Bojangles’ Stock Falls 6 Percent on Revenue Miss, Lower Guidance

7/28/17

By Chris Roush, NC BIZ News

Bojangles’ Inc. reported a second-quarter decline in earnings of 14 percent and revenue that missed Wall Street estimates, causing its stock to fall by more than 6 percent in after-hours trading.

The company also lowered its earnings and revenue guidance for the rest of the year to below analyst expectations, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing on Thursday.

The Charlotte-based restaurant chain reported net income of $8.6 million, or 22 cents per share, down from net income of $10 million, or 27 cents per share. The results matched Wall Street expectations.

Revenue rose 2.1 percent to $134.4 million, but sales in locations open at least a year fell by 1.4 percent. Analysts were expecting revenue of $136.2 million in revenue.

Sales in franchise locations fell 0.1 percent while sales in company-owned restaurants fell 3.3 percent. The company said it plans to open fewer company-owned restaurants in the future.

“The continuing challenging conditions in the limited service restaurant industry require navigating with experience, a clearly defined plan and a willingness to make adjustments when necessary to stay competitive and relevant,” said Chief Executive Officer Clifton Rutledge in a statement.

Bojangles’ stock fell $1, or 6.4 percent, to $14.65 in after-hours trading on Thursday.

The company opened seven franchise locations and seven company locations during the quarter. It now has 740 locations.

Bojangles said it now expects to produce revenue between $549 million and $553 million for the year, down from its previous guidance of $560 million to $569 million. The current consensus Wall Street revenue estimate is $561.6 million.

The company now expects its earnings for the year to be between 81 cents per share and 84 cents per share, down from its previous guidance of 87 cents per share to 93 cents per share.

The current Wall Street consensus estimate is earnings of 91 cents per share.

It cut its new location openings to 53 to 56 for the year, down from 57 to 62.