Papa John’s Announces First Quarter Results

Papa John’s International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA):

“Even in the face of an extremely challenging competitive environment, our system posted positive transaction growth for the fourth consecutive quarter. We continue to reinforce and execute against our quality brand positioning, which has stood the test of time as a sustainable and winning long-term strategy.”

Highlights

• First quarter earnings per diluted share, excluding the impact of consolidating the results of the BIBP cheese purchasing entity, of $0.54 in 2010 vs. $0.43 in 2009
• First quarter earnings per diluted share of $0.62 in 2010 vs. $0.64 in 2009
• Domestic system-wide comparable sales decreased 0.4%
• International franchise system sales increased 17% for the quarter (9% excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rates)
• 22 worldwide net unit openings during the quarter
• Earnings guidance for 2010 updated to a range of $1.72 to $1.87 per diluted share, excluding BIBP

Papa John’s International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA) today announced revenues of $285.8 million for the first quarter of 2010, compared to revenues of $280.9 million in 2009. Net income for the first quarter of 2010 was $16.9 million, or $0.62 per diluted share (including after-tax income of $2.2 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, from the consolidation of the results of the franchisee-owned cheese purchasing company, BIBP Commodities, Inc. (“BIBP”), a variable interest entity), compared to 2009 first quarter net income of $17.8 million, or $0.64 per diluted share (including after-tax income of $5.9 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, from the consolidation of BIBP).

“We are pleased with our first quarter results,” said Papa John’s founder, chairman and chief executive officer, John Schnatter. “Even in the face of an extremely challenging competitive environment, our system posted positive transaction growth for the fourth consecutive quarter. We continue to reinforce and execute against our quality brand positioning, which has stood the test of time as a sustainable and winning long-term strategy.”

Revenues Comparison

Consolidated revenues were $285.8 million for the first quarter of 2010, an increase of $4.9 million, or 1.7%, over the corresponding 2009 period. The increase in revenues for the first quarter of 2010 was primarily due to the following:

• Domestic company-owned restaurant sales decreased $2.1 million, or 1.6%, reflecting a decrease of 1.8% in comparable sales during the first quarter of 2010. An increase in customer traffic during the first quarter of 2010 was more than offset by a decrease in the average ticket spend as we increased discounting in response to the competitive environment.
• Franchise royalties revenue increased $2.4 million primarily due to an increase in the royalty rate (the standard royalty rate for the majority of domestic franchise restaurants was 4.25% in the first quarter of 2009 and 4.75% in the first quarter of 2010 as provided for in the franchise agreement).
• Domestic commissary sales increased $3.1 million due to an increase in the volume of sales, partially offset by a decline in the prices of certain commodities, primarily wheat and certain meats.
• International revenues increased $1.9 million reflecting increases in both the number and average unit volumes of our company-owned and franchised restaurants and the benefit from foreign currency fluctuation.

Operating Results and Cash Flow

Operating Results

Our pre-tax income, net of noncontrolling interests, for the first quarter of 2010 was $25.8 million, compared to $28.1 million for the corresponding period in 2009. Excluding the impact of BIBP, as shown in the previous table, first quarter 2010 pre-tax income, net of noncontrolling interests, was $22.3 million, an increase of $3.2 million or 16.9%, from the 2009 comparable results of $19.1 million. An analysis of the changes in pre-tax income, net of noncontrolling interests, for the first quarter (excluding the consolidation of BIBP), is summarized as follows (analyzed on a segment basis -- see the Summary Financial Data table that follows for the reconciliation of segment income to consolidated income below):

• Domestic Company-owned Restaurant Segment. Domestic company-owned restaurants’ operating income was $11.4 million for the first quarter of 2010 as compared to $10.4 million in the comparable 2009 period. The increase of $1.0 million in the first quarter of 2010 was primarily due to lower commodity costs and the benefits from increased customer traffic as well as labor efficiencies from recently implemented initiatives. These benefits were partially offset by a lower average ticket price. In addition, the first quarter of 2009 results included approximately $500,000 of cost associated with the closure of four restaurants.

• Domestic Commissary Segment. Domestic commissaries’ operating income decreased approximately $2.2 million for first quarter. The decline in operating income for the first quarter of 2010, as compared to the corresponding 2009 period, was primarily due to a lower gross margin as we reduced the prices charged to restaurants for certain products and absorbed commodity cost increases for certain vegetable products resulting from harsh Florida winter weather. We also experienced an increase in delivery costs from increased volumes and higher fuel prices.

