q3-2008_10q.htm
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 September 24, 2008
 

denny's corporate logo

 
 Commission File Number 0-18051
DENNY’S CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
 
13-3487402
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization
 
Identification No.)

203 East Main Street
Spartanburg, South Carolina 29319-0001
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

(864) 597-8000
(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 [    ]
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

            Large accelerated filer ¨                                                Accelerated filer þ     
            Non-accelerated filer   ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)                   Smaller reporting company ¨

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

Yes [    ]                                                                                       No [X]

As of October 24, 2008, 95,713,102 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $.01 per share, were outstanding. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
Page
 
   
 
 
   
 
   
Item 1A. Risk Factors
 
 
2

 
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.   Financial Statements

Denny’s Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)

 
   
Quarter Ended
   
Three Quarters Ended
 
   
September 24, 2008
   
September 26, 2007
   
September 24, 2008
   
September 26, 2007
 
   
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Revenue:
                       
Company restaurant sales
 
$
160,608
   
$
216,792
   
$
493,434
   
$
650,909
 
Franchise and license revenue
   
28,667
     
24,617
     
82,109
     
68,193
 
Total operating revenue
   
189,275
     
241,409
     
575,543
     
719,102
 
Costs of company restaurant sales:
                               
Product costs
   
38,811
     
55,520
     
119,790
     
166,969
 
Payroll and benefits
   
65,582
     
88,341
     
208,331
     
273,141
 
Occupancy
   
9,475
     
13,193
     
30,003
     
39,345
 
Other operating expenses
   
25,384
     
33,842
     
75,322
     
95,937
 
Total costs of company restaurant sales
   
139,252
     
190,896
     
433,446
     
575,392
 
Costs of franchise and license revenue
   
8,757
     
6,858
     
25,448
     
20,266
 
General and administrative expenses
   
14,894
     
15,974
     
46,046
     
49,067
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
9,977
     
12,117
     
30,110
     
37,475
 
Operating gains, losses and other charges, net
   
(4,294
)
   
(316
)
   
(9,980
)
   
(14,890
)
Total operating costs and expenses
   
168,586
     
225,529
     
525,070
     
667,310
 
Operating income
   
20,689
     
15,880
     
50,473
     
51,792
 
Other expenses:
                               
Interest expense, net
   
8,761
     
10,489
     
26,845
     
32,783
 
Other nonoperating expense (income), net
   
677
     
34
     
4,436
     
(391
)
Total other expenses, net
   
9,438
     
10,523
     
31,281
     
32,392
 
Net income before income taxes
   
11,251
     
5,357
     
19,192
     
19,400
 
Provision for income taxes
   
689
     
407
     
1,355
     
2,780
 
Net income
 
$
10,562
   
$
4,950
   
$
17,837
   
$
16,620
 
                                 
Net income per share:
                               
Basic net income per share
 
$
0.11
   
$
0.05
   
$
0.19
   
$
0.18
 
Diluted net income per share
 
$
0.11
   
$
0.05
   
$
0.18
   
$
0.17
 
                                 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
   
95,333
     
93,915
     
95,059
     
93,674
 
Diluted
   
98,332
     
98,605
     
99,191
     
98,770
 
 
 
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


3

Denny’s Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
 
   
September 24, 2008
   
December 26, 2007
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Assets
           
Current Assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
21,422
   
$
21,565
 
Receivables, net
   
11,408
     
13,585
 
Inventories
   
5,419
     
6,485
 
Assets held for sale
   
3,032
     
6,712
 
Prepaid and other current assets
   
12,893
     
9,526
 
Total Current Assets
   
54,174
     
57,873
 
                 
Property, net of accumulated depreciation of $293,770 and $307,047, respectively
   
167,910
     
184,610
 
                 
Other Assets:
               
Goodwill
   
40,634
     
42,439
 
Intangible assets, net
   
59,770
     
62,657
 
Deferred financing costs, net
   
4,188
     
5,078
 
Other assets
   
31,003
     
24,699
 
Total Assets
 
$
357,679
   
$
377,356
 
                 
Liabilities and Shareholders' Deficit
               
Current Liabilities:
               
Current maturities of notes and debentures
 
$
4,555
   
$
2,085
 
Current maturities of capital lease obligations
   
3,637
     
4,051
 
Accounts payable
   
31,041
     
43,262
 
Other
   
73,202
     
82,069
 
Total Current Liabilities
   
112,435
     
131,467
 
                 
Long-Term Liabilities:
               
Notes and debentures, less current maturities
   
307,504
     
325,971
 
Capital lease obligations, less current maturities
   
22,252
     
20,845
 
Liability for insurance claims, less current portion
   
24,480
     
27,148
 
Deferred income taxes
   
12,115
     
11,579
 
Other noncurrent liabilities and deferred credits
   
38,573
     
42,578
 
Total Long-Term Liabilities
   
404,924
     
428,121
 
Total Liabilities
   
517,359
     
559,588
 
                 
Commitments and contingencies
               
                 
Total Shareholders’ Deficit
   
(159,680
)
   
(182,232
)
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Deficit
 
$
357,679
   
$
377,356
 

 
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
4

 
Denny’s Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Deficit and Comprehensive Loss
(Unaudited)

 
   
Common Stock
               
Accumulated Other Comprehensive
   
Total Shareholders'
 
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Paid-in Capital
   
Deficit
   
Loss, Net
   
Deficit
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Balance, December 26, 2007
   
94,626
   
$
946
   
$
533,612
   
$
(700,284
)
 
$
(13,144
)
 
$
(178,870
)
Goodwill adjustment (Note 3)
   
     
     
     
(3,362
)
   
     
(3,362
)
Balance, December 26, 2007
   
94,626
   
$
946
   
$
533,612
   
$
(703,646
)
 
$
(13,144
)
 
$
(182,232
)
Comprehensive income:
                                               
Net income
   
     
     
     
17,837
     
     
17,837
 
Recognition of unrealized loss on hedge
transactions, net of tax
     
       
       
       
       852        852  
Comprehensive income
   
     
     
     
17,837
     
852
     
18,689
 
Share-based compensation on equity classified
awards
   
     
     
2,591
     
     
     
2,591
 
Issuance of common stock for share-based
compensation
   
385
     
4
     
288
     
     
     
292
 
Exercise of common stock options
   
675
     
7
     
973
     
     
     
980
 
Balance, September 24, 2008
   
95,686
   
$
957
   
$
537,464
   
$
(685,809
)
 
$
(12,292
)
 
$
(159,680
)


See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
5

 
Denny’s Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
 

   
Three Quarters Ended
 
   
September 24, 2008
   
September 26, 2007
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
           
Net income
 
$
17,837
   
$
16,620
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
   
30,110
     
37,475
 
Operating gains, losses and other charges, net
   
(9,980
)
   
(14,890
)
Amortization of deferred financing costs
   
827
     
886
 
Loss (gain) on early extinguishment of debt
   
(30
)
   
207
 
Loss on change in the fair value of interest rate swap
   
3,094
     
 
Deferred income tax expense
   
565
     
2,381
 
Share-based compensation
   
2,511
     
3,000
 
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions:
               
Decrease (increase) in assets:
               
Receivables
   
3,009
     
3,216
 
Inventories
   
1,066
     
506
 
Other current assets
   
(3,367
)
   
(495
)
Other assets
   
(2,909
)
   
(2,644
)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
   
(9,416
)
   
(2,530
)
Accrued salaries and vacations
   
(8,225
)
   
(5,696
)
Accrued taxes
   
794
     
119
 
Other accrued liabilities
   
(8,310
)
   
2,991
 
Other noncurrent liabilities and deferred credits
   
(9,622
)
   
(5,702
)
Net cash flows provided by operating activities
   
7,954
     
35,444
 
                 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
               
Purchase of property
   
(21,173
)
   
(18,807
)
Proceeds from disposition of property
   
31,391
     
35,017
 
Acquisition of restaurant units
   
     
(2,208
)
Net cash flows provided by investing activities
   
10,218
     
14,002
 
                 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
               
Long-term debt payments
   
(19,208
)
   
(46,468
)
Deferred financing costs paid
   
     
(401
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
   
980
     
918
 
Net bank overdrafts
   
(87
)
   
(646
)
Net cash flows used in financing activities
   
(18,315
)
   
(46,597
)
                 
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
   
(143
)
   
2,849
 
                 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at:
               
Beginning of period
   
21,565
     
26,226
 
End of period
 
$
21,422
   
$
29,075
 
 
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


6


Denny’s Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

Note 1.   Introduction and Basis of Presentation

Denny’s Corporation, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Denny’s Holdings, Inc. and Denny’s, Inc., owns and operates the Denny’s restaurant brand, or Denny’s.

Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Therefore, certain information and notes normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted. In our opinion, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the interim periods presented have been included. Such adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions; however, we believe that our estimates, including those for the above-described items, are reasonable.

These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 26, 2007 and the related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, both of which are contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2007. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire fiscal year ending December 31, 2008.

Note 2.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Effective December 27, 2007, the first day of fiscal 2008, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159 ("SFAS 159"), “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. We did not elect the fair value reporting option for any assets and liabilities not previously recorded at fair value.

Effective December 27, 2007, the first day of fiscal 2008, we adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 ("SFAS 157"), “Fair Value Measurements” for financial assets and liabilities, as well as any other assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value on a recurring basis in financial statements. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") having previously concluded in those accounting pronouncements that fair value is the relevant measurement attribute. Accordingly, SFAS 157 does not require any new fair value measurements. We also applied the provisions of FSP FAS 157-2, "Effective Date of FASB Statement 157," which defers the provisions of SFAS 157 for nonfinancial assets and liabilities to the first fiscal period beginning after November 15, 2008. The deferred nonfinancial assets and liabilities include items such as goodwill and other nonamortizable intangibles. We are required to adopt SFAS 157 for nonfinancial assets and liabilities in the first quarter of fiscal 2009 and are still evaluating the impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:
 
   
Fair Value Measurements as of September 24, 2008
   
September 24, 2008
   
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets/Liabilities
(Level 1)
   
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
   
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Valuation Technique
   
(In thousands)
   
Deferred compensation plan
investments 
 
$
6,132
   
$
6,132
   
$
   
$
 
market approach 
Interest rate swap liability
   
(2,603
)
   
     
(2,603
)
   
 
income approach
Total
 
$
3,529
   
$
6,132
   
$
(2,603
)
 
$
   
 
There have been no other material changes to our significant accounting policies and estimates from the information provided in Note 2 of our Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2007, except as noted in Note 3.
 
Note 3.   Adjustments Related to Goodwill
 
In March 2008, we recorded adjustments to correct an error in accounting for goodwill in relation to the sale of restaurant operations during the quarters ending March 28, 2007, June 27 2007, September 26, 2007 and December 26, 2007. Historically, we did not write-off goodwill when we sold restaurant units to franchisees. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" requires that a portion of the entity level goodwill should be written off based on the relative fair values of the restaurant unit being sold and the remaining value of the entity, in our case, Denny's. The adjustments had no impact on previously reported cash flows.
 
The following line items on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the quarter and three quarters ended September 26, 2007 and the fiscal year ended December 26, 2007 were impacted by the adjustments:
 
   
Quarter Ended
September 26, 2007
   
Three Quarters Ended
September 26, 2007
   
Fiscal Year Ended
December 26, 2007
 
   
Unadjusted
   
Adjustment
   
Adjusted
   
Unadjusted
   
Adjustment
   
Adjusted
   
Unadjusted
   
Adjustment
   
Adjusted
 
   
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Operating gains, losses and other charges, net
 
$
(747
)
 
$
431
   
$
(316
)
 
$
(16,427
)
 
$
1,537
   
$
(14,890
)
 
$
(34,828
)
   
3,746
     
(31,082
)
Total operating costs and expenses
   
225,098
     
431
     
225,529
     
665,773
     
1,537
     
667,310
     
855,838
     
3,746
     
859,584
 
Operating income
   
16,311
     
(431
)
   
15,880
     
53,329
     
(1,537
)
   
51,792
     
83,530
     
(3,746
)
   
79,784
 
Net income before taxes
   
5,788
     
(431
)
   
5,357
     
20,937
     
(1,537
)
   
19,400
     
39,905
     
(3,746
)
   
36,159
 
Provision for income taxes
   
451
     
(44
)
   
407
     
2,937
     
(157
)
   
2,780
     
5,192
     
(384
)
   
4,808
 
Net income
   
5,337
     
(387
)
   
4,950
     
18,000
     
(1,380
)
   
16,620
     
34,713
     
(3,362
)
   
31,351
 
                                                                         
Basic net income per share
 
$
0.06
   
$
(0.01
)
 
$
0.05
   
$
0.19
   
$
(0.01
)
 
$
0.18
   
$
0.37
   
$
(0.04
)
 
$
0.33
 
Diluted net income per share
 
$
0.05
   
$
(0.00
)
 
$
0.05
   
$
0.18
   
$
(0.01
)
 
$
0.17
   
$
0.35
   
$
(0.03
)
 
$
0.32
 
 
7

The following line items on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 26, 2007 were impacted by the adjustments:
 
   
December 26, 2007
   
Adjustment
   
Adjusted
December 26, 2007
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Goodwill
 
$
46,185
   
$
(3,746
)
 
$
42,439
 
Total assets
   
381,102
     
(3,746
)
   
377,356
 
Deferred income taxes
   
11,963
     
(384
)
   
11,579
 
Total long-term liabilities
   
428,505
     
(384
)
   
428,121
 
Total liabilities
   
559,972
     
(384
)
   
559,588
 
Total shareholders' deficit
   
(178,870
)
   
(3,362
)
   
(182,232
)
Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit
   
381,102
     
(3,746
)
   
377,356
 
 
The following reflects the adjusted quarterly data for fiscal 2007:
 
   
Fiscal Year Ended December 26, 2007
 
   
First Quarter
   
Second Quarter
   
Third Quarter
   
Fourth Quarter
 
   
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
Company restaurant sales
 
$
215,801
   
$
218,316
   
$
216,792
   
$
193,712
 
Franchise and licensing revenue
   
20,950
     
22,626
     
24,617
     
26,554
 
Total operating revenue
   
236,751
     
240,942
     
241,409
     
220,266
 
Total operating costs and expenses
   
224,165
     
217,616
     
225,529
     
192,274
 
Operating income
 
$
12,586
   
$
23,326
   
$
15,880
   
$
27,992
 
                                 
Net income
 
$
1,087
   
$
10,583
   
$
4,950
   
$
14,731
 
                                 
Basic net income per share (a)
 
$
0.01
   
$
0.11
   
$
0.05
   
$
0.16
 
Diluted net income per share (a)
 
$
0.01
   
$
0.11
   
$
0.05
   
$
0.15
 
 
(a)
 Per share amounts do not necessarily sum to the total year amounts due to changes in shares outstanding and rounding.
 
Note 4.   Assets Held for Sale

Assets held for sale of $3.0 million and $6.7 million, as of September 24, 2008 and December 26, 2007, respectively, include restaurants to be sold to franchisees and certain real estate properties. We expect to sell each of these assets within 12 months. Our Credit Facility (defined in Note 7) requires us to make mandatory prepayments to reduce outstanding indebtedness with the net cash proceeds from the sale of specified real estate properties and restaurant operations to franchisees. As a result, we classified a corresponding $3.0 million and $0.4 million of our long-term debt as a current liability in our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 24, 2008 and December 26, 2007, respectively. This amount represents the net book value of the specified properties as of the balance sheet date.
 
Note 5.   Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
 
The changes in carrying amounts of goodwill for the three quarters ended September 24, 2008 are as follows:
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Balance at December 26, 2007
 
$
42,439
 
Write-offs associated with sale of restaurants
   
(1,777
)
Reversal of valuation allowance related to deferred tax assets (Note 11)
   
(28
)
Balance at September 24, 2008
 
$
40,634
 
 
The following table reflects goodwill and intangible assets as of September 24, 2008 and December 26, 2007:
 
   
September 24, 2008
   
December 26, 2007
 
   
Gross Carrying Amount
   
Accumulated Amortization
   
Gross Carrying Amount
   
Accumulated Amortization
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Goodwill
 
$
40,634
   
$
   
$
42,439
   
$
 
                                 
Intangible assets with indefinite lives:
                               
Trade names
 
$
42,432
   
$
   
$
42,395
   
$
 
Liquor licenses
   
262
     
     
279
     
 
Intangible assets with definite lives:
                               
Franchise and license agreements
   
55,551
     
38,581
     
61,903
     
42,036
 
Foreign license agreements
   
241
     
135
     
241
     
125
 
Intangible assets
 
$
98,486
   
$
 38,716
   
$
104,818
   
42,161
 
                                 
Other assets with definitive lives:
                               
Software development costs
 
$
31,845
   
$
25,974
   
$
30,853
   
$
24,560
 
 
Note 6.   Operating Gains, Losses and Other Charges, Net

Operating gains, losses and other charges, net are comprised of the following:
 
   
Quarter Ended
   
Three Quarters Ended
 
   
September 24, 2008
   
September 26, 2007
   
September 24, 2008
   
September 26, 2007
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Gains on sales of assets and other, net
 
$
(5,290
)
 
$
(4,197
)
 
$
(18,214
)
 
$
(20,841
)
Restructuring charges and exit costs
   
752
     
3,701
     
7,506
     
5,531
 
Impairment charges
   
244
     
180
     
 728
     
 420
 
Operating gains, losses and other charges, net
 
$
(4,294
)
 
$
(316
)
 
$
(9,980
)
 
$
(14,890
)
 
8

Gains on Sales of Assets
 
Proceeds and gains on sales of assets for the quarters ended September 24, 2008 and September 26, 2007 were comprised of the following:
 
   
Quarter Ended September 24, 2008
   
Quarter Ended September 26, 2007
 
   
Net Proceeds
   
Gains
   
Net Proceeds
   
Gains
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Sales of restaurant operations and related real estate
to franchisees
 
$
8,242
   
$
3,496
   
$
8,748
   
$
2,394
 
Sales of other real estate assets
   
2,198
     
1,764
     
353
     
353
 
Recognition of deferred gains
   
     
30
     
     
1,450
 
Total
 
$
10,440
   
$
5,290
   
$
9,101
   
$
4,197
 
 
Proceeds and gains on sales of assets for the three quarters ended September 24, 2008 and September 26, 2007 were comprised of the following:
 
   
Three Quarters Ended September 24, 2008
   
Three Quarters Ended September 26, 2007
 
   
Net Proceeds
   
Gains
   
Net Proceeds
   
Gains
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Sales of restaurant operations and related real estate
to franchisees
 
$
30,241
   
$
15,439
   
$
30,601
   
$
15,350
 
Sales of other real estate assets
   
3,820
     
2,683
     
5,388
     
3,495
 
Recognition of deferred gains
   
     
92
     
     
1,996
 
Total
 
$
34,061
   
$
18,214
   
$
35,989
   
$
20,841
 
 
Restructuring Charges and Exit Costs

Restructuring charges and exit costs were comprised of the following:
  
   
Quarter Ended
   
Three Quarters Ended
 
   
September 24, 2008
   
September 26, 2007
   
September 24, 2008
   
September 26, 2007
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Exit costs
 
$
821
   
$
276
   
$
2,476
   
$
1,011
 
Severance and other restructuring charges
   
(69
   
3,425
     
5,030
     
4,520
 
Total restructuring and exit costs
 
$
752
   
$
3,701
   
$
7,506
   
$
5,531
 

Severance and other restructuring charges of $5.0 million for the three quarters ended September 24, 2008 primarily resulted from severance costs of $4.3 million recognized during the second quarter related to the reorganization to support our ongoing transition to a franchise-focused business model, which led to the elimination of approximately 50 positions.

The components of the change in accrued exit cost liabilities are as follows:
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Balance, beginning of year
 
$
8,339
 
Provisions for units closed during the year (1)
   
728
 
Changes in estimates of accrued exit costs, net (1) 
   
1,748
 
Payments, net
   
(2,533
)
Interest accretion
   
615
 
Balance, end of quarter
   
8,897
 
Less current portion included in other current liabilities
   
2,038
 
Long-term portion included in other noncurrent liabilities
 
$
6,859
 
 
(1)
 Included as a component of operating gains, losses and other charges, net.
 
Estimated net cash payments related to exit cost liabilities in the next five years are as follows:

   
(In thousands)
 
Remainder of 2008
 
$
843
 
2009
   
2,499
 
2010
   
1,768
 
2011
   
1,458
 
2012
   
1,153
 
Thereafter
   
3,101
 
Total
   
10,822
 
Less imputed interest
   
1,925
 
Present value of exit cost liabilities
 
$
8,897
 

As of September 24, 2008 and December 26, 2007, we had accrued severance and other restructuring charges of $1.5 million and $1.3 million, respectively.  The balance as of September 24, 2008 is expected to be paid during the next 12 months.

Note 7.   Long-Term Debt
 
Credit Facility

Our subsidiaries, Denny's, Inc. and Denny's Realty, LLC (the "Borrowers"), have a senior secured credit agreement consisting of a $50 million revolving credit facility (including up to $10 million for a revolving letter of credit facility), a $136.7 million term loan and an additional $37 million letter of credit facility (together, the "Credit Facility").  At September 24, 2008, we had outstanding letters of credit of $35.4 million (comprised of $35.2 million under our letter of credit facility and $0.2 million under our revolving facility). There were no revolving loans outstanding at September 24, 2008. These balances result in availability of $1.8 million under our letter of credit facility and $49.8 million under the revolving facility.
 
9

The revolving facility matures on December 15, 2011. The term loan and the $37 million letter of credit facility mature on March 31, 2012. The term loan amortizes in equal quarterly installments at a rate equal to approximately 1% per annum with all remaining amounts due on the maturity date. The Credit Facility is available for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes. We will be required to make mandatory prepayments under certain circumstances (such as required payments related to asset sales) typical for this type of credit facility and may make certain optional prepayments under the Credit Facility. We believe that our estimated cash flows from operations for 2008, combined with our capacity for additional borrowings under our Credit Facility, will enable us to meet our anticipated cash requirements and fund capital expenditures over the next twelve months.

The Credit Facility is guaranteed by Denny's Corporation and its other subsidiaries and is secured by substantially all of the assets of Denny's and its subsidiaries. In addition, the Credit Facility is secured by first-priority mortgages on 118 company-owned real estate assets. The Credit Facility contains certain financial covenants (i.e., maximum total debt to EBITDA (as defined under the Credit Facility) ratio requirements, maximum senior secured debt to EBITDA ratio requirements, minimum fixed charge coverage ratio requirements and limitations on capital expenditures), negative covenants, conditions precedent, material adverse change provisions, events of default and other terms, conditions and provisions customarily found in credit agreements for facilities and transactions of this type. We were in compliance with the terms of the Credit Facility as of September 24, 2008.

A commitment fee of 0.5% is paid on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility. Interest on loans under the revolving facility is payable at per annum rates equal to LIBOR plus 250 basis points and will adjust over time based on our leverage ratio. Interest on the term loan and letter of credit facility is payable at per annum rates equal to LIBOR plus 200 basis points. Prior to considering the impact of the interest rate swap described below, the weighted-average interest rate under the term loan was 4.8% and 7.1% as of September 24, 2008 and September 26, 2007, respectively.

Interest Rate Swap

During the second quarter of fiscal 2007, we entered into an interest rate swap with a notional amount of $150 million to hedge a portion of the cash flows of our variable rate debt. We designated the interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge of our exposure to variability in future cash flows attributable to interest payments on the first $150 million of floating rate debt. Under the terms of the swap, we pay a fixed rate of 4.8925% on the $150 million notional amount and receive payments from the counterparties based on the 3-month LIBOR rate for a term ending on March 30, 2010, effectively resulting in a fixed rate of 6.8925% on the $150 million notional amount at the inception of the swap. Interest rate differentials paid or received under the swap agreement are recognized as adjustments to interest expense.
 
Prior to December 26, 2007, to the extent the swap was effective in offsetting the variability of the hedged cash flows, changes in the fair value of the swap were not included in current earnings, but were reported as adjustments to other comprehensive income. At December 26, 2007, we determined that a portion of the underlying cash flows related to the swap (i.e., interest payments on $150 million of floating rate debt) were no longer probable of occurring over the term of the interest rate swap as a result of the probability of paying the debt down below $150 million through scheduled repayments and prepayments with cash from the sale of company-owned restaurant operations to franchisees. As a result, we discontinued hedge accounting treatment.  The losses related to the fair value of the swap included in accumulated other comprehensive income as of December 26, 2007 will be amortized to other nonoperating expense over the remaining term of the interest rate swap. Additionally, changes in the fair value of the swap are recorded in other nonoperating expense. 
 
The changes in accumulated other comprehensive income related to the swap for the quarter and three quarters ended September 24, 2008 are as follows:
 
   
Quarter Ended
September 24, 2008
   
Three Quarters Ended
September 24, 2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, beginning of period
 
$
(1,794
 
$
(2,353
Amortization of unrealized losses related to the interest rate swap (recorded in other
nonoperating expense)
   
293
     
852
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, end of period
 
$
(1,501
 
$
(1,501
 
The changes in fair value of the interest rate swap for the quarter and three quarters ended September 24, 2008 are as follows:
 
   
Quarter Ended
September 24, 2008
   
Three Quarters Ended
September 24, 2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Fair value of the interest rate swap, beginning of period
  $ (2,850 )   $ (2,753 )
Change in the fair value of the interest rate swap (recorded in other nonoperating expense)
    247       (2,242 )
Termination of a portion of the swap
          2,392  
Fair value of the interest rate swap, end of period
  $ (2,603 )   $ (2,603 )
 
On March 26, 2008, we terminated $50 million notional amount of the interest rate swap. The termination resulted in a $2.4 million cash payment, which was made during the quarter ended June 25, 2008.  
 
By using a derivative instrument to hedge exposures to changes in interest rates, we expose ourselves to credit risk. Credit risk is the failure of the counterparty to perform under the terms of the derivative contract. We minimize the credit risk by entering into transactions with high-quality counterparties whose credit rating is evaluated on a quarterly basis.

Note 8.   Defined Benefit Plans

The components of net pension cost of our pension plan and other defined benefit plans as determined under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87, “Employers’ Accounting for Pensions,” as amended by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158, "Employer's Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans," are as follows:
 
   
Pension Plan
   
Other Defined Benefit Plans
 
   
Quarter Ended
   
Quarter Ended
 
   
September 24, 2008
   
September 26, 2007
   
September 24, 2008
   
September 26, 2007
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Service cost
 
$
88
   
$
88
   
$
   
$
 
Interest cost
   
847
     
786
     
49
     
48
 
Expected return on plan assets
   
(969
)
   
(883
)
   
     
 
Amortization of net loss
   
151
     
221
     
4
     
5
 
Net periodic benefit cost
 
$
117
   
$
212
   
$
53
   
$
53
 
 
10

 
   
Pension Plan
   
Other Defined Benefit Plans
 
   
Three Quarters Ended
   
Three Quarters Ended
 
   
September 24, 2008
   
September 26, 2007
   
September 24, 2008
   
September 26, 2007
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Service cost
 
$
263
   
$
263
   
$
   
$
 
Interest cost
   
2,541
     
2,358
     
146
     
143
 
Expected return on plan assets
   
(2,908
)
   
(2,647
)
   
     
 
Amortization of net loss
   
451
     
662
     
14
     
17
 
Net periodic benefit cost
 
$
347
   
$
636
   
$
160
   
$
160
 
 
We made contributions of $1.3 million and $2.8 million to our qualified pension plan during the three quarters ended September 24, 2008 and September 26, 2007, respectively. We made contributions of $0.7 million and $0.2 million to our other defined benefit plans during the three quarters ended September 24, 2008 and September 26, 2007, respectively. We expect to contribute $0.1 million to our qualified pension plan and $0.1 million to our other defined benefit plans during the remainder of fiscal 2008.

Additional minimum pension liability of $10.8 million is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Deficit and Comprehensive Loss as of September 24, 2008 and December 26, 2007.

Note 9.   Share-Based Compensation

Total share-based compensation included as a component of net income was as follows:

   
Quarter Ended
   
Three Quarters Ended
 
   
September 24, 2008
   
September 26, 2007
   
September 24, 2008
   
September 26, 2007
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Share-based compensation related to liability
classified restricted stock units
 
$
(119
)
 
$
(24
)
 
$
(80
)
 
$
658
 
Share based compensation related to equity
classified awards:
                               
Stock options
 
$
396
   
448
   
$
1,321
   
1,067
 
Restricted stock units
   
511
     
176
     
1,086
     
1,034
 
Board deferred stock units
   
61
     
81
     
184
     
241
 
Total share-based compensation related to
equity classified awards
   
968
     
705
     
2,591
     
2,342
 
Total share-based compensation
 
$
849
   
$
681
   
$
2,511
   
$
3,000
 

Additionally, during the three quarters ended September 24, 2008, we issued approximately 97,000 shares of common stock in lieu of cash to pay approximately $0.3 million of incentive compensation.
 
Stock Options

During the three quarters ended September 24, 2008, we granted approximately 1.5 million stock options to certain employees and approximately 0.2 million stock options to the non-employee members of our Board of Directors. These stock options vest evenly over 3 years and have a 10-year contractual life.

The weighted average fair value per option of options granted during the three quarters ended September 24, 2008 was $1.18. The fair value of the stock options granted in the period ended September 24, 2008 was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Use of this option pricing model requires the input of subjective assumptions. These assumptions include estimating the length of time employees will retain their vested stock options before exercising them (“expected term”), the estimated volatility of our common stock price over the expected term and the number of options that will ultimately not complete their vesting requirements (“forfeitures”). Changes in the subjective assumptions can materially affect the estimate of the fair value of share-based compensation and consequently, the related amount recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

We used the following weighted average assumptions for the stock option grants for the three quarters ended September 24, 2008:
 
Dividend yield
   
0.0
%
Expected volatility
   
50.1
%
Risk-free interest rate
   
2.7
%
Weighted-average expected term
 
4.6 years
 
 
The dividend yield assumption was based on our dividend payment history and expectations of future dividend payments. The expected volatility was based on the historical volatility of our stock for a period approximating the expected life. The risk-free interest rate was based on published U.S. Treasury spot rates in effect at the time of grant with terms approximating the expected life of the option. The weighted average expected term of the options represents the period of time the options are expected to be outstanding based on historical trends.
 
As of September 24, 2008, there was approximately $2.4 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock option awards outstanding, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average of 2.0 years.

Restricted Stock Units
 
In July 2008, we granted approximately 0.3 million restricted stock units under the 2004 Omnibus Plan and approximately 0.9 million restricted stock units under the 2008 Omnibus Plan to certain employees. The awards (which are equity classified) have a grant date fair value of $2.57 per share. These restricted units will be earned and vest in 1/3 increments (from 50% to 120% of the target award for each such increment) based on the appreciation/(depreciation) of our common stock from the date of grant to each of three vesting periods (July 16, 2009, July 16, 2010 and July 16, 2011). Subsequent to the vesting periods, the earned restricted stock units will be paid to the holder in shares of common stock, provided the holder is then still employed with Denny’s or an affiliate. As these restricted stock units contain a market condition, the compensation expense is based on the Monte Carlo valuation method, which utilizes multiple input variables to determine the probability of the Company achieving the market condition and the fair value of the award. The awards granted to our named executive officers also contain a performance condition based on certain operating measures for the four fiscal quarters ending prior to July 16, 2009.
 
During the quarter ended September 24, 2008, we made payments of $0.5 million (before taxes) in cash and issued 0.2 million shares of common stock related to the restricted stock unit awards that vested as of June 30, 2008.  In addition, we made payments of less than $0.1 million (before taxes) in cash related to the restricted stock unit awards that vested as of July 9, 2008. During the first quarter of 2008, we made payments of $0.4 million (before taxes) in cash and issued 0.1 million shares of common stock related to the restricted stock unit awards that vested as of December 26, 2007.

11

Accrued compensation expense included as a component of the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet was as follows:
 
   
September 24, 2008
   
December 26, 2007
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Liability classified restricted stock units:
           
Other current liabilities                                                                                             
 
$
2,042
   
$
1,170
 
Other noncurrent liabilities
 
$
924
   
$
2,828
 
                 
Equity classified restricted stock units: 
               
Additional paid-in capital
 
$
4,179
   
$
3,925
 
 
As of September 24, 2008, we had approximately $4.7 million of unrecognized compensation cost (approximately $0.7 million for liability classified units and approximately $4.0 million for equity classified units) related to all unvested restricted stock unit awards outstanding, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average of 1.7 years.

Board Deferred Stock Units

During the three quarters ended September 24, 2008, we granted approximately 0.1 million deferred stock units (which are equity classified) with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $3.27 per unit to non-employee members of our Board of Directors. These awards are restricted in that they may not be converted to shares until the recipient has ceased serving as a member of the Board of Directors for Denny's Corporation at which time the awards automatically convert to shares. During the second quarter of 2008, one board member did not stand for reelection. As a result, the board member's deferred stock units were converted into shares of common stock.
 
Note 10.   Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Total comprehensive income was $18.7 million and $19.2 million for the three quarters ended September 24, 2008 and September 26, 2007, respectively.

The components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholder’s Deficit are as follows:

   
September 24, 2008
   
December 26, 2007
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Additional minimum pension liability
 
$
(10,791
)
 
$
(10,791
)
Unrealized gain on hedged transaction
   
(1,501
)
   
(2,353
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 
$
(12,292
)
 
$
(13,144
)

Note 11.   Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes was $0.7 million and $1.4 million for the quarter and three quarters ended September 24, 2008, respectively, compared with $0.4 million and $2.8 million for the quarter and three quarters ended September 26, 2007, respectively. The provision for income taxes for the first three quarters of 2008 and 2007 was determined using our effective rate estimated for the entire fiscal year. The quarter and three quarters ended September 24, 2008 also included the recognition of $0.6 million of current tax benefits. This item resulted from the enactment of certain federal laws that benefited us during the third quarter of 2008. The three quarters ended September 26, 2007 also included the recognition of $0.3 million of current tax benefits and a $0.6 million reduction to the valuation allowance. These items resulted from the enactment of certain federal and state laws that benefited us during the second quarter of 2007.
 
We have provided valuation allowances related to any benefits from income taxes resulting from the application of a statutory tax rate to our net operating losses (“NOL”) generated in previous periods. In addition, during 2008 and 2007, we utilized certain federal and state NOL carryforwards whose valuation allowances were established in connection with fresh start reporting on January 7, 1998. Accordingly, federal and state deferred tax expense was recorded in connection with fresh start reporting on January 7, 1998 with a corresponding adjustment to goodwill.  The amounts recognized were an increase of approximately $0.1 million and a decrease of approximately $0.0 million for the quarter and three quarters ended September 24, 2008, respectively, and decreases of $0.4 million and $2.9 million for the quarter and three quarters ended September 26, 2007, respectively.
 
The reduction in our effective tax rate for the three quarters ended September 24, 2008 was due primarily to the utilization of federal net operating loss carryforwards from periods prior to fresh start reporting on January 7, 1998. These federal net operating loss carryforwards were fully utilized during fiscal 2007. We still have certain state net operating loss carryforwards from periods prior to fresh start reporting that have been utilized in both fiscal 2007 and 2008.

Note 12.   Net Income Per Share

   
Quarter Ended
   
Three Quarters Ended
 
   
September 24, 2008
   
September 26, 2007
   
September 24, 2008
   
September 26, 2007
 
   
(In thousands, except for per share amounts)
 
Numerator:
                       
Numerator for basic and diluted net income per
share - net income
 
$
10,562
   
$
4,950
   
$
17,837
   
$
16,620
 
                                 
Denominator:
                               
Denominator for basic net income per share –
weighted average shares
   
95,333
     
93,915
     
95,059
     
93,674
 
Effect of dilutive securities:
                               
Options
   
2,056
     
3,737
     
2,517
     
4,073
 
Restricted stock units and awards
   
943
     
953
     
1,615
     
1,023
 
Denominator for diluted net income per share -
adjusted weighted average shares and assumed
conversions of dilutive securities
   
98,332
     
98,605
     
99,191
     
98,770
 
                                 
Basic net income per share
 
$
0.11
   
$
0.05
   
$
0.19
   
$
0.18
 
Diluted net income per share
 
$
0.11
   
$
0.05
   
$
0.18
   
$
0.17
 
                                 
Stock options excluded (1)
   
3,670
     
2,109
     
3,409
     
1,861
 
 
(1) Excluded from diluted weighted-average shares outstanding as the impact would have been antidilutive.
 
 
12

Note 13.   Supplemental Cash Flow Information

   
Three Quarters Ended
 
   
September 24, 2008