Caribou Coffee Reports Second Quarter 2010 Results

MINNEAPOLIS  (RestaurantNewsRelease.com)  Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:CBOU), the second largest company-owned gourmet coffeehouse operator in the United States based on the number of coffeehouses, today reported financial results for the second quarter of 2010 (thirteen weeks ended July 4, 2010).

HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2010 INCLUDE:

  • Consolidated sales increased 9.4% compared to the second quarter of 2009
  • Comparable coffeehouse store sales for the quarter increased 4.8%
  • Commercial and Franchise sales for the quarter increased 45.3% compared to the second quarter of 2009
  • Net income attributable to Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. for the quarter was $2.4 million compared to net income of $1.2 million for the same period in 2009
  • Earnings per share of $0.12 compared to $0.06 per share in the second quarter of 2009

Michael Tattersfield, the Company’s President and CEO commented, “I am very pleased with our solid financial performance for the quarter and more importantly with the progress we are making in building our future towards becoming a multi-channel branded coffee company. We continue to experience strong growth momentum across each of our three lines of business as evident in our latest results.”

SECOND QUARTER 2010 RESULTS

Net sales for the quarter increased $5.9 million, or 9.4%, to $68.9 million from $63.0 million for the comparable quarter of 2009.

  • Coffeehouse sales were $57.8 million in the second quarter 2010, an increase of 4.4% as compared with $55.3 million in the second quarter of 2009. The increase reflects a 4.8% increase in comparable coffeehouse sales in the second quarter of 2010 as compared to the same period in fiscal 2009.
  • Commercial sales were $8.7 million in the second quarter of 2010, an increase of 51.0% as compared with $5.7 million in the second quarter of 2009. The increase was primarily due to continued sales growth within our consumer packaged goods business.
  • Franchise sales were $2.5 million in the second quarter of 2010, an increase of 28.6% as compared with $1.9 million in the second quarter of 2009.

Cost of sales and related occupancy costs in the second quarter of 2010 were $30.6 million, an 11.8% increase over the second quarter of 2009. This increase is primarily related to our sales increase for the quarter. As a percentage of revenue, cost of sales were 44.4% in the second quarter of 2010 versus 43.4% in the second quarter of 2009. This increase as a percentage of sales was due to an overall mix change with a higher percentage of sales coming from the commercial and franchise segments.

Operating expenses in the second quarter of 2010 were $25.1 million, an increase of $1.2 million or 5.0% compared to $23.9 million in the same period of the prior year. This increase was primarily driven by our sales growth and investments in marketing and product initiatives. As a percentage of revenue, operating costs were 36.4%, down from 37.9% in the same period of the prior year, as we experienced operating efficiencies while making the investments in marketing and product platforms to build our brand, drive traffic and increase the average amount our guests spend during each visit.

General and administrative expenses increased $0.8 million, or 12.4%, to $7.6 million in the second quarter of 2010, from $6.8 million in the second quarter of 2009. As a percentage of total net sales, general and administrative expenses increased to 11.1% in the second quarter of 2010, from 10.8% in the second quarter of 2009. This increase is due resources added in support of our marketing, product management, and commercial activities in the latter half of 2009 and the timing of other initiatives in the quarter.

Depreciation and amortization decreased $0.6 million to $3.0 million during the second quarter of 2010. Depreciation and amortization was lower in the quarter from reduced capital spending in 2009 and 2010 compared with previous years.

The Company’s net income attributable to Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. for the second quarter of 2010 was $2.4 million or $0.12 per share compared to $1.2 million or $0.06 per share for the same period in 2009.

