DIN-2011.9.30-10Q
Table of Contents

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 September 30, 2011
 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
 ________________________________________________________________
DineEquity, Inc.
(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
 
91203-1903
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(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 and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post 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, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer o
 
Accelerated filer x
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer o
 
Smaller reporting company o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
 
 
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 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
 
Class
 
Outstanding as of October 28, 2011
Common Stock, $.01 par value
 
18,039,682
 

Table of Contents

DINEEQUITY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX
 
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

1

Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.  Financial Statements.
DINEEQUITY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
 
September 30,
2011
 
December 31,
2010
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
Assets
 
 

 
 

Current assets:
 
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
53,940

 
$
102,309

Restricted cash
 
3,221

 
854

Receivables, net
 
73,071

 
98,776

Inventories
 
10,695

 
10,757

Prepaid income taxes
 
13,763

 
34,094

Prepaid gift cards
 
25,048

 
27,465

Prepaid expenses
 
14,439

 
14,602

Deferred income taxes
 
31,367

 
24,301

Assets held for sale
 
39,972

 
37,944

Total current assets
 
265,516

 
351,102

Non-current restricted cash
 

 
778

Restricted assets related to captive insurance subsidiary
 
3,675

 
3,562

Long-term receivables
 
230,588

 
239,945

Property and equipment, net
 
524,947

 
612,175

Goodwill
 
697,470

 
697,470

Other intangible assets, net
 
825,046

 
835,879

Other assets, net
 
115,097

 
115,730

Total assets
 
$
2,662,339

 
$
2,856,641

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
 
 

 
 

Current liabilities:
 
 

 
 

Current maturities of long-term debt
 
$
7,420

 
$
9,000

Accounts payable
 
29,410

 
32,724

Accrued employee compensation and benefits
 
23,748

 
32,846

Gift card liability
 
68,066

 
124,972

Accrued interest payable
 
31,763

 
17,482

Current maturities of capital lease and financing obligations
 
15,015

 
16,556

Facility closure liability
 
20,530

 

Other accrued expenses
 
23,359

 
31,502

Total current liabilities
 
219,311

 
265,082

Long-term debt, less current maturities
 
1,480,393

 
1,631,469

Financing obligations, less current maturities
 
203,091

 
237,826

Capital lease obligations, less current maturities
 
136,957

 
144,016

Deferred income taxes
 
384,629

 
375,697

Other liabilities
 
114,484

 
118,972

Total liabilities
 
2,538,865

 
2,773,062

Commitments and contingencies
 


 


Stockholders’ equity:
 
 

 
 

Convertible preferred stock, Series B, at accreted value, shares:10,000,000 authorized; 35,000 issued; September 30, 2011 - 34,900 outstanding; December 31, 2010 - 35,000 outstanding
 
43,850

 
42,055

Common stock, $.01 par value, shares: 40,000,000 authorized; September 30, 2011 - 24,669,129 issued, 18,034,083 outstanding; December 31, 2010 - 24,382,991 issued,18,183,083 outstanding
 
247

 
243

Additional paid-in-capital
 
203,971

 
192,214

Retained earnings
 
168,907

 
124,250

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(312
)
 
(282
)
Treasury stock, at cost (shares:September 30, 2011 - 6,635,046; December 31, 2010 - 6,199,908)
 
(293,189
)
 
(274,901
)
Total stockholders’ equity
 
123,474

 
83,579

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 
$
2,662,339

 
$
2,856,641

 See the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Table of Contents

DINEEQUITY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
Segment Revenues:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Franchise revenues
 
$
97,679

 
$
92,157

 
$
300,782

 
$
280,851

Company restaurant sales
 
131,618

 
206,907

 
420,955

 
642,216

Rental revenues
 
31,163

 
32,210

 
95,003

 
98,329

Financing revenues
 
4,021

 
4,241

 
16,279

 
12,319

Total segment revenues
 
264,481

 
335,515

 
833,019

 
1,033,715

Segment Expenses:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Franchise expenses
 
25,006

 
25,298

 
78,656

 
76,163

Company restaurant expenses
 
113,976

 
177,253

 
363,021

 
551,874

Rental expenses
 
24,521

 
24,628

 
73,734

 
74,337

Financing expenses
 
425

 
763

 
6,001

 
1,234

Total segment expenses
 
163,928

 
227,942

 
521,412

 
703,608

Gross segment profit
 
100,553

 
107,573

 
311,607

 
330,107

General and administrative expenses
 
38,712

 
39,594

 
115,152

 
116,994

Interest expense
 
32,170

 
42,814

 
101,343

 
131,530

Impairment and closure charges
 
193

 
1,143

 
26,947

 
3,725

Debt modification costs
 

 

 
4,103

 

Amortization of intangible assets
 
3,075

 
3,077

 
9,225

 
9,230

Loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt
 

 

 
7,885

 
(4,640
)
Loss (gain) on disposition of assets
 
1,176

 
745

 
(21,287
)
 
923

Income before income taxes
 
25,227

 
20,200

 
68,239

 
72,345

Provision for income taxes
 
(8,702
)
 
(5,869
)
 
(21,667
)
 
(24,302
)
Net income
 
$
16,525

 
$
14,331

 
$
46,572

 
$
48,043

Net income available to common stockholders
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net income
 
$
16,525

 
$
14,331

 
$
46,572

 
$
48,043

Less: Series A preferred stock dividends
 

 
(5,640
)
 

 
(17,100
)
Less: Accretion of Series B preferred stock
 
(647
)
 
(612
)
 
(1,915
)
 
(1,810
)
Less: Net income allocated to unvested participating restricted stock
 
(359
)
 
(307
)
 
(1,212
)
 
(1,113
)
Net income available to common stockholders
 
$
15,519

 
$
7,772

 
$
43,445

 
$
28,020

Net income available to common stockholders per share
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Basic
 
$
0.86

 
$
0.45

 
$
2.43

 
$
1.63

Diluted
 
$
0.85

 
$
0.44

 
$
2.38

 
$
1.60

Weighted average shares outstanding
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Basic
 
17,968

 
17,227

 
17,912

 
17,168

Diluted
 
18,243

 
17,568

 
18,268

 
17,519

 
See the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Table of Contents

DINEEQUITY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30,
 
 
2011
 
2010
Cash flows from operating activities
 
 

 
 

Net income
 
$
46,572

 
$
48,043

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

 
 

Depreciation and amortization
 
38,599

 
47,594

Non-cash interest expense
 
4,582

 
31,203

Loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt
 
7,885

 
(4,640
)
Impairment and closure charges
 
26,729

 
3,085

Deferred income taxes
 
1,866

 
(10,976
)
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense
 
6,913

 
11,150

Tax benefit from stock-based compensation
 
6,085

 
1,407

Excess tax benefit from stock options exercised
 
(5,713
)
 
(2,211
)
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets
 
(21,287
)
 
923

Other
 
(217
)
 
(1,847
)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
 
 

 
 

Receivables
 
25,360

 
30,930

Inventories
 
(1,202
)
 
226

Prepaid expenses
 
2,449

 
2,649

Current income tax receivables and payables
 
21,519

 
7,253

Accounts payable
 
(3,992
)
 
(4,699
)
Accrued employee compensation and benefits
 
(9,099
)
 
(3,460
)
Gift card liability
 
(56,906
)
 
(49,742
)
Other accrued expenses
 
4,928

 
(9,384
)
Cash flows provided by operating activities
 
95,071

 
97,504

Cash flows from investing activities
 
 

 
 

Additions to property and equipment
 
(20,829
)
 
(11,421
)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment and assets held for sale
 
60,188

 
1,975

Principal receipts from notes, equipment contracts and other long-term receivables
 
9,922

 
14,939

Other
 
(558
)
 
1,842

Cash flows provided by investing activities
 
48,723

 
7,335

Cash flows from financing activities
 
 

 
 

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
 
25,000

 

Repayment of long-term debt
 
(178,437
)
 
(80,658
)
Principal payments on capital lease and financing obligations
 
(10,296
)
 
(12,191
)
Dividends paid
 

 
(17,100
)
Purchase of common stock
 
(21,170
)
 

Payment of debt modification and issuance costs
 
(12,307
)
 
(1,008
)
Repurchase of restricted stock
 
(4,802
)
 
(1,029
)
Proceeds from stock options exercised
 
6,326

 
2,487

Excess tax benefit from stock options exercised
 
5,713

 
2,211

Change in restricted cash
 
(1,590
)
 
25,377

Other
 
(600
)
 
(12
)
Cash flows used in financing activities
 
(192,163
)
 
(81,923
)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
 
(48,369
)
 
22,916

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 
102,309

 
82,314

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
53,940

 
$
105,230

Supplemental disclosures
 
 

 
 

Interest paid
 
$
95,867

 
$
113,755

Income taxes paid
 
$
15,685

 
$
29,350

 
See the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Table of Contents

DINEEQUITY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
1. General
 
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of DineEquity, Inc. (the “Company”) 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 of 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. Operating results for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2011.
 
The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2010 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all of the 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, 2010.
 
2. Basis of Presentation
 
The Company’s fiscal quarters end on the Sunday closest to the last day of each quarter. For convenience, the fiscal quarters are reported as ending on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31. The first three fiscal quarters of 2011 ended April 3, July 3, and October 2, 2011, respectively; the first three fiscal quarters of 2010 ended April 4, July 4, and October 3, 2010, respectively.
 
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 in consolidation.
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to provisions for doubtful accounts, legal contingencies, income taxes, long-lived assets, goodwill and intangible assets. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
Reclassifications
 
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year information to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the net income or financial position previously reported. The following items previously reported as “other expense, net” for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 have been reclassified as follows:
 
 
 
Three Months
Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30, 2010
 
 
(In thousands)
Total other expense, as reported
 
$
838

 
$
2,783

Reclassified to:
 
 

 
 

Rental expenses
 
$
712

 
$
2,172

Impairment and closure charges
 
254

 
640

General and administrative expenses
 
229

 
463

Interest expense
 
(50
)
 
96

Franchise revenues
 
(74
)
 
(289
)
Franchise expenses
 
(215
)
 
(205
)
Other line items
 
(18
)
 
(94
)
Total reclassified
 
$
838

 
$
2,783


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Table of Contents


3. Accounting Policies
 
Newly Issued Accounting Standards
 
In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement — Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs (“ASU 2011-04”). The amendments result in common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements in U.S. GAAP and international financial reporting standards (“IFRS”). To improve consistency in application across jurisdictions, some wording changes are necessary to ensure that U.S. GAAP and IFRS fair value measurement and disclosure requirements are described in the same way. ASU 2011-04 also provides for certain changes in current U.S. GAAP disclosure requirements. The amendments in ASU 2011-04 are to be applied prospectively, and will be effective for the Company’s fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of ASU 2011-04 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, statements of income or statements of cash flows.
 
In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, Comprehensive Income — Presentation of Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2011-05”). ASU 2011-05 will require the presentation of the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The amendments in this update do not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income or when an item of other comprehensive income must be reclassified to net income, nor does it affect how earnings per share is calculated or presented. Current U.S. GAAP allows reporting entities three alternatives for presenting other comprehensive income and its components in financial statements. One of those presentation options is to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity, which is the presentation format the Company currently uses. This update eliminates that option. The changes to the presentation format are required to be applied retrospectively, and will be effective for the Company’s fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of ASU 2011-05 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, statements of income or statements of cash flows.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-08, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other — Testing Goodwill for Impairment ("ASU 2011-08"). The amendments in ASU No. 2011-08 are intended to simplify goodwill impairment testing by adding a qualitative review step to assess whether the required quantitative impairment analysis that exists today is necessary. Under these amendments, an entity would not be required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines, based on the qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. ASU No. 2011-08 will be effective for the Company's fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011; earlier adoption is permitted. As the amendments do not change the underlying principle that the carrying value of goodwill should not exceed its implied fair value, the adoption of ASU 2011-08 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, statements of income or statements of cash flows.
 
The Company reviewed all other significant 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 consolidated financial statements as a result of future adoption.
 
4. Assets Held for Sale
 
The Company classifies assets as held for sale and ceases the depreciation and amortization of the assets when there is a plan for disposal of the assets and those assets meet the held for sale criteria, as defined in applicable U.S. GAAP. The balance of assets held for sale at December 31, 2010 of $37.9 million was comprised of assets of 36 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants in the St. Louis market area, 30 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants in the Washington, D.C. market, three parcels of land on which Applebee’s franchised restaurants are situated, three parcels of land previously intended for future restaurant development and one IHOP restaurant held for refranchising.
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company entered into an agreement for the franchising and sale of related restaurant assets of 66 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants located in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island, Vermont and parts of New York. Additionally, the Company entered into a sale-leaseback agreement for a single Applebee's company-operated restaurant and took back one IHOP franchise restaurant to be refranchised. Accordingly, $38.6 million, representing the net book value of the assets related to these restaurants, was transferred to assets held for sale. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company sold 36 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants in the St. Louis market area, 30 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants in the Washington, D.C. market and two parcels of land on which Applebee’s franchised restaurants are situated. Additionally, the two IHOP restaurants held for sale were refranchised.

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The balance of assets held for sale at September 30, 2011 of $40.0 million was comprised of 66 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants located in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island, Vermont and parts of New York, one parcel of land on which an Applebee’s franchised restaurant is situated and three parcels of land previously acquired and held for future development. There were no IHOP restaurants held for refranchising in assets held for sale.
 
The following table summarizes the changes in the balance of assets held for sale during 2011:
 
 
(In millions)
Balance, December 31, 2010
$
37.9

Assets transferred to held for sale
38.6

Assets sold
(35.5
)
Refranchised
(0.7
)
Other
(0.3
)
Balance, September 30, 2011
$
40.0


5. Long-Term Debt
 
Long-term debt consists of the following components:
 
 
 
September 30, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
 
 
(In millions)
Senior Secured Credit Facility, due October 2017, at a variable interest rate of 4.25% and 6.0% as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively
 
$
734.0

 
$
844.0

Senior Notes due October 2018, at a fixed rate of 9.5%
 
785.3

 
825.0

Discount
 
(31.5
)
 
(28.5
)
Total long-term debt
 
1,487.8

 
1,640.5

Less current maturities
 
(7.4
)
 
(9.0
)
Long-term debt, less current maturities
 
$
1,480.4

 
$
1,631.5

 
For a description of the respective instruments, 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, 2010.
 
Amendment of Credit Agreement
 
On February 25, 2011, the Company entered into Amendment No. 1 (the ‘‘Amendment’’) to the Credit Agreement dated as of October 8, 2010 (the “Credit Agreement”) under which a senior secured credit facility (“Credit Facility”) was established among the Company, lenders and the agents named therein. Pursuant to the Amendment, the interest rate margin applicable to LIBOR-based term loans made under the Credit Facility (“Term Loans”) was reduced from 4.50% to 3.00%, and the interest rate floors used to determine the LIBOR and Base Rate reference rates for Term Loans was reduced from 1.50% to 1.25% for LIBOR-based Term Loans and from 2.50% to 2.25% for Base Rate-denominated Term Loans. In addition, the Amendment increased the lender commitments under the Company’s revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) available under the Credit Facility from $50 million to $75 million. The Amendment also modified certain restrictive covenants of the Credit Agreement, including those relating to repurchases of other debt securities, permitted acquisitions and payments on equity.
 
The Company paid $12.3 million in fees and costs related to the Amendment. $7.4 million in fees were paid to lenders and recorded as additional discount on debt and $0.8 million of costs related to the increase in the Revolving Credit Facility were recorded as deferred financing costs. Fees paid to third parties of $4.1 million were recorded as “Debt modification costs” in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.
 
Loss (Gain) on Extinguishment of Debt
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010, the Company recognized the following losses and gains on the extinguishment of debt:

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Table of Contents


 
Quarter
Ended
 
Instrument (1)
 
Face Amount
Retired/Repaid
 
Cash Paid
 
Loss (Gain)(2)
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
March 2011
 
Term Loans
 
$
110.0

 
$
110.0

 
$
2.7

March 2011
 
Senior Notes
 
32.3

 
35.3

 
4.2

June 2011
 
Senior Notes
 
7.5

 
8.2

 
1.0

Nine months ended September 30, 2011
 
 
 
$
149.8

 
$
153.5

 
$
7.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 2010
 
Class A-2-II-X Notes
 
$
48.7

 
$
43.8

 
$
(3.5
)
June 2010
 
Class A-2-II-X Notes
 
19.5

 
18.0

 
(1.1
)
Nine months ended September 30, 2010
 
 
 
$
68.2

 
$
61.8

 
$
(4.6
)

(1) For a description of the respective instruments, 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, 2010.
(2) Including write-off of the discount and deferred financing costs related to the debt retired.

Compliance with Covenants and Restrictions
 
The Company was in compliance with all the covenants and restrictions related to its Credit Facility and Senior Notes as of September 30, 2011.
 
6. Financing Obligations
 
As of September 30, 2011, future minimum lease payments under financing obligations during the initial terms of the leases related to sale-leaseback transactions are as follows:
 
Fiscal Years
(In millions)
Remainder of 2011
$
5.6

2012(1)
20.7

2013
23.0

2014
23.2

2015
23.3

Thereafter
278.9

Total minimum lease payments
374.7

Less interest
(165.9
)
Total financing obligations
208.8

Less current portion(2)
(5.7
)
Long-term financing obligations
$
203.1

 
(1)     Due to the varying closing dates of the Company’s fiscal years, 11 monthly payments will be made in fiscal 2012.
(2)     Included in “current maturities of capital lease and financing obligations” on the consolidated balance sheet.
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company’s continuing involvement with 17 properties subject to financing obligations was ended by assignment of the lease obligations to a qualified franchisee. As a result, the Company’s financing obligations were reduced by $32.7 million.
 
7. Impairment and Closure Charges
 
The Company assesses tangible long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. The following table summarizes the components of impairment and closure charges for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:
 

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Table of Contents

 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
(In millions)
Impairment and closure charges:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Impairment
 
$
0.1

 
$
1.3

 
$
4.9

 
$
1.6

Lenexa lease termination
 

 

 
21.2

 

Other closure charges
 
0.1

 
(0.2
)
 
0.8

 
2.1

Total impairment and closure charges
 
$
0.2

 
$
1.1

 
$
26.9

 
$
3.7

 
Impairment and closure charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 totaled $26.9 million and primarily related to termination of the Company’s sublease of the commercial space currently occupied by Applebee’s Restaurant Support Center in Lenexa, Kansas. The Company recognized a charge of $21.3 million for the termination fee and other closing costs and a $4.5 million impairment charge related to furniture, fixtures and leasehold improvements at the Restaurant Support Center, the book value of which was not realizable as the result of the termination of the sublease.
 
Impairment and closure charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 totaled $3.7 million. Impairment charges of $1.6 million primarily related to Applebee's company-operated restaurants reclassified as held for sale. Closure charges of $2.1 million related primarily to two company-operated IHOP Cafe restaurants, a non-traditional restaurant format development of which was ended after initial evaluation, and the closure of an Applebee's company-operated restaurant in China.

The following table summarizes changes in the closure liability for the Applebee’s Restaurant Support Center in Lenexa, Kansas:
 
 
(In thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2010
$

Closure cost accrual
21,160

Payments
(630
)
Balance, September 30, 2011
$
20,530

     
Substantially all of the closure liability is expected to be paid in the fourth quarter of 2011.

8. Income Taxes
 
The effective tax rate was 34.5% and 31.8% for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively. The effective tax rate of 31.8% is lower than the federal statutory rate of 35% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 primarily due to tax credits and the release of liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits. The tax credits are primarily FICA tip and other compensation-related tax credits associated with Applebee's company-owned restaurant operations.
 
At September 30, 2011, the Company had a liability for unrecognized tax benefits, including potential interest and penalties net of related tax benefit, totaling $11.7 million, of which approximately $2.9 million is expected to be paid within one year. For the remaining liability, due to the uncertainties related to these tax matters, the Company is unable to make a reasonably reliable estimate when cash settlements with taxing authorities will occur.

As of September 30, 2011, accrued interest and penalties were $5.0 million and $0.7 million, respectively, excluding any related income tax benefits. As of December 31, 2010, accrued interest and penalties were $8.9 million and $0.5 million, respectively, excluding any related income tax benefits. The decrease of $3.9 million of accrued interest is primarily related to the release of liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits surrounding gift card income deferral as a result of the issuance of new guidance by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"), partially offset by the accrual of interest on the remaining liability for unrecognized tax benefits during the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The Company recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties as a component of income tax expense which is recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

The Company or one of its subsidiaries files federal income tax returns and income tax returns in various state and foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to federal, state or non-U.S. tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2006 for federal returns and other jurisdictions. Applebee's is currently under audit by the IRS for the period ended November 29, 2007. The Company is currently under audit by the IRS for the period ended December 31, 2007.

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9. Stock-Based Compensation
 
From time to time, the Company has granted nonqualified stock options, restricted stock awards, cash-settled and stock-settled restricted stock units and performance units to officers, other employees and  non-employee directors of the Company. Currently, the Company is authorized to grant nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, cash-settled and stock-settled restricted stock units and performance units to officers, other employees and nonemployee directors under the DineEquity, Inc. 2011 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2011 Plan”). The 2011 Plan was approved by stockholders on May 17, 2011 and permits the issuance of up to 1,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock for incentive stock awards. The 2011 Plan will expire in May 2021.
 
The nonqualified stock options generally vest over a three-year period and have a term of ten years from the effective issuance date. Option exercise prices equal the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date of grant. Restricted stock awards and restricted stock units are issued at no cost to the holder and vest over terms determined by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, generally three years.

The following table summarizes the components of the Company’s stock-based compensation expense included in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated financial statements:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
(In millions)
Pre-tax compensation expense
 
$
1.6

 
$
4.7

 
$
8.0

 
$
12.9

Tax provision
 
(0.6
)
 
(1.9
)
 
(3.2
)
 
(5.1
)
Total stock-based compensation expense, net of tax
 
$
1.0

 
$
2.8

 
$
4.8

 
$
7.8

 
As of September 30, 2011, $7.8 million and $8.9 million (including estimated forfeitures) of total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock and stock options, respectively, is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.55 years for restricted stock and 1.46 years for stock options.
 
The estimated fair values of the options granted during 2011 were calculated using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. The following summarizes the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model:
 
Risk-free interest rate
1.77
%
Weighted average historical volatility
82.7
%
Dividend yield

Expected years until exercise
4.84

Forfeitures
11.0
%
Weighted average fair value of options granted
$
34.72

 
Option balances as of September 30, 2011 and activity related to the Company’s stock options during the nine months then ended were as follows:
 
 
 
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Term
(in Years)
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2010
 
1,523,710

 
$
24.90

 
 

 
 

Granted
 
229,449

 
$
53.21

 
 

 
 

Exercised
 
(378,866
)
 
$
16.70

 
 

 
 

Forfeited
 
(43,444
)
 
$
28.22

 
 

 
 

Outstanding at September 30, 2011
 
1,330,849

 
$
32.01

 
6.85

 
$
13,961,000

Vested at September 30, 2011 and Expected to Vest
 
1,152,655

 
$
32.70

 
6.62

 
$
11,257,000

Exercisable at September 30, 2011
 
614,321

 
$
33.98

 
4.97

 
$
4,435,000


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Table of Contents

 
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 third quarter of 2011 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 September 30, 2011. The amount of 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.
 
A summary of restricted stock activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 is presented below:
 
 
 
Restricted
Stock
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Restricted
Stock Units
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2010
 
666,244

 
$
28.62

 
18,000

 
$
29.32

Granted
 
142,574

 
$
54.10

 

 

Released
 
(267,565
)
 
$
39.76

 

 

Forfeited
 
(52,810
)
 
$
29.96

 

 

Outstanding at September 30, 2011
 
488,443

 
$
29.80

 
18,000

 
$
29.32


The Company has issued 44,957 shares of cash-settled restricted stock units to members of the Board of Directors, of which 41,957 are outstanding at September 30, 2011. As these instruments only can be settled in cash, they are recorded as liabilities based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock as of September 30, 2011. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, $0.3 million and $1.1 million, respectively, were included as pre-tax stock-based compensation expense for the cash-settled restricted stock units.
 
10. Segments
 
The Company’s revenues and expenses are recorded in four segments: franchise operations, company restaurant operations, rental operations and financing operations.
 
As of September 30, 2011, the franchise operations segment consisted of (i) 1,767 restaurants operated by Applebee’s franchisees in the United States, one U.S. territory and 14 countries outside the United States; and (ii) 1,519 restaurants operated by IHOP franchisees and area licensees in the United States, two U.S. territories and three countries outside the United States. Franchise operations revenue consists primarily of franchise royalty revenues, sales of proprietary products, certain franchise advertising fees and the portion of the franchise fees allocated to intellectual property.  Franchise operations expenses include advertising expense, the cost of proprietary products, pre-opening training expenses and costs related to intellectual property provided to certain franchisees.
 
As of September 30, 2011, the company restaurant operations segment consisted of 243 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants and 13 IHOP company-operated restaurants, all in the United States. Company restaurant sales are retail sales at company-operated restaurants. Company restaurant expenses are operating expenses at company-operated restaurants and include food, labor, benefits, 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 on capital leases on franchisee-operated restaurants.
 
Financing operations revenue consists of interest income from the financing of franchise fees and equipment leases, as well as sales of equipment and the portion of franchise fees not allocated to intellectual property. Financing expenses are primarily the costs of restaurant equipment.
 
Information on segments is as follows:
 

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Table of Contents

 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
(In millions)
Revenues from External Customers
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Franchise operations
 
$
97.7

 
$
92.2

 
$
300.8

 
$
280.9

Company restaurants
 
131.6

 
206.9

 
420.9

 
642.2

Rental operations
 
31.2

 
32.2

 
95.0

 
98.3

Financing operations
 
4.0

 
4.2

 
16.3

 
12.3

Total
 
$
264.5

 
$
335.5

 
$
833.0

 
$
1,033.7

Interest Expense
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Company restaurants
 
$
0.1

 
$
0.2

 
$
0.4

 
$
0.6

Rental operations
 
4.4

 
4.6

 
13.6

 
14.3

Corporate
 
32.2

 
42.8

 
101.3

 
131.5

Total
 
$
36.7

 
$
47.6

 
$
115.3

 
$
146.4

Depreciation and amortization
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Franchise operations
 
$
2.3

 
$
2.5

 
$
7.4

 
$
7.5

Company restaurants
 
4.0

 
7.2

 
13.5

 
22.1

Rental operations
 
3.5

 
3.5

 
10.5

 
10.4

Corporate
 
2.5

 
3.0

 
7.2

 
7.6

Total
 
$
12.3

 
$
16.2

 
$
38.6

 
$
47.6

Income (loss) before income taxes
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Franchise operations
 
$
72.7

 
$
66.9

 
$
222.1

 
$
204.7

Company restaurants
 
17.7

 
29.7

 
57.9

 
90.3

Rental operations
 
6.6

 
7.5

 
21.3

 
24.0

Financing operations
 
3.6

 
3.5

 
10.3

 
11.1

Corporate
 
(75.4
)
 
(87.4
)
 
(243.4
)
 
(257.8
)
Total
 
$
25.2

 
$
20.2

 
$
68.2

 
$
72.3


11. Other Comprehensive Income
 
The components of comprehensive income, net of taxes, are as follows:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
(In millions)
Net income
 
$
16.5

 
$
14.3

 
$
46.6

 
$
48.0

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest rate swap
 

 
2.4

 

 
6.9

Total comprehensive income
 
$
16.5

 
$
16.7

 
$
46.6

 
$
54.9

 
The amount of income tax benefit allocated to the interest rate swap was $1.5 million and $4.5 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively. The loss related to an interest rate swap designated as a cash flow hedge that was being reclassified into earnings as interest expense over the expected life of the related debt, which was estimated to be approximately five years. The entire amount of loss remaining at the time of retirement of the related designated debt was reclassified into earnings in October 2010.
 
The accumulated comprehensive loss of $0.3 million (net of tax) reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 is primarily comprised of a temporary decline in available-for-sale securities.
 

12. Net Income per Share
 
The computation of the Company’s basic and diluted net income per share is as follows:
 

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Table of Contents

 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
Numerator for basic and dilutive income - per common share:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net income
 
$
16,525

 
$
14,331

 
$
46,572

 
$
48,043

Less: Series A Preferred Stock dividends
 

 
(5,640
)
 

 
(17,100
)
Less: Accretion of Series B Preferred Stock
 
(647
)
 
(612
)
 
(1,915
)
 
(1,810
)
Less: Net income allocated to unvested participating restricted stock
 
(359
)
 
(307
)
 
(1,212
)
 
(1,113
)
Net income available to common stockholders - basic
 
15,519

 
7,772

 
43,445

 
28,020

Effect of unvested participating restricted stock in two-class calculation
 
5

 
6

 
22

 
21

Net income available to common stockholders - diluted
 
$
15,524

 
$
7,778

 
$
43,467

 
$
28,041

Denominator:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock - basic
 
17,968

 
17,227

 
17,912

 
17,168

Dilutive effect of:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Stock options
 
275

 
341

 
356

 
351

Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock - diluted
 
18,243

 
17,568

 
18,268

 
17,519

Net income per common share:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Basic
 
$
0.86

 
$
0.45

 
$
2.43

 
$
1.63

Diluted
 
$
0.85

 
$
0.44

 
$
2.38

 
$
1.60

 
The effect of adding shares from the assumed conversion of Series B Convertible Preferred stock to the denominator and the related add-back of the dividends on Series B Convertible Preferred stock to the numerator is anti-dilutive for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

13. Fair Value Measurements
 
The Company has two types of financial instruments which are required under U.S. GAAP to be measured on a recurring basis at fair value—restricted assets related to Applebee’s captive insurance subsidiary and certain loan guarantees. None of the Company’s non-financial assets or non-financial liabilities is required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The Company has not elected to use fair value measurement, as provided under U.S. GAAP, for any assets or liabilities for which fair value measurement is not presently required.
 
Financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measured Using
 
 
Fair Value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
 
(In millions)
At September 30, 2011:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Restricted assets of captive insurance company
 
$
3.7

 
$
1.1

 
$

 
$
2.6

Loan guarantees
 
$
0.2

 
$

 
$

 
$
0.2

At December 31, 2010:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Restricted assets of captive insurance company
 
$
3.6

 
$
1.0

 
$

 
$
2.6

Loan guarantees
 
$
0.2

 
$

 
$

 
$
0.2

 
The level 3 inputs used for the restricted assets consist of a discounted cash flow under the income approach using primarily assumptions as to future interest payments and a discount rate. The fair value of the guarantees was determined by assessing the financial health of each of the four franchisees that have open notes and assessing the likelihood of default. There was no change in the valuation methodologies between the periods presented.
 

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Table of Contents

The Company believes the fair values of cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and the current portion of long-term debt approximate their carrying amounts due to their short duration.
 
At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the cost and market value of our financial instruments measured at fair value (restricted assets related to Applebee’s captive insurance subsidiary) are as follows:
 
September 30, 2011
 
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
 
(in millions)
Cash equivalents and money market funds
 
$
1.1

 
$

 
$

 
$
1.1

Auction-rate securities
 
$
2.9

 
$

 
$
(0.3
)
 
$
2.6

 
December 31, 2010
 
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
 
(in millions)
Cash equivalents and money market funds
 
$
1.0

 
$

 
$

 
$
1.0

Auction-rate securities
 
$
2.9

 
$

 
$
(0.3
)
 
$
2.6

 
The scheduled maturity of one auction-rate security valued at $0.6 million is December 2030. The remaining balance of auction-rate securities is in mutual funds invested in auction rate securities with no scheduled maturity for the funds.

The fair values of non-current financial liabilities at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 were as follows:
 
 
 
September 30, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
 
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair Value
 
 
(in millions)
Long-term debt, less current maturities
 
$
1,480.4

 
$
1,484.3

 
$
1,631.5

 
$
1,721.0

 
At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the fair value of the non-current financial liabilities was determined based on Level 2 inputs.
 
14. Commitments and Contingencies
 
Litigation, Claims and Disputes
 
The Company is subject to various lawsuits, claims and governmental inspections or audits arising in the ordinary course of business. Some of these lawsuits purport to be class actions and/or seek substantial damages. In the opinion of management, these matters are adequately covered by insurance or, if not so covered, are without merit or are of such a nature or involve amounts that would not have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business or consolidated financial statements.
 
Gerald Fast v. Applebee’s
 
The Company is currently defending a collective action in United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Central Division filed on July 14, 2006 under the Fair Labor Standards Act styled Gerald Fast v. Applebee’s International, Inc., in which named plaintiffs claim that tipped workers in company restaurants perform excessive amounts of non-tipped work for which they should be compensated at the minimum wage. The court has conditionally certified a nationwide class of servers and bartenders who have worked in company-operated Applebee’s restaurants since June 19, 2004. Unlike a class action, a collective action requires potential class members to “opt in” rather than “opt out.” On February 12, 2008, 5,540 opt-in forms were filed with the court.
 
In cases of this type, conditional certification of the plaintiff class is granted under a lenient standard. On January 15, 2009, we filed a motion seeking to have the class de-certified and the plaintiffs filed a motion for summary judgment, both of which were denied by the court.
 
The parties stipulated to a bench trial which was set to begin on September 8, 2009 in Jefferson City, Missouri. Just prior

14

Table of Contents

to trial, however, the court vacated the trial setting in order to submit key legal issues to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals for review on interlocutory appeal.  On April 21, 2011, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals issued its decision on the interlocutory appeal, affirming the trial court’s ruling that the tip credit is subject to a 20% limit on “related duties in a tipped occupation that are not themselves tip producing” based on guidance in the Department of Labor’s Field Operations Handbook. On May 5, 2011, the Company filed a petition for rehearing en banc with the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, which was denied on July 6, 2011 with four judges dissenting. On October 4, 2011, the Company filed a petition for certiorari asking the United States Supreme Court to review the decision of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.
 
The Company believes it has meritorious defenses and intends to vigorously defend this case. An estimate of the possible loss, if any, or the range of the loss cannot be made and, therefore, the Company has not accrued a loss contingency related to this matter.
 
Lease Guarantees
 
In connection with the sale of Applebee’s restaurants or previous brands to franchisees and other parties, the Company has, in certain cases, guaranteed or had potential continuing liability for lease payments totaling $214.5 million as of September 30, 2011. This amount represents the maximum potential liability of 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 2011 through 2048. In the event of default, the indemnity and default clauses in our sale or assignment agreements govern our ability to pursue and recover damages incurred.  No material liabilities have been recorded as of September 30, 2011.

15. Involvement with Variable Interest Entities
 
In February 2009, the Company and owners of Applebee’s and IHOP franchise restaurants formed Centralized Supply Chain Services, LLC (“CSCS”), a purchasing co-operative, to manage procurement activities for the Applebee’s and IHOP restaurants choosing to join CSCS. CSCS is a variable interest entity (“VIE”) as defined under U.S. GAAP. Under the terms of the membership agreements, each member restaurant belonging to CSCS has equal and identical voting rights, ownership rights and obligations. The Company does not have voting control of CSCS. Accordingly, the Company is not considered to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE and therefore does not consolidate the results of CSCS. The Company reaffirmed this assessment as of September 30, 2011 as there have been no changes in the significant facts and circumstances related to the Company’s involvement with CSCS.
 
Each member restaurant is responsible only for the goods and services it chooses to purchase and bears no responsibility or risk of loss for goods and services purchased by other member restaurants. Based on these facts, the Company believes its maximum estimated loss related to its membership in the CSCS is insignificant.

16.  Consolidating Financial Information
 
Certain of our subsidiaries have guaranteed our obligations under the Credit Facility. The following presents the condensed consolidating financial information separately for: (i) the parent Company, the issuer of the guaranteed obligations; (ii) the guarantor subsidiaries, on a combined basis, as specified in the Credit Agreement; (iii) the non-guarantor subsidiaries, on a combined basis;     (iv) consolidating eliminations and reclassifications; and (v) DineEquity, Inc. and Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis.
 
Each guarantor subsidiary is 100% owned by the Company at the date of each balance sheet presented. The notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis by each guarantor subsidiary. Each entity in the consolidating financial information follows the same accounting policies as described in the consolidated financial statements.
 

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Table of Contents

Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
September 30, 2011
(In millions)
 
 
 
Parent
 
Combined
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Combined
Non-guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations and
Reclassification
 
Consolidated
Assets
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Current Assets
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
34.7

 
$
18.8

 
$
0.5

 
$

 
$
54.0

Restricted cash
 

 
3.2

 

 

 
3.2

Receivables, net
 
0.1

 
72.8

 
0.1

 

 
73.0

Inventories
 

 
10.7

 

 

 
10.7

Prepaid expenses
 
64.3

 
38.3

 
0.2

 
(49.5
)
 
53.3

Deferred income taxes
 
3.3

 
23.1

 
5.0

 

 
31.4

Assets held for sale
 

 
37.7

 
2.2

 

 
39.9

Intercompany
 
(300.2
)
 
299.4

 
0.8

 

 

Total current assets
 
(197.8
)
 
504.0

 
8.8

 
(49.5
)
 
265.5

Non-current restricted cash
 

 

 

 

 

Long-term receivables
 

 
230.6

 

 

 
230.6

Property and equipment, net
 
19.3

 
505.7

 

 

 
525.0

Goodwill
 

 
697.5

 

 

 
697.5

Other intangible assets, net
 

 
825.0

 

 

 
825.0

Other assets, net
 
24.7

 
93.9

 
0.1

 

 
118.7

Investment in subsidiaries
 
1,758.3

 

 

 
(1,758.3
)
 

Total assets
 
$
1,604.5

 
$
2,856.7

 
$
8.9

 
$
(1,807.8
)
 
$
2,662.3

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current maturities of long-term debt
 
$
7.4

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
7.4

Accounts payable
 
1.6

 
27.8

 

 

 
29.4

Accrued employee compensation and benefits
 
4.6

 
19.0

 
0.1

 

 
23.7

Gift card liability
 

 
68.1

 

 

 
68.1

Other accrued expenses
 
(22.4
)
 
161.5

 
1.1

 
(49.5
)
 
90.7

Total current liabilities
 
(8.8
)
 
276.4

 
1.2

 
(49.5
)
 
219.3

Long-term debt
 
1,480.4

 

 

 

 
1,480.4

Financing obligations
 

 
203.1

 

 

 
203.1

Capital lease obligations
 

 
137.0

 

 

 
137.0

Deferred income taxes
 
5.7

 
378.8

 

 

 
384.5

Other liabilities
 
3.7

 
109.6

 
1.2

 

 
114.5

Total liabilities
 
1,481.0

 
1,104.9

 
2.4

 
(49.5
)
 
2,538.8

Total stockholders’ equity
 
123.5

 
1,751.8

 
6.5

 
(1,758.3
)
 
123.5

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 
$
1,604.5

 
$
2,856.7

 
$
8.9

 
$
(1,807.8
)
 
$
2,662.3





16

Table of Contents

Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
December 31, 2010
(In millions)
 
 
 
Parent
 
Combined
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Combined
Non-guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations and
Reclassification
 
Consolidated
Assets
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Current Assets
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
23.4

 
$
77.3

 
$
1.6

 
$

 
$
102.3

Restricted cash
 

 
0.9

 

 

 
0.9

Receivables, net
 

 
98.7

 

 

 
98.7

Inventories
 

 
10.7

 

 

 
10.7

Prepaid expenses
 
2.7

 
73.8

 

 
(0.3
)
 
76.2

Deferred income taxes
 
1.1

 
17.9

 
5.3

 

 
24.3

Assets held for sale
 

 
35.7

 
2.3

 

 
38.0

Intercompany
 
(46.0
)
 
46.0

 

 

 

Total current assets
 
(18.8
)
 
361.0

 
9.2

 
(0.3
)
 
351.1

Non-current restricted cash
 

 
0.8

 

 

 
0.8

Long-term receivables
 

 
240.0

 

 

 
240.0

Property and equipment, net
 
16.5

 
595.7

 

 

 
612.2

Goodwill
 

 
697.5

 

 

 
697.5

Other intangible assets, net
 

 
835.8

 
0.1

 

 
835.9

Other assets, net
 
28.3

 
89.3

 
0.2

 
1.3

 
119.1

Investment in subsidiaries
 
1,683.3

 

 

 
(1,683.3
)
 

Total assets
 
$
1,709.3

 
$
2,820.1

 
$
9.5

 
$
(1,682.3
)
 
$
2,856.6

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Current Liabilities
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Current maturities of long-term debt
 
$
9.0

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
9.0

Accounts payable
 
3.7

 
29.1

 

 

 
32.8

Accrued employee compensation and benefits
 
9.3

 
23.4

 
0.1

 

 
32.8

Gift card liability
 

 
125.0

 

 

 
125.0

Other accrued expenses
 
(26.0
)
 
90.8

 
1.0

 
(0.3
)
 
65.5

Total current liabilities
 
(4.0
)
 
268.3

 
1.1

 
(0.3
)
 
265.1

Long-term debt
 
1,631.5

 

 

 

 
1,631.5

Financing obligations
 

 
237.8

 

 

 
237.8

Capital lease obligations
 

 
144.0

 

 

 
144.0

Deferred income taxes
 
(5.6
)
 
380.0

 

 
1.3

 
375.7

Other liabilities
 
3.5

 
114.4

 
1.0

 

 
118.9

Total liabilities
 
1,625.4

 
1,144.5

 
2.1

 
1.0

 
2,773.0

Total stockholders’ equity
 
83.9

 
1,675.6

 
7.4

 
(1,683.3
)
 
83.6

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 
$
1,709.3

 
$
2,820.1

 
$
9.5

 
$
(1,682.3
)
 
$
2,856.6









17

Table of Contents

Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2011
(In millions)
 
 
Parent
 
Combined
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Combined
Non-guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations and
Reclassification
 
Consolidated
Revenues
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Franchise revenues
 
$
0.6

 
$
96.9

 
$
0.2

 
$

 
$
97.7

Restaurant sales
 

 
131.3

 
0.4

 

 
131.7

Rental revenues
 

 
31.1

 

 

 
31.1

Financing revenues
 

 
4.0

 

 

 
4.0

Total revenue
 
0.6

 
263.3

 
0.6

 

 
264.5

Franchise expenses
 
0.5

 
24.4

 

 

 
24.9

Restaurant expenses
 

 
113.7

 
0.2

 

 
113.9

Rental expenses
 

 
24.5

 
0.1

 

 
24.6

Financing expenses
 

 
0.4

 

 

 
0.4

General and administrative
 
6.5

 
31.7

 
0.5

 

 
38.7

Interest expense
 
28.3

 
4.0

 

 

 
32.3

Impairment and closure
 

 

 
0.2

 

 
0.2

Amortization of intangible assets
 

 
3.0

 

 

 
3.0

Loss on extinguishment of debt
 

 

 

 

 

Loss (gain) on disposition of assets
 

 
1.2

 

 

 
1.2

Other
 
(37.0
)
 
0.4

 
(0.5
)
 
37.1

 

Income (loss) before income taxes
 
2.3

 
60.0

 
0.1

 
(37.1
)
 
25.3

Benefit (provision) for income taxes
 
14.3

 
(23.2
)
 
0.2

 

 
(8.7
)
Net (loss) income
 
$
16.6

 
$
36.8

 
$
0.3

 
$
(37.1
)
 
$
16.6


 
Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2010
(In millions)
 
 
Parent
 
Combined
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Combined
Non-guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations and
Reclassification
 
Consolidated
Revenues
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Franchise revenues
 
$

 
$
92.2

 
$

 
$

 
$
92.2

Restaurant sales
 

 
206.5

 
0.4

 

 
206.9

Rental revenues
 

 
32.2

 

 

 
32.2

Financing revenues
 

 
4.2

 

 

 
4.2

Total revenue
 

 
335.1

 
0.4

 

 
335.5

Franchise expenses
 

 
25.4

 

 

 
25.4

Restaurant expenses
 

 
176.9

 
0.4

 

 
177.3

Rental expenses
 

 
24.5

 
0.1

 

 
24.6

Financing expenses
 

 
0.7

 

 

 
0.7

General and administrative
 
5.6

 
33.5

 
0.4

 

 
39.5

Interest expense
 
(0.2
)
 
43.0

 

 

 
42.8

Impairment and closure
 

 
1.1

 
0.1

 

 
1.2

Amortization of intangible assets
 

 
3.0

 

 

 
3.0

Gain on extinguishment of debt
 

 

 

 

 

Loss (gain) on disposition of assets
 

 
0.7

 

 

 
0.7

Other (income) expense
 
0.4

 
(17.2
)
 
(0.6
)
 
17.5

 
0.1

Intercompany dividend
 
(18.5
)
 

 

 
18.5

 

Income (loss) before income taxes
 
12.7

 
43.5

 

 
(36.0
)
 
20.2

Benefit (provision) for income taxes
 
2.7

 
(8.6
)
 

 

 
(5.9
)
Net (loss) income
 
$
15.4

 
$
34.9

 
$

 
$
(36.0
)
 
$
14.3



18

Table of Contents

Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
(In millions)
 
 
Parent
 
Combined
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Combined
Non-guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations and
Reclassification
 
Consolidated
Revenues
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Franchise revenues
 
$
1.9

 
$
298.2

 
$
0.7

 
$

 
$
300.8

Restaurant sales
 

 
419.8

 
1.2

 

 
421.0

Rental revenues
 

 
94.9

 
0.1

 

 
95.0

Financing revenues
 

 
16.3

 

 

 
16.3

Total revenue
 
1.9

 
829.2

 
2.0

 

 
833.1

Franchise expenses
 
1.6

 
77.1

 

 

 
78.7

Restaurant expenses
 

 
362.3

 
0.7

 

 
363.0

Rental expenses
 

 
73.6

 
0.1

 

 
73.7

Financing expenses
 

 
6.0

 

 

 
6.0

General and administrative
 
20.1

 
93.4

 
1.7

 

 
115.2

Interest expense
 
89.2

 
12.1

 

 

 
101.3

Impairment and closure
 

 
26.6

 
0.3

 

 
26.9

Amortization of intangible assets
 

 
9.2

 

 

 
9.2

Loss on extinguishment of debt
 
7.9

 

 

 

 
7.9

Loss (gain) on disposition of assets
 

 
(21.2
)
 

 

 
(21.2
)
Debt modification costs
 
4.1

 


 


 


 
4.1

Other
 
(86.0
)
 
20.9

 
(1.4
)
 
66.5

 

Income (loss) before income taxes
 
(35.0
)
 
169.2

 
0.6

 
(66.5
)
 
68.3

Benefit (provision) for income taxes
 
47.8

 
(69.3
)
 
(0.2
)
 

 
(21.7
)
Net (loss) income
 
$
12.8

 
$
99.9

 
$
0.4

 
$
(66.5
)
 
$
46.6

 
Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010
(In millions)
 
 
 
Parent
 
Combined
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Combined
Non-guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations and
Reclassification
 
Consolidated
Revenues
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Franchise revenues
 
$

 
$
280.7

 
$
0.3

 
$

 
$
281.0

Restaurant sales
 

 
640.6

 
1.6

 

 
642.2

Rental revenues
 

 
98.1

 
0.1

 

 
98.2

Financing revenues
 

 
12.3

 

 

 
12.3

Total revenue
 

 
1,031.7

 
2.0

 

 
1,033.7

Franchise expenses
 

 
76.1

 

 

 
76.1

Restaurant expenses
 

 
550.1

 
1.7

 

 
551.8

Rental expenses
 

 
74.3

 
0.1

 

 
74.4

Financing expenses
 

 
1.2

 

 

 
1.2

General and administrative
 
19.8

 
95.3

 
1.8

 

 
116.9

Interest expense
 

 
131.5

 

 

 
131.5

Impairment and closure
 

 
3.1

 
0.7

 

 
3.8

Amortization of intangible assets
 

 
9.2

 

 

 
9.2

Gain on extinguishment of debt
 

 
(4.6
)
 

 

 
(4.6
)
Loss (gain) on disposition of assets
 

 
1.1

 
(0.1
)
 

 
1.0

Other (income) expense
 
0.2

 
1.1

 
(1.3
)
 

 

Intercompany dividend
 
(52.4
)
 
(54.4
)
 

 
106.8

 

Income (loss) before income taxes
 
32.4

 
147.7

 
(0.9
)
 
(106.8
)
 
72.4

Benefit (provision) for income taxes
 
7.9

 
(32.4
)
 
0.2

 

 
(24.3
)
Net (loss) income
 
$
40.3

 
$
115.3

 
$
(0.7
)
 
$
(106.8
)
 
$
48.1



19

Table of Contents

Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
(In millions)

 
 
Parent
 
Combined
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Combined
Non-guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations and
Reclassification
 
Consolidated
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities
 
$
(90.4
)
 
$
184.7

 
$
0.8

 

 
$
95.1

Investing cash flows
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additions to property and equipment
 
(5.8
)
 
(15.0
)
 

 

 
(20.8
)
Principal receipts from long-term receivables
 

 
9.9

 

 

 
9.9

Proceeds from sale of assets
 

 
60.2

 

 

 
60.2

Other
 

 
(0.6
)
 

 

 
(0.6
)
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities
 
(5.8
)
 
54.5

 

 

 
48.7

Financing cash flows
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issuance of debt
 
25.0

 

 

 

 
25.0

Payment of debt
 
(178.4
)
 
(10.3
)
 

 

 
(188.7
)
Payment of debt issuance costs
 
(0.8
)
 

 

 

 
(0.8
)
Purchase of common stock
 
(21.2
)
 

 

 

 
(21.2
)
Restricted cash
 


 
(1.6
)
 

 

 
(1.6
)
Other
 
(5.3
)
 
0.4

 

 

 
(4.9
)
Intercompany transfers
 
288.2

 
(286.4
)
 
(1.8
)
 

 

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities
 
107.5

 
(297.9
)
 
(1.8
)
 

 
(192.2
)
Net change
 
11.3

 
(58.7
)
 
(1.0
)
 

 
(48.4
)
Beginning cash and equivalents
 
23.4

 
77.3

 
1.6

 

 
102.3

Ending cash and equivalents
 
$
34.7

 
$
18.6

 
$
0.6

 

 
$
53.9

 
Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010
(In millions)
 
 
 
Parent
 
Combined
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Combined
Non-guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations and
Reclassification
 
Consolidated
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities
 
$
14.0

 
$
84.0

 
$
(0.5
)
 

 
$
97.5

Investing cash flows
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additions to property and equipment
 
(4.8
)
 
(6.6
)
 

 

 
(11.4
)
Principal receipts from long-term receivables
 
3.0

 
11.9

 

 

 
14.9

Proceeds from sale of assets
 

 
(0.2
)
 
2.2

 

 
2.0

Other
 

 
1.8

 

 

 
1.8

Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities
 
(1.8
)
 
6.9

 
2.2

 

 
7.3

Financing cash flows
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Payment of debt
 

 
(92.8
)
 

 

 
(92.8
)
Payment of debt issuance costs
 
(0.8
)
 
(0.3
)
 

 

 
(1.1
)
Dividends
 
(17.1
)
 


 

 

 
(17.1
)
Restricted cash
 

 
25.4

 

 

 
25.4

Other
 
3.7

 

 

 

 
3.7

Intercompany transfers
 
2.0

 
(0.4
)
 
(1.6
)
 

 

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities
 
(12.2
)
 
(68.1
)
 
(1.6
)
 

 
(81.9
)
Net change
 

 
22.8

 
0.1

 

 
22.9

Beginning cash and equivalents
 

 
80.9

 
1.4

 

 
82.3

Ending cash and equivalents
 
$

 
$
103.7

 
$
1.5

 

 
$
105.2




20

Table of Contents

17. Subsequent Events

On October 13, 2011, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement for the refranchising and sale of related restaurant assets of 17 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants located in a six-state market area geographically centered around Memphis, Tennessee. This sale is expected to close in the fiscal first quarter of 2012.

On November 2, 2011, the Company completed the sale of 62 of 66 Applebee's company-operated restaurants located in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island, Vermont and parts of New York state. The Company expects to recognize a gain of approximately $23 million on the sale of the 66 restaurants.



Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
 
Forward-Looking Statements
 
Statements contained in this report may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 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,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan” and other similar expressions. You should consider our forward-looking statements in light of the risks discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, 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 the Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements.
 
Overview
 
The following discussion and analysis provides information 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 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010. Except where the context indicates otherwise, the words “we,” “us,” “our” and the “Company” refer to DineEquity, Inc., together with its subsidiaries that are consolidated in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”).
 
The Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in 1976. The first International House of Pancakes® (“IHOP”) restaurant opened in 1958 in Toluca Lake, California. Since that time, the Company or its predecessors have engaged in the development, operation, franchising and licensing of IHOP restaurants. In November 2007, we acquired Applebee’s International, Inc. (“Applebee’s”), which became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Through various IHOP and Applebee’s subsidiaries, we own, operate and franchise two restaurant concepts in the casual dining and family dining categories of the food service industry: Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar® and IHOP®. DineEquity, Inc. is the parent of the IHOP and Applebee’s subsidiaries. References herein to Applebee’s and IHOP restaurants are to these two restaurant concepts, whether operated by franchisees, area licensees or the Company. References herein to “system sales” include retail sales at restaurants that are owned by franchisees and area licensees and are not attributable to the Company, as well as retail sales at Company-owned restaurants. With over 3,500 franchised or owned-and-operated restaurants combined, we believe we are the largest full-service restaurant company in the world.
 
Transitioning Applebee’s
 
Since the completion of the Applebee’s acquisition, we have been pursuing a strategy to transition from an Applebee’s system that was 74% franchised at the time of the acquisition to an approximately 98% franchised Applebee’s system, similar to IHOP’s 99% franchised system. A more heavily franchised business model is expected to create cost synergies, require less capital investment for restaurant assets and reduce the volatility of cash flow performance over time.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we completed the refranchising and sale of related restaurant assets of 36 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants in the St. Louis area market and 30 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants in the Washington, D.C. market. With the completion of these transactions we have refranchised 259 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants since the acquisition and the Applebee’s system is approximately 88% franchised as of September 30, 2011.

21

Table of Contents

 
In May 2011, we entered into an agreement for the refranchising and sale of related restaurant assets of 66 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants located in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island, Vermont and parts of New York. This sale is expected to close in the fiscal fourth quarter of 2011. In October 2011, we entered into an agreement for the refranchising and sale of related restaurant assets of 17 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants located in a six-state market area geographically centered around Memphis, Tennessee. This sale is expected to close in the fiscal first quarter of 2012. Including these additional 83 restaurants, we will have refranchised 342 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants since the acquisition and the Applebee’s system will be approximately 92% franchised (based on the total number of Applebee’s restaurants as of September 30, 2011). 
 
On November 2, 2011, we completed the sale of 62 of the 66 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants located in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island, Vermont and parts of New York. We expect to complete the sale of the remaining four restaurants in that market prior to December 31, 2011.

A range of factors, including the overall market for restaurant franchises, the availability of financing and the financial and operating performance of Applebee’s company-owned restaurants, can impact the likelihood and timing of the completion of this strategy as well as the ultimate proceeds we will receive from the refranchising and sale of related restaurant assets of company-operated restaurants.  We continually monitor these factors to assess their impact on possible refranchising transactions. We may choose to suspend or revise our refranchising strategy for Applebee’s company-operated restaurants if we do not believe that conditions will lead to satisfactory proceeds from the refranchising of the Applebee’s company-operated restaurants and sale of related restaurant assets.

Restaurant Development Activity
 
The following table summarizes Applebee’s restaurant development and franchising activity:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
(unaudited)
Applebee’s Restaurant Development Activity
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Beginning of period
 
2,012

 
2,001

 
2,010

 
2,008

New openings
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Franchisee-developed
 
4

 
3

 
12

 
11
Total new openings
 
4

 
3

 
12

 
11

Closings
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Company
 

 
(1
)
 

 
(7
)
Franchise
 
(6
)
 
(4
)
 
(12
)
 
(13
)
Total closings
 
(6
)
 
(5
)
 
(12
)
 
(20
)
End of period
 
2,010

 
1,999

 
2,010

 
1,999

Summary-end of period
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Franchise
 
1,767

 
1,607

 
1,767

 
1,607

Company
 
243

 
392

 
243

 
392

Total
 
2,010

 
1,999

 
2,010

 
1,999

Restaurant Franchising Activity
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Domestic franchisee-developed
 
2

 
3

 
8

 
5

International franchisee-developed
 
2

 

 
4

 
6

Refranchised
 
1

 

 
66

 

Total restaurants franchised
 
5

 
3

 
78

 
11

Closings
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Domestic franchise
 
(1
)
 
(3
)
 
(3
)
 
(11
)
International franchise
 
(5
)
 
(1
)
 
(9
)
 
(2
)
Total franchise closings
 
(6
)
 
(4
)
 
(12
)
 
(13
)
Net franchise restaurant additions (reductions)
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
66

 
(2
)
 
Included in international franchise closures for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 were six franchises located in Greece.


22

Table of Contents

In 2011, we expect franchisees to open a total of between 24 to 28 new Applebee’s franchise restaurants. The following table represents commitments for 2011-2012 by franchisees under development agreements to develop Applebee’s restaurants. We disclose development commitments for only a two-year period as the Applebee’s development agreements generally provide for a series of two-year development commitments after the initial development period.
 
 
 
Contractual Opening of
Restaurants by Year
 
 
2011
 
2012
Domestic development agreements
 
13

 
19

International development agreements
 
11

 
14

Total
 
24

 
33

 
The actual number of openings may differ from both our expectations and development commitments due to various factors, including economic conditions, franchisee access to capital, and the impact of currency fluctuations on our international franchisees. The timing of new restaurant openings also may be affected by various factors, including weather-related and other construction delays and difficulties in obtaining timely regulatory approvals and various economic factors.

The following table summarizes IHOP restaurant development and franchising activity:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
(unaudited)
IHOP Restaurant Development Activity
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Beginning of period
 
1,522

 
1,476

 
1,504

 
1,456

New openings
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Franchisee-developed
 
13

 
9

 
36

 
35

Area license
 
1

 
1

 
3

 
3

Total new openings
 
14

 
10

 
39

 
38

Closings
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Company
 

 

 

 
(2
)
Franchise
 
(4
)
 
(3
)
 
(7
)
 
(6
)
Area license
 

 

 
(4
)
 
(3
)
Total closings
 
(4
)
 
(3
)
 
(11
)
 
(11
)
End of period
 
1,532

 
1,483

 
1,532

 
1,483

Summary-end of period
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Franchise
 
1,356

 
1,309

 
1,356

 
1,309

Company
 
13

 
10

 
13

 
10

Area license
 
163

 
164

 
163

 
164

Total
 
1,532

 
1,483

 
1,532

 
1,483

Restaurant Franchising Activity
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Domestic franchisee-developed
 
12

 
7

 
29

 
32

International franchisee-developed
 
1

 
2

 
7

 
3

Area license
 
1

 

 
3

 

Refranchised
 
1

 
2

 
2

 
3

Total restaurants franchised
 
15

 
11

 
41

 
38

Closings
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Domestic franchise
 
(4
)
 
(3
)
 
(7
)
 
(6
)
Area license
 

 

 
(4
)
 

Total franchise closings
 
(4
)
 
(3
)
 
(11
)
 
(6
)
Reacquired by the Company
 
(3
)
 
(2
)
 
(4
)
 
(2
)
Net franchise restaurant additions
 
8

 
6

 
26

 
30

 

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Table of Contents

The following table represents our IHOP restaurant development commitments, including options, as of September 30, 2011:
 
Contractual Openings of Restaurants by Year
 
Number of
Signed
Agreements
at 9/30/11
 
Rest of
2011
 
2012
 
2013
 
2014
 
2015 and
thereafter
 
Total
Single-store development agreements
 
7
 
4
 
3

 
0
 
0
 
0
 
7

Non-traditional development agreements
 
3
 
3
 
0

 
0
 
0
 
0
 
3

Multi-store development agreements
 
70
 
28
 
30

 
33
 
27
 
103
 
221

International territory agreements
 
11
 
2
 
7

 
12
 
12
 
68
 
101

Total
 
91
 
37
 
40

 
45
 
39
 
171
 
332

 
In 2011, we expect franchisees to open a total of 55 to 60 new IHOP restaurants. The actual number of openings in any period may differ from both our expectations and the number of signed commitments. Historically, the actual number of restaurants developed in a particular year has been less than the total number committed to be developed due to various factors, including weather-related delays, other construction delays, difficulties in obtaining timely regulatory approvals, franchisee noncompliance with development agreements and various economic factors.

Restaurant Data
 
The following table sets forth, for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, 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. “Effective restaurants” are the number of restaurants in a given 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 includes restaurants owned by the Company, as well as those owned by franchisees and area licensees. 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, as well as rental payments under leases that are usually 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.
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
(unaudited)
Applebee’s Restaurant Data
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Effective restaurants(a)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Franchise
 
1,766

 
1,607

 
1,757

 
1,606

Company
 
243

 
393

 
253

 
394

Total
 
2,009

 
2,000

 
2,010

 
2,000

System-wide(b)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Sales percentage change(c)
 
 (0.1%)

 
3.4
%
 
2.6
%
 
(0.9
)%
Domestic same-restaurant sales percentage change(d)
 
 (0.3%)

 
3.3
%
 
2.3
%
 
(0.5
)%
Franchise(b)(e)(g)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Sales percentage change(c)
 
 (1.3%)

 
4.1
%
 
1.8
%
 
(0.2
)%
Domestic same-restaurant sales percentage change(d)
 
 (0.4%)

 
3.8
%
 
2.5
%
 
(0.2
)%
Average weekly domestic unit sales (in thousands)
 
$
44.2

 
$
44.8

 
$
47.0

 
$
46.2

Company(g)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Sales percentage change(c)
 
1.4
%
 
0.4
%
 
1.0
%
 
(3.9
)%
Same-restaurant sales percentage change(d)
 
0.1
%
 
1.2
%
 
0.5
%
 
(1.7
)%
Average weekly domestic unit sales (in thousands)
 
$
40.2

 
$
39.7

 
$
41.3

 
$
40.9

 

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Table of Contents

 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
(unaudited)
IHOP Restaurant Data
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Effective restaurants(a)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Franchise
 
1,347

 
1,297

 
1,339

 
1,289

Company
 
10

 
10

 
10

 
11

Area license
 
163

 
164

 
163

 
164

Total
 
1,520

 
1,471

 
1,512

 
1,464

System-wide(b)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Sales percentage change(c)
 
2.6
 %
 
2.9
%
 
1.7
 %
 
3.4
 %
Domestic same-restaurant sales percentage change(d)
 
(1.5
)%
 
0.1
%
 
(2.4
)%
 
(0.4
)%
Franchise(b)(e)(g)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Sales percentage change(c)
 
2.5
 %
 
3.0
%
 
1.6
 %
 
3.5
 %
Domestic same-restaurant sales percentage change(d)
 
(1.5
)%
 
0.1
%
 
(2.4
)%
 
(0.4
)%
Average weekly domestic unit sales (in thousands)
 
$
34.4

 
$
34.9

 
$
34.6

 
$
35.3

Company(f)(g)
 
n.m.

 
n.m.

 
n.m.

 
n.m.

Area License(e)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Sales percentage change(c)
 
4.4
 %
 
2.2
%
 
2.5
 %
 
3.3
 %

(a)         “Effective restaurants” are the number of restaurants in a given 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 includes restaurants owned by the Company as well as those owned by franchisees and area licensees.
 
(b)         “System-wide” sales are retail sales at Applebee’s and IHOP restaurants operated by franchisees and IHOP restaurants operated by area licensees, as reported to the Company, in addition to retail sales at company-operated restaurants.  Sales at restaurants that are owned by franchisees and area licensees are not attributable to the Company.
 
(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 year, for 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 unit openings and restaurant closures, the restaurants open throughout both fiscal periods being compared may be different from period to period. Same-restaurant sales percentage change does not include data on IHOP restaurants located in Florida.
 
  (e)
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
(In millions)
Reported sales (unaudited)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Applebee’s franchise restaurant sales
 
$
932.6

 
$
852.4

 
$
2,957.2

 
$
2,639.8

IHOP franchise restaurant sales
 
$
602.7

 
$
588.1

 
$
1,805.5

 
$
1,777.0

IHOP area license restaurant sales
 
$
55.1

 
$
52.8

 
$
172.0

 
$
167.8

 
(f)           Sales percentage change and same-restaurant sales percentage change for IHOP company-operated restaurants are not meaningful (“n.m.”) due to the relatively small number and test-market nature of the restaurants, along with the periodic inclusion of restaurants reacquired from franchisees that are temporarily operated by the Company.
 
(g)          The sales percentage change for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2011 for Applebee’s franchise and company-operated restaurants was impacted by the refranchising of 149 company-operated restaurants (83 in the fourth quarter of 2010, 65 in the first quarter of 2011 and one in the third quarter of 2011).


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Table of Contents

Significant Known Events, Trends or Uncertainties Impacting or Expected to Impact Comparisons of Reported or Future Results
 
Sales Trends
 
 
 
Domestic System-wide Same Restaurant Sales
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
2009
 
2010
 
2011
 
 
Q1
 
Q2
 
Q3
 
Q4
 
Q1
 
Q2
 
Q3
 
Q4
 
Q1
 
Q2
 
Q3
Applebee’s
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
Quarter
 
(3.0
)%
 
(4.3
)%
 
(6.5
)%
 
(4.5
)%
 
(2.7
)%
 
(1.6
)%
 
3.3
 %
 
2.9
%
 
3.9
 %
 
3.1
 %
 
(0.3
)%
YTD
 
(3.0
)%
 
(3.6
)%
 
(4.5
)%
 
(4.5
)%
 
(2.7
)%
 
(2.2
)%
 
(0.5
)%
 
0.3
%
 
3.9
 %
 
3.5
 %
 
2.3
 %
IHOP
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
Quarter
 
2.0
 %
 
(0.6
)%
 
(1.1
)%
 
(3.1
)%
 
(0.4
)%
 
(1.0
)%
 
0.1
 %
 
1.1
%
 
(2.7
)%
 
(2.9
)%
 
(1.5
)%
YTD
 
2.0
 %
 
0.7
 %
 
0.2
 %
 
(0.8
)%
 
(0.4
)%
 
(0.7
)%
 
(0.4
)%
 
0.0
%
 
(2.7
)%
 
(2.8
)%
 
(2.4
)%
 
Applebee’s domestic system-wide same-restaurant sales decreased 0.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2011, the first quarterly decrease since the second quarter of 2010. The decrease in the third quarter was primarily due to a decline in guest traffic, which we believe was due, in part, to promotions during the period that did not drive traffic as expected and to the impact of economic uncertainties on discretionary consumer spending. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, Applebee’s domestic system-wide same-restaurant sales increased 2.3%. This improvement was mainly driven by an increase in average guest check partially offset by a decline in guest traffic. The higher average guest check primarily was the result of an increase in menu pricing.
 
IHOP’s domestic system-wide same-restaurant sales decreased 1.5% and 2.4% for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively. The mitigation of the decrease in the third quarter 2011 was primarily due to an increase in average guest check. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the decrease was primarily due to a decline in guest traffic, which we believe was due in part to promotions during the period that did not drive repeat traffic as expected and to the impact of economic uncertainties on discretionary consumer spending.

With respect to both brands, same-restaurant sales for the first nine months of 2011 are not necessarily indicative of results expected for the full year.
 
A shift in the timing of the Easter holiday impacted the same-store sales of both brands in the first and second quarter of 2011. The Easter holiday, which historically has a positive impact on IHOP sales but a negative impact on Applebee’s sales, fell in the second quarter of 2011 as opposed to the first quarter of 2010. Excluding the impact of the Easter shift on Applebee’s, their domestic system-wide same-restaurant sales would have increased 3.8% for the second quarter of 2011 while their first quarter increase would have been 3.3%. Excluding the impact of the Easter shift on IHOP, their domestic system-wide same-restaurant sales would have decreased 3.4% for the second quarter of 2011 while their first quarter decrease would have been 2.3%.
 
Debt Modification and Retirements
 
On February 25, 2011, we entered into Amendment No. 1 (the “Amendment”) to our existing Credit Agreement dated as of October 8, 2010 (the “Credit Agreement”). Pursuant to the Amendment, the interest rate margin applicable to LIBOR-based loans was reduced from 4.50% to 3.00%, and the interest rate floors used to determine the LIBOR and Base Rate reference rates for loans were reduced from 1.50% to 1.25% for LIBOR-based loans and from 2.50% to 2.25% for Base Rate denominated loans. We recognized costs of $4.1 million in our Consolidated Statements of Income for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 related to this debt modification.
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we repaid $110.0 million of outstanding borrowings under the Credit Agreement and we repurchased $39.8 million of our 9.5% Senior Notes. Including write-off of the discount and deferred financing costs related to the debt retired and a $3.7 million premium paid on the Senior Notes, we recognized a loss on the retirement of debt of $7.9 million. Additionally, as the result of refranchising 66 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants, we were released from financing obligations of $32.7 million related to 17 of the properties refranchised.
 

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Table of Contents

Financial Statement Effect of Refranchising Company-Operated Restaurants
 
As of September 30, 2011, we have refranchised 259 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants since the acquisition of Applebee’s. Including the refranchising of the additional 83 restaurants expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2011 and first quarter of 2012 as discussed under “Transitioning Applebee’s” above, we will have refranchised 342 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants since the acquisition and the Applebee’s system will be approximately 92% franchised (based on the total number of Applebee’s restaurants as of September 30, 2011).  We plan to refranchise and sell the related restaurant assets of a substantial majority of the 160 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants remaining after the pending transactions have closed and when such refranchisings and sales are in alignment with our business strategy. We may suspend or delay our plans to refranchise Applebee’s company-operated restaurants and sell the related restaurant assets if we do not believe the sales proceeds from the transaction would be satisfactory. We consider a range of factors that could impact the likelihood of future refranchising of Applebee’s company-operated restaurants and sale of related restaurant assets and possible proceeds from such transactions.

As the number of company-operated restaurants declines, the amount reported in future periods for Company restaurant revenues and Company restaurant expenses will also decline while franchise royalty revenues and expenses will increase, as compared to amounts reported in previous periods. Segment profit will also decline as company-operated restaurants are refranchised because the associated royalties are a smaller percentage of restaurant revenues than the restaurant operating profit margin percentage of restaurants formerly operated by the Company. However, refranchising of additional Applebee’s company-operated restaurants will result in the reduction of interest expense as proceeds from the sale of related restaurant assets (subject to certain exclusions) must be used to retire debt. Refranchising of additional Applebee’s company-operated restaurants also will result in a reduction of both general and administrative expenses and required capital investment in restaurant assets.
 
Stock Repurchase Program

On August 15, 2011, the Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to $45 million of our common stock. Under the program, we may repurchase shares on an opportunistic basis from time to time in open market transactions and in privately negotiated transactions, as appropriate. The repurchase program does not require the repurchase of a specific number of shares and may be terminated at any time. As of September 30, 2011, we have repurchased 534,101 shares of stock for $21.2 million, an average price of $39.62 per share, under the currently authorized repurchase program.
 

Segments
 
We identify our segments based on the organizational units used by management to monitor performance and make operating decisions. Our revenues and expenses are recorded in four segments: franchise operations, company restaurant operations, rental operations and financing operations.
 
The franchise operations segment consists of  restaurants operated by Applebee’s franchisees in the United States, one United States territory and 14 countries outside the United States and restaurants operated by IHOP franchisees and area licensees in the United States, two United States territories, and three countries outside the United States. Franchise operations revenue consists primarily of franchise royalty revenues, sales of proprietary products, certain franchise advertising fees and the portion of the franchise fees allocated to intellectual property.  Franchise operations expenses include advertising expense, the cost of proprietary products, pre-opening training expenses and costs related to intellectual property provided to franchisees.
 
The company restaurant operations segment consists of Applebee’s and IHOP company-operated restaurants and, from time to time, IHOP restaurants reacquired from franchisees that are occasionally operated by us on a temporary basis. All company-operated restaurants are in the United States. Company restaurant sales are retail sales at company-operated restaurants. Company restaurant expenses are operating expenses at company-operated restaurants and include food, labor, benefits, 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 on capital leases on franchisee-operated restaurants.
 
