Edgar Filing: DENNYS CORP

Document

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended September 28, 2016

Commission File Number 0-18051

DENNY’S CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



Delaware		13-3487402
(State or other jurisdiction of		(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization		Identification No.)

203 East Main Street

Spartanburg, South Carolina 29319-0001

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

(864) 597-8000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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 þ No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes þ 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. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.



Large accelerated filer	þ	Accelerated filer	¨	Non-accelerated filer	¨	Smaller reporting company	¨
				(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes ¨ No þ

As of October 28, 2016, 73,366,890 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, were outstanding.

TABLE OF CONTENTS



	Page
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)	3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)	4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)	5
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Deficit (Unaudited)	6
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)	7
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)	8
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	20
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	28
Item 4. Controls and Procedures	28

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings	28
Item 1A. Risk Factors	28
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	29
Item 6. Exhibits	29
Signatures	30

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

Denny’s Corporation and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)



	September 28, 2016			December 30, 2015
	(In thousands)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,526		$	1,671
Receivables	14,175			16,552
Inventories	3,009			3,117
Assets held for sale	—			931
Prepaid and other current assets	7,170			14,143
Total current assets	25,880			36,414
Property, net of accumulated depreciation of $252,981 and $247,995, respectively	131,537			124,816
Goodwill	35,270			33,454
Intangible assets, net	53,897			46,074
Deferred financing costs, net	2,084			2,529
Deferred income taxes	23,083			29,159
Other noncurrent assets	25,981			24,591
Total assets	$	297,732		$	297,037

Liabilities
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of capital lease obligations	$	3,311		$	3,246
Accounts payable	14,877			20,759
Other current liabilities	55,745			77,548
Total current liabilities	73,933			101,553
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt, less current maturities	203,000			195,000
Capital lease obligations, less current maturities	22,227			17,499
Liability for insurance claims, less current portion	14,139			15,949
Other noncurrent liabilities	38,185			27,631
Total long-term liabilities	277,551			256,079
Total liabilities	351,484			357,632

Commitments and contingencies

Shareholders' equity (deficit)
Common stock $0.01 par value; shares authorized - 135,000; September 28, 2016: 107,020 shares issued and 73,977 shares outstanding; December 30, 2015: 106,521 shares issued and 76,862 shares outstanding	$	1,070		$	1,065
Paid-in capital	582,864			565,364
Deficit	(394,117		)	(402,245		)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(9,808		)	(23,777		)
Shareholders’ equity before treasury stock	180,009			140,407
Treasury stock, at cost, 33,043 and 29,659 shares, respectively	(233,761		)	(201,002		)
Total shareholders' deficit	(53,752		)	(60,595		)
Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit	$	297,732		$	297,037

See accompanying notes

Denny’s Corporation and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)



	Quarter Ended					Three Quarters Ended
	September 28, 2016			September 30, 2015		September 28, 2016			September 30, 2015
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenue:
Company restaurant sales	$	93,122		$	89,279	$	272,718		$	263,890
Franchise and license revenue	35,264			34,499		104,625			103,378
Total operating revenue	128,386			123,778		377,343			367,268
Costs of company restaurant sales:
Product costs	22,819			23,289		67,253			66,609
Payroll and benefits	35,999			34,249		104,548			101,118
Occupancy	4,928			5,164		14,721			14,972
Other operating expenses	13,372			12,388		37,544			36,019
Total costs of company restaurant sales	77,118			75,090		224,066			218,718
Costs of franchise and license revenue	10,275			10,649		31,037			32,843
General and administrative expenses	17,558			16,008		50,691			49,771
Depreciation and amortization	5,609			5,422		16,207			15,760
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net	249			886		24,365			1,722
Total operating costs and expenses, net	110,809			108,055		346,366			318,814
Operating income	17,577			15,723		30,977			48,454
Interest expense, net	3,117			2,327		8,905			6,678
Other nonoperating (income) expense, net	(543		)	592		(635		)	538
Net income before income taxes	15,003			12,804		22,707			41,238
Provision for income taxes	5,277			3,854		14,579			14,021
Net income	$	9,726		$	8,950	$	8,128		$	27,217

Basic net income per share	$	0.13		$	0.11	$	0.11		$	0.32
Diluted net income per share	$	0.13		$	0.11	$	0.10		$	0.32

Basic weighted average shares outstanding	74,851			82,923		76,214			83,952
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	76,791			85,056		78,052			86,067

See accompanying notes

Denny’s Corporation and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(Unaudited)



	Quarter Ended					Three Quarters Ended
	September 28, 2016		September 30, 2015			September 28, 2016			September 30, 2015
	(In thousands)
Net income	$	9,726	$	8,950		$	8,128		$	27,217
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Minimum pension liability adjustment, net of tax of $8, $169, $2,168 and $507	13		265			21,851			793
Recognition of unrealized gain (loss) on hedge transactions, net of tax of $20, $(2,266), $(5,034) and $(1,303)	32		(3,542		)	(7,882		)	(2,037		)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	45		(3,277		)	13,969			(1,244		)
Total comprehensive income	$	9,771	$	5,673		$	22,097		$	25,973

See accompanying notes

Denny’s Corporation and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Deficit

(Unaudited)



	Common Stock			Treasury Stock					Paid-in Capital			Deficit			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net			Total Shareholders’ Deficit
	Shares	Amount		Shares		Amount			Paid-in Capital			Deficit			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net			Total Shareholders’ Deficit
	(In thousands)
Balance, December 30, 2015	106,521	$	1,065	(29,659	)	$	(201,002	)	$	565,364		$	(402,245	)	$	(23,777	)	$	(60,595	)
Net income	—	—		—		—			—			8,128			—			8,128
Other comprehensive income	—	—		—		—			—			—			13,969			13,969
Share-based compensation on equity classified awards	—	—		—		—			4,212			—			—			4,212
Purchase of treasury stock	—	—		(1,866	)	(19,648		)	—			—			—			(19,648		)
Equity forward contract settlement	—	—		(1,518	)	(13,111		)	13,111			—			—			—
Issuance of common stock for share-based compensation	383	4		—		—			(4		)	—			—			—
Exercise of common stock options	116	1		—		—			491			—			—			492
Tax expense from share-based compensation	—	—		—		—			(310		)	—			—			(310		)
Balance, September 28, 2016	107,020	$	1,070	(33,043	)	$	(233,761	)	$	582,864		$	(394,117	)	$	(9,808	)	$	(53,752	)

See accompanying notes

Denny’s Corporation and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)



