DENNY'S Corp - Annual Report: 2021 (Form 10-K)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
☑ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 29, 2021
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from __________ to __________
Commission file number 0-18051
DENNY’S CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 13-3487402 | ||||||||||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | ||||||||||
| 203 East Main Street | |||||||||||
| Spartanburg, | South Carolina | 29319-9966 | |||||||||
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | ||||||||||
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (864) 597-8000
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||||||||
| $.01 Par Value, Common Stock | DENN | The Nasdaq Stock Market | ||||||||||||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☑ No ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☑
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☑ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☑ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer | ☑ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | Emerging growth company | ☐ | ||||||||||||||||||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☑
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☑
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $797,399,427 as of June 30, 2021, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, based upon the closing sales price of the registrant’s common stock on that date of $16.49 per share and, for purposes of this computation only, the assumption that all of the registrant’s directors, executive officers and beneficial owners of 10% or more of the registrant’s common stock are affiliates.
As of February 24, 2022, 61,712,452 shares of the registrant’s common stock, $.01 par value per share, were outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:
Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The forward-looking statements included in the “Business,” “Risk Factors,” “Legal Proceedings,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” sections and elsewhere herein, which reflect our best judgment based on factors currently known, involve risks and uncertainties. Words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “hope,” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such statements speak only as to the date thereof. Except as may be required by law, we expressly disclaim any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Form 10-K or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors including, but not limited to, the factors discussed in such sections and, in particular, those set forth in the cautionary statements contained in “Risk Factors.” The forward-looking information we have provided in this Form 10-K pursuant to the safe harbor established under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 should be evaluated in the context of these factors.
PART I
Item 1. Business
Description of Business
Denny’s Corporation (Denny’s), a Delaware corporation, is one of America’s largest franchised full-service restaurant chains. Denny’s, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Denny’s, Inc., owns and operates the Denny’s brand. As of December 29, 2021, the Denny’s brand consisted of 1,640 franchised, licensed and company restaurants around the world, including 1,487 restaurants in the United States and 153 international restaurant locations. As of December 29, 2021, 1,575 of our restaurants were franchised or licensed, representing 96% of the total restaurants, and 65 were company restaurants.
Denny’s is known as America’s Diner, or in the case of our international locations, “the local diner.” Open 24/7 in most locations, we provide our guests quality food that emphasizes everyday value and new and innovative products through our compelling limited time only offerings, delivered in a warm, friendly “come as you are” atmosphere. Denny’s has been serving guests for over 65 years and is best known for its breakfast fare, which is available around the clock. The Build Your Own Grand Slam, one of our most popular menu items, traces its origin back to the Original Grand Slam which was first introduced in 1977. In addition to our breakfast-all-day items, Denny’s offers a wide selection of lunch and dinner items including burgers, sandwiches, salads and knife and fork entrées, along with an assortment of beverages, appetizers and desserts. We have four dayparts, breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night, accounting for 28%, 37%, 22% and 13%, respectively, of average daily sales. Weekends have traditionally been the most popular time for guests to visit our restaurants. In 2021, 36% of an average week of sales occurred from Friday late night through Sunday lunch. Additionally, off-premise sales, including sales for delivery and through our two virtual brands, have grown during the pandemic and represented approximately 27% of total sales in 2021.
References to “Denny’s,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” in this Form 10-K are references to Denny’s Corporation and its subsidiaries. Financial information about our operations, including our revenues and net income (loss) for the fiscal years ended December 29, 2021, December 30, 2020, and December 25, 2019, and our total assets as of December 29, 2021 and December 30, 2020, is included in our Consolidated Financial Statements.
COVID-19 Pandemic
In 2020 and continuing through 2021, the global crisis resulting from the spread of the coronavirus (“COVID-19”), along with government and consumer responses to the pandemic, had, and continue to have, an impact on our restaurant operations. During 2020, many of our company and franchised and licensed restaurants were temporarily closed and most of the restaurants that remained open had limited operations. While we experienced improving sales performance in 2021, many restaurants have not returned to full operating hours, particularly at the late night daypart. Our operating results substantially depend upon the sales volumes, restaurant profitability, and financial stability of our company and franchised and licensed restaurants.
As a result of recent increases in COVID-19 cases due to unforeseen variants, we cannot currently estimate the duration or future negative financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business. See “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for additional information relating to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and financial results.
Franchising and Development
Franchising
Our criteria to become a Denny’s franchisee include minimum liquidity and net worth requirements and appropriate operational experience. We believe that Denny’s is an attractive financial proposition for current and potential franchisees and that our fee structure is competitive with other full-service brands. Our current traditional twenty-year Denny’s franchise agreements have an initial fee of up to $30,000 and a royalty payment of up to 4.5% of gross sales. Additionally, our franchisees are required to contribute up to 3.25% of gross sales for marketing and may make additional advertising contributions as part of a local marketing co-operative. Approximately 80% of our franchised restaurants were operating under this traditional agreement as of December 29, 2021. License agreements for nontraditional locations, such as university campuses, may contain higher royalty and lower advertising contribution rates than the traditional franchise agreements. Our domestic contractual royalty rate averaged approximately 4.35% during 2021.
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We work closely with our franchisees to plan and execute many aspects of the business. The Denny’s Franchisee Association (“DFA”) was created to promote communication among our franchisees and between the Company and our franchise community. Members of the DFA’s board and Company management primarily work together through Brand Advisory Councils relating to Development, Marketing, Operations and Technology matters, as well as through a Supply Chain Oversight Committee for procurement and distribution matters.
Site Selection
The success of any restaurant is significantly influenced by its location. Our development team works closely with franchisees and real estate brokers to identify sites that meet specific standards. Sites are evaluated based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to:
•demographics;
•traffic patterns;
•visibility;
•building constraints;
•competition;
•environmental restrictions; and
•proximity to high-traffic consumer activities.
Domestic Development
To accelerate the growth of the brand in specific under-penetrated markets, we offer certain incentive programs. These programs provide incentives for franchisees to develop locations in areas where Denny’s has opportunities to grow market share. The benefits to franchisees can include reduced franchise fees, upfront cash payments, lower royalties and advertising contributions for a limited time period and credits toward certain development services, such as training fees.
In addition to these incentive programs, we increased our domestic development commitments through our refranchising and development strategy implemented during 2018 and 2019. These commitments were attached to the sale of 113 company restaurants during 2018 and 2019. At December 29, 2021, we had approximately 92 domestic development commitments.
International Development
In addition to the development agreements signed for domestic restaurants, as of December 29, 2021, we had potential to develop approximately 126 international franchised restaurants with our current development partners in various locations including Canada, Central America, Curacao, Indonesia, Mexico, the Middle East, the Philippines and the United Kingdom. The majority of these restaurants are expected to open over the next ten years. During 2021, we opened eight international franchised locations, including five in Canada and one each in Guatemala, Mexico and the Philippines.
While we anticipate the majority of the restaurants related to various domestic and international development agreements will be opened generally as scheduled, from time to time some of our franchisees’ ability to grow and meet their development commitments may be hampered by the economy, the lending environment or other circumstances. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have deferred most of our domestic and international development commitments for one year from their original due date.
Franchise Focused Business Model
Through our development and refranchising efforts during 2018 and 2019, we have achieved a restaurant portfolio mix of 96% franchised and 4% company restaurants. We expect the majority of our future restaurant openings and growth of the brand to come primarily from the development of franchised restaurants. The following table summarizes the changes in the number of company restaurants and franchised and licensed restaurants during the past five years (excluding relocations):
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| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Company restaurants, beginning of period | 65 | 68 | 173 | 178 | 169 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Units opened | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Units acquired from franchisees | — | — | — | 6 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Units sold to franchisees | — | — | (105) | (8) | (4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Units closed | — | (3) | — | (4) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| End of period | 65 | 65 | 68 | 173 | 178 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Franchised and licensed restaurants, beginning of period | 1,585 | 1,635 | 1,536 | 1,557 | 1,564 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Units opened | 20 | 20 | 30 | 29 | 36 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Units purchased from Company | — | — | 105 | 8 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Units acquired by Company | — | — | — | (6) | (10) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Units closed | (30) | (70) | (36) | (52) | (37) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| End of period | 1,575 | 1,585 | 1,635 | 1,536 | 1,557 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total restaurants, end of period | 1,640 | 1,650 | 1,703 | 1,709 | 1,735 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The table below sets forth information regarding the distribution of single-store and multi-store franchisees as of December 29, 2021:
| Number of Restaurants Owned | Franchisees | Percentage of Franchisees | Restaurants | Percentage of Restaurants | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| One | 81 | 36.2 | % | 81 | 5.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Two to five | 77 | 34.4 | % | 229 | 14.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Six to ten | 29 | 12.9 | % | 231 | 14.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Eleven to fifteen | 15 | 6.7 | % | 182 | 11.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Sixteen to thirty | 11 | 4.9 | % | 242 | 15.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Thirty-one and over | 11 | 4.9 | % | 610 | 38.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 224 | 100.0 | % | 1,575 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have increased communications with our DFA board and our franchisees to better understand and respond to the needs of our franchisees. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, direct financial relief to Denny’s franchise partners has included:
•deferral of remodels until 2022, and deferral of most of our domestic development commitments for one year from their original due date;
•deferral of royalty and advertising fees for week 11 of the 2020 fiscal year;
•abatement of royalty and advertising fees for weeks 12 and 13 of the 2020 fiscal year;
•additional royalty abatements in the second fiscal quarter of 2020;
•royalty incentive for those restaurants open during the late night daypart in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020; and
•a 12-week lease deferral in fiscal 2020 for franchisees operating in properties owned by the Company.
In addition, during 2020, the Company secured rent relief in the form of deferrals for over 78% of the leases in which the Company is a lessee, including those instances in which the Company subleases to franchisees and has passed the same relief on to the franchisees. Furthermore, the Company worked closely with key vendors and primary third-party franchise lenders to help secure additional relief on behalf of franchisees. Substantially all of Denny’s franchisees successfully pursued available forms of relief under federal stimulus programs. As of December 29, 2021 and December 30, 2020, trade accounts receivable from franchisees included $0.6 million and $5.7 million, respectively, of amounts related to the week 11 fee deferrals and the 12-week lease deferrals that occurred in fiscal 2020.
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Restaurant Operations
Management & Operations
We believe that the consistent and reliable execution of basic restaurant operations in each Denny’s restaurant, whether it is company or franchised, is critical to our success. We require both our company and franchised restaurants to maintain the same strict brand standards. These standards are, and have been, critical to the brand’s success. They include best in class quality and preparation of food, meeting and exceeding our guests’ expectations and providing a family friendly experience at each restaurant.
The staff for a typical restaurant consists of one General Manager, two or three Restaurant Managers and approximately 45 hourly employees. The Chief Operating Officer, along with the two Vice Presidents of Franchise Operations, a Senior Director of Franchise Operations, the Vice President of Learning and Development, the Vice President of Operations Services and the Senior Director of Company Operations, establish the strategic direction and key initiatives for the Operations Teams. We seek to ensure that our company restaurants meet our high standards through a network of Company District Managers and restaurant level managers, overseen by our Senior Director of Company Operations. A network of Regional Directors of Franchise Operations and Franchise Business Coaches provide oversight of our franchised restaurants to ensure compliance with brand standards, promote operational excellence and provide general support to our franchisees. The duties of the Directors of Operations, District Managers and Franchise Business Coaches include regular restaurant visits and inspections, as well as frequent interactions with our franchisees, employees and guests, which ensure the ongoing adherence to our standards of quality, service, cleanliness, value and hospitality.
Denny’s maintains training programs for hourly employees and restaurant management. Hourly employee training programs (including online learning) are position-specific and focus on skills necessary to successfully fulfill the responsibilities assigned to them, while continually enhancing guest satisfaction. Denny’s Manager In Training (“MIT”) program provides managers with the knowledge and leadership skills needed to successfully operate a Denny’s restaurant. The MIT program is required for all new managers of company restaurants and is also available to Denny’s franchisees to train their managers.
Brand Protection, Quality & Regulatory Compliance
We pride ourself in serving our guests food that is safe, wholesome and meets our quality standards. Our systems are based on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (“HACCP”) principles. To ensure this basic expectation of our guests, Denny’s also has systems in place that require solely the use of approved vendors and distributors which can meet and follow our product specifications and food handling procedures. Vendors, distributors and restaurant employees follow regulatory requirements (federal, state and local), industry “best practices” and Denny’s Brand Standards.
Human Capital
Human capital management considerations are at the core of Our Guiding Principles, the drivers of which include leveraging our culture of belonging and the capability of our people to fuel brand performance and franchise success, as well as recruiting and equipping the best restaurant operators in the world to deliver great customer experiences. Our commitments and progress towards executing this strategy are reflected below.
Be Well
We focus on the whole person.
We offer comprehensive benefits that support our team members and their families’ overall well-being. Denny’s also contributes to programs that provide our team members with financial security, now and in the future. We offer a robust set of benefits and rewards that focus on recognition, career building, health and wellness, time-off benefits, and other perks that are designed to make our peoples’ experience as a Denny’s team member productive and fun. We assess our culture and listen to our workforce through periodic employee engagement surveys. Numerous policy changes have been made or been influenced by the feedback we receive from our employees.
We are proud to offer an Employee Assistance Program to all employees and family members. This confidential program is available 24/7 for personal or professional consultations. In addition, we provide our employees with access to a 401(k) savings plan, tuition reimbursement, life insurance options, and a competitive vacation policy. Our compensation and performance evaluation systems are carefully designed to maintain pay equity by focusing pay decisions on experience and performance to
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ensure the Company retains a highly productive workforce to operate our business while providing a high level of service to our guests.
Learning and Development
At Denny's, we invest in team members’ success through education and training. Our Breakthrough Leadership Training and Development program provides Denny's team members with exclusive access to numerous creative and interactive employee engagement curricula, leadership workshops, simulations, mobile learning and educational training videos. This unique program helps develop a wide range of skills, including leadership, people management, guest service, inventory management, food preparation and food safety—skills that help workers successfully operate in the restaurant industry.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Our investment in people includes creating a culture of belonging that attracts, retains and fosters the growth of the best people and creates high performance in our restaurants. We value and are proud of our community engagement including our investment in causes that are important to our people and communities, such as our education initiatives through our Denny’s Hungry for EducationTM Scholarship program, helping fight childhood hunger, and supporting diverse and disadvantaged businesses.
Additional components of our strategic areas of focus include:
Business Resource Leadership Groups
We have established six business resource leadership groups for Denny's employees to provide encouragement and an enhanced sense of belonging through informal mentoring, participation in professional and community events and access to personal and professional development and growth opportunities. Additionally, they help foster a more inclusive work environment, improve communication and trust among employees and enhance understanding of all employees about the value of diversity. The six business resource groups include the African American Leadership Group, Emerging Leaders Group, Hispanic Leadership Group, LGBTQ Leadership Group, Veterans Leadership Group, and Women’s Leadership Group.
Diversity Council
Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (“DEI”) Council collaborates on initiatives designed to renew our workplace and create business results that will increase and strengthen our brand reputation, guest satisfaction and market share. The council consists of 19 cross-functional members representing various positions throughout the Denny's organization, who serve as ambassadors, bridge builders, data collectors, educators, accountability partners and champions of DEI within the Denny's brand.
Diversity by the Numbers
Diverse team members make up approximately:
•75% of Denny’s total workforce and 80% of restaurant management
•58% of our restaurants are owned by diverse franchisees
◦Of the 58%, 24% are owned by women who are actively engaged in the business
•Our Board of Directors consist of nine directors – 56% are from a diverse background and 44% are women
•6% of our total restaurants are owned by members of the LGBTQ community
We believe in accountability that starts with our leadership and extends to all of our team members. Our Chief Executive Officer, John Miller, has taken the CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion pledge. At Denny’s we have a world class DEI philosophy embraced by our workforce and we commit to support other companies in doing the same.
As of December 29, 2021, we had approximately 3,300 employees of whom approximately 3,000 were employees of our company-owned restaurants and approximately 300 were corporate employees at our restaurant support centers or in the field.
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Product Development and Marketing
The Denny’s name has been associated with high-quality, reasonably priced food, appetizers and beverages which have appealed to guests across all generations for nearly 70 years. As a leading full-service family dining brand, we’ve developed a craveable, indulgent menu that forges brand loyalty, attracts new guests to Denny’s and establishes the framework for our primary marketing strategies.
Menu Offerings
As “America’s Diner,” Denny’s has created a menu that offers a large selection of craveable, indulgent products served in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for all guests. We offer a wide variety of entrées for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night dining as well as appetizers, desserts and beverages. Most Denny’s restaurants also offer special menu items for children and seniors at reduced prices. We consistently optimize our product offering to further align with consumer needs, which includes enhancing our core “breakfast all day” platform while providing everyday affordability, abundant value menu items, such as Super Slam, and delivering compelling core menu and limited-time-only products. Our menu items are conveniently enjoyed by guests either in our restaurants, via pick-up, curb-side delivery or delivery through our Denny’s on Demand platform and third-party delivery providers.
Denny’s on Demand is our internal digital ordering platform that provides guests with a personalized experience by enabling them to order whatever they want, whenever they want. Guests simply have to log onto the new Denny’s mobile app or online for takeout or delivery to wherever they want to enjoy their favorite Denny’s items. Our new mobile app also grants Denny’s Rewards members access to their digital wallets to receive rewards and promotions, both in-restaurant and online.
Product Development
Denny’s is a consumer-driven brand focusing on hospitality, menu choices and the overall guest experience. Our Product Development team innovates menu items that delight our guests during each visit. This team works to understand the most up-to-date trends through consumer insights from primary and secondary qualitative and quantitative studies and ideas from our franchisees, vendors and operators. These insights come together to form the strategic foundation for menu architecture, pricing, promotion and advertising.
Our guests are the center of all menu innovations at Denny’s. Before introducing a new menu item to market, we rigorously test it against consumer expectations, standards of culinary discipline, food science and technology, nutritional analysis, financial benefit and operational execution. This testing process ensures that new menu items are not only appealing, competitive, profitable and marketable, but can be prepared and delivered with excellence in our restaurants.
We continually evolve our menu through new innovations and improvements to meet the needs of ever-changing consumer and marketplace.
Product Sources and Availability
Most food products, paper and packaging supplies, and equipment used in company and franchised restaurant operations are distributed to individual restaurants by third-party distribution companies. Our centralized purchasing program is designed to ensure uniform product quality as well as to minimize food, beverage and supply costs. The size of our brand provides significant purchasing power, which often enables us to obtain products at favorable prices from nationally recognized suppliers.
In the U.S., the majority of such products are purchased and distributed through McLane Company, Inc. under a long-term distribution contract. Outside the U.S., we and our International franchisees primarily use decentralized sourcing and distribution systems involving many different global, regional and local suppliers and distributors. Our international franchisees generally select and manage their own third-party suppliers and distributors, subject to our internal standards. All suppliers and distributors are expected to provide products and/or services that comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations in the state and/or country in which they operate as well as comply with our internal standards.
We believe that satisfactory alternative sources of supplies are generally available for all of the items regularly used by our restaurants. We have not experienced any material shortages of food, equipment, or other products which are necessary to our restaurant operations.
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Marketing and Advertising
We deploy national, local and co-operative marketing strategies to promote and amplify Denny’s brand strengths as “America’s Diner.” Through integrated marketing strategies, we promote our various breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night menu offerings and premium limited-time-only offerings as well as the convenience of online ordering and payment for pick up or delivery.
Through our Marketing team, Denny’s anticipates consumer and market trends and fully leverages consumer insights to determine strategies for brand communication and demand generation. We participate in comprehensive, integrated marketing activities, including print, broadcast, radio, digital and social advertising; multicultural marketing; public relations and brand reputation; customer relationship management, field marketing; and national and local promotions.
Information Technology
The mission of our Information Technology department is to align our technology strategy in support of our business strategies. We focus on leveraging technology to drive efficiencies, simplify and standardize operations, and streamline the guest experience. We also deliver solutions that support financial and regulatory needs in addition to necessary business improvements.
We rely on information technology systems in all aspects of our operations. At the restaurant level, systems include point-of-sale platforms along with systems and tools for kitchen operations, labor scheduling, inventory management, cash management and credit card transaction processing. Our technology platform includes industry-standard market solutions as well as proprietary software and integration, yielding tools and information managers need to run efficient and effective restaurants. We invest in new technologies and R&D efforts to improve operations and enhance the guest experience through innovative solutions like online ordering and payment for pick-up and delivery.
At the corporate level, we have a robust Enterprise Resource Planning (“ERP”) platform that supports finance, accounting, human resources and payroll functions. Our ERP is a cloud-based market solution, enabling us to take advantage of continual software improvements aligned with industry best practices. We also have and are continuing to develop systems that consolidate and report on data from our franchised and company restaurants, including transaction-level detail. These systems are collectively supported by an enterprise network that facilitates seamless connectivity for applications and data throughout our business infrastructure.
Our information technology systems have been designed to protect against unauthorized access and data loss. We are continuously focused on enhancing our cybersecurity capabilities. We are required to maintain the highest level of Payment Card Industry (“PCI”) Data Security Standard (“DSS”) compliance. We are also required to protect critical and sensitive data for our employees, customers, and the Company. These standards are set by a consortium of major credit card companies and require certain levels of system security and procedures to protect our customers’ credit card and other personal information. We have deployed payment technologies that are Europay, Mastercard, Visa (“EMV”) certified, and we employ point-to-point encryption to ensure no credit card data is stored within our restaurants. Further, we monitor franchisees’ compliance with PCI standards.
In 2020, as a direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting impact on our business and industry, we augmented our technology infrastructure, primarily within digital and in-restaurant systems. These enhancements were introduced through our standard change control mechanisms and followed prescribed standards for testing and introduction into our environment. There were no material changes introduced into the core of our technology operating systems, and all PCI—DSS compliance standards were followed.
In addition to technology changes in direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we benefited from our prior focus and investments in various technology platforms over the past few years. These investments include our ERP platform and enterprise communication and collaboration tools, which prepared us to make a quick transition from a centralized to a remote workforce with no significant additional risk or negative impact to business processing and continuity.
See “Risk Factors” for further information regarding Information Technology.
Seasonality
Restaurant sales are generally higher in the second and third calendar quarters (April through September) than in the fourth and first calendar quarters (October through March). Additionally, severe weather, storms and similar conditions may impact sales volumes seasonally in some operating regions.
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Trademarks and Service Marks
Through our wholly-owned subsidiaries, we have certain trademarks and service marks registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and in international jurisdictions, including “Denny’s®,” “Grand Slam®,” and “$2 $4 $6 $8 Value Menu®.” We consider our trademarks and service marks important to the identification of our company and franchised restaurants and believe they are of material importance to the conduct of our business. In addition, we have registered various domain names on the internet that incorporate certain of our trademarks and service marks. We believe these domain name registrations are an integral part of our identity. From time to time, we may resort to legal measures to defend and protect the use of our intellectual property. Generally, with appropriate renewal and use, the registration of our service marks and trademarks will continue indefinitely.
Competition
The restaurant industry is highly competitive. Restaurants compete on the basis of name recognition and advertising; the price, quality, variety and perceived value of their food offerings; the quality and speed of their guest service; the location and attractiveness of their facilities; and the convenience of to-go ordering and delivery options.
Denny’s direct competition in the full-service category includes a collection of national and regional chains, as well as thousands of independent operators. We also compete with quick service restaurants as they attempt to upgrade their menus with premium sandwiches, entrée salads, new breakfast offerings and extended hours as well as grocery store chains as they enhance their ready-to-eat offerings to consumers.
We believe that Denny’s has a number of competitive strengths, including strong brand recognition, well-located restaurants and market penetration. We benefit from economies of scale in a variety of areas, including advertising, purchasing and distribution. Additionally, we believe that Denny’s has competitive strengths in the value, variety and quality of our food products, and in the quality and training of our employees. See “Risk Factors” for additional factors relating to our competition in the restaurant industry.
Economic, Market and Other Conditions
The restaurant industry is affected by many factors, including changes in national, regional and local economic conditions affecting consumer spending; the political environment (including acts of war and terrorism); changes in customer travel patterns including changes in the price of gasoline; changes in socio-demographic characteristics of areas where restaurants are located; changes in consumer tastes and preferences; food safety and health concerns; outbreaks of flu or other viruses (such as the coronavirus) or other diseases; increases in the number of restaurants; and unfavorable trends affecting restaurant operations, such as rising wage rates, health care costs, utility expenses and unfavorable weather. See “Risk Factors” for additional information.
Government Regulations
We and our franchisees are subject to local, state, federal and international laws and regulations governing various aspects of the restaurant business, such as compliance with various minimum wage, overtime, health care, sanitation, food safety, citizenship, and fair labor standards, as well as laws and regulations relating to sanitation, safety, fire, zoning, building, consumer protection and taxation. We are subject to a variety of federal, state, and international laws governing franchise sales and the franchise relationship, as well as judicial and administrative interpretations of such laws.
Following the World Health Organization’s declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic on March 11, 2020, federal, state and local governments responded by implementing restrictions on travel, “stay at home” directives, “social distancing” guidance, limitations of dine-in food service, and mandated dining room closures which collectively had a significant adverse impact on the Company’s business performance, results of operations and cash flows for the years ended December 29, 2021 and December 30, 2020. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for a more detailed discussion.
The operation of our franchisee system is also subject to regulations enacted by a number of states and rules promulgated by the Federal Trade Commission. Such regulations impose registration and disclosure requirements on franchisors in the offer and sale of franchises and may also apply substantive standards to the relationship between franchisor and franchisee, including limitations on the ability of franchisors to terminate franchises and alter franchise arrangements. Due to our international franchising, we are subject to governmental regulations throughout the world impacting the way we do business with our
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international franchisees. These include antitrust and tax requirements, anti-boycott regulations, import/export/customs and other international trade regulations, the USA Patriot Act and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
We are subject to certain guidelines under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and various state codes and regulations, which require restaurants and our brand to provide full and equal access to persons with physical disabilities.
Our collection or use of personal information about our employees or our guests is regulated at the federal and state levels, including the California Consumer Privacy Act.
We are also subject to regulations governing the sale of alcoholic beverages, which require licensure by each site (in most cases, on an annual basis). Such licenses generally may be revoked or suspended for cause at any time. These regulations relate to many aspects of restaurant operation, including the minimum age of patrons and employees, hours of operation, advertising, wholesale purchasing, inventory control and handling, and storage and dispensing of alcoholic beverages.
We are subject to anti-corruption laws in the United States and in the international jurisdictions where we do business, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. We are also subject to a variety of international laws relating to franchising and licensing of intellectual property in the various countries across the world where we are engaged in franchising our restaurant brands.
We believe we are in material compliance with applicable laws and regulations, but we cannot predict the effect on operations of the enactment of additional regulations in the future.
We have implemented various aspects of The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act. However, the law or other related requirements may change.
See “Risk Factors” for a discussion of risks related to governmental regulation of our business.
Information about our Executive Officers
The following table sets forth information with respect to each executive officer of both Denny’s Corporation and Denny’s Inc. as of the filing date of this report:
Name | Age | Positions | ||||||||||||
| Christopher D. Bode | 59 | Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer | ||||||||||||
| John W. Dillon | 50 | Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer | ||||||||||||
| Stephen C. Dunn | 57 | Executive Vice President and Chief Global Development Officer | ||||||||||||
| Michael L. Furlow | 64 | Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer | ||||||||||||
| Jay C. Gilmore | 52 | Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller | ||||||||||||
| John C. Miller | 66 | Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||||||
| Gail Sharps Myers | 52 | Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, Chief People Officer and Secretary | ||||||||||||
| Robert P. Verostek | 50 | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||||||
| F. Mark Wolfinger | 66 | President | ||||||||||||
Mr. Bode has been Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since February 2021. He previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer from October 2014 to February 2021, as Senior Vice President, Operations from January 2013 to October 2014, as Divisional Vice President, Franchise Operations from January 2012 to January 2013 and as Vice President, Operations Initiatives from March 2011 to January 2012.
Mr. Dillon has been Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer since February 2020. He previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Brand Officer from December 2018 to February 2020, as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing
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Officer from October 2014 to December 2018, as Vice President, Brand and Field Marketing from June 2013 to October 2014 and as Vice President, Marketing from July 2008 to June 2013.
Mr. Dunn has been Executive Vice President and Chief Global Development Officer since April 2021. He previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Global Development Officer from July 2015 to April 2021, as Senior Vice President, Global Development from April 2011 to July 2015 and as Vice President, Company and Franchise Development from September 2005 to April 2011.
Mr. Furlow has been Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer since April 2021. He previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer from April 2017 to April 2021. Prior to joining the Company, he served as Chief Information Officer and Senior Vice President of IT at Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. from October 2015 to April 2017 and as Chief Information Officer and Senior Vice President of IT of CEC Entertainment, Inc. (an operator and franchisor of Chuck E. Cheese’s and Peter Piper Pizza) from May 2011 to February 2015.
Mr. Gilmore has been Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller since February 2021. He previously served as Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller from May 2007 to February 2021.
Mr. Miller has been Chief Executive Officer since February 2020. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer and President from February 2011 to February 2020. Prior to joining the Company, he served as Chief Executive Officer and President of Taco Bueno Restaurants, Inc. (an operator and franchisor of quick service Mexican eateries) from 2005 to February 2011.
Ms. Sharps Myers has been Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, Chief People Officer and Secretary since February 2021. She previously served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary from September 2020 to February 2021 and as Senior Vice President and General Counsel from June 2020 to September 2020. Prior to joining the Company, she served as Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Secretary of American Tire Distributors, Inc. from May 2018 to May 2020, as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary at Snyder’s-Lance, Inc. from January 2015 to March 2018 and as Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, Chief Compliance Counsel and Assistant Secretary from 2014 to 2015 at US Foods, Inc. (capping off a 10-year career there).
Mr. Verostek has been Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since February 2021. He previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from February 2020 to February 2021, as Senior Vice President, Finance from October 2016 to February 2020 and as Vice President, Financial Planning & Analysis and Investor Relations from January 2012 to October 2016.
Mr. Wolfinger has been President since February 2020. He previously served as Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer from April 2008 to February 2020, as Executive Vice President, Growth Initiatives and Chief Financial Officer from October 2006 to April 2008 and as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from September 2005 to October 2006.
Available Information
We make available free of charge through our website at investor.dennys.com (in the SEC Filings section) copies of materials that we file with, or furnish to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such materials with, or furnish them to, the SEC. The SEC also maintains an internet website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. In addition, we have made available on our website (in the Corporate Governance - Code of Conduct section) our code of ethics entitled “Denny’s Code of Conduct” which is applicable to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller, all other executive officers, key financial and accounting personnel and each salaried employee of the Company.
We will post on our website any amendments to, or waivers from, a provision of the Denny’s Code of Conduct that applies to the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller or persons performing similar functions, and that relates to (i) honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships; (ii) full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that we file with, or submit to, the SEC and in other public communications made by us; (iii) compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations; (iv) the prompt internal reporting of violations of Denny’s Code of Conduct to an appropriate person or persons identified in the code; or (v) accountability to adherence to the code.
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Item 1A. Risk Factors
Various risks and uncertainties could affect our business. Any of the risk factors described below or elsewhere in this report or our other filings with the SEC could have a material and adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In any such event, the trading price of our common stock could decline. It is not possible to predict or identify all risk factors. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also impair our business operations.
Risks Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted and could continue to disrupt our business, which could continue to have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, liquidity and financial condition for an extended period of time.
The outbreak of COVID-19 has had a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, liquidity and financial
condition. In 2020 and continuing through 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the economy in general, and our business specifically, and it could continue to negatively affect our business in a number of ways. These effects could include, but are not limited to:
•disruptions or restrictions on our employees’ ability to work effectively due to quarantine requirements or other limitations experienced earlier in the COVID-19 pandemic including travel bans and shelter-in-home requirements;
•temporary restrictions on and closures of our company operated restaurants and our franchised and licensed restaurants or our suppliers;
•inability of individual restaurants to return to full operating hours due to availability of employees or the inability to attract, retain and incentivize our employees;
•failure of third parties on which we rely, including our franchisees and suppliers, to meet their respective obligations to the Company, or significant disruptions in their ability to do so, which may be caused by their own financial or operational difficulties or issues with the regional or national supply chain;
•volatility of commodity costs;
•disruptions or uncertainties for a sustained period of time which could hinder our ability to achieve our strategic goals and our ability to meet financial obligations as they come due; and
•customer reluctance to return to in-restaurant dining.
The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic, or other outbreaks of disease or similar public health threats, materially and
adversely impacts our business, results of operations, liquidity and financial condition is highly uncertain and will depend on
future developments. Such developments may include the geographic spread and duration of the virus, the development of new variants of the virus and their related severity, and the actions that may be taken by various governmental authorities and other third parties in response to future outbreaks.
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business could be long-lasting and could continue to have adverse effects on our business, results of operations, liquidity, cash flows and financial condition, some of which may be significant, and may adversely impact our ability to operate our business on the same terms as we conducted business prior to the pandemic even after our restaurants fully reopen.
Risks Related to Restaurant Operations and the Restaurant Industry
The restaurant business is highly competitive, and if we are unable to compete effectively, our business will be adversely affected.
Each of our company and franchised restaurants competes with a wide variety of restaurants ranging from national and regional restaurant chains to locally owned restaurants. The following are important aspects of competition:
•restaurant location;
•advantageous commercial real estate suitable for restaurants;
•number and location of competing restaurants;
•attractiveness and repair and maintenance of facilities;
•ability to develop and support evolving technology to deliver a consistent and compelling guest experience;
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•food quality, new product development and value;
•dietary trends, including nutritional content;
•training, courtesy and hospitality standards;
•ability to attract and retain high quality staff;
•quality and speed of service; and
•the effectiveness of marketing and advertising programs, including the effective use of social media platforms and digital marketing initiatives.
Our returns and profitability may be negatively impacted by a number of factors, including those described below.
Food service businesses and the performance of company and franchised restaurants may be materially and adversely affected by factors such as:
•consumer preferences, including nutritional and dietary concerns;
•consumer spending habits;
•global, national, regional and local economic conditions;
•demographic trends;
•traffic patterns;
•the type, number and location of competing restaurants; and
•the ability to renew leased properties on commercially acceptable terms, if at all.
Dependence on frequent deliveries of fresh produce and other food products subjects food service businesses to the risk that shortages or interruptions in supply caused by adverse weather, food safety warnings, animal disease outbreak or other conditions beyond our control could adversely affect the availability, quality and cost of ingredients. Our inability to effectively manage supply chain risk could increase our costs and limit the availability of products critical to restaurant operations.
In addition, the food service industry in general, and our results of operations and financial condition in particular, may be adversely affected by unfavorable trends or developments such as:
•volatility in certain commodity markets;
•increased food costs;
•health concerns arising from food safety issues and other food-related pandemics, outbreaks of flu or viruses, such as coronavirus, or other diseases;
•increased energy costs;
•labor and employee benefits costs (including increases in minimum hourly wage, employment tax rates, health care costs and workers’ compensation costs);
•regional weather conditions;
•the availability of experienced management and hourly employees; and
•other general inflation impacts.
Operating results that are lower than our current estimates may cause us to incur impairment charges on certain long-lived assets and potentially close certain restaurants.
The financial performance of our franchisees can negatively impact our business.
As we are heavily franchised, our financial results are contingent upon the operational and financial success of our franchisees. We receive royalties, advertising contributions and, in some cases, lease payments from our franchisees. While our franchise agreements are designed to require our franchisees to maintain brand consistency, the significant percentage of franchise-operated restaurants may expose us to risks not otherwise encountered if we maintained ownership and control of the restaurants. If our franchisees do not successfully operate their restaurants in a manner consistent with our standards, or if customers have negative experiences due to issues with food quality or operational execution at our franchised locations, our brand could be harmed, which in turn could negatively impact our business. Additional risks include:
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•franchisee defaults on their obligations to us arising from financial or other difficulties encountered by them, such as the inability to pay financial obligations including royalties, rent on leases on which we retain contingent liability, and certain loans;
•limitations on enforcement of franchisee obligations due to bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings;
•the inability to participate in business strategy changes due to financial constraints;
•failure to operate restaurants in accordance with required standards, including food quality and safety; and
•impacts of the financial performance of other businesses operated by franchisees on the overall financial performance and condition of the franchisee.
If a significant number of franchisees become financially distressed, it could harm our operating results. For 2021, our ten largest franchisees accounted for approximately 37% of our total franchise and license revenue. The balance of our franchise revenue was derived from the remaining 214 franchisees.
The locations of company and franchised restaurants may cease to be attractive as demographic patterns change.
The success of our company and franchised restaurants is significantly influenced by location. Current locations may not continue to be attractive as demographic patterns change. It is possible that economic or other conditions where restaurants are located could decline in the future, potentially resulting in reduced sales at those locations.
Food safety and quality concerns may negatively impact our business and profitability.
Incidents or reports of foodborne or waterborne illness, or other food safety issues, food contamination or tampering, employee hygiene and cleanliness failures, improper employee conduct, or presence of communicable disease at our restaurants or suppliers could lead to product liability or other claims. Such incidents or reports could negatively affect our brand and reputation, and a decrease in customer traffic resulting from these reports could negatively impact our revenues and profits. Similar incidents or reports occurring at other restaurant brands unrelated to us could likewise create negative publicity, which could negatively impact consumer behavior towards us. In addition, if a regional or global health pandemic occurs, depending upon its location, duration and severity, our business could be severely affected.
We rely on our domestic and international vendors, as do our franchisees, to provide quality ingredients and to comply with applicable laws and industry standards. A failure of one of our domestic or international vendors to meet our quality standards, or meet domestic or international food industry standards, could result in a disruption in our supply chain and negatively impact our brand and our business and profitability. Our inability to manage an event such as a product recall or product related litigation could also cause our results to suffer.
Unfavorable publicity, or a failure to respond effectively to adverse publicity, could harm our brand’s reputation.
Multi-unit food service businesses such as ours can be materially and adversely affected by widespread negative publicity of any type, including food safety, outbreak of flu or viruses (such as coronavirus) or other health concerns, criminal activity, guest discrimination, harassment, employee relations or other operating issues. The increasing use of social media platforms has increased the speed and scope of unfavorable publicity and could hinder our ability to quickly and effectively respond to such reports. Regardless of whether the allegations or complaints are accurate or valid, negative publicity relating to a particular restaurant or a limited number of restaurants could adversely affect public perception of the entire brand.
A decline in general economic conditions could adversely affect our financial results.
Consumer spending habits, including discretionary spending on dining at restaurants such as ours, are affected by many factors including:
•prevailing economic conditions, including interest rates;
•energy costs, especially gasoline prices;
•levels of employment;
•salaries and wage rates, including tax rates; and
•consumer confidence.
Weakness or uncertainty regarding the economy, both domestic and international, as a result of reactions to consumer credit availability, increasing energy prices, inflation, increasing interest rates, unemployment, war, terrorist activity or other unforeseen events could adversely affect consumer spending habits, which may result in lower operating revenue.
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If we fail to recruit, develop and retain talented employees, our business could suffer.
Our future success significantly depends on the continued services and performance of our key management personnel. Our future performance will depend on our ability to attract, motivate and retain these and other key officers and key team members, particularly regional and area managers and restaurant general managers. Competition for these employees is intense.
Risks Related to Development Strategies
Our growth strategy depends on our ability and that of our franchisees to open new restaurants. Delays or failures in opening new restaurants could adversely affect our planned growth and operating results.
The development of new restaurants may be adversely affected by risks such as:
•inability to identify suitable franchisees;
•costs and availability of capital for the Company and/or franchisees;
•competition for restaurant sites;
•negotiation of favorable purchase or lease terms for restaurant sites;
•inability to obtain all required governmental approvals and permits;
•delays in completion of construction;
•cost of materials;
•challenge of identifying, recruiting and training qualified restaurant managers;
•developed restaurants not achieving the expected revenue or cash flow once opened;
•challenges specific to the growth of international operations that are different from domestic development; and
•general economic conditions.
Our brand’s expansion into international markets may present increased risks due to lower customer awareness of our brand, our unfamiliarity with those markets and other factors.
The international markets in which our franchisees currently operate, and any additional markets our franchisees may enter outside of the United States, have many differences compared to our domestic markets. There may be lower consumer familiarity with the Denny’s brand in these markets, as well as different competitive conditions, consumer tastes and economic, political and health conditions. Additionally, there are risks associated with sourcing quality ingredients and other commodities in a cost-effective and timely manner. As a result, franchised international restaurants may take longer to reach expected sales and profit levels, or may never do so, thereby affecting the brand’s overall growth and profitability. Building brand awareness may take longer than expected, which could negatively impact our profitability in those markets.
We are subject to governmental regulations in our international markets impacting the way we do business with our international franchisees. These include antitrust and tax requirements, anti-boycott regulations, import/export/customs and other international trade regulations, the USA Patriot Act and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Failure to comply with any such legal requirements could subject us to monetary liabilities and other sanctions, which could adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.
Legal and Regulatory Risks
Litigation may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to the risk of, or are involved in from time to time, complaints or litigation brought by former, current or prospective employees, customers, franchisees, vendors, landlords, regulatory agencies, shareholders or others. We assess contingencies to determine the degree of probability and range of possible loss for potential accrual in our financial statements. An estimated loss contingency is accrued if it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. Because lawsuits are inherently unpredictable and unfavorable resolutions could occur, assessing contingencies is highly subjective and requires judgments about future events. We regularly review contingencies to determine the adequacy of the accruals and related disclosures. However, the amount of ultimate loss may differ from these estimates. A judgment that is not covered by insurance or that is significantly in excess of our insurance coverage for any claims could materially adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations. In addition, regardless of whether any claims against us are valid or whether we are found to be liable, claims may be expensive to defend, and may divert management’s attention away from operations and hurt our performance. Further, adverse publicity resulting from claims may harm our business or that of our franchisees.
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Our amended and restated by-laws provide that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings that may be initiated by our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees or agents.
Our amended and restated by-laws provide that consistent with the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), unless our Board of Directors, acting on behalf of the Company, consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for any and all internal corporate claims, including but not limited to:
•any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf;
•any action asserting a claim of breach of fiduciary duty owed by any stockholder, director, officer, other employee or stockholder of the Company to us or our stockholders;
•any action arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware; and
•any action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine.
These provisions would not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) or any claim for which the federal district courts of the United States of America have exclusive jurisdiction. Furthermore, Section 22 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all such Securities Act actions. Accordingly, both state and federal courts have jurisdiction to entertain such claims.
Our stockholders cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital stock will be deemed to have notice of, and consented to, the provisions of our amended and restated by-laws described in the preceding sentences.
While the Delaware courts have determined that such choice of forum provisions are facially valid, a stockholder may nevertheless seek to bring a claim in a venue other than that designated in the exclusive forum provisions. In such instance, we would expect to vigorously assert the validity and enforceability of the exclusive forum provisions of our amended and restated by-laws. This may require significant additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, and there can be no assurance that the provisions will be enforced by a court in those other jurisdictions.
This choice of forum provisions may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers, or other employees. If any other court of competent jurisdiction were to find the exclusive-forum provision in our amended and restated by-laws to be inapplicable or unenforceable, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving the dispute in other jurisdictions.
Numerous government regulations impact our business, and our failure to comply with them could adversely affect our business.
We and our franchisees are subject to federal, state, local and international laws and regulations governing, among other things:
•preparation, labeling, advertising and sale of food;
•sanitation;
•health and fire safety;
•land use, sign restrictions and environmental matters;
•employee health care requirements, including the implementation and uncertain legal, regulatory and cost implications of the health care reform law;
•management and protection of the personnel data of our guests, employees and franchisees;
•payment card regulation and related industry rules;
•the sale of alcoholic beverages;
•hiring and employment practices, including minimum wage and tip credit laws and fair labor standards; and
•Americans with Disabilities Act.
A substantial number of our employees are paid the minimum wage. Accordingly, increases in the minimum wage or decreases in the allowable tip credit (which reduces wages deemed to be paid to tipped employees in certain states) increase our labor costs. We have attempted to offset increases in the minimum wage through pricing and various cost control efforts; however, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in these efforts in the future.
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The operation of our franchisee system is also subject to regulations enacted by a number of states and rules promulgated by the Federal Trade Commission. Due to our international franchising, we are subject to governmental regulations throughout the world impacting the way we do business with our international franchisees. These include antitrust and tax requirements, anti-boycott regulations, import/export/customs and other international trade regulations, the USA Patriot Act and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Additionally, given our significant concentration of restaurants in California, changes in regulations in that state could have a disproportionate impact on our operations. If we or our franchisees fail to comply with these laws and regulations, we or our franchisees could be subjected to restaurant closure, fines, penalties and litigation, which may be costly and could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. In addition, the future enactment of additional legislation regulating the franchise relationship could adversely affect our operations.
We have implemented various aspects of The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act. However, the law or other related requirements may change.
We are also subject to federal, state, local and international laws regulating the offer and sale of franchises. Such laws impose registration and disclosure requirements on franchisors in the offer and sale of franchises, and may contain provisions that supersede the terms of franchise agreements, including limitations on the ability of franchisors to terminate franchises and alter franchise arrangements.
Existing and changing legal and regulatory requirements, as well as an increasing focus on environmental, social and governance issues, could adversely affect our brand, business, results of operations and financial condition.
There has been increasing public focus by investors, environmental activists, the media and governmental and nongovernmental organizations on social and environmental sustainability matters, including packaging and waste, animal health and welfare, human rights, climate change, greenhouse gases and land, energy and water use. As a result, we have experienced increased pressure and expectations to provide expanded disclosure and make commitments, establish goals or set targets with respect to various environmental and social issues and to take the actions necessary to meet those commitments, goals and targets. If we are not effective in addressing social and environmental sustainability matters, consumer trust in our brand may suffer. In addition, the actions needed to achieve our commitments, goals and targets could result in market, operational, execution and other costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely impacted if we are unable to effectively manage the risks or costs to us, our franchisees and our supply chain associated with social and environmental sustainability matters.
If our internal controls are ineffective, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud.
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is a process to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. We maintain a documented system of internal controls which is reviewed and tested by the Company’s full time Internal Audit department. The Internal Audit department reports directly to the Audit and Finance Committee of the Board of Directors. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting is not intended to provide absolute assurance that we would prevent or detect a misstatement of our financial statements or fraud. Any failure to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting could limit our ability to report our financial results accurately and timely or to detect and prevent fraud. A significant financial reporting failure or material weakness in internal control over financial reporting could cause a loss of investor confidence and decline in the market price of our common stock.
Changes to existing accounting rules or the questioning of current accounting practices may adversely affect our reported financial results.
A change in accounting standards can have a significant effect on our reported financial results. New pronouncements and varying interpretations of pronouncements have occurred and may occur in the future. Additionally, generally accepted accounting principles and related accounting pronouncements, implementation guidelines and interpretations are highly complex and involve many subjective assumptions, estimates and judgments by us. Changes in these principles or their interpretations or changes in underlying assumptions, estimates and judgments by us could significantly change our reported or expected financial performance.
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Information Technology Risks
Failure of computer systems, information technology, or the ability to provide a continuously secure network, or cyber attacks against our computer systems, could result in material harm to our reputation and business.
We and our franchisees rely heavily on computer systems and information technology to conduct business and operate efficiently. We have instituted monitoring controls intended to protect our computer systems, our point-of-sale systems and our information technology platforms and networks against external threats. Those controls include an annual proactive risk assessment, advanced comprehensive analysis of data threats, identification of business email compromise and proper security awareness education. The Audit & Finance Committee of our Board of Directors has oversight responsibility related to our cybersecurity risk management programs and periodically reviews reports on cybersecurity metrics, data privacy and other information technology risks.
We receive and maintain certain personal information about our guests, employees and franchisees. Our use of this information is subject to international, federal and state regulations, as well as conditions included in certain third-party contracts. If our cybersecurity is compromised and this information is obtained by unauthorized persons or used inappropriately, it could adversely affect our reputation, operations, results of operations and financial condition, and could result in litigation against us or the imposition of penalties. As privacy and information security laws and regulations change or cyber risks evolve, we may incur additional costs to ensure we remain compliant.
A material system failure or interruption, a breach in the security of our information technology systems caused by a cyber attack, or other failure to maintain a secure cyber network could result in reduced efficiency in our operations, loss or misappropriation of data, business interruptions, or could impact delivery of food to restaurants or financial functions such as vendor payment or employee payroll. We have disaster recovery and business continuity plans that are designed to anticipate and mitigate such failures, but it is possible that significant capital investment could be required to rectify these problems, or more likely that cash flows could be impacted, in the shorter term.
