Exhibit 99.1

Famous Dave’s of America, Inc. Appoints Charles W. Mooty as

Chairman of the Board and Reports Results For Fiscal 2016

MINNEAPOLIS, March 6, 2017 – Famous Dave’s of America, Inc. (NASDAQ: DAVE) today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed current Board member and experienced industry executive, Charles W. Mooty Non-Executive Chairman of the Board, effective February 27, 2017. Mr. Mooty joined the Company’s board in December 2016.

A longtime member of the Minneapolis business community, Mr. Mooty has more than 21 years of experience in the restaurant industry, having served in key executive leadership positions at both the management and board level at International Dairy Queen, owned by Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Currently, Mr. Mooty serves as President and CEO of Jostens, Inc. Mr. Mooty succeeds Joseph Jacobs, the President and Co-Founder of Wexford Capital LP, who served as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board since 2015 and will remain on the Board of Directors.

“Since joining the Board, Chuck has demonstrated a deep passion for our Company and a relentless desire to work together to build strong momentum across the business. He has exhibited tremendous leadership and vision in setting a path for Famous Dave’s. The Board appreciates the proven experience and expertise Chuck brings to positioning Famous Dave’s for long-term success,” said Mr. Jacobs.

“As a strong believer in the brand, it is truly an honor to assume the responsibility of Chairman at this pivotal time for the Company and to further lead its evolution. I am confident that together with the leadership of the Board, our management team and our franchisees we will drive enhanced total returns for our shareholders,” said Mr. Mooty.

Today, the Company reported financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended January 1, 2017 compared to the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended January 3, 2016.

Highlights for the Fourth Quarter of 2016 include the following:

 

    Franchise-operated restaurants comparable sales decreased 5.5%

 

    Company-owned restaurants comparable sales decreased 5.0%

 

    Opened one new franchise-operated restaurant and closed one

 

    General and administrative expenses decreased approximately $1.0 million to $4.1 million

 

    Completed new long-term Credit Agreement with a new bank partner

Highlights for Fiscal Year 2016 include the following:

 

    Franchise-operated restaurants comparable sales decreased 4.7%

 

    Company-owned restaurants comparable sales decreased 5.0%

 

    Opened four new franchise-operated restaurants, refranchised seven, and closed seven

 

    General and administrative expenses decreased approximately $2.3 million to $16.8 million

 

    Net debt decreased by approximately $2.4 million

Financial Results

 

(in thousands except per share data)    Three Months Ended     Twelve Months Ended  
     January 1,
2017
    January 3,
2016
    January 1,
2017
    January 3,
2016
 

Revenue:

        

Total revenues (1)(2)

   $ 22,593     $ 25,367     $ 99,179     $ 114,226  

Operating income:

        

GAAP (loss) income from operations

     (4.7 )%      (1.8 )%      (4.1 )%      1.9

Adjusted (loss) income from operations

     (3.7 )%      (4.5 )%      0.9     1.1

(Loss) income per common share:

        

GAAP basic (loss) income from continuing operations

   $ (0.12   $ (0.05   $ (0.42   $ 0.15  

Adjusted basic (loss) income from continuing operations

   $ (0.10   $ (0.08   $ 0.01     $ 0.04  

 

(1) The quarterly year over year decrease was primarily the result of a decline in Company-owned restaurant sales and franchise royalty revenue due to the previously mentioned comparable sales declines and changes in restaurant count; and the inclusion of the 53rd operating week in fiscal 2015.

 

Page 1 of 9


(2) The year over year decrease was primarily the result of a decline in Company-owned restaurant sales and franchise royalty revenue due to the previously mentioned comparable sales declines and changes in restaurant count; the inclusion of the 53rd operating week in fiscal 2015; and the refranchising of five Company-owned restaurants and the closure of one Company-owned restaurant in the third quarter of fiscal 2015.

CEO Comments

Mike Lister, Chief Executive and Operating Officer, commented, “while 2016 was a challenging year for the industry and Famous Dave’s, we remain focused on the all-important return of our Brand to a position of strength. The foundation of the Brand and the quality of our people is unquestionable. I am confident that together with the leadership of the Board, Chuck’s invaluable insights, and our people we will elevate Famous Dave’s to the next level.”

Conference Call

The company will host a conference call, March 6, 2017, at 3:30 p.m. Central Time to discuss its fourth quarter financial results. There will be a live webcast of the discussion through the Investor Relations section of Famous Dave’s web site at www.famousdaves.com.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement its financial statements, Famous Dave’s of America, Inc. also provides investors with adjusted net (loss) income per common share from continuing operations and adjusted (loss) income from operations which are non-GAAP financial measures. The Company believes that these non-GAAP measures provide useful information to management and investors regarding certain financial and business trends relating to its financial condition and results of operations. Famous Dave’s management uses these non-GAAP measures to compare the Company’s performance to that of prior periods for trend analysis and planning purposes.

Adjusted net (loss) income per common share from continuing operations consists of net (loss) income from continuing operations plus non-cash items, such as, asset impairment, estimated lease termination and other closing costs, net gain on disposal of equipment, settlement agreements, VP level and above stock based compensation recapture, severance, and the related tax impact, divided by the weighted average number of shares of stock outstanding during each period presented. Famous Dave’s of America, Inc. believes adjusted net (loss) income loss per common share from continuing operations is useful to an investor because it is widely used to measure a company’s operating performance.

Adjusted (loss) income from operations consists of (loss) income from operations plus non-cash items, such as asset impairment, estimated lease termination and other closing costs, net gain on disposal of equipment, settlement agreements, VP level and above stock based compensation recapture and severance. Famous Dave’s uses adjusted (loss) income from operations as a measure of operating performance because it assists the Company in comparing performance on a consistent basis, as it removes from operating results the impact of non-cash events. The Company believes adjusted (loss) income from operations is useful to an investor in evaluating the company’s operating performance because it is widely used to measure a company’s operating performance and to present a meaningful measure of corporate performance exclusive of the impact of non-cash events and the method by which assets were acquired.

These non-GAAP measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. These non-GAAP financial measures exclude significant expenses and income that are required by GAAP to be recorded in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and are subject to inherent limitations. Famous Dave’s of America, Inc. urges investors to review the reconciliation of its non-GAAP financial measures to the comparable GAAP financial measures that are included in this press release. The tables appearing at the end of this release provide reconciliations of net (loss) income from continuing operations to adjusted net (loss) income per common share from continuing operations and adjusted (loss) income from operations.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical, including but not limited to statements regarding the timing of our restaurant openings and the timing or success of our expansion plans, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, which may cause the company’s actual results to differ materially from expected results. Although Famous Dave’s of America, Inc. believes the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectation will be attained. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Famous Dave’s expectation include financial performance, restaurant industry conditions, execution of restaurant development and construction programs, franchisee performance, changes in local or national economic conditions, availability of financing, governmental approvals and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s SEC reports.

 

Page 2 of 9


About Famous Dave’s

Famous Dave’s of America, Inc. develops, owns, operates and franchises barbeque restaurants. As of March 6, 2017, the Company owns 35 locations and franchises 138 additional units in 32 states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates. Its menu features award-winning barbequed and grilled meats, a selection of salads, sandwiches, side items, and made-from-scratch desserts.

 

 

 

Contact: Dexter Newman – Chief Financial Officer
   952-294-1300

 

Page 3 of 9


FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS  
JANUARY 1, 2017 AND JANUARY 3, 2016  
(in thousands, except per share data)  

(Unaudited)

 

 
     Three Months Ended     Twelve Months Ended  
     January 1,     January 3,     January 1,     January 3,  
     2017     2016     2017     2016  

Revenue:

        

Restaurant sales, net

   $ 18,498     $ 20,899     $ 81,511     $ 95,475  

Franchise royalty revenue

     3,722       4,279       16,375       17,542  

Franchise fee revenue

     155       —         290       255  

Licensing and other revenue

     218       189       1,003       954  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

     22,593       25,367       99,179       114,226  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

        

Food and beverage costs

     5,636       6,353       25,256       29,093  

Labor and benefits costs

     6,885       7,579       28,208       32,553  

Operating expenses

     6,097       6,410       24,780       27,780  

Depreciation and amortization

     836       1,065       3,681       4,452  

General and administrative expenses

     4,120       5,094       16,753       19,021  

Asset impairment and estimated lease termination and other closing costs (benefits)

     104       (106     4,788       1,520  

Pre-opening expenses

     —         —         —         1  

Net gain on disposal of property

     (15     (581     (197     (2,337
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

     23,663       25,814       103,269       112,083  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Loss) income from operations

     (1,070     (447     (4,090     2,143  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other expense:

        

Interest expense

     (242     (389     (855     (1,027

Interest income

     —         4       2       11  

Other income (expense), net

     —         (1     1       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other expense, net

     (242     (386     (852     (1,016
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Loss) income before income taxes

     (1,312     (833     (4,942     1,127  

Income tax benefit (expense)

     485       526       2,000       (48
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (loss) income from continuing operations

     (827     (307     (2,942     1,079  

Net (loss) income from discontinued operations, net of taxes

     (115     (5,636     511       (5,463
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

   $ (942   $ (5,943   $ (2,431   $ (4,384
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Loss) income per common share:

        

Basic net (loss) income from continuing operations

   $ (0.12   $ (0.05   $ (0.42   $ 0.15  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic net (loss) income from discontinued operations

   $ (0.02   $ (0.81   $ 0.07     $ (0.78
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic net loss

   $ (0.14   $ (0.86   $ (0.35   $ (0.63
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted net (loss) income from continuing operations

   $ (0.12   $ (0.04   $ (0.42   $ 0.15  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted net (loss) income from discontinued operations

   $ (0.02   $ (0.81   $ 0.07     $ (0.78
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted net loss

   $ (0.14   $ (0.85   $ (0.35   $ (0.63
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic

     6,953       6,947       6,950       6,992  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted

     6,953       6,958       6,950       7,013  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Page 4 of 9


Exhibit 99.1

 

FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

OPERATING RESULTS

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended     Twelve Months Ended  
     January 1,     January 3,     January 1,     January 3,  
     2017     2016     2017     2016  

Food and beverage costs(1)

     30.5     30.4     31.0     30.5

Labor and benefit costs(1)

     37.2     36.3     34.6     34.1

Operating expenses(1)

     33.0     30.7     30.4     29.1

Restaurant level operating margins(1)(3)

     (0.7 )%      2.6     4.0     6.3

Depreciation and amortization(2)

     3.7     4.2     3.7     3.9

General and administrative(2)

     18.2     20.1     16.9     16.7

(Loss) income from continuing operations(2)

     (4.7 )%      (1.8 )%      (4.1 )%      1.9

Adjusted (loss) income from operations(2)

     (3.7 )%      (4.5 )%      0.9     1.1

 

(1)  As a percentage of restaurant sales, net
(2)  As a percentage of total revenue
(3)  Restaurant level operating margin is equal to restaurant sales, net less food and beverage costs, labor and benefit costs, and operating expenses.

 

Page 5 of 9


FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     January 1,      January 3,  
     2017      2016  
ASSETS      

Current assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 4,450      $ 5,300  

Restricted cash

     1,714        1,087  

Accounts receivable, net

     5,257        4,678  

Inventories

     1,499        2,070  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     3,531        1,671  

Assets held for sale

     1        2,211  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     16,452        17,017  

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net

     25,912        32,491  

Other assets:

     

Intangible assets, net

     2,565        2,902  

Deferred tax asset

     4,633        4,491  

Other assets

     1,383        710  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 50,945      $ 57,611  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Current liabilities:

     

Current portion of long-term debt and financing lease obligations

   $ 1,371      $ 2,193  

Accounts payable

     5,311        5,685  

Accrued compensation and benefits

     1,321        1,390  

Other current liabilities

     3,140        3,406  

Liabilities held for sale

     —          1,747  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     11,143        14,421  

Long-term liabilities:

     

Long-term debt, less current portion

     8,849        10,120  

Financing lease obligations, less current portion

     2,280        2,724  

Other liabilities

     8,705        8,285  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     30,977        35,550  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity:

     

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000 shares authorized, 6,958 shares issued and outstanding at January 1, 2017 and January 3, 2016

     66        66  

Retained earnings

     19,902        21,995  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Shareholders’ equity

     19,968        22,061  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 50,945      $ 57,611  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Page 6 of 9


FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     Twelve Months Ended  
     January 1,     January 3,  
     2017     2016  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net (loss) income from continuing operations

   $ (2,942   $ 1,079  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows provided by operations:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     3,681       4,452  

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     115       212  

Net gain on disposal of property

     (149     (2,337

Asset impairment and estimated lease termination and other closing costs

     4,788       1,520  

Deferred income taxes

     (142     (4,255

Deferred rent and net amortization of lease interest assets and liabilities

     676       909  

Stock-based compensation

     339       386  

Tax benefit for equity awards issued

     —         (144

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisition:

    

Restricted cash

     (828     (439

Accounts receivable, net

     (1,191     (1,257

Inventories

     191       140  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     (1,876     267  

