EXHIBIT 99.1
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Contact:
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R. Gregory Lewis |
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615-269-1900 |
J. ALEXANDERS CORPORATION REPORTS
SECOND QUARTER RESULTS FOR 2006
NASHVILLE, TN., July 27, 2006 - J. Alexanders Corporation (AMEX: JAX) today reported
operating results for the second quarter and first half of 2006.
Highlights for the most recent quarter compared to the second period of 2005 were as follows:
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Net sales increased 7.7% to $33,341,000 from $30,953,000. |
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Weekly average same store sales per restaurant rose 3.3% to $90,900 from $88,000. |
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Net income decreased 27.7% to $711,000, or $.10 per diluted share, from $984,000, or
$.14 per diluted share. |
Commenting on the performance, J. Alexanders Corporation chairman, president and chief
executive officer Lonnie J. Stout II said, Our results for the quarter just ended were generally
in line with our business plan. As expected, our earnings comparison for the most recent quarter
to the second period of 2005 was difficult due to several factors, including the effect of a change
in pricing format in April of 2005 and other operating efficiencies which had a positive impact on
profitability in last years second quarter.
Stout said the Company was pleased with the gain in same store sales in the second quarter of
2006 with the exception of softness in sales of most of its Midwestern restaurants. The Companys
average guest check, including alcoholic beverage sales, increased by approximately 5% in the
second quarter of 2006 over the corresponding period a year earlier while average guest counts
declined on a same store basis by approximately 2.1%. Average
J. Alexanders Corporation Reports Second Quarter Results for 2006 Page 2
weekly sales per restaurant for the second period of 2006 rose 4% to $91,500 from $88,000
reported in the comparable quarter of 2005.
We were also pleased that cost of sales as a percentage of net sales in the second quarter of
2006 was in line with the cost of sales during the same period a year ago, Stout continued. He
said, however, that the Company had lower restaurant operating margins in the most recent quarter
because of increases in labor and restaurant operating expenses. The higher labor expenses were
due in part to minimum wage increases and to focused training and development efforts associated
with one of the Companys under-performing restaurants. The higher restaurant operating expenses
resulted from increases in repairs and maintenance expenses, losses related to disposals of assets
replaced, credit card fees and occupancy costs associated with the Companys restaurant opened in
the fourth quarter of 2005.
The Companys results for the second quarter of 2006 were also affected by the cost of
marketing research conducted during the quarter and by lower gift card revenues and income than
were recorded in the same quarter of 2005. In addition, results for the second quarter of 2005
included other income of $57,000 related to a gain recognized on the sale of stock held as an
investment.
For the first six months of 2006, J. Alexanders Corporation recorded net sales of
$68,579,000, up 8.7% from $63,107,000 posted in the first half of 2005. The Companys net income
for the first half of 2006 was $2,148,000, or $.31 per diluted share, an increase of 11.1% from net
income of $1,933,000, or $.28 per diluted share, posted in the comparable two quarters of 2005.
J. Alexanders Corporation had weekly average same store sales per restaurant of $93,500
through the first half of 2006, up 4.2% over $89,700 recorded in the corresponding six
J. Alexanders Corporation Reports Second Quarter Results for 2006 Page 3
months a year ago. The Company had average weekly sales per restaurant of $94,100 in the first two
quarters of 2006, up 4.9% from $89,700 reported in the same period a year earlier. The average
guest check, including alcoholic beverage sales, rose 5.5% in the first half of 2006 over the first
half of 2005 while average guest counts declined on a same store basis by approximately 1.6%.
Stout noted that J. Alexanders Corporation continues to have a favorable outlook for the
balance of 2006, but does anticipate continued pressure on restaurant margins from increases in
various operating costs and a continued softness in sales of several Midwestern restaurants. We
remain cautious in our outlook for the last half of 2006 as we expect continued increases in
operating costs due to higher commodity costs and inflationary pressures, Stout said. While
utility costs did not increase as much as expected in the second quarter, higher gasoline prices
continue to impact the cost of many of the products we use in our restaurants.
