The Joint Corp. Reports Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results

– Increases Annual System-Wide Gross Sales 31%, Compared to Third Quarter 2017 –
– Grows Revenue 23%, Compared to Third Quarter 2017 –
– Sells 60 Franchise Licenses January through September 2018, up from 37 in 2017 –
– Appoints Jake Singleton Chief Financial Officer –

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Nov. 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Joint Corp. (NASDAQ: JYNT), a national operator, manager and franchisor of chiropractic clinics, reported financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2018.    

Third Quarter Highlights: 2018 Compared to 2017

  • Increased gross system-wide sales 31%, to $42.2 million.
  • Grew system-wide comp sales1 26%.
  • Increased revenue 23%, to $8.1 million.
  • Reported net loss of $152,000, an improvement of $280,000.
  • Posted positive Adjusted EBITDA of $665,000, an improvement of $386,000.

Other Notable Achievements

  • Achieved positive Adjusted EBITDA for the fifth consecutive quarter.
  • Increased total clinics to 422 as of September 30, 2018: Opened 10 franchised clinics and closed one franchised clinic.
  • Sold 26 franchise licenses, increasing the total to 60 as of September 30, compared to 37 licenses for the full year 2017. 
  • Appointed Jake Singleton as the new Chief Financial Officer. Singleton served as The Joint’s corporate controller for three years, prior to which he worked at Ernst & Young in the Assurance and Capital Markets practices.  

____________________________________________
1 Comp sales refers to the amount of sales a clinic generates in the most recent accounting period, compared to sales in the comparable period of the prior year, and (i) includes sales only from clinics that have been open at least 13 full months and (ii) excludes any clinics that have closed.

“Our franchised and corporate clinics continue to provide accessible and affordable, quality chiropractic care for pain management and improved health and wellness and once again delivered strong quarterly results,” stated Peter D. Holt, president and chief executive officer of The Joint Corp.  “Strategic execution and increasingly effective marketing have yielded more clinics, more new patients and more visits from existing patients, fueling a 26% increase in same store sales and 23% revenue growth in the third quarter, compared to the same period last year.  We continue to generate cash flow, and our strengthened balance sheet shows our expansion strategy is working.” 

Holt continued, “Now, we have entered the fourth quarter, which historically has been the strongest quarter for both gross sales and clinic openings, and we expect the same this year, keeping us on track to achieve our full-year 2018 financial guidance.  Focused on sustainable, long-term expansion, we continue to grow our regional developer (RD) program and reached a count of 20 RDs in early October. RDs are a key growth driver. In the first nine months of 2018, RDs accounted for 83% of our 60 franchise license sales, compared to 49% of 37 in all of 2017. Our augmented foundation of RDs, combined with our efforts to expand our corporate clinics portfolio within clustered locations and to enhance individual clinic performance, is amplifying our growth potential in 2019 and beyond.”

Third Quarter Financial Results: 2018 Compared to 2017

Revenue grew 23% to $8.1 million, compared to $6.5 million in the third quarter of 2017, due primarily to increased sales at company-owned or managed clinics and a greater number of franchised clinics.

Cost of revenue was $1.1 million, up 29% compared to the third quarter of 2017, reflecting higher commissions and royalties paid to regional developers for an increased number of franchised locations opened.

Gross profit was $7.0 million, increasing 22% from $5.7 million in the third quarter of 2017.

Selling and marketing expenses were $1.2 million, or 15% of revenue, compared to $1.2 million, or 18% of revenue, in the third quarter of 2017 reflecting increased leverage with marketing expenses related to the increase in the number of company-owned or managed clinics. General and administrative expenses were $5.2 million, or 65% of revenue, compared to $4.5 million, or 68% of revenue, in the third quarter of 2017. During the third quarter of 2018, management entered into a license agreement with a software-as-a-service IT platform, which will replace the current proprietary IT platform and provide long-term sustainable benefits.  As a result, the company recorded a one-time non-cash loss on impairment of $343,000 related to previously capitalized in-house IT development. Net loss was $152,000, or $0.01 per share, compared to a net loss of $432,000, or $0.03 per share, in the third quarter of 2017.

Adjusted EBITDA was $665,000, an improvement of $386,000 compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $279,000 in the same quarter last year.  The company defines Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, as EBITDA before acquisition-related expenses, bargain purchase gain, loss on disposition or impairment, and stock-based compensation expenses. The company defines EBITDA as net income (loss) before net interest, tax expense, depreciation, and amortization expenses.

Balance Sheet Liquidity

Cash and cash equivalents were $5.6 million at September 30, 2018, compared to $4.2 million at December 31, 2017, increasing primarily from cash flow from operations. Pursuant to the terms of the company’s credit agreement, during the first quarter of 2017, the company borrowed a required $1.0 million on its line of credit, which remains unused as part of cash and cash equivalents on the balance sheet as of September 30, 2018.

