Meritage Reports Full-Year 2019 Preliminary Results; 2020 Outlook: Robust Growth Ahead
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Feb. 24, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Meritage Hospitality Group Inc. (OTCQX: MHGU), one of the nation’s premier franchise restaurant operator and developer, today reported preliminary financial results for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2019.
2019 Full-Year Highlights:
- Sales increased 7.4% to $467.5 million compared to $435.3 million last year.
- Earnings from Operations were $21.2 million compared to $25.4 million last year. (The current year included $2.1 million in additional depreciation, a non-cash expense)
- Net Earnings were $12.9 million compared to $13.2 million last year. (The change in Net Earnings reflects a negative year over year non-cash GAAP charge of $2.5 million resulting from the Company’s interest rate swap agreements, which are measured at fair value based on mark-to-market).
- Consolidated EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure) increased 12.2% to $44.6 million compared to $39.7 million last year.
- The Company developed or acquired a net of 20 restaurants during the year, to finish with 337 restaurants in operation across 16 states.
- Common stock dividends increased 60% to $0.24 per share compared to $0.15 prior year.
“Our operations and development performance in 2019 represented significant milestones in our 5-Year growth plan, finishing the year strong with 337 restaurants in operation. Despite minor development delays and non-cash impacts to reported net earnings for fiscal 2019, we were pleased with the net results and solid 12.2% EBITDA growth for the year as we developed and renovated a record number of new locations. We continued to transform our restaurant portfolio through the development of new locations and renovation of existing locations, offering both guests and employees more conveniences. Looking ahead to 2020, we are forecasting robust sales growth of approximately $100 million, a transformative year, with the rollout of breakfast in 316 of our Wendy’s locations, new restaurant development, renovations and the continued development of the Morning Belle breakfast/brunch restaurant concept. Operational excellence continues to be our inspiration, leveraging the Company’s best-in-class operating platform and restaurant development expertise, while delivering on the Wendy’s brand promise of quality, convenience, and value,” stated Meritage CEO Robert Schermer, Jr.
Fourth Quarter 2019 Highlights:
- Sales increased 12.5% to $121.2 million compared to sales of $107.8 million for the same period last year.
- Earnings from Operations were $3.6 million compared to $6.0 million for the same period last year.
- Net Income was $2.4 million compared to $2.4 million for the same period last year.
- Consolidated EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure) was $9.4 million compared to $10.1 million last year.
Meritage plans to continue its focus on Wendy’s capital investment and brand initiatives in 2020 with up to 18 new-build locations and 24 modernizations across sixteen states of operations.
Company 2020 Full-Year Financial Outlook: Robust Growth Ahead
- Sales growth of +20%-25%
- Earnings from Operations growth of +20%-25%
- Net Earnings growth of +15%-20%
- EBITDA growth of +15% to 20%
- Dividend growth +17%- 33%
Meritage continues to distinguish itself as a leader and innovator in the QSR and Family Restaurant segments, striving for best in class results through a performance-based and employee-centric culture committed to operational excellence, strategic acquisitions and real estate development.
About Meritage
Meritage Hospitality Group is one of the nation’s premier restaurant operators, currently with 337 restaurants in operation located in Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. Meritage is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, operating with a workforce of approximately 11,000 employees. At Fiscal year end the 2019 the Company had, total weighted avg. fully diluted common shares outstanding of 9,033,570 and Fully Diluted EPS of $1.27.
The Company’s current and publically available information as required under SEC Rule 15c2-11 and FINRA Rule 6432 can be found at , under the stock symbol MHGU, Disclosures or the Company’s website .
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
Certain information in this new release, particularly information regarding future economic performance and finances, and plans, expectations and objectives of management, constitutes forward-looking statements. Factors set forth in our Safe Harbor Statement, in addition to other possible factors not listed, could affect the Company’s actual results and cause such results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. Please review the Company’s Safe Harbor Statement at
CONTACT:
Robert E. Schermer, Jr., CEO
Meritage Hospitality Group Inc.
(616) 776-2600
