Business Wire | Nov 5, 2020 07:00AM EST

Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. Reports Financial Results for the Third Quarter 2020

Nov. 05, 2020

SYRACUSE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 05, 2020--Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. ("Carrols" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: TAST) today reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 27, 2020.

Highlights for the Third Quarter of 2020 versus the Third Quarter of 2019

* Total restaurant sales increased 2.2% to $407.0 million compared to $398.4 million in the prior year quarter; * Comparable restaurant sales for the Company's Burger King(r) restaurants increased 0.8%; * Comparable restaurant sales for the Company's Popeyes(r) restaurants increased 5.5%; * Adjusted EBITDA(1) increased to $34.1 million from $25.7 million in the prior year quarter; * Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA(1) increased to $52.8 million from $43.0 million in the prior year quarter; * Net income was $3.5 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, compared to net loss of $(6.8) million, or $(0.15) per diluted share, in the prior year quarter; * Adjusted Net Income(1) was $5.7 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, compared to adjusted net loss of $(3.9) million, or $(0.08) per diluted share, in the prior year quarter; and * The Company generated $23.3 million of Free Cash Flow(2) during the third quarter of 2020 and $46.7 million on a year-to-date basis.

Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income /(Loss) are non-GAAP financial measures. Refer to the definitions and(1) reconciliation of these measures to net income (loss) or to income (loss) from operations in the tables at the end of this release.

Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP financial measure and is defined as Net cash provided by operating activities less Net cash used for investing(2) activities adjusted to add back cash paid for acquisitions. Refer to the definition and reconciliation of this measure in the tables at the end of this release.

Recent Monthly Comparable Restaurant Sales Trends

Monthly comparable restaurant sales increases / (decreases) for the month ending July 26, 2020 through the month ending November 1, 2020 are as follows:

Third Quarter 2020

Fiscal Month July 2020 August 2020 September 2020 October 2020

Burger King 2.1% 1.2% (0.8) % (3.2) %

Popeyes 13.9 % (4.0) % 11.2 % 1.9 %

Management Commentary

Daniel T. Accordino, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Carrols, commented, "The sequential quarterly improvement in comparable restaurant sales of 720 basis points at our Burger King restaurants is demonstrative of Carrols' resiliency in the face of the unprecedented current environment. We believe our business model is well-suited to meet the needs of customers seeking great value and convenience and we have been able to serve them effectively and efficiently through our drive-thru, at-the-counter for take-out, and delivery channels. Over the past two months, we have seen modest softening in comparable sales at our Burger King restaurants driven primarily, we believe, by a strain on consumer spending due to a weakening 'Main Street' economy. Despite this year's challenges, we have been extremely adept in managing food costs, optimizing labor hours despite higher wage rates, and controlling other restaurant-level and corporate overhead expenses. Third quarter results reflect the strength of our positioning and operational acuity as we once again delivered improved restaurant-level profitability and increased Adjusted EBITDA compared to the prior year period."

Accordino continued, "We generated $46.7 million in Free Cash Flow through the first three quarters of 2020 ($23.3 million in the third quarter) and our available liquidity, including cash and borrowing availability under our revolving credit facility, is now approximately $205 million. Given the strength of these metrics, our intention is to build upon what we have accomplished during the pandemic and further drive improvement in our overall performance for the remainder of 2020 and into 2021."

"More importantly, looking further into the future, we are poised to re-engage in strong but balanced organic and non-organic growth strategies beginning later in 2021 while keeping our leverage in check. In terms of organic growth, we are in the process of negotiating a restructuring of our Burger King area development agreement with our franchisor. The remodel and new restaurant build commitments that required elevated levels of capital spending on our part under the current agreement are expected to be significantly reduced under the new agreement. Also, we anticipate that we would give up our right-of-first-refusal provision which we believe has diminished value in the current QSR business environment. Under this new arrangement, we believe we will have added flexibility to grow our business as we believe best optimizes our profit growth potential while generating consistent and enhanced free cash flow. It is important to note that while we believe such new agreement will be entered into, it is still being negotiated and there is no assurance that such new agreement will be entered into on such terms or at all."

Accordino concluded, "Although we still are firming up specific new construction and remodel plans for 2021 and beyond, we are committed to executing on our message last quarter of spending $40 million to $50 million annually in capital expenditures over the next three years. We expect that this spending will be sufficient to address restaurant maintenance and upgrade needs, remodel 20 to 25 restaurants per year and develop eight to twelve new restaurants per year, many of which will be financed using third party capital. We have previously discussed that we will not pursue acquisitions until our Adjusted Leverage Ratio (as defined in our senior credit facility) drops to below four times. We currently expect that to occur early next year. We should then be positioned to pursue opportunistic bolt-on transactions as long as we remain below our four times Adjusted Leverage Ratio target on a pro forma basis."