2018 Financial Guidance

Management reaffirmed its full year 2018 financial guidance and franchise opening guidance and narrowed its corporate clinic opening expectations as set forth below:

  • Revenue is expected to be between $31 million and $32 million, up from $25.0 million in 2017.
  • Adjusted EBITDA income is expected to range between $2.5 million and $3.5 million. The company reported Adjusted EBITDA loss of $(274,000) in 2017.
  • Total new clinic openings are expected to be in the range of 40 to 50, representing the originally forecasted new franchised clinics range of 40 to 50 plus the corporate clinic purchased from a franchisee earlier this year that was neutral to the total clinic count.

Conference Call

The Joint Corp. management will host a conference call at 5 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 8, 2018, to discuss the third quarter 2018 results. The conference call may be accessed by dialing 765-507-2604 or 844-464-3931 and referencing conference code 9399566. A live webcast of the conference call will also be available on the investor relations section of the company’s website at https://ir.thejoint.com/events. An audio replay will be available two hours after the conclusion of the call through November 15, 2018. The replay can be accessed by dialing 404-537-3406 or 855-859-2056. The passcode for the replay is 9399566.

Non-GAAP Financial Information

This earnings release includes a presentation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, which are non-GAAP financial measures. These are presented because they are important measures used by management to assess financial performance, as management believes they provide a more transparent view of the company’s underlying operating performance and operating trends. Reconciliation of net loss to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA is presented in the table below. The company defines Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA before acquisition-related expenses, bargain purchase gain, loss on disposition or impairment, and stock-based compensation expenses. The company defines EBITDA as net income (loss) before net interest, tax expense, depreciation, and amortization expenses.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not represent and should not be considered alternatives to net income or cash flows from operations, as determined by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP. While EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are used as measures of financial performance and the ability to meet debt service requirements, they are not necessarily comparable to other similarly titled captions of other companies due to potential inconsistencies in the methods of calculation. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should be reviewed in conjunction with the company’s financial statements filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements about future events and expectations that constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and expectations of industry trends, our future financial and operating performance and our growth plans, taking into account the information currently available to us. These statements are not statements of historical fact. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations of future results we express or imply in any forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on such statements. Factors that could contribute to these differences include, but are not limited to, our failure to develop or acquire corporate clinics as rapidly as we intend, our failure to profitably operate corporate clinics, and the factors described in “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC for the year ended December 31, 2017.  Words such as, “anticipates,” “believes,” “continues,” “estimates,” “expects,” “goal,” “objectives,” “intends,” “may,” “opportunity,” “plans,” “potential,” “near-term,” “long-term,” “projections,” “assumptions,” “projects,” “guidance,” “forecasts,” “outlook,” “target,” “trends,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “will,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. We qualify any forward-looking statements entirely by these cautionary factors. We assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. Comparisons of results for current and any prior periods are not intended to express any future trends or indications of future performance, unless expressed as such, and should only be viewed as historical data.

About The Joint Corp. (NASDAQ: JYNT)

Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, The Joint is an emerging growth company that is reinventing chiropractic by making quality care convenient and affordable for patients seeking pain relief and ongoing wellness. Its no-appointment policy and convenient hours and locations make care more accessible, and affordable membership plans and packages eliminate the need for insurance. With over 400 clinics nationwide and nearly 5 million patient visits annually, The Joint is a key leader in the chiropractic profession. For more information, visit www.thejoint.com or follow the brand on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Business Structure

The Joint Corp. is a franchisor of clinics and an operator of clinics in certain states. In Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Washington, The Joint and its franchisees provide management services to affiliated professional chiropractic practices.

Media Contact: Jason Greenwood, The Joint Corp., [email protected]
Investor Contact: Kirsten Chapman, LHA Investor Relations, 415-433-3777, [email protected]

— Financial Tables Follow —

 
THE JOINT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
           
      September 30,   December 31,
        2018       2017  
ASSETS     (unaudited)   (as adjusted)
Current assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents     $ 5,611,008     $ 4,216,221  
Restricted cash       185,396       103,819  
Accounts receivable, net       1,204,957       1,138,380  
Notes receivable – current portion       145,677       171,928  
Deferred franchise costs – current portion       573,893       498,433  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets       702,233       542,342  
Total current assets       8,423,164       6,671,123  
Property and equipment, net       3,269,739       3,800,466  
Notes receivable, net of current portion and reserve       167,466       351,857  
Deferred franchise costs, net of current portion       2,668,493       2,312,837  
Intangible assets, net       1,765,322       1,760,042  
Goodwill       2,916,426       2,916,426  
Deposits and other assets       593,009       623,308  
Total assets     $ 19,803,619     $ 18,436,059  
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY           
Current liabilities:          
Accounts payable     $ 911,618     $ 1,068,669  
Accrued expenses       103,801       86,959  
Co-op funds liability       145,766       89,681  
Payroll liabilities       1,288,436       867,430  
Notes payable – current portion       100,000       100,000  
Deferred rent – current portion       143,713       152,198  
Deferred franchise revenue – current portion       2,165,112       1,994,182  
Deferred revenue from company clinics       1,002,578       867,804  
Other current liabilities       327,924       152,534  
Total current liabilities       6,188,948       5,379,457  
Notes payable, net of current portion       1,000,000       1,000,000  
Deferred rent, net of current portion       724,651       802,492  
Deferred franchise revenue, net of current portion       10,148,199       9,552,746  
Deferred tax liability             136,434  
Other liabilities       407,028       411,497  
Total liabilities       18,468,826       17,282,626  
Commitments and contingencies          
Stockholders’ equity:          
Series A preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 50,000          
shares authorized, 0 issued and outstanding, as of September 30, 2018,          
and  December 31, 2017              
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 20,000,000 shares          
authorized, 13,748,678 shares issued and 13,734,008 shares outstanding          
as of September 30, 2018 and 13,600,338 shares issued and 13,586,254          
outstanding as of December 31, 2017       13,749       13,600  
Additional paid-in capital       37,997,377       37,229,869  
Treasury stock 14,670 shares as of September 30, 2018 and 14,084 shares as of          
December 31, 2017, at cost       (90,856 )     (86,045 )
Accumulated deficit       (36,585,477 )     (36,003,991 )
Total stockholders’ equity       1,334,793       1,153,433  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity     $ 19,803,619     $ 18,436,059  
                   

 
THE JOINT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
         
                 
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    September 30,   September 30,
      2018       2017       2018       2017  
        (as adjusted)       (as adjusted)
Revenues:                
Revenues and management fees from company clinics   $ 3,674,704     $ 2,929,850     $ 10,352,013     $ 8,106,121  
Royalty fees     2,588,666       1,958,249       7,283,839       5,518,409  
Franchise fees     457,516       381,777       1,254,997       1,041,151  
Advertising fund revenue     736,987       775,221       2,083,769       1,995,235  
Software fees     324,250       290,250       947,635       839,788  
Regional developer fees     142,651       99,215       415,075       262,102  
Other revenues     137,776       103,336       379,970       282,289  
Total revenues     8,062,550       6,537,898       22,717,298       18,045,095  
Cost of revenues:                
Franchise cost of revenues     1,005,162       735,554       2,855,712       2,071,394  
IT cost of revenues     79,545       103,590       252,911       227,903  
Total cost of revenues     1,084,707       839,144       3,108,623       2,299,297  
Selling and marketing expenses     1,194,595       1,172,559       3,590,562       3,189,489  
Depreciation and amortization     389,269       468,800       1,181,661       1,550,013  
General and administrative expenses     5,242,026       4,462,922       14,973,261       13,694,691  
Total selling, general and administrative expenses     6,825,890       6,104,281       19,745,484       18,434,193  
Loss on disposition or impairment     343,255             593,960       417,971  
Loss from operations     (191,302 )     (405,527 )     (730,769 )     (3,106,366 )
                 
Other income (expense):                
Bargain purchase gain                 75,264        
Other income (expense), net     (10,672 )     9,907       (33,556 )     (33,589 )
Total other income (expense)     (10,672 )     9,907       41,708       (33,589 )
                 
Loss before income tax expense     (201,974 )     (395,620 )     (689,061 )     (3,139,955 )
                 
Income tax benefit (expense)     50,171       (36,085 )     107,575       (79,277 )
                 
Net loss and comprehensive loss   $ (151,803 )   $ (431,705 )   $ (581,486 )   $ (3,219,232 )
                 
Loss per share:                
Basic and diluted loss per share   $ (0.01 )   $ (0.03 )   $ (0.04 )   $ (0.24 )
                 
Basic and diluted weighted average shares     13,727,712       13,262,032       13,646,599       13,144,764  
                 
Non-GAAP Financial Data:                
Net loss   $ (151,803 )   $ (431,705 )   $ (581,486 ) # $ (3,219,232 )
Net interest     10,672       20,093       32,581       67,944  
Depreciation and amoritzation expense     389,269       468,800     1,181,661   #   1,550,013  
Tax (benefit) expense penalties and interest     (50,171 )     36,085       (107,575 ) #   79,277  
EBITDA   $ 197,967     $ 93,273     $ 525,181     $ (1,521,998 )
Stock compensation expense     122,777       185,391       469,405       412,512  
Acquisition related expenses     701             3,950       13,142  
Loss on disposition or impairment     343,255             593,960       417,971  
Bargain Purchase Gain                 (75,264 )      
Adjusted EBITDA   $ 664,700     $ 278,664     $ 1,517,232     $ (678,373 )
                 

 
THE JOINT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
         
    Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
      2018       2017  
        (as adjusted)
         
Net loss   $ (581,486 )   $ (3,219,232 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash     1,847,452       2,366,723  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities     622,447       (740,912 )
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities     1,888,413       (1,593,421 )
Net cash used in investing activities     (698,770 )     (150,701 )
Net cash provided by financing activities     286,721       1,185,982  
Net increase (decrease) in cash and restricted cash   $ 1,476,364     $ (558,140 )