Chanticleer Holdings Reports Third Quarter Results

44% Growth in Non-GAAP Adjusted Quarterly Restaurant Sales; Targeting $55M Annualized Revenue, Positive Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2015

CHARLOTTE, NC -- (Marketwired) -- 11/16/15 --

Chanticleer Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HOTR) ("Chanticleer," or the "Company"), owner, operator and franchisor of multiple branded restaurants in the U.S. and abroad, today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2015.

Revenue Grew 10%; Adjusted Restaurant Revenue Increased 44%

Total revenue, which includes restaurant sales, franchise fees and gaming income, was $10.3 million, a 10% increase as compared to revenue of $9.3 million in the same prior year quarter.

Restaurant sales increased 14.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2015 as compared with the three months ended September 30, 2014. Revenues increased from growth in store count and favorable same store sales, partially offset by lower revenues from Australia and foreign currency translation.

Adjusted Non-GAAP restaurant sales, normalized for the temporary reduction in Australia revenues and foreign currency, increased 44% to approximately $12.5 million for the current quarter. The Company resumed operational control of its five Hooters locations in Australia during early October 2015.

Management expects total revenue in the fourth quarter of 2015 to increase to $13 - $14 million including contributions from the Australia and the Little Big Burger acquisitions beginning in October 2015.

Mike Pruitt, Chairman and CEO of Chanticleer commented, "We made tremendous progress this quarter, reorganizing and increasing our stake in Australia; closing the BT's Burger Joint and Little Big Burger acquisitions; opening our Port Elizabeth Hooters location; opening BGR franchise locations in Texas and Kuwait; and driving operational improvements throughout our restaurants.

"With the temporary reduction in Australia revenue during the reorganization period combined with an increase in non-recurring transaction-related expenses, the current quarterly results are certainly not representative of our expectations going forward. The Little Big Burger acquisition is complete and our new management team is in place in Australia, and we are already seeing the benefits of those investments. With the heavy lifting of Q3 behind us, we expect to deliver significantly improved revenue and operating performance in Q4 and entering 2016."

     
Strong Same Store Sales Growth * 3Q15 3Q15
  Local Currency US Dollars
 
Better Burgers Fast Casual (5 stores) 16.2% 16.2%
 
Other Fast Casual (6 stores) 7.1% 7.1%
     
Hooters Full Service US (2 stores) 3.0% 3.0%
     
Hooters Full Service International (6 stores) (4.5%) (23.5%)
* Includes only those restaurant locations owned and operated by the Company for the full quarter of the current and prior year quarter
 

"We've transformed our business model to take advantage of consumer loyalty to smaller, regional players while also maintaining our core involvement with the iconic Hooters brand. We are seeing a significant shift in our revenue mix, with the better burger fast casual segment now representing 55% of our revenue, up from 22% last year.

"We are very pleased with our same store sales growth across the company, particularly in our fast casual better burger brands. Consumers are increasingly embracing local brands and our better burger portfolio is well positioned to continue to benefit from this trend. The management team is doing an excellent job continually improving the restaurants to attract more customers, while also opening new locations," Mr. Pruitt continued.

Significant Non-Cash and One-Time Expenses in Quarter

Chanticleer reported an operating loss of $5.8 million in the third quarter of 2015 as compared to an operating loss of $0.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014. Operating loss in the third quarter of 2015 included a non-cash asset impairment charge of $4.5 million related to the reorganization of operations at the Company's Australia stores and $0.2 million in non-recurring transaction-related expenses.

General and administrative expenses increased to $1.7 million in the third quarter of 2015 from $1.4 million last year. As a percentage of total revenue, general and administrative expenses increased slightly to 16% compared to 15% in the same quarter of 2014, due to primarily to the temporary decline in Australia revenues.

Chanticleer recorded a net loss of $4.6 million, or $0.31 per basic and diluted share in the third quarter of fiscal 2015, compared with a net loss of $0.5 million or $0.07 per basic and diluted share, in the third quarter of fiscal 2014. Non-GAAP adjusted net loss attributable to Chanticleer, excluding the impairment charges related to the Australia reorganization and acquisition-related expenses, was approximately $1.6 million or a loss of $0.11 per basic and diluted share.

Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA was $(0.6) million for the quarter compared to $(0.0) million in the third quarter of 2014. Non-GAAP Restaurant EBITDA was $0.9 million for the quarter compared to $1.0 million in the third quarter of 2014, with the prior year including $0.3 million contribution from Australia. In addition, the third quarter of 2014 included $0.5 million related to Chanticleer's investment in Hooters of America (HOA).

Balance Sheet Strengthened during the Quarter

Working capital (defined as total current assets less accounts payable and accrued liabilities), improved significantly to negative $1.4 million at September 30, 2015 from negative $4.1 million at December 31, 2014. Total current liabilities improved to $8.2 million at September 30, 2014 as compared to $11.4 million at December 31, 2014 due largely to the restructuring of the Company's Australia operations. Shareholders' equity increased to $24.2 million as of September 30, 2015 up from $15.0 million at December 31, 2014.

"Our balance sheet improved significantly during the quarter and we look forward to the continued strengthening of our balance sheet as we drive cash flow going forward. We do not anticipate the need to access additional equity capital to execute our current business plan," Mr. Pruitt concluded.

Outlook: Focus on Driving Operational Efficiency and Profitability -- Expect $13- $14 Million in Fourth Quarter Revenues; Positive Adjusted EBITDA and Enhanced Profitability Entering 2016

The Company currently anticipates the following for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015:

  • Quarterly revenues are expected to fall within a range of approximately $13 - $14 million, including:
  • First full quarter of revenue contribution from Little Big Burger.
  • Resumed revenue contribution beginning early October 2015 from Hooters Australia.
  • Contributions from new store openings
  • Positive Adjusted EBITDA

The company expects to enter 2016 with an annualized revenue run-rate of approximately $55 million and approximately 62 restaurants system-wide. Management is also continuing to implement initiatives to leverage purchasing volumes, consolidate vendors and service providers and streamline back-office processes to drive improved margins and profitability going forward.

Conference Call

The Company will hold a conference call today, Monday, November 16, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, to discuss the results of its third quarter, ended September 30, 2015.

To access the call, dial (877) 407-8133 approximately five minutes prior to the scheduled start time. International callers please dial (201) 689-8040. A slide presentation will accompany the conference call. To access the slide presentation, log onto the Chanticleer website at https://ir.stockpr.com/chanticleerholdings/overview.

A replay of the teleconference will be available until December 16, 2015 and may be accessed by dialing (877) 660-6853. International callers may dial (201) 612-7415. Callers should use conference ID: 13624872.

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

Chanticleer Holdings, Inc. prepares its condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). In addition to disclosing financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP, the Company discloses information regarding Adjusted EBITDA and Restaurant EBITDA, which differ from the term EBITDA as it is commonly used. In addition to adjusting net income (loss) from continuing operations to exclude taxes, interest, and depreciation and amortization, Adjusted EBITDA also excludes pre-opening and closing costs for our restaurants, non-cash expenses, transaction-related expenses, change in fair value of derivative liability and other income and expenses. In addition, Restaurant EBITDA also excludes management fee income and general and administrative expenses. Adjusted EBITDA and restaurant EBITDA are not measures of performance defined in accordance with GAAP. However, adjusted EBITDA and restaurant EBITDA are used internally in planning and evaluating the company's operating performance and by the Company's creditors. Accordingly, management believes that disclosure of these metrics offers investors, bankers and other stakeholders an additional view of the company's operations that, when coupled with the GAAP results, provides a more complete understanding of the Company's financial results.

Adjusted EBITDA and Restaurant EBITDA should not be considered as alternatives to net loss or to net cash used in operating activities as a measure of operating results or of liquidity. It may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies, and it excludes financial information that some may consider important in evaluating the company's performance. A reconciliation of GAAP net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA and Restaurant EBITDA is included in the accompanying financial schedules.

For further information, please refer to Chanticleer's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 16, 2015, available online at www.sec.gov.

About Chanticleer Holdings, Inc .

Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, Chanticleer Holdings (HOTR), together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates restaurant brands in the United States and internationally. The Company is a franchisee owner of Hooters® restaurants in international markets including Australia, South Africa, and Europe, and two Hooters restaurants in the United States. The Company also owns and operates American Burger Co., BGR the Burger Joint, BT's Burger Joint, Little Big Burger and Just Fresh restaurants in the U.S.

