Whole Foods Market Reports Fourth Quarter Results

Identical Store Sales Increase 8.7% and Accelerate to 6.4% on a Two-Year Basis; Company Produces 4.8% Operating Margin, $0.33 in Earnings Per Share and Raises Outlook for Fiscal Year 2011 by $0.07 Per Share


AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 3, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Whole Foods Market, Inc. (Nasdaq:WFMI) today reported results for the 12-week fourth quarter and 52-week fiscal year ended September 26, 2010.

Sales for the quarter increased 15% to $2.1 billion. Comparable and identical store sales increased 8.7%, or 7.7% and 6.4% on a two-year stacked basis, respectively. Year over year, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") increased 26% to $165.4 million, income available to common shareholders increased 101% to $57.5 million, and diluted earnings per share increased 63% to $0.33.

"Our ability to perform against tougher sales comparisons has continued to surpass our expectations, translating to better-than-expected identical store sales growth of 8.7% in the fourth quarter, an acceleration to 6.4% on a two-year basis. We are proud to be gaining market share at a faster rate than most public food retailers," said John Mackey, co-chief executive officer and co-founder of Whole Foods Market. "We attribute much of our success to the progress we have made in our relative price positioning and to our initiatives in areas such as healthy eating, animal welfare and sustainable seafood. These initiatives are aligned with our core customer base and reinforce our position as the authentic retailer of natural and organic foods, further differentiating the Whole Foods Market shopping experience and making us the preferred choice for customers aspiring to a healthier lifestyle." 

The Company's comparable and identical store sales results for the last five quarters and first five weeks of the first quarter through October 31, 2010 are shown in the following table.

  4Q09 1Q10 2Q10 3Q10 4Q10 QTD
1Q11
             
Sales growth 2.3% 7.0% 13.4% 15.2% 14.7% 13.4%
             
Comparable store sales growth -0.9% 3.5% 8.7% 8.8% 8.7% 8.9%
Excluding foreign currency -0.7% 3.2% 8.2% 8.6% 8.6% 8.8%
Two-year comps -0.6% -0.5% 3.9% 6.3% 7.7% 10.5%
Excluding foreign currency -0.2% -0.2% 4.1% 6.6% 7.9% 10.3%
             
Identical store sales growth -2.3% 2.5% 7.7% 8.4% 8.7% 8.9%
Excluding foreign currency -2.0% 2.2% 7.3% 8.2% 8.6% 8.8%
Two-year idents -2.8% -2.4% 1.9% 4.6% 6.4% 9.3%
Sequential basis point change            (90) 34 432 272 178 297
Excluding foreign currency -2.4% -2.0% 2.2% 4.9% 6.6% 9.1%

For the quarter, LIFO credits were $1.2 million versus $3.4 million in the prior year, a negative impact of 13 basis points. Excluding LIFO, gross profit increased 55 basis points to 34.6% of sales driven by improvements in occupancy costs and cost of goods sold as a percentage of sales. Direct store expenses improved 46 basis points to 26.4% of sales due mainly to leverage in depreciation, healthcare costs and wages as a percentage of sales. As a result, store contribution, excluding LIFO, improved 101 basis points to 8.2% of sales.

For stores in the identical store base, excluding LIFO, gross profit improved 79 basis points to 34.8% of sales, direct store expenses improved 62 basis points to 26.2% of sales, and store contribution improved 141 basis points to 8.6% of sales.

G&A expenses increased 31 basis points to 3.1% of sales. FTC-related legal costs were a $0.5 million credit versus a $0.5 million charge in the prior year, and share-based compensation expense was $4.4 million versus $1.5 million in the prior year.

Pre-opening expenses were $4.9 million versus $10.6 million in the prior year, including pre-opening rent of $3.0 million versus $6.0 million in the prior year. Relocation, store closure and lease termination expenses were $0.8 million versus $3.2 million in the prior year. 

During the quarter, the Company produced $124.4 million in cash flow from operations and invested $57.0 million in capital expenditures, of which $28.0 million related to new stores. This resulted in free cash flow of $67.3 million. At the end of the quarter, total cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, and investments were $644.7 million, and total debt was $508.7 million. Subsequent to the close of the fourth quarter, the Company repaid $100 million of its term loan maturing in August 2012, leaving $390 million outstanding. In addition, the Company currently has $342.9 million available on its credit line, net of $7.1 million in outstanding letters of credit. 

Additional information on the quarter for comparable stores and all stores is provided in the following table.

           
Comparable Stores
Comps
NOPAT
ROIC(1)
# of
Stores
Average
Size
Total
Square Feet
           
Over 11 years old (15.5 years old, s.f. weighted) 6.2% 77% 112 27,800 3,112,300
Between eight and 11 years old 7.2% 58% 50 33,400 1,668,400
Between five and eight years old 7.6% 44% 50 41,000 2,049,300
Between two and five years old 13.7% 9% 54 53,200 2,871,900
Less than two years old (no relocations) 15.5% 3% 15 53,500 801,900
           
All comparable stores (8.3 years old, s.f. weighted) 8.7% 32% 281 37,400 10,503,800
All stores (7.8 years old, s.f. weighted)   28% 299 37,600 11,231,500
           
(1)Reflects store-level capital and net operating profit after taxes ("NOPAT"), including pre-opening expense
 

Fiscal Year Results

For the 52-week period ended September 26, 2010, sales increased 12% to $9.0 billion. Comparable store sales increased 7.1%, or 4.0% on a two-year stacked basis, and identical store sales (excluding six relocations and two major expansions) increased 6.5%, or 2.2% on a two-year stacked basis. EBITDA increased 29% to $713.6 million, income available to common shareholders increased 102% to $240.4 million and diluted earnings per share increased 69% to $1.43. Fiscal year results included:

  • LIFO credits of $7.7 million versus $5.6 million in the prior year;
  • non-cash asset impairment charges of $2.2 million versus $24.5 million in the prior year;
  • FTC-related legal costs of $2.5 million versus $14.7 million in the prior year;
  • store closure reserve adjustments of $6.9 million versus $12.9 million in the prior year; and
  • a gain of $3.2 million in the current year from the sale of a non-operating property.

For the fiscal year, the Company produced $585.3 million in cash flow from operations and invested $256.8 million in capital expenditures, of which $171.4 million related to new stores. This resulted in free cash flow of $328.5 million. 

The following table shows the Company's fiscal year 2010 results for certain line items compared to its historical five-year ranges and averages, which reflect the Wild Oats acquisition in August 2007.

   FY05-FY09 Range FY05-FY09  
   Low High Average FY10
         
Sales growth 1.0% 23.6% 16.1% 12.1%
Comparable store sales growth -3.1% 12.8% 6.5% 7.1%
Identical store sales growth -4.3% 11.5% 5.4% 6.5%
Ending square footage growth 6% 46% 16% 6%
         
Percent of sales from new & relocated stores     7% 9% 8% 6%
         
Gross profit 34.0% 35.1% 34.6% 34.8%
Direct store expenses 25.4% 26.7% 26.2% 26.4%
Store contribution 7.5% 9.6% 8.4% 8.4%
G&A expenses 3.0% 3.4% 3.3% 3.0%

Growth and Development

The Company opened one store in the fourth quarter. The Company expects to open three new stores in the first quarter of fiscal year 2011, two of which already have opened. The Company currently has 301 stores totaling approximately 11.3 million square feet. 

Since the third quarter earnings release, the Company reduced the size of one store in development by 31,000 square feet and terminated leases for two stores in development totaling 110,000 square feet. The Company also recently signed nine new leases including seven in the United States averaging 36,600 square feet in Laguna Niguel, CA; Miami, FL; Minnetonka, MN; Charlotte, NC; Greensboro, NC; Concordville, PA; Lynnwood, WA; and two sites in the United Kingdom averaging 21,000 square feet in Glasgow, Scotland and London, England. These stores currently are scheduled to open in fiscal year 2012 and beyond. 

