MTY Food Group Inc. Goes 1 Acquisition Too Far

MTY Food Group Inc. (TSX:MTY) specializes in acquisitions. Its latest M&A deal should make investors question that strategy.

| More on:

The first thing I thought when I read the news on February 15 about MTY Food Group Inc. (TSX:MTY) buying Timothy’s World Coffee and Mmmuffins for $1.7 million was that it was one acquisition too far.

According to the company’s press release, the two franchises generate annual sales of $15.6 million from 42 locations, most of them franchised Timothy’s stores. That’s an average of $370,000 per store.

By comparison, The Second Cup Ltd. (TSX:SCU) averages about $440,000 per store from 290 locations across Canada. Marketing expert eMarketer estimates that the average Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) store generates US$1.4 million annually — approximately the same amount as the average Tim Hortons.

With McDonald’s Corporation also making a big push into hot beverages, it seems strange that MTY would even bother making such a deal given how competitive the coffee business is these days. And you can’t forget that independent coffee shops are also grabbing market share as millennials become dissatisfied with corporate coffee.

It’s one deal too many

MTY released its Q4 2017 and annual earnings February 14, and they were a mixed bag, with revenues up 44% to $276 million, while net income was down 9% to $50 million. If you believe EBITDA profit is an important metric, they were up 42% on the year to $94 million.

As for same-store sales, the all-important number for gauging how older stores are doing, they were down 0.2%, or flat if you exclude the impact of 2016’s leap year. The fourth quarter showed a little promise here in Canada, with same-store sales rising by 2.2%, while U.S. locations, which account for 47% of the company’s 5,469 location, were down by 0.1%.

In addition to the latest acquisition announcement of Timothy’s, which was made after the end of the quarter, the company highlighted five acquisitions it made during Q4 2017; they cost it close to $30 million to complete.

Here’s the kicker

In December, MTY announced it was paying $248 million for Imvescor Restaurant Group Inc. (TSX:IRG). Imvescor’s brands include Baton Rouge, Pizza Delight, and Mike’s. I liked the deal and said so at the time.

Fool contributor Joseph Solitro also liked the deal when it was announced, because he thought it gave the company a good entry point into casual dining — a cut above most of MTY’s fast-food options.

However, with the addition of Timothy’s and Mmmuffins, along with the six Imvescor brands coming on board, MTY now has 85 different brands on its roster. I get wanting to be able to offer potential franchisees as many options as possible, but why buy something like Timothy’s when you already have at least four coffee concepts, including Country Style and Van Houtte, in your cupboard?

I’m not ready to suggest you sell MTY shares, but with weakness in its same-store sales in 2017, I do wonder if it’s trying to be all things to all people and, in the process, is losing its focus.

Is it one acquisition too far?

Probably not, but if you own MTY stock, you ought to pay attention to how much energy it puts into the Imvescor deal, because that’s a far more critical acquisition to the future value of your stock.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Will Ashworth has no position in any stocks mentioned.  David Gardner owns shares of Starbucks. Tom Gardner owns shares of Starbucks. The Motley Fool owns shares of IMVESCOR RESTAURANT GROUP INC., MTY Food Group, and Starbucks. MTY Food Group, Imvescor, and Starbucks are recommendations of Stock Advisor Canada.

More on Investing

A data center engineer works on a laptop at a server farm.
Tech Stocks

3 No-Brainer Data Centre Stocks to Buy With $500 Right Now

Data centres are going to be a huge growth opportunity in the next decade. And these are the top buys.

Read more »

Paper Canadian currency of various denominations
Bank Stocks

1 Magnificent Canadian Dividend Stock Down 28% to Buy and Hold for Decades

This top Canadian dividend stock is underperforming its large peers this year, but a turnaround could be on the horizon.

Read more »

TFSA (Tax-Free Savings Account) on wooden blocks and Canadian one hundred dollar bills.
Dividend Stocks

Where to Invest Your $7,000 TFSA Contribution

The TFSA is attractive for investors who want to generate tax-free passive income.

Read more »

The TFSA is a powerful savings vehicle for Canadians who are saving for retirement.
Dividend Stocks

TFSA Investors: 3 Dividend Stocks Worth Holding Forever

These TSX stocks have the potential to grow their dividends over the next decade, making them top investments for TFSA…

Read more »

hand stacks coins
Investing

Secure a Wealthy Future With These 3 Canadian Stocks

These Canadian stocks have the potential to appreciate substantially over time and may also enhance returns through dividend payments.

Read more »

Tractor spraying a field of wheat
Dividend Stocks

Is Nutrien Stock a Buy for its Dividend Yield?

Nutrien is down more than 50% form the 2022 highs. Is NTR stock now oversold?

Read more »

analyze data
Investing

3 Blue-Chip Stocks Every Canadian Should Own

These blue-chip stocks are backed by large-cap companies with well-established businesses, solid fundamentals, and a growing earnings base.

Read more »

dividends grow over time
Stocks for Beginners

The Smartest Growth Stock to Buy With $2,000 Right Now

Do you have $2,000 to invest for the long term? These three TSX stocks have and will continue to deliver…

Read more »