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Mar 26, 2023

First Watch Q1 2023 Earnings Report

Reported strong Q1 2023 financial results, driven by same-restaurant sales and traffic growth, along with increased operating profit margin and net income.

Key Takeaways

First Watch Restaurant Group reported a strong first quarter in 2023, with significant increases in total revenues, system-wide sales, and same-restaurant sales growth. The company's income from operations margin and restaurant level operating profit margin also increased, leading to a rise in net income and adjusted EBITDA. They also raised the 2023 Adjusted EBITDA guidance.

Total revenues increased by 22.1% to $211.4 million compared to Q1 2022.

Same-restaurant sales grew by 12.9% driven by same-restaurant traffic growth of 5.1%.

Net income increased to $9.4 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, compared to $4.6 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, in Q1 2022.

Adjusted EBITDA increased to $27.4 million from $19.4 million in Q1 2022.

Total Revenue
$211M
Previous year: $173M
+22.1%
EPS
$0.15
Previous year: $0.08
+87.5%
Same-Restaurant Sales Growth
12.9%
Previous year: 27.2%
-52.6%
Same-Restaurant Traffic Growth
5.1%
Previous year: 21.9%
-76.7%
Restaurant-Level Operating Profit Margin
21.2%
Previous year: 19.6%
+8.2%
Gross Profit
$47.5M
Previous year: $35.9M
+32.5%
Cash and Equivalents
$54.4M
Previous year: $46.5M
+17.0%
Free Cash Flow
$6.62M
Previous year: -$3.37M
-296.7%
Total Assets
$1.12B
Previous year: $1.05B
+6.3%

First Watch

First Watch

First Watch Revenue by Segment

Forward Guidance

The Company raises certain of its guidance for the 53-week fiscal year ended December 31, 2023:

Positive Outlook

  • Total revenue growth in the range of 16.0% to 20.0%
  • Adjusted EBITDA in the range of $80.0 million to $85.0 million
  • Same-restaurant sales growth in the range of 6.0% to 8.0%
  • Positive same-restaurant traffic growth
  • Total of 45-51 new system-wide restaurants

Challenges Ahead

  • Includes approximately 1.0% in total revenue growth associated with May 2023 franchise acquisition
  • Includes approximately $1.0 million in Adjusted EBITDA associated with May 2023 franchise acquisition
  • Updated blended tax rate in the range of 33.0% to 36.0%
  • Net of 3 company-owned restaurant closures
  • Capital expenditures in the range of $100.0 million to $110.0 million

Revenue & Expenses

Visualization of income flow from segment revenue to net income