Burger Fuel Group Ltd Half Year Results – 30 September 2019

Burger Fuel Group Ltd Half Year Results for the 6 months ended 30 September 2019 OVERVIEW The Directors of Burger Fuel Group Limited (BFG) present the unaudited results for the 6 months to 30 September 2019. Net Profit after tax for the period was $548,092 compared to $646,373 in the same period last year. This represents a decline of (15.20%). Group Operating Revenue increased by 2.69% on the same period last year to $11.3M. This increase in revenue is mainly due to the opening of our company owned Shake Out store at the Smales Farm complex in Takapuna, Auckland, as well as the additional interest income booked for the non-occupied leases as per the new IFRS 16 lease accounting standard ($719K). The Group has no debt and as at 30 September 2019 had cash reserves of $5.2M. On the 1st July 2019 Burger Fuel Worldwide Limited changed its name to Burger Fuel Group Limited to better reflect the business focus and our recent transformation into a multi-brand business. At the same time, we also migrated to the NZX main board from the NZAX. GROUP PERFORMANCE Total system sales were $50.2m, for the period representing a decrease of (1.85%) over the same period last year. The decrease is mainly due to exiting Australia as well as reduced sales in the Middle East. Total system sales include the Winner Winner store and the newly opened Shake Out locations. Total store numbers decreased from 80 to 79 as at 30 September 2019. The additional system sales from the opening of the new Shake Out stores helped offset the lost sales from exiting Australia in August 2018. Group Net Profit Before Tax was down $181k (21%) on the same period last year. This was due to the additional costs associated with establishing our new brands; Winner Winner and Shake Out, further costs associated with the strategic options review undertaken by KPMG and from the accounting treatment of our occupied leases under the new accounting standards, IFRS 16. In April 2019 the BurgerFuel Group completed the staged buyback of its shares from its former Subway alliance partner, Franchise Brands. OPERATING RESULTS BurgerFuel New Zealand Comparable (Same Store Sales) BurgerFuel stores in NZ were down (1.4%) on the same period as last year. Total sales for the period were flat. The metropolitan markets of Auckland & Christchurch (in particular) remain challenging. Other regional areas have experienced firmer growth, as has Wellington. BurgerFuel Papamoa in the Bay of Plenty opened in December 2018. BurgerFuel New Zealand has maintained its position of not using aggregated delivery services such as Uber Eats. The softening economy and disruptions from Uber Eats shed some light on our modest sales decline where we elected to maintain franchisee margins (which have remained stable) rather than grow the top line sales which would be unlikely to add additional profit for the franchisees, if third party delivery channels were used. It has become clear that many restaurants that have engaged Uber Eats as a third-party sales and delivery channel have found the economics of this model to be largely unsustainable. BurgerFuel in New Zealand is now on a recruitment campaign for franchisees in the regional centres that it doesn't currently serve and over time we see opportunity for modest additional BurgerFuel outlet expansion. BurgerFuel Middle East (ME) More recently the sales performance has been encouraging in the ME but the overall sales comparison for the first half of each year shows a decrease of (13.0%) due to the closure of one store in Iraq and deteriorating conditions in that country. The continued strategy of our UAE Licensee to service residential neighbourhoods instead of operating in high profile but also high rent shopping malls, has also contributed to lower sales volumes in and around Dubai. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues to achieve satisfactory sales results and we are encouraged by the fact that the Kingdom continues to adopt a more western lifestyle. Saudi Arabia is a large country with a young population and together with the recent social reforms we expect it to be the country of focus for the future of BurgerFuel in the Middle East. BurgerFuel USA Chris Mason (BurgerFuel Licensee in the USA), continues to operate the single store in Broad Ripple, Indianapolis, Indiana. We have not been advised of any proposed or further development plans for the USA. Chris Mason is due to complete the payment for the USA transaction in March 2020. International markets, MENA & the USA represent 20% of total BurgerFuel sales. Winner Winner & Shake Out New Zealand Winner Winner has undertaken many changes over the last 12 months and the comparable sales for the 6 months to 30 September 2019, year shows an increase of 16.5% Shake Out now operates in 2 locations, neither of which were open for the comparable 6 months sales period to 30 September 2018. The new brands within the BurgerFuel Group already represent 4% of the Group's sales and we expect this percentage to increase as we open more stores; both Shake Out and Winner Winner. The systemisation of both brands is complete, and we are focused on the recruitment of quality franchisees who are seeking a well-known franchisor with a proven track record. GROUP OUTLOOK The Group's healthy cash position will support its growth aspirations in all of its brands in New Zealand and also allow it to operate strongly in the softening market conditions in the Middle East and New Zealand. In summary, the earlier part of this year was spent reshaping the Group into a multi-brand and multi-national company. BurgerFuel Group is now the licensor and franchisor of three high quality brands. In 2018 and 2019 the nature of the franchising business model required preparatory work to ensure future growth was scalable and sustainable for the Group, its franchisees and its suppliers. That work is now complete, and we are now firmly focused on the growth of new outlets. BurgerFuel Group in conjunction with its advisors KPMG are still reviewing its options regarding a possible sale, merger, joint venture, international partnership, domestic partnership or alternative process. The Board will keep the market updated with any material developments should they occur throughout the on-going strategic review process. BFG is in a sound position with its finances, talent, intellectual property and future opportunities well in place. We believe the next 6 months will be an exciting time as we open a number of new restaurants across all 3 brands, within New Zealand. We would like to thank all shareholders, staff, franchisees, suppliers and of course our valued customers for their support and wish you all a safe and Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Best regards Peter Brook Chairman Josef Roberts Group CEO End CA:00345196 For:BFG Type:HALFYR Time:2019-11-29 16:27:37