Sonic Reports Improved Sales Performance for the Fourth Fiscal Quarter of 2018

Sonic Corp. (NASDAQ: SONC), the nation’s largest chain of drive-in restaurants, today announced results for its fourth fiscal quarter ended August 31, 2018.

Key highlights of the company’s fourth quarter of fiscal year 2018 included:

Net income per diluted share increased 2% to $0.51 versus $0.50 in the prior-year period; adjusted net income per diluted share increased 16% to $0.52 versus $0.45 in the prior-year period;
System same-store sales rose 2.6%, consisting of a 2.6% same-store sales increase at franchise drive-ins and a 2.5% increase at company drive-ins;
Company drive-in margins declined by 80 basis points as compared to the year-ago period;
23 system drive-ins opened; and
The company repurchased approximately 890,000 outstanding shares.

Key highlights of the company’s fiscal year 2018 included:

Net income per diluted share increased 29% to $1.87 versus $1.45 in the prior-year; adjusted net income per diluted share increased 19% to $1.49 versus $1.25 in the prior-year;
System same-store sales declined 0.3%, consisting of a 0.3% same-store sales decrease at franchise drive-ins and a 0.8% decrease at company drive-ins;
Company drive-in margins were flat compared to the prior year;
41 system drive-ins opened; and
The company repurchased 5.2 million outstanding shares.

“I am proud of the progress we made over the course of fiscal 2018, culminating in solid same-store sales performance in the fiscal fourth quarter. I thank our operators for their sustained efforts to offer the most personalized experience in the quick service restaurant industry and their confidence in underwriting a strong future for the brand through investments in drive-ins, people and technology, as well as their dedication to their employees and communities,” said Cliff Hudson, Sonic Corp. CEO. “Over the past year, our team implemented initiatives to enhance our marketing reach, refresh our advertising, introduce exciting new product news and complete the rollout of mobile Order Ahead to the entire system. The future is bright for the Sonic brand.”

During fiscal year 2018, the company repurchased 5.2 million shares of its common stock for $139.2 million, representing 12% of shares outstanding, and made aggregate dividend payments of $24 million. The company ended the fiscal year with a 4.7x net-debt-to-EBITDA leverage ratio based on $144.8 million of EBITDA for the fiscal year.

Financial Overview

For the fourth fiscal quarter of 2018, the company’s net income totaled $18.6 million or $0.51 per diluted share compared to net income of $20.8 million or $0.50 per diluted share in the same period of the prior year. Excluding the items outlined below, net income was flat and net income per diluted share increased 16% to $0.52. The lower tax rate resulting from federal tax reform benefitted adjusted earnings per share by approximately $0.05. Excluding the total impact of federal tax reform, adjusted net income per diluted share improved 4% to $0.47 in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2018.

The following analysis of non-GAAP adjustments is intended to supplement the presentation of the company’s financial results in accordance with GAAP. The company believes the presentation of this analysis provides useful information to investors and management regarding the underlying business trends and the performance of the company’s ongoing operations and is helpful for period-to-period and company-to-company comparisons, which management believes will assist investors in analyzing the financial results of the company and predicting future performance.

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

Three months ended Three months ended August 31, 2018 August 31, 2017 Net Diluted Net Diluted Net Income Diluted EPS Income EPS Income EPS $ Change % Change $ Change % Change Reported – GAAP $ 18,592 $ 0.51 $ 20,831 $ 0.50 $ (2,239 ) (11 )% $ 0.01 2 % Payment card breach expense (1) 468 0.01 — — Tax impact on payment card breach expense (2) (137 ) 0.00 — — Net gain on refranchising transactions (3) — — (113 ) 0.00 Tax impact on refranchising transactions (5) — — 41 0.00 Restructuring charges (4) — — 1,819 0.04 Tax impact of restructuring charges (5) — — (672 ) (0.02 ) Gain on sale of real estate — — (4,702 ) (0.11 ) Tax impact on real estate sale (5) — — 1,738 0.04 Adjusted - Non-GAAP $ 18,923 $ 0.52 $ 18,942 $ 0.45 $ (19 ) — % $ 0.07 16 %

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(1) Costs include legal fees. (2) Tax impact during the period at a consolidated blended statutory tax rate of 29.3%. (3) Includes amortization of the deferred gain recorded for a refranchising transaction that occurred in the second fiscal quarter of 2017. (4) During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2017 the company incurred severance costs related to the elimination of certain corporate positions. (5) Tax impact during the period at an adjusted effective tax rate of 37.0%.

For fiscal year 2018, the company’s net income totaled $71.2 million or $1.87 per diluted share compared to net income of $63.7 million or $1.45 per diluted share for the prior year. Excluding the items outlined below, net income increased 3% and net income per diluted share increased 19% to $1.49. The lower tax rate resulting from federal tax reform benefitted adjusted earnings per share by approximately $0.15. Excluding the total impact of federal tax reform, adjusted net income per diluted share improved 7% to $1.34 in fiscal year 2018.

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

Fiscal year ended Fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 August 31, 2017 Net Diluted Net Diluted Net Income Diluted EPS Income EPS Income EPS $ Change % Change $ Change % Change Reported – GAAP $ 71,205 $ 1.87 $ 63,663 $ 1.45 $ 7,542 12 % $ 0.42 29 % Payment card breach expense (1) 1,676 0.04 — — Tax impact on payment card breach expense (2) (548 ) (0.01 ) — — Loss from debt transaction (3) 1,310 0.03 — — Tax impact on debt transaction (4) (384 ) (0.01 ) — — Discrete impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (14,120 ) (0.37 ) — — Net gain on refranchising transactions (5) (3,153 ) (0.08 ) (6,758 ) (0.15 ) Tax impact on refranchising transactions (6) 924 0.02 2,542 0.06 Gain on sale of investment in refranchised drive-in operations (7) — — (3,795 ) (0.09 ) Tax impact on sale of investment in refranchised drive-in operations (8) — — 1,350 0.03 Restructuring charges (9) — — 1,819 0.04 Tax impact of restructuring charges (10) — — (672 ) (0.02 ) Gain on sale of real estate — — (4,702 ) (0.11 ) Tax impact on real estate sale (10) — — 1,738 0.04 Adjusted - Non-GAAP $ 56,910 $ 1.49 $ 55,185 $ 1.25 $ 1,725 3 % $ 0.24 19 %

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(1) Costs include legal fees, investigative fees and costs related to customer response. (2) Combined tax impact at consolidated blended statutory tax rates of 38.2% during the first quarter of fiscal year 2018 and 29.3% during the second, third and fourth quarters of fiscal year 2018. (3) Includes a $0.7 million write-off of unamortized deferred loan fees related to the reduction of the company's variable funding note commitments, as well as a $0.4 million write-off of unamortized deferred loan fees related to the prepayment on the company's 2013 and 2016 fixed rate notes. Additionally, as required by the terms of the 2016 fixed rate notes, we paid a $0.2 million prepayment premium. (4) Tax impact during the period at a consolidated blended statutory tax rate of 29.3%. (5)

During the third quarter of fiscal year 2018, we completed transactions to refranchise the operations of 41 company drive-ins. During the first and second quarters of fiscal year 2017, we completed transactions to refranchise the operations of 110 company drive-ins. In one of the transactions, a portion of the proceeds was applied as the initial payment for an option to purchase the real estate within the next 24 months. The franchisee initiated exercise of a portion of the option during the third quarter of fiscal year 2017. Until the option was fully exercised, the franchisee made monthly lease payments which were included in other operating income, net of sub-lease expense. In another transaction, we recorded a deferred gain as a result of a real estate purchase option extended to the franchisee. The deferred gain is being amortized into income through January 2020 when the option becomes exercisable. During the third quarter of fiscal year 2017, we also made adjustments to the retained minority investment related to the refranchising transactions that occurred in the first six months of the fiscal year.

(6) Tax impact at a consolidated blended statutory tax rate of 29.3% during fiscal year 2018; a combined tax impact at an effective tax rate of 35.6% during the first quarter of fiscal year 2017 and at adjusted effective tax rates of 36.0%, 48.7% and 37.0% during the second, third and fourth quarters of fiscal year 2017, respectively. (7) We recorded a gain related to minority investments in franchise operations retained as part of a refranchising transaction that occurred in fiscal year 2009. (8) Tax impact during the period at an adjusted effective tax rate of 35.6%. (9) During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2017 the company incurred severance costs related to the elimination of certain corporate positions. (10) Tax impact during the period at an adjusted effective tax rate of 37.0%.

Agreement to be Acquired by Inspire Brands

On September 25, 2018, Sonic and Inspire Brands, Inc. (“Inspire”) announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Inspire will acquire Sonic for $43.50 per share in cash in a transaction valued at approximately $2.3 billion including the assumption of Sonic’s debt.

Inspire is a multi-brand restaurant company whose portfolio includes more than 4,700 Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Rusty Taco locations worldwide. Following the completion of the transaction, Sonic will be a privately held subsidiary of Inspire and will continue to be operated as an independent brand.

In light of the pending transaction with Inspire, Sonic will not host a conference call to discuss its fourth fiscal quarter earnings results.

About Sonic

SONIC, America's Drive-In is the nation's largest drive-in restaurant chain serving approximately 3 million customers every day. Ninety-five percent of SONIC's approximately 3,600 drive-in locations are owned and operated by local business men and women. For 65 years, SONIC has delighted guests with signature menu items, 1.3 million drink combinations and friendly service by iconic Carhops. Since the 2009 launch of SONIC's Limeades for Learning philanthropic campaign in partnership with DonorsChoose.org, SONIC has donated $10.7 million to public school teachers nationwide to fund essential learning materials and innovative teaching resources to inspire creativity and learning in their students. To learn more about Sonic Corp. (NASDAQ/NM: SONC), please visit sonicdrivein.com and please visit or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. To learn about SONIC's Limeades for Learning initiative, please visit LimeadesforLearning.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements reflect management’s expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date hereof. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or underlying, these forward-looking statements are detailed in the company’s annual and quarterly report filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly release revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unforeseen events, except as required to be reported under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The tables that follow provide information regarding the number of company drive-ins, franchise drive-ins and system drive-ins in operation as of the end of the periods indicated. In addition, these tables provide information regarding franchise sales, system growth in sales, and both franchise and system average drive-in sales and change in same-store sales. System information includes both company and franchise drive-in information, which we believe is useful in analyzing the growth of our brand. While we do not record franchise drive-in sales as revenues, we believe this information is important in understanding our financial performance since we calculate and record franchise royalties based on a percentage of franchise sales. This information also is indicative of the financial health of our franchisees.

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SONIC CORP. UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (In thousands, except per share amounts)

Three months endedAugust 31,