Fourth Quarter 2025 Performance Highlights (vs. Fourth Quarter 2024):
- Total revenue of
$185.7 million , an increase of 0.6% or$1.1 million - Same-restaurant sales decrease of -3.3%
- Operating income of
$10.3 million , a decrease of$3.5 million - Net income of
$6.3 million , a decrease of$6.2 million - Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA(1) of
$40.6 million , a decrease of$4.7 million - Adjusted EBITDA(1) of
$24.7 million , a decrease of$0.5 million
Fiscal 2025 Performance Highlights (vs. Fiscal 2024):
- Total revenue of
$732.1 million , an increase of 3.0% or$21.5 million - Same-restaurant sales decrease of -0.5%
- Operating income of
$43.7 million , a decrease of$14.4 million - Net income of
$21.1 million , a decrease of$14.0 million - Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA(1) of
$158.4 million , a decrease of$9.7 million - Adjusted EBITDA(1) of
$97.3 million , a decrease of$7.4 million
(1) Adjusted EBITDA and Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures. Please see definitions and the reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures accompanying this release.
"Portillo's took a number of steps in the fourth quarter to change the trajectory of the business by implementing a reset of our new restaurant growth strategy, refocusing on operational fundamentals and deploying more dynamic marketing tactics," said
Fourth Quarter 2025 Financial and Operating Results
Revenues for the quarter ended
Total restaurant operating expenses for the quarter ended
General and administrative expenses for the quarter ended
Operating income for the quarter ended
Net income for the quarter ended
Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA* for the quarter ended
Adjusted EBITDA* for the quarter ended
*A reconciliation of Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA and the nearest GAAP financial measure is included under “Non-GAAP Measures” in the accompanying financial data below.
Review of Fiscal 2025 Financial Results
Revenues for fiscal 2025 were
Total restaurant operating expenses for fiscal 2025 were
General and administrative expenses for fiscal 2025 were
Operating income for fiscal 2025 was
Net income for fiscal 2025 was
Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA* for fiscal 2025 was
Adjusted EBITDA* for fiscal 2025 was
*A reconciliation of Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA and the nearest GAAP financial measure is included under “Non-GAAP Measures” in the accompanying financial data below.
Development Highlights
During fiscal 2025, we opened eight restaurants in five markets, for a total of 102 restaurants, including a restaurant owned by C&O. With the exception of one in-line restaurant and one Portillo's pickup restaurant, all new restaurant openings in 2025 were our RoTF 1.0 design, which is a smaller square footage prototype featuring a shorter, more efficient production line designed to reduce costs and provide excellent service to our guests. Subsequent to
Below are the restaurants opened in fiscal 2025:
| Location | Opening Month | Fiscal Quarter Opened |
| Q3 2025 | ||
| Q3 2025 | ||
| Q3 2025 | ||
| Middleton, | Q3 2025 | |
| Q4 2025 | ||
| Q4 2025 | ||
| Q4 2025 | ||
| Q4 2025 | ||
Fiscal 2026 Outlook
Based on current expectations, we are providing fiscal 2026 outlook as follows:
| Current Targets | |
| New Units | 8 new units |
| Commodity inflation | Mid single digit |
| Labor inflation | 3% to 3.5% |
| Restaurant-level adjusted EBITDA margin* | 20.5% to 21% |
| General and administrative expenses | |
| Adjusted EBITDA* | Flat vs. 2025 |
| Capital expenditures | |
*We are unable to reconcile the financial target for adjusted EBITDA and restaurant-level adjusted EBITDA margin to net income/loss growth and operating income/loss margin, the respective corresponding
CEO Inducement Grant Under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4)
As previously announced,
The RSU award was approved by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors and was granted as an inducement material to Mr. Patterson’s acceptance of employment with the Company. The award was made in accordance with, and in reliance upon, the employment inducement award exception provided under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).
The following definitions apply to these terms as used in this release:
Change in Same-Restaurant Sales - The change in same-restaurant sales is the percentage change in year-over-year revenue for the Comparable Restaurant Base, which is defined as the number of restaurants open for at least 24 full fiscal periods. For the years ended
A change in same-restaurant sales is the result of a change in restaurant transactions, average guest check, or a combination of the two. We gather daily sales data and regularly analyze the guest transaction counts and the mix of menu items sold to strategically evaluate menu pricing and demand. Measuring our change in same-restaurant sales allows management to evaluate the performance of our existing restaurant base. We believe this measure provides a consistent comparison of restaurant sales results and trends across periods within our core, established restaurant base, unaffected by results of restaurant openings and enables investors to better understand and evaluate the Company’s historical and prospective operating performance.
Average Unit Volume - AUV is the total revenue (excluding gift card and Perks loyalty program breakage) recognized in the Comparable Restaurant Base, including C&O, divided by the number of restaurants in the Comparable Restaurant Base, including C&O, by period.
This key performance indicator allows management to assess changes in consumer spending patterns at our restaurants and the overall performance of our restaurant base.
Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin - Adjusted EBITDA represents net income (loss) before depreciation and amortization, interest expense, interest income, and income taxes, adjusted for the impact of certain non-cash and other items that we do not consider in our evaluation of ongoing core operating performance as identified in the reconciliation of net income (loss), the most directly comparable GAAP measure to Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA Margin represents Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues, net. See also “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA and Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA Margin - Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA is defined as revenue, less restaurant operating expenses, which include food, beverage and packaging costs, labor expenses, occupancy expenses and other operating expenses. Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA excludes corporate level expenses and depreciation and amortization on restaurant property and equipment. Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA Margin represents Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues, net. See also “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
For more information about the Company’s Non-GAAP measures, how they are calculated and reconciled and why management believes that they are useful, see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.
Earnings Conference Call
The Company will host a conference call to discuss its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year on
About Portillo’s
Portillo’s (NASDAQ: PTLO) is a one-of-a-kind brand that has grown from a small hot dog trailer in
Guests can join Portillo’s Perks, the brand’s loyalty program, at Portillos.com/perks to earn and redeem delicious rewards. Every visit brings fans closer to exclusive perks, badges and surprise offers. Fans can also download the Portillo’s App for iOS or Android or visit Portillo’s website to order ahead for pickup or delivery and get the best dill on these bun-believably delicious Chicago-style favorites and more. Plus, Portillo’s ships its craveworthy food to all 50 states via its website.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("PSLRA"). All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements discuss our current expectations and projections relating to our financial position, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business, and are based on currently available operating, financial and competitive information which are subject to various risks and uncertainties, so you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements may include words such as "aim," "anticipate," "believe," "commit," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "outlook," "potential," "project," "projection," "plan," "intend," "seek," "may," "could," "would," "will," "should," "can," "can have," "likely," the negatives thereof and other similar expressions.
Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, by their nature, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. As a result, our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include regional, national or global political, economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory conditions and the following:
- risks related to or arising from our organizational structure;
- risks of food-borne illness and food safety and other health concerns about our food;
- risks relating to the economy and financial markets, including in relation to trade and tax policy changes and other macroeconomic uncertainty, including, inflation, fluctuating interest rates, stock market volatility, recession concerns, and other factors;