Third Quarter 2020 Financial Results

Total restaurant revenue increased 2.2% to $407.0 million in the third quarter of 2020 compared to $398.4 million in the third quarter of 2019. Comparable restaurant sales for the Company's Burger King restaurants increased 0.8% compared to a 4.5% increase in the prior year quarter. Comparable restaurant sales for the Company's Popeyes restaurants increased 5.5% compared to a 5.8% increase in the prior year quarter.

Adjusted Restaurant-level EBITDA(1) increased to $52.8 million in the third quarter of 2020 from $43.0 million in the prior year period. Adjusted Restaurant-level EBITDA margin was 13.0% of restaurant sales and increased 230 basis points from the third quarter of 2019, reflecting lower cost of sales, wage and related expenses, and other restaurant operating expenses. The Company demonstrated its ability to continue to rationalize ongoing expenses where possible, through reduced food waste, optimized restaurant labor, and managing other restaurant-related operating expenses.

General and administrative expenses decreased to $20.4 million in the third quarter of 2020 (which includes $2.0 million higher bonus expense due to improved operational performance compared to last year) from $21.4 million in the prior year period, which included $2.9 million of certain expenses primarily relating to acquisition and integration costs. The third quarter 2020 total includes the impact of many corporate cost efficiency initiatives such as streamlining of the Company's regional management structure and a re-engineering of the training process that were completed earlier this year that should carry-over into 2021.

Adjusted EBITDA(1) increased to $34.1 million in the third quarter of 2020 from $25.7 million in the third quarter of 2019. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 8.4% of total restaurant sales and increased 200 basis points from the third quarter of 2019 due to the factors discussed above.

Income from operations increased to $10.2 million in the third quarter of 2020 compared to a loss from operations of $(1.1) million in the prior year quarter.

Interest expense decreased to $6.6 million in the third quarter of 2020 from $7.6 million in the third quarter of 2019.

Net income was $3.5 million in the third quarter of 2020, or $0.06 per diluted share, compared to net loss of $(6.8) million, or $(0.15) per diluted share, in the prior year quarter. Net income in the third quarter of 2020 included $2.9 million of impairment and other lease charges. Net loss in the third quarter of 2019 included $0.5 million of impairment charges and other lease charges.

Adjusted net income(1) was $5.7 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, compared to adjusted net loss of $(3.9) million, or $(0.08) per diluted share, in the prior year quarter.

Balance Sheet Update

The Company ended the third quarter of 2020 with cash and cash equivalents of $67.8 million, and long-term debt (including current portion) and finance lease liabilities of $495.7 million. As of the end of the third quarter of 2020, the Company did not have any outstanding revolving credit borrowings under its $145.8 million revolving credit facility and had $9.7 million of letters of credit issued under such facility.

As a reminder, the full year 2020 is a 53-week fiscal period ending on January 3, 2021.

Conference Call Today

Daniel T. Accordino, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Anthony E. Hull, Chief Financial Officer, will host a conference call to discuss third quarter 2020 financial results and provide a business update today at 8:30 AM ET.

The conference call can be accessed live over the phone by dialing 201-493-6725. A replay will be available one hour after the call and can be accessed by dialing 412-317-6671; the passcode is 13711230. The replay will be available until Thursday, November 12, 2020. Investors and interested parties may listen to a webcast of this conference call and review an investor presentation related to the third quarter 2020 financial results by visiting www.carrols.com under the tab "Investor Relations".

Investor Conferences Participation

Carrols will be participating in three upcoming (virtual) investor conferences.

* On November 18, 2020, the Company will host investor meetings and participate in a fireside chat at the Stephens Annual Investor Conference. * On November 19, 2020, the Company will host investor meetings at the Deutsche Bank 2020 Gaming, Lodging, Leisure & Restaurants Conference. * On December 10, 2020, the Company will host investor meetings at the Truist Securities 2020 Gaming, Lodging, Leisure & Restaurants Summit.

