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Dine Brands Global, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2022 March (Form 10-Q)

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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, 2022
 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
din-20220331_g1.jpg Dine Brands Global, Inc. din-20220331_g2.jpg
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware95-3038279
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
450 North Brand Boulevard, 91203-2346
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 valueDINNew 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 27, 2022, the Registrant had 16,751,012 shares of Common Stock outstanding.


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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 (including the emergence of variant strains) 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;
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development and implementation of innovative marketing and use of social media; changing health or dietary preference of consumers; risks associated with doing 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, 2021 and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, 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 2022 began on January 3, 2022 and ended on April 3, 2022. The first fiscal quarter of 2021 began on January 4, 2021 and ended on April 4, 2021.





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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)
March 31, 2022December 31, 2021
Assets(Unaudited)
Current assets:  
Cash and cash equivalents
$294,738 $361,412 
Receivables, net of allowance of $4,490 (2022) and $4,959 (2021)
94,009 119,968 
Restricted cash
47,168 47,541 
Prepaid gift card costs
23,981 28,175 
Prepaid income taxes
6,867 10,529 
Other current assets
10,092 6,728 
Total current assets
476,855 574,353 
Other intangible assets, net536,812 539,390 
Operating lease right-of-use assets329,895 335,428 
Goodwill251,628 251,628 
Property and equipment, net175,515 179,411 
Long-term receivables, net of allowance of $6,319 (2022) and $6,897 (2021)
42,651 42,493 
Deferred rent receivable48,280 50,257 
Non-current restricted cash16,400 16,400 
Other non-current assets, net10,247 10,006 
Total assets
$1,888,283 $1,999,366 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Deficit  
Current liabilities:  
Accounts payable
$38,421 $55,956 
Gift card liability
137,123 165,530 
Current maturities of operating lease obligations
72,451 72,079 
Current maturities of finance lease and financing obligations
10,692 10,693 
Accrued employee compensation and benefits
14,240 40,785 
Accrued advertising40,681 33,752 
Dividends payable
— 6,919 
Deferred franchise revenue, short-term
7,028 7,246 
Other accrued expenses
14,134 17,770 
Total current liabilities
334,770 410,730 
Long-term debt1,280,182 1,279,623 
Operating lease obligations, less current maturities313,634 320,848 
Finance lease obligations, less current maturities61,223 59,625 
Financing obligations, less current maturities30,147 31,967 
Deferred income taxes, net73,634 76,228 
Deferred franchise revenue, long-term45,141 46,100 
Other non-current liabilities14,724 17,052 
Total liabilities
2,153,455 2,242,173 
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, 2022 - 24,991,163 issued, 16,746,028 outstanding; December 31, 2021 - 24,992,275 issued, 17,163,946 outstanding
250 250 
 Additional paid-in-capital
250,150 256,189 
 Retained earnings52,516 35,415 
 Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(60)(59)
Treasury stock, at cost; shares: March 31, 2022 - 8,245,135; December 31, 2021 - 7,828,329
(568,028)(534,602)
Total stockholders’ deficit
(265,172)(242,807)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit
$1,888,283 $1,999,366 
 See the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
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Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
 20222021
Revenues:
Franchise revenues:
Royalties, franchise fees and other
$90,349 $80,091 
Advertising revenues
70,883 60,885 
Total franchise revenues161,232 140,976 
Company restaurant sales39,416 35,949 
Rental revenues28,807 26,142 
Financing revenues968 1,132 
Total revenues230,423 204,199 
Cost of revenues:
Franchise expenses:
Advertising expenses
70,883 60,885 
Bad debt credit(299)(1,993)
Other franchise expenses
7,448 6,051 
Total franchise expenses78,032 64,943 
Company restaurant expenses37,408 32,884 
Rental expenses:
Interest expense from finance leases
768 962 
Other rental expenses
21,355 19,996 
Total rental expenses22,123 20,958 
Financing expenses107 128 
Total cost of revenues137,670 118,913 
Gross profit
92,753 85,286 
General and administrative expenses
41,548 39,911 
Interest expense, net
15,533 16,496 
Closure and impairment charges146 2,010 
Amortization of intangible assets
2,665 2,688 
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets(1,296)167 
Income before income taxes34,157 24,014 
Income tax (provision) benefit(9,307)1,589 
Net income24,850 25,603 
Other comprehensive income net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment(1)(1)
Total comprehensive income$24,849 $25,602 
Net income available to common stockholders:
Net income$24,850 $25,603 
Less: Net income allocated to unvested participating restricted stock(598)(548)
Net income available to common stockholders$24,252 $25,055 
Net income available to common stockholders per share:
Basic$1.45 $1.52 
Diluted$1.45 $1.51 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic16,722 16,460 
Diluted16,758 16,630 
See the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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


Three Months ended March 31, 2021
Common StockAccumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
Treasury Stock
Shares
Outstanding
AmountAdditional
Paid-in
Capital
(Accumulated Deficit)SharesCostTotal
Balance at December 31, 202016,452 $249 $257,625 $(55,553)$(55)8,430 $(556,917)$(354,651)
Net income— — — 25,603 — — — 25,603 
Other comprehensive loss— — — — (1)— — (1)
Reissuance of treasury stock539 (2,290)— — (539)21,773 19,484 
Net issuance of shares for stock plans166 — — — — — — — 
Repurchase of restricted shares for taxes(15)— (1,220)— — — — (1,220)
Stock-based compensation— — 3,094 — — — — 3,094 
Tax payments for share settlement of restricted stock units— — (9,711)— — — — (9,711)
Balance at March 31, 202117,142 $250 $247,498 $(29,950)$(56)7,891 $(535,144)$(317,402)

Three Months ended March 31, 2022
 Common Stock  Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
Treasury Stock 
 Shares
Outstanding
AmountAdditional
Paid-in
Capital
Retained EarningsSharesCostTotal
Balance at December 31, 202117,164 $250 $256,189 $35,415 $(59)7,828 $(534,602)$(242,807)
Net income— — — 24,850 — — — 24,850 
Other comprehensive loss— — — — (1)— — (1)
Purchase of Company common stock(588)— — — — 588 (41,445)(41,445)
Reissuance of treasury stock171 — (7,778)— — (171)8,019 241 
Net issuance of shares for stock plans22 — — — — — — — 
Repurchase of restricted shares for taxes(23)— (1,745)— — — — (1,745)
Stock-based compensation— — 4,341 — — — — 4,341 
Dividends on common stock— — 96 (7,749)— — — (7,653)
Tax payments for share settlement of restricted stock units— — (953)— — — — (953)
Balance at March 31, 202216,746 $250 $250,150 $52,516 $(60)8,245 $(568,028)$(265,172)



See the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
 March 31,
 20222021
Cash flows from operating activities: 
Net income$24,850 $25,603 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows (used in) provided by operating activities: 
Depreciation and amortization9,938 9,995 
Non-cash closure and impairment charges45 1,959 
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense4,341 3,094 
Non-cash interest expense714 712 
Deferred income taxes(873)(8,267)
Deferred revenue(1,177)(1,565)
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets(1,296)167 
Other(1,766)1,058 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: 
Accounts receivable, net(3,567)(4,323)
Deferred rent receivable1,977 1,736 
Current income tax receivables and payables2,352 (552)
Gift card receivables and payables(2,180)(3,246)
Other current assets(3,365)(3,072)
Accounts payable(11,683)809 
Operating lease assets and liabilities(2,909)(4,374)
Accrued employee compensation and benefits(26,646)(6,968)
Accrued advertising6,929 22,836 
Other current liabilities(3,474)(5,037)
Cash flows (used in) provided by operating activities(7,790)30,565 
Cash flows from investing activities:  
Principal receipts from notes, equipment contracts and other long-term receivables4,848 4,651 
Net additions to property and equipment(5,298)(2,357)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment2,862 946 
Additions to long-term receivables(669)— 
Other(30)(110)
Cash flows provided by investing activities1,713 3,130 
Cash flows from financing activities: 
Repayment of long-term debt— (3,250)
Repayment of revolving credit facility— (220,000)
Dividends paid on common stock(14,588)— 
Repurchase of common stock(41,585)— 
Principal payments on finance lease obligations(2,340)(2,621)
Proceeds from stock options exercised241 19,484 
Repurchase of restricted stock for tax payments upon vesting(1,745)(1,220)
Tax payments for share settlement of restricted stock units(953)(9,711)
Cash flows used in financing activities(60,970)(217,318)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash(67,047)(183,623)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period425,353 456,053 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period$358,306 $272,430 
Supplemental disclosures:  
Interest paid in cash$15,869 $17,240 
Income taxes paid in cash$7,945 $7,441 
Non-cash conversion of accounts receivable to notes receivable$— $1,269 

See the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
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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, 2022 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the twelve months ending December 31, 2022.
 
