Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Denny's reported system-wide same restaurant sales of negative 1.3%, reflecting a sequential improvement of approximately 170 basis points from the first quarter [6][25] - Total operating revenue increased to $117.7 million compared to $115.9 million for the prior year quarter, driven by 12 additional Kiki's company cafes [33] - Adjusted net income per share was $0.09, with an effective income tax rate of 34.3% compared to 25.1% for the prior year quarter [36] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Denny's Company restaurants delivered flat same restaurant sales for the second quarter, while Kiki's achieved positive same restaurant sales of 4% compared to the prior year quarter [31][25] - Off-premise sales contributed a 1.5% improvement in same restaurant sales during Q2, representing 21% of total sales [10][28] - Kiki's average check increased approximately 6% during the second quarter, driven by pricing and off-premise growth [31] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The top four DMAs (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, and Phoenix) represented nearly 30% of Denny's comp sales base but faced macroeconomic pressures, contributing to a reduction in system-wide same restaurant sales [7] - Denny's experienced a significant improvement in the 50,000 to 70,000 income cohort, indicating a shift in spending patterns [26][48] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Denny's is focused on driving profitable traffic through value messaging and merchandising, with initiatives like the buy one, get one slam for a dollar deal [8][10] - The company is implementing a new points-based loyalty program aimed at increasing guest engagement and frequency [11][24] - Denny's is rationalizing its portfolio by closing underperforming restaurants, which has resulted in a franchise AUV increase of approximately 5% [12][29] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted a choppy consumer environment with household incomes under pressure and volatile consumer sentiment [6][25] - There is optimism regarding the stabilization of the macro environment, which could positively impact sales initiatives [77] - The company expects to reach the low end of its same restaurant sales guidance range, supported by digital enhancements and strong off-premise sales [37][45] Other Important Information - Denny's opened three restaurants during the quarter and closed ten franchised restaurants, with average unit volumes of approximately one million dollars [28] - The company completed 14 remodels, bringing its company fleet to nearly 55 remodeled locations [29] - Denny's plans to resume share repurchases in the fourth quarter, aiming to achieve a guidance range of $15 to $25 million [39] Q&A Session Summary Question: What might July same store sales look like? - Management indicated that July has been volatile, but they are optimistic about achieving the lower end of the same store sales guidance due to upcoming initiatives [41][43] Question: Why did the 50,000 to 70,000 income cohort see the biggest improvement? - Management attributed this to effective promotions like the BOGO deal, which attracted new and lapsed users [48][49] Question: How is the value mix structured between everyday value and limited-time offers? - Management clarified that everyday value is crucial, but limited-time offers have also driven significant traffic, and they plan to continue testing new value propositions [53][56] Question: Can the buy one get one for $1 promotion return? - Management stated that while the promotion was successful, it was refreshed for summer with new offerings, but it could return depending on future conditions [91][93]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Denny's reported Q1 domestic system-wide same restaurant sales decreased by 3% compared to the previous year, with company same restaurant sales down by 0.9% and franchise same restaurant sales down by 3.2% [16][17] - Total operating revenue for the quarter was $111.6 million, up from $110 million in the prior year quarter, driven by additional Kiki's units and higher local advertising contributions [23] - Adjusted net income per share was $0.08, with an adjusted EBITDA of $16.8 million [30] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Denny's same restaurant sales decreased by 3% in Q1, but April saw same restaurant sales approximately flat due to the successful Buy One Slam, Get One for $1 promotion [6][7] - Kiki's Breakfast Cafe achieved a same restaurant sales increase of 3.9% in Q1, significantly outperforming the BBI Family Dining Index in Florida [12][20] - Off-premise sales contributed positively, improving same restaurant sales by 1% and representing 22% of total sales [18][11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - California and Florida were the strongest markets for Denny's, with California outperforming the BBI Family Dining Sales Index for the fifth consecutive quarter [16] - Consumer sentiment remains negative, particularly among lower-income households, impacting overall sales performance [6][17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on value-driven initiatives and promotional offers to attract customers in a challenging economic environment [5][6] - Denny's is committed to expanding Kiki's Breakfast Cafe, with plans for 12 to 20 new openings this year, and has opened six new cafes year-to-date [22][12] - The company is also enhancing its digital presence and off-premise strategies to capture a broader audience [10][11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism about the second quarter, noting improvements in consumer sentiment and sales trends [31][50] - The company anticipates being in the lower half of its same restaurant sales guidance range for the year, projecting a range of negative 2% to positive 1% [31][32] - Management highlighted the importance of ongoing promotional strategies and value offerings to maintain customer engagement [39][41] Other Important Information - The company completed six remodels during the quarter, with over 50% of its company fleet remodeled under the new image [19] - Commodity costs, particularly for eggs, have significantly impacted margins, with expectations for prices to moderate in the coming months [25][27] Q&A Session Summary Question: How is the strategy of introducing new value offers shaping the outlook for the rest of the year? - Management indicated that the promotional value strategy is essential in the current environment, and they will continue to refine it while monitoring consumer needs [39][40] Question: Are there signs of improvement in consumer sentiment across different cohorts? - Management noted that all income cohorts showed improvement in April, particularly those earning above $60,000 [52] Question: What is the franchisee appetite for promotions like the BOGO offer? - Franchisees have responded positively to the BOGO promotion, which has driven traffic and improved overall sales [56][58] Question: What is the outlook for menu pricing and its impact on same-store sales? - The company expects approximately 4% to 4.5% of pricing to be implemented in 2025, with a cautious approach to future pricing adjustments based on market conditions [63][64] Question: How is the company managing the impact of new cafe openings on margins? - Management acknowledged that new cafes typically experience inefficiencies initially, but they are working to optimize operations over time [96][98] Question: What is the expected impact of egg prices on margins moving forward? - Management indicated that the worst impact from egg prices was seen in Q1, with expectations for moderation in the following quarters [100]