CANTON, Mass., April 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

First quarter highlights include:


    --  Dunkin' Donuts U.S. comparable store sales growth of 2.0%
    --  Baskin-Robbins U.S. comparable store sales growth of 5.0%
    --  Added 114 net new restaurants worldwide, including 69 net new Dunkin'
        Donuts in the U.S.
    --  Revenues increased 2.1%
    --  Diluted EPS increased 60.0% to $0.40
    --  Diluted adjusted EPS increased 10.0% to $0.44

Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: DNKN), the parent company of Dunkin' Donuts (DD) and Baskin-Robbins (BR), today reported results for the first quarter ended March 26, 2016.

https://photos.prnewswire.com/prnvar/20120516/NE07970LOGO

"We are encouraged by the first quarter Dunkin' Donuts U.S. comparable store sales performance which was driven by growth in beverages and breakfast sandwiches, along with price and favorable weather," said Dunkin' Brands Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Nigel Travis. "Admittedly we are still in the early days of our five-part plan to drive positive Dunkin' Donuts same-store sales, but as evidenced by the first quarter results we are beginning to make progress with our strategy which includes driving coffee innovation and culture; faster-to-market product innovation; targeted value offerings and smart pricing; increased use of digital technologies and an improved restaurant experience."

"During the first quarter we continued to expand the national presence of the Dunkin' Donuts brand through the addition of 69 net new restaurants in the U.S. as well as through the continued growth in sales of Dunkin' K-Cup pods in the retail channel," said Paul Carbone, Chief Financial Officer, Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc. "As we approach the first anniversary of the launch of Dunkin' K-Cup pods into the retail channel, we expect that Dunkin' Donuts K-Cup pods will be one of the most successful new grocery products in recent history and we have now exceeded the half-billion dollar annual retail sales threshold for Dunkin' Donuts coffee products in total."



    FIRST QUARTER 2016 KEY FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
     -------------------------------------------


    ($ in millions, except per share data)                                                                          Three months ended                           Increase (Decrease)
                                                                                                                    ------------------                           ------------------

    Amounts and percentages may not recalculate due to rounding                                            March 26,    March 28,                     $ / #        %
                                                                                                                 2016         2015
                                                                                                                 ----         ----

    Systemwide sales(1)                                                                                                  $2,418.6                    2,317.6                                101.0                  4.4%

    Comparable store sales growth (decline):

    DD U.S.(2)                                                                                                   2.0%                      2.7%

    BR U.S.(2)                                                                                                   5.0%                      8.6%

    DD International                                                                                           (2.3)%                      1.7%

    BR International                                                                                           (8.2)%                      0.3%

    Development data:

    Consolidated global net POD development(3)                                                                    114                         79                                     35                  44.3%

    DD global PODs at period end                                                                               11,833                     11,367                                    466                   4.1%

    BR global PODs at period end                                                                                7,638                      7,574                                     64                   0.8%

    Consolidated global PODs at period end                                                                     19,471                     18,941                                    530                   2.8%

    Financial data:

    Revenues                                                                                                               $189.8                      185.9                                  3.9                  2.1%

    Operating income                                                                                             85.3                       83.7                                    1.6                   1.9%

    Operating income margin                                                                                     45.0%                     45.0%

    Adjusted operating income4                                                                                              $91.2                       87.6                                  3.6                  4.2%

    Adjusted operating income margin4                                                                           48.1%                     47.1%

    Net income                                                                                                              $37.2                       25.6                                 11.5                 45.0%

    Adjusted net income4                                                                                         40.7                       40.3                                    0.4                   1.0%

    Earnings per share:

    Common-basic                                                                                                 0.41                       0.26                                   0.15                  57.7%

    Common-diluted                                                                                               0.40                       0.25                                   0.15                  60.0%

    Diluted adjusted earnings per share4                                                                         0.44                       0.40                                   0.04                  10.0%

    Weighted average number of common shares - diluted (in millions)                                             92.6                      101.5                                  (8.9)                (8.8)%


    (1) Systemwide sales include sales at franchisee- and company-operated restaurants, including joint ventures. While we do not record sales by franchisees or licensees as revenue and such sales are not included in our
     consolidated financial statements, we believe that this operating measure is important in obtaining an understanding of our financial performance. We believe systemwide sales information aids in understanding how we derive
     royalty revenue and in evaluating our performance relative to competitors. Beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2016, we began presenting systemwide sales rather than franchisee-reported sales, which excludes sales of
     company-operated restaurants, as we believe the systemwide sales information is a more complete metric in obtaining an understanding of our financial performance. Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the change from
     franchisee-reported sales to systemwide sales.


    (2) Comparable store sales growth for DD U.S. and BR U.S. for the three months ended March 28, 2015 have been revised to include only those restaurants that have been open at least 78 weeks (approximately 18 months) to conform to
     the current period calculation, whereas previously reported figures included only those restaurants that were open at least 54 weeks (approximately 12 months). Please refer to "Non-GAAP Measures and Statistical Data" for further
     detail.