CONFERENCE CALL

Caribou Coffee will host a conference call on August 4, 2010, at 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) to discuss these results. Hosting the call will be Mike Tattersfield, Chief Executive Officer, and Tim Hennessy, Chief Financial Officer. The call will be webcast and can be accessed from the Company’s website at www.cariboucoffee.com. The webcast link is in the Investor Relations section. Dial in number: 1-888-812-8594 or for international callers 1-913-312-0867. Passcode: 2804766. To listen to a replay of the conference call, dial toll-free 1-888-203-1112 or 1-719-457-0820 for international callers and enter pin number 2804766. The replay will be available beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on August 4, 2010 through 11:59 p.m. on August 11, 2010. In addition, the webcast will be archived on the Company’s website.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Caribou Coffee Company, Inc., founded in 1992 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is the second largest company-owned premium coffeehouse operator in the United States based on the number of coffeehouses. As of July 4, 2010, Caribou Coffee had 411 company-owned coffeehouses and 128 franchised and licensed locations. Caribou Coffee offers its customers premium coffee and hand crafted espresso-based beverages, as well as specialty teas, baked goods, whole bean coffee, branded merchandise and other coffee lifestyle items. In addition, Caribou Coffee sells products to grocery stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, office coffee and foodservice providers, hotels, entertainment venues and e-commerce channels. In addition, Caribou Coffee licenses third parties to use the Caribou Coffee brand on quality food and merchandise items. Caribou Coffee focuses on delivering a guest experience with a unique blend of expertise, fun and authentic human connection in a comfortable and welcoming coffeehouse environment. For more information, visit the Caribou Coffee web site at www.cariboucoffee.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this release, and other written or oral statements made by or on behalf of Caribou Coffee are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Statements regarding future events and developments and our future performance, as well as management’s current expectations, beliefs, plans, estimates or projections relating to the future, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of these laws. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are: fluctuations in quarterly and annual results, incurrence of net losses, adverse effects of management focusing on implementation of a growth strategy, failure to develop and maintain the Caribou Coffee brand and other factors disclosed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release.

         
CARIBOU COFFEE COMPANY, INC. AND AFFILIATES
(A Majority Owned Subsidiary of Caribou Holding Company Limited)
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
         
    Thirteen Weeks Ended   Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
    July 4,2010   June 28,2009   July 4,2010   June 28,2009
    (In thousands, except for per share amounts)(Unaudited)
Coffeehouse sales   $ 57,751     $ 55,294     $ 113,348     $ 108,158  
Commercial and franchise sales     11,133       7,660       22,587       15,176  
Total net sales     68,884       62,954       135,935       123,334  
Cost of sales and related occupancy costs     30,551       27,317       61,950       53,589  
Operating expenses     25,067       23,873       50,029       47,258  
Depreciation and amortization     3,028       3,570       6,172       7,311  
General and administrative expenses     7,633       6,789       14,142       13,395  
Operating income     2,606       1,405       3,642       1,781  
Other income (expense):                
Interest income     5       7       10       7  
Interest expense     (64 )     (63 )     (171 )     (121 )
Income before provision for (benefit                                
from) income taxes     2,547       1,349       3,481       1,667  
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes     20       59       (138 )     42  
Net income     2,527       1,290       3,619       1,709  
Less: Net income attributable to                                
noncontrolling interest     106       122       160       195  
Net Income attributable to Caribou                                
Coffee Company, Inc.   $ 2,421     $ 1,168     $ 3,459     $ 1,514  
Basic net income attributable to                                
Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. common                                
shareholders per share   $ 0.12     $ 0.06     $ 0.18     $ 0.08  
Diluted net income attributable to                                
Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. common                                
shareholders per share   $ 0.12     $ 0.06     $ 0.17     $ 0.08  
Basic weighted average number of                                
shares outstanding     19,515       19,371       19,514       19,371  
Diluted weighted average number of                                
shares outstanding     20,520       20,118       20,381       19,865  
         
CARIBOU COFFEE COMPANY, INC. AND AFFILIATES
(A Majority Owned Subsidiary of Caribou Holding Company Limited)
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
         
    July 4,   January 3,
    2010   2010
    In thousands, except per share amounts(Unaudited)
ASSETS        
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 16,188   $ 23,578
Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $21        
and $3 at July 4, 2010 and January 3, 2010, respectively)   5,536   5,887
Other receivables (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $191        
and $128 at July 4, 2010 and January 3, 2010, respectively)   1,132   1,268
Income tax receivable   164   193
Inventories   24,776   13,278
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   1,016   1,546
Total current assets   48,812   45,750
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization   41,349   47,135
Restricted cash   605   605
Other assets   627   237
Total assets   $ 91,393   $ 93,727
         
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable   $ 9,381   $ 9,042
Accrued compensation   4,566   6,296
Accrued expenses   6,379   7,563
Deferred revenue   6,112   8,747
Total current liabilities   26,438   31,648
         
Asset retirement liability   1,157   1,120
Deferred rent liability   6,725   7,955
Deferred revenue   2,072   2,072
Income tax liability   10   156
Total long term liabilities   9,964   11,303
         
Equity:        
Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. Shareholders’ equity:        
Preferred stock, par value $.01, 20,000 shares authorized; no        
shares issued and outstanding    
Common stock, par value $.01, 200,000 shares authorized; 20,039        
and 19,814 shares issued and outstanding at July 4, 2010 and        
January 3, 2010, respectively   200   198
Additional paid-in capital   127,518   126,770
Accumulated comprehensive loss   (12)   (7)
Accumulated deficit   (72,882)   (76,341)
Total Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. shareholders’ equity   54,824   50,620
Noncontrolling interest   166   156
Total equity   54,990   50,776
Total liabilities and equity   $ 91,393   $ 93,727
         
Coffeehouse Openings and Closings
         
    13 Weeks Ended   26 Weeks Ended
    July 4,   June 28,   July 4,   June 28,
    2010   2009   2010   2009
Operating Data:                
Percentage change in comparable coffeehouse net sales (1)   4.8 %   (3.3 )%   5.0 %   (4.2 )%
                 
COFFEEHOUSE COUNT                
Company-Owned:                
Coffeehouses open at beginning of period   413     414     413     414  
Coffeehouses opened during the period   0     0     0     0  
Coffeehouses closed during the period   2     0     2     0  
Total Company-Owned Open at Period End   411     414     411     414  
                 
Franchised:                
Coffeehouses open at beginning of period   123     101     121     97  
Coffeehouses opened during the period   5     8     7     14  
Coffeehouses closed during the period   0     1     0     3  
Total Franchised Open at Period End   128     108     128     108  
Total coffeehouses open at end of period   539     522     539     522  
     
(1)   Percentage change in comparable coffeehouse net sales compares the net sales of coffeehouses during a fiscal period to the net sales from the same coffeehouses for the equivalent period in the prior year. A coffeehouse is included in this calculation beginning in its thirteenth full fiscal month of operations. A closed coffeehouse is included in the calculation for each full month that the coffeehouse was open in both fiscal periods. Franchised coffeehouses are not included in the comparable coffeehouse net sales calculations.
         
EBITDA RECONCILIATION
         
The following is a reconciliation of the Company’s net income to EBITDA.
         
    Thirteen Weeks Ended   Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
    July 4, 2010   June 28, 2009   July 4, 2010   June 28, 2009
    (In thousands)
Net income attributable to Caribou Coffee                                
Company, Inc.   $ 2,421     $ 1,168     $ 3,459     $ 1,514  
Interest expense     65       63       171       121  
Interest income     (5 )     (7 )     (10 )     (7 )
Depreciation and amortization(1)     3,512       4,102       7,140       8,396  
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes     20       59       (137 )     (42 )
EBITDA   $ 6,013     $ 5,385     $ 10,623     $ 9,982  
    (1)   Includes depreciation and amortization associated with the headquarters and roasting facility that are categorized as general and administrative expenses and cost of sales and related occupancy costs on the statement of operations.

EBITDA is equal to net income excluding: (a) interest expense; (b) interest income; (c) depreciation and amortization; and (d) income taxes.

Management believes EBITDA is useful to investors in evaluating the Company’s operating performance for the following reason:

  • Coffeehouse leases are generally short-term (5-10 years) and Caribou must depreciate all of the cost associated with those leases on a straight-line basis over the initial lease term excluding renewal options (unless such renewal periods are reasonably assured at the inception of the lease). The Company opened a net 208 company-operated coffeehouses from the beginning of fiscal 2003 through the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2010. As a result, management believes depreciation expense is disproportionately large when compared to the sales from a significant percentage of the coffeehouses that are in their initial years of operations. Also, many of the assets being depreciated have actual useful lives that exceed the initial lease term excluding renewal options. Consequently, management believes that adjusting for depreciation and amortization is useful for evaluating the operating performance of the coffeehouses.

Management uses EBITDA:

  • As a measurement of operating performance because it assists management in comparing its operating performance on a consistent basis as it removes the impact of items not directly resulting from coffeehouse operations;
  • For planning purposes, including the preparation of our internal annual operating budget;
  • To evaluate the Company’s capacity to incur and service debt, fund capital expenditures and expand the business.

EBITDA as calculated by Caribou Coffee is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. In addition, EBITDA: (a) does not represent net income or cash flows from operating activities as defined by GAAP; (b) is not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash flow needs; and (c) should not be considered an alternative to net income, operating income, cash flows from operating activities or Caribou Coffee’s other financial information as determined under GAAP.