DineEquity (NYSE: DIN) reported Q2 EPS of ($0.87), $0.10 better than the analyst estimate of ($0.97). Revenue for the quarter came in at $109.71 million versus the consensus estimate of $95.76 million.

Second Quarter of 2020 Summary

• GAAP net loss per diluted share of $8.04 for the second quarter of 2020 compared to earnings per diluted share of $1.18 for the second quarter of 2019.
• This variance was primarily due to non-cash impairment charges totaling $106.5 million related to the write-downs of Applebee’s goodwill and other intangible assets as a result of the impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s operations. These items were partially offset by a deferred tax benefit of $3.4 million attributable to the other intangible assets charge.
• Additionally, gross profit decreased primarily due to a significant decline in customer traffic as a result of governmental measures to stem the spread of the coronavirus and related changes in consumer behavior.
• Adjusted net loss per diluted share of $0.87 for the second quarter of 2020 compared to adjusted earnings per diluted share of $1.71 for the second quarter of 2019. (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and reconciliation of GAAP earnings per diluted share to adjusted earnings per diluted share.)
• General and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2020 declined 21.6% year-over-year to $30.9 million. The improvement was mainly due to lower compensation expenses.
• Net loss of $134.8 million for the second quarter of 2020 compared to net income of $21.4 million the second quarter of 2019.
• Consolidated adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter of 2020 was $12.1 million. This compares to $68.0 million for the second quarter of 2019. (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and reconciliation of GAAP net income to consolidated adjusted EBITDA.)
• Cash used in operating activities for the first six months of 2020 was $10.5 million. This compares to cash flows from operating activities of $69.3 million for the first six months of 2019. The decrease mainly was due a significant decline in customer traffic at our restaurants that adversely impacted our segment operations as well as payment deferrals we offered to our franchisees primarily for the months of March 2020 and April 2020.
• The Company had negative adjusted free cash flow of $12.4 million for the first six months of 2020. This compares to adjusted free cash flow of $66.0 million for the first six months of 2019. (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and reconciliation of the Company’s cash provided by operating activities to adjusted free cash flow.)
• GAAP net loss available to common stockholders was $130.0 million, or net loss per diluted share of $8.04, for the second quarter of 2020. This compares to net income available to common stockholders of $20.7 million, or earnings per diluted share of $1.18, for the second quarter of 2019. The decrease in net income was primarily due to the impairment charges and decline in gross profit discussed above. These items were partially offset by a decline in general and administrative expenses.
• Adjusted net loss available to common stockholders was $14.0 million, or adjusted net loss per diluted share of $0.87, for the second quarter of 2020. This compares to adjusted net income available to common stockholders of $30.0 million, or adjusted earnings per diluted share of $1.71, for the second quarter of 2019. The decrease in adjusted net income was primarily due to lower gross profit for the reasons described above. This item was partially offset by fewer weighted average diluted shares outstanding and lower general and administrative expenses. (See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.)

Cash Position

Dine Brands has taken precautionary measures to increase the Company’s financial flexibility due to the conditions caused by COVID-19. As previously disclosed on March 19, 2020, the Company borrowed $220 million from its revolving financing facility, all of which remains drawn as of June 30, 2020. As of June 30, 2020, $2.8 million was pledged against the revolving financing facility for outstanding letters of credit.

As of June 30, 2020, the Company had $342.5 million of total cash, including restricted cash of $64.0 million. The Company believes that its asset-light business model and cash position will continue to provide strong liquidity during the pandemic.

The Company makes $16.4 million of quarterly interest payments on its Series 2019-1 Class A-2-I, Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes and Series 2019-1 Class A-2-II, Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes (the “Class A-2-I Notes”, together with the “Class A-2-II Notes”, the “Class A-2 Notes”). In addition, the Company anticipates making a principal payment of $3.25 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. The quarterly principal payments under the Class A-2 Notes may be voluntarily suspended when the leverage ratio for the Company and its subsidiaries is less than or equal to 5.25x. As of June 30, 2020, the Company’s leverage ratio was 6.30x.

The Company voluntarily doubled its interest reserve on its Class A-2 Notes during the second quarter of 2020 to $32.8 million to enhance its securitization structure. This increased restricted cash by $16.4 million.

GAAP Effective Tax Rate

Our effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2020 was an 8.2% tax benefit compared to a 26.4% expense for the second quarter of 2019. The variance is primarily due to the non-deductibility of the Applebee’s goodwill impairment discussed earlier.

Financial Performance Guidance for 2020 Withdrawn

The Company disclosed on March 19, 2020 that it believes its consolidated financial results for 2020 could be materially impacted by the global impact from COVID-19. As a result, the Company withdrew its 2020 financial performance guidance issued on February 24, 2020. The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement its financial performance guidance issued on February 24, 2020.

Applebee’s Reopening Update

Applebee’s restaurants began reopening their dining rooms on April 27, 2020. As of June 30, 2020, out of 1,639 domestic Applebee’s franchise restaurants, 1,523 were open for in-restaurant dining, 70 were open for only off-premise sales, comprised of take-out and delivery, and 46 were temporarily closed.

IHOP Reopening Update

IHOP restaurants began reopening their dining rooms on April 21, 2020. As of June 30, 2020, out of 1,695 domestic IHOP franchise and area license restaurants, 1,485 were open for in-restaurant dining, 76 were open only for off-premise sales, comprised of take-out and delivery, and 134 were temporarily closed.

“As we continue to navigate through the challenges currently facing our industry, we have remained resolute in our focus to return to growth. Throughout the second quarter, weekly comparable sales and traffic at both Applebee’s and IHOP improved as state and local governments began to ease restrictions on dining room operations. This, coupled with the significant growth of our brands’ off-premise business, contributed to the progress made during the quarter,” said Steve Joyce, chief executive officer of Dine Brands Global, Inc.

Mr. Joyce added, “I’m confident in our long-term strategy and ability to quickly adapt to the ever-changing industry landscape. We have strong liquidity with approximately $342 million of cash, of which $279 million is unrestricted cash. We’ve been through challenging times before, and I believe we are well-positioned to emerge from the pandemic and restore our momentum.”

For earnings history and earnings-related data on DineEquity (DIN) click here.