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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
Annual Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 25, 2022
or
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number: 0-2166050
PAPA JOHN’S INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
61-1203323
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
2002 Papa John’s Boulevard
Louisville, Kentucky
(Address of principal executive offices)
40299-2367
(Zip Code)
(502) 261-7272
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
___________________________________________________________
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
(Title of Each Class)
Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Trading Symbol
PZZA
(s)
(Name of each exchange on which registered)
The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes No
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes No
___________________________________________________________
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 No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12
months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated
filer,” “accelerated filer” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
Accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the Registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to
Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial
statements. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant
recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes No
The aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant, computed by reference to the closing sale price on The Nasdaq Stock Market as of the last business day of the Registrant’s most
recently completed second fiscal quarter, June 26, 2022, was $2,906,744,039.
As of February 16, 2023, there were 34,680,269 shares of the Registrant’s common stock outstanding.
Portions of the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held April 25, 2023 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this annual report where indicated.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
PART I
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 1B.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
PART II
Item 5.
Item 6.
Item 7.
Business
Risk Factors
Unresolved Staff Comments
Properties
Legal Proceedings
Mine Safety Disclosures
Information About Our Executive Officers
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Intentionally Omitted
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 8.
Item 9.
Item 9A.
Item 9B.
Item 9C.
PART III
Item 10.
Item 11.
Item 12.
Item 13.
Item 14.
PART IV
Item 15.
Item 16.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Controls and Procedures
Other Information
Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Executive Compensation
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
Summary
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3
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24
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28
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Item 1. Business
General
PART I
Papa John’s International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (referred to as the “Company,” “Papa John’s,” “Papa Johns” or in the first person notations of “we,”
“us” and “our”), operates and franchises pizza delivery and carryout restaurants and, in certain international markets, dine-in and delivery restaurants under
the trademark “Papa John’s.” Papa John’s began operations in 1984. At December 25, 2022, there were 5,706 Papa John’s restaurants in operation,
consisting of 522 Company-owned and 5,184 franchised restaurants operating in 48 countries and territories. Our Company-owned restaurants include 98
restaurants operated under three joint venture arrangements. All of our International restaurants are franchised. In discussions of our business, “Domestic”
is defined as within the contiguous United States, “North America” includes Canada, and “International” includes the rest of the world other than North
America.
Strategy
We are committed to delivering on our brand promise “BETTER INGREDIENTS. BETTER PIZZA. ” and a business strategy designed to drive
sustainable long-term, profitable growth. Papa John’s is driven by five strategic priorities:
®
Build a culture of leaders who believe in diversity, inclusivity and winning. A diverse, inclusive environment is essential to attracting the talent that makes
Papa Johns the world’s best pizza delivery company. See the “Human Capital” section below where we discuss our ongoing initiatives in this area.
Re-establish the superiority of our pizza via commercial platforms. We believe that using high quality ingredients leads to superior quality pizzas. Our
original crust pizza dough is made from six simple ingredients and is fresh, never frozen. We also top our pizzas with our signature pizza sauce made with
vine-ripened tomatoes, real cheese and meat full of flavor, not filler. Our marketing and menu strategies focus on menu innovations that provide both value
and variety to our customers, but importantly, do not add significant complexity to our restaurant operations or to supply chain needs. Over the past three
years, we have made purposeful additions to our menu, ensuring these additions are well-timed for our growth, without sacrificing our premium quality.
This deliberate strategy focuses on innovation that adds value to our system rather than short-term discounts, contributing to more productive ticket growth
and, most importantly, higher customer satisfaction. We believe in the importance of providing options that appeal to our customers’ diverse dietary needs
and preferences, and our nutritionists and food innovation teams are continuously looking for ways to reflect this in our menu. Our product innovations
form the foundation of our strategy for growing comparable sales and improving unit economics.
Improve unit-level profitability and performance of our Company and franchisee restaurants. We have been intent on taking proactive steps to drive
profitable growth, especially under the current challenging operating environment. This includes growing ticket and transactions through menu
innovations, customer insights and strategic pricing actions. In addition to increasing average unit volumes, our strategy focuses on further sharpening our
execution and driving BETTER customer experience for faster service while optimizing labor allocation, enhancing operational efficiencies and effectively
managing margins.
Leverage our technology infrastructure to drive our business operations. We utilize technology to deliver a better customer experience, improve
operational efficiencies and inform our decision-making. Approximately 85% of our Domestic sales are through digital channels, including website, apps,
third party aggregators, and centralized call centers, providing a significant competitive advantage when compared with other QSR models. We are
continuously investing in technology to enhance our digital capabilities for both our customers as well as our employees. Our loyalty program (“Papa
Rewards”) and one-to-one marketing platforms help us retain loyal customers and attract new ones. We also partner with top domestic delivery aggregators
to meet customer demand for our products. Aggregators have also helped navigate the labor shortage that the Company is experiencing by providing
supplemental delivery drivers, especially during peak times when our delivery teams are working at full capacity. Our integrations with the aggregator
marketplaces and our nationwide integration with a third-party delivery service provider have been key tools allowing us to continue to meet our customers
in the channel of their choice.
Profitably expand our footprint domestically and internationally. We continue to pursue a growth strategy by expanding our footprint, both domestically
and internationally. We partner with large local investors to expand into new regions and markets, seeking to ensure our partners are aligned with our
strategic priorities and committed to the Papa Johns brand. Nearly all of our top-25 North American franchisees now have development agreements in
place. Internationally, our teams
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are laying the groundwork for the future by accelerating growth in our established markets, identifying attractive new markets to enter and attracting new
well-capitalized franchisees to partner with.
A large majority of Papa John’s restaurants are franchised. We believe a franchised model provides resiliency of earnings and presents us with an
opportunity to enhance growth with less capital investment than a traditional company-operated restaurant model. We seek to attract and retain franchisees
with experience in restaurant or retail operations and with the financial resources and management capabilities to open single or multiple locations. While
each Papa John’s franchisee manages and operates its own restaurants and business, we devote significant resources to providing franchisees with
assistance in restaurant operations, quality assurance, technology, training, marketing, site selection and restaurant design. Papa John’s franchise owners
benefit from our award-winning brand, food service capabilities and the Papa John’s digital and delivery model.
Segment Overview
Papa John’s has four defined reportable segments: Domestic Company-owned restaurants, North America franchising, North America commissaries
(Quality Control Centers), and International operations.
Domestic Company-owned Restaurants
The Domestic Company-owned restaurant segment consists of the operations of all Domestic Company-owned restaurants and derives its revenues
principally from retail sales of pizza, Papadias, and side items, including breadsticks, Papa Bites, cheesesticks, chicken poppers and wings, dessert items
and canned or bottled beverages.
Of the total 3,376 North American restaurants open as of December 25, 2022, 522 units, or approximately 15%, were Company-owned. In 2022, the 514
Domestic Company-owned restaurants included in the full year’s comparable restaurant base generated average annual unit sales of $1.3 million.
Operating Company-owned restaurants allows us to improve operations, training, marketing and quality standards for the benefit of the entire Papa John’s
system.
North America franchising
The North America franchising segment consists of our franchise sales and support activities and derives its revenues from the sale of franchise and
development rights and the collection of royalties from our franchisees located in the United States and Canada. Our North American franchised
restaurants, which included 2,472 restaurants in the full year’s comparable base for 2022, generated average annual unit sales of $1.1 million. These sales,
while not included in the Company’s revenues, contribute to our royalty revenues, franchisee marketing fund contributions, and commissary revenue.
North America commissary
The North America commissary segment comprises 11 full-service regional dough production and distribution Quality Control Centers (“QC Centers”) in
the United States, which supply pizza sauce, dough, food products, paper products, smallwares and cleaning supplies twice weekly to each traditional
restaurant served. This system enables us to monitor and control product quality and consistency while lowering food and other costs. We also have one QC
Center in Canada, which produces and distributes fresh dough. We evaluate the QC Center system capacity in relation to existing restaurants’ volumes and
planned restaurant growth, and facilities are developed or upgraded as operational or economic conditions warrant. To ensure consistent food quality, each
Domestic franchisee is required to purchase dough and pizza sauce from our QC Centers and to purchase all other supplies from our QC Centers or other
approved suppliers.
International
International franchisees are defined as all franchise operations outside of the United States and Canada. As of December 25, 2022, there were 2,330
International restaurants, all of which are franchised. The International segment principally consists of distribution sales to franchised Papa John’s
restaurants located in the UK and our franchise sales and support activities, which derive revenues from sales of franchise and development rights and the
collection of royalties from our International franchisees. The Company currently operates one International QC Center, which is in the UK. Other QC
Centers outside North America are operated by franchisees pursuant to license agreements or by other third parties.
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All others
All other business units that do not meet the quantitative thresholds for determining reportable segments, which are not operating segments, we refer to as
“all others.” These consist of operations that derive revenues from franchise contributions to our marketing funds and the sale, principally to Company-
owned and franchised restaurants, of information systems and related services used in restaurant operations, including our point-of-sale system, online and
other technology-based ordering platforms, and printing and promotional items.
See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Note 23. Segment Information” of “Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements” for financial information about our segments.
Development
At December 25, 2022, there were 5,706 Papa John’s restaurants operating in 48 countries and territories, as follows:
Beginning - December 26, 2021
Opened
Closed
Sold
Acquired
Refranchised
(a)
Suspended
Ending - December 25, 2022
(a)
Net unit growth/(decline)
Domestic Company-
owned
Franchised North
America
Total North America
International
(a)
System-wide
600
10
—
—
2
(90)
—
522
(78)
2,739
76
(49)
(2)
—
90
—
2,854
115
3,339
86
(49)
(2)
2
—
—
3,376
37
2,311
292
(85)
—
—
—
(188)
2,330
207
5,650
378
(134)
(2)
2
—
(188)
5,706
244
______________________________
(a)
As previously disclosed, the Company has suspended corporate support for all franchised restaurants located in Russia. These suspended restaurants are excluded from net unit growth
calculations.
Our Company-owned restaurant growth strategy is to continue to open Domestic restaurants in existing markets as appropriate, thereby increasing
consumer awareness and enabling us to take advantage of operational and marketing scale efficiencies. Our experience in developing markets indicates that
market penetration through the opening of multiple restaurants in a particular market results in increased average restaurant sales in that market over time.
We have co-developed Domestic markets with some franchisees or divided markets among franchisees and will continue to use market co-development in
the future, where appropriate.
Franchise Program
We continue to attract qualified and experienced franchisees, whom we consider to be a vital part of our system’s continued growth. We believe our
relationship with our franchisees is fundamental to the performance of our brand and we strive to maintain a collaborative relationship with our franchisees.
Franchisees are approved on the basis of the applicant’s business background, restaurant operating experience and financial resources.
North America Development and Franchise Agreements. We enter into development agreements with our franchisees in North America for the opening of a
specified number of restaurants within a defined period of time and specified geographic area. The franchise agreement is generally executed once a
franchisee secures a location. Our current standard franchise agreement requires the franchisee to pay a royalty fee of 5% of sales, and the majority of our
existing franchised restaurants have a 5% contractual royalty rate in effect. Incentives to franchisees offered from time to time may reduce the contractual
royalty rate paid.
Substantially all existing franchise agreements have an initial 10-year term with a 10-year renewal option. We have the right to terminate a franchise
agreement for a variety of reasons, including a franchisee’s failure to make payments when due or failure to adhere to our operational policies and
standards. Many state franchise laws limit our ability as a franchisor to terminate or refuse to renew a franchise.
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International Development and Franchise Agreements. In international markets, we have either a development agreement or a master franchise agreement
with a franchisee for the opening of a specified number of restaurants within a defined period of time and specified geographic area. Under a master
franchise agreement, the franchisee has the right to sub-franchise a portion of the development to one or more sub-franchisees approved by us.
Our current standard international master franchise and development agreements provide for payment to us of a royalty fee of 5% of sales. For international
markets with sub-franchise agreements, the effective sub-franchise royalty received by the Company is generally 3% of sales and the master franchisee
generally receives a royalty of 2% of sales. The remaining terms applicable to the operation of individual restaurants are substantially equivalent to the
terms of our Domestic franchise agreement. Development agreements will be negotiated at other-than-standard terms for fees and royalties, and we may
offer various development and royalty incentives.
Franchise Operations. All franchisees are required to operate their Papa John’s restaurants in compliance with our policies, standards and specifications,
including matters such as menu items, ingredients, and restaurant design. Franchisees have full discretion in human resource practices, and generally have
full discretion to determine the prices to be charged to customers, but we generally have the authority to set maximum price points for nationally advertised
promotions.
Franchisee Loans. Selected Domestic and International franchisees have borrowed funds from us, principally for the purchase of restaurants from us or
other franchisees or, in certain international markets, for construction and development of new restaurants. Loans made to franchisees can bear interest at
fixed or floating rates and in most cases are secured by the fixtures, equipment and signage of the restaurant and/or are guaranteed by the franchise owners.
At December 25, 2022, net loans outstanding totaled $28.1 million. See “Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies” of “Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements” for additional information.
Marketing Programs
Our Domestic marketing strategy consists of both national and local components. Our national strategy includes national advertising via television, print,
direct mail, digital, mobile marketing and social media channels. Our digital marketing activities have increased significantly over the past several years in
response to increasing customer use of online and mobile technology. Local advertising programs include television, radio, print, direct mail, store-to-door
flyers, digital, mobile marketing and local social media channels.
Domestic Company-owned and franchised Papa John’s restaurants within a defined market may be required to join an area advertising cooperative (“Co-
op”). Each member restaurant contributes a percentage of sales to the Co-op for market-wide programs, such as television, radio, digital and print
advertising, and sports sponsorships. The rate of contribution and uses of the monies collected are determined by a majority vote of the Co-op’s members.
The restaurant-level and Co-op marketing efforts are supported by media, print, digital and electronic advertising materials that are produced by Papa
John’s Marketing Fund, Inc. (“PJMF”), our national marketing fund. PJMF is a consolidated nonstock corporation, designed to operate at break-even for
the purpose of designing and administering advertising and promotional programs for all participating Domestic restaurants. PJMF produces and buys air
time for Papa John’s national television commercials and advertises the Company’s products through digital media including banner advertising, paid
search-engine advertising, mobile marketing, social media advertising and marketing, text messaging, and email. PJMF also engages in other brand-
building activities, such as consumer research and public relations activities. Domestic Company-owned and franchised Papa John’s restaurants are
required to contribute a certain minimum percentage of sales to PJMF.
In international markets, our marketing focuses on reaching customers who live or work within a small radius of a Papa John’s restaurant. Our international
markets use a combination of advertising strategies, including television, radio, print, digital, mobile marketing and local social media depending on the
size of the local market.
Human Capital
Our team members are critical to our success. As of December 25, 2022, we employed approximately 12,000 persons, of whom approximately 9,600 were
team members at Company-owned restaurants, approximately 700 were management personnel at Company-owned restaurants, approximately 700 were
corporate personnel and approximately 1,100 were QC Center and our print and promotions subsidiary personnel. Our team members are non-unionized,
and most restaurant team members work part-time and are paid on an hourly basis.
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Our franchisees are independent business owners, so their employees are not our employees and therefore are not included in our employee count. We
estimate the total number of persons in the Papa John’s system, including our team members, franchisees and the team members of franchisees, was
approximately 115,000 as of December 25, 2022.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
At Papa Johns, we welcome a wide array of voices to our table. A diverse, inclusive environment is essential to attracting the talent that makes Papa Johns
the world’s best pizza delivery company. As such, we welcome all entrepreneurial spirits, innovators and pizza lovers. We are building a culture that both
reflects our corporate values of People First and Everyone Belongs and creates a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining talent. Across our
restaurants, Quality Control Centers and corporate hubs, Papa Johns team members are valued for their contributions, treated equitably, encouraged to share
their feedback and ideas, provided the tools needed to ensure their safety and total wellness and given ample opportunities to grow in their careers. After
being recognized by Forbes in 2021 as one of America’s Best Employers for Diversity, Papa John’s joined Forbes’ annual list of the World’s Best
employers in 2022. We were honored to rank #1 amongst all pizza companies and #2 in the entire restaurant category. Also, for the second year in a row,
we received a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2022 Corporate Equality Index.
Creating an inclusive and diverse culture that supports and values team members is important to attracting and retaining talented, dedicated employees.
We’re implementing initiatives to diversify our workforce and leadership pipeline by attracting, recruiting, developing and supporting talent who represent
our customers and communities, to embed policies and practices that ensure fairness, build trust and hold ourselves accountable, and to instill and reward
behaviors across the organization that foster belonging and increase employee engagement. We have also initiated multiple corporate initiatives over the
past several years, including required unconscious bias training for team members, annual Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training for all team members,
the launch of The Papa John’s Foundation for Building Community, our Day of Service with Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and the creation of eight
global inclusion resource groups with leaders engaging across the organization.
Talent Attraction, Retention and Development
Our ability to attract and retain hourly employees in our restaurants has become more challenging, especially as the job market has become more
competitive. Our goal to help all Papa John's employees succeed begins with efforts to attract and recruit a wide range of people from different
backgrounds, cultures, education experiences, religions and other indicators of diversity because we know a workforce that reflects the diversity of our
customers and communities brings more innovative thinking and better ideas and solutions to our business. In 2022, we expanded our efforts to recruit
diverse talent by implementing anti-bias training for our recruiters. To meet job candidates where they live, and gain a deeper understanding of their
personal, educational and professional goals, we sponsor and attend job fairs, scholarship programs and university and professional organization events.
Our recruiting strategy aims to diversify the candidate pool for all manager level and above positions. We offer our team members hiring and referral
bonuses as well as expanded health, wellness and paid time off.
To help our team members succeed in their roles and to ensure consistent operational execution, we emphasize continuous training and development
opportunities, including providing innovative tools and materials for the operational training and development of team members. Operations personnel
complete our management training program and ongoing development programs, including multi-unit training, in which instruction is given on all aspects
of our systems and operations. In addition, to further support our team members’ development, we established our Dough & Degrees program, which
allows our team members to earn a college degree for free or at a reduced tuition in partnership with Purdue University Global and the University of
Maryland Global Campus, among others. In 2022, we made enhancements to the program, including expanded educational offerings and less restrictive
eligibility requirements. Employees working at least ten hours per week can now obtain their High School Diplomas, learn English as a second language,
and earn associate’s, bachelor’s and/or master’s degrees. We also offer a tuition reimbursement program that provides another opportunity for our team
members to advance their careers.
Compensation and Benefits
One of our core values is People First. As such, we are committed to providing competitive pay and benefits to attract and retain top talent, whether in our
Domestic Company-owned stores, in our supply chain centers or in our corporate offices. We pay competitive wages to our front line team members in our
Domestic Company-owned stores.
Papa John’s offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible team members. We also make available to our team members several benefits designed to
promote an inclusive workplace like paid parental leave, adoption support, and health
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plans that are available to dependents, spouses, and domestic partners. We offer eligible team members a 401(k) plan, with a competitive Company
matching component to encourage retirement savings.
Beyond basic insurance programs, Papa John’s offers wellness services to help team members manage and optimize their health. These no-cost programs
include smoking cessation, diabetes and hypertension management, weight management, and mental health support through Papa John’s employee
assistance program for all part-time and full-time team members and their dependents. Papa John’s also makes available the “Papa Cares” program that
provides corporate office team members an onsite health clinic that provides a wide range of primary care services for adults, adolescents and children.
Workplace Health and Safety
As part of the Company’s enterprise-wide safety management system, we invest in training, technology and people to protect both our customers and team
members. All Papa John’s team members, from those at our corporate offices to those working in our warehouses and restaurants, receive annual safety
training based on the requirements of their roles. Our QC Centers and restaurant operations undergo annual safety audits, as well as random safety checks
by regional safety managers and field safety coordinators.
We have also taken steps to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our team members and our customers by implementing extra health and
safety measures across our business, including No Contact Delivery and enhanced cleaning and sanitization measures.
Industry and Competition
The United States Quick Service Restaurant pizza (“QSR Pizza”) industry is mature and highly competitive with respect to price, service, location, food
quality, customer loyalty programs and product innovation. The QSR Pizza category is largely fragmented, and competitors include a few large national
chains and many smaller regional chains, as well as a large number of local independent pizza operators, any of which can utilize a growing number of
food delivery services. Some of our competitors have been in existence for substantially longer periods than Papa John’s, have substantially greater
resources than Papa John’s and can have higher levels of restaurant penetration and stronger, more developed brand awareness in markets where we
compete. Competition from delivery aggregators and other food delivery concepts also continues to increase.
Internationally, the pizza delivery model is not as mature as the Domestic market and presents a growth opportunity for Papa John’s. We believe demand
from international consumers will continue to increase as the demand for pizza delivery and carryout continues. We continue to execute on our growth
strategy and expand throughout the world.
With respect to the sale of franchises, we compete with many franchisors of restaurants and other business concepts. There is also active competition for
management personnel, drivers and hourly team members, and attractive commercial real estate sites suitable for Papa John’s restaurants.
Government Regulation
We, along with our franchisees, are subject to various federal, state, local and international laws affecting the operation of our respective businesses,
including laws and regulations related to our marketing and advertising as well as the preparation and sale of food, food safety and menu labeling. Each
Papa John’s restaurant is subject to licensing and regulation by a number of governmental authorities, which include zoning, health, safety, sanitation,
building and fire agencies in the state or municipality in which the restaurant is located. Difficulties in obtaining, or the failure to obtain, required licenses
or approvals could delay or prevent the opening of a new restaurant in a particular area. Our QC Centers are licensed and subject to regulation by state and
local health and fire codes, and the operation of our trucks is subject to federal and state transportation regulations. We are also subject to federal and state
environmental regulations. In addition, our Domestic operations are subject to various federal and state laws governing such matters as minimum wage
requirements, benefits, taxation, working conditions, citizenship requirements, and overtime.
We are subject to Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) regulation and various state laws regulating the offer and sale of franchises. The laws of several
states also regulate substantive aspects of the franchisor-franchisee relationship. The FTC requires us to furnish to prospective franchisees a franchise
disclosure document containing prescribed information. State laws that regulate the franchisor-franchisee relationship presently exist in a significant
number of states, and bills have been introduced in Congress from time to time that would provide for federal regulation of the U.S. franchisor-franchisee
relationship in certain respects if such bills were enacted. State laws often limit, among other things, the duration and scope of non-competition provisions
and the ability of a franchisor to terminate or refuse to renew a franchise. Some foreign
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countries also have disclosure requirements and other laws regulating franchising and the franchisor-franchisee relationship. National, state and local
government regulations or initiatives, including health care legislation, “living wage,” or other current or proposed regulations, and increases in minimum
wage rates affect Papa John’s as well as others within the restaurant industry. We are also subject to applicable laws in each non-US jurisdiction in which
we operate.
Privacy and Data Protection
We are subject to privacy and data protection laws and regulations globally. The legal and regulatory landscape for privacy and data protection continues to
evolve, and there has been an increase in attention given to privacy and data protection issues with the potential to impact our business. This includes
recently enacted laws and regulations in the United States and in other countries which require notification to individuals and government authorities of
breaches involving certain categories of personal information. Any changes in privacy and data protection laws or regulations could also adversely impact
the way we use e-mail, text messages and other marketing techniques and could require changes in our marketing strategies. We have a privacy policy
posted on our website at www.papajohns.com. The security of our financial data, customer information and other personal information is a priority for us.
Trademarks, Copyrights and Domain Names
We protect our intellectual property through a combination of patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets, foreign intellectual property laws,
confidentiality agreements and other contractual provisions. We have also registered, and applied for the registration of, U.S. and international trademarks,
service marks, domain names and copyrights. From time to time, we are made aware of the use by other persons in certain geographical areas of names and
marks that are the same as or substantially similar to our marks. It is our policy to pursue registration of our marks whenever possible and to vigorously
oppose any infringement of our marks.
We hold copyrights in authored works used in our business, including advertisements, packaging, training, website, and promotional materials. In addition,
we have registered and maintain Internet domain names, including “papajohns.com,” and country code domains patterned as “papajohns.cc,” or a close
variation thereof, with “.cc” representing a specific country code.
Environmental Matters
We are not aware of any federal, state, local or international environmental laws or regulations that we expect to materially affect our earnings or
competitive position or result in material capital expenditures. However, we cannot predict the effect of possible future environment legislation or
regulations on our operations. During 2022, we had no material environmental compliance-related capital expenditures, and no such material expenditures
are anticipated in 2023.
Impact of COVID-19
Please refer to “Recent Business Matters” within “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for a
discussion of recent business developments, including the impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on our business and results of operations and financial
condition.
Additional Information
All of our periodic and current reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), are available, free of charge, through our website located at www.papajohns.com. These
reports include our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports. These
reports are available through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file them with the SEC. We also make available free of
charge on our website our Corporate Governance Guidelines, Board Committee Charters, and our Code of Ethics, which applies to Papa John’s directors,
officers and employees. Printed copies of such documents are also available free of charge upon written request to Investor Relations, Papa John’s
International, Inc., P.O. Box 99900, Louisville, KY 40269-0900. The SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information
statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including us, at www.sec.gov. The references to these website
addresses do not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained on the websites, which should not be considered part of this document.
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Item 1A. Risk Factors
We are subject to risks that could have a negative effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. These risks could cause actual
operating results to differ from those expressed in certain “forward-looking statements” contained in this Form 10-K as well as in other Company
communications. You should carefully consider the following risk factors together with all other information included in this Form 10-K and our other
publicly filed documents.
Industry and Macroeconomic Risks
Economic conditions in the U.S. and international markets could adversely affect our business and financial results.
Our financial condition and results of operations are impacted by global markets and economic conditions over which neither we nor our franchisees have
control. An economic downturn or recession, including deterioration in the economic conditions in the U.S. or international markets where we compete, or
a slowing or stalled recovery therefrom, may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations, including a
reduction in the demand for our products, longer payment cycles, slower adoption of new technologies and increased price competition. Poor economic
conditions have in the past adversely affected and may in the future affect the ability of our franchisees to pay royalties or amounts owed and could also
disrupt our business and adversely affect our results. Higher inflation, and a related increase in costs, including rising interest rates, as well currency
restrictions and changes in foreign exchange rates, have impacted our franchisees and their ability to pay royalties, open new restaurants or operate existing
restaurants profitably. As we navigate this environment, we may need to offer support for certain franchisees in the form of royalty relief, loans or other
support, close unprofitable restaurants or markets, and/or consider other alternatives such as acquiring or purchasing franchise restaurants, QC Centers or
operations to operate them until they can be refranchised. In addition, adverse macroeconomic conditions and other business-related changes in
circumstances outside of our control may impact our ability to achieve our net unit development targets.
Our business, financial condition and results of operations have been and could continue to be adversely affected by deteriorating economic and business
conditions in the United Kingdom. There are more than 500 franchised Papa John’s restaurants located in the United Kingdom, and we also operate an
International QC Center in the United Kingdom. During 2022, our business in the United Kingdom was subject to adverse macroeconomic conditions,
including high inflation, rising interest rates, an energy crisis, slowing economic growth, volatile exchange rates, and an increased VAT tax rate, which
resulted in negative comparable sales and a challenging operating environment for our franchisees. These challenges also impacted the financial condition
of our UK franchisees. We expect some of these conditions to continue in 2023. As we navigate this challenging economic environment, we are investing
in capabilities to improve our operations and are working to re-position the franchise base to further strengthen our business in the United Kingdom. If our
efforts to re-position the franchise base are unsuccessful, we might need to find new operators for certain unprofitable restaurants and/or close them, which
could adversely impact the Company’s financial condition and results of operation in the region. In addition, the Company is providing financial support to
certain franchisees in the United Kingdom, including in the form of marketing support and loans. This franchisee support may not be sufficient to keep
restaurants in the United Kingdom from closing, particularly if current economic conditions worsen. The Company is unable to predict the duration or the
extent of the macroeconomic deterioration in the United Kingdom or the extent to which franchised restaurants will be impacted.
We are also subject to ongoing risks and uncertainties associated with the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union (referred to as “Brexit”),
including implications for the free flow of labor and goods in the United Kingdom and the European Union and other financial, legal, tax and trade
implications.
Our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected by disruptions in the global economy caused by the ongoing conflict
between Russia and Ukraine or other potential conflicts.
The global economy has been negatively impacted by the military conflict in Ukraine. Furthermore, governments in the United States, United Kingdom,
and European Union have each imposed export controls on certain products and financial and economic sanctions on certain industry sectors and parties in
Russia. The Company has no company-owned restaurants in Russia or Ukraine and has suspended corporate support for its master franchisee in Russia,
which operates and supplies all 188 franchised Papa John’s restaurants there. The Company is unable to predict how long the current environment will last
or if it will resume corporate support to impacted franchised restaurants.
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In addition, our international business is subject to the risks of other geopolitical tensions and conflicts, including, for example, the ongoing military
conflict between Russia and Ukraine described above, and changes in China-Taiwan and United States-China relations. We have franchised restaurants
located in China and South Korea. Although we do not do business in North Korea, any future increase in tensions between South Korea and North Korea,
such as an outbreak or escalation of military hostilities, or between Taiwan and China could materially adversely affect our operations in Asia or the global
economy, which in turn would adversely impact our business.
Our International operations are subject to increased risks and other factors that may make it more difficult to achieve or maintain profitability or meet
planned growth rates.
Our International operations could be negatively impacted by volatility and instability in international economic, political, security, or health conditions in
the countries in which the Company or our franchisees operate, especially in emerging markets. In addition, there are risks associated with differing
business and social cultures and consumer preferences. We may face limited availability for restaurant locations, higher location costs and difficulties in
franchisee selection and financing. We may be subject to difficulties in sourcing and importing high-quality ingredients (and ensuring food safety) in a cost-
effective manner, hiring and retaining qualified team members, marketing effectively and adequately investing in information technology, especially in
emerging markets.
Our International operations are also subject to additional risk factors, including import and export controls, compliance with anti-corruption and other
foreign laws, difficulties enforcing intellectual property and contract rights in foreign jurisdictions, the imposition of increased or new tariffs or trade
barriers and potential government seizures or nationalization. We intend to continue to expand internationally, which would make the risks related to our
International operations more significant over time.
Our International restaurants’ results, which are completely franchised, depend heavily on the operating capabilities and financial strength of our
franchisees. Any changes in the ability of our franchisees to run their restaurants profitably in accordance with our operating standards, or to effectively
sub-franchise restaurants, could result in brand damage, a higher number of restaurant closures and a reduction in the number of new restaurant openings
(which could cause us to miss our net unit development targets). For example, we currently have a large international franchisee restructuring its financing
in Chile.
Sales made by our franchisees in international markets and certain loans we provide to such franchisees are denominated in their local currencies, and
fluctuations in the U.S. dollar occur relative to the local currencies. Accordingly, changes in currency exchange rates will cause our revenues, investment
income and operating results to fluctuate. We have not historically hedged our exposure to foreign currency fluctuations. Our International revenues and
earnings may be adversely impacted as the U.S. dollar rises against foreign currencies because the local currency will translate into fewer U.S. dollars.
Additionally, the value of certain assets or loans denominated in local currencies may deteriorate. Other items denominated in U.S. dollars, including
product imports or loans, may also become more expensive, putting pressure on franchisees’ cash flows. Our International franchisees may also be
impacted by currency restrictions imposed by governmental authorities, which could impact their ability to pay royalties in compliance with their franchise
agreement. We have experienced situations with franchisees being subject to currency restrictions and unable pay royalties in U.S. dollars.
We are subject to risks related to epidemic and pandemic outbreaks, including COVID-19, which may have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to risks related to the global COVID-19 pandemic, which has had, and is continuing to have, adverse impacts on economic and market
conditions and our business. COVID-19 has created significant volatility, uncertainty and economic disruption in the regions in which we operate. We
expect that certain parts of our operations will continue to be impacted by the continuing effects of COVID-19, including resurgences and variants of the
virus. Our China market experienced COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions in multiple cities that severely impacted customer mobility. It remains
difficult to predict the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the broader economy and how consumer behavior may change, and whether such change
is temporary or permanent.
The potential adverse effects of COVID-19 or from other potential epidemics or outbreaks could also include, but may not be limited to, our ability to meet
consumer demand through the continued availability of our workforce and our franchisees’ workforce; other changes in labor markets affecting us, our
franchisees and suppliers; supply chain disruptions and increases in operating costs; adverse impacts from new laws and regulations affecting our business;
increased cyber risks and reliance on technology infrastructure to support our business and operations, including through remote-work protocols;
fluctuations in foreign currency markets; credit risks of our customers and counterparties; and impairment of
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long-lived assets, the carrying value of goodwill or other indefinite-lived intangible assets. However, given the evolving health, economic, social, and
governmental environments, the specific impact that COVID-19 could have on these risks remains uncertain. To the extent that COVID-19 continues to
adversely affect the U.S. and global economy, our business, financial conditions or results of operations, it may also heighten other risks described in this
section.
Our profitability may suffer as a result of intense competition in our industry.
The QSR Pizza industry in the United States is mature and highly competitive. Competition is based on price, service, location, food quality, convenience,
brand recognition and loyalty, product innovation, effectiveness of marketing and promotional activity, use of technology, and the ability to identify and
satisfy consumer preferences. We may need to reduce the prices for some of our products to respond to competitive and customer pressures, which may
adversely affect our profitability. When commodity and other costs increase, we may be limited in our ability to increase prices. With the significant level
of competition and the pace of innovation, we may be required to increase investment spending in several areas, particularly marketing and technology,
which can decrease profitability.
In addition to competition with our larger competitors, we face competition from local quick service pizza delivery restaurants and new competitors such as
fast casual pizza concepts. We also face competitive pressures from an array of food delivery concepts and aggregators delivering for quick service or dine
in restaurants, using new delivery technologies or delivering for competitors who previously did not have delivery capabilities, some of which may have
more effective marketing or delivery service capabilities. The emergence or growth of new competitors, in the pizza category or in the food service industry
generally, may make it difficult for us to maintain or increase our market share and could negatively impact our sales and our system-wide restaurant
operations. We also face increasing competition from other home delivery services and grocery stores that offer an increasing variety of prepped or
prepared meals in response to consumer demand. In addition, if our competitors respond more effectively to changes in consumer preferences or increase
their market share, it could have a negative effect on our business. As a result, our sales can be directly and negatively impacted by actions of our
competitors, the emergence or growth of new competitors, consumer sentiment or other factors outside our control.
One of our competitive strengths is our “BETTER INGREDIENTS. BETTER PIZZA. ” brand promise. This means we may use ingredients that cost more
than the ingredients some of our competitors may use. Because of our investment in higher-quality ingredients, we could have lower profit margins than
some of our competitors if we are not able to establish a quality differentiator that resonates with consumers. Our sales may be particularly impacted as
competitors increasingly emphasize lower-cost menu options.
®
Changes in consumer preferences or discretionary consumer spending could adversely impact our results.
Changes in consumer preferences and trends could negatively affect us (for example, changes in consumer perceptions of certain ingredients that could
cause consumers to avoid pizza or some of its ingredients in favor of foods that are or are perceived as healthier, lower-calorie, or lower in carbohydrates or
otherwise based on their ingredients or nutritional content). Preferences for a dining experience such as fast casual pizza concepts could also adversely
affect our restaurant business and reduce the effectiveness of our marketing and technology initiatives. Also, our success depends to a significant extent on
numerous factors affecting consumer confidence and discretionary consumer income and spending, such as general economic conditions, customer
sentiment and employment levels. Any factors that could cause consumers to spend less on food or shift to lower-priced products could reduce sales or
inhibit our ability to maintain or increase pricing, which could adversely affect our operating results.
Food safety and quality concerns may negatively impact our business and profitability.
Incidents or reports of food- or water-borne illness or other food safety issues, investigations or other actions by food safety regulators, food contamination
or tampering, employee hygiene and cleanliness failures, improper franchisee or employee conduct, or presence of communicable disease at our restaurants
(both Company-owned and franchised), QC Centers, or suppliers could lead to product liability or other claims. If we were to experience any such incidents
or reports, our brand and reputation could be negatively impacted. This could result in a significant decrease in customer traffic and could negatively
impact our revenues and profits. Similar incidents or reports occurring at quick service restaurants unrelated to us could likewise create negative publicity,
which could negatively impact consumer behavior towards us.
We rely on our Domestic and International suppliers, as do our franchisees, to provide quality ingredients and to comply with applicable laws and industry
standards. A failure of one of our Domestic or International suppliers to meet our quality standards, or meet Domestic or International food industry
standards, could result in a disruption in our supply chain and negatively impact our brand and our results.
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Failure to preserve the value and relevance of our brand could have a negative impact on our financial results.
Our results depend upon our ability to differentiate our brand and our reputation for quality. Damage to our brand or reputation could negatively impact our
business and financial results. Our brand has been highly rated in past U.S. surveys, and we strive to build the value of our brand as we develop
international markets.
Consumer perceptions of our brand are affected by a variety of factors, such as the nutritional content and preparation of our food, the quality of the
ingredients we use, our marketing and advertising, our corporate culture, our policies and systems related to diversity, equity and inclusion, our business
practices, our engagement in local communities and the manner in which we source the commodities we use.
Consumer acceptance of our offerings is subject to change for a variety of reasons, and some changes can occur rapidly. Consumer perceptions may also be
affected by third parties, including current or former spokespersons, employees and executives, presenting or promoting adverse commentary or portrayals
of our industry, our brand, our suppliers or our franchisees, or otherwise making statements, disclosing information or taking actions that could damage our
reputation. If we are unsuccessful in managing incidents that erode consumer trust or confidence, particularly if such incidents receive considerable
publicity or result in litigation, our brand value and financial results could be negatively impacted.
Our inability or failure to recognize, respond to and effectively manage the accelerated impact of social media, influencers, and/or shareholder activism
could adversely impact our business.
In recent years, there has been a marked increase in the use of social media platforms, including blogs, chat platforms, social media websites, and other
forms of internet-based communications that allow individuals access to a broad audience of consumers and other persons. The popularity of social media
and other consumer-oriented technologies has increased the speed and accessibility of information dissemination, and could hamper our ability to promptly
correct misrepresentations or otherwise respond effectively to negative publicity, whether or not accurate. The dissemination of proprietary Company or
negative information, whether or not accurate, by customers, employees, social media influencers, and others via social media could harm our business,
brand, reputation, marketing partners, financial condition, and results of operations, regardless of the information’s accuracy.
In addition, we frequently use social media to communicate with consumers and the public in general. Failure to use social media effectively could lead to
a decline in brand value and revenue. Other risks associated with the use of social media include improper disclosure of proprietary information, negative
comments about our brand, exposure of personally identifiable information, fraud, hoaxes or malicious dissemination of false information.
We are also subject to the risk of negative publicity associated with various shareholder proposals, campaigns, and activism, including publicity related to
the environment, animal welfare, diversity, responsible sourcing, and other Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) topics. Despite our best efforts
relating to ESG policies, initiatives and reporting, media reports and social media campaigns can create a negative opinion or perception of the company’s
efforts. Such media reports and negative publicity could impact customer or investor perception of our Company or industry and can have a material
adverse effect on our financial results.
In addition, we could be criticized for the scope or nature of our ESG initiatives or goals, or for any revisions to these goals. If our ESG-related data,
processes and reporting are incomplete or inaccurate, or if we fail to achieve progress with respect to our goals within the scope of ESG on a timely basis,
or at all, our reputation, business, financial performance and growth could be adversely affected.
Our franchise business model presents a number of risks.
Our success increasingly relies on the financial success and cooperation of our franchisees, yet we have limited influence over their operations. Our
franchisees manage their businesses independently, and therefore are responsible for the day-to-day operation of their restaurants and compliance with
applicable laws. The revenues we realize from franchised restaurants are largely dependent on the ability of our franchisees to maintain or grow their sales.
If our franchisees do not maintain or grow sales, our revenues and margins could be negatively affected. Also, if sales trends worsen for franchisees,
especially in emerging markets and/or high-cost markets, their financial results may deteriorate, which in the past has resulted in, and could in the future
result in, among other things, required financial support from us, higher numbers of restaurant closures (which could cause us to miss our net unit
development targets), reduced numbers of restaurant openings, franchisee bankruptcies or restructuring activities, delayed or reduced payments to us, or
increased franchisee assistance, which reduces our revenues.
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Our success also increasingly depends on the willingness and ability of our franchisees to remain aligned with us on operating, promotional and marketing
plans. Franchisees’ ability to continue to grow is also dependent in large part on the availability of franchisee funding at reasonable interest rates and may
be negatively impacted by the financial markets in general or by the creditworthiness of our franchisees. Our operating performance could also be
negatively affected if our franchisees experience food safety, compliance, or other operational problems or project an image inconsistent with our brand and
values, particularly if our contractual and other rights and remedies are limited, costly to exercise or subjected to litigation. If franchisees do not
successfully operate restaurants in a manner consistent with our required standards or applicable laws, the brand’s image and reputation could be harmed,
which in turn could hurt our business and operating results.
We may be adversely impacted by increases in the cost of food ingredients and other costs.
We are exposed to fluctuations in prices of commodities. An increase in the cost or sustained high levels of the cost of cheese or other commodities could
adversely affect the profitability of our system-wide restaurant operations, particularly if we are unable to increase the selling price of our products to offset
increased costs. We have recently experienced significant inflation in commodities prices, including food ingredients, which has significantly increased our
operating expenses. Cheese, representing our largest food cost, and other commodities can be subject to significant cost fluctuations due to weather,
availability, global demand and other factors that are beyond our control. Additionally, increases in labor, mileage, insurance, fuel, and other costs could
adversely affect the profitability of our restaurant and QC Center businesses. Many of the factors affecting costs in our system-wide restaurant operations
are beyond our control, and we may not be able to adequately mitigate these costs or pass along these costs to our customers or franchisees, given the
significant competitive pricing pressures we face.
Changes in privacy or data protection laws could adversely affect our ability to market our products effectively.
We rely on a variety of direct marketing techniques, including email, text messages, social media and postal mailings. Any future restrictions in federal,
state or foreign laws regarding marketing and solicitation or Domestic or International data protection laws that govern these activities could adversely
affect the continuing effectiveness of email, text messages, social media and postal mailing techniques and could force changes in our marketing strategies.
If this occurs, we may need to develop alternative marketing strategies, which may not be as effective and could impact the amount and timing of our
revenues.
Higher labor costs, increased competition for qualified team members and ensuring adequate staffing in our restaurants and QC Centers increase the cost
of doing business. Additionally, changes in employment and labor laws, including health care legislation and minimum wage increases, could increase
costs for our system-wide operations.
Our success depends in part on our and our franchisees’ ability to recruit, motivate, train and retain a qualified workforce to work in our restaurants in an
intensely competitive environment. We and our franchisees have experienced, and could continue to experience, a shortage of labor for restaurant positions
due to job market trends and conditions, which could decrease the pool of available qualified talent for key functions. Our ability to attract and retain
hourly employees in our restaurants has been impacted by these trends and conditions, and we expect staffing and labor challenges to continue into 2023.
Increased costs associated with recruiting, motivating and retaining qualified employees to work in Company-owned and franchised restaurants have had,
and may in the future have, a negative impact on our Company-owned restaurant margins and the margins of franchised restaurants. Competition for
qualified drivers for both our restaurants and supply-chain function also continues to increase as more companies compete for drivers or enter the delivery
space, including third party aggregators. Additionally, economic actions, such as boycotts, protests, work stoppages or campaigns by labor organizations,
could adversely affect us (including our ability to recruit and retain talent) or our franchisees and suppliers. Social media may be used to foster negative
perceptions of employment with our Company in particular or in our industry generally, and to promote strikes or boycotts.
We are also subject to federal, state and foreign laws governing such matters as minimum wage requirements, overtime compensation, benefits, working
conditions, citizenship requirements and discrimination and family and medical leave and employee related litigation. Labor costs and labor-related
benefits are primary components in the cost of operation of our restaurants and QC Centers. Labor shortages, increased employee turnover and health care
mandates could increase our system-wide labor costs.
A significant number of hourly personnel are paid at rates at or above the federal and state minimum wage requirements. Accordingly, the enactment of
additional state or local minimum wage increases above federal wage rates or regulations related to exempt employees has increased and could continue to
increase labor costs for our Domestic system-wide
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operations. A significant increase in the federal minimum wage requirement could adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations.
Additionally, while we do not currently have a unionized workforce, certain employees of other companies in our industry have recently become unionized.
If a significant portion of our corporate or franchisee’s workforce were to become unionized, labor costs could increase and our business could be
negatively affected by union requirements that increase costs, disrupt business, reduce flexibility and affect the employer-employee relationship. Further,
corporate or franchisees’ response to any union organizing efforts could negatively impact how our brand is perceived.
We rely on information technology to operate our businesses and maintain our competitiveness, and any failure to invest in or adapt to technological
developments or industry trends could harm our business.
We rely heavily on information systems, including digital ordering solutions, through which a majority of our Domestic sales originate. We also rely
heavily on point-of-sale processing in our Company-owned and franchised restaurants for data collection and payment systems for the collection of cash,
credit and debit card transactions, and other processes and procedures. Our ability to efficiently and effectively manage our business depends on the
reliability and capacity of these technology systems. In addition, we anticipate that consumers will continue to have more options to place orders digitally,
both domestically and internationally. We plan to continue to invest in enhancing and improving the functionality and features of our information
technology systems. However, we cannot ensure that our initiatives will be beneficial to the extent, or within the timeframes, expected or that the estimated
improvements will be realized as anticipated or at all. Our failure to adequately invest in new technology and adapt to technological developments and
industry trends, particularly our digital ordering capabilities, could result in a loss of customers and related market share. Notwithstanding adequate
investment in new technology, our marketing and technology initiatives may not be successful in improving our comparable sales results. Additionally, we
are in an environment where the technology life cycle is short and consumer technology demands are high, which requires continued reinvestment in
technology that will increase the cost of doing business and will increase the risk that our technology may not be customer-centric or could become
obsolete, inefficient or otherwise incompatible with other systems.
We rely on our International franchisees to maintain their own point-of-sale and online ordering systems, which are often purchased from third-party
vendors, potentially exposing International franchisees to more operational risk, including cyber and data privacy risks and governmental regulation
compliance risks.
Company Risks
Our reorganization activities may increase our expenses, may not be successful, and may adversely impact employee hiring and retention.
We opened an office in Atlanta, Georgia in October 2021 and in February 2023, we announced a plan to sell our office building and campus in Louisville
and move the office to a new location in Louisville. These plans could also impact the existing location of our QC Center in Louisville. As a result, we
have incurred and will incur certain non-recurring corporate reorganization costs, and these expenses have impacted and could adversely impact our results
of operations during the relevant period, reduce our cash position and/or result in an impairment risk related to these assets. Additionally, our ability to
achieve the anticipated benefits of our corporate reorganization are subject to assumptions and uncertainties. If we do not realize the anticipated benefits
from these measures, or if we incur costs greater than anticipated, our financial condition and operating results may be adversely affected.
In addition, turnover in our Atlanta, Louisville and Milton Keynes, UK, corporate office support teams could distract our employees, decrease employee
morale, harm our reputation, and negatively impact the overall performance of our corporate support teams. As a result of these or other similar risks, our
business, results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.
We may not be able to effectively market our products or maintain key marketing partnerships.
The success of our business depends on the effectiveness of our marketing and promotional plans. We may not be able to effectively execute our national or
local marketing plans, particularly if we experienced lower sales that would result in reduced levels of marketing funds. In addition, our financial results
may be harmed if our marketing, advertising, and promotional programs are less effective than those of our competitors, who may have greater resources
which enable them to invest more than us in advertising. We may be required to expend additional funds to effectively improve consumer sentiment and
sales, and we may also be required to engage in additional activities to retain customers or attract new
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customers to the brand. Such marketing expenses and promotional activities, which could include discounting our products, could adversely impact our
results.
Spokespersons or marketing partners who endorse our products could take actions that harm their reputations, which could also cause harm to our brand.
From time to time, in response to changes in the business environment and the audience share of marketing channels, we expect to reallocate marketing
resources across social media and other channels. That reallocation may not be effective or as successful as the marketing and advertising allocations of our
competitors, which could negatively impact the amount and timing of our revenues.
We may not be able to execute our strategy or achieve our planned growth targets, which could negatively impact our business and our financial results.
Our growth strategy depends on our and our franchisees’ ability to open new restaurants and to operate them on a profitable basis. We expect substantially
all of our International unit growth and much of our Domestic unit growth to be franchised units. Accordingly, our profitability increasingly depends upon
royalty revenues from franchisees. If our franchisees are not able to operate their businesses successfully under our franchised business model, our results
could suffer. Additionally, we may fail to attract new qualified franchisees or existing franchisees may close underperforming locations. Planned growth
targets and the ability to operate new and existing restaurants profitably are affected by economic, regulatory and competitive conditions and consumer
buying habits. A decrease in sales, or increased commodity or operating costs, including, but not limited to, employee compensation and benefits or
insurance costs, could slow the rate of new store openings or increase the number of store closings. Our business is susceptible to adverse changes in local,
national and global economic conditions, which could make it difficult for us to meet our growth targets. Additionally, we or our franchisees may face
challenges securing financing, finding suitable store locations at acceptable terms or securing required Domestic or foreign government permits and
approvals. Declines in comparable sales, net store openings and related operating profits can impact our stock price. If we do not continue to grow future
sales and operating results and meet our related growth targets or external expectations for net restaurant openings or our other strategic objectives in the
future, our stock price could decline.
Our franchisees remain dependent on the availability of financing to remodel or renovate existing locations, upgrade systems and enhance technology, or
construct and open new restaurants. From time to time, the Company may provide financing to certain franchisees and prospective franchisees in order to
mitigate store closings, allow new units to open, or complete required upgrades. If we are unable or unwilling to provide such financing, which is a
function of, among other things, prevailing interest rates and a franchisee’s creditworthiness, the number of new restaurant openings may be slower or the
rate of closures may be higher than expected and our results of operations may be adversely impacted. To the extent we provide financing to franchisees,
our results could be negatively impacted by negative performance of these franchisee loans.
Our dependence on a sole supplier or a limited number of suppliers for some ingredients and other supplies could result in disruptions to our business.
Domestic restaurants purchase substantially all food and related products from our QC Centers. We are dependent on Leprino Foods Dairy Products
Company (“Leprino”) as our sole supplier for mozzarella cheese, one of our key ingredients. Leprino, one of the major pizza category suppliers of cheese
in the United States, currently supplies all of our mozzarella cheese domestically and substantially all of our mozzarella cheese internationally. We also
depend on a sole source for our supply of certain desserts and garlic sauce, which constitute less than 10% of our Domestic Company-owned restaurant
sales. While we have no other sole sources of supply for key ingredients or menu items, we do source other key ingredients from a limited number of
suppliers. While we strive to engage in a competitive bidding process for our ingredients, because certain of these ingredients, including meat products,
may only be available from a limited number of vendors, we may not always be able to do so effectively. We may be subject to interruptions in supply or
shortages of these items due to factors beyond our control or issues with our suppliers from time to time. Alternative sources of mozzarella cheese, desserts,
other key ingredients or menu items may not be available on a timely basis or may not be available on terms as favorable to us as under our current
arrangements.
Increase in ingredient and other operating costs, including those caused by weather, climate change, COVID-19 and food safety, could adversely affect our
results of operations.
Our Company-owned and franchised restaurants could also be harmed by supply chain interruptions including those caused by factors beyond our control
or the control of our suppliers. However, prolonged disruption in the supply of products from or to our QC Centers due to weather, climate change, natural
disasters, COVID-19, crop disease, food safety incidents, regulatory compliance, labor dispute or interruption of service by carriers could increase costs,
limit the availability of
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ingredients critical to our restaurant operations and have a significant impact on results. Increasing weather volatility or other long-term changes in global
weather patterns, including related to global climate change, could have a significant impact on the price or availability of some of our ingredients, energy
and other materials throughout our supply chain. In particular, adverse weather or crop disease affecting the California tomato crop could disrupt the supply
of pizza sauce to our and our franchisees’ restaurants. Insolvency of key suppliers could also cause similar business interruptions and negatively impact our
business.
We rely on third parties for certain business processes and services, and failure or inability of such third-party vendors to perform subjects us to risks,
including business disruption and increased costs.
We depend on the performance of suppliers, aggregators and other third parties in our business operations. Third-party business processes we utilize
include information technology, gift card authorization and processing, other payment processing, benefits, and other accounting and business services. We
conduct third-party due diligence and seek to obtain contractual assurance that our vendors will maintain adequate controls, such as adequate security
against data breaches. However, the failure of our suppliers to maintain adequate controls or comply with our expectations and standards could have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and operating results.
Changes in purchasing practices by our Domestic franchisees, or prolonged disruptions in our QC Center operations, could harm our commissary
business.
Although our Domestic franchisees currently purchase substantially all food products from our QC Centers, the only required QC Center purchases by
franchisees are pizza sauce, dough and other items we may designate as proprietary or integral to our system. Any changes in purchasing practices by
Domestic franchisees, such as seeking alternative approved suppliers of ingredients or other food products, could adversely affect the financial results of
our QC Centers and the Company. In addition, any prolonged disruption in the operations of any of our QC facilities, whether due to technical, systems,
operational or labor difficulties, destruction or damage to the facility, real estate issues, limited capacity or other reasons, could adversely affect our
business and operating results.
Our current insurance may not be adequate and we may experience claims in excess of our reserves.
Our insurance programs for workers’ compensation, owned and non-owned automobiles, general liability, property, and health insurance coverage provided
to our employees are funded by the Company up to certain retention levels under our retention programs. Retention limits generally range up to $0.5
million. These insurance programs may not be adequate to protect us, and it may be difficult or impossible to obtain additional coverage or maintain current
coverage at a reasonable cost. We also have experienced claims volatility and high costs for our insurance programs. We estimate loss reserves based on
historical trends, actuarial assumptions and other data available to us, but we may not be able to accurately estimate reserves. If we experience claims in
excess of our projections, our business could be negatively impacted. Our franchisees could be similarly impacted by higher claims experience, hurting
both their operating results and/or limiting their ability to maintain adequate insurance coverage at a reasonable cost.
Risks Related to our Indebtedness
We have incurred substantial debt obligations, which could adversely affect our financial condition, and we may be able to incur substantially more
indebtedness, including secured debt, and take other actions that could further exacerbate the risks associated with our substantial indebtedness or affect
our ability to satisfy our obligations under our indebtedness.
Our outstanding debt as of December 25, 2022 was $605.0 million, which was comprised of $400.0 million outstanding under our 3.875% senior notes due
2029 (the “Notes”) and $205.0 million under our revolving credit facility (the “PJI Revolving Facility”) that forms part of our amended and restated credit
agreement (the “Amended Credit Agreement”). We had approximately $395.0 million of remaining availability under the PJI Revolving Facility as of
December 25, 2022.
Our substantial level of indebtedness could have important consequences, including the following:
•
•
•
require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payments on our indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of
our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures, growth opportunities, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes;
increase our vulnerability to and limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business, the industry in which we operate,
regulatory and economic conditions;
expose us to the risk of increased interest rates as borrowings under our Amended Credit Agreement will be subject to variable rates of interest;
17
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•
•
•
increase our vulnerability to a downgrade of our credit rating, which could adversely affect our cost of funds, liquidity and access to capital
markets;
place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt; and
limit our ability to borrow additional funds.
We expect to fund our expenses and to pay the principal of and interest on our indebtedness from cash flow from operations. Our ability to meet our
expenses and to pay principal of and interest on our indebtedness when due thus depends on our future performance, which will be affected by financial,
business, economic and other factors. We will not be able to control many of these factors, such as economic conditions in the markets where we operate
and pressure from competitors.
In addition, subject to restrictions in the agreements governing our existing and future indebtedness, we may be able to incur substantially more
indebtedness in the future, resulting in higher leverage. The Indenture and the Amended Credit Agreement allow us to incur additional indebtedness,
including secured debt. Such additional indebtedness may be substantial. Our ability to recapitalize, incur additional debt and take a number of other
actions that are not prohibited by the Indenture or the Amended Credit Agreement could have the effect of exacerbating the risks associated with our
substantial indebtedness or diminishing our ability to make payments on our indebtedness when due, which would reduce the availability of cash flow to
fund acquisitions, working capital, capital expenditures, other growth opportunities and other general corporate purposes.
The agreements governing our debt, including the Indenture governing our Notes and the Amended Credit Agreement, contain various covenants that
impose restrictions on us.
The Indenture and the Amended Credit Agreement impose operating and financial restrictions on our activities. In particular, such agreements limit or
prohibit our ability to, among other things:
incur additional indebtedness;
•
• make certain investments;
•
•
•
•
•
sell assets, including capital stock of certain subsidiaries;
declare or pay dividends, repurchase or redeem stock or make other distributions to stockholders;
consolidate, merge, liquidate or dissolve;
enter into transactions with our affiliates; and
incur liens.
In addition, our Amended Credit Agreement requires us to maintain compliance with specified leverage ratios under certain circumstances. Our ability to
comply with these provisions may be affected by our business performance or events beyond our control, and these provisions could limit our ability to
plan for or react to market conditions, meet capital needs or otherwise conduct our business activities and plans.
These restrictions on our ability to operate our business could seriously harm our business by, among other things, limiting our ability to take advantage of
financing, merger and acquisition and other corporate opportunities.
Furthermore, various risks, uncertainties and events beyond our control could affect our ability to comply with these covenants. Failure to comply with any
of the covenants in our existing or future financing agreements could result in a default under those agreements and under other agreements containing
cross-default or cross-acceleration provisions, and could increase the costs of availability of credit for us. Such a default would permit lenders to accelerate
the maturity of the debt under these agreements and to foreclose upon any collateral securing the debt. Under these circumstances, we might not have
sufficient funds or other resources to satisfy all of our obligations. In addition, the limitations imposed by financing agreements on our ability to incur
additional debt and to take other actions might significantly impair our ability to obtain other financing. We cannot assure you that we will be granted
waivers or amendments to these agreements if for any reason we are unable to comply with these agreements or that we will be able to refinance our debt
on terms acceptable to us, or at all.
We are exposed to variable interest rates under our Amended Credit Agreement, and increases in interest rates would also increase our debt service costs
and could materially impact our profitability.
We are exposed to variable interest rates under the Amended Credit Agreement. We have entered into interest rate swaps that fix a portion of our variable
interest rate risk. However, by using a derivative instrument to hedge exposures to changes in interest rates, we also expose ourselves to credit risk. Credit
risk is due to the possible failure of the counterparty to perform under the terms of the derivative contract.
18
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General Risks
Natural disasters, hostilities, social unrest, severe weather and other catastrophic events may disrupt our operations or supply chain.
The occurrence of a natural disaster, hostilities, cyber-attack, social unrest, terrorist activity, outbreak of epidemic, pandemic or other contagious disease,
power outages, severe weather (such as tornados, hurricanes, blizzards, ice storms, floods, heat waves, etc.) or other catastrophic events may disrupt our
operations or supply chain and result in the closure of our restaurants (Company-owned or franchised), our corporate offices, any of our QC Centers or the
facilities of our suppliers, and can adversely affect consumer spending, consumer confidence levels and supply availability and costs, any of which could
materially adversely affect our results of operations.
Climate change may have an adverse impact on our business.
We operate in 48 countries globally and recognize that there are inherent climate-related risks wherever business is conducted. For example, as we noted
above, the supply and price of our food ingredients can be affected by multiple factors, such as weather and water supply quality and availability, which
factors may be caused by or exacerbated by climate change. While we believe this geographic diversity is likely to lessen the impact of individual climate
change related events on our financial results, our restaurants and operations may nonetheless be vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, which
are predicted to increase the frequency and severity of weather events and other natural cycles such as wildfires and droughts. Such events have the
potential to disrupt our and our franchisees’ operations, cause store closures, disrupt the business of our third-party suppliers and impact our customers, all
of which may cause us to suffer losses and additional costs to maintain or resume operations.
Increasingly complex laws and regulations could adversely affect our business.
We operate in an increasingly complex regulatory environment, and the cost of regulatory compliance is increasing. Our failure, or the failure of any of our
franchisees, to comply with applicable U.S. and international labor, health care, food, health and safety, consumer protection, franchise, anti-bribery and
corruption, competition, environmental, and other laws may result in civil and criminal liability, damages, fines and penalties. Enforcement of existing laws
and regulations, changes in legal requirements, and/or evolving interpretations of existing regulatory requirements may result in increased compliance costs
and create other obligations, financial or otherwise, that could adversely affect our business, financial condition or operating results. Increased regulatory
scrutiny of food matters, online advertising, product marketing claims, and increased litigation and enforcement actions may increase compliance and legal
costs and create other obligations that could adversely affect our business, financial condition or operating results. Governments may also impose
requirements and restrictions that impact our business. For example, some local government agencies have implemented ordinances that restrict the sale of
certain food and drink products, or the type of packaging and utensils that may be used.
Compliance with new or additional Domestic and International government laws or regulations, including the European Union General Data Protection
Regulation (“GDPR”), the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”), the California Privacy Rights Act (“CPRA”), and several other data privacy and
biometric laws adopted by U.S. states, which could increase costs for compliance. These laws and regulations are increasing in complexity and number,
change frequently and increasingly conflict among the various states and countries in which we operate, which has resulted in greater compliance risk and
costs. If we fail to comply with these laws or regulations, it could damage our brand and subject the Company to reputational damage, significant litigation,
monetary damages, regulatory enforcement actions or fines in various jurisdictions. For example, a failure to comply with the GDPR could result in fines
up to the greater of €20 million or 4% of annual global revenues.
There also has been increased stakeholder focus, including by US and foreign governmental authorities, investors, media and nongovernmental
organizations, on environmental sustainability matters, such as climate change, the reduction of greenhouse gases and water consumption. Legislative,
regulatory or other efforts to combat climate change or other environmental concerns could result in future increases in taxes, restrictions on or increases in
the costs of supplies, transportation and utilities, any of which could increase our operating costs and those of our franchisees, and necessitate future
investments in facilities and equipment. These risks also include the increased pressure to make commitments, set targets, or establish additional goals to
take actions to meet them, which could expose us and our franchisees to market, operational, execution and reputational costs or risks. These initiatives or
goals could be difficult and expensive to implement, the technologies needed to implement them may not be cost effective and may not advance at a
sufficient pace, and we could be criticized for the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of any disclosure.
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In addition to the changing rules and regulations related to environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) matters imposed by governmental and self-
regulatory organizations such as the SEC and the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, a variety of third-party organizations and institutional investors evaluate the
performance of companies on ESG topics, and the results of these assessments are widely publicized. These changing rules, regulations and stakeholder
expectations have resulted in, and are likely to continue to result in, increased general and administrative expenses and increased management time and
attention spent complying with or meeting such regulations and expectations. Further, statements about our ESG-related initiatives and goals, and progress
against those goals, may be based on standards for measuring progress that are still developing, internal controls and processes that continue to evolve, and
assumptions that are subject to change in the future.
Disruptions of our critical business or information technology systems could harm our ability to compete and conduct our business.
