ANN ARBOR, Mich., Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Domino's Pizza, Inc. (NYSE: DPZ), the recognized world leader in pizza delivery, today announced results for the fourth quarter and fiscal 2016, comprised of strong growth in same store sales, global store counts and earnings per share. Domestic same store sales grew 12.2% during the quarter versus the year-ago period, and 10.5% for the full year, continuing the positive sales momentum in the Company's domestic business. The international division also posted strong results, with same store sales growth of 4.3% during the quarter and 6.3% for the full year. The fourth quarter marked the 92nd consecutive quarter – or 23rd year – of positive international same store sales growth and the 23rd consecutive quarter of positive domestic same store sales growth. The Company also had record global net store growth of 1,281 stores in 2016, comprised of 171 net new domestic stores and 1,110 net new stores internationally.

Fourth quarter diluted EPS was $1.48, up 25.4% over the prior-year quarter; full year diluted EPS was $4.30, up 23.9% over the prior year. Management noted that the as-reported diluted EPS for both the fourth quarter and fiscal 2015 was negatively impacted by expenses related to the Company's recapitalization, and was positively impacted by the inclusion of an extra, or 53rd, week in the fourth quarter of 2015. Fourth quarter diluted EPS was up 28.7% over the prior-year quarter as-adjusted EPS of $1.15; full year diluted EPS was up 24.6% over the prior year as-adjusted EPS of $3.45.

On February 15, 2017, the Board of Directors declared a 46-cent per share quarterly dividend for shareholders of record as of March 15, 2017 to be paid on March 30, 2017. This represents a 21.1% increase over the previous quarterly dividend amount.

"I'm extremely proud of our franchisees and operators worldwide, including those who contributed toward back-to-back years of double digit sales growth in the U.S.," said J. Patrick Doyle, Domino's President and Chief Executive Officer. "While these unprecedented results speak for themselves, I am most pleased with the passion and energy we demonstrated throughout 2016 in meeting the challenge of sustained success. The momentum and alignment within our system has never been stronger."

Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2016 Highlights:

• Revenues were up 10.6% for the fourth quarter versus the prior year period, due primarily to higher supply chain volumes as well as higher Company-owned store, domestic franchise and international franchise revenues resulting from increased same store sales and store count growth. The increase in consolidated revenue was offset in part by the inclusion of the 53rd week in fiscal 2015 and the negative impact of foreign currency exchange rates.
• Net Income increased 15.9% for the fourth quarter versus the prior year period, primarily driven by an increase in store count and same store sales growth as well as higher supply chain volumes. The increase in consolidated net income was partially offset by higher general and administrative expenses and the negative impact of foreign exchange rates. The inclusion of the 53rd week in 2015 and the Company's 2015 recapitalization both impact the comparability of the financial results for the fourth quarter. See the Items Affecting Comparability section for additional details.
• Diluted EPS was $1.48 for the fourth quarter versus $1.18 in the prior year quarter on an as-reported basis. This represents a 30-cent or 25.4% increase over the prior year quarter. Diluted EPS increased 33 cents or 28.7% from $1.15 in the prior year quarter on an as-adjusted basis. This increase was driven by the increase in net income as well as lower diluted share count, primarily as a result of ongoing share repurchases. See the Items Affecting Comparability section and the Comments on Regulation G section for additional details.

The table below outlines certain statistical measures utilized by the Company to analyze its performance. Refer to the Comments on Regulation G section on page four for additional details.

Conference Call InformationThe Company will file its annual report on Form 10-K this morning. As previously announced, Domino's Pizza, Inc. will hold a conference call today at 10 a.m. (Eastern) to review its fiscal 2016 financial results. The call can be accessed by dialing (888) 400-9978 (U.S./Canada) or (706) 634-4947 (International). Ask for the Domino's Pizza conference call. The call will also be webcast at biz.dominos.com. The webcast will also be archived for one year on biz.dominos.com.

DividendsOn February 15, 2017, the Board of Directors declared a 46-cent per share quarterly dividend for shareholders of record as of March 15, 2017, to be paid on March 30, 2017. This represents a 21.1% increase over the previous quarterly dividend amount.

Share RepurchasesDuring the fourth quarter, the Company repurchased and retired 102,394 shares of its common stock under its open market share repurchase program for $16.4 million. Subsequent to the fourth quarter, the Company repurchased and retired 80,360 shares for $12.7 million, or an average price of $158.30 per share. As of February 21, 2017, the Company had a total remaining authorized amount for share repurchases of $136.4 million.

Items Affecting ComparabilityThe Company's reported financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal 2016 are not comparable to the reported financial results for the equivalent periods in 2015. The table below presents certain items that affect comparability between 2016 and 2015 financial results. Management believes that including such information is critical to the understanding of its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal 2016 as compared to the same periods in 2015 (see the Comments on Regulation G section on pages four and five for additional details).

In addition to the items noted in the table below, the Company had lower weighted average diluted shares outstanding in 2016 that resulted in an increase in diluted EPS by an estimated 12 cents in the fourth quarter of 2016 and an estimated 43 cents in fiscal 2016. The Company incurred less interest expense in fiscal 2016 primarily as a result of lower net debt levels and higher interest expense in 2015 related to the Company's recapitalization. The decrease in interest expense resulted in a decrease in diluted EPS by an estimated three cents in the fourth quarter of 2016 and an estimated 22 cents in fiscal 2016.

Three- to Five-Year OutlookThe Company does not provide quarterly or annual earnings estimates. The following outlook does not constitute specific earnings guidance. In January 2017, the Company provided a three- to five-year outlook as follows:

LiquidityAs of January 1, 2017, the Company had approximately:

• $42.8 million of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents;
• $2.19 billion in total debt; and
• $80.7 million of available borrowings under its $125.0 million variable funding notes. Letters of credit issued under the Company's variable funding note facility were $44.3 million.

The Company invested $58.6 million in capital expenditures during fiscal 2016, versus $63.3 million in fiscal 2015. Free cash flow, as reconciled below to cash flows from operations as determined under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), was approximately $228.7 million in fiscal 2016.

Comments on Regulation GIn addition to the GAAP financial measures set forth in this press release, the Company has included non-GAAP financial measures within the meaning of Regulation G, including free cash flow metrics and measures related to items affecting comparability between fiscal quarters and fiscal years. The Company has also included metrics such as global retail sales growth and same store sales growth, which are commonly used statistical measures in the quick-service restaurant industry that are important to understanding Company performance.

The Company uses "Diluted EPS, as adjusted," which is calculated as reported Diluted EPS adjusted for the items that affect comparability to the prior year periods discussed above. The most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP is Diluted EPS. The Company believes that the Diluted EPS, as adjusted measure is important and useful to investors and other interested persons and that such persons benefit from having a consistent basis for comparison between reporting periods. The Company uses Diluted EPS, as adjusted to internally evaluate operating performance, to evaluate itself against its peers and in long-range planning. Additionally, the Company believes that analysts covering the Company's stock performance generally eliminate these items affecting comparability when preparing their financial models, when determining their published EPS estimates and when benchmarking the Company against its competitors.

The Company uses "Global retail sales" to refer to total worldwide retail sales at Company-owned and franchise stores. The Company believes global retail sales information is useful in analyzing revenues because franchisees pay royalties that are based on a percentage of franchise retail sales. The Company reviews comparable industry global retail sales information to assess business trends and to track the growth of the Domino's Pizza® brand. In addition, supply chain revenues are directly impacted by changes in franchise retail sales. Retail sales for franchise stores are reported to the Company by its franchisees and are not included in Company revenues.

The Company uses "Same store sales growth," which is calculated by including only sales from stores that also had sales in the comparable period of the prior year. International same store sales growth is calculated similarly to domestic same store sales growth. Changes in international same store sales are reported excluding foreign currency impacts, which reflect changes in international local currency sales.

The Company uses "Free cash flow," which is calculated as cash flows from operations less capital expenditures, both as reported under GAAP. The Company believes that the free cash flow measure is important to investors and other interested persons, and that such persons benefit from having a measure which communicates how much cash flow is available for working capital needs or to be used for repurchasing debt, making acquisitions, repurchasing common stock, paying dividends or other similar uses of cash.

About Domino's Pizza®Founded in 1960, Domino's Pizza is the recognized world leader in pizza delivery, with a significant business in carryout pizza. It ranks among the world's top public restaurant brands with a global enterprise of more than 13,800 stores in over 85 markets. Domino's had global retail sales of nearly $10.9 billion in 2016, with more than $5.3 billion in the U.S. and more than $5.5 billion internationally. In the fourth quarter of 2016, Domino's had global retail sales of nearly $3.6 billion, with over $1.7 billion in the U.S. and over $1.8 billion internationally. Its system is comprised of independent franchise owners who accounted for over 97% of Domino's stores as of the fourth quarter of 2016. Emphasis on technology innovation helped Domino's reach an estimated $5.6 billion in global digital sales in 2016, and has produced several innovative ordering platforms including Google Home, Facebook Messenger, Apple Watch, Amazon Echo, Twitter and text message using a pizza emoji. In late 2015, Domino's announced the design and launch of the DXP®, a purpose-built pizza delivery vehicle, as well as Piece of the Pie Rewards™, its first digital customer loyalty program.

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Please visit our Investor Relations website at biz.dominos.com to view a schedule of upcoming earnings releases, significant announcements and conference webcasts.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995:This press release contains forward-looking statements. You can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as "believes," "expects," "may," "will," "should," "seeks," "approximately," "intends," "plans," "estimates," or "anticipates" or similar expressions that concern our strategy, plans or intentions. These forward-looking statements relating to our anticipated profitability, estimates in same store sales growth, the growth of our international business, ability to service our indebtedness, our future cash flows, our operating performance, trends in our business and other descriptions of future events reflect the Company's expectations based upon currently available information and data. However, actual results are subject to future risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially include: the level of our long-term and other indebtedness; uncertainties relating to litigation; consumer preferences, spending patterns and demographic trends; the effectiveness of our advertising, operations and promotional initiatives; the strength of our brand in the markets in which we compete; our ability to retain key personnel; new product, digital ordering and concept developments by us, and other food-industry competitors; the ongoing level of profitability of our franchisees; our ability and that of our franchisees to open new restaurants and keep existing restaurants in operation; changes in operating expenses resulting from changes in food (particularly cheese), labor, utilities, insurance, employee benefits and other operating costs; the impact that widespread illness or general health concerns may have on our business and the economy of the countries where we operate; severe weather conditions and natural disasters; changes in our effective tax rate; changes in foreign currency exchange rates; changes in government legislation and regulations; adequacy of our insurance coverage; costs related to future financings; our ability and that of our franchisees to successfully operate in the current credit environment; changes in the level of consumer spending given the general economic conditions, including interest rates, energy prices and consumer confidence; availability of borrowings under our variable funding notes and our letters of credit; our ability to pay dividends and repurchase shares; and changes in accounting policies. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations are more fully described in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including under the section headed "Risk Factors" in our annual report on Form 10-K. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and you should not rely on such statements as representing the views of the Company as of any subsequent date. Except as required by applicable securities laws, we do not undertake to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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SOURCE Domino's Pizza, Inc.