Company announces all Company-owned indoor dining rooms open with varying levels of capacity, 10.0% comparable revenue growth, improved first quarter trends

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (NASDAQ: RRGB) ("Red Robin" or the "Company"), a full-service restaurant chain serving an innovative selection of high-quality gourmet burgers in a family-friendly atmosphere, today reported financial results for the quarter ended April 18, 2021.

Key Highlights

• As of the end of our fiscal fifth period, all Company-owned restaurants have re-opened indoor dining rooms with varying levels of capacity;
• Restaurant revenue of $318.7 million and Restaurant Level Operating Profit (a non-GAAP metric) of 15.7%, an increase of 690 basis points over the same period in 2020;
• First quarter 2021 comparable⁽¹⁾ restaurant revenue increased 10.0% over the same period in 2020, and decreased 12.8% compared to the same period in 2019;
• At the end of the first quarter 2021, 55% of Company-owned restaurants had positive comparable⁽¹⁾ restaurant revenue compared to 2019;
• First quarter 2021 off-premises sales increased 75.5% compared to the period ended April 19, 2020, and comprised 41.7%, 26.3%, and 11.6% of total food and beverage sales for the first fiscal quarter of 2021, 2020, and 2019; and,
• For the last four weeks of the fiscal first quarter of 2021, 85 comparable⁽¹⁾ Company-owned restaurants with no capacity or social distancing restrictions realized comparable restaurant revenue of 5.2% over the same period in 2019, while maintaining off-premises mix of 29.9%, more than double pre-pandemic levels. These restaurants also realized comparable⁽¹⁾ restaurant margin of 21.1%, an increase of 1.5% over the same period in 2019. While these restaurants are able to operate with no restrictions, several are still operating below 100% capacity due to limited operating hours due to staffing challenges and COVID exclusions.

Paul J. B. Murphy III, Red Robin’s President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are very excited to share the progress we have made towards recovery. Our initiatives to enhance the Red Robin Guest experience and enterprise business model since the onset of the pandemic, coupled with decreasing COVID cases and pent-up demand, have resulted in a meaningful improvement in our liquidity and enterprise margins. We are encouraged that by the end of our first fiscal quarter, more than half of our Company-owned restaurants had positive comparable restaurant revenue compared to 2019, despite pronounced capacity restrictions in our largest markets. For the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, all of our Company-owned restaurants are open for indoor dining at varying levels of capacity. As we welcome back our Guests, we are sustaining off-premises sales that are more than double pre-pandemic levels, even in comparable Company-owned restaurants we are able to operate at full indoor capacity."

Murphy continued, "We believe the foundation that we have put in place will drive Guest activation, deliver a great brand experience, continue to generate incremental off-premises sales, and leverage our strengthened business model, together creating long-term value for our shareholders."

First Quarter 2021 Financial Summary Compared to First Quarter 2020 and 2019

The following table presents financial highlights for the fiscal first quarter of 2021, compared to results from the same period in 2020 and 2019:

First Quarter 2021 Operating Results

Comparable restaurant revenue⁽¹⁾ increased 10.0% in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period a year ago, driven by a 4.4% increase in Guest count and a 5.6% increase in average Guest check. The increase in average Guest check resulted from a 3.7% increase in pricing, a 1.3% increase in menu mix, and a 0.6% increase from lower discounts. The increase in menu mix was primarily driven by higher sales of appetizers and Gourmet burgers, partially offset by lower beverage mix. Comparable restaurant revenue⁽¹⁾ decreased 12.8% in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period of fiscal year 2019.

The increase in restaurant-level operating profit was due to the following:

• Restaurant revenue increased by 5.7 %, driven by favorable Guest counts, pricing, and sales mix;
• Cost of goods sold decreased by 170 basis points, primarily driven by favorable commodity costs and rebates;
• Labor costs decreased by 430 basis points, primarily driven by a more efficient management labor structure, staffing shortages, and simplifying our menu resulting in reduced kitchen labor hours, partially offset by higher wage rates;
• Other operating expenses increased by 80 basis points, primarily driven by higher third party delivery commissions and supply costs, due to higher off-premises sales; and
• Occupancy costs decreased by 180 basis points, primarily driven by savings from permanently closed restaurants and restructuring of lease payments and rent concessions.

Schedule II of this earnings release defines restaurant-level operating profit, discusses why it is a useful metric for investors, and reconciles this metric to loss from operations and net loss, the most directly comparable GAAP metrics.

⁽¹⁾ Presented for improved comparability.

The decrease in general and administrative costs in 2021 was primarily driven by a decrease in travel and entertainment costs and a permanent reduction in force in 2020, partially offset by higher Team Member benefit costs.

⁽¹⁾ Presented for improved comparability.

The decrease in selling costs in 2021 was primarily driven by reduced marketing due to capacity limitations and a shift to an all-digital marketing strategy, which has enabled us to communicate with our Guests in a more compelling and cost effective way.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

The Company made net repayments of $6.4 million on its Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the "credit facility") during the first quarter of 2021. As of April 18, 2021, the Company had outstanding borrowings under its credit facility of $163.3 million, in addition to amounts issued under letters of credit of $8.6 million, and liquidity of approximately $107.0 million including cash on hand and available borrowing capacity under its credit facility.

Income Taxes

The Company will be able to carry back federal and state net operating losses that are expected to generate approximately $16 million in cash tax refunds during 2021.

Restaurant Portfolio

The following table details restaurant unit data for Company-owned and franchised locations for the periods indicated:

As of May 16, 2021, the Company had 440 total (comparable and non-comparable) restaurants. In addition to the permanent closures shown in the table above, the Company determined during the first quarter that it intends to permanently close 10 of 12 remaining Company-owned restaurants that were closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will re-open the remaining two restaurants in 2021.

Current Operational Trends

Selected operating metrics are presented below for the Company's 28 day accounting periods through the fifth period of fiscal year 2021:

We expect that the recovery of our restaurants in our largest markets on the West Coast, which have had capacity restrictions at 50% or less through May 16, 2021, will provide significant average comparable restaurant revenue benefits as we increase capacity in these dining rooms. As of the end of our fiscal first quarter, the majority of our restaurants in our West Coast market were open at limited indoor capacity. The restaurants in these states had average weekly net sales per restaurant as presented in the table below:

We also expect to see continued benefits from outdoor seating expansion, allowing us to capture incremental demand by offering a Red Robin occasion to Guests who would still prefer a more socially distanced full service dining option, or outdoor dining experiences during seasons with good weather.

Outlook for 2021 and Guidance Policy

The Company provides guidance as it relates to select information related to the Company's financial and operating performance, and such measures may differ from year to year. Due to the uncertainty caused by the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, limited guidance is being provided for fiscal year 2021.

The Company currently expects the following in 2021:

• We reiterate our expectation of full-year capital expenditures of $45 million to $55 million, including continued investment in maintaining our restaurants and infrastructure with maintenance and systems capital, Donatos® expansion to approximately 120 restaurants, including approximately 40 restaurants in our second fiscal quarter, and approximately 80 restaurants in the second half of the fiscal year, digital guest and operational technology solutions, and off-premises execution enhancements.
• We currently expect to realize a full-year 2021 effective tax rate between 1% and 5%.

Investor Conference Call and Webcast

Red Robin will host an investor conference call to discuss its first quarter 2021 results today at 5:00 p.m. ET. The conference call can be accessed live over the phone by dialing (412) 317-6026. A replay will be available from approximately two hours after the end of the call and can be accessed by dialing (412) 317-6671; the conference ID is 10155328. The replay will be available through Tuesday, June 1, 2021.

The call will be webcast live and later archived from the Company's website at www.redrobin.com under the investor relations section.

About Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (NASDAQ: RRGB)

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (www.redrobin.com), is a casual dining restaurant chain founded in 1969 that operates through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Red Robin International, Inc., and under the trade name, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews. We believe nothing brings people together like burgers and fun around our table, and no one makes moments of connection over craveable food more memorable than Red Robin. We serve a variety of burgers and mainstream favorites to Guests of all ages in a casual, playful atmosphere. In addition to our many burger offerings, Red Robin serves a wide array of salads, appetizers, entrees, desserts, signature beverages and Donatos® pizza at select locations. It's now easy to enjoy Red Robin anywhere with online ordering available for to-go, delivery and catering. There are more than 540 Red Robin restaurants across the United States and Canada, including those operating under franchise agreements. Red Robin… YUMMM®!

Forward-Looking Statements

Forward-looking statements in this press release regarding the Company's future performance, demand and business recovery, growth drivers, long-term value creation, revenue and comparable revenue growth, sales and profitability including sales trajectory, off-premises sales and incrementality, enterprise margin improvement, preliminary results including net comparable restaurant revenue and average weekly net sales per restaurant, tax rate and NOL cash tax refunds, capital expenditures including restaurant maintenance and infrastructure and rollout of Donatos® to additional locations and timing thereof, digital guest and operational technology solutions, and off-premises execution enhancements, commodity inflation, and all other statements that are not historical facts, are made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on assumptions believed by the Company to be reasonable and speak only as of the date on which such statements are made. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words such as "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "project," "could," "should," "will," or "estimate," or the negative or other variations thereof or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events or circumstances arising after such date and cautions investors not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the statements based on a number of factors, including but not limited to the following: the impact of COVID-19 on our results of operations, supply chain, and liquidity; the effectiveness of the Company's strategic initiatives, including alternative labor models, service, and operational improvement initiatives; our ability to staff, train, and retain our workforce for service execution; the effectiveness and timing of the Company's marketing strategies and promotions; menu changes and pricing strategy; the anticipated sales growth, costs, and timing of the Donatos® expansion; the implementation, rollout, and timing of new technology solutions; our ability to achieve revenue and cost savings from off-premises sales and other initiatives; competition in the casual dining market and discounting by competitors; changes in consumer spending trends and habits; changes in the cost and availability of key food products, distribution, labor, and energy; general economic conditions, including changes in consumer disposable income, weather conditions, and related events in regions where our restaurants are operated; the adequacy of cash flows and the cost and availability of capital or credit facility borrowings; the impact of federal, state, and local regulation of the Company's business; changes in federal, state, or local laws and regulations affecting the operation of our restaurants, including minimum wages, consumer health and safety, health insurance coverage, nutritional disclosures, and employment eligibility-related documentation requirements; costs and other effects of legal claims by Team Members, franchisees, customers, vendors, stockholders, and others, including negative publicity regarding food safety or cyber security; and other risk factors described from time to time in the Company’s Form 10-K, Form 10-Q, and Form 8-K reports (including all amendments to those reports) filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Schedule I

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Results to GAAP Results

(In thousands, except per share data, unaudited)

In addition to the results provided in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") throughout this press release, the Company has provided non-GAAP measurements which present the sixteen weeks ended April 18, 2021, April 19, 2020 and April 21, 2019⁽¹⁾ Net (loss) income and basic and diluted loss per share, excluding the effects of goodwill impairment, restaurant asset impairment, litigation contingencies, board and stockholder matters costs, restaurant closure and refranchising costs, severance costs, COVID-19 related costs, and related income tax effects. The Company believes the presentation of net loss and loss per share exclusive of the identified item gives the reader additional insight into the ongoing operational results of the Company. This supplemental information will assist with comparisons of past and future financial results against the present financial results presented herein. Income tax effect of reconciling items was calculated based on the change in the total tax provision calculation after adjusting for the identified item. The non-GAAP measurements are intended to supplement the presentation of the Company’s financial results in accordance with GAAP.

⁽¹⁾ Presented for improved comparability.

Schedule II

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Restaurant-Level Operating Profit to (Loss) Income

from Operations and Net (Loss) Income

(In thousands, unaudited)

The Company believes restaurant-level operating profit is an important measure for management and investors because it is widely regarded in the restaurant industry as a useful metric by which to evaluate restaurant-level operating efficiency and performance. The Company defines restaurant-level operating profit to be restaurant revenue minus restaurant-level operating costs, excluding restaurant impairment and closure costs. The measure includes restaurant-level occupancy costs that include fixed rents, percentage rents, common area maintenance charges, real estate and personal property taxes, general liability insurance, and other property costs, but excludes depreciation related to restaurant equipment, buildings, and leasehold improvements. The measure excludes depreciation and amortization expense, substantially all of which is related to restaurant-level assets, because such expenses represent historical sunk costs which do not reflect current cash outlay for the restaurants. The measure also excludes selling, general, and administrative costs, and therefore excludes costs associated with selling, general, and administrative functions, and pre-opening costs. The Company excludes restaurant closure costs as they do not represent a component of the efficiency of continuing operations. Restaurant impairment costs are excluded, because, similar to depreciation and amortization, they represent a non-cash charge for the Company’s investment in its restaurants and not a component of the efficiency of restaurant operations. Restaurant-level operating profit is not a measurement determined in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered in isolation, or as an alternative, to loss from operations or net loss as indicators of financial performance. Restaurant-level operating profit as presented may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies in the Company's industry. The table below sets forth certain unaudited information for the sixteen weeks ended April 18, 2021, April 19, 2020, and April 21, 2019⁽²⁾ expressed as a percentage of total revenues, except for the components of restaurant-level operating profit that are expressed as a percentage of restaurant revenue.

Schedule III

Reconciliation of Net (Loss) Income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

(In thousands, unaudited)

The Company defines EBITDA as net (loss) income before interest expense, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization. EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are presented because the Company believes investors’ understanding of its performance is enhanced by including these non-GAAP financial measures as a reasonable basis for evaluating its ongoing results of operations excluding the effects of goodwill impairment, restaurant asset impairment, litigation contingencies, board and stockholder matters costs, restaurant closure and refranchising costs, severance costs, and COVID-19 related costs. EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are supplemental measures of operating performance that do not represent and should not be considered as alternatives to net (loss) income or cash flow from operations, as determined by GAAP, and the Company's calculation thereof may not be comparable to that reported by other companies in its industry or otherwise. Adjusted EBITDA further adjusts EBITDA to reflect the additions and eliminations shown in the table below. The use of adjusted EBITDA as a performance measure permits a comparative assessment of our operating performance relative to the Company's performance based on its GAAP results, while isolating the effects of some items that vary from period to period without any correlation to core operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA as presented may not be comparable to other similarly-titled measures of other companies, and the Company's presentation of adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that its future results will be unaffected by excluded or unusual items. The Company has not provided a reconciliation of its adjusted EBITDA outlook to the most comparable GAAP measure of Net (loss) income. Providing Net (loss) income guidance is potentially misleading and not practical given the difficulty of projecting event-driven transactional and other non-core operating items that are included in Net (loss) income, including asset impairments and income tax valuation adjustments. The reconciliations of adjusted EBITDA to Net (loss) income for the historical periods presented below are indicative of the reconciliations that will be prepared upon completion of the periods covered by the non-GAAP guidance.

⁽¹⁾ Presented for improved comparability.

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