We rely on third parties for certain business processes and services. Failure or inability of such third-party vendors to perform subjects us to risks, including business disruption and increased costs.
We depend on suppliers and other third parties for the operation of certain aspects of our business. Some third-party business processes we utilize include information technology, payment processing, gift card authorization and processing, employee benefits, third-party delivery and other business services. We conduct third-party due diligence and seek to obtain contractual assurance that our vendors will maintain adequate controls, such as adequate security against data breaches. However, the failure of our suppliers to maintain adequate controls or comply with our expectations and standards could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.
Risks Related to Indebtedness
Changes in the method used to determine LIBOR rates and the phasing out of LIBOR after 2021 may affect our financial results.
Borrowings under our credit facility bear interest at variable rates based on LIBOR. In addition, we have interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges of our exposure to variability in future cash flows attributable to payments of LIBOR due on forecasted notional debt obligations. LIBOR and certain other interest “benchmarks” may be subject to regulatory guidance and/or reform that could cause interest rates under our current or future debt agreements and interest rate swaps to perform differently than in the past or cause other unanticipated consequences. The Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), the authority that regulates LIBOR, announced it intends to stop encouraging banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR beginning in 2022 and ceasing all such rates by mid-2023. The Alternative Reference Rates Committee ("ARRC") has proposed that the Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") is the rate that represents best practice as the alternative to USD-LIBOR for use in debt and derivative financial instruments. Although an alternative to LIBOR has been contemplated in The New Credit Facility, it is unclear as to the new method of calculating LIBOR that may evolve, and this new method could adversely affect the Company’s interest rates on current or future debt obligations and interest rate swaps.
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Our indebtedness could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and operations.
As of December 29, 2021, we had total indebtedness of $182.7 million, including finance leases. Although we believe that our existing cash balances, funds from operations and amounts available under our credit facility will be adequate to cover our cash flow and liquidity needs, we could seek additional sources of funds, including incurring additional debt or through the sale of real estate, to maintain sufficient cash flow to fund our ongoing operating needs, pay interest and scheduled debt amortization and fund anticipated capital expenditures. We have no material debt maturities scheduled until August 2026. The credit agreement governing most of our indebtedness contains various covenants that could have an adverse effect on our business by limiting our ability to take advantage of financing, merger, acquisition or other corporate opportunities and to fund our operations. Restrictions under our credit agreement could also restrict our ability to repurchase shares in the future. If we incur additional debt in the future, covenant limitations on our activities and risks associated with such increased debt levels generally could increase. If we are unable to satisfy or refinance our current debt as it comes due, we may default on our debt obligations and lenders could elect to declare all amounts outstanding to be immediately due and payable and terminate all commitments to extend further credit. For additional information concerning our indebtedness see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
Risks Related to our Common Stock
Many factors, including those over which we have no control, affect the trading price of our common stock.
Factors such as reports on the economy or the price of commodities, as well as negative or positive announcements by competitors, regardless of whether the report directly relates to our business, could have an impact on the trading price of our common stock. In addition to investor expectations about our prospects, trading activity in our common stock can reflect the portfolio strategies and investment allocation changes of institutional holders, as well as non-operating initiatives such as our share repurchase programs. Evolving business strategies or any failure to meet market expectations whether for same-store sales, restaurant unit growth, earnings per share, or other metrics could cause our share price to decline.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2. Properties
Most Denny’s restaurants are free-standing facilities with property sizes averaging approximately one acre. The restaurant buildings average between 3,800 - 5,000 square feet, allowing them to accommodate an average of 110-170 guests. The number and location of our restaurants as of December 29, 2021 are presented below:
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| United States | Company | Franchised / Licensed | Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Alabama | — | 6 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||
| Alaska | — | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| Arizona | 1 | 82 | 83 | |||||||||||||||||
| Arkansas | — | 10 | 10 | |||||||||||||||||
| California | 22 | 351 | 373 | |||||||||||||||||
| Colorado | — | 19 | 19 | |||||||||||||||||
| Connecticut | — | 9 | 9 | |||||||||||||||||
| Delaware | — | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
| District of Columbia | — | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| Florida | 9 | 117 | 126 | |||||||||||||||||
| Georgia | — | 13 | 13 | |||||||||||||||||
| Hawaii | 2 | 3 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||
| Idaho | — | 10 | 10 | |||||||||||||||||
| Illinois | — | 49 | 49 | |||||||||||||||||
| Indiana | — | 37 | 37 | |||||||||||||||||
| Iowa | — | 3 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| Kansas | — | 5 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||
| Kentucky | — | 13 | 13 | |||||||||||||||||
| Louisiana | — | 6 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||
| Maine | — | 4 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| Maryland | — | 24 | 24 | |||||||||||||||||
| Massachusetts | 2 | 4 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||
| Michigan | — | 16 | 16 | |||||||||||||||||
| Minnesota | — | 17 | 17 | |||||||||||||||||
| Mississippi | — | 4 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| Missouri | — | 31 | 31 | |||||||||||||||||
| Montana | — | 3 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| Nebraska | — | 3 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| Nevada | 7 | 34 | 41 | |||||||||||||||||
| New Hampshire | 2 | — | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| New Jersey | — | 7 | 7 | |||||||||||||||||
| New Mexico | — | 31 | 31 | |||||||||||||||||
| New York | — | 45 | 45 | |||||||||||||||||
| North Carolina | — | 23 | 23 | |||||||||||||||||
| North Dakota | — | 4 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| Ohio | — | 37 | 37 | |||||||||||||||||
| Oklahoma | — | 10 | 10 | |||||||||||||||||
| Oregon | — | 22 | 22 | |||||||||||||||||
| Pennsylvania | — | 35 | 35 | |||||||||||||||||
| Rhode Island | — | 4 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| South Carolina | 3 | 9 | 12 | |||||||||||||||||
| South Dakota | — | 3 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| Tennessee | — | 6 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||
| Texas | 13 | 189 | 202 | |||||||||||||||||
| Utah | — | 28 | 28 | |||||||||||||||||
| Vermont | 2 | — | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| Virginia | 2 | 21 | 23 | |||||||||||||||||
| Washington | — | 40 | 40 | |||||||||||||||||
| West Virginia | — | 4 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| Wisconsin | — | 22 | 22 | |||||||||||||||||
| Wyoming | — | 4 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total Domestic | 65 | 1,422 | 1,487 | |||||||||||||||||
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| International | Company | Franchised / Licensed | Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Canada | — | 83 | 83 | |||||||||||||||||
| Costa Rica | — | 3 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| El Salvador | — | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| Guam | — | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| Guatemala | — | 3 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| Honduras | — | 6 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||
| Indonesia | — | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| Mexico | — | 13 | 13 | |||||||||||||||||
| New Zealand | — | 7 | 7 | |||||||||||||||||
| Philippines | — | 11 | 11 | |||||||||||||||||
| Puerto Rico | — | 15 | 15 | |||||||||||||||||
| United Arab Emirates | — | 5 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||
| United Kingdom | — | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total International | — | 153 | 153 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total Domestic | 65 | 1,422 | 1,487 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | 65 | 1,575 | 1,640 | |||||||||||||||||
Of the total 1,640 restaurants in the Denny’s brand, our interest in restaurant properties consists of the following:
| Company Restaurants | Franchised Restaurants | Total | |||||||||||||||
| Owned properties | 16 | 67 | 83 | ||||||||||||||
| Leased properties | 49 | 179 | 228 | ||||||||||||||
| 65 | 246 | 311 | |||||||||||||||
We have generally been able to renew our restaurant leases as they expire at then-current market rates. The remaining terms of leases range from less than one to approximately 41 years, including optional renewal periods.
Our corporate offices include an owned building in Spartanburg, South Carolina and a leased building in the Dallas, Texas area. The Spartanburg office is an 18-story, 187,000 square foot office building where we occupy 16 floors with a portion of the building leased to others.
See Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for information concerning encumbrances on substantially all of our properties.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
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.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
20
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Information
Our common stock is listed under the symbol “DENN” and trades on the NASDAQ Capital Market (“NASDAQ”). As of February 24, 2022, there were 61,712,452 shares of our common stock outstanding and approximately 36,000 record and beneficial holders of our common stock.
Dividends and Share Repurchases
Our credit facility allows for the payment of cash dividends and/or the repurchase of our common stock, subject to certain limitations and continued maintenance of all relevant covenants before and after any such payment of any dividend or stock purchase. An aggregate amount is available for such dividends or stock repurchases as follows:
•stock repurchases are permitted in an amount not to exceed $50.0 million if the Consolidated Leverage Ratio (as defined in the credit agreement, as amended) is 3.5x or greater and an unlimited amount if the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is below 3.5x, provided that, in each case, at least $20.0 million of availability is maintained under the revolving credit facility after such payment; and
•payment of cash dividends is permitted in an additional annual aggregate amount equal to $0.05 times the number of outstanding shares of our common stock, as of August 16, 2021, plus each additional share of our common stock that is issued after such date.
Though we have not historically paid cash dividends, we have in recent years undertaken share repurchases. The table below provides information concerning repurchases of shares of our common stock during the quarter ended December 29, 2021.
| 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) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except per share amounts) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2021 – October 27, 2021 | 389 | $ | 15.70 | 389 | $ | 235,322 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 28, 2021 – November 24, 2021 | 508 | 15.23 | 508 | $ | 227,572 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 25, 2021 – December 29, 2021 | 688 | 14.74 | 688 | $ | 217,412 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 1,585 | $ | 15.13 | 1,585 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)Average price paid per share excludes commissions.
(2)On December 2, 2019, we announced that our Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase program, authorizing us to repurchase up to an additional $250 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 December 29, 2021, we purchased 1,585,580 shares of our common stock for an aggregate consideration of approximately $24.0 million pursuant to this share repurchase program.
21
Performance Graph
The following graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return on our common stock for the five fiscal years ended December 29, 2021 (December 28, 2016 to December 29, 2021) against the cumulative total return of the Russell 2000® Index and a peer group, selected by us, of companies that we believe compose a representative sampling of public companies in our industry comparable to us in size and composition. We revised this peer group in 2021 to more closely reflect a representative sampling of comparable companies in our industry. As required by SEC regulations, the following graph also shows the cumulative return of the former peer group. The graph and table assume that $100 was invested on December 28, 2016 (the last day of fiscal year 2016) in each of the Company’s common stock, the Russell 2000® Index and the current and former peer groups and that all dividends were reinvested.
COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN
ASSUMES $100 INVESTED ON DECEMBER 28, 2016
ASSUMES DIVIDENDS REINVESTED
FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 29, 2021
| Russell 2000® Index (1) | Current Peer Group (2) | Former Peer Group (3) | Denny’s Corporation | ||||||||||||||||||||
| December 28, 2016 | $ | 100.00 | $ | 100.00 | $ | 100.00 | $ | 100.00 | |||||||||||||||
| December 27, 2017 | $ | 114.90 | $ | 97.35 | $ | 97.63 | $ | 104.12 | |||||||||||||||
| December 26, 2018 | $ | 100.26 | $ | 102.68 | $ | 101.10 | $ | 126.34 | |||||||||||||||
| December 25, 2019 | $ | 128.36 | $ | 108.28 | $ | 106.80 | $ | 157.34 | |||||||||||||||
| December 30, 2020 | $ | 153.61 | $ | 126.22 | $ | 123.07 | $ | 109.63 | |||||||||||||||
| December 29, 2021 | $ | 176.17 | $ | 131.90 | $ | 128.46 | $ | 121.99 | |||||||||||||||
(1)The Russell 2000 Index is a broad equity market index of 2,000 companies that measures the performance of the small-cap segment of the U.S. equity universe. As of December 29, 2021, the weighted average market capitalization of companies within the index was approximately $3.5 billion with the median market capitalization being approximately $1.2 billion.
(2)The current peer group consists of 14 public companies that operate in the restaurant industry. The peer group includes the following companies: BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. (BJRI), Bloomin’ Brands, Inc. (BLMN), Brinker International, Inc. (EAT), Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (CBRL), Del Taco Restaurants, Inc. (TACO), Dine Brands Global, Inc. (DIN), El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (LOCO), Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. (FRGI), Jack in the Box Inc. (JACK), Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. (RUTH), Shake Shack, Inc. (SHAK), Texas Roadhouse, Inc. (TXRH), The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated (CAKE), and Wingstop Inc. (WING).
22
(3)The former peer group consists of 16 public companies that operate in the restaurant industry. The peer group includes the following companies: BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. (BJRI), Bloomin’ Brands, Inc. (BLMN), Brinker International, Inc. (EAT), Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (CBRL), Del Taco Restaurants, Inc. (TACO), Dine Brands Global, Inc. (DIN), El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (LOCO), Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. (FRGI), Jack in the Box Inc. (JACK), Nathan’s Famous, Inc. (NATH), Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (RRGB), Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. (RUTH), Shake Shack, Inc. (SHAK), Texas Roadhouse, Inc. (TXRH), The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated (CAKE), and Wingstop Inc. (WING).
Item 6. Reserved
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto.
Overview
Denny’s restaurants are operated in 50 states, the District of Columbia, two U.S. territories and 11 foreign countries with principal concentrations in California (23% of total restaurants), Texas (12%) and Florida (8%). At December 29, 2021, the Denny’s brand consisted of 1,640 franchised, licensed and company restaurants. Of this amount, 1,575 of our restaurants were franchised or licensed, representing 96% of the total restaurants, and 65 were company restaurants.
Our revenues are derived primarily from two sales channels, which we operate as one segment: company restaurants and franchised and licensed restaurants. The primary sources of revenues are the sale of food and beverages at our company restaurants and the collection of royalties, advertising revenue, initial and other fees and occupancy revenue from restaurants operated by our franchisees under the Denny’s name. Sales and customer traffic at both company and franchised restaurants are affected by the success of our marketing campaigns, new product introductions, product quality enhancements, customer service, availability of off-premise dining options, and menu pricing, as well as external factors including competition, economic conditions affecting consumer spending and changes in guests’ tastes and preferences. Sales at company restaurants and royalty, advertising and fee income from franchised restaurants are also impacted by the opening of new restaurants, the closing of existing restaurants, the sale of company restaurants to franchisees and the acquisition of restaurants from franchisees.
Costs of company restaurant sales are exposed to volatility in two main areas: payroll and benefit costs and product costs. The volatility of payroll and benefit costs results primarily from changes in wage rates and increases in labor related expenses, such as medical benefit costs and workers’ compensation costs. Additionally, changes in guest counts and investments in store-level labor impact payroll and benefit costs as a percentage of sales. Many of the products sold in our restaurants are affected by commodity pricing and are, therefore, subject to price volatility. This volatility is caused by factors that are fundamentally outside of our control and are often unpredictable. In general, we purchase food products based on market prices or we set firm prices in purchase agreements with our vendors. In an inflationary commodity environment, our ability to lock in prices on certain key commodities is imperative to controlling food costs. In addition, our continued success with menu management helps us offer menu items that provide a compelling value to our customers while maintaining attractive product costs and profitability. Packaging costs and delivery fees (included as a component of other operating expenses) also fluctuate with changes in delivery and off-premise sales.
Our fiscal year ends on the last Wednesday in December. As a result, a fifty-third week is added to a fiscal year every five or six years. Fiscal 2021 and 2019 each included 52 weeks of operations, whereas 2020 included 53 weeks of operations. We estimate that the additional operating week added approximately $6.3 million of operating revenue in 2020.
23
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
In an effort to provide greater transparency due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Denny's is providing the following tables that present monthly results for 2021:
Domestic System-Wide Same-Store Sales1 Compared to 2019 Fiscal Periods | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fiscal Year 2021: (5%) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q1: (20%) | Q2: (1%) | Q3: (0%) | Q4: 1% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| System | (31%) | (25%) | (9%) | (2%) | (3%) | 1% | 3% | (2%) | (1%) | 1% | 4% | (2%) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 24/7 Units | (20%) | (16%) | 2% | 11% | 11% | 14% | 15% | 9% | 9% | 10% | 13% | 7% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Limited Hour Units | (38%) | (32%) | (16%) | (11%) | (12%) | (8%) | (7%) | (10%) | (10%) | (9%) | (6%) | (11%) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Domestic Units Hours of Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 24/7 Hours | 35% | 35% | 38% | 38% | 37% | 38% | 39% | 40% | 42% | 45% | 46% | 48% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 18 - 23 Hours | 10% | 12% | 14% | 14% | 16% | 16% | 17% | 18% | 20% | 26% | 24% | 24% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| < than 18 Hours | 55% | 53% | 48% | 48% | 47% | 46% | 44% | 42% | 38% | 29% | 30% | 28% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Growing and Revitalizing the Brand
Over the last five years, our growth initiatives have led to 139 new restaurant openings. During 2021, our franchisees opened 20 restaurants, of which eight are international franchised locations, including five in Canada, and one each in Central America, Mexico, and the Philippines. Our goal is to increase net restaurant growth through both domestic and international avenues. Domestic growth will continue to focus on markets in which we have modest penetration. Development agreements related to the sale of 113 of our company restaurants during 2018 and 2019 and recently enhanced development agreements in Canada and the Philippines are expected to stimulate both domestic and international growth over the next several years.
A total of nine remodels were completed during 2021, consisting of five at franchised restaurants and four at company restaurants. One of these remodels was in our Heritage image, which we launched in late 2013. This updated look reflects a more contemporary diner feel to further reinforce our America’s Diner positioning. The remaining eight restaurants updated to our Heritage 2.0 image which features more attention-grabbing exterior elements while extending the relaxing interior elements from the original Heritage program. As of the end of 2021, approximately 90% of the restaurants in the system have been remodeled to one of our two Heritage images.
Balancing the Use of Cash
Though certain strategies have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, we are still focused long-term on balancing the use of cash between reinvesting in our base of company restaurants, growing and strengthening the brand and returning cash to shareholders. During 2021, cash capital expenditures were $7.4 million. Our real estate strategy is to redeploy proceeds from the sale of certain pieces of our owned real estate to acquire higher quality real estate underlying company and franchised restaurants. During 2021, the Company sold three parcels of real estate for approximately $50.1 million. Approximately $10.4 million of these proceeds were used to purchase real estate under three existing company restaurants through a series of like-kind exchange transactions.
As a result of refinancing our credit facility in the third quarter of 2021, we resumed our share repurchase program. During the third and fourth quarters of 2021, we repurchased a total of 2.0 million shares of our common stock for approximately $30.6 million. Since initiating our share repurchase program in November 2010 through fiscal year end December 29, 2021, we have repurchased a total of 56.0 million shares of our common stock for $584.6 million.
24
In December 2019, the Board approved a new share repurchase authorization for $250 million. As of December 29, 2021, there was approximately $217.4 million remaining under our current repurchase authorization.
Other Factors Impacting Comparability
For 2021, 2020 and 2019, the following items impacted the comparability of our results:
•Company restaurant sales decreased from $306.4 million in 2019 to $175.0 million in 2021, primarily from the impact of the sale of 113 company restaurants to franchisees during 2019 and 2018 and, in 2020 and 2021, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
•Royalty income, which is included as a component of franchise and license revenue, decreased from $108.8 million in 2019 to $67.5 million in 2020 primarily due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business. The subsequent increase to $103.4 million in 2021 was primarily due to our continuing recovery from the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on our business.
•Occupancy revenues, included as a component of franchise and license revenue, result from leasing or subleasing restaurants to franchisees. When restaurants are sold and leased or subleased to franchisees, the occupancy costs related to these restaurants move from costs of company restaurant sales to costs of franchise and license revenue to match the related occupancy revenue. Additionally, as leases or subleases with franchisees expire, franchise occupancy revenue and costs could decrease if franchisees enter into direct leases with landlords. Occupancy revenue has increased from $38.5 million in 2019 to $41.8 million in 2021 as a result of the sale of restaurants to franchisees, partially offset by the impact of lease expirations. At the end of 2021, we had 246 franchised restaurants that were leased or subleased from Denny’s, compared to 305 at the end of 2019.
______________
(1) Domestic system-wide same-store sales include sales at company restaurants and non-consolidated franchised and licensed restaurants that were open the same period in noted prior period. While we do not record franchise and licensed sales as revenue in our consolidated financial statements, we believe system-wide same-store sales information is useful to investors in understanding our financial performance, as our sales-based royalties are calculated based on a percentage of franchise sales. Accordingly, system-wide same-store sales should be considered as a supplement to, not a substitute for, our results as reported under GAAP.
25
Statements of Operations
| Fiscal Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | December 25, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Company restaurant sales | $ | 175,017 | 44.0 | % | $ | 118,160 | 40.9 | % | $ | 306,377 | 56.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Franchise and license revenue | 223,157 | 56.0 | % | 170,445 | 59.1 | % | 235,012 | 43.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating revenue | 398,174 | 100.0 | % | 288,605 | 100.0 | % | 541,389 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Costs of company restaurant sales, excluding depreciation and amortization (a): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Product costs | 42,982 | 24.6 | % | 29,816 | 25.2 | % | 74,720 | 24.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payroll and benefits | 65,337 | 37.3 | % | 51,684 | 43.7 | % | 118,806 | 38.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupancy | 11,662 | 6.7 | % | 11,241 | 9.5 | % | 18,613 | 6.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other operating expenses | 26,951 | 15.4 | % | 21,828 | 18.5 | % | 46,257 | 15.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total costs of company restaurant sales, excluding depreciation and amortization | 146,932 | 84.0 | % | 114,569 | 97.0 | % | 258,396 | 84.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Costs of franchise and license revenue (a) | 109,140 | 48.9 | % | 94,348 | 55.4 | % | 120,326 | 51.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | 68,686 | 17.3 | % | 55,040 | 19.1 | % | 69,018 | 12.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 15,446 | 3.9 | % | 16,161 | 5.6 | % | 19,846 | 3.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net | (46,105) | (11.6) | % | 1,808 | 0.6 | % | (91,180) | (16.8) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating costs and expenses, net | 294,099 | 73.9 | % | 281,926 | 97.7 | % | 376,406 | 69.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | 104,075 | 26.1 | % | 6,679 | 2.3 | % | 164,983 | 30.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | 15,148 | 3.8 | % | 17,965 | 6.2 | % | 18,547 | 3.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other nonoperating (income) expense, net | (15,176) | (3.8) | % | (4,171) | (1.4) | % | (2,763) | (0.5) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) before income taxes | 104,103 | 26.1 | % | (7,115) | (2.5) | % | 149,199 | 27.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision for (benefit from) income taxes | 26,030 | 6.5 | % | (1,999) | (0.7) | % | 31,789 | 5.9 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 78,073 | 19.6 | % | $ | (5,116) | (1.8) | % | $ | 117,410 | 21.7 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Data: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Company average unit sales | $ | 2,709 | $ | 1,812 | $ | 2,477 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Franchise average unit sales | $ | 1,597 | $ | 1,181 | $ | 1,669 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Company equivalent units (b) | 65 | 65 | 124 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Franchise equivalent units (b) | 1,581 | 1,614 | 1,578 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Company same-store sales increase (decrease) (c)(d) | 55.3 | % | (36.7) | % | 1.9 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Domestic franchised same-store sales increase (decrease) (c)(d) | 40.1 | % | (30.9) | % | 2.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Company same-store sales decrease vs. 2019 (c)(d)(e) | (3.5) | % | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Domestic franchised same-store sales decrease vs. 2019 (c)(d)(e) | (4.8) | % | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(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 company restaurants or non-consolidated franchised and licensed restaurants that were open the same period in the prior year. While we do not record franchise and licensed sales as revenue in our consolidated financial statements, we believe domestic franchised same-store sales information is useful to investors in understanding our financial performance, as our sales-based royalties are calculated based on a percentage of franchise sales. Accordingly, domestic franchised same-store sales should be considered as a supplement to, not a substitute for, our results as reported under GAAP.
(d)Prior year amounts have not been restated for 2021 comparable restaurants.
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(e)In an effort to provide greater transparency due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are providing additional same-store sales information for 2021 that includes sales from company restaurants or non-consolidated franchised and licensed restaurants that were open the same period in fiscal 2019.
Unit Activity
| Fiscal Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | December 25, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Company restaurants, beginning of period | 65 | 68 | 173 | ||||||||||||||
| Units opened | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Units sold to franchisees | — | — | (105) | ||||||||||||||
| Units closed | — | (3) | — | ||||||||||||||
| End of period | 65 | 65 | 68 | ||||||||||||||
Franchised and licensed restaurants, beginning of period | 1,585 | 1,635 | 1,536 | ||||||||||||||
| Units opened | 20 | 20 | 30 | ||||||||||||||
| Units purchased from Company | — | — | 105 | ||||||||||||||
| Units closed | (30) | (70) | (36) | ||||||||||||||
| End of period | 1,575 | 1,585 | 1,635 | ||||||||||||||
| Total restaurants, end of period | 1,640 | 1,650 | 1,703 | ||||||||||||||
Company Restaurant Operations
Company same-store sales increased 55.3% in 2021 and decreased 36.7% in 2020 compared with the respective prior year. Company restaurant sales for 2021 increased $56.9 million, or 48.1%, primarily resulting from the increase in company same-store sales caused primarily by reduced dine-in restrictions and fewer temporary closures related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Company restaurant sales for 2020 decreased $188.2 million, or 61.4%, primarily resulting from a 59 equivalent unit decrease in company restaurants and a 36.7% decrease in company same-store sales caused primarily by dine-in restrictions and temporary closures related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Total costs of company restaurant sales as a percentage of company restaurant sales were 84.0% in 2021, 97.0% in 2020 and 84.3% in 2019 consisting of the following:
Product costs were 24.6% in 2021, 25.2% in 2020 and 24.4% in 2019. For 2021, the decrease as a percentage of sales was primarily due to leverage gained from favorable product mix and increased pricing and lower paper costs, partly offset by higher commodity costs. For 2020, the increase as a percentage of sales was due to increases in paper products due to the increase in delivery and to-go orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Payroll and benefits were 37.3% in 2021, 43.7% in 2020 and 38.8% in 2019. The 2021 decrease as a percentage of sales was due to the leveraging effect of higher sales. The 2021 decrease included a 3.9 percentage point decrease in management labor, 1.7 percentage point decrease in team labor, and 0.5 percentage point decrease in workers’ compensation costs. The 2020 increase as a percentage of sales was primarily the result of sales deleveraging caused by lower sales resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 increase included a 3.2 percentage point increase in management labor, 0.8 percentage point increase in team labor, and 0.3 percentage point increase in fringe benefits.
Occupancy costs were 6.7% in 2021, 9.5% in 2020 and 6.1% in 2019. The 2021 decrease as a percentage of sales was due to the leveraging effect of higher sales. For 2020, the increase as a percentage of sales was primarily due to the sales deleveraging effect caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the impact of refranchising of restaurants during 2019 where we owned the real estate contributed to the rate increase.
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Other operating expenses consisted of the following amounts and percentages of company restaurant sales:
| Fiscal Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | December 25, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Utilities | $ | 5,814 | 3.3 | % | $ | 5,148 | 4.4 | % | $ | 10,359 | 3.4 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Repairs and maintenance | 2,743 | 1.6 | % | 2,608 | 2.2 | % | 6,792 | 2.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Marketing | 4,594 | 2.6 | % | 3,904 | 3.3 | % | 11,195 | 3.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other direct costs | 13,800 | 7.9 | % | 10,168 | 8.6 | % | 17,911 | 5.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other operating expenses | $ | 26,951 | 15.4 | % | $ | 21,828 | 18.5 | % | $ | 46,257 | 15.1 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
For 2021, other direct costs were lower as a percentage of sales due to the leveraging effect of higher sales, partially offset by higher delivery fees and legal settlement costs. Other direct costs were higher as a percentage of sales for 2020 due to the deleveraging effect of lower sales as well as higher delivery costs due to the increase in delivery sales during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Franchise Operations
Franchise and license revenue and costs of franchise and license revenue consisted of the following amounts and percentages of franchise and license revenue for the periods indicated:
| Fiscal Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | December 25, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Royalties | $ | 103,425 | 46.4 | % | $ | 67,501 | 39.6 | % | $ | 108,813 | 46.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Advertising revenue | 69,957 | 31.3 | % | 53,745 | 31.5 | % | 81,144 | 34.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Initial and other fees | 8,009 | 3.6 | % | 7,332 | 4.3 | % | 6,541 | 2.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupancy revenue | 41,766 | 18.7 | % | 41,867 | 24.6 | % | 38,514 | 16.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Franchise and license revenue | $ | 223,157 | 100.0 | % | $ | 170,445 | 100.0 | % | $ | 235,012 | 100.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Advertising costs | $ | 69,957 | 31.3 | % | $ | 53,745 | 31.5 | % | $ | 81,144 | 34.5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupancy costs | 26,237 | 11.8 | % | 26,732 | 15.7 | % | 25,806 | 11.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other direct costs | 12,946 | 5.8 | % | 13,871 | 8.1 | % | 13,376 | 5.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Costs of franchise and license revenue | $ | 109,140 | 48.9 | % | $ | 94,348 | 55.4 | % | $ | 120,326 | 51.2 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Royalties increased by $35.9 million, or 53.2%, in 2021 primarily resulting from a 40.1% increase in domestic franchised same-store sales as compared to the prior year. Additionally, the prior year included royalty abatements of $6.0 million to help our franchisees weather the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Royalties decreased by $41.3 million, or 38.0%, in 2020 primarily resulting from a 30.9% decrease in domestic franchised same-store sales and royalty abatements of $6.0 million. Partially offsetting these decreases was an increase of 36 equivalent units resulting from our refranchising and development strategy in 2019. The average domestic royalty rate, including the impact of abatements, was 4.35%, 3.86% and 4.22% for 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Advertising revenue increased $16.2 million, or 30.2%, in 2021 resulting from the increase in domestic franchised same-store sales. Additionally, the prior year included advertising fee abatements of $1.3 million. Advertising revenue decreased $27.4 million, or 33.8%, in 2020 resulting from the decrease in domestic franchised same-store sales and $1.3 million of advertising fee abatements. Partially offsetting these decreases was an increase of 36 equivalent units resulting from our refranchising and development strategy in 2019.
Initial and other fees increased $0.7 million, or 9.2%, in 2021 primarily due to higher menu production revenue, partially offset by the impact of less accelerated revenue recognition as a result of fewer franchised unit closures compared to 2020. Initial and other fees increased $0.8 million, or 12.1%, in 2020 from the impact of higher accelerated revenue recognition as a result of higher franchised unit closures compared to 2019. This increase was offset by lower menu revenue resulting from fewer menu releases in 2020.
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Occupancy revenue decreased $0.1 million, or 0.2%, in 2021 primarily due to lease terminations, partially offset by higher percentage rents as a result of sales increases. Occupancy revenue increased by $3.4 million, or 8.7%, in 2020 primarily resulting from additional leases and subleases to franchisees as a result of our refranchising and development strategy in 2019.
Costs of franchise and license revenue increased $14.8 million, or 15.7%, in 2021. The increase was primarily related to increased advertising costs, which corresponds to the related advertising revenue increases noted above. Occupancy costs decreased $0.5 million, or 1.9%, in 2021, primarily related to lease terminations. Other direct costs decreased $0.9 million, or 6.7%, primarily due to reductions in bad debt allowance expense, partially offset by increases in menu production expense. As a result, costs of franchise and license revenue as a percentage of franchise and license revenue decreased to 48.9% for 2021 from 55.4% in 2020.
Costs of franchise and license revenue decreased $26.0 million, or 21.6%, in 2020. The decrease was primarily related to lower advertising costs, which corresponds to the related advertising revenue decreases noted above. Occupancy costs increased $0.9 million, or 3.6%, in 2020, primarily related to the sale of leased company units to franchisees in the prior year, partially offset by lower percentage rent expense as a result of the sales decreases. Other direct costs increased $0.5 million, or 3.7%, primarily due to $1.5 million of bad debt allowances resulting from actual and expected losses on franchise related receivables due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, costs of franchise and license revenue as a percentage of franchise and license revenue increased to 55.4% for 2020 from 51.2% in 2019.
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 consisted of the following:
| Fiscal Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | December 25, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| Corporate administrative expenses | $ | 44,367 | $ | 41,135 | $ | 50,319 | |||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | 13,602 | 7,948 | 6,694 | ||||||||||||||
| Incentive compensation | 8,628 | 4,351 | 9,425 | ||||||||||||||
| Deferred compensation valuation adjustments | 2,089 | 1,606 | 2,580 | ||||||||||||||
| Total general and administrative expenses | $ | 68,686 | $ | 55,040 | $ | 69,018 | |||||||||||
Total general and administrative expenses increased by $13.6 million, or 24.8%, in 2021 and decreased by $14.0 million, or 20.3%, in 2020.
Corporate administrative expenses increased by $3.2 million in 2021 and decreased by $9.2 million in 2020. The 2021 increase was primarily due to prior year temporary cost reductions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including net reductions in tax credits related to the CARES Act of approximately $1.2 million. The 2020 decrease was primarily due to cost savings initiatives related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including tax credits related to the CARES Act of approximately $1.7 million and the rationalization of certain business costs in connection with our refranchising and development strategy.
Share-based compensation increased by $5.7 million and $1.3 million in 2021 and 2020, respectively. These increases were primarily the result of plan modifications made in 2020 and related valuations. Incentive compensation increased by $4.3 million in 2021 and decreased by $5.1 million in 2020. The changes in incentive compensation for both periods primarily resulted from our performance against plan metrics. Changes in deferred compensation valuation adjustments have offsetting gains or losses on the underlying nonqualified deferred plan investments included as a component of other nonoperating (income) expense, net.
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Depreciation and amortization consisted of the following:
| Fiscal Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | December 25, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation of property and equipment | $ | 11,441 | $ | 11,284 | $ | 13,295 | |||||||||||
| Amortization of finance right-of-use assets | 1,895 | 1,870 | 2,991 | ||||||||||||||
| Amortization of intangible and other assets | 2,110 | 3,007 | 3,560 | ||||||||||||||
| Total depreciation and amortization expense | $ | 15,446 | $ | 16,161 | $ | 19,846 | |||||||||||
The 2021 decrease in total depreciation and amortization expense was the result of certain intangible assets becoming fully amortized in 2020. The 2020 decrease in total depreciation and amortization expense was primarily a result of the sale of owned company units to franchisees as part of our refranchising and development strategy during 2019.
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net consisted of the following:
| Fiscal Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | December 25, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| Gains on sales of assets and other, net | $ | (47,822) | $ | (4,678) | $ | (93,608) | |||||||||||
| Restructuring charges and exit costs | 1,275 | 2,403 | 2,428 | ||||||||||||||
| Impairment charges | 442 | 4,083 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net | $ | (46,105) | $ | 1,808 | $ | (91,180) | |||||||||||
Gains on sales of assets and other, net of $47.8 million for 2021 primarily related to the sale of three parcels of real estate. Gains on sales of assets and other, net of $4.7 million for the year ended December 30, 2020 primarily related to the sales of real estate. Gains on sales of assets and other, net of $93.6 million for 2019 related to the sale of restaurants and real estate to franchisees.
Restructuring charges and exit costs consisted of the following:
| Fiscal Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | December 25, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| Exit costs | $ | 323 | $ | 204 | $ | 272 | |||||||||||
| Severance and other restructuring charges | 952 | 2,199 | 2,156 | ||||||||||||||
| Total restructuring and exit costs | $ | 1,275 | $ | 2,403 | $ | 2,428 | |||||||||||
Restructuring and exit costs for 2021 were primarily made up of relocation costs associated with moving certain employees to our support center in the Dallas, Texas area. Restructuring and exit costs for 2020 primarily relate to the Company permanently separating with approximately 50 support center staff. Severance and other restructuring charges for 2019 were primarily the result of positions eliminated as part of our refranchising and development strategy.
Impairment charges of $0.4 million and $4.1 million for the years ended December 29, 2021 and December 30, 2020, respectively, primarily resulted from our assessment of underperforming restaurants.
Operating income was $104.1 million in 2021, $6.7 million in 2020 and $165.0 million in 2019.
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Interest expense, net consisted of the following:
| Fiscal Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | December 25, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest on credit facilities | $ | 5,478 | $ | 8,658 | $ | 11,685 | |||||||||||
| Interest on interest rate swaps | 4,023 | 3,160 | 291 | ||||||||||||||
| Interest on finance lease liabilities | 2,960 | 3,129 | 4,537 | ||||||||||||||
| Letters of credit and other fees | 1,438 | 1,259 | 1,208 | ||||||||||||||
| Interest income | (25) | (96) | (170) | ||||||||||||||
| Total cash interest | 13,874 | 16,110 | 17,551 | ||||||||||||||
| Amortization of deferred financing costs | 1,105 | 875 | 608 | ||||||||||||||
| Amortization of interest rate swap losses | 167 | 783 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Interest accretion on other liabilities | 2 | 197 | 388 | ||||||||||||||
| Total interest expense, net | $ | 15,148 | $ | 17,965 | $ | 18,547 | |||||||||||
Interest expense, net decreased during 2021 primarily due to decreased average borrowings and lower average interest rates. During 2020, interest expense, net decreased primarily due to a reduction in financing lease interest resulting from the sales of restaurants to franchisees during 2019.
Other nonoperating (income) expense, net was income of $15.2 million, $4.2 million, and $2.8 million for 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively. The income for 2021 includes income of $12.8 million related to dedesignated interest rate swap valuation adjustments and $2.2 million in gains on deferred compensation investments. The income for 2020 includes losses on interest rate swaps of $7.4 million resulting from the discontinuance of hedge accounting treatment on a portion of our interest rate swaps and income of $10.3 million related to interest rate swap valuation adjustments on dedesignated interest rate swaps subsequent to the discontinuation of hedge accounting and $1.8 million in gains on deferred compensation plan investments. The income for 2019 primarily resulted from gains on deferred compensation plan investments. For additional details related to the interest rate swaps, see Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
The provision for (benefit from) income taxes was an expense of $26.0 million for 2021, benefit of $2.0 million for 2020 and expense of $31.8 million for 2019. The effective tax rate was 25.0% for 2021, 28.1% for 2020 and 21.3% for 2019.
For 2021, the difference in the overall effective rate from the U.S. statutory rate was primarily due to state and foreign taxes, partially offset by the generation of employment credits. The 2021 rate was also impacted by an expense of $1.3 million from disallowed compensation deductions.
For 2020, the difference in the overall effective rate from the U.S. statutory rate was primarily due to state and foreign taxes, partially offset by the generation of employment credits. The 2020 rate was also impacted by a $0.9 million benefit from the statutory rate differential due to a net operating loss carryback to a prior year and an expense of $1.0 million from disallowed compensation deductions.
For 2019, there was no significant difference between our effective tax rate and the statutory tax rate of 21%. The impact of state taxes on the statutory rate was partially offset by the generation of employment and foreign tax credits. In addition, the 2019 rate benefited $2.0 million related to share-based compensation and $2.0 million related to the completion of an Internal Revenue Service federal income audit of the 2016 tax year.
For additional details related to the provision for (benefit from) income taxes as well as changes in the effective tax rate, see Note 14 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Net income (loss) was income of $78.1 million for 2021, a loss of $5.1 million for 2020 and income of $117.4 million for 2019.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Summary of Cash Flows
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:
| Fiscal Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | December 25, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | $ | 76,173 | $ | (3,137) | $ | 43,327 | |||||||||||
| Net cash provided by investing activities | 29,014 | 4,651 | 104,969 | ||||||||||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (78,455) | (994) | (149,950) | ||||||||||||||
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 26,732 | $ | 520 | $ | (1,654) | |||||||||||
Net cash flows provided by operating activities were $76.2 million for the year ended December 29, 2021 compared to net cash flows used in operating activities of $3.1 million for the year ended December 30, 2020. The increase in cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities was primarily due to the improvement of operating results in 2021 and the timing of prior year accrual payments. Net cash flows used in operating activities were $3.1 million for the year ended December 30, 2020 compared to net cash flows provided by operating activities of $43.3 million for the year ended December 25, 2019. The decrease in cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities was primarily due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the timing of prior year accrual payments. We believe that our estimated cash flows from operations for 2022, 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 provided by investing activities were $29.0 million for the year ended December 29, 2021. These cash flows are primarily proceeds from the sale of real estate and other assets of $50.1 million, partially offset by acquisition of restaurants and real estate of $10.4 million, capital expenditures of $7.4 million and deposits on real estate acquisitions of $3.6 million. Net cash flows provided by investing activities were $4.7 million for the year ended December 30, 2020. These cash flows are primarily proceeds from the sale of real estate of $9.4 million and proceeds from the sale of investments of $2.9 million, partially offset by capital expenditures of $7.0 million and investment purchases of $1.4 million. Net cash flows provided by investing activities were $105.0 million for the year ended December 25, 2019. These cash flows are primarily comprised of $129.7 million of proceeds from the sale of assets, including $119.0 million from the sale of 105 restaurants and $10.7 million from the sale of real estate. These cash flows are offset by capital expenditures of $14.0 million and acquisitions of real estate of $11.3 million.
Our principal capital requirements have been largely associated with the following:
| Fiscal Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | December 25, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| Facilities | $ | 3,206 | $ | 4,107 | $ | 9,078 | |||||||||||
| New construction | — | 23 | 2,019 | ||||||||||||||
| Remodeling | 1,477 | 992 | 1,124 | ||||||||||||||
| Information technology | 1,410 | 1,386 | 1,060 | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 1,262 | 454 | 694 | ||||||||||||||
| Capital expenditures (excluding acquisitions) | $ | 7,355 | $ | 6,962 | $ | 13,975 | |||||||||||
Cash flows used in financing activities were $78.5 million for the year ended December 29, 2021, which included net debt repayments of $42.1 million, cash payments for stock repurchases of $30.0 million, net bank overdraft payments of $3.1 million, and deferred financing costs of $1.9 million. Cash flows used in financing activities were $1.0 million for the year ended December 30, 2020, which included net debt repayments of $31.6 million, cash payments for stock repurchases of $36.0 million offset by proceeds of $69.6 million from the issuance of common stock. Cash flows used in financing activities were
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$150.0 million for the year ended December 25, 2019, which included stock repurchases of $94.5 million and net debt repayments of $49.0 million.
Our working capital deficit was $28.3 million at December 29, 2021 compared with $28.5 million at December 30, 2020 as increased cash from the sales of real estate was offset by an increase in current liabilities. 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
On August 26, 2021, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries refinanced the existing credit facility (the “Old Credit Facility”) and entered into a new five-year $400 million senior secured revolver (with a $25 million letter of credit sublimit) (the “New Credit Facility”). The New Credit Facility includes an accordion feature that would allow us to increase the size of the revolver to $450 million. Borrowings bear a tiered interest rate, which is based on the Company's consolidated leverage ratio and was initially set at LIBOR plus 2.25%. The New Credit Facility contains provisions specifying alternative interest rate calculations to be used at such time LIBOR ceases to be available as a benchmark due to reference rate reform. The maturity date for the New Credit Facility is August 26, 2026.
The New Credit Facility was used to refinance the Old Credit Facility and is available for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes. The New Credit Facility is guaranteed by Denny's and its material subsidiaries and is secured by assets of Denny's and its subsidiaries, including the stock of its subsidiaries (other than its insurance captive subsidiary). It includes negative covenants that are usual for facilities and transactions of this type. The New Credit Facility also includes certain financial covenants with respect to a maximum consolidated leverage ratio and a minimum consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio. We were in compliance with all financial covenants as of December 29, 2021.
As of December 29, 2021, we had outstanding revolver loans of $170.0 million and outstanding letters of credit under the New Credit Facility of $15.7 million. These balances resulted in availability of $214.3 million as of December 29, 2021 under the New Credit Facility.
As of December 29, 2021, borrowings under the New Credit Facility bore interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 2.00% and the
commitment fee, paid on the unused portion of the New Credit Facility, was set to 0.30%.
During 2020, we executed amendments to the Old Credit Facility on May 13, 2020 and on December 15, 2020. As a result of the amendments, the interest rate of the Old Credit Facility was increased to LIBOR plus 3.00% and the commitment fee, paid on the unused portion of the credit facility, was increased to 0.40%. The amendments required supplemental monthly reporting obligations to our lenders and we were prohibited from paying dividends and making stock repurchases and other general investments. Additionally, capital expenditures were restricted and certain financial covenants were waived for a period. The amendments also added a monthly minimum liquidity covenant. As of December 15, 2020, the accordion feature was removed, and the total credit facility commitment was reduced from $400 million to $375 million and to $350 million on July 1, 2021.
Prior to considering the impact of our interest rate swaps, described below, the weighted-average interest rate on outstanding revolver loans was 2.09% and 3.15% as of December 29, 2021 and December 30, 2020, respectively. Taking into consideration our interest rate swaps that are designated as cash flow hedges, the weighted-average interest rate of outstanding revolver loans was 4.44% and 5.01% as of December 29, 2021 and December 30, 2020, respectively.
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Interest Rate Hedges
We have interest rate swaps to hedge a portion of the forecasted cash flows of our floating rate debt. See Part II Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk for details on our interest rate swaps.
Contractual Obligations
Our future contractual obligations and commitments at December 29, 2021 consisted of the following:
| Payments Due by Period | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | Less than 1 Year | 1-2 Years | 3-4 Years | 5 Years and Thereafter | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt (a) | $ | 170,000 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 170,000 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Finance lease obligations (b)(c) | 29,746 | 4,264 | 6,558 | 5,271 | 13,653 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating lease obligations (b) | 189,217 | 23,285 | 40,905 | 35,449 | 89,578 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest obligations (c) | 35,248 | 7,553 | 15,106 | 12,589 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Defined benefit plan obligations (d) | 2,276 | 944 | 733 | 225 | 374 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Purchase obligations (e) | 202,183 | 202,183 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unrecognized tax benefits (f) | 1,047 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 629,717 | $ | 238,229 | $ | 63,302 | $ | 223,534 | $ | 103,605 | |||||||||||||||||||
(a)Refer to Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for a further discussion of our long-term debt and timing of expected payments.
(b)Refer to Note 8 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for a further discussion of our lease obligations and timing of expected payments.
(c)Interest obligations represent payments related to our long-term debt outstanding at December 29, 2021. For long-term debt with variable rates, we have used the rate applicable at December 29, 2021 to project interest over the periods presented in the table above, taking into consideration the impact of the interest rate swaps that are designated as cash flow hedges for the applicable periods. The finance lease obligation amounts above are inclusive of interest.
(d)Refer to Note 11 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for a further discussion of our defined benefit plan obligations and timing of expected payments.
(e)Refer to Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for a further discussion of our purchase obligations and timing of expected payments.
(f)Unrecognized tax benefits are related to uncertain tax positions. As we are not able to reasonably estimate the timing or amount of these payments, the related balances have not been reflected in this table.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our reported results are impacted by the application of certain accounting policies that require us to make subjective or complex judgments. These judgments involve estimations of the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and may significantly impact our quarterly or annual results of operations or financial condition. Changes in the estimates and judgments could significantly affect our results of operations and financial condition and cash flows in future years.
Our significant accounting policies are discussed Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. We consider financial reporting and disclosure practices and accounting policies quarterly to ensure that they provide accurate and transparent information relative to the current economic and business environment. During the past five fiscal years, we have not made any material changes to the accounting methodologies used to assess the areas discussed below, unless noted otherwise. Descriptions of what we consider to be our most significant critical accounting policies are as follows:
Self-insurance liabilities. We are self-insured for a portion of our losses related to certain medical plans, workers’ compensation, general, product and automobile insurance liability. In estimating these liabilities, we utilize independent actuarial estimates of expected losses, which are based on statistical analysis of historical data. Our estimates of expected losses are adjusted over time based on changes to the actual costs of the underlying claims, which could result in additional expense or reversal of expense previously recorded. Additionally, the change in the number of company restaurants impacts the balance of liabilities over time.
34
Total workers’ compensation, general, product and automobile insurance liabilities at December 29, 2021 and December 30, 2020 were $11.5 million and $14.0 million, respectively. The decrease in self-insurance liabilities has primarily been the result of payments and liability reductions resulting from the reduction of the number of company restaurants over the past several years.
See Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for a further discussion of our policies regarding self-insurance liabilities.
Impairment of long-lived assets. We evaluate our long-lived assets for impairment at the restaurant level on a quarterly basis, when assets are identified as held for sale or whenever changes or events indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. For assets identified as held for sale, we use the market approach and consider proceeds from similar asset sales. We assess impairment of restaurant-level assets based on the operating cash flows of the restaurant, expected proceeds from the sale of assets and our plans for restaurant closings. For underperforming assets, we use the income approach to determine both the recoverability and estimated fair value of the assets. To estimate future cash flows, we make certain assumptions about expected future operating performance, such as revenue growth, operating margins, risk-adjusted discount rates, and future economic and market conditions. If the long-lived assets of a restaurant are not recoverable based upon estimated future, undiscounted cash flows, we write the assets down to their fair value. If these estimates or their related assumptions change in the future, we may be required to record additional impairment charges.
Impairment charges of $0.4 million and $4.1 million for the years ended December 29, 2021 and December 30, 2020, respectively, primarily resulted from our assessment of underperforming restaurants. Impairments recorded for the year ended December 30, 2020 were the result of lower expected restaurant-level operating cash flows for certain restaurants due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
See Note 2 and Note 14 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of our policies regarding impairment of long-lived assets.
Dedesignation of Interest Rate Hedges. In 2020, we estimated the amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net to other nonoperating expense (income), net due to the dedesignation of certain hedge relationships as a result of cash flows from certain interest rate swaps no longer being probable of occurring. In determining this estimate, we utilized credit default curve and recovery rate assumptions applied to forecasted balances of variable rate debt. The credit default curve and recovery rate assumptions are based on industry data for companies with similar credit and risk profiles. To estimate forecasted balances of variable rate debt, we make certain assumptions about expected future operating performance, such as revenue growth, operating margins, uses of cash, and future economic and market conditions. Lower expected future operating performance and changes to expected uses of cash as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic led to our decision to dedesignate certain of our interest rate hedges in 2020.
See Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for a further discussion of our policies regarding interest rate swap dedesignation.
Income taxes. We make certain estimates and judgments in the calculation of our provision for income taxes, in the resulting tax liabilities, and in the recoverability of deferred tax assets. We record valuation allowances against our deferred tax assets, when necessary. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent on future taxable earnings and is therefore uncertain. We assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate will be recovered from future taxable income. Deferred tax assets do not include future tax benefits that we deem likely not to be realized.
We record a liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulting from more likely than not tax positions taken, or expected to be taken, in an income tax return. We recognize any interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. Assessment of uncertain tax positions requires judgments relating to the amounts, timing and likelihood of resolution.
See Note 14 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for a further discussion of our policies regarding income taxes.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See the Accounting Standards to be Adopted section of Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further details of recent accounting pronouncements.
35
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Interest Rate Risk
We have exposure to interest rate risk related to certain instruments entered into for other than trading purposes. Specifically, as of December 29, 2021, borrowings under our credit facility bore interest at variable rates based on LIBOR plus 2.00% per annum.
We have receive-variable, pay-fixed interest rate swaps to hedge the forecasted cash flows of our floating rate debt. A summary of our interest rate swaps as of December 29, 2021 is as follows:
| Trade Date | Effective Date | Maturity Date | Notional Amount | Fair Value | Fixed Rate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Swaps designated as cash flow hedges | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 20, 2015 | March 29, 2018 | March 31, 2025 | $ | 120,000 | $ | 5,074 | 2.44 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 1, 2015 | March 29, 2018 | March 31, 2026 | $ | 50,000 | $ | 2,558 | 2.46 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dedesignated swaps | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| February 15, 2018 | March 31, 2020 | December 31, 2033 | $ | 120,000 | (1) | $ | 44,489 | 3.19 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 290,000 | $ | 52,121 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) The notional amounts of the swaps entered into on February 15, 2018 increase periodically until they reach the maximum notional amount of $425.0 million on September 28, 2029.
As of December 29, 2021, the total notional amount of our interest rate swaps was in excess of 100% of our floating rate debt. Based on the levels of borrowings under the credit facility at December 29, 2021, if interest rates changed by 100 basis points, our annual cash flow and income before taxes would not change. However, depending on market considerations, fluctuations in the fair values of our interest rate swaps could be significant. With the exception of these changes in the fair value of our interest rate swaps and in the levels of borrowings under our credit facility, there have been no material changes in our quantitative and qualitative market risks since the prior reporting period. For additional information related to our interest rate swaps, including changes in the fair value, refer to Notes 7, 9 and 17 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Commodity Price Risk
We purchase certain food products, such as beef, poultry, pork, eggs and coffee, and utilities such as gas and electricity, that are affected by commodity pricing and are, therefore, subject to price volatility caused by weather, production problems, delivery difficulties and other factors that are outside our control and which are generally unpredictable. Changes in commodity prices affect us and our competitors, generally and often simultaneously. In general, we purchase food products and utilities based upon market prices established with vendors. Although many of the items purchased are subject to changes in commodity prices, the majority of our purchasing arrangements are structured to contain features that minimize price volatility by establishing fixed pricing and/or price ceilings and floors. We use these types of purchase arrangements to control costs as an alternative to using financial instruments to hedge commodity prices. In many cases, we believe we will be able to address commodity cost increases which are significant and appear to be long-term in nature by adjusting our menu pricing or managing the menu. However, competitive circumstances could limit such actions and, in those circumstances, increases in commodity prices could lower our margins. Because of the often short-term nature of commodity pricing aberrations and our ability to change menu pricing or manage the menu in response to commodity price increases, we believe that the impact of commodity price risk is not significant.
We have established a process to identify, control and manage market risks which may arise from changes in interest rates, commodity prices and other relevant rates and prices. We do not use derivative instruments for trading purposes.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements which appears on page F-1 herein.
36
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our principal executive and financial officers, including the Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (the “CFO”), evaluated the effectiveness of our design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to and as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as of the end of the period covered by this report.
Based on their assessment as of December 29, 2021, our CEO and CFO have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were 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.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Our internal control system is designed to provide reasonable assurance to our management and Board of Directors regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our CEO and CFO, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 29, 2021 based on the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on that evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 29, 2021.
The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 29, 2021 has also been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report that appears herein.
37
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors
Denny’s Corporation:
Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited Denny’s Corporation and subsidiaries’ (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 29, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 29, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 29, 2021 and December 30, 2020, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), shareholders’ deficit, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 29, 2021, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements), and our report dated February 28, 2022 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Greenville, South Carolina
February 28, 2022
38
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections.
None.
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Information required by this item with respect to our executive officers and directors; compliance by our directors, executive officers and certain beneficial owners of our common stock with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act; the committees of our Board of Directors; our Audit Committee Financial Expert; and our Code of Ethics is furnished by incorporation by reference to information under the captions entitled “General-Equity Security Ownership,” “Election of Directors,” “Executive Compensation,” “Related Party Transactions” and “Code of Ethics” in the proxy statement (to be filed hereafter) in connection with Denny’s Corporation’s 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “proxy statement”) and possibly elsewhere in the proxy statement (or will be filed by amendment to this report). Additional information required by this item related to our executive officers appears in Item 1 of Part I of this report under the caption “Information about our Executive Officers.”
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required by this item is furnished by incorporation by reference to information under the captions entitled “Executive Compensation” and “Election of Directors” in the proxy statement and possibly elsewhere in the proxy statement (or will be filed by amendment to this report).
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The security ownership of certain beneficial owners information required by this item is furnished by incorporation by reference to information under the caption “Equity Security Ownership” in the proxy statement and possibly elsewhere in the proxy statement (or will be filed by amendment to this report).
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
The following table sets forth information as of December 29, 2021 with respect to our compensation plans under which equity securities of Denny’s Corporation are authorized for issuance.
| Plan category | Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | 4,400,000 | (1) | $ | — | 4,349,124 | (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | — | — | 704,166 | (3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 4,400,000 | $ | — | 5,053,290 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)Includes shares issuable in connection with our outstanding performance share awards and restricted stock units awards.
(2)Includes shares of our common stock available for issuance as awards of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, deferred stock units and performance awards under the Denny’s Corporation 2021 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
(3)Includes shares of our common stock available for issuance as awards of stock options and restricted stock units outside of the Denny’s Incentive Plans in accordance with NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).
39
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information required by this item is furnished by incorporation by reference to information under the captions “Related Party Transactions” and “Election of Directors” in the proxy statement and possibly elsewhere in the proxy statement (or will be filed by amendment to this report).
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
The information required by this item is furnished by incorporation by reference to information under the caption entitled “Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the proxy statement and possibly elsewhere in the proxy statement (or will be filed by amendment to this report).
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a)(1) Financial Statements: See the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements which appears on page F-1 hereof.
(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules: No schedules are filed herewith because of the absence of conditions under which they are required or because the information called for is in our Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto appearing elsewhere herein.
(a)(3) Exhibits: Certain of the exhibits to this Report, indicated by an asterisk, are hereby incorporated by reference from other documents on file with the Commission with which they are electronically filed, under File No. 001-18051, to be a part hereof as of their respective dates.
40
| Exhibit No. | Description | ||||
| *3.1 | |||||
| *3.2 | |||||
| *4.1 | |||||
| +*10.1 | |||||
| +*10.2 | |||||
| +*10.3 | |||||
| *10.4 | |||||
| *10.5 | |||||
| +*10.6 | |||||
| +*10.7 | |||||
| +*10.8 | |||||
| +*10.9 | |||||
| +*10.10 | |||||
| +*10.11 | |||||
41
| +*10.12 | |||||
| +*10.13 | |||||
| +*10.14 | |||||
| +*10.15 | |||||
| +*10.16 | |||||
| +*10.17 | |||||
| +*10.18 | |||||
| +*10.19 | |||||
| +*10.20 | |||||
| +*10.21 | |||||
| +*10.22 | |||||
| +*10.23 | |||||
| +*10.24 | |||||
| +*10.25 | |||||
| +*10.26 | |||||
| 21.1 | |||||
| 23.1 | |||||
| 31.1 | |||||
42
| 31.2 | |||||
| 32.1 | |||||
| 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 | ||||
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). | ||||
| + | Denotes management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements. | ||||
| * | Incorporated by reference. | ||||
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
None.
43
DENNY’S CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
| Page | |||||
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (KPMG LLP, Greenville, SC Auditor Firm ID: 185) | F-2 | ||||
| Consolidated Balance Sheets | F-4 | ||||
| Consolidated Statements of Operations | F-5 | ||||
| Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) | F-6 | ||||
| Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Deficit | F-7 | ||||
| Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | F-8 | ||||
| Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | F-9 | ||||
F - 1
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors
Denny’s Corporation
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Denny’s Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 29, 2021 and December 30, 2020, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), shareholders’ deficit, and cash flows for each of the years in the three‑year period ended December 29, 2021, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 29, 2021 and December 30, 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three‑year period ended December 29, 2021, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 29, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 28, 2022 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of a critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Evaluation of assumptions underlying self-insurance liabilities
As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s self-insurance liabilities related to workers’ compensation, general, product and automobile insurance as of December 29, 2021 were $11.5 million. The liabilities represent estimated incurred losses. These estimates include assumptions regarding frequency and severity of claims as well as changes in the Company’s business environment, medical costs and the regulatory environment that could impact the overall self-insurance costs.
We identified the evaluation of assumptions underlying self-insurance liabilities as a critical audit matter. Specifically, inherent uncertainty in the frequency and severity of claims assumptions that are used to actuarially estimate the self-insurance liabilities involved especially subjective auditor judgment. It also required professionals with specialized skills and knowledge to evaluate these key assumptions and the impact of these assumptions on the self-insurance liabilities.
The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls over the Company’s self-insurance process, including controls
F - 2
related to the underlying claims data used to develop the frequency and severity of historical claims. We evaluated the Company’s ability to accurately estimate claims expense by comparing the prior estimated claim payments to actual claim payments. We also assessed the Company’s estimate of the self-insurance liabilities by evaluating facts and circumstances related to incurred claims received after year-end but before the consolidated financial statements were issued, to identify the presence of trends not considered by the Company when it developed its assumptions. We involved actuarial professionals with specialized skills and knowledge, who assisted with:
•performing an independent assessment of the frequency and severity of the claims used by the Company to estimate the self-insurance liabilities
•developing an independent acceptable range for the self-insurance liabilities using the Company’s underlying historical claims data, which involved assessing the frequency and severity of the Company’s claims assumptions.
/s/ KPMG LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2003.
Greenville, South Carolina
February 28, 2022
F - 3
Denny’s Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
| December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | ||||||||||
| (In thousands, except per share amounts) | |||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||
| Current assets: | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 30,624 | $ | 3,892 | |||||||
| Investments | 2,551 | 2,272 | |||||||||
| Receivables, net | 19,621 | 21,349 | |||||||||
| Inventories | 5,060 | 1,181 | |||||||||
| Assets held for sale | — | 1,125 | |||||||||
| Prepaid and other current assets | 11,393 | 18,847 | |||||||||
| Total current assets | 69,249 | 48,666 | |||||||||
Property, net of accumulated depreciation of $151,836 and $146,583, respectively | 91,176 | 86,154 | |||||||||
Financing lease right-of-use assets, net of accumulated amortization of $11,210 and $9,907, respectively | 7,709 | 9,830 | |||||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets, net | 128,727 | 139,534 | |||||||||
| Goodwill | 36,884 | 36,884 | |||||||||
| Intangible assets, net | 50,226 | 51,559 | |||||||||
| Deferred financing costs, net | 2,971 | 2,414 | |||||||||
| Deferred income taxes, net | 11,502 | 23,210 | |||||||||
| Other noncurrent assets | 37,083 | 32,698 | |||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 435,527 | $ | 430,949 | |||||||
| Liabilities | |||||||||||
| Current liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Current finance lease liabilities | $ | 1,952 | $ | 1,839 | |||||||
| Current operating lease liabilities | 15,829 | 16,856 | |||||||||
| Accounts payable | 15,595 | 12,021 | |||||||||
| Other current liabilities | 64,146 | 46,462 | |||||||||
| Total current liabilities | 97,522 | 77,178 | |||||||||
| Long-term liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Long-term debt | 170,000 | 210,000 | |||||||||
| Noncurrent finance lease liabilities | 10,744 | 13,530 | |||||||||
| Noncurrent operating lease liabilities | 126,296 | 137,534 | |||||||||
| Liability for insurance claims, less current portion | 8,438 | 10,309 | |||||||||
| Other noncurrent liabilities | 87,792 | 112,844 | |||||||||
| Total long-term liabilities | 403,270 | 484,217 | |||||||||
| Total liabilities | 500,792 | 561,395 | |||||||||
| Commitments and contingencies | |||||||||||
| Shareholders’ deficit | |||||||||||
Common stock $0.01 par value; shares authorized - 135,000; December 29, 2021: 64,200 shares issued and 62,210 shares outstanding; December 30, 2020: 63,962 shares issued and outstanding | 642 | 640 | |||||||||
| Paid-in capital | 135,596 | 123,833 | |||||||||
| Deficit | (116,441) | (194,514) | |||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net | (54,470) | (60,405) | |||||||||
Treasury stock, at cost, 1,990 and 0 shares, respectively | (30,592) | — | |||||||||
| Total shareholders’ deficit | (65,265) | (130,446) | |||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit | $ | 435,527 | $ | 430,949 | |||||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F - 4
Denny’s Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
| Fiscal Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | December 25, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except per share amounts) | |||||||||||||||||
| Revenue: | |||||||||||||||||
| Company restaurant sales | $ | 175,017 | $ | 118,160 | $ | 306,377 | |||||||||||
| Franchise and license revenue | 223,157 | 170,445 | 235,012 | ||||||||||||||
| Total operating revenue | 398,174 | 288,605 | 541,389 | ||||||||||||||
| Costs of company restaurant sales, excluding depreciation and amortization: | |||||||||||||||||
| Product costs | 42,982 | 29,816 | 74,720 | ||||||||||||||
| Payroll and benefits | 65,337 | 51,684 | 118,806 | ||||||||||||||
| Occupancy | 11,662 | 11,241 | 18,613 | ||||||||||||||
| Other operating expenses | 26,951 | 21,828 | 46,257 | ||||||||||||||
| Total costs of company restaurant sales, excluding depreciation and amortization | 146,932 | 114,569 | 258,396 | ||||||||||||||
| Costs of franchise and license revenue | 109,140 | 94,348 | 120,326 | ||||||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | 68,686 | 55,040 | 69,018 | ||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 15,446 | 16,161 | 19,846 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net | (46,105) | 1,808 | (91,180) | ||||||||||||||
| Total operating costs and expenses, net | 294,099 | 281,926 | 376,406 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating income | 104,075 | 6,679 | 164,983 | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | 15,148 | 17,965 | 18,547 | ||||||||||||||
| Other nonoperating income, net | (15,176) | (4,171) | (2,763) | ||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) before income taxes | 104,103 | (7,115) | 149,199 | ||||||||||||||
| Provision for (benefit from) income taxes | 26,030 | (1,999) | 31,789 | ||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 78,073 | $ | (5,116) | $ | 117,410 | |||||||||||
| Net income (loss) per share - basic | $ | 1.20 | $ | (0.08) | $ | 1.96 | |||||||||||
| Net income (loss) per share - diluted | $ | 1.19 | $ | (0.08) | $ | 1.90 | |||||||||||
| Basic weighted average shares outstanding | 65,171 | 60,812 | 59,944 | ||||||||||||||
| Diluted weighted average shares outstanding | 65,573 | 60,812 | 61,833 | ||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F - 5
Denny’s Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
| Fiscal Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | December 25, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 78,073 | $ | (5,116) | $ | 117,410 | |||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: | |||||||||||||||||
Minimum pension liability adjustment, net of tax of $35, $(67) and $15, respectively | 78 | (197) | 46 | ||||||||||||||
Changes in the fair value of cash flow derivatives, net of tax of $1,386, $(12,345) and $(10,410), respectively | 2,889 | (34,565) | (30,076) | ||||||||||||||
Reclassification of cash flow derivatives to interest expense, net of tax of $1,179, $874 and $75, respectively | 2,844 | 2,286 | 216 | ||||||||||||||
Reclassification of loss related to dedesignation of derivatives to other nonoperating (income) expense, net of tax of $0, $1,892 and $0, respectively | — | 5,462 | — | ||||||||||||||
Amortization of unrealized losses related to dedesignated derivatives to interest expense, net of tax of $42, $214 and $0, respectively | 124 | 569 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | 5,935 | (26,445) | (29,814) | ||||||||||||||
| Total comprehensive income (loss) | $ | 84,008 | $ | (31,561) | $ | 87,596 | |||||||||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F - 6
Denny’s Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Deficit
| Common Stock | Treasury Stock | Paid-in | Accumulated Other Comprehensive | Total Shareholders’ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Capital | (Deficit) | Loss, Net | Deficit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 26, 2018 | 108,585 | $ | 1,086 | (47,052) | $ | (416,815) | $ | 592,944 | $ | (306,414) | $ | (4,146) | $ | (133,345) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cumulative effect adjustment | — | — | — | — | — | (394) | — | (394) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | — | — | — | 117,410 | — | 117,410 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss | — | — | — | — | — | — | (29,814) | (29,814) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation on equity classified awards, net | — | — | — | — | 3,310 | — | — | 3,310 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Purchase of treasury stock | — | — | (4,879) | (96,202) | — | — | — | (96,202) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity forward contract settlement | — | — | (389) | (6,763) | 6,763 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock for share-based compensation | 468 | 5 | — | — | (5) | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercise of common stock options | 362 | 3 | — | — | 968 | — | — | 971 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 25, 2019 | 109,415 | $ | 1,094 | (52,320) | $ | (519,780) | $ | 603,980 | $ | (189,398) | $ | (33,960) | $ | (138,064) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | — | — | — | — | — | (5,116) | — | (5,116) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss | — | — | — | — | — | — | (26,445) | (26,445) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock | 8,000 | 80 | — | — | 69,491 | — | — | 69,571 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation on equity classified awards, net | — | — | — | — | 3,374 | — | — | 3,374 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Purchase of treasury stock | — | — | (1,690) | (34,193) | — | — | — | (34,193) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Retirement of treasury stock | (54,010) | (540) | 54,010 | 553,973 | (553,433) | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock for share-based compensation | 447 | 5 | — | — | (5) | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercise of common stock options | 110 | 1 | — | — | 426 | — | — | 427 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 30, 2020 | 63,962 | $ | 640 | — | $ | — | $ | 123,833 | $ | (194,514) | $ | (60,405) | $ | (130,446) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | — | — | — | 78,073 | — | 78,073 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5,935 | 5,935 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation on equity classified awards, net | — | — | — | — | 11,649 | — | — | 11,649 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Purchase of treasury stock | — | — | (1,990) | (30,592) | — | — | — | (30,592) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock for share-based compensation | 208 | 2 | — | — | (2) | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercise of common stock options | 30 | — | — | — | 116 | — | — | 116 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 29, 2021 | 64,200 | $ | 642 | (1,990) | $ | (30,592) | $ | 135,596 | $ | (116,441) | $ | (54,470) | $ | (65,265) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F - 7
Denny’s Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
| Fiscal Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | December 25, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 78,073 | $ | (5,116) | $ | 117,410 | |||||||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 15,446 | 16,161 | 19,846 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net | (46,105) | 1,808 | (91,180) | ||||||||||||||
| Gains and amortization on interest rate swap derivatives, net | (12,629) | (2,164) | — | ||||||||||||||
| Amortization of deferred financing costs | 1,105 | 876 | 608 | ||||||||||||||
| (Gains) losses on investments | 21 | (123) | (180) | ||||||||||||||
| (Gains) losses on early termination of debt and leases | (523) | 224 | (4) | ||||||||||||||
| Deferred income tax expense | 14,097 | 3,981 | 16,005 | ||||||||||||||
| Decrease of tax valuation allowance | (5,031) | (3,041) | (2,935) | ||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation expense | 13,602 | 7,948 | 6,694 | ||||||||||||||
Changes in assets and liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Receivables | 1,373 | 6,378 | (2,030) | ||||||||||||||
| Inventories | (3,879) | 101 | 1,668 | ||||||||||||||
| Prepaids and other current assets | 7,454 | (3,872) | (4,108) | ||||||||||||||
| Other assets | (1,881) | (1,816) | (4,581) | ||||||||||||||
| Operating lease assets and liabilities | (1,521) | 844 | (601) | ||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable | 6,608 | (10,682) | (5,170) | ||||||||||||||
| Accrued payroll | 3,113 | (2,835) | (3,826) | ||||||||||||||
| Accrued taxes | (317) | (774) | (2,043) | ||||||||||||||
| Other accrued liabilities | 12,684 | (5,525) | (4,144) | ||||||||||||||
| Other noncurrent liabilities | (5,517) | (5,510) | 1,898 | ||||||||||||||
| Net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities | 76,173 | (3,137) | 43,327 | ||||||||||||||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Capital expenditures | (7,355) | (6,962) | (13,975) | ||||||||||||||
| Acquisitions of real estate | (10,369) | — | (11,320) | ||||||||||||||
| Deposits on real estate acquisitions | (3,624) | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from sales of real estate and other assets | 50,098 | 9,398 | 129,721 | ||||||||||||||
| Investment purchases | (500) | (1,400) | (1,760) | ||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from sale of investments | 200 | 2,900 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Collections on notes receivable | 684 | 1,814 | 3,654 | ||||||||||||||
| Issuance of notes receivable | (120) | (1,099) | (1,351) | ||||||||||||||
| Net cash flows provided by investing activities | 29,014 | 4,651 | 104,969 | ||||||||||||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Revolver borrowings | 185,000 | 140,500 | 164,400 | ||||||||||||||
| Revolver payments | (225,000) | (170,500) | (210,900) | ||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt payments | (2,118) | (1,570) | (2,464) | ||||||||||||||
| Tax withholding on share-based payments | (1,516) | (4,331) | (3,206) | ||||||||||||||
| Deferred financing costs | (1,853) | (1,758) | — | ||||||||||||||
| Purchase of treasury stock | (29,959) | (36,008) | (94,459) | ||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of common stock | — | 69,571 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from exercise of stock options | 116 | 427 | 971 | ||||||||||||||
| Net bank overdrafts | (3,125) | 2,675 | (4,292) | ||||||||||||||
| Net cash flows used in financing activities | (78,455) | (994) | (149,950) | ||||||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 26,732 | 520 | (1,654) | ||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 3,892 | 3,372 | 5,026 | ||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 30,624 | $ | 3,892 | $ | 3,372 | |||||||||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F - 8
Denny’s Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1. Introduction and Basis of Reporting
Denny’s Corporation, Denny’s, or the Company, is one of America’s largest franchised full-service restaurant chains based on number of restaurants. Denny’s restaurants are operated in 50 states, the District of Columbia, two U.S. territories and 11 foreign countries with principal concentrations in California (23% of total restaurants), Texas (12%) and Florida (8%).
