During the first quarter of 2020, the Company executed 70 franchise agreements an increase of 25% year-over-year, comprised of 6 midscale hotels and 64 economy hotels, versus 56 agreements in theyear-ago period. Of the 70 contracts signed during the quarter, 16 are for new locations.
Offsetting new contracts in the quarter were 44 terminations, a 21% improvement year-over-year, which included 1 midscale hotel and 43 economy hotels.
COVID-19 Update
The Company has taken a number of steps in response to the pandemic, which include the following:
| • | | Reduced spend to enhance liquidity |
| • | | Reduction of workforce and compensation across executive ranks, staff and board of directors |
| • | | Consolidation of office space by closing the Spokane office andsub-leasing surplus office space |
| • | | Suspension ofnon-essential CapEx programs |
| • | | Measures to support franchisees |
| • | | Royalty and Marketing Fee deferral program for all brands |
| • | | Temporary fee reduction for review responses, guest relations and other fees |
| • | | Delay of capital intensive brand standards |
| • | | Provided information on legislative relief that may be available to franchisees |
On April 23 the Company announced the receipt of $4.2 million in proceeds from a loan entered into pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program. Subsequent to our receipt of those funds, the US government issued new guidance, effective retroactively, that introduced significant ambiguity to certain eligibility requirements, particularly for publicly traded companies. While the Company believes that the eligibility requirements in place at the time of the loan application were met, it does not appear that the new eligibility requirements are met. The Company made the decision to return the proceeds of the loan in May.
While the Company saw solid momentum in franchise sales in the first quarter, as travel has been meaningfully impacted byCOVID-19, the Company saw a notable slowdown in agreements to date in the second quarter. On April 2, 2020, the Company announced it has withdrawn its guidance of signing 60 to 80 franchise agreements for new locations in 2020 due to the impact ofCOVID-19.
Balance Sheet and Liquidity
As of March 31, 2020, RLH Corporation had cash and cash equivalents of $37.8 million. The Company had debt of $5.6 million comprised solely of one hotel mortgage in its joint venture. Adjusted free cash flow for the three months ended March 31, 2020 was approximately $6.1 million as compared to $5.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019.
Hotel Sales
On February 7, 2020, the Company completed the sale of its Hotel RL Washington D.C. for $16.35 million in gross proceeds.
On February 27, 2020, the Company completed the sale of its Red Lion Hotel Anaheim for $21.5 in gross proceeds. Proceeds were used to repay the Company’s $10 million credit facility, with the remaining funds being used to fund franchise growth opportunities and general business purposes.
In addition, the Company has listed its Hotel RL Baltimore for sale and continues the marketing process for the Hotel RL Olympia. The timing and proceeds of the hotel sales are subject to buyer negotiation, market conditions, and the availability of buyer financing, all of which have been disrupted due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.
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