For further information, please visit www.chanticleerholdings.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/ChanticleerHOTR
Twitter: http://Twitter.com/ChanticleerHOTR
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Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include projections, predictions, expectations or statements as to beliefs or future events or results or refer to other matters that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report are based on various factors and were derived using numerous assumptions. In some cases, you can identify these forward-looking statements by the words "anticipate", "estimate", "plan", "project", "continuing", "ongoing", "target", "aim", "expect", "believe", "intend", "may", "will", "should", "could", or the negative of those words and other comparable words. You should be aware that those statements reflect only the Company's predictions. If known or unknown risks or uncertainties should materialize, or if underlying assumptions should prove inaccurate, actual results could differ materially from past results and those anticipated, estimated or projected. You should bear this in mind when reading this Quarterly Report and not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to:

  • Operating losses may continue for the foreseeable future; we may never be profitable;
  • Inherent risks in expansion of operations, including our ability to acquire additional territories, generate profits from new restaurants and franchise operations, find suitable sites and develop and construct locations in a timely and cost-effective way;
  • Inherent risks associated with acquiring and starting new restaurant concepts and store locations:
  • General risk factors affecting the restaurant industry, including current economic climate, costs of labor and food prices;
  • Intensive competition in our industry and competition with national, regional chains and independent restaurant operators;
  • Our rights to operate and franchise the Hooters-branded restaurants are dependent on the Hooters' franchise agreements;
  • We do not have full operational control over the businesses of our franchise partners or operations where we hold less 100% ownership;
  • Failure to protect our intellectual property rights, including the brand image of our restaurants;
  • Our business has been adversely affected by declines in discretionary spending and may be affected by changes in consumer preferences;
  • Increases in costs, including food, labor and energy prices;
  • Our business and the growth of our Company is dependent on the skills and expertise of management and key personnel;
  • Constraints could affect our ability to maintain competitive cost structure, including, but not limited to labor constraints;
  • Work stoppages at our restaurants or supplier facilities or other interruptions of production;
  • Our food service business and the restaurant industry are subject to extensive government regulation;
  • We may be subject to significant foreign currency exchange controls in certain countries in which we operate;
  • Inherent risk in foreign operations and currency fluctuations;
  • We may not attain our target development goals and aggressive development could cannibalize existing sales;
  • Current conditions in the global financial markets and the distressed economy;
  • A decline in market share or failure to achieve growth;
  • Unusual or significant litigation, governmental investigations or adverse publicity, or otherwise;
  • Our debt financing agreements expose us to interest rate risks, contain obligations that may limit the flexibility of our operations, and may limit our ability to raise additional capital;
  • Adverse effects on our results from a decrease in or cessation or clawback of government incentives related to investments; and
  • Adverse effects on our operations resulting from certain geo-political or other events

Chanticleer cannot be certain that any expectation, forecast, or assumption made in preparing any forward-looking statements will prove accurate, or that any projection will be realized. It is to be expected that there will be differences between projected and actual results. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, even if subsequently made available by the Company on its web site or otherwise. We undertake no obligation to update the forward-looking statements provided to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date on which they were made. Further information on our business, including important factors which could affect actual results are discussed in the Company's filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K under the headings "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."

   
Chanticleer Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries  
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss  
(Unaudited)  
                               
  Three Months Ended        Nine Months Ended  
  September 30, 2015     September 30, 2014     September 30, 2015     September 30, 2014  
Revenue:                              
  Restaurant sales, net $ 10,005,324     $ 8,753,554     $ 28,907,536     $ 20,465,510  
  Gaming income, net   121,031       141,156       352,881       272,391  
  Management fee income - non-affiliates   25,000       417,842       204,124       467,993  
  Franchise income   119,950       -       270,948       -  
    Total revenue   10,271,305       9,312,552       29,735,489       21,205,894  
Expenses:                              
  Restaurant cost of sales   3,358,602       2,927,629       9,937,190       7,097,300  
  Restaurant operating expenses   5,998,627       4,997,159       17,451,671       11,846,792  
  Restaurant pre-opening and closing expenses   141,306       62,293       739,495       323,274  
  General and administrative expenses   1,676,609       1,422,193       5,656,545       4,287,279  
  Asset impairment charge   4,489,043       -       4,489,043       -  
  Depreciation and amortization   358,307       435,404       1,205,255       1,162,088  
    Total expenses   16,022,494       9,844,678       39,479,199       24,716,733  
Loss from operations   (5,751,189 )     (532,126 )     (9,743,710 )     (3,510,839 )
Other (expense) income                              
  Interest expense   (657,906 )     (581,215 )     (2,736,555 )     (1,268,756 )
  Change in fair value of derivative liabilities   262,232       221,000       833,139       925,200  
  Loss on extinguishment of debt   (145,834 )     -       (315,923 )     -  
  Realized gains on securities   -       -       -       101,472  
  Equity in losses of investments   -       -       -       (40,694 )
  Other income (expense)   (40,262 )     438,607       35,064       446,445  
    Total other (expense) income   (581,770 )     78,392       (2,184,275 )     163,667  
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes   (6,332,959 )     (453,734 )     (11,927,985 )     (3,347,172 )
  Income tax benefit (expense)   (7,356 )     19,726       30,298       27,235  
Loss from continuing operations   (6,340,315 )     (434,008 )     (11,897,687 )     (3,319,937 )
  Gain (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes   -       (56,223 )     189       (161,196 )
Consolidated net loss   (6,340,315 )     (490,231 )     (11,897,498 )     (3,481,133 )
  Less: Net loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interest   1,823,601       (61,209 )     2,166,570       68,318  
Net loss attributable to Chanticleer Holdings, Inc. $ (4,516,715 )   $ (551,440 )   $ (9,730,928 )   $ (3,412,815 )
   
Net loss attributable to Chanticleer Holdings, Inc.:                              
  Loss from continuing operations $ (4,516,715 )   $ (495,217 )   $ (9,731,117 )   $ (3,251,619 )
  Gain (loss) from discontinued operations   -       (56,223 )     189       (161,196 )
    Net loss attributable to Chanticleer Holdings, Inc. $ (4,516,715 )   $ (551,440 )   $ (9,730,928 )   $ (3,412,815 )
Other comprehensive loss:                              
  Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities (none applies to non-controlling interest) $ -     $ -     $ -     $ (15,527 )
  Foreign currency translation (loss) gain   572,954       177,219       (891,772 )     228,384  
    Total other comprehensive loss   572,954       177,219       (891,772 )     212,857  
    Comprehensive loss $ (3,943,761 )   $ (374,221 )   $ (10,622,700 )   $ (3,199,958 )
   
Net loss attributable to Chanticleer Holdings, Inc. per common share, basic and diluted:                              
  Continuing operations attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted $ (0.31 )   $ (0.07 )   $ (0.69 )   $ (0.52 )
  Discontinued operations attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted $ -     $ (0.01 )   $ 0.00     $ (0.03 )
   
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted   14,802,370       6,628,011       14,059,116       6,279,688  
                               
   
Chanticleer Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries  
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets  
   
  (Unaudited)          
  September 30, 2015     December, 31, 2014  
ASSETS              
Current assets:              
  Cash $ 1,805,927     $ 245,828  
  Accounts and other receivables   194,589       313,509  
  Inventories   593,778       532,803  
  Due from related parties   45,615       46,015  
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets   421,508       330,745  
    TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS   3,061,417       1,468,900  
Property and equipment, net   17,855,282       13,315,409  
Goodwill   12,269,504       15,617,308  
Intangible assets, net   7,542,395       3,396,503  
Investments at fair value   35,362       35,362  
Other investments   1,550,000       1,550,000  
Deposits and other assets   297,037       408,492  
  TOTAL ASSETS $ 42,610,997     $ 35,791,974  
   
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY              
Current liabilities:              
  Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 4,420,370     $ 5,580,131  
  Current maturities of long-term debt and notes payable   1,134,025       1,813,647  
  Current maturities of convertible notes payable, net of debt discount of $359,243 and $63,730, respectively   215,757       436,270  
  Current maturities of capital leases payable   47,370       42,032  
  Due to related parties   212,399       1,299,083  
  Deferred rent   686,622       118,986  
  Derivative liabilities   1,318,661       1,945,200  
  Liabilities of discontinued operations   177,204       177,393  
  TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES   8,212,408       11,412,742  
Long-term debt, less current maturities, net of debt discount of $214,833 and $343,733, respectively   5,419,925       5,009,283  
Convertible notes payable, net of debt discount of $955,177 and $1,872,587, respectively   2,294,823       1,477,413  
Capital leases payable, less current maturities   25,144       36,628  
Deferred rent   1,784,840       2,196,523  
Deferred tax liabilities   655,050       686,884  
  TOTAL LIABILITIES   18,392,190       20,819,473  
Commitments and contingencies              
   
Stockholders' equity:              
  Preferred stock: no par value; authorized 5,000,000 shares; none issued and outstanding   -       -  
  Common stock: $0.0001 par value; authorized 45,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 21,328,830 and 7,249,442 shares, respectively   2,133       725  
  Additional paid in capital   55,208,098       32,601,400  
  Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (911,900 )     (1,657,908 )
  Non-controlling interest   527,590       4,904,471  
  Accumulated deficit   (30,607,114 )     (20,876,187 )
    TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY   24,218,807       14,972,501  
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 42,610,997     $ 35,791,974  
                   
   
Chanticleer Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries  
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows  
(Unaudited)  
   
  Nine Months Ended  
  September 30, 2015     September 30, 2014  
Cash flows from operating activities:              
Net loss $ (11,897,498 )   $ (3,481,133 )
Net (income) loss from discontinued operations   (189 )     161,196  
Net loss from continuing operations   (11,897,687 )     (3,319,937 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:              
  Depreciation and amortization   1,205,255       1,243,195  
  Deferred income taxes   (31,834 )     -  
  Equity in losses of investments   -       40,694  
  Asset impairment charge   4,489,043       -  
  Loss on extinguishment of debt   315,923       -  
  Loss on disposal of property and equipment   514,522       -  
  Common stock and warrants issued for services   231,857       354,617  
  Amortization of debt discount   1,356,365       930,392  
  Amortization of warrants   22,375       152,325  
  Change in fair value of derivative liabilities   (833,139 )     (925,200 )
  (Increase) decrease in accounts and other receivables   (70,421 )     (244,553 )
  Decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets   (171,450 )     (107,161 )
  Decrease in inventory   2,239       33,845  
  Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses   1,224,599       3,150,118  
  (Decrease) increase in deferred rent   (311,104 )     -  
    Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities from continuing operations   (3,953,457 )     1,308,335  
    Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities from discontinued operations   (4,500 )     (254,790 )
    Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities   (3,957,957 )     1,053,545  
   
Cash flows from investing activities:              
  Purchase of property and equipment   (1,518,747 )     (3,569,775 )
  Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired   (9,082,918 )     27,527  
    Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations   (10,601,665 )     (3,542,248 )
   
Cash flows from financing activities:              
  Proceeds from sale of common stock and warrants   14,920,937       835,000  
  Loan proceeds   656,837       1,458,308  
  Loan repayments   (824,981 )     -  
  Proceeds from convertible debt   2,150,000       -  
  Capital lease payments   (39,822 )     (142,906 )
  Decrease in amounts payable to affiliate   (1,086,684 )     -  
  Minority interest investments   333,342       33,500  
    Net cash provided by financing activities from continuing operations   16,109,629       2,183,902  
  Effect of exchange rate changes on cash   10,092       119,884  
Net increase (decrease) in cash   1,560,099       (184,917 )
Cash, beginning of period   245,828       442,694  
Cash, end of period $ 1,805,927     $ 257,777  
               
             
Chanticleer Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries  
Reconcilation of Net Loss to EBITDA  
(Unaudited)  
                         
  Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
  September 30, 2015     September 30, 2014     September 30, 2015     September 30, 2014  
   
Consolidated net loss $ (6,340,315 )   $ (434,008 )   $ (11,897,687 )   $ (3,319,937 )
Interest expense   657,906       581,215       2,736,555       1,268,756  
Income tax   7,356       (19,726 )     (30,298 )     (27,235 )
Depreciation and amortization   358,307       435,404       1,205,255       1,162,088  
    EBITDA $ (5,316,746 )   $ 562,885     $ (7,986,175 )   $ (916,328 )
Restaurant pre-opening and closing expenses   141,306       62,293       739,495       323,274  
Change in fair value of derivative liabilities   (262,232 )     (221,000 )     (833,139 )     (925,200 )
Loss on extinguishment of debt   145,834       -       315,923       -  
Realized gains on securities   -       -       -       (101,472 )
Equity in losses of investments   -       -       -       40,694  
Asset impairment charge   4,489,043       -       4,489,043       -  
Transaction-related expenses   196,363       -       1,016,509       -  
Other income   40,262       (438,607 )     (35,064 )     (446,445 )
    Adjusted EBITDA $ (566,170 )   $ (34,429 )   $ (2,293,408 )   $ (2,025,477 )
General and administrative expenses   1,480,246       1,422,193       4,640,036       4,287,279  
Management fee revenue   (25,000 )     (417,842 )     (204,124 )     (467,993 )
    Restaurant EBITDA $ 889,076     $ 969,922     $ 2,142,504     $ 1,793,809  

Contact:
Chanticleer Holdings, Inc.
Mike Pruitt
Chairman/CEO
Phone: 704.366.5122 x 1
mp@chanticleerholdings.com

Eric Lederer
CFO
Phone: 704.366.5736
elederer@chanticleerholdings.com

Press Information:
Chanticleer Holdings, Inc.
Investor Relations
Phone: 704.366.5122
ir@chanticleerholdings.com

Investor Relations
John Nesbett/Jennifer Belodeau
Institutional Marketing Services (IMS)
Phone 203.972.9200
jnesbett@institutionalms.com

Source: Chanticleer Holdings, Inc.