Restaurant Brands International Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2021 Results

Global system-wide sales grew 11% year-over-year and accelerated sequentially to +5% compared to 2019
Burger King international system-wide sales grew 25% year-over-year and +10% compared to 2019
Year-to-date unit growth and pipeline keep RBI on track to return to pre-pandemic levels in 2021 and accelerate in 2022
Returned over $425 million of capital to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks
Announced commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 50% by 2030 and reach net zero emissions by 2050 or sooner

TORONTO , Oct. 25, 2021 /CNW/ - Restaurant Brands International Inc. (TSX: QSR) (NYSE: QSR) (TSX: QSP) today reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2021 .

José Cil, Chief Executive Officer of Restaurant Brands International Inc. ("RBI") commented, "Our results this quarter reflect the value of having a diversified business model across three brands and in over 100 countries. Overall, we saw a continued acceleration in system-wide-sales growth relative to 2019, reflecting improvements in the Tim Hortons Canada business as well as strength across each of our brand's international businesses.  Our strong restaurant growth this year and exciting development pipeline keep us on track to return to pre-pandemic unit growth levels this year and well positioned to accelerate in 2022 as we continue on our path to 40,000 restaurants around the world. This quarter, we also took important steps to focus our attention on the most significant opportunities at Burger King U.S. to drive long-term, sustainable growth in the business."

Cil continued, "Our highly efficient business model once again generated strong free cash flow, enabling us to continue investing in our business while also enhancing shareholder returns through both our dividend and recently expanded $1 billion share repurchase program. During the quarter, we returned over $425 million of capital to shareholders, including repurchasing just over $180 million of common stock, reflecting the confidence we have in our long-term outlook and the intrinsic value of our scalable business."

Cil concluded, "Our big goal is to drive business growth without carbon growth. I'm so proud of the team's work to set ambitious goals to reduce our carbon footprint in the world. We have exciting and important sustainability projects underway across the company, in green building standards, packaging, recycling, growing our charitable Foundations and doing the hard work with our suppliers and franchisees to improve the environmental footprint we have in the world."

Consolidated Financial Highlights

The year-over-year increase in Total Revenues on an as reported and on an organic basis was primarily driven by an increase in system-wide sales in all of our brands. System-wide sales were more severely impacted by COVID-19 (defined below) during the three months ended September 30, 2020 than in the same period in 2021. Favorable FX movements also contributed to the year-over-year increase in Total Revenues on an as reported basis.

The increase in Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders and Noncontrolling Interests for the third quarter was primarily driven by increases in segment income in our BK and TH segments and a favorable change in the results from other operating expenses (income), net.

The year-over-year increase in Adjusted EBITDA on an as reported and on an organic basis was primarily driven by increases in Tim Hortons and Burger King Adjusted EBITDA.

The year-over-year increase in Adjusted Net Income was primarily driven by the increase in Adjusted EBITDA in our TH and BK brands, partially offset by an increase in adjusted income tax expense.  Refer to "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" footnote four and six for further details on income tax expense.

COVID-19

The global crisis resulting from the spread of coronavirus ("COVID-19") impacted our global restaurant operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020.

While the impact of COVID-19 on system-wide sales growth, system-wide sales, comparable sales and net restaurant growth was significant for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 , in the 2021 periods these metrics were affected to a lesser extent, with variations among brands and regions. During 2020 and the nine months ended September 30, 2021 , substantially all TH, BK and PLK restaurants remained open in the U.S. and Canada , some with limited operations, such as drive-thru, takeout and delivery (where applicable), reduced, if any, dine-in capacity, and/or restrictions on hours of operation. During the three months ended September 30, 2021 , on average 97% of our restaurants were open worldwide, including approximately 98% of our restaurants in the U.S. and Canada and approximately 96% of our restaurants in the rest of the world. By contrast, during the three months ended September 30, 2020 , on average 94% of our restaurants were open worldwide, including approximately 97% of our restaurants in the U.S. and Canada and approximately 91% of our restaurants in the rest of the world. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020 , a number of markets required temporary complete closures while implementing lockdown orders. While many regions have since eased restrictions, certain markets continue to be impacted and re-imposed restrictions in the nine months ended September 30, 2021 . We expect local conditions to continue to dictate limitations on restaurant operations, capacity, and hours of operation.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 , COVID-19 contributed to labor challenges, which in some regions resulted in reduced operating hours and service modes at select restaurants as well as supply chain pressures.

