UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): May 1, 2019

Dine Brands Global, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

(818) 240-6055

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the Registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

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. ☐

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On May 1, 2019, Dine Brands Global, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), issued a press release announcing its first quarter 2019 financial results. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1, and is incorporated herein by reference.

The information contained in this Item 2.02, including the related information set forth in the press release attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference herein, is being “furnished” and shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise. The information in this Item 2.02 shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or into any filing or other document pursuant to the Exchange Act, except as otherwise expressly stated in any such filing.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

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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.

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Exhibit 99.1

   News Release

Investor Contact

Ken Diptee

Executive Director, Investor Relations

Dine Brands Global, Inc.

818-637-3632

Media Contact

Thien Ho

Executive Director, Communications

Dine Brands Global, Inc.

818-549-4238

Dine Brands Global, Inc. Reports Strong First Quarter 2019 Results

Earnings Per Diluted Share (GAAP) Increased 88%

Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share (Non-GAAP) Increased 71.2%

Net Income Increased 85.3%; Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) Increased 40.4%

GLENDALE, Calif., May 1, 2019 – Dine Brands Global, Inc. (NYSE: DIN), the parent company of Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar^® and IHOP^® restaurants, today announced financial results for the first quarter of 2019.

“Dine Brands delivered another impressive quarter. Our performance and momentum reflect the continued improvement in our core business. We delivered double-digit growth in several key metrics. The implementation of multi-pronged strategies at Applebee’s and IHOP have produced positive results. Both brands reported positive comparable sales growth for the first quarter, lapping over positive sales results for the first quarter of 2018,” said Steve Joyce, Chief Executive Officer of Dine Brands Global, Inc.

Mr. Joyce continued, “We are taking a long-term approach to managing the business and focusing on platforms that will deliver sustainable positive results. This includes expanding our off-premise business at both brands and investing in guest-facing technology, where we have made foundational changes to further enhance the guest experience. With the great work being done across the organization, I am enthusiastic about the road ahead.”

⁽¹⁾ See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and reconciliation of the Non-GAAP financial measure to the respective GAAP financial measure.

⁽²⁾ Does not conform to the definition of Covenant Adjusted EBITDA as found in the Base Indenture.

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Key Highlights

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Domestic System Same-Restaurant Sales Performance

GAAP Effective Tax Rate

Our effective tax rate of 23.1% for the first quarter of 2019 was lower than the effective tax rate of 24.8% for the comparable period of 2018 due to the recognition of excess tax benefits on stock-based compensation during the first quarter of 2019.

New Lease Accounting Standards ASC 842

Effective January 1, 2019, we adopted the lease accounting guidance codified in ASC 842. Upon adoption, we recognized operating lease obligations of approximately $453.0 million, discounted using the Company’s incremental borrowing rate and an adjustment to retained earnings upon adoption of $5.0 million, net of tax of $1.7 million. We reclassified $43.3 million of accrued rent payments and $7.4 million of previously established lease-related reserves. In offsetting these amounts, we recognized operating lease right-of-use assets of approximately $395.6 million.

Adoption of ASC 842 had no significant impact on our cash flows from operations or its results of operations.

Financial Performance Guidance for Fiscal 2019

Dine Brands reiterates its financial performance guidance for 2019 contained in the press release issued on February 21, 2019 and the Form 8-K filed on the same day. The projections are as of this date and do not take into consideration any transactions the Company may enter into after such date that may impact this guidance. The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement these estimates.

First Quarter of 2019 Results Conference Call Details

Dine Brands will host a conference call to discuss its results on May 1, 2019 at 6:00 a.m. Pacific Time/9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To participate on the call, please dial (888) 771-4371 and reference passcode 48515883. International callers, please dial (847) 585-4405 and reference passcode 48515883.

A live webcast of the call will be available on www.dinebrands.com and may be accessed by visiting Events and Presentations under the site’s Investors section. Participants should allow approximately ten minutes prior to the call’s start time to visit the site and download any streaming media software needed to listen to the webcast. A telephonic replay of the call may be accessed from 8:30 a.m. Pacific Time/11:30 a.m. Eastern Time on May 1, 2019 through 8:59 p.m. Pacific Time/11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 8, 2019 by dialing (888) 843-7419 and referencing passcode 48515883#. International callers, please dial (630) 652-3042 and reference passcode 48515883#. An online archive of the webcast will also be available on Events and Presentations under the Investors section of the Company’s website.

About Dine Brands Global, Inc.

Based in Glendale, California, Dine Brands Global, Inc. (NYSE: DIN), through its subsidiaries, franchises restaurants under both the Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar and IHOP brands. With approximately 3,700 restaurants combined in 18 countries and approximately 380 franchisees, Dine Brands is one of

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the largest full-service restaurant companies in the world. For more information on Dine Brands, visit the Company’s website located at www.dinebrands.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release 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. 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. 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. These factors include, but are not limited to: 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 our franchisees; 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; possible future impairment charges; the effects of tax reform; 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; 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 series 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; and other factors discussed from time to time in the Company’s Annual and Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q and in the Company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not intend to, nor does it assume any obligation to, update or supplement any forward-looking statements after the date hereof to reflect actual results or future events or circumstances.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release includes references to the Company’s non-GAAP financial measure “adjusted net income available to common stockholders”, “adjusted earnings per diluted share (Adjusted EPS)”, “Adjusted EBITDA” and “Adjusted free cash flow.” Adjusted EPS is computed for a given period by deducting from net income or loss available to common stockholders for such period the effect of any closure and impairment charges, any gain or loss related to debt extinguishment, any intangible asset amortization, any non-cash interest expense, any gain or loss related to the disposition of assets, and other items deemed not reflective of current operations. This is presented on an aggregate basis and a per share (diluted) basis. Adjusted EBITDA is computed for a given period by deducting from net income or loss for such period the effect of any closure and impairment charges, any interest charges, any income tax provision or benefit, any non-cash stock-based compensation, any depreciation and amortization, any gain or loss related to the disposition of assets and other items deemed not reflective of current operations. “Adjusted free cash flow” for a given period is defined as cash provided by operating activities, plus receipts from notes and equipment contracts receivable, less capital expenditures. Management may use certain of these non-GAAP financial measures along with the corresponding U.S. GAAP measures to evaluate the performance of the business and to make certain business decisions. Management uses adjusted free cash flow in its periodic assessments of, among other things, the amount of 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

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free cash flow does not represent residual cash flow available for discretionary purposes. Additionally, adjusted EPS is one of the metrics used in determining payouts under the Company’s annual cash incentive plan. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide additional meaningful information that should be considered when assessing the business and the Company’s performance compared to prior periods and the marketplace. Adjusted EPS and adjusted free cash flow are supplemental non-GAAP financial measures and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

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Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

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Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts

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Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

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Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Reconciliation of net income available to common stockholders to net income available to common stockholders, as adjusted for the following items: closure and impairment charges; amortization of intangible assets; non-cash interest expense; gain or loss on disposition of assets; nonrecurring restaurant costs; and the combined tax effect of the preceding adjustments, as well as related per share data:

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Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

(Unaudited)

Reconciliation of the Company’s cash provided by operating activities to “adjusted free cash flow” (cash provided by operating activities, plus receipts from notes and equipment contracts receivable, less additions to property and equipment). Management uses this liquidity measure in its periodic assessments of, among other things, the amount of cash dividends per share of common stock and repurchases of common stock. 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.

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Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

(Unaudited)

Reconciliation of the Company’s net income to “adjusted EBITDA.” The Company defines adjusted EBITDA as net income, adjusted for the effect of any closure and impairment charges, any interest charges, any income tax provision or benefit, any non-cash stock-based compensation, any depreciation and amortization, any gain or loss related to the disposition of assets, other non-income based taxes and other items deemed not reflective of current operations. Management may use certain non-GAAP measures along with the corresponding U. S. GAAP measures to evaluation the performance of the company and to make certain business decisions.

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Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Restaurant Data

(Unaudited)

The following table sets forth, for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, 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 periods in the prior year and, as such, the percentage change in sales at Effective Restaurants is based on non-GAAP sales data. Sales at restaurants that are owned by franchisees and area licensees are not attributable to the Company. 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 generally 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 future plans for the development of additional restaurants as well as evaluation of current operations.

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Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Restaurant Data

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Dine Brands Global, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Restaurant Data

(Unaudited)

The following table summarizes our restaurant development activity: