SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1999 COMMISSION FILE NO. 1-11915
CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
10750 COLUMBIA PIKE
SILVER SPRING, MD. 20901
(301) 592-5000
Delaware 52-1209792
------------------------ -------------------------
(STATE OF INCORPORATION) (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
-------------------------------------------
(Former name, if changed since last report)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements
for the past 90 days.
Yes X No
----- ______
SHARES OUTSTANDING
CLASS AT MARCH 31, 1999
- ----------------------- ------------------------
Common Stock, $0.01
par value per share 55,237,622
==============================================================================
CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
INDEX
-----
PAGE NO.
-------
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets -
March 31, 1999 (Unaudited) and December 31, 1998 3
Consolidated Statements of Income -
Three months ended March 31, 1999 and March 31, 1998
(Unaudited) 5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -
Three months ended March 31, 1999 and March 31, 1998 (Unaudited) 6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) 7
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of
Operations and Financial Condition 9
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION AND SIGNATURE 14
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS)
MARCH 31, DECEMBER 31,
1999 1998
------------ -------------
ASSETS (Unaudited)
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 4,536 $ 1,692
Receivables (net of allowance
for doubtful accounts of
$8,831 and $8,082, respectively) 26,425 28,117
Income taxes receivable and other 1,304 5,852
-------- --------
Total current assets 32,265 35,661
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, AT COST, NET OF
ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION 35,623 32,845
GOODWILL, NET OF ACCUMULATED AMORTIZATION 66,238 66,749
FRANCHISE RIGHTS, NET OF ACCUMULATED
AMORTIZATION 46,094 44,981
INVESTMENT IN FRIENDLY HOTELS, INC. 45,776 45,139
OTHER ASSETS 57,686 45,001
NOTE RECEIVABLE FROM SUNBURST HOSPITALITY 131,259 127,849
-------- --------
Total assets $414,941 $398,225
======== ========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated
balance sheets.
CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS)
MARCH 31, DECEMBER 31,
1999 1998
----------- -------------
(Unaudited)
LIABILITIES & EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Current portion long-term debt $ 17,646 $ 22,646
Accounts payable 13,013 16,216
Accrued expenses 16,501 19,606
-------- --------
Total current liabilities 47,160 58,468
-------- --------
LONG-TERM DEBT 284,327 256,564
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES AND OTHER
LIABILITIES 38,145 26,683
-------- --------
Total liabilities 369,632 341,715
-------- --------
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, $.01 par value 609 607
Additional paid-in-capital 45,406 43,432
Accumulated other comprehensive income 949 2,112
Treasury stock (76,501) (54,204)
Retained earnings 74,846 64,563
-------- --------
Total shareholders' equity 45,309 56,510
======== ========
Total liabilities & shareholders' equity $414,941 $398,225
======== ========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated
balance sheets.
CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
THREE MONTHS ENDED
------------------
MARCH 31, MARCH 31,
1999 1998
--------- ---------
(UNAUDITED)
REVENUES
Royalty fees $23,798 $20,844
Product sales 2,032 5,156
Initial franchise fees and relicensing fees 2,849 3,414
Partner service revenue 1,716 1,618
European hotel operations - 1,098
Other 410 1,041
------- -------
Total revenues 30,805 33,171
------- -------
OPERATING EXPENSES
Selling, general and administrative 10,979 11,351
Product cost of sales 1,898 4,730
Depreciation and amortization 1,762 1,824
European hotel operations - 1,133
------- -------
Total operating expenses 14,639 19,038
------- -------
OPERATING INCOME 16,166 14,133
OTHER
Gain on sale of stock (1,260) (1,766)
Interest and dividend income (4,608) (2,720)
Interest expense 4,762 4,658
------- -------
Total other (1,106) 172
------- -------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 17,272 13,961
INCOME TAXES 6,995 5,815
------- -------
NET INCOME $10,277 $ 8,146
======= =======
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING 55,886 59,742
======= =======
DILUTED SHARES OUTSTANDING 56,508 60,970
======= =======
BASIC EARNING PER SHARE $ 0.18 $ 0.14
======= =======
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE $ 0.18 $ 0.13
======= =======
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements of
income.
CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
THREE MONTHS ENDED
------------------
MARCH 31, MARCH 31,
1999 1998
--------- ---------
(UNAUDITED)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income $ 10,277 $ 8,146
Reconciliation of net income to net cash
by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 3,530 2,973
Provision for bad debts 408 553
Increase in deferred taxes 2,222 2,212
Non cash interest and dividend income (3,965) (2,720)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Change in receivables 1,490 2,275
Change in current liabilities (5,533) (3,052)
Change in income taxes receivable
and other 4,719 (1,720)
-------- --------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES 13,148 8,667
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Investment in property and equipment (6,281) (2,320)
Repayments of Sunburst Hospitality advances, net 5,145
Other items, net (6,576) (1,325)
-------- --------
NET CASH (UTILIZED) PROVIDED BY INVESTING
ACTIVITIES (12,857) 1,500
-------- --------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from mortgages and other long term
debt 36,930 21,500
Principal payments of debt (13,137) (30,561)
Purchase of treasury stock (22,297) (7,347)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock 1,057 2,448
-------- --------
NET CASH PROVIDED (UTILIZED) BY FINANCING
ACTIVITIES 2,553 (13,960)
-------- --------
Net change in cash and cash equivalents 2,844 (3,793)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 1,692 10,282
-------- --------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD $ 4,536 $ 6,489
======== ========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements of
income.
CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
1. The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Choice Hotels
International, Inc. (the "Company") and subsidiaries have been prepared by the
Company without audit. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally
included in financial statements presented in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles have been condensed or omitted. The Company believes the
disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.
The consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the
consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 1998 and notes
thereto included in the Company's Form 10-K, dated March 29, 1999. In the
opinion of management, all adjustments (which include any normal recurring
adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.
Interim results are not necessarily indicative of fiscal year performance
because of seasonal and short-term variations. All intercompany transactions and
balances between Choice Hotels International, Inc. and its subsidiaries have
been eliminated. Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year
amounts to conform to current period presentation.
2. During the three months ended March 31, 1999, the Company's comprehensive
income (consisting of net income plus foreign currency translation adjustments
and unrealized gains on available for sale securities) exceeded net income by
approximately $902,000.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
The principal factors that affect the Company's 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, and (iv) the Company's ability to manage costs. The number of rooms at
franchised properties and occupancy and room rates at those properties
significantly affect the Company's results because franchise royalty fees are
based upon room revenues at franchised hotels. The key industry standard for
measuring hotel operating performance is revenue per available room ("RevPAR")
which is calculated by multiplying the percentage of occupied rooms by the
average daily room rate realized. The variable overhead costs associated with
franchise system growth are substantially less than incremental royalty fees
generated from new franchisees; therefore, the Company is able to capture a
significant portion of those royalty fees as operating income.
The Company reported net income of $10.3 million, or $0.18 per diluted share,
for the quarter ended March 31, 1999, compared to net income for the same period
of 1998 of $8.1 million, or $0.13 per diluted share. The increase in net income
for the period is attributable to an increase in franchise revenue as a direct
result of the addition of new licensees to the franchise system, increases in
the effective royalty rate achieved for the domestic hotel system and the
control of the Company's selling, general and administrative costs.
Franchise Revenues
- ------------------
Management analyzes its business based on "net franchise revenue," which is
total revenue excluding product sales and European hotel operations, and
franchise operating expenses which are reflected as selling, general and
administrative expenses.
The Company's net franchise revenues were $28.8 million for the three months
ended March 31, 1999 and $26.9 million for the three months ended March 31,
1998.
Royalties increased $3.0 million to $23.8 million in 1999 from $20.8 million in
1998, an increase of 14.2%. The increase in royalties is attributable to a net
increase of 14 franchisees during the period (representing an additional 749
rooms) an improvement in domestic RevPAR of 2.0% and an increase in the
effective royalty rate of the domestic hotel system to 3.61% from 3.46%. Initial
and relicensing fee revenue generated from domestic franchise contracts signed
decreased to $2.8 million from $3.4 million in 1998 as a result of a decrease in
total franchise agreements signed to 72, as compared to 100 for the first
quarter 1998. The total number of domestic hotels online increased to 3,053 from
2,914 an increase of 4.8% for the period ending March 31, 1999. This represents
an increase in the number of rooms open of 3.8% from 243,908 as of March 31,
1998 to 253,106 as of March 31, 1999. As of March 31, 1999, the Company had 598
hotels under development in its domestic hotel system representing 46,982 rooms.
The total number of international hotels on line increased to 1,003 from 608 an
increase of 65.0% as of March 31, 1999. International rooms open increased 41.5%
from 51,029 as of March 31, 1998 to 72,220 as of March 31, 1999. The total
number of international hotels under development increased to 180 from 125 an
increase of 44.0% for the period ending March 31, 1999. The number of
international rooms under development increased to 16,445 as of March 31, 1999
from 11,784 as of March 31, 1998, an increase of 39.6%. These increases are
primarily attributable to the Company's June 1998 Strategic Alliance with Flag
International Limited. The master franchise agreement with Flag Choice Hotels
includes several countries including Australia, Papua New Guinea and Fiji.
Franchise Expenses
- ------------------
The cost to operate the franchising business is reflected in selling, general
and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses
decreased approximately $0.4 million between years. As a percentage of total net
franchising revenues, total selling, general and administrative expenses
declined to 38.2% for the first quarter of 1999 as compared to 42.2% for 1998.
The improvement in the franchising margins relates to the economies of scale
generated from operating a larger franchisee base and cost control initiatives.
Product Sales
- -------------
Sales made to franchisees through the Company's group purchasing program
decreased approximately $3.2 million (or 60.6%) to $2.0 million for the three
months ended March 31, 1999 from $5.2 million for the three months ended March
31, 1998. The group purchasing program utilizes bulk purchases to obtain
favorable pricing from third party vendors for franchisees ordering similar
products. The Company acts as a clearing-house between the franchisee and the
vendor, and orders are shipped directly to the franchisee.
Product cost of sales decreased $2.8 million (or 59.9%) for the three months
ended March 31, 1999. The product services margins decreased for the three
months ended March 31, 1999 to 6.6% from 8.3% at March 31, 1998. This purchasing
program is provided to the franchisees as a service and is not expected to be a
major component of the Company's profitability. In the fourth quarter of 1998,
the Company discontinued the group purchasing program as previously operated.
Other
- ------
For the three months ended March 31, 1999, and March 31, 1998 the Company
recognized approximately $0.6 million and $0.4 million, respectively, in
dividend income from its investment in Friendly and approximately $3.4 million
and $2.3 million, respectively, of interest income from its subordinated term
note to Sunburst Hospitality, Inc.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
- -------------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities was $13.1 million for the three months
ended March 31, 1999, an increase of approximately $4.4 million from $8.7
million for 1998. At March 31, 1999, the total long-term debt outstanding for
the Company was $302.0 million which includes approximately $17.6 million which
matures in the next twelve months.
In the first quarter of 1999, the Company has repurchased 5.9 million shares of
its common stock at a total cost of $80.6 million. The Company has authorization
from its Board of Directors to repurchase up to an additional 2.8 million
shares.
The Company believes that cash flows from operations and available financing
capacity is adequate to meet the expected operating, investing, financing and
debt service requirements for the business for the immediate future.
Year 2000 Compliance
- --------------------
The Company is engaged in an ongoing effort to evaluate and remediate the Year
2000 computer problem shared by virtually all companies and businesses. As part
of this effort, a cross-functional Year 2000 Compliance Committee was
established to manage and supervise the efforts to become compliant and a Year
2000 action plan has been developed. The Company has completed the first three
phases of the plan, which include (i) making the Company's internal
organizations aware of the Year 2000 issue and assigning responsibility
internally, (ii) inventorying and initial testing of its proprietary software
and (iii) inventorying and testing secondary internal systems (e.g. employee
PCs). The Company is in the process of completing the remaining phases
which include: (i) assessing the risk from third party vendors and franchisees
(ii) contingency planning, and (iii) educating the franchise community.
Throughout the process, remedial actions have been or will be taken as
warranted.
The Company's exposure to potential Year 2000 problems exists in two general
areas: technological operations in the sole control of the Company, and
technological operations dependent in some way on one or more third parties.
With respect to the Company's internal systems, it has conducted Year 2000
compliance testing on all of its proprietary software, including its
reservations and reservations support systems, its franchise support system and
its franchisee property management support systems. The tests have indicated
that, except for two DOS based systems, the proprietary software is Year 2000
compliant. The DOS version of ChoiceLINKS is not Year 2000 compliant and the DOS
version of the Company's property management system is only compliant through
December 31, 2000. The Company has communicated this to franchisees using these
systems and has recommended that they migrate to the Windows based versions of
these systems. The Company has also been in the process of replacing its
hardware platforms for these systems and a number of smaller support systems and
has kept them updated so that by the end of 1998, all of the Company's large
system computers were than eighteen months old. Based on manufacturers
specifications, the Company believes that these new hardware platforms are Year
2000 compliant. However, the company will have to update the operating systems
for several of its servers.
The Company has completed its process of conducting an inventory of third party
software, including PC operating systems and word processing and other
commercial software. For hardware or software systems which does not appear to
be compliant, the Company is obtaining upgrades or replacement systems.
The Year 2000 Compliance Committee is currently identifying third party vendors
and service providers whose non-compliant systems could have a material impact
on the Company and undertaking an assessment as to such parties' compliant
status. These parties include airline global distribution systems (GDS), utility
providers, telephone service providers, banks and data processing services. The
GDS companies, which provide databases through which travel agents can book
hotel rooms, have assured the Company in writing that they are compliant and the
Company has conducted tests with three of the four major GDS companies. The Year
2000 Compliance Committee is in the process of assessing other third parties as
to their compliance and the consequences in the event they are not compliant. As
of February 1999, the Company has received responses from approximately one-half
of its vendors. Such vendors have indicated that they are, or expect to be, Year
2000 compliant. Throughout 1999, the committee will continue to seek and assess
responses from all of its material vendors.
As of February 1999, the Company has devised contingency plans for its Phoenix,
Arizona reservation center. These plans include access to alternative power
sources and insuring the availability of key employees. Contingency plans for
the Silver Spring, Maryland corporate headquarters and other Company locations
will be developed throughout the second and third quarters of 1999.
Costs of addressing potential Year 2000 problems have not been material to date.
The value of employee time devoted to testing and development has been
approximately $250,000. Total costs for replacement of hardware and operating
systems are expected to be approximately $700,000. However, these replacements
(as well as replacements undertaken in prior years) are being implemented
primarily as part of the Company's ongoing technology updating, rather than
specifically for Year 2000 compliance reasons. Based upon preliminary
information gathered to date, Year 2000 compliance costs are not currently
expected to have a material adverse impact on the Company's financial position,
results of operations or cash flows. However, if the Company, its vendors or
franchisees are unable to resolve such Year 2000 issues in a timely manner, it
could result in a material financial risk, including loss of revenue,
substantial unanticipated costs and service interruptions.
The Company is not in a position to guarantee the performance of others with
respect to their Year 2000 compliance or predict whether any of the assurances
that others provide regarding Year 2000 compliance may prove later to be
inaccurate or overly optimistic.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
- --------------------------
The statements contained in this document that are not historical facts are
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
A number of important factors could cause the Company's actual results for
future periods to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking
statements made by, or on behalf of the Company.
Certain statements contained in this Form 10-Q, including those in the section
entitled "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Operating Results and
Financial Condition," contain forward-looking information that involves risk and
uncertainties. Actual future results and trends may differ materially depending
on a variety of factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section included in the
Company's SEC filings, including the nature and extent of future competition,
and political, economic and demographic developments in countries where the
Company does business or in the future may do business.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no
obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements.
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
- -------------------------
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
-----------------
The Company is not party to any litigation, other than routine litigation
incidental to the business of the Company. 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 2. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
----------------------------------
(a) Exhibits
Exhibit 27.01 - Financial Data Schedule - March 31, 1999
(b) The following reports were filed pertaining to the period ended March 31,
1999.
10.1 Fifth Amendment to Credit Agreement dated March 19, 1999 among Choice
Hotels International, Inc., Chase Manhattan Bank as agent, and
certain Lenders.
10.2 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated April 13, 1999
between Choice Hotels International, Inc. and Charles A. Ledsinger,
Jr.
10.3 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated April 13, 1999
between Choice Hotels International, Inc. and Thomas Mirgon.
10.4 Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated April 13, 1999
between Choice Hotels International, Inc. and Mark C. Wells.
10.5 Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated April 13, 1999
between Choice Hotels International, Inc. and Michael J. DeSantis.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities 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.
Date: April 1999 /s/ Charles A. Ledsinger, Jr.
-------------- -----------------------------
By: Charles A. Ledsinger, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer