Tag Archives: DENN

DENNY’S CORPORATION (DENN)

PENDING THE RELEVANT COMPANY’S REGISTRATION WITH US, THIS PARTICULAR CONTENT IS LIMITED TO SUBSCRIBERS. For $100/year, SUBSCRIBE HERE. Other content is available by way of Home Page.

INCLUDED IN YOUR ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION:

  • Access to Corporate Descriptions of all publicly held restaurant companies and selected non-restaurant franchisors.
  • Broad economic insight. As described in “Restaurants/Retail – Why Bother?” the restaurant and retail industries provide a leading indicator of far broader economic trends. You no longer have to be the last to know.
  • Two to three analytical pieces per week (“Roger’s Rap”) personally written by Roger Lipton describing corporate developments within his industry specialization, including their relevance to the broader economy.
  • Periodic “macro” discussions personally written by Roger Lipton, analyzing fiscal and monetary matters that will likely affect your investments and your business.
  • A free copy of the legendary best selling book, How you can Profit from the coming devaluation, as shown at right, written in 1970 by Harry Browne, which predicted the 2000% rise in the price of gold. This profound piece is more relevant today than ever, so Roger re-published it in 2012. This book will help you preserve the fortune you are in the process of accumulating.

UPDATED “COMPANY DETAILED ANALYSES” (we cover over 60, for subscribers) – YUM BRANDS, DENNY’S, ARK RESTAURANTS, RAVE RESTAURANTS – with relevant transcripts

Note: since you received this email, you are obviously a subscriber. DON’T FORGET TO LOG IN, TO ACCESS THE FOLLOWING ANALYSES 🙂

YUM BRANDS (YUM)

https://www.liptonfinancialservices.com/2022/11/yum-brands/

DENNY’S (DENN)

https://www.liptonfinancialservices.com/2023/02/dennys-corporation-denn-new-writeup/

ARK RESTAURANTS (ARKR)

https://www.liptonfinancialservices.com/2023/02/ark-restaurants-arkr-new-writeup-performing-solidly/

RAVE RESTAURANT (RAVE)

https://www.liptonfinancialservices.com/2023/02/rave-restaurant-group-inc-rave/

UPDATED CORPORATE DESCRIPTIONS: CHEESECAKE FACTORY, DENNY’S, YUM BRANDS, YUM CHINA, DINE BRANDS + NON-RESTAURANT FRANCHISOR, DRIVEN BRANDS, with relevant transcripts

CHEESECAKE FACTORY (CAKE)

https://www.liptonfinancialservices.com/2022/08/cheesecake-factory-updated-write-up/

DENNY’S (DENN)

https://www.liptonfinancialservices.com/2022/08/dennys-corporation-denn-new-writeup/

YUM BRANDS (YUM)

https://www.liptonfinancialservices.com/2022/08/yum-brands/

YUM CHINA (YUMC)

https://www.liptonfinancialservices.com/2022/08/yum-china-holdings-yumc-in-process/

DINE BRANDS (DIN)

https://www.liptonfinancialservices.com/2022/08/dine-brands-global-din/

DRIVEN BRANDS (DRVN)

https://www.liptonfinancialservices.com/2022/11/driven-brands-holdings-inc-drvn/

 

THE WEEK THAT WAS: ENDING 8/26 – ONE UPGRADE FROM PRIOR WEEKS’ REPORTS, ONLY BRINKER REPORTS, AND DISAPPOINTS, BUT ANALYSTS MAINTAIN RATINGS

THE WEEK THAT WAS: ENDING 8/26 – ONE UPGRADE FROM PRIOR WEEKS’ REPORTS, ONLY BRINKER REPORTS, AND DISAPPOINTS BUT ANALYSTS MAINTAIN RATINGS

Ratings Changes:

Regarding companies previously reporting, NICK SETYAN upgrades Denny’s from Neutral to Outperform.

Regarding companies that reported this week, only Brinker. In wake of disappointing results, JEFF BERNSTEIN, CHRISTOPHER CARRIL  AND NICK SETYAN stay Neutral, NICOLE REGAN and ANDREW STRELZIK remain Positive.

Conference call transcripts are below for all companies reporting in prior weeks with ratings changes (Denny’s) and all companies that reported last week (Brinker)

6

CONFERENCE CALL TRANSCRIPTS

Denny’s (DENN)

https://seekingalpha.com/article/4528931-dennys-corporations-denn-ceo-john-miller-on-q2-2022-results-earnings-call-transcript

https://seekingalpha.com/article/4528808-dennys-corporation-2022-q2-results-earnings-call-presentation

Brinker (EAT)

https://seekingalpha.com/article/4536783-brinker-international-inc-eat-ceo-kevin-hochman-on-q4-2022-results-earnings-call-transcript

THE WEEK TO COME

No companies are scheduled to report –

 

UPDATED CORPORATE DESCRIPTIONS: BLOOMIN’ BRANDS, DENNY’S, STARBUCKS, YUM BRANDS, SHAKE SHACK, PORTILLO’S – with transcripts

UPDATED CORPORATE DESCRIPTIONS: BLOOMIN’ BRANDS, DENNY’S, STARBUCKS, YUM BRANDS, SHAKE SHACK, PORTILLO’S – with transcripts

BLOOMIN’ BRANDS (BLMN)

https://www.liptonfinancialservices.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=4284&action=edit

DENNY’S (DENN)

https://www.liptonfinancialservices.com/2022/05/dennys-corporation-denn-new-writeup/

STARBUCKS (SBUX)

https://www.liptonfinancialservices.com/2022/05/starbucks-updated-write-up/

YUM BRANDS (YUM)

https://www.liptonfinancialservices.com/2022/05/yum-brands/

SHAKE SHACK (SHAK)

https://www.liptonfinancialservices.com/2022/05/shake-shack-inc-shak/

PORTILLO’S (PTLO)

https://www.liptonfinancialservices.com/2022/05/portillos-ptlo-in-process/

 

 

THE WEEK THAT WAS, ENDING 5/6, LOT’S OF EARNINGS REPORTS, A FEW RATINGS CHANGES, MORE ACTION IN THE WEEK TO COME

THE WEEK THAT WAS, ENDING 5/6, LOT’S OF EARNINGS REPORTS, SEVERAL RATINGS CHANGES, MANY MORE DATA POINTS IN THE WEEK TO COME  – links to transcripts provided

Starbucks reports, only change is David Palmer upgrading. Nobody wants to be negative. NICOLE REAGAN, JOHN GLASS, CHRIS CARRIL and JON TOWER stay neutral. LAUREN SILBERMAN, JEFFREY  BERNSTEIN, DAVID PALMER and ANDREW CHARLES continue to like it.

https://seekingalpha.com/article/4506511-starbucks-corporation-sbux-ceo-howard-schultz-on-q2-2022-results-earnings-call-transcript

Denny’s reports, NICK SETYAN still likes it.

https://seekingalpha.com/article/4506545-dennys-corporations-denn-ceo-john-miller-on-q1-2022-results-earnings-call-transcript

https://seekingalpha.com/article/4506597-dennys-corporation-2022-q1-results-earnings-call-presentation

Restaurant Brands reports, only change is CHRIS O’CULL downgrading to HOLD. M.Stanley analyst maintains underweight. JON TOWER is neutral, while CHRIS CARRIL AND LAUREN SILBERMAN like it here.

https://seekingalpha.com/article/4506236-restaurant-brands-international-inc-qsr-ceo-jose-cil-on-q1-2022-results-earnings-call

Yum Brands reports. No changes. LAUREN SILBERMAN is NEUTRAL while JON TOWER says BUY.

https://seekingalpha.com/article/4506810-yum-brands-inc-s-yum-ceo-david-gibbs-on-q1-2022-results-earnings-call-transcript

Brinker reports (and disappoints). DAVID PALMER downgrades to IN-LINE.  BRIAN MULLAN, NICK SETYAN, and M.STANLEY analyst are NEUTRAL. BRIAN VACCARO and ERIC GONZALES continue to be positive.

https://seekingalpha.com/article/4506810-yum-brands-inc-s-yum-ceo-david-gibbs-on-q1-2022-results-earnings-call-transcript

Wingstop reports (and disappoints). M. Stanley  analyst, NICK SETYAN, JON TOWER and ANDREW CHARLES all stick with it.

https://seekingalpha.com/article/4507053-wingstop-inc-s-wing-ceo-michael-skipworth-on-q1-2022-results-earnings-call-transcript

SHAKE SHACK reports. Everybody maintains. LAUREN SILBERMAN and BRIAN MULLEN are neutral, while PETER SALEH & NICK SETYAN like it.

https://seekingalpha.com/article/4507719-shake-shack-inc-shak-ceo-randy-garutti-on-q1-2022-results-earnings-call-transcript

PAPA JOHN’s reports. LAUREN SILBERMAN and NICK SETYAN continue to like it while BRIAN MULLAN is neutral.

https://seekingalpha.com/article/4507346-papa-johns-international-inc-pzza-ceo-robert-lynch-on-q1-2022-results-earnings-call

 

THE WEEK TO COME:  MORE DATA POINTS

5-09 After Market Close RCI Hospitality Holdings RICK

https://seekingalpha.com/pr/18781450-rci-2q22-call-on-twitter-spaces-on-monday-may-9th-first-to-use-twitters-audio-platform-for

5-10 Before Market Open First Watch Restaurant Gr FWRG

https://viavid.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1537799&tp_key=a214d47caa

5-11 Before Market Open Wendy’s WEN

https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/3723491/E08AEE34680249F3308CCBD4D8C0EEFE

5-11 Before Market Open Krispy Kreme DNUT

https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/2m66abcw

5-11 After Market Close Dutch Bros BROS

https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/370340001

5-12 Before Market Open Carrols Restaurant Group TAST

https://viavid.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1541750&tp_key=1245ec6318

 

 

 

 

UPDATED CORPORATE DESCRIPTIONS FOR DENNY’S, WINGSTOP, CHEESECAKE, SHAKE SHACK, BJ’S and CHUY’S

UPDATED CORPORATE DESCRIPTIONS FOR DENNY’S (DENN), WINGSTOP (WING), CHEESECAKE FACTORY (CAKE), SHAKE SHACK (SHAK), BJ’S (BJRI) and CHUY’S (CHUY)

Denny’s

https://www.liptonfinancialservices.com/2022/01/dennys-corporation-denn-new-writeup/

Wingstop

https://www.liptonfinancialservices.com/2022/01/wingstop/

Cheesecake Factory

https://www.liptonfinancialservices.com/2022/01/cheesecake-factory-updated-write-up/

Shake Shack

https://www.liptonfinancialservices.com/2022/01/shake-shack-inc-shak/

BJ’s

https://www.liptonfinancialservices.com/2021/11/bjs-restaurants-2/

Chuy’s

https://www.liptonfinancialservices.com/2022/01/chuys-holdings-updated-write-up/

 

 

ICR CONFERENCE PROCEEDS – SHAKE SHACK (SHAK – up 12%), ONE HOSPITALITY (STKS) AND DENNY’S (DENN) PROVIDE UPDATES

ICR CONFERENCE PROCEEDS – SHAKE SHACK (SHAK), ONE HOSPITALITY (STKS) AND DENNY’S (DENN) PROVIDE UPDATES

The ONE Group (STKS – 12.99, UP $0.34 –  strong fourth quarter, Manny is doing the job!)

https://seekingalpha.com/pr/18625788-one-group-announces-preliminary-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2021-sales-results

DENNY’S CORPORATION (DENN – 16.26, down $0.12 – making steady progress under John Milller, Omicron not helping at the moment)

https://seekingalpha.com/pr/18624177-denny-s-corporation-releases-preliminary-financial-results-for-fourth-quarter-and-fiscal-year

https://seekingalpha.com/pr/18624506-denny-s-corporation-to-expand-market-share-through-partnership-reef

SHAKE  SHACK Inc. (SHAK – 76.97, up 8.64 – continues recovery from Covid, Q4 comps up 2.2% in Q4, sharply improved from down 7.3% in Q3, Street relieved)

https://seekingalpha.com/pr/18625775-shake-shack-provides-fourth-quarter-2021-business-update

 

ASSET LIGHT FRANCHISING – COMPLAINTS FROM FRANCHISEES – LET’S CLEAR THE AIR!!

 

ASSET LIGHT FRANCHISING – COMPLAINTS FROM FRANCHISEES – LET’S CLEAR THE AIR!!

The long term investment appeal of well established franchising companies is accepted by the investment community. Most of the prominent franchisors’ equities sell at price to trailing twelve month EBITDA multiples in the mid to high teens (Denny’s (DENN), Dine Brands (DIN), Dunkin’ Brands (DNKN), Pollo Loco (LOCO), McDonald’s (MCD), Restaurant Brands (QSR), Wendy’s (WEN), even higher in a couple of instances Domino’s (DPZ), Shake Shack (SHAK), Wingstop (WING), lower in a number of “challenged” situations like Jack in the Box (JACK), Red Robin (RRGB), Brinker (EAT), Fiesta Rest. (FRGI).

The attraction of asset light franchisors revolves around the presumably free cash flow for franchisors, a steady stream of royalty income unburdened by capital expenditures to build stores. The operating leverage is at the store level.  Franchisees are responsible for building the stores, then controlling food costs, labor, rent and all the other operating line items. Franchisors receive the royalty stream and have the obligation of supporting the system with brand development, site selection advice, marketing support, and operating supervision. These supporting functions, it should be noted, are optional to a degree, and we have written extensively about system support sometimes being short changed by corporate priorities such as major stock buybacks.

THE CURRENT WORD, IN THE FIELD, AS WE HEAR IT

We acknowledge that in every franchise system there will be some operators less satisfied than others. In the same way, customer reviews on Yelp or Facebook are more frequently written by critics. Bad news is more noteworthy and more customers are inclined to criticize than applaud, so we have to listen to the complaints but dig further for the reality. With that in mind, we hear the following from franchisees of various restaurant systems:

“I’ve been in this business for thirty years, and I’ve never seen it this bad. Everyone is making money but me; the landlords, the franchisor, the banks. My margins have been killed, and I’m up against my lending convenants”.

“All the franchisors want to do is build sales to build their royalties. The dollar deals are trading people down. My franchisor doesn’t care about my margins. I can’t maintain my margins, especially with the increasing cost of labor, let alone build it”.

“The franchisor is putting pressure on me to sell, even though I’ve always been considered a good operator, with high performance scores. I’m up to date on my development agreement, but they want somebody else to take me out, and the new buyer will agree to what I consider to be a ridiculously aggressive development contract”.

“The franchisor has replaced experienced long term field support with lower priced (and inexperienced) younger people. They’re cutting corporate overhead, but these kids, who never ran a store, are telling me to how to control costs.””

“I’m doing my best with the development objectives, but it is almost impossible to build stores with today’s economics. Rents are too high, labor costs are killing me, and I can’t raise prices in this promotional environment”.

“As if things aren’t tough enough, I’m being nickeled and dimed with demand for higher advertising contributions and fees on services (including software) that I thought would be provided”.

The valuations provided to the publicly held companies do not reflect the situation as described by the admittedly anonymous franchisees. The commentators quoted above don’t want to aggravate their franchisor, and we don’t want to be unfair or misleading to particular companies by relying on just a few conversations, though they do support one another. For the most part, franchisees are strongly discouraged from talking to the press or investment community. The companies will say that “competitive” issues require some secrecy, but there are few secrets in this industry.

The optimistic view, as represented by the valuations in the marketplace, is that the comments above are not typical or representative of the health of the subject franchise systems. Allow me to provide a short story which leads to a suggestion.

A SHORT STORY

Twenty six years ago, in 1992, IHOP had just come public. I was a sell side analyst, thought the numbers were interesting and the stock was reasonably priced. The company, led by the now deceased CEO Kim Herzer, invited me to attend their franchisee convention, which I did. I obviously had the opportunity to interface with many franchisees and it was clear that, while all was not perfect, the franchisor was providing a great deal of support that was embraced by an enthusiastic franchise community. IHOP stock tripled over several years for me and my clients who owned millions of shares. I attended several more of their annual conventions and maintain some of those relationships to this day. Obviously, the conviction I gained from their open attitude was critical to the success of the investment. I should add, that many of those buyers in 1992 owned the stock for many years, not living and dying on quarterly reports.

THE SUGGESTION

As you are no doubt by now anticipating, my suggestion to publicly held franchising companies: open up your franchisee conventions to the investment community. The companies may quickly respond that lenders are already invited to franchise conventions, but franchisees are unlikely to express their system oriented concerns when they are making a pitch to a potential lender. Companies may also respond that their lawyers think it would be a bad idea, not consistent with full disclosure and analysts would be getting “inside information”. Let’s not allow the lawyers to provide “cover”. A good lawyer will provide a solution to the problem, not just provide the pitfalls. Analysts attending a franchise convention are not being told what sales or profits are going to be. Attending a franchise convention is  a “channel check”, no more than talking to a supplier or customer of a manufacturing company, which any decent analyst will do.

The anecdotal critical comments, as described above, have likely been heard by others, but may be atypical of most restaurant franchising companies. There are no secrets in this business. One of the investment appeals of this industry is its transparency. Notable news is going to leak out anyway. The objective of any publicly held company is to build stock ownership by well informed investors. Investment analysts pride themselves on their ability to “build a mosaic”, enhance the information provided in quarterly reports, SEC filings, and conference calls, with “channel checks”. What channel check would be more pertinent than meeting the franchisees of a company that is dependent on franchisee success? Putting it another way, and taking the highest valuation relative to EBITDA as an example: Wingstop (WING) is a company I have the highest regard for. However, you could call it irresponsible to pay almost fifty times trailing EBITDA for Wingstop stock (and I haven’t) if I couldn’t talk to franchisees of my own choosing?

There’s no particular need to invite this writer if I’m not considered influential enough. I have not spoken to these analysts on this subject, but qualified industry followers such as David Palmer, Nicole Reagan, Matt DiFrisco, David Tarantino, Jeff Bernstein, Andy Barish, Bob Derrington, Mark Kalinowski, Michal Halen, Gary Occhiogrosso, Howard Penney, Jonathan Maze, Nicholas Upton, John Hamburger and John Gordon provide the beginning of an invitation list.  I rest my case.

Roger Lipton

WHAT’S HAPPENING ON MAIN STREET ? – FIRST QUARTER SALES AND TRAFFIC TRENDS

PENDING THE RELEVANT COMPANY’S REGISTRATION WITH US, THIS PARTICULAR CONTENT IS LIMITED TO SUBSCRIBERS. For $100/year, SUBSCRIBE HERE. Other content is available by way of Home Page.

INCLUDED IN YOUR ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION:

  • Access to Corporate Descriptions of all publicly held restaurant companies and selected non-restaurant franchisors.
  • Broad economic insight. As described in “Restaurants/Retail – Why Bother?” the restaurant and retail industries provide a leading indicator of far broader economic trends. You no longer have to be the last to know.
  • Two to three analytical pieces per week (“Roger’s Rap”) personally written by Roger Lipton describing corporate developments within his industry specialization, including their relevance to the broader economy.
  • Periodic “macro” discussions personally written by Roger Lipton, analyzing fiscal and monetary matters that will likely affect your investments and your business.
  • A free copy of the legendary best selling book, How you can Profit from the coming devaluation, as shown at right, written in 1970 by Harry Browne, which predicted the 2000% rise in the price of gold. This profound piece is more relevant today than ever, so Roger re-published it in 2012. This book will help you preserve the fortune you are in the process of accumulating.