- risks associated with onboarding a new Chief Executive Officer;
- the impact of unionization activities of our team members on our reputation, operations and profitability;
- risks associated with our reliance on certain information technology systems, including our new enterprise resource planning system, and potential failures or interruptions;
- risks associated with data, privacy, cyber security and the use and implementation of information technology systems, including our digital ordering and payment platforms for our delivery business;
- risks associated with increased adoption, implementation and use of artificial intelligence technologies across our business;
- the impact of competition, including from our competitors in the restaurant industry or our own restaurants;
- the increasingly competitive labor market and our ability to attract and retain the best talent and qualified employees, including executive officers and the other key team members;
- the impact of federal, state or local government regulations relating to privacy, data protection, advertising and consumer protection, building and zoning requirements, labor and employment matters, costs of or ability to open new restaurants, or the sale of food and alcoholic beverages;
- inability to achieve our growth strategy, including as a result of, among other things, the availability of suitable new restaurant sites in existing and new markets and opening of new restaurants at the anticipated rate and on the anticipated timeline;
- the impact of consumer sentiment and other economic factors on our sales;
- increases in food and other operating costs, tariffs and import taxes, and supply shortages; and
- other risks identified in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. You should evaluate all forward-looking statements made in this press release in the context of the risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the
Investor Contact:
312.931.5578
cbrandon@portillos.com
Media Contact:
press@portillos.com
| PORTILLO’S INC CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (in thousands, except common share and per common share data) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quarter Ended | Fiscal Years Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| REVENUES, NET | $ | 185,745 | 100.0 | % | $ | 184,609 | 100.0 | % | $ | 732,066 | 100.0 | % | $ | 710,554 | 100.0 | % | |||||||||||
| COST AND EXPENSES: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restaurant operating expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Food, beverage and packaging costs | 64,234 | 34.6 | % | 62,870 | 34.1 | % | 251,705 | 34.4 | % | 241,679 | 34.0 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Labor | 48,220 | 26.0 | % | 45,432 | 24.6 | % | 191,691 | 26.2 | % | 181,091 | 25.5 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Occupancy | 10,120 | 5.4 | % | 8,909 | 4.8 | % | 40,631 | 5.6 | % | 36,632 | 5.2 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Other operating expenses | 22,597 | 12.2 | % | 22,170 | 12.0 | % | 89,637 | 12.2 | % | 83,038 | 11.7 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Total restaurant operating expenses | 145,171 | 78.2 | % | 139,381 | 75.5 | % | 573,664 | 78.4 | % | 542,440 | 76.3 | % | |||||||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | 19,414 | 10.5 | % | 20,303 | 11.0 | % | 77,140 | 10.5 | % | 75,089 | 10.6 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Pre-opening expenses | 3,337 | 1.8 | % | 3,966 | 2.1 | % | 8,802 | 1.2 | % | 9,236 | 1.3 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 7,623 | 4.1 | % | 6,568 | 3.6 | % | 29,112 | 4.0 | % | 27,297 | 3.8 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to equity method investment | (277 | ) | (0.1 | )% | (306 | ) | (0.2 | )% | (1,275 | ) | (0.2 | )% | (1,229 | ) | (0.2 | )% | |||||||||||
| Other loss (income), net | 146 | 0.1 | % | 864 | 0.5 | % | 946 | 0.1 | % | (312 | ) | — | % | ||||||||||||||
| OPERATING INCOME | 10,331 | 5.6 | % | 13,833 | 7.5 | % | 43,677 | 6.0 | % | 58,033 | 8.2 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 5,669 | 3.1 | % | 6,033 | 3.3 | % | 22,808 | 3.1 | % | 25,616 | 3.6 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Interest income | (7 | ) | — | % | (105 | ) | (0.1 | )% | (275 | ) | — | % | (309 | ) | — | % | |||||||||||
| Tax Receivable Agreement liability adjustment | (813 | ) | (0.4 | )% | (6,425 | ) | (3.5 | )% | (2,945 | ) | (0.4 | )% | (9,149 | ) | (1.3 | )% | |||||||||||
| INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES | 5,482 | 3.0 | % | 14,330 | 7.8 | % | 24,089 | 3.3 | % | 41,875 | 5.9 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Income tax (benefit) expense | (795 | ) | (0.4 | )% | 1,901 | 1.0 | % | 2,997 | 0.4 | % | 6,799 | 1.0 | % | ||||||||||||||
| NET INCOME | 6,277 | 3.4 | % | 12,429 | 6.7 | % | 21,092 | 2.9 | % | 35,076 | 4.9 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to non-controlling interests | 164 | 0.1 | % | 1,164 | 0.6 | % | 1,747 | 0.2 | % | 5,559 | 0.8 | % | |||||||||||||||
| NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO PORTILLO'S INC. | $ | 6,113 | 3.3 | % | $ | 11,265 | 6.1 | % | $ | 19,345 | 2.6 | % | $ | 29,517 | 4.2 | % | |||||||||||
| Income per common share attributable to Portillo’s Inc.: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | 0.08 | $ | 0.18 | $ | 0.28 | $ | 0.48 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted | $ | 0.08 | $ | 0.17 | $ | 0.27 | $ | 0.46 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted-average common shares outstanding: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | 71,944,092 | 63,192,284 | 68,821,447 | 61,050,437 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted | 72,660,746 | 65,885,627 | 71,086,762 | 63,982,643 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| PORTILLO’S INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except common share and per common share data) | |||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||
| CURRENT ASSETS: | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | 19,963 | $ | 22,876 | |||
| Accounts and tenant improvement receivables | 16,502 | 14,794 | |||||
| Inventories | 8,207 | 7,915 | |||||
| Prepaid expenses and other | 6,844 | 7,066 | |||||
| Total current assets | 51,516 | 52,651 | |||||
| Property and equipment, net | 420,263 | 358,975 | |||||
| Operating lease assets | 261,086 | 222,390 | |||||
| 394,298 | 394,298 | ||||||
| Trade names | 221,725 | 223,925 | |||||
| Other intangible assets, net | 23,391 | 26,098 | |||||
| Equity method investment | 15,696 | 16,056 | |||||
| Deferred tax assets | 211,267 | 197,409 | |||||
| Other assets | 7,292 | 8,284 | |||||
| Total other assets | 873,669 | 866,070 | |||||
| TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 1,606,534 | $ | 1,500,086 | |||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |||||||
| CURRENT LIABILITIES: | |||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 43,210 | $ | 45,516 | |||
| Current portion of long-term debt | 6,250 | 11,250 | |||||
| Short-term debt | 90,000 | 25,000 | |||||
| Current portion of Tax Receivable Agreement liability | 7,910 | 7,686 | |||||
| Deferred revenue | 7,472 | 7,032 | |||||
| Short-term operating lease liabilities | 6,878 | 6,013 | |||||
| Accrued expenses | 32,236 | 33,072 | |||||
| Total current liabilities | 193,956 | 135,569 | |||||
| LONG-TERM LIABILITIES: | |||||||
| Long-term debt, net of current portion | 237,977 | 275,422 | |||||
| Tax Receivable Agreement liability | 344,524 | 316,893 | |||||
| Long-term operating lease liabilities | 329,190 | 278,540 | |||||
| Other long-term liabilities | 3,614 | 3,559 | |||||
| Total long-term liabilities | 915,305 | 874,414 | |||||
| Total liabilities | 1,109,261 | 1,009,983 | |||||
| COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES | |||||||
| STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY: | |||||||
| Preferred stock, | — | — | |||||
| Class A common stock, | 720 | 637 | |||||
| Class B common stock, | — | — | |||||
| Additional paid-in-capital | 404,603 | 357,295 | |||||
| Retained earnings | 62,474 | 43,129 | |||||
| Total stockholders' equity attributable to Portillo's Inc. | 467,797 | 401,061 | |||||
| Non-controlling interest | 29,476 | 89,042 | |||||
| Total stockholders' equity | 497,273 | 490,103 | |||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | $ | 1,606,534 | $ | 1,500,086 | |||
| PORTILLO’S INC CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands) | |||||||
| Fiscal Years Ended | |||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||
| Net income | $ | 21,092 | $ | 35,076 | |||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 29,112 | 27,297 | |||||
| Amortization of debt issuance costs and discount | 692 | 873 | |||||
| Loss on sales of assets | 434 | 528 | |||||
| Equity-based compensation | 6,493 | 11,151 | |||||
| Deferred income tax expense | 2,997 | 6,771 | |||||
| Tax Receivable Agreement liability adjustment | (2,945 | ) | (9,149 | ) | |||
| Gift card breakage | (857 | ) | (852 | ) | |||
| Asset impairment | 2,200 | 657 | |||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||
| Accounts receivables | (1,537 | ) | 862 | ||||
| Receivables from related parties | 25 | (46 | ) | ||||
| Inventories | (292 | ) | 818 | ||||
| Other current assets | 221 | 357 | |||||
| Operating lease asset | 9,699 | 8,469 | |||||
| Accounts payable | 316 | 11,284 | |||||
| Accrued expenses and other liabilities | 310 | 1,827 | |||||
| Operating lease liabilities | (2,920 | ) | (3,178 | ) | |||
| Deferred lease incentives | 5,282 | 5,553 | |||||
| Other assets and liabilities | 1,589 | (258 | ) | ||||
| NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES | 71,911 | 98,040 | |||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||
| Purchase of property and equipment | (90,435 | ) | (88,191 | ) | |||
| Other | 242 | 77 | |||||
| (90,193 | ) | (88,114 | ) | ||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||
| Proceeds from short-term debt, net | 65,000 | 10,000 | |||||
| Payments of long-term debt | (41,875 | ) | (5,625 | ) | |||
| Proceeds from equity offering, net of underwriting discounts | — | 114,960 | |||||
| Repurchase of outstanding equity / Portillo's OpCo units | — | (114,960 | ) | ||||
| Distributions paid to non-controlling interest holders | (1,291 | ) | (838 | ) | |||
| Proceeds from stock option exercises | 2,727 | 4,332 | |||||
| Employee withholding taxes related to net settled equity awards | (1,046 | ) | (1,433 | ) | |||
| Proceeds from Employee Stock Purchase Plan purchases | 453 | 508 | |||||
| Payments of Tax Receivable Agreement liability | (7,686 | ) | (4,432 | ) | |||
| Payment of deferred financing costs | (1,263 | ) | — | ||||
| Contributions from non-controlling interests | 350 | — | |||||
| NET CASH PROVIDED BY IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES | 15,369 | 2,512 | |||||
| NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH | (2,913 | ) | 12,438 | ||||
| CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH AT BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD | 22,876 | 10,438 | |||||
| CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH AT END OF THE PERIOD | $ | 19,963 | $ | 22,876 | |||
| PORTILLO’S INC SELECTED OPERATING DATA AND NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES | |||||||||||||||
| Quarter Ended | Fiscal Years Ended | ||||||||||||||
| 102 | 94 | 102 | 94 | ||||||||||||
| AUV (in millions) (a) | N/A | N/A | $ | 8.5 | $ | 8.7 | |||||||||
| Change in same-restaurant sales (b)(c) | (3.3 | )% | 0.4 | % | (0.5 | )% | (0.6 | )% | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands) (b) | $ | 24,669 | $ | 25,205 | $ | 97,331 | $ | 104,760 | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA Margin (b) | 13.3 | % | 13.7 | % | 13.3 | % | 14.7 | % | |||||||
| Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands) (b) | $ | 40,574 | $ | 45,228 | $ | 158,402 | $ | 168,114 | |||||||
| Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA Margin (b) | 21.8 | % | 24.5 | % | 21.6 | % | 23.7 | % | |||||||
(a) Includes a restaurant that is owned by C&O of which Portillo’s owns 50% of the equity. Total restaurants indicated are as of
(b) Excludes C&O.
(c) Due to the 14th week in the fourth quarter of 2023, same-restaurant sales for the fourth quarter 2024 compares the 13 weeks from
PORTILLO’S INC.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
To supplement the consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, we use the following non-GAAP financial measures: Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin, and Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA and Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA Margin. Accordingly, Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA and Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA Margin are not required by, nor presented in accordance with GAAP, but rather are supplemental measures of operating performance of our restaurants. You should be aware that these measures are not indicative of overall results for the Company and that Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA and Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA Margin do not accrue directly to the benefit of stockholders because of corporate-level expenses excluded from such measures. These measures are supplemental measures of operating performance and our calculations thereof may not be comparable to similar measures reported by other companies. These measures are important measures to evaluate the performance and profitability of our restaurants, individually and in the aggregate, but also have important limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation as substitutes for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP.
Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin
Adjusted EBITDA represents net income (loss) before depreciation and amortization, interest expense, interest income, and income taxes, adjusted for the impact of certain non-cash and other items that we do not consider in our evaluation of ongoing core operating performance as identified in the reconciliation of net income (loss), the most directly comparable GAAP measure to Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA Margin represents Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of total revenues.
We use Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin (i) to evaluate our operating results and the effectiveness of our business strategies, (ii) internally as benchmarks to compare our performance to that of our competitors and (iii) as factors in evaluating management’s performance when determining incentive compensation.
We believe that Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are important measures of operating performance because they eliminate the impact of expenses that do not relate to our core operating performance.
We are unable to reconcile the long-term outlook for Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss), the corresponding
Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA and Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA Margin
Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA is defined as revenue, less restaurant operating expenses, which include cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization), labor expenses, occupancy expenses and other operating expenses. Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA excludes corporate level expenses and depreciation and amortization on restaurant property and equipment. Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA Margin represents Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenue.
We believe that Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA and Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA Margin are important measures to evaluate the performance and profitability of our restaurants, individually and in the aggregate.
See below for a reconciliation of net income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin (in thousands):
| Quarter Ended | Fiscal Years Ended | ||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 6,277 | $ | 12,429 | $ | 21,092 | $ | 35,076 | |||||||
| Net income margin | 3.4 | % | 6.7 | % | 2.9 | % | 4.9 | % | |||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 7,623 | 6,568 | 29,112 | 27,297 | |||||||||||
| Interest expense | 5,669 | 6,033 | 22,808 | 25,616 | |||||||||||
| Interest income | (7 | ) | (105 | ) | (275 | ) | (309 | ) | |||||||
| Income tax (benefit) expense | (795 | ) | 1,901 | 2,997 | 6,799 | ||||||||||
| EBITDA | 18,767 | 26,826 | 75,734 | 94,479 | |||||||||||
| Deferred rent (1) | 1,970 | 1,398 | 6,840 | 5,255 | |||||||||||
| Equity-based compensation | 2,205 | 1,928 | 6,493 | 11,151 | |||||||||||
| Cloud-based software implementation costs (2) | — | 166 | 267 | 679 | |||||||||||
| Amortization of cloud-based software implementation costs (3) | 285 | 219 | 1,091 | 586 | |||||||||||
| Other loss (4) | 187 | 1,054 | 2,635 | 1,184 | |||||||||||
| Transaction-related fees and expenses (5) | — | 39 | 742 | 575 | |||||||||||
| Strategic realignment costs (6) | 2,068 | — | 6,474 | — | |||||||||||
| Tax Receivable Agreement liability adjustment (7) | (813 | ) | (6,425 | ) | (2,945 | ) | (9,149 | ) | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 24,669 | $ | 25,205 | $ | 97,331 | $ | 104,760 | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA Margin (8) | 13.3 | % | 13.7 | % | 13.3 | % | 14.7 | % | |||||||
(1) Represents the difference between cash rent payments and the recognition of straight-line rent expense recognized over the lease term.
(2) Represents non-capitalized third-party consulting and software licensing costs incurred in connection with the implementation of a new ERP and HCM systems which are included within general and administrative expenses.
(3) Represents amortization of capitalized cloud-based ERP and HCM system implementation costs that are included within general and administrative expenses.
(4) Represents loss on disposal of property and equipment, a legacy Barnelli's trade name impairment charge in fiscal 2025, and a technology asset impairment charge in fiscal 2024 included within other loss (income), net.
(5) Represents certain expenses that management believes are not indicative of ongoing operations, consisting primarily of certain professional fees included within general and administrative expenses.
(6) Fourth quarter 2025 represents
(7) Represents remeasurement of the Tax Receivable Agreement liability.
(8) Adjusted EBITDA Margin is defined as Adjusted EBITDA divided by Revenues, net.
See below for a reconciliation of operating income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA and Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA Margin (in thousands):
| Quarter Ended | Fiscal Years Ended | ||||||||||||||
| Operating income | $ | 10,331 | $ | 13,833 | $ | 43,677 | $ | 58,033 | |||||||
| Operating income margin | 5.6 | % | 7.5 | % | 6.0 | % | 8.2 | % | |||||||
| Plus: | |||||||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | 19,414 | 20,303 | 77,140 | 75,089 | |||||||||||
| Pre-opening expenses | 3,337 | 3,966 | 8,802 | 9,236 | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 7,623 | 6,568 | 29,112 | 27,297 | |||||||||||
| Net income attributable to equity method investment | (277 | ) | (306 | ) | (1,275 | ) | (1,229 | ) | |||||||
| Other loss (income), net | 146 | 864 | 946 | (312 | ) | ||||||||||
| Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 40,574 | $ | 45,228 | $ | 158,402 | $ | 168,114 | |||||||
| Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA Margin (1) | 21.8 | % | 24.5 | % | 21.6 | % | 23.7 | % | |||||||
(1) Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA Margin is defined as Restaurant-Level Adjusted EBITDA divided by Revenues, net.
