UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-Q  

(Mark One)

/X/ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

  For the Quarterly Period Ended October 3, 2017

 

OR

 

/ / TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from _______________ to ______  

Commission file number 0-21423

BJ’S RESTAURANTS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)  

 

 

7755 Center Avenue, Suite 300

Huntington Beach, California 92647

(714) 500-2400

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including

area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes ☑ No ☐.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every interactive data file required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ☑ No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐   No ☑.     

 

As of November 3, 2017, there were 20,633,394 shares of Common Stock of the Registrant outstanding.  

 

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BJ’S RESTAURANTS, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

BJ’S RESTAURANTS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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BJ’S RESTAURANTS, INC.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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BJ’S RESTAURANTS, INC.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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BJ’S RESTAURANTS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

1.  BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. (referred to herein as the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our”) and our wholly owned subsidiaries. The consolidated financial statements presented herein include all material adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows for the period. Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been omitted pursuant to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires us to make certain estimates and assumptions for the reporting periods covered by the financial statements. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Actual amounts could differ from these estimates.

A description of our accounting policies and other financial information is included in our audited consolidated financial statements filed with the SEC on Form 10-K for the year ended January 3, 2017. The disclosures included in our accompanying interim consolidated financial statements and footnotes should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K and our other reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  

Reclassifications

As a result of the adoption of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes (Topic 740), reclassifications of financial statement amounts have been made to the prior period to conform to the current period’s presentation. The adoption of this standard resulted in the reclassification of $18.4 million from current to long-term deferred taxes on January 3, 2017.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). This guidance requires the recognition of most leases on the balance sheet to give investors, lenders, and other financial statement users a more comprehensive view of a company’s long-term financial obligations as well as the assets it owns versus leases. ASU 2016-02 will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Currently, all of our restaurant and our restaurant support center leases are accounted for as operating leases, and therefore are not recorded within our balance sheet. We are currently evaluating the impact that this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements as well as the expected adoption method.

In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, an amendment to ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). ASU 2014-09 provides a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services and expands related disclosure requirements. ASU 2016-10 clarifies ASU 2014-09 to address the potential for diversity in practice at the adoption. ASUs 2016-10 and 2014-09 are effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and early application is permitted.

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The majority of the Company’s revenues are from food and beverage sales at our restaurants. ASU 2014-09 will not have an impact on revenue recognition related to food and beverage sales unless the sales are to a customer participating in our loyalty program. Currently, we measure our total loyalty rewards obligation based on the estimated number of customers who will ultimately claim the rewards earned under the program using the estimated cost of the rewards. Under this approach, we estimate the cost of a loyalty point based on the equivalent cost of the food and beverage earned by our customers. These expenses are accrued for and recorded as marketing expenses and are included in “Occupancy and operating” expenses on our Consolidated Statements of Income. Under ASU 2016-10, we will be required to allocate the transaction price between the goods delivered and the future goods that will be delivered, using the loyalty points earned, on a relative standalone selling price basis. The portion of the transaction price allocated to the future loyalty rewards will be deferred until the related loyalty rewards are redeemed. We will no longer record a marketing expense related to loyalty points earned. These new standards will not impact the way we account for gift card breakage. We are in the process of quantifying the impact of adopting this new standard as well as determining the adoption method.

 

 

2.  LONG-TERM DEBT

Line of Credit

Our Credit Facility, which matures on November 18, 2021, provides us with revolving loan commitments totaling $250 million, of which $50 million may be used for the issuance of letters of credit. Availability under the Credit Facility is reduced by outstanding letters of credit, which are used to support our self-insurance programs. Our obligations under the Credit Facility are unsecured. As of October 3, 2017, there were borrowings of $194.0 million and letters of credit totaling approximately $14.4 million outstanding under the Credit Facility. Available borrowings under the Credit Facility were $41.6 million as of October 3, 2017. The Credit Facility bears interest at our choice of LIBOR plus a percentage not to exceed 1.75%, or at a rate ranging from Bank of America’s prime rate to 0.75% above Bank of America’s prime rate, based on our level of lease and debt obligations as compared to EBITDA plus lease expenses. The weighted average interest rate during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 3, 2017 was approximately 2.2%.

The Credit Facility contains provisions requiring us to maintain compliance with certain covenants, including a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio and a Lease Adjusted Leverage Ratio. At October 3, 2017, we were in compliance with these covenants.

 

Interest expense and commitment fees under the Credit Facility for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 3, 2017 and September 27, 2016 was approximately $3.2 million and $1.1 million, respectively. We capitalized approximately $0.1 million and $0.2 million of interest expense related to new restaurant construction during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 3, 2017, and September 27, 2016, respectively.  

 

 

3.  NET INCOME PER SHARE

Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if in-the-money stock options issued by us to sell common stock at set prices were exercised and if restrictions on restricted stock units issued by us were to lapse (collectively, equity awards) using the treasury stock method. Performance-based restricted stock units have been excluded from the diluted income per share computation because the performance-based criteria have not yet been met.  

The following table presents a reconciliation of basic and diluted net income per share, including the number of dilutive equity awards that were included in the dilutive net income per share computation (in thousands):

 

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For the thirteen weeks ended October 3, 2017 and September 27, 2016, there were approximately 1.1 million and 0.4 million shares of common stock equivalents, respectively, that were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share because they are anti-dilutive. For the thirty-nine weeks ended October 3, 2017 and September 27, 2016, there were approximately 0.5 million and 0.3 million shares of common stock equivalents, respectively, that were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share because they are anti-dilutive.    

 

 

4.  RELATED PARTY

The Jacmar Companies and their affiliates (collectively referred to herein as “Jacmar”) is one of our shareholders and James Dal Pozzo, the Chief Executive Officer of Jacmar, is a member of our Board of Directors. Jacmar, through its affiliation with Distribution Market Advantage (“DMA”), a consortium of large, regional food distributors located throughout the United States, is currently our largest supplier of food, beverage, paper products and supplies. In 2006, we began using DMA to deliver the majority of our food products to our restaurants. In July 2017, after conducting a market evaluation, we entered into a new five-year agreement with DMA. The new agreement expires in June 2022.

Jacmar services our restaurants in California and Nevada, while other DMA distributors service our restaurants in all other states. Under the terms of our agreement with DMA, Jacmar is required to sell products to us at the same prices as the other DMA distributors. Jacmar does not provide us with any produce, liquor, wine or beer products, all of which are provided by other third party vendors and are included in “Cost of sales” on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

The cost of food, beverage, paper products and supplies provided by Jacmar included within cost of sales and occupancy and operating expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

 

The amounts included in trade payables related to Jacmar consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

5.  STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Our current shareholder approved stock-based compensation plan is the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (as amended from time to time, “the Plan”). Under the Plan, we may issue shares of our common stock to employees, officers, directors and consultants. We have granted incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, and performance and time-based restricted stock units. Stock options and stock appreciation rights, if any, are charged against the Plan share reserve on the basis of one share for each share granted. Other types of grants, including restricted stock units (“RSUs”), are currently charged against the Plan share reserve on the basis of 1.5 shares for each share granted. The Plan also contains other limits on the terms of incentive grants such as limits on the number that can be granted to an employee during any fiscal year. All options granted under the Plan expire within 10 years of their date of grant.

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Under the Plan, we issue non-qualified stock options as well as time-based and performance-based RSUs to vice presidents and above. We issue time-based RSUs, and/or non-qualified stock options to other support employees. We also issue RSUs and non-qualified stock options in connection with the BJ’s Gold Standard Stock Ownership Program (the “GSSOP”). The GSSOP is a long-term equity incentive program for our restaurant general managers, executive kitchen mangers, directors of operations and directors of kitchen operations. GSSOP grants are dependent on the length of each participant’s service with us and position. All GSSOP participants are required to remain in good standing during their service period.

The Plan permits us to set the vesting terms and exercise period for awards at our discretion. Stock options and time-based RSUs vest ratably over three or five years for non-GSSOP participants and either cliff vest at five years or cliff vest at 33% on the third anniversary and 67% on the fifth anniversary for GSSOP participants. Performance-based RSUs generally cliff vest on the third anniversary of the grant date in an amount from 0% to 150% of the grant quantity, dependent on the level of performance target achievement.

The following table presents the stock-based compensation recognized within our consolidated financial statements (in thousands):  

 

 

Stock Options

The fair value of each stock option was estimated on the grant date using the Black‑Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

 

 

U.S. GAAP requires us to make certain assumptions and judgments regarding the grant date fair value. These judgments include expected volatility, risk free interest rate, expected option life, and dividend yield. These estimations and judgments are determined by us using assumptions that, in many cases, are outside of our control. The changes in these variables or trends, including stock price volatility and risk free interest rate, may significantly impact the fair value of future grants, resulting in a significant impact to our financial results.

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The exercise price of our stock options under our stock-based compensation plan is required to equal or exceed the market close fair value of our shares on the option grant date or the most recent trading day when grants take place on market holidays. The following table presents stock option activity:

 

 

As of October 3, 2017, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested stock options was approximately $3.6 million, which is generally expected to be recognized over the next five years.

Restricted Stock Units

Time-Based Restricted Stock Units

The following table presents time-based restricted stock unit activity:

 

 

The fair value of our time-based RSUs is equal to the fair value of our common stock at market close on the date of grant or the most recent trading day when grants take place on market holidays. The fair value of each time-based RSU is expensed over the vesting period (e.g., three or five years). As of October 3, 2017, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested RSUs was approximately $9.4 million, which is generally expected to be recognized over the next five years.  

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units

The following table presents performance-based restricted stock unit activity:

 

 

The fair value of our performance-based RSUs is equal to the fair value of our common stock at market close on the date of grant or the most recent trading day when grants take place on market holidays. The fair value of each performance-based RSU is expensed based on management’s current estimate of the level that the performance goal will be achieved. As of October 3, 2017, based on the target level of performance, the total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested

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performance-based RSUs was approximately $1.2 million, which is generally expected to be recognized over the next three years.  

 

 

6.  INCOME TAXES  

We calculate our interim income tax provision in accordance with ASC Topic 270, “Interim Reporting” and ASC Topic 740, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” At the end of each interim period, we estimate the annual effective tax rate and apply that rate to our ordinary year to date earnings. The related tax expense or benefit is recognized in the interim period in which it occurs. The effect of changes in enacted tax laws, rates or tax status is recognized in the interim period in which the change is effective. The computation of the annual estimated effective tax rate at each interim period requires certain estimates and significant judgment including the expected operating income for the year, permanent and temporary differences as a result of differences between amounts measured and recognized in accordance with tax laws and financial accounting standards, and the likelihood of recovering deferred tax assets generated in the current fiscal year. The accounting estimates used to compute income tax expense may change as new events occur, additional information is obtained or the tax environment changes.

As of October 3, 2017, we had unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $1.3 million, of which approximately $0.9 million, if reversed, would impact our effective tax rate.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is the following (in thousands):

 

 

Our uncertain tax positions are related to tax years that remain subject to examination by tax agencies. As of October 3, 2017, the earliest tax year still subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service is 2014. The earliest year still subject to examination by a significant state or local taxing jurisdiction is 2012.

 

 

7.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are subject to lawsuits, administrative proceedings and demands that arise in the ordinary course of our business and which typically involve claims from customers, employees and others related to operational, employment, real estate and intellectual property issues common to the foodservice industry. A number of these claims may exist at any given time. We are self-insured for a portion of our general liability, our employee workers’ compensation and our employment practice requirements. We maintain coverage with a third party insurer to limit our total exposure. We believe that most of our customer claims will be covered by our general liability insurance, subject to coverage limits and the portion of such claims that are self-insured. Punitive damages awards and employee unfair practice claims, however, are not covered by our general liability insurance. To date, we have not been ordered to pay punitive damages with respect to any claims, but there can be no assurance that punitive damages will not be awarded with respect to any future claims. We could be affected by adverse publicity resulting from allegations in lawsuits, claims and proceedings, regardless of whether these allegations are valid or whether we are ultimately determined to be liable. We currently believe that the final disposition of these types of lawsuits, proceedings and claims will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity. It is possible, however, that our future results of operations for a particular quarter or fiscal year could be impacted by changes in circumstances relating to lawsuits, proceedings or claims.

 

 

8.  STOCK REPURCHASES

During the thirty-nine weeks ended October 3, 2017, we repurchased and retired approximately 1.7 million shares of our common stock at an average price of $34.02 per share for a total of $57.3 million, which is recorded as a reduction in common stock, with any excess charged to retained earnings. In March 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an expansion of the authorized share repurchase program by $50 million to $400 million in the aggregate. As of October 3, 2017, approximately $52.2 million remains available for additional repurchases under our share repurchase program.

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9.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

On October 24, 2017, our Board of Directors authorized and declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.11 per share of common stock payable on December 4, 2017, to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 13, 2017. While the Company intends to pay regular quarterly cash dividends in future periods, any decisions to pay or to increase or decrease cash dividends will be reviewed quarterly and declared by the Board of Directors at its discretion.

 

Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING DISCLOSURE

Certain information included in this Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in our press releases, in other written communications, and in oral statements made by or with the approval of one of our authorized officers may contain “forward-looking” statements about our current and expected performance trends, growth plans, business goals and other matters. Words or phrases such as “believe,” “plan,” “will likely result,” “expect,” “intend,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “estimate,” “project,” “may,” “could,” “would,” “should,” and similar expressions are intended to identify “forward-looking” statements. These statements, and any other statements that are not historical facts, are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as codified in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time (the “Act”). The cautionary statements made in this Form 10-Q should be read as being applicable to all related “forward-looking” statements wherever they appear in this Form 10-Q.

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2017, and our other reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except for the historical information contained herein, the discussion in this Form 10-Q contains certain “forward-looking” statements that involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, such as statements of our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions. The risks described in this Form 10-Q, as well as the risks identified in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2017, are not the only risks we face. These statements reflect our current perspectives and outlook with respect to the Company’s future expansion plans, key business initiatives, expected operating conditions and other factors. We operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment, and new risks emerge from time to time. Additional risks and uncertainties that we are currently unaware of, or that we currently deem immaterial, also may become important factors that affect us. It is not possible for us to predict the impact of all of these factors on our business, financial condition or results of operations or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any “forward-looking” statements. Given the volatility of the operating environment and its associated risks and uncertainties, investors should not rely on “forward-looking” statements as any prediction or guarantee of actual results.

“Forward-looking” statements include, among others, statements concerning:

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These “forward-looking” statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including financial, regulatory, consumer behavior, demographic, industry growth and trend projections, that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the statements. Significant factors that may prevent us from achieving our stated goals include, but are not limited to:

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For a more detailed description of these risk factors and other considerations, see Part II, Item 1A – “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2017.

GENERAL

As of November 6, 2017, we owned and operated 195 restaurants located in the 25 states of Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Washington. Each of our restaurants is operated either as a BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse®, a BJ’s Restaurant & Brewery®, a BJ’s Pizza & Grill®, or a BJ’s Grill® restaurant. Currently, the BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse® format represents our primary future expansion vehicle. Our proprietary craft beer is produced at several of our BJ’s Restaurant & Brewery® locations, our Temple, Texas brewpub locations and by independent third party brewers using our proprietary recipes. Our BJ’s Pizza & Grill® restaurants are smaller format, full-service restaurants relative to our BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse® and BJ’s Restaurant & Brewery® locations and reflect the original format of the BJ’s restaurant concept that was first introduced in 1978. Our BJ’s Grill® restaurant is a slightly smaller footprint restaurant, compared to our BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse® format, featuring all the amenities of our Brewhouse locations.

The first BJ’s restaurant opened in 1978 in Orange County, California, featuring Chicago style deep-dish pizza with a unique California twist. Over the years we expanded the BJ’s concept from its beginnings as a small pizzeria to a full-service, high energy casual dining restaurant with a broad menu including our BJ’s award‑winning, signature deep-dish pizza, our proprietary craft and other beers, as well as a large selection of appetizers, entrées, pastas, burgers and sandwiches, specialty salads and desserts, including our made to order, warm pizza cookie dessert, the Pizookie®.

Our revenues are comprised of food and beverage sales at our restaurants. Revenues from restaurant sales are recognized when payment is tendered at the point of sale. Amounts paid with a credit card are recorded in accounts and other receivables until payment is collected. Revenues from our gift cards are recognized upon redemption in our restaurants. Gift card breakage is recognized as a component of “Other income, net” on our Consolidated Statements of Income. Gift card breakage is recorded when the likelihood of redemption becomes remote, which is typically after 24 months from the original gift card issuance date.

All of our restaurants are Company-owned. In calculating comparable restaurant sales, we include a restaurant in the comparable base once it has been open for 18 months. Customer traffic for our restaurants is estimated based on individual customer checks.

Cost of sales is comprised of food and beverage costs, including the cost to produce and distribute our proprietary craft beer, soda and ciders. The components of cost of sales are variable and typically fluctuate directly with sales volumes, but may be impacted by changes in commodity prices, a shift in sales mix to higher cost proteins or other higher cost items, or varying levels of promotional activities.

Labor and benefit costs include direct hourly and management wages, bonuses, payroll taxes, fringe benefits and stock-based compensation and workers’ compensation expense that is directly related to restaurant level employees.

Occupancy and operating expenses include restaurant supplies, credit card fees, marketing costs, fixed rent, percentage rent, common area maintenance charges, utilities, real estate taxes, repairs and maintenance and other related restaurant costs.

General and administrative costs include all corporate, field supervision and administrative functions that support existing operations and provide infrastructure to facilitate our future growth. Components of this category include corporate management, field supervision and corporate hourly staff salaries and related employee benefits (including stock-based compensation expense and cash-based incentive compensation), travel and relocation costs, information systems, the cost to recruit and train new restaurant management employees, corporate rent, certain brand marketing-related expenses and legal, professional and consulting fees.

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Depreciation and amortization are composed primarily of depreciation of capital expenditures for restaurant and brewing equipment and leasehold improvements.

Restaurant opening expenses, which are expensed as incurred, consist of the costs of hiring and training the initial hourly work force for each new restaurant, travel, the cost of food and supplies used in training, grand opening promotional costs, the cost of the initial stock of operating supplies and other direct costs related to the opening of a restaurant, including rent during the construction and in-restaurant training period.

While we currently expect to pursue the renewal of substantially all of our expiring restaurant leases, there is no guarantee that we can mutually agree to a new lease that is satisfactory to our landlord and us or that, if renewed, rents will not increase substantially.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table provides, for the periods indicated, our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income expressed as percentages of total revenues. The results of operations for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended October 3, 2017 September 27, 2016, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year. Percentages below may not reconcile due to rounding.

 

 

Thirteen Weeks Ended October 3, 2017 Compared to Thirteen Weeks Ended September 27, 2016.

Revenues.  Total revenues increased by $13.3 million, or 5.7% to $247.0 million during the thirteen weeks ended October 3, 2017, from $233.7 million during the comparable thirteen week period of 2016. The increase in revenues primarily consisted of an approximate $17.2 million increase in sales from new restaurants not yet in our comparable restaurant sales base, partially offset by an approximate 1.7%, or $3.8 million, decrease in comparable restaurant sales and a $0.1 million decrease related to the shift in weeks as a result of our 53^rd week in fiscal 2016. The decrease in comparable restaurant sales resulted from a reduction in customer traffic of approximately 3.0%, partially offset by an increase in the average check of 1.3%.

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Cost of Sales.  Cost of sales increased by $5.7 million, or 9.5%, to $65.6 million during the thirteen weeks ended October 3, 2017, from $59.9 million during the comparable thirteen week period of 2016. This increase was primarily due to the opening of 13 new restaurants since the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2016. As a percentage of revenues, cost of sales increased to 26.5% for the current thirteen week period from 25.6% for the prior year comparable period. The increase in cost of sales, as a percentage of revenues, was primarily due to an increase in commodity costs, menu mix shifts related to our new slow roasted items and Daily Brewhouse Specials, as well as increased promotional activities.

Labor and Benefits.  Labor and benefit costs for our restaurants increased by $9.2 million, or 11.2%, to $91.2 million during the thirteen weeks ended October 3, 2017, from $82.0 million during the comparable thirteen week period of 2016. This increase was primarily due to the opening of 13 new restaurants since the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2016. As a percentage of revenues, labor and benefit costs increased to 36.9% for the current thirteen week period from 35.1% for the prior year comparable period. The percentage increase was driven by higher hourly labor rates, increased training labor hours related to our major sales building initiatives, and negative comparable restaurant sales. Included in labor and benefits for the thirteen weeks ended October 3, 2017 and September 27, 2016, was approximately $0.4 million, or 0.2% of revenues, of stock-based compensation expense related to equity awards granted in accordance with our Gold Standard Stock Ownership Program for certain restaurant management team members.

Occupancy and Operating.  Occupancy and operating expenses increased by $4.8 million, or 9.4%, to $55.2 million during the thirteen weeks ended October 3, 2017, from $50.5 million during the comparable thirteen week period of 2016. This increase was primarily due to the opening of 13 new restaurants since the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2016. As a percentage of revenues, occupancy and operating expenses increased to 22.4% for the current thirteen week period from 21.6% for the prior year comparable period. This percentage increase was due to the deleveraging of the fixed component of these expenses as a result of negative comparable restaurant sales.

General and Administrative.  General and administrative expenses increased by $0.1 million, or 0.9%, to $13.0 million during the thirteen weeks ended October 3, 2017, from $12.9 million during the comparable thirteen week period of 2016. Also included in general and administrative costs for the thirteen weeks ended October 3, 2017 and September 27, 2016, was approximately $1.3 million and $1.1 million, or 0.5% of revenues of stock-based compensation expense. As a percentage of revenues, general and administrative expenses decreased to 5.3% for the current thirteen week period from 5.5% for the prior year comparable period. This percentage decrease was primarily due to lower incentive compensation and the leveraging of our costs over a higher revenue base.

Depreciation and Amortization.  Depreciation and amortization increased by $1.1 million, or 7.0%, to $17.4 million during the thirteen weeks ended October 3, 2017, compared to $16.3 million during the comparable thirteen week period of 2016. This increase was primarily due to depreciation expense related to the 13 new restaurants opened since the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2016. As a percentage of revenues, depreciation and amortization increased slightly to 7.1% for the current thirteen week period from 7.0% for the prior year comparable period.

Restaurant Opening.  Restaurant opening expense decreased by $1.7 million, or 75.9%, to $0.5 million during the thirteen weeks ended October 3, 2017, compared to $2.2 million during the comparable thirteen week period of 2016. This decrease was due to the opening of one new restaurant during the thirteen weeks ended October 3, 2017, compared to five new restaurants during the comparable thirteen week period of 2016.

Loss on Disposal and Impairment of Assets.  Loss on disposal and impairment of assets increased by $0.3 million, or 32.1%, to $1.1 million during the thirteen weeks ended October 3, 2017, compared to $0.8 million during the comparable thirteen week period of 2016. These costs primarily related to the disposal of certain unproductive restaurant assets.  

Natural Disaster and Related.  Natural disaster and related expense of $0.9 million during the thirteen weeks ended October 3, 2017, related to property damages, food spoilage, labor and other expenses from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, in excess of our related insurance coverage.

Severance and Legal Settlements.  Severance and legal settlements of $0.4 million during the thirteen weeks ended October 3, 2017, related to the reduction of certain corporate overhead positions primarily related to supporting new restaurant openings.

Interest Expense, Net.  Interest expense, net increased by $0.8 million to $1.2 million during the thirteen weeks ended October 3, 2017, compared to $0.3 million during the comparable thirteen week period of 2016. This increase was due to increased borrowings under our Credit Facility.  

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Income Tax (Benefit) Expense.  Our effective income tax rate for the thirteen weeks ended October 3, 2017, was a net benefit of $1.6 million compared to an income tax expense of $1.9 million for the comparable thirteen week period of 2016. The income tax benefit for the thirteen weeks ended October 3, 2017, was a result of a change to our estimated annual effective tax rate principally attributable to a decrease in forecasted income for fiscal 2017.  The effective income tax rate for the thirteen weeks ended October 3, 2017, differed from the statutory income tax rate primarily due to tax credits.  

Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended October 3, 2017 Compared to Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended September 27, 2016.

Revenues.  Total revenues increased by $43.2 million, or 5.9%, to $770.6 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 3, 2017, from $727.4 million during the comparable thirty-nine week period of 2016. The increase in revenues primarily consisted of an approximate $56.3 million increase in sales from new restaurants not yet in our comparable restaurant sales base, partially offset by an approximate 1.5%, or $10.2 million, decrease in comparable restaurant sales, a $2.5 million decrease related to the shift in weeks as a result of our 53^rd week in fiscal 2016 and a $0.4 million decrease in restaurant sales due to the closure of our Century City, California restaurant in January 2016. The decrease in comparable restaurant sales resulted from a reduction in customer traffic of approximately 3.9%, partially offset by an increase in the average check of 2.4%.

Cost of Sales.  Cost of sales increased by $17.4 million, or 9.5%, to $200.5 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 3, 2017, from $183.1 million during the comparable thirty-nine week period of 2016. This increase was primarily due to the opening of 13 new restaurants since the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2016. As a percentage of revenues, cost of sales increased to 26.0 % for the current thirty-nine week period from 25.2 % for the prior year comparable period. The increase in cost of sales, as a percentage of revenues, was primarily due to an increase in commodity costs, menu mix shifts related to our new slow roasted items and Daily Brewhouse Specials, as well as increased promotional activities.

Labor and Benefits.  Labor and benefit costs for our restaurants increased by $24.9 million, or 9.9%, to $277.7 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 3, 2017, from $252.8 million during the comparable thirty-nine week period of 2016. This increase was primarily due to the opening of 13 new restaurants since the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2016. As a percentage of revenues, labor and benefit costs increased to 36.0% for the current thirty-nine week period from 34.8% for the prior year comparable period. The percentage increase was driven by higher hourly labor rates, increased training labor hours related to our major sales building initiatives, and negative comparable restaurant sales. Included in labor and benefits for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 3, 2017 and September 27, 2016, was approximately $1.4 million and $1.3 million, respectively, or 0.2% of revenues, of stock-based compensation expense related to equity awards granted in accordance with our Gold Standard Stock Ownership Program for certain restaurant management team members.

Occupancy and Operating.  Occupancy and operating expenses increased by $14.4 million, or 9.6%, to $164.1 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 3, 2017, from $149.7 million during the comparable thirty-nine week period of 2016. This increase was primarily due to the opening of 13 new restaurants since the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2016. As a percentage of revenues, occupancy and operating expenses increased to 21.3% for the current thirty-nine week period from 20.6% for the prior year comparable period. This percentage increase was due to the deleveraging of the fixed component of these expenses as a result of negative comparable restaurant sales.

General and Administrative.  General and administrative expenses increased by $0.5 million, or 1.2%, to $41.5 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 3, 2017, from $41.1 million during the comparable thirty-nine week period of 2016. The slight increase in general and administrative costs was primarily due to higher field supervision and support costs to manage our increasing number of restaurants offset by lower corporate incentive compensation. Also included in general and administrative costs for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 3, 2017 and September 27, 2016, was approximately $3.9 million and $3.3 million, or 0.5% and 0.4% of revenues, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense. As a percentage of revenues, general and administrative expenses decreased to 5.4% for the current thirty-nine week period from 5.6% for the prior year comparable period. This percentage decrease was primarily due to the leveraging of our costs over a higher revenue base.

Depreciation and Amortization.  Depreciation and amortization increased by $3.3 million, or 6.9%, to $51.2 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 3, 2017, compared to $47.9 million during the comparable thirty-nine week period of 2016. This increase was primarily due to depreciation expense related to the 13 new restaurants opened since the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2016. As a percentage of revenues, depreciation and amortization remained consistent at 6.6% for the current thirty-nine week period and for the prior year comparable period.