	Three Quarters Ended
	September 28, 2016			September 30, 2015
	(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	8,128		$	27,217
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	16,207			15,760
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net	24,365			1,722
Amortization of deferred financing costs	445			366
(Gain) loss on early extinguishments of debt	(3		)	260
Deferred income tax expense	8,942			9,013
Share-based compensation	5,625			5,505
Tax expense from share-based compensation	(310		)	—
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Decrease (increase) in assets:
Receivables	2,582			4,626
Inventories	108			44
Other current assets	6,972			(358		)
Other assets	(1,800		)	726
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
Accounts payable	(83		)	1,134
Accrued salaries and vacations	(11,006		)	(2,278		)
Accrued taxes	1,647			1,389
Other accrued liabilities	(16,627		)	(6,655		)
Other noncurrent liabilities	(2,060		)	(1,544		)
Net cash flows provided by operating activities	43,132			56,927
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(14,615		)	(18,432		)
Acquisition of restaurants and real estate	(12,956		)	(2,330		)
Proceeds from disposition of property	1,921			—
Collections on notes receivable	1,151			1,359
Issuance of notes receivable	(1,394		)	(1,151		)
Net cash flows used in investing activities	(25,893		)	(20,554		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Revolver borrowings	38,000			167,500
Revolver payments	(30,000		)	(102,750		)
Long-term debt payments	(2,378		)	(57,486		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	492			471
Tax withholding on share-based payments	—			(982		)
Tax benefit from share-based compensation	—			976
Deferred financing costs	—			(1,265		)
Purchase of treasury stock	(19,137		)	(37,310		)
Net bank overdrafts	(4,361		)	—
Net cash flows used in financing activities	(17,384		)	(30,846		)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(145		)	5,527
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,671			3,074
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	1,526		$	8,601

See accompanying notes

Denny’s Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Note 1. Introduction and Basis of Presentation

Denny’s Corporation, or Denny’s, is one of America’s largest full-service restaurant chains based on number of restaurants. At September 28, 2016, the Denny's brand consisted of 1,728 restaurants, 1,560 of which were franchised/licensed restaurants and 168 of which were company operated.

Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Therefore, certain information and notes normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted. In our opinion, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the interim periods presented have been included. Such adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions; however, we believe that our estimates, including those for the above-described items, are reasonable.

These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 30, 2015 and the related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, both of which are contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2015. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire fiscal year ending December 28, 2016.

Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Newly Adopted Accounting Standards

Consolidation

ASU 2015-02,"Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis"

Effective December 31, 2015, we adopted ASU 2015-02, which improves targeted areas of the consolidation guidance and reduces the number of consolidation models. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Debt Issuance

ASU 2015-03,"Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs" and ASU 2015-15,"Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements—Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Announcement at June 18, 2015 EITF Meeting (SEC Update)"

Effective December 31, 2015, we adopted ASU 2015-03, which simplifies the guidance on the presentation of debt issuance costs. The new guidance requires debt issuance costs to be presented in the balance sheet as a reduction of the related debt liability rather than as an asset. Also effective December 31, 2015, we adopted ASU 2015-15, which addresses the SEC's comments related to the absence of authoritative guidance within ASU 2015-03 related to line-of-credit arrangements. According to this guidance, the SEC will not object to an entity deferring and presenting debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortizing the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. The adoption of this guidance did not have any impact on our consolidated financial statements and we will continue to classify debt issuance costs as an asset.

Intangibles

ASU 2015-05,"Intangibles–Goodwill and Other–Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement"

Effective December 31, 2015, we adopted, on a prospective basis, ASU 2015-05, which provides guidance about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a software license is included, the customer should account for the license consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a software license is not included, the arrangement should be accounted for as a service contract. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Inventory

ASU 2015-11,"Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory"

Effective December 31, 2015, we adopted ASU 2015-11, which requires inventory that is measured using the first-in, first-out method to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is defined as the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Derivatives

ASU 2016-05,"Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Effect of Derivative Contract Novations on Existing Hedge Accounting Relationships (a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force)"

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-05, which clarifies that a change in the counterparty to a derivative instrument that has been designated as the hedging instrument under Topic 815 does not, in and of itself, require dedesignation of that hedging relationship provided that all other hedge accounting criteria continue to be met. We early adopted this guidance as of March 30, 2016 on a prospective basis. The adoption of this guidance did not have any impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards to be Adopted

Revenue Recognition

ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)",

ASU 2015-14, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date",

ASU 2016-08, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net",

ASU 2016-10, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing" and

ASU 2016-12, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients"

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, which clarifies the principles used to recognize revenue for all entities. The new guidance requires companies to recognize revenue when it transfers goods or service to a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration to which a company expects to be entitled. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, which defers the effective date for ASU 2014-09. The guidance is now effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (our fiscal 2018). The guidance allows for either a retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. Early application is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, which clarifies the implementation guidance provided in ASU 2014-09 on principal versus agent considerations. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, which clarifies the implementation guidance in ASU 2014-09 on licensing and identifying performance obligations. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12, which provides clarifying guidance and adds some practical expedients in the areas of assessing collectability, presentation of sales taxes received from customers, noncash consideration, contract modification and clarification of using the full retrospective approach to adopt ASU 2014-09. These three new ASUs must be adopted concurrently with ASU 2014-09. The guidance is not expected to impact the recognition of company restaurant sales or royalties from franchised restaurants. We are currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on the recognition of other transactions on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures and have not yet selected a transition method.

Financial Instruments

ASU 2016-01, "Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities"

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, which requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes, requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset, and eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost. ASU 2016-01 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (our fiscal 2018) with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments"

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, which replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform financial statement users of credit loss estimates. ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019 (our fiscal 2020) with early adoption permitted for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018 (our fiscal 2019). We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Leases

ASU 2016-02,"Leases (Topic 842)"

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, which provides guidance for accounting for leases. The new guidance requires companies to recognize the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by leased assets. The accounting guidance for lessors is largely unchanged. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018 (our fiscal 2019) with early adoption permitted. The guidance will be adopted using a modified retrospective approach. We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements, but expect the adoption will result in a significant increase in the assets and liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet.

Stock Compensation

ASU 2016-09, "Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting"

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the recognition of excess tax benefits and deficiencies, the classification of those excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows, an accounting policy election for forfeitures, the amount an employer can withhold to cover income taxes and still qualify for equity classification and the classification of those taxes paid on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016 (our fiscal 2017) with early adoption permitted. The guidance will be applied either prospectively, retrospectively or using a modified retrospective transition method, depending on the area covered in this update. We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.

Statement of Cash Flows

ASU 2016-15, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force)"

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, which addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. ASU 2016-15 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (our fiscal 2018) with early adoption permitted. The guidance is to be applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

We reviewed all other newly issued accounting pronouncements and concluded that they are either not applicable to our business or are not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements as a result of future adoption.

Note 3. Receivables

Receivables were comprised of the following:



	September 28, 2016			December 30, 2015
	(In thousands)
Current assets:
Receivables:
Trade accounts receivable from franchisees	$	10,064		$	10,591
Notes receivable from franchisees	1,557			1,352
Vendor receivables	1,454			3,049
Credit card receivables	1,141			1,606
Other	239			251
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(280		)	(297		)
Total current receivables, net	$	14,175		$	16,552

Noncurrent assets (included as a component of other noncurrent assets):
Notes receivable from franchisees	$	579		$	541

Note 4. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The following table reflects the changes in carrying amounts of goodwill.



	(In thousands)
Balance, December 30, 2015	$	33,454
Additions related to acquisition	1,827
Write-offs and reclassifications associated with the sale of restaurants	(11		)
Balance, September 28, 2016	$	35,270

Other intangible assets were comprised of the following:



	September 28, 2016				December 30, 2015
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
	(In thousands)
Intangible assets with indefinite lives:
Trade names	$	44,077	$	—	$	44,068	$	—
Liquor licenses	166		—		126		—
Intangible assets with definite lives:
Franchise and license agreements	3,765		3,712		12,237		12,026
Reacquired franchise rights	10,496		895		2,823		1,154
Intangible assets	$	58,504	$	4,607	$	59,254	$	13,180

During the three quarters ended September 28, 2016, we acquired nine franchised restaurants for $12.4 million, of which $8.5 million was allocated to reacquired franchise rights, $2.0 million to property and $1.8 million to goodwill. The $8.5 million decrease in gross franchise and license agreements during the three quarters ended September 28, 2016 primarily resulted from the removal of fully amortized agreements.

Note 5. Other Current Liabilities

Other current liabilities consisted of the following:



	September 28, 2016		December 30, 2015
	(In thousands)
Accrued salaries and vacation	$	22,871	$	30,549
Accrued insurance, primarily current portion of liability for insurance claims	6,545		7,076
Accrued taxes	8,958		7,311
Accrued advertising	3,919		7,737
Accrued pension	355		9,648
Gift cards	3,923		4,611
Other	9,174		10,616
Other current liabilities	$	55,745	$	77,548

Note 6. Operating (Gains), Losses and Other Charges, Net

Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net are comprised of the following:



	Quarter Ended						Three Quarters Ended
	September 28, 2016			September 30, 2015			September 28, 2016			September 30, 2015
	(In thousands)
Pension settlement loss	$	—		$	—		$	24,297		$	—
Gains on sales of assets and other, net	(77		)	(23		)	(764		)	(43		)
Restructuring charges and exit costs	326			332			832			1,094
Impairment charges	—			577			—			671
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net	$	249		$	886		$	24,365		$	1,722

The pre-tax pension settlement loss of $24.3 million related to the completion of the Pension Plan liquidation during the three quarters ended September 28, 2016. See Note 9 for details on the Pension Plan liquidation. Gains on sales of assets and other, net of $0.8 million for the three quarters ended September 28, 2016 primarily related to restaurants sold to franchisees.

Restructuring charges and exit costs were comprised of the following:



	Quarter Ended				Three Quarters Ended
	September 28, 2016		September 30, 2015		September 28, 2016		September 30, 2015
	(In thousands)
Exit costs	$	154	$	43	$	269	$	583
Severance and other restructuring charges	172		289		563		511
Total restructuring charges and exit costs	$	326	$	332	$	832	$	1,094

The components of the change in accrued exit cost liabilities are as follows:



	(In thousands)
Balance, December 30, 2015	$	2,043
Exit costs ⁽¹⁾	269
Payments, net of sublease receipts	(378		)
Interest accretion	91
Balance, September 28, 2016	2,025
Less current portion included in other current liabilities	748
Long-term portion included in other noncurrent liabilities	$	1,277


(1)	Included as a component of operating (gains), losses and other charges, net.

As of September 28, 2016 and December 30, 2015, we had accrued severance and other restructuring charges of $0.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively. The balance as of September 28, 2016 is expected to be paid during the next 12 months.

Impairment charges of $0.7 million for the three quarters ended September 30, 2015 resulted primarily from the impairment of a restaurant identified as assets held for sale.

Note 7. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis

Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:



	Total			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets/Liabilities (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Valuation Technique
	(In thousands)
Fair value measurements as of September 28, 2016:
Deferred compensation plan investments ⁽¹⁾	$	10,925		$	10,925	$	—		$	—	market approach
Interest rate swaps ⁽²⁾	(14,577		)	—		(14,577		)	—		income approach
Total	$	(3,652	)	$	10,925	$	(14,577	)	$	—

Fair value measurements as of December 30, 2015:
Deferred compensation plan investments ⁽¹⁾	$	10,159		$	10,159	$	—		$	—	market approach
Interest rate swaps ⁽²⁾	(1,660		)	—		(1,660		)	—		income approach
Total	$	8,499		$	10,159	$	(1,660	)	$	—


(1)	The fair values of our deferred compensation plan investments are based on the closing market prices of the elected investments.


(2)	The fair values of our interest rate swaps are based upon Level 2 inputs, which include valuation models as reported by our counterparties. The key inputs for the valuation models are quoted market prices, interest rates and forward yield curves. See Note 8 for details on the interest rate swaps.

Those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis are summarized below:



	Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Impairment Charges		Valuation Technique
	(In thousands)
Fair value measurements as of December 30, 2015:
Assets held for sale ⁽¹⁾	$	931	$	264	market approach


(1)	As of December 30, 2015, assets held for sale were written down to their fair value. The fair value of assets held for sale is based upon Level 2 inputs, which include sales agreements.

Note 8. Long-Term Debt

Denny's Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries have a credit facility consisting of a five-year $325 million senior secured revolver (with a $30 million letter of credit sublimit). As of September 28, 2016, we had outstanding revolver loans of $203.0 million and outstanding letters of credit under the senior secured revolver of $22.4 million. These balances resulted in availability of $99.6 million under the revolving facility. Prior to considering the impact of our interest rate swaps, described below, the weighted-average interest rate on outstanding revolver loans was 2.28% and 1.76% as of September 28, 2016 and December 30, 2015, respectively. Taking into consideration our interest rate swaps, the weighted-average interest rate of outstanding revolver loans was 2.63% and 2.31% as of September 28, 2016 and December 30, 2015, respectively.

A commitment fee of 0.25% is paid on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility. Borrowings under the credit facility bear a tiered interest rate, which is based on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio and was set at LIBOR plus 175 basis points as of September 28, 2016. The maturity date for the credit facility is March 30, 2020.

The credit facility is available for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes. The credit facility is guaranteed by the Company and its material subsidiaries and is secured by assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, including the stock of the Company's subsidiaries. It includes negative covenants that are usual for facilities and transactions of this type. The credit facility also includes certain financial covenants with respect to a maximum consolidated leverage ratio and a minimum consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio.

Interest Rate Hedges

We have interest rate swaps to hedge a portion of the cash flows of our floating rate debt. We designated the interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges of our exposure to variability in future cash flows attributable to payments of LIBOR due on specific notional debt obligations.

Based on the interest rate as determined by our consolidated leverage ratio in effect as of September 28, 2016, under the terms of the swaps, we will pay the following fixed rates on the notional amounts noted:



Period Covered	Notional Amount		Fixed Rate
	(In thousands)
March 31, 2015 - March 29, 2018	$	120,000	2.88	%
March 29, 2018 - March 31, 2025	170,000		4.19	%
April 1, 2025 - March 31, 2026	50,000		4.21	%

As of September 28, 2016, the fair value of the interest rate swaps was a liability of $14.6 million, which is recorded as a component of other noncurrent liabilities in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 14 for the amounts recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the interest rate swaps.

