UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
 
FORM 8-K
 
Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
 
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  February 3, 2016
 
 
BUFFALO WILD WINGS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Minnesota
000-24743
31-1455915
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
(Commission
File Number)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
 
 
 
5500 Wayzata Boulevard, Suite 1600
Minneapolis, Minnesota
 
 
55416
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code          952-593-9943          
 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
 
o     Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
o     Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
o     Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
o     Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))





 
 
 
Item 2.02.
Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
 
On February 3, 2016, Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. issued a press release announcing its 2015 fourth quarter and fiscal year financial results. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto.
 
 
 
 
Item 9.01.
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
 
(d)     Exhibits.
 
 
 
Exhibit
Description
 
 
99.1
Press Release dated February 3, 2016






SIGNATURE
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
 
 
BUFFALO WILD WINGS, INC.  
 
 
 
Date: February 3, 2016
By
/s/ Emily C. Decker     
 
 
Emily C. Decker
 
 
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary





EXHIBIT INDEX
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit No.
Description
Manner of Filing
99.1
Press Release dated February 3, 2016
Furnished Electronically







 

Investor Relations Contact:
Heather Pribyl
952.540.2095
 

Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. Announces
Fourth Quarter Earnings per Share of $1.32

- 2016 Earnings Per Diluted Share Outlook of $5.95 to $6.20 -

Minneapolis, Minnesota, February 3, 2016Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. (NASDAQ: BWLD) announced today financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 27, 2015. Highlights for the fourth quarter, versus the same period a year ago, were:
Total revenue increased 19.9% to $490.2 million
Company-owned restaurant sales increased 21.3% to $466.4 million
Same-store sales grew 1.9% at company-owned restaurants and 0.1% at franchised restaurants
Net earnings increased 24.4% to $25.3 million from $20.3 million, and earnings per diluted share increased 23.4% to $1.32 from $1.07
Sally Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Our 2015 same-store sales increased 4.2% at company-owned restaurants and 2.5% at franchised locations. Same-store sales growth in the fourth quarter of 1.9% at company-owned restaurants and 0.1% at franchised locations did not meet our expectations, although they continued to outpace the casual dining industry. We estimate the holiday shifts for Halloween and Christmas negatively impacted fourth quarter same-store sales by 30 basis points. Our restaurant sales increase of 21.3% in the fourth quarter was driven by 105 additional company-owned restaurants this year.”

Ms. Smith continued, "Net earnings increased 24.4% during the fourth quarter primarily from increased revenue and leveraging food and labor costs as a percentage of restaurant sales. Depreciation and amortization as a percentage of total revenue increased compared to the prior year as a result of our new restaurant development and franchise acquisitions. We also recorded $3.3 million in pre-tax loss on asset





disposals and impairments during the quarter. These non-cash charges tempered our net earnings growth for the year."

Total revenue increased 19.9% to $490.2 million in the fourth quarter, compared to $408.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. Company-owned restaurant sales for the quarter increased 21.3% over the same period in 2014, to $466.4 million, driven by a same-store sales increase at company-owned Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants of 1.9% and 103 additional company-owned Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants at the end of the fourth quarter of 2015 relative to the same period in 2014.

Franchise royalties and fees decreased (2.9)% to $23.8 million for the quarter, versus $24.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2014, driven by a decrease of 11 franchised locations at the end of the fourth quarter of 2015 relative to the same period in 2014.

Average weekly sales for company-owned Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants were $61,971 for the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to $62,119 for the same quarter last year, a 0.2% decrease. Franchised Buffalo Wild Wings locations in the United States averaged $64,032 for the period versus $63,949 in the fourth quarter a year ago, a 0.1% increase.

We recorded a $3.3 million loss on asset disposal and impairments in the quarter which included the impairment for one company-owned Buffalo Wild Wings and two company-owned PizzaRev restaurants, and writedowns for experimental technology.

Under the $200 million share repurchase authorization, announced in November 2015, 155,623 shares were repurchased during the fourth quarter of 2015 for a total of $25 million.

