EX-99.1 2 q32025ex991earningspressre.htm EX-99.1 Document

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DENNY’S CORPORATION REPORTS RESULTS FOR THIRD QUARTER 2025


SPARTANBURG, S.C., November 3, 2025 - Denny’s Corporation (the "Company") (NASDAQ: DENN), owner and operator of Denny's Inc. ("Denny's") and Keke's Inc. ("Keke's") today reported results for its third quarter ended September 24, 2025 and provided a business update on the Company’s operations.

Kelli Valade, Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Our third quarter progress on strategic initiatives demonstrates our ability to remain agile and focused on what is within our control amid a choppy industry backdrop. These achievements are the direct result of our incredible teams and franchisees maintaining their unwavering commitment to our brands and our guests."

"Denny’s is evolving its value offerings to meet the guest where they are, strengthening its brand relevance with an enhanced digital presence, a movie collaboration, and the launch of its highly-anticipated new loyalty program. Keke’s is capitalizing on continued portfolio growth and exceptional guest satisfaction while maintaining its position as a brand leader in the fastest growing segment. We will remain agile and continue working closely with our franchisees to navigate this dynamic consumer environment."

Third Quarter 2025 Highlights

Total operating revenue was $113.2 million and total operating income was $10.4 million.
Denny's domestic system-wide same-restaurant sales** were (2.9%) compared to the prior year quarter.
Keke's domestic system-wide same-restaurant sales** increased 1.1% compared to the prior year quarter.
Denny's opened one franchised restaurant.
Denny's completed 10 remodels, including two at company restaurants.
Keke's opened four new cafes, including three franchised locations.
Keke's completed three remodels, including two at company cafes.
Adjusted franchise operating margin* was $29.1 million, or 52.0% of franchise and license revenue, and adjusted company restaurant operating margin* was $7.8 million, or 13.5% of company restaurant sales.
Net income was $0.6 million, or $0.01 per diluted share.
Adjusted net income* and adjusted net income per share* were $4.2 million and $0.08, respectively.
Adjusted EBITDA* was $19.3 million.











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Third Quarter 2025 Results

Total operating revenue was $113.2 million compared to $111.8 million for the prior year quarter. This increase was primarily driven by additional Keke's company equivalent units and partially offset by the Company's previously communicated strategy to intentionally close lower volume Denny's franchised restaurants to improve the overall health of the brand.

Franchise and license revenue was $55.9 million compared to $59.1 million for the prior year quarter. This change was primarily due to fewer Denny's franchise equivalent units and softer Denny's same-restaurant sales**.

Company restaurant sales were $57.4 million compared to $52.7 million for the prior year quarter. This increase was primarily driven by additional Keke's equivalent units.

Adjusted franchise operating margin* was $29.1 million, or 52.0% of franchise and license revenue, compared to $30.1 million, or 50.9% for the prior year quarter. This margin change was primarily due to fewer Denny's equivalent units and softer Denny's same-restaurant sales**.

Adjusted company restaurant operating margin* was $7.8 million, or 13.5% of company restaurant sales, compared to $6.1 million, or 11.5% for the prior year quarter. This increase was primarily due to a $1.5 million benefit related to excess credit card fees charged by Visa and Mastercard between 2004 and 2019, partially offset by higher occupancy costs and inherent inefficiencies associated with new cafe openings.

Total general and administrative expenses were $22.6 million compared to $19.8 million in the prior year quarter. This change was primarily due to additional incentive compensation and transaction costs, partially offset by lower corporate administrative expenses.

The provision for income taxes was $1.3 million, reflecting an effective tax rate of 67.4% for the current quarter, compared to $1.5 million and an effective tax rate of 18.5% in the prior year quarter. The higher effective income tax rate for the current quarter included discrete items related to share-based compensation which were not comparable to the prior year quarter.

Net income was $0.6 million, or $0.01 per diluted share. Adjusted net income* was $4.2 million, or $0.08 per diluted share.

The Company ended the quarter with $269.2 million of total debt outstanding, including $259.5 million of borrowings under its credit facility.

Capital Allocation

The Company invested $9.3 million in cash capital expenditures during the current quarter, which included Keke's new cafe development and remodels at both Denny's and Keke's company locations.









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Conference Call and Business Outlook

The Company announced today it had entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by a group consisting of TriArtisan Capital Advisors LLC, Treville Capital Group, and Yadav Enterprises, Inc. The merger is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026, subject to customary conditions, including approval by the Company's stockholders and satisfaction of regulatory approvals. Upon completion of the transaction, Denny's common stock will no longer be listed on the Nasdaq.

As customary during the pendency of such a transaction, the Company will not host a conference call or provide financial guidance for fiscal year 2025.

*    Please refer to the Reconciliation of Net Income to Non-GAAP Financial Measures, as well as the Reconciliation of Operating Income to Non-GAAP Financial Measures included in the tables below.

**     Same-restaurant sales include sales at company restaurants and non-consolidated franchised and licensed restaurants that were open during the comparable periods noted. Total operating revenue is limited to company restaurant sales and royalties, advertising revenue, initial and other fees and occupancy revenue from non-consolidated franchised and licensed restaurants. Accordingly, domestic franchise same-restaurant sales and domestic system-wide same-restaurant sales should be considered as a supplement to, not a substitute for, the Company's results as reported under GAAP.

About Denny's Corporation

Denny’s Corporation is one of America’s largest full-service restaurant chains based on number of restaurants. As of September 24, 2025, the Company consisted of 1,537 restaurants, 1,452 of which were franchised and licensed restaurants and 85 of which were company operated.

The Company consists of the Denny’s brand and the Keke’s brand. As of September 24, 2025, the Denny's brand consisted of 1,459 global restaurants, 1,397 of which were franchised and licensed restaurants and 62 of which were company operated. As of September 24, 2025, the Keke's brand consisted of 78 restaurants, 55 of which were franchised restaurants and 23 of which were company operated.

For further information on Denny's Corporation, including news releases, links to SEC filings, and other financial information, please visit investor.dennys.com.

Non-GAAP Definition Changes

The Company has evolved its definition of non-GAAP financial measures to provide more clarity and comparability relative to peers. Denny's Corporation management uses certain non-GAAP measures in analyzing operating performance and believes that the presentation of these measures provides investors and analysts with information that is beneficial to gaining an understanding of the Company's financial results. Non-GAAP disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for financial results determined in accordance with GAAP.

The Company excludes certain legal settlement expenses not considered to be normal and recurring, pre-opening expenses, and other items management does not consider in the evaluation of its ongoing core operating performance from adjusted operating margin*, adjusted net income*, adjusted net income per share*, and adjusted EBITDA*. In addition, the Company no longer deducts cash payments for restructuring and exit costs, or cash payments for share-based compensation from Adjusted EBITDA*.

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Reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures are included in the tables of this press release and a recast of historical non-GAAP financial measures can be found on the Company's website, or its most recent investor presentation.

Cautionary Language Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The Company urges caution in considering its current trends and any outlook on earnings disclosed in this press release. In addition, certain matters discussed in this release may constitute forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements, which reflect management's best judgment based on factors currently known, are intended to speak only as of the date such statements are made and involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual performance of Denny’s Corporation, its subsidiaries, and underlying restaurants to be materially different from the performance indicated or implied by such statements. Words such as “expect”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “intend”, “plan”, “hope”, "will", and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Except as may be required by law, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Factors that could cause actual performance to differ materially from the performance indicated by these forward-looking statements include, among others: economic, public health and political conditions that impact consumer confidence and spending, commodity and labor inflation; the potential impacts of tariffs; the ability to effectively staff restaurants and support personnel; the Company's ability to maintain adequate levels of liquidity for its cash needs, including debt obligations, payment of dividends, planned share repurchases and capital expenditures as well as the ability of its customers, suppliers, franchisees and lenders to access sources of liquidity to provide for their own cash needs; competitive pressures from within the restaurant industry; the level of success of the Company’s operating initiatives and advertising and promotional efforts; adverse publicity; health concerns arising from food-related pandemics, outbreaks of flu viruses or other diseases; changes in business strategy or development plans; terms and availability of capital; regional weather conditions; overall changes in the general economy (including with regard to energy costs), particularly at the retail level; political environment and geopolitical events (including acts of war and terrorism); and other factors from time to time set forth in the Company’s SEC reports and other filings, including but not limited to the discussion in Management’s Discussion and Analysis and the risks identified in Item 1A. Risk Factors contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 25, 2024 (and in the Company’s subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K).

Investor Contact:    877-784-7167

Media Contact:    864-597-8005
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DENNY’S CORPORATION
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
($ in thousands)9/24/2512/25/24
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents$2,224 $1,698 
Investments— 1,106 
Receivables, net16,137 24,433 
Inventories2,122 1,747 
Assets held for sale891 381 
Prepaid and other current assets12,226 10,628 
Total current assets33,600 39,993 
Property, net123,827 111,417 
Finance lease right-of-use assets, net5,397 6,200 
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net135,464 124,738 
Goodwill68,532 66,357 
Intangible assets, net89,271 91,739 
Deferred financing costs, net589 1,066 
Other noncurrent assets46,238 54,764 
Total assets$502,918 $496,274 
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Current finance lease liabilities$1,347 $1,284 
Current operating lease liabilities15,215 15,487 
Accounts payable23,833 19,985 
Other current liabilities54,651 58,842 
Total current liabilities95,046 95,598 
Long-term liabilities  
Long-term debt259,500 261,300 
Noncurrent finance lease liabilities8,376 9,284 
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities132,007 120,841 
Liability for insurance claims, less current portion5,904 5,866 
Deferred income taxes, net8,731 9,964 
Other noncurrent liabilities26,048 27,446 
Total long-term liabilities440,566 434,701 
Total liabilities535,612 530,299 
Shareholders' deficit
Common stock519 513 
Paid-in capital6,882 — 
Retained earnings (deficit)929 (2,499)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net(39,429)(32,039)
Treasury stock(1,595)— 
Total shareholders' deficit(32,694)(34,025)
Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit$502,918 $496,274 
Debt Balances
Credit facility revolver due 2026$259,500 $261,300 
Finance lease liabilities9,723 10,568 
Total debt$269,223 $271,868 
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DENNY’S CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
Quarter Ended
($ in thousands, except per share amounts)9/24/259/25/24
Revenue:
Company restaurant sales$57,375 $52,701 
Franchise and license revenue55,869 59,058 
Total operating revenue113,244 111,759 
Costs of company restaurant sales, excluding depreciation and amortization50,170 46,820 
Costs of franchise and license revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization26,808 28,999 
General and administrative expenses22,567 19,831 
Depreciation and amortization4,434 3,622 
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net(1,129)746 
Total operating costs and expenses, net102,850 100,018 
Operating income10,394 11,741 
Interest expense, net5,318 4,571 
Other nonoperating expense (income), net3,137 (824)
Income before income taxes1,939 7,994 
Provision for income taxes1,307 1,478 
Net income$632 $6,516 
Net income per share - basic$0.01 $0.12 
Net income per share - diluted$0.01 $0.12 
Basic weighted average shares outstanding52,054 52,148 
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding52,175 52,207 
Comprehensive income (loss)$(822)$(2,468)
General and Administrative Expenses
Corporate administrative expenses$15,516 $15,875 
Share-based compensation3,249 3,006 
Incentive compensation2,028 447 
Deferred compensation valuation adjustments682 503 
Transaction costs1,092 — 
Total general and administrative expenses$22,567 $19,831 

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DENNY’S CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
Three Quarters Ended
($ in thousands, except per share amounts)9/24/259/25/24
Revenue:
Company restaurant sales$169,670 $159,391 
Franchise and license revenue172,868 178,269 
Total operating revenue342,538 337,660 
Costs of company restaurant sales, excluding depreciation and amortization152,540 142,516 
Costs of franchise and license revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization84,379 89,801 
General and administrative expenses64,042 61,539 
Depreciation and amortization12,919 10,938 
Goodwill impairment charges— 20 
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net4,482 1,984 
Total operating costs and expenses, net318,362 306,798 
Operating income24,176 30,862 
Interest expense, net15,120 13,564 
Other nonoperating expense (income), net2,736 (1,685)
Income before income taxes6,320 18,983 
Provision for income taxes2,892 4,208 
Net income$3,428 $14,775 
Net income per share - basic$0.07 $0.28 
Net income per share - diluted$0.07 $0.28 
Basic weighted average shares outstanding52,146 52,635 
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding52,256 52,739 
Comprehensive income (loss)$(3,962)$12,989 
General and Administrative Expenses
Corporate administrative expenses$45,986 $46,843 
Share-based compensation9,016 8,406 
Incentive compensation7,044 4,868 
Deferred compensation valuation adjustments904 1,422 
Transaction costs1,092 — 
Total general and administrative expenses$64,042 $61,539 
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DENNY’S CORPORATION
Reconciliation of Net Income to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(Unaudited)

The Company believes that, in addition to GAAP measures, certain non-GAAP financial measures are useful information to investors and analysts to assist in the evaluation of operating performance on a period-to-period basis. However, non-GAAP measures should be considered as a supplement to, not a substitute for, operating income, net income, and net income per share, or other financial performance measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Company uses adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted net income per share internally as performance measures for planning purposes, including the preparation of annual operating budgets, and for compensation purposes, including incentive compensation for certain employees. These non-GAAP measures are adjusted for certain items the Company does not consider in the evaluation of its ongoing core operating performance. These adjustments are either non-recurring in nature or vary from period to period without correlation to the Company's ongoing core operating performance.

Quarter EndedThree Quarters Ended
($ in thousands, except per share amounts)
9/24/259/25/249/24/259/25/24
Net income$632 $6,516 $3,428 $14,775 
Provision for income taxes1,307 1,478 2,892 4,208 
Goodwill impairment charges— — — 20 
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net
(1,129)746 4,482 1,984 
Other nonoperating expense (income), net (1)
3,137 (824)2,736 (1,685)
Share-based compensation expense3,249 3,006 9,016 8,406 
Deferred compensation plan valuation adjustments682 503 904 1,422 
Interest expense, net5,318 4,571 15,120 13,564 
Depreciation and amortization4,434 3,622 12,919 10,938 
Non-recurring legal settlement expenses91 (10)409 2,165 
Pre-opening expenses473 209 1,827 766 
Other adjustments (2)
1,123 — 1,186 2,640 
Adjusted EBITDA$19,317 $19,817 $54,919 $59,203 
Net income$632 $6,516 $3,428 $14,775 
Losses and amortization on interest rate swap derivatives, net913 194 2,051 502 
Costs of discontinued refinancing3,709 — 3,709 — 
Goodwill impairment charges— — — 20 
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net(1,129)746 4,482 1,984 
Non-recurring legal settlement expenses91 (10)409 2,165 
Pre-opening expenses473 209 1,827 766 
Other adjustments (2)
1,123 — 1,186 2,640 
Tax effect (3)
(1,603)(72)(3,894)(1,793)
Adjusted net income$4,209 $7,583 $13,198 $21,059 
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding52,175 52,207 52,256 52,739 
Net income per share - diluted$0.01 $0.12 $0.07 $0.28 
Adjustments per share0.07 0.03 0.18 0.12 
Adjusted net income per share$0.08 $0.15 $0.25 $0.40 

(1)Other nonoperating expense (income), net for the quarter and year-to-date period ended September 24, 2025 includes costs of discontinued refinancing.
(2)Other adjustments for the quarter and year-to-date period ended September 24, 2025 include transaction costs and leadership transition costs. Other adjustments for the year-to-date period ended September 24, 2024 include a distribution to franchisees related to a review of advertising costs.
(3)Tax adjustments for the quarter and year-to-date period ended September 24, 2025 reflect effective tax rates of 30.9% and 28.5%, respectively. Tax adjustments for the quarter and year-to-date period ended September 25, 2024 reflect effective tax rates of 6.3% and 22.2%., respectively


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DENNY’S CORPORATION
Reconciliation of Operating Income to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(Unaudited)

The Company believes that, in addition to GAAP measures, certain other non-GAAP financial measures are useful information to investors and analysts to assist in the evaluation of restaurant-level operating efficiency and performance of ongoing restaurant-level operations. However, non-GAAP measures should be considered as a supplement to, not a substitute for, operating income, net income, and net income per share, or other financial performance measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Company uses restaurant-level operating margin, company restaurant operating margin and franchise operating margin internally as performance measures for planning purposes, including the preparation of annual operating budgets, and for compensation purposes, including incentive compensation for certain employees.

Restaurant-level operating margin is the total of company restaurant operating margin and franchise operating margin and excludes: (i) general and administrative expenses, which include primarily non-restaurant-level costs associated with support of company and franchised restaurants and other activities at their corporate office; (ii) depreciation and amortization expense, substantially all of which is related to company restaurant-level assets, because such expenses represent historical sunk costs which do not reflect current cash outlays for the restaurants; (iii) special items, included within operating (gains), losses and other charges, net, to provide investors with a clearer perspective of its ongoing operating performance and a more relevant comparison to prior period results.

Company restaurant operating margin is defined as company restaurant sales less costs of company restaurant sales (which include product costs, company restaurant level payroll and benefits, occupancy costs, and other operating costs including utilities, repairs and maintenance, marketing and other expenses) and presents it as a percent of company restaurant sales. Adjusted company operating restaurant margin is defined as company restaurant operating margin less certain items such as legal settlement expenses, pre-opening expenses, and other items the Company does not consider in the evaluation of its ongoing core operating performance.

Franchise operating margin is defined as franchise and license revenue (which includes franchise royalties and other non-food and beverage revenue streams such as initial franchise and other fees, advertising revenue and occupancy revenue) less costs of franchise and license revenue and presents it as a percent of franchise and license revenue. Adjusted franchise operating margin is defined as franchise operating margin less certain items the Company does not consider in the evaluation of its ongoing core operating performance.

Adjusted restaurant-level operating margin is the total of adjusted company restaurant operating margin and adjusted franchise operating margin and is defined as restaurant-level operating margin adjusted for certain items the Company does not consider in the evaluation of its ongoing core operating performance. These adjustments are either non-recurring in nature or vary from period to period without correlation to the Company's ongoing core operating performance.

Quarter EndedThree Quarters Ended
($ in thousands)9/24/259/25/249/24/259/25/24
Operating income$10,394 $11,741 $24,176 $30,862 
General and administrative expenses22,567 19,831 64,042 61,539 
Depreciation and amortization4,434 3,622 12,919 10,938 
Goodwill impairment charges— — — 20 
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net(1,129)746 4,482 1,984 
  Restaurant-level operating margin$36,266 $35,940 $105,619 $105,343 
Restaurant-level operating margin consists of:
 Company restaurant operating margin (1)
$7,205 $5,881 $17,130 $16,875 
 Franchise operating margin (2)
29,061 30,059 88,489 88,468 
  Restaurant-level operating margin$36,266 $35,940 $105,619 $105,343 
    Adjustments (3)
564 199 2,236 5,571 
  Adjusted restaurant-level operating margin$36,830 $36,139 $107,855 $110,914 
(1)Company restaurant operating margin is calculated as operating income plus general and administrative expenses; depreciation and amortization; operating (gains), losses and other charges, net; and costs of franchise and license revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization; less franchise and license revenue.
(2)Franchise operating margin is calculated as operating income plus general and administrative expenses; depreciation and amortization; operating (gains), losses and other charges, net; and costs of company restaurant sales, excluding depreciation and amortization; less company restaurant sales.
(3)Adjustments include non-recurring legal settlement expenses, pre-opening costs, and other adjustments the Company does not consider in the evaluation of its ongoing core operating performance. Adjustments for the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2024 include a $2.6 million distribution to franchisees related to a review of advertising costs.
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DENNY’S CORPORATION
Operating Margins
(Unaudited)
Quarter Ended
($ in thousands)9/24/259/25/24
Company restaurant operations: (1)
Company restaurant sales$57,375 100.0 %$52,701 100.0 %
Costs of company restaurant sales, excluding depreciation and amortization:
Product costs14,623 25.5 %13,611 25.8 %
Payroll and benefits21,698 37.8 %19,838 37.6 %
Occupancy5,482 9.6 %4,443 8.4 %
Other operating costs:
Utilities2,137 3.7 %1,959 3.7 %
Repairs and maintenance799 1.4 %964 1.8 %
Marketing2,037 3.6 %1,859 3.5 %
Legal settlements330 0.6 %152 0.3 %
Pre-opening costs473 0.8 %209 0.4 %
Other direct costs2,591 4.5 %3,785 7.2 %
Total costs of company restaurant sales, excluding depreciation and amortization$50,170 87.4 %$46,820 88.8 %
Company restaurant operating margin (non-GAAP) (2)
$7,205 12.6 %$5,881 11.2 %
Adjustments (3)
5641.0 %1990.4 %
Adjusted company restaurant operating margin (non-GAAP) (2)
$7,769 13.5 %$6,080 11.5 %
Franchise operations: (4)
Franchise and license revenue:
Royalties$27,745 49.7 %$29,101 49.3 %
Advertising revenue18,604 33.3 %20,172 34.2 %
Initial and other fees1,772 3.2 %1,639 2.8 %
Occupancy revenue7,748 13.9 %8,146 13.8 %
Total franchise and license revenue$55,869 100.0 %$59,058 100.0 %
Costs of franchise and license revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization:
Advertising costs$18,604 33.3 %$20,172 34.2 %
Occupancy costs4,897 8.8 %5,256 8.9 %
Other direct costs3,307 5.9 %3,571 6.0 %
Total costs of franchise and license revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization$26,808 48.0 %$28,999 49.1 %
Franchise operating margin (non-GAAP) (2)
$29,061 52.0 %$30,059 50.9 %
Total operating revenue (5)
$113,244 100.0 %$111,759 100.0 %
Total costs of operating revenue (5)
76,978 68.0 %75,819 67.8 %
Restaurant-level operating margin (non-GAAP) (5)
$36,266 32.0 %$35,940 32.2 %
(1)As a percentage of company restaurant sales.
(2)Other operating expenses such as general and administrative expenses and depreciation and amortization relate to both company and franchise operations and are not allocated to costs of company restaurant sales and costs of franchise and license revenue. As such, operating margin and adjusted operating margin are considered non-GAAP financial measures and should be considered as a supplement to, not as a substitute for, operating income, net income or other financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.
(3)Adjustments include non-recurring legal settlement expenses, pre-opening costs, and other adjustments the Company does not consider in the evaluation of its ongoing core operating performance.
(4)As a percentage of franchise and license revenue.
(5)As a percentage of total operating revenue.
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DENNY’S CORPORATION
Operating Margins
(Unaudited)
Three Quarters Ended
($ in thousands)9/24/259/25/24
Company restaurant operations: (1)
Company restaurant sales$169,670 100.0 %$159,391 100.0 %
Costs of company restaurant sales, excluding depreciation and amortization:
Product costs43,920 25.9 %40,554 25.4 %
Payroll and benefits64,663 38.1 %60,805 38.1 %
Occupancy15,722 9.3 %13,687 8.6 %
Other operating costs:
Utilities5,660 3.3 %5,309 3.3 %
Repairs and maintenance2,482 1.5 %2,977 1.9 %
Marketing6,451 3.8 %5,339 3.3 %
Legal settlements1,126 0.7 %1,809 1.1 %
Pre-opening costs1,827 1.1 %766 0.5 %
Other direct costs10,689 6.3 %11,270 7.1 %
Total costs of company restaurant sales, excluding depreciation and amortization$152,540 89.9 %$142,516 89.4 %
Company restaurant operating margin (non-GAAP) (2)
$17,130 10.1 %$16,875 10.6 %
Adjustments (3)
2,236 1.3 %2,931 1.8 %
Adjusted company restaurant operating margin (non-GAAP) (2)
$19,366 11.4 %$19,806 12.4 %
Franchise operations: (4)
Franchise and license revenue:
Royalties$84,673 49.0 %$88,421 49.6 %
Advertising revenue57,167 33.1 %59,098 33.2 %
Initial and other fees7,450 4.3 %5,903 3.3 %
Occupancy revenue23,578 13.6 %24,847 13.9 %
Total franchise and license revenue$172,868 100.0 %$178,269 100.0 %
Costs of franchise and license revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization:
Advertising costs$57,167 33.1 %$59,098 33.2 %
Occupancy costs14,702 8.5 %15,482 8.7 %
Other direct costs12,510 7.2 %15,221 8.5 %
Total costs of franchise and license revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization$84,379 48.8 %$89,801 50.4 %
Franchise operating margin (non-GAAP) (2)
$88,489 51.2 %$88,468 49.6 %
Adjustments (3)
— — %2,640 1.5 %
Adjusted franchise operating margin (non-GAAP) (2)
$88,489 51.2 %$91,108 51.1 %
Total operating revenue (5)
$342,538 100.0 %$337,660 100.0 %
Total costs of operating revenue (5)
236,919 69.2 %232,317 68.8 %
Restaurant-level operating margin (non-GAAP) (5)
$105,619 30.8 %$105,343 31.2 %
(1)As a percentage of company restaurant sales.
(2)Other operating expenses such as general and administrative expenses and depreciation and amortization relate to both company and franchise operations and are not allocated to costs of company restaurant sales and costs of franchise and license revenue. As such, operating margin and adjusted operating margin are considered non-GAAP financial measures and should be considered as a supplement to, not as a substitute for, operating income, net income or other financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.
(3)Adjustments include non-recurring legal settlement expenses, pre-opening costs, and other adjustments the Company does not consider in the evaluation of its ongoing core operating performance. Adjustments for the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2024 include a $2.6 million distribution to franchisees related to a review of advertising costs.
(4)As a percentage of franchise and license revenue.
(5)As a percentage of total operating revenue.
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DENNY’S CORPORATION
Statistical Data
(Unaudited)
Denny'sKeke's
Changes in Same-Restaurant Sales (1)
Quarter EndedThree Quarters EndedQuarter EndedThree Quarters Ended
(Increase (decrease) vs. prior year)9/24/259/25/249/24/259/25/249/24/259/25/249/24/259/25/24
Company Restaurants(1.4%)(0.4%)(0.8%)(2.0%)5.2%(1.7%)2.9%(2.4%)
Domestic Franchise Restaurants(3.0%)(0.1%)(2.5%)(0.6%)0.2%(0.9%)2.8%(3.2%)
Domestic System-wide Restaurants(2.9%)(0.1%)(2.4%)(0.7%)1.1%(1.0%)2.8%(3.1%)
Average Unit Sales
($ in thousands)
Company Restaurants$765$771$2,312$2,288$432$423$1,278$1,323
Franchised Restaurants$463$465$1,393$1,395$441$439$1,431$1,368
(1)
Same-restaurant sales include sales at company restaurants and non-consolidated franchised and licensed restaurants that were open during the comparable periods noted. Total operating revenue is limited to company restaurant sales and royalties, advertising revenue, initial and other fees and occupancy revenue from non-consolidated franchised and licensed restaurants. Accordingly, domestic franchise same-restaurant sales and domestic system-wide same-restaurant sales should be considered as a supplement to, not a substitute for, the Company's results as reported under GAAP.

Restaurant Unit ActivityDenny's
Keke's
FranchisedFranchised
Company & LicensedTotalCompany& LicensedTotal
Ending Units June 25, 202562 1,422 1,484 22 52 74 
Units Opened— 
Units Reacquired— — — — — — 
Units Refranchised— — — — — — 
Units Closed— (26)(26)— — — 
Net Change— (25)(25)
Ending Units September 24, 202562 1,397 1,459 23 55 78 
Equivalent Units
Third Quarter 202562 1,411 1,473 23 54 77 
Third Quarter 202462 1,470 1,532 11 50 61 
Net Change— (59)(59)12 16 
Ending Units December 25, 202461 1,438 1,499 14 55 69 
Units Opened— 10 10 15 
Units Reacquired(1)— (5)— 
Units Refranchised— — — (3)— 
Units Closed— (50)(50)— (6)(6)
Net Change(41)(40)— 
Ending Units September 24, 202562 1,397 1,459 23 55 78 
Equivalent Units
Year-to-Date 202561 1,424 1,485 22 49 71 
Year-to-Date 202463 1,485 1,548 10 50 60 
Net Change(2)(61)(63)12 (1)11 
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