared with an increase of 3.4 percent in the third quarter of 2010.  Average retail gallons per store per week increased 5.6 percent year-over-year, versus growth of 3.9 percent a year ago.

Retail net merchandise margin was 33.6 percent in the latest quarter, versus 33.8 percent in the same quarter last year.  Retail fuel margins before credit card expense averaged 27.7 cents per gallon, versus 22.8 cents a year ago and 31.2 cents a gallon in the second quarter of this year.

Adjusted EBITDA(1) rose 37.9 percent from the third quarter of last year to $51.4 million.  Third quarter 2011 gross profit was $153.4 million, which was up 18.6 percent year-over-year.

Net income for the quarter more than doubled to $18.5 million, or $1.06 per diluted share, versus $9.0 million, or $0.52 per diluted share, in the same quarter last year.

Consolidated revenues for the latest quarter totaled $1.4 billion – which was flat versus the second quarter of 2011 but up 40.1 percent from a year ago.  The year-over-year increase is the result of a 47.9 percent increase in combined retail and wholesale fuel revenues, driven by a 7.3 percent increase in total gallons sold and a 37.9 percent increase in the average selling price per gallon, along with a 12.8 percent increase in overall merchandise sales.  

“We delivered one of our strongest quarters ever in same-store merchandise sales growth during the latest quarter, and despite higher gasoline prices versus a year ago, we achieved strong growth in gallons sold,” said Sam L. Susser, President and Chief Executive Officer.

“Our net merchandise margin was slightly lower than a year ago, which reflects small and very manageable increases in certain commodity costs, along with the impact of selective promotions that have enabled us to maintain and grow market share and drive customer traffic.

“We expect to continue to benefit from our geographic market focus in Texas, which is still faring better than many other parts of the U.S. due to our relatively stable housing market, continued strong population growth and robust job growth.  

“As 2011 draws near to a close, we expect to deliver our 23rd consecutive annual increase in same-store merchandise sales. As a result of our continued strong performance this past quarter, we have raised 2011 guidance for most of our key performance metrics and have accelerated our growth capital spending,” he said.

New Convenience Store/Wholesale Dealer Site Update

Susser opened five large-format Stripes® convenience stores and closed two smaller stores during the third quarter of 2011, for a total of 535 retail stores in operation as of October 2. Two others have opened to date in the fourth quarter, bringing total new Stripes® stores added year-to-date to 15.  Five additional stores currently are under construction, and most are expected to open before the end of this year. The Company expects to commence construction on four to six additional retail locations prior to year end and continues to invest in its land bank.

In its wholesale fuel business, Susser added two new dealer sites and discontinued supplying one site during the third quarter, for a total of 440 dealer locations as of October 2.  Following the close of the third quarter, on October 3, the Company completed the acquisition of 121 branded wholesale fuel supply contracts and 24 commercial accounts in North and East Texas, bringing our current contracted branded dealer count to 561.

Financing Update

The Company completed a sale/leaseback transaction for one retail store in the third quarter for proceeds of $2.8 million. One additional transaction for $2.6 million has also been completed in the fourth quarter.

Susser ended the third quarter with trailing 12-month Adjusted EBITDA(1) of $159.5 million.  The ratio of net debt to Adjusted EBITDA(1) improved by an additional 30 basis points versus the prior quarter, to 2.3 times.  Net debt at October 2 totaled $373.5 million, based on total debt of $451.0 million, less cash of $77.5 million.

The Company spent $4.4 million during the quarter to repurchase 229,102 shares of Susser common stock at an average price of $19.12 per share.  Through November 8, the Company has spent $9.0 million of a total $15 million stock buyback authorization announced in June 2011.

Through the first nine months of the year, the Company has invested $95.7 million in gross capital expenditures and $86.3 million in net capital expenditures.  

Third Quarter Financial and Operating Highlights

Merchandise – Total merchandise sales increased by 12.8 percent from a year ago to $233.5 million in the latest quarter.  Approximately $15 million of the increase was realized from stores that have been in operation for 12 months or more, with the balance attributable to new stores added over the last four quarters.  Same-store merchandise sales increased 7.4 percent, compared with a 3.4 percent increase in the third quarter of 2010.  Packaged drinks, food service, beer, snacks and cigarettes led the company’s strong third-quarter merchandise sales performance.

Net merchandise margin was 33.6 percent, versus 33.8 percent a year ago, which reflects slightly higher commodity costs and selected in-store promotions that resulted in increased market share in several core categories.  Merchandise gross profit increased by 11.9 percent versus a year ago to $78.4 million.

Retail Fuel - Retail fuel volumes increased 7.9 percent from a year ago to 199.7 million gallons for the third quarter.  Average gallons sold per store per week were 5.6 percent higher than the comparable quarter of last year, at 29,027 gallons.  Revenues from retail fuel sales totaled $711.2 million – an increase of 45.4 percent year-over-year – which is due to a 92-cent-per-gallon increase in average pump prices, plus the impact of higher gallons sold.  

Retail fuel gross margin averaged 27.7 cents per gallon in the third quarter, compared with 22.8 cents per gallon a year ago.  After deducting credit card expense, net fuel margin was 21.9 cents per gallon for the third quarter, compared with 18.5 cents per gallon a year ago.  Retail fuel gross profit increased 31.3 percent year-over-year to $55.3 million.

Wholesale Fuel - Wholesale fuel volumes sold to approximately 440 contracted dealers and other third-party customers during the third quarter increased 6.4 percent from a year ago to 130.0 million gallons. Wholesale fuel revenues were 52.7 percent higher than a year ago, at $397.2 million, which reflects a 93-cent-per-gallon increase in average wholesale selling prices as well as the increase in volumes sold.  

Wholesale gross margin was 6.5 cents per gallon, versus 5.9 cents per gallon in the third quarter of last year.  Wholesale fuel gross profit increased by 16 percent to $8.4 million.

Year-to-Date 2011 Financial and Operating Highlights

For the nine months ended October 2, 2011, Susser reported same-store merchandise sales grew 6.3 percent. Total revenues for the latest nine-month period were $3.9 billion, up 33.4 percent versus the first nine months of 2010.  Merchandise sales totaled $662.9 million year-to-date, up 9.3 percent versus the comparable period last year.  Merchandise margin was 33.9 percent, versus 33.5 percent for the first nine months of 2010.  

Retail fuel margin was 24.8 cents per gallon, compared with 19.6 cents for the first three quarters of last year. After deducting credit card expense, net fuel margin was 19.2 cents per gallon year-to-date 2011, compared with 15.3 cents per gallon for the same period a year ago.  Wholesale fuel margin was 6.2 cents per gallon for the first nine months of 2011, compared with 5.3 cents per gallon the prior year.  

Adjusted EBITDA(1) totaled $135.4 million, up 41.2 percent from the comparable 2010 period. Gross profit was $428.1 million, an increase of 18.6 percent over last year, reflecting improved margins in both fuel and merchandise.

Net income for the first three quarters of 2011 was $42.2 million, or $2.42 per diluted share, versus reported net income of $2.1 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, in the first three quarters of last year.  Excluding a charge for early retirement of debt in May 2010, the Company would have reported net income of $17.8 million, or $1.04 per share for the first three quarters of 2010.

2011 Guidance Update

The Company has updated a portion of its guidance for FY 2011 as follows:

Third 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 third quarter results. To participate in the call, dial 480-629-9692 at least 10 minutes early and ask for the Susser conference call. The call will also be accessible via Susser’s web site at www.susser.com. To listen live, please visit the Investor Relations page.  A telephone replay will be available through November 16 by calling 303-590-3030 and using the pass code 4480960#.  An 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 over 535 convenience stores in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma under the Stripes® banner. Restaurant service is available in more than 320 of its stores, primarily under the proprietary Laredo Taco Company® brand. The Company also supplies branded motor fuel to approximately 560 independent dealers through 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; wholesale cost increases of tobacco products or future legislation or campaigns to discourage smoking; intense competition and fragmentation in the wholesale motor fuel distribution industry; the operation of our stores in close proximity to stores of our dealers; seasonal trends in the industries in which we operate; unfavorable weather conditions; cross-border risks associated with the concentration of our stores in markets bordering Mexico; inability to identify, acquire and 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; 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; dependence on our information technology systems; changes in accounting standards, policies or estimates; impairment of goodwill or indefinite lived assets; 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 2, 2011, and subsequent quarterly reports. 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.

SUSS-IR

Financial Statements Follow

Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Measures to GAAP Measures

We define EBITDA as net income (loss) attributable to Susser Holdings Corporation before net interest expense, income taxes and depreciation, amortization and accretion.  Adjusted EBITDA further adjusts EBITDA by excluding non-cash stock based compensation expense and certain other operating expenses that are reflected in our net income that we do not believe are indicative of our ongoing core operations, such as significant non-recurring transaction expenses and the gain or loss on disposal of assets and impairment charges.  Adjusted EBITDAR adds back rent to Adjusted EBITDA.  In addition, those expenses that we have excluded from our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA are also excluded in measuring our covenants under our revolving credit facility and the indenture governing our debt agreements and indentures.

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

• they are used as a performance and liquidity measure 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 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