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8-K - 8-K - CEDAR FAIR L Pq32013earningsrelease.htm
Exhibit 99.1


 
 
For Immediate Release
Contacts:
Stacy Frole
(419) 627-2227
November 7, 2013
 
Lisa Broussard
(419) 609-5929
 
CEDAR FAIR REPORTS RECORD THIRD-QUARTER RESULTS; INCREASES QUARTERLY CASH DISTRIBUTION BY 12%
SANDUSKY, OHIO, November 7, 2013 - Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (NYSE: FUN), today reported record results for its third quarter ended September 29, 2013, announced a 12% increase in its quarterly cash distribution and stated it is on track to achieve its FUNforward long-term growth goal earlier than its original target of 2016.
Highlights
Cedar Fair reported record net revenues of $592.1 million in the third quarter. This 7% increase over last year's third quarter reflects the Company's continued success in increasing revenues across all areas of its business, including attendance, in-park guest spending and out-of-park revenues.
Cedar Fair's parks are on pace for a fourth straight record year as net revenues through November 3, 2013 increased 6% and comparable park attendance increased 2% when compared with the same period last year.
On the strength of its core operating season, the Company now expects to achieve full-year net revenues between $1.125 billion and $1.135 billion. It also anticipates being at the high end of its Adjusted EBITDA guidance range of $415 million to $425 million, a 6% to 9% increase over last year's record Adjusted EBITDA.
The Company believes the continued strength of its business model, combined with strategic capital investments, will allow it to achieve its FUNforward long-term growth goal of $450 million in Adjusted EBITDA earlier than its original target of 2016.
Cedar Fair's Board of Directors has increased its quarterly cash distribution by 12% to $0.70 per limited partner (LP) unit, payable December 16, 2013.

Cedar Fair Entertainment Company - One Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky, Ohio 44870-5259 419-627-2233

Cedar Fair Reports Record Third-Quarter Results; Increases Quarterly Cash Distribution By 12%
November 7, 2013
Page 2

Commenting on the Company's third-quarter results, Matt Ouimet, Cedar Fair's president and chief executive officer said, “We are pleased with our record results to date, particularly since the growth comes from a combination of increased attendance, average in-park guest per capita spending and accommodations revenue. Our employees did a great job this year providing our guests with a 'Best-Day-of-Summer' experience each and every time they visited our parks. Their commitment to this guest experience extends our guests' length-of-stay and drives valuable repeat business every year.
"This year, the majority of our FUNforward initiatives exceeded our expectations by meeting our targets sooner than planned, and in some cases, surpassing our targets," continued Ouimet. "We had great response to our capital plans, strong momentum in season pass sales, continued success in premium product offerings and broad improvements in our food and beverage offerings this past year. We look forward to maintaining this momentum and building on these initiatives as we head into 2014."
Ouimet concluded, "In recognition of the current-year performance, our positive outlook and our strong balance sheet, our Board has declared a 12% increase in our 2013 fourth-quarter distribution. This reflects our confidence that our cash flow will be more than sufficient to maintain this distribution amount into 2014, while also allowing us to strategically invest in our business to support long-term growth."
Third-Quarter Results
Cedar Fair's net revenues increased to $592.1 million for the third quarter, up $38.6 million, or 7%, from $553.5 million in the third quarter a year ago. Net income for the quarter was $190.4 million, or $3.41 per diluted LP unit, compared with net income of $141.0 million, or $2.52 per diluted LP unit during the same period last year.
The increase in net revenues for the third quarter was due to a 7%, or $2.83, increase in average in-park guest per capita spending to $45.73, along with an 8%, or $4.4 million, increase in out-of-park revenues to $58.7 million. Attendance for the period was comparable with the prior-year period. Excluding two non-core stand-alone water parks sold in November 2012 and August 2013, attendance on a comparable park basis increased 2%, or 207,000 visits.

Cedar Fair Entertainment Company - One Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky, Ohio 44870-5259 419-627-2233

Cedar Fair Reports Record Third-Quarter Results; Increases Quarterly Cash Distribution By 12%
November 7, 2013
Page 3