We believe that our estimated cash flows from operations for 2016, combined with our capacity for additional borrowings under our credit facility, will enable us to meet our anticipated cash requirements and fund capital expenditures over the next twelve months.

Note 9. Defined Benefit Plans

The components of net periodic benefit cost were as follows:



	Quarter Ended					Three Quarters Ended
	September 28, 2016		September 30, 2015			September 28, 2016		September 30, 2015
	(In thousands)
Pension Plan:
Service cost	$	—	$	95		$	105	$	285
Interest cost	—		745			—		2,237
Expected return on plan assets	—		(877		)	—		(2,631		)
Amortization of net loss	—		434			—		1,300
Net periodic benefit cost	$	—	$	397		$	105	$	1,191

Other Defined Benefit Plans:
Interest cost	$	23	$	26		$	69	$	80
Amortization of net loss	21		20			64		59
Net periodic benefit cost	$	44	$	46		$	133	$	139

During 2014, our Board of Directors approved the termination and liquidation of the Advantica Pension Plan (the "Pension Plan") as of December 31, 2014. During the three quarters ended September 28, 2016, we completed the liquidation of the Pension Plan. Accordingly, we made a final contribution of $9.5 million to the Pension Plan. The resulting $67.7 million in Pension Plan assets were used to make lump sum payments and purchase annuity contracts, which are administered by a third-party provider. In addition, during the three quarters ended September 28, 2016, we recognized a pre-tax settlement loss of $24.3 million related to the liquidation, reflecting the recognition of unamortized actuarial losses that were recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income. See Note 14. We made no contributions to the Pension Plan during the three quarters ended September 30, 2015.

We made contributions of $0.1 million to our other defined benefit plans during both the three quarters ended September 28, 2016 and the three quarters ended September 30, 2015. We expect to contribute less than $0.1 million to our other defined benefit plans over the remainder of fiscal 2016.

Additional minimum pension liability, net of tax, of $0.9 million and $22.8 million is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity as of September 28, 2016 and December 30, 2015, respectively.

Note 10. Share-Based Compensation

Total share-based compensation cost included as a component of net income was as follows:



	Quarter Ended					Three Quarters Ended
	September 28, 2016			September 30, 2015		September 28, 2016		September 30, 2015
	(In thousands)
Performance share awards	$	1,862		$	1,727	$	5,284	$	4,905
Restricted stock units for board members	(87		)	214		341		600
Total share-based compensation	$	1,775		$	1,941	$	5,625	$	5,505

Performance Share Awards

In February 2016, we granted certain employees approximately 0.3 million performance shares that vest based on the total shareholder return ("TSR") of our common stock compared to the TSRs of a group of peer companies and 0.3 million performance shares that vest based on our Adjusted EBITDA growth rate, as defined under the terms of the award. As the TSR based performance shares contain a market condition, a Monte Carlo valuation was used to determine the grant date fair value of $9.43 per share. The performance shares based on the Adjusted EBITDA growth rate have a grant date fair value of $9.52 per share, the market value of our common stock on the date of grant. The awards granted to our named executive officers also contain a performance condition based on the attainment of an operating measure for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2016. The performance period for these performance shares is the three year fiscal period beginning December 31, 2015 and ending December 26, 2018. They will vest and be earned (from 0% to 150% of the target award for each such increment) at the end of the performance period.

During the three quarters ended September 28, 2016, we made payments of $2.5 million in cash and issued 0.4 million shares of common stock related to performance share awards.

As of September 28, 2016, we had approximately $8.6 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to all unvested performance share awards outstanding, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average of 1.8 years.

Restricted Stock Units for Board Members

During the quarter ended June 29, 2016, we granted approximately 0.1 million deferred stock units (DSUs) (which are equity classified) with a weighted average grant date fair value of $10.77 per unit to non-employee members of our Board of Directors. A director may elect to convert these awards into shares of common stock either on a specific date in the future (while still serving as a member of our Board of Directors) or upon termination as a member of our Board of Directors. During the quarter ended September 28, 2016 these awards were subsequently canceled and rescinded and replacement awards were issued. Directors who had previously elected a one-year conversion of the 2016 award received a replacement cash award. The total replacement cash award was $0.5 million and is liability classified. Directors who had previously elected conversion of the 2016 award at a later date received a replacement DSU award, which is equity classified and has a three year vesting term. The total replacement DSU award was less than 0.1 million DSUs with a weighted average grant date fair value of $10.77 per unit. During the three quarters ended September 28, 2016, less than 0.1 million DSUs were converted into shares of common stock. As of September 28, 2016, we had approximately $0.3 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to all unvested restricted stock unit awards outstanding, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average of 2.6 years.

Note 11. Income Taxes

The effective tax rate was 35.2% for the quarter and 64.2% year-to-date compared to 30.1% and 34.0%, respectively, for the prior year periods. For the 2016 periods, the difference in the overall effective rate from the U.S. statutory rate was primarily due to the Pension Plan liquidation, foreign tax credits and certain discrete items. During the three quarters ended September 28, 2016, we amended prior years’ U.S. tax returns in order to maximize a foreign tax credit in lieu of a foreign tax deduction. This created a benefit to the effective tax rate of 4.8% for the quarter and 4.6% year-to-date. In addition, during the three quarters ended September 28, 2016, certain discrete items created an increase to the effective tax rate of 4.3% for the quarter and 4.7% year-to-date.

In addition to the items noted above, the 2016 year-to-date rate was also impacted by the recognition of a $2.1 million tax benefit related to the $24.3 million pre-tax settlement loss on the Pension Plan liquidation. This benefit was at a rate lower than the effective tax rate due to the previous recognition of an approximate $7.2 million tax benefit in connection with the reversal of our valuation allowance in 2011. Excluding the impact of the Pension Plan liquidation, our effective income tax rate would have been 35.6% for the three quarters ended September 28, 2016.

Note 12. Net Income Per Share

The amounts used for the basic and diluted net income per share calculations are summarized below:



	Quarter Ended				Three Quarters Ended
	September 28, 2016		September 30, 2015		September 28, 2016		September 30, 2015
	(In thousands, except for per share amounts)
Net income	$	9,726	$	8,950	$	8,128	$	27,217

Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	74,851		82,923		76,214		83,952
Effect of dilutive share-based compensation awards	1,940		2,133		1,838		2,115
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	76,791		85,056		78,052		86,067

Basic net income per share	$	0.13	$	0.11	$	0.11	$	0.32
Diluted net income per share	$	0.13	$	0.11	$	0.10	$	0.32

Anti-dilutive share-based compensation awards	—		—		—		—

Note 13. Supplemental Cash Flow Information



	Three Quarters Ended
	September 28, 2016		September 30, 2015
	(In thousands)
Income taxes paid, net	$	1,140	$	4,916
Interest paid	$	8,197	$	6,102

Noncash investing and financing activities:
Property acquisition payable	$	—	$	615
Issuance of common stock, pursuant to share-based compensation plans	$	3,597	$	4,551
Execution of capital leases	$	7,180	$	3,635
Treasury stock payable	$	695	$	1,785

Note 14. Shareholders' Equity

Share Repurchase

Our credit facility permits the purchase of Denny’s stock and the payment of cash dividends subject to certain limitations. In March 2015, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing us to repurchase up to $100 million of our common stock (in addition to prior authorizations). Under this program, we may, from time to time, purchase shares in the open market (including pre-arranged stock trading plans in accordance with the guidelines specified in Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) or in privately negotiated transactions, subject to market and business conditions.

In May 2016, our Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase program authorizing us to repurchase an additional $100 million of our common stock, in addition to repurchases previously authorized. Such repurchases are to be made in a manner similar to, and will be in addition to, authorizations under the March 2015 repurchase program.

In November 2015, as part of our previously authorized share repurchase programs, we entered into a variable term, capped accelerated share repurchase (the "ASR") agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association ("Wells Fargo") to repurchase an aggregate of $50 million of our common stock. During 2015, pursuant to the terms of the ASR agreement, we paid $50 million in cash and received approximately 3.5 million shares of our common stock, which represents the minimum number of shares to be delivered based on the cap price. We recorded $36.9 million of treasury stock related to these shares. During the quarter ended September 28, 2016, we settled the ASR agreement with Wells Fargo. As a result, we received final delivery of an additional 1.5 million shares of our common stock, bringing the total number of shares repurchased pursuant to the ASR agreement to 5.0 million. The total number of shares repurchased was based on a combined discounted volume-weighted average price (VWAP) of $9.90 per share, which was determined based on the average of the daily VWAP of our common stock, less a fixed discount, over the term of the ASR agreement. During July 2016, we recorded $13.1 million of treasury stock related to the settlement of the equity forward contract related to the ASR agreement.

In addition to the settlement of the ASR agreement, during the three quarters ended September 28, 2016, we repurchased 1.9 million shares of our common stock for approximately $19.6 million. This brings the total amount repurchased under the March 2015 repurchase program to 8.0 million shares of our common stock for approximately $81.8 million, leaving approximately $18.2 million of our common stock that can be repurchased under this program as of September 28, 2016. Additionally, under the May 2016 repurchase program, we are also authorized to repurchase up to $100 million of our common stock as of September 28, 2016.

Repurchased shares are included as treasury stock in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The components of the change in accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows:



	Pensions			Derivatives			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	(In thousands)
Balance as of December 30, 2015	$	(22,764	)	$	(1,013	)	$	(23,777	)
Net loss	(342		)	—			(342		)
Amortization of net loss ⁽¹⁾	64			—			64
Settlement loss recognized ⁽²⁾	24,297			—			24,297
Net change in fair value of derivatives	—			(12,302		)	(12,302		)
Reclassification of derivatives to interest expense ⁽³⁾	—			(614		)	(614		)
Income tax (expense) benefit related to items of other comprehensive loss	(2,168		)	5,034			2,866
Balance as of September 28, 2016	$	(913	)	$	(8,895	)	$	(9,808	)


(1)	Before-tax amount related to our Other Defined Benefit Plans that was reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss and included as a component of pension expense within general and administrative expenses in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income during the three quarters ended September 28, 2016. See Note 9 for additional details.


(2)	Before-tax amount related to the liquidation of our Pension Plan that was reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss and included as a component of operating (gains), losses and other charges, net in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income during the three quarters ended September 28, 2016. See Note 9 for additional details.

(3)

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income, represent payments made to the counterparty for the effective portions of the interest rate swaps. These amounts are included as a component of interest expense in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. We expect to reclassify approximately $0.7 million from accumulated other comprehensive loss related to our interest rate swaps during the next twelve months. See Note 8 for additional details.

Note 15. Commitments and Contingencies

We have guarantees related to certain franchisee leases and loans. Payments under these guarantees would result from the inability of a franchisee to fund required payments when due. Through September 28, 2016, no events had occurred that caused us to make payments under these guarantees. There were $8.3 million and $8.7 million of loans outstanding under these programs as of September 28, 2016 and December 30, 2015, respectively. As of September 28, 2016, the maximum amounts payable under the lease and loan guarantees were $2.0 million and $1.2 million, respectively. As a result of these guarantees, we have recorded liabilities of less than $0.1 million as of both September 28, 2016 and December 30, 2015, which are included as a component of other noncurrent liabilities in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and other nonoperating expense in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

There are various claims and pending legal actions against or indirectly involving us, incidental to and arising out of the ordinary course of the business. In the opinion of management, based upon information currently available, the ultimate liability with respect to these proceedings and claims will not materially affect the Company's consolidated results of operations or financial position.

Note 16. Subsequent Events

We performed an evaluation of subsequent events and determined that no events required disclosure.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-Looking Statements

The following discussion is intended to highlight significant changes in our financial position as of September 28, 2016 and results of operations for the quarter and three quarters ended September 28, 2016 as compared to the quarter and three quarters ended September 30, 2015. This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements included in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, which reflect our best judgment based on factors currently known and are intended to speak only as of the date such statements are made, involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause our actual performance to be materially different from the performance indicated or implied by such statements. Such factors include, among others: competitive pressures from within the restaurant industry; the level of success of our operating initiatives and advertising and promotional efforts; adverse publicity; health concerns arising from food-related pandemics, outbreaks of flu viruses, such as avian flu, or other diseases; changes in business strategy or development plans; terms and availability of capital; regional weather conditions; overall changes in the general economy (including with regard to energy costs), particularly at the retail level; political environment (including acts of war and terrorism); and other factors included in the discussion below, or in Part II. Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Part I. Item 1A. Risk Factors, contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2015. While we may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we expressly disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

Statements of Income

The following table contains information derived from our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income expressed as a percentage of total operating revenues, except as noted below. Percentages may not add due to rounding.



	Quarter Ended										Three Quarters Ended
	September 28, 2016					September 30, 2015					September 28, 2016					September 30, 2015
	(Dollars in thousands)
Revenue:
Company restaurant sales	$	93,122		72.5	%	$	89,279		72.1	%	$	272,718		72.3	%	$	263,890		71.9	%
Franchise and license revenue	35,264			27.5	%	34,499			27.9	%	104,625			27.7	%	103,378			28.1	%
Total operating revenue	128,386			100.0	%	123,778			100.0	%	377,343			100.0	%	367,268			100.0	%
Costs of company restaurant sales (a):
Product costs	22,819			24.5	%	23,289			26.1	%	67,253			24.7	%	66,609			25.2	%
Payroll and benefits	35,999			38.7	%	34,249			38.4	%	104,548			38.3	%	101,118			38.3	%
Occupancy	4,928			5.3	%	5,164			5.8	%	14,721			5.4	%	14,972			5.7	%
Other operating expenses	13,372			14.4	%	12,388			13.9	%	37,544			13.8	%	36,019			13.6	%
Total costs of company restaurant sales	77,118			82.8	%	75,090			84.1	%	224,066			82.2	%	218,718			82.9	%
Costs of franchise and license revenue (a)	10,275			29.1	%	10,649			30.9	%	31,037			29.7	%	32,843			31.8	%
General and administrative expenses	17,558			13.7	%	16,008			12.9	%	50,691			13.4	%	49,771			13.6	%
Depreciation and amortization	5,609			4.4	%	5,422			4.4	%	16,207			4.3	%	15,760			4.3	%
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net	249			0.2	%	886			0.7	%	24,365			6.5	%	1,722			0.5	%
Total operating costs and expenses, net	110,809			86.3	%	108,055			87.3	%	346,366			91.8	%	318,814			86.8	%
Operating income	17,577			13.7	%	15,723			12.7	%	30,977			8.2	%	48,454			13.2	%
Interest expense, net	3,117			2.4	%	2,327			1.9	%	8,905			2.4	%	6,678			1.8	%
Other nonoperating (income) expense, net	(543		)	(0.4	)%	592			0.5	%	(635		)	(0.2	)%	538			0.1	%
Net income before income taxes	15,003			11.7	%	12,804			10.3	%	22,707			6.0	%	41,238			11.2	%
Provision for income taxes	5,277			4.1	%	3,854			3.1	%	14,579			3.9	%	14,021			3.8	%
Net income	$	9,726		7.6	%	$	8,950		7.2	%	$	8,128		2.2	%	$	27,217		7.4	%

Other Data:
Company average unit sales	$	573				$	563				$	1,689				$	1,660
Franchise average unit sales	$	396				$	393				$	1,174				$	1,167
Company equivalent units (b)	163					159					161					159
Franchise equivalent units (b)	1,560					1,536					1,554					1,536
Company same-store sales increase (c)(d)	1.0		%			7.0		%			1.5		%			7.5		%
Domestic franchise same-store sales increase (c)(d)	1.0		%			5.9		%			0.9		%			6.7		%


(a)	Costs of company restaurant sales percentages are as a percentage of company restaurant sales. Costs of franchise and license revenue percentages are as a percentage of franchise and license revenue. All other percentages are as a percentage of total operating revenue.


(b)	Equivalent units are calculated as the weighted average number of units outstanding during a defined time period.


(c)	Same-store sales include sales from restaurants that were open the same period in the prior year.


(d)	Prior year amounts have not been restated for 2016 comparable units.

Unit Activity



	Quarter Ended				Three Quarters Ended
	September 28, 2016		September 30, 2015		September 28, 2016		September 30, 2015
Company restaurants, beginning of period	162		160		164		161
Units opened	—		—		1		—
Units acquired from franchisees	6		1		9		2
Units sold to franchisees	—		—		(6	)	—
Units closed	—		—		—		(2	)
End of period	168		161		168		161

Franchised and licensed restaurants, beginning of period	1,558		1,536		1,546		1,541
Units opened	13		9		37		31
Units purchased from Company	—		—		6		—
Units acquired by Company	(6	)	(1	)	(9	)	(2	)
Units closed	(5	)	(5	)	(20	)	(31	)
End of period	1,560		1,539		1,560		1,539
Total restaurants, end of period	1,728		1,700		1,728		1,700

Company Restaurant Operations

During the quarter ended September 28, 2016, company restaurant sales increased $3.8 million, or 4.3%, primarily resulting from a 1.0% increase in company same-store sales and a four equivalent unit increase in company restaurants as compared to the prior year period. During the three quarters ended September 28, 2016, company restaurant sales increased $8.8 million, or 3.3%, primarily resulting from a 1.5% increase in company same-store sales and a two equivalent unit increase in company restaurants as compared to the prior year period.

Total costs of company restaurant sales as a percentage of company restaurant sales decreased to 82.8% for the quarter and 82.2% year-to-date from 84.1% and 82.9%, respectively, in the prior year periods.

Product costs were 24.5% for the quarter and 24.7% year-to-date compared to 26.1% and 25.2%, respectively, in the prior year periods. These decreases were primarily due to the reduced cost of eggs and the leverage gained from pricing increases.

Payroll and benefits were 38.7% for the quarter and 38.3% year-to-date compared to 38.4% and 38.3%, respectively, in the prior year period. The increase for the quarter was primarily due to a 0.5 percentage point increase in labor costs and a 0.3 percentage point increase in workers' compensation costs, partially offset by a 0.6 percentage point decrease in incentive compensation. The year-to-date period was flat as compared to the prior year period, as a 0.7 percentage point increase in labor costs and a 0.3 percentage point increase in group insurance was offset by a 0.8 percentage point decrease in incentive compensation and a 0.3 percentage point decrease in workers' compensation costs. Contributing to the increase in labor costs in the year-to-date period was the impact of the California Paid Sick Leave law, which became effective in July 2015.

Occupancy costs decreased to 5.3% for the quarter and 5.4% year-to-date from 5.8% and 5.7%, respectively, in the prior year periods. These decreases were primarily due to decreases in general liability insurance costs.

Other operating expenses were comprised of the following amounts and percentages of company restaurant sales:



	Quarter Ended								Three Quarters Ended
	September 28, 2016				September 30, 2015				September 28, 2016				September 30, 2015
	(Dollars in thousands)
Utilities	$	3,429	3.7	%	$	3,517	3.9	%	$	9,232	3.4	%	$	9,825	3.7	%
Repairs and maintenance	1,559		1.7	%	1,549		1.7	%	4,893		1.8	%	4,496		1.7	%
Marketing	3,500		3.8	%	3,383		3.8	%	10,123		3.7	%	9,848		3.7	%
Other direct costs	4,884		5.2	%	3,939		4.4	%	13,296		4.9	%	11,850		4.5	%
Other operating expenses	$	13,372	14.4	%	$	12,388	13.9	%	$	37,544	13.8	%	$	36,019	13.6	%

Franchise Operations

Franchise and license revenue and costs of franchise and license revenue were comprised of the following amounts and percentages of franchise and license revenue for the periods indicated:



	Quarter Ended								Three Quarters Ended
	September 28, 2016				September 30, 2015				September 28, 2016				September 30, 2015
	(Dollars in thousands)
Royalties	$	25,039	71.0	%	$	23,922	69.3	%	$	73,694	70.4	%	$	70,859	68.5	%
Initial fees	757		2.1	%	558		1.6	%	2,081		2.0	%	1,659		1.6	%
Occupancy revenue	9,468		26.8	%	10,019		29.1	%	28,850		27.6	%	30,860		29.9	%
Franchise and license revenue	$	35,264	100.0	%	$	34,499	100.0	%	$	104,625	100.0	%	$	103,378	100.0	%

Occupancy costs	$	7,023	19.9	%	$	7,620	22.1	%	$	21,373	20.4	%	$	23,244	22.5	%
Other direct costs	3,252		9.2	%	3,029		8.8	%	9,664		9.2	%	9,599		9.3	%
Costs of franchise and license revenue	$	10,275	29.1	%	$	10,649	30.9	%	$	31,037	29.7	%	$	32,843	31.8	%

During the quarter ended September 28, 2016, royalties increased $1.1 million, or 4.7%, primarily resulting from a 24 equivalent unit increase in franchised and licensed restaurants, a 1.0% increase in domestic same-store sales and a higher average royalty rate as compared to the prior year period. During the three quarters ended September 28, 2016, royalties increased $2.8 million, or 4.0%, primarily resulting from a 18 equivalent unit increase in franchised and licensed restaurants, a 0.9% increase in domestic same-store sales and a higher average royalty rate as compared to the prior year period. Initial fees increased $0.2 million for the quarter and $0.4 million year-to-date as a higher number of restaurants were opened by franchisees and sold to franchisees during the current year periods. The decrease in occupancy revenue of $0.6 million, or 5.5%, for the quarter and $2.0 million, or 6.5%, year-to-date was primarily the result of lease expirations.

Costs of franchise and license revenue decreased $0.4 million, or 3.5%, for the quarter and decreased $1.8 million, or 5.5%, year-to-date. Occupancy costs decreased $0.6 million, or 7.8%, for the quarter and $1.9 million, or 8.0%, year-to-date, primarily resulting from lease expirations. Other direct costs increased $0.2 million, or 7.4%, for the quarter and were essentially flat year-to-date. As a result, costs of franchise and license revenue as a percentage of franchise and license revenue decreased to 29.1% for the quarter from 30.9% for the prior year quarter and decreased to 29.7% year-to-date from 31.8% for the prior year period.

Other Operating Costs and Expenses

Other operating costs and expenses such as general and administrative expenses and depreciation and amortization expense relate to both company and franchise operations.

General and administrative expenses were comprised of the following:



	Quarter Ended				Three Quarters Ended
	September 28, 2016		September 30, 2015		September 28, 2016		September 30, 2015
	(In thousands)
Share-based compensation	$	1,775	$	1,941	$	5,625	$	5,505
Other general and administrative expenses	15,783		14,067		45,066		44,266
Total general and administrative expenses	$	17,558	$	16,008	$	50,691	$	49,771

Other general and administrative expenses increased by $1.7 million for the quarter and $0.8 million year-to-date primarily resulting from increases of $1.2 million and $1.0 million, respectively, related to market valuation changes in our non-qualified deferred compensation plan liabilities. Offsetting gains on the underlying plan investments are included as a component of other non-operating income, net. The $0.2 million decrease in share-based compensation, as compared to the prior year quarter, primarily resulted from the cancellation of equity awards and subsequent issuance of cash awards to non-employee members of our Board of Directors. See Note 10 for details.

Depreciation and amortization was comprised of the following:



	Quarter Ended				Three Quarters Ended
	September 28, 2016		September 30, 2015		September 28, 2016		September 30, 2015
	(In thousands)
Depreciation of property and equipment	$	4,289	$	4,217	$	12,568	$	12,141
Amortization of capital lease assets	941		853		2,629		2,560
Amortization of intangible and other assets	379		352		1,010		1,059
Total depreciation and amortization expense	$	5,609	$	5,422	$	16,207	$	15,760

Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net were comprised of the following:



	Quarter Ended						Three Quarters Ended
	September 28, 2016			September 30, 2015			September 28, 2016			September 30, 2015
	(In thousands)
Pension settlement loss	$	—		$	—		$	24,297		$	—
Gains on sales of assets and other, net	(77		)	(23		)	(764		)	(43		)
Restructuring charges and exit costs	326			332			832			1,094
Impairment charges	—			577			—			671
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net	$	249		$	886		$	24,365		$	1,722

Restructuring charges and exit costs were comprised of the following:



	Quarter Ended				Three Quarters Ended
	September 28, 2016		September 30, 2015		September 28, 2016		September 30, 2015
	(In thousands)
Exit costs	$	154	$	43	$	269	$	583
Severance and other restructuring charges	172		289		563		511
Total restructuring and exit costs	$	326	$	332	$	832	$	1,094

Operating income was $17.6 million for the quarter and $31.0 million year-to-date compared with $15.7 million and $48.5 million, respectively, for the prior year periods. The current year-to-date period was significantly impacted by the $24.3 million pre-tax settlement loss related to the Pension Plan liquidation.

Interest expense, net was comprised of the following:



	Quarter Ended						Three Quarters Ended
	September 28, 2016			September 30, 2015			September 28, 2016			September 30, 2015
	(In thousands)
Interest on credit facilities	$	1,158		$	607		$	3,352		$	1,995
Interest on interest rate swaps	193			284			614			578
Interest on capital lease liabilities	1,287			928			3,389			2,531
Letters of credit and other fees	304			285			895			899
Interest income	(73		)	(18		)	(100		)	(52		)
Total cash interest	2,869			2,086			8,150			5,951
Amortization of deferred financing costs	149			123			445			366
Interest accretion on other liabilities	99			118			310			361
Total interest expense, net	$	3,117		$	2,327		$	8,905		$	6,678

Interest expense, net increased by $0.8 million for the quarter and $2.2 million year-to-date primarily due to the increased balance of our credit facility and an increase in capital leases.

Other nonoperating income, net was $0.5 million for the quarter and $0.6 million year-to-date compared to other nonoperating expense, net of $0.6 million and $0.5 million, respectively, for the prior year periods. The current year income was primarily the result of gains on deferred compensation plan investments. The prior year expense was primarily the result of losses on deferred compensation plan investments and the year-to-date period included $0.3 million of write-offs of deferred financing costs related to our amended credit facility.

The provision for income taxes was $5.3 million for the quarter and $14.6 million year-to-date compared to $3.9 million and $14.0 million, respectively, for the prior year periods. The effective tax rate was 35.2% for the quarter and 64.2% year-to-date compared to 30.1% and 34.0%, respectively, for the prior year periods. For the 2016 periods, the difference in the overall effective rate from the U.S. statutory rate was primarily due to the Pension Plan liquidation, foreign tax credits and certain discrete items. During the three quarters ended September 28, 2016, we amended prior years’ U.S. tax returns in order to maximize a foreign tax credit in lieu of a foreign tax deduction. This created a benefit to the effective tax rate of 4.8% for the quarter and 4.6% year-to-date. In addition, during the three quarters ended September 28, 2016, certain discrete items created an increase to the effective tax rate of 4.3% for the quarter and 4.7% year-to-date.

In addition to the items noted above, the 2016 rates were also impacted by the recognition of a $2.1 million tax benefit related to the $24.3 million pre-tax settlement loss on the Pension Plan liquidation. This benefit was at a rate lower than the effective tax rate due to the previous recognition of an approximate $7.2 million tax benefit in connection with the reversal of our valuation allowance in 2011. Excluding the impact of the Pension Plan liquidation, our effective income tax rate would have been 35.6% for the three quarters ended September 28, 2016. We expect the 2016 fiscal year effective tax rate to be between 33% and 37% excluding the impact of the Pension Plan liquidation. The annual effective tax rate cannot be determined until the end of the fiscal year; therefore, the actual rate could differ from our current estimates.

Net income was $9.7 million for the quarter and $8.1 million year-to-date compared with $9.0 million and $27.2 million, respectively, for the prior year periods. The current year-to-date period was significantly impacted by the $24.3 million pre-tax settlement loss related to the Pension Plan liquidation.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary sources of liquidity and capital resources are cash generated from operations and borrowings under our credit facility (as described below). Principal uses of cash are operating expenses, capital expenditures and the repurchase of shares of our common stock.

