Aramark Reports Third Quarter Earnings

YEAR-OVER-YEAR SUMMARY

• Revenue +38%; Organic Revenue +39%
  • Revenue now surpassing pre-COVID levels across all three business segments
  • Primarily driven by record-level net growth, pricing, and ongoing base recovery
• Operating Income +99%; Adjusted Operating Income (AOI) +73%¹
  • Operating Income Margin of 3.6%, +109 bps; AOI Margin of 4.4%¹, +85 bps¹
  • Improved profitability from higher sales volume and operational cost management
• EPS increased to $0.16; Adjusted EPS increased to $0.25
  • EPS higher by $0.03; Adjusted EPS higher by $0.23¹
• Raising fiscal 2022 outlook for Organic Revenue Growth and Annualized Net New Business
  • Now expect organic revenue growth of +31% to +32%; Annualized Net New Business of $725 million to $775 million
  • Maintain AOI margin and Free Cash Flow expectations

Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) today reported third quarter fiscal 2022 results.

“I'm pleased to share that our fiscal third quarter results represented a significant milestone as revenue surpassed pre-COVID fiscal 2019 levels across all three business segments,” said John Zillmer, Aramark's Chief Executive Officer. “We continued to accelerate net new business growth and expand margins despite the inflationary environment, which is a testament to Aramark’s focus on operational excellence. Across the globe, new and existing clients are placing their trust in our people and our services, and we are confident in our ability to meet and exceed their expectations.”

THIRD QUARTER RESULTS

Consolidated revenue was $4.1 billion in the third quarter, an increase of 38% compared to the prior year period. Organic revenue, which adjusts for the effect of currency translation and certain acquisitions, improved 39% year-over-year with double-digit growth in all segments.

Both consolidated revenue and organic revenue reached 103% of pre-COVID levels, a performance milestone driven by broad-based net new business, pricing, and ongoing base recovery.

•  FSS United States organic revenue increased 45% compared to the third quarter last year, primarily due to the following contributors in each sector:

• FSS International grew organic revenue 49% year-over-year in the third quarter, led by new business wins and increased event activity, particularly in sports & entertainment across Europe, as well as improvement in business & industry, in both Europe and Rest of World.
• Uniform & Career Apparel organic revenue increased 11% year-over-year in the third quarter, driven by rental revenue growth and strength in adjacency services.

Operating Income grew 99% year-over-year to $148 million and Adjusted Operating Income ("AOI") improved 73%¹ to $178 million, reflecting an operating income margin increase of 109 basis points and an AOI margin increase of 85 basis points to 4.4%¹. Improvement was due to effective cost management and operating leverage from higher revenue levels, partially offset by the impact of increased inflation as well as new business start-up costs. The need for off-program procurement began to ease slightly in the third quarter.

Year-over-year AOI improvement was broad-based across operating segments, demonstrating notable double-digit growth and significant margin expansion:

• FSS United States AOI increased 66%¹ due to operating cost management across the portfolio and revenue recovery, particularly in Sports & Entertainment and Business & Industry. Higher Education and Corrections have begun implementing additional pricing actions.
• FSS International AOI improved 88%¹ driven by client re-openings as country-specific restrictions continued to ease, partially offset by the decrease in government assistance program subsidies.
• Uniform & Career Apparel AOI was 54%¹ higher from improved operating efficiencies and net new business as well as ongoing base revenue recovery.
• Corporate overhead costs were tightly managed, although moved higher due to increased equity-based compensation.

GAAP SUMMARY

Third quarter fiscal 2022 GAAP results improved across all metrics compared to the prior year period. On a GAAP basis, revenue was $4.1 billion, operating income was $148 million, net income attributable to Aramark stockholders was $40 million, and diluted earnings per share were $0.16. These results included $85 million of combined revenue from the acquisitions of Next Level Hospitality and Union Supply Group. Comparatively, third quarter fiscal 2021 revenue was $3.0 billion, operating income was $74 million, net income attributable to Aramark stockholders was $33 million and diluted earnings per share were $0.13. A reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP measures is included in the Appendix.

CURRENCY

In the third quarter, the effect of currency translation decreased reported revenue by $113 million, operating income by $5.5 million and net income by $3.9 million.

CASH FLOW AND CAPITAL STRUCTURE

In the third quarter, Net cash used in operating activities was $14 million and Free Cash Flow was a use of $96 million, in-line with the quarterly cadence of the business. Higher working capital was the result of significantly increased revenues in the quarter. At quarter-end, Aramark had approximately $1.3 billion in cash availability.

DIVIDEND DECLARATION

As announced on August 3, 2022, the Company's Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of 11 cents per share of common stock. The dividend will be payable on August 30, 2022, to stockholders of record at the close of business on August 17, 2022.

BUSINESS UPDATE

Aramark is driving positive business momentum through record-level new client wins, strong account retention rates, and enhanced pricing strategies, as well as from ongoing base revenue recovery. Net New Business in the first three quarters of fiscal 2022 already exceeds the record full year results in fiscal 2021.

The Company's margins have progressed since fiscal 2021 led by cost management and operating leverage from higher revenue levels, partially offset by the impact of inflation and new business start-up costs. Aramark is utilizing its extensive operating capabilities and resources—including purchasing scale, menu reengineering, labor optimization, and technology deployment, among others—to manage through this inflationary period, in close partnership with clients.

Last quarter, Aramark announced a plan to separate its Uniforms segment into an independent, publicly traded company in a spin-off intended to be tax-free to Aramark and its stockholders. The Company has made progress in the operational separation and added leaders with extensive public company experience to complement the deep industry experience already in place. This team is expected to lead the independent company upon completion of the spin-off. The Company currently expects the spin-off to occur in the second half of fiscal 2023.

OUTLOOK

The Company provides its expectations for organic revenue growth, Adjusted Operating Income, Adjusted EPS, and Free Cash Flow on a non-GAAP basis, and does not provide a reconciliation of such forward-looking non-GAAP measures to GAAP due to the inherent difficulty in forecasting and quantifying certain amounts that are necessary for such reconciliations, including adjustments that could be made for the impact of the change in fair value related to certain gasoline and diesel agreements and other charges and the effect of currency translation. The fiscal 2022 outlook reflects management's current assumptions regarding the lingering impact of COVID-19 on Aramark and its clients, the extent of which will depend on numerous evolving factors that are difficult to accurately predict, including those discussed in the Risk Factors set forth in the Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Aramark provided full-year performance expectations for fiscal 2022:

“I am proud of what our team has accomplished as we continue positioning Aramark for success by executing against our strategic growth initiatives,” Zillmer added. “The planned spin-off of our Uniforms segment, which is intended to be tax-free to us and our stockholders, continues apace, and we believe that we are well-poised to achieve our long-term targets. I couldn’t be more confident in our people, our clients, our purpose, and our future.”

CONFERENCE CALL SCHEDULED

The Company has scheduled a conference call at 8:30 a.m. ET today to discuss its earnings and outlook. This call and related materials can be heard and reviewed, either live or on a delayed basis, on the Company's website, www.aramark.com on the investor relations page.

About Aramark

Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) proudly serves the world’s leading educational institutions, Fortune 500 companies, world champion sports teams, prominent healthcare providers, iconic destinations and cultural attractions, and numerous municipalities in 19 countries around the world with food, facilities, and uniform services. Because our culture is rooted in service, our employees strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet. Aramark ranked No. 1 In the Diversified Outsourcing Services Category on FORTUNE’s 2022 List of ‘World’s Most Admired Companies’ and has been named to DiversityInc’s “Top 50 Companies for Diversity” list, the Forbes list of “America’s Best Employers for Diversity,” the HRC’s “Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality” and scored 100% on the Disability Equality Index. Learn more at www.aramark.com and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Selected Operational and Financial Metrics

Adjusted Revenue (Organic)

Adjusted Revenue (Organic) represents revenue growth, adjusted to eliminate the effect of certain material acquisitions and divestitures, the estimated impact of the 53rd week and the impact of currency translation.

