Final Results

Oriental Restaurant Group PLC 11 July 2000 Preliminary Results for the Year ended 31 March 2000 Oriental Group plc ('Oriental' or 'the Group'), the operator of 12 restaurants including three Yellow River Cafes, Oriental's new concept, today announces results for the year ended 31 March 2000. 2000 1999 £'000s £'000s Turnover 12,674 10,680 Operating Profit before 544 1,281 Impairment provisions EBITDA 1,278 1,642 Pre exceptional pre-tax profit 522 1,452 Pre tax loss profit (2,309) 1,452 Basic (loss)/earnings per share (25.3)p 11.0p Financial * Like for like turnover, excluding Pacific Oriental, up 0.4 % * Like for like profits, excluding Pacific Oriental, up 8% * Spend per head, excluding Pacific Oriental, up 4% to £29.89 * One-off impairment provision of £2.83m Operations * Yellow River Cafes performing above budget and contracts exchanged on three new sites: St John's Wood and two out of London in Portsmouth and Guildford * Shimla Pinks losses sharply reduced to £12,000 (1999: £92,000) * Imperial City returned to trading profitability levels of H2 1999 * Pacific Oriental streamlined and now trading profitably Alan Jackson, Chairman of Oriental Restaurant Group plc, said: 'The Group is now in shape to deliver enhanced shareholder value with our focus now firmly on the continued roll out of our successful new format Yellow River Cafes.' 11 July 2000 ENQUIRIES: Oriental Restaurant Group plc Tel: 020 7929 6868 Alan Jackson, Chairman Hock Ann Chua, Managing Director College Hill Tel: 020 7457 2020 Matthew Smallwood Justine Warren ORIENTAL RESTAURANT GROUP PLC Preliminary Results for the Year to 31 March 2000 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT Introduction During the period under review the Group has concentrated upon progressing its strategy to be the leading provider in the Oriental dining market by focusing on its roll out brand, Yellow River Cafe. At the same time, the Board has had to tackle a number of difficult issues and the actions that are being taken will ensure a significant improvement in profitability. Financial Performance The Group continues to show underlying profitability and to generate strong operating cash flows. Turnover increased by 19% to £12.7 million (1999: £10.7 million) however operating profit at £0.54 million (1999: £1.28 million) was affected by the costs of starting up and running the Central Production Kitchen, the costs of developing the Yellow River Cafe brand and the continuing impact of competition on the Pacific Oriental restaurant. Additionally, as required by Accounting Standards, the Board has reviewed the carrying values of its operations and as a result has made a one-off impairment provision totalling £2.83 million in respect of Pacific Oriental, Shimla Pinks and the Central Production Kitchen. This provision, which is treated as an exceptional item, gives rise to a loss per share of 25.3p (1999: profit of 11.0p). Before the exceptional item, earnings per share were 4.2p. An interim dividend of 1.2p was paid in January, however, as a result of the subsequent making of the impairment provision, distributable reserves are now not available for a further dividend payment. The Board will consider at the time, and in light of its funding requirements, the level of future dividend payments. Net borrowings at the year end were £1.26 million (1999: £1.4 million cash) after meeting total capital expenditure, including finance leases, of £4.0 million (1999: £3.8 million). Gearing at the year end was 39.4% (1999: nil). Loan and overdraft facilities have recently been secured to support the roll out of the Yellow River Cafe brand. Signature Restaurants Despite difficult conditions in the core City of London market, substantial progress was achieved although further new entrants to the market continued to affect trading at Pacific Oriental. Excluding this site, like-for-like turnover was ahead by 0.4% with like-for-like spend per head increasing by 4%. The Board is pleased to report that operating profit on a like-for-like basis, excluding Pacific Oriental, was 8% ahead, reflecting the considerable progress achieved in controlling operating costs. The last six months of the year were particularly encouraging at Imperial City as a result of the management action to increase the marketing efforts and improve interior design at the site. Improvements have also been made at Shimla Pinks which have significantly reduced the previous losses. ORIENTAL RESTAURANT GROUP PLC Preliminary Results for the Year to 31 March 2000 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT (Cont'd) Since the year end the cost base at Pacific Oriental has been further streamlined and new marketing initiatives put in place resulting in current trading at a profitable level. Wholesaling and the Central Production Kitchen Chuanglee has continued to perform well with turnover up by 13% to £3.24 million (1999: £2.86 million) and profit before tax increased by 35 % to £0.23 million (1999: £0.17 million). The management team has clearly demonstrated that it can generate new business while exercising strict control over costs in an extremely competitive market. The Board continues to believe that the central sourcing of quality assured product for the Group's branded restaurants is an essential element of its strategy. The Central Production Kitchen became operational during the year and is now supplying the Group's restaurants with a consistently high quality of product. However, as the Group is still at a relatively early stage with its roll out, the costs of the Central Production Kitchen are high relative to the current volumes of output required. Since the decision to invest in the Central Production Kitchen, a number of alternative suppliers have subsequently entered the market which are able to supply the Group's products consistently to the standard required. The Board is therefore currently reviewing all options for this facility and is focussing on the level of costs and the operating arrangements. Yellow River Cafes The three sites that are currently trading have all exceeded the Board's expectations; at Chiswick, which opened in November 1999; at Twickenham, opened in February this year; and at Islington which opened in June and where sales are currently more than double the budgeted level. All sites are already profitable. Contracts have been exchanged on three further sites; at St John's Wood, expected to open in August, and at Guildford and Portsmouth. The Board expects that at least eight Yellow River Cafes will be trading by the end of the current financial year. Careful attention is being paid to the development of a strong and consistent brand. Invaluable experience has already been gained from these first three sites which has facilitated refinement of certain elements including the menu and pricing structure. Customer satisfaction surveys are taken at every site and show high approval ratings especially in relation to value for money. ORIENTAL RESTAURANT GROUP PLC Preliminary Results for the Year to 31 March 2000 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT (Cont'd) A strong marketing programme has been developed which will continue to feature the internationally renowned celebrity chef, Ken Hom. I am delighted to report that the Yellow River Cafe was awarded best brand identity at the Hospitality Design Awards 2000, which is an outstanding achievement given the relatively short life of the brand. Another exciting development is the introduction of the Group's internet web site: www.orientalrestaurantgroup.co.uk on which customers can make reservations at any restaurant, browse the menus, pre-order their meals, order take-away meals for delivery and complete feedback comments, which are automatically sent to the Operations Director. In order to deliver consistency in quality and service, the recruitment, training and retention of suitably qualified and experienced staff is essential. The Group places considerable importance on staff training, with all managers and operational staff attending courses at the Government-funded Asian and Oriental School of Catering, leading to National Vocational Awards and City and Guilds qualifications. In addition to staff at operating level, the Board is also taking steps to put in place the necessary management infrastructure to facilitate the increased rate of site openings in the future and the operational control of those sites. Board A number of significant changes have been made to the Board to drive forward the Group's strategy. In March 2000, Kal Dhaliwal was promoted to Operations Director with responsibility for the Group's restaurants. Kal has made significant contributions in improving profitability at the signature restaurants and also in developing the Yellow River Cafes. The Board has also decided that the Group requires a full-time Finance Director to, among other things, consolidate the systems and controls required for the roll out. Michael Paterson, a founding shareholder, will therefore be stepping down as part-time Finance Director with immediate effect. To facilitate a handover, Michael will leave the Board on 31 August. I should like to thank Michael for his considerable contribution to the development of the Group. Michael will be succeeded by Ian Johnson, aged 40, a Chartered Accountant who qualified in 1984 with Coopers & Lybrand. Ian has previously held Finance Director positions in the leisure sector, commencing with Cannons Sports & Leisure in 1987. For the past five years he has been Finance Director of GenCel Group plc. ORIENTAL RESTAURANT GROUP PLC Preliminary Results for the Year to 31 March 2000 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT (Cont'd) I am also delighted that Ken Hom agreed to increase his commitment to the Group by becoming a non-executive director with effect from March 2000. Andy Hobbs, a former Chairman, resigned in March and I also thank him for his significant efforts. Prospects The rapid and successful establishment of a truly market-leading brand will give the Group real opportunities to lead consolidation in a very substantial and growing, fragmented market. With the signature restaurants increasing profitability and the necessary financing and key personnel appointments in place, the Board is confident that it has the wherewithal to complete the current phase of Yellow River Cafe openings and to accelerate the programme thereafter. An exciting year is in prospect with a return to growth in shareholder earnings and overall value. Alan Jackson Chairman 11 July 2000 ORIENTAL RESTAURANT GROUP PLC Preliminary Results for the Year ended 31 March 2000 Unaudited Consolidated Profit and Loss Account Note 2000 1999 £ £ Turnover 1 12,674,326 10,680,244 Cost of sales (4,371,492) (3,829,682) Gross profit 8,302,834 6,850,562 Direct costs (6,938,222) (4,732,463) Administrative expenses (3,736,106) (916,437) Other operating income 84,158 79,024 Operating profit, before 543,558 1,280,686 impairment Impairment provisions (2,830,894) - Operating (loss)/profit (2,287,336) 1,280,686 Loss on sale of fixed assets - (1,021) (2,287,336) 1,279,665 Interest receivable 35,772 181,503 Interest payable (57,425) (8,909) (Loss)/profit on ordinary 1 (2,308,989) 1,452,259 activities before taxation Taxation on loss/profits (119,646) (403,425) from ordinary activities (Loss)/profit on ordinary (2,428,635) 1,048,834 activities after taxation Dividends - equity 4 (115,301) (364,122) Retained (loss)/profit for (2,543,936) 684,712 the year Earnings per share Basic earnings per ordinary 2 (25.3p) 11.0p share 2 (25.3p) 11.0p Diluted earnings per ordinary share 3 (25.3p) 10.8p ORIENTAL RESTAURANT GROUP PLC Preliminary Results for the Year ended 31 March 2000 Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet At 31 March 2000 2000 1999 £ £ Fixed assets Tangible assets 6,112,493 5,636,318 Current assets Stocks 474,736 355,524 Debtors 1,341,467 1,035,942 Cash at bank and in hand 273,019 1,417,675 2,089,222 2,809,141 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (2,320,936) (1,201,118) Net current (liabilities)/assets (231,714) 1,608,023 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year (1,301,337) (124,961) Provision for liabilities and charges (412,486) (412,486) 4,166,956 6,706,894 Capital and reserves Called up share capital 480,422 479,423 Share premium account 4,115,868 4,112,869 Other reserves 59,018 59,018 Profit and loss account (488,352) 2,055,584 Shareholders' funds 4,166,956 6,706,894 ORIENTAL RESTAURANT GROUP PLC Preliminary Results for the Year ended 31 March 2000 Unaudited Consolidated Cash Flow Statement 2000 1999 £ £ Net cash inflow from operating 1,687,700 1,649,089 activities Returns on investments and servicing (9,961) 186,411 of finance Taxation paid (60,206) (417,629) Capital expenditure and financial investment (3,922,256) (3,758,677) Equity dividends paid (364,601) (343,985) Cash outflow before use of liquid resources and financing (2,669,324) (2,684,791) Management of liquid resources 750,000 3,022,494 Financing 1,043,788 8,000 (Decrease)/increase in cash (875,536) 345,703 ORIENTAL RESTAURANT GROUP PLC Preliminary Results for the Year ended 31 March 2000 Notes to the Preliminary Announcement 1.The results for the year ended 31 March 2000 together with comparatives for 1999 were as shown by the following tables: 1999 Turnover Pre-Tax Net Profit Assets £ £ £ Restaurants 8,738,440 1,279,874 6,196,257 Wholesaler 1,941,804 172,385 510,637 10,680,244 1,452,259 6,706,894 2000 Turnover Pre-Tax Net Profit/ Assets (Loss) £ £ £ Restaurants 10,494,294 (2,540,306) 3,468,881 Wholesaler 2,180,032 231,317 698,075 12,674,326 (2,308,989) 4,166,956 2.Earnings per ordinary share have been calculated using the weighted average number of shares in issue during the relevant financial periods. The weighted average number of equity shares in issue is 9,598,470 (1999: 9,562,169). 3.The weighted average number of equity shares used for calculation of the diluted earnings per share is 9,598,470 (1999: 9,742,169). The weighted average number of equity shares is calculated using a dilution of Nil (1999: 180,000) ordinary shares in respect of dilutary share options in issue. 4.No final dividend is proposed. 5.The accounts for the financial year ended 31 March 1999 are abridged. Full accounts on which the Company's auditors made an unqualified report have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. 6.Further copies of the Preliminary Announcement may be obtained from the Company Secretary at Oriental Restaurant Group plc, No. 1 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 3AB.
UK 100

Latest directors dealings