The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2021 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, 2021.
 
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 2022 began on January 3, 2022 and ended on April 3, 2022. The first fiscal quarter of 2021 began on January 4, 2021 and ended on April 4, 2021.

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 may include the calculation and assessment of the following: impairment of goodwill, other intangible assets and tangible assets; income taxes; allowance for credit losses on 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 was subject to risks and uncertainties as a result of the continuing outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus, designated “COVID-19,” and evolving variants thereof. The extent of the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's business remains uncertain and difficult to predict, as measures taken in response to and the effect of the pandemic have varied and continue to vary by country, state and municipalities within states. The Company first began to experience impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, as federal, state, local and international governments reacted 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 during the initial stages of the pandemic. Subsequently, government-imposed dine-in restrictions have been relaxed or removed in many of the locations in which the Company operates as incidents of infection decline and vaccination rates increase within the respective governmental jurisdictions. As of March 31, 2022, substantially all domestic Applebee's and IHOP restaurants were open and operating without government-mandated restrictions.

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

2. Basis of Presentation (Continued)

The severity of the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's business will depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, how long the pandemic will last, whether/when recurrences of the virus and variants of the virus may arise, the availability and acceptance of vaccines, what restrictions on in-restaurant dining may be imposed or re-imposed, the timing and extent of customer re-engagement with the Company's brands and, in general, what the short- and long-term impact on consumer discretionary spending the COVID-19 pandemic might have on the Company and the restaurant industry as a whole, all of which are uncertain and cannot be predicted. The Company's future results of operations and liquidity could adversely be impacted by the resurgence of outbreaks of the virus and its variants that result in the re-imposition of dine-in restrictions, as well as 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 the COVID-19 pandemic may continue to materially impact the Company's financial condition, liquidity, or results of operations remains highly uncertain.



3. Accounting Standards Adopted and Newly Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

Accounting Standards Adopted in the Current Fiscal Year
 
In July 2021, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance which affect lessors with lease contracts that (i) have variable lease payments that do not depend on a reference index or a rate and (ii) would have resulted in the recognition of a selling loss at lease commencement if classified as sales-type or direct financing. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021. Adoption did not have any material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

Additional new accounting guidance became effective for the Company as of the beginning of fiscal 2022 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 March 2020, with an update in January 2021, the FASB issued guidance which provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying current U.S. GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by the discontinuation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or by another reference rate expected to be discontinued. The guidance can be adopted immediately and is applicable to contracts entered into on or before December 31, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating its contracts that reference LIBOR and the potential effects of adopting this new guidance.

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.


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

4. Revenue Disclosures

Franchise revenue 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.

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 collectability 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.


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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, 2022 and 2021:
 Three Months Ended
 March 31,
 20222021
(In thousands)
Franchise Revenue:
Royalties$75,242 $65,767 
Advertising fees70,883 60,885 
Pancake and waffle dry mix sales and other12,931 10,890 
Franchise and development fees2,176 3,434 
Total franchise revenue
$161,232 $140,976 

Accounts and other receivables from franchisees as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 were $68.7 million (net of allowance of $0.7 million) and $66.0 million (net of allowance of $1.1 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, 2022 were as follows:
 Deferred Franchise Revenue (short- and long-term)
(In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2021$53,346 
Recognized as revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2022(2,049)
Fees deferred during the three months ended March 31, 2022872 
Balance at March 31, 2022$52,169 
The balance of deferred revenue as of March 31, 2022 is expected to be recognized as follows:
(In thousands)
2022 (remaining nine months)$5,271 
20236,915 
20246,259 
20255,473 
20264,653 
Thereafter23,598 
Total$52,169 
5. Current Expected Credit Losses (“CECL”)

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


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


5. Current Expected Credit Losses (Continued)

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, advertising and other franchise-related fees.

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.

Notes Receivable

Notes receivable balances primarily relate to the conversion of certain past due Applebee's franchisee accounts receivable to notes receivable, cash loans to franchisees for working capital purposes, a note receivable in connection with the sale of IHOP company restaurants and IHOP franchise fee and other notes. The notes are typically collateralized by the franchise. A significant portion of these notes have specific reserves recorded against them amounting to $9.8 million as of March 31, 2022.

Equipment Leases Receivable

Equipment leases receivable 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. 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. The weighted average remaining life of the Company’s equipment leases is 3.1 years as of March 31, 2022.

Real Estate Leases Receivable
Real estate leases receivable relate to IHOP franchise development activity prior to 2003. IHOP provided the financing for leasing or subleasing the site. Real estate leases at March 31, 2022, comprised 68 leases with a weighted average remaining life of 6.7 years, and relate to locations that IHOP is leasing from third parties and subleasing to franchisees.

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 and are included as part of Other receivables.

March 31, 2022December 31, 2021
(In millions)
Accounts receivable$66.0 $63.6 
Gift card receivables5.3 33.4 
Notes receivable18.8 19.7 
Financing receivables:
     Equipment leases receivable31.8 33.4 
     Real estate leases receivable17.7 16.7 
Other7.9 7.6 
147.5 174.4 
Less: allowance for credit losses(10.8)(11.9)
136.7 162.5 
Less: current portion(94.0)(120.0)
Long-term receivables$42.7 $42.5 

11

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


5. Current Expected Credit Losses (Continued)

The Company's primary credit quality indicator for all portfolio segments is delinquency. Changes in the allowance for credit losses during the three months ended March 31, 2022 were as follows:
Accounts ReceivableNotes receivable, short-termNotes receivable, long-termLease ReceivablesEquipment Notes
Other (1)
Total
 (In millions)
Balance, December 31, 2021$1.0 $3.8 $6.6 $0.2 $0.1 $0.2 $11.9 
Bad debt (credit) expense(0.1)0.1 (0.3)(0.0)0.0 0.0 (0.3)
Advertising provision adjustment(0.0)(0.0)(0.2)— — — (0.2)
Write-offs(0.2)(0.3)— — — (0.2)(0.7)
Recoveries0.1 — — — 0.0 — 0.1 
Balance, March 31, 2022$0.8 $3.6 $6.1 $0.2 $0.1 $0.0 $10.8 
(1) Primarily distributor receivables, gift card receivables and credit card receivables

The delinquency status of receivables (other than accounts receivable, gift card receivables and distributor receivables) at March 31, 2022 was as follows:
Notes receivable, short-termNotes receivable, long-termLease ReceivablesEquipment Notes
Other (1)
Total
 (In millions)
Current$4.5 $12.7 $17.7 $31.8 $2.6 $69.3 
30-59 days0.1 — — — — 0.1 
60-89 days0.0 — — — — 0.0 
90-119 days0.0 — — — — 0.0 
120+ days1.5 — — — — 1.5 
Total$6.1 $12.7 $17.7 $31.8 $2.6 $70.9 
(1) Primarily credit card receivables

The year of origination of the Company's notes receivable and financing receivables is as follows:
Notes receivable, short and long-termLease ReceivablesEquipment NotesTotal
 (In millions)
2022$0.3 $2.9 $— $3.2 
202112.2 2.6 — 14.8 
20200.5 1.4 — 1.9 
20190.2 0.8 — 1.0 
2018— — — 0.0 
20175.5 — — 5.5 
Prior0.1 10.0 31.8 41.9 
Total$18.8 $17.7 $31.8 $68.3 

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 Company currently leases from third parties the real property on which approximately 540 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 50 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 Leawood, Kansas and Raleigh, North Carolina. The Company does not have a significant amount of non-real estate leases.
12


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

6. Lease Disclosures (Continued)

The Company's existing leases/subleases related to IHOP restaurants generally provide 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 260 of the Company's leases met the sales levels that required variable rent payments to the Company (as lessor), based on a percentage of restaurant sales during the three months ended March 31, 2022. Approximately 40 of the leases met the sales levels that required variable rent payments by the Company (as lessee), based on a percentage of restaurant sales during the three months ended March 31, 2022.

The Company's lease cost for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 was as follows:
Three months ended March 31,
20222021
(In millions)
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets
$1.1 $1.2 
Interest on lease liabilities
1.3 1.5 
Operating lease cost(1)
21.1 21.3 
Variable lease cost1.7 0.3 
Short-term lease cost0.0 0.0 
Sublease income(26.4)(24.2)
Lease (income) cost$(1.2)$0.1 
(1)Operating lease cost for the three months ended March 31, 2021 previously disclosed as $25.1 million was overstated due to the inclusion of certain finance lease activity. The correct operating lease cost for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $21.3 million as reflected in the above table. The overstatement only impacted this note disclosure, and there was no impact to the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.


Future minimum lease payments under noncancelable leases as lessee as of March 31, 2022 were as follows:
Finance
Leases
Operating
Leases
 (In millions)
2022 (remaining nine months)$10.8 $69.2 
202311.9 77.8 
202410.2 73.3 
20258.5 60.7 
20267.9 51.2 
Thereafter48.4 135.4 
Total minimum lease payments97.7 467.6 
Less: interest/imputed interest(26.6)(81.5)
Total obligations71.1 386.1 
Less: current portion(9.9)(72.5)
Long-term lease obligations$61.2 $313.6 

The weighted average remaining lease term as of March 31, 2022 was 9.9 years for finance leases and 6.7 years for operating leases. The weighted average discount rate as of March 31, 2022 was 10.0% for finance leases and 5.5% for operating leases.

13


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

6. Lease Disclosures (Continued)

During the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company made the following cash payments for leases:
Three months ended March 31,
20222021
(In millions)
Principal payments on finance lease obligations$2.3 $2.6 
Interest payments on finance lease obligations$1.3 $1.5 
Payments on operating leases$23.0 $23.0 
Variable lease payments$2.1 $0.3 

The Company's income from operating leases for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 was as follows:
Three months ended March 31,
20222021
(In millions)
Minimum lease payments$24.4 $23.8 
Variable lease income3.9 1.6 
Total operating lease income$28.3 $25.4 

Minimum payments to be received as lessor under noncancelable operating leases as of March 31, 2022 were as follows:
 (In millions)
2022 (remaining nine months)$76.8 
202398.6 
202490.2 
202577.2 
202662.9 
Thereafter133.9 
Total minimum rents receivable$539.6 

The Company's income from real estate leases for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 was as follows:
Three months ended March 31,
20222021
 (In millions)
Interest income$0.4 $0.6 
Variable lease income0.1 0.1 
Total real estate lease income$0.5 $0.7 

Minimum payments to be received as lessor under noncancelable real estate leases as of March 31, 2022 were as follows:
 (In millions)
2022 (remaining nine months)$5.3 
20233.6 
20241.4 
20250.7 
20260.6 
Thereafter2.6 
Total minimum rents receivable14.2 
Less: unearned income(2.1)
Total net investment in real estate leases12.1 
Less: current portion(5.7)
Long-term investment in real estate leases $6.4 

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



7. Long-Term Debt
  
At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, long-term debt consisted of the following:
March 31, 2022December 31, 2021
 (In millions)
Series 2019-1 4.194% Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes, Class A-2-I
$693.0 $693.0 
Series 2019-1 4.723% Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes, Class A-2-II
594.0 594.0 
Debt issuance costs(6.8)(7.4)
Long-term debt, net of debt issuance costs1,280.2 1,279.6 
Current portion of long-term debt— — 
Long-term debt$1,280.2 $1,279.6 

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 entered into a revolving financing facility, the 2019-1 Variable Funding Senior Notes, Class A-1 (the “Credit Facility”), that allows for drawings up to $225 million of variable funding notes and the issuance of letters of credit. The Credit Facility 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 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.

2019 Class A-2 Notes

The legal final maturity of the 2019 Class A-2 Notes is 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. Exceeding the leverage ratio of 5.25x does not violate any covenant related to the New Notes. In general, the leverage ratio is the Company's 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 Indenture.

As of March 31, 2022, the Company's leverage ratio was 4.05x. As a result, quarterly principal payments on the 2019 Class A-2 Notes of $3.25 million currently are not required.
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Table of Contents
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 2019 Class A-2 Notes are repaid prior to certain dates, the Company would be required to pay make-whole premiums. As of March 31, 2022, the make-whole premium associated with voluntary prepayment of the Class A-2-I Notes was approximately $3 million; this amount declines progressively each quarter to zero in June 2022. As of March 31, 2022, the make-whole premium associated with voluntary prepayment of the Class A-2-II Notes was approximately $18 million; this amount declines progressively each quarter to zero in June 2024. 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, 2022, based on the probability-weighted discounted cash flows associated with either event.

2019 Class A-1 Notes
The Co-Issuers entered into the Credit Facility that allows for drawings up to $225 million of variable funding notes and the issuance of letters of credit. The applicable interest rate under the Credit Facility 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 Credit Facility. 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.

In March 2020, the Company borrowed $220.0 million against the Credit Facility. The $220.0 million was repaid on March 5, 2021, and there have been no new borrowings since that date. As of March 31, 2022, there were no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility. The interest rate for borrowings under the Credit Facility 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 40% of the advances.

At March 31, 2022, $3.5 million was pledged against the Credit Facility for outstanding letters of credit, leaving $221.5 million available for borrowing. The letters of credit are used primarily to satisfy insurance-related collateral requirements.


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

7. Long-Term Debt (Continued)
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, 2022 was approximately 4.6x.

Debt Issuance Costs

Amortization of costs incurred in connection with the issuance of the 2019 Class A-2 Notes of $0.5 million and $0.5 million were included in interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Amortization costs incurred in connection with the Company's Credit Facility and prior credit facility of $0.2 million and $0.2 million were included in interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
At March 31, 2022, total unamortized debt issuance costs related to the 2019 Class A-2 Notes of $6.8 million are reported as a direct reduction of the 2019 Class A-2 Notes in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. At March 31, 2022, total unamortized debt issuance costs of $1.4 million related to the Credit Facility and prior credit facility are classified as other long-term assets because there are no borrowings outstanding against the Credit Facility.

Maturities of Long-term Debt

The anticipated repayment date of the Class A-2-I Notes is June 2024.
The anticipated repayment date of the Class A-2-II Notes is June 2026.
Quarterly principal payments on the Class A-2-I and Class A-2-II Notes totaling $3.25 million ($13.0 million per annum) are required if the Company's leverage ratio is greater than 5.25x. 

8. Stockholders' Deficit

Dividends
 
Dividends declared and paid per share for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:
Three months ended March 31,
 20222021
Dividends declared per common share$0.46 $— 
Dividends paid per common share$0.86 $— 

On October 28, 2021, the Board of Directors declared a fourth quarter 2021 cash dividend of $0.40 per share of common
stock, paid on January 7, 2022 to the stockholders of record as of the close of business on December 17, 2021.

On February 17, 2022, the Company's Board of Directors declared a first quarter 2022 cash dividend of $0.46 per share of
common stock, paid on April 1, 2022 to the stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 21, 2022.

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. 

17

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


8. Stockholders' Deficit (Continued)
On February 17, 2022, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program, effective April 1, 2022, of up to $250 million (the “2022 Repurchase Program”). In connection with the approval of the 2022 Repurchase Program, the 2019 Share Repurchase Program terminated effective April 1, 2022.

During the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company repurchased 588,108 shares of common stock at a cost of $41.4 million. Cumulatively, the Company repurchased 2,344,804 shares at a cost of $175.8 million under the 2019 Repurchase Program through April 1, 2022, the effective date of termination as noted above.

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, 2022, the Company re-issued 171,302 shares of treasury stock at a total FIFO cost of $8.0 million.


9. Income Taxes
 
The Company's effective tax rate was 27.2% (a tax provision of $9.3 million on pre-tax book income of $34.2 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2022, as compared to (6.6)% (a tax benefit of $1.6 million on pre-tax book income of $24.0 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was different than the rate of the prior comparable period primarily due to the recognition of excess tax benefits on stock-based compensation related to the departure of the Company's previous chief executive officer in the first quarter of 2021.

The total gross unrecognized tax benefit as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 was $2.2 million and $1.9 million, respectively, excluding interest, penalties and related tax benefits. The Company estimates the unrecognized tax benefit as of March 31, 2022 may decrease over the upcoming 12 months by an amount up to $0.3 million related to settlements with taxing authorities and expiring statutes of limitations. 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, 2022, accrued interest was $0.7 million and accrued penalties were less than $0.1 million, excluding any related income tax benefits. As of December 31, 2021, accrued interest was $0.6 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 2017 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.
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Table of Contents
Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)



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,
 20222021
Total stock-based compensation expense:(In millions)
Equity classified awards expense
$4.4 $3.1 
Liability classified awards expense0.4 1.5 
Total pre-tax stock-based compensation expense4.8 4.6 
Book income tax benefit(1.2)(1.1)
Total stock-based compensation expense, net of tax$3.6 $3.5 
 
As of March 31, 2022, total unrecognized compensation expense of $26.3 million related to restricted stock and restricted stock units and $4.6 million related to stock options are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.7 years for restricted stock and restricted stock units and 1.8 years for stock options.

Fair Value Assumptions

The following table summarizes the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model for stock options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2022.

Risk-free interest rate1.7 %
Historical volatility70.1 %
Dividend yield2.6 %
Expected years until exercise4.5
Fair value of options granted$33.23



Equity Classified Awards - Stock Options

Stock option balances at March 31, 2022, and activity for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were as follows:
 SharesWeighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Term
(in Years)
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value (in Millions)
Outstanding at December 31, 2021475,904 $76.65   
Granted75,795 70.08   
Exercised(3,505)68.08   
Forfeited(2,635)90.54   
Outstanding at March 31, 2022545,559 75.72 7.0$3.9 
Vested at March 31, 2022 and Expected to Vest522,263 75.82 6.9$3.7 
Exercisable at March 31, 2022374,716 $75.93 6.0$3.1 

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 2022 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, 2022. 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.

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

10. Stock-Based Compensation (Continued)
Equity Classified Awards - Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units

Outstanding balances as of March 31, 2022, and activity related to restricted stock and restricted stock units for the three months ended March 31, 2022 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, 2021276,611 $80.85 105,592 $71.00 
Granted167,797 70.09 59,002 46.64 
Released(56,687)89.34 (40,599)66.31 
Forfeited(6,667)86.86 — — 
Outstanding at March 31, 2022381,054 $74.77 123,995 $61.01 

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
Outstanding at December 31, 202112,799 
Granted67 
Released(12,866)
Outstanding at March 31, 2022— 

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, an expense of $0.2 million and $1.4 million, respectively, was included as stock-based compensation expense related to cash-settled restricted stock units. At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, liabilities were zero and $0.9 million, respectively, related to cash-settled restricted stock units were included as part of accrued employee compensation and benefits in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.



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 the total stockholder return of Dine Brands Global common stock compared to the total stockholder returns of a peer group of companies. 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, 2022 and 2021, an expense of $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively, were included in total stock-based compensation expense related to LTIP awards. At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, liabilities of $1.2 million and $1.5 million, respectively, related to LTIP awards were included as part of accrued employee compensation and benefits in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
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Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)



11. 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,
 20222021
 (In thousands, except per share data)
Numerator for basic and diluted income per common share:
Net income$24,850 $25,603 
Less: Net income allocated to unvested participating restricted stock(598)(548)
Net income available to common stockholders - basic24,252 25,055 
Effect of unvested participating restricted stock in two-class calculation
Net income available to common stockholders - diluted$24,253 $25,061 
Denominator:
Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock - basic16,722 16,460 
Dilutive effect of stock options36 170 
Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock - diluted16,758 16,630 
Net income per common share:
Basic$1.45 $1.52 
Diluted$1.45 $1.51 



12. 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, 2022, the franchise operations segment consisted of (i) 1,606 restaurants operated by Applebee’s franchisees in the United States, two U.S. territories and 11 countries outside the United States and (ii) 1,756 restaurants operated by IHOP franchisees and area licensees in the United States, two U.S. territories and seven 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 real estate 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 and interest income on Applebee's notes receivable from franchisees. Financing expenses are the cost of taxes related to IHOP equipment leases.


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

12. Segments (Continued)
Information on segments is as follows:
 Three months ended March 31,
 20222021
 (In millions)
Revenues from external customers:
Franchise operations$161.2 $141.0 
Rental operations28.8 26.1 
Company restaurants39.4 36.0 
Financing operations1.0 1.1 
Total
$230.4 $204.2 
Interest expense:
Rental operations$1.1 $1.3 
Company restaurants0.8 0.9 
Corporate15.5 16.5 
Total
$17.4 $18.7 
Depreciation and amortization:
Franchise operations$2.5 $2.5 
Rental operations2.6 2.8 
Company restaurants1.9 1.8 
Corporate2.9 2.9 
Total
$9.9 $10.0 
Gross profit (loss), by segment:
Franchise operations$83.2 $76.0 
Rental operations6.7 5.2 
Company restaurants2.0 3.1 
Financing operations0.9 1.0 
Total gross profit
92.8 85.3 
Corporate and unallocated expenses, net
(58.6)(61.3)
Income (loss) before income taxes$34.2 $24.0 

13. Closure and Impairment Charges

Closure and impairment charges for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:

 Closure and Impairment ChargesThree months ended March 31,
20222021
 (In millions)
Closure charges$0.1 $1.9 
Long-lived tangible asset impairment— 0.1 
Total impairment and closure charges$0.1 $2.0 

The closure charges for the three months ended March 31, 2022 related to revisions to existing closure reserves, including accretion, primarily for 28 IHOP restaurants closed prior to December 31, 2021.
The closure charges of $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 related to the establishment of or revisions to existing closure reserves for approximately 35 IHOP restaurants.

The long-lived asset impairment of $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 related to one IHOP franchisee-operated restaurants for which the carrying amount exceeded the undiscounted cash flows.



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


14. 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, 2022 and December 31, 2021 were as follows:
 March 31, 2022December 31, 2021
 (In millions)
Face Value of Class A-2 Notes$1,287.0 $1,287.0 
Fair Value of Class A-2 Notes$1,275.8 $1,312.9 
 
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.



15. 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 $219.6 million as of March 31, 2022. 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 2022 through 2048. Excluding unexercised option periods, the Company's potential liability for future payments under these leases is $48.0 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.

16. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investment securities with remaining maturities at the date of purchase of three months or less to be cash equivalents. These cash equivalents are stated at cost which approximates market value. Cash held related to IHOP advertising funds and the Company's gift card programs is not considered to be restricted cash as there are no restrictions on the use of these funds.

