PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Aramark (NYSE: ARMK), the $15 billion global provider of award-winning services in food, facilities management, and uniforms, today reported fourth quarter and full-year fiscal 2014 results with strong sales and profit growth and provided an initial outlook for fiscal 2015.  Additionally, the Board of Directors has approved a 15% increase in the company's regular quarterly dividend.   

53rd Week

Aramark's 2014 Fiscal year and fourth quarter results contain an extra, or "53^rd" week, when compared to prior period results and forward guidance.  The company's organic sales growth calculations adjust for this week.  The other metrics that the company reports such as adjusted operating income, adjusted net income, adjusted EPS and "as-reported" metrics, do not adjust for the extra week and unless otherwise noted, are presented on a 53-week basis.  

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• 2014 sales of $14.8 billion with organic growth of 5%. Organic growth of 6% in Q4;
• 2014 adjusted operating income up 12% to $878 million including an estimated 2% benefit from the 53^rd week, Q4 adjusted operating income up 15% including approximate 7% benefit from the extra week. 2014 and Q4 as reported operating income of $565 million and $145 million, respectively;
• 2014 and Q4 adjusted earnings per share of $1.51 and $0.39, respectively, both include an estimated $0.02 benefit from the 53^rd week. 2014 and Q4 as reported earnings per share of $0.63 and $0.18, respectively;
• Board of Directors increases regular quarterly dividend to 8.625 cents per share;
• 2015 Adjusted Earnings per Share expected within a range of $1.60 - $1.70.

"I am pleased to report a record year in 2014.  We achieved strong organic growth along with double-digit increases in both operating profit and earnings per share.  We continue to execute against a focused strategy to accelerate growth, activate productivity and attract the best people and our strong results this year are reflective of this strategy.  Based on this performance, our Board of Directors has meaningfully increased our dividend," said Eric J. Foss, President and Chief Executive Officer. "As we look forward to 2015, we have continued confidence that the diversity and breadth of our portfolio positions us well for sustainable growth and creation of shareholder value." 

FISCAL 2014 RESULTS

Sales were $14.8 billion, up from $13.9 billion in 2013, with organic growth of 5%.  The organic calculation of growth includes a reduction for 2014's 53^rd week of $258 million, or approximately 2%, and adjusts for adverse currency translation of $106 million.  Adjusted operating income was $878 million, an increase of 12% over 2013.  It is estimated that the extra week boosted total company and segment adjusted operating income growth rates by approximately 2%.  Adjusted net income was $359 million or $1.51 per share, versus adjusted net income of $261 million or $1.24 per share in 2013.  The extra week increased adjusted net income by an estimated 2% and adjusted earnings per share by an estimated $0.02.  The diluted share count average for fiscal 2014 was 237.5 million shares, up from 209.4 million shares in fiscal 2013, primarily as a result of the company's initial public offering in December of 2013.            

On an as reported basis, sales were $14.8 billion, operating income was $565 million, net income attributable to Aramark stockholders was $149 million and earnings per share were $0.63.  A reconciliation of as reported financial measures to adjusted financial measures, including changes in currency translation rates is presented below.  See "Non-GAAP Measures."  

FISCAL 2014 SEGMENT RESULTS

Food and Support Services – North America

Sales in the Food and Support Services – North America segment were $10.2 billion with organic growth of 5%. Adjusted operating income for the segment was up 10%.  Adjusted operating incomes includes the benefit of the 53rd week. As reported sales were up 7% and operating income was up 24%.  Sales growth in the Education and Sports, Leisure and Corrections sectors were particularly notable as new business wins came onboard throughout the year.

Food and Support Services – International

Sales in the Food and Support Services – International segment were $3.1 billion with organic growth of 7%. Adjusted operating income for the segment was up 25%.  As reported sales were up 6% and operating income was up 56%.  Organic growth in Europe increased in the low single digits from the prior year and emerging markets continued to grow in the double digits. 

Uniform and Career Apparel

Sales in the Uniform and Career Apparel segment were $1.5 billion with organic growth of 3%. Adjusted operating income for the segment was up 12%.  As reported sales were up 5% and operating income was up 47%.  Profitability improvement in the segment was driven by ongoing sales growth and continuing merchandise and plant productivity initiatives.

FOURTH QUARTER 2014 RESULTS

Sales were $3.9 billion versus $3.5 billion in the fourth quarter of 2013, with organic growth of 6%.  Sales in the quarter included non-recurring facility project work with a major North America client, which increased growth by about 2%.  North America organic growth of 7% was led by Education, Healthcare Hospitality and Corrections and was boosted by the non-recurring facility project.  International organic growth was 6% while organic growth in Uniform and Career Apparel was 3%.    

