• Net sales increase 22.3 percent to $117.6 million compared to $96.2 million¹ in the comparable period in fiscal 2017; net sales increased 6.2 percent excluding Pineland net sales and sales to Bob Evans Restaurants (now 3^rd party);
  
  
• Retail side-dish and sausage pounds-sold increased 15.9 percent (excluding Pineland) and 4.5 percent, respectively, when compared to the comparable period last year;
  
  
• GAAP net income of $0.11 per diluted share compared to net loss per share of $0.21¹ in the prior year. Non-GAAP net income of $0.35 per diluted share, an increase of 16.7 percent compared to $0.30¹ in the prior year;
  
  
• Adjusted EBITDA decreased 1.9 percent to $17.7 million as compared to $18.0 million¹ in the comparable period in fiscal 2017;
  
  
• On September 18, 2017, the Company and Post Holdings entered into a definitive agreement in which Post will acquire Bob Evans for $77 per share.
  
  
• Quarterly dividend of $0.34 per share payable on December 22, 2017, to stockholders of record at the close of business on December 11, 2017.

¹ All references to the prior year period refer to results from continuing operations for the second quarter of fiscal 2017

Descriptions of measures excluding certain items are provided in "Adjusted EBITDA and other non-GAAP financial measures" below and reconciliations of such non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP measure are provided in the tables at the end of this release

NEW ALBANY, Ohio, Dec. 06, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bob Evans Farms, Inc. (NASDAQ:BOBE) today announced its financial results for the fiscal 2018 second quarter ended October 27, 2017.  On a GAAP basis, the Company reported net income of $2.3 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, compared with a net loss from continuing operations of $4.1 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, in the corresponding period last year.  Non-GAAP net income was $7.1 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, compared with non-GAAP net income from continuing operations of $6.0 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, in the corresponding period last year.

Second-quarter fiscal 2018 commentary
“We continued to deliver category leading growth in refrigerated side dishes in the second quarter, modestly exceeding our expectations,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Mike Townsley. “Second quarter margins, which are historically the lowest in our fiscal year as we invest in marketing initiatives to generate brand awareness ahead of our peak volume third quarter, were significantly impacted by higher sow costs (16 percent higher than prior year) that began late in the first quarter and continued through September before declining.  Additionally, higher trade spending during the quarter included strategic spend to maintain competitive positioning as well as slotting fees to support distribution gains. Lastly, our plant efficiencies were impacted by start-up activity for a new product with special packaging launched in advance of automated equipment planned for installation in early 2018.”

Second-quarter fiscal 2018 results
Net sales were $117.6 million, an increase of $21.5 million, or 22.3 percent, compared to $96.2 million in the corresponding period last year. The increase in net sales was partially driven by $9.5 million of sales from the Company's recently acquired Pineland business, as well as $6.0 million of sales to Bob Evans Restaurants (BER), which were eliminated in the prior year. Pounds sold for the second quarter increased 48.2 percent while average net selling price per pound declined 17.4 percent compared to the corresponding period last year. Excluding Pineland and sales to BER, pounds sold increased 11.4 percent while average net selling price per pound decreased 4.7 percent. The decline in average net selling price reflects an increased mix of food service sales as a result of both the acquisition of Pineland and the inclusion of sales to BER that were eliminated in the prior year period, as well as an increase in trade spending. From a net sales perspective, volume growth was driven by a 15.9 percent increase in retail side-dish pounds sold (excluding Pineland), a 4.5 percent increase in sausage pounds sold, and a 314.9 percent increase in food service pounds sold (16.8 percent excluding Pineland and BER), partially offset by a 10.6 percent decrease in the frozen and other categories, all compared to the comparable 13 week period in the prior year.

Gross profit increased 4.3 percent to $34.7 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 from $33.3 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2017. Gross profit margin decreased 510 basis points to 29.5 percent of net sales from 34.6 percent of net sales in the same period in the prior year. The decrease in gross profit margin was primarily driven by increased production costs associated with a new product launch, a higher mix of food service sales as a result of the acquisition of Pineland, an increase in average sow prices and higher trade spend.

Operating income increased to $2.6 million in the second quarter of 2018 from an operating loss from continuing operations of $4.8 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2017. Non-GAAP operating income was $9.9 million, compared to $11.4 million from continuing operations in the corresponding period last year, a decrease of $1.5 million or 13.2 percent.  The decrease was due primarily to lower gross profit margin coupled with higher operating expenses resulting from increased pounds sold and a $0.9 million increase in amortization expense associated with the preliminary value of definite-lived intangible assets acquired as part of the Pineland acquisition.

Net interest expense was $1.0 million in the second quarter, a decrease of $0.3 million, compared to $1.3 million in the corresponding period last year.  The decrease in interest costs was the result of lower average borrowings as compared to last year.

The Company’s GAAP tax rate for the second quarter of fiscal 2018 was a benefit of 38.2 percent compared to a benefit of 32.3 percent in the prior year period. The change in tax rates as compared to the corresponding period last year was primarily the result of discrete items recorded during the second quarter of fiscal 2018. The Non-GAAP tax rate was 20.4 percent compared to 33.2 percent in the prior year period.

Net income in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 was $2.3 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, compared to a net loss from continuing operations of $4.1 million or $0.21 per diluted share in the second quarter of fiscal 2017. Non-GAAP net income increased 18.4 percent to $7.1 million or $0.35 per diluted share in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 from non-GAAP net income from continuing operations of $6.0 million or $0.30 per diluted share in the second quarter of fiscal 2017.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased 1.9 percent to $17.7 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 from $18.0 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2017. As a percentage of net sales, the adjusted EBITDA margin decreased 370 basis points to 15.0 percent of net sales.

Second-quarter 2018 balance sheet highlights
The Company’s cash balance and outstanding debt at October 27, 2017 were $1.4 million and $126.6 million, respectively, compared to $210.9 million and $2.7 million on April 28, 2017.  The increase in borrowings and decrease in cash balance were primarily the result of the acquisition of Pineland Farms, which was completed on May 1, 2017, and the payment of a $7.50 per share special dividend on June 16, 2017.

Fiscal year 2018 outlook and conference call
On September 19, 2017, the Company and Post Holdings entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Post Holdings agreed to acquire Bob Evans. The transaction is expected to be completed in the first calendar quarter of 2018.  In light of the pending transaction, the Company will not be updating its previously issued financial guidance for fiscal 2018 or holding a conference in connection with this earnings release.  As announced on December 5, 2017, the required waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, with respect to the previously announced acquisition of the Company by Post Holdings, expired on December 4, 2017.

Adjusted EBITDA and other non-GAAP financial measures
We define Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization including stock compensation. Management uses Adjusted EBITDA and the other non-GAAP measures included in this release as key metrics in the evaluation of underlying Company performance and in making financial, operating and planning decisions. The Company believes these measures are useful to investors because they increase transparency, assist investors in understanding the underlying performance of the Company and assist in the analysis of ongoing operating trends. We believe Adjusted EBITDA is frequently used by analysts, investors and other interested parties in their evaluation of the Company's performance as compared to our competitors, many of which present EBITDA measures when reporting their results.  We believe the non-GAAP measures used in this release provide meaningful supplemental information regarding financial performance by excluding certain expenses and benefits that may not be indicative of core business operating results. We believe these non-GAAP measures, when viewed in conjunction with U.S. GAAP results and the accompanying reconciliations, enhance the comparability of results against prior periods and allow for greater transparency of financial results and business outlook. The presentation of Adjusted EBITDA and other non-GAAP measures included in this release should not be considered as an alternative to net income, determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, as an indicator of the Company's operating performance, as an indicator of cash flows, or as a measure of liquidity. While Adjusted EBITDA and our other non-GAAP measures are frequently used as measures of operations, they are not necessarily comparable to other similarly titled captions of other companies due to the potential inconsistencies in the method of calculation.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
Certain statements in this news release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve various important assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those predicted by the forward-looking statements because of various factors and possible events. Additional information about the factors and events that could cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted by the forward looking statements, along with certain other risks, uncertainties and assumptions related to the Company and its business, may be found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 29, 2017, and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We note these factors for investors as contemplated by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In addition, there are various risks and uncertainties associated with the pending transaction with Post Holdings, including but not limited to, the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could delay the closing of the transaction; the ability and timing to obtain the approval of the Company’s stockholders and to satisfy other closing conditions to the merger agreement; the risk that stockholder litigation in connection with the proposed transaction may affect the timing or occurrence of the proposed transaction; and adverse effects on the Company’s common stock in the event of the failure to complete the proposed transaction.  Predicting or identifying all such risk factors is impossible. Consequently, investors should not consider any such list to be a complete set of all potential risks and uncertainties.  Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date of the statement to reflect unanticipated events.  All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on behalf of the Company are qualified by the cautionary statements in this section.

About Bob Evans Farms, Inc.
Bob Evans Farms, Inc. is a leading producer and distributor of refrigerated potato, pasta and vegetable-based side dishes, pork sausage, and a variety of refrigerated and frozen convenience food items under the Bob Evans and Owens brand names. For more information about Bob Evans Farms, Inc., visit www.bobevansgrocery.com.

Additional Information and Where to Find It
In connection with the proposed merger, a definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A has been filed by the Company with the SEC and mailed to the Company’s stockholders. BOB EVANS STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY NOW AND WHEN ANY FUTURE FILINGS BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY DO AND WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED MERGER. Investors and security holders may obtain these documents free of charge at the SEC’s website, http://www.sec.gov. In addition, stockholders may obtain free copies of the documents at the Bob Evans website, www.bobevansgrocery.com, under the heading “Investors.”

Participants in the Solicitation
Bob Evans, Post and their respective directors and executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Bob Evans in connection with the proposed merger. Information regarding Post’s directors and executive officers is included in Post’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2017, filed with the SEC on November 17, 2017, and the proxy statement for Post’s 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, filed with the SEC on November 20, 2017. Information regarding Bob Evans’ directors and executive officers is included in the Bob Evans Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 28, 2017, filed with the SEC on June 15, 2017 and the proxy statement for Bob Evans’ 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed with the SEC on July 14, 2017. Additional information regarding the interests of such participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed merger are included in the definitive proxy statement.

Contact:
Scott Van Winkle
Managing Director, ICR
(617) 956-6736
scott.vanwinkle@icrinc.com

Bob Evans Farms, Inc.
Earnings Release Fact Sheet (unaudited)
Second quarter fiscal 2018, three months ended October 27, 2017 compared to the corresponding period a year ago:

Second quarter fiscal 2018, three months ended October 27, 2017 compared to the corresponding period a year ago:

Bob Evans Farms, Inc.
Earnings Release Fact Sheet (unaudited)
Second quarter fiscal 2018, six months ended October 27, 2017, compared to the corresponding period a year ago:

Second quarter fiscal 2018, six months ended October 27, 2017, compared to the corresponding period a year ago:

Consolidated Statements of Net Income

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows