TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 8, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Shells Seafood Restaurants, Inc. (OTCBB:SHLL) today reported financial results for its third quarter ended October 1, 2006.
Key metrics --
Third quarter of 2006 compared to the third quarter of 2005:
-- Comparable restaurant sales increased 1.5%, the eighth
consecutive quarterly increase.
-- Revenues increased 2.8% to $10.5 million.
-- Restaurant operating cash flow of $0.7 million increased $0.1
million.
-- Net loss of $1.0 million, compared to net loss of $0.2 million,
primarily due to a gain of $858,000 recognized in last year's
quarter. Excluding non-recurring items in the prior year, net
loss of $1.0 million in both comparable periods.
-- Net loss per share of $0.06, compared to net loss per share of
$0.01. Excluding non-recurring items in the prior year, net loss
per share of $0.06 in both comparable periods.
First 39-weeks of 2006 compared to the first 39-weeks of 2005:
-- Comparable restaurant sales increased 5.9%.
-- Revenues increased 10.0% to $38.2 million.
-- Restaurant operating cash flow of $4.2 million, as adjusted for
non-recurring items, increased $0.2 million.
-- Net loss of $0.7 million, compared to a net loss of $1.3 million.
Excluding non-recurring items, net loss of $1.0 million, compared
to net loss of $0.6 million.
-- Net loss per share of $0.04, compared to net loss per share of
$0.09. As adjusted for non-recurring items and pre-opening
expenses, net loss per share of $0.06, compared to net loss per
share of $0.04.
"Our sales continue to increase during a very challenging time across much of the casual dining segment," said President & CEO Leslie Christon, "demonstrating that the changes we've made to improve the Shells concept are on target. Our restaurant teams have delivered lower labor and food and beverage costs, without diminishing the quality of the dining experience we provide. However, sharp increases in other expense areas, particularly insurance, utilities and occupancy, have offset these gains.
"We introduced a new menu engineered to improve margins and check average in the middle of the third quarter, helping us improve menu profitability. We continue to evaluate every aspect of our company to improve efficiencies, and we remain committed to improving Shells bottom line results."
Third Quarter 2006 Results
Revenues for the third quarter of 2006 increased 2.8% to $10.5 million from $10.2 million in the third quarter of 2005, mostly due to a 1.5% increase in same store sales. The Company also benefited from a stronger mix of operating restaurants in the third quarter of 2006 versus the same period last year, having opened two new restaurants, relocated one restaurant, closed an underperforming restaurant and terminated the operations of a licensed restaurant. As of the end of the third quarter of 2006, the Company had 25 restaurants in operation compared to 26 as of the end of the same period ended last year.
Restaurant operating costs, consisting of food and beverage costs, labor, other operating costs and depreciation expense increased 0.8% as a percentage of sales in the third quarter of 2006, compared to the same period last year due to the following:
-- Food and beverage costs decreased 1.3% as a percentage of sales
compared to the prior year, due to higher menu pricing
implemented to offset the effect of the Florida minimum wage
increases, an improvement in liquor mix, and gains derived from
better operational controls over food and beverage costs.
-- Labor costs decreased 0.9% as a percentage of sales compared to
the prior year. Restaurant labor decreased 0.7% as a percentage
of sales due to improved operational efficiencies, as well as a
0.2% decrease in taxes and benefits.
-- Other operating costs were negatively affected by increased
utilities, insurance and occupancy costs, partially offset by a
reduction in advertising costs, resulting in a 1.5% net increase
as a percentage of sales, compared to the prior year.
-- Depreciation expense increased 1.5% as a percentage of sales, due
to additional restaurant remodels as well as new and relocated
restaurants.
After adding back depreciation, amortization and pre-opening expenses to restaurant operating income, restaurant operating cash flow for the third quarter of 2006 was $0.7 million, an increase of $0.1 over the comparable period of 2005. Restaurant operating cash flow for the first 39 weeks of 2006 was $4.3 million, the same as the comparable period in 2005. Adjusting for non-recurring income, which affected labor costs, restaurant operating cash flow for the first 39 weeks of 2006 increased by $0.2 million over the comparable period in 2005.
General & administrative expenses were $0.9 million, or 8.4% of revenues, in the third quarter of 2006, compared to $1.1 million, or 10.4% of revenues, in the third quarter of 2005. The favorable variance mostly reflects decreases in accrued bonuses and manager training costs.
Loss from operations for the third quarter of 2006 was $0.8 million, or $0.1 million better than the comparable period of 2005. Loss from operations for the first 39 weeks of 2006 was $0.3 million, or $0.4 million worse than the comparable period in 2005.
Net interest expense in the third quarter of 2006 was $0.1 million, or 0.9% of revenues, compared to net interest expense in the prior year of $0.03 million, or 0.3% of revenues.
As adjusted for non-recurring items as summarized in the ensuing financial tables, the net loss for the third quarter of 2006 was $1.0 million, or $0.06 per share based upon 16.7 million common shares outstanding, compared to a net loss in the third quarter of 2005 of $1.0 million, or $0.06 per share based upon 15.7 million common shares outstanding. For the first 39 weeks of 2006, the adjusted net loss was $1.0 million, or $0.06 per share based upon 16.4 million common shares outstanding, compared to $0.6 million, or $0.04 per share based on 14.4 million common shares outstanding.
About the Company
The Company manages and operates 25 full-service, neighborhood seafood restaurants in Florida under the name "Shells." Shells restaurants feature a wide selection of seafood items, including shrimp, oysters, clams, mussels, scallops, lobster, crab and daily fresh fish specials, cooked to order in a variety of ways: steamed, sauteed, grilled, blackened and fried. Shells restaurants also offer a wide selection of signature pasta dishes, appetizers, salads, desserts and full bar service.
Forward-Looking Statements
In addition to seasonal fluctuations, the Company's quarterly and annual operating results are affected by a wide variety of other factors that could materially and adversely affect revenues and profitability, including changes in consumer preferences, tastes and eating habits; increases in food, labor and other operating costs; the availability of food acceptable to our quality standards at acceptable prices; the availability of qualified labor; national, regional and local economic and weather conditions; promotional timings and seasonality; demographic trends and traffic patterns; changes in travel and tourism tendencies, particularly in light of world events; competition from other restaurants and food service establishments; availability of third party financing to fund capital or operating activities, if required; and the timing, costs and charges relating to restaurant openings, closings and remodelings. As a result of these and other factors, the Company may experience material fluctuations in future operating results on a quarterly or annual basis, which could materially and adversely affect its business, financial condition and stock price. Furthermore, this press release and other documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") contain certain forward-looking statements with respect to the business of the Company and the industry in which it operates. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including those mentioned above, which may cause results to differ significantly from these forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements on a regular basis. An investment in the Company involves various risks, including those mentioned above and those that are detailed from time-to-time in the Company's SEC filings.
SHELLS SEAFOOD RESTAURANTS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands, except per share data)
Thirteen Week Period Ended
-----------------------------------
October 1, October 2,
2006 2005
--------------- ----------------
Amount Percent Amount Percent
------- ------- ------- -------
Revenues:
Restaurant sales $10,485 99.6% $10,197 99.6%
Management fees 44 0.4% 44 0.4%
------- ----- ------- -----
Total revenues 10,529 100.0% 10,241 100.0%
Restaurant operating costs:
Food and beverage (a) 3,398 32.4% 3,435 33.7%
Labor (a) 3,354 32.0% 3,351 32.9%
Other (a) 3,124 29.8% 2,884 28.3%
Depreciation and
amortization (a) 578 5.5% 408 4.0%
------- ----- ------- -----
Total restaurant
operating costs (a) 10,454 99.7% 10,078 98.9%
------- ----- ------- -----
Restaurant operating
income (a) 75 0.7% 163 1.6%
General and administrative
expenses 881 8.4% 1,070 10.4%
------- ----- ------- -----
(Loss) income from
operations (806) -7.7% (907) -8.8%
Interest expense, net (97) -0.9% (30) -0.3%
Other (expense) income (59) -0.6% 785 7.7%
------- ----- ------- -----
Net loss applicable to
common stock $ (962) -9.2% $ (152) -1.4%
======= ===== ======= =====
Net loss per share of
common stock:
Basic and diluted $ (0.06) $ (0.01)
Shares used in computing
net loss per share:
Basic and diluted 16,674 15,701
(a) As a percent of restaurant sales
Thirty-Nine Week Period Ended
-----------------------------------
October 1, October 2,
2006 2005
--------------- ----------------
Amount Percent Amount Percent
------- ------- ------- -------
Revenues:
Restaurant sales $38,042 99.7% $34,549 99.6%
Management fees 128 0.3% 137 0.4%
------- ----- ------- -----
Total revenues 38,170 100.0% 34,686 100.0%
Restaurant operating costs:
Food and beverage (a) 12,248 32.2% 11,432 33.1%
Labor (a) 11,606 30.5% 10,511 30.4%
Other (a) 9,976 26.2% 8,405 24.3%
Depreciation and
amortization (a) 1,643 4.3% 1,140 3.3%
Pre-opening expenses (a) -- -- 303 0.9%
------- ----- ------- -----
Total restaurant
operating costs (a) 35,473 93.2% 31,791 92.0%
------- ----- ------- -----
Restaurant operating
income (a) 2,697 7.1% 2,895 8.4%
General and administrative
expenses 3,036 8.0% 2,859 8.2%
------- ----- ------- -----
(Loss) income from
operations (339) -0.9% 36 0.2%
Lease buy-out 212 0.6% 600 1.7%
Provision for impairment of
assets due to lease buy-out -- -- (211) -0.6%
Interest expense, net (235) -0.6% (367) -1.1%
Other (expense) income (347) -0.9% 359 1.0%
------- ----- ------- -----
Net (loss) income before
preferred stock dividend (709) -1.8% 417 1.2%
Deemed dividend associated
with warrants and
beneficial conversion
feature of preferred stock -- -- (1,735) -5.0%
------- ----- ------- -----
Net loss applicable to
common stock $ (709) -1.8% $ (1,318) -3.8%
======= ===== ======= =====
Net loss per share of
common stock:
Basic and diluted $ (0.04) $ (0.09)
Shares used in computing
net loss per share:
Basic and diluted 16,360 14,382
(a) As a percent of restaurant sales
SHELLS SEAFOOD RESTAURANTS, INC.
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
Oct. 1, Oct. 2,
2006 2005
-----------------
Number of restaurants at end of period:
Company-owned restaurants (a) 22 22
Licensed restaurants 3 4
-----------------
Total 25 26
=================
Balance sheet data:
Cash $ 590 $ 2,378
Working capital (deficiency) (6,048) (1,281)
Total assets 16,826 16,462
Long-term debt, excluding related
party debt 1,813 1,205
Stockholders' equity 6,617 9,455
(a) Includes one joint venture restaurant in which the Company has a
51% equity interest.
Thirteen Week Thirty-Nine Week
Period Ended Period Ended
----------------- -----------------
NON-RECURRING ITEMS: Oct. 1, Oct. 2, Oct. 1, Oct. 2,
2006 2005 2006 2005
------- ------- ------- -------
Net loss applicable to
common stock, as
reported $ (962) $ (152) $ (709) $ (1,318)
Non-recurring income
(expense):
Workers' comp insurance
refund and reserve
adjustment -- -- 132 329
------- ------- ------- -------
Non-recurring items
affecting restaurant
operating income -- -- 132 329
Deemed dividend on
preferred stock -- -- -- (1,735)
Ocala lease buy-out -- -- 212 --
St. Pete Beach lease
buy-out -- -- -- 600
Provision for
impairment of assets
due to lease-buyout -- -- -- (211)
Net gain on Winter
Haven sale-leaseback -- 858 -- 858
Workers' comp insurance
refund and reserve
adjustment -- -- 20 15
Lease termination fee -- -- (23) --
Loss on disposal of
assets -- -- (39) (162)
Financing costs, line
of credit fee -- -- -- (80)
------ ------- ------- -------
Total non-recurring
income (expense) -- 858 302 (386)
Pre-opening expenses -- -- -- (303)
------- ------- ------- -------
Net loss applicable to
common stock, as
adjusted (962) (1,010) (1,011) (629)
======= ======= ======= =======
Net loss per share of
common stock:
Basic and diluted, as
reported $ (0.06) $ (0.01) $ (0.04) $ (0.09)
Basic and diluted, as
adjusted $ (0.06) $ (0.06) $ (0.06) $ (0.04)
Basic and diluted shares
used in computing net
loss per share
of common stock, as
adjusted 16,674 15,701 16,360 14,382