CHH-10Q-3.31.2012
Table of Contents

 
UNITED STATES
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
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED March 31, 2012
OR
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
COMMISSION FILE NO. 001-13393
 _____________________________________________ 
CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
_____________________________________________ 
DELAWARE
 
52-1209792
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
10750 COLUMBIA PIKE
SILVER SPRING, MD. 20901
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(301) 592-5000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, 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  o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months.    Yes  x     No   o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
x
 
Accelerated filer
o
Non-accelerated filer
o
 
Smaller reporting company
o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  o No  x
CLASS
 
SHARES OUSTANDING AT MARCH 31, 2012
Common Stock, Par Value $0.01 per share
 
58,127,032
 
 
 
 
 
 


Table of Contents

CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX
 
 
 
 
PAGE NO.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


2

Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
    
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2012
 
2011
REVENUES:
 
 
 
Royalty fees
$
47,853

 
$
43,794

Initial franchise and relicensing fees
2,528

 
2,721

Procurement services
3,315

 
3,261

Marketing and reservation
70,929

 
62,967

Hotel operations
978

 
864

Other
3,566

 
1,674

Total revenues
129,169

 
115,281

 

 
 
OPERATING EXPENSES:

 
 
Selling, general and administrative
24,349

 
23,847

Depreciation and amortization
2,017

 
1,955

Marketing and reservation
70,929

 
62,967

Hotel operations
809

 
833

Total operating expenses
98,104

 
89,602

 


 
 
Operating income
31,065

 
25,679

OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES, NET:

 
 
Interest expense
3,117

 
3,224

Interest income
(337
)
 
(210
)
Other (gains) and losses
(2,003
)
 
1,043

Equity in net (income) loss of affiliates
55

 
(301
)
Total other income and expenses, net
832

 
3,756

Income before income taxes
30,233

 
21,923

Income taxes
10,236

 
6,193

Net income
$
19,997

 
$
15,730

 


 


Basic earnings per share
$
0.34

 
$
0.26

Diluted earnings per share
$
0.34

 
$
0.26

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


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Table of Contents

CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS)
 
        
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
Net income
$
19,997

 
$
15,730

 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
 
 
 
 
Amortization of loss on cash flow hedge
215

 
215

 
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net
412

 
505

 
Amortization of pension related costs, net of tax
 
 
 
 
Actuarial loss (net of income tax of $12 in 2012)
20

 

 
Actuarial pension loss (net of income tax of $6 in 2011)

 
(10
)
 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
647

 
710

 
Comprehensive income
$
20,644

 
$
16,440

 

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

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Table of Contents


CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
March 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
91,312

 
$
107,057

Receivables (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $10,963 and $9,979, respectively)
53,290

 
53,012

 Investments, employee benefit plans, at fair value
5,241

 
12,094

Other current assets
28,635

 
22,633

Total current assets
178,478

 
194,796

Property and equipment, at cost, net
51,309

 
51,992

Goodwill
66,013

 
66,005

Franchise rights and other identifiable intangibles, net
16,395

 
17,255

Receivable – marketing and reservation fees
63,690

 
54,014

Investments, employee benefit plans, at fair value
12,625

 
11,678

Deferred income taxes
23,549

 
22,665

Other assets
31,173

 
29,284

Total assets
$
443,232

 
$
447,689

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
 
 
 
Current liabilities
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
45,128

 
$
38,389

Accrued expenses
28,530

 
53,851

Deferred revenue
70,830

 
68,825

Deferred compensation and retirement plan obligations
19,184

 
18,935

Current portion of long-term debt
679

 
673

 Deferred income taxes
2,784

 
2,784

Income taxes payable
9,220

 
1,108

Total current liabilities
176,355

 
184,565

Long-term debt
257,780

 
252,032

Deferred compensation and retirement plan obligations
19,640

 
20,593

Other liabilities
15,633

 
16,060

Total liabilities
469,408

 
473,250

Commitments and Contingencies


 


SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
 
 
 
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 160,000,000 shares authorized; 95,345,362 shares issued at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 and 58,127,032 and 58,277,646 shares outstanding at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively
581

 
583

Additional paid-in capital
100,900

 
102,665

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(6,154
)
 
(6,801
)
Treasury stock (37,218,330 and 37,067,716 shares at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively), at cost
(925,763
)
 
(916,955
)
Retained earnings
804,260

 
794,947

Total shareholders’ deficit
(26,176
)
 
(25,561
)
Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit
$
443,232

 
$
447,689

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

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Table of Contents

CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS)
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2012
 
2011
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Net income
$
19,997

 
$
15,730

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
2,017

 
1,955

Provision for bad debts
679

 
778

Non-cash stock compensation and other charges
2,543

 
4,513

Non-cash interest and other income
(1,593
)
 
(350
)
Equity in net (income) loss of affiliates
55

 
(301
)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Receivables
(870
)
 
(1,250
)
Receivable – marketing and reservation fees, net
(6,187
)
 
(8,979
)
Accounts payable
6,712

 
(1,775
)
Accrued expenses
(25,342
)
 
(18,931
)
Income taxes payable/receivable
8,180

 
1,182

Deferred income taxes
(30
)
 
(12
)
Deferred revenue
1,997

 
4,709

Other assets
(2,611
)
 
(1,147
)
Other liabilities
(1,135
)
 
(1,339
)
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities
4,412

 
(5,217
)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Investment in property and equipment
(3,129
)
 
(1,835
)
Equity method investments
(2,600
)
 
(1,600
)
Issuance of notes receivable
(3,719
)
 
(1,477
)
Collections of notes receivable
151

 
7

Purchases of investments, employee benefit plans
(743
)
 
(897
)
Proceeds from sales of investments, employee benefit plans
8,652

 
310

Other items, net
(108
)
 
(95
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(1,496
)
 
(5,587
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Net borrowings pursuant to revolving credit facility
5,900

 
7,900

Repayments of long-term debt
(166
)
 
(5
)
Purchase of treasury stock
(14,854
)
 
(2,207
)
Dividends paid
(10,713
)
 
(10,950
)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
422

 
834

Debt issuance costs

 
(2,207
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
389

 
2,238

Net cash used in financing activities
(19,022
)
 
(4,397
)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
(16,106
)
 
(15,201
)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
361

 
347

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
107,057

 
91,259

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
91,312

 
$
76,405

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
 
 
 
Cash payments during the period for:


 


Income taxes, net of refunds
$
1,746

 
$
3,756

Interest
$
7,388

 
$
7,309

Non-cash investing and financing activities:


 


Declaration of dividends
$
10,684

 
$
10,992

Capital lease obligation
$

 
$
430

Issuance of restricted shares of common stock
$
8,497

 
$
7,452

Issuance of treasury stock to employee stock purchase plan
$

 
$
185

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

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

1.
Company Information and Significant Accounting Policies
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Choice Hotels International, Inc. and subsidiaries (together the “Company”) have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments that are necessary, in the opinion of management, to fairly present our financial position and results of operations. Except as otherwise disclosed, all adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.
Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been omitted. The year-end balance sheet information was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. 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, 2011 and notes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on February 29, 2012 (the “10-K”). Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the entire year results because of seasonal variations. All inter-company transactions and balances between Choice Hotels International, Inc. and its subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation.
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Certain amounts in the prior year’s financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation with no effect on previously reported net income, cash flows or shareholders’ deficit.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, $3.2 million and $4.4 million respectively, of book overdrafts representing outstanding checks in excess of funds on deposit are included in accounts payable in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
The Company maintains cash balances in domestic banks, which at times, may exceed the limits of amounts insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. In addition, the Company also maintains cash balances in international banks which do not provide deposit insurance.
Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance
The Company adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2011-08, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment" ("ASU No. 2011-08") in the first quarter of 2012. The guidance, which was issued in September 2011, reduces the complexity and costs by allowing an entity the option to make a qualitative evaluation about the likelihood of goodwill impairment to determine whether it should calculate the fair value of a reporting unit. The amendment improves previous guidance by expanding upon the examples of events and circumstances that an entity should consider between annual impairment tests in determining whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Furthermore, the amendment improves the examples of events and circumstances that an entity having a reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount should consider in determining whether to measure an impairment loss, if any, under the second step of the goodwill impairment test. The Company performs its annual goodwill impairment test in the fourth quarter and does not expect the adoption of this ASU to significantly impact its consolidated financial statements.
The Company adopted ASU No. 2011-05 “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income” (“ASU No. 2011-05”) in the first quarter of 2012. ASU No. 2011-05, which was issued in June 2011, amends existing guidance by allowing only two options for presenting the components of net income and other comprehensive income: (1) in a single continuous financial statement, statement of comprehensive income or (2) in two separate but consecutive financial statements, consisting of an income statement followed by a separate statement of other comprehensive income.

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Additionally, the Company adopted ASU No. 2011-12, "Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05” ("ASU 2011-12"), which was issued in December 2011. ASU 2011-12 defers until further notice ASU No. 2011-05's requirement that items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income be presented on the face of the financial statements. ASU No. 2011-05 required retrospective application. The Company has elected to present other comprehensive income in a separate statement following the consolidated statements of income.
The Company adopted ASU No. 2011-04 “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs” (“ASU No. 2011-04”) in the first quarter of 2012. ASU No. 2011-04 generally provides a uniform framework for fair value measurements and related disclosures between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). Additional disclosure requirements in the update include: (1) for Level 3 fair value measurements, quantitative information about unobservable inputs used, a description of the valuation processes used by the entity, and a qualitative discussion about the sensitivity of the measurements to changes in the unobservable inputs; (2) for an entity’s use of a non-financial asset that is different from the asset’s highest and best use, the reason for the difference; (3) for financial instruments not measured at fair value but for which disclosure of fair value is required, the fair value hierarchy level in which the fair value measurements were determined; and (4) the disclosure of all transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The adoption of this update did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

2.
Other Current Assets
Other current assets consist of the following:
 
 
March 31, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
 
(In thousands)
Land held for sale
$
10,158

 
$
10,141

Prepaid expenses
9,607

 
8,202

Notes receivable (See Note 3)
6,384

 
3,104

Other current assets
2,486

 
1,186

Total
$
28,635

 
$
22,633

Land held for sale represents the Company’s purchase of various parcels of real estate as part of its program to incent franchise development in strategic markets for certain brands. The Company has acquired this real estate with the intent to resell it to third-party developers for the construction of hotels operated under the Company’s brands. The real estate is accounted for as assets held for sale and therefore is carried at the lower of its carrying value or its estimated fair value (based on comparable sales), less estimated costs to sell.

3.
Notes Receivable and Allowance for Losses
The Company segregates its notes receivable for the purposes of evaluating allowances for credit losses between two categories: Mezzanine and Other Notes Receivable and Forgivable Notes Receivable. The Company utilizes the level of security it has in the various notes receivable as its primary credit quality indicator (i.e. senior, subordinated or unsecured) when determining the appropriate allowances for uncollectible loans within these categories.

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The following table shows the composition of our notes receivable balances:
 
 
March 31, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
 
($ in thousands)
 
($ in thousands)
Credit Quality Indicator
Forgivable
Notes
Receivable
 
Mezzanine
& Other
Notes
Receivable
 
Total
 
Forgivable
Notes
Receivable
 
Mezzanine
& Other
Notes
Receivable
 
Total
Senior
$

 
$
11,089

 
$
11,089

 
$

 
$
7,900

 
$
7,900

Subordinated

 
14,003

 
14,003

 

 
13,992

 
13,992

Unsecured
7,700

 

 
7,700

 
7,948

 

 
7,948

Total notes receivable
7,700

 
25,092

 
32,792

 
7,948

 
21,892

 
29,840

Allowance for losses on non-impaired loans
785

 
92

 
877

 
795

 
225

 
1,020

Allowance for losses on receivables specifically evaluated for impairment

 
8,315

 
8,315

 

 
8,208

 
8,208

Total loan reserves
785

 
8,407

 
9,192

 
795

 
8,433

 
9,228

Net carrying value
$
6,915

 
$
16,685

 
$
23,600

 
$
7,153

 
$
13,459

 
$
20,612

Current portion, net
$
137

 
$
6,247

 
$
6,384

 
$
102

 
$
3,002

 
$
3,104

Long-term portion, net
6,778

 
10,438

 
17,216

 
7,051

 
10,457

 
17,508

Total
$
6,915

 
$
16,685

 
$
23,600

 
$
7,153

 
$
13,459

 
$
20,612

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The Company classifies notes receivable due within one year as other current assets and notes receivable with a maturity greater than one year as other assets in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
The following table summarizes the activity related to the Company’s Forgivable Notes Receivable and Mezzanine and & Other Notes Receivable allowance for losses from December 31, 2011 through March 31, 2012:
 
 
Forgivable
Notes
Receivable
 
Mezzanine
& Other  Notes
Receivable
 
(In thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2011
$
795

 
$
8,433

Provisions
52

 

Recoveries
(16
)
 
(26
)
Write-offs
(56
)
 

Other(1)
10

 

Balance, March 31, 2012
$
785

 
$
8,407

 
(1) Consists of default rate assumption changes
Forgivable Notes Receivable
As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the unamortized balance of the Company's forgivable notes receivable totaled $7.7 million and $7.9 million, respectively. The Company recorded an allowance for credit losses on these forgivable notes receivable of $0.8 million at both March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company did not have any forgivable unsecured notes that were past due. Amortization expense included in the accompanying consolidated statements of income related to the notes was $0.6 million and $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

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Mezzanine and Other Notes Receivable
The Company has determined that approximately $12.6 million and $11.2 million of its mezzanine and other notes receivable were impaired at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The Company has recorded allowance for credit losses on these impaired loans at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 totaling $8.4 million and $8.2 million resulting in a carrying value of impaired loans of $4.3 million and $3.0 million, respectively for which we had no related allowance for credit losses. The Company recognized approximately $31 thousand of interest income on impaired loans during the three months ended March 31, 2012 on the cash basis. The Company did not recognize any interest on an accrual or cash basis on its impaired loans during the three months ended March 31, 2011. The Company had provided loan reserves on non-impaired loans totaling $0.1 million and $0.2 million at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.
Past due balances of mezzanine and other notes receivable by credit quality indicators are as follows:

 
30-89 days
Past Due
 
> 90 days
Past Due
 
Total
Past Due
 
Current
 
Total
Receivables
 
($ in thousands)
As of March 31, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
11,089

 
$
11,089

Subordinated
162

 
9,748

 
9,910

 
4,093


14,003

 
$
162

 
$
9,748

 
$
9,910

 
$
15,182

 
$
25,092

As of December 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
7,900

 
$
7,900

Subordinated

 
9,773

 
9,773

 
4,219

 
13,992

 
$

 
$
9,773

 
$
9,773

 
$
12,119

 
$
21,892


Loans Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality
On December 2, 2011, the Company acquired an $11.5 million mortgage, held on a franchisee hotel asset, from a financial institution for $7.9 million. At both March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the carrying amount of this loan, which is reported under senior mezzanine and other notes receivables, was $7.9 million and there was no allowance for uncollectable amounts. The Company's accretable yield at acquisition was $1.8 million or 7.36% and a reconciliation of the accretable yield for the three months ended March 31, 2012 is as follows:
 
 
Accretable Yield ($ in thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2011
 
$
1,793

Additions
 

Accretion
 
(145
)
Disposals
 

Reclassifications from nonaccretable yield
 

Balance, March 31, 2012
 
$
1,648

4.
Receivable – Marketing and Reservation Fees
The marketing fees receivable from cumulative marketing expenses incurred in excess of cumulative marketing fees earned at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 was $23.1 million and $18.5 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the reservation fees receivable related to cumulative reservation expenses incurred in excess of cumulative reservation fees earned was $40.6 million and $35.5 million, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expense attributable to marketing and reservation activities for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 was $3.5 million and $3.2 million, respectively. Interest expense attributable to marketing and reservation activities was $1.2 million and $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
The Company evaluates the receivable for marketing and reservation costs in excess of cumulative marketing and reservation system revenues earned on a periodic basis for collectibility. The Company will record an allowance when, based on current information and events, it is probable that it will be unable to collect all amounts due for marketing and reservation activities according to the contractual terms of the franchise agreements. The receivables are considered to be uncollectible if the

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expected net, undiscounted cash flows from marketing and reservation activities are less than the carrying amount of the asset. Based on the Company's analysis of projected net cash flows from marketing and reservation activities for all periods presented, the Company concluded that the receivable for marketing and reservation activities was fully collectible and as a result no allowance for possible losses was recorded.

5.
Other Assets
Other assets consist of the following:
 
 
March 31, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
 
(In thousands)
Notes receivable (see Note 3)
$
17,216

 
$
17,508

Equity method investments
6,898

 
4,338

Deferred financing fees
3,173

 
3,351

Land held for sale
1,300

 
1,300

Other
2,586

 
2,787

Total
$
31,173

 
$
29,284


During the first quarter of 2011, the Company determined that one parcel of land no longer met the criteria to be classified as a current asset held for sale. As a result, the Company reclassified this land to other long-term assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at the lower of its carrying amount or fair value. The Company determined that the carrying amount of the land exceeded its estimated fair value by approximately $1.8 million based on comparable sales. As a result, in the first quarter of 2011, the Company reduced the carrying amount of the land to its estimated fair value and recognized a $1.8 million loss in other gains and losses in the consolidated statements of income.
 
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
($ in millions)
Description
March 31, 2012
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total  Gains
(Losses)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Land held for sale
$
1.3

 
$

 
$
1.3

 
$

 
$
(1.8
)

6.
Deferred Revenue
Deferred revenue consists of the following:
 
 
March 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
 
(In thousands)
Loyalty programs
$
61,634

 
$
64,636

Initial, relicensing and franchise fees
2,963

 
3,198

Procurement service fees
1,882

 
957

Other
4,351

 
34

Total
$
70,830

 
$
68,825


7.
Debt
Debt consists of the following at:
 

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March 31, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
 
(In thousands)
$300 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility with an effective interest rate of 1.74% at March 31, 2012
$
5,900

 
$

$250 million senior notes with an effective interest rate of 6.19% less discount of $0.5 million and $0.6 million at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively
249,460

 
249,444

Capital lease obligations due 2016 with an effective interest rate of 3.18% at both March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively
3,011

 
3,172

Other notes payable
88

 
89

Total debt
$
258,459

 
$
252,705

Less current portion
679

 
673

Total long-term debt
$
257,780

 
$
252,032

On February 24, 2011, the Company entered into a new $300 million senior unsecured revolving credit agreement (the “Revolver”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent and a syndicate of lenders. Simultaneously with the closing of the Revolver, the $350 million unsecured revolving credit agreement dated as of June 2006 (the “Old Revolver”) was terminated. The Revolver provides for a $300 million unsecured revolving credit facility with a final maturity date on February 24, 2016. Up to $30 million of borrowings under the Revolver may be used for letters of credit and up to $20 million of borrowings under the Revolver may be used for swing-line loans.
The Revolver is unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior unsecured basis by all of the Company's subsidiaries that currently guaranty the obligations under the Company's Indenture governing the terms of its 5.70% senior notes due 2020.
The Company may at any time prior to the final maturity date increase the amount of the Revolver by up to an additional $150 million to the extent that any one or more lenders commit to being a lender for the additional amount and certain other customary conditions are met.
The Company may elect to have borrowings under the Revolver bear interest at (i) a base rate plus a margin ranging from 5 to 80 basis points based on the Company's credit rating or (ii) LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 105 to 180 basis points based on the Company's credit rating. In addition, the Revolver requires the Company to pay a quarterly facility fee on the full amount of the commitments under the Revolver (regardless of usage) ranging from 20 to 45 basis points based upon the credit rating of the Company.
The Revolver requires that the Company and its restricted subsidiaries comply with various covenants, including with respect to restrictions on liens, incurring indebtedness, making investments and effecting mergers and/or asset sales. In addition, the Revolver imposes financial maintenance covenants requiring the Company to maintain a total leverage ratio of not more than 3.5 to 1.0 and an interest coverage ratio of at least 3.5 to 1.0. The Revolver includes customary events of default, the occurrence of which, following any applicable cure period, would permit the lenders to, among other things, declare the principal, accrued interest and other obligations of the Company under the Revolver to be immediately due and payable. At March 31, 2012 the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the Revolver.
The proceeds of the Revolver are used for general corporate purposes, including working capital, debt repayment, stock repurchases, dividends, investments and other permitted uses. At March 31, 2012, the Company had $5.9 million outstanding under the Revolver.
On August 25, 2010, the Company completed a $250 million senior unsecured note offering (“the Senior Notes”) at a discount of $0.6 million, bearing a coupon of 5.7% with an effective rate of 6.19%. The Senior Notes will mature on August 28, 2020, with interest on the Senior Notes to be paid semi-annually on February 28th and August 28th. The Company used the net proceeds from the offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and other offering expenses, to repay outstanding borrowings under the Old Revolver and other general corporate purposes. The Company's Senior Notes are guaranteed jointly, severally, fully and unconditionally, subject to certain customary limitations by eight 100%-owned domestic subsidiaries.

8.
Pension Plan
The Company sponsors an unfunded non-qualified defined benefit plan (“SERP”) for certain senior executives. No assets are held with respect to the SERP; therefore benefits are funded as paid to participants. For each of the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company recorded $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively, in expenses related to the SERP which are included in selling general and administrative ("SG&A") expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of

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income.
On December 26, 2011, the Company's board of directors approved the termination of the SERP effective immediately. The Company will effectuate the termination of the SERP through the payment of lump sum distributions to all SERP participants based upon the actuarial equivalent commuted lump sum value of the full accrued benefit earned by each such participant, using the actuarial and other assumptions that have not yet been determined. The Company expects to complete the settlement of the plan benefits prior to December 31, 2012. Based on the assumptions chosen to calculate the lump sum value of distributions, the actual settlement of the SERP liability may differ from the Company's current estimate of the projected benefit obligation which totals $11.9 million resulting in a settlement gain or loss in 2012.

The following table presents the components of net periodic benefit costs for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
(In thousands)
2012
 
2011
Components of net periodic pension cost:
 
 
 
Interest cost
$
132

 
$
135

Amortization of actuarial loss
32

 

Net periodic pension cost
$
164

 
$
135


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The 2012 net periodic pension costs are expected to be approximately $0.7 million. The components of projected pension costs for the year ended December 31, 2012 are as follows:
 
(in thousands)
 
Components of net periodic pension cost:
 
Interest cost
$
526

Amortization of actuarial loss
128

Net periodic pension cost
$
654

The following is a reconciliation of the changes in the projected benefit obligation for the three months ended March 31, 2012:
 
(in thousands)
 
Projected benefit obligation, December 31, 2011
$
11,896

Interest cost
132

Benefit payments
(111
)
Projected benefit obligations, March 31, 2012
$
11,917

The amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) that have not yet been recognized as components of net periodic benefit costs at March 31, 2012 are as follows:
 
(in thousands)
 
Transition asset (obligation)
$

Prior service cost

Accumulated loss
(2,343
)
Total
$
(2,343
)

9.
Non-Qualified Retirement, Savings and Investment Plans
The Company sponsors two non-qualified retirement savings and investment plans for certain employees and senior executives. Employee and Company contributions are maintained in separate irrevocable trusts. Legally, the assets of the trusts remain those of the Company; however, access to the trusts' assets is severely restricted. The trusts' cannot be revoked by the Company or an acquirer, but the assets are subject to the claims of the Company's general creditors. The participants do not have the right to assign or transfer contractual rights in the trusts.
In 2002, the Company adopted the Choice Hotels International, Inc. Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (“EDCP”) which became effective January 1, 2003. Under the EDCP, certain executive officers may defer a portion of their salary into an irrevocable trust. Prior to January 1, 2010, participants could elect an investment return of either the annual yield of the Moody's Average Corporate Bond Rate Yield Index plus 300 basis points, or a return based on a selection of available diversified investment options. Effective January 1, 2010, the Moody's Average Corporate Bond Rate Yield Index plus 300 basis points is no longer an investment option for salary deferrals made on compensation earned after December 31, 2009. The Company recorded current and long-term deferred compensation liabilities of $15.6 million and $17.2 million, as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, related to these deferrals and credited investment returns. Compensation expense is recorded in SG&A expense on the Company's consolidated statements of income based on the change in the deferred compensation obligation related to earnings credited to participants as well as changes in the fair value of diversified investments. Compensation expense recorded in SG&A for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 was $0.4 million and $0.3 million respectively.
The Company has invested the employee salary deferrals in diversified long-term investments which are intended to provide investment returns that partially offset the earnings credited to the participants. The diversified investments held in the trusts totaled $7.4 million and $14.2 million as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, and are recorded at their fair value, based on quoted market prices. At March 31, 2012, the Company expects $5.2 million of the assets held in the trust to be distributed during the year ended December 31, 2012 to participants. These investments are considered trading securities and therefore the changes in the fair value of the diversified assets is included in other gains and losses in the accompanying statements of income. The Company recorded investment gains during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 of approximately $1.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

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In 1997, the Company adopted the Choice Hotels International, Inc. Non-Qualified Retirement Savings and Investment Plan (“Non-Qualified Plan”). The Non-Qualified Plan allows certain employees who do not participate in the EDCP to defer a portion of their salary and invest these amounts in a selection of available diversified investment options. As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had recorded a deferred compensation liability of $11.3 million and $10.4 million, respectively related to these deferrals. Compensation expense is recorded in SG&A expense on the Company's consolidated statements of income based on the change in the deferred compensation obligation related to earnings credited to participants as well as changes in the fair value of diversified investments. The net increase in compensation expense recorded in SG&A for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 was $0.9 million and $0.3 million respectively.
The diversified investments held in the trusts were $10.5 million and $9.5 million as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, and are recorded at their fair value, based on quoted market prices. These investments are considered trading securities and therefore the changes in the fair value of the diversified assets is included in other gains and losses in the accompanying statements of income. The Company recorded investment gains during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 of approximately $0.9 million and $0.3 million, respectively. In addition, the Non-Qualified Plan held shares of the Company's common stock with a market value of $0.9 million at both March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, which are recorded as a component of shareholders' deficit.

10.
Fair Value Measurements
The Company estimates the fair value of its financial instruments utilizing a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. The following summarizes the three levels of inputs, as well as the assets that the Company values using those levels of inputs.
Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities. The Company’s Level 1 assets consist of marketable securities (primarily mutual funds) held in the Company’s EDCP and Non-Qualified Plan deferred compensation plans.
Level 2: Observable inputs, other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable. The Company’s Level 2 assets consist of money market funds held in the Company’s EDCP and Non-Qualified Plan deferred compensation plans and those recorded in cash and cash equivalents.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs, supported by little or no market data available, where the reporting entity is required to develop its own assumptions to determine the fair value of the instrument. The Company does not currently have any assets whose fair value was determined using Level 3 inputs.
 
As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had the following assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
 
Fair Value Measurements at
Reporting Date Using
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Assets (in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of March 31, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Money market funds, included in cash and cash equivalents
$
20,001

 
$

 
$
20,001

 
$

Mutual funds(1)
11,599

 
11,599

 

 

Money market funds(1)
6,267

 

 
6,267

 

 
$
37,867

 
$
11,599

 
$
26,268

 
$

As of December 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Money market funds, included in cash and cash equivalents
$
20,001

 
$

 
$
20,001

 
$

Mutual funds(1)
21,534

 
21,534

 

 

Money market funds(1)
2,238

 

 
2,238

 

 
$
43,773

 
$
21,534

 
$
22,239

 
$

________________________ 
(1)
Included in Investments, employee benefit plans fair value on the consolidated balance sheets.
During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company sold approximately $11.8 million of mutual funds (Level 1 assets) held in the employee benefit plan trusts. Approximately $8.4 million of these assets were distributed from the

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irrevocable trust with the remaining $3.4 million transferred to money market funds (Level 2 assets). The Company's policy is to recognize transfers in and transfers out of the three levels of the fair value hierarchy as of the end of each quarterly reporting period.
Other Financial Instruments
The Company believes that the fair value of its current assets and current liabilities approximate their reported carrying amounts due to the short-term nature of these items. In addition, the interest rates of the Company's Revolver adjust frequently based on current market rates; accordingly its carrying amount approximates fair value.
We estimated the fair value of notes receivable which approximate their carrying value, utilizing an analysis of future cash flows and credit worthiness for similar types of arrangements. Based upon the availability of market data, we have classified these notes receivables as Level 3 inputs. The primary sensitivity in these calculations is based on the selection of appropriate interest and discount rates. For further information on the notes receivables see Note 3.
The Company estimates the fair value of its senior notes using quoted market prices, which are directly observable Level 1 inputs . At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the senior notes had an approximate fair value of $261.7 million and $267.7 million, respectively.

Fair values estimated are made at a specific point in time, are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment.  Settlement of such fair value amounts may not be possible and may not be a prudent management decision.




11.
Income Taxes
The effective income tax rate for the quarter was 33.9% compared to 28.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The effective income tax rate for the first quarter 2011 reflects a nonrecurring adjustment of $1.4 million to our current federal taxes payable.

12.
Share-Based Compensation and Capital Stock
Stock Options
The Company granted 0.2 million and 0.2 million options to certain employees of the Company at a fair value of $1.6 million and $2.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The stock options granted by the Company had an exercise price equal to the market price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. The fair value of the options granted was estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:
 
            
 
2012 Grants
 
2011 Grants
Risk-free interest rate
0.78
%
 
2.10
%
Expected volatility
40.15
%
 
39.51
%
Expected life of stock option
4.4 years

 
4.4 years

Dividend yield
2.08
%
 
1.79
%
Requisite service period
4 years

 
4 years

Contractual life
7 years

 
7 years

Weighted average fair value of options granted
$
9.98

 
$
12.42

The expected life of the options and volatility are based on historical data and are not necessarily indicative of exercise patterns or actual volatility that may occur. Historical volatility is calculated based on a period that corresponds to the expected life of the stock option. The dividend yield and the risk-free rate of return are calculated on the grant date based on the then current dividend rate and the risk-free rate of return for the period corresponding to the expected life of the stock option. Compensation expense related to the fair value of these awards is recognized straight-line over the requisite service period based on those awards that ultimately vest.
The aggregate intrinsic value of the stock options outstanding and exercisable at March 31, 2012 was $8.2 million and $6.2

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million, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 was approximately $0.4 million and $1.7 million, respectively.

The Company received approximately $0.4 million and $2.2 million in proceeds from the exercise of 0.02 million and 0.1 million employee stock options during the three month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

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Restricted Stock
The following table is a summary of activity related to restricted stock grants:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2012
 
2011
Restricted share grants
238,019

 
180,645

Weighted average grant date fair value per share
$
35.70

 
$
41.25

Aggregate grant date fair value ($000)
$
8,497

 
$
7,452

Restricted shares forfeited
4,328

 
5,806

Vesting service period of shares granted
36 - 68 months

 
36 - 48 months

Grant date fair value of shares vested ($000)
$
5,013

 
$
4,831

Compensation expense related to the fair value of these awards is recognized straight-line over the requisite service period based on those restricted stock grants that ultimately vest. The fair value of grants is measured by the market price of the Company’s stock on the date of grant. Restricted stock awards generally vest ratably over the service period beginning with the first anniversary of the grant date. Awards granted to retirement eligible board of directors are recognized over the shorter of the requisite service period or the length of time until retirement since the terms of the grant provide that the awards will vest upon retirement.
Performance Vested Restricted Stock Units
The Company has granted performance vested restricted stock units (“PVRSU”) to certain employees. The fair value is measured by the market price of the Company's common stock on the date of the grant. The vesting of these stock awards is contingent upon the Company achieving performance targets at the end of specified performance periods and the employees' continued employment. The performance conditions affect the number of shares that will ultimately vest. The range of possible stock-based award vesting is generally between 0% and 200% of the initial target. If a minimum of 50% of the performance target is not attained then no awards will vest under the terms of the various PVRSU agreements. Compensation expense related to these awards is recognized over the requisite service period based on the Company's estimate of the achievement of the various performance targets. The Company has currently estimated that between 0% and 130% of the various award targets will be achieved. Compensation expense is recognized ratably over the requisite service period only on those PVRSUs that ultimately vest.
The following table is a summary of activity related to PVRSU grants:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2012
 
2011
Performance vested restricted stock units granted at target
38,476

 
25,036

Weighted average grant date fair value per share
$
35.60

 
$
41.25

Aggregate grant date fair value ($000)
$
1,370

 
$
1,033

Stock units forfeited

 
39,070

Requisite service period
3 years

 
3 years

During the three months ended March 31, 2012, no PVRSU grants vested. During the three months ended March 31, 2011, PVRSU grants totaling 39,070 units were forfeited since the Company did not achieve the minimum performance conditions contained in the stock awards.

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A summary of stock-based award activity as of March 31, 2012 and changes during the three months ended are presented below:
 
Stock Options
 
Restricted Stock
 
Performance Vested
Restricted  Stock Units
 
Options
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
 
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Outstanding at January 1, 2012
1,573,726

 
$
33.30

 
 
 
565,627

 
$
34.43

 
109,769

 
$
35.57

Granted
160,408

 
35.60

 
 
 
238,019

 
35.70

 
38,476

 
35.60

Exercised/Vested
(20,216
)
 
19.25

 
 
 
(149,708
)
 
33.49

 

 

Forfeited/Expired
(3,161
)
 
37.46

 
 
 
(4,328
)
 
36.28

 

 

Outstanding at March 31, 2012
1,710,757

 
$
33.68

 
4.6 years
 
649,610

 
$
35.10

 
148,245

 
$
35.58

Options exercisable at March 31, 2012
1,163,843

 
$
33.30

 
3.8 years
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The components of the Company’s pretax stock-based compensation expense and associated income tax benefits are as follows for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
(in millions)
2012
 
2011
Stock options
$
0.6

 
$
0.6

Restricted stock
2.0

 
1.7

Performance vested restricted stock units
0.2

 
0.1

Total
$
2.8

 
$
2.4

Income tax benefits
$
1.0

 
$
0.9

Dividends
On February 20, 2012, the Company's board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.185 per share (or approximately $10.7 million in the aggregate), which was paid on April 16, 2012 to shareholders of record as of April 2, 2012.
On February 21, 2011, the Company's board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.185 per share (or approximately $11.0 million in the aggregate), which was paid on April 15, 2011 to shareholders of record as of April 1, 2011.
Share Repurchases and Redemptions
During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company purchased 0.3 million shares of common stock under the share repurchase program at a total cost of $12.9 million. No shares of common stock were purchased by the Company under the share repurchase program during the three months ended March 31, 2011.
During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company redeemed 55,162 shares of common stock at a total cost of approximately $2.0 million from employees to satisfy statutory minimum tax requirements from the vesting of restricted stock grants. During the three months ended March 31, 2011, the Company redeemed 55,295 shares of common stock at a total cost of approximately $2.2 million from employees to satisfy statutory minimum tax requirements from the vesting of restricted stock grants. These redemptions were outside the share repurchase program initiated in June 1998.

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13.
Earnings Per Share
The computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share is as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
2012
 
2011
Computation of Basic Earnings Per Share:
 
 
 
Net income
$
19,997

 
$
15,730

Income allocated to participating securities
(204
)
 
(156
)
Net income available to common shareholders
$
19,793

 
$
15,574

Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic
57,622

 
59,081

Basic earnings per share
$
0.34

 
$
0.26

Computation of Diluted Earnings Per Share:
 
 
 
Net income
$
19,997

 
$
15,730

Income allocated to participating securities
(204
)
 
(156
)
Net income available to common shareholders
$
19,793

 
$
15,574

Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic
57,622

 
59,081

Diluted effect of stock options and PVRSUs
100

 
151

Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted
57,722

 
59,232

Diluted earnings per share
$
0.34

 
$
0.26


The Company's unvested restricted shares contain rights to receive non-forfeitable dividends, and thus are participating securities requiring the two-class method of computing earnings per share (“EPS”). The calculation of EPS for common stock shown above excludes the income attributable to the unvested restricted share awards from the numerator and excludes the dilutive impact of those awards from the denominator.
At March 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company had 1.7 million and 1.8 million outstanding stock options, respectively. Stock options are included in the diluted earnings per share calculation using the treasury stock method and average market prices during the period, unless the stock options would be anti-dilutive. For both the three month periods ended March 31, 2012 and March 31, 2011, the Company excluded 0.4 million of anti-dilutive stock options from the diluted earnings per share calculation.
PVRSUs are also included in the diluted earnings per share calculation assuming the performance conditions have been met at the reporting date. However, at March 31, 2012 and 2011, PVRSUs totaling 148,245 and 113,878, respectively were excluded from the computation since the performance conditions had not been met.


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14.
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements
Effective August 2010, the Company’s Senior Notes are guaranteed jointly, severally, fully and unconditionally, subject to certain customary limitations, by eight 100%-owned domestic subsidiaries. There are no legal or regulatory restrictions on the payment of dividends to Choice Hotels International, Inc. from subsidiaries that do not guarantee the Senior Notes. As a result of the guarantee arrangements, the following condensed consolidating financial statements are presented. Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

Choice Hotels International, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
(Unaudited, in Thousands)
 
Parent
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
REVENUES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Royalty fees
$
42,126

 
$
26,220

 
$
7,058

 
$
(27,551
)
 
$
47,853

Initial franchise and relicensing fees
2,433

 

 
95

 

 
2,528

Procurement services
3,148

 

 
167

 

 
3,315

Marketing and reservation
59,653

 
72,684

 
4,387

 
(65,795
)
 
70,929

Other items, net
3,441

 
978

 
125

 

 
4,544

Total revenues
110,801

 
99,882

 
11,832

 
(93,346
)
 
129,169

OPERATING EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative
24,487

 
22,828

 
4,585

 
(27,551
)
 
24,349

Marketing and reservation
61,554

 
70,900

 
4,270

 
(65,795
)
 
70,929

Other items, net
706

 
1,901

 
219

 

 
2,826

Total operating expenses
86,747

 
95,629

 
9,074

 
(93,346
)
 
98,104

Operating income
24,054

 
4,253

 
2,758

 

 
31,065

OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES, NET:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
4,216

 
(1,103
)
 
4

 

 
3,117

Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries
(6,881
)
 

 

 
6,881

 

Other items, net
(202
)
 
(2,003
)
 
(80
)
 

 
(2,285
)
Total other income and expenses, net
(2,867
)
 
(3,106
)
 
(76
)
 
6,881

 
832

Income before income taxes
26,921

 
7,359

 
2,834

 
(6,881
)
 
30,233

Income taxes
6,924

 
3,058

 
254

 

 
10,236

Net income
$
19,997

 
$
4,301

 
$
2,580

 
$
(6,881
)
 
$
19,997



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Choice Hotels International, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
(Unaudited, in Thousands)
 
Parent
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
REVENUES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Royalty fees
$
38,501

 
$
27,107

 
$
6,221

 
$
(28,035
)
 
$
43,794

Initial franchise and relicensing fees
2,614

 

 
107

 

 
2,721

Procurement services
3,165

 

 
96

 

 
3,261

Marketing and reservation
50,171

 
68,794

 
3,901

 
(59,899
)
 
62,967

Other items, net
1,247

 
864

 
427

 

 
2,538

Total revenues
95,698

 
96,765

 
10,752

 
(87,934
)
 
115,281

OPERATING EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative
23,603

 
23,871

 
4,408

 
(28,035
)
 
23,847

Marketing and reservation
52,772

 
66,055

 
4,039

 
(59,899
)
 
62,967

Other items, net
708

 
1,864

 
216

 

 
2,788

Total operating expenses
77,083

 
91,790

 
8,663

 
(87,934
)
 
89,602

Operating income
18,615

 
4,975

 
2,089

 

 
25,679

OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES, NET:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
4,173

 
(951
)
 
2

 

 
3,224

Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries
(5,073
)
 

 

 
5,073

 

Other items, net
(198
)
 
(723
)
 
1,453

 

 
532

Total other income and expenses, net
(1,098
)
 
(1,674
)
 
1,455

 
5,073

 
3,756

Income before income taxes
19,713

 
6,649

 
634

 
(5,073
)
 
21,923

Income taxes
3,983

 
2,534

 
(324
)
 

 
6,193

Net income
$
15,730

 
$
4,115

 
$
958

 
$
(5,073
)
 
$
15,730

 

 


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Choice Hotels International, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of March 31, 2012
(Unaudited, in thousands)
 
 
Parent
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
4,926

 
$
550

 
$
85,836

 
$

 
$
91,312

Receivables, net
45,119

 
1,965

 
6,206

 

 
53,290

Other current assets
14,035

 
21,768

 
5,281

 
(7,208
)
 
33,876

Total current assets
64,080

 
24,283

 
97,323

 
(7,208
)
 
178,478

Property and equipment, at cost, net
9,192

 
40,904

 
1,213

 

 
51,309

Goodwill
60,620

 
5,193

 
200

 

 
66,013

Franchise rights and other identifiable intangibles, net
10,463

 
3,179

 
2,753

 

 
16,395

Receivable – marketing and reservation fees
63,690

 

 

 

 
63,690

Investment in and advances to affiliates
293,122

 
234,479

 
8,176

 
(535,777
)
 

Investments, employee benefit plans, at fair value

 
12,625

 

 

 
12,625

Deferred income taxes

 
29,907

 
295

 
(6,653
)
 
23,549

Other assets
13,611

 
7,252

 
10,310

 

 
31,173

Total assets
$
514,778

 
$
357,822

 
$
120,270

 
$
(549,638
)
 
$
443,232

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Accounts payable
$
8,727

 
$
31,414

 
$
4,987

 
$

 
$
45,128

Accrued expenses
13,513

 
13,704

 
1,313

 

 
28,530

Deferred revenue
9,823

 
60,224

 
783

 

 
70,830

Current portion of long-term debt

 
659

 
20

 

 
679

Deferred compensation & retirement plan obligations

 
19,184

 

 

 
19,184

Other current liabilities
4,568

 
14,231

 
413

 
(7,208
)
 
12,004

Total current liabilities
36,631

 
139,416

 
7,516

 
(7,208
)
 
176,355

Long-term debt
255,359

 
2,353

 
68

 

 
257,780

Deferred compensation & retirement plan obligations

 
19,633

 
7

 

 
19,640

Advances from affiliates
235,087

 
420

 
9,607

 
(245,114
)
 

Other liabilities
13,877

 
8,351

 
58

 
(6,653
)
 
15,633

Total liabilities
540,954

 
170,173

 
17,256

 
(258,975
)
 
469,408

Total shareholders’ (deficit) equity
(26,176
)
 
187,649

 
103,014

 
(290,663
)
 
(26,176
)
Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit
$
514,778

 
$
357,822

 
$
120,270

 
$
(549,638
)
 
$
443,232



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Choice Hotels International, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2011
(In Thousands)
 
 
Parent
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
ASSETS

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents
$
23,370

 
$
432

 
$
83,255

 
$

 
$
107,057

Receivables, net
44,620

 
2,407

 
5,985

 

 
53,012

Other current assets
12,190

 
25,997

 
5,226

 
(8,686
)
 
34,727

Total current assets
80,180

 
28,836

 
94,466

 
(8,686
)
 
194,796

Property and equipment, at cost, net
9,013

 
41,755

 
1,224

 

 
51,992

Goodwill
60,620

 
5,193

 
192

 

 
66,005

Franchise rights and other identifiable intangibles, net
11,061

 
3,334

 
2,860

 

 
17,255

Receivable, marketing and reservation fees
54,014

 

 

 

 
54,014

Investments, employee benefit plans, at fair value

 
11,678

 

 

 
11,678

Investment in and advances to affiliates
285,996

 
235,571

 
8,323

 
(529,890
)
 

Deferred income taxes

 
29,050

 
313

 
(6,698
)
 
22,665

Other assets
13,808

 
7,538

 
7,938

 

 
29,284

Total assets
$
514,692

 
$
362,955

 
$
115,316

 
$
(545,274
)
 
$
447,689

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable
$
5,324

 
$
28,831

 
$
4,234

 
$

 
$
38,389

Accrued expenses
18,288

 
33,584

 
1,979

 

 
53,851

Deferred revenue
13,584

 
54,582

 
659

 

 
68,825

Deferred compensation and retirement plan

 
18,935

 

 

 
18,935

Current portion of long-term debt

 
654

 
19

 

 
673

Other current liabilities

 
11,404

 
1,174

 
(8,686
)
 
3,892

Total current liabilities
37,196

 
147,990

 
8,065

 
(8,686
)
 
184,565

Long-term debt
249,443

 
2,519

 
70

 

 
252,032

Deferred compensation & retirement plan obligations

 
20,587

 
6

 

 
20,593

Advances from affiliates
239,903

 
468

 
9,853

 
(250,224
)
 

Other liabilities
13,711

 
9,027

 
20

 
(6,698
)
 
16,060

Total liabilities
540,253

 
180,591

 
18,014

 
(265,608
)
 
473,250

Total shareholders’ (deficit) equity
(25,561
)
 
182,364

 
97,302

 
(279,666
)
 
(25,561
)
Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit
$
514,692

 
$
362,955

 
$
115,316

 
$
(545,274
)
 
$
447,689



24

Table of Contents

Choice Hotels International, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
(Unaudited, in thousands)
 
Parent
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities
$
5,388

 
$
(5,888
)
 
$
4,912

 
$

 
$
4,412

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment in property and equipment
(1,354
)
 
(1,688
)
 
(87
)
 

 
(3,129
)
Equity method investments

 

 
(2,600
)
 

 
(2,600
)
Issuance of notes receivable
(3,136
)
 
(583
)
 

 

 
(3,719
)
Collection of notes receivable
44

 
107

 

 

 
151

Purchases of investments, employee benefit plans

 
(743
)
 

 

 
(743
)
Proceeds from sales of investments, employee benefit plans

 
8,652

 

 

 
8,652

Other items, net
(108
)
 

 

 

 
(108
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities
(4,554
)
 
5,745

 
(2,687
)
 

 
(1,496
)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net borrowings pursuant to revolving credit facility
5,900

 

 

 

 
5,900

Repayments of long-term debt

 
(161
)
 
(5
)
 

 
(166
)
Purchase of treasury stock
(14,854
)
 

 

 

 
(14,854
)
Dividends paid
(10,713
)
 

 

 

 
(10,713
)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

 
422

 

 

 
422

Proceeds from exercise of stock options
389

 

 

 

 
389

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities
(19,278
)
 
261

 
(5
)
 

 
(19,022
)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
(18,444
)
 
118

 
2,220

 

 
(16,106
)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 
361

 

 
361

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
23,370

 
432

 
83,255

 

 
107,057

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
$
4,926

 
$
550

 
$
85,836

 
$

 
$
91,312

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Table of Contents

Choice Hotels International, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
(Unaudited, in Thousands)

 
Parent
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided from (used in) operating activities
$
4,590

 
$
(15,659
)
 
$
5,852

 
$

 
$
(5,217
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment in property and equipment
(205
)
 
(1,601
)
 
(29
)
 

 
(1,835
)
Equity method investments

 

 
(1,600
)
 

 
(1,600
)
Issuance of notes receivable
(49
)
 
(1,406
)
 
(22
)
 

 
(1,477
)
Collections of notes receivable

 
7

 

 

 
7

Purchases of investments, employee benefit plans

 
(897
)
 

 

 
(897
)
Proceeds from sales of investments, employee benefit plans

 
310

 

 

 
310

Other items, net
(113
)
 
13

 
5

 

 
(95
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Net cash used in investing activities
(367
)
 
(3,574
)
 
(1,646
)
 

 
(5,587
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net borrowings pursuant to revolving credit facility
7,900

 

 

 

 
7,900

Repayments of long-term debt

 

 
(5
)
 

 
(5
)
Purchase of treasury stock
(2,207
)
 

 

 

 
(2,207
)
Debt issuance costs
(2,207
)
 

 

 

 
(2,207
)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
1

 
833

 

 

 
834

Dividends paid
(10,950
)
 

 

 

 
(10,950
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
2,238

 

 

 

 
2,238

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided (used) in financing activities
(5,225
)
 
833

 
(5
)
 

 
(4,397
)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
(1,002
)
 
(18,400
)
 
4,201

 

 
(15,201
)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 
347

 

 
347

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
4,849

 
18,659

 
67,751

 

 
91,259

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
3,847

 
$
259

 
$
72,299

 
$

 
$
76,405


26

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15.
Reportable Segment Information
The Company has a single reportable segment encompassing its franchising business. Revenues from the franchising business include royalty fees, initial franchise and relicensing fees, marketing and reservation system fees, procurement services revenue and other revenue. The Company is obligated under its franchise agreements to provide marketing and reservation services appropriate for the operation of its systems. These services do not represent separate reportable segments as their operations are directly related to the Company's franchising business. The revenues received from franchisees that are used to pay for part of the Company's ongoing operations are included in franchising revenues and are offset by the related expenses paid for marketing and reservation activities to calculate franchising operating income. Corporate and other revenue consists of hotel operations. Except as described in Note 4, 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:
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
(In thousands)
Franchising
 
Corporate &
Other
 
Consolidated
 
Franchising
 
Corporate &
Other
 
Consolidated
Revenues
$
128,191

 
$
978

 
$
129,169

 
$
114,417

 
$
864

 
$
115,281

Operating income (loss)
$
44,352

 
$
(13,287
)
 
$
31,065

 
$
36,077

 
$
(10,398
)
 
$
25,679

Income (loss) before income taxes
$
44,297

 
$
(14,064
)
 
$
30,233

 
$
34,611

 
$
(12,688
)
 
$
21,923



16.
Commitments and Contingencies
The Company is a defendant in a number of lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management and the Company's legal counsel, the ultimate outcome of any such lawsuit individually or collectively will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
During 2011, the Company filed suit in United States District Court against a franchisee for breach of contract, trademark infringement, fraudulent inducement and negligent misrepresentation. The franchisee filed an arbitration action against the Company alleging wrongful termination of its franchise agreements.  The parties agreed to litigate all claims in an arbitration action which was settled on April 4, 2012. The settlement of the arbitration action did not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements. 
The Company has the following commitments outstanding:
The Company occasionally provides financing in the form of forgivable promissory notes or cash incentives to franchisees for property improvements, hotel development efforts and other purposes. At March 31, 2012, the Company had commitments to extend an additional $6.7 million for these purposes provided certain conditions are met by its franchisees, of which $2.8 million is expected to be advanced in the next twelve months.
The Company has entered into a joint venture agreement whereby it has committed, subject to the satisfaction of certain contingencies, to make an initial capital contribution of $3.0 million for a 25.5% ownership interest. The Company expects to fund this commitment within the next three years.
The Company has a $1.0 million loan commitment, provided certain conditions are met by the borrower, related to the construction of a hotel under one of the Company's brands. The commitment is expected to be funded in the next twelve months.
The Company has invested $2.6 million in a joint venture and has a commitment to invest an additional $2.6 million which is expected to be funded completely in 2012.

On July 11, 2011, Choice Hotels International Services Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, as tenant, and F.P. Rockville II Limited Partnership (the “Landlord”), as landlord, executed an Office Lease (the “Lease”) for office space to which the Company intends to relocate its corporate headquarters. The obligations of the tenant under the Lease have been guaranteed by the Company. The relocation is expected to occur upon construction of an office building, completion of other improvements to the property and building, and satisfaction of other conditions and contingencies set forth in the Lease, including significant conditions related to the scope and timing of the construction, development and permitting of the office

27

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building.
 
The target commencement date for the Lease, which is the date on which the Company will take occupancy of its leased premises for purposes of commencing an interior fit-out of the premises, is December 1, 2012. The target rent commencement date for the Lease, which is the date on which the Company will begin to make rental payments to the Landlord under the Lease, is June 1, 2013. The Lease runs for an initial term of 10 years from the rent commencement date. The leased premises will consist of approximately 138,000 square feet of office space in a to-be constructed office building located in Rockville, Maryland (the “Building”). The Company has an option to extend the Lease beyond the initial term for up to 15 years at then-current fair market rent.

As part of the consideration to the Company for execution of the Lease, the Landlord agreed to provide the Company, during the Lease term, a cash flow participation and preference in the cash flow of the Landlord (“Cash Flow Participation”). The Cash Flow Participation is equal to the greater of: (1) $1.58 times the total rentable square feet of the initial Leased Premises along with any creditable square footage, each determined one-time only as of the Rent Commencement Date, per lease year (“Fixed Payment Amount”), or (2) seven percent (7%) of the annual distributable cash flow (as defined in the Lease) including excess proceeds of sale or refinancing, provided, however, in the event the distributable cash flow is less than the Fixed Payment Amount in any lease year, such shortfall shall accrue and earn interest at six percent (6%) compounded annually to be paid out from the next available cash flow. The Cash Flow Participation shall be payable in arrears not later than July 31 (beginning July 31, 2014) for the preceding Lease year. The Cash Flow Participation shall continue during the Lease and any extension options unless the Landlord no longer owns the Building, the Company is in default under the Lease or the Company no longer leases at least four floors of the building for office use.
No rent is due under the Lease until the rent commencement date, which is currently targeted to occur on or about June 1, 2013. Thereafter, the annual rent is established at a specific minimum amount and is re-set to a new minimum amount each year. Subject to one or more applicable adjustments set forth in the Lease, the Company's minimum annual rent amount, without set-off, deduction for improvement allowances or abatement of any kind, during the initial term ranges from approximately $5.5 million during the initial year to approximately $7.6 million during the final year. During the initial 10-year term of the Lease, the minimum expected rent payments by the Company are expected to be approximately $67.6 million. In addition, beginning on or about the first anniversary of the rent commencement date, the Company is obligated to pay its proportionate share of increases in the cost of operating, managing and maintaining the Building.
In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into numerous agreements that contain standard indemnities whereby the Company indemnifies another party for breaches of representations and warranties. Such indemnifications are granted under various agreements, including those governing (i) purchases or sales of assets or businesses, (ii) leases of real estate, (iii) licensing of trademarks, (iv) access to credit facilities, (v) issuances of debt or equity securities, and (vi) certain operating agreements. The indemnifications issued are for the benefit of the (i) buyers in sale agreements and sellers in purchase agreements, (ii) landlords in lease contracts, (iii) franchisees in licensing agreements, (iv) financial institutions in credit facility arrangements, (v) underwriters in debt or equity security issuances and (vi) parties under certain operating agreements. In addition, these parties are also generally indemnified against any third party claim resulting from the transaction that is contemplated in the underlying agreement. While some of these indemnities extend only for the duration of the underlying agreement, many survive the expiration of the term of the agreement or extend into perpetuity (unless subject to a legal statute of limitations). There are no specific limitations on the maximum potential amount of future payments that the Company could be required to make under these indemnities, nor is the Company able to develop an estimate of the maximum potential amount of future payments to be made under these indemnifications as the triggering events are not subject to predictability. With respect to certain of the aforementioned indemnities, such as indemnifications of landlords against third party claims for the use of real estate property leased by the Company, the Company maintains insurance coverage that mitigates potential liability.

17.
Termination Charges
During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company recorded a $0.1 million charge in SG&A and marketing and reservation expenses related to salary and continuation benefits provided to employees separating from service with the Company. At March 31, 2012, the Company had approximately $43 thousand of these salary and benefits continuation payments remaining to be remitted. During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company remitted an additional $2.8 million of termination benefits related to employee termination charges recorded in prior periods and had approximately $2.7 million of these benefits remaining to be paid. At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, total termination benefits of approximately $2.7 million and $5.4 million remained payable and were included in current and non-current liabilities in the Company's consolidated financial statements. The Company expects $2.4 million of these benefits to be paid in the next twelve months.

18.
Subsequent Events

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Subsequent to March 31, 2012 through May 9, 2012, the Company repurchased an additional 0.2 million shares of its common stock at a total cost of $7.0 million under its share repurchase program.
On April 30, 2012, the Company's board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.185 per share of common stock. The dividend is payable on July 16, 2012 to shareholders of record as of July 2, 2012. Based on the Company's share count at March 31, 2012, total dividends to be paid are expected to be approximately $10.7 million.
In April 2012, the Company and an unrelated third party entered into an agreement to purchase a Cambria Suites hotel in Maple Grove, MN for a total price of $7.2 million. The Company and the unrelated third party are entering into a joint venture, which will own this property. The Company expects to contribute approximately $3.7 million to the joint venture for a 50% ownership stake. The Company expects to account for this venture under the equity method of accounting.

29

Table of Contents

ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following Management's Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) is intended to help the reader understand Choice Hotels International, Inc. and subsidiaries (together the “Company”). MD&A is provided as a supplement to-and should be read in conjunction with-our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes.

Overview
We are a hotel franchisor with franchise agreements representing 6,174 hotels open and 471 hotels under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development as of March 31, 2012, with 496,368 rooms and 38,210 rooms, respectively, in 49 states, the District of Columbia and over 40 countries and territories outside the United States. Our brand names include Comfort Inn®, Comfort Suites®, Quality®, Clarion®, Ascend Collection®, Sleep Inn®, Econo Lodge®, Rodeway Inn®, MainStay Suites®, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel®, and Cambria Suites® (collectively, the “Choice brands”).
The Company's domestic operations are conducted solely through direct franchising relationships while its international franchise operations are conducted through a combination of direct franchising and master franchising relationships. Master franchising relationships are governed by master franchising agreements which generally provide the master franchisee with the right to use our brands in a specific geographic region, usually for a fee.
Our business philosophy has been to conduct direct franchising in those international markets where both franchising is an accepted business model and we believe our brands can achieve significant distribution. We elect to enter into master franchise agreements in those markets where direct franchising is currently not a prevalent or viable business model. When entering into master franchising relationships, we strive to select partners that have professional hotel and asset management capabilities together with the financial capacity to invest in building the Choice brands in their respective markets. Master franchising relationships typically provider lower revenues to the Company as the master franchisees are responsible for managing certain necessary services (such as training, quality assurance, reservations and marketing) to support the franchised hotels in the master franchise area and therefore retain a larger percentage of the hotel franchise fees to cover their expenses. In certain circumstances, the Company has and may continue to make equity investments in our master franchisees.
As a result of our use of master franchising relationships and international market conditions, total revenues from international franchising operations comprised 9% of our total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2012, while representing approximately 19% of hotels open at March 31, 2012. Therefore, our description of the franchise system is primarily focused on the domestic operations.
Our Company generates revenues, income and cash flows primarily from initial, relicensing and continuing royalty fees attributable to our franchise agreements. Revenues are also generated from qualified vendor arrangements, hotel operations and other sources. The hotel industry is seasonal in nature. For most hotels, demand is lower in December through March than during the remainder of the year. Our principal source of revenues is franchise fees based on the gross room revenues of our franchised properties. The Company's franchise fee revenues and operating income reflect the industry's seasonality and historically have been lower in the first quarter than in the second, third or fourth quarters.
With a focus on hotel franchising instead of ownership, we benefit from the economies of scale inherent in the franchising business. The fee and cost structure of our business provides opportunities to improve operating results by increasing the number of franchised hotel rooms and effective royalty rates of our franchise contracts resulting in increased initial fee and relicensing revenue, ongoing royalty fees and procurement services revenues. In addition, our operating results can also be improved through our company-wide efforts related to improving property level performance. The Company currently estimates that based on its current domestic portfolio of hotels under franchise that a 1% change in revenue per available room (“RevPAR”) or rooms under franchise would increase or decrease annual domestic royalty revenues by approximately $2.3 million and a 1 basis point change in the Company's effective royalty rate would increase or decrease annual domestic royalties by approximately $0.5 million. In addition to these revenues, we also collect marketing and reservation system fees to support centralized marketing and reservation activities for the franchise system. As a lodging franchisor, the Company currently has relatively low capital expenditure requirements.
The principal factors that affect the Company's results are: the number and relative mix of franchised hotel rooms in the various hotel lodging price categories; growth in the number of hotel rooms under franchise; occupancy and room rates achieved by the hotels under franchise; the effective royalty rate achieved; the level of franchise sales and relicensing activity; and our 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 our fees are based upon room revenues at franchised hotels. The key industry standard for measuring hotel-operating performance is RevPAR, which is calculated by multiplying the percentage of occupied rooms by the average daily room rate realized. Our variable overhead costs associated with franchise system growth of our established

30

Table of Contents

brands have historically been less than incremental royalty fees generated from new franchises. Accordingly, continued growth of our franchise business should enable us to realize benefits from the operating leverage in place and improve operating results.
We are required by our franchise agreements to use the marketing and reservation system fees we collect for system-wide marketing and reservation activities. These expenditures, which include advertising costs and costs to maintain our central reservations system, help to enhance awareness and increase consumer preference for our brands. Greater awareness and preference promotes long-term growth in business delivery to our franchisees, which ultimately increases franchise fees earned by the Company.
Our Company articulates its mission as a commitment to our franchisees' profitability by providing our franchisees with hotel franchises that strive to generate the highest return on investment of any hotel franchise. We have developed an operating system dedicated to our franchisees' success that focuses on delivering guests to our franchised hotels and reducing costs for our hotel owners.
We believe that executing our strategic priorities creates value for our shareholders. Our Company focuses on two key value drivers:
Profitable Growth. Our success is dependent on improving the performance of our hotels, increasing our system size by selling additional hotel franchises, effective royalty rate improvement and maintaining a disciplined cost structure. We attempt to improve our franchisees' revenues and overall profitability by providing a variety of products and services designed to increase business delivery to and/or reduce operating and development costs for our franchisees. These products and services include national marketing campaigns, a central reservation system, property and yield management systems, quality assurance standards and qualified vendor relationships. We believe that healthy brands, which deliver a compelling return on investment for franchisees, will enable us to sell additional hotel franchises and raise royalty rates. We have established multiple brands that meet the needs of many types of guests, and can be developed at various price points and applied to both new and existing hotels. This ensures that we have brands suitable for creating growth in a variety of market conditions. Improving the performance of the hotels under franchise, growing the system through additional franchise sales and improving franchise agreement pricing while maintaining a disciplined cost structure are the keys to profitable growth.
Maximizing Financial Returns and Creating Value for Shareholders. Our capital allocation decisions, including capital structure and uses of capital, are intended to maximize our return on invested capital and create value for our shareholders. We believe our strong and predictable cash flows create a strong financial position that provides us a competitive advantage. Currently, our business does not require significant capital to operate and grow. Therefore, we can maintain a capital structure that generates high financial returns and use our excess cash flow to increase returns to our shareholders.
Historically, we have returned value to our shareholders in two primary ways: share repurchases and dividends. In 1998, we instituted a share repurchase program which has generated substantial value for our shareholders. During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company repurchased approximately 0.3 million shares of its common stock under the share repurchase program at an average price of $36.81 for a total cost of $12.9 million. Since the program's inception through March 31, 2012, we have repurchased 45.1 million shares (including 33.0 million prior to the two-for-one stock split effected in October 2005) of common stock at a total cost of $1.1 billion. Considering the effect of the two-for-one stock split, the Company has repurchased 78.1 million shares at an average price of $13.83 per share. We currently believe that our cash flows from operations will support our ability to complete the current board of directors repurchase authorization of approximately 1.6 million shares remaining as of March 31, 2012. Subsequent to March 31, 2012 through May 9, 2012, the Company purchased an additional 0.2 million shares of its common stock under the share repurchase program at an average price of $37.39 for a total cost of $7.0 million. Upon completion of the current authorization, our board of directors will evaluate the advisability of additional share repurchases.
During the three months ended March 31, 2012, we paid cash dividends totaling approximately $10.7 million and we presently expect to continue to pay dividends in the future, subject to future business performance, economic conditions, changes in income tax regulations and other factors. Based on our present dividend rate and outstanding share count, aggregate annual dividends for 2012 would be approximately $42.8 million.
Our board of directors previously authorized us to enter into programs which permit us to offer investment, financing and guaranty support to qualified franchisees as well as to acquire and resell real estate to incent franchise development for certain brands in strategic markets. Recent market conditions have resulted in an increase in opportunities to incentivize development under these programs and as a result over the next several years, we expect to deploy capital opportunistically pursuant to these programs to promote growth of our emerging brands. The amount and timing of the investment in these programs will be dependent on market and other conditions. Our current expectation is that our annual investment in these programs will range from $20 million to $40 million. Notwithstanding these programs, the Company expects to continue to return value to its

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shareholders through a combination of share repurchases and dividends, subject to business performance, economic conditions, changes in income tax regulations and other factors.
We believe these value drivers, when properly implemented, will enhance our profitability, maximize our financial returns and continue to generate value for our shareholders. The ultimate measure of our success will be reflected in the items below.
Results of Operation: Royalty fees, operating income, net income and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) represent key measurements of these value drivers. In the three months ended March 31, 2012, royalty fees revenue totaled $47.9 million, a 9% increase from the same period in 2011. Operating income totaled $31.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012, a $5.4 million or 21% increase from the same period in 2011. Net income increased 27% from the same period of the prior year to $20.0 million. Diluted earnings per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 were $0.34 compared to $0.26 for the three months ended March 31, 2011. These measurements will continue to be a key management focus in 2012 and beyond.
Refer to MD&A heading “Operations Review” for additional analysis of our results.
Liquidity and Capital Resources: Historically, the Company has generated significant cash flows from operations. Since our business does not currently require significant reinvestment of capital, we typically utilize cash in ways that management believes provide the greatest returns to our shareholders, which include share repurchases and dividends. We believe the Company's cash flow from operations and available financing capacity is sufficient to meet the expected future operating, investing, and financing needs of the business.
Refer to MD&A heading “Liquidity and Capital Resources” for additional analysis.

Operations Review
Comparison of Operating Results for the Three-Month Periods Ended March 31, 2012 and 2011
The Company recorded net income of $20.0 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2012, a 27% increase from the $15.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011. The increase in net income for the three months ended March 31, 2012 is primarily attributable to the $5.4 million or 21% increase in operating income and a $2.9 million decline in other income and expenses, net, partially offset by an increase in the effective income tax rate. The decline in other income and expenses, net is primarily due to a $2.0 million increase in fair value of the investments held in the Company's non-qualified benefit plans compared to a $0.8 million increase in the fair value of these investments in the prior year period. In addition, other income and expenses, net for the three months ended March 31, 2011 included a $1.8 million loss on assets held for sale.

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Table of Contents

Summarized financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
2012
 
2011
REVENUES:
 
 
 
Royalty fees
$
47,853

 
$
43,794

Initial franchise and relicensing fees
2,528

 
2,721

Procurement services
3,315

 
3,261

Marketing and reservation
70,929

 
62,967

Hotel operations
978

 
864

Other
3,566

 
1,674

Total revenues
129,169

 
115,281

OPERATING EXPENSES:

 
 
Selling, general and administrative
24,349

 
23,847

Depreciation and amortization
2,017

 
1,955

Marketing and reservation
70,929

 
62,967

Hotel operations
809

 
833

Total operating expenses
98,104

 
89,602

Operating income
31,065

 
25,679

OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES, NET:
 
 
 
Interest expense
3,117

 
3,224

Interest income
(337
)
 
(210
)
Other (gains) and losses
(2,003
)
 
1,043

Equity in net (income) loss of affiliates
55

 
(301
)
Total other expenses, net
832

 
3,756

Income before income taxes
30,233

 
21,923

Income taxes
10,236

 
6,193

Net income
$
19,997

 
$
15,730

Diluted earnings per share
$
0.34

 
$
0.26


The Company utilizes certain measures such as adjusted net income, adjusted diluted EPS and franchising revenues which do not conform to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) when analyzing and discussing its results with the investment community. This information should not be considered as an alternative to any measure of performance as promulgated under GAAP, such as net income, diluted EPS and total revenues. The Company's calculation of these measures may be different from the calculations used by other companies and therefore comparability may be limited. We have included below a reconciliation of these measures to the comparable GAAP measures as well as our reason for reporting these non-GAAP measures.
Franchising Revenues: The Company utilizes franchising revenues which exclude marketing and reservation system revenues and hotel operations rather than total revenues when analyzing the performance of the business. Marketing and reservation activities are excluded from revenues since the Company is required by its franchise agreements to use these fees collected for marketing and reservation activities; as such, no income or loss to the Company is generated. Cumulative marketing and reservation system fees not expended are recorded as a payable on the Company's financial statements and are carried over to the next fiscal year and expended in accordance with the franchise agreements. Cumulative marketing and reservation expenditures in excess of fees collected for marketing and reservation activities are recorded as a receivable on the Company's financial statements. Hotel operations are excluded since they do not reflect the most accurate measure of the Company's core franchising business. This non-GAAP measure is a commonly used measure of performance in our industry and facilitates comparisons between the Company and its competitors.

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Table of Contents

Calculation of Franchising Revenues
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
($ amounts in thousands)
 
2012
 
2011
Franchising Revenues:
 
 
 
Total Revenues
$
129,169

 
$
115,281

Adjustments:
 
 
 
     Marketing and reservation system revenues
(70,929
)
 
(62,967
)
     Hotel operations
(978
)
 
(864
)
Franchising Revenues
$
57,262

 
$
51,450

Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS: We also use adjusted net income and adjusted diluted EPS for the three months ended March 31, 2011 which exclude a $1.8 million loss on assets held for sale resulting from the Company's reduction of the carrying amount of a parcel of land held for sale to its estimated fair value. The Company utilizes these non-GAAP measures to enable investors to perform meaningful comparisons of past, present and future operating results and as a means to emphasize the results of on-going operations.
 
Calculation of Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
2012
 
2011
Net Income
$
19,997

 
$
15,730

Adjustments, net of tax:
 
 
 
Loss on land held for sale

 
1,111

Adjusted Net Income
$
19,997

 
$
16,841

 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted
58,317

 
59,825

 
 
 
 
Diluted EPS
$
0.34

 
$
0.26

Adjustments:
 
 
 
 Loss on land held for sale

 
0.02

Adjusted Diluted EPS
$
0.34

 
$
0.28

The Company recorded adjusted net income of $20.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012; a $3.2 million increase compared to an adjusted net income of $16.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011. The increase in adjusted net income for the three months ended March 31, 2012 is primarily due to a $5.4 million or 21% increase in operating income and a $1.2 million increase in investment gains due to an $2.0 million increase in the fair value of investments held in the Company's non-qualified benefit plans during the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to a $0.8 million increase in fair value of these investments in the prior year period. These increases were partially offset in an increase in the effective tax rate from 28.2% during the three months ended March 31, 2011 to 33.9% in the same period of the current year. Operating income increased $5.4 million as the Company's franchising revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2012 increased $5.8 million or 11% from the same period of the prior year and SG&A expenses increased only $0.5 million or 2%.
Franchising Revenues: Franchising revenues were $57.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to $51.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011, an increase of 11%. The increase in franchising revenues is primarily due to a 9% increase in royalty revenues and a $1.9 million increase in other income.
Domestic royalty fees for the three months ended March 31, 2012 increased $3.6 million to $42.3 million from $38.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2011, an increase of 9%. The increase in royalties is attributable to a combination of factors including an 8.6% increase in RevPAR and a 0.6% increase in the number of domestic franchised hotel rooms partially offset by a decline in the effective royalty rate of the domestic hotel system from 4.35% to 4.34%. System-wide RevPAR increased due to a combination of a 2.5% increase in average daily rates and a 250 basis point increase in occupancy.

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Table of Contents

A summary of the Company's domestic franchised hotels operating information is as follows:

 
For the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2012*
 
For the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2011*
 
Change
 
Average
Daily
Rate
 
Occupancy
 
RevPAR
 
Average
Daily
Rate
 
Occupancy
 
RevPAR
 
Average
Daily
Rate
 
Occupancy
 
RevPAR
Comfort Inn
$
74.29

 
46.8
%
 
$
34.76

 
$
72.21

 
44.3
%
 
$
32.00

 
2.9
%
 
250 bps
 
8.6
%
Comfort Suites
79.88

 
51.0
%
 
40.72

 
79.08

 
47.0
%
 
37.18

 
1.0
%
 
400 bps
 
9.5
%
Sleep
66.39

 
45.0
%
 
29.90

 
64.94

 
42.2
%
 
27.43

 
2.2
%
 
280 bps
 
9.0
%
Quality
63.39

 
40.8
%
 
25.87

 
61.58

 
38.6
%
 
23.80

 
2.9
%
 
220 bps
 
8.7
%
Clarion
67.90

 
38.7
%
 
26.26

 
67.72

 
36.6
%
 
24.75

 
0.3
%
 
210 bps
 
6.1
%
Econo Lodge
50.31

 
38.7
%
 
19.45

 
49.61

 
37.3
%
 
18.49

 
1.4
%
 
140 bps
 
5.2
%
Rodeway
47.08

 
41.7
%
 
19.61

 
45.77

 
38.6
%
 
17.65

 
2.9
%
 
310 bps
 
11.1
%
MainStay
64.60

 
61.8
%
 
39.94

 
60.97

 
53.9
%
 
32.85

 
6.0
%
 
790 bps
 
21.6
%
Suburban
39.15

 
62.5
%
 
24.47

 
38.29

 
60.7
%
 
23.24

 
2.2
%
 
180 bps
 
5.3
%
Ascend Collection
104.02

 
52.0
%
 
54.11

 
98.46

 
49.9
%
 
49.09

 
5.6
%
 
210 bps
 
10.2
%
Total
$
67.32

 
44.5
%
 
$
29.95

 
$
65.69

 
42.0
%
 
$
27.58

 
2.5
%
 
250 bps
 
8.6
%
___________________
Operating statistics represent hotel operations from December through February
The number of domestic rooms on-line increased by 2,470 rooms to 392,877 as of March 31, 2012 from 390,407 as of March 31, 2011. The total number of domestic hotels on-line increased by 0.7% to 5,006 as of March 31, 2012 from 4,970 as of March 31, 2011.
A summary of domestic hotels and rooms on-line at March 31, 2012 and 2011 by brand is as follows:

 
March 31, 2012
 
March 31, 2011
 
Variance
 
Hotels
 
Rooms
 
Hotels
 
Rooms
 
Hotels
 
Rooms
 
%
 
%
Comfort Inn
1,392
 
108,777
 
1,422
 
110,932
 
(30)
 
(2,155)
 
(2.1
)%
 
(1.9
)%
Comfort Suites
613
 
47,506
 
621
 
48,096
 
(8)
 
(590)
 
(1.3
)%
 
(1.2
)%
Sleep
394
 
28,564
 
397
 
28,895
 
(3)
 
(331)
 
(0.8
)%
 
(1.1
)%
Quality
1,054
 
91,942
 
1,015
 
88,967
 
39
 
2,975
 
3.8
 %
 
3.3
 %
Clarion
188
 
27,550
 
192
 
28,259
 
(4)
 
(709)
 
(2.1
)%
 
(2.5
)%
Econo Lodge
797
 
49,254
 
779
 
48,245
 
18
 
1,009
 
2.3
 %
 
2.1
 %
Rodeway
396
 
22,183
 
381
 
20,940
 
15
 
1,243
 
3.9
 %
 
5.9
 %
MainStay
39
 
3,024
 
38
 
2,943
 
1
 
81
 
2.6
 %
 
2.8
 %
Suburban
61
 
7,191
 
63
 
7,543
 
(2)
 
(352)
 
(3.2
)%
 
(4.7
)%
Ascend Collection
53
 
4,671
 
42
 
3,259
 
11
 
1,412
 
26.2
 %
 
43.3
 %
Cambria Suites
19
 
2,215
 
20
 
2,328
 
(1)
 
(113)
 
(5.0
)%
 
(4.9
)%
Total Domestic Franchises
5,006
 
392,877
 
4,970
 
390,407
 
36
 
2,470
 
0.7
 %
 
0.6
 %
International royalties increased by $0.4 million or 9% from $5.1 million in the first quarter of 2011 to $5.5 million for the same period of 2012 primarily due to global RevPAR increases and an increase in the number of rooms in the international system.
International available rooms increased 1.1% to 103,491 as of March 31, 2012 from 102,326 as of March 31, 2011. The total number of international hotels increased 0.9% from 1,158 as of March 31, 2011 to 1,168 as of March 31, 2012.
As of March 31, 2012, the Company had 388 franchised hotels with 31,190 rooms under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in its domestic system as compared to 508 hotels and 41,475 rooms at March 31, 2011. The number

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Table of Contents

of new construction franchised hotels in the Company's domestic pipeline declined 29% to 250 at March 31, 2012 from 352 at March 31, 2011. The number of conversion franchised hotels in the Company's domestic pipeline declined by 18 units or 12% from March 31, 2011 to 138 hotels at March 31, 2012. The domestic system hotels under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development declined 29% from the prior year primarily due to the decline in the number of new construction hotels which have been negatively impacted by the limited availability of hotel construction financing. As a result, the ability of existing projects to obtain financing and commence construction has been significantly impacted and has resulted in the termination of franchise agreements related to hotels that have not yet opened. The Company had an additional 83 franchised hotels with 7,020 rooms under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in its international system as of March 31, 2012 compared to 98 hotels and 8,433 rooms at March 31, 2011. While the Company's hotel pipeline provides a strong platform for growth, a hotel in the pipeline does not always result in an open and operating hotel due to various factors.
A summary of the domestic franchised hotels under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development at March 31, 2012 and 2011 by brand is as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Variance
 
March 31, 2012
Units
 
 
March 31, 2011
Units
 
 
Conversion
 
New Construction
 
Total
 
Conversion
 
New
Construction
 
Total
 
Conversion
 
New
Construction
 
Total
 
Units
 
%
 
Units
 
%
 
Units
 
%
Comfort Inn
28

 
44

 
72

 
31

 
58

 
89

 
(3
)
 
(10
)%
 
(14
)
 
(24
)%
 
(17
)
 
(19
)%
Comfort Suites
3

 
83

 
86

 
3

 
117

 
120

 

 
0
 %
 
(34
)
 
(29
)%
 
(34
)
 
(28
)%
Sleep Inn
1

 
44

 
45

 

 
70

 
70

 
1

 
NM

 
(26
)
 
(37
)%
 
(25
)
 
(36
)%
Quality
40

 
4

 
44

 
47

 
6

 
53

 
(7
)
 
(15
)%
 
(2
)
 
(33
)%
 
(9
)
 
(17
)%
Clarion
12

 
1

 
13

 
20

 
2

 
22

 
(8
)
 
(40
)%
 
(1
)
 
(50
)%
 
(9
)
 
(41
)%
Econo Lodge
18

 
2

 
20

 
35

 
2

 
37

 
(17
)
 
(49
)%
 

 
0
 %
 
(17
)
 
(46
)%
Rodeway
25

 
1

 
26

 
14

 
2

 
16

 
11

 
79
 %
 
(1
)
 
(50
)%
 
10

 
63
 %
MainStay
2

 
22

 
24

 
2

 
39

 
41

 

 
0
 %
 
(17
)
 
(44
)%
 
(17
)
 
(41
)%
Suburban
2

 
16

 
18

 

 
20

 
20

 
2

 
NM

 
(4
)
 
(20
)%
 
(2
)
 
(10
)%
Ascend Collection
7

 
4

 
11

 
4

 
4

 
8

 
3

 
75
 %
 

 
0
 %
 
3

 
38
 %
Cambria Suites

 
29

 
29

 

 
32

 
32

 

 
NM

 
(3
)
 
(9
)%
 
(3
)
 
(9
)%
Total
138

 
250

 
388

 
156

 
352

 
508

 
(18
)
 
(12
)%
 
(102
)
 
(29
)%
 
(120
)
 
(24
)%
Domestic hotels open and operating increased by 5 hotels during the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to an net decline of 23 domestic hotels open and operating during the three months ended March 31, 2011. Gross domestic franchise additions declined from 42 for the three months ended March 31, 2011 to 39 for the same period of 2012. New construction hotels represented 5 of the gross domestic additions during three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to 4 hotels in the same period of the prior year. Gross domestic additions for conversion hotels during the three months ended March 31, 2012 declined by 4 to 34 hotels from 38 hotels in the same period of the prior year. The Company expects the number of new franchise units that will open during 2012 to decline from 256 in 2011 to approximately 240 hotels as openings will continue to be impacted by the restrictive lending environment, retention efforts implemented by other hotel brand companies and increased competition for existing hotels seeking a new brand affiliation.
Net domestic franchise terminations declined from 65 in the three months ended March 31, 2011 to 34 for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The decline in net domestic franchise terminations primarily reflects increased retention efforts implemented by the Company to reduce the number of terminations as overall industry supply growth continues to be lower than historical levels.
New domestic franchise agreements executed in the three months ended March 31, 2012 totaled 64 representing 4,658 rooms compared to 56 agreements representing 5,158 rooms executed in the first quarter of 2011. During the first quarter of 2012, 7 of the executed agreements were for new construction hotel franchises representing 443 rooms compared to 6 contracts representing 572 rooms for the three months ended March 31, 2011. Conversion hotel executed franchise agreements totaled 57 representing 4,215 rooms for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to 50 agreements representing 4,586 rooms for the same period a year ago. Domestic initial fee revenue, included in the initial franchise and relicensing fees caption above, generated from executed franchise agreements declined $0.8 million to $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from $2.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011. Initial fee revenue declined despite a 14% increase in the

36

Table of Contents

number of executed new franchise agreements primarily due to the recognition of deferred revenue during 2011 related to franchise agreements containing developer incentives that were executed in prior years. Revenues associated with agreements including incentives are deferred and recognized when the incentive criteria are met or the agreement is terminated, whichever comes first.
A summary of executed domestic franchise agreements by brand for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
 
 
% Change
 
 
New
Construction
 
Conversion
 
Total
 
New
Construction
 
Conversion
 
Total
 
New
Construction
 
Conversion
 
Total
Comfort Inn
 
1

 
8

 
9

 
2

 
7

 
9

 
(50
)%
 
14
 %
 
0
 %
Comfort Suites
 
1

 
2

 
3

 

 
2

 
2

 
NM

 
0
 %
 
50
 %
Sleep
 
3

 

 
3

 
2

 

 
2

 
50
 %
 
NM

 
50
 %
Quality
 

 
27

 
27

 

 
24

 
24

 
NM

 
13
 %
 
13
 %
Clarion
 

 
2

 
2

 

 
5

 
5

 
NM

 
(60
)%
 
(60
)%
Econo Lodge
 

 
4

 
4

 

 
6

 
6

 
NM

 
(33
)%
 
(33
)%
Rodeway
 

 
12

 
12

 

 
5

 
5

 
NM

 
140
 %
 
140
 %
MainStay
 

 

 

 
1

 

 
1

 
(100
)%
 
NM

 
(100
)%
Suburban
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
NM

 
NM

 
NM

Ascend Collection
 
1

 
2

 
3

 

 
1

 
1

 
NM

 
100
 %
 
200
 %
Cambria Suites
 
1

 

 
1

 
1

 

 
1

 
0
 %
 
NM

 
0
 %
Total Domestic System
 
7

 
57

 
64

 
6

 
50

 
56

 
17
 %
 
14
 %
 
14
 %
Relicensing fees include fees charged to the new owners of a franchised property whenever an ownership change occurs and the property remains in the franchise system as well as fees required to renew expiring franchise contracts. Domestic relicensing and renewal contracts increased 250% from 14 in the first quarter of 2011 to 49 for the three months ended March 31, 2012. As a result of the increase in contracts, domestic relicensing revenues increased $0.5 million from $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 to $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012.
Other income increased $1.9 million from $1.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 to $3.6 million for the same period of the current year primarily due to an increase in liquidated damage collections related to the early termination of franchise agreements.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses: The cost to operate the franchising business is reflected in selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") on the consolidated statements of income. SG&A expenses were $24.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012, an increase of $0.5 million or 2% from the three months ended March 31, 2011. SG&A for the three months ended March 31, 2012 included approximately $1.5 million related to a litigation settlement with a former franchisee as well as a $0.7 million increase in compensation expense recognized on deferred compensation arrangements as described in more detail in Other Income and Expenses, Net. Excluding these items, SG&A expenses declined approximately $1.7 million due to measures implemented by the Company in the fourth quarter of 2011 to increase its productivity and streamline services.
Marketing and Reservations: The Company's franchise agreements require the payment of franchise fees, which include marketing and reservation system fees. The fees, which are primarily based on a percentage of the franchisees' gross room revenues, are used exclusively by the Company for expenses associated with providing franchise services such as central reservation systems, national marketing and media advertising. The Company is contractually obligated to expend the marketing and reservation system fees it collects from franchisees in accordance with the franchise agreements; as such, no income or loss to the Company is generated.
Total marketing and reservation system fees were $70.9 million and $63.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Depreciation and amortization attributable to marketing and reservation activities was $3.5 million and $3.2 million for the three month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Interest expense attributable to marketing and reservation activities was approximately $1.2 million and $1.0 million for the three month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

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As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company's balance sheet includes a receivable of $63.7 million and $54.0 million, respectively from cumulative marketing and reservation expenses incurred in excess of cumulative marketing and reservations system fee revenues earned. These receivables are recorded as an asset in the financial statements as the Company has the contractual authority to require that the franchisees in the system at any given point repay the Company for any deficits related to marketing and reservation activities. The Company's current franchisees are legally obligated to pay any assessment the Company imposes on its franchisees to obtain reimbursement of such deficit regardless of whether those constituents continue to generate gross room revenue and whether or not they joined the system following the deficit's occurrence. The Company has no present intention to accelerate repayment of the deficit from current franchisees. Conversely, cumulative marketing and reservation system fees not expended are recorded as a payable in the financial statements and are carried over to the next fiscal year and expended in accordance with the franchise agreements.
Our ability to recover these receivables may be adversely impacted by certain factors, including, among others, declines in the ability of our franchisees to generate revenues at properties they franchise from us, lower than expected franchise system growth of certain brands and/or lower than expected international franchise system growth. An extended period of occupancy or room rate declines or a decline in the number of hotel rooms in our franchise system could result in the generation of insufficient funds to recover marketing and reservation advances as well as meet the ongoing marketing and reservation needs of the overall system.
Other Income and Expenses, Net: Other income and expenses, net, declined from an expense of $3.8 million during the three months ended March 31, 2011 to an expense of $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 primarily due to the following items:
Other gains and losses, net increased from a loss of $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 to a gain of $2.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 primarily due to fluctuations in the fair value of investments held in the Company's non-qualified employee benefit plans as well as a $1.8 million loss on assets held for sale recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2011 resulting from the Company's reduction of the carrying amount of a parcel of land held for sale to its estimated fair value.
As discussed in the accompanying critical accounting policies, the Company sponsors two non-qualified retirement and savings plans: the Non-Qualified Plan and the EDCP plan. The fair value of the Non-Qualified Plan investments increased by $0.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to a gain of $0.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2011. The fair value of the Company's investments held in the EDCP plan increased by $1.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to an increase in fair value of $0.4 million during the same period of the prior year.
The Company accounts for the EDCP Plan and Non-Qualified Plan in accordance with accounting for deferred compensation arrangements when investments are held in a rabbi trust and invested. Therefore, the Company also recognizes compensation expense or benefits in SG&A related to changes in the fair value of investments held in the Non-Qualified Plan and a portion of the investments held in the EDCP Plan, excluding investments in the Company's stock. As a result, during the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company's SG&A expense was increased by $1.0 million due to the change in the fair value of these investments. For the three months ended March 31, 2011, the Company's SG&A expense was increased by $0.4 million due to the change in the fair value of these investments.
Income taxes. The effective income tax rate was 33.9% compared with 28.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

The effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2012 was lower than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the impact of foreign operations, partially offset by state income taxes. The effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2011 was lower than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to a $1.4 million nonrecurring adjustment to our current federal taxes payable which reduced the effective tax rate as well as the impact of foreign operations.
Net income: Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2012 increased by 27% to $20.0 million from $15.7 million in the same period of the prior year. Net income increased $3.2 million or 19% from the adjusted net income of $16.8 million, as adjusted for certain items described above, for the three months ended March 31, 2011.
Diluted EPS: Diluted EPS increased 31% to $0.34 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from $0.26 for the same period of the prior year. Diluted EPS for the three months ended March 31, 2012 increased $0.06 from the adjusted diluted EPS, which excludes certain items described above, for the three months ended March 31, 2011 which totaled $0.28. The increase in diluted EPS primarily reflects the items discussed above as well as repurchases of the Company's common stock.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Operating Activities
During the three months ended March 31, 2012, net cash provided by operating activities totaled $4.4 million compared to net cash used by operating activities of $5.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2011. The increase in cash flows from operating activities primarily reflects improvements in operating income partially offset by the timing of working capital items.
Net cash advanced for marketing and reservation activities totaled $6.2 million and $9.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Cash advances during the three months ended March 31, 2012 related primarily to planned advertising and promotional cost spending in excess of fees collected and investments in information technology initiatives. Based on the current economic conditions, the Company expects marketing and reservation activities to provide cash flows from operations ranging between $4 million and $8 million in 2012.
Investing Activities
Cash utilized for investing activities totaled $1.5 million and $5.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The decline in cash utilized for investing activities was primarily due to proceeds from the sale of investments held in trust related to the Company's deferred compensation plans. The proceeds were utilized to reimburse the Company for participant distributions made on behalf of the trust in prior years. These proceeds were partially offset by an increase in capital expenditures, an increase in net financing provided to franchisees and equity method investments entered into during the three months ended March 31, 2012. During the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, capital expenditures totaled $3.1 million and $1.8 million, respectively. Capital expenditures for 2012 primarily include upgrades of system-wide property and yield management systems, upgrades to information systems infrastructure and the purchase of computer software and equipment.
The Company occasionally provides financing to franchisees for property improvements, hotel development efforts and other purposes. During the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company advanced $3.7 million and $1.5 million, respectively, for these purposes. At March 31, 2012, the Company had commitments to extend an additional $6.4 million for these purposes provided certain conditions are met by its franchisees, of which $2.7 million is expected to be advanced in the next twelve months.
Financing Activities
Financing cash flows relate primarily to the Company's borrowings, treasury stock purchases and dividends.
Debt
On February 24, 2011, the Company entered into a new $300 million senior unsecured revolving credit agreement (the “Revolver”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent and a syndicate of lenders. Simultaneously with the closing of the Revolver, the $350 million unsecured revolving credit agreement dated as of June 2006 (the “Old Revolver”) was terminated. The Revolver provides for a $300 million unsecured revolving credit facility with a final maturity date on February 24, 2016. Up to $30 million of borrowings under the Revolver may be used for letters of credit and up to $20 million of borrowings under the Revolver may be used for swing-line loans.
The Revolver is unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior unsecured basis by all of the Company's subsidiaries that currently guarantee the obligations under the Company's Indenture governing the terms of its 5.70% senior notes due 2020.
The Company may at any time prior to the final maturity date increase the amount of the Revolver by up to an additional $150 million to the extent that any one or more lenders commit to being a lender for the additional amount and certain other customary conditions are met.
The Company may elect to have borrowings under the Revolver bear interest at (i) a base rate plus a margin ranging from 5 to 80 basis points based on the Company's credit rating or (ii) LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 105 to 180 basis points based on the Company's credit rating. In addition, the Revolver requires the Company to pay a quarterly facility fee on the full amount of the commitments under the Revolver (regardless of usage) ranging from 20 to 45 basis points based upon the credit rating of the Company.
The Revolver requires that the Company and its restricted subsidiaries comply with various covenants, including with respect to restrictions on liens, incurring indebtedness, making investments and effecting mergers and/or asset sales. In addition, the Revolver imposes financial maintenance covenants requiring the Company to maintain a total leverage ratio of not more than

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3.5 to 1.0 and interest coverage ratio of at least 3.5 to 1.0. At March 31, 2012, the Company maintained a total leverage ratio of approximately 1.3x and an interest ratio coverage of approximately 11.8x. At March 31, 2012, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the Revolver.
The proceeds of the Revolver are used for general corporate purposes, including working capital, debt repayment, stock repurchases, dividends, investments and other permitted uses. As of March 31, 2012, the Company had $5.9 million outstanding under the Revolver.
On August 25, 2010, the Company completed a $250 million senior unsecured note offering (“the Senior Notes”) at a discount of $0.6 million, bearing a coupon of 5.7% with an effective rate of 6.19%. The Senior Notes will mature on August 28, 2020, with interest on the Senior Notes to be paid semi-annually on February 28th and August 28th. The Company used the net proceeds from the offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and other offering expenses, to repay outstanding borrowings under the Old Revolver and other general corporate purposes. The Company's Senior Notes are guaranteed jointly, severally, fully and unconditionally, subject to certain customary limitations, by eight 100%-owned domestic subsidiaries.
The Company may redeem the Senior Notes at its option at a redemption price equal to the greater of (a) 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed and (b) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled principal and interest payments from the redemption date to the date of maturity discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis at the Treasury rate, plus 45 basis points.
Dividends
The Company currently maintains the payment of a quarterly dividend on its common shares outstanding, however, the declaration of future dividends are subject to the discretion of our board of directors. During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company declared and paid cash dividends at a quarterly rate of $0.185 per share. The Company's quarterly dividend rate declared during the three months ended March 31, 2012 has remained unchanged from the previous quarterly declarations. During the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company paid cash dividends totaling $10.7 million and $11.0 million, respectively. We expect that cash dividends will continue to be paid in the future, subject to future business performance, economic conditions, changes in tax regulations and other matters. Based on our present dividend rate and outstanding share count, aggregate annual dividends for 2012 would be approximately $42.8 million.
Share Repurchases
During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company repurchased 0.3 million shares of its common stock under the share repurchase program at a total cost of $12.9 million for an average price of $36.81 per share. Since the program's inception through March 31, 2012, we have repurchased 45.1 million shares (including 33.0 million prior to the two-for-one stock split effected in October 2005) of common stock at a total cost of $1.1 billion. Considering the effect of the two-for-one stock split, the Company has repurchased 78.1 million shares at an average price of $13.83 per share through March 31, 2012. At March 31, 2012 the Company had approximately 1.6 million shares remaining under the current stock repurchase authorization. Subsequent to March 31, 2012 through May 9, 2011, the Company repurchased an additional 0.2 million shares of its common stock under the share repurchase program at a total cost of $7.0 million for an average price of $37.39 per share. Upon completion of the current authorization, our board of directors will evaluate the advisability of additional share repurchases.
Other items
Our board of directors previously authorized us to enter into programs which permit us to offer financing, investment and guaranty support to qualified franchisees as well as to acquire and resell real estate to incent franchise development for certain brands in strategic markets. Recent market conditions have resulted in an increase in opportunities to incentivize development under these programs. Over the next several years, we expect to continue to deploy capital opportunistically pursuant to these programs to promote growth of our emerging brands. The amount and timing of the investment in these programs will be dependent on market and other conditions. Our current expectation is that our annual investment in these programs will range from $20 million to $40 million. Notwithstanding these programs, the Company expects to continue to return value to its shareholders through a combination of share repurchases and dividends, subject to market and other conditions.
Approximately $85.8 million of the Company's cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2012 pertains to undistributed earnings of the Company's consolidated foreign subsidiaries. Since the Company's intent is for such earnings to be reinvested by the foreign subsidiaries, the Company has not provided additional United States income taxes on these amounts. While the Company has no intention to utilize these cash and cash equivalents in its domestic operations, any change to this policy would result in the Company incurring additional United States income taxes on any amounts utilized domestically.
During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company recorded one-time employee termination charges totaling $0.1 million in SG&A and marketing and reservation expenses. These charges related to salary and benefits continuation payments

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for employees separating from service with the Company. At March 31, 2012, the Company had approximately $43 thousand of these salary and benefits continuation payments remaining to be remitted. During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company remitted an additional $2.8 million of termination benefits related to employee termination charges recorded in prior periods and had approximately $2.7 million of these benefits remaining to be paid. At March 31, 2012, total termination benefits of approximately $2.7 million remained to be paid and the Company expects $2.4 million of these benefits to be paid in the next twelve months. In addition, the Company expects to satisfy approximately $19.2 million of deferred compensation and retirement plan obligations during the next twelve months.
The Company believes that cash flows from operations and available financing capacity are adequate to meet the expected future operating, investing and financing needs of the business.

Critical Accounting Policies
Our accounting policies comply with principles generally accepted in the United States. We have described below those policies that we believe are critical or require the use of complex judgment or significant estimates in their application. Additional discussion of these policies is included in Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2011 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Revenue Recognition.
We recognize continuing franchise fees, including royalty, marketing and reservations system fees, when earned and receivable from our franchisees. Franchise fees are typically based on a percentage of gross room revenues of each franchisee. Our estimate of the allowance for uncollectible royalty fees is charged to SG&A expense and our estimate of the allowance for uncollectible marketing and reservation fees is charged to marketing and reservation expenses.
Initial franchise and relicensing fees are recognized, in most instances, in the period the related franchise agreement is executed because the initial franchise and relicensing fees are non-refundable and the Company is not required to provide initial services to the franchisee prior to hotel opening. We defer the initial franchise and relicensing fee revenue related to franchise agreements which include incentives until the incentive criteria are met or the agreement is terminated, whichever occurs first.
The Company may also enter into master development agreements (“MDAs”) with developers that grant limited exclusive development rights and preferential franchise agreement terms for one-time, non-refundable fees. When these fees are not contingent upon the number of agreements executed under the MDA, the Company recognizes the up-front fees over the MDA's contractual life. Fees that are contingent upon the execution of franchise agreements under the MDA are recognized upon execution of the franchise agreement.
The Company recognizes procurement services revenues from qualified vendors when the services are performed or the product delivered, evidence of an arrangement exists, the fee is fixed and determinable and collectibility is probable. We defer the recognition of procurement services revenues related to certain upfront fees and recognize them over a period corresponding to the Company's estimate of the life of the arrangement.
Marketing and Reservation Revenues and Expenses.
The Company's franchise agreements require the payment of certain marketing and reservation system fees, which are used exclusively by the Company for expenses associated with providing franchise services such as national marketing, media advertising, central reservation systems and technology services. The Company is contractually obligated to expend the marketing and reservation system fees it collects from franchisees in accordance with the franchise agreements; as such, no income or loss to the Company is generated. In accordance with our contracts, we include in marketing and reservation expenses an allocation of costs for certain activities, such as human resources, facilities, legal, accounting, etc., required to carry out marketing and reservation activities.
The Company records marketing and reservation system revenues and expenses on a gross basis since the Company is the primary obligor in the arrangement, maintains the credit risk, establishes the price and nature of the marketing or reservation services and retains discretion in supplier selection. In addition, net advances to and repayments from the franchise system for marketing and reservation activities are presented as cash flows from operating activities.
Marketing and reservation system 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. Cumulative excess or shortfall amounts from the operation of these programs are recorded as a marketing and reservation system fee payable or receivable. Under the terms of the franchise agreements, the Company may advance capital as necessary for marketing and reservation activities and recover such advances through future fees. Our current assessment is that the credit risk associated with the marketing and reservation system fees receivable is mitigated due to our contractual right to recover these amounts

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from a large geographically dispersed group of franchisees. However, our ability to recover these receivables may be adversely impacted by certain factors, including, among others, declines in the ability of our franchisees to generate revenues at properties they franchise from us, lower than expected franchise system growth of certain brands and/or lower than expected international franchise system growth. An extended period of occupancy or room rate declines or a decline in the number of hotel rooms in our franchise system could result in the generation of insufficient funds to recover marketing and reservation advances as well as meet the ongoing marketing and reservation needs of the overall system.
The Company evaluates the receivable for marketing and reservation costs in excess of cumulative marketing and reservation system fees earned on a periodic basis for collectibility. The Company will record an allowance when, based on current information and events, it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due for marketing and reservation activities according to the contractual terms of the franchise agreements. The receivables are considered to be uncollectible if the expected net, undiscounted cash flows from marketing and reservation activities are less than the carrying amount of the asset.
Choice Privileges is our frequent guest incentive marketing program. Choice Privileges enables members to earn points based on their spending levels with our franchisees and, to a lesser degree, through participation in affiliated partners' programs, such as those offered by credit card companies. The points, which we accumulate and track on the members' behalf, may be redeemed for free accommodations or other benefits.
We provide Choice Privileges as a marketing program to franchised hotels and collect a percentage of program members' room revenue from franchises to operate the program. Revenues are deferred in an amount equal to the estimated fair value of the future redemption obligation. A third-party actuary estimates the eventual redemption rates and point values using various actuarial methods. These judgmental factors determine the required liability attributable to outstanding points. Upon redemption of points, the Company recognizes the previously deferred revenue as well as the corresponding expense relating to the cost of the awards redeemed. Revenues in excess of the estimated future redemption obligation are recognized when earned to reimburse the Company for costs incurred to operate the program, including administrative costs, marketing, promotion and performing member services. Costs to operate the program, excluding estimated redemption values, are expensed when incurred.
Valuation of Intangibles and Long-Lived Assets
The Company evaluates the potential impairment of property and equipment and other long-lived assets, including franchise rights and other definite-lived intangibles, on an annual basis or whenever an event or other circumstances indicates that we may not be able to recover the carrying value of the asset. Recoverability is measured based on net, undiscounted expected cash flows. Assets are considered to be impaired if the net, undiscounted expected cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the assets. Impairment charges are recorded based upon the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the asset. Significant management judgment is involved in developing these projections, and they include inherent uncertainties. If different projections are used in the current period, the balances for non-current assets could be materially impacted. Furthermore, if management uses different projections or if different conditions occur in future periods, future-operating results could be materially impacted.
The Company evaluates the impairment of goodwill and trademarks with indefinite lives on an annual basis, or during the year if an event or other circumstance indicate that we may not be able to recover the carrying amount of the asset. In evaluating these assets for impairment, the Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If we conclude that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, then no further testing is required. If the conclusion is that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, then a two-step impairment test is performed. Since the Company has one reporting unit, the fair value of the Company's net assets is used to determine if goodwill may be impaired. Indefinite life trademarks are considered to be impaired if the net, undiscounted expected cash flows associated with the trademark are less than their carrying amount.
Loan Loss Reserves
The Company segregates its notes receivable for the purposes of evaluating allowances for credit losses between two categories: Mezzanine and Other Notes Receivable and Forgivable Notes Receivable. The Company utilizes the level of security it has in the various notes receivable as its primary credit quality indicator (i.e. senior, subordinated or unsecured) when determining the appropriate allowances for uncollectible loans within these categories.
Mezzanine, and Other Notes Receivables
The Company has provided financing to franchisees in support of the development of properties in strategic markets. The Company expects the owners to repay the loans in accordance with the loan agreements, or earlier as the hotels mature and capital markets permit. The Company estimates the collectibility and records an allowance for loss on its mezzanine and other

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notes receivable when recording the receivables in the Company's financial statements. These estimates are updated quarterly based on available information.
The Company considers a loan to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that a creditor will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. All amounts due according to the contractual terms means that both the contractual interest payments and the contractual principal payments of a loan will be collected as scheduled in the loan agreement. The Company measures loan impairment based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's original effective interest rate or the estimated fair value of the collateral. For impaired loans, the Company establishes a specific impairment reserve for the difference between the recorded investment in the loan and the present value of the expected future cash flows or the estimated fair value of the collateral. The Company applies its loan impairment policy individually to all mezzanine and other notes receivable in the portfolio and does not aggregate loans for the purpose of applying such policy. For impaired loans, the Company recognizes interest income on a cash basis. If it is likely that a loan will not be collected based on financial or other business indicators it is the Company's policy to charge off these loans to SG&A expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income in the quarter when it is deemed uncollectible. Recoveries of impaired loans are recorded as a reduction of SG&A expenses in the quarter received.
The Company assesses the collectibility of its senior notes receivable by comparing the market value of the underlying assets to the carrying value of the outstanding notes. In addition, the Company evaluates the property's operating performance, the borrower's compliance with the terms of the loan and franchise agreements, and all related personal guarantees that have been provided by the borrower. For subordinated or unsecured receivables, the Company assesses the property's operating performance, the subordinated equity available to the Company, the borrower's compliance with the terms of loan and franchise agreements, and the related personal guarantees that have been provided by the borrower.
The Company considers loans to be past due and in default when payments are not made when due. Although the Company considers loans to be in default if payments are not received on the due date, the Company does not suspend the accrual of interest until those payments are more than 30 days past due. The Company applies payments received for loans on non-accrual status first to interest and then principal. The Company does not resume interest accrual until all delinquent payments are received.
Forgivable Notes Receivable
In certain instances, the Company may provide financing to franchisees for property improvements and other purposes in the form of forgivable promissory notes which bear interest at market rates. Under these promissory notes, the franchisee promises to repay the principal sum together with interest upon maturity unless certain conditions are met throughout the term of the promissory note. The principal sum and related interest are forgiven ratably over the term of the promissory note if the franchisee remains in the system in good standing. If during the term of the promissory note, the franchisee exits our franchise system or is not operating their franchise in accordance with our quality or credit standards, the Company may declare a default under the promissory note and commence collection efforts with respect to the full amount of the then-current outstanding principal and interest.

In accordance with the terms of the promissory notes, the initial principal sum and related interest are ratably reduced over the term of the loan on each anniversary date until the outstanding amounts are reduced to zero as long as the franchisee remains within the franchise system and operates in accordance with our quality and brand standards. As a result, the amounts recorded as an asset on the Company's consolidated balance sheet are also ratably reduced since the amounts forgiven no longer represent probable future economic benefits to the Company. The Company records the reduction of its recorded assets through amortization expense on its consolidated statements of income.

The Company fully reserves all defaulted notes in addition to recording a reserve on the estimated uncollectible portion of the remaining notes. For those notes not in default, the Company calculates an allowance for losses and determines the ultimate collectibility on these forgivable notes based on the historical default rates for those unsecured notes that are not forgiven but are required to be repaid. The Company records bad debt expense in SG&A expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income in the quarter when the note is deemed uncollectible.
Stock Compensation.
The Company's policy is to recognize compensation cost related to share-based payment transactions in the financial statements based on the fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued. Compensation expense related to the fair value of share-based awards is recognized over the requisite service period based on an estimate of those awards that will ultimately vest. The Company estimates the share-based compensation expense for awards that will ultimately vest upon inception of the grant and adjusts the estimate of share-based compensation for those awards with performance and/or service requirements that will not be satisfied so that compensation cost is recognized only for awards that ultimately vest.

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Income Taxes.
Income taxes are recorded using the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. A valuation allowance is provided for deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not such assets will be unrealized. Deferred U.S. income taxes have not been recorded for temporary differences related to investments in certain foreign subsidiaries and corporate affiliates. The temporary differences consist primarily of undistributed earnings that are considered permanently reinvested in operations outside the U.S. If management's intentions change in the future, deferred taxes may need to be provided.
With respect to uncertain income tax positions, a tax liability is recorded in full when management determines that the position does not meet the more likely than not threshold of being sustained on examination. A tax liability may also be recognized for a position that meets the more likely than not threshold, based upon management's assessment of the position's probable settlement value. The Company records interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits in the provision for income taxes.
Pension, Profit Sharing and Incentive Plans
The Company sponsors two non-qualified retirement savings and investment plans for certain employees and senior executives. Employee and Company contributions are maintained in separate irrevocable trusts. Legally, the assets of the trusts remain those of the Company; however, access to the trusts' assets is severely restricted. The trusts' cannot be revoked by the Company or an acquirer, but the assets are subject to the claims of the Company's general creditors. The participants do not have the right to assign or transfer contractual rights in the trusts.
In 2002, the Company adopted the Choice Hotels International, Inc. Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (“EDCP”) which became effective January 1, 2003. Under the EDCP, certain executive officers may defer a portion of their salary into an irrevocable trust. Prior to January 1, 2010, participants could elect an investment return of either the annual yield of the Moody's Average Corporate Bond Rate Yield Index plus 300 basis points, or a return based on a selection of available diversified investment options. Effective January 1, 2010, the Moody's Average Corporate Bond Rate Yield Index plus 300 basis points is no longer an investment option for salary deferrals made on compensation earned after December 31, 2009. The Company recorded current and long-term deferred compensation liabilities of $15.6 million and $17.2 million, as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, related to these deferrals and credited investment returns. Compensation expense is recorded in SG&A expense on the Company's consolidated statements of income based on the change in the deferred compensation obligation related to earnings credited to participants as well as changes in the fair value of diversified investments. Compensation expense recorded in SG&A for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 was $0.4 million and $0.3 million respectively.
The Company has invested the employee salary deferrals in diversified long-term investments which are intended to provide investment returns that partially offset the earnings credited to the participants. The diversified investments held in the trusts totaled $7.4 million and $14.2 million as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, and are recorded at their fair value, based on quoted market prices. At March 31, 2012, the Company expects $5.2 million of the assets held in the trust to be distributed during the year ended December 31, 2012 to participants. These investments are considered trading securities and therefore the changes in the fair value of the diversified assets is included in other gains and losses in the accompanying statements of income. The Company recorded investment gains during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 of approximately $1.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively.
In 1997, the Company adopted the Choice Hotels International, Inc. Non-Qualified Retirement Savings and Investment Plan (“Non-Qualified Plan”). The Non-Qualified Plan allows certain employees who do not participate in the EDCP to defer a portion of their salary and invest these amounts in a selection of available diversified investment options. As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had recorded a deferred compensation liability of $11.3 million and $10.4 million, respectively related to these deferrals. Compensation expense is recorded in SG&A expense on the Company's consolidated statements of income based on the change in the deferred compensation obligation related to earnings credited to participants as well as changes in the fair value of diversified investments. The net increase in compensation expense recorded in SG&A for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 was $0.9 million and $0.3 million respectively.
The diversified investments held in the trusts were $10.5 million and $9.5 million as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, and are recorded at their fair value, based on quoted market prices. These investments are considered trading securities and therefore the changes in the fair value of the diversified assets is included in other gains and losses in the accompanying statements of income. The Company recorded investment gains during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 of approximately $0.9 million and $0.3 million, respectively. In addition, the Non-Qualified Plan held shares of the Company's common stock with a market value of $0.9 million at both March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, which are recorded as a component of shareholders' deficit.

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New Accounting Standards
See Footnote No. 1 “Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance” of the Notes to our Financial Statements for information related to our adoption of new accounting standards in 2012 and for information on our anticipated adoption of recently issued accounting standards.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain matters discussed in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Generally, our use of words such as "expect," "estimate," "believe," "anticipate," "will," "forecast," "plan”," project," "assume" or similar words of futurity identify such forward-looking statements.  These forward-looking statements are based on management's current beliefs, assumptions and expectations regarding future events, which in turn are based on information currently available to management.  Such statements may relate to projections of the Company's revenue, earnings and other financial and operational measures, Company debt levels, payment of stock dividends, and future operations, among other matters.   We caution you not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements do not guarantee future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors.

Several factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from those expressed in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements.  Such risks include, but are not limited to, changes to general, domestic and foreign economic conditions;  operating risks common in the lodging and franchising industries; changes to the desirability of our brands as viewed by hotel operators and customers; changes to the terms or termination of our contracts with franchisees; our ability to keep pace with improvements in technology utilized for reservations systems and other operating systems; fluctuations in the supply and demand for hotels rooms; and our ability to manage effectively our indebtedness.  These and other risk factors are discussed in detail in the Risk Factors section of the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 29, 2012.  We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


ITEM 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT 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 operations. The Company manages its exposure to these market risks through the monitoring of its available financing alternatives including in certain circumstances the use of derivative financial instruments. We are also subject to risk from changes in debt and equity prices from our non-qualified retirement savings plan investments in debt securities and common stock, which have a carrying value of $17.9 million and $23.8 million at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively which we account for as trading securities. The Company will continue to monitor the exposure in these areas and make the appropriate adjustments as market conditions dictate.
At March 31, 2012, the Company had $5.9 million outstanding under its variable interest rate debt instrument at a weighted average effective interest rate of 1.7%. A hypothetical change of 10% in the Company’s effective interest rate from March 31, 2012 levels would increase or decrease interest expense by approximately ten thousand dollars. The Company expects to refinance its fixed and variable long-term debt obligations prior to their scheduled maturities.
The Company does not presently have any derivative financial instruments.

ITEM 4.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The Company has a disclosure review committee whose membership includes the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), among others. The CEO and CFO consider the disclosure review committee's procedures in performing their evaluations of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) and in assessing the accuracy and completeness of the Company's disclosures.
An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's CEO and CFO of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, the Company's management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2012.

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There has been no change in the Company's internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2012, that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect the Company's internal controls over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is not a party to any litigation other than routine litigation incidental to its business. The Company’s management does not expect that the outcome of any of its currently ongoing legal proceedings, individually or collectively, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flow.

In 2011, the Company filed suit in United States District Court against a franchisee for breach of contract, trademark infringement, fraudulent inducement and negligent misrepresentation. The franchisee filed an arbitration action against the Company alleging wrongful termination of its franchise agreements. The parties agreed to litigate all claims in an arbitration action which was settled on April 4, 2012. The settlement of the arbitration action did not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.

ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing our Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

ITEM 2.
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The following table sets forth purchases and redemptions of Choice Hotels International, Inc. common stock made by the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2012:
 
Month Ending
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
or Redeemed
 
Average Price
Paid per Share
 
Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs(1),(2)
 
Maximum Number of
Shares that may yet be
Purchased Under  the Plans
or Programs, End of Period
January 31, 2012
 
90,978

 
$
36.42

 
90,978

 
1,865,584

February 28, 2012
 
161,241

 
36.29

 
110,077

 
1,755,507

March 31, 2012
 
152,302

 
37.35

 
148,304

 
1,607,203

Total
 
404,521

 
$
36.72

 
349,359

 
1,607,203

 _______________________
(1)
The Company’s share repurchase program was initially approved by the board of directors on June 25, 1998. The program has no fixed dollar amount or expiration date.
(2)
During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company redeemed 55,162 shares of common stock from employees to satisfy minimum tax-withholding requirements related to the vesting of restricted stock grants. These redemptions were not part of the board repurchase authorization.

ITEM 3.
DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.

ITEM 4.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
None

ITEM 5.
OTHER INFORMATION
None.

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ITEM 6.
EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number and Description

Exhibit
Number
 
Description
 
 
 
3.01(a)
 
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Choice Hotels Franchising, Inc. (renamed Choice Hotels International, Inc.)
 
 
 
3.02(b)
 
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Choice Hotels International, Inc.
 
 
 
10.01*
 
Amendment to Amended and Restated Chairman's Services Agreement, dated January 1, 2012 between Choice Hotels International, Inc. and Stewart Bainum, Jr.
 
 
 
10.02*
 
Amendment to Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation & Severance Benefit Agreement between the Company and Patrick Pacious, dated March 13, 2012.
 
 
 
10.03(c)
 
Transition Services Agreement between the Company and Bruce N. Haase, dated January 27, 2012.
 
 
 
10.04(c)
 
Amendment to Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation and Severance Benefit Agreement between the Company and Bruce N. Haase, dated January 27, 2012.
 
 
 
31.1*
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a)
 
 
 
31.2*
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a)
 
 
 
32*
 
Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
 
 
 
101.INS*
 
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
 
101.SCH*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
 
101.CAL*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
101.DEF*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
 
101.LAB*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document
 
 
 
101.PRE*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document
 
 
 

We advise users of this data that pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T this interactive data file is deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.
 _______________________
*
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 30, 1998 (Reg. No. 333-62543).
(b)
Incorporated by reference to the identical document filed as an exhibit to Choice Hotels international, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 16, 2010.
(c)
Incorporated by reference to the identical document filed as an exhibit to Choice Hotels International, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed February 1, 2012.

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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements 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.
 
 
 
May 9, 2012
By:
/S/ DAVID L. WHITE
 
 
David L. White
 
 
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer


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