SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
_____________________
FORM 10-K
FOR ANNUAL AND TRANSITION REPORTS
PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(Mark One)
[ X ] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934 [NO FEE REQUIRED, EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 7, 1996].
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999
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OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [NO FEE REQUIRED].
For the transition period from ___________________ to ____________________
Commission file number 001-13393
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CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
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(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
DELAWARE 52-1209792
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(State or Other Jurisdiction (I.R.S. Employer
of Incorporation or Organization) Identification No.)
10750 Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, Maryland 20901
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices) Zip Code
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (301) 592-5000
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
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Common Stock, Par Value $.01 per share New York Stock Exchange
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Preferred Stock Purchase Rights New York Stock Exchange
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Title of Class)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Title of Class)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed in Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months as for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes _X_ No ___
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of the Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [_]
The aggregate market value of voting stock of Choice Hotels International,
Inc. held by non-affiliates was $531,353,144 as of March 10, 2000 based upon a
closing price of $16.375 per share.
APPLICABLE ONLY TO REGISTRANTS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY
PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS:
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and
reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan
confirmed by a court.
Yes ___ No ___
(APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE REGISTRANTS)
The number of shares outstanding of Choice Hotels International, Inc.'s
Common Stock at March 10, 2000 was 53,408,415.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE.
PART I 1999 Annual Report to Stockholders
Proxy Statement dated March 29, 2000
PART II 1999 Annual Report to Stockholders
Proxy Statement dated March 29, 2000
PART III Proxy Statement dated March 29, 2000
2
PART I
Forward-Looking Statements
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Certain statements in this report that are not historical facts
constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act. Words such as "believes," "anticipates,"
"expects," "intends," "estimates," "projects," and other similar expressions,
which are predictions of or indicate future events and trends, typically
identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to a number of
risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially
from those projected, including: competition within each of our business
segments; business strategies and their intended results; the balance between
supply of an demand for hotel rooms; our ability to obtain new franchise
agreements; our ability to develop and maintain positive relations with current
and potential hotel owners; the effect of international, national and regional
economic conditions; the availability of capital to allow us and potential hotel
owners to fund investments and construction of hotels; the cost and other
effects of legal proceedings; and other risks described from time to time in our
filings with the Securities and exchange Commission, including those set forth
under the hearing "Risk Factors" in our Report on Form 10-Q for the Period ended
June 30, 1999. Given these uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on such statements. We also undertake no obligation to publicly update
or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect current or future events or
circumstances.
Item 1. Business
Overview
Choice Hotels International, Inc. (the "Company" or "Choice") is the
world's second largest franchisor of hotel properties with 4,248 hotels open and
operating in 35 countries at December 31, 1999. In addition, at December 31,
1999, we had 761 franchise properties currently under development representing a
total of 64,095 rooms. Choice franchises lodging properties under one of our
proprietary brand names (the "Choice brands"): Comfort(R), Quality(R),
Clarion(R), Sleep(R), Rodeway(R), Econo Lodge(R) and MainStay(SM). We have over
2,300 franchisees in the franchise system with no single franchisee accounting
for more than 5% of its royalty or total revenues. We franchise hotels in all
50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia and 34 additional countries,
with 95% of its franchising revenue generated from hotels franchised in the
United States. With recognized brands and a diverse and growing franchisee
base, we believe we have a strong foundation for continued growth.
Choice is a "pure-play" lodging franchisor with limited real estate
exposure and low capital expenditure requirements. With a focus on hotel
franchising versus ownership, we benefit from the economies of scale inherent
in the franchising business. The fee and cost structure of our business
provides significant opportunities to increase profits by increasing the number
of franchise properties. We derive substantially all of our revenues from
franchise fees which consist of an initial fee and ongoing royalty, marketing,
and reservation fees that are based as a percentage of the franchisees' gross
room revenues.
The principal factors that affect our results are: (i) growth in the
number of hotels under franchise; (ii) occupancies and room rates achieved by
the hotels under franchise; (iii) the number and relative mix of franchised
hotels; (iv) effective royalty rates achieved; and (v) our ability to manage
costs. The number of rooms at franchised properties and occupancies and room
rates at those properties significantly affect our results because royalty fees
are based upon room revenues at franchised hotels. The variable overhead costs
associated with franchise system growth are substantially less than incremental
royalty fees generated from new franchisees, therefore we are able to capture a
significant portion of these royalty fees as operating income. Continued growth
of our franchise business should enable us to capture increasing benefits from
the operating leverage in place which would improve operating margins. Our
franchising operating margins(1) have improved from 50.9% as of May 31, 1995 to
64.6% as of December 31, 1999. We have also generated steady royalty fee income
from our increasing franchisee base -- growing from $50.9 million for the year
ended May 31, 1992 to $128.7 million for the year ended December 31, 1999.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization has grown from
$32.2 million for the year ended May 31, 1992 to $101.8 million for the year end
December 31, 1999.
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/1/ Franchising operating margin is calculated by deducting selling, general and
administrative expenses from net franchising revenues.
3
Company History
Prior to becoming a separate, publicly-held company on October 15,
1997 pursuant to the Company Spin-off (as defined below), the Company was known
as Choice Hotels Franchising, Inc. and was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Choice
Hotels International, Inc. ("Former Choice"). On October 15, 1997, Former
Choice distributed to its stockholders its hotel franchising business (which had
previously been primarily conducted by the Company) and its European hotel
ownership and franchising business through a pro rata distribution to its
stockholders of all of the stock of the Company (the "Company Spin-off"). At
the time of the Company Spin-off, the Company changed its name to "Choice Hotels
International, Inc.," and Former Choice changed its name to "Sunburst
Hospitality Corporation." References herein to the Company's former parent
corporation prior to the Company Spin-off are to "Former Choice," and reference
to such corporation after the Company Spin-off are to "Sunburst."
Prior to November 1996, Former Choice was a subsidiary of Manor Care,
Inc. ("Manor Care") which, directly and through its subsidiaries, engaged in the
hotel franchising business currently conducted by the Company as well as the
ownership and management of hotels (together with the hotel franchising
business, the "Lodging Business") and the health care business. On November 1,
1996, Manor Care separated the Lodging Business from its health care business
through a pro rata distribution to the holders of Manor Care's common stock of
all of the stock of Former Choice (the "Former Choice Spin-off"). In connection
with the Former Choice Spin-off, the Company became a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Former Choice and remained as such until consummation of the Company Spin-off.
The Lodging Industry/1/
As of December 31, 1999, there were approximately 3.9 million hotel
rooms in the United States in hotels/motels containing twenty or more rooms. Of
those rooms, approximately 1.2 million rooms were not affiliated with a national
or regional brand, while the remaining approximately 2.7 million rooms were
affiliated with a brand either through franchise or the ownership/management of
a national or regional chain.
During the late 1980s, the industry added approximately 500,000 hotel
rooms to its inventory due largely to a favorable hotel lending environment, the
ability of hotel operators to regularly increase room rates and the
deductibility of passive tax losses, which encouraged hotel development. As a
result, the lodging industry saw an oversupply of rooms and a decrease in
industry performance.
The lodging industry in recent years has recovered, demonstrating
strong performance, based on year-to-year increases in room revenues, average
daily rates, revenue per available room ("RevPAR"), and lodging industry
profitability. RevPAR is calculated by multiplying the percentage of occupied
rooms by the average daily room rate realized. Since 1993, the lodging industry
has been able to increase its average daily rate ("ADR") at a pace faster than
the increase in the Consumer Price Index ("CPI"), a common measure of inflation
published by the US Department of Labor. The following chart demonstrates the
recent trends:
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/1/ Source: Smith Travel Research
4
The US Lodging Industry's Growth Trends Since 1995
Increases in Average
Room Daily Increase Increase Revenue Per
Revenue Room in ADR in CPI Available New
Versus Occupancy Rates Versus Versus Room Profits Rooms
Year Prior Year Rates (ADR) Prior Year Prior Year (RevPAR) (in billions) Added
- ---- ------------- ---------- ------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ------------- ------
1995......... 6.7% 65.1% $65.81 4.7% 2.9% $42.83 $ 8.5 64,000
1996......... 8.9% 65.0% $70.81 7.6% 2.9% $46.06 $12.5 101,000
1997......... 8.8% 64.5% $75.16 6.1% 1.9% $48.50 $17.0 128,000
1998......... 7.7% 64.0% $78.62 4.4% 2.3% $50.29 $22.0 143,000
1999......... 7.4% 63.3% $81.27 4.0% 2.7% $51.44 $23.0 143,148
We believe the lodging industry can be divided into three price
categories: luxury or upscale, mid-scale and economy. Typically, the luxury
category generally has room rates above $80 per night, the mid-scale category
generally has room rates between $50 and $79 per night and the economy category
generally has room rates less than $50 per night. Additionally, a new category
has emerged of extended-stay hotels that primarily serve guests who stay at a
hotel five consecutive nights. These hotels span the industry's three price
categories.