The global crisis resulting from the spread of coronavirus ("COVID-19") has had a substantial impact on our restaurant operations starting in the year ended December 30, 2020 with impacts continuing through the year ended December 29, 2021. During the year ended December 30, 2020, many of our company and franchised and licensed restaurants were temporarily closed and most of the restaurants that remained open had limited operations. During the year ended December 29, 2021, many of our company and franchised and licensed restaurants have not returned to full operating hours, particularly at the late night daypart. Our operating results substantially depend upon the sales volumes, restaurant profitability, and financial stability of our company and franchised and licensed restaurants.
As a result of recent increases in COVID-19 cases due to unforeseen variants, we cannot currently estimate the duration or future negative financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business. Ongoing material adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic for an extended period could negatively affect our business, results of operations, liquidity and financial condition and could impact our impairment assessments of accounts receivable, intangible assets, long-lived assets and goodwill.
At December 29, 2021, the Denny’s brand consisted of 1,640 restaurants, 1,575 of which were franchised or licensed restaurants and 65 of which were company restaurants. Changes in restaurant counts are as follows:
| Fiscal Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | December 25, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Company restaurants, beginning of period | 65 | 68 | 173 | ||||||||||||||
| Units opened | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Units sold to franchisees | — | — | (105) | ||||||||||||||
| Units closed | — | (3) | — | ||||||||||||||
| End of period | 65 | 65 | 68 | ||||||||||||||
Franchised and licensed restaurants, beginning of period | 1,585 | 1,635 | 1,536 | ||||||||||||||
| Units opened | 20 | 20 | 30 | ||||||||||||||
| Units purchased from Company | — | — | 105 | ||||||||||||||
| Units closed | (30) | (70) | (36) | ||||||||||||||
| End of period | 1,575 | 1,585 | 1,635 | ||||||||||||||
| Total restaurants, end of period | 1,640 | 1,650 | 1,703 | ||||||||||||||
Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The following accounting policies significantly affect the preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements:
Use of Estimates. In preparing our Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), management is required to make certain assumptions and estimates that affect reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and the disclosure of contingencies. In making these assumptions and estimates, management may from time to time seek advice and consider information provided by actuaries and other experts in a particular area. Actual amounts could differ materially from these estimates.
Consolidation Policy. Our Consolidated Financial Statements include the financial statements of Denny’s Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries: Denny’s, Inc., DFO, LLC, Denny’s Realty, LLC and East Main Insurance Company. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
F - 9
Fiscal Year. Our fiscal year ends on the last Wednesday in December. As a result, a fifty-third week is added to a fiscal year every five or six years. Fiscal 2020 included 53 weeks of operation, whereas 2021 and 2019 each included 52 weeks of operations.
Cash and Cash Equivalents. Our policy is to invest cash in excess of operating requirements in short-term highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less, which we consider to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents include short-term investments of $0.1 million and $0.4 million at December 29, 2021 and December 30, 2020, respectively.
Receivables. Effective December 26, 2019, the first day of fiscal 2020, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” and all subsequent ASUs that modified Topic 326. The guidance replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in prior 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.
Receivables, which are recorded at net realizable value, primarily consist of trade accounts receivables and financing receivables from franchisees, vendor receivables and credit card receivables. Trade accounts receivables from franchisees consist of royalties, advertising and rent. Financing receivables from franchisees primarily consist of notes from franchisees related to the roll-out of restaurant equipment. We accrue interest on notes receivable based on the contractual terms. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on management’s estimates of expected credit losses. Receivables that are ultimately deemed to be uncollectible, and for which collection efforts have been exhausted, are written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts.
Inventories. Inventories consist primarily of food, beverages and, in some periods, equipment and are valued at the lower of first-in, first-out cost or net realizable value.
Property and Depreciation. Owned property is stated at cost. Property under finance leases is stated at the lesser of its fair value or the net present value of the related minimum lease payments at the lease inception. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. We depreciate owned property over its estimated useful life using the straight-line method. We amortize property held under finance leases (at capitalized value) over the lesser of its estimated useful life or the lease term. Building assets are assigned estimated useful lives that range from to 30 years. Other property and equipment assets are assigned lives that range from to ten years. Leasehold improvements are generally assigned lives between and 15 years limited by the expected lease term.
Goodwill. Amounts recorded as goodwill primarily represent excess reorganization value recognized as a result of our 1998 bankruptcy. We also record goodwill in connection with the acquisition of restaurants from franchisees. Likewise, upon the sale of restaurant operations to franchisees, goodwill is decremented. We test goodwill for impairment at each fiscal year end and more frequently if circumstances indicate impairment may exist. Such indicators include, but are not limited to, a significant decline in our expected future cash flows, a significant adverse decline in our stock price, significantly adverse legal developments and a significant change in the business climate.
Intangible Assets. Intangible assets consist primarily of trade names and reacquired franchise rights. Trade names are considered indefinite-lived intangible assets and are not amortized. Reacquired franchise rights are amortized using the straight-line basis over the term of the related franchise agreement. Reacquired franchise rights resulting from acquisitions are accounted for using the purchase method of accounting and are estimated by management based on the fair value of the assets received.
We test trade name assets for impairment at each fiscal year end, and more frequently if circumstances indicate impairment may exist. We assess impairment of reacquired franchise rights whenever changes or events indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Costs incurred to renew or extend the term of recognized intangible assets are recorded in general and administrative expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Marketable Securities. Marketable securities included in investments consist of available for sale equity instruments and are recorded at fair market value in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The aggregate cost and fair value of these marketable securities was $2.5 million and $2.6 million, respectively, at December 29, 2021 and $2.2 million and $2.3 million, respectively, at December 30, 2020. Unrealized gains and losses included in fair value were losses of $0.1 million and $0.1 million and gains of $0.2 million at December 29, 2021, December 30, 2020 and December 25, 2019, respectively.
F - 10
Marketable securities included in other noncurrent assets consist of trading debt and equity mutual funds and are recorded at fair market value in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. These securities represent the plan assets of our nonqualified deferred compensation plan (the “plan assets”). The plan assets are held in a rabbi trust. Each plan participant’s account consists of their contribution, our matching contribution (made prior to 2016) and each participant’s share of earnings or losses in the plan. We have recorded offsetting deferred compensation liabilities as a component of other noncurrent liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The realized and unrealized holding gains and losses related to marketable securities are recorded in other nonoperating income with an offsetting amount recorded in general and administrative expenses related to deferred compensation plan liabilities. During 2021, 2020 and 2019, we incurred net gains of $2.2 million, $1.8 million and $2.7 million, respectively, related to marketable securities.
Deferred Financing Costs. Costs related to the issuance of debt are deferred and amortized as a component of interest expense using the effective interest method over the terms of the respective debt issuances.
Self-insurance Liabilities. We record liabilities for insurance claims during periods in which we have been insured under large deductible programs or have been self-insured for our medical claims and workers’ compensation, general, product and automobile insurance liabilities. The liabilities represent estimated incurred losses. These estimates include assumptions regarding claims frequency and severity as well as changes in our business environment, medical costs and the regulatory environment that could impact our overall self-insurance costs.
Total workers’ compensation, general, product and automobile insurance liabilities at December 29, 2021 and December 30, 2020 were $11.5 million and $14.0 million, respectively.
Income Taxes. We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. All deferred taxes are reported as noncurrent in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. A valuation allowance reduces our net deferred tax asset to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. We make certain estimates and judgments in the calculation of our provision for incomes taxes, in the resulting tax liabilities, and in the recoverability of deferred tax assets.
We recognize positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return in the Consolidated Financial Statements when it is more-likely-than-not that the position would be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. A recognized tax position is then measured at the largest amount of benefit with greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. We recognize any interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. Assessment of uncertain tax positions requires judgments relating to the amounts, timing and likelihood of resolution.
Leases and Subleases.
Lessee
We lease certain real estate and equipment for our restaurants and support facilities. At contract inception, we determine whether a contract is, or contains, a lease by determining whether it conveys the right to control the use of the identified asset for a period of time. We recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset at the lease commencement date.
For operating leases, the lease liability is initially and subsequently measured at the present value of the unpaid lease payments at the lease commencement date. For finance leases, the lease liability is initially measured in the same manner and date as for operating leases, and is subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method.
Operating lease ROU assets are initially and subsequently measured throughout the lease term at the carrying amount of the lease liability adjusted for initial direct costs, prepayments, accrued payments and lease incentives, if any. Lease cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Operating lease payments are classified as cash flows for operating activities with ROU asset amortization and the change in the lease liability combined as "Operating lease assets/liabilities" in the reconciliation of net income (loss) to net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Finance lease ROU assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently amortized on a straight-line basis over the lesser of the useful life or the lease term. Finance lease payments are classified as cash flows used in financing activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Operating and finance lease ROU assets are assessed for impairment using long-lived assets impairment guidance.
F - 11
We use a consistent lease term for calculating the depreciation period for the related assets, classifying the lease and computing periodic rent expense where the lease terms include escalations in rent over the lease term.
The lease guidance provides for certain practical expedients and accounting elections. We elected the practical expedient to not separate nonlease components (such as common area maintenance) from lease components in regard to all leases and the portfolio approach in applying the discount rate to our leases.
Key estimates and judgments include how we determine (1) lease payments, (2) lease term and (3) the discount rate used to discount the unpaid lease payments to present value.
We have certain lease agreements structured with both a fixed base rent and a contingent rent based on a percentage of sales over contractual levels, others with only contingent rent based on a percentage of sales and some with a fixed base rent adjusted periodically for inflation or changes in the fair market rent rate. Contingent rent is recognized as sales occur. Our lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.
The exercise of lease renewal options is at our sole discretion, except in certain sublease situations in which we have determined that it is reasonably certain that one or more options will be exercised, including where the exercise of a sublease option compels us to exercise the renewal option of the underlying master lease. Renewal option periods are included in the measurement of lease ROU asset and lease liability where the exercise is reasonably certain to occur.
The discount rate used to determine the present value of the lease payments is our estimated collateralized incremental borrowing rate, based on the yield curve for the respective lease terms, as we generally cannot determine the interest rate implicit in the lease.
Abatements or deferrals in rents received from landlords as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic are recognized as reductions in variable lease payments.
Lessor
We lease or sublease certain restaurant properties to our franchisees and occasionally to third parties. The lease descriptions, terms, variable lease payments and renewal options are the same as the lessee leases described above. Contingent rental income is recognized when earned. Similar to our lessee accounting, we elected the lessor practical expedient to not separate nonlease components from lease components in regard to all leases.
Refer to the Newly Adopted Accounting Standards section of this Note for adoption of the practical expedient on lease concessions related to effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Employee Benefit Plans. Each year we measure and recognize the funded status of our defined benefit plans in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31. That date represents the month-end that is closest to our fiscal year-end. The funded status is adjusted for any contributions or significant events (such as a plan amendment, settlement, or curtailment that calls for a remeasurement) that occurs between our fiscal year-end and December 31.
Derivative Instruments. We use derivative financial instruments to manage our exposure to interest rate risk. We do not enter into derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes. All derivatives are recognized on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. Changes in the fair values of derivatives are recorded in earnings or other comprehensive income (“OCI”), based on whether the instrument is designated as a hedge transaction. Gains or losses on derivative instruments reported in OCI are classified to earnings in the period the hedged item affects earnings. If the underlying hedge transaction ceases to exist, any associated amounts reported in OCI are reclassified to earnings. By entering into derivative instruments, we are exposed to counterparty credit risk. When the fair value of a derivative instrument is in an asset position, the counterparty has a liability to us, which creates credit risk for us. We manage our exposure to this risk by selecting counterparties with investment grade credit ratings and regularly monitoring our market position with each counterparty.
Contingencies and Litigation. We are subject to legal proceedings involving ordinary and routine claims incidental to our business, as well as legal proceedings that are nonroutine and include compensatory or punitive damage claims. Settlement costs are accrued when they are deemed estimable and probable. Our ultimate legal and financial liability with respect to such matters cannot be estimated with certainty and requires the use of estimates in recording liabilities for potential litigation settlements. When the reasonable estimate is a range, the recorded loss will be the best estimate within the range. We record legal settlement costs as other operating expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Operations as those costs are incurred.
F - 12
Comprehensive Income (Loss). Comprehensive income (loss) includes net income (loss) and OCI items that are excluded from net income (loss) under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. OCI items include additional minimum pension liability adjustments, the effective unrealized portion of changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges, and the reclassification and amortization of loss related to the dedesignation of cash flow derivatives.
Segment. Denny’s operates in only one segment. All significant revenues and pre-tax earnings relate to retail sales of food and beverages to the general public through either company or franchised restaurants.
Revenues. Company Restaurant Revenue. Company restaurant revenue is recognized at the point in time when food and beverage products are sold at company restaurants. We present company restaurant sales net of sales-related taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental taxing authorities.
Franchise Revenue. Franchise and license revenues consist primarily of royalties, advertising revenue, initial and other fees and occupancy revenue.
Under franchise agreements we provide franchisees with a license of our brand’s symbolic intellectual property, administration of advertising programs (including local co-operatives), and other ongoing support functions. These services are highly interrelated so we do not consider them to be individually distinct performance obligations, and therefore account for them as a single performance obligation. Revenue from franchise agreements is recognized evenly over the term of the agreement with the exception of sales-based royalties.
Royalty and advertising revenues represent sales-based royalties that are recognized in the period in which the sales occur. Sales-based royalties are variable consideration related to our performance obligation to our franchisees to maintain the intellectual property being licensed. Under our franchise agreements, franchisee advertising contributions must be spent on marketing and related activities. Advertising revenues and expenditures are recorded on a gross basis within the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Initial and other fees include initial, successor and assignment franchise fees (“initial franchise fees”). Initial franchise fees are billed and received upon the signing of the franchise agreement. Recognition of these fees is deferred until the commencement date of the agreement and occurs over time based on the term of the underlying franchise agreement. In the event a franchise agreement is terminated, any remaining deferred fees are recognized in the period of termination.
Initial and other fees also include revenue that are distinct from the franchise agreement and are separate performance obligations. Training and other franchise services fees are billed and recognized at a point in time as services are rendered. Equipment revenues are billed and recognized as the equipment is installed. Similar to advertising revenue, equipment revenues and other franchise services fees are recorded on a gross basis within the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Occupancy revenue results from leasing or subleasing restaurants to franchisees and is recognized over the term of the lease agreement.
With the exception of initial and other franchise fees, revenues are typically billed and collected on a weekly basis. For 2021, 2020 and 2019, our ten largest franchisees accounted for 37%, 39% and 35% of our franchise revenues, respectively.
Gift cards. Company restaurants, franchised restaurants and certain third party retailers sell gift cards which have no stated expiration dates. We recognize revenue when a gift card is redeemed in one of our company restaurants. We maintain a gift card liability for cards sold in our company restaurants and for cards sold by third parties. Gift card breakage is recognized proportionally as redemptions occur. Our gift card breakage primarily relates to cards sold by third parties and is recorded as advertising revenue (included as a component of franchise and license revenue).
Advertising Costs. We expense production costs for radio and television advertising in the year in which the commercials are initially aired and other advertising costs as incurred. Advertising costs for company restaurants are recorded as a component of other operating expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and were $4.6 million, $3.9 million and $11.2 million for 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Advertising costs related to franchised restaurants are recorded as a component of franchise and license costs and were $70.0 million, $53.7 million and $81.1 million in 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Under our franchise agreements, advertising contributions received from franchisees must be spent on advertising, product development, marketing and related activities. As the Company is contractually required to spend these contributions on advertising costs, the obligations are accrued and advertising costs expensed when the related revenues are recognized.
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Restructuring and Exit Costs. Restructuring and exit costs are included as a component of operating (gains), losses and other charges, net in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Restructuring costs consist primarily of severance and other restructuring charges for terminated employees. Amounts recorded as exit costs include period costs related to closed units.
Disposal or Impairment of Long-lived Assets. We evaluate our long-lived assets for impairment at the restaurant level on a quarterly basis, when assets are identified as held for sale or whenever changes or events indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. For assets identified as held for sale, we use the market approach and consider proceeds from similar asset sales. We assess impairment of restaurant-level assets based on the operating cash flows of the restaurant, expected proceeds from the sale of assets and our plans for restaurant closings. For underperforming assets, we use the income approach to determine both the recoverability and estimated fair value of the assets. To estimate future cash flows, we make certain assumptions about expected future operating performance, such as revenue growth, operating margins, risk-adjusted discount rates, and future economic and market conditions. If the long-lived assets of a restaurant are not recoverable based upon estimated future, undiscounted cash flows, we write the assets down to their fair value. If these estimates or their related assumptions change in the future, we may be required to record additional impairment charges. These charges are included as a component of operating (gains), losses and other charges, net in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Assets held for sale consist of real estate properties and/or restaurant operations that we expect to sell within the next year. The assets are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. Fair value is based upon Level 2 inputs, which include sales agreements. We cease recording depreciation on assets that are classified as held for sale. If the determination is made that we no longer expect to sell an asset within the next year, the asset is reclassified out of held for sale.
Discontinued Operations. We evaluate restaurant closures and assets reclassified to assets held for sale for potential disclosure as discontinued operations. Only disposals resulting in a strategic shift that will have a major effect on our operations and financial results are reported as discontinued operations. There have been no such disposals, nor any disposals of individually significant components. The gains and losses related to restaurant closures and assets reclassified to assets held for sale are included as a component of operating (gain), losses and other charges, net in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Gains and Losses on Sales of Restaurants Operations to Franchisees, Real Estate and Other Assets. Generally, gains and losses on sales of restaurant operations to franchisees (which may include real estate), real estate properties and other assets are recognized when the sales are consummated and certain other gain recognition criteria are met. Total gains and losses are included as a component of operating (gains), losses and other charges, net in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Share-based Compensation. Share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as an expense over the requisite service period. Share-based compensation expense is included as a component of general and administrative expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. We account for forfeitures as they occur. Excess tax benefits recognized related to share-based compensation are included as a component of provision for (benefit from) income taxes in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and are classified as operating activities in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Generally, compensation expense related to performance share units and restricted stock units is based on the number of units granted, the period over which they are expected to vest and the fair market value of our common stock on the date of the grant. For restricted stock units and performance share units that contain a market condition, compensation expense is based on the Monte Carlo valuation method, which utilizes multiple input variables to determine the probability of the Company achieving the market condition and the fair value of the award. The key assumptions used include expected volatility and risk-free interest rates over the term of the award.
Subsequent to the vesting period, earned stock-settled restricted stock units and performance share units (both of which are equity classified) are paid to the holder in shares of our common stock, provided the holder was still employed with Denny’s or an affiliate as of the vesting date.
Earnings (Losses) Per Share. Basic earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares and potential common shares outstanding during the period.
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Newly Adopted Accounting Standards
Effective December 26, 2019, the first day of fiscal 2020, we adopted ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” The guidance replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in prior 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. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting” which was later clarified in January 2021 by ASU 2021-01, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope”. The guidance provides optional guidance, for a limited time, to ease the potential burden in accounting for or recognizing the effects of reference rate reform on financial reporting. The Company adopted ASU 2020-04 on March 12, 2020. The adoption of and future elections under this new guidance did not and are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations. The guidance is effective through December 31, 2022.
In April 2020, the FASB staff issued interpretive guidance that indicated it would be acceptable for entities to make an election to account for lease concessions related to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic consistent with how those concessions would be accounted for under ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements”, as though enforceable rights and obligations for those concessions existed (regardless of whether those enforceable rights and obligations for the concessions explicitly exist in the contract). Consequently, for concessions related to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, an entity will not have to analyze each contract to determine whether enforceable rights and obligations for concessions exist in the contract and can elect to apply or not apply the lease modification guidance in Topic 842 to those contracts. This election is available for concessions related to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic that do not result in a substantial increase in the rights of the lessor or the obligations of the lessee.
We have elected to apply this interpretive guidance to the rent relief we have secured, and have assumed that enforceable rights and obligations for those concessions exist in the lease contract. As such, starting in April 2020, we began recognizing abatements or deferrals in rents received from landlords as reductions in variable lease payments. This election will continue while these abatement or deferrals are in effect.
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes”, which modifies Topic 740 to simplify the accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020, and for the interim periods therein. The adoption of ASU 2019-12 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
Additional new accounting guidance became effective for us as of December 29, 2021 that we reviewed and concluded was either not applicable to our operations or had no material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.
Accounting Standards to be Adopted
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.
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Note 3. Receivables
Receivables, net consisted of the following:
| December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | ||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||
| Receivables, net: | |||||||||||
| Trade accounts receivable from franchisees | $ | 13,430 | $ | 15,535 | |||||||
| Other receivables from franchisees | 1,027 | 2,104 | |||||||||
| Vendor receivables | 4,041 | 2,199 | |||||||||
| Credit card receivables | 747 | 542 | |||||||||
| Other | 950 | 2,668 | |||||||||
| Allowance for doubtful accounts | (574) | (1,699) | |||||||||
| Total receivables, net | $ | 19,621 | $ | 21,349 | |||||||
Other noncurrent assets: | |||||||||||
| Financing receivables from franchisees | $ | 293 | $ | 502 | |||||||
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, direct financial relief to our franchisees has included the deferral of one week of royalty and advertising fees due from franchisees during the first quarter of 2020 as well as rent payments due from franchisees during certain periods of 2020. At December 29, 2021 and December 30, 2020, trade accounts receivable from franchisees included $0.6 million and $5.7 million, respectively, of amounts related to these deferrals. We recorded $1.5 million of expected credit losses during the year ended December 30, 2020 and $1.1 million of reversals of credit losses during the year ended December 29, 2021, based on actual and expected losses on franchise-related receivables, primarily as a result of uncertainties related to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Note 4. Property
Property, net consisted of the following:
| December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | ||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||
| Land | $ | 43,742 | $ | 36,815 | |||||||
| Buildings and leasehold improvements | 163,264 | 160,842 | |||||||||
| Other property and equipment | 36,006 | 35,080 | |||||||||
| Total property | 243,012 | 232,737 | |||||||||
| Less accumulated depreciation | 151,836 | 146,583 | |||||||||
| Property, net | $ | 91,176 | $ | 86,154 | |||||||
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The following table reflects the property assets, included in the table above, and buildings with finance leases which were leased to franchisees:
| December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | ||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||
| Land | $ | 25,192 | $ | 25,192 | |||||||
| Buildings and leasehold improvements | 69,656 | 69,656 | |||||||||
| Total property owned, leased to franchisees | 94,848 | 94,848 | |||||||||
| Less accumulated depreciation | 60,674 | 59,038 | |||||||||
| Property owned, leased to franchisees, net | 34,174 | 35,810 | |||||||||
| Buildings held under finance leases, leased to franchisees | 8,060 | 8,062 | |||||||||
| Less accumulated amortization | 4,781 | 4,137 | |||||||||
| Property held under finance leases, leased to franchisees, net | 3,279 | 3,925 | |||||||||
| Total property leased to franchisees, net | $ | 37,453 | $ | 39,735 | |||||||
Depreciation expense, including amortization of property under finance leases, for 2021, 2020 and 2019 was $13.3 million, $13.2 million and $16.3 million, respectively. Substantially all owned property is pledged as collateral for our Credit Facility. See Note 9.
Note 5. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
The following table reflects the changes in carrying amounts of goodwill:
| December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | ||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of year | $ | 36,884 | $ | 36,832 | |||||||
| Adjustments related to the sale of restaurants | — | 52 | |||||||||
| Balance, end of year | $ | 36,884 | $ | 36,884 | |||||||
Intangible assets consist of the following:
| December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross Carrying Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Gross Carrying Amount | Accumulated Amortization | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Intangible assets with indefinite lives: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trade names | $ | 44,087 | $ | — | $ | 44,087 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
| Liquor licenses | 120 | — | 120 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Intangible assets with definite lives: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reacquired franchise rights | 12,218 | 6,199 | 12,218 | 4,866 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Intangible assets | $ | 56,425 | $ | 6,199 | $ | 56,425 | $ | 4,866 | |||||||||||||||
The weighted-average life of the reacquired franchise rights is approximately seven years. The amortization expense for definite-lived intangibles and other assets for 2021, 2020 and 2019 was $2.1 million, $3.0 million and $3.6 million, respectively. Estimated amortization expense for intangible assets with definite lives in the next five years is as follows:
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| (In thousands) | |||||
| 2022 | $ | 1,226 | |||
| 2023 | 902 | ||||
| 2024 | 832 | ||||
| 2025 | 776 | ||||
| 2026 | 608 | ||||
We performed an annual impairment test as of December 29, 2021 and determined that none of the recorded goodwill or other intangible assets with indefinite lives were impaired.
Note 6. Other Current Liabilities
Other current liabilities consisted of the following:
| December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | ||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||
| Accrued payroll | $ | 20,676 | $ | 17,076 | |||||||
Accrued insurance, primarily current portion of liability for insurance claims | 4,285 | 4,667 | |||||||||
| Accrued taxes | 4,533 | 4,850 | |||||||||
| Accrued advertising | 15,355 | 4,318 | |||||||||
| Gift cards | 7,170 | 6,127 | |||||||||
| Other | 12,127 | 9,424 | |||||||||
| Other current liabilities | $ | 64,146 | $ | 46,462 | |||||||
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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) | ||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair value measurements as of December 29, 2021: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Deferred compensation plan investments (1) | $ | 13,726 | $ | 13,726 | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
Interest rate swaps (2) | (52,121) | — | (52,121) | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Investments (3) | 2,551 | — | 2,551 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | (35,844) | $ | 13,726 | $ | (49,570) | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
| Fair value measurements as of December 30, 2020: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Deferred compensation plan investments (1) | $ | 13,627 | $ | 13,627 | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
Interest rate swaps (2) | (76,445) | — | (76,445) | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Investments (3) | 2,272 | — | 2,272 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | (60,546) | $ | 13,627 | $ | (74,173) | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
(1) The fair values of our deferred compensation plan investments are based on the closing market prices of the elected investments and are included in other noncurrent assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(2) The fair values of our interest rate swaps are based upon Level 2 inputs, which include valuation models. The key inputs for the valuation models are quoted market prices, interest rates and forward yield curves. See Note 9 for details on the interest rate swaps.
(3) The fair value of investments is valued using a readily determinable net asset value per share based on the fair value of the underlying securities. There are no significant redemption restrictions associated with these investments.
Those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis are summarized below:
| Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Impairment Charges | ||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| Fair value measurements as of December 29, 2021: | |||||||||||||||||
Assets held and used (1) | $ | 313 | $ | 442 | |||||||||||||
| Fair value measurements as of December 30, 2020: | |||||||||||||||||
Assets held and used (1) | $ | 2,425 | $ | 1,564 | |||||||||||||
(1)At December 29, 2021 and December 30, 2020, impaired assets were written down to their fair value. To determine fair value, we used the income approach, which assumes that the future cash flows reflect current market expectations. These fair value measurements require significant judgment using Level 3 inputs, such as discounted cash flows from operations, which are not observable from the market, directly or indirectly. There is uncertainty in the projected future cash flows used in the Company's impairment analysis, which requires the use of estimates and assumptions. If actual performance does not achieve the projections, or if the assumptions used change in the future, we may be required to recognize impairment charges in future periods.
Assets that are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis include property, operating right-of-use assets, finance right-of-use assets and reacquired franchise rights. During the year ended December 29, 2021 and December 30, 2020, we recognized impairment charges of $0.4 million and $4.1 million, respectively, related to certain of these assets. See Note 13.
The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivables, accounts payable and accrued expenses are deemed to approximate fair value due to the immediate or short-term maturity of these instruments. The fair value of notes receivable approximates the carrying value after consideration of recorded allowances and related risk-based interest rates. The liabilities under our credit facility are carried at historical cost, which approximates fair value. The fair value of our senior secured revolver approximates its carrying value since it is a variable rate facility (Level 2).
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Note 8. Leases
Lessee
Our operations utilize property, facilities and equipment leased from others. Buildings and facilities are primarily used for restaurants and support facilities. Many of our restaurants are operated under lease arrangements which generally provide for a fixed base rent, and, in many instances, contingent rent based on a percentage of gross revenues. Initial terms of land and restaurant building leases generally range from 10 to 20 years, exclusive of options to renew, which are typically for five year periods. Leases of equipment consist primarily of restaurant equipment, computer equipment and vehicles. Initial terms of equipment leases generally range from to five years.
Lessor
We lease or sublease certain restaurant properties to our franchisees and occasionally to third parties. The lease descriptions, terms, variable lease payments and renewal options are generally the same as the lessee leases described above.
The components of lease costs were as follows:
| Fiscal Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| Classification | December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| Lease costs | |||||||||||||||||
| Finance lease costs: | |||||||||||||||||
Amortization of right-of-use assets | Depreciation and amortization | $ | 1,895 | $ | 1,870 | ||||||||||||
| Interest on lease liabilities | Interest expense, net | 2,960 | 3,129 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating lease costs: | |||||||||||||||||
Operating lease costs - company | Occupancy | 6,394 | 6,432 | ||||||||||||||
Operating lease costs - franchise | Costs of franchise and license revenue | 17,106 | 18,682 | ||||||||||||||
Operating lease costs - general and administrative | General and administrative expenses | 432 | 100 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating lease costs - closed stores | Restructuring charges and exit costs | 356 | 173 | ||||||||||||||
| Variable lease costs: | |||||||||||||||||
| Variable lease costs - company | Occupancy | 3,275 | 2,854 | ||||||||||||||
| Variable lease costs - franchise | Costs of franchise and license revenue | 7,172 | 6,102 | ||||||||||||||
Variable lease costs - general and administrative | General and administrative expenses | 218 | 61 | ||||||||||||||
Variable lease costs - closed stores | Restructuring charges and exit costs | 48 | 56 | ||||||||||||||
Sublease income: | |||||||||||||||||
| Sublease income - franchise | Franchise and license revenue | (30,607) | (30,925) | ||||||||||||||
Sublease income - closed stores | Restructuring charges and exit costs | (160) | (114) | ||||||||||||||
Total lease costs | $ | 9,089 | $ | 8,420 | |||||||||||||
Lease terms and discount rates were as follows:
| December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | ||||||||||
| Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years): | |||||||||||
Finance leases | 8.5 | 9.3 | |||||||||
| Operating leases | 10.0 | 10.7 | |||||||||
| Weighted-average discount rate: | |||||||||||
| Finance leases | 23.4 | % | 23.8 | % | |||||||
| Operating leases | 5.7 | % | 5.8 | % | |||||||
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The components of lease income were as follows:
| Fiscal Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| Classification | December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| Lease income | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating lease income - franchise | Franchise and license revenue | $ | 30,767 | $ | 33,621 | ||||||||||||
Operating lease income - closed stores | Restructuring charges and exit costs | 109 | 66 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating lease income - general and administrative | General and administrative expenses | 65 | — | ||||||||||||||
Variable lease income - franchise | Franchise and license revenue | 10,999 | 8,246 | ||||||||||||||
Variable lease income - closed stores | Restructuring charges and exit costs | 51 | 48 | ||||||||||||||
| Total lease income | $ | 41,991 | $ | 41,981 | |||||||||||||
Cash and supplemental noncash amounts were as follows:
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||||||
| December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | |||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||||||
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: | ||||||||||||||
Operating cash flows from finance leases | $ | 2,960 | $ | 3,129 | ||||||||||
| Operating cash flows from operating leases | $ | 25,578 | $ | 23,511 | ||||||||||
| Financing cash flows from finance leases | $ | 2,118 | $ | 1,570 | ||||||||||
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities | $ | 998 | $ | 142 | ||||||||||
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities | $ | 8,513 | $ | 4,831 | ||||||||||
Maturities of lease liabilities and receipts as of December 29, 2021 were as follows:
| Lease Liabilities | Lease Receipts | ||||||||||||||||
| Finance | Operating | Operating | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | $ | 4,264 | $ | 23,285 | $ | 28,824 | |||||||||||
| 2023 | 3,639 | 21,335 | 26,293 | ||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2,919 | 19,570 | 25,012 | ||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2,783 | 18,285 | 24,758 | ||||||||||||||
| 2026 | 2,488 | 17,164 | 24,216 | ||||||||||||||
| Thereafter | 13,653 | 89,578 | 157,939 | ||||||||||||||
| Total undiscounted cash flows | 29,746 | 189,217 | $ | 287,042 | |||||||||||||
| Less: interest | 17,050 | 47,092 | |||||||||||||||
| Present value of lease liabilities | 12,696 | 142,125 | |||||||||||||||
| Less: current lease liabilities | 1,952 | 15,829 | |||||||||||||||
| Long-term lease liabilities | $ | 10,744 | $ | 126,296 | |||||||||||||
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Note 9. Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt consisted of the following:
| December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | ||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||
| Revolving loans | $ | 170,000 | $ | 210,000 | |||||||
| Finance lease obligations | 12,696 | 15,369 | |||||||||
| Total long-term debt | 182,696 | 225,369 | |||||||||
| Less current maturities | 1,952 | 1,839 | |||||||||
| Noncurrent portion of long-term debt | $ | 180,744 | $ | 223,530 | |||||||
There are no scheduled maturities of our revolving loans due in 2022 through 2025. The $170.0 million of revolving loans are due August 26, 2026.
Refinancing of Credit Facility
On August 26, 2021, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries refinanced the existing credit facility (the “Old Credit Facility”) and entered into a new five-year $400 million senior secured revolver (with a $25 million letter of credit sublimit) (the “New Credit Facility”). The New Credit Facility includes an accordion feature that would allow us to increase the size of the revolver to $450 million. Borrowings bear a tiered interest rate, which is based on the Company's consolidated leverage ratio and was initially set at LIBOR plus 2.25%. The New Credit Facility contains provisions specifying alternative interest rate calculations to be used at such time LIBOR ceases to be available as a benchmark due to reference rate reform. The maturity date for the New Credit Facility is August 26, 2026.
The New Credit Facility was used to refinance the Old Credit Facility and is available for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes. The New Credit Facility is guaranteed by Denny's and its material subsidiaries and is secured by assets of Denny's and its subsidiaries, including the stock of its subsidiaries (other than its insurance captive subsidiary). It includes negative covenants that are usual for facilities and transactions of this type. The New Credit Facility also includes certain financial covenants with respect to a maximum consolidated leverage ratio and a minimum consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio. We were in compliance with all financial covenants as of December 29, 2021.
As of December 29, 2021, we had outstanding revolver loans of $170.0 million and outstanding letters of credit under the New Credit Facility of $15.7 million. These balances resulted in availability of $214.3 million as of December 29, 2021 under the New Credit Facility.
As of December 29, 2021, borrowings under the New Credit Facility bore interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 2.00% and the commitment fee, paid on the unused portion of the New Credit Facility, was set to 0.30%.
During 2020, we executed amendments to our Old Credit Facility on May 13, 2020 and on December 15, 2020. As a result of the amendments, the interest rate of the Old Credit Facility was increased to LIBOR plus 3.00% and the commitment fee, paid on the unused portion of the credit facility, was increased to 0.40%. The amendments required supplemental monthly reporting obligations to our lenders and we were prohibited from paying dividends and making stock repurchases and other general investments. Additionally, capital expenditures were restricted and certain financial covenants were waived for a period. The amendments also added a monthly minimum liquidity covenant. As of December 15, 2020, the accordion feature was removed, and the total credit facility commitment was reduced from $400 million to $375 million and to $350 million on July 1, 2021.
Prior to considering the impact of our interest rate swaps, described below, the weighted-average interest rate on outstanding revolver loans was 2.09% and 3.15% as of December 29, 2021 and December 30, 2020, respectively. Taking into consideration our interest rate swaps that are designated as cash flow hedges, the weighted-average interest rate of outstanding revolver loans was 4.44% and 5.01% as of December 29, 2021 and December 30, 2020, respectively.
Interest Rate Hedges
We have receive-variable, pay-fixed interest rate swaps to hedge the forecasted cash flows of our floating rate debt. We initially
designated the interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges of our exposure to variability in future cash flows attributable to variable
interest payments due on forecasted notional amounts. A summary of our interest rate swaps as of December 29, 2021 is as follows:
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| Trade Date | Effective Date | Maturity Date | Notional Amount | Fair Value | Fixed Rate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Swaps designated as cash flow hedges | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 20, 2015 | March 29, 2018 | March 31, 2025 | $ | 120,000 | $ | 5,074 | 2.44 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 1, 2015 | March 29, 2018 | March 31, 2026 | $ | 50,000 | $ | 2,558 | 2.46 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dedesignated swaps | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| February 15, 2018 | March 31, 2020 | December 31, 2033 | $ | 120,000 | (1) | $ | 44,489 | 3.19 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 290,000 | $ | 52,121 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) The notional amount of the swaps entered into on February 15, 2018 increase periodically until they reach the maximum notional amount of $425.0 million on September 28, 2029.
Swaps Designated as Cash Flow Hedges
To the extent the swaps are highly effective in offsetting the variability of the hedged cash flows, changes in the fair value of the swaps are not included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations but are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net. The interest rate swaps entered into in 2015 are designated as cash flow hedges with unrealized gain and losses recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net.
As of December 29, 2021, the fair value of swaps designated as cash flow hedges was a liability of $7.6 million and was recorded as a component of other noncurrent liabilities with an offsetting amount (before taxes) recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 17 for the amounts recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the interest rate swaps. We expect to reclassify approximately $4.0 million from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net to interest expense, net in our Consolidated Statements of Operations related to swaps designated as cash flow hedges during the next twelve months.
Dedesignated Interest Rate Hedges
During the year ended December 30, 2020, we determined that a portion of the underlying cash flows related to our hedging relationship entered into in 2018 (“2018 Swaps”) were no longer probable of occurring over the term of the interest rate swaps. Accordingly, we dedesignated the cash flow relationship and discontinued hedge accounting treatment for the 2018 Swaps. As a result, we reclassified approximately $7.4 million of losses from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net to other nonoperating expense (income), net in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and began amortizing the remaining amounts of unrealized losses related to the 2018 Swaps from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net into our Consolidated Statements of Operations as a component of interest expense, net over the remaining term of the 2018 Swaps. We reclassified unrealized losses of approximately $0.2 million and $0.8 million to interest expense, net related to the 2018 Swaps, for the years ended December 29, 2021 and December 30, 2020, respectively. At December 29, 2021, approximately $64.2 million (before taxes) of unrealized losses remained in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net. We expect to amortize less than $0.1 million from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net to interest expense, net in our Consolidated Statements of Operations related to dedesignated interest rate swaps during the next twelve months.
As a result of the dedesignated cash flow relationship related to the 2018 Swaps, changes in the fair value of the 2018 Swaps are recorded as a component of other nonoperating expense (income), net in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. We recorded income of approximately $12.8 million and $10.3 million as a component of nonoperating expense (income) related to the 2018 Swaps resulting from changes in fair value for the years ended December 29, 2021 and December 30, 2020, respectively. As of December 29, 2021, the fair value of the dedesignated interest rate swaps was $44.5 million, $0.3 million of which was recorded as a component of other current liabilities and $44.2 million of which was recorded as a component of other noncurrent liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Note 10. Revenues
Our revenues are derived primarily from two sales channels, which we operate as one segment: company restaurants and franchised and licensed restaurants. The following table disaggregates our revenue by sales channel and type of good or service:
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| Fiscal Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | December 25, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| Company restaurant sales | $ | 175,017 | $ | 118,160 | $ | 306,377 | |||||||||||
Franchise and license revenue: | |||||||||||||||||
| Royalties | 103,425 | 67,501 | 108,813 | ||||||||||||||
| Advertising revenue | 69,957 | 53,745 | 81,144 | ||||||||||||||
| Initial and other fees | 8,009 | 7,332 | 6,541 | ||||||||||||||
| Occupancy revenue | 41,766 | 41,867 | 38,514 | ||||||||||||||
Franchise and license revenue | 223,157 | 170,445 | 235,012 | ||||||||||||||
| Total operating revenue | $ | 398,174 | $ | 288,605 | $ | 541,389 | |||||||||||
Balances related to contracts with customers consists of receivables, deferred franchise revenue and deferred gift card revenue. See Note 3 for details on our receivables.
Deferred franchise revenue consists primarily of the unamortized portion of initial franchise fees that are currently being amortized into revenue and amounts related to development agreements and unopened restaurants that will begin amortizing into revenue when the related restaurants are opened. Deferred franchise revenue represents our remaining performance obligations to our franchisees, excluding amounts of variable consideration related to sales-based royalties and advertising. The components of the change in deferred franchise revenue are as follows:
| (In thousands) | |||||
| Balance, December 30, 2020 | $ | 20,806 | |||
| Fees received from franchisees | 1,408 | ||||
Revenue recognized (1) | (2,318) | ||||
| Balance, December 29, 2021 | 19,896 | ||||
| Less current portion included in other current liabilities | 1,928 | ||||
| Deferred franchise revenue included in other noncurrent liabilities | $ | 17,968 | |||
(1) Of this amount $2.3 million was included in the deferred franchise revenue balance as of December 30, 2020.
As of December 29, 2021, the deferred franchise revenue expected to be recognized in the future is as follows:
| (In thousands) | |||||
| 2022 | $ | 1,928 | |||
| 2023 | 1,859 | ||||
| 2024 | 1,808 | ||||
| 2025 | 1,740 | ||||
| 2026 | 1,647 | ||||
| Thereafter | 10,914 | ||||
| Deferred franchise revenue | $ | 19,896 | |||
Deferred gift card liabilities consist of the unredeemed portion of gift cards sold in company restaurants and at third party locations. The balance of deferred gift card liabilities represents our remaining performance obligations to customers. The balance of deferred gift card liabilities as of December 29, 2021 and December 30, 2020 was $7.2 million and $6.1 million, respectively. During the year ended December 29, 2021, we recognized revenue of $0.4 million from gift card redemptions at company restaurants.
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Note 11. Employee Benefit Plans
We maintain defined contribution plans and defined benefit plans which cover a substantial number of employees.
Defined Contribution Plans
Eligible employees can elect to contribute up to 25% of their compensation to our 401(k) plan. Effective January 1, 2016, the plan was amended and restated to incorporate Safe Harbor Plan design features which included changes to participant eligibility, company contribution amounts and vesting. As a result, we match up to a maximum of 4% of compensation deferred by the participant.
In addition, a non-qualified deferred compensation plan is offered to certain employees. This plan allows participants to defer up to 50% of annual salary and up to 75% of bonuses and incentive compensation awards, on a pre-tax basis. There are no matching contributions made under this plan.
We made total contributions of $1.5 million, $1.5 million and $1.9 million for 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, under these plans.
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Defined Benefit Plans
Benefits under our defined benefit plans are based upon each employee’s years of service and average salary. The following table provides a reconciliation of the changes in the benefit obligations, plan assets, and funded status of our defined benefit plans:
| December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | ||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||
| Change in Benefit Obligation: | |||||||||||
Benefit obligation at beginning of year | $ | 2,298 | $ | 2,337 | |||||||
| Interest cost | 26 | 41 | |||||||||
| Actuarial losses | 46 | 448 | |||||||||
| Benefits paid | (151) | (151) | |||||||||
| Settlements | — | (377) | |||||||||
Benefit obligation at end of year | $ | 2,219 | $ | 2,298 | |||||||
| Accumulated benefit obligation | $ | 2,219 | $ | 2,298 | |||||||
| Change in Plan Assets: | |||||||||||
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||
| Employer contributions | 151 | 528 | |||||||||
| Benefits paid | (151) | (151) | |||||||||
| Settlements | — | (377) | |||||||||
Fair value of plan assets at end of year | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||
| Unfunded status at end of year | $ | (2,219) | $ | (2,298) | |||||||
| Amounts recognized on the balance sheet: | |||||||||||
| Other current liabilities | $ | (944) | $ | (717) | |||||||
| Other noncurrent liabilities | (1,275) | (1,581) | |||||||||
| Net amount recognized | $ | (2,219) | $ | (2,298) | |||||||
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss not yet reflected in net period benefit cost: | |||||||||||
| Unamortized actuarial losses, net | $ | (974) | $ | (1,087) | |||||||
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss: | |||||||||||
| Benefit obligation actuarial loss | $ | (46) | $ | (448) | |||||||
| Amortization of net loss | 159 | 89 | |||||||||
| Settlement loss recognized | — | 95 | |||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | $ | 113 | $ | (264) | |||||||
The components of net periodic benefit cost were as follows:
| Fiscal Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | December 25, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest cost | $ | 26 | $ | 41 | $ | 81 | |||||||||||
| Amortization of net loss | 159 | 89 | 86 | ||||||||||||||
| Settlement loss recognized | — | 95 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Net periodic benefit cost | $ | 185 | $ | 225 | $ | 167 | |||||||||||
Assumptions
The discount rates used to determine the benefit obligations as of December 29, 2021 and December 30, 2020 were 1.99% and 1.34%, respectively. The discount rates used to determine net period pension costs for 2021, 2020 and 2019 were 1.34%, 2.56% and 3.83%, respectively.
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In determining the discount rate, we have considered long-term bond indices of bonds having similar timing and amounts of cash flows as our estimated defined benefit payments. We use a yield curve based on high quality, long-term corporate bonds to calculate the single equivalent discount rate that results in the same present value as the sum of each of the plan’s estimated benefit payments discounted at their respective spot rates.
Contributions and Expected Future Benefit Payments
We made contributions of $0.2 million and $0.5 million to our defined benefit plans during the years ended December 29, 2021 and December 30, 2020, respectively. We expect to contribute $0.9 million to our defined benefit plans during 2022.
Benefits expected to be paid for each of the next five years and in the aggregate for the five fiscal years from 2027 through 2031 are as follows:
| Defined Benefit Plans | |||||
| (In thousands) | |||||
| 2022 | $ | 944 | |||
| 2023 | 600 | ||||
| 2024 | 133 | ||||
| 2025 | 110 | ||||
| 2026 | 115 | ||||
| 2027 through 2031 | 374 | ||||
Note 12. Share-Based Compensation
Share-Based Compensation Plans
The Denny’s Corporation 2021 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2021 Omnibus Plan”) is used to grant share-based compensation to selected employees, officers and directors of Denny’s and its affiliates. However, we reserve the right to pay discretionary bonuses, or other types of compensation, outside of this plan. At December 29, 2021, there were 4.3 million shares available for grant under the 2021 Omnibus Plan. In addition, we have 0.7 million shares available to be issued outside of the 2021 Omnibus Plan pursuant to the grant or exercise of employment inducement awards of stock options and restricted stock units in accordance with NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).
Share-Based Compensation Expense
Total share-based compensation expense included as a component of net income (loss) was as follows:
| Fiscal Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | December 25, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| Employee share awards | $ | 12,708 | $ | 7,104 | $ | 5,765 | |||||||||||
| Restricted stock units for board members | 894 | 844 | 929 | ||||||||||||||
| Total share-based compensation | $ | 13,602 | $ | 7,948 | $ | 6,694 | |||||||||||
The income tax benefits recognized as a component of the provision for (benefit from) income taxes in our Consolidated Statements of Operations related to share-based compensation expense were approximately $3.4 million, $2.0 million and $1.7 million during the years ended December 29, 2021, December 30, 2020 and December 25, 2019, respectively.
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Employee Share Awards
Employee share awards consist of performance share units (“PSUs”) and restricted stock units ("RSUs") (which are equity classified). The number of shares that are ultimately issued is dependent upon the level of obtainment of the market and performance conditions. The following table summarizes the employee share awards activity during the year ended December 29, 2021:
| Units | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | ||||||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||||||
| Outstanding, beginning of year | 1,563 | $ | 12.91 | ||||||||
| Granted | 742 | $ | 21.83 | ||||||||
| Converted | (218) | $ | 17.87 | ||||||||
| Forfeited | (11) | $ | 14.25 | ||||||||
| Outstanding, end of year | 2,076 | $ | 15.57 | ||||||||
| Convertible, end of year | 1,008 | $ | 13.08 | ||||||||
During the year ended December 29, 2021, as a component of our long-term compensation program, we granted certain employees approximately 0.5 million PSUs with a grant date fair value of $24.74 per share that vest based on the total shareholder return (“TSR”) of our common stock compared to the TSRs of a group of peer companies (from 0% to 200% of the target award). As the TSR based performance units contain a market condition, a Monte Carlo valuation was used to determine the grant date fair value. The performance period for these PSUs is the three year period beginning December 31, 2020 and ending December 27, 2023. The PSUs will completely vest and be earned at the end of the performance period at which point the relative TSR will be determined and the achievement percentage applied to the vested units.
We also granted certain employees approximately 0.2 million RSUs with a grant date fair value of $15.91 per share. The RSUs vest evenly over the three year period ending December 27, 2023, and are paid annually.
For 2021, 2020 and 2019, the weighted average grant date fair value of awards granted was $21.83, $10.47 and $19.02, respectively.
The grant date fair value of PSUs and the related assumptions used in the Monte Carlo simulation to record share-based compensation in each fiscal year are as follows:
| December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | December 25, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Risk-free interest rate | 0.18 | % | 0.16 | % | 2.54 | % | |||||||||||
| Expected term (in years) | 3.0 | 1.25 | 3.0 | ||||||||||||||
| Expected volatility | 64.9 | % | 59.5 | % | 27.4 | % | |||||||||||
| Expected dividend yield | 0.0 | % | 0.0 | % | 0.0 | % | |||||||||||
| Grant date fair value per unit | $ | 24.74 | $ | 8.24 | $ | 20.47 | |||||||||||
The risk-free interest rate was based on U.S. Treasury bond yield with a term equal to the expected life assumed at the date of grant. The expected term represents the period of time the awards are expected to be outstanding. Expected volatility was based on historical volatility of the Company. The expected dividend yield is based on the Company’s history and expectations of dividend payouts at the time of grant.
We made payments of $0.2 million, $0.2 million and $0.4 million during 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, related to converted performance and restricted share units. Payments relate to the payment of payroll taxes. The fair value of units converted was $4.3 million, $12.0 million and $16.9 million during 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. As of December 29, 2021, we had $12.7 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested performance share unit awards granted, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average of 1.8 years.
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Restricted Stock Units for Board Members
During the year ended December 29, 2021, we granted approximately 0.1 million RSUs (which are equity classified) with a weighted average grant date fair value of $17.32 per unit to non-employee members of our Board. The restricted stock units vest after a one year service period. A director may elect to convert these awards into shares of common stock on a specific date in the future (while still serving as a member of our Board), upon termination as a member of our Board or in three equal annual installments commencing after termination of service as a member of our Board. During the year ended December 29, 2021, less than 0.1 million restricted stock units were converted into shares of common stock.
There were 0.8 million and 0.8 million RSUs outstanding as of December 29, 2021 and December 30, 2020, respectively. As of December 29, 2021, we had approximately $0.4 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to all unvested RSU awards outstanding, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average of 0.4 years.
Stock Options
Prior to 2012, stock options were granted that vest evenly over three years, have a 10-year contractual life and are issued at the market value at the date of grant. There were no options granted in 2021, 2020 or 2019.
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable at December 29, 2021:
| Options | Weighted Average Exercise Price | ||||||||||
| (In thousands, except per share amounts) | |||||||||||
| Outstanding, beginning of year | 30 | $ | 3.89 | ||||||||
| Exercised | (30) | $ | 3.89 | ||||||||
| Outstanding, end of year | — | ||||||||||
| Exercisable, end of year | — | ||||||||||
The total intrinsic value of the options exercised was $0.3 million, $0.8 million and $6.6 million during the years ended December 29, 2021, December 30, 2020 and December 25, 2019, respectively.
Note 13. Operating (Gains), Losses and Other Charges, Net
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net consists of the following:
| Fiscal Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | December 25, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| Gains on sales of assets and other, net | $ | (47,822) | $ | (4,678) | $ | (93,608) | |||||||||||
| Restructuring charges and exit costs | 1,275 | 2,403 | 2,428 | ||||||||||||||
| Impairment charges | 442 | 4,083 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net | $ | (46,105) | $ | 1,808 | $ | (91,180) | |||||||||||
Gains on sales of assets and other, net of $47.8 million for the year ended December 29, 2021 were primarily related to the sales of three parcels of real estate. Gains on sales of assets and other, net of $4.7 million for the year ended December 30, 2020 were primarily related to the sales of parcels of real estate. Gains on sales of assets and other, net of $93.6 million for the year ended December 25, 2019 were primarily the result of sales of company restaurants and real estate as part of our refranchising and development strategy.
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Restructuring charges and exit costs consists of the following:
| Fiscal Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | December 25, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| Exit costs | $ | 323 | $ | 204 | $ | 272 | |||||||||||
| Severance and other restructuring charges | 952 | 2,199 | 2,156 | ||||||||||||||
| Total restructuring charges and exit costs | $ | 1,275 | $ | 2,403 | $ | 2,428 | |||||||||||
Exit costs primarily consists of costs related to closed restaurants. Exit cost liabilities related to lease costs are included as a component of operating lease liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 8.
Severance and other restructuring charges for the year ended December 29, 2021 were primarily related to the relocation of certain support functions to our support center in the Dallas, Texas area. Severance and other restructuring charges for the year ended December 30, 2020 were primarily related to positions eliminated as a cost reduction effort in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Severance and other restructuring charges for the year ended December 25, 2019 was primarily the result of positions eliminated as part of our refranchising and development strategy announced during the fourth quarter of 2018. As of December 29, 2021 and December 30, 2020, we had accrued severance and other restructuring charges of $0.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively. The balance as of December 29, 2021 is expected to be paid during the next 12 months.
We recorded impairment charges of $0.4 million for the year ended December 29, 2021 primarily resulting from an underperforming unit. The $0.4 million included $0.3 million related to property, $0.1 million related to finance lease ROU assets, and less than $0.1 million related to operating lease ROU assets. We recorded impairment charges of $4.1 million for the year ended December 30, 2020 resulting from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The $4.1 million included $2.4 million related to property, $1.6 million related to operating lease ROU assets, $0.1 million related to reacquired franchise rights and less than $0.1 million related to finance lease ROU assets.
Note 14. Income Taxes
The provisions for (benefits from) income taxes were as follows:
| Fiscal Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | December 25, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| Current: | |||||||||||||||||
| Federal | $ | 12,997 | $ | (3,497) | $ | 12,421 | |||||||||||
| State and local | 3,105 | (109) | 5,156 | ||||||||||||||
| Foreign | 862 | 667 | 1,142 | ||||||||||||||
| Deferred: | |||||||||||||||||
| Federal | 6,826 | 393 | 9,944 | ||||||||||||||
| State and local | 7,271 | 3,588 | 6,061 | ||||||||||||||
| Decrease of valuation allowance | (5,031) | (3,041) | (2,935) | ||||||||||||||
| Total provision for (benefit from) income taxes | $ | 26,030 | $ | (1,999) | $ | 31,789 | |||||||||||
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The reconciliation of income taxes at the U.S. federal statutory tax rate to our effective tax rate was as follows:
| December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | December 25, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Statutory provision rate | 21 | % | 21 | % | 21 | % | |||||||||||
| State, foreign and local taxes, net of federal income tax benefit | 5 | (11) | 8 | ||||||||||||||
| Change in state valuation allowance | (1) | (1) | (2) | ||||||||||||||
| General business credits generated | (2) | 9 | (2) | ||||||||||||||
| Foreign tax credits generated | 1 | 2 | (1) | ||||||||||||||
| Carryback of net operating loss rate differential | — | 12 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Section 162(m) and share-based compensation | 1 | (11) | (3) | ||||||||||||||
| Insurance premiums | — | 5 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Other | — | 2 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Effective tax rate | 25 | % | 28 | % | 21 | % | |||||||||||
For 2021, the difference in the overall effective rate from the U.S. statutory rate was primarily due to state and foreign taxes and the generation of employment credits. The 2021 rate was also impacted by an expense of $1.3 million from disallowed compensation deductions. On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was signed into law as a response to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of the CARES Act, during 2021 the Company carried back 2020’s net operating loss to years 2015 and forward, to obtain $1.5 million in federal income tax refunds. See Note 15 for a discussion of other items related to the CARES Act.
For 2020, the difference in the overall effective rate from the U.S. statutory rate was primarily due to state and foreign taxes and the generation of employment credits. The 2020 rate was also impacted by a $0.9 million benefit from the statutory rate differential due to a net operating loss carryback to a prior year and an expense of $1.0 million from disallowed compensation deductions.
For 2019, there was no significant difference between our effective tax rate and the statutory tax rate of 21%. The impact of state taxes on the statutory rate was partially offset by the generation of employment and foreign tax credits. In addition, the 2019 rate benefited $2.0 million related to share-based compensation and $2.0 million related to the completion of an Internal Revenue Service federal income audit of the 2016 tax year.
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The following table represents the approximate tax effect of each significant type of temporary difference that resulted in deferred income tax assets or liabilities.
| December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | ||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||
| Deferred tax assets: | |||||||||||
| Self-insurance accruals | $ | 2,594 | $ | 3,315 | |||||||
| Finance lease liabilities | 1,281 | 1,369 | |||||||||
| Operating lease liabilities | 35,545 | 39,555 | |||||||||
| Accrued exit cost | 19 | 25 | |||||||||
| Interest rate swaps | 13,221 | 19,806 | |||||||||
| Pension, other retirement and compensation plans | 11,259 | 10,638 | |||||||||
| Deferred income | 4,675 | 5,337 | |||||||||
| General business and foreign tax credit carryforwards - state and federal | 2,218 | 2,782 | |||||||||
| Net operating loss carryforwards - state | 1,429 | 5,888 | |||||||||
| Charitable contribution carryforwards - federal and state | — | 161 | |||||||||
| Total deferred tax assets before valuation allowance | 72,241 | 88,876 | |||||||||
| Less: valuation allowance | (2,192) | (7,223) | |||||||||
| Total deferred tax assets | 70,049 | 81,653 | |||||||||
| Deferred tax liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Intangible assets | (14,874) | (14,579) | |||||||||
| Deferred finance costs | (313) | (86) | |||||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | (32,198) | (35,732) | |||||||||
| Fixed assets | (10,134) | (7,679) | |||||||||
| Other accruals | (1,028) | (367) | |||||||||
| Total deferred tax liabilities | (58,547) | (58,443) | |||||||||
| Net deferred tax asset | $ | 11,502 | $ | 23,210 | |||||||
The Company’s state net operating loss tax asset of approximately $1.4 million includes $1.0 million related to Pennsylvania and South Carolina.
The $5.0 million change in the valuation allowance primarily relates to the expiration of South Carolina net operating loss carryforwards that may never be utilized.
Of the $2.2 million valuation allowance, $0.7 million relates to Pennsylvania and South Carolina net operating loss carryforwards, $0.9 million relates to California enterprise zone credits and $0.5 million relates to foreign tax credit carryforwards, all of which may never be utilized, prior to their expiration. The state net operating loss carryforwards and income tax credits are available to offset future state taxable income through 2026. The federal foreign tax credits are available to offset future federal taxable income through 2031.
It is more likely than not that we will be able to utilize all of our existing temporary differences and our remaining state tax net operating losses and state credit tax carryforwards, net of existing valuation allowance, prior to their expiration.
The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits:
| December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | ||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of year | $ | 1,047 | $ | 1,047 | |||||||
| Changes related to tax positions | — | — | |||||||||
| Balance, end of year | $ | 1,047 | $ | 1,047 | |||||||
There was no interest expense associated with unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 29, 2021 and December 30, 2020.
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We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdictions and various state jurisdictions. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local, or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2017. We completed our federal audit by the Internal Revenue Service for tax year 2016 during 2019. We remain subject to examination for U.S. federal taxes for 2018, 2019 and 2020 and in the following major state jurisdictions: California (2017-2021), Florida (2018-2021) and Texas (2017-2021).
Note 15. Other CARES Act Provisions
The CARES Act allowed eligible employers to claim employee retention tax credits (“ERTC”) for qualified wages paid after March 12, 2020 and before January 1, 2021. The ERTC was extended to June 30, 2021 under the passage of the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Relief Act of 2020 (“ACT”) which was signed into law on December 27, 2020.
We qualified for the credit for the entire period subsequent to March 12, 2020 through January 1, 2021 under the provisions of the CARES Act as (1) our business operations were fully or partially suspended due to government COVID-related orders limiting our business and (2) our gross receipts during a calendar quarter in 2020 were below 50% of the gross receipts for the same calendar quarter in 2019 and our sales never returned to 80% of 2019’s sales in any quarter within 2020. The amount of the credit for 2020 is 50% of qualified wages paid not to exceed $10,000 per person during 2020.
We qualified for ERTC under the ACT for the entire period subsequent to January 1, 2021 through June 30, 2021 as (1) having a reduction of sales greater than 20%. This measurement was made either against sales for the corresponding quarter in 2019 or against the preceding quarter compared to the corresponding quarter of 2019. This alternative method was used in the second quarter of 2021 since the first quarter sales in 2021 were less than 80% of the corresponding sales in the first quarter of 2019. In addition, the Company qualified using the direct suspension of operation under a governmental order in many of its operating locations during the second quarter of 2021.
The new ACT increased the credit to 70% for qualified wages up to $10,000 per employee for the first two quarters of 2021.
The total amount of credits recorded in 2021 related to the ERTC was $0.8 million, of which $0.3 million was included as a component of costs of company restaurant sales and $0.5 million was included as a component of general and administrative expenses in our Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 29, 2021.
The total amount of credits recorded in 2020 related to the ERTC was $2.6 million, of which $0.9 million was included as a component of costs of company restaurant sales and $1.7 million was included as a component of general and administrative expenses in our Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 30, 2020.
In addition, as allowed under the CARES Act, we deferred $3.1 million of our portion of FICA taxes in 2020 which were paid in 2021.
Note 16. Net Income (Loss) Per Share
The amounts used for the basic and diluted net income (loss) per share calculations are summarized below:
| Fiscal Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | December 25, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except per share amounts) | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 78,073 | $ | (5,116) | $ | 117,410 | |||||||||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding - basic | 65,171 | 60,812 | 59,944 | ||||||||||||||
| Effect of dilutive share-based compensation awards | 402 | — | 1,889 | ||||||||||||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted | 65,573 | 60,812 | 61,833 | ||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) per share - basic | $ | 1.20 | $ | (0.08) | $ | 1.96 | |||||||||||
| Net income (loss) per share - diluted | $ | 1.19 | $ | (0.08) | $ | 1.90 | |||||||||||
Anti-dilutive share-based compensation awards(1) | 420 | 1,682 | 270 | ||||||||||||||
(1) For the year ended December 30, 2020, share-based compensation awards have been omitted from the calculations because they have an anti-dilutive effect on loss per share.
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Note 17. Shareholders’ Equity
Share Repurchases
Our New Credit Facility permits the repurchase of Denny’s stock and the payment of cash dividends subject to certain limitations. Our Board of Directors approves share repurchases of our common stock. Under these authorizations, 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. Currently, we are operating under a $250 million share repurchase authorization approved by the Board of Directors in December 2019. During 2019, 2017 and 2016, the Board approved share repurchase programs for $250 million, $200 million and $100 million of our common stock, respectively.
During the quarter ended March 25, 2020, we suspended share repurchases as of February 27, 2020 and terminated our previously approved Rule 10b5-1 Repurchase Plan effective March 16, 2020 in light of uncertain market conditions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to the refinancing of our New Credit Facility in the third quarter of 2021, share repurchase restrictions were in place under our Old Credit Facility. As a result of refinancing of our credit facility in the third quarter of 2021, we resumed our share repurchase program.
During 2021, we repurchased a total of 2.0 million shares of our common stock for approximately $30.6 million. During 2020, we repurchased a total of 1.7 million shares of our common stock for approximately $34.2 million, thus completing the 2017 repurchase program. During 2019, including the settlement of the 2018 accelerated share repurchase (“ASR”) agreement, we repurchased a total of 5.3 million shares of our common stock for approximately $103.0 million. As of December 29, 2021, there was approximately $217.4 million remaining under the 2019 repurchase program.
In recent years, as part of our previously authorized share repurchase programs, we have entered into variable term, capped ASR agreements to repurchase our common stock. Pursuant to the terms of these ASR agreements, we pay cash, receive an initial delivery of shares of our common stock (which represents the minimum shares to be delivered based on the cap price) and record treasury stock related to these shares. The remaining balance is recorded as an equity forward contract. When settled, the final delivery of shares is received and treasury stock is recorded related to the additional shares. The total number of shares repurchased is based on a combined discounted volume-weighted average price (“VWAP”) per share, which is determined based on the average of the daily VWAP of our common stock, less a fixed discount, over the term of the ASR agreement.
In November 2018, we entered into a $25 million ASR agreement with MUFG Securities EMEA plc (the “2018 ASR”). We paid $25 million in cash and received approximately 1.1 million shares of our common stock (which represents the minimum shares to be delivered based on the cap price) and recorded $18.2 million of treasury stock related to these shares. The remaining balance of $6.8 million was recorded as additional paid-in capital in shareholders’ deficit as of December 26, 2018 as an equity forward contract. During 2019, we settled the 2018 ASR agreement, recording $6.8 million of treasury stock related to the final delivery of an additional 0.4 million shares of our common stock based on a combined discounted VWAP of $17.04 per share.
Repurchased shares as of December 29, 2021, are included as treasury stock in our Consolidated Balance Sheets and our Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Deficit.
Retirement of Treasury Stock
In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, the Board approved the retirement of 54.0 million shares of Treasury stock at a weighted average share price of $10.26. As of year end December 30, 2020, no shares remained in treasury.
Issuance and Sale of Common Stock
On July 1, 2020, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement with Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as representative of the several underwriters named therein, for the issuance and sale by the Company of 8,000,000 shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share, in an underwritten public offering at a price to the public of $9.15 per share. On July 6, 2020, the Company received net proceeds of $69.6 million from the sale of shares, after deducting the underwriters' discounts and commissions and offering expenses.
F - 34
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 26, 2018 | $ | (827) | $ | (3,319) | $ | (4,146) | |||||||||||
| Benefit obligation actuarial loss | (25) | — | (25) | ||||||||||||||
Amortization of net loss (1) | 86 | — | 86 | ||||||||||||||
| Changes in the fair value of cash flow derivatives | — | (40,486) | (40,486) | ||||||||||||||
Reclassification of cash flow derivatives to interest expense, net (2) | — | 291 | 291 | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax (expense) benefit | (15) | 10,335 | 10,320 | ||||||||||||||
| Balance as of December 25, 2019 | $ | (781) | $ | (33,179) | $ | (33,960) | |||||||||||
| Benefit obligation actuarial loss | (448) | — | (448) | ||||||||||||||
Amortization of net loss (1) | 89 | — | 89 | ||||||||||||||
| Settlement loss recognized | 95 | — | 95 | ||||||||||||||
| Changes in the fair value of cash flow derivatives | — | (46,910) | (46,910) | ||||||||||||||
Reclassification of cash flow derivatives to interest expense, net (2) | — | 3,160 | 3,160 | ||||||||||||||
Reclassification of loss related to dedesignation of derivatives to other nonoperating expense (income)(3) | — | 7,354 | 7,354 | ||||||||||||||
Amortization of unrealized losses related to dedesignated derivatives to interest expense, net (3) | — | 783 | 783 | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax benefit | 67 | 9,365 | 9,432 | ||||||||||||||
| Balance as of December 30, 2020 | $ | (978) | $ | (59,427) | $ | (60,405) | |||||||||||
| Benefit obligation actuarial loss | (46) | — | (46) | ||||||||||||||
Amortization of net loss (1) | 159 | — | 159 | ||||||||||||||
| Changes in the fair value of cash flow derivatives | — | 4,275 | 4,275 | ||||||||||||||
Reclassification of cash flow derivatives to interest expense, net (2) | — | 4,023 | 4,023 | ||||||||||||||
Amortization of unrealized losses related to dedesignated derivatives to interest expense, net (3) | — | 166 | 166 | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | (35) | (2,607) | (2,642) | ||||||||||||||
| Balance as of December 29, 2021 | $ | (900) | $ | (53,570) | $ | (54,470) | |||||||||||
(1) Before-tax amount that was reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss and included as a component of pension expense within general and administrative expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 11 for additional details.
(2) 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 Consolidated Statements of Operations. We expect to reclassify approximately $4.0 million from accumulated other comprehensive loss related to our interest rate swaps during the next twelve months. See Note 9 for additional details.
(3) During the quarter ended June 24, 2020, we dedesignated the cash flow relationship and discontinued hedge accounting treatment for the 2018 Swaps. As a result, we reclassified approximately $7.4 million of losses from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net to other nonoperating expense (income), net in our Consolidated Statements of Operations related to the portion of forecasted transaction no longer considered probable of occurring. The remaining losses related to the 2018 Swaps will continue to be included in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net and will be amortized as a component of interest expense, net in our Consolidated Statements of Operations over the remaining term of the 2018 Swaps. For the years ended December 29, 2021 and December 30, 2020, we amortized approximately $0.2 million and $0.8 million, respectively, of losses to interest expense, net related to the 2018 Swaps. We expect to amortize less than $0.1 million from accumulated other comprehensive loss related to our interest rate swaps during the next twelve months. See Note 9 for additional details.
F - 35
Note 18. Commitments and Contingencies
Legal Proceedings
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.
Purchase Obligations
We have commitments related to company and franchised restaurants under purchase contracts for food and non-food products. Many of these agreements do not obligate us to purchase any specific volumes and include provisions that would allow us to cancel such agreements with appropriate notice. Our future purchase obligation payments due by period for both company and franchised restaurants at December 29, 2021 consist of the following:
| (In thousands) | |||||
| Less than 1 year | $ | 202,183 | |||
| 1-2 years | — | ||||
| 3-4 years | — | ||||
| 5 years and thereafter | — | ||||
| Total | $ | 202,183 | |||
For agreements with cancellation provisions, amounts included in the table above represent our estimate of purchase obligations during the periods presented if we were to cancel these contracts with appropriate notice. We would likely take delivery of goods under such circumstances.
During the year ended December 29, 2021, the Company entered into equipment purchase contracts of approximately $18.1 million related to the rollout of kitchen equipment for franchise restaurants, which we will bill to franchisees and recognize as revenue as the equipment is installed, less approximately $5.7 million in incentive commitments from the Company. At December 29, 2021, our remaining obligation under these contracts was approximately $16.2 million, $1.8 million of which is included in accounts payable. The remaining balance is expected to be billed and paid in 2022. These commitments are included in the table above.
Note 19. Supplemental Cash Flow Information
| Fiscal Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| December 29, 2021 | December 30, 2020 | December 25, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| Income taxes paid, net | $ | 9,942 | $ | 6 | $ | 24,147 | |||||||||||
| Interest paid | $ | 14,159 | $ | 15,889 | $ | 17,792 | |||||||||||
| Noncash investing and financing activities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Noncash consideration received in connection with the sale of real estate | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 3,000 | |||||||||||
| Notes received in connection with disposition of property | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 920 | |||||||||||
| Accrued purchase of property | $ | 231 | $ | 133 | $ | 1,791 | |||||||||||
| Insurance proceeds receivable | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 48 | |||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock, pursuant to share-based compensation plans | $ | 3,087 | $ | 7,949 | $ | 7,522 | |||||||||||
| Execution of finance leases | $ | 998 | $ | 142 | $ | 305 | |||||||||||
| Treasury stock payable | $ | 633 | $ | — | $ | 1,816 | |||||||||||
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: February 28, 2022
| DENNY’S CORPORATION | |||||
| BY: | /s/ Robert P. Verostek | ||||
| Robert P. Verostek | |||||
| Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | |||||
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Signature | Title | Date | ||||||
| /s/ John C. Miller | Chief Executive Officer and Director | February 28, 2022 | ||||||
| (John C. Miller) | (Principal Executive Officer) | |||||||
| /s/ Robert P. Verostek | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | February 28, 2022 | ||||||
| (Robert P. Verostek) | (Principal Financial Officer) | |||||||
| /s/ Jay C. Gilmore | Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller | February 28, 2022 | ||||||
| (Jay C. Gilmore) | (Principal Accounting Officer) | |||||||
| /s/ Brenda J. Lauderback | Director and Chair of the Board of Directors | February 28, 2022 | ||||||
| (Brenda J. Lauderback) | ||||||||
| /s/ Bernadette S. Aulestia | Director | February 28, 2022 | ||||||
| (Bernadette S. Aulestia) | ||||||||
| /s/ Olu Beck | Director | February 28, 2022 | ||||||
| (Olu Beck) | ||||||||
| /s/ Gregg R. Dedrick | Director | February 28, 2022 | ||||||
| (Gregg R. Dedrick) | ||||||||
| /s/ José M. Gutiérrez | Director | February 28, 2022 | ||||||
| (José M. Gutiérrez) | ||||||||
| /s/ Donald C. Robinson | Director | February 28, 2022 | ||||||
| (Donald C. Robinson) | ||||||||
| /s/ Laysha Ward | Director | February 28, 2022 | ||||||
| (Laysha Ward) | ||||||||
| /s/ F. Mark Wolfinger | President and Director | February 28, 2022 | ||||||
| (F. Mark Wolfinger) | ||||||||