Our critical business and information technology systems have in the past and could in the future be damaged or interrupted by power loss, various
technological failures, user errors, cyber-attacks, ransomware sabotage or acts of God. In particular, the Company and our franchisees have experienced
occasional interruptions of our digital ordering solutions, which make online ordering unavailable or slow to respond, negatively impacting sales and the
experience of our customers. If our digital ordering solutions do not perform with adequate speed and security, our customers may be less inclined to return
to our digital ordering solutions.
Part of our technology infrastructure, such as our Domestic point-of-sale system, is specifically designed for us and our operational systems, which could
cause unexpected costs, delays or inefficiencies when infrastructure upgrades are needed or prolonged and widespread technological difficulties occur.
Significant portions of our technology infrastructure, particularly in our digital ordering solutions, are provided by third parties, and the performance of
these systems is largely beyond our control. Occasionally, we have experienced or could experience temporary disruptions in our business due to third-
party systems failing to adequately perform. Failure to manage future failures of these systems, particularly as our online sales grow, could harm our
business and the satisfaction of our customers. Such third-party systems could be disrupted either through system failure or if third party vendor patents and
contractual agreements do not afford us protection against similar technology. In addition, we may not have or be able to obtain adequate protection or
insurance to mitigate the risks of these events or compensate for losses related to these events, which could damage our business and reputation and be
expensive and difficult to remedy or repair.
Failure to maintain the integrity of internal or customer data could result in damage to our reputation, loss of sales, and/or subject us to litigation,
penalties or significant costs.
We are subject to a number of privacy and data protection laws and regulations. We collect and retain large volumes of internal and customer data,
including credit card data and other personally identifiable information of our employees and customers housed in the various information systems we use.
Constantly changing information security threats, particularly persistent cyber security threats, pose risks to the security of our systems and networks, and
the confidentiality, availability and integrity of our data and the availability and integrity of our critical business functions. As techniques used in cyber-
attacks evolve, we may not be able to timely detect threats or anticipate and implement adequate security measures. The integrity and protection of the
customer, employee, franchisee and Company data are critical to us. Our information technology systems and databases, and those provided by our third-
party vendors, including international vendors, have been and will continue to be subject to computer viruses, malware attacks, unauthorized user attempts,
phishing and denial of service and other malicious cyber-attacks. The failure to prevent fraud or security breaches or to adequately invest in data security
could harm our business and revenues due to the reputational damage to our brand. Such a breach could also result in litigation, regulatory actions,
penalties, and other significant costs to us and have a material adverse effect on our financial results. These costs could be significant and well in excess of,
or not covered by, our cyber insurance coverage.
We have been and will continue to be subject to various types of investigations and litigation, including collective and class action litigation, which could
subject us to significant damages or other remedies.
We are subject to the risk of investigations and litigation from various parties, including vendors, customers, franchisees, state and federal agencies,
stockholders and employees. From time to time, we are involved in a number of lawsuits, claims, investigations, and proceedings consisting of securities,
antitrust, intellectual property, employment, consumer, personal injury, corporate governance, commercial and other matters arising in the ordinary course
of business.
We have been subject to claims in cases containing collective and class action allegations. Plaintiffs in these types of lawsuits often seek recovery of very
large or indeterminate amounts, and the magnitude of the potential loss and defense costs relating to such lawsuits may not be accurately estimated.
Litigation trends involving personal injury, employment
20
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law, intellectual property, data privacy, and the relationship between franchisors and franchisees may increase our cost of doing business. We evaluate all of
the claims and proceedings involving us to assess the expected outcome, and where possible, we estimate the amount of potential losses to us. In many
cases, particularly collective and class action cases, we may not be able to estimate the amount of potential losses and/or our estimates may prove to be
insufficient. These assessments are made by management based on the information available at the time made and require the use of a significant amount of
judgment, and actual outcomes or losses may materially differ. Regardless of whether any claims against us are valid, or whether we are ultimately held
liable, such litigation may be expensive to defend and may divert resources away from our operations and negatively impact earnings. Further, we may not
be able to obtain adequate insurance to protect us from these types of litigation matters or extraordinary business losses.
We may be subject to harassment or discrimination claims and legal proceedings. Our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct policies prohibit harassment
and discrimination in the workplace, in sexual or in any other form. To monitor and enforce these policies, we have ongoing programs for workplace
training and compliance, and we investigate and take disciplinary action with respect to alleged violations. Nevertheless, actions by our team members
could violate those policies. Franchisees and suppliers are also required to comply with all applicable laws and govern themselves with integrity. Any
violations (or perceptions thereof) by our franchisees or suppliers could have a negative impact on consumer perceptions of us and our business and create
reputational or other harm to the Company.
We may not be able to adequately protect our intellectual property rights, which could negatively affect our results of operations.
We depend on the Papa John’s brand name and rely on a combination of trademarks, service marks, copyrights, and similar intellectual property rights to
protect and promote our brand. We believe the success of our business depends on our continued ability to exclusively use our existing marks to increase
brand awareness and further develop our brand, both domestically and abroad. We may not be able to adequately protect our intellectual property rights,
and we may be required to pursue litigation to prevent consumer confusion and preserve our brand’s high-quality reputation. Litigation could result in high
costs and diversion of resources, which could negatively affect our results of operations, regardless of the outcome.
We may be subject to impairment charges.
Impairment charges are possible due to the nature and timing of decisions we make about underperforming assets or markets, or if previously opened or
acquired restaurants perform below our expectations. This could result in a decrease in our reported asset value and reduction in our net income.
We operate globally and changes in tax laws could adversely affect our results.
We operate globally and changes in tax laws could adversely affect our results. We have international operations and generate substantial revenues and
profits in foreign jurisdictions. The Domestic and International tax environments continue to evolve as a result of tax changes in various jurisdictions in
which we operate and changes in the tax laws in certain countries, including the United States, could impact our future operating results. A significant
increase in the U.S. corporate tax rate could negatively impact our financial results.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2. Properties
As of December 25, 2022, there were 5,706 Papa John’s restaurants worldwide. The following tables provide the locations of our restaurants. We define
“North America” as the United States and Canada and “Domestic” as the contiguous United States.
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North America Restaurants:
Company
(a)
Franchised
Total
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Total U.S. Papa John’s Restaurants
Canada
Total North America Papa John’s Restaurants
3
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
41
90
—
—
8
44
—
16
42
—
—
60
—
—
—
—
41
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
104
—
—
—
—
—
—
9
—
38
—
—
26
—
—
—
—
522
—
522
88
10
67
28
175
47
5
17
10
259
98
17
14
72
92
24
19
64
60
3
42
7
32
35
34
27
9
13
25
3
54
17
85
80
10
161
36
14
84
2
77
10
80
302
32
119
43
23
25
8
2,658
196
2,854
91
10
67
28
175
47
5
17
10
300
188
17
14
80
136
24
35
106
60
3
102
7
32
35
34
68
9
13
25
3
54
17
85
184
10
161
36
14
84
2
86
10
118
302
32
145
43
23
25
8
3,180
196
3,376
______________________________
(a)
Company-owned Papa John’s restaurants include restaurants owned by majority-owned subsidiaries. There were 98 such restaurants at December 25, 2022 (60 in
Maryland, 26 in Virginia, and 12 in Georgia).
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International Restaurants:
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Bolivia
Cambodia
Cayman Islands
Chile
China
Colombia
Costa Rica
Cyprus
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Germany
Guam
Guatemala
Honduras
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Kazakhstan
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Mexico
Morocco
Netherlands
Nicaragua
Oman
Pakistan
Panama
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
South Korea
Spain
Trinidad
Tunisia
Turkey
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
Venezuela
Total International Papa John’s Restaurants
23
Franchised
13
21
5
7
2
148
262
56
51
8
19
29
74
36
15
3
33
6
1
80
25
7
35
3
57
7
32
4
21
18
32
51
15
7
3
26
50
20
241
88
9
11
62
82
532
23
2,330
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Most Papa John’s Company-owned restaurants are located in leased space. The initial term of most Domestic restaurant leases is five years with most
leases providing for one or more options to renew for at least one additional term. Generally, the leases are triple net leases, which require us to pay all or a
portion of the cost of insurance, taxes and utilities. As a result of assigning our interest in obligations under property leases as a condition of the
refranchising of certain restaurants, we are also contingently liable for payment of approximately 53 Domestic leases.
Our corporate office in Atlanta, Georgia, is located in a leased space. Nine of our 12 North America QC Centers are located in leased spaces, with the
remaining three QC Centers located in buildings we own. Our corporate office and our printing operations located in Louisville, KY are in buildings owned
by us. We also maintain a Company-owned office and a full-service QC Center outside of London, UK, where our International operations are managed.
At December 25, 2022, we leased and subleased approximately 442 Papa John’s restaurant sites to franchisees in the UK. The initial lease terms on the
franchised sites in the UK are generally 15 years. The Company has the option to negotiate an extension toward the end of the lease term at the landlord’s
discretion. The initial lease terms of the franchisee subleases are generally five to ten years. See “Note 3. Leases” of “Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements” for additional information.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
The information contained in “Note 19. Litigation, Commitments and Contingencies” of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” is incorporated by
reference herein.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
None.
Information About Our Executive Officers
Set forth below are the current executive officers of Papa John’s:
Name
Robert M. Lynch
Ann B. Gugino
Amanda Clark
Caroline M. Oyler
(b)
C. Max Wetzel
(a)
Ages are as of January 1, 2023
Age
(a)
46
50
43
57
46
Position
President and Chief Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer
Chief International and Development Officer
Chief Legal and Risk Officer and Corporate Secretary
Executive Vice President, Chief Operations Officer
First Elected
Executive Officer
2019
2020
2020
2018
2019
(b)
On February 6, 2023, Mr. Wetzel notified the Company of his intention to resign from his position with the Company, effective March 17, 2023, to assume a chief
executive officer position with another company.
Robert M. Lynch was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer in August 2019. Mr. Lynch joined Papa John’s after serving as President of
Arby’s Restaurant Group since August 2017, and served as Brand President and Chief Marketing Officer from August 2013 to August 2017. Prior to
Arby’s, he served as Vice President of Marketing at Taco Bell. Mr. Lynch has more than 20 years combined experience in the QSR and consumer packaged
goods industries, and also held senior roles at HJ Heinz Company and Procter & Gamble.
Ann B. Gugino was appointed to Chief Financial Officer in October 2020. Ms. Gugino joined Papa John’s from Target Corporation where she served as
Senior Vice President, Financing Planning and Analysis since 2018, providing overall strategy, guidance, and direction in the development and execution of
Target’s planning, analysis and capital investment portfolios. Prior to Target, Ms. Gugino spent 18 years at Patterson Companies Inc., including four years
as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
Amanda Clark was appointed Chief International and Development Officer in May 2022 after previously serving as Chief Development Officer since
joining Papa Johns in February 2020. Ms. Clark joined Papa Johns from Taco Bell where she served as Executive Vice President of Restaurant Experience
from February 2019 to February 2020. She also served as
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Senior Vice President, North America Development from May 2017 to February 2019. In addition, Ms. Clark served as general manager for Taco Bell
Canada. Prior to joining Taco Bell, she worked at Procter and Gamble for nearly 12 years on some of P&G’s biggest brands, such as Olay, Pampers and
Oral-B.
Caroline M. Oyler was appointed Corporate Secretary in July 2020 and Chief Legal & Risk Officer in October 2018. Ms. Oyler previously served as
Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer from May 2018 to October 2018 and Senior Vice President, General Counsel from May 2014 to May 2018.
Additionally, Ms. Oyler served as Senior Vice President, Legal Affairs from November 2012 to May 2014 and as Vice President and Senior Counsel since
joining the Company’s legal department in 1999. She also served as interim head of Human Resources from December 2008 to September 2009. Prior to
joining Papa Johns, Ms. Oyler practiced law with the firm Wyatt, Tarrant and Combs LLP.
C. Max Wetzel was appointed Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer in May 2022. Mr. Wetzel previously served as Executive Vice President,
Chief Commercial Officer from October 2021 to May 2022 and as Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer from November 2019 to October 2021. Mr.
Wetzel joined Papa Johns from PPG Architectural Coatings where he served as Vice President Consumer Brands and Business Transformation – U.S. and
Canada from July 2018. Also at PPG, Mr. Wetzel served as Vice President Home Centers and Global Strategic Marketing from June 2016 through July
2018 and as General Manager Home Centers and Chief Marketing Officer U.S. & Canada starting in November 2014. Prior to PPG, Mr. Wetzel worked at
H.J. Heinz Company for 10 years in a variety of domestic and global roles, leading consumer-driven businesses, developing brand marketing strategies and
delivering profitable growth.
There are no family relationships between any of the directors or executive officers of the Company.
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PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Our common stock trades on The Nasdaq Global Select Market tier of The Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol “PZZA.” As of February 16, 2023,
there were 1,321 record holders of our common stock. However, there are significantly more beneficial owners of our common stock than there are record
holders.
On January 26, 2023, our Board of Directors declared a first quarter 2023 dividend of $0.42 per common share. The dividend was paid on February 17,
2023 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 6, 2023.
We anticipate continuing the payment of quarterly cash dividends. The actual amount of such dividends is subject to declaration by our Board of Directors
and will depend upon future earnings, results of operations, capital requirements, our financial condition, contractual restrictions, including the terms of the
agreements governing our debt and any future indebtedness we may incur and other relevant factors. There can be no assurance that the Company will
continue to pay quarterly cash dividends at the current rate or at all.
On October 28, 2021, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program with an indefinite duration for up to $425.0 million of the Company’s
common stock. This share repurchase program operated alongside our previous $75.0 million share repurchase authorization, which began on November 4,
2020 and expired on December 26, 2021. In fiscal 2022, approximately 1,343,000 shares with an aggregate cost of $125.0 million and an average price of
$93.07 per share were repurchased under our share repurchase program. Funding for the share repurchase program was provided through our operating
cash flows and our $600.0 million PJI Revolving Facility.
The following table summarizes our repurchase activity by fiscal period during the fourth quarter ended December 25, 2022 (in thousands, except per share
amounts):
Fiscal Period
9/26/2022 - 10/23/2022
10/24/2022 - 11/20/2022
11/21/2022 - 12/25/2022
Total
Total
Number
of Shares
Purchased
Average
Price
Paid per
Share
Total Number
of Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs
Maximum Dollar
Value of Shares
that May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs
— $
88
273
361 $
—
82.51
83.34
83.14
— $
88
273
361 $
329,800
322,559
299,800
299,800
Subsequent to year-end, we acquired an additional 319,307 shares at an aggregate cost of $27.6 million. Approximately $272.2 million remained available
under the Company’s share repurchase program as of February 16, 2023.
The Company utilizes a written trading plan under Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, from time to time to facilitate the
repurchase of shares of our common stock under this share repurchase program. There can be no assurance that we will repurchase shares of our common
stock either through a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan or otherwise.
The information required by Item 5 with respect to securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans is incorporated herein by reference
to Part III, Item 12 of this Form 10-K.
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Stock Performance Graph
The following performance graph compares the cumulative shareholder return of the Company’s common stock for the five-year period between December
31, 2017 and December 25, 2022 to (i) the Nasdaq U.S. Benchmark TR Index and (ii) a group of the Company’s peers consisting of U.S. companies listed
on Nasdaq with standard industry classification (SIC) codes 5800-5899 (eating and drinking places). Management believes the companies included in this
peer group appropriately reflect the scope of the Company’s operations and match the competitive market in which the Company operates. The graph
assumes the value of hypothetical investments in the Company’s common stock and in each index was $100 on December 31, 2017, and that all dividends
were reinvested on the day of issuance. The returns shown are based on historical results and are not intended to suggest future performance.
Comparison of Cumulative 5-Year Total Shareholder Return
Stock Price Plus Reinvested Dividends
Papa Johns International, Inc.
NASDAQ U.S. Benchmark TR Index
NASDAQ Stocks (SIC 5800-5899 U.S. Companies) Eating and Drinking
Papa John’s International, Inc.
NASDAQ U.S. Benchmark, TR Index
NASDAQ Stocks - Eating and Drinking
Dec. 30, 2018
$73.35
$93.73
$108.91
Dec. 29, 2019
$119.07
$124.34
$144.93
Dec. 27, 2020
$163.58
$149.05
$169.49
Dec. 26, 2021
$250.26
$188.05
$190.64
Dec. 25, 2022
$161.12
$152.08
$168.88
Item 6. Intentionally Omitted
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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Introduction and Overview
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data and the Risk Factors set forth in Item 1A. Risk Factors.
This section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K generally discusses fiscal 2022 and 2021 items and year-to-year comparisons between the years ended
December 25, 2022 and December 26, 2021. Discussion of 2020 items and year-to-year comparisons between the years ended December 26, 2021 and
December 27, 2020 that are not included in this Form 10-K can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2021.
Papa John’s International, Inc. (referred to as the “Company,” “Papa John’s,” “Papa Johns” or in the first-person notations of “we,” “us” and “our”) began
operations in 1984. At December 25, 2022, there were 5,706 Papa John’s restaurants in operation, consisting of 522 Company-owned and 5,184 franchised
restaurants. Our revenues are derived from retail sales of pizza and other food and beverage products to the general public by Company-owned restaurants,
franchise royalties, and sales of franchise and development rights. Additionally, approximately 48% to 52% of our North America revenues in each of the
last two fiscal years were derived from sales to franchisees of various items including food and paper products from our Domestic Quality Control Centers
(“QC Centers”), operation of our International QC Center in the UK, contributions received by Papa John’s Marketing Fund, Inc. (“PJMF”) which is our
national marketing fund, printing and promotional items and information systems equipment, and software and related services. We believe that in addition
to supporting both Company and franchised profitability and growth, these activities contribute to product quality and consistency throughout the Papa
John’s system.
Recent Business Matters
In 2022, the Company focused on executing strategic priorities and building a foundation for long-term success, while navigating a challenging
macroeconomic environment. Our progress and significant transactions during the year are described below.
Growth Strategy. The Company delivered its fourteenth consecutive quarter of Global system-wide restaurant sales growth and continues to expand both
domestically and internationally, as evidenced by our comparable sales and restaurant unit growth.
Our menu and digital innovations are an important part of our long-term strategy to drive new customers and ticket sales. We focus our menu innovations
on products that add both value and variety for our customers but do not add complexity to our restaurant operations or to our supply chain. Our menu
innovation calendar is expansive, flexible and differentiated and allows us to adjust our offerings depending on what customers want – whether that is
extending a Limited-Time-Offer or building upon existing platforms. We believe our digital innovations, like our website, digital app, third-party
aggregator partnerships and Papa Call call centers are a differentiator for our customers and provide attractive channels that promote customer retention
and help us grow our customer base. In 2022, approximately 85% of our Domestic transactions came through these digital channels.
Our expanding development pipeline is also a key long-term growth driver as there remains significant opportunity to offer our differentiated, premium
position to more customers globally and domestically. In 2022, we expanded our global footprint by 4.5%, with 244 net new units (excluding the 188
restaurants suspended in Russia in the first quarter of 2022 and discussed below). We expect this growth to accelerate in 2023 with global development to
be between 270 to 310 net new units. Our view of our long-term unit opportunity, both domestically and internationally, continues to expand as we sign
historic deals to develop within key areas. In 2022, we announced that we expect 1,400 to 1,800 net new Papa Johns restaurants worldwide from 2022
through the end of 2025. We plan to continue focusing on our strategic innovative products and restaurant development across our platforms to drive
sustainable growth this year and beyond.
Global Market Conditions. The differentiated brand positioning of Papa Johns and the agility of our business model have been critical to our success as we
have had to navigate a constantly changing environment in recent years. Our brand positioning and ability to adapt are no less important today as we
continue to adjust to a more inflationary and uncertain environment and consumers are increasingly seeking out value. As consumer demand for dining has
softened over the past year, pizza offers tremendous value relative to other quick service restaurants. Using Papa Rewards, our loyalty program, we are able
to target more price-sensitive customers with high-value promotions. At the same time, we have continued our
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successful strategy of letting our customers, especially those who are less price sensitive, self-select into our premium priced menu innovations. While we
have increased pricing in response to inflation, partially offsetting higher food, labor and fuel costs in our supply chain and at our restaurants, our ticket
growth has predominantly come through new premium products and add-ons over the past few years.
Macroeconomic conditions in the United Kingdom, the largest region in our International segment, have declined in light of ongoing inflation, rising
interest rates and the recent energy crisis. Against this backdrop, the Company has experienced increasing declines in sales and profitability in the UK
market. While uncertain how long these conditions will last, the Company is committed to its presence in the UK and is invested in the Company’s long-
term success in this region. As we navigate this challenging economic environment, we will be investing in capabilities to improve our operations and will
work to re-position the franchise base to further strengthen our UK business. The next step in our commitment includes a variety of support to help
franchisees through this difficult time, including targeted marketing incentives of approximately $2 million to $3 million.
Refranchising. On March 28, 2022, the Company sold its 51 percent controlling interest in a joint venture between Papa Johns and Blue and Silver
Ventures, Ltd. (“Blue and Silver Ventures”). Sun Holdings, Inc. (“Sun Holdings”), a leading multi-brand franchisee operator and one of Papa John’s largest
Domestic franchise partners, assumed control of the 90 Papa John’s restaurants in Texas that operated under the joint venture. By strategically refranchising
its controlling interests in its joint venture with Blue and Silver Ventures to Sun Holdings, the Company provided Sun Holdings substantial scale to support
new restaurant openings under its current, 100-restaurant development agreement with the Company. This commitment is in addition to the 90 refranchised
restaurants. As a result, the deal is expected to accelerate the Company’s Domestic development, contributing to long-term earnings via high-margin
franchise royalty growth. The restaurants were consolidated in the Company’s results through the date of the transaction, and their results are included in
the Company’s North America franchise royalties and fees beginning March 29, 2022. See “Note 22. Divestitures” of “Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements for further information.
Suspension of Franchisee Support in Russia. The Company has no Company-owned restaurants in Russia or Ukraine. At the end of fiscal year 2021, 188
franchised restaurants were located in Russia, all of which were operated and supplied through a master franchisee. As of March 2022, Papa John’s
suspended its corporate operations and support for franchised restaurants in Russia, and fully reserved all receivables from the aforementioned master
franchisee. The Company recognized $17.4 million in one-time, non-cash charges related to reserves for certain loans and impairments of reacquired
franchised rights due to the conflict in Ukraine and subsequent international government actions and sanctions, which were recorded as Refranchising and
impairment loss of $2.8 million and General and administrative expenses of $14.6 million. All assets related to the franchised operations in Russia have
been fully reserved or impaired, so there are no additional Russia related charges for reserves, write-offs, or impairments of amounts recorded on the
Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Coronavirus Pandemic and Related Market Impact. The restaurant industry has faced and managed staffing challenges since long before the pandemic.
These challenges intensified with the increased demand for employees in the service industry as the economy recovered last year. In early 2022, the
Omicron variant further exacerbated the situation, given the spike in infection rates and number of people out sick or quarantined at home. Our team
members have been working harder than ever to continue to safely serve their customers and communities and we have benefited from their dedication to
manage through staffing constraints. We will continue to strive to be the employer of choice in our industry and have taken many actions to create a strong
culture and support our people.
Presentation of Financial Results
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The results of operations are based on our Consolidated Financial Statements, which were prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements requires management to select accounting policies for
critical accounting areas as well as estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company’s
significant accounting policies, including recently issued accounting pronouncements, are more fully described in “Note 2. Significant Accounting
Policies” of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.” A number of our significant accounting policies are critical due to the fact that they involve a
significant level of estimation uncertainty and have had or are reasonably likely to have a material impact on our financial condition or results of
operations. Significant changes in assumptions and/or conditions in our critical accounting policies could materially impact the operating results.
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Insurance Reserves
Our insurance programs for workers’ compensation, owned and non-owned automobiles, general liability and property insurance coverage are funded by
the Company up to certain retention levels. Retention limits range up to $0.5 million. We record the liability for losses based upon undiscounted estimates
of the liability for claims incurred and for events that have occurred but have not been reported using certain third-party actuarial projections and our
historical claims loss experience.
As of December 25, 2022, our insurance reserves were $67.3 million compared to $88.1 million at December 26, 2021. Reserves are included in Accrued
expenses and other current liabilities and Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Our insurance reserves primarily relate to auto
liability and workers’ compensation claims and include the gross up of claims above our retention levels, with a corresponding receivable recorded in
Prepaid and other current assets and Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The insurance reserves represent the mid-point of the range as
determined by our actuarial analysis, which considered various actuarial valuation methodologies. The determination of the recorded insurance reserves is
highly complex due to the significant uncertainty in the potential value of reported claims and the number and potential value of incurred but not reported
claims.
Allowance for Credit Losses on Franchisee Notes Receivable
The Company has provided financing (recorded as notes receivable) to select Domestic and International franchisees principally for use in the construction
and development of their restaurants and for the purchase of restaurants from the Company or other franchisees. Most notes receivable bear interest at fixed
or floating rates and are generally secured by the assets of each restaurant and the ownership interests in the franchise. The Company has also provided
long-term financing to certain franchisees with royalty payment plans.
The Company establishes an allowance for credit losses on franchisee notes receivables based on management’s estimate of the lifetime expected loss on
the notes. The allowance for credit losses on notes receivable is judgmental and subjective based on management’s evaluation of historical collection
experience, external market data and other factors, including those related to current market conditions and events. The Company is provided collateral
rights of the franchisee’s restaurants (e.g., underlying franchise business, property and equipment) and personal guarantees from the operators to recover
the carrying value of the outstanding note receivable in the event collectability concerns arise. Therefore, the Company considers the fair value of the
underlying collateral rights (e.g., underlying franchisee business, property and equipment) and any guarantees when assessing the allowance for credit
losses (which may require third-party valuations of fair value). Notes receivable balances are charged off against the allowance after recovery efforts have
ceased.
Franchisee notes receivable was $42.6 million with an allowance for credit losses of $14.5 million as of December 25, 2022 compared to $49.4 million
with an allowance for credit losses of $1.5 million as of December 26, 2021. The increase in the allowance for credit losses was primarily due to an
increase for certain notes receivable primarily associated with a master franchisee with operations principally in Russia and the termination of significant
franchisees in the UK. See “Note 10. Allowance for Credit Losses” of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Income Tax Accounts and Tax Reserves
Papa John’s is subject to income taxes in the United States and several foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining Papa John’s
provision for income taxes and the related assets and liabilities. The provision for income taxes includes income taxes paid, currently payable or receivable
and those deferred. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities
and are measured using enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences reverse. Deferred tax assets are also recognized for
the estimated future effects of tax attribute carryforwards (e.g., net operating losses, capital losses, and foreign tax credits). The effect on deferred taxes of
changes in tax rates is recognized in the period in which the new tax rate is enacted.
Valuation allowances are established when necessary on a jurisdictional basis to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts we expect to realize and were
$32.1 million and $28.6 million as of December 25, 2022 and December 26, 2021, respectively. The determination as to whether a deferred tax asset will
be realized is based on the evaluation of historical profitability, future market growth, future taxable income, the expected timing of the reversals of existing
temporary differences and tax planning strategies. The Company assesses deferred taxes and the adequacy or need for a valuation allowance on a quarterly
basis.
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Tax authorities periodically audit the Company. We record reserves and related interest and penalties for identified exposures as income tax expense. We
evaluate these issues and adjust for events, such as statute of limitations expirations, court rulings or audit settlements, which may impact our ultimate
payment for such exposures.
In the event the Company is unable to generate future taxable income, there is a material change in the actual effective tax rates, the time period within
which the underlying temporary differences become taxable or deductible, or if the tax laws change unfavorably, then we could be required to increase the
valuation allowance against deferred tax assets, resulting in an increase in income tax expense and the effective tax rate. We estimate that a one percent
change in the effective income tax rate would impact the 2022 income tax expense by $0.8 million. See “Note 17. Income Taxes” of “Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements” for additional information.
Global Restaurant Sales and Unit Information
“Comparable sales” represents the change in year-over-year sales for the same base of restaurants for the same fiscal periods. Comparable sales excludes
sales of restaurants that were not open during both the current and prior fiscal periods and franchisees for which we suspended corporate support. “Global
system-wide restaurant sales” represents total restaurant sales for all Company-owned and franchised restaurants open during the comparable periods, and
“Global system-wide restaurant sales growth (decline)” represents the change in total system restaurant sales year-over-year. Global system-wide restaurant
sales and global system-wide sales growth (decline) exclude franchisees for which we suspended corporate support.
“Equivalent units” represents the number of restaurants open at the beginning of a given period, adjusted for restaurants opened, closed, acquired or sold
during the period on a weighted average basis.
We believe North America, International and global restaurant and comparable sales growth and Global system-wide restaurant sales information is useful
in analyzing our results since our franchisees pay royalties and marketing fund contributions that are based on a percentage of franchise sales. Comparable
sales and Global system-wide restaurant sales results for restaurants operating outside of the United States are reported on a constant dollar basis, which
excludes the impact of foreign currency translation. Franchise sales also generate commissary revenue in the United States and in certain international
markets. Franchise restaurant and comparable sales growth information is also useful for comparison to industry trends and evaluating the strength of our
brand. Management believes the presentation of franchise restaurant sales growth, excluding the impact of foreign currency, provides investors with useful
information regarding underlying sales trends and the impact of new unit growth without being impacted by swings in the external factor of foreign
currency. Franchise restaurant sales are not included in the Company’s revenues.
Amounts below exclude the impact of foreign currency
Comparable sales growth (decline):
Domestic Company-owned restaurants
North America franchised restaurants
North America restaurants
International restaurants
Total comparable sales growth (decline)
System-wide restaurant sales growth:
Domestic Company-owned restaurants
North America franchised restaurants
North America restaurants
(a)
International restaurants
Total global system-wide restaurant sales growth
(a)
______________________________
(a)
The twelve months ended December 25, 2022 excludes the impact of franchisee suspended restaurants.
31
Year Ended
December 25, 2022
December 26, 2021
(1.0)%
1.2 %
0.7 %
(5.3)%
(0.8)%
1.3 %
2.5 %
2.3 %
4.8 %
2.9 %
11.3 %
12.0 %
11.8 %
13.0 %
12.1 %
11.1 %
13.0 %
12.6 %
24.4 %
15.4 %
Table of Contents
Restaurant Progression
North America Company-owned:
Beginning of period
Opened
Acquired
Refranchised
End of period
North America franchised:
Beginning of period
Opened
Closed
Refranchised
Sold
End of period
International franchised:
Beginning of period
Opened
Closed
Suspended
End of period
(a)
Total restaurants – end of period
Full year net store growth
(b)
Year Ended
December 25, 2022
December 26, 2021
600
10
2
(90)
522
2,739
76
(49)
90
(2)
2,854
2,311
292
(85)
(188)
2,330
5,706
244
588
11
—
1
600
2,701
74
(35)
—
(1)
2,739
2,111
304
(104)
—
2,311
5,650
250
______________________________
(a)
As previously disclosed, the Company has suspended corporate support for all franchised restaurants located in Russia. These suspended restaurants are excluded from
net unit growth calculations.
Fiscal Year
Our fiscal year ends on the last Sunday in December of each year. All fiscal years presented in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements
consist of 52 weeks.
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Results of Operations
Revenues
The following table sets forth the various components of Revenues from the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(Dollars in thousands)
Revenues:
Domestic Company-owned restaurant sales
North America franchise royalties and fees
North America commissary revenues
International revenues
Other revenues
Total revenues
December 25, 2022
December 26, 2021
Increase
(Decrease)
$
$
708,389 $
137,399
869,634
129,903
256,778
2,102,103 $
778,323
129,310
761,305
150,771
248,712
2,068,421
(9.0)%
6.3 %
14.2 %
(13.8)%
3.2 %
1.6 %
For the year ended December 25, 2022, the discussion of changes in revenues below for Domestic Company-owned restaurants and North America
franchised restaurants include an explanation of the impact of refranchising 90 restaurants during the second quarter of 2022 (the “2022 refranchising”).
See “Refranchising” above and “Note 22. Divestitures” of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for additional information.
Total revenues increased $33.7 million, or 1.6% to $2.10 billion for the year ended December 25, 2022, as compared to the prior year. Excluding the impact
of the 2022 refranchising, total revenues increased $86.9 million, or 4.4%, for the year ended December 25, 2022.
Domestic Company-owned restaurant sales decreased $69.9 million, or 9.0% for the year ended December 25, 2022 compared to the prior year. Excluding
the impact of the 2022 refranchising, Domestic Company-owned restaurant sales increased $8.7 million, or 1.3% for the year ended December 25, 2022,
primarily due to innovations and strategic pricing actions to help offset food and labor inflation. Equivalent units also increased 3.7% for the year ended
December 25, 2022, excluding the 2022 refranchising, and the related increase was partially offset by a comparable sales decline of 1.0%.
North America franchise royalties and fees increased $8.1 million, or 6.3% for the year ended December 25, 2022 compared to the prior year. Excluding
the impact of 2022 refranchising, North America franchise royalties and fees increased $4.2 million, or 3.1% for the year ended December 25, 2022,
primarily due to an increase in comparable sales of 1.2% and equivalent units of 1.4%.
North America franchise restaurant sales, excluding the impact of the 2022 refranchising, increased 2.3% to $2.99 billion for the year ended December 25,
2022 compared to the prior year. North America franchise restaurant sales are not included in Company revenues; however, our North America franchise
royalties are derived from these sales.
North America commissary revenues increased $108.3 million or 14.2% for the year ended December 25, 2022 compared to the prior year. North America
commissaries have increased prices in line with rising commodity prices driven by inflation, principally in cheese, soy oil, proteins and wheat.
International revenues decreased $20.9 million, or 13.8% for the year ended December 25, 2022 compared to the prior year, primarily due to lower UK
commissary revenues. The overall declines in our International revenue performance were largely attributable to a decrease in comparable sales of 5.3% for
the year ended December 25, 2022 related to inflationary pressures in the PJUK market.
International franchise restaurant sales decreased to $1.17 billion for the year ended December 25, 2022 compared to $1.27 billion for the year ended
December 26, 2021. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations and the previously disclosed franchisee suspended restaurants, International
franchise restaurant sales increased $58.2 million or 4.8% for the year ended December 25, 2022. International franchise restaurant sales are not included in
Company revenues; however, our International royalty revenue is derived from these sales.
Other revenues, which primarily includes our national marketing funds, online and mobile ordering business and our wholly-owned print and promotions
subsidiary, increased $8.1 million, or 3.2% in 2022 primarily due to higher revenues
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from our technology services from higher equivalent units and higher revenues from Preferred Marketing, our wholly-owned print and promotions
company as they return to pre-pandemic levels.
Costs and Expenses
The following table sets forth the various components of Costs and expenses from the Consolidated Statements of Operations, expressed as a percentage of
the associated revenue component.
(Dollars in thousands)
Costs and expenses:
Operating costs (excluding depreciation and amortization
shown separately below):
Domestic Company-owned restaurant expenses
North America commissary expenses
International expenses
Other expenses
General and administrative expenses
Depreciation and amortization
Total costs and expenses
Refranchising and impairment loss
Operating income
Year Ended
December 25, 2022
% of Related
Revenues
December 26, 2021
% of Related
Revenues
Increase
(Decrease) in % of
Revenues
$
$
585,307
811,446
76,001
238,810
217,412
52,032
1,981,008
(12,065)
109,030
82.6 % $
93.3 %
58.5 %
93.0 %
10.3 %
2.5 %
94.2 %
(0.6)%
5.2 % $
621,871
703,622
87,286
226,320
212,265
48,816
1,900,180
—
168,241
79.9 %
92.4 %
57.9 %
91.0 %
10.3 %
2.4 %
91.9 %
— %
8.1 %
2.7 %
0.9 %
0.6 %
2.0 %
— %
0.1 %
2.3 %
(0.6)%
(2.9)%
Total costs and expenses were approximately $1.98 billion, or 94.2% of total revenues in 2022, as compared to $1.90 billion, or 91.9% of total revenues for
the prior year. The increase in total costs and expenses, as a percentage of revenues, was primarily due to the following:
Domestic Company-owned restaurant expenses were $585.3 million, or 82.6% of related revenues in 2022, compared to expenses of $621.9 million, or
79.9% of related revenues for the prior year. The expenses, as a percentage of revenues, increased 2.7% primarily due to increased food cost attributable to
higher commodity prices driven by inflation and labor expenses as staffing levels recover at increased cost. Our strategic pricing actions implemented in
2022 helped reduce the impact of the underlying cost pressures.
North America commissary expenses were $811.4 million, or 93.3% of related revenues in 2022, compared to $703.6 million, or 92.4% of related
revenues, for the prior year. The expenses, as a percentage of revenues, increased 0.9% primarily due to rising commodity prices driven by inflation,
principally in cheese, soy oil, proteins and wheat, and higher delivery costs.
International expenses were $76.0 million, or 58.5% of related revenues, for 2022 compared to $87.3 million, or 57.9% of related revenues for the prior
year. International expenses were flat as a percentage of revenues as lower labor costs and lower food costs from negative comparable sales were offset by
higher distribution costs as a percentage of revenues.
Other expenses were $238.8 million, or 93.0% of related revenues in 2022, as compared to $226.3 million, or 91.0% of related revenues for the prior year.
The expenses, as a percentage of related revenues, increased 2.0% primarily due to timing of expenditures on technology platform initiatives to further
enhance our digital capabilities and the customer experience.
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General and Administrative Expenses General and administrative (“G&A”) expenses were $217.4 million, or 10.3% of total revenues for 2022 compared to
$212.3 million, or 10.3% of total revenues for the prior year. G&A expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):
Year Ended
Administrative expenses
Strategic corporate reorganization costs
(a)
(b)
Legal settlement accruals
Additional specific accounts receivable and notes receivable provisions
Other general expenses
(e)
(c)
(d)
December 25, 2022
$
181,538 $
—
15,000
18,376
2,498
217,412 $
December 26, 2021
199,452
13,094
—
—
(281)
212,265
General and administrative expenses
$
______________________________
(a)
The decrease in administrative expenses of $17.9 million for the year ended December 25, 2022 compared to the prior year was primarily due to lower incentive
compensation linked to Company performance, which was partially offset by higher labor costs as well as travel and occupancy costs associated with the re-opening of
corporate headquarters in the first quarter of 2022.
(b)
Represents strategic reorganization costs associated with our new corporate office in Atlanta which concluded at the end of 2021. See “Note 16. Strategic Corporate
Reorganization for Long-term Growth” to our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
(c)
Expense of $15.0 million related to certain legal settlements. See “Note 19. Litigation, Commitments and Contingencies” to our Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements for additional information.
(d)
Represents 2022 expenses for the following:
1. One-time, non-cash provision of $14.6 million on accounts receivable and notes receivable in connection with the conflict in Ukraine and related government
actions,
2. One-time, non-cash provision of $3.7 million for certain accounts receivable and notes receivable in the United Kingdom.
(e)
Included in the Other general expenses for the year ended December 25, 2022 is $1.5 million related to advisory fees and severance costs associated with the transition
of certain executives.
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense was $52.0 million, or 2.5% of revenues in 2022, as compared to $48.8 million, or
2.4% of revenues for the prior year, primarily due and increase in capital expenditures for our technology platforms and new restaurants.
Refranchising and Impairment Loss
Refranchising and impairment loss was $12.1 million for the year ended December 25, 2022 as compared to zero for the prior year. The 2022 amount was
comprised of an $8.4 million loss on our 2022 refranchising, an impairment loss of $2.8 million for reacquired franchise rights due to the financial and
operational impact of the conflict in Ukraine and lease impairment charges of $0.9 million related to the termination of a significant franchisee in the UK.
See “Note 22. Divestitures” of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for additional information on the 2022 refranchising and the charge related to
the conflict in Ukraine.
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Table of Contents
Operating Income by Segment
Operating income is summarized in the following table on a reporting segment basis. Adjusted operating income, a non-GAAP measure, is presented
below. See “Non-GAAP Measures” for a reconciliation to the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure. We believe this non-GAAP measure is important for
comparability purposes.
(In thousands)
Reported
(a)
Adjustments
Adjusted
Reported
(a)
Adjustments
Adjusted
Reported
Increase
(Decrease)
Adjusted
Increase
(Decrease)
Year Ended December 25, 2022
Year Ended December 26, 2021
Domestic Company-
owned restaurants
North America
franchising
North America
commissaries
International
All others
Unallocated corporate
expenses
Elimination of
intersegment (profits)
Total
$
15,966 $
8,412 $
24,378 $
49,628 $
— $
49,628 $
(33,662) $
(25,250)
127,882
—
127,882
120,949
42,531
17,891
10,084
—
9,644
—
42,531
27,535
10,084
39,873
34,896
17,704
—
—
—
—
120,949
6,933
39,873
34,896
17,704
2,658
(17,005)
(7,620)
(104,419)
30,376
(74,043)
(94,114)
13,094
(81,020)
(10,305)
6,933
2,658
(7,361)
(7,620)
6,977
(905)
109,030 $
$
—
48,432 $
(905)
157,462 $
(695)
168,241 $
—
13,094 $
(695)
181,335 $
(210)
(59,211) $
(210)
(23,873)
______________________________
(a)
See “Non-GAAP Measures” below for a detail of the adjustments in each year and for a reconciliation to the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure.
Operating income was $109.0 million for the year ended December 25, 2022 compared to $168.2 million for the prior year, a decrease of $59.2 million.
Adjusted operating income was $157.5 million for the year ended December 25, 2022 compared to $181.3 million for the prior year, a decrease of $23.9
million, or 13.2%. The decrease in adjusted operating income in 2022 compared to 2021 was primarily due to the following:
• Domestic Company-owned restaurants decreased $25.3 million for the year ended December 25, 2022. Excluding the impact of the 2022
refranchising in the second quarter, Domestic Company-owned restaurants decreased $21.3 million, primarily due to higher commodity and labor
costs, partially offset by lower bonuses and higher revenues related to strategic pricing actions.
• North America franchising increased $6.9 million for the year ended December 25, 2022. Excluding the impact of the 2022 refranchising, North
America franchising increased $4.3 million, due to an increase in comparable sales of 1.2% and higher equivalent units of 1.4%.
• North America commissaries increased $2.7 million for the year ended December 25, 2022. North America commissaries have increased prices in
line with inflation, which has been partially offset with lower margins due to lower volume of items sold.
•
International decreased $7.4 million for the year ended December 25, 2022, primarily due to significant inflation and high energy prices in the UK
that attributed to lower comparable sales, which declined 5.3%.
• All Others, which primarily includes our online and mobile ordering business and our marketing funds, decreased $7.6 million for the year ended
December 25, 2022, compared to the prior year, primarily due to timing of expenditures for technology support initiatives.
• Unallocated corporate expenses decreased $7.0 million for the year ended December 25, 2022, primarily due to lower incentive compensation
costs, partially offset by higher labor, travel, professional fees and occupancy cost associated with the re-opening of corporate headquarters in the
first quarter of 2022.
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Table of Contents
Items Below Operating Income
The following table sets forth the various items below Operating income from the Consolidated Statements of Operations:
Year Ended
(Dollars in thousands)
Operating income
Net interest expense
Income before income taxes
Income tax expense
Net income before attribution to noncontrolling interests
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Net income attributable to the Company
Calculation of net income for earnings per share:
Net income attributable to the Company
Dividends on redemption of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock
Dividends paid to participating securities
Net income attributable to participating securities
Net income attributable to common shareholders
Basic earnings per common share
Diluted earnings per common share
Net Interest Expense
December 25, 2022
$
December 26, 2021
Change
109,030 $
(25,261)
83,769
14,420
69,349
(1,577)
67,772 $
67,772 $
—
(306)
(104)
67,362 $
1.90 $
1.89 $
168,241 $
(17,293)
150,948
25,993
124,955
(4,939)
120,016 $
120,016 $
(109,852)
(6,091)
—
4,073 $
0.12 $
0.12 $
(59,211)
(7,968)
(67,179)
(11,573)
(55,606)
3,362
(52,244)
(52,244)
109,852
5,785
(104)
63,289
—
1.78
1.77
$
$
$
$
$
Interest expense increased approximately $8.0 million for the year ended December 25, 2022 compared to the prior year, primarily due to higher average
outstanding debt on our revolving credit facility. Total debt outstanding was $605.0 million and $490.0 million as of December 25, 2022 and December 26,
2021, respectively.
Income Tax Expense
The effective income tax rate was 17.2% for both 2022 and 2021. The effective rate was flat due to the income mix and items impacting tax expense being
proportional to the pre-tax income year-over-year.
(Dollars in thousands)
Income before income taxes
Income tax expense
Effective tax rate
See “Note 17. Income Taxes” of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,” for additional information.
37
Year Ended
December 25, 2022
83,769
14,420
$
$
December 26, 2021
150,948
25,993
$
$
17.2 %
17.2 %
Table of Contents
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests - see “Note 9. Noncontrolling Interests” of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,” for
information.
Diluted Earnings Per Share
Diluted earnings per common share was $1.89 for the year ended December 25, 2022 compared to $0.12 for the year ended December 26, 2021,
representing an increase of $1.77. Diluted earnings per common share for the year ended December 26, 2021 was reduced by $3.10 from a reduction in net
income attributable to common shareholders related to the repurchase and conversion of all of the shares of the Company’s previously outstanding Series B
Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series B Preferred Stock”) during the second quarter of 2021. This reduction reflected the excess of the one-time cash
payment over the carrying value of the Series B Preferred Stock. See “Note 6. Stockholders’ Deficit” and “Note 7. Earnings per Share” of “Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements,” for additional information. Adjusted diluted earnings per common share, a non-GAAP measure, was $2.94 for the year
ended December 25, 2022 compared to $3.51 for the year ended December 26, 2021, representing a decrease of $0.57. See “Non-GAAP Measures” for
additional information.
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Table of Contents
Non-GAAP Measures
In addition to the results provided in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we provide certain non-GAAP measures, which present results on an adjusted basis.
These are supplemental measures of performance that are not required by or presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP and include the following: adjusted
operating income, adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders and adjusted diluted earnings per common share. We believe that our non-
GAAP financial measures enable investors to assess the operating performance of our business relative to our performance based on U.S. GAAP results
and relative to other companies. We believe that the disclosure of these non-GAAP measures is useful to investors as they reflect metrics that our
management team and Board of Directors utilize to evaluate our operating performance, allocate resources and administer employee incentive plans. The
most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures to adjusted operating income, adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders and adjusted
diluted earnings per common share are operating income, net income attributable to common shareholders and diluted earnings per common share,
respectively. These non-GAAP measures should not be construed as a substitute for or a better indicator of the Company’s performance than the
Company’s U.S. GAAP results. The table below reconciles our GAAP financial results to our non-GAAP financial measures.
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Operating income
(a)
Refranchising and impairment losses
(b)
Legal settlements
Costs associated with the termination of significant franchisees
Strategic corporate reorganization costs
Other costs
(d)
(e)
(c)
Adjusted operating income
Net income attributable to common shareholders
(a)
Refranchising and impairment losses
(b)
Legal settlements
Costs associated with the termination of significant franchisees
Strategic corporate reorganization costs
Other costs
Repurchase and conversion of Series B Preferred Stock
(g)
Tax effect of adjustments
(d)
(e)
(f)
(c)
Adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders
(h)
(a)
Diluted earnings per common share
Refranchising and impairment losses
(b)
Legal settlements
Costs associated with the termination of significant franchisees
Strategic corporate reorganization costs
Other costs
Repurchase and conversion of Series B Preferred Stock
(g)
Tax effect of adjustments
(d)
(e)
(f)
(c)
Adjusted diluted earnings per common share
(h)
______________________________
39
Year Ended
December 25, 2022
December 26, 2021
$
$
$
$
$
$
109,030 $
26,702
15,000
5,223
—
1,507
157,462 $
67,362 $
26,702
15,000
5,223
—
1,507
—
(10,897)
104,897 $
1.89 $
0.75
0.42
0.15
—
0.04
—
(0.31)
2.94 $
168,241
—
—
—
13,094
—
181,335
4,073
—
—
—
13,094
—
109,852
(2,946)
124,073
0.12
—
—
—
0.37
—
3.10
(0.08)
3.51
Table of Contents
(a)
Refranchising and impairments losses consisted of the following pre-tax adjustments:
(In thousands)
Refranchising impairment loss
Ukraine-related charge
(3)
UK lease impairment
(2)
(1)
Total adjustment
Year Ended
December 25,
2022
$
$
8,412
17,385
905
26,702
(1)
Represents a one-time, non-cash charge of $8.4 million ($0.24 loss per diluted share) recorded in the first quarter of 2022 associated with the refranchising of
the Company’s controlling interest in a 90-restaurant joint venture, recorded as Refranchising and impairment loss;
(2)
Represents a one-time non-cash charge of $17.4 million ($0.49 loss per diluted share) recorded in the first quarter of 2022 related to the reserve of certain loans
and impairment of reacquired franchised rights related to the conflict in Ukraine and subsequent international government actions and sanctions, which
were recorded as Refranchising and impairment loss of $2.8 million and General and administrative expenses of $14.6 million;
(3)
An impairment charge of $0.9 million on the right-of-use assets on leases recorded in the third quarter of 2022 associated with the termination of a significant
franchisee in the UK, which was recorded in Refranchising and impairment loss.
(b)
Represents an accrual of certain legal settlements, recorded in General and administrative expenses. See “Note 19. Litigation, Commitments and Contingencies” of
“Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
(c)
Represents costs associated with the termination of significant franchisees in the UK, including costs related to the reserve of certain accounts and notes receivable.
(d)
Represents strategic corporate reorganization costs associated with our new corporate office in Atlanta, Georgia. See "Note 16. Strategic Corporate Reorganization
for Long-term Growth of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
(e)
Represents advisory fees and severance costs associated with the transition of certain executives.
(f)
Represents the one-time charge related to the repurchase and conversion of all shares of Series B Preferred Stock and includes related professional fees incurred as
part of the transaction. See “Note 6. Stockholders’ Deficit” of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,” for additional information.
(g)
The tax effect on non-GAAP adjustments was calculated by applying the marginal tax rate of 22.5% for both years ended December 25, 2022 and December 26,
2021.
(h)
Amounts shown exclude the impact of allocation of undistributed earnings to participating securities.
In addition, we present free cash flow in this report, which is a non-GAAP measure. Please see “Liquidity and Capital Resources – Free Cash Flow” for a
discussion of why we believe free cash flow provides useful information regarding our financial condition and results of operations, and a reconciliation of
free cash flow to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure.
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Table of Contents
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary sources of liquidity and capital resources are cash flows from operations and borrowings under our credit facility. Our principal uses of cash
are operating expenses, capital expenditures, and returning value to our shareholders in the form of cash dividends and share repurchases. Our capital
priorities are:
investing for growth
•
• maintaining a strong balance sheet, and
•
returning capital to shareholders
The Company believes that its balances of cash and cash equivalents and borrowing capacity, along with cash generated by operations, will be sufficient to
satisfy its cash requirements, cash dividends, interest payments and share repurchases over the next twelve months and beyond.
Cash Flows
The table below summarizes our cash flows for each of the last two fiscal years (in thousands):
Total cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities
Investing activities
Financing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents, excluding the effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash
equivalents
Operating Activities
2022
2021
$
$
117,808 $
(62,793)
(76,240)
184,675
(63,512)
(180,526)
(21,225) $
(59,363)
Total cash provided by operating activities was $117.8 million for the year ended December 25, 2022 compared to $184.7 million for the prior year. The
decrease of $66.9 million primarily reflects lower net income in 2022 and a reduction in working capital. The working capital reduction is driven by lower
accrued expenses at December 25, 2022 as compared to the prior year, primarily related to lower incentive compensation payable and lower taxes payable
at December 25, 2022. The decrease in incentive compensation payable is linked to Company performance while the decrease in taxes payable is linked to
the timing of payments related to the CARES Act. These decreases were partially offset by the provision for allowance for credit losses of $20.5 million
(See “Note 10. Allowance for Credit Losses” of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements”) and refranchising and impairment losses of $12.1 million
(discussed above in “Results of Operations”).
Investing Activities
Total cash used in investing activities was $62.8 million in 2022 compared to $63.5 million in 2021, a decrease of $0.7 million. 2022 cash flows included
$13.6 million in proceeds, net of transaction costs, from the impact of the 2022 refranchising in the first quarter of 2022. Repayments of notes, net of
issuances were $3.7 million in 2022 as compared to $2.4 million in 2021, an increase in inflows of $1.3 million for the year. The increased inflows from
refranchising and notes were offset by larger purchases of property and equipment of $9.8 million in 2022, as the Company improved its digital
infrastructure. Cash flows for 2021 also included an inflow of $3.3 million related to the sale of land that did not recur in 2022.
Financing Activities
Total cash used in financing activities was $76.2 million in 2022 compared to $180.5 million in 2021, an decrease of $104.3 million. In 2022, cash used for
financing activities includes outflows of $125.0 million in share repurchases and $54.8 million of common dividends paid, offset by net borrowings of
$115.0 million from the credit facility. In 2021, outflows include $340.0 million in repayments of the term loan, $188.6 million in payment of cash
consideration for the repurchase and conversion of all of the Company’s Series B Preferred Stock outstanding, and dividends to common and preferred
shareholders of $40.4 million, offset by inflows of $400.0 million in proceeds from the issuance of senior notes and net borrowings from the credit facility
of $80.0 million.
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Table of Contents
Debt
On September 14, 2021, the Company issued $400.0 million of 3.875% senior notes (the “Notes”) which will mature on September 15, 2029. Concurrently
with the issuance of the Notes, the Company entered into an amended and restated credit agreement (the “Amended Credit Agreement”) replacing the
previous credit agreement (“Previous Credit Agreement”). The Amended Credit Agreement provides for a senior secured revolving credit facility in an
aggregate available principal amount of $600.0 million (the “PJI Revolving Facility”), of which up to $40.0 million is available as swingline loans and up
to $80.0 million is available as letters of credit. The PJI Revolving Facility will mature on September 14, 2026.
The net proceeds from the Notes, together with borrowings under the PJI Revolving Facility, were used to repay outstanding revolver and term loan
borrowings under the Company’s Previous Credit Agreement.
Our outstanding debt as of December 25, 2022 was $605.0 million, which was comprised of $400.0 million outstanding under the Notes and $205.0 million
outstanding under the PJI Revolving Facility. Remaining availability under the PJI Revolving Facility was $395.0 million as of December 25, 2022.
The Amended Credit Agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants that, among other things, require customary reporting obligations,
and restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the incurrence of additional indebtedness and liens, the consummation of certain mergers, consolidations, sales of
assets and similar transactions, the making of investments, equity distributions and other restricted payments, and transactions with affiliates. The Company
is also subject to certain financial covenants, as shown in the following table, that could restrict or impose constraints on the liquidity of our business:
Leverage ratio
Interest coverage ratio
Permitted Ratio
Not to exceed 5.25 to 1.0
Not less than 2.00 to 1.0
Actual Ratio for the
Year Ended
December 25, 2022
2.6 to 1.0
4.1 to 1.0
Our leverage ratio is defined as outstanding debt divided by Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in our credit agreement), for the most recent four fiscal
quarters. Our interest coverage ratio is defined as the sum of Consolidated EBITDA and consolidated rental expense for the most recent four fiscal quarters
divided by the sum of consolidated interest expense and consolidated rental expense for the most recent four fiscal quarters. We were in compliance with all
financial covenants as of December 25, 2022.
In addition, the Indenture governing the Notes contains customary covenants that, among other things and subject to certain exceptions, limit our ability
and the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to: incur additional indebtedness and guarantee indebtedness; pay dividends or make other distributions or
repurchase or redeem our capital stock; prepay, redeem or repurchase certain debt; issue certain preferred stock or similar equity securities; make loans and
investments; sell assets; incur liens; enter into transactions with affiliates; enter into agreements restricting our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends; and
consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of our assets.
PJMF, our national marketing fund, has a $20.0 million revolving line of credit (the “PJMF Revolving Facility”) pursuant to a Revolving Loan Agreement,
dated September 30, 2015 with U.S. Bank National Association, as lender. The PJMF Revolving Facility is secured by substantially all assets of PJMF. The
PJMF Revolving Facility matures on September 30, 2023, but is subject to annual amendments. The borrowings under the PJMF Revolving Facility accrue
interest at a variable rate of the one-month LIBOR plus 1.60%. There was no debt outstanding under the PJMF Revolving Facility as of December 25, 2022
or December 26, 2021. The PJMF operating results and the related debt outstanding do not impact the financial covenants under the Amended Credit
Agreement.
See “Note 12. Debt” of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for additional information.
Share Repurchases
As part of our long-term growth and capital allocation strategy, we are committed to investing in share repurchases to provide ongoing value and enhanced
returns to our shareholders. On October 28, 2021, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program with an indefinite duration for up to $425.0
million of the Company’s common stock. This share
42
Table of Contents
repurchase program operated alongside our previous $75.0 million share repurchase authorization, which began on November 4, 2020 and expired on
December 26, 2021.
The following table summarizes our repurchase activity for the years ended December 25, 2022 and December 26, 2021:
(In thousands, except average price per share)
Year Ended
December 25, 2022
December 26, 2021
Total
Number
of Shares
Purchased
Average
Price
Paid per
Share
Aggregate
Cost of
Shares
Purchased
Maximum Dollar
Value of Shares
that May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs
1,343 $
594 $
93.07 $
121.96 $
125,000 $
72,499 $
299,800
424,800
Subsequent to year-end, we acquired an additional 319,307 shares at an aggregate cost of $27.6 million. Approximately $272.2 million remained available
under the Company’s share repurchase program as of February 16, 2023.
The Company utilizes a written trading plan under Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, from time to time to facilitate the
repurchase of shares of our common stock under this share repurchase program. There can be no assurance that we will repurchase shares of our common
stock either through a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan or otherwise.
Dividends
The Company paid aggregate dividends to common stockholders of $54.8 million ($1.54 per share) for the year ended December 25, 2022.
The Company paid dividends of approximately $46.0 million for the year ended December 26, 2021, consisting of the following:
•
•
•
•
$40.4 million paid to common stockholders ($1.15 per share);
$3.0 million in preferred dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock (3.6% of the investment per annum)
$1.5 million of common stock deemed dividend distributions in conjunction with the repurchase and conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock;
$1.1 million in common stock “pass-through” dividends to Series B Preferred Stockholders on an as-converted basis ($0.45 per share).
On January 26, 2023, our Board of Directors declared a first quarter 2023 dividend of $0.42 per common share, representing a $14.6 million aggregate
dividend that was paid on February 17, 2023 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 6, 2023. The declaration and payment of any
future dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors.
Free Cash Flow
Free cash flow, a non-GAAP measure, is defined as net cash provided by operating activities (from the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows) less
purchases of property and equipment and dividends paid to preferred stockholders. We view free cash flow as an important financial measure because it is
one factor that management uses in determining the amount of cash available for discretionary investment. Free cash flow is not a term defined by GAAP,
and as a result, our measure of free cash flow might not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Free cash flow should not be
construed as a substitute for or a better indicator of the Company’s performance than the Company’s GAAP measures.
43
Table of Contents
The Company’s free cash flow for the last two years was as follows (in thousands):
Net cash provided by operating activities
Purchases of property and equipment
Dividends paid to preferred stockholders
(a)
Free cash flow
Year Ended
December 25, 2022
December 26, 2021
$
$
117,808 $
(78,391)
—
39,417 $
184,675
(68,559)
(6,394)
109,722
______________________________
(a)
Excludes $188.6 million of cash consideration paid for the repurchase and conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock in the second quarter of 2021.
Contractual Obligations
The Company’s cash requirements greater than twelve months from contractual obligations and commitments include:
• Debt Obligations and Interest Payments: Refer to “Note 12. Debt” of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information on
our obligations and the timing of expected payments.
• Operating and Finance Leases: Refer to “Note 3 Leases” of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information on our
obligations and the timing of expected payments.
We estimate that our capital expenditures during 2023 will be approximately $80 million to $90 million. This estimate includes development of Company-
owned restaurants and technology enhancements. We intend to fund our capital expenditures with cash generated by operations and borrowings under our
senior secured revolving credit facility, as necessary.
We guarantee leases for certain Papa Johns North American franchisees who have purchased restaurants that were previously Company-owned. We are
contingently liable on these leases. The leases have varying terms, the latest of which expires in 2036. As of December 25, 2022, the estimate maximum
amount of undiscounted payments the Company could be required to make in the event of nonpayment by the primary lessees was approximately $9.2
million.
We have certain other commercial commitments where payment is contingent upon the occurrence of certain events. With our insurance programs, we are
party to surety bonds with off-balance sheet risk for a total of $26.3 million as of December 25, 2022. The surety bond arrangements expire within one year
but have automatic renewal clauses. See “Note 12. Debt” and “Note 19. Litigation, Commitments and Contingencies” of “Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements” for additional information related to contractual and other commitments.
Impact of Inflation
We experienced price increases in food items and other commodities, labor and benefits, and fuel and other energy costs during 2022 and expect further
inflationary pressure during 2023. Inflationary pressures affect our profitability both directly, in our company-owned restaurants and delivery mechanisms
and through gross margins experienced by sales of food and supply items via our Quality Control Centers, as well as indirectly, through higher food
ingredient and paper and supply costs, rising fees from delivery aggregators driven by higher wage demands and increases in the cost of gasoline that, once
reflected in upward price adjustments on their fees, can exert downward pressure on unit sales, reducing royalty fees we realize from our Domestic and
International franchisees. Compensating menu price increases are subject to competitive pressure in the markets in which we operate. Expense control
measures are also deployed to offset higher costs when possible. Food costs, in particular the cost of cheese, are managed to an extent by pricing
agreements with suppliers and forward purchase contracts we enter into, as discussed in “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market
Risk.”
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain matters discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and other Company communications that are not statements of historical fact constitute
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Generally, the use of words such as “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “believe,”
“anticipate,” “will,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “plan,” “project,” or similar words identify forward-looking statements that we intend to be included within the
safe harbor protections provided
44
Table of Contents
by the federal securities laws. Such forward-looking statements include or may relate to projections or guidance concerning business performance, revenue,
earnings, cash flow, earnings per share, share repurchases, the current economic environment, the continuing impact of the coronavirus pandemic,
commodity and labor costs, currency fluctuations, profit margins, net unit growth, unit level performance, capital expenditures, restaurant and franchise
development, labor shortages and price increases, inflation, royalty relief, franchisee support, the effectiveness of our menu innovations and other business
initiatives, investments in product and digital innovation, marketing efforts, liquidity, compliance with debt covenants, impairments, strategic decisions and
actions, dividends, effective tax rates, regulatory changes and impacts, adoption of new accounting standards, and other financial and operational measures.
Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, which are difficult to predict and many
of which are beyond our control. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those matters expressed or implied in such forward-
looking statements. The risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are involved in our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
the ability of the Company to manage challenging macroeconomic conditions in the United States and internationally, including the United
Kingdom;
the ability of the Company to manage staffing and labor shortages at Company and/or franchised restaurants and our quality control centers;
increases in labor costs, food costs or sustained higher other operating costs, including as a result of supply chain disruption, inflation or climate
change;
the potential for delayed new store openings, both domestically and internationally;
the increased risk of phishing, ransomware and other cyber-attacks;
risks to the global economy and our business related to the conflict in Ukraine and other international conflicts;
increased costs for branding initiatives and launching new advertising and marketing campaigns and promotions to boost consumer sentiment and
sales trends, and the risk that such initiatives will not be effective;
risks related to social media, including publicity adversely and rapidly impacting our brand and reputation;
aggressive changes in pricing or other marketing or promotional strategies by competitors, which may adversely affect sales and profitability; and
new product and concept developments by food industry competitors;
changes in consumer preferences or consumer buying habits, including the growing popularity of delivery aggregators, as well as changes in
general economic conditions or other factors that may affect consumer confidence and discretionary spending, including higher unemployment;
the adverse impact on the Company or our results caused by global health concerns, product recalls, food quality or safety issues, incidences of
foodborne illness, food contamination and other general public health concerns about our Company-owned or franchised restaurants or others in
the restaurant industry;
the effectiveness of our technology investments and changes in unit-level operations;
the ability of the Company and its franchisees to meet planned growth targets and operate new and existing restaurants profitably, including
difficulties finding qualified franchisees, store level employees or suitable sites;
increases in insurance claims and related costs for programs funded by the Company up to certain retention limits, including medical, owned and
non-owned vehicles, workers’ compensation, general liability and property;
disruption of our supply chain or commissary operations which could be caused by our sole source of supply of mozzarella cheese, desserts, garlic
cups or limited source of suppliers for other key ingredients or more generally due to weather, natural disasters including drought, disease, or
geopolitical or other disruptions beyond our control, including the coronavirus pandemic;
increased risks associated with our International operations, including economic and political conditions and risks associated with the withdrawal
of the UK from the European Union, instability or uncertainty in our international markets, especially emerging markets, fluctuations in currency
exchange rates, difficulty in meeting planned sales targets and new store growth;
the impact of current or future claims and litigation and our ability to comply with current, proposed or future legislation that could impact our
business including compliance with the European Union General Data Protection Regulation;
the Company’s ability to continue to pay dividends to stockholders based upon profitability, cash flows and capital adequacy if restaurant sales and
operating results decline;
continuing risks related to the outbreak of COVID-19 and other health crises;
disruption of critical business or information technology systems, or those of our suppliers, and risks associated with systems failures and data
privacy and security breaches, including theft of confidential Company, employee and customer information, including payment cards; and
changes in Federal or state income, general and other tax laws, rules and regulations and changes in generally accepted accounting principles.
45
Table of Contents
These and other risk factors are discussed in detail in “Part I. Item 1A. — Risk Factors” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and they may be updated
from time to time in our future reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-
looking statements, whether as a result of future events, new information or otherwise, except as required by law.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Interest Rate Risk
We are exposed to the impact of interest rate changes on our PJI Revolving Facility. We attempt to minimize interest rate risk exposure by fixing our
interest rate through the utilization of interest rate swaps, which are derivative financial instruments. The interest rate swaps were eligible for hedge
accounting for part of the period. Our swaps are entered into with financial institutions that participate in the PJI Revolving Facility. By using a derivative
instrument to hedge exposures to changes in interest rates, we expose ourselves to credit risk due to the possible failure of the counterparty to perform
under the terms of the derivative contract. We do not enter into contracts for trading purposes and do not use leveraged instruments. See “Note 12. Debt” of
“Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for additional information on our debt obligations and derivative instruments.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
We are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations from our operations outside of the United States, which can adversely impact our revenues,
net income and cash flows. Our International operations principally consist of distribution sales to franchised Papa John’s restaurants located in the UK and
our franchise sales and support activities, which derive revenues from sales of franchise and development rights and the collection of royalties from our
International franchisees. Approximately 6.2% of our 2022 revenues, 7.3% of our 2021 revenues and 6.8% of our 2020 revenues were derived from these
International operations.
We have not historically hedged our exposure to foreign currency fluctuations. Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations had an unfavorable impact of
approximately $13.3 million on our total revenues in 2022, compared to a favorable impact of approximately $8.1 million in 2021 and an unfavorable
impact of approximately $0.6 million in 2020. Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations had an unfavorable impact of $2.0 million on our operating
income in 2022 compared to a favorable impact of $1.4 million in 2021 and an unfavorable impact of $1.0 million in 2020. A 10% adverse change in the
foreign currency rates for our International markets would result in an additional negative impact on annual revenue and operating income of
approximately $13.6 million and $1.5 million, respectively, based on annual revenue and operating income for the year ended December 25, 2022.
Commodity Price Risk
In the ordinary course of business, the food and paper products we purchase, including cheese (our largest ingredient cost), are subject to seasonal
fluctuations, weather, availability, demand and other factors that are beyond our control. We have pricing agreements with some of our vendors, including
forward pricing agreements for a portion of our cheese purchases for our Domestic Company-owned restaurants, which are accounted for as normal
purchases; however, we still remain exposed to on-going commodity volatility.
The following table presents the actual average block price for cheese by quarter in 2022, 2021 and 2020. Also presented is the projected 2023 average
block price by quarter (based on the February 16, 2023 Chicago Mercantile Exchange cheese futures prices):
Quarter 1
Quarter 2
Quarter 3
Quarter 4
Full Year
2023
Projected
Market
2022
Block
Price
2021
Block
Price
2020
Block
Price
$
$
1.951 $
1.934
2.066
2.062
2.003 $
1.966 $
2.296
1.938
2.066
2.067 $
1.676 $
1.680
1.676
1.786
1.705 $
1.857
1.679
2.262
2.235
2.008
46
Table of Contents
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 42)
Consolidated Financial Statements:
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 25, 2022 and December 26, 2021
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 25, 2022, December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 25, 2022, December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit for the years ended December 25, 2022, December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 25, 2022, December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020
•
•
•
•
•
• Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
47
Table of Contents
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Papa John’s International, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Papa John’s International, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 25, 2022
and December 26, 2021, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, stockholders' deficit and cash flows for each of the three
years in the period ended December 25, 2022, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the
consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 25, 2022 and December 26,
2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 25, 2022, in conformity with U.S.
generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's
internal control over financial reporting as of December 25, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 Framework), and our report dated February 23, 2023, expressed an
unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial
statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the
Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the
PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing
procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to
those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits
also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the
financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or
required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2)
involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion
on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion
on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
48
Table of Contents
Description of the Matter
Measurement and valuation of insurance reserves
As described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company is self-insured for certain
obligations up to stated retention levels under its retention programs related to workers’ compensation,
automobile, property and general liability programs. As of December 25, 2022, the Company has $67.3
million accrued for self-insurance reserves (“Insurance Reserves”). Judgments and estimates are used by the
Company in determining the potential value associated with incurred but not reported claims.
Auditing the measurement and valuation of the Insurance Reserves is highly judgmental and complex due to
the significant uncertainty in estimating the potential value of reported claims, estimating the number and
potential value of incurred but not reported claims and the use of actuarial valuation methods. The reserve
estimate is sensitive to actuarial assumptions (e.g., future emergence of losses, incurred but not reported
claims) used to estimate the ultimate liability for reported claims and claims that have been incurred but have
not been reported.
How We Addressed the Matter in
Our Audit
We tested controls related to the measurement and valuation of the Insurance Reserves. For example, we
tested controls over management’s review of the assumptions and methods used to establish the estimate, the
underlying data, significant actuarial assumptions and the related reconciliations.
To test the measurement and valuation of the Insurance Reserves, our audit procedures included, among
others, performing transactional tests of details over the completeness and accuracy of claims data and
vouching payments made to third parties. Furthermore, we involved our actuarial specialists to assist in the
evaluation of the key assumptions and methodologies used by management to determine the Insurance
Reserves.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2019.
Louisville, Kentucky
February 23, 2023
49
Table of Contents
Papa John’s International, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable (less allowance for credit losses of $6,718 in 2022 and $2,364 in 2021)
Notes receivable, current portion
Income tax receivable
Inventories
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Total current assets
Property and equipment, net
Finance lease right-of-use assets, net
Operating lease right-of-use assets
Notes receivable, less current portion (less allowance for credit losses of $14,499 in 2022 and $1,500 in 2021)
Goodwill
Deferred income taxes
Other assets
Total assets
Liabilities, Redeemable noncontrolling interests and Stockholders’ deficit
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
Income and other taxes payable
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
Current deferred revenue
Current finance lease liabilities
Current operating lease liabilities
Total current liabilities
Deferred revenue
Long-term finance lease liabilities
Long-term operating lease liabilities
Long-term debt, net
Deferred income taxes
Other long-term liabilities
Total liabilities
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
Stockholders’ deficit:
Common stock ($0.01 par value per share; issued 49,138 at December 25, 2022 and 49,002 at December 26, 2021)
Additional paid-in capital
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Retained earnings
Treasury stock (14,402 shares at December 25, 2022 and 13,205 shares at December 26, 2021, at cost)
Total stockholders’ deficit
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries
Total Stockholders’ deficit
December 25,
2022
December 26,
2021
$
$
$
$
47,373
102,533
6,848
8,780
41,382
44,123
251,039
249,793
24,941
172,425
21,248
70,616
1,920
72,245
864,227
$
$
62,316
8,766
142,535
21,272
6,850
23,418
265,157
23,204
19,022
160,905
597,069
—
68,317
1,133,674
1,217
491
449,829
(10,135)
195,856
(922,434)
(286,393)
15,729
(270,664)
70,610
81,370
12,352
9,386
34,981
46,310
255,009
223,856
20,907
176,256
35,504
80,632
5,156
88,384
885,704
28,092
19,996
190,116
21,700
4,977
22,543
287,424
13,846
16,580
160,672
480,730
258
93,154
1,052,664
5,498
490
445,126
(9,971)
183,157
(806,472)
(187,670)
15,212
(172,458)
885,704
Total Liabilities, Redeemable noncontrolling interests and Stockholders’ deficit
$
864,227
$
See accompanying notes.
50
Table of Contents
Papa John’s International, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenues:
Domestic Company-owned restaurant sales
North America franchise royalties and fees
North America commissary revenues
International revenues
Other revenues
Total revenues
Costs and expenses:
Operating costs (excluding depreciation and amortization shown separately below):
Domestic Company-owned restaurant expenses
North America commissary expenses
International expenses
Other expenses
General and administrative expenses
Depreciation and amortization
Total costs and expenses
Refranchising and impairment loss
Operating income
Net interest expense
Income before income taxes
Income tax expense
Net income before attribution to noncontrolling interests
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Net income attributable to the Company
Calculation of net income for earnings per share:
Net income attributable to the Company
Dividends on redemption of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock
Dividends paid to participating securities
Net income attributable to participating securities
Net income attributable to common shareholders
Basic earnings per common share
Diluted earnings per common share
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
Dividends declared per common share
See accompanying notes.
51
December 25,
2022
Year ended
December 26,
2021
December 27,
2020
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
708,389 $
137,399
869,634
129,903
256,778
2,102,103
585,307
811,446
76,001
238,810
217,412
52,032
1,981,008
(12,065)
109,030
(25,261)
83,769
14,420
69,349
(1,577)
67,772 $
67,772 $
—
(306)
(104)
67,362 $
1.90 $
1.89 $
35,497
35,717
778,323 $
129,310
761,305
150,771
248,712
2,068,421
621,871
703,622
87,286
226,320
212,265
48,816
1,900,180
—
168,241
(17,293)
150,948
25,993
124,955
(4,939)
120,016 $
120,016 $
(109,852)
(6,091)
—
4,073 $
0.12 $
0.12 $
35,007
35,337
700,757
96,732
680,793
123,963
210,989
1,813,234
563,799
630,937
73,994
200,304
204,242
49,705
1,722,981
—
90,253
(14,891)
75,362
14,748
60,614
(2,682)
57,932
57,932
—
(14,059)
(2,136)
41,737
1.29
1.28
32,421
32,717
1.54 $
1.15 $
0.90
Table of Contents
Papa John’s International, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(In thousands)
Net income before attribution to noncontrolling interests
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments
(1)
Interest rate swaps
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax
Income tax effect:
Foreign currency translation adjustments
(2)
Interest rate swaps
Income tax effect
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Comprehensive income before attribution to noncontrolling interests
Less: comprehensive income, redeemable noncontrolling interests
Less: comprehensive income, nonredeemable noncontrolling interests
Comprehensive income attributable to the Company
___________________________________
December 25,
2022
Year Ended
December 26,
2021
December 27,
2020
$
69,349 $
124,955 $
(4,970)
4,757
(213)
1,143
(1,094)
49
(164)
69,185
(574)
(1,003)
67,608 $
(1,397)
6,848
5,451
321
(1,575)
(1,254)
4,197
129,152
(2,609)
(2,330)
124,213 $
$
60,614
2,344
(7,517)
(5,173)
(539)
1,729
1,190
(3,983)
56,631
(824)
(1,858)
53,949
(1)
(2)
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss into interest expense included ($2,384), ($5,965) and ($5,068) for the years ended December 25,
2022, December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020, respectively.
The income tax effects of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss were $536, $1,342 and $1,140 for the years ended December 25, 2022,
December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020, respectively.
See accompanying notes.
52
Table of Contents
Papa John’s International, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit
(In thousands)
Common
Stock
Shares
Outstanding
Common
Stock
Papa John’s International, Inc.
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
(3)
Retained
Earnings
Treasury
Stock
Noncontrolling
Interests in
Subsidiaries
Total
Stockholders’
Deficit
31,894 $
447 $
219,047 $
(10,185) $
205,697 $
(747,327) $
15,665 $
(316,656)
—
—
(1,066)
—
—
(1,066)
(2)
(1)
Balance at December 29, 2019
Cumulative effect of adoption of
ASU 2016-13
Adjusted balance at December
30, 2019
Net income
Other comprehensive loss, net of
tax
Cash dividends on common
stock
Cash dividends on preferred
stock
Exercise of stock options
Acquisition of Company
common stock
Stock-based compensation
expense
Issuance of restricted stock
Tax effect of restricted stock
awards
Distributions to noncontrolling
interests
Other
(1)
Balance at December 27, 2020
Net income
Other comprehensive income,
net of tax
Repurchase and conversion of
Series B Convertible Preferred
Stock
Cash dividends on common
stock
Cash dividends on preferred
stock
Exercise of stock options
Acquisition of Company
common stock
Stock-based compensation
expense
Issuance of restricted stock
Tax effect of restricted stock
awards
Distributions to noncontrolling
interests
Other
Balance at December 26, 2021
—
31,894 $
—
—
447 $
—
219,047 $
—
(10,185) $
—
204,631 $
57,932
—
—
—
540
(32)
—
119
—
—
24
—
—
—
6
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
141
—
30,616
—
16,310
(6,922)
(3,974)
—
(1,115)
(3,983)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(29,503)
(13,649)
—
—
—
—
—
—
(253)
32,545 $
—
453 $
—
254,103 $
—
(14,168) $
—
219,158 $
120,016
—
3,489
—
—
212
(594)
—
132
—
—
13
—
35
—
—
2
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
4,197
—
174,631
158
—
11,967
—
16,919
(6,970)
(5,847)
—
165
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(110,498)
(40,514)
(4,121)
—
—
—
—
—
—
(884)
(747,327) $
—
—
—
—
—
(2,701)
—
6,922
—
—
1,382
(741,724) $
—
—
—
—
—
—
(72,499)
—
6,970
—
—
781
15,665 $
1,858
(317,722)
59,790
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(2,284)
—
15,239 $
2,330
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(2,357)
—
(3,983)
(29,362)
(13,649)
30,622
(2,701)
16,310
—
(3,974)
(2,284)
14
(266,939)
122,346
4,197
64,168
(40,356)
(4,121)
11,969
(72,499)
16,919
—
(5,847)
(2,357)
62
35,797 $
490 $
445,126 $
(9,971) $
183,157 $
(806,472) $
15,212 $
(172,458)
53
Table of Contents
Papa John’s International, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit (continued)
(In thousands)
(1)
Balance at December 26, 2021
Net income
Other comprehensive income, net
of tax
Cash dividends on common stock
Exercise of stock options
Acquisition of Company common
stock
Stock-based compensation
expense
Issuance of restricted stock
Tax effect of restricted stock
awards
Distributions to noncontrolling
interests
Other
Balance at December 25, 2022
Common
Stock
Shares
Outstanding
Common
Stock
Papa John’s International, Inc.
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
(3)
Retained
Earnings
Treasury
Stock
Noncontrolling
Interests in
Subsidiaries
Total
Stockholders’
Deficit
35,797 $
—
490 $
—
445,126 $
—
(9,971) $
—
183,157 $
67,772
—
—
82
(1,343)
—
285
(94)
—
9
—
—
1
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
210
4,035
—
18,388
(8,443)
(9,546)
—
59
(164)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(54,977)
—
—
—
—
—
—
(96)
(806,472) $
—
—
—
—
(125,000)
—
8,443
—
—
595
15,212 $
1,003
(172,458)
68,775
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(486)
—
(164)
(54,767)
4,036
(125,000)
18,388
—
(9,546)
(486)
558
34,736 $
491 $
449,829 $
(10,135) $
195,856 $
(922,434) $
15,729 $
(270,664)
___________________________________
(1)
(2)
(3)
Net income to the Company for the years ended December 25, 2022, December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020 excludes $574, $2,609 and $824, respectively,
allocable to the redeemable noncontrolling interests for our joint venture arrangements.
As of December 30, 2019, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement
of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” See “Note 10. Allowance for Credit Losses” of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for additional information.
At December 25, 2022, the accumulated other comprehensive loss of $10,135 was comprised of net unrealized foreign currency translation loss of $8,696 and a net
unrealized loss on the interest rate swap agreements of $1,439. At December 26, 2021, the accumulated other comprehensive loss of $9,971 was comprised of net
unrealized foreign currency translation loss of $4,869 and a net unrealized loss on the interest rate swap agreements of $5,102. At December 27, 2020, the accumulated
other comprehensive loss of $14,168 was comprised of net unrealized foreign currency translation loss of $3,793 and a net unrealized loss on the interest rate swap
agreements of $10,375.
See accompanying notes.
54
Table of Contents
Papa John’s International, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
Operating activities
Net income before attribution to noncontrolling interests
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision (benefit) for allowance for credit losses on accounts and notes receivable
Depreciation and amortization
Refranchising and impairment loss
Deferred income taxes
Stock-based compensation expense
Other
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable
Income tax receivable
Inventories
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Other assets and liabilities
Accounts payable
Income and other taxes payable
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
Deferred revenue
Net cash provided by operating activities
Investing activities
Purchases of property and equipment
Notes issued
Repayments of notes issued
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
Proceeds from refranchising, net of cash transferred
Other
Net cash used in investing activities
Financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes
Net proceeds of revolving credit facilities
Debt issuance costs
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
Repurchase of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock
Acquisition of Company common stock
Dividends paid to common stockholders
Dividends paid to preferred stockholders
Tax payments for equity award issuances
Distributions to noncontrolling interests
Repayments of term loan
Other
Net cash used in financing activities
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Change in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
See accompanying notes.
December 25,
2022
Year ended
December 26,
2021
December 27,
2020
$
69,349
$
124,955
$
20,539
52,032
12,065
2,798
18,388
1,056
(29,167)
586
(7,496)
5,587
(13,458)
(8,350)
(10,710)
4,846
(257)
117,808
(78,391)
(9,296)
13,045
(1,219)
13,588
(520)
(62,793)
—
115,000
—
4,036
—
(125,000)
(54,767)
—
(9,546)
(1,211)
—
(4,752)
(76,240)
(2,012)
(23,237)
70,610
(852)
48,816
—
3,753
16,919
581
4,023
(8,113)
(4,708)
2,866
(20,077)
(9,278)
9,733
15,875
182
184,675
(68,559)
(16,132)
18,555
(699)
—
3,323
(63,512)
400,000
80,000
(9,179)
11,969
(188,647)
(72,499)
(40,356)
(6,394)
(5,847)
(5,942)
(340,000)
(3,631)
(180,526)
(231)
(59,594)
130,204
$
47,373
$
70,610
$
55
60,614
(4,734)
49,705
—
(9,268)
16,310
2,257
(22,420)
3,760
(2,736)
2,884
20,879
8,229
2,664
59,353
(1,058)
186,439
(35,652)
(16,589)
11,154
—
—
16
(41,071)
—
—
—
30,622
—
(2,701)
(29,362)
(13,649)
(3,974)
(2,420)
(20,000)
(1,977)
(43,461)
386
102,293
27,911
130,204
Table of Contents
Papa John’s International, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1. Description of Business
Papa John’s International, Inc. (referred to as the “Company,” “Papa John’s,” “Papa Johns” or in the first person notations of “we,” “us” and “our”),
operates and franchises pizza delivery and carryout restaurants under the trademark “Papa John’s,” in 48 countries and territories as of December 25, 2022.
Our revenues are derived from retail sales of pizza and other food and beverage products to the general public by Company-owned restaurants, franchise
royalties and sales of franchise and development rights, printing and promotional items and information systems equipment, and software and related
services. We generate revenues from the operation of our Quality Control Centers (“QC Centers”) which supply pizza sauce, dough, food products, paper
products, smallwares and cleaning supplies to restaurants. We also derive revenue from contributions received into our national marketing funds.
In discussions of our business, “Domestic” is defined as within the contiguous United States, “North America” includes Canada, and “International”
includes the rest of the world other than North America.
2. Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Papa John’s International, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All intercompany
balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Variable Interest Entity
Papa John’s Domestic restaurants, both Company-owned and franchised, participate in Papa John’s Marketing Fund, Inc. (“PJMF”), a nonstock corporation
designed to operate at break-even as it spends all annual contributions received from the system. PJMF collects a percentage of revenues from Company-
owned and franchised restaurants in the United States for the purpose of designing and administering advertising and promotional programs. PJMF is a
variable interest entity (“VIE”) that funds its operations with ongoing financial support and contributions from the Domestic restaurants, of which
approximately 85 percent are franchised, and does not have sufficient equity to fund its operations without these ongoing financial contributions. Based on
an assessment of the governance structure and operating procedures of PJMF, the Company determined it has the power to control certain significant
activities of PJMF, and therefore, is the primary beneficiary. The Company has consolidated PJMF in its financial results in accordance with Accounting
Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810, “Consolidation.”
Fiscal Year
Our fiscal year ends on the last Sunday in December of each year. All fiscal years presented consist of 52 weeks.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes.
Significant items that are subject to such estimates and assumptions include the allowance for credit losses on accounts and notes receivable, intangible
assets, contract assets and contract liabilities including the customer loyalty program obligation, right-of-use assets and lease liabilities, gift card breakage,
insurance reserves and tax reserves. Although management bases its estimates on historical experience and assumptions that are believed to be reasonable
under the circumstances, actual results could significantly differ from these estimates.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is measured based on consideration specified in contracts with customers and excludes waivers or incentives and amounts collected on behalf of
third parties, primarily sales tax. The Company recognizes revenue when it satisfies a performance obligation by transferring control over a product or
service to a customer. Taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction,
that are collected by the Company from a customer, are excluded from revenue. Delivery costs, including freight associated with our Domestic commissary
and other sales, are accounted for as fulfillment costs and are included in operating costs.
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The following describes principal activities, separated by major product or service, from which the Company generates its revenues:
Domestic Company-owned Restaurant Sales
The Domestic Company-owned restaurants principally generate revenue from retail sales of high-quality pizza, Papadias, which are flatbread-style
sandwiches, and side items including breadsticks, Papa Bites, cheesesticks, chicken poppers and wings, dessert items and canned or bottled beverages.
Revenues from Company-owned restaurants are recognized when the products are delivered to or carried out by customers.
Our North American customer loyalty program, Papa Rewards, is a spend-based program that rewards customers with points for each purchase. Papa
Rewards points are accumulated and redeemed for dollar off discounts (“Papa Dough”) to be used on future purchases within a six-month expiration
window. The accrued liability in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and corresponding reduction of Company-owned restaurant sales in the Consolidated
Statements of Operations, is for the estimated reward redemptions at Domestic Company-owned restaurants based upon estimated redemption patterns. The
liability related to Papa Rewards is calculated using the estimated redemption value for which the points and accumulated rewards are expected to be
redeemed. Revenue is recognized when the customer redeems the Papa Dough reward and when the points or Papa Dough reward expires.
Franchise Royalties and Fees
Franchise royalties, which are based on a percentage of franchise restaurant sales, are recognized as sales occur. Incentives offered from time to time,
including new store incentives, will reduce the contractual royalty rate paid. Any royalty reductions, including waivers or those offered as part of a new
store development incentive or as incentive for other behaviors, including acceleration of restaurant remodels or equipment upgrades, are recognized at the
same time as the related royalty, as they are not separately distinguishable from the full royalty rate. Our current standard franchise agreement requires the
franchisee to pay a royalty fee of 5% of sales, and the majority of our existing franchised restaurants have a 5% contractual royalty rate in effect. Franchise
royalties are billed on a monthly basis.
The majority of initial franchise license fees and area development exclusivity fees are from International locations. Initial franchise license fees are billed
at the store opening date. The pre-opening services provided to franchisees do not contain separate and distinct performance obligations from the franchise
right; thus, the fees collected will be deferred and amortized on a straight-line basis beginning at the store opening date through the term of the franchise
agreement, which is typically 10 years. Franchise license renewal fees for both Domestic and International locations, which generally occur every 10 years,
are billed before the renewal date. Fees received for future license renewal periods are deferred and amortized over the life of the renewal period. Area
development exclusivity fees are billed upon execution of the development agreements which grant the right to develop franchised restaurants in future
periods in specific geographic areas. Area development exclusivity fees are allocated on a pro rata basis to all restaurants opened under that specific
development agreement. These fees are deferred and amortized over the term of the related franchise agreements, which is typically 10 years.
Commissary Revenues
Commissary revenues are comprised of food and supplies sold to franchised restaurants and are recognized as revenue upon shipment of the related
products to the franchisees. Payments are generally due within 30 days.
There are various incentive programs available to franchisees related to new restaurant openings including discounts on initial commissary orders and new
store equipment incentives, at substantially no cost to franchisees. Commissary revenues are reduced to reflect incentives in the form of direct discounts on
initial commissary orders. The new store equipment incentive is also recorded as a reduction of commissary sales over the term of the incentive agreement,
which is generally three to five years.
Other Revenues
Franchise Marketing Fund revenues represent a required established percentage of monthly restaurant sales collected by PJMF, which is our national
marketing fund, and various other international and Domestic marketing funds (“Co-op” or “Co-operative” Funds) where we have determined for purposes
of accounting that we have control over the significant activities of the funds. PJMF funds its operations with ongoing financial support and contributions
from Domestic Papa John’s restaurants, of which approximately 85% are franchised restaurant members. Contributions are based on a percentage of
monthly restaurant sales and are billed monthly. When we are determined to be the principal in these
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arrangements, advertising fund contributions and expenditures are reported on a gross basis in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Our obligation
related to these funds is to develop and conduct advertising activities in a specific country, region, or market, including the placement of electronic and
print materials.
There are no expiration dates and we do not deduct non-usage fees from outstanding gift cards. While the Company and the franchisees continue to honor
all gift cards presented for payment, the likelihood of redemption may be determined to be remote for certain cards due to long periods of inactivity. In
these circumstances, the Company recognizes breakage revenue for amounts not subject to unclaimed property laws. Based upon our analysis of historical
gift card redemption patterns, we can reasonably estimate the amount of gift cards for which redemption is remote. Breakage revenue is recognized over
time in proportion to estimated redemption patterns as Other revenues. Commissions on gift cards sold by third parties are recorded as a reduction to
Deferred revenue and a reduction to Other revenues based upon estimated redemption patterns.
Fees for information services, including software maintenance fees, help desk fees, centralized call center fees, and online ordering fees are recognized as
revenue as such services are provided and are included in Other revenues.
Revenues for printing, promotional items, and direct mail marketing services are recognized upon shipment of the related products to franchisees and other
customers. Direct mail advertising discounts are also periodically offered by our Preferred Marketing Solutions subsidiary. Other revenues are reduced to
reflect these advertising discounts.
Rental income, primarily derived from properties leased by the Company and subleased to franchisees in the UK, is recognized on a straight-line basis over
the respective operating lease terms.
Advertising and Related Costs
Domestic Company-owned advertising and related costs of $55.2 million, $61.7 million and $56.7 million in 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively, include
the costs of Domestic Company-owned local restaurant activities such as mail coupons, door hangers and promotional items and advertising activities
administered through PJMF and various local market cooperative advertising funds. PJMF is responsible for developing and conducting marketing and
advertising for the Domestic Papa John’s system. The Co-op Funds are responsible for developing and conducting advertising activities in a specific
market, including the placement of electronic and print materials developed by PJMF. During 2020 the Company recorded additional amounts of $15.0
million to PJMF, representing incremental discretionary marketing fund investments in excess of contractual Company-owned restaurant-level
contributions as part of our temporary financial support package to our franchisees. The marketing fund investments are included in General and
administrative expenses within the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Leases
Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the expected life of the lease term for operating leases, whereas lease expense follows an
accelerated expense recognition for finance leases. A lease term often includes option periods, available at the inception of the lease. Lease expense is
comprised of operating and finance lease costs, short-term lease costs, and variable lease costs, which primarily include common area maintenance, real
estate taxes, and insurance for the Company’s real estate leases. Lease costs also include variable rent, which is primarily related to the Company’s supply
chain tractor and trailer leases that are based on a rate per mile.
Stock-Based Compensation
Compensation expense for equity grants is estimated on the grant date, net of projected forfeitures, and is recognized over the vesting period (graded
vesting over three years). Restricted stock is valued based on the market price of the Company’s shares on the date of grant. Management evaluates its
award grants and modifications and will adjust the fair value if any are determined to be spring-loaded.
Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with maturity of three months or less at date of purchase. These investments are carried at cost, which
approximates fair value.
Accounts Receivable
Substantially all accounts receivable is due from franchisees for purchases of food, paper products, point of sale equipment, printing and promotional items,
information systems and related services, marketing and royalties. Credit is extended based
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on an evaluation of the franchisee’s financial condition and collateral is generally not required. An allowance for credit losses is an estimate, even if
remote, based upon historical account write-off trends, facts about the current financial condition of the debtor, forecasts of future operating results based
upon current trends of select operating metrics and macroeconomic factors. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after recovery efforts
have ceased.
Notes Receivable
The Company has provided financing to select Domestic and International franchisees principally for use in the construction and development of their
restaurants and for the purchase of restaurants from the Company or other franchisees. Most notes receivable bear interest at fixed or floating rates and are
generally secured by the assets of each restaurant and the ownership interests in the franchise. The Company has provided long-term financing to certain
franchisees with royalty payment plans. We establish an allowance for credit losses for franchisee notes receivables to reduce the outstanding notes
receivable to their net realizable values based on a review of each franchisee’s economic performance and market conditions after consideration of the fair
value of our underlying collateral rights (e.g., underlying franchisee business, property and equipment) and any guarantees. Note balances are charged off
against the allowance after recovery efforts have ceased.
Interest income recorded on franchisee loans was approximately $1.3 million in 2022, $1.9 million in 2021 and $2.1 million in 2020 and is reported in Net
interest expense in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Inventories
Inventories, which consist of food products, paper goods and supplies, smallwares, and printing and promotional items, are stated at the lower of cost,
determined under the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method, or net realizable value.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is recorded using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets (generally
five to ten years for restaurant, commissary and other equipment, twenty to forty years for buildings and improvements, and five years for technology and
communication assets). Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the terms of the respective leases,
including the first renewal period (generally five to ten years).
Depreciation expense was $45.6 million in 2022, $43.0 million in 2021 and $46.6 million in 2020.
