Dunkin' Brands (NASDAQ: DNKN) reported Q4 EPS of $0.68, $0.07 better than the analyst estimate of $0.61. Revenue for the quarter came in at $319.6 million versus the consensus estimate of $329.43 million.

• Flat Dunkin' U.S. comparable store sales
• Baskin-Robbins U.S. comparable store sales decline of 3.7%
• Added 148 net new Dunkin' and Baskin-Robbins locations globally, including 106 net new Dunkin\' locations in the U.S.
• Revenues increased 1.5%
• Diluted EPS of $0.64, a decrease of 56.5% driven by the impact of tax reform in the prior year
• Diluted adjusted EPS increased by 41.7% to $0.68

GUIDANCE:

Dunkin' Brands sees FY2019 EPS of $2.94-$2.99, versus the consensus of $2.99.

FISCAL YEAR 2019 TARGETSThe Company introduces the following fiscal year 2019 performance targets:

• The Company expects low-single digit comparable store sales growth for Dunkin\' U.S. and Baskin-Robbins U.S.
• The Company expects to be at the low end of the range of 200 and 250 net new Dunkin\' U.S. units. It expects new Dunkin\' U.S. restaurants opened in 2019 will contribute greater than $130 million in systemwide sales in 2019.
• The Company expects Baskin-Robbins U.S. franchisees to close approximately ten net units.
• The Company expects low-to-mid single digit percent revenue growth.
• The Company expects low-to-mid single digit percent other revenue growth driven by consumer packaged goods.
• The Company expects ice cream margin dollars to be flat compared to 2018 from a profit dollar standpoint.
• The Company expects net income of equity method investments (JV net income) to be flat compared to 2018.
• The Company expects a mid-single digit percent reduction to general and administrative expenses.
• The Company expects mid-to-high single digit percent operating and adjusted operating income growth.
• The Company expects its full-year effective tax rate to be approximately 28% and net interest expense to be $122 million. The tax guidance excludes any potential future impact from material excess tax benefits in 2019.
• The Company expects full-year weighted-average shares outstanding of approximately 84 million.
• The Company expects GAAP diluted earnings per share of $2.74 to $2.83 and adjusted earnings per share of $2.94 to $2.99.
• The Company expects capital expenditures to be approximately $40 million.

For earnings history and earnings-related data on Dunkin' Brands (DNKN) click here.