Adjusted operating income was $228 million versus $198 million in last year's period, an increase of 15%, with North America up 12%, International up 27% and Uniform and Career Apparel up 15%.  The extra week is estimated to comprise about 7% of the growth in the quarter.  On an as reported basis, total company operating income increased 7% in the fourth quarter with North America, International and Uniform and Career Apparel increasing 13%, (5%) and 75%, respectively. North America adjusted operating income growth reflected both continued productivity initiatives and the impact of start-up costs of several large Education, Healthcare and Corrections clients.  International benefited from continued strong performance in Emerging Markets while Uniform and Career Apparel continued to deliver on productivity initiatives.                              

Adjusted net income for the quarter was $94 million or $0.39 per share, versus adjusted net income of $78 million or $0.37 per share in the fourth quarter of 2013.  The 53^rd week increased adjusted net income by about 6% and adjusted earnings per share by approximately $0.02.  The diluted share count in the fourth quarter was 244.3 million shares, up from 209.6 million shares in the same period last year, primarily as a result of the company's initial public offering in December of 2013.         

On an as reported basis for the quarter, sales were $3.9 billion, operating income was $145 million, net income attributable to Aramark stockholders was $44 million and earnings per share were $0.18.  Changes in currency rates from the prior year reduced sales and operating income in the quarter.  A reconciliation of as reported financial measures to adjusted financial measures, including changes in currency translation rates is presented below.  See "Non-GAAP Measures."  

TRANSFORMATION UPDATE

In late 2012 the company launched a transformation initiative focused on Accelerating growth, Activating productivity, and Attracting the best people.  This initiative is designed to drive annual organic sales growth of 3% - 5%, adjusted operating income growth of mid to high single digits and adjusted earnings per share growth in the low double digits.  Included in the first phase of this transformation was a 2013 - 2015 target of $200 - $300 million of gross productivity savings leading to $100 million of savings, net of pass-through savings to clients under client interest contracts and reinvestment in growth, people and technology.  The company has achieved this target early and delivered these savings by year-end fiscal 2014.    

Looking forward, the company expects to continue programs related to food, labor and SG&A initiatives and has identified additional programs in these areas, including development of a more standardized in-unit organizational structure, supply chain and menu standardization and expansion of our shared services initiative globally.  Efforts related to this next phase of transformation are already underway, and have resulted in a fourth quarter charge of $21 million.  Over the next two years, the company expects to incur additional charges of approximately $100 million related to these initiatives.  These incremental actions are expected to result in approximately $300 million in gross cost savings before client pass-through savings under client interest contracts over a three-year period and will support the company's existing multi-year framework, continued investment in growth, people and technology and help to partially offset external pressures that may arise such as food and wage inflation.    

DIVIDEND INCREASE & DECLARATION

In recognition of the company's improving growth and profitability, the company's Board of Directors is increasing the regular quarterly dividend by 15%, to 8.625 cents per share of common stock.  On November 11, 2014 the Board of Directors declared the first quarter fiscal 2015 dividend, at the increased rate, which is payable on December 16, 2014, to stockholders of record at the close of business November 25, 2014.  

LIQUIDITY & CAPITAL STRUCTURE

As of October 3, 2014, total debt was $5.4 billion.  The company's total debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio has been reduced to 4.3x, from 5.0x prior to the December 2013 public offering.  Corporate liquidity remains strong, and as of year-end the company's $770 million revolving credit facility was undrawn.

MULTI-YEAR FRAMEWORK & OUTLOOK

The company's multi-year framework remains unchanged – to deliver 3% - 5% organic sales growth, mid to high single digit adjusted operating income growth and low double digit growth in adjusted earnings per share.  In 2015, adjusted EPS is expected within a range of $1.60 to $1.70, based upon an estimate of 245.0 million average diluted shares outstanding, up from 237.5 million in 2014. 

53^rd Week impact on 2015 Quarters

The shift of the start of fiscal 2015 resulting from 2014's extra week creates a calendar shift that affects year-over-year quarterly comparisons.  In general, this effect results from a change in timing between (1) the company's fiscal quarters and (2) holidays in the Business and Education sector, school semesters and breaks in the Education sector, and major league sports schedules in the Sports, Leisure and Corrections sector.  This effect is expected to reduce both sales and adjusted operating income growth in the first and third quarters, while increasing growth in the second and fourth quarters, as shown in the table:

The effect on the full year is expected to be negligible. 

CONFERENCE CALL SCHEDULED

The company has scheduled a conference call at 10 a.m. Eastern Standard Time today to discuss its earnings.  This call can be heard, either live or on a delayed basis, on the company's web site, www.aramark.com on the investor relations page.

About Aramark  

Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) is in the customer service business across food, facilities and uniforms, wherever people work, learn, recover, and play.  United by a passion to serve, our more than 270,000 employees deliver experiences that enrich and nourish the lives of millions of people in 22 countries around the world every day.  Aramark is recognized among the Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE and the World's Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute. Learn more at www.aramark.com or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

Selected Operational and Financial Metrics

Adjusted Sales (Organic)

Management believes that presentation of sales growth, adjusted to eliminate the effects of acquisitions and divestitures, the impact of currency translation and the estimated impact of the 53^rd week, provides useful information to investors because it enhances comparability between the current year and prior year reporting periods.  Elimination of the currency translation effect provides constant currency comparisons without the distortion of currency rate fluctuations. 

Adjusted Operating Income

Adjusted operating income represents operating income adjusted to eliminate the change in amortization of acquisition-related customer relationship intangible assets and depreciation of property and equipment resulting from the going-private transaction in 2007 (the "Transaction"); the impact of the change in fair value related to the gasoline and diesel agreements; severance and other charges; share-based compensation; the effects of acquisitions and divestitures and the impact of currency translation and other items impacting comparability. 

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA represents Adjusted Operating Income further adjusted to exclude the impact of all other depreciation and amortization expense. 

Adjusted Net Income

Adjusted Net Income represents net income attributable to Aramark stockholders adjusted to eliminate the impact of discontinued operations; the change in amortization of acquisition-related customer relationship intangible assets and depreciation of property and equipment resulting from the Transaction; the impact of changes in the fair value related to the gasoline and diesel agreements; severance and other charges; share-based compensation; the effects of acquisitions and divestitures and the impact of currency translation and other items impacting comparability, less the tax impact of these adjustments.  Management believes that presentation of net income as adjusted is useful information to investors because we use such information when evaluating net income to better evaluate the underlying operating performance of the company.

We use Adjusted Sales, Adjusted Operating Income, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income as supplemental measures of our operating profitability and to operate and control our cash operating costs to evaluate our performance.  These financial metrics are not measurements of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or U.S. GAAP.  We believe the presentation of these metrics is appropriate to provide additional information to investors about our operating performance.  Our presentation of these metrics has limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under U.S. GAAP. You should not consider these measures as alternatives to sales, operating income or net income, determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Adjusted Sales, Adjusted Operating Income, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income, as presented by us, may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies because not all companies use identical calculations.

Explanatory Notes to the Non-GAAP Schedules

Amortization of acquisition related customer relationship intangible assets and depreciation of property and equipment resulting from the Transaction - adjustments to eliminate the change in amortization and depreciation resulting from the purchase accounting applied to the January 26, 2007 going-private transaction executed with investment funds affiliated with GS Capital Partners, CCMP Capital Advisors, LLC and J.P. Morgan Partners, LLC, Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. and Warburg Pincus LLC as well as approximately 250 senior management personnel.

Share-based compensation - adjustments to eliminate compensation expense related to the company's issuances of share-based awards and the related employer payroll tax expense incurred by the company when employees exercise in the money stock options or vest in restricted stock awards. This adjustment excludes the expense related to the modification of missed year options in connection with the initial public offering which are included in the Initial public offering and related expenses adjustment noted below.

Effect of currency translation - adjustments to eliminate the impact that fluctuations in currency translation rates had on the comparative results by presenting the periods on a constant currency basis.

Severance and other charges - adjustments to eliminate severance expenses and other costs incurred in the applicable period such as costs incurred to start-up our Business Service Center in Nashville, TN ($6.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2014 and $24.5 million for the year-to-date 2014 and $2.1 million for the fourth quarter and year-to-date 2013), organizational streamlining initiatives ($20.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2014 and $21.3 million for the year-to-date 2014 and $16.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 and $71.2 million for the year-to-date 2013), goodwill impairments and asset write-offs ($0.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 and $23.6 million for the year-to-date 2013) and other transformational initiatives ($4.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2014 and $7.8 million for the year-to-date 2014 and $0.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 and $16.6 million for the year-to-date 2013).

Effects of acquisitions and divestitures - adjustments to eliminate the impact that acquisitions and divestitures had on the comparative periods by only presenting the acquired or divested businesses for the same periods of time in each period of the comparison.

Branding - adjustments to eliminate the expenses incurred in the period for the Aramark rebranding, such as costs related to the logo redesign, painting of trucks, changing signage, advertising, an internal new brand roll-out meeting, including travel and lodging expenses for company employees to attend this meeting.

Initial public offering and related expenses - adjustments to eliminate non-cash compensation expense ($50.9 million for year-to-date 2014) related to the modification of missed year options in connection with the initial public offering, bonuses paid ($4.3 million for year-to-date 2014) to select senior management individuals related to the successful completion of the initial public offering and other costs attributable to the completion of the initial public offering.

Gains, losses and settlements impacting comparability - adjustments to eliminate certain transactions that are not indicative of our ongoing operational performance such as the loss on the McKinley Chalet divestiture ($6.7 million for year-to-date 2014), insurance reserve adjustments due to favorable claims experience ($2.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2014 and $8.3 million for the year-to-date 2014 and $1.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 and $6.2 for the year-to-date 2013), multiemployer pension plan withdrawal charges ($3.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 and $5.3 million for the year-to-date 2013), wage and hour settlement ($2.8 million for the year-to-date 2013), other income relating to the recovery of the Company's investment (possessory interest) at our National Park Service sites ($2.0 million for fourth quarter and year-to-date 2014 and $14.2 million for the year-to-date 2013), loss on the sale of an aircraft ($1.4 million for the fourth quarter and year-to-date 2013), expenses related to a secondary offering of common stock by certain of our stockholders in May of 2014 ($0.9 million for the year-to-date 2014), the impact of the change in fair value related to the gasoline and diesel agreements ($2.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2014 and $1.8 million for the year-to-date 2014 and $0.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 and $0.7 million for the year-to-date 2013), other asset write-offs ($1.1 million for the fourth quarter and year-to-date 2014) and other miscellaneous expenses.

Effects of refinancing on interest and other financing costs, net - adjustments to eliminate expenses associated with refinancing activities undertaken by the Company in the applicable period such as third party costs and non-cash charges for the write-offs of deferring financing costs.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that reflect our current views as to future events and financial performance with respect to, without limitation, conditions in our industry, our operations, our economic performance and financial condition, including, in particular, statements relating to our business and growth strategy. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They use words such as "outlook," "aim," "anticipate," "are confident," "have confidence," "estimate," "expect," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe," "see," "look to" and other words and terms of similar meaning or the negative versions of such words.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. All statements we make relating to our estimated and projected earnings, costs, expenditures, cash flows, growth rates and financial results are forward-looking statements. In addition, we, through our senior management, from time to time make forward-looking public statements concerning our expected future operations and performance and other developments. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may change at any time, and, therefore, our actual results may differ materially from those that we expected. We derive many of our forward-looking statements from our operating budgets and forecasts, which are based upon many detailed assumptions. While we believe that our assumptions are reasonable, we caution that it is very difficult to predict the impact of known factors, and, of course, it is impossible for us to anticipate all factors that could affect our actual results.  All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us, or persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements.  Some of the factors that we believe could affect our results include without limitation: unfavorable economic conditions; natural disasters, global calamities, sports strikes and other adverse incidents; the failure to retain current clients, renew existing client contracts and obtain new client contracts; a determination by clients to reduce their outsourcing or use of preferred vendors; competition in our industries; increased operating costs and obstacles to cost recovery due to the pricing and cancellation terms of our food and support services contracts; the inability to achieve cost savings through our cost reduction efforts; our expansion strategy; the failure to maintain food safety throughout our supply chain, food-borne illness concerns and claims of illness or injury; governmental regulations including those relating to food and beverages, the environment, wage and hour and government contracting; liability associated with noncompliance with applicable law or other governmental regulations; changes in, new interpretations of or changes in the enforcement of the government regulatory framework; currency risks and other risks associated with international operations, including Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, U.K. Bribery Act and other anti-corruption law compliance; continued or further unionization of our workforce; liability resulting from our participation in multiemployer defined benefit pension plans; risks associated with suppliers from whom our products are sourced; disruptions to our relationship with, or to the business of, our primary distributor; the inability to hire and retain sufficient qualified personnel or increases in labor costs; healthcare reform legislation; the contract intensive nature of our business, which may lead to client disputes; seasonality; our leverage; the inability to generate sufficient cash to service all of our indebtedness; debt agreements that limit our flexibility in operating our business; potential conflicts of interest between certain of our controlling shareholders and us; and other factors set forth under the headings  "Risk Factors," "Business - Legal Proceedings" and "Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections in our prospectus dated December 11, 2013, filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act on December 12, 2013, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our periodic filings with the SEC, which are accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and which may be obtained by contacting Aramark's investor relations department via its website www.aramark.com. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this release and in our filings with the SEC. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements included herein or that may be made elsewhere from time to time by, or on behalf of, us. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments, changes in our expectations, or otherwise, except as required by law.

Contact:

Media Inquiries
Karen Cutler (215)238-4063
Cutler-Karen@aramark.com

Investor Inquiries
Ian Bailey (215)409-7287
Bailey-Ian@aramark.com

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SOURCE Aramark