In This Article:
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Total Revenue: $263.3 million, an increase of 16.8% excluding the impact of the 53rd week in 2023.
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Adjusted EBITDA: $24.3 million, up from $19.6 million in the previous year, excluding the 53rd week impact.
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Net Income: $700,000 with a net income margin of 0.3%.
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Same-Restaurant Sales: Decline of 0.3%, with a same-restaurant traffic decline of 3%.
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Restaurant-Level Operating Profit Margin: 18.8% for the fourth quarter of 2024.
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General and Administrative Expenses: $30.7 million, representing 11.7% of fourth quarter revenue.
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New Restaurant Openings: 50 new restaurants in 2024, with 25 opened in the fourth quarter.
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Total Number of Restaurants: 572 at the end of the fourth quarter.
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Food and Beverage Expense: 22.7% of sales, compared to 22.5% in the same period last year.
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Labor and Other Related Expenses: 33.7% of sales, a 20 basis point improvement from the previous year.
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2025 Revenue Growth Expectation: Around 20% total revenue growth.
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2025 Adjusted EBITDA Guidance: $124 million to $130 million.
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2025 Capital Expenditures: $150 million to $160 million, excluding franchise acquisitions.
Release Date: March 11, 2025
For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
Positive Points
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First Watch Restaurant Group Inc (NASDAQ:FWRG) achieved over $1 billion in total revenue and over $100 million in adjusted EBITDA for the first time in its history.
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The company opened 50 new restaurants in 2024, with a record 25 openings in the fourth quarter alone, contributing to a strong growth engine.
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New restaurants are on pace to generate third-year sales of $2.6 million, about 20% above the current system average unit volumes.
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FWRG plans to scale its marketing spend in 2025, leveraging technology investments to improve targeting and efficiency.
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The company has identified significant growth potential in the US, aiming to reach 2,200 locations, supported by a robust real estate and people pipeline.
Negative Points
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Same-restaurant sales were slightly negative at -0.3% in the fourth quarter, with a same-restaurant traffic decline of 3%.
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Commodity inflation, particularly in eggs, avocados, bacon, and coffee beans, is expected to remain high throughout 2025.
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The company anticipates adjusted EBITDA in the first quarter of 2025 to be around $4 million below the first quarter of 2024 due to new restaurant openings and commodity price spikes.
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Marketing spend as a percentage of sales remains below the industry average, which may limit immediate impact on brand awareness.
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FWRG faces challenges from elevated input costs and tariffs, which could pressure margins despite strategic pricing decisions.