    (3) Consolidated global net POD development reflects the previously-announced closing of 2 self-serve coffee stations within Speedway locations.


    4 Adjusted operating income, adjusted operating income margin, and adjusted net income are non-GAAP measures reflecting operating income and net income adjusted for amortization of intangible assets, long-lived asset
     impairments, and other non-recurring, infrequent, or unusual charges, net of the tax impact of such adjustments in the case of adjusted net income. Diluted adjusted earnings per share is a non-GAAP measure calculated using
     adjusted net income. Please refer to "Non-GAAP Measures and Statistical Data" and "Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc. Non-GAAP Reconciliations" for further detail.

Global systemwide sales growth in the first quarter was primarily attributable to global store development and Dunkin' Donuts U.S. comparable store sales growth (which includes stores open 78 weeks or more).

Dunkin' Donuts U.S. comparable store sales growth in the first quarter was driven by increased average ticket and traffic. Growth was driven by strong beverage sales, led by iced coffee and hot and iced espresso-based beverages, and breakfast sandwiches, led by the limited-time-offer GranDDe Burrito and the return of the Chicken Apple Sausage breakfast sandwich. The in-restaurant K-Cup and packaged coffee categories had a negative 80 basis point impact on first quarter comparable store sales. We estimate that weather resulted in approximately 90 basis points of positive impact in the quarter.

Baskin-Robbins U.S. comparable store sales growth was driven by increased sales of cups and cones, beverages, desserts, sundaes, and cakes. Comparable store sales growth was driven primarily by traffic. We estimate that weather resulted in approximately 300 basis points of positive impact in the quarter.

In the first quarter, Dunkin' Brands franchisees and licensees opened 114 net new restaurants around the globe. This included 69 net new Dunkin' Donuts U.S. locations (including the closing of 2 Speedway self-serve coffee stations), 42 net new Baskin-Robbins International locations, 14 net new Dunkin' Donuts International locations, and 11 net closures for Baskin-Robbins U.S. Additionally, Dunkin' Donuts U.S. franchisees remodeled 90 restaurants and Baskin-Robbins U.S. franchisees remodeled 35 restaurants during the quarter.

Revenues for the first quarter increased 2.1% compared to the prior year period due primarily to increased royalty income as a result of systemwide sales growth and an increase in sales of ice cream and other products. These increases in revenues were offset by a decrease in other revenues due primarily to a one-time upfront license fee recognized in connection with the Dunkin' K-Cup® pod licensing agreement in the first quarter of 2015.

Operating income and adjusted operating income for the first quarter increased $1.6 million, or 1.9%, and $3.6 million, or 4.2%, respectively, from the prior year period primarily as a result of the increase in royalty income, as well as an increase in franchise income and a gain recognized in connection with the sale of real estate, offset by the decrease in other revenues due primarily to a one-time upfront license fee recognized in connection with the Dunkin' K-Cup® pod licensing agreement in the first quarter of 2015. Operating income in the prior year period was also favorably impacted by a reduction in legal reserves.

Net income for the first quarter increased by $11.5 million, or 45.0%, compared to the prior year period primarily as a result of the $20.6 million loss on debt extinguishment and refinancing transactions recorded in the prior year period, as well as the $1.6 million increase in operating income, offset by a $7.9 million increase in income tax expense and additional interest expense of $2.7 million, driven by additional borrowings incurred in conjunction with the securitization refinancing transaction completed in January 2015.

Adjusted net income for the first quarter increased by $0.4 million, or 1.0%, compared to the prior year period primarily as a result of the $3.6 million increase in adjusted operating income, offset by increases in interest expense and income tax expense.

Diluted earnings per share increased by 60.0% to $0.40 for the first quarter compared to the prior year period as a result of the increase in net income, as well as a decrease in shares outstanding. Diluted adjusted earnings per share increased by 10.0% to $0.44 for the first quarter compared to the prior year period as a result of the decrease in shares outstanding, as well as the increase in adjusted net income. The decrease in shares outstanding from the prior year period is due primarily to the repurchase of shares, offset by the exercise of stock options.

FIRST QUARTER 2016 SEGMENT RESULTS

Beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2016, certain segment profit amounts in the tables below have been reclassified as a result of the realignment of our organizational structure to better support our segment operations, including the allocation of previously unallocated costs. Additionally, revenues, segment profit, points of distribution information, and systemwide sales related to restaurants located in Puerto Rico were previously included in the Baskin-Robbins International segment, but are now included in the Baskin-Robbins U.S. segment based on functional responsibility. Prior period amounts in the tables below have been revised to reflect these changes for all periods presented.


    Amounts and percentages may not recalculate due to rounding                                                 Three months ended                           Increase (Decrease)
                                                                                                                ------------------                           ------------------

    Dunkin' Donuts U.S.                                                                                March 26,                 March 28,                    $ / #   %
                                                                                                             2016                       2015
    ---                                                                                                      ----                       ----

                                                                                                                      ($ in thousands except as otherwise noted)

    Comparable store sales growth(1)                                                                         2.0%                                  2.7%

    Systemwide sales (in millions)(2)                                                                                $1,865.3                                1,750.8                                 114.5                   6.5%


    Revenues:

    Royalty income                                                                                                   $101,523                                 95,007                                 6,516                   6.9%

    Franchise fees                                                                                          7,068                                  8,264                                (1,196)                (14.5)%

    Rental income                                                                                          22,385                                 22,681                                  (296)                 (1.3)%

    Sales at company-operated restaurants                                                                   5,670                                  6,558                                  (888)                (13.5)%

    Other revenues                                                                                          2,167                                  1,357                                    810                   59.7%
                                                                                                            -----                                  -----                                    ---                    ----

    Total revenues                                                                                                   $138,813                                133,867                                 4,946                   3.7%


    Segment profit                                                                                                   $100,444                                 93,714                                 6,730                   7.2%


    Points of distribution                                                                                  8,500                                  8,160                                    340                    4.2%

    Gross openings                                                                                             93                                    101                                    (8)                 (7.9)%

    Net openings(3)                                                                                            69                                     78                                    (9)                (11.5)%
    --------------                                                                                            ---                                    ---                                    ---                  ------


    (1) Comparable store sales growth for the three months ended March 28, 2015 have been revised to include only those restaurants that have been open at least 78 weeks (approximately 18 months) to conform to the current period calculation.
     Please refer to "Non-GAAP Measures and Statistical Data" for further detail.


    (2) Systemwide sales include sales at franchisee- and company-operated restaurants, including joint ventures. We do not record sales by franchisees or licensees as revenue and such sales are not included in our consolidated financial
     statements. Please refer to "Non-GAAP Measures and Statistical Data" for further detail. Beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2016, we began presenting systemwide sales rather than franchisee-reported sales, which excludes sales
     of company-operated restaurants. Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the change from franchisee-reported sales to systemwide sales.


    (3) Net openings reflects the previously-announced closing of 2 self-serve coffee stations within Speedway locations.

Dunkin' Donuts U.S. first quarter revenues of $138.8 million represented an increase of 3.7% over the prior year period. The increase was primarily a result of increased royalty income due to an increase in systemwide sales, as well as an increase in other revenues driven primarily by an increase in transfer fee income. These increases in revenues were offset by a decrease in franchise fees due to a decrease in gross openings and unfavorable development mix, as well as a decrease in renewal income. Also offsetting the increases in revenues was a decrease in sales at company-operated restaurants driven by a net decrease in the number of company-operated restaurants.

Dunkin' Donuts U.S. segment profit in the first quarter increased $6.7 million over the prior year period to $100.4 million, which was driven primarily by growth in royalty income, an increase in other operating income due to a gain recognized in connection with the sale of real estate, and an increase in other revenues. These increases were offset by a decrease in franchise fees and a recovery of bad debt in the prior year period.


    Amounts and percentages may not recalculate due to rounding                                                  Three months ended                         Increase (Decrease)
                                                                                                                 ------------------                         ------------------

    Dunkin' Donuts International                                                                         March 26,               March 28,                  $ / #        %
                                                                                                               2016                     2015
    ---                                                                                                        ----                     ----

                                                                                                                      ($ in thousands except as otherwise noted)

    Comparable store sales growth (decline)                                                                  (2.3)%                                1.7%

    Systemwide sales (in millions)(1)                                                                                  $167.5                                168.2                                 (0.7)                 (0.4)%


    Revenues:

    Royalty income                                                                                                     $4,240                                3,791                                   449                   11.8%

    Franchise fees                                                                                            2,890                                  523                                2,367                  452.6%

    Rental income                                                                                                 -                                   8                                  (8)               (100.0)%

    Other revenues                                                                                              120                                2,256                              (2,136)                (94.7)%

    Total revenues                                                                                                     $7,250                                6,578                                   672                   10.2%


    Segment profit                                                                                                     $3,758                                3,674                                    84                    2.3%


    Points of distribution                                                                                    3,333                                3,207                                  126                    3.9%

    Gross openings                                                                                               85                                   83                                    2                    2.4%

    Net openings (closings)                                                                                      14                                 (21)                                  35                              n/m
    ----------------------                                                                                      ---                                  ---                                  ---                              ---


    (1) Systemwide sales include sales at franchisee- and company-operated restaurants, including joint ventures. We do not record sales by franchisees or licensees as revenue and such sales are not included in our consolidated financial
     statements. Please refer to "Non-GAAP Measures and Statistical Data" for further detail.

Dunkin' Donuts International first quarter systemwide sales decreased 0.4% from the prior year period. Sales declines in South Korea were offset by sales growth in Europe and the Middle East. Sales in South Korea, Asia, and South America were negatively impacted by unfavorable foreign exchange rates. On a constant currency basis, systemwide sales increased by approximately 7%.

Dunkin' Donuts International first quarter revenues of $7.3 million represented an increase of 10.2% over the prior year period. The increase in revenues were primarily a result of increased franchise fees due to development in new markets, as well as an increase in royalty income, offset by a decline in other revenues due to revenue recorded in the prior year period in connection with a settlement reached with a master licensee.

Segment profit for Dunkin' Donuts International increased $0.1 million to $3.8 million in the first quarter primarily as a result of revenue growth, offset by an increase in general and administrative expenses driven primarily by increased personnel costs and an increase in bad debt expense.


    Amounts and percentages may not recalculate due to rounding                                              Three months ended                         Increase (Decrease)
                                                                                                             ------------------                          ------------------

    Baskin-Robbins U.S.                                                                             March 26,                March 28,                   $ / #        %
                                                                                                          2016                      2015
    ---                                                                                                   ----                      ----

                                                                                                                  ($ in thousands except as otherwise noted)

    Comparable store sales growth(1)                                                                      5.0%                                 8.6%

    Systemwide sales (in millions)(2)                                                                              $129.9                                 123.1                                  6.8                   5.6%


    Revenues:

    Royalty income                                                                                                 $6,223                                 5,916                                  307                   5.2%

    Franchise fees                                                                                         346                                   220                                   126                  57.3%

    Rental income                                                                                          713                                   799                                  (86)               (10.8)%

    Sales of ice cream and other products                                                                  571                                 1,319                                 (748)               (56.7)%

    Other revenues                                                                                       2,708                                 2,055                                   653                  31.8%
                                                                                                         -----                                 -----                                   ---                   ----

    Total revenues                                                                                                $10,561                                10,309                                  252                   2.4%


    Segment profit                                                                                                 $7,300                                 6,088                                1,212                  19.9%


    Points of distribution                                                                               2,518                                 2,526                                   (8)                (0.3)%

    Gross openings                                                                                          10                                    13                                   (3)               (23.1)%

    Net closings                                                                                          (11)                                  (3)                                  (8)                266.7%
    ------------                                                                                           ---                                   ---                                   ---                  -----


    (1) Comparable store sales growth for the three months ended March 28, 2015 have been revised to include only those restaurants that have been open at least 78 weeks (approximately 18 months) to conform to the current period
     calculation. Please refer to "Non-GAAP Measures and Statistical Data" for further detail.


    (2) Systemwide sales include sales at franchisee- and company-operated restaurants, including joint ventures. We do not record sales by franchisees or licensees as revenue and such sales are not included in our consolidated
     financial statements. Please refer to "Non-GAAP Measures and Statistical Data" for further detail. Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the change from franchisee-reported sales to systemwide sales. Additionally, the
     prior period has been revised to reflect a reclassification of systemwide sales generated in Puerto Rico from Baskin-Robbins International to Baskin-Robbins U.S.

Baskin-Robbins U.S. first quarter revenue increased 2.4% from the prior year period to $10.6 million due primarily to an increase in other revenues, driven by an increase in licensing income, and increases in royalty income and franchise fees, offset by a decrease in sales of ice cream and other products. The fluctuations in licensing income and sales of ice cream and other products can be attributed to a shift in certain franchisees now purchasing ice cream directly from our third-party ice cream manufacturer.

Segment profit for Baskin-Robbins U.S. increased $1.2 million in the first quarter, or 19.9%, over the prior year period primarily as a result of the increases in other revenues, royalty income, and franchise fees.


    Amounts and percentages may not recalculate due to rounding                                                   Three months ended                         Increase (Decrease)
                                                                                                                  ------------------                          ------------------

    Baskin-Robbins International                                                                         March 26,                March 28,                   $ / #        %
                                                                                                               2016                      2015
    ---                                                                                                        ----                      ----

                                                                                                                       ($ in thousands except as otherwise noted)

    Comparable store sales (decline) growth                                                                  (8.2)%                                 0.3%

    Systemwide sales (in millions)(1)                                                                                   $255.9                                 275.6                               (19.7)                (7.1)%


    Revenues:

    Royalty income                                                                                                      $1,380                                 1,407                                 (27)                (1.9)%

    Franchise fees                                                                                              113                                   197                                  (84)               (42.6)%

    Rental income                                                                                               106                                   118                                  (12)               (10.2)%

    Sales of ice cream and other products                                                                    25,063                                21,222                                 3,841                  18.1%

    Other revenues                                                                                              172                                   186                                  (14)                (7.5)%
                                                                                                                ---                                   ---                                   ---                  -----

    Total revenues                                                                                                     $26,834                                23,130                                3,704                  16.0%


    Segment profit                                                                                                      $8,384                                 7,057                                1,327                  18.8%


    Points of distribution                                                                                    5,120                                 5,048                                    72                   1.4%

    Gross openings                                                                                              115                                   101                                    14                  13.9%

    Net openings                                                                                                 42                                    25                                    17                  68.0%
    ------------                                                                                                ---                                   ---                                   ---                   ----


    (1) Systemwide sales include sales at franchisee- and company-operated restaurants, including joint ventures. We do not record sales by franchisees or licensees as revenue and such sales are not included in our consolidated financial
     statements. Please refer to "Non-GAAP Measures and Statistical Data" for further detail. The prior period has been revised to reflect a reclassification of systemwide sales generated in Puerto Rico from Baskin-Robbins International to
     Baskin-Robbins U.S.

Baskin-Robbins International systemwide sales decreased 7.1% in the first quarter compared to the prior year period driven by sales declines in South Korea and the Middle East, offset by sales growth in Japan and Europe. Sales in South Korea were also negatively impacted by unfavorable foreign exchange rates. On a constant currency basis, systemwide sales decreased by approximately 3%.

Baskin-Robbins International first quarter revenues increased 16.0% over the prior year period to $26.8 million due primarily to an increase in sales of ice cream and other products to the Middle East. Systemwide sales and sales of ice cream and other products are not directly correlated within a given period due to the lag between shipment of products to licensees and retail sales at franchised restaurants, as well as the overall timing of deliveries between fiscal quarters.

First quarter segment profit increased 18.8% from the prior year period to $8.4 million as a result of an increase in net margin on ice cream driven primarily by increases in sales volume and pricing, as well as a decrease in bad debt expense. These increases in segment profit were offset by a decrease in net income from our South Korea joint venture.

COMPANY UPDATES


    --  The Company today announced that Paul Twohig, President, Dunkin' Donuts
        U.S. and Canada, has decided to retire at the end of the first quarter
        of 2017. The Company plans to name a successor before the end of the
        year and is currently conducting a search which will consider both
        internal and external candidates. Mr. Twohig will remain in his current
        position, with responsibility for Dunkin' Donuts U.S. and Canada
        operations as well as global franchising and store development for both
        Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, until a successor is appointed and
        after that will remain actively involved with the Company until he
        retires next year. The Company also announced the promotions of Chris
        Fuqua to Senior Vice President, Dunkin' Donuts Brand Marketing, Global
        Consumer Insights & Product Innovation, and Scott Hudler to Chief
        Digital Officer.
    --  The Company today announced that the Board of Directors declared a
        second quarter cash dividend of $0.30 per share, payable on June 8, 2016
        to shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 31, 2016.
    --  During the first quarter, the Company received nearly 500,000 shares
        upon final settlement of the accelerated share repurchase ("ASR")
        agreement that it entered into in October 2015. Under the agreement, the
        Company repurchased a total of approximately 3.0 million shares at a
        weighted average cost per share of $41.51. Also during the first
        quarter, the Company entered into and completed an additional ASR
        agreement for $30 million, resulting in the repurchase of approximately
        700,000 shares at a weighted average cost per share of $42.72.

FISCAL YEAR 2016 TARGETS

As described below, the Company is reiterating each of its targets regarding 2016 expectations.


    --  The Company continues to expect Donuts U.S. comparable store sales
        growth of 0 to 2 percent and Baskin-Robbins U.S. comparable store sales
        growth of 1 to 3 percent.
    --  The Company continues to expect that Dunkin' Donuts U.S. will add
        between 430 and 460 net new restaurants, excluding the closure of
        approximately 30 Speedway self-serve coffee stations. The Company
        continues to expect Baskin-Robbins U.S. will add between 5 and 10 net
        new restaurants.
    --  Internationally, the Company continues to target opening approximately
        200 net new restaurants across the two brands. It continues to expect
        net income of equity method investments to be slightly less than 2015
        full-year results.
    --  The Company continues to expect revenue growth of between 4 and 6
        percent; adjusted operating income growth of between 8 and 10 percent;
        and adjusted earnings per share of $2.20 to $2.22 on a 53-week basis. 
        The adjusted earnings per share range assumes 94,000,000 shares
        outstanding and a 38.5 percent tax rate.
    --  Fiscal year 2016 is a 53-week year for the Company. The target ranges
        for revenue and adjusted operating income growth are applicable on both
        a 52- and 53-week basis. The impact of the 53rd week on adjusted
        earnings per share is approximately $0.03.

Conference Call

As previously announced, Dunkin' Brands will be holding a conference call today at 8:00 am ET hosted by Nigel Travis, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, and Paul Carbone, Chief Financial Officer. The dial-in number is (866) 393-1607 or (914) 495-8556, conference number 91087454. Dunkin' Brands will broadcast the conference call live over the Internet at http://investor.dunkinbrands.com. A replay of the conference call will be available on the Company's website at http://investor.dunkinbrands.com.

The Company's consolidated statements of operations, condensed consolidated balance sheets, condensed consolidated statements of cash flows and other additional information have been provided with this press release. This information should be reviewed in conjunction with this press release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained herein are not based on historical fact and are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the applicable securities laws and regulations. Generally, these statements can be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "feel," "forecast," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "project," "should," or "would," and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. These risk and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the ongoing level of profitability of franchisees and licensees; our franchisees' and licensees' ability to sustain same store sales growth; changes in working relationships with our franchisees and licensees and the actions of our franchisees and licensees; our master franchisees' relationships with sub-franchisees; the strength of our brand in the markets in which we compete; changes in competition within the quick-service restaurant segment of the food industry; changes in consumer behavior resulting from changes in technologies or alternative methods of delivery; economic and political conditions in the countries where we operate; our substantial indebtedness; our ability to protect our intellectual property rights; consumer preferences, spending patterns and demographic trends; the impact of seasonal changes, including weather effects, on our business; the success of our growth strategy and international development; changes in commodity and food prices, particularly coffee, dairy products and sugar, and other operating costs; shortages of coffee; failure of our network and information technology systems; interruptions or shortages in the supply of products to our franchisees and licensees; the impact of food borne-illness or food safety issues or adverse public or media opinions regarding the health effects of consuming our products; our ability to collect royalty payments from our franchisees and licensees; the ability of our franchisees and licensees to open new restaurants and keep existing restaurants in operation; our ability to retain key personnel; any inability to protect consumer credit card data and catastrophic events.

Forward-looking statements reflect management's analysis as of the date of this press release. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations are more fully described in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including under the section headed "Risk Factors" in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K. Except as required by applicable law, we do not undertake to publicly update or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Non-GAAP Measures and Statistical Data

In addition to the GAAP financial measures set forth in this press release, the Company has included certain non-GAAP measurements such as adjusted operating income, adjusted operating income margin, adjusted net income, and diluted adjusted earnings per share, which present operating results on a basis adjusted for certain items. The Company uses these non-GAAP measures as key performance measures for the purpose of evaluating performance internally. We also believe these non-GAAP measures provide our investors with useful information regarding our historical operating results. These non-GAAP measures are not intended to replace the presentation of our financial results in accordance with GAAP. Use of the terms adjusted operating income, adjusted operating income margin, adjusted net income, and diluted adjusted earnings per share may differ from similar measures reported by other companies. These non-GAAP measures are reconciled from the respective measures determined under GAAP in the attached tables "Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc. Non-GAAP Reconciliations."

Additionally, the Company has included metrics such as systemwide sales and comparable store sales growth, which are commonly used statistical measures in the quick service restaurant industry and are important to understanding the Company's performance.

Systemwide sales include sales at franchisee- and company-operated restaurants, including joint ventures. While we do not record sales by franchisees, licensees, or joint ventures as revenue, and such sales are not included in our consolidated financial statements, we believe that this operating measure is important in obtaining an understanding of our financial performance. We believe systemwide sales information aids in understanding how we derive royalty revenue and in evaluating our performance relative to competitors.

The Company uses "DD U.S. comparable store sales growth" and "BR U.S. comparable store sales growth," which are calculated by including only sales from franchisee- and company-operated restaurants that have been open at least 78 weeks and that have reported sales in the current and comparable prior year week. Previously, DD U.S. comparable store sales growth and BR U.S. comparable store sales growth were calculated including only sales from franchisee- and company-operated restaurants that had been open at least 54 weeks and that had reported sales in the current and comparable prior year week. The calculation of this operating measure was revised in the third quarter of 2015 to more accurately reflect sales growth at comparable stores by minimizing the impact of strong new store openings, particularly as we develop in newer markets. All prior year amounts have been revised to conform to the 78-week calculation. There was no financial statement impact from revising the calculation of this operating measure.

The Company uses "DD International comparable store sales growth" and "BR International comparable store sales growth," which are calculated by including only sales from franchisee- and company-operated restaurants that have been open at least 54 weeks and that have reported sales in the current and comparable prior year week.

About Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc.

With more than 19,000 points of distribution in more than 60 countries worldwide, Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: DNKN) is one of the world's leading franchisors of quick service restaurants (QSR) serving hot and cold coffee and baked goods, as well as hard-serve ice cream. At the end of the first quarter 2016, Dunkin' Brands' nearly 100 percent franchised business model included more than 11,800 Dunkin' Donuts restaurants and more than 7,600 Baskin-Robbins restaurants. Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc. is headquartered in Canton, Mass.




                                                                                      DUNKIN' BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                                                                         Consolidated Statements of Operations

                                                                                         (In thousands, except per share data)

                                                                                                      (Unaudited)

                                                                                                                                                         Three months ended
                                                                                                                                                         ------------------

                                                                                                                                                 March 26,                March 28,
                                                                                                                                                       2016                     2015
                                                                                                                                                       ----                     ----


    Revenues:

    Franchise fees and royalty income                                                                                                                          $123,783                                          115,325

    Rental income                                                                                                                                    23,225                                           23,627

    Sales of ice cream and other products(1)                                                                                                         25,891                                           23,068

    Sales at company-operated restaurants                                                                                                             5,670                                            6,558

    Other revenues(1)                                                                                                                                11,207                                           17,327

    Total revenues                                                                                                                                  189,776                                          185,905
                                                                                                                                                    -------                                          -------

    Operating costs and expenses:

    Occupancy expenses-franchised restaurants                                                                                                        13,196                                           13,518

    Cost of ice cream and other products(1)                                                                                                          17,234                                           15,346

    Company-operated restaurant expenses                                                                                                              6,493                                            6,858

    General and administrative expenses, net(1)                                                                                                      61,195                                           57,840

    Depreciation                                                                                                                                      5,133                                            5,110

    Amortization of other intangible assets                                                                                                           5,761                                            6,200

    Long-lived asset impairment charges                                                                                                                  93                                              264
                                                                                                                                                        ---                                              ---

    Total operating costs and expenses                                                                                                              109,105                                          105,136
                                                                                                                                                    -------                                          -------

    Net income of equity method investments                                                                                                           2,964                                            2,947

    Other operating income, net                                                                                                                       1,698                                               24
                                                                                                                                                      -----                                              ---

    Operating income                                                                                                                                 85,333                                           83,740
                                                                                                                                                     ------                                           ------

    Other income (expense), net:

    Interest income                                                                                                                                     149                                              122

    Interest expense                                                                                                                               (24,881)                                        (22,164)

    Loss on debt extinguishment and refinancing transactions                                                                                              -                                        (20,554)

    Other losses, net                                                                                                                                 (370)                                           (545)

    Total other expense, net                                                                                                                       (25,102)                                        (43,141)
                                                                                                                                                    -------                                          -------

    Income before income taxes                                                                                                                       60,231                                           40,599

    Provision for income taxes                                                                                                                       23,077                                           15,174
                                                                                                                                                     ------                                           ------

    Net income including noncontrolling interests                                                                                                    37,154                                           25,425

    Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests                                                                                                     -                                           (206)

    Net income attributable to Dunkin' Brands                                                                                                                   $37,154                                           25,631
                                                                                                                                                                =======                                           ======


    Earnings per share-basic                                                                                                                                      $0.41                                             0.26

    Earnings per share-diluted                                                                                                                         0.40                                             0.25


    (1) Sales of products sold to Dunkin' Donuts International franchisees that have historically been included in other revenues are now included in sales of ice cream and other products. The related costs have
     historically been included in general and administrative expenses, net and are now included in cost of ice cream and other products. Sales and costs from these transactions were reclassified for all prior periods
     presented to conform to the current period presentation.




                                                                          DUNKIN' BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                                                             Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

                                                                                        (In thousands)

                                                                                          (Unaudited)

                                                                                                                     March 26,             December 26,
                                                                                                                           2016                       2015
                                                                                                                           ----                       ----

                                                        Assets

    Current assets:

    Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                     $223,524                              260,430

    Restricted cash                                                                                                      67,665                                71,917

    Accounts, notes, and other receivables, net                                                                          74,353                               128,360

    Other current assets                                                                                                 91,702                                97,117
                                                                                                                         ------                                ------

    Total current assets                                                                                                457,244                               557,824

    Property and equipment, net                                                                                         180,699                               182,614

    Equity method investments                                                                                           111,690                               106,878

    Goodwill and other intangible assets, net                                                                         2,284,587                             2,290,796

    Other assets                                                                                                         59,714                                59,007
                                                                                                                         ------                                ------

    Total assets                                                                                                                $3,093,934                            3,197,119
                                                                                                                                ==========                            =========

                                        Liabilities and Stockholders' Deficit

    Current liabilities:

    Current portion of long-term debt                                                                                              $25,000                               25,000

    Accounts payable                                                                                                     15,270                                18,663

    Other current liabilities                                                                                           299,723                               375,129
                                                                                                                        -------                               -------

    Total current liabilities                                                                                           339,993                               418,792
                                                                                                                        -------                               -------

    Long-term debt, net                                                                                               2,415,909                             2,420,600

    Deferred income taxes, net                                                                                          471,907                               476,510

    Other long-term liabilities                                                                                         100,717                               101,960
                                                                                                                        -------                               -------

    Total long-term liabilities                                                                                       2,988,533                             2,999,070
                                                                                                                      ---------                             ---------

    Total stockholders' deficit                                                                                       (234,592)                            (220,743)

    Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit                                                                                 $3,093,934                            3,197,119
                                                                                                                                ==========                            =========



                                                                           DUNKIN' BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                                                         Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

                                                                                          (In thousands)

                                                                                           (Unaudited)

                                                                                                                                    Three months ended
                                                                                                                                    ------------------

                                                                                                                         March 26,                  March 28,
                                                                                                                                                              2015
                                                                                                                               2016
                                                                                                                               ----


    Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities                                                                              $26,525                                    (8,980)
                                                                                                                                     -------                                     ------

    Cash flows from investing activities:

    Additions to property and equipment                                                                                     (3,184)                                    (6,233)

    Proceeds from sale of real estate                                                                                         2,645                                                 -

    Other, net                                                                                                                   80                                     (1,499)
                                                                                                                                ---                                      ------

    Net cash used in investing activities                                                                                     (459)                                    (7,732)
                                                                                                                               ----                                      ------

    Cash flows from financing activities:

    Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt                                                                                      -                                  2,500,000

    Repayment of long-term debt                                                                                             (6,250)                                (1,818,971)

    Payment of deferred financing and other debt-related costs                                                                    -                                   (40,953)

    Dividends paid on common stock                                                                                         (27,395)                                   (25,688)

    Repurchases of common stock, including accelerated share repurchases                                                   (30,000)                                  (459,821)

    Exercise of stock options                                                                                                 1,086                                       1,209

    Change in restricted cash                                                                                                   (6)                                    (6,900)

    Other, net                                                                                                                (584)                                        538
                                                                                                                               ----                                         ---

    Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities                                                                    (63,149)                                    149,414
                                                                                                                            -------                                     -------

    Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents                                                                       177                                       (389)
                                                                                                                                ---                                        ----

    Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                                                                       (36,906)                                    132,313

    Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period                                                                          260,430                                     208,080
                                                                                                                            -------                                     -------

    Cash and cash equivalents, end of period                                                                                        $223,524                                    340,393
                                                                                                                                    ========                                    =======





                                                                                           DUNKIN' BRANDS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                                                                                    Non-GAAP Reconciliations

                                                                                         (In thousands, except share and per share data)

                                                                                                           (Unaudited)

                                                                                                                                                                  Three months ended
                                                                                                                                                                  ------------------

                                                                                                                                                 March 26,                         March 28,
                                                                                                                                                       2016                                     2015
                                                                                                                                                       ----                                     ----

    Operating income                                                                                                                                               $85,333                                                  83,740

    Operating income margin                                                                                                                           45.0%                                                 45.0%

    Adjustments:

    Amortization of other intangible assets                                                                                                                         $5,761                                                   6,200

    Long-lived asset impairment charges                                                                                                                  93                                                    264

    Transaction-related costs(a)                                                                                                                         55                                                    154

    Bertico and related litigation(b)                                                                                                                     -                                               (2,753)

    Adjusted operating income                                                                                                                                      $91,242                                                  87,605
                                                                                                                                                                   =======                                                  ======

    Adjusted operating income margin                                                                                                                  48.1%                                                 47.1%


    Net income attributable to Dunkin' Brands                                                                                                                      $37,154                                                  25,631

    Adjustments:

    Amortization of other intangible assets                                                                                                           5,761                                                  6,200

    Long-lived asset impairment charges                                                                                                                  93                                                    264

    Transaction-related costs(a)                                                                                                                         55                                                    154

    Bertico and related litigation(b)                                                                                                                     -                                               (2,753)

    Loss on debt extinguishment and refinancing transactions                                                                                              -                                                20,554

    Tax impact of adjustments(c)                                                                                                                    (2,364)                                               (9,768)

    Adjusted net income                                                                                                                                            $40,699                                                  40,282
                                                                                                                                                                   =======                                                  ======


    Adjusted net income                                                                                                                                            $40,699                                                  40,282

    Weighted average number of common shares - diluted                                                                                                          92,618,269                                             101,502,438

    Diluted adjusted earnings per share                                                                                                                              $0.44                                                    0.40
                                                                                                                                                                     =====                                                    ====


    (a) Represents non-capitalizable costs incurred as a result of the securitized financing facility, which was completed in January 2015.

    (b) Represents a net reduction to legal reserves for the Bertico litigation and related matters, as a result of the Quebec Court of Appeals (Montreal) ruling to reduce the damages assessed against the Company in the Bertico litigation from
     approximately C$16.4 million to approximately C$10.9 million, plus costs and interest.

    (c) Tax impact of adjustments calculated at a 40% effective tax rate.

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SOURCE Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc.