Shake Shack Q1 profit dips 27% but beats estimates

Shake Shack (NYSE: SHAK) reported a 27% dip in earnings for the first quarter of 2019 due to higher costs and expenses as well as an increase in income tax expense. However, the results exceeded analysts’ expectations. The company raised its revenue guidance for the full year 2019.

Net income fell by 27% to $2.55 million and earnings dropped by 38% to $0.08 per share. Adjusted earnings decreased by 13.3% to $0.13 per share.

Total revenue soared by 34% to $132.61 million. Shack sales increased by 33.8% due primarily to the opening of 34 new domestic company-operated Shacks between the first quarter of 2019 and the first quarter of 2018, as well as same-Shack sales growth. Licensing revenue climbed by 33.5% due primarily to the opening of 16 net new licensed Shacks.

Same-Shack sales increased by 3.6% versus a 1.7% growth in the previous year quarter. This increase consisted of a 1.6% rise in guest traffic and a combined growth of 2% in price and sales mix. The comparable Shack base includes those restaurants open for 24 full fiscal months or longer. For the first quarter, the comparable Shack base included 66 Shacks versus 44 Shacks a year ago.

Looking ahead into the full year 2019, the company lifted its total revenue outlook to the range of $576 million to $582 million from the prior range of $570 million to $576 million. The same-shack sales growth forecast is raised to the range of 1% to 2% from the previous range of 0% to 1%. The company continues to expect opening 36 to 40 domestic company-operated Shack stores and 16 to 18 licensed Shack stores during the full year 2019.

For the first quarter, the average weekly sales for domestic company-operated Shacks decreased to $79,000 from $81,000 a year ago, primarily due to the addition of newer Shacks at a broader range of average unit volumes.

During the first quarter, Shake Shack opened five domestic company-operated Shacks, which included its first Shack in Providence, Rhode Island. The company opened four international licensed Shacks, which included a Shack in the City of Shanghai, its first Shack in mainland China. Also, the company opened three domestic licensed Shacks at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

During the quarter, Shake Shack closed two international licensed Shacks, World Trade Center in UAE and Avia Park in Russia. Subsequent to the end of the quarter, the company opened three domestic company-operated Shacks and three licensed Shacks, including its first Shack in Singapore, located in the brand new Jewel Changi Airport.

Shares of Shake Shack ended Thursday’s regular session up 3.15% at $62.91 on the NYSE. Following the earnings release, the stock inched up over 7% in the after-market session.

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