With the pandemic affecting consumer behavior, the importance of digital sales, including delivery, has grown. We expect to continue to support enhancements of our digital and marketing capabilities. While we do not know the full future impact COVID-19 will have on our business, we expect to see a continued impact from COVID-19 on our results in 2021.

Reclassification of Advertising Revenues and Expenses

Certain prior year amounts in the statement of operations and accompanying segment results have been reclassified in order to be comparable with the current year classifications. These consist of the quarter and year to date September 30, 2020 reclassification of advertising fund contributions from Franchise and property revenues to Advertising revenues and advertising fund expenses from Selling, general and administrative expenses to Advertising expenses, with General and administrative expenses now presented separately. Depreciation and amortization expenses related to the advertising funds have also been reclassified from Franchise and property expenses to Advertising expenses. These reclassifications did not arise as a result of any changes to accounting policies and relate entirely to presentation with no effect on previously reported net income.

TH Segment Results  

For the third quarter of 2021, the increase in system-wide sales was primarily driven by comparable sales of 8.9%, including Canada comparable sales of 9.5%, as well as a decrease in the impact of temporary closures of certain restaurants related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and net restaurant growth of 4.1%.

The year-over-year increase in Total Revenues on an as reported and on an organic basis was primarily driven by an increase in system-wide sales. This increase in Total Revenues was also driven by favorable FX movements on an as reported basis.

The year-over-year increase in Adjusted EBITDA on an as reported and on an organic basis was primarily driven by an increase in system-wide sales, partially offset by advertising fund expenses exceeding advertising revenues in the current year compared to advertising revenues exceeding advertising fund expenses in the prior year and an increase in Segment G&A. This increase in Adjusted EBITDA was also driven by favorable FX movements on an as reported basis. 

BK Segment Results

For the third quarter of 2021, the increase in system-wide sales was driven by comparable sales of 7.9%, including rest of the world comparable sales of 16.2% and a decrease in US comparable sales of (1.6)%, as well as a decrease in the impact of temporary closures of certain restaurants related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and net restaurant growth of 1.3%.

The year-over-year change in Total Revenues on an as reported and on an organic basis was primarily driven by the increase in system-wide sales. This increase in Total Revenues was also driven by favorable FX movements on an as reported basis.

The year-over-year change in Adjusted EBITDA on an as reported and on an organic basis was primarily driven by the increase in system-wide sales and bad debt recoveries in the current year compared to bad debt expense in the prior year, partially offset by an increase in Segment G&A. This increase in Adjusted EBITDA was also driven by favorable FX movements on an as reported basis.

PLK Segment Results

For the third quarter of 2021, the increase in system-wide sales growth was driven by net restaurant growth of 5.5% and, to a lesser extent, a decrease in the impact of temporary closures of certain restaurants related to the COVID-19 pandemic, partially offset by a decrease in comparable sales of (2.4)%, including a decrease in US comparable sales of (4.5)%.

Total Revenues and Adjusted EBITDA on an as reported and on an organic basis were consistent year-over-year.

Cash and Liquidity

As of September 30, 2021, total debt was $13.0 billion , net debt (total debt less cash and cash equivalents of $1.8 billion ) was $11.2 billion , and net leverage was 5.2x. During the third quarter we issued $800 million of 3.875% First Lien Notes due 2028 and redeemed $775 million of our 4.25% First Lien Notes due 2024.  During the third quarter we also repurchased 2.8 million RBI common shares for $182 million under our $1 billion share repurchase program and as of September 30, 2021 had $818 million remaining under the authorization.

The RBI Board of Directors has declared a dividend of $0.53 per common share and partnership exchangeable unit of Restaurant Brands International Limited Partnership for the third quarter of 2021. The dividend will be payable on January 5, 2022 to shareholders and unitholders of record at the close of business on December 21, 2021.

Investor Conference Call  

We will host an investor conference call and webcast at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on Monday , October 25, 2021, to review financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2021. The earnings call will be broadcast live via our investor relations website at http://investor.rbi.com and a replay will be available for 30 days following the release. The dial-in number is (877) 317-6711 for U.S. callers, (866) 450-4696 for Canadian callers, and (412) 317-5475 for callers from other countries. 

Contacts

Investors: investor@rbi.com
Media: media@rbi.com

About Restaurant Brands International Inc.

Restaurant Brands International Inc. is one of the world's largest quick service restaurant companies with approximately $34 billion in annual system-wide sales and over 27,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries. RBI owns three of the world's most prominent and iconic quick service restaurant brands - TIM HORTONS®, BURGER KING®, and POPEYES®. These independently operated brands have been serving their respective guests, franchisees and communities for over 45 years.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements and information, which reflect management's current beliefs and expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date hereof. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include statements about our expectations regarding the effects and continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our results of operations, business, liquidity, prospects and restaurant operations and those of our franchisees, including local conditions and government-imposed limitations and restrictions, and our ability to continue to navigate the impact of the pandemic, our long-term growth goals, outlook and prospects, our investments in digital and marketing initiatives, our ability to continue to return capital to our shareholders through dividends and share repurchases, our ability to grow throughout 2021 at pre-pandemic levels and accelerate growth into 2022 and the impact of our year-to-date growth and development pipeline on that future growth, our ability to achieve our long-term restaurant growth goals, and our goals with respect to reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from RBI's expectations are detailed in filings of RBI with the Securities and Exchange Commission and applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities, such as its annual and quarterly reports and current reports on Form 8-K, and include the following: risks related to unforeseen events such as pandemics; risks related to supply chain; risks related to ownership and leasing of properties; risks related to our franchisees financial stability and their ability to access and maintain the liquidity necessary to operate their business; risks related to RBI's ability to successfully implement its domestic and international growth strategy and risks related to its international operations; risks related to RBI's ability to compete domestically and internationally in an intensely competitive industry; risks related to technology; and changes in applicable tax and other laws and regulations or interpretations thereof. Other than as required under U.S. federal securities laws or Canadian securities laws, we do not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or circumstances, change in expectations or otherwise.

RESTAURANT BRANDS INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In millions of U.S. dollars, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

RESTAURANT BRANDS INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In millions of U.S. dollars, except share data)
(Unaudited)

RESTAURANT BRANDS INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In millions of U.S. dollars)
(Unaudited)

RESTAURANT BRANDS INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Key Operating Metrics

We evaluate our restaurants and assess our business based on the following operating metrics.

System-wide sales growth refers to the percentage change in sales at all franchise restaurants and Company restaurants (referred to as system-wide sales) in one period from the same period in the prior year. Comparable sales refers to the percentage change in restaurant sales in one period from the same prior year period for restaurants that have been open for 13 months or longer for TH and BK and 17 months or longer for PLK. Additionally, if a restaurant is closed for a significant portion of a month, the restaurant is excluded from the monthly comparable sales calculation. System-wide sales growth and comparable sales are measured on a constant currency basis, which means that results exclude the effect of foreign currency translation ("FX Impact") and are calculated by translating prior year results at current year monthly average exchange rates. We analyze key operating metrics on a constant currency basis as this helps identify underlying business trends, without distortion from the effects of currency movements.

System-wide sales represent sales at all franchise restaurants and company-owned restaurants. We do not record franchise sales as revenues; however, our royalty revenues and advertising fund contributions are calculated based on a percentage of franchise sales.

Net restaurant growth refers to the net increase in restaurant count (openings, net of permanent closures) over a trailing twelve month period, divided by the restaurant count at the beginning of the trailing twelve month period.

RESTAURANT BRANDS INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Supplemental Disclosure
(Unaudited)

General and Administrative Expenses

Other Operating Expenses (Income), net

RESTAURANT BRANDS INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(Unaudited)

Below, we define the non-GAAP financial measures, provide a reconciliation of each non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"), and discuss the reasons why we believe this information is useful to management and may be useful to investors. These measures do not have standardized meanings under GAAP and may differ from similarly captioned measures of other companies in our industry.

Non-GAAP Measures

To supplement our condensed consolidated financial statements presented on a GAAP basis, RBI reports the following non-GAAP financial measures: EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, LTM Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share ("Adjusted Diluted EPS"), Organic revenue growth, Organic Adjusted EBITDA growth, Free Cash Flow, LTM Free Cash Flow and Net Leverage. We believe that these non-GAAP measures are useful to investors in assessing our operating performance or liquidity, as it provides them with the same tools that management uses to evaluate our performance or liquidity and is responsive to questions we receive from both investors and analysts. By disclosing these non-GAAP measures, we intend to provide investors with a consistent comparison of our operating results and trends for the periods presented.

