10Q 2Q2007

____________________________________________________________________________________________

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

__________________________

 

FORM 10-Q

__________________________

 

Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the Quarterly Period Ended July 1, 2007

 

Commission file number 0-19924

 

RARE Hospitality International, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Georgia

58-1498312

 

(State or other jurisdiction of

(I. R. S. Employer

 

incorporation or organization)

Identification No.)

 

 

8215 Roswell Road, Bldg. 600; Atlanta, GA

30350

 

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

 

(770) 399-9595

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes x        No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

 

x Large accelerated filer

o Accelerated filer

o Non-accelerated filer

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes o     No x

 

As of August 7, 2007, there were 30,607,330 shares of common stock of the Registrant outstanding.

 

 

 

 



 

RARE Hospitality International, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Index

 

 

Part I - Financial Information

Page

 

 

 

Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements:

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of

 

July 1, 2007 and December 31, 2006

1

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the

 

quarters and six months ended July 1, 2007 and July 2, 2006

2

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity and Comprehensive

 

Income for the six months ended July 1, 2007

3

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

for the six months ended July 1, 2007 and July 2, 2006

4

 

 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

5

 

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of

 

Financial Condition and Results of Operations

9

 

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

12

 

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

13

 

Part II - Other Information

 

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

13

 

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

13

 

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

13

 

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

13

 

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Securities Holders

13

 

 

Item 5. Other Information

14

 

 

Item 6. Exhibits

14

 

 

Signatures

14

 

 


Part I - Financial Information

 

Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements

 

RARE Hospitality International, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

July 1,

December 31,

Assets

2007

2006

Current assets:

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

31,239

$

31,378

 

Short-term investments

5,915

6,001

 

Accounts receivable

13,762

15,663

 

Inventories

16,907

16,274

 

Prepaid expenses

6,401

6,872

 

Refundable income taxes

10,295

--

 

Deferred income taxes

9,015

16,681

 

Assets of discontinued operations

--

31,939

 

-------------

-------------

 

Total current assets

93,534

124,808

 

Property & equipment, less accumulated depreciation and

 

amortization of $217,579 in 2007 and $197,959 in 2006

569,913

525,160

Goodwill

19,187

19,187

Deferred income taxes

3,759

--

Other

28,591

26,057

 

-------------

-------------

 

Total assets

$

714,984

$

695,212

 

========

========

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

Current liabilities:

 

Accounts payable

$

32,981

$

33,891

 

Accrued expenses

70,701

89,202

 

Income taxes payable

--

2,953

 

Current installments of obligations under

 

capital leases

421

345

 

Liabilities of discontinued operations

2,086

7,652

 

-------------

-------------

 

Total current liabilities

106,189

134,043

 

Obligations under capital leases, net

 

of current installments

54,496

41,290

Deferred income taxes

--

1,192

Convertible Senior Notes

125,000

125,000

Other

41,567

32,995

 

-------------

-------------

 

Total liabilities

327,252

334,520

 

Minority interest

1,047

1,044

 

-------------

-------------

Shareholders’ equity:

 

Preferred stock – no par value

--

--

 

Common stock

256,573

247,661

 

Retained earnings

308,084

284,082

 

Treasury shares at cost; 5,749 shares in 2007 and 5,567 in 2006

(177,972)

(172,095)

 

-------------

-------------

 

Total shareholders’ equity

386,685

359,648

 

-------------

-------------

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$

714,984

$

695,212

 

========

========

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

 

 


RARE Hospitality International, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

 

Quarter Ended

Six Months Ended

 

-------------------

------------------------

 

13 Wks Ended

26 Wks Ended

27 Wks Ended

 

July 1,

July 2,

July 1,

July 2,

 

2007

2006

2007

2006

 

---------

---------

---------

---------

Revenues:

Restaurant sales:

 

LongHorn Steakhouse

$

210,309

$

187,478

$

420,022

$

395,484

 

The Capital Grille

56,686

47,408

112,744

99,050

 

Specialty concepts

2,047

2,097

3,788

4,177

 

-------------

-------------

-------------

-------------

 

Total restaurant sales

269,042

236,983

536,554

498,711

 

Franchise revenues

127

142

254

275

 

-------------

-------------

-------------

-------------

 

Total revenues

269,169

237,125

536,808

498,986

 

-------------

-------------

-------------

-------------

Costs and expenses:

 

Cost of restaurant sales

98,988

86,125

197,025

181,592

 

Operating expenses - restaurants

120,490

103,999

237,680

215,858

 

Depreciation and amortization - restaurants

10,681

8,718

20,789

17,747

 

Pre-opening expense - restaurants

2,448

1,928

5,251

4,542

 

General and administrative expenses

15,806

16,128

32,270

33,233

 

-------------

-------------

-------------

-------------

 

Total costs and expenses

248,413

216,898

493,015

452,972

 

-------------

-------------

-------------

-------------

 

 

Operating income

20,756

20,227

43,793

46,014

Interest expense, net

1,787

425

3,322

1,095

Minority interest

23

30

114

125

 

-------------

-------------

-------------

-------------

 

Earnings from continuing operations

 

before income taxes

18,946

19,772

40,357

44,794

Income tax expense

6,203

6,533

13,267

14,801

 

-------------

-------------

-------------

-------------

 

Income from continuing operations

12,743

13,239

27,090

29,993

 

-------------

-------------

-------------

-------------

Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations,

 

net of income taxes

(2,580)

170

(3,088)

636

 

-------------

-------------

-------------

-------------

 

Net earnings

$

10,163

$

13,409

$

24,002

$

30,629

 

========

========

========

========

Basic earnings (loss) per common share:

 

Continuing operations

$

0.42

$

0.39

$

0.90

$

0.89

 

Discontinued operations

(0.09)

0.01

(0.10)

0.02

 

========

========

========

========

 

$

0.34

$

0.40

$

0.80

$

0.91

 

========

========

========

========

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:

 

Continuing operations

$

0.41

$

0.38

$

0.87

$

0.87

 

Discontinued operations

(0.08)

0.00

(0.10)

0.02

 

========

========

========

========

 

$

0.33

$

0.39

$

0.77

$

0.89

 

========

========

========

========

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding (basic)

30,225

33,650

30,171

33,571

 

========

========

========

========

Weighted average common shares outstanding (diluted)

31,083

34,605

31,082

34,543

 

========

========

========

========

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

 


RARE Hospitality International, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income

For the Six Months ended July 1, 2007

(In thousands, unaudited)

 

 

Total

 

Common Stock

Retained

Treasury

Shareholders’

 

Shares

Dollars

Earnings

Shares

Equity

 

---------

-----------

-------------

--------------

---------------

Balance, December 31, 2006

36,054

$

247,661

$

284,082

$

(172,095)

$

359,648

Net earnings and total comprehensive income

--

--

24,002

--

24,002

Purchase of common stock for treasury

--

--

--

(5,877)

(5,877)

Stock based compensation expense

--

4,829

--

--

4,829

Issuance of shares pursuant to non-vested

 

stock awards

111

--

--

--

--

Forfeiture of non-vested stock awards

(11)

(317)

--

--

(317)

Issuance of shares pursuant to exercise of

 

stock options

203

3,307

--

--

3,307

Tax benefit of stock options exercised and

 

vesting of awards of non-vested stock

--

1,093

--

--

1,093

 

-------------

---------------

---------------

--------------

---------------

Balance, July 1, 2007

36,357

$

256,573

$

308,084

$

(177,972)

$

386,685

 

========

=========

=========

========

=========

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

 


 

RARE Hospitality International, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands, unaudited)

 

 

Six months Ended

 

--------------------------

 

July 1,

July 2,

 

2007

2006

 

26 Wks Ended

27 Wks Ended

 

------------

------------

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

Net earnings

$

24,002

$

30,629

 

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by

 

operating activities:

 

(Income) loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

3,088

(636)

 

Depreciation and amortization

21,800

18,619

 

Stock-based compensation expense

4,829

4,359

 

Minority interest

114

125

 

Deferred tax expense (income)

7,227

(3,875)

 

Sale of short-term investments, net

86

37

 

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

Accounts receivable

1,901

3,213

 

Inventories

(634)

(466)

 

Prepaid expenses

471

129

 

Other assets

(782)

(230)

 

Income taxes payable

(13,248)

2,279

 

Accounts payable

1,467

(4,653)

 

Accrued expenses

(16,511)

(16,468)

 

Other liabilities

2,402

(113)

 

------------

------------

 

Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations

36,212

32,949

 

------------

------------

 

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities of discontinued

 

operations

(12)

3,840

 

------------

------------

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

Purchase of property and equipment by continuing operations

(53,117)

(45,448)

 

------------

------------

 

Net cash used by investing activities of continuing operations

(53,117)

(45,448)

 

------------

------------

 

Proceeds from the sale of discontinued operations

24,334

--

 

Purchase of property and equipment by discontinued operations

(94)

(3,842)

 

------------

------------

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities of discontinued

 

operations

24,240

(3,842)

 

------------

------------

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

Principal payments on capital leases

(154)

(132)

 

Distributions to minority partners

(111)

(177)

 

Forfeiture of restricted stock

(317)

--

 

Increase (decrease) in bank overdraft included in accounts

 

payable and accrued expenses

(5,462)

3,759

 

Purchase of common stock for treasury

(5,877)

--

 

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

3,307

3,816

 

Tax benefit from share-based compensation

1,093

2,073

 

------------

------------

 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities of continuing

 

operations

(7,521)

9,339

 

------------

------------

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

(198)

(3,162)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

31,437

12,168

 

------------

------------

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

$

31,239

$

9,006

 

=======

=======

Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations at end of the period

$

31,239

$

8,947

 

=======

=======

Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations at end of the period

$

--

$

59

 

=======

=======

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

 

Cash paid for income taxes

$

15,993

$

14,747

 

=======

=======

 

Cash paid for interest net of amounts capitalized

$

3,400

$

1,452

 

=======

=======

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing and investing activities:

 

Assets acquired under capital lease

$

13,436

$

--

 

=======

=======

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 


 

RARE Hospitality International, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

1.     Basis of Presentation

 

The consolidated financial statements of RARE Hospitality International, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of July 1, 2007 and December 31, 2006 and for the quarters ended July 1, 2007 and July 2, 2006 have been prepared by the Company, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The information furnished herein reflects all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals and adjustments), which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to fairly present the operating results for the respective periods. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally presented in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

The Company records revenue for normal recurring sales upon the performance of services. Revenue from the sale of franchises is recognized as income when substantially all of the Company’s material obligations under the franchise agreement have been performed. Continuing royalties, which are a percentage of net sales of franchised restaurants, are accrued as income when earned.

 

The Company’s fiscal year is a 52- or 53-week year ending on the last Sunday in each calendar year. Each of the four fiscal quarters is typically made up of 13 weeks; however, since fiscal 2006 was a 53-week period, the first quarter of 2006 contained 14 operating weeks compared to 13 operating weeks in the first quarter of 2007 and the first six months of 2006 contained 27 weeks compared to 26 in the first six months of 2007.

 

The Company completed the sale of the Bugaboo Creek Steak House business on June 21, 2007. In the accompanying consolidated financial statements, the results of operations relating to the Bugaboo Creek Steak House business are presented as discontinued operations. The assets and liabilities of discontinued operations are primarily comprised of fixed assets and accrued liabilities, respectively. Financial results for Bugaboo Creek Steak House for the quarters and six months ended July 1, 2007 and July 2, 2006, were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

Fiscal Quarter

Six Months

 

-------------------------------------

-------------------------------------

 

13 Weeks

13 Weeks

26 Weeks

27 Weeks

 

Ended

Ended

Ended

Ended

 

July 1,

July 2,

July 1,

July 2,

 

2007

2006

2007

2006

 

--------------

--------------

--------------

--------------

 

Restaurant sales

$

21,076

$

27,025

$

46,788

$

57,280

 

--------------

--------------

--------------

--------------

 

Costs and expenses:

 

Cost of restaurant sales

7,680

9,853

16,941

20,891

 

Operating expenses-restaurants

11,749

14,477

25,612

30,463

 

Depreciation and amortization-restaurants

--

1,086

--

2,250

 

Pre-opening expense-restaurants

--

161

--

263

 

General and administrative expenses

842

1,195

1,997

2,465

 

--------------

--------------

--------------

--------------

 

Total costs and expenses

20,271

26,772

44,550

56,332

 

--------------

--------------

--------------

--------------

 

Earnings before income taxes

805

253

2,238

948

 

Income tax expense

103

83

576

312

 

--------------

--------------

--------------

--------------

 

Net earnings before loss on disposal

702

170

1,662

636

 

Loss on disposal of discontinued operations (net of

 

tax benefit of $1,767 and $2,557 for the quarter

 

and six months, respectively)

(3,282)

--

(4,750)

--

 

--------------

--------------

--------------

--------------

 

Net earnings (loss)

$

(2,580)

$

170

$

(3,088)

$

636

 

========

========

========

========

 

Loss from discontinued operations for the 26 weeks ended July 1, 2007 includes impairment and termination charges of approximately $7.3 million ($4.75 million, net of tax) which consists of rent termination charges of $1.1 million, accrued employee termination costs of $1.4 million and approximately $4.8 million related to additional impairment realized upon the divestiture of the Bugaboo Creek Steak House business. Unless otherwise noted, discussions and amounts throughout these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations relate to the Company’s continuing operations.

 

2.     Share-Based Compensation

 

The Company has various share-based compensation programs, which provide for equity awards, including stock options, restricted stock awards (“non-vested stock awards”) and performance-based restricted stock units. Total share-based compensation expense of approximately $2.2 million and $2.3 million, have been included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations for the quarters ended July 1, 2007 and July 2, 2006, respectively. Total share-based compensation expense of approximately $4.8 million and $4.4 million, have been included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations for the six months ended July 1, 2007 and July 2, 2006, respectively.

 

The following table provides information about the common stock that may be issued under all of the Company’s existing equity compensation plans as of July 1, 2007:

 

 

Number of Securities to

Weighted Average

Number of Securities

 

Be Issued Upon Exercise

Price of

Remaining Available

 

Plan Category

Of Outstanding Awards

Outstanding Awards

for Future Issuance

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Equity compensation

2,476,401

(1)

$

28.08

1,193,465

(6)

 

plans approved by

561,386

(2)

$

14.73

13,354

 

shareholders

114,312

(3)

$

17.91

--

 

526,932

(4)

$

8.26

--

 

Equity compensation plans 

 

not approved by shareholders

21,750

(5)

$

8.43

--

 

----------------

--------------

----------------

 

Total

3,700,781

$

22.80

1,206,819

 

==========

==========

 

 

(1)

RARE Hospitality International, Inc. Amended and Restated 2002 Long-Term Incentive Plan.

 

(2)

RARE Hospitality International, Inc. 1997 Long-Term Incentive Plan.

 

(3)

Amended and Restated RARE Hospitality International, Inc. 1996 Stock Plan for Outside Directors. No further options may be granted under the terms of this plan.

 

(4)

LongHorn Steaks, Inc. Amended and Restated 1992 Incentive Plan. No further options may be granted under the terms of this plan.

 

(5)

These options were granted on the same terms as those under the RARE Hospitality International, Inc. 1997 Long-Term Incentive Plan and were granted at prices which equated to current market value on the date of grant, are generally exercisable after three to five years, and must be exercised within ten years from the date of grant.

 

(6)

743,465 of these shares may also be granted as future awards of non-vested stock.

 

Stock Options

 

Upon adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised) “Share Based Payments” (“SFAS 123R”), the Company elected to continue the use of the Black-Scholes option pricing model to calculate the grant-date fair value of option awards. The fair value of options granted during the first six months of fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006 were calculated using the following assumptions: 

 

 

Fiscal Quarters Ended

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

July 1,

July 2,

April 1,

April 2,

 

2007

2006

2007

2006

 

---------

---------

---------

---------

 

Expected life (in years)

4.00

4.00

4.00

4.00

 

Expected volatility

28.79%

26.59%

29.02%

27.34%

 

Risk-free interest rate

4.500%

4.750%

4.750%

4.375%

 

Expected dividend yield

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

 

Option activity for the six months ended July 1, 2007 was as follows: 

 

 

Weighted-Average

 

Options

Exercise Price

 

-----------

-----------------

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2006

3,565,234

$

21.54

 

Granted

440,129

$

31.85

 

Exercised

(202,944)

$

16.32

 

Forfeited or Cancelled

(101,638)

$

30.56

 

---------------

---------------

 

Outstanding at July 1, 2007

3,700,781

$

22.80

 

=========

 

The fair value of options granted in the quarter and six months ended July 1, 2007 was approximately $108,000 and $3.6 million, respectively. The fair value of options granted in the quarter and six months ended July 2, 2006 was approximately $98,000 and $6.0 million, respectively. Total intrinsic value of options exercised in the quarters ended July 1, 2007 and July 2, 2006 was approximately $491,000 and $2.5 million, respectively. Total intrinsic value of options exercised in the six months ended July 1, 2007 and July 2, 2006 was approximately $2.8 million and $5.4 million, respectively. As of July 1, 2007, the total intrinsic value of options outstanding and options exercisable was approximately $21.9 million for each. Intrinsic value is the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the respective trading day and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of options exercised.

 

The following table summarizes information concerning outstanding and exercisable options as of July 1, 2007:

 

 

Range of Exercise Prices

Options Outstanding

Options Exercisable

 

------------------------------

-------------------------

------------------------

 

Options

Life(1)

Price(2)

Options

Price(2)

 

----------

---------

--------------

----------

--------------

 

$0.01-$5.00

34,000

0.6

$

4.33

34,000

$

4.33

 

$5.01-$10.00

552,894

2.4

$

8.41

552,894

$

8.41

 

$10.01-$15.00

438,192

3.5

$

14.73

438,192

$

14.73

 

$15.01-$20.00

529,838

5.1

$

17.46

529,838

$

17.46

 

$20.01-$25.00

155,354

6.3

$

22.22

145,354

$

22.03

 

$25.01-$30.00

599,798

6.9

$

27.46

433,217

$

27.24

 

$30.01 or greater

1,390,705

8.7

$

31.61

420,633

$

31.49

 

--------------

-------

--------------

--------------

--------------

 

3,700,781

6.1

$

22.80

2,554,128

$

19.09

 

========

========

 

(1)

Represents the weighted-average remaining contractual life in years.

 

(2)

Represents the weighted-average exercise price.

 

Non-vested Stock Awards

 

Non-vested stock awards as of July 1, 2007 and changes during the six months ended July 1, 2007 were as follows:

 

 

Weighted-Average

 

Grant Date

 

Shares

Fair Value

 

-----------

----------------

 

Non-vested at December 31, 2006

301,780

$

30.17

 

Granted

111,441

$

31.77

 

Vested

(21,487)

$

27.41

 

Transferred to Treasury

(16,393)

$

30.19

 

Forfeited

(16,634)

$

27.07

 

-----------

------------

 

Non-vested at July 1, 2007

358,707

$

30.98

 

=======

 

Total grant date fair value of non-vested stock awards that vested during the six months ended July 1, 2007 and July 2, 2006 was $589,000 and $374,000, respectively. The total grant date fair value of non-vested stock awards at July 1, 2007 was $11,112,000.

 

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units

 

The total number of performance-based restricted stock units granted in the first six months of 2007 was 68,749 compared to 71,732 for the first six months of 2006. Amounts expensed under this plan are periodically adjusted to reflect the most current projection of management’s estimate of the revenue and adjusted earnings per share to be achieved as compared to the respective targets. In the second quarter of 2007, the expense accrual was reduced based upon updated revenue and adjusted earnings per share projections resulting in net credits for the quarter and six months ended July 1, 2007 of approximately ($245,000) and ($18,000), respectively, compared to expense of $137,000 and $229,000, respectively for the quarter and six months ended July 2, 2006.

 

3.     Long-Term Debt

 

As of July 1, 2007, no borrowings were outstanding under the Company’s $100.0 million revolving credit agreement, and the Company was in compliance with all of its debt covenants. Interest expense is reported net of $191,000 and $129,000 of interest income for the second quarter of 2007 and 2006, respectively, and $433,000 and $302,000 for the first six months of 2007 and 2006, respectively. Interest capitalized in the second quarter of 2007 and 2006 was $189,000 and $255,000, respectively, and was $443,000 and $480,000 for the first six months of 2007 and 2006, respectively.

 

4.     Income Taxes

 

Income tax expense on continuing restaurant operations for the first six months of 2007 has been recorded based on an estimated 32.44% effective tax rate expected to be applicable for the full 2007 fiscal year plus a valuation allowance of $175,000 related to certain tax benefits recorded in the prior year for Bugaboo Creek that will not be realized. The effective income tax rate differs from the statutory federal income tax rate of 35% to pre-tax earnings primarily due to employee FICA tip tax credits (a reduction in income tax expense) partially offset by state income taxes. The effective tax benefit rate used related to the Bugaboo Creek impairment charge under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144 is the federal statutory rate of 35%.

 

The Company adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (“FIN 48”) on January 1, 2007. As a result of the implementation of FIN 48, the Company recognized no adjustment in the liability for unrecognized income tax benefits.

 

As of July 1, 2007, the Company had approximately $4.6 million of unrecognized tax benefits including approximately $1.3 million of interest and penalties, which are included in other long-term liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The ending balance of unrecognized tax benefits increased during the second quarter of 2007 from approximately $4.3 million (including approximately $1.2 million of interest and penalties) as of April 1, 2007. The entire balance of unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate. Any interest and/or penalties associated with uncertain tax positions are recognized as income tax expense.

 

Management does not anticipate that the total unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change due to the settlement of audits and the expiration of statutes of limitations within 12 months from the date of this Form 10-Q. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to federal and state tax examinations for years prior to 2003.

 

5.     Earnings Per Share

 

A reconciliation of the common share components for the basic and diluted earnings per share calculations follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

 

Quarter Ended

Six Months Ended

 

------------------------------------

------------------------------------

 

13 Wks Ended

26 Wks Ended

27 Wks Ended

 

July 1,

July 2,

July 1,

July 2,

 

2007

2006

2007

2006

 

-----------

-----------

-----------

-----------

 

Weighted average number of common shares

 

used in basic calculation

30,225

33,650

30,171

33,571

 

Dilutive effect of non-vested stock awards

100

72

104

65

 

Dilutive effect of net shares issuable pursuant

 

to stock option plans

758

883

807

907

 

-----------

-----------

-----------

-----------

 

Weighted average number of common shares

 

used in diluted calculation

31,083

34,605

31,082

34,543

 

=======

=======

=======

=======

 

Income from continuing operations

$

12,743

$

13,239

$

27,090

$

29,993

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations,

 

net of income tax

(2,580)

170

(3,088)

636

 

-----------

-----------

-----------

-----------

 

Net earnings

$

10,163

$

13,409

$

24,002

$

30,629

 

=======

=======

=======

=======

 

Basic earnings (loss) per common share:

 

Continuing operations

$

0.42

$

0.39

$

0.90

$

0.89

 

Discontinued operations

(0.09)

0.01

(0.10)

0.02

 

-----------

-----------

-----------

-----------

 

Net earnings

$

0.34

$

0.40

$

0.80

$

0.91

 

=======

=======

=======

=======

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share*:

 

Continuing operations

$

0.41

$

0.38

$

0.87

$

0.87

 

Discontinued operations

(0.08)

0.00

(0.10)

0.02

 

-----------

-----------

-----------

-----------

 

Net earnings

$

0.33

$

0.39

$

0.77

$

0.89

 

=======

=======

=======

=======

 

*Per share amounts do not necessarily sum due to rounding.

 

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the applicable period. Diluted earnings per share is based upon the weighted average number of common and potential common shares outstanding during the applicable period and includes the dilutive effect of stock options or non-vested stock. The Company uses the treasury stock method to calculate the effect of outstanding shares, which computes total proceeds to the Company as the sum of (a) the amount the employee must pay upon exercise of the award, (b) the amount of unearned share-based compensation costs attributed to future services and (c) the amount of tax benefits, if any, that would be credited to additional paid-in capital assuming exercise of the award. Share-based compensation awards for which total employee proceeds exceed the average market price over the applicable period have an antidilutive effect on earnings per share, and accordingly, are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share.

 

For the quarter and six months ended July 1, 2007, antidilutive share-based compensation awards for 1,475,705 and 1,354,000 shares, respectively, were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation. For the quarter and six months ended July 2, 2006, antidilutive share-based compensation awards for 1,005,773 shares were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation. The common shares that would be issued if the Convertible Senior Notes were converted are antidilutive.

 

 

6.     Comprehensive Income

 

For the quarters and six months ended July 1, 2007 and July 2, 2006, there was no difference between the Company’s net earnings and comprehensive income.

 

Item 2.     Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FIN 48. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in the financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes” (“SFAS 109”). FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. As a result of the implementation of FIN 48, the Company recognized no adjustment in the liability for unrecognized income tax benefits.

 

Due to the adoption of FIN 48, which required companies to reclassify uncertain tax positions in Income and Other Taxes Payable, other long-term liabilities increased by approximately $4.3 million and the non-current deferred tax asset increased by approximately $1.3 million.

 

Results of Operations

 

Second quarter 2007 compared to second quarter 2006 and the first six months of 2007 compared to the first six months of 2006

 

Revenue

 

The Company currently derives all of its revenue from restaurant sales and franchise revenues. Total revenue increased 13.5% to $269.2 million and 7.6% to $536.8 million for the quarter and six months ended July 1, 2007, respectively, as compared to the same periods of the prior fiscal year.

 

The Company’s fiscal year is a 52- or 53-week year, ending on the last Sunday in each calendar year. Each of the four quarters is typically made up of 13 weeks; however, since fiscal 2006 was a 53-week period, the first quarter of 2006 contained 14 weeks compared to 13 weeks in the first quarter of 2007 and the first six months of 2006 contained 27 weeks compared to 26 in the first six months of 2007. This additional week had an unfavorable effect on the Company’s revenue and operating results for the first six months of 2007 as compared to the first six months of 2006.

 

Same store sales comparisons for each of the Company’s restaurant concepts for the second quarter of 2007 consist of sales at restaurants opened prior to September 25, 2005.

 

LongHorn Steakhouse:

 

Sales in the LongHorn Steakhouse restaurants for the quarter and six months ended July 1, 2007 increased 12.2% and 6.2%, respectively, as compared to the same periods of the prior fiscal year. The increase reflects a 11.5% and 7.6% increase in restaurant operating weeks in the quarter and six months ended July 1, 2007, respectively, as compared to the same periods of the prior fiscal year, resulting from an increase in the restaurant base from 253 LongHorn Steakhouse restaurants at the end of the second quarter of 2006 to 282 at the end of the second quarter of 2007. The restaurant operating week increase was negatively impacted for the first six months of 2007 by the effect of a 14-week first quarter in 2006. Excluding this additional week in 2006, total restaurant operating weeks for the six months ended July 1, 2007 would have increased by 11.6% as compared to the same period in 2006. Average weekly sales for all LongHorn Steakhouse restaurants in the second quarter of 2007 were $58,048, a 0.6% increase from the comparable period in 2006. Average weekly sales for all LongHorn Steakhouse restaurants in the first six months of 2007 decreased by 1.3% over the comparable period in 2006. Same store sales for the comparable LongHorn Steakhouse restaurants increased 1.1% in the second quarter of 2007 as compared to the same period in 2006 due to an increase in average check partially offset by a decrease in guest counts.

 

The Capital Grille:

 

Sales in The Capital Grille restaurants for the quarter and six months ended July 1, 2007, increased 19.6% and 13.8%, respectively, as compared to the same periods of the prior fiscal year. The increase reflects a 15.4% and 10.1% increase in restaurant operating weeks for the quarter and six months ended July 1, 2007, respectively, as compared to the same periods of the prior fiscal year, resulting from an increase in the restaurant base from 24 The Capital Grille restaurants at the end of the second quarter 2006 to 28 restaurants at the end of the second quarter of 2007. The restaurant operating week increase was negatively impacted for the first six months of 2007 by the effect of a 14-week first quarter in 2006. Excluding this additional week in 2006, total restaurant operating weeks for the six months ended July 1, 2007 would have increased by 14.2% as compared to the same period in 2006. Average weekly sales for all The Capital Grille restaurants in the second quarter of 2007 were $157,462, a 3.6% increase from the comparable period in 2006. Average weekly sales for all The Capital Grille restaurants in the first six months of 2007 increased by 3.4% over the comparable period in 2006. Same store sales for comparable The Capital Grille restaurants increased 6.9% in the second quarter of 2007 due to an increase in average check and, to a lesser extent, an increase in guest counts.

 

Franchise Revenue:

 

Franchise revenues decreased to $127,000 for the second quarter and decreased to $254,000 for the first six months of 2007, from $142,000 and $275,000, respectively, for the same periods of the prior fiscal year due to a decrease in sales for the Company’s four franchised restaurants in Puerto Rico.

 

Costs and Expenses

 

Cost of restaurant sales as a percentage of restaurant sales increased to 36.8% for the second quarter of 2007, from 36.3% for the second quarter of 2006, and increased to 36.7% for the first six months of 2007 as compared to 36.4% during the same period of 2006. Cost of restaurant sales reflects the continued impact of higher contracted beef costs, as well as, to a lesser extent, higher seafood costs. The Company is under fixed price contracts with respect to approximately 75% of its protein products into early 2008, with the remaining 25% under short-term agreements. The Company expects its cost of restaurant sales as a percentage of restaurant sales in the third and fourth quarters to be 0.2% to 0.3% and 0.4% to 0.5% higher, respectively, than the comparable quarters of 2006. Many of the food products purchased by the Company, other than protein products, are affected by commodity pricing and are, therefore, subject to price volatility caused by weather, production problems, delivery difficulties and other factors, outside the control of the Company.

 

Restaurant operating expenses in the quarter and six months ended July 1, 2007, were approximately 0.9% and 1.0% higher, respectively, as a percentage of restaurant sales, than in the quarter and six months ended July 2, 2006 due to the lack of leverage from the modestly positive comparable sales in the LongHorn concept on fixed and semi-fixed costs, including labor, as well as higher self insurance costs in the first half of 2007.

 

Depreciation and amortization - restaurants was approximately 4.0% of restaurant sales in the second quarter of 2007, as compared to 3.7% of restaurant sales in the second quarter of 2006, and 3.9% for the six months ended July 1, 2007, compared to 3.6% for the six months ended July 2, 2006. This increase as a percentage of restaurant sales is the result of the higher costs of construction on newer restaurants and, to a lesser extent the lack of leverage from the modestly positive comparable sales in the LongHorn concept on this relatively fixed expense.

 

Pre-opening expense for the second quarter of 2007 increased to $2.4 million, from $1.9 million in the same period of the prior year. Pre-opening expense for the six months ended July 1, 2007 increased to $5.3 million from $4.5 million for the six months ended July 2, 2006. The amounts charged to pre-opening expense in any period are dependent upon the number of restaurants to be opened and the restaurant concept. The Company opened eight LongHorn Steakhouse restaurants and one The Capital Grille restaurant in the second quarter of 2007, compared to seven LongHorn Steakhouse restaurants in the second quarter of 2006.

 

General and administrative expenses as a percentage of total revenues decreased to 5.9% for the second quarter of 2007 as compared to 6.8% for the corresponding period of the prior year and decreased to 6.0% for the first six months of 2007 from 6.7% for the same period of 2006. This decrease is primarily associated with lower manager trainee expense from improved management retention, lower management bonus accruals in the first six months of 2007, as compared to the first six months of 2006, and aggressive management of other general and administrative costs.

 

As a result of the relationships between revenues and expenses discussed above, the Company’s operating income increased to approximately $20.8 million for the second quarter of 2007 and decreased to $43.8 million for the first six months of 2007, as compared to $20.2 million and $46.0 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods of the prior year.

 

Interest expense, net increased to $1.8 million in the second quarter of 2007 and to $3.3 million for the first six months of 2007, from $425,000 and $1.1 million during the same periods of the prior year. The increase in interest expense, net is primarily due to the issuance of $125.0 million of 2.5% convertible debt in November of 2006 and, to a lesser extent, the interest expense associated with new capital lease obligations.

 

Minority interest expense decreased to $23,000 and $114,000 for the second quarter and first six months of 2007, respectively, from $30,000 and $125,000 for the same periods of the prior year.

 

Income tax expense for the second quarter and first six months of 2007 was 32.7% and 32.9% of earnings before income taxes, respectively, based on an estimated 32.44% effective tax rate expected to be applicable for the full 2007 fiscal year plus a valuation allowance of $175,000 related to certain tax benefits recorded in the prior year for Bugaboo Creek that will not be realized. The effective income tax rates for the periods in 2007 compare to an effective tax rate of 33.0% for both the second quarter and first six months of 2006. The Company’s effective income tax rate differs from the statutory federal income tax rate of 35% to pre-tax income, primarily due to employee FICA tip tax credits and work opportunity tax credits partially offset by state income taxes.

 

The net loss from discontinued operations of $2.6 million in the second quarter of 2007 reflects impairment and termination charges of approximately $5.0 million ($3.3 million, net of tax) related to the impairment realized upon the divestiture of the Bugaboo Creek Steak House business.

 

Net earnings decreased to $10.2 million for the second quarter of 2007 from net earnings of $13.4 million for the second quarter of 2006, and decreased to $24.0 million for the six months ended July 1, 2007 from $30.6 million for the six months ended July 2, 2006, reflecting the net effect of the items discussed above.

 

Outlook for Future Operating Results

 

The Company expects 2007 diluted earnings per common share for continuing operations in a range of $1.51 to $1.58 which includes the negative impact of a valuation allowance related to the Bugaboo Creek concept which is expected to total $0.01 per diluted share for fiscal 2007. This level of earnings per common share assumes (i) same store sales increases for the third quarter of 2007 in a range of 0% to 2% for LongHorn Steakhouse and 3% to 4% for The Capital Grille; same-store sales increases for the second half of 2007 in a range of 0% to 2% for LongHorn and 3% to 4% for Capital Grille and (ii) the projected restaurant openings discussed below.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources:

 

The Company requires capital primarily for the development of new restaurants, the remodeling of existing restaurants and selected acquisitions. During the first six months of 2007, the Company’s principal sources of working capital were cash provided by operating activities ($36.2 million), proceeds from the sale of Bugaboo Creek Steak House ($24.3 million) and proceeds from the exercise of employee stock options ($3.3 million). For the first six months of 2007, the principal uses of funds consisted of costs associated with expansion, principally leasehold improvements, equipment, land, and buildings associated with the construction of new restaurants ($53.1 million) and the purchase of common stock for treasury ($5.9 million).

 

The Company intends to open 32-34 LongHorn Steakhouse restaurants and four The Capital Grille restaurants in fiscal year 2007. The Company estimates that its capital expenditures for fiscal year 2007 will be approximately $120 to $130 million. During the second quarter of 2007, the Company opened eight LongHorn Steakhouse restaurants and one The Capital Grille restaurant. Management believes that available cash, cash provided by operations, and available borrowings under the Company’s $100.0 million revolving credit facility will provide sufficient funds to finance the Company’s expansion plans through the year 2008.

 

Since substantially all sales in the Company’s restaurants are for cash, and accounts payable are generally due in seven to 30 days, the Company operates with little or negative working capital.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Estimates

 

There have been no material changes to the Company’s critical accounting policies and estimates from the information provided in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” included in Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, except as follows:

 

FIN 48 – The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with FIN 48 an interpretation of SFAS 109. The application of income tax law is inherently complex. Laws and regulations in this area are voluminous and are often ambiguous. As such, we are required to make many subjective assumptions and judgments regarding our income tax exposures. Interpretations of and guidance surrounding income tax laws and regulations change over time. As such, changes in our subjective assumptions and judgments can materially affect amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets and statements of income.

For additional information regarding the adoption of FIN 48, see Note 4, Income Taxes to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. For further discussion of the Company’s critical accounting estimates related to income taxes, see the 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

As of July 1, 2007, the Company had no off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

The Company’s material contractual obligations are summarized and included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. During the quarter ended July 1, 2007, there have been no material changes outside the ordinary course of business in the contractual obligations specified in the 2006 10-K.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

Statements contained in this report concerning liquidity and capital resources and future operating results contain certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company and members of its management team, as well as assumptions on which such statements are based. All forward-looking statements in this Form 10-Q are based upon information available to the Company on the date of this report. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and in addition to the factors discussed elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, other factors that could cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements include the following: failure of facts to conform to necessary management estimates and assumptions regarding financial and operating matters; the Company’s ability to identify and secure suitable locations for new restaurants on acceptable terms, open the anticipated number of new restaurants on time and within budget, achieve anticipated rates of same store sales, hire and train additional restaurant personnel and integrate new restaurants into its operations; the continued implementation of the Company’s business discipline over a large and growing restaurant base; increases in the cost of construction of new restaurants; unexpected increases in cost of sales or employee, pre-opening or other expenses; the economic conditions in the new markets into which the Company expands and possible uncertainties in the customer base in these areas; fluctuations in quarterly operating results; seasonality; unusual weather patterns or events; changes in customer dining patterns; the impact of any negative publicity or public attitudes related to the consumption of beef or other products sold by the Company; unforeseen increases in commodity pricing; disruption of established sources of product supply or distribution; competitive pressures from other national and regional restaurant chains; legislation affecting the restaurant industry, including (without limitation) minimum wage and mandatory healthcare legislation; business conditions, such as inflation or a recession, or other negative effect on dining patterns, or some other negative effect on the economy, in general, including (without limitation) war, insurrection and/or terrorist attacks on United States soil; growth in the restaurant industry and the general economy; changes in monetary and fiscal policies, laws and regulations; and the risks identified from time to time in the Company’s SEC reports, including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2006, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and its current reports on Form 8-K, registration statements, press releases and other public announcements. Any forward looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it was made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results over time.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

The Company may be exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates on debt.

 

As of July 1, 2007, the Company had no borrowings outstanding under its $100.0 million revolving credit facility. Amounts outstanding under such credit facility bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 0.50 to 1.25% (the “applicable margin” depending on the Company’s leverage ratio), or the administrative agent’s prime rate of interest at the Company’s option. Accordingly, the Company may be exposed to the impact of interest rate movements. To achieve the Company’s objective of managing its exposure to interest rate changes, the Company may from time to time use interest rate swaps. The Company currently does not have any interest rate swap agreements.

