UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
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Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
On February 28, 2023, SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing the results of the Company’s operations for the quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. The full text of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference in this Item 2.02.
The information in this Current Report on Form 8-K and Exhibit 99.1 is being furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 of Form 8-K and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing made by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.
Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure
On February 28, 2023, the Company posted new written investor presentation materials on its investor relations website at http://www.seaworldinvestors.com/events-and-presentations/default.aspx. The Company intends to use such materials from time to time in meetings with the investment community and for general marketing purposes.
The information set forth under this Item 7.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing made by the Company under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
Exhibit No. |
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Description |
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99.1 |
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104 |
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Cover page interactive data filed (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). |
Signatures
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 hereunto duly authorized.
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SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. |
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Date: February 28, 2023 |
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By: |
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/s/ G. Anthony (Tony) Taylor |
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Name: |
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G. Anthony (Tony) Taylor |
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Title: |
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Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary |
Exhibit 99.1
SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2022 Results
ORLANDO, FL, February 28, 2023 - SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: SEAS), a leading theme park and entertainment company, today reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2022.[1]
Fourth Quarter 2022 Highlights
Fiscal 2022 Highlights
Other Highlights
“We are pleased to report another quarter and fiscal year of record financial results,” said Marc Swanson, Chief Executive Officer of SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. “In the fourth quarter we delivered record revenue, our second highest net income and record Adjusted EBITDA. For fiscal 2022, we delivered record revenue, record net income and record Adjusted EBITDA. Results for the fourth quarter versus the prior year would have been even better if it weren’t for significant adverse weather impacts in most of our markets during the November and December holiday period, and the negative impact of Hurricane Ian in October and Hurricane Nicole in November. We estimate that these combined weather-related impacts reduced attendance by approximately 249,000 guest visits during the quarter. We continued to drive growth in total per caps, including during our Halloween and Christmas events during the quarter, demonstrating the effectiveness of our revenue strategies, our pricing power and the strength of consumer spending in our parks. I want to thank our ambassadors for their continued dedication, efforts, and contributions, without which, these strong results would not have been possible.”
[1] Given results of operations for the twelve months of 2021 were impacted by capacity limitations, modified/limited operations and/or temporary park closures, decreased demand due to public concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, and restrictions on international travel, the Company believes a comparison of its results to the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2019 provides a more meaningful insight on its performance and operating trajectory. The Company provides a comparison versus both the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2019 and 2021 in this release.
[2] This earnings release includes Adjusted EBITDA, Covenant Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow which are financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the U.S. (“GAAP”). See “Statement Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Key Performance Metrics” section and the financial statement tables for the definitions of Adjusted EBITDA, Covenant Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow and the reconciliation of these measures for historical periods to their respective most comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.
[3] This earnings release includes key performance metrics such as total revenue per capita, admissions per capita and in-park per capita spending. See “Statement Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Key Performance Metrics” section for definitions and further details.
[4] As of February 22, 2022.
[5] The Company repurchased approximately 1.4 million shares of common stock at a total cost of approximately $70.6 million during the fourth quarter of 2022.
[6] In the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company came to the aid of over 100 animals in need in the wild.
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"As I have said before, we have a strong and resilient business model and we believe that we have significant opportunities to continue to improve and meaningfully grow our revenue and profitability. Our attendance levels for fiscal 2022 were below levels achieved in 2019 primarily due to a decline in both international and group-related attendance which we expect will eventually recover to and surpass pre-COVID levels. Also, as we have discussed, we are still more than 3 million visitors below our historical high attendance of approximately 25 million guests achieved in 2008. This represents a clear opportunity to recapture lost attendance we once achieved. Furthermore, our pricing power, strategies, investments and opportunities around revenue management, in-park food and beverage, retail and other in-park guest spending give us confidence in our ability to continue to grow total per caps. These factors, along with the work we are doing to better manage and reduce costs, combined with the significant investments we are making across our parks and business, give us high confidence in our ability to continue to deliver operational and financial improvements that we expect will lead to meaningful increases in shareholder value,” continued Swanson.
“We are pleased with the start to 2023 and looking forward, we are very excited about our plans with an exceptional line up of new rides, attractions, events and new and improved in park venues and offerings. Given the investments that we have made and will be making, the continued success of our strategies and our strong financial position, we continue to expect meaningful growth and new records in revenue and Adjusted EBITDA for 2023,” concluded Swanson.
In 2022, the Company received numerous industry accolades including SeaWorld Orlando being voted as #1 Nation’s Best Amusement Park by USA Today readers; Aquatica Orlando voted as #1 for the Nation’s Best Outdoor Water Park by USA Today readers; and Busch Gardens Williamsburg was named World’s Most Beautiful Theme Park for the 32nd consecutive year by the National Amusement Park Historical Association. In addition, the Iron Gwazi rollercoaster at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay was ranked #1 Best New Roller Coaster for 2022 by Amusement Today.
For 2023, the Company has an outstanding line-up of new rides, attractions, events and new and improved in park venues and offerings with something new and meaningful in every one of its parks. The Company’s new rides and attractions include the following:
The Company’s results of operations for fiscal 2022 and 2021 continued to be impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic due in part to a decline in both international and group-related attendance from historical levels. Additionally, results of operations for fiscal 2021 were impacted by capacity limitations, modified/limited operations and/or a temporary park closure, decreased demand due to public concerns and government restrictions associated with the pandemic, and more severe restrictions on international travel. In particular, beginning on April 1, 2021, capacity at the Company’s Busch Gardens Williamsburg park was limited to approximately 13,000 guests. On May 28, 2021, theme park capacity restrictions in the State of Virginia were removed. At the beginning of the second quarter of 2021, the Company’s SeaWorld San Diego park was operating under capacity restrictions in compliance with state safety guidelines for zoos. On April 12, 2021, SeaWorld San Diego resumed theme park operations with limited capacity in
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accordance with the State of California guidelines for theme parks. On June 15, 2021, all capacity restrictions for SeaWorld San Diego were removed in accordance with the State of California guidelines.
Fourth Quarter 2022 Results
In the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company hosted approximately 4.9 million guests, generated record total revenues of $390.5 million, net income of $49.0 million, the second highest for the Company, and record Adjusted EBITDA of $153.7 million. Attendance decreased approximately 16,000 guests when compared to the fourth quarter of 2021. Attendance was unfavorably impacted by adverse weather during the quarter and benefited from an increase in international guests when compared to the fourth quarter of 2021, which was impacted by more severe COVID-19 related restrictions on international travel. The Company estimates adverse weather, including during the November and December holiday periods and the impact of Hurricanes Ian and Nicole, contributed to a decline of approximately 249,000 guests during the quarter. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, attendance increased by 0.2 million guests, or 5.1%, primarily due to the impact of additional operating days along with a favorable calendar shift, partially offset by a decline of international guest visitation and group-related attendance and adverse weather. Excluding international guest visitation, attendance increased by approximately 10% when compared to the fourth quarter of 2019.
The increase in total revenue of $19.7 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2021 was primarily a result of increases in admission per capita (defined as admissions revenue divided by total attendance) and in-park per capita spending (defined as food, merchandise and other revenue divided by total attendance). Admission per capita increased primarily due to the realization of higher prices in the Company’s admission products resulting from its strategic pricing efforts when compared to the prior year quarter. In-park per capita spending improved due to a combination of factors including pricing initiatives, improved product quality and mix and the impact of new, enhanced and/or expanded in-park offerings partially offset by the negative impact of less-than-optimal staffing. The decrease in net income of $22.5 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2021 was primarily a result of the impact of income taxes, due to a favorable tax benefit in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA was positively impacted by the increase in total revenue resulting from improvement in total revenue per capita partially offset by an increase in expenses. The increase in expenses is primarily due to increased labor-related and other operating costs driven by increased operating days and expanded and/or enhanced events, along with unusually high inflationary pressures, partially offset by structural cost savings initiatives when compared to the fourth quarter of 2021.
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Three Months Ended December 31, |
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Variance |
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2022 |
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2021 |
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% |
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(Unaudited, in millions, except per share and per capita amounts) |
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Total revenues |
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$ |
390.5 |
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$ |
370.8 |
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5.3 |
% |
Net income |
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$ |
49.0 |
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$ |
71.5 |
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(31.5 |
%) |
Earnings per share, diluted |
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$ |
0.76 |
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$ |
0.92 |
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(17.8 |
%) |
Adjusted EBITDA |
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$ |
153.7 |
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$ |
152.8 |
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0.6 |
% |
Net cash provided by operating activities |
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$ |
95.7 |
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$ |
86.6 |
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10.6 |
% |
Attendance |
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4.94 |
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4.95 |
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(0.3 |
%) |
Total revenue per capita |
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$ |
79.10 |
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$ |
74.87 |
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5.7 |
% |
Admission per capita |
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$ |
45.63 |
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$ |
43.65 |
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4.5 |
% |
In-Park per capita spending |
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$ |
33.47 |
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$ |
31.22 |
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7.2 |
% |
Fiscal 2022 Results
In fiscal 2022, the Company hosted approximately 21.9 million guests and generated record total revenues of $1,731.2 million, record net income of $291.2 million and record Adjusted EBITDA of $728.2 million. Attendance increased by 1.7 million guests when compared to 2021 primarily due to an increase in demand predominantly resulting from a return to more normalized operations when compared to 2021, which included COVID-19 related impacts including limited operating days, a temporary park closure, capacity limitations at some of the Company's parks and more severe restrictions on international travel. Attendance during 2022 was also unfavorably impacted by adverse weather. The Company estimates that adverse weather, including the impact of Hurricanes Ian and Nicole, contributed to a decline of approximately 655,000 guests during the year. Compared to fiscal 2019, attendance declined primarily due to a decline from international guest visitation and group-related attendance along with adverse weather, partially offset by the impact of additional operating days and events when compared to 2019. Excluding international guest visitation and group-related attendance, attendance increased by approximately 4.1% when compared to fiscal 2019.
The increase in total revenue of $227.5 million compared to 2021 was primarily a result of an increase in attendance along with increases in admission per capita and in-park per capita spending. Admission per capita increased primarily due to the realization of higher prices in the Company's admission products resulting from its strategic pricing efforts, which was partially offset by the net impact of the admissions product mix when compared to 2021. In-park per capita spending improved due to a combination of factors including, pricing initiatives, improved product quality and mix and the impact of new, enhanced and/or expanded in-park offerings. In-park per capita spending was also unfavorably impacted by less-than-optimal staffing during certain times of the year, which impacted the Company's ability to fully operate and/or open some of its food and beverage and retail outlets.
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Net income and Adjusted EBITDA were positively impacted by an increase in total revenue, partially offset by an increase in operating expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses when compared to 2021. Operating expenses in 2021 were impacted by limited operating days, a temporary park closure and capacity limitations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the increase in operating expenses in 2022 primarily results from an increase in labor-related costs and other operating costs due to a return to more normalized operations and an increase in attendance. Operating expenses were also impacted by inflationary pressures, partially offset by the impact of structural cost savings initiatives. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses is primarily due to increased marketing-related costs and increased third-party consulting costs, partially offset by the impact of cost savings and efficiency initiatives.
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Fiscal Year Ended December 31, |
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Variance |
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2022 |
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2021 |
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% |
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(Unaudited, in millions, except per share and per capita amounts) |
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Total revenues |
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$ |
1,731.2 |
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$ |
1,503.7 |
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15.1 |
% |
Net income |
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$ |
291.2 |
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$ |
256.5 |
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13.5 |
% |
Earnings per share, diluted |
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$ |
4.14 |
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$ |
3.22 |
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28.6 |
% |
Adjusted EBITDA |
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$ |
728.2 |
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$ |
662.0 |
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10.0 |
% |
Net cash provided by operating activities |
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$ |
564.6 |
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$ |
503.0 |
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12.2 |
% |
Attendance |
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21.94 |
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20.20 |
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8.6 |
% |
Total revenue per capita |
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$ |
78.91 |
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$ |
74.43 |
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6.0 |
% |
Admission per capita |
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$ |
44.00 |
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$ |
42.17 |
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4.3 |
% |
In-Park per capita spending |
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$ |
34.91 |
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$ |
32.26 |
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8.2 |
% |
Share Repurchases
The Company repurchased approximately 1.4 million shares of common stock at a total cost of approximately $70.6 million during the fourth quarter. During 2022, the Company repurchased 12.4 million shares of common stock (or approximately 16% of total shares outstanding)[4] at a total cost of approximately $693.6 million.
Other
As of December 31, 2022, the Company’s current deferred revenue balance was $169.5 million, an increase of approximately 9.5% when compared to December 31, 2021, which included the impact of some COVID-19 related product extensions and one-time items, and an increase of 62.4% when compared to December 31, 2019.
Rescue Efforts
In the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company came to the aid of over 100 animals in need in the wild. The total number of animals the Company has helped over its history is more than 40,000.
The Company is a leader in animal rescue. Working in partnership with state, local and federal agencies, the Company’s rescue teams are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, including during the temporary park closures in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Consistent with its mission to protect animals and their ecosystems, rescue teams mobilize and often travel hundreds of miles to help ill, injured, orphaned or abandoned wild animals in need of the Company’s expert care, with the goal of returning them to their natural habitat.
Conference Call
The Company will hold a conference call today, Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at 9 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its fourth quarter and fiscal 2022 financial results. The conference call will be broadcast live on the Internet and the release and conference call can be accessed via the Company’s website at www.SeaWorldInvestors.com. For those unable to participate in the live webcast, a replay will be available beginning at approximately 12 p.m. Eastern Time on February 28, 2023, under the "Events & Presentations" tab of www.SeaWorldInvestors.com. A replay of the call can also be accessed telephonically from 12 p.m. Eastern Time on February 28, 2023, through 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on March 7, 2023, by dialing (877) 344-7529 from anywhere in the U.S., (855) 669-9658 from anywhere in Canada, or (412) 317-0088 from international locations and entering the conference code 6142216.
Statement Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This earnings release and accompanying financial statement tables include several non-GAAP financial measures, including Adjusted EBITDA, Covenant Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow. Adjusted EBITDA, Covenant Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow are not recognized terms under GAAP, should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for a measure of financial performance or liquidity prepared in accordance with GAAP and are not indicative of net income or loss or net cash provided by operating activities as determined under GAAP.
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Adjusted EBITDA, Covenant Adjusted EBITDA, Free Cash Flow and other non-GAAP financial measures have limitations that should be considered before using these measures to evaluate a company’s financial performance or liquidity. Adjusted EBITDA, Covenant Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow as presented, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies due to varying methods of calculation.
Management believes the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA is appropriate as it eliminates the effect of certain non-cash and other items not necessarily indicative of the Company’s underlying operating performance. Management uses Adjusted EBITDA in connection with certain components of its executive compensation program. In addition, investors, lenders, financial analysts and rating agencies have historically used EBITDA-related measures in the Company’s industry, along with other measures, to estimate the value of a company, to make informed investment decisions and to evaluate companies in the industry.
Management believes the presentation of Covenant Adjusted EBITDA for the last twelve months is appropriate as it provides additional information to investors about the calculation of, and compliance with, certain financial covenants in the Company’s credit agreement governing its Senior Secured Credit Facilities and the indentures governing its Senior Notes and First-Priority Senior Secured Notes (collectively, the “Debt Agreements”). Covenant Adjusted EBITDA is a material component of these covenants.
Management believes that Free Cash Flow is useful to investors, equity analysts and rating agencies as a liquidity measure. The Company uses Free Cash Flow to evaluate its ability to generate cash flow from business operations. Free Cash Flow does not represent the residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures, as it excludes certain expenditures such as mandatory debt service requirements, which are significant. Free Cash Flow is not defined by GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to net cash provided by (used in) operating, investing and financing activities or other financial data prepared in accordance with GAAP. Free Cash Flow as defined above may differ from similarly titled measures presented by other companies.
This earnings release includes several key performance metrics including total revenue per capita (defined as total revenue divided by attendance), admission per capita (defined as admissions revenue divided by attendance) and in-park per capita spending (defined as food, merchandise and other revenue divided by attendance). These performance metrics are used by management to assess the operating performance of its parks on a per attendee basis and to make strategic operating decisions. Management believes the presentation of these performance metrics is useful and relevant for investors as it provides investors the ability to review financial performance in the same manner as management and provides investors with a consistent methodology to analyze revenue between periods on a per attendee basis. In addition, investors, lenders, financial analysts and rating agencies have historically used similar per-capita related performance metrics to evaluate companies in the industry.
About SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.
SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: SEAS) is a leading theme park and entertainment company providing experiences that matter, and inspiring guests to protect animals and the wild wonders of our world. The Company is one of the world’s foremost zoological organizations and a global leader in animal welfare, training, husbandry and veterinary care. The Company collectively cares for what it believes is one of the largest zoological collections in the world and has helped lead advances in the care of animals. The Company also rescues and rehabilitates marine and terrestrial animals that are ill, injured, orphaned or abandoned, with the goal of returning them to the wild. The SeaWorld® rescue team has helped over 40,000 animals in need over the Company’s history. SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. owns or licenses a portfolio of recognized brands including SeaWorld®, Busch Gardens®, Aquatica®, Sesame Place® and Sea Rescue®. Over its more than 60-year history, the Company has built a diversified portfolio of 12 destination and regional theme parks that are grouped in key markets across the United States, many of which showcase its one-of-a-kind zoological collection. The Company’s theme parks feature a diverse array of rides, shows and other attractions with broad demographic appeal which deliver memorable experiences and a strong value proposition for its guests.
Copies of this and other news releases as well as additional information about SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. can be obtained online at www.seaworldentertainment.com. Shareholders and prospective investors can also register to automatically receive the Company’s press releases, SEC filings and other notices by e-mail by registering at that website.
Forward-Looking Statements
In addition to historical information, this press release contains statements relating to future results (including certain projections and business trends) that are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. The Company generally uses the words such as “might,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “estimates,” “expects,” “continues,” “contemplates,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “intends,” “believes,” “forecasts,” “future,” “guidance,” “targeted,” “goal” and variations of such words or similar expressions in this press release and any attachment to identify forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical facts included in this press release, including statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, expectations, beliefs, business strategies, future events, business conditions, results of operations, financial position, business outlook, earnings guidance, business trends and other information are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based upon current expectations, beliefs, estimates and projections, and various assumptions, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond management’s control. All expectations, beliefs, estimates and projections are expressed in good faith and the Company believes there is a reasonable basis for them. However, there can be no assurance that management’s
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expectations, beliefs, estimates and projections will result or be achieved and actual results may vary materially from what is expressed in or indicated by the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors, many of which are beyond management’s control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, including among others: a decline in discretionary consumer spending or consumer confidence, including any unfavorable impacts from Federal Reserve interest rate actions and inflation which may influence discretionary spending, unemployment or the overall economy; various factors beyond the Company’s control adversely affecting attendance and guest spending at its theme parks, including, but not limited to, weather, natural disasters, labor shortages, inflationary pressures, supply chain delays or shortages, foreign exchange rates, consumer confidence, the potential spread of travel-related health concerns including pandemics and epidemics, travel related concerns, adverse general economic related factors including increasing interest rates, economic uncertainty, and recent geopolitical events outside of the United States, and governmental actions; failure to hire and/or retain employees; increased labor costs, including minimum wage increases, and employee health and welfare benefit costs; complex federal and state regulations governing the treatment of animals, which can change, and claims and lawsuits by activist groups before government regulators and in the courts; activist and other third-party groups and/or media can pressure governmental agencies, vendors, partners, guests and/or regulators, bring action in the courts or create negative publicity about us; incidents or adverse publicity concerning the Company’s theme parks, the theme park industry and/or zoological facilities; a significant portion of the Company’s revenues have historically been generated in the States of Florida, California and Virginia, and any risks affecting such markets, such as natural disasters, closures due to pandemics, severe weather and travel-related disruptions or incidents; technology interruptions or failures that impair access to the Company’s websites and/or information technology systems; cyber security risks to the Company or the Company third-party service providers, failure to maintain or protect the integrity of internal, employee or guest data, and/or failure to abide by the evolving cyber security regulatory environment; inability to compete effectively in the highly competitive theme park industry; interactions between animals and the Company’s employees and it’s guests at attractions at the Company’s theme parks; animal exposure to infectious disease; high fixed cost structure of theme park operations; seasonal fluctuations in operating results; changing consumer tastes and preferences; inability to remediate an identified material weakness on a timely basis; inability to grow the Company’s business or fund theme park capital expenditures; inability to realize the benefits of developments, restructurings, acquisitions or other strategic initiatives, and the impact of the costs associated with such activities; the effects of the global Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic, or any related mutations of the virus on the Company’s business and the economy in general; adverse litigation judgments or settlements; inability to protect the Company’s intellectual property or the infringement on intellectual property rights of others; the loss of licenses and permits required to exhibit animals or the violation of laws and regulations; unionization activities and/or labor disputes; inability to maintain certain commercial licenses; restrictions in the Company’s debt agreements limiting flexibility in operating the Company’s business; inability to retain the Company’s current credit ratings; the Company’s leverage and interest rate risk; the ability of Hill Path Capital LP and its affiliates to significantly influence the Company’s decisions and their interests may conflict with the Company or yours in the future; inadequate insurance coverage; inability to purchase or contract with third party manufacturers for rides and attractions, construction delays or impacts of supply chain disruptions on existing or new rides and attractions; environmental regulations, expenditures and liabilities; suspension or termination of any of the Company’s business licenses, including by legislation at federal, state or local levels; delays, restrictions or inability to obtain or maintain permits; financial distress of strategic partners or other counterparties; tariffs or other trade restrictions; actions of activist stockholders; the policies of the U.S. President and his administration or any changes to tax laws; changes in the method for determining LIBOR and the potential replacement of LIBOR may affect the Company’s cost of capital; changes or declines in the Company’s stock price, as well as the risk that securities analysts could downgrade the Company’s stock or the Company’s sector; risks associated with the Company’s capital allocation plans and share repurchases, including the risk that the Company’s share repurchase program could increase volatility and fail to enhance stockholder value and other risks, uncertainties and factors set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recently available Annual Report on Form 10-K, as such risks, uncertainties and factors may be updated in the Company’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Although the Company believes that these statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, it cannot guarantee future results and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s opinions only as of the date of this press release. There can be no assurance that (i) the Company has correctly measured or identified all of the factors affecting its business or the extent of these factors’ likely impact, (ii) the available information with respect to these factors on which such analysis is based is complete or accurate, (iii) such analysis is correct or (iv) the Company’s strategy, which is based in part on this analysis, will be successful. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect new information or events or circumstances that occur after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or otherwise. Readers are advised to review the Company’s filings with the SEC (which are available from the SEC’s EDGAR database at www.sec.gov and via the Company’s website at www.seaworldinvestors.com).
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CONTACT:
Investor Relations:
Matthew Stroud
Investor Relations
855-797-8625
Investors@SeaWorld.com
Media:
Lisa Cradit
SVP – Head of Communications
(646) 245-2476
Lisa.cradit@seaworld.com
Libby Panke
FleishmanHillard
(314) 719-7521
Libby.Panke@fleishman.com
7
SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
|
|
For the Three Months Ended |
|
|
Change |
|
|
For the Year Ended |
|
|
Change |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
% |
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
% |
|
||||||||
Net revenues: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Admissions |
|
$ |
225,291 |
|
|
$ |
216,192 |
|
|
$ |
9,099 |
|
|
|
4.2 |
% |
|
$ |
965,232 |
|
|
$ |
851,891 |
|
|
$ |
113,341 |
|
|
|
13.3 |
% |
Food, merchandise and other |
|
|
165,229 |
|
|
|
154,628 |
|
|
|
10,601 |
|
|
|
6.9 |
% |
|
|
766,005 |
|
|
|
651,839 |
|
|
|
114,166 |
|
|
|
17.5 |
% |
Total revenues |
|
|
390,520 |
|
|
|
370,820 |
|
|
|
19,700 |
|
|
|
5.3 |
% |
|
|
1,731,237 |
|
|
|
1,503,730 |
|
|
|
227,507 |
|
|
|
15.1 |
% |
Costs and expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Cost of food, merchandise and other revenues |
|
|
29,274 |
|
|
|
27,195 |
|
|
|
2,079 |
|
|
|
7.6 |
% |
|
|
135,217 |
|
|
|
114,287 |
|
|
|
20,930 |
|
|
|
18.3 |
% |
Operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below) |
|
|
176,367 |
|
|
|
162,227 |
|
|
|
14,140 |
|
|
|
8.7 |
% |
|
|
735,687 |
|
|
|
622,419 |
|
|
|
113,268 |
|
|
|
18.2 |
% |
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
|
44,775 |
|
|
|
56,600 |
|
|
|
(11,825 |
) |
|
|
(20.9 |
%) |
|
|
200,074 |
|
|
|
184,871 |
|
|
|
15,203 |
|
|
|
8.2 |
% |
Severance and other separation costs(a) |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
(51 |
) |
|
|
46 |
|
|
|
90.2 |
% |
|
|
108 |
|
|
|
1,531 |
|
|
|
(1,423 |
) |
|
|
(92.9 |
%) |
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
38,241 |
|
|
|
39,549 |
|
|
|
(1,308 |
) |
|
|
(3.3 |
%) |
|
|
152,620 |
|
|
|
148,660 |
|
|
|
3,960 |
|
|
|
2.7 |
% |
Total costs and expenses |
|
|
288,652 |
|
|
|
285,520 |
|
|
|
3,132 |
|
|
|
1.1 |
% |
|
|
1,223,706 |
|
|
|
1,071,768 |
|
|
|
151,938 |
|
|
|
14.2 |
% |
Operating income |
|
|
101,868 |
|
|
|
85,300 |
|
|
|
16,568 |
|
|
|
19.4 |
% |
|
|
507,531 |
|
|
|
431,962 |
|
|
|
75,569 |
|
|
|
17.5 |
% |
Other expense (income), net |
|
|
67 |
|
|
|
(12 |
) |
|
|
79 |
|
|
NM |
|
|
|
(43 |
) |
|
|
144 |
|
|
|
(187 |
) |
|
NM |
|
||
Interest expense |
|
|
34,765 |
|
|
|
26,187 |
|
|
|
8,578 |
|
|
|
32.8 |
% |
|
|
117,501 |
|
|
|
116,642 |
|
|
|
859 |
|
|
|
0.7 |
% |
Loss on early extinguishment of debt and write-off of discounts and debt issuance costs(b) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
ND |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
58,827 |
|
|
|
(58,827 |
) |
|
ND |
|
||
Income before income taxes |
|
|
67,036 |
|
|
|
59,125 |
|
|
|
7,911 |
|
|
|
13.4 |
% |
|
|
390,073 |
|
|
|
256,349 |
|
|
|
133,724 |
|
|
|
52.2 |
% |
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes(c) |
|
|
18,026 |
|
|
|
(12,413 |
) |
|
|
30,439 |
|
|
NM |
|
|
|
98,883 |
|
|
|
(164 |
) |
|
|
99,047 |
|
|
NM |
|
||
Net income |
|
$ |
49,010 |
|
|
$ |
71,538 |
|
|
$ |
(22,528 |
) |
|
|
(31.5 |
%) |
|
$ |
291,190 |
|
|
$ |
256,513 |
|
|
$ |
34,677 |
|
|
|
13.5 |
% |
Earnings per share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Earnings per share, basic |
|
$ |
0.76 |
|
|
$ |
0.93 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
4.18 |
|
|
$ |
3.28 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Earnings per share, diluted |
|
$ |
0.76 |
|
|
$ |
0.92 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
4.14 |
|
|
$ |
3.22 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Weighted average common shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Basic |
|
|
64,136 |
|
|
|
76,812 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
69,607 |
|
|
|
78,302 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Diluted (d) |
|
|
64,789 |
|
|
|
78,120 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
70,280 |
|
|
|
79,575 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
8
SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(In thousands)
|
|
For the Three Months Ended |
|
|
2022 v 2019 |
|
|
For the Year Ended |
|
|
2022 v 2019 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
$ |
|
||||||||
Net income (loss) |
|
$ |
49,010 |
|
|
$ |
71,538 |
|
|
$ |
(24,183 |
) |
|
$ |
73,193 |
|
|
$ |
291,190 |
|
|
$ |
256,513 |
|
|
$ |
89,476 |
|
|
$ |
201,714 |
|
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes |
|
|
18,026 |
|
|
|
(12,413 |
) |
|
|
(1,377 |
) |
|
|
19,403 |
|
|
|
98,883 |
|
|
|
(164 |
) |
|
|
39,528 |
|
|
|
59,355 |
|
Loss on early extinguishment of debt and write-off of discounts and debt issuance costs |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
58,827 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Interest expense |
|
|
34,765 |
|
|
|
26,187 |
|
|
|
20,115 |
|
|
|
14,650 |
|
|
|
117,501 |
|
|
|
116,642 |
|
|
|
84,178 |
|
|
|
33,323 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
38,241 |
|
|
|
39,549 |
|
|
|
40,232 |
|
|
|
(1,991 |
) |
|
|
152,620 |
|
|
|
148,660 |
|
|
|
160,557 |
|
|
|
(7,937 |
) |
Equity-based compensation expense (e) |
|
|
4,203 |
|
|
|
16,687 |
|
|
|
2,662 |
|
|
|
1,541 |
|
|
|
19,757 |
|
|
|
41,018 |
|
|
|
11,106 |
|
|
|
8,651 |
|
Loss on impairment or disposal of assets and certain non-cash expenses (f) |
|
|
1,663 |
|
|
|
2,121 |
|
|
|
981 |
|
|
|
682 |
|
|
|
14,218 |
|
|
|
7,099 |
|
|
|
3,198 |
|
|
|
11,020 |
|
Business optimization, development and strategic initiative costs (g) |
|
|
5,796 |
|
|
|
3,105 |
|
|
|
9,607 |
|
|
|
(3,811 |
) |
|
|
19,846 |
|
|
|
8,759 |
|
|
|
27,869 |
|
|
|
(8,023 |
) |
Certain transaction and investment costs and other taxes (h) |
|
|
75 |
|
|
|
358 |
|
|
|
126 |
|
|
|
(51 |
) |
|
|
1,128 |
|
|
|
830 |
|
|
|
5,056 |
|
|
|
(3,928 |
) |
COVID-19 related incremental costs (i) |
|
|
759 |
|
|
|
4,634 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
759 |
|
|
|
6,689 |
|
|
|
22,562 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
6,689 |
|
Other adjusting items (j) |
|
|
1,138 |
|
|
|
998 |
|
|
|
35,772 |
|
|
|
(34,634 |
) |
|
|
6,413 |
|
|
|
1,302 |
|
|
|
35,954 |
|
|
|
(29,541 |
) |
Adjusted EBITDA (k) |
|
$ |
153,676 |
|
|
$ |
152,764 |
|
|
$ |
83,935 |
|
|
$ |
69,741 |
|
|
$ |
728,245 |
|
|
$ |
662,048 |
|
|
$ |
456,922 |
|
|
$ |
271,323 |
|
Items added back to Covenant Adjusted EBITDA as defined in the Debt Agreements: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Estimated cost savings (l) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,600 |
|
|
|
7,100 |
|
|
|
11,300 |
|
|
|
(9,700 |
) |
||||
Other adjustments as defined in the Debt Agreements (m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,877 |
|
|
|
19,990 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
10,877 |
|
||||
Covenant Adjusted EBITDA (n) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
740,722 |
|
|
$ |
689,138 |
|
|
$ |
468,222 |
|
|
$ |
272,500 |
|
||||
|
|
For the Three Months Ended |
|
|
2022 v 2019 |
|
|
For the Year Ended |
|
|
2022 v 2019 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
$ |
|
||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
|
$ |
95,714 |
|
|
$ |
86,575 |
|
|
$ |
34,733 |
|
|
$ |
60,981 |
|
|
$ |
564,588 |
|
|
$ |
503,012 |
|
|
$ |
348,416 |
|
|
$ |
216,172 |
|
Capital expenditures |
|
|
49,976 |
|
|
|
55,263 |
|
|
|
42,337 |
|
|
|
7,639 |
|
|
|
200,705 |
|
|
|
128,854 |
|
|
|
195,217 |
|
|
|
5,488 |
|
Free Cash Flow (o) |
|
|
45,738 |
|
|
|
31,312 |
|
|
|
(7,604 |
) |
|
|
53,342 |
|
|
|
363,883 |
|
|
|
374,158 |
|
|
|
153,199 |
|
|
|
210,684 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
|
$ |
(49,976 |
) |
|
$ |
(55,263 |
) |
|
$ |
(42,337 |
) |
|
$ |
(7,639 |
) |
|
$ |
(200,705 |
) |
|
$ |
(128,854 |
) |
|
$ |
(195,193 |
) |
|
$ |
(5,512 |
) |
Net cash used in financing activities |
|
$ |
(78,910 |
) |
|
$ |
(141,984 |
) |
|
$ |
(4,061 |
) |
|
$ |
(74,849 |
) |
|
$ |
(726,049 |
) |
|
$ |
(364,897 |
) |
|
$ |
(147,305 |
) |
|
$ |
(578,744 |
) |
9
SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED BALANCE SHEET DATA
(In thousands)
|
|
As of December 31, |
|
|||||
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
||
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
79,196 |
|
|
$ |
443,707 |
|
Total assets |
|
$ |
2,325,787 |
|
|
$ |
2,610,316 |
|
Deferred revenue |
|
$ |
169,535 |
|
|
$ |
154,793 |
|
Long-term debt, including current maturities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Term B Loans |
|
$ |
1,185,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,197,000 |
|
Senior Notes |
|
|
725,000 |
|
|
|
725,000 |
|
First-Priority Senior Secured Notes |
|
|
227,500 |
|
|
|
227,500 |
|
Total long-term debt, including current maturities |
|
$ |
2,137,500 |
|
|
$ |
2,149,500 |
|
Total stockholders' deficit |
|
$ |
(437,664 |
) |
|
$ |
(33,916 |
) |
SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CAPITAL EXPENDITURES DATA
(In thousands)
|
|
For the Year Ended |
|
|
Change |
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
# |
|
|
% |
|
|
||||
Capital Expenditures: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Core (p) |
|
$ |
137,370 |
|
|
$ |
69,402 |
|
|
$ |
67,968 |
|
|
|
97.9 |
% |
|
Expansion/ROI projects (q) |
|
|
63,335 |
|
|
|
|||||||||||