Adjusted EBITDA
The decrease in adjusted EBITDA resulted primarily from the Companys incremental investment in breakfast advertising and a decrease in
U.S. Company-operated restaurant margin. These were partially offset by higher franchise royalty revenue and lower general and administrative expense.
Adjusted Earnings Per Share
The decrease
in adjusted earnings per share was driven by a decrease in adjusted EBITDA, an increase in depreciation and higher cloud computing amortization costs. These were partially offset by fewer shares outstanding as a result of the Companys share
repurchase program and lapping a decrease in investment income in the prior year.
Year to Date Free Cash Flow
The decrease in free cash flow resulted primarily from the Companys incremental investment in breakfast advertising and an increase in
capital expenditures. These were partially offset by a decrease in cash paid for cloud computing costs.
Company Declares Quarterly Dividend
The Company announced today the declaration of its regular quarterly cash dividend of 25 cents per share. The dividend is payable on September 17, 2024,
to shareholders of record as of September 3, 2024. The number of common shares outstanding as of July 25, 2024 was approximately 203.2 million.
Share Repurchases
The Company repurchased
1.6 million shares for $27.3 million in the second quarter of 2024. In the third quarter of 2024, the Company has repurchased 0.9 million shares for $15.6 million through July 25. As of July 25, approximately
$260.0 million remains available under the Companys existing share repurchase authorization that expires in February 2027.
2024 Outlook
This release includes forward-looking projections for certain non-GAAP financial measures, including
systemwide sales, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted earnings per share and free cash flow. The Company excludes certain expenses and benefits from adjusted EBITDA, adjusted earnings per share and free cash flow, such as the impact from our advertising
funds, including the net change in the restricted operating assets and liabilities and any excess or deficit of advertising fund revenues over advertising fund expenses, impairment of long-lived assets, reorganization and realignment costs, system
optimization gains, net, amortization of cloud computing arrangements, gain on early extinguishment of debt, net, and the timing and resolution of certain tax matters. Due to the uncertainty and variability of the nature and amount of those expenses
and benefits, the Company is unable without unreasonable effort to provide projections of net income, earnings per share or net cash provided by operating activities, or a reconciliation of those projected measures.
During 2024 the Company Now Expects:
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Global systemwide sales growth: 3 to 5 percent |
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Cash flows from operations: $365 to $385 million |
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Free cash flow: $275 to $285 million |
In Addition, the Company Continues to Expect:
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Adjusted EBITDA: $535 to $545 million |
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Adjusted earnings per share: $0.98 to $1.02 |
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Capital expenditures: $90 to $100 million |
Conference Call and Webcast Scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Today, August 1
The Company will host a conference call on Thursday, August 1 at 8:30 a.m. ET, with a simultaneous webcast from the Companys Investor Relations
website at www.irwendys.com. The related presentation materials will also be available on the Companys Investor Relations website. The live conference call will be available by telephone at (844)
200-6205 for domestic callers and (929) 526-1599 for international callers, both using event ID 202635. An archived webcast and presentation materials will be available
on the Companys Investor Relations website.
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