Choice Hotels International
CHH
#3143
Rank
ยฃ3.51 B
Marketcap
ยฃ75.94
Share price
-0.91%
Change (1 day)
-25.68%
Change (1 year)

Choice Hotels International - 10-Q quarterly report FY


Text size:
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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, 2001 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, 2001
- ----------------------- ------------------------
Common Stock, $0.01
par value per share 45,311,738
----------


==============================================================================
CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

INDEX
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

PAGE NO.
--------

<S> <C>

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets -

March 31, 2001 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2000 3

Consolidated Statements of Income -

Three months ended March 31, 2001 and March 31, 2000 (Unaudited) 5

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -

Three months ended March 31, 2001 and March 31, 2000 (Unaudited) 6

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) 7

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Operations and Financial Condition 9

Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis of Market Risk 11

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION AND SIGNATURE 12
</TABLE>
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


March 31, 2001 December 31, 2000
-------------- -----------------
(Unaudited)
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents $ 7,080 $ 19,701

Receivables (net of allowance for doubtful
accounts of $5,529 and $5,754, respectively) 30,539 31,865

Income taxes receivable and other current assets - 520
-------- --------

Total current assets 37,619 52,086

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, AT COST, NET OF
ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION 74,610 72,946

GOODWILL, NET OF ACCUMULATED AMORTIZATION 62,152 62,663

FRANCHISE RIGHTS, NET OF ACCUMULATED AMORTIZATION 38,436 39,163

INVESTMENT IN FRIENDLY HOTELS, PLC 32,622 34,616

ADVANCES TO MARKETING AND RESERVATION FUNDS 58,383 57,824

OTHER ASSETS 26,484 27,330

NOTE RECEIVABLE FROM SUNBURST HOSPITALITY CORP. 35,962 137,492
-------- --------

Total assets $366,268 $484,120
======== ========
</TABLE>



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
condensed consolidated balance sheets.

3
CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

March 31, 2001 December 31, 2000
-------------- -----------------
(Unaudited)
<S> <C> <C>
LIABILITIES & EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Current portion of long-term debt $ 53,246 $ 50,046
Accounts payable 13,413 15,964
Accrued expenses 25,105 27,818
Income taxes payable 4,609 -
-------- --------

Total current liabilities 96,373 93,828
-------- --------

LONG-TERM DEBT 224,658 247,179
-------- --------

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES ($38,835 and $39,573,
respectively) AND OTHER LIABILITIES 52,637 53,020
-------- --------

Total liabilities 373,668 394,027
-------- --------

SHAREHOLDERS' (DEFICIT) EQUITY

Common stock, $.01 par value 455 526
Additional paid-in-capital 58,896 55,245
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (593) (54)
Deferred compensation (3,805) (1,300)
Treasury stock (234,601) (129,172)
Retained earnings 172,248 164,848
-------- --------

Total shareholders' (deficit) equity (7,400) 90,093
-------- --------

Total liabilities & shareholders' (deficit) equity $366,268 $484,120
======== ========

</TABLE>


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
condensed consolidated balance sheets.

4
CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Three Months Ended
March 31, 2001 March 31, 2000
-------------- --------------
(Unaudited)
<S> <C> <C>
REVENUES

Royalty fees $26,956 $24,885
Initial franchise and relicensing fees 2,318 3,348
Partner service revenue 1,936 2,298
Hotel operations 784 -
Other 1,356 1,114
------- -------
Total revenues 33,350 31,645
------- -------
OPERATING EXPENSES

Selling, general and administrative 12,489 12,228
Hotel operations 520 -
Depreciation and amortization 2,890 2,502
------- -------
Total operating expenses 15,899 14,730
------- -------
OPERATING INCOME 17,451 16,915

OTHER

Interest and dividend income (1,150) (3,865)
Interest expense 4,312 4,616
Equity loss on Friendly Hotels, PLC 2,158 1,725
------- -------
Total other 5,320 2,476
------- -------

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 12,131 14,439

INCOME TAXES 4,731 5,631
------- -------

NET INCOME $ 7,400 $ 8,808
======= =======

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING 45,798 53,390
------- -------

DILUTED SHARES OUTSTANDING 46,282 54,262
------- -------

BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE $ 0.16 $ 0.16
======= =======

DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE $ 0.16 $ 0.16
======= =======
</TABLE>


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated statements of income.

5
CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Three Months Ended
March 31, 2001 March 31, 2000
-------------- --------------
(Unaudited)
<S> <C> <C>

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

Net income $ 7,400 $ 8,808

Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 2,890 2,502
Provision for bad debts - 372
Deferred income taxes and other (620) 5,893
Non-cash interest and dividend income (1,122) (3,783)
Equity loss on Friendly Hotels, PLC 2,158 1,725

Changes in assets and liabilities:
Change in receivables 1,326 4,300
Change in income taxes payable/receivable and other 5,385 (2,781)
Change in accounts payable and accrued expenses (6,041) (4,199)
------- -------

NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES 11,376 12,837
------- -------

CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

Investment in property and equipment (5,577) (3,309)
Repayments from/advances (to) marketing and reservation funds, net 2,325 (17,155)
Proceeds from Sunburst Hospitality Corp. note 103,429 -
Other items, net (51) 1,095
------- -------

NET CASH PROVIDED (UTILIZED) BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES 100,126 (19,369)
------- -------

CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

Proceeds from long-term borrowings 121,400 34,700
Principal payments of long-term borrowings (140,737) (22,036)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 643 994
Purchase of treasury stock (105,429) (9,750)
------- -------

NET CASH (UTILIZED) PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES (124,123) 3,908
------- -------

Net change in cash and cash equivalents (12,621) (2,624)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 19,701 11,850
------- -------

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD $ 7,080 $ 9,226
======== =======

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash payments during the period for:
Interest $ 3,866 $ 3,300
Income taxes, net of refunds 349 2,608
Non-cash investing activities:
Property assumed through the restructuring of
Sunburst Hospitality Corp. receivable $ 1,475 -

</TABLE>


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated statements of cash flows.

6
CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

1. Company Information / Basis of Presentation - 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, 2000 and notes thereto included in
the Company's Form 10-K, dated March 30, 2001. 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 financial statements to
conform to the current year presentation.

2. Comprehensive Income - During the three months ended March 31, 2001 and 2000,
the Company's comprehensive income (consisting of net income plus/minus foreign
currency translation adjustments and unrealized gains/losses on available for
sale securities) was lower than net income by approximately $139,000 and
$425,000, respectively.

3. Marketing and Reservation Funds - The Company presents marketing and
reservation fees such that the fees collected and associated expenses are
reported net. The total marketing, reservation, and property and yield
management systems fees received by the Company were $34.2 million and $30.2
million for the three months ended March 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively.
Depreciation and amortization expense incurred by the marketing and reservation
funds was $2.9 million and $2.8 million for the three months ended March 31,
2001 and 2000, respectively, and is included in the Statement of Cash Flows as a
reduction to the advances to marketing and reservation funds. Interest expense
incurred by the reservation fund was $0.5 million and $1.1 million for the three
months ended March 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively.

Reservation fees and marketing fees not expended in the current year are carried
over to the next fiscal year and expended in accordance with the franchise
agreements. Shortfall amounts are similarly recovered in subsequent years.
Excess or shortfall amounts from the operation of these programs are recorded as
a payable or receivable from the particular fund. The Company advances capital
as necessary to the marketing and reservation funds to support the development
and ongoing operations of the franchise system. As of March 31, 2001, the
Company's balance sheet includes a receivable of $58.4 million related to
advances made to the marketing ($22.1 million) and reservation ($36.3 million)
funds. As of December 31, 2000, the Company's balance sheet includes a
receivable of $57.8 million related to advances made to the marketing ($24.9
million) and reservation ($32.9 million) funds. The Company has the ability
under existing franchise agreements and expects to recover these advances
through future marketing, reservation and technology fees.

4. Income Taxes - The income tax provision for the period is based on the
effective tax rate expected to be applicable for the full year. The 2001 three
month rate of 39% differs from the statutory rate primarily because of state
income taxes.

5. Earnings Per Share - Basic earnings per share (EPS) amounts are computed by
dividing earnings applicable to common shareholders by the weighted average
number of common shares outstanding. Diluted EPS amounts assume the issuance of
common stock for all potentially dilutive equivalents outstanding.

7
6. Reportable Segment Information - The Company has a single reportable segment
encompassing its franchising business. Franchising revenues are comprised of
royalty fees, initial franchise and relicensing fees, and partner services
revenue and other. Marketing and reservation fees and expenses are excluded from
reportable segment information as such fees and associated expenses are reported
net. Corporate and other revenue consists of the operations of three MainStay
hotels. The Company does not allocate interest income, interest expense or
income taxes to its franchising segment.

The following table presents the financial information for the Company's
franchising segment.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


Three Months Ended March 31, 2001
(In thousands) Franchising Corporate & Other Consolidated
----------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>

Revenues $32,566 $ 784 $33,350
Operating income (loss) 26,721 (9,270) 17,451

<CAPTION>


Three Months Ended March 31, 2000
Franchising Corporate & Other Consolidated
----------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>

Revenues $31,645 $ - $31,645
Operating income (loss) 25,521 (8,606) 16,915

</TABLE>



7. Restructuring Program - During 2000, the Company recognized $5.6 million in
restructuring charges. The restructuring charges include severance and
termination benefits for 176 employees (consisting of property and yield
management system installers, reservation agents and field service
administrative support), the cancellation of pre-existing international lease
contracts, and the termination of its internet initiative launched in 1999.

The Company charged $1.9 million (including $1.7 million of termination
benefits) against the restructuring liability during the three months ended
March 31, 2001. All 176 employees, per the severance plan, were actually
terminated. The Company expects the remaining $3.2 million restructuring
liability to be paid in 2001.

8. Note Receivable From Sunburst - On January 5, 2001, the Company received from
Sunburst Hospitality Corporation ("Sunburst"), $101.9 million, a parcel of land
valued at approximately $1.5 million and a $35 million seven-year senior
subordinated note bearing interest at 11 3/8% in settlement of the balance of
the note.

9. Friendly Investment - In January 2001, Friendly Hotels, PLC ("Friendly"), the
Company's master franchisor for the United Kingdom, Ireland and continental
Europe, completed a comprehensive restructuring program to strengthen Friendly's
balance sheet and improve its operations. The Company recorded equity losses
related to its investment in Friendly of $2.2 million and $1.7 million for the
three months ended March 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively, in accordance with
Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") No. 99-10, "Percentage Used to Determine the
Amount of Equity Method Losses." EITF No. 99-10 requires the Company to
recognize changes in Friendly's hypothetical liquidated book value as an
adjustment to the Company's recorded investment.

The Company continues to pursue various strategic options with respect to its
investment in Friendly and business in Europe. In the event that such strategic
alternatives are not viable and Friendly's financial condition deteriorates,
there may not be sufficient cash from operations and available credit lines to
fund the business.

8
In the event of such illiquidity, the Company does not intend to provide
additional capital.

10. Recent Accounting Pronouncements - In June 1998, the Financial Accounting
Standards Board ("FASB") issued Statements of Financial Accounting Standards
("SFAS") No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities," which established accounting and reporting standards for derivative
instruments, including derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and
for hedging activities. SFAS No. 133 requires the recognition of the fair value
of derivatives in the statement of financial position, which changes in the fair
value recognized either in earnings or as a component of other comprehensive
income dependent upon the hedging nature of the derivative. In June 1999, the
FASB issued SFAS No. 137, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities - Deferral of the Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 133," which
deferred the effective date of SFAS No. 133 until fiscal years beginning after
June 15, 2000. The Company's adoption of SFAS No. 133 did not have an impact on
the Company's earnings or other comprehensive income.

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Comparison of Three Month Period Ended March 31, 2001 Operating Results and
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three Month Period Ended March 31, 2000 Operating Results
- ---------------------------------------------------------

The Company recorded net income of $7.4 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, for
the quarter ended March 31, 2001, compared to net income for the same period of
2000 of $8.8 million, or $0.16 per diluted share. The decrease in net income for
the period is primarily attributable to a decrease of $2.7 million in the amount
of interest income earned on the lower note receivable balance from Sunburst as
a result of the settlement of the Company's previous note receivable balance,
coupled with a reduction of $0.8 million in relicensing fees.

Franchise Revenues
- ------------------

The Company's net franchise revenues were $33.4 million and $31.6 million for
the three months ended March 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively. Royalties
increased $2.1 million to $27.0 million in 2001 from $24.9 million in 2000, an
increase of 8.3%. The increase in royalties is attributable to a net increase of
137 franchised hotels during the twelve month period between March 31, 2000 and
March 31, 2001 (representing an additional 10,250 rooms), an increase in
domestic RevPAR of 4.9% from $26.94 in first quarter 2000 to $28.25 in 2001 and
a royalty rate improvement of four basis points. Initial and relicensing fees
decreased to $2.3 million from $3.3 million in 2000 as a result of a drop in
overall relicensing fees, which are generated by the Company when there is a
change in control over one of the Company's franchised hotels. The number of
relicensing transactions dropped to 34 during the three months ended March 31,
2001 from 60 during the corresponding period in 2000. Overall, the Company
signed 57 and 59 hotel franchise contracts during the three months ended March
31, 2001 and 2000, respectively.

The total number of domestic hotels online increased to 3,213 from 3,143, an
increase of 2.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2001, as compared to the
corresponding prior year period. This represents an increase in the number of
rooms open of 0.9% from 259,831 as of March 31, 2000 to 262,264 as of March 31,
2001. As of March 31, 2001, the Company had 487 hotels under development in its
domestic hotel system representing 38,782 rooms.

9
The total number of international hotels online increased to 1,177 from 1,110,
an increase of 6.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2001, as compared to
the corresponding prior year period. International rooms open increased 9.8%
from 79,913 as of March 31, 2000 to 87,730 as of March 31, 2001. The total
number of international hotels and rooms under development was 197 and 20,448,
respectively, as of March 31, 2001.

Franchise Expenses
- ------------------

The cost to operate the franchising business is reflected in selling, general
and administrative expenses. As a percentage of total net franchising revenues,
total selling, general and administrative expenses declined to 37.4% for the
first quarter of 2001 as compared to 38.6% for 2000. The improvement in the
franchising margins relates to cost control initiatives from the December 2000
restructuring and the economies of scale generated from operating a larger
franchisee base.

Other
- -----

For the three months ended March 31, 2001 and March 31, 2000, the Company
recognized approximately $1.1 million and $3.8 million, respectively, of
interest income from its subordinated term notes to Sunburst.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
- -------------------------------

Net cash provided by operating activities was $11.4 million for the three months
ended March 31, 2001, which represents a decrease of approximately $1.4 million
from $12.8 million for 2000, due to the decrease in net income. At March 31,
2001, the total long-term debt outstanding for the Company was $277.9 million,
$53.2 million of which matures in the next twelve months.

On January 5, 2001, the Company received from Sunburst, $101.9 million, a parcel
of land valued at approximately $1.5 million and a $35 million 11 3/8%
subordinated note in settlement of the balance of the then existing note.

The Company implemented a corporate-wide reorganization during 2000 to provide a
more consistent service to franchisees, establish a centralized sales focus and
create a more competitive overhead structure. The Company charged $1.9 million
against the restructuring liability during the three months ended March 31,
2001, and expects the remaining $3.2 million restructuring liability to be paid
in 2001.

For the first three months of 2001, the Company has repurchased 7.3 million
shares of its common stock at a total cost of $105.4 million as of March 31,
2001. As of April 18, 2001, the Company has authorization from its Board of
Directors to repurchase up to an additional 4.5 million shares.

The Company believes that cash flows from operations and available financing
capacity is adequate to meet the expected operating, investing and financing
requirements for the business for the immediate future.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
- --------------------------

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 and 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

10
Commission, including those set forth under the heading "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 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF MARKET RISK
-----------------------------------------------------

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 and revenues. 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 March 31, 2001 and December 31, 2000, the Company had $277.9 million and
$297.2 million of debt outstanding at an effective interest rate of 6.2% and
7.3%, respectively. A hypothetical change of 10% in the Company's effective
interest rate from quarter-end 2001 levels would increase or decrease interest
expense by $1.0 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, Interest Rate Hedges and Fair Value of
Financial Instruments in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in
the Company's December 31, 2000 Form 10-K.

The Company is also exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency relating to its
preferred stock investment in Friendly that is denominated in British Pounds.

11
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 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
--------------------------------

(a) Exhibits

None


(b) The following reports were filed pertaining to the period ended
March 31, 2001.

None

12
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: May 10, 2001 /s/ Charles A. Ledsinger,Jr.
------------ --------------------------------------
By: Charles A. Ledsinger, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer

13