Form 10-Q

 

 

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 JUNE 30, 2011

OR

 

¨ 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  ¨

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  ¨

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   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

 

CLASS

  

SHARES OUTSTANDING AT JUNE 30, 2011

Common Stock, Par Value $0.01 per share

   59,842,272

 

 

 


CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX

 

     PAGE NO.  

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

  

Item 1—Financial Statements (Unaudited)

     3   

Consolidated Statements of Income—For the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and June  30, 2010

     3   

Consolidated Balance Sheets—As of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010

     4   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows—For the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010

     5   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     7   

Item  2—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     32   

Item 3—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     56   

Item 4—Controls and Procedures

     57   

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION:

  

Item 1—Legal Proceedings

     57   

Item 1A—Risk Factors

     57   

Item 2—Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

     58   

Item 3—Defaults Upon Senior Securities

     58   

Item 4—(Removed and Reserved)

     58   

Item 5—Other Information

     58   

Item 6—Exhibits

     59   

SIGNATURES

     60   

 

2


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     Six Months Ended  
     June 30,     June 30,  
     2011     2010     2011     2010  

REVENUES:

        

Royalty fees

   $ 62,301      $ 57,443      $ 106,541      $ 98,464   

Initial franchise and relicensing fees

     2,585        2,655        5,199        4,567   

Procurement services

     6,557        6,611        9,722        9,856   

Marketing and reservation

     90,832        80,389        153,799        139,229   

Hotel operations

     1,073        1,109        1,937        1,976   

Other

     1,953        1,641        3,384        3,177   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     165,301        149,848        280,582        257,269   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES:

        

Selling, general and administrative

     26,539        22,824        50,386        44,640   

Depreciation and amortization

     1,948        2,220        3,903        4,392   

Marketing and reservation

     90,832        80,389        153,799        139,229   

Hotel operations

     860        808        1,693        1,564   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     120,179        106,241        209,781        189,825   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     45,122        43,607        70,801        67,444   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES, NET:

        

Interest expense

     3,267        675        6,491        1,296   

Interest income

     (221     (135     (431     (195

Other (gains) and losses

     (38     1,238        1,005        221   

Equity in net income of affiliates

     0        (195     (301     (548
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income and expenses, net

     3,008        1,583        6,764        774   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     42,114        42,024        64,037        66,670   

Income taxes

     14,536        15,013        20,729        23,866   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     27,578      $ 27,011        43,308      $ 42,804   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

   $ 0.46      $ 0.45      $ 0.72      $ 0.72   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.46      $ 0.45      $ 0.72      $ 0.72   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash dividends declared per share

   $ 0.185      $ 0.185      $ 0.37      $ 0.37   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

3


CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED, IN THOUANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

     June 30,
2011
    December 31,
2010
 
ASSETS     

Current assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 90,961      $ 91,259   

Receivables (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $9,258 and $9,159, respectively)

     58,044        47,638   

Deferred income taxes

     429        429   

Other current assets

     22,030        24,256   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     171,464        163,582   

Property and equipment, at cost, net

     53,872        55,662   

Goodwill

     66,041        66,041   

Franchise rights and other identifiable intangibles, net

     19,153        20,825   

Receivable – marketing and reservation fees

     60,475        42,507   

Investments, employee benefit plans, at fair value

     24,972        23,365   

Deferred income taxes

     24,435        24,435   

Other assets

     20,893        15,305   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 441,305      $ 411,722   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

    

Current liabilities

    

Accounts payable

   $ 46,833      $ 41,168   

Accrued expenses

     36,919        47,818   

Deferred revenue

     60,898        67,322   

Current portion of long-term debt

     516        420   

Deferred compensation and retirement plan obligations

     2,693        2,552   

Revolving credit facility

     0        200   

Income taxes payable

     17,142        5,778   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     165,001        165,258   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term debt

     251,981        251,554   

Deferred compensation and retirement plan obligations

     34,969        35,707   

Other liabilities

     17,296        17,274   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     469,247        469,793   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies

    
SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT     

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 160,000,000 shares authorized; 95,345,362 shares issued at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 and 59,842,272 and 59,583,770 shares outstanding at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively

     598        596   

Additional paid-in capital

     95,083        92,774   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (5,768     (7,192

Treasury stock (35,503,090 and 35,761,592 shares at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2010, respectively), at cost

     (867,249     (872,306

Retained earnings

     749,394        728,057   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ deficit

     (27,942     (58,071
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit

   $ 441,305      $ 411,722   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

4


CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS)

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2011     2010  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    

Net income

   $ 43,308      $ 42,804   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     3,903        4,392   

Provision for bad debts

     1,340        1,637   

Non-cash stock compensation and other charges

     7,436        5,297   

Non-cash interest and other loss

     22        307   

Dividends received from equity method investments

     159        148   

Equity in net income of affiliates

     (301     (548

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

    

Receivables

     (11,058     (10,061

Receivable – marketing and reservation fees, net

     (11,387     (17,996

Accounts payable

     6,026        9,043   

Accrued expenses

     (11,004     (6,601

Income taxes payable/receivable

     11,404        11,492   

Deferred income taxes

     40        (55

Deferred revenue

     (6,463     5,475   

Other assets

     (750     (4,307

Other liabilities

     (624     577   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     32,051        41,604   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    

Investment in property and equipment

     (5,110     (12,249

Equity method investments

     (1,600     0   

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

     0        (466

Issuance of notes receivable

     (2,651     (8,008

Collections of notes receivable

     13        37   

Purchases of investments, employee benefit plans

     (1,139     (1,204

Proceeds from sale of investments, employee benefit plans

     347        836   

Other items, net

     (192     (361
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (10,332     (21,415
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    

Net borrowings (repayments) pursuant to revolving credit facilities

     (200     13,400   

Repayments of long-term debt

     (13     0   

Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt

     75        0   

Purchase of treasury stock

     (2,527     (9,242

Dividends paid

     (21,922     (21,924

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

     1,061        12   

Debt issuance costs

     (2,356     0   

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     3,132        1,315   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (22,750     (16,439
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

5


Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     (1,031     3,750   

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     733        (694

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     91,259        67,870   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 90,961      $ 70,926   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

    

Cash payments during the period for:

    

Income taxes, net of refunds

   $ 7,526      $ 11,921   

Interest

   $ 7,678      $ 1,341   

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

    

Declaration of dividends

   $ 21,972      $ 21,934   

Capital lease obligation

   $ 430      $ 0   

Issuance of restricted shares of common stock

   $ 8,222      $ 9,083   

Issuance of performance vested restricted stock units

   $ 0      $ 256   

Issuance of treasury stock to employee stock purchase plan

   $ 380      $ 314   

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

 

6


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”). In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include any normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. 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, 2010 and notes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 1, 2011 (the “10-K”). Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the entire year results because of seasonal variations. All intercompany 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 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 June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, $3.6 million and $2.8 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

In September 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ratified Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue
No. 08-1, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables” (“EITF 08-1”). EITF 08-1 updates the current guidance pertaining to multiple-element revenue arrangements included in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Subtopic 605-25, which originated primarily from EITF 00-21, also titled “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables.” EITF 08-1 was effective for annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2011 for calendar year entities with earlier adoption permitted. The adoption of these provisions did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In July 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2010-20, which updates the guidance in ASC Topic 310, Receivables, related to disclosures about the credit quality of financing receivables and the allowance for credit losses. The new disclosures require disaggregated information related to financing receivables and will include for each class of financing receivables, among other things: a roll forward for the allowance for credit losses, credit quality information, impaired loan information, modification information, non-accrual and past-due information. The disclosures as of the end of a reporting period are effective for interim and annual reporting

 

7


periods ending on or after December 15, 2010. Disclosures of reporting period activity (i.e. allowance roll-forward) are required for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2010. The Company has updated its disclosures as appropriate.

Future Adoption of Accounting Standards

In May 2011, the FASB issued 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”). ASU No. 2011-04 generally provides a uniform framework for fair value measurements and related disclosures between 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. ASU 2011-04 will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011. The Company will update its disclosures as appropriate upon adoption of this standard.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05 “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income” (“ASU No. 2011-05”). ASU No. 2011-05 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. Also, items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income must be presented on the face of the financial statements. ASU No. 2011-05 requires retrospective application, and it is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the financial statement presentation options required by ASU 2011-05.

 

2. Other Current Assets

Other current assets consist of the following:

 

     June 30,
2011
     December 31,
2010
 
     (In thousands)  

Land held for sale

   $ 8,112       $ 11,089   

Prepaid expenses

     8,420         8,070   

Notes receivable (See Note 3)

     3,740         3,966   

Other current assets

     1,758         1,131   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 22,030       $ 24,256   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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 top 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. 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 since it was no longer probable that the parcel would be sold within one year. 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.

 

8


     Fair Value Measurements Using  
Description    June 30, 2011      Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
     ($ in  millions)
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
     Total  Gains
(Losses)
 

Land held for sale(1)

   $ 1.3         0       $ 1.3         0       $ (1.8
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Included in Other Assets

 

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.

The following table shows the composition of our notes receivable balances:

 

     June 30, 2011      December 31, 2010  

Credit Quality Indicator

   Forgivable
Notes
Receivable
     ($ in  thousands)
Mezzanine
&  Other
Notes
Receivable
     Total      Forgivable
Notes
Receivable
     ($ in  thousands)
Mezzanine
& Other
Notes
Receivable
     Total  

Senior

   $ 0       $ 4,425       $ 4,425       $ 0       $ 3,846       $ 3,846   

Subordinated

     0         14,730         14,730         0         14,494         14,494   

Unsecured

     8,105         0         8,105         7,753         0         7,753   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total notes receivable

     8,105         19,155         27,260         7,753         18,340         26,093   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Allowance for losses on non-impaired loans

     810         225         1,035         775         613         1,388   

Allowance for losses on receivables specifically evaluated for impairment

     0         9,364         9,364         0         8,638         8,638   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total loan reserves

     810         9,589         10,399         775         9,251         10,026   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net carrying value

   $ 7,295       $ 9,566       $ 16,861       $ 6,978       $ 9,089       $ 16,067   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current portion, net

   $ 160       $ 3,580       $ 3,740       $ 114       $ 3,852       $ 3,966   

Long-term portion, net

     7,135         5,986         13,121         6,864         5,237         12,101   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 7,295       $ 9,566       $ 16,861       $ 6,978       $ 9,089       $ 16,067   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

9


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, 2010 through June 30, 2011:

 

     Forgivable
Notes
Receivable
    Mezzanine
& Other  Notes
Receivable
 
     (In thousands)  

Balance, December 31, 2010

   $ 775      $ 9,251   

Provisions

     134        338   

Recoveries

     2        0   

Write-offs

     (34     0   

Other(1)

     (67     0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, June 30, 2011

   $ 810      $ 9,589   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Consists of default rate assumption changes

Forgivable Notes Receivable

From time to time, the Company provides financing to franchisees for property improvements and other purposes in the form of forgivable promissory notes. The terms of the notes typically range from 3 to 10 years, bearing market interest rates, and are forgiven and amortized over that time period if the franchisee remains in the system in good standing. The notes are forgivable by the Company and therefore, franchisees are not required to repay the forgivable notes provided that the respective hotels remain in the system and in good standing throughout the term of their note. 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 collectability 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.

As of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the unamortized balance of these notes totaled $8.1 million and $7.8 million, respectively. The Company recorded an allowance for credit losses on these forgivable notes receivable of $0.8 million at both June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. Amortization expense included in the accompanying consolidated statements of income related to the notes was $0.6 million and $1.1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively. Amortization expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 was $0.5 million and $1.0 million, respectively. At June 30, 2011, the Company had commitments to extend an additional $5.7 million in forgivable notes receivable provided certain commitments are met by its franchisees, of which $2.9 million is expected to be advanced in the next twelve months.

Mezzanine and Other Notes Receivable

The Company has provided financing to franchisees in support of the development of properties in key markets. These notes include non-interest bearing receivables as well as notes bearing market interest and are due upon maturity. Non-interest bearing notes are recorded net of their unamortized discounts. At June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, all discounts were fully amortized. Interest income associated with these note receivable is reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of income under the caption of interest income.

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 collectability and records an allowance for loss on its mezzanine and other notes receivable when recording the receivables in the Company’s financial statements. These estimates are updated quarterly based on available information.

 

10


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.

The Company assesses the collectability 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.

The Company has determined that approximately $12.7 million and $10.8 million of its mezzanine and other notes receivable were impaired at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. The Company has recorded allowance for credit losses on these impaired loans at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 totaling $9.4 million and $8.6 million resulting in a carrying value of impaired loans of $3.3 million and $2.2 million, respectively for which we had no related allowance for credit losses. The Company did not recognize interest income during the time that the loans were impaired on either the accrual or cash basis during the periods ended June 30, 2011 and 2010. The Company had provided loan reserves on non-impaired loans totaling $0.2 million and $0.6 million at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, 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 June 30, 2011

             

Senior

   $ 0       $ 0       $ 0       $ 4,425      $ 4,425   

Subordinated

     0         10,931         10,931         3,799 (1)      14,730   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 0       $ 10,931       $ 10,931       $ 8,224      $ 19,155   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2010

             

Senior

   $ 0       $ 0       $ 0       $ 3,846      $ 3,846   

Subordinated

     0         10,931         10,931         3,563        14,494   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 0       $ 10,931       $ 10,931       $ 7,409      $ 18,340   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Amount includes a $1.9 million note receivable with a maturity date of June 30, 2011. The Company is currently renegotiating the terms of this loan including an extension of the maturity date.

 

11


4. Receivable – Marketing and Reservation Fees

The marketing fees receivable from cumulative marketing expenses incurred in excess of cumulative marketing fees earned at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 was $24.5 million and $17.0 million, respectively. As of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the reservation fees receivable related to cumulative reservation expenses incurred in excess of cumulative reservation fees earned was $36.0 million and $25.5 million, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expense attributable to marketing and reservation activities for the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 was $3.3 million and $3.4 million, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expense attributable to marketing and reservation activities for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 was $6.5 million and $6.1 million, respectively. Interest expense attributable to reservation activities was $1.0 million and $0.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Interest expense attributable to reservation activities was $2.0 million and $0.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

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 collectability. 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.

 

5. Other Assets

Other assets consist of the following:

 

     June 30, 2011      December 31,
2010
 
     (In thousands)  

Notes receivable (see Note 3)

   $ 13,121       $ 12,101   

Deferred financing fees

     3,708         2,102   

Equity method investments

     2,015         251   

Other

     2,049         851   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 20,893       $ 15,305   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

6. Deferred Revenue

Deferred revenue consists of the following:

 

     June 30,
2011
     December 31,
2010
 
     (In thousands)  

Loyalty programs

   $ 55,691       $ 61,604   

Initial, relicensing and franchise fees

     3,837         4,631   

Procurement service fees

     882         1,052   

Other

     488         35   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 60,898       $ 67,322   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

12


7. Debt

Debt consists of the following at:

 

     June 30, 2011      December 31,
2010
 
     (In thousands)  

$250 million senior notes with an effective interest rate of 6.19% at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010

   $ 249,412       $ 249,379   

$350 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility with an effective interest rate of 0.675% at December 31, 2010

     0         200   

Capital lease obligations due 2016 with an effective interest rate of 4.66% at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010

     2,968         2,538   

Other notes payable

     117         57   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total debt

   $ 252,497       $ 252,174   

Less current portion

     516         620   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total long-term debt

   $ 251,981       $ 251,554   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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 June 30, 2011, 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 June 30, 2011, no amounts were outstanding under the Revolver.

Debt issuance costs incurred in connection with the Revolver totaled $2.4 million and are being amortized, on a straight-line basis, which is not materially different than the effective interest method, through the maturity of the Revolver. Amortization of these costs is included in interest expense in the accompanying statements of income.

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.

 

13


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 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 June 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company recorded $0.1 million in expenses related to the SERP which are included in SG&A expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. The expenses related to the SERP for each of the six month periods ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 was $0.3 million. Benefit payments totaling $0.4 million are currently scheduled to be remitted within the next twelve months.

The following table presents the components of net periodic benefit costs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010:

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
(In thousands)    2011      2010      2011      2010  

Components of net periodic pension cost:

           

Interest cost

   $ 136       $ 134       $ 271       $ 269   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net periodic pension cost

   $ 136       $ 134       $ 271       $ 269   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The 2011 monthly net periodic pension costs are approximately $0.5 million. The components of projected pension costs for the year ended December 31, 2011 are as follows:

 

(in thousands)       

Components of net periodic pension cost:

  

Interest cost

   $ 541   
  

 

 

 

Net periodic pension cost

   $ 541   
  

 

 

 

The following is a reconciliation of the changes in the projected benefit obligation for the six months ended June 30, 2011:

 

(in thousands)       

Projected benefit obligation, December 31, 2010

   $ 10,034   

Interest cost

     271   

Actuarial loss

     16   

Benefit payments

     (207
  

 

 

 

Projected benefit obligation, June 30, 2011

   $ 10,114   
  

 

 

 

 

14


The amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) that have not yet been recognized as components of net periodic benefit costs at June 30, 2011 are as follows:

 

(in thousands)       

Transition asset (obligation)

   $ 0   

Prior service cost

     0   

Accumulated loss

     (657
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ (657
  

 

 

 

 

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, 2010. As of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company recorded a deferred compensation liability of $16.5 million and $17.6 million, 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 June 30, 2011 and 2010 were $0.2 million and $0.1 million respectively. Compensation expense recorded in SG&A for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 was $0.5 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 $14.7 million and $13.6 million as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, 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 (losses) during the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 of approximately $48 thousand and ($0.7 million), respectively. The Company recorded investments gains (losses) during the six month ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 totaling $0.5 million and ($0.2 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 June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had recorded a deferred compensation liability of $11.0 million and $10.6 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 decrease in compensation expense recorded in SG&A for the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 was $0.1 million and $0.7 million, respectively. The net increase in compensation expense recorded in SG&A for the six months ended June 30, 2011 was $0.2 million while the net decrease in compensation expense for the six months ended June 30, 2010 was $0.3 million.

 

15


The diversified investments held in the trusts were $10.2 million and $9.7 million as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, 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 losses during the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 of approximately $9 thousand and $0.6 million, respectively. The Company recorded investment gains during the six months ended June 30, 2011 of $0.3 million and investment losses of $0.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010. In addition, the Non-Qualified Plan held shares of the Company’s common stock with a market value of $0.8 million and $0.9 million at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, 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. There have been no significant transfers into or out of Level 1 or Level 2 inputs during the three and six months ended June 30, 2011. 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.

 

     Fair Value Measurements at
Reporting Date Using
 
     Total      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

Assets (in thousands)

           

As of June 30, 2011

           

Money market funds, included in cash and cash equivalents

   $ 10,001       $ 0       $ 10,001       $ 0   

Mutual funds(1)

     22,711         22,711         0         0   

Money market funds(1)

     2,260         0         2,260         0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 34,972       $ 22,711       $ 12,261       $ 0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2010

           

Money market funds, included in cash and cash equivalents

   $ 10,001       $ 0       $ 10,001       $ 0   

Mutual funds(1)

     20,917         20,917         0         0   

Money market funds(1)

     2,448         0         2,448         0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 33,366       $ 20,917       $ 12,449       $ 0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Included in Investments, employee benefit plans, fair value on the consolidated balance sheets.

The Company believes that the fair values 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.

 

16


The Company estimates the fair value of its senior notes, using quoted market prices. At June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the senior notes had an approximate fair value of $253.2 million and $244.0 million, respectively.

 

11. Income Taxes

The effective income tax rate was 34.5% for the three months ended June 30, 2011, compared to an effective income tax rate of 35.7% for the three months ended June 30, 2010. The effective income tax rate was 32.4% for the six months ended June 30, 2011, compared to an effective tax rate of 35.8% for the six months ended June 30, 2010.

The effective income tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2011 differed from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to a $1.4 million adjustment that reduced current federal taxes payable. The Company believes that this adjustment is not material to its financial statements for prior annual or interim periods, the six months ended June 30, 2011 or the Company’s expected annual results for the year ended December 31, 2011. The effective income tax rates for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 were impacted by the effect of foreign operations, partially offset by state income taxes. The effective income tax rates for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 differed from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the effect of foreign operations, partially offset by state income taxes.

 

12. Share-Based Compensation and Capital Stock

Stock Options

No stock options were granted during the three month period ended June 30, 2011. The Company granted 12,649 options to certain employees of the Company at a fair value of $0.2 million for the three month period ended June 30, 2010. The Company granted 0.2 million and 0.3 million options to certain employees of the Company at fair value of $2.1 million and $2.6 million during the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, 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:

 

     2011 Grants     2010 Grants  

Risk-free interest rate

     2.10     2.19

Expected volatility

     39.51     41.92

Expected life of stock option

     4.4 years        4.4 years   

Dividend yield

     1.79     2.26

Requisite service period

     4 years        4 years   

Contractual life

     7 years        7 years   

Weighted average fair value of options granted

   $ 12.42      $ 10.07   

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 June 30, 2011 was $4.6 million and $3.2 million, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 was approximately $0.6 million and $0.2 million, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the six months ended June 30, 2011and 2010 was $2.3 million and $0.9 million, respectively.

 

17


The Company received approximately $0.9 million and $0.7 million in proceeds from the exercise of 38,600 and 23,992 employee stock options during the three month periods ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The Company received $3.1 million and $1.3 million in proceeds from the exercise of approximately 0.1 million of employee stock options during both of the six month periods ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Restricted Stock

The following table is a summary of activity related to restricted stock grants:

 

     Three Months Ended      Six Months Ended  
     June 30,      June 30,  
     2011      2010      2011      2010  

Restricted share grants

     20,979         24,564         201,624         274,954   

Weighted average grant date fair value per share

   $ 36.71       $ 37.46       $ 40.78       $ 33.03   

Aggregate grant date fair value ($000)

   $ 770       $ 920       $ 8,222       $ 9,083   

Restricted shares forfeited

     21,562         635         27,368         8,829   

Vesting service period of shares granted

     1-3 years         3-4 years         1-4 years         3-4 years   

Grant date fair value of shares vested ($000)

   $ 1,526       $ 1,574       $ 6,357       $ 5,748   

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 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 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 PVRSU agreements. Compensation expense related to these awards will be recognized over the requisite service period and will only be recognized on those PVRSUs that ultimately vest based on the Company’s estimate of the achievement of the various performance targets. The Company has currently estimated that between 0% and 100% of the various award targets will be achieved. The fair value is measured by the market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Compensation expense is recognized ratably over the requisite service period.

The following table is a summary of activity related to PVRSU grants:

 

     Three Months Ended      Six Months Ended  
     June 30,      June 30,  
     2011      2010      2011      2010  

Performance vested restricted stock units granted at target

     0         0         25,036         33,517   

Weighted average grant date fair value per share

   $ 0       $ 0       $ 41.25       $ 32.60   

Aggregate grant date fair value ($000)

   $ 0       $ 0       $ 1,033       $ 1,093   

Stock units forfeited

     2,442         0         41,512         9,650   

Requisite service period

     0         0         3 years         3 years   

 

18


During the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, no PVRSU grants vested. PVRSU grants totaling 39,070 units were forfeited since the Company did not achieve the minimum performance conditions contained in the stock awards. The remaining 2,442 units were forfeited upon employee termination. During the six months ended June 30, 2010, PVRSU grants totaling 10,880 vested at a fair value of $0.3 million. These PVRSU grants were initially granted at a target of 15,541 units; however, since the Company achieved only 70% of the targeted performance conditions contained in the stock awards granted in prior periods, 4,989 units were forfeited since the performance targets of the applicable PVRSU grant were not achieved.

A summary of stock-based award activity as of June 30, 2011 and changes during the six months ended are presented below:

 

     Six Months Ended June 30, 2011  
     Stock Options      Restricted Stock      Performance Vested
Restricted  Stock Units
 
     Shares     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, 2011

     1,732,674      $ 31.43            592,131      $ 31.81         127,912      $ 33.43   

Granted

     166,306        41.25            201,624        40.78         25,036        41.25   

Exercised/Vested

     (137,536     22.77            (195,532     32.51         0        0   

Forfeited/Expired

     (120,931     33.08            (27,368     33.28         (41,512     32.18   
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Outstanding at June 30, 2011

     1,640,513      $ 33.03         4.7 years         570,855      $ 34.67         111,436      $ 35.66   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Options exercisable at June 30, 2011

     981,481      $ 32.78         4.3 years         
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

           

The components of the Company’s pretax stock-based compensation expense and associated income tax benefits are as follows for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010:

 

     Three Months Ended      Six Months Ended  
     June 30,      June 30,  

(in millions)

   2011      2010      2011      2010  

Stock options

   $ 0.7       $ 0.6       $ 1.3       $ 1.2   

Restricted stock

     2.0         1.8         3.7         3.5   

Performance vested restricted stock units

     0.2         0.2         0.3         0.3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 2.9       $ 2.6       $ 5.3       $ 5.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income tax benefits

   $ 1.1       $ 1.0       $ 2.0       $ 1.9   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Dividends

On May 5, 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 July 15, 2011 to shareholders of record as of July 1, 2011. 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.

 

19


On April 29, 2010, 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 July 16, 2010 to shareholders of record as of July 2, 2010. On February 16, 2010, 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 16, 2010 to shareholders of record as of April 5, 2010.

Stock Repurchase Program

No shares of common stock were purchased by the Company under the share repurchase program during the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2011. During the three months ended June 30, 2010, the Company did not purchase any shares of common stock under the share repurchase program. During the six months ended June 30, 2010, the Company purchased 0.2 million of shares of common stock under the share repurchase program at a total cost of $6.9 million.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, the Company redeemed 8,732 and 64,027 shares of common stock at a total cost of approximately $0.3 million and $2.5 million, respectively, from employees to satisfy statutory minimum tax requirements from the vesting of restricted stock grants.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, the Company redeemed 8,563 and 73,696 shares of common stock at a total cost of approximately $0.3 million and $2.4 million, respectively, from employees to satisfy statutory minimum tax requirements from the vesting of restricted stock and PVRSU grants.

These redemptions were outside the share repurchase program initiated in June 1998.

 

13. Comprehensive Income

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is as follows:

 

(In thousands)    June 30,
2011
    December 31,
2010
 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

   $ 2,543      $ 1,540   

Deferred loss on cash flow hedge

     (7,900     (8,331

Changes in pension benefit obligation recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)

     (411     (401
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

   $ (5,768   $ (7,192
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The differences between net income and comprehensive income are described in the following table:

 

     Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
     June 30,     June 30,  
(In thousands)    2011      2010     2011     2010  

Net income

   $ 27,578       $ 27,011      $ 43,308      $ 42,804   

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

         

Amortization of loss on cash flow hedge

     216         0        431        0   

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net

     498         (1,189     1,003        (1,183

Actuarial pension loss, net of tax

     0         0        (10     0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

     714         (1,189     1,424        (1,183
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

   $ 28,292       $ 25,822      $ 44,732      $ 41,621   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

20


14. Earnings Per Share

The computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share is as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
     June 30,     June 30,  
(In thousands, except per share amounts)    2011     2010     2011     2010  

Computation of Basic Earnings Per Share:

        

Net income

   $ 27,578      $ 27,011      $ 43,308      $ 42,804   

Income allocated to participating securities

     (274     (289     (430     (442
                                

Net income available to common shareholders

   $ 27,304      $ 26,722      $ 42,878      $ 42,362   
                                

Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic

     59,243        58,954        59,162        58,939   
                                

Basic earnings per share

   $ 0.46      $ 0.45      $ 0.72      $ 0.72   
                                

Computation of Diluted Earnings Per Share:

        

Net income

   $ 27,578      $ 27,011      $ 43,308      $ 42,804   

Income allocated to participating securities

     (274     (289     (430     (441
                                

Net income available to common shareholders

   $ 27,304      $ 26,722      $ 42,878      $ 42,363   
                                

Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic

     59,243        58,954        59,162        58,939   

Diluted effect of stock options and PVRSUs

     81        84        98        86   
                                

Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted

     59,324        59,038        59,260        59,025   
                                

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.46      $ 0.45      $ 0.72      $ 0.72   
                                

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 June 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company had 1.6 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 and six month periods ended June 30, 2011, the Company excluded 0.4 million of anti-dilutive stock options from the diluted earnings per share calculation, respectively. For both the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, the Company excluded 0.6 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 June 30, 2011 and 2010, PVRSUs totaling 111,436 and 131,372, respectively were excluded from the computation since the performance conditions had not been met.

 

15. Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements

Effective August 2010, the Company’s Senior Notes are guaranteed jointly, severally, fully and unconditionally 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.

 

21


Choice Hotels International, Inc.

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2011

(Unaudited, in Thousands)

 

     Parent     Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

REVENUES:

          

Royalty fees

   $ 55,170      $ 26,711      $ 9,206      $ (28,786   $ 62,301   

Initial franchise and relicensing fees

     2,573        0        12        0        2,585   

Procurement services

     6,557        0        0        0        6,557   

Marketing and reservation

     78,514        87,289        4,588        (79,559     90,832   

Other items, net

     1,793        1,073        160        0        3,026   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     144,607        115,073        13,966        (108,345     165,301   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES:

          

Selling, general and administrative

     28,476        22,915        3,934        (28,786     26,539   

Marketing and reservation

     81,244        84,675        4,472        (79,559     90,832   

Other items, net

     706        1,879        223        0        2,808   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     110,426        109,469        8,629        (108,345     120,179   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     34,181        5,604        5,337        0        45,122   

OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES, NET:

          

Interest expense

     4,230        (965     2        0        3,267   

Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries

     (8,797     0        0        8,797        0   

Other items, net

     (207     (39     (13     0        (259
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income and expenses, net

     (4,774     (1,004     (11     8,797        3,008   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     38,955        6,608        5,348        (8,797     42,114   

Income taxes

     11,377        2,759        400        0        14,536   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 27,578      $ 3,849      $ 4,948      $ (8,797   $ 27,578   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

22


Choice Hotels International, Inc.

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2010

(Unaudited, in Thousands)

 

     Parent     Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

REVENUES:

          

Royalty fees

   $ 51,486      $ 22,571      $ 7,231      $ (23,845   $ 57,443   

Initial franchise and relicensing fees

     2,655        0        0        0        2,655   

Procurement services

     6,611        0        0        0        6,611   

Marketing and reservation

     71,045        82,216        3,721        (76,593     80,389   

Other items, net

     1,614        1,109        27        0        2,750   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     133,411        105,896        10,979        (100,438     149,848   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES:

          

Selling, general and administrative

     23,473        19,642        3,554        (23,845     22,824   

Marketing and reservation

     74,387        79,347        3,248        (76,593     80,389   

Other items, net

     984        1,846        198        0        3,028   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     98,844        100,835        7,000        (100,438     106,241   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     34,567        5,061        3,979        0        43,607   

OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES, NET:

          

Interest expense

     759        (85     1        0        675   

Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries

     (5,573     0        0        5,573        0   

Other items, net

     (120     1,238        (210     0        908   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income and expenses, net

     (4,934     1,153        (209     5,573        1,583   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     39,501        3,908        4,188        (5,573     42,024   

Income taxes

     12,490        2,054        469        0        15,013   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 27,011      $ 1,854      $ 3,719      $ (5,573   $ 27,011   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

23


Choice Hotels International, Inc.

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2011

(Unaudited, in Thousands)

 

     Parent     Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
     Eliminations     Consolidated  

REVENUES:

           

Royalty fees

   $ 93,671      $ 53,818      $ 15,873       $ (56,821   $ 106,541   

Initial franchise and relicensing fees

     5,187        0        12         0        5,199   

Procurement services

     9,722        0        0         0        9,722   

Marketing and reservation

     128,685        156,083        8,489         (139,458     153,799   

Other items, net

     3,040        1,937        344         0        5,321   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     240,305        211,838        24,718         (196,279     280,582   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES:

           

Selling, general and administrative

     52,079        46,786        8,342         (56,821     50,386   

Marketing and reservation

     134,016        150,730        8,511         (139,458     153,799   

Other items, net

     1,414        3,743        439         0        5,596   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     187,509        201,259        17,292         (196,279     209,781   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     52,796        10,579        7,426         0        70,801   

OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES, NET:

           

Interest expense

     8,403        (1,916     4         0        6,491   

Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries

     (13,870     0        0         13,870        0   

Other items, net

     (405     (762     1,440         0        273   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income and expenses, net

     (5,872     (2,678     1,444         13,870        6,764   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     58,668        13,257        5,982         (13,870     64,037   

Income taxes

     15,360        5,293        76         0        20,729   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 43,308      $ 7,964      $ 5,906       $ (13,870   $ 43,308   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

24


Choice Hotels International, Inc.

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2010

(Unaudited, in Thousands)

 

     Parent     Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

REVENUES:

          

Royalty fees

   $ 87,338      $ 46,869      $ 13,630      $ (49,373   $ 98,464   

Initial franchise and relicensing fees

     4,567        0        0        0        4,567   

Procurement services

     9,856        0        0        0        9,856   

Marketing and reservation

     119,025        147,339        7,168        (134,303     139,229   

Other items, net

     3,038        1,976        139        0        5,153   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     223,824        196,184        20,937        (183,676     257,269   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES:

          

Selling, general and administrative

     45,207        41,497        7,309        (49,373     44,640   

Marketing and reservation

     124,590        142,053        6,889        (134,303     139,229   

Other items, net

     1,968        3,591        397        0        5,956   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     171,765        187,141        14,595        (183,676     189,825   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     52,059        9,043        6,342        0        67,444   

OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES, NET:

          

Interest expense

     1,463        (169     2        0        1,296   

Equity earnings of consolidated subsidiaries

     (10,962     0        0        10,962        0   

Other items, net

     (181     449        (790     0        (522
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income and expenses, net

     (9,680     280        (788     10,962        774   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     61,739        8,763        7,130        (10,962     66,670   

Income taxes

     18,935        4,105        826        0        23,866   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 42,804      $ 4,658      $ 6,304      $ (10,962   $ 42,804   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

25


Choice Hotels International, Inc.

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

As of June 30, 2011

(Unaudited, in thousands)

 

     Parent     Guarantor
Subsidiaries
     Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
     Eliminations     Consolidated  

ASSETS

            

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 10,243      $ 372       $ 80,346         0      $ 90,961   

Receivables

     50,176        1,720         6,148         0        58,044   

Other current assets

     5,623        15,627         3,587         (2,378     22,459   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     66,042        17,719         90,081         (2,378     171,464   

Property and equipment, at cost, net

     10,430        42,070         1,372         0        53,872   

Goodwill

     60,620        5,193         228         0        66,041   

Franchise rights and other identifiable intangibles, net

     12,118        3,643         3,392         0        19,153   

Receivable – marketing and reservation fees

     60,475        0         0         0        60,475   

Investment in and advances to affiliates

     273,975        212,140         6,217         (492,332     0   

Investments, employee benefit plans, at fair value

     0        24,972         0         0        24,972   

Deferred income taxes

     4,617        19,751         67         0        24,435   

Other assets

     9,694        7,556         3,643         0        20,893   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 497,971      $ 333,044       $ 105,000       $ (494,710   $ 441,305   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

            

Accounts payable

   $ 7,080      $ 34,946       $ 4,807       $ 0      $ 46,833   

Accrued expenses

     17,889        17,347         1,683         0        36,919   

Deferred revenue

     5,565        54,329         1,004         0        60,898   

Current portion of long-term debt

     0        494         22         0        516   

Income taxes payable

     17,758        0         1,108         (1,724     17,142   

Other current liabilities

     0        3,347         0         (654     2,693   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     48,292        110,463         8,624         (2,378     165,001   

Long-term debt

     249,411        2,476         94         0        251,981   

Deferred compensation & retirement plan obligations

     0        34,963         6         0        34,969   

Advances from affiliates

     218,902        483         13,951         (233,336     0   

Other liabilities

     9,308        7,943         45         0        17,296   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     525,913        156,328         22,720         (235,714     469,247   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ (deficit) equity

     (27,942     176,716         82,280         (258,996     (27,942
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit

   $ 497,971      $ 333,044       $ 105,000       $ (494,710   $ 441,305   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

26


Choice Hotels International, Inc.

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

As of December 31, 2010

(In Thousands)

 

     Parent     Guarantor
Subsidiaries
     Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
     Eliminations     Consolidated  

ASSETS

            

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 4,849      $ 18,659       $ 67,751       $ 0      $ 91,259   

Receivables

     40,160        2,055         5,423         0        47,638   

Other current assets

     5,193        19,616         6,444         (6,568     24,685   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     50,202        40,330         79,618         (6,568     163,582   

Property and equipment, at cost, net

     11,586        42,678         1,398         0        55,662   

Goodwill

     60,620        5,193         228         0        66,041   

Franchise rights and other identifiable intangibles, net

     13,315        3,953         3,557         0        20,825   

Receivable, marketing and reservation fees

     42,507        0         0         0        42,507   

Investments, employee benefit plans, at fair value

     0        23,365         0         0        23,365   

Investment in and advances to affiliates

     251,245        186,045         7,338         (444,628     0   

Deferred income taxes

     4,560        19,745         130         0        24,435   

Other assets

     7,339        7,366         600         0        15,305   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 441,374      $ 328,675       $ 92,869       $ (451,196   $ 411,722   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

            

Accounts payable

   $ 5,700      $ 31,475       $ 3,993         0      $ 41,168   

Accrued expenses

     19,257        26,890         1,671         0        47,818   

Deferred revenue

     14,070        52,256         996         0        67,322   

Current portion of long-term debt

     0        403         17         0        420   

Other current liabilities

     0        3,206         0         (654     2,552   

Revolving credit facility

     200        0         0         0        200   

Income taxes payable

     9,395        0         2,297         (5,914     5,778   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     48,622        114,230         8,974         (6,568     165,258   

Long-term debt

     249,379        2,137         38         0        251,554   

Deferred compensation & retirement plan obligations

     0        35,707         0         0        35,707   

Advances from affiliates

     192,077        1,097         10,137         (203,311     0   

Other liabilities

     9,367        7,880         27         0        17,274   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     499,445        161,051         19,176         (209,879     469,793   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ (deficit) equity

     (58,071     167,624         73,693         (241,317     (58,071
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit

   $ 441,374      $ 328,675       $ 92,869       $ (451,196   $ 411,722   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

27


Choice Hotels International, Inc.

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

For the Six Months ended June 30, 2011

(Unaudited, in thousands)

 

     Parent     Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations      Consolidated  

Net cash provided (used) from operating activities

   $ 31,484      $ (12,986   $ 13,553        0       $ 32,051   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

  

      

Investment in property and equipment

     (1,407     (3,520     (183     0         (5,110

Equity method investments

     0        0        (1,600     0         (1,600

Issuance of notes receivable

     (631     (2,020     0        0         (2,651

Collection of notes receivable

     0        13        0        0         13   

Purchases of investments, employee benefit plans

     0        (1,139     0        0         (1,139

Proceeds from the sales of investments, employee benefit plans

     0        347        0        0         347   

Other items, net

     (217     (5     30        0         (192
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (2,255     (6,324     (1,753     0         (10,332
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

  

      

Net repayments pursuant to revolving credit facilities

     (200     0        0        0         (200

Repayments of long-term debt

     0        0        (13     0         (13

Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt

     0        0        75        0         75   

Purchase of treasury stock

     (2,527     0        0        0         (2,527

Debt issuance costs

     (2,356     0        0        0         (2,356

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

     38        1,023        0        0         1,061   

Dividends paid

     (21,922     0        0        0         (21,922

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     3,132        0        0        0         3,132   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash provided (used) in financing activities

     (23,835     1,023        62        0         (22,750
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     5,394        (18,287     11,862        0         (1,031

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     0        0        733        0         733   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     4,849        18,659        67,751        0         91,259   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 10,243      $ 372      $ 80,346      $ 0       $ 90,961   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

28


Choice Hotels International, Inc.

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2010

(Unaudited, in Thousands)

 

     Parent     Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations      Consolidated  

Net cash provided from operating activities

   $ 26,531      $ 10,466      $ 4,607        0       $ 41,604   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

  

   

Investment in property and equipment

     (2,867     (9,195     (187     0         (12,249

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

     0        0        (466     0         (466

Issuance of notes receivable

     (7,228     (780     0        0         (8,008

Collection of notes receivable

     0        37        0        0         37   

Purchases of investments, employee benefit plans

     0        (1,204     0        0         (1,204

Proceeds from the sales of investments, employee benefit plans

     0        836        0        0         836   

Other items, net

     (173     (33     (155     0         (361
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (10,268     (10,339     (808     0         (21,415
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

        

Net borrowings pursuant to revolving credit facility

     13,400        0        0        0         13,400   

Purchase of treasury stock

     (9,242     0        0        0         (9,242

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

     0        12        0        0         12   

Dividends paid

     (21,924     0        0        0         (21,924

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     1,315        0        0        0         1,315   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     (16,451     12        0        0         (16,439
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     (188     139        3,799        0         3,750   

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     0        0        (694     0         (694

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     4,281        303        63,286        0         67,870   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 4,093      $ 442      $ 66,391        0       $ 70,926   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

29


16. 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 June 30, 2011      Three Months Ended June 30, 2010  
(In thousands)    Franchising      Corporate  &
Other
    Consolidated      Franchising      Corporate  &
Other
    Consolidated  

Revenues

   $ 164,228       $ 1,073      $ 165,301       $ 148,739       $ 1,109      $ 149,848   

Operating income (loss)

   $ 57,360       $ (12,238   $ 45,122       $ 52,564       $ (8,957   $ 43,607   
                                                   

Income (loss) before income taxes

   $ 57,360       $ (15,246   $ 42,114       $ 52,759       $ (10,735   $ 42,024   

 

     Six Months Ended June 30, 2011      Six Months Ended June 30, 2010  
(In thousands)    Franchising      Corporate  &
Other
    Consolidated      Franchising      Corporate  &
Other
    Consolidated  

Revenues

   $ 278,645       $ 1,937      $ 280,582       $ 255,293       $ 1,976      $ 257,269   

Operating income (loss)

   $ 93,437       $ (22,636   $ 70,801       $ 85,632       $ (18,188   $ 67,444   
                                                   

Income (loss) before income taxes

   $ 91,971       $ (27,934   $ 64,037       $ 86,180       $ (19,510   $ 66,670   

 

17. 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 will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In June 2008, the Company guaranteed $1 million of a bank loan funding a franchisee’s construction of a Cambria Suites in Columbus, Ohio. The guaranty will terminate on the earlier of (i) the repayment of all outstanding obligations under the bank loan that it supports (the current initial loan term runs through June 2013), or (ii) when the franchisee achieves certain debt service coverage ratios outlined in the underlying bank loan agreement. The Company has received a pledge of an equity interest in the entity constructing the property as well as personal guarantees from several of the franchisee’s principal owners related to the repayment of any amounts the Company may be required to pay under this guaranty.

In July 2008, the Company guaranteed $1 million of a bank loan funding a franchisee’s construction of a Cambria Suites in Noblesville, Indiana. The guaranty will terminate on the earlier of (i) the repayment of all outstanding obligations under the bank loan that it supports (the current initial loan term runs through September 2011), or (ii) when the franchisee achieves certain debt service coverage ratios outlined in the underlying bank loan

 

30


agreement. The Company has received a pledge of an equity interest in the entity constructing the property as well as personal guarantees from several of the franchisee’s principal owners related to the repayment of any amounts the Company may be required to pay under this guaranty.

The Company occasionally provides financing to franchisees for property improvements, hotel development efforts and other purposes. At June 30, 2011, the Company had commitments to extend an additional $5.7 million for these purposes provided certain conditions are met by its franchisees, of which $2.9 million is expected to be advanced in the next twelve months.

The Company has made commitments to purchase various parcels of real estate to support the development of its brands which include non-refundable deposits. Providing certain conditions are met by the seller, the Company expects to acquire these parcels of land for a total price of approximately $3.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2011.

The Company has invested $1.6 million in a joint venture and has a commitment to invest an additional $3.4 million which is expected to be funded completely in 2011.

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.

 

18. Termination Charges

During the six months ended June 30, 2011, the Company recorded one-time employee termination charges totaling $0.9 million in SG&A and marketing and reservation expenses. These charges related to salary and benefits continuation payments for employees separating from service with the Company. At June 30, 2011, the Company had approximately $0.6 million of these salary and benefits continuation payments remaining to be remitted. During the six months ended June 30, 2011, the Company remitted $2.7 million of termination benefits related to employee termination charges recorded in prior periods and had approximately $1.4 million of these benefits remaining to be paid.

At June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, approximately $2.0 million and $4.0 million of termination benefits remained and were included in current and non-current liabilities in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company expects $1.7 million of benefits to be paid in the next twelve months.

 

19. Subsequent Events

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 building.

 

31


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.

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 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.

 

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 6,117 hotels open and 554 hotels under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development as of June 30, 2011, with 491,366 rooms and 46,612 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 conducts its international franchise operations through a combination of direct franchising and master franchising relationships. Master franchising relationships allow the use of our brands by third parties in foreign countries. These relationships are governed by master franchising agreements which generally provide the master franchise with the right to use our brands in a specific geographic region, usually for a fee. As a result of our use of master franchising relationships and international market conditions, total revenues from international franchising operations comprised only 8% and 9% of our total revenues for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively, while representing approximately 19% of hotels open at June 30, 2011.

Our Company generates revenues 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,

 

32


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 $2.2 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; 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 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 contractually 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 them 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. We believe 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.

 

33


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 six months ended June 30, 2011, the Company repurchased no shares of its common stock under the share repurchase program. Since the program’s inception through June 30, 2011, we have repurchased 43.2 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 $1.0 billion. Considering the effect of the two-for-one stock split, the Company has repurchased 76.2 million shares at an average price of $13.35 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 3.6 million shares remaining as of June 30, 2011. Upon completion of the current authorization, our board of directors will evaluate the advisability of additional share repurchases.

During the six months ended June 30, 2011, we paid cash dividends totaling approximately $21.9 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 2011 would be approximately $44.0 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 top 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 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 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 June 30, 2011, royalty fees revenue totaled $62.3 million, an 8% increase from the same period in 2010. Operating income totaled $45.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011, a $1.5 million or 3% increase from the same period in 2010. Net income increased 2% from the same period of the prior year to $27.6 million. Diluted earnings per share for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 were $0.46 compared to $0.45 for the three months ended June 30, 2010. These measurements will continue to be a key management focus in 2011 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 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.

 

34


Operations Review

Comparison of Operating Results for the Three-Month Periods Ended June 30, 2011 and 2010

The Company recorded net income of $27.6 million for the three month period ended June 30, 2011, a $0.6 million increase from the $27.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2010. The increase in net income for the three months ended June 30, 2011, is primarily attributable to a $1.5 million or 3% increase in operating income, partially offset by a $1.4 million increase in other income and expenses, net. The increase in other income and expenses, net is primarily attributable to a $2.6 million increase in interest expense due to higher effective borrowing rates on the fixed rate long-term debt issued in the third quarter of 2010 offset by a $1.3 million increase in other gains and losses due to the appreciation in the fair value of investments held in the Company’s non-qualified benefit plans compared to a decline in fair value of these investments in the prior year period.

Summarized financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

 

(in thousands, except per share amounts)    2011     2010  

REVENUES:

    

Royalty fees

   $ 62,301      $ 57,443   

Initial franchise and relicensing fees

     2,585        2,655   

Procurement services

     6,557        6,611   

Marketing and reservation

     90,832        80,389   

Hotel operations

     1,073        1,109   

Other

     1,953        1,641   
                

Total revenues

     165,301        149,848   
                

OPERATING EXPENSES:

    

Selling, general and administrative

     26,539        22,824   

Depreciation and amortization

     1,948        2,220   

Marketing and reservation

     90,832        80,389   

Hotel operations

     860        808   
                

Total operating expenses

     120,179        106,241   
                

Operating income

     45,122        43,607   
                

OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES, NET:

    

Interest expense

     3,267        675   

Interest income

     (221     (135

Other (gains) and losses

     (38     1,238   

Equity in net income of affiliates

     —          (195
                

Total other expenses, net

     3,008        1,583   
                

Income before income taxes

     42,114        42,024   

Income taxes

     14,536        15,013   
                

Net income

   $ 27,578      $ 27,011   
                

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.46      $ 0.45   
                

The Company utilizes certain measures such as adjusted net income, adjusted diluted EPS, adjusted selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense, adjusted operating income 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, SG&A, operating income and total

 

35


revenues. The Company’s calculation of these measurements 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 measurement 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 contractually 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.

Calculation of Franchising Revenues

 

     Three Months Ended June 30,  
     ($ amounts in thousands)  
     2011     2010  

Franchising Revenues:

    

Total Revenues

   $ 165,301      $ 149,848   

Adjustments:

    

Marketing and reservation system revenues

     (90,832     (80,389

Hotel operations

     (1,073     (1,109
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Franchising Revenues

   $ 73,396      $ 68,350   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Diluted EPS, Adjusted SG&A and Adjusted Operating Income: We also use adjusted net income, adjusted diluted EPS, adjusted SG&A and adjusted operating income all of which exclude employee termination benefits for the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010. The Company utilizes these non-GAAP measures to enable investors to perform meaningful comparisons of past, present and future operating results.

Calculation of Adjusted Operating Income

 

     Three Months Ended June 30,  
     ($ amounts in thousands)  
     2011      2010  

Operating Income

   $ 45,122       $ 43,607   

Adjustments:

     

Employee termination benefits

     347         (119
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted Operating Income

   $ 45,469       $ 43,488   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

36


Calculation of Adjusted SG&A

 

     Three Months Ended June 30,  
     ($ amounts in thousands)  
     2011     2010  

SG&A

   $ 26,539      $ 22,824   

Adjustments:

    

Employee termination benefits

     (347     119   
                

Adjusted SG&A

   $ 26,192      $ 22,943   
                

Calculation of Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS

 

     Three Months Ended June 30,  
     (In thousands, except per share amounts)  
     2011      2010  

Net Income

   $ 27,578       $ 27,011   

Adjustments, net of tax:

     

Employee termination benefits

     218         (74
                 

Adjusted Net Income

   $ 27,796       $ 26,937   
                 

Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted

     59,918         59,676   

Diluted EPS

   $ 0.46       $ 0.45   

Adjustments:

     

Employee termination benefits

     —           —     
                 

Adjusted Diluted EPS

   $ 0.46       $ 0.45   
                 

The Company recorded adjusted net income of $27.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011, a $0.9 million increase compared to an adjusted net income of $26.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010. The increase in adjusted net income for the three months ended June 30, 2011 is primarily due to a $2.0 million increase in adjusted operating income and a $1.3 million increase in other gains and losses due to the appreciation in the fair value of investments held in the Company’s non-qualified benefit plans compared to a decline in fair value of these investments in the prior year period. These increases were partially offset by $2.6 million increase in interest expense due to the issuance of $250 million of senior notes in August 2010 which carry a higher effective interest rate than the Company’s revolving credit facility. Adjusted operating income increased $2.0 million as the Company’s franchising revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2011 increased $5.0 million or 7% from the same period of the prior year partially offset by a $3.2 million increase in adjusted SG&A expenses.

Franchising Revenues: Franchising revenues were $73.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011 compared to $68.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010, an increase of 7%. The increase in franchising revenues is primarily due to an 8% increase in royalty revenues.

Domestic royalty fees for the three months ended June 30, 2011 increased $3.7 million to $55.4 million from $51.7 million in the three months ended June 30, 2010, an increase of 7%. The increase in royalties is attributable to a 6.6% increase in RevPAR and a 4 basis point increase in the effective royalty rate of the domestic hotel system from 4.29% to 4.33%. System-wide RevPAR increased due to a combination of a 2.0% increase in average daily rates and a 230 bps increase in occupancy.

 

37


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

 

     For the Three Months Ended
June 30, 2011*
     For the Three Months Ended
June 30, 2010*
     Change  
     Average
Daily
Rate
     Occupancy     RevPAR      Average
Daily
Rate
     Occupancy     RevPAR      Average
Daily
Rate
    Occupancy      RevPAR  

Comfort Inn

   $ 77.54         57.7   $ 44.73       $ 75.22         55.9   $ 42.04         3.1     180 bps         6.4

Comfort Suites

     83.89         60.3     50.55         82.40         56.9     46.88         1.8     340 bps         7.8

Sleep

     69.95         55.0     38.45         68.54         53.3     36.51         2.1     170 bps         5.3

Quality

     66.58         50.4     33.58         65.93         48.0     31.62         1.0     240 bps         6.2

Clarion

     73.14         47.9     35.01         74.37         44.2     32.85         (1.7 )%      370 bps         6.6

Econo Lodge

     53.10         47.4     25.14         52.44         45.7     23.95         1.3     170 bps         5.0

Rodeway

     49.34         47.7     23.55         48.32         44.8     21.63         2.1     290 bps         8.9

MainStay

     66.31         69.2     45.87         65.04         66.3     43.09         2.0     290 bps         6.5

Suburban

     41.13         69.7     28.68         39.51         65.8     25.98         4.1     390 bps         10.4

Ascend Collection

     113.44         60.4     68.50         108.34         57.0     61.70         4.7     340 bps         11.0
                                                                             

Total

   $ 70.72         54.1   $ 38.22       $ 69.31         51.8   $ 35.86         2.0     230 bps         6.6
                                                                             

 

Operating statistics represent hotel operations from March through May

The number of domestic rooms on-line declined by 345 rooms to 389,280 as of June 30, 2011 from 389,625 as of June 30, 2010. The total number of domestic hotels on-line increased by 0.5% to 4,961 as of June 30, 2011 from 4,936 as of June 30, 2010.

A summary of domestic hotels and rooms on-line at June 30, 2011 and 2010 by brand is as follows:

 

     June 30, 2011      June 30, 2010      Variance  
     Hotels      Rooms      Hotels      Rooms      Hotels     Rooms     %     %  

Comfort Inn

     1,416         110,736         1,446         113,677         (30     (2,941     (2.1 )%      (2.6 )% 

Comfort Suites

     613         47,441         621         48,200         (8     (759     (1.3 )%      (1.6 )% 

Sleep

     394         28,625         392         28,586         2        39        0.5     0.1

Quality

     1,027         89,571         984         88,453         43        1,118        4.4     1.3

Clarion

     193         28,335         175         25,188         18        3,147        10.3     12.5

Econo Lodge

     778         48,197         785         48,543         (7     (346     (0.9 )%      (0.7 )% 

Rodeway

     377         20,506         381         21,473         (4     (967     (1.0 )%      (4.5 )% 

MainStay

     39         3,007         36         2,798         3        209        8.3     7.5

Suburban

     61         7,255         63         7,608         (2     (353     (3.2 )%      (4.6 )% 

Ascend Collection

     44         3,392         32         2,646         12        746        37.5     28.2

Cambria Suites

     19         2,215         21         2,453         (2     (238     (9.5 )%      (9.7 )% 
                                                                    

Total Domestic Franchises

     4,961         389,280         4,936         389,625         25        (345     0.5     (0.1 )% 
                                                                    

 

38


International available rooms increased 1.2% to 102,086 as of June 30, 2011 from 100,858 as of June 30, 2010. The total number of international hotels increased 1.6% from 1,138 as of June 30, 2010 to 1,156 as of June 30, 2011.

As of June 30, 2011, the Company had 451 franchised hotels with 37,892 rooms under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in its domestic system as compared to 586 hotels and 47,056 rooms at June 30, 2010. The number of new construction franchised hotels in the Company’s domestic pipeline declined 25% to 322 at June 30, 2011 from 431 at June 30, 2010. The number of conversion franchised hotels in the Company’s domestic pipeline declined by 26 units or 17% from June 30, 2010 to 129 hotels at June 30, 2011. The Company had an additional 103 franchised hotels with 8,720 rooms under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in its international system as of June 30, 2011 compared to 97 hotels and 8,726 rooms at June 30, 2010. 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 June 30, 2011 and 2010 by brand is as follows:

 

                                               Variance  
     June 30, 2011
Units
     June 30,  2010
Units
     Conversion     New Construction     Total  
     Conversion      New
Construction
     Total      Conversion      New
Construction
     Total      Units     %     Units     %     Units     %  

Comfort Inn

     27         50         77         33         69         102         (6     (18 )%      (19     (28 )%      (25     (25 )% 

Comfort Suites

     3         108         111         1         136         137         2        200     (28     (21 )%      (26     (19 )% 

Sleep Inn

     —           62         62         1         101         102         (1     (100 )%      (39     (39 )%      (40     (39 )% 

Quality

     25         5         30         41         11         52         (16     (39 )%      (6     (55 )%      (22     (42 )% 

Clarion

     16         2         18         15         5         20         1        7     (3     (60 )%      (2     (10 )% 

Econo Lodge

     34         1         35         35         2         37         (1     (3 )%      (1     (50 )%      (2     (5 )% 

Rodeway

     15         1         16         26         3         29         (11     (42 )%      (2     (67 )%      (13     (45 )% 

MainStay

     4         37         41         —           39         39         4        NM        (2     (5 )%      2        5

Suburban

     —           22         22         —           26         26         —          NM        (4     (15 )%      (4     (15 )% 

Ascend Collection

     5         3         8         3         4         7         2        67     (1     (25 )%      1        14

Cambria Suites

     —           31         31         —           35         35         —          NM        (4     (11 )%      (4     (11 )% 
                                                                                                      

Total

     129         322         451         155         431         586         (26     (17 )%      (109     (25 )%      (135     (23 )% 
                                                                                                      

Domestic hotels open and operating declined by 9 hotels during the three months ended June 30, 2011 compared to an increase of 31 domestic hotels open and operating during the three months ended June 30, 2010. Gross domestic franchise additions declined from 79 for the three months ended June 30, 2010 to 75 for the same period of 2011. New construction hotels represented 11 of the gross domestic additions during three months ended June 30, 2011 compared to 22 hotels in the same period of the prior year. The decline in new construction hotel openings is primarily due to a lack of new hotel construction financing which has resulted in a decline in new executed franchise agreements. Gross domestic additions for conversion hotels during the three months ended June 30, 2011 increased by 7 to 64 hotels from 57 hotels in the same period of the prior year.

 

39


Net domestic franchise terminations increased from 48 in the three months ended June 30, 2010 to 84 for the three months ended June 30, 2011 primarily due to an increased number of terminations related to the removal of hotels for non-payment of franchise fees and non-compliance with the Company’s rules, regulations and standards.

International royalties increased by $1.1 million or 20% from $5.8 million in the second quarter of 2010 to $6.9 million for the same period of 2011 primarily due to foreign currency fluctuations, global RevPAR increases and an increase in the number of rooms in the international system.

New domestic franchise agreements executed in the three months ended June 30, 2011 totaled 69 representing 6,569 rooms compared to 62 agreements representing 5,478 rooms executed in the second quarter of 2010. During the second quarter of 2011, 8 of the executed agreements were for new construction hotel franchises representing 647 rooms compared to 12 contracts representing 1,109 rooms for the same period a year ago. Conversion hotel executed franchise agreements totaled 61 representing 5,922 rooms for the three months ended June 30, 2011 compared to 50 agreements representing 4,369 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 increased 8% to $1.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011 from $1.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010. Initial fee revenue increased from the same period of the prior year primarily due to an 11% increase in the number of executed agreements

A summary of executed domestic franchise agreements by brand for the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 is as follows:

 

     For the Three Months Ended
June 30, 2011
     For the Three Months Ended
June 30, 2010
     % Change  
     New
Construction
     Conversion      Total      New
Construction
     Conversion      Total      New
Construction
    Conversion     Total  

Comfort Inn

     3         11         14         2         5         7         50     120     100

Comfort Suites

     1         2         3         6         1         7         (83 )%      100     (57 )% 

Sleep

     1         1         2         —           —           —           NM        NM        NM   

Quality

     —           11         11         —           20         20         NM        (45 )%      (45 )% 

Clarion

     —           3         3         —           3         3         NM        —       —  

Econo Lodge

     —           12         12         —           12         12         NM        —       —  

Rodeway

     —           13         13         —           8         8         NM        63     63

MainStay

     —           3         3         1         —           1         (100 )%      NM        200

Suburban

     2         1         3         —           —           —           NM        NM        NM   

Ascend Collection

     —           4         4         —           1         1         NM        300     300

Cambria Suites

     1         —           1         3         —           3         (67 )%      NM        (67 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Domestic System

     8         61         69         12         50         62         (33 )%      22     11
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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. Relicensing and renewal contracts increased 19% from 31 in the second quarter of 2010 to 37 for the three months ended June 30, 2011. Relicensing revenues declined $0.2 million from $1.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 to $0.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011 due to a decrease in the average initial fee per agreement. The Company’s relicensing activity in 2011 and beyond is dependent on the availability and cost of capital as well as the presence of an active real estate market for hotel transactions.

 

40


Selling, General and Administrative Expenses: The cost to operate the franchising business is reflected in SG&A on the consolidated statements of income. SG&A expenses were $26.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011, a $3.7 million or 16% increase from the three months ended June 30, 2010. Adjusted SG&A costs, which exclude certain items described above, increased $3.2 million to $26.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011 from $22.9 million for the same period of 2010. Adjusted SG&A for the three months ended June 30, 2011 increased 14% over the same period of the prior year primarily due to increases in variable management incentive compensation, increased costs related to the Company’s annual franchisee convention, foreign currency fluctuations and higher compensation expense recognized on deferred compensation arrangements as described in more detail in Other Income and Expenses, Net.

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 $90.8 million and $80.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Depreciation and amortization attributable to marketing and reservation activities was $3.3 million and $3.4 million for the three month periods ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Interest expense attributable to reservation activities was approximately $1.0 million and $0.1 million for the three month periods ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The increase in the interest expense is primarily attributable to an increase in the Company’s effective annual borrowing rates.

As of June 30, 2011 and December 30, 2010, the Company’s balance sheet includes a receivable of $60.5 million and $42.5 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, increased $1.4 million to an expense of $3.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011 compared to an expense of $1.6 million in the same period of the prior year primarily due to the following items:

Interest expense increased from $0.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 to $3.3 million for the same period of 2011 due to the issuance of the Company’s $250 million senior notes with an effective rate of 6.19% on August 25, 2010. The proceeds were utilized to repay outstanding borrowings under the Company’s $350 million revolving line of credit which had an effective interest rate of approximately 0.7%.

Other gains and losses, net increased from a loss of $1.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 to a gain of $38 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2011 primarily due to fluctuations in the fair value of investments held in the Company’s non-qualified employee benefit plans. 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 declined by $9 thousand during the three

 

41


months ended June 30, 2011 compared to a decline of $0.6 million during the three months ended June 30, 2010. The fair value of the Company’s investments held in the EDCP plan increased $48 thousand during the three months ended June 30, 2011 compared to a decrease in fair value of $0.7 million during the same period of the prior year.

The Company accounts for the Non-Qualified Plan in accordance with accounting for deferred compensation arrangements when investments are held in a rabbi trust and invested. As a result, the Company also recognizes compensation expense in SG&A related to changes in the fair value of investments held in the Non-Qualified Plan, excluding investments in the Company’s stock. Therefore, during the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company’s SG&A expense was reduced by $0.1 million and $0.7 million, respectively, due to the change in the fair value of these investments.

Income taxes. The effective income tax rate was 34.5% for the three months ended June 30, 2011, compared to an effective income tax rate of 35.7% for the three months ended June 30, 2010. The effective income tax rates for the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 differed from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the effect of foreign operations, partially offset by state income taxes.

Net income: Net income for the three months ended June 30, 2011 increased by $0.6 million to $27.6 million from $27.0 million in the same period of the prior year. Adjusted net income, as adjusted for certain items described above, increased by $0.9 million to $27.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011 from $26.9 million for the same period of the prior year.

Diluted EPS: Diluted EPS were $0.46 and $0.45 for the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

42


Comparison of Operating Results for the Six-Month Periods Ended June 30, 2011 and 2010

The Company recorded net income of $43.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011, a $0.5 million, or 1% increase from the $42.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010. The increase in net income for the six months ended June 30, 2011, is primarily attributable to a $3.4 million or 5% increase in operating income partially offset by the Company’s recordation of a $1.8 million loss on assets held for sale as well as an increase in effective borrowing rates due to the issuance of fixed rate long-term debt in August 2010.

Summarized financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

 

(in thousands, except per share amounts)    2011     2010  

REVENUES:

    

Royalty fees

   $ 106,541      $ 98,464   

Initial franchise and relicensing fees

     5,199        4,567   

Procurement services

     9,722        9,856   

Marketing and reservation

     153,799        139,229   

Hotel operations

     1,937        1,976   

Other

     3,384        3,177   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     280,582        257,269   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES:

    

Selling, general and administrative

     50,386        44,640   

Depreciation and amortization

     3,903        4,392   

Marketing and reservation

     153,799        139,229   

Hotel operations

     1,693        1,564   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     209,781        189,825   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     70,801        67,444   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES, NET:

    

Interest expense

     6,491        1,296   

Interest income

     (431     (195

Other (gains) and losses

     1,005        221   

Equity in net income of affiliates

     (301     (548
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income and expenses, net

     6,764        774   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     64,037        66,670   

Income taxes

     20,729        23,866   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 43,308      $ 42,804   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.72      $ 0.72   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Company utilizes certain measures such as adjusted net income, adjusted diluted EPS, adjusted SG&A, adjusted operating income and franchising revenues which do not conform to 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, SG&A, operating income and total revenues. The Company’s calculation of these measurements may be different from the calculations used by other companies and therefore comparability may be limited. We have included a reconciliation of these measures to the comparable GAAP measurement below as well as our reason for reporting these non-GAAP measures.

 

43


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 contractually 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 reservation and marketing 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.

Calculation of Franchising Revenues

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,  
     ($ amounts in thousands)  
     2011     2010  

Franchising Revenues:

    

Total Revenues

   $ 280,582      $ 257,269   

Adjustments:

    

Marketing and reservation system revenues

     (153,799     (139,229

Hotel operations

     (1,937     (1,976
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Franchising Revenues

   $ 124,846      $ 116,064   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Diluted EPS, Adjusted SG&A and Adjusted Operating Income: We also use adjusted net income, adjusted diluted EPS, adjusted SG&A and adjusted operating income which exclude employee termination benefits for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010. Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted EPS for the six months ended June 30, 2011 also exclude a $1.8 million loss on assets held for sale resulting from the Company reducing 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.

Calculation of Adjusted Operating Income

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,  
     ($ amounts in thousands)  
     2011      2010  

Operating Income

   $ 70,801       $ 67,444   

Adjustments:

     

Employee termination benefits

     417         233   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted Operating Income

   $ 71,218       $ 67,677   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

44


Calculation of Adjusted SG&A

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,  
     ($ amounts in thousands)  
     2011     2010  

SG&A

   $ 50,386      $ 44,640   

Adjustments:

    

Employee termination benefits

     (417     (233
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted SG&A

   $ 49,969      $ 44,407   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Calculation of Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,  
     (In thousands, except per share amounts)  
     2011      2010  

Net Income

   $ 43,308       $ 42,804   

Adjustments, net of tax:

     

Loss on land held for sale

     1,111         —     

Employee termination benefits

     262         146   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted Net Income

   $ 44,681       $ 42,950   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted

     59,854         59,639   

Diluted EPS

   $ 0.72       $ 0.72   

Adjustments:

     

Loss on land held for sale

     0.02         —     

Employee termination benefits

     0.01         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted Diluted EPS

   $ 0.75       $ 0.72   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company recorded adjusted net income of $44.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to an adjusted net income of $43.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010. The increase in adjusted net income for the six months ended June 30, 2011 is primarily attributable to a $3.5 million increase in adjusted operating income, a lower effective income tax rate and an $0.8 million increase in the fair value of investments held in the Company’s non-qualified employee benefit plans compared to a $0.4 million depreciation of these investments during the six months ended June 30, 2010. The items were partially offset by a $5.2 million increase interest expense due to the issuance of $250 million of senior notes in August 2010 which carry a higher effective interest rate than the revolving credit facility in place in 2010. Adjusted operating income increased $3.5 million as the Company’s franchising revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2011 increased $8.8 million or 8% from the same period of the prior year offset by an increase in adjusted SG&A expenses of $5.6 million or 13%.

Franchising Revenues: Franchising revenues were $124.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to $116.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010. The increase in franchising revenues is primarily due to an 8% increase in royalty fees and a 14% increase in initial franchise and relicensing fees.

Domestic royalty fees for the six months ended June 30, 2011 increased $6.4 million to $94.1 million from $87.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010, an increase of 7%. The increase in royalties is attributable to a combination of factors including a 6.1% increase in RevPAR and an increase in the effective royalty rate of the domestic hotel system from 4.30% to 4.34%. System-wide RevPAR increased due to a combination of a 210 basis point increase in occupancy as well as a 1.5% increase in average daily rates.

 

45


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

 

     For the Six Months Ended
June 30, 2011*
     For the Six Months Ended
June 30, 2010*
     Change  
     Average
Daily
Rate
     Occupancy     RevPAR      Average
Daily
Rate
     Occupancy     RevPAR      Average
Daily
Rate
    Occupancy      RevPAR  

Comfort Inn

   $ 75.27         51.1   $ 38.47       $ 73.44         49.5   $ 36.33         2.5     160 bps         5.9

Comfort Suites

     81.82         53.7     43.96         81.05         50.5     40.92         1.0     320 bps         7.4

Sleep

     67.81         48.7     33.03         66.93         47.3     31.68         1.3     140 bps         4.3

Quality

     64.47         44.7     28.81         64.10         42.6     27.31         0.6     210 bps         5.5

Clarion

     70.89         42.4     30.07         72.34         39.1     28.27         (2.0 )%      330 bps         6.4

Econo Lodge

     51.60         42.4     21.89         51.21         40.7     20.87         0.8     170 bps         4.9

Rodeway

     47.78         43.2     20.66         47.06         40.7     19.14         1.5     250 bps         7.9

MainStay

     64.06         61.8     39.57         64.20         59.3     38.06         (0.2 )%      250 bps         4.0

Suburban

     39.82         65.3     25.99         38.47         62.4     24.01         3.5     290 bps         8.2

Ascend Collection

     106.96         55.3     59.19         103.97         50.1     52.09         2.9     520 bps         13.6
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 68.57         48.2   $ 33.02       $ 67.57         46.1   $ 31.12         1.5     210 bps         6.1
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

* Operating statistics represent hotel operations from December through May

Domestic hotels open and operating declined by 32 hotels during the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to an increase of 30 domestic hotels open and operating during the six months ended June 30, 2010. Gross domestic franchise additions decreased from 157 for the six months ended June 30, 2010 to 117 for the same period in 2011. New construction hotels represented 15 of the gross domestic additions during the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to 50 hotels in the same period of the prior year. Gross domestic additions for conversion hotels during the six months ended June 30, 2011 declined by 5 to 102 hotels compared to the same period of the prior year. The decline in hotel openings is primarily due to a decline in new construction executed franchise agreements as the lack of new hotel construction financing and a decline in the real estate market for hotel sales transactions has been significantly impacted by the current economic environment. The Company expects the number of new franchise additions that will open during 2011 to decline from 327 for the year ended December 31, 2010 to approximately 273 hotels. The decline is expected to be driven by new construction hotels which are projected to decline by 44 hotels from 78 in 2010 to 34 hotels in 2011 due to the impact the tight credit markets have had on the number of new construction franchise agreements executed in 2009 and 2010 as well as the availability of capital to commence construction on existing projects.

Net domestic franchise terminations increased to 149 for the six months ended June 30, 2011 from 127 for the same period of the prior year primarily related to the removal of hotels for non-compliance with the Company’s rules, regulations and standards.

International royalties increased $1.8 million or 16% from $10.7 million in the first six months of 2010 to $12.5 million for the same period in 2011 primarily due to foreign currency fluctuations, global RevPAR increases and a 1.2% increase in the number of rooms in the international system.

New domestic franchise agreements executed in the six months ended June 30, 2011 totaled 125 representing 11,727 rooms compared to 117 agreements representing 9,989 rooms executed in the first six months of 2010. During the first six months of 2011, 14 of the executed agreements were for new construction hotel franchises, representing 1,219 rooms, compared to 22 contracts, representing 1,818 rooms for the same period a year ago. Conversion hotel

 

46


executed franchise agreements totaled 111 representing 10,508 rooms for the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to 95 agreements representing 8,171 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 increased 35% to $3.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 from $2.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010. The increase in revenues primarily reflects a 7% increase in the number of contracts executed as well as the recognition of revenue during 2011 related to franchise agreements containing developer incentives executed in prior periods. Revenues associated with agreements including incentives are deferred and recognized when the incentive criteria are met or the agreement is terminated, whichever occurs first.

A summary of executed domestic franchise agreements by brand for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 is as follows:

 

     For the Six Months Ended
June 30, 2011
     For the Six Months Ended
June 30, 2010
     % Change  
     New
Construction
     Conversion      Total      New
Construction
     Conversion      Total      New
Construction
    Conversion     Total  

Comfort Inn

     5         18         23         3         13         16         67     38     44 %

Comfort Suites

     1         4         5         8         1         9         (88 )%      300     (44 )% 

Sleep

     3         1         4         2         —           2         50     NM        100

Quality

     —           35         35         1         31         32         (100 )%      13     9

Clarion

     —           8         8         —           6         6         NM        33     33

Econo Lodge

     —           18         18         —           22         22         NM        (18 )%      (18 )% 

Rodeway

     —           18         18         1         19         20         (100 )%      (5 )%      (10 )% 

MainStay

     1         3         4         3         —           3         (67 )%      NM        33

Suburban

     2         1         3         1         —           1         100     NM        200

Ascend Collection

     —           5         5         —           3         3         NM        67     67

Cambria Suites

     2         —           2         3         —           3         (33 )%      NM        (33 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Domestic System

     14         111         125         22         95         117         (36 )%      17     7
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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. Relicensing and renewal contracts increased 4% from 49 during the six months ending June 30, 2010 to 51 for the same period of 2011. Although the Company increased the number of contracts, relicensing revenues declined $0.4 million from $1.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 to $1.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 primarily due to lower average relicensing fees charged per property. The Company’s relicensing activity in 2011 and beyond is dependent on the availability and cost of capital as well as the presence of an active real estate market for hotel transactions.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses: The cost to operate the franchising business is reflected in SG&A on the consolidated statements of income. SG&A expenses were $50.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011, a $5.7 million or 13% increase from the six months ended June 30, 2010. Adjusted SG&A costs, which exclude certain items described above, for the six months ended June 30, 2011 totaled $50.0 million compared to adjusted SG&A of $44.4 million for the same period of the prior year. The $5.6 million increase in adjusted SG&A was primarily attributable to higher variable franchise sales compensation, increased costs related to the Company’s annual franchisee convention, foreign currency fluctuations and higher compensation expense recognized on deferred compensation arrangements as described in more detail in Other Income and Expenses, Net.

 

47


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 reservations revenues were $153.8 million and $139.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Depreciation and amortization attributable to marketing and reservation activities was $6.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to $6.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010. Interest expense attributable to reservation activities was $2.0 million and $0.2 million for the six month periods ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The increase in interest expense is primarily due to an increase in the Company’s annual effective borrowing rate.

As of June 30, 2011 and December 30, 2010, the Company’s balance sheet includes a receivable of $60.5 million and $42.5 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, increased $6.0 million to $6.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to $0.8 million in the same period of the prior year primarily due to the following items.

Interest expense increased from $1.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 to $6.5 million for the same period of 2011 due to the issuance of the Company’s $250 million senior notes with an effective rate of 6.19% on August 25, 2010. The proceeds were utilized to repay outstanding borrowings under the Company’s $350 million revolving line of credit which had an effective interest rate of approximately 0.7%.

Other gains and losses increased $0.8 million from a loss of $0.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 to a loss of $1.0 million in the same period of the current year. The increase in the loss primarily reflects a $1.8 million loss on assets held for sale recorded in the six months ended June 30, 2011 resulting from the Company reducing the carrying amount of a parcel of land held for sale to its estimated fair value.

Other gains and losses also reflect the fluctuations in the fair value of investments held in the Company’s non-qualified employee benefit plans. Other gains and losses increased $1.2 million from a loss of $0.4 million in 2010 to a gain of $0.8 million due to fluctuations in these investments during both the six months ended June 30, 2011 and June 30, 2010. 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 $0.3 million during the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to a $0.2 million decline during the same period of 2010. The fair value of the Company’s investments held in the EDCP plan increased $0.5 million during the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to a decrease in fair value of $0.2 million during the same period of the prior year.

 

48


The Company accounts for the Non-Qualified Plan in accordance with accounting for deferred compensation arrangements when investments are held in a rabbi trust and invested. As a result, the Company also recognizes compensation expense in SG&A related to changes in the fair value of investments held in the Non-Qualified Plan, excluding investments in the Company’s stock. Therefore, during the six months ended June 30, 2011, the Company’s compensation expense was increased by $0.2 million while the Company’s compensation expense decreased by $0.3 million in the six month period ended June 30, 2010.

Income taxes: The effective income tax rate was 32.4% for the six months ended June 30, 2011, compared to an effective income tax rate of 35.8% for the six months ended June 30, 2010. The effective income tax rates for the six months ended June 30, 2011 differed from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to an adjustment of $1.4 million to our current federal taxes payable. The Company believes that this adjustment is not material to its financial statements for the current period or any prior period. The rate was also impacted by the effect of foreign operations, partially offset by state income taxes. The effective income tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2010 differed from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the effect of foreign operations, partially offset by state income taxes.

Net income: Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2011 increased by $0.5 million to $43.3 million from $42.8 million in the same period of the prior year. Adjusted net income, as adjusted for certain items described above, increased by $1.7 million to $44.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 from $43.0 million for the same period of the prior year.

Diluted EPS: Diluted EPS were $0.72 for both six month periods ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Adjusted diluted EPS, which excludes certain items described above, totaled $0.75 for the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to $0.72 for the same period of the prior year.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Operating Activities

During the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, net cash provided by operating activities totaled $32.1 million and $41.6 million, respectively. The decline in cash flows from operating activities primarily reflects declines in deferred revenue related to the timing of up-front payments from the Company’s Choice Privileges co-branded credit card partner, the Company’s management incentive compensation payments and the timing of other working capital items.

Net cash advanced for marketing and reservations activities totaled $11.4 million and $18.0 million during the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Cash advances during the six months ended June 30, 2011 related primarily due 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 range between a net use of cash totaling $1 million to a source of cash totaling $3 million in 2011.

Investing Activities

Cash utilized for investing activities totaled $10.3 million and $21.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The decline in cash utilized for investing activities was primarily due to lower capital expenditures than the prior year and a decline in financing provided to franchisees, partially offset by equity method investments entered into during the six months ended June 30, 2011. During the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, capital expenditures totaled $5.1 million and $12.2 million, respectively. Capital expenditures for 2011 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 six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company advanced $2.7 million and $8.0 million, respectively for these purposes. At June 30, 2011, the Company had commitments to extend an additional $5.7 million for these purposes provided certain conditions are met by its franchisees, of which $2.9 million is expected to be advanced in the next twelve months.

 

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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 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. At June 30, 2011, the Company maintained a total leverage ratio of approximately 1.4x and an interest ratio coverage of approximately 12.4x. At June 30, 2011, 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 June 30, 2011, the Company had no outstanding amounts pursuant to the Revolver.

Debt issuance costs incurred in connection with the Revolver totaled $2.4 million and are being amortized, on a straight-line basis, which is not materially different than the effective interest method, through the maturity of the Revolver. Amortization of these costs is included in interest expense in the accompanying statements of income.

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 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.

 

50


As a result of the issuance of the Senior Notes in August 2010 and the Revolver in February 2011, the Company’s borrowing costs have increased as the Company’s Old Revolver carried an interest rate of LIBOR plus approximately 50 basis points which has been lower than the effective rate of the Senior Notes and well as the borrowings under the Revolver.

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. 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. On May 5, 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 July 15, 2011 to shareholders of record as of July 1, 2011. The Company’s quarterly dividend rate declared during the six months ended June 30, 2011 has remained unchanged from the previous quarterly declarations. 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 2011 would be approximately $44.0 million.

Share Repurchases

During the six months ended June 30, 2011, the Company repurchased no shares of its common stock under the share repurchase program. Since the program’s inception through June 30, 2011, we have repurchased 43.2 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 $1.0 billion. Considering the effect of the two-for-one stock split, the Company has repurchased 76.2 million shares at an average price of $13.35 per share through June 30, 2011. At June 30, 2011 the Company had approximately 3.6 million shares remaining under the current stock repurchase authorization. Upon completion of the current authorization, our board of directors will evaluate the advisability of additional share repurchases.

Other items

Our Board 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 top 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 $80.3 million of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents at June 30, 2011 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 six months ended June 30, 2011, the Company recorded one-time employee termination charges totaling $0.9 million in SG&A and marketing and reservation expenses. These charges related to salary and benefits continuation payments for employees separating from service with the Company. At June 30, 2011, the Company had approximately $0.6 million of these salary and benefits continuation payments remaining to be remitted. During the six months ended June 30, 2011, the Company remitted $2.7 million of termination benefits related to employee termination charges recorded in prior periods and had approximately $1.4 million of these benefits remaining to be paid.

 

51


At June 30, 2011 approximately $2.0 million of termination benefits remained to be paid and the Company expects $1.8 million of these benefits to be paid in the next twelve months. In addition, the Company expects to satisfy approximately $2.7 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, 2010 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 to marketing and reservation expenses for uncollectible marketing and reservation system fees.

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 collectability 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.

 

52


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 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 collectability. 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 indicates that we may not be able to recover the carrying amount of the asset. 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.

 

53


Mezzanine, and Other Notes Receivables

The Company has provided financing to franchisees in support of the development of properties in key 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 collectability and records an allowance for loss on its mezzanine and other 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.

The Company assesses the collectability 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

From time to time, the Company provides unsecured financing to franchisees for property improvements and other purposes in the form of forgivable promissory notes. The notes bear market interest rates, and are forgiven and amortized over that time period if the franchisee remains in the system in good standing.

Franchisees are not required to repay the forgivable notes provided that the respective hotels remain in the system and in good standing throughout the term of their note. 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 collectability 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

 

54


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.

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 now 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, 2010. As of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company recorded a deferred compensation liability of $16.5 million and $17.6 million, 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 six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 were $0.5 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 $14.7 million and $13.6 million as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, 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 (losses) during the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 of $0.5 million and ($0.2 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 June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had recorded a deferred compensation liability of $11.0 million and $10.6 million, respectively related to these deferrals. Compensation

 

55


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 six months ended June 30, 2011 was $0.2 million while the net decrease in compensation expense recorded in SG&A for the six months ended June 30, 2010 was $0.3 million.

The diversified investments held in the trusts were $10.2 million and $9.7 million as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, 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 for the six months ended June 30, 2011 of $0.3 million and investment losses of $0.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010. In addition, the Non-Qualified Plan held shares of the Company’s common stock with a market value of $0.8 million and $0.9 million as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

The Company is subject to risk from changes in debt and equity prices from our non-qualified retirement savings plan investments in debt securities and common stock. The diversified investments held in the Non-Qualified Plan and EDCP include investments primarily in equity and debt securities, and cash and cash equivalents.

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 2011 and for information on our anticipated adoption of recently issued accounting standards.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain matters discussed in this quarterly report constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities law. Generally, our use of words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “will,” “forecast,” “plan,” “project,” “assume” or similar words of futurity identify statements that are forward-looking and that we intend to be included within the Safe Harbor protections provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such 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 or other matters. We caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which are made as of the date of this quarterly report. 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, among other factors. These and other risk factors are discussed in detail in Item 1A “Risk Factors” of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2011. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

 

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

 

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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 $25.0 million and $23.4 million at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, 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, 2011, the Company had no amounts outstanding under its variable interest rate debt instruments compared to $0.2 million outstanding at December 31, 2010. 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 June 30, 2011.

There has been no change in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2011, that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

None.

 

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, 2010, 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.

 

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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 six months ended June 30, 2011:

 

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, 2011

     —         $ —           —           3,570,460   

February 28, 2011

     50,681         39.82         —           3,570,460   

March 31, 2011

     4,614         38.86         —           3,570,460   

April 30, 2011

     355         38.23         —           3,570,460   

May 31, 2011

     8,377         37.80         —           3,570,460   

June 30, 2011

     —           —           —           3,570,460   
                                   

Total

     64,027       $ 39.48         —           3,570,460   
                                   

 

(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 six months ended June 30, 2011, the Company redeemed 64,027 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. (REMOVED AND RESERVED)

 

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(c)   Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation and Severance Benefit Agreement between the Company and Patrick Pacious, dated May 5, 2011.
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 May 10, 2011.

 

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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.

August 9, 2011

    By:   /S/ DAVID L. WHITE
       
      David L. White
     

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer &

Treasurer

 

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