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Dine Brands Global, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2020 March (Form 10-Q)


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
__________________________________________________ 
FORM 10-Q
 (Mark One)
      QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2020
 OR
      TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 For the transition period from                  to                
 
Commission File Number 001-15283
applebeeslogoa08.jpg Dine Brands Global, Inc. ihoplogonewa17.jpg
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
 
 
95-3038279
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
450 North Brand Boulevard,
 
 
91203-1903
Glendale,
CA
 
 
 
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
 
(Zip Code)
 
(818)
240-6055
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 ______________________________________________________________

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 Title of each class
 
 Trading symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value
 
DIN
New York Stock Exchange
 
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, smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See 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 is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes 
  No  
 
As of April 24, 2020, the Registrant had 16,418,446 shares of Common Stock outstanding.



Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Index
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
 
Statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied in such statements. You can identify these forward-looking statements by words such as “may,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal” and other similar expressions. You should consider our forward-looking statements in light of the risks discussed under the heading “Risk Factors,” as well as our consolidated financial statements, related notes, and the other financial information appearing elsewhere in this report and our other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained in this report are made as of the date hereof and Dine Brands Global, Inc. does not intend to, nor does it assume any obligation to, update or supplement any forward-looking statements after the date of this report to reflect actual results or future events or circumstances.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the projections, forecasts, estimates and expectations discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q include, among other things: uncertainty regarding the duration and severity of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its ultimate impact on our business; general economic conditions; our level of indebtedness; compliance with the terms of our securitized debt; our ability to refinance our current indebtedness or obtain additional financing; our dependence on information technology; potential cyber incidents; the implementation of restaurant development plans; our dependence on our franchisees; the concentration of our Applebee’s franchised restaurants in a limited number of franchisees; the financial health of our franchisees, including any insolvency or bankruptcy; credit risks from our IHOP franchisees operating under our previous IHOP business model in which we built and equipped IHOP restaurants and then franchised them to franchisees; insufficient insurance coverage to cover potential risks associated with the ownership and operation of restaurants; our franchisees’ and other licensees’ compliance with our quality standards and trademark usage; general risks associated with the restaurant industry; potential harm to our brands’ reputation; risks of food-borne illness or food tampering; possible future impairment charges; trading volatility and fluctuations in the price of our stock; our ability to achieve the financial guidance we provide to investors; successful implementation of our business strategy; the availability of suitable locations for new restaurants; shortages or interruptions in the supply or delivery of products from third parties or availability of utilities; the management and forecasting of appropriate inventory levels; development and implementation of innovative marketing and use of social media; changing health or dietary preference of consumers; risks associated with doing

1


business in international markets; the results of litigation and other legal proceedings; third-party claims with respect to intellectual property assets; delivery initiatives and use of third-party delivery vendors; our allocation of human capital and our ability to attract and retain management and other key employees; compliance with federal, state and local governmental regulations; risks associated with our self-insurance; natural disasters or other serious incidents; our success with development initiatives outside of our core business; the adequacy of our internal controls over financial reporting and future changes in accounting standards; and other matters in the “Risk Factors” section of this report and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, many of which are beyond our control.


Fiscal Quarter End

The Company’s fiscal quarters end on the Sunday closest to the last day of each calendar quarter. For convenience, the fiscal quarters of each year are referred to as ending on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31. The first fiscal quarter of 2020 began on December 30, 2019 and ended on March 29, 2020. The first fiscal quarter of 2019 began on December 31, 2018 and ended on March 31, 2019.

 





2


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements.
Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Assets
 
March 31, 2020
 
December 31, 2019
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
Current assets:
 
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
344,560

 
$
116,043

Receivables, gross
 
85,321


140,007

Less: allowance for credit losses
 
(4,906
)

(3,138
)
Receivables, net
 
80,415

 
136,869

Restricted cash
 
34,159

 
40,732

Prepaid gift card costs
 
27,563

 
36,077

Prepaid income taxes
 
7,039

 
13,290

Other current assets
 
6,254

 
3,906

Total current assets
 
499,990

 
346,917

Other intangible assets, net
 
572,449

 
575,103

Operating lease right-of-use assets
 
364,875

 
366,931

Goodwill
 
343,862

 
343,862

Property and equipment, net
 
211,835

 
216,420

Long-term receivables, gross
 
90,123

 
94,154

Less: allowance for credit losses
 
(8,375
)
 
(8,155
)
Long-term receivables, net
 
81,748

 
85,999

Deferred rent receivable
 
68,759

 
70,308

Non-current restricted cash
 
16,400

 
15,700

Other non-current assets, net
 
25,552

 
28,271

Total assets
 
$
2,185,470

 
$
2,049,511

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Deficit
 
 

 
 

Current liabilities:
 
 

 
 

Accounts payable
 
25,389

 
40,925

Gift card liability
 
120,187

 
159,019

Current maturities of operating lease obligations
 
72,508

 
72,815

Current maturities of finance lease and financing obligations
 
13,502

 
13,669

Accrued employee compensation and benefits
 
11,714

 
23,904

Dividends payable
 
12,739

 
11,702

Deferred franchise revenue, short-term
 
9,567

 
10,086

Other accrued expenses
 
24,972

 
25,792

Total current liabilities
 
290,578

 
357,912

Long-term debt
 
1,506,203

 
1,288,248

Operating lease obligations, less current maturities
 
355,160

 
359,025

Finance lease obligations, less current maturities
 
74,498

 
77,393

Financing obligations, less current maturities
 
35,944

 
37,682

Deferred income taxes, net
 
87,851

 
98,499

Deferred franchise revenue, long-term
 
56,046

 
56,944

Other non-current liabilities
 
15,567

 
15,582

Total liabilities
 
2,421,847

 
2,291,285

Commitments and contingencies
 


 


Stockholders’ deficit:
 
 

 
 

Preferred stock, $1 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding
 

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value; shares: 40,000,000 authorized; March 31, 2020 - 24,917,498 issued, 16,421,273 outstanding; December 31, 2019 - 24,925,447 issued, 16,521,921 outstanding
 
249

 
249

 Additional paid-in-capital
 
252,443

 
246,192

 Retained earnings
 
70,769

 
61,653

 Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(58
)
 
(58
)
Treasury stock, at cost; shares: March 31, 2020 - 8,496,225; December 31, 2019 - 8,403,526
 
(559,780
)
 
(549,810
)
Total stockholders’ deficit
 
(236,377
)
 
(241,774
)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit
 
$
2,185,470

 
$
2,049,511


 See the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

3


Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
March 31,
 
 
2020
 
2019
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
Franchise revenues:
 
 
 
 
Royalties, franchise fees and other
 
$
83,314

 
$
96,296

Advertising revenue
 
61,723

 
72,630

Total franchise revenues
 
145,037

 
168,926

Company restaurant sales
 
31,300

 
35,735

Rental revenues
 
29,009

 
30,711

Financing revenues
 
1,538

 
1,810

Total revenues
 
206,884

 
237,182

Cost of revenues:
 
 
 
 
Franchise expenses:
 
 
 
 
Advertising expenses
 
61,723

 
72,630

Bad debt expense (credit)
 
518

 
(467
)
Other franchise expenses
 
7,209

 
8,140

Total franchise expenses
 
69,450

 
80,303

Company restaurant expenses
 
30,332

 
31,538

Rental expenses:
 
 
 
 
Interest expense from finance leases
 
1,210

 
1,529

Other rental expenses
 
21,323

 
21,095

Total rental expenses
 
22,533

 
22,624

Financing expenses
 
142

 
146

Total cost of revenues
 
122,457

 
134,611

Gross profit
 
84,427

 
102,571

General and administrative expenses
 
37,608

 
42,819

Interest expense, net
 
15,172

 
15,393

Amortization of intangible assets
 
2,826

 
2,924

Closure and impairment (credit) charges
 
(12
)
 
194

(Gain) loss on disposition of assets
 
(233
)
 
109

Income before income tax provision
 
29,066

 
41,132

Income tax provision
 
(6,738
)
 
(9,489
)
Net income
 
22,328

 
31,643

Other comprehensive income (loss) net of tax:
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment
 

 
(1
)
Total comprehensive income
 
$
22,328

 
$
31,642

Net income available to common stockholders:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
22,328

 
$
31,643

Less: Net income allocated to unvested participating restricted stock
 
(748
)
 
(1,111
)
Net income available to common stockholders
 
$
21,580

 
$
30,532

Net income available to common stockholders per share:
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
1.33

 
$
1.76

Diluted
 
$
1.31

 
$
1.73

Weighted average shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
16,263

 
17,343

Diluted
 
16,470

 
17,690

 
See the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

4


Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Deficit
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

 
 
Three Months ended March 31, 2019
 
 
Common Stock
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 
Treasury Stock
 
 
 
 
Shares
Outstanding
 
Amount
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Retained Earnings
 
Shares
 
Cost
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2018
 
17,644

 
$
250

 
$
237,726

 
$
10,414

 
$
(60
)
 
7,341

 
$
(450,603
)
 
$
(202,273
)
Adoption of ASC 842
 

 

 

 
(5,030
)
 

 

 

 
(5,030
)
Net income
 

 

 

 
31,643

 

 

 

 
31,643

Other comprehensive loss
 

 

 

 

 
(1
)
 

 

 
(1
)
Purchase of Company common stock
 
(151
)
 

 

 

 

 
151

 
(12,015
)
 
(12,015
)
Reissuance of treasury stock
 
168

 

 
(667
)
 

 

 
(168
)
 
7,435

 
6,768

Net issuance of shares for stock plans
 
9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repurchase of restricted shares for taxes
 
(19
)
 

 
(1,817
)
 

 

 

 

 
(1,817
)
Stock-based compensation
 

 

 
4,107

 

 

 

 

 
4,107

Dividends on common stock
 

 

 
236

 
(12,439
)
 

 

 

 
(12,203
)
Balance at March 31, 2019
 
17,651

 
$
250

 
$
239,585

 
$
24,588

 
$
(61
)
 
7,324

 
$
(455,183
)
 
$
(190,821
)


 
 
Three Months ended March 31, 2020
 
 
Common Stock
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 
Treasury Stock
 
 
 
 
Shares
Outstanding
 
Amount
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Retained Earnings
 
Shares
 
Cost
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2019
 
16,522

 
$
249

 
$
246,192

 
$
61,653

 
$
(58
)
 
8,404

 
$
(549,810
)
 
$
(241,774
)
Adoption of credit loss accounting guidance (Note 3)
 

 

 

 
(497
)
 

 

 

 
(497
)
Net income
 

 

 

 
22,328

 

 

 

 
22,328

Purchase of Company common stock
 
(460
)
 

 

 

 

 
460

 
(26,527
)
 
(26,527
)
Reissuance of treasury stock
 
367

 

 
3,967

 

 

 
(368
)
 
16,557

 
20,524

Net issuance of shares for stock plans
 
18

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repurchase of restricted shares for taxes
 
(26
)
 

 
(2,000
)
 

 

 

 

 
(2,000
)
Stock-based compensation
 

 

 
4,038

 

 

 

 

 
4,038

Dividends on common stock
 

 

 
246

 
(12,715
)
 

 

 

 
(12,469
)
Balance at March 31, 2020
 
16,421

 
$
249

 
$
252,443

 
$
70,769

 
$
(58
)
 
8,496

 
$
(559,780
)
 
$
(236,377
)

See the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.









5


Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
March 31,
 
 
2020
 
2019
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 

 
 
Net income
 
$
22,328

 
$
31,643

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 

Depreciation and amortization
 
10,641

 
10,179

Non-cash stock-based compensation expense
 
4,038

 
4,107

Non-cash interest expense
 
655

 
1,118

Closure and impairment (credit) charges
 
(12
)
 
194

Deferred income taxes
 
(10,491
)
 
(1,149
)
Deferred revenue
 
(1,417
)
 
(1,877
)
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets
 
(227
)
 
109

Other
 
(1,293
)
 
(2,099
)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 

Accounts receivable, net
 
12,077

 
(3,210
)
Current income tax receivables and payables
 
6,443

 
(1,399
)
Gift card receivables and payables
 
11,693

 
(890
)
Other current assets
 
(2,347
)
 
(2,570
)
Accounts payable
 
(12,748
)
 
1,826

Accrued employee compensation and benefits
 
(12,190
)
 
(12,141
)
Other current liabilities
 
2,495

 
5,088

Cash flows provided by operating activities
 
29,645

 
28,929

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 

 
 

Principal receipts from notes, equipment contracts and other long-term receivables
 
5,544

 
5,260

Net additions to property and equipment
 
(5,084
)
 
(4,717
)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
 
6

 
400

Additions to long-term receivables
 
(1,511
)
 
(395
)
Other
 
(195
)
 
(100
)
Cash flows (used in) provided by investing activities
 
(1,240
)
 
448

Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 

Borrowing from revolving credit facility
 
220,000

 

Repayment of revolving credit facility
 

 
(25,000
)
Dividends paid on common stock
 
(11,451
)
 
(11,153
)
Repurchase of common stock
 
(29,853
)
 
(10,802
)
Principal payments on finance lease obligations
 
(2,981
)
 
(3,466
)
Proceeds from stock options exercised
 
20,524

 
6,768

Tax payments for restricted stock upon vesting
 
(2,000
)
 
(1,817
)
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities
 
194,239

 
(45,470
)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
 
222,644

 
(16,093
)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period
 
172,475

 
200,379

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period
 
$
395,119

 
$
184,286

Supplemental disclosures:
 
 

 
 

Interest paid in cash
 
$
16,446

 
$
16,346

Income taxes paid in cash
 
$
10,818

 
$
12,014


See the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

6


Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

1. General
 
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Dine Brands Global, Inc. (the “Company” or “Dine Brands Global”) have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the twelve months ending December 31, 2020.
 
The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2019 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all of information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements.
 
These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.
 
2. Basis of Presentation
 
The Company’s fiscal quarters end on the Sunday closest to the last day of each calendar quarter. For convenience, the fiscal quarters of each year are referred to as ending on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31. The first fiscal quarter of 2020 began on December 30, 2019 and ended on March 29, 2020. The first fiscal quarter of 2019 began on December 31, 2018 and ended on March 31, 2019.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries that are consolidated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company’s management to make assumptions and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities, if any, at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates are made in the calculation and assessment of the following: impairment of goodwill, other intangible assets and tangible assets; income taxes; allowance for doubtful accounts and notes receivables; lease accounting estimates; contingencies; and stock-based compensation. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates based on historical experience, current conditions and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The Company adjusts such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
Risks and Uncertainties

The Company is subject to risks and uncertainties as a result of the rapidly spreading outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus, designated “COVID-19.” The extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's business is highly uncertain and difficult to predict, as the response to the pandemic varies by state and municipalities within states. Assessments of the success of measures taken and the timing of any relaxation thereof is rapidly evolving. The Company first began to experience impacts from COVID-19 in March 2020, as federal, state and local governments began to react to the public health crisis by encouraging “social distancing” and requiring, in varying degrees, restaurant dine-in limitations and other restrictions that largely limited the restaurants of the Company's franchisees and its company-operated restaurants to take-out and delivery sales. Many international restaurants were temporarily closed for at least a part of March as well as a result of government restrictions put in place in various countries. Additionally, economies worldwide also have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which possibly could cause a domestic and/or global economic recession. Such economic disruption could have an ongoing material adverse effect on our business.

The severity of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's business will depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, whether, when or the manner in which the conditions surrounding the pandemic may change, including the timing of lifting any mandated closures or operating restrictions on restaurants, customer re-engagement with our brands and the short- and long-term impact on consumer discretionary spending and the domestic economy in general, all of which are uncertain and cannot be predicted. The Company's future results of operations and liquidity could be adversely impacted by the length of time dine-in restrictions are in place and the success of any initiatives or programs that the Company may undertake to address financial and operational challenges faced by itself and its franchisees. As such, the extent to which

7

Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)



the COVID-19 pandemic may materially impact the Company's financial condition, liquidity, or results of operations is highly uncertain.

The Company has taken several actions to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on its operations and its franchisees, as follows: (i) drew down $220 million from its revolving credit facility, leaving available remaining borrowing under the facility of approximately $2 million; (ii) terminated repurchases of common stock for the foreseeable future; (iii) the Company's Board of Directors decided not to declare a dividend for the second quarter of 2020; (iv) reduced discretionary costs, frozen new hiring and suspended the use of independent contractors; (v) temporarily furloughed certain team members across various functional groups at its restaurant support centers and company-operated restaurants and also curtailed the hours of substantially all of the hourly restaurant associates at company-operated restaurants; (vi) deferred franchisee payment of royalty, advertising and other fees, and lease obligations for up to two months on a case-by-case basis; (vii) deferred franchisee remodel and development obligations for up to 12 months; and (vii) engaged a national real estate firm to assist franchisees and the Company with landlord discussions regarding rent abatements, deferrals and other modifications to lease agreements.

Reclassifications

Certain 2019 amounts previously reported have been reclassified to conform to the presentation requirements of a newly adopted accounting standard on the measurement of current expected credit losses (See Note 3). Amounts reported in 2019 have not been restated.

3. Accounting Standards Adopted and Newly Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
 
Accounting Standards Adopted in the Current Fiscal Year
 
In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new guidance on the measurement of current expected credit losses (“CECL”) on financial instruments. The new guidance has replaced the incurred loss methodology of recognizing credit losses on financial instruments with a methodology that estimates the expected credit loss on financial instruments and reflects the net amount expected to be collected on the financial instrument. The Company adopted this change in accounting principle as of the first day of the first fiscal quarter of 2020 using the modified retrospective method. Accordingly, financial information for periods prior to the date of initial application has not been adjusted.

Upon adoption of the new CECL guidance, the Company recognized an increase to its allowance for credit losses of $0.7 million. The Company recognized an adjustment to retained earnings upon adoption of $0.5 million, net of tax of $0.2 million.

Additional new accounting guidance became effective for the Company as of the beginning of fiscal 2020 that the Company reviewed and concluded was either not applicable to its operations or had no material effect on its consolidated financial statements in the current or future fiscal years.

Newly Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In December 2019, the FASB issued new guidance intended to simplify the accounting for income taxes, change the accounting for certain income tax transactions, and make other minor changes. The Company will be required to adopt the new guidance beginning with its first fiscal quarter of 2021; early adoption in any interim period after issuance of the new guidance is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements but does not expect this standard to have a material effect on its financial statements. The Company does not intend to adopt the standard early.

The Company reviewed all other newly issued accounting pronouncements and concluded that they either are not applicable to the Company's operations or that no material effect is expected on the Company's financial statements when adoption is required in the future.
 

4. Revenue Disclosures

Franchise revenue (which comprises most of the Company's revenues) and revenue from company-operated restaurants are recognized in accordance with current guidance for revenue recognition as codified in Accounting Standards Topic 606 (“ASC 606”). Under ASC 606, revenue is recognized upon transfer of control of promised services or goods to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to receive for those services or goods.

8

Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

4. Revenue Disclosures (Continued)

Franchising Activities

The Company owns, franchises and operates the Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar® (“Applebee's”) concept in the casual dining category of the restaurant industry and the Company owns and franchises the International House of Pancakes® (“IHOP”) concept in the family dining category of the restaurant industry. The franchise arrangement for both brands is documented in the form of a franchise agreement and, in most cases, a development agreement. The franchise arrangement between the Company as the franchisor and the franchisee as the customer requires the Company to perform various activities to support the brands that do not directly transfer goods and services to the franchisee, but instead represent a single performance obligation, which is the transfer of the franchise license. The intellectual property subject to the franchise license is symbolic intellectual property as it does not have significant standalone functionality, and substantially all the utility is derived from its association with the Company’s past or ongoing activities. The nature of the Company’s promise in granting the franchise license is to provide the franchisee with access to the respective brand’s symbolic intellectual property over the term of the license. The services provided by the Company are highly interrelated with the franchise license and as such are considered to represent a single performance obligation.

The transaction price in a standard franchise arrangement for both brands primarily consists of (a) initial franchise/development fees; (b) continuing franchise fees (royalties); and (c) advertising fees. Since the Company considers the licensing of the franchising right to be a single performance obligation, no allocation of the transaction price is required. All domestic IHOP franchise agreements require franchisees to purchase proprietary pancake and waffle dry mix from the Company.

The Company recognizes the primary components of the transaction price as follows:

Franchise and development fees are recognized as revenue ratably on a straight-line basis over the term of the franchise agreement commencing with the restaurant opening date. As these fees are typically received in cash at or near the beginning of the franchise term, the cash received is initially recorded as a contract liability until recognized as revenue over time;
The Company is entitled to royalties and advertising fees based on a percentage of the franchisee's gross sales as defined in the franchise agreement. Royalty and advertising revenue are recognized when the franchisee's reported sales occur. Depending on timing within a fiscal period, the recognition of revenue results in either what is considered a contract asset (unbilled receivable) or, once billed, accounts receivable, and are included in “receivables, net” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Revenue from the sale of proprietary pancake and waffle dry mix is recognized in the period in which distributors ship the franchisee's order; recognition of revenue results in an accounts receivable included in “receivables, net” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

In determining the amount and timing of revenue from contracts with customers, the Company exercises significant judgment with respect to collectibility of the amount; however, the timing of recognition does not require significant judgments as it is based on either the term of the franchise agreement, the month of reported sales by the franchisee or the date of product shipment, none of which require estimation. The Company does not incur a significant amount of contract acquisition costs in conducting franchising activities. The Company's franchising arrangements do not contain a significant financing component.

Company Restaurant Revenue

Sales by company-operated restaurants are recognized when food and beverage items are sold. Company restaurant sales are reported net of sales taxes collected from guests that are remitted to the appropriate taxing authorities.


9

Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

4. Revenue Disclosures (Continued)

The following table disaggregates franchise revenue by major type for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 March 31,
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
 
(In thousands)
Franchise Revenue:
 
 
 
 
Royalties
 
$
67,600

 
$
78,730

Advertising fees
 
61,723

 
72,630

Pancake and waffle dry mix sales and other
 
12,848

 
14,431

Franchise and development fees
 
2,866

 
3,135

Total franchise revenue
 
$
145,037

 
$
168,926



Accounts receivable from franchisees as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were $53.0 million (net of allowance of $2.3 million) and $63.5 million (net of allowance of $0.7 million), respectively, and were included in receivables, net in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Changes in the Company's contract liability for deferred franchise and development fees during the three months ended March 31, 2020 are as follows:
 
 
Deferred Franchise Revenue (short- and long-term)
 
 
(In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2019
 
$
67,030

Recognized as revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2020
 
(2,699
)
Fees deferred during the three months ended March 31, 2020
 
1,282

Balance at March 31, 2020
 
$
65,613


 
The balance of deferred revenue as of March 31, 2020 is expected to be recognized as follows:

(In thousands)
Remainder of 2020
$
6,453

2021
9,113

2022
7,480

2023
6,887

2024
6,189

Thereafter
29,491

Total
$
65,613




5. Current Expected Credit Losses

Prior to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13, Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (“CECL”), the Company recorded incurred loss reserves against receivable balances based on current and historical information, with delinquency status being the primary indicator of a deterioration in credit quality. The recently adopted CECL reserve methodology requires companies to measure expected credit losses on financial instruments based on the total estimated amount to be collected over the lifetime of the instrument. Under the CECL model, reserves may be established against financial asset balances even if the risk of loss is remote or has not yet manifested itself.

Upon adoption of the CECL methodology, the Company developed its estimated loss reserves in the following manner. The Company continued to record specific reserves against account balances of franchisees deemed “at-risk” when a potential loss is likely or imminent as a result of prolonged payment delinquency (greater than 90 days past due) and where notable credit deterioration has become evident. For financial assets that are not currently deemed “at-risk,” an allowance is recorded based

10

Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

5. Current Expected Credit Losses (Continued)

on expected loss rates derived pursuant to the following CECL methodology that assesses four components - historical losses, current conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts, and a reversion to history, if applicable.

Historical Losses

Historical loss rates over a five-year span from 2015 to 2019 were calculated for financial assets with common risk characteristics. The Company believes that the past five years provide a reasonable representation of the Company’s operations and performance through various business cycles, both favorable and unfavorable. The Company also determined historical loss rate data for each franchise brand concept was more relevant than a single blended rate.

Historical losses were determined based on the average charge off method. Under this method, net charge off loss rates (gross charge offs less recoveries divided by average asset balances for the period) were calculated on a quarterly basis commencing with the first quarter of 2015 through the fourth quarter of 2019. The individual quarterly loss rates were then averaged over 20 quarters to derive an overall average 5-year historical loss rates for each financial asset type. As of each measurement date subsequent to the initial adoption, the 5-year average loss rate will be based on the most recent 20 quarters. Historical loss rates are further adjusted by factors related to current conditions and forecasts of future economic conditions.

Current Conditions

The Company identified three metrics that it believes provide the most relevant reflection of the current risks inherent in the Company’s franchisee-based restaurant business, as follows: (1) delinquency status, (2) system-wide same-restaurant sales, and (3) four-wall EBITDA profitability. For each metric, restaurant-level data was aggregated at the franchisee level. Each metric was weighted equally at one-third for each individual franchisee, unless certain data is missing or not available as of the quarterly assessment date. On occasion, new restaurant openings, closures/ reassignments, or franchisee failure to submit requested information, can lead to unavailable or missing data. In these cases, the remaining one or two metrics that are available are weighted at 100% or equally at 50% each, respectively.

A separate scale or data range was established for each of the three metrics to gauge each franchisee’s score relative to a pre-determined set of performance expectations. The distribution spread for each metric is static and will not change from one period to the next. The distribution spreads do not reflect the system average; rather, the distribution ranges were determined based on performance levels that the Company believes characterize relative franchisee health.

Based on the range of historical loss rate percentages derived for the various asset categories, the Company has determined that the total adjustment factor to be allocated to the current conditions component of its CECL methodology will be a maximum of 25 basis points (0.25%) for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

During the second half of March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in government-mandated restaurant closures in many areas both domestically and internationally. The restaurants that remained open were limited to off-premise sales channels (i.e. delivery and to-go) as dine-in operations were shuttered until further notice. As a result of these developments, system-wide sales decreased significantly. The initial current conditions adjustment factor was increased to account for the potential impact.

Reasonable and Supportable Forecasts

The third component in the CECL methodology involves consideration of macroeconomic conditions that can impact the estimate of expected credit losses in the future. The Company did not develop an internal methodology in this regard, rather, the Company utilizes existing, publicly accessible sources of economic data. The Company determined that forecasts of overall unemployment rate as well as consumer spending based on the personal consumption expenditure (PCE) index are two key macroeconomic factors that provide a meaningful outlook of expected consumer behaviors that impact the restaurant industry as well as franchisees' financial performance.
 
With respect to the unemployment rate, the Company analyzed annual historical data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for the past 15 years to get a full view of the range of unemployment rates over a full economic cycle. With respect to consumer spending, the Company analyzed monthly historical data related to personal consumption expenditure (PCE) for the past ten years from 2010 to 2019 from the United States Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). The PCE measure is the

11

Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

5. Current Expected Credit Losses (Continued)

component statistic for consumption in gross domestic product collected by the BEA and is essentially a measure of goods and services targeted towards individuals and consumed by individuals.

Reversion to History

CECL requires a lifetime of losses calculated from the time of origination and are updated in each reported quarter for the losses expected over the remaining life of each asset, conditional on historical information, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Absent a reasonable forecast over the full lifetime of a financial asset, entities must forecast their losses over the time frame covered by reasonable and supportable forecasts. After that time period, entities must estimate future losses based on a reversion to unadjusted historical information. The Company has determined that reversion to history was not required since the remaining average lives of the Company’s financial assets are not exceedingly lengthy.

The Company considers its portfolio segments to be the following:

Accounts Receivable (Franchise-Related)

Most of the Company’s short-term receivables due from franchisees are derived from royalty and advertising fees. In addition to royalties and advertising fees, the Company also bills certain IHOP franchisees for franchise notes, equipment notes, and rent payments. Accounts receivable balances also include billings for help desk support services provided to Applebee's and IHOP franchises by the Company’s information technology personnel. As of March 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, total accounts receivable amounted to $54.0 million and $61.5 million, respectively, predominantly from the Company’s domestic franchise operations, and to a much lesser extent, from restaurant locations outside the United States. The 5-year average historical loss rates related to accounts receivable balances were 0.19% for domestic IHOP franchisees and 1.27% for domestic Applebee's franchisees as of March 31, 2020. For international accounts receivable, 5-year average historical loss rates were 1.0% and 0.32% for IHOP and Applebee's, respectively, as of March 31, 2020.
  
Notes Receivable

Notes receivable balances primarily relate to the conversion of certain Applebee's franchisee accounts receivable to notes receivable, and to a lesser degree, cash loans to franchisees for working capital purposes, a note receivable in connection with the sale of IHOP company restaurants in June 2017, and IHOP franchise fee and other notes. The notes are typically collateralized by the franchise. Notes receivable totaled $29.8 million and $29.0 million as of March 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, respectively. Due to the riskier nature of Applebee's notes that were converted from previously delinquent franchisee accounts receivable balances, a significant portion of these notes have specific reserves recorded against them amounting to $10.4 million as of March 31, 2020. The other notes receivable balances are lower risk in nature, with IHOP notes receivable experiencing no historical losses over the past five years.

Direct Financing Leases Receivable
 
Direct financing lease receivables relate to IHOP franchise development activity prior to 2003 when IHOP typically leased or purchased the restaurant site, built and equipped the restaurant, then franchised the restaurant to a franchisee. IHOP provided the financing for leasing or subleasing the site. As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company’s direct financing lease receivables totaled $31.3 million and $34.0 million, respectively. Direct financing leases at March 31, 2020, comprised 121 leases with a weighted average remaining life of 3.6 years, relate to locations that IHOP is leasing from third parties and subleasing to franchisees. The inherent risk in this portfolio is fairly low based on the 5-year average historical loss rate.

Equipment Leases Receivable

Equipment leases receivable also relate to IHOP franchise development activity prior to 2003. Equipment lease contracts are collateralized by the equipment in the restaurant. The estimated fair value of the equipment collateralizing these lease contracts are not deemed to be significant given the very seasoned and mature nature of this portfolio. As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company’s equipment leases receivable totaled $54.2 million and $56.3 million, respectively. The fair values of equipment leases are not deemed to be significant given that this portfolio is very seasoned and at the tail end of its collective useful life. The weighted average remaining life of the Company’s equipment leases is 6.0 years as of March 29, 2020. The inherent risk in this portfolio is fairly low based on the 5-year average historical loss rate.


12

Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

5. Current Expected Credit Losses (Continued)

Distributor Receivables

Receivables due from distributors are related to the sale of IHOP’s proprietary pancake and waffle dry mix to franchisees through the Company’s network of suppliers and distributors. Receivables due from IHOP dry mix suppliers and distributors amounted to $3.0 million and $5.3 million, respectively as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019. The inherent risk in this portfolio is fairly low based on the 5-year average historical loss rate.

Gift Card Receivables
    
Gift card receivables consist primarily of amounts due from third-party vendors. Receivables related to gift card sales are subject to seasonality and usually peak around year end as a result of the December holiday season. The Company’s gift card receivables amounted to $2.9 million and $46.6 million as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. The quick settlement periods and low risk nature of these assets have resulted in virtually no historical losses over the 5-year loss horizon.

Changes in the allowance for credit losses during the three months ended March 31, 2020 were as follows:

 
Accounts Receivable
 
Notes receivable, short-term
 
Notes receivable, long-term
 
Lease Receivables
 
Equipment Notes
 
Other (1)
 
Total
 
(In thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2019
$
0.7

 
$
2.4

 
$
8.2

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
11.3

Increase due to CECL adoption
0.3

 
0.0

 
0.1

 
0.1

 
0.1

 
0.1

 
0.7

Bad debt expense for the three months ended March 31, 2020
0.1

 
0.2

 
(0.0
)
 
0.1

 
0.1

 
0.0

 
0.5

Advertising provision adjustment
1.1

 
0.1

 
(0.2
)
 

 

 

 
1.0

Write-offs
(0.0
)
 
(0.1
)
 

 

 

 

 
(0.1
)
Recoveries

 

 

 
0.0

 

 

 
0.0

Balance, March 31, 2020
$
2.2

 
$
2.6

 
$
8.1

 
$
0.2

 
$
0.2

 
$
0.1

 
$
13.4


(1) Primarily distributor receivables, gift card receivables and credit card receivables

The Company's primary credit quality indicator for all portfolio segments is delinquency. The delinquency status of receivables (other than accounts receivable) at March 31, 2020 was as follows:

 
Notes receivable, short-term
 
Notes receivable, long-term
 
Lease Receivables
 
Equipment Notes
 
Other (1)
 
Total
 
(In millions)
Current
$
4.3

 
$
4.9

 
$
31.0

 
$
53.5

 
$
0.4

 
$
94.1

30-59 days
0.1

 

 
0.2

 
0.1

 

 
0.4

60-89 days
0.1

 

 
0.0

 
0.1

 

 
0.2

90-119 days

 

 
0.0

 
0.0

 

 

120+ days
1.0

 
19.3

 

 
0.5

 

 
20.8

Total
$
5.5

 
$
24.2

 
$
31.2

 
$
54.2

 
$
0.4

 
$
115.5


(1) Primarily distributor receivables, gift card receivables and credit card receivables



13

Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

5. Current Expected Credit Losses (Continued)

The year of origination of the Company's financing receivables is as follows:

 
Notes receivable, short and long-term
 
Lease Receivables
 
Equipment Notes
 
Total
 
(In millions)
2020
$
1.6

 
$

 
$

 
$
1.6

2019
7.7

 
0.9

 

 
8.6

2018
13.7

 

 

 
13.7

2017
6.6

 

 

 
6.6

2016

 
1.4

 

 
1.4

Prior
0.2

 
29.0

 
54.2

 
83.4

Total
$
29.8

 
$
31.3

 
$
54.2

 
$
115.3



The Company does not place its financing receivables in non-accrual status.


6. Lease Disclosures

The Company engages in leasing activity as both a lessee and a lessor. The majority of the Company's lease portfolio originated when the Company was actively involved in the development and financing of IHOP restaurants prior to the franchising of the restaurant to the franchisee. This activity included the Company's purchase or leasing of the site on which the restaurant was located and subsequently leasing/subleasing the site to the franchisee. With a few exceptions, the Company ended this practice in 2003 and the Company's current lease activity is predominantly comprised of renewals of existing lease arrangements and exercises of options on existing lease arrangements.
      
The Company currently leases from third parties the real property on which approximately 600 IHOP franchisee-operated restaurants and one Applebee's franchisee-operated restaurant are located; the Company (as lessor) subleases the property to the franchisees that operate those restaurants. The Company also leases property it owns to the franchisees that operate approximately 60 IHOP restaurants and one Applebee's restaurant. The Company leases from third parties the real property on which 69 Applebee's company-operated restaurants are located. The Company also leases office space for its principal corporate office in Glendale, California and restaurant support centers in Kansas City, Missouri and Raleigh, North Carolina. The Company does not have a significant amount of non-real estate leases.

The Company's existing leases/subleases related to IHOP restaurants generally provided for an initial term of 20 to 25 years, with most having one or more five-year renewal options. Leases related to Applebee's restaurants generally have an initial term of 10 to 20 years, with renewal terms of five to 20 years. Option periods were not included in determining liabilities and right-of-use assets related to operating leases. Approximately 160 of the Company's leases contain provisions requiring additional rent payments to the Company (as lessor) based on a percentage of restaurant sales. Approximately 250 of the Company's leases contain provisions requiring additional rent payments by the Company (as lessee) based on a percentage of restaurant sales.

The individual lease agreements do not provide information to determine the implicit interest rate in the agreements. The Company made significant judgments in determining the incremental borrowing rates that were used in calculating operating lease liabilities as of the adoption date. Due to the large number of leases, the Company applied a portfolio approach by grouping the leases based on the original lease term. The Company estimated the interest rate for each grouping primarily by reference to (i) yield rates on debt issuances by companies of a similar credit rating as the Company; (ii) U.S. Treasury rates as of the adoption date; and (iii) adjustments for differences in years to maturity.

 

14


Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

6. Lease Disclosures (Continued)

The Company's lease cost for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
 
 March 31,
 
2020
 
2019
 
(In millions)
Finance lease cost:
 
 
 
Amortization of right-of-use assets
$
1.3

 
$
1.3

Interest on lease liabilities
1.7

 
2.1

Operating lease cost
26.5

 
26.4

Variable lease cost
0.4

 
0.7

Short-term lease cost
0.0

 
0.0

Sublease income
(26.6
)
 
(28.1
)
Lease cost
$
3.3

 
$
2.4



Future minimum lease payments under noncancelable leases as lessee as of March 31, 2020 were as follows:
 
Finance
Leases
 
Operating
Leases
 
(In millions)
2020 (remaining nine months)
$
15.1

 
$
75.5

2021
16.4

 
83.4

2022
14.7

 
75.9

2023
11.6

 
63.0

2024
9.4

 
57.6

Thereafter
55.7

 
177.6

Total minimum lease payments
122.8

 
532.9

Less: interest/imputed interest
(35.6
)
 
(105.2
)
Total obligations
87.2

 
427.7

Less: current portion
(12.7
)
 
(72.5
)
Long-term lease obligations
$
74.5

 
$
355.2



The weighted average remaining lease term as of March 31, 2020 was 8.6 years for finance leases and 7.6 years for operating leases. The weighted average discount rate as of March 31, 2020 was 10.4% for finance leases and 5.7% for operating leases.

During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company made the following cash payments for leases:
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2020
 
2019
 
(In millions)
Principal payments on finance lease obligations
$
3.0

 
$
3.5

Interest payments on finance lease obligations
$
1.7

 
$
2.0

Payments on operating leases
$
23.4

 
$
22.9

Variable lease payments
$
0.1

 
$
0.9



The Company's income from operating leases for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2020
 
2019
 
 (In millions)
Minimum lease payments
$
25.4

 
$
25.7

Variable lease income
2.4

 
3.2

Total operating lease income
$
27.8

 
$
28.9



15


Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

6. Lease Disclosures (Continued)

Minimum payments to be received as lessor under noncancelable operating leases as of March 31, 2020 were as follows:
 
(In millions)
2020 (remaining nine months)
$
81.9

2021
103.1

2022
100.2

2023
95.9

2024
87.0

Thereafter
216.8

Total minimum rents receivable
$
684.7



The Company's income from direct financing leases for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2020
 
2019
 
 (In millions)
Interest income
$
1.0

 
$
1.4

Variable lease income
0.2

 
0.4

Total operating lease income
$
1.2

 
$
1.8



Minimum payments to be received as lessor under noncancelable direct financing leases as of March 31, 2020 were as follows:
 
(In millions)
2020 (remaining nine months)
$
10.8

2021
11.5

2022
8.2

2023
3.6

2024
1.3

Thereafter
2.4

Total minimum rents receivable
37.9

Less: unearned income
(6.7
)
Total net investment in direct financing leases
31.3

Less: current portion
(10.8
)
Long-term investment in direct financing leases
$
20.5



7. Long-Term Debt
  
At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, long-term debt consisted of the following:
 
March 31, 2020
 
December 31, 2019
 
(In millions)
Series 2019-1 4.194% Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes, Class A-2-I
$
700.0

 
$
700.0

Series 2019-1 4.723% Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes, Class A-2-II
600.0

 
600.0

Series 2019-1 Variable Funding Senior Notes Class A-1, variable interest rate of 3.39% at March 31, 2020
220.0

 

Debt issuance costs
(13.8
)
 
(11.8
)
Long-term debt, net of debt issuance costs
1,506.2

 
1,288.2

Current portion of long-term debt

 

Long-term debt
$
1,506.2

 
$
1,288.2




16

Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

7. Long-Term Debt (Continued)

On June 5, 2019, Applebee’s Funding LLC and IHOP Funding LLC (the “Co-Issuers”), each a special purpose, wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of the Company, issued two tranches of fixed rate senior secured notes, the Series 2019-1 4.194% Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes, Class A-2-I (“Class A-2-I Notes”) in an initial aggregate principal amount of $700 million and the Series 2019-1 4.723% Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes, Class A-2-II (“Class A-2-II Notes”) in an initial aggregate principal amount of $600 million (the “Class A-2-II Notes” and, together with the Class A-2-I Notes, the “2019 Class A-2 Notes”). The 2019 Class A-2 Notes were issued pursuant to an offering exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

The Co-Issuers also replaced their existing revolving financing facility, the 2018-1 Variable Funding Senior Notes, Class A-1 (“2018-1 Class A-1 Notes”), with a new revolving financing facility, the 2019-1 Variable Funding Senior Notes, Class A-1 (the “Revolver”), on substantially the same terms as the 2018-1 Class A-1 Notes in order to conform the term of the Revolver to the anticipated repayment dates for the 2019 Class A-2 Notes. The Revolver allows for drawings up to $225 million of variable funding notes and the issuance of letters of credit. The Revolver and the 2019 Class A-2 Notes are referred to collectively herein as the “New Notes.” The New Notes were issued in a securitization transaction pursuant to which substantially all the domestic revenue-generating assets and domestic intellectual property held by the Co-Issuers and certain other special-purpose, wholly-owned indirect subsidiaries of the Company (the “Guarantors”) were pledged as collateral to secure the New Notes.

The Company used the majority of the net proceeds of the offering to repay the entire outstanding balance of approximately $1.28 billion of Series 2014-1 4.277% Fixed Rate Senior Notes, Class A-2 (the “2014 Class A-2 Notes”). The Company used the remaining proceeds of the offering to pay for transactions costs associated with the securitization refinancing transaction and for general corporate purposes.

2019 Class A-2 Notes

The New Notes were issued under a Base Indenture, dated as of September 30, 2014, and amended and restated as of June 5, 2019 (the “Base Indenture”), and the related Series 2019-1 Supplement to the Base Indenture, dated June 5, 2019 (the “Series 2019-1 Supplement”), among the Co-Issuers and Citibank, N.A., as the trustee (in such capacity, the “Trustee”) and securities intermediary. The Base Indenture and the Series 2019-1 Supplement (collectively, the “Indenture”) will allow the Co-Issuers to issue additional series of notes in the future subject to certain conditions set forth therein.

The legal final maturity of the 2019 Class A-2 Notes is in June 2049, but rapid amortization will apply if the Class A-2-I Notes are not repaid by June 2024 (the “Class A-2-I Anticipated Repayment Date”) and for the Class A-2-II Notes if not repaid by June 2026 (the “Class A-2-II Anticipated Repayment Date”). If the Co-Issuers have not repaid or refinanced the Class A-2-I Notes by the Class A-2-I Anticipated Repayment Date or the Class A-2-II Notes by the Class A-2-II Anticipated Repayment Date, then additional interest will accrue on the Class A-2-I Notes and the Class A-2-II Notes, as applicable, at the greater of: (A) 5.0% and (B) the amount, if any, by which the sum of the following exceeds the applicable Series 2019-1 Class A-2 Note interest rate: (x) the yield to maturity (adjusted to a quarterly bond-equivalent basis) on the applicable anticipated repayment date of the United States Treasury Security having a term closest to 10 years plus (y) 5.0%, plus (z) 2.15% for the Series 2019-1 Class A-2-I Notes and 2.64% for the Series 2019-1 Class A-2-II Notes.

While the 2019 Class A-2 Notes are outstanding, payment of principal and interest is required to be made on the 2019 Class A-2 Notes on a quarterly basis. The quarterly principal payment of $3.25 million on the 2019 Class A-2 Notes may be suspended when the leverage ratio for the Company and its subsidiaries is less than or equal to 5.25x. In general, the leverage ratio is our indebtedness (as defined in the Indenture) divided by adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the Indenture) for the four preceding quarterly periods. The complete definitions of all calculation elements of the leverage ratio are contained in the Base Indenture, dated as of September 30, 2014, amended and restated as of June 5, 2019.

As of March 31, 2020, the Company's leverage ratio was 4.79x; accordingly, no principal payment on the 2019 Class A-2 Notes will be required during the second quarter of 2020. Exceeding the leverage ratio of 5.25x does not violate any covenant related to the New Notes.


17

Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

7. Long-Term Debt (Continued)

The Company may voluntarily repay the 2019 Class A-2 Notes at any time, however, if the Company repays the New Notes prior to certain dates it would be required to pay make-whole or call redemption premiums. As of March 31, 2020, the make-whole premium associated with voluntary prepayment of the Class A-2-I Notes was approximately $32 million; this amount declines progressively each quarter to zero in June 2022. As of March 31, 2020, the make-whole premium associated with voluntary prepayment of the Class A-2-II Notes was approximately $88 million; this amount declines progressively each quarter to zero in June 2024. In lieu of the applicable make-whole premiums above, a call redemption premium will be payable upon any redemption or refinancing in full of the New Notes at any time on or after the quarterly payment date in June 2022 and on or prior to the quarterly payment date in June 2023.  The call redemption premium is the lesser of 101% times the outstanding principal amount of the Class A-2-II Notes, less the outstanding principal amount of the Class A-2-II, at the time of redemption or refinancing and the applicable make-whole premium otherwise payable on the Class A-2-II Notes.

The Company would also be subject to a make-whole premium in the event of a mandatory prepayment required following a Rapid Amortization Event or certain asset dispositions. The mandatory make-whole premium requirements are considered derivatives embedded in the New Notes that must be bifurcated for separate valuation. The Company estimated the fair value of these derivatives to be immaterial as of March 31, 2020, based on the probability-weighted discounted cash flows associated with either event.

2019 Class A-1 Notes
 
The Co-Issuers also entered into the Revolver that allows for drawings up to $225 million of variable funding notes and the issuance of letters of credit. The 2019 Class A-1 Notes were issued under the Indenture. Drawings and certain additional terms related to the Revolver are governed by the 2019 Class A-1 Note Purchase Agreement, dated June 5, 2019, among the Co-Issuers, certain special-purpose, wholly-owned indirect subsidiaries of the Company, each as a Guarantor, the Company, as manager, certain conduit investors, financial institutions and funding agents, and Barclays Bank PLC, as provider of letters credit, swingline lender and administrative agent (the “Purchase Agreement”).

The Revolver is governed, in part, by the Purchase Agreement and by certain generally applicable terms contained in the Indenture. The applicable interest rate under the Revolver depends on the type of borrowing by the Co-Issuers. The applicable interest rate for advances is generally calculated at a per annum rate equal to the commercial paper funding rate or one-, two-, three- or six-month Eurodollar Funding Rate, in either case, plus 2.15%. The applicable interest rate for swingline advances and unreimbursed draws on outstanding letters of credit is a per annum base rate equal to the sum of (a) 1.15% plus (b) the greatest of (i) the Prime Rate in effect from time to time, (ii) the Federal Funds Rate in effect from time to time plus 0.50% and (iii) the one-month Eurodollar Funding Rate plus 1.00%. There is no upfront fee for the Revolver. There is a fee of 50 basis points on any unused portion of the revolving financing facility. Undrawn face amounts of outstanding letters of credit that are not cash collateralized accrue a fee of 2.15% per annum.

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company borrowed $220.0 million against the Revolver, all of which was outstanding at March 31, 2020. At March 31, 2020, $2.8 million was pledged against the Revolver for outstanding letters of credit, leaving $2.2 million available for borrowing. The letters of credit are used primarily to satisfy insurance-related collateral requirements. The maximum amount of the Revolver outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2020 was $220.0 million and the weighted average interest rate for the period outstanding was 3.39%. It is anticipated that any principal and interest on the Revolver will be repaid in full on or prior to the quarterly payment date in June 2024, subject to two additional one-year extensions at the option of the Company upon the satisfaction of certain conditions.

Covenants and Restrictions

The New Notes are subject to a series of covenants and restrictions customary for transactions of this type, including: (i) that the Co-Issuers maintain specified reserve accounts to be used to make required payments in respect of the New Notes, (ii) provisions relating to optional and mandatory prepayments, and the related payment of specified amounts, including specified call redemption premiums in the case of Class A-2 Notes under certain circumstances; (iii) certain indemnification payments in the event, among other things, the transfers of the assets pledged as collateral for the New Notes are in stated ways defective or ineffective and (iv) covenants relating to recordkeeping, access to information and similar matters. The New Notes are subject to customary rapid amortization events provided for in the Indenture, including events tied to failure of the Securitization Entities (as defined in the Indenture) to maintain the stated debt service coverage ratio (“DSCR”), the sum of domestic retail sales for all restaurants being below certain levels on certain measurement dates, certain manager termination events, certain events of default and the failure to repay or refinance the Class A-2 Notes on the anticipated repayment dates. The New Notes

18

Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

7. Long-Term Debt (Continued)

are also subject to certain customary events of default, including events relating to non-payment of required interest, principal or other amounts due on or with respect to the New Notes, failure of the Securitization Entities to maintain the stated DSCR, failure to comply with covenants within certain time frames, certain bankruptcy events, breaches of specified representations and warranties and certain judgments.

In general, the DSCR ratio is Net Cash Flow (as defined in the Indenture) for the four quarters preceding the calculation date divided by the total debt service payments (as defined in the Indenture) of the preceding four quarters. The complete definitions of the DSCR and all calculation elements are contained in the Indenture. Failure to maintain a prescribed DSCR can trigger a Cash Flow Sweeping Event, A Rapid Amortization Event, a Manager Termination Event or a Default Event as described below. In a Cash Flow Sweeping Event, the Trustee is required to retain 50% of excess Cash Flow (as defined in the Indenture) in a restricted account. In a Rapid Amortization Event, all excess Cash Flow is retained and used to retire principal amounts of debt. In a Manager Termination Event, the Company may be replaced as manager of the assets securitized under the Indenture. In a Default Event, the outstanding principal amount and any accrued but unpaid interest can be called to become immediately due and payable. Key DSCRs are as follows:

DSCR less than 1.75x - Cash Flow Sweeping Event
DSCR less than 1.20x - Rapid Amortization Event
Interest-only DSCR less than 1.20x - Manager Termination Event
Interest-only DSCR less than 1.10x - Default Event

The Company's DSCR for the reporting period ended March 31, 2020 was 3.93x.

Debt Issuance Costs

The Company incurred costs of approximately $12.9 million in connection with the issuance of the 2019 Class A-2 Notes. These debt issuance costs are being amortized using the effective interest method over the estimated life of each tranche of the 2019 Class A-2 Notes. Amortization costs of $0.5 million were included in interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

The Company incurred costs of approximately $0.2 million in connection with the replacement of the 2018-1 Class A-1 Notes with the Revolver. These debt issuance costs have been added to the remaining unamortized costs of approximately $2.8 million related to the 2018-1 Class A-1 Notes, the total of which costs is being amortized using the effective interest method over the estimated five-year life of the Revolver. Amortization costs of $0.2 million were included in interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2020.
  
At March 31, 2020, total unamortized debt issuance costs of $13.8 million are reported as a direct reduction of the Revolver and 2019 Class A-2 Notes in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. That amount includes $2.6 million of costs related to the Revolver that were classified as other long-term assets as of December 31, 2019 because there had been no borrowing against the Revolver since it was established.

For additional information on the 2019 Class A-2 Notes and the Revolver, refer to Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.


19

Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

7. Long-Term Debt (Continued)

Maturities of Long-term Debt
Face-value maturities of long-term debt for each of the next five years, assuming the Company's leverage ratio remains less than 5.25x, are as follows:
 
(In millions)
2020 (remaining nine months)
$

2021

2022

2023

2024
920.0

Thereafter
600.0

Total
$
1,520.0


  
8. Stockholders' Deficit

Dividends
 
During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company paid dividends on common stock of $11.5 million, representing a cash dividend of $0.69 per share declared in the fourth quarter of 2019, paid on January 10, 2020 to stockholders of record at the close of business on December 20, 2019. On February 20, 2020, the Company's Board of Directors declared a first quarter 2020 cash dividend of $0.76 per share of common stock. This dividend was paid on April 3, 2020 to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 20, 2020. Dividends payable at March 31, 2020 were $12.7 million.

Dividends declared and paid per share for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2020

 
2019

Dividends declared per common share
 
$
0.76

 
$
0.69

Dividends paid per common share
 
$
0.69

 
$
0.63



Stock Repurchase Program

In February 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program authorizing the Company to repurchase up to $200 million of the Company’s common stock (the “2019 Repurchase Program”) on an opportunistic basis from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions based on business, market, applicable legal requirements and other considerations.  The 2019 Repurchase Program, as approved by the Board of Directors, does not require the repurchase of a specific number of shares and can be terminated at any time. 

A summary of shares repurchased under the 2019 Repurchase Program, during three months ended March 31, 2020 and cumulatively, is as follows:
 
Shares
 
Cost of shares
 
 
 
(In millions)
Repurchased during the three months ended March 31, 2020
459,899

 
$
26.5

Cumulative (life-of-program) repurchases
1,697,597

 
$
129.8

Remaining dollar value of shares that may be repurchased
       n/a
 
$
70.2



Treasury Stock

Repurchases of the Company's common stock are included in treasury stock at the cost of shares repurchased plus any transaction costs. Treasury stock may be re-issued when stock options are exercised, when restricted stock awards are granted and when restricted stock units settle in stock upon vesting. The cost of treasury stock re-issued is determined using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company re-issued 367,200 shares of treasury stock at a total FIFO cost of $16.6 million.


20

Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)



9. Income Taxes
 
As a result of the growing global impact from the COVID-19 pandemic, estimating a reliable annual effective tax rate for the year was not possible due to changes in estimated forecast having a significant impact on the annual effective tax rate. Since forecasting an annual effective tax rate under these circumstances would not provide a meaningful estimate, the Company believes that the actual year-to-date effective tax rate is the best estimate of the annual tax rate in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Company’s income tax provision has been calculated utilizing its actual effective tax rate based on the actual year-to-date results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020.

The Company's effective tax rate was 23.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2020 as compared to 23.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

The total gross unrecognized tax benefit as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was $7.7 million and $7.6 million, respectively, excluding interest, penalties and related tax benefits. The Company estimates the unrecognized tax benefit as of March 31, 2020 may decrease over the upcoming 12 months by an amount up to $1.5 million related to settlements with taxing authorities, statutes of limitations expirations and method changes. For the remaining liability, due to the uncertainties related to these tax matters, the Company is unable to make a reasonable estimate as to when cash settlement with a taxing authority will occur.    

As of March 31, 2020, accrued interest was $2.7 million and accrued penalties were less than $0.1 million, excluding any related income tax benefits. As of December 31, 2019, accrued interest was $2.5 million and accrued penalties were less than $0.1 million, excluding any related income tax benefits. The Company recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties as a component of its income tax provision recognized in its Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

The Company files federal income tax returns and the Company or one of its subsidiaries file income tax returns in various state and international jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to federal tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2014 and state or non-United States tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2011. The Company believes that adequate reserves have been provided related to all matters contained in the tax periods open to examination.

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was enacted. The Company continues to evaluate the impact of the CARES Act and takes into consideration the impact it may have on its overall tax provision.

10. Stock-Based Compensation
 
The following table summarizes the components of stock-based compensation expense included in general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income:
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
(In millions)
Total stock-based compensation expense:
 
 
 
 
Equity classified awards expense
 
$
4.1

 
$
4.1

Liability classified awards (credit) expense
 
(0.6
)
 
1.0

Total pre-tax stock-based compensation expense
 
3.5

 
5.1

Book income tax benefit
 
(0.9
)
 
(1.3
)
Total stock-based compensation expense, net of tax
 
$
2.6

 
$
3.8


 
As of March 31, 2020, total unrecognized compensation expense of $19.4 million related to restricted stock and restricted stock units and $4.7 million related to stock options are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.4 years for restricted stock and restricted stock units and 1.6 years for stock options.


21

Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

10. Stock-Based Compensation (Continued)

Fair Value Assumptions

The Company granted 167,969 stock options during the three months ended March 31, 2020 for which the fair value was estimated using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. The following summarizes the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model:
Risk-free interest rate
1.2
%
Weighted average historical volatility
30.5
%
Dividend yield
3.5
%
Expected years until exercise
4.6

Weighted average fair value of options granted
$17.53


Equity Classified Awards - Stock Options

Stock option balances at March 31, 2020, and activity for the three months ended March 31, 2020 were as follows:
 
 
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Term
(in Years)
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value (in Millions)
Outstanding at December 31, 2019
 
1,217,438

 
$
66.43

 
 
 
 

Granted
 
167,969

 
87.17

 
 
 
 

Exercised
 
(270,024
)
 
76.01

 
 
 
 

Expired
 
(46,306
)
 
113.72

 
 
 
 
Forfeited
 
(7,139
)
 
82.58

 
 
 
 

Outstanding at March 31, 2020
 
1,061,938

 
65.10

 
7.6
 
$
0.0

Vested at March 31, 2020 and Expected to Vest
 
986,611

 
64.96

 
7.5
 
$
0.0

Exercisable at March 31, 2020
 
418,654

 
$
70.54

 
6.5
 
$
0.0


 
The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between the closing stock price of the Company’s common stock on the last trading day of the first quarter of 2020 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on March 31, 2020. The aggregate intrinsic value will change based on the fair market value of the Company’s common stock and the number of in-the-money options.

Equity Classified Awards - Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units

Outstanding balances as of March 31, 2020, and activity related to restricted stock and restricted stock units for the three months ended March 31, 2020 were as follows:
 
 
Restricted
Stock
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Stock-Settled Restricted
Stock Units
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2019
 
224,515

 
$
70.52

 
357,807

 
$
30.35

Granted
 
97,176

 
83.57

 
15,112

 
87.17

Released
 
(66,826
)
 
56.02

 
(30,032
)
 
64.76

Forfeited
 
(12,039
)
 
80.87

 

 

Outstanding at March 31, 2020
 
242,826

 
$
79.87

 
342,887

 
$
29.11




22

Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

10. Stock-Based Compensation (Continued)

Liability Classified Awards - Cash-settled Restricted Stock Units

The Company has granted cash-settled restricted stock units to certain employees. These instruments are recorded as liabilities at fair value as of the respective period end.
 
 
Cash-Settled Restricted
Stock Units
 
Weighted
Average
Fair Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2019
 
63,852

 
$
85.63

Granted
 
517

 
85.41

Forfeited
 
(7,597
)
 
86.53

Outstanding at March 31, 2020
 
56,772

 
$
34.51



For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, a credit of $1.3 million and an expense of $0.6 million, respectively, was included as stock-based compensation expense related to cash-settled restricted stock units.

Liability Classified Awards - Long-Term Incentive Awards
The Company has granted cash long-term incentive awards (“LTIP awards”) to certain employees. Annual LTIP awards vest over a three-year period and are determined using multipliers from 0% to 200% of the target award based on (i) the total stockholder return of Dine Brands Global common stock compared to the total stockholder returns of a peer group of companies and (ii) the percentage increase in the Company's adjusted earnings per share (as defined in the applicable award agreement). The awards are considered stock-based compensation and are classified as liabilities measured at fair value as of the respective period end. For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, $0.8 million and $0.4 million, respectively, were included in total stock-based compensation expense related to LTIP awards. At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, liabilities of $2.1 million and $2.9 million, respectively, related to LTIP awards were included as part of accrued employee compensation and benefits in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

11. Segments
 
The Company identifies its reporting segments based on the organizational units used by management to monitor performance and make operating decisions. The Company currently has five operating segments: Applebee's franchise operations, Applebee's company-operated restaurant operations, IHOP franchise operations, rental operations and financing operations. The Company has four reportable segments: franchise operations, (an aggregation of Applebee's and IHOP franchise operations), company-operated restaurant operations, rental operations and financing operations. The Company considers these to be its reportable segments, regardless of whether any segment exceeds 10% of consolidated revenues, income before income tax provision or total assets.
 
As of March 31, 2020, the franchise operations segment consisted of (i) 1,706 restaurants operated by Applebee’s franchisees in the United States, two U.S. territories and 11 countries outside the United States and (ii) 1,840 restaurants operated by IHOP franchisees and area licensees in the United States, two U.S. territories and 13 countries outside the United States. Franchise operations revenue consists primarily of franchise royalty revenues, franchise advertising revenue, sales of proprietary products to franchisees (primarily pancake and waffle dry mixes for the IHOP restaurants), and franchise fees.  Franchise operations expenses include advertising expenses, the cost of IHOP proprietary products, bad debt expense, franchisor contributions to marketing funds, pre-opening training expenses and other franchise-related costs.

Company restaurant sales are retail sales at 69 Applebee's company-operated restaurants. Company restaurant expenses are operating expenses at company-operated restaurants and include food, labor, utilities, rent and other restaurant operating costs.

Rental operations revenue includes revenue from operating leases and interest income from direct financing leases. Rental operations expenses are costs of operating leases and interest expense from finance leases on which the Company is the lessee. 

Financing revenues primarily consist of interest income from the financing of IHOP equipment leases and franchise fees, sales of equipment associated with refranchised IHOP restaurants and interest income on Applebee's notes receivable from franchisees. Financing expenses are primarily the cost of restaurant equipment associated with refranchised IHOP restaurants.


23

Dine Brand Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

11. Segments (Continued)

Information on segments is as follows:
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
 
(In millions)
Revenues from external customers:
 
 
 
 
Franchise operations
 
$
145.1

 
$
168.9

Rental operations
 
29.0

 
30.7

Company restaurants
 
31.3

 
35.8

Financing operations
 
1.5

 
1.8

Total
 
$
206.9

 
$
237.2

 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense:
 
 
 
 
Rental operations
 
$
1.6

 
$
2.5

Company restaurants
 
0.5

 
0.5

Corporate
 
15.2

 
15.4

Total
 
$
17.3

 
$
18.4

 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization:
 
 
 
 
Franchise operations
 
$
2.6

 
$
2.6

Rental operations
 
3.1

 
$
3.5

Company restaurants
 
1.6

 
1.3

Corporate
 
3.3

 
2.8

Total
 
$
10.6

 
$
10.2

 
 
 
 
 
Gross profit, by segment:
 
 
 
 
Franchise operations
 
$
75.6

 
$
88.6

Rental operations
 
6.5

 
8.1

Company restaurants
 
1.0

 
4.2

Financing operations
 
1.3

 
1.7

Total gross profit
 
84.4

 
102.6

Corporate and unallocated expenses, net
 
(55.3
)
 
(61.5
)
Income before income tax provision
 
$
29.1

 
$
41.1



12. Net Income per Share

The computation of the Company's basic and diluted net income per share is as follows:
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
Numerator for basic and diluted income per common share:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
22,328

 
$
31,643

Less: Net income allocated to unvested participating restricted stock
 
(748
)
 
(1,111
)
Net income available to common stockholders - basic
 
21,580

 
30,532

Effect of unvested participating restricted stock in two-class calculation
 
4

 
12

Net income available to common stockholders - diluted
 
$
21,584

 
$
30,544

Denominator:
 
 
 
 
Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock - basic
 
16,263

 
17,343

Dilutive effect of stock options
 
207

 
347

Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock - diluted
 
16,470

 
17,690

Net income per common share:
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
1.33

 
$
1.76

Diluted
 
$
1.31

 
$
1.73




24

Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)



13. Fair Value Measurements
The Company does not have a material amount of financial assets or liabilities that are required under U.S. GAAP to be measured on a recurring basis at fair value. The Company is not a party to any material derivative financial instruments. The Company does not have a material amount of non-financial assets or non-financial liabilities that are required under U.S. GAAP to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The Company has not elected to use the fair value measurement option, as permitted under U.S. GAAP, for any assets or liabilities for which fair value measurement is not presently required.
 
The Company believes the fair values of cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their carrying amounts due to their short duration.
 
The fair values of the Company's 2019 Class A-2 Notes at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were as follows:
 
 
March 31, 2020
December 31, 2019
 
 
(In millions)
Face Value of Class A-2 Notes
 
$
1,300.0

 
$
1,300.0

 
Fair Value of Class A-2 Notes
 
$
1,297.9

 
$
1,326.3

 


 The fair values were determined based on Level 2 inputs, including information gathered from brokers who trade in the Company’s 2019 Class A-2 Notes, as well as information on notes that are similar to those of the Company. Between March 17 and March 19, 2020, the Company borrowed a total of $220 million of the available amount under the Revolver. Given the short time between the dates of the borrowing and the Company's fiscal quarter end, the Company believes the face value of the Class A-1 Notes is a reasonable approximation of the fair value.

14. Commitments and Contingencies
 
Litigation, Claims and Disputes
 
The Company is subject to various lawsuits, administrative proceedings, audits and claims arising in the ordinary course of business. Some of these lawsuits purport to be class actions and/or seek substantial damages. The Company is required under U.S. GAAP to record an accrual for litigation loss contingencies that are both probable and reasonably estimable. Legal fees and expenses associated with the defense of all of the Company's litigation are expensed as such fees and expenses are incurred. Management regularly assesses the Company's insurance coverage, analyzes litigation information with the Company's attorneys and evaluates the Company's loss experience in connection with pending legal proceedings. While the Company does not presently believe that any of the legal proceedings to which it is currently a party will ultimately have a material adverse impact on the Company, there can be no assurance that the Company will prevail in all the proceedings the Company is party to, or that the Company will not incur material losses from them.

Lease Guarantees
 
In connection with the sale of Applebee’s restaurants to franchisees, the Company has, in certain cases, guaranteed or has potential continuing liability for lease payments totaling $253.2 million as of March 31, 2020. This amount represents the maximum potential liability for future payments under these leases. These leases have been assigned to the buyers and expire at the end of the respective lease terms, which range from 2020 through 2048. Excluding unexercised option periods, the Company's potential liability for future payments under these leases is $38.1 million. In the event of default, the indemnity and default clauses in the sale or assignment agreements govern the Company's ability to pursue and recover damages incurred.

15. Restricted Cash

Current restricted cash of $34.2 million at March 31, 2020 primarily consisted of $31.6 million of funds required to be held in trust in connection with the Company's securitized debt and $2.5 million of funds from Applebee's franchisees pursuant to franchise agreements, usage of which was restricted to advertising activities. Current restricted cash of $40.7 million at December 31, 2019 primarily consisted of $38.4 million of funds required to be held in trust in connection with the Company's securitized debt and $2.3 million of funds from Applebee's franchisees pursuant to franchise agreements, usage of which was restricted to advertising activities.

Non-current restricted cash of $16.4 million at March 31, 2020 and $15.7 million at December 31, 2019 represents interest reserves required to be set aside for the duration of the Company's securitized debt.

25


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

You should read the following Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the related notes that appear elsewhere in this report. Statements contained in this report may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Please refer to the section of this report under the heading “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” for more information.

Overview
 
The following discussion and analysis provides information which we believe is relevant to an assessment and understanding of our consolidated results of operations and financial condition. The discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report and the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and the MD&A contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. Except where the context indicates otherwise, the words “we,” “us,” “our,” “Dine Brands Global” and the “Company” refer to Dine Brands Global, Inc., together with its subsidiaries that are consolidated in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”).
 
Through various subsidiaries, we own, franchise and operate the Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar® (“Applebee's”) concept in the bar and grill segment within the casual dining category of the restaurant industry and we own and franchise the International House of Pancakes® (“IHOP”) concept in the family dining category of the restaurant industry. References herein to Applebee's® and IHOP® restaurants are to these two restaurant concepts, whether operated by franchisees, area licensees and their sub-licensees (collectively, “area licensees”) or by us. With over 3,600 restaurants combined, the substantial majority of which are franchised, we believe we are one of the largest full-service restaurant companies in the world. The June 17, 2019 issue of Nation's Restaurant News reported IHOP was the largest family dining concept in terms of 2018 United States system-wide sales and Applebee's was the largest casual dining concept in terms of number of restaurants.

We identify our business segments based on the organizational units used by management to monitor performance and make operating decisions. We currently have five operating segments: Applebee's franchise operations, Applebee's company-operated restaurant operations, IHOP franchise operations, rental operations and financing operations. We have four reportable segments: franchise operations (an aggregation of Applebee's and IHOP franchise operations), company-operated restaurant operations, rental operations and financing operations. We consider these to be our reportable segments, regardless of whether any segment exceeds 10% of consolidated revenues, income before income tax provision or total assets.

Significant Recent Developments Regarding COVID-19

During March 2020, a global pandemic was declared by the World Health Organization related to the rapidly spreading outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus, designated COVID-19.The pandemic has significantly impacted economic conditions in the United States, where the majority of our restaurants are located, as well as economic conditions globally. We first began to experience impacts from COVID-19 around the middle of March 2020, as international, federal, state and local governments began to react to the public health crisis by encouraging or requiring social distancing, instituting shelter-in-place orders, and requiring, in varying degrees, reduced operating hours, restaurant dine-in limitations, capacity limitations or other restrictions that largely limited restaurants to take-out and delivery sales. The long-term impact of COVID-19 on world economies and on our business remains uncertain, the duration and scope of which cannot currently be predicted. Please refer to Part II, Item 1A., “Risk Factors,” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further information.

The operating status of domestic IHOP and Applebee's restaurants at March 31, 2020 was as follows:
 
Applebee's
 
IHOP
Restaurants operating without restriction
4

 
204

Restaurants with limited operations (primarily off-premise sales)
1,402

 
1,158

Restaurants temporarily closed
251

 
347

Total
1,657

 
1,709


As of March 31, 2020, 118 out of 249 international restaurants were open for business; the remaining 131 restaurants were temporarily closed.
  

26


Restaurants operating without restriction may only be offering a limited menu. While a few states or municipalities acted earlier, most of the dine-in restrictions were initiated during the week beginning March 16, 2020. Applebee's temporary closures reached 100 on March 22, reached 250 temporary closures during the week ended March 29 and have remained in that approximate range as of April 15, 2020. By March 22, 2020, there were fewer than 100 Applebee's restaurants operating without restriction and none as of April 3, 2020. IHOP temporary closures reached 100 on March 20, 2020 and increased steadily since that time. As of April 15, 2020, there were 375 temporary closures of IHOP restaurants. As of April 15, 2020, 101 out of 249 international units were open for business; the remaining 148 units were temporarily closed. 

The operating status of our restaurants is fluid and subject to change. While the significant majority of the temporary closures are related to COVID-19, some are due to normal operating reasons, such as scheduled or unscheduled maintenance. In March 2020, an IHOP franchisee that operated 49 locations indicated its intention to cease operations at certain of its locations. Subsequently, in April 2020, this franchisee initiated an assignment for the benefit of creditors.

As a result of government restrictions on dine-in restaurants, we experienced a substantial decline in customer traffic at our restaurants which, in turn, had a significant unfavorable impact on the Key Financial Results presented below. The situation is rapidly changing and additional impacts on our business may arise that we are not aware of currently. We cannot predict whether, when or the manner in which the conditions surrounding the pandemic will change, including the timing of lifting any closure requirements or operating restrictions on restaurants, customer re-engagement with our brands and the short- and long-term impact on consumer discretionary spending and the United States economy in general. In light of these uncertainties, we have withdrawn our 2020 financial performance guidance issued on February 24, 2020.
 
We have taken several actions to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company, its operations and its franchisees, as discussed below.

Between March 17 and March 19, 2020, we drew down a total of $220 million from our revolving credit facility. Including approximately $3 million in letters of credit, $223 million of the total $225 million available under our revolving facility has been utilized. The Company has no immediate need for additional liquidity, but in light of current market conditions and uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic, we drew on the revolving facility to maximize our financial flexibility. We have stopped repurchasing our common stock for the foreseeable future and our Board of Directors has decided not to declare a dividend for the second quarter of 2020. We will reevaluate our capital allocation strategy as industry conditions improve and normal restaurant operations resume. We intend to voluntarily increase the interest reserve required to set aside for our securitized debt, currently $16.4 million. Based on our current projected operating cash flow needs, interest and debt repayments, and other expenditures, we believe we have adequate cash for at least the next twelve months to fund our operations and meet all of our financial commitments.
 
To further maintain financial flexibility, we have reduced discretionary costs, frozen new hiring and suspended the use of independent contractors. In addition, we temporarily furloughed certain team members across various functional groups in our restaurant support centers and company-operated restaurants and also curtailed the hours of substantially all of the hourly restaurant associates at our company-operated restaurants. We will continue to provide medical, dental and vision benefits for furloughed team members, and we are temporarily waiving their obligations to pay a portion of the premiums for these benefits for up to 90 days.

As noted in the table above, a significant majority of our franchised restaurants remain open, primarily for take-out and delivery sales. We believe initiatives we began several years ago to reinvigorate Applebee's Carside-To-Go takeout platform, establish the IHOP 'N' Go takeout platform and enter into delivery agreements with leading national delivery service providers enabled our franchisees to transition more easily into an off-premise-only mode of operation than other restaurants that did not have off-premise capabilities currently in place

To assist franchisees impacted by COVID-19, we have offered financial support by deferring royalty, advertising and other fees, lease payments for up to two months on a case-by-case basis. We have deferred franchisee remodel and development obligations for up to 12 months. We have given our franchisees the flexibility to offer a limited menu and to modify their operating hours in the way they feel can optimize the functionality of their restaurants in light of COVID-19 limitations in place in their individual locations.

Additionally, we have engaged a national real estate firm to assist franchisees and ourselves with landlord discussions regarding rent abatements, deferrals and other modifications to lease agreements. We have withheld our payment of rents due in April on certain IHOP restaurant leases that are part of our rental operations, subject to the ongoing discussions with the respective landlords noted above.
  

27


Key Financial Results

The financial tables appearing in Management's Discussion and Analysis present amounts in millions of dollars that are rounded from our consolidated financial statements presented in thousands of dollars. As a result, the tables may not foot or crossfoot due to rounding.

 
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable) Variance
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions, except per share data)
Income before income taxes
 
 
$
29.1

 
$
41.1

 
$
(12.1
)
Income tax provision
 
 
(6.7
)
 
(9.5
)
 
2.8

Net income
 
 
$
22.3

 
$
31.6

 
$
(9.3
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Effective tax rate
 
 
23.2
%
 
23.1
%
 
(0.1
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income per diluted share
 
 
$
1.31

 
$
1.73

 
$
(0.42
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
% (decrease)
Weighted average diluted shares
 
 
16.5

 
17.7

 
(6.9
)%

The following table highlights the primary components of the 29.3% decrease in our income before income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to our income before income taxes from the same period of 2019:
 
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable) Variance
 
(In millions)
Decrease in gross profit:
 
 
Applebee's franchise operations
 
$
(6.1
)
IHOP franchise operations
 
(6.9
)
Company restaurant operations
 
(3.2
)
Rental/financing operations
 
(2.0
)
Total decrease in gross profit
 
(18.2
)
Decrease in General and Administrative (“G&A”) expenses
 
5.2

Other income and expense items
 
0.9

Decrease in income before income taxes
 
$
(12.1
)

Gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2020 decreased compared to the same period of the prior year, primarily due to a significant decrease in customer traffic resulting from the measures undertaken to stem the spread of COVID-19 discussed above.

See “Consolidated Results of Operations - Comparison of the Three Months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 for additional discussion of the changes presented above.

Our net income per diluted share for three months ended March 31, 2020 decreased $0.40 per share. Our weighted shares outstanding decreased due to shares repurchased pursuant to stock repurchase programs. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources - Stock Repurchases” for details on our stock repurchase programs.

Key Performance Indicators

In evaluating the performance of each restaurant concept, we consider the key performance indicators to be the system-wide sales percentage change, the percentage change in domestic system-wide same-restaurant sales (“domestic same-restaurant sales”), net franchise restaurant development and the change in effective restaurants. Changes in both domestic same-restaurant sales and in the number of Applebee's and IHOP restaurants will impact our system-wide retail sales that drive franchise royalty revenues. Restaurant development also impacts franchise revenues in the form of initial franchise fees and, in the case of IHOP restaurants, sales of proprietary pancake and waffle dry mix.

 

28


Our key performance indicators for the three months ended March 31, 2020 were as follows:
 
 
Three months ended March 31, 2020
 
 
Applebee's
 
IHOP
Sales percentage decrease
 
(12.1
)%
 
(14.2
)%
% decrease in domestic system-wide same-restaurant sales
 
(10.6
)%
 
(14.7
)%
Net franchise restaurant reduction (1)
 
(12
)
 
(1
)
Net (decrease) increase in total effective restaurants (2)
 
(65
)
 
8

________________________________________________

(1) Franchise and area license restaurant openings, net of closings, during the three months ended March 31, 2020.
(2) Change in the weighted average number of franchise, area license and company-operated restaurants open during the three months ended March 31, 2020, compared to the weighted average number of those open during the same period of 2019.

The Applebee's sales percentage decrease for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the same periods of 2019 was due to a decrease in domestic same-restaurant sales as a result of the effects of COVID-19 as well as a decrease in total effective restaurants caused by restaurant closures over the past 12 months, the majority of which took place in 2019. The IHOP sales percentage decrease for the three months ended March 31, 2020 was due to a decrease in domestic same-restaurant sales primarily as a result of the effects of COVID-19, partially offset by an increase in total effective restaurants resulting from net restaurant development that took place in 2019.

Domestic Same-Restaurant Sales
 chart-19170eb79d9a578c8b5.jpg
Applebee’s system-wide domestic same-restaurant sales decreased 10.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2020 from the same period of the prior year. The decrease primarily was due to a significant decline in customer traffic as a result of the effects of COVID-19 that began to impact our restaurants around the middle of March 2020. Through the week ended March 8, 2020 (the first 10 weeks of our first fiscal quarter of 2020), Applebee's domestic same-restaurant sales increased 3.2%, primarily due to an increase in customer traffic as well as an increase in average customer check. During the weeks ended March 22 and March 29, 2020 (the last two weeks of our fiscal first quarter), by which time the COVID-19 limitations had impacted the majority of our restaurants, Applebee's system-wide domestic same-restaurant sales decreased an average of approximately 78%. As a result, Applebee's same-restaurant sales for the three months ended March 31, 2020 decreased 10.6%.

As of March 31, 2020, 1,406 of our 1,657 domestic franchise restaurants were open, virtually all of which were open only for off-premise sales (take-out and delivery). Off-premise sales comprised 16.3% of sales mix for the three months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to 13.0% of sales mix for the first quarter of 2019.

Based on data from Black Box Intelligence, a restaurant sales reporting firm (“Black Box”), Applebee's decrease in same-restaurant sales was smaller than that of the casual dining segment of the restaurant industry during the three months ended March 31, 2020. During that period, the casual dining segment also experienced a decrease in same-restaurant sales that was

29


due to a significant decline in customer traffic that was partially offset by an increase in average customer check. Applebee's decrease in traffic for the three months ended March 31, 2020 was smaller than that of the casual dining segment.



chart-f8096202d40a5392bd8.jpg
* Same-restaurant sales data includes area license restaurants beginning in 2019

IHOP’s system-wide domestic same-restaurant sales decreased 14.7% (including area license restaurants) for the three months ended March 31, 2020 from the same period in 2019. The decrease primarily was due to a significant decline in customer traffic as a result of the effects of COVID-19 that began to impact our restaurants around the middle of March 2020. Through the week ending March 8, 2020 (the first 10 weeks of our first fiscal quarter of 2020), IHOP's domestic same-restaurant sales decreased 0.6%, primarily due to a decrease in customer traffic that was partially offset by an increase in average customer check. During the weeks ended March 22 and March 29, 2020 (the last two weeks of our fiscal first quarter), by which time the COVID-19 limitations had impacted the majority of our restaurants, IHOP's system-wide domestic same-restaurant sales decreased an average of approximately 80%. As a result, IHOP's same-restaurant sales for the three months ended March 31, 2020 decreased 14.7%.

As of March 31, 2020, 1,362 of our 1,709 domestic franchise and area license restaurants remain open, of which 1,158 are open only for off-premise sales (take-out and delivery). Off-premise sales comprised 12.8% of sales mix for the three months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to 9.5% of sales mix for the first quarter of 2019.

Based on data from Black Box, the family dining segment of the restaurant industry also experienced a decrease in same-restaurant sales during the three months ended March 31, 2020, compared to the same period of the prior year, that was due to a significant decline in customer traffic, partially offset by an increase in average customer check. The IHOP decrease in same-restaurant sales during the three months ended March 31, 2020 was larger than that of that the family dining segment, as reported by Black Box, because IHOP experienced a larger decrease in customer traffic.

Restaurant Data
 
The following table sets forth the number of “Effective Restaurants” in the Applebee’s and IHOP systems and information regarding the percentage change in sales at those restaurants compared to the same period of the prior year. Sales at restaurants that are owned by franchisees and area licensees are not attributable to the Company and, as such, the percentage change in sales at Effective Restaurants is based on non-GAAP sales data. However, we believe that presentation of this information is useful in analyzing our revenues because franchisees and area licensees pay us royalties and advertising fees that are based on a percentage of their sales, and, where applicable, rental payments under leases that partially may be based on a percentage of their sales. Management also uses this information to make decisions about plans for future development of additional restaurants as well as evaluation of current operations.

30


 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2020
 
2019
Applebee's Restaurant Data
 
(Unaudited)
Effective Restaurants(a)
 
 

 
 

Franchise
 
1,697

 
1,762

Company
 
69

 
69

Total
 
1,766

 
1,831

System-wide(b)
 
 

 
 

Domestic sales percentage change(c)
 
(12.1
)%
 
(1.4
)%
Domestic same-restaurant sales percentage change(d)
 
(10.6
)%
 
1.8
 %
Franchise(b)
 
 

 
 

Domestic sales percentage change(c) (e)
 
(12.1
)%
 
(4.7
)%
Domestic same-restaurant sales percentage change(d)
 
(10.6
)%
 
1.6
 %
Average weekly domestic unit sales (in thousands)
 
$
44.6

 
$
49.6

 
 
 
 
 
IHOP Restaurant Data
 
 

 
 

Effective Restaurants(a)
 
 

 
 

Franchise
 
1,660

 
1,657

Area license
 
161

 
156

Total
 
1,821

 
1,813

System-wide(b)
 
 

 
 

Sales percentage change(c)
 
(14.2
)%
 
2.4
 %
Domestic same-restaurant sales percentage change, including area license restaurants(d)
 
(14.7
)%
 
1.2
 %
Franchise(b)
 
 

 
 

Sales percentage change(c)
 
(14.3
)%
 
2.3
 %
Domestic same-restaurant sales percentage change(d)
 
(14.7
)%
 
1.1
 %
Average weekly unit sales (in thousands)
 
$
31.7

 
$
37.1

Area License(b)
 
 

 
 

Sales percentage change(c)
 
(13.8
)%
 
2.7
 %
 
(a)   “Effective Restaurants” are the weighted average number of restaurants open in each fiscal period, adjusted to account for restaurants open for only a portion of the period. Information is presented for all Effective Restaurants in the Applebee’s and IHOP systems, which consist of restaurants owned by franchisees and area licensees as well as those owned by the Company.
(b)   “System-wide sales” are retail sales at Applebee’s restaurants operated by franchisees and IHOP restaurants operated by franchisees and area licensees, as reported to the Company, in addition to retail sales at company-operated Applebee's restaurants.  Sales at restaurants that are owned by franchisees and area licensees are not attributable to the Company. An increase in franchisees' reported sales will result in a corresponding increase in our royalty revenue, while a decrease in franchisees' reported sales will result in a corresponding decrease in our royalty revenue. Unaudited reported sales for Applebee's domestic franchise restaurants, Applebee's company-operated restaurants, IHOP franchise restaurants and IHOP area license restaurants were as follows:
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2020
 
2019
Reported sales (in millions)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
Applebee's domestic franchise restaurant sales
 
$
918.2

 
$
1,044.2

  Applebee's company-operated restaurants
 
31.3

 
35.7

IHOP franchise restaurant sales
 
684.8

 
798.8

IHOP area license restaurant sales
 
64.0

 
74.3

Total
 
$
1,698.3

 
$
1,953.0

 
(c)   “Sales percentage change” reflects, for each category of restaurants, the percentage change in sales in any given fiscal period compared to the prior fiscal period for all restaurants in that category.
(d)   “Domestic same-restaurant sales percentage change” reflects the percentage change in sales in any given fiscal period, compared to the same weeks in the prior fiscal period, for domestic restaurants that have been operated throughout both fiscal periods that are being compared and have been open for at least 18 months. Because of new restaurant openings and restaurant closures, the domestic restaurants open throughout both fiscal periods being compared may be different from period to period.
(e)   The Applebee's franchise sales percentage change for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was impacted by the acquisition of 69 franchise restaurants in December 2019 that became reported as company-operated.

31


 Restaurant Development Activity
Three months ended March 31,
 
2020
 
2019
Applebee's
(Unaudited)
Summary - beginning of period:
 
 
 
Franchise
1,718

 
1,768

Company restaurants
69

 
69

Beginning of period
1,787

 
1,837

 
 
 
 
Total franchise restaurants opened

 

Franchise restaurants permanently closed:
 
 
 
Domestic
(8
)
 
(4
)
International
(4
)
 
(3
)
Total franchise restaurants permanently closed
(12
)
 
(7
)
Net franchise restaurant reduction
(12
)
 
(7
)
 
 
 
 
Summary - end of period:
 
 
 
Franchise
1,706

 
1,761

Company restaurants
69

 
69

Total Applebee's restaurants, end of period
1,775

 
1,830

Domestic
1,657

 
1,689

International
118

 
141

IHOP
 
 
 
Summary - beginning of period:
 
 
 
Franchise
1,680

 
1,669

Area license
161

 
162

Total IHOP restaurants, beginning of period
1,841

 
1,831

 
 
 
 
Franchise/area license restaurants opened:
 
 
 
Domestic franchise
6

 
6

Domestic area license
1

 

International franchise
2

 

Total franchise/area license restaurants opened
9

 
6

Franchise/area license restaurants permanently closed:
 
 
 
Domestic franchise
(6
)
 
(11
)
Domestic area license
(2
)
 
(3
)
International franchise
(2
)
 
(1
)
Total franchise/area license restaurants permanently closed
(10
)
 
(15
)
Net franchise/area license restaurant reduction
(1
)
 
(9
)
 
 
 
 
Summary - end of period:
 
 
 
Franchise
1,680

 
1,663

Area license
160

 
159

Total IHOP restaurants, end of period
1,840

 
1,822

Domestic
1,709

 
1,697

International
131

 
125


The closures presented in the table above represent permanent closures of restaurants. Temporary closures, which can occur for a variety of reasons, are not reflected as a reduction in this table and temporarily closed restaurants are included in the summary counts at the beginning and end of each period shown. None of the Applebee's and IHOP permanent closures shown above were related to COVID-19 issues, but were related to typical expirations of franchise agreements, lease terminations or other business considerations. Our franchisees are independent businesses and decisions to close restaurants can be impacted by numerous factors that are outside of our control, including but not limited to, franchisees' agreements with their landlords and lenders. In March 2020, an IHOP franchisee that operated 49 locations indicated its intention to cease operations at certain of its locations. Subsequently, in April 2020, this franchisee initiated an assignment for the benefit of creditors.


32


For the full year of 2020, we believe our expectations regarding net restaurant development and closures by our Applebee’s franchisees and IHOP franchisees and area licensees could be materially impacted by the growing global impact of COVID-19 and our temporary suspension of franchisee development obligations in response thereto. Given the significant uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the timing of lifting of dine-in operating restrictions on restaurants, customer re-engagement with our brands and the short- and long-term impact on consumer discretionary spending, we have withdrawn our 2020 net restaurant development and closure guidance issued on February 24, 2020.

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Comparison of the Three Months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019


Financial Results
Revenue
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable) Variance
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Franchise operations
 
$
145.1

 
$
168.9

 
$
(23.8
)
Rental operations
 
29.0

 
30.7

 
(1.7
)
Company restaurant operations
 
31.3

 
35.8

 
(4.5
)
Financing operations
 
1.5

 
1.8

 
(0.3
)
Total revenue
 
$
206.9

 
$
237.2

 
$
(30.3
)
Change vs. prior period
 
(12.8
)%
 
 
 
 


 
Gross Profit
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable) Variance
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Franchise operations
 
$
75.6

 
$
88.6

 
$
(13.0
)
Rental operations
 
6.5

 
8.1

 
(1.6
)
Company restaurant operations
 
1.0

 
4.2

 
(3.2
)
Financing operations
 
1.3

 
1.7

 
(0.4
)
Total gross profit
 
$
84.4

 
$
102.6

 
$
(18.2
)
Change vs. prior period
 
(17.7
)%
 
 
 
 


Total revenue and gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2020 decreased compared with the same periods of the prior year, primarily due to a significant decline in customer traffic at our restaurants as a result of the effects of measures put in place by various levels of government to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus and related changes in consumer behavior.

  

33


 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable) Variance
Franchise Operations
 
2020
 
2019
 
 
 
(In millions, except number of restaurants)
Effective Franchise Restaurants:(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Applebee’s
 
1,697

 
1,762

 
(65
)
IHOP
 
1,821

 
1,813

 
8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Franchise Revenues:
 
 

 
 
 
 
Applebee’s franchise fees
 
$
37.8

 
$
43.3

 
$
(5.5
)
IHOP franchise fees
 
45.5

 
53.0

 
(7.5
)
Advertising fees
 
61.8

 
72.6

 
(10.8
)
Total franchise revenues
 
145.1

 
168.9

 
(23.8
)
Franchise Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Applebee’s
 
1.2

 
0.6

 
(0.6
)
IHOP
 
6.5

 
7.1

 
0.6

Advertising expenses
 
61.8

 
72.6

 
(10.8
)
Total franchise expenses
 
69.5

 
80.3

 
10.8

Franchise Gross Profit:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Applebee’s
 
36.6

 
42.7

 
(6.1
)
IHOP
 
39.0

 
45.9

 
(6.9
)
Total franchise gross profit
 
$
75.6

 
$
88.6

 
$
(13.0
)
Gross profit as % of revenue (2)
 
52.1
%
 
52.5
%
 
 
Gross profit as % of franchise fees (2) (3)
 
90.7
%
 
92.0
%
 
 
 _____________________________________________________
(1) Effective Franchise Restaurants are the weighted average number of franchise and area license restaurants open in each fiscal period, adjusted to account for restaurants open for only a portion of the period.
(2) Percentages calculated on actual amounts, not rounded amounts presented above.
(3) From time to time, advertising fee revenue may be different from advertising expenses in a given accounting period. Over the long term, advertising activity should not generate gross profit or loss.

Applebee’s franchise fee revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2020 decreased 12.8% compared to the same period of the prior year. Approximately $4.5 million of the decrease was due to a decrease of 10.6% in domestic franchise same-restaurant sales primarily caused by the adverse impact on customer traffic of COVID-19-related mitigation measures and changes in consumer behavior. Revenue decreased $0.5 million due to fewer effective franchise restaurants in operation during the three months ended March 31, 2020 because of restaurant closures by franchisees, the majority of which took place in 2019.

The increase in Applebee's franchise expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared with the same period of the prior year was due to an increase in bad debt expense. Bad debt expense for the three months ended March 31, 2020 was $0.3 million as compared to a bad debt recovery credit during the three months ended March 31, 2019.

IHOP franchise fee revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2020 decreased 14.1% compared to the same period of the prior year, primarily due to a decrease of 14.7% in domestic franchise same-restaurant sales primarily caused by the adverse impact on customer traffic of COVID-19-related mitigation measures and changes in consumer behavior, as well as a decrease of $0.5 million in franchise/transfer fees. Partially offsetting these unfavorable items was an increase in revenue of $0.5 million due to restaurant development over the past 12 months. IHOP franchise expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2020 declined from the same period of the prior year primarily due to a decrease in purchase of pancake and waffle dry mix. IHOP bad debt expense for the three months ended March 31, 2020 was $0.2 million.
 
Gross profit decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the same period of the prior year, primarily due to significant decreases in domestic franchise same-restaurant sales for both Applebee's and IHOP primarily resulting from the adverse impact on customer traffic of COVID-19-related mitigation measures and changes in consumer behavior.




34



Advertising revenue and expense by brand for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
Increase (decrease)
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
 
 
(in millions)
Advertising Revenues and Expenses:
 
 

 
 
 
 
Applebee’s
 
$
36.6

 
$
43.0

 
$
(6.4
)
IHOP
 
25.2

 
29.6

 
(4.4
)
Total advertising revenues and expenses
 
61.8

 
72.6

 
(10.8
)

Applebee's advertising revenue and expense for the three months ended March 31, 2020 decreased 15.1% compared to the same period of the prior year, primarily due to the decrease of 10.6% in domestic franchise same-restaurant sales and a $1.7 million increase in uncollected amounts from franchisees. IHOP's advertising revenue and expense for the three months ended March 31, 2020 decreased 15.0% compared to the same period of the prior year, primarily due to the decrease of 14.7% in domestic franchise same-restaurant sales. It is our accounting policy to recognize any deficiency or recovery of a previously recognized deficiency in advertising fee revenue compared to advertising expenditure in the fourth quarter of our fiscal year.

Rental Operations
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable) Variance
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
 
 
(In millions)
Rental revenues
 
$
29.0

 
$
30.7

 
$
(1.7
)
Total rental expenses
 
22.5

 
22.6

 
0.1

Rental operations gross profit
 
$
6.5

 
$
8.1

 
$
(1.6
)
Gross profit as % of revenue (1)
 
22.3
%
 
26.3
%
 
 
_____________________________________________________
(1) Percentages calculated on actual amounts, not rounded amounts presented above.

Rental operations relate primarily to IHOP franchise restaurants. Rental income includes sublease revenue from operating leases and interest income from direct financing leases. Rental expenses are costs of prime operating leases and interest expense on prime financing leases.

Rental segment revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2020 decreased as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to a $1.0 million decrease in rental income based on a percentage of franchisees' retail sales and a progressive decline of $0.4 million in interest income as direct financing leases are repaid. Rental segment expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2020 decreased slightly compared to the same period of the prior year as decreases in interest expense as finance lease obligations are repaid and a decrease in depreciation charges was essentially offset by lease renewals and extensions.
  
Company Restaurant Operations
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable) Variance
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
 
 
(In millions)
Company restaurant sales
 
$
31.3

 
$
35.8

 
$
(4.5
)
Company restaurant expenses
 
30.3

 
31.6

 
1.3

Company restaurant gross profit
 
$
1.0

 
$
4.2

 
$
(3.2
)
Gross profit as % of revenue (1)
 
3.1
%
 
11.7
%
 
 
_____________________________________________________
(1) Percentages calculated on actual amounts, not rounded amounts presented above.

At March 31, 2020, all 69 company-operated restaurants were open, but operations were limited to off-premise sales only. Through the week ending March 8, 2020 (the first 10 weeks of our first fiscal quarter of 2020), same-restaurant sales at our company-operated restaurants increased 0.3%, however, because of COVID-19-related mitigation measures and changes in consumer behavior during the last three weeks of the quarter, same-restaurant sales for the three months ended March 31, 2020

35


decreased 12.6%. Seven company-operated restaurants were temporarily closed after March 31, 2020. The comparison of gross profit as a percentage of revenue between the three months ended March 31, 2020 and the same period of the prior year was adversely impacted by the COVID-19-related operating constraints in place during the last three weeks of the quarter.

Financing Operations

Financing revenues primarily consist of interest income from the financing of IHOP equipment leases and franchise fees, sales of equipment associated with refranchised IHOP restaurants and interest income on Applebee's notes receivable from franchisees. Financing expenses are the cost of any restaurant equipment sold associated with refranchised IHOP restaurants.

Financing revenue and gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2020 declined primarily due to decreases in interest income as note balances are repaid.

G&A Expenses
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable) Variance
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
 
 
(In millions)
Total G&A expenses
 
$
37.6

 
$
42.8

 
$
5.2


G&A expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2020 decreased 12.2% compared to the same period of the prior year, primarily due to a $5.6 million decrease in personnel-related costs, primarily costs of equity-based and other incentive compensation, partially offset by increased depreciation on capitalized software projects. Included in total G&A expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2020 were $1.6 million of expenses related to company-operated restaurants, an increase of $0.3 million from the same period of the prior year.

Other Income and Expense Items

 
Three months ended March 31,
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable) Variance
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
 
 
(In millions)
Interest expense, net
 
$
15.2

 
$
15.4

 
$
0.2

Amortization of intangible assets
 
2.8

 
2.9

 
0.1

Closure and impairment
 
(0.0
)
 
0.2

 
0.2

(Gain) loss on disposition of assets
 
(0.2
)
 
0.1

 
0.3

Total
 
$
17.7

 
$
18.6

 
$
0.9


Interest expense, net

Interest expense, net for the three months ended March 31, 2020 was lower than the same periods of the prior year, primarily due to an increase in interest income partially offset by an increase in interest expense on borrowings under our revolving credit facility. Interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2020 was $0.7 million as compared to $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” for discussion of the recent increase in borrowings under the revolving credit facility.


Closure and impairment

There were no individually significant closure and impairment charges during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019.

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, we performed assessments to determine whether events or changes in circumstances have occurred that could indicate a potential impairment to our goodwill and intangible assets (primarily related to our acquisition of Applebee's in 2007), as well as our tangible assets. We evaluated multiple scenarios modeling impacts of COVID-19 on our key performance indicators and our long-term view of future trends in sales, operating expenses, overhead expenses, depreciation, capital expenditures and changes in working capital. We also considered the continuing favorable benefits of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, the strong recovery of the Applebee's brand in 2018 and the Applebee's brand

36


performance during the first quarter of 2020 through the week ended March 8, 2020. We concluded it was not more likely than not that the carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets exceeded fair value as of March 31, 2020.

The COVID-19 outbreak has had a significant impact on the global economy, including but not limited to stock price volatility in general, the volatility of our stock price as well as the stock prices of our competitors, declining sales at our restaurants and the overall challenging environment for the restaurant industry. Given the high degree of uncertainty as to whether, when or the manner in which the conditions surrounding the pandemic will change, including the timing of any lifting of restrictions on restaurant operating hours, dine-in limitations or other restrictions that largely limited restaurants to take-out and delivery sales, customer engagement with our brands, the short- and long-term impact on consumer discretionary spending and overall global economic conditions, it is possible that non-cash impairments could be identified in our goodwill, intangible assets and tangible assets in the future. However, the likelihood or the amount of an impairment charge cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.

Gain/loss on disposition of assets

There were no individually significant gains or losses on disposition of assets during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019.


Income Taxes
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable) Variance
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
 
 
(In millions)
Income tax provision
 
$
6.7

 
$
9.5

 
$
2.8

Effective tax rate
 
23.2
%
 
23.1
%
 
(0.1
)%
Our income tax provision will vary from period to period for two reasons: a change in income before income taxes and a change in the effective tax rate. Changes in our income before income taxes were addressed in the preceding sections of “Consolidated Results of Operations - Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 and 2019.”
Our effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2020 was essentially the same as the rate for the three months ended March 31, 2019. As a result of the growing global impact from the COVID-19 pandemic, estimating a reliable annual effective tax rate for the year was not possible due to changes in estimated forecast having a significant impact on the annual effective tax rate. Since forecasting an annual effective tax rate under these circumstances would not provide a meaningful estimate, the Company believes that the actual year-to-date effective tax rate is the best estimate of the annual tax rate in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Company’s income tax provision has been calculated utilizing its actual effective tax rate based on the actual year-to-date results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020.


Liquidity and Capital Resources

 On June 5, 2019, Applebee’s Funding LLC and IHOP Funding LLC (the “Co-Issuers”), each a special purpose, wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of the Company, issued two tranches of fixed rate senior secured notes, the Series 2019-1 4.194% Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes, Class A-2-I (“Class A-2-I Notes”) in an initial aggregate principal amount of $700 million and the Series 2019-1 4.723% Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes, Class A-2-II (“Class A-2-II Notes”) in an initial aggregate principal amount of $600 million (the “Class A-2-II Notes” and, together with the Class A-2-I Notes, the “2019 Class A-2 Notes”). The 2019 Class A-2 Notes were issued pursuant to an offering exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

The Co-Issuers also replaced their existing revolving financing facility, the 2018-1 Variable Funding Senior Notes, Class A-1 (“2018-1 Class A-1 Notes”), with a new revolving financing facility, the 2019-1 Variable Funding Senior Notes, Class A-1 (the “Revolver”), on substantially the same terms as the 2018-1 Class A-1 Notes in order to conform the term of the Revolver to the anticipated repayment dates for the 2019 Class A-2 Notes. The Revolver allows for drawings up to $225 million of variable funding notes and the issuance of letters of credit. The Revolver and the 2019 Class A-2 Notes are referred to collectively herein as the “New Notes.” The New Notes were issued in a securitization transaction pursuant to which substantially all the domestic revenue-generating assets and domestic intellectual property held by the Co-Issuers and certain other special-purpose, wholly-owned indirect subsidiaries of the Company (the “Guarantors”) were pledged as collateral to secure the New Notes.


37


While the 2019 Class A-2 Notes are outstanding, payment of principal and interest is required to be made on the 2019 Class A-2 Notes on a quarterly basis. The quarterly principal payment of $3.25 million on the 2019 Class A-2 Notes may be suspended when the leverage ratio for the Company and its subsidiaries is less than or equal to 5.25x. In general, the leverage ratio is our indebtedness (as defined in the Indenture) divided by adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the Indenture) for the four preceding quarterly periods. The complete definitions of all calculation elements of the leverage ratio are contained in the Base Indenture, dated as of September 30, 2014, amended and restated as of June 5, 2019 (the “Base Indenture”), as supplemented by the related Series 2019-1 Supplement to the Base Indenture, dated June 5, 2019 (the “Series 2019-1 Supplement”), among the Co-Issuers and Citibank, N.A., as the trustee (in such capacity, the “Trustee”) and securities intermediary (the Base Indenture and the Series 2019-1 Supplement, collectively, the “Indenture”).

As of March 31, 2020, the Company's leverage ratio was 4.79x; accordingly, no principal payment on the 2019 Class A-2 Notes will be required during the second quarter of 2020. Exceeding the leverage ratio of 5.25x does not violate any covenant related to the New Notes.

We may voluntarily repay the New Notes at any time; however, if we repay the New Notes prior to certain dates we would be required to pay make-whole premiums. As of March 31, 2020, the make-whole premium associated with voluntary prepayment of the Class A-2-I Notes was approximately $51 million; this amount declines progressively each quarter to zero in June 2022. As of March 31, 2020, the make-whole premium associated with voluntary prepayment of the Class A-2-II Notes was approximately $88 million; this amount declines progressively each quarter to zero in June 2024. We would also be subject to a make-whole premium in the event of a mandatory prepayment required following a Rapid Amortization Event or certain asset dispositions. The mandatory make-whole premium requirements are considered derivatives embedded in the New Notes that must be bifurcated for separate valuation. We estimated the fair value of these derivatives to be immaterial as of March 31, 2020, based on the probability-weighted discounted cash flows associated with either event.
Covenants and Restrictions
The New Notes are subject to a series of covenants and restrictions customary for transactions of this type, including: (i) that the Co-Issuers maintain specified reserve accounts to be used to make required payments in respect of the New Notes, (ii) provisions relating to optional and mandatory prepayments, and the related payment of specified amounts, including specified call redemption premiums in the case of Class A-2 Notes under certain circumstances; (iii) certain indemnification payments in the event, among other things, the transfers of the assets pledged as collateral for the New Notes are in stated ways defective or ineffective and (iv) covenants relating to recordkeeping, access to information and similar matters. The New Notes are subject to customary rapid amortization events provided for in the Indenture, including events tied to failure of the Securitization Entities to maintain the stated debt service coverage ratio (“DSCR”), the sum of domestic retail sales for all restaurants being below certain levels on certain measurement dates, certain manager termination events, certain events of default and the failure to repay or refinance the Class A-2 Notes on the anticipated repayment dates. The New Notes are also subject to certain customary events of default, including events relating to non-payment of required interest, principal or other amounts due on or with respect to the New Notes, failure of the Securitization Entities to maintain the stated DSCR, failure to comply with covenants within certain time frames, certain bankruptcy events, breaches of specified representations and warranties and certain judgments.

In general, the DSCR ratio is Net Cash Flow (as defined in the Indenture) for the four quarters preceding the calculation date divided by the total debt service payments (as defined in the Indenture) of the preceding four quarters. The complete definitions of the DSCR and all calculation elements are contained in the Indenture. Failure to maintain a prescribed DSCR can trigger a Cash Flow Sweeping Event, A Rapid Amortization Event, a Manager Termination Event or a Default Event as described below. In a Cash Flow Sweeping Event, the Trustee is required to retain 50% of excess Cash Flow (as defined in the Indenture) in a restricted account. In a Rapid Amortization Event, all excess Cash Flow is retained and used to retire principal amounts of debt. In a Manager Termination Event, the Company may be replaced as manager of the assets securitized under the Indenture. In a Default Event, the outstanding principal amount and any accrued but unpaid interest can be called to become immediately due and payable. Key DSCRs are as follows:

DSCR less than 1.75x - Cash Flow Sweeping Event
DSCR less than 1.20x - Rapid Amortization Event
Interest-only DSCR less than 1.20x - Manager Termination Event
Interest-only DSCR less than 1.10x - Default Event

Our DSCR for the reporting period ended March 31, 2020 was 3.93x.

We intend to voluntarily increase the interest reserve required to set aside for our securitized debt, currently $16.4 million.

38



Use of Credit Facilities

From March 17 to March 19, 2020, the Co-Issuers drew down a total of $220 million of the available amount under the Revolver. The current interest rate for borrowings under the Revolver is the three-month LIBOR rate plus 2.15% for 60% of the advances and the commercial paper funding rate of our conduit investor plus 2.15% for the remaining portion of the advances. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the weighted average interest rate on Revolver borrowings for the period outstanding was 3.39%.

It is anticipated that the principal and interest on the Revolver will be repaid in full on or prior to the quarterly payment date in June 2024, subject to two additional one-year extensions at the option of the Company upon the satisfaction of certain conditions. The proceeds of the drawdown will be available for general corporate purposes. Although the Company has no immediate need for additional liquidity, the Co-Issuers drew on the Revolver to increase the Company’s financial flexibility in light of current market conditions and uncertainty due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

At March 31, 2020, $2.8 million was pledged against the Revolver for outstanding letters of credit, leaving $2.2 million of the Revolver available for borrowing. The letters of credit are used primarily to satisfy insurance-related collateral requirements.

Capital Allocation

Dividends
 
During the three months ended March 31, 2020, we paid dividends on common stock of $11.5 million, representing a cash dividend of $0.69 per share declared in the fourth quarter of 2019, paid in January 2020. On February 22, 2020, our Board of Directors approved payment of a cash dividend of $0.76 per share of common stock. This dividend was paid on April 3, 2020 to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 20, 2020. We reported dividends payable of $12.7 million at March 31, 2020.


Stock Repurchases

In February 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program authorizing the Company to repurchase up to $200 million of the Company’s common stock (the “2019 Repurchase Program”) on an opportunistic basis from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions based on business, market, applicable legal requirements and other considerations.  The 2019 Repurchase Program, as approved by the Board of Directors, does not require the repurchase of a specific number of shares and can be terminated at any time. 

A summary of shares repurchased under the 2019 Repurchase Program during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and cumulatively, is as follows:

 
Shares
 
Cost of shares
 
 
 
(In millions)
2019 Repurchase Program:
 
 
 
Repurchased during the three months ended March 31, 2020
459,899

 
$
26.5

Cumulative (life-of-program) repurchases
1,697,597

 
$
129.8

Remaining dollar value of shares that may be repurchased
       n/a
 
$
70.2



We evaluate dividend payments on common stock and repurchases of common stock within the context of our overall capital allocation strategy with our Board of Directors on an ongoing basis, giving consideration to our current and forecast earnings, financial condition, cash requirements and other factors. We have stopped repurchasing our common stock for the foreseeable future and our Board of Directors has decided not to declare a dividend for the second quarter of 2020. We will reevaluate our capital allocation strategy as industry conditions improve and normal restaurant operations resume.

From time to time, we also repurchase shares owned and tendered by employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations on the vesting of restricted stock awards. Shares are deemed purchased at the closing price of our common stock on the vesting date. See Part II, Item 2 for detail on all stock repurchase activity during the first quarter of 2020.

39



Cash Flows
 
In summary, our cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
Variance
 
(In millions)
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
29.6

 
$
28.9

 
$
0.7

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
(1.2
)
 
0.4

 
(1.6
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
194.2

 
(45.5
)
 
239.7

Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
$
222.6

 
$
(16.1
)
 
$
238.7

 
Operating Activities

Cash provided by operating activities increased $0.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the same period of the prior year. Our net income plus the non-cash reconciling items shown in our statements of cash flows (primarily depreciation, deferred taxes, stock-based compensation and loss on extinguishment of debt) decreased $18.0 million from 2019. This change was primarily due to a decrease in gross profit primarily due to a significant decline in customer traffic at our restaurants as a result of the effects of measures put in place by various levels of government to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus and related changes in consumer behavior, as was discussed in preceding sections of the MD&A. Additionally, net changes in working capital provided cash of $5.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to using cash of $13.3 million during the same period of the prior year. This favorable change of $18.7 million between years, primarily $12.6 million due to timing of settlement of gift card receivables and payables, a $3.8 million decrease in incentive compensation payments and a $1.2 million decrease in income taxes paid. The increase of $0.7 million in cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2020 was due to the decrease of $18.0 million in net income plus non-cash reconciling items and the favorable change of $18.7 million in cash used by working capital changes.

Investing Activities
 
Investing activities used net cash of $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. Capital expenditures of $5.1 million and loans to franchisees of $1.5 million were partially offset by principal receipts from notes, equipment contracts and other long-term receivables of $5.5 million. Investing activities provided net cash of $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019. The variance between the two periods was not significant.

Financing Activities
 
Financing activities provided net cash of $194.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. As discussed above under Use of Credit Facilities, we drew down $220.0 million from our revolving credit facility to increase our financial flexibility in light of current market conditions and uncertainty due to the COVID-19 outbreak. We also had a net cash inflow of approximately $18.5 million related to equity compensation awards. These financing inflows were partially offset by cash dividends paid on our common stock totaling $11.5 million, repurchases of our common stock totaling $29.9 million and repayments of finance lease obligations of $3.0 million.
Financing activities used net cash of $45.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019. The increase of $239.7 million in the net cash outflow for financing activities was primarily due to the drawdown from our revolving credit facility and an increase in proceeds from the exercise of stock options.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

At March 31, 2020, our cash and cash equivalents totaled $344.6 million, including $64.2 million of cash held for gift card programs and advertising funds.

We believe that our cash on hand, cash flow from operations, and the actions taken to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic discussed above under Significant Recent Developments will provide us with adequate liquidity for the next twelve months.

40


Adjusted Free Cash Flow

We define “adjusted free cash flow” for a given period as cash provided by operating activities, plus receipts from notes and equipment contract receivables, less additions to property and equipment. Management uses this liquidity measure in its periodic assessment of, among other things, cash dividends per share of common stock and repurchases of common stock and we believe it is important for investors to have the same measure used by management for that purpose. Adjusted free cash flow does not represent residual cash flow available for discretionary purposes.

Adjusted free cash flow is a non-U.S. GAAP measure. This non-U.S. GAAP measure is not defined in the same manner by all companies and may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. Non-U.S. GAAP measures should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, the U.S. GAAP information contained within our financial statements. Reconciliation of the cash provided by operating activities to adjusted free cash flow is as follows:
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
Variance
 
(In millions)
Cash flows provided by operating activities
$
29.6

 
$
28.9

 
$
0.7

Receipts from notes and equipment contracts receivable
3.0

 
3.5

 
(0.5
)
Additions to property and equipment
(5.1
)
 
(4.7
)
 
(0.4
)
Adjusted free cash flow
$
27.5

 
$
27.7

 
$
(0.2
)

Statement of Financial Position

Our total assets and total liabilities and stockholders' deficit at March 31, 2020 increased $136 million compared to the balances at December 31, 2019. The increase was primarily due to increases in cash balances and long-term debt related to the drawdown of $220 million from the Revolver partially offset by seasonal decreases in gift card-related receivables and payables.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have obligations for guarantees on certain franchisee lease agreements, as disclosed in Note 14 - Commitments and Contingencies, of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q. Other than such guarantees, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in Item 303(a)(4) of SEC Regulation S-K as of March 31, 2020.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments
 
As discussed above, from March 17 to March 19, 2020, we drew down a total of $220 million from the Revolver. Other than this borrowing, there were no material changes to the contractual obligations table as disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions affecting the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of net revenues and expenses in the reporting period. We base our estimates and assumptions on current facts, historical experience and various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities and the accrual of costs and expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources. We continually review the estimates and underlying assumptions to ensure they are appropriate for the circumstances. Accounting assumptions and estimates are inherently uncertain and actual results may differ materially from our estimates.
 
A summary of our critical accounting estimates is included in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, there were no significant changes in our estimates and critical accounting policies, other than our accounting policy for current expected credit losses, which changed because of the adoption of the accounting guidance discussed in Note 3 - Accounting Standards Adopted and Newly Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

41



Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.
 
The following change from the information contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 took place during the three months ended March 31, 2020:

Interest Rate Risk

We are only exposed to interest rate risk on borrowings we make under our 2019 Class A-1 Notes, a revolving credit facility (the “Revolver”), borrowings from which are subject to variable interest rates. In March 2020, we drew down $220.0 million from the Revolver, all of which was outstanding at March 31, 2020. A 1% increase or decrease in interest rates would increase or decrease our annual interest expense by $2.2 million.
 
Item 4.  Controls and Procedures.
 
Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
 
The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective at the reasonable assurance level.
 
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.
 
There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Part II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1.  Legal Proceedings.
 
We are subject to various lawsuits, administrative proceedings, audits and claims arising in the ordinary course of business. Some of these lawsuits purport to be class actions and/or seek substantial damages. We are required to record an accrual for litigation loss contingencies that are both probable and reasonably estimable. Legal fees and expenses associated with the defense of all of our litigation are expensed as such fees and expenses are incurred. Management regularly assesses our insurance deductibles, analyzes litigation information with our attorneys and evaluates our loss experience in connection with pending legal proceedings. While we do not presently believe that any of the legal proceedings to which we are currently a party will ultimately have a material adverse impact on us, there can be no assurance that we will prevail in all the proceedings we are party to, or that we will not incur material losses from them.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors.
 

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted and may further disrupt our business, which could further materially affect our operations, and business and financial results. In addition, any other epidemic, disease outbreak or public health emergency may result in similar adverse effects.

 
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted and may continue to impact sales and traffic at our and our franchisees’ restaurants, may make it more difficult to staff restaurants and, in more severe cases, may damage our reputation, cause an inability to obtain supplies, increase commodity costs or cause partial or total closures of impacted restaurants. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic and other epidemics, disease outbreaks or public health emergencies will impact our business, liquidity, financial condition, and results of operations, will depend on numerous evolving factors that we may not be able to accurately predict or assess, including the duration and scope of the pandemic, epidemic, disease outbreak, or public health emergency; the negative impact on the economy; the short and longer-term impacts on the demand for restaurant services and levels of consumer confidence; the ability of us and our franchisees to successfully navigate the impacts; government action,

42


including restrictions on restaurant operations; increased unemployment; and reductions in consumer discretionary spending. Even if a virus or other disease does not spread significantly, the perceived risk of infection or health risk may damage our reputation and adversely affect our business, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.

We and our franchisees have been and could further be adversely affected by government restrictions on public gatherings; shelter-in-place orders; and limitations on operations of restaurants, including dine-in restrictions, mandatory or voluntary closures or restrictions on hours of operations. Restaurants in the U.S. and abroad are currently under government mandates or guidelines to temporarily suspend operation of restaurants or limit restaurant dine-in business in light of COVID-19. We are unable to predict when these measures may be scaled back, or how quickly our operations will return to previous levels after the measures are scaled back. Many of our and our franchisees’ restaurants have shifted to a take-out and delivery-only operating model, suspending sit-down dining. We and our franchisees have also implemented closures, modified hours, reduced staff, and furloughed employees. To assist franchisees impacted by COVID-19, we have offered deferral of royalty, advertising, and other fees, including, in some cases, lease payments. We have temporarily suspended franchisee development obligations. These changes and any additional changes may materially adversely affect our business, liquidity, financial condition, and results of operations, particularly if these changes are in place for a prolonged amount of time. The COVID-19 pandemic as well as other epidemics, disease outbreaks or public health emergencies may also materially adversely affect our ability to implement our growth plans, including delays in development of new locations or adversely impact our overall ability to successfully execute our plans to enter into new markets.

As we previously announced, we drew down a significant majority of the amount available under our revolving facility. The increase in our level of debt may adversely affect our financial and operating activities or ability to incur additional debt. Furthermore, the impacts of COVID-19 could cause us to fail to meet certain financial performance measures, including debt service coverage ratios and minimum domestic franchise system sales amounts, that must be met to avoid a possible rapid amortization event or event of default under the terms of our existing debt arrangements. In addition, as a result of the risks described above, we may be required to raise additional capital, and there is no guarantee that debt and/or equity financings will be available in the future to fund our obligations, or will be available on terms consistent with our expectations.
 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
 
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Company
Period
 
Total number of
shares
purchased
 
Average price
paid per
share
 
Total number of
shares purchased as
part of publicly
announced plans or
programs (b)
 
Approximate dollar value of
shares that may yet be
purchased under the
plans or programs (b)
December 30, 2019 - January 26, 2020(a)

 
160,076

 
$
84.94

 
157,527

 
$
83,300,000

January 27, 2020 - February 23, 2020(a)
 
141

 
92.05

 

 
$
83,000,000

February 24, 2019 - March 29, 2020(a)
 
325,624

 
45.81

 
302,372

 
$
70,200,000

 
 
485,841

 
$
58.72

 
459,899

 
$
70,200,000

(a) These amounts include 2,549 shares owned and tendered by employees at an average price of $87.12 per share during the fiscal month ended January 26, 2020, 141 shares owned and tendered by employees at an average price of $92.05 per share during the fiscal month ended February 23, 2020 and 23,252 shares owned and tendered by employees at an average price of $75.90 per share during the fiscal month ended March 29, 2020, to satisfy tax withholding obligations arising upon vesting of restricted stock awards. Shares so surrendered by the participants are repurchased by us pursuant to the terms of the plan under which the shares were issued and the applicable individual award agreements and not pursuant to publicly announced repurchase authorizations.
(b)   In February 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the 2019 Repurchase Program authorizing the Company to repurchase up to $200 million of the Company's common stock. The 2019 Repurchase Program, as approved by the Board of Directors, does not require the repurchase of a specific number of shares and can be terminated at any time.

Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
 
None.
 

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures.
 
Not Applicable.
 

43



Item 5.  Other Information.
 
None.
 
Item 6. Exhibits.
 
*31.1

 
*31.2

 
*32.1

 
*32.2

 
101.INS

 
XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCH

 
Inline XBRL Schema Document.***
101.CAL

 
Inline XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document.***
101.DEF

 
Inline XBRL Definition Linkbase Document.***
101.LAB

 
Inline XBRL Label Linkbase Document.***
101.PRE

 
Inline XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document.***
104

 
Cover page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

*    Filed herewith.
**
The certifications attached as Exhibits 32.1 and 32.2 accompany this Quarterly Report pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not, except to the extent required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, be deemed filed by the Company for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
***   
Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the interactive data files on Exhibit 101 and 104 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Section 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.




44


SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
Dine Brands Global, Inc.
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dated:
29th day of April, 2020
By:
/s/ Stephen P. Joyce
 
 
 
Stephen P. Joyce
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dated:
29th day of April, 2020
By:
/s/ Thomas H. Song
 
 
 
Thomas H. Song
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

45