For the fourth quarter, net earnings increased 24.4% to $25.3 million, versus $20.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. Earnings per diluted share were $1.32, compared to fourth quarter 2014 earnings per diluted share of $1.07.

For the fiscal year 2015, net earnings increased 1.0% to $95.1 million, versus $94.1 million in the fiscal year of 2014. Earnings per diluted share were $4.97, compared to fiscal year 2014 earnings per diluted share of $4.95.

2016 Outlook
 
Ms. Smith remarked, “Same-store sales increased 0.3% at company-owned restaurants and decreased 1.5% at franchised locations for the first four weeks of the first quarter of 2016, compared to increases of 12.7% and 12.4%, respectively, for the same period last year. We're currently running a new national TV commercial and are looking forward to a fully-integrated campaign for college basketball. Our restaurants continue their commitment to operational excellence and are focused on the beer experience, lunch, and takeout as sales-driving initiatives for 2016.”






Ms. Smith concluded, "The Buffalo Wild Wings brand is strong and vibrant and we continue to invest to drive sales and deliver earnings growth for our shareholders. With our ongoing unit growth and operational diligence, our earnings per share goal for 2016 is $5.95 to $6.20, representing 20% to 25% growth over fiscal 2015.”

For 2016, the company expects the following new unit development:
45 to 50 company-owned Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants
30 to 35 franchised Buffalo Wild Wings locations in the United States
12 to 15 franchised Buffalo Wild Wing locations internationally
6 company-owned and 4 franchised R Taco restaurants
Continued unit expansion by PizzaRev

For 2016, the company expects the following:
Single-digit same-store sales growth, including modestly positive traffic
Deflationary food costs, excluding traditional chicken wings
Depreciation and amortization expense of $155 to $160 million
Share repurchases of approximately $100 million
Earnings per diluted share of $5.95 to $6.20
Capital expenditures of approximately $200 million, excluding franchise acquisitions and emerging brand investments

We will discontinue disclosing quarter-to-date same-store sales trends after this quarter as a four-week trend is not predictive of quarterly same-store sales.

Buffalo Wild Wings will be hosting a conference call today, February 3, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. Central Standard Time to discuss these results. There will be a simultaneous webcast conducted at our investor website IR.BuffaloWildWings.com.

A replay of the call will be available until February 10, 2016. To access this replay, please dial 1.858.384.5517 password 2094542.

About the Company

Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc., founded in 1982 and headquartered in Minneapolis, is a growing owner, operator and franchisor of Buffalo Wild Wings® restaurants featuring a variety of boldly-flavored, made-to-order menu items including its namesake Buffalo, New York-style chicken wings. The Buffalo Wild Wings menu specializes in 21 mouth-watering signature sauces and seasonings with flavor sensations ranging from Sweet BBQ™ to Blazin’®. Guests enjoy a welcoming neighborhood atmosphere that includes an extensive multi-media system for watching their favorite sporting events. Buffalo Wild Wings is the





recipient of hundreds of "Best Wings" and "Best Sports Bar" awards from across the country. There are currently 1,170 Buffalo Wild Wings locations around the world.

To stay up-to-date on all the latest events and offers for sports fans and wing lovers, like Buffalo Wild Wings on Facebook, follow @BWWings on Twitter and visit www.BuffaloWildWings.com.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations or beliefs and can be identified by the use of terminology such as ”continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “goal,” “may,” “ongoing,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” and similar words or expressions. Forward-looking statements in this press release include those relating to our future financial and restaurant performance measures, including but not limited to those relating to sales trends and projected unit and earnings growth, our growth strategy, planned sales efforts, unit development and expansion, share repurchase activity and cash requirements. Actual results may vary materially from those contained in forward-looking statements based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, our ability to achieve and manage our planned expansion, the ability of our franchisees to open and manage new restaurants, market acceptance in the new geographic regions we enter (particularly non-U.S. locations), success of acquired restaurants, success of investments in new or emerging concepts, unforeseen obstacles in developing nontraditional sites or non-U.S. locations, our ability to obtain and maintain licenses and permits necessary to operate our existing and new restaurants, our franchisees’ adherence to our system standards, the cost of commodities such as traditional chicken wings and supply chain consistency, the success of our key initiatives and our advertising and marketing campaigns, our ability to control restaurant labor and other restaurant operating costs, the continued service of key management personnel, our ability to protect our name and logo and other proprietary information, economic conditions (including changes in consumer preferences or consumer discretionary spending), the impact of federal, state or local government regulations relating to our employees, the sale of food and alcoholic beverages, the effect of competition in the restaurant industry, our capital allocation plans, and other factors disclosed from time to time in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the factors described under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 28, 2014, as updated by subsequent reports filed with the SEC. Investors should take such risks into account when making investment decisions. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.
# # #







BUFFALO WILD WINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
     
(Dollar and share amounts in thousands except per share data)
 
(unaudited)
 


 
Three months ended
 
Twelve months ended
 
December 27,
2015
 
December 28,
2014
 
December 27,
2015
 
December 28,
2014
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restaurant sales
466,405

 
384,380

 
1,715,000

 
1,422,990

Franchise royalties and fees
23,818

 
24,536

 
97,722

 
93,233

Total revenue
490,223

 
408,916

 
1,812,722

 
1,516,223

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restaurant operating costs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales
137,414

 
117,680

 
507,812

 
413,890

Labor
144,262

 
119,569

 
542,847

 
444,232

Operating
72,039

 
58,164

 
250,755

 
209,583

Occupancy
26,015

 
20,883

 
94,569

 
78,931

Depreciation and amortization
36,616

 
27,100

 
127,503

 
98,454

General and administrative
31,196

 
31,875

 
129,133

 
118,038

Preopening
4,903

 
5,175

 
14,154

 
13,544

Loss on asset disposals and impairment
3,282

 
458

 
7,462

 
3,827

Total costs and expenses
455,727

 
380,904

 
1,674,235

 
1,380,499

Income from operations
34,496

 
28,012

 
138,487

 
135,724

Interest and other income (expense)
(912
)
 
(189
)
 
(2,346
)
 
(317
)
Earnings before income taxes
33,584

 
27,823

 
136,141

 
135,407

Income tax expense
8,292

 
7,540

 
41,265

 
41,352

Net earnings including noncontrolling interests
25,292

 
20,283

 
94,876

 
94,055

Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
21

 
(39
)
 
(193
)
 
(39
)
Net earnings attributable to Buffalo Wild Wings
25,271

 
20,322

 
95,069

 
94,094

Earnings per common share – basic
$
1.33

 
1.07

 
5.00

 
4.98

Earnings per common share – diluted
$
1.32

 
1.07

 
4.97

 
4.95

Weighted average shares outstanding – basic
19,036

 
18,931

 
19,013

 
18,908

Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted
19,173

 
19,051

 
19,131

 
19,002










The following table expresses results of operations as a percentage of total revenue for the periods presented, except for restaurant operating costs which are expressed as a percentage of restaurant sales:




 
Three months ended
 
Twelve months ended
 
December 27, 2015
 
December 28, 2014
 
December 27, 2015
 
December 28, 2014
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restaurant sales
95.1
 %
 
94.0
 %
 
94.6
 %
 
93.9
 %
Franchise royalties and fees
4.9

 
6.0

 
5.4

 
6.1

Total revenue
100.0

 
100.0

 
100.0

 
100.0

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restaurant operating costs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales
29.5

 
30.6

 
29.6

 
29.1

Labor
30.9

 
31.1

 
31.7

 
31.2

Operating
15.4

 
15.1

 
14.6

 
14.7

Occupancy
5.6

 
5.4

 
5.5

 
5.5

Depreciation and amortization
7.5

 
6.6

 
7.0

 
6.5

General and administrative
6.4

 
7.8

 
7.1

 
7.8

Preopening
1.0

 
1.3

 
0.8

 
0.9

Loss on asset disposals and impairment
0.7

 
0.1

 
0.4

 
0.3

Total costs and expenses
93.0

 
93.1

 
92.4

 
91.0

Income from operations
7.0

 
6.9

 
7.6

 
9.0

Interest and other income (expense)
(0.2
)
 
(0.0
)
 
(0.1
)
 
(0.0
)
Earnings before income taxes
6.9

 
6.8

 
7.5

 
8.9

Income tax expense
1.7

 
1.8

 
2.3

 
2.7

Net earnings including noncontrolling interests
5.2

 
5.0

 
5.2

 
6.2

Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
0.0

 
(0.0
)
 
(0.0
)
 
(0.0
)
Net earnings attributable to Buffalo Wild Wings
5.2
 %
 
5.0
 %
 
5.2
 %
 
6.2
 %





BUFFALO WILD WINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(Dollar amounts in thousands) (unaudited)
 
December 27, 2015
 
December 28, 2014
Assets
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
11,220

 
93,329

Marketable securities
9,043

 
19,547

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $25 and $25
34,087

 
28,322

Inventory
15,351

 
11,893

Prepaid expenses
6,386

 
4,215

Refundable income taxes
21,591

 
9,779

Deferred income taxes

 
15,807

Restricted assets
100,073

 
81,037

Total current assets
197,751

 
263,929

 
 
 
 
Property and equipment, net
604,712

 
494,401

Reacquired franchise rights, net
129,282

 
37,631

Other assets
26,536

 
19,399

Goodwill
114,101

 
38,106

Total assets
$
1,072,382

 
853,466

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Unearned franchise fees
$
2,144

 
2,099

Accounts payable
44,760

 
37,241

Accrued compensation and benefits
55,578

 
59,161

Accrued expenses
21,678

 
16,573

Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations
2,147

 

Current portion of deferred lease credits
59

 
743

Due to related party
36,179

 

System-wide payables
101,078

 
79,668

Total current liabilities
263,623

 
195,485

Long-term liabilities:
 
 
 
Other liabilities
16,473

 
6,388

Deferred income taxes
23,351

 
39,815

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of current portion
70,954

 

Deferred lease credits, net of current
41,869

 
37,479

Total liabilities
416,270

 
279,167

Commitments and contingencies
 
 
 
Stockholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Undesignated stock, 1,000,000 shares authorized, none issued

 

Common stock, no par value. Authorized 44,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 18,917,776 and 18,937,131, respectively
160,353

 
148,114

Retained earnings
499,085

 
427,695

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(3,719
)
 
(2,096
)
Total stockholders’ equity
655,719

 
573,713

Noncontrolling interest
393

 
586

Total equity
656,112

 
574,299

Total liabilities and equity
$
1,072,382

 
853,466






BUFFALO WILD WINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
Twelve months ended
 
December 27, 2015
 
December 28, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net earnings including noncontrolling interests
$
94,876

 
94,055

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operations:
 
 
 
Depreciation
120,060

 
93,773

Amortization
7,443

 
4,681

Loss on asset disposals and impairment
7,462

 
3,827

Deferred lease credits
4,052

 
4,331

Deferred income taxes
155

 
(3,946
)
Stock-based compensation
13,647

 
14,253

Excess tax benefit from stock issuance
(5,455
)
 
(2,500
)
Loss on investments in affiliates
687

 

Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions:
 
 
 
Trading securities
(495
)
 
(972
)
Accounts receivable
(4,313
)
 
(3,443
)
Inventory
(2,407
)
 
(2,178
)
Prepaid expenses
(691
)
 
383

Other assets
(6,381
)
 
(139
)
Unearned franchise fees
100

 
191

Accounts payable
4,445

 
5,343

Income taxes
(6,356
)
 
(2,948
)
Accrued expenses
10,867

 
13,155

Net cash provided by operating activities
237,696

 
217,866

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Acquisition of property and equipment
(172,548
)
 
(137,466
)
Acquisition of businesses/investments in affiliates
(203,642
)
 
(30,572
)
Purchase of marketable securities
(12,301
)
 
(22,991
)
Proceeds from marketable securities
23,300

 
12,000

Net cash used in investing activities
(365,191
)
 
(179,029
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from line of credit
352,678

 

Repayments of line of credit
(318,148
)
 

Proceeds from related party borrowing
36,179

 

Repurchases of common stock
(25,000
)
 

Other financing activities
(3,173
)
 

Issuance of common stock
5,355

 
3,032

Excess tax benefit from stock issuance
5,455

 
2,500

Tax payments for restricted stock units
(7,847
)
 
(7,474
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
45,499

 
(1,942
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(113
)
 
(1,068
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
(82,109
)
 
35,827

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
93,329

 
57,502

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
$
11,220

 
93,329






BUFFALO WILD WINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Supplemental Information
Restaurant Count
Company-owned Restaurants (includes Buffalo Wild Wings, R Taco, and Buffalo Wild Wings-owned PizzaRev locations):
 
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2015
501
517
573
596
2014
443
449
463
491
2013
397
407
415
434
2012
327
330
343
381
2011
263
277
288
319

Franchised Restaurants (includes Buffalo Wild Wings and R Taco locations):
 
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2015
593
593
569
579
2014
569
579
588
591
2013
514
525
534
559
2012
505
505
511
510
2011
488
492
498
498

Restaurant Count Rollforward:
 
Twelve months ended
 
December 27, 2015
 
December 28, 2014
 
Corporate
 
Franchise
 
Total
 
Corporate
 
Franchise
 
Total
Buffalo Wild Wings
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning of period
487

 
584

 
1,071

 
434

 
559

 
993

Opened
51

 
50

 
101

 
46

 
47

 
93

Acquired
54

 
(54
)
 

 
13

 
(13
)
 

Closed/Relocated
(2
)
 
(7
)
 
(9
)
 
(6
)
 
(9
)
 
(15
)
End of period
590

 
573

 
1,163

 
487

 
584

 
1,071

R Taco
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning of period
2

 
7

 
9

 

 

 

Opened
1

 

 
1

 

 

 

Acquired
1

 
(1
)
 

 
2

 
7

 
9

Closed/Relocated

 

 

 

 

 

End of period
4

 
6

 
10

 
2

 
7

 
9

PizzaRev
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning of period
2

 
n/a

 
2

 

 
n/a

 

Opened

 
n/a

 

 
2

 
n/a

 
2

Acquired

 
n/a

 

 

 
n/a

 

Closed/Relocated

 
n/a

 

 

 
n/a

 

End of period
2

 
n/a

 
2

 
2

 
n/a

 
2

Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
End of the period
596

 
579

 
1,175

 
491

 
591

 
1,082







BUFFALO WILD WINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Supplemental Information

Same-Store Sales at Buffalo Wild Wings locations in United States and Canada
Company-owned Restaurants:

 
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Year
2015
7.0%
4.2%
3.9%
1.9%
4.2%
2014
6.6%
7.7%
6.0%
5.9%
6.5%
2013
1.4%
3.8%
4.8%
5.2%
3.9%
2012
9.2%
5.3%
6.2%
5.8%
6.6%
2011
3.9%
5.9%
5.7%
8.9%
6.1%

Franchised Restaurants:

 
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Year
2015
6.0%
2.5%
1.2%
0.1%
2.5%
2014
5.0%
6.5%
5.7%
5.1%
5.6%
2013
2.2%
4.1%
3.9%
3.1%
3.3%
2012
7.3%
5.5%
5.8%
7.4%
6.5%
2011
1.6%
2.7%
4.2%
5.9%
3.6%

Average Weekly Sales Volumes at Buffalo Wild Wings locations in United States and Canada
 
Company-owned Restaurants:
 
 
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Year
2015
$
64,851
61,960
61,831
61,971
62,529
2014
 
60,966
59,403
59,643
62,119
60,470
2013
 
56,953
54,759
55,592
58,204
56,392
2012
 
55,131
51,524
52,561
55,595
53,783
2011
 
48,845
47,970
49,461
51,983
49,627


Franchised Restaurants:
 
 
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Year
2015
$
67,075
63,904
62,819
64,032
64,474
2014
 
63,852
61,845
61,586
63,949
62,595
2013
 
60,050
58,186
58,926
61,167
59,594
2012
 
57,282
54,766
55,608
58,490
56,570
2011
 
52,744
50,995
51,350
53,385
52,081



 


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