Roundy’s, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2014 Financial Results

Roundy’s, Inc. (“Roundy’s”) (NYSE: RNDY), a leading grocer in the Midwest, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended January 3, 2015.

Q4 20141

• Net sales from continuing operations increased 26.1% to $1,075.8 million
• Net income from continuing operations was $7.5 million, or $0.16 diluted net earnings per common share, compared to net income from continuing operations of $3.2 million, or $0.07 diluted net earnings per common share
• Adjusted net income from continuing operations2 was $3.5 million, or $0.07 adjusted diluted net earnings per common share2, compared to adjusted net income from continuing operations2 of $5.8 million, or $0.13 adjusted diluted net earnings per common share2
• Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations2 was $37.0 million compared to $35.0 million

Year-to-Date 20141

• Net sales from continuing operations increased 15.0% to $3,855.2 million
• Net loss from continuing operations was $252.9 million, or $5.30 net loss per diluted common share, compared to net income from continuing operations of $25.8 million, or $0.57 diluted net earnings per common share
• $247.1 million after-tax, non-cash goodwill impairment charge incurred
• Adjusted net loss from continuing operations2 was $2.1 million, or $0.04 adjusted net loss per diluted common share2, compared to adjusted net income from continuing operations2 of $27.8 million, or $0.61 adjusted diluted net earnings per common share2
• Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations2 was $119.4 million compared to $146.1 million

“We are pleased with our improvement in net sales and EBITDA in the fourth quarter of 2014 from the prior year,” said Robert A. Mariano, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Roundy’s. “The fourth quarter was also our second consecutive quarter of improved same-store sales. Overall, 2014 was a transition year for the Company with our investments in Illinois growth and our transition out of the Twin Cities market. Each successive quarter was another building block in creating a solid foundation for the future.”

Mr. Mariano concluded, “While the current operating environment still presents challenges near-term, we remain confident in our ability to implement our strategic operational initiatives designed to optimize our long-term performance.”

1 All comparisons are to the thirteen and fifty-two weeks ended December 28, 2013. See “Discontinued Operations” for a discussion of the 27 Rainbow stores that are included in discontinued operations for the thirteen and fifty-two weeks ended December 28, 2013 and the fourteen and fifty-three weeks ended January 3, 2015.

2 Adjusted Net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Adjusted Net Earnings (Loss) per Common Share from Continuing Operations and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. See the tables herein for important information about these measures and a full reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP measure.

Financial Results for Fourth Quarter of 2014

Results from Continuing Operations

Net sales from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2014 were $1,075.8 million, an increase of $222.7 million, or 26.1%, from $853.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2013. The increase primarily reflects the benefit of new and acquired stores in Illinois and the impact of an additional week in 2014, partially offset by a decrease in same-store sales. The additional week in 2014 provided a benefit of approximately $80 million in net sales. Same-store sales from continuing operations declined 2.3%, which was due to a 3.7% decrease in the number of customer transactions, partially offset by a 1.4% increase in average transaction size. Same-store sales continue to be negatively impacted by competitive store openings in our Wisconsin markets.

Gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2014 increased 21.0% to $275.6 million, from $227.8 million in the same period last year. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 25.6% for the fourth quarter of 2014, compared to 26.7% in the same period last year. The decrease in gross profit as a percentage of net sales primarily reflects increased shrink (including the effect of the start-up impact of new or acquired Illinois stores) and increased promotional and pricing investments, partially offset by an increased perishable sales mix.

Operating and administrative expenses for the fourth quarter of 2014 increased to $265.0 million, from $208.7 million in the same period last year. Operating and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales increased to 24.6% in the fourth quarter of 2014, from 24.5% in the same period last year. The slight increase in the rate as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to a $7.0 million facility charge for two Wisconsin stores closed during the quarter (which had material remaining lease payments) and increased occupancy and labor costs in new or acquired Illinois stores relative to the chain average, partially offset by the benefit of the additional week in 2014 which allowed for greater leveraging of fixed expenses.

For the fourth quarter of 2014, net income from continuing operations was $7.5 million, or $0.16 diluted net earnings per common share, compared to net income from continuing operations of $3.2 million, or $0.07 diluted net earnings per common share, for the fourth quarter of 2013. Adjusted net income from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2014 was $3.5 million, or $0.07 adjusted diluted net earnings per common share, compared to adjusted net income from continuing operations of $5.8 million, or $0.13 adjusted diluted net earnings per common share, for the fourth quarter of 2013. See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Amounts” for important information about Adjusted Net Income from Continuing Operations and Adjusted Net Earnings Per Common Share from Continuing Operations, which are non-GAAP financial measures, and for a full reconciliation of the most comparable GAAP measures.

Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2014 was $37.0 million, compared to $35.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2013. The increase was primarily due to the additional week in fiscal 2014, partially offset by the effect of decreased same-store sales in the Company’s Wisconsin markets.

Financial Results for Fiscal 2014

Results from Continuing Operations

Net sales were $3,855.2 million for the fifty-three weeks ended January 3, 2015, an increase of $502.2 million, or 15.0%, from $3,352.9 million for the fifty-two weeks ended December 28, 2013. The increase primarily reflects the benefit of new and acquired stores in Illinois and the impact of an additional week in 2014, partially offset by a decrease in same-store sales. Same-store sales from continuing operations declined 2.9%, which was due to a 4.8% decrease in the number of customer transactions, partially offset by a 2.0% increase in average transaction size. Same-store sales continue to be negatively impacted by competitive store openings in the Company’s Wisconsin markets.

For the fifty-three weeks ended January 3, 2015, net loss from continuing operations was $252.9 million, or $5.30 net loss per diluted common share, compared to net income from continuing operations of $25.8 million, or $0.57 diluted net earnings per common share, for the fifty-two weeks ended December 28, 2013. Adjusted net loss from continuing operations for the fifty-three weeks ended January 3, 2015 was $2.1 million, or $0.04 adjusted net loss per diluted common share, compared to adjusted net income from continuing operations of $27.8 million, or $0.61 adjusted diluted net earnings per common share, for the fifty-two weeks ended December 28, 2013. See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Amounts” for important information about Adjusted Net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations and Adjusted Net Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share from Continuing Operations, which are non-GAAP financial measures, and for a full reconciliation of the most comparable GAAP measures.

Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations for the fifty-three weeks ended January 3, 2015 was $119.4 million, compared to $146.1 million in the fifty-two weeks ended December 28, 2013. The decrease was primarily due to the effect of a decrease in same-store sales in the Company’s Wisconsin markets and start-up costs related to the Dominick’s stores acquired from Safeway, partially offset by the impact of the additional week in fiscal 2014.

Net cash flows provided by operating activities for the fifty-three weeks ended January 3, 2015 were $48.0 million, compared to $104.0 million during the fifty-two weeks ended December 28, 2013. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities was due primarily to lower operating income, timing of payments for accounts payable and increased interest payments, partially offset by reduced payments for income taxes.

Stevens Point

During the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company sold its Stevens Point distribution facility (“Stevens Point Warehouse”) for $15.0 million, resulting in a gain of $10.1 million ($6.5 million after-tax). The Company recorded severance and other one-time charges of $2.0 million related to the closure of the Stevens Point Warehouse during fiscal 2014.

Discontinued Operations

During the second quarter of 2014, the Company entered into definitive agreements to sell 18 Rainbow stores in the Minneapolis / St. Paul market to a group of local grocery retailers (the “Buyers”), including SUPERVALU INC. (“Rainbow Store Sale”). The Rainbow Store Sale closed during the third quarter of 2014. The remaining nine Rainbow stores which were not included in the Rainbow Store Sale were closed during the third quarter of 2014 as the Company exited the Minneapolis / St. Paul market entirely. The 27 Rainbow stores are included in discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the thirteen and fifty-two weeks ending December 28, 2013 and the fourteen and fifty-three weeks ending January 3, 2015.

Fiscal 2015 Guidance

The Company issued guidance for the first quarter and the full year 2015 in January. The Company expects the following results from continuing operations for its 2015 first quarter and fiscal year:

(1) Includes amortization of deferred financing fees and original issue discount.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call and audio webcast today, March 4, 2015 at 4:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. CT) to discuss financial results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014. To access the conference call, participants should dial (888) 949-2791; passcode is 6486936. Participants are encouraged to dial in to the conference call ten minutes prior to the scheduled start time. The call will be also broadcast live over the Internet and accessible through the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at www.roundys.com, where it will be archived and accessible through March 18, 2015. A telephone replay will be available through March 18, 2015 by calling (888) 567-0389 to access the playback.

About Roundy’s

Roundy’s is a leading grocer in the Midwest with nearly $4 billion in sales and more than 22,000 employees. Founded in Milwaukee in 1872, Roundy’s operates 149 retail grocery stores and 99 pharmacies under the Pick ’n Save, Copps, Metro Market and Mariano’s retail banners in Wisconsin and Illinois. Roundy’s is committed to helping the communities its stores serve through the Roundy’s Foundation. Chartered in 2003, the Roundy’s Foundation mission is to support organizations working to relieve hunger and helping families in crisis due to domestic abuse, neglect and other at-risk situations.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release presents Adjusted Net Income (Loss), Adjusted Net Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share and Adjusted EBITDA, which are non-GAAP financial measures within the meaning of applicable SEC rules and regulations, as defined under “Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).” For a reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations and Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations under generally accepted accounting principles and for a discussion of the reasons why the Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide information that is useful to investors see the tables below under “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Amounts.”

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements about the Company’s future performance, which are based on Management’s assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it. The Company assumes no obligation to update the information contained herein.These forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements including, but not limited to: competitive practices and pricing in the food industry generally and particularly in the Company’s principal markets; employee relationships and the terms of future collective bargaining agreements; the costs and other effects of legal and administrative cases and proceedings; the nature and extent of continued consolidation in the food industry; changes in the financial markets which may affect the cost of capital and our ability to access capital; supply or quality control problems with vendors; and changes in economic conditions which affect the buying patterns of customers. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements are discussed in the Company’s periodic reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Amounts

Adjusted Net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations and Adjusted Net Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share from Continuing Operations (Unaudited)

The following is a summary of the calculation of Adjusted Net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations and Adjusted Net Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share from Continuing Operations for the thirteen and fifty-two weeks ended December 28, 2013 the fourteen and fifty-three weeks ended and January 3, 2015 (in thousands, except per share amounts):

The Company presents Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted Net Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share, non-GAAP measures, to provide investors with a view of operating performance excluding significant and non-recurring items.

Adjusted EBITDA (Unaudited)

The following is a summary of the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA for the thirteen and fifty-two weeks ended December 28, 2013 and the fourteen and fifty-three weeks ended January 3, 2015 (in thousands):

The Company presents Adjusted EBITDA, a non GAAP measure, to provide investors with a supplemental measure of its operating performance. The Company believes that Adjusted EBITDA is a useful performance measure and is used by the Company to facilitate a comparison of its operating performance on a consistent basis from period-to-period and to provide for a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting the Company’s business than measures under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (‘‘GAAP’’) can provide alone. The Company’s board of directors and management also use Adjusted EBITDA as one of the primary methods for planning and forecasting overall expected performance and for evaluating on a quarterly and annual basis actual results against such expectations, and as a performance evaluation metric in determining achievement of certain compensation programs and plans for employees, including its senior executives.

The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest expense, provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization, LIFO charges, amortization of deferred financing costs, non-cash compensation expenses arising from the issuance of stock, costs incurred in connection with the Company’s IPO (or subsequent offerings of Roundy’s common stock), loss on debt extinguishment, certain non-recurring or unusual employee and pension related costs, costs related to acquisitions, costs related to debt financing activities, goodwill and asset impairment charges, gain or loss on the disposition of assets, one-time charges due to the closing of stores or a distribution facility and Adjusted EBITDA from discontinued operations. Omitting interest, taxes and the other items provides a financial measure that facilitates comparisons of the Company’s results of operations with those of companies having different capital structures. Since the levels of indebtedness, tax structures, and methodologies in calculating LIFO expense that other companies have are different from the Company’s, it omits these amounts to facilitate investors’ ability to make these comparisons. Similarly, the Company omits depreciation and amortization because other companies may employ a greater or lesser amount of owned property, and because in the Company’s experience, whether a store is new or one that is fully or mostly depreciated does not necessarily correlate to the contribution that such store makes to operating performance. The Company believes that investors, analysts and other interested parties consider Adjusted EBITDA an important measure of the Company’s operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income as a measure of the Company’s performance. Other companies in the Company’s industry may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently than the Company does, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.

Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company’s results as reported under GAAP. The limitations of Adjusted EBITDA include: (i) it does not reflect the Company’s cash expenditures or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments; (ii) it does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, the Company’s working capital needs; (iii) it does not reflect income tax payments the Company may be required to make; and (iv) although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized often will have to be replaced in the future, and Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements.