Arcos Dorados Reports Strong First Quarter Financial Results

• Total revenues of $1.1 billion in the first quarter, up 9.1% versus the prior year.
• Systemwide comparable sales¹ grew 38.6% in the first quarter, supported by the twelfth consecutive quarter of guest volume growth.
• Digital channels (Mobile App, Delivery and Self-order Kiosks) generated 55% of systemwide sales in the period, including 22% identified sales.
• Loyalty Program reached 8 million registered members, more than double the year-end 2023 total.
• Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA¹ was $108.9 million, rising 8.4% year-over-year.
• Net Income was $28.5 million in the first quarter, or $0.14 per share.

Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc. (NYSE: ARCO) (“Arcos Dorados” or the “Company”), Latin America and the Caribbean’s largest restaurant chain and the world’s largest independent McDonald’s franchisee, today reported unaudited results for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

First Quarter 2024 Highlights

• Consolidated revenues totaled $1.1 billion, up 9.1% in US dollars versus the prior year period.
• Systemwide comparable sales¹ increased 38.6% versus the first quarter of 2023, supported by positive guest traffic at the consolidated level, which grew for the twelfth consecutive quarter.
• Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA¹ of $108.9 million, grew 8.4% in US dollars versus the prior year period, with strong performances in both Brazil and the North Latin American Division (NOLAD).
• Adjusted EBITDA margin expanded 90 basis points in Brazil and 30 basis points in NOLAD.
• Net income was $ 28.5 million in the quarter, or $0.14 per share.
• Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA leverage ratio ended the first quarter at 1.2x.
• The Company opened 22 restaurants in the quarter, including 19 free-standing locations.

Message from Marcelo Rabach, Chief Executive Officer

The strength of these results demonstrate how far we have come as a company over the last decade. The Arcos Dorados business model delivered solid US dollar growth to start 2024, despite a challenging economic environment in one of our main markets. Importantly, by operating responsibly and managing the business with a long-term mindset, we built our strongest ever Brand reputation among Latin America’s quick service restaurant (QSR) customers.

Over the last ten years we diversified our business to reduce our exposure to any single country. While Brazil remains our biggest market, both NOLAD and SLAD now contribute significantly to sales and EBITDA. NOLAD generates results in hard or very stable currencies while high growth potential markets in SLAD, such as Chile, Colombia and Uruguay, have also increased their contributions to consolidated results.

The business model and the Three-D’s strategy (Digital, Delivery and Drive-thru) are working well together. We are focused on generating sustainable profitability growth over the long term. Our balanced approach to managing pricing, product mix and guest volumes is driving above-inflation comparable sales growth throughout our operations. Guest volumes are key to driving sustainable sales growth, and the McDonald’s Brand captures the highest volume per restaurant in our region.

We see significant growth potential in Latin America and the Caribbean, and we are accelerating restaurant openings. We expect investments in the McDonald’s Brand to foster a virtuous cycle of growth in our communities and local economies. A more robust local economy should, in turn, support our long-term expansion plans while insulating the business from short-term volatility.

Before closing, I want to express how saddened we are by the severe flooding in Brazil's southernmost state: Rio Grande do Sul. Since this is an ongoing situation, it is too early to estimate the long-term human and environmental impacts of this natural disaster. In the meantime, we are actively supporting our people, suppliers, sub-franchisees and the communities we serve.

Our efforts are focused on our employees and their families, including by providing basic necessities and by guaranteeing their job security during this difficult period. We have also begun distributing food within the communities we serve as well as to first responders. Our restaurant spaces have been made available to people seeking shelter, food or even just a place to charge their cell phones. Moving forward we will be working on several initiatives, in coordination with local governments and NGO’s to continue supporting our people and to aid in reconstruction.

Finally, as we think about the future of Arcos Dorados, we believe all the levers we pulled to generate the strong results of the first quarter and, indeed, the last several years, will continue to drive results into the future. This is why we are confident we will be able to generate significant shareholder value for many more years to come.

Thank you for your continued support of Arcos Dorados.

Consolidated Results

Arcos Dorados’ total revenues reached $1.1 billion, up 9.1% in US dollars versus the prior year quarter. Systemwide comparable sales in the first quarter rose 38.6%, with nearly all the Company’s markets growing sales above local inflation. Importantly, consolidated guest volume grew for the twelfth consecutive quarter. The Company’s systemwide comparable sales grew 2.2x blended inflation for the period, excluding Argentina.

Off-premise sales (Delivery and Drive-thru) increased 14% in US dollars versus the prior year, and generated 44% of systemwide sales in the first quarter of 2024. On-premise sales (front counter, dessert centers and McCafé) grew 7% in US dollars versus the prior year, accounting for 56% of systemwide sales in the quarter.

Digital channel sales rose 30% versus the prior year and represented 55% of systemwide sales. The Company’s Digital platform continued to drive topline performance in the first quarter, boosted by the strong penetration of sales through Self-order kiosks and the Own Delivery and Mobile Order and Pay functionalities on the Mobile App.

The Company’s Digital platform drove visit frequency by offering an increasingly personalized experience to guests. As of the end of March 2024, Arcos Dorados’ Customer Relationship Management platform had about 85 million unique registered users and the Company’s Mobile App surpassed 123 million cumulative downloads, reaching more than 19 million monthly active users in the quarter. During the quarter, identified sales represented 22% of total sales.

Notably, in the first quarter of 2024 the Company signed an agreement to become a regional sponsor of Formula One in Latin America. The sport has become very popular with families throughout the region, bridging all demographic, gender and socioeconomic groups. This agreement is expected to provide significant brand presence and the sponsorship will focus on further leveraging the Company's successful Three-D’s strategy, especially the Drive-thru segment with its precision, teamwork and speed of service.

Adjusted EBITDA

1Q24 Adjusted EBITDA Bridge

($ million)

First quarter consolidated Adjusted EBITDA reached $108.9 million, up 8.4% in US dollars over the prior year quarter, with strong performances in Brazil and NOLAD more than offsetting the decline in the South Latin American Division (SLAD). The significant devaluation of the Argentine peso in December 2023 and a weaker consumption environment in Argentina impacted SLAD’s results in the quarter. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA margin remained flat at 10.1% versus the prior year, with margin expansion in Brazil (90 basis points) and NOLAD (30 basis points) offsetting a margin contraction in SLAD.

Consolidated margin performance included lower Food and Paper (F&P) costs as a percentage of revenue, driven by a better gross margin in Brazil, coupled with operating leverage in General and Administrative expenses (G&A) when compared with the prior year. Payroll expenses were flat as a percentage of revenue compared with the prior year quarter. These effects were offset by moderately higher Occupancy & Other Operating expenses in the first quarter as a percentage of revenue, primarily explained by a decline in operating leverage due to below inflation sales growth in Argentina.

Notable items in the Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation

Included in Adjusted EBITDA: There were no notable items included in Adjusted EBITDA in either the first quarter of 2024 or the first quarter of 2023.

Excluded from Adjusted EBITDA: There were no notable items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA in either the first quarter of 2024 or the first quarter of 2023.

Non-operating Results

Arcos Dorados’ non-operating results for the first quarter included net interest expenses of $16.4 million and a non-cash foreign exchange loss of $1.0 million. The Company recorded an income tax expense of $19.0 million in the quarter.

Net income attributable to the Company totaled $28.5 million, or $0.14 per share, in the first quarter of 2024. Total weighted average shares for the first quarter of 2024 amounted to 210,655,747 compared to 210,594,545 in the prior year’s quarter.

Divisional Results

Brazil Division

Brazil’s revenues increased 20.0% in US dollars versus the first quarter 2023, reaching $448.9 million. Systemwide comparable sales rose 9.4% year-over-year, or 2.2x the country’s inflation in the period.

Guest traffic and sales growth were driven by a strong performance of Digital channels. Digital sales rose 38% versus the prior year and contributed more than 65% of the division’s systemwide sales in the period, including 26% identified sales. Delivery sales grew 44% in US dollars versus the prior year and reached a new quarterly sales record for this channel in the country. Off-premise channel sales represented 42% of Brazil’s systemwide sales in the quarter.

The Loyalty program “Meu Méqui” continues to grow and had more than 8 million registered members at the end of April 2024, up from 3.2 million at the end of 2023. The program continued driving improvements in guest frequency, average check and redemption rates.

Brazil’s marketing plans and campaigns included the continuation of the successful “Méqui Me Pega” campaign and the launch of the “Big Tasty Turbo Cheese” sandwich. The market engaged with Generation Z customers by continuing its sponsorship of the region’s most popular music festival, Lollapalooza, in São Paulo as well as the country’s most popular primetime television program, Big Brother Brazil. The division also drove brand excitement and customer engagement across all sales channels by bringing back the McFish sandwich as a limited time offer, selling out in a short time. In the dessert category, Brazil introduced the McFlurry “Chocrocante” with a popular local chocolate known as “Diamante Negro”.

The Brazil division continued to strengthen its brand leadership position, achieving an all-time-high visit share score over the trailing 12 months. The market share gain in Brazil was accompanied by record high scores in brand equity, including Top of Mind and Favorite Brand, which were 4.0x and 2.0x the main competitor’s scores, respectively, according to the Company’s proprietary research. In fact, all brand attributes tracked by the Company presented favorable gaps compared with the nearest competitor in the market.

As reported Adjusted EBITDA in the division reached $75.4 million in the quarter, rising 26.9% versus the prior year in US dollars. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 16.8%, up 90 basis points versus the prior year period, including lower F&P costs as a percentage of revenue and operating leverage in both Payroll and G&A due to strong sales growth in the division.

North Latin American Division (NOLAD)

As reported revenues in NOLAD reached $302.7 million, up 16.8% in US dollars versus the prior year quarter. Systemwide comparable sales rose 8.0% year-over-year, or 3.1x the division’s blended inflation in the period, with sales increasing above inflation in all markets. The result also included particularly strong traffic growth in Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama and the French West Indies. Additionally, the quarter benefitted from the extra trading day on February 29 and a positive impact from Holy Week, particularly in Mexico.

Digital channels drove topline growth in the first quarter as the Company continued to invest in the modernization of its restaurants and the digitalization of the division. Digital sales reached 38% of systemwide sales in the quarter, compared with just 25% in the prior year quarter, boosted by a significant expansion of sales through self-order kiosks and Delivery versus the previous year.

NOLAD’s key marketing activities included the launch of a new value platform “Elige tu Fav” in Mexico, which allows guests to choose between delicious beef or chicken combos at an attractive price. Also in Mexico, Digital channel sales doubled versus last year and the McDonald’s App is now the most downloaded, and used, App across the country’s QSR industry. Panama implemented a strong value platform, coupled with one of the highest brand equity scores in the region, to accelerate the business in that country. In Puerto Rico, the Company gained significant visit share as the new brand campaign “Saca tu Encanto” resonated well with guests. Each of these three important markets also achieved significant visit and sales share growth during the quarter.

As reported Adjusted EBITDA in the division reached $28.6 million in the quarter, rising 20.7% versus the prior year in US dollars. Adjusted EBITDA margin increased by 30 basis points in the quarter benefiting from operating leverage in Occupancy & Other Operating expenses as well as G&A due to the strong sales growth. These more than offset a modest increase in Payroll expenses as a percentage of revenue.

South Latin American Division (SLAD)

As reported revenues in SLAD totaled $329.7 million in the first quarter, down 7.7% year-over-year. Systemwide comparable sales, which includes the impact of Argentina and Venezuela’s high inflation rates, rose 103.0% versus the prior year. SLAD’s systemwide comparable sales grew 1.8x blended inflation, excluding Argentina.

The division’s results were primarily impacted by the ongoing hyperinflationary environment in Argentina, which caused a material reduction of consumption in this market, as well as the significant devaluation of the country’s currency at the end of 2023. The devaluation of the Chilean peso and the social unrest in Ecuador also contributed to offset strong sales performances in other markets such as Colombia, Peru and Uruguay.

Digital sales, which accounted for 53% of systemwide sales in SLAD, benefited from the improving performance of the Mobile Order and Pay and Own Delivery functionalities in the Mobile App, which led to an increase in identified sales across the division.

The SLAD division strengthened brand affinity among younger consumers, by sponsoring the most relevant music festivals in the region, including Lollapalooza in Argentina and Chile, as well as Estereo Picnic in Colombia. The Company brought menu innovation to SLAD’s markets with the launch of the “Quarter Pounder Western BBQ” in Chile and Uruguay, “Quarter Pounder Cheesy Jalapeño” in Ecuador and the “Grand Tasty Spicy” in Argentina, among others. These new product launches helped drive restaurant traffic and average check growth. SLAD continued making inroads in the chicken category, with the launch of the “McCrispy Chicken” platform in Uruguay and the “McCrispy Chicken Legend” in Colombia, with the latter quickly becoming a guest favorite.

Despite some challenging economic conditions, many of SLAD’s main markets continued gaining market share against their main competitors, a clear reflection of consumer preference for the McDonald’s Brand across the division. This includes Argentina, where the Company’s brand attributes strengthened, and market share increased strongly.

As reported Adjusted EBITDA totaled $24.7 million in the quarter and Adjusted EBITDA margin contracted 390 basis points versus the prior year quarter. The division’s Adjusted EBITDA reflects reduced operating leverage in all cost and expense line items due to the below-inflation sales growth in the first quarter, mostly in Argentina and Ecuador.

New Unit Development

During the first quarter of 2024, the Company opened 22 Experience of the Future (EOTF) restaurants, including 19 free-standing units. The Brazil division opened 11 EOTF restaurants in the quarter, with 10 new free-standing units.

At the end of the quarter, 52% of Arcos Dorados’ restaurant footprint was made up of free-standing units and the Company plans to continue focusing its investments on this format to offer guests the most complete McDonald’s restaurant experience while leveraging the incrementality of Drive-thru and Delivery sales.

Arcos Dorados also continued the modernization of its existing restaurants in the quarter and, as of the end of March 2024, there were 1,430 EOTF restaurants making up 60% of the total footprint.

Balance Sheet & Cash Flow Highlights

As of March 31, 2024, total cash and cash equivalents were $162.5 million and total financial debt (including the net derivative instrument position) was $740.0 million. Net debt (total financial debt minus total cash and cash equivalents) was $577.5 million, up from $481.3 million at the end of 2023, due to the lower cash balance.

The net debt to Adjusted EBITDA leverage ratio ended the quarter at a healthy 1.2x.

Net cash used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2024, totaled $9.4 million. Cash used in net investing activities totaled $49.2 million, including capital expenditures of $61.2 million. Net cash used in financing activities was $8.0 million in the first quarter 2024.

Recent Developments

2024 Annual General Shareholders Meeting (AGM)

The Company held its AGM on April 26, 2024. All proposals were approved at the meeting.

Moody’s Rating Action

In May 2024, Moody’s re-affirmed Arcos Dorados’ corporate and senior debt rating at Ba2 and upgraded the outlook from Stable to Positive based on the Company's liquidity condition and latest operating performance, following Brazil’s sovereign rating action.

First Quarter 2024 Earnings Webcast

A webcast to discuss the information contained in this press release will be held today, May 15, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. ET. In order to access the webcast, members of the investment community should follow this link: Arcos Dorados First Quarter 2024 Earnings Webcast.

A replay of the webcast will be available later today in the investor section of the Company’s website: www.arcosdorados.com/ir.

Definitions

In analyzing business trends, management considers a variety of performance and financial measures which are considered to be non-GAAP including: Adjusted EBITDA, Constant Currency basis, Systemwide sales, and Systemwide comparable sales growth.

Adjusted EBITDA: In addition to financial measures prepared in accordance with the general accepted accounting principles (GAAP), this press release and the accompanying tables use a non-GAAP financial measure titled ‘Adjusted EBITDA’. Management uses Adjusted EBITDA to facilitate operating performance comparisons from period to period.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as the Company’s operating income plus depreciation and amortization plus/minus the following losses/gains included within other operating income (expenses), net, and within general and administrative expenses on the statement of income: gains from sale or insurance recovery of property and equipment, write-offs of long-lived assets, and impairment of long-lived assets.

Management believes Adjusted EBITDA facilitates company-to-company operating performance comparisons by backing out potential differences caused by variations such as capital structures (affecting net interest expense and other financing results), taxation (affecting income tax expense) and the age and book depreciation of facilities and equipment (affecting relative depreciation expense), which may vary for different companies for reasons unrelated to operating performance. Figure 8 of this earnings release includes a reconciliation for Adjusted EBITDA. For more information, please see Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation in Note 9 – Segment and geographic information – of our financial statements (6-K Form) filed today with the S.E.C.

Constant Currency basis: refers to amounts calculated using the same exchange rate over the periods under comparison to remove the effects of currency fluctuations from this trend analysis. To better discern underlying business trends, this release uses non-GAAP financial measures that segregate year-over-year growth into two categories: (i) currency translation and (ii) constant currency growth. (i) Currency translation reflects the impact on growth of the appreciation or depreciation of the local currencies in which the Company conducts its business against the US dollar (the currency in which the Company’s financial statements are prepared). (ii) Constant currency growth reflects the underlying growth of the business excluding the effect from currency translation. The Company also calculates variations as a percentage in constant currency, which are also considered to be non-GAAP measures, to provide a more meaningful analysis of its business by identifying the underlying business trends, without distortion from the effect of foreign currency fluctuations.

Systemwide sales: Systemwide sales represent measures for both Company-operated and sub-franchised restaurants. While sales by sub-franchisees are not recorded as revenues by the Company, management believes the information is important in understanding its financial performance because these sales are the basis on which it calculates and records sub-franchised restaurant revenues and are indicative of the financial health of its sub-franchisee base.

Systemwide comparable sales growth: this non-GAAP measure, refers to the change, on a constant currency basis, in Company-operated and sub-franchised restaurant sales in one period from a comparable period for restaurants that have been open for thirteen months or longer (year-over-year basis) including those temporarily closed. Management believes it is a key performance indicator used within the retail industry and is indicative of the success of the Company’s initiatives as well as local economic, competitive and consumer trends. Sales by sub-franchisees are not recorded as revenues by the Company.

About Arcos Dorados

Arcos Dorados is the world’s largest independent McDonald’s franchisee, operating the largest quick service restaurant chain in Latin America and the Caribbean. It has the exclusive right to own, operate and grant franchises of McDonald’s restaurants in 20 Latin American and Caribbean countries and territories with more than 2,350 restaurants, operated by the Company or by its sub-franchisees, that together employ over 100 thousand people (as of 03/31/2024). The Company is also committed to the development of the communities in which it operates, to providing young people their first formal job opportunities and to utilize its Recipe for the Future to achieve a positive environmental impact. Arcos Dorados is listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: ARCO). To learn more about the Company, please visit the Investors section of our website: www.arcosdorados.com/ir.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained herein include statements about the Company’s business prospects, its ability to attract customers, its expectation for revenue generation and its outlook and guidance for 2024. These statements are subject to the general risks inherent in Arcos Dorados' business. These expectations may or may not be realized. Some of these expectations may be based upon assumptions or judgments that prove to be incorrect. In addition, Arcos Dorados' business and operations involve numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of Arcos Dorados, which could result in Arcos Dorados' expectations not being realized or otherwise materially affect the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of Arcos Dorados. Additional information relating to the uncertainties affecting Arcos Dorados' business is contained in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and Arcos Dorados does not undertake any obligation to (and expressly disclaims any obligation to) update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date such statements were made, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

First Quarter 2024 Consolidated Results

First Quarter 2024 Results by Division

Summarized Consolidated Balance Sheet

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