Stout said the Company will consider increasing prices on selected menu items to compensate
for higher input costs. As we have noted in the past, we are constantly monitoring our restaurant
margins and will continue to carefully consider selected menu price increases to maintain or
improve them.
J. Alexanders Corporation operates its 28 J. Alexanders restaurants in Alabama, Colorado,
Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas. J.
Alexanders is an upscale, contemporary American restaurant known for its wood-fired cuisine. The
Companys menu features a wide selection of American classics, including steaks, prime rib of beef
and fresh seafood, as well as a large assortment of interesting salads, sandwiches and desserts.
J. Alexanders also has a full-service bar that features an outstanding selection of wines by the
glass and bottle.
J. Alexanders Corporation Reports Second Quarter Results for 2006 Page 4
J. Alexanders Corporation is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee.
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. Actual results, performance or developments could differ materially from those
expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements as a result of known or unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors. These risks, uncertainties and factors include the Companys
ability to increase sales and operating margins in its restaurants; changes in business or economic
conditions, including rising food costs and product shortages; the effect of higher gasoline prices
on consumer demand; availability of qualified employees; increased cost of utilities, insurance and
other restaurant operating expenses; potential fluctuations of quarterly operating results due to
seasonality and other factors; the effect of hurricanes and other weather disturbances which are
beyond the control of the Company; the number and timing of new restaurant openings and the
Companys ability to operate them profitably; competition within the casual dining industry, which
is very intense; competition by the Companys new restaurants with its existing restaurants in the
same vicinity; changes in consumer spending, consumer tastes, and consumer attitudes toward
nutrition and health; expenses incurred if the Company is the subject of claims or litigation or
increased governmental regulation; changes in accounting standards, which may affect the Companys
reported results of operations; and expenses the Company may incur in order to comply with changing
corporate governance and public disclosure requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission
and the American Stock Exchange. These as well as other factors are discussed in detail in the
Companys filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission and other communications.
J. Alexanders Corporation Reports Second Quarter Results for 2006 Page 5
J. Alexanders Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited in thousands, except per share amounts)
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Quarter Ended |
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Six Months Ended |
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July 2 |
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July 3 |
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July 2 |
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July 3 |
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2006 |
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2005 |
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2006 |
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2005 |
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Net sales |
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$ |
33,341 |
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$ |
30,953 |
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$ |
68,579 |
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$ |
63,107 |
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Costs and expenses: |
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Cost of sales |
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10,870 |
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10,104 |
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22,419 |
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20,868 |
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Restaurant labor and related costs |
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10,810 |
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9,791 |
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21,809 |
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19,781 |
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Depreciation and amortization of restaurant
property and equipment |
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1,307 |
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1,198 |
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2,605 |
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2,386 |
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Other operating expenses |
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6,551 |
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5,866 |
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13,348 |
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12,087 |
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Total restaurant operating expenses |
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29,538 |
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26,959 |
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60,181 |
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55,122 |
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General and administrative expenses |
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2,488 |
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2,326 |
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4,879 |
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4,616 |
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Operating income |
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1,315 |
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1,668 |
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3,519 |
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3,369 |
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Other income (expense): |
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Interest expense, net |
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(400 |
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(447 |
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(825 |
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(909 |
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Other, net |
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22 |
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75 |
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51 |
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86 |
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Total other expense |
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(378 |
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(372 |
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(774 |
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(823 |
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Income before income taxes |
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937 |
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1,296 |
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2,745 |
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2,546 |
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Income tax provision |
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(226 |
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(312 |
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(597 |
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(613 |
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Net income |
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$ |
711 |
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$ |
984 |
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$ |
2,148 |
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$ |
1,933 |
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Earnings per share: |
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Basic earnings per share |
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$ |
.11 |
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$ |
.15 |
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$ |
.33 |
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$ |
.30 |
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Diluted earnings per share |
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$ |
.10 |
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$ |
.14 |
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$ |
.31 |
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$ |
.28 |
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Weighted average number of shares: |
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Basic earnings per share |
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6,542 |
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6,469 |
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6,537 |
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6,465 |
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Diluted earnings per share |
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6,835 |
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6,792 |
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6,828 |
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6,788 |
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J. Alexanders Corporation Reports Second Quarter Results for 2006 Page 6
J. Alexanders Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income
Percentages of Net Sales (Unaudited)
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Quarter Ended |
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Six Months Ended |
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July 2 |
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July 3 |
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July 2 |
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July 3 |
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2006 |
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2005 |
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2006 |
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2005 |
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Net sales |
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100.0 |
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100.0 |
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100.0 |
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100.0 |
% |
Costs and expenses: |
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Cost of sales |
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32.6 |
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32.6 |
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32.7 |
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33.1 |
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Restaurant labor and related costs |
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32.4 |
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31.6 |
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31.8 |
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31.3 |
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Depreciation and amortization of restaurant
property and equipment |
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3.9 |
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3.9 |
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3.8 |
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3.8 |
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Other operating expenses |
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19.6 |
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19.0 |
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19.5 |
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19.2 |
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Total restaurant operating expenses |
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88.6 |
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87.1 |
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87.8 |
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87.3 |
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General and administrative expenses |
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7.5 |
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7.5 |
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7.1 |
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7.3 |
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Operating income |
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3.9 |
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5.4 |
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5.1 |
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5.3 |
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Other income (expense): |
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Interest expense, net |
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(1.2 |
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(1.4 |
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(1.2 |
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(1.4 |
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Other, net |
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0.1 |
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0.2 |
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0.1 |
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0.1 |
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Total other expense |
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(1.1 |
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(1.2 |
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(1.1 |
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(1.3 |
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Income before income taxes |
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2.8 |
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4.2 |
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4.0 |
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4.0 |
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Income tax provision |
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(0.7 |
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(1.0 |
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(0.9 |
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(1.0 |
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Net income |
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2.1 |
% |
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3.2 |
% |
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3.1 |
% |
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3.1 |
% |
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Note: Certain percentage totals do not sum due to rounding. |
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Average Weekly Sales Information: |
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Average weekly sales per restaurant |
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$ |
91,500 |
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$ |
88,000 |
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$ |
94,100 |
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$ |
89,700 |
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Percent increase |
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+4.0 |
% |
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+4.9 |
% |
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Same store weekly sales per restaurant (1) |
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$ |
90,900 |
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$ |
88,000 |
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$ |
93,500 |
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$ |
89,700 |
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Percent increase |
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+3.3 |
% |
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+4.2 |
% |
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(1) Includes the twenty-seven restaurants open for more than eighteen months.
J. Alexanders Corporation Reports Second Quarter Results for 2006 Page 7
J. Alexanders Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited dollars in thousands)
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July 2 |
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January 1 |
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2006 |
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2006 |
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ASSETS |
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Current Assets |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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$ |
8,600 |
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$ |
8,200 |
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Deferred income taxes |
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964 |
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964 |
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Other current assets |
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4,667 |
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4,542 |
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Total current assets |
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14,231 |
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13,706 |
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Other assets |
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1,224 |
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1,164 |
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Property and equipment, net |
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73,016 |
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74,187 |
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Deferred income taxes |
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4,510 |
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4,510 |
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Deferred charges, net |
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705 |
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733 |
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$ |
93,686 |
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$ |
94,300 |
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LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
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Current liabilities |
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$ |
10,219 |
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$ |
12,897 |
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Long-term debt and capital lease obligations |
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22,755 |
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23,193 |
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Other long-term liabilities |
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5,351 |
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|
5,103 |
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Stockholders equity |
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55,361 |
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53,107 |
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$ |
93,686 |
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$ |
94,300 |
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