EBITDA is defined as earnings (net income or loss) before interest expense, net, (gain) loss on early extinguishment of debt, income tax (benefit) expense, and depreciation and amortization and is used by management to measure operating performance of the business. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA excluding (i) the non-cash impact of share-based compensation and non-cash incentive compensation expense, (ii) (income) loss from equity method investments, net of cash distributions received from equity method investments, (iii) other operating expenses (income), net, and (iv) income or expense from non-recurring projects and non-operating activities. For the periods referenced, this included costs from professional advisory and consulting services associated with certain transformational corporate restructuring initiatives that rationalize our structure and optimize cash movements, including services related to significant tax reform legislation, regulations and related restructuring initiatives. Management believes that these types of expenses are either not related to our underlying profitability drivers or not likely to re-occur in the foreseeable future and the varied timing, size and nature of these projects may cause volatility in our results unrelated to the performance of our core business that does not reflect trends of our core operations. Adjusted EBITDA is used by management to measure operating performance of the business, excluding these non-cash and other specifically identified items that management believes are not relevant to management's assessment of our operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA, as defined above, also represents our measure of segment income for each of our three operating segments.

LTM Adjusted EBITDA is defined as Adjusted EBITDA for the last twelve month period to the date reported. LTM Adjusted EBITDA as of September 30, 2021 is the sum of the Adjusted EBITDA for the quarters ended September 30, 2021 , June 30, 2021 , March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, while LTM Adjusted EBITDA as of September 30, 2020 is the sum of the Adjusted EBITDA for the quarters ended September 30, 2020 , June 30, 2020 , March 31, 2020 and December 31 , 2019. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA for each of those quarters was included in our press release attached as Exhibit 99 to our Form 8-Ks filed with the SEC on July 30, 2021 , April 30, 2021 and February 11, 2021 .

Adjusted Net Income is defined as net income excluding (i) franchise agreement amortization as a result of acquisition accounting, (ii) amortization of deferred financing costs and debt issuance discount, (iii) loss on early extinguishment of debt and interest expense, which represents non-cash interest expense related to losses reclassified from accumulated comprehensive income (loss) into interest expense in connection with interest rate swaps de-designated in May 2015 , November 2019 and September 2021 , (iv) (income) loss from equity method investments, net of cash distributions received from equity method investments, (v) other operating expenses (income), net, and (vi) income or expense from non-recurring projects and non-operating activities (as described above). 

Adjusted Diluted EPS is calculated by dividing Adjusted Net Income by the weighted average diluted shares outstanding of RBI during the reporting period. Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS are used by management to evaluate the operating performance of the business, excluding certain non-cash and other specifically identified items that management believes are not relevant to management's assessment of operating performance or the performance of an acquired business.

Net Leverage is defined as net debt (total debt less cash and cash equivalents) divided by LTM Adjusted EBITDA. Net Leverage is a performance measure that we believe provides investors a more complete understanding of our leverage position and borrowing capacity after factoring in cash and cash equivalents that eventually could be used to repay outstanding debt.

Revenue growth and Adjusted EBITDA growth, on an organic basis, are non-GAAP measures that exclude the impact of FX movements. Management believes that organic growth is an important metric for measuring the operating performance of our business as it helps identify underlying business trends, without distortion from the effects of FX movements. We calculate the impact of FX movements by translating prior year results at current year monthly average exchange rates.

Free Cash Flow is the total of Net cash provided by operating activities minus Payments for property and equipment. Free Cash Flow is a liquidity measure used by management as one factor in determining the amount of cash that is available for working capital needs or other uses of cash, however, it does not represent residual cash flows available for discretionary expenditures. LTM Free Cash Flow is defined as Free Cash Flow for the last twelve month period to the date reported.

RESTAURANT BRANDS INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Organic Growth in Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA
Three Months Ended September 30, 2021
(Unaudited)

Note: Percentage changes may not recalculate due to rounding. 

RESTAURANT BRANDS INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income
(Unaudited)

RESTAURANT BRANDS INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS
(Unaudited)

RESTAURANT BRANDS INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Net Leverage and Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow
(Unaudited)