Adjusted Operating Income

Adjusted Operating Income represents operating income adjusted to eliminate the change in amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets; the impact of the change in fair value related to certain gasoline and diesel agreements; severance and other charges; the effect of certain material acquisitions; merger and integration related charges; spin-off related charges; and other items impacting comparability.

Adjusted Operating Income (Constant Currency)

Adjusted Operating Income (Constant Currency) represents Adjusted Operating Income adjusted to eliminate the impact of currency translation.

Adjusted Net Income (Loss)

Adjusted Net Income (Loss) represents net income (loss) attributable to Aramark stockholders adjusted to eliminate the change in amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets; the impact of changes in the fair value related to certain gasoline and diesel agreements; severance and other charges; the effect of certain material acquisitions; merger and integration related charges; spin-off related charges; gain on an equity investment; loss on defined benefit pension plan termination; the effect of refinancings on interest and other financing costs, net, less the tax impact of these adjustments; the impact of tax legislation and other items impacting comparability. The tax effect for adjusted net income (loss) for our United States earnings is calculated using a blended United States federal and state tax rate. The tax effect for adjusted net income (loss) in jurisdictions outside the United States is calculated at the local country tax rate.

Adjusted Net Income (Loss) (Constant Currency)

Adjusted Net Income (Loss) (Constant Currency) represents Adjusted Net Income (Loss) adjusted to eliminate the impact of currency translation.

Adjusted EPS

Adjusted EPS represents Adjusted Net Income (Loss) divided by diluted weighted average shares outstanding.

Adjusted EPS (Constant Currency)

Adjusted EPS (Constant Currency) represents Adjusted EPS adjusted to eliminate the impact of currency translation.

Covenant Adjusted EBITDA

Covenant Adjusted EBITDA represents net income (loss) attributable to Aramark stockholders adjusted for interest and other financing costs, net; provision (benefit) for income taxes; depreciation and amortization and certain other items as defined in our debt agreements required in calculating covenant ratios and debt compliance. We also use Net Debt for our ratio to Covenant Adjusted EBITDA, which is calculated as total long-term borrowings less cash and cash equivalents.

Free Cash Flow

Free Cash Flow represents net cash (used in) provided by operating activities less net purchases of property and equipment and other. Management believes that the presentation of free cash flow provides useful information to investors because it represents a measure of cash flow available for distribution among all the security holders of the Company.

Net New Business

Net New Business is an internal statistical metric used to evaluate our new sales and retention performance. The calculation is defined as the annualized value of gross new business less the annualized value of lost business.

We use Adjusted Revenue (Organic), Adjusted Operating Income (including on a constant currency basis), Adjusted Net Income (Loss) (including on a constant currency basis), Adjusted EPS (including on a constant currency basis), Covenant Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow as supplemental measures of our operating profitability and to control our cash operating costs. We believe these financial measures are useful to investors because they enable better comparisons of our historical results and allow our investors to evaluate our performance based on the same metrics that we use to evaluate our performance and trends in our results. These financial metrics are not measurements of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. Our presentation of these metrics has limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. You should not consider these measures as alternatives to revenue, operating income, net income (loss), or earnings (loss) per share, determined in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted Revenue (Organic), Adjusted Operating Income, Adjusted Net Income (Loss), Adjusted EPS, Covenant Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow as presented by us may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies because not all companies use identical calculations.

Explanatory Notes to the Non-GAAP Schedules

Amortization of Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets - adjustments to eliminate the change in amortization expense resulting from the purchase accounting applied to the January 26, 2007 going-private transaction and amortization expense recognized on other acquisition-related intangible assets.

Severance and Other Charges - adjustments to eliminate severance expenses in the applicable period ($5.4 million expense reversal for year-to-date 2021).

Effect of Certain Acquisitions - adjustments to eliminate the operating results of certain material acquisitions that are not comparable to the prior year periods.

Merger and Integration Related Charges - adjustments to eliminate merger and integration charges primarily related to the AmeriPride acquisition, including costs for transitional employees and integration related consulting costs, and charges related to plant consolidation, mainly asset write-downs, the implementation of a new revenue accounting system and other expenses.

Spin-off Related Charges - adjustments to eliminate charges related to the Company's intention to spin-off the Uniform segment, including salaries and benefits, recruiting and relocation costs, accounting and legal related expenses, branding and other costs.

Gains, Losses and Settlements impacting comparability - adjustments to eliminate certain transactions that are not indicative of our ongoing operational performance, primarily for the gain from the insurance proceeds received related to property damage from a tornado in Nashville ($3.1 million for year-to-date 2022), charges related to hyperinflation in Argentina ($1.2 million for the third quarter of 2022, $2.2 million for year-to-date 2022 and $1.0 million for year-to-date 2021), the impact of the change in fair value related to certain gasoline and diesel agreements ($0.7 million gain for the third quarter of 2022, $0.4 million gain for year-to-date 2022, $0.1 million loss for the third quarter of 2021 and $5.6 million gain for year-to-date 2021), income from prior years' loss experience under our general liability, automobile liability and workers' compensation programs ($18.1 million for year-to-date 2021), pension withdrawal charges ($0.7 million for year-to-date 2021) and other miscellaneous charges.

Gain on Equity Investment - adjustment to eliminate the impact of a non-cash gain from an observable price change related to an equity investment.

Loss on Defined Benefit Pension Plan Termination - adjustment to eliminate the impact of a non-cash loss from the termination of certain single-employer defined benefit pension plans.

Effect of Refinancing and Other on Interest and Other Financing Costs, net - adjustments to eliminate expenses associated with refinancing activities undertaken by the Company in the applicable period such as charges related to the payment of call premiums ($11.9 million for the third quarter and year-to-date 2021) and non-cash charges for the write-offs of unamortized debt issuance costs and debt premiums related to the repayment of borrowings ($6.8 million loss for the third quarter and year-to-date 2021).

Effect of Tax Legislation on Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes - adjustments to eliminate the impact of tax legislation that is not indicative of our ongoing tax position based on the new tax policies, including the benefit related to the CARES Act for net operating losses being carried back to prior fiscal years ($3.8 million for the third quarter of 2021 and $38.1 million for year-to-date 2021) and a valuation allowance against certain foreign tax credits ($3.8 million for the third quarter of 2021 and $30.0 million for year-to-date 2021).

Tax Impact of Adjustments to Adjusted Net Income (Loss) - adjustments to eliminate the net tax impact of the adjustments to adjusted net income (loss) calculated based on a blended United States federal and state tax rate for United States adjustments and the local country tax rate for adjustments in jurisdictions outside the United States. Adjustment also reverses a valuation allowance recorded against deferred tax assets in a foreign subsidiary that were previously deemed to be not realizable (approximately $8.5 million for year-to-date 2022).

Effect of Currency Translation - adjustments to eliminate the impact that fluctuations in currency translation rates had on the comparative results by presenting the periods on a constant currency basis. Assumes constant foreign currency exchange rates based on the rates in effect for the prior year period being used in translation for the comparable current year period.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements reflect our current expectations as to future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements under the heading "Outlook" and those related to our expectations regarding the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the performance of our business, our financial results, our operations, our liquidity and capital resources, the conditions in our industry and our growth strategy. In some cases forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "outlook," "aim," "anticipate," "are or remain or continue to be confident," "have confidence," "estimate," "expect," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe," "see," "look to" and other words and terms of similar meaning or the negative versions of such words. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may change at any time, actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those that we expected.

Some of the factors that we believe could affect or continue to affect our results include without limitation: the severity and duration of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; the pandemic's impact on the United States and global economies, including particularly the client sectors we serve and governmental responses to the pandemic; unfavorable economic conditions; natural disasters, global calamities, climate change, new pandemics, sports strikes and other adverse incidents; geopolitical events, including, but not limited to, the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and its effects on global supply chains, volatility and disruption of global financial markets; the failure to retain current clients, renew existing client contracts and obtain new client contracts; a determination by clients to reduce their outsourcing or use of preferred vendors; competition in our industries; increased operating costs and obstacles to cost recovery due to the pricing and cancellation terms of our food and support services contracts; currency risks and other risks associated with international operations, including compliance with a broad range of laws and regulations, including the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act; risks associated with suppliers from whom our products are sourced; disruptions to our relationship with our distribution partners; the contract intensive nature of our business, which may lead to client disputes; our expansion strategy and our ability to successfully integrate the businesses we acquire and costs and timing related thereto; continued or further unionization of our workforce; liability resulting from our participation in multiemployer defined benefit pension plans; the inability to hire and retain key or sufficient qualified personnel or increases in labor costs; laws and governmental regulations including those relating to food and beverages, the environment, wage and hour and government contracting; liability associated with noncompliance with applicable law or other governmental regulations; new interpretations of or changes in the enforcement of the government regulatory framework; increases or changes in income tax rates or tax-related laws; the failure to maintain food safety throughout our supply chain, food-borne illness concerns and claims of illness or injury; a cybersecurity incident or other disruptions in the availability of our computer systems or privacy breaches; our leverage; the inability to generate sufficient cash to service all of our indebtedness; debt agreements that limit our flexibility in operating our business; risks associated with the impact, timing or terms of the proposed spin-off of Aramark Uniform Services (our Uniform segment) as an independent publicly traded company to our stockholders (the "proposed spin-off'"); risks associated with the expected benefits and costs of the proposed spin-off, including the risk that the expected benefits of the proposed spin-off will not be realized within the expected time frame, in full or at all, and the risk that conditions to the proposed spin-off will not be satisfied and/or that the proposed spin-off will not be completed within the expected time frame, on the expected terms or at all; the expected qualification of the proposed spin-off as a tax-free transaction for United States federal income tax purposes, including whether or not an Internal Revenue Service ruling will be sought or obtained; the risk that any consents or approvals required in connection with the proposed spin-off will not be received or obtained within the expected time frame, on the expected terms or at all; risks associated with expected financing transactions undertaken in connection with the proposed spin-off and risks associated with indebtedness incurred in connection with the proposed spin-off; the risk of increased costs from lost synergies, costs of restructuring transactions and other costs incurred in connection with the proposed spin-off; retention of existing management team members as a result of the proposed spin-off; reaction of customers, our employees and other parties to the proposed spin-off; and the impact of the proposed spin-off on our business and the risk that the proposed spin-off may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected, including the impact on our resources, systems, procedures and controls, diversion of management’s attention and the impact on relationships with customers, suppliers, employees and other business counterparties; and other factors set forth under the headings “Part I, Item 2—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Part II, Item 1A—Risk Factors—Risks associated with the proposed spin-off" of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on May 10, 2022 and headings "Part I, Item 1A Risk Factors," "Part I, Item 3 Legal Proceedings" and "Part II, Item 7 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and other sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on November 23, 2021 as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other periodic filings with the SEC, which are accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and which may be obtained by contacting Aramark's investor relations department via its website at www.aramark.com. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included herein and in our other filings with the SEC. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements included herein or that may be made elsewhere from time to time by, or on behalf of, us. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments, changes in our expectations, or otherwise, except as required by law.