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Dec 31, 2023

Potbelly Q4 2023 Earnings Report

Reported strong fourth quarter and full year results driven by traffic growth and strategic initiatives.

Key Takeaways

Potbelly Corporation reported a 4.7% increase in total revenues for the fourth quarter, reaching $125.7 million, driven by a 6.3% increase in same-store sales and a 3.4% increase in Average Weekly Sales (AWS) to $24,960. GAAP net income attributable to Potbelly Corporation was $2.7 million, with diluted EPS of $0.09.

Total revenues increased by 4.7% to $125.7 million.

Same-store sales increased by 6.3%, driven by traffic growth.

GAAP net income attributable to Potbelly Corporation was $2.7 million, with diluted EPS of $0.09.

Adjusted EBITDA was $7.5 million.

Total Revenue
$126M
Previous year: $120M
+4.7%
EPS
$0.02
Previous year: $0.09
-77.8%
Gross Profit
$19.5M
Previous year: $36.3M
-46.3%
Cash and Equivalents
$33.8M
Previous year: $15.6M
+116.3%
Free Cash Flow
$187K
Previous year: $7.95M
-97.6%
Total Assets
$252M
Previous year: $245M
+3.0%

Potbelly

Potbelly

Potbelly Revenue by Segment

Forward Guidance

Potbelly provided its first quarter and full year 2024 outlook, introducing new long-term growth ranges.

Positive Outlook

  • Same Store Sales growth of (-0.25%) to +0.5% for Q1 2024 and Low- to Mid-Single Digit for FY2024
  • New Unit Growth ~10% for FY2024 and Low-Double Digit long-term
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $4.4M to $5.2M for Q1 2024 and High-Single to Low-Double Digit for FY2024
  • Long-Term Growth Ranges: Low- to Mid-Single Digit for Same Store Sales
  • Long-Term Growth Ranges: Low- to Mid-Double Digit for Adjusted EBITDA

Challenges Ahead

  • Impact of refranchising 33 former company locations in 2023
  • 53rd week in 2023 will not recur in 2024
  • Increased costs associated with the Company’s investment in development efforts to support sustained franchise growth
  • A $1.1 million settlement gain in the first quarter 2024 with a third-party software provider
  • Effect of 2023 refranchising is most pronounced in the first three quarters of 2024