Regis : Reports First Quarter 2018 Results

Regis Corporation (NYSE: RGS):

Regis Corporation (NYSE: RGS), a leader in the haircare industry, whose primary business is owning, operating and franchising hair salons, today reported a first quarter 2018 net loss of $23.0 million, or $0.49 per share as compared to net income of $3.3 million, or $0.07 per share in the fiscal first quarter of 2017. The Company’s reported results include $33.8 million of one-time asset impairments and other non-recurring costs associated with the recent sale subsequent to the end of the first quarter, and subsequent franchising, of substantially all of its North America mall-based salons and its UK business. Excluding these impairment related and one-time items, the Company reported first quarter 2018 net income from continuing operations of $10.8 million, including a one-time gain on life insurance proceeds, or $0.23 per share versus $5.7 million, or $0.12 per share during the same period last year. On an adjusted basis, the Company reported net income of $4.7 million, or $0.10 earnings per share versus net income of $5.7 million, or $0.12 earnings per share, for the same period last year.

The Company noted that its first quarter results, both reported and adjusted, were adversely impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. A total of 3,418 salon days were lost as 768 salons were closed at least one day during the quarter. The Company estimates that revenue and adjusted EBITDA in the current year quarter were negatively impacted by $2.4 million and $1.5 million, respectively.

Total revenue in the quarter of $309.9 million decreased $9.0 million, or 2.8%, year-over-year driven primarily by the closure of unprofitable salons and the unfavorable impact of the hurricanes, partially offset by a same-store growth of 0.4%. First quarter adjusted EBITDA of $23.9 million was $1.2 million, or 5.2% favorable, year-over-year. Excluding the $1.5 million unfavorable impact related to hurricane activity, first quarter adjusted EBITDA of $25.4 million was $2.7 million, or 11.8% favorable year-over-year.

Hugh Sawyer, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We are pleased our adjusted EBITDA exceeded prior year results during the first quarter despite the operational and financial challenges associated with the impact of three major hurricanes. Moreover, during the quarter adjusted EBITDA from our Franchise business increased 14.9% versus prior year and the Regis team completed the successful sale and subsequent franchising of substantially all of its North America mall-based salons and its UK business in October. We remain focused on the execution of the ‘Key Elements of Our Strategy’ that we shared with our constituents in the August 17, 2017 10-K.”

Sale of Company’s Mall-based Salons and UK Business

In October, the Company sold substantially all of its mall-based salons in North America and substantially all of its International segment to The Beautiful Group, an affiliate of Regent Companies, LLC (“Regent”), who will operate them as the Company’s largest franchisee. The transactions include 858 of the Company’s North America Regis Salons and MasterCuts locations, which are full-service, mall-based salons, as well as the intellectual property related to MasterCuts and certain other trade names. The transactions also include the Company’s approximately 250 Regis Salons and Supercuts salons in the UK. As part of the sale of the mall-based business, The Beautiful Group agreed to pay for the value of certain inventory and assume specific liabilities, including lease liabilities. For the International segment, the Company agreed to a share purchase agreement with The Beautiful Group for minimal consideration.

As a result of the Board of Directors' approval and subsequent completed transactions, the Company recorded an estimated loss on assets held for sale of $30.5 million and presented the results of operations associated with the salons sold as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Additionally, the Company has redefined its reportable segments to be Company-owned salons and Franchise. The Company noted that the new Company-owned segment is comprised of its SmartStyle, Supercuts and Signature Style concepts.

First Quarter Segment Results

Company-owned salons

First quarter revenue for the Company-owned salon segment decreased 3.5% versus the prior year to $288.8 million. The year-over-year decline in revenue was driven by the closure of unprofitable salons and the impact of the three hurricanes, partly offset by positive same-store sales increases of 0.4% and a favorable foreign currency impact.

First quarter adjusted EBITDA of $33.2 million was $0.1 million, or 0.6% favorable versus the same period last year, driven primarily by the closing of unprofitable salons, benefits from the Company's 120-day plan, and other cost savings, partly offset by the impact of the three hurricanes and incremental advertising expense. Excluding the $1.5 million unfavorable impact related to hurricane activity, first quarter adjusted EBITDA of $34.7 million was $1.6 million, or 4.8% favorable year-over-year.

Franchise

First quarter Franchise revenue was $21.1 million, a $1.7 million, or 8.6%, increase compared to the prior year quarter. Royalties and fees were $13.4 million, a $1.4 million, or 11.2%, increase versus the same period last year. Royalties increased 4.5% driven primarily by positive same-store revenue in the quarter and increased franchise salon counts. Initial franchise fees were up $0.9 million as the Company opened, or converted, a net 118 franchised locations in the quarter as compared to 50 in the prior year quarter. Franchise adjusted EBITDA of $9.8 million improved $1.3 million, or 14.9%, year-over-year.

120-Day Plan Update

The Company continues to execute a number of initiatives under its 120-day plan to help stabilize performance and establish a platform for longer-term revenue and earnings growth in company-owned salons in order to maximize shareholder value. The core components of the 120-day plan are focused on improving the Company's performance by better aligning company resources to demand while continuing to provide an exceptional guest experience, simplification of our business to grow revenues and disinvestment of certain programs that do not create value. The Company estimates the 120-day plan delivered benefit in range of $6.0 million to $8.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 and it is anticipated these favorable year-over-year returns will continue to be realized throughout the year.

Deferred Tax Valuation Allowance Update

As a result of the Company's valuation allowance against most of its deferred tax assets, associated reported and as adjusted after-tax results are not comparable to prior periods.

• Net loss for the quarter of $23.0 million was negatively impacted $4.8 million due to the deferred tax valuation allowance on income tax expense.
• First quarter loss per share of $0.49 was negatively impacted $0.10 per share due to the deferred tax valuation allowance on income tax expense.

Non-GAAP reconciliations:

For GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliations, please refer to attached section titled "Non-GAAP Reconciliations". A complete reconciliation of reported earnings to adjusted earnings is included in this press release and is available on the Company’s website at www.regiscorp.com.

Earnings Webcast

Regis Corporation will host a conference call via webcast discussing first quarter results today, October 31, 2017, at 8 a.m., Central time. Interested parties are invited to participate in the live webcast by logging on to www.regiscorp.com or participate by phone by dialing (888) 397-5350 and entering access code 6986999. A replay of the presentation will be available later that day. The replay phone number is (888) 203-1112, access code 6986999.

About Regis Corporation

Regis Corporation (NYSE:RGS) is a leader in beauty salons and cosmetology education. As of September 30, 2017, the Company owned, franchised or held ownership interests in 8,944 worldwide locations. Regis’ corporate and franchised locations operate under concepts such as Supercuts, SmartStyle, MasterCuts, Regis Salons, Sassoon Salon, Cost Cutters, Roosters and First Choice Haircutters. Regis maintains an ownership interest in Empire Education Group in the U.S. For additional information about the Company, including a reconciliation of certain non-GAAP financial information and certain supplemental financial information, please visit the Investor Information section of the corporate website at www.regiscorp.com. To join Regis Corporation’s email alert list, click on this link:

http://www.b2i.us/irpass.asp?BzID=913&to=ea&Nav=1&S=0&L=1

This press release contains or may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements concerning anticipated future events and expectations that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements in this document reflect management's best judgment at the time they are made, but all such statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the statements herein. Such forward-looking statements are often identified herein by use of words including, but not limited to, "may," "believe," "project," "forecast," "expect," "estimate," "anticipate," and "plan." In addition, the following factors could affect the Company's actual results and cause such results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. These factors include the continued ability of the Company to implement its strategy, priorities and initiatives; our ability to attract, train and retain talented stylists; financial performance of our franchisees; acceleration of sale of certain salons to franchisees; the ability of the Company to maintain a satisfactory relationship with Walmart; the success of The Beautiful Group, our largest franchisee; marketing efforts to drive traffic; changes in regulatory and statutory laws including increases in minimum wages; our ability to manage cyber threats and protect the security of sensitive information about our guests, employees, vendors or Company information; reliance on information technology systems; reliance on external vendors; competition within the personal hair care industry; changes in tax exposure; changes in healthcare; changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates; failure to standardize operating processes across brands; consumer shopping trends and changes in manufacturer distribution channels; financial performance of Empire Education Group; the continued ability of the Company to implement cost reduction initiatives; compliance with debt covenants; changes in economic conditions; changes in consumer tastes and fashion trends; exposure to uninsured or unidentified risks; reliance on our management team and other key personnel or other factors not listed above. Additional information concerning potential factors that could affect future financial results is set forth under Item 1A of our annual report or Form 10-K. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. However, your attention is directed to any further disclosures made in our subsequent annual and periodic reports filed or furnished with the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 8-K and Proxy Statements on Schedule 14A.

SAME-STORE SALES (1):

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(1) Same-store sales are calculated on a daily basis as the total change in sales for company-owned locations that were open on a specific day of the week during the current period and the corresponding prior period. Quarterly and year-to-date same-store sales are the sum of the same-store sales computed on a daily basis. Locations relocated within a one-mile radius are included in same-store sales as they are considered to have been open in the prior period. International same-store sales are calculated in local currencies to remove foreign currency fluctuations from the calculation.

The salons sold to The Beautiful Group in October 2017 are not included in the above calculations, as they are reported as discontinued operations for the quarter.

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(1) Canadian and Puerto Rican salons are included in the North American salon totals.

The foregoing salon counts do not reflect the impact of the sale and franchise of substantially all of our mall-based business and our UK business in October.

Non-GAAP Reconciliations

We believe our presentation of non-GAAP operating income, net (loss) income, net (loss) income per diluted share, and other non-GAAP financial measures provides meaningful insight into our ongoing operating performance and an alternative perspective of our results of operations. Presentation of the non-GAAP measures allows investors to review our core ongoing operating performance from the same perspective as management and the Board of Directors. These non-GAAP financial measures provide investors an enhanced understanding of our operations, facilitate investors’ analyses and comparisons of our current and past results of operations and provide insight into the prospects of our future performance. We also believe the non-GAAP measures are useful to investors because they provide supplemental information research analysts frequently use to analyze financial performance.

The method we use to produce non-GAAP results is not in accordance with U.S. GAAP and may differ from methods used by other companies. These non-GAAP results should not be regarded as a substitute for corresponding U.S. GAAP measures but instead should be utilized as a supplemental measure of operating performance in evaluating our business. Non-GAAP measures do have limitations in that they do not reflect certain items that may have a material impact upon our reported financial results. As such, these non-GAAP measures should be viewed in conjunction with both our financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and the reconciliation of the selected U.S. GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures, which are located in the Investor Information section of the corporate website at www.regiscorp.com.

Non-GAAP reconciling items for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016:

The following information is provided to give qualitative and quantitative information related to items impacting comparability. Items impacting comparability are not defined terms within U.S. GAAP. Therefore, our non-GAAP financial information may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. We determine which items to consider as “items impacting comparability” based on how management views our business, makes financial, operating and planning decisions and evaluates the Company’s ongoing performance. The following items have been excluded from our non-GAAP results:

• Gain on life insurance proceeds.
• Professional fees.
• Severance expense for former executive officers.
• Executive transition costs.
• Goodwill derecognition.
• Discontinued operations.

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