Total Revenues

+1% (USD 392,351K in Q1 2025 vs. USD 388,541K in Q1 2024)

The modest increase in total revenues is driven by the slight growth in restaurant revenue, which partially offsets the sharp declines in other segments. Although franchise revenue dropped by 16% and other revenue fell by nearly 56%, the stability in guest performance and improved average check values contributed to this small net increase. " "

Restaurant Revenue

+1.9% (USD 385,809K in Q1 2025 vs. USD 378,568K in Q1 2024)

Restaurant revenue increased by about USD 7.2 million or 1.9%, driven by a 6.6% rise in the average guest check (supported by a 6.8% increase in menu prices) that helped offset a 3.5% decrease in guest count. This reflects a recovery in customer spending at the restaurant level compared to the previous quarter. " "

Franchise Revenue

-16% (USD 4,489K in Q1 2025 vs. USD 5,341K in Q1 2024)

The sharp 16% decline in franchise revenue is primarily due to reduced franchisee contributions for marketing programs and adjustments in the revenue-sharing structure. This reduction reflects company-specific cost adjustments and challenges within the franchise segment when compared to the previous period. " "

Other Revenue

-56% (USD 2,053K in Q1 2025 vs. USD 4,632K in Q1 2024)

Other revenue declined dramatically by nearly 56%, largely due to a significant drop in gift card breakage revenue along with reductions in other non-core income sources. This steep decline marks a notable shift from Q1 2024 and negatively impacts the overall revenue mix. " "

Net Income

Shift from net loss of USD 9,460K in Q1 2024 to net income of USD 1,249K in Q1 2025

Net income turned positive with an improvement of over USD 10,700K, attributed to an increase in overall revenues combined with lower operating costs. Factors such as improved restaurant-level profitability, reduced selling expenses, and elimination of prior non-recurring charges played key roles in this turnaround compared to Q1 2024. " " "

Operating Cash Flow

+42% increase (USD 19,574K in Q1 2025 vs. USD 13,734K in Q1 2024)

Operating cash flow saw a robust increase of about 42%, reflecting enhanced restaurant profitability. Improved cost management—such as lower cost of sales and labor expenses—along with better timing of cash receipts and payments, drove this improvement relative to the previous period. " "

Total Stockholders’ Equity

Deteriorated from a deficit of USD -29,101K in Q1 2024 to USD -80,412K in Q1 2025

The equity position worsened significantly as the deepening deficit reflects ongoing accumulated losses and adjustments in paid-in capital and treasury stock. Even though Q1 2025 showed improved operating performance, the historical net losses and prior period adjustments continued to exert downward pressure on overall stockholders’ equity. " "

Total Revenue

FY 2025

$1.225 billion to $1.25 billion "

$1.21 billion to $1.23 billion "

lowered

Restaurant-Level Operating Profit

FY 2025

12% to 13% "

12% to 13% "

no change

Adjusted EBITDA

FY 2025

$60 million to $65 million "

$60 million to $65 million "

no change

Capital Expenditures

FY 2025

$25 million to $30 million "

Approximately $30 million "

raised

Comparable Restaurant Sales

Q2 2025

no prior guidance

Decline 3% "

no prior guidance

Check Growth Progression

Q2–Q4 2025

no prior guidance

4% in Q2, 4% in Q3, 2% in Q4 "

no prior guidance

Restaurant Closures

FY 2025

10 to 15 restaurants " "

14 closures "

no change

Selling Expenses

FY 2025

no prior guidance

$30 million "

no prior guidance

Loyalty Program Performance

Q2 2024, Q3 2024, and Q4 2024 emphasized the revamped Loyalty/Royalty programs driving membership growth (e.g., 14.2–14.9 million members), increased sign-ups, reactivation of lapsed members, and enhanced customer engagement through personalization and efficient marketing. " " " "

In Q1 2025 the program reached approximately 15.3 million members with solid metrics on lapsed (22%) and new guest visits (20%), and executives noted significant opportunity for further optimization. " "

The topic is consistently positive with incremental membership growth and more refined implementation—showing sustained and growing value for future customer engagement.

Operational Efficiency and Cost Optimization

Prior periods (Q2–Q4 2024) focused on labor management tools (e.g., Hot Schedules), supply chain consolidation, streamlined procedures, and cost savings initiatives that improved labor efficiency and operating profit margins, even as investments in staffing and food quality temporarily increased costs. " " " "

Q1 2025 continued the drive with significant progress in labor cost efficiency, an increase of 330 basis points in restaurant-level operating profit, and further efforts on refining processes without impacting guest experience. " "

There is a clear upward trend as efficiency initiatives mature, driving improved margins and setting the stage for sustained operational gains.

Revenue and Guest Traffic Trends

Earlier calls (Q2–Q4 2024) noted modest revenue increases driven by higher check averages despite declines in guest traffic, with sequential improvements in some quarters but overall challenges related to lower volumes, partly due to seasonal and industry-wide slowdowns. " " "

In Q1 2025, revenues rose slightly (driven by a 6.8% price increase) even though guest traffic declined by 3.5%, underscoring a reliance on pricing actions to offset volume challenges. " " "

The underlying challenge of declining traffic persists; however, pricing measures continue to buoy revenue—indicating cautious optimism amid external pressures.

Margin Performance and Sustainability

Q2 2024 and Q3 2024 indicated margin pressures from investments, lower traffic, and underperformers, while Q4 2024 saw operating profit margins decline but also set expectations for significant improvement via labor efficiencies and technology implementations. " " "

Q1 2025 reported a robust improvement with restaurant-level operating profit reaching 14.3% (up 330 bp) and adjusted EBITDA surpassing prior periods, attributed to cost optimizations and measured trade-offs on pricing and tariffs. "

Margins are trending upward as cost-saving initiatives and operational refinements begin to pay off, creating a more sustainable profitability outlook.

Debt Refinancing and Financial Flexibility

In Q2–Q4 2024, Red Robin discussed multiple amendments to the credit agreement (e.g., expanding the revolver from $25M to $40M) and plans to monetize property assets while preparing for refinancing the debt maturing in 2027. " " " "

In Q1 2025, the company used free cash flow and property monetization to repay $17.8 million of debt, with ongoing discussions to refinance the term loan, reflecting improved liquidity and a proactive approach to debt management. " "

The strategy to improve financial flexibility remains consistent—with Q1 2025 marking tangible debt reduction alongside continued proactive refinancing efforts.

Leadership Transition and Strategic Investment

Q2 2024 discussions focused on strategic investments in labor, food quality, and marketing; Q4 2024 included interim marketing leadership updates, but leadership transition was not a dominant theme in Q3 2024. " " "

Q1 2025 introduced a major leadership transition with the appointment of a new CEO, David Pace, and reiterated a broad strategy reinforcing operational investments (technology, restaurant upgrades, debt reduction) to drive growth. " " "

New leadership marks a strategic inflection point—building on prior investments to drive a sharper, more integrated growth and operational agenda going forward.

Underperforming Restaurant Portfolio and Closure Strategy

Q3 and Q4 2024 highlighted a portfolio of approximately 70 underperforming restaurants creating a significant margin drag, with plans to close 10–15 locations in 2025; Q2 2024 did not address this topic. " " "

Q1 2025 reaffirmed the closure strategy by noting planned closures of 14 restaurants during the year, while also mentioning efforts to improve some locations’ performance before making closure decisions. "

The initiative to trim the portfolio remains a consistent strategic lever, with ongoing assessments and selective closures aimed at enhancing overall profitability.

External Headwinds and Cost Pressures

In Q2–Q4 2024, the company consistently reported challenges from commodity inflation, labor cost spikes, weather impacts, and broad-based consumer slowdowns that pressured margins and required operational adjustments. " " " "

Q1 2025 continued to face external pressures including tariffs, a further 3.5% decline in guest traffic, and anticipated headwinds from changes in loyalty revenue, prompting cautious guidance and adjusted traffic projections. " " "

External headwinds remain pervasive across periods, with management adapting pricing and cost strategies to mitigate these challenges while maintaining a cautious outlook.

Guest Satisfaction and Service Quality Improvements

Q2, Q3, and Q4 2024 reported robust improvements in guest satisfaction scores, OSAT increases (up to 13+ points), reduced wait times, and elevated service standards supported by enhanced staffing and operational investments. " " " "

Q1 2025 affirmed that despite ongoing cost optimization efforts, guest satisfaction scores remained strong, reinforcing that improvements in food quality and service quality continue to meet or exceed guest expectations. " " "

Continuous positive trends in guest satisfaction signal that investments in service and quality are effectively enhancing the brand, supporting long-term customer loyalty.