• Domestic Franchising Segment. Domestic franchising operating income increased approximately $2.2 million to $15.9 million for the first quarter 2010, as compared to the corresponding 2009 period. The increase for the first quarter was due to an increase in franchise royalties (the standard rate was 4.25% in the first quarter of 2009 versus 4.75% in the first quarter of 2010). The impact of the royalty rate increase was partially offset by the impact of development incentive programs offered by the company in 2009 and 2010. During the first quarter of 2010, unit opening fees collected were approximately $180,000 less than the prior year quarter even though we had 17 additional domestic unit openings, and we incurred incentive payment costs of $140,000 in 2010 (such costs were minimal in the first quarter of 2009).
• International Segment. The operating loss during the first quarter of 2010 for the international segment was $1.1 million as compared to $777,000 in the first quarter of 2009. The decline in the operating results of approximately $300,000 was primarily due to increased personnel and franchise support costs, and start-up costs associated with our company-owned commissary in the UK that will open in the second quarter of 2010. The increase in costs was partially offset by increased revenues due to growth in number of units and unit volumes internationally.
• All Others Segment. Operating income for the “All others” reporting segment increased approximately $500,000 for the first quarter of 2010 as compared to the corresponding 2009 period. The improvement was primarily due to an improvement in the operating results of our print and promotions subsidiary as well as our eCommerce business unit.
• Unallocated Corporate Segment. Unallocated corporate expenses decreased approximately $2.2 million for the first quarter of 2010 as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The components of unallocated corporate expenses were as follows (in thousands):

The effective income tax rate was 33.3% for the first quarter of 2010, as compared to 35.4% for the first quarter of 2009 (32.8%, excluding BIBP, for the first quarter of 2010 and 35.7%, excluding BIBP, for the first quarter 2009). The effective rate may fluctuate from quarter to quarter as specific federal and state issues are settled or otherwise resolved, and we expect the rate to approximate 35% to 36% over time.

Cash Flow

Net cash provided by operating activities was $26.0 million for the first quarter of 2010 as compared to $32.0 million for 2009. The consolidation of BIBP increased cash flow from operations by approximately $3.5 million for the first quarter of 2010 and approximately $9.0 million in the first quarter of 2009. Excluding the impact of the consolidation of BIBP, cash flow from operations was $22.5 million in 2010, as compared to $22.9 million in the comparable period in 2009. The favorable impact of higher net income was more than offset by unfavorable working capital changes.

Our net debt position, defined as total debt less cash and cash equivalents, was $56.5 million at March 28, 2010, compared to $73.6 million at December 27, 2009.

Form 10-Q Filing

See the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section of our Annual Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for additional information concerning our operating results and cash flow for the three-month period ended March 28, 2010.

Domestic Comparable Sales and Unit Count

Domestic system-wide comparable sales for the first quarter of 2010 decreased 0.4% (comprised of a 1.8% decrease at company-owned restaurants and a 0.1% increase at franchised restaurants), as an increase in customer traffic was offset by a decline in the average ticket price. The comparable sales percentage represents the change in year-over-year sales for the same base of restaurants for the same calendar period.

During the first quarter of 2010, 35 domestic restaurants were opened (four company-owned and 31 franchised) and 31 domestic restaurants were closed (one company-owned and 30 franchised). Our total domestic development pipeline as of March 28, 2010 included approximately 250 restaurants, approximately two-thirds of which are scheduled to open over the next two years.

At March 28, 2010, there were 3,491 domestic and international Papa John’s restaurants (618 company-owned and 2,873 franchised) operating in all 50 states and in 29 countries. The company-owned restaurants include 127 restaurants operated in majority-owned domestic joint venture arrangements, the operating results of which are fully consolidated into the company’s results.

International Update

Highlights:

• During the first quarter of 2010, 29 franchised international restaurants were opened while 11 international franchised restaurants were closed.
• International franchise system sales increased approximately 17% to $67.7 million in the first quarter of 2010, from $58.1 million in the comparable period in 2009. Excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rates, the increase in the first quarter of 2010 was approximately 9%.

As of March 28, 2010, there were 706 Papa John’s restaurants operating internationally (27 company-owned and 679 franchised), of which 215 were located in Korea and China and 155 were located in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Our total international development pipeline as of March 28, 2010 included approximately 1,100 restaurants, the substantial majority of which are scheduled to open over the next seven years.

Share Repurchase Activity

The company repurchased 215,000 shares of its common stock at an average price of $24.46 per share, or a total of $5.3 million, during the first quarter of 2010. A total of 218,000 shares of common stock were issued upon the exercise of stock options for the first quarter of 2010. As of the end of the quarter, there was approximately $28.5 million of remaining authorization under the company’s share repurchase program.

The company utilizes a written trading plan under Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to facilitate the repurchase of shares of our common stock under this share repurchase program. There can be no assurance that we will repurchase shares of our common stock either through our Rule 10b5-1 trading plan or otherwise. We may terminate the Rule 10b5-1 trading plan at any time.

There were 27.2 million diluted weighted average shares outstanding for the first quarter of 2010, as compared to 27.7 million for the same period in 2009. Approximately 27.0 million actual shares of the company’s common stock were outstanding as of March 28, 2010.

The company’s share repurchase activity had no impact on earnings per diluted share for the first quarter of 2010.

2010 Earnings Guidance Updated; Comparable Sales Guidance Reaffirmed

The company is updating its previously issued guidance for 2010 earnings per diluted share of $1.70 to $1.90, excluding the impact of the consolidation of BIBP, to $1.72 to $1.87 per diluted share. We updated the guidance based on both solid first quarter results and on the continued aggressive pricing and promotional environment in the pizza category, which we expect will result in continued restaurant margin pressures. We also expect increased marketing expenditures throughout the remainder of the year; the domestic system has approved an increase in the National Marketing Fund contribution rate to 3.2% for the third and fourth quarters, supported by an incremental contribution by the company. We continue to project domestic system-wide comparable sales of a range of negative 1% to positive 1% for 2010.