Cedar Fair revenue up, attendance and EBITDA down compared to Q3 in 2019
Posted
From the press release:
Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (NYSE: FUN), a leader in regional amusement parks, water parks and immersive entertainment, today announced results for its third quarter ended Sept. 26, 2021, and more recent performance trends through Oct. 31, 2021.
Highlights
(Note: To offer more informative comparisons, highlights for 2021 below are compared to their respective periods in 2019. During the 2021 third quarter, the parks had 988 operating days compared to 1,035 operating days in the 2019 third quarter.)
- Net revenues for the third quarter ended Sept. 26, 2021, totaled a record $753 million, up 5% from the third quarter of 2019, driven by:
- Attendance that approximated 82% of 2019 third-quarter levels;
- Record in-park per capita spending of $64.26, representing a 29% increase over 2019 third quarter spending levels, with double-digit increases across all key revenue categories; and
- A 9%, or $7 million, increase in out-of-park revenues versus the comparable period in 2019.
- Net income and Adjusted EBITDA(1) for the 2021 third quarter totaled $148 million and $333 million, respectively, compared with $190 million and $355 million, respectively, for the 2019 third quarter.
- For the five-week period ended Oct. 31, 2021, net revenues totaled approximately $219 million, an increase of $65 million, or 42%, from the comparable period in 2019.
- Early sales of 2022 season passes and all-season products are pacing ahead of the then-record pace set in the Fall of 2019 for the sale of 2020 season pass products.
(1) For additional information regarding Adjusted EBITDA, including how the Company defines and uses Adjusted EBITDA, see the attached reconciliation table and related footnotes.
Cedar Fair President and CEO Richard A. Zimmerman, said, “The strong demand and consumer spending trends we previously reported through Labor Day weekend continued in September and October, as our parks hosted their very popular Halloween events. Since the end of the second quarter, revenues have outpaced the record revenues of the comparable 18-week period in 2019 by 12%, or more than $104 million, driven primarily by record levels of guest spending.
“Cedar Fair’s outstanding results clearly reflect the dedication of our incredible team. I couldn’t be prouder of how the team delivered, especially considering the very unique and difficult challenges we’ve overcome. Our talented people are the primary reason our parks and resort properties continue to set the standard for regional, family-focused entertainment.”
Zimmerman continued, “We are also pleased with the early sales of our 2022 season passes and all-season products, which continue to outpace the comparable record sales period in 2019. Early season pass sales have been a reliable leading indicator of the following year’s demand, which bodes well for the 2022 season. Our parks’ quick recovery from the COVID-19 disruption underscores the resiliency of our business model and has unlocked additional strategic options we are evaluating from a position of strength. Based on our positive momentum and outlook, we believe Cedar Fair is well positioned to begin paying down debt in the near future and to reinstate quarterly cash distributions to unitholders by no later than the first quarter of 2023.”
Results of Third Quarter 2021 Compared to Third Quarter 2020
The coronavirus pandemic had a material impact on park operations in both 2021 and 2020. This year, all but one of Cedar Fair’s parks opened for the 2021 season on various dates in May. Canada’s Wonderland, which remained closed through the entire first half of the year due to local COVID-19 restrictions, reopened for the first time on July 5, 2021, under capacity limitations. Last year, full park operations of Knott’s Berry Farm, as well as abbreviated operations of the two Schlitterbahn water parks, had begun prior to the suspension of all park operations on March 14, 2020. The Company was able to resume partial operations at eight of its 13 properties from mid-June through the end of the third quarter in 2020. Given the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and disruption of park operations during the summer of 2020, results for the third quarters of 2021 and 2020 are not directly comparable.
In 2021, operating days in the third quarter totaled 988 compared to 314 in the third quarter of 2020.
For the third quarter ended Sept. 26, 2021, net revenues totaled $753 million versus $87 million for the third quarter of 2020. The increase in net revenues was attributable to a 674 operating day increase in the period, resulting in a 9.5 million visit gain in attendance. In-park per capita spending in the 2021 third quarter totaled a record $64.26, driven by increases in guest spending, particularly for admissions and extra-charge attractions. Out-of-park revenues increased $54 million due to the earlier opening of the parks and resort properties.
Operating costs and expenses in the third quarter of 2021 totaled $424 million, compared with $141 million for the third quarter of 2020. The $283 million increase was due primarily to an increase of operating days during the quarter versus the same period last year, and the related increase in variable operating costs. Depreciation and amortization expense, which is spread over planned operating days, was $77 million in the third quarter of 2021, up $10 million from a year ago due to more planned operating days in the current period. A loss on impairment of goodwill and intangibles of $16 million was recorded during the third quarter of 2020, which was triggered by the anticipated impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Including the items noted above, the Company’s operating income for the third quarter totaled $250 million, compared with an operating loss of $137 million in the year ago period.
Interest expense for the third quarter totaled $46 million, up $6 million from the third quarter of 2020, due to incremental interest incurred on the Company’s 2028 senior unsecured notes issued in October 2020. The net effect of the Company’s swaps resulted in a $3 million benefit to earnings during the third quarter of 2021, compared with a $2 million benefit to earnings in the same period a year ago. The difference reflects the change in fair market value movement in the Company’s swap portfolio. During the third quarter, the Company also recognized a $15 million net charge to earnings for foreign currency gains and losses related to its U.S. dollar-denominated Canadian notes, compared with a $10 million net benefit to earnings for the third quarter of 2020.
For the 2021 third quarter, a $44 million provision for taxes was recorded to account for publicly traded partnership taxes and federal, state, local and foreign income taxes, compared to a benefit for taxes totaling $30 million in the third quarter of 2020. The difference in provision for taxes in the current-year period was due to pretax income being reported by taxable subsidiaries, compared with a pretax loss being reported in the prior year period.
Accounting for the items above, net income for the third quarter totaled $148 million, or $2.60 per diluted L.P. unit. This compares with a net loss of $136 million, or loss of $2.41 per diluted LP unit, for the 2020 third quarter.
Adjusted EBITDA, which management believes is a meaningful measure of the Company’s park-level operating results, totaled $333 million in the third quarter, compared to an Adjusted EBITDA loss of $51 million for the third quarter of 2020. The $384 million increase in Adjusted EBITDA reflects the impact of COVID-19-related park closures in 2020, and the increases in attendance, in-park per capita spending, and out-of-park revenues from the reopening of parks in 2021.
Results of Third Quarter 2021 Compared to Third Quarter 2019
As previously noted, given the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and disruption of park operations during the summer of 2020, results for the third quarters of 2021 and 2020 are not directly comparable.
To provide more informative comparisons, the following information compares results for the third quarter of 2021 versus the third quarter of 2019. The parks had 988 total operating days in third quarter of 2021 compared with 1,035 total operating days in the third quarter of 2019.
Despite modified operating calendars and capacity limitations at select parks and 47 fewer operating days in the current period, net revenues for the third quarter totaled $753 million, representing an increase of $39 million compared with the third quarter in 2019. The increase reflected the impact of a 29%, or $14.32, increase in in-park per capita spending and an increase of 9%, or $7 million, in out-of-park revenues during the period, offset in part by an 18%, or 2 million visit decline in attendance. Attendance for the third quarter of 2021 totaled 10.8 million guests, or approximately 82% of third quarter 2019 levels, driven by general admission and season pass attendance, offset in part by an expected slower recovery in group sales attendance and capacity limitations at certain parks, including Canada’s Wonderland.
Operating costs and expenses in the current quarter increased to $424 million, up $55 million from the third quarter of 2019. The increase was the result of a $1 million increase in costs of goods sold, a $46 million increase in operating expenses and an $8 million increase in SG&A expense. Of the $46 million increase in operating expenses, roughly half was attributable to higher seasonal labor costs resulting from rising wage rates offset in part by a reduction in seasonal labor hours compared with the third quarter of 2019. Both operating and SG&A expense increases were attributable to higher costs for operating and maintenance supplies, as well as higher full-time wages. Lower advertising expense, however, helped to defray some of the increase in SG&A expense. Depreciation and amortization expense increased to $77 million in the third quarter of 2021, up $9 million from the third quarter of 2019 due to more planned operating days in the current period. Including the items noted above, the Company’s operating income for the third quarter totaled $250 million, compared with $275 million in the third quarter of 2019.
Interest expense for the third quarter totaled $46 million, up $18 million from the third quarter of 2019, due to incremental interest incurred on the Company’s 2025 and 2028 senior notes issued in 2020. The net effect of the Company’s swaps resulted in a $3 million benefit to earnings during the third quarter of 2021, compared with a $4 million charge to earnings during the third quarter of 2019. The difference reflects the change in fair market value movement in the Company’s swap portfolio. During the third quarter, the Company also recognized a $15 million net charge to earnings for foreign currency gains and losses related to its U.S. dollar-denominated Canadian notes, compared with a $6 million net charge to earnings for the third quarter of 2019.
For the 2021 third quarter, a $44 million provision for taxes was recorded to account for publicly traded partnership taxes and federal, state, local and foreign income taxes, compared to $49 million in the third quarter of 2019. The difference in provision for taxes in the current-year period was due to a decrease in pretax income being reported by the Company’s taxable subsidiaries.
Accounting for the items above, net income for the third quarter totaled $148 million, or $2.60 per diluted L.P. unit. This compares with net income of $190 million, or $3.34 per diluted LP unit, for the 2019 third quarter.
Adjusted EBITDA totaled $333 million in the current third quarter compared with $355 million for the third quarter of 2019. The $22 million decrease in Adjusted EBITDA was largely due to higher labor costs in the period, as well as the negative impact that operating restrictions, including mandated capacity limitations, had on attendance.
October 2021 Update
Preliminary net revenues for the 10-month period ended Oct. 31, 2021, totaled $1.2 billion. Over the same period, attendance totaled 17.3 million visits, in-park per capita spending was $62.73, and out-of-park revenues totaled $153 million.
Given the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and suspension of park operations during the summer and fall of 2020, results for the October 2021 and October 2020 periods are not directly comparable. To provide more informative comparisons, the following information reflects results for the five-week periods of Sept. 27 through Oct. 31, 2021, versus Sept. 30 through Nov. 3, 2019. The parks had 176 total operating days in October 2021 compared to 166 total operating days in October 2019 due to a shift in the timing of the Halloween holiday.
For the five-week period ended Oct. 31, 2021, preliminary net revenues totaled $219 million, representing an increase of 42%, or $65 million, from the comparable five-week period in 2019. The increase was driven by an 8% increase in attendance to 3.2 million total visits; a 32% increase in in-park per capita spending to a record $64.86; and a 33% increase in out-of-park revenues to $19 million.
Balance Sheet and Liquidity Update
Deferred revenues as of Sept. 26, 2021, totaled $211 million, representing an increase of $62 million, or 42%, when compared to deferred revenues at Sept. 29, 2019. Of the $211 million of total deferred revenues outstanding at Sept. 26, 2021, approximately $100 million is projected to be recognized as revenue during the fourth quarter of 2021. The balance of the deferred revenues is projected to be recognized as revenue in 2022 or later, including 2022 season passes and all-season pass products, as well as use privileges of 2021 season passes at Knott’s Berry Farm and Canada’s Wonderland. These use privileges have been extended into next year due to COVID-19-related disruptions to the parks’ 2021 operating calendars.
As of Sept. 26, 2021, the Company had cash on hand of $563 million and $359 million available under its revolving credit facility, net of $16 million of letters of credit, for total liquidity of $922 million. This compares to $652 million of total liquidity at the end of the second quarter. The Company's $270 million of positive cash flow in the third quarter benefited from increased attendance and guest spending levels during the period, as well as strong early sales of 2022 season pass products.
Read the entire press release from Cedar Fair.
- More
- 1
- 2 of 2
If you look at their Revenue Recognition disclosure and accounting principles in general, you can't sell an all season drink pass for $35 and then recognize revenue in excess of $35. From what they say in earnings/press releases, financial statements and earnings calls, they use the number of expected uses (based on historical data and current trends). They review that and make adjustments during the operating season as needed. Not sure how granular they get with it. Is it just the average number of uses they expect with platinum passes, gold passes, drink passes, etc? Or do they try to break people out by expected uses. They may just use that to make adjustments during the season (big time users are coming to park more/less often this year).
In terms of numbers for the year it doesn't matter much because (absent Covid like extensions of validity) all revenue will be recognized in the given season. Can make quarterly reporting more challenging as mix of single day versus season long products changes.
And like so many other things, I would rather spend $200-$300 on a pass that all but guarantees me a good to great experience any time I visit rather than a $99 pass that gets me a questionable experience at a place that used to deliver Orlando style ride efficiency and uptime.
That is true of any price point. Trick is finding the optimal one.
Yeah, from a financial reporting perspective, I don't see it as anything more than trying to record revenue in the same quarter as they're recording the delivery of the product, and therefore the same quarter as the costs. It would be weird and misleading to have a big pre-Christmas sale of annual passes and record all that revenue in December.
From a pricing perspective, it makes sense to record the amount you would have received for that drink, so you can see how much of a discount (and perceived value) the customer is getting, and then you can price accordingly.
How much of the details they need to include in the quarterly reports is a matter of what management and the board want/need to share with shareholders, I suppose.
GAAP and SEC play a big role in what they disclose.
I expect that you can tie out their per cap numbers to info in financial statements. They break out revenues by in-park (and out of park). Should tie out at least within rounding (dollar amounts on financials are reported in thousands and attendance is typically to hundred thousand (ie, 10.8 million).
They presumably track a lot of info about pricing, drink/pass use, etc. But when you are looking at earnings releases, financial statements, investor calls, etc, you are talking financial statements/records and your debits and credits will need to work. You won't be able to go to the market in the example noted above and say you sold $115 of drinks to someone who bought 35 during season and had $35 drink pass for the season.
Cedar Fair fully recognizes season pass use after 5 visits. it is considered prepaid revenue (not actual revenue) until it is used. Each of the first five uses is 1/5 of the price recognized.
After that, the use of the season pass is $0 revenue on the books.
They assume average cusoners use a season pass 5 times.
I don't understand why they assume anything. They know precisely how many times every pass is used and how much it cost.
Jeff - Editor - CoasterBuzz.com - My Blog
Its not relevant in terms of year end results (minus Covid like situation where you extend passes to the next season). You will recognize all the revenue from various season passes because they are only valid for one season. Doesn't matter how many times the passes were used (or if they were used at all).
But it is relevant in terms of quarterly reporting. How much of the pass $$ people paid at the end of preceding season, holiday season, pre-season, etc. do you recognize in each quarter? For that they need some type of assumption about the number of uses.
Concept is one you see in accounting all the time. Its the basis of accrual accounting versus cash basis accounting.
I have seen people on here reference the 5 times assumption. But I haven't seen anything from Cedar Fair that states that.
I would assume that for management purposes, as opposed to financial reporting purposes, they do look at exactly how many times a pass is used, and when, and where. It would be pretty important for pricing, staffing projections, allocating revenue (and future investment) to specific parks, etc. But as GoBucks says, if I use my pass once in June and once in July, and you use yours once in June and then twice a week every week during Halloween Haunt, they have to guess about how much revenue to accrue in the second quarter vs the third or fourth.
(And that's undoubtedly going to lead to some weird situations where they end up recording more than half of my pass revenue in the fourth quarter, when I never used it, because they have to recognize all of the revenue within the 12 months. But, again as GoBucks says, that all gets ironed out in the year-end results.)
Back in the early days, in talking about the virtues of carrying a pass, we use to say “if we go 2.5 times it’s paid for”. And that was a straight comparison to the daily gate, which was about the only option then. I also heard/read parks use that same formula to advertise the benefits.
Maybe things are different now and I have no idea what people pay at the gate these days (No sense in doing that, right?) And I also don’t where the 5 times thing came from- that seems like a lot, and slightly made up.
GoBucks89 said:
.
I have seen people on here reference the 5 times assumption. But I haven't seen anything from Cedar Fair that states that.
Their investor relations confirmed the 5 visit recognition.
What I wonder is if the 22 season passes that included the end of 21 are recognized with visits in 21 or not until 22. If they are recognizing them now, it will make the books look better now and worse later when people don’t renew or there is no revenue left to recognize in 22.
- More
- 1
- 2 of 2
You must be logged in to post
