UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): December 11, 2008
DineEquity, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
Delaware |
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001-15283 |
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95-3038279 |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) |
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(Commission File Number) |
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(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
450 North Brand, Glendale, California |
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91203 |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) |
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(Zip Code) |
(818) 240-6055
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
IHOP Corp.
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the Registrant under any of the following provisions:
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
ITEM 8.01 OTHER EVENTS
On December 11, 2008, DineEquity, Inc. issued a press release announcing the suspension of its quarterly cash dividend to common stockholders.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
Exhibit |
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Description |
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99.1 |
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Press release of Registrant dated December 11, 2008, re Suspension of Common Dividend. |
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Date: December 16, 2008 |
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DineEquity, Inc. |
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By: |
/s/ GREGGORY KALVIN |
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Name: Greggory Kalvin |
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Title: Acting Chief Financial Officer and |
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. |
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Description |
99.1 |
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Press release of Registrant dated December 11, 2008, re Suspension of Common Dividend. |
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Exhibit 99.1
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Investor Contact |
News Release |
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Stacy Roughan |
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Director, Investor Relations |
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DineEquity, Inc. |
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818-637-3632 |
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Media Contact |
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Lucy Neugart |
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Sard Verbinen |
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415-618-8750 |
DineEquity, Inc. Announces Suspension of Common Dividend
Cash to be Used to Retire Companys Consolidated Funded Debt
GLENDALE, Calif., December 11, 2008 DineEquity, Inc. (NYSE: DIN), franchisor and operator of Applebees Neighborhood Grill & Bar and IHOP Restaurants, today announced that its Board of Directors suspended the payment of its quarterly cash dividend to common shareholders for the foreseeable future. This reflects ongoing proactive steps DineEquity is taking to maximize its financial flexibility as the Company plans to reallocate the approximately $17 million in cash it has been paying out in annual dividends on common stock to opportunistically retire outstanding debt.
Julia A. Stewart, DineEquitys chairman and chief executive officer, said, Todays financial market environment presents a unique opportunity for us to retire debt. With this action, we expect to further accelerate the reduction of our consolidated funded debt. Additionally, the Company expects to utilize proceeds generated by our asset disposition strategy for Applebees as well as excess free cash flow from operations to reduce overall debt levels. We believe this is a prudent step that is expected to create value for shareholders over the long-term.
About DineEquity, Inc.
Based in Glendale, California, DineEquity, Inc. franchises and operates restaurants under the Applebees Neighborhood Grill & Bar and IHOP brands. With nearly 3,400 restaurants combined, DineEquity is the largest full-service restaurant company in the world. For more information on DineEquity, visit the Companys Web site located at www.dineequity.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
There are forward-looking statements contained in this news release. They use such words as may, will, expect, believe, plan, or other similar terminology, and include statements regarding the strategic and financial benefits of the acquisition of Applebees International, Inc., expectations regarding integration and cost savings, and other financial guidance. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results to be materially different than those expressed or implied in such statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: the implementation of the Companys strategic growth plan; the availability of suitable locations and terms for the sites designated for development; the ability of franchise developers to fulfill their commitments to build new
DineEquity, Inc.
450 North Brand Blvd., 7th floor
Glendale, California 91203-4415
866.995.DINE
restaurants in the numbers and time frames covered by their development agreements; legislation and government regulation including the ability to obtain satisfactory regulatory approvals; risks associated with executing the Companys strategic plan for Applebees; risks associated with the Companys incurrence of significant indebtedness to finance the acquisition of Applebees; the failure to realize the synergies and other perceived advantages resulting from the acquisition; costs and potential litigation associated with the acquisition; the ability to retain key personnel after the acquisition; conditions beyond the Companys control such as weather, natural disasters, disease outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics impacting the Companys customers or food supplies; or acts of war or terrorism; availability and cost of materials and labor; cost and availability of capital; competition; continuing acceptance of the IHOP, International House of Pancakes and Applebees brands and concepts by guests and franchisees; the Companys overall marketing, operational and financial performance; economic and political conditions; adoption of new, or changes in, accounting policies and practices; and other factors discussed from time to time in the Companys news releases, public statements and/or filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, especially the Risk Factors sections of Annual and Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q. Forward-looking information is provided by the Company pursuant to the safe harbor established under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and should be evaluated in the context of these factors. In addition, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
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