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BH

Biglari Holdings Inc. (BH-A)·Q3 2025 Earnings Summary

Executive Summary

  • Q3 revenue was $99.74M vs $90.41M a year ago and $100.62M in Q2; GAAP net loss of $5.29M (−$20.38 per Class A equivalent share) was driven by investment partnership losses despite positive operating segment performance . Steak n Shake delivered strong same‑store sales growth (~15%), signaling continued operational momentum .
  • Operating businesses generated $12.45M of pre-tax earnings, but investment partnership losses of $15.90M swung consolidated results negative; management reiterates that investment fluctuations are not meaningful to evaluating operating performance .
  • Steak n Shake closed a $225M, 5‑year, 8.8% fixed-rate mortgage loan on 9/30, with proceeds distributed to the parent; cash and cash equivalents rose to $272.49M, materially enhancing liquidity .
  • Book value per Class A equivalent share was $2,244.26 at quarter‑end; internal control material weaknesses remain under remediation with Grant Thornton Advisors engaged as internal auditor .

What Went Well and What Went Wrong

  • What Went Well

    • Steak n Shake’s same‑store sales rose 15.6% at company‑operated units and 14.8% at franchise partner units in Q3; a Reg FD update also cited ~15% U.S. operations SSS for the third fiscal quarter .
    • Insurance earnings improved: segment EBT was $5.25M in Q3 vs $3.12M in Q3’24, with both First Guard and Southern Pioneer contributing to underwriting gains .
    • Management emphasized focus on operating businesses over investment mark‑to‑market volatility: “We do not regard the quarterly or annual fluctuations in our investments to be meaningful” .
  • What Went Wrong

    • Investment partnership losses of $15.90M (pre‑tax) in Q3 (vs +$35.31M in Q3’24) dominated consolidated results; contribution to net earnings from partnerships was −$12.48M .
    • Oil & gas revenues declined to $7.37M from $9.57M y/y and segment EBT fell to $0.67M (from $0.71M), reflecting commodity price pressure despite cost controls .
    • Brand licensing (Maxim) remained a headwind with Q3 EBT of −$1.11M on $1.45M of revenue as media costs increased with new digital initiatives .

Financial Results

Overall results (USD unless noted):

MetricQ3 2024Q2 2025Q3 2025
Total Revenues ($MM)$90.41 $100.62 $99.74
Pre‑tax Operating Earnings ($MM)$3.27 $3.67 $6.85
Investment Gains (Losses) ($MM)$40.05 $61.43 $(14.41)
Net Earnings (Loss) ($MM)$32.13 $50.93 $(5.29)
EPS per avg eq. Class A share$114.77 $194.57 $(20.38)

Restaurant segment margin metrics:

Restaurant KPIsQ3 2024Q3 2025
Cost of Food (% of Net Sales)30.8% 31.3%
Labor (% of Net Sales)33.2% 30.7%
Occupancy & Other (% of Net Sales)27.3% 26.2%
G&A (% of Total Revenue)16.6% 16.9%
Marketing (% of Total Revenue)5.1% 7.5%
Depreciation & Amortization (% of Total Revenue)10.8% 9.0%

Segment revenue and earnings:

SegmentQ3 2024 Revenue ($MM)Q3 2025 Revenue ($MM)Q3 2024 EBT ($MM)Q3 2025 EBT ($MM)
Restaurants$62.38 $71.74 $6.51 $7.65
Insurance$18.25 $19.18 $3.12 $5.25
Oil & Gas$9.57 $7.37 $0.71 $0.67
Brand Licensing (Maxim)$0.20 $1.45 $(0.27) $(1.11)
Total Operating Businesses$90.41 $99.74 $10.08 $12.45

Selected KPIs:

KPIQ3 2025Prior Period(s)
Steak n Shake SSS – Company-Operated+15.6% Q3 +10.7% Q2
Steak n Shake SSS – Franchise Partner+14.8% Q3 +10.7% Q2 (combined disclosed)
Steak n Shake SSS – U.S. ops (Reg FD)~+15% 3rd fiscal quarter
Book value per Class A equivalent share$2,244.26 at 9/30/25
Cash & Cash Equivalents$272.49M at 9/30/25 $32.77M at 6/30/25
Steak n Shake mortgage loan$225.0M, 5 years, 8.8% (proceeds distributed to BH)

Guidance Changes

MetricPeriodPrevious GuidanceCurrent GuidanceChange
RevenueFY/Q4 2025Not provided in Q2 materials Not provided in Q3 8‑K/10‑Q
MarginsFY/Q4 2025Not provided Not provided
OpEx/Tax/OtherFY/Q4 2025Not provided Not provided
Note: The company did not issue quantitative guidance in its Q3 2025 press release or 10‑Q .

Earnings Call Themes & Trends

Note: No Q3 earnings call transcript was furnished; themes reflect company filings.

TopicPrevious Mentions (Q1 & Q2)Current Period (Q3 2025)Trend
Steak n Shake SSSQ2 SSS +10.7%; Q1 release did not disclose SSS SSS ~+15% (company‑op +15.6%, franchise +14.8%) Improving momentum
Restaurant model transitionFocus on franchise partner economics; revenue mix impacted by unit transitions Continued partner model; partner fees/rental income support revenue Stable execution
Insurance underwritingMixed in Q2 (Southern Pioneer elevated loss ratio), overall profitable Stronger underwriting; segment EBT up YoY Improving
Oil & gasQ2 benefited from asset sales; price sensitivity noted Lower revenue YoY; modest EBT; price volatility reiterated Softer underlying
Internal controlsMaterial weaknesses ongoing; remediation in progress Material weaknesses persist; Grant Thornton Advisors engaged as internal auditor Remediation progressing

Management Commentary

  • “We do not regard the quarterly or annual fluctuations in our investments to be meaningful. Therefore, our operating businesses are best analyzed before the impact of investment gains.” (Press release)
  • “We generate most of our revenue from our share of the franchise partners’ profits.” (Restaurant revenue model)
  • “Our balance sheet continues to maintain significant liquidity.” (Liquidity discussion)
  • “On September 30, 2025, Steak n Shake obtained a loan of $225,000… the proceeds from the loan were distributed to Biglari Holdings.” (Capital allocation/liquidity)

Q&A Highlights

  • No earnings call transcript was available in company filings for Q3 2025; no Q&A disclosures to report .

Estimates Context

  • Wall Street consensus (S&P Global) for Q3 2025 EPS and revenue was not available; as a result, estimate comparisons are unavailable at this time. Values retrieved from S&P Global.*

Key Takeaways for Investors

  • Operating momentum is real: Restaurants and Insurance delivered higher YoY revenues and EBT, led by Steak n Shake SSS ~+15% in Q3 .
  • Consolidated GAAP remains volatile due to investment partnerships; Q3’s $(15.90)M pre‑tax loss erased operating gains—a structural feature investors should expect quarter‑to‑quarter .
  • Liquidity is significantly bolstered by a $225M Steak n Shake mortgage and higher cash ($272.49M), but interest expense is rising and SNS debt is secured by restaurant real estate (8.8% fixed) .
  • Restaurant cost structure improved on labor and occupancy percentages, while marketing spend stepped up to support growth; mix and partner economics continue to shape reported revenue .
  • Oil & gas is a smaller contributor with commodity sensitivity; watch pricing and potential asset sales for episodic gains .
  • Internal control remediation is ongoing; Grant Thornton Advisors’ engagement is a positive step but weaknesses persist, representing a governance overhang until remediated .
  • No formal guidance; near‑term narrative hinges on sustaining SSS strength, underwriting discipline, and investment partnership marks—key catalysts for stock reaction around prints and disclosures .

Notes and sources: All figures and statements are sourced from the company’s Q3 2025 8‑K (press release) , Q3 2025 10‑Q , the Reg FD 8‑K on SSS , and prior quarters’ filings including Q2 2025 10‑Q/8‑K and Q1 2025 8‑K . *Estimates note: Values retrieved from S&P Global.