Deferred Costs
We capitalize certain information systems development and related costs that meet established criteria. Amounts capitalized, which are included in property
and equipment, are amortized principally over periods not exceeding five years upon completion of the related information systems project. Total costs
capitalized were approximately $4.1 million in 2022, $4.1 million in 2021 and $3.3 million in 2020. The unamortized information systems development
costs approximated $9.6 and $10.5 million as of December 25, 2022 and December 26, 2021, respectively.
Intangible Assets — Goodwill
We evaluate goodwill annually in the fourth quarter or whenever we identify certain triggering events or circumstances that would more-likely-than-not
reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Such tests are completed separately with respect to the goodwill of each of our reporting
units, which includes our Domestic Company-owned restaurants, United Kingdom (“PJUK”), China, and Preferred Marketing Solutions operations. We
may perform a qualitative assessment or move directly to the quantitative assessment for any reporting unit in any period if we believe that it is more
efficient or if impairment indicators exist.
We elected to perform a quantitative assessment for our Domestic Company-owned restaurants, PJUK, China, and Preferred Marketing Solutions
operations in the fourth quarter of 2022. Our Domestic Company-owned restaurants, PJUK, China and Preferred Marketing Solutions fair value
calculations considered both an income approach and a market approach. The income approach used projected net cash flows, with various growth
assumptions, over a ten-year discrete period and a terminal value, which were discounted using appropriate rates. The selected discount rate considered the
risk and nature of each reporting unit’s cash flow and the rates of return market participants would require to invest their capital in the reporting unit. In
determining the fair value from a market approach, we considered sales multiples and earnings
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before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization multiples that a potential buyer would pay based on third-party transactions in similar markets.
As a result of our quantitative analyses, we determined that it was more-likely-than-not that the fair values of our reporting units were greater than their
carrying amounts. Subsequent to completing our goodwill impairment tests, no indicators of impairment were identified. See “Note 11. Goodwill” for
additional information.
Deferred Income Tax Accounts and Tax Reserves
We are subject to income taxes in the United States and several foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining the provision for
income taxes and the related assets and liabilities. The provision for income taxes includes income taxes paid, currently payable or receivable and those
deferred.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured
using enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences reverse. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are netted by tax
jurisdiction. Deferred tax assets are also recognized for the estimated future effects of tax attribute carryforwards (e.g., net operating losses, capital losses,
and foreign tax credits). The effect on deferred taxes of changes in tax rates is recognized in the period in which the new tax rate is enacted. Valuation
allowances are established when necessary on a jurisdictional basis to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts we expect to realize.
Tax authorities periodically audit the Company. We record reserves and related interest and penalties for identified exposures as income tax expense. We
evaluate these issues and adjust for events, such as statute of limitations expirations, court rulings or audit settlements, which may impact our ultimate
payment for such exposures. See “Note 17. Income Taxes” for additional information.
Insurance Reserves
Our insurance programs for workers’ compensation, owned and non-owned automobiles, general liability and property insurance coverage provided to our
employees are funded by the Company up to certain retention limits which range up to $0.5 million.
Losses are accrued based upon undiscounted estimates of the liability for claims incurred and for events that have occurred but have not been reported
using certain third-party actuarial projections and our claims loss experience. The determination of the recorded insurance reserves is highly judgmental
and complex due to the significant uncertainty in the potential value of reported claims and the number and potential value of incurred but not reported
claims, the application of significant judgment in making those estimates and the use of various actuarial valuation methods. The estimated insurance
claims losses could be significantly affected should the frequency or ultimate cost of claims differ significantly from historical trends used to estimate the
insurance reserves recorded by the Company. The Company records estimated losses above retention within its reserve with a corresponding receivable for
expected amounts due from insurance carriers.
As of December 25, 2022, our insurance reserve was $67.3 million as compared to $88.1 million as of December 26, 2021 primarily related to auto liability
and workers’ compensation claims. Of these amounts, approximately $29.7 million and $34.7 million were recorded in Accrued expenses and other current
liabilities and $37.6 million and $53.6 million were recorded in Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 25, 2022
and December 26, 2021, respectively. Our reserves include claim costs above our retention that have a corresponding receivable. Our insurance receivable
for claims above retention totaled $38.4 million and $48.1 million as of December 25, 2022 and December 26, 2021, respectively. Of these amounts,
approximately $17.0 million and $18.7 million were recorded in Prepaid expenses and other current assets, and $21.4 million and $29.4 million were
recorded in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 25, 2022 and December 26, 2021, respectively.
Derivative Financial Instruments
We recognize all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. At inception and on an ongoing basis, we assess whether each derivative that qualifies for
hedge accounting continues to be highly effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of the hedged item. If the derivative meets the hedge criteria as
defined by certain accounting standards, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative are either offset against the
change in fair value of assets, liabilities or firm commitments through earnings or recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) until the
hedged item is recognized in earnings. In 2021, our interest rate swaps were de-designated as cash flow hedges following the issuance of the Notes (as
defined in “Note 12. Debt”) and remained undesignated as hedges through June 26, 2022. For
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these de-designated hedges, the portion of gains or losses on the derivative instruments previously recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss
(“AOCL”) will be reclassified into earnings as adjustments to interest expense on a straight-line basis over the remaining life of the originally hedged
transactions.
As of June 27, 2022, the interest rate swaps were re-designated as cash flow hedges to provide a hedge against changes in variable rate cash flows
regarding fluctuations in the London Interbank Offered Rates (“LIBOR”) rate utilized on the revolving credit facility. Therefore, beginning in the third
quarter of 2022, our interest rate swaps are accounted for utilizing cash flow hedge accounting treatment. The interest rate swaps are marked to market at
each reporting date and any unrealized gains or losses are included in AOCL and reclassified to interest expense in the same period or periods during which
the hedged transactions affect earnings.
Noncontrolling Interests
Papa John’s has joint venture arrangements in which there are noncontrolling interests held by third parties that included 98 and 188 restaurants at
December 25, 2022 and December 26, 2021, respectively. As further described in “Note 22. Divestitures,” the Company divested its 51 percent interest in
one joint venture that owned 90 restaurants in the second quarter of 2022. Consolidated net income is required to be reported separately at amounts
attributable to both the Company and the noncontrolling interests. Additionally, disclosures are required to clearly identify and distinguish between the
interests of the Company and the interests of the noncontrolling owners, including a disclosure on the face of the Consolidated Statements of Operations of
income attributable to the noncontrolling interest holder.
The following summarizes the redemption feature, location and related accounting within the Consolidated Balance Sheets for these joint venture
arrangements:
Type of Joint Venture Arrangement
Joint ventures with no redemption feature
Location within the
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Recorded Value
Permanent equity
Carrying value
Joint venture with option to require the Company to purchase the noncontrolling interest - not
currently redeemable or redemption not probable
Temporary equity
Carrying value
See “Note 9. Noncontrolling Interests” for additional information regarding noncontrolling interests.
Foreign Currency Translation
The local currency is the functional currency for each of our foreign subsidiaries. Revenues and expenses are translated into United States (“U.S.”) dollars
using monthly average exchange rates, while assets and liabilities are translated using year-end exchange rates and historical rates. The resulting translation
adjustments are included as a component of AOCL, net of income taxes.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Reference Rate Reform – Hedging
In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2020-04, “Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on
Financial Reporting.” The ASU provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting related
to the expected market transition from LIBOR and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates if certain criteria are met. This guidance was
effective beginning on March 12, 2020, and amendments could be applied prospectively through December 31, 2022. The hedge accounting expedients
may be applied, on an individual hedging relationship basis, to eligible hedge accounting relationships that existed as of the beginning of the effective date
of this guidance, and to new eligible hedging relationships entered into after the effective date of this guidance; however, those expedients generally could
not be applied to hedging relationships for periods after December 31, 2022. The FASB issued ASU 2022-06, “Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848,”
which deferred the sunset date from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024. The Company adopted certain optional hedge accounting expedients
provided by ASU 2020-04 during fiscal 2020. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial
position, results of operations, or cash flows.
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3. Leases
The Company has significant leases that include most Domestic Company-owned restaurant and commissary locations as well as our corporate office
located in Atlanta, Georgia. Other Domestic leases include tractor and trailer leases used by our distribution subsidiary as well as commissary equipment.
Additionally, the Company leases a significant number of restaurants within the United Kingdom (“UK”); these restaurants are then subleased to the
franchisees. The Company’s leases have terms as follows:
Domestic Company-owned restaurants
UK franchise-owned restaurants
Domestic commissary locations
Domestic and International tractors and trailers
Domestic and International commissary and office equipment
Average lease term
Five years, plus at least one renewal
15 years
10 years, plus at least one renewal
Five to seven years
Three to five years
The Company determines if an arrangement is or contains a lease at contract inception and recognizes a right-of-use asset and a lease liability at the lease
commencement date. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less but greater than one month are not recorded on the balance sheet for select asset
classes. The lease liability is measured at the present value of future lease payments as of the lease commencement date. The right-of-use asset recognized
is based on the lease liability adjusted for prepaid and deferred rent and unamortized lease incentives. An operating lease right-of-use asset is amortized on
a straight-line basis over the lease term and is recognized as a single lease cost against the operating lease liability. A finance lease right-of-use asset is
amortized on a straight-line basis, with interest costs reported separately, over the lesser of the useful life of the leased asset or lease term. Operating lease
expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and is included in Operating costs or General and administrative expenses. Variable lease
payments are expensed as incurred.
The Company uses its incremental borrowing rates as the discount rate for its leases, which is equal to the rate of interest the Company would have to pay
on a collateralized basis to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments under similar terms. The lease terms for all the Company’s leases include the
contractually obligated period of the leases, plus any additional periods covered by Company options to extend the leases that the Company is reasonably
certain to exercise.
Certain leases provide that the lease payments may be increased annually based on the fixed rate terms or adjustable terms such as the Consumer Price
Index. Future base rent escalations that are not contractually quantifiable as of the lease commencement date are not included in our lease liability.
The following schedule details the total right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 25, 2022 and
December 26, 2021 (in thousands):
Leases
Assets
Finance lease assets, net
Operating lease assets, net
Total lease assets
Liabilities
Current finance lease liabilities
Current operating lease liabilities
Noncurrent finance lease liabilities
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities
Total lease liabilities
Classification
Finance lease right-of-use assets, net
Operating lease right-of-use assets
Current finance lease liabilities
Current operating lease liabilities
Long-term finance lease liabilities
Long-term operating lease liabilities
62
December 25,
2022
December 26,
2021
$
$
$
$
24,941 $
172,425
197,366 $
6,850 $
23,418
19,022
160,905
210,195 $
20,907
176,256
197,163
4,977
22,543
16,580
160,672
204,772
Table of Contents
Lease costs for the years ended December 25, 2022, December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020 were as follows (in thousands):
Finance lease:
Amortization of right-of-use assets
Interest on lease liabilities
Operating lease:
Operating lease cost
Short-term lease cost
Variable lease cost
Total lease costs
Sublease income
Total lease costs, net of sublease income
Year Ended
December 25, 2022
Year Ended
December 26, 2021
Year Ended
December 27, 2020
$
$
5,704 $
1,029
4,980 $
1,140
42,815
4,171
9,129
62,848
(11,654)
43,072
2,032
8,572
59,796
(12,039)
51,194 $
47,757 $
2,342
606
40,026
3,960
6,503
53,437
(10,407)
43,030
Future minimum lease payments under contractually-obligated leases and associated sublease income as of December 25, 2022 were as follows (in
thousands):
Fiscal Year
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
Thereafter
Total future minimum lease payments
Less imputed interest
Total present value of lease liabilities
Lessor Operating Leases
Finance
Lease
Costs
Operating
Lease
Costs
Expected
Sublease
Income
$
$
7,849 $
6,801
5,171
4,125
2,971
1,440
28,357
(2,485)
25,872 $
32,860 $
32,267
30,695
26,973
21,568
92,002
236,365
(52,042)
184,323 $
10,303
10,371
9,952
9,251
8,523
42,089
90,489
—
90,489
The Company subleases certain retail space to our franchisees in the UK which are primarily operating leases. At December 25, 2022, we leased and
subleased approximately 442 Papa John’s restaurants to franchisees in the UK. The initial lease terms on the franchised sites in the UK are generally 15
years. The Company has the option to negotiate an extension toward the end of the lease term at the landlord’s discretion. The initial lease terms of the
franchisee subleases are generally five to ten years. Rental income, primarily derived from properties leased and subleased to franchisees in the UK, is
recognized on a straight-line basis over the respective operating lease terms. The Company recognized total sublease income of $11.7 million, $12.0
million and $10.4 million for the years ended December 25, 2022, December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020, respectively, within Other revenues in the
Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Lease Guarantees
As a result of assigning our interest in obligations under property leases as a condition of the refranchising of certain restaurants, we are contingently liable
for payment of approximately 53 Domestic leases. These leases have varying terms, the latest of which expires in 2036. As of December 25, 2022, the
estimated maximum amount of undiscounted payments the Company could be required to make in the event of nonpayment by the primary lessees was
$9.2 million. This contingent liability is not included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet or future minimum lease obligation. The fair value of the guarantee
is not material.
There were no leases recorded between related parties.
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Supplemental Cash Flow & Other Information
The following table presents supplemental cash flow information related to leases for the years ended December 25, 2022, December 26, 2021 and
December 27, 2020:
(Dollars in thousands)
December 25, 2022
December 26, 2021
December 27, 2020
Year Ended
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from finance leases
Financing cash flows from finance leases
Operating cash flows from operating leases
(a)
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities
(b)
Cash received from sublease income
$
$
$
$
$
$
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years):
Finance leases
Operating leases
Weighted-average discount rate:
Finance leases
Operating leases
______________________________
1,029 $
5,416 $
35,573 $
9,875 $
53,869 $
10,847 $
4.43
8.44
4.59%
5.63%
1,140 $
4,566 $
38,530 $
9,486 $
64,420 $
11,597 $
4.51
8.30
5.08%
6.20%
606
2,139
37,113
9,152
30,266
10,545
4.71
7.00
5.34%
6.65%
(a)
(b)
Included within the change in Other assets and liabilities within the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows offset by non-cash operating lease right-of-use asset
amortization and lease liability accretion.
Includes right-of-use assets of approximately $21.8 million for the year ended December 25, 2021 associated with the lease commencement of our Atlanta, Georgia
corporate office.
4. Papa John’s Marketing Fund, Inc.
PJMF, which is a consolidated variable interest entity where the Company has been identified as the primary beneficiary, collects a percentage of revenues
from Company-owned and franchised restaurants in the United States, for the purpose of designing and administering advertising and promotional
programs for all participating Domestic restaurants. Contributions and expenditures are reported on a gross basis in the Consolidated Statements of
Operations within Other revenues and Other expenses. PJMF also has a wholly-owned subsidiary, Papa Card, Inc., which administers the Company’s gift
card programs.
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Assets and liabilities of PJMF, which are utilized solely for the Company’s advertising and promotional programs, were as follows in the Consolidated
Balance Sheets (in thousands):
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable, net
Income tax receivable
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Total current assets
Deferred income taxes
Total assets
Liabilities
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
Income and other taxes payable
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
Current deferred revenue
Total current liabilities
Deferred revenue
Total liabilities
5. Revenue Recognition
Contract Balances
December 25,
2022
December 26,
2021
$
$
$
$
17,174 $
14,780
—
1,815
33,769
655
34,424 $
12,428 $
8
17,928
4,395
34,759
2,503
37,262 $
24,481
14,150
300
1,718
40,649
614
41,263
140
2
40,154
4,317
44,613
2,478
47,091
Our contract liabilities primarily relate to franchise fees, unredeemed gift card liabilities, and loyalty program obligations, which we classify as Deferred
revenue on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the years ended December 25, 2022 and December 26, 2021, the Company recognized $33.4 million
and $36.3 million in revenue, respectively, related to deferred revenue.
The following table includes a breakout of contract liability balances (in thousands):
Franchise fees and unredeemed gift card liabilities
Customer loyalty program obligations
Total contract liabilities
Contract Liabilities
December 25, 2022
December 26, 2021
Change
$
$
30,710 $
13,766
44,476 $
20,410 $
15,136
35,546 $
10,300
(1,370)
8,930
Our contract assets consist primarily of equipment incentives provided to franchisees. Equipment incentives are related to the future value of commissary
revenue the Company will receive over the term of the incentive agreement. As of December 25, 2022 and December 26, 2021, the contract assets were
approximately $4.5 million and $5.8 million, respectively. For the years ended December 25, 2022 and December 26, 2021, revenue was reduced
approximately $3.4 million and $3.0 million, respectively, for the amortization of contract assets over the applicable contract terms. Contract assets are
included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets and Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
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Transaction Price Allocated to the Remaining Performance Obligations
The following table (in thousands) includes estimated revenue expected to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations that are
unsatisfied at the end of the reporting period.
Performance Obligations by Period
Less than 1 Year
1-2 Years
2-3 Years
3-4 Years
4-5 Years
Thereafter
Total
Franchise fees
$
3,098 $
2,927 $
2,755 $
2,524 $
2,210 $
7,120 $
20,634
Approximately $3.2 million of area development fees related to unopened stores and International unearned royalties are included in Deferred revenue.
Timing of revenue recognition is dependent upon the timing of store openings and franchisees’ revenues. Gift card liabilities of approximately $6.9 million,
included in Deferred revenue, will be recognized in Company-owned restaurant revenues when gift cards are redeemed. The Company will recognize
redemption fee revenue in Other revenues when cards are redeemed at franchised restaurant locations.
The Company applies the practical expedient in ASC 606-10-50-14 and does not disclose information about remaining performance obligations that have
original expected durations of one year or less.
6. Stockholders’ Deficit
Common Stock
The Company has authorized 100.0 million shares of common stock as of December 25, 2022 and December 26, 2021, respectively. The Company’s
outstanding shares of common stock, net of repurchased common stock held as treasury stock, were 34.7 million shares at December 25, 2022 and 35.8
million shares at December 26, 2021.
Share Repurchase Program
On October 28, 2021, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program with an indefinite duration for up to $425.0 million of the Company’s
common stock. This share repurchase program operated alongside our previous $75.0 million share repurchase authorization, which began on November 4,
2020 and expired on December 26, 2021.
The following table summarizes our repurchase activity for the years ended December 25, 2022, December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020, respectively:
(In thousands, except average price per share)
Year Ended
December 25, 2022
December 26, 2021
December 27, 2020
Total
Number
of Shares
Purchased
Average
Price
Paid per
Share
Aggregate
Cost of
Shares
Purchased
Maximum Dollar
Value of Shares
that May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs
1,343 $
594 $
32 $
93.07 $
121.96 $
83.90 $
125,000 $
72,499 $
2,701 $
299,800
424,800
72,299
Subsequent to year-end, we acquired an additional 319,307 shares at an aggregate cost of $27.6 million. Approximately $272.2 million remained available
under the Company’s share repurchase program as of February 16, 2023.
The timing and volume of share repurchases under the Company’s share repurchase programs may be executed at the discretion of management on an
opportunistic basis, subject to market and business conditions, regulatory requirements and other factors, or pursuant to trading plans or other
arrangements. Repurchases under the programs may be made through open market, block, and privately negotiated transactions, including Rule 10b5-1
plans, at times and in such amounts as management deems appropriate. Repurchases under the Company’s share repurchase programs may be commenced
or suspended from time to time at the Company’s discretion without prior notice. Funding for the share repurchase programs will be provided through our
credit facility, operating cash flow, stock option exercises and cash and cash equivalents.
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Dividends on Common Stock
The Company paid dividends of approximately $54.8 million ($1.54 per share), $40.4 million and $29.4 million to common stockholders for the years
2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
On January 26, 2023, our Board of Directors declared a first quarter 2023 dividend of $0.42 per common share, representing a $14.6 million aggregate
dividend that was paid on February 17, 2023 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 6, 2023. The declaration and payment of any
future dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors.
Preferred Stock
The Company has authorized 5.0 million shares of preferred stock (of which none were issued or outstanding at December 25, 2022 or December 26, 2021,
respectively).
On May 11, 2021, the Company entered into a Share Repurchase Agreement with certain funds affiliated with, or managed by, Starboard Value LP
(collectively, “Starboard”), pursuant to which (i) the Company repurchased from Starboard 78,387 shares of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, par
value $0.01 per share, of the Company (“Series B Preferred Stock”) and (ii) Starboard converted the remaining 171,613 shares of Series B Preferred Stock
that it owned into 3,458,360 shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to the terms of the Certificate of Designation of the Series B Preferred Stock.
On June 3, 2021, the Company entered into agreements with certain franchisee investors to repurchase 1,000 shares of the outstanding Series B Preferred
Stock and convert the remaining 1,530 shares of Series B Preferred Stock into 30,769 shares of common stock. The Company paid Starboard and the
franchisee investors aggregate one-time cash payments of $188.6 million for the repurchase and conversion of all of the outstanding shares of Series B
Preferred Stock. The excess of the cash payment over the carrying value of the respective Series B Preferred Stock redeemed resulted in $109.9 million of
dividends on redemption of Series B Preferred Stock in the Consolidated Statement of Operations, which reduced net income attributable to common
stockholders and also reduced diluted earnings per share by $3.10 for the year ended December 26, 2021.
On August 3, 2021, the Company filed a Certificate of Elimination (the “Certificate of Elimination”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to
eliminate the Series B Preferred Stock. Effective upon filing, the Certificate of Elimination eliminated from the Company’s Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation all matters set forth in the Certificate of Designation with respect to the Series B Preferred Stock. The shares that were
designated to such series were returned to the status of authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company,
without designation as to series. As a result of the repurchase and conversion, there were no shares of Series B Preferred Stock authorized or outstanding at
December 25, 2022 or December 26, 2021.
The following table summarizes changes to our Series B Preferred Stock in 2021 (in thousands):
Balance at December 27, 2020
Accretion
Redemption
Balance at December 26, 2021
Dividends on Series B Preferred Stock
$
$
251,901
629
(252,530)
—
The Company paid common stock “pass-through” dividends on an as-converted basis to Series B Preferred Stockholders of $1.1 million and $4.6 million
and preferred dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock of $3.0 million and $9.1 million, in 2021 and 2020, respectively. The Company also paid $1.5
million of common stock deemed dividend distributions in connection with the repurchase and conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock in 2021.
7. Earnings per Share
We compute earnings per share using the two-class method. The two-class method requires an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per
share for common shareholders and participating security holders according to dividends declared and participating rights in undistributed earnings. The
shares of Series B Preferred Stock, which were repurchased by the Company or converted into shares of common stock during the second quarter of 2021,
and time-based restricted stock awards are participating securities because holders of such shares have non-forfeitable dividend rights and participate in
undistributed earnings with common stock. Under the two-class method, total dividends provided to the holders of
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participating securities and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities, are subtracted from net income attributable to the Company in
determining net income attributable to common shareholders. Additionally, any accretion to the redemption value for the Series B Preferred Stock or cash
payments in excess of their respective carrying values upon redemption was treated as a deemed dividend in the two-class earnings per share calculation.
Basic earnings per common share are computed by dividing net income attributable to common shareholders by the weighted-average common shares
outstanding. Diluted earnings per common share are computed by dividing the net income attributable to common shareholders by the diluted weighted
average common shares outstanding. Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding consist of basic weighted average common shares outstanding
plus weighted average awards outstanding under our equity compensation plans, which are dilutive securities.
The calculations of basic earnings per common share and diluted earnings per common share for the years ended December 25, 2022, December 26, 2021
and December 27, 2020 are as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
Basic earnings per common share
Net income attributable to the Company
Dividends on redemption of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock
Dividends paid to participating securities
Net income attributable to participating securities
Net income attributable to common shareholders
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic earnings per common share
Diluted earnings per common share
Net income attributable to common shareholders
Weighted average common shares outstanding
(a)
Dilutive effect of outstanding equity awards
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
(b)
Diluted earnings per common share
2022
2021
2020
67,772 $
—
(306)
(104)
67,362 $
35,497
1.90 $
120,016 $
(109,852)
(6,091)
—
4,073 $
35,007
0.12 $
57,932
—
(14,059)
(2,136)
41,737
32,421
1.29
67,362 $
4,073 $
41,737
35,497
220
35,717
35,007
330
35,337
1.89 $
0.12 $
32,421
296
32,717
1.28
$
$
$
$
$
______________________________
(a)
(b)
Shares subject to options to purchase common stock with an exercise price greater than the average market price for the year were not included in the computation of
diluted earnings per common share because the effect would have been antidilutive. The weighted average number of shares subject to antidilutive options was 100,000
in 2020 (none in 2022 or 2021).
The Company had 252,500 shares of Series B Preferred Stock outstanding as of December 27, 2020 (none as of December 25, 2022 or December 26, 2021). For the
fully diluted calculation, the Series B Preferred Stock dividends were added back to net income attributable to common shareholders. The Company then applied the if-
converted method to calculate dilution on the Series B Preferred Stock, which resulted in 5.0 million additional common shares. This calculation was anti-dilutive in
2020 and as such was excluded.
See “Note 20. Equity Compensation” for additional information regarding our equity awards, including restricted stock.
8. Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures
The Company determines the fair value of financial assets and liabilities based on the price that would be received to sell the asset or paid to transfer the
liability to a market participant. Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are required to be classified and disclosed
in one of the following three categories:
•
•
•
Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2: Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.
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Fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity specific measurement. Considerable judgment is required to interpret market data to estimate fair
value; accordingly, the fair values presented do not necessarily indicate what the Company or its debtholders could realize in a current market exchange.
Our financial assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 25, 2022 and December 26, 2021 are as follows:
(in thousands)
December 25, 2022
Financial assets:
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies
Interest rate swaps
(b)
(a)
December 26, 2021
Financial assets:
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies
(a)
Financial liabilities:
Interest rate swaps
(b)
______________________________
Carrying
Value
Fair Value Measurements
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
$
$
$
$
30,120 $
986 $
30,120 $
— $
— $
986 $
41,904 $
41,904 $
— $
5,536 $
— $
5,536 $
—
—
—
—
(a)
(b)
Represents life insurance policies held in our non-qualified deferred compensation plan. See “Note 21. Employee Benefit Plans” for additional information.
The fair value of our interest rate swaps is based on the sum of all future net present value cash flows. The future cash flows are derived based on the terms of our
interest rate swaps, as well as considering published discount factors, and projected London Interbank Offered Rates (“LIBOR”).
There were no transfers among levels within the fair value hierarchy during fiscal 2022 or 2021.
The fair value of certain assets and liabilities approximates carrying value because of the short-term nature of the accounts, including cash and cash
equivalents, accounts receivable, net of allowances, and accounts payable. The carrying value of notes receivable, net of allowances, also approximates fair
value. The Company’s revolving credit facilities and term debt under the Company’s credit agreement approximate carrying value due to their variable
market-based interest rate. The Company’s 3.875% senior notes are classified as a Level 2 fair value measurement since the Company estimates the fair
value by using recent trading transactions, and have the following estimated fair values and carrying values (excluding the impact of unamortized debt
issuance costs) as of December 25, 2022 and December 26, 2021:
(in thousands)
3.875% Senior Notes
9. Noncontrolling Interests
December 25, 2022
December 26, 2021
Carrying
Value
Fair
Value
Carrying
Value
Fair
Value
$
400,000 $
339,500 $
400,000 $
396,000
As of December 25, 2022, the Company had three joint venture arrangements comprising 98 restaurants as compared to four joint venture arrangements
comprising 188 restaurants at December 26, 2021. As further described in “Note 22. Divestitures,” the Company divested its 51 percent interest in one joint
venture that owned 90 restaurants in the second quarter of 2022.
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Net income attributable to these joint ventures for the years ended December 25, 2022, December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020 was as follows (in
thousands):
Papa John’s International, Inc.
Noncontrolling interests
Total net income
2022
2021
2020
$
$
3,136 $
1,577
4,713 $
8,457 $
4,939
13,396 $
The following summarizes changes in our redeemable noncontrolling interests in 2022 and 2021 (in thousands):
Balance at December 27, 2020
Net income
Distributions
Balance at December 26, 2021
Net income
Distributions
Balance at December 25, 2022
10. Allowance for Credit Losses
$
$
$
5,654
2,682
8,336
6,474
2,609
(3,585)
5,498
574
(4,855)
1,217
The Company adopted ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,”
(“ASU 2016-13”) as of December 30, 2019 (the first day of fiscal 2020) under the modified retrospective transition method. Topic 326 requires
measurement and recognition of expected versus incurred losses for financial assets held. Financial instruments subject to Topic 326 include trade accounts
receivable, notes receivable and interest receivable (classified as Other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets) from franchisees. The impact of the
adoption was not material to our consolidated financial statements.
Estimates of expected credit losses, even if remote, are based upon historical account write-off trends, facts about the current financial condition of the
debtor, forecasts of future operating results based upon current trends of select operating metrics, and macroeconomic factors. Credit quality is monitored
through the timing of payments compared to the prescribed payment terms and known facts regarding the financial condition of the franchisee or customer.
Account and note balances are charged off against the allowance after recovery efforts have ceased.
The following table summarizes changes in our allowances for credit losses for accounts receivable and notes receivable:
(In thousands)
Balance at December 27, 2020
Current period provision (benefit) for expected credit losses
Write-offs charged against the allowance
Recoveries collected
Balance at December 26, 2021
Current period provision for expected credit losses
Write-offs charged against the allowance
Recoveries collected
(a)
Balance at December 25, 2022
Accounts Receivable
$
3,622 $
16
(1,274)
—
2,364 $
6,474
(2,120)
—
6,718 $
Notes Receivable
3,211
(583)
(843)
(285)
1,500
14,066
(1,042)
(25)
14,499
$
$
______________________________
(a)
The Company recorded $14.6 million of one-time, non-cash reserves in the first quarter of 2022 for certain accounts receivable and notes receivable primarily associated
with a master franchisee with operations principally in Russia. The Company recorded $3.7 million of one-time, non-cash reserves in the second half of 2022 for
certain accounts receivable and notes receivable primarily associated with the termination of significant franchisees in the UK.
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11. Goodwill
The following summarizes changes in the Company’s goodwill, by reportable segment (in thousands):
Balance at December 27, 2020
Foreign currency adjustments
Balance at December 26, 2021
Acquisitions
Divestitures
Foreign currency adjustments
(b)
(c)
Balance at December 25, 2022
______________________________
Domestic Company-
owned Restaurants
$
64,254 $
—
64,254 $
1,161
(9,908)
—
55,507 $
International
(a)
All Others
Total
16,101 $
(159)
15,942 $
—
—
(1,269)
14,673 $
436 $
—
436 $
—
—
—
436 $
80,791
(159)
80,632
1,161
(9,908)
(1,269)
70,616
$
$
(a)
(b)
(c)
The International goodwill balances for all years presented are net of accumulated impairment of $2.3 million associated with our PJUK reporting unit.
Goodwill from acquisitions was $1.2 million in 2022, due to acquisitions of two stores.
In conjunction with the refranchising of our 51.0% ownership interest in a 90-restaurant consolidated joint venture in Texas, goodwill was allocated to the disposal
group based on relative fair value within the Domestic Company-owned restaurants reporting group. See “Note 22. Divestitures” for further information.
12. Debt
Long-term debt, net consists of the following (in thousands):
Senior notes
Revolving facilities
Outstanding debt
Unamortized debt issuance costs
Total long-term debt, net
Senior Notes
December 25,
2022
December 26,
2021
$
$
400,000 $
205,000
605,000
(7,931)
597,069 $
400,000
90,000
490,000
(9,270)
480,730
On September 14, 2021, the Company issued $400.0 million of 3.875% senior notes (the “Notes”) which will mature on September 15, 2029. The Notes
are guaranteed by each of the Company’s existing and future Domestic restricted subsidiaries that are guarantors or borrowers under the Amended Credit
Agreement (as defined below) or other certain indebtedness. The Notes were offered and sold either to persons reasonably believed to be “qualified
institutional buyers” pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or to persons outside the United States
under Regulation S of the Securities Act. Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year,
beginning March 15, 2022, at a fixed interest rate of 3.875% per annum. In connection with the Notes, the Company recorded $7.1 million of debt issuance
costs, which are being amortized into net interest expense over the term of the Notes.
The net proceeds from the Notes, together with borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement (as defined below), were used to repay outstanding
revolver and term loan borrowings under the Company’s Previous Credit Agreement (as defined below).
The Company may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any time on or after September 15, 2024 at established redemption prices ranging from 97 to
194 basis points depending on when the Notes are redeemed. At any time prior to September 15, 2024, the Company may also redeem up to 40% of the
Notes with net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 103.875% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus
accrued and unpaid interest, excluding the redemption date. In addition, at any time prior to September 15, 2024, the Company may
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redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid
interest and an applicable “make-whole” premium. The Notes also contain customary redemption provisions related to asset sales and certain change of
control transactions.
The Indenture governing the Notes contains customary events of default, including, among other things, payment default, failure to comply with covenants
or agreements contained in the Indenture or the Notes and certain provisions related to bankruptcy events. The Indenture also contains customary negative
covenants.
Amended Credit Agreement
Concurrently with the issuance of the Notes, the Company entered into an amended and restated credit agreement (the “Amended Credit Agreement”)
replacing the previous credit agreement (“Previous Credit Agreement”). The Amended Credit Agreement provides for a senior secured revolving credit
facility in an aggregate available principal amount of $600.0 million (the “PJI Revolving Facility”), of which up to $40.0 million is available as swingline
loans and up to $80.0 million is available as letters of credit. The PJI Revolving Facility will mature on September 14, 2026. In connection with the
Amended Credit Agreement, the Company recorded $2.1 million of debt issuance costs, which are being amortized into net interest expense over the term
of the Amended Credit Agreement. The remaining availability under the PJI Revolving Facility was $395.0 million as of December 25, 2022.
Up to $50.0 million of the PJI Revolving Facility may be advanced in certain agreed foreign currencies, including Euros, Pounds Sterling, Canadian
Dollars, Japanese Yen, and Mexican Pesos. Additionally, the Amended Credit Agreement includes an accordion feature allowing for a future increase of the
PJI Revolving Facility and/or incremental term loans in an aggregate amount of up to $500.0 million, subject to certain conditions, including obtaining
commitments from one or more new or existing lenders to provide such increased amounts and ongoing compliance with financial covenants.
Loans under the PJI Revolving Facility accrue interest at a per annum rate equal to, at the Company’s election, either a LIBOR rate plus a margin ranging
from 1.25% to 2.00% or a base rate (generally determined according to the greater of a prime rate, federal funds rate plus 0.50%, or a LIBOR rate plus
1.00%) plus a margin ranging from 0.25% to 1.00%. In each case, the actual margin is determined according to a ratio of the Company’s total indebtedness
to an earnings calculation, Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in our credit agreement), for the then most recently ended four quarter period (the “Leverage
Ratio”). An unused commitment fee ranging from 18 to 30 basis points per annum, determined according to the Leverage Ratio, applies to the
underutilized commitments under the PJI Revolving Facility. Loans outstanding under the PJI Revolving Facility may be prepaid at any time without
premium or penalty, subject to customary breakage costs in the case of borrowings for which a LIBOR rate election is in effect. The Amended Credit
Agreement also contain provisions specifying alternative interest rate calculations to be used at such time as LIBOR ceases to be available as a benchmark
for establishing the interest rate on floating interest rate borrowings.
The Amended Credit Agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants that, among other things, require customary reporting obligations,
and restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the incurrence of additional indebtedness and liens, the consummation of certain mergers, consolidations, sales of
assets and similar transactions, the making of investments, equity distributions and other restricted payments, and transactions with affiliates. The Company
is subject to the following financial covenants: (1) a maximum Leverage Ratio of 5.25 to 1.00, subject to the Company’s election to increase the maximum
Leverage Ratio by 0.50 to 1.00 in connection with material acquisitions if the Company satisfies certain requirements, and (2) a minimum interest coverage
ratio defined as Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in our credit agreement) plus consolidated rental expense to consolidated interest expense plus
consolidated rental expense of 2.00 to 1.00. We were in compliance with these financial covenants at December 25, 2022.
Obligations under the Amended Credit Agreement are guaranteed by certain direct and indirect material Domestic subsidiaries of the Company (the
“Guarantors”) and are secured by a security interest in substantially all of the capital stock and equity interests of the Company’s and the Guarantors’
Domestic and first tier material foreign subsidiaries. The Amended Credit Agreement contains customary events of default including, among other things,
payment defaults, breach of covenants, cross acceleration to material indebtedness, bankruptcy-related defaults, judgment defaults, and the occurrence of
certain change of control events. The occurrence of an event of default may result in the termination of the PJI Revolving Facility, acceleration of
repayment obligations and the exercise of remedies by the Lenders with respect to the Guarantors.
PJMF Revolving Facility
PJMF has a $20.0 million revolving line of credit (the “PJMF Revolving Facility”) pursuant to a Revolving Loan Agreement, dated September 30, 2015
with U.S. Bank National Association, as lender. The PJMF Revolving Facility is
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secured by substantially all assets of PJMF. The PJMF Revolving Facility matures on September 30, 2023, but is subject to annual amendments. The
borrowings under the PJMF Revolving Facility accrue interest at a variable rate of the one-month LIBOR plus 1.60%. There was no debt outstanding under
the PJMF Revolving Facility as of December 25, 2022 or December 26, 2021. The PJMF operating results and the related debt outstanding do not impact
the financial covenants under the Amended Credit Agreement.
Derivative Financial Instruments
As of December 25, 2022, we have the following interest rate swap agreements with a total notional value of $125.0 million:
Effective Dates
April 30, 2018 through April 30, 2023
April 30, 2018 through April 30, 2023
April 30, 2018 through April 30, 2023
Floating Rate Debt
Fixed Rates
$
$
$
55 million
35 million
35 million
2.33 %
2.36 %
2.34 %
In 2021, our interest rate swaps were de-designated as cash flow hedges following the issuance of the Notes and remained undesignated as hedges through
June 26, 2022. For these de-designated hedges, the portion of gains or losses on the derivative instruments previously recognized in AOCL will be
reclassified into earnings as adjustments to interest expense on a straight-line basis over the remaining life of the originally hedged transactions.
As of June 27, 2022, the interest rate swaps were re-designated as cash flow hedges to provide a hedge against changes in variable rate cash flows
regarding fluctuations in the LIBOR rate utilized on the revolving credit facility. Therefore, beginning in the third quarter of 2022, our interest rate swaps
are accounted for utilizing cash flow hedge accounting treatment. The interest rate swaps are marked to market at each reporting date and any unrealized
gains or losses are included in AOCL and reclassified to interest expense in the same period or periods during which the hedged transactions affect
earnings.
We recognized income of $4.8 million ($3.7 million after tax) in 2022 and $6.8 million ($5.3 million after tax) in 2021, and a loss of $7.5 million ($5.8
million after tax) in 2020 in other comprehensive income (loss) for the net change in the fair value of our interest rate swaps.
The following table provides information on the location and amounts of our swaps in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements (in thousands):
Balance Sheet Location
Other current and long-term assets
Other current and long-term liabilities
Interest Rate Swap Derivatives
Fair Value
December 25,
2022
Fair Value
December 26,
2021
$
$
986 $
— $
—
5,536
As of December 25, 2022, the portion of the aggregate $1.0 million interest rate swap liability that would be reclassified into interest expense during the
next twelve months approximates $1.0 million.
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The effect of derivative instruments on the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements is as follows (in thousands):
Derivatives -
Cash Flow
Hedging
Relationships
Interest rate swaps:
2022
2021
2020
Amount of Gain or
(Loss) Recognized
in AOCL
on Derivative
Location of (Loss)
or Gain
Reclassified from
AOCL into
Income
Amount of (Loss)
or Gain
Reclassified from
AOCL into
Income
Total Interest Expense
on Consolidated
Statements of
Operations
$
$
$
3,663
5,273
(5,788)
Interest expense
Interest expense
Interest expense
$
$
$
(2,384) $
(5,965) $
(5,068) $
(26,653)
(19,205)
(17,022)
Interest paid, including payments made or received under the swaps, was $24.4 million, $13.4 million and $15.8 million in fiscal 2022, 2021 and 2020,
respectively.
13. Property and Equipment, Net
Property and equipment, net consists of the following (in thousands):
Land
Buildings and improvements
Leasehold improvements
Equipment and other
Construction in progress
Total property and equipment
Accumulated depreciation and amortization
Property and equipment, net
14. Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):
Marketing
Insurance reserves, current
Salaries, benefits and bonuses
Legal settlement accrual
Purchases
Other
(a)
Total
______________________________
(a)
See “Note 19. Litigation, Commitments and Contingencies” for additional information.
74
December 25,
2022
December 26,
2021
31,679 $
91,462
136,095
498,792
32,265
790,293
(540,500)
249,793 $
31,032
91,508
138,016
465,813
23,725
750,094
(526,238)
223,856
December 25,
2022
December 26,
2021
36,858 $
29,676
21,934
15,000
13,789
25,278
59,248
34,661
48,728
—
13,319
34,160
142,535 $
190,116
$
$
$
$
Table of Contents
15. Other Long-term Liabilities
Other long-term liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):
Insurance reserves
Deferred compensation plan
Other
(a)
Total
______________________________
December 25,
2022
December 26,
2021
$
$
37,624 $
28,285
2,408
68,317 $
53,551
36,170
3,433
93,154
(a)
See “Note 21. Employee Benefit Plans” for additional information on our non-qualified deferred compensation plan.
16. Strategic Corporate Reorganization for Long-term Growth
On September 17, 2020, we announced plans to open an office in Atlanta, Georgia located in Three Ballpark Center at The Battery Atlanta, which opened
in October 2021. The space is designed to drive continued menu innovation and optimize integration across marketing, communications, customer
experience, operations, human resources, diversity, equity and inclusion, financial planning and analysis, investor relations and development functions. Our
information technology, finance, supply chain, and legal teams continue to operate in our Louisville, Kentucky office, which remains critical to our success.
We also maintain an office outside of London, UK, where our International operations are managed. Employees whose positions were relocated to the new
Atlanta office were either offered an opportunity to continue with the organization or were offered a severance package. As a result, we incurred one-time
corporate reorganization costs of approximately $13.1 million and $6.0 million through December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020, respectively, as
detailed in the table below (in thousands). There were no additional corporate reorganization costs incurred during the year ended December 25, 2022.
Employee severance and other employee transition costs
Recruiting and professional fees
Relocation costs
Other costs
Total strategic corporate reorganization costs
Stock-based compensation forfeitures on unvested awards
Total strategic corporate reorganization costs, net of stock forfeitures
December 26,
2021
December 27,
2020
$
$
5,429 $
3,815
3,100
750
13,094
—
13,094 $
4,775
1,598
267
285
6,925
(940)
5,985
We record severance as a one-time termination benefit and recognize the expense ratably over the employees’ required future service period. All other
costs, including employee transition costs, recruitment and relocation costs, and third-party costs, are recognized in the period incurred. All strategic
corporate reorganization costs have been recorded in General and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
As of December 26, 2021, the estimate of unpaid strategic corporate reorganization costs was included in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities on
the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following tables summarize the activity for the years ended December 25, 2022 and December 26, 2021, respectively
(in thousands):
Employee severance and other employee transition costs
Recruiting and professional fees
Relocation costs
Total strategic corporate reorganization liability
$
$
2,122 $
92
740
2,954 $
— $
—
—
— $
(2,122) $
(92)
(740)
(2,954) $
—
—
—
—
Balance at
December 26, 2021
Charges
Payments
Balance at
December 25, 2022
75
Table of Contents
Employee severance and other employee transition costs
Recruiting and professional fees
Relocation costs
Other costs
Total strategic corporate reorganization liability
17. Income Taxes
Balance at
December 27, 2020
Charges
Payments
Balance at
December 26, 2021
$
$
4,615 $
145
101
—
4,861 $
5,429 $
3,815
3,100
750
(7,922) $
(3,868)
(2,461)
(750)
13,094 $
(15,001) $
2,122
92
740
—
2,954
The following table presents the domestic and foreign components of income before income taxes for 2022, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):
Domestic income
Foreign income
Total income
2022
2021
2020
$
$
65,434 $
18,335
83,769 $
115,221 $
35,727
150,948 $
48,616
26,746
75,362
Included within the foreign income before income taxes above is $23.6 million, $22.4 million, and $14.7 million of foreign sourced income subject to
foreign withholding taxes in 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively.
A summary of the expense (benefit) for income tax follows (in thousands):
Current:
Federal
Foreign
State and local
Deferred:
Federal
Foreign
State and local
2022
2021
2020
$
3,496 $
5,335
2,791
4,243
(1,152)
(293)
10,591 $
8,812
2,837
2,430
769
554
Total income tax expense
$
14,420 $
25,993 $
76
16,400
6,047
1,569
(7,375)
357
(2,250)
14,748
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The reconciliation of income tax computed at the U.S. federal statutory rate to income tax expense for the years ended December 25, 2022, December 26,
2021 and December 27, 2020 is as follows in both dollars and as a percentage of income before income taxes (dollars in thousands):
2022
2021
2020
Income Tax
Expense
(Benefit)
Income
Tax Rate
Income Tax
Expense
(Benefit)
Income
Tax Rate
Income Tax
Expense
(Benefit)
Income
Tax Rate
Tax at U.S. federal statutory rate
State and local income taxes
Foreign income taxes
Income of consolidated partnerships attributable to
noncontrolling interests
Non-qualified deferred compensation plan expense
(income)
Excess tax (benefits) on equity awards
Tax credits
Non-deductible executive compensation
Foreign-derived intangible income
US deferred offset on foreign deferreds
Other
Total
$
$
17,591
1,422
4,672
21.0 % $
1.7 %
5.6 %
31,699
2,317
9,144
21.0 % $
1.5 %
6.1 %
(355)
(0.4)%
(1,110)
1,278
(3,902)
(8,981)
2,450
(1,452)
1,183
514
14,420
1.5 %
(4.7)%
(10.7)%
2.9 %
(1.7)%
1.4 %
0.6 %
17.2 % $
(911)
(3,697)
(8,830)
2,636
(1,519)
238
(3,974)
25,993
(0.7)%
(0.6)%
(2.5)%
(5.9)%
1.7 %
(1.0)%
0.2 %
(2.6)%
15,826
1,149
6,463
(603)
(898)
(2,029)
(6,002)
1,314
(924)
—
452
17.2 % $
14,748
21.0 %
1.5 %
8.6 %
(0.8)%
(1.2)%
(2.7)%
(8.0)%
1.7 %
(1.2)%
— %
0.6 %
19.5 %
Significant deferred tax assets (liabilities) follow (in thousands):
Accrued liabilities
Accrued bonuses
Other liabilities and asset reserves
Equity awards
Lease liabilities
Other
Net operating losses
Foreign tax credit carryforwards
Total deferred tax assets
Valuation allowances
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances
Deferred expenses
Accelerated depreciation
Goodwill
Right-of-use assets
Other
Total deferred tax liabilities
Net deferred tax assets
77
December 25,
2022
December 26,
2021
$
17,424 $
351
14,607
7,905
45,646
2,904
11,738
20,198
120,773
(32,052)
88,721
(5,756)
(31,098)
(7,690)
(41,892)
(365)
(86,801)
$
1,920 $
14,802
6,404
14,583
7,323
41,999
2,712
8,127
18,611
114,561
(28,598)
85,963
(7,087)
(23,858)
(10,052)
(39,814)
(254)
(81,065)
4,898
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The following table summarizes changes in the Company’s valuation allowances on deferred tax (in thousands):
Balance at December 27, 2020
Charged to costs and expenses
Other
Balance at December 26, 2021
Charged to costs and expenses
Balance at December 25, 2022
$
$
$
22,972
5,658
(32)
28,598
3,454
32,052
The Company had approximately $10.2 million and $8.8 million of state deferred tax assets primarily related to state net operating loss carryforwards as of
December 25, 2022 and December 26, 2021, respectively. Our ability to utilize these state deferred tax assets is dependent on our ability to generate
earnings in future years in the respective state jurisdictions. The Company provided a full valuation allowance of $10.2 million and $8.8 million for these
state deferred tax assets as we believe realization based on the more-likely-than-not criteria has not been met as of December 25, 2022 and December 26,
2021, respectively.
The Company had approximately $2.0 million and $1.4 million of state deferred tax assets related to state income tax credit carryforwards as of
December 25, 2022 and December 26, 2021, respectively. Our ability to fully utilize these deferred tax assets related to state income tax credit
carryforwards is dependent on our ability to generate earnings in future years in the respective state jurisdictions. In 2022, the Company provided a partial
valuation allowance of $0.5 million against these state deferred tax assets as we believe that a portion of these state income tax credit carryforwards would
not be realizable before expiration.
The Company had approximately $8.7 million and $4.5 million of foreign net operating loss and capital loss carryovers as of December 25, 2022 and
December 26, 2021, respectively. The Company had approximately $1.2 million of valuation allowances primarily related to the foreign capital losses at
both December 25, 2022 and December 26, 2021. A substantial majority of our foreign net operating losses do not have an expiration date.
In addition, the Company had approximately $20.2 million and $18.6 million in foreign tax credit carryforwards as of December 25, 2022 and
December 26, 2021, respectively, that expire ten years from inception in years 2026 through 2032. Our ability to utilize these foreign tax credit
carryforwards is dependent on our ability to generate foreign earnings in future years sufficient to claim foreign tax credits in excess of foreign taxes paid
in those years. The Company provided a full valuation allowance of $20.2 million and $18.6 million for these foreign tax credit carryforwards as we
believe realization based on the more-likely-than-not criteria has not been met as of December 25, 2022 and December 26, 2021, respectively.
Cash for income taxes paid were $11.7 million in 2022, $32.6 million in 2021 and $19.3 million in 2020.
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions. The Company, with few exceptions, is no
longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local, or non-US income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2018. The Company is currently
undergoing examinations by various tax authorities. The Company anticipates that the finalization of these current examinations and other issues could
result in a decrease in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits (and a decrease of income tax expense) of approximately $68,000 during the next 12
months.
The Company had $1.2 million of unrecognized tax benefits at December 25, 2022 which, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate. A
reconciliation of the beginning and ending liability for unrecognized tax benefits excluding interest and penalties is as follows, which is recorded in Other
long-term liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands):
Balance at December 27, 2020
Additions for tax positions of prior years
Reductions for tax positions of prior years
Balance at December 26, 2021
Additions for tax positions of prior years
Reductions for tax positions of prior years
Balance at December 25, 2022
78
$
$
$
1,030
81
(215)
896
331
(65)
1,162
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The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as part of income tax expense. The Company has accrued
approximately $146,000 and $132,000 for the payment of interest and penalties as of December 25, 2022 and December 26, 2021, respectively.
18. Related Party Transactions
On March 21, 2019, Shaquille O’Neal was appointed to our Board of Directors. On June 11, 2019, PJMF entered into an Endorsement Agreement (the
“Original Endorsement Agreement”), effective March 15, 2019, with ABG-Shaq, LLC (“ABG-Shaq”), an entity affiliated with Mr. O’Neal, for the
personal services of Mr. O’Neal. Pursuant to the Original Endorsement Agreement, the Company received the right and license to use Mr. O’Neal’s name,
nickname, initials, autograph, voice, video or film portrayals, photograph, likeness and certain other intellectual property rights (individually and
collectively, the “Personality Rights”), in each case, solely as approved by ABG-Shaq, in connection with the advertising, promotion and sale of Papa
John’s-branded products. Mr. O’Neal also agreed to provide brand ambassador services related to appearances, social media and public relations matters,
and to collaborate with us to develop one or more co-branded products using the Personality Rights. Mr. O’Neal and the Company developed a co-branded
extra-large pizza product using the Personality Rights under an amendment to the Original Endorsement Agreement signed July 27, 2020 (the “First
Amendment”).
As consideration for the rights and services granted under the Original Endorsement Agreement, the Company agreed to pay to ABG-Shaq aggregate cash
payments of $4.1 million over the three years of the Original Endorsement Agreement. The Company also paid expenses related to the marketing and
personal services provided by Mr. O’Neal. In addition, the Company agreed to grant 87,136 restricted stock units to Mr. O’Neal (as agent of ABG) under
our 2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
On July 29, 2021, the Company and PJMF entered into Amendment No. 2 (the “ Second Amendment”) to the Original Endorsement Agreement with
ABG-Shaq. Pursuant to the Second Amendment, the Company was granted the ability to use the Personality Rights for a limited time to promote, advertise,
and sell our co-branded extra-large pizza developed under the First Amendment. ABG-Shaq did not receive any additional royalty fees from the Company
beyond the cash payment already contemplated under the Original Endorsement Agreement under the Amendment. In addition, the Company donated one
U.S. dollar for each unit of the pizza sold in the United States and one Canadian dollar for each unit sold in Canada to The Papa John’s Foundation for
Building Community.
On March 15, 2022, the Original Endorsement Agreement expired by its terms. On April 10, 2022, the Company and PJMF entered into a new
Endorsement Agreement (the “New Endorsement Agreement”), effective March 15, 2022, with ABG-Shaq, LLC (“ABG-Shaq”), to replace the Original
Endorsement Agreement.
The terms of the New Endorsement Agreement are substantially similar to the Original Endorsement Agreement. As consideration for the rights and
services granted under the New Endorsement Agreement, the Company and PJMF agreed to pay to ABG-Shaq aggregate cash payments of $5.6 million
over the three years of the New Endorsement Agreement. The Company and PJMF will also pay ABG-Shaq a royalty fee for the co-branded pizza product
if the total amount of royalties in a given contract year (calculated as $0.20 per co-branded pizza sold) exceeds the contractual cash payment for that year,
in which case the amount of the royalty payment will be the excess of the royalties over the cash payment amount. The Company did not pay ABG-Shaq
any royalties in 2022 for the co-branded pizza promotion. The Company and PJMF will also pay expenses related to the marketing and personal services
provided by Mr. O’Neal.
In addition, the Company agreed to grant 55,898 restricted stock units (the “RSUs”) to Mr. O’Neal (as agent of ABG) under the Company’s 2018 Omnibus
Incentive Plan. The RSUs will vest into an equivalent number of shares of the Company’s common stock according to the following vesting schedule:
● 33% (18,632) of the RSUs will vest on April 12, 2023;
● 33% (18,632) of the RSUs will vest on March 15, 2024; and
● 33% (18,634) of the RSUs will vest on March 15, 2025.
The initial term of the New Endorsement Agreement ends on March 15, 2025, with an option for a one-year extension upon the parties’ mutual agreement.
The New Endorsement Agreement also includes customary exclusivity, termination and indemnification clauses.
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19. Litigation, Commitments and Contingencies
Litigation
The Company is involved in a number of lawsuits, claims, investigations and proceedings, including those specifically identified below, consisting of
intellectual property, employment, consumer, commercial and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business. In accordance with ASC 450,
“Contingencies,” the Company has made accruals with respect to these matters, where appropriate, which are reflected in the Company’s consolidated
financial statements. We review these provisions at least quarterly and adjust these provisions to reflect the impact of negotiations, settlements, rulings,
advice of legal counsel and other information and events pertaining to a particular case.
Durling et al v. Papa John’s International, Inc., is a conditionally certified collective action filed in May 2016 in the United States District Court for the
Southern District of New York, alleging that corporate restaurant delivery drivers were not properly reimbursed for vehicle mileage and expenses in
accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act. In July 2018, the District Court granted a motion to certify a conditional corporate collective class and the
opt-in notice process has been completed. As of the close of the opt-in period on October 29, 2018, 9,571 drivers opted into the collective class. On
September 30, 2022, the parties reached a settlement in principle to resolve the case. Pursuant to the terms of the proposed settlement, in exchange for the
Company’s payment of a total aggregate settlement amount of no more than $20.0 million subject to a claims-made process, all claims in the action will be
dismissed, the litigation will be terminated, and the Company will receive a release. The proposed settlement also includes resolution of a companion case,
Hubbard, et al. v. Papa John’s International, Inc., pending in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. The proposed settlement
is subject to a claims-made process whereby unclaimed funds revert to the Company, and the Company is only responsible for payments to class and
collective action members who timely submit a claim form. Although the return rate for timely claims is unknown and not within the Company’s control,
the Company estimates its actual exposure resulting from the settlement to be approximately $10.0 million and this amount was recorded in General and
administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. On December 19, 2022, the District Court granted preliminary approval of the
proposed settlement; however, the settlement remains subject to final approval by the District Court and contains certain customary contingencies.
Subsequent to year end, the Company remitted $5.0 million to the settlement administrator as partial funding of the settlement in accordance with the terms
of the applicable settlement agreement. The Company continues to deny any liability or wrongdoing in this matter.
In re Papa John’s Employee & Franchise Employee Antitrust Litigation is a putative class action filed in December 2018 in the United States District Court
for the Western District of Kentucky. The suit alleges that the “no-poaching” provision previously contained in the Company’s franchise agreement
constituted an unlawful agreement or conspiracy in restraint of trade and commerce in violation of Section 1 of the Sherman Antitrust Act. On April 14,
2022, the parties reached a settlement in principle to resolve the case. Pursuant to the terms of the proposed settlement, in exchange for the Company’s
payment of a total aggregate settlement amount of $5.0 million and other non-monetary consideration, all claims in the action will be dismissed, the
litigation will be terminated, and the Company will receive a release. The settlement amount was recorded in General and administrative expenses in the
Consolidated Statements of Operations. The proposed settlement is subject to approval by the District Court and contains certain customary contingencies.
The Company continues to deny any liability or wrongdoing in this matter.
20. Equity Compensation
We award stock options, time-based restricted stock and performance-based restricted stock units from time to time under the Papa John’s International,
Inc. 2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan. There were approximately 3.6 million shares of common stock authorized for issuance and remaining available under
the 2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan as of December 25, 2022, which includes 5.9 million shares transferred from the Papa John’s International 2011 Omnibus
Incentive Plan.
We recorded stock-based employee compensation expense of $18.4 million in 2022, $16.9 million in 2021 and $16.3 million in 2020. At December 25,
2022, there was $22.2 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested awards, of which the Company expects to recognize $14.6 million
in 2023, $6.5 million in 2024 and $1.1 million in 2025.
Stock Options
Options exercised, which were issued from authorized shares, included 82,000 shares in 2022, 212,000 shares in 2021 and 541,000 shares in 2020. The
total intrinsic value of the options exercised during 2022, 2021 and 2020 was $3.4 million, $10.1 million and $13.8 million, respectively.
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Table of Contents
There were no options granted in 2022, 2021 or 2020. Information pertaining to option activity during 2022 is as follows (number of options and aggregate
intrinsic value in thousands):
Outstanding at December 26, 2021
Exercised
Cancelled
Outstanding at December 25, 2022
Exercisable at December 25, 2022
Restricted Stock
Number
of
Options
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
319 $
(82)
(2)
235 $
235 $
54.65
49.48
45.29
56.53
56.53
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(In Years)
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
4.47 $
4.47 $
6,452
6,452
We granted shares of restricted stock that are time-based and generally vest in equal installments over three years (165,000 in 2022, 130,000 in 2021 and
207,000 in 2020). Upon vesting, the shares are issued from treasury stock. These restricted shares are intended to focus participants on our long-range
objectives, while at the same time serving as a retention mechanism. We consider time-based restricted stock awards to be participating securities because
holders of such shares have non-forfeitable dividend rights. We declared dividends totaling $467,000 ($1.54 per share) in 2022, $410,000 ($1.15 per share)
in 2021 and $366,000 ($0.90 per share) in 2020 to holders of time-based restricted stock.
We granted 69,000, 11,000 and 15,000 restricted stock units that are time-based and vest over a period of one to three years in 2022, 2021 and 2020,
respectively. Upon vesting, the units are issued from treasury stock. Total dividends declared for these awards were insignificant to the results of our
operations.
Additionally, we granted stock settled performance-based restricted stock units to executive management (64,000 units in 2022, 61,000 units in 2021, and
92,000 units in 2020).
The performance-based restricted stock units require the achievement of certain performance and market factors, which consist of the Company’s Total
Shareholder Return (“TSR”) relative to a predetermined peer group. The grant-date fair value of the performance-based restricted stock units was
determined through the use of a Monte Carlo simulation model.
The following is a summary of the significant assumptions used in estimating the fair value of the performance-based restricted stock units granted in 2022,
2021 and 2020:
Assumptions:
Risk-free interest rate
Expected volatility
2022
2021
2020
1.5 %
45.0 %
0.2 %
48.3 %
0.9 %
36.3 %
The risk-free interest rate for the periods within the contractual life of the performance-based restricted stock unit is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve
in effect at the time of grant. Expected volatility was estimated using the Company’s historical share price volatility for a period similar to the expected life
of the performance-based restricted stock unit.
The performance-based restricted stock units granted vest over three years (cliff vest) and are expensed over the performance period. The weighted average
grant-date fair value of performance-based restricted stock units granted during 2022, 2021 and 2020 was $113.90, $103.14 and $59.52, respectively.
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Table of Contents
The fair value of time-based restricted stock and performance-based restricted stock units is based on the market price of the Company’s shares on the grant
date. Information pertaining to these awards during 2022 is as follows (shares in thousands):
Total as of December 26, 2021
Granted
Forfeited
Vested
Total as of December 25, 2022
21. Employee Benefit Plans
Weighted
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
68.06
103.18
89.87
57.40
91.23
Shares
582 $
298
(82)
(280)
518 $
We have established the Papa John’s International, Inc. 401(k) Plan (the “401(k) Plan”), as a defined contribution benefit plan, in accordance with Section
401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. The 401(k) Plan is open to employees who meet certain eligibility requirements and allows participating employees
to defer receipt of a portion of their compensation and contribute such amount to one or more investment funds. In late 2021, the Company adopted a Safe
Harbor 401k Plan effective for the 2022 benefit year.
In addition, we maintain a non-qualified deferred compensation plan available to certain employees and directors. Under this plan, the participants may
defer a certain amount of their compensation, which is credited to the participants’ accounts. The participant-directed investments associated with this plan
are included in Other assets ($30.1 million and $41.9 million at December 25, 2022 and December 26, 2021, respectively) and the associated liabilities
($28.3 million and $36.2 million at December 25, 2022 and December 26, 2021, respectively) are included in Other long-term liabilities in the
accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
We contributed a matching payment of 4.0% in 2022, up to a maximum of 6.0% of a participating employee’s earnings deferred into the 401(k) Plan. At
our discretion, the Company contributed 4.0% in 2021 and 2.1% in 2020, up to a maximum of 6.0% of a participating employee’s earnings deferred into
both the 401(k) Plan and the non-qualified deferred compensation plan. Such costs were $4.4 million in 2022, $3.5 million in 2021 and $1.8 million in
2020.
22. Divestitures
Refranchising Loss
On March 28, 2022, we refranchised our 51.0% ownership interest in a 90-restaurant consolidated joint venture in Texas for $14.0 million, net of
transaction costs. In connection with the divestiture, we recorded a one-time, non-cash charge of $8.4 million as a Refranchising Loss in the Consolidated
Statement of Operations, which reflects net sale proceeds of $14.0 million, the noncontrolling interest of $4.2 million, and the recognition of an unearned
royalty stream of $12.2 million to be recognized as revenue over the 10-year term of the franchise agreement executed concurrent with the disposition in
accordance with ASC 810, “Consolidation.” Goodwill of $9.9 million was allocated to the disposal group based on relative fair value within the Domestic
Company-owned restaurants reporting group. The $8.4 million of the one-time, non-cash refranchising loss was recorded in the first quarter of 2022 and
realized upon consummation of the sale in the second quarter.
Impairment of Reacquired Master Franchise Rights
In the first quarter of 2022, the Company recorded an impairment of $2.8 million for reacquired franchise rights due to the financial and operational impact
of the conflict in Ukraine and government actions taken in response to that conflict, including, but not limited to, international sanctions. The reacquired
franchise rights were previously acquired from a former master franchisee and capitalized by the Company.
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23. Segment Information
We have four reportable segments: Domestic Company-owned restaurants, North America franchising, North America commissaries, and International
operations. The Domestic Company-owned restaurant segment consists of the operations of all Domestic Company-owned restaurants and derives its
revenues principally from retail sales of pizza, Papadias, which are flatbread-style sandwiches, and side items, including breadsticks, cheesesticks, chicken
poppers and wings, dessert items and canned or bottled beverages. The North America franchising segment consists of our franchise sales and support
activities and derives its revenues from sales of franchise and development rights and collection of royalties from our franchisees located in the United
States and Canada. The North America commissary segment consists of the operations of our regional dough production and product distribution centers
and derives its revenues principally from the sale and distribution of food and paper products to Domestic Company-owned and franchised restaurants in
the United States and Canada. The International segment principally consists of distribution sales to franchised Papa Johns restaurants located in the UK
and our franchise sales and support activities, which derive revenues from sales of franchise and development rights and the collection of royalties from our
International franchisees. International franchisees are defined as all franchise operations outside of the United States and Canada. All other business units
that do not meet the quantitative thresholds for determining reportable segments, which are not operating segments, we refer to as “all other,” which
consists of operations that derive revenues from the sale, principally to Company-owned and franchised restaurants, of printing and promotional items,
franchise contributions to marketing funds and information systems and related services used in restaurant operations, including our point-of-sale system,
online and other technology-based ordering platforms.
Generally, we evaluate performance and allocate resources based on operating income. Certain administrative and capital costs are allocated to segments
based upon predetermined rates or estimated resource usage. We account for intercompany sales and transfers as if the sales or transfers were to third
parties and eliminate the activity in consolidation.
Our reportable segments are business units that provide different products or services. Separate management of each segment is required because each
business unit is subject to different operational issues and strategies. No single external customer accounted for 10% or more of our total revenues.
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The following tables present our segment information.
(In thousands)
Revenues:
Domestic Company-owned restaurants
North America franchising
North America commissaries
International
All others
Total revenues
Intersegment revenues:
North America franchising
North America commissaries
All others
Total intersegment revenues
Depreciation and amortization:
Domestic Company-owned restaurants
North America commissaries
International
All others
Unallocated corporate expenses
Total depreciation and amortization
Operating income:
(a)
Domestic Company-owned restaurants
North America franchising
North America commissaries
(b)
International
All others
Unallocated corporate expenses
Elimination of intersegment (profits)
(c)
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
2022
2021
2020
708,389 $
137,399
869,634
158,682
227,999
778,323 $
129,310
761,305
184,099
215,384
700,757
96,732
680,793
150,939
184,013
2,102,103 $
2,068,421 $
1,813,234
4,122 $
4,179 $
217,570
70,283
215,393
75,366
291,975 $
294,938 $
11,495 $
13,299
1,774
12,681
12,783
52,032 $
11,728 $
11,974
2,326
9,928
12,860
48,816 $
15,966 $
49,628 $
127,882
42,531
17,891
10,084
(104,419)
(905)
120,949
39,873
34,896
17,704
(94,114)
(695)
3,229
192,332
83,635
279,196
11,905
9,660
1,975
10,254
15,911
49,705
37,049
89,801
33,185
24,034
7,043
(100,069)
(790)
90,253
Total operating income
$
109,030 $
168,241 $
______________________________
(a)
Includes a one-time, non-cash charge of $8.4 million associated with the refranchising of the Company’s ownership interest in a 90-restaurant joint venture, recorded as
Refranchising and impairment loss for the year ended December 25, 2022. See “Note 22. Divestitures” for additional information.
(b)
Includes charges of $3.5 million related to one-time, non-cash reserves for certain accounts receivable and impairments of reacquired franchise rights due to the
financial and operational impact of the conflict in Ukraine and $6.1 million of costs associated with the termination of significant franchisees in the UK, including the
reserve of certain accounts and notes receivable and operating lease right-of-use assets impairment. See “Note 22. Divestitures” and “Note 10. Allowance for Credit
Losses” for additional information.
(c)
For the year ended December 25, 2022, Unallocated corporate expenses includes $15.0 million for certain legal settlements, $13.9 million of one-time, non-cash
reserves of certain notes receivable, and $1.5 million of advisory fees and severance costs associated with the transition of certain executives. For the year ended
December 26, 2021, Unallocated corporate expense includes $13.1 million of reorganization costs. See “Note 16. Strategic Corporate Reorganization for Long-term
Growth” for additional information.
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(In thousands)
Property and equipment, net:
Domestic Company-owned restaurants
North America commissaries
International
All others
Unallocated corporate assets
Accumulated depreciation and amortization
Property and equipment, net
Expenditures for property and equipment:
Domestic Company-owned restaurants
North America commissaries
International
All others
Unallocated corporate
Total expenditures for property and equipment
(a)
2022
2021
2020
$
$
$
$
238,658 $
149,920
16,080
131,210
254,425
(540,500)
249,793 $
23,057 $
5,729
5,175
18,296
26,134
78,391 $
241,050 $
149,218
14,642
109,052
236,132
(526,238)
223,856 $
16,108 $
4,007
1,979
18,645
27,820
68,559 $
228,077
145,282
13,604
91,724
213,828
(491,620)
200,895
12,848
4,447
1,065
11,700
5,592
35,652
______________________________
(a)
Increases of $9.8 million and $32.9 million in expenditures for property and equipment in 2022 and 2021, respectively, were primarily driven by investment in growth,
including technology and development initiatives.
Disaggregation of Revenue
In the following tables, revenues are disaggregated by major product line. The tables also include a reconciliation of the disaggregated revenues by the
reportable segment:
(In thousands)
Major Products/Services Lines
Company-owned restaurant sales
Franchise royalties and fees
Commissary sales
Other revenues
Eliminations
Total segment revenues
International other revenues
(a)
Total revenues
Reportable Segments
Year Ended December 25, 2022
Domestic Company-
owned
restaurants
North America
franchising
North America
commissaries
International
All others
Total
$
708,389 $
— $
— $
— $
—
—
—
—
708,389
—
141,521
—
—
(4,122)
137,399
—
—
1,087,204
—
(217,570)
869,634
—
49,422
80,481
28,779
—
158,682
(28,779)
— $
—
—
298,282
(70,283)
227,999
28,779
708,389
190,943
1,167,685
327,061
(291,975)
2,102,103
—
$
708,389 $
137,399 $
869,634 $
129,903 $
256,778 $
2,102,103
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Table of Contents
(In thousands)
Major Products/Services Lines
Domestic Company-
owned
restaurants
North America
franchising
North America
commissaries
International
All others
Total
Reportable Segments
Year Ended December 26, 2021
Company-owned restaurant sales
$
Franchise royalties and fees
778,323 $
—
— $
133,489
— $
—
—
—
—
778,323
—
—
—
(4,179)
129,310
—
976,698
—
(215,393)
761,305
—
— $
53,148
97,623
33,328
—
184,099
(33,328)
— $
—
—
290,750
(75,366)
215,384
33,328
$
778,323 $
129,310 $
761,305 $
150,771 $
248,712 $
Domestic Company-
owned
restaurants
North America
franchising
North America
commissaries
International
All others
Total
Reportable Segments
Year Ended December 27, 2020
Company-owned restaurant sales
$
Franchise royalties and fees
700,757 $
—
— $
99,961
— $
—
—
—
—
700,757
—
—
—
(3,229)
96,732
—
873,125
—
(192,332)
680,793
—
— $
39,920
84,043
26,976
—
150,939
(26,976)
— $
—
—
267,648
(83,635)
184,013
26,976
$
700,757 $
96,732 $
680,793 $
123,963 $
210,989 $
______________________________
(a)
Other revenues as reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations include $28.8 million, $33.3 million and $27.0 million of revenue for the years ended
December 25, 2022, December 26, 2021, and December 27, 2020 respectively, that are part of the International reporting segment. These amounts include marketing
fund contributions and sublease rental income from International franchisees in the UK that provide no significant contribution to income before income taxes but must
be reported on a gross basis under accounting requirements. The related expenses for these Other revenues are reported in Other expenses in the Consolidated
Statements of Operations.
86
Commissary sales
Other revenues
Eliminations
Total segment revenues
International other revenues
(a)
Total revenues
(In thousands)
Major Products/Services Lines
Commissary sales
Other revenues
Eliminations
Total segment revenues
International other revenues
(a)
Total revenues
778,323
186,637
1,074,321
324,078
(294,938)
2,068,421
—
2,068,421
700,757
139,881
957,168
294,624
(279,196)
1,813,234
—
1,813,234
Table of Contents
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management,
including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as
defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act). Based upon this evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that the Company’s disclosure
controls and procedures are effective.
(b) Management’s Report on our Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-
15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act. Our internal control system is designed to provide reasonable assurance to our management and the board of
directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have
inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement
preparation and presentation.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our CEO and CFO, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our
internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations (“COSO”) of the Treadway Commission (“2013 Framework”). Based on our evaluation under the COSO 2013 Framework, our
management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 25, 2022.
Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the 2022 Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual
Report on Form 10-K and, as part of its audit, has issued an attestation report, included herein, on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial
reporting.
(c) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the year ended December 25, 2022 that have materially affected, or are likely
to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Papa John’s International, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited Papa John’s International, Inc. and Subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 25, 2022, based on criteria
established in Internal Control— Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013
Framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Papa John’s International, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the Company) maintained, in all material respects,
effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 25, 2022, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the 2022
consolidated financial statements of the Company, and our report dated February 23, 2023 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of
internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying “Management’s Report on our Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.” Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm
registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the
applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and
evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered
necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting
and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control
over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly
reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit
preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are
being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding
prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial
statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of
effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of
compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Louisville, Kentucky
February 23, 2023
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Table of Contents
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections
None.
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Information regarding executive officers is included above under the caption “Information about our Executive Officers” at the end of Part I of this Report.
Other information regarding directors, executive officers and corporate governance appearing under the captions “Corporate Governance,” “Item 1.
Election of Directors” and “Executive Compensation — Compensation Discussion and Analysis” is incorporated by reference from the Company’s
definitive proxy statement, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered
by this Report.
We have adopted a written code of ethics that applies to our directors, officers and employees. We intend to post all required disclosures concerning any
amendments to or waivers from, our code of ethics on our website to the extent permitted by Nasdaq. Our code of ethics can be found on our website,
which is located at www.papajohns.com.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Information regarding executive compensation appearing under the captions “Executive Compensation — Compensation Discussion and Analysis,”
“Certain Relationships and Related Transactions — Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” and “Item 3. Advisory Approval of the
Company’s Executive Compensation” is incorporated by reference from the Company’s definitive proxy statement, which will be filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Report.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The following table provides information as of December 25, 2022 regarding the number of shares of the Company’s common stock that may be issued
under the Company’s equity compensation plans.
Plan Category
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders *
Total
______________________________
(a)
Number of
securities to be
issued upon exercise
of outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
(b)
Weighted
average
exercise price
of outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
(c)
Number of securities
remaining available
for future issuance
under equity
compensation plans,
excluding securities
reflected in column (a)
235,185 $
136,701
371,886 $
56.53
56.53
3,616,086
3,616,086
*
Represents shares of common stock issuable pursuant to the non-qualified deferred compensation plan. The weighted average exercise price (column b) does not
include any assumed price for issuance of shares pursuant to the non-qualified deferred compensation plan.
Information regarding security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management and related stockholder matters appearing under the caption
“Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” is incorporated by reference from the Company’s definitive proxy statement, which
will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Report.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Information regarding certain relationships and related transactions, and director independence appearing under the captions “Corporate Governance” and
“Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” is incorporated by reference from
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the Company’s definitive proxy statement, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days after the end of the
fiscal year covered by this Report.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
Information regarding principal accounting fees and services appearing under the caption “Item 2. Ratification of the Selection of Independent Auditors” is
incorporated by reference from the Company’s definitive proxy statement, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than
120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Report.
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
(a)(1)
Financial Statements:
PART IV
The following Consolidated Financial Statements, notes related thereto and reports of independent auditors are included in Item 8 of this Report:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 42)
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 25, 2022 and December 26, 2021
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 25, 2022, December 26, 2021, and December 27, 2020
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 25, 2022, December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit for the years ended December 25, 2022, December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 25, 2022, December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020
•
•
•
•
•
•
• Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(a)(2)
Financial Statement Schedules:
All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under
the related instructions or are inapplicable and, therefore, have been omitted.
(a)(3)
Exhibits:
The exhibits listed on the Exhibit Index are filed as part of this Form 10-K.
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Table of Contents
Exhibit
Number
3.1
3.2
3.3
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4**
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5*
10.6*
EXHIBIT INDEX
Description of Exhibit
Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Exhibit 3.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period
ended June 29, 2014 is incorporated herein by reference.
Our Amended and Restated By-Laws. Exhibit 3.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 27,
2015 is incorporated herein by reference.
Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of Papa John’s International, Inc. Exhibit 3.1 to our report on
Form 8-K as filed on July 23, 2018 is incorporated herein by reference.
Indenture dated September 14, 2021, among Papa John’s International, Inc., each of the guarantors party thereto and Truist Bank, as
trustee. Exhibit 4.1 to our report on Form 8-K as filed on September 14, 2021 is incorporated herein by reference.
Form of 3.875% Senior Notes due 2029. Exhibit 4.2 to our report on Form 8-K as filed on September 14, 2021 is incorporated herein by
reference.
Specimen Common Stock Certificate. Exhibit 4.1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 is
incorporated herein by reference.
Description of Registrant’s securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Form of Papa John’s International, Inc. Director Indemnification Agreement. Exhibit 10.1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 30, 2018 is incorporated herein by reference.
Form of Papa John’s International, Inc. Officer Indemnification Agreement. Exhibit 10.2 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 30, 2018 is incorporated herein by reference.
Securities Purchase Agreement between Papa John’s International, Inc. and Starboard Value and Opportunity Master Fund Ltd.,
Starboard Value and Opportunity Master Fund L LP, Starboard Value and Opportunity C LP, Starboard Value and Opportunity S LLC
and Starboard Value LP effective February 3, 2019. Exhibit 10.1 to our report on Form 8-K as filed on February 4, 2019 is incorporated
herein by reference.
Registration Rights Agreement between Papa John’s International, Inc. and Starboard Value and Opportunity Master Fund Ltd.,
Starboard Value and Opportunity Master Fund L LP, Starboard Value and Opportunity C LP, Starboard Value and Opportunity S LLC
and Starboard Value LP effective February 4, 2019. Exhibit 10.2 to our report on Form 8-K as filed on February 4, 2019 is incorporated
herein by reference.
Employment Agreement between Papa John’s International, Inc. and Robert Lynch effective August 26, 2019. Exhibit 10.1 to our report
on Form 8-K as filed on August 28, 2019 is incorporated herein by reference.
Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated April 7, 2022, by and between Papa John’s International, Inc. and Robert Lynch. Exhibit
10.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 27, 2022 is incorporated herein by reference.
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Table of Contents
Exhibit
Number
10.7
10.8
10.9 *
10.10*
10.11*
10.12*
10.13*
10.14*
10.15*
10.16*
21**
23.1**
31.1**
31.2**
32.1**
32.2**
Description of Exhibit
Endorsement Agreement executed April 10, 2022, and effective March 15, 2022, by and among, on the one hand, ABG-Shaq, LLC, for
the personal services of Shaquille O’Neal, and, on the other hand, Papa John’s Marketing Fund, Inc. and Papa John’s International, Inc.
Exhibit 10.1 to our report on Form 8-K as filed on April 13, 2022 is incorporated herein by reference.
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated September 14, 2021, among Papa John’s International, Inc., each of the guarantors and
lenders party thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, Inc., as administrative agent. Exhibit 10.1 to our report on Form 8-K as filed on
September 14, 2021 is incorporated herein by reference.
Papa John’s International, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended through December 5, 2012. Exhibit 10.1 to our Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference.
Papa John’s International, Inc. Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated effective October 28, 2021. Exhibit
10.3 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 26, 2021 is incorporated herein by reference.
Papa John’s International, Inc. 2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan. Exhibit 4.1 to our report on Form 8-K as filed on May 8, 2018 is
incorporated herein by reference.
Papa John’s International, Inc. 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan. Exhibit 4.1 to our report on Form 8-K as filed on May 3, 2011 is
incorporated herein by reference.
Papa John’s International, Inc. Amended and Restated Change of Control Severance Plan. Exhibit 10.1 to our report on Form 8-K filed
on November 4, 2020 is incorporated herein by reference.
Papa John’s International, Inc. Severance Pay Plan. Exhibit 10.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended
March 25, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference.
Amendment to Papa John’s International, Inc. Severance Pay Plan. Exhibit 10.2 to our report on Form 8-K as filed on November 2,
2018 is incorporated herein by reference.
Amendment No. 2 to Papa John’s International, Inc. Severance Pay Plan. Exhibit 10.1 to our report on Form 8-K as filed on December
7, 2020 is incorporated herein by reference.
Subsidiaries of the Company.
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e).
Section 302 Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e).
Section 906 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.
Section 906 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.
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Table of Contents
Exhibit
Number
101
Description of Exhibit
Financial statements from the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Papa John’s International, Inc. for the year ended December 25, 2022,
filed on February 23, 2023 formatted in inline XBRL: (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of
Operations, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit, (v)
the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).
_______________________________________________________
* Compensatory plan required to be filed as an exhibit pursuant to Item 15(c) of Form 10-K.
** Filed herewith.
Item 16. Summary
None
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Table of Contents
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
Date: February 23, 2023
PAPA JOHN’S INTERNATIONAL, INC.
SIGNATURES
By:
/s/ Robert M. Lynch
Robert M. Lynch
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant
and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
/s/ Jeffrey C. Smith
Jeffrey C. Smith
/s/ Robert M. Lynch
Robert M. Lynch
/s/ Ann B. Gugino
Ann B. Gugino
Title
Date
Chairman
February 23, 2023
President and Chief Executive Officer
February 23, 2023
(Principal Executive Officer and Director)
Chief Financial Officer
February 23, 2023
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/ Christopher L. Coleman
Director
February 23, 2023
Christopher L. Coleman
/s/ Olivia F. Kirtley
Olivia F. Kirtley
/s/ Laurette T. Koellner
Laurette T. Koellner
/s/ Jocelyn C. Mangan
Jocelyn C. Mangan
/s/ Sonya E. Medina
Sonya E. Medina
/s/ Shaquille R. O’Neal
Shaquille R. O’Neal
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
February 23, 2023
February 23, 2023
February 23, 2023
February 23, 2023
February 23, 2023
/s/ Anthony M. Sanfilippo
Director
February 23, 2023
Anthony M. Sanfilippo
94
Exhibit 4.4
DESCRIPTION OF THE REGISTRANT’S SECURITIES
REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Papa John’s International, Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) has one class of securities registered under Section 12 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”): our common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”).
The general terms and provisions of our Common Stock are summarized below. This summary does not purport to be complete and
is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (our “Charter”) and our
Amended and Restated By-Laws (our “by-laws”), each of which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K
of which this Exhibit 4.4 is a part. We encourage you to read our Charter and by-laws and the applicable provisions of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (“DGCL”) for additional information.
Common Stock
Pursuant to our Charter, the Company is authorized to issue up to 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock. All of the outstanding shares of our
Common Stock are fully paid and nonassessable.
Dividend Rights. Our by-laws provide that our Board of Directors (“Board”) may declare dividends upon the shares of capital stock of the
Company at any regular or special meeting. The right of holders of Common Stock to receive dividends is subject to the preferential rights, if
any, of any preferred stock (“Preferred Stock”) at the time outstanding. Dividends may be paid out of the assets of the Company which are by
law available for such purpose, either in cash, in property or in shares of stock of the Company.
Voting Rights. At every annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Company, every holder of Common Stock is entitled to one vote, in
person or by proxy, for each share of Common Stock standing in his or her name on the Company’s books.
Liquidation Rights. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company, after payment or provision for
payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Company and of the preferential amounts, if any, to which the holders of Preferred Stock may
be entitled, the holders of all our outstanding shares of Common Stock will be entitled to share ratably in the remaining net assets of the
Company.
Preemptive or Similar Rights. Our Common Stock has no preemptive or other subscription rights, and there are no redemption provisions,
conversion or exchange rights or sinking fund provisions with respect to our shares of Common Stock.
Preferred Stock. Our Charter authorizes our Board to classify or reclassify and issue one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock, up to
a maximum of 5,000,000 shares, without stockholder approval.
Our Board is authorized, subject to limitations prescribed by law, to provide for the issuance of shares of Preferred Stock in one or more
series, to establish the number of shares to be included in each such series and to fix the designations, powers, preferences and rights of the
shares of each such series, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof. These powers, preferences and rights may be more
beneficial than the powers, preferences and rights attributable to our Common Stock. The issuance of Preferred Stock could have the effect
of delaying, deterring or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of shares of our
Common Stock or otherwise might be in their best interest. The Preferred Stock will, when issued, be fully paid and nonassessable and will
not have, or be subject to, any preemptive or similar rights.
1
Exhibit 4.4
On July 22, 2018, our Board authorized the issuance of a series of up to 100,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share,
designated as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock. The Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock may be issued in fractions of
one one-thousandth of a share or other fractions of a share upon the exercise by holders of our Common Stock of certain preferred share
purchase rights (the “Rights”), pursuant to a Rights Agreement that may be authorized and approved by our Board of Directors. As of the
date of the Annual Report on Form 10-K of which this Exhibit 4.4 is a part, our Board of Directors has not approved a Rights Agreement or
declared a dividend of Rights on any outstanding shares of Common Stock, and there are no shares of Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock outstanding.
Certain Anti-takeover Matters
Our Charter and by-laws contain provisions that may make it more difficult for a potential acquirer to acquire us by means of a transaction
that is not negotiated with our Board. These provisions and the DGCL could delay or prevent entirely a merger or acquisition that our
stockholders consider favorable. These provisions may also discourage acquisition proposals or have the effect of delaying or preventing
entirely a change in control, which could harm our stock price. Our Board is not aware of any current effort to accumulate shares of our
Common Stock or to otherwise obtain control of our Company and does not currently contemplate adopting or recommending the approval of
any other action that might have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a change in control of our Company.
Following is a description of the anti-takeover effects of certain provisions of our Charter, by-laws and Delaware law.
Calling of special meetings of stockholders. Our by-laws provide that, subject to the rights of the holders of any series of the Company’s
Preferred Stock, a special meeting of stockholders, unless otherwise required by statute, may be called at any time only by (a) the Board, (b)
the Chairman of the Board, or (c) the holders of not less than 60% of the shares entitled to vote at the special meeting. Notice of a meeting
must be given not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting.
No cumulative voting. The DGCL provides that stockholders of a Delaware corporation are not entitled to the right to cumulate votes in the
election of directors, unless its certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Our Charter does not provide for cumulative voting.
No Stockholder action by written consent. The DGCL provides that stockholders of a Delaware corporation can act by written consent
instead of by vote at a stockholder meeting, unless the corporation’s certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Our Charter provides that
stockholders may not act by written consent.
Advance notice requirements for stockholder proposals and director nominations. Our Charter provides that stockholders seeking to
nominate candidates for election as directors or to bring business before an annual meeting of stockholders must provide timely notice of
their proposal in writing to our corporate secretary.
Generally, to be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Company
not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the scheduled date of the meeting, regardless of any postponement, deferral or
adjournment of that meeting to a later date. Our Charter also specifies requirements as to the form and content of a stockholder’s notice.
These
provisions may impede stockholders’ ability to bring matters before an annual meeting of stockholders or make nominations for directors at
an annual meeting of stockholders.
2
Exhibit 4.4
Restrictions on Business Combinations with Related Persons. Section 203 of the DGCL generally prohibits a Delaware corporation from
engaging in any business combination with any “interested stockholder” for a period of three years following the date that the stockholder
became an interested stockholder, unless:
•
•
•
prior to that date, the board of directors of the company approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in
the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;
upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested
stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the company outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for
purposes of determining the number of shares of voting stock outstanding (but not the voting stock owned by the interested
stockholder) those shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers and by excluding employee stock plans in which
employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a
tender or exchange offer; or
on or subsequent to that date, the business combination is approved by the board of directors of the company and authorized at an
annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding
voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.
Section 203 defines “business combination” to include the following:
•
•
•
•
•
any merger or consolidation involving the company and the interested stockholder or other entity if such transaction was caused by
the interested stockholder;
any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, transfer, pledge or other disposition of 10% or more of the assets of the company involving the
interested stockholder;
subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the company of any stock of the company to
the interested stockholder;
any transaction involving the company that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of
the company beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; or
the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits
provided by or through the company.
An “interested stockholder” or “Related Person” is generally one who beneficially owns an aggregate of 15% or more of the Company’s
outstanding voting stock. In addition to the statutory limitations, our Charter limits business combinations with Related Persons. Our Charter
defines “Business Combination” in a similar manner to Section 203.
In addition to any other vote required by our Charter or the DGCL, where a Related Person undertakes a Business Combination with the
Company or a majority-owned subsidiary, the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than 75% of the outstanding stock held by
stockholders other than the Related Person proposing the business combination, voting as a single class, is required for the approval or
authorization of such transaction, unless either:
•
•
the transaction is approved by our Board, by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the directors who are not affiliates or
associates of the Related Person (such directors, the “Continuing Directors”); or
both (a) the consideration to be paid to the stockholders other than the Related Person meets certain minimum thresholds and (b) a
proxy statement, responsive to the requirements of the Exchange Act and including the recommendation of the Continuing Directors
and a fairness opinion issued by a reputable investment bank, is mailed to the stockholders to solicit approval for the transaction.
3
Exhibit 4.4
The DGCL allows a corporation to opt out of Section 203, but our Charter does not include such a provision. Both the provisions of Section
203 and our Charter could prohibit or delay mergers or other takeover or change in control attempts and, accordingly, may discourage
attempts to acquire us.
Amendment of Charter and By-laws
Our certificate of incorporation may be amended in accordance with Delaware law, provided that certain provisions cannot be amended or
controverted without the approval of 75% of the voting power of our securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.
Our Board is expressly authorized to adopt, amend or repeal the by-laws of the Company. Any by-laws made by the directors under the
powers conferred hereby may be amended or repealed by the directors or by the stockholders. However, the by-laws cannot be amended or
repealed by the stockholders, and no provision inconsistent with them may be adopted by the stockholders, without the affirmative vote of the
holders of at least 75% of the voting power of all shares of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together
as a single class.
Choice of Forum. Our by-laws provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of
the State of Delaware will be, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the sole and exclusive forum for any derivative action or proceeding
brought on our behalf; any action asserting a claim of breach of fiduciary duty; any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to the
DGCL; or any action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine of the state of Delaware. This exclusive
forum provision is intended to apply to claims arising under Delaware state law and would not apply to claims brought pursuant to the
Exchange Act or Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our Common Stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A
Stock Exchange Listing
Our shares of common stock are listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC under the symbol “PZZA.”
4
EXHIBIT 21
Subsidiaries of the Company:
● Papa John’s USA, Inc., a Kentucky corporation
● PJ Food Service, Inc., a Kentucky corporation
● Trans Papa Logistics, Inc., a Kentucky corporation
● Preferred Marketing Solutions, Inc., a Kentucky corporation
● Papa John’s Franchising, LLC, a Kentucky limited liability company
● Capital Delivery, Ltd., a Kentucky corporation
● DEPZZA, Inc., a Delaware corporation
● Colonel’s Limited, LLC, a Virginia limited liability company
● PJ Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
● Papa John’s Pizza, Ltd., a United Kingdom corporation
● Papa John’s (GB), Ltd., a United Kingdom corporation
● Papa John’s Corporate Stores Limited, a United Kingdom corporation
● Papa John’s Mexico, Inc., a Delaware corporation
● Papa John’s Capital, SRL de CV, a Mexican corporation
● Equipo Papa John’s, SRL de CV, a Mexican corporation
● Papa John’s EUM, SRL de CV, a Mexican corporation
● PJ Mexico Franchising SRL de CV, a Mexican corporation
● Papa John’s China, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
● PJ Chile, LLC, a Kentucky limited liability company
● PJI Chile, SpA, a Chilean corporation
● PJ North Georgia, LLC, a Kentucky limited liability company
● PJFS Canada, LLC, a Kentucky limited liability company
● PJ Asia, LLC, a Kentucky limited liability company
● Papa John’s Korea, Limited, a Korean corporation
● Papa John’s (Beijing) Commercial Management Company Limited – China corporation
● O’Neal Boyz, LLC – a Georgia limited liability company
● Papa John’s USA – Georgia, Inc., a Delaware corporation
● PJ Russia, LLC – a Kentucky limited liability company
● PJ Rus, LLC – a Russian limited liability company
● PJ Netherlands, LLC – a Kentucky limited liability company
EXHIBIT 23.1
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements:
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
(1) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-149468) pertaining to the Deferred Compensation Plan of Papa John’s International, Inc.,
(2) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-165154, No. 333-168562, No. 333-221218) pertaining to the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan of
Papa John’s International, Inc.,
(3) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-168561) pertaining to the 401(k) Plan of Papa John’s International, Inc.,
(4) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-173893) pertaining to the 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan of Papa John’s International, Inc.,
(5) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-224770) pertaining to the 2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan of Papa John’s International, Inc., and
(6) Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-266654) of Papa John’s International, Inc.
of our reports dated February 23, 2023, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Papa John’s International, Inc. and Subsidiaries and the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Papa John’s International, Inc. and Subsidiaries included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) of
Papa John’s International, Inc. and Subsidiaries for the year ended December 25, 2022.
/s/Ernst & Young LLP
Louisville, Kentucky
February 23, 2023
EXHIBIT 31.1
I, Robert M. Lynch, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Papa John’s International, Inc.;
SECTION 302
CERTIFICATION
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the
statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this
report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-
15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our
supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by
others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our
supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for
external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most
recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably
likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the
registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are
reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal
control over financial reporting.
Date: February 23, 2023
/s/ Robert M. Lynch
Robert M. Lynch
President and
Chief Executive Officer
EXHIBIT 31.2
I, Ann B. Gugino, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Papa John’s International, Inc.;
SECTION 302
CERTIFICATION
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the
statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this
report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-
15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our
supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by
others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our
supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for
external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most
recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably
likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the
registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are
reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal
control over financial reporting.
Date: February 23, 2023
/s/ Ann B. Gugino
Ann B. Gugino
Chief Financial Officer
SECTION 906
CERTIFICATION
EXHIBIT 32.1
I, Robert M. Lynch, President and Chief Executive Officer of Papa John’s International, Inc. (the “Company”), certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that:
1. The Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the annual period ended December 25, 2022 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of
Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m); and
2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
Date: February 23, 2023
/s/ Robert M. Lynch
Robert M. Lynch
President and Chief Executive Officer
SECTION 906
CERTIFICATION
EXHIBIT 32.2
I, Ann B. Gugino, Chief Financial Officer of Papa John’s International, Inc. (the “Company”), certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that:
1. The Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the annual period ended December 25, 2022 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of
Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m); and
2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
Date: February 23, 2023
/s/ Ann B. Gugino
Ann B. Gugino
Chief Financial Officer