About the Company

Carrols is one of the largest restaurant franchisees in the United States, and currently operates approximately 1,088 restaurants. It is the largest BURGER KING(r) franchisee in the United States currently operating 1,023 BURGER KING(r) restaurants and also operating 65 POPEYES(r) restaurants. It has operated BURGER KING(r) restaurants since 1976. For more information on Carrols, please visit the company's website at www.carrols.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for the historical information contained in this news release, the matters addressed are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements, written, oral or otherwise made, represent Carrols' expectation or belief concerning future events. Without limiting the foregoing, these statements are often identified by the words "may", "might", "believes", "thinks", "anticipates", "plans", "expects", "intends" or similar expressions. In addition, expressions of our strategies, intentions, plans or guidance are also forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect management's current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, many of which are beyond our control. Investors are referred to the full discussion of risks and uncertainties, including the impact of COVID-19 on Carrols' business, as included in Carrols' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(unaudited) (unaudited)

Three Months Ended (a) Nine Months Ended (a)

September September September 27, September 29, 27, 29, 2020 2019 2020 2019

Revenue:

Restaurant sales $ 407,036 $ 398,414 $ 1,126,972 $ 1,054,877

Other revenue - 3,931 - 6,816

Total revenue 407,036 402,345 1,126,972 1,061,693

Costs and expenses:

Cost of sales 121,228 121,283 328,858 313,015

Restaurant wages and 126,040 131,070 362,503 352,402 related expenses

Restaurant rent 30,536 29,300 88,974 77,906 expense

Other restaurant 60,486 62,710 172,774 164,623 operating expenses

Advertising expense 15,989 16,052 44,281 42,601

General andadministrative 20,440 21,365 59,808 61,709 expenses (b) (c)

Depreciation and 19,620 21,200 60,947 53,613 amortization

Impairment and other 1,954 500 7,776 1,777 lease charges

Other expense 515 (20) (1,432) (1,773) (income), net (d)

Total costs and 396,808 403,460 1,124,489 1,065,873 expenses

Income (loss) from 10,228 (1,115) 2,483 (4,180) operations

Interest expense 6,649 7,578 20,159 20,425

Loss onextinguishment of - - - 7,443 debt

Income (loss) before 3,579 (8,693) (17,676) (32,048) income taxes

Provision (benefit) 48 (1,881) (6,840) (10,035) for income taxes

Net income (loss) $ 3,531 $ (6,812) $ (10,836) $ (22,013)



Basic and dilutednet income (loss) $ 0.06 $ (0.15) $ (0.21) $ (0.54) per share (e)(f)

Basic weightedaverage common 50,924 45,947 50,887 41,015 shares outstanding

Diluted weightedaverage common 60,543 45,947 50,887 41,015 shares outstanding

(a)

The Company uses a 52 or 53 week fiscal year that ends on the Sunday closest to December 31. The three and nine months ended September 27, 2020 and September 29, 2019 each included thirteen and thirty-nine weeks, respectively.

(b)

General and administrative expenses include acquisition and integration costs of $2.2 million for the three months ended September 29, 2019 and $0.4 million and $7.0 million for the nine months ended September 27, 2020 and September 29, 2019, respectively.

(c)

General and administrative expenses include stock-based compensation expense of $1.3 million and $1.7 million for the three months ended September 27, 2020 and September 29, 2019, respectively and $3.5 million and $4.5 million for the nine months ended September 27, 2020 and September 29, 2019, respectively.

(d)

Other expense (income), net, for the three months ended September 27, 2020, included a net gain of $0.2 million related to adjustments to insurance recoveries from previous property damage at its restaurants, a loss on one sale-leaseback transaction of $0.4 million and a loss on disposal of assets of $0.3 million. Other income, net, for the nine months ended September 27, 2020, included a gain of $1.7 million related to insurance recoveries from property damage at four of its restaurants, a net gain on eleven sale-leaseback transactions of $0.2 million, and loss on disposal of assets of $0.5 million. Other income, net, for the nine months ended September 29, 2019 included, among other things, a $1.9 million gain related to a settlement with Burger King Corporation for the approval of new restaurant development by other franchisees which unfavorably impacted our restaurants.

(e)

Basic net income (loss) per share was computed excluding income (loss) attributable to preferred stock and non-vested restricted shares unless the effect would have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented.

(f)

Diluted net income (loss) per share was computed including shares issuable for convertible preferred stock and non-vested restricted shares unless their effect would have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented.

The Company uses a 52 or 53 week fiscal year that ends on the Sunday(a) closest to December 31. The three and nine months ended September 27, 2020 and September 29, 2019 each included thirteen and thirty-nine weeks, respectively.

General and administrative expenses include acquisition and integration(b) costs of $2.2 million for the three months ended September 29, 2019 and $0.4 million and $7.0 million for the nine months ended September 27, 2020 and September 29, 2019, respectively.

General and administrative expenses include stock-based compensation expense of $1.3 million and $1.7 million for the three months ended(c) September 27, 2020 and September 29, 2019, respectively and $3.5 million and $4.5 million for the nine months ended September 27, 2020 and September 29, 2019, respectively.

Other expense (income), net, for the three months ended September 27, 2020, included a net gain of $0.2 million related to adjustments to insurance recoveries from previous property damage at its restaurants, a loss on one sale-leaseback transaction of $0.4 million and a loss on disposal of assets of $0.3 million. Other income, net, for the nine months ended September 27, 2020, included a gain of $1.7 million related(d) to insurance recoveries from property damage at four of its restaurants, a net gain on eleven sale-leaseback transactions of $0.2 million, and loss on disposal of assets of $0.5 million. Other income, net, for the nine months ended September 29, 2019 included, among other things, a $1.9 million gain related to a settlement with Burger King Corporation for the approval of new restaurant development by other franchisees which unfavorably impacted our restaurants.

Basic net income (loss) per share was computed excluding income (loss)(e) attributable to preferred stock and non-vested restricted shares unless the effect would have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented.

Diluted net income (loss) per share was computed including shares(f) issuable for convertible preferred stock and non-vested restricted shares unless their effect would have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented.

Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.

Supplemental Information

The following table sets forth certain unaudited supplemental financial and other data for the periods indicated (in thousands, except number of restaurants, percentages and average weekly sales per restaurant):

(unaudited)

(unaudited)

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September 27, 2020

September 29, 2019

September 27, 2020

September 29, 2019

Revenue:

Burger King restaurant sales

$

385,412

$

379,212

$

1,060,698

$

1,023,715

Popeyes restaurant sales

21,624

19,202

66,274

31,162

Total restaurant sales

407,036

398,414

1,126,972

1,054,877

Other revenue

-

3,931

-

6,816

Total revenue

$

407,036

$

402,345

$

1,126,972

$

1,061,693

Change in Comparable Burger King Restaurant Sales (a)

0.8

%

4.5

%

(3.5

)%

2.3

%

Change in Comparable Popeyes Restaurant Sales (a)

5.5

%

10.1

%

Average Weekly Sales per Burger King Restaurant (b)

$

29,282

$

28,761

$

26,878

$

28,003

Average Weekly Sales per Popeyes Restaurant (b)

$

25,590

$

24,781

$

26,351

$

24,674

Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA (c)

$

52,762

$

43,004

$

129,686

$

113,211

Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA margin (c)

13.0

%

10.7

%

11.5

%

10.7

%

Adjusted EBITDA (c)

$

34,097

$

25,730

$

76,085

$

63,607

Adjusted EBITDA margin (c)

8.4

%

6.4

%

6.8

%

6.0

%

Adjusted Net Income (Loss) (c)

$

5,740

$

(3,859

)

$

(4,003

)

$

(9,089

)

Adjusted Diluted Net Income (Loss) per share (c)

$

0.09

$

(0.08

)

$

(0.08

)

$

(0.22

)

Number of Burger King restaurants:

Restaurants at beginning of period

1,027

1,023

1,036

849

New restaurants (including offsets)

-

7

6

13

Restaurants acquired

-

1

-

179

Restaurants closed (including offsets)

(4

)

(3

)

(19

)

(13

)

Restaurants at end of period

1,023

1,028

1,023

1,028

Average Number of Burger King restaurants:

1,012.5

1,014.1

1,011.6

937.3

Number of Popeyes restaurants:

Restaurants at beginning of period

65

58

65

-

New restaurants

-

2

-

5

Restaurants acquired

-

-

-

55

Restaurants at end of period

65

60

65

60

Average Number of Popeyes restaurants:

65.0

59.6

64.5

32.4

At 9/27/2020

At 12/29/2019

Long-term debt and finance lease liabilities (d)

$495,748

$

471,149

Cash and cash equivalents

67,762

2,974

Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.

Supplemental Information

The following table sets forth certain unaudited supplemental financial andother data for the periods indicated (in thousands, except number ofrestaurants, percentages and average weekly sales per restaurant):

(unaudited) (unaudited)

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended

September September September 27, September 27, 29, 2020 29, 2019 2020 2019

Revenue:

Burger King $ 385,412 $ 379,212 $ 1,060,698 $ 1,023,715 restaurant sales

Popeyes restaurant 21,624 19,202 66,274 31,162 sales

Total restaurant 407,036 398,414 1,126,972 1,054,877 sales

Other revenue - 3,931 - 6,816

Total revenue $ 407,036 $ 402,345 $ 1,126,972 $ 1,061,693

Change inComparable Burger 0.8 % 4.5 % (3.5 ) 2.3 %King Restaurant % Sales (a)

Change inComparable Popeyes 5.5 % 10.1 % Restaurant Sales (a)



Average WeeklySales per Burger $ 29,282 $ 28,761 $ 26,878 $ 28,003 King Restaurant (b)

Average WeeklySales per Popeyes $ 25,590 $ 24,781 $ 26,351 $ 24,674 Restaurant (b)



AdjustedRestaurant-Level $ 52,762 $ 43,004 $ 129,686 $ 113,211 EBITDA (c)

AdjustedRestaurant-Level 13.0 % 10.7 % 11.5 % 10.7 %EBITDA margin (c)



Adjusted EBITDA (c) $ 34,097 $ 25,730 $ 76,085 $ 63,607

Adjusted EBITDA 8.4 % 6.4 % 6.8 % 6.0 %margin (c)



Adjusted Net Income $ 5,740 $ (3,859 ) $ (4,003 ) $ (9,089 )(Loss) (c)

Adjusted DilutedNet Income (Loss) $ 0.09 $ (0.08 ) $ (0.08 ) $ (0.22 )per share (c)



Number of Burger King restaurants:

Restaurants at 1,027 1,023 1,036 849 beginning of period

New restaurants - 7 6 13 (including offsets)

Restaurants - 1 - 179 acquired

Restaurants closed (4 ) (3 ) (19 ) (13 )(including offsets)

Restaurants at end 1,023 1,028 1,023 1,028 of period

Average Number ofBurger King 1,012.5 1,014.1 1,011.6 937.3 restaurants:



Number of Popeyes restaurants:

Restaurants at 65 58 65 - beginning of period

New restaurants - 2 - 5

Restaurants - - - 55 acquired

Restaurants at end 65 60 65 60 of period

Average Number ofPopeyes 65.0 59.6 64.5 32.4 restaurants:

At 9/27/2020 At 12/29/2019

Long-term debt andfinance lease $ 495,748 $ 471,149 liabilities (d)

Cash and cash 67,762 2,974 equivalents

(a)Restaurants we acquire are included in comparable restaurant sales after they have been operated by us for 12 months. Sales from restaurants we develop are included in comparable sales after they have been open for 15 months. The calculation of changes in comparable restaurant sales is based on the comparable 13-week or 39-week period.

(b)

Average weekly sales per restaurant are derived by dividing restaurant sales for the comparable 13-week or 39-week period by the average number of restaurants operating during such period.

(c)

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA, Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA margin and Adjusted Net Income (Loss) are non-GAAP financial measures and may not necessarily be comparable to other similarly titled captions of other companies due to differences in methods of calculation. Refer to the Company's reconciliation of net income (loss) to EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income (Loss), and to the Company's reconciliation of income (loss) from operations to Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA for further detail. Both Adjusted EBITDA margin and Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA margin are calculated as a percentage of restaurant sales. Adjusted diluted net income (loss) per share is calculated based on Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and reflects the dilutive impact of shares, where applicable, based on Adjusted Net Income (Loss).

(d)

Long-term debt and finance lease liabilities (including current portion and excluding deferred financing costs and original issue discount) at September 27, 2020 included $419,688 of Term Loan B borrowings under our senior credit facility, $75,000 of Term Loan B-1 borrowings under our senior credit facility and $1,060 of finance lease liabilities. Long-term debt and finance lease liabilities (including current portion and excluding deferred financing costs and original issue discount) at December 29, 2019 included $422,875 of Term Loan B under our senior credit facility, $45,750 of outstanding revolving borrowings under our senior credit facility and $2,524 of finance lease liabilities.

Restaurants we acquire are included in comparable restaurant sales after they have been operated by us for 12 months. Sales from restaurants we(a) develop are included in comparable sales after they have been open for 15 months. The calculation of changes in comparable restaurant sales is based on the comparable 13-week or 39-week period.



Average weekly sales per restaurant are derived by dividing restaurant(b) sales for the comparable 13-week or 39-week period by the average number of restaurants operating during such period.



EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA, Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA margin and Adjusted Net Income (Loss) are non-GAAP financial measures and may not necessarily be comparable to other similarly titled captions of other companies due to differences in methods of calculation. Refer to the Company's reconciliation of net income (loss) to EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA(c) and Adjusted Net Income (Loss), and to the Company's reconciliation of income (loss) from operations to Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA for further detail. Both Adjusted EBITDA margin and Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA margin are calculated as a percentage of restaurant sales. Adjusted diluted net income (loss) per share is calculated based on Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and reflects the dilutive impact of shares, where applicable, based on Adjusted Net Income (Loss).



Long-term debt and finance lease liabilities (including current portion and excluding deferred financing costs and original issue discount) at September 27, 2020 included $419,688 of Term Loan B borrowings under our senior credit facility, $75,000 of Term Loan B-1 borrowings under our(d) senior credit facility and $1,060 of finance lease liabilities. Long-term debt and finance lease liabilities (including current portion and excluding deferred financing costs and original issue discount) at December 29, 2019 included $422,875 of Term Loan B under our senior credit facility, $45,750 of outstanding revolving borrowings under our senior credit facility and $2,524 of finance lease liabilities.

Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(unaudited)

(unaudited)

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September 27, 2020

September 29, 2019

September 27, 2020

September 29, 2019

Reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA: (a)

Net income (loss)

$

3,531

$

(6,812)

$

(10,836)

$

(22,013)

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

48

(1,881)

(6,840)

(10,035)

Interest expense

6,649

7,578

20,159

20,425

Depreciation and amortization

19,620

21,200

60,947

53,613

EBITDA

29,848

20,085

63,430

41,990

Impairment and other lease charges

1,954

500

7,776

1,777

Acquisition and integration costs (b)

18

2,754

373

7,983

Abandoned development costs (c)

189

82

1,746

193

Pre-opening costs (d)

5

478

104

1,063

Litigation costs (e)

265

144

545

416

Other expense (income), net (f)(g)

515

(20)

(1,432)

(1,773)

Stock-based compensation expense

1,303

1,707

3,543

4,515

Loss on extinguishment of debt

-

-

-

7,443

Adjusted EBITDA

$

34,097

$

25,730

$

76,085

$

63,607

Reconciliation of Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA: (a)

Income (loss) from operations

$

10,228

$

(1,115)

$

2,483

$

(4,180)

Add:

General and administrative expenses

20,440

21,365

59,808

61,709

Restaurant integration costs (b)

-

596

-

1,002

Pre-opening costs (d)

5

478

104

1,063

Depreciation and amortization

19,620

21,200

60,947

53,613

Impairment and other lease charges

1,954

500

7,776

1,777

Other expense (income), net (f)(g)

515

(20)

(1,432)

(1,773)

Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA

$

52,762

$

43,004

$

129,686

$

113,211

Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income (Loss): (a)

Net income (loss)

$

3,531

$

(6,812)

$

(10,836)

$

(22,013)

Add:

Impairment and other lease charges

1,954

500

7,776

1,777

Acquisition and integration costs (b)

18

2,754

373

7,983

Abandoned development costs (c)

189

82

1,746

193

Pre-opening costs (d)

5

478

104

1,063

Litigation costs (e)

265

144

545

416

Other expense (income), net (f)(g)

515

(20)

(1,432)

(1,773)

Loss on extinguishment of debt

-

-

-

7,443

Income tax effect on above adjustments (h)

(737)

(985)

(2,279)

(4,178)

Adjusted Net Income (Loss)

$

5,740

$

(3,859)

$

(4,003)

$

(9,089)

Adjusted diluted net income (loss) per share (i)

$

0.09

$

(0.08)

$

(0.08)

$

(0.22)

Adjusted diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

60,543

45,947

50,887

41,015

Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(unaudited) (unaudited)

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended

September September September September 27, 29, 27, 29, 2020 2019 2020 2019

Reconciliation ofEBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA: (a)

Net income (loss) $ 3,531 $ (6,812) $ (10,836) $ (22,013)

Provision (benefit) for 48 (1,881) (6,840) (10,035) income taxes

Interest expense 6,649 7,578 20,159 20,425

Depreciation and 19,620 21,200 60,947 53,613 amortization

EBITDA 29,848 20,085 63,430 41,990

Impairment and other 1,954 500 7,776 1,777 lease charges

Acquisition and 18 2,754 373 7,983 integration costs (b)

Abandoned development 189 82 1,746 193 costs (c)

Pre-opening costs (d) 5 478 104 1,063

Litigation costs (e) 265 144 545 416

Other expense (income), 515 (20) (1,432) (1,773) net (f)(g)

Stock-based 1,303 1,707 3,543 4,515 compensation expense

Loss on extinguishment - - - 7,443 of debt

Adjusted EBITDA $ 34,097 $ 25,730 $ 76,085 $ 63,607



Reconciliation ofAdjusted Restaurant-LevelEBITDA: (a)

Income (loss) from $ 10,228 $ (1,115) $ 2,483 $ (4,180) operations

Add:

General and 20,440 21,365 59,808 61,709 administrative expenses

Restaurant integration - 596 - 1,002 costs (b)

Pre-opening costs (d) 5 478 104 1,063

Depreciation and 19,620 21,200 60,947 53,613 amortization

Impairment and other 1,954 500 7,776 1,777 lease charges

Other expense (income), 515 (20) (1,432) (1,773) net (f)(g)

Adjusted $ 52,762 $ 43,004 $ 129,686 $ 113,211 Restaurant-Level EBITDA



Reconciliation ofAdjusted Net Income (Loss): (a)

Net income (loss) $ 3,531 $ (6,812) $ (10,836) $ (22,013)

Add:

Impairment and other 1,954 500 7,776 1,777 lease charges

Acquisition and 18 2,754 373 7,983 integration costs (b)

Abandoned development 189 82 1,746 193 costs (c)

Pre-opening costs (d) 5 478 104 1,063

Litigation costs (e) 265 144 545 416

Other expense (income), 515 (20) (1,432) (1,773) net (f)(g)

Loss on extinguishment - - - 7,443 of debt

Income tax effect on (737) (985) (2,279) (4,178) above adjustments (h)

Adjusted Net Income $ 5,740 $ (3,859) $ (4,003) $ (9,089) (Loss)

Adjusted diluted netincome (loss) per share $ 0.09 $ (0.08) $ (0.08) $ (0.22) (i)

Adjusted dilutedweighted average common 60,543 45,947 50,887 41,015 shares outstanding

Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(unaudited)

(unaudited)

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September 27, 2020

September 29, 2019

September 27, 2020

September 29, 2019

Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow: (j)

Net cash provided by operating activities (k)

$

32,386

$

24,184

$

80,778

$

35,016

Net cash used for investing activities

(9,039)

(55,490)

(34,045)

(221,802)

Add: cash paid for acquisitions

-

3,565

-

131,545

Total Free Cash Flow

$

23,347

$

(27,741)

$

46,733

$

(55,241)

Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures(In thousands, except per share amounts)



(unaudited) (unaudited)

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended

September September September September 27, 29, 27, 29, 2020 2019 2020 2019

Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow: (j)

Net cash provided by $ 32,386 $ 24,184 $ 80,778 $ 35,016 operating activities (k)

Net cash used for (9,039) (55,490) (34,045) (221,802) investing activities

Add: cash paid for - 3,565 - 131,545 acquisitions

Total Free Cash Flow $ 23,347 $ (27,741) $ 46,733 $ (55,241)

(a)

Within our press release, we make reference to EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income (Loss) which are non-GAAP financial measures. EBITDA represents net income (loss) before income taxes, interest expense and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA as adjusted to exclude impairment and other lease charges, acquisition and integration costs, stock-based compensation expense, loss on extinguishment of debt, abandoned site development, restaurant pre-opening costs, non-recurring litigation costs and other non-recurring income or expense. Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA represents income (loss) from operations as adjusted to exclude general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization, impairment and other lease charges, restaurant-level integration costs, pre-opening costs, and other non-recurring income or expense. Adjusted Net Income (Loss) represents net income (loss) as adjusted, net of tax, to exclude impairment and other lease charges, acquisition costs and integration costs, abandoned development costs, pre-opening costs, non-recurring litigation costs, loss on extinguishment of debt and other non-recurring income or expense.

We are presenting Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income (Loss) because we believe that they provide a more meaningful comparison than EBITDA and net income (loss) of the Company's core business operating results, as well as with those of other similar companies. Additionally, we present Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA because it excludes the impact of general and administrative expenses such as salaries and expenses associated with corporate and administrative functions that support the development and operations of our restaurants, legal, auditing and other professional fees, acquisition costs, restaurant pre-opening costs and stock-based compensation expense. Although these costs are not directly related to restaurant-level operations, these expenses are necessary for the profitability of our restaurants. Additionally, this financial measure may not be comparable to a similarly titled caption for other companies. Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income (loss), when viewed with the Company's results of operations in accordance with GAAP and the accompanying reconciliations in the table above, provide useful information about operating performance and period-over-period growth, and provide additional information that is useful for evaluating the operating performance of the Company's core business without regard to potential distortions. Additionally, management believes that Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA permit investors to gain an understanding of the factors and trends affecting our ongoing cash earnings, from which capital investments are made and debt is serviced.

However, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income (Loss) are not measures of financial performance or liquidity under GAAP and, accordingly, should not be considered as alternatives to net income (loss) from operations or cash flow from operating activities as indicators of operating performance or liquidity. Also, these measures may not be comparable to similarly titled captions of other companies. The tables above provide reconciliations between net income (loss) and EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and between income (loss) from operations and Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA.

(b)

Acquisition costs for the three and nine months ended September 27, 2020 mostly include legal and professional fees incurred in connection with the acquisition of 165 Burger King and 55 Popeyes restaurants from Cambridge Franchise Holdings, LLC, which were included in general and administrative expense. Acquisition and integration costs for the three and nine months ended September 29, 2019 of $2.8 million and $8.0 million, respectively, include certain legal and professional fees; corporate payroll, and other costs related to the integration of the Cambridge merger and one-time repair costs which are included in Restaurant-Level EBITDA.

(c)

Abandoned development costs for the three and nine months ended September 27, 2020 and September 29, 2019 represents the write-off of capitalized costs due to the abandoned development of future restaurant locations.

(d)

Pre-opening costs for the three and nine months ended September 27, 2020 and September 29, 2019 include training, labor and occupancy costs incurred during the construction of new restaurants.

(e)

Legal costs for the three and nine months ended September 27, 2020 and September 29, 2019 include litigation expenses pertaining to an ongoing lawsuit with one of the Company's former vendors as well as other non-recurring professional service expenses.

(f)

Other expense, net for the three months ended September 27, 2020 included a net gain related to adjustments to insurance recoveries from previous property damage at restaurants of $0.2 million, a loss on one sale-leaseback transaction of $0.4 million and a loss on disposal of assets of $0.3 million. For the nine months ended September 27, 2020 other income, net included gains related to insurance recoveries from property damage at four of the Company's restaurants of $1.7 million, net gain on eleven sale-leaseback transactions of $0.2 million and a loss on disposal of assets of $0.5 million.

(g)

Other income, net for the nine months ended September 29, 2019 included a $1.9 million gain related to a settlement with Burger King Corporation for the approval of new restaurant development by other franchisees which unfavorably impacted our restaurants, a gain on three sale-leaseback transactions of $0.3 million, a gain related to an insurance recovery from property damage at one of our restaurants of $0.1 million and a loss on a disposal of restaurant equipment of $0.6 million.

(h)

The income tax effect related to the adjustments to Adjusted Net Income (Loss) during the periods presented was calculated using an incremental income tax rate of 25% for the three and nine months ended September 27, 2020 and September 29, 2019, respectively.

(i)

Adjusted diluted net income (loss) per share is calculated based on Adjusted net income (loss) and the dilutive weighted average common shares outstanding for the respective periods, where applicable.

(j)

Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP financial measure and may not necessarily be comparable to other similarly titled captions of other companies due to differences in methods of calculation. Free Cash Flow is defined as cash provided by operating activities less cash used for investing activities, adjusted to add back cash paid for acquisitions. Management believes that Free Cash Flow, when viewed with the Company's results of operations in accordance with GAAP and the accompanying reconciliations in the table above, provides useful information about the Company's cash flow for liquidity purposes and to service the Company's debt. However, Free Cash Flow is not a measure of liquidity under GAAP, and, accordingly should not be considered as an alternative to the Company's consolidated statement of cash flows and net cash provided by operating activities, net cash used for investing activities and net cash provided by financing activities as indicators of liquidity or cash flow. Free Cash Flow for the three months ended September 27, 2020 and September 29, 2019 is derived from the Company's consolidated statement of cash flows for the respective nine month periods to be presented in the Company's Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in its Form 10-Q for the period ended September 27, 2020 and the Company's consolidated statement of cash flows for the previously reported three month periods ended June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019, respectively, contained in the Company's Form 10-Q for the period ended June 28, 2020.

(k)

Working capital changes in the three and nine months ended September 27, 2020 include $7.2 million and $14.3 million, respectively, related to deferred payments of the employer portion of social security taxes, which will be repaid half at the end of 2021 and the remainder at the end of 2022.

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CONTACT: Investor Relations: Raphael Gross 203-682-8253 investorrelations@carrols.com