Financing operations revenue consists of interest income from the financing of franchise fees and equipment leases, as well as sales of equipment and the portion of franchise fees not allocated to intellectual property. Financing expenses are primarily the cost of restaurant equipment sold.
 

 

27

Table of Contents


Comparison of the Three Months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010

Results of Operations
 
Key components of changes in our financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the same period of 2010 included:
 
·                  We continued to execute our strategy to refranchise the majority of Applebee's company-operated restaurants. Over the past twelve months we refranchised 149 company-operated restaurants (83 in the fourth quarter of 2010, 65 in the first quarter of 2011 and one in the third quarter of 2011), which reduced our revenue and overall segment profit.

·                  Our revenues decreased $71.0 million, primarily because of lower company-operated restaurant revenue due to the refranchising of Applebee's company-operated restaurants and a 1.5% decrease in IHOP domestic same-restaurant sales, partially offset by higher franchise royalty revenues resulting from the increase in Applebee’s and IHOP effective franchise units.
 
·                  Our segment profit decreased $7.0 million, comprised as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 
 
September 30,
 
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
Variance
 
 
(In millions)
Franchise operations
 
$
72.7

 
$
66.9

 
$
5.8

Company restaurant operations
 
17.7

 
29.7

 
(12.0
)
Rental operations
 
6.6

 
7.5

 
(0.9
)
Financing operations
 
3.6

 
3.5

 
0.1

Total
 
$
100.6

 
$
107.6

 
$
(7.0
)

The decline in segment profit was primarily due to the refranchising of Applebee’s company-operated restaurants, partially offset by an increase in effective Applebee’s and IHOP franchise restaurants.

 
·                  Our interest expense decreased $10.6 million due to lower non-cash interest charges and to our reduction of debt balances. Non-cash interest charges declined because deferred financing costs and discounts associated with our previous debt instruments were written off as part of the October 2010 refinancing of debt.
 

28

Table of Contents

Franchise Operations
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
Variance
 
% Change(1)
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
Franchise Revenues
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Applebee’s
 
$
40.1

 
$
36.5

 
$
3.6

 
9.8
 %
IHOP
 
38.7

 
37.0

 
1.7

 
4.5
 %
IHOP advertising
 
18.9

 
18.6

 
0.3

 
1.5
 %
Total franchise revenues
 
97.7

 
92.1

 
5.6

 
6.0
 %
Franchise Expenses
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Applebee’s
 
0.6

 
0.5

 
0.1

 
28.0
 %
IHOP
 
5.5

 
6.2

 
(0.7
)
 
(11.2
)%
IHOP advertising
 
18.9

 
18.6

 
0.3

 
1.5
 %
Total franchise expenses
 
25.0

 
25.3

 
(0.3
)
 
(1.2
)%
Franchise Segment Profit
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Applebee’s
 
39.5

 
36.1

 
3.4

 
9.6
 %
IHOP
 
33.2

 
30.8

 
2.4

 
7.7
 %
Total franchise segment profit
 
$
72.7

 
$
66.9

 
$
5.8

 
8.7
 %
Segment profit as % of revenue
 
74.4
%
 
72.5
%
 
 

 
 

 (1) Percentages calculated on actual, not rounded, amounts
 
The $3.6 million increase in Applebee’s franchise revenue was primarily attributable to increased royalty revenue resulting from the refranchising of 149 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants in the last twelve months partially offset by a 0.4% decrease in domestic same-restaurant sales. The $1.7 million increase in IHOP franchise revenue (other than advertising) was primarily attributable to a 3.9% increase in effective franchise restaurants partially offset by a decrease of 1.5% in IHOP domestic franchise same-restaurant sales.
 
IHOP’s franchise expenses are substantially larger than Applebee’s due to advertising expenses. Franchise fees designated for IHOP’s national advertising fund and local marketing and advertising cooperatives are recognized as revenue and expense of franchise operations; however, Applebee’s national advertising fund activity constitutes an agency transaction and therefore is not recognized as franchise revenue and expense. The increase in IHOP advertising revenue and expense is primarily due to the increase in effective franchise restaurants partially offset by the decrease in domestic franchise same-restaurant sales.
 
The increase in franchise segment profit is primarily due to an increase in effective franchise restaurants due to the refranchising of Applebee’s company-operated restaurants and IHOP franchise development.

Company Restaurant Operations
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
Variance
 
% Change(1)
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
Company restaurant sales
 
$
131.6

 
$
206.9

 
$
(75.3
)
 
(36.4
)%
Company restaurant expenses
 
113.9

 
177.2

 
63.3

 
35.7
 %
Company restaurant segment profit
 
$
17.7

 
$
29.7

 
$
(12.0
)
 
(40.4
)%
Segment profit as % of revenue
 
13.4
%
 
14.3
%
 
 

 
 

 (1) Percentages calculated on actual, not rounded, amounts
 
As of September 30, 2011, company restaurant operations were comprised of 243 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants and 13 IHOP company-operated restaurants. The impact of the IHOP restaurants on all comparisons of the three months ended September 30, 2011 with the same period of 2010 was negligible.

29

Table of Contents

 
Company restaurant sales decreased $75.3 million. Of the total decrease, Applebee’s company restaurant sales decreased $75.5 million, primarily due to the refranchising of 149 company-operated restaurants in the last twelve months and the closure of seven company-operated restaurants in 2010, partially offset by an increase in company same-restaurant sales of 0.1%. The change in same-restaurant sales was driven mainly by an increase in average guest check partially offset by a decline in guest traffic. The higher average guest check is the result of a 1.3% increase in menu pricing offset by unfavorable promotional and product mix changes. We believe the decline in guest traffic is reflective of current economic uncertainty affecting customers and impacting the restaurant industry as a whole.
 
Company restaurant expenses decreased $63.3 million. Of the total decrease, Applebee’s company restaurant expenses decreased $63.5 million, of which $65.7 million was due to the refranchising of the 149 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants and seven restaurant closures in 2010 noted above. The restaurant operating profit for Applebee’s company restaurant operations decreased to 14.2% for the third quarter of 2011 compared to 14.8% for the same period of last year, as shown below:
 
 
 
 
 
Favorable (Unfavorable)
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
Components of Total Variance
Applebee's Company-operated Expenses
 
September 30,
 
Total
 
Refranchising
 
Sales
 
All other
As Percentage of Restaurant Sales 
 
2011
 
2010
 
Variance
 
and Closures
 
Impacts (b)
 
Impacts
Revenue
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Food and beverage
 
25.9
%
 
25.1
%
 
(0.8
)%
 
(0.2
)%
 
%
 
(0.5
)%
Labor
 
32.6
%
 
33.9
%
 
1.3
 %
 
1.0
 %
 
%
 
0.2
 %
Direct and occupancy
 
27.3
%
 
26.2
%
 
(1.1
)%
 
(0.3
)%
 
%
 
(0.9
)%
Company Restaurant Operating Profit (a)
 
14.2
%
 
14.8
%
 
(0.6
)%
 
0.6
 %
 
%
 
(1.2
)%
(a)         Percentages may not add due to rounding.
(b)         Changes in pricing, guest traffic and impact of promotions and product mix
 
The restaurant refranchising and closures discussed above had a net favorable impact of 0.6% on margins, primarily because the refranchised markets had higher-than-average labor costs along with favorability due to cessation of depreciation on restaurants held for sale, partially offset by an adjustment of real estate tax estimates in the prior year. Changes in sales revenue had no impact on margins as price increases were entirely offset by the unfavorable impact of promotions, product mix changes and a decline in guest traffic.  Other margin changes in specific cost categories were as follows:
 
·                  Food and beverage costs as a percentage of company restaurant sales increased 0.5% due to changes in commodity costs impacting most products and menu changes, partially offset by an improvement in waste variance, savings in distribution center alignment and menu simplification.
 
·                  Labor costs as a percentage of restaurant sales were lower by 0.2% due to favorable payroll-related expenses driven by adjustments of prior year estimates and lower bonus costs, partially offset by increased management staffing to support an improved guest experience.
 
·                  Direct and occupancy costs as a percent of restaurant sales increased 0.9% primarily due to incremental investment in local media advertising and increases in the cost of depreciation, property insurance and repair and maintenance, partially offset by lower gift card discounts.

Rental Operations
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
Variance
 
% Change(1)
 
 
(In millions)
Rental revenues
 
$
31.1

 
$
32.2

 
$
(1.1
)
 
(3.3
)%
Rental expenses
 
24.5

 
24.7

 
0.2

 
0.6
 %
Rental operations segment profit
 
$
6.6

 
$
7.5

 
$
(0.9
)
 
(12.0
)%
Segment profit as % of revenue
 
21.3
%
 
23.4
%
 
 

 
 

 (1) Percentages calculated on actual, not rounded, amounts

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Rental operations relate primarily to IHOP franchise restaurants. Rental income includes revenue from operating leases and interest income from direct financing leases. Rental expenses are costs of prime operating leases and interest expense on prime capital leases on franchisee-operated restaurants.
 
Rental revenue decreased $1.1 million primarily due to the impact on sales-based rent of the 1.5% decline in IHOP domestic franchise same-restaurant sales. Rental operations profit decreased by $0.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 compared to the same period of the prior year primarily because of the decrease in revenue.
 
Financing Operations
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
Variance
 
% Change(1)
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
Financing revenues
 
$
4.0

 
$
4.2

 
$
(0.2
)
 
(5.2
)%
Financing expenses
 
0.4

 
0.7

 
0.3

 
43.3
 %
Financing operations segment profit
 
$
3.6

 
$
3.5

 
$
0.1

 
3.0
 %
Segment profit as % of revenue
 
89.4
%
 
82.3
%
 
 

 
 

(1) Percentages calculated on actual, not rounded, amounts
 
All of our financing operations relate to IHOP franchise restaurants. There were no significant changes in revenues or expenses compared with the same period of the prior year.
 
Other Expense and Income Components
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
Variance
 
% Change(1)
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
General and administrative expenses
 
$
38.7

 
$
39.6

 
$
0.9

 
2.2
 %
Interest expense
 
32.2

 
42.8

 
10.6

 
24.9
 %
Impairment and closure charges
 
0.2

 
1.1

 
1.0

 
83.1
 %
Amortization of intangible assets
 
3.1

 
3.1

 

 
0.1
 %
Loss on disposition of assets
 
1.2

 
0.7

 
(0.4
)
 
(57.9
)%
Income tax provision
 
8.7

 
5.9

 
(2.8
)
 
(48.3
)%
 (1) Percentages calculated on actual, not rounded, amounts
n.m. — percentage change not meaningful
 
General and Administrative Expenses
 
General and administrative expenses decreased $0.9 million primarily due to lower stock-based compensation costs and savings due to the refranchising of Applebee's company-operated restaurants, partially offset by higher expenses for recruiting, relocation and travel.

Interest Expense
 
Interest expense decreased by $10.6 million due to lower non-cash interest charges in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same period of 2010 and a reduction of $193.1 million in long-term debt (Term Loan, Senior Notes, and financing and capital lease obligations) over the past nine months. Non-cash interest charges declined to $1.6 million from $10.6 million because deferred financing costs and discounts associated with our debt instruments that were refinanced in October 2010 were written off at that time, in addition to the additional write-off of deferred financing costs and discounts associated with debt retirements subsequent to the October 2010 refinancing.
 

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Impairment and Closure Charges
 
Impairment and closure charges were $0.2 million and $1.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The charges for the third quarter of 2011 were not significant. Impairment and closure charges for the three months ended September 30, 2010 primarily related to assets of Applebee's company-operated restaurants in the Minnesota market area reclassified as held for sale.
 
During the quarter ended September 30, 2011, we performed our quarterly assessment of whether events or changes in circumstances have occurred that potentially indicate the carrying value of tangible long-lived assets may not be recoverable. No significant impairments were noted in performing that assessment. We also considered whether there were any indicators of potential impairment to our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets (primarily our tradename). No such indicators were noted.
 
Loss on Disposition of Assets
 
We recognized a loss on disposition of assets of $1.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 compared to a loss of $0.7 million in the same period of 2010. There were no individually significant dispositions in either period.
 
Provision for Income Taxes
 
The effective tax rate was 34.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2011, approximately equal to the federal statutory rate of 35%.


Comparison of the Nine Months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010
 
Results of Operations
 
Key components of changes in our financial results for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the same period of 2010 included:
 
·                  We continued to execute our strategy to refranchise the majority of Applebee's company-operated restaurants. Over the past twelve months we refranchised 149 company-operated restaurants (83 in the fourth quarter of 2010, 65 in the first quarter of 2011 and one in the third quarter of 2011), which reduced our revenue, expenses and overall segment profit.

·                  Our revenues decreased $200.7 million, primarily because of lower company-operated restaurant revenue due to the refranchising of Applebee's company-operated restaurants and a 2.4% decrease in IHOP same-restaurant sales, partially offset by higher franchise royalty revenue resulting from the increase in Applebee’s and IHOP effective franchise units and a 2.5% increase in Applebee’s franchise same-restaurant sales.
 
·     Our segment profit decreased $18.5 million, comprised as follows:
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 
 
September 30,
 
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
Variance
 
 
(In millions)
Franchise operations
 
$
222.1

 
$
204.7

 
$
17.4

Company restaurant operations
 
57.9

 
90.3

 
(32.4
)
Rental operations
 
21.3

 
24.0

 
(2.7
)
Financing operations
 
10.3

 
11.1

 
(0.8
)
Total
 
$
311.6

 
$
330.1

 
$
(18.5
)
 
The decline was primarily due to the refranchising of Applebee’s company-operated restaurants and a decrease of a combined $2.1 million of franchise, rental and financing profit related to a former franchise operator of 40 IHOP franchise restaurants that defaulted on its obligations in the fourth quarter of 2010. These unfavorable factors were partially offset by an increase in effective Applebee’s and IHOP franchise restaurants and the 2.5% increase in Applebee’s franchise same-restaurant sales. During the first quarter of 2011, the 40 IHOP restaurants were refranchised to an affiliate of an existing IHOP franchisee.

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·                  We recognized impairment and closure charges of $26.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, primarily related to termination of our sublease of the commercial space currently occupied by Applebee’s Restaurant Support Center in Lenexa, Kansas and the impairment of furniture, fixtures and leasehold improvements at that facility.
 
·                  We recognized a gain on the disposition of assets of $21.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to a loss of $0.9 million in the same period of 2010. The gain in 2011 was primarily due to the sale of restaurant assets related to 36 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants in the St. Louis area market and 30 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants in the Washington, D.C. market that were refranchised.
 
·                  Our interest expense decreased $30.2 million due to lower non-cash interest charges and to lower debt balances. Non-cash interest charges declined primarily because deferred financing costs and discounts associated with our previous debt instruments were written off as part of the October 2010 refinancing of debt.
 
·                  We recognized a loss on the extinguishment of debt of $7.9 million and debt modification costs of $4.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to a gain on extinguishment of debt of $4.6 million in the same period of 2010. We are currently retiring debt issued in October 2010 at face value or at a premium to face value, whereas in 2010 we were able to repurchase our then-outstanding debt at a discount to face value.

Franchise Operations
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
Variance
 
% Change(1)
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
Franchise Revenues
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Applebee’s
 
$
128.3

 
$
113.5

 
$
14.8

 
13.0
%
IHOP
 
115.8

 
111.5

 
4.3

 
3.9
%
IHOP advertising
 
56.7

 
55.9

 
0.8

 
1.5
%
Total franchise revenues
 
300.8

 
280.9

 
19.9

 
7.1
%
Franchise Expenses
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Applebee’s
 
2.2

 
1.6

 
0.6

 
39.6
%
IHOP
 
19.8

 
18.8

 
1.0

 
5.5
%
IHOP advertising
 
56.7

 
55.9

 
0.8

 
1.5
%
Total franchise expenses
 
78.7

 
76.3

 
2.4

 
3.3
%
Franchise Segment Profit
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Applebee’s
 
126.1

 
111.9

 
14.1

 
12.6
%
IHOP
 
96.0

 
92.8

 
3.3

 
3.6
%
Total franchise segment profit
 
$
222.1

 
$
204.7

 
$
17.4

 
8.5
%
Segment profit as % of revenue
 
73.8
%
 
72.9
%
 
 

 
 

 (1) Percentages calculated on actual, not rounded, amounts
 
The $14.8 million increase in Applebee’s franchise revenue was primarily attributable to increased royalty revenue resulting from the refranchising of 149 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants in the past twelve months, a 2.5% increase in domestic same-restaurant sales and franchise fees from the refranchising of 65 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants in the first quarter of 2011. The $4.3 million increase in IHOP franchise revenue (other than advertising) was primarily attributable to an increase in both volume and pricing of pancake and waffle dry mix and an increase of 3.9% in effective franchise restaurants, partially offset by a decrease of 2.4% in IHOP domestic franchise same-restaurant sales.
 
The $1.0 million increase in IHOP franchise expenses (other than advertising) is primarily due to higher costs of sales associated with the increased revenues from pancake and waffle dry mix sales and a decrease in bad debt expense of $0.4 million.
 
IHOP’s franchise expenses are substantially larger than Applebee’s due to advertising expenses. Franchise fees designated for IHOP’s national advertising fund and local marketing and advertising cooperatives are recognized as revenue and expense of franchise operation; however, Applebee’s national advertising fund activity constitutes an agency transaction and therefore is not recognized as franchise revenue and expense. The increase in IHOP advertising revenue and expense is primarily due to an increase

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in the number of franchise restaurants.
 
The increase in franchise segment profit is primarily due to the refranchising of 149 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants in the past twelve months.

Company Restaurant Operations
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
Variance
 
% Change(1)
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
Company restaurant sales
 
$
420.9

 
$
642.2

 
$
(221.3
)
 
(34.5
)%
Company restaurant expenses
 
363.0

 
551.9

 
188.9

 
34.2
 %
Company restaurant segment profit
 
$
57.9

 
$
90.3

 
$
(32.4
)
 
(35.9
)%
Segment profit as % of revenue
 
13.8
%
 
14.1
%
 
 

 
 

 (1) Percentages calculated on actual, not rounded, amounts
 
As of September 30, 2011, company restaurant operations were comprised of 243 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants and 13 IHOP company-operated restaurants. The impact of the IHOP restaurants on all comparisons of the nine months ended September 30, 2011 with the same period of 2010 was negligible.
 
Company restaurant sales decreased $221.3 million. Of the total decrease, Applebee’s company-operated restaurants sales decreased $221.5 million, of which $223.3 million was due to the refranchising of 149 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants over the past 12 months and the closure of seven company-operated restaurants in 2010, partially offset by an increase in company same-restaurant sales of 0.5%. The change in same-restaurant sales was driven mainly by an increase in average guest check partially offset by a decline in guest traffic. The higher average guest check was the result of a 1.4% increase in menu pricing and favorable promotional and product mix changes. We believe the decline in guest traffic is reflective of current economic uncertainty affecting customers and impacting the restaurant industry as a whole.
 
Company restaurant expenses decreased $188.9 million. Of the total decrease, Applebee’s company restaurant expenses decreased $188.4 million, of which $194.0 million was due to the refranchising of 149 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants and seven restaurant closures in 2010 noted above. The restaurant operating profit for Applebee’s company restaurant operations declined to 14.4% of revenue for 2011 compared to 14.6% for the same period of last year, as shown below:
 
 
 
 
 
Favorable (Unfavorable)
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
Components of Total Variance
Applebee's Company-operated Expenses
 
September 30,
 
Total
 
Refranchising
 
Sales
 
All other
As Percentage of Restaurant Sales 
 
2011
 
2010
 
Variance
 
and Closures
 
Impacts (b)
 
Impacts
Revenue
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Food and beverage
 
25.6
%
 
25.5
%
 
(0.1
)%
 
(0.2
)%
 
%
 
 %
Labor
 
32.9
%
 
33.5
%
 
0.6
 %
 
0.9
 %
 
0.1
%
 
(0.5
)%
Direct and occupancy
 
27.1
%
 
26.5
%
 
(0.7
)%
 
 %
 
0.1
%
 
(0.6
)%
Company Restaurant Operating Profit (a)
 
14.4
%
 
14.6
%
 
(0.2
)%
 
0.8
 %
 
0.2
%
 
(1.1
)%
(a)  Percentages may not add due to rounding.
(b)  Changes in pricing, guest traffic and impact of promotions and product mix
 
The restaurant refranchising and closures discussed above had a net favorable impact of 0.8% on margins, primarily because the refranchised markets had higher-than-average labor costs along with favorability due to cessation of depreciation on restaurants held for sale, partially offset by an adjustment of real estate tax estimates in the prior year. Changes in sales revenue had a favorable impact on margins of 0.8% while labor and direct and occupancy margins were unfavorably affected by approximately 0.6% due to the impact of guest traffic declines.  Other margin changes in specific cost categories were as follows:
 
·                  Food and beverage costs as a percentage of company restaurant sales increased by less than 0.1% due to increased commodity costs (primarily produce, oil, dairy and seafood) and menu changes, partially offset by changes in distribution center alignment and a reduction in waste.

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·                  Labor costs as a percentage of restaurant sales increased 0.5% due to increased management staffing levels and higher hourly labor to support an improved guest experience, higher payroll taxes in certain states in which we operate and higher insurance costs, partially offset by a reduction in bonus costs.
 
·                  Direct and occupancy costs as a percent of restaurant sales increased 0.6% due to incremental investment in local media advertising and increases in the cost of depreciation, repair and maintenance and utilities, partially offset by lower gift card discounts.

Rental Operations
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
Variance
 
% Change(1)
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
Rental revenues
 
$
95.0

 
$
98.3

 
$
(3.3
)
 
(3.4
)%
Rental expenses
 
73.7

 
74.3

 
0.6

 
0.8
 %
Rental operations segment profit
 
$
21.3

 
$
24.0

 
$
(2.7
)
 
(11.3
)%
Segment profit as % of revenue
 
22.4
%
 
24.4
%
 
 

 
 

 (1) Percentages calculated on actual, not rounded, amounts
 
Rental operations relate primarily to IHOP franchise restaurants. Rental income includes revenue from operating leases and interest income from direct financing leases. Rental expenses are costs of prime operating leases and interest expense on prime capital leases on franchisee-operated restaurants.
 
Rental revenue decreased $3.3 million, of which $1.6 million was due to the default of a former franchisee as noted in “Results of Operations -  Nine Months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010” above and $1.2 million was due to the impact on sales-based rent of the 2.4% decline in franchise same-restaurant sales. Rental operations profit decreased by $2.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the same period of the prior year primarily because of the franchisee default and the 2.4% decline in domestic franchise same-restaurant sales.
 
Financing Operations
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
Variance
 
% Change(1)
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
Financing revenues
 
$
16.3

 
$
12.3

 
$
4.0

 
32.1
 %
Financing expenses
 
6.0

 
1.2

 
(4.8
)
 
(386.3
)%
Financing operations segment profit
 
$
10.3

 
$
11.1

 
$
(0.8
)
 
(7.3
)%
Segment profit as % of revenue
 
63.1
%
 
90.0
%
 
 

 
 

 (1) Percentages calculated on actual, not rounded, amounts

 
All of our financing operations relate to IHOP franchise restaurants. As noted above, 40 restaurants that previously had been operated by a former franchisee that defaulted on its obligations under the franchise agreements were refranchised to an affiliate of an existing IHOP franchisee in the first quarter of 2011. The equipment related to those restaurants was sold to the new operator and as a result, segment revenues and expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 increased $5.0 million and $5.2 million, respectively, compared to the same period of 2010. The increase in revenue was partially offset by a $0.7 million decrease in interest revenue due to the progressive decline in note balances due to repayments.
 

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Table of Contents

Other Expense and Income Components
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
Variance
 
% Change(1)
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
General and administrative expenses
 
$
115.2

 
$
117.0

 
$
1.8

 
1.6
 %
Interest expense
 
101.3

 
131.5

 
30.2

 
23.0
 %
Impairment and closure charges
 
26.9

 
3.7

 
(23.2
)
 
(623.4
)%
Debt modification costs
 
4.1

 

 
(4.1
)
 
n.m.

Amortization of intangible assets
 
9.2

 
9.2

 

 
0.1
 %
Loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt
 
7.9

 
(4.6
)
 
(12.5
)
 
269.9
 %
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets
 
(21.3
)
 
0.9

 
22.2

 
n.m.

Income tax provision
 
21.7

 
24.3

 
2.6

 
10.8
 %
(1) Percentages calculated on actual, not rounded, amounts
n.m. — percentage change not meaningful

General and Administrative Expenses
 
General and administrative expenses decreased $1.8 million primarily due to lower stock-based compensation costs, savings due to the refranchising of Applebee's company-operated restaurants and lower legal expenses, partially offset by increases in expenses for travel, recruiting and relocation, and salaries and benefits. Stock-based compensation costs decreased primarily because of expenses in 2010 related to the acceleration of equity grants due to the retirement of an executive, changes related to vesting of certain equity grants and the impact of a higher stock price on equity grants accounted for as liabilities.
 
Interest Expense
 
Interest expense decreased by $30.2 million primarily due to lower non-cash interest charges in the first nine months of 2011 compared to the same period of 2010 and a reduction of $193.1 million in long-term debt (Term Loan, Senior Notes, and financing and capital lease obligations) over the past nine months. Non-cash interest charges declined to $4.6 million from $31.2 million because deferred financing costs and discounts associated with our debt instruments that were refinanced in October 2010 were written off at that time, in addition to the additional write-off of deferred financing costs and discounts associated with debt retirements subsequent to the October 2010 refinancing.
 
Impairment and Closure Charges
 
Impairment and closure charges were $26.9 million and $3.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The charges for the first nine months of 2011 were primarily comprised of $21.2 million related to termination of our sublease of the commercial space currently occupied by Applebee’s Restaurant Support Center in Lenexa, Kansas and a $4.5 million impairment charge related to the furniture, fixtures and leasehold improvements at that facility.
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we recognized impairment charges of $1.6 million and closure charges of $2.1 million. The impairment charges primarily related to properties associated with Applebee's company-operated restaurants in the Minnesota market expected to be sold and to a single Applebee's restaurant and the land on which it is situated. The closure charges related primarily to two company-operated IHOP Cafe restaurants, a non-traditional restaurant test format that was evaluated but will no longer be utilized, and to the closure of a company-operated Applebee's restaurant in China.
 
During the quarter ended September 30, 2011, we performed our quarterly assessment of whether events or changes in circumstances have occurred that potentially indicate the carrying value of tangible long-lived assets may not be recoverable. No significant impairments were noted in performing that assessment. We also considered whether there were any indicators of potential impairment to our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets (primarily our tradename). No such indicators were noted.
 

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Table of Contents

Debt Modification Costs
 
Pursuant to the Amendment to our Credit Agreement, we incurred costs paid to third parties of $4.1 million in connection with this transaction that were expensed in accordance with U.S. GAAP guidance for debt modifications.
 
Loss (Gain) on Extinguishment of Debt
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010, the Company recognized the following losses and gains on the extinguishment of debt:
 
Quarter
Ended
 
Instrument (1)
 
Face Amount
Retired/Repaid
 
Cash Paid
 
Loss (Gain)(2)
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
March 2011
 
Term Loans
 
$
110.0

 
$
110.0

 
$
2.7

March 2011
 
Senior Notes
 
32.3

 
35.3

 
4.2

June 2011
 
Senior Notes
 
7.5

 
8.2

 
1.0

Nine months ended September 30, 2011
 
 
 
$
149.8

 
$
153.5

 
$
7.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 2010
 
Class A-2-II-X Notes
 
48.7

 
43.8

 
(3.5
)
June 2010
 
Class A-2-II-X Notes
 
$
19.5

 
$
18.0

 
$
(1.1
)
Nine months ended September 30, 2010
 
 
 
$
68.2

 
$
61.8

 
$
(4.6
)
(1) For a description of the respective instruments, 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, 2010.
(2) Including write-off of the discount and deferred financing costs related to the debt retired.

At the dates of repurchase, our Senior Notes were selling at a premium to face value. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we paid a total premium of $3.7 million to repurchase Senior Notes. At the dates of repurchase, our Class A-2-II-X Notes were selling at a discount to face value.

We may continue to dedicate a portion of excess cash flow towards opportunistic debt retirement. Any retirement of debt results in a non-cash write-off of a pro rata portion of the discount and deferred financing costs related to the debt retired.
 
(Gain) Loss on Disposition of Assets
 
We recognized a gain on disposition of assets of $21.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to a loss of $0.9 million in the same period of 2010. The gain in 2011 was primarily due to the refranchising and sale of related restaurant assets of 36 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants in the St. Louis area market and 30 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants in the Washington, D.C. market.
 
Provision for Income Taxes
 
The effective tax rate was 31.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The effective tax rate for the nine-month period is lower than the federal statutory rate of 35% due to tax credits and the release of liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits. The tax credits are primarily FICA tip and other compensation-related tax credits associated with Applebee's company-owned restaurant operations.


Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Credit Facilities
 
In February 2011, we entered into the Amendment to our Credit Agreement, pursuant to which the interest rate margin applicable to LIBOR-based loans under the Term Facility was reduced from 4.50% to 3.00%, and the interest rate floors used to determine the LIBOR and Base Rate reference rates for loans under the Term Facility were reduced from 1.50% to 1.25% for LIBOR-based loans and from 2.50% to 2.25% for Base Rate denominated loans. The Amendment also modified certain restrictive covenants of the Credit Agreement, including those relating to repurchases of other debt securities, permitted acquisitions and payments on equity.
 

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In addition, the Amendment increased the available lender commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility from $50.0 million to $75.0 million.  During the second quarter of 2011, we borrowed $25.0 million under the Revolving Credit Facility. The entire $25.0 million was repaid during the second quarter of 2011. There were no borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility during the third quarter of 2011 and there were no amounts outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility as of September 30, 2011. Our available borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility is reduced by outstanding letters of credit, which totaled $15.7 million as of September 30, 2011.
 
Based on our current level of operations, we believe that our cash flow from operations, available cash and available borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility will be adequate to meet our liquidity needs over the next twelve months.
 
Debt Covenants
 
Pursuant to our Credit Agreement, we are required to comply with a maximum consolidated leverage ratio and a minimum consolidated cash interest coverage ratio.  Our required maximum consolidated leverage ratio of total net debt (net of unrestricted cash not to exceed $75 million) to adjusted EBITDA, on a trailing four-quarter basis, is 7.5x. Our required minimum ratio of adjusted EBITDA to consolidated cash interest, on a trailing four-quarter basis, is 1.5x.  These thresholds are subject to step-downs or step-ups, as applicable, over time. There are no financial maintenance covenants associated with our Senior Notes.
 
For the trailing four quarters ended September 30, 2011, under our Credit Agreement our consolidated leverage ratio was 5.7x and our consolidated cash interest coverage ratio was 2.3x (see Exhibit 12.1).
 
The Senior Notes, the Term Facility and the Revolving Facility are also subject to affirmative and negative covenants considered customary for similar types of facilities, including, but not limited to, covenants with respect to incremental indebtedness, liens, restricted payments (including dividends), investments, affiliate transactions, and capital expenditures. These covenants are subject to a number of important limitations, qualifications and exceptions. Importantly, certain of these covenants will not be applicable to the Notes during any time that the Notes maintain investment grade ratings.

The EBITDA used in calculating these ratios is considered to be a non-U.S. GAAP measure. The reconciliation between our loss before income taxes, as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and EBITDA used for covenant compliance purposes is as follows:
 
Trailing Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2011
 
(In thousands)
U.S. GAAP loss before income taxes
$
(16,187
)
Interest charges
160,206

Loss on retirement of debt and Series A Preferred Stock
119,528

Depreciation and amortization
52,432

Non-cash stock-based compensation
8,848

Impairment and closure charges
27,122

Other
6,689

Gain on sale of assets
(35,782
)
EBITDA
$
322,856

 
We believe this non-U.S. GAAP measure is useful in evaluating our results of operations in reference to compliance with the debt covenants discussed above. 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. Further, this non-U.S. GAAP measure is not the same measure that was used in covenant tests related to our securitized debt instruments that were retired in October 2010. 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.
 
Refranchising of Applebee’s Company-Operated Restaurants
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we completed the refranchising of 36 Applebee’s company-operated  restaurants in the St. Louis area market and 30 Applebee’s company-operated  restaurants in the Washington, D.C. market. Proceeds from asset dispositions, primarily from the sale of restaurant assets associated with the 66 restaurants refranchised, totaled $60.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, of which $51.7 million was used to retire debt.

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As of September 30, 2011, we have refranchised 259 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants since the acquisition of Applebee’s.  Including the refranchising of the additional 83 restaurants expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2011 and first quarter of 2012 as discussed under “Transitioning Applebee’s” above, we will have refranchised 342 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants since the acquisition and the Applebee’s system will be approximately 92% franchised (based on the total number of Applebee’s restaurants as of September 30, 2011).  We plan to refranchise and sell the related restaurant assets of a substantial majority of the 160 company-operated Applebee’s restaurants remaining after the transactions in process have closed when such refranchisings and sales are in alignment with our business strategy. We may suspend or delay our plans to refranchise Applebee’s company-operated restaurants and sell the related restaurant assets if we do not believe the sales proceeds would be satisfactory. We consider a range of factors that could impact the likelihood of future refranchising of Applebee’s company-operated restaurants and sale of related restaurant assets and possible proceeds from such sales.
 
This heavily franchised business model is expected to require less capital investment, improve margins and reduce the volatility of cash flow performance over time, while also providing cash proceeds from sale of assets of Applebee’s company-operated restaurants that have been refranchised for the retirement of debt. As the number of company-operated restaurants declines, the amount reported in future periods for Company restaurant revenues and Company restaurant expenses will also decline while franchise royalty revenues and expenses will increase, as compared to amounts reported in previous periods. Segment profit will also decline as company-operated restaurants are refranchised because franchise royalties are a smaller percentage of restaurant revenues than the restaurant operating profit margin percentage of restaurants formerly operated by the Company.
 
Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, all of the proceeds (with certain exceptions) of future asset dispositions must be used to repay Term Loans and under certain conditions, we may be required to repurchase Senior Notes with excess proceeds of assets sales, as defined in the Indenture under which the Senior Notes were issued. Assuming interest rates remain at current levels, retirement of debt will result in the reduction of interest expense. Refranchising of additional Applebee’s company-operated restaurants also will result in a reduction of general and administrative expenses and reduced requirements for capital investment.
 
A range of factors, including the overall market for restaurant franchises, the availability of financing and the financial and operating performance of Applebee’s company-owned restaurants, can impact the likelihood and timing of the completion of this strategy as well as the ultimate proceeds we will receive from the sale of assets related to Applebee’s company-operated restaurants that have been refranchised.  We continually monitor these factors to assess their impact on possible franchise transactions. We may choose to suspend or revise our refranchising strategy for Applebee’s company-operated restaurants if we do not believe that conditions will lead to satisfactory proceeds from the sale of assets related to Applebee’s company-operated restaurants that have been refranchised.

Cash Flows
 
In summary, our cash flows were as follows:
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
Variance
 
 
(In millions)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
95.1

 
$
97.5

 
$
(2.4
)
Net cash provided by investing activities
 
48.7

 
7.3

 
41.4

Net cash used in financing activities
 
(192.2
)
 
(81.9
)
 
(110.3
)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
 
$
(48.4
)
 
$
22.9

 
$
(71.3
)
 
Operating Activities
 
Cash provided by operating activities is primarily driven by revenues earned and collected from our franchisees, operating earnings from our company-operated restaurants and profit from our rental operations and financing operations. Franchise revenues consist of royalties, IHOP advertising fees and sales of proprietary products to IHOP restaurants, each of which fluctuate with increases or decreases in franchise retail sales. Franchise retail sales are impacted by the development of IHOP and Applebee’s restaurants by our franchisees and by fluctuations in same-restaurant sales. Operating earnings from company-operated restaurants are impacted by many factors which include but are not limited to changes in traffic patterns, pricing activities and changes in operating expenses. Rental operations profit is rental income less rental expenses. Rental income includes revenues from operating leases and interest income from direct financing leases. Rental expenses are costs of prime operating leases and interest expense

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on prime capital leases on franchisee-operated restaurants. Financing operations revenue consists of the portion of franchise fees not allocated to IHOP intellectual property, sales of equipment, as well as interest income from the financing of franchise fees and equipment leases. Financing expenses are primarily the cost of restaurant equipment.
 
Cash provided by operating activities decreased $2.4 million to $95.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 from $97.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. The primary reason for the decrease in cash from operations is a decline in segment profit as the result of the refranchising of 149 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants during the last twelve months, partially offset by favorable changes in net working capital used. Net changes in working capital used cash of $16.9 million in 2011 while net changes in working capital used cash of $26.2 million in 2010, a favorable change of $9.3 million. The primary reason for the lower use of working capital is a reduction of $14.3 million in net tax receivables for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 as the result of a tax refund received in January 2011 related to tax deductions associated with the October, 2010 refinancing of our indebtedness.
 
Investing Activities
 
Net cash provided by investing activities of $48.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was primarily attributable to $60.2 million in proceeds from sales of property and equipment and $9.9 million in principal receipts from notes, equipment contracts and other long-term receivables, partially offset by $20.8 million in capital expenditures. Capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $26 million in fiscal 2011.
 
Financing Activities
 
Financing activities used net cash of $192.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Cash used in financing activities primarily consisted of $178.4 million in repayments of long-term debt, $21.2 million of purchases of our common stock, $12.3 million of costs related to the February 2011 debt modification and capital lease obligation and financing obligation repayments of $10.3 million. Of the long-term debt repayments, $110.0 million related to the repayment of Term Loans and $43.5 million related to the repurchase of $39.8 million face amount of Senior Notes at a $3.7 million premium to face value. We borrowed and repaid $25.0 million under our Revolving Credit Facility during the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Cash provided by financing activities primarily consisted of $6.3 million in proceeds from the exercise of stock options. We may continue to dedicate a portion of cash flow to opportunistic debt retirement and purchases of treasury stock.
 
With the redemption of our Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock in the fourth quarter of 2010, we no longer have a requirement to pay any dividends in cash. In 2010, we paid a total of $26.1 million in dividends on the Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock, including $7.6 million of redemption premiums.

Dividends
 
Dividends representing the change in accreted value of our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock were $1.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.
 
Stock Repurchase Program

On August 15, 2011, our Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to $45 million of our common stock. Under the program, we may repurchase shares on an opportunistic basis from time to time in open market transactions and in privately negotiated transactions, as appropriate. The repurchase program does not require the repurchase of a specific number of shares and may be terminated at any time. As of September 30, 2011, we have repurchased 534,101 shares of stock for $21.2 million, an average price of $39.62 per share, under the currently authorized repurchase program.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
As of September 30, 2011, there were no off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in Item 303(a)(4) of SEC Regulation S-K.
 
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, 2010.
 

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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires we make estimates and assumptions that affect 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 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, 2010. During the first nine months of 2011, there were no significant changes in our estimates and critical accounting policies.
 
See Note 3, “Accounting Policies,” in the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements for a discussion of recently adopted accounting standards and newly issued accounting standards.


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 as of December 31, 2010.
 
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 from time to time to lawsuits, claims and governmental inspections or audits arising in the ordinary course of business. Some of these lawsuits purport to be class actions and/or seek substantial damages. In the opinion of management, these matters are adequately covered by insurance or, if not so covered, are without merit or are of such a nature or involve amounts that would not have a material adverse impact on our business or consolidated financial position.
 
Gerald Fast v. Applebee’s
 
We are currently defending a collective action in United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Central Division filed on July 14, 2006 under the Fair Labor Standards Act styled Gerald Fast v. Applebee’s International, Inc., in which named plaintiffs claim that tipped workers in company restaurants perform excessive amounts of non-tipped work for which they should be compensated at the minimum wage. The court has conditionally certified a nationwide class of servers and bartenders who have worked in company-operated Applebee’s restaurants since June 19, 2004. Unlike a class action, a collective action requires potential class members to “opt in” rather than “opt out.” On February 12, 2008, 5,540 opt-in forms were filed with the court.
 

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In cases of this type, conditional certification of the plaintiff class is granted under a lenient standard. On January 15, 2009, we filed a motion seeking to have the class de-certified and the plaintiffs filed a motion for summary judgment, both of which were denied by the court.
 
The parties stipulated to a bench trial which was set to begin on September 8, 2009 in Jefferson City, Missouri. Just prior to trial, however, the court vacated the trial setting in order to submit key legal issues to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals for review on interlocutory appeal.  On April 21, 2011, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals issued its decision on the interlocutory appeal, affirming the trial court’s ruling that the tip credit is subject to a 20% limit on “related duties in a tipped occupation that are not themselves tip producing” based on guidance in the Department of Labor’s Field Operations Handbook. On May 5, 2011, we filed a petition for rehearing en banc with the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, which was denied on July 6, 2011 with four judges dissenting.   On October 4, 2011, we filed a petition for certiorari asking the United States Supreme Court to review the decision of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.

 
We believe we have meritorious defenses and intend to vigorously defend this case. An estimate of the possible loss, if any, or the range of the loss cannot be made and, therefore, we have not accrued a loss contingency related to this matter.
 
Item 1A.  Risk Factors.
 
There were no material changes from the information contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2010.
 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
 
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)
July 4 – July 31, 2011 (a)
 
1,081

 
$
55.01

 

 

August 1 – August 28, 2011
 
248,488

 
$
40.24

 
248,488

 
$35,000,012
August 29 – October 2, 2011
 
285,613

 
$
39.11

 
285,613

 
$23,830,346
Total
 
535,182

 
$
39.67

 
534,101

 
$23,830,346
(a)  These amounts represent shares owned and tendered by employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations on the vesting of restricted stock awards.
(b)  On August 15, 2011 we announced the approval of our Board of Directors to repurchase up to $45 million of DineEquity common stock. Repurchases are subject to prevailing market prices and may take place in open market transactions and in privately negotiated transactions, based on business, market, applicable legal requirements and other considerations.The program does not require the repurchase of a specific number of shares and may be terminated at any time.

Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
 
None.
 
Item 4.  (Removed and Reserved)
 
None.
 
Item 5.  Other Information.
 
None.
 

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Item 6. Exhibits.
 
3.1

 
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of DineEquity, Inc. (Exhibit 3.1 to DineEquity, Inc.’s Report on Form 8-K filed June 2, 2008 is incorporated herein by reference).
3.2

 
Amended Bylaws of DineEquity, Inc. (Exhibit 3.2 to DineEquity, Inc.’s Report on Form 8-K filed June 2, 2008 is incorporated herein by reference).
12.1

 
Computation of Consolidated Leverage Ratio and Cash Interest Coverage Ratio for the trailing twelve months ended September 30, 2011.*
31.1

 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
31.2

 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
32.1

 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.**
32.2

 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.**
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.

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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.
 
 
DineEquity, Inc.
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
November 3, 2011
BY:
/s/ Julia A. Stewart
(Date)
 
Julia A. Stewart
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
November 3, 2011
 
/s/ Thomas W. Emrey
(Date)
 
Thomas W. Emrey
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
November 3, 2011
 
/s/ Greggory Kalvin
(Date)
 
Greggory Kalvin
Senior Vice President, Corporate Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)

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