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

16. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash (Continued)


The components of cash and cash equivalents were as follows:

March 31, 2022December 31, 2021
 (In millions)
Money market funds$15.0 $30.0 
IHOP advertising funds and gift card programs92.4 101.5 
Other depository accounts187.3 229.9 
Total cash and cash equivalents$294.7 $361.4 

Current Restricted Cash
Current restricted cash primarily consisted of funds required to be held in trust in connection with the Company's securitized debt and funds from Applebee's franchisees pursuant to franchise agreements, usage of which was restricted to advertising activities. The components of current restricted cash were as follows:

March 31, 2022December 31, 2021
 (In millions)
Securitized debt reserves$30.6 $29.9 
Applebee's advertising funds16.5 17.5 
Other 0.1 0.1 
Total current restricted cash$47.2 $47.5 

Non-current Restricted Cash
Non-current restricted cash was $16.4 million and $16.4 million at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, and represents interest reserves required to be set aside for the duration of the Company's securitized debt.

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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, 2021. 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 3,431 restaurants combined, 98% of which are franchised, we believe we are one of the largest full-service restaurant companies in the world.

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.

Events Impacting Comparability of Financial Information

Comparisons of financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2022 with those for the three months ended March 31, 2021 were impacted by the extent of restrictions in place on restaurant operations in 2021. In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic related to the outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus, designated “COVID-19.” Initially, federal, state, local and international governments reacted to the COVID-19 pandemic by encouraging or requiring social distancing, instituting shelter-in-place orders, and requiring, in varying degrees, reduced operating hours, restaurant dine-in and/or indoor dining limitations, capacity limitations or other restrictions.

The operating status of our restaurants was fluid during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and subject to change. Restrictions on restaurant operations were relaxed, removed or increased in response to changes in the number of COVID-19 infections, the availability and acceptance of vaccines and an increase in vaccination rates within the respective governmental jurisdictions. Generally speaking, during the second quarter of 2021, many federal, state and local governments began to relax or remove the restrictive protocols noted above, while most international governments maintained the restrictions, the degree of which varied by country.

As of March 31, 2022, almost all domestic Applebee's and IHOP restaurants were open and operating without government-mandated restrictions. This represents a significant improvement from March 31, 2021, at which time approximately 23% of domestic Applebee's restaurants and 11% of domestic IHOP restaurants were operating without government-mandated restrictions. Internationally, government-mandated restrictions vary by country, with many international restaurants still under restrictions. As of March 31, 2022, approximately 58% of international restaurants were operating without restrictions, an improvement from March 31, 2021, at which time no international restaurants were operating without restrictions.
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Government-mandated restrictions notwithstanding, almost half of IHOP restaurants that operated 24 hours a day for all or parts of a week prior to the pandemic are currently closed during overnight hours. As of March 31, 2022, approximately 450 IHOP restaurants were operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with approximately 75 restaurants operating 24 hours a day for some portion of the week. As of December 31, 2019, the last reporting period prior to the pandemic, approximately 845 IHOP restaurants were operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with approximately 245 restaurants operating 24 hours a day for some portion of the week.

We have experienced a number of temporary and permanent closures of our restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic. These closures occurred for a variety of reasons, and all closures were not necessarily related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic or related restrictions. We cannot predict the recurrences of the virus and the emergence of new variants of the virus, the acceptance of vaccines and booster vaccines worldwide and the availability of vaccines internationally, restrictions on in-restaurant dining that may be re-imposed, and, in general, what the short- and long-term impact on consumer discretionary spending the COVID-19 pandemic might have on our operations and the restaurant industry as a whole.

Key Financial Results

The financial tables appearing in MD&A 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
 20222021
 (In millions, except per share data)
Income before income taxes$34.2 $24.0 $10.2 
Income tax (provision) benefit(9.3)1.6 (10.9)
Net income$24.9 $25.6 $(0.7)
Effective tax rate27.2 %(6.6)%(33.8)%
Net income per diluted share$1.45 $1.51 $(0.06)
% increase
Weighted average diluted shares16.8 16.6 0.8 %

The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was different than the rate of the prior comparable period primarily due to the recognition of excess tax benefits on stock-based compensation related to the departure of the Company's previous chief executive officer in the first quarter of 2021.

The following table highlights the primary components of the increase in our income before income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to our income before income taxes for the three ended March 31, 2021:
Favorable
(Unfavorable) Variance
Three months ended March 31, 2022
(In millions)
Increase in gross profit:
Applebee's franchise operations
$5.6 
IHOP franchise operations
1.6 
Company restaurant operations
(1.1)
Rental and financing operations
1.4 
Total increase in gross profit7.5 
Decrease in closure and impairment charges1.9 
Increase in general and administrative ("G&A") expenses(1.6)
Other2.4 
Increase in income before income taxes$10.1 



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Total gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2022 increased compared with the same period of the prior year, primarily due to the increased revenue from franchise and rental operations, partially offset by higher costs for food, beverage and labor in company restaurant operations. Additionally, the increase in income before income taxes included a decrease in closure and impairment charges and a gain on the disposition of assets, offset by an increase in G&A expenses.

Increases in commodity, labor and other restaurant operating costs experienced at restaurants owned and operated by our franchisees could impact us to the extent our franchisees are adversely impacted by a sustained decline in their operating margins. At company operated restaurants, increases in commodity, labor and other restaurant operating costs impact us directly. As of March 31, 2022, we operate 69 Applebee’s restaurants, representing 2% of the 3,431 restaurants comprising our system.

See “Consolidated Results of Operations - Comparison of the Three Months ended March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2021” for additional discussion of the changes shown above.

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.

Our key performance indicators for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were as follows:
Three months ended March 31, 2022
Applebee's
IHOP
Sales percentage increase in reported retail sales - 2022 vs. 202113.9 %19.9 %
% increase in domestic system-wide same-restaurant sales - 2022 vs. 202114.3 %18.1 %
Net franchise restaurant (reduction) increase (1)
(5)
Net (decrease) increase in total effective restaurants (2)
(21)21 
________________________________________________
(1) Franchise and area license restaurant closings, net of openings, during the three months ended March 31, 2022.
(2) Change in the weighted average number of franchise, area license and company-operated restaurants open during the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the weighted average number of those open during the same period of 2021.

The changes in sales percentage and domestic same-restaurant sales of both brands were impacted by the varying degrees of restrictions on in-restaurant dining in effect during the first quarter of 2021 that substantially had been relaxed during the first quarter of 2022, as discussed under “Events Impacting the Comparability of Financial Information.”

The change in total effective restaurants for each brand reflects both permanent closures, net of openings, over the past 12 months as well as the weighted effect of restaurants temporarily closed during each period.


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din-20220331_g3.jpg


Domestic Same-Restaurant Sales



Applebee’s system-wide domestic same-restaurant sales increased 14.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period of 2021. The increase was due to an increase in customer traffic as well as increase in average check. The increase in customer traffic primarily was due to the positive changes in restaurant operating status as discussed under “Events Impacting the Comparability of Financial Information,” as well as increased consumer desire to patronize restaurants after the relaxation of pandemic restrictions. The increase in average check was primarily due to favorable mix shifts related to a reduction in core menu items, successful promotional food and beverage offerings and a larger number of items purchased with off-premise orders, as well as menu price increases by franchisees.
Applebee's Off-premise Sales DataThree months ended March 31,
20222021
Off-premise sales (in millions) (1)
$297.0 $344.4 
% sales mix27.6 %36.7 %
(1)   Primarily to-go, delivery and catering sales for comparable 2022 and 2021 restaurants.

Based on data from Black Box Intelligence, a restaurant sales reporting firm (“Black Box”), Applebee's increase in same-restaurant sales for the three months ended March 31, 2022 underperformed the casual dining segment of the restaurant industry (excluding Applebee's) during the same period of 2022.
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din-20220331_g4.jpg

IHOP's system-wide domestic same-restaurant sales increased 18.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2022 as compared to the same period of 2021. The improvement was due to an increase in average check as well as an increase in customer traffic. The increase in average check was primarily due to an increase in menu prices as well as a general increase in consumer spending due to larger party sizes and greater spending per person. The increase in customer traffic was primarily due to the positive changes in restaurant operating status as discussed under “Events Impacting the Comparability of Financial Information,” as well as increased consumer desire to patronize restaurants after the relaxation of pandemic restrictions.

IHOP Off-premise Sales Data
Three months ended March 31,
20222021
Off-premise sales (in millions) (1)
$161.7 $182.8 
% sales mix24.6 %33.3 %
(1)   Primarily to-go, delivery and catering sales for comparable 2022 and 2021 restaurants

Based on data from Black Box, IHOP's increase in same-restaurant sales for the three months ended March 31, 2022 underperformed the family dining segment of the restaurant industry (excluding IHOP) during that same period of 2022.

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.
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Three months ended March 31,
 20222021
Applebee's Restaurant Data(Unaudited)
Effective Restaurants(a)
  
Franchise1,607 1,628 
Company69 69 
Total1,676 1,697 
System-wide(b)
  
Domestic sales percentage change(c)
13.9 %1.2 %
Domestic same-restaurant sales percentage change(d)
14.3 %11.9 %
Franchise(b)
  
Domestic sales percentage change(c)
14.1 %0.7 %
Domestic same-restaurant sales percentage change(d)
14.5 %11.5 %
Average weekly domestic unit sales (in thousands)$53.9 $46.8 
IHOP Restaurant Data  
Effective Restaurants(a)
  
Franchise1,586 1,563 
Area license155 157 
Total1,741 1,720 
System-wide(b)
  
Sales percentage change(c)
19.9 %(12.1)%
Domestic same-restaurant sales percentage change, including area license restaurants(d)
18.1 %(0.9)%
Franchise(b)
  
Sales percentage change(c)
20.5 %(12.9)%
Domestic same-restaurant sales percentage change(d)
18.6 %(1.9)%
Average weekly unit sales (in thousands)$34.9 $29.4 
Area License(b)
  
Sales percentage change(c)
14.4 %(3.7)%
 (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. Effective Restaurants do not include units operated as ghost kitchens (small kitchens with no store-front presence, used to fill off-premise orders).
(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. System-wide sales do not include retail sales of ghost kitchens.  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,
 20222021
Reported sales (in millions)(Unaudited)
Applebee's domestic franchise restaurant sales$1,055.0 $924.7 
  Applebee's company-operated restaurants39.4 35.9 
IHOP franchise restaurant sales719.6 596.7 
IHOP area license restaurant sales70.5 61.7 
Total
$1,884.5 $1,619.0 
 
(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 during 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.
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 Restaurant Development ActivityThree months ended March 31,
 20222021
Applebee's(Unaudited)
Summary - beginning of period:
Franchise
1,611 1,640 
Company69 69 
Beginning of period1,680 1,709 
Franchise restaurants opened:
Domestic
International— — 
Total franchise restaurants opened
Franchise restaurants permanently closed:
Domestic(4)(4)
International(2)(2)
Total franchise restaurants permanently closed
(6)(6)
Net franchise restaurant reduction(5)(4)
Summary - end of period:
Franchise
1,606 1,636 
Company69 69 
Total Applebee's restaurants, end of period1,675 1,705 
Domestic
1,575 1,596 
International
100 109 
IHOP
Summary - beginning of period:
Franchise
1,595 1,611 
Area license
156 158 
Company
— 
Total IHOP restaurants, beginning of period1,751 1,772 
Franchise/area license restaurants opened:
Domestic franchise
Domestic area license
— 
International franchise
— 
Total franchise/area license restaurants opened
10 
Franchise/area license restaurants permanently closed:
Domestic franchise
(3)(16)
Domestic area license
(1)(2)
International franchise
(1)(9)
International area license
— — 
Total franchise/area license restaurants permanently closed
(5)(27)
Net franchise/area license restaurant additions (reductions)5 (19)
Refranchised by the Company— — 
Franchise restaurants reacquired by the Company— (1)
Net increase (decrease) in franchise/area license restaurants5 (20)
Summary - end of period:
Franchise
1,600 1,593 
Area license
156 156 
Company
— 
Total IHOP restaurants, end of period1,756 1,753 
Domestic
1,661 1,660 
International
95 93 


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The restaurant counts and activity presented above do not include two domestic Applebee's ghost kitchens (small kitchens with no store-front presence, used to fill off-premise orders), 10 international Applebee's ghost kitchens and 19 international IHOP ghost kitchens.

The closures presented in the tables above represent permanent closures of restaurants. Temporary closures, which can occur for a variety of reasons, are not reflected as reductions in this table and are included in the summary counts at the beginning and end of each period shown. Temporary closures are reflected in the weighted calculation of Effective Restaurants presented in the preceding Restaurant Data table.

Closures of Applebee's and IHOP restaurants adversely impact our system-wide retail sales that drive our franchise royalty revenues as well as, in the case of IHOP restaurants, sales of proprietary pancake and waffle dry mix. Further, with certain restaurants, we own or lease the underlying property and sublease it to the applicable franchisee. Thus, our rental income also could be adversely affected due to the loss of such income, as well as our obligation to make rental or other payments for such properties.



CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Comparison of the Three Months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021

Financial Results
RevenueThree months ended March 31,Favorable
(Unfavorable) Variance
 20222021
 (In millions)
Franchise operations$161.2 $141.0 $20.2 
Rental operations28.8 26.1 2.7 
Company restaurant operations39.4 36.0 3.4 
Financing operations1.0 1.1 (0.1)
Total revenue$230.4 $204.2 $26.2 
Change vs. prior period12.8 %

Total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2022 increased compared with the same period of the prior year. As discussed under “Events Impacting the Comparability of Financial Information,” during the 2022 period, many governmental authorities relaxed or eliminated restrictions on restaurant operations that had been in place during the 2021 period in response to declines in the number of COVID-19 infections, the availability of vaccines and an increase of the number of vaccinated individuals within their respective jurisdictions. This had a favorable impact on same-restaurant sales and customer traffic in our franchise and company restaurant operations as well as a favorable impact on rental revenue based on a percentage of franchisees' retail sales.

 
Gross Profit Three months ended March 31,Favorable
(Unfavorable) Variance
 20222021
 (In millions)
Franchise operations$83.2 $76.0 $7.2 
Rental operations6.7 5.2 1.5 
Company restaurant operations2.0 3.1 (1.1)
Financing operations0.9 1.0 (0.1)
Total gross profit$92.8 $85.3 $7.5 
Change vs. prior period8.8 %




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Total gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2022 increased compared with the same period of the prior year, primarily due to the increased revenue from franchise, company-operated restaurant and rental operations, partially offset by higher costs of food, beverage and labor in company restaurant operations.

Three months ended March 31,Favorable
(Unfavorable) Variance
Franchise Operations20222021
 (In millions, except number of restaurants)
Effective Franchise Restaurants:(1)
Applebee’s
1,607 1,628 (21)
IHOP
1,741 1,720 21 
Franchise Revenues: 
Applebee’s franchise fees$44.1 $38.7 $5.4 
IHOP franchise fees46.2 41.4 4.8 
Advertising fees70.9 60.9 10.0 
Total franchise revenues161.2 141.0 20.2 
Franchise Expenses:
Applebee’s0.9 1.1 0.2 
IHOP6.2 3.0 (3.2)
Advertising expenses70.9 60.9 (10.0)
Total franchise expenses78.0 65.0 (13.0)
Franchise Gross Profit:
Applebee’s43.2 37.6 5.6 
IHOP40.0 38.4 1.6 
Total franchise gross profit$83.2 $76.0 $7.2 
Gross profit as % of franchise revenue (2)
51.6 %53.9 %
Gross profit as % of franchise fees (2)(3)
92.1 %94.9 %
 _____________________________________________________
(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, 2022 increased 14.0% as compared with the same period of the prior year, primarily due to the favorable impact on royalties of a 14.3% increase in domestic same-restaurant sales. Applebee's international revenues increased $1.0 million due to improvement in sales.

The decrease in Applebee's franchise expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared with the same period of the prior year primarily was due to the recovery of bad debt expense. Applebee's reduced its allowance for bad debts by $0.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022 as compared to bad debt expense of less than $0.1 million in the prior year period.

IHOP's franchise fee revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2022 increased 11.6% as compared with the same period of the prior year, primarily due to the favorable impact on royalties and pancake and waffle dry mix revenue of an 18.1% increase in domestic same-restaurant sales, partially offset by a $1.7 million decrease in termination fees and a $0.6 million decrease in other franchise fees.

IHOP franchise expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 increased $3.2 million as compared with same period of the prior year, primarily due to lower recovery of bad debt expense of $1.9 million and an increase in purchases of pancake and waffle dry mix. IHOP reduced its allowance for bad debts by $0.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022 as compared a reduction of $2.1 million in the first quarter of 2021.


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Advertising revenue and expense by brand for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:
Three months ended March 31,Increase
20222021
(In millions)
Advertising Revenues and Expenses: 
Applebee’s$44.4 $38.6 $5.8 
IHOP 26.4 22.3 4.1 
Total advertising revenues and expenses$70.8 $60.9 $9.9 

Applebee's and IHOP's advertising revenue and expense for the three months ended March 31, 2022 increased 15.0% and 18.4%, respectively, compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to the increases in customer traffic and average check as noted above.

It is our accounting policy to recognize any deficiency in advertising fee revenue compared to advertising expenditure or any recovery of a previously recognized deficiency in advertising fee revenue compared to advertising expenditure in the fourth quarter of our fiscal year.

Rental OperationsThree months ended March 31,Favorable
(Unfavorable) Variance
 20222021
 (In millions)
Rental revenues$28.8 $26.1 $2.7 
Rental expenses22.1 20.9 (1.2)
Rental operations gross profit$6.7 $5.2 $1.5 
Gross profit as % of revenue (1)
23.2 %19.8 %
___________________________________________________
(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 real estate leases. Rental expenses are costs of prime operating leases and interest expense on prime finance leases.

Rental segment revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2022 increased as compared to the same period of the prior year, primarily due to a $1.3 million increase in rental income based on a percentage of franchisees' retail sales. Additionally, rental revenue increased $1.3 million due to the gross presentation of certain elements of variable sublease income, such as common area maintenance payments received from franchisees and remitted to landlords, which previously were reported on a net basis. Rental segment expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 increased compared to the same period of the prior year, primarily due to a $1.3 million gross-up of lease-related expenses.


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Company Restaurant Operations
Three months ended March 31,Favorable
(Unfavorable) Variance
 20222021
Effective Restaurants69 69 — 
 (In millions)
Applebee's Company restaurant sales (1)
$39.4 $36.0 $3.4 
Applebee's Company restaurant expenses (1)
37.4 32.7 (4.7)
IHOP restaurant expenses (2)
— 0.2 0.2 
Company restaurant gross profit$2.0 $3.1 $(1.1)
Gross profit as % of revenue (3)
5.1 %9.0 %
_____________________________________________________
(1) Related to 69 Applebee's company-operated restaurants.
(2) Costs associated with IHOP restaurants in the process of being refranchised.
(3) Calculated for Applebee's company-operated restaurants only. Percentages calculated on actual amounts, not rounded amounts presented above.


Applebee's company same-restaurant sales for the three months ended March 31, 2022 increased 9.9% compared to the same period of 2021, the significant majority of which was due to an increase in customer traffic.

The increase in customer traffic primarily was due to the favorable change in operating capacity of the restaurants during the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period of 2021. All 69 of the Applebee's company-operated restaurants are located in South Carolina or North Carolina. Since the second week of January 2021, the 27 restaurants in South Carolina have operated without capacity limitations, while the 42 restaurants in North Carolina operated at 50% capacity until June 1, 2021, from which point those 42 restaurants also were able to operate without capacity limitations.

Gross profit and gross profit as a percentage of revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were unfavorable compared the same period of the prior year, due to higher food, labor and delivery costs.

Company segment restaurant expenses include costs associated with reacquired IHOP restaurants in the process of being refranchised. There were no reacquired IHOP restaurants expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and approximately $0.2 million of expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2021.

Financing Operations

Financing revenues primarily consist of interest income from the financing of IHOP equipment leases and franchise fees as well as interest income on Applebee's notes receivable from franchisees. Financing expenses are the cost of taxes related to IHOP equipment leases.

Financing revenue and gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2022 declined compared to the same period of the prior year, primarily because of progressive decline in interest income as note balances are repaid.

G&A ExpensesThree months ended March 31,Increase
20222021
 (In millions)
Total G&A expenses$41.5 $39.9 $(1.6)

G&A expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 increased 4.1% compared to the same period of the prior year, primarily due to increases in travel and conference expenses, personnel-related costs and professional services, partially offset by a decrease in recruitment costs. Included in total G&A expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $1.3 million of expense related to company-operated restaurants, an increase of $0.1 million from the same period of the prior year.


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Closure and Impairment ChargesThree months ended March 31,Favorable
(Unfavorable) Variance
20222021
 (In millions)
Closure charges$0.1 $1.9 $1.8 
Long-lived tangible asset impairment— 0.1 0.1 
Total impairment and closure charges$0.1 $2.0 $1.9 

The closure charges for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were minimal and primarily related to the revisions to existing closure reserves, including accretion, primarily for 28 IHOP restaurants. The closure charges for the three months ended March 31, 2021 related to the establishment or revisions to existing closure reserves, including accretion, primarily for 35 IHOP restaurants. Long-lived tangible asset impairment charges for the three months ended March 31, 2021 related to the impairment of operating lease right-of-use asset of one IHOP restaurant.


Other Income and Expense Items
Three months ended March 31,Favorable
(Unfavorable) Variance
20222021
 (In millions)
Interest expense, net$15.5 $16.5 $1.0 
Amortization of intangible assets2.7 2.7 0.0 
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets(1.3)0.2 1.5 
Total $16.9 $19.4 $2.5 

Interest expense, net

Interest expense, net for the three months ended March 31, 2022 declined compared to the same period of the prior year due to a decrease in interest expense on our Credit Facility. We had no borrowings outstanding under our Credit Facility during the three months ended March 31, 2022, whereas we had $220 million outstanding for approximately nine weeks during the three months ended March 31, 2021. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” for additional discussion related to our Credit Facility.

(Gain) loss on disposition of assets

The gain on disposition of assets for the three months ended March 31, 2022 primarily related to sale of land and buildings for two IHOP restaurants located on sites owned by us. There were no individually significant gains or losses on disposition of assets during the three months ended March 31, 2021.


Income TaxesThree months ended March 31,Favorable
(Unfavorable) Variance
20222021
 (In millions)
Income before income taxes$34.2 $24.0 $10.2 
Income tax provision (benefit)$9.3 $(1.6)$(10.9)
Effective tax rate27.2 %(6.6)%(33.8)%
Our income tax provision or benefit will vary from period to period in our normal course of business 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, 2022 and 2021.”
Our effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was different than the rate of the prior comparable period primarily due to the recognition of excess tax benefits on stock-based compensation related to the departure of the Company's previous chief executive officer in the first quarter of 2021.

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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 established a new revolving financing facility, the 2019-1 Variable Funding Senior Notes, Class A-1 (the “Credit Facility”) that allows for drawings up to $225 million of variable funding notes and the issuance of letters of credit. The 2019 Class A-2 Notes and the Credit Facility 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.

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 totaling $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. The leverage ratio is not a maintenance covenant and exceeding the leverage ratio of 5.25x does not violate any covenant related to the New Notes. 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”). 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.

As of March 31, 2022, our leverage ratio was 4.05x. As a result, quarterly principal payments on the 2019 Class A-2 Notes are not required.

The Company may voluntarily repay the 2019 Class A-2 Notes at any time; however, if we repay the 2019 Class A-2 Notes prior to certain dates we would be required to pay make-whole premiums. As of March 31, 2022, the make-whole premium associated with voluntary prepayment of the Class A-2-I Notes was approximately $3 million; this amount declines each quarter to zero in June 2022. As of March 31, 2022, the make-whole premium associated with voluntary prepayment of the Class A-2-II Notes was approximately $18 million; this amount declines 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, 2022, 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, 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.

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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, 2022 was approximately 4.6x.


Use of Credit Facilities

In March 2020, the Co-Issuers drew down a total of $220.0 million from the Credit Facility. The $220.0 million borrowing was repaid on March 5, 2021, and there have been no borrowings subsequent to that date. The current interest rate for borrowings under the Credit Facility 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 40% of the advances.

At March 31, 2022, there were no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility. At March 31, 2022, $3.5 million was pledged against the Credit Facility for outstanding letters of credit, leaving $221.5 million available for borrowing. The letters of credit are used primarily to satisfy insurance-related collateral requirements.

Capital Allocation

To maintain financial flexibility in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we suspended our repurchasing of common stock and the declaration of dividends on our common stock after the first quarter of 2020. After evaluating repurchases of common stock and dividend payments on common stock within the context of our overall capital allocation strategy, giving consideration to our current and forecast earnings, financial condition, cash requirements and other factors, we resumed repurchasing our common stock under the 2019 Share Repurchase Program and the declaration of dividends on our common stock in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Additionally, on February 17, 2022, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program, effective April 1, 2022, of up to $250 million (the “2022 Repurchase Program”). In connection with the approval of the 2022 Repurchase Program, the 2019 Share Repurchase Program terminated effective April 1, 2022.

Dividends
 
Dividends declared and paid per share for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:

Three months ended March 31,
 20222021
Dividends declared per common share$0.46 $— 
Dividends paid per common share$0.86 $— 


On October 28, 2021, the Board of Directors declared a fourth quarter 2021 cash dividend of $0.40 per share of common
stock, paid on January 7, 2022 to the stockholders of record as of the close of business on December 17, 2021.

On February 17, 2022, the Company's Board of Directors declared a first quarter 2022 cash dividend of $0.46 per share of
common stock, paid on April 1, 2022 to the stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 21, 2022.
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Stock Repurchases

During the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company repurchased 588,108 shares of common stock at a cost of $41.4 million. Cumulatively, we repurchased 2,344,804 shares at a cost of $175.8 million under the 2019 Repurchase Program through April 1, 2022, the effective date of termination as noted above.

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 this stock repurchase activity during the first quarter of 2022.

Cash Flows
 
In summary, our cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2021 were as follows:
 
Three months ended March 31,
 20222021Variance
 (In millions)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities$(7.8)$30.6 $(38.4)
Net cash provided by investing activities1.7 3.1 (1.4)
Net cash used in financing activities(61.0)(217.3)156.3 
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash$(67.1)$(183.6)$116.5 
 
Operating Activities

Cash provided by operating activities decreased $38.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022 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, impairment and closure charges, stock-based compensation and deferred taxes) increased $2.0 million from 2021. This was primarily due to an increase in gross profit, partially offset by an increase in G&A expenses and the recognition of excess tax benefits on stock-based compensation in 2021 that did not recur in 2022 , each of which was discussed in preceding sections of the MD&A. Net changes in working capital used cash of $42.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to using cash of $2.2 million during the same period of the prior year, an unfavorable change of $40.4 million. The unfavorable change in working capital was primarily due to an increase in payments for corporate bonuses and other employee compensation and the timing of marketing disbursements.

Investing Activities
 
Investing activities provided net cash of $1.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Principal receipts from notes, equipment contracts and other long-term receivables of $4.8 million and proceeds from asset sales of $2.9 million were partially offset by capital expenditures of $5.3 million and additions to long-term receivables of $0.7 million.

Financing Activities
 
Financing activities used net cash of $61.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. We repurchased common stock in the amount of $41.6 million, paid dividends of $14.6 million and made payments on finance lease obligations of $2.3 million. The decrease in cash used by financing activities was due to a $220 million repayment of Credit Facility in 2021 that did not recur in 2022, partially offset by the resumption of dividend repurchases and dividend payments in 2022 that had been suspended in 2021.

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Cash and Cash Equivalents

Our total cash balances as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 were as follows:
March 31, 2022December 31, 2021
(In millions)
Cash and cash equivalents$294.7 $361.4 
Restricted cash, current47.2 47.5 
Restricted cash, non-current16.4 16.4 
Total$358.3 $425.3 

Cash and cash equivalents include $92.4 million and $101.5 million of cash held for gift card programs and advertising funds as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents between March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 was primarily due to payments to repurchase common stock, dividend payments and other payments including employee bonuses and advertising.

We believe that our unrestricted cash and cash equivalents on hand, cash flow from operations, and the $221.5 million of borrowing capacity available under our Credit Facility will provide us with adequate liquidity for the next twelve months.


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, payment of cash dividends on 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 (negative) free cash flow is as follows:

Three months ended March 31,
20222021Variance
(In millions)
Cash flows (used in) provided by operating activities$(7.8)$30.6 $(38.4)
Receipts from notes and equipment contracts receivable3.0 2.5 0.5 
Additions to property and equipment(5.3)(2.4)(2.9)
Adjusted (negative) free cash flow$(10.1)$30.7 $(40.8)

Adjusted free cash flow for the three months ended March 31, 2022 declined compared to the same period of the prior year due to the decrease in cash flows provided by operating activities and the increase in capital expenditures, partially offset by an increase in receipts from notes and equipment contracts receivable, each of which was discussed in preceding sections of this MD&A.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments
 
There were no material changes to the contractual obligations as disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.



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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, 2021. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, there were no significant changes in our critical accounting policies or in our critical accounting estimates.

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.
 
There were no material changes from the information contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.

 
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.
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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.

 There are no material changes from the risk factors set forth under Item 1A of Part I of the Company’s Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.



Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
 
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Company
PeriodTotal number of
shares
purchased (a)
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)
January 3, 2022 - January 30, 202271,018 $69.63 70,780 $60,700,000 
January 31, 2022 - February 27, 2022
50,450 76.13 40,886 $57,700,000 
February 28, 2022 - April 3, 2022489,612 70.27 476,442 $24,200,000 
611,080 $70.68 588,108 $24,200,000 
(a) These amounts represent shares owned and tendered by employees 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 and the applicable individual award agreements under which the shares were issued 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. On February 17, 2022, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program, effective April 1, 2022, of up to $250 million (the “2022 Repurchase Program”). In connection with the approval of the 2022 Repurchase Program, the 2019 Share Repurchase Program terminated effective April 1, 2022. The 2022 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.
 

Item 5.  Other Information.
 
None.
 
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Item 6. Exhibits.
 
†10.1    
†10.2
*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.
†     A contract, compensatory plan or arrangement in which directors or executive officers are eligible to participate.




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Table of Contents
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:4th day of May, 2022By:/s/ John W. Peyton
 
John W. Peyton
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
Dated:4th day of May, 2022By:/s/ Vance Y. Chang
Vance Y. Chang
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
   
Dated:4th day of May, 2022By:/s/ Allison Hall
 
Allison Hall
Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
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