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SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2021 June (Form 10-Q)

  

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2021

or

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: 001-35883

 

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

27-1220297

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

6240 Sea Harbor Drive  

Orlando, Florida

 

 

32821

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (407) 226-5011

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

SEAS

New York Stock Exchange

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 such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes      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      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.

Large accelerated filer

 

Accelerated filer

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  

The registrant had outstanding 79,178,901 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share as of August 2, 2021.

 


 

SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page No.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

PART I.

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

21

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

34

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

 

35

 

 

 

 

 

PART II.

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

36

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

 

36

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

36

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

 

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

36

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

 

Mine Safety Disclosures

 

36

 

 

 

 

 

Item 5.

 

Other Information

 

36

 

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

 

37

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signatures

 

38

 

 

 


 

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

In addition to historical information, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, including statements concerning our plans, objectives, goals, beliefs, business strategies, future events, business conditions, our results of operations, financial position and our business outlook, business trends and other information, may be forward-looking statements. Words such as “might,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “estimates,” “expects,” “continues,” “contemplates,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “intends,” “believes,” “forecasts,” “future,” “targeted,” “goal” and variations of such words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based upon our current expectations, beliefs, estimates and projections, and various assumptions, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond our control. Our expectations, beliefs, estimates and projections are expressed in good faith and we believe there is a reasonable basis for them. However, there can be no assurance that management’s expectations, beliefs, estimates and projections will result or be achieved and actual results may vary materially from what is expressed in or indicated by the forward-looking statements.

There are a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Such risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, the risks, uncertainties and factors set forth under “Item 1A.  Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 (the “Annual Report on Form 10-K”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and under “Part II, Item 1A., Risk Factors” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as such risk factors may be updated from time to time in our periodic filings with the SEC, including this report, and are accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, including the following:

 

the effects of the global Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic, or any related mutations of the virus on our business and the economy in general;

 

complex federal and state regulations governing the treatment of animals, which can change, and claims and lawsuits by activist groups before government regulators and in the courts;

 

activist and other third-party groups and/or media can pressure governmental agencies, vendors, partners, and/or regulators, bring action in the courts or create negative publicity about us;

 

various factors beyond our control adversely affecting attendance and guest spending at our theme parks, including, but not limited to, weather, natural disasters, foreign exchange rates, consumer confidence, the potential spread of travel-related health concerns including pandemics and epidemics, travel related concerns, and governmental actions;

 

incidents or adverse publicity concerning our theme parks, the theme park industry and/or zoological facilities;

 

a decline in discretionary consumer spending or consumer confidence;

 

a significant portion of our revenues have historically been generated in the States of Florida, California and Virginia, and any risks affecting such markets, such as natural disasters, closures due to pandemics, severe weather and travel-related disruptions or incidents;

 

seasonal fluctuations in operating results;

 

inability to compete effectively in the highly competitive theme park industry;

 

interactions between animals and our employees and our guests at attractions at our theme parks;

 

animal exposure to infectious disease;

 

high fixed cost structure of theme park operations;

 

changing consumer tastes and preferences;

 

cyber security risks and failure to maintain the integrity of internal or guest data;

 

technology interruptions or failures that impair access to our websites and/or information technology systems;

 

increased labor costs, including minimum wage increases, and employee health and welfare benefits;

 

inability to grow our business or fund theme park capital expenditures;

 

adverse litigation judgments or settlements;

 

inability to protect our intellectual property or the infringement on intellectual property rights of others;

 

the loss of licenses and permits required to exhibit animals or the violation of laws and regulations;

 

loss of key personnel;

 

unionization activities and/or labor disputes;

 

inability to meet workforce needs;

 

inability to realize the benefits of developments, restructurings, acquisitions or other strategic initiatives, and the impact of the costs associated with such activities;

 

inability to maintain certain commercial licenses;

1


 

 

restrictions in our debt agreements limiting flexibility in operating our business;

 

changes in the method for determining LIBOR and the potential replacement of LIBOR may affect our cost of capital;

 

inability to retain our current credit ratings;

 

our substantial leverage;

 

inadequate insurance coverage;

 

inability to purchase or contract with third party manufacturers for rides and attractions or construction delays;

 

environmental regulations, expenditures and liabilities;

 

suspension or termination of any of our business licenses, including by legislation at federal, state or local levels;

 

delays, restrictions or inability to obtain or maintain permits;

 

financial distress of strategic partners or other counterparties;

 

changes to immigration, foreign trade, investments and/or other policies;

 

inability to realize the full value of our intangible assets;

 

changes in tax laws;

 

tariffs or other trade restrictions;

 

actions of activist stockholders;

 

the ability of Hill Path Capital LP to significantly influence our decisions;

 

changes or declines in our stock price, as well as the risk that securities analysts could downgrade our stock or our sector; and

 

risks associated with our capital allocation plans and share repurchases, including the risk that our share repurchase program could increase volatility and fail to enhance stockholder value.

We caution you that the risks, uncertainties and other factors referenced above may not contain all of the risks, uncertainties and other factors that are important to you. In addition, we cannot assure you that we will realize the results, benefits or developments that we expect or anticipate or, even if substantially realized, that they will result in the consequences or affect us or our business in the way expected. There can be no assurance that (i) we have correctly measured or identified all of the factors affecting our business or the extent of these factors’ likely impact, (ii) the available information with respect to these factors on which such analysis is based is complete or accurate, (iii) such analysis is correct or (iv) our strategy, which is based in part on this analysis, will be successful. All forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q apply only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or as of the date they were made or as otherwise specified herein and, except as required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

All references to “we,” “us,” “our,” “Company” or “SeaWorld” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q mean SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates. 

Website and Social Media Disclosure

We use our websites (www.seaworldentertainment.com and www.seaworldinvestors.com) and our corporate Twitter account (@SeaWorld) as channels of distribution of Company information.  The information we post through these channels may be deemed material.  Accordingly, investors should monitor these channels, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts.  In addition, you may automatically receive e-mail alerts and other information about SeaWorld when you enroll your e-mail address by visiting the “E-mail Alerts” section of our website at www.seaworldinvestors.com. The contents of our website and social media channels are not, however, a part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Trademarks, Service Marks and Trade Names

We own or have rights to use a number of registered and common law trademarks, service marks and trade names in connection with our business in the United States and in certain foreign jurisdictions, including SeaWorld Entertainment, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, SeaWorld®, Shamu®, Busch Gardens®, Aquatica®, Discovery Cove®, Sea Rescue® and other names and marks that identify our theme parks, characters, rides, attractions and other businesses. In addition, we have certain rights to use Sesame Street® marks, characters and related indicia through our license agreement with Sesame Workshop.

Solely for convenience, the trademarks, service marks, and trade names referred to hereafter in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are without the ® and ™ symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensors to these trademarks, service marks, and trade names. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may contain additional trademarks, service marks and trade names of others, which are the property of their respective owners. All trademarks, service marks and trade names appearing in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are, to our knowledge, the property of their respective owners.

2


PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

June 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

615,791

 

 

$

433,909

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

90,419

 

 

 

30,410

 

Inventories

 

 

25,111

 

 

 

30,700

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

20,241

 

 

 

12,418

 

Total current assets

 

 

751,562

 

 

 

507,437

 

Property and equipment, at cost

 

 

3,314,860

 

 

 

3,272,705

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

 

(1,676,366

)

 

 

(1,611,745

)

Property and equipment, net

 

 

1,638,494

 

 

 

1,660,960

 

Goodwill

 

 

66,278

 

 

 

66,278

 

Trade names/trademarks, net

 

 

157,000

 

 

 

157,000

 

Right of use assets-operating leases

 

 

133,909

 

 

 

136,572

 

Deferred tax assets, net

 

 

24,179

 

 

 

22,847

 

Other assets, net

 

 

15,298

 

 

 

15,264

 

Total assets

 

$

2,786,720

 

 

$

2,566,358

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Deficit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

$

129,983

 

 

$

105,369

 

Current maturities of long-term debt

 

 

65,505

 

 

 

15,505

 

Operating lease liabilities

 

 

3,210

 

 

 

3,757

 

Accrued salaries, wages and benefits

 

 

19,245

 

 

 

10,781

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

238,694

 

 

 

130,759

 

Other accrued liabilities

 

 

51,243

 

 

 

50,950

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

507,880

 

 

 

317,121

 

Long-term debt, net

 

 

2,122,708

 

 

 

2,177,137

 

Long-term operating lease liabilities

 

 

118,251

 

 

 

120,144

 

Deferred tax liabilities, net

 

 

17,786

 

 

 

15,772

 

Other liabilities

 

 

41,409

 

 

 

41,987

 

Total liabilities

 

 

2,808,034

 

 

 

2,672,161

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Deficit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value—authorized, 100,000,000 shares, no shares issued or outstanding at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value—authorized, 1,000,000,000 shares; 95,380,481 and 94,652,248 shares issued at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively

 

 

953

 

 

 

946

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

681,964

 

 

 

680,360

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(288,922

)

 

 

(371,800

)

Treasury stock, at cost (16,260,248 shares at June 30, 2021

   and December 31, 2020)

 

 

(415,309

)

 

 

(415,309

)

Total stockholders’ deficit

 

 

(21,314

)

 

 

(105,803

)

Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit

 

$

2,786,720

 

 

$

2,566,358

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

3


SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended

 

 

For the Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

Net revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Admissions

 

$

243,225

 

 

$

9,775

 

 

$

339,005

 

 

$

100,281

 

Food, merchandise and other

 

 

196,559

 

 

 

8,251

 

 

 

272,699

 

 

 

71,306

 

Total revenues

 

 

439,784

 

 

 

18,026

 

 

 

611,704

 

 

 

171,587

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of food, merchandise and other revenues

 

 

34,173

 

 

 

1,153

 

 

 

49,115

 

 

 

14,257

 

Operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)

 

 

157,307

 

 

 

59,049

 

 

 

265,079

 

 

 

192,048

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

43,190

 

 

 

21,104

 

 

 

74,654

 

 

 

48,058

 

Severance and other separation costs

 

 

1,496

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

1,582

 

 

 

74

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

36,247

 

 

 

37,941

 

 

 

72,805

 

 

 

75,954

 

Total costs and expenses

 

 

272,413

 

 

 

119,256

 

 

 

463,235

 

 

 

330,391

 

Operating income (loss)

 

 

167,371

 

 

 

(101,230

)

 

 

148,469

 

 

 

(158,804

)

Other expense (income), net

 

 

21

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

195

 

 

 

(13

)

Interest expense

 

 

31,127

 

 

 

21,908

 

 

 

62,083

 

 

 

41,061

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

 

136,223

 

 

 

(123,137

)

 

 

86,191

 

 

 

(199,852

)

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

 

 

8,461

 

 

 

7,892

 

 

 

3,313

 

 

 

(12,304

)

Net income (loss)

 

$

127,762

 

 

$

(131,029

)

 

$

82,878

 

 

$

(187,548

)

Other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gain on derivatives, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

855

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,559

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

 

$

127,762

 

 

$

(130,174

)

 

$

82,878

 

 

$

(185,989

)

  Earnings (loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per share, basic

 

$

1.62

 

 

$

(1.68

)

 

$

1.05

 

 

$

(2.40

)

Earnings (loss) per share, diluted

 

$

1.59

 

 

$

(1.68

)

 

$

1.03

 

 

$

(2.40

)

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

78,986

 

 

 

78,093

 

 

 

78,724

 

 

 

78,153

 

Diluted

 

 

80,177

 

 

 

78,093

 

 

 

80,123

 

 

 

78,153

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

4


 

SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF

CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT) EQUITY

(In thousands, except share amounts)

 

 

 

Shares of

Common

Stock

 

 

Common

Stock

 

 

Additional

Paid-In

Capital

 

 

Accumulated Deficit

 

 

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

(Loss) Income

 

 

Treasury

Stock,

at Cost

 

 

Total

Stockholders'

Deficit

 

Balance at December 31, 2020

 

 

94,652,248

 

 

$

946

 

 

$

680,360

 

 

$

(371,800

)

 

$

 

 

$

(415,309

)

 

$

(105,803

)

Equity-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,473

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,473

 

Vesting of restricted shares

 

 

130,834

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares withheld for tax withholdings

 

 

(41,271

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,971

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,971

)

Exercise of stock options

 

 

116,634

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

2,392

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,393

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(44,884

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(44,884

)

Balance at March 31, 2021

 

 

94,858,445

 

 

$

948

 

 

$

685,253

 

 

$

(416,684

)

 

$

 

 

$

(415,309

)

 

$

(145,792

)

Equity-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,634

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,634

 

Vesting of restricted shares

 

 

653,146

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

(7

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares withheld for tax withholdings

 

 

(213,601

)

 

 

(3

)

 

 

(10,554

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(10,557

)

Exercise of stock options

 

 

82,491

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

1,638

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,639

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

127,762

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

127,762

 

Balance at June 30, 2021

 

 

95,380,481

 

 

$

953

 

 

$

681,964

 

 

$

(288,922

)

 

$

 

 

$

(415,309

)

 

$

(21,314

)

 

 

 

 

Shares of

Common

Stock

Issued

 

 

Common

Stock

 

 

Additional

Paid-In

Capital

 

 

Accumulated Deficit

 

 

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive (Loss)

Income

 

 

Treasury

Stock,

at Cost

 

 

Total

Stockholders'

Equity

 

Balance at December 31, 2019

 

 

94,044,203

 

 

$

940

 

 

$

673,893

 

 

$

(59,479

)

 

$

(1,559

)

 

$

(402,903

)

 

$

210,892

 

Equity-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,601

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,601

)

Unrealized gain on derivatives, net of tax

   expense of $254

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

704

 

 

 

 

 

 

704

 

Vesting of restricted shares

 

 

410,807

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

(4

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares withheld for tax withholdings

 

 

(121,089

)

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(3,159

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,160

)

Exercise of stock options

 

 

11,096

 

 

 

 

 

 

203

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

203

 

Adjustments to previous dividend declarations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Repurchase of 469,785 shares of treasury stock, at cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(12,406

)

 

 

(12,406

)

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(56,519

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(56,519

)

Balance at March 31, 2020

 

 

94,345,017

 

 

$

943

 

 

$

667,333

 

 

$

(115,998

)

 

$

(855

)

 

$

(415,309

)

 

$

136,114

 

Equity-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,320

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,320

 

Unrealized gain on derivatives, net of tax

   expense of $318

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

855

 

 

 

 

 

 

855

 

Vesting of restricted shares

 

 

71,530

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares withheld for tax withholdings

 

 

(8,987

)

 

 

 

 

 

(154

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(154

)

Exercise of stock options

 

 

818

 

 

 

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(131,029

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(131,029

)

Balance at June 30, 2020

 

 

94,408,378

 

 

$

944

 

 

$

670,513

 

 

$

(247,027

)

 

$

 

 

$

(415,309

)

 

$

9,121

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

5


 

SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

 

 

 

For the Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

82,878

 

 

$

(187,548

)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

72,805

 

 

 

75,954

 

Amortization of debt issuance costs and discounts

 

 

3,323

 

 

 

1,876

 

Deferred income tax provision (benefit)

 

 

682

 

 

 

(12,913

)

Equity-based compensation

 

 

10,107

 

 

 

(281

)

Other, including loss on sale or disposal of assets, net

 

 

2,112

 

 

 

322

 

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

(75,345

)

 

 

26,349

 

Inventories

 

 

5,647

 

 

 

(2,655

)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

(3,896

)

 

 

(5,294

)

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

 

20,361

 

 

 

24,624

 

Accrued salaries, wages and benefits

 

 

8,464

 

 

 

(7,929

)

Deferred revenue

 

 

121,815

 

 

 

36,234

 

Other accrued liabilities

 

 

845

 

 

 

(17,616

)

Right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities

 

 

224

 

 

 

253

 

Other assets and liabilities

 

 

(1,944

)

 

 

298

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

 

248,078

 

 

 

(68,326

)

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

(44,981

)

 

 

(53,699

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(44,981

)

 

 

(53,699

)

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of senior secured notes, net

 

 

 

 

 

222,335

 

Repayments of long-term debt

 

 

(7,752

)

 

 

(7,752

)

Proceeds from draws on revolving credit facility

 

 

 

 

 

272,500

 

Repayments of revolving credit facility

 

 

 

 

 

(11,500

)

Purchase of treasury stock

 

 

 

 

 

(12,406

)

Payment of tax withholdings on equity-based compensation through shares withheld

 

 

(12,528

)

 

 

(3,314

)

Exercise of stock options

 

 

4,032

 

 

 

218

 

Debt issuance costs

 

 

 

 

 

(1,089

)

Other financing activities

 

 

(4,357

)

 

 

(719

)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

 

(20,605

)

 

 

458,273

 

Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents, including Restricted Cash

 

 

182,492

 

 

 

336,248

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents, including Restricted Cash—Beginning of period

 

 

435,225

 

 

 

40,925

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents, including Restricted Cash—End of period

 

$

617,717

 

 

$

377,173

 

Supplemental Disclosure of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures in accounts payable

 

$

18,737

 

 

$

48,550

 

Other financing arrangements

 

$

4,239

 

 

$

2,837

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

6


 

SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Description of the Business

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc., through its wholly-owned subsidiary, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. (“SEA”) (collectively, the “Company”), owns and operates twelve theme parks within the United States. The Company operates SeaWorld theme parks in Orlando, Florida; San Antonio, Texas; and San Diego, California; and Busch Gardens theme parks in Tampa, Florida; and Williamsburg, Virginia. The Company operates water park attractions in Orlando, Florida (Aquatica); San Antonio, Texas (Aquatica); San Diego, California (Aquatica); Tampa, Florida (Adventure Island); and Williamsburg, Virginia (Water Country USA). The Company also operates a reservations-only theme park in Orlando, Florida (Discovery Cove) and a park in Langhorne, Pennsylvania (Sesame Place).  

Impact of Global COVID-19 Pandemic

In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, and in compliance with government restrictions, the Company temporarily closed all of its theme parks effective March 16, 2020. Beginning in June 2020, the Company began the phased reopening of some of its parks with enhanced health, safety and cleaning measures, capacity limitations and/or modified/limited operations, which at times included reduced hours and/or reduced operating days.  By the end of June 2020, the Company had reopened seven of its 12 parks on a limited basis and by August 2020, the Company had reopened 10 of its 12 parks on a limited basis. The Company was unable to reopen its Aquatica water park in California and its Water Country USA water park in Virginia for the 2020 operating season but has opened both parks for their 2021 operating season.  As of June 30, 2021, all of the Company’s theme parks are now open and operating without COVID-19 related capacity limitations.    

 

The Company’s SeaWorld park in California initially reopened in August 2020 on a limited basis, following the State of California’s guidance for reopening zoos.  In compliance with revised guidelines issued in the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company once again had to close this park effective December 7, 2020.  On January 15, 2021, the Company introduced a limited time drive-through only experience for guests at this park. The Company then reopened this park on February 6, 2021 on a limited basis, once again following California guidance for reopening zoos. In accordance with subsequently issued State of California revised guidelines, on April 12, 2021 this park resumed operations as a theme park with restricted capacity and on June 15, 2021, capacity restrictions for this park were removed. 

 

Attendance for the Company’s Busch Gardens park in Virginia was also significantly impacted by state restrictions. Initially the State of Virginia had a state mandated capacity restriction of 1,000 guests at a time. On October 29, 2020, the state revised its theme park guidance and modified the methodology for calculating capacity at theme parks.  As a result, capacity at this park increased to approximately 4,000 guests at a time. On February 1, 2021, in consultation with the State of Virginia, the Company further increased capacity to approximately 6,000 guests at a time and on April 1, 2021 to approximately 13,000 guests.  On May 28, 2021, theme park capacity restrictions in the State of Virginia were removed. 

 

The Company’s 2021 financial results continue to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.  While 10 of the Company’s 12 parks were open at the beginning of the second quarter of 2021, all parks were operating with capacity limitations or modified/limited operations.  As mentioned above, by the end of the second quarter of 2021, all of the Company’s 12 parks were open, and all operating without COVID-19 related capacity limitations.  

 

The Company continuously monitors guidance from federal, state and local authorities and engages with governmental authorities as well as medical/scientific consultants. The Company may adjust its plans accordingly as laws change and new information and guidance becomes available.  The COVID-19 pandemic has had, and may continue to have, a material impact on the Company’s financial results.     

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regarding interim financial reporting. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. Therefore, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes for the year ended December 31, 2020 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.  The unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

7

 


SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

In the opinion of management, such unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the interim periods, but are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the year ending December 31, 2021 or any future period due in part to the seasonal nature of the Company’s operations.  Based upon historical results, the Company typically generates its highest revenues in the second and third quarters of each year and incurs a net loss in the first and fourth quarters, in part because seven of its theme parks were historically only open for a portion of the year.  However, during 2021, the Company added additional operating days for three of these parks.  In particular, the Company began year-round operations at its SeaWorld park in Texas and began to operate on select days at its Busch Gardens park in Virginia and its Sesame Place park in Pennsylvania.   

The Company’s results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 were materially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic which ultimately led to temporary park closures effective on March 16, 2020. The timing of these park closures fell during historically high-volume spring break and summer weeks for most of the Company’s parks. The Company’s results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 continue to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic due in part to capacity limitations and/or modified/limited operations which were in place for most of the respective periods as well as decreased demand due to public concerns associated with the pandemic.  

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including SEA. All intercompany accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant estimates and assumptions include, but are not limited to, the accounting for self-insurance, deferred tax assets and liabilities, deferred revenue, equity compensation, and the valuation of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets. Estimates are based on various factors including current and historical trends, as well as other pertinent industry data.  The Company regularly evaluates this information to determine if it is necessary to update the basis for its estimates and to adjust for known changes.  Actual results could differ from those estimates. Based on the uncertainty relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, including but not limited to the impact or timing of government restrictions, capacity limitations due to social distancing guidelines, public sentiment on social gatherings, travel and attendance patterns, travel restrictions, effectiveness and adoption of vaccines, potential supply chain disruptions and additional actions which could be taken by government authorities to manage the pandemic, the Company is not certain of the ultimate impact the COVID-19 pandemic could have on its estimates, business or results of operations.

Segment Reporting

The Company maintains discrete financial information for each of its twelve theme parks, which is used by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), identified as the Chief Executive Officer, or equivalent role, as a basis for allocating resources and assessing performance. Each theme park has been identified as an operating segment and meets the criteria for aggregation due to similar economic characteristics. In addition, all of the Company’s theme parks provide similar products and services and share similar processes for delivering services. The theme parks have a high degree of similarity in the workforces and target similar consumer groups. Accordingly, based on these economic and operational similarities and the way the CODM monitors and makes decisions affecting the operations, the Company has concluded that its operating segments may be aggregated and that it has one reportable segment.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash is recorded in prepaid expenses and other current assets in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. Restricted cash consists primarily of funds received from strategic partners for use in approved marketing and promotional activities.  

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

615,791

 

 

$

433,909

 

Restricted cash, included in prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

1,926

 

 

 

1,316

 

Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

$

617,717

 

 

$

435,225

 

8


SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

Revenue Recognition

Admissions revenue primarily consists of single-day tickets, annual or season passes or other multi-day or multi-park admission products.  For single-day tickets, the Company recognizes revenue at a point in time, upon admission to the park.  Annual passes, season passes, or other multi-day or multi-park passes allow guests access to specific parks over a specified time period. For these pass and multi-use products, revenue is deferred and recognized over the terms of the admission product based on estimated redemption rates for similar products and is adjusted periodically. For pass products purchased on an installment plan that have met their initial commitment period and have transitioned to a month to month basis, monthly charges are recognized as revenue as payments are received each month, with the exception of payments received during the temporary park closures (see further discussion which follows).

The Company estimates future redemption and recognition patterns for admission pass products, which impacts the timing of when revenue is recognized on these products. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates depending on the ultimate extent of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.  As a result of the temporary park closures due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, in 2020, the Company upgraded some of its pass products and extended pass expiration dates for at least the equivalent period the related parks were closed.  As a result, the Company adjusted its estimated redemption and recognition patterns on these products to reflect the fact that there was no attendance during the park closures and accordingly the Company did not recognize revenue from these admission products while the parks were closed. For passes under installment plans that had transitioned to a month-to-month basis, the Company temporarily paused monthly charges when the related parks reopened for the equivalent period the respective parks were closed.  Accordingly, payments received during the closure period were recorded as deferred revenue and recognized as revenue once the respective parks reopened, which may not necessarily reflect attendance patterns for these guests.  

Food, merchandise and other revenue primarily consists of culinary, merchandise and other in-park products and also includes other miscellaneous revenue which is not significant in the periods presented.  The Company recognizes revenue for food, merchandise and other in-park products when the related products or services are received by guests.     

At June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the long-term portion of deferred revenue included in other liabilities in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets primarily relates to the Company’s international agreement, as discussed in the following section.

The following table reflects the Company’s deferred revenue balance as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Deferred revenue, including long-term portion

 

$

252,779

 

 

$

144,187

 

Less: Deferred revenue, long-term portion, included in other liabilities

 

 

14,085

 

 

 

13,428

 

Deferred revenue, short-term portion

 

$

238,694

 

 

$

130,759

 

 

The increase in deferred revenue as of June 30, 2021 compared to December 31, 2020 primarily relates to admission product sales, particularly for the Company’s passes and single-day ticket products which have not been fully redeemed.  

International Agreements

The Company has received $10.0 million in deferred revenue recorded in other liabilities related to a nonrefundable payment received from a partner in connection with a project in the Middle East to provide certain services pertaining to the planning and design of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, a marine life theme park on Yas Island (the “Middle East Project”), with funding received expected to offset internal expenses. The Company receives additional funds from its partner related to agreed-upon services and reimbursements of costs incurred by the Company on behalf of the Middle East Project including approximately $2.3 million and $1.9 million of deferred revenue recorded in other liabilities in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Approximately $7.3 million and $5.9 million of costs incurred related to the Middle East Project are recorded in other assets in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.  The Company has recognized an asset for the costs incurred to fulfill the contract as the costs are specifically identifiable, enhance resources that will be used to satisfy performance obligations in the future and are expected to be recovered. The related deferred revenue and expense will begin to be recognized when substantially all of the services have been performed. The Company continually monitors performance on the contract and will make adjustments, if necessary. Construction for the Middle East Project is on track and scheduled to be completed by the end of 2022.   

9


SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

2. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

The Company reviews new accounting pronouncements as they are issued or proposed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”).

Recently Implemented Accounting Standards

On January 1, 2021, the Company adopted the following Accounting Standards Updates (“ASUs”) which had no material impact on its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements or disclosures:  

 

 

ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848), provides optional transition guidance to ease the potential accounting burden associated with transitioning away from the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), with optional expedients related to the application of GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by reference rate reform. The provisions of this ASU are effective upon issuance and can be applied prospectively through December 31, 2022. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements or disclosure.

 

 

ASU 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, simplifies various aspects related to accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and clarifying certain aspects of the current guidance to promote consistency among reporting entities. ASU 2019-12 was effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2021. Most amendments within this ASU are required to be applied on a prospective basis, while certain amendments must be applied on a retrospective or modified retrospective basis. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

3. EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

Earnings (loss) per share is computed as follows:

 

 

For the Three Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

 

Net

Income

 

 

Shares

 

 

Per

Share

Amount

 

 

Net

Loss

 

 

Shares

 

 

Per

Share

Amount

 

 

 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share

 

$

127,762

 

 

 

78,986

 

 

$

1.62

 

 

$

(131,029

)

 

 

78,093

 

 

$

(1.68

)

Effect of dilutive incentive-based awards

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,191

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

 

$

127,762

 

 

 

80,177

 

 

$

1.59

 

 

$

(131,029

)

 

 

78,093

 

 

$

(1.68

)

 

 

 

For the Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

 

Net

Income

 

 

Shares

 

 

Per

Share

Amount

 

 

Net

Loss

 

 

Shares

 

 

Per

Share

Amount

 

 

 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share

 

$

82,878

 

 

 

78,724

 

 

$

1.05

 

 

$

(187,548

)

 

 

78,153

 

 

$

(2.40

)

Effect of dilutive incentive-based awards

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,399

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

 

$

82,878

 

 

 

80,123

 

 

$

1.03

 

 

$

(187,548

)

 

 

78,153

 

 

$

(2.40

)

In accordance with the Earnings Per Share Topic of the ASC, basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period (excluding treasury stock and unvested restricted stock awards). Unvested restricted stock awards are eligible to receive dividends, if any; however, dividend rights will be forfeited if the award does not vest.  Accordingly, only vested shares of formerly restricted stock are included in the calculation of basic earnings (loss) per share. The weighted average number of repurchased shares during the period, if any, which are held as treasury stock, are excluded from shares of common stock outstanding.

10


SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share is determined using the treasury stock method based on the dilutive effect of unvested restricted stock and certain shares of common stock that are issuable upon exercise of stock options. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, there were approximately 184,000 and 126,000 anti-dilutive shares excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share, respectively. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, there were approximately 2,345,000 and 2,023,000 potentially dilutive shares excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share, respectively, as their effect would have been anti-dilutive due to the Company’s net loss in those periods. The Company’s outstanding performance-vesting restricted awards of approximately 1,141,000 and 1,487,000 as of June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, are considered contingently issuable shares and are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share until the performance measure criteria is met as of the end of the reporting period.  

4. INCOME TAXES

Income tax expense or benefit is recognized based on the Company’s estimated annual effective tax rate which is based upon the tax rate expected for the full calendar year applied to the pretax income or loss of the interim period. The Company’s consolidated effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 was 6.2% and 3.8%, respectively, and differs from the effective statutory federal income tax rate of 21.0% primarily due to state income taxes, valuation allowance adjustments on federal and state carryforwards as described below, and deductible equity-based compensation.   

Due to the uncertainty of realizing the benefit from deferred tax assets, tax positions are reviewed at least quarterly by assessing future expected taxable income from all sources.  Realization of deferred tax assets, primarily arising from net operating loss carryforwards and charitable contribution carryforwards, is dependent upon generating sufficient taxable income prior to expiration of the carryforwards, which may include the reversal of deferred tax liability components.  Based on its analysis, the Company believes that some of its deferred tax assets may not be realized. Therefore, as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, the Company had recorded valuation allowances of approximately $1.2 million and $39.5 million for federal net operating loss carryforwards, approximately $12.8 million and $15.0 million, net of federal tax benefit, for certain state net operating loss carryforwards, approximately $2.9 million and $7.1 million for federal tax credits, and approximately $4.6 million and $4.0 million for charitable contributions.     

The Company has determined that there are no positions currently taken that would rise to a level requiring an amount to be recorded or disclosed as an unrecognized tax benefit. If such positions do arise, it is the Company’s intent that any interest or penalty amount related to such positions will be recorded as a component of the income tax provision (benefit) in the applicable period.

The computation of the estimated annual effective tax rate at each interim period requires certain estimates and assumptions including, but not limited to, the forecasted pre-tax income or loss for the year, projections of the proportion of income and/or loss earned and taxed in respective jurisdictions, permanent and temporary differences, and the likelihood of the realizability of deferred tax assets generated in the current year. The volatile global economic conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the impacts of which are difficult to predict, may cause fluctuations in the Company’s forecasted pre-tax income or loss for the year, which could create volatility in its estimated annual effective tax rate. The estimates used to compute the provision or benefit for income taxes may change as new events occur, additional information is obtained or as the Company’s tax environment changes. To the extent that the estimated annual effective tax rate changes, the effect of the change on prior interim periods is included in the income tax provision in the period in which the change in estimate occurs.

The Company’s valuation allowances, in part, also rely on estimates and assumptions related to future financial performance. Given the macroeconomic environment related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the uncertainties regarding the related impact on financial performance, the Company’s valuation allowances may need to be further adjusted in the future.  Due to recent improvements in operating results management believes it is reasonably possible that a portion or all of the remaining valuation allowances may no longer be needed by year end.  Release of any valuation allowances would result in the recognition of certain deferred tax assets and a decrease to income tax expense in the period any release is recorded.  The exact timing and amount of any release is subject to change based on the level of profitability the Company is able to achieve.

11


SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

5. OTHER ACCRUED LIABILITIES

Other accrued liabilities at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, consisted of the following:

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Accrued interest

 

$

23,807

 

 

$

23,422

 

Accrued taxes

 

 

9,272

 

 

 

10,518

 

Self-insurance reserve

 

 

7,458

 

 

 

7,540

 

Other

 

 

10,706

 

 

 

9,470

 

Total other accrued liabilities

 

$

51,243

 

 

$

50,950

 

 

6. LONG-TERM DEBT

Long-term debt, net, as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 consisted of the following:

 

 

June 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Term B-5 Loans (effective interest rate of 3.75% at

   June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020)

 

$

1,484,626

 

 

$

1,492,378

 

Second-Priority Senior Notes (interest rate of 9.50%)

 

 

500,000

 

 

 

500,000

 

Senior Notes (interest rate of 8.75%)

 

 

227,500

 

 

 

227,500

 

Total long-term debt

 

 

2,212,126

 

 

 

2,219,878

 

Less: unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs

 

 

(23,913

)

 

 

(27,236

)

Less: current maturities

 

 

(65,505

)

 

 

(15,505

)

Total long-term debt, net

 

$

2,122,708

 

 

$

2,177,137

 

 

Senior Secured Credit Facilities

SEA is the borrower under the senior secured credit facilities, as amended pursuant to a credit agreement (the “Amended Credit Agreement”) dated as of December 1, 2009, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or modified from time to time (the “Senior Secured Credit Facilities”).

On March 10, 2020, SEA entered into an amendment, Amendment No. 10 (the “Amendment No. 10”) to its Amended Credit Agreement. Pursuant to Amendment No. 10, SEA increased the revolving credit commitments available under the Amended Credit Agreement from $210.0 million to an aggregate of $332.5 million.  On April 19, 2020 and on July 29, 2020, respectively, SEA entered into Amendment No. 11, (the “Amendment No. 11”) and Amendment No. 12, (the “Amendment No. 12”) to its Amended Credit Agreement to amend certain provisions therein. See further discussion in the Restrictive Covenants section which follows.

As of June 30, 2021, the Senior Secured Credit Facilities consisted of $1.485 billion in Term B-5 Loans which will mature on March 31, 2024 and a $332.5 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”), which was not drawn upon as of June 30, 2021, and will mature on October 31, 2023.

The Term B-5 Loans amortize in equal quarterly installments in aggregate annual amounts equal to 1.015% of the original principal amount of the Term B-5 Loans outstanding on October 31, 2018, with the balance payable on the final maturity date. SEA may voluntarily repay amounts outstanding under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities at any time without premium or penalty, other than customary “breakage” costs with respect to LIBOR loans. SEA is also required to prepay the outstanding Term B-5 Loans, subject to certain exceptions, under certain circumstances, as defined in the Senior Secured Credit Facilities.

As of June 30, 2021, SEA had approximately $20.5 million of outstanding letters of credit, leaving approximately $312.0 million available for borrowing under the Revolving Credit Facility.

12


SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

First-Priority Senior Secured Notes

On April 30, 2020, SEA closed on a private offering of $227.5 million aggregate principal amount of 8.750% first-priority senior secured notes due 2025 (the “Senior Notes”).  

The Senior Notes mature on May 1, 2025 and have interest payment dates of May 1 and November 1 with the first interest payment paid on November 2, 2020.  On or after May 1, 2022, SEA may redeem the Senior Notes at its option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date, if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on May 1 of the years as follows: (i) in 2022 at 104.375%; (ii) in 2023 at 102.188%; and (iii) in 2024 and thereafter at 100%. SEA may also redeem in the aggregate (at a redemption price expressed as a percentage of principal amount thereof): (i) 100% of the Senior Notes after certain events constituting a change of control at a redemption price of 101%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date and (ii) up to 40% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes with amounts equal to the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price  of 108.750%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date.

The Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company, any subsidiary of the Company that directly or indirectly owns 100% of the issued and outstanding equity interests of SEA, and subject to certain exceptions, each of SEA’s subsidiaries that guarantees SEA’s existing senior secured credit facilities.

In connection with the issuance of the Senior Notes and as a result of Amendment No. 10 and Amendment No. 11, SEA recorded discounts and fees of approximately $7.5 million and $7.8 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively.

Second-Priority Senior Secured Notes

On August 5, 2020, SEA closed on a private offering of $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 9.500% second-priority senior secured notes due 2025 (the “Second-Priority Senior Notes”).  Net of expenses related to the offering of the Second-Priority Senior Notes and Amendment No. 12 to the Amended Credit Agreement, the Company used a portion of the proceeds from the issuance of the Second-Priority Senior Notes to repay the then outstanding borrowings of $311.0 million under the Revolving Credit Facility.

The Second-Priority Senior Notes mature on August 1, 2025 and have interest payment dates of February 1 and August 1 with the first interest payment paid on February 1, 2021.

On or after February 1, 2022, SEA may redeem the Second-Priority Senior Notes at its option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date, if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on February 1 of the years as follows: (i) in 2022 at 104.75%; (ii) in 2023 at 102.375%; and (iii) in 2024 and thereafter at 100%. SEA may also redeem in the aggregate (at a redemption price expressed as a percentage of principal amount thereof): (i) 100% of the Second-Priority Senior Notes after certain events constituting a change of control at a redemption price of 101%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date and (ii) up to 40% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Second-Priority Senior Notes with amounts equal to the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price  of 109.50%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date.

At any time prior to February 1, 2022, SEA may, (i) during the twelve month period commencing on the issue date and (ii) during the period subsequent to such twelve month period and prior to February 1, 2022, redeem in each period up to 10.0% of the initial aggregate principal amount of the Second-Priority Senior Notes at a redemption price equal to 103% of the aggregate principal amount of the Second-Priority Senior Notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the redemption date; provided, that if SEA does not redeem 10.0% of the initial aggregate principal amount of Second-Priority Senior Notes during the twelve month period commencing on the issue date, SEA may, in the subsequent period prior to February 1, 2022, redeem the Second-Priority Senior Notes in an amount that does not exceed 10.0% of the initial aggregate principal amount plus the difference between (x) 10.0% of the initial aggregate principal amount and (y) the aggregate principal amount of Second-Priority Senior Notes that were redeemed in such twelve month period.

Subsequent Events

Pursuant to (i) above, on July 14, 2021, the Company redeemed $50.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its Second-Priority Senior Notes at a price equal to 103% of the principal amount to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date. As a result of this redemption, as June 30, 2021, $50.0 million of the outstanding balance related to the Company’s Second-Priority Senior Notes has been included in current maturities of long-term debt in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet.

The Second-Priority Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company, any subsidiary of the Company that directly or indirectly owns 100% of the issued and outstanding equity interests of SEA, and subject to certain exceptions, each of SEA’s subsidiaries that guarantees SEA’s existing senior secured credit facilities.

13


SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

On July 26, 2021, the Company issued (i) a conditional notice of partial redemption (the “Conditional Notice of Partial Redemption”) for the Second-Priority Senior Notes and (ii) a conditional notice of full redemption for the Second-Priority Senior Notes not purchased pursuant to the Conditional Notice of Partial Redemption (the “Conditional Notice of Full Redemption,” together with the Conditional Notice of Partial Redemption, the “Redemption Notices”).  

The Conditional Notice of Partial Redemption states that $50.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Second-Priority Senior Notes will be redeemed on August 25, 2021 at a price equal to the sum of (i) 103% of the principal amount to be redeemed, plus (ii) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date. The Conditional Notice of Full Redemption states that $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Second-Priority Senior Notes will be redeemed on August 25, 2021 at a price equal to the sum of (i) 100% of the principal amount to be redeemed, plus (ii) the Applicable Premium (as defined in the indenture governing the Second-Priority Senior Notes) as of the redemption date plus (iii) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date.

The redemptions pursuant to the Redemption Notices are conditioned on the completion of a financing, which may be notes, loans or other securities, or a combination thereof, on or prior to the redemption date, by the Company on terms satisfactory to the Company and in an aggregate principal amount satisfactory to the Company. 

On August 5, 2021, the Company announced it intends to commence the marketing of a new seven-year $1.1 billion senior secured first lien term loan facility (the “New Term Loan Facility”) and a new five-year approximately $385.0 million senior secured first lien revolving credit facility (the “New Revolving Credit Facility”).

The Company intends to use the proceeds from the New Term Loan Facility, together with the proceeds from a financing, which may be notes, loans or other securities, or a combination thereof, on terms satisfactory to the Company and in an aggregate principal amount satisfactory to the Company to repay all borrowings outstanding under the existing senior facilities and to pay related fees and expenses. The closing of the New Term Loan Facility and the New Revolving Credit Facility is subject to successful marketing and other conditions, and there can be no assurance that the Company will close the New Term Loan Facility or the New Revolving Credit Facility (or offer the aforementioned notes) as described or at all.

Restrictive Covenants

The Senior Secured Credit Facilities contain a number of customary negative covenants. Such covenants, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the ability of SEA and its restricted subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness; make guarantees; create liens on assets; enter into sale and leaseback transactions; engage in mergers or consolidations; sell assets; make fundamental changes; pay dividends and distributions or repurchase SEA’s capital stock; make investments, loans and advances, including acquisitions; engage in certain transactions with affiliates; make changes in the nature of the business; and make prepayments of junior debt. All of the net assets of SEA and its consolidated subsidiaries are restricted and there are no unconsolidated subsidiaries of SEA.

The Revolving Credit Facility requires that the Company comply with a springing maximum first lien secured leverage ratio of 6.25x to be tested as of the last day of any fiscal quarter, solely to the extent that on such date the aggregate amount of funded loans and letters of credit (excluding undrawn letters of credit in an amount not to exceed $30.0 million and cash collateralized letters of credit) under the Revolving Credit Facility exceeds an amount equal to 35% of the then outstanding commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility. Pursuant to Amendment No. 12, among other terms, SEA is exempt from complying with its first lien secured leverage ratio covenant through the end of 2021, after which SEA will be required to comply with such covenant starting in the first quarter of 2022. For purposes of calculating compliance with such covenant, unless a Triggering Event occurs (as defined in Amendment No. 12),  beginning with the first quarter of 2022, to the extent trailing Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in Amendment No. 12) for the second, third or fourth quarters of 2021 would have otherwise been included in the calculation of such covenant, in lieu of using actual Adjusted EBITDA for such periods, Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in Amendment No.12) for such applicable periods will be deemed to be actual Adjusted EBITDA for the corresponding quarter of 2019.  In addition, SEA will be required to comply with a quarterly minimum liquidity test (defined as unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and available commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility) of not less than $75.0 million until the earlier of September 30, 2022 or the date on which the Company elects to use the actual Adjusted EBITDA for purposes of calculating its financial maintenance covenant. SEA will also be restricted from paying any dividends or making other restricted payments through the third quarter of 2022 unless certain conditions are met. 

14


SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Long-term debt at June 30, 2021 is repayable as follows and does not include the impact of any future voluntary prepayments. The $50.0 million partial redemption of the Second-Priority Senior Notes discussed above is reflected below based upon the repayment made in July 2021:

 

Years Ending December 31:

 

(In thousands)

 

Remainder of 2021

 

$

57,753

 

2022

 

 

15,505

 

2023

 

 

15,505

 

2024

 

 

1,445,863

 

2025

 

 

677,500

 

Total

 

$

2,212,126

 

Interest Rate Swap Agreements

The Company previously had five interest rate swap agreements (the “Interest Rate Swap Agreements”) which effectively fixed the interest rate on the LIBOR-indexed interest payments associated with $1.0 billion of SEA’s outstanding long-term debt. The Interest Rate Swap Agreements expired on May 14, 2020.

SEA designated the Interest Rate Swap Agreements above as qualifying cash flow hedge accounting relationships as further discussed in Note 7–Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities which follows.

Cash paid for interest relating to the Senior Secured Credit Facilities, Senior Notes, Second-Priority Senior Notes and the Interest Rate Swap Agreements, net of amounts capitalized, as applicable, was $58.3 million and $36.5 million in the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

7. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

Risk Management Objective of Using Derivatives

The Company is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. The Company principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its core business activities. The Company manages economic risks, including interest rate, liquidity and credit risk primarily by managing the amount, sources and duration of its debt funding and at times through the use of derivative financial instruments. Specifically, the Company previously entered into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the receipt or payment of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates. The Company’s derivative financial instruments were used to manage differences in the amount, timing and duration of the Company’s known or expected cash receipts and its known or expected cash payments principally related to the Company’s borrowings. The Company does not speculate using derivative instruments.

In May 2020, the Company’s Interest Rate Swap Agreements expired. As such, the Company did not have any derivative instruments outstanding as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020. 

Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk

The Company’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives were to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, the Company primarily used interest rate swaps at times as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, such derivatives were used to hedge a portion of the variable cash flows associated with existing variable-rate debt.

The Interest Rate Swap Agreements were designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk. The changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges were recorded in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income and were subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affected earnings. Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income related to derivatives were reclassified to interest expense as interest payments were made on the Company’s variable-rate debt.  

15


SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Tabular Disclosure of the Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The table below presents the pretax effect of the Company’s derivative financial instruments on the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2020

 

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships:

 

(In thousands)

 

Loss recognized in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

 

$

(26

)

 

$

(370

)

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income to interest expense

 

$

1,199

 

 

$

2,501

 

 

8. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement. Therefore, a fair value measurement is required to be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. As a basis for considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, fair value accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market participant assumptions based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:  

Level 1 – Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

Level 2 – Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets.  

Level 3 – Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

 

Of the Company’s long-term obligations, the Term B-5 Loans are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy and the Senior Notes and Second-Priority Senior Notes are classified in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020. The fair value of the Term B-5 Loans approximate their carrying value, excluding unamortized debt issuance costs and discounts, due in part to the variable nature of the underlying interest rates and the frequent intervals at which such interest rates are reset. The fair value of the Senior Notes and Second-Priority Senior Notes was determined using quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments. 

The Company did not have any assets measured on a recurring basis at fair value as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020. The Company maintains its long-term liabilities at carrying value, net of unamortized debt issuance costs and discounts, in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet.

The following table presents the Company’s estimated fair value measurements and related classifications for liabilities measured on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2021:

 

Quoted Prices in

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Active Markets

 

 

Significant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

for Identical

 

 

Other

 

 

Significant

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets and

 

 

Observable

 

 

Unobservable

 

 

Balance at

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

Inputs

 

 

Inputs

 

 

June 30,

 

 

(Level 1)

 

 

(Level 2)

 

 

(Level 3)

 

 

2021

 

Liabilities:

(In thousands)

 

Long-term obligations (a)

$

784,338

 

 

$

1,484,626

 

 

$

 

 

$

2,268,964

 

 

(a)

Reflected at carrying value, net of unamortized debt issuance costs and discounts, in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as current maturities of long-term debt of $65.5 million and long-term debt of $2.123 billion as of June 30, 2021.

16


SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 The following table presents the Company’s estimated fair value measurements and related classifications for liabilities measured on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2020:

 

 

Quoted Prices in

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Active Markets

 

 

Significant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

for Identical

 

 

Other

 

 

Significant

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets and

 

 

Observable

 

 

Unobservable

 

 

Balance at

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

Inputs

 

 

Inputs

 

 

December 31,

 

 

(Level 1)

 

 

(Level 2)

 

 

(Level 3)

 

 

2020

 

Liabilities:

(In thousands)

 

Long-term obligations (a)

$

787,975

 

 

$

1,492,378

 

 

$

 

 

$

2,280,353

 

 

 

(a)

Reflected at carrying value, net of unamortized debt issuance costs and discounts, in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as current maturities of long-term debt of $15.5 million and long-term debt of $2.177 billion as of December 31, 2020.

9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

2020 Settled Matters

In 2020, the Company received final court approval of a settlement for a previously disclosed stockholder class action lawsuit, captioned Baker v. SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc., et al. The settlement required the Company to pay $65.0 million and did not include or constitute an admission, concession, or finding of any fault, liability, or wrongdoing by the Company or any defendant. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded $32.1 million of legal settlement charges, net of insurance recoveries, related to this case. The full settlement amount was funded during the six months ended June 30, 2020.

In 2020, the Company received final court approval of a settlement for a previously disclosed putative derivative lawsuit captioned Kistenmacher v. Atchison, et al.  Pursuant to the settlement, the Company received $12.5 million of insurance proceeds from its insurers and adopted certain corporate governance modifications. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company recorded a legal settlement gain of $12.5 million related to insurance proceeds received in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).

Legal Proceedings

Securities Class Action Lawsuit

On June 14, 2018, a lawsuit captioned Highfields Capital I LP et al v. SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. et al, was filed in the United States District Court in the Southern District of California against the Company and certain of the Company’s former and present executive officers. The plaintiffs allege, among other things, that the defendants made false and misleading statements in violation of the federal securities laws and Florida common law, regarding the impact of the film Blackfish on SeaWorld’s business. The complaint further alleges that such statements were made to induce plaintiffs to purchase common stock of the Company at artificially-inflated prices and that plaintiffs suffered investment losses as a result.  The plaintiffs have indicated to the Company they believe the damages are in the range of $30 million to $35 million before considering interest.  In 2018, defendants moved for partial dismissal of the complaint.  In 2019, the Court granted defendants’ motion and dismissed plaintiffs’ Florida state law claims as well as federal securities law claims based on the Company’s second quarter 2013 earnings statements. The parties have completed discovery and will be filing summary judgment motions. The Company believes that the lawsuit is without merit and intends to defend the lawsuit vigorously. While there can be no assurance regarding the ultimate outcome of this lawsuit, the Company believes that any potential loss would not be material.

17


SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Other Lawsuits

In October 2018, the Company received a demand letter from attorneys representing certain former employees who claim that the terms of their respective separation agreements entitle them to certain favorable modifications made to certain performance vesting restricted shares issued under the Company’s 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”).

In November 2020, the Company filed in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware an action for declaratory judgment seeking a declaration that the threatened claims of the former employees are time-barred and without merit. In response, the defendant former employees filed a motion to dismiss or in the alternative to stay and compel arbitration. The parties have agreed to arbitrate whether the former employees’ claims are subject to arbitration. In terms of potential exposure, the value of the total shares at issue for these certain former employees depends largely upon the Company’s current share price, which fluctuates daily. Approximately 300,000 shares are at issue. The Company believes that the former employees’ claims are without merit and intends to defend vigorously its positions. While there can be no assurance regarding the ultimate outcome of this matter, the Company believes that any potential loss would not be material.

Other Matters

The Company is a party to various other claims and legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business. In addition, from time to time the Company is subject to audits, inspections and investigations by, or receives requests for information from, various federal and state regulatory agencies, including, but not limited to, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (“APHIS”), the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”), the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“Cal-OSHA”), the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission (“FWC”), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

Other than those matters discussed above, from time to time, various parties also bring other lawsuits against the Company. Matters where an unfavorable outcome to the Company is probable and which can be reasonably estimated are accrued. Such accruals, which are not material for any period presented, are based on information known about the matters, the Company’s estimate of the outcomes of such matters, and the Company’s experience in contesting, litigating and settling similar matters. Matters that are considered reasonably possible to result in a material loss are not accrued for, but an estimate of the possible loss or range of loss is disclosed, if such amount or range can be determined. At this time, management does not expect any such known claims, legal proceedings or regulatory matters to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

License Commitments

Pursuant to a license agreement (“License Agreement”) with Sesame Workshop, the Company pays a specified annual license fee, as well as a specified royalty based on revenues earned in connection with sales of licensed products, all food and beverage items utilizing the licensed elements and any events utilizing such elements if a separate fee is paid for such event.  The Company’s principal commitments pursuant to the License Agreement include, among other items, the opening of a second standalone park (“Standalone Park”) no later than mid-2021 and minimum annual capital and marketing thresholds.  The Company is currently in discussion with Sesame Workshop regarding the License Agreement as a result of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. After the opening of the second Standalone Park (counting the existing Sesame Place Standalone Park in Langhorne, Pennsylvania), SEA will have the option to build additional Standalone Parks in the Sesame Territory within agreed upon timelines.  The License Agreement has an initial term through December 31, 2031, with an automatic additional 15-year extension plus a five-year option added to the term of the License Agreement from December 31st of the year of each new Standalone Park opening. As of June 30, 2021, the Company estimates the combined remaining obligations for these commitments could be up to approximately $35.0 million over the remaining term of the agreement. In October 2019, the Company announced that it planned to convert Aquatica San Diego into its second Sesame Place Standalone Park in the spring of 2021. While construction began in the fall of 2019, it was temporarily paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company has opened its Aquatica San Diego park for the 2021 operating season and currently expects to open this park rebranded as its second Sesame Place Standalone Park in 2022. 

Anheuser-Busch, Incorporated has granted the Company a perpetual, exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use the Busch Gardens trademark and certain related domain names in connection with the operation, marketing, promotion and advertising of certain of the Company’s theme parks, as well as in connection with the production, use, distribution and sale of merchandise sold in connection with such theme parks. Under the license, the Company is required to indemnify ABI against losses related to the use of the marks.

18


SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

10. EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION

In accordance with ASC 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, the Company measures the cost of employee services rendered in exchange for share-based compensation based upon the grant date fair market value.  The cost is recognized over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period unless service or performance conditions require otherwise.  The Company recognizes the impact of forfeitures as they occur.  

Equity compensation expense is included in operating expenses and in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) as follows:  

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended June 30,

 

 

For the Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Equity compensation expense included in operating expenses

 

$

1,564

 

 

$

674

 

 

$

2,502

 

 

$

(1,077

)

Equity compensation expense included in selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

4,070

 

 

 

2,646

 

 

 

7,605

 

 

 

796

 

Total equity compensation expense

 

$

5,634

 

 

$

3,320

 

 

$

10,107

 

 

$

(281

)

 

The credit in equity compensation expense for the six months ended June 30, 2020, was primarily due to the reversal of expense related to certain performance vesting restricted units which were no longer considered probable of vesting and also included the reversal of expense related to outstanding unvested equity awards previously held by the Company’s former chief executive officer which were forfeited in connection with his departure.  See Long-term Incentive Performance Restricted Awards section which follows for further details.

Omnibus Incentive Plan

The Company has reserved 15.0 million shares of common stock for issuance under its Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Omnibus Incentive Plan”), of which approximately 7.8 million shares are available for future issuance as of June 30, 2021. The Company has outstanding time restricted awards, performance restricted awards and incentive stock options.    

Bonus Performance Restricted Units  

During the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company granted approximately 120,000 performance-vesting restricted units (the “Bonus Performance Restricted Units”) in accordance with its annual bonus plan for 2021 (the “2021 Bonus Plan”).  The 2021 Bonus Plan provides for bonus awards payable 50% in cash and 50% in performance-vesting restricted units (the “Bonus Performance Restricted Units”) and is based upon the Company’s achievement of specified performance goals, as defined by the 2021 Bonus Plan, with respect to the year ended December 31, 2021 (the “Fiscal 2021”).  The total number of units eligible to vest into shares of stock is based on the level of achievement of the targets for Fiscal 2021 which ranges from 0% (if below threshold performance), to 125% (if at maximum performance) with opportunities to earn above 125% when achievement is above the maximum performance for certain metrics.  

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company did not have an annual bonus plan for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 (“Fiscal 2020”); however, based on a discretionary review of performance in light of the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s business, the Compensation Committee determined to make discretionary equity awards to the Company’s bonus eligible employees during the six months ended June 30, 2021.  These awards were paid entirely in restricted stock units that vest 50% each on the first and second anniversaries of the date of grant.

Long-term Incentive Performance Restricted Awards

During the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company granted long-term incentive plan awards for 2021 (the “2021 Long-Term Incentive Grant”) which were comprised of approximately 120,000 nonqualified stock options (the “Long-Term Incentive Options”) and approximately 120,000 performance-vesting restricted units (the “Long-Term Incentive Performance Restricted Units”) (collectively, the “Long-Term Incentive Awards”).

19


SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Long-Term Incentive Options

The Long-Term Incentive Options vest over three years, with 20% vesting on each of the first two anniversaries of the grant date and 60% vesting on the third anniversary of the grant date, subject to continued employment through the applicable vesting date. Equity compensation expense for these options is recognized for each tranche over the vesting period using the straight-line method. Upon stock option exercises, authorized but unissued shares are issued by the Company.

Long-Term Incentive Performance Restricted Units

The Long-Term Incentive Performance Restricted Units are expected to vest following the end of the three-year performance period beginning on January 1, 2021 and ending on December 31, 2023 (the “Performance Period”) based upon the Company’s achievement of specified performance goals during the Performance Period.  The total number of Long-Term Incentive Performance Restricted Units eligible to vest will be based on the level of achievement of the performance goals and ranges from 0% (if below threshold performance) up to 100% (for target or above performance). Upon achievement of at least the threshold performance goals, only 25% to 50% of the award for a given level of performance will vest, with the remaining 50% subject to a one-year performance test period. Performance for the test period must meet or exceed at least 95% of the prior year’s performance before up to the remaining 50% of the units can be earned.

The Company recognizes equity compensation expense for its performance-vesting restricted awards ratably over the related performance period, if the performance condition is probable of being achieved.  Based on the Company’s progress towards its respective performance goals, a portion of its performance-vesting restricted awards are not considered probable of vesting as of June 30, 2021; therefore, equity compensation expense has not yet been recorded related to these awards.  If the probability of vesting related to these awards changes in a subsequent period, all equity compensation expense related to those awards that would have been recorded over the requisite service period had the awards been considered probable at the new percentage from inception, will be recorded as a cumulative catch-up at such subsequent date.  

11. STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

As of June 30, 2021, 95,380,481 shares of common stock were issued in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet, which includes 16,260,248 shares of treasury stock held by the Company and excludes 57,124 unvested shares of common stock and 2,114,222 unvested restricted stock units or deferred stock units held by certain participants in the Company’s equity compensation plans or members of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) (see Note 10–Equity-Based Compensation).  

Share Repurchase Program

The Board had previously authorized a share repurchase program of up to $250.0 million of the Company’s common stock (the “Share Repurchase Program”). Under the Share Repurchase Program, the Company is authorized to repurchase shares through open market purchases, privately-negotiated transactions or otherwise in accordance with applicable federal securities laws, including through Rule 10b5-1 trading plans and under Rule 10b-18 of the Exchange Act.

During the six months ended June 30, 2020, prior to the COVID-19 temporary park closures, the Company completed a share repurchase of 469,785 shares for an aggregate total of approximately $12.4 million. As of June 30, 2021, the Company has approximately $237.6 million available under the Share Repurchase Program. In connection with Amendment No. 12 to the Company’s Amended Credit Agreement, the Company is restricted from paying any dividends or making restricted payments, including share repurchases, through the third quarter of 2022 unless certain conditions are met (see Note 6–Long-Term Debt).

The Share Repurchase Program has no time limit and may be suspended or discontinued completely at any time. The number of shares to be purchased and the timing of purchases will be based on the Company’s trading windows and available liquidity, general business and market conditions, and other factors, including legal requirements, debt covenant restrictions and alternative investment opportunities.

    

 

 

20


 

 

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

References to our “theme parks” or “parks” in the discussion that follows includes all of our separately gated parks.  The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs and involve numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those described in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as such risk factors may be updated from time to time in our periodic filings with the SEC.  Actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. You should carefully read “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Introduction

The following discussion and analysis is intended to facilitate an understanding of our business and results of operations and should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.  This discussion should also be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto, and the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Business Overview

We are a leading theme park and entertainment company providing experiences that matter and inspiring guests to protect animals and the wild wonders of our world.  We own or license a portfolio of recognized brands, including SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Aquatica, Discovery Cove and Sesame Place. Over our more than 60-year history, we have developed a diversified portfolio of 12 differentiated theme parks that are grouped in key markets across the United States.  Many of our theme parks showcase our one-of-a-kind zoological collection and feature a diverse array of both thrill and family-friendly rides, educational presentations, shows and/or other attractions with broad demographic appeal which deliver memorable experiences and a strong value proposition for our guests.

Recent Developments

Impact of Global COVID-19 Pandemic

In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic and in compliance with government restrictions, we temporarily closed all of our theme parks effective March 16, 2020. Beginning in June 2020, we began the phased reopening of some of our parks with capacity limitations and/or modified/limited operations and by the end of June 2020, we had reopened seven of our 12 parks on a limited basis. See further discussion in Note 1–Description of the Business and Basis of Presentation to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we implemented enhanced health and safety protocols for our parks including capacity limitations, increased cleaning measures, physical distancing practices, face covering requirements and temperature screening of both guests and employees.  During the second quarter of 2021, based on revisions to federal, state and local guidelines, we modified some of these protocols.  In particular, we are no longer requiring face coverings for guests who are fully vaccinated and fully vaccinated employees working in outdoor areas. We have also discontinued temperature screenings at all of our parks. Additionally, in July 2021, excluding our reservations-only Discovery Cove park, we suspended the requirement for our guests to use our reservation system, providing guests more flexibility in planning their visit.

At the start of 2021, seven of our 12 parks were open, compared to eight of our 12 parks at the start of 2020. At the start of the second quarter of 2021, 10 of our 12 parks were open but operating with capacity limitations or modified/limited operations.  By the end of the second quarter 2021, all of our parks were open and operating without COVID-19 related capacity limitations.

We continue our focus on reducing costs, improving operating margins and streamlining our labor structure to better align with our strategic business objectives.  Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have spent significant time reviewing our operations and have identified meaningful cost savings opportunities which we believe will further strengthen our business.

As approved vaccines continue to be distributed, public health conditions, the operating environment and capacity limitations have improved; however, there can be no certainty of the extent and effectiveness of the vaccines or how they will impact these factors and others, including domestic or international travel, group events, public opinion concerning social gatherings, consumer behavior or federal, state and local regulations related to health protocols, capacity limitations and social gatherings.

 

Due in part to the current overall labor market and COVID-19 related factors, we have experienced and may continue to experience challenges in meeting our seasonal staffing goals, which could impact operations. These staffing challenges have led to wage pressures in select markets for select roles during the quarter.  These wage pressures were more than offset by cost savings initiatives. 

 

21


 

 

For further discussion relating to strategic measures we have taken to operate in the current environment, see the “Results of Operations” section which follows.  For other factors concerning the global COVID-19 pandemic, see the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as such risk factors may be updated from time to time in our periodic filings with the SEC.

Principal Factors and Trends Affecting Our Results of Operations

Revenues

Our revenues are driven primarily by attendance in our theme parks and the level of per capita spending for admission and per capita spending for culinary, merchandise and other in-park products. We define attendance as the number of guest visits. Attendance drives admissions revenue as well as total in-park spending. Admissions revenue primarily consists of single-day tickets, annual passes (which generally expire after a 12-month term), season passes (including our fun card products and, collectively with annual passes, referred to as “passes” or “season passes”) or other multi-day or multi-park admission products.  

Total revenue per capita, defined as total revenue divided by total attendance, consists of admission per capita and in-park per capita spending:

 

Admission Per Capita. We calculate admission per capita as total admissions revenue divided by total attendance. Admission per capita is primarily driven by ticket pricing, the admissions product mix (including the impact of pass visitation rates), and the park attendance mix, among other factors. The admissions product mix, also referred to as the attendance or visitation mix, is defined as the mix of attendance by ticket category such as single day, multi-day, annual/season passes or complimentary tickets and can be impacted by the mix of guests as domestic and international guests generally purchase higher admission per capita ticket products than our local guests.  A higher mix of complimentary tickets will lower our admissions per capita.  Pass visitation rates are the number of visits per pass.  A higher number of visits per pass would yield a lower admissions per capita as the revenue is recognized over more visits.  The park attendance mix is defined as the mix of theme parks visited and can impact admission per capita based on the theme park’s respective pricing which, on average, is lower for our water parks compared to our other theme parks.  

 

In-Park Per Capita Spending. We calculate in-park per capita spending as total food, merchandise and other revenue divided by total attendance. Food, merchandise and other revenue primarily consists of culinary, merchandise, parking and other in-park products and also includes other miscellaneous revenue, including online transaction fees, not necessarily generated in our parks, which is not significant in the periods presented.  In-park per capita spending is primarily driven by pricing changes, new product offerings, the mix of guests (such as local, domestic or international guests), penetration levels (percentage of guests purchasing) and the mix of in-park spending, among other factors.  

See further discussion in the “Results of Operations” section which follows and in Note 1–Description of the Business and Basis of Presentation to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.  For other factors affecting our revenues, see the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as such risk factors may be updated from time to time in our periodic filings with the SEC.

Attendance

The level of attendance in our theme parks is generally a function of many factors, including affordability, the opening of new attractions and shows, competitive offerings, weather, marketing and sales efforts, awareness and type of ticket and park offerings, travel patterns of both our domestic and international guests, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and global and regional economic conditions, consumer confidence, the external perceptions of our brands and reputation, industry best practices and perceptions as to safety. The external perceptions of our brands and reputation have at times impacted relationships with some of our business partners, including certain ticket resellers that have terminated relationships with us and other zoological-themed attractions.  

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we believe the level of attendance in our theme parks, including the mix of attendance from certain markets and certain guests has been and will continue to be impacted by public concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of reported local cases of COVID-19, domestic and international travel restrictions, federal, state and local regulations related to public places, limits on social gatherings, the availability and/or effectiveness of vaccines for adults and children, and overall public safety sentiment. We continuously monitor factors impacting our attendance, making strategic operations, marketing and sales adjustments as necessary.

Costs and Expenses

Historically, the principal costs of our operations are employee wages and benefits, driven partly by staffing levels, advertising, maintenance, animal care, utilities and insurance. Factors that affect our costs and expenses include fixed operating costs, competitive wage pressures including minimum wage legislation, commodity prices, costs for construction, repairs and maintenance, other inflationary pressures and attendance levels, among other factors. The mix of products sold compared to the prior year period can also impact our costs as generally retail products have a higher cost of sales component than our culinary or other in-park offerings.  

22


 

As a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, costs and expenses as a percent of revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, are not necessarily indicative of costs and expenses as a percent of revenue for any future period, due in part to the impact of fixed operating costs and certain other costs which are not dependent on attendance levels, as well as certain costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.  

For other factors affecting our costs and expenses, see the “Impact of Global COVID-19 Pandemic” section and the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as such risk factors may be updated from time to time in our periodic filings with the SEC. Additionally, we maintain valuation allowances for certain deferred tax assets which rely on estimates and assumptions on future financial performance, which may need to be adjusted in the future.  See Note 4–Income Taxes in our notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for further details.  

Seasonality

The theme park industry is seasonal in nature. Historically, we generate the highest revenues in the second and third quarters of each year, in part because seven of our theme parks were historically only open for a portion of the year. As a result, approximately two-thirds of our attendance and revenues were historically generated in the second and third quarters of the year and we generally incurred net losses in the first and fourth quarters. The percent mix of revenues by quarter is relatively constant each year, but revenues can shift between the first and second quarters due to the timing of Easter and spring break holidays and between the first and fourth quarters due to the timing of holiday breaks around Christmas and New Year. Even for our five theme parks which have historically been open year-round, attendance patterns have significant seasonality, driven by holidays, school vacations and weather conditions. Changes in school calendars that impact traditional school vacation breaks could also impact attendance patterns.

Due in part to the temporary park closures, capacity limitations and/or modified/limited operations, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the seasonality of our business and it is difficult to estimate how the COVID-19 pandemic will impact seasonality in the future. Furthermore, any changes to the operating schedule of a park such as increasing operating days for our seasonal parks, could impact seasonality in the future. During the first six months of 2021, we began year-round operations at our SeaWorld park in Texas and began to operate on select days at both our Busch Gardens park in Virginia and our Sesame Place park in Pennsylvania.

See “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as such risk factors may be updated from time to time in our periodic filings with the SEC.

Results of Operations

Our results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 are not directly comparable to the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 primarily due to temporary park closures, effective on March 16, 2020, capacity limitations, and modified/limited operations associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.  Our business continues to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic; however, we have seen improvement in operating results during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 due in part to an improving operating environment along with the impact of strategic measures we have taken both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

See “Impact of Global COVID-19 Pandemic” and “Attendance” for further discussion of the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business.  The following data should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

23


 

Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2021 and 2020

The following table presents key operating and financial information for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020:

  

 

For the Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

Variance

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

#

 

 

%

 

Summary Financial Data:

 

(In thousands, except per capita data)

 

Net revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Admissions

 

$

243,225

 

 

$

9,775

 

 

$

233,450

 

 

NM

 

Food, merchandise and other

 

 

196,559

 

 

 

8,251

 

 

 

188,308

 

 

NM

 

Total revenues

 

 

439,784

 

 

 

18,026

 

 

 

421,758

 

 

NM

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of food, merchandise and other revenues

 

 

34,173

 

 

 

1,153

 

 

 

33,020

 

 

NM

 

Operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)

 

 

157,307

 

 

 

59,049

 

 

 

98,258

 

 

 

166.4

%

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

43,190

 

 

 

21,104

 

 

 

22,086

 

 

 

104.7

%

Severance and other separation costs

 

 

1,496

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

1,487

 

 

NM

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

36,247

 

 

 

37,941

 

 

 

(1,694

)

 

 

(4.5

%)

Total costs and expenses

 

 

272,413

 

 

 

119,256

 

 

 

153,157

 

 

 

128.4

%

Operating income (loss)

 

 

167,371

 

 

 

(101,230

)

 

 

268,601

 

 

NM

 

Other expense (income), net

 

 

21

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

22

 

 

NM

 

Interest expense

 

 

31,127

 

 

 

21,908

 

 

 

9,219

 

 

 

42.1

%

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

 

136,223

 

 

 

(123,137

)

 

 

259,360

 

 

NM

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

8,461

 

 

 

7,892

 

 

 

569

 

 

 

7.2

%

Net income (loss)

 

$

127,762

 

 

$

(131,029

)

 

$

258,791

 

 

NM

 

Other data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attendance

 

 

5,809

 

 

 

272

 

 

 

5,537

 

 

NM

 

Total revenue per capita

 

$

75.71

 

 

$

66.27

 

 

$

9.44

 

 

 

14.2

%

Admission per capita

 

$

41.87

 

 

$

35.94

 

 

$

5.93

 

 

 

16.5

%

In-park per capita spending

 

$

33.84

 

 

$

30.33

 

 

$

3.51

 

 

 

11.6

%

NM – Not Meaningful.

Admissions revenue. Admissions revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2021 increased $233.5 million to $243.2 million as compared to $9.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. The increase in admissions revenue was primarily a result of an increase in attendance of approximately 5.5 million guests, along with an increase in admission per capita.  Attendance during the three months ended June 30, 2021 benefitted from an increase in demand and operating days resulting from a return to more normalized operations when compared to the second quarter of 2020, which was significantly impacted by the temporary park closures. Admission per capita increased by 16.5% to $41.87 for the three months ended June 30, 2021 compared to $35.94 in the three months ended June 30, 2020.  Admission per capita increased primarily due to the realization of higher prices in our admission products resulting from our strategic pricing efforts, which was partially offset by the net impact of the park and admissions product mix when compared to the prior year quarter due in part to limited operating days and temporary park closures.

Food, merchandise and other revenue. Food, merchandise and other revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2021 increased $188.3 million to $196.6 million as compared to $8.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. The increase results primarily from the increase in attendance discussed above, along with an increase in in-park per capita spending.  In-park per capita spending increased by 11.6% to $33.84 in the three months ended June 30, 2021 compared to $30.33 in the three months ended June 30, 2020.  In-park per capita spending improved primarily due to increased guest spending, new or enhanced and expanded in-park offerings, an improved product mix, higher realized prices and a strong consumer demand environment during the quarter.

Costs of food, merchandise and other revenues. Costs of food, merchandise and other revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2021 increased by $33.0 million to $34.2 million as compared to $1.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020, primarily due to the increase in related revenue.  These costs represent 17.4% and 14.0% of the related revenue earned for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.  The increase as a percent of related revenue primarily reflects a return to more normalized operations and a higher mix of retail products sold, which generally have a higher cost of sales component than our culinary or other in park products.  Compared to previous years, these costs as a percent of related revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, were 18.0% and 19.2%, respectively.

24


 

Operating expenses. Operating expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2021 increased by $98.3 million, or 166.4%, to $157.3 million as compared to $59.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. Operating expenses in the prior year period were significantly impacted by the temporary park closures, which resulted in furloughing approximately 95% of our employees and eliminating or deferring all non-essential operating expenses while the parks were closed.  As a result, the increase in operating expenses during the second quarter of 2021 primarily results from a return to more normalized operations with all 12 parks open compared to only 7 parks which reopened in June 2020 with limited/modified operations.  In particular, operating expenses increased largely due to labor-related costs to staff all 12 open parks, partially offset by structural cost savings initiatives when compared to the prior year quarter.  Operating expenses as a percent of revenue were 35.8% for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and are not comparable to the prior year period primarily due to the impact of certain operating costs in 2020 which are not dependent on attendance levels.  Compared to previous years, operating expenses as a percent of revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, were 42.0% and 48.5%, respectively.

Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2021 increased $22.1 million, or 104.7%, to $43.2 million as compared to $21.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020.   The increase primarily relates to increased marketing related costs resulting from a return to more normalized operations in the second quarter of 2021 as we substantially eliminated all marketing related costs while the parks were closed in 2020.  Selling, general and administrative expenses were also impacted by an increase in labor-related costs when compared to the prior year quarter which included the impact of furloughs due to the temporary park closures, partially offset by the impact of cost savings and efficiency initiatives.  Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of revenue were 9.8% for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and is not comparable to the prior year period primarily due to the impact of the temporary park closures.  Compared to previous years, selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, were 16.6% and 18.1%, respectively.

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense for the three months ended June 30, 2021 declined by $1.7 million, or 4.5%, to $36.2 million as compared to $37.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. The decrease primarily relates to a decline in new asset additions along with the impact of asset retirements and fully depreciated assets.

Interest expense. Interest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2021 increased $9.2 million, or 42.1%, to $31.1 million as compared to $21.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. The increase primarily relates to interest on the Senior Notes issued in April 2020 and the Second-Priority Senior Secured Notes issued in August 2020, partially offset by reduced interest related to the Revolving Credit Facility, which was undrawn in 2021, and the impact of interest rate swap agreements which expired in the second quarter of 2020. See Note 6–Long-Term Debt in our notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the “Our Indebtedness” section which follows for further details.  

Provision for income taxes. Income taxes in the three months ended June 30, 2021 was a provision of $8.5 million compared to $7.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020.  Our consolidated effective tax rate was 6.2% for the three months ended June 30, 2021 compared to -6.4% for the three months ended June 30, 2020.  The effective tax rate was primarily impacted by non-cash valuation allowance adjustments on federal and state net operating loss carryforwards, a valuation allowance adjustment on federal tax credits, changes in state tax rates and tax impacts of equity-based compensation.

25


 

Supplemental comparison of the three months ended June 30, 2021 to the three months ended June 30, 2019

We believe a comparison of selected financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2021 to the three months ended June 30, 2019 may provide additional insight regarding the current impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business.  As such, the following supplemental discussion provides an analysis of selected operating results for the three months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2019. The selected summary financial data for the three months ended June 30, 2019 was derived from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for quarter ended June 30, 2019.  

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

Variance

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2019

 

 

#

 

 

%

 

Summary Financial Data:

 

(In thousands, except per capita data)

 

Net revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Admissions

 

$

243,225

 

 

$

227,828

 

 

$

15,397

 

 

 

6.8

%

Food, merchandise and other

 

 

196,559

 

 

 

178,164

 

 

 

18,395

 

 

 

10.3

%

Total revenues

 

 

439,784

 

 

 

405,992

 

 

 

33,792

 

 

 

8.3

%

Selected Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of food, merchandise and other revenues

 

 

34,173

 

 

 

32,006

 

 

 

2,167

 

 

 

6.8

%

Operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

 

 

157,307

 

 

 

170,398

 

 

 

(13,091

)

 

 

(7.7

%)

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

43,190

 

 

 

67,205

 

 

 

(24,015

)

 

 

(35.7

%)

Other data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attendance

 

 

5,809

 

 

 

6,463

 

 

 

(654

)

 

 

(10.1

%)

Total revenue per capita

 

$

75.71

 

 

$

62.82

 

 

$

12.89

 

 

 

20.5

%

Admission per capita

 

$

41.87

 

 

$

35.25

 

 

$

6.62

 

 

 

18.8

%

In-park per capita spending

 

$

33.84

 

 

$

27.57

 

 

$

6.27

 

 

 

22.7

%

Admissions revenue. Admissions revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2021 increased $15.4 million, or 6.8%, to $243.2 million as compared to $227.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019. The increase in admissions revenue was primarily a result of an increase in admissions per capita, partially offset by a decrease in attendance of approximately 0.7 million guests, or 10.1%.  Attendance declined when compared to 2019 primarily due to COVID-19 related impacts including capacity limitations and/or modified/limited operations at our parks for some of the quarter.  Admission per capita increased by 18.8% to $41.87 in 2021 compared to $35.25 in 2019. Admission per capita increased primarily due to the realization of higher prices in our admission products resulting from our strategic pricing efforts, along with the net impact of the admissions product mix when compared to the second quarter of 2019.

Food, merchandise and other revenue. Food, merchandise and other revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2021 increased $18.4 million, or 10.3%, to $196.6 million as compared to $178.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019, primarily as a result of an increase in in-park per capita spending, partially offset by a decrease in attendance as discussed above.  In-park per capita spending increased by 22.7% to $33.84 in the second quarter of 2021 compared to $27.57 in the second quarter of 2019.  In-park per capita spending improved primarily due to increased guest spending, higher realized prices and fees, an improved product mix, new or enhanced and expanded in-park offerings, and a strong consumer demand environment during the quarter.

Costs of food, merchandise and other revenues. Costs of food, merchandise and other revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2021 increased $2.2 million, or 6.8%, to $34.2 million as compared to $32.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019, primarily due to an increase in volume.  These costs represent 17.4% and 18.0% of the related revenue earned for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2019, respectively.  The decrease as a percent of related revenue partly relates to the impact of sourcing cost savings initiatives combined with higher realized prices on some of our in-park products.  

Operating expenses. Operating expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2021 decreased $13.1 million, or 7.7%, to $157.3 million as compared to $170.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019.  The decrease is primarily due to a net reduction in labor-related costs and other operating costs primarily resulting from structural cost savings initiatives and the impact of modified/limited operations due to COVID-19 for most of the quarter.  Operating expenses were 35.8% of total revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2021 compared to 42.0% for the three months ended June 30, 2019.

Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2021 decreased $24.0 million, or 35.7%, to $43.2 million as compared to $67.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019.  The decrease primarily relates to a reduction in marketing related costs and the impact of cost savings and efficiency initiatives. As a percentage of total revenue, selling, general and administrative expenses were 9.8% for the three months ended June 30, 2021 compared to 16.6% for the three months ended June 30, 2019.

26


 

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 and 2020

The following table presents key operating and financial information for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020:

 

 

For the Six Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

Variance

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

#

 

 

%

 

Summary Financial Data:

 

(In thousands, except per capita data)

 

Net revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Admissions

 

$

339,005

 

 

$

100,281

 

 

$

238,724

 

 

NM

 

Food, merchandise and other

 

 

272,699

 

 

 

71,306

 

 

 

201,393

 

 

NM

 

Total revenues

 

 

611,704

 

 

 

171,587

 

 

 

440,117

 

 

NM

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of food, merchandise and other revenues

 

 

49,115

 

 

 

14,257

 

 

 

34,858

 

 

NM

 

Operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)

 

 

265,079

 

 

 

192,048

 

 

 

73,031

 

 

 

38.0

%

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

74,654

 

 

 

48,058

 

 

 

26,596

 

 

 

55.3

%

Severance and other separation costs

 

 

1,582

 

 

 

74

 

 

 

1,508

 

 

NM

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

72,805

 

 

 

75,954

 

 

 

(3,149

)

 

 

(4.1

%)

Total costs and expenses

 

 

463,235

 

 

 

330,391

 

 

 

132,844

 

 

 

40.2

%

Operating income (loss)

 

 

148,469

 

 

 

(158,804

)

 

 

307,273

 

 

NM

 

Other expense (income), net

 

 

195

 

 

 

(13

)

 

 

208

 

 

NM

 

Interest expense

 

 

62,083

 

 

 

41,061

 

 

 

21,022

 

 

 

51.2

%

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

 

86,191

 

 

 

(199,852

)

 

 

286,043

 

 

NM

 

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

 

 

3,313

 

 

 

(12,304

)

 

 

15,617

 

 

NM

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

82,878

 

 

$

(187,548

)

 

$

270,426

 

 

NM

 

Other data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attendance

 

 

8,023

 

 

 

2,591

 

 

 

5,432

 

 

NM

 

Total revenue per capita

 

$

76.24

 

 

$

66.22

 

 

$

10.02

 

 

 

15.1

%

Admission per capita

 

$

42.25

 

 

$

38.70

 

 

$

3.55

 

 

 

9.2

%

In-park per capita spending

 

$

33.99

 

 

$

27.52

 

 

$

6.47

 

 

 

23.5

%

NM-Not Meaningful.

Admissions revenue. Admissions revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2021 increased $238.7 million to $339.0 million as compared to $100.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The improvement was a result of an increase in attendance and in admissions per capita. Total attendance for the first six months of 2021 increased by approximately 5.4 million guests when compared to the first six months of 2020.  Attendance improved primarily due to an increase in demand and operating days resulting from a return to more normalized operations in the first six months of 2021 compared to the first six months of 2020, which was significantly impacted by the temporary park closures. The increase in operating days more than offset unfavorable impacts on attendance from COVID-19 related impacts including capacity limitations and modified/limited operations for most of the first half of 2021. Admission per capita increased by 9.2% to $42.25 for the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to $38.70 for the six months ended June 30, 2020, primarily due to the realization of higher prices in our admission products resulting from our strategic pricing efforts, partially offset by the net impact of the park and admissions product mix when compared to the prior year period.

Food, merchandise and other revenue. Food, merchandise and other revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2021 increased $201.4 million to $272.7 million as compared to $71.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The increase largely results from the increase in attendance discussed above. In-park per capita spending increased by 23.5% to $33.99 for the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to $27.52 for the six months ended June 30, 2020. In park per capita increased due to the impact of new or enhanced and expanded in-park offerings, increased guest spending, an improved product mix, higher realized prices and a strong consumer demand environment when compared to the prior year period.

Costs of food, merchandise and other revenues. Costs of food, merchandise and other revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2021 increased $34.9 million to $49.1 million as compared to $14.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020.  The increase primarily relates to the increase in attendance as discussed above.  These costs represent 18.0% and 20.0% of the related revenue earned for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The decrease as a percent of related revenue primarily relates to the impact of sourcing cost savings initiatives combined with higher realized prices on some of our in-park products.  Compared to previous years, these costs as a percent of related revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, were 18.2% and 19.3%, respectively.

27


 

Operating expenses. Operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2021 increased by $73.0 million, or 38.0%, to $265.1 million as compared to $192.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The increase primarily relates to a net increase in labor-related and other operating costs resulting from the impact of additional operating days due to a return to more normalized operations in 2021, partially offset by structural cost savings initiatives.  The prior year period was significantly impacted by labor-related reductions due to furloughs and other nonessential operating cost reductions resulting from the temporary park closures. Operating expenses as a percent of revenue were 43.3% for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and are not comparable to the prior year period primarily due to the impact of certain operating costs in 2020 which are not dependent on attendance levels.  Compared to previous years, operating expenses as a percent of revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, were 51.1% and 56.7%, respectively.

Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2021 increased $26.6 million, or 55.3%, to $74.7 million as compared to $48.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020.  Excluding the impact of certain legal settlement proceeds in the prior year period, selling, general and administrative expenses increased by approximately $14.1 million primarily due to increased non-cash equity compensation expense, increased labor-related costs resulting from the impact of furloughs in the prior year period and increased marketing-related costs, partially offset by the impact of cost savings and efficiency initiatives.  The legal settlement proceeds in the prior year period related to approximately $12.5 million received related to a legal matter. See Note 9–Commitments and Contingencies to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further details. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of revenue were 12.2% for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and is not comparable to the prior year period primarily due to the impact of the temporary park closures.  Compared to previous years, selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, were 17.6% and 22.1%, respectively.

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense for the six months ended June 30, 2021 decreased $3.1 million, or 4.1%, to $72.8 million as compared to $76.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The decrease primarily relates to a decline in new asset additions along with the impact of asset retirements and fully depreciated assets.

Interest expense. Interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2021 increased $21.0 million, or 51.2%, to $62.1 million as compared to $41.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The increase primarily relates to interest on the Senior Notes issued in April 2020 and the Second-Priority Senior Secured Notes issued in August 2020, partially offset by reduced interest related to the Revolving Credit Facility, which was undrawn in 2021 and the impact of decreased LIBOR rates. See Note 6–Long-Term Debt in our notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the “Our Indebtedness” section which follows for further details.

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes. Income taxes for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was a provision of $3.3 million compared to a benefit of $12.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020.  Our consolidated effective tax rate was 3.8% for the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to 6.2% for the six months ended June 30, 2020.  The effective tax rate decreased primarily due to non-cash valuation allowance adjustments on federal and state net operating loss carryforwards, a valuation allowance adjustment on federal tax credits, changes in state tax rates and tax impacts on equity-based compensation.  See Note 4–Income Taxes in our notes to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further details.

28


 

Supplemental comparison of the six months ended June 30, 2021 to the six months ended June 30, 2019

We believe a comparison of selected financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2021 to the six months ended June 30, 2019 may provide additional insight regarding the current impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business.  As such, the following supplemental discussion provides an analysis of selected operating results for the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2019. The selected summary financial data for the first six months of 2019 was derived from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for quarter ended June 30, 2019.  

 

 

For the Six Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

Variance

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2019

 

 

#

 

 

%

 

Selected Summary Financial Data:

 

(In thousands, except per capita data)

 

Net revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Admissions

 

$

339,005

 

 

$

356,741

 

 

$

(17,736

)

 

 

(5.0

%)

Food, merchandise and other

 

 

272,699

 

 

 

269,826

 

 

 

2,873

 

 

 

1.1

%

Total revenues

 

 

611,704

 

 

 

626,567

 

 

 

(14,863

)

 

 

(2.4

%)

Selected costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of food, merchandise and other revenues

 

 

49,115

 

 

 

49,219

 

 

 

(104

)

 

 

(0.2

%)

Operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

 

 

265,079

 

 

 

320,283

 

 

 

(55,204

)

 

 

(17.2

%)

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

74,654

 

 

 

109,969

 

 

 

(35,315

)

 

 

(32.1

%)

Other data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attendance

 

 

8,023

 

 

 

9,802

 

 

 

(1,779

)

 

 

(18.1

%)

Total revenue per capita

 

$

76.24

 

 

$

63.92

 

 

$

12.32

 

 

 

19.3

%

Admission per capita

 

$

42.25

 

 

$

36.39

 

 

$

5.86

 

 

 

16.1

%

In-park per capita spending

 

$

33.99

 

 

$

27.53

 

 

$

6.46

 

 

 

23.5

%

Admissions revenue. Admissions revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2021 decreased $17.7 million, or 5.0%, to $339.0 million as compared to $356.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The decline in admissions revenue was primarily a result of a decrease in attendance of approximately 1.8 million guests, or 18.1%, partially offset by an increase in admission per capita.  Attendance declined when compared to 2019 primarily due to COVID-19 related impacts including capacity limitations and modified/limited operations at our parks for most of the first six months of 2021.  Admission per capita increased by 16.1% to $42.25 in 2021 compared to $36.39 in 2019. Admission per capita increased primarily due to the realization of higher prices in our admission products resulting from our strategic pricing efforts, along with the net impact of the admissions product mix when compared to the first six months of 2019.

Food, merchandise and other revenue. Food, merchandise and other revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2021 increased $2.9 million, or 1.1%, to $272.7 million as compared to $269.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019, primarily as a result of an increase in in-park per capita spending, offset by a decrease in attendance as discussed above.  In-park per capita spending increased by 23.5% to $33.99 in the first six months of 2021 compared to $27.53 in the first six months of 2019.  In-park per capita spending improved primarily due to increased guest spending, higher realized prices and fees, an improved product mix, new, enhanced or expanded in-park offerings, and a strong consumer demand environment when compared to the first six months of 2019.

Costs of food, merchandise and other revenues. Costs of food, merchandise and other revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2021 decreased $0.1 million, or 0.2%, to $49.1 million as compared to $49.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019, primarily due to the decrease in volume.  These costs represent 18.0% and 18.2% of the related revenue earned for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2019, respectively.  

Operating expenses. Operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2021 decreased $55.2 million, or 17.2%, to $265.1 million as compared to $320.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019.  The decrease is primarily due to a net reduction in labor-related costs and other operating costs primarily resulting from structural cost savings initiatives and the impact of modified/limited operations due to COVID-19 for most of 2021. Operating expenses were 43.3% of total revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to 51.1% for the six months ended June 30, 2019.

Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2021 decreased $35.3 million, or 32.1%, to $74.7 million as compared to $110.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019.  The decrease primarily relates to a reduction in marketing related costs and the impact of cost savings and efficiency initiatives. As a percentage of total revenue, selling, general and administrative expenses were 12.2% for the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to 17.6% for the six months ended June 30, 2019.

29


 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

Generally, our principal sources of liquidity are cash generated from operations, funds from borrowings and existing cash on hand. Our principal uses of cash include the funding of working capital obligations, debt service, investments in theme parks (including capital projects), and could include share repurchases or other return of capital to stockholders, when permitted.  As of June 30, 2021, we had a working capital ratio (defined as current assets divided by current liabilities) of 1.5, due in part to our outstanding cash balance at June 30, 2021.  Historically, we typically operate with a working capital ratio less than 1 due to significant deferred revenue balance from revenues paid in advance for our theme park admissions products and high turnover of in-park products that result in limited inventory balances. Our cash flow from operations, along with our revolving credit facilities, have historically allowed us to meet our liquidity needs. See the “Our Indebtedness” section for further details concerning the proactive measures we have taken to address liquidity in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As market conditions warrant and subject to our contractual restrictions and liquidity position, we or our affiliates, may from time to time purchase our outstanding equity and/or debt securities, including our outstanding bank loans in privately negotiated or open market transactions, by tender offer or otherwise. Any such purchases may be funded by incurring new debt, including additional borrowings under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities. Any new debt may also be secured debt. We may also use available cash on our balance sheet. The amounts involved in any such transactions, individually or in the aggregate, may be material. Further, since some of our debt may trade at a discount to the face amount among current or future syndicate members, any such purchases may result in our acquiring and retiring a substantial amount of any particular series, with the attendant reduction in the trading liquidity of any such series. Depending on conditions in the credit and capital markets and other factors, we will, from time to time, consider other financing transactions, the proceeds of which could be used to refinance our indebtedness or for other purposes.

Share Repurchases

See Note 11–Stockholders’ Deficit in our notes to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further information on the Share Repurchase Program.  

Other

We believe that existing cash and cash equivalents, cash flow from operations, and available borrowings under our revolving credit facility will be adequate to meet the capital expenditures and working capital requirements of our operations for at least the next 12 months.

The following table presents a summary of our cash flows provided by (used in) operating, investing, and financing activities for the periods indicated:

 

 

For the Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

 

(Unaudited, in thousands)

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

$

248,078

 

 

$

(68,326

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(44,981

)

 

 

(53,699

)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

 

(20,605

)

 

 

458,273

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash

 

$

182,492

 

 

$

336,248

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities was $248.1 million during the six months ended June 30, 2021 as compared to net cash used in operating activities of $68.3 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020.  The change in net cash provided by (used in) operating activities was primarily impacted by improved operating performance including increased sales of admission products, partially offset by the impact of increased interest payments in the six months ended June 30, 2021 when compared to the six months ended June 30, 2020, which was impacted by the temporary park closures.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Investing activities consist principally of capital investments we make in our theme parks for future attractions and infrastructure.  Net cash used in investing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2021 consisted primarily of capital expenditures of $45.0 million largely related to future attractions. Net cash used in investing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2020 consisted primarily of $53.7 million of capital expenditures.  

30


 

The following table presents detail of our capital expenditures for the periods indicated:

 

 

For the Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

Capital Expenditures:

 

(Unaudited, in thousands)

 

 

Core(a)

 

$

31,668

 

 

$

45,840

 

 

Expansion/ROI projects(b)

 

 

13,313

 

 

 

7,859

 

 

Capital expenditures, total

 

$

44,981

 

 

$

53,699

 

 

(a)

Reflects capital expenditures for park rides, attractions and maintenance activities.   

(b)

Reflects capital expenditures for park expansion, new properties, and revenue and/or expense return on investment (“ROI”) projects.

The amount of our capital expenditures may be affected by general economic and financial conditions, among other things, including restrictions imposed by our borrowing arrangements. Historically, we generally expect to fund our capital expenditures through our operating cash flow. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have taken proactive measures starting in March 2020 relating to our capital expenditures including delaying the opening of certain new rides.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2021 results primarily from payment of tax withholdings on equity-based compensation through shares withheld of $12.5 million and repayments on long-term debt of $7.8 million.  Net cash provided by financing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2020 results primarily from net draws on our revolving credit facility of $261.0 million and net proceeds from our Senior Notes offering of $222.3 million, partially offset by $12.4 million used to repurchase shares and repayments of $7.8 million on our long-term debt. See Note 6–Long-term Debt in our notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for further details.

Our Indebtedness

We are a holding company and conduct our operations through our subsidiaries, which have incurred or guaranteed indebtedness as described below.  As of June 30, 2021, our indebtedness consisted of senior secured credit facilities, first-priority senior secured notes (“Senior Notes”) and second-priority senior secured notes (“Second-Priority Senior Notes”).

On August 5, 2021, we announced our intention to commence the marketing of a new seven-year $1.1 billion senior secured first lien term loan facility (the “New Term Loan Facility”) and a new five-year approximately $385.0 million senior secured first lien revolving credit facility (the “New Revolving Credit Facility”).

We intend to use the proceeds from the New Term Loan Facility, together with the proceeds from a financing, which may be notes, loans or other securities, or a combination thereof, on terms satisfactory to us and in an aggregate principal amount satisfactory to us to repay all borrowings outstanding under the existing senior facilities and to pay related fees and expenses. The closing of the New Term Loan Facility and the New Revolving Credit Facility is subject to successful marketing and other conditions, and there can be no assurance that we will close the New Term Loan Facility or the New Revolving Credit Facility (or offer the aforementioned notes) as described or at all.

See discussion which follows and Note 6–Long-Term Debt in our notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for further details concerning our long-term debt.

Senior Secured Credit Facilities

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. (“SEA”) is the borrower under the senior secured credit facilities, as amended pursuant to a credit agreement (the “Amended Credit Agreement”) dated as of December 1, 2009, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or modified from time to time (the “Senior Secured Credit Facilities”).

As of June 30, 2021, our Senior Secured Credit Facilities consisted of $1.485 billion in Term B-5 Loans which will mature on March 31, 2024, along with a $332.5 million Revolving Credit Facility, which was not drawn upon as of June 30, 2021. As of June 30, 2021, SEA had approximately $20.5 million of outstanding letters of credit, leaving approximately $312.0 million available for borrowing under the Revolving Credit Facility. See Note 6–Long-Term Debt to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for information regarding our required quarterly liquidity test which could impact amounts available for borrowing.

Senior Secured Notes

On April 30, 2020, SEA closed on a private offering of $227.5 million aggregate principal amount of 8.750% Senior Notes and on August 5, 2020, SEA closed on a private offering of $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 9.500% Second-Priority Senior Notes. On July 14, 2021, SEA redeemed $50.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the Second-Priority Senior Notes.

31


 

Covenant Compliance

As of June 30, 2021, we were in compliance with all covenants in the credit agreement governing the Senior Secured Credit Facilities.  See Note 6–Long-Term Debt to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for further details relating to our restrictive covenants.

Adjusted EBITDA

Under the credit agreement governing the Senior Secured Credit Facilities, our ability to engage in activities such as incurring additional indebtedness, making investments, refinancing certain indebtedness, paying dividends and entering into certain merger transactions is governed, in part, by our ability to satisfy tests based on “Adjusted EBITDA”.  The Senior Secured Credit Facilities defines “Adjusted EBITDA” as net income or loss before interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization, as further adjusted to exclude certain unusual, non-cash, and other items permitted in calculating covenant compliance under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities, subject to certain limitations. Adjusted EBITDA as defined in the Senior Secured Credit Facilities is consistent with our reported Adjusted EBITDA.

We believe that the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA is appropriate as it eliminates the effect of certain non-cash and other items not necessarily indicative of a company’s underlying operating performance.  We use Adjusted EBITDA in connection with certain components of our executive compensation program. In addition, investors, lenders, financial analysts and rating agencies have historically used EBITDA related measures in our industry, along with other measures, to estimate the value of a company, to make informed investment decisions and to evaluate companies in the industry. In addition, the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA for the last twelve months provides additional information to investors about the calculation of, and compliance with, certain financial covenants in the Senior Secured Credit Facilities. See the “Our Indebtedness-Covenant Compliance” section for further details.

Adjusted EBITDA is not a recognized term under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for a measure of our financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP and is not indicative of income or loss from operations as determined under GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA and other non-GAAP financial measures have limitations which should be considered before using these measures to evaluate our financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA, as presented by us, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies due to varying methods of calculation.

The following table reconciles Adjusted EBITDA, as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement, to net income (loss) for the periods indicated:

SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

  

 

For the Three Months Ended June 30,

 

 

For the Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

Last Twelve Months Ended

June 30,

 

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited, in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

127,762

 

 

$

(131,029

)

 

$

82,878

 

 

$

(187,548

)

 

$

(41,895

)

 

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

 

 

8,461

 

 

 

7,892

 

 

 

3,313

 

 

 

(12,304

)

 

 

(14,908

)

 

Interest expense

 

 

31,127

 

 

 

21,908

 

 

 

62,083

 

 

 

41,061

 

 

 

121,929

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

36,247

 

 

 

37,941

 

 

 

72,805

 

 

 

75,954

 

 

 

147,397

 

 

Equity-based compensation expense (a)

 

 

6,782

 

 

 

3,320

 

 

 

11,255

 

 

 

(281

)

 

 

19,003

 

 

Loss on impairment or disposal of assets and certain non-cash expenses(b)

 

 

3,079

 

 

 

1,035

 

 

 

3,687

 

 

 

1,420

 

 

 

9,454

 

 

Business optimization, development and strategic initiative costs (c)

 

 

2,835

 

 

 

264

 

 

 

3,347

 

 

 

2,299

 

 

 

8,316

 

 

Certain investment costs and other taxes (d)

 

 

329

 

 

 

560

 

 

 

416

 

 

 

662

 

 

 

798

 

 

Other adjusting items (e)

 

 

2,194

 

 

 

4,271

 

 

 

4,221

 

 

 

(5,954

)

 

 

5,416

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA (f)

 

$

218,816

 

 

$

(53,838

)

 

$

244,005

 

 

$

(84,691

)

 

$

255,510

 

 

Items added back to Adjusted EBITDA, after cost savings, as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated cost savings (g)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,100

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA, after cost savings (h)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

262,610

 

 

 

32


 

 

(a)

Reflects non-cash equity compensation expenses and related cash payroll taxes incurred during the period.  For the six months ended June 30, 2020, includes a reversal of equity compensation for certain performance vesting restricted units which were no longer considered probable of vesting.  See Note 10–Equity-Based Compensation in our notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further details.  

(b)

Reflects primarily non-cash expenses related to miscellaneous fixed asset disposals.  For the three, six and twelve months ended June 30, 2021, primarily reflects asset write-offs and certain costs related to certain rides and equipment which were removed from service.

(c)

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, reflects business optimization, development and other strategic initiative costs primarily related to: (i) $1.5 million and $1.6 million, respectively, of severance and other separation costs associated with positions eliminated and (ii) $0.4 million and $0.5 million, respectively, of third-party consulting costs.

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, reflects business optimization, development and other strategic initiative costs primarily related to $1.9 million of third-party consulting costs.

For the twelve months ended June 30, 2021, reflects business optimization, development and other strategic initiative costs primarily related to: (i) $4.3 million of severance and other separation costs and (ii) $1.7 million of third-party consulting costs.

(d)

For the twelve months ended June 30, 2021, includes costs associated with a Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed in 2020.

(e)

Reflects the impact of expenses, net of insurance recoveries and adjustments, incurred primarily related to certain matters, which we are permitted to exclude under the credit agreement governing our Senior Secured Credit Facilities due to the unusual nature of the items.  For the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, primarily relates to incremental non-recurring costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily associated with incremental labor-related costs to prepare, staff, and operate the parks with enhanced safety measures and legal costs related to COVID-19 related matters.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, includes approximately $3.9 million in incremental non-recurring costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily associated with incremental labor-related costs to prepare the parks for reopening with enhanced safety measures, incremental third-party consulting costs related to our COVID-19 response and safety communication strategies and initial purchases of personal protective equipment. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, also includes $12.5 million of insurance proceeds related to a legal settlement gain as previously disclosed.

For the twelve months ended June 30, 2021, includes approximately $9.2 million or incremental non-recurring costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, partially offset by approximately $4.4 million related to the return of funds previously paid for a legal settlement. See Note 9–Commitments and Contingencies in our notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for further details. The costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic primarily relate to incremental labor-related costs to prepare, staff and operate the parks with enhanced safety measures, legal costs related to COVID-19 related matters, temporary or initial purchases of safety monitoring and personal protective equipment and contract termination or modification costs related to impacts from the temporary COVID-19 park closures.

(f)

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) before income tax expense, interest expense, depreciation and amortization, as further adjusted to exclude certain non-cash, and other items permitted in calculating covenant compliance under the credit agreement governing our Senior Secured Credit Facilities.

(g)

The Senior Secured Credit Facilities permits the calculation of certain covenants to be based on Adjusted EBITDA, as defined above, for the last twelve month period further adjusted for net annualized estimated savings we expect to realize over the following 18 month period related to certain specified actions, including restructurings and cost savings initiatives.  These estimated savings are calculated net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period. These estimated savings are a non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA add-back item only as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement and does not impact our reported GAAP net income (loss).  The Amended Credit Agreement limits the amount of such estimated savings which may be reflected to 25% of Adjusted EBITDA, calculated for the last twelve months before the impact of these estimated cost savings. The estimated cost savings included in the table above do not reflect the net annualized estimated cost savings we would have realized versus 2019 because operations during the last twelve-month period ended June 30, 2021 were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

(h)

The Senior Secured Credit Facilities permits our calculation of certain covenants to be based on Adjusted EBITDA, as defined above, for the last twelve month period further adjusted for net annualized estimated savings as described in footnote (g) above.

33


 

Contractual Obligations

There have been no material changes to our contractual obligations as of June 30, 2021 from those previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of certain assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and disclosure of contingencies during the reporting period. Significant estimates and assumptions include the valuation and useful lives of long-lived tangible and intangible assets, the valuation of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, the accounting for income taxes, the accounting for self-insurance and revenue recognition. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The critical accounting estimates associated with these policies are described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” There have been no material changes to our significant accounting policies as compared to the significant accounting policies described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on February 26, 2021.  

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We had no material off-balance sheet arrangements as of June 30, 2021.

Recently Issued Financial Accounting Standards

Refer to Note 2–Recent Accounting Pronouncements in our notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further details.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Inflation

The impact of inflation has affected, and will continue to affect, our operations significantly. Our costs of food, merchandise and other revenues are influenced by inflation and fluctuations in global commodity prices. In addition, costs for construction, repairs and maintenance and labor are all subject to inflationary pressures.

Interest Rate Risk

We are exposed to market risks from fluctuations in interest rates, and to a lesser extent on currency exchange rates, from time to time, on imported rides and equipment. The objective of our financial risk management is to reduce the potential negative impact of interest rate and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations to acceptable levels. We do not acquire market risk sensitive instruments for trading purposes.

We previously managed interest rate risk through the use of a combination of fixed-rate long-term debt and interest rate swaps that fixed a portion of our variable-rate long-term debt.  In May 2020, our interest rate swap agreements expired, as such, we did not have any derivative instruments outstanding as of June 30, 2021.  We presently manage interest rate risk primarily by managing the amount, sources and duration of our debt funding. At June 30, 2021, approximately $1.5 billion of our outstanding long-term debt represents variable-rate debt. Assuming an average balance on our revolving credit borrowings of approximately $312.0 million, a hypothetical 100 bps increase in LIBOR would increase our annual interest expense by approximately $8.3 million. Assuming no revolving credit borrowings, a hypothetical 100 bps increase in LIBOR would increase our annual interest expense by approximately $5.2 million.

COVID-19 Risks and Uncertainties 

For further discussion of the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and financial performance, see the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as such risk factors may be updated from time to time in our periodic filings with the SEC. 

34


 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), require public companies, including us, to maintain “disclosure controls and procedures,” which are defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act to mean a company’s controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required or necessary disclosures. In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the disclosure controls and procedures are met. Additionally, in designing disclosure controls and procedures, our management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible disclosure controls and procedures. Our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded, based on the evaluation of the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures by our management as of the end of the fiscal quarter covered by this Quarterly Report, that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to accomplish their objectives at a reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Regulations under the Exchange Act require public companies, including our Company, to evaluate any change in our “internal control over financial reporting” as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and Rule 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act.  We have not experienced any material impact to our internal controls over financial reporting despite the fact that some of our employees were working remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are continually monitoring and assessing the COVID-19 situation on our internal controls to minimize the impact on their design and operating effectiveness. There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter covered by this Quarterly Report that have materially affected, or that are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

35


 

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

See Note 9–Commitments and Contingencies under the caption “Legal Proceedings” in our notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for further details concerning our other legal proceedings.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to the risk factors set forth in Item 1A.to Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed on February 26, 2021, to the extent factual information disclosed elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q relates to such risk factors, which is incorporated herein by reference.  

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The Company had no unregistered sales of equity securities during the second quarter of 2021.  The following table sets forth information with respect to shares of our common stock purchased by the Company during the periods indicated:

Period Beginning

 

Period Ended

 

Total Number

of Shares

Purchased(1)

 

 

Average

Price Paid

per Share

 

 

Total Number of

Shares

Purchased as

Part of Publicly

Announced Plans

or Programs

 

 

Maximum Number

(or Approximate

Dollar Value) of

Shares that May

Yet Be Purchased

Under the Plans

or Programs(2)

 

April 1, 2021

 

April 30, 2021

 

 

188,679

 

 

$

49.14

 

 

 

 

 

$

237,594,184

 

May 1, 2021

 

May 31, 2021

 

 

10,351

 

 

$

50.47

 

 

 

 

 

 

237,594,184

 

June 1, 2021

 

June 30, 2021

 

 

14,571

 

 

$

52.30

 

 

 

 

 

 

237,594,184

 

 

 

 

 

 

213,601

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

237,594,184

 

 

(1)

All purchases were made pursuant to the Company’s Omnibus Incentive Plan, under which participants may satisfy tax withholding obligations incurred upon the vesting of restricted stock by requesting the Company to withhold shares with a value equal to the amount of the withholding obligation.

 

(2)

The Company’s Board of Directors had previously authorized a share repurchase program of up to $250.0 million of the Company’s common stock (the “Share Repurchase Program”). Under the Share Repurchase Program, the Company is authorized to repurchase shares through open market purchases, privately-negotiated transactions or otherwise in accordance with applicable federal securities laws, including through Rule 10b5-1 trading plans and under Rule 10b-18 of the Exchange Act. As of June 30, 2021, the Company had approximately $237.6 million available under the Share Repurchase Program. In connection with Amendment No. 12 to the Company’s Amended Credit Agreement, the Company is restricted from making restricted payments, including share repurchases, through the third quarter of 2022 unless certain conditions are met.  See Note 6–Long-Term Debt and Note 11–Stockholders’ Deficit in the notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information

Rule 10b5-1 Plans

Our policy governing transactions in our securities by our directors, officers and employees permits such persons to adopt stock trading plans pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act. Our directors, officers and employees have in the past and may from time to time establish such stock trading plans. We do not undertake any obligation to disclose, or to update or revise any disclosure regarding, any such plans and specifically do not undertake to disclose the adoption, amendment, termination or expiration of any such plans.

36


 

Item 6. Exhibits

The following is a list of all exhibits filed or furnished as part of this report:

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

 

 

10.1*

 

Offer Letter of Employment, Agreed and Accepted the 24th day of June 2021, between SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. and Tom Iven

 

 

 

31.1*

 

Certification of Periodic Report by Chief Executive Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

31.2*

 

Certification of Periodic Report by Chief Financial Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

32.1*

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

32.2*

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

101.INS*

 

Inline XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.

 

 

 

101.SCH*

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.

 

 

 

101.CAL*

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.

 

 

 

101.DEF*

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

 

 

 

101.LAB*

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.

 

 

 

101.PRE*

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

104

 

The cover page from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2021 has been formatted in Inline XBRL.

 

 

 

*

 

 

Filed herewith.

Identifies exhibits that consist of a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

The agreements and other documents filed as exhibits to this report are not intended to provide factual information or other disclosure other than with respect to the terms of the agreements or other documents themselves, and you should not rely on them for that purpose. In particular, any representations and warranties made by us in these agreements or other documents were made solely within the specific context of the relevant agreement or document and may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time.

37


 

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.

 

 

 

SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

 

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: August 6, 2021

 

By: /s/ Elizabeth C. Gulacsy

 

 

Elizabeth C. Gulacsy

 

 

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

 

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: August 6, 2021

 

By: /s/ Christopher C. Yarris

 

 

Christopher C. Yarris

 

 

Chief Accounting Officer

 

 

(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

 

 

38