For the third quarter of 2013, operating costs and expenses increased $11.3 million, or 4%, to $275.0 million from $263.7 million in the third quarter of 2012. The increased costs are largely attributable to higher staffing levels to support the additional revenue growth initiatives, investments in new Customer Relationship Management and revenue management platforms, and higher incentive compensation due to our strong performance. These cost increases were slightly offset by a decrease in cost of goods sold due to savings initiatives in food and beverage programs and continued focus on operating expense control. As a percentage of net revenues, costs and expenses decreased 120 basis points, which was in line with the Company's expectations.
Adjusted EBITDA, which management believes is a meaningful measure of the Company's park-level operating results, for the third quarter increased $26.1 million, or 9%, to a record-level $318.4 million when compared with the same period last year. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA is attributable to strong revenue growth along with the Company’s ongoing focus on cost control while continuing to invest in enhancing the guest experience.
Nine-Month Results
Cedar Fair's net revenues increased to $995.5 million through the third quarter, up $56.2 million, or 6%, from $939.3 million through the third quarter ended September 30, 2012. Net income during this period was $128.7 million, or $2.31 per diluted LP unit, compared with net income of $112.2 million, or $2.01 per diluted LP unit, during the same period last year.
The increase in net revenues was due to a 6%, or $2.46, increase in average in-park guest per capita spending to $44.24, along with a 7%, or $7.3 million, increase in out-of-park revenues to $106.8 million. Attendance for the period was essentially comparable with the prior year period. Excluding the sale of the two water parks, attendance increased 1%, or 194,000 visits, on a comparable park basis.
Through the third quarter of 2013, operating costs and expenses increased $15.6 million, or 3%, to $595.8 million from $580.2 million in 2012. Adjusted EBITDA for the same period increased $39.7 million, or 11%, to a record-level $405.2 million when compared with the same period a year ago.

Cedar Fair Entertainment Company - One Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky, Ohio 44870-5259 419-627-2233

Cedar Fair Reports Record Third-Quarter Results; Increases Quarterly Cash Distribution By 12%
November 7, 2013
Page 4

Momentum Continues Through October
Based on preliminary results, net revenues through November 3, 2013 were approximately $1.104 billion, up 6%, or $65 million, compared with $1.039 billion for the same period last year. The increase was the result of an approximate 6%, or $2.31, increase in average in-park guest per capita spending to a record $44.33, and an approximate 7%, or $8 million increase, in out-of-park revenues to $117 million. Also contributing to revenue growth was an increase in attendance of 100,000-visits, compared with last year. Excluding the sale of the two water parks, attendance was up 2%, or 334,000 visits, to a record 22.7 million visits on a comparable park basis.
Strong Cash Flow Drives Further Balance Sheet Improvements
As of September 29, 2013, the Company had $628.4 million of variable-rate term debt (before giving consideration to fixed-rate interest rate swaps), $901.6 million of fixed-rate debt, no outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit facilities and cash on hand of $183.5 million. The Company believes its credit facilities and cash flows are sufficient to meet working capital needs, debt service, planned capital expenditures and distributions for the foreseeable future.
Brian Witherow, Cedar Fair’s executive vice president and chief financial officer commented, “Our strong cash flow, combined with the proceeds from the sale of two non-core stand-alone water parks, has contributed to our healthy liquidity reserve. We believe our financial discipline has helped strengthen our balance sheet and provide us with the flexibility to grow cash distributions at least at the pace of our current business growth, while also allowing us to further invest in strategic long-term growth initiatives with high returns.”
Distribution Declaration
The Company also announced today the declaration of a cash distribution of $0.70 per LP unit. The distribution represents an increase of 12% and will be paid on December 16, 2013, to unitholders of record as of December 4, 2013.

Cedar Fair Entertainment Company - One Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky, Ohio 44870-5259 419-627-2233

Cedar Fair Reports Record Third-Quarter Results; Increases Quarterly Cash Distribution By 12%
November 7, 2013
Page 5

Outlook
“As we head into the final quarter of 2013, we feel very good about our near-term outlook and long-range potential," said Ouimet. "Our performance to date has exceeded our expectations, as many of our initiatives have gained traction faster and to a greater degree than we initially had projected. Due to this strength, we now expect to achieve full-year net revenues between $1.125 billion and $1.135 billion. We also anticipate being at the high end of our Adjusted EBITDA guidance range of $415 million to $425 million in 2013.
"We are a company that has been known for innovative, new attractions and we will continue to deliver on these expectations as we head into next year," continued Ouimet. "In 2014 we will launch Banshee, the longest inverted coaster in the world at Kings Island. We will also introduce the first edition of our Amusement Dark portfolio - Guardian of Wonder Mountain at Canada's Wonderland. This innovative new ride combines a coaster track with an interactive digital gaming system. The longest interactive screen in the world provides a compelling adventure in search of the dragon's gold and, as Halloween approaches, the adventure changes as zombies make their presence known. These are just two examples of the next generation of FUN's innovation.
"The success of our 2013 operating season also provides us with the financial flexibility to make additional investments in long-term growth opportunities," said Ouimet. "In 2014, this will include the addition of our very popular cottages and cabins at select parks, along with an in-park TV network that will provide additional entertainment for our guests. We remain committed to strategically deploying capital to generate the highest returns for our unitholders in both the short- and long-term. We believe the continued strength of our business model, combined with strategic capital investments, will allow us to generate higher revenues and ultimately achieve our FUNforward long-term growth goal of $450 million in Adjusted EBITDA earlier than our original target of 2016."
Conference Call
The Company will host a conference call with analysts today, November 7, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, which will be web cast live in “listen only” mode via the Cedar Fair web site (www.cedarfair.com). It will also be available for replay starting at approximately 1:00 p.m. ET, Thursday, November 7, 2013, until 11:59 p.m. ET, Thursday, November 21, 2013. In order to access the replay of the earnings call, please dial 1-877-870-5176 followed by the access code 4644005.