 

Investment Portfolio

 

The Company invests portions of its excess cash, if any, in highly liquid investments. At July 1, 2007, the Company had $26.6 million in high-grade overnight repurchase agreements and $5.9 million in short-term investments in the form of federal, state, and municipal bonds. As of July 1, 2007, the Company has classified all short-term investments as trading securities. The market risk on such investments is minimal due to their short-term nature.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

In accordance with Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15, the Company’s management, under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and instructions for Form 10-Q. During the Company’s last fiscal quarter, there were no changes in internal controls over financial reporting or in other factors that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, internal controls over financial reporting.

 

Part II - Other Information

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

There have been no material changes in the status of the Company’s legal proceedings from those described in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

There have been no material changes in the risk factors disclosed by the Company under Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

None.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

None.

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Securities Holders

 

The 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company was held on May 8, 2007, at which the following proposals were voted upon by the shareholders: (i) election of three Class III directors to serve until the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders; (ii) approval of amendments to the RARE Hospitality International, Inc. Amended and Restated 2002 Long-Term Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock available for stock option awards by 450,000 shares; and (iii) ratification of the selection of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm to serve for fiscal year ending December 30, 2007. Holders of 32,761,472 shares of the Company’s common stock were entitled to vote at the meeting. The shareholders elected three Class III directors with a term expiring at the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. As to each of the following named individuals, the holders of the indicated number of shares of the Company’s common stock voted for his election, and the holders of the indicated number of shares withheld authority to vote for election. There were no broker non-votes.

 

 

Shares

 

Shares

Withholding

 

Voting For:

Authority:

 

-------------------

-------------------

Eugene I. Lee, Jr.

31,287,690

1,473,746

Ronald W. San Martin

31,232,065

1,529,371

James D. Dixon

30,983,880

1,777,556

 

Roger L. Boeve, Don L. Chapman, Lewis H. Jordan, Carolyn H. Byrd, Philip J. Hickey, Jr., and Dick R. Holbrook continued their terms as directors. The amendment to the RARE Hospitality International, Inc. Amended and Restated 2002 Long-Term Incentive Plan was approved as follows: 21,396,924 shares voted in favor of the amendment; 6,338,373 shares voted against the amendment; 32,959 shares abstained; and there were no broker non-votes. The selection of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 30, 2007 was ratified as follows: 31,151,830 shares voted in favor of ratification; 1,592,545 shares voted against ratification; 17,097 shares abstained; and there were no broker non-votes.

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

None.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibits Filed.

 

10.1

--

Purchase agreement by and among RARE Hospitality International, Inc., Bugaboo Creek Acquisition, LLC,

 

and solely with respect to their obligations pursuant to Articles X, XII and XIII (including Section 13.18), CB

 

Holding Corp. and Charlie Brown’s Acquisition Corp., dated as of February 27, 2008 (incorporated herein by

 

reference to the Registrant’s current report on Form 8-K dated February 27, 2007).

 

10.2

--

Amendment No. 1 to Purchase agreement by and among RARE Hospitality International, Inc., Bugaboo

 

Creek Acquisition, LLC, and solely with respect to their obligations pursuant to Articles X, XII and XIII

 

(including Section 13.18), CB Holding Corp. and Charlie Brown’s Acquisition Corp., dated as of February

 

27, 2008 (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s current report on Form 8-K dated February 27,

 

2007).

 

10.3

--

RARE Hospitality International, Inc. Amended and Restated 2002 Long-Term Hospitality Plan

 

(incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 99.1 of the Registrant’s current report on Form 8-K dated

 

May 8, 2007).

 

31.1

--

Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act

 

31.2

--

Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act

 

32.1

--

Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to

 

Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (1).

 

32.2

--

Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to

 

Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (1).

 

 

(1)

These exhibits are deemed to accompany this report and are not “filed” as part of the report.

 

 


Signatures

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

Date: August 9, 2007

/s/ W. Douglas Benn  

 

W. Douglas Benn

 

Executive Vice President, Finance

 

and Chief Financial Officer

 

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

 


 

EXHIBIT 31.1

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

SECTION 302 OF THE

SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, Philip J. Hickey, Jr., certify that:

 

 

1.

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of RARE Hospitality International, Inc.;

 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

(a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

Dated: August 9, 2007

/s/ Philip J. Hickey, Jr.

 

Philip J. Hickey, Jr.

 

Chairman of the Board and

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 


 

EXHIBIT 31.2

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

SECTION 302 OF THE

SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, W Douglas Benn, certify that:

 

 

1.

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of RARE Hospitality International, Inc.;

 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

(a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: August 9, 2007

/s/ W Douglas Benn  

 

W Douglas Benn

 

Executive Vice President, Finance and

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 


 

EXHIBIT 32.1

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

RULE 13a-14(b) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

AND 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

 

In connection with the quarterly report of RARE Hospitality International, Inc. (the “Registrant”) on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 1, 2007 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Philip J. Hickey, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant, certify, in accordance with Rule 13a-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that to the best of my knowledge:

 

(1) The Report, to which this certification is attached as Exhibit 32.1, fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.

 

 

Dated: August 9, 2007

/s/ Philip J. Hickey, Jr.

 

Philip J. Hickey, Jr.

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 


 

EXHIBIT 32.2

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

RULE 13a-14(b) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

AND 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

 

In connection with the quarterly report of RARE Hospitality International, Inc. (the “Registrant”) on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 1, 2007 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, W. Douglas Benn, Executive Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant, certify, in accordance with Rule 13a-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that to the best of my knowledge:

 

(1) The Report, to which this certification is attached as Exhibit 32.1, fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.

 

 

Date: August 9, 2007

/s/ W. Douglas Benn  

 

W. Douglas Benn

 

Executive Vice President, Finance and

 

Chief Financial Officer