Restaurant Opening.  Restaurant opening expense decreased by $2.0 million, or 38.6%, to $3.2 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 3, 2017, compared to $5.2 million during the comparable thirty-nine week period of 2016. This decrease

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was due to the opening of eight new restaurants during thirty-nine weeks ended October 3, 2017, compared to 12 new restaurants during the comparable thirty-nine week period of 2016.   

Loss on Disposal and Impairment of Assets.  The loss on disposal and impairment of assets increased by $1.9 million, or 83.9%, to $4.2 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 3, 2017, compared to $2.3 million during the comparable thirty-nine week period of 2016. This increase was primarily due to the write-off of the remaining net book value of certain convection ovens and point of sale terminals following the recent rollout of our new slow roasting ovens and server handheld point of sale tablets.   

Natural Disaster and Related.  Natural disaster and related expense of $0.9 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 3, 2017, related to property damages, food spoilage, labor and other expenses from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, in excess of our related insurance coverage.

Severance and Legal Settlements.  Severance and legal settlements was $0.4 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 3, 2017, and for the comparable thirty-nine week period of 2016. For the current thirty-nine week period, this related to the reduction of certain corporate overhead positions primarily related to supporting new restaurant openings, and for the comparable prior year period, it related to the settlement of a wage and hour claim.

Interest Expense, Net.  Interest expense, net increased by $2.1 million to $3.2 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 3, 2017, compared to $1.1 million during the comparable thirty-nine week period of 2016. This increase was due to increased borrowings under our Credit Facility.

Other Income, Net.  Other income, net increased by $0.7 million to $1.5 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 3, 2017, compared to $0.8 million during the comparable thirty-nine week period of 2016. This increase was primarily due to greater gift card breakage income coupled with an increase in the cash surrender value of certain life insurance programs under our deferred compensation plan.

Income Tax Expense.  Our effective income tax rate for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 3, 2017, was 15.6% compared to 27.0% for the comparable thirty-nine week period of 2016. The effective income tax rate for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 3, 2017, differed from the statutory income tax rate primarily due to tax credits. The decrease in our effective tax rate for fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016 is a result of lower forecasted income for fiscal 2017.  

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The following tables provide, for the periods indicated, a summary of our key liquidity measurements (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Our capital requirements are driven by our fundamental financial objective to improve total shareholder return through new restaurant expansion plans and restaurant enhancements and initiatives. In addition, we want to maintain a flexible and prudent balance sheet to provide the financial resources necessary to manage the risks and uncertainties of conducting our business operations in a mature segment of the restaurant industry. In order to achieve these objectives, we use a combination of operating cash flows, funded debt and landlord allowances. Over the last several years we have been augmenting our cash flow from operations by increasing our funded debt and using these proceeds to return capital to shareholders in the form of share repurchases and, beginning in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, quarterly cash dividends.

We currently estimate the total domestic capacity for BJ’s restaurants to be at least 425, given the size of our current restaurant prototype and the current structure of the BJ’s concept and menu. We expect to fund our growth plans from our ongoing operations, our cash balance on hand, proceeds from employee stock option exercises, tenant improvement allowances from

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our landlords and our $250 million Credit Facility. However, depending on the expected level of new restaurant development, tenant improvement allowances that we receive from our landlords, other planned capital investments including ongoing maintenance capital expenditures, and results from our ongoing operations, we may not generate enough cash flow from operations to completely fund our plans. In addition, share repurchases and our quarterly cash dividend or any significant increases in such repurchases or dividends may impact our available capital resources. Accordingly, we continue to actively monitor overall conditions in the capital and credit markets with respect to the potential sources and the timing of additional financing in order to enhance total shareholder return. However, there can be no assurance that such financing will be available when required or available on terms acceptable to us. If we are unable to secure additional capital resources, when needed, we may be required to reduce our planned rate of expansion, share repurchases, quarterly cash dividends or other shareholder return initiatives.

Similar to many restaurant chains, we typically utilize operating lease arrangements (principally ground leases) for the majority of our restaurant locations. We believe our operating lease arrangements provide appropriate leverage for our capital structure in a financially efficient manner. However, we are not limited to the use of lease arrangements as our only method of opening new restaurants and from time to time have purchased the underlying land for new restaurants. While our operating lease obligations are not required to be reflected as indebtedness on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, the minimum rents and other related lease obligations, such as common area expenses, under our lease agreements must be satisfied by cash flows from our ongoing operations. Accordingly, our lease arrangements reduce, to some extent, our capacity to utilize debt in our capital structure.

We typically lease our restaurant locations for periods of 10 to 20 years under operating lease arrangements. Our rent structures vary from lease to lease, but generally provide for the payment of both minimum and contingent (percentage) rent based on sales, as well as other expenses related to the leases (for example, our pro-rata share of common area maintenance, property tax and insurance expenses). Many of our lease arrangements include the opportunity to secure tenant improvement allowances to partially offset the cost of developing and opening the related restaurants. Generally, landlords recover the cost of such allowances from increased minimum rents. However, there can be no assurance that such allowances will be available to us on each project. From time to time, we may also decide to purchase the underlying land for a new restaurant if that is the only way to secure a highly desirable site. Currently, we own the underlying land for four of our operating restaurants and our Texas brewpub locations. We also own two parcels of land adjacent to two of our operating restaurants. It is not our current strategy to own a large number of land parcels that underlie our restaurants. Therefore, in many cases we subsequently enter into sale-leaseback arrangements for land parcels that we may purchase. We disburse cash for certain site-related work, buildings, leasehold improvements, furnishings, fixtures and equipment to build our leased and owned premises. We own substantially all of the equipment, furniture and trade fixtures in our restaurants and currently plan to do so in the future.

We also require capital resources to evolve, maintain and increase the productive capacity of our existing base of restaurants and brewing operations and to further expand and strengthen the capabilities of our corporate and information technology infrastructures. Our requirement for working capital is not significant since our restaurant customers pay for their food and beverage purchases in cash or credit cards at the time of the sale. Thus, we are able to sell many of our inventory items before we are required to pay our suppliers for such items.

Our cash flows from operating activities, as detailed in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, provided $69.1 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 3, 2017, representing a $39.6 million decrease from the $108.6 million provided during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2016. The decrease in cash from operating activities for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 3, 2017, in comparison the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2016, is primarily due to the collection of our $6.0 million lease termination fee in the prior year, coupled with a reduction in payroll related accruals as a result of the impact of the 53^rd week in fiscal 2016 and lower net income during the current thirty-nine week period.

For the thirty-nine weeks ended October 3, 2017, total capital expenditures were approximately $57.4 million. Expenditures for the purchase of the underlying land for new restaurants as well as the acquisition of restaurant and brewing equipment and leasehold improvements to construct new restaurants were $31.1 million. These expenditures were primarily related to the construction of our eight new restaurants that opened during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 3, 2017, as well as expenditures related to restaurants expected to open later in fiscal 2017. Total capital expenditures related to the maintenance and key productivity initiatives of existing restaurants and expenditures for restaurant and corporate systems were $25.7 million and $0.6 million, respectively.

We have a $250 million unsecured revolving line of credit that expires on November 18, 2021, and may be used for working capital and other general corporate purposes. We utilize the Credit Facility principally for letters of credit that are required to support certain of our self-insurance programs, to fund a portion of the Company’s stock repurchase program, our recently announced quarterly cash dividend and working capital and construction requirements.

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As of November 6, 2017, we have opened eight restaurants and we have two additional restaurants, with signed leases, under construction that we expect to open before year end. We expect to open four to six new restaurants in fiscal 2018 and we have entered into signed leases, land purchase agreements or letters of intent for all of our potential restaurant locations. While we expect our capital expenditures to remain significant, the reduction of restaurant openings in fiscal 2018 will reduce our capital expenditure spend as compared to fiscal 2017. The decision to continue to reduce our pace of expansion will generate increased free cash flow and provide added financial flexibility. It will also allow us to allocate greater resources to our core base of established restaurants to improve sales and profitability. While our new restaurant unit economics remain solid and warrant continued capital allocation, we will continue to balance this new restaurant growth with our commitment to drive shareholder returns through our share repurchases program and, beginning in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, quarterly cash dividends.

We currently anticipate our total capital expenditures for fiscal 2018, including all expenditure categories, to be approximately $50 million to $60 million. We expect to fund our anticipated capital expenditures for the remainder of fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2018 with our current cash balance on hand, expected cash flows from operations, proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions, expected tenant improvement allowances and our line of credit. Our future cash requirements will depend on many factors, including the pace of our expansion, conditions in the retail property development market, construction costs, the nature of the specific sites selected for new restaurants, and the nature of the specific leases and associated tenant improvement allowances available, if any, as negotiated with landlords.

From time to time, we will evaluate opportunities to acquire and convert other restaurant locations or entire restaurant chains to the BJ’s restaurant concept. In the future we may consider joint venture arrangements to augment BJ’s expansion into new markets or we may evaluate non-controlling investments in other emerging restaurant concepts that offer complementary growth opportunities to our BJ’s restaurant operations. Currently, we have no binding commitments (other than the signed leases or land purchase agreements set forth in Item 1 - Business - “Restaurant Site Selection and Expansion Objectives” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2017) or agreements to acquire or convert any other restaurant locations or chains to our concept, or to enter into any joint ventures or non-controlling investments. However, we would likely require additional capital resources to take advantage of any of these growth opportunities should they become feasible.

Historically, we have not paid any dividends to our shareholders. However, on October 24, 2017, our Board of Directors authorized and declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.11 per share of common stock payable on December 4, 2017, to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 13, 2017. While we intend to pay regular quarterly cash dividends in future periods, any future decisions to pay or to increase or decrease cash dividends will be reviewed quarterly and declared by the Board of Directors at its discretion. Our Credit Facility contains, and debt instruments that we enter into in the future may contain, covenants that place limitations on the amount of dividends we may pay.

As of October 3, 2017, we have cumulatively repurchased approximately $347.8 million shares in accordance with our approved share repurchase plan. We repurchased approximately $57.3 million of these shares during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 3, 2017. The share repurchases were executed through open market purchases, and future share repurchases may be completed through the combination of individually negotiated transactions, accelerated share buyback, and/or open market purchases. In March 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an expansion of the share repurchase program by $50 million to $400 million. As of October 3, 2017, we have approximately $52.2 million available under our share repurchase plan. Our Credit Facility does not contain any restrictions on the amount of borrowings that can be used to make share repurchases as long as we are in compliance with our financial and non-financial covenants.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

We do not participate in transactions that generate relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or variable interest entities (“VIEs”), which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow limited purposes. As of October 3, 2017, we are not involved in any off-balance sheet arrangements.

IMPACT OF INFLATION

Inflation on food, labor, energy and occupancy costs can significantly affect the profitability of our restaurant operations. Our profitability is dependent, among other things, on our ability to anticipate and react to changes in the cost of key operating resources, including food and other raw materials, labor, energy and other supplies and services. Substantial increases in costs and expenses could impact our operating results to the extent that such increases cannot be passed along to our restaurant customers. While we have taken steps to enter into agreements for some of the commodities used in our restaurant operations, there can be no assurance that future supplies and costs for such commodities will not fluctuate due to weather or other market

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conditions outside of our control. We are currently unable to contract for certain commodities, such as fluid dairy, fresh seafood and most fresh produce items for long periods of time. Consequently, such commodities can be subject to unforeseen supply and cost fluctuations.

Many of our restaurant employees are paid hourly rates subject to the federal, state or local minimum wage requirements. Numerous state and local governments have their own minimum wage requirements that are generally greater than the federal minimum wage and are subject to annual increases based on changes in their local consumer price indices. Additionally, a general shortage in the availability of qualified restaurant management and hourly workers in certain geographic areas in which we operate has caused increases in the costs of recruiting and compensating such employees. Certain operating and other costs, including health benefits in compliance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, taxes, insurance, federal and state exemption rules, and regulatory requirements relating to employees and other outside services, continue to increase with the general level of inflation and may also be subject to other cost and supply fluctuations outside of our control.

While we have been able to partially offset inflation and other changes in the costs of key operating resources by gradually increasing prices of our menu items, coupled with more efficient purchasing practices, productivity improvements and greater economies of scale, there can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to do so in the future. From time to time, competitive conditions will limit our menu pricing flexibility. In addition, macroeconomic conditions that impact consumer discretionary spending for food away from home could make additional menu price increases imprudent. There can be no assurance that all of our future cost increases can be offset by higher menu prices or that higher menu prices will be accepted by our restaurant customers without any resulting changes in their visit frequencies or purchasing patterns. Many of the leases for our restaurants provide for contingent rent obligations based on a percentage of sales. As a result, rent expense will absorb a proportionate share of any menu price increases in our restaurants. There can be no assurance that we will continue to generate increases in comparable restaurant sales in amounts sufficient to offset inflationary or other cost pressures.

SEASONALITY AND ADVERSE WEATHER

Our business is impacted by weather and other seasonal factors that typically impact other restaurant operations. Holidays (and shifts in the holiday calendar) and severe weather including hurricanes, tornados, thunderstorms and similar conditions may impact restaurant sales volumes in some of the markets where we operate. Many of our restaurants are located in or near shopping centers and malls that typically experience seasonal fluctuations in sales. Quarterly results have been and will continue to be significantly impacted by the timing of new restaurant openings and their associated restaurant opening expenses. As a result of these and other factors, our financial results for any given quarter may not be indicative of the results that may be achieved for a full fiscal year.

Item 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The following discussion of market risks contains “forward-looking” statements. Actual results may differ materially from the following discussion based on general conditions in the financial and commodity markets.

Interest Rate Risk

We have a $250 million unsecured Credit Facility of which $194.0 million is currently outstanding that carries interest at a floating rate. We utilize the Credit Facility principally for letters of credit that are required to support our self-insurance programs, to fund a portion of our announced stock repurchase program and for working capital and construction requirements, as needed. We are exposed to interest rate risk through fluctuations in interest rates on our obligations under the Credit Facility. Based on our current outstanding balance, a hypothetical 1% change in the interest rates under our Credit Facility would have an approximate $1.6 million annual impact on our net income.

Food and Commodity Price Risks

We purchase food and other commodities for use in our operations based upon market prices established with our suppliers. Many of the commodities purchased by us can be subject to volatility due to market supply and demand factors outside of our control, whether contracted for or not. Costs can also fluctuate due to government regulation. To manage this risk in part, we attempt to enter into fixed-price purchase commitments, with terms typically up to one year, for some of our commodity requirements. However, it may not be possible for us to enter into fixed-price contracts for certain commodities or we may choose not to enter into fixed-price contracts for certain commodities. We believe that substantially all of our food and supplies are available from several sources, which helps to diversify our overall commodity cost risk. We also believe that we have some flexibility and ability to increase certain menu prices, or vary certain menu items offered or promoted, in response to food

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commodity price increases. Some of our commodity purchase arrangements may contain contractual features that limit the price paid by establishing certain price floors or caps. We do not use financial instruments to hedge commodity prices, since our purchase arrangements with suppliers, to the extent that we can enter into such arrangements, help control the ultimate cost that we pay.

Item 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended, as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of October 3, 2017, our disclosure controls and procedures are designed and are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There has not been any change in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during our third fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

See Note 7 of Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this report for a summary of legal proceedings.

Item 1A.  RISK FACTORS

A discussion of the significant risks associated with investments in our securities, as well as other matters, is set forth in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2017. A summary of these risks and certain related information is included under “Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Disclosure”  in Part I, Item 2 of this Form 10-Q and is incorporated herein by this reference. These cautionary statements are to be used as a reference in connection with any “forward-looking” statements. The factors, risks and uncertainties identified in these cautionary statements are in addition to those contained in any other cautionary statements, written or oral, which may be made or otherwise addressed in connection with a “forward-looking” statement or contained in any of our subsequent filings with the SEC. The risks described in this Form 10-Q and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks we face. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and we cannot predict those events or how they may affect us. There may be other risks and uncertainties that are not currently known or that are currently deemed by us to be immaterial; however, they may ultimately adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

Item 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

As of October 3, 2017, we have cumulatively repurchased shares valued at approximately $347.8 million in accordance with our approved share repurchase plan. Approximately $57.3 million of these shares were repurchased during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 3, 2017. The share repurchases were executed through open market purchases, and future share repurchases may be completed through the combination of individually-negotiated transactions, accelerated share buyback, and/or open market purchases. In March 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an expansion of the share repurchase program by $50 million. As of October 3, 2017, we have approximately $52.2 million available under the current $400 million share repurchase plan approved by our Board of Directors. Our Credit Facility does not contain any restrictions on the amount of borrowings that can be used to make share repurchases as long as we are in compliance with our financial and non-financial covenants.

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The following table sets forth information with respect to the repurchase of common shares during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 3, 2017:

 

 

 

 

Item 6.  EXHIBITS

 

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SIGNATURES

In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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