Definitive Additional Materials

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES & EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

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Luby’s, Inc.


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On December 27, 2007, Luby’s, Inc. issued the following press release:

LOGO

 

For Immediate Release

  For additional information contact:                    
  Rick Black, 713-329-6808

Luby’s Announces First Quarter Fiscal 2008 Results

Diluted EPS of $0.17

Increase in Store Level Profit

HOUSTON, TX – December 27, 2007 – Luby’s, Inc. (NYSE: LUB) today announced unaudited financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2008, which ended on November 21, 2007.

First Quarter Fiscal 2008 Highlights:

   

Net income was $4.8 million, or $0.17 per diluted share compared to net income of $1.9 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, in the first quarter of fiscal 2007

   

Income tax benefit of $1.5 million compared to $1.1 million income tax expense in the first quarter of fiscal 2007

   

Additional interest income related to income taxes of 1.9 million

   

Store level profit, which the Company defines as restaurant sales minus costs of food, payroll and related costs and other operating expenses, were $11.8 million, or 16.5 percent of restaurant sales in the first quarter fiscal 2008 compared to $11.7 million, or 15.9 percent of restaurant sales in the first quarter 2007

   

The Company spent $7.9 million on capital expenditures in its restaurants and strategic growth plan through upgrades and remodels at existing restaurants and new store development and construction costs

   

Culinary contract services revenue grew to $1.7 million compared to $28,000 in the first quarter fiscal 2007

The $1.5 million income tax benefit for first quarter of fiscal year 2008 consisted of a net tax benefit of $2.8 million in net tax benefit partially offset by $1.3 million income tax expense. The net tax benefit of $2.8 million included a reversal of tax accruals for contingencies that did not materialize following the completion of tax audits and an income tax refund receivable, partially offset by the reversal of unrealized deferred tax assets related to stock options.

First quarter fiscal 2008 results included from $1.9 million in interest related to income taxes which included the reversal of previously recognized accrued interest expense associated with settled tax audit contingencies and interest receivable associated with an income tax refund.

Total sales in the first quarter 2008 were $73.4 million, a decrease of 0.4 percent compared to $73.7 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2007. Restaurant sales in the first quarter 2008 were $71.6 million, a decrease of 2.7 percent compared to $73.7 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2007. On a same-store basis, sales declined by approximately $2.5 million, or 3.4 percent, compared to an increase of 1.7 percent in the first quarter fiscal 2007. The first quarter fiscal 2008 decline was due primarily to decreases in guest traffic partially offset by higher menu prices and more favorable menu mix.

“In the first quarter fiscal 2008, we continued to make significant progress toward our stated strategic growth plan. During the quarter, we identified and secured additional new restaurant locations and initiated construction development on new sites. We are confident that our strategic growth plan to build new restaurants, expand our culinary contract business and invest in our existing stores will enhance value for our shareholders,” said Chris Pappas, President and CEO.


“The restaurant and retail industries continue to face soft consumer demand. However, despite lower sales volumes in the first quarter we were able to improve store level profit,” added Mr. Pappas. “During the first quarter we launched a number of operational initiatives designed to increase customer traffic and improve customer service to achieve better same-store sales results. Despite the macro economic challenges we continue to believe that Luby’s will be solidly positioned when market conditions improve.”

Food costs in the first quarter 2008 were 27.4 percent of restaurant sales, an increase of 0.5 percent compared to the same quarter last year. The Company continues to manage food costs by offering menu items and combination meals with favorable cost structures and by employing a variety of other cost control measures.

Payroll and related costs in the first quarter 2008 as a percentage of restaurant sales were 34.1 percent, a decrease 0.3 percent compared to the same quarter last year. The decrease in payroll and related costs was due primarily to lower workers’ compensation expense, including the effects of reduced actuarial estimates of potential losses resulting from favorable claims experience partially offset by higher management salary costs as percentage of sales.

Other operating expenses in the first quarter 2008 as a percentage of restaurant sales were 21.9 percent, a decrease of 0.9 percent compared the same quarter last year due primarily to a lower utility and marketing expense.

General and administrative expenses in the first quarter fiscal 2008 as a percentage of total sales were 8.1 percent, an increase of 1.3 percent compared the same quarter last year. The increase was primarily due to increased corporate salaries and professional fees. The increase in corporate salaries includes staffing costs related to the Company’s culinary contract business to provide services at healthcare facilities, as well as, new store development and construction staff.

Provision for (reversal of) asset impairments of $0.7 million in the first quarter fiscal 2008 consisted of $1.2 million of write-downs taken in the quarter on selected under-performing locations partially offset by a $0.5 million write-up of a previously impaired location that will be reopened in fiscal 2008.

Company Outlook

   

The Company plans to open one new restaurant in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 and open three to four new restaurants in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008

   

The Company plans to open one replacement restaurant in the second half of fiscal 2008 that will incorporate the design features of Luby’s new prototype cafeteria restaurant

   

The Company plans to remodel the dining facility where Luby’s operates at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Houston, TX, in the second half of fiscal 2008

Conference Call

The company will host a conference call today at 4:00 p.m. Central Time, December 27, 2007, to discuss first quarter fiscal 2008 results. To access the call live, dial 866-543-6403 and use the participant pin code, Lubys (58297), at least 10 minutes prior to the start time, or listen live over the Internet by logging on to https://www.lubys.com/06aboutusEvents.asp.

 


Additional Information

In connection with the solicitation of proxies, Luby’s has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a definitive proxy statement on November 29, 2007 (the “Proxy Statement”). The Proxy Statement contains important information about Luby’s and the 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Luby’s shareholders are urged to read the Proxy Statement carefully.

On November 29, 2007, Luby’s began the process of mailing the Proxy Statement, together with a WHITE proxy card. Shareholders may obtain additional free copies of the Proxy Statement and other documents filed with the SEC by Luby’s through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. The Proxy Statement and other relevant documents also may be obtained free of charge from Luby’s by contacting Investor Relations in writing at Luby’s, Inc., 13111 Northwest Freeway, Suite 600, Houston, Texas 77040; or by phone at 713-329-6808; or by email at investors@lubys.com. The Proxy Statement is also available on Luby’s website at www.lubys.com/06aboutusFilings.asp. The contents of the websites referenced above are not deemed to be incorporated by reference into the Proxy Statement. In addition, copies of the Proxy Statement may be requested by contacting the Company’s proxy solicitor, MacKenzie Partners, Inc., by phone toll-free at 1-800-322-2885.

Luby’s and its directors and executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Investors can find information about Luby’s directors and executive officers in the Proxy Statement.

About Luby’s

Luby’s operates 128 restaurants in Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, the Rio Grande Valley and other locations throughout Texas and other states. Luby’s provides its customers with quality home-style food, value pricing, and outstanding customer service. For more information about Luby’s, visit the Company’s website at www.lubys.com.

 


Luby’s, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited)

(In thousands except per share data)

 

     Quarter Ended  
     November 21,
2007
    November 22,
2006
 
     (84 days)     (84 days)  

SALES:

    

Restaurant sales

   $ 71,634     $ 73,658  

Culinary contract services

     1,728       28  
                

TOTAL SALES

     73,362       73,686  

COSTS AND EXPENSES:

    

Cost of food

     19,657       19,797  

Payroll and related costs

     24,439       25,304  

Other operating expenses

     15,707       16,814  

Cost of culinary contract services

     1,578       50  

Depreciation and amortization

     3,956       3,585  

General and administrative expenses

     5,968       5,042  

Provision for (reversal of) asset impairments

     717       —    

Net loss on disposition of property and equipment

     316       182  
                

Total costs and expenses

     72,338       70,774  
                

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

     1,024       2,912  

Interest income

     298       171  

Interest expense

     (51 )     (193 )

Interest related to income taxes

     1,897       —    

Other income, net

     183       212  
                

Income before income taxes and discontinued operations

     3,351       3,102  

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     (1,494 )     1,095  
                

Income from continuing operations

     4,845       2,007  

Discontinued operations, net of income taxes

     (74 )     (92 )
                

NET INCOME

   $ 4,771     $ 1,915  
                

Income per share from continuing operations:

    

Basic

   $ 0.18     $ 0.08  

Assuming dilution

   $ 0.17     $ 0.07  

Loss per share from discontinued operations:

    

Basic

   $ —       $ —    

Assuming dilution

   $ —       $ —    

Net income per share

    

Basic

   $ 0.18     $ 0.07  

Assuming dilution

   $ 0.17     $ 0.07  

Weighted average shares outstanding:

    

Basic

     26,883       26,080  

Assuming dilution

     27,597       27,102  

 


The following table contains information derived from the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations expressed as a percentage of sales. Percentages may not add due to rounding.

 

     Quarter Ended  
     November 21,
2007
    November 22,
2006
 
     (84 days)     (84 days)  

Restaurant sales

   97.6 %   100 %

Culinary contract services

   2.4 %   —   %
            

TOTAL SALES

   100 %   100 %

COSTS AND EXPENSES:

    

(As a percentage of restaurant sales)

    

Cost of food

   27.4 %   26.9 %

Payroll and related costs

   34.1 %   34.4 %

Other operating expenses

   21.9 %   22.8 %
            

Store level profit

   16.5 %   15.9 %
            

(As a percentage of total sales)

    

General and administrative expenses

   8.1 %   6.8 %

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

   1.4 %   4.0 %

 


Luby’s, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share data)

 

     November 21,
2007
   August 29,
2007
 
     (Unaudited)       

ASSETS

     

Current Assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 5,885    $ 17,514  

Short-term investments

     30,400      8,600  

Trade accounts and other receivables, net

     3,953      1,657  

Food and supply inventories

     4,142      2,574  

Prepaid expenses

     2,880      1,398  

Deferred income taxes

     330      624  
               

Total current assets

     47,590      32,367  

Property and equipment, net

     188,879      185,983  

Property held for sale

     736      736  

Other assets

     504      548  
               

Total assets

   $ 237,709    $ 219,634  
               

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

     

Current Liabilities:

     

Accounts payable

   $ 15,701    $ 12,882  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     19,184      21,400  
               

Total current liabilities

     34,885      34,282  

Other liabilities

     8,767      7,088  
               

Total liabilities

     43,652      41,370  
               

Commitments and Contingencies

     

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

     

Common stock, $0.32 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized;

Shares issued were 28,404,497 and 27,835,901, respectively;

Shares outstanding were 28,404,497 and 26,159,498, respectively

     9,089      8,907  

Paid-in capital

     19,244      43,514  

Retained earnings

     165,724      161,447  

Less cost of treasury stock, zero and 1,676,403 shares, respectively

     —        (35,604 )
               

Total shareholders’ equity

     194,057      178,264  
               

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 237,709    $ 219,634  
               


Luby’s, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

     Quarter Ended  
     November 21,
2007
    November 22,
2006
 
     (84 days)     (84 days)  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    

Net income

   $ 4,771     $ 1,915  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Provision for (reversal of) asset impairments, net of gains and losses on property sales

     1,033       220  

Depreciation and amortization

     3,956       3,585  

Amortization of debt issuance cost

     21       108  

Non-cash compensation expense

     57       82  

Share-based compensation expense

     259       166  

Interest related to income taxes

     (1,897 )     —    

Deferred tax provision

     2,359       1,011  
                

Cash provided by operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities

     10,559       7,087  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

(Increase) decrease in trade accounts and other receivables

     (1,524 )     845  

Increase in food and supply inventories

     (1,568 )     (1,332 )

Increase in prepaid expenses and other assets

     (1,460 )     (1,125 )

Increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

     837       6,386  
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     6,844       11,861  
                

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    

Purchases of short-term investments

     (23,800 )     (9,328 )

Proceeds from redemption or maturity of short-term investments

     2,000       —    

Proceeds from disposal of assets

     15       32  

Purchases of property and equipment

     (7,888 )     (3,012 )
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (29,673 )     (12,308 )
                

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    

Proceeds received on exercise of stock options

     11,200       54  
                

Net cash provided by financing activities

     11,200       54  
                

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (11,629 )     (393 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     17,514       9,715  
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 5,885     $ 9,322  
                

Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains statements that are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements contained in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are “forward-looking statements” for purposes of these provisions, including any statements regarding plans for expansion of the company’s business, scheduled openings of new, remodeled or replacement units, plans to close underperforming units, the implementation of the Company’s five year growth plan, expectations concerning unit sales and investor returns, and expectations of industry conditions.

The company cautions readers that various factors could cause its actual financial and operational results to differ materially from those indicated by forward-looking statements made from time to time in news releases, reports, proxy statements, registration statements, and other written communications, as well as oral statements made from time to time by representatives of the company. The following factors, as well as any other cautionary language included in this press release, provide examples of risks, uncertainties and events that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations we describe in our “forward-looking statements”: general business and economic conditions; the impact of competition; our operating initiatives; fluctuations in the costs of commodities, including beef, poultry, seafood, dairy, cheese and produce; increases in utility costs, including the costs of natural gas and other energy supplies; changes in the availability and cost of labor; the seasonality of the company’s business; changes in governmental regulations, including changes in minimum wages; the effects of inflation; the availability of credit; unfavorable publicity relating to operations, including publicity concerning food quality, illness or other health concerns or labor relations; the continued service of key management personnel; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the company’s annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.

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