"Our business has been highly successful, producing industry-leading comparable store sales growth, average weekly sales and sales per square foot. With just 301 stores today, we remain incredibly excited about our future growth opportunities as customer demand for natural and organic foods continues to increase," said Walter Robb, co-chief executive officer of Whole Foods Market. "From a financial perspective, we are well-positioned to reaccelerate our new store growth. Our strong top- and bottom-line performance, along with our renewed capital expense discipline, have resulted in consistent cash flow, lower debt and a very healthy balance sheet. We have signed 20 new leases over the last 12 months and expect to open a greater number of new stores beginning in 2012."

The following table provides additional information about the Company's store openings in fiscal years 2009, 2010 and 2011 year to date, leases currently tendered but unopened, and total development pipeline (including leases currently tendered) for stores scheduled to open through fiscal year 2014. For accounting purposes, a store is considered tendered on the date the Company takes possession of the space for construction and other purposes, which is typically when the shell of the store is complete or nearing completion. The average tender period, or length of time between tender date and opening date, will vary depending on several factors, one of which is the number of acquired leases, ground leases and owned properties in development, all of which generally have longer tender periods than standard operating leases.

New Store Information Stores
Opened
FY09
Stores
Opened
FY10
Stores
Opened
FY11 YTD
Current
Leases
Tendered
Current
Leases
Signed
           
Number of stores (including relocations) 15 16 2 11 52
Number of relocations 6 0 0 3 9
Number of lease acquisitions, ground leases and owned properties 4 0 0 4 4
New markets 1 4 0 1 8
Average store size (gross square feet) 53,500 42,600 38,300 41,100 38,700
Total square footage 801,800 682,200 76,600 451,900 2,051,800
Average tender period in months 12.6 10.9      
Average pre-opening expense per store (incl. rent) $3.0 mil $2.6 mil      
Average pre-opening rent per store $1.3 mil $1.2 mil      
Average development cost (excl. pre-opening) $16.9 mil $11.1 mil(1)      
Average development cost per square foot $316 $261(1)      
           
(1)Development costs include estimated costs for stores not yet final

Outlook for Fiscal Year 2011

The following table provides additional information on the Company's estimated and actual fiscal year 2010 results, as well as changes in the Company's outlook for fiscal year 2011.

  FY10(E) FY10(A) Prior
FY11 Outlook
Current
FY11 Outlook
         
Sales growth 11.7% - 11.9% 12.1% 10% - 13% 10% - 12%
Comparable store sales growth 6.6% - 6.8% 7.1% 5% - 7% 5.5% - 7.5%
Two-year comps 3.5% - 3.7% 4.0% 11.6% - 13.8% 12.6% - 14.6%
Identical store sales growth 6.0% - 6.2% 6.5% 4.5% - 6.5% 5.0% - 7.0%
Two-year idents 1.7% - 1.9% 2.2% 10.6% - 12.7% 11.5% - 13.5%
Three-year idents 5.3% - 5.5% 5.8% 6.2% - 8.4% 7.2% - 9.2%
Weighted square footage growth 6.4% 6.4% 5.7% 5.2%
         
G&A excluding FTC-related legal costs 3.0% 3.0% 3.0% 3.0%
Pre-opening and relocation costs $51 -- $53 mil $49 mil $55 -- $60 mil $52 -- $55 mil
Operating margin 4.7% 4.9% 4.8% 5.0%
EBITDA $698 -- $702 mil $714 mil $775 -- $790 mil $780 -- $795 mil
Net interest expense $25 -- $27 mil $26 mil $4 -- $6 mil $1 -- $3 mil
Diluted EPS $1.37 -- $1.39 $1.43 $1.59 -- $1.64 $1.66 -- $1.71
YOY % change     16% - 18% 16% - 20%
Capital expenditures $250 -- $260 mil $257 mil $350 -- $400 mil $350 -- $400 mil

Having completed its annual store-level planning process, and with more visibility into the timing of new store openings, the Company has fine-tuned its outlook for fiscal 2011. The Company now expects sales growth of 10% to 12% driven by weighted average square footage growth of approximately 5% and identical stores sales growth of 5% to 7%, or 11.5% to 13.5% on a two-year stacked basis.

For the first five weeks of the first quarter of fiscal year 2011, identical store sales increased 8.9% versus a 0.4% increase in the prior year. In the prior year, identical stores sales growth improved approximately 290 basis points from the first five weeks to the last 11 weeks of the first quarter, so the Company believes it is reasonable to expect trends to moderate throughout the first quarter, with additional moderation throughout Q2 when the Company begins to cycle over 8%-plus identical store sales growth. These tougher comparisons are reflected in the Company's 5% to 7% guidance range for the year. 

Based on the Company's better-than-expected fiscal year 2010 results, along with lower estimated pre-opening and relocation expense, the Company has raised its operating margin guidance to 5.0% for this fiscal year. 

The Company now expects net interest expense of $1 to $3 million based on lower interest rates resulting from S&P's upgrade of the Company's credit rating, along with the recent $100 million decrease in debt.

Based on these updated assumptions, the Company now expects $0.07 higher diluted EPS in fiscal year 2011 of $1.66 to $1.71, or 16% to 20% growth year over year. In terms of quarterly progression, the Company notes the first quarter is a 16-week quarter in which the Company typically produces sequentially stronger sales and earnings on a weekly basis compared to the fourth quarter.

The Company is committed to producing positive free cash flow on an annual basis, including sufficient cash flow to fund the 52 stores in its current development pipeline. The following table provides information about the Company's estimated store openings through 2014 based on this pipeline. These openings reflect estimated tender dates, which are subject to change, and do not incorporate any potential new leases, terminations or square footage reductions.

           
  Total
Openings
Relocations Average Square
Feet per Store
Ending Square
Footage(1)
Ending Square
Footage Growth(1)
           
FY11 remaining stores in development 15 6 41,400 11,762,800 5%
FY12 stores in development 20 0 36,500 12,493,500 6%
FY13 stores in development 14 3 36,600 12,920,700 3%
FY14 stores in development 3 0 48,800 13,067,200 1%
Total 52 9      
           
(1)Reflects two openings year to date and three scheduled expansions in fiscal year 2011

About Whole Foods Market

Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (www.wholefoodsmarket.com) is the leading natural and organic foods supermarket, and America's first national certified organic grocer. In fiscal year 2010, the Company had sales of approximately $9.0 billion and currently has 301 stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Whole Foods Market employs approximately 58,000 Team Members and has been ranked for 13 consecutive years as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" in America by Fortune magazine.

The Whole Foods Market, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6063

Forward-looking statements

The following constitutes a "Safe Harbor" statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.  These risks include general business conditions, changes in overall economic conditions that impact consumer spending, including fuel prices and housing market trends, the impact of competition and other risks detailed from time to time in the SEC reports of Whole Foods Market, including Whole Foods Market's report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 27, 2009. Whole Foods Market undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements. 

The Company will host a conference call today to discuss this earnings announcement at 4:00 p.m. CT. The dial-in number is 1-800-862-9098, and the conference ID is "Whole Foods." A simultaneous audio webcast will be available at http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/">www.wholefoodsmarket.com.

Whole Foods Market, Inc.        
Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited)        
(In thousands, except per share amounts)        
         
  Twelve weeks ended Fifty-two weeks ended
  September 26, 2010 September 27, 2009 September 26, 2010 September 27, 2009
Sales $ 2,097,394 $ 1,829,229  $ 9,005,794  $ 8,031,620
Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs 1,370,972 1,203,263  5,870,393  5,277,310
Gross profit 726,422 625,966 3,135,401  2,754,310
Direct store expenses 554,014 491,613  2,375,716  2,145,809
Store contribution 172,408 134,353  759,685  608,501
General and administrative expenses 65,820 51,725  272,449  243,749
Operating income before pre-opening and store closure 106,588 82,628  487,236  364,752
Pre-opening expenses 4,907 10,602  38,044  49,218
Relocation, store closure and lease termination costs 765 3,248  11,217  31,185
Operating income 100,916 68,778  437,975  284,349
Interest expense (7,291) (7,892)  (33,048)  (36,856)
Investment and other income 1,618 921  6,854  3,449
Income before income taxes 95,243 61,807  411,781  250,942
Provision for income taxes 37,745 25,397  165,948  104,138
Net income  57,498  36,410  245,833  146,804
Preferred stock dividends  --  7,744  5,478  28,050
Income available to common shareholders  $ 57,498  $ 28,666  $ 240,355  $ 118,754
         
Basic earnings per share  $ 0.33  $ 0.20  $ 1.45  $ 0.85
Weighted average shares outstanding  171,961  140,510  166,244  140,414
         
Diluted earnings per share  $ 0.33  $ 0.20  $ 1.43  $ 0.85
Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted basis  172,761  140,510  171,710  140,414
         
A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted earnings per share calculations follows:    
         
  Twelve weeks ended Fifty-two weeks ended
  September 26, 2010 September 27, 2009 September 26, 2010 September 27, 2009
Income available to common shareholders (numerator for basic earnings per share)  $ 57,498  $ 28,666  $ 240,355  $ 118,754
Effect of redeemable preferred stock  --   --   5,478  -- 
Adjusted net income (numerator for diluted earnings per share)  $ 57,498  $ 28,666  $ 245,833  $ 118,754
         
Weighted average common shares outstanding (denominator for basic earnings per share)  171,961  140,510  166,244  140,414
Potential common shares outstanding:        
Assumed conversion of redeemable preferred stock  --   --   4,751  -- 
Incremental shares from assumed exercise of stock options  800  --   715  -- 
Weighted average common shares outstanding and potential additional common shares outstanding (denominator for diluted earnings per share)  172,761  140,510  171,710  140,414
         
Basic earnings per share  $ 0.33  $ 0.20  $ 1.45  $ 0.85
Diluted earnings per share  $ 0.33  $ 0.20  $ 1.43  $ 0.85
     
Whole Foods Market, Inc.    
Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)    
September 26, 2010 and September 27, 2009    
(In thousands)    
     
Assets 2010 2009
Current assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents  $ 131,996  $ 430,130
Short-term investments - available-for-sale securities  329,738  --
Restricted cash  86,802  71,023
Accounts receivable  133,346  104,731
Merchandise inventories  323,487  310,602
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  54,686  51,137
Deferred income taxes  101,464  87,757
Total current assets  1,161,519  1,055,380
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization  1,886,130  1,897,853
Long-term investments - available-for-sale securities  96,146  --
Goodwill  665,224  658,254
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization  69,064  73,035
Deferred income taxes  99,156  91,000
Other assets  9,301  7,866
 Total assets  $ 3,986,540  $ 3,783,388
     
Liabilities And Shareholders' Equity    
Current liabilities:    
Current installments of long-term debt and capital lease obligations  $ 410  $ 389
Accounts payable  213,212  189,597
Accrued payroll, bonus and other benefits due team members  244,427  207,983
Dividends payable  --  8,217
Other current liabilities  289,823  277,838
Total current liabilities  747,872  684,024
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, less current installments  508,288  738,848
Deferred lease liabilities  294,291  250,326
Other long-term liabilities  62,831  69,262
Total liabilities  1,613,282  1,742,460
     
Series A redeemable preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 425 shares authorized, zero and 425 shares issued and outstanding in 2010 and 2009, respectively  --  413,052
     
Shareholders' equity:    
Common stock, no par value, 300,000 shares authorized, 172,033 and 140,542 shares issued and outstanding in 2010 and 2009, respectively  1,773,897  1,283,028
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)  791  (13,367)
Retained earnings  598,570  358,215
 Total shareholders' equity  2,373,258  1,627,876
Commitments and contingencies    
 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity  $ 3,986,540  $ 3,783,388
     
Whole Foods Market, Inc.    
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)    
September 26, 2010 and September 27, 2009    
(In thousands)    
     
