Cedar Fair net revenue up 3.9% in 2012, EBIDTA and per cap spending also up

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

[Ed. note: The following is an excerpt from a press release. -J]

Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (NYSE: FUN), a leader in regional amusement parks, water parks and active entertainment, reported record financial results for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Highlights

• The Company reported record full-year net revenues of $1.068 billion, up 3.9% from 2011, reflecting strong growth across its parks; net income of $101.2 million, or $1.81 per diluted limited partner unit, was up $30.5 million from a year ago.
• Adjusted EBITDA for the full year was a record $391.0 million, up 4.4% from last year, while in-park average guest per capita spending increased to a record $41.95 per guest, up 4.8% from a year ago.
• The Company reduced its total leverage ratio to 3.9 times debt to Adjusted EBITDA, down from 4.2 times in 2011.
• The Company reported it is on track to meet its long-term goal of $450 million in Adjusted EBITDA by 2016.

Commenting on the Company's year-end results for 2012, Matt Ouimet, Cedar Fair's president and chief executive officer said, "I am pleased to report a third consecutive year of both record revenues and Adjusted EBITDA and we expect this trend to continue into 2013. Our strong current year results are attributable to solid increases in average in-park guest per capita spending across the majority of our parks, along with near-record attendance levels.

"The introduction of a new e-commerce system, improved messaging to our consumers and premium benefit offerings, combined with our continued investment in new entertainment offerings for the whole family, were the major catalysts for the strong year-over-year results. All of our parks delivered strong performances for the year, with Canada's Wonderland, Cedar Point, Kings Island, Dorney Park and Carowinds leading the way.

"Our new e-commerce system and improved consumer messaging led to record season pass sales, while premium benefit offerings, such as Fast Lane, contributed nicely to the record in-park guest spend in 2012," added Ouimet. "A strong capital plan is also important to the growth of our business and we believe our 2012 capital strategy was a success. Our investments in new rides and entertainment offerings, including the world-class coaster at Canada's Wonderland and the water park expansion at Kings Island, allowed us to maintain our record attendance while increasing the guest spend at our parks. Going forward, we will continue to strategically invest capital across all of our properties, particularly where we believe we will achieve the greatest return on investment.

"Finally, the total return to our investors in 2012, combining distributions and unit price appreciation, was 63%. We will continue to maintain a balanced approach to the deployment of our excess cash -- creating value for our unitholders in both the short-term and long-term through capital investment, distributions and debt reduction," concluded Ouimet.

2012 Full-Year Results

Cedar Fair's operations for the full-year 2012 generated record net revenues of $1.068 billion and net income of $101.2 million, or $1.81 per diluted LP unit. In 2011, the Company achieved net revenues of $1.028 billion and net income of $70.7 million, or $1.27 per diluted LP unit.

The $40.0 million, or 3.9% increase in net revenues for 2012 was the result of a 4.8%, or $1.92, increase in average in-park guest per capita spending to $41.95. This increase was partially offset by a 0.7%, or $789,000, decrease in out-of-park revenues to $116.8 million. Attendance during this same period was comparable to a year ago at 23.3 million visits.

For the full-year 2012, operating costs and expenses increased $21.4 million, or 3.2%, to $684.7 million from $663.3 million in 2011. The year-over-year increase in costs, which was largely anticipated, was the result of incremental costs to support the launch of the Company's FUNforward growth initiatives, including the new e-commerce platform and technology infrastructure improvements. An increase in employment related costs, which was due to normal merit increases, increases in health-related benefit costs, additional staffing levels associated with new initiatives aimed at improving the overall guest experience, and non-recurring severance payments, also contributed to the increased operating expense. These operating cost increases were partially offset by a reduction in legal and related professional costs in 2012.

Adjusted EBITDA, which management believes is a meaningful measure of the Company's park-level operating results, increased $16.4 million, or 4.4%, to $391.0 million, compared with $374.6 million last year. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA is a direct result of the record-level net revenues and average in-park guest per capita spending trends experienced by the parks in 2012, combined with strict controls over costs. See the attached table for a reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA.

Cash Flow and Liquidity Remain Strong

Brian Witherow, Cedar Fair's executive vice president and chief financial officer, said, "Our liquidity and cash flow remain strong. We continue to generate a significant amount of free cash flow and our capital structure provides us with substantial operating flexibility. Given our ongoing improvement with our Consolidated Leverage Ratio, which was 3.9 times at the end of 2012, we are well positioned for 2013 and beyond. We will continue to prudently manage our cash flows to maximize our financial flexibility and our ability to create value for unitholders over the long-term."

As of December 31, 2012, the Company had $1.13 billion of variable-rate debt (before giving consideration to fixed-rate interest rate swaps), $401.1 million of fixed-rate debt, no outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit facilities and cash on hand of $78.8 million. The Company's credit facilities and cash flow from operations are expected to be sufficient to meet working capital needs, debt service, planned capital expenditures and distributions for the foreseeable future.

Outlook

For the 2013 season, the Company plans to invest approximately $100 million in marketable capital improvements across its properties, highlighted by GateKeeper, a record-breaking winged roller coaster that will transform the front gate of its flagship property, Cedar Point, in Sandusky, Ohio. The Company also intends to spend an additional $15 million to $20 million on incremental capital programs in 2013. This additional capital will include the acceleration of four point-of-sale systems prior to the start of the upcoming operating season, as well as investments in employee dormitories and guest accommodations starting in the second half of the year.

"Thrills will continue to connect families and friends in 2013 as we strive to provide every guest with an unforgettable day filled with thrills, laughter and fun," said Ouimet. "Our 2013 capital expenditure program will forever change the landscape at Cedar Point, the 'Best Amusement Park in the World.' GateKeeper will soar across the park's front gate, delighting riders and viewers alike as they experience this innovative new ride. Our 2013 capital program also includes a new world-class wooden roller coaster at our park in Santa Clara, California, a massive water park expansion at our park in Kansas City, Missouri, and new family attractions at several of our other parks. We are confident this lineup of new rides and attractions will continue to provide our guests with a 'best-day-of-summer' experience each and every time they visit one of our parks."

According to Ouimet, the Company is on track to achieve its long-term Adjusted EBITDA target of $450 million or more by 2016. "Looking ahead to 2013 and beyond, we continue to be confident in the fundamentals of our business model and growth opportunities. Consumers continue to choose to spend their discretionary entertainment dollars in our parks and given the on-going budgetary constraints all consumers are experiencing, this is a particularly strong endorsement of the price value we provide. We understand consumers, employees and investors have many alternatives available to them, so we remain focused on being their entertainment of choice, employer of choice and investment of choice for many years to come."

Read the entire press release from Cedar Fair.