Deposits

     (277     9  

Accounts payable

     (696     (305

Accrued compensation and benefits

     (184     (2,165

Other current liabilities

     (311     162  

Other liabilities

     105       (38

Long-term deferred compensation

     —         (74
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows provided by (used for) continuing operating activities

     1,299       (1,878

Cash flows (used for) provided by discontinued operating activities

     (955     3,862  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows provided by operating activities

     344       1,984  

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Proceeds from the sale of restaurant assets and décor

     1,068       7,502  

Purchases of property, equipment and leasehold improvements

     (758     (3,197
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows provided by continuing investing activities

     310       4,305  

Cash flows provided by (used for) discontinued investing activities

     1,150       (60
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows provided by investing activities

     1,460       4,245  

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Proceeds from long-term debt

     103       —    

Proceeds from draws on line of credit

     1,855       27,700  

Payments on line of credit

     —         (24,440

Payments for debt issuance costs

     (259     (160

Payments on long-term debt and financing lease obligations

     (4,352     (634

Payments from exercise of stock options

     (1     —    

Tax benefit for equity awards issued

     —         144  

Repurchase of common stock

     —         (5,672
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows used for financing activities

     (2,654     (3,062
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (850     3,167  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

     5,300       2,133  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

   $ 4,450     $ 5,300  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Page 7 of 9


SUPPLEMENTAL SALES INFORMATION

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended     Twelve Months Ended  
     January 1,     January 3,     January 1,     January 3,  
     2017     2016     2017     2016  

Restaurant sales (in thousands):

        

Company-Owned

   $ 18,498     $ 20,899     $ 81,511     $ 95,475  

Franchise-Operated

   $ 79,215     $ 86,354     $ 347,722     $ 356,787  

Total number of restaurants:

        

Company-Owned

     37       44       37       44  

Franchise-Operated

     139       135       139       135  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     176       179       176       179  

Total weighted average weekly net sales (AWS):

        

Company-Owned

   $ 38,457     $ 40,346     $ 42,365     $ 42,661  

Franchise-Operated

   $ 44,155     $ 46,154     $ 48,194     $ 50,202  

Operating weeks:

        

Company-Owned

     481       518       1,924       2,238  

Franchise-Operated

     1,794       1,871       7,215       7,107  

Total Company-Owned comparable sales %

     (5.0 )%      (10.6 )%      (5.0 )%      (9.3 )% 

Total Franchise-Operated %

     (5.5 )%      (5.2 )%      (4.7 )%      (2.5 )% 

Total number of comparable restaurants:

        

Company-Owned

     37       36       37       35  

Franchise-Operated

     123       120       116       115  

 

Page 8 of 9


FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended     Twelve Months Ended  
     January 1,     January 3,     January 1,     January 3,  
     2017     2016     2017     2016  

Net (loss) income from continuing operations

   $ (827   $ (307   $ (2,942   $ 1,079  

Asset impairment and estimated lease termination and other closing costs (benefits)

     104       (106     4,788       1,520  

Net gain on disposal of equipment

     (15     (581     (197     (2,337

Settlement agreement

     —         —         410       —    

VP level and above stock-based compensation

     (28     —         (154     (45

VP level and above severance

     165       —         165       —    

Tax adjustment for non-cash adjustments

     (84     434       (2,028     37  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted net (loss) income from continuing operations

   $ (685   $ (560   $ 42     $ 254  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted net (loss) income per common share from continuing operations:

        

Basic adjusted net (loss) income per common share from continuing operations

   $ (0.10   $ (0.08   $ 0.01     $ 0.04  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted adjusted net (loss) income per common share from continuing operations

   $ (0.10   $ (0.08   $ 0.01     $ 0.04  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shares used to compute net (loss) income per common share:

        

Weighted average common share outstanding - basic

     6,953       6,947       6,950       6,992  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average common share outstanding - diluted

     6,953       6,958       6,950       7,013  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Loss) income from operations

   $ (1,070   $ (447   $ (4,090   $ 2,143  

Asset impairment and estimated lease termination and other closing costs (benefits)

     104       (106     4,788       1,520  

Net gain on disposal of equipment

     (15     (581     (197     (2,337

Settlement agreement

     —         —         410       —    

VP level and above stock-based compensation

     (28     —         (154     (45

VP level and above severance

     165       —         165       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted (loss) income from operations

   $ (844   $ (1,134   $ 922     $ 1,281  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Page 9 of 9