  Fifty-two weeks ended
  September 26, 2010 September 27, 2009
Cash flows from operating activities    
Net income  $ 245,833  $ 146,804
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:    
Depreciation and amortization 275,589 266,695
Loss (gain) on disposition of fixed assets (170) 3,012
Impairment of long-lived assets 2,237 24,508
Share-based payment expense 22,894 12,795
LIFO benefit (7,670) (5,598)
Deferred income tax expense (benefit) (33,534) 14,076
Excess tax benefit related to exercise of team member stock options (2,982) (42)
Deferred lease liabilities 39,636 48,029
Other (2,371) 2,800
Net change in current assets and liabilities:    
Accounts receivable (28,447) 10,408
Merchandise inventories (3,048) 21,732
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (1,640) 21,415
Accounts payable 23,454 6,527
Accrued payroll, bonus and other benefits due team members 36,133 11,985
Other current liabilities 20,030 14,696
Net change in other long-term liabilities (659) (12,121)
Net cash provided by operating activities 585,285 587,721
Cash flows from investing activities    
Development costs of new locations (171,379) (247,999)
Other property and equipment expenditures (85,414) (66,616)
Purchase of available-for-sale securities (1,072,243) -- 
Sale of available-for-sale securities 646,594 -- 
Increase in restricted cash (15,779) (70,406)
Payment for purchase of acquired entities, net of cash acquired (14,470)  
Other investing activities (2,715) (1,262)
Net cash used in investing activities (715,406) (386,283)
Cash flows from financing activities    
Preferred stock dividends paid (8,500) (19,833)
Issuance of common stock 46,962 4,286
Excess tax benefit related to exercise of team member stock options 2,982 42
Proceeds from issuance of redeemable preferred stock, net --  413,052
Proceeds from long-term borrowings --  123,000
Payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations (210,350) (318,370)
Other financing activities --  (2,722)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (168,906) 199,455
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 893 (1,297)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents (298,134) 399,596
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 430,130 30,534
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $ 131,996  $ 430,130
     
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:    
Interest paid  $ 39,156  $ 43,685
Federal and state income taxes paid  $ 193,044  $ 69,701
Non-cash transaction:    
Conversion of redeemable preferred stock into common stock  $ 418,247  $ -- 
         
Whole Foods Market, Inc.        
Non-GAAP Financial Measures (unaudited)        
(In thousands)        
         
In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, the Company provides information regarding Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"), Adjusted EBITDA and Free cash flow in the press release as additional information about its operating results. These measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative to, GAAP. The Company's management believes that these presentations provide useful information to management, analysts and investors regarding certain additional financial and business trends relating to its results of operations and financial condition. In addition, management uses these measures for reviewing the financial results of the Company as well as a component of incentive compensation. The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA plus non-cash asset impairment charges. The Company defines Free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures. 
         
The following is a tabular presentation of the non-GAAP financial measures, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA including a reconciliation to GAAP net income, which the Company believes to be the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. 
         
  Twelve weeks ended Fifty-two weeks ended
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA September 26, 2010 September 27, 2009 September 26, 2010 September 27, 2009
Net income  $ 57,498  $ 36,410  $ 245,833  $ 146,804
Provision for income taxes  37,745  25,397  165,948  104,138
Interest expense, net  5,673  6,971  26,194  33,407
Operating income  100,916  68,778  437,975  284,349
Depreciation and amortization  64,516  62,404  275,589  266,695
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation & amortization (EBITDA)  165,432  131,182  713,564  551,044
Impairment of assets  217  2,344  2,237  24,508
Adjusted EBITDA  $ 165,649  $ 133,526  $ 715,801  $ 575,552
         
The following is a tabular reconciliation of the Free cash flow non-GAAP financial measure.      
         
  Twelve weeks ended Fifty-two weeks ended
Free cash flow September 26, 2010 September 27, 2009 September 26, 2010 September 27, 2009
Net cash provided by operating activities  $ 124,355  $ 113,000  $ 585,285  $ 587,721
Development costs of new locations  (28,000)  (51,050)  (171,379)  (247,999)
Other property and equipment expenditures  (29,026)  (11,434)  (85,414)  (66,616)
Free cash flow  $ 67,329  $ 50,516  $ 328,492  $ 273,106


            

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