Service is a distinguishing characteristic in the lodging industry.
Generally, there are three levels of service: full-service hotels (which offer
food and beverage services, meeting rooms, room service and similar guest
services); limited-service hotels (which offer amenities such as swimming pools,
continental breakfast, or similar services); and all-suites hotels (which
usually have limited public areas, but offer guests two rooms or one room with
distinct areas, and which may or may not offer food and beverage services).
The Company's Econo Lodge(R), Rodeway(R) and Sleep(R) brands compete
primarily in the limited-service economy market; the Company's Comfort(R) and
Quality(R) brands compete primarily in the limited-service middle-market. The
Company's MainStaySM Suites brand competes primarily in the all-suites middle-
market. The Company's Clarion(R) brand competes primarily in the full-service
upscale market.
New hotels opened in recent years typically have been hotels without
on-premise food and beverage, as these hotels are less costly to develop, enjoy
higher gross margins, and tend to have better access to financing. These hotels
typically operate in the economy and mid-scale categories and are located in
suburban or highway locations. From 1991 to 1999, the average room count in new
hotels declined from 122 to 104 primarily because hotel developers found it
difficult to obtain financing of more than $3 million from their primary lending
sources (local banks and Small Business Administration-guaranteed loan
programs).
In recent years, operators of hotels not owned or managed by major
lodging companies have increasingly joined national hotel franchise chains as a
means of remaining competitive with hotels owned by or affiliated with national
lodging companies. Because the costs of owning and operating a hotel are
generally fixed, increases in revenues generated by affiliation with a franchise
lodging chain can improve a hotel's financial performance. Of approximately
1,188 hotel properties that changed their affiliation in 1999, and 79% converted
from independent status to affiliation with a chain or converted from one chain
to another. A total of 379 independent properties switched to a franchise chain
in 1999.
5
The large franchise lodging chains, including the Company, generally
provide a number of services to hotel operators to improve the financial
performance of their properties including national reservation systems,
marketing and advertising programs, and direct sales programs. The Company
believes that national franchise chains with a larger number of hotels enjoy
greater brand awareness among potential guests than those with fewer numbers of
hotels, and that greater brand awareness can increase the desirability of a
hotel to its potential guests.
We believe that hotel operators choose lodging franchisors based
primarily on the perceived value and quality of each franchisor's brand and its
services, and the extent to which affiliation with that franchisor may increase
the franchisee's reservations and profits.
Franchise Business
Economics of Franchise Business. The fee and cost structure of the Company's
business provides significant opportunities for us to increase profits by
increasing the number of franchised properties. As a hotel franchisor, we derive
substantially all of our revenue from franchise fees. The Company's franchise
fees consist of an initial fee and ongoing royalty, marketing and reservation
fees which are based on a percentage of the franchisee's gross room revenues.
The royalty portion of the franchise fee is intended to cover our operating
expenses, such as expenses incurred in quality assurance, administrative support
and other franchise services and to provide the Company with operating profits.
The marketing and reservation portion of the franchise fee is intended to
reimburse the Company for the expenses associated with providing such franchise
services as the central reservation system and national marketing and media
advertising.
Much of the variable costs associated with our activities are
reimbursed by the franchisees through the initial fees, and marketing and
reservation fees. The royalty fees generated from franchisees more than cover
the fixed costs of the business at its current level. The variable overhead
costs associated with franchise system growth are substantially less than
incremental royalty fees generated from new franchisees, therefore we are able
to capture a significant portion of these royalty fees as operating income.
Strategy. Our business strategy is designed to maximize the value of our
extensive distribution channels (which include the hotels under
franchise and the hotel guests) by expanding and enhancing those
relationships. The strategy is effectuated through an emphasis on
the following key components: (1) optimizing the brand portfolio,
(2) strategically growing the franchise system, (3) leveraging the
franchise system, (4) improving its and its franchisees' margins,
(5) growing profitability internationally, and (6) pursuing
complementary business opportunities.
o Optimizing the Brand Portfolio. Each of our brands has particular attributes
and strengths. Our strategy is to leverage the strengths of each brand for
profit growth and for identifying new niches into which the Company may
expand. This will be effectuated through a raising of the Company's brand
standards strictly enforced through consumer-driven quality assurance.
6
o Increasing Market Penetration on a Strategic Basis. We are taking advantage
of our regional structure to analyze key markets in the U.S. and, in
conjunction with our franchisees, identifying the best opportunities for new
development or conversion to one of our brands.
o Expanding Partner Services Programs. There is significant opportunity to
leverage its size by entering into arrangements with national and multi-
national companies that want to gain exposure to our franchised hotels and to
the millions of guests who patronize our franchised hotels each year. In
practice, the guest enjoys brand-name products and services that help build
guest loyalty and the franchisee benefits from competitively priced products.
Vendor partners gain access to a critical mass of franchisees, which in turn
generates residual income for us.
o Improving Margins Through Increased Productivity. We address the
competitiveness of our own and our franchisees' profitability by initiating
revenue generating programs and improving cost productivity. A key component
of this strategy is the roll out of the Company's proprietary property and
yield management system "Profit Manager by Choice", which we believe will
improve the RevPAR of our franchisees. This is supplemented by continued
enforcement of our contracts (including licensee audits).
o Growing Profitably Internationally. During the eleven fiscal years ended
December 31, 1999, the number of properties (including those under
construction) in our international franchise system increased to 1,290
properties with 97,565 rooms, from 81 properties with 8,330 rooms. Our
international franchise system includes hotels in 39 countries outside the
United States. We plan to continue to profitably grow our brands
internationally through a strategic pursuit of joint ventures, master
franchising agreements and brand specific area development agreements.
o Pursuing Complementary Business Opportunities. Our acquisition strategy
includes the potential purchase of lodging brands that would enhance the
offerings we currently make to our franchisees and hotel consumers as well as
the purchase or partnering with businesses that are complementary to our core
business and unique operating skills.
Franchise System
Our franchise hotels operate under one of the Choice brand names:
Comfort(R), Quality(R), Clarion(R), Sleep(R), Rodeway(R), Econo Lodge(R) and
MainStaySM. The following table presents key statistics relative to our domestic
franchise system over the three fiscal years ended May 31, 1997, for the seven-
month period ended December 31, 1997 and for the three fiscal years ended
December 31, 1999.
Combined Domestic Franchise System
As of and for the
As of and for the Seven Months Ended As of and for the
Year Ended May 31, December 31, Year Ended December 31,
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1995 1996 1997 1997 1997 1998 1999
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Number of properties, end of period..... 2,311 2,495 2,781 2,880 2,880 3,039 3,123
Number of rooms, end of period.......... 200,792 214,613 235,431 242,161 242,161 252,357 258,120
Royalty fees ($000)..................... $ 71,665 $ 82,239 $ 91,724 $ 65,271 $ 99,144 $109,240 $120,932
Average Royalty Rate(1)................. 3.2% 3.3% 3.4% 3.5% 3.5% 3.6% 3.7%
Average occupancy percentage............ 63.8% 63.9% 62.6% 66.2% 62.3% 61.0% 60.5%
Average daily room rate (ADR)........... $ 47.13 $ 49.49 $ 51.92 $ 54.97 $ 53.89 $ 56.23 $ 58.42
RevPAR(2)............................... $ 30.08 $ 31.60 $ 32.52 $ 36.39 $ 33.56 $ 34.30 $ 35.33
7
(1) Represents domestic royalty fees as a percentage of aggregate gross room
revenues of all of the domestic Choice brand franchised hotels.
(2) The Company's RevPAR figure for each fiscal year is an average of the
RevPAR calculated for each month in the fiscal year. The Company
calculates RevPAR each month based on information actually reported by
franchisees on a timely basis to the Company.
We have over 2,300 domestic franchisees and operate in all 50 states
and the District of Columbia. Approximately 95% of the total royalty income is
generated from domestic franchise operations. Consequently, our analysis of our
franchise system is focused on the domestic operations. Currently, no master
franchisee or other franchisee accounts for 5% or more of Choice's royalty
revenues or total revenues. Sunburst is our largest franchisee with a portfolio
of 83 hotels containing 11,266 rooms located in 25 states as of December 31,
1999.
Brand Positioning
Our brands offer consumers a wide range of choices from economy hotels to
upscale, full service properties.
Comfort. Our largest brand is Comfort. Comfort Inns offer rooms in the mid-
scale without food and beverage category and is targeted to business and leisure
travelers. Principal competitor brands include Baymont, Fairfield Inn, Hampton
Inn, Holiday Express and LaQuinta. Comfort Suites offer business and leisure
guests a large room with separate living and sleeping areas. This product
competes in the upper portion of the midscale without food and beverage market
against brands such as AmeriSuites, Hampton Inn and Suites and Spring Hill. At
December 31, 1999, there were 1,584 Comfort Inn properties and 231 Comfort
Suites properties with a total of 121,291, and 18,796 rooms, respectively, open
and operating worldwide. An additional 330 Comfort Inn and Comfort Suites
properties with a total of 25,713 rooms were under development. During 1999, we
added 123 Comfort properties while terminating 47.
Comfort properties are located in the United States and in Argentina,
Australia, the Bahamas, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany,
India, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Lebanon, Norway, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Sweden,
Switzerland, Thailand, Turks & Caicos, the United Kingdom and the United Arab
Emirates. The following chart summarizes the Comfort system in the United
States:
Comfort Domestic System
As of and for the
As of and for the Seven Months Ended As of and for the
Year Ended May 31, December 31, Year Ended December 31,
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1995 1996 1997 1997 1997 1998 1999
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Number of properties, end of period........ 1,015 1,129 1,255 1,304 1,304 1,394 1,470
Number of rooms, end of period............. 87,551 94,160 102,722 105,384 105,384 110,682 112,727
Royalty fees ($000s)....................... $37,635 $44,657 $ 50,758 $ 36,446 $ 55,261 $ 61,153 $ 68,177
Average occupancy percentage............... 69.5% 68.7% 67.2% 71.3% 66.6% 65.4% 64.8%
Average daily room rate (ADR).............. $ 48.24 $ 51.13 $ 54.17 $ 57.15 $ 55.74 $ 58.19 $ 60.57
RevPAR..................................... $ 33.54 $ 35.11 $ 36.39 $ 40.75 $ 37.15 $ 38.03 $ 39.26
8
Sleep Inn. Established in 1988, Sleep Inn is a new-construction hotel brand in
the lower portion of the mid-scale without food and beverage segment. Sleep Inns
are targeted to the business and leisure traveler. Principal competitor brands
include Fairfield Inn, Holiday Express, LaQuinta and Red Roof.
At December 31, 1999 there were 228 Sleep Inn properties with a total
of 17,523 rooms open and operating worldwide. An additional 156 properties with
a total of 11,917 rooms were under development. During 1999, 35 Sleep Inn
properties were added while 8 were terminated. The properties are located in
the United States, Brazil, Canada and the Cayman Islands. The following chart
summarizes the Sleep system in the United States:
Sleep Domestic System
As of and for the
As of and for the Seven Months Ended As of and for the
Year Ended May 31, December 31, Year Ended December 31,
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1995 1996 1997 1997 1997 1998 1999
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Number of properties, end of period...... 51 87 131 156 156 197 224
Number of rooms, end of period........... 3,672 6,396 9,635 11,538 11,538 14,924 17,199
Royalty fees ($000s)..................... $2,080 $2,108 $3,343 $ 2,630 $ 3,926 $ 5,337 $ 7,241
Average occupancy percentage............. 65.3% 65.5% 63.9% 66.5% 63.0% 62.0% 60.6%
Average daily room rate (ADR)............ $41.89 $45.11 $48.11 $ 50.54 $ 49.41 $ 51.32 $ 53.91
RevPAR................................... $27.37 $29.56 $30.75 $ 33.60 $ 31.11 $ 31.82 $ 32.66
Quality. Certain Quality Inns, Quality Inns and Suites, and Quality Suites
hotels compete in the midscale with food and beverage segment. Quality Inns,
Quality Inns and Suites, and Quality Suites are targeted to business and leisure
travelers. Principal competitor brands include Best Western, Holiday Inn,
Howard Johnson and Ramada Inn. At December 31, 1999, there were 686 Quality Inn
and Quality Inns and Suites properties with a total of 73,442 rooms, and 45
Quality Suites properties with a total of 17,352 rooms open worldwide. An
additional 145 Quality Inn, Quality Inns and Suites and Quality Suites
properties with a total of 15,573 rooms were under development. During 1999, a
total of 46 Quality properties were added while 45 were terminated.
Quality properties are located in the United States and in Argentina,
Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, Denmark,
France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Malaysia, New
Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Sweden, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the
United Arab Emirates. The following chart summarizes the Quality system in the
United States:
Quality Domestic System
As of and for the
As of and for the Seven Months Ended As of and for the
Year Ended May 31, December 31, Year Ended December 31,
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1995 1996 1997 1997 1997 1998 1999
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Number of properties, end of period........ 341 362 409 419 419 430 431
Number of rooms, end of period............. 43,281 45,967 50,487 50,674 50,674 50,151 49,331
Royalty fees ($000s)....................... $15,632 $16,606 $17,623 $14,459 $18,488 $20,187 $21,034
Average occupancy percentage............... 63.1% 62.5% 61.3% 63.8 % 60.2% 58.9% 58.0%
Average daily room rate (ADR).............. $ 50.94 $ 52.90 $ 54.61 $ 57.58 $ 56.79 $ 60.02 $ 61.89
RevPAR..................................... $ 32.16 $ 33.08 $ 33.46 $ 36.73 $ 34.19 $ 35.35 $ 35.90
9
Clarion. Clarion Inns, Clarion Hotels, Clarion Resorts and Clarion Suites
hotels are full-service properties with on-premise food and beverage facilities
and operate in the upscale category. Clarion properties are targeted to
business and leisure travelers. Principal competitor brands include Crowne
Plaza, Four Points by Sheraton, Radisson, Courtyard by Marriott and Doubletree.
At December 31, 1999, there were 142 Clarion properties with a total
of 22,519 rooms open and operating worldwide and an additional 32 properties
with a total of 4,479 rooms under development. During 1999, 20 Clarion
properties were added while 13 were terminated. The properties are located in
the United States, Argentina, Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, Chile, France,
Germany, Guatemala, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Norway, the United Kingdom
and Uruguay. The following chart summarizes the Clarion system in the United
States:
Clarion Domestic System
As of and for the
As of and for the Seven Months Ended As of and for the
Year Ended May 31, December 31, Year Ended December 31,
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1995 1996 1997 1997 1997 1998 1999
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Number of properties, end of period........ 63 75 92 96 96 105 112
Number of rooms, end of period............. 10,420 12,817 14,721 16,161 16,161 17,878 18,815
Royalty fees ($000s)....................... $ 2,995 $ 3,602 $ 4,081 $ 2,957 $ 5,061 $ 5,447 $ 6,491
Average occupancy percentage............... 63.7% 63.3% 63.3% 64.7 % 62.3% 60.5% 59.0%
Average daily room rate (ADR).............. $ 63.71 $ 64.36 $ 67.76 $ 71.53 $ 70.67 $ 72.25 $ 74.17
RevPAR..................................... $ 40.58 $ 40.74 $ 42.86 $ 46.29 $ 44.05 $ 43.73 $ 43.74
Econo Lodge. Econo Lodge hotels operate in the economy category of the lodging
industry. Econo Lodges are primarily targeted to senior citizens and rely to a
large extent on strong roadside name recognition. Principal competitor brands
include Days Inn, Motel 6, Ramada Limited, Red Carpet Inn, Super 8 and
Travelodge.
At December 31, 1999, there were 722 Econo Lodge properties with a
total of 45,193 rooms open and operating in the United States and Canada, and an
additional 54 properties with a total of 3,231 rooms under development in those
two countries. During 1999, 57 Econo Lodge properties were added while 64 were
terminated. The following chart summarizes the Econo Lodge system in the United
States:
Econo Lodge Domestic System
As of and for the
As of and for the Seven Months Ended As of and for the
Year Ended May 31, December 31, Year Ended December 31,
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1995 1996 1997 1997 1997 1998 1999
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Number of properties, end of period......... 633 641 682 692 692 698 691
Number of rooms, end of period.............. 42,801 42,726 44,636 45,050 45,050 44,458 43,754
Royalty fees ($000s)........................ $12,021 $12,760 $13,288 $ 8,991 $13,687 $13,975 $14,313
Average occupancy percentage................ 57.5% 58.0% 56.4% 60.7 % 56.1% 54.3% 54.0%
Average daily room rate (ADR)............... $ 38.31 $ 39.97 $ 41.33 $ 43.86 $ 42.35 $ 43.55 $ 45.01
RevPAR...................................... $ 22.04 $ 23.17 $ 23.30 $ 26.63 $ 23.75 $ 23.65 $ 24.32
10
Rodeway. The Rodeway brand competes in the economy category and is primarily
targeted to senior citizens. Principal competitor brands include Ho-Jo Inn,
Ramada Limited, Red Roof Inn, Shoney's Inn, Super 8 and Motel 6. At December
31, 1999, there were 171 Rodeway Inn properties with a total of 10,991 rooms,
open and operating in the United States and Canada, and an additional 23
properties with a total of 1,481 rooms under development in those two countries.
During 1999, 10 Rodeway properties were added while 40 were terminated. The
following chart summarizes the Rodeway system in the United States:
Rodeway Domestic System
As of and for the
As of and for the Seven Months Ended As of and for the
Year Ended May 31, December 31, Year Ended December 31,
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1995 1996 1997 1997 1997 1998 1999
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of properties, end of period......... 208 201 217 209 209 196 166
Number of rooms, end of period.............. 13,067 12,547 13,509 12,997 12,997 12,447 10,613
Royalty Fees ($000s)........................ $ 2,302 $ 2,506 $ 2,631 $ 1,756 $ 2,671 $ 2,678 $ 2,552
Average occupancy percentage................ 50.5% 52.7% 52.7% 54.7 % 51.4% 50.1% 50.7%
Average daily room rate (ADR)............... $ 38.93 $ 40.66 $ 41.15 $ 44.11 $ 43.15 $ 44.03 $ 45.57
RevPAR...................................... $ 19.64 $ 21.48 $ 21.68 $ 24.13 $ 22.20 $ 22.04 $ 23.09
MainStay Suites. MainStay Suites, our newest hotel brand, is a midscale
extended-stay lodging product targeted to travelers who book hotel rooms for
five nights or more. The first MainStay Suites hotel, which Sunburst owns and
manages, opened in Plano, Texas, in November 1996. As of December 31, 1999,
there were 29 open hotels with 2,681 rooms and an additional 21 properties with
1,701 rooms under development. During 1999, 10 MainStay Suites properties were
added.
The MainStaySM Suites brand is designed to fill the gap in the
midscale category between existing upscale and economy extended-stay lodging
products. Principal competitors brands include Candlewood Suites, Homestead
Village, Sierra Suites and TownePlace Suites.
International Franchise Operations
Our international franchise operations are primarily conducted through
master franchise arrangements. These agreements provide the master franchisee
the right to develop Choice branded hotels in a specific geographic region,
usually for a fee. The agreements govern the relationship between the Company
and the master franchisee, who share the royalties generated by the underlying
franchised hotels. At December 31, 1999, we had 1,125 franchise hotels open in
34 countries outside the United States. The following table illustrates the
growth of our international franchise system over the three fiscal years ended
May 31, 1997 for the seven-month period ended December 31, 1997 and the three
fiscal years ended December 31, 1999.
11
Combined International Franchise System(1)
As of and for the
As of and for the Seven Months Ended As of and for the
Year Ended May 31, December 31, Year Ended December 31,
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1995 1996 1997 1997 1997 1998 1999
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of properties, end of period......... 524 557 563 605 605 632 1,125
Number of rooms, end of period.............. 44,877 46,843 47,603 50,639 50,639 53,095 80,134
Royalty fees ($000s)....................... $ 1,998 $ 1,586 $ 1,672 $ 958 $ 2,303 $ 4,902 $ 6,949
(1) Master franchise contracts do not currently require the reporting of
operating statistics (e.g. average occupancy percentage and average daily
room rate) of the underlying hotels, thus RevPAR is not calculated for
foreign hotels.
Europe. The Company is the second-largest international franchised hotel chain
in Europe, with 394 hotels open in thirteen countries at December 31, 1999.
On May 31, 1996, the Company invested approximately $17.1 million in
the capital stock of Friendly Hotels, PLC ("Friendly"). In exchange for the
$17.1 million investment, the Company received 750,000 shares of common stock
and 10 million newly issued immediately convertible preferred shares. In
addition, the company granted to Friendly a Master Franchise Agreement for the
United Kingdom and Ireland in exchange for 333,333 additional shares of common
stock. The preferred shares carry a 5.75% dividend payable in cash or in stock,
at the Company's option. The dividend accrues annually with the first dividend
paid on the earlier of the third anniversary of completion or on a conversion
date. As a condition to the investment, the Company has the right to appoint
three directors to the board of Friendly. Given the Company's ability to
exercise significant influence over the operations of Friendly, the equity
method of accounting is applied.
In January 1998, Friendly acquired European hotels owned by the
Company for $26.2 million in convertible preferred shares and cash. In exchange
for 10 hotels in France, two in Germany and one in the United Kingdom, the
Company received $22.2 million in new unlisted 5.75% convertible preferred
shares in Friendly at par, convertible for one new Friendly ordinary share for
every 150p nominal of the preferred convertible shares.
In 1998, the Company granted Friendly the master franchise rights for
Choice's Comfort, Quality and Clarion brand hotels throughout Europe (with the
exception of Scandinavia) for a 10 year period. In exchange, the Company will
receive from Friendly $8.0 million, payable in eight equal annual installments.
The master franchise payment is being recognized over the life of the agreement.
The Company owned approximately 5.3%, 5.2% and 4.95% of Friendly's
outstanding ordinary shares at December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
The fair market value of the ordinary shares at December 31, 1999 and 1998 was
$2.0 million and $1.9 million, respectively.
There is also a master franchise arrangement in Scandinavia that has
90 open properties as of December 31, 1999.
Canada. Choice Hotels Canada is Canada's largest lodging organization with 226
properties open at December 31, 1999. Choice Hotels Canada is a joint venture,
owned 50% by the Company and 50% by W-westmont, a subsidiary of Westmont
Hospitality, which was formed in 1993 when W-westmont converted substantially
all of its controlled hotels to Choice's brands and Choice contributed its
operations in Canada to form Choice Hotels Canada.
12
Other International Relationships. The Company has master franchise
arrangements with developers in various countries, including Australia, New
Zealand, India and Brazil. At December 31, 1999, 541 hotels were open and
operating under these master franchise arrangements (exclusive of Europe and
Canada), generating annual royalty fees to the Company of approximately $2.5
million.
In July 1998, the Company and Flag International Limited ("Flag"),
Australia's largest lodging chain, formed a strategic alliance. Flag Choice
Hotels, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Flag, acquired a 20-year master franchise
from the Company. Under the agreement, a number of Flag properties were re-
branded with Company brands which best serve their market segment. The
agreement also provides the Company with the opportunity to acquire, within the
first four years of the agreement, up to 30 percent of the equity of Flag Choice
Hotels with proportionate board representation.
Franchise Sales
We have identified key market areas for hotel development based on
supply/demand relationships and strategic objectives. Development opportunities
are first offered; (i) to existing franchisees; and then to (ii) developers of
hotels; (iii) owners of independent hotels and motels; (iv) owners of hotels
affiliated with other franchisors' brands; and; (v) contractors who construct
any of the foregoing. In considering hotels for conversion to one of the Choice
brands, or sites for development of new hotels, We consider locations which are
close to major highways, airports, tourist attractions and business centers that
attract travelers.
At December 31, 1999, we employed approximately 40 sales directors,
each of whom is responsible for a particular region or geographic area. Sales
directors contact potential franchisees directly and receive compensation based
on sales generated. Franchise sales efforts emphasize the benefits of
affiliating with one of the Choice brands, our commitment to improving RevPAR,
our television, radio and print brand advertising campaigns, the Choice
reservation system, our training and support systems, and our history of growth
and profitability. Because the Choice brands cover a broad spectrum of the
lodging marketplace, we are able to offer each prospective franchisee a brand
that fits its needs, lessening the chances that the prospective franchisee would
need to consider a competing franchise system.
Because retention of existing franchisees is important to our growth
strategy, we created a formal Impact Policy in 1992, which was revised in July
1999, which offers existing franchisees the right to object to a same-brand
property within a 15 mile radius. The Impact Policy protects franchisees from
the opening of a same-brand property within a specific distance, which can range
from one to seven miles, depending upon the market in which the property is
located. We believe that it is the only major franchise company to routinely
offer such territorial protection to its franchisees.
During fiscal 1999, Choice received 788 franchise applications, signed
473 franchise agreements and placed 301 new properties into operation in the
United States under the Choice brands. Of those placed into operations, 184
were newly constructed hotels. By comparison, during the twelve month period
ended December 31, 1998, we received 919 franchise applications, signed 619
franchise agreements and added 318 new properties into
13
operation in the U.S. An application received may not always result in a signed
franchise agreement during the year received or at all due to an applicant being
unable to obtain financing or because the Company and the applicant are unable
to agree on the financial terms of the franchise agreement.
In 1999, we continued to place great focus on enforcing quality
standards. Terminations for properties that failed to meet quality assurance
standards and contractual obligations were 217 properties (including properties
not yet open) in 1999 and 258 properties (including properties not yet open) in
1998.
Franchise Agreements
Our standard franchise agreement grants a franchisee the right to non-
exclusive use of our franchise system in the operation of a single hotel at a
specified location, typically for a period of 20 years, with certain rights to
each of the franchisor and franchisee to terminate the franchise agreement
before the twentieth year. When the responsibility for development is sold to a
master franchisee, that party has the responsibility to sell to local
franchisees the Choice brands and the master franchisee generally must manage
the delivery of necessary services (such as quality assurance, reservations and
marketing) to support the franchised hotels in the master franchise area. The
master franchisee collects the fees paid by the local franchisee and remits an
agreed share to us. Master franchise agreements generally have a term of at
least 10 years. We have only entered into master franchise agreements with
respect to franchise hotels outside the United States.
Either party to a franchise agreement, other than master franchise
agreements, can terminate a franchise agreement prior to the conclusion of their
term under certain circumstances, such as at certain anniversaries of the
agreement or if a franchisee fails to bring properties into compliance with
contractual quality standards within specified periods of time. Early
termination options give us flexibility in eliminating or re-branding properties
which become weak performers for reasons other than contractual failure by the
franchisee. Master franchise agreements typically contain provisions permitting
us to terminate the agreement for failure to meet a specified development
schedule.
Franchise fees vary among the different Choice brands, but generally
are competitive with the industry average within their market group. Franchise
fees usually have four components: an initial, one-time affiliation fee; a
royalty fee; a marketing fee; and a reservation fee. Proceeds from the marketing
fee and reservation fee are used exclusively to fund marketing programs and the
Company's central reservation system, respectively. Most marketing fees support
brand-specific marketing programs, although we occasionally contribute a portion
of such fees to marketing programs designed to support all of the Choice brands.
Royalty fees and affiliation fees are the principal sources of profits for us.
The standard franchise agreements typically require our franchisees to
pay the following fees:
14
Quoted Fees by Brand
Initial Fee On-Going Fees as a Percentage of Gross Room Revenues
Per Room/ --------------------------------------------------------------------
Brand Minimum Royalty Fees Marketing Fees Reservation Fees
----- -------------- ---------------- -------------------- ----------------------
Comfort Inn.................... $300/$50,000 5.25% 2.1% 1.75%
Comfort Suites................. $300/$50,000 5.25% 2.1% 1.75%
Quality Inn.................... $300/$35,000 4.0% 2.1% 1.75%
Quality Suites................. $300/$50,000 4.0% 2.1% 1.25%
Sleep Inn...................... $300/$40,000 4.5% 2.1% 1.75%
Clarion........................ $300/$40,000 3.75% 1.0% 1.25%
Econo Lodge.................... $250/$25,000 4.0% 3.5%(1) --
MainStay Suites................ $300/$30,000 4.5% 2.5%(1) --
Rodeway........................ $250/$25,000 3.5% 1.25% 1.25%
- ---------------------
(1) Fee includes both Marketing and Reservation Fees.
For a description of the franchising agreements between the Company
and Sunburst, see "Relationship Between the Company and Sunburst--Franchise
Agreements," on the Proxy Statement dated March 29, 2000, incorporated herein by
reference.
We have increased our average royalty rate since fiscal year 1993,
primarily by raising the quoted royalty fee for Comfort Inn franchisees to 5.25%
of annual gross room revenues ("GRR") from 4.0% of GRR in 1993, and by
increasing the number of higher royalty fee contracts in the franchise system.
For the twelve months ended December 31, 1999, our average royalty rate for all
Choice domestic brand hotels was 3.7%. We believe that our average royalty rate
will continue to increase as new franchisees are added and as older franchise
agreements expire, terminate or are amended.
Franchise Operations
Our operations are designed to improve RevPAR for our franchisees, as
this is the measure of performance that most directly impacts franchisee
profitability. We believe that by helping our franchisees to become more
profitable we will enhance our ability to both retain our existing franchisees
and attract new franchisees. The key aspects of our franchise operations are:
Central Reservation System. On average, approximately 30.0% of the room nights
booked at franchisees' properties are reserved through the toll-free telephone
reservation system which we operate. Our reservation system consists of a
computer reservation system known as CHOICE 2001, five reservation centers in
North America and several international reservation centers run by us or our
master franchisees. Operators trained on the CHOICE 2001 system can match each
caller with a Choice-branded hotel meeting the caller's needs. It provides an
instant data link to our franchised properties as well as to the Amadeus,
Galileo, SABRE and Worldspan airline reservation systems that facilitates the
reservation process for travel agents. We also offers our rooms for sale on our
own proprietary Internet site as well as those of other travel companies.
To define more sharply the market and image for each of our brands, we
began advertising separate toll-free reservation numbers for all of our brands
in fiscal year 1995, although we allow our reservation agents to cross-sell the
Choice brands. If a room in the Choice
15
hotel brand requested by a customer is not available in the location or price
range that the customer desires, the agent may offer the customer a room in
another Choice-branded hotel that meets the customer's needs. Cross-selling
enables Choice and its franchisees to capture additional business.
On-line reports generated by the CHOICE 2001 system enable franchisees
to analyze their reservation patterns over time. In addition, we provide a yield
management product for our franchisees to allow them to improve the management
of their mix of rates and occupancy based on current and forecasted demand on a
property-by-property basis. We also market to our franchisees a property
management product. Such products are designed to manage the financial and
operations information of an individual hotel and improve its efficiency.
Property Management System; Technical Services Program. Our proprietary
property and yield management system, Profit Manager by Choice Hotels, is
designed to help franchisees maximize profitability and compete more effectively
by managing their rooms inventory, rates and reservations. The Profit Manager
system synchronizes each hotel's inventory with the CHOICE 2001 system, giving
reservation sales agents last room sell capabilities at every hotel. Profit
Manager includes a revenue management feature that calculates and suggests
optimum rates and length of stays based on each hotel's past performance and
projected occupancy.
As of March 1, 2000, 1,812 hotels in the United States and Canada are
using Profit Manager, with 925 of those hotels utilizing the revenue management
function.
Brand Name Marketing and Advertising. Our marketing and advertising programs are
designed to heighten consumer awareness of the Choice brands. Marketing and
advertising efforts are focused primarily in the United States and include
national television and radio advertising, print advertising in consumer and
trade media and promotional events, including joint marketing promotions with
vendors and corporate partners. In fiscal year 1996, we began using brand-
specific marketing and largely discontinued the strategy of advertising our
multiple brands under the Choice umbrella. As a result, each brand has
established a unique identity and now employs a more focused approach to its
target audiences.
Numerous marketing programs are conducted which target specific
groups, including senior citizens, motorist club members, families, government
and military employees, and meeting planners. Other marketing efforts include
domestic and international trade show
16
programs, publication of group and tour rate directories, direct-mail programs,
discounts to holders of preferred credit cards, centralized commissions for
travel agents, fly-drive programs in conjunction with major airlines, and twice-
yearly publication of a Travel and Vacation Directory.
In 1998, we launched a program called Guest Privileges at four of our
brands (Comfort, Clarion, Quality and Sleep) to attract/retain frequent
travelers.
Marketing and advertising programs are directed by our marketing
department, which utilizes the services of independent advertising agencies. We
also employ sales personnel at our Silver Spring, Maryland, headquarters and in
our Phoenix, Arizona office. These sales personnel use telemarketing to target
specific customer groups, such as potential corporate clients in areas where our
franchised hotels are located, the motor coach market, and meeting planners.
Most of these sales personnel sell reservations and services for all of the
Choice brands.
Our franchise service directors work with franchisees to maximize
RevPAR. These directors advise franchisees on topics such as marketing their
hotels, improving quality and maximizing the benefits offered by the Choice
reservations system.
Quality Assurance Programs. Consistent quality standards are critical to the
success of a hotel franchise. We have established quality standards for all of
our franchised brands which cover housekeeping, maintenance, brand
identification and level of services offered. We inspect properties for
compliance with our quality standards when application is made for admission to
the franchise system. The compliance of existing franchisees with quality
standards is monitored through scheduled and unannounced Quality Assurance
Reviews conducted at least once per year at each property. Properties which fail
to maintain a minimum score are reinspected on a more frequent basis until
deficiencies are cured, or until such properties are terminated.
To encourage compliance with quality standards, various brand-specific
incentives are offered to franchisees who maintain consistent quality standards.
We identify franchisees whose properties operate below minimum quality standards
and assist them in complying with brand specifications. Franchisees who fail to
improve on identified quality matters may be subject to consequences ranging
from written warnings to termination of the franchisee's franchise agreement.
During the twelve months ended December 31, 1999, 83 domestic properties were
terminated for failure to maintain minimum quality assurance scores.
Training. We maintain a training department which conducts mandatory training
programs for all franchisees and their employees. Regularly scheduled regional
and national training meetings are also conducted for both property-level staff
and managers. Training programs teach franchisees how to take advantage of the
Choice reservation system and marketing programs, and fundamental hotel
operations such as housekeeping, maintenance, and inventory yield management.
Training is conducted by a variety of methods, including group
instruction seminars and video programs. We are developing an interactive
computer-based training system that will train hotel employees at their own
pace. Franchisees will be required to purchase hardware to operate the training
system, and will use software developed by us.
17
Purchasing. The Company's product services department negotiates volume
purchases of various products needed by franchisees to run their hotels,
including furniture, fixtures, carpets and bathroom amenities. The department
also helps to ensure consistency in such products across its exclusively new-
construction brands, Sleep Inn and MainStaySM Suites brands. Sales to
franchisees by the Company were approximately $3.9 million during the twelve
months ended December 31, 1999. The group purchasing program utilizes our bulk
purchases to obtain favorable pricing from third-party vendors for franchisees
ordering similar products. We act as a clearinghouse between the franchisee and
the vendor, and most orders are shipped directly to the franchisee. In the
fourth quarter of 1998, the Company discontinued the group purchasing program as
previously operated.
Design and Construction. We maintain a design and construction department to
assist franchisees in refurbishing, renovating, or constructing their properties
prior to or after joining the system. Department personnel assist franchisees in
meeting our brand specifications by providing technical expertise and cost-
savings suggestions.
Financial Assistance Programs. From time to time, we establish programs or help
franchisees obtain financing through; (i) a wholly owned subsidiary; (ii)
strategic partnerships with hotel lenders; and (iii) by referral to hotel
lenders for hotel refinancing, acquisition, renovation and development.
Some of the past programs include: (i) a Second Mortgage Financing
program under which the Company offered second mortgage financing for the
development and construction of Quality Inn, Quality Suites, Quality Inn and
Suites, Main Stay Suites and Sleep Inns; (ii) an Econo Lodge exterior renovation
program under which forgivable loans up to an amount of $17,500 per property
were given to qualified Econo Lodge franchisees for standardized exterior
renovation; and (iii) a "Construction to Permanent Financing" program under
which Salomon Smith Barney together with Suburban Capital Markets Inc. offered
$100 million in financing per year to qualified franchises and the Company
guaranteed such loans with a maximum guarantee amount of $10 million. At
December 31, 1999, loans outstanding under the above programs were $2.2 million,
$4.2 million and $14.3 million, respectively, and the Company's guarantee
covered $7.2 million in loans.
Competition
Competition among franchise lodging chains is intense, both in
attracting potential franchisees to the system and in generating reservations
for franchisees.
We believe that hotel operators choose lodging franchisors based
primarily on the perceived value and quality of each franchisor's brand and
services, and the extent to which affiliation with that franchisor may increase
the franchisee's reservations and profits. We believe that hotel operators
select a franchisor in part based on the franchisor's reputation among other
franchisees, and the success of its existing franchisees.
18
Choice is the second largest hotel franchisor in the world. The
largest, Cendant Corporation (formerly HFS, Inc.), has over 6,100 franchised
hotels. Bass Hotels & Resorts has 2,097, Promus/Hilton has 1,680, Marriott
International, Inc. has 1,543, Accor has 1,127, Carlson Hospitality has 417,
Starwood Hotels and Resorts has 354, and Hospitality International has 119.
Our prospects for growth are largely dependent upon the ability of our
franchisees to compete in the lodging market, since our franchise system
revenues are based on franchisees' gross room revenues.
The ability of a hotel to compete may be affected by a number of
factors, including the location and quality of its property, the number and
quality of competing properties nearby, its affiliation with a recognized name
brand, and general regional and local economic conditions. The effect of local
economic conditions on our results is substantially reduced by the geographic
diversity of our franchised properties, which are located in all 50 states and
in 34 other countries, as well as its range of products and room rates.
Service Marks and Other Intellectual Property
The service marks Quality, Comfort, Clarion, Sleep, Econo Lodge,
Rodeway, MainStay and related marks and logos are material to our business. We,
directly and through our franchisees, actively uses these marks. All of the
material marks are registered with the United States Patent and Trademark
Office. In addition, we have registered certain of our marks with the
appropriate governmental agencies in over 100 countries where we are doing
business or anticipate doing business in the foreseeable future. We seek to
protect our brands and marks throughout the world, although the strength of
legal protection available varies from country to country.
Seasonality
Our principal sources of revenues are franchise fees based on the
gross room revenues of its franchised properties. We experience seasonal revenue
patterns similar to those of the lodging industry in general. This seasonality
can be expected to cause quarterly fluctuations in our revenues, profit margins
and net income.
Regulation
Our franchisees are responsible for compliance with all laws and
government regulations applicable to the hotels they own or operate. The lodging
industry is subject to numerous federal, state and local government regulations,
including those relating to the preparation and sale of food and beverage (such
as health and liquor license laws), building and zoning requirements and laws
governing employee relations, including minimum wage requirements, overtime,
working conditions and work permit requirements.
The Federal Trade Commission (the "FTC"), various states and certain
other foreign jurisdictions (including France, Province of Alberta, Canada, and
Mexico) regulate the sale of franchises. The FTC requires franchisors to make
extensive disclosure to prospective
19
franchisees but does not require registration. A number of states in which our
franchises operate require registration or disclosure in connection with
franchise offers and sales. In addition, several states have "franchise
relationship laws" or "business opportunity laws" that limit the ability of the
franchisor to terminate franchise agreements or to withhold consent to the
renewal or transfer of these agreements. While our franchising operations have
not been materially adversely affected by such regulation, we cannot predict the
effect of future regulation or legislation.
Impact of Inflation and Other External Factors
Our principal sources of revenues are franchise fees. Franchise fees
can be impacted by external factors, including, in particular: the supply of
hotel rooms within the lodging industry relative to the demand for rooms by
travelers, and inflation.
Although we believe industry-wide supply and demand for hotel rooms
recently has been fairly balanced, any excess in supply that might develop in
the future could unfavorably impact room revenues at our franchised hotels
either by reducing the number of rooms reserved at such franchised properties or
by restricting the rates hotel operators can charge for their rooms. In
addition, an excess supply of hotel rooms may discourage potential franchisees
from opening new hotels, reducing the franchise fees received by us. However,
we benefit from an increasing supply of hotels as it serves to increase
franchise fees.
Although we believe that increases in the rate of inflation will
generally result in comparable increases in hotel room rates, severe inflation
could contribute to a slowing of the national economy. Such a slowdown could
result in reduced travel by both business and leisure travelers, potentially
resulting in less demand for hotel rooms, which could result in a temporary
reduction in room rates and fewer room reservations, negatively impacting our
revenues. A weak economy could also reduce demand for new hotels, negatively
impacting the franchise fees received by us.
Among the other unpredictable external factors which may affect our
fee stream are wars, airline strikes, gasoline shortages and severe weather.
Employees
We employ domestically approximately 2,100 people as of December 31,
1999. None of our employees are represented by unions or covered by collective
bargaining agreements. We consider our relations with our employees to be
satisfactory.
Item 2. Properties
Our principal executive offices are located at 10750 Columbia Pike,
Silver Spring, Maryland 20901. Prior to May, 1998, the offices were leased from
Sunburst; they are currently leased from a third party. We own our reservation
system offices in Phoenix, AZ and Minot, ND. In 1998, one of our subsidiaries
acquired a call center in Grand Junction, CO, which we had previously leased.
We also lease one additional reservation system office in Grand Junction, CO,
pursuant to a lease that expires in 2000, and occupy additional space in
Toronto, Canada, on a
20
month-to-month basis. In addition, we lease 12 sales offices across the United
States. Management believes that its executive, reservation systems and sales
offices are sufficient to meet its present needs and does not anticipate any
difficulty in securing additional or alternative space, as needed, on terms
acceptable to the Company.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
The Company is not a party to any litigation, other than routine
litigation incidental to its business. None of such litigation, either
individually or in the aggregate, is expected to be material to the business,
financial condition or results of operations of the Company.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the
fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
The name, age, title, present principal occupation, business address and
other material occupations, positions, offices and employment of each of the
executive officers of the Company are set forth below. The business address of
each executive officer is 10750 Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, Maryland 20901,
unless otherwise indicated.
Name Age Position
---- --- --------
Stewart Bainum, Jr........................ 53 Chairman of the Board of Directors
Charles A. Ledsinger, Jr.................. 50 Chief Executive Officer and President
Steven T. Schultz......................... 53 Executive Vice President, Franchise Operations
Thomas Mirgon............................. 43 Senior Vice President, Administration
Bruno Geny................................ 40 Senior Vice President, International
Michael J. DeSantis....................... 41 Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Joseph M. Squeri.......................... 34 Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Background of Executive Officers:
Stewart Bainum, Jr., Chairman of the Board of the Company from March 1987
to November 1996 and since October 1997; Director of the Company since 1977;
Chairman of the Board of Sunburst since November 1996; Chairman of the Board of
Manor Care, Inc. since September, 1998; Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer of Manor Care, Inc. from March 1987 to September, 1998; Chief
Executive Officer of Manor Care, Inc. and its subsidiary ManorCare Health
Services, Inc. ("MCHS") from March 1987 to September, 1998 and President from
June 1989 to September, 1998; Vice Chairman of the Board of Vitalink Pharmacy
Services, Inc. ("Vitalink") from December 1994 to September, 1998; Vice Chairman
of the Board of Manor Care and subsidiaries from June 1982 to March 1987;
Director of Manor Care from August 1981 to September 1998, of Vitalink from
September 1991 to September, 1998, of MCHS from 1976 to September 1998; Chairman
of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of
21
Vitalink from September 1991 to February 1995 and President and Chief Executive
Officer from March 1987 to September 1991.
Charles A. Ledsinger, Jr., President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
of the Company since August, 1998; President and Chief Operating Officer of St.
Joe Company from February 1998 to August 1998, Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of St. Joe Company from May 1997 to February 1998; Senior Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer of Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. from June
1995 to May 1997; Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Promus
Companies Incorporated from August 1990 to June 1995. Director: FelCor Lodging
Trust, Inc., Friendly's Ice Cream Corporation and TBC.
Steven T. Schultz. Executive Vice President, Franchise Operations of
the Company since May 1999; Executive Vice President and Chief Development
Officer of La Quinta Inns, Inc. from 1997 to April 1999; Senior Vice President-
Development of La Quinta Inns, Inc. from 1992 to 1997.
Bruno Geny, Senior Vice President, International of the Company since
November 1997; Executive Director, Mergers & Acquisitions of Union Bank
Switzerland from July 1997 to November 1997; Executive Director, Mergers &
Acquisitions of SBC Walberg from March 1992 to June 1997.
Thomas Mirgon. Senior Vice President, Administration since April 1998;
Senior Vice President, Human Resources of the Company from March 1997 to April
1998 and of Former Choice from March 1997 to October 1997; Vice President,
Administration of Interim Services from August 1993 to February 1997; employed
by Taco Bell Corp. from January 1986 to August 1993, last serving as Senior
Director, Field Human Resources from February 1992 to August 1993.
Michael J. DeSantis. Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
of the Company since June 1997 and of Former Choice from June 1997 to October
1997; Senior Attorney for Former Choice from November 1996 to June 1997; Senior
Attorney for Manor Care from January 1996 to October 1996; Vice President,
Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary for Caterair International
Corporation from April 1994 to December 1995; Assistant General Counsel of
Caterair International from May 1990 to March 1994. Director: Friendly Hotels,
plc.
Joseph M. Squeri. Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the
Company since June 1999; Treasurer of the Company since April 1998; Vice
President, Finance and Controller of the Company from March 1997 to June 1999
and of Former Choice from March 1997 to October 1997; Director of Investment
Funds, The Carlyle Group, from November 1994 to February 1997; various positions
with Arthur Andersen LLP from July 1987 to November 1994, most recently as
Manager.
22
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder
Matters.
Prior to the Spin-off, the Company was a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Former Choice. In the Spin-off, Former Choice distributed to its shareholders
all of its interest in the Company on the basis of one share of Company common
stock for each share of Former Choice common stock. The Spin-off resulted in
approximately 60 million shares of Company common stock outstanding as of
October 16, 1997.
The shares of the Company's Common Stock are listed and traded on the
New York Stock Exchange. The following table sets forth information on the high
and low prices of the Company's Common Stock since October 16, 1997.
QUARTERLY MARKET PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
(Unaudited)
Quarters Ended Market Price Per Share
- ------------------------------------------------------------
High Low
- ------------------------------------------------------------
FISCAL 1999
March $14 3/8 $12 5/6
June 19 3/4 13 3/16
September 17 1/2 15 1/8
December 17 3/16 13 11/16
FISCAL 1998
March $18 1/2 $14 5/16
June 18 7/16 12
September 14 7/16 11 5/8
December 13 5/16 9 5/8
FISCAL 1997(1)
October 16 --
November 30 $18 $17
CALENDER 1997(1)
October 16 -
December 31 $18 $15 7/8
- -----------------
(1) On September 16, 1997, the Company changed its fiscal year end from May 31
to December 31. The Spinoff occurred on October 15, 1997, no trading
occurred prior to that date.
The Company paid no dividends during the twelve month period ended December
31, 1999. The Company does not anticipate the payment of any cash dividends on
its common stock in the foreseeable future. Payment of dividends on Company
common stock will also be subject to limitations as may be imposed by the
Company's credit facilities from time to time. The declaration of dividends
will be subject to
23
the discretion of the Board of Directors.
As of March 10, 2000, there were 4,037 record holders of Company common stock.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
The required information is included on page 1 of the 1999 Annual
Report and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and
Results of Operations.
The required information is included on pages 26-33 of the 1999 Annual
Report and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 7A. The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates
and the impact of fluctuations in foreign currencies on the Company's foreign
investments. The Company manages its exposure to this market risk through the
monitoring of its available financing alternatives including in certain
circumstances the use of derivative financial instruments. The Company's
strategy to manage exposure to changes in interest rates and foreign currencies
remains unchanged from 1997. Furthermore, the Company does not foresee any
significant changes in exposure in these areas or in how such exposure is
managed in the near future.
At December 31, 1999 and 1998, the Company had $307.4 million and $279.2 million
of debt outstanding at effective interest rates of 6.6% and 6.4%, respectively,
after the impact of interest rate swaps is taken into account. A hypothetical
change of 10% in the Company's effective interest rate from year-end 1999 levels
would increase or decrease interest expense by $1.3 million. The Company will
refinance the $150 million variable rate term loan as it amortizes throughout
the expected maturity dates. Upon expiration of the Credit Facility in 2002,
the Company expects to refinance its obligations. For more information related
to the Company's use of interest rate instruments, see Long-Term Debt and Notes
Payable, Interest Rate Hedges and Fair Value of Financial Instruments in the
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Company is also exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency relating to its
preferred stock investment in Friendly Hotels, PLC which is denominated in
British Pounds. The Company does not have any derivative financial instruments
related to its foreign investments.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
The required information is included on page(s) 35-52 of the 1999
Annual Report and is incorporated herein by reference. See Item 14 for the
Index to Financial Statements and Schedules.
24
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure.
Not applicable.
PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
The required information on directors is included on pages 5-7 of the
Proxy Statement dated March 29, 2000 and is incorporated herein by reference.
The required information on executive officers is set forth in Part I of this
Form 10-K under an unnumbered item captioned "Executive Officers of Choice
Hotels International, Inc."
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
The required information is included on pages 11-14 of the Proxy
Statement dated March 30, 2000 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.
The required information is included on pages 9-10 of the Proxy
Statement dated March 29, 2000 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.
The required information is included on pages 20-25 of the Proxy
Statement dated March 29, 2000 and is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K.
(a) List of Documents Filed as Part of this Report
1. Financial Statements
The following information is included on the corresponding pages of
the 1999 Annual Report:
Consolidated Statements of Income........................ p. 35
Consolidated Balance Sheets.............................. p. 36
Consolidated Statements ofShareholders' Equity
and Comprehensive Income................................ p. 38
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.................... p. 37
Report of Independent Public Accountants................. p. 34
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements............... pp. 39-52
25
2. Financial Statement Schedules
The following reports are filed herewith.
Report of Independent Public Accountants on Schedule.....
Consent of Independent Public Accountants................
Schedule II: Valuation and Qualifying Accounts..........
All other schedules are not applicable.
3. Exhibits
Exhibit
Number Description
- ------- -----------
3.01(a) Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Choice Hotels Franchising, Inc.
3.02(a) Amended and Restated Bylaws of Choice Hotels International, Inc.
4.01(c) Credit Agreement dated October 15, 1997 among Choice Hotels International, Inc., Chase
Manhattan Bank, as Agent and certain Lenders
4.02(c) First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated February 13, 1998 among Choice Hotels
International, Inc., Chase Manhattan Bank, as Agent, and certain Lenders.
4.03(j) Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of March 30, 1998 among Choice Hotels
International, Inc., Chase Manhattan Bank, as agent, and certain Lenders.
4.04 (j) Third Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of April 9, 1998 among Choice Hotels
International, Inc., Chase Manhattan Bank, as agent, and certain Lenders.
4.05(j) Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of December 16, 1998, among Choice Hotels
International, Inc., Chase Manhattan Bank, as agent, and certain Lenders.
4.06(k) Fifth Amendment to Credit Agreement dated March 19, 1999 among Choice Hotels International,
Inc., Chase Manhattan Bank as agent, and certain lenders.
4.07(h) Registration Agreement dated April 28, 1998 between Choice Hotels International, Inc. and
Salomon Brothers, Inc., Bear Stearns & Co. Inc. and Lehman Brothers Inc.
4.08(h) Indenture dated as of May 4, 1998, by and among the Company, Quality Hotels Europe, Inc., QH
Europe Partnership and Marine Midland Bank, as Trustee, with respect to the 7.125% Senior
Notes due 2008 of the Company.
4.09(h) Specimen certificate of 7.125% Senior Note due 2008 (Original Note) (Attached as an exhibit
to the Indenture set forth as Exhibit 4.08)
4.10(h) Specimen certificate of 7.125% Senior Note due 2008 (Exchange Note) (Attached as an exhibit
to the Indenture set forth as Exhibit 4.08)
4.11(b) Guarantee Agreement dated October 15, 1997 between Quality Hotels Europe, Inc. and The Chase
Manhattan Bank.
4.12(b) Supplement No. 1 to the guarantee Agreement dated April 28, 1998 among Choice Hotels
International, Inc., Quality Hotels Europe, Inc., QH Europe Partnership and The Chase
Manhattan Bank.
4.13(b) Indemnity, Subrogation and Contribution Agreement, dated April 28, 1998 among Choice Hotels
International, Inc., Quality Hotels Europe, Inc., QH Europe Partnership and The Chase
Manhattan Bank.
4.14(g) Rights Agreement, dated as of February 19, 1998, between Choice Hotels International, Inc.
and ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C., as Rights Agent.
10.01(l) Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Choice Hotels International, Inc. and
Charles A. Ledsinger, Jr. dated April 13, 1999.
10.02(d) Distribution Agreement dated as of October 15, 1997 by and between Choice Hotels
International, Inc. (renamed Sunburst Hospitality Corporation) and Choice Hotels
Franchising, Inc. (renamed Choice Hotels International, Inc.)
26
10.03(d) Employee Benefits Administration Agreement dated as of October 15, 1997 by and between
Choice Hotels International, Inc. (renamed Sunburst Hospitality Corporation) and Choice
Hotels Franchising, Inc. (renamed Choice Hotels International, Inc.)
10.04(d) Tax Administration Agreement dated as of October 15, 1997 by and between Choice Hotels
International, Inc. (renamed Sunburst Hospitality Corporation) and Choice Hotels
Franchising, Inc. (renamed Choice Hotels International, Inc.
10.05(d) Tax Sharing Agreement dated as of October 15, 1997 by and between Choice Hotels
International, Inc. (renamed Sunburst Hospitality Corporation) and Choice Hotels
Franchising, Inc. (renamed Choice Hotels International, Inc.)
10.09(d) Employee Benefits Allocation Agreement dated as of October 15, 1997 by and between Choice
Hotels International, Inc. (renamed Sunburst Hospitality Corporation) and Choice Hotels
Franchising, Inc. (renamed Choice Hotels International, Inc.)
10.10(d) Strategic Alliance Agreement dated as of October 15, 1997 by and between Choice Hotels
International, Inc. (renamed Sunburst Hospitality Corporation) and Choice Hotels
Franchising, Inc. (renamed Choice Hotels International, Inc.)
10.11(d) Omnibus Amendment and Guaranty dated as of October 15, 1997 by and among Choice Hotels
International, Inc. (renamed Sunburst Hospitality Corporation), Choice Hotels Franchising,
Inc. (renamed Choice Hotels International, Inc.) and Manor Care, Inc.
10.12(d) Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated as of October 15, 1997 by and between Choice
Hotels Franchising, Inc. (renamed Choice Hotels International, Inc.) and Stewart Bainum, Jr.
10.13(l) Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated April 13, 1999 by and between Choice Hotels
International, Inc. and Thomas Mirgon
10.14(j) Omnibus Amendment Agreement dated December 28, 1998 between Choice Hotels International,
Inc. and Sunburst Hospitality Corporation.
10.15 * Second Omnibus Amendment Agreement dated February 29, 2000 between Choice Hotels
International, Inc. and Sunburst Hospitality Corporation.
10.16(f) Choice Hotels International, Inc. Non-Employee Director Stock Option and Deferred
Compensation Stock Purchase Plan.
10.17(f) Choice Hotels International, Inc. 1997 Non-Employee Director Stock Compensation Plan.
10.18(f) Choice Hotels International, Inc. 1997 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
10.20(l) Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated April 13, 1999 between Choice Hotels
International, Inc. and Michael J. DeSantis.
10.22(j) Commercial Lease dated May 29, 1998 among Columbia Pike I, LLC and Colesville Road, LLC
(each an assignee of Manor Care, Inc.) and Choice Hotels International, Inc.
10.23(l) Employment Agreement dated May 13, 1999 between Choice Hotels International, Inc. and Steven
T. Schultz.
10.24(l) Employment Agreement dated June 3, 1999 between Choice Hotels International, Inc. and Joseph
M. Squeri.
13.01 * Annual Report to Shareholders
21.01 * Subsidiaries of Choice Hotels International, Inc.
23.01 * Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
27.01 * Financial Data Schedule
- ------------------
* Filed herewith
(a) Incorporated by reference to the identical document filed as an exhibit to
Choice Hotels International, Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-4,
filed August 31, 1998 (Reg. No. 333-62543).
(b) Incorporated by reference to the identical document filed as an exhibit to
Choice Hotels International, Inc.'s Amendment No. 1 to Registration
Statement on Form S-4, filed October 14, 1998 (Reg. No. 333-62543).
27
(c) Incorporated by reference to the identical document filed as an exhibit to
Choice Hotels International, Inc.'s Transitional Report on Form 10-K dated
June 1, 1997, to December 31, 1997, filed on March 31, 1998.
(d) Incorporated by reference to the identical document filed as an exhibit to
Choice Hotels International, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K dated
October 15, 1997, filed on October 29, 1997.
(e) Incorporated by reference to the identical document filed as an exhibit to
Choice Hotels International, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K dated
October 15, 1997, filed on December 16, 1997.
(f) Incorporated by reference to the identical document filed as an exhibit to
Choice Hotels International, Inc.'s Registration Statement filed on Form S-
8, filed on December 2, 1997 (Reg. No. 333-41357).
(g) Incorporated by reference to the identical document filed as an exhibit to
Choice Hotels International, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K dated
February 19, 1998, filed on March 11, 1998.
(h) Incorporated by reference to the identical document filed as an exhibit to
Choice Hotels International, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed for
the quarterly period ended March 31, 1998, filed on May 15, 1998.
(i) Incorporated by reference to the identical document filed as an exhibit to
Choice Hotels International, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed for
the quarter ended June 30, 1998, filed on August 11, 1998.
(j) Incorporated by reference to the identical document filed as an exhibit to
Choice Hotels International, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1998, filed on March 30, 1999.
(k) Incorporated by reference to the identical document filed as an exhibit to
Choice Hotels International, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended March 31, 1999, filed on May 4, 1999.
(l) Incorporated by reference to the identical document filed as an exhibit to
Choice Hotels International, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended June 30, 1999, filed on August 16, 1999.
(b) No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the last quarter of the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1999.
28
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By: /s/ Charles A. Ledsinger, Jr.
---------------------------------------
Charles A. Ledsinger, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
Dated: March 30, 2000
29
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature Title Date
--------- ----- ----
/s/ Stewart Bainum, Jr. Chairman, Director March 30, 2000
- ------------------------------------
Stewart Bainum, Jr.
/s/ Charles P. Ledsinger, Jr. President, Chief Executive March 30, 2000
- ------------------------------------ Officer & Director
Charles P. Ledsinger, Jr.
/s/ Barbara Bainum Director March 30, 2000
- ------------------------------------
Barbara Bainum
/s/ James H. Rempe Director March 30, 2000
- ------------------------------------
James H. Rempe
/s/ Larry R. Levitan Director March 30, 2000
- ------------------------------------
Larry R. Levitan
/s/ William L. Jews Director March 30, 2000
- ------------------------------------
William L. Jews
/s/ Gerald W. Petitt Director March 30, 2000
- ------------------------------------
Gerald W. Petitt
/s/ Raymond E. Schultz Director March 30, 2000
- ------------------------------------
Raymond E. Schultz
/s/ Jerry E. Robertson Director March 30, 2000
- ------------------------------------
Jerry E. Robertson
/s/ Joseph M. Squeri Senior Vice President and March 30, 2000
- ------------------------------------ Chief Financial Officer
Joseph M. Squeri
30
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To Choice Hotels International, Inc.:
We have audited in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the
United States, the consolidated financial statements included in Choice Hotels
International, Inc.'s ("the Company") annual report to shareholders incorporated
by reference in this Form 10-K, and have issued our opinion thereon dated
January 28, 2000. Our audit was made for the purpose of forming an opinion on
those consolidated financial statements taken as a whole. The schedule listed in
the index under Item 14(a)2 is the responsibility of the Company's management
and is presented for purposes of complying with the Securities and Exchange
Commission's rules and is not part of the basic consolidated financial
statements. This schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied
in the audit of the basic consolidated financial statements and, in our opinion,
fairly states in all material respects the financial data required to be set
forth therein in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken
as a whole.
Arthur Andersen LLP
Vienna, Virginia
January 28, 2000
31
CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE II -- VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
(In thousands of dollars)
Balance at Charges to Balance at
Beginning of Profit End
Description Period and Loss Write-offs Of Period
----------- ------ -------- ---------- ----------
Year ended December 31, 1999
Allowance for doubtful accounts $8,082 $ 588 $(2,467) $6,203
====== ====== ======= ======
Year ended December 31, 1998
Allowance for doubtful accounts $7,608 $1,473 $ (999) $8,082
====== ====== ======= ======
Seven months ended December 31, 1997
Allowance for doubtful accounts $6,159 $2,274 $ (825) $7,608
====== ====== ======= ======
Year ended May 31, 1997
Allowance for doubtful accounts $4,515 $2,238 $ (594) $6,159
====== ====== ======= ======
32