Cedar Fair Entertainment Company - One Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky, Ohio 44870-5259 419-627-2233

Cedar Fair Reports Record Third-Quarter Results; Increases Quarterly Cash Distribution By 12%
November 7, 2013
Page 6

About Cedar Fair
Cedar Fair is a publicly traded partnership headquartered in Sandusky, Ohio, and one of the largest regional amusement-resort operators in the world. The Company owns and operates 11 amusement parks, three outdoor water parks, one indoor water park and five hotels. Its parks are located in Ohio, California, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Missouri, Michigan, and Toronto, Ontario. Cedar Fair also operates the Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in California under a management contract. Cedar Fair's flagship park, Cedar Point, has been consistently voted the “Best Amusement Park in the World” in a prestigious annual poll conducted by Amusement Today newspaper.
Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the statements contained in this news release constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements as to the Company's expectations, beliefs and strategies regarding the future. These statements may involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in such statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Important factors, including general economic conditions, adverse weather conditions, competition for consumer leisure time and spending, unanticipated construction delays, changes in our capital investment plans and projects and other factors discussed from time to time by the Company in reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) could affect attendance at our parks and cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations. Additional information on risk factors that may affect the business and financial results of the Company can be found in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and in the filings of the Company made from time to time with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

This news release and prior releases are available online at www.cedarfair.com
###


Cedar Fair Entertainment Company - One Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky, Ohio 44870-5259 419-627-2233

Cedar Fair Reports Record Third-Quarter Results; Increases Quarterly Cash Distribution By 12%
November 7, 2013
Page 7

CEDAR FAIR, L.P.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands, except per unit amounts)
 
 
Three months ended
 
Nine months ended
 
Twelve months ended
 
 
9/29/2013
 
9/30/2012
 
9/29/2013
 
9/30/2012
 
9/29/2013
 
9/30/2012
 
 
(13 weeks)
 
(13 weeks)
 
(39 weeks)
 
(39 weeks)
 
(52 weeks)
 
(53 weeks)
Net revenues:
 
 
 
(As restated)
 
 
 
(As restated)
 
 
 
(As restated)
Admissions
 
$
339,655

 
$
319,607

 
$
562,214

 
$
533,143

 
$
641,140

 
$
624,030

Food, merchandise and games
 
180,408

 
171,336

 
316,940

 
305,203

 
353,951

 
347,374

Accommodations and other
 
72,013

 
62,502

 
116,341

 
100,903

 
129,609

 
112,690

 
 
592,076

 
553,445

 
995,495

 
939,249

 
1,124,700

 
1,084,094

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of food, merchandise and games revenues
 
45,843

 
47,353

 
81,933

 
83,926

 
93,055

 
96,002

Operating expenses
 
170,394

 
163,311

 
388,335

 
380,832

 
458,906

 
460,125

Selling, general and administrative
 
58,727

 
52,993

 
125,533

 
115,488

 
148,356

 
145,788

Depreciation and amortization
 
57,495

 
60,223

 
108,313

 
112,211

 
122,408

 
127,191

Gain on sale of other assets
 
(8,743
)
 

 
(8,743
)
 

 
(15,368
)
 

Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net
 
1,637

 
25,000

 
2,266

 
24,230

 
8,372

 
34,509

 
 
325,353

 
348,880

 
697,637

 
716,687

 
815,729

 
863,615

Operating income
 
266,723

 
204,565

 
297,858

 
222,562

 
308,971

 
220,479

Interest expense
 
25,529

 
26,863

 
77,153

 
83,902

 
103,870

 
116,437

Net effect of swaps
 
1,377

 
(175
)
 
8,315

 
(1,318
)
 
8,141

 
(10,930
)
Loss on early debt extinguishment
 

 

 
34,573

 

 
34,573

 

Unrealized/realized foreign currency (gain) loss
 
(8,615
)
 
(15,035
)
 
15,229

 
(13,926
)
 
20,157

 
(18,721
)
Other income
 
(17
)
 
(13
)
 
(126
)
 
(31
)
 
(163
)
 
(68
)
Income before taxes
 
248,449

 
192,925

 
162,714

 
153,935

 
142,393

 
133,761

Provision for taxes
 
58,025

 
51,912

 
34,026

 
41,754

 
24,030

 
27,858

Net income
 
190,424

 
141,013

 
128,688

 
112,181

 
118,363

 
105,903

Net income allocated to general partner
 
2

 
1

 
1

 
1

 
1

 
1

Net income allocated to limited partners
 
$
190,422

 
$
141,012

 
$
128,687

 
$
112,180

 
$
118,362

 
$
105,902

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
190,424

 
$
141,013

 
$
128,688

 
$
112,181

 
$
118,363

 
$
105,903

Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment
 
(699
)
 
(563
)
 
1,194

 
(1,251
)
 
2,814

 
(2,672
)
Unrealized income (loss) on cash flow hedging derivatives
 
(2,761
)
 
(234
)
 
7,803

 
(1,798
)
 
9,740

 
(397
)
Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax)
 
(3,460
)
 
(797
)
 
8,997

 
(3,049
)
 
12,554

 
(3,069
)
Total comprehensive income
 
$
186,964

 
$
140,216

 
$
137,685

 
$
109,132

 
$
130,917

 
$
102,834

Basic earnings per limited partner unit:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average limited partner units outstanding
 
55,485

 
55,611

 
55,472

 
55,473

 
55,460

 
55,440

Net income per limited partner unit
 
$
3.43

 
$
2.54

 
$
2.32

 
$
2.02

 
$
2.13

 
$
1.91

Diluted earnings per limited partner unit:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average limited partner units outstanding
 
55,863

 
55,992

 
55,803

 
55,848

 
55,804

 
55,887

Net income per limited partner unit
 
$
3.41

 
$
2.52

 
$
2.31

 
$
2.01

 
$
2.12

 
$
1.89


Cedar Fair Entertainment Company - One Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky, Ohio 44870-5259 419-627-2233

Cedar Fair Reports Record Third-Quarter Results; Increases Quarterly Cash Distribution By 12%
November 7, 2013
Page 8

CEDAR FAIR, L.P.
UNAUDITED BALANCE SHEET DATA
THIRD QUARTER
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
9/29/2013
 
9/30/2012
 
 
 
(As restated)
Cash and cash equivalents
$
183,482

 
$
96,102

Total assets
$
2,101,047

 
$
2,081,992

Long-Term Debt, including current maturities:
 
 
Term debt
$
628,425

 
$
1,131,100

Notes
901,606

 
400,676

 
$
1,530,031

 
$
1,531,776

Total partners' equity
$
192,217

 
$
181,167


CEDAR FAIR, L.P.
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED EBITDA
THIRD QUARTER
 
 
Three months ended
 
Nine months ended
 
Twelve months ended
 
 
 
 
(as restated)
 
 
 
(as restated)
 
 
 
(as restated)
 
 
9/29/2013
 
9/30/2012
 
9/29/2013
 
9/30/2012
 
9/29/2013
 
9/30/2012
 
 
(13 weeks)
 
(13 weeks)
 
(39 weeks)
 
(39 weeks)
 
(52 weeks)
 
(53 weeks)
 
 
(In thousands)
Net income
 
$
190,424

 
$
141,013

 
$
128,688

 
$
112,181

 
$
118,363

 
$
105,903

Interest expense
 
25,529

 
26,863

 
77,153

 
83,902

 
103,870

 
116,437

Interest income
 
(17
)
 
(13
)
 
(126
)
 
(31
)
 
(163
)
 
(68
)
Provision for taxes
 
58,025

 
51,912

 
34,026

 
41,754

 
24,030

 
27,858

Depreciation and amortization
 
57,495

 
60,223

 
108,313

 
112,211

 
122,408

 
127,191

EBITDA
 
331,456

 
279,998

 
348,054

 
350,017

 
368,508

 
377,321

Loss on early extinguishment of debt
 

 

 
34,573

 

 
34,573

 

Net effect of swaps
 
1,377

 
(175
)
 
8,315

 
(1,318
)
 
8,141

 
(10,930
)
Unrealized foreign currency (gain) loss
 
(8,385
)
 
(14,737
)
 
15,371

 
(14,108
)
 
20,298

 
(17,502
)
Non-cash equity expense
 
843

 
362

 
4,645

 
2,630

 
5,280

 
2,619

Loss on impairment/retirement of fixed assets, net
 
1,637

 
25,000

 
2,266

 
24,230

 
8,372

 
34,509

Gain on sale of other assets
 
(8,743
)
 

 
(8,743
)
 

 
(15,368
)
 

Terminated merger costs
 

 

 

 

 

 
150

Other non-recurring items (as defined)
 
197

 
1,861

 
705

 
4,026

 
859

 
7,445

Adjusted EBITDA (1)
 
$
318,382

 
$
292,309

 
$
405,186

 
$
365,477

 
$
430,663

 
$
393,612

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) As permitted by and defined in the 2013 Credit Agreement
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



Cedar Fair Entertainment Company - One Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky, Ohio 44870-5259 419-627-2233