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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
__________________________________________________ 
FORM 10-Q
 (Mark One)
x      QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2019
 OR
o      TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 For the transition period from                  to                
 
Commission File Number 001-15283
https://cdn.kscope.io/fc636960809c5e635f6b002a52e60c6d-applebeeslogoa04.jpg Dine Brands Global, Inc. https://cdn.kscope.io/fc636960809c5e635f6b002a52e60c6d-ihoplogonewa13.jpg
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization)
 
95-3038279
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
 
450 North Brand Boulevard, Glendale, California (Address of principal executive offices)
 
91203-1903 (Zip Code)
 
(818) 240-6055
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 ______________________________________________________________
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x  No o
 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).  Yes x  No o
 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer x
 
Accelerated filer  o
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer  o
 
 
Smaller reporting company o
 
 
Emerging growth company o

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o  No x 
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 Title of each class
 
 Trading symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value
 
DIN
New York Stock Exchange
 

As of April 25, 2019, the Registrant had 17,535,046 shares of Common Stock outstanding.


Table of Contents

Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Index
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
 
Statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may constitute “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. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied in such statements. You can identify these forward-looking statements by words such as “may,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal” and other similar expressions. You should consider our forward-looking statements in light of the risks discussed under the heading “Risk Factors,” as well as our consolidated financial statements, related notes, and the other financial information appearing elsewhere in this report and our other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained in this report are made as of the date hereof and Dine Brands Global, Inc. does not intend to, nor does it assume any obligation to, update or supplement any forward-looking statements after the date of this report to reflect actual results or future events or circumstances.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the projections, forecasts, estimates and expectations discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q include, among other things: general economic conditions; our level of indebtedness; compliance with the terms of our securitized debt; our ability to refinance our current indebtedness or obtain additional financing; our dependence on information technology; potential cyber incidents; the implementation of restaurant development plans; our dependence on our franchisees; the concentration of our Applebee’s franchised restaurants in a limited number of franchisees; the financial health of our franchisees, including any insolvency or bankruptcy; credit risks from our IHOP franchisees operating under our Previous IHOP Business Model; insufficient insurance coverage to cover potential risks associated with the ownership and operation of restaurants; our franchisees’ and other licensees’ compliance with our quality standards and trademark usage; general risks associated with the restaurant industry; potential harm to our brands’ reputation; risks of food-borne illness or food tampering; possible future impairment charges; trading volatility and fluctuations in the price of our stock; our ability to achieve the financial guidance we provide to investors; successful implementation of our business strategy; the availability of suitable locations for new restaurants; shortages or interruptions in the supply or delivery of products from third parties or availability of utilities; the management and forecasting of appropriate inventory levels; development and implementation of innovative marketing and use of social media; changing health or dietary preference of consumers; risks associated with doing business in international markets; the results of litigation and other legal proceedings; third-party claims with respect to intellectual property assets; delivery initiatives and use of third-party delivery vendors; our

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allocation of human capital and our ability to attract and retain management and other key employees; compliance with federal, state and local governmental regulations; risks associated with our self-insurance; natural disasters or other serious incidents; our success with development initiatives outside of our core business; the adequacy of our internal controls over financial reporting and future changes in accounting standards.


Fiscal Quarter End

The Company’s fiscal quarters end on the Sunday closest to the last day of each calendar quarter. For convenience, the fiscal quarters of each year are referred to as ending on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31. The first fiscal quarter of 2019 began on December 31, 2018 and ended on March 31, 2019. The first fiscal quarter of 2018 began on January 1, 2018 and ended on April 1, 2018.
 




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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements.
Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Assets
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
Current assets:
 
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
132,932

 
$
137,164

Receivables, net
 
97,786

 
137,504

Restricted cash
 
36,654

 
48,515

Prepaid gift card costs
 
30,045

 
38,195

Prepaid income taxes
 
19,370

 
17,402

Other current assets
 
5,980

 
3,410

Total current assets
 
322,767

 
382,190

Other intangible assets, net
 
583,040

 
585,889

Operating lease right-of-use assets
 
383,962

 

Goodwill
 
343,862

 
345,314

Property and equipment, net
 
225,396

 
240,264

Long-term receivables, net
 
99,582

 
103,102

Deferred rent receivable
 
75,569

 
77,069

Non-current restricted cash
 
14,700

 
14,700

Other non-current assets, net
 
27,239

 
26,152

Total assets
 
$
2,076,117

 
$
1,774,680

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Deficit
 
 

 
 

Current liabilities:
 
 

 
 

Current maturities of long-term debt
 
$

 
$
25,000

Accounts payable
 
37,726

 
43,468

Gift card liability
 
115,974

 
160,438

Current maturities of operating lease obligations
 
67,340

 

Current maturities of finance lease and financing obligations
 
13,708

 
14,031

Accrued employee compensation and benefits
 
15,338

 
27,479

Dividends payable
 
12,461

 
11,389

Deferred franchise revenue, short-term
 
10,376

 
10,138

Other accrued expenses
 
30,167

 
24,243

Total current liabilities
 
303,090

 
316,186

Long-term debt, less current maturities
 
1,274,916

 
1,274,087

Operating lease obligations, less current maturities
 
386,364

 

Finance lease obligations, less current maturities
 
87,624

 
87,762

Financing obligations, less current maturities
 
38,306

 
38,482

Deferred income taxes, net
 
102,074

 
105,816

Deferred franchise revenue, long-term
 
62,472

 
64,557

Other non-current liabilities
 
12,092

 
90,063

Total liabilities
 
2,266,938

 
1,976,953

Commitments and contingencies
 


 


Stockholders’ deficit:
 
 

 
 

Common stock, $0.01 par value; shares: 40,000,000 authorized; March 31, 2019 - 24,974,665 issued, 17,650,765 outstanding; December 31, 2018 - 24,984,898 issued, 17,644,267 outstanding
 
250

 
250

 Additional paid-in-capital
 
239,585

 
237,726

 Retained earnings
 
24,588

 
10,414

 Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(61
)
 
(60
)
Treasury stock, at cost; shares: March 31, 2019 - 7,323,900; December 31, 2018 - 7,340,631
 
(455,183
)
 
(450,603
)
Total stockholders’ deficit
 
(190,821
)
 
(202,273
)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit
 
$
2,076,117

 
$
1,774,680


 See the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
March 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
Franchise revenues:
 
 
 
 
Royalties, franchise fees and other
 
$
96,296

 
$
91,477

Advertising revenue
 
72,630

 
63,836

Total franchise revenues
 
168,926

 
155,313

Company restaurant sales
 
35,735

 

Rental revenues
 
30,711

 
30,841

Financing revenues
 
1,810

 
2,009

Total revenues
 
237,182

 
188,163

Cost of revenues:
 
 
 
 
Franchise expenses:
 
 
 
 
Advertising expenses
 
72,630

 
63,836

Other franchise expenses
 
7,673

 
18,036

Total franchise expenses
 
80,303

 
81,872

Company restaurant expenses
 
31,538

 

Rental expenses:
 
 
 
 
Interest expense from finance leases
 
1,529

 
1,877

Other rental expenses
 
21,095

 
20,764

Total rental expenses
 
22,624

 
22,641

Financing expenses
 
146

 
150

Total cost of revenues
 
134,611

 
104,663

Gross profit
 
102,571

 
83,500

General and administrative expenses
 
42,819

 
41,911

Interest expense, net
 
15,393

 
15,199

Amortization of intangible assets
 
2,924

 
2,502

Closure and impairment charges
 
194

 
2,604

Loss (gain) on disposition of assets
 
109

 
(1,427
)
Income before income tax provision
 
41,132

 
22,711

Income tax provision
 
(9,489
)
 
(5,638
)
Net income
 
31,643

 
17,073

Other comprehensive income (loss) net of tax:
 
 
 
 
Adjustment to unrealized loss on available-for-sale investments
 

 
50

Foreign currency translation adjustment
 
(1
)
 
(3
)
Total comprehensive income
 
$
31,642

 
$
17,120

Net income available to common stockholders:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
31,643

 
$
17,073

Less: Net income allocated to unvested participating restricted stock
 
(1,111
)
 
(568
)
Net income available to common stockholders
 
$
30,532

 
$
16,505

Net income available to common stockholders per share:
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
1.76

 
$
0.93

Diluted
 
$
1.73

 
$
0.92

Weighted average shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
17,343

 
17,703

Diluted
 
17,690

 
17,845

 
See the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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11. Facility Exit Costs (Continued)

Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Deficit
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common Stock
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 
Treasury Stock
 
 
 
 
Shares
Outstanding
 
Amount
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)
 
Shares
 
Cost
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2017
 
17,993

 
$
250

 
$
276,408

 
$
(69,940
)
 
$
(105
)
 
7,029

 
$
(422,153
)
 
$
(215,540
)
Net income
 

 

 

 
17,073

 

 

 

 
17,073

Other comprehensive gain
 

 

 

 

 
47

 

 

 
47

Purchase of Company common stock
 
(139
)
 

 

 

 

 
139

 
(10,003
)
 
(10,003
)
Reissuance of treasury stock
 
77

 

 
(2,495
)
 

 

 
(77
)
 
2,951

 
456

Net issuance of shares for stock plans
 
6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repurchase of restricted shares for taxes
 
(15
)
 

 
(1,083
)
 

 

 

 

 
(1,083
)
Stock-based compensation
 

 

 
3,368

 

 

 

 

 
3,368

Dividends on common stock in excess of retained earnings
 

 

 
(11,204
)
 

 

 

 

 
(11,204
)
Balance at March 31, 2018
 
17,922

 
$
250

 
$
264,994

 
$
(52,867
)
 
$
(58
)
 
7,091

 
$
(429,205
)
 
$
(216,886
)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common Stock
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 
Treasury Stock
 
 
 
 
Shares
Outstanding
 
Amount
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Retained Earnings
 
Shares
 
Cost
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2018
 
17,644

 
$
250

 
$
237,726

 
$
10,414

 
$
(60
)
 
7,341

 
$
(450,603
)
 
$
(202,273
)
Adoption of ASC 842 (Note 3)
 

 

 

 
(5,030
)
 

 

 

 
(5,030
)
Net income
 

 

 

 
31,643

 

 

 

 
31,643

Other comprehensive loss
 

 

 

 

 
(1
)
 

 

 
(1
)
Purchase of Company common stock
 
(151
)
 

 

 

 

 
151

 
(12,015
)
 
(12,015
)
Reissuance of treasury stock
 
168

 

 
(667
)
 

 

 
(168
)
 
7,435

 
6,768

Net issuance of shares for stock plans
 
9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repurchase of restricted shares for taxes
 
(19
)
 

 
(1,817
)
 

 

 

 

 
(1,817
)
Stock-based compensation
 

 

 
4,107

 

 

 

 

 
4,107

Dividends on common stock
 

 

 
236

 
(12,439
)
 

 

 

 
(12,203
)
Balance at March 31, 2019
 
17,651

 
$
250

 
$
239,585

 
$
24,588

 
$
(61
)
 
7,324

 
$
(455,183
)
 
$
(190,821
)


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Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
March 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 

 
 
Net income
 
$
31,643

 
$
17,073

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

 
 

Depreciation and amortization
 
10,179

 
7,940

Non-cash stock-based compensation expense
 
4,107

 
3,368

Non-cash interest expense
 
1,118

 
864

Closure and impairment charges
 
194

 
2,594

Deferred income taxes
 
(1,149
)
 
(1,182
)
Loss (gain) on disposition of assets
 
109

 
(1,421
)
Other
 
(3,976
)
 
(6,199
)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 

 
 

Accounts receivable, net
 
(3,210
)
 
(8,804
)
Current income tax receivables and payables
 
(1,399
)
 
5,529

Gift card receivables and payables
 
(890
)
 
(2,269
)
Other current assets
 
(2,570
)
 
5,709

Accounts payable
 
1,826

 
65

Accrued employee compensation and benefits
 
(12,141
)
 
(3,448
)
Other current liabilities
 
5,088

 
(3,351
)
Cash flows provided by operating activities
 
28,929

 
16,468

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 

 
 

Principal receipts from notes, equipment contracts and other long-term receivables
 
5,260

 
4,930

Additions to property and equipment
 
(4,717
)
 
(3,488
)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
 
400

 
655

Additions to long-term receivables
 
(395
)
 
(2,325
)
Other
 
(100
)
 
(27
)
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities
 
448

 
(255
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 

Repayment of Variable Funding Notes
 
(25,000
)
 

Repayment of long-term debt
 

 
(3,250
)
Dividends paid on common stock
 
(11,153
)
 
(17,453
)
Repurchase of common stock
 
(10,802
)
 
(10,003
)
Principal payments on financing lease obligations
 
(3,466
)
 
(4,536
)
Proceeds from stock options exercised
 
6,768

 
456

Tax payments for restricted stock upon vesting
 
(1,817
)
 
(1,083
)
Cash flows used in financing activities
 
(45,470
)
 
(35,869
)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
 
(16,093
)
 
(19,656
)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period
 
200,379

 
163,146

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period
 
$
184,286

 
$
143,490

Supplemental disclosures:
 
 

 
 

Interest paid in cash
 
$
16,346

 
$
16,621

Income taxes paid in cash
 
$
12,014

 
$
934

 
See the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

1. General
 
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Dine Brands Global, Inc. (the “Company” or “Dine Brands Global”) have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the twelve months ending December 31, 2019.
 
The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2018 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all of information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements.
 
These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.
 
2. Basis of Presentation
 
The Company’s fiscal quarters end on the Sunday closest to the last day of each calendar quarter. For convenience, the fiscal quarters of each year are referred to as ending on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31. The first fiscal quarter of 2019 began on December 31, 2018 and ended on March 31, 2019. The first fiscal quarter of 2018 began on January 1, 2018 and ended on April 1, 2018.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries that are consolidated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company’s management to make assumptions and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities, if any, at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates are made in the calculation and assessment of the following: impairment of goodwill, other intangible assets and tangible assets; income taxes; allowance for doubtful accounts and notes receivables; lease accounting estimates; contingencies; and stock-based compensation. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates based on historical experience, current conditions and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The Company adjusts such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
3. Accounting Standards Adopted and Newly Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
 
Accounting Standards Adopted
 
In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance with respect to the accounting for leases, as codified in Accounting Standards Topic 842 (“ASC 842”). The guidance is intended to improve financial reporting of leasing transactions by requiring entities that lease assets to recognize assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by leases, as well as requiring additional disclosures related to an entity's leasing activities. The Company adopted this change in accounting principle using the modified retrospective method as of the first day of the first fiscal quarter of 2019. Accordingly, financial information for periods prior to the date of initial application has not been adjusted. The Company has elected the package of practical expedients for adoption that permitted the Company not to reassess its prior conclusions regarding lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs. The Company did not elect to use an allowable expedient that permitted the use of hindsight in performing evaluations of its leases.

Upon adoption of ASC 842, the Company recognized operating lease obligations of $453.0 million, which represents the present value of the remaining minimum lease payments, discounted using the Company's incremental borrowing rate. The Company recognized operating lease right-of-use assets of $395.6 million. The Company recognized an adjustment to retained earnings upon adoption of $5.0 million, net of tax of $1.7 million, primarily related to an impairment resulting from an unfavorable differential between lease payments to be made and sublease rentals to be received on certain leases. The remaining difference of $50.7 million between the recognized operating lease obligation and right-of-use assets relates to the derecognition of certain liabilities and assets that had been recorded in accordance with U.S. GAAP that had been applied prior

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Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

3. Accounting Standards Adopted and Newly Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted (Continued)

to the adoption of ASC 842, primarily $43.3 million of accrued rent payments. Lease-related reserves for lease incentives, closed restaurants and unfavorable leaseholds were also derecognized.

The accounting for the Company's existing finance (capital) leases upon adoption of ASC 842 remained substantially unchanged. Adoption of ASC 842 had no significant impact on the Company's cash flows from operations or its results of operations and did not impact any covenant related to the Company's long-term debt. The Company implemented internal controls necessary to ensure compliance with the accounting and disclosure requirements of ASC 842.

Additional new accounting guidance became effective for the Company as of the beginning of fiscal 2019 that the Company reviewed and concluded was either not applicable to its operations or had no material effect on its consolidated financial statements in the current or future fiscal years.

Newly Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In June 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on the measurement of credit losses on financial instruments. The new guidance will replace the incurred loss methodology of recognizing credit losses on financial instruments that is currently required with a methodology that estimates the expected credit loss on financial instruments and reflects the net amount expected to be collected on the financial instrument. Application of the new guidance may result in the earlier recognition of credit losses as the new methodology will require entities to consider forward-looking information in addition to historical and current information used in assessing incurred losses. The Company will be required to adopt the new guidance on a modified retrospective basis beginning with its first fiscal quarter of 2020, with early adoption permitted in its first fiscal quarter of 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In August 2018, the FASB issued guidance designed to improve the effectiveness of disclosures by removing, modifying and adding disclosures related to fair value measurements. The Company will be required to adopt the new guidance beginning with its first fiscal quarter of 2020; early adoption in any interim period after issuance of the new guidance is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued new guidance on the accounting for implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract. The guidance aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with existing guidance for capitalizing implementation cost incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. The guidance also provides presentation and disclosure requirements for such capitalized costs. The Company will be required to adopt the new guidance beginning with its first fiscal quarter of 2020; early adoption in any interim period after issuance of the new guidance is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.
The Company reviewed all other newly issued accounting pronouncements and concluded that they either are not applicable to the Company's operations or that no material effect is expected on the Company's financial statements because of future adoption.
 
4. Revenue Disclosures

Franchise revenue (which comprises most of the Company's revenues) and revenue from company-operated restaurants are recognized in accordance with ASC 606. Under ASC 606, revenue is recognized upon transfer of control of promised services or goods to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to receive for those services or goods.

Franchising Activities

The Company owns and franchises the Applebee’s and IHOP restaurant concepts. The franchise arrangement for both brands is documented in the form of a franchise agreement and, in most cases, a development agreement. The franchise arrangement between the Company as the franchisor and the franchisee as the customer requires the Company to perform various activities to support the brand that do not directly transfer goods and services to the franchisee, but instead represent a single performance obligation, which is the transfer of the franchise license. The intellectual property subject to the franchise license is symbolic intellectual property as it does not have significant standalone functionality, and substantially all the utility is derived from its association with the Company’s past or ongoing activities. The nature of the Company’s promise in granting the franchise license is to provide the franchisee with access to the brand’s symbolic intellectual property over the term of the license. The services provided by the Company are highly interrelated with the franchise license and as such are considered to represent a single performance obligation.

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Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

4. Revenue Disclosures (Continued)

The transaction price in a standard franchise arrangement for both brands primarily consists of (a) initial franchise/development fees; (b) continuing franchise fees (royalties); and (c) advertising fees. Since the Company considers the licensing of the franchising right to be a single performance obligation, no allocation of the transaction price is required. Additionally, all domestic IHOP franchise agreements require franchisees to purchase proprietary pancake and waffle dry mix from the Company.

The Company recognizes the primary components of the transaction price as follows:

Franchise and development fees are recognized as revenue ratably on a straight-line basis over the term of the franchise agreement commencing with the restaurant opening date. As these fees are typically received in cash at or near the beginning of the franchise term, the cash received is initially recorded as a contract liability until recognized as revenue over time;
The Company is entitled to royalties and advertising fees based on a percentage of the franchisee's gross sales as defined in the franchise agreement. Royalty and advertising revenue are recognized when the franchisee's reported sales occur. Depending on timing within a fiscal period, the recognition of revenue results in either what is considered a contract asset (unbilled receivable) or, once billed, accounts receivable, on the balance sheet.
Revenue from the sales of proprietary pancake and waffle dry mix is recognized in the period in which distributors ship the franchisee's order; recognition of revenue results in accounts receivable on the balance sheet.

Company Restaurant Revenue

Sales by company-operated restaurants are recognized when food and beverage items are sold. Company restaurant sales are reported net of sales taxes collected from guests that are remitted to the appropriate taxing authorities.

In determining the amount and timing of revenue from contracts with customers, the Company exercises significant judgment with respect to collectibility of the amount; however, the timing of recognition does not require significant judgments as it is based on either the term of the franchise agreement, the month of reported sales by the franchisee or the date of product shipment, none of which require estimation. The Company does not incur a significant amount of contract acquisition costs in conducting its franchising activities. The Company believes its franchising arrangements do not contain a significant financing component.

The following table disaggregates franchise revenue by major type for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 March 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
(In thousands)
Franchise Revenue:
 
 
 
 
Royalties
 
$
78,730

 
$
75,097

Advertising fees
 
72,630

 
63,836

Pancake and waffle dry mix sales and other
 
14,431

 
13,097

Franchise and development fees
 
3,135

 
3,283

Total franchise revenue
 
$
168,926

 
$
155,313


Receivables from franchisees as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 were $67.1 million (net of allowance of $2.1 million) and $62.6 million (net of allowance of $4.6 million), respectively, and were included in receivables, net in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.


9

Table of Contents
Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

4. Revenue Disclosures (Continued)

Changes in the Company's contract liability for deferred franchise and development fees during the three months ended March 31, 2019 are as follows:
 
 
Deferred Franchise Revenue (short- and long-term)
 
 
(In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2018
 
$
74,695

Recognized as revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2019
 
(2,948
)
Fees deferred during the three months ended March 31, 2019
 
1,101

Balance at March 31, 2019
 
$
72,848

 
The balance of deferred revenue as of March 31, 2019 is expected to be recognized as follows:

(In thousands)
Remainder of 2019
$
6,633

2020
10,066

2021
7,780

2022
7,251

2023
6,675

2024
5,987

Thereafter
28,456

Total
$
72,848



5. Lease Disclosures

The Company engages in leasing activity as both a lessee and a lessor. The majority of the Company's lease portfolio originated when the Company was actively involved in the development and financing of IHOP restaurants prior to the franchising of the restaurant to the franchisee. This activity included the Company's leasing or purchase of the site on which the restaurant was located and subsequently leasing/subleasing the site to the franchisee. With a few exceptions, the Company ended this practice in 2003 and the Company's current lease activity is predominantly comprised of renewals of existing lease arrangements and exercises of options on existing lease arrangements.
      
The Company currently leases from third parties the real property on which approximately 620 IHOP franchisee-operated restaurants are located; the Company (as lessor) subleases the property to the franchisees that operate those restaurants. The Company also leases property it owns to the franchisees that operate approximately 60 IHOP restaurants and one Applebee's restaurant. The Company leases from third parties the real property on which 69 Applebee's company-operated restaurants are located. The Company also leases office space for its principal corporate office in Glendale, California and a restaurant support center in Kansas City, Missouri. The Company does not have a significant amount of non-real estate leases.

The Company's existing leases related to IHOP restaurants generally provided for an initial term of 20 to 25 years with most having one or more five-year renewal options. Option periods were not included in determining liabilities and right-of-use assets related to operating leases. Approximately 260 of the Company's leases contain provisions requiring additional rent payments to the Company (as lessor) based on a percentage of restaurant sales. Approximately 220 of the Company's leases contain provisions requiring additional rent payments by the Company (as lessee) based on a percentage of restaurant sales.

The individual lease agreements do not provide information to determine the implicit rate in the agreements. The Company made significant judgments in determining the incremental borrowing rates that were used in calculating operating lease liabilities as of the adoption date. Due to the large number of leases, the Company applied a portfolio approach by grouping the leases based on the original lease term. The Company estimated the rate for each grouping primarily by reference to yield rates on debt issuances by companies of a similar credit rating as the Company, U.S. Treasury rates as of the adoption date and adjustments for differences in years to maturity.


10


Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

5. Lease Disclosures (Continued)

The Company's lease cost for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was as follows:
Finance lease cost:
 (In millions)
Amortization of right-of-use assets
$
1.3

Interest on lease liabilities
2.1

Operating lease cost
26.4

Variable lease cost
0.7

Short-term lease cost
0.0

Sublease income
(28.1
)
Lease cost
$
2.4


Future minimum lease payments under noncancelable leases as lessee as of March 31, 2019 were as follows:
 
Finance
Leases
 
Operating
Leases
 
(In millions)
2019 (remaining nine months)
$
15.8

 
$
69.0

2020
20.1

 
93.0

2021
16.5

 
76.0

2022
14.7

 
68.0

2023
11.6

 
55.6

Thereafter
65.0

 
212.7

Total minimum lease payments
143.7

 
574.3

Less: interest/imputed interest
(43.1
)
 
(120.6
)
Total obligations
100.6

 
453.7

Less: current portion
(13.0
)
 
(67.3
)
Long-term lease obligations
$
87.6

 
$
386.4


The weighted average remaining lease term as of March 31, 2019 was 8.6 years for finance leases and 8.1 years for operating leases. The weighted average discount rate as of March 31, 2019 was 10.4% for finance leases and 5.8% for operating leases.

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company made the following payments for leases:
 
 (In millions)
Principal payments on finance lease obligations
$
3.5

Interest payments on finance lease obligations
$
2.0

Payments on operating leases
$
22.9

Variable lease payments
$
0.9



The Company's income from operating leases for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was as follows:
 
 (In millions)
Minimum lease payments
$
25.7

Variable lease income
3.2

Total operating lease income
$
28.9



11


Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

5. Lease Disclosures (Continued)

Future minimum payments to be received as lessor under noncancelable operating leases as of March 31, 2019 were as follows:
 
(In millions)
2019 (remaining nine months)
$
79.5

2020
107.1

2021
101.2

2022
98.1

2023
93.7

Thereafter
288.3

Total minimum rents receivable
767.9


The Company's income from direct financing leases for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was as follows:
 
 (In millions)
Interest income
$
1.4

Variable lease income
0.4

Total operating lease income
$
1.8



Future minimum payments to be received as lessor under noncancelable direct financing leases as of March 31, 2019 were as follows:
 
(In millions)
2019 (remaining nine months)
$
12.1

2020
14.8

2021
11.7

2022
8.4

2023
3.6

Thereafter
3.7

Total minimum rents receivable
54.3

Less: unearned income
(11.4
)
Total net investment in direct financing leases
42.9

Less: current portion
(11.2
)
Long-term investment in direct financing leases
$
31.7



6. Long-Term Debt
  
At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, long-term debt consisted of the following:
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
(In millions)
Series 2014-1 4.277% Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes, Class A-2
$
1,283.8

 
$
1,283.8

Series 2018-1 Variable Funding Senior Notes Class A-1, variable interest rate of 4.93% at December 31, 2018

 
25.0

Class A-2 Note debt issuance costs
(8.9
)
 
(9.7
)
Long-term debt, net of debt issuance costs
1,274.9

 
1,299.1

Current portion of long-term debt

 
(25.0
)
Long-term debt
$
1,274.9

 
$
1,274.1


For a description of the Series 2014-1 4.277% Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes, Class A-2 and the Series 2018-1 Variable Funding Notes Class A-1, refer to Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

12

Table of Contents
DineEquity, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

6. Long-Term Debt (Continued)


During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company repaid $25.0 million of Variable Funding Notes, representing the amount outstanding at December 31, 2018. The Company did not draw on the Variable Funding Notes during the three months ended March 31, 2019. The maximum amount of Variable Funding Notes outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2019 was $25.0 million and the weighted average interest rate on the Variable Funding Notes for the period outstanding was 4.88%.
At March 31, 2019, $2.2 million was pledged against the Variable Funding Notes for outstanding letters of credit, leaving $222.8 million of 2018 Variable Funding Notes available for borrowing. The letters of credit are used primarily to satisfy insurance-related collateral requirements.
  
7. Stockholders' Deficit

Dividends
 
During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company paid dividends on common stock of $11.2 million, representing a cash dividend of $0.63 per share declared in the fourth quarter of 2018. On February 20, 2019, the Company's Board of Directors declared a first quarter 2019 cash dividend of $0.69 per share of common stock. This dividend was paid on April 5, 2019 to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 20, 2019. The Company reported dividends payable of $12.5 million at March 31, 2019.

Dividends declared and paid per share for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Dividends declared per common share
$
0.69

 
$
0.63

Dividends paid per common share
$
0.63

 
$
0.97


Stock Repurchase Program

In February 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program authorizing the Company to repurchase up to $200 million of the Company’s common stock (“2019 Repurchase Program”) on an opportunistic basis from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions based on business, market, applicable legal requirements and other considerations.  The 2019 Repurchase Program, as approved by the Board of Directors, does not require the repurchase of a specific number of shares and can be terminated at any time. 

In October 2015, the Company's Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program authorizing the Company to repurchase up to $150 million of its common stock (the “2015 Repurchase Program”) on an opportunistic basis from time to time in open market transactions and in privately negotiated transactions based on business, market, applicable legal requirements and other considerations. The 2015 Repurchase Program, as approved by the Board of Directors, did not require the repurchase of a specific number of shares and could be terminated at any time. In connection with the approval of the 2019 Repurchase Program, the Board of Directors terminated the 2015 Repurchase Program.

A summary of shares repurchased under the 2019 Repurchase Program and the 2015 Repurchase Program, during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and cumulatively, is as follows:
 
Shares
 
Cost of shares
 
 
 
(In millions)
2019 Repurchase Program:
 
 
 
Repurchased during the three months ended March 31, 2019
40,817

 
$
3.6

Cumulative (life-of-program) repurchases
40,817

 
$
3.6

Remaining dollar value of shares that may be repurchased
       n/a
 
$
196.4

2015 Repurchase Program:
 
 
 
Repurchased during the three months ended March 31, 2019
110,499

 
$
8.4

Cumulative (life-of-program) repurchases
1,589,995

 
$
126.2

Remaining dollar value of shares that may be repurchased
       n/a
 
       n/a

13

Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

7. Stockholders' Deficit (Continued)


Treasury Stock

Repurchases of the Company's common stock are included in treasury stock at the cost of shares repurchased plus any transaction costs. Treasury stock may be re-issued when stock options are exercised, when restricted stock awards are granted and when restricted stock units settle in stock upon vesting. The cost of treasury stock re-issued is determined using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company re-issued 168,047 shares of treasury stock at a total FIFO cost of $7.4 million.


8. Income Taxes
 
The Company's effective tax rate was 23.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to 24.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The effective tax rate of 23.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was lower than the rate of the prior period primarily due to excess tax benefits on stock-based compensation.            
 
The total gross unrecognized tax benefit as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 was $5.2 million and $5.2 million, respectively, excluding interest, penalties and related tax benefits. The Company estimates the unrecognized tax benefit may decrease over the upcoming 12 months by an amount up to $0.9 million related to settlements with taxing authorities and the lapse of statutes of limitations. For the remaining liability, due to the uncertainties related to these tax matters, the Company is unable to make a reasonably reliable estimate as to when cash settlement with a taxing authority will occur.

As of March 31, 2019, accrued interest was $1.3 million and accrued penalties were less than $0.1 million, excluding any related income tax benefits. As of December 31, 2018, accrued interest was $1.1 million and accrued penalties were less than $0.1 million, excluding any related income tax benefits. The Company recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties as a component of its income tax provision recognized in its Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

The Company files federal income tax returns and the Company or one of its subsidiaries files income tax returns in various state and foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to federal, state or non-United States tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2011. The Internal Revenue Service commenced examination of the Company’s U.S. federal income tax return for the tax years 2011 to 2013 in fiscal year 2016. The examination is anticipated to conclude during fiscal year 2019. The Company believes that adequate reserves have been provided relating to all matters contained in the tax periods open to examination.

9. Stock-Based Compensation
 
The following table summarizes the components of stock-based compensation expense included in general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income:
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
(In millions)
Total stock-based compensation expense:
 
 
 
Equity classified awards expense
$
4.1

 
$
3.4

Liability classified awards expense
1.0

 
0.5

Total pre-tax stock-based compensation expense
5.1

 
3.9

Book income tax benefit
(1.3
)
 
(1.0
)
Total stock-based compensation expense, net of tax
$
3.8

 
$
2.9

 
As of March 31, 2019, total unrecognized compensation expense of $24.1 million related to restricted stock and restricted stock units and $5.8 million related to stock options are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.7 years for restricted stock and restricted stock units and 1.8 years for stock options.
 

14

Table of Contents
Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

9. Stock-Based Compensation (Continued)

Fair Value Assumptions

The Company granted 132,832 stock options during the three months ended March 31, 2019 for which the fair value was estimated using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. The following summarizes the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model:
Risk-free interest rate
2.5
%
Weighted average historical volatility
30.3
%
Dividend yield
2.8
%
Expected years until exercise
4.7

Weighted average fair value of options granted
$21.93

Equity Classified Awards - Stock Options

Stock option balances at March 31, 2019, and activity for the three months ended March 31, 2019 were as follows:
 
 
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Term
(in Years)
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value (in Millions)
Outstanding at December 31, 2018
 
1,439,708

 
$
63.21

 
 
 
 

Granted
 
132,832

 
98.97

 
 
 
 

Exercised
 
(116,590
)
 
58.05

 
 
 
 

Outstanding at March 31, 2019
 
1,455,950

 
66.88

 
6.8
 
$
38.2

Vested at March 31, 2019 and Expected to Vest
 
1,311,896

 
67.76

 
6.6
 
$
33.3

Exercisable at March 31, 2019
 
682,494

 
$
75.92

 
4.6
 
$
12.1

 
The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between the closing stock price of the Company’s common stock on the last trading day of the first quarter of 2019 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on March 31, 2019. The aggregate intrinsic value will change based on the fair market value of the Company’s common stock and the number of in-the-money options.

Equity Classified Awards - Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units

Outstanding balances as of March 31, 2019, and activity related to restricted stock and restricted stock units for the three months ended March 31, 2019 were as follows:
 
 
Restricted
Stock
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Stock-Settled Restricted
Stock Units
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2018
 
267,242

 
$
63.97

 
374,529

 
$
31.05

Granted
 
51,457

 
98.58

 
13,464

 
98.97

Released
 
(48,022
)
 
79.60

 
(12,293
)
 
90.34

Forfeited
 
(2,562
)
 
48.22

 

 

Outstanding at March 31, 2019
 
268,115

 
$
69.96

 
375,700

 
$
30.95



15

Table of Contents
Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

9. Stock-Based Compensation (Continued)

Liability Classified Awards - Cash-settled Restricted Stock Units

The Company has granted cash-settled restricted stock units to certain employees. These instruments are recorded as liabilities at fair value as of the respective period end.
 
 
Cash-Settled Restricted
Stock Units
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2018
 
53,766

 
$
94.77

Granted
 
19,736

 
91.05

Released
 
(317
)
 
82.16

Forfeited
 
(3,622
)
 
98.96

Outstanding at March 31, 2019
 
69,563

 
$
93.58


For the three months ended March 31, 2019, and 2018, $0.6 million and $0.1 million, respectively, was included as stock-based compensation expense related to cash-settled restricted stock units.

Liability Classified Awards - Long-Term Incentive Awards
The Company has granted cash long-term incentive awards (“LTIP awards”) to certain employees. Annual LTIP awards vest over a three-year period and are determined using multipliers from 0% to 200% of the target award based on (i) the total stockholder return of Dine Brands Global common stock compared to the total stockholder returns of a peer group of companies and (ii) the percentage increase in the Company's adjusted earnings per share (as defined). The awards are considered stock-based compensation and are classified as liabilities measured at fair value as of the respective period end. For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, $0.4 million and $0.4 million, respectively were included in total stock-based compensation expense related to LTIP awards. At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, liabilities of $1.7 million and $2.4 million, respectively, related to LTIP awards were included as part of accrued employee compensation and benefits in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

10. Segments
 
The Company identifies its reporting segments based on the organizational units used by management to monitor performance and make operating decisions. The Company currently has five operating segments: Applebee's franchise operations, Applebee's company-operated restaurant operations, IHOP franchise operations, rental operations and financing operations. The Company has four reportable segments: franchise operations, (an aggregation of Applebee's and IHOP franchise operations), company-operated restaurant operations, rental operations and financing operations. The Company considers these to be its reportable segments, regardless of whether any segment exceeds 10% of consolidated revenues, income before income tax provision or total assets.
 
As of March 31, 2019, the franchise operations segment consisted of (i) 1,761 restaurants operated by Applebee’s franchisees in the United States, two U.S. territories and 13 countries outside the United States and (ii) 1,822 restaurants operated by IHOP franchisees and area licensees in the United States, three U.S. territories and 12 countries outside the United States. Franchise operations revenue consists primarily of franchise royalty revenues, franchise advertising revenue, sales of proprietary products to franchisees (primarily pancake and waffle dry mixes for the IHOP restaurants), and franchise fees.  Franchise operations expenses include advertising expenses, the cost of IHOP proprietary products, bad debt expense, franchisor contributions to marketing funds, pre-opening training expenses and other franchise-related costs.

Company restaurant sales are retail sales at company-operated restaurants. Company restaurant expenses are operating expenses at company-operated restaurants and include food, labor, utilities, rent and other restaurant operating costs.

Rental operations revenue includes revenue from operating leases and interest income from direct financing leases. Rental operations expenses are costs of operating leases and interest expense from capital leases on franchisee-operated restaurants. 

Financing operations revenue primarily consists of interest income from the financing of franchise fees and equipment leases and sales of equipment associated with refranchised IHOP restaurants. Financing expenses are primarily the cost of restaurant equipment associated with refranchised IHOP restaurants.

16

Table of Contents
Dine Brand Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

10. Segments (Continued)

Information on segments is as follows:
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
(In millions)
Revenues from external customers:
 
 
 
 
Franchise operations
 
$
168.9

 
$
155.3

Rental operations
 
30.7

 
30.9

Company restaurants
 
35.8

 

Financing operations
 
1.8

 
2.0

Total
 
$
237.2

 
$
188.2

 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense:
 
 
 
 
Rental operations
 
$
2.5

 
$
2.4

Company restaurants
 
0.5

 

Corporate
 
15.4

 
15.2

Total
 
$
18.4

 
$
17.6

 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization:
 
 
 
 
Franchise operations
 
$
2.6

 
$
2.7

Rental operations
 
3.5

 
$
2.9

Company restaurants
 
1.3

 

Corporate
 
2.8

 
2.3

Total
 
$
10.2

 
$
7.9

 
 
 
 
 
Gross profit, by segment:
 
 
 
 
Franchise operations
 
$
88.6

 
$
73.4

Rental operations
 
8.1

 
8.2

Company restaurants
 
4.2

 

Financing operations
 
1.7

 
1.9

Total gross profit
 
102.6

 
83.5

Corporate and unallocated expenses, net
 
(61.5
)
 
(60.8
)
Income before income tax provision
 
$
41.1

 
$
22.7


11. Net Income per Share

The computation of the Company's basic and diluted net income per share is as follows:
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
Numerator for basic and diluted income per common share:
 
 
 
Net income
$
31,643

 
$
17,073

Less: Net income allocated to unvested participating restricted stock
(1,111
)
 
(568
)
Net income available to common stockholders - basic
30,532

 
16,505

Effect of unvested participating restricted stock in two-class calculation
12

 
2

Net income available to common stockholders - diluted
$
30,544

 
$
16,507

Denominator:
 
 
 
Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock - basic
17,343

 
17,703

Dilutive effect of stock options
347

 
142

Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock - diluted
17,690

 
17,845

Net income per common share:
 
 
 
Basic
$
1.76

 
$
0.93

Diluted
$
1.73

 
$
0.92


17

Table of Contents
Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)





12. Fair Value Measurements
The Company does not have a material amount of financial assets or liabilities that are required under U.S. GAAP to be measured on a recurring basis at fair value. The Company is not a party to any derivative financial instruments. The Company does not have a material amount of non-financial assets or non-financial liabilities that are required under U.S. GAAP to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The Company has not elected to use the fair value measurement option, as permitted under U.S. GAAP, for any assets or liabilities for which fair value measurement is not presently required.
 
The Company believes the fair values of cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their carrying amounts due to their short duration.
 
The fair values of the Company's Series 2014-1 Class A-2 Notes (the “Class A-2 Notes”) at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 were as follows:
 
 
March 31, 2019
December 31, 2018
 
 
(In millions)
Carrying amount of Class A-2 Notes
 
$
1,283.8

 
$
1,283.8

 
Fair Value of Class A-2 Notes
 
$
1,289.0

 
$
1,280.9

 

 The fair values were determined based on Level 2 inputs, including information gathered from brokers who trade in the Company’s Class A-2 Notes and information on notes that are similar to those of the Company.

13. Commitments and Contingencies
 
Litigation, Claims and Disputes
 
The Company is subject to various lawsuits, administrative proceedings, audits and claims arising in the ordinary course of business. Some of these lawsuits purport to be class actions and/or seek substantial damages. The Company is required under U.S. GAAP to record an accrual for litigation loss contingencies that are both probable and reasonably estimable. Legal fees and expenses associated with the defense of all of the Company's litigation are expensed as such fees and expenses are incurred. Management regularly assesses the Company's insurance coverage, analyzes litigation information with the Company's attorneys and evaluates the Company's loss experience in connection with pending legal proceedings. While the Company does not presently believe that any of the legal proceedings to which it is currently a party will ultimately have a material adverse impact on the Company, there can be no assurance that the Company will prevail in all the proceedings the Company is party to, or that the Company will not incur material losses from them.
Lease Guarantees
 
In connection with the sale of Applebee’s restaurants to franchisees, the Company has, in certain cases, guaranteed or has potential continuing liability for lease payments totaling $280.0 million as of March 31, 2019. This amount represents the maximum potential liability for future payments under these leases. These leases have been assigned to the buyers and expire at the end of the respective lease terms, which range from 2019 through 2048. Excluding unexercised option periods, the Company's potential liability for future payments under these leases is $42.1 million. In the event of default, the indemnity and default clauses in the sale or assignment agreements govern the Company's ability to pursue and recover damages incurred.

14. Restricted Cash

Current restricted cash of $36.7 million at March 31, 2019 primarily consisted of $33.7 million of funds required to be held in trust in connection with the Company's securitized debt and $2.9 million of funds from Applebee's franchisees pursuant to franchise agreements, usage of which was restricted to advertising activities. Current restricted cash of $48.5 million at December 31, 2018 primarily consisted of $42.3 million of funds required to be held in trust in connection with the Company's securitized debt and $6.2 million of funds from Applebee's franchisees pursuant to franchise agreements, usage of which was restricted to advertising activities.

Non-current restricted cash of $14.7 million at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 represents interest reserves required to be set aside for the duration of the Company's securitized debt.


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11. Facility Exit Costs (Continued)

15. Acquisition of Business

In December 2018, the Company acquired 69 Applebee’s restaurants in North Carolina and South Carolina from a former Applebee's franchisee for a total purchase price of $21.6 million. The Company entered into the transaction to resolve certain franchisee financial health issues in what the Company believes was the most expedient and favorable manner for the Company and the Applebee's system.

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company completed the calculation of deferred income taxes related to the transaction and adjusted the preliminary purchase price as follows:
 
Preliminary Allocation
 
Adjustments
 
Adjusted Allocation
 
(In millions)
Reacquired franchise rights
$
11.6

 
$

 
$
11.6

Equipment and fixtures
10.0

 

 
10.0

Inventory
1.4

 

 
1.4

Deferred income taxes

 
1.5

 
1.5

Total identifiable assets acquired
23.0

 
1.5

 
24.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
Above-market leaseholds, net
(6.5
)
 

 
(6.5
)
Other liabilities
(1.0
)
 

 
(1.0
)
Net identifiable assets acquired
15.5

 
1.5

 
17.0

Goodwill
6.1

 
(1.5
)
 
4.6

Consideration transferred
$
21.6

 
$

 
$
21.6


In conjunction with the acquisition, the Company assumed capital (finance) lease obligations and related property under capital (finance) leases of $9.1 million. The Company also entered into new capital (finance) leases totaling $28.1 million of property under capital (finance) leases and capital (finance) lease obligations.


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Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 
You should read the following Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the related notes that appear elsewhere in this report. Statements contained in this report may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Please refer to the section of this report under the heading “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” for more information.

Overview
 
The following discussion and analysis provides information which we believe is relevant to an assessment and understanding of our consolidated results of operations and financial condition. The discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report and the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and the MD&A contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. Except where the context indicates otherwise, the words “we,” “us,” “our,” “Dine Brands Global” and the “Company” refer to Dine Brands Global, Inc., together with its subsidiaries that are consolidated in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”).
 
Through various subsidiaries, we own, franchise and operate the Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar® (“Applebee's”) concept in the bar and grill segment within the casual dining category of the restaurant industry and we own and franchise the International House of Pancakes® (“IHOP”) concept in the family dining category of the restaurant industry. References herein to Applebee's® and IHOP® restaurants are to these two restaurant concepts, whether operated by franchisees, area licensees and their sub-licensees (collectively, “area licensees”) or by us. With over 3,600 restaurants combined, the substantial majority of which are franchised, we believe we are one of the largest full-service restaurant companies in the world.

We identify our business segments based on the organizational units used by management to monitor performance and make operating decisions. We currently have five operating segments: Applebee's franchise operations, Applebee's company-operated restaurant operations, IHOP franchise operations, rental operations and financing operations. We have four reportable segments: franchise operations, (an aggregation of Applebee's and IHOP franchise operations), company-operated restaurant operations, rental operations and financing operations. We consider these to be our reportable segments, regardless of whether any segment exceeds 10% of consolidated revenues, income before income tax provision or total assets.

The financial tables appearing in Management's Discussion and Analysis present amounts in millions of dollars that are rounded from our consolidated financial statements presented in thousands of dollars. As a result, the tables may not foot or crossfoot due to rounding.

Key Financial Results
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable) Variance
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions, except per share data)
Income before income taxes
$
41.1

 
$
22.7

 
$
18.4

Income tax provision
(9.5
)
 
(5.6
)
 
(3.9
)
Net income
$
31.6

 
$
17.1

 
$
14.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
Effective tax rate
23.1
%
 
24.8
%
 
1.7
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income per diluted share
$
1.73

 
$
0.92

 
$
0.81



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The following table highlights the primary reasons for the increase in our income before income taxes in the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the same period of 2018:
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable) Variance
 
 
(In millions)
Increase (decrease) in gross profit:
 
Applebee's franchise operations
$
13.4

IHOP franchise operations
1.8

Company restaurant operations
4.2

All other operations
(0.3
)
Total gross profit increase
19.1

Increase in General and Administrative (“G&A”) expenses
(0.9
)
Other
0.2

Increase in income before income taxes
$
18.4


The changes in Applebee's franchise gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the same period of the prior year were primarily due to franchisor contributions to the Applebee’s National Advertising Fund (the “Applebee's NAF”) of $13.5 million we made during the three months ended March 31, 2018 that did not recur in 2019. See “Consolidated Results of Operations - Comparison of the Three Months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 for additional discussion of the changes presented above.

Our effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was lower than the comparable period of 2018 due to the recognition of excess tax benefits on stock-based compensation during the three months ended March 31, 2019.

Key Performance Indicators

In evaluating the performance of each restaurant concept, we consider the key performance indicators to be the system-wide sales percentage change, the percentage change in domestic system-wide same-restaurant sales (“domestic same-restaurant sales”), net franchise restaurant development and the change in effective restaurants. Changes in both domestic same-restaurant sales and in the number of Applebee's and IHOP restaurants will impact our system-wide retail sales that drive franchise royalty revenues. Restaurant development also impacts franchise revenues in the form of initial franchise fees and, in the case of IHOP restaurants, sales of proprietary pancake and waffle dry mix.
 
Our key performance indicators for the three months ended March 31, 2019 were as follows:
 
Three months ended March 31, 2019
 
Applebee's
 
IHOP
Sales percentage (decrease) increase
(1.4
)%
 
2.4
%
% increase in domestic system-wide same-restaurant sales
1.8
 %
 
1.2
%
Net franchise restaurant reductions (1)
(7
)
 
(9
)
Net (decrease) increase in total effective restaurants (2)
(92
)
 
30

________________________________________________

(1) Franchise and area license restaurant openings, net of closings, during the three months ended March 31, 2019.
(2) Change in effective franchise, area license and company-operated restaurants open for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the same period of 2018.

The Applebee's sales percentage decrease for the three months ended March 31, 2019 when compared to the same period of 2018 was due to restaurant closures over the past 12 months that were partially offset by an increase in domestic same-restaurant sales. The IHOP sales percentage increase for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was due to net restaurant development over the past 12 months and an increase in domestic same-restaurant sales.


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Domestic Same-Restaurant Sales
 https://cdn.kscope.io/fc636960809c5e635f6b002a52e60c6d-chart-ad8608d599415486848.jpg
Applebee’s domestic same-restaurant sales increased 1.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2019 from the same period in 2018, the sixth consecutive quarter of growth in same-restaurant sales. The improvement resulted from an increase in average customer check that was partially offset by a decline in customer traffic. The increase in domestic same-restaurant sales for three months ended March 31, 2019 primarily was due to an increase in off-premise sales, which comprised 13% of Applebee's sales mix during the quarter.

The increase in same-restaurant sales for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was impacted by comparisons against significant increases in same-restaurant sales and traffic for the three months ended March 31, 2018. In terms of a two-year comparison, Applebee's domestic same-restaurant sales have grown 5.1%, with increases in both average customer check and customer traffic.

Based on data from Black Box Intelligence, a restaurant sales reporting firm (“Black Box”), Applebee's outperformed the casual dining segment of the restaurant industry during the three months ended March 31, 2019. During that period, the casual dining segment experienced an increase in same-restaurant sales that was smaller than the Applebee's increase, due to an increase in average customer check that was partially offset by a decline in customer traffic. Applebee's increase in average customer check for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was larger than that of the casual dining segment, while Applebee's decrease in traffic was also larger than that of the casual dining segment.





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https://cdn.kscope.io/fc636960809c5e635f6b002a52e60c6d-chart-53901da7f7f25fa08a2.jpg
* Same-restaurant sales data includes area license restaurants beginning in 2019


IHOP’s domestic same-restaurant sales increased 1.2% (including area license restaurants) for the three months ended March 31, 2019 from the same period in 2018. This growth was due to an increase in average customer check that was partially offset by a decline in customer traffic. The increase in average customer check was due in part to a favorable mix shift we believe was driven by successful promotional activity during the quarter. The increase in domestic same-restaurant sales for three months ended March 31, 2019 was favorably impacted by an increase in off-premise sales, which comprised 9.5% of IHOP's sales mix during the quarter. We believe the results for the first quarter were adversely impacted by a shift in the Easter holiday period which fell in the second quarter of 2019 as compared to the first quarter of 2018. Typically, the Easter holiday period has had a positive impact on IHOP sales.

Based on data from Black Box, the family dining segment of the restaurant industry experienced a small increase in same-restaurant sales during the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to the same period of the prior year, due to an increase in average customer check that was offset by a decrease in customer traffic. IHOP's increase in same-restaurant sales during the three months ended March 31, 2019 was larger than that of that the family dining segment because of a larger increase in average customer check than that experienced by the family dining segment. This was partially offset by IHOP experiencing a decrease in customer traffic that was larger than that of the family dining segment.

Restaurant Data
 
The following table sets forth the number of “Effective Restaurants” in the Applebee’s and IHOP systems and information regarding the percentage change in sales at those restaurants compared to the same period of the prior year. Sales at restaurants that are owned by franchisees and area licensees are not attributable to the Company and, as such, the percentage change in sales at Effective Restaurants is based on non-GAAP sales data. However, we believe that presentation of this information is useful in analyzing our revenues because franchisees and area licensees pay us royalties and advertising fees that are based on a percentage of their sales, and, where applicable, rental payments under leases that partially may be based on a percentage of their sales. Management also uses this information to make decisions about plans for future development of additional restaurants as well as evaluation of current operations.

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Table of Contents

 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
Applebee's Restaurant Data
 
(Unaudited)
Effective Restaurants(a)
 
 

 
 

Franchise
 
1,762

 
1,923

Company
 
69

 

Total
 
1,831

 
1,923

 
 
 
 
 
System-wide(b)
 
 

 
 

Domestic sales percentage change(c)
 
(1.4
)%
 
0.9
 %
Domestic same-restaurant sales percentage change(d)
 
1.8
 %
 
3.3
 %
Franchise(b)
 
 

 
 

Domestic sales percentage change(c)
 
(4.7
)%
 
0.9
 %
Domestic same-restaurant sales percentage change(d)
 
1.6
 %
 
3.3
 %
Average weekly domestic unit sales (in thousands)
 
$
49.6

 
$
47.6

 
 
 
 
 
IHOP Restaurant Data
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
Effective Restaurants(a)
 
 

 
 

Franchise
 
1,657

 
1,619

Area license
 
156

 
164

Total
 
1,813

 
1,783

 
 
 
 
 
System-wide(b)
 
 

 
 

Sales percentage change(c)
 
2.4
 %
 
3.9
 %
Domestic same-restaurant sales percentage change, including area license restaurants(d)
 
1.2
 %
 
1.0
 %
Domestic same-restaurant sales percentage change, excluding area license restaurants(d)
 
1.1
 %
 
1.0
 %
Franchise(b)
 
 

 
 

Sales percentage change(c)
 
2.3
 %
 
4.9
 %
Domestic same-restaurant sales percentage change(d)
 
1.1
 %
 
1.0
 %
Average weekly unit sales (in thousands)
 
$
37.1

 
$
37.1

Area License(b)
 
 

 
 

Sales percentage change(c)
 
2.7
 %
 
(0.2
)%
 
(a)   “Effective Restaurants” are the weighted average number of restaurants open in each fiscal period, adjusted to account for restaurants open for only a portion of the period. Information is presented for all Effective Restaurants in the Applebee’s and IHOP systems, which consist of restaurants owned by franchisees and area licensees as well as those owned by the Company.
 (b)   “System-wide sales” are retail sales at Applebee’s restaurants operated by franchisees and IHOP restaurants operated by franchisees and area licensees, as reported to the Company, in addition to retail sales at company-operated Applebee's restaurants.  Sales at restaurants that are owned by franchisees and area licensees are not attributable to the Company. An increase in franchisees' reported sales will result in a corresponding increase in our royalty revenue, while a decrease in franchisees' reported sales will result in a corresponding decrease in our royalty revenue. Unaudited reported sales for Applebee's domestic franchise restaurants, Applebee's company-operated restaurants, IHOP franchise restaurants and IHOP area license restaurants were as follows:
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Reported sales (in millions)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
Applebee's domestic franchise restaurant sales
$
1,044.2

 
$
1,095.6

  Applebee's company-operated restaurants
35.7

 

IHOP franchise restaurant sales
798.8

 
780.6

IHOP area license restaurant sales
74.3

 
72.3

Total
$
1,953.0

 
$
1,948.5

 
(c)   “Sales percentage change” reflects, for each category of restaurants, the percentage change in sales in any given fiscal period compared to the prior fiscal period for all restaurants in that category.
 
(d)   “Domestic same-restaurant sales percentage change” reflects the percentage change in sales in any given fiscal period, compared to the same weeks in the prior fiscal period, for domestic restaurants that have been operated throughout both fiscal periods that are being compared and have been open for at least 18 months. Because of new restaurant openings and restaurant closures, the domestic restaurants open throughout both fiscal periods being compared may be different from period to period.

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Table of Contents

 Restaurant Development Activity
Three months ended March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Applebee's
(Unaudited)
Summary - beginning of period:
 
 
 
Franchise
1,768

 
1,936

Company restaurants
69

 

Beginning of period
1,837

 
1,936

 
 
 
 
Franchise restaurants opened:
 
 
 
International

 
2

Total franchise restaurants opened

 
2

Franchise restaurants closed:
 
 
 
Domestic
(4
)
 
(22
)
International
(3
)
 
(4
)
Total franchise restaurants closed
(7
)
 
(26
)
Net franchise restaurant reduction
(7
)
 
(24
)
 
 
 
 
Summary - end of period:
 
 
 
Franchise
1,761

 
1,912

Company restaurants
69

 

Total Applebee's restaurants, end of period
1,830

 
1,912

Domestic
1,689

 
1,760

International
141

 
152

IHOP
 
 
 
Summary - beginning of period:
 
 
 
Franchise
1,669

 
1,622

Area license
162

 
164

Total IHOP restaurants, beginning of period
1,831

 
1,786

 
 
 
 
Franchise/area license restaurants opened:
 
 
 
Domestic franchise
6

 
13

International franchise

 
3

Total franchise/area license restaurants opened
6

 
16

Franchise/area license restaurants closed:
 
 
 
Domestic franchise
(11
)
 
(5
)
Domestic area license
(3
)
 

International franchise
(1
)
 
(6
)
Total franchise/area license restaurants closed
(15
)
 
(11
)
Net franchise/area license restaurant (reduction) development
(9
)
 
5

 
 
 
 
Summary - end of period:
 
 
 
Franchise
1,663

 
1,627

Area license
159

 
164

Total IHOP restaurants, end of period
1,822

 
1,791

Domestic
1,697

 
1,679

International
125

 
112


For the full year of 2019, we expect Applebee's franchisees to close between 20 and 30 net restaurants globally, the majority of which are expected to be domestic closures. IHOP franchisees and area licensees are projected to develop between 35 and 55 net new IHOP restaurants globally, the majority of which are expected to be domestic openings.

The actual number of openings may differ from both our expectations and development commitments. Historically, the actual number of restaurants developed in any given year has been less than the total number committed to be developed due to various factors, including economic conditions and franchisee noncompliance with development agreements. The timing of new restaurant openings also may be affected by various factors including weather-related and other construction delays, difficulties in obtaining timely regulatory approvals and the impact of currency fluctuations on our international franchisees. The actual number of closures also may differ from expectations. Our franchisees are independent businesses and decisions to close restaurants can be impacted by numerous factors, in addition to declines in same-restaurant sales, that are outside of our control, including but not limited to, franchisees' agreements with landlords and lenders.

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Table of Contents


CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Comparison of the Three Months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018
Events Impacting Comparability of Financial Information
Acquisition of Franchise Restaurants

In December 2018, we acquired 69 Applebee's restaurants in North and South Carolina from a former Applebee's franchisee. While we currently intend to own and operate these restaurants for the near term, we will assess and monitor opportunities to refranchise these restaurants under favorable circumstances. We operated no restaurants of either brand during the three months ended March 31, 2018.

Franchisor Contributions to the Applebee’s NAF

We contributed $13.5 million to the Applebee's NAF during the three months ended March 31, 2018 to mitigate the decline in franchisee contributions due to restaurant closures and the non-timely payment of advertising fees by certain franchisees. Our contributions to the Applebee's NAF ceased as of June 30, 2018.

Temporary Increase in Franchisee Contribution Rate to the Applebee's NAF

The contribution rate to the Applebee’s NAF for virtually all Applebee’s franchisees was 3.5% of their gross sales for the period from January 1, 2018 to June 30, 2018. Such franchisees also agreed to an incremental temporary increase of 0.75% in the advertising contribution rate to 4.25%, effective July 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019. As a result, the advertising contribution rate for virtually all Applebee's franchisees was 4.25% during the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to 3.50% during the three months ended March 31, 2018. This increased advertising revenue by approximately $8 million in 2019.

Financial Results
Revenue
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable) Variance
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Franchise operations
 
$
168.9

 
$
155.3

 
$
13.6

Rental operations
 
30.7

 
30.9

 
(0.2
)
Company restaurant operations
 
35.8

 

 
35.8

Financing operations
 
1.8

 
2.0

 
(0.2
)
Total revenue
 
$
237.2

 
$
188.2

 
$
49.0

Change vs. prior period
 
26.1
%
 
 
 
 

Total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2019 increased compared with the same period of the prior year, primarily due to the operation of 69 Applebee's restaurant acquired in December 2018 and the impact of a higher advertising contribution rate on Applebee's advertising revenue. IHOP restaurant development over the past 12 months and increases in same-restaurant sales for both Applebee's and IHOP also contributed to the increase in revenue.

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Table of Contents


 
Gross Profit
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable) Variance
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Franchise operations
 
$
88.6

 
$
73.4

 
$
15.2

Rental operations
 
8.1

 
8.2

 
(0.1
)
Company restaurant operations
 
4.2

 

 
4.2

Financing operations
 
1.7

 
1.9

 
(0.2
)
Total gross profit
 
$
102.6

 
$
83.5

 
$
19.1

Change vs. prior period
 
22.8
%
 
 
 
 

Total gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2019 increased nearly 23% compared with the same period of the prior year, primarily due to a $13.5 million contribution to the Applebee's NAF made during the three months ended March 31, 2018 that did not recur in 2019. Operation of 69 Applebee's restaurants favorably impacted total gross profit by $2.8 million, as the gross profit of $4.2 million from operating the 69 restaurants was partially offset by royalties of approximately $1.4 million that would have been recognized in franchise operations had the restaurants been franchisee-operated. IHOP restaurant development over the past 12 months and increases in same-restaurant sales for both Applebee's and IHOP also contributed to the increase in gross profit.
  
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable) Variance
Franchise Operations
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
(In millions, except number of restaurants)
Effective Franchise Restaurants:(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Applebee’s
 
1,762

 
1,923

 
(161
)
IHOP
 
1,813

 
1,783

 
30

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Franchise Revenues:
 
 

 
 
 
 
Applebee’s franchise fees
 
$
43.3

 
$
40.7

 
$
2.6

IHOP franchise fees
 
53.0

 
50.8

 
2.2

Advertising fees
 
72.6

 
63.8

 
8.8

Total franchise revenues
 
168.9

 
155.3

 
13.6

Franchise Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Applebee’s
 
0.6

 
11.4

 
10.8

IHOP
 
7.1

 
6.7

 
(0.4
)
Advertising expenses
 
72.6

 
63.8

 
(8.8
)
Total franchise expenses
 
80.3

 
81.9

 
1.6

Franchise Gross Profit:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Applebee’s
 
42.7

 
29.3

 
13.4

IHOP
 
45.9

 
44.1

 
1.8

Total franchise gross profit
 
$
88.6

 
$
73.4

 
$
15.2

Gross profit as % of revenue (2)
 
52.5
%
 
47.3
%
 
 
Gross profit as % of franchise fees (2) (3)
 
92.0
%
 
80.3
%
 
 
 _____________________________________________________
(1) Effective Franchise Restaurants are the weighted average number of franchise and area license restaurants open in each fiscal period, adjusted to account for restaurants open for only a portion of the period.
(2) Percentages calculated on actual amounts, not rounded amounts presented above.
(3) From time to time, advertising fee revenue may be different from advertising expenses in a given accounting period. Over the long term, advertising revenue should not generate gross profit or loss.


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Table of Contents

Applebee’s franchise fee revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2019 increased 6% compared to the same period of the prior year. The increase was primarily due to an improvement in revenue collectibility of $4.5 million as a result of favorable changes in franchisee health and the impact on royalty revenue of a 1.6% increase in domestic franchise same-restaurant sales. These favorable items were partially offset by a $2.8 million decrease in revenue because of fewer effective franchise restaurants, the number of which declined due to restaurant closures and our acquisition of 69 Applebee's restaurants in North and South Carolina from a former Applebee's franchisee in December 2018.

The decrease in Applebee's franchise expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared with the same period of the prior year was primarily due to a decrease of $13.5 million in franchisor contributions to the Applebee's NAF, partially offset by a $3.0 million decrease in bad debt recoveries. Our franchisor contributions to the Applebee's NAF ceased as of June 30, 2018.

IHOP franchise fee revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2019 increased 4% compared to the same period of the prior year, primarily due to an increase in sales of pancake and waffle dry mix, an increase in Effective Franchise Restaurants because of net restaurant development over the past twelve months and a 1.2% increase in domestic same-restaurant sales.

The increase in IHOP franchise expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared with the same period of the prior year was primarily due to an increase in purchases of pancake and waffle dry mix partially offset by a decrease in bad debt expense.

Advertising revenue and expense for the three months ended March 31, 2019 increased compared to the same period of the prior year, primarily due to an increase in the franchisee advertising contribution rate to the Applebee's NAF. As previously reported, virtually all domestic Applebee's franchisees agreed to an incremental temporary increase of 0.75% in the advertising contribution rate to 4.25% effective July 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019. This change represented $7.7 million of the increase. In addition, advertising revenue and expense increased due to an improvement of franchisee collectibility of advertising fees from certain Applebee's franchisees, IHOP net restaurant development over the past twelve months and increases in Applebee's and IHOP domestic same-restaurant sales. It is our policy to recognize any excess or deficiency of advertising fee revenue compared to advertising expenditure in the fourth quarter of our fiscal year.

Gross profit as a percentage of franchise fees increased for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the same period of the prior year, primarily due to the $13.5 million franchisor contribution to the Applebee's NAF made in the first quarter of 2018 that did not recur in 2019. IHOP net restaurant development over the past twelve months and increases in Applebee's and IHOP domestic same-restaurant sales also contributed to the improvement in gross profit percentage.

Rental Operations
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable) Variance
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
(In millions)
Rental revenues
 
$
30.7

 
$
30.9

 
$
(0.2
)
Finance lease interest
 
1.5

 
1.9

 
0.4

Other rental expenses
 
21.1

 
20.8

 
(0.3
)
Total rental expenses
 
22.6

 
22.7

 
0.1

Rental operations gross profit
 
$
8.1

 
$
8.2

 
$
(0.1
)
Gross profit as % of revenue (1)
 
26.3
%
 
26.6
%
 
 
_____________________________________________________
(1) Percentages calculated on actual amounts, not rounded amounts presented above.

Rental operations relate primarily to IHOP franchise restaurants. Rental income includes sublease revenue from operating leases and interest income from direct financing leases. Rental expenses are costs of prime operating leases and interest expense on prime financing leases.

Rental segment revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2019 decreased as compared to the same period of the prior year due to the progressive decline of $0.3 million in interest income as direct financing leases are repaid, partially offset by contractual increases in base sub-rental income. Rental segment expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2019 were essentially unchanged from the same period of the prior year.


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Company Restaurant Operations

As discussed above under “Events Impacting Comparability of Financial Information,” we acquired 69 Applebee’s restaurants in North Carolina and South Carolina in December 2018. We had no company-operated restaurants of either brand during the first quarter of 2018.

Financing Operations

Financing revenues primarily consist of interest income from the financing of equipment leases and franchise fees, as well as sales of equipment associated with refranchised IHOP restaurants. Financing expenses are the cost of any restaurant equipment sold associated with refranchised IHOP restaurants.

Financing revenue and gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2019 did not change significantly compared to the same period of the prior year.

G&A Expenses
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable) Variance
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
(In millions)

 
$
42.8

 
$
41.9

 
$
(0.9
)

The increase in G&A expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the same period of the prior year was primarily due to a $3.1 million increase in personnel-related costs, partially offset by decreases in costs of professional services, travel and conferences.

Other Income and Expense Items

 
Three months ended March 31,
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable) Variance
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
(In millions)
Interest expense
 
$
15.4

 
$
15.2

 
$
(0.2
)
Amortization of intangible assets
 
2.9

 
2.5

 
(0.4
)
Closure and impairment costs
 
0.2

 
2.6

 
2.4

Loss (gain) on disposition of assets
 
0.1

 
(1.4
)
 
(1.5
)
Total
 
$
18.6

 
$
18.9

 
$
0.3


Interest expense

Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was slightly higher than the same period of the prior year, primarily due to amortization of costs associated with the issuance of variable funding notes in September 2018.

Amortization of intangible assets

Amortization of intangible assets for the three months ended March 31, 2019 increased compared to the same period of the prior year due to amortization of reacquired franchise rights recognized in conjunction with the December 2018 acquisition of 69 Applebee's restaurants.

Closure and impairment costs

There were no individually significant closure and impairment charges during the three months ended March 31, 2019. Closure and impairment charges of $2.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 primarily comprised of lease closure obligations, net of estimated subrental income, related to two properties on which refranchised Applebee's company-operated restaurants had been located. There were no other individually significant charges in that period.


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Gain on disposition of assets

There were no individually significant asset dispositions during the three months ended March 31, 2019. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the sublease tenant of a property with lease terms favorable to the Company purchased the property, which allowed us to recognize a gain of $1.4 million on disposition of the favorable lease asset.

Income Taxes
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable) Variance
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
(In millions)
Income tax provision
 
$
9.5

 
$
5.6

 
$
(3.9
)
Effective tax rate
 
23.1
%
 
24.8
%
 
1.7
%
Our income tax provision will vary from period to period for two reasons: a change in income before income taxes and a change in the effective tax rate. Changes in our income before income taxes were addressed in the preceding sections of “Consolidated Results of Operations - Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.”
Our effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was lower compared to the same period of the prior year due to recognition of excess tax benefits on stock-based compensation. Completion of the IRS audits for tax years 2011 through 2013 will allow us to accelerate the collection of certain tax benefits recognized in prior years. As a result, we expect to receive a cash refund of $12.4 million, excluding interest, in 2019. The expected refund is currently included in Prepaid Income Taxes in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.



Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
At March 31, 2019, our outstanding long-term debt consisted of $1.3 billion of Series 2014-1 4.277% Fixed Rate Senior Notes, Class A-2 (the “Class A-2 Notes”). We also have a revolving financing facility consisting of Series 2018-1 Variable Funding Senior Notes, Class A-1 (the “Variable Funding Notes” or “VFN”), which allows for drawings of up to $225 million of Variable Funding Notes and the issuance of letters of credit. The Class A-2 Notes and the Variable Funding Notes are referred to collectively as the “Notes.” The Notes were issued in a private securitization transaction pursuant to which substantially all our domestic revenue-generating assets and our domestic intellectual property are held by certain special-purpose, wholly-owned indirect subsidiaries of the Company (the “Guarantors”) that act as guarantors of the Notes and that have pledged substantially all their assets to secure the Notes.
While the Notes are outstanding, payment of principal and interest is required to be made on the Class A-2 Notes on a quarterly basis. The quarterly principal payment of $3.25 million on the Class A-2 Notes may be suspended when the leverage ratio for the Company and its subsidiaries is less than or equal to 5.25x. At December 31, 2018, our leverage ratio was 4.90x and we were not required to make a principal payment in the first quarter of 2019. At March 31, 2019, our leverage ratio was 4.75x and we will not be required to make a principal payment in the second quarter of 2019. Exceeding the leverage ratio of 5.25x does not violate any covenant related to the Notes. We may voluntarily repay the Class A-2 Notes at any time, and as of September 30, 2018, there was no longer any make-whole payment required for voluntary repayment.
The Variable Funding Notes were not drawn upon at March 31, 2019. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, we repaid $25.0 million of Variable Funding Notes, representing the amount outstanding at December 31, 2018; we did not draw on the Variable Funding Notes during the three months ended March 31, 2019. The maximum amount of Variable Funding Notes outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2019 was $25.0 million and the weighted average interest rate on the Variable Funding Notes for the period outstanding was 4.88%. Additionally, at March 31, 2019, $2.2 million was pledged against the Variable Funding Notes for outstanding letters of credit, leaving $222.8 million of 2018 Variable Funding Notes available for borrowing. The letters of credit are used primarily to satisfy insurance-related collateral requirements.

The Notes are subject to customary rapid amortization events for similar types of financing, including events tied to our failure to maintain the stated debt service coverage ratio (“DSCR”), the sum of domestic retail sales for all restaurants being below certain levels on certain measurement dates, certain manager termination events, certain events of default and the failure to repay or refinance the Notes on the Class A-2 Anticipated Repayment Date in September 2021. The Notes are also subject to certain customary events of default, including events relating to non-payment of required interest, principal or other amounts due on or with respect to the Notes, failure to maintain the stated DSCR, failure to comply with covenants within certain time frames, certain bankruptcy events, breaches of specified representations and warranties and certain judgments.

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Failure to maintain a prescribed DSCR can trigger a Cash Trapping Event, A Rapid Amortization Event, a Manager Termination Event or a Default Event as described below. In a Cash Trapping Event, the Trustee is required to retain a certain percentage of excess Cash Flow (as defined) in a restricted account. In a Rapid Amortization Event, all excess Cash Flow is retained and used to retire principal amounts of debt. Key DSCRs are as follows:

DSCR less than 1.75x but equal to or greater than 1.50x - Cash Trapping Event, 50% of Net Cash Flow
DSCR less than 1.50x - Cash Trapping Event, 100% of Net Cash Flow
DSCR less than 1.30x - Rapid Amortization Event
DSCR less than 1.20x - Manager Termination Event
DSCR less than 1.10x - Default Event

Our DSCR for the reporting period ended March 31, 2019 was 4.95x.

Capital Allocation

Dividends
 
During the three months ended March 31, 2019, we paid dividends on common stock of $11.2 million, representing a cash dividend of $0.63 per share declared in the fourth quarter of 2018 and paid in January 2018. On February 20, 2019, our Board of Directors declared a first quarter 2019 cash dividend of $0.69 per share of common stock. This dividend was paid on April 5, 2019 to our stockholders of record at the close of business on March 20, 2019. We reported dividends payable of $12.5 million at March 31, 2019.

Share Repurchases

In February 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program authorizing the Company to repurchase up to $200 million of the Company’s common stock (“2019 Repurchase Program”) on an opportunistic basis from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions based on business, market, applicable legal requirements and other considerations.  The 2019 Repurchase Program, as approved by the Board of Directors, does not require the repurchase of a specific number of shares and can be terminated at any time. 

In October 2015, the Company's Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program authorizing the Company to repurchase up to $150 million of the Company's common stock (the “2015 Repurchase Program”) on an opportunistic basis from time to time in open market transactions and in privately negotiated transactions based on business, market, applicable legal requirements and other considerations. The 2015 Repurchase Program, as approved by the Board of Directors, did not require the repurchase of a specific number of shares and could be terminated at any time. In connection with the approval of the 2019 Repurchase Program, the Board of Directors terminated the 2015 Repurchase Program.

A summary of shares repurchased under the 2019 Repurchase Program and the 2015 Repurchase Program, during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and cumulatively, is as follows:

 
Shares
 
Cost of shares
 
 
 
(In millions)
2019 Repurchase Program:
 
 
 
Repurchased during the three months ended March 31, 2019
40,817

 
$
3.6

Cumulative (life-of-program) repurchases
40,817

 
$
3.6

Remaining dollar value of shares that may be repurchased
       n/a
 
$
196.4

 
 
 
 
2015 Repurchase Program:
 
 
 
Repurchased during the three months ended March 31, 2019
110,499

 
$
8.4

Cumulative (life-of-program) repurchases
1,589,995

 
$
126.2

Remaining dollar value of shares that may be repurchased
       n/a
 
       n/a

We evaluate dividend payments on common stock and repurchases of common stock within the context of our overall capital allocation strategy with our Board of Directors on an ongoing basis, giving consideration to our current and forecast earnings, financial condition, cash requirements and other factors.

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From time to time, we also repurchase shares owned and tendered by employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations on the vesting of restricted stock awards. Shares are deemed purchased at the closing price of our common stock on the vesting date. See Part II, Item 2 for detail on all share repurchase activity during the first quarter of 2019.

Cash Flows
 
In summary, our cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
Variance
 
(In millions)
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
28.9

 
$
16.5

 
$
12.4

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
0.4

 
(0.3
)
 
0.7

Net cash used in financing activities
(45.5
)
 
(35.9
)
 
(9.6
)
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
$
(16.1
)
 
$
(19.7
)
 
$
3.6

 
Operating Activities

Cash provided by operating activities increased $12.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the same period of the prior year. Our net income plus the non-cash reconciling items shown in our statements of cash flows (primarily depreciation, deferred taxes and stock-based compensation) increased $19.2 million from 2018. This change was primarily due to an increase in gross profit and a lower effective tax rate, each of which was discussed in preceding sections of the MD&A. Additionally, net changes in working capital used cash of $13.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to using cash of $6.6 million during the same period of the prior year. This unfavorable change of $6.7 million between years primarily resulted from an increase in payments for incentive compensation and income taxes, partially offset by the timing of payments of marketing accruals. The increase of $12.4 million in cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was due to the favorability of $19.2 million in net income plus non-cash reconciling items offset by the unfavorable change of $6.7 million in cash used by working capital changes.

Investing Activities
 
Investing activities provided net cash of $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019. Principal receipts from notes, equipment contracts and other long-term receivables of $5.3 million were partially offset by $4.7 million in capital expenditures and loans to franchisees of $1.4 million.

Financing Activities
 
Financing activities used net cash of $45.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019. Cash used in financing activities primarily consisted of repayments of 2018 Variable Funding Notes of $25.0 million, cash dividends paid on our common stock totaling $11.2 million, repurchases of our common stock totaling $10.8 million and repayments of capital lease obligations of $3.5 million. These financing outflows were partially offset by a net cash inflow of approximately $5.0 million related to equity compensation awards.
Cash and Cash Equivalents

At March 31, 2019, our cash and cash equivalents totaled $132.9 million, including $58.4 million of cash held for gift card programs and advertising funds. Additionally, our franchisor subsidiaries held a total of approximately $29 million in cash at March 31, 2019, to maintain certain net worth requirements under state franchise disclosure laws.

Based on our current level of operations, we believe that our cash flow from operations, available cash and available borrowing capacity under our Variable Funding Notes will be adequate to meet our liquidity needs for the next twelve months.


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Adjusted Free Cash Flow

We define “adjusted free cash flow” for a given period as cash provided by operating activities, plus receipts from notes and equipment contract receivables, less additions to property and equipment. Management uses this liquidity measure in its periodic assessment of, among other things, cash dividends per share of common stock and repurchases of common stock and we believe it is important for investors to have the same measure used by management for that purpose. Adjusted free cash flow does not represent residual cash flow available for discretionary purposes.

Adjusted free cash flow is a non-U.S. GAAP measure. This non-U.S. GAAP measure is not defined in the same manner by all companies and may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. Non-U.S. GAAP measures should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, the U.S. GAAP information contained within our financial statements. Reconciliation of the cash provided by operating activities to adjusted free cash flow is as follows:
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
Variance
 
(In millions)
Cash flows provided by operating activities
$
28.9

 
$
16.5

 
$
12.4

Receipts from notes and equipment contracts receivable
3.5

 
2.3

 
1.2

Additions to property and equipment
(4.7
)
 
(3.5
)
 
(1.2
)
Adjusted free cash flow
$
27.7

 
$
15.3

 
$
12.4


The increase in adjusted free cash flow for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the same period of the prior year is primarily due to the increase in cash from operating activities discussed above.

Statement of Financial Position

As discussed in Note 3, “Accounting Standards Adopted and Newly Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, we adopted the guidance as codified in ASC 842 with respect to accounting for leases. We adopted this change in accounting principle using the modified retrospective method as of the first day of our first fiscal quarter of 2019. Upon adoption of ASC 842, we recognized operating lease obligations of $453.0 million, which represents the present value of the remaining minimum lease payments, discounted using our incremental borrowing rate. We recognized operating lease right-of-use assets of $395.6 million and also recognized an adjustment to retained earnings upon adoption of $5.0 million, net of tax of $1.7 million, primarily related to an impairment resulting from an unfavorable differential between lease payments to be made and sublease rentals to be received on certain leases. The remaining difference of $50.7 million between the recognized operating lease obligation and right-of-use assets relates to the derecognition of certain liabilities and assets that had been recorded in accordance with U.S. GAAP that had been applied prior to the adoption of ASC 842, primarily $43.3 million of accrued rent payments. Lease-related reserves for lease incentives, closed restaurants and unfavorable leaseholds were also derecognized.The accounting for our existing finance (capital) leases upon adoption of ASC 842 remained substantially unchanged. Adoption of ASC 842 had no significant impact on our cash flows from operations or our results of operations.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have obligations for guarantees on certain franchisee lease agreements, as disclosed in Note 12 - Commitments and Contingencies, of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q. Other than such guarantees, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in Item 303(a)(4) of SEC Regulation S-K as of March 31, 2019.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments
 
There were no material changes to the contractual obligations table as disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions affecting the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of net revenues and expenses in the reporting period. We base our estimates and assumptions on current facts, historical experience and various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for

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making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities and the accrual of costs and expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources. We continually review the estimates and underlying assumptions to ensure they are appropriate for the circumstances. Accounting assumptions and estimates are inherently uncertain and actual results may differ materially from our estimates.
 
A summary of our critical accounting estimates is included in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, there were no significant changes in our estimates and critical accounting policies, other than our accounting policy for leases, which changed because of the adoption of ASC 842 as discussed in Note 3, “Accounting Standards Adopted and Newly Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.
 
There were no material changes from the information contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.
 
Item 4.  Controls and Procedures.
 
Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
 
The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective at the reasonable assurance level.
 
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.
 
There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Part II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1.  Legal Proceedings.
 
We are subject to various lawsuits, administrative proceedings, audits and claims arising in the ordinary course of business. Some of these lawsuits purport to be class actions and/or seek substantial damages. We are required to record an accrual for litigation loss contingencies that are both probable and reasonably estimable. Legal fees and expenses associated with the defense of all of our litigation are expensed as such fees and expenses are incurred. Management regularly assesses our insurance deductibles, analyzes litigation information with our attorneys and evaluates our loss experience in connection with pending legal proceedings. While we do not presently believe that any of the legal proceedings to which we are currently a party will ultimately have a material adverse impact on us, there can be no assurance that we will prevail in all the proceedings we are party to, or that we will not incur material losses from them.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors.
 
There are no material changes from the risk factors set forth under Item 1A of Part I of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.
 

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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
 
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Company
Period
 
Total number of
shares
purchased
 
Average price
paid per
share
 
Total number of
shares purchased as
part of publicly
announced plans or
programs (b)
 
Approximate dollar value of
shares that may yet be
purchased under the
plans or programs (b)
December 31, 2018 - January 27, 2019(a)

 
75,915

 
$
73.66

 
74,896

 
$
33,700,000

January 28, 2019 - February 24, 2019(a)
 
37,291

 
81.18

 
37,218

 
$
199,900,000

February 25, 2019 - March 31, 2019(a)
 
57,334

 
90.92

 
39,202

 
$
196,400,000

 
 
170,540

 
$
81.11

 
151,316

 
$
196,400,000


(a) These amounts include 1,019 shares owned and tendered by employees at an average price of $78.64 per share during the fiscal month ended January 27, 2019, 73 shares owned and tendered by employees at an average price of $87.40 per share during the fiscal month ended February 24, 2019 and 18,132 shares owned and tendered by employees at an average price of $95.46 per share during the fiscal month ended March 31, 2019, to satisfy tax withholding obligations arising upon vesting of restricted stock awards. Shares so surrendered by the participants are repurchased by us pursuant to the terms of the plan under which the shares were issued and the applicable individual award agreements and not pursuant to publicly announced repurchase authorizations.

(b)   In February 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the 2019 Repurchase Program authorizing the Company to repurchase up to $200 million of the Company's common stock. In connection with the approval of the 2019 Repurchase Program, the Board of Directors terminated the 2015 Repurchase Program, which authorized the Company to repurchase up to $150 million of the Company's common stock. The 2019 Repurchase Program, as approved by the Board of Directors, does not require the repurchase of a specific number of shares and can be terminated at any time.

Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
 
None.
 

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures.
 
Not Applicable.
 

Item 5.  Other Information.
 
None.
 

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Item 6. Exhibits.
 
*10.1
 
10.2
 
*31.1
 
*31.2
 
*32.1
 
*32.2
 
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document.***
101.SCH
 
XBRL Schema Document.***
101.CAL
 
XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document.***
101.DEF
 
XBRL Definition Linkbase Document.***
101.LAB
 
XBRL Label Linkbase Document.***
101.PRE
 
XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document.***

*    Filed herewith.
**
The certifications attached as Exhibits 32.1 and 32.2 accompany this Quarterly Report pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not, except to the extent required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, be deemed filed by the Company for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
***   
Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the interactive data files on Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Section 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.
A contract, compensatory plan or arrangement in which directors or executive officers are eligible to participate.



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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
Dine Brands Global, Inc.
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dated:
1st day of May, 2019
By:
/s/ Stephen P. Joyce
 
 
 
Stephen P. Joyce
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dated:
1st day of May, 2019
By:
/s/ Thomas H. Song
 
 
 
Thomas H. Song
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

37
Exhibit
Exhibit 10.1
Performance Award Agreement – Employees – Double Metric – Cycle 10


DINE BRANDS GLOBAL, INC.
2016 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
PERFORMANCE AWARD AGREEMENT
THIS PERFORMANCE AWARD AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is entered into as of ___________, by and between DINE BRANDS GLOBAL, INC. (formerly, DineEquity, Inc.), a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and ___________, an employee of the Company (the “Participant”).
RECITALS:
Pursuant to the Dine Brands Global, Inc. 2016 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Committee”), as the administrator of the Plan, has determined that the Participant is to be granted a Performance Award (the “Award”) payable in the form of cash on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
Any capitalized terms not defined herein shall have their respective meanings set forth in the Plan.
AGREEMENT:
In consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual covenants set forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1.GRANT OF PERFORMANCE UNITS. Subject to the attainment of the performance goals set forth on Exhibit A, the Participant is entitled to that number of performance units (“Performance Units”) determined in accordance with Exhibit A and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Each Performance Unit shall have a value of $1.00. At the end of the three-year performance period beginning on [______] and ending on [______] (the “Performance Period”), the Committee shall determine the total number of Performance Units payable pursuant to the Award in accordance with the two Performance Unit matrices set forth on Exhibit A hereto and the Committee’s determination of the applicable performance levels.
2.    VESTING AND SETTLEMENT OF PERFORMANCE UNITS.
(a)     Service Vesting. Subject to the Participant’s continuous employment with the Company through the last day of the Performance Period and subject to the certification by the Committee of the performance levels achieved, as set forth in Exhibit A, the Participant shall become vested in the number of Performance Units that are earned. Performance Units that have vested in accordance with this Section 2 are referred to herein as “Vested Units.” Performance Units that are not vested are referred to herein as “Unvested Units.”
(b)     Disability or Death. If the Participant’s employment with the Company terminates due to Disability or death, the Performance Units shall become immediately vested on a prorated basis, based on the portion of the Performance Period that has elapsed prior to the date of termination, determined in accordance with the Company’s administrative practices, and thereafter be considered Vested Units; provided that the number of Performance Units earned shall be determined at the end of the Performance Period based on the actual performance levels achieved, as set forth in Exhibit A.
(c)     Change in Control. Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, the Participant shall, with respect to all outstanding, unvested Performance Units held by the Participant immediately prior to the Change in Control, be deemed to have satisfied the performance criteria, as set forth in Exhibit A, based on actual performance through the date of the Change in Control, and following the Change in Control the Performance Units shall continue to vest based upon the service vesting requirements of Sections 2(a) and 2(b). If the Participant’s employment with the Company is terminated within a period of twenty-four (24) months following the Change in Control (i) by the Company other than for Cause or (ii) by the Participant for Good Reason (as such terms are defined herein below or in the Plan), the Performance Units shall become immediately and fully vested and thereafter be considered Vested Units, and shall be paid to the Participant not later than thirty (30) days after the date of such termination.
(d)     Retirement. If the Participant’s employment with or service to the Company terminates by reason of Retirement, the Performance Units shall become immediately fully vested and thereafter be considered Vested Units; provided that the number of Performance Units earned shall be determined at the end of the Performance Period based on the actual performance levels achieved, as set forth in Exhibit A.
(e)     Termination of Unvested Units. Except as set forth in Sections 2(b), 2(c) and 2(d), upon the termination of the Participant’s employment, any then Unvested Units held by the Participant shall be forfeited and canceled as of the date of such termination.
(f)     Settlement of Vested Units. The Vested Units shall be settled by the delivery of a cash payment equal to $1.00 times the number of Vested Units to the Participant or a designated brokerage firm within 2½ months after the last day of the Performance Period or, if earlier, in accordance with Section 2(b).
3.    NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF AWARD. The Award and this Agreement shall not be transferable other than by will, the laws of descent and distribution, or pursuant to beneficiary designation procedures approved by the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Award and this Agreement may be transferable to the Participant’s family members, to a trust or entity established by the Participant for estate planning purposes, to a charitable organization designated by the Participant or pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order. Except to the extent permitted by this Section 3, the Award may be exercised or settled during the Participant’s lifetime only by the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative or similar person. Except as permitted by this Section 3, the Award may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, hypothecated, encumbered or otherwise disposed of (whether by operation of law or otherwise) or be subject to execution, attachment or similar process. Upon any attempt to so sell, transfer, assign, pledge, hypothecate, encumber or otherwise dispose of the Award, the Award and all rights thereunder shall immediately become null and void.
4.    DISPUTE RESOLUTION. The parties hereto will use their reasonable best efforts to resolve any dispute hereunder through good faith negotiations. A party hereto must submit a written notice to any other party to whom such dispute pertains, and any such dispute that cannot be resolved within thirty (30) calendar days of receipt of such notice (or such other period to which the parties may agree) will be submitted to an arbitrator selected by mutual agreement of the parties. In the event that, within fifty (50) days of the written notice referred to in the preceding sentence, a single arbitrator has not been selected by mutual agreement of the parties, a panel of arbitrators (with each party to the dispute being entitled to select one arbitrator and, if necessary to prevent the possibility of deadlock, one additional arbitrator being selected by such arbitrators selected by the parties to the dispute) shall be selected by the parties. Except as otherwise provided herein or as the parties to the dispute may otherwise agree, such arbitration will be conducted in accordance with the then existing rules of the American Arbitration Association. The decision of the arbitrator or arbitrators, or of a majority thereof, as the case may be, made in writing will be final and binding upon the parties hereto as to the questions submitted, and the parties will abide by and comply with such decision; provided, however, the arbitrator or arbitrators, as the case may be, shall not be empowered to award punitive damages. Unless the decision of the arbitrator or arbitrators, as the case may be, provides for a different allocation of costs and expenses determined by the arbitrators to be equitable under the circumstances, the prevailing party or parties in any arbitration will be entitled to recover all reasonable fees (including but not limited to attorneys’ fees) and expenses incurred by it or them in connection with such arbitration from the non-prevailing party or parties.
5.    NOTICES. Any notice required or permitted under this Agreement shall be deemed given when delivered either personally, by overnight courier, or when deposited in a United States Post Office, postage prepaid, addressed as appropriate, to the Participant either at his/her address set forth below or such other address as he or she may designate in writing to the Company, or to the Company: Attention: General Counsel (or said designee), at the Company’s address or such other address as the Company may designate in writing to the Participant.
6.    RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER. This Award shall not entitle the Participant to any privileges of ownership of shares of Common Stock.
7.    FAILURE TO ENFORCE NOT A WAIVER. The failure of the Company to enforce at any time any provision of this Agreement shall in no way be construed to be a waiver of such provision or of any other provision hereof.
8.    WITHHOLDING. The Company shall withhold from any payment to the Participant under this Agreement, the amount necessary to satisfy any federal, state, local or other taxes that may be required to be withheld in connection with the Award.
9.    INCORPORATION OF PLAN. The Plan is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part hereof, and the Award and this Agreement are subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan.
10.    EMPLOYMENT. Neither the Plan, the granting of the Award, this Agreement nor any other action taken pursuant to the Plan shall confer upon any person any right to continued employment by or service with the Company, any Subsidiary or any affiliate of the Company or affect in any manner the right of the Company, any Subsidiary or any affiliate of the Company to terminate the employment of any person at any time without liability hereunder. For purposes of this Agreement, references to employment shall include employment or service with any Subsidiary of the Company.
11.    AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION. The Board may amend the Plan as it shall deem advisable, subject to any requirement of stockholder approval required by applicable law, rule or regulation, including Section 162(m) of the Code provided, however, that no amendment may impair the rights of the Participant without the consent of the Participant.
12.    GOVERNING LAW. To the extent not otherwise governed by the Code or the laws of the United States, this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflicts of laws rules.
13.    SECTION 409A. This Agreement is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, and shall be interpreted and construed consistently with such intent. The payments to the Participant pursuant to this Agreement are also intended to be exempt from Section 409A of the Code to the maximum extent possible as short-term deferrals pursuant to Treasury regulation §1.409A-1(b)(4). In the event the terms of this Agreement would subject the Participant to taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code (“409A Penalties”), the Company and the Participant shall cooperate diligently to amend the terms of this Agreement to avoid such 409A Penalties, to the extent possible; provided that in no event shall the Company be responsible for any 409A Penalties that arise in connection with any amounts payable under this Agreement. To the extent any amounts under this Agreement are payable by reference to the Participant’s termination of employment, such term shall be deemed to refer to the Participant’s “separation from service,” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, if the Participant is a “specified employee,” as defined in Section 409A of the Code, as of the date of Participant’s separation from service, then to the extent any amount payable to the Participant (i) constitutes the payment of nonqualified deferred compensation, within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, (ii) is payable upon the Participant’s separation from service and (iii) under the terms of this Agreement would be payable prior to the six-month anniversary of the Participant’s separation from service, such payment shall be delayed until the earlier to occur of (a) the first business day following the six-month anniversary of the separation from service and (b) the date of the Participant’s death.
14.    COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
15.    AWARDS SUBJECT TO CLAWBACK. The Award and any cash payment or shares of Common Stock delivered pursuant to the Award are subject to forfeiture, recovery by the Company or other action pursuant to this Agreement or any clawback or recoupment policy which the Company may adopt from time to time, including without limitation any such policy which the Company may be required to adopt under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and implementing rules and regulations thereunder, or as otherwise required by law.
16.    DEFINED TERMS. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
(a)     “Cause” shall mean as determined by the Company, (i) the willful failure by the Participant to substantially perform his or her duties with the Company (other than any such failure resulting from the Participant’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness); (ii) the Participant’s willful misconduct that is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company, monetarily or otherwise; (iii) the Participant’s commission of such acts of dishonesty, fraud, misrepresentation or other acts of moral turpitude as would prevent the effective performance of the Participant’s duties; or (iv) the Participant’s conviction or plea of no contest to a felony or a crime of moral turpitude.
(b)     “Disability” shall mean that the Participant, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, is receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under a long-term disability plan maintained by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries.
(c)     The Participant shall have “Good Reason” to effect a voluntary termination of his or her employment in the event that the Company (i) breaches its obligations to pay any salary, benefit or bonus due to him or her, including its obligations under this Agreement, (ii) requires the Participant to relocate more than 50 miles from the Participant’s current, principal place of employment, (iii) assigns to the Participant any duties inconsistent with the Participant’s position with the Company or significantly and adversely alters the nature or status of the Participant’s responsibilities or the conditions of the Participant’s employment, or (iv) reduces the Participant’s base salary and/or bonus opportunity, except for across-the-board reductions similarly affecting all similarly situated employees of the Company and all similarly situated employees of any corporation or other entity which is in control of the Company; and in the event of any of (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv), the Participant has given written notice to the Committee or the Board of Directors as to the details of the basis for such Good Reason within thirty (30) days following the date on which the Participant alleges the event giving rise to such Good Reason occurred, the Company has failed to provide a reasonable cure within thirty (30) days after its receipt of such notice and the effective date of the termination for Good Reason occurs within 90 days after the initial existence of the facts or circumstances constituting Good Reason.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Performance Award Agreement on the day and year first above written.
COMPANY:

DINE BRANDS GLOBAL INC.


By:    
            
    Stephen P. Joyce
    Chief Executive Officer
PARTICIPANT:

                
[Name]

                
Address

                
City/State/Zip
Exhibit A


Target Number of Performance Units (the “Target Award”): ________

1.
Performance Criteria. Fifty percent (50%) of the Performance Units shall be earned based on Average Annual AEPS Growth and fifty percent (50%) of the Performance Units shall be earned based on TSR Performance, in accordance with the matrices below.
(a)
Average Annual AEPS Growth. The target number of Performance Units subject to attainment of Average Annual AEPS Growth goals shall be fifty percent (50%) of the Target Award (the “Target AEPS Growth Units”).

Average Annual AEPS Growth
Percentage of Target AEPS Growth Units Earned
<7.5%
0%
7.5%
50%
15%
100%
≥30%
200%

The payout shall be interpolated on a linear basis between 50% and 200% of the Target AEPS Growth Units to the extent the Average Annual AEPS Growth of the Company is greater than 10% and less than 30%.

(b)
TSR Performance. The target number of Performance Units subject to attainment of TSR goals shall be fifty percent (50%) of the Target Award (the “Target TSR Units”).

Percentile Rank of Company’s TSR Performance Among TSR Comparator Group Over Performance Period
Percentage of Target TSR Units Earned
<33rd Percentile
0%
33rd Percentile
50%
50th Percentile
100%
60th Percentile
125%
70th Percentile
150%
≥80th Percentile
200%

The payout shall be interpolated on a linear basis between 50% and 200% of Target TSR Units to the extent the TSR Performance of the Company is greater than the 33rd percentile and less than the 80th percentile among the Company’s TSR Comparator Group.

For purposes of this Award:

Annual AEPS Growth” means, for each year in the Performance Period, the percentage change in the Company’s adjusted earnings per share as determined by the Board and reported on the Company’s financial statements.
Average Annual AEPS Growth” means the sum of the Annual AEPS Growth with respect to each year in the Performance Period, divided by three.
Stock Price” means the closing transaction price of a share of common stock of a company, as reported on the principal national stock exchange on which such common stock is traded, for the day on which the Stock Price is being determined, or if no such shares are traded on such day, the most recent day on which such shares were traded.

TSR Comparator Group” means an index of restaurant companies approved by the Committee at the beginning of the Performance Period, and adjusted in accordance with the guidelines set forth below:

(i) If two indexed companies merge, the performance of the combined companies is tracked for balance of the Performance Period.

(ii) If an indexed company is acquired by a non-indexed company, the acquired company is excluded from the calculation.

(iii) If an indexed company becomes insolvent, it is included as zero at the bottom of the ranking.

TSR Performance” means a company’s cumulative total shareholder return as measured by dividing (A) the sum of (i) the cumulative amount of dividends for the Performance Period and (ii) the increase or decrease in the Stock Price from the first day of the Performance Period to the last day of the Performance Period, by (B) the Stock Price determined as of the first day of the Performance Period.



Exhibit


Exhibit 31.1
 
Certification Pursuant to
Rule 13a-14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, As Amended
 
I, Stephen P. Joyce, certify that:
 
1.                                     I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Dine Brands Global, Inc.;
 
2.                                     Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3.                                     Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4.                                     The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
(a)                                Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
(b)                                Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
(c)                                 Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
(d)                                Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
 
5.                                     The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
(a)                                All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
(b)                                Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
Dated:
1st day of May, 2019
/s/ Stephen P. Joyce
 
 
Stephen P. Joyce
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)



Exhibit


Exhibit 31.2
 
Certification Pursuant to
Rule 13a-14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, As Amended
 
I, Thomas H. Song, certify that:
 
1.                                     I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Dine Brands Global, Inc.;
 
2.                                     Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3.                                     Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4.                                     The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
(a)                                Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
(b)                                Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
(c)                                 Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
(d)                                Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
 
5.                                     The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
(a)                                All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
(b)                                Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
Dated:
1st day of May, 2019
/s/ Thomas H. Song
 
 
Thomas H. Song
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)



Exhibit


Exhibit 32.1
 
Certification Pursuant to
18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
As Adopted Pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Dine Brands Global, Inc. (the “Company”) for the quarter ended March 31, 2019, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the 1st day of May, 2019 (the “Report”), Stephen P. Joyce, as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to the best of my knowledge, that:
 
(1)                     The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
 
(2)                     The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
 
Dated:
1st day of May, 2019
/s/ Stephen P. Joyce
 
 
Stephen P. Joyce
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
This certification accompanies the Quarterly Report pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not, except to the extent required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, be deemed filed by the Company for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. This certification shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act except to the extent the Company expressly and specifically incorporates it by reference in such filing.


Exhibit


Exhibit 32.2
 
Certification Pursuant to
18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
As Adopted Pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Dine Brands Global, Inc. (the “Company”) for the quarter ended March 31, 2019, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the 1st day of May, 2019 (the “Report”), Thomas H. Song, as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to the best of my knowledge, that:
 
(1)                     The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
 
(2)                     The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
 
Dated:
1st day of May, 2019
/s/ Thomas H. Song
 
 
Thomas H. Song
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
 
This certification accompanies the Quarterly Report pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not, except to the extent required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, be deemed filed by the Company for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. This certification shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act except to the extent the Company expressly and specifically incorporates it by reference in such filing.