The following table presents a summary of our sources and uses of cash and cash equivalents for the periods indicated:



	Three Quarters Ended
	September 28, 2016			September 30, 2015
	(In thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	43,132		$	56,927
Net cash used in investing activities	(25,893		)	(20,554		)
Net cash used in financing activities	(17,384		)	(30,846		)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	$	(145	)	$	5,527

Net cash flows provided by operating activities were $43.1 million for the three quarters ended September 28, 2016 compared to $56.9 million for the three quarters ended September 30, 2015. The decrease in cash flows provided by operating activities is primarily due to the payout of accrued incentive compensation and the funding of our pension liability during the three quarters ended September 28, 2016. We believe that our estimated cash flows from operations for 2016, combined with our capacity for additional borrowings under our credit facility, will enable us to meet our anticipated cash requirements and fund capital expenditures over the next twelve months.

Net cash flows used in investing activities were $25.9 million for the three quarters ended September 28, 2016. These cash flows include capital expenditures of $14.6 million and restaurant acquisition costs of $13.0 million. The restaurant acquisition costs include $12.4 million for nine franchised restaurants reacquired during the three quarters ended September 28, 2016 and the payment of $0.6 million for a franchised restaurant that was reacquired during 2015. These costs were partially offset by proceeds from asset sales of $1.9 million related to restaurants sold to franchisees.

Our principal capital requirements have been largely associated with the following:



	Three Quarters Ended
	September 28, 2016		September 30, 2015
	(In thousands)
Facilities	$	5,615	$	6,989
New construction	2,958		761
Remodeling	4,714		9,358
Information technology	803		587
Other	525		737
Capital expenditures	$	14,615	$	18,432

Capital expenditures for fiscal 2016 are expected to be approximately $33 to $35 million, including the acquisition of nine franchised restaurants, the completion of approximately 25 remodels at company restaurants, the opening of one new company restaurant, and the scrape and rebuild of a company restaurant. During the three quarters ended September 28, 2016, we acquired nine franchised restaurants and remodeled 17 company restaurants.

Cash flows used in financing activities were $17.4 million for the three quarters ended September 28, 2016, which included cash payments for stock repurchases of $19.1 million and accounts payable funding of $4.4 million, partially offset by net long-term debt borrowings of $5.6 million.

Our working capital deficit was $48.1 million at September 28, 2016 compared to $65.1 million at December 30, 2015. The decrease in working capital deficit was primarily related to the payout of accrued incentive compensation and the funding of our pension liability during the three quarters ended September 28, 2016. We are able to operate with a substantial working capital deficit because (1) restaurant operations and most food service operations are conducted primarily on a cash (and cash equivalent) basis with a low level of accounts receivable, (2) rapid turnover allows a limited investment in inventories, and (3) accounts payable for food, beverages and supplies usually become due after the receipt of cash from the related sales.

Credit Facility

As of September 28, 2016, we had outstanding revolver loans of $203.0 million and outstanding letters of credit under the senior secured revolver of $22.4 million. These balances resulted in availability of $99.6 million under the revolving facility. Prior to considering the impact of our interest rate swaps, described below, the weighted-average interest rate on outstanding revolver loans was 2.28% as of September 28, 2016. Taking into consideration our interest rate swaps, the weighted-average interest rate of outstanding revolver loans was 2.63% as of September 28, 2016.

Interest Rate Hedges



Period Covered	Notional Amount		Fixed Rate
	(In thousands)
March 31, 2015 - March 29, 2018	$	120,000	2.88	%
March 29, 2018 - March 31, 2025	170,000		4.19	%
April 1, 2025 - March 31, 2026	50,000		4.21	%

Implementation of New Accounting Standards

Information regarding the implementation of new accounting standards is incorporated by reference from Note 2 to our condensed consolidated financial statements set forth in Part I of this report.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

There have been no material changes in our quantitative and qualitative market risks since the prior reporting period.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

As required by Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), our management conducted an evaluation (under the supervision and with the participation of our President and Chief Executive Officer, John C. Miller, and our Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer, F. Mark Wolfinger) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based on that evaluation, Messrs. Miller and Wolfinger each concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act (i) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to our management, including Messrs. Miller and Wolfinger, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rule 13a-15(d) of the Exchange Act that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Information regarding legal proceedings is incorporated by reference from Note 15 to our condensed consolidated financial statements set forth in Part I of this report.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes in the risk factors set forth in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2015.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer

The table below provides information concerning repurchases of shares of our common stock during the quarter ended September 28, 2016.



Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased		Average Price Paid Per Share ⁽¹⁾			Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Programs ⁽²⁾		Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Programs ⁽²⁾⁽³⁾
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
June 30, 2016 - July 27, 2016	1,706	⁽⁴⁾	$	10.05	⁽⁴⁾	1,706	⁽⁴⁾	$	127,987
July 28, 2016 - August 24, 2016	317		10.99			317		$	124,494
August 25, 2016 - September 28, 2016	599		10.53			599		$	118,178
Total	2,622		$	10.27	⁽⁴⁾	2,622


(1)	Average price paid per share excludes commissions.

(2)

On March 31, 2015, we announced that our Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase program, authorizing us to repurchase up to an additional $100 million of our common stock (in addition to prior authorizations). Such repurchases may take place from time to time on the open market (including pre-arranged stock trading plans in accordance with the guidelines specified in Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act) or in privately negotiated transactions, subject to market and business conditions. During the quarter ended September 28, 2016, taking into consideration the settlement of the ASR agreement (described below), we purchased 2,622,002 shares of our common stock for an aggregate consideration of approximately $25.0 million, pursuant to the share repurchase program.


(3)	On May 26, 2016, we announced that our Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase program, authorizing us to repurchase up to an additional $100 million of our common stock (in addition to prior authorizations). Such repurchases are to be made in a manner similar to, and will be in addition to, authorizations under the March 31, 2015 repurchase program.


(4)	Includes the settlement of the $13.1 million equity forward contract and the final delivery of 1.5 million shares of our common stock received under the ASR agreement we entered in November 2015 to repurchase an aggregate $50 million of our common stock. In total 5.0 million shares of our common stock were repurchased pursuant to the ASR agreement at an average purchase price of $9.90 per share.

Item 6. Exhibits

The following are included as exhibits to this report:



Exhibit No.		Description

31.1		Certification of John C. Miller, President and Chief Executive Officer of Denny's Corporation, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2		Certification of F. Mark Wolfinger, Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Denny's Corporation, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1		Certification of John C. Miller, President and Chief Executive Officer of Denny's Corporation, and F. Mark Wolfinger, Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Denny's Corporation, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101.INS		XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.LAB		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

101.DEF		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to 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.



		DENNY'S CORPORATION

Date:	November 1, 2016	By:	/s/ F. Mark Wolfinger
			F. Mark Wolfinger
			Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer

Date:	November 1, 2016	By:	/s/ Jay C. Gilmore
			Jay C. Gilmore
			Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller