Buffalo Wild Wings reports Q3 net earnings of US$10.7M, up 5% from year-ago period as total revenue rises 24.8% to US$246.9M

Nevin Barich

MINNEAPOLIS , October 23, 2012 (press release) – Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. (BWLD), announced today financial results for the third quarter ended September 23, 2012. Highlights for the third quarter versus the same period a year ago were:

Total revenue increased 24.8% to $246.9 million

Company-owned restaurant sales grew 26.2% to $228.4 million

Same-store sales increased 6.2% at company-owned restaurants and 5.8% at franchised restaurants

Net earnings decreased 5.0% to $10.7 million from $11.3 million, and earnings per diluted share decreased 6.6% to $0.57 from $0.61

Sally Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We're pleased with our strong top-line growth of nearly 25% in the third quarter. We focused on operational excellence at the restaurant level and our teams delivered strong same-store sales. In addition, we leveraged on labor, operating, and occupancy expenses. High cost of sales and incremental preopening expenses moderated our bottom-line expansion, producing earnings per diluted share of $0.57 compared to $0.61 in 2011."

Total revenue increased 24.8% to $246.9 million in the third quarter compared to $197.8 million in the third quarter of 2011. Company-owned restaurant sales for the quarter increased 26.2% over the same period in 2011, to $228.4 million, driven by a company-owned same-store sales increase of 6.2% and 55 additional company-owned restaurants at the end of third quarter 2012 relative to the same period in 2011. Franchise royalties and fees increased 10.2% to $18.4 million for the quarter versus $16.7 million in the third quarter of 2011. This increase is attributed to a franchise same-store sales increase of 5.8% and 13 additional franchised restaurants at the end of the period versus a year ago.

Average weekly sales for company-owned restaurants were $52,561 for the third quarter of 2012 compared to $49,461 for the same quarter last year, a 6.3% increase. Franchised restaurants averaged $55,608 for the period versus $51,350 in the third quarter a year ago, an 8.3% increase.

For the third quarter, net earnings decreased 5.0% to $10.7 million versus $11.3 million in the third quarter of 2011. Earnings per diluted share were $0.57, as compared to third quarter 2011 earnings per diluted share of $0.61.

2012 and 2013 Outlook

Ms. Smith remarked, "With the excitement of football season, the entire Buffalo Wild Wings team is focused on maximizing sales as we have strong prior year same-store sales to eclipse during the next two quarters. Same-store sales are about 3.8% at company-owned restaurants and 5.6% at franchised locations for the first four weeks of the fourth quarter compared to 6.6% and 5.3%, respectively, for the same period last year. Our unit growth will continue and we expect to open at least 24 new company-owned and 20 new franchised restaurants before year end. We completed the purchase of nine franchised locations and are positioned to acquire an additional nine locations this quarter. With continued leveraging of expenses and the benefit of a 53rd week, we will partially offset the continuing high wing costs and estimate our net earnings growth for 2012 will be 15%."

Ms. Smith concluded, "We are a vibrant and resilient brand. In 2013, we will open more than 60 company-owned and 45 franchised restaurants, and should achieve the 1,000 unit mark by the end of the year. We now anticipate we can expand to 1,700 locations in North America, with additional growth abroad. We'll begin to realize the benefit of strategies we've been working on over the past year. We have an enhanced Guest service strategy along with new innovations in food, beverage, and technology that will drive revenue. With this growth and financial diligence, we have a goal for 2013 to achieve 20% net earnings growth on a 52-week basis."

Buffalo Wild Wings will be hosting a conference call today, October 23, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time to discuss these results. There will be a simultaneous webcast conducted at our website www.buffalowildwings.com.

A replay of the call will be available until October 30, 2012. To access this replay, please dial 1.858.384.5517 password 4568234.

About the Company

Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc., founded in 1982 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a growing owner, operator and franchisor of Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar(TM) restaurants featuring a variety of boldly-flavored, made-to-order menu items including its namesake Buffalo, New York-style chicken wings. The Buffalo Wild Wings' menu specializes in 20 mouth-watering signature sauces and seasonings with flavor sensations ranging from Sweet BBQ(TM) to Blazin'(R). Guests enjoy a welcoming neighborhood atmosphere that includes an extensive multi-media system for watching their favorite sporting events. Buffalo Wild Wings is the recipient of hundreds of "Best Wings" and "Best Sports Bar" awards from across the country. There are currently more than 861 Buffalo Wild Wings locations across 48 states in the United States, as well as in Canada.

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