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Pinstripes Holdings, Inc. (PNST)·Q3 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Revenue grew 10.4% year-over-year to $35.5M on new-store contribution; sequentially, revenue rose from $26.5M in Q2 to $35.5M in Q3 as the seasonally strong events quarter kicked in .
- Same-store sales declined 7.7% year-over-year, a sequential improvement versus Q2’s -9.4%; venue-level EBITDA margin held at 19.2% (down just 20 bps YoY), and Adjusted EBITDA improved to $2.7M from $0.4M last year and from $(3.1)M in Q2 .
- Net loss was $8.1M vs net income of $12.2M in the prior year quarter, primarily due to last year’s gain on warrant liabilities; operating loss improved modestly to $(3.2)M vs $(3.1)M YoY .
- Liquidity is tight: cash was $2.4M; management disclosed going concern doubt, a leverage covenant breach, and received $6.0M incremental funding from Oaktree on Jan 21, 2025; CFO Tony Querciagrossa will step down on Feb 28, 2025 .
- No formal numeric guidance; management indicated potential margin expansion in Q4 and plans to open Coral Gables in Q4, with Jacksonville later in calendar 2025 contingent on financing .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Cost actions drove profitability resilience: venue-level EBITDA margin 19.2% (down only 20 bps YoY); Adjusted EBITDA reached $2.7M, the “best corporate profitability quarter in 2 years” per CEO .
- New stores matured as expected, delivering double-digit venue-level EBITDA margins in the quarter; all new locations were profitable in Q3 per CFO .
- SG&A declined to $4.8M from $5.3M YoY, reflecting ~$4M annualized corporate cost reductions beginning to flow through; store labor and benefits rate fell 60 bps YoY to 33.1% .
What Went Wrong
- Same-store sales fell 7.7% YoY; management cited early-quarter marketing changes causing ~300 bps headwind and macro/weather pressures, with improvement late in quarter driven by events .
- Net loss of $8.1M due to higher interest expense and lack of prior-year warrant gain; occupancy and other operating expense rates increased YoY (140 bps and 60 bps, respectively) .
- Liquidity stress and covenant breach led to going concern disclosure; cash dropped to $2.4M vs $13.2M at FY start, requiring additional funding and strategic alternatives .
Financial Results
Note: Same-store sales in Q3 were pressured early by marketing/promo changes; event bookings improved late in quarter .
Guidance Changes
No formal revenue/EPS guidance provided in Q3 materials .
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Q-1 themes not available in filings repository; table focuses on Q-2 and Q-3.
Management Commentary
- “Our team’s ability to successfully execute on our cost reduction initiatives…allowing us to deliver strong third-quarter venue-level EBITDA margins of over 19%…While we are not satisfied with our top-line results…” — Dale Schwartz, CEO .
- “The substantial work…to remove $10 million in annualized cost savings at the store level helped to protect our overall profitability…Our cost-saving initiatives extended to the corporate level with the targeted removal of approximately $4 million of annualized cost savings in our SG&A.” .
- Liquidity: “As of January 5, we had $2.4 million in cash and cash equivalents…on January 21, Oaktree funded an additional $6 million…we do not intend to make any further public comment until we conclude the strategic and financing alternative process.” .
- CFO transition: “Tony Querciagrossa…is stepping down, effective February 28, 2025…” .
Q&A Highlights
- Same-store sales trajectory: comps were double-digit negative early but snapped back in the final month, ending at -7.7%; ~300 bps headwind from promotions/marketing changes; weather affected January/February, with easier Q4 lap ahead .
- Cost savings: $10M store-level and $4–5M SG&A savings are completed and flowing through; full annualized benefits expected in Q4 and thereafter .
- Pricing: No material price increases on private events (≈half of sales); dynamic pricing for gaming; targeted promotions (“two for Tuesdays,” happy-hour gaming at 50% off) .
- Unit growth: Coral Gables targeted for Q4; Jacksonville later in CY2025; further locations contingent on financing .
- Margin outlook: Potential expansion above Q3, with mature venues expected to snap back and new locations profitable again in Q4 .
Estimates Context
- We attempted to retrieve S&P Global consensus for Revenue, EPS, and EBITDA for Q3 and Q2, but data access was unavailable due to SPGI daily request limits. As a result, a formal “vs. estimates” comparison cannot be provided at this time [GetEstimates error].
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Sequential improvement into the seasonally strong events quarter with revenue rising to $35.5M and venue-level margins back to ~19%, supported by cost actions; watch for sustained comp recovery as marketing normalizes .
- Same-store sales remain negative; management attributes pressure to early-quarter promo mix and macro/weather; events strength is a lever, but consistency is crucial for margin progression .
- Liquidity risk is material: cash $2.4M, going concern disclosure, covenant breach, and reliance on incremental lender support; strategic alternatives and financing outcomes are key stock catalysts in the near term .
- Non-GAAP profitability improved markedly (Adjusted EBITDA $2.7M) despite weak comps; focus on sustainability of SG&A/store-level savings and maturation of new units to drive corporate profitability .
- Unit pipeline paced to capital: Coral Gables in Q4, Jacksonville later CY2025; growth cadence will likely depend on financing progress and liquidity resolution .
- Pricing discipline: no material event-side increases; dynamic gaming pricing and targeted promotions intended to support traffic without sacrificing value perception .
- Monitoring items: margin expansion potential in Q4, events booking momentum, further lender actions/Oaktree milestones, CFO transition impact on execution .
Appendices
Additional Operating Detail (from Q3 press release)
- Cost of food & beverage: 15.5% of revenue (down 10 bps YoY) .
- Store labor & benefits: 33.1% of revenue (down 60 bps YoY; down ~20 bps ex-new stores) .
- Occupancy (ex-depr): 16.8% of revenue (up 140 bps YoY) .
- Other store operating (ex-depr): 16.6% of revenue (up 60 bps YoY) .
Liquidity Snapshot
- Cash & cash equivalents: $2.385M (Jan 5, 2025) vs $13.171M (Apr 28, 2024) .
- Oaktree Tranche 2 funded $6.0M on Jan 21, 2025; total debt increased; total liabilities $258.6M .
- Going concern and covenant breach disclosure (Total Net Leverage >6.00x); strategic alternatives with milestones under Oaktree amendment .