Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - System wide sales increased by 11% to $826 million, with same store sales growth of 5.8% for the quarter [6][20] - Total net sales rose by 11% to $403 million when adjusted for refranchising impacts [6][20] - Adjusted EBITDA increased by 6% to $104 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 25.9%, a decrease of 110 basis points year over year [6][23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The system wide store count reached 2,078, an 8% increase year over year [6] - Approximately one third of same store sales growth came from transactions, with the remainder driven by ticket growth [31][32] - Non-oil change revenue continues to grow, contributing positively to overall sales [90][93] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has not observed significant changes in consumer behavior despite macroeconomic uncertainties, with continued demand for services [12][44] - The company maintains a market share of about 5% in the overall market for oil changes, indicating substantial growth potential [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on network growth, with plans to add approximately 200 stores through the acquisition of Breeze Auto Care [16][111] - Strategic priorities include enhancing marketing capabilities and improving customer engagement through technology investments [13][14] - The company aims to leverage its strong brand and customer data to differentiate itself from competitors [12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expects minimal impact from tariffs and is confident in navigating cost changes through various strategies [10][26] - The company reaffirms its guidance for same store sales growth in the range of 5% to 7% for the full year [53][118] - Management remains optimistic about the resilience of the business, citing strong fundamentals and demand drivers in the industry [12][44] Other Important Information - The company is transitioning to a new CFO, Kevin Willis, effective May 19 [6] - Share repurchases for Q2 totaled $21 million, with a year-to-date total of $60 million, paused in anticipation of the Breeze acquisition [25] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you break out the 5.8% same store sales between ticket and car count? - Transactions drove about a third of the overall comp, with two thirds driven by ticket growth, impacted by weekday mix and Easter shifts [31][32] Question: Is there a plan to take cost actions regarding SG&A? - Management expects SG&A growth to moderate and leverage to improve as refranchising impacts lessen [34][36] Question: Can you provide perspective on the cadence of comps throughout the quarter? - February was weaker due to challenging weather, but January and March showed consistent performance [42] Question: Are you seeing any impact from base oil deflation? - Modest deleverage in product costs was noted, with expectations for potential benefits from declining crude prices in the future [45][84] Question: What is the current penetration rate for non-oil change services? - The penetration rate for non-oil change services has been growing, with significant contributions from visual elements like wipers and filters [90][92] Question: How do lower oil prices impact gross margins? - Lower oil prices generally lead to delayed adjustments in lubricant pricing, with potential tailwinds expected if crude prices remain low [82][84]

Financial Performance - System-wide store sales reached $826 million, an increase of 11%[7] - Net sales were $403 million, up by 11%[8] - Adjusted EBITDA was $104 million, a 6% increase[11] - Adjusted EPS increased by 3% to $034[10] Network Growth - Valvoline achieved 58% system-wide same store sales growth[15] - The company added 33 net new stores, including 15 franchise and 18 company-operated locations[12] - Total system locations reached 2,078, an 8% increase[13] Strategic Initiatives - Refranchising and new partnerships are expected to add over 20 stores in fiscal year 2025[22, 25] - The company is targeting 250 unit additions per year[22, 25] Fiscal Year 2025 Guidance - Valvoline reaffirms its fiscal year 2025 guidance[48] - The company expects same store sales growth between 5% and 7%[52] - System-wide store additions are projected to be between 160 and 185[52] - Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be between $450 million and $470 million[52] - Adjusted EPS is projected to be between $157 and $167[52]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - System wide sales increased to $530.3 million, up 9% in Q4 2024 compared to 8% in Q3 2024 [15] - Revenue for continuing operations increased 14% in Q4 2024, up from 10% in Q3 2024 [16] - Consolidated adjusted EBITDA was $3.3 million for Q4 2024 and $11.4 million for the full year 2024 [17][34] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - System wide comp sales for all clinics opened for thirteen months were 6% in Q4 2024, up from 4% in Q3 2024 [15] - System wide comp sales for mature clinics opened for 48 months were modestly positive for Q4 2024, improving from negative 2% in Q3 2024 [15][26] - Revenue from franchise operations reached $14.4 million in Q4 2024, compared to $12.7 million in Q4 2023, reflecting a 14% increase [29] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company served approximately 950,000 new patients in 2024, with 36% of them being new to chiropractic care [10][25] - The annual spending on chiropractic care is estimated at $20.6 billion, with out-of-pocket spending increasing from 37% to 42% [37] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to strengthen its position as a leading chiropractic care provider and become a pure play franchisor [9][12] - Plans include refranchising to reduce overhead and increase operating leverage, with a focus on dynamic revenue management and enhancing digital marketing [18][21] - The company is exploring new revenue streams, including B2B opportunities and additional clinical services [19][86] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that consumer behavior is being affected by stubborn inflation and economic uncertainty, impacting patient demographics [47][48] - The company expects 2025 to be a transition year as it shifts from corporate-owned clinics to a franchise model, which will enhance profitability [35][90] - Management is focused on reducing G&A expenses to improve the bottom line significantly in the coming years [29][92] Other Important Information - The company opened 57 franchise clinics in 2024 and closed 18, resulting in a total of 967 clinics, with 87% being franchise clinics [27] - The company has received accolades, including being recognized as number 38 on the Fast and Serious 2025 list of the smartest growing franchises [44] Q&A Session Summary Question: Comments on potentially slower consumer behavior in Q1 metrics - Management acknowledged signs of consumer response to inflation and economic uncertainty, particularly affecting their target demographic [47][48] Question: Retention rates and trends - Retention rates remained stable, with strong conversion rates for new patients and slight upticks in attrition typical for January [51][53] Question: Status of refranchising efforts - The company has 125 corporate clinics, with the majority under LOI negotiations, aiming to complete refranchising in the first half of the year [55][80] Question: Trends in same store sales - Year-to-date trends are consistent with Q4 figures, with expectations for Q1 to align with previous trends [60][61] Question: Valuation of LOIs for refranchising - Management indicated that bidders are looking at a multiple of EBITDA for the corporate clinics, with ongoing negotiations [62][64] Question: Customer acquisition costs and revenue growth - Increased marketing spend is aimed at driving new patient acquisition, with a focus on optimizing customer acquisition costs [66][68] Question: Pricing strategy and legacy customer rates - The last wholesale price increase occurred in March 2022, with 80% of active members on standard rates and 20% on legacy rates [72][74] Question: Timing for new services and retail products - Exploration of new services and retail products is ongoing, with a focus on strengthening core operations before launching new initiatives [86]