Buffalo Wild Wings (BWLD) Misses Q2 EPS by 14c

Buffalo Wild Wings (NASDAQ: BWLD) reported Q2 EPS of $1.12, $0.14 worse than the analyst estimate of $1.26. Revenue for the quarter came in at $426.4 million versus the consensus estimate of $429.79 million. Same-store sales increased 4.2% at company-owned restaurants and 2.5% at franchised restaurants

Sally Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Solid sales performance in the second quarter was offset by a challenging cost environment. Our second quarter same-store sales were 4.2% at company-owned restaurants and 2.5% at franchised locations. This spring we created World of Sports, which highlighted the playoffs, women's World Cup, and unique sports from around the globe to help drive sales over our strong same-store sales last year. We also launched B-Dubs® Fast Break, a system-wide lunch program, and supported the campaign with national and local advertising.”

Ms. Smith continued, “We earned $1.12 per diluted share in the second quarter, a decline from 2014 primarily from increased food and labor costs. The price per pound for traditional chicken wings was 26% higher than the prior year. Labor as a percentage of sales increased due to higher wage rates and benefits costs and the addition of Guest Experience Captains at all company-owned restaurants that was completed in fourth quarter last year.”

2015 Outlook

Ms. Smith remarked, “Same-store sales increased 4.8% at company-owned restaurants and 2.0% at franchised locations for the first four weeks of the third quarter of 2015 compared to 8.2% and 7.4%, respectively, for the same period last year, which included the men's World Cup finals. We're excited for the start of the football season and our restaurant teams are getting ready to host fantasy football draft parties. Buffalo Wild Wings remains the place to watch all the gridiron action and we will air new advertising focusing on the great football environment our restaurants offer.”

Ms. Smith continued, "In July, we finalized a purchase agreement to acquire 41 franchised Buffalo Wild Wings locations in Texas, New Mexico, and Hawaii and we anticipate the transaction closing in August. This acquisition is expected to decrease net earnings in 2015 due to the timing of the closing, increased depreciation and amortization of reacquired franchise rights, and $5 million in transition costs."

Ms. Smith concluded, "Investments in Buffalo Wild Wings, including the Guest Experience Business Model and Stadia restaurant design, further strengthen our brand. Same-store sales at Buffalo Wild Wings are strong and we have long-term opportunities that will continue to drive restaurant sales and net earnings growth. As a result of the near-term expenses from the integration of the franchise acquisition, we are revising our net earnings growth goal for 2015 to 13%.”

For earnings history and earnings-related data on Buffalo Wild Wings (BWLD) click here.

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