UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

 

x

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended September 27, 2018

 

¨

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from __________ to __________

 

Commission File Number 1-12604

 

THE MARCUS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Wisconsin		39-1139844
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
100 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1900 Milwaukee, Wisconsin		53202-4125
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (414) 905-1000

 

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 (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

Yes    x

No    ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

 

Yes    x

No    ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check One).

 

Large accelerated filer ¨		Accelerated filer		x
Non-accelerated filer ¨		Smaller reporting company		¨
		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. ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

Yes    ¨

No    x

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

COMMON STOCK OUTSTANDING AT NOVEMBER 2, 2018 – 19,986,597

CLASS B COMMON STOCK OUTSTANDING AT NOVEMBER 2, 2018 – 8,346,417

 

 

THE MARCUS CORPORATION

 

INDEX

 

		Page
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Consolidated Financial Statements:
	Consolidated Balance Sheets (September 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017)	3
	Consolidated Statements of Earnings (13 and 39 weeks ended September 27, 2018 and September 28, 2017)	5
	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (13 and 39 weeks ended September 27, 2018 and September 28, 2017)	6
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (39 weeks ended September 27, 2018 and September 28, 2017)	7
	Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	8
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	24
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	39
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	39
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	39
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	40
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	40
Item 6.	Exhibits	41
	Signatures	S-1

 

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements

 

THE MARCUS CORPORATION

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

(in thousands, except share and per share data)		September 27, 2018				December 28, 2017
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	7,346			$	16,248
Restricted cash			5,283				4,499
Accounts and notes receivable, net of reserves of $232 and $161, respectively			26,006				27,230
Refundable income taxes			3,531				15,335
Other current assets			15,202				13,409
Total current assets			57,368				76,721
Property and equipment:
Land and improvements			149,172				146,887
Buildings and improvements			768,384				759,166
Leasehold improvements			98,665				93,451
Furniture, fixtures and equipment			362,853				351,879
Construction in progress			9,224				5,269
Total property and equipment			1,388,298				1,356,652
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization			541,161				496,588
Net property and equipment			847,137				860,064
Other assets:
Investments in joint ventures			4,751				4,239
Goodwill			43,388				43,492
Other			34,042				33,281
Total other assets			82,181				81,012
TOTAL ASSETS		$	986,686			$	1,017,797

 

See accompanying condensed notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

THE MARCUS CORPORATION

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

(in thousands, except share and per share data)		September 27, 2018				December 28, 2017
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	23,108			$	51,541
Taxes other than income taxes			17,675				19,638
Accrued compensation			16,732				15,627
Other accrued liabilities			46,269				53,291
Current portion of capital lease obligations			7,120				7,570
Current maturities of long-term debt			10,077				12,016
Total current liabilities			120,981				159,683
Capital lease obligations			22,989				28,282
Long-term debt			262,149				289,813
Deferred income taxes			38,374				38,233
Deferred compensation and other			59,157				56,662
Equity:
Shareholders’ equity attributable to The Marcus Corporation
Preferred Stock, $1 par; authorized 1,000,000 shares; none issued			─				─
Common Stock, $1 par; authorized 50,000,000 shares; issued 22,841,846 shares at September 27, 2018 and 22,655,517 shares at December 28, 2017			22,842				22,656
Class B Common Stock, $1 par; authorized 33,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 8,347,667 shares at September 27, 2018 and 8,533,996 shares at December 28, 2017			8,348				8,534
Capital in excess of par			63,138				61,452
Retained earnings			433,022				403,206
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(6,749	)			(7,425	)
			520,601				488,423
Less cost of Common Stock in treasury (2,861,396 shares at September 27, 2018 and 3,335,745 shares at December 28, 2017)			(37,670	)			(43,399	)
Total shareholders' equity attributable to The Marcus Corporation			482,931				445,024
Noncontrolling interest			105				100
Total equity			483,036				445,124
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY		$	986,686			$	1,017,797

 

See accompanying condensed notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

THE MARCUS CORPORATION

Consolidated Statements of Earnings

 

		September 27, 2018								September 28, 2017
(in thousands, except per share data)		13 Weeks				39 Weeks				13 Weeks				39 Weeks
Revenues:
Theatre admissions		$	52,422			$	185,035			$	50,246			$	166,222
Rooms			34,467				84,256				32,785				82,844
Theatre concessions			35,476				123,687				33,290				109,365
Food and beverage			19,333				53,972				18,670				52,487
Other revenues			19,813				59,362				18,827				53,629
			161,511				506,312				153,818				464,547
Cost reimbursements			9,088				25,776				8,557				23,424
Total revenues			170,599				532,088				162,375				487,971
Costs and expenses:
Theatre operations			48,644				164,452				44,403				145,844
Rooms			10,958				31,026				10,658				30,117
Theatre concessions			10,168				35,105				9,567				30,666
Food and beverage			14,966				43,930				15,125				44,093
Advertising and marketing			6,178				17,317				6,296				17,880
Administrative			16,813				52,653				16,448				50,370
Depreciation and amortization			14,569				42,899				12,993				37,544
Rent			2,815				8,351				3,113				9,718
Property taxes			5,018				15,011				5,052				14,575
Other operating expenses			8,969				27,032				8,300				24,255
Reimbursed costs			9,088				25,776				8,557				23,424
Total costs and expenses			148,186				463,552				140,512				428,486
Operating income			22,413				68,536				21,863				59,485
Other income (expense):
Investment income			442				433				119				229
Interest expense			(3,180	)			(10,000	)			(3,367	)			(9,454	)
Other expense			(497	)			(1,489	)			(428	)			(1,284	)
Loss on disposition of property, equipment and other assets			(359	)			(767	)			(449	)			(420	)
Equity earnings (losses) from unconsolidated joint ventures, net			30				282				(12	)			75
			(3,564	)			(11,541	)			(4,137	)			(10,854	)
Earnings before income taxes			18,849				56,995				17,726				48,631
Income taxes			2,626				12,254				6,908				18,571
Net earnings			16,223				44,741				10,818				30,060
Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests			(8	)			70				(160	)			(495	)
Net earnings attributable to The Marcus Corporation		$	16,231			$	44,671			$	10,978			$	30,555
Net earnings per share – basic:
Common Stock		$	0.60			$	1.65			$	0.41			$	1.14
Class B Common Stock		$	0.52			$	1.47			$	0.36			$	1.02
Net earnings per share – diluted:
Common Stock		$	0.56			$	1.56			$	0.39			$	1.08
Class B Common Stock		$	0.51			$	1.44			$	0.37			$	1.01
Dividends per share:
Common Stock		$	0.150			$	0.450			$	0.125			$	0.375
Class B Common Stock		$	0.136			$	0.409			$	0.114			$	0.341

 

See accompanying condensed notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

THE MARCUS CORPORATION

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

 

		September 27, 2018								September 28, 2017
(in thousands)		13 Weeks				39 Weeks				13 Weeks				39 Weeks
Net earnings		$	16,223			$	44,741			$	10,818			$	30,060
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Change in unrealized gain on available for sale investments, net of tax benefit of $0, $0, $0 and $9, respectively			-				-				-				(14	)
Amortization of the net actuarial loss and prior service credit related to the pension, net of tax effect of $42, $125, $35 and $106, respectively			113				340				54				161
Fair market value adjustment of interest rate swap, net of tax effect of $70, $70, $0 and $0, respectively			192				191				-				-
Reclassification adjustment on interest rate swap included in interest expense, net of tax effect of $17, $49, $0 and $0, respectively			46				134				-				-
Other comprehensive income			351				665				54				147
Comprehensive income			16,574				45,406				10,872				30,207
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests			(8	)			70				(160	)			(495	)
Comprehensive income attributable to The Marcus Corporation		$	16,582			$	45,336			$	11,032			$	30,702

 

 

See accompanying condensed notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

THE MARCUS CORPORATION

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

		39 Weeks Ended
(in thousands)		September 27, 2018				September 28, 2017
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net earnings		$	44,741			$	30,060
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Earnings on investments in joint ventures			(282	)			(75	)
Distributions from joint ventures			65				351
Loss on disposition of property, equipment and other assets			767				420
Amortization of favorable lease right			250				250
Depreciation and amortization			42,899				37,544
Amortization of debt issuance costs			216				209
Shared-based compensation			1,950				1,867
Deferred income taxes			1				4,231
Deferred compensation and other			2,949				1,682
Contribution of the Company’s stock to savings and profit-sharing plan			1,130				1,024
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts and notes receivable			1,224				(7,896	)
Other current assets			(1,793	)			(2,220	)
Accounts payable			(18,620	)			1
Income taxes			12,749				(8,686	)
Taxes other than income taxes			(1,963	)			286
Accrued compensation			1,105				(1,036	)
Other accrued liabilities			(10,318	)			(7,076	)
Total adjustments			32,329				20,876
Net cash provided by operating activities			77,070				50,936
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures			(45,144	)			(87,265	)
Proceeds from disposals of property, equipment and other assets			86				4,558
Decrease (increase) in other assets			(743	)			584
Contribution in joint venture			(295	)			—
Net cash used in investing activities			(46,096	)			(82,123	)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Debt transactions:
Proceeds from borrowings on revolving credit facilities			159,000				254,000
Repayment of borrowings on revolving credit facilities			(177,000	)			(236,500	)
Proceeds from borrowings on long-term debt			—				65,000
Principal payments on long-term debt			(11,711	)			(35,894	)
Debt issuance costs			—				(370	)
Repayments of capital lease obligations			(1,375	)			(782	)
Equity transactions:
Treasury stock transactions, except for stock options			(2,566	)			(463	)
Exercise of stock options			6,902				2,083
Dividends paid			(12,277	)			(10,122	)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest			(65	)			—
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			(39,092	)			36,952
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash			(8,118	)			5,765
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period			20,747				8,705
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period		$	12,629			$	14,470
Supplemental Information:
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized		$	10,321			$	9,354
Income taxes paid (refunded)			(448	)			23,025
Change in accounts payable for additions to property and equipment			(9,813	)			8,942

 

See accompanying condensed notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

THE MARCUS CORPORATION

 

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE 13 AND 39 WEEKS ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 2018

 

1. General

 

Basis of Presentation – The unaudited consolidated financial statements for the 13 and 39 weeks ended September 27, 2018 and September 28, 2017 have been prepared by the Company. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the unaudited interim financial information at September 27, 2018, and for all periods presented, have been made. The results of operations during the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the entire year or other interim periods. However, the unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2017.

 

Immaterial Restatement of Prior Year Financial Statements – Beginning in the fiscal 2018 first quarter, the Company began appropriately presenting cost reimbursements and reimbursed costs on a gross basis and presented two new line items in the consolidated statements of earnings. These cost reimbursements and reimbursed costs were previously reported on a net basis. Reimbursed costs primarily consist of payroll and related expenses at managed properties where the Company is the employer and may include certain operational and administrative costs as provided for in the Company's contracts with owners. These costs are reimbursed back to the Company. As these costs have no added markup, the revenue and related expense have no impact on operating income or net earnings. Cost reimbursements and reimbursed costs, which totaled $8,557,000 and $23,424,000 for the 13 and 39 weeks ended September 28, 2017, respectively, have been separately presented in the prior year statement of earnings to correct the prior year presentation. The Company believes this correction is immaterial to the consolidated financial statements.

