Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. (RHP)
SIC breadcrumb: Finance, Insurance, And Real Estate > Holding And Other Investment Offices > SIC 6798 Real Estate Investment Trusts
SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1040829. Latest filing source: 0001104659-26-019035.
Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.
Business
Read RHP's verbatim Item 1 Business section from its latest 10-K: Business.
Risk Factors
Read RHP's verbatim Item 1A Risk Factors from its latest 10-K: Risk Factors.
Selected Fundamentals
| Metric | Value | Unit | FY | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 2,577,061,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-24 |
| Net income | 243,425,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-24 |
| Assets | 6,181,183,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-24 |
Financials
Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-02-24. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001040829.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 | 1,149,207,000 | 1,184,719,000 | 1,275,118,000 | 1,604,566,000 | 524,475,000 | 939,373,000 | 1,805,969,000 | 2,158,136,000 | 2,339,226,000 | 2,577,061,000 | ||||
| Net income | -26,644,000 | 118,352,000 | 126,452,000 | 111,511,000 | 159,366,000 | 176,100,000 | 264,670,000 | 311,217,000 | 271,638,000 | 243,425,000 | ||||
| Operating income | 215,442,000 | 185,917,000 | 214,269,000 | 267,531,000 | -303,831,000 | -58,675,000 | 327,150,000 | 453,684,000 | 490,834,000 | 487,012,000 | ||||
| Diluted EPS | 3.11 | 3.43 | 5.14 | 2.81 | -7.59 | -3.21 | 2.33 | 5.36 | 4.38 | 3.77 | ||||
| Operating cash flow | 293,601,000 | 295,830,000 | 321,919,000 | 354,686,000 | -161,524,000 | 111,253,000 | 419,931,000 | 557,056,000 | 576,506,000 | 590,629,000 | ||||
| Dividends paid | 151,160,000 | 161,706,000 | 172,415,000 | 183,346,000 | 102,331,000 | 502,000 | 5,855,000 | 176,001,000 | 266,114,000 | 285,576,000 | ||||
| Assets | 2,405,753,000 | 2,524,228,000 | 3,853,883,000 | 4,088,468,000 | 3,556,495,000 | 3,580,525,000 | 4,040,623,000 | 5,188,537,000 | 5,217,573,000 | 6,181,183,000 | ||||
| Liabilities | 3,222,228,000 | 3,235,709,000 | 3,602,918,000 | 3,632,865,000 | 4,270,634,000 | 4,282,991,000 | 4,969,407,000 | |||||||
| Stockholders' equity | 367,997,000 | 378,156,000 | 469,577,000 | 644,729,000 | 205,301,000 | -22,234,000 | 95,276,000 | 569,153,000 | 548,980,000 | 750,152,000 | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 59,128,000 | 57,557,000 | 103,437,000 | 362,430,000 | 56,697,000 | 140,688,000 | 334,194,000 | 591,833,000 | 477,694,000 | 471,421,000 |
Ratios
| Metric | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net margin | 13.87% | 14.86% | 20.76% | 14.42% | 11.61% | 9.45% | ||||||||
| Operating margin | 18.75% | 15.69% | 16.80% | 16.67% | -57.93% | -6.25% | 18.11% | 21.02% | 20.98% | 18.90% | ||||
| Return on equity | 43.31% | 46.57% | 56.36% | 54.68% | 49.48% | 32.45% | ||||||||
| Return on assets | 6.62% | 6.98% | 6.87% | 6.00% | 5.21% | 3.94% | ||||||||
| Liabilities / equity | 5.00 | 15.76 | 38.13 | 7.50 | 7.80 | 6.62 |
Industry Peer Context
Net margin peer context
Operating margin peer context
ROE peer context
ROA peer context
Financial Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-019035; filed 2026-02-24. Concept: RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax. Source concepts: us-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-019035; filed 2026-02-24. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-019035; filed 2026-02-24. Concept: OperatingIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-019035; filed 2026-02-24. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-019035; filed 2026-02-24. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-019035; filed 2026-02-24. Concept: PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-019035; filed 2026-02-24. Concept: Assets. Source concepts: us-gaap:Assets.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-019035; filed 2026-02-24. Concept: Liabilities. Source concepts: us-gaap:Liabilities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-019035; filed 2026-02-24. Concept: StockholdersEquity. Source concepts: us-gaap:StockholdersEquity.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-019035; filed 2026-02-24. Concept: CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue. Source concepts: us-gaap:CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue.
Quarterly
Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-05-01. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001040829.json.
| Quarter | End Date | Revenue | Net Income | Diluted EPS | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-Q1 | 2017-03-31 | 32,620,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2017-Q2 | 2017-06-30 | 47,292,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2017-Q3 | 2017-09-30 | 23,870,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2017-Q4 | 2017-12-31 | 72,318,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | ||
| 2018-Q1 | 2018-03-31 | 27,339,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2018-Q2 | 2018-06-30 | 55,546,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2018-Q3 | 2018-09-30 | 22,591,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2018-Q4 | 2018-12-31 | 159,194,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | ||
| 2022-Q2 | 2022-06-30 | 0.91 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2022-Q3 | 2022-09-30 | 0.79 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q1 | 2023-03-31 | 1.02 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-06-30 | 504,843,000 | 1.15 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-09-30 | 528,511,000 | 0.64 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2023-Q4 | 2023-12-31 | 633,063,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | ||
| 2024-Q1 | 2024-03-31 | 528,345,000 | 0.67 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-06-30 | 613,290,000 | 1.65 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-09-30 | 549,958,000 | 0.94 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2024-Q4 | 2024-12-31 | 647,633,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | ||
| 2025-Q1 | 2025-03-31 | 587,280,000 | 1.00 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-06-30 | 659,515,000 | 71,753,000 | 1.12 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-09-30 | 592,458,000 | 34,886,000 | 0.53 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q4 | 2025-12-31 | 737,808,000 | 73,825,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2026-Q1 | 2026-03-31 | 664,572,000 | 70,475,000 | 1.03 | reported discrete quarter |
Quarterly Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001104659-26-053780; filed 2026-05-01. Concept: RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax. Source concepts: us-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001104659-26-053780; filed 2026-05-01. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001104659-26-053780; filed 2026-05-01. 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: 0001104659-26-053780.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. (“Ryman”) is a Delaware corporation that conducts its operations so as to maintain its qualification as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for federal income tax purposes. The Company (as defined below) conducts its business through an umbrella partnership REIT, in which all of its assets are held by, and operations are conducted through, RHP Hotel Properties, LP, a subsidiary operating partnership (the “Operating Partnership”). RHP Finance Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Finco”), was formed as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Operating Partnership for the sole purpose of being a co-issuer of debt securities with the Operating Partnership. Neither Ryman nor Finco has any material assets, other than Ryman’s investment in the Operating Partnership and the Operating Partnership’s subsidiaries. Neither the Operating Partnership nor Finco has any business, operations, financial results or other material information, other than the business, operations, financial results and other material information described in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Ryman’s other reports, documents or other information filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). In this report, we use the terms the “Company,” “we” or “our” to refer to Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. and its subsidiaries unless the context indicates otherwise.
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this report and our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes for the year ended December 31, 2025, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K that was filed with the SEC on February 24, 2026.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements concern our goals, beliefs, expectations, strategies, objectives, plans, future operating results and underlying assumptions, and other statements that are not necessarily based on historical facts. Without limitation, you can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts, and these statements may contain words such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “might,” “projects,” “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “continue,” “estimate,” or “pursue,” or the negative or other variations thereof or comparable terms. In particular, they include statements relating to, among other things, future actions, strategies, future performance, the outcome of contingencies such as legal proceedings and future financial results. These may also include statements regarding (i) the future performance of our business, anticipated business levels and our anticipated financial results during future periods; (ii) the effect of our election to be taxed as a REIT and maintain REIT status for federal income tax purposes; (iii) the holding of our non-qualifying REIT assets in one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”); (iv) our dividend policy, including the frequency and amount of any dividend we may pay; (v) our strategic goals and potential growth opportunities, including future expansion of the geographic diversity of our existing asset portfolio through acquisitions and investment in joint ventures; (vi) the ability of Marriott International, Inc. (“Marriott”) to effectively manage our hotels and other properties; (vii) our anticipated capital expenditures and investments; (viii) the potential operating and financial restrictions imposed on our activities under existing and future financing agreements including our credit facility and other contractual arrangements with third parties, including management agreements with Marriott; (ix) our ability to borrow available funds under our credit facility; (x) our expectations about successfully amending the agreements governing our indebtedness should the need arise; (xi) geopolitical uncertainty, the effects of inflation, other macroeconomic conditions and increased costs on our business and on our customers, including group customers at our hotels; (xii) risks associated with the integration of JW Marriott Desert Ridge into our existing asset base; and (xiii) any other business or operational matters. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events.
We caution the reader that forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that cannot be predicted or quantified, and, consequently, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, among other things, risks and uncertainties associated with economic conditions affecting the hospitality business generally, the geographic concentration of our hotel properties, business levels at our hotels, the effects of inflation and changes in international, national, regional and local economic and market conditions (such as the
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imposition of trade barriers or other changes in trade policy) on our business, including the effects on costs of labor and supplies and effects on group customers at our hotels and customers in our OEG businesses, our ability to remain qualified as a REIT, our ability to execute our strategic goals as a REIT, our ability to generate cash flows to support dividends, future board determinations regarding the timing and amount of dividends and changes to the dividend policy, our ability to borrow funds pursuant to our credit agreements and to refinance indebtedness and/or to successfully amend the agreements governing our indebtedness in the future, changes in interest rates, and those factors described elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 or described from time to time in our other reports filed with the SEC.
Any forward-looking statement made in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q speaks only as of the date on which the statement is made. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these events or how they may affect us. We have no duty to, and do not intend to, update or revise the forward-looking statements we make in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, except as may be required by law.
Overview
We operate as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, specializing in group-oriented, destination hotel assets in urban and resort markets. Our core holdings include a network of upscale, meetings-focused resorts totaling 11,869 rooms that are managed by Marriott under the Gaylord Hotels and JW Marriott brands. The five Gaylord Hotels resorts, which we refer to as our Gaylord Hotels properties, consist of the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee (“Gaylord Opryland”), the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center near Orlando, Florida (“Gaylord Palms”), the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center near Dallas, Texas (“Gaylord Texan”), the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center near Washington D.C. (“Gaylord National”), and the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center near Denver, Colorado (“Gaylord Rockies”). The two JW Marriott resorts, which we refer to as the JW Marriott properties, consist of the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa (“JW Marriott Hill Country”) and the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa (“JW Marriott Desert Ridge”) (effective June 10, 2025). Our other hotel assets managed by Marriott include the Inn at Opryland, an overflow hotel adjacent to Gaylord Opryland, and the AC Hotel at National Harbor, Washington D.C. (“AC Hotel”), an overflow hotel adjacent to Gaylord National.
Each of our award-winning Gaylord Hotels properties and JW Marriott properties incorporates not only high-quality lodging, but also large-scale meeting, convention and exhibition space, superb food and beverage options and retail and spa facilities within a single self-contained property. Our Gaylord Hotels properties each include at least 400,000 square feet of meeting, convention and exhibit space, and our JW Marriott properties each include at least 240,000 square feet of meeting, convention and exhibit space. As a result, our Gaylord Hotels properties and JW Marriott properties provide a convenient and entertaining environment for convention guests. Our Gaylord Hotels properties and JW Marriott properties focus on the large group meetings market in the United States.
We also own an approximate 70% controlling equity interest in a business comprised of a number of entertainment and media assets, known as the Opry Entertainment Group (“OEG”), which we report as our Entertainment segment. These assets include the Grand Ole Opry, the legendary weekly showcase of country music’s finest performers for over 100 years; the Ryman Auditorium, the storied live music venue and former home of the Grand Ole Opry located in downtown Nashville; WSM-AM, the Opry’s radio home; Ole Red, a brand of six Blake Shelton-themed bar, music venue and event spaces; Category 10, a brand of Luke Combs-themed bar, music venue and event spaces that opened in Nashville, Tennessee in November 2024, with additional locations expected to open in Las Vegas, Nevada in late 2026 and at Universal Orlando Resort’s CityWalk in late 2027; Block 21, a mixed-use entertainment, lodging, office, and retail complex located in Austin, Texas (“Block 21”), and a majority and controlling equity interest in Southern Entertainment, a Charlotte, North Carolina-based national music festival and events production company. In addition, in January 2026, OEG began managing the Ascend Amphitheater in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, and in February 2026, OEG began managing the CCNB Amphitheatre outside of Greenville, South Carolina.
See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this Item 2 and Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 for important information regarding forward-looking statements made in this report and risks and uncertainties we face.
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Significant 2026 Activities
Significant activities we have undertaken in 2026 include (as well as where you can find more information herein or in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements):
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increased the maximum borrowing capacity under our revolving credit facility from $700.0 million to $850.0 million, extended the initial maturity date to 2030 and modified certain financial covenants – Note 7, “Debt” |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Issued $700 million in 5.75% senior notes due 2034 and used the net proceeds to redeem our former $700 million in 4.75% senior notes originally due 2027 – Note 7, “Debt” |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Continued investment in our existing properties through approximately $113.7 million in capital expenditures – “Liquidity and Capital Resources” |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Declared approximately $76.2 million in cash distributions – Note 12, “Equity” |
Dividend Policy
Our board of directors has approved a dividend policy pursuant to which we will make minimum dividends of 100% of REIT taxable income a
[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
This section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K generally discusses 2025 and 2024 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2025 and 2024. Discussions of 2023 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2024 and 2023 that are not included in this Form 10-K can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
Overview
We are a Delaware corporation, originally incorporated in 1956, that, following our REIT conversion in 2012, began operating as a self-advised and self-administered REIT for federal income tax purposes on January 1, 2013, specializing in group-oriented, destination hotel assets in urban and resort markets. Our core holdings include a network of upscale, meetings-focused resorts totaling 11,869 rooms that are managed by Marriott International, Inc. (“Marriott”) under the Gaylord Hotels and JW Marriott brands. The five Gaylord Hotels resorts, which we refer to as our Gaylord Hotels properties, consist of the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee (“Gaylord Opryland”), the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center near Orlando, Florida (“Gaylord Palms”), the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center near Dallas, Texas (“Gaylord Texan”), the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center near Washington D.C. (“Gaylord National”), and the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center near Denver, Colorado (“Gaylord Rockies”). The two JW Marriott resorts, which we refer to as our JW Marriott properties, consist of the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa (“JW Marriott Hill Country”) (effective June 30, 2023) and the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa (“JW Marriott Desert Ridge”) (effective June 10, 2025). Our other owned hotel assets managed by Marriott include the Inn at Opryland, an overflow hotel adjacent to Gaylord Opryland, and the AC Hotel at National Harbor, Washington D.C. (“AC Hotel”), an overflow hotel adjacent to Gaylord National.
Each of our award-winning Gaylord Hotels properties and JW Marriott properties incorporates not only high-quality lodging, but also large-scale meeting, convention and exhibition space, superb food and beverage options and retail and spa facilities within a single self-contained property. Our Gaylord Hotels properties each include at least 400,000 square feet of meeting, convention and exhibit space, and our JW Marriott properties each contain at least 240,000 square feet of meeting, convention and exhibit space. As a result, our Gaylord Hotels properties and JW Marriott properties provide a convenient and entertaining environment for convention guests. Our Gaylord Hotels properties and JW Marriott properties focus on the large group meetings market in the United States.
Our goal is to be the nation’s premier hospitality REIT for group-oriented, destination hotel assets in urban and resort markets.
We also own an approximate 70% controlling equity interest in a business comprised of a number of entertainment and media assets, known as the Opry Entertainment Group (“OEG”), which we report as our Entertainment segment. These assets include the Grand Ole Opry, the legendary weekly showcase of country music’s finest performers for 100 years; the Ryman Auditorium, the storied live music venue and former home of the Grand Ole Opry located in downtown Nashville; WSM-AM, the Opry’s radio home; Ole Red, a brand of six Blake Shelton-themed bar, music venue and event spaces; Category 10, a brand of Luke Combs-themed bar, music venue and event space that opened in Nashville, Tennessee in November 2024 with additional locations expected to open in Las Vegas, Nevada in late 2026 and at Universal Orlando Resort’s CityWalk in late 2027; Block 21, a mixed-use entertainment, lodging, office, and retail complex located in Austin, Texas (“Block 21”); and as of January 3, 2025, a majority equity interest in Southern Entertainment, a Charlotte, North Carolina-based national music festival and events production company. In addition, in
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January 2026, OEG began managing the Ascend Amphitheater in downtown Nashville, Tennessee; and we expect OEG to begin managing the CCNB Amphitheatre outside of Greenville, South Carolina in February 2026.
See “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” under Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for important information regarding forward-looking statements made in this report and risks and uncertainties we face.
Significant 2025 and 2024 Activities
Significant activities we have undertaken in 2025 and 2024 include (as well as where you can find more information herein or in the accompanying consolidated financial statements):
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | In June 2025, purchased JW Marriott Desert Ridge – Note 1, “Description of the Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | In June 2025, issued $625 million in 6.50% senior notes due 2033 – Note 4, “Debt” |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | In May 2025, issued approximately 3.0 million shares of our common stock – Note 9, “Equity” |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | In April 2025, successfully defeased the previous Block 21 CMBS loan with incremental borrowings under the existing OEG credit facility – Note 4, “Debt” |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | In June 2024, refinanced our existing OEG credit facility, including reducing the applicable interest rate margins under each of the $65 million OEG revolver and $300 million OEG term loan B, as well as upsized the OEG revolver to $80 million of potential capacity – Note 4, “Debt” |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | In March and April 2024, issued $1 billion in 6.50% senior notes due 2032, repaid previously outstanding $800 million Gaylord Rockies term loan, and repaid $200.0 million under our term loan B and reduced the applicable interest rate margins – Note 4, “Debt” |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Continued investment in our existing properties through $358.2 million and $407.9 million in capital expenditures in 2025 and 2024, respectively – “Liquidity and Capital Resources” |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Declared approximately $291.3 million and $268.3 million in cash distributions in 2025 and 2024, respectively – Note 9, “Equity” |
Dividend Policy
Our board of directors has approved a dividend policy pursuant to which we will make minimum dividends of 100% of REIT taxable income annually, subject to the board of directors’ future determinations as to the amount of any distributions and the timing thereof. The dividend policy may be altered at any time by our board of directors (as otherwise permitted by our credit agreement) and certain provisions of our agreements governing our indebtedness may prohibit us from paying dividends in accordance with any policy we may adopt.
Our Operations
Our operations are organized into three principal business segments:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Hospitality, consisting of our Gaylord Hotels properties, our JW Marriott properties (including, effective June 10, 2025, JW Marriott Desert Ridge), the Inn at Opryland, and the AC Hotel. |
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| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Entertainment, consisting of the Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman Auditorium, WSM-AM, Ole Red, Category 10, Block 21, Southern Entertainment, our other Nashville-based attractions, and, beginning in 2026, the operation of Ascend Amphitheater in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, and the CCNB Amphitheatre outside of Greenville, South Carolina. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Corporate and Other, consisting of our corporate expenses. |
For the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, our total revenues were divided among these business segments as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Segment | | 2025 | | 2024 | | 2023 | |
| Hospitality | 83 | % | 85 | % | 85 | % | |
| Entertainment | 17 | % | 15 | % | 15 | % | |
| Corporate and Other | 0 | % | 0 | % | 0 | % |
Key Performance Indicators
The operating results of our Hospitality segment are highly dependent on the volume of customers at our hotels and the quality of the customer mix at our hotels, which are managed by Marriott. These factors impact the price that Marriott can charge for our hotel rooms and other amenities, such as food and beverage and meeting space. The following key performance indicators are commonly used in the hospitality industry and are used by management to evaluate hotel performance and potentially allocate capital expenditures:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | hotel occupancy – a volume indicator; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | average daily rate (“ADR”) – a price indicator calculated by dividing rooms revenue by the number of rooms sold; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | revenue per available room (“RevPAR”) – a summary measure of hotel results calculated by dividing rooms revenue by room nights available to guests for the period; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | total revenue per available room (“Total RevPAR”) – a summary measure of hotel results calculated by dividing the sum of room, food and beverage and other ancillary service revenue by room nights available to guests for the period; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | net definite room nights booked – a volume indicator which represents the total number of definite bookings for future room nights at our hotels confirmed during the applicable period, net of cancellations. |
In addition to GAAP measures such as revenues, net income and operating income, we also use certain “non-GAAP financial measures,” which are measures of our historical performance that are not calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP within the meaning of applicable SEC rules. These measures include:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Earnings Before Interest Expense, Income Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization for Real Estate (“EBITDAre”), Adjusted EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDAre, Excluding Noncontrolling Interest, and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Funds from Operations (“FFO”) available to common stockholders and unit holders and Adjusted FFO available to common stockholders and unit holders. |
See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for further discussion.
The results of operations of our Hospitality segment are affected by the number and type of group meetings and conventions scheduled to attend our hotels in a given period. A variety of factors can affect the results of any interim period, including the nature and quality of the group meetings and conventions attending our hotels during such period,
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which meetings and conventions have often been contracted for several years in advance, the level of attrition our hotels experience, and the level of transient business at our hotels during such period. Increases in costs, including labor costs, insurance costs, costs of food and other supplies, and energy costs have affected our operations in recent years and in the future could negatively affect our results. We rely on Marriott, as the manager of our hotels, to manage these factors and to offset any identified shortfalls in occupancy.
Summary Financial Results
The following table summarizes our financial results for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands, except percentages and per share data):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2025 | | % Change | | 2024 | | % Change | | 2023 | |||
| Total revenues | | $ | 2,577,061 | 10.2 | % | $ | 2,339,226 | 8.4 | % | $ | 2,158,136 | ||
| Total operating expenses | | 2,090,049 | 13.1 | % | 1,848,392 | 8.4 | % | 1,704,452 | |||||
| Operating income | | 487,012 | (0.8) | % | 490,834 | 8.2 | % | 453,684 | |||||
| Net income | | 247,310 | (11.7) | % | 280,190 | (18.0) | % | 341,800 | |||||
| Net income available to common stockholders | | | 243,425 | | (10.4) | % | 271,638 | (12.7) | % | 311,217 | |||
| Net income available to common stockholders per share - diluted (1) | | 3.77 | (13.9) | % | 4.38 | (18.3) | % | 5.36 |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | Diluted outstanding shares for 2025 include the issuance of approximately 3.0 million shares of our common stock in May 2025. |
2025 Results as Compared to 2024 Results
The increase in our total revenues during 2025, as compared to 2024, is attributable to increases in Hospitality segment and Entertainment segment revenues of $146.0 million and $91.8 million, respectively, as presented in the tables below.
The increase in total operating expenses during 2025, as compared to 2024, is primarily the result of increases in Hospitality segment and Entertainment segment expenses of $116.3 million and $82.1 million, respectively, and an increase in depreciation expense of $42.5 million, as presented in the tables below. In addition, the 2025 increase in operating expenses is partially attributable to 2024 including a reduction in total operating expenses of $9.1 million related to a refund of Tennessee franchise tax for prior years caused by a change in tax law that did not recur in 2025.
The above factors resulted in a $3.8 million decrease in operating income for 2025, as compared to 2024.
Our $32.9 million decrease in net income in 2025, as compared to 2024, was also driven by the following factors, each as described more fully below:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | A $23.6 million increase in interest expense, net in 2025, as compared to 2024. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | A $10.3 million increase in loss from unconsolidated joint ventures in 2025, as compared to 2024. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | A $6.5 million decrease in provision for income taxes in 2025, as compared to 2024. |
Factors and Trends Contributing to Performance and Current Environment
Important factors and trends contributing to our performance during 2025, as compared to 2024, were:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | The addition of JW Marriott Desert Ridge, including $91.6 million in revenues; for our ownership period, the property averaged $173.85 in RevPAR and $470.26 in Total RevPAR. |
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| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | An increase in same-store (Hospitality segment excluding JW Marriott Desert Ridge) ADR of 3.0% in 2025 over 2024. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | An increase in same-store transient room nights traveled in 2025 of 5.2% over 2024. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | An increase in same-store outside-the-room spend of 2.7% in 2025, as compared to 2024, primarily as a result of increases at Gaylord National and Gaylord Rockies, partially offset by a decrease at Gaylord Opryland, as further discussed below. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | An increase of 8.0% and 8.3% in total revenue and Total RevPAR, respectively, at Gaylord Rockies in 2025, as compared to 2024, primarily as a result of an increase in transient room nights traveled and an 8.3% increase in food and beverage revenue associated with the multi-year enhancement project completed at the property in 2024. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | An increase of 8.0% and 8.3% in total revenue and Total RevPAR, respectively, at Gaylord National in 2025, as compared to 2024, primarily as a result of an increase in group room nights traveled and the related increase in catering business. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | An increase of 4.7% and 5.0% in total revenue and Total RevPAR, respectively, at Gaylord Palms in 2025, as compared to 2024, primarily as a result of an increase in transient room nights traveled and a 3.3% increase in ADR. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | A decrease of 2.3% and 2.0% in total revenue and Total RevPAR, respectively, at Gaylord Opryland in 2025, as compared to 2024, primarily as a result of a decrease in group room nights traveled driven in part by construction-related disruption at the property. The decrease in group room nights traveled was exacerbated by macroeconomic uncertainty. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | A decrease of 4.8 points of occupancy and 4.1% in RevPAR at Gaylord Texan in 2025, as compared to 2024, due in part to disruption related to the ongoing rooms renovation at the property. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Same-store net definite group room nights booked decreased 10.5% in 2025, as compared to 2024, as ongoing economic policy uncertainty has weighed on near-term meeting planner decision-making. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Same-store in-the-year-for-the-year cancelled room nights at our hotels increased by approximately 27,000 rooms in 2025, as compared to 2024, as macroeconomic uncertainty has impacted 2025 results. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | On a same-store basis, group room nights on the books for all future years at our hotels at December 31, 2025 is approximately 1.2% higher than the number on the books at December 31, 2024. In addition, the estimated ADR on those group room nights on the books at December 31, 2025 is approximately 5.3% higher than the estimated ADR on the books at December 31, 2024. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Increases of 26.8% and 33.9% in Entertainment segment revenue and Entertainment segment operating expenses, respectively, in 2025, as compared to 2024, primarily related to the January 2025 acquisition of Southern Entertainment, which was negatively impacted by several weather-related events. Entertainment segment results also benefited from the operation of Category 10 Nashville, which opened in November 2024, as well as W Austin, which faced construction-related disruptions in 2024. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Total operating expenses for 2024 were reduced by a $9.1 million refund of Tennessee franchise tax for prior years caused by a change in tax law, which did not recur in 2025. This reduction was comprised of $5.6 million, $3.4 million and $0.1 million in our Hospitality segment, Entertainment segment and Corporate and Other segment, respectively. |
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| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Our strong revenues in recent years have partially mitigated increasing costs in the current inflationary environment, including increased insurance, utilities and other costs. In addition, while in recent years we have experienced higher interest rates than in historical periods, interest rates on our debt decreased in 2025, as compared to 2024. |
Operating Results – Detailed Segment Financial Information
Hospitality Segment
Total Segment Results. The following presents the financial results of our Hospitality segment for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands, except percentages and performance metrics):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2025 | | % Change | | 2024 | | % Change | | 2023 | ||||
| Revenues: | | | | | | | | | | |||||
| Rooms | | $ | 799,306 | 7.3 | % | $ | 744,587 | 6.2 | % | $ | 701,138 | | ||
| Food and beverage | | 993,954 | 5.6 | % | 940,827 | 13.1 | % | 831,796 | | |||||
| Other hotel revenue | | 349,826 | 12.3 | % | 311,636 | 3.7 | % | 300,544 | | |||||
| Total hospitality revenue | | 2,143,086 | 7.3 | % | 1,997,050 | 8.9 | % | 1,833,478 | | |||||
| Hospitality operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | |||||
| Rooms | | 190,686 | 6.3 | % | 179,358 | 3.2 | % | 173,749 | | |||||
| Food and beverage | | 561,980 | 8.8 | % | 516,309 | 10.8 | % | 465,963 | | |||||
| Other hotel expenses | | 613,304 | 10.4 | % | 555,554 | 7.0 | % | 519,328 | | |||||
| Management fees, net | | 75,082 | 2.1 | % | 73,531 | 10.7 | % | 66,425 | | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | | 239,857 | 16.9 | % | 205,189 | 9.9 | % | 186,749 | | |||||
| Total Hospitality operating expenses | | 1,680,909 | 9.9 | % | 1,529,941 | 8.3 | % | 1,412,214 | | |||||
| Hospitality operating income | | $ | 462,177 | (1.1) | % | $ | 467,109 | 10.9 | % | $ | 421,264 | | ||
| Hospitality performance metrics: | | | | | | | | | | |||||
| Occupancy | | 68.7 | % | (0.4) | pts | 69.1 | % | (2.5) | pts | 71.6 | % | |||
| ADR | | $ | 266.79 | 3.5 | % | $ | 257.81 | 4.9 | % | $ | 245.74 | | ||
| RevPAR (1) | | $ | 183.29 | 2.8 | % | $ | 178.24 | 1.3 | % | $ | 175.96 | | ||
| Total RevPAR (2) | | $ | 491.44 | 2.8 | % | $ | 478.05 | 3.9 | % | $ | 460.12 | | ||
| Net Definite Group Room Nights Booked | | 2,315,281 | (6.3) | % | 2,469,881 | 4.3 | % | 2,369,060 | | |||||
| Same-store Hospitality performance metrics (3): | | | | | | | | | | |||||
| Occupancy | | 69.2 | % | 0.1 | pts | 69.1 | % | (2.5) | pts | 71.6 | % | |||
| ADR | | $ | 265.44 | 3.0 | % | $ | 257.81 | 4.9 | % | $ | 245.74 | | ||
| RevPAR (1) | | $ | 183.73 | 3.1 | % | $ | 178.24 | 1.3 | % | $ | 175.96 | | ||
| Total RevPAR (2) | | $ | 492.43 | 3.0 | % | $ | 478.05 | 3.9 | % | $ | 460.12 | | ||
| Net Definite Group Room Nights Booked | | 2,209,541 | (10.5) | % | 2,469,881 | 4.3 | % | 2,369,060 | |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (1) | We calculate Hospitality segment RevPAR by dividing rooms revenue by room nights available to guests for the period. Room nights available to guests include nights that rooms are out of service. Hospitality segment RevPAR is not comparable to similarly titled measures such as revenues. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (2) | We calculate Hospitality segment Total RevPAR by dividing the sum of room, food and beverage, and other ancillary services revenue (which equals Hospitality segment revenue) by room nights available to guests for the period. Room nights available to guests include nights that rooms are out of service. Hospitality segment Total RevPAR is not comparable to similarly titled measures such as revenues. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (3) | Same-store Hospitality segment metrics do not include JW Marriott Desert Ridge, which we purchased June 10, 2025. |
Total Hospitality revenues in 2025 include $44.9 million in attrition and cancellation fee collections, a $1.9 million increase from 2024.
The percentage of group versus transient business based on rooms sold for our Hospitality segment for the years ended December 31 was approximately as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2025 | | 2024 | | 2023 | |
| Group | 73 | % | 74 | % | 73 | % | |
| Transient | 27 | % | 26 | % | 27 | % |
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The type of group based on rooms sold for our Hospitality segment for the years ended December 31 was approximately as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2025 | | 2024 | | 2023 | |
| Corporate Groups | 56 | % | 59 | % | 50 | % | |
| Associations | 31 | % | 27 | % | 34 | % | |
| Other Groups | 13 | % | 14 | % | 16 | % |
Other hotel expenses for the following years ended December 31 included (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2025 | | % Change | | 2024 | | % Change | | 2023 | |||
| Administrative employment costs | | $ | 214,284 | 9.2 | % | $ | 196,189 | 11.4 | % | $ | 176,112 | ||
| Utilities | | 50,855 | 7.8 | % | 47,197 | 12.2 | % | 42,055 | |||||
| Property taxes | | 49,378 | 10.2 | % | 44,803 | 12.1 | % | 39,951 | |||||
| Other | | 298,787 | 11.8 | % | 267,365 | 2.4 | % | 261,210 | |||||
| Total other hotel expenses | | $ | 613,304 | 10.4 | % | $ | 555,554 | 7.0 | % | $ | 519,328 |
Each of the other hotel expense categories above increased in 2025, as compared to 2024, due to the addition of JW Marriott Desert Ridge. Administrative employment costs include salaries and benefits for hotel administrative functions, including, among others, senior management, accounting, human resources, sales, conference services, engineering and security. The increase in property taxes in 2025, as compared to 2024, also includes slight increases at several Hospitality segment properties due to recent reappraisals. The increase in other expenses, which include supplies, advertising, maintenance costs and consulting costs, during 2025, as compared to 2024, also includes slight increases of various miscellaneous expenses across the Hospitality segment. In addition, 2024 includes a decrease at Gaylord Opryland due to a refund of $5.4 million of Tennessee franchise tax for prior years caused by a change in tax law that did not recur in 2025.
Each of our management agreements with Marriott requires us to pay Marriott a base management fee based on the gross revenues from the applicable property for each fiscal year or portion thereof. The applicable percentage for our Gaylord Hotels properties, excluding Gaylord Rockies, is approximately 2% of gross revenues, Gaylord Rockies and JW Marriott Desert Ridge are approximately 3% of gross revenues, and JW Marriott Hill Country is approximately 3.5% of gross revenues. Additionally, we pay Marriott an incentive management fee based on the profitability of our hotels. We incurred $50.8 million, $46.7 million and $41.3 million in base management fees to Marriott related to our Hospitality segment during 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. We also incurred $27.4 million, $29.9 million and $28.3 million in incentive management fees for our Hospitality segment during 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Management fees are presented throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K net of the amortization of the deferred management rights proceeds discussed in Note 5, “Deferred Management Rights Proceeds,” to the consolidated financial statements included herein.
Hospitality segment depreciation and amortization expense increased in 2025, as compared to 2024, primarily due to the depreciable assets associated with JW Marriott Desert Ridge, which we purchased June 10, 2025, as well as an increase at Gaylord Palms associated with the addition of depreciable assets associated with the property’s rooms and lobby renovation.
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Property-Level Results. The following presents the property-level financial results of our Hospitality segment for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023.
Gaylord Opryland Results. The results of Gaylord Opryland for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 are as follows (in thousands, except percentages and performance metrics):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2025 | | % Change | | 2024 | | % Change | | 2023 | ||||
| Revenues: | | | | | | | | | | |||||
| Rooms | | $ | 193,954 | 0.1 | % | $ | 193,803 | 0.3 | % | $ | 193,140 | | ||
| Food and beverage | | 201,694 | (5.7) | % | 213,973 | 12.0 | % | 190,992 | | |||||
| Other hotel revenue | | 88,456 | 0.8 | % | 87,776 | (3.3) | % | 90,752 | | |||||
| Total revenue | | 484,104 | (2.3) | % | 495,552 | 4.4 | % | 474,884 | | |||||
| Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | |||||
| Rooms | | 40,520 | (3.0) | % | 41,774 | (3.1) | % | 43,112 | | |||||
| Food and beverage | | 109,713 | (2.9) | % | 112,958 | 10.5 | % | 102,213 | | |||||
| Other hotel expenses (1) | | 135,574 | 2.8 | % | 131,852 | (5.0) | % | 138,828 | | |||||
| Management fees, net | | 21,062 | (10.3) | % | 23,484 | 8.4 | % | 21,667 | | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | | 33,122 | 1.6 | % | 32,588 | (2.8) | % | 33,510 | | |||||
| Total operating expenses | | 339,991 | (0.8) | % | 342,656 | 1.0 | % | 339,330 | | |||||
| Operating income | | $ | 144,113 | | (5.7) | % | $ | 152,896 | | 12.8 | % | $ | 135,554 | |
| Performance metrics: | | | | | | | | | | |||||
| Occupancy | | 69.1 | % | (1.8) | pts | 70.9 | % | (2.1) | pts | 73.0 | % | |||
| ADR | | $ | 266.19 | 2.9 | % | $ | 258.62 | 3.1 | % | $ | 250.96 | | ||
| RevPAR | | $ | 184.00 | 0.4 | % | $ | 183.35 | 0.1 | % | $ | 183.22 | | ||
| Total RevPAR | | $ | 459.25 | (2.0) | % | $ | 468.82 | 4.1 | % | $ | 450.50 | |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | Other hotel expenses for 2024 were reduced by a refund of $5.4 million of Tennessee franchise tax for prior years caused by a change in tax law. |
Gaylord Palms Results. The results of Gaylord Palms for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 are as follows (in thousands, except percentages and performance metrics):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2025 | | % Change | | 2024 | | % Change | | 2023 | ||||
| Revenues: | | | | | | | | | | |||||
| Rooms | | $ | 114,409 | 12.7 | % | $ | 101,519 | (10.3) | % | $ | 113,235 | | ||
| Food and beverage | | 145,266 | (3.2) | % | 150,109 | 2.9 | % | 145,919 | | |||||
| Other hotel revenue | | 56,823 | 12.0 | % | 50,743 | 0.6 | % | 50,462 | | |||||
| Total revenue | | 316,498 | 4.7 | % | 302,371 | (2.3) | % | 309,616 | | |||||
| Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | |||||
| Rooms | | 25,464 | 2.4 | % | 24,877 | (0.8) | % | 25,080 | | |||||
| Food and beverage | | 82,024 | 0.7 | % | 81,432 | 2.4 | % | 79,504 | | |||||
| Other hotel expenses | | 101,760 | 4.9 | % | 97,044 | (2.2) | % | 99,179 | | |||||
| Management fees, net | | 10,756 | 4.2 | % | 10,320 | (12.6) | % | 11,814 | | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | | 34,398 | 35.1 | % | 25,470 | 12.5 | % | 22,640 | | |||||
| Total operating expenses | | 254,402 | 6.4 | % | 239,143 | 0.4 | % | 238,217 | | |||||
| Operating income | | $ | 62,096 | | (1.8) | % | $ | 63,228 | | (11.4) | % | $ | 71,399 | |
| Performance metrics: | | | | | | | | | | |||||
| Occupancy | | 70.7 | % | 6.1 | pts | 64.6 | % | (9.1) | pts | 73.7 | % | |||
| ADR | | $ | 258.14 | 3.3 | % | $ | 249.98 | 2.0 | % | $ | 245.04 | | ||
| RevPAR | | $ | 182.45 | 13.0 | % | $ | 161.45 | (10.6) | % | $ | 180.58 | | ||
| Total RevPAR | | $ | 504.73 | 5.0 | % | $ | 480.88 | (2.6) | % | $ | 493.75 | |
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Gaylord Texan Results. The results of Gaylord Texan for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 are as follows (in thousands, except percentages and performance metrics):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2025 | | % Change | | 2024 | | % Change | | 2023 | ||||
| Revenues: | | | | | | | | | | |||||
| Rooms | | $ | 119,712 | (4.4) | % | $ | 125,205 | 3.3 | % | $ | 121,178 | | ||
| Food and beverage | | 168,609 | (0.5) | % | 169,401 | (1.5) | % | 171,932 | | |||||
| Other hotel revenue | | 60,943 | 7.8 | % | 56,545 | (13.4) | % | 65,289 | | |||||
| Total revenue | | 349,264 | (0.5) | % | 351,151 | (2.0) | % | 358,399 | | |||||
| Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | |||||
| Rooms | | 26,558 | 0.3 | % | 26,473 | (0.7) | % | 26,655 | | |||||
| Food and beverage | | 89,186 | (0.1) | % | 89,248 | (2.7) | % | 91,686 | | |||||
| Other hotel expenses | | 95,113 | 4.5 | % | 91,015 | 1.9 | % | 89,341 | | |||||
| Management fees, net | | 13,501 | (8.8) | % | 14,810 | (7.8) | % | 16,067 | | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | | 24,676 | 6.4 | % | 23,189 | 1.1 | % | 22,947 | | |||||
| Total operating expenses | | 249,034 | 1.8 | % | 244,735 | (0.8) | % | 246,696 | | |||||
| Operating income | | $ | 100,230 | | (5.8) | % | $ | 106,416 | | (4.7) | % | $ | 111,703 | |
| Performance metrics: | | | | | | | | | | |||||
| Occupancy | | 69.8 | % | (4.8) | pts | 74.6 | % | (0.3) | pts | 74.9 | % | |||
| ADR | | $ | 259.13 | 2.6 | % | $ | 252.65 | 3.5 | % | $ | 244.21 | | ||
| RevPAR | | $ | 180.80 | (4.1) | % | $ | 188.58 | 3.0 | % | $ | 183.02 | | ||
| Total RevPAR | | $ | 527.50 | (0.3) | % | $ | 528.90 | (2.3) | % | $ | 541.30 | |
Gaylord National Results. The results of Gaylord National for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 are as follows (in thousands, except percentages and performance metrics):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2025 | | % Change | | 2024 | | % Change | | 2023 | | |||
| Revenues: | | | | | | | | | | |||||
| Rooms | | $ | 126,315 | 6.0 | % | $ | 119,191 | (0.4) | % | $ | 119,700 | | ||
| Food and beverage | | 171,211 | 9.9 | % | 155,836 | 5.8 | % | 147,346 | | |||||
| Other hotel revenue | | 38,731 | 6.7 | % | 36,303 | (9.5) | % | 40,093 | | |||||
| Total revenue | | 336,257 | 8.0 | % | 311,330 | 1.4 | % | 307,139 | | |||||
| Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | |||||
| Rooms | | 44,090 | 7.4 | % | 41,045 | (2.2) | % | 41,981 | | |||||
| Food and beverage | | 100,005 | 10.9 | % | 90,176 | 2.0 | % | 88,389 | | |||||
| Other hotel expenses | | 99,241 | 5.4 | % | 94,150 | (1.0) | % | 95,100 | | |||||
| Management fees, net | | 7,382 | 24.5 | % | 5,929 | 5.2 | % | 5,635 | | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | | 33,846 | 0.4 | % | 33,724 | 1.1 | % | 33,357 | | |||||
| Total operating expenses | | 284,564 | 7.4 | % | 265,024 | 0.2 | % | 264,462 | | |||||
| Operating income | | $ | 51,693 | | 11.6 | % | $ | 46,306 | | 8.5 | % | $ | 42,677 | |
| Performance metrics: | | | | | | | | | | |||||
| Occupancy | | 67.4 | % | 2.6 | pts | 64.8 | % | (3.6) | pts | 68.4 | % | |||
| ADR | | $ | 257.22 | 2.2 | % | $ | 251.80 | 4.8 | % | $ | 240.30 | | ||
| RevPAR | | $ | 173.38 | 6.3 | % | $ | 163.16 | (0.7) | % | $ | 164.30 | | ||
| Total RevPAR | | $ | 461.55 | 8.3 | % | $ | 426.17 | 1.1 | % | $ | 421.58 | |
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Gaylord Rockies Results. The results of Gaylord Rockies for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 are as follows (in thousands, except percentages and performance metrics):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2025 | | % Change | | 2024 | | % Change | | 2023 | | |||
| Revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Rooms | | $ | 110,130 | | 6.6 | % | $ | 103,329 | | 5.9 | % | $ | 97,530 | |
| Food and beverage | | | 162,303 | | 8.3 | % | | 149,890 | | 13.3 | % | | 132,254 | |
| Other hotel revenue | | | 40,800 | | 10.5 | % | | 36,922 | | (0.1) | % | | 36,953 | |
| Total revenue | | | 313,233 | | 8.0 | % | | 290,141 | | 8.8 | % | | 266,737 | |
| Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Rooms | | | 24,641 | | 4.0 | % | | 23,683 | | (1.0) | % | | 23,931 | |
| Food and beverage | | | 96,594 | | 10.9 | % | | 87,070 | | 11.5 | % | | 78,079 | |
| Other hotel expenses | | | 56,764 | | (1.1) | % | | 57,400 | | 4.2 | % | | 55,095 | |
| Management fees, net | | | 9,337 | | 7.8 | % | | 8,661 | | 9.1 | % | | 7,935 | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 59,707 | | 4.6 | % | | 57,094 | | 0.4 | % | | 56,843 | |
| Total operating expenses | | | 247,043 | | 5.6 | % | | 233,908 | | 5.4 | % | | 221,883 | |
| Operating income | | $ | 66,190 | | 17.7 | % | $ | 56,233 | | 25.4 | % | $ | 44,854 | |
| Performance metrics: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Occupancy | | | 75.9 | % | 1.6 | pts | | 74.3 | % | 0.9 | pts | | 73.4 | % |
| ADR | | $ | 264.85 | | 4.6 | % | $ | 253.11 | | 4.4 | % | $ | 242.39 | |
| RevPAR | | $ | 201.02 | | 6.9 | % | $ | 188.09 | | 5.7 | % | $ | 178.02 | |
| Total RevPAR | | $ | 571.73 | | 8.3 | % | $ | 528.14 | | 8.5 | % | $ | 486.87 | |
JW Marriott Hill Country Results. The results of JW Marriott Hill Country for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 are as follows (in thousands, except percentages and performance metrics):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2025 | | % Change | | 2024 | | % Change (1) | | 2023 | | |||
| Revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Rooms | | $ | 80,850 | | 0.4 | % | $ | 80,526 | | 121.4 | % | $ | 36,376 | |
| Food and beverage | | | 101,301 | | 3.8 | % | | 97,610 | | 144.6 | % | | 39,910 | |
| Other hotel revenue | | | 45,031 | | 6.2 | % | | 42,388 | | 156.5 | % | | 16,527 | |
| Total revenue | | | 227,182 | | 3.0 | % | | 220,524 | | 137.6 | % | | 92,813 | |
| Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Rooms | | | 15,124 | | (2.0) | % | | 15,437 | | 118.8 | % | | 7,055 | |
| Food and beverage | | | 53,421 | | 2.9 | % | | 51,898 | | 126.5 | % | | 22,915 | |
| Other hotel expenses | | | 80,586 | | 6.4 | % | | 75,710 | | 130.8 | % | | 32,805 | |
| Management fees, net | | | 8,868 | | (0.1) | % | | 8,878 | | 315.4 | % | | 2,137 | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 31,781 | | 5.3 | % | | 30,193 | | 105.1 | % | | 14,718 | |
| Total operating expenses | | | 189,780 | | 4.2 | % | | 182,116 | | 128.7 | % | | 79,630 | |
| Operating income | | $ | 37,402 | | (2.6) | % | $ | 38,408 | | 191.3 | % | $ | 13,183 | |
| Performance metrics: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Occupancy | | | 67.2 | % | (2.0) | pts | | 69.2 | % | 4.3 | pts | | 64.9 | % |
| ADR | | $ | 329.16 | | 3.7 | % | $ | 317.32 | | 4.4 | % | $ | 304.07 | |
| RevPAR | | $ | 221.06 | | 0.7 | % | $ | 219.58 | | 11.3 | % | $ | 197.30 | |
| Total RevPAR | | $ | 621.17 | | 3.3 | % | $ | 601.32 | | 19.4 | % | $ | 503.41 | |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | We purchased JW Marriott Hill Country on June 30, 2023. |
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JW Marriott Desert Ridge Results. We purchased JW Marriott Desert Ridge on June 10, 2025. The results of JW Marriott Desert Ridge for the period from June 10, 2025 to December 31, 2025 are as follows (in thousands, except percentages and performance metrics):
| | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2025 | | |
| Revenues: | | | | |
| Rooms | | $ | 33,858 | |
| Food and beverage | | | 39,674 | |
| Other hotel revenue | | | 18,051 | |
| Total revenue | | | 91,583 | |
| Operating expenses: | | | | |
| Rooms | | | 8,094 | |
| Food and beverage | | | 27,358 | |
| Other hotel expenses | | | 35,067 | |
| Management fees, net | | | 2,740 | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 19,103 | |
| Total operating expenses | | | 92,362 | |
| Operating loss | | $ | (779) | |
| Performance metrics: | | | | |
| Occupancy | | | 57.7 | % |
| ADR | | $ | 301.38 | |
| RevPAR | | $ | 173.85 | |
| Total RevPAR | | $ | 470.26 | |
Entertainment Segment
The following presents the financial results of our Entertainment segment for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands, except percentages):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2025 | | % Change | | 2024 | | % Change | | 2023 | |||
| Revenues | | $ | 433,975 | 26.8 | % | $ | 342,176 | 5.4 | % | $ | 324,658 | ||
| Operating expenses (1) | | (323,948) | 33.9 | % | (241,847) | 8.1 | % | (223,663) | |||||
| Preopening costs | | | (2,882) | | (37.6) | % | | (4,618) | | 253.1 | % | | (1,308) |
| Loss on sale of assets | | | (1,296) | | 100.0 | % | | — | | — | % | | — |
| Depreciation and amortization | | (37,310) | 26.4 | % | (29,519) | 25.0 | % | (23,611) | |||||
| Operating income | | $ | 68,539 | 3.5 | % | $ | 66,192 | (13.0) | % | $ | 76,076 |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | Operating expenses for 2024 were reduced by a refund of $3.4 million of Tennessee franchise tax for prior years caused by a change in tax law. |
Revenues increased in our Entertainment segment in 2025, as compared to 2024, primarily related to Southern Entertainment, which we purchased in January 2025, Category 10 Nashville, which opened in November 2024, and W Austin, which faced construction-related disruptions in 2024.
Entertainment segment operating expenses increased in 2025, as compared to 2024, primarily related to Southern Entertainment, the operations of Category 10 Nashville, and higher business levels at W Austin. In addition, 2024 included a refund of Tennessee franchise tax for prior years caused by a change in tax law that did not recur in 2025.
Depreciation and amortization increased in 2025, as compared to 2024, primarily associated with the increase in depreciable and amortizable assets associated with Category 10 Nashville and Southern Entertainment, as well as increased depreciation and amortization related to Block 21 attributable to construction enhancements completed at the property in 2024 and the first half of 2025.
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Corporate and Other Segment
The following presents the financial results of our Corporate and Other segment for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands, except percentages):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2025 | | % Change | | 2024 | | % Change | | 2023 | |||
| Operating expenses | | $ | 42,771 | 2.3 | % | $ | 41,819 | (2.3) | % | $ | 42,789 | ||
| Gain on sale of assets | | | — | | 100.0 | % | | (270) | | (100.0) | % | | — |
| Depreciation and amortization | | 933 | 1.6 | % | 918 | 5.9 | % | 867 | |||||
| Operating loss | | $ | (43,704) | (2.9) | % | $ | (42,467) | 2.7 | % | $ | (43,656) |
Corporate and Other operating expenses, which consist primarily of costs associated with senior management salaries and benefits, legal, human resources, accounting, pension, information technology, consulting and other administrative costs, increased in 2025, as compared to 2024, primarily as a result of increased employment expenses.
Operating Results – Preopening costs
Preopening costs for 2025 primarily include costs associated with Category 10 Las Vegas, which is expected to open in late 2026. Preopening costs for 2024 primarily include costs associated with Category 10 Nashville, which opened in November 2024 and Ole Red Las Vegas, which opened in January 2024.
Operating Results – Gain (Loss) on Sale of Assets
Loss on sale of assets for 2025 includes the sale of miscellaneous Entertainment segment assets. Gain on sale of assets for 2024 includes the sale of miscellaneous corporate assets.
Non-Operating Results Affecting Net Income
General
The following table summarizes the other factors which affected our net income for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands, except percentages):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2025 | | % Change | | 2024 | | % Change | | 2023 | |||
| Interest expense | | $ | (241,270) | (7.0) | % | $ | (225,395) | (6.6) | % | $ | (211,370) | ||
| Interest income | | 20,299 | (27.4) | % | 27,977 | 30.6 | % | 21,423 | |||||
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | | | (2,922) | | (17.9) | % | | (2,479) | | (10.1) | % | | (2,252) |
| Income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures | | (10,025) | (3,745.5) | % | 275 | 101.6 | % | (17,308) | |||||
| Other gains and (losses), net | | 1,540 | (45.3) | % | 2,814 | (28.2) | % | 3,921 | |||||
| (Provision) benefit for income taxes | | (7,324) | 47.1 | % | (13,836) | (114.8) | % | 93,702 |
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Interest Expense
The following presents interest expense associated with our outstanding borrowings, including the impact of interest rate swaps for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands, except percentages):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2025 | | % Change | | 2024 | | % Change | | 2023 | |||
| RHP Revolving Credit Facility | | $ | 4,225 | 4.2 | % | $ | 4,056 | (2.4) | % | $ | 4,156 | ||
| RHP Term Loan B | | 19,804 | (28.5) | % | 27,703 | (11.8) | % | 31,395 | |||||
| RHP Senior Notes | | | 183,807 | | 28.0 | % | | 143,592 | | 83.0 | % | | 78,481 |
| Gaylord Rockies Term Loan | | — | (100.0) | % | 15,495 | (72.5) | % | 56,295 | |||||
| OEG Revolver | | 1,229 | (42.2) | % | 2,127 | 66.6 | % | 1,277 | |||||
| OEG Term Loan | | 33,157 | 8.1 | % | 30,682 | (6.7) | % | 32,881 | |||||
| Block 21 CMBS Loan | | | 2,683 | | (68.1) | % | | 8,421 | | (0.9) | % | | 8,499 |
| Other (1) | | | (3,635) | | 45.6 | % | | (6,681) | | (313.9) | % | | (1,614) |
| Total interest expense | | $ | 241,270 | | 7.0 | % | $ | 225,395 | | 6.6 | % | $ | 211,370 |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | Other includes capitalized interest, as well as other miscellaneous items. |
Interest expense increased in 2025, as compared to 2024, due primarily to higher levels of indebtedness attributable to the issuance of $625 million in 6.50% senior notes in June 2025, partially offset by a reduction in interest expense associated with the Term Loan B as a result of a reduction in the outstanding borrowing amount during 2024.
Our weighted average interest rate on our borrowings, excluding capitalized interest, but including the impact of interest rate swaps, was 6.5% and 6.7% in 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Interest Income
Interest income includes amounts earned on our cash balances, as well as the bonds that were received in connection with the development of Gaylord National, which we hold as notes receivable. See Note 3, “Notes Receivable,” to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included herein for additional discussion of interest income on these bonds.
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt
As a result of the April 2025 incremental borrowing under the OEG credit agreement and the defeasance of the Block 21 CMBS loan, we recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $2.9 million in 2025.
As a result of the March 2024 repayment of the Gaylord Rockies $800 million term loan, the April 2024 repricing of the RHP term loan B, the June 2024 refinancing of the OEG credit agreement, and the December 2024 repricing of the RHP term loan B, we recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $2.5 million in 2024.
Income (Loss) from Unconsolidated Joint Ventures
The loss from unconsolidated joint ventures for 2025 represents a loss on an equity method investment.
Other Gains and (Losses), net
Other gains and (losses), net for 2025 and 2024 primarily includes a gain of $3.3 million and $3.2 million, respectively, from a fund associated with the Gaylord National bonds to reimburse us for certain marketing and maintenance expenses.
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(Provision) Benefit for Income Taxes
As a REIT, we generally are not subject to federal corporate income taxes on ordinary taxable income and capital gains income from real estate investments that we distribute to our stockholders. We are required to pay federal and state corporate income taxes on earnings of our TRSs.
During 2025 and 2024, we recorded an income tax provision of $7.3 million and $13.8 million, respectively. These results differ from the statutory rate primarily due to the REIT dividends paid deduction and changes in income at our TRSs in both years.
The Company recognized the impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (“OBBBA”), which was enacted on July 4, 2025, during 2025. The related adjustments to deferred tax assets and liabilities, and the resulting income tax expense, did not have a material impact on our financial statements.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We present the following non-GAAP financial measures we believe are useful to investors as key measures of our operating performance:
EBITDAre, Adjusted EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDAre, Excluding Noncontrolling Interest Definition
We calculate EBITDAre, which is defined by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”) in its September 2017 white paper as net income (calculated in accordance with GAAP) plus interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization, gains or losses on the disposition of depreciated property (including gains or losses on change in control), impairment write-downs of depreciated property and of investments in unconsolidated affiliates caused by a decrease in the value of depreciated property of the affiliate, and adjustments to reflect the entity’s share of EBITDAre of unconsolidated affiliates.
Adjusted EBITDAre is then calculated as EBITDAre, plus to the extent the following adjustments occurred during the periods presented:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | preopening costs; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | non-cash lease expense; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | equity-based compensation expense; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | impairment charges that do not meet the NAREIT definition above; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | credit losses on held-to-maturity securities; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | transaction costs of acquisitions; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | interest income on bonds; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | loss on extinguishment of debt; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | pension settlement charges; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | pro rata Adjusted EBITDAre from unconsolidated joint ventures; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | any other adjustments we have identified herein. |
We then exclude the pro rata share of Adjusted EBITDAre related to noncontrolling interests to calculate Adjusted EBITDAre, Excluding Noncontrolling Interest.
We use EBITDAre, Adjusted EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDAre, Excluding Noncontrolling Interest to evaluate our operating performance. We believe that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to investors regarding our operating performance and debt leverage metrics, and that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures, when combined with the primary GAAP presentation of net income, is beneficial to an investor’s complete understanding of our operating performance. We make additional adjustments to EBITDAre when evaluating our performance because we believe that presenting Adjusted EBITDAre and Adjusted
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EBITDAre, Excluding Noncontrolling Interest provides useful information to investors regarding our operating performance and debt leverage metrics.
FFO, Adjusted FFO, and Adjusted FFO available to common stockholders and unit holders Definition
We calculate FFO, which definition is clarified by NAREIT in its December 2018 white paper as net income (calculated in accordance with GAAP) excluding depreciation and amortization (excluding amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discounts), gains and losses from the sale of certain real estate assets, gains and losses from a change in control, impairment write-downs of certain real estate assets and investments in entities when the impairment is directly attributable to decreases in the value of depreciated real estate held by the entity, income (loss) from consolidated joint ventures attributable to noncontrolling interest, and pro rata adjustments from unconsolidated joint ventures.
To calculate Adjusted FFO available to common stockholders and unit holders, we then exclude, to the extent the following adjustments occurred during the periods presented:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | right-of-use asset amortization; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | impairment charges that do not meet the NAREIT definition above; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | write-offs of deferred financing costs; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | amortization of debt discounts or premiums and amortization of deferred financing costs; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | loss on extinguishment of debt; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | non-cash lease expense; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | credit loss on held-to-maturity securities; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | pension settlement charges; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | additional pro rata adjustments from unconsolidated joint ventures; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | (gains) losses on other assets; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | transaction costs of acquisitions; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | deferred income tax expense (benefit); and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | any other adjustments we have identified herein. |
FFO available to common stockholders and unit holders and Adjusted FFO available to common stockholders and unit holders exclude the ownership portion of the joint ventures not controlled or owned by the Company.
We believe that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to investors regarding the performance of our ongoing operations because each presents a measure of our operations without regard to specified non-cash items such as real estate depreciation and amortization, gain or loss on sale of assets and certain other items, which we believe are not indicative of the performance of our underlying hotel properties. We believe that these items are more representative of our asset base than our ongoing operations. We also use these non-GAAP financial measures as measures in determining our results after considering the impact of our capital structure.
We caution investors that non-GAAP financial measures we present may not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by other companies, because not all companies calculate these non-GAAP measures in the same manner. The non-GAAP financial measures we present should not be considered as alternative measures of our net income, operating performance, cash flow or liquidity. These non-GAAP financial measures may include funds that may not be available for our discretionary use due to functional requirements to conserve funds for capital expenditures and property acquisitions and other commitments and uncertainties. Although we believe that these non-GAAP financial measures can enhance an investor’s understanding of our results of operations, these non-GAAP financial measures, when viewed individually, are not necessarily better indicators of any trend as compared to GAAP measures such as net income, operating income, or cash flow from operations.
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The following is a reconciliation of our consolidated GAAP net income to EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDAre for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2025 | | 2024 | | 2023 | |||
| Net income | | $ | 247,310 | | $ | 280,190 | | $ | 341,800 |
| Interest expense, net | | | 220,971 | | | 197,418 | | | 189,947 |
| Provision (benefit) for income taxes | | | 7,324 | | | 13,836 | | | (93,702) |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 278,100 | | | 235,626 | | | 211,227 |
| (Gain) loss on sale of assets | | | 1,296 | | | (270) | | | — |
| Pro rata EBITDAre from unconsolidated joint ventures | | | 1 | | | 5 | | | 25 |
| EBITDAre | | | 755,002 | | | 726,805 | | | 649,297 |
| Preopening costs | | | 2,882 | | | 4,618 | | | 1,308 |
| Non-cash lease expense | | | 4,743 | | | 3,501 | | | 5,710 |
| Equity-based compensation expense | | | 14,061 | | | 13,891 | | | 15,421 |
| Pension settlement charge | | | 773 | | | 858 | | | 1,313 |
| Interest income on Gaylord National bonds | | | 4,277 | | | 4,616 | | | 4,936 |
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | | | 2,922 | | | 2,479 | | | 2,252 |
| Transaction costs of acquisitions | | | 106 | | | 1,209 | | | — |
| Pro rata adjusted EBITDAre from unconsolidated joint ventures (1) | | | 9,927 | | | (272) | | | 10,508 |
| Adjusted EBITDAre | | | 794,693 | | | 757,705 | | | 690,745 |
| Adjusted EBITDAre of noncontrolling interest | | | (33,399) | | | (31,746) | | | (29,884) |
| Adjusted EBITDAre, excluding noncontrolling interest | | $ | 761,294 | | $ | 725,959 | | $ | 660,861 |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | Includes losses associated with two equity method investments. |
The following is a reconciliation of our consolidated GAAP net income available to common stockholders to FFO and Adjusted FFO for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2025 | | 2024 | | 2023 | |||
| Net income available to common stockholders | | $ | 243,425 | | $ | 271,638 | | $ | 311,217 |
| Noncontrolling interest in OP Units | | | 1,555 | | | 1,792 | | | 2,118 |
| Net income available to common stockholders and unit holders | | | 244,980 | | | 273,430 | | | 313,335 |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 277,728 | | | 235,437 | | | 211,064 |
| Adjustments for noncontrolling interest | | | (12,147) | | | (8,856) | | | (7,083) |
| Pro rata adjustments from joint ventures | | | — | | | 5 | | | 73 |
| FFO available to common stockholders and unit holders | | | 510,561 | | | 500,016 | | | 517,389 |
| Right-of-use asset amortization | | | 372 | | | 189 | | | 163 |
| Non-cash lease expense | | | 4,743 | | | 3,501 | | | 5,710 |
| Pension settlement charge | | | 773 | | | 858 | | | 1,313 |
| Pro rata adjustments from joint ventures (1) | | | 9,927 | | | (272) | | | 10,508 |
| (Gain) loss on sale of assets | | | 1,296 | | | (270) | | | — |
| Amortization of deferred financing costs | | | 11,926 | | | 10,655 | | | 10,663 |
| Amortization of debt discounts and premiums | | | 1,762 | | | 2,397 | | | 2,325 |
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | | | 2,922 | | | 2,479 | | | 2,252 |
| Adjustments for noncontrolling interest | | | (7,226) | | | (3,137) | | | 18,635 |
| Transaction costs of acquisitions | | | 106 | | | 1,209 | | | — |
| Deferred tax provision (benefit) | | | 2,430 | | | 10,196 | | | (95,825) |
| Adjusted FFO available to common stockholders and unit holders | | $ | 539,592 | | $ | 527,821 | | $ | 473,133 |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | Includes losses associated with two equity method investments. |
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flows Provided By Operating Activities. Cash flow from operating activities is the principal source of cash used to fund our operating expenses, interest payments on debt, maintenance capital expenditures, and dividends to stockholders. During 2025, our net cash flows provided by operating activities were $590.6 million, primarily reflecting our net income before depreciation expense, amortization expense and other non-cash charges of approximately $563.9 million and favorable changes in working capital of approximately $26.8 million. The favorable changes in working capital primarily resulted from an increase in deferred revenues associated with increased advanced room deposits on future hotel room stays and increased advanced ticket sales on future concerts and events, partially offset by a decrease in accounts payable due to the timing of payments.
During 2024, our net cash flows provided by operating activities were $576.5 million, primarily reflecting our net income before depreciation expense, amortization expense and other non-cash charges of approximately $550.3 million and favorable changes in working capital of approximately $26.2 million. The favorable changes in working capital primarily resulted from an increase in deferred revenues associated with increased advanced room deposits on future hotel room stays and a decrease in accounts receivable associated with a difference in timing of credit card settlements.
Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities. During 2025, our primary use of funds for investing activities was the use of $862.0 million to purchase JW Marriott Desert Ridge and purchases of property and equipment, which totaled $358.2 million. Purchases of property and equipment consisted primarily of projects at Gaylord Opryland, including a meeting space expansion, the renovation of an existing ballroom and pre-function space, and the development of a sports bar, pavilion and event lawn; a rooms renovation at Gaylord Texan; and ongoing maintenance capital expenditures for each of our existing properties.
During 2024, our primary use of funds for investing activities was the purchase of property and equipment, which totaled $407.9 million, and consisted primarily of enhancements at Gaylord Rockies to construct a new events pavilion, enhance the grand lodge and reposition its food and beverage outlets; enhancements to meeting spaces at Gaylord Opryland; the conversion of the Wildhorse Saloon to Category 10; a rooms renovation at the W Austin and common area enhancements at Block 21; the completion of Ole Red Las Vegas; a rooms and lobby renovation at Gaylord Palms; and ongoing maintenance capital expenditures for each of our existing properties.
Cash Flows Provided By (Used In) Financing Activities. Our cash flows from financing activities primarily reflect the incurrence and repayment of long-term debt and the payment of cash distributions. During 2025, net cash flows provided by financing activities were $567.3 million, primarily reflecting the issuance of $625.0 million in senior notes and $275.5 million in net proceeds from the issuance of approximately 3.0 million shares of our common stock, partially offset by the payment of $285.6 million in cash distributions, the net repayment of $21.0 million under the OEG revolving credit facility, and the payment of $13.1 million in deferred financing costs.
During 2024, net cash flows used in financing activities were $290.3 million, primarily reflecting the issuance of $1 billion in 6.50% senior notes, offset by the prepayment of the Gaylord Rockies $800.0 million term loan, the net repayment of $203.5 million under our term loan B, the payment of $266.1 million in cash distributions, and the payment of $23.7 million in deferred financing costs.
Liquidity
At December 31, 2025, we had $471.4 million in unrestricted cash and $780.0 million available for borrowing in the aggregate under our revolving credit facility and the OEG revolving credit facility. During 2025, we issued $625.0 million in new 6.50% senior notes, received $275.5 million in net proceeds from the issuance of approximately 3.0 million shares of our common stock, used $862.0 million in net cash to purchase JW Marriott Desert Ridge, incurred capital expenditures of $358.2 million and paid $285.6 million in cash distributions. These changes, partially offset by the cash flows provided by operations discussed above, were the primary factors in the decrease in our cash balance from 2024 to 2025.
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We anticipate investing in our operations during 2026 by spending between approximately $350 million and $450 million in capital expenditures, which includes a meeting space expansion at Gaylord Opryland; rooms renovations at Gaylord Texan and JW Marriott Hill Country; the construction of Category 10 Las Vegas; the construction of Category 10 at Universal Orlando Resort’s CityWalk; and ongoing maintenance capital for each of our current facilities. Further, our dividend policy provides that we will make minimum dividends of 100% of REIT taxable income annually. We currently have no debt maturities until October 2027. We believe we will be able to refinance our debt agreements prior to their maturities.
We believe that our cash on hand and cash flow from operations, together with amounts available for borrowing under each of our revolving credit facility and the OEG revolving credit facility, will be adequate to fund our general short-term commitments, as well as: (i) