Aramark (ARMK)
SIC breadcrumb: Retail Trade > Eating And Drinking Places > SIC 5812 Retail-Eating Places
SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1584509. Latest filing source: 0001584509-25-000219.
Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.
Business
Read ARMK's verbatim Item 1 Business section from its latest 10-K: Business.
Risk Factors
Read ARMK's verbatim Item 1A Risk Factors from its latest 10-K: Risk Factors.
Peer comparisons including ARMK
- Restaurants and food-service operators: peer review · market-risk page
Selected Fundamentals
| Metric | Value | Unit | FY | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 18,506,299,000 | USD | 2025 | 2025-11-25 |
| Net income | 326,394,000 | USD | 2025 | 2025-11-25 |
| Assets | 13,304,629,000 | USD | 2025 | 2025-11-25 |
Financials
Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2025-11-25. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001584509.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.
| Metric | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 14,415,829,000 | 14,604,412,000 | 15,789,633,000 | 16,227,341,000 | 12,829,559,000 | 12,095,965,000 | 13,687,269,000 | 16,083,212,000 | 17,400,701,000 | 18,506,299,000 | ||||
| Net income | 287,806,000 | 373,923,000 | 567,885,000 | 448,549,000 | -461,529,000 | -90,833,000 | 194,484,000 | 674,108,000 | 262,522,000 | 326,394,000 | ||||
| Operating income | 746,314,000 | 801,627,000 | 818,411,000 | 891,159,000 | -264,919,000 | 191,444,000 | 415,392,000 | 625,028,000 | 706,510,000 | 791,846,000 | ||||
| Diluted EPS | 0.49 | 0.33 | 0.63 | 0.96 | -0.36 | 0.75 | 2.57 | 0.99 | 1.22 | |||||
| Operating cash flow | 463,913,000 | 511,647,000 | 726,514,000 | 921,035,000 | ||||||||||
| Capital expenditures | 512,532,000 | 552,729,000 | 628,604,000 | 503,090,000 | 418,508,000 | 407,818,000 | 311,948,000 | 383,536,000 | 427,425,000 | 489,240,000 | ||||
| Dividends paid | 92,074,000 | 100,813,000 | 103,115,000 | 108,439,000 | 110,893,000 | 112,010,000 | 113,120,000 | 114,614,000 | 99,901,000 | 110,821,000 | ||||
| Share buybacks | 749,000 | 100,000,000 | 24,410,000 | 50,000,000 | 6,540,000 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 23,662,000 | 14,395,000 | 169,827,000 | ||||
| Assets | 10,582,072,000 | 11,006,229,000 | 13,720,102,000 | 13,736,321,000 | 15,712,684,000 | 14,376,164,000 | 15,082,436,000 | 16,871,241,000 | 12,674,371,000 | 13,304,629,000 | ||||
| Stockholders' equity | 2,735,988,000 | 2,722,872,000 | 3,029,640,000 | 3,712,718,000 | 3,038,974,000 | 3,148,059,000 | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 152,580,000 | 238,797,000 | 215,025,000 | 246,643,000 | 2,509,188,000 | 532,591,000 | 305,716,000 | 1,927,088,000 | 672,483,000 | 639,095,000 | ||||
| Free cash flow | 151,965,000 | 128,111,000 | 299,089,000 | 431,795,000 |
Ratios
| Metric | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net margin | 2.00% | 2.56% | 3.60% | 2.76% | -3.60% | -0.75% | 1.42% | 4.19% | 1.51% | 1.76% | ||||
| Operating margin | 5.18% | 5.49% | 5.18% | 5.49% | -2.06% | 1.58% | 3.03% | 3.89% | 4.06% | 4.28% | ||||
| Return on equity | -16.87% | -3.34% | 6.42% | 18.16% | 8.64% | 10.37% | ||||||||
| Return on assets | 2.72% | 3.40% | 4.14% | 3.27% | -2.94% | -0.63% | 1.29% | 4.00% | 2.07% | 2.45% | ||||
| Current ratio | 1.14 | 1.12 | 1.17 | 0.98 | 1.99 | 1.01 | 1.00 | 1.04 | 0.81 | 0.99 |
Industry Peer Context
Net margin peer context
Operating margin peer context
ROE peer context
ROA peer context
Financial Bridges
Free cash flow = operating cash flow - capital expenditures
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts FY 2025. Operating cash flow: accession 0001584509-25-000219; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations | Capital expenditures: accession 0001584509-25-000219; concept PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets; source concepts us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets | Free cash flow: accession 0001584509-25-000219; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations - PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets
Financial Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-10-03; accession 0001584509-25-000219; filed 2025-11-25. Concept: RevenueFromContractWithCustomerIncludingAssessedTax. Source concepts: us-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerIncludingAssessedTax.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-10-03; accession 0001584509-25-000219; filed 2025-11-25. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-10-03; accession 0001584509-25-000219; filed 2025-11-25. Concept: OperatingIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-10-03; accession 0001584509-25-000219; filed 2025-11-25. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-10-03; accession 0001584509-25-000219; filed 2025-11-25. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-10-03; accession 0001584509-25-000219; filed 2025-11-25. Concept: PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-10-03; accession 0001584509-25-000219; filed 2025-11-25. Concept: PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-10-03; accession 0001584509-25-000219; filed 2025-11-25. Concept: PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-10-03; accession 0001584509-25-000219; filed 2025-11-25. Concept: Assets. Source concepts: us-gaap:Assets.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-10-03; accession 0001584509-25-000219; filed 2025-11-25. Concept: StockholdersEquity. Source concepts: us-gaap:StockholdersEquity.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-10-03; accession 0001584509-25-000219; filed 2025-11-25. Concept: CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue. Source concepts: us-gaap:CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-10-03; accession 0001584509-25-000219; filed 2025-11-25. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations - PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets.
Quarterly
Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-05-12. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001584509.json.
| Quarter | End Date | Revenue | Net Income | Diluted EPS | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-Q3 | 2022-07-01 | 0.16 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q1 | 2022-12-30 | 0.28 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-03-31 | 0.21 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-06-30 | 4,749,209,000 | 338,555,000 | 1.29 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q4 | 2023-09-29 | 4,901,565,000 | 205,442,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2024-Q1 | 2023-12-29 | 4,407,765,000 | 28,517,000 | 0.11 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-03-29 | 4,199,913,000 | 53,002,000 | 0.20 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-06-28 | 4,376,076,000 | 58,121,000 | 0.22 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q4 | 2024-09-27 | 4,416,947,000 | 122,253,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2025-Q1 | 2024-12-27 | 4,552,086,000 | 105,703,000 | 0.39 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-03-28 | 4,279,298,000 | 61,973,000 | 0.23 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-06-27 | 4,626,451,000 | 71,952,000 | 0.27 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q4 | 2025-10-03 | 5,048,464,000 | 87,242,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2026-Q1 | 2026-01-02 | 4,831,549,000 | 96,501,000 | 0.36 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2026-Q2 | 2026-04-03 | 4,907,342,000 | 102,140,000 | 0.38 | reported discrete quarter |
Quarterly Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-04-03; accession 0001584509-26-000088; filed 2026-05-12. Concept: RevenueFromContractWithCustomerIncludingAssessedTax. Source concepts: us-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerIncludingAssessedTax.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-04-03; accession 0001584509-26-000088; filed 2026-05-12. Concept: ProfitLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:ProfitLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-04-03; accession 0001584509-26-000088; filed 2026-05-12. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Macro Cross-References
- CPIAUCSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average
- UNRATE - Unemployment Rate
- FEDFUNDS - Federal Funds Effective Rate
- CES0500000003 - Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees, Total Private
- DFEDTARU - Federal Funds Target Range - Upper Limit
- DFEDTARL - Federal Funds Target Range - Lower Limit
- DGS3MO - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 3-Month Constant Maturity
- DGS2 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 2-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS10 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 10-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS30 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 30-Year Constant Maturity
- T10Y2Y - 10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Minus 2-Year Treasury Constant Maturity
- CPILFESL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items Less Food and Energy
- CPIUFDSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food
- CPIENGSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Energy
- CUSR0000SAH1 - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Shelter
- PCEPI - Personal Consumption Expenditures: Chain-type Price Index
- PCEPILFE - Personal Consumption Expenditures Excluding Food and Energy: Chain-type Price Index
- PPIACO - Producer Price Index by Commodity: All Commodities
- T10YIE - 10-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate
- U6RATE - Total Unemployed, Plus All Marginally Attached Workers Plus Total Employed Part Time for Economic Reasons
- PAYEMS - All Employees, Total Nonfarm
- CIVPART - Labor Force Participation Rate
- EMRATIO - Employment-Population Ratio
- UNEMPLOY - Unemployed
- CE16OV - Employment Level
- ICSA - Initial Claims
- JTSJOL - Job Openings: Total Nonfarm
- JTSQUR - Quits: Total Nonfarm
- GDPC1 - Real Gross Domestic Product
- A191RL1Q225SBEA - Real Gross Domestic Product: Percent Change from Preceding Period
- INDPRO - Industrial Production: Total Index
- TCU - Capacity Utilization: Total Index
- HOUST - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units
- PERMIT - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Authorized in Permit-Issuing Places: Total Units
- RSAFS - Advance Retail Sales: Retail Trade
- PCE - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- DSPIC96 - Real Disposable Personal Income
- PSAVERT - Personal Saving Rate
- M2SL - M2
- BOPGSTB - U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services: Balance
- MSPUS - Median Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States
- HSN1F - New One Family Houses Sold: United States
- RHORUSQ156N - Homeownership Rate in the United States
- TTLCONS - Total Construction Spending: Total Construction in the United States
- RRVRUSQ156N - Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States
- TOTALSL - Total Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- REVOLSL - Revolving Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- DRCCLACBS - Delinquency Rate on Credit Card Loans, All Commercial Banks
- GDP - Gross Domestic Product
- GPDI - Gross Private Domestic Investment
- GCE - Government Consumption Expenditures and Gross Investment
- PCEC - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- NETEXP - Net Exports of Goods and Services
- GFDEBTN - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt
- GFDEGDQ188S - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt as Percent of Gross Domestic Product
- FYFSD - Federal Surplus or Deficit
- FGRECPT - Federal Government Current Receipts
- FGEXPND - Federal Government: Current Expenditures
- MANEMP - All Employees, Manufacturing
- USCONS - All Employees, Construction
- USTRADE - All Employees, Retail Trade
- USFIRE - All Employees, Financial Activities
- USGOVT - All Employees, Government
- AWHAETP - Average Weekly Hours of All Employees, Total Private
- DGORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Durable Goods
- NEWORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Nondefense Capital Goods Excluding Aircraft
- BUSINV - Total Business Inventories
- EXPGS - Exports of Goods and Services
- IMPGS - Imports of Goods and Services
- IR - Import Price Index (End Use): All Commodities
- PPIFIS - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Final Demand
Latest quarter (10-Q)
Latest 10-Q source: 0001584509-26-000088.
Item 2.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of Aramark's (the "Company," "we," "our" and "us") financial condition and results of operations for the three and six months ended April 3, 2026 and March 28, 2025 should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and the notes to those statements for the fiscal year ended October 3, 2025 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on November 25, 2025.
Our discussion contains forward-looking statements, such as our plans, objectives, opinions, expectations, anticipations, intentions and beliefs, that are based upon our current expectations but that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in those forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described under the heading "Special Note About Forward-Looking Statements" and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. In the following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations, certain financial measures may be considered "non-GAAP financial measures" under SEC rules. These rules require supplemental explanation and reconciliation, which is provided elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Overview
We are a leading global provider of food and facilities services to education, healthcare, business & industry and sports, leisure & corrections clients. Our largest market is the United States, which is supplemented by an additional 15-country footprint. We also provide our services on a more limited basis in several additional countries and in offshore locations. Through our established brand, broad geographic presence and employees, we anchor our business in our partnerships with thousands of clients. Through these partnerships, we serve millions of consumers including students, patients, employees, sports fans and guests worldwide. We operate our business in two reportable segments: Food and Support Services United States ("FSS United States") and Food and Support Services International ("FSS International").
Our FSS United States reportable segment operations focus on serving clients in five principal sectors: Business & Industry, Education, Healthcare, Sports, Leisure & Corrections and Facilities & Other. Our FSS International reportable segment provides a similar range of services as those provided to our FSS United States clients and operates in the same sectors. Administrative expenses not allocated to our reportable segments are presented separately as corporate expenses.
Current Business Environment
Recent developments related to the conflict in the Middle East and evolving tariff policies have increased volatility and uncertainty in the global macroeconomic environment. While we have not experienced material impacts to date, given this elevated level of uncertainty and its potential impact on current and future economic conditions, we may continue to experience fluctuations in global inflationary pressures and market interest rates, as well as volatility in foreign currency markets in the near term. We regularly monitor these conditions and believe we take appropriate actions, as necessary, to mitigate related risks. These actions include actively managing operating costs through supply chain initiatives and pricing strategies, as well as managing interest rate exposure through the use of interest rate swaps and other risk mitigation strategies.
Seasonality
Our revenue and operating results have varied, and we expect them to continue to vary, from quarter to quarter as a result of different factors. Historically, within our FSS United States segment, there has been a lower level of activity during the first half of our fiscal year in operations that provide services to sports and leisure clients. This lower level of activity, historically, has been partially offset during the first half of our fiscal year by the increased activity levels in our educational operations. Conversely, historically there has been a significant increase in the provision of services to sports and leisure clients during the second half of our fiscal year, which is partially offset by the effect of summer recess at colleges, universities and schools in our educational operations. For cash flows, historically there has been cash usage during our first fiscal quarter due to lower activity within our sports and leisure clients as well as payments related to employee incentives. Conversely, historically there has been cash inflow during our fourth fiscal quarter due to customer prepayments particularly within our Higher Education business in anticipation of the fall semester and higher activity within our sports and leisure clients.
Foreign Currency Fluctuations
The impact from foreign currency translation assumes constant foreign currency exchange rates based on the rates in effect for the prior year period being used in translation for the comparable current year period. We believe that providing the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency rates on certain financial results can facilitate analysis of period-to-period comparisons of business performance.
20
Table of Contents
Fiscal Year
Our fiscal year is the fifty-two or fifty-three week period which ends on the Friday nearest September 30th. The fiscal year ending October 2, 2026 is a fifty-two week period, while the fiscal year ended October 3, 2025 was a fifty-three week period. The calendar shift resulting from the fifty-third week in the fiscal year ended October 3, 2025 is expected to affect the fiscal year ending October 2, 2026 quarterly comparisons of operating results due to the change in the number of operational service days in each quarter as compared to the corresponding prior year period.
Results of Operations
The following tables present an overview of our results on a consolidated basis with the amount of and percentage change between periods for the three and six months ended April 3, 2026 and March 28, 2025 (in millions).
| Three Months Ended | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 3, 2026 | March 28, 2025 | $ | % | |||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 4,907.3 | $ | 4,279.3 | $ | 628.0 | 14.7 | % | ||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||
| Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | 4,480.9 | 3,919.7 | 561.2 | 14.3 | % | |||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 132.2 | 117.1 | 15.1 | 12.9 | % | |||||||||
| Selling and general corporate expenses | 74.5 | 68.4 | 6.1 | 8.9 | % | |||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 4,687.6 | 4,105.2 | 582.4 | 14.2 | % | |||||||||
| Operating income | 219.7 | 174.1 | 45.6 | 26.2 | % | |||||||||
| Interest Expense, net | 82.2 | 89.7 | (7.5) | (8.3) | % | |||||||||
| Income Before Income Taxes | 137.5 | 84.4 | 53.1 | 62.8 | % | |||||||||
| Provision for Income Taxes | 35.4 | 22.4 | 13.0 | 57.2 | % | |||||||||
| Net income | $ | 102.1 | $ | 62.0 | $ | 40.1 | 64.8 | % |
| Six Months Ended | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 3, 2026 | March 28, 2025 | $ | % | |||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 9,738.9 | $ | 8,831.4 | $ | 907.5 | 10.3 | % | ||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||
| Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | 8,896.3 | 8,070.9 | 825.4 | 10.2 | % | |||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 258.1 | 230.3 | 27.8 | 12.1 | % | |||||||||
| Selling and general corporate expenses | 147.2 | 138.8 | 8.4 | 6.0 | % | |||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 9,301.6 | 8,440.0 | 861.6 | 10.2 | % | |||||||||
| Operating income | 437.3 | 391.4 | 45.9 | 11.7 | % | |||||||||
| Interest Expense, net | 164.2 | 165.5 | (1.3) | (0.8) | % | |||||||||
| Income Before Income Taxes | 273.1 | 225.9 | 47.2 | 20.9 | % | |||||||||
| Provision for Income Taxes | 74.5 | 58.2 | 16.3 | 27.9 | % | |||||||||
| Net income | $ | 198.6 | $ | 167.7 | $ | 30.9 | 18.5 | % |
Consolidated Overview
During the three and six month periods of fiscal 2026, revenue increased by approximately 14.7% or $628.0 million and 10.3% or $907.5 million compared to the prior year periods, respectively. The increase was primarily attributable to base business growth and net new business. Additionally, foreign currency translation favorably impacted revenue by 2.4% and 1.7% for the three and six month periods, respectively. The increase for the three month period of fiscal 2026 was also due to the estimated benefit of the increased number of operational service days in the second quarter of fiscal 2026 from the calendar shift related to the fifty-third week in fiscal 2025 (approximately 3%).
21
Table of Contents
Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
The following tables present the components in cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) and as a percentage of revenue for the three and six month periods ended April 3, 2026 and March 28, 2025 (in millions).
| Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) components | Three Months Ended | Change | As Percentage of Revenue | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 3, 2026 | March 28, 2025 | $ | % | April 3, 2026 | March 28, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||
| Food and support service costs | $ | 1,359.4 | $ | 1,178.9 | $ | 180.5 | 15.3 | % | 27.7 | % | 27.5 | % | |||||||||
| Personnel costs | 2,068.7 | 1,851.2 | 217.5 | 11.7 | % | 42.2 | % | 43.3 | % | ||||||||||||
| Other direct costs | 1,052.8 | 889.6 | 163.2 | 18.3 | % | 21.5 | % | 20.8 | % | ||||||||||||
| $ | 4,480.9 | $ | 3,919.7 | $ | 561.2 | 14.3 | % | 91.3 | % | 91.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) components | Six Months Ended | Change | As Percentage of Revenue | ||||||||||||||||||
| April 3, 2026 | March 28, 2025 | $ | % | April 3, 2026 | March 28, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||
| Food and support service costs | 2,705.0 | $ | 2,460.9 | $ | 244.1 | 9.9 | % | 27.8 | % | 27.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Personnel costs | 4,098.3 | 3,710.4 | 387.9 | 10.5 | % | 42.1 | % | 42.0 | % | ||||||||||||
| Other direct costs | 2,093.0 | 1,899.6 | 193.4 | 10.2 | % | 21.5 | % | 21.5 | % | ||||||||||||
| 8,896.3 | $ | 8,070.9 | $ | 825.4 | 10.2 | % | 91.3 | % | 91.4 | % |
Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) increased by $561.2 million and $825.4 million during the three and six month periods of fiscal 2026 compared to the prior year periods, respectively, principally attributable to the revenue growth described above. Key drivers of the year-over-year increase include:
•Food and support service costs increased by $180.5 million and $244.1 million during the three and six month periods of fiscal 2026 compared to the prior year periods, respectively, primarily due to food and beverage costs associated with business growth, partially offset by supply chain efficiencies.
•Personnel costs rose by $217.5 million and $387.9 million during the three and six month periods of fiscal 2026 compared to the prior year periods, respectively, reflecting overall business expansion and severance charges ($5.5 million). The increase was partially offset by lower medical costs ($6.9 million) during the three month period of fiscal 2026. Furthermore, the calendar shift related to the fifty‑third week in fiscal 2025 resulted in an increased number of operational service days during the three month period of fiscal 2026. As a portion of personnel costs is fixed
[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]
Latest 10-K MD&A
Item 7.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of Aramark's (the "Company," "we," "our" and "us") financial condition and results of operations for the fiscal years ended October 3, 2025, September 27, 2024 and September 29, 2023 should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and the notes to those statements. Discussion and analysis of our financial condition for the fiscal year ended September 27, 2024 compared to the fiscal year ended September 29, 2023 is included under the heading Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition - Liquidity and Capital Resources” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for the fiscal year ended September 27, 2024 with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on November 19, 2024.
Our discussion contains forward-looking statements, such as our plans, objectives, opinions, expectations, anticipations, intentions and beliefs, that are based upon our current expectations but that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in those forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those set forth under "Risk Factors," "Special Note About Forward-looking Statements" and "Business" sections and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K ("Annual Report"). In the following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations, certain financial measures may be considered “non-GAAP financial measures” under the SEC rules. These rules require supplemental explanation and reconciliation, which is provided elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Overview
We are a leading global provider of food and facilities services to education, healthcare, business & industry and sports, leisure & corrections clients. Our largest market is the United States, which is supplemented by an additional 15-country footprint. We also provide our services on a more limited basis in several additional countries and in offshore locations. Through our established brand, broad geographic presence and employees, we anchor our business in our partnerships with thousands of clients. Through these partnerships we serve millions of consumers including students, patients, employees, sports fans and guests worldwide.
We operate our business in two reportable segments:
•Food and Support Services United States ("FSS United States") - Food, refreshment, specialized dietary and support services, including facility maintenance and housekeeping, provided to business, educational and healthcare institutions and in sports, leisure and other facilities within the United States.
•Food and Support Services International ("FSS International") - Food, refreshment, specialized dietary and support services, including facility maintenance and housekeeping, provided to business, educational and healthcare institutions and in sports, leisure and other facilities outside of the United States with the largest operations within Canada, Chile, China, Germany, Spain, Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Our operations focus on serving clients in five principal sectors: Business & Industry, Education, Healthcare, Sports, Leisure & Corrections and Facilities & Other. Our FSS International reportable segment provides a similar range of services as those provided to our FSS United States clients and operates in the same sectors. Administrative expenses not allocated to our reportable segments are presented separately as corporate expenses.
Current Business Environment
Recent developments regarding tariffs and global trade have resulted in increased volatility and uncertainty for macroeconomic conditions. Given the uncertainty of tariff policy and the resulting impact on current and future macroeconomic conditions, we may see continued volatility in foreign currencies as well as fluctuating trends in global inflationary costs and market interest rates in the near term. We regularly evaluate and believe we take appropriate actions when necessary to mitigate the risk in these areas. These actions include management of operating costs, including supply chain initiatives and pricing actions, and managing interest rate risk through the use of interest rate swaps and other risk mitigation strategies.
Sale of San Antonio Spurs NBA Franchise Equity Investment
During fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023, we sold our ownership interest in the San Antonio Spurs NBA franchise for $101.2 million and $98.2 million, respectively, in cash in taxable transactions resulting in a pre-tax gain of $25.1 million ($19.6 million gain net of tax) in fiscal 2024 and a pre-tax loss of $1.1 million ($2.2 million loss net of tax) in fiscal 2023. See Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements.
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Separation and Distribution of Aramark Uniform and Career Apparel
On September 30, 2023, we completed the separation and distribution of our Aramark Uniform and Career Apparel ("Uniform") segment into an independent publicly traded company, Vestis Corporation ("Vestis"). The separation of our Uniform segment was structured as a tax free spin-off, which occurred by way of a pro rata distribution to Aramark stockholders. Each of the Aramark stockholders received one share of Vestis common stock for every two shares of Aramark common stock held of record as of the close of business on September 20, 2023. Vestis is now an independent public company under the symbol “VSTS” on the NYSE. The historical results of the Uniform segment have been reflected as discontinued operations in our audited consolidated financial statements for all periods prior to the separation and distribution. Additional disclosures regarding the separation and distribution are provided in Note 2 to the audited consolidated financial statements.
Sale of AIM Services Co., Ltd Equity Investment
During fiscal 2023, we sold our 50% ownership interest in AIM Services Co., Ltd., a leading Japanese food services company, to Mitsui & Co., Ltd. for $535.0 million in cash in a taxable transaction resulting in a pre-tax gain on sale of this equity investment of $377.1 million ($278.7 million gain net of tax) (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
Sources of Revenue
Our clients engage us, generally through written contracts, to provide our services at their locations. Depending on the type of client and service, we are paid either by our client or directly by the customer to whom we have been provided access by our client. We typically use either profit and loss contracts or client interest contracts. These contracts differ in their provision for the amount of financial risk we bear and, accordingly, the potential compensation, profits or fees we may receive. Under profit and loss contracts, we receive all of the revenue from, and bear all of the expenses of, the provision of our services at a client location. For fiscal 2025, approximately two-thirds of our revenue was derived from profit and loss contracts. Client interest contracts include management fee contracts, under which our clients reimburse our operating costs and pay us a management fee, which may be calculated as a fixed dollar amount or a percentage of revenue or operating costs. Some management fee contracts entitle us to receive incentive fees based upon our performance under the contract, as measured by factors such as revenue, operating costs and customer satisfaction surveys. For fiscal 2025, approximately one-third of our revenue was derived from client interest contracts.
Costs and Expenses
Our costs and expenses are comprised of cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization), depreciation and amortization and selling and general corporate expenses. Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) consists of direct expenses associated with our operations, which includes food costs, wages, other labor-related expenses (including workers' compensation, severance, state unemployment insurance and federal or state mandated health benefits and other healthcare costs), insurance, fuel, utilities, clothing and equipment. Direct expense related to food costs within cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) are offset by rebates, vendor allowances and volume discounts. Depreciation and amortization expenses mainly relate to assets used in generating revenue. Selling and general corporate expenses include sales commissions, severance, share-based compensation and other unallocated costs related to administrative functions including finance, legal and human resources.
Interest Expense, net
Interest Expense, net, relates primarily to interest expense on long-term borrowings. Interest Expense, net also includes third-party costs associated with long-term borrowings that were capitalized and are being amortized over the term of the borrowing.
Provision for Income Taxes
The Provision for Income Taxes represents federal, foreign, state and local income taxes. Our effective tax rate differs from the statutory United States income tax rate due to the effect of state and local income taxes, tax rates in foreign jurisdictions, tax credits and certain nondeductible expenses. Our effective tax rate will change from quarter to quarter based on recurring and nonrecurring factors including, but not limited to, the geographical mix of earnings, state and local income taxes, tax audit settlements, share-based award exercise activity and enacted tax legislation, including certain business tax credits. Changes in judgment due to the evaluation of new information resulting in the recognition, derecognition or remeasurement of a tax position taken in a prior annual period are recognized separately in the quarter of the change.
Foreign Currency Fluctuations
The impact from foreign currency translation assumes constant foreign currency exchange rates based on the rates in effect for the prior year period being used in translation for the comparable current year period. We believe that providing the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency rates on certain financial results can facilitate analysis of period-to-period comparisons of business performance.
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Fiscal Year
Our fiscal year is the fifty-two or fifty-three week period which ends on the Friday nearest to September 30th. The fiscal year ended October 3, 2025 is a fifty-three week period, while the fiscal years ended September 27, 2024 and September 29, 2023 were each fifty-two week periods.
Results of Operations
Fiscal 2025 Compared to Fiscal 2024
The following table presents an overview of our results on a consolidated basis with the amount of and percentage change between periods for the fiscal years 2025 and 2024 (in millions):
| Fiscal Year Ended | Change | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 3, 2025 | September 27, 2024 | $ | % | ||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 18,506.3 | $ | 17,400.7 | $ | 1,105.6 | 6.4 | % | |||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | |||||||||||||||
| Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | 16,959.7 | 15,975.0 | 984.7 | 6.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 476.4 | 435.6 | 40.8 | 9.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Selling and general corporate expenses | 278.4 | 283.6 | (5.2) | (1.8) | % | ||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 17,714.5 | 16,694.2 | 1,020.3 | 6.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Operating income | 791.8 | 706.5 | 85.3 | 12.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Loss (Gain) on Equity Investments, net | 19.5 | (25.1) | 44.6 | *** | |||||||||||
| Interest Expense, net | 341.9 | 366.7 | (24.8) | (6.8) | % | ||||||||||
| Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes | 430.5 | 364.9 | 65.6 | 18.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Provision for Income Taxes from Continuing Operations | 103.6 | 103.0 | 0.6 | 0.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Net income from Continuing Operations | $ | 326.9 | $ | 261.9 | $ | 65.0 | 24.8 | % |
*** Not meaningful
Consolidated Overview
Revenue
Revenue increased by 6.4% during fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024, which was primarily attributable to base business growth, net new business and the estimated impact of the fifty-third week in fiscal 2025 (approximately 2%). The increase was partially offset by the exit of some lower margin accounts occurring later in fiscal 2024 in the FSS United States segment and the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation during fiscal 2025 by 0.4%.
Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
The following table presents the components in cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) for fiscal 2025 as compared to fiscal 2024 (in millions):
| Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) components | Fiscal Year Ended | Change | As Percentage of Revenue | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 3, 2025 | September 27, 2024 | $ | % | October 3, 2025 | September 27, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
| Food and support service costs | $ | 5,100.8 | $ | 4,771.6 | $ | 329.2 | 6.9 | % | 27.6 | % | 27.4 | % | |||||||||
| Personnel costs | 7,728.3 | 7,109.1 | 619.2 | 8.7 | % | 41.8 | % | 40.9 | % | ||||||||||||
| Other direct costs | 4,130.6 | 4,094.3 | 36.3 | 0.9 | % | 22.3 | % | 23.5 | % | ||||||||||||
| $ | 16,959.7 | $ | 15,975.0 | $ | 984.7 | 6.2 | % | 91.6 | % | 91.8 | % |
Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) increased by $984.7 million in fiscal 2025 compared to the prior year period, primarily driven by an increase in revenue as discussed above. Key drivers of the year-over-year increase include:
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•Food and support service costs increased by $329.2 million, primarily due to higher food and beverage costs associated with business growth. The increase was partially offset by supply chain efficiencies and prior year non-cash adjustments to inventory based on expected usage for certain products within the Corrections business ($18.2 million).
•Personnel costs rose by $619.2 million, reflecting overall business expansion as well as an increase in net severance charges ($23.5 million) and higher medical claims ($19.8 million), partially offset by a prior year charge related to a ruling on a foreign payroll tax matter ($6.8 million).
•Other direct costs grew by $36.3 million, driven by: business growth; higher contingent consideration expense compared to the prior year’s non-cash income from the reduction of contingent consideration liabilities related to acquisition earn-outs ($19.3 million) (see Note 16 to the audited consolidated financial statements); higher incentive expenses related to the annual bonus; and higher non-cash charges related to asset impairments ($5.6 million). The increase was largely offset by a decrease in subcontracting services resulting from the exit of certain lower margin accounts referenced above.
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization expenses increased by $40.8 million in fiscal 2025 compared to the prior year period. The increase was driven by a higher depreciation expense on property and equipment ($25.8 million) and higher amortization expense, primarily from acquisition related intangible assets ($15.0 million).
Selling and general corporate expenses
Selling and general corporate expenses decreased by $5.2 million during fiscal 2025 compared to the prior year period. The decrease was primarily driven by prior year expenses related to the separation and distribution of the Uniform Segment ($29.0 million) (see Note 2 to the audited consolidated financial statements) and lower share-based compensation expenses ($4.0 million) compared to fiscal 2024 (see Note 12 to the audited consolidated financial statements), partially offset by higher incentive expenses related to the annual bonus and higher selling personnel costs and new business pursuit expenses.
Operating income
Operating income increased by $85.3 million during fiscal 2025 compared to the prior year period as a result of the aforementioned changes.
Loss (Gain) on Investments, net
During fiscal 2025, we recognized a non-cash charge for the impairment of an equity investment of $19.5 million (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
During fiscal 2024, we sold our remaining equity investment ownership interest in the San Antonio Spurs NBA franchise in a taxable transaction resulting in a pre-tax gain on sale of this equity investment of $25.1 million (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements.
Interest Expense, net
Interest Expense, net, decreased 6.8% during fiscal 2025 compared to the prior year period. The decrease was primarily due to the prior year payment of a call premium ($23.9 million) and prior year non-cash losses for the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs and transaction costs related to multiple refinancing and repricing transactions ($10.8 million). The decrease was partially offset by new interest rate swap agreements entered into during fiscal 2025 at higher interest rates to replace maturing interest rate swap agreements; transaction costs related to the fiscal 2025 refinancing of the United States dollar denominated Term B-8 Loans ("U.S. Term B-8 Loans due 2030") ($5.8 million); and a non-cash loss for the current year write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs and discount on the United States dollar denominated Term B-4 Loans (" U.S. Term B-4 Loans due 2027") and 5.000% Senior Notes due April 2025 ("5.000% 2025 Notes") ($2.5 million) (see Note 5 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
Provision for Income Taxes from Continuing Operations
The Provision for Income Taxes for fiscal 2025 and the prior year period was recorded at an effective tax rate of 24.1% and 28.2%, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate compared to the prior year period was driven by favorable tax effects in fiscal 2025 from the release of valuation allowances in foreign subsidiaries resulting from sustained profitability and also based on future taxable income expected due to acquisitions of businesses in the FSS International segment.
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Segment Results
FSS United States Segment
The following table presents segment adjusted operating results for fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024 (in millions)(1):
| Fiscal Year Ended | Change | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 3, 2025 | September 27, 2024 | $ | % | ||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 13,211.9 | $ | 12,576.7 | $ | 635.2 | 5.1 | % | |||||||
| Less | |||||||||||||||
| Food and support services costs | 3,683.1 | 3,428.4 | 254.7 | 7.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Personnel costs | 4,983.3 | 4,661.0 | 322.3 | 6.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Other direct costs | 3,287.2 | 3,320.0 | (32.8) | (1.0) | % | ||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 282.6 | 269.5 | 13.1 | 4.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Selling expenses | 135.7 | 123.6 | 12.1 | 9.8 | % | ||||||||||
| Adjusted operating income | $ | 840.0 | $ | 774.2 | $ | 65.8 | 8.5 | % |
(1) Adjusted operating income represents operating income adjusted to eliminate the impact of amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets ($97.9 million and $91.4 million in fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024, respectively), severance and other charges ($6.6 million and $12.9 million in fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024, respectively), non-cash adjustments to inventory based on expected usage ($18.2 million in fiscal 2024) and other items impacting comparability ($18.0 million and $8.2 million in fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024, respectively). The expenses in the table above may represent adjusted figures to arrive at adjusted operating income. Refer to Note 15 to the audited consolidated financial statements for a description of adjustments comprising adjusted operating income.
Revenue
The FSS United States reportable segment consists of five sectors which have similar economic characteristics and comprise a single operating segment. The five sectors of the FSS United States reportable segment are Business & Industry, Education, Healthcare, Sports, Leisure & Corrections and Facilities & Other.
Revenue for each of these sectors is summarized as follows (in millions):
| Fiscal Year Ended | Change | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 3, 2025 | September 27, 2024 | $ | % | ||||||||||||
| Business & Industry | $ | 1,920.3 | $ | 1,627.2 | $ | 293.1 | 18.0 | % | |||||||
| Education | 3,810.3 | 3,650.4 | 159.9 | 4.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Healthcare | 1,681.2 | 1,620.3 | 60.9 | 3.8 | % | ||||||||||
| Sports, Leisure & Corrections | 4,223.7 | 3,981.2 | 242.5 | 6.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Facilities & Other | 1,576.4 | 1,697.6 | (121.2) | (7.1) | % | ||||||||||
| $ | 13,211.9 | $ | 12,576.7 | $ | 635.2 | 5.1 | % |
FSS United States segment revenue increased by approximately 5.1% during fiscal 2025 compared to the prior year period. The increase was attributable to both base and net new business growth, as well as the estimated impact of the fifty-third week (approximately 2%). This growth reflects higher volume within our Business & Industry, Sports and Leisure & Corrections, Education and Healthcare sectors. The Facilities & Other sector decrease resulted from the exit of some lower margin accounts late in the prior year period, partially offset by increased revenues from procurement services.
Adjusted Operating Income
The Facilities & Other sector had an adjusted operating income margin over ten percent, consistent in both fiscal 2025 and the prior year period. The Healthcare and Education sectors had high-single digit adjusted operating income margins, consistent in both fiscal 2025 and the prior year period. The Business & Industry sector had high-single digit adjusted operating income margins in fiscal 2025 compared to mid-single digit adjusted operating income margins in the prior year period. The Sports, Leisure & Corrections sector had mid-single digit adjusted operating income margins in fiscal 2025 compared to high-single digit adjusted operating income margins in the prior year period.
Adjusted operating income increased by $65.8 million during fiscal 2025 compared to the prior year period. The increase was attributable to base business growth, supply chain efficiencies and the estimated impact of the fifty-third week (approximately 2%). The increase in adjusted operating income more than offset higher costs related to medical claims ($19.8 million), incentive expenses related to the annual bonus, depreciation expense, expenses incurred related to new business, and selling personnel costs and new business pursuit expenses.
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FSS International Segment
The following table presents segment adjusted operating results for fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024 (in millions)(1):
| Fiscal Year Ended | Change | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 3, 2025 | September 27, 2024 | $ | % | ||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 5,294.4 | $ | 4,824.0 | $ | 470.4 | 9.8 | % | |||||||
| Less | |||||||||||||||
| Food and support services costs | 1,417.7 | 1,325.0 | 92.7 | 7.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Personnel costs | 2,708.6 | 2,428.4 | 280.2 | 11.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Other direct costs | 815.1 | 773.8 | 41.3 | 5.3 | % | ||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 68.4 | 58.9 | 9.5 | 16.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Selling expenses | 24.3 | 19.3 | 5.0 | 25.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Adjusted operating income | $ | 260.3 | $ | 218.6 | $ | 41.7 | 19.1 | % |
(1) Adjusted operating income represents operating income adjusted to eliminate the impact of amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets ($26.6 million and $15.7 million in fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024, respectively), severance and other charges ($29.8 million in fiscal 2025), a charge related to a ruling on a foreign payroll tax matter ($6.8 million in fiscal 2024), and other items impacting comparability ($10.3 million and $8.8 million in fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024, respectively). The expenses in the table above may represent adjusted figures to arrive at adjusted operating income. Refer to Note 15 to the audited consolidated financial statements for a description of adjustments comprising adjusted operating income.
Revenue
FSS International segment revenue increased by approximately 9.8% during fiscal 2025 compared to the prior year period. The increase was primarily attributable to both base business and net new business growth, as well as the estimated impact of the fifty-third week (approximately 1%). The growth in revenue was offset by the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation by 1.4%.
Adjusted operating income
Adjusted operating income increased by $41.7 million during fiscal 2025 compared to the prior year period. The increase was mainly attributable to growth in base business and improved supply chain economics. The increase in adjusted operating income more than offset higher expenses incurred related to new business and higher depreciation expense.
Fiscal 2024 Compared to Fiscal 2023
The following table presents an overview of our results on a consolidated basis with the amount of and percentage change between periods for the fiscal years 2024 and 2023 (in millions):
| Fiscal Year Ended | Change | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 27, 2024 | September 29, 2023 | $ | % | ||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 17,400.7 | $ | 16,083.2 | $ | 1,317.5 | 8.2 | % | |||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | |||||||||||||||
| Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | 15,975.0 | 14,774.7 | 1,200.3 | 8.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 435.6 | 409.8 | 25.8 | 6.3 | % | ||||||||||
| Selling and general corporate expenses | 283.6 | 273.7 | 9.9 | 3.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 16,694.2 | 15,458.2 | 1,236.0 | 8.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Operating income | 706.5 | 625.0 | 81.5 | 13.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Gain on Equity Investments, net | (25.1) | (376.0) | 350.9 | 93.3 | % | ||||||||||
| Interest Expense, net | 366.7 | 437.5 | (70.8) | (16.2) | % | ||||||||||
| Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes | 364.9 | 563.5 | (198.6) | (35.2) | % | ||||||||||
| Provision for Income Taxes from Continuing Operations | 103.0 | 116.4 | (13.4) | (11.5) | % | ||||||||||
| Net income from Continuing Operations | $ | 261.9 | $ | 447.1 | $ | (185.2) | (41.4) | % |
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Consolidated Overview
Revenue
Revenue increased by 8.2% during fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023, which was primarily attributable to base business growth, including volume growth and contract price increases, and net new business. Foreign currency translation unfavorably impacted revenue during fiscal 2024 by 1.7%.
Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
The following table presents the components in cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) for fiscal 2024 as compared to fiscal 2023 (in millions):
| Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) components | Fiscal Year Ended | Change | As Percentage of Revenue | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 27, 2024 | September 29, 2023 | $ | % | September 27, 2024 | September 29, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
| Food and support service costs | $ | 4,771.6 | $ | 4,438.7 | $ | 332.9 | 7.5 | % | 27.4 | % | 27.6 | % | |||||||||
| Personnel costs | 7,109.1 | 6,659.6 | 449.5 | 6.7 | % | 40.9 | % | 41.4 | % | ||||||||||||
| Other direct costs | 4,094.3 | 3,676.4 | 417.9 | 11.4 | % | 23.5 | % | 22.9 | % | ||||||||||||
| $ | 15,975.0 | $ | 14,774.7 | $ | 1,200.3 | 8.1 | % | 91.8 | % | 91.9 | % |
Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) increased by $1.2 billion in fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023, primarily driven by an increase in revenue as discussed above. Key drivers of the year-over-year increase include:
•Food and support service costs increased by $332.9 million due to higher food and beverage costs associated with business growth and non-cash adjustments to inventory based on expected usage for certain products within the Corrections business ($18.2 million).
•Personnel costs increased by $449.5 million due to overall business expansion, the absence of prior year labor-related tax credits provided from governmental assistance programs ($12.5 million) and a charge related to a ruling on a foreign payroll tax matter in fiscal 2024 ($6.8 million), partially offset by lower net severance charges ($19.9 million).
•Other direct costs grew by $417.9 million, driven by: business growth; lower non-cash income from the reduction of the contingent consideration liabilities related to acquisition earn outs, net of expense ($77.5 million) (see Note 16 to the audited consolidated financial statements); prior year income from proceeds associated with possessory interest at one of the National Park sites ($36.3 million) (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements); higher incentive expenses related to the annual bonus; and lower income related to favorable loss experience under our general liability, automobile liability, and workers' compensation liability programs ($21.1 million). These increases were partially offset by prior year non-cash charges for the impairment of operating lease right-of-use assets and property and equipment related to certain real estate properties ($19.0 million) (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization expenses increased by $25.8 million in fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023. The increase was driven by higher amortization expense, primarily from acquisition related intangible assets ($17.4 million) and higher depreciation expense on property and equipment ($8.4 million).
Selling and general corporate expenses
Selling and general corporate expenses increased by $9.9 million during fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023 primarily driven by higher selling personnel costs, higher expenses related to the separation and distribution of the Uniform Segment ($9.1 million) (see Note 2 to the audited consolidated financial statements) and higher incentive expenses related to the annual bonus, partially offset by lower share-based compensation expenses ($13.7 million) compared to fiscal 2023 (see Note 12 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
Operating income
Operating income increased by $81.5 million during fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023 as a result of the aforementioned changes.
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Gain on Equity Investments, net
During fiscal 2024, we sold our remaining equity investment ownership interest in the San Antonio Spurs NBA franchise in a taxable transaction resulting in a pre-tax gain on sale of this equity investment of $25.1 million (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
During fiscal 2023, we recognized a $377.1 million pre-tax gain on the sale of our 50% ownership interest in AIM Services Co., Ltd., which was partially offset by a $1.1 million pre-tax loss from the sale of a portion of our equity investment in the San Antonio Spurs NBA franchise (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
Interest Expense, net
Interest Expense, net, decreased 16.2% during fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023. The decrease was primarily due to lower interest expense related to the repayment of the 6.375% Senior Notes due May 1, 2025 ("6.375% 2025 Notes"). The decrease was partially offset by the payment of a $23.9 million call premium, $8.3 million of higher non-cash losses for the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs and transaction costs related to the refinancing and repricing transactions in fiscal 2024 (see Note 5 to the audited consolidated financial statements) and higher borrowings on the Receivables Facility throughout fiscal 2024.
Provision for Income Taxes from Continuing Operations
The Provision for Income Taxes for fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023 was recorded at an effective tax rate of 28.2% and 20.7%, respectively. The higher effective tax rate in fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023 was driven by fiscal 2023 favorable tax effects from the sale of our equity investment in AIM Services Co., Ltd. (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements) and a higher fiscal 2023 reversal of a portion of the Union Supply contingent consideration liability (see Note 16 to the audited consolidated financial statements), as the majority of the gains from these transactions were not subject to tax.
Segment Results
FSS United States Segment
The following table presents segment adjusted operating results for fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023 (in millions)(1):
| Fiscal Year Ended | Change | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 27, 2024 | September 29, 2023 | $ | % | ||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 12,576.7 | $ | 11,721.4 | $ | 855.3 | 7.3 | % | |||||||
| Less | |||||||||||||||
| Food and support services costs | 3,428.4 | 3,238.0 | 190.4 | 5.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Personnel costs | 4,661.0 | 4,420.3 | 240.7 | 5.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Other direct costs | 3,320.0 | 3,002.0 | 318.0 | 10.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 269.5 | 265.6 | 3.9 | 1.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Selling expenses | 123.6 | 113.3 | 10.3 | 9.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Adjusted operating income | $ | 774.2 | $ | 682.2 | $ | 92.0 | 13.5 | % |
(1) Adjusted operating income represents operating income adjusted to eliminate the impact of amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets ($91.4 million and $76.8 million in fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023, respectively), severance and other charges ($12.9 million and $2.3 million in fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023, respectively), non-cash adjustments to inventory based on expected usage ($18.2 million in fiscal 2024) and other items impacting comparability ($8.2 million and $46.9 million in fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023, respectively). The expenses in the table above may represent adjusted figures to arrive at adjusted operating income. Refer to Note 15 to the audited consolidated financial statements for a description of adjustments comprising adjusted operating income.
Revenue
The FSS United States reportable segment consists of five sectors which have similar economic characteristics and comprise a single operating segment. The five sectors of the FSS United States reportable segment are Business & Industry, Education, Healthcare, Sports, Leisure & Corrections and Facilities & Other.
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Revenue for each of these sectors is summarized as follows (in millions):
| Fiscal Year Ended | Change | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 27, 2024 | September 29, 2023 | $ | % | ||||||||||||
| Business & Industry | $ | 1,627.2 | $ | 1,407.2 | $ | 220.0 | 15.6 | % | |||||||
| Education | 3,650.4 | 3,437.0 | 213.4 | 6.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Healthcare(1) | 1,620.3 | 1,667.7 | (47.4) | (2.8) | % | ||||||||||
| Sports, Leisure & Corrections | 3,981.2 | 3,537.1 | 444.1 | 12.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Facilities & Other(1) | 1,697.6 | 1,672.4 | 25.2 | 1.5 | % | ||||||||||
| $ | 12,576.7 | $ | 11,721.4 | $ | 855.3 | 7.3 | % |
(1) In fiscal 2024, management began reporting results for healthcare facility services within "Healthcare," whereas the results were previously reported within "Facilities & Other." As such, the "Healthcare" and "Facilities & Other" results for the fiscal year ended September 29, 2023 were recast to reflect this change.
FSS United States segment revenue increased by approximately 7.3% during fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to base business growth, including higher volume within our Business & Industry and Sports, Leisure & Corrections sectors. Additionally, contract price increases, especially within our Higher Education and Corrections businesses, contributed to year-over-year growth. The Facilities & Other sector increase was attributable to base business growth, which was partially offset by lost business occurring late in fiscal 2024. The Healthcare sector decrease was primarily attributable to portfolio optimization occurring late in fiscal 2023.
Adjusted Operating Income
The Facilities & Other sector had an adjusted operating income margin over ten percent, consistent in both fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023. The Healthcare sector had high-single digit adjusted operating income margins, consistent in both fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023. The Education and Sports, Leisure & Corrections sectors had high-single digit adjusted operating income margins in fiscal 2024 compared to mid-single digit adjusted operating income margins in fiscal 2023. The Business & Industry sector had mid-single digit adjusted operating income margins in fiscal 2024, compared to low-single digit adjusted operating income margins in fiscal 2023.
Adjusted operating income increased by $92.0 million during fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023. The increase was attributable to base business volume growth, cost management and improved supply chain economics and favorable recovery of inflationary costs as compared to the prior year period. The increase in adjusted operating income more than offset the prior year income related to proceeds associated with possessory interest at one of the National Park sites ($36.3 million) (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements), lower income related to favorable loss experience under our general liability, automobile liability and workers' compensation liability programs ($21.1 million) and higher incentive expenses related to the annual bonus.
FSS International Segment
The following table presents segment adjusted operating results for fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023 (in millions)(1):
| Fiscal Year Ended | Change | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 27, 2024 | September 29, 2023 | $ | % | ||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 4,824.0 | $ | 4,361.8 | $ | 462.2 | 10.6 | % | |||||||
| Less | |||||||||||||||
| Food and support services costs | 1,325.0 | 1,200.7 | 124.3 | 10.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Personnel costs | 2,428.4 | 2,207.1 | 221.3 | 10.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Other direct costs | 773.8 | 702.5 | 71.3 | 10.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 58.9 | 54.6 | 4.3 | 7.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Selling expenses | 19.3 | 20.9 | (1.6) | (7.7) | % | ||||||||||
| Adjusted operating income | $ | 218.6 | $ | 176.0 | $ | 42.6 | 24.2 | % |
(1) Adjusted operating income represents operating income adjusted to eliminate the impact of amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets ($15.7 million and $12.7 million in fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023, respectively), severance and other charges ($30.0 million in fiscal 2023), a charge related to a ruling on a foreign payroll tax matter ($6.8 million in fiscal 2024) and other items impacting comparability ($8.8 million and $18.9 million in fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023, respectively). The expenses in the table above may represent adjusted figures to arrive at adjusted operating income. Refer to Note 15 to the audited consolidated financial statements for a description of adjustments comprising adjusted operating income.
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Revenue
FSS International segment revenue increased by approximately 10.6% during fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to base business growth, including volume growth and contract price increases, and net new business growth. The growth in revenue was offset by the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation by 6.3%.
Adjusted operating income
Adjusted operating income increased by $42.6 million during fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023. The increase was mainly attributable to the volume growth in base business, net new business and improved supply chain economics. The increase in adjusted operating income more than offset the prior year labor related tax credits provided from governmental assistance programs ($12.5 million), an unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation ($11.6 million), a decline in profit related to the sale of our 50% ownership interest in AIM Services Co., Ltd. and higher incentive expenses related to the annual bonus.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
Our principal sources of liquidity are cash generated from operating activities, funds from borrowings and existing cash on hand. As of October 3, 2025, we had approximately $2.4 billion of liquidity comprised of $639.1 million of cash and cash equivalents, $1,161.7 million of availability under our senior secured revolving credit facility and $625.0 million of availability under the Receivables Facility. A significant portion of our cash and cash equivalents are held in mature, liquid geographies where we have operations. As of October 3, 2025, there were $952.0 million of outstanding foreign currency borrowings.
We entered into a credit agreement on March 28, 2017 (as subsequently amended the "Credit Agreement"). On August 15, 2025, we entered into Amendment No. 18 (the “Amendment No. 18”) to provide for, among other things, the repricing of all of the United States dollar denominated Term B-7 Loans ("U.S. Term B-7 Loans due 2028") previously outstanding under the Credit Agreement by refinancing all of the U.S. Term B-7 Loans due 2028 previously outstanding under the Credit Agreement with new United States dollar denominated Term B-9 Loans ("U.S. Term B-9 Loans due 2028") in an amount equal to $730.5 million due in April 2028. The U.S. Term B-9 Loans due 2028 were funded in full on the Closing Date and were applied by us to refinance the entire principal amount of the U.S. Term B-7 Loans due 2028 previously outstanding under the Credit Agreement.
On March 19, 2025, we issued €400.0 million of euro denominated 4.375% Senior Notes due April 2033 (the "4.375% 2033 Notes"). We used a portion of the net proceeds from the issuance and sale of the 4.375% 2033 Notes to repay at maturity, April 1, 2025, all of the €325.0 million outstanding aggregate principal amount of Euro denominated 3.125% Senior Notes due April 2025 (the "3.125% 2025 Notes") and the remainder for general corporate purposes, including reduction of debt (see Note 5 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
On February 18, 2025, we entered into an incremental amendment to the Credit Agreement (“Incremental Amendment No. 17”) to provide for, among other things, the establishment of new term loans comprised of new United States dollar denominated Term B-8 Loans ("New U.S. Term B-8 Loans due 2030") in an amount equal to $1,395.0 million, in the form of a fungible upsize to the existing U.S. Term B-8 Loans due 2030. The New U.S. Term B-8 Loans due 2030 were funded in full on the closing date of Incremental Amendment No. 17 and were applied to: (a) repay in full $839.3 million of the U.S. Term B-4 Loans due 2027 previously outstanding under the Credit Agreement; (b) to redeem the entire $551.5 million aggregate principal amount outstanding of the 5.000% 2025 Notes; and (c) to pay fees, premiums, expenses and other transaction costs in connection with the foregoing (see Note 5 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
On November 5, 2024, the Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program under which we are authorized to repurchase up to $500.0 million of Aramark's outstanding common stock. The share repurchase program does not have a fixed expiration date.
We believe that our cash and cash equivalents and availability under our revolving credit facility and Receivables Facility will be adequate to meet anticipated cash requirements for the foreseeable future to fund working capital, capital spending, debt service obligations, refinancings, dividends and other cash needs. We also have flexibility to optimize working capital and defer certain capital expenditures as appropriate without a material impact to the business. We believe that our assumptions used to estimate our liquidity and working capital requirements are reasonable. For additional information regarding the risks associated with our liquidity and capital resources, see Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors."
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The table below summarizes our cash activity (in millions):
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 3, 2025 | September 27, 2024 | |||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities of Continuing Operations | $ | 921.0 | $ | 726.5 | ||
| Net cash used in investing activities of Continuing Operations | (722.4) | (415.9) | ||||
| Net cash used in financing activities of Continuing Operations | (234.6) | (1,561.2) |
Reference to the audited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows will facilitate understanding of the discussion that follows.
Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities
Cash provided by operating activities increased by $194.5 million during fiscal 2025 compared to the prior year period. The change was driven by higher net income, inclusive of the add-back of non-cash gains and losses and adjustments to non-operating cash transactions, in fiscal 2025 compared to the prior year period, as discussed in "Results of Operations" above. Additionally, cash provided by operating activities was favorably impacted by the change in operating assets and liabilities compared to the prior year period by $37.4 million, which was primarily due to:
•Accrued expenses by $66.1 million, resulting in a greater source of cash primarily due to the timing of interest, insurance and lower commission payments, partially offset by higher employee incentive payments.
•Receivables by $25.3 million, resulting in a lower use of cash due to the timing of collections; and
•Accounts payable by $9.7 million, resulting in a greater source of cash due to the timing of disbursements
These changes in operating assets and liabilities more than offset:
•Prepayments by $43.4 million, resulting in a higher use of cash due to the timing of insurance and other annual contractual payments compared to the prior year period; and
•Inventories by $20.3 million, resulting in a higher use of cash due to increased purchases from new business.
During the prior year period, we received proceeds of $6.5 million related to favorable loss experience in older insurance years under our general liability, automobile liability and workers' compensation programs. "Payments made to clients on contracts" resulted in a lower use of cash during fiscal 2025 due to timing of client contract commitments. The "Other operating activities" caption in both periods reflects adjustments to net income in the current year and prior year periods related to non-cash gains and losses and adjustments to non-operating cash transactions.
Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities
The net cash flows used in investing activities during fiscal 2025 was primarily impacted by purchases of property and equipment and other ($489.2 million), acquisitions of certain businesses ($263.6 million) and acquisition of certain equity investments ($25.9 million), partially offset by proceeds from the maturity of United States Treasury securities related to our captive insurance subsidiary ($43.9 million) and proceeds from disposal of property and equipment ($22.7 million).
The net cash flows used in investing activities during the prior year period was primarily impacted by purchases of property and equipment and other ($427.4 million), acquisitions of certain businesses ($148.7 million), purchases of United States Treasury securities related to our captive insurance subsidiary ($113.3 million) and acquisition of certain equity investments ($34.2 million), partially offset by proceeds from the maturity of United States Treasury securities related to our captive insurance subsidiary ($186.4 million), proceeds from sale of equity investments ($101.2 million) (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements) and proceeds from disposal of property and equipment ($23.9 million).
Cash Flows Used in Financing Activities
During fiscal 2025, cash used in financing activities was primarily driven by the repayment of debt instruments, including the term loans due 2027 ($839.3 million), the 5.00% 2025 Notes ($551.5 million), the 3.125% 2025 Notes ($363.4 million) and the term loans due 2030 ($99.9 million), the repurchase of common stock through the share repurchase program and taxes paid by us when we withhold shares upon an employee's exercise or vesting of equity awards to cover income taxes ($169.8 million) and the payments of dividends ($110.8 million). Cash used in financing activities more than offset proceeds from the issuance of new domestic and foreign term loans due 2030 ($1,395.0 million) and proceeds from the issuance of the 4.375% 2033 Notes (€400.0 million). See Note 5 to the audited consolidated financial statements for additional information on borrowing activities during fiscal 2025.
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During the prior year period, cash used in financing activities was primarily driven by the repayment of debt instruments, including the 6.375% 2025 Notes ($1,500.0 million), the foreign denominated term loans due 2026 ($259.4 million) and the revolving credit facility ($166.1 million), the payments of dividends ($99.9 million) and the repurchase of common stock through taxes paid by us when we withhold shares upon an employee's exercise or vesting of equity awards to cover income taxes ($14.4 million). Cash used in financing activities more than offset proceeds from the issuance of new domestic and foreign term loans due 2029 ($499.1 million).
The "Other financing activities" caption reflects a use of cash during fiscal 2025, primarily related to debt issuance costs related to the refinancing of the U.S. Term B-8 Loans due 2030 and the issuance of the 4.375% 2033 Notes ($16.3 million) in fiscal 2025. The prior year period includes the payment of a call premium on the 6.375% 2025 Notes ($23.9 million) and debt issuance costs mainly related to the refinancing of the revolving credit facility and Term A Loans ($8.5 million).
We intend to continue to pay cash dividends on our common stock, subject to our compliance with applicable law, and depending on, among other things, our results of operations, financial condition, level of indebtedness, capital requirements, contractual restrictions, restrictions in our debt agreements, business prospects and other factors that our Board of Directors may deem relevant. However, the payment of any future dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and our Board of Directors may, at any time, determine not to continue to declare quarterly dividends.
Covenant Compliance
The Credit Agreement contains a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to: incur additional indebtedness; issue preferred stock or provide guarantees; create liens on assets; engage in mergers or consolidations; sell assets; pay dividends, make distributions or repurchase our capital stock; make investments, loans or advances; repay or repurchase any subordinated debt, except as scheduled or at maturity; create restrictions on the payment of dividends or other amounts to us from our restricted subsidiaries; make certain acquisitions; engage in certain transactions with affiliates; amend material agreements governing our subordinated debt (or any indebtedness that refinances our subordinated debt); and fundamentally change our business. The indentures governing our senior notes contain similar provisions. As of October 3, 2025, we were in compliance with these covenants.
As stated above, the Credit Agreement and the indentures governing our senior notes contain provisions that restrict our ability to pay dividends and repurchase stock (collectively, "Restricted Payments"). In addition to customary exceptions, the Credit Agreement and indentures permit Restricted Payments in the aggregate up to an amount that increases quarterly by 50% of our Consolidated Net Income, as such term is defined in these debt agreements, subject to being in compliance with the interest coverage ratio described below.
Under the Credit Agreement, we are required to satisfy and maintain specified financial ratios and other financial condition tests and covenants. The indentures governing our senior notes also require us to comply with certain financial ratios in order to take certain actions. Our continued ability to meet those financial ratios, tests and covenants can be affected by events beyond our control, and there can be no assurance that we will meet those ratios, tests and covenants.
These financial ratios, tests and covenants involve the calculation of certain measures that we refer to in this discussion as "Covenant Adjusted EBITDA." Covenant Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("U.S. GAAP"). Covenant Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income of Aramark Services, Inc. ("ASI") and its restricted subsidiaries plus interest expense, net, provision for income taxes, and depreciation and amortization, further adjusted to give effect to adjustments required in calculating covenant ratios and compliance under our Credit Agreement and the indentures governing our senior notes.
Our presentation of these measures has limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under U.S. GAAP. You should not consider these measures as alternatives to net income or operating income determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Covenant Adjusted EBITDA, as presented by us, may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies because not all companies use identical calculations.
The following is a reconciliation of Net income attributable to ASI stockholders, which is a U.S. GAAP measure of ASI's operating results, to Covenant Adjusted EBITDA as defined in our debt agreements. The terms and related calculations are defined in the Credit Agreement and the indentures governing our senior notes. Covenant Adjusted EBITDA is a measure of ASI and its restricted subsidiaries only and does not include the results of Aramark.
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| Twelve Months Ended | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | October 3, 2025 | September 27, 2024 | |||||
| Net income attributable to ASI stockholders | $ | 326.4 | $ | 262.5 | |||
| Interest expense, net | 341.9 | 366.7 | |||||
| Provision for income taxes | 103.6 | 103.0 | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 476.3 | 435.5 | |||||
| Share-based compensation expense(1) | 58.1 | 62.6 | |||||
| Unusual or non-recurring losses and (gains)(2) | 19.5 | (22.8) | |||||
| Pro forma EBITDA for certain transactions(3) | 13.4 | 0.8 | |||||
| Other(4)(5) | 125.6 | 126.7 | |||||
| Covenant Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,464.8 | $ | 1,335.0 |
(1) Represents share-based compensation expense of equity awards resulting from the application of accounting for stock options, restricted stock units, performance stock units and deferred stock units awards (see Note 12 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
(2) The twelve months ended October 3, 2025 represents the fiscal 2025 non-cash charge for the impairment of an equity investment ($19.5 million). The twelve months ended September 27, 2024 represents the fiscal 2024 gain from the sale of our remaining equity investment in the San Antonio Spurs NBA franchise ($25.1 million) and the fiscal 2024 non-cash charge for the impairment of certain assets related to a business that was sold ($2.3 million).
(3) Represents the annualizing of net EBITDA from certain acquisitions and divestitures made during the period.
(4) "Other" for the twelve months ended October 3, 2025 includes adjustments to remove the impact attributable to the adoption of certain accounting standards that are made to the calculation in accordance with the Credit Agreement and indentures ($54.2 million), severance charges ($36.4 million), contingent consideration expense related to acquisition earn outs ($11.1 million), non-cash charges for the impairments of assets ($8.9 million), the impact of hyperinflation in Argentina ($5.7 million), merger and integration charges ($4.1 million), legal charges related to an anti-trust review ($2.5 million) and other miscellaneous expenses.
(5) "Other" for the twelve months ended September 27, 2024 includes adjustments to remove the impact attributable to the adoption of certain accounting standards that are made to the calculation in accordance with the Credit Agreement and indentures ($52.2 million), charges related to our spin-off of the Uniform segment ($29.0 million), non-cash adjustments to inventory based on expected usage ($21.7 million), severance charges ($13.0 million), the reversal of contingent consideration liabilities related to acquisition earn outs, net of expense ($8.1 million), a charge related to a ruling on a foreign payroll tax matter ($6.8 million), the impact of hyperinflation in Argentina ($5.4 million), non-cash charges related to the impairment of a trade name ($3.3 million), income related to non-United States governmental wage subsidies ($1.1 million) and other miscellaneous expenses.
Our covenant requirements and actual ratios for the twelve months ended October 3, 2025 are as follows:
| Covenant Requirements | Actual Ratios | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio(1) | ≤ 5.125x | 2.26x | |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio)(2) | ≥ 2.000x | 4.12x |
(1) The Credit Agreement requires ASI to maintain a maximum Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio, defined as consolidated total indebtedness secured by a lien to Covenant Adjusted EBITDA, not to exceed 5.125x. Consolidated total indebtedness secured by a lien is defined in the Credit Agreement as total indebtedness consisting of debt for borrowed money, finance leases, debt in respect of sales-leaseback transactions, disqualified and preferred stock and advances under the Receivables Facility secured by a lien reduced by the amount of cash and cash equivalents on the consolidated balance sheets that is free and clear of any lien. Non-compliance with the maximum Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio could result in the requirement to immediately repay all amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement, which, if ASI's lenders under our Credit Agreement (other than the lenders in respect of ASI's United States Term B Loans, which lenders do not benefit from the maximum Consolidated Debt Ratio covenant) failed to waive any such default, would also constitute a default under the indentures governing our senior notes.
(2) Our Credit Agreement establishes an incurrence-based minimum Interest Coverage Ratio, defined as Covenant Adjusted EBITDA to consolidated interest expense, the achievement of which is a condition for us to incur additional
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indebtedness and to make certain restricted payments and does not result in a default under the Credit Agreement or the indentures governing the senior notes. If we do not maintain this minimum Interest Coverage Ratio calculated on a pro forma basis for any such additional indebtedness or restricted payments, we could be prohibited from being able to (1) incur additional indebtedness, other than the incremental capacity provided for under the Credit Agreement and pursuant to specified exceptions, and (2) make certain restricted payments, other than pursuant to certain exceptions. However, any failure to maintain the minimum Interest Coverage Ratio would not result in a default or an event of default under either the Credit Agreement or the indentures governing the senior notes. The minimum Interest Coverage Ratio is at least 2.000x for the term of the Credit Agreement. Consolidated interest expense is defined in the Credit Agreement as consolidated interest expense excluding interest income, adjusted for acquisitions and dispositions and for certain non-cash or nonrecurring interest expense. The indentures governing our senior notes include a similar requirement which is referred to as a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.
We and our subsidiaries and affiliates may from time to time, in our sole discretion, purchase, repay, redeem or retire any of our outstanding debt securities (including any publicly issued debt securities), in privately negotiated or open market transactions, by tender offer or otherwise, or extend or refinance any of our outstanding indebtedness.
The following table summarizes our future obligations for debt repayments, finance leases, estimated interest payments, future minimum rental and similar commitments under noncancelable operating leases as well as contingent obligations related to outstanding letters of credit and guarantees as of October 3, 2025 (in thousands):
| Payments Due by Period | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contractual Obligations as of October 3, 2025 | Total | Less than 1 year | 1-3 years | 3-5 years | More than 5 years | ||||||||||||||
| Long-term borrowings(1) | $ | 5,377,690 | $ | 22,428 | $ | 1,916,926 | $ | 2,968,656 | $ | 469,680 | |||||||||
| Finance lease obligations | 84,023 | 12,281 | 19,860 | 11,128 | 40,754 | ||||||||||||||
| Estimated interest payments(2) | 987,900 | 218,200 | 446,300 | 271,100 | 52,300 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating leases and other noncancelable commitments | 364,967 | 74,298 | 121,477 | 82,385 | 86,807 | ||||||||||||||
| Purchase obligations(3) | 1,071,959 | 560,353 | 273,777 | 108,697 | 129,132 | ||||||||||||||
| Other liabilities(4) | 696,036 | 195,733 | 110,147 | 73,734 | 316,422 | ||||||||||||||
| $ | 8,582,575 | $ | 1,083,293 | $ | 2,888,487 | $ | 3,515,700 | $ | 1,095,095 | ||||||||||
| Amount of Commitment Expiration by Period | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other Commercial Commitments as of October 3, 2025 | Total Amounts Committed | Less than 1 year | 1-3 years | 3-5 years | More than 5 years | ||||||||||||||
| Letters of credit | $ | 48,495 | $ | 8,495 | $ | 40,000 | $ | — | $ | — |
(1)Excludes the $23.7 million reduction to long-term borrowings from debt issuance costs and $7.2 million reduction from the discount on the United States Term B-8 Loans due 2030.
(2)These amounts represent future interest payments related to our existing debt obligations based on fixed and variable interest rates specified in the associated debt agreements and reflect any current hedging arrangements. Payments related to variable debt are based on applicable rates at October 3, 2025 plus the specified margin in the associated debt agreements for each period presented. The amounts provided relate only to existing debt obligations and do not assume the refinancing or replacement of such debt. The weighted average debt balance for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2031 is $5,421.9 million, $5,391.8 million, $4,243.7 million, $3,102.8 million, $1,678.6 million and $495.6 million, respectively. The weighted average interest rate of our existing debt obligations for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2031 is 4.03%, 4.32%, 5.03%, 5.73%, 5.56% and 4.15%, respectively (see Note 5 to the audited consolidated financial statements for the terms and maturities of existing debt obligations).
(3)Represents mainly the commitments for capital projects to help finance improvements or renovations at the facilities in which we operate.
(4)Includes certain unfunded employee retirement obligations, contingent consideration obligations related to acquisitions, self-insurance obligations, and other obligations.
We have excluded from the table above uncertain tax liabilities due to the uncertainty of the amount and period of payment. As of October 3, 2025, we have gross uncertain tax liabilities of $88.6 million (see Note 10 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
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We have a Receivables Facility agreement with four financial institutions where we sell on a continuous basis an undivided interest in all eligible accounts receivable, as defined in the Receivables Facility. The maximum amount available under the Receivables Facility as of October 3, 2025 is $625.0 million. As of October 3, 2025, there are no outstanding borrowings under the Receivables Facility. Amounts borrowed under the Receivables Facility may fluctuate monthly based on our funding requirements and the level of qualified receivables available to collateralize the Receivables Facility.
Pursuant to the Receivables Facility, we formed ARAMARK Receivables, LLC, a wholly-owned, consolidated, bankruptcy-remote subsidiary. ARAMARK Receivables, LLC was formed for the sole purpose of buying and selling receivables generated by certain of our subsidiaries. Under the Receivables Facility, we and certain of our subsidiaries transfer without recourse all of our accounts receivable to ARAMARK Receivables, LLC. As collections reduce previously transferred interests, interests in new, eligible receivables are transferred to ARAMARK Receivables, LLC, subject to meeting certain conditions.
Supplemental Consolidating Information
Pursuant to Regulation S-X Rule 13-01, which simplified certain disclosure requirements for guarantors and issuers of guaranteed securities, we are no longer required to provide consolidating financial statements for Aramark and its subsidiaries, including the guarantors and non-guarantors under our Credit Agreement and the indentures governing our senior notes. ASI, the borrower under our Credit Agreement and the indentures governing our senior notes, and its restricted subsidiaries together comprise substantially all of our assets, liabilities and operations, and there are no material differences between the consolidating information related to Aramark and Aramark Intermediate Holdco Corporation, the direct parent of ASI and a guarantor under our Credit Agreement, on the one hand, and ASI and its restricted subsidiaries on a standalone basis, on the other hand.
Other
Our business activities do not include the use of unconsolidated special purpose entities and there are no significant business transactions that have not been reflected in the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements. We insure portions of our risk related to general liability, automobile liability, workers’ compensation liability claims as well as certain property damage risks through a wholly owned captive insurance subsidiary (the "Captive") as part of our approach to risk finance. The Captive is subject to the regulations within its domicile of Bermuda, including regulations established by the Bermuda Monetary Authority (the "BMA") relating to levels of liquidity and solvency as such concepts are defined by the BMA. The Captive was in compliance with these regulations as of October 3, 2025. These regulations may have the effect of limiting our ability to access certain cash and cash equivalents held by the Captive for uses other than for the payment of our general liability, automobile liability, workers’ compensation liability, certain property damage and related Captive costs. As of October 3, 2025 and September 27, 2024, cash and cash equivalents at the Captive were $133.5 million and $94.7 million, respectively. The Captive previously invested in United States Treasury securities where the amount of these investments as of October 3, 2025 and September 27, 2024 was zero and $42.3 million, respectively, and recorded in "Prepayments and other current assets" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Our significant accounting policies are described in the notes to the audited consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.
In preparing our financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that, among other things, affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses. These estimates and assumptions are most significant where they involve levels of subjectivity and judgment necessary to account for highly uncertain matters or matters susceptible to change, and where they can have a material impact on our financial condition and operating performance. If actual results were to differ materially from the estimates made, the reported results could be materially affected.
Critical accounting estimates and the related assumptions are evaluated periodically as conditions warrant, and changes to such estimates are recorded as new information or changed conditions require.
Asset Impairment Determinations
Indefinite lived intangible assets that are not amortized are subject to an impairment test that we conduct annually or more frequently if a change in circumstances or the occurrence of events indicates that potential impairment exists. For goodwill, we perform the assessment of goodwill at the reporting unit level, which is an operating segment or one level below the operating segment. The impairment test may first consider qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Examples of qualitative factors include, macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance, entity-specific events, events affecting reporting units and sustained changes in our stock price. If results of the qualitative assessment indicate a more likely than not
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determination or if a qualitative assessment is not performed, a quantitative test is performed by comparing the estimated fair value using a discounted cash flow method or market method for each reporting unit with its estimated net book value.
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, we performed the annual impairment test for goodwill for each of our reporting units using a quantitative testing approach. Based on the evaluation performed, we determined that the fair value of each of the reporting units substantially exceeded its respective carrying amount, and therefore, we determined that goodwill was not impaired.
The determination of fair value for each reporting unit includes assumptions, which are considered Level 3 inputs, that are subject to risk and uncertainty. The discounted cash flow calculations are dependent on several subjective factors including the timing of future cash flows, the underlying margin projection assumptions, future growth rates and the discount rate. The market based method is dependent on several subjective factors including the determination of market multiples and future cash flows. If our assumptions or estimates in our fair value calculations change or if future cash flows, margin projections or future growth rates vary from what was expected, this may impact our impairment analysis and could reduce the underlying cash flows used to estimate fair values and result in a decline in fair value that may trigger future impairment charges.
With respect to our other long-lived assets, we are required to test for asset impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. If indicators of impairment are present, we compare the sum of the future expected cash flows from the asset, undiscounted and without interest charges, to the asset’s carrying value. If the sum of the future expected cash flows from the asset is less than the carrying value, an impairment would be recognized for the difference between the estimated fair value and the carrying value of the asset.
In making future cash flow analyses of various assets, we make assumptions relating to the following:
• the intended use of assets and the expected future cash flows resulting directly from such use;
• comparable market valuations of businesses similar to Aramark's business segments;
• industry specific economic conditions;
• competitor activities and regulatory initiatives; and
• client and customer preferences and behavior patterns.
We believe that an accounting estimate relating to asset impairment is a critical accounting estimate because the assumptions underlying future cash flow estimates are subject to change from time to time and the recognition of an impairment could have a significant impact on our Consolidated Statements of Income.
Litigation and Claims
From time to time, we and our subsidiaries are party to various legal actions, proceedings and investigations involving claims incidental to the conduct of our business, including actions by clients, customers, employees, government entities and third parties, including under federal, state, international, national, provincial and local employment laws, wage and hour laws, discrimination laws, immigration laws, human health and safety laws, import and export controls and customs laws, environmental laws, environmental, social and governance related non-financial disclosure laws, false claims or whistleblower statutes, minority, women and disadvantaged business enterprise statutes, tax codes, antitrust and competition laws, consumer protection statutes, procurement regulations, intellectual property laws, food safety and sanitation laws, cost and accounting principles, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.K. Bribery Act, other anti-corruption laws, lobbying laws, motor carrier safety laws, data privacy and security laws and alcohol licensing and service laws, or alleging negligence and/or breach of contractual and other obligations. We consider the measurement of litigation reserves as a critical accounting estimate because of the significant uncertainty in some cases relating to the outcome of potential claims or litigation and the difficulty of predicting the likelihood and range of potential liability involved, coupled with the material impact on our results of operations that could result from litigation or other claims. In determining legal reserves, we consider, among other issues:
• interpretation of contractual rights and obligations;
• the status of government regulatory initiatives, interpretations and investigations;
• the status of settlement negotiations;
• prior experience with similar types of claims;
• whether there is available insurance; and
• advice of counsel.
See Note 14 to the audited consolidated financial statements.
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Self-Insurance Reserves
We self-insure for obligations related to certain risks that we retain under our casualty program, which includes general liability, automobile liability and workers’ compensation liability, as well as for certain property damage risks and employee healthcare benefit programs. The accounting estimates related to our self-insurance reserves are critical accounting estimates because changes in our claim experience, our ability to settle claims or other estimates and judgments we use could potentially have a material impact on our results of operations. Our reserves for retained costs associated with our casualty program are estimated through actuarial methods, with the assistance of third-party actuaries, using loss development assumptions based on our claims history. Our casualty program reserves take into account reported claims as well as incurred-but-not-reported losses using loss development factors based upon past experience. In order to determine the loss development factors, we make judgments relating to the nature, frequency, severity, and age of claims, and industry, regulatory and company-specific trends impacting the development of claims. The actual cost to settle our self-insured casualty claim liabilities can differ from our reserve estimates because of a number of uncertainties, including the inherent difficulty in estimating the severity of a claim and the potential amount to defend and settle a claim.
As of October 3, 2025 and September 27, 2024, our self-insurance reserves were $267.7 million and $248.6 million, respectively.
Income Taxes
We are subject to income taxes in the United States and in many foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes, our deferred tax assets and liabilities and any valuation allowances recorded against our net deferred tax assets. We record valuation allowances for our net deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that they will not be realized. We monitor the realizability of our deferred tax assets taking into account all relevant factors at each reporting period. In completing our assessment of realizability of our deferred tax assets, we consider our history of income measured at pre-tax income adjusted for permanent book-tax differences on a jurisdictional basis, volatility in actual earnings, and impacts of the timing of reversal of existing temporary differences. We also rely on our assessment of projected future results of business operations, including uncertainty in future operating results relative to historical results, volatility in the market price of our common stock and its performance over time, variable macroeconomic conditions impacting our ability to forecast future taxable income, and changes in business that may affect the existence and magnitude of future taxable income. Our valuation allowance assessment is based on our best estimate of future results considering all available information.
As of October 3, 2025 and September 27, 2024, our valuation allowance reserves recorded against deferred tax assets were $62.3 million and $80.6 million, respectively (see Note 10 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
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New Accounting Standards Updates
See Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements for a full description of recent accounting standards updates, including the expected dates of adoption.
MD&A history
Prior-year 10-K MD&A spans are extracted from SEC filings with the same bounded parser used for the latest filing. The latest 10-K appears above; prior years are below.
FY 2024 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001584509-24-000212.
Item 7.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of Aramark's (the "Company," "we," "our" and "us") financial condition and results of operations for the fiscal years ended September 27, 2024, September 29, 2023 and September 30, 2022 should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and the notes to those statements.
Our discussion contains forward-looking statements, such as our plans, objectives, opinions, expectations, anticipations, intentions and beliefs, that are based upon our current expectations but that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in those forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those set forth under "Risk Factors," "Special Note About Forward-looking Statements" and "Business" sections and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K ("Annual Report"). In the following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations, certain financial measures may be considered “non-GAAP financial measures” under the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") rules. These rules require supplemental explanation and reconciliation, which is provided elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Overview
We are a leading global provider of food and facilities services to education, healthcare, business & industry and sports, leisure & corrections clients. Our largest market is the United States, which is supplemented by an additional 15-country footprint. We also provide our services on a more limited basis in several additional countries and in offshore locations. Through our established brand, broad geographic presence and employees, we anchor our business in our partnerships with thousands of clients. Through these partnerships we serve millions of consumers including students, patients, employees, sports fans and guests worldwide.
We operate our business in two geographic reportable segments:
•Food and Support Services United States ("FSS United States") - Food, refreshment, specialized dietary and support services, including facility maintenance and housekeeping, provided to business, educational and healthcare institutions and in sports, leisure and other facilities within the United States.
•Food and Support Services International ("FSS International") - Food, refreshment, specialized dietary and support services, including facility maintenance and housekeeping, provided to business, educational and healthcare institutions and in sports, leisure and other facilities outside of the United States with the largest operations within Canada, Chile, China, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom.
Our operations focus on serving clients in five principal sectors: Business & Industry, Education, Healthcare, Sports, Leisure & Corrections and Facilities & Other. Our FSS International reportable segment provides a similar range of services as those provided to our FSS United States clients and operates in the same sectors. Administrative expenses not allocated to our reportable segments are presented separately as corporate expenses.
Current Business Environment
We continue to see improving inflation trends where inflationary costs in product, energy and labor have moderated over fiscal 2024, particularly in the United States. In addition, we continue to see elevated market interest rates and significant changes in foreign currencies. We expect these conditions to continue in the near-term, and we regularly evaluate and believe we take appropriate actions to mitigate risk in these areas. These actions include management of operating costs, including supply chain initiatives and pricing actions, and managing interest rate risk through the use of interest rate swaps.
Sale of San Antonio Spurs NBA Franchise Equity Investment
During fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023, we sold our ownership interest in the San Antonio Spurs NBA franchise for $101.2 million and $98.2 million, respectively, in cash in taxable transactions resulting in a pre-tax gain of $25.1 million ($19.6 million gain net of tax) in fiscal 2024 and a pre-tax loss of $1.1 million ($2.2 million loss net of tax) in fiscal 2023. See Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements.
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Separation and Distribution of Aramark Uniform and Career Apparel
On September 30, 2023, we completed the separation and distribution of our Aramark Uniform and Career Apparel ("Uniform") segment into an independent publicly traded company, Vestis Corporation ("Vestis"). The separation of our Uniform segment was structured as a tax free spin-off, which occurred by way of a pro rata distribution to Aramark stockholders. Each of the Aramark stockholders received one share of Vestis common stock for every two shares of Aramark common stock held of record as of the close of business on September 20, 2023. Vestis is now an independent public company under the symbol “VSTS” on the NYSE. The historical results of the Uniform segment have been reflected as discontinued operations in our audited consolidated financial statements for all periods prior to the separation and distribution. Assets and liabilities associated to the Uniform segment are classified as assets and liabilities of discontinued operations in our audited Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 29, 2023. Additional disclosures regarding the separation and distribution are provided in Note 2 to the audited consolidated financial statements.
Sale of AIM Services Co., Ltd Equity Investment
During fiscal 2023, we sold our 50% ownership interest in AIM Services Co., Ltd., a leading Japanese food services company, to Mitsui & Co., Ltd. for $535.0 million in cash in a taxable transaction resulting in a pre-tax gain on sale of this equity investment of $377.1 million ($278.7 million gain net of tax) (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
Acquisition of Union Supply
During fiscal 2022, we completed the acquisition of Union Supply Group Inc. ("Union Supply"), a commissary goods and services supplier, for cash consideration of $199.6 million, plus contingent consideration (see Note 3 and Note 17 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
Sources of Revenue
Our clients engage us, generally through written contracts, to provide our services at their locations. Depending on the type of client and service, we are paid either by our client or directly by the customer to whom we have been provided access by our client. We typically use either profit and loss contracts or client interest contracts. These contracts differ in their provision for the amount of financial risk we bear and, accordingly, the potential compensation, profits or fees we may receive. Under profit and loss contracts, we receive all of the revenue from, and bear all of the expenses of, the provision of our services at a client location. For fiscal 2024, approximately two-thirds of our revenue was derived from profit and loss contracts. Client interest contracts include management fee contracts, under which our clients reimburse our operating costs and pay us a management fee, which may be calculated as a fixed dollar amount or a percentage of revenue or operating costs. Some management fee contracts entitle us to receive incentive fees based upon our performance under the contract, as measured by factors such as revenue, operating costs and customer satisfaction surveys. For fiscal 2024, approximately one-third of our revenue was derived from client interest contracts.
Costs and Expenses
Our costs and expenses are comprised of cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization), depreciation and amortization and selling and general corporate expenses. Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) consists of direct expenses associated with our operations, which includes food costs, wages, other labor-related expenses (including workers' compensation, severance, state unemployment insurance and federal or state mandated health benefits and other healthcare costs), insurance, fuel, utilities, clothing and equipment. Direct expense related to food costs within cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) are offset by rebates, vendor allowances and volume discounts. Depreciation and amortization expenses mainly relate to assets used in generating revenue. Selling and general corporate expenses include sales commissions, severance, share-based compensation and other unallocated costs related to administrative functions including finance, legal and human resources.
Interest Expense, net
Interest Expense, net, relates primarily to interest expense on long-term borrowings. Interest Expense, net also includes third-party costs associated with long-term borrowings that were capitalized and are being amortized over the term of the borrowing.
Provision for Income Taxes
The Provision for Income Taxes represents federal, foreign, state and local income taxes. Our effective tax rate differs from the statutory United States income tax rate due to the effect of state and local income taxes, tax rates in foreign jurisdictions, tax credits and certain nondeductible expenses. Our effective tax rate will change from quarter to quarter based on recurring and nonrecurring factors including, but not limited to, the geographical mix of earnings, state and local income taxes, tax audit settlements, share-based award exercise activity and enacted tax legislation, including certain business tax credits. Changes in judgment due to the evaluation of new information resulting in the recognition, derecognition or remeasurement of a tax position taken in a prior annual period are recognized separately in the quarter of the change.
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Foreign Currency Fluctuations
The impact from foreign currency translation assumes constant foreign currency exchange rates based on the rates in effect for the prior year period being used in translation for the comparable current year period. We believe that providing the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency rates on certain financial results can facilitate analysis of period-to-period comparisons of business performance.
Fiscal Year
Our fiscal year is the fifty-two or fifty-three week period which ends on the Friday nearest to September 30th. The fiscal years ended September 27, 2024, September 29, 2023 and September 30, 2022 were each a fifty-two week period.
Results of Operations
Fiscal 2024 Compared to Fiscal 2023
The following tables present an overview of our results on a consolidated and segment basis with the amount of and percentage change between periods for the fiscal years 2024 and 2023 (dollars in millions).
| Fiscal Year Ended | Change | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 27, 2024 | September 29, 2023 | $ | % | ||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 17,400.7 | $ | 16,083.2 | $ | 1,317.5 | 8.2 | % | |||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | |||||||||||||||
| Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | 15,975.0 | 14,774.7 | 1,200.3 | 8.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Other operating expenses | 719.2 | 683.5 | 35.7 | 5.2 | % | ||||||||||
| 16,694.2 | 15,458.2 | 1,236.0 | 8.0 | % | |||||||||||
| Operating income | 706.5 | 625.0 | 81.5 | 13.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Gain on Sale of Equity Investments, net | (25.1) | (376.0) | 350.9 | 93.3 | % | ||||||||||
| Interest Expense, net | 366.7 | 437.5 | (70.8) | (16.2) | % | ||||||||||
| Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes | 364.9 | 563.5 | (198.6) | (35.3) | % | ||||||||||
| Provision for Income Taxes from Continuing Operations | 103.0 | 116.4 | (13.4) | (11.6) | % | ||||||||||
| Net income from Continuing Operations | $ | 261.9 | $ | 447.1 | $ | (185.2) | (41.4) | % |
| Fiscal Year Ended | Change | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue by Segment(1) | September 27, 2024 | September 29, 2023 | $ | % | |||||||||||
| FSS United States | $ | 12,576.7 | $ | 11,721.4 | $ | 855.3 | 7.3 | % | |||||||
| FSS International | 4,824.0 | 4,361.8 | 462.2 | 10.6 | % | ||||||||||
| $ | 17,400.7 | $ | 16,083.2 | $ | 1,317.5 | 8.2 | % | ||||||||
| Fiscal Year Ended | Change | Change | |||||||||||||
| Operating Income by Segment | September 27, 2024 | September 29, 2023 | $ | % | |||||||||||
| FSS United States | $ | 659.9 | $ | 650.0 | $ | 9.9 | 1.5 | % | |||||||
| FSS International | 187.3 | 114.5 | 72.8 | 63.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Corporate | (140.7) | (139.5) | (1.2) | (0.9 | %) | ||||||||||
| $ | 706.5 | $ | 625.0 | $ | 81.5 | 13.0 | % |
(1) As a percentage of total revenue, FSS United States represented 72.3% and 72.9% and FSS International represented 27.7% and 27.1% for fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023, respectively.
Consolidated Overview
Revenue increased by 8.2% during fiscal 2024 compared to the prior year period, which was primarily attributable to base business growth, including volume growth and contract price increases, and net new business. Foreign currency translation unfavorably impacted revenue during fiscal 2024 by 1.7%.
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The following table presents the cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) by segment and as a percent of revenue for fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023.
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 27, 2024 | September 29, 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | $ | % of Revenue | $ | % of Revenue | ||||||||||
| FSS United States | $ | 11,432.3 | 90.9 | % | $ | 10,615.6 | 90.6 | % | ||||||
| FSS International | 4,542.7 | 94.2 | % | 4,159.1 | 95.4 | % | ||||||||
| $ | 15,975.0 | 91.8 | % | $ | 14,774.7 | 91.9 | % |
The following table presents the percentages attributable to the components in cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) for fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023.
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) components | September 27, 2024 | September 29, 2023 | ||||
| Food and support service costs | 29.9 | % | 30.0 | % | ||
| Personnel costs(1) | 44.5 | % | 45.1 | % | ||
| Other direct costs(2) | 25.6 | % | 24.9 | % | ||
| 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
(1) Personnel costs decreased as a percentage of total cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) during fiscal 2024 compared to the prior year period due to other direct costs increasing at a higher proportion as compared to personnel costs, lower net severance charges ($19.9 million) and moderation of labor inflationary costs.
(2) Other direct costs represented a higher proportion of total cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) during fiscal 2024 compared to the prior year period driven by increased payments made to clients related to business volume growth in the current year. In addition, fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023 were impacted by non-cash income related to the reduction of contingent consideration liabilities related to acquisition earn outs, net of expense ($8.2 million and $85.7 million, respectively) (see Note 17 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
Operating income increased by $81.5 million during fiscal 2024 compared to the prior year period, which was driven by base business volume growth, cost management, improved supply chain economics and favorable recovery of inflationary costs as compared to the prior year period. The increase in operating income was also attributable to lower net severance charges ($19.9 million), prior year non-cash charges for the impairment of operating lease right-of-use assets and property and equipment related to certain real estate properties ($19.0 million) (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements) and lower share-based compensation expense ($13.7 million) (see Note 13 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
These increases in operating income more than offset:
•lower non-cash income from the reduction of the contingent consideration liabilities related to acquisition earn outs, net of expense ($77.5 million) (see Note 17 to the audited consolidated financial statements);
•prior year income from proceeds associated with possessory interest at one of the National Park sites ($36.3 million) (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements);
•higher personnel costs from incentive expenses related to the annual bonus;
•lower income related to favorable loss experience under our general liability, automobile liability and workers' compensation liability programs when compared to the prior year ($21.1 million);
•non-cash inventory adjustment based on expected usage for certain products within the Corrections business ($18.2 million);
•prior year labor related tax credits provided from governmental assistance programs ($12.5 million); and
•negative impact of foreign currency translation ($12.0 million).
During fiscal 2024, we sold our remaining equity investment ownership interest in the San Antonio Spurs NBA franchise in a taxable transaction resulting in a pre-tax gain on sale of this equity investment of $25.1 million, which is included in "Gain on Equity Investments, net" on the Consolidated Statements of Income (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
During fiscal 2023, we recognized a $377.1 million pre-tax gain on the sale of our 50% ownership interest in AIM Services Co., Ltd., which was partially offset by a $1.1 million pre-tax loss from the sale of a portion of our equity investment in the San
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Antonio Spurs NBA franchise. The net amount of these transactions is included in "Gain on Equity Investments, net" on the Consolidated Statements of Income (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
Interest Expense, net, decreased 16.2% during fiscal 2024 compared to the prior year period. The decrease was primarily due to lower interest expense related to the repayment of the 6.375% Senior Notes due May 1, 2025 ("6.375% 2025 Notes"). Additionally, the decrease was partially offset by the payment of a $23.9 million call premium, $8.3 million of higher non-cash losses for the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs and transaction costs related to the refinancing and repricing transactions in fiscal 2024 (see Note 6 to the audited consolidated financial statements) and higher borrowings on the Receivables Facility throughout fiscal 2024.
The Provision for Income Taxes for fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023 was recorded at an effective tax rate of 28.2% and 20.7%, respectively. The higher effective tax rate in the current year compared to the prior year was driven by prior year favorable tax effects from the sale of our equity investment in AIM Services Co., Ltd. (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements) and a higher prior year reversal of a portion of the Union Supply contingent consideration liability (see Note 17 to the audited consolidated financial statements), as the majority of the gains from these transactions were not subject to tax.
Segment Results
FSS United States Segment
The FSS United States reportable segment consists of five sectors which have similar economic characteristics and comprise a single operating segment. The five sectors of the FSS United States reportable segment are Business & Industry, Education, Healthcare, Sports, Leisure & Corrections and Facilities & Other.
Revenue for each of these sectors is summarized as follows (in millions):
| Fiscal Year Ended | Change | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 27, 2024 | September 29, 2023 | % | |||||||||
| Business & Industry | $ | 1,627.2 | $ | 1,407.2 | 15.6 | % | |||||
| Education | 3,650.4 | 3,437.0 | 6.2 | % | |||||||
| Healthcare(1) | 1,620.3 | 1,667.7 | (2.8) | % | |||||||
| Sports, Leisure & Corrections | 3,981.2 | 3,537.1 | 12.6 | % | |||||||
| Facilities & Other(1) | 1,697.6 | 1,672.4 | 1.5 | % | |||||||
| $ | 12,576.7 | $ | 11,721.4 | 7.3 | % |
(1) In fiscal 2024, management began reporting results for healthcare facility services within "Healthcare," whereas the results were previously reported within "Facilities & Other." As such, the "Healthcare" and "Facilities & Other" results for the fiscal year ended September 29, 2023 were recast to reflect this change.
The Facilities & Other and Healthcare sectors had high-single digit operating income margins, consistent with prior year. The Education sector had high-single digit operating income margins compared to mid-single digit operating income margins in the prior year. The Sports, Leisure & Corrections sector had mid-single digit operating income margins, consistent with prior year. The Business & Industry sector had mid-single digit operating income margins compared to low-single digit operating income margins in the prior year.
FSS United States segment revenue increased by approximately 7.3% during fiscal 2024 compared to the prior year period. The increase was primarily attributable to base business growth, including higher volume within our Business & Industry and Sports, Leisure & Corrections sectors. Additionally, contract price increases, especially within our Higher Education and Corrections businesses, contributed to year-over-year growth. The Facilities & Other sector increase was attributable to base business growth, which was partially offset by lost business occurring late in fiscal 2024. The Healthcare sector decrease was primarily attributable to portfolio optimization occurring late in fiscal 2023.
Operating income increased by $9.9 million during fiscal 2024 compared to the prior year period. The increase was attributable to:
•base business volume growth, cost management and improved supply chain economics;
•favorable recovery of inflationary costs as compared to prior year period;
•prior year non-cash charges for the impairment of operating lease right-of-use assets and property and equipment related to certain real estate properties ($19.0 million) (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements); and
•prior year non-cash charges related to information technology assets ($8.2 million).
These increases in operating income more than offset the following:
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•lower non-cash income from the reduction of the contingent consideration liabilities related to acquisition earn outs, net of expense ($77.5 million) (see Note 17 to the audited consolidated financial statements);
•prior year income from proceeds associated with possessory interest at one of the National Park sites ($36.3 million) (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements);
•lower income related to favorable loss experience under our general liability, automobile liability and workers' compensation liability programs ($21.1 million);
•higher personnel costs from incentive expenses related to the annual bonus; and
•non-cash inventory adjustment based on expected usage for certain products within the Corrections business ($18.2 million).
FSS International Segment
FSS International segment revenue increased by approximately 10.6% during fiscal 2024 compared to the prior year period. The increase was primarily attributable to base business growth, including volume growth and contract price increases, and net new business growth. The growth in revenue was offset by the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation by 6.3%.
Operating income increased by $72.8 million during fiscal 2024 compared to the prior year period. The increase was mainly attributable to the volume growth in base business, net new business and improved supply chain economics. The increase was also attributable to lower net severance charges ($30.0 million), a prior year non-cash charge for the impairment of certain assets related to a business held-for-sale ($5.2 million) and lower currency translation losses from Argentina hyperinflation ($5.0 million) (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements). These increases in operating income more than offset the following:
•prior year labor related tax credits provided from governmental assistance programs ($12.5 million);
•unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation ($11.6 million);
•decline in profit related to the sale of our 50% ownership interest in AIM Services Co., Ltd.;
•charges related to a ruling on a foreign tax matter ($6.8 million); and
•higher personnel costs from incentive expenses related to the annual bonus.
Corporate
Corporate expenses, those administrative expenses not allocated to the business segments, increased by $1.2 million during fiscal 2024 compared to the prior year period. The increase was attributable to higher expenses related to the separation and distribution of the Uniform segment ($9.1 million) (see Note 2 to the audited consolidated financial statements) and higher personnel costs from incentive expenses related to the annual bonus, partially offset by lower share-based compensation expense ($13.7 million) compared to the prior year period (see Note 13 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
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Fiscal 2023 Compared to Fiscal 2022
The following tables present an overview of our results on a consolidated and segment basis with the amount of and percentage change between periods for the fiscal years 2023 and 2022 (dollars in millions).
| Fiscal Year Ended | Change | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 29, 2023 | September 30, 2022 | $ | % | ||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 16,083.2 | $ | 13,687.2 | $ | 2,396.0 | 17.5 | % | |||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | |||||||||||||||
| Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | 14,774.7 | 12,615.5 | 2,159.2 | 17.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Other operating expenses | 683.5 | 656.3 | 27.2 | 4.1 | % | ||||||||||
| 15,458.2 | 13,271.8 | 2,186.4 | 16.5 | % | |||||||||||
| Operating income | 625.0 | 415.4 | 209.6 | 50.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Gain on Equity Investments, net | (376.0) | — | (376.0) | (100.0) | % | ||||||||||
| Interest Expense, net | 437.5 | 368.2 | 69.3 | 18.8 | % | ||||||||||
| Income Before Income Taxes | 563.5 | 47.2 | 516.3 | *** | |||||||||||
| Provision for Income Taxes | 116.4 | 8.4 | 108.0 | *** | |||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 447.1 | $ | 38.8 | $ | 408.3 | *** |
| Fiscal Year Ended | Change | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue by Segment(1) | September 29, 2023 | September 30, 2022 | $ | % | |||||||||||
| FSS United States | $ | 11,721.4 | $ | 10,030.8 | $ | 1,690.6 | 16.9 | % | |||||||
| FSS International | 4,361.8 | 3,656.4 | 705.4 | 19.3 | % | ||||||||||
| $ | 16,083.2 | $ | 13,687.2 | $ | 2,396.0 | 17.5 | % | ||||||||
| Fiscal Year Ended | Change | Change | |||||||||||||
| Operating Income by Segment | September 29, 2023 | September 30, 2022 | $ | % | |||||||||||
| FSS United States | $ | 650.0 | $ | 435.1 | $ | 214.9 | 49.4 | % | |||||||
| FSS International | 114.5 | 112.5 | 2.0 | 1.7 | % | ||||||||||
| Corporate | (139.5) | (132.2) | (7.3) | (5.5 | %) | ||||||||||
| $ | 625.0 | $ | 415.4 | 209.6 | 50.5 | % |
*** Not meaningful
(1) As a percentage of total revenue, FSS United States represented 72.9% and 73.3% and FSS International represented 27.1% and 26.7% for fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022, respectively.
Consolidated Overview
Revenue increased by 17.5% during fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022, which was primarily attributable to growth in base business, including pricing pass-throughs, and net new business. In addition, the Union Supply acquisition contributed an additional 1.5% of revenue in fiscal year 2023 compared to fiscal year 2022. Foreign currency translation unfavorably impacted revenue during fiscal 2023 by 1.4%.
The following table presents the cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) by segment and as a percent of revenue for fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022.
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| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 29, 2023 | September 30, 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | $ | % of Revenue | $ | % of Revenue | ||||||||||
| FSS United States | $ | 10,615.6 | 90.6 | % | $ | 9,159.0 | 91.3 | % | ||||||
| FSS International | 4,159.1 | 95.4 | % | 3,456.5 | 94.5 | % | ||||||||
| $ | 14,774.7 | 91.9 | % | $ | 12,615.5 | 92.2 | % |
The following table presents the percentages attributable to the components in cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) for fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022.
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) components | September 29, 2023 | September 30, 2022 | ||||
| Food and support service costs(1) | 30.0 | % | 27.5 | % | ||
| Personnel costs(2) | 45.1 | % | 47.2 | % | ||
| Other direct costs(3) | 24.9 | % | 25.3 | % | ||
| 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
(1) Food and support service costs represented a higher proportion of total cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) during fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 mainly from product cost inflation and volume increases due to revenue growth.
(2) Personnel costs decreased as a percentage of total cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) during fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 due to food and support service costs increasing at a higher proportion as compared to personnel costs.
(3) Other direct costs represented a lower proportion of total cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) during fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 driven by food and support service costs increasing at a higher proportion as compared to other direct costs. Fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022 were impacted by non-cash income related to the reduction of contingent consideration liabilities related to acquisition earn outs, net of expense ($85.7 million and $15.1 million, respectively) (see Note 17 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
Operating income increased by $209.6 million during fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022, which was driven by base business growth, including volume recovery from COVID-19, and effective cost management. The increase in operating income also benefited from higher non-cash income from the reduction of the contingent consideration liabilities related to acquisition earn outs, net of expense ($70.6 million) (see Note 17 to the audited consolidated financial statements), from higher income related to favorable loss experience under our general liability, automobile liability and workers' compensation liability programs in fiscal 2023 when compared to fiscal 2022 ($19.1 million) and higher income from proceeds associated with possessory interest at one of the National Park sites in fiscal 2023 when compared to fiscal 2022 ($17.3 million) (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
These increases in operating income more than offset:
•increased inflationary costs in product, energy and labor;
•greater labor related tax credits provided from governmental assistance programs in fiscal 2022 as compared to fiscal 2023 ($24.1 million);
•impairment charges of operating lease right-of-use assets and property and equipment and other costs related to certain real estate properties ($19.0 million) (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements);
•higher expenses related to the spin-off of the Uniform segment ($14.8 million);
•higher net severance charges ($13.2 million); and
•negative impact of foreign currency translation ($9.6 million).
During fiscal 2023, we recognized a $377.1 million pre-tax gain on the sale of our 50% ownership interest in AIM Services Co., Ltd., which was partially offset by a $1.1 million pre-tax loss from the sale of a portion of our equity investment in the San Antonio Spurs NBA franchise. The net amount of these transactions is included in "Gain on Equity Investments, net" on the Consolidated Statements of Income (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
Interest Expense, net increased 18.8% during fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022. The increase was primarily due to higher interest rates related to our senior secured term loan facilities, our Receivables Facility and our revolving credit facility.
The Provision for Income Taxes for fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022 was recorded at an effective tax rate of 20.7% and 17.9%, respectively. During fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022, we recorded an income tax benefit of $3.8 million and $8.5 million, respectively, for the reversal of a valuation allowance at a subsidiary in the FSS International segment driven by our ability to utilize deferred tax assets based on future taxable income expected due to business acquisitions. We also recorded a benefit to
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the Provision for Income Taxes of $3.8 million during fiscal 2022 due to a state tax law change. The effective tax rate in fiscal 2023 was benefited by the favorable tax effects from the sale of our equity investment in AIM Services Co., Ltd. (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements) and the reversal of a portion of the Union Supply contingent consideration liability (see Note 17 to the audited consolidated financial statements), as the majority of the gains from these transactions were not subject to tax.
Segment Results
FSS United States Segment
The FSS United States reportable segment consists of five sectors which have similar economic characteristics and comprise a single operating segment. The five sectors of the FSS United States reportable segment are Business & Industry, Education, Healthcare, Sports, Leisure & Corrections and Facilities & Other.
Revenue for each of these sectors is summarized as follows (in millions):
| Fiscal Year Ended | Change | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 29, 2023 | September 30, 2022 | % | |||||||||
| Business & Industry | $ | 1,407.2 | $ | 1,081.2 | 30.2 | % | |||||
| Education | 3,437.0 | 3,161.5 | 8.7 | % | |||||||
| Healthcare(1) | 1,667.7 | 1,581.4 | 5.5 | % | |||||||
| Sports, Leisure & Corrections | 3,537.1 | 2,722.0 | 29.9 | % | |||||||
| Facilities & Other(1) | 1,672.4 | 1,484.7 | 12.6 | % | |||||||
| $ | 11,721.4 | $ | 10,030.8 | 16.9 | % |
(1) In fiscal 2024, management began reporting results for healthcare facility services within "Healthcare," whereas the results were previously reported within "Facilities & Other." As such, the "Healthcare" and "Facilities & Other" results for the fiscal years ended September 29, 2023 and September 30, 2022 were recast to reflect this change.
The Healthcare and Facilities & Other sectors had high-single digit operating income margins, consistent in both fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022. The Education and Sports, Leisure & Corrections sectors had mid-single digit operating income margins, consistent in both fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022. The Business & Industry sector had low-single digit operating income margins in fiscal 2023 compared to negative low-single digit operating income margins in fiscal 2022. During the COVID-19 pandemic and in following periods, operating income margin in certain sectors within the FSS United States reportable segment have differed from our otherwise historical patterns, particularly in the Business & Industry sector.
FSS United States segment revenue increased by approximately 16.9% during fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to base business growth, including contract price increases mainly within the Corrections and Higher Education businesses, and net new business growth. The Sports, Leisure & Corrections sector increased due to higher per capita customer spending in stadiums and arenas and the acquisition of Union Supply, which contributed an additional 2.0% of revenue during fiscal 2023 as compared to fiscal 2022. The Business & Industry sector increased due to client personnel continuing to return to office locations.
Operating income increased by $214.9 million during fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022. The increase was attributable to:
•base business growth, including volume recovery from COVID-19, and effective cost management;
•higher non-cash income from the reduction of the contingent consideration liabilities related to acquisition earn outs, net of expense ($70.6 million) (see Note 17 to the audited consolidated financial statements);
•higher income related to favorable loss experience under our general liability, automobile liability and workers' compensation liability programs when compared to fiscal 2022 ($19.1 million);
•higher income from proceeds associated with possessory interest at one of the National Park sites when compared to fiscal 2022 ($17.3 million) (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements); and
•higher income attributed to the Union Supply acquisition as compared to fiscal 2022 ($10.6 million).
These increases in operating income more than offset the following:
•increased inflationary costs in food and labor;
•non-cash charges for the impairment of operating lease right-of-use assets and property and equipment related to certain real estate properties ($19.0 million) (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements); and
•non-cash charge for the impairment of computer software assets ($8.2 million).
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FSS International Segment
FSS International segment revenue increased by approximately 19.3% during fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to base business growth, including contract price increases, and net new business growth. The growth in revenue was offset by the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation by 5.0%.
Operating income increased by $2.0 million during fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022. The increase was attributable to growth in base and net new business and lower personnel costs from headcount reductions taken during the second quarter of fiscal 2023 and late fiscal 2022. These increases in operating income more than offset the following:
•increased inflationary costs in product and labor;
•greater labor related tax credits provided from governmental assistance programs in fiscal 2022 as compared to fiscal 2023 ($24.1 million);
•higher net severance charges ($18.0 million);
•favorable impact related to a client contract dispute in fiscal 2022 ($9.6 million);
•unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation ($7.8 million);
•decline in profit related to the sale of our 50% ownership interest in AIM Services Co., Ltd.;
•higher currency translation losses from Argentina hyperinflation ($7.0 million) (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements); and
•non-cash charges for the impairment of certain assets related to a business that was sold ($5.2 million).
Corporate
Corporate expenses, those administrative expenses not allocated to the business segments, increased by $7.3 million during fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022. The increase in corporate expenses was attributable to higher expenses related to the separation and distribution of the Uniform segment compared to prior year period ($14.8 million). These increases in corporate expenses were partially offset by lower share-based compensation expenses ($6.0 million) when compared to fiscal 2022 (see Note 13 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
Our principal sources of liquidity are cash generated from operating activities, funds from borrowings, investments in marketable securities and existing cash on hand. As of September 27, 2024, we had $672.5 million of cash and cash equivalents, $42.3 million of marketable securities, $1,341.6 million of availability under our senior secured revolving credit facility and $600.0 million of availability under the Receivables Facility. A significant portion of our cash and cash equivalents are held in mature, liquid geographies where we have operations. As of September 27, 2024, there were $733.3 million of outstanding foreign currency borrowings. As of September 27, 2024, the 5.000% Senior Notes due April 1, 2025 and 3.125% Senior Notes due April 1, 2025 mature within one year. We intend to repay, redeem or otherwise refinance the outstanding obligations related to these securities.
On August 2, 2024, we entered into Amendment No. 15 to the Credit Agreement, which refinanced and replaced our approximately $1.2 billion multi-currency revolving credit facility and approximately $225 million Term A Loans due April 2026 into an amended $1.4 billion multi-currency revolving credit facility and $500 million Term A Loans, extending the maturity to August 2029. In addition, Amendment No. 15 increases the revolving credit facility capacity by approximately $250 million and reduces the applicable margin. We utilized the net proceeds from the increased principal amount of Term A Loans to reduce the outstanding revolving credit facility balance by approximately $275 million (see Note 6 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
On November 5, 2024, the Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program under which we are authorized to repurchase up to $500 million of Aramark's outstanding common stock. The share repurchase program does not have a fixed expiration date.
We believe that our cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and availability under our revolving credit facility and Receivables Facility will be adequate to meet anticipated cash requirements for the foreseeable future to fund working capital, capital spending, debt service obligations, refinancings, dividends and other cash needs. We also have flexibility to optimize working capital and defer certain capital expenditures as appropriate without a material impact to the business. We believe that our assumptions used to estimate our liquidity and working capital requirements are reasonable. For additional information regarding the risks associated with our liquidity and capital resources, see Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors."
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The table below summarizes our cash activity (in millions):
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 27, 2024 | September 29, 2023 | September 30, 2022 | ||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities of Continuing Operations | $ | 726.5 | $ | 511.6 | $ | 463.9 | ||
| Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities of Continuing Operations | (415.9) | 223.7 | (745.2) | |||||
| Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities of Continuing Operations | (1,561.2) | 659.6 | (34.6) |
Reference to the audited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows will facilitate understanding of the discussion that follows.
Fiscal 2024 Compared to Fiscal 2023
Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities
Cash provided by operating activities increased by $214.9 million during fiscal 2024 compared to the prior year period. The change was driven by higher net income, inclusive of the add-back of non-cash gains and losses and adjustments to non-operating cash transactions, in fiscal 2024 compared to the prior year period, as discussed in "Results of Operations" above. Additionally, cash provided by operating activities was favorably impacted by the change in operating assets and liabilities compared to the prior year period by $33.9 million, which was primarily due to:
•Receivables by $78.1 million, resulting in a lower use of cash during fiscal 2024 compared to the prior year period due to higher revenue growth in the prior year period as compared to fiscal 2024 and timing of collections; and
•Inventories by $31.5 million, resulting in a lower use of cash during fiscal 2024 compared to the prior year period due to improved inventory management in the Sports, Leisure & Corrections sector.
These changes in operating assets and liabilities more than offset accrued expenses by $72.8 million resulting in a lower source of cash during fiscal 2024 compared to the prior year period primarily due to the increase in income tax payments, higher commission payments in our Sports & Entertainment business, timing of interest payments on lower borrowings, lower advances received in our Higher Education business, the timing of insurance and other payments; partially offset by lower payments related to the annual bonus and timing of payroll taxes.
During fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023, we received proceeds of $6.5 million and $21.4 million, respectively, related to favorable loss experience in older insurance years under our general liability, automobile liability and workers' compensation programs. "Payments made to clients on contracts" generated a higher use of cash during fiscal 2024 compared to the prior year period primarily due to contract renewals and new business. The "Other operating activities" caption in both periods reflects adjustments to net income in the current year and prior year periods related to non-cash gains and losses and adjustments to non-operating cash transactions.
Cash Flows (Used in) Provided by Investing Activities
The net cash flows used in investing activities during fiscal 2024 was primarily impacted by purchases of property and equipment and other ($427.4 million), acquisitions of certain businesses ($148.7 million) and purchases of United States Treasury securities related to our captive insurance subsidiary ($113.3 million), partially offset by proceeds from the maturity of United States Treasury securities related to our captive insurance subsidiary ($186.4 million) and proceeds from sale of equity investments ($101.2 million) (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
The net cash flows provided by investing activities during fiscal 2023 was primarily impacted by proceeds from the sales of equity investments ($633.2 million) (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements) and proceeds from the maturity of United States Treasury securities related to our captive insurance subsidiary ($80.0 million), partially offset by purchases of property and equipment and other ($383.5 million), purchases of United States Treasury securities related to our captive insurance subsidiary ($110.0 million) and acquisitions of certain businesses ($50.2 million).
The "Other investing activities" caption during fiscal 2023 includes $37.6 million of proceeds received relating to possessory interest at one of the National Park sites within our Sports, Leisure & Corrections sector.
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Cash Flows (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities
During fiscal 2024, cash used in financing activities was impacted by the following:
•repayment of the 6.375% 2025 Notes ($1,500.0 million);
•repayment of foreign denominated term loans due 2026 ($259.4 million);
•repayments under the revolving credit facility ($166.1 million); and
•payments of dividends ($99.9 million).
Cash used in financing activities more than offset proceeds from the issuance of new domestic and foreign term loans due 2029 ($499.1 million).
See Note 6 to the audited consolidated financial statements for additional information on borrowing activities during fiscal 2024.
During fiscal 2023, cash provided by financing activities was impacted by the following:
•distribution from Vestis prior to the separation and distribution ($1,456.7 million);
•proceeds from issuance of new United States Term B-6 Loans due 2030 ($1,089.0 million); and
•borrowings under the revolving credit facility ($101.4 million).
Cash provided by financing activities more than offset cash used in the following:
•repayments of United States Term B-3 Loans due 2025 ($1,664.8 million);
•payments of dividends ($114.6 million);
•repayment of borrowing under the Receivables Facility ($104.9 million); and
•repayment of yen denominated term loans due 2026 ($63.0 million).
The "Other financing activities" caption also reflects a use of cash during fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023, primarily related to taxes paid by us when we withhold shares upon an employee's exercise or vesting of equity awards to cover income taxes. Fiscal 2024 also includes the payment of a call premium on the 6.375% 2025 Notes ($23.9 million) and debt issuance costs mainly related to the refinancing of the revolving credit facility and Term A Loans ($8.5 million). Fiscal 2023 also includes debt issuance costs of $8.2 million related to United States Term B-6 Loans due 2030.
We intend to continue to pay cash dividends on our common stock, subject to our compliance with applicable law, and depending on, among other things, our results of operations, financial condition, level of indebtedness, capital requirements, contractual restrictions, restrictions in our debt agreements, business prospects and other factors that our Board of Directors may deem relevant. However, the payment of any future dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and our Board of Directors may, at any time, determine not to continue to declare quarterly dividends.
Fiscal 2023 Compared to Fiscal 2022
Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities
Cash provided by operating activities increased by $47.7 million during fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022. The change was driven by higher net income, inclusive of non-cash adjustments, in fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022, as discussed in "Results of Operations" above. Additionally, cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 2023 was favorably impacted by the change in operating assets and liabilities compared to fiscal 2022 by $36.4 million, which was primarily due to:
•Receivables by $232.9 million, resulting in a lower use of cash during fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 as the prior year period had a higher use of cash from operations returning following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. Both periods were impacted by base and new business growth and timing of collections;
•Accrued expenses by $46.5 million generating a greater source of cash during fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 primarily due to timing of deferred income payments, growth in business operations, higher net severance charges recorded in fiscal 2023 and timing of other payments, which more than offset higher interest payments on borrowings; and
•Inventories by $42.1 million, resulting in a lower use of cash during fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 as the prior year period was impacted from operations returning following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.
These changes in operating assets and liabilities more than offset accounts payable by $276.9 million, resulting in a lower source of cash during fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 from the timing of disbursements.
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During fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022, we received proceeds of $21.4 million and $1.9 million, respectively, related to favorable loss experience in older insurance years under our general liability, automobile liability and workers' compensation programs. "Payments made to clients on contracts" generated a higher use of cash during fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 primarily due to contract renewals and new business. Fiscal 2022 included $51.8 million of proceeds associated with labor related tax credits from many foreign jurisdictions in which we operate as a form of relief from COVID-19. The "Changes in other assets" caption was driven by higher amortization of client investments due to an increase in investments related to base and new business growth, which more than offset higher cash distributions received from our 50% ownership interest in AIM Services Co., Ltd. in fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2023. The "Other operating activities" caption reflects mainly adjustments to net income in the current year and prior year periods related to certain non-cash gains and losses and adjustments to non-operating cash gains and losses.
Cash Flows Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities
The net cash flows provided by investing activities during fiscal 2023 was primarily impacted by proceeds from the sales of equity investments ($633.2 million) (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements) and proceeds from the maturity of United States Treasury securities related to our captive insurance subsidiary ($80.0 million), partially offset by purchases of property and equipment and other ($383.5 million), purchases of United States Treasury securities related to our captive insurance subsidiary ($110.0 million) and acquisitions of certain businesses ($50.2 million).
The net cash flows used in investing activities during fiscal 2022 was impacted by purchases of property and equipment and other ($311.9 million), acquisitions of certain businesses, including Union Supply ($199.6 million) and other acquisitions ($123.2 million) (see Note 3 to the audited consolidated financial statements), purchases of marketable securities ($78.2 million) and the acquisition of equity investments ($64.0 million).
The "Other investing activities" caption includes $37.6 million and $19.0 million of proceeds received during fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022, respectively, relating to possessory interest at one of the National Park sites within our Sports, Leisure & Corrections sector.
Cash Flows Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities
During fiscal 2023, cash provided by financing activities was impacted by the following:
•distribution from Vestis prior to the separation and distribution ($1,456.7 million);
•proceeds from issuance of new United States Term B-6 Loans due 2030 ($1,089.0 million); and
•borrowings under the revolving credit facility ($101.4 million).
Cash provided by financing activities more than offset cash used in the following:
•repayments of United States Term B-3 Loans due 2025 ($1,664.8 million);
•payments of dividends ($114.6 million);
•repayment of borrowing under the Receivables Facility ($104.9 million); and
•repayment of yen denominated term loans due 2026 ($63.0 million).
See Note 6 to the audited consolidated financial statements for additional information on borrowing activities during fiscal 2023.
During fiscal 2022, cash used in financing activities was driven by payments of dividends ($113.1 million) and the repayment of 5.000% 2025 Senior Notes and foreign term loans ($66.7 million), partially offset by borrowing under the Receivables Facility ($104.9 million).
The "Other financing activities" caption also reflects a use of cash during fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022, primarily related to taxes paid by us when we withhold shares upon an employee's exercise or vesting of equity awards to cover income taxes. Fiscal 2023 also includes debt issuance costs of $8.2 million related to United States Term B-6 Loans due 2030.
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Covenant Compliance
The Credit Agreement contains a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to: incur additional indebtedness; issue preferred stock or provide guarantees; create liens on assets; engage in mergers or consolidations; sell assets; pay dividends, make distributions or repurchase our capital stock; make investments, loans or advances; repay or repurchase any subordinated debt, except as scheduled or at maturity; create restrictions on the payment of dividends or other amounts to us from our restricted subsidiaries; make certain acquisitions; engage in certain transactions with affiliates; amend material agreements governing our subordinated debt (or any indebtedness that refinances our subordinated debt); and fundamentally change our business. The indentures governing our senior notes contain similar provisions. As of September 27, 2024, we were in compliance with these covenants.
As stated above, the Credit Agreement and the indentures governing our senior notes contain provisions that restrict our ability to pay dividends and repurchase stock (collectively, "Restricted Payments"). In addition to customary exceptions, the Credit Agreement and indentures permit Restricted Payments in the aggregate up to an amount that increases quarterly by 50% of our Consolidated Net Income, as such term is defined in these debt agreements, subject to being in compliance with the interest coverage ratio described below.
Under the Credit Agreement, we are required to satisfy and maintain specified financial ratios and other financial condition tests and covenants. The indentures governing our senior notes also require us to comply with certain financial ratios in order to take certain actions. Our continued ability to meet those financial ratios, tests and covenants can be affected by events beyond our control, and there can be no assurance that we will meet those ratios, tests and covenants.
These financial ratios, tests and covenants involve the calculation of certain measures that we refer to in this discussion as "Covenant Adjusted EBITDA." Covenant Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("U.S. GAAP"). Covenant Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income of Aramark Services, Inc. ("ASI") and its restricted subsidiaries plus interest expense, net, provision for income taxes, and depreciation and amortization, further adjusted to give effect to adjustments required in calculating covenant ratios and compliance under our Credit Agreement and the indentures governing our senior notes.
Our presentation of these measures has limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under U.S. GAAP. You should not consider these measures as alternatives to net income or operating income determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Covenant Adjusted EBITDA, as presented by us, may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies because not all companies use identical calculations.
The following is a reconciliation of Net income attributable to ASI stockholder, which is a U.S. GAAP measure of ASI''s operating results, to Covenant Adjusted EBITDA as defined in our debt agreements. The terms and related calculations are defined in the Credit Agreement and the indentures governing our senior notes. Covenant Adjusted EBITDA is a measure of ASI and its restricted subsidiaries only and does not include the results of Aramark. The Covenant Adjusted EBITDA for fiscal 2023 includes the reported results of the Uniform segment prior to the spin-off.
| Twelve Months Ended | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | September 27, 2024 | September 29, 2023 | |||||
| Net income attributable to ASI stockholders | $ | 262.5 | $ | 674.1 | |||
| Interest expense, net | 366.7 | 439.6 | |||||
| Provision for income taxes | 103.0 | 177.6 | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 435.5 | 546.4 | |||||
| Share-based compensation expense(1) | 62.6 | 86.9 | |||||
| Unusual or non-recurring (gains) and losses(2) | (22.8) | (422.6) | |||||
| Pro forma EBITDA for certain transactions(3) | 0.8 | 4.0 | |||||
| Other(4)(5) | 126.7 | 100.7 | |||||
| Covenant Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,335.0 | $ | 1,606.7 |
(1) Represents share-based compensation expense resulting from the application of accounting for stock options, restricted stock units, performance stock units, deferred stock units awards and employee stock purchases (see Note 13 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
(2) The twelve months ended September 27, 2024 represents the pre-tax gain from the sale of our remaining equity investment in the San Antonio Spurs NBA franchise ($25.1 million) and the non-cash charge for the impairment of
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certain assets related to a business that was sold ($2.3 million). The twelve months ended September 29, 2023 represents the pre-tax gain from the sale of our equity method investment in AIM Services, Co., Ltd. ($377.1 million), the pre-tax gain from the sale of our equity investment in a foreign company ($51.8 million), the non-cash charge for the impairment of certain assets related to a business that was sold ($5.2 million) and the pre-tax loss from the sale of a portion of our equity investment in the San Antonio Spurs NBA franchise ($1.1 million).
(3) Represents the annualizing of net EBITDA from certain acquisitions and divestitures made during the period.
(4) "Other" for the twelve months ended September 27, 2024 includes adjustments to remove the impact attributable to the adoption of certain accounting standards that are made to the calculation in accordance with the Credit Agreement and indentures ($52.2 million), charges related to our spin-off of the Uniform segment ($29.0 million), non-cash adjustments to inventory based on expected usage ($21.7 million), severance charges ($13.0 million), the reversal of contingent consideration liabilities related to acquisition earn outs, net of expense ($8.1 million), charges related to a ruling on a foreign tax matter ($6.8 million), the impact of hyperinflation in Argentina ($5.4 million), non-cash charges related to the impairment of a trade name ($3.3 million), income related to non-United States governmental wage subsidies ($1.1 million) and other miscellaneous expenses.
(5) "Other" for the twelve months ended September 29, 2023 includes the reversal of contingent consideration liabilities related to acquisition earn outs, net of expense ($85.7 million), charges related to our spin-off of the Uniform segment ($51.1 million), adjustments to remove the impact attributable to the adoption of certain accounting standards that are made to the calculation in accordance with the Credit Agreement and indentures ($47.5 million), net severance charges ($37.5 million), non-cash charges for the impairment of operating lease right-of-use assets and property and equipment related to certain real estate properties ($29.3 million), income related to non-United States governmental wage subsidies ($12.5 million), the impact of hyperinflation in Argentina ($10.4 million), non-cash charges related to information technology assets ($8.2 million), the gain from the sale of land ($6.8 million), net multiemployer pension plan withdrawal charges ($5.9 million), labor charges and other expenses associated with closed or partially closed locations from adverse weather ($5.4 million), legal settlement charges ($2.7 million), non-cash charges for inventory write-downs ($2.6 million), the gain from the change in fair value related to certain gasoline and diesel agreements ($1.9 million) and other miscellaneous expenses.
Our covenant requirements and actual ratios for the twelve months ended September 27, 2024 are as follows:
| Covenant Requirements | Actual Ratios | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio(1) | ≤ 5.125x | 1.99x | |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio)(2) | ≥ 2.000x | 3.73x |
(1) The Credit Agreement requires ASI to maintain a maximum Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio, defined as consolidated total indebtedness secured by a lien to Covenant Adjusted EBITDA, not to exceed 5.125x. Consolidated total indebtedness secured by a lien is defined in the Credit Agreement as total indebtedness consisting of debt for borrowed money, finance leases, debt in respect of sales-leaseback transactions, disqualified and preferred stock and advances under the Receivables Facility secured by a lien reduced by the amount of cash and cash equivalents on the consolidated balance sheets that is free and clear of any lien. Non-compliance with the maximum Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio could result in the requirement to immediately repay all amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement, which, if ASI's lenders under our Credit Agreement (other than the lenders in respect of ASI's United States Term B Loans, which lenders do not benefit from the maximum Consolidated Debt Ratio covenant) failed to waive any such default, would also constitute a default under the indentures governing our senior notes.
(2) Our Credit Agreement establishes an incurrence-based minimum Interest Coverage Ratio, defined as Covenant Adjusted EBITDA to consolidated interest expense, the achievement of which is a condition for us to incur additional indebtedness and to make certain restricted payments and does not result in a default under the Credit Agreement or the indentures governing the senior notes. If we do not maintain this minimum Interest Coverage Ratio calculated on a pro forma basis for any such additional indebtedness or restricted payments, we could be prohibited from being able to (1) incur additional indebtedness, other than the incremental capacity provided for under the Credit Agreement and pursuant to specified exceptions, and (2) make certain restricted payments, other than pursuant to certain exceptions. However, any failure to maintain the minimum Interest Coverage Ratio would not result in a default or an event of default under either the Credit Agreement or the indentures governing the senior notes. The minimum Interest Coverage Ratio is at least 2.000x for the term of the Credit Agreement. Consolidated interest expense is defined in the Credit Agreement as consolidated interest expense excluding interest income, adjusted for acquisitions and dispositions and for certain non-
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cash or nonrecurring interest expense. The indentures governing our senior notes include a similar requirement which is referred to as a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.
We and our subsidiaries and affiliates may from time to time, in our sole discretion, purchase, repay, redeem or retire any of our outstanding debt securities (including any publicly issued debt securities), in privately negotiated or open market transactions, by tender offer or otherwise, or extend or refinance any of our outstanding indebtedness.
The following table summarizes our future obligations for debt repayments, finance leases, estimated interest payments, future minimum rental and similar commitments under noncancelable operating leases as well as contingent obligations related to outstanding letters of credit and guarantees as of September 27, 2024 (dollars in thousands):
| Payments Due by Period | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contractual Obligations as of September 27, 2024 | Total | Less than 1 year | 1-3 years | 3-5 years | More than 5 years | ||||||||||||||
| Long-term borrowings(1) | $ | 5,262,913 | $ | 959,410 | $ | 914,641 | $ | 2,357,612 | $ | 1,031,250 | |||||||||
| Finance lease obligations | 62,051 | 8,104 | 13,192 | 5,936 | 34,819 | ||||||||||||||
| Estimated interest payments(2) | 633,200 | 106,000 | 275,600 | 214,200 | 37,400 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating leases and other noncancelable commitments | 342,138 | 66,067 | 107,020 | 72,623 | 96,428 | ||||||||||||||
| Purchase obligations(3) | 958,969 | 431,560 | 272,828 | 90,391 | 164,190 | ||||||||||||||
| Other liabilities(4) | 555,814 | 167,322 | 112,289 | 28,715 | 247,488 | ||||||||||||||
| $ | 7,815,085 | $ | 1,738,463 | $ | 1,695,570 | $ | 2,769,477 | $ | 1,611,575 | ||||||||||
| Amount of Commitment Expiration by Period | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other Commercial Commitments as of September 27, 2024 | Total Amounts Committed | Less than 1 year | 1-3 years | 3-5 years | More than 5 years | ||||||||||||||
| Letters of credit | $ | 85,308 | $ | 65,308 | $ | 10,000 | $ | 10,000 | $ | — |
(1)Excludes the $22.7 million reduction to long-term borrowings from debt issuance costs, $8.8 million reduction from the discount on the United States Term B-8 Loans due 2030 and $0.4 million reduction from the discount on the United States Term B-4 Loans due 2027.
(2)These amounts represent future interest payments related to our existing debt obligations based on fixed and variable interest rates specified in the associated debt agreements and reflect any current hedging arrangements. Payments related to variable debt are based on applicable rates at September 27, 2024 plus the specified margin in the associated debt agreements for each period presented. The amounts provided relate only to existing debt obligations and do not assume the refinancing or replacement of such debt. The weighted average debt balance for each fiscal year from 2025 through 2030 is $4,835.4 million, $4,316.2 million, $3,854.5 million, $2,272.3 million, $1,284.5 million and $536.6 million, respectively. The weighted average interest rate of our existing debt obligations for each fiscal year from 2025 through 2030 is 2.19%, 2.97%, 3.83%, 5.53%, 6.89% and 6.96%, respectively (see Note 6 to the audited consolidated financial statements for the terms and maturities of existing debt obligations).
(3)Represents mainly the commitments for capital projects to help finance improvements or renovations at the facilities in which we operate.
(4)Includes certain unfunded employee retirement obligations, contingent consideration obligations related to acquisitions, self-insurance obligations, and other obligations.
We have excluded from the table above uncertain tax liabilities due to the uncertainty of the amount and period of payment. As of September 27, 2024, we have gross uncertain tax liabilities of $70.2 million (see Note 11 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
We have a Receivables Facility agreement with four financial institutions where we sell on a continuous basis an undivided interest in all eligible accounts receivable, as defined in the Receivables Facility. The maximum amount available under the Receivables Facility as of September 27, 2024 is $600.0 million. As of September 27, 2024, there are no outstanding borrowings under the Receivables Facility. Amounts borrowed under the Receivables Facility may fluctuate monthly based on our funding requirements and the level of qualified receivables available to collateralize the Receivables Facility.
Pursuant to the Receivables Facility, we formed ARAMARK Receivables, LLC, a wholly-owned, consolidated, bankruptcy-remote subsidiary. ARAMARK Receivables, LLC was formed for the sole purpose of buying and selling receivables generated by certain of our subsidiaries. Under the Receivables Facility, we and certain of our subsidiaries transfer without recourse all of
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our accounts receivable to ARAMARK Receivables, LLC. As collections reduce previously transferred interests, interests in new, eligible receivables are transferred to ARAMARK Receivables, LLC, subject to meeting certain conditions.
Supplemental Consolidating Information
Pursuant to Regulation S-X Rule 13-01, which simplified certain disclosure requirements for guarantors and issuers of guaranteed securities, we are no longer required to provide condensed consolidating financial statements for Aramark and its subsidiaries, including the guarantors and non-guarantors under our Credit Agreement and the indentures governing our senior notes. ASI, the borrower under our Credit Agreement and the indentures governing our senior notes, and its restricted subsidiaries together comprise substantially all of our assets, liabilities and operations, and there are no material differences between the consolidating information related to Aramark and Aramark Intermediate Holdco Corporation, the direct parent of ASI and a guarantor under our Credit Agreement, on the one hand, and ASI and its restricted subsidiaries on a standalone basis, on the other hand.
Other
Our business activities do not include the use of unconsolidated special purpose entities and there are no significant business transactions that have not been reflected in the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements. We insure portions of our risk related to general liability, automobile liability, workers’ compensation liability claims as well as certain property damage risks through a wholly owned captive insurance subsidiary (the "Captive") as part of our approach to risk finance. The Captive is subject to the regulations within its domicile of Bermuda, including regulations established by the Bermuda Monetary Authority (the "BMA") relating to levels of liquidity and solvency as such concepts are defined by the BMA. The Captive was in compliance with these regulations as of September 27, 2024. These regulations may have the effect of limiting our ability to access certain cash and cash equivalents held by the Captive for uses other than for the payment of our general liability, automobile liability, workers’ compensation liability, certain property damage and related Captive costs. As of September 27, 2024 and September 29, 2023, cash and cash equivalents at the Captive were $94.7 million and $32.8 million, respectively. The Captive also invests in United States Treasury securities where the amount of these investments as of September 27, 2024 and September 29, 2023 was $42.3 million and $110.7 million, respectively, and recorded in "Prepayments and other current assets" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Our significant accounting policies are described in the notes to the audited consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.
In preparing our financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that, among other things, affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses. These estimates and assumptions are most significant where they involve levels of subjectivity and judgment necessary to account for highly uncertain matters or matters susceptible to change, and where they can have a material impact on our financial condition and operating performance. If actual results were to differ materially from the estimates made, the reported results could be materially affected.
Critical accounting estimates and the related assumptions are evaluated periodically as conditions warrant, and changes to such estimates are recorded as new information or changed conditions require.
Asset Impairment Determinations
Indefinite lived intangible assets that are not amortized are subject to an impairment test that we conduct annually or more frequently if a change in circumstances or the occurrence of events indicates that potential impairment exists. For goodwill, we perform the assessment of goodwill at the reporting unit level, which is an operating segment or one level below the operating segment. The impairment test may first consider qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Examples of qualitative factors include, macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance, entity-specific events, events affecting reporting units and sustained changes in our stock price. If results of the qualitative assessment indicate a more likely than not determination or if a qualitative assessment is not performed, a quantitative test is performed by comparing the estimated fair value using a discounted cash flow method or market method for each reporting unit with its estimated net book value.
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, we performed the annual impairment test for goodwill for each of our reporting units using a quantitative testing approach. Based on the evaluation performed, we determined that the fair value of each of the reporting units significantly exceeded its respective carrying amount, and therefore, we determined that goodwill was not impaired.
The determination of fair value for each reporting unit includes assumptions, which are considered Level 3 inputs, that are subject to risk and uncertainty. The discounted cash flow calculations are dependent on several subjective factors including the timing of future cash flows, the underlying margin projection assumptions, future growth rates and the discount rate. The
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market based method is dependent on several subjective factors including the determination of market multiples and future cash flows. If our assumptions or estimates in our fair value calculations change or if future cash flows, margin projections or future growth rates vary from what was expected, this may impact our impairment analysis and could reduce the underlying cash flows used to estimate fair values and result in a decline in fair value that may trigger future impairment charges.
With respect to our other long-lived assets, we are required to test for asset impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. If indicators of impairment are present, we compare the sum of the future expected cash flows from the asset, undiscounted and without interest charges, to the asset’s carrying value. If the sum of the future expected cash flows from the asset is less than the carrying value, an impairment would be recognized for the difference between the estimated fair value and the carrying value of the asset.
In making future cash flow analyses of various assets, we make assumptions relating to the following:
• the intended use of assets and the expected future cash flows resulting directly from such use;
• comparable market valuations of businesses similar to Aramark's business segments;
• industry specific economic conditions;
• competitor activities and regulatory initiatives; and
• client and customer preferences and behavior patterns.
We believe that an accounting estimate relating to asset impairment is a critical accounting estimate because the assumptions underlying future cash flow estimates are subject to change from time to time and the recognition of an impairment could have a significant impact on our Consolidated Statements of Income.
Litigation and Claims
From time to time, we and our subsidiaries are party to various legal actions, proceedings and investigations involving claims incidental to the conduct of our business, including actions by clients, customers, employees, government entities and third parties, including under federal, state, international, national, provincial and local employment laws, wage and hour laws, discrimination laws, immigration laws, human health and safety laws, import and export controls and customs laws, environmental laws, ESG-related non-financial disclosure laws, false claims or whistleblower statutes, minority, women and disadvantaged business enterprise statutes, tax codes, antitrust and competition laws, consumer protection statutes, procurement regulations, intellectual property laws, food safety and sanitation laws, cost and accounting principles, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.K. Bribery Act, other anti-corruption laws, lobbying laws, motor carrier safety laws, data privacy and security laws and alcohol licensing and service laws, or alleging negligence and/or breach of contractual and other obligations. We consider the measurement of litigation reserves as a critical accounting estimate because of the significant uncertainty in some cases relating to the outcome of potential claims or litigation and the difficulty of predicting the likelihood and range of potential liability involved, coupled with the material impact on our results of operations that could result from litigation or other claims. In determining legal reserves, we consider, among other issues:
• interpretation of contractual rights and obligations;
• the status of government regulatory initiatives, interpretations and investigations;
• the status of settlement negotiations;
• prior experience with similar types of claims;
• whether there is available insurance; and
• advice of counsel.
We were involved in a dispute with a client regarding our provision of services pursuant to a contract. During fiscal 2022, we resolved the matter by entering into a settlement agreement with the client whereby our obligations totaled $13.6 million, resulting in a reversal of previously reserved amounts of $5.7 million, which is included in "Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)" on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Self-Insurance Reserves
We self-insure for obligations related to certain risks that we retain under our casualty program, which includes general liability, automobile liability and workers’ compensation liability, as well as for certain property damage risks and employee healthcare benefit programs. The accounting estimates related to our self-insurance reserves are critical accounting estimates because changes in our claim experience, our ability to settle claims or other estimates and judgments we use could potentially have a material impact on our results of operations. Our reserves for retained costs associated with our casualty program are estimated through actuarial methods, with the assistance of third-party actuaries, using loss development assumptions based on
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our claims history. Our casualty program reserves take into account reported claims as well as incurred-but-not-reported losses using loss development factors based upon past experience. In order to determine the loss development factors, we make judgments relating to the nature, frequency, severity, and age of claims, and industry, regulatory and company-specific trends impacting the development of claims. The actual cost to settle our self-insured casualty claim liabilities can differ from our reserve estimates because of a number of uncertainties, including the inherent difficulty in estimating the severity of a claim and the potential amount to defend and settle a claim.
As of September 27, 2024 and September 29, 2023, our self-insurance reserves were $248.6 million and $262.0 million, respectively.
Income Taxes
We are subject to income taxes in the United States and in many foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes, our deferred tax assets and liabilities and any valuation allowances recorded against our net deferred tax assets. We record valuation allowances for our net deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that they will not be realized. We monitor the realizability of our deferred tax assets taking into account all relevant factors at each reporting period. In completing our assessment of realizability of our deferred tax assets, we consider our history of income measured at pre-tax income adjusted for permanent book-tax differences on a jurisdictional basis, volatility in actual earnings, and impacts of the timing of reversal of existing temporary differences. We also rely on our assessment of the Company’s projected future results of business operations, including uncertainty in future operating results relative to historical results, volatility in the market price of our common stock and its performance over time, variable macroeconomic conditions impacting our ability to forecast future taxable income, and changes in business that may affect the existence and magnitude of future taxable income. Our valuation allowance assessment is based on our best estimate of future results considering all available information.
As of September 27, 2024 and September 29, 2023, our valuation allowance reserves recorded against deferred tax assets were $80.6 million and $78.2 million, respectively (see Note 11 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
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New Accounting Standards Updates
See Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements for a full description of recent accounting standards updates, including the expected dates of adoption.
FY 2023 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001584509-23-000237.
Item 7.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of Aramark's (the "Company," "we," "our" and "us") financial condition and results of operations for the fiscal years ended September 29, 2023 and September 30, 2022 should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and the notes to those statements. Discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 compared to the fiscal year ended October 1, 2021 is included under the heading Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Results of Operations - Fiscal 2022 Compared to Fiscal 2021 and - Liquidity and Capital Resources” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on November 22, 2022.
Our discussion contains forward-looking statements, such as our plans, objectives, opinions, expectations, anticipations, intentions and beliefs, that are based upon our current expectations but that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in those forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those set forth under "Risk Factors," "Special Note About Forward-looking Statements" and "Business" sections and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K ("Annual Report"). In the following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations, certain financial measures may be considered “non-GAAP financial measures” under SEC rules. These rules require supplemental explanation and reconciliation, which is provided elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Overview
We are a leading global provider of food and facilities services to education, healthcare, business & industry and sports, leisure & corrections clients. Our core market is the United States, which is supplemented by an additional 14-country footprint. We also provide our services on a more limited basis in several additional countries and in offshore locations. Through our established brand, broad geographic presence and employees, we anchor our business in our partnerships with thousands of clients. Through these partnerships we serve millions of customers including students, patients, employees, sports fans and guests worldwide.
Subsequent to the end of fiscal 2023, we completed the previously announced separation of our Uniform segment into an independent publicly traded company, Vestis Corporation (“Vestis”), on September 30, 2023. Going forward, we plan to operate our remaining Food and Support Services business in two geographic reportable segments split between our United States and International operations.
Prior to the separation, we operated our business in three reportable segments:
•Food and Support Services United States ("FSS United States") - Food, refreshment, specialized dietary and support services, including facility maintenance and housekeeping, provided to business, educational and healthcare institutions and in sports, leisure and other facilities serving the general public in the United States.
•Food and Support Services International ("FSS International") - Food, refreshment, specialized dietary and support services, including facility maintenance and housekeeping, provided to business, educational and healthcare institutions and in sports, leisure and other facilities serving the general public. We have operations in 14 countries outside the United States. Our largest international operations are in Canada, Chile, China, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom, and in a majority of these countries we are one of the leading food and/or facility services providers.
•Uniform and Career Apparel ("Uniform") - Provided a full-service employee uniform solution, resulting in a contracted and recurring revenue model. The customer base was serviced by a leading geographic footprint in the United States and Canada with programs focused on uniforms, floor mats, towels, linens, restroom supplies, first-aid supplies, safety products and other workplace supplies. Customers operated in the United States and Canada in a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, hospitality, retail, food processing, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and automotive.
Our Food and Support Services operations focus on serving clients in five principal sectors: Business & Industry, Education, Healthcare, Sports, Leisure & Corrections and Facilities & Other. Our FSS International reportable segment provides a similar range of services as those provided to our FSS United States clients and operates in the same sectors. Administrative expenses not allocated to our reportable segments are presented separately as corporate expenses.
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Aramark’s Spin-off of the Uniform Segment
The separation of our Uniform segment was structured as a tax free spin-off, which occurred by way of a pro rata distribution to Aramark stockholders. Each of the Aramark stockholders received one share of Vestis common stock for every two shares of Aramark common stock held of record as of the close of business on September 20, 2023. Vestis is now an independent public company under the symbol “VSTS” on the New York Stock Exchange. With the completion of the separation and distribution, the historical results of the Uniform segment will be presented as discontinued operations in the Company's consolidated financial statements beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2024. Refer to Note 15 to the audited consolidated financial statements for Uniform reportable segment financial disclosures.
Business Update
Continued volatility of global economies and financial markets caused by global events and other factors, including the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the recent Israel-Hamas War and escalating tensions in the region, has caused inflation in product, energy and labor costs, has increased market interest rates and has driven significant changes in foreign currencies. Although we continue to see a moderation in inflation in some markets around the world, including the United States, we continue to evaluate and react to the effects of global economic disruptions, including inflationary pressures on product and energy costs and greater labor challenges. We expect these challenges to continue in the near-term, and we regularly evaluate and believe we take appropriate actions to mitigate risk in these areas. This includes addressing inflation and global supply chain disruption through management of operating costs, including supply chain initiatives and pricing pass-throughs.
Acquisition
On June 2, 2022, we completed the acquisition of Union Supply Group, Inc. ("Union Supply"), a commissary goods and services supplier, for cash consideration of $199.6 million, plus contingent consideration (see Note 2 and Note 16 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
Sale of AIM Services Co., Ltd Equity Investment
On April 6, 2023, we sold our 50% ownership interest in AIM Services Co., Ltd., a leading Japanese food services company, to Mitsui & Co., Ltd. for $535.0 million in cash in a taxable transaction resulting in a pre-tax gain on sale of this equity investment of $377.1 million ($278.7 million net of tax) during fiscal 2023 (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
Seasonality
Our revenue and operating results have varied, and we expect them to continue to vary, from quarter to quarter as a result of different factors. Historically, within our FSS United States segment, there has been a lower level of activity during our first and second fiscal quarters in operations that provide services to sports and leisure clients. This lower level of activity, historically, has been partially offset during our first and second fiscal quarters by the increased activity levels in our educational operations. Conversely, historically there has been a significant increase in the provision of services to sports and leisure clients during our third and fourth fiscal quarters, which is partially offset by the effect of summer recess at colleges, universities and schools in our educational operations.
Sources of Revenue
Our clients engage us, generally through written contracts, to provide our services at their locations. Depending on the type of client and service, we are paid either by our client or directly by the customer to whom we have been provided access by our client. We typically use either profit and loss contracts or client interest contracts in our FSS United States and FSS International segments. These contracts differ in their provision for the amount of financial risk we bear and, accordingly, the potential compensation, profits or fees we may receive. Under profit and loss contracts, we receive all of the revenue from, and bear all of the expenses of, the provision of our services at a client location. For fiscal 2023, approximately two-thirds of our FSS United States and FSS International segment revenue was derived from profit and loss contracts. Client interest contracts include management fee contracts, under which our clients reimburse our operating costs and pay us a management fee, which may be calculated as a fixed dollar amount or a percentage of revenue or operating costs. Some management fee contracts entitle us to receive incentive fees based upon our performance under the contract, as measured by factors such as revenue, operating costs and customer satisfaction surveys. For fiscal 2023, approximately one-third of our FSS United States and FSS International segment revenue was derived from client interest contracts.
Costs and Expenses
Our costs and expenses are comprised of cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization), depreciation and amortization and selling and general corporate expenses. Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) consists of direct expenses associated with our operations, which includes food costs, wages, other labor-related expenses (including workers' compensation, severance, state unemployment insurance and federal or state mandated health benefits and other healthcare costs), insurance, fuel, utilities, piece goods and clothing and equipment. Direct expense related to
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food costs within Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) are offset by rebates, vendor allowances and volume discounts. Depreciation and amortization expenses mainly relate to assets used in generating revenue. Selling and general corporate expenses include sales commissions, severance, share-based compensation and other unallocated costs related to administrative functions including finance, legal and human resources.
Interest and Other Financing Costs, net
Interest and other financing costs, net, relates primarily to interest expense on long-term borrowings. Interest and other financing costs, net also includes third-party costs associated with long-term borrowings that were capitalized and are being amortized over the term of the borrowing.
Provision for Income Taxes
The Provision for Income Taxes represents federal, foreign, state and local income taxes. Our effective tax rate differs from the statutory United States income tax rate due to the effect of state and local income taxes, tax rates in foreign jurisdictions, tax credits and certain nondeductible expenses. Our effective tax rate will change from quarter to quarter based on recurring and nonrecurring factors including, but not limited to, the geographical mix of earnings, state and local income taxes, tax audit settlements, share-based award exercise activity and enacted tax legislation, including certain business tax credits. Changes in judgment due to the evaluation of new information resulting in the recognition, derecognition or remeasurement of a tax position taken in a prior annual period are recognized separately in the quarter of the change.
Foreign Currency Fluctuations
The impact from foreign currency translation assumes constant foreign currency exchange rates based on the rates in effect for the prior year period being used in translation for the comparable current year period. We believe that providing the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency rates on certain financial results can facilitate analysis of period-to-period comparisons of business performance.
Fiscal Year
Our fiscal year is the fifty-two or fifty-three week period which ends on the Friday nearest to September 30th. The fiscal years ended September 29, 2023 and September 30, 2022 were each a fifty-two week period.
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Results of Operations
Fiscal 2023 Compared to Fiscal 2022
The following tables present an overview of our results on a consolidated and segment basis with the amount of and percentage change between periods for the fiscal years 2023 and 2022 (dollars in millions).
| Fiscal Year Ended | Change | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 29, 2023 | September 30, 2022 | $ | % | ||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 18,853.9 | $ | 16,326.6 | $ | 2,527.3 | 15.5 | % | |||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | |||||||||||||||
| Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | 17,037.8 | 14,767.5 | 2,270.3 | 15.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Other operating expenses | 953.2 | 930.7 | 22.5 | 2.4 | % | ||||||||||
| 17,991.0 | 15,698.2 | 2,292.8 | 14.6 | % | |||||||||||
| Operating income | 862.9 | 628.4 | 234.5 | 37.3 | % | ||||||||||
| Gain on Equity Investments, net | (427.8) | — | (427.8) | (100.0) | % | ||||||||||
| Interest and Other Financing Costs, net | 439.6 | 372.8 | 66.8 | 17.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Income Before Income Taxes | 851.1 | 255.6 | 595.5 | 232.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Provision for Income Taxes | 177.6 | 61.4 | 116.2 | 189.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 673.5 | $ | 194.2 | $ | 479.3 | 246.9 | % |
| Fiscal Year Ended | Change | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue by Segment(1) | September 29, 2023 | September 30, 2022 | $ | % | |||||||||||
| FSS United States | $ | 11,721.4 | $ | 10,030.8 | $ | 1,690.6 | 16.9 | % | |||||||
| FSS International | 4,361.8 | 3,656.4 | 705.4 | 19.3 | % | ||||||||||
| Uniform | 2,770.7 | 2,639.4 | 131.3 | 5.0 | % | ||||||||||
| $ | 18,853.9 | $ | 16,326.6 | $ | 2,527.3 | 15.5 | % | ||||||||
| Fiscal Year Ended | Change | Change | |||||||||||||
| Operating Income by Segment | September 29, 2023 | September 30, 2022 | $ | % | |||||||||||
| FSS United States | $ | 669.5 | $ | 449.0 | $ | 220.5 | 49.1 | % | |||||||
| FSS International | 114.5 | 112.5 | 2.0 | 1.7 | % | ||||||||||
| Uniform | 227.3 | 218.1 | 9.2 | 4.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Corporate | (148.4) | (151.2) | 2.8 | 1.9 | % | ||||||||||
| $ | 862.9 | $ | 628.4 | $ | 234.5 | 37.3 | % |
(1) As a percentage of total revenue, FSS United States represented 62.2% and 61.4%, FSS International represented 23.1% and 22.4% and Uniform represented 14.7% and 16.2% for fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022, respectively.
Consolidated Overview
Revenue increased by 15.5% during fiscal 2023 compared to the prior year period, which was primarily attributable to growth in base business, including pricing pass-throughs, and net new business. In addition, the Union Supply acquisition contributed an additional 1.2% of revenue compared to the prior year period. Foreign currency translation unfavorably impacted revenue during fiscal 2023 by 1.3%.
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The following table presents the cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) by segment and as a percent of revenue for the fiscal years ended September 29, 2023 and September 30, 2022.
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 29, 2023 | September 30, 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | $ | % of Revenue | $ | % of Revenue | ||||||||||
| FSS United States | $ | 10,596.0 | 90.4 | % | $ | 9,145.0 | 91.2 | % | ||||||
| FSS International | 4,159.1 | 95.4 | % | 3,456.5 | 94.5 | % | ||||||||
| Uniform | 2,282.7 | 82.4 | % | 2,166.0 | 82.1 | % | ||||||||
| $ | 17,037.8 | 90.4 | % | $ | 14,767.5 | 90.5 | % |
The following table presents the percentages attributable to the components in cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) for fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022.
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) components | September 29, 2023 | September 30, 2022 | ||||
| Food and support service costs(1) | 28.8 | % | 26.5 | % | ||
| Personnel costs(2) | 45.8 | % | 47.7 | % | ||
| Other direct costs(3) | 25.4 | % | 25.8 | % | ||
| 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
(1) Food and support service costs represented a higher proportion of total cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) during fiscal 2023 compared to the prior year period mainly from product cost inflation and volume increases due to revenue growth.
(2) Personnel costs decreased as a percentage of total cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) during fiscal 2023 compared to the prior year period due to food and support service costs increasing at a higher proportion as compared to personnel costs.
(3) Other direct costs represented a lower proportion of total cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) during fiscal 2023 driven by food and support service costs increasing at a higher proportion as compared to other direct costs. In addition, fiscal 2023 was impacted by $70.6 million of incremental non-cash income from the reduction of contingent consideration liabilities, net of compensation expense, related to acquisition earn outs as compared to the prior year (see Note 16 to the audited consolidated financial statements) and impairment charges of operating lease right of use assets, property and equipment and other costs related to certain real estate properties of $26.7 million (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
Operating income increased by $234.5 million during fiscal 2023 compared to the prior year period, which was driven by base business growth, including volume recovery from COVID-19, and effective cost management. The increase in operating income during fiscal 2023 also benefited from higher non-cash income from the reduction of the contingent consideration liabilities related to acquisition earn outs, net of expense ($70.6 million) (see Note 16 to the audited consolidated financial statements), prior year charge related to inventory write-downs to zero net realizable value for personal protective equipment ($20.5 million) and from higher income related to favorable loss experience under our general liability, automotive liability and workers' compensation liability programs when compared to fiscal 2022 ($19.1 million).
These increases in operating income during fiscal 2023 more than offset:
•increased inflationary costs in product, energy and labor;
•higher personnel and other expenses related to the spin-off of the Uniform segment ($41.8 million);
•impairment charges of operating lease right-of-use assets and property and equipment and other costs related to certain real estate properties ($26.7 million) (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements);
•prior year labor related tax credits provided from governmental assistance programs ($24.5 million);
•higher severance charges ($20.8 million) (see Note 3 to the audited consolidated financial statements); and
•negative impact of foreign currency translation ($10.2 million).
During fiscal 2023, we recognized a $377.1 million gain on the sale of our 50% ownership interest in AIM Services Co., Ltd. and a $51.8 million gain on the sale of the ownership interest in an equity investment in a foreign company, which is included in "Gain on Equity Investments, net" on the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements). This gain was partially offset by a $1.1 million loss from the sale of a portion of our equity investment in the San Antonio Spurs NBA franchise (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
Interest and Other Financing Costs, net, increased 17.9% during fiscal 2023 compared to the prior year period. The increase for fiscal 2023 was primarily due to higher interest rates related to our senior secured term loan facilities and our Receivables Facility and revolving credit facility.
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The Provision for Income Taxes for fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022 was recorded at an effective tax rate of 20.9% and 24.0%, respectively. The lower effective tax rate in the current year compared to the prior year was driven by favorable tax effects from the sale of our equity investment in a foreign company (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements) and the reversal of a portion of the Union Supply contingent consideration liability (see Note 16 to the audited consolidated financial statements), as the majority of the gains from these transactions were not subject to tax. During fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022, we recorded an income tax benefit of $3.8 million and $8.5 million, respectively, for the reversal of a valuation allowance at a subsidiary in the FSS International segment driven by our ability to utilize deferred tax assets based on future taxable income expected due to business acquisitions. We also recorded a benefit to the Provision for Income Taxes of $4.2 million during fiscal 2022 due to a state tax law change (see Note 10 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
Segment Results
FSS United States Segment
The FSS United States reportable segment consists of five sectors which have similar economic characteristics and comprise a single operating segment. The five sectors of the FSS United States reportable segment are Business & Industry, Education, Healthcare, Sports, Leisure & Corrections and Facilities & Other.
Revenue for each of these sectors is summarized as follows (in millions):
| Fiscal Year Ended | Change | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 29, 2023 | September 30, 2022 | % | |||||||||
| Business & Industry | $ | 1,407.2 | $ | 1,081.2 | 30.2 | % | |||||
| Education | 3,437.0 | 3,161.5 | 8.7 | % | |||||||
| Healthcare | 1,318.3 | 1,235.8 | 6.7 | % | |||||||
| Sports, Leisure & Corrections | 3,537.1 | 2,722.0 | 29.9 | % | |||||||
| Facilities & Other | 2,021.8 | 1,830.3 | 10.5 | % | |||||||
| $ | 11,721.4 | $ | 10,030.8 | 16.9 | % |
The Healthcare and Facilities & Other sectors had high-single digit operating income margins, consistent with prior year. The Education and Sports, Leisure & Corrections sectors had mid-single digit operating income margins, consistent with prior year. The Business & Industry sector had low-single digit operating income margins compared to negative low-single digit operating income margins in the prior year. During the COVID-19 pandemic and in following periods, operating income margin in certain sectors within the FSS United States reportable segment have differed from our otherwise historical patterns, particularly in the Business & Industry sector.
FSS United States segment revenue increased by approximately 16.9% during fiscal 2023 compared to the prior year period. The increase was primarily attributable to base business growth, including contract price increases mainly within the Corrections and Higher Education businesses, and net new business growth. The Sports, Leisure & Corrections sector increased due to higher per capita customer spending in stadiums and arenas and the acquisition of Union Supply, which contributed an additional 2.0% of revenue during fiscal 2023 as compared to the prior year period. The Business & Industry sector increased due to client personnel continuing to return to office locations.
Operating income increased by $220.5 million during fiscal 2023 compared to the prior year period. The increase during fiscal 2023 was attributable to:
•base business growth, including volume recovery from COVID-19, and effective cost management;
•higher non-cash income from the reduction of the contingent consideration liabilities related to acquisition earn outs, net of expense ($70.6 million) (see Note 16 to the audited consolidated financial statements);
•higher income related to favorable loss experience under our general liability, automotive liability and workers' compensation liability programs when compared to fiscal 2022 ($19.1 million); and
•higher income attributed to the Union Supply acquisition as compared to the prior year period ($10.6 million).
These increases in operating income during fiscal 2023 more than offset the following:
•increased inflationary costs in food and labor;
•non-cash charges for the impairment of operating lease right-of-use assets and property and equipment related to certain real estate properties ($19.0 million) (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements); and
•non-cash charge for the impairment of computer software assets ($8.2 million).
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FSS International Segment
FSS International segment revenue increased by approximately 19.3% during fiscal 2023 compared to the prior year period. The increase was primarily attributable to base business growth, including contract price increases, and net new business growth. The growth in revenue was offset by the negative impact of foreign currency translation (5.0%).
Operating income increased by $2.0 million during fiscal 2023 compared to the prior year period. The increase was attributable to growth in base and net new business and lower personnel costs from headcount reductions taken during the second quarter of fiscal 2023 and late fiscal 2022. These increases in operating income during fiscal 2023 more than offset the following:
•increased inflationary costs in product and labor;
•decline in profit related to the sale of our 50% ownership interest in AIM Services Co., Ltd.;
•prior year labor related tax credits provided from governmental assistance programs ($24.1 million);
•higher severance charges ($18.0 million) (see Note 3 to the audited consolidated financial statements);
•prior year favorable impact related to a client contract dispute ($9.6 million);
•unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation ($7.8 million);
•higher currency translation losses from Argentina hyperinflation ($7.0 million) (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements); and
•non-cash charges for the impairment of certain assets related to a business that was sold ($5.2 million).
Uniform Segment
Uniform segment revenue increased by approximately 5.0% during fiscal 2023 compared to the prior year period. The increase was primarily due to base business growth and contract price increases.
Operating income increased by $9.2 million during fiscal 2023 compared to the prior year period. The increase was mostly attributable to:
•base business growth;
•lower personnel costs from headcount reductions taken during the second quarter of fiscal 2023;
•prior year charge related to inventory write-downs to zero net realizable value for personal protective equipment ($20.5 million); and
•gain from the sale of land ($6.8 million).
These increases in operating income during fiscal 2023 more than offset the following:
•increased inflationary costs in product, energy and labor;
•higher expenses related to the spin-off of the Uniform segment ($27.0 million);
•charges for the impairment of operating lease right-of-use assets and other costs related to certain real estate properties ($7.7 million) (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements); and
•current year severance charges ($6.6 million) (see Note 3 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
Corporate
Corporate expenses, those administrative expenses not allocated to the business segments, decreased by $2.8 million during fiscal 2023 compared to the prior year period. The decrease was attributable to:
•lower share-based compensation expense ($8.6 million) compared to the prior period (see Note 12 to the audited consolidated financial statements); and
•favorable change in fair value of certain gasoline and diesel agreements ($8.3 million).
These decreases in corporate expenses during fiscal 2023 more than offset higher expenses related to the spin-off of the Uniform segment compared to prior year period ($14.8 million).
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
Our principal sources of liquidity are cash generated from operating activities, funds from borrowings, investments in marketable securities and existing cash on hand. As of September 29, 2023, we had $1,963.1 million of cash and cash
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equivalents, $953.8 million of availability under our senior secured revolving credit facility and $600.0 million of availability under the Receivables Facility. On October 2, 2023, we repaid the $1,500.0 million 6.375% Senior Notes due May 1, 2025 ("6.375% Senior Notes due 2025") from existing cash on hand at year-end in conjunction with the separation and distribution of the Uniform segment. In addition, the Uniform segment United States dollar denominated term loan of $800.0 million, due September 2025 ("United States Term A-1 Loans due September 2025") and United States dollar denominated term loan of $700.0 million, due September 2028 ("United States Term A-2 Loans due September 2028") will be removed from Aramark’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as a result of the separation and distribution of the Uniform segment on September 30, 2023. A significant portion of our cash and cash equivalents are held in mature, liquid geographies where we have operations. As of September 29, 2023, there were $685.7 million of outstanding foreign currency borrowings. See Note 5 to the audited consolidated financial statements for additional information on the Uniform segment's new United States dollar denominated term loan borrowings.
We believe that our cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and availability under our revolving credit facility and Receivables Facility will be adequate to meet anticipated cash requirements for the foreseeable future to fund working capital, capital spending, debt service obligations, refinancings, dividends and other cash needs. We also have flexibility to optimize working capital and defer certain capital expenditures as appropriate without a material impact to the business. We believe that our assumptions used to estimate our liquidity and working capital requirements are reasonable. For additional information regarding the risks associated with our liquidity and capital resources, see Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors."
The table below summarizes our cash activity (in millions):
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 29, 2023 | September 30, 2022 | |||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 766.4 | $ | 694.5 | ||
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 208.9 | (831.3) | ||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 653.6 | (37.7) |
Reference to the audited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows will facilitate understanding of the discussion that follows.
Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities
Cash provided by operating activities increased by $71.9 million during fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022. The change was driven by higher net income, inclusive of non-cash adjustments, in fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022, as discussed in "Results of Operations" above. Additionally, cash provided by operating activities was favorably impacted by the change in operating assets and liabilities compared to the prior year period by $36.1 million, which was primarily due to:
•Receivables by $261.2 million, resulting in a lower use of cash during fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 as the prior year period had a higher use of cash from operations returning following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. Both periods were impacted by base and new business growth and timing of collections;
•Accrued expenses by $74.9 million generating a greater source of cash during fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 primarily due to timing of deferred income payments, growth in business operations, higher severance charges recorded in fiscal 2023 and timing of other payments, which more than offset higher interest payments on borrowings; and
•Inventories by $33.6 million, resulting in a lower use of cash during fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 as the prior year period was impacted from operations returning following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.
These changes in operating assets and liabilities more than offset:
•Accounts payable by $329.1 million, resulting in a lower source of cash during fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 from the timing of disbursements.
During fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022, we received proceeds of $21.4 million and $1.9 million, respectively, related to favorable loss experience in older insurance years under our general liability, automobile liability and workers' compensation programs. "Payments made to clients on contracts" generated a higher use of cash during fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 primarily due to contract renewals and new business. Fiscal 2022 included $57.7 million of proceeds associated with labor related tax credits from many foreign jurisdictions in which we operate as a form of relief from COVID-19. The "Changes in other assets" caption was driven by the prior year increase to in-service rental merchandise from operations returning after COVID-19 restrictions lifted and higher amortization of client investments due to an increase in investments related to base and new business growth, which more than offset higher cash distributions received from our 50% ownership interest in AIM Services Co., Ltd. in fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2023. The "Other operating activities" caption reflects mainly adjustments to net
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income in the current year and prior year periods related to certain non-cash gains and losses and adjustments to non-operating cash gains and losses.
Cash Flows Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities
The net cash flows provided by investing activities during fiscal 2023 was primarily impacted by proceeds from the sales of equity investments ($685.0 million) (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements) and proceeds from the maturity of United States Treasury securities related to our captive insurance subsidiary ($80.0 million), offset by purchases of property and equipment and other ($461.4 million), purchases of United States Treasury securities related to our captive insurance subsidiary ($110.0 million) and acquisitions of certain businesses ($50.2 million).
The net cash flows used in investing activities during fiscal 2022 was impacted by purchases of property and equipment and other ($388.4 million), acquisitions of certain businesses, including Union Supply ($199.6 million) and other acquisitions ($140.4 million) (see Note 2 to the audited consolidated financial statements), purchases of marketable securities ($78.2 million) and the acquisition of equity investments ($64.0 million).
The "Other investing activities" caption includes $37.6 million and $19.0 million of proceeds received during fiscal 2023 and 2022, respectively, relating to the recovery of our investment (possessory interest) at one of the National Park Service sites within our Sports, Leisure & Corrections sector.
Cash Flows Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities
During fiscal 2023, cash provided by financing activities was impacted by the following:
•proceeds from issuance of new United States Term B-6 Loans due 2030 ($1,089.0 million);
•proceeds from Uniform issuance of new United States Term A-1 Loans due 2025 ($800.0 million);
•proceeds from Uniform issuance of new United States Term A-2 Loans due 2028 ($700.0 million); and
•borrowings under the revolving credit facility ($101.4 million).
Cash provided by financing activity more than offset cash used in the following:
•repayments of United States Term B-3 Loans due 2025 ($1,664.8 million);
•payments of dividends ($114.6 million);
•repayment of borrowing under the Receivables Facility ($104.9 million); and
•repayment of yen denominated term loans due 2026 ($63.0 million).
See Note 5 to the audited consolidated financial statements for additional information on borrowing activities during fiscal 2023.
During fiscal 2022, cash used in financing activities was impacted by the following:
•payments of dividends ($113.1 million);
•borrowing under the Receivables Facility ($104.9 million); and
•the repayment of 5.000% 2025 Senior Notes and foreign term loans ($66.7 million).
The "Other financing activities" caption also reflects a use of cash during fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022, primarily related to taxes paid by us when we withhold shares upon an employee's exercise or vesting of equity awards to cover income taxes. Fiscal 2023 also includes debt issuance costs of $22.6 million mainly related to Uniform's new United States Term A-1 and A-2 loan borrowings and Aramark's new United States Term B-6 Loans due 2030.
We intend to continue to pay cash dividends on our common stock, subject to our compliance with applicable law, and depending on, among other things, our results of operations, financial condition, level of indebtedness, capital requirements, contractual restrictions, restrictions in our debt agreements, business prospects and other factors that our Board of Directors may deem relevant. However, the payment of any future dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and our Board of Directors may, at any time, determine not to continue to declare quarterly dividends.
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Covenant Compliance
The Credit Agreement contains a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to: incur additional indebtedness; issue preferred stock or provide guarantees; create liens on assets; engage in mergers or consolidations; sell assets; pay dividends, make distributions or repurchase our capital stock; make investments, loans or advances; repay or repurchase any subordinated debt, except as scheduled or at maturity; create restrictions on the payment of dividends or other amounts to us from our restricted subsidiaries; make certain acquisitions; engage in certain transactions with affiliates; amend material agreements governing our subordinated debt (or any indebtedness that refinances our subordinated debt); and fundamentally change our business. The indentures governing our senior notes contain similar provisions. As of September 29, 2023, we were in compliance with these covenants.
As stated above, the Credit Agreement and the indentures governing our senior notes contain provisions that restrict our ability to pay dividends and repurchase stock (collectively, "Restricted Payments"). In addition to customary exceptions, the Credit Agreement and indentures permit Restricted Payments in the aggregate up to an amount that increases quarterly by 50% of our Consolidated Net Income, as such term is defined in these debt agreements, subject to being in compliance with the interest coverage ratio described below.
Under the Credit Agreement, we are required to satisfy and maintain specified financial ratios and other financial condition tests and covenants. The indentures governing our senior notes also require us to comply with certain financial ratios in order to take certain actions. Our continued ability to meet those financial ratios, tests and covenants can be affected by events beyond our control, and there can be no assurance that we will meet those ratios, tests and covenants.
These financial ratios, tests and covenants involve the calculation of certain measures that we refer to in this discussion as "Covenant Adjusted EBITDA." Covenant Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("U.S. GAAP"). Covenant Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income of Aramark Services, Inc. ("ASI") and its restricted subsidiaries plus interest and other financing costs, net, provision for income taxes, and depreciation and amortization, further adjusted to give effect to adjustments required in calculating covenant ratios and compliance under our Credit Agreement and the indentures governing our senior notes.
Our presentation of these measures has limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under U.S. GAAP. You should not consider these measures as alternatives to net income or operating income determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Covenant Adjusted EBITDA, as presented by us, may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies because not all companies use identical calculations.
The following is a reconciliation of Net income attributable to ASI stockholder, which is a U.S. GAAP measure of ASI''s operating results, to Covenant Adjusted EBITDA as defined in our debt agreements. The terms and related calculations are defined in the Credit Agreement and the indentures governing our senior notes. Covenant Adjusted EBITDA is a measure of ASI and its restricted subsidiaries only and does not include the results of Aramark.
| Twelve Months Ended | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | September 29, 2023 | September 30, 2022 | |||||
| Net income attributable to ASI stockholders | $ | 674.1 | $ | 194.5 | |||
| Interest and other financing costs, net | 439.6 | 372.7 | |||||
| Provision for income taxes | 177.6 | 61.5 | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 546.4 | 532.3 | |||||
| Share-based compensation expense(1) | 86.9 | 95.5 | |||||
| Unusual or non-recurring (gains) and losses(2) | (422.6) | — | |||||
| Pro forma EBITDA for certain transactions(3) | 4.0 | 11.8 | |||||
| Other(4)(5) | 100.7 | 53.4 | |||||
| Covenant Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,606.7 | $ | 1,321.7 |
(1) Represents share-based compensation expense resulting from the application of accounting for stock options, restricted stock units, performance stock units, deferred stock units awards and employee stock purchases (see Note 12 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
(2) The twelve months ended September 29, 2023 represents the fiscal 2023 gain from the sale of our equity method investment in AIM Services, Co., Ltd. ($377.1 million), the fiscal 2023 gain from the sale of our equity investment in a foreign company ($51.8 million), the fiscal 2023 non-cash charge for the impairment of certain assets related to a
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business that was sold ($5.2 million) and the fiscal 2023 loss from the sale of a portion of our equity investment in the San Antonio Spurs NBA franchise ($1.1 million).
(3) Represents the annualizing of net EBITDA from certain acquisitions and divestitures made during the period.
(4) "Other" for the twelve months ended September 29, 2023 includes the reversal of contingent consideration liabilities related to acquisition earn outs, net of expense ($85.7 million), charges related to the spin-off of the Uniform segment ($51.1 million), adjustments to remove the impact attributable to the adoption of certain accounting standards that are made to the calculation in accordance with the Credit Agreement and indentures ($47.5 million), net severance charges ($37.5 million), non-cash charges for the impairment of operating lease right-of-use assets and property and equipment related to certain real estate properties ($29.3 million), income related to non-United States governmental wage subsidies ($12.5 million), the impact of hyperinflation in Argentina ($10.4 million), non-cash charges related to information technology assets ($8.2 million), the gain from the sale of land ($6.8 million), net multiemployer pension plan withdrawal charges ($5.9 million), labor charges and other expenses associated with closed or partially closed locations from adverse weather ($5.4 million), legal settlement charges ($2.7 million), non-cash charges for inventory write-downs ($2.6 million), the gain from the change in fair value related to certain gasoline and diesel agreements ($1.9 million) and other miscellaneous expenses.
(5) "Other" for the twelve months ended September 30, 2022 includes adjustments to remove the impact attributable to the adoption of certain accounting standards that are made to the calculation in accordance with the Credit Agreement and indentures ($34.8 million), non-cash charges for inventory write-downs to net realizable value and fixed asset write-offs related to personal protective equipment ($20.5 million), severance charges ($19.6 million), United States and non-United States governmental labor related tax credits resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic ($17.3 million), the reversal of contingent consideration liabilities related to acquisition earn outs, net of expense ($15.1 million), the favorable impact related to a client contract dispute ($9.6 million), charges related to our spin-off of the Uniform segment ($9.3 million), favorable adjustments for the EBITDA impact attributable to equity investments that are permitted in the calculation in accordance with the Credit Agreement and indentures, primarily from our previous ownership interest in AIM Services Co., Ltd. ($8.4 million), the gain from a funding agreement related to a legal matter ($6.5 million), the loss from the change in fair value related to certain gasoline and diesel agreements ($6.4 million), the gain from insurance proceeds received related to property damage from a tornado in Nashville ($4.0 million), the impact of hyperinflation in Argentina ($3.5 million), due diligence charges related to acquisitions ($2.5 million) and other miscellaneous expenses.
Our covenant requirements and actual ratios for the twelve months ended September 29, 2023 are as follows:
| Covenant Requirements | Actual Ratios | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio(1) | ≤ 5.125x | 1.76x | |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio)(2) | ≥ 2.000x | 3.63x |
(1) The Credit Agreement requires ASI to maintain a maximum Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio, defined as consolidated total indebtedness secured by a lien to Covenant Adjusted EBITDA, not to exceed 5.125x. Consolidated total indebtedness secured by a lien is defined in the Credit Agreement as total indebtedness consisting of debt for borrowed money, finance leases, debt in respect of sales-leaseback transactions, disqualified and preferred stock and advances under the Receivables Facility secured by a lien reduced by the amount of cash and cash equivalents on the consolidated balance sheets that is free and clear of any lien. Non-compliance with the maximum Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio could result in the requirement to immediately repay all amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement, which, if ASI's lenders under our Credit Agreement (other than the lenders in respect of ASI's United States Term B Loans, which lenders do not benefit from the maximum Consolidated Debt Ratio covenant) failed to waive any such default, would also constitute a default under the indentures governing our senior notes.
(2) Our Credit Agreement establishes an incurrence-based minimum Interest Coverage Ratio, defined as Covenant Adjusted EBITDA to consolidated interest expense, the achievement of which is a condition for us to incur additional indebtedness and to make certain restricted payments and does not result in a default under the Credit Agreement or the indentures governing the senior notes. If we do not maintain this minimum Interest Coverage Ratio calculated on a pro forma basis for any such additional indebtedness or restricted payments, we could be prohibited from being able to (1) incur additional indebtedness, other than the incremental capacity provided for under the Credit Agreement and pursuant to specified exceptions, and (2) make certain restricted payments, other than pursuant to certain exceptions. However, any failure to maintain the minimum Interest Coverage Ratio would not result in a default or an event of default under either the Credit Agreement or the indentures governing the senior notes. The minimum Interest Coverage Ratio is at least 2.000x for the term of the Credit Agreement. Consolidated interest expense is defined in the Credit Agreement as
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consolidated interest expense excluding interest income, adjusted for acquisitions and dispositions, further adjusted for certain non-cash or nonrecurring interest expense and our estimated share of interest expense from one equity method investee. The indentures governing our senior notes include a similar requirement which is referred to as a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.
We and our subsidiaries and affiliates may from time to time, in our sole discretion, purchase, repay, redeem or retire any of our outstanding debt securities (including any publicly issued debt securities), in privately negotiated or open market transactions, by tender offer or otherwise, or extend or refinance any of our outstanding indebtedness.
The following table summarizes our future obligations for debt repayments, finance leases, estimated interest payments, future minimum rental and similar commitments under noncancelable operating leases as well as contingent obligations related to outstanding letters of credit and guarantees as of September 29, 2023 (dollars in thousands):
| Payments Due by Period | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contractual Obligations as of September 29, 2023 | Total | Less than 1 year | 1-3 years | 3-5 years | More than 5 years | ||||||||||||||
| Long-term borrowings(1) | $ | 8,156,980 | $ | 1,573,383 | $ | 2,203,629 | $ | 3,337,718 | $ | 1,042,250 | |||||||||
| Finance lease obligations | 193,321 | 37,366 | 63,216 | 43,339 | 49,400 | ||||||||||||||
| Estimated interest payments(2) | 1,197,400 | 255,100 | 470,800 | 348,200 | 123,300 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating leases and other noncancelable commitments | 422,362 | 85,073 | 129,330 | 82,931 | 125,028 | ||||||||||||||
| Purchase obligations(3) | 840,820 | 342,867 | 252,932 | 79,229 | 165,792 | ||||||||||||||
| Other liabilities(4) | 630,167 | 229,401 | 128,107 | 27,019 | 245,640 | ||||||||||||||
| $ | 11,441,050 | $ | 2,523,190 | $ | 3,248,014 | $ | 3,918,436 | $ | 1,751,410 | ||||||||||
| Amount of Commitment Expiration by Period | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other Commercial Commitments as of September 29, 2023 | Total Amounts Committed | Less than 1 year | 1-3 years | 3-5 years | More than 5 years | ||||||||||||||
| Letters of credit | $ | 85,476 | $ | 55,138 | $ | 30,338 | $ | — | $ | — |
(1)Excludes the $47.1 million reduction to long-term borrowings from debt issuance costs, $10.7 million reduction from the discount on the United States Term B-6 Loans due 2030 and $0.5 million reduction from the discount on the United States Term B-4 Loans due 2027. Subsequent to September 29, 2023, Aramark redeemed the 6.375% Senior Notes due 2025 of $1,500.0 million from the proceeds received in conjunction with the separation and distribution of the Uniform segment. In addition, the Uniform segment United States term loan of $800.0 million due 2025 and $700.0 million due 2028 will be removed from Aramark’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as a result of the separation and distribution of the Uniform segment on September 30, 2023.
(2)These amounts represent future interest payments related to our existing debt obligations based on fixed and variable interest rates specified in the associated debt agreements and reflect any current hedging arrangements. Payments related to variable debt are based on applicable rates at September 29, 2023 plus the specified margin in the associated debt agreements for each period presented. The amounts provided relate only to existing debt obligations and do not assume the refinancing or replacement of such debt. The weighted average debt balance for each fiscal year from 2024 through 2029 is $6,779.3 million, $6,216.8 million, $4,676.6 million, $4,006.0 million, $2,415.9 million and $1,069.7 million, respectively. The weighted average interest rate of our existing debt obligations for each fiscal year from 2024 through 2029 is 3.76%, 4.28%, 4.37%, 4.86%, 6.36% and 7.70%, respectively (see Note 5 to the audited consolidated financial statements for the terms and maturities of existing debt obligations). Subsequent to September 29, 2023, Aramark redeemed the 6.375% Senior Notes due 2025 of $1,500.0 million from the proceeds received in conjunction with the separation and distribution of the Uniform segment. In addition, the Uniform segment United States term loan of $800.0 million due 2025 and $700.0 million due 2028 will be removed from Aramark’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as a result of the separation and distribution of the Uniform segment on September 30, 2023.
(3)Represents mainly the commitments for capital projects to help finance improvements or renovations at the facilities in which we operate.
(4)Includes certain unfunded employee retirement obligations, contingent consideration obligations related to acquisitions, self-insurance obligations, and other obligations.
We have excluded from the table above uncertain tax liabilities due to the uncertainty of the amount and period of payment. As of September 29, 2023, we have gross uncertain tax liabilities of $70.3 million (see Note 10 to the audited consolidated
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financial statements). During fiscal 2023, we made contributions totaling $1.2 million into our defined benefit pension plans. Estimated contributions to our defined benefit pension plans in fiscal 2024 are $1.0 million (see Note 9 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
We have a Receivables Facility agreement with four financial institutions where we sell on a continuous basis an undivided interest in all eligible accounts receivable, as defined in the Receivables Facility. The maximum amount available under the Receivables Facility as of September 29, 2023 is $600.0 million. During the third quarter of fiscal 2023, we increased the purchase limit available under the Receivables Facility from $500.0 million to $600.0 million and extended the scheduled maturity date from June 2024 to July 2026. All other terms and conditions of the agreement remained largely unchanged. As of September 29, 2023, there are no outstanding borrowings under the Receivables Facility. Amounts borrowed under the Receivables Facility may fluctuate monthly based on our funding requirements and the level of qualified receivables available to collateralize the Receivables Facility.
Pursuant to the Receivables Facility, we formed ARAMARK Receivables, LLC, a wholly-owned, consolidated, bankruptcy-remote subsidiary. ARAMARK Receivables, LLC was formed for the sole purpose of buying and selling receivables generated by certain of our subsidiaries. Under the Receivables Facility, we and certain of our subsidiaries transfer without recourse all of our accounts receivable to ARAMARK Receivables, LLC. As collections reduce previously transferred interests, interests in new, eligible receivables are transferred to ARAMARK Receivables, LLC, subject to meeting certain conditions.
Supplemental Consolidating Information
Pursuant to Regulation S-X Rule 13-01, which simplified certain disclosure requirements for guarantors and issuers of guaranteed securities, we are no longer required to provide condensed consolidating financial statements for Aramark and its subsidiaries, including the guarantors and non-guarantors under our Credit Agreement and the indentures governing our senior notes. ASI, the borrower under our Credit Agreement and the indentures governing our senior notes, and its restricted subsidiaries together comprise substantially all of our assets, liabilities and operations, and there are no material differences between the consolidating information related to Aramark and Aramark Intermediate Holdco Corporation, the direct parent of ASI and a guarantor under our Credit Agreement, on the one hand, and ASI and its restricted subsidiaries on a standalone basis, on the other hand.
Other
Our business activities do not include the use of unconsolidated special purpose entities and there are no significant business transactions that have not been reflected in the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements. We insure portions of our risk related to general liability, automobile liability, workers’ compensation liability claims as well as certain property damage risks through a wholly owned captive insurance subsidiary (the "Captive") as part of our approach to risk finance. The Captive is subject to the regulations within its domicile of Bermuda, including regulations established by the Bermuda Monetary Authority (the "BMA") relating to levels of liquidity and solvency as such concepts are defined by the BMA. The Captive was in compliance with these regulations as of September 29, 2023. These regulations may have the effect of limiting our ability to access certain cash and cash equivalents held by the Captive for uses other than for the payment of our general liability, automobile liability, workers’ compensation liability, certain property damage and related Captive costs. As of September 29, 2023 and September 30, 2022, cash and cash equivalents at the Captive were $32.8 million and $23.1 million, respectively. During fiscal 2022, the Captive began investing a portion of its cash and cash equivalents in United States Treasury securities to improve returns on the Captive's assets. The amount of this investment as of September 29, 2023 and September 30, 2022 was $110.7 million and $78.2 million, respectively, and recorded in "Prepayments and other current assets" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our significant accounting policies are described in the notes to the audited consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.
In preparing our financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that, among other things, affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses. These estimates and assumptions are most significant where they involve levels of subjectivity and judgment necessary to account for highly uncertain matters or matters susceptible to change, and where they can have a material impact on our financial condition and operating performance. If actual results were to differ materially from the estimates made, the reported results could be materially affected.
Critical accounting estimates and the related assumptions are evaluated periodically as conditions warrant, and changes to such estimates are recorded as new information or changed conditions require.
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Asset Impairment Determinations
Indefinite lived intangible assets that are not amortized are subject to an impairment test that we conduct annually or more frequently if a change in circumstances or the occurrence of events indicates that potential impairment exists. For goodwill, the impairment test may first consider qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Examples of qualitative factors include, macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance, entity-specific events, events affecting reporting units and sustained changes in our stock price. If results of the qualitative assessment indicate a more likely than not determination or if a qualitative assessment is not performed, a quantitative test is performed by comparing the estimated fair value using a discounted cash flow method or market method for each reporting unit with its estimated net book value.
We perform the assessment of goodwill at the reporting unit level. Within our FSS International segment, each country or region is evaluated separately since they are relatively autonomous and separate goodwill balances have been recorded for each entity. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023, we performed the annual impairment test for goodwill for each of our reporting units using a quantitative testing approach. Based on the evaluation performed, we determined that the fair value of each of the reporting units significantly exceeded its respective carrying amount, and therefore, we determined that goodwill was not impaired.
The determination of fair value for each reporting unit includes assumptions, which are considered Level 3 inputs, that are subject to risk and uncertainty. The discounted cash flow calculations are dependent on several subjective factors including the timing of future cash flows, the underlying margin projection assumptions, future growth rates and the discount rate. The market based method is dependent on several subjective factors including the determination of market multiples and future cash flows. If our assumptions or estimates in our fair value calculations change or if future cash flows, margin projections or future growth rates vary from what was expected, this may impact our impairment analysis and could reduce the underlying cash flows used to estimate fair values and result in a decline in fair value that may trigger future impairment charges.
With respect to our other long-lived assets, we are required to test for asset impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. If indicators of impairment are present, we compare the sum of the future expected cash flows from the asset, undiscounted and without interest charges, to the asset’s carrying value. If the sum of the future expected cash flows from the asset is less than the carrying value, an impairment would be recognized for the difference between the estimated fair value and the carrying value of the asset.
In making future cash flow analyses of various assets, we make assumptions relating to the following:
• the intended use of assets and the expected future cash flows resulting directly from such use;
• comparable market valuations of businesses similar to Aramark's business segments;
• industry specific economic conditions;
• competitor activities and regulatory initiatives; and
• client and customer preferences and behavior patterns.
We believe that an accounting estimate relating to asset impairment is a critical accounting estimate because the assumptions underlying future cash flow estimates are subject to change from time to time and the recognition of an impairment could have a significant impact on our Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss).
Litigation and Claims
From time to time, we and our subsidiaries are party to various legal actions, proceedings and investigations involving claims incidental to the conduct of our businesses, including those brought by clients, customers, employees, government entities and third parties under, among others, federal, state, international, national, provincial and local employment laws, wage and hour laws, discrimination laws, immigration laws, human health and safety laws, import and export controls and customs laws, environmental laws, false claims or whistleblower statutes, procurement regulations, intellectual property laws, food safety and sanitation laws, cost and accounting principles, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.K. Bribery Act, other anti-corruption laws, lobbying laws, motor carrier safety laws, data privacy and security laws and alcohol licensing and service laws, or alleging negligence and/or breach of contractual and other obligations. We consider the measurement of litigation reserves as a critical accounting estimate because of the significant uncertainty in some cases relating to the outcome of potential claims or litigation and the difficulty of predicting the likelihood and range of potential liability involved, coupled with the material impact on our results of operations that could result from litigation or other claims. In determining legal reserves, we consider, among other issues:
• interpretation of contractual rights and obligations;
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• the status of government regulatory initiatives, interpretations and investigations;
• the status of settlement negotiations;
• prior experience with similar types of claims;
• whether there is available insurance; and
• advice of counsel.
We were involved in a dispute with a client regarding our provision of services pursuant to a contract. During fiscal 2022, we resolved the matter by entering into a settlement agreement with the client whereby our obligations totaled $13.6 million, resulting in a reversal of previously reserved amounts of $5.7 million, which is included in "Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)" on the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss).
Allowance for Credit Losses
We encounter credit loss risks associated with the collection of receivables. We analyze historical experience, current general and specific industry economic conditions, industry concentrations, such as exposure to small and medium-sized businesses, the non-profit healthcare sector, federal and local governments, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount in estimating credit losses. The accounting estimate related to the allowance for credit losses is a critical accounting estimate because the underlying assumptions used for the allowance can change from time to time and credit losses could potentially have a material impact on our results of operations. We adopted a new accounting standard related to the measurement of expected credit losses as of October 3, 2020 (the first day of fiscal 2021).
As of September 29, 2023 and September 30, 2022, our allowance for credit losses was $56.6 million and $56.4 million, respectively.
Inventory Obsolescence
We record an inventory obsolescence reserve for obsolete, excess and slow-moving inventory, principally in the Uniform segment. In calculating our inventory obsolescence reserve, we analyze historical and projected data regarding customer demand within specific product categories and make assumptions regarding economic conditions within customer specific industries, as well as style and product changes. Our accounting estimate related to inventory obsolescence is a critical accounting estimate because customer demand in certain of our businesses can be variable and changes in our reserve for inventory obsolescence could materially affect our results of operations.
As of September 29, 2023 and September 30, 2022, our reserve for inventory obsolescence was $21.0 million and $51.3 million, respectively. The decrease in the Company's reserve was primarily due to the write-off and disposal of personal protective equipment inventory. The inventory reserve is determined based on history and projected customer consumption and specific identification.
Self-Insurance Reserves
We self-insure for obligations related to certain risks that we retain under our casualty program, which includes general liability, automobile liability and workers’ compensation liability, as well as for certain property damage risks and employee healthcare benefit programs. The accounting estimates related to our self-insurance reserves are critical accounting estimates because changes in our claim experience, our ability to settle claims or other estimates and judgments we use could potentially have a material impact on our results of operations. Our reserves for retained costs associated with our casualty program are estimated through actuarial methods, with the assistance of third-party actuaries, using loss development assumptions based on our claims history. Our casualty program reserves take into account reported claims as well as incurred-but-not-reported losses using loss development factors based upon past experience. In order to determine the loss development factors, we make judgments relating to the nature, frequency, severity, and age of claims, and industry, regulatory and company-specific trends impacting the development of claims. The actual cost to settle our self-insured casualty claim liabilities can differ from our reserve estimates because of a number of uncertainties, including the inherent difficulty in estimating the severity of a claim and the potential amount to defend and settle a claim.
As of September 29, 2023 and September 30, 2022, our self-insurance reserves were $269.8 million and $254.4 million, respectively.
Income Taxes
We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, income tax expense is recognized for the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year and for deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our consolidated financial statements or tax returns. We make assumptions, judgments and estimates to determine the current income tax provision (benefit), deferred tax asset and liabilities
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and valuation allowance recorded against a deferred tax asset. The assumptions, judgments and estimates relative to the current income tax provision (benefit) take into account current tax laws, their interpretation and possible results of foreign and domestic tax audits. Changes in tax law, their interpretation and resolution of tax audits could significantly impact the income taxes provided in our consolidated financial statements. Assumptions, judgments and estimates relative to the amount of deferred income taxes take into account future taxable income. Any of the assumptions, judgments and estimates mentioned above could cause the actual income tax obligations to differ from our estimates.
As of September 29, 2023 and September 30, 2022, our valuation allowance reserves recorded against deferred tax assets were $78.2 million and $83.8 million, respectively (see Note 10 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
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New Accounting Standards Updates
See Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements for a full description of recent accounting standards updates, including the expected dates of adoption.
FY 2022 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001584509-22-000236.
Item 7.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of Aramark's (the "Company," "we," "our" and "us") financial condition and results of operations for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2022 and October 1, 2021 should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and the notes to those statements. Discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations for the fiscal year ended October 1, 2021 compared to the fiscal year ended October 2, 2020 is included under the heading Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Results of Operations - Fiscal 2021 Compared to Fiscal 2020 and - Liquidity and Capital Resources” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for the fiscal year ended October 1, 2021 with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on November 23, 2021.
Our discussion contains forward-looking statements, such as our plans, objectives, opinions, expectations, anticipations, intentions and beliefs, that are based upon our current expectations but that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in those forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those set forth under "Risk Factors," "Special Note About Forward-looking Statements" and "Business" sections and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K ("Annual Report"). In the following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations, certain financial measures may be considered “non-GAAP financial measures” under SEC rules. These rules require supplemental explanation and reconciliation, which is provided elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Overview
We are a leading global provider of food, facilities and uniform services to education, healthcare, business & industry and sports, leisure & corrections clients. Our core market is the United States, which is supplemented by an additional 18-country footprint. Through our established brand, broad geographic presence and employees, we anchor our business in our partnerships with thousands of clients. Through these partnerships we serve millions of customers including students, patients, employees, sports fans and guests worldwide.
We operate our business in three reportable segments:
•Food and Support Services United States ("FSS United States") - Food, refreshment, specialized dietary and support services, including facility maintenance and housekeeping, provided to business, educational and healthcare institutions and in sports, leisure and other facilities serving the general public in the United States.
•Food and Support Services International ("FSS International") - Food, refreshment, specialized dietary and support services, including facility maintenance and housekeeping, provided to business, educational and healthcare institutions and in sports, leisure and other facilities serving the general public. We have operations in 18 countries outside the United States. Our largest international operations are in Canada, Chile, China, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom, and in a majority of these countries we are one of the leading food and/or facility services providers. We also have operations in Japan through our 50% ownership of AIM Services Co., Ltd., which is a leader in providing outsourced food services in Japan.
•Uniform and Career Apparel ("Uniform") - Provides a full-service employee uniform solution, resulting in a contracted and recurring revenue model. The customer base is serviced by a leading geographic footprint in the United States and Canada with programs focused on uniforms, floor mats, towels, linens, managed restroom and first aid services. Customers operate in a wide range of industries in the United States and Canada.
Our Food and Support Services operations focus on serving clients in five principal sectors: Business & Industry, Education, Healthcare, Sports, Leisure & Corrections and Facilities & Other. Our FSS International reportable segment provides a similar range of services as those provided to our FSS United States clients and operates in the same sectors. Administrative expenses not allocated to our three reportable segments are presented separately as corporate expenses.
Business Update
Recent global events, including the COVID-19 pandemic ("COVID-19"), have adversely affected global economies, disrupted global supply chains and labor force participation and created significant volatility and disruption of financial markets. COVID-19 related disruptions negatively impacted our financial and operating results beginning in the second quarter of fiscal 2020 through the first half of fiscal 2021. Our financial results started to improve during the second half of fiscal 2021 and continued to improve throughout fiscal 2022 as COVID-19 restrictions were lifted and operations re-opened. In addition, the
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ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, countries in which we do not have direct operations, further disrupted global supply chains and heightened volatility and disruption of global financial markets. The ongoing volatility and disruption of financial markets caused by these global events, as well as other current global economic factors, triggered inflation in our food and labor costs, increased market interest rates and has driven significant changes in foreign currencies. The impact on our longer-term operational and financial performance will depend on future developments, including our response and governmental response to inflation, our interest rate hedging strategy, the duration and severity of the ongoing volatility and disruption of global financial markets and our ability to effectively hire and retain personnel. Some of these future developments are outside of our control and are highly uncertain.
We continue to remain principally focused on the safety and well-being of our employees, clients and everyone we serve, while simultaneously taking timely, proactive measures to adapt to the current environment. Throughout fiscal 2022, we saw continued improved profitability from clients re-opening as COVID-19 restrictions eased as well as from effective management of operating costs, including supply chain initiatives, and pricing pass-throughs to mitigate the effects of elevated inflation. We continue to evaluate and react to the effects of a prolonged global disruption, including items such as inflationary pressures on food and product costs, greater labor challenges and the financial condition of our clients in certain businesses. We expect these challenges to continue into fiscal 2023, and we regularly evaluate and react in order to take appropriate actions to mitigate the risk in these areas.
In the FSS United States segment, the current environment of our sectors are as follows:
•Education – Education saw strong performance during the start of the new academic year. In Higher Education and K-12, teams implemented enhanced pricing strategies for meal plans and on-campus retail outlets.
•Sports, Leisure & Corrections – Sports saw high attendance levels with better-than-historic per capita spending. Leisure experienced increased guest activity, particularly in National Parks. Corrections revenue growth was led by the Union Supply acquisition and new business wins.
•Business & Industry – Companies continued to experience a steady increase of in-person activity as return-to-office continued, particularly in September 2022. Some clients have implemented customized offerings and meal subsidies, which helped to increase participation rates.
•Facilities & Other – Revenue growth was driven by higher levels of activity at existing clients and new business wins. We continue to offer our core business offerings, with an added focus on new engineering solutions and client project services.
•Healthcare – Revenue growth was led by increased client activity related to elective surgeries, clinical care and retail along with higher net growth from newly awarded contracts, improved retention rates and additional services.
Within the FSS International segment, we continue to recover, returning to pre-pandemic revenue levels. South America continues to experience strong performance in extractive services. Europe and Canada continue to recover with the improved activity levels, especially in sports and entertainment venues driven by higher per capita spending, increased business and industry activity and education due to the start of the fall semester.
In the Uniform segment, our business serves a range of clients, focusing on solution-oriented services driving safety and hygiene. Client operations have resumed, which, combined with increasing levels of net new client wins in both recurring rental and adjacency services and improved pricing, has enabled the segment to continue to surpass pre-pandemic revenue levels.
Aramark’s Intention to Spin-off Uniform Segment
On May 10, 2022, we announced our intention to spin-off our Uniform segment into an independent publicly traded company to our stockholders. The proposed spin-off is intended to be a tax-free transaction to us and our stockholders for United States federal income tax purposes. The proposed spin-off is expected to be completed in the second half of fiscal 2023, subject to certain customary conditions, including final approval of our Board of Directors, receipt of a favorable opinion and Internal Revenue Service ruling with respect to the tax-free nature of the transaction, the effectiveness of a registration statement on Form 10 to be filed with the SEC and the receipt of other regulatory approvals. Refer to Note 15 to the audited consolidated financial statements for the Uniform segment financial disclosures.
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Acquisition
On June 2, 2022, we completed the acquisition of Union Supply Group Inc. ("Union Supply"), a commissary goods and services supplier, for cash consideration of $199.6 million, plus contingent consideration (see Note 2 and Note 16 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
On June 4, 2021, we completed the acquisition of Next Level Hospitality ("Next Level"), a premier provider of culinary and environmental services in the senior living industry, specializing in skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities, for cash consideration of $226.1 million, plus contingent consideration (see Note 2 and Note 16 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
Seasonality
Our revenue and operating results have varied, and we expect them to continue to vary, from quarter to quarter as a result of different factors. Historically, within our FSS United States segment, there has been a lower level of activity during our first and second fiscal quarters in operations that provide services to sports and leisure clients. This lower level of activity, historically, has been partially offset during our first and second fiscal quarters by the increased activity levels in our educational operations. Conversely, historically there has been a significant increase in the provision of services to sports and leisure clients during our third and fourth fiscal quarters, which is partially offset by the effect of summer recess at colleges, universities and schools in our educational operations. Recently, our business and results of operations have started to resemble our historically typical patterns of seasonality following the disruption caused by COVID-19.
Sources of Revenue
Our clients engage us, generally through written contracts, to provide our services at their locations. Depending on the type of client and service, we are paid either by our client or directly by the customer to whom we have been provided access by our client. We typically use either profit and loss contracts or client interest contracts in our FSS United States and FSS International segments. These contracts differ in their provision for the amount of financial risk we bear and, accordingly, the potential compensation, profits or fees we may receive. Under profit and loss contracts, we receive all of the revenue from, and bear all of the expenses of, the provision of our services at a client location. For fiscal 2022, approximately two-thirds of our FSS United States and FSS International segment revenue was derived from profit and loss contracts. Client interest contracts include management fee contracts, under which our clients reimburse our operating costs and pay us a management fee, which may be calculated as a fixed dollar amount or a percentage of revenue or operating costs. Some management fee contracts entitle us to receive incentive fees based upon our performance under the contract, as measured by factors such as revenue, operating costs and customer satisfaction surveys. For fiscal 2022, approximately one-third of our FSS United States and FSS International segment revenue was derived from client interest contracts. In response to the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, in certain instances, mainly within the Business & Industry sector, we renegotiated contract terms by temporarily transitioning from profit and loss contracts to client interest contracts in order to mitigate lost profits. As COVID restrictions lifted and operations re-opened, we are working with our clients to transition back to profit and loss contracts, as appropriate.
For our Uniform segment, we typically serve our rental clients under written service contracts for an initial term of three to five years. As the majority of our clients purchase on a recurring basis, our backlog of orders at any given time consists principally of orders in the process of being filled. With the exception of certain governmental bid business, most of our direct marketing business is conducted under invoice arrangement with repeat clients. To a large degree, our direct marketing business is relationship-driven. While we have long-term relationships with our larger clients, we generally do not have contracts with these clients within our direct marketing business.
Costs and Expenses
Our costs and expenses are comprised of cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization), depreciation and amortization and selling and general corporate expenses. Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) consists of direct expenses associated with our operations, which includes food costs, wages, other labor-related expenses (including workers' compensation, severance, state unemployment insurance and federal or state mandated health benefits and other healthcare costs), insurance, fuel, utilities, piece goods and clothing and equipment. Direct expense related to food costs within Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) are offset by rebates, vendor allowances and volume discounts. Depreciation and amortization expenses mainly relate to assets used in generating revenue. Selling and general corporate expenses include sales commissions, severance, share-based compensation and other unallocated costs related to administrative functions including finance, legal and human resources.
Interest and Other Financing Costs, net
Interest and other financing costs, net, relates primarily to interest expense on long-term borrowings. Interest and other financing costs, net also includes third-party costs associated with long-term borrowings that were capitalized and are being amortized over the term of the borrowing.
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Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes
The Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes represents federal, foreign, state and local income taxes. Our effective tax rate differs from the statutory United States income tax rate due to the effect of state and local income taxes, tax rates in foreign jurisdictions, tax credits and certain nondeductible expenses. Our effective tax rate will change from quarter to quarter based on recurring and nonrecurring factors including, but not limited to, the geographical mix of earnings, state and local income taxes, tax audit settlements, share-based award exercise activity and enacted tax legislation, including certain business tax credits. The Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes in fiscal 2021 was impacted by governmental programs, such as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act") and Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (see Note 10 to the audited consolidated financial statements). Changes in judgment due to the evaluation of new information resulting in the recognition, derecognition or remeasurement of a tax position taken in a prior annual period are recognized separately in the quarter of the change.
Foreign Currency Fluctuations
The impact from foreign currency translation assumes constant foreign currency exchange rates based on the rates in effect for the prior year period being used in translation for the comparable current year period. We believe that providing the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency rates on certain financial results can facilitate analysis of period-to-period comparisons of business performance.
Fiscal Year
Our fiscal year is the fifty-two or fifty-three week period which ends on the Friday nearest to September 30th. The fiscal years ended September 30, 2022 and October 1, 2021 were each a fifty-two week period.
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Results of Operations
Fiscal 2022 Compared to Fiscal 2021
The following tables present an overview of our results on a consolidated and segment basis with the amount of and percentage change between periods for the fiscal years 2022 and 2021 (dollars in millions).
| Fiscal Year Ended | Change | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2022 | October 1, 2021 | $ | % | ||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 16,326.6 | $ | 12,096.0 | $ | 4,230.6 | 35.0 | % | |||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | |||||||||||||||
| Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | 14,767.5 | 11,007.2 | 3,760.3 | 34.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Other operating expenses | 930.7 | 897.4 | 33.3 | 3.7 | % | ||||||||||
| 15,698.2 | 11,904.6 | 3,793.6 | 31.9 | % | |||||||||||
| Operating income | 628.4 | 191.4 | 437.0 | 228.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Gain on Equity Investment | — | (137.9) | (137.9) | (100.0) | % | ||||||||||
| Loss on Defined Benefit Pension Plan Termination | — | 60.9 | (60.9) | (100.0) | % | ||||||||||
| Interest and Other Financing Costs, net | 372.8 | 401.3 | (28.5) | (7.1) | % | ||||||||||
| Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes | 255.6 | (132.9) | 388.5 | 292.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes | 61.4 | (40.7) | 102.1 | 251.3 | % | ||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 194.2 | $ | (92.2) | $ | 286.4 | 310.6 | % |
| Fiscal Year Ended | Change | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue by Segment(1) | September 30, 2022 | October 1, 2021 | $ | % | |||||||||||
| FSS United States | $ | 10,030.8 | $ | 6,809.3 | $ | 3,221.5 | 47.3 | % | |||||||
| FSS International | 3,656.4 | 2,866.2 | 790.2 | 27.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Uniform | 2,639.4 | 2,420.5 | 218.9 | 9.0 | % | ||||||||||
| $ | 16,326.6 | $ | 12,096.0 | $ | 4,230.6 | 35.0 | % | ||||||||
| Fiscal Year Ended | Change | Change | |||||||||||||
| Operating Income by Segment(1) | September 30, 2022 | October 1, 2021 | $ | % | |||||||||||
| FSS United States | $ | 449.0 | $ | 131.8 | $ | 317.2 | 240.8 | % | |||||||
| FSS International | 112.5 | 58.2 | 54.3 | 93.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Uniform | 218.1 | 120.8 | 97.3 | 80.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Corporate | (151.2) | (119.4) | (31.8) | (26.7 | %) | ||||||||||
| $ | 628.4 | $ | 191.4 | $ | 437.0 | 228.2 | % |
(1) As a percentage of total revenue, FSS United States represented 61.4% and 56.3%, FSS International represented 22.4% and 23.7% and Uniform represented 16.2% and 20.0% for fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021, respectively.
Consolidated Overview
Revenue increased by 35.0% during fiscal 2022 compared to the prior year period, which was primarily attributable to base business growth, including from operations re-opening across all business segments after COVID-19 restrictions lifted, growth in net new business and pricing pass-throughs. In addition, the Next Level and Union Supply acquisitions contributed to the revenue growth (3.0%). Foreign currency translation unfavorably impacted revenue during fiscal 2022 (2.6%).
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The following table presents the cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) by segment and as a percent of revenue for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2022 and October 1, 2021.
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2022 | October 1, 2021 | |||||||||||||
| Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | $ | % of Revenue | $ | % of Revenue | ||||||||||
| FSS United States | $ | 9,145.0 | 91.2 | % | $ | 6,237.6 | 91.6 | % | ||||||
| FSS International | 3,456.5 | 94.5 | % | 2,719.2 | 94.9 | % | ||||||||
| Uniform | 2,166.0 | 82.1 | % | 2,050.4 | 84.7 | % | ||||||||
| $ | 14,767.5 | 90.5 | % | $ | 11,007.2 | 91.0 | % |
The following table presents the percentages attributable to the components in cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) for fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021.
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) components | September 30, 2022 | October 1, 2021 | ||||
| Food and support service costs(1) | 26.5 | % | 24.3 | % | ||
| Personnel costs(2) | 47.7 | % | 50.3 | % | ||
| Other direct costs | 25.8 | % | 25.4 | % | ||
| 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
(1) Food and support service costs represented a higher proportion of total cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) during fiscal 2022 mainly from operations reopening as COVID-19 restrictions were lifted and food cost inflation.
(2) Personnel costs decreased as a percentage of total cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) during fiscal 2022 due to food and support service costs increasing at a higher proportion as compared to personnel costs.
Operating income increased by $437.0 million during fiscal 2022 compared to the prior year period, which was driven by base business growth, including from clients re-opening after COVID-19 restrictions lifted, effective cost management and higher vendor discounts from stabilizing supply chain disruptions with our suppliers. The increase in operating income during fiscal 2022 was also attributable to integration costs incurred during fiscal 2021 related to the AmeriPride acquisition that occurred in fiscal 2018 (see Note 2 to the audited consolidated financial statements), lower personnel costs from incentive expenses related to the annual bonus, non-cash income related to the reduction of the contingent consideration liability related to the earn-out of the Next Level acquisition ($20.7 million) and lower insurance expenses, mainly related to our medical program ($18.0 million).
These increases in operating income during fiscal 2022 more than offset:
•increased inflationary costs in food and labor;
•higher expenses incurred related to new business when compared to the prior year period;
•lower United States and non-United States governmental labor related tax credits received in relation to COVID-19 when compared to the prior year period (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements);
•higher share-based compensation expense (see Note 12 to the audited consolidated financial statements);
•unfavorable severance between years ($26.9 million) (see Note 3 to the audited consolidated financial statements);
•lower income related to favorable loss experience in older insurance years under our general liability, automotive liability and workers' compensation liability programs when compared to fiscal 2021 ($16.2 million); and
•negative impact of foreign currency translation (approximately $7.0 million).
During fiscal 2021, a non-cash gain related to an equity investment of $137.9 million was recorded, which was partially offset by a non-cash loss from the termination of certain defined benefit pension plans of $60.9 million.
Interest and Other Financing Costs, net, decreased 7.1% during fiscal 2022 compared to the prior year period. The decrease for fiscal 2022 was primarily due to lower interest expense from the repayment of the 4.750% Senior Notes due 2026 ("2026 Notes") during the third quarter of fiscal 2021. The decrease was also due to charges related to the repayment of the 2026 Notes, including $11.9 million of a call premium payment and $4.1 million related to the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs.
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The Provision for Income Taxes for fiscal 2022 was recorded at an effective rate of 24.0% compared to a Benefit for Income Taxes recorded at an effective rate of 30.6% in the prior year. During fiscal 2022, we recorded a benefit to the "Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes" within the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) of $8.5 million for the reversal of a valuation allowance at a subsidiary in the FSS International segment driven by our ability to utilize the deferred tax assets based on future taxable income expected due to the acquisition of a business. We also recorded a benefit to the "Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes" within the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) of $4.2 million due to a state tax law change during fiscal 2022. As a result of the CARES Act, we recorded a net benefit to the "Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes" within the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) of $12.0 million during fiscal 2021. The Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes during fiscal 2021 includes the Net Operating Losses ("NOL") expected to be carried back to Pre-Tax Cut and Jobs Act years, which are benefited at an income tax rate of 35.0% as opposed to the current year rate of 21.0%. During fiscal 2021, we recorded a valuation allowance of $36.5 million against certain foreign tax credits that were re-established by the NOL carryback. Within the FSS International segment, we also recorded during fiscal 2021 a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets in certain subsidiaries from cumulative losses of $22.0 million.
Segment Results
FSS United States Segment
The FSS United States reportable segment consists of five sectors which have similar economic characteristics and comprise a single operating segment. The five sectors of the FSS United States reportable segment are Business & Industry, Education, Healthcare, Sports, Leisure & Corrections and Facilities & Other.
Revenue for each of these sectors is summarized as follows (in millions):
| Fiscal Year Ended | Change | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2022 | October 1, 2021 | % | |||||||||
| Business & Industry | $ | 1,081.2 | $ | 695.7 | 55.4 | % | |||||
| Education | 3,161.5 | 2,124.4 | 48.8 | % | |||||||
| Healthcare | 1,235.8 | 891.2 | 38.7 | % | |||||||
| Sports, Leisure & Corrections | 2,722.0 | 1,511.3 | 80.1 | % | |||||||
| Facilities & Other | 1,830.3 | 1,586.7 | 15.4 | % | |||||||
| $ | 10,030.8 | $ | 6,809.3 | 47.3 | % |
The Healthcare sector had high-single digit operating income margins, consistent with prior year. The Facilities & Other sector had high-single digit operating income margins, compared to mid-single digit operating income margins in the prior year. The Education and Sports, Leisure & Corrections sectors had mid-single digit operating income margins, consistent with prior year. The Business & Industry sector had negative low-single digit operating income margins, compared to negative mid-single digit operating income margins in the prior year. As described above, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in following periods, operating income margins in the FSS United States sectors may differ from our otherwise historical patterns, particularly in the Business & Industry sector.
FSS United States segment revenue increased by approximately 47.3% during fiscal 2022 compared to the prior year period. The increase was primarily attributable to base business growth, including from operations re-opening across all sectors after COVID-19 restrictions lifted, net new business growth and pricing pass-throughs. The Sports, Leisure & Corrections sector increased due to the acquisition of Union Supply, which contributed $82.5 million of revenue during fiscal 2022, and higher per capita customer spending in stadiums and arenas. In addition, the Next Level acquisition, that occurred in third quarter of fiscal 2021, contributed $277.3 million more of revenue during fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021 to our Healthcare sector.
Operating income increased by $317.2 million during fiscal 2022 compared to the prior year period. The increase during fiscal 2022 was attributable to:
•growth in base business, including from clients re-opening after COVID-19 restrictions lifted, effective cost management and higher vendor discounts from stabilizing supply chain disruptions with our suppliers;
•non-cash income related to the reduction of the contingent consideration liability related to the earn-out of the Next Level acquisition ($20.7 million);
•lower insurance expenses, mainly related to our medical program ($25.0 million); and
•lower personnel costs from incentive expenses related to the annual bonus.
These increases in operating income during fiscal 2022 more than offset the following:
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•increased inflationary costs in food and labor;
•higher expenses incurred related to new business when compared to the prior year period;
•lower income related to favorable loss experience in older insurance years under our general liability, automotive liability and workers' compensation liability program when compared to fiscal 2021 ($16.2 million); and
•unfavorable severance between years ($6.2 million).
FSS International Segment
FSS International segment revenue increased by approximately 27.6% during fiscal 2022 compared to the prior year period. The increase was primarily attributable to base business growth, including from operations re-opening after COVID-19 restrictions lifted, net new business growth and pricing pass-throughs. The growth in revenue was partially offset by the negative impact of foreign currency translation (10.6%).
Operating income increased by $54.3 million during fiscal 2022 compared to the prior year period. The increase was mainly attributable to growth in base business, including from clients re-opening after COVID-19 restrictions lifted, and the favorable impact related to a client contract dispute ($9.6 million).
These increases in operating income during fiscal 2022 more than offset the following:
•lower labor related tax credits provided from governmental assistance programs when compared to the prior year period (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements);
•increased inflationary costs in food and labor;
•unfavorable severance between years ($28.5 million); and
•the negative impact of foreign currency translation (approximately $6.6 million).
Uniform Segment
Uniform segment revenue increased by approximately 9.0% during fiscal 2022 compared to the prior year period. The increase was primarily attributable to base business growth within our uniform rental business, including from clients re-opening after COVID-19 restrictions lifted, net increases in new business and improved pricing.
Operating income increased by $97.3 million during fiscal 2022 compared to the prior year period. The increase was attributable to increased base business growth within the uniform rental business, including from client re-openings after COVID-19 restrictions lifted, net new business, improved pricing, lower rental merchandise in-service expense and lower costs as a result of the fiscal 2021 reduction in headcount. The increase in operating income was also attributable to:
•lower personnel costs from incentive expenses related to the annual bonus;
•prior year integration charges related to the AmeriPride acquisition that occurred in fiscal 2018 (see Note 2 to the audited consolidated financial statements); and
•favorable severance between years ($8.0 million).
These increases in operating income during fiscal 2022 more than offset the following:
•lower labor related tax credits provided by government assistance programs in response to COVID-19 (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements);
•increased inflationary costs in labor;
•higher insurance expenses when compared to the prior year period ($7.0 million); and
•personnel expenses related to our intention to spin-off the Uniform segment ($4.1 million).
Corporate
Corporate expenses, those administrative expenses not allocated to the business segments, increased by $31.8 million during fiscal 2022 compared to the prior year period. The increase was attributable to:
•higher share-based compensation expense (see Note 12 to the audited consolidated financial statements);
•the unfavorable change in fair value of certain gasoline and diesel agreements ($12.2 million); and
•accounting and legal fees related to our intention to spin-off the Uniform segment ($5.2 million).
These increases in corporate expenses during fiscal 2022 more than offset lower personnel costs from incentive expenses related to the annual bonus.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
Our principal sources of liquidity are cash generated from operating activities, funds from borrowings, investments in marketable securities and existing cash on hand. As of September 30, 2022, we had $329.5 million of cash and cash equivalents, $1,105.6 million of availability under our senior secured revolving credit facility and $395.1 million of availability under the Receivables Facility. A significant portion of our cash and cash equivalents are held in mature, liquid geographies where we have operations. As of September 30, 2022, there were $748.5 million of outstanding foreign currency borrowings.
We believe that our cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and availability under our revolving credit facility and Receivables Facility will be adequate to meet anticipated cash requirements for the foreseeable future to fund working capital, capital spending, debt service obligations, refinancings, dividends and other cash needs. We have no significant debt maturities due until 2025. We also have flexibility to optimize working capital and defer certain capital expenditures as appropriate without a material impact to the business. We believe that our assumptions used to estimate our liquidity and working capital requirements are reasonable. For additional information regarding the risks associated with our liquidity and capital resources, see Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors."
The table below summarizes our cash activity (in millions):
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2022 | October 1, 2021 | |||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 694.5 | $ | 657.1 | ||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (831.3) | (634.4) | ||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (37.7) | (2,005.3) |
Reference to the audited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows will facilitate understanding of the discussion that follows.
Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities
Cash provided by operating activities increased by $37.4 million during fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021. The change was driven by net income in fiscal 2022 of $194.2 million compared to a net loss in fiscal 2021 of $92.2 million, as discussed in "Results of Operations" above, and favorable non-cash adjustments to net income (loss) between fiscal years of $141.0 million. The change in net income (loss) and non-cash adjustments to net income (loss) was partially offset by the change in cash from operating assets and liabilities of $426.2 million, which was due to the recovery of our businesses after COVID-19 restrictions lifted. The change in operating assets and liabilities compared to the prior year period was primarily due to:
•Accrued expenses by $253.6 million, generating a lower source of cash during fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021 primarily due to the following: higher payments related to the annual bonus; payment of social security taxes in the current year whereas payment was previously deferred in the prior year as permitted under the CARES Act (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements); impact of client advances within our Higher Education business from operations returning; and higher commission payments in our Sports business in the current year compared to the prior year from the return of operations;
•Receivables by $172.5 million, generating a greater use of cash during fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021 as operations returned following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, new business and timing of collections;
•Prepayment and Other Current Assets by $105.7 million, generating a use of cash during fiscal 2022 compared to a source of cash in fiscal 2021 mainly from proceeds received in the second quarter of fiscal 2021 related to the fiscal 2020 federal income tax return ($93.6 million); and
•Inventories by $64.0 million, generating a greater use of cash during fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021 primarily due to operations returning after COVID-19 restrictions lifted, the impact of inflation and increased purchasing from new business.
These changes in operating assets and liabilities more than offset:
•Accounts payable by $169.6 million, generating a greater source of cash during fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021 as operations returned following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, new business and timing of disbursements.
Fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021 include $57.7 million and $159.1 million, respectively, of proceeds associated with labor related tax credits from many foreign jurisdictions in which we operate as a form of relief from COVID-19 (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements). During fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021, we received proceeds of $1.9 million and $17.0 million, respectively, related to favorable loss experience in older insurance years under our general liability, automobile liability and
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workers' compensation programs. "Payments made to clients on contracts" generated a lower use of cash during fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021 primarily due to timing. The "Changes in other assets" caption was driven by an increase to in-service rental merchandise from operations returning after COVID-19 restrictions lifted, which more than offset higher cash distributions received from our 50% ownership interest in AIM Services Co., Ltd. in fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021. The "Other operating activities" caption reflects mainly adjustments to net income (loss) in the current year and prior year periods related to certain non-cash gains and losses and adjustments to non-operating cash gains and losses.
Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities
The net cash flows used in investing activities were higher during fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021 due to a higher level of acquisitions of certain businesses, new equity method investments and purchases of marketable securities in fiscal 2022. During fiscal 2022, we acquired Union Supply for $199.6 million (see Note 2 to the audited consolidated financial statements) and made other acquisitions ($140.4 million). During fiscal 2021, we acquired Next Level for $226.1 million (see Note 2 to the audited consolidated financial statements) and made other acquisitions ($39.7 million). The "Other investing activities" caption includes $19.0 million and $10.0 million of proceeds received during fiscal 2022 and 2021, respectively, relating to the recovery of our investment (possessory interest) at one of the National Park Service sites within our Sports, Leisure & Corrections sector.
Cash Flows Used In Financing Activities
During fiscal 2022, cash used in financing activities was impacted by the following:
•payment of dividends ($113.1 million);
•borrowing under the Receivables Facility ($104.9 million); and
•the repayment of 5.000% 2025 Senior Notes and foreign term loans ($66.7 million).
During fiscal 2021, cash used in financing activities was impacted by the following:
•the repayment of borrowings under the United States revolving credit facility ($780.0 million);
•repayment of the aggregate principal amount of the 2026 Notes ($500.0 million);
•repayments under the Receivables Facility ($315.6 million);
•net repayments of term loan borrowings ($244.2 million);
•payment of dividends ($112.0 million); and
•payment of fees and expenses related to refinancing activities, which is included in "Other financing activities," including debt issuance costs ($17.5 million) and the call premium ($11.9 million) from the repayment of the 2026 Notes.
The "Other financing activities" caption also reflects a use of cash during fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021, primarily related to taxes paid by us when we withhold shares upon an employee's exercise or vesting of equity awards to cover income taxes.
We intend to continue to pay cash dividends on our common stock, subject to our compliance with applicable law, and depending on, among other things, our results of operations, financial condition, level of indebtedness, capital requirements, contractual restrictions, restrictions in our debt agreements, business prospects and other factors that our Board of Directors may deem relevant. However, the payment of any future dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and our Board of Directors may, at any time, determine not to continue to declare quarterly dividends.
Covenant Compliance
The Credit Agreement contains a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to: incur additional indebtedness; issue preferred stock or provide guarantees; create liens on assets; engage in mergers or consolidations; sell assets; pay dividends, make distributions or repurchase our capital stock; make investments, loans or advances; repay or repurchase any subordinated debt, except as scheduled or at maturity; create restrictions on the payment of dividends or other amounts to us from our restricted subsidiaries; make certain acquisitions; engage in certain transactions with affiliates; amend material agreements governing our subordinated debt (or any indebtedness that refinances our subordinated debt); and fundamentally change our business. The indentures governing our senior notes contain similar provisions. As of September 30, 2022, we were in compliance with these covenants.
As stated above, the Credit Agreement and the indentures governing our senior notes contain provisions that restrict our ability to pay dividends and repurchase stock (collectively, "Restricted Payments"). In addition to customary exceptions, the Credit Agreement and indentures permit Restricted Payments in the aggregate up to an amount that increases quarterly by 50% of our
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Consolidated Net Income, as such term is defined in these debt agreements, subject to being in compliance with the interest coverage ratio described below.
Under the Credit Agreement, we are required to satisfy and maintain specified financial ratios and other financial condition tests and covenants. The indentures governing our senior notes also require us to comply with certain financial ratios in order to take certain actions. Our continued ability to meet those financial ratios, tests and covenants can be affected by events beyond our control, and there can be no assurance that we will meet those ratios, tests and covenants.
These financial ratios, tests and covenants involve the calculation of certain measures that we refer to in this discussion as "Covenant Adjusted EBITDA." Covenant Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement of financial performance under U.S. GAAP. Covenant Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) of Aramark Services, Inc. ("ASI") and its restricted subsidiaries plus interest and other financing costs, net, provision (benefit) for income taxes, and depreciation and amortization, further adjusted to give effect to adjustments required in calculating covenant ratios and compliance under our Credit Agreement and the indentures governing our senior notes.
Our presentation of these measures has limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under U.S. GAAP. You should not consider these measures as alternatives to net income or operating income determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Covenant Adjusted EBITDA, as presented by us, may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies because not all companies use identical calculations.
The following is a reconciliation of Net income (loss) attributable to ASI stockholder, which is a U.S. GAAP measure of ASI''s operating results, to Covenant Adjusted EBITDA as defined in our debt agreements. The terms and related calculations are defined in the Credit Agreement and the indentures governing our senior notes. Covenant Adjusted EBITDA is a measure of ASI and its restricted subsidiaries only and does not include the results of Aramark.
| Twelve Months Ended | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | September 30, 2022 | October 1, 2021 | |||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to ASI stockholders | $ | 194.5 | $ | (90.8) | |||
| Interest and other financing costs, net | 372.7 | 401.4 | |||||
| Provision (Benefit) for income taxes | 61.5 | (40.6) | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 532.3 | 550.7 | |||||
| Share-based compensation expense(1) | 95.5 | 71.1 | |||||
| Unusual or non-recurring (gains) and losses(2) | — | (77.1) | |||||
| Pro forma EBITDA for equity method investees(3) | 8.4 | 10.2 | |||||
| Pro forma EBITDA for certain transactions(4) | 11.8 | 11.2 | |||||
| Other(5)(6) | 45.0 | 102.5 | |||||
| Covenant Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,321.7 | $ | 938.6 |
(1) Represents share-based compensation expense resulting from the application of accounting for stock options, restricted stock units, performance stock units, deferred stock units awards and employee stock purchases (see Note 12 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
(2) Represents the fiscal 2021 non-cash gain from an observable price change on an equity investment ($137.9 million) and the fiscal 2021 non-cash loss from the termination of certain defined benefit pension plans ($60.9 million).
(3) Represents our estimated share of EBITDA, primarily from our AIM Services Co., Ltd. equity method investment, not already reflected in our Net Income (Loss) attributable to ASI stockholders. EBITDA for this equity method investee is calculated in a manner consistent with consolidated Covenant Adjusted EBITDA but does not represent cash distributions received from this investee.
(4) Represents the annualizing of net EBITDA from acquisitions made during the period.
(5) "Other" for the twelve months ended September 30, 2022 includes adjustments to remove the impact attributable to the adoption of certain accounting standards that are made to the calculation in accordance with the Credit Agreement and indentures ($34.8 million), the reversal of a contingent consideration liability related to an acquisition earn out ($20.7 million), non-cash charges for inventory write-downs to net realizable value and fixed asset write-offs related to personal protective equipment ($20.5 million), severance charges ($19.6 million), United States and non-United States governmental labor related tax credits resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic ($17.3 million), favorable impact related to a client contract dispute ($9.6 million), charges related to the Company's intention to spin-off the Uniform segment
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($9.3 million), gain from a funding agreement related to a legal matter ($6.5 million), the loss from the change in fair value related to certain gasoline and diesel agreements ($6.4 million), compensation expense related to an acquisition earn out contingent on employees staying until the performance period ends ($5.6 million), the gain from the insurance proceeds received related to property damage from a tornado in Nashville ($4.0 million), the impact of hyperinflation in Argentina ($3.5 million), due diligence charges related to acquisitions ($2.5 million) and other miscellaneous expenses.
(6) "Other" for the twelve months ended October 1, 2021 includes non-cash charges for inventory write-downs to net realizable value and for excess inventory related to personal protective equipment ($36.0 million), labor charges, incremental expenses and other expenses associated with closed or partially closed client locations resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, net of United States and non-United States governmental labor related tax credits ($28.4 million), adjustments to remove the impact attributable to the adoption of certain accounting standards that are made to the calculation in accordance with the Credit Agreement and indentures ($25.3 million), expenses related to merger and integration related charges ($22.2 million), gain from a funding agreement related to a legal matter ($10.0 million), reversal of severance charges ($8.2 million), the gain from the change in fair value related to certain gasoline and diesel agreements ($5.9 million), a favorable settlement of a legal matter ($4.7 million), non-cash impairment charges related to various assets ($3.8 million), charges related to a client contract dispute ($2.6 million), expenses related to the impact of the ice storm in Texas ($2.5 million), a non-cash charge related to an environmental matter ($2.5 million), non-cash charges related to information technology assets ($2.2 million), the impact of hyperinflation in Argentina ($1.8 million) and other miscellaneous expenses.
Our covenant requirements and actual ratios for the twelve months ended September 30, 2022 are as follows:
| Covenant Requirements | Actual Ratios | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio(1) | ≤ 5.125x | 2.73x | |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio)(2) | ≥ 2.000x | 3.55x |
(1) The Credit Agreement requires ASI to maintain a maximum Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio, defined as consolidated total indebtedness secured by a lien to Covenant Adjusted EBITDA, not to exceed 5.125x. Consolidated total indebtedness secured by a lien is defined in the Credit Agreement as total indebtedness consisting of debt for borrowed money, finance leases, debt in respect of sales-leaseback transactions, disqualified and preferred stock and advances under the Receivables Facility secured by a lien reduced by the amount of cash and cash equivalents on the consolidated balance sheet that is free and clear of any lien. Non-compliance with the maximum Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio could result in the requirement to immediately repay all amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement, which, if ASI's lenders under our Credit Agreement (other than the lenders in respect of ASI's United States Term B Loans, which lenders do not benefit from the maximum Consolidated Debt Ratio covenant) failed to waive any such default, would also constitute a default under the indentures governing our senior notes.
(2) Our Credit Agreement establishes an incurrence-based minimum Interest Coverage Ratio, defined as Covenant Adjusted EBITDA to consolidated interest expense, the achievement of which is a condition for us to incur additional indebtedness and to make certain restricted payments and does not result in a default under the Credit Agreement or the indentures governing the senior notes. If we do not maintain this minimum Interest Coverage Ratio calculated on a pro forma basis for any such additional indebtedness or restricted payments, we could be prohibited from being able to (1) incur additional indebtedness, other than the incremental capacity provided for under the Credit Agreement and pursuant to specified exceptions, and (2) make certain restricted payments, other than pursuant to certain exceptions. However, any failure to maintain the minimum Interest Coverage Ratio would not result in a default or an event of default under either the Credit Agreement or the indentures governing the senior notes. The minimum Interest Coverage Ratio is at least 2.000x for the term of the Credit Agreement. Consolidated interest expense is defined in the Credit Agreement as consolidated interest expense excluding interest income, adjusted for acquisitions and dispositions, further adjusted for certain non-cash or nonrecurring interest expense and our estimated share of interest expense from one equity method investee. The indentures governing our senior notes include a similar requirement which is referred to as a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.
We and our subsidiaries and affiliates may from time to time, in our sole discretion, purchase, repay, redeem or retire any of our outstanding debt securities (including any publicly issued debt securities), in privately negotiated or open market transactions, by tender offer or otherwise, or extend or refinance any of our outstanding indebtedness.
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The following table summarizes our future obligations for debt repayments, finance leases, estimated interest payments, future minimum rental and similar commitments under noncancelable operating leases as well as contingent obligations related to outstanding letters of credit and guarantees as of September 30, 2022 (dollars in thousands):
| Payments Due by Period | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contractual Obligations as of September 30, 2022 | Total | Less than 1 year | 1-3 years | 3-5 years | More than 5 years | ||||||||||||||
| Long-term borrowings(1) | $ | 7,305,832 | $ | 37,602 | $ | 4,235,247 | $ | 1,152,526 | $ | 1,880,457 | |||||||||
| Finance lease obligations | 158,027 | 28,589 | 48,901 | 33,825 | 46,712 | ||||||||||||||
| Estimated interest payments(2) | 927,800 | 270,600 | 467,400 | 164,000 | 25,800 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating leases and other noncancelable commitments | 436,507 | 81,729 | 126,332 | 82,221 | 146,225 | ||||||||||||||
| Purchase obligations(3) | 665,221 | 267,049 | 140,809 | 85,555 | 171,808 | ||||||||||||||
| Other liabilities(4) | 709,009 | 215,546 | 242,531 | 30,783 | 220,149 | ||||||||||||||
| $ | 10,202,396 | $ | 901,115 | $ | 5,261,220 | $ | 1,548,910 | $ | 2,491,151 | ||||||||||
| Amount of Commitment Expiration by Period | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other Commercial Commitments as of September 30, 2022 | Total Amounts Committed | Less than 1 year | 1-3 years | 3-5 years | More than 5 years | ||||||||||||||
| Letters of credit | $ | 87,517 | $ | 76,445 | $ | 11,072 | $ | — | $ | — |
(1)Excludes the $41.6 million reduction to long-term borrowings from debt issuance costs, $0.7 million reduction from the discount on the United States Term B-4 Loans due 2027 and finance lease obligations.
(2)These amounts represent future interest payments related to our existing debt obligations based on fixed and variable interest rates specified in the associated debt agreements and reflect any current hedging arrangements. Payments related to variable debt are based on applicable rates at September 30, 2022 plus the specified margin in the associated debt agreements for each period presented. The amounts provided relate only to existing debt obligations and do not assume the refinancing or replacement of such debt. The average debt balance for each fiscal year from 2023 through 2028 is $7,421.0 million, $7,327.5 million, $5,324.5 million, $2,941.4 million, $2,347.8 million and $791.8 million, respectively. The weighted average interest rate of our existing debt obligations for each fiscal year from 2023 through 2028 is 3.65%, 3.74%, 3.63%, 3.02%, 3.20% and 3.26%, respectively (see Note 5 to the audited consolidated financial statements for the terms and maturities of existing debt obligations).
(3)Represents mainly the commitments for capital projects to help finance improvements or renovations at the facilities in which we operate.
(4)Includes certain unfunded employee retirement obligations, contingent consideration obligations related to acquisitions, deferred social security taxes, self-insurance obligations and other obligations.
We have excluded from the table above uncertain tax liabilities due to the uncertainty of the amount and period of payment. As of September 30, 2022, we have gross uncertain tax liabilities of $80.2 million (see Note 10 to the audited consolidated financial statements). During fiscal 2022, we made contributions totaling $5.7 million into our defined benefit pension plans. Estimated contributions to our defined benefit pension plans in fiscal 2023 are $2.8 million (see Note 9 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
We have a Receivables Facility agreement with three financial institutions where we sell on a continuous basis an undivided interest in all eligible accounts receivable, as defined in the Receivables Facility. The maximum amount available under the Receivables Facility as of September 30, 2022 is $500.0 million. During the third quarter of fiscal 2022, we increased the purchase limit available under the Receivables Facility from $400.0 million to $500.0 million and the additional seasonal tranche of $100.0 million has been eliminated. All other terms and conditions of the agreement remained largely unchanged. As of September 30, 2022, there are $104.9 million outstanding under the Receivables Facility. Amounts borrowed under the Receivables Facility fluctuate monthly based on our funding requirements and the level of qualified receivables available to collateralize the Receivables Facility.
Pursuant to the Receivables Facility, we formed ARAMARK Receivables, LLC, a wholly-owned, consolidated, bankruptcy-remote subsidiary. ARAMARK Receivables, LLC was formed for the sole purpose of buying and selling receivables generated by certain of our subsidiaries. Under the Receivables Facility, we and certain of our subsidiaries transfer without recourse all of our accounts receivable to ARAMARK Receivables, LLC. As collections reduce previously transferred interests, interests in new, eligible receivables are transferred to ARAMARK Receivables, LLC, subject to meeting certain conditions.
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Supplemental Consolidating Information
Pursuant to Regulation S-X Rule 13-01, which simplified certain disclosure requirements for guarantors and issuers of guaranteed securities, we are no longer required to provide condensed consolidating financial statements for Aramark and its subsidiaries, including the guarantors and non-guarantors under our Credit Agreement and the indentures governing our senior notes. ASI, the borrower under our Credit Agreement and the indentures governing our senior notes, and its restricted subsidiaries together comprise substantially all of our assets, liabilities and operations, and there are no material differences between the consolidating information related to Aramark and Aramark Intermediate Holdco Corporation, the direct parent of ASI and a guarantor under our Credit Agreement, on the one hand, and ASI and its restricted subsidiaries on a standalone basis, on the other hand.
Other
Our business activities do not include the use of unconsolidated special purpose entities and there are no significant business transactions that have not been reflected in the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements. We insure portions of our risk in general liability, automobile liability, workers’ compensation liability and property liability through a wholly owned captive insurance subsidiary (the "Captive") to enhance our risk financing strategies. The Captive is subject to the regulations within its domicile of Bermuda, including regulations established by the Bermuda Monetary Authority (the "BMA") relating to levels of liquidity and solvency as such concepts are defined by the BMA. The Captive was in compliance with these regulations as of September 30, 2022. These regulations may have the effect of limiting our ability to access certain cash and cash equivalents held by the Captive for uses other than for the payment of our general liability, automobile liability, workers’ compensation liability, property liability and related Captive costs. As of September 30, 2022 and October 1, 2021, cash and cash equivalents at the Captive were $23.1 million and $194.3 million, respectively. During fiscal 2022, the Captive began investing a portion of its cash and cash equivalents in United States Treasury securities to improve returns on the Captive's assets. The amount of this investment as of September 30, 2022 was $78.2 million and recorded in "Prepayments and other current assets" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our significant accounting policies are described in the notes to the audited consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.
In preparing our financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that, among other things, affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses. These estimates and assumptions are most significant where they involve levels of subjectivity and judgment necessary to account for highly uncertain matters or matters susceptible to change, and where they can have a material impact on our financial condition and operating performance. If actual results were to differ materially from the estimates made, the reported results could be materially affected.
Critical accounting estimates and the related assumptions are evaluated periodically as conditions warrant, and changes to such estimates are recorded as new information or changed conditions require.
Asset Impairment Determinations
Indefinite lived intangible assets that are not amortized are subject to an impairment test that we conduct annually or more frequently if a change in circumstances or the occurrence of events indicates that potential impairment exists. For goodwill, the impairment test may first consider qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Examples of qualitative factors include, macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance, entity-specific events, events affecting reporting units and sustained changes in our stock price. If results of the qualitative assessment indicate a more likely than not determination or if a qualitative assessment is not performed, a quantitative test is performed by comparing the estimated fair value using a discounted cash flow method or market method for each reporting unit with its estimated net book value.
We perform the assessment of goodwill at the reporting unit level. Within our FSS International segment, each country or region is evaluated separately since they are relatively autonomous and separate goodwill balances have been recorded for each entity. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, we performed the annual impairment test for goodwill for each of our reporting units using a quantitative testing approach. Based on the evaluation performed, we determined that the fair value of each of the reporting units significantly exceeded its respective carrying amount, and therefore, we determined that goodwill was not impaired.
The determination of fair value for each reporting unit includes assumptions, which are considered Level 3 inputs, that are subject to risk and uncertainty. The discounted cash flow calculations are dependent on several subjective factors including the timing of future cash flows, the underlying margin projection assumptions, future growth rates and the discount rate. The market based method is dependent on several subjective factors including the determination of market multiples and future cash
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flows. If our assumptions or estimates in our fair value calculations change or if future cash flows, margin projections or future growth rates vary from what was expected, this may impact our impairment analysis and could reduce the underlying cash flows used to estimate fair values and result in a decline in fair value that may trigger future impairment charges.
With respect to our other long-lived assets, we are required to test for asset impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. If indicators of impairment are present, we compare the sum of the future expected cash flows from the asset, undiscounted and without interest charges, to the asset’s carrying value. If the sum of the future expected cash flows from the asset is less than the carrying value, an impairment would be recognized for the difference between the estimated fair value and the carrying value of the asset.
In making future cash flow analyses of various assets, we make assumptions relating to the following:
• the intended use of assets and the expected future cash flows resulting directly from such use;
• comparable market valuations of businesses similar to Aramark's business segments;
• industry specific economic conditions;
• competitor activities and regulatory initiatives; and
• client and customer preferences and behavior patterns.
We believe that an accounting estimate relating to asset impairment is a critical accounting estimate because the assumptions underlying future cash flow estimates are subject to change from time to time and the recognition of an impairment could have a significant impact on our Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss).
Litigation and Claims
From time to time, we and our subsidiaries are party to various legal actions, proceedings and investigations involving claims incidental to the conduct of our businesses, including those brought by clients, customers, employees, government entities and third parties under, among others, federal, state, international, national, provincial and local employment laws, wage and hour laws, discrimination laws, immigration laws, human health and safety laws, import and export controls and customs laws, environmental laws, false claims or whistleblower statutes, procurement regulations, intellectual property laws, food safety and sanitation laws, cost and accounting principles, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.K. Bribery Act, other anti-corruption laws, lobbying laws, motor carrier safety laws, data privacy and security laws and alcohol licensing and service laws, or alleging negligence and/or breach of contractual and other obligations. We consider the measurement of litigation reserves as a critical accounting estimate because of the significant uncertainty in some cases relating to the outcome of potential claims or litigation and the difficulty of predicting the likelihood and range of potential liability involved, coupled with the material impact on our results of operations that could result from litigation or other claims. In determining legal reserves, we consider, among other issues:
• interpretation of contractual rights and obligations;
• the status of government regulatory initiatives, interpretations and investigations;
• the status of settlement negotiations;
• prior experience with similar types of claims;
• whether there is available insurance; and
• advice of counsel.
We were involved in a dispute with a client regarding our provision of services pursuant to a contract. During fiscal 2022, we resolved the matter by entering into a settlement agreement with the client whereby our obligations totaled $13.6 million, resulting in a reversal of previously reserved amounts of $5.7 million, which is included in "Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)" on the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss).
Allowance for Credit Losses
We encounter credit loss risks associated with the collection of receivables. We analyze historical experience, current general and specific industry economic conditions, industry concentrations, such as exposure to small and medium-sized businesses, the non-profit healthcare sector, federal and local governments, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount in estimating credit losses. The accounting estimate related to the allowance for credit losses is a critical accounting estimate because the underlying assumptions used for the allowance can change from time to time and credit losses could potentially have a material impact on our results of operations. We adopted a new accounting standard related to the measurement of expected credit losses as of October 3, 2020 (the first day of fiscal 2021).
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As of September 30, 2022 and October 1, 2021, our allowance for credit losses was $56.4 million and $79.6 million, respectively.
Inventory Obsolescence
We record an inventory obsolescence reserve for obsolete, excess and slow-moving inventory, principally in the Uniform segment. In calculating our inventory obsolescence reserve, we analyze historical and projected data regarding customer demand within specific product categories and make assumptions regarding economic conditions within customer specific industries, as well as style and product changes. Our accounting estimate related to inventory obsolescence is a critical accounting estimate because customer demand in certain of our businesses can be variable and changes in our reserve for inventory obsolescence could materially affect our results of operations.
As of September 30, 2022 and October 1, 2021, our reserve for inventory obsolescence was $51.3 million and $45.7 million, respectively.
Self-Insurance Reserves
We self-insure for obligations related to certain risks that we retain under our casualty program, which includes general liability, automobile liability and workers’ compensation liability, as well as for property liability and employee healthcare benefit programs. The accounting estimates related to our self-insurance reserves are critical accounting estimates because changes in our claim experience, our ability to settle claims or other estimates and judgments we use could potentially have a material impact on our results of operations. Our reserves for retained costs associated with our casualty program are estimated through actuarial methods, with the assistance of third-party actuaries, using loss development assumptions based on our claims history. Our casualty program reserves take into account reported claims as well as incurred-but-not-reported losses using loss development factors based upon past experience. In order to determine the loss development factors, we make judgments relating to the nature, frequency, severity, and age of claims, and industry, regulatory and company-specific trends impacting the development of claims. The actual cost to settle our self-insured casualty claim liabilities can differ from our reserve estimates because of a number of uncertainties, including the inherent difficulty in estimating the severity of a claim and the potential amount to defend and settle a claim.
As of September 30, 2022 and October 1, 2021, our self-insurance reserves were $254.4 million and $235.7 million, respectively.
Income Taxes
We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, income tax expense is recognized for the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year and for deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our consolidated financial statements or tax returns. We make assumptions, judgments and estimates to determine the current income tax provision (benefit), deferred tax asset and liabilities and valuation allowance recorded against a deferred tax asset. The assumptions, judgments and estimates relative to the current income tax provision (benefit) take into account current tax laws, their interpretation and possible results of foreign and domestic tax audits. Changes in tax law, their interpretation and resolution of tax audits could significantly impact the income taxes provided in our consolidated financial statements. Assumptions, judgments and estimates relative to the amount of deferred income taxes take into account future taxable income. Any of the assumptions, judgments and estimates mentioned above could cause the actual income tax obligations to differ from our estimates.
As of September 30, 2022 and October 1, 2021, our valuation allowance reserves recorded against deferred tax assets were $83.8 million and $97.5 million, respectively (see Note 10 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
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New Accounting Standards Updates
See Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements for a full description of recent accounting standards updates, including the expected dates of adoption.
FY 2021 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001584509-21-000256.
Item 7.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of Aramark's (the "Company," "we," "our" and "us") financial condition and results of operations for the fiscal years ended October 1, 2021 and October 2, 2020 should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and the notes to those statements. Discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations for the fiscal year ended October 2, 2020 compared to the fiscal year ended September 27, 2019 is included under the heading Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Results of Operations - Fiscal 2020 Compared to Fiscal 2019 and - Liquidity and Capital Resources” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for the fiscal year ended October 2, 2020 with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on November 24, 2020.
Our discussion contains forward-looking statements, such as our plans, objectives, opinions, expectations, anticipations, intentions and beliefs, that are based upon our current expectations but that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in those forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those set forth under "Risk Factors," "Special Note About Forward-looking Statements" and "Business" sections and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K ("Annual Report"). In the following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations, certain financial measures may be considered “non-GAAP financial measures” under SEC rules. These rules require supplemental explanation and reconciliation, which is provided elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Overview
We are a leading global provider of food, facilities and uniform services to education, healthcare, business & industry and sports, leisure & corrections clients. Our core market is the United States, which is supplemented by an additional 18-country footprint. Through our established brand, broad geographic presence and employees, we anchor our business in our partnerships with thousands of clients. Through these partnerships we serve millions of consumers including students, patients, employees, sports fans and guests worldwide.
We operate our business in three reportable segments:
•Food and Support Services United States ("FSS United States") - Food, refreshment, specialized dietary and support services, including facility maintenance and housekeeping, provided to business, educational and healthcare institutions and in sports, leisure and other facilities serving the general public in the United States.
•Food and Support Services International ("FSS International") - Food, refreshment, specialized dietary and support services, including facility maintenance and housekeeping, provided to business, educational and healthcare institutions and in sports, leisure and other facilities serving the general public. We have operations in 18 countries outside the United States. Our largest international operations are in Canada, Chile, China, Germany, Ireland and the United Kingdom, and in a majority of these countries we are one of the leading food and/or facility services providers. We also have operations in Japan through our 50% ownership of AIM Services Co., Ltd., which is a leader in providing outsourced food services in Japan.
•Uniform and Career Apparel ("Uniform") - Provides a full service employee uniform solution, including design, sourcing and manufacturing, delivery, cleaning and maintenance on a contract basis. We directly market personalized uniforms and accessories, provide managed restroom services and rent uniforms, work clothing, outerwear, particulate-free garments and non-garment items and related services, including mats, shop towels and first aid supplies, to clients in a wide range of industries in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and through a joint venture in Japan, including the manufacturing, transportation, construction, restaurant and hotel, healthcare and pharmaceutical industries.
Our Food and Support Services operations focus on serving clients in five principal sectors: Business & Industry, Education, Healthcare, Sports, Leisure & Corrections and Facilities & Other. Our FSS International reportable segment provides a similar range of services as those provided to our FSS United States clients and operates in the same sectors. Administrative expenses not allocated to our three reportable segments are presented separately as corporate expenses.
Impact of COVID-19 on our Business
The COVID-19 pandemic ("COVID-19") has disrupted and is expected to continue to disrupt our business, which has and could continue to materially affect our operating results, cash flows and/or financial condition for an extended period of time. The decline in our operations from COVID-19 caused a deterioration in our revenue, operating income (loss) and net (loss) income for the fiscal years ended October 1, 2021 and October 2, 2020. Our financial results began to improve during the
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second half of fiscal 2021 as lockdowns were lifted and operations began to re-open as well as from actions to reduce variable and fixed costs, including headcount reductions primarily taken during the second half of fiscal 2020. COVID-19 has adversely affected global economies, financial markets and the overall environment for our business. The ongoing impact of COVID-19 on our longer-term operational and financial performance will depend on future developments, including the availability, widespread distribution and acceptance of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines, the emergence of COVID-19 variants, our ability to effectively hire and retain personnel, governmental response to the pandemic and the continuation of governmental relief programs. Many of these future developments are outside of our control and all are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted.
In response to COVID-19, we continue to remain principally focused on the safety and well-being of our employees, clients and everyone we serve, while simultaneously taking timely, proactive measures to adapt to the current environment. We continue to modify our business model in response to the disruption caused by COVID-19 by strengthening our available liquidity, focusing on flexible, low fixed-cost operations and diversifying our service offerings, geographic mix and client portfolio.
While certain of our operating sectors have been significantly impacted to date, we continue to work toward mitigating these negative impacts. These efforts have included significant variable and fixed cost reductions, including headcount reductions primarily during fiscal 2020, contractual negotiations and efforts to provide additional products and services arising in the current environment. We have also taken advantage of relief provisions, including the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act"), the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 ("CAA") and other United States and foreign governmental programs. The operating environment, however, remains very fluid with changes in the number of COVID-19 cases and progress in the vaccination effort significantly contributing to the ability and willingness of private businesses and governments to open or remain open, even at limited levels.
In the FSS United States segment, the impacts to our operating sectors are further described as follows:
•Education – We welcomed students and educators back to in-person learning at the start of the school year in both K-12 and Higher Education. Higher Education implemented enhanced on-campus experiences that included additional meal flexibility and digital innovation, despite retail and event catering volumes being slower to recover. K-12 continues to participate in universal government-sponsored meal programs.
•Sports, Leisure & Corrections – Fans largely returned to stadiums at full capacity for the Major League Baseball season and the National Football League season which is underway. Leisure remained active as National Parks continued to serve as an attractive vacation destination, while conference centers and events had less activity. Corrections had already returned to pre-COVID-19 levels.
•Business & Industry – Companies introduced greater in-person return-to-work activity, although at a measured pace, particularly with white-collar clients.
•Facilities & Other – Operations remain positive, surpassing pre-COVID-19 levels, as locations continue to increase in-person activity, while we continue to offer additional project-oriented services to ensure locations are ready and safe.
•Healthcare – Operations continue to gradually improve with a higher level of voluntary procedures, routine medical appointments and hospital visitations, despite retail and catering volumes being slower to recover.
Within the FSS International segment, we are at various stages of response depending on geography. China continues its recovery due to our efforts on the frontlines, particularly in Healthcare, while South America continues to experience strong performance in extractive services. Europe and Canada continue to recover as restrictions ease.
In the Uniform segment, our business serves a range of clients. Operations have resumed across the segment, although below pre-pandemic levels for some products or services, associated with hospitality. In addition, we continue to be a solution-oriented service focusing on safety and hygiene. In response to COVID-19, we increased inventory levels, particularly related to personal protective equipment ("PPE"). During fiscal 2021, we recorded inventory write-downs and reserves related to PPE due to a decline in demand.
In all business segments, we continue to leverage our flexible operating model to execute cost mitigation plans while continuing to support our clients. During fiscal 2021, we saw improved profitability from clients re-opening after COVID-19 restrictions began to lift as well as from the actions to reduce variable and fixed costs, including headcount reductions taken during the second half of fiscal 2020. We continue to evaluate and react to the potential effects of a prolonged disruption and the continued impact on our results of operations. These items may include, but are not limited to: the financial condition of our clients, mainly within the Uniform segment; supply chain disruptions that caused delivery delays, lower fill rates and higher substitution rates for a wide-range of products; and increases in inflation causing food supply chain and labor challenges. We expect these items to continue into fiscal 2022, along with the potential for costs related to COVID-19 testing or vaccine mandates. However, we continue to evaluate and react in order to take appropriate actions to mitigate the risk in these areas.
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We undertook many actions as it relates to our available liquidity in response to COVID-19. See "Liquidity and Capital Resources" below for additional disclosure around these actions taken. Also, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors” for an additional discussion of risks and potential risks of COVID-19 on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Acquisition
On June 4, 2021, we completed the acquisition of Next Level Hospitality ("Next Level"), a premier provider of culinary and environmental services in the senior living industry, specializing in skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities (see Note 2 to the audited consolidated financial statements). The cash consideration paid for Next Level was $226.1 million.
Seasonality
Our revenue and operating results have varied from quarter to quarter as a result of different factors. Historically, within our FSS United States segment, there has been a lower level of activity during our first and second fiscal quarters in operations that provide services to sports and leisure clients. This lower level of activity, historically, has been partially offset during our first and second fiscal quarters by the increased activity levels in our educational operations. Conversely, historically there has been a significant increase in the provision of services to sports and leisure clients during our third and fourth fiscal quarters, which is partially offset by the effect of summer recess at colleges, universities and schools in our educational operations. As described above, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in following periods, our business and results of operations have not and may continue to not experience our historically typical patterns of seasonality.
Sources of Revenue
Our clients engage us, generally through written contracts, to provide our services at their locations. Depending on the type of client and service, we are paid either by our client or directly by the consumer to whom we have been provided access by our client. We typically use either profit and loss contracts or client interest contracts in our FSS United States and FSS International segments. These contracts differ in their provision for the amount of financial risk we bear and, accordingly, the potential compensation, profits or fees we may receive. Under profit and loss contracts, we receive all of the revenue from, and bear all of the expenses of, the provision of our services at a client location. For fiscal 2021, approximately two-thirds of our FSS United States and FSS International segment revenue was derived from profit and loss contracts. Client interest contracts include management fee contracts, under which our clients reimburse our operating costs and pay us a management fee, which may be calculated as a fixed dollar amount or a percentage of revenue or operating costs. Some management fee contracts entitle us to receive incentive fees based upon our performance under the contract, as measured by factors such as revenue, operating costs and customer satisfaction surveys. For fiscal 2021, approximately one-third of our FSS United States and FSS International segment revenue was derived from client interest contracts. In response to the changed circumstances caused by COVID-19, we partnered with clients, mainly within the Business & Industry sector, to renegotiate or temporarily suspend certain terms and financial structures, particularly in profit and loss contracts, in order to mitigate lost revenues caused by partial or full closure of client premises.
For our Uniform segment, we typically serve our rental clients under written service contracts for an initial term of three to five years. As the majority of our clients purchase on a recurring basis, our backlog of orders at any given time consists principally of orders in the process of being filled. With the exception of certain governmental bid business, most of our direct marketing business is conducted under invoice arrangement with repeat clients. To a large degree, our direct marketing business is relationship-driven. While we have long-term relationships with our larger clients, we generally do not have contracts with these clients.
Costs and Expenses
Our costs and expenses are comprised of cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization), depreciation and amortization and selling and general corporate expenses. Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) consists of direct expenses associated with our operations, which includes food costs, wages, other labor-related expenses (including workers' compensation, severance, state unemployment insurance and federal or state mandated health benefits and other healthcare costs), insurance, fuel, utilities, piece goods and clothing and equipment. Depreciation and amortization expenses mainly relate to assets used in generating revenue. Selling and general corporate expenses include sales commissions, severance, share-based compensation and other unallocated costs related to administrative functions including finance, legal and human resources.
Interest and Other Financing Costs, net
Interest and other financing costs, net, relates primarily to interest expense on long-term borrowings. Interest and other financing costs, net also includes third-party costs associated with long-term borrowings that were capitalized and are being amortized over the term of the borrowing.
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(Benefit) Provision for Income Taxes
The (benefit) provision for income taxes represents federal, foreign, state and local income taxes. Our effective tax rate differs from the statutory United States income tax rate due to the effect of state and local income taxes, tax rates in foreign jurisdictions, tax credits and certain nondeductible expenses. Our effective tax rate will change from quarter to quarter based on recurring and nonrecurring factors including, but not limited to, the geographical mix of earnings, state and local income taxes, tax audit settlements, share-based award exercise activity and enacted tax legislation, including certain business tax credits. The income tax benefit in both fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020 was impacted by governmental programs, such as the CARES Act and CAA, while both fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019 were impacted by United States tax reform enacted in the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" (see Note 10 to the audited consolidated financial statements). Changes in judgment due to the evaluation of new information resulting in the recognition, derecognition or remeasurement of a tax position taken in a prior annual period are recognized separately in the quarter of the change.
Foreign Currency Fluctuations
The impact from foreign currency translation assumes constant foreign currency exchange rates based on the rates in effect for the prior year period being used in translation for the comparable current year period. We believe that providing the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency rates on certain financial results can facilitate analysis of period-to-period comparisons of business performance.
Fiscal Year
Our fiscal year is the fifty-two or fifty-three week period which ends on the Friday nearest to September 30th. The fiscal year ended October 1, 2021 was a fifty-two week period and the fiscal year ended October 2, 2020 was a fifty-three week period.
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Results of Operations
Fiscal 2021 Compared to Fiscal 2020
The following tables present an overview of our results on a consolidated and segment basis with the amount of and percentage change between periods for the fiscal years 2021 and 2020 (dollars in millions).
| Fiscal Year Ended | Change | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 1, 2021 | October 2, 2020 | $ | % | ||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 12,096.0 | $ | 12,829.6 | $ | (733.6) | (5.7) | % | |||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | |||||||||||||||
| Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | 11,007.2 | 11,993.7 | (986.5) | (8.2) | % | ||||||||||
| Other operating expenses | 897.4 | 902.2 | (4.8) | (0.5) | % | ||||||||||
| Goodwill impairment | — | 198.6 | (198.6) | (100.0) | % | ||||||||||
| 11,904.6 | 13,094.5 | (1,189.9) | (9.1) | % | |||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 191.4 | (264.9) | 456.3 | 172.3 | % | ||||||||||
| Gain on Equity Investment | (137.9) | — | (137.9) | (100.0) | % | ||||||||||
| Loss on Defined Benefit Pension Plan Termination | 60.9 | — | 60.9 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Interest and Other Financing Costs, net | 401.3 | 382.8 | 18.5 | 4.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Loss Before Income Taxes | (132.9) | (647.7) | 514.8 | 79.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Benefit for Income Taxes | (40.7) | (186.3) | (145.6) | (78.2) | % | ||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (92.2) | $ | (461.4) | $ | 369.2 | 80.0 | % |
| Fiscal Year Ended | Change | Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue by Segment(1) | October 1, 2021 | October 2, 2020 | $ | % | |||||||||||
| FSS United States | $ | 6,809.3 | $ | 7,366.7 | $ | (557.4) | (7.6 | %) | |||||||
| FSS International | 2,866.2 | 2,945.8 | (79.6) | (2.7 | %) | ||||||||||
| Uniform | 2,420.5 | 2,517.1 | (96.6) | (3.8 | %) | ||||||||||
| $ | 12,096.0 | $ | 12,829.6 | $ | (733.6) | (5.7 | %) | ||||||||
| Fiscal Year Ended | Change | Change | |||||||||||||
| Operating Income (Loss) by Segment(1) | October 1, 2021 | October 2, 2020 | $ | % | |||||||||||
| FSS United States | $ | 131.8 | $ | 5.3 | $ | 126.5 | *** | ||||||||
| FSS International | 58.2 | (344.2) | 402.4 | 116.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Uniform | 120.8 | 171.5 | (50.7) | (29.6 | %) | ||||||||||
| Corporate | (119.4) | (97.5) | (21.9) | (22.4 | %) | ||||||||||
| $ | 191.4 | $ | (264.9) | $ | 456.3 | 172.3 | % |
*** Not meaningful
(1) As a percentage of total revenue, FSS United States represented 56.3% and 57.4%, FSS International represented 23.7% and 23.0% and Uniform represented 20.0% and 19.6% for fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, respectively.
Consolidated Overview
Revenue decreased by approximately 5.7% during fiscal 2021 compared to the prior year period, which was mainly due to COVID-19. The impact from our clients either reducing or ceasing operations was more significant during fiscal 2021 as the pandemic did not materially affect operations until late in the second quarter of fiscal 2020. Revenue began to improve during the second half of fiscal 2021 as lockdowns were lifted and operations began to re-open. The decrease in revenue was also attributable to the estimated impact of the 53rd week in fiscal 2020 (approximately 1.3%). Foreign currency translation favorably impacted fiscal 2021 (approximately 1.3%).
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The following table presents the cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) by segment and as a percent of revenue for the fiscal years ended October 1, 2021 and October 2, 2020.
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 1, 2021 | October 2, 2020 | |||||||||||||
| Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)(1) | $ | % of Revenue | $ | % of Revenue | ||||||||||
| FSS United States | $ | 6,237.6 | 91.6 | % | $ | 6,889.4 | 93.5 | % | ||||||
| FSS International | 2,719.2 | 94.9 | % | 2,998.4 | 101.8 | % | ||||||||
| Uniform | 2,050.4 | 84.7 | % | 2,105.9 | 83.7 | % | ||||||||
| $ | 11,007.2 | 91.0 | % | $ | 11,993.7 | 93.5 | % |
(1) During fiscal 2020, Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) included severance charges related to COVID-19. The severance charges by segment are the following: FSS United States ($51.8 million), FSS International ($87.3 million) and Uniform ($4.9 million) (see Note 2 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
The following table presents the percentages attributable to the components in cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) for fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020.
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) components | October 1, 2021 | October 2, 2020 | ||||
| Food and support service costs | 24.3 | % | 25.7 | % | ||
| Personnel costs | 50.3 | % | 49.3 | % | ||
| Other direct costs | 25.4 | % | 25.0 | % | ||
| 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
Operating income (loss) increased by approximately $456.3 million during fiscal 2021 compared to the prior year period. Operating income (loss) was negatively impacted during both fiscal 2021 and 2020 by COVID-19 as clients either reduced or ceased operations at certain locations across all of our segments. Operating income (loss) began to improve during the second half of fiscal 2021 as lockdowns were lifted and operations began to re-open. In addition, operating income (loss) benefited from both United States and non-United States governmental labor related tax credits, which were higher in fiscal 2021 than fiscal 2020 (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements). The increase in operating income (loss) during fiscal 2021 was attributable to:
•improved profitability from client re-openings as well as from actions to reduce variable and fixed costs, including headcount reductions primarily taken during the second half of fiscal 2020;
•prior year non-cash goodwill impairment charge in the FSS International segment (approximately $198.6 million) (see Note 4 to the audited consolidated financial statements);
•prior year severance charges, mainly related to COVID-19, and current year severance accrual reversals (approximately $166.0 million);
•prior year non-cash charges related to operating lease right-of-use ("ROU") assets, property and equipment and other assets in the FSS United States and FSS International segments, primarily related to client contracts that were reassessed due to the impact of COVID-19 (approximately $30.6 million);
•prior year non-cash charges related to operating lease ROU assets, property and equipment and other assets from disposal by abandonment of certain rental properties in the FSS United States segment (approximately $28.5 million); and
•prior year non-cash charges related to information technology assets in the FSS United States segment due to discontinued use and non-renewal or expiration of contracts with specific vendors (approximately $26.1 million).
These increases in operating income (loss) during fiscal 2021 more than offset:
•higher personnel costs from incentive expenses related to the annual bonus and employer retirement matching contributions;
•higher share-based compensation expense (approximately $40.7 million) (see Note 12 to the audited consolidated financial statements);
•non-cash inventory charges, mainly to write down personal protective equipment ("PPE") to its net realizable value in the Uniform segment (approximately $25.0 million);
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•higher personnel costs related to sales growth initiatives (approximately $23.8 million); and
•prior year gain from the insurance proceeds received related to property damage from a tornado in Nashville (approximately $16.3 million).
During fiscal 2021, a non-cash gain related to an equity investment of approximately $137.9 million was recorded, which was partially offset by a non-cash loss from the termination of certain defined benefit pension plans of approximately $60.9 million.
Interest and Other Financing Costs, net, increased 4.9% during fiscal 2021 compared to the prior year period. The increase for fiscal 2021 was primarily due to the issuance of $1,500.0 million of 6.375% Senior Notes, due 2025 (the "6.375% 2025 Notes") in April 2020, partially offset by lower interest from the repayments of $900.0 million of the 5.125% Senior Notes due 2024 (the "5.125% 2024 Notes") in January of fiscal 2020 and $500.0 million of the 4.75% Senior Notes due 2026 (the "4.75% 2026 Notes") during the third quarter of fiscal 2021 and from lower borrowings on the receivables facility and revolving credit facility.
The Benefit for Income Taxes for fiscal 2021 was recorded at an effective rate of 30.6% compared to an effective rate of 28.8% in the prior year. As a result of the CARES Act, we recorded a net benefit to the (Benefit) Provision for Income Taxes of approximately $12.0 million and $58.4 million during fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, respectively. The (Benefit) Provision for Income Taxes during fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020 includes the Net Operating Losses ("NOL") expected to be carried back to Pre-Tax Cut and Jobs Act years, which are benefited at an income tax rate of 35.0% as opposed to the current year rate of 21.0%. During fiscal 2021, we recorded a valuation allowance of $36.5 million against certain foreign tax credits that were re-established by the NOL carryback. Within the FSS International segment, we also recorded during fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020 a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets in certain subsidiaries from cumulative losses of approximately $22.0 million and $21.4 million, respectively. The effective tax rate for fiscal 2020 also includes income tax benefits of approximately $46.2 million as a result of an excess tax benefit recognized in relation to equity awards exercised during fiscal 2020, including by the former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. The Loss Before Taxes for fiscal 2020 includes a non-cash impairment charge of goodwill of $198.6 million, which is nondeductible for income tax purposes.
Segment Results
FSS United States Segment
The FSS United States reportable segment consists of five sectors which have similar economic characteristics and comprise a single operating segment. The five sectors of the FSS United States reportable segment are Business & Industry, Education, Healthcare, Sports, Leisure & Corrections and Facilities & Other.
Revenue for each of these sectors is summarized as follows (in millions):
| Fiscal Year Ended | Change | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 1, 2021 | October 2, 2020 | % | |||||||||
| Business & Industry | $ | 695.7 | $ | 1,097.3 | (36.6) | % | |||||
| Education | 2,124.4 | 2,416.4 | (12.1) | % | |||||||
| Healthcare | 891.2 | 824.6 | 8.1 | % | |||||||
| Sports, Leisure & Corrections | 1,511.3 | 1,535.8 | (1.6) | % | |||||||
| Facilities & Other | 1,586.7 | 1,492.6 | 6.3 | % | |||||||
| $ | 6,809.3 | $ | 7,366.7 | (7.6) | % |
The Healthcare sector had high-single digit operating income margins, consistent with prior year. The Education and Facilities & Other sectors had mid-single digit operating income margins, consistent with prior year. The Business & Industry sector had negative mid-single digit operating income margins, consistent with prior year. The Sports, Leisure & Corrections sector had mid-single digit operating income margins, compared to negative low-single digits in the prior year. As described above, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in following periods, operating income margins in the FSS United States sectors may differ from our otherwise historical patterns.
FSS United States segment revenue decreased by approximately 7.6% during fiscal 2021 compared to the prior year period. The decrease was primarily attributable to COVID-19, which significantly impacted our Business and Industry sector due to many clients working from home instead of the office for a majority of fiscal 2021 compared to half of fiscal 2020 and our Education sector where clients during the 2020-2021 school year either reduced or ceased operations at certain locations, and instead opted for virtual or remote learning. The decrease in revenue was also impacted by the estimated impact of the 53rd week in fiscal 2020 (approximately 1.5%). The Healthcare sector increased due to the acquisition of Next Level Hospitality, which contributed $108.9 million of revenue during fiscal 2021.
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Operating income increased by approximately $126.5 million during fiscal 2021 compared to the prior year period. The increase during fiscal 2021 was attributable to:
•higher profitability from clients re-opening as well as from actions to reduce variable and fixed costs, including headcount reductions primarily taken during the second half of fiscal 2020;
•prior year severance charges, mainly related to COVID-19, and current year severance accrual reversals (approximately $55.6 million);
•prior year non-cash charges related to operating lease ROU assets, property and equipment and other assets from disposal by abandonment of certain rental properties (approximately $28.5 million);
•prior year non-cash charges related to information technology assets due to discontinued use and non-renewal or expiration of contracts with specific vendors (approximately $26.1 million); and
•prior year non-cash charges related to operating lease ROU assets, property and equipment and other assets, primarily related to client contracts that were reassessed due to the impact of COVID-19 (approximately $19.4 million).
These increases in operating income during fiscal 2021 more than offset higher insurance expenses, mainly from our medical program due to operations returning (approximately $9.2 million), and higher personnel costs from sales growth initiatives (approximately $7.1 million) and from incentive expenses related to the annual bonus and employer retirement matching contributions.
FSS International Segment
FSS International segment revenue decreased by approximately 2.7% during fiscal 2021 compared to the prior year period. The decrease was attributable to the negative impact of COVID-19 from restrictions and higher levels of lockdowns from government mandates in certain countries for a majority of fiscal 2021 compared to half of fiscal 2020, partially offset by the positive impact of foreign currency translation (approximately 5.2%).
Operating income (loss) increased by approximately $402.4 million during fiscal 2021 compared to the prior year period. The increase was mainly attributable to:
•improved profitability from clients re-opening after COVID-19 restrictions began to lift as well as from actions to reduce variable and fixed costs, including headcount reductions taken during the second half of fiscal 2020;
•higher labor related tax credits provided from government assistance programs (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements);
•prior year non-cash goodwill impairment charge (approximately $198.6 million);
•prior year severance charges, mainly related to COVID-19, and current year severance accrual reversals (approximately $107.5 million);
•higher charges in the prior year related to a client contract dispute (approximately $12.4 million); and
•prior year non-cash charges related to property and equipment from client contracts that were reassessed due to the impact of COVID-19 (approximately $11.2 million).
These increases in operating income during fiscal 2021 more than offset higher personnel costs from incentive expenses related to the annual bonus.
Uniform Segment
Uniform segment revenue decreased by approximately 3.8% during fiscal 2021 compared to the prior year period. The decrease was primarily attributable to the greater negative impact of COVID-19 in the current year period compared to fiscal 2020 and the estimated impact of the 53rd week in fiscal 2020 (approximately 1.7%), partially offset by improved pricing.
Operating income decreased by approximately $50.7 million during fiscal 2021 compared to the prior year period. The decrease was attributable to the negative impact of COVID-19, from clients either reducing or ceasing operations at certain locations for a majority of fiscal 2021 compared to half of fiscal 2020. While the negative impact of COVID-19 was partially offset by both United States and non-United States governmental labor related tax credits, the benefit from the credits was lower in fiscal 2021 than fiscal 2020 (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements). The decrease in operating income was attributable to:
•non-cash inventory charges, mainly to write down PPE to its net realizable value (approximately $25.0 million);
•higher personnel costs related to sales growth initiatives (approximately $16.7 million);
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•prior year gain from the insurance proceeds received related to property damage from a tornado in Nashville (approximately $16.3 million);
•higher personnel costs from incentive expenses related to the annual bonus and employer retirement matching contributions;
•prior year favorable non-cash settlement of a multiemployer pension plan obligation (approximately $6.7 million); and
•higher severance charges compared to the prior year period (approximately $3.0 million).
These decreases in operating income during fiscal 2021 more than offset:
•favorable impact of headcount reductions taken during the second half of fiscal 2020;
•favorable in-service rental merchandise amortization compared to fiscal 2020; and
•lower merger and integration charges from the AmeriPride acquisition (approximately $2.4 million).
Corporate
Corporate expenses, those administrative expenses not allocated to the business segments, increased by approximately $21.9 million during fiscal 2021 compared to the prior year period. The increase was attributable to:
•higher share-based compensation expense (approximately $40.7 million) (see Note 12 to the audited consolidated financial statements); and
•higher personnel costs from incentive expenses related to the annual bonus.
These increases in corporate expenses during fiscal 2021 more than offset:
•the favorable change in fair value of certain gasoline and diesel agreements (approximately $6.4 million);
•effective cost discipline and prior year mitigating actions, including headcount reductions primarily taken during the second half of fiscal 2020; and
•prior year severance charges, mainly related to COVID-19, and current year severance accrual reversals (approximately $6.0 million).
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
Our principal sources of liquidity are cash generated from operating activities, funds from borrowings and existing cash on hand. As of October 1, 2021, we had $532.6 million of cash and cash equivalents, approximately $1,091.6 million of availability under our senior secured revolving credit facility and $400.0 million of availability under the receivables facility. A significant portion of our cash and cash equivalents are held in mature, liquid geographies where we have operations. As of October 1, 2021, there were approximately $869.5 million of outstanding foreign currency borrowings.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we undertook a number of actions during fiscal 2020 to enhance our cash position, including increasing borrowings under our revolving credit facility and under our receivables facility, renegotiations of client contracts, salary and other compensation adjustments and reductions to general corporate expenses. In addition, on April 27, 2020, Aramark Services Inc. (“ASI”), our indirect wholly owned subsidiary, issued $1,500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.375% 2025 Notes. We continue to apply effective cost discipline to mitigate the negative impacts of COVID-19 as well as take advantage of relief provisions, including the CARES Act, CAA, and other United States and foreign governmental programs (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements). During fiscal 2021, we repaid $780.0 million of outstanding borrowings under our United States revolving credit facility, $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.750% 2026 Notes and $315.6 million of outstanding borrowings under the receivables facility utilizing cash and cash equivalents on hand. Additionally, during fiscal 2021, we made $244.2 million of net repayments on term loan borrowings.
On April 6, 2021, we entered into Amendment No. 11 ("Amendment No. 11") to the Credit Agreement, dated as of March 28, 2017 (as supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), which, among other things, increased the availability on the revolving credit facility by $200.0 million and extended the maturity dates on a portion of the revolving credit facility, a portion of the Canadian dollar denominated term loan due October 2023, a portion of the euro denominated term loan due October 2023 and all of the yen denominated term loan due October 2023, in each case, to April 2026. We also extended the maturity date of the United States dollar denominated term loan due 2024 to April 2028. In addition, on June 25, 2021, we extended the maturity date of our receivables facility from June 2022 to June 2024 (see Note 5 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
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While the full impact of COVID-19 on our long-term liquidity remains uncertain, we currently believe that our cash and cash equivalents and availability under our revolving credit facility and receivables facility will be adequate to meet anticipated cash requirements for the foreseeable future to fund working capital, capital spending, debt service obligations, refinancings, dividends and other cash needs. As a result of the refinancings executed in fiscal 2021, we have no significant debt maturities due until 2025 and we believe we have sufficient flexibility to manage the impact of COVID-19, based on our current assumptions. We also have flexibility to optimize working capital and defer certain capital expenditures as appropriate without a material impact to the business. We believe that our assumptions used to estimate our liquidity and working capital requirements are reasonable; however, due to the unprecedented current environment, we cannot assure that our assumptions will be correct and, as a consequence, our ability to be predictive is uncertain. For additional information regarding the impact of COVID-19, including on our liquidity and capital resources, see Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors."
The table below summarizes our cash activity (in millions):
| Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 1, 2021 | October 2, 2020 | |||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 657.1 | $ | 176.7 | ||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (634.4) | (361.1) | ||||
| Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | (2,005.3) | 2,437.5 |
Reference to the audited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows will facilitate understanding of the discussion that follows.
Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities
Cash provided by operating activities increased by approximately $480.4 million during fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020, primarily driven by a $552.6 million favorable increase in operating assets and liabilities and by a lower net loss, as discussed in "Results of Operations" above. These increases were partially offset by non-cash gains and losses, including the prior year non-cash impairment charges related to goodwill and other assets of approximately $283.7 million, the current year non-cash gain from our equity investment of approximately $137.9 million and the loss on termination of certain defined benefit pension plans of approximately $60.9 million. The $552.6 million favorable change in operating assets and liabilities compared to the prior year period was primarily due to:
•Accounts payable by $594.2 million, generating a source of cash during fiscal 2021 compared to a use of cash in fiscal 2020 due to the reduction in the prior year balance from COVID-19 and the timing of disbursements whereas the current year balance has increased from client re-openings;
•Accrued expenses by $404.8 million, generating a source of cash during fiscal 2021 compared to a use of cash in fiscal 2020 primarily due to the following: operations returning, including higher client advances within our Higher Education business; the deferral of payments permitted under the CARES Act; lower commission payments in our Sports business; and lower payments related to the annual bonus, partially offset by current year severance payments from headcount reductions made in the second half of fiscal 2021; and
•Prepayment and Other Current Assets by $188.4 million, generating a source of cash during fiscal 2021 compared to a use of cash in fiscal 2020 mainly from proceeds received in the second quarter of fiscal 2021 related to the fiscal 2020 federal income tax return (approximately $93.6 million), whereas the prior year period income tax receivable balance increased due to our net loss position.
These changes in operating assets and liabilities more than offset:
•Receivables by $652.9 million, generating a use of cash during fiscal 2021 compared to a source of cash during fiscal 2020 due to the reduction in the prior year balance from COVID-19, whereas the current year balance has increased due to client re-openings.
Fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020 include approximately $159.1 million and $101.3 million, respectively, of proceeds associated with labor related tax credits from many foreign jurisdictions in which we operate as a form of relief from COVID-19 (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements). During fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, we received income of approximately $17.0 million and $15.5 million, respectively, related to favorable loss experience in older insurance years under our general liability, automobile liability and workers' compensation programs. The "Change in other noncurrent liabilities" caption was a use of cash during fiscal 2021 compared to a source of cash in fiscal 2020 due to the deferral of the employer portion of social security taxes as permitted under the CARES Act (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements) and changes in insurance reserves. The "Changes in other assets" caption was less of a source of cash during fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020 mainly from the increase to in-service rental merchandise as customer installations were reduced in fiscal 2020 from the impact of COVID-19. The "Other operating activities" caption reflects mainly adjustments to net loss in the current year and prior year
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periods related to non-cash gains and losses, including current year inventory write-downs within the Uniform segment and adjustments to non-operating cash gains and losses, including call premium expenses for debt repayments and the gain from the insurance proceeds of $16.3 million related to property damage from a tornado at one of our Uniform locations in Nashville during fiscal 2020.
Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities
The net cash flows used in investing activities were higher during fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020 due to the acquisition of Next Level Hospitality for $226.1 million (see Note 2 to the audited consolidated financial statements). This increase was partially offset by lower capital expenditures. The "Disposals of property and equipment" caption for fiscal 2020 includes approximately $21.5 million of insurance proceeds related to a tornado at one of our Uniform locations in Nashville. The "Proceeds from governmental agencies related to property and equipment" caption includes approximately $10.0 million and $15.3 million of proceeds during fiscal 2021 and 2020, respectively, relating to the recovery of our investment (possessory interest) at one of the National Park Service sites within our Sports, Leisure & Corrections sector. Fiscal 2020 also includes approximately $8.3 million during fiscal 2020 of proceeds from government grants related to the relocation to our headquarters.
Cash Flows (Used In) Provided by Financing Activities
During fiscal 2021, cash used in financing activities was impacted by the following:
•the repayment of borrowings under the United States revolving credit facility ($780.0 million);
•repayment of the aggregate principal amount of the 4.750% 2026 Notes ($500.0 million);
•repayments under the receivables facility ($315.6 million);
•net repayments of term loan borrowings ($244.2 million);
•payment of fees and expenses related to refinancing activities, which is included in "Other financing activities," including debt issuance costs ($17.5 million) and the call premium ($11.9 million) from the repayment of the 4.750% 2026 Notes; and
•payment of an earnout related to a prior year acquisition ($7.4 million).
During fiscal 2020, cash provided by financing activities was impacted by the following:
•issuance of the 6.375% 2025 Notes ($1,500.0 million);
•issuance of a new United States dollar denominated term loan due January 2027, net of original issue discount ($898.9 million);
•an increase in borrowings under the revolving credit facility ($849.9 million);
•an increase in funding under the receivables facility ($315.6 million);
•an increase in proceeds from issuance of common stock as a result of higher stock option exercises ($90.0 million); and
•cash proceeds received from a stockholder in connection with short-swing profits earned through transactions in our common stock, which are included in "Other financing activities" ($14.8 million); which more than offset
•repayment of the aggregate principal amount of the 5.125% 2024 Notes ($900.0 million); and
•payment of fees and expenses related to refinancing activities, which is included in "Other financing activities," including a call premium ($23.1 million) and debt issuance costs ($29.4 million).
The "Other financing activities" caption also reflects a use of cash during fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, primarily related to taxes paid by us when we withhold shares upon an employee's exercise or vesting of equity awards to cover income taxes.
During the second quarter of fiscal 2020, we repurchased 0.3 million shares of our common stock for $6.5 million under the fiscal 2019 share repurchase program, which will expire in July 2022.
On February 2, 2021, our stockholders approved the Third Amended and Restated 2013 Stock Incentive Plan, which amended and restated our 2013 Incentive Plan last amended on January 29, 2020. The Third Amended and Restated 2013 Stock Incentive Plan provides for up to 3.5 million of new shares authorized for issuance to participants, in addition to the shares that remained available for issuance under the 2013 Incentive Plan as of February 2, 2021.
On February 2, 2021, our stockholders approved the Aramark 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”). The ESPP allows eligible employees to contribute up to 10% of their eligible pay toward the quarterly purchase of our common stock, subject to an annual maximum dollar amount. The purchase price is 85% of the lesser of the i) fair market value per share of our common
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stock as determined on the purchase date or ii) fair market value per share of our common stock as determined on the first trading day of the quarterly offering period. Purchases under the ESPP are made in March, June, September and December. The aggregate number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the ESPP may not exceed 12.5 million shares. Our first purchase window began on April 1, 2021. There were 0.5 million shares purchased under the ESPP during the fiscal year ended October 1, 2021.
We intend to continue to pay cash dividends on our common stock, subject to our compliance with applicable law, and depending on, among other things, our results of operations, financial condition, level of indebtedness, capital requirements, contractual restrictions, restrictions in our debt agreements, business prospects and other factors that our Board of Directors may deem relevant. However, the payment of any future dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and our Board of Directors may, at any time, determine not to continue to declare quarterly dividends.
Covenant Compliance
The Credit Agreement contains a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to: incur additional indebtedness; issue preferred stock or provide guarantees; create liens on assets; engage in mergers or consolidations; sell assets; pay dividends, make distributions or repurchase our capital stock; make investments, loans or advances; repay or repurchase any subordinated debt, except as scheduled or at maturity; create restrictions on the payment of dividends or other amounts to us from our restricted subsidiaries; make certain acquisitions; engage in certain transactions with affiliates; amend material agreements governing our subordinated debt (or any indebtedness that refinances our subordinated debt); and fundamentally change our business. The indentures governing our senior notes contain similar provisions. As of October 1, 2021, we were in compliance with these covenants.
As stated above, the Credit Agreement and the indentures governing our senior notes contain provisions that restrict our ability to pay dividends and repurchase stock (collectively, "Restricted Payments"). In addition to customary exceptions, the Credit Agreement and indentures permit Restricted Payments in the aggregate up to an amount that increases quarterly by 50% of our Consolidated Net Income, as such term is defined in these debt agreements, subject to being in compliance with the interest coverage ratio described below.
Under the Credit Agreement, we are required to satisfy and maintain specified financial ratios and other financial condition tests and covenants. The indentures governing our senior notes also require us to comply with certain financial ratios in order to take certain actions. Our continued ability to meet those financial ratios, tests and covenants can be affected by events beyond our control, and there can be no assurance that we will meet those ratios, tests and covenants.
On April 22, 2020, as a result of the impact of COVID-19 on our business, ASI entered into Amendment No. 9 to the Credit Agreement. Amendment No. 9 provided for a covenant waiver period which suspended the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio covenant required under the credit agreement for four fiscal quarters, commencing with the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 through the third quarter of fiscal 2021, subject to, among other things, ongoing compliance with a minimum liquidity condition of $400.0 million and restrictions on making certain restricted payments (including share repurchases) and investments in unrestricted subsidiaries, in each case, as set forth in Amendment No. 9. This exclusion was intended to prevent the effects of COVID-19 from impacting the covenant calculation. The covenant waiver period expired at the beginning of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021. The Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio debt covenant is once again effective and the amendment adjusted period ended October 1, 2021 consists of results from the third quarter of fiscal 2019 through the first quarter of fiscal 2020 plus the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, excluding the results of the second quarter of fiscal 2020 through the third quarter of fiscal 2021.
These financial ratios, tests and covenants involve the calculation of certain measures that we refer to in this discussion as "Covenant Adjusted EBITDA." Covenant Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement of financial performance under U.S. GAAP. Covenant Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) of ASI and its restricted subsidiaries plus interest and other financing costs, net, provision (benefit) for income taxes, and depreciation and amortization, further adjusted to give effect to adjustments required in calculating covenant ratios and compliance under our Credit Agreement and the indentures governing our senior notes.
Our presentation of these measures has limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under U.S. GAAP. You should not consider these measures as alternatives to net income (loss) or operating income (loss) determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Covenant Adjusted EBITDA, as presented by us, may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies because not all companies use identical calculations.
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The following is a reconciliation of net income attributable to ASI stockholder, which is a U.S. GAAP measure of ASI''s operating results, to Covenant Adjusted EBITDA as defined in our debt agreements. The terms and related calculations are defined in the Credit Agreement and the indentures governing our senior notes. Covenant Adjusted EBITDA is a measure of ASI and its restricted subsidiaries only and does not include the results of Aramark.
| Twelve Month Period Ended | Amendment AdjustedPeriod Ended(1) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | October 1, 2021 | October 1, 2021 | |||||
| Net (loss) income attributable to ASI stockholder | $ | (90.8) | $ | 349.7 | |||
| Interest and other financing costs, net | 401.4 | 340.4 | |||||
| (Benefit) Provision for income taxes | (40.6) | 92.6 | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 550.7 | 580.5 | |||||
| Share-based compensation expense(2) | 71.1 | 54.6 | |||||
| Unusual or non-recurring (gains) and losses(3) | (77.1) | — | |||||
| Pro forma EBITDA for equity method investees(4) | 10.2 | 4.5 | |||||
| Pro forma EBITDA for certain transactions(5) | 11.2 | (1.0) | |||||
| Other(6)(7) | 102.5 | 97.7 | |||||
| Covenant Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 938.6 | $ | 1,519.0 |
(1) The covenant waiver period outlined in Amendment No. 9 to our Credit Agreement expired at the beginning of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021. The Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio debt covenant is once again effective and the amendment adjusted period ended October 1, 2021 consists of results from the third quarter of fiscal 2019 through the first quarter of fiscal 2020 plus the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, excluding the results of the second quarter of fiscal 2020 through the third quarter of fiscal 2021.
(2) Represents share-based compensation expense resulting from the application of accounting for stock options, restricted stock units, performance stock units and deferred stock units awards and employee stock purchases (see Note 12 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
(3) Represents the fiscal 2021 non-cash gain from an observable price change on our equity investment ($137.9 million) and the fiscal 2021 non-cash loss from the termination of certain defined benefit pension plans ($60.9 million).
(4) Represents our estimated share of EBITDA, primarily from our AIM Services Co., Ltd. equity method investment, not already reflected in our Net (loss) income attributable to ASI stockholder. EBITDA for this equity method investee is calculated in a manner consistent with consolidated Covenant Adjusted EBITDA but does not represent cash distributions received from this investee.
(5) Represents the annualizing of net EBITDA from acquisitions made during the period.
(6) "Other" for the twelve months ended October 1, 2021 includes non-cash charges for inventory write-downs to net realizable value and for excess inventory related to personal protective equipment ($36.0 million), labor charges, incremental expenses and other expenses associated with closed or partially closed client locations resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, net of United States and non-United States governmental labor related tax credits ($28.4 million), adjustments to remove the impact attributable to the adoption of certain accounting standards that are made to the calculation in accordance with the Credit Agreement and indentures ($25.3 million), expenses related to merger and integration related charges ($22.2 million), gain from a funding agreement related to a legal matter ($10.0 million), reversal of severance charges ($8.2 million), the gain from the change in fair value related to certain gasoline and diesel agreements ($5.9 million), a favorable settlement of a legal matter ($4.7 million), non-cash impairment charges related to various assets ($3.8 million), charges related to a client contract dispute ($2.6 million), expenses related to the impact of the ice storm in Texas ($2.5 million), a non-cash charge related to an environmental matter ($2.5 million), non-cash charges related to information technology assets ($2.2 million), the impact of hyperinflation in Argentina ($1.8 million) and other miscellaneous expenses.
(7) "Other" for the amendment adjusted period ended October 1, 2021 includes labor charges, incremental expenses and other expenses associated with closed or partially closed client locations resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, net of United States and non-United States governmental labor related tax credits ($45.7 million benefit), expenses related to merger and integration related charges ($40.1 million), charges related to certain legal settlements ($27.9 million), adjustments to remove the impact attributable to the adoption of certain accounting standards that are made to the calculation in accordance with the Credit Agreement and indentures ($25.0 million), non-cash charges for inventory write-downs ($16.4 million), non-cash impairment charges related to various assets ($11.9 million), reversal of severance
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charges ($11.2 million), compensation expense for retirement contributions and employee training programs funded by the benefits from United States tax reform ($10.9 million), cash compensation charges associated with the retirement of our former chief executive officer ($10.4 million), gain from a funding agreement related to a legal matter ($10.0 million), advisory fees related to shareholder matters ($7.7 million), closing costs mainly related to customer contracts ($7.3 million), the impact of hyperinflation in Argentina ($5.7 million), non-cash charges related to information technology assets ($5.1 million), the gain from the change in fair value related to certain gasoline and diesel agreements ($3.2 million) and other miscellaneous expenses.
Our covenant requirements and actual ratios for the twelve months ended October 1, 2021 are as follows:
| Covenant Requirements | Actual Ratios | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio(1) | 5.125x | 2.32x | |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio)(2) | 2.000x | 2.60x |
(1) The Credit Agreement requires ASI to maintain a maximum Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio, defined as consolidated total indebtedness secured by a lien to Covenant Adjusted EBITDA, of 5.125x. Consolidated total indebtedness secured by a lien is defined in the Credit Agreement as total indebtedness consisting of debt for borrowed money, finance leases, debt in respect of sales-leaseback transactions, disqualified and preferred stock and advances under the receivables facility secured by a lien reduced by the amount of cash and cash equivalents on the consolidated balance sheet that is free and clear of any lien. Non-compliance with the maximum Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio could result in the requirement to immediately repay all amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement, which, if ASI's lenders under our Credit Agreement (other than the lenders in respect of ASI's U.S. Term B Loans, which lenders do not benefit from the maximum Consolidated Debt Ratio covenant) failed to waive any such default, would also constitute a default under the indentures governing our senior notes. The Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio debt covenant was calculated per the terms in Amendment No. 9 to our Credit Agreement, which consists of results from the third quarter of fiscal 2019 through the first quarter of fiscal 2020 plus the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, excluding the results of the second quarter of fiscal 2020 through the third quarter of fiscal 2021.
(2) Our Credit Agreement establishes an incurrence-based minimum Interest Coverage Ratio, defined as Covenant Adjusted EBITDA to consolidated interest expense, the achievement of which is a condition for us to incur additional indebtedness and to make certain restricted payments and does not result in a default or an event of default under the Credit Agreement or the indentures governing the senior notes. If we do not maintain this minimum Interest Coverage Ratio calculated on a pro forma basis for any such additional indebtedness or restricted payments, we could be prohibited from being able to (1) incur additional indebtedness, other than the incremental capacity provided for under the Credit Agreement and pursuant to specified exceptions, and (2) make certain restricted payments, other than pursuant to certain exceptions. However, any failure to maintain the Interest Coverage Ratio would not result in a default or an event of default under either the Credit Agreement or the indentures governing the senior notes. The minimum Interest Coverage Ratio is 2.000x for the term of the Credit Agreement. Consolidated interest expense is defined in the Credit Agreement as consolidated interest expense excluding interest income, adjusted for acquisitions and dispositions, further adjusted for certain non-cash or nonrecurring interest expense and our estimated share of interest expense from one equity method investee. The indentures governing our senior notes include a similar requirement which is referred to as a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. The Interest Coverage Ratio was calculated based on the twelve months ended October 1, 2021 and was not required to be adjusted similar to the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio as prescribed under the terms of Amendment No. 9 to our Credit Agreement.
We and our subsidiaries and affiliates may from time to time, in our sole discretion, purchase, repay, redeem or retire any of our outstanding debt securities (including any publicly issued debt securities), in privately negotiated or open market transactions, by tender offer or otherwise, or extend or refinance any of our outstanding indebtedness.
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The following table summarizes our future obligations for debt repayments, finance leases, estimated interest payments, future minimum rental and similar commitments under noncancelable operating leases as well as contingent obligations related to outstanding letters of credit and guarantees as of October 1, 2021 (dollars in thousands):
| Payments Due by Period | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contractual Obligations as of October 1, 2021 | Total | Less than 1 year | 1-3 years | 3-5 years | More than 5 years | ||||||||||||||
| Long-term borrowings(1) | $ | 7,360,210 | $ | 31,137 | $ | 80,219 | $ | 4,529,146 | $ | 2,719,708 | |||||||||
| Finance lease obligations | 159,949 | 29,157 | 46,710 | 34,266 | 49,816 | ||||||||||||||
| Estimated interest payments(2) | 1,303,800 | 311,400 | 572,400 | 304,500 | 115,500 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating leases and other noncancelable commitments | 449,707 | 80,265 | 123,614 | 80,931 | 164,897 | ||||||||||||||
| Purchase obligations(3) | 612,336 | 225,598 | 158,892 | 70,328 | 157,518 | ||||||||||||||
| Other liabilities(4) | 725,760 | 242,202 | 217,145 | 44,304 | 222,109 | ||||||||||||||
| $ | 10,611,762 | $ | 919,759 | $ | 1,198,980 | $ | 5,063,475 | $ | 3,429,548 | ||||||||||
| Amount of Commitment Expiration by Period | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other Commercial Commitments as of October 1, 2021 | Total Amounts Committed | Less than 1 year | 1-3 years | 3-5 years | More than 5 years | ||||||||||||||
| Letters of credit | $ | 120,500 | $ | 120,500 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — |
(1)Excludes the $53.5 million reduction to long-term borrowings from debt issuance costs and $0.8 million reduction from the discount on the U.S. Term B-4 Loans due 2027.
(2)These amounts represent future interest payments related to our existing debt obligations based on fixed and variable interest rates specified in the associated debt agreements and reflect any current hedging arrangements. Payments related to variable debt are based on applicable rates at October 1, 2021 plus the specified margin in the associated debt agreements for each period presented. The amounts provided relate only to existing debt obligations and do not assume the refinancing or replacement of such debt. The average debt balance for each fiscal year from 2022 through 2027 is $7,477.1 million, $7,407.9 million, $7,346.3 million, $5,379.9 million, $2,933.9 million and $2,334.7 million, respectively. The weighted average interest rate of our existing debt obligations for each fiscal year from 2022 through 2027 is 4.17%, 3.87%, 3.89%, 3.81%, 3.39% and 3.80%, respectively (see Note 5 to the audited consolidated financial statements for the terms and maturities of existing debt obligations).
(3)Represents commitments for capital projects to help finance improvements or renovations at the facilities in which we operate.
(4)Includes certain unfunded employee retirement obligations, contingent consideration, deferred social security taxes, self-insurance obligations, severance obligations and other obligations.
We have excluded from the table above uncertain tax liabilities due to the uncertainty of the amount and period of payment. As of October 1, 2021, we have gross uncertain tax liabilities of $65.4 million (see Note 10 to the audited consolidated financial statements). During fiscal 2021, we made contributions totaling $3.6 million into our defined benefit pension plans. Estimated contributions to our defined benefit pension plans in fiscal 2022 are $6.3 million (see Note 9 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
We have an agreement (the "Receivables Facility") with three financial institutions where we sell on a continuous basis an undivided interest in all eligible accounts receivable, as defined in the Receivables Facility. The maximum amount available under the Receivables Facility is $400.0 million. In addition, the Receivables Facility includes a seasonal tranche which increases the capacity of the Receivables Facility and the maximum amount available by $100.0 million from October through March. During the third quarter of fiscal 2021, we extended the scheduled maturity date of the Receivables Facility from June 2022 to June 2024. All other terms and conditions of the agreement remained largely unchanged. As of October 1, 2021, there are no outstanding borrowings under the Receivables Facility. Amounts borrowed under the Receivables Facility fluctuate monthly based on our funding requirements and the level of qualified receivables available to collateralize the Receivables Facility.
Pursuant to the Receivables Facility, we formed ARAMARK Receivables, LLC, a wholly-owned, consolidated, bankruptcy-remote subsidiary. ARAMARK Receivables, LLC was formed for the sole purpose of buying and selling receivables generated by certain of our subsidiaries. Under the Receivables Facility, we and certain of our subsidiaries transfer without recourse all of
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our accounts receivable to ARAMARK Receivables, LLC. As collections reduce previously transferred interests, interests in new, eligible receivables are transferred to ARAMARK Receivables, LLC, subject to meeting certain conditions.
Supplemental Consolidating Information
Pursuant to Regulation S-X Rule 13-01, which simplified certain disclosure requirements for guarantors and issuers of guaranteed securities, we are no longer required to provide condensed consolidating financial statements for Aramark and its subsidiaries, including the guarantors and non-guarantors under our Credit Agreement and the indentures governing our senior notes. ASI, the borrower under our Credit Agreement and the indentures governing our senior notes, and its restricted subsidiaries together comprise substantially all of our assets, liabilities and operations, and there are no material differences between the consolidating information related to Aramark and Aramark Intermediate Holdco Corporation, the direct parent of ASI and a guarantor under our Credit Agreement, on the one hand, and ASI and its restricted subsidiaries on a standalone basis, on the other hand.
Other
Our business activities do not include the use of unconsolidated special purpose entities and there are no significant business transactions that have not been reflected in the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements. We insure portions of our general liability, automobile liability and workers’ compensation risks through a wholly owned captive insurance subsidiary (the "Captive") to enhance our risk financing strategies. The Captive is subject to regulations within its domicile of Bermuda, including regulations established by the Bermuda Monetary Authority (the "BMA") relating to levels of liquidity and solvency as such concepts are defined by the BMA. The Captive was in compliance with these regulations as of October 1, 2021. These regulations may have the effect of limiting our ability to access certain cash and cash equivalents held by the Captive for uses other than for the payment of our general liability, automobile liability and workers’ compensation claims and related Captive costs. As of October 1, 2021 and October 2, 2020, cash and cash equivalents at the Captive were $194.3 million and $92.1 million, respectively.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our significant accounting policies are described in the notes to the audited consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report. As described in such notes, we recognize revenue in the period in which the performance obligation is satisfied. See Note 7 to our audited consolidated financial statements for further information related to our revenue recognition policy.
In preparing our financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that, among other things, affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses. These estimates and assumptions are most significant where they involve levels of subjectivity and judgment necessary to account for highly uncertain matters or matters susceptible to change, and where they can have a material impact on our financial condition and operating performance. If actual results were to differ materially from the estimates made, the reported results could be materially affected.
Asset Impairment Determinations
Goodwill, the Aramark trade name and other trade names are primarily indefinite lived intangible assets that are not amortized and are subject to an impairment test that we conduct annually or more frequently if a change in circumstances or the occurrence of events indicates that potential impairment exists. The impairment test may first consider qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Examples of qualitative factors include, macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance, entity-specific events, events affecting reporting units and sustained changes in our stock price. If results of the qualitative assessment indicate a more likely than not determination or if a qualitative assessment is not performed, a quantitative test is performed by comparing the estimated fair value using discounted cash flow calculations of each reporting unit with its estimated net book value.
We perform the assessment of goodwill at the reporting unit level. Within our FSS International segment, each country or region is evaluated separately since they are relatively autonomous and separate goodwill balances have been recorded for each entity. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, we performed the annual impairment test for goodwill for each of our reporting units using a quantitative testing approach. Based on our evaluation performed, we determined that the fair value of each of the reporting units significantly exceeded its respective carrying amount, and therefore, we determined that goodwill was not impaired.
During fiscal 2020, we identified a triggering event from the decline in our stock price resulting from COVID-19. As a result, we performed a quantitative impairment test as of March 27, 2020 and recognized a non-cash impairment charge of $198.6 million related to one reporting unit within our FSS International segment in the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income for the fiscal year ended October 2, 2020. For tax purposes, the impairment charge was not tax deductible. The impaired reporting unit has a remaining goodwill balance of $91.0 million as of October 1, 2021.
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The determination of fair value for each reporting unit includes assumptions, which are considered Level 3 inputs, that are subject to risk and uncertainty. The discounted cash flow calculations are dependent on several subjective factors including the timing of future cash flows, the underlying margin projection assumptions, future growth rates and the discount rate. If our assumptions or estimates in our fair value calculations change or if future cash flows, margin projections or future growth rates vary from what was expected, including those assumptions relating to the duration and severity of COVID-19, this may impact our impairment analysis and could reduce the underlying cash flows used to estimate fair values and result in a decline in fair value that may trigger future impairment charges.
With respect to our other long-lived assets, we are required to test for asset impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. If indicators of impairment are present, we compare the sum of the future expected cash flows from the asset, undiscounted and without interest charges, to the asset’s carrying value. If the sum of the future expected cash flows from the asset is less than the carrying value, an impairment would be recognized for the difference between the estimated fair value and the carrying value of the asset.
In making future cash flow analyses of various assets, we make assumptions relating to the following:
• The intended use of assets and the expected future cash flows resulting directly from such use;
• Comparable market valuations of businesses similar to Aramark's business segments;
• Industry specific economic conditions;
• Competitor activities and regulatory initiatives; and
• Client and customer preferences and behavior patterns.
We believe that an accounting estimate relating to asset impairment is a critical accounting estimate because the assumptions underlying future cash flow estimates are subject to change from time to time and the recognition of an impairment could have a significant impact on our consolidated statements of (loss) income.
During fiscal 2020, we recorded non-cash impairment charges related to the following: abandonment of rental properties ($28.5 million), information technology assets from either discontinue of use or contracts terminated ($26.1 million) and from client contracts that were reassessed due to the impact of COVID-19 ($30.6 million).
Litigation and Claims
From time to time, we and our subsidiaries are party to various legal actions, proceedings and investigations involving claims incidental to the conduct of our businesses, including those brought by clients, consumers, employees, government entities and third parties under, among others, federal, state, international, national, provincial and local employment laws, wage and hour laws, discrimination laws, immigration laws, human health and safety laws, import and export controls and customs laws, environmental laws, false claims or whistleblower statutes, procurement regulations, intellectual property laws, food safety and sanitation laws, cost and accounting principles, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.K. Bribery Act, other anti-corruption laws, lobbying laws, motor carrier safety laws, data privacy and security laws and alcohol licensing and service laws, or alleging negligence and/or breach of contractual and other obligations. We consider the measurement of litigation reserves as a critical accounting estimate because of the significant uncertainty in some cases relating to the outcome of potential claims or litigation and the difficulty of predicting the likelihood and range of potential liability involved, coupled with the material impact on our results of operations that could result from litigation or other claims. In determining legal reserves, we consider, among other issues:
• interpretation of contractual rights and obligations;
• the status of government regulatory initiatives, interpretations and investigations;
• the status of settlement negotiations;
• prior experience with similar types of claims;
• whether there is available insurance; and
• advice of counsel.
We are involved in a dispute with a client regarding Aramark’s provision of services pursuant to a contract. We continue to simultaneously litigate the matter and attempt to reach a negotiated resolution. We recorded a reserve for this matter as it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. As of October 1, 2021 and October 2, 2020, we have accrued our best estimate of the probable loss associated with this contract, which is approximately $19.1 million and $16.3 million, respectively. We continue to believe it is reasonably possible that this potential exposure may change in the near term based on the outcome of either the settlement negotiations or through continued litigation.
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Allowance for Credit Losses
We encounter credit loss risks associated with the collection of receivables. We analyze historical experience, current general and specific industry economic conditions, industry concentrations, such as exposure to small and medium-sized businesses, the non-profit healthcare sector, federal and local governments, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount in estimating credit losses. The accounting estimate related to the allowance for credit losses is a critical accounting estimate because the underlying assumptions used for the allowance can change from time to time and credit losses could potentially have a material impact on our results of operations. We adopted a new accounting standard related to the measurement of expected credit losses as of October 3, 2020 (the first day of fiscal 2021) (see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
As of October 1, 2021 and October 2, 2020, our allowance for credit losses was approximately $79.6 million and $74.9 million, respectively.
Inventory Obsolescence
We record an inventory obsolescence reserve for obsolete, excess and slow-moving inventory, principally in the Uniform segment. In calculating our inventory obsolescence reserve, we analyze historical and projected data regarding customer demand within specific product categories and make assumptions regarding economic conditions within customer specific industries, as well as style and product changes. Our accounting estimate related to inventory obsolescence is a critical accounting estimate because customer demand in certain of our businesses can be variable and changes in our reserve for inventory obsolescence could materially affect our results of operations.
As of October 1, 2021 and October 2, 2020, our reserve for inventory obsolescence was approximately $45.7 million and $36.7 million, respectively.
Self-Insurance Reserves
We self-insure for obligations related to certain risks that we retain under our casualty program, which includes general liability, automobile liability and workers’ compensation claims, as well as for our employee health care benefit programs. The accounting estimates related to our self-insurance reserves are critical accounting estimates because changes in our claim experience, our ability to settle claims or other estimates and judgments we use could potentially have a material impact on our results of operations. Our reserves for retained costs associated with our casualty program are estimated through actuarial methods, with the assistance of third-party actuaries, using loss development assumptions based on our claims history. Our casualty program reserves take into account reported claims as well as incurred-but-not-reported losses using loss development factors based upon past experience. In order to determine the loss development factors, we make judgments relating to the nature, frequency, severity, and age of claims, and industry, regulatory, and company-specific trends impacting the development of claims. The actual cost to settle our self-insured casualty claim liabilities can differ from our reserve estimates because of a number of uncertainties, including the inherent difficulty in estimating the severity of a claim and the potential amount to defend and settle a claim.
As of October 1, 2021 and October 2, 2020, our self-insurance reserves were approximately $235.7 million and $250.1 million, respectively.
Income Taxes
We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, income tax expense is recognized for the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year and for deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our consolidated financial statements or tax returns. We make assumptions, judgments and estimates to determine the current income tax provision (benefit), deferred tax asset and liabilities and valuation allowance recorded against a deferred tax asset. The assumptions, judgments and estimates relative to the current income tax provision (benefit) take into account current tax laws, their interpretation and possible results of foreign and domestic tax audits. Changes in tax law, their interpretation and resolution of tax audits could significantly impact the income taxes provided in our consolidated financial statements. Assumptions, judgments and estimates relative to the amount of deferred income taxes take into account future taxable income. Any of the assumptions, judgments and estimates mentioned above could cause the actual income tax obligations to differ from our estimates.
As of October 1, 2021 and October 2, 2020, our valuation allowance reserves recorded against deferred tax assets were approximately $97.5 million and $39.0 million, respectively (see Note 10 to the audited consolidated financial statements).
Critical accounting estimates and the related assumptions are evaluated periodically as conditions warrant, and changes to such estimates are recorded as new information or changed conditions require.
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New Accounting Standards Updates
See Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements for a full description of recent accounting standards updates, including the expected dates of adoption.