 

Accounting Policies – Refer to the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements (including footnotes) for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2017, contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for such year, for a description of the Company’s accounting policies.

 

During the 39 weeks ended September 27, 2018, there were no significant changes made to the Company’s significant accounting policies other than the changes attributable to the adoption of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which was adopted on December 29, 2017. These revenue recognition policy updates are applied prospectively in the Company’s financial statements from December 29, 2017 forward. Reported financial information for the historical comparable period was not revised and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect during the historical periods.

 

 

Depreciation and Amortization – Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment are provided using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets or any related lease terms. Depreciation expense totaled $14,556,000 and $43,037,000 for the 13 and 39 weeks ended September 27, 2018, respectively, and $12,946,000 and $37,368,000 for the 13 and 39 weeks ended September 28, 2017, respectively.

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss – Accumulated other comprehensive loss presented in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets consists of the following, all presented net of tax:

 

		Interest Rate Swaps				Available for Sale Investments				Pension Obligation				Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
		(in thousands)
Balance at December 28, 2017		$	–			$	(11	)		$	(7,414	)		$	(7,425	)
Amount reclassified to retained earnings on December 29, 2017 in connection with the adoption of ASU No. 2016-01			–				11				–				11
Balance at December 29, 2017			–				–				(7,414	)			(7,414	)
Amortization of the net actuarial loss and prior service credit			–				–				340				340
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			191				–				–				191
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			134	(1)			–				–				134
Other comprehensive income			325				–				340				665
Balance at September 27, 2018		$	325			$	–			$	(7,074	)		$	(6,749	)

 

(1)

Amount is included in interest expense in the consolidated statements of earnings.

 

		Available for Sale Investments				Pension Obligation				Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
		(in thousands)
Balance at December 29, 2016		$	3			$	(5,069	)		$	(5,066	)
Change in unrealized gain on available for sale investments			(14	)			–				(14	)
Amortization of net actuarial loss and prior service credit			–				161				161
Net other comprehensive income (loss)			(14	)			161				147
Balance at September 28, 2017		$	(11	)		$	(4,908	)		$	(4,919	)

 

Earnings Per Share - Net earnings per share (EPS) of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock is computed using the two class method. Basic net earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted net earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, adjusted for the effect of dilutive stock options using the treasury method. Convertible Class B Common Stock is reflected on an if-converted basis. The computation of the diluted net earnings per share of Common Stock assumes the conversion of Class B Common Stock, while the diluted net earnings per share of Class B Common Stock does not assume the conversion of those shares.

 

 

Holders of Common Stock are entitled to cash dividends per share equal to 110% of all dividends declared and paid on each share of Class B Common Stock. As such, the undistributed earnings for each period are allocated based on the proportionate share of entitled cash dividends. The computation of diluted net earnings per share of Common Stock assumes the conversion of Class B Common Stock and, as such, the undistributed earnings are equal to net earnings for that computation.

 

The following table illustrates the computation of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock basic and diluted net earnings per share for net earnings and provides a reconciliation of the number of weighted-average basic and diluted shares outstanding:

 

		13 Weeks Ended September  27, 2018				13 Weeks Ended September 28, 2017				39 Weeks Ended September 27, 2018				39 Weeks Ended September 28, 2017
		(in thousands, except per share data)
Numerator:
Net earnings attributable to
The Marcus Corporation		$	16,231			$	10,978			$	44,671			$	30,555
Denominator:
Denominator for basic EPS			28,180				27,825				28,028				27,773
Effect of dilutive employee stock options			638				525				606				637
Denominator for diluted EPS			28,818				28,350				28,634				28,410
Net earnings per share - basic:
Common Stock		$	0.60			$	0.41			$	1.65			$	1.14
Class B Common Stock		$	0.52			$	0.36			$	1.47			$	1.02
Net earnings per share - diluted:
Common Stock		$	0.56			$	0.39			$	1.56			$	1.08
Class B Common Stock		$	0.51			$	0.37			$	1.44			$	1.01

 

 

Equity – Activity impacting total shareholders’ equity attributable to The Marcus Corporation and noncontrolling interests for the 39 weeks ended September 27, 2018 and September 28, 2017 was as follows:

 

		Total Shareholders’ Equity Attributable to The Marcus Corporation				Noncontrolling Interests
		(in thousands)
Balance at December 28, 2017		$	445,024			$	100
Net earnings attributable to The Marcus Corporation			44,671				–
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests			–				70
Distributions to noncontrolling interests			–				(65	)
Cash dividends			(12,277	)			–
Exercise of stock options			6,902				–
Savings and profit sharing contribution			1,130				–
Treasury stock transactions, except for stock options			(2,566	)			–
Share-based compensation			1,950				–
Cumulative effect of adopting ASU No. 2014-09, net of tax			(2,568	)			–
Other comprehensive income, net of tax			665				–
Balance at September 27, 2018		$	482,931			$	105

 

		Total Shareholders’ Equity Attributable to The Marcus Corporation				Noncontrolling Interests
		(in thousands)
Balance at December 29, 2016		$	390,112			$	1,535
Net earnings attributable to The Marcus Corporation			30,555				–
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests			–				(495	)
Cash dividends			(10,122	)			–
Exercise of stock options			2,083				–
Savings and profit sharing contribution			1,024				–
Treasury stock transactions, except for stock options			(463	)			–
Share-based compensation			1,867				–
Other comprehensive income, net of tax			147				–
Balance at September 28, 2017		$	415,203			$	1,040

 

Fair Value Measurements – Certain financial assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value in the consolidated financial statements. Some are measured on a recurring basis while others are measured on a non-recurring basis. Financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis are those that are adjusted to fair value each time a financial statement is prepared. Financial assets and liabilities measured on a non-recurring basis are those that are adjusted to fair value when a significant event occurs. A fair value measurement assumes that a transaction to sell an asset or transfer a liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset or liability.

 

 

The Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value are classified in one of the following categories:

 

Level 1 – Assets or liabilities for which fair value is based on quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments as of the reporting date. At September 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017, respectively, the Company’s $5,762,000 and $4,053,000 of debt and equity securities were valued using Level 1 pricing inputs and were included in other current assets.

 

Level 2 – Assets or liabilities for which fair value is based on pricing inputs that were either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date. At September 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017, respectively, the $444,000 and $13,000 asset related to the Company’s interest rate swap contracts was valued using Level 2 pricing inputs.

 

Level 3 – Assets or liabilities for which fair value is based on valuation models with significant unobservable pricing inputs and which result in the use of management estimates. At September 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017, none of the Company’s fair value measurements were valued using Level 3 pricing inputs.

 

Defined Benefit Plan – The components of the net periodic pension cost of the Company’s unfunded nonqualified, defined-benefit plan are as follows:

 

		13 Weeks Ended September 27, 2018				13 Weeks Ended September 28, 2017				39 Weeks Ended September 27, 2018				39 Weeks Ended September 28, 2017
		(in thousands)
Service cost		$	231			$	192			$	694			$	574
Interest cost			341				339				1,023				1,017
Net amortization of prior service cost and actuarial loss			156				89				466				267
Net periodic pension cost		$	728			$	620			$	2,183			$	1,858

 

Service cost is included in Administrative expense while all other components are recorded within Other expense outside of operating income in the consolidated statements of earnings.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements - In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), intended to improve financial reporting related to leasing transactions. ASU No. 2016-02 requires a lessee to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for most operating leases with lease terms of more than 12 months. The new guidance will also require disclosures to help investors and other financial statement users better understand the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from the leases. In July 2018, the FASB also issued ASU No. 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements, which amends ASU No. 2016-02 and allows entities the option to initially apply Topic 842 at the adoption date and recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. The Company plans to adopt the new accounting standard in fiscal 2019 using the optional transition method to apply the new guidance as of the first day of fiscal 2019 rather than as of the earliest period presented.

 

In conjunction with the adoption of the new standard, companies are able to elect several practical expedients to aid in the transition to Topic 842. The following three practical expedients must all be elected together, and the Company intends to elect these practical expedients upon adoption:

 

·

An entity need not reassess whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases.

·

An entity need not reassess the lease classification for any expired or existing leases.

·

An entity need not reassess initial direct costs for any existing leases.

 

The Company continues to finalize its inventory of leases, assess the additional practical expedients and analyze financial reporting implications. Upon adoption, the most significant impact of the amendments in ASU No. 2016-02 will be the recognition of the new right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for assets currently subject to operating leases. The Company believes that the adoption of ASU No. 2016-02 will have a material impact on its consolidated balance sheet, but the adoption is not expected to have a material effect on its consolidated results of operations or cash flows.

 

 

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) - Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which eliminates Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test that had required a hypothetical purchase price allocation. Rather, entities should apply the same impairment assessment to all reporting units and recognize an impairment loss for the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, without exceeding the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Entities will continue to have the option to perform a qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. ASU No. 2017-04 is effective for the Company in fiscal 2020 and must be applied prospectively. The Company does not believe the new standard will have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. The amendments in ASU No. 2018-02 allow a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The amendments in ASU No. 2018-02 also require certain disclosures about stranded tax effects. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and early adoption in any period is permitted. The Company plans to adopt the new accounting standard in fiscal 2019 and has determined that the adoption of ASU No. 2018-02 will not have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements. 

 

On December 29, 2017, the Company adopted and applied to all contracts ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Company elected the modified retrospective method for the adoption of ASU No. 2014-09 and its related ASU amendments. Under this method, the Company recognized the cumulative effect of the changes in retained earnings at the date of adoption, but did not restate the 13 or 39 weeks ended September 28, 2017, which continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for that time period.

 

The Company performed a review of the requirements of ASU No. 2014-09 and related ASUs in preparation for adoption of the new standard. The Company reviewed its key revenue streams and related customer contracts and has applied the five-step model of the standard to these revenue streams and compared the results to its current accounting practices. The majority of the Company’s revenues continue to be recognized in a manner consistent with historical practice. See Note 2 for further discussion.

 

 

On December 29, 2017, the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which primarily affects the accounting for equity investments, financial liabilities under fair value option, and the presentation and disclosure requirements of financial instruments. Upon adoption, the Company made an immaterial cumulative effect adjustment to reclassify the unrealized loss of an equity investment previously classified as available for sale from accumulated other comprehensive loss to opening retained earnings. All future changes in fair value for this equity security will be recognized through net earnings. In addition, the Company holds two investments that were previously accounted for under the cost method of accounting, which under ASU No. 2016-01 were deemed to not have readily determinable fair values and thus were not impacted by the adoption of ASU No. 2016-01. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on such investments or the Company's consolidated financial statements.

 

On December 29, 2017, the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) - Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. The standard must be applied using a retrospective transition method for each period presented. The adoption of the new standard did not have an effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

On December 29, 2017, the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) - Restricted Cash. ASU No. 2016-18 requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. As such, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents are included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning of period and ending of period total amount shown on the statement of cash flows. ASU No. 2016-18 was applied on a retrospective basis and prior periods were adjusted to conform to the current period’s presentation. Upon adoption, the Company recorded a $2,438,000 decrease in net cash used in investing activities for the 39 weeks ended September 28, 2017 related to reclassifying the changes in its restricted cash balance from investing activities to cash and cash equivalent balances within the consolidated statement of cash flows.

 

On December 29, 2017, the Company adopted ASU No. 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805) - Clarifying the Definition of a Business, which clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance and providing a more robust framework to assist reporting organizations with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The adoption of the new standard did not have an effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

On December 29, 2017, the Company adopted ASU No. 2017-05, Other Income - Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20): Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets. ASU No. 2017-05 clarifies the scope and accounting of a financial asset that meets the definition of an “in-substance nonfinancial asset” and defines the term “in-substance nonfinancial asset.” It also covers the transfer of nonfinancial assets to another entity in exchange for a non-controlling ownership interest in that entity. The adoption of the new standard did not have an effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

 

On December 29, 2017, the Company adopted ASU No. 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Benefit Cost. The ASU requires the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost to be presented in the same income statement line item as other employee compensation costs arising from services rendered during the period. Other components of the net periodic benefit cost are to be presented separately, in an appropriately titled line item outside of any subtotal of operating income or disclosed in the footnotes. The standard also limits the amount eligible for capitalization to the service cost component. ASU No. 2017-07 was applied on a retrospective basis and the prior period was adjusted to conform to the current period’s presentation. During the 13 and 39 weeks ended September 28, 2017, expense of $428,000 and $1,284,000, respectively, was reclassified from operating income to other expense outside of operating income in the consolidated statement of earnings.

 

On December 29, 2017, the Company adopted ASU No. 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting, to provide clarity and reduce both the diversity in practice and cost and complexity when applying the guidance in Topic 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation. The amendments in this update provide guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting. The adoption of the new standard did not have an effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

On December 29, 2017, the Company early adopted ASU No. 2017-12, Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities, which amends the hedge accounting recognition and presentation requirements in Accounting Standards Codification 815, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815). ASU No. 2017-12 is designed to improve the transparency and understandability of information about an entity’s risk management activities and to reduce the complexity of and simplifying the application of hedge accounting. The adoption of the new standard did not have an effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Note 2 – Revenue Recognition

 

Revenue Recognition Policy

 

Revenue from contracts with customers is recognized when, or as, the Company satisfies its performance of obligations by transferring the promised services to the customer. A service is transferred to a customer when, or as, the customer obtains control of that service. A performance obligation may be satisfied over time or at a point in time. Revenue from a performance obligation satisfied over time is recognized by measuring the Company’s progress in satisfying the performance obligation in a manner that depicts the transfer of the services to the customer. Revenue from a performance obligation satisfied at a point in time is recognized at the point in time that the Company determines the customer obtains control over the promised service. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration entitled to in exchange for those services.

 

 

The disaggregation of revenues by business segment for the 13 and 39 weeks ended September 27, 2018 is as follows (in thousands):

 

		13 Weeks Ended September 27, 2018
		Reportable Segment
		Theatres				Hotels/ Resorts				Corporate				Total
Theatre admissions		$	52,422			$	–			$	–			$	52,422
Rooms			–				34,467				–				34,467
Theatre concessions			35,476				–				–				35,476
Food and beverage			–				19,333				–				19,333
Other revenues(1)			6,893				12,822				98				19,813
Cost reimbursements			218				8,870				–				9,088
Total revenues		$	95,009			$	75,492			$	98			$	170,599

 

		39 Weeks Ended September 27, 2018
		Reportable Segment
		Theatres				Hotels/ Resorts				Corporate				Total
Theatre admissions		$	185,035			$	–			$	–			$	185,035
Rooms			–				84,256				–				84,256
Theatre concessions			123,687				–				–				123,687
Food and beverage			–				53,972				–				53,972
Other revenues(1)			23,591				35,453				318				59,362
Cost reimbursements			1,084				24,692				–				25,776
Total revenues		$	333,397			$	198,373			$	318			$	532,088

 

(1)

Included in other revenues is an immaterial amount related to rental income that is not considered contract revenue from contracts with customers under ASC No. 2014-09.

 

The Company recognizes revenue from its rooms as earned on the close of business each day. Revenue from theatre admissions, theatre concessions and food and beverage sales are recognized at the time of sale.

 

Revenues from advanced ticket and gift card sales are recorded as deferred revenue and are recognized when tickets or gift cards are redeemed. Gift card breakage income is recognized based upon historical redemption patterns and represents the balance of gift cards for which the Company believes the likelihood of redemption by the customer is remote. Gift card breakage income is recorded in other revenues in the consolidated statements of earnings. The adoption of ASU No. 2014-09 did not have an effect on how revenue is recognized for these arrangements.

 

Other revenues include management fees for theatres and hotels under management agreements. The management fees are recognized as earned based on the terms of the agreements. The management fees include variable consideration that is recognized based on the Company’s right to invoice as the amount invoiced corresponds directly to the value transferred to the customer. Other revenues also include family entertainment center revenues and revenues from Hotels/Resorts outlets such as spa, ski, golf and parking, each of which are recognized at the time of sale. In addition, other revenues include pre-show advertising income in the Company’s theatres. Pre-show advertising revenue includes variable consideration, primarily based on attendance levels, that is allocated to distinct time periods that make up the overall performance obligation. The adoption of ASU No. 2014-09 did not have an effect on how revenue is recognized for these arrangements.

 

 

Cost reimbursements primarily consist of payroll and related expenses at managed properties where the Company is the employer and may include certain operational and administrative costs as provided for in the Company’s contracts with owners. These costs are reimbursed back to the Company. As these costs have no added markup, the revenue and related expense have no impact on operating income or net earnings. The adoption of ASU No. 2014-09 did not have an effect on how revenue is recognized for these arrangements.

 

The timing of the Company’s revenue recognition may differ from the timing of payment by customers. However, the Company typically receives payment within a very short period of time of when the revenue is recognized. The Company records a receivable when revenue is recognized prior to payment and it has an unconditional right to payment. Alternatively, when payment precedes the provision for the related services, deferred revenue is recorded until the performance obligation is satisfied.

 

Revenues do not include sales tax as the Company considers itself a pass-through conduit for collecting and remitting sales tax.

 

Adoption of ASU No. 2014-09

 

Due to adoption of ASU No. 2014-09, on the first day of fiscal 2018, the Company recorded a one-time cumulative effect adjustment to the balance sheet as follows:

 

		Balance at December 28, 2017				Cumulative Adjustment				Balance at December 29, 2017
		(in thousands)
Refundable income taxes		$	15,335			$	945			$	16,280
Other accrued liabilities			53,291				3,296				56,587
Deferred compensation and other			56,662				217				56,879
Retained earnings			403,206				(2,568	)			400,638

 

The one-time cumulative effect adjustment to the balance sheet is due to a change in accounting for the Company’s loyalty programs. The Company offers a customer loyalty program to its theatre customers called Magical Movie Rewards. The program allows members to earn points for each dollar spent and access special offers available only to members. The rewards are redeemable at any Marcus Theatre box office, concession stand or food and beverage venue. The Company also offers a customer loyalty program to its Hotels and Resorts customers which allows members to earn points for each dollar spent in its restaurants. The rewards are redeemable at any of the Company’s hotel outlets including spas, restaurants, and golf. Under ASU No. 2014-09, the portion of Theatre admission revenues, Theatre concession revenues and Food and beverage revenues attributable to loyalty points earned by customers are deferred as a reduction of these revenues until related reward redemption. Through December 28, 2017, the Company recorded the estimated incremental cost of redeeming loyalty points at the time they were earned in Advertising and marketing expense. The change had the effect of an immaterial reduction of theatre admission revenues and a corresponding immaterial increase in theatre concession revenues with an offsetting increase in other long-term liabilities based upon historical customer reward redemption patterns.

 

 

In accordance with ASU No. 2014-09, the Company has concluded that it is the principal (as opposed to agent) in the arrangement with third-party internet ticketing companies in regards to sale of internet tickets to customers, and therefore, recognizes ticket fee revenue based on a gross transaction price. As such, internet ticket fee revenue is deferred and recognized when the related film exhibition takes place on a gross transaction price basis. Through December 28, 2017, the Company recorded internet ticket fee revenues net of third-party commission or service fees. The change had the effect of increasing other revenues and other operating expense but had no impact on net earnings or cash flows from operations.

 

The adoption of ASU No. 2014-09 had the following effect on our consolidated statement of earnings for the 13 and 39 weeks ended September 27, 2018 (in thousands):

 

		For the 13 Weeks Ended September 27, 2018												For the 39 Weeks Ended September 27, 2018
		As Reported				ASU No. 2014-09 Impact				Adjusted (1)				As Reported				ASU No. 2014-09 Impact				Adjusted (1)
Revenues:
Theatre admissions		$	52,422			$	(605	)		$	53,027			$	185,035			$	(1,961	)		$	186,996
Theatre concessions			35,476				503				34,973				123,687				1,467				122,220
Food and beverage			19,333				3				19,330				53,972				23				53,949
Other revenues			19,813				904				18,909				59,362				3,609				55,753
Total revenues			170,599				805				169,794				532,088				3,138				528,950
Costs and expenses:
Theatre operations			48,644				165				48,479				164,452				479				163,973
Theatre concessions			10,168				159				10,009				35,105				469				34,636
Advertising and marketing			6,178				(496	)			6,674				17,317				(1,549	)			18,866
Other operating expenses			8,969				910				8,059				27,032				3,514				23,518
Total costs and expenses			148,186				738				147,448				463,552				2,913				460,639
Operating income			22,413				67				22,346				68,536				225				68,311
Income taxes			2,626				9				2,617				12,254				48				12,206
Net earnings attributable to The Marcus Corporation			16,231				58				16,173				44,671				177				44,494

 

(1)

The amounts reflect each affected financial statement line item as they would have been reported under US GAAP prior to the adoption of ASU No. 2014-09.

 

 

The adoption of ASU No. 2014-09 had the following effect on our consolidated balance sheet as of September 27, 2018 (in thousands):

 

		As Reported				ASU No. 2014-09 Impact				Adjusted (1)
Refundable income taxes		$	3,531			$	945			$	2,586
Total current assets			57,368				945				56,423
Total assets			986,686				945				985,741
Other accrued liabilities			46,269				3,639				42,630
Total current liabilities			120,981				3,639				117,342
Deferred compensation and other			59,157				99				59,058
Retained Earnings			433,022				(2,793	)			435,815
Shareholders’ equity attributable to The Marcus Corporation			482,931				(2,793	)			485,724
Total equity			483,036				(2,793	)			485,829
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity			986,686				945				985,741

 

(1)

The amounts reflect each affected financial statement line item as they would have been reported under US GAAP prior to the adoption of ASU No. 2014-09.

 

The Company had deferred revenue from contracts with customers of $28,643,000 and $36,007,000 as of September 27, 2018 and December 29, 2017, respectively, which includes the one-time cumulative effect adjustment to the balance sheet on the first day of fiscal 2018. The Company had no contract assets as of September 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017. During the 13 and 39 weeks ended September 27, 2018, respectively, the Company recognized revenue of $1,699,000 and $16,688,000 that was included in deferred revenues as of December 29, 2017. The decrease in deferred revenue from December 29, 2017 to September 27, 2018 was due to theatre gift card redemptions and advanced movie ticket redemptions during the 39 weeks ended September 27, 2018, offset by an increase in advanced sales/deposits for group events in the hotels and resorts division.

 

A significant majority of the Company’s revenue is recorded in less than one year from the original contract. As of September 27, 2018, the amount of transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations under the Company’s advanced tickets sales was $4,396,000 and is reflected in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as part of deferred revenues, which is included in other accrued liabilities. The Company recognizes revenue as the tickets are redeemed, which is expected to occur within the next 1.3 years. As of September 27, 2018, the amount of transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations under the Hotels and Resorts loyalty program was $192,000, of which, $73,000 is reflected in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet in deferred compensation and other. The Company recognizes revenue upon reward redemption, which is expected to occur within the next two years.

 

 

As part of the Company’s adoption of ASU No. 2014-09, the Company elected to use the following practical expedients: (i) not to adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component when the Company expects, at contract inception, that the period between the Company's transfer of a promised product or service to a customer and when the customer pays for that product or service will be one year or less; (ii) not to assess whether promised goods or services are performance obligations if they are immaterial in the context of the contract with the customer; (iii) to expense costs as incurred for costs to obtain contracts when the amortization period would have been one year or less, which mainly includes internal sales and development compensation; (iv) not to disclose remaining performance obligations when the remaining performance obligations have original expected durations of one year or less; and (v) not to disclose remaining performance obligations when variable consideration is allocated entirely to a wholly unsatisfied promise to transfer a service that forms a single performance obligation (which exists in the Company’s management fee contracts and its pre-show advertising contracts).

 

3. Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

 

Long-Term Debt - During the 39 weeks ended September 28, 2017, the Company issued $50,000,000 of unsecured senior notes privately placed with three institutional lenders. The notes bear interest at 4.32% per annum and mature in fiscal 2027. The Company used the net proceeds of the sale of the notes to repay outstanding indebtedness and for general corporate purposes.

 

Also during the 39 weeks ended September 28, 2017, a note that matured in January 2017 with a balance of $24,226,000 was repaid and replaced with borrowings on the Company’s revolving credit facility and a new $15,000,000 mortgage note bearing interest at LIBOR plus 2.75%, requiring monthly principal and interest payments and maturing in fiscal 2020. The mortgage note is secured by the related land, building and equipment.

 

The Company utilizes derivatives principally to manage market risks and reduce its exposure resulting from fluctuations in interest rates. The Company formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk-management objectives and strategies for undertaking various hedge transactions.

 

The Company entered into two interest rate swap agreements on March 1, 2018 covering $50,000,000 of floating rate debt. The first agreement has a notional amount of $25,000,000, expires March 1, 2021, and requires the Company to pay interest at a defined rate of 2.559% while receiving interest at a defined variable rate of one-month LIBOR (2.125% at September 27, 2018). The second agreement has a notional amount of $25,000,000, expires March 1, 2023, and requires the Company to pay interest at a defined rate of 2.687% while receiving interest at a defined variable rate of one-month LIBOR (2.125% at September 27, 2018). The Company recognizes derivatives as either assets or liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value (i.e., gains or losses) of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship and on the type of hedging relationship. Derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting must be adjusted to fair value through earnings. For derivatives that are designated and qualify as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The Company’s interest rate swap agreements are considered effective and qualify as cash flow hedges. The Company assesses, both at the inception of each hedge and on an on-going basis, whether the derivatives that are used in its hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged items. As of September 27, 2018, the interest rate swaps were considered highly effective. The fair value of the interest rate swaps on September 27, 2018 was an asset of $444,000 and was included in other long term assets in the consolidated balance sheet. The Company does not expect the interest rate swaps to have a material effect on earnings within the next 12 months.

 

 

The Company had an interest rate swap that expired in January 2018. The swap agreement covered $25,000,000 of floating rate debt that required the Company to pay interest at a defined fixed rate of 0.96% while receiving interest at a defined variable rate of one-month LIBOR. The Company’s interest rate swap agreement was considered effective and qualified as a cash flow hedge from inception through June 16, 2016, at which time the derivative was undesignated and the balance in accumulated other comprehensive loss was reclassified into interest expense. As of June 16, 2016, the swap was considered ineffective for accounting purposes and the change in fair value was recorded as an increase or decrease in interest expense. As such, the $13,000 decrease in fair value of the swap for the 39 weeks ended September 27, 2018 was recorded to interest expense.

 

Capital Lease Obligations - During fiscal 2012, the Company entered into a master licensing agreement with CDF2 Holdings, LLC, a subsidiary of Cinedigm Digital Cinema Corp (CDF2), whereby CDF2 purchased on the Company’s behalf, and then deployed and licensed back to the Company, digital cinema projection systems (the “systems”) for use by the Company in its theatres. As of September 27, 2018, 642 of the Company’s screens were utilizing the systems under a 10-year master licensing agreement with CDF2. Included in furniture, fixtures and equipment is $45,510,000 related to the digital systems as of September 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017, which is being amortized over the remaining estimated useful life of the assets. Accumulated amortization of the digital systems was $39,103,000 and $34,471,000 as of September 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017, respectively.

 

Under the terms of the master licensing agreement, the Company made an initial one-time payment to CDF2. The Company expects that the balance of CDF2’s costs to deploy the systems will be covered primarily through the payment of virtual print fees (VPF’s) from film distributors to CDF2 each time a digital movie is booked on one of the systems deployed on a Company screen. The Company agreed to make an average number of bookings of eligible digital movies on each screen on which a licensed system has been deployed to provide for a minimum level of VPF’s paid by distributors (standard booking commitment) to CDF2. To the extent the VPF’s paid by distributors are less than the standard booking commitment, the Company must make a shortfall payment to CDF2. Based upon the Company’s historical booking patterns, the Company does not expect to make any shortfall payments during the life of the agreement. Accounting Standards Codification No. 840, Leases, requires that the Company consider the entire amount of the standard booking commitment minimum lease payments for purposes of determining the capital lease obligation. The maximum amount per year that the Company could be required to pay is approximately $6,163,000 until the obligation is fully satisfied.

 

The Company’s capital lease obligation is being reduced as VPF’s are paid by the film distributors to CDF2. The Company has recorded the reduction of the obligation associated with the payment of VPF’s as a reduction of the interest related to the obligation and the amortization incurred related to the systems, as the payments represent a specific reimbursement of the cost of the systems by the studios. Based on the Company’s expected minimum number of eligible movies to be booked, the Company expects the obligation to be reduced by at least $5,140,000 within the next 12 months. This reduction will be recognized as an offset to amortization and is expected to offset the majority of the amortization of the systems.

 

 

The Company is the obligor of several movie theatre and equipment leases with unaffiliated third parties that qualify for capital lease accounting. Included in buildings and improvements as of September 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017 is $25,648,000 related to these leases, with accumulated amortization of $3,701,000 and $2,300,000 as of September 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017, respectively. Included in furniture, fixtures and equipment as of September 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017 is $1,712,000 related to these leases, with accumulated amortization of $438,000 and $255,000 as of September 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017, respectively. The assets are being amortized over the shorter of the estimated useful lives or the remaining lease terms. The Company paid $808,000 and $2,424,000, respectively, in lease payments on these capital leases during the 13 and 39 weeks ended September 27, 2018, and $874,000 and $2,424,000, respectively, during 13 and 39 weeks ended September 28, 2017.

 

4. Income Taxes

 

The Company’s effective income tax rate, adjusted for earnings (losses) from noncontrolling interests, for the 13 and 39 weeks ended September 27, 2018 was 13.9% and 21.5%, respectively, and was 38.6% and 37.8% for the 13 and 39 weeks ended September 28, 2017, respectively. The decrease in the Company’s effective income tax rate was primarily the result of the reduction in the federal tax rate from 35% to 21% resulting from the December 22, 2017 signing of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Additionally, during the 39 weeks ended September 27, 2018, the Company recorded income tax benefits related to excess tax benefits on share-based compensation as well as for reductions in deferred tax liabilities related to tax accounting method changes the Company made subsequent to the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017. The Company does not include the income tax expense or benefit related to the net earnings or loss attributable to noncontrolling interest in its income tax expense as the entities are considered pass-through entities and, as such, the income tax expense or benefit is attributable to its owners.

 

During the fiscal year ended December 28, 2017, the Company was able to make a reasonable estimate of the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, including the reduction in the corporate tax rate and the provisions related to executive compensation and 100% bonus depreciation on qualifying property. However, given the Act’s broad and complex changes, further clarification, interpretation and regulatory guidance could affect the assumptions the Company used in making its reasonable estimate. Following the guidance of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, any adjustments to the Company's estimate will be reported as a component of income tax expense and disclosed in the period when any such adjustments have been determined within the one-year measurement period. During the 39 weeks ended September 27, 2018, the Company did not make any adjustment to the estimates recorded in fiscal 2017.

 

5. Business Segment Information

 

The Company’s primary operations are reported in the following business segments: Theatres and Hotels/Resorts. Corporate items include amounts not allocable to the business segments. Corporate revenues consist principally of rent and the corporate operating loss includes general corporate expenses. Corporate information technology costs and accounting shared services costs are allocated to the business segments based upon several factors, including actual usage and segment revenues.

 

 

Following is a summary of business segment information for the 13 and 39 weeks ended September 27, 2018 and September 28, 2017 (in thousands):

 

13 Weeks Ended September 27, 2018		Theatres				Hotels/ Resorts				Corporate Items				Total
Revenues (1)		$	95,009			$	75,492			$	98			$	170,599
Operating income (loss)			14,457				12,024				(4,068	)			22,413
Depreciation and amortization			9,867				4,616				86				14,569

 

13 Weeks Ended September 28, 2017		Theatres				Hotels/ Resorts				Corporate Items				Total
Revenues (1)		$	90,273			$	71,952			$	150			$	162,375
Operating income (loss)			15,861				9,659				(3,657	)			21,863
Depreciation and amortization			8,399				4,512				82				12,993

 

39 Weeks Ended September 27, 2018		Theatres				Hotels/ Resorts				Corporate Items				Total
Revenues (1)		$	333,397			$	198,373			$	318			$	532,088
Operating income (loss)			66,317				15,737				(13,518	)			68,536
Depreciation and amortization			28,751				13,890				258				42,899

 

39 Weeks Ended September 28, 2017		Theatres				Hotels/ Resorts				Corporate Items				Total
Revenues (1)		$	296,636			$	190,903			$	432			$	487,971
Operating income (loss)			58,576				12,803				(11,894	)			59,485
Depreciation and amortization			24,000				13,270				274				37,544

  

(1)

Revenues include cost reimbursements of $9,088 for the 13 weeks ended September 27, 2018 (Theatres - $218, Hotels/Resorts - $8,870); $8,557 for the 13 weeks ended September 28, 2017 (Theatres - $500, Hotels/Resorts - $8,057); $25,776 for the 39 weeks ended September 27, 2018 (Theatres - $1,084, Hotels/Resorts - $24,692); and $23,424 for the 39 weeks ended September 28, 2017 (Theatres - $1,659, Hotels/Resorts - $21,765).

 

6. Subsequent Event

 

On November 1, 2018, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement with VSS-Southern Theatres LLC (Movie Tavern) pursuant to which the Company will acquire substantially all of the assets and assume certain limited liabilities of its Movie Tavern branded movie theatre business (the “Movie Tavern Business”). The Movie Tavern Business consists of 22 dine-in theatres located in Texas, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Louisiana, New York, Colorado, Arkansas, Kentucky and Virginia.

 

The purchase price for the Movie Tavern Business consists of $30,000,000 in cash, subject to certain adjustments, and 2,450,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock. The assets purchased will consist primarily of leasehold improvements, furniture, fixtures and equipment and certain intangible assets. The transaction is expected to close in the first fiscal quarter of 2019, subject to certain customary closing conditions and approvals, including, among others, early termination or expiration of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act.

  

 

THE MARCUS CORPORATION

 

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

 

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

Certain matters discussed in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and elsewhere in this Form 10-Q are “forward-looking statements” intended to qualify for the safe harbors from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including the expectation that the acquisition of the Movie Tavern Business will be accretive to earnings, earnings per share and cash flows in the first 12 months following the closing of the transaction. These forward-looking statements may generally be identified as such because the context of such statements include words such as we “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect” or words of similar import. Similarly, statements that describe our future plans, objectives or goals are also forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which may cause results to differ materially from those expected, including, but not limited to, the following: (1) the availability, in terms of both quantity and audience appeal, of motion pictures for our theatre division, as well as other industry dynamics such as the maintenance of a suitable window between the date such motion pictures are released in theatres and the date they are released to other distribution channels; (2) the effects of adverse economic conditions in our markets, particularly with respect to our hotels and resorts division; (3) the effects on our occupancy and room rates of the relative industry supply of available rooms at comparable lodging facilities in our markets; (4) the effects of competitive conditions in our markets; (5) our ability to achieve expected benefits and performance from our strategic initiatives and acquisitions; (6) the effects of increasing depreciation expenses, reduced operating profits during major property renovations, impairment losses, and preopening and start-up costs due to the capital intensive nature of our businesses; (7) the effects of weather conditions, particularly during the winter in the Midwest and in our other markets; (8) our ability to identify properties to acquire, develop and/or manage and the continuing availability of funds for such development; (9) the adverse impact on business and consumer spending on travel, leisure and entertainment resulting from terrorist attacks in the United States or other incidents of violence in public venues such as hotels and movie theatres; (10) a disruption in our business and reputational and economic risks associated with civil securities claims brought by shareholders; and (11) our ability to timely and successfully integrate the Movie Tavern Business into our own circuit. Shareholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made herein are made only as of the date of this Form 10-Q and we undertake no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

General

 

We report our consolidated and individual segment results of operations on a 52- or 53-week fiscal year ending on the last Thursday in December. Fiscal 2018 is a 52-week year beginning on December 29, 2017 and ending on December 27, 2018. Fiscal 2017 was a 52-week year beginning December 30, 2016 and ended on December 28, 2017.

 

 

We divide our fiscal year into three 13-week quarters and a final quarter consisting of 13 or 14 weeks. The third quarter of fiscal 2018 consisted of the 13-week period beginning on June 29, 2018 and ended on September 27, 2018. The third quarter of fiscal 2017 consisted of the 13-week period beginning on June 30, 2017 and ended on September 28, 2017. The first three quarters of fiscal 2018 consisted of the 39-week period beginning on December 29, 2017 and ended on September 27, 2018. The first three quarters of fiscal 2017 consisted of the 39-week period beginning on December 30, 2016 and ended on September 28, 2017. Our primary operations are reported in the following two business segments: movie theatres and hotels and resorts.

 

Implementation of New Accounting Standards

 

During the first quarter of fiscal 2018, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASU No. 2014-09), a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. We selected the modified retrospective method for adoption of ASU No. 2014-09 and its related ASU amendments. Under this method, we recognized the cumulative effect of the changes in retained earnings at the date of adoption and did not restate prior periods.

 

The adoption of the new standard primarily impacted our accounting for our loyalty programs and internet ticket fee revenue. Adopting this new standard during the first quarter of fiscal 2018 has had the following impact on our financial statements:

 

·

In accordance with the new guidance, the portion of theatre admission revenues, theatre concession revenues and food and beverage revenues attributable to loyalty points earned by customers will be deferred as a reduction of these revenues until reward redemption. Through December 28, 2017, we recorded the estimated incremental cost of redeeming loyalty points at the time they were earned in advertising and marketing expense. Our adoption of the standard will result in an immaterial reduction of theatre admission revenues and a corresponding immaterial increase in theatre concession revenues with an offsetting increase in other long-term liabilities based upon historical customer reward redemption patterns.

 

·

Prior to the adoption of the new standard, we recorded internet ticket fee revenues net of third-party commission or service fees. In accordance with ASU No. 2014-09, we believe that we are the principal (as opposed to agent) in the arrangement with third-party internet ticketing companies in regards to sale of internet tickets to customers, and therefore, we will now recognize ticket fee revenue based on a gross transaction price. This change will have the effect of increasing other revenues and other operating expense but will have no impact on net earnings or cash flows from operations.

 

We recorded a one-time cumulative effect reduction to retained earnings, net of income taxes, of approximately $2.6 million during fiscal 2018 related to the adoption of ASU No. 2014-09.

 

 

In addition, we adopted ASU No. 2017-07, Compensation—Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Benefit Cost, during the first quarter of fiscal 2018. The ASU requires the service cost component of net periodic benefit costs to be presented in the same income statement line item as other employee compensation costs arising from services rendered during the period. Other components of the net periodic benefit cost are now presented separately in other expense outside of operating income and our prior year results have been restated to conform to the new presentation. As a result of the adoption of ASU No. 2017-07, $497,000 and $1,489,000, respectively, of other expenses were excluded from operating income during the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2018 and $428,000 and $1,284,000, respectively, of other expenses were excluded from operating income during the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2017.

 

Finally, beginning in the fiscal 2018 first quarter, we began appropriately presenting cost reimbursements and reimbursed costs on a gross basis and presented two new line items to the consolidated statements of earnings. These cost reimbursements and reimbursed costs were previously reported on a net basis. Reimbursed costs primarily consist of payroll and related expenses at managed properties where we are the employer and may include certain operational and administrative costs as provided for in our contracts with owners. As these costs have no added markup, the revenue and related expense have no impact on operating income or net earnings. The vast majority of our cost reimbursements relate to our hotels and resorts division due to the larger number of management contracts in that division. Our prior year results were restated to conform to the new presentation. Cost reimbursements and reimbursed costs totaled $9.1 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2018 and $8.6 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2017. Cost reimbursements and reimbursed costs totaled $25.8 million for the first three quarters of fiscal 2018 and $23.4 million for the first three quarters of fiscal 2017. We believe this correction is immaterial to the consolidated financial statements.

 

Overall Results

 

The following table sets forth revenues, operating income, other income (expense), net earnings and net earnings per common share for the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 (in millions, except for per share and variance percentage data):

 

		Third Quarter																First Three Quarters
										Variance																Variance
		F2018				F2017				Amt.				Pct.				F2018				F2017				Amt.				Pct.
Revenues		$	170.6			$	162.4			$	8.2				5.1	%		$	532.1			$	488.0			$	44.1				9.0	%
Operating income			22.4				21.9				0.5				2.5	%			68.5				59.5				9.0				15.2	%
Other income (expense)			(3.6	)			(4.1	)			0.5				13.9	%			(11.5	)			(10.9	)			(0.6	)			-6.3	%
Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests			-				(0.2	)			0.2				95.0	%			0.1				(0.5	)			0.6				114.1	%
Net earnings attributable to The Marcus Corp.		$	16.2			$	11.0			$	5.2				47.9	%		$	44.7			$	30.6			$	14.1				46.2	%
Net earnings per common share – diluted:		$	0.56			$	0.39			$	0.17				43.6	%		$	1.56			$	1.08			$	0.48				44.4	%

 

 

Revenues increased during the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2018 compared to the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2017 due to increased revenues from both our theatre division and our hotels and resorts division. Operating income (earnings before other income/expense and income taxes) and net earnings attributable to The Marcus Corporation increased during the third quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2017 due to improved operating results from our hotels and resorts division. Operating income and net earnings attributable to The Marcus Corporation increased during the first three quarters of fiscal 2018 compared to the first three quarters of fiscal 2017 due to improved operating results from both our theatre division and our hotels and resorts division. Net earnings attributable to The Marcus Corporation also increased during the fiscal 2018 periods compared to the fiscal 2017 periods due to a lower effective income tax rate.

 

Operating results from our theatre division were unfavorably impacted by higher film costs and several one-time costs during the third quarter of fiscal 2018. Operating results from our theatre division were favorably impacted by increased attendance from a stronger slate of movies during the first three quarters of fiscal 2018 compared to the first three quarters of fiscal 2017, as well as an increase in our average ticket price and increased concession sales per person due to our expanded food and beverage offerings. Two new theatres also favorably impacted revenues and operating income from our theatre division during the first three quarters of fiscal 2018 compared to the first three quarters of fiscal 2017.

 

Revenues from our hotels and resorts division were favorably impacted by increased room revenues, food and beverage revenues and other revenues, including management fees, during the first three quarters of fiscal 2018 compared to the first three quarters of fiscal 2017. Comparisons of our operating income during the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2018 to our operating income during the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2017 from our hotels and resorts division were favorably impacted by the increased revenues, strong cost controls and the fact that our fiscal 2017 results included preopening expenses and start-up operating losses from our SafeHouse® restaurant and bar that we opened in downtown Chicago, Illinois, adjacent to our AC Chicago Downtown Hotel, on March 1, 2017.

 

Operating losses from our corporate items, which include amounts not allocable to the business segments, increased during the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2018 compared to the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2017 due in part to increased legal expense and increased pension and 401(k) expenses. Increased long-term incentive compensation expenses resulting from our improved financial performance and stock performance during the past several years also contributed to increased operating losses from our corporate items during the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2018, as did an increase in our accrual for contributions to our charitable foundation during the fiscal 2018 periods.

 

We did not have any significant variations in investment income or net equity earnings (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures during the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2018 compared to the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2017. We recognized losses on disposition of property, equipment and other assets during the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2018 of $359,000 and $767,000, respectively, due primarily to losses related to old theatre seats and other items disposed of in conjunction with theatre renovations during the period. We recognized losses on disposition of property, equipment and other assets during the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2017 of $449,000 and $420,000, respectively, due primarily to losses related to old theatre seats and other items disposed of in conjunction with theatre renovations during the periods, as well as a write off of disposed equipment at one of our hotels during the first quarter of fiscal 2017. These losses during the first three quarters of fiscal 2017 were partially offset by several gains related to the sale of two theatres and the sale of our equity interest in a hotel during fiscal 2017. The timing of periodic sales and disposals of our property and equipment varies from quarter to quarter, resulting in variations in our reported gains or losses on disposition of property and equipment.

 

 

Our interest expense totaled $3.2 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to $3.4 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2017, a decrease of approximately $200,000, or 5.6%. Our interest expense totaled $10.0 million for the first three quarters of fiscal 2018 compared to $9.5 million for the first three quarters of fiscal 2017, an increase of approximately $500,000, or 5.8%. The decrease in interest expense during the third quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2017 is due to lower borrowing levels during the fiscal 2018 period, partially offset by a higher average interest rate. The increase in interest expense during the first three quarters of fiscal 2018 compared to the first three quarters of fiscal 2017 was due primarily to a higher average interest rate during fiscal 2018, as a result of increases in short-term interest rates on our variable rate debt. In addition, on March 1, 2018, we entered into two interest rate swap agreements, effectively converting $50.0 million in variable rate borrowings to a fixed rate. Changes in our borrowing levels due to variations in our operating results, capital expenditures, share repurchases and asset sale proceeds, among other items, may impact our actual reported interest expense in future periods, as would further increases in short-term interest rates and changes in the mix between fixed rate debt and variable rate debt in our debt portfolio.

 

We reported income tax expense for the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2018 of $2.6 million and $12.3 million, respectively, compared to $6.9 million and $18.6 million, respectively, during the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2017. The decrease in income tax expense during the first three quarters of fiscal 2018 compared to the first three quarters of fiscal 2017, despite an increase in earnings before income taxes, was the result of the reduction in the federal tax rate from 35% to 21% resulting from the December 22, 2017 signing of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Our fiscal 2018 first three quarters effective income tax rate, after adjusting for earnings from noncontrolling interests that are not tax-effected because the entities involved are tax pass-through entities, was 21.5%, compared to our fiscal 2017 first three quarters effective income tax rate of 37.8%. Our fiscal 2018 income tax expense was also favorably impacted during the fiscal 2018 third quarter by income tax benefits related to excess tax benefits on share-based compensation as well as for reductions in deferred tax liabilities related to tax accounting method changes we made subsequent to the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017. As of the date of this report, we anticipate that our effective income tax rate for the final quarter of fiscal 2018 will likely return to our expected 25-26% range, excluding any changes in our liability for unrecognized tax benefits, potential further changes in federal and state income tax rates or other one-time tax benefits. Our actual fiscal 2018 effective income tax rate may be different from our estimated quarterly rates depending upon actual facts and circumstances.

 

 

The operating results of one majority-owned hotel, The Skirvin Hilton, are included in the hotels and resorts division revenue and operating income during the fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 periods, and the after-tax net earnings or loss attributable to noncontrolling interests is deducted from or added to net earnings on the consolidated statements of earnings. The operating results of The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel were also included in the hotels and resorts division revenue and operating income during the fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 periods, but because this hotel was not wholly-owned during the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2017, the after-tax net earnings or loss attributable to noncontrolling interests for this property was deducted from or added to net earnings on the consolidated statements of earnings during the fiscal 2017 periods. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, we purchased the noncontrolling interest of The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel from its former minority owner. We reported net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests of $70,000 during the first three quarters of fiscal 2018 compared to a net loss of $495,000 during the first three quarters of fiscal 2017.

 

Theatres

 

The following table sets forth revenues, operating income and operating margin for our theatre division for the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 (in millions, except for variance percentage and operating margin):

 

		Third Quarter																First Three Quarters
										Variance																Variance
		F2018				F2017				Amt.				Pct.				F2018				F2017				Amt.				Pct.
Revenues		$	95.0			$	90.3			$	4.7				5.2	%		$	333.4			$	296.6			$	36.8				12.4	%
Operating income			14.5				15.9				(1.4	)			-8.9	%			66.3				58.6				7.7				13.2	%
Operating margin   (% of revenues)			15.2	%			17.6	%											19.9	%			19.7	%

 

Our theatre division revenues increased during the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2018 compared to the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2017 due primarily to increased attendance at comparable theatres due to a stronger film slate, new theatres that we opened during fiscal 2017, and an increase in our average ticket price and average concession revenues per person, resulting in increased admission revenues and concession revenues. In addition, our adoption of the new revenue recognition accounting standard and our change in the presentation of cost reimbursements for managed theatres (described above) resulted in an increase in theatre division revenues of $500,000 and $2.5 million, respectively, during the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2018 compared to the restated third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2017.

 

Our theatre division operating income and operating margin decreased during the third quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2017 due primarily to increased depreciation, higher film costs and several one-time costs. Depreciation costs have increased due to our significant recent investments in many of our theatres. Film costs increased during the fiscal 2018 third quarter primarily due to an unfavorable mix of films compared to the prior year. The top films of the fiscal 2018 third quarter film slate were summer blockbuster films and film costs, expressed as a percentage of admission revenues, are generally greater for blockbuster films. Our top film during the third quarter of fiscal 2017 was a less expensive September film. In addition, comparisons to last year were negatively impacted by the fact that our fiscal 2017 third quarter film cost benefitted from a one-time adjustment for prior periods related to an arrangement with a particular studio.

 

 

Our theatre division operating income and operating margin increased during the first three quarters of fiscal 2018 compared to the first three quarters of fiscal 2017 due primarily to the increased revenues described above, partially offset by higher film costs and depreciation costs. The increase in theatre division revenues related to our adoption of the new revenue recognition standard described above and our change in the presentation of cost reimbursements for managed theatres, both without a related material change in operating income, negatively impacted our operating margin during the fiscal 2018 periods compared to the fiscal 2017 periods. Preopening expenses of approximately $800,000 related to the opening of two new theatres negatively impacted our operating income and operating margin during the first three quarters of fiscal 2017.

 

The following table provides a further breakdown of the components of revenues for the theatre division for the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 (in millions, except for variance percentage):

 

		Third Quarter																First Three Quarters
										Variance																Variance
		F2018				F2017				Amt.				Pct.				F2018				F2017				Amt.				Pct.
Admission revenues		$	52.4			$	50.2			$	2.2				4.3	%		$	185.0			$	166.2			$	18.8				11.3	%
Concession revenues			35.5				33.3				2.2				6.6	%			123.7				109.4				14.3				13.1	%
Other revenues			6.9				6.3				0.6				10.5	%			23.6				19.3				4.3				21.7	%
			94.8				89.8				5.0				5.6	%			332.3				294.9				37.4				12.7	%
Cost reimbursements			0.2				0.5				(0.3	)			-56.4	%			1.1				1.7				(0.6	)			-34.7	%
Total revenues		$	95.0			$	90.3			$	4.7				5.2	%		$	333.4			$	296.6			$	36.8				12.4	%

 

We opened new theatres in April 2017 and June 2017 that favorably impacted our admission revenues and concession revenues during the first three quarters of fiscal 2018 compared to the first three quarters of fiscal 2017. Excluding these two new theatres (as well as two nearby theatres that are no longer comparable to last year because their pricing policies were significantly changed), admission revenues and concession revenues for comparable theatres increased 10.4% and 11.5%, respectively, during the first three quarters of fiscal 2018 compared to the first three quarters of fiscal 2017.

 

Conversely, the change in how we recognize revenue related to our Magical Movie Rewards customer loyalty program as a result of our adoption of the new revenue recognition accounting standard (discussed above) resulted in a decrease in admission revenues of approximately $600,000 and $2.0 million, respectively, and an increase in concession revenues of approximately $500,000 and $1.5 million, respectively, during the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2018. Excluding the impact of these changes in revenue recognition from the fiscal 2018 periods, admission revenues increased 5.5% and 12.5%, respectively, and concession revenues increased 5.1% and 11.8%, respectively, during the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2018 compared to the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2017.

 

 

According to data received from Rentrak (a national box office reporting service for the theatre industry) and compiled by us to evaluate our fiscal 2018 third quarter and first three quarter results, United States box office receipts (including new theatres) increased 6.9% during our fiscal 2018 third quarter and increased 10.0% during our fiscal 2018 first three quarters, indicating that our admission revenues during the third quarter of fiscal 2018 underperformed the industry by 1.4 percentage points and our admission revenues during the first three quarters of fiscal 2018 outperformed the industry by 2.5 percentage points, both after adjusting for the above described impact of the change in accounting for revenues related to our loyalty program. Even though we slightly underperformed the industry during the most recent quarter, we have still outperformed the industry average during 16 of the last 19 quarters. We believe our underperformance of the industry average during the third quarter of fiscal 2018 can be attributed to an unfavorable film mix and the impact of major league baseball in several of our key markets, as further discussed below. The performance of our Marcus Wehrenberg theatres, which we acquired in December 2016, many of which have subsequently undergone significant renovations, continued to be particularly strong during the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2018 compared to the prior year, contributing to our year-to-date outperformance of the industry average.

 

Our average ticket price increased 1.3% and 4.6%, respectively, during the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2018 compared to the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2017. The increases were partially attributable to modest price increases we implemented in October 2017. In addition, the fact that we have increased our number of premium large format (PLF) screens, along with a corresponding price premium, also contributed to our increased average ticket price during the fiscal 2018 periods. Conversely, we believe that a change in film product mix had an unfavorable impact on our average ticket price during the third quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2017. Our top film during the third quarter of fiscal 2018 was the PG-rated family movie Incredibles 2 (resulting in a higher percentage of lower-priced children’s tickets sold), compared to our top film during the third quarter of fiscal 2017, which was the R-rated film It (resulting in a higher percentage of higher-priced adult tickets sold). The increase in average ticket price contributed approximately $650,000, or 30%, to our comparable theatre admission revenues during the third quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2017. The increase in average ticket price contributed approximately $7.6 million, or 44%, to our comparable theatre admission revenues during the first three quarters of fiscal 2018 compared to the first three quarters of fiscal 2017.

 

Our concession revenues increased during the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2018 compared to the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2017 due to the addition of new theatres, an increase in attendance at comparable theatres, an increase in our average concession revenues per person and the above-described increase related to the change in accounting for loyalty program revenues. Our average concession revenues per person increased by 3.5% and 6.3%, respectively, during our third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2018 compared to the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2017. The increase in our average concession revenues per person contributed approximately $1.2 million, or 53%, to our comparable theatre concession revenues during the third quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2017. The increase in our average concession revenues per person contributed approximately $6.0 million, or 48%, to our comparable theatre concession revenues during the first three quarters of fiscal 2018 compared to the first three quarters of fiscal 2017.

 

A change in concession product mix, including increased sales of non-traditional food and beverage items from our increased number of Take Five Lounge^SM, Zaffiro’s® Express, Reel Sizzle® and in-theatre dining outlets, as well as modest selected price increases we introduced in October 2017, were the primary reasons for our increased average concession sales per person during the fiscal 2018 periods. Conversely, we believe that the above described change in film product mix during the third quarter of fiscal 2018 likely reduced the growth of our overall average concession sales per person during the fiscal 2018 third quarter, as family-oriented films such as the top film during the third quarter of fiscal 2018 described above tend not to contribute to sales of non-traditional food and beverage items as much as adult-oriented films.

 

 

Other revenues increased by approximately $600,000 and $4.3 million, respectively, during the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2018 compared to the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2017. All of the increase during the third quarter of fiscal 2018 and approximately $3.5 million of the increase during the first three quarters of fiscal 2018 related to the change in how we now report internet surcharge ticketing fees. Prior to the new revenue recognition standard, we recorded these fees net of third-party commission or service fees. Under the new guidance that we adopted in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 (discussed above), we are recognizing ticket fee revenues based on a gross transaction price. This change had the effect of increasing other revenues and increasing other operating expense, but had no impact on operating income or net earnings. The remaining increase in other revenues is attributable primarily to increased preshow advertising income.

 

Total theatre attendance increased 3.0% and 6.4%, respectively, during the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2018 compared to the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2017. Excluding the new theatres and, correspondingly, two theatres that are no longer comparable to last year because their pricing policies were significantly changed as a result of the new theatres we opened nearby, comparable theatre attendance increased 5.9% during the first three quarters of fiscal 2018 compared to the first three quarters of fiscal 2017, due to a stronger film slate in the fiscal 2018 periods. We believe a combination of several additional factors continue to contribute to our overall increase in attendance and our above-described industry outperformance during the first three quarters of fiscal 2018. In addition to the $5 Tuesday promotion that continued to perform well, we believe our fiscal 2018 third quarter and first three quarters attendance was favorably impacted by increased attendance at theatres that have added our spacious new DreamLounger^SM electric all-recliner seating, our proprietary UltraScreen DLX® and SuperScreen DLX^SM PLF screens and our unique food and beverage outlets described above, particularly at our Marcus Wehrenberg theatres. We also believe that we continue to recognize the benefits of our customer loyalty program, introduced in March 2014 and which now has nearly three million members.

 

Attendance and admission revenues increased during eight of the 13 weeks of the third quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to the comparable weeks during the third quarter of fiscal 2017, with the majority of the increases occurring in July and August, led by the strong carryover of two films that opened during the fiscal 2018 second quarter, Incredibles 2 and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, and stronger films in August compared to a relatively weak film slate during August 2017. Conversely, last year’s top film, It, opened in September, creating a very challenging comparison in September 2018. We also believe that the film mix during the third quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2017 may have had a negative impact on our comparative performance versus the overall industry numbers, particularly during August and September. One of the top films during those two months, Crazy Rich Asians, performed extremely well on the east and west coasts, but generally underperformed in our Midwestern markets. We also believe that the fact that the major league baseball teams in three of our key markets, Milwaukee, Chicago and St. Louis, were competing for the playoffs during the final month of their season, September 2018, had a negative impact on our attendance compared to the industry as a whole.

 

 

Our highest grossing films during the fiscal 2018 third quarter were Incredibles 2, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Mission: Impossible – Fallout and Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation. The film slate during the third quarter of fiscal 2018 was weighted slightly less towards strong blockbuster movies, as evidenced by the fact that our top five films during our fiscal 2018 third quarter accounted for 37% of our total admission revenues, compared to 48% for the top five films during the third quarter of fiscal 2017, both expressed as a percentage of the total admission revenues for the period. Under normal circumstances, this reduced reliance on blockbuster films during the fiscal 2018 period should have had the effect of reducing our film rental costs during the period, but as noted above, this was not the case during the third quarter of fiscal 2018 due to the unusual change in the film product mix compared to the prior year.

 

Film product for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 has, through the date of this report, produced admission revenues greater than the same period of fiscal 2017. Top performing films during this period have included films such as Venom, A Star is Born, Halloween, and Bohemian Rhapsody. Other films scheduled to be released during the traditionally busy November and December time period that may generate substantial box office interest include Dr. Suess’ The Grinch, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It, Creed II, Mary Poppins Returns, Bumblebee, Aquaman and Holmes and Watson. Comparisons to last year’s December film slate may be challenging due to the strong performance of the films Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle during December 2017. We also have seen some negative impact on October 2018 attendance in our Milwaukee market due to the impact of playoff baseball. Revenues for the theatre business and the motion picture industry in general are heavily dependent on the general audience appeal of available films, together with studio marketing, advertising and support campaigns and the maintenance of the current “windows” between the date a film is released in theatres and the date a film is released to other channels, including video on-demand and DVD. These are factors over which we have no control.

 

We ended the first three quarters of fiscal 2018 with a total of 884 company-owned screens in 67 theatres and 6 managed screens in one theatre, compared to 884 company-owned screens in 67 theatres and 11 managed screens in two theatres at the end of the first three quarters of fiscal 2017. We opened a new 10-screen theatre in Shakopee, Minnesota in April 2017 and a new eight-screen all in-theatre dining theatre, branded BistroPlex^SM, in Greendale, Wisconsin in late June 2017. We ceased managing one five-screen theatre during the second quarter of fiscal 2018 and we closed and sold one eight-screen budget-oriented theatre during the second quarter of fiscal 2017.

 

 

We converted one Marcus Wehrenberg theatre to all-DreamLounger recliner seating during the first quarter of fiscal 2018, four more theatres, including one Marcus Wehrenberg theatre, to all-DreamLounger recliner seating during the second quarter of fiscal 2018, and one theatre to all-DreamLounger recliner seating during the third quarter of fiscal 2018. We are currently in the process of converting one more theatre to all-DreamLounger recliner seating, with completion expected during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018. We opened two new Zaffiro’s Express outlets and one new Take Five Lounge outlet during the second quarter of fiscal 2018. We also converted five existing screens to UltraScreen and SuperScreen DLX auditoriums during the second quarter of fiscal 2018 and one existing screen to a SuperScreen DLX auditorium during the third quarter of fiscal 2018. We have also begun construction on our second BistroPlex to be located in Brookfield, Wisconsin.

 

On November 1, 2018, we entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with VSS-Southern Theatres LLC, Movie Tavern, Inc., Movie Tavern Theatres, LLC and TGS Beverage Company, LLC (collectively, “Sellers”) pursuant to which we will acquire substantially all of the assets and assume certain limited liabilities of Sellers’ Movie Tavern branded movie theatre business (the “Movie Tavern Business”). The Movie Tavern Business consists of 22 dine-in theatres located in Texas, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Louisiana, New York, Colorado, Arkansas, Kentucky and Virginia.

 

The purchase price for the Movie Tavern Business consists of $30 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments, and 2,450,000 shares of our common stock. We will finance the cash portion of the purchase price from existing sources of cash. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Completion of the transaction is subject to certain customary closing conditions and approvals, including, among others, early termination or expiration of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act. We anticipate that the acquired Movie Tavern Business will be accretive to earnings, earnings per share and cash flow in the first 12 months following the closing of the transaction.

 

There are representations and warranties contained in the Purchase Agreement which were made by the parties to each other as of specific dates. The assertions embodied in these representations and warranties were made solely for purposes of the Purchase Agreement and may be subject to important qualifications and limitations agreed to by the parties in connection with negotiating its terms. Moreover, certain representations and warranties may not be accurate or complete as of any specified date because they are subject to a contractual standard of materiality that is different from certain standards generally applicable to shareholders or were used for the purpose of allocating risk between the parties rather than establishing matters as facts. Based upon the foregoing reasons, investors should not rely on the representations and warranties as statements of factual information.

 

The foregoing description of the Purchase Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Purchase Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 2.1 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Hotels and Resorts

 

The following table sets forth revenues, operating income and operating margin for our hotels and resorts division for the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 (in millions, except for variance percentage and operating margin):

 

		Third Quarter																First Three Quarters
										Variance																Variance
		F2018				F2017				Amt.				Pct.				F2018				F2017				Amt.				Pct.
Revenues		$	75.5			$	71.9			$	3.6				4.9	%		$	198.4			$	190.9			$	7.5				3.9	%
Operating income			12.0				9.7				2.3				24.5	%			15.7				12.8				2.9				22.9	%
Operating margin   (% of revenues)			15.9	%			13.4	%											7.9	%			6.7	%

 

The following table provides a further breakdown of the components of revenues for the hotels and resorts division for the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 (in millions, except for variance percentage):

 

		Third Quarter																First Three Quarters
										Variance																Variance
		F2018				F2017				Amt.				Pct.				F2018				F2017				Amt.				Pct.
Room revenues		$	34.5			$	32.8			$	1.7				5.1	%		$	84.2			$	82.8			$	1.4				1.7	%
Food/beverage revenues			19.3				18.6				0.7				3.6	%			54.0				52.5				1.5				2.8	%
Other revenues			12.8				12.4				0.4				3.1	%			35.5				33.8				1.7				4.9	%
			66.6				63.8				2.8				4.3	%			173.7				169.1				4.6				2.7	%
Cost reimbursements			8.9				8.1				0.8				10.1	%			24.7				21.8				2.9				13.4	%
Total revenues		$	75.5			$	71.9			$	3.6				4.9	%		$	198.4			$	190.9			$	7.5				3.9	%

 

Division revenues increased during the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2018 compared to the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2017 due to increased room revenues, food and beverage revenues, other revenues and increased cost reimbursements from our managed hotels. Room revenues increased due primarily to increased group business during the fiscal 2018 periods compared to the fiscal 2017 periods. Food and beverage revenues increased during the first three quarters of fiscal 2018 primarily due to our SafeHouse restaurant and bar in Chicago, Illinois, which opened on March 1, 2017. Other revenues increased during the fiscal 2018 periods due to increased management fees and rental income. Cost reimbursements, described above, also increased during the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2018 compared to the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2017 due to an increase in the number of management contracts in this division.

 

 

Our hotels and resorts division operating income and operating margin increased during the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2018 compared to the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2017 due in part to increased management fees, improved performance at several owned hotels and overall strong cost control management. In addition, comparisons to the fiscal 2017 periods were also favorably impacted by the fact that the prior year results included preopening expenses and startup operating losses related to the new SafeHouse Chicago.

 

The following table sets forth certain operating statistics for the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017, including our average occupancy percentage (number of occupied rooms as a percentage of available rooms), our average daily room rate, or ADR, and our total revenue per available room, or RevPAR, for company-owned properties:

 

		Third Quarter(1)																First Three Quarters(1)
										Variance																Variance
		F2018				F2017				Amt.				Pct.				F2018				F2017				Amt.				Pct.
Occupancy pct.			84.1	%			82.0	%			2.1	pts			2.6%				76.2	%			76.2	%			-	pts			-	%
ADR		$	168.58			$	164.47			$	4.11				2.5%			$	151.62			$	149.75			$	1.87				1.2	%
RevPAR		$	141.81			$	134.85			$	6.96				5.2%			$	115.48			$	114.05			$	1.43				1.3	%

 

(1)

These operating statistics represent averages of our eight distinct comparable company-owned hotels and resorts, branded and unbranded, in different geographic markets with a wide range of individual hotel performance. The statistics are not necessarily representative of any particular hotel or resort.

 

RevPAR increased at all eight of our company-owned properties during the third quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2017 and four of our eight company-owned properties during the first three quarters of fiscal 2018 compared to the first three quarters of fiscal 2017. According to data received from Smith Travel Research and compiled by us in order to evaluate our fiscal 2018 third quarter and first three quarters results, comparable “upper upscale” hotels throughout the United States experienced an increase in RevPAR of 2.1% during both our third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2018 compared to the same periods last year. Data received from Smith Travel Research for our various “competitive sets” – hotels identified in our specific markets that we deem to be competitors to our hotels – indicates that these hotels experienced an increase in RevPAR of 6.5% and 2.5%, respectively, during our third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2018 compared to the fiscal 2017 comparable periods.

 

We believe our increased occupancy percentage and ADR during the third quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2017, along with the resulting RevPAR outperformance versus the industry, was due primarily to increased group business. We also believe the same baseball dynamic that negatively impacted our theatre business may have resulted in increased revenues for our Milwaukee hotels. We believe our slight RevPAR underperformance of our competitive sets during the third quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2017 was likely due to the fact that several hotels in our competitive sets had favorable comparisons to the prior year due to renovations and other unusual circumstances. Seven of our eight company-owned hotels reported increased ADR during the fiscal 2018 third quarter compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2017 and five of our eight company-owned hotels reported increased ADR during the first three quarters of fiscal 2018 compared to the first three quarters of fiscal 2017.

 

 

Looking to future periods, as of the date of this report, our group room revenue bookings for the remaining period in fiscal 2018 - commonly referred to in the hotels and resorts industry as “group pace” - is running slightly ahead of our group room revenue bookings for the remaining period of fiscal 2017 last year at this time. In addition, our group pace for fiscal 2019 is also running ahead of where we were last year at this time for fiscal 2018. The impact of playoff baseball in Milwaukee also benefitted our October 2018 hotel results.

 

We generally expect our modestly favorable revenue trends to continue in future periods and to track or exceed the overall industry trends, particularly in our respective markets. Many published reports by those who closely follow the hotel industry, including Smith Travel Research, continue to suggest that the United States lodging industry will continue to achieve slow but steady growth in RevPAR during the remaining period of 2018 and throughout 2019. There also appears to be some improvement in sentiment regarding the positive impact that recent regulatory and tax reforms are having on our business customers, which may be contributing to our improved group pace and we hope will result in increased business travel in the future. Whether the relatively positive trends in the lodging industry over the last several years will continue depends in large part on the economic environment, as hotel revenues have historically tracked very closely with traditional macroeconomic statistics such as the Gross Domestic Product. We also continue to monitor hotel supply in our markets, as increased supply without a corresponding increase in demand may have a negative impact on our results.

 

In addition to the fact that we began managing the new Omaha Marriott Downtown at The Capitol District hotel in Omaha, Nebraska and the Sheraton Chapel Hill Hotel in Chapel Hill, North Carolina during the second half of fiscal 2017, our hotels and resorts division operating results are beginning to show the benefits and should benefit in future periods from three new management contracts that we have recently obtained. In January 2018, we commenced management of the newly-opened Murieta Inn and Spa in Rancho Murieta, California. In April 2018, we commenced management of the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel El Paso Downtown in El Paso, Texas. In August 2018, we commenced management of the newly opened Courtyard by Marriott El Paso Downtown/Convention Center. These new management contracts have increased our portfolio to 21 owned and managed properties across the country.

 

Conversely, during fiscal 2017, we ceased management of the Sheraton Madison Hotel in Madison, Wisconsin and The Westin Atlanta Perimeter North in Atlanta, Georgia due to the sale of these properties. The loss of these management contracts has partially offset the benefits of the new management contracts described above. The timing and possible disruption of business from our planned renovations at the InterContinental Milwaukee hotel and the Hilton Madison at Monona Terrace may also have a slight negative impact on our operating results of those two hotels during the remainder of fiscal 2018 and first half of fiscal 2019.

 

We continue to explore opportunities to monetize selected existing owned hotels in the future. We will consider many factors as we actively review opportunities to execute this strategy, including income tax considerations, the ability to retain management, pricing and individual market considerations. Execution of this strategy is also dependent upon a favorable hotel transactional market. In addition, we continue to explore potential growth opportunities. The timing and nature of the opportunities may vary and include pure management contracts, management contracts with equity, and joint venture investments.

 

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Liquidity

 

Our movie theatre and hotels and resorts businesses each generate significant and consistent daily amounts of cash, subject to previously-noted seasonality, because each segment’s revenue is derived predominantly from consumer cash purchases. We believe that these relatively consistent and predictable cash sources, as well as the availability of approximately $108 million of unused credit lines as of the end of our fiscal 2018 third quarter, will be adequate to support the ongoing operational liquidity needs of our businesses during the remainder of fiscal 2018.

 

Financial Condition

 

Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $77.1 million during the first three quarters of fiscal 2018, compared to $50.9 million during the first three quarters of the fiscal 2017. The $26.2 million increase in cash provided by operating activities was due primarily to increased net earnings and depreciation and amortization, as well as the favorable timing in the collection of accounts and notes receivable and payment of income taxes, partially offset by the unfavorable timing in the payment of accounts payable and other accrued liabilities during the first three quarters of fiscal 2018 compared to the first three quarters of fiscal 2017.

 

Net cash used in investing activities during the first three quarters of fiscal 2018 totaled $46.1 million, compared to $82.1 million during the first three quarters of fiscal 2017. The decrease in net cash used in investing activities was primarily the result of decreased capital expenditures during the first three quarters of fiscal 2018 compared to the first three quarters of fiscal 2017. Total cash capital expenditures (including normal continuing capital maintenance and renovation projects) totaled $45.1 million during the first three quarters of fiscal 2018 compared to $87.3 million during the first three quarters of fiscal 2017. Approximately $23.5 million of our capital expenditures during the first three quarters of fiscal 2017 were related to the development of the previously-described new theatres, accounting for over one-half of the decrease in capital expenditures during the fiscal 2018 period. We did not incur any acquisition-related capital expenditures during the first three quarters of fiscal 2018 or the first three quarters of fiscal 2017.

 

Fiscal 2018 first three quarters cash capital expenditures included approximately $37.0 million incurred in our theatre division, including costs associated with the addition of DreamLounger recliner seating, new UltraScreen and SuperScreen DLX auditoriums and new Zaffiro’s Express and Take Five Lounge outlets to existing theatres. We also incurred capital expenditures in our hotels and resorts division during the first three quarters of fiscal 2018 of approximately $8.1 million, consisting primarily of normal maintenance capital projects. Fiscal 2017 first three quarters cash capital expenditures included approximately $69.5 million incurred in our theatre division, including previously-described new theatre development costs and costs associated with the addition of DreamLounger recliner seating, SuperScreen DLX auditorium conversions and new Zaffiro’s Express and Reel Sizzle outlets to existing theatres. We also incurred capital expenditures in our hotels and resorts division during the first three quarters of fiscal 2017 of approximately $17.5 million, including costs associated with the development of our new SafeHouse Chicago location and the development of new villas at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa.

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities during the first three quarters of fiscal 2018 totaled $39.1 million compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $37.0 million during the first three quarters of fiscal 2017. We used excess cash during both periods to reduce our borrowings under our revolving credit facility. As short-term borrowings became due, we replaced them as necessary with new short-term borrowings. As a result, we added $159.0 million of new short-term borrowings and we made $177.0 million of repayments on short-term borrowings during the first three quarters of fiscal 2018 (net decrease in borrowings on our credit facility of $18.0 million) compared to $254.0 million of new short-term borrowings and $236.5 million of repayments on short-term borrowings made during the first three quarters of fiscal 2017 (net increase in borrowings on our credit facility of $17.5 million).

 

We did not issue any new long-term debt during the first three quarters of fiscal 2018. Conversely, proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt totaled $65.0 million during the first three quarters of fiscal 2017 and included the issuance of $50 million of senior notes. In addition, we repaid a mortgage note that matured in January 2017 with a balance of $24.2 million as of December 29, 2016 during the first three quarters of fiscal 2017 and replaced it with borrowings under our revolving credit facility and the issuance of a $15.0 million mortgage note bearing interest at LIBOR plus 2.75%, requiring monthly principal and interest payments and maturing in fiscal 2020. Principal payments on long-term debt were $11.7 million during the first three quarters of fiscal 2018 compared to $35.9 million during the first three quarters of fiscal 2017 (including the mortgage note repayment described above). Our debt-to-capitalization ratio (excluding our capital lease obligations) was 0.36 at September 27, 2018, compared to 0.40 at December 28, 2017.

 

We repurchased approximately 83,000 shares of our common stock for approximately $2.9 million in conjunction with the exercise of stock options during the first three quarters of fiscal 2018, compared to 29,000 shares repurchased for approximately $850,000 in conjunction with the exercise of stock options during the first three quarters of fiscal 2017. As of September 27, 2018, approximately 2.8 million shares remained available for repurchase under prior Board of Directors repurchase authorizations. We expect that we will execute any future repurchases on the open market or in privately-negotiated transactions, depending upon a number of factors, including prevailing market conditions.

 

Dividend payments during the first three quarters of fiscal 2018 totaled $12.3 million compared to dividend payments of $10.1 million during the first three quarters of fiscal 2017. The increase in dividend payments was the result of a 20.0% increase in our regular quarterly dividend payment initiated in March 2018.

 

We believe our total capital expenditures for fiscal 2018 will approximate $55-$65 million, barring our pursuance of any growth opportunities that could arise in the remaining months and depending upon the timing of our payments on several of the various projects incurred by our two divisions. Some of the payments on projects undertaken during fiscal 2018 may carry over to fiscal 2019. The actual timing and extent of the implementation of all of our current expansion plans will depend in large part on industry and general economic conditions, our financial performance and available capital, the competitive environment, evolving customer needs and trends, and the availability of attractive opportunities. It is likely that our plans will continue to evolve and change in response to these and other factors.

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

We have not experienced any material changes in our market risk exposures since December 28, 2017.

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

 

a.       Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

 

Based on their evaluations and the evaluation of management, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms.

 

b.       Changes in internal control over financial reporting

 

There were no significant changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act that occurred during the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

 

Risk factors relating to us are contained in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2017. No material change to such risk factors has occurred during the 39 weeks ended September 27, 2018.

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

The following table sets forth information with respect to purchases made by us or on our behalf of our Common Stock during the periods indicated. All of these repurchases were made in conjunction with the exercise of stock options and the purchase of shares in the open market and pursuant to the publicly announced repurchase authorization described below.

 

Period		Total Number of Shares Purchased				Average Price Paid per Share				Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Programs (1)				Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (1)
June 29 – July 26			1,173			$	33.31				1,173				2,837,624
July 27 – August 30			50,924				37.51				50,924				2,786,700
August 31 – September 27			–				–				–				–
Total			52,097			$	37.42				52,097				2,786,700

 

(1)

Through September 27, 2018, our Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase of up to approximately 11.7 million shares of our outstanding Common Stock. Under these authorizations, we may repurchase shares of our Common Stock from time to time in the open market, pursuant to privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. As of September 27, 2018, we had repurchased approximately 8.9 million shares of our Common Stock under these authorizations. The repurchased shares are held in our treasury pending potential future issuance in connection with employee benefit, option or stock ownership plans or other general corporate purposes. These authorizations do not have an expiration date.

 

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not applicable.

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

 

2.1	Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 1, 2018, by and among MMT Texnv, LLC, MMT Lapagava, LLC, The Marcus Corporation, Movie Tavern, Inc., Movie Tavern Theaters, LLC, TGS Beverage Company, LLC, and VSS-Southern Theatres LLC. [Schedules and exhibits have been omitted and The Marcus Corporation agrees to furnish supplementally to the Securities and Exchange Commission a Copy of any omitted schedules and exhibits upon request.
31.1	Certification by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2	Certification by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32	Written Statement of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350.
101	The following materials from The Marcus Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 27, 2018 are filed herewith, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Earnings, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) the Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

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 thereunto duly authorized.

 

THE MARCUS CORPORATION

 

DATE:  November 6, 2018	By:	/s/ Gregory S. Marcus
		Gregory S. Marcus
		President and Chief Executive Officer
DATE:  November 6, 2018	By:	/s/ Douglas A. Neis
		Douglas A. Neis
		Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
		Officer and Treasurer