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Dec 25, 2022

First Watch Q4 2022 Earnings Report

Reported strong financial results with revenue increase and positive same-restaurant sales growth.

Key Takeaways

First Watch Restaurant Group reported a 14.2% increase in total revenues to $185.7 million and a 7.7% growth in same-restaurant sales. The company's net loss improved to $(0.5) million. They opened 16 system-wide restaurants during the quarter.

Total revenues increased by 14.2% to $185.7 million.

System-wide sales increased by 15.6% to $234.2 million.

Same-restaurant sales grew by 7.7%.

Net loss improved to $(0.5) million.

Total Revenue
$186M
Previous year: $163M
+14.2%
EPS
-$0.01
Previous year: -$0.08
-87.5%
Same-Restaurant Sales Growth
7.7%
Previous year: 36.7%
-79.0%
Same-Restaurant Traffic Growth
-0.6%
Previous year: 31.9%
-101.9%
Restaurant-Level Operating Profit Margin
16.7%
Previous year: 18.2%
-8.2%
Gross Profit
$33.1M
Previous year: $32.3M
+2.3%
Cash and Equivalents
$49.7M
Previous year: $51.9M
-4.2%
Free Cash Flow
-$941K
Previous year: $10.5M
-109.0%
Total Assets
$1.1B
Previous year: $1.05B
+5.5%

First Watch

First Watch

Forward Guidance

For fiscal year 2023, First Watch expects same-restaurant sales growth of 6.0% to 8.0% and total revenue growth of 15.0% to 19.0%.

Positive Outlook

  • Same-restaurant sales growth of 6.0% to 8.0% with continued positive same-restaurant traffic growth
  • Total revenue growth of 15.0% to 19.0%
  • Adjusted EBITDA in the range of $76.0 million to $81.0 million
  • Total of 45-51 new system-wide restaurants, net of 3 company-owned restaurant closures (38 to 42 new company-owned restaurants and 10 to 12 new franchise-owned restaurants)
  • Capital expenditures in the range of $100.0 million to $110.0 million invested primarily in new restaurant projects and planned remodels

Challenges Ahead

  • Uncertainty regarding ongoing hostility between Russia and Ukraine and the related impact on macroeconomic conditions, including inflation, as a result of such conflict or other related events
  • Vulnerability to changes in economic conditions and consumer preferences
  • Inability to successfully open new restaurants or establish new markets
  • Inability to effectively manage growth
  • Adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic or other infectious diseases