NEW YORK — Dunkin’ Brands reported a fourth-quarter loss as customer traffic slipped at established Dunkin’ Donuts stores in the U.S.
CEO Nigel Travis called the impact of the launch of McDonald’s all-day breakfast in October “marginal.” But he said that big burger chains have been stepping up deals to draw in customers, which is affecting Dunkin’s performance.
Wendy’s, for instance, is offering a “4 for $4” deal, while Burger King offered a “5 for $4” deal. Dunkin’s results come after McDonald’s reported a 5.7 percent sales increase at established U.S. stores, while Starbucks reported a 9 percent jump. Taco Bell reported a 4 percent increase.
Travis vowed to get customer traffic up at Dunkin’ stores through innovation and greater convenience.
For the last three months of the year, sales at Dunkin’ Donuts stores in the U.S. open at least a year fell by 0.8 percent when industry analysts were expecting a slight gain. Dunkin’s Baskin Robbins stores had a 4.4 percent increase. Both brands saw same-store sales fall internationally.
Dunkin’ reported a loss of $8.9 million, or 10 cents per share, compared with a profit of $52.5 million, or 50 cents per share, a year earlier. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, were 52 cents per share. That was 2 cents better than Wall Street had expected, according to a survey by Zacks Investment Research.
Total revenue rose 5.5 percent to $203.8 million, which also topped analyst projections. The figure was boosted by new store openings.
Shares fell 3 percent to $39.61 at the opening bell.
For the full year, the company earned $105.2 million, or $1.08 per share, marking a 40 percent decline. Revenue rose 8.3 percent to $810.9 million.
The company said it expects up to 2 percent sales growth in 2016 at Dunkin’ Donuts stores in the U.S. and up between 1 percent and 3 percent growth at Baskin Robbins stores. Overall revenue is expected to rise between 4 percent and 6 percent.
The company increased its dividend by 13 percent, to 30 cents per share.
Shares of Dunkin’ Brands Group Inc. on have dropped 4 percent since the beginning of the year, and 12 percent in the last 12 months.
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