Businessweek

The Pantry, Inc. announced that Boris Zelmanovich is joining the executive leadership team as senior vice president and chief merchandising officer. Zelmanovich joins The Pantry from Big Lots effective June 3, 2013 and will lead merchandising. He served as vice president of merchandising strategy at Big Lots. Zelmanovich was responsible for the development of strategic merchandising plans and repositioning the merchandising portfolio to drive market differentiation.

The Pantry, Inc. announced unaudited consolidated earnings results for the second quarter and six months ended March 28, 2013. For the quarter, the company reported net loss of $6.865 million or $0.30 per share, loss before income taxes of $13.463 million and income from operations of $8.695 million on total revenues of $1,892.217 million compared to net loss of $9.658 million or $0.43 per share, loss before income taxes of $15.463 million and income from operations of $7.196 million on total revenues of $2,062.162 million for the same period a year ago. Adjusted EBITDA was $39.113 million compared to $38.859 million for the same period a year ago. Net cash used in operating activities was $0.824 million compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $28.623 million for the same period a year ago. Amount spent on additions to property and equipment, net was $16.988 million compared to $13.840 million for the same period a year ago. Adjusted pre tax loss was $12.583 million and adjusted loss after tax was $6.327 million or $0.28 per share compared to adjusted pre tax loss was $10.618 million and adjusted loss after tax was $6.696 million or $0.30 per share for the same period a year ago. The effective tax rate for the second quarter of fiscal 2013 was a benefit of 49.0% compared to a benefit of 37.5% in the second quarter of fiscal 2012. The higher effective tax rate benefit resulted from retroactive extension of the work opportunity tax credits (WOTC). For the six months, the company reported net loss of $9.922 million or $0.44 per share, loss before income taxes of $18.550 million and income from operations of $26.709 million on total revenues of $3,807.424 million compared to net loss of $12.587 million or $0.56 per share, loss before income taxes of $21.025 million and income from operations of $23.064 million on total revenues of $4,025.138 million for the same period a year ago. Adjusted EBITDA was $88.012 million compared to $82.615 million for the same period a year ago. Net cash provided by operating activities was $16.195 million compared to $35.314 million for the same period a year ago. Amount spent on additions to property and equipment, net was $35.358 million compared to $36.195 million for the same period a year ago. Adjusted pre tax loss was $15.371 million and adjusted loss after tax was $7.978 million or $0.35 per share compared to adjusted pre tax loss was $15.576 million and adjusted loss after tax was $9.255 million or $0.41 per share for the same period a year ago. Net debt as on date was $951.2 million compared to $999.5 million reported a year ago. For the quarter, the company reported impairment charges of $0.880 million compared to $2.388 million for the same period a year ago. The company announced earnings guidance for the third quarter and for the fiscal year 2013. For the third quarter, the company’s merchandise sales expected to be in the range of $0.471 billion to $0.481 billion, merchandise gross margin expected to be in the range of 33.5% to 34.1%, depreciation & amortization expected to be in the range of $29 million to $30 million, interest expense expected to be in the range of $22 million to $23 million. Net capital expenditures expected to be in the range of $17 million to $20 million. For the year 2013, the company’s merchandise sales expected to be in the range of $1.79 billion to $1.82 billion, merchandise gross margin expected to be in the range of 33.7% to 34.0%, retail fuel gross profit expected to be in the range of $1.80 billion to $1.83 billion, depreciation & amortization expected to be in the range of $155 million to $120 million, interest expense expected to be in the range of $89 million to $92 million. Net capital expenditures expected to be in the range of $80 million to $95 million. The company will continue to look for additional opportunities to grow this promising concept as it sees more results and find additional locations where it will be a good fit. It currently has 6 new QSRs under construction and plan to add 17 more over the second half of fiscal year.

The Pantry, Inc. announced that Kathleen Guion will join the company's board of directors effective May 3, 2013. Kathleen Guion most recently served as Division President of Store Operation and Development from 2005 until her retirement in 2012 from Dollar General Corporation.

The Pantry, Inc. announced the commencement, on April 24, 2013, of its offer to exchange up to $250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 8.375% Senior Notes due 2020, which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for an equal aggregate principal amount of its outstanding 8.375% Senior Notes due 2020, which are not registered under the Act. The exchange offer commenced on April 24, 2013, and will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on May 23, 2013.

The Pantry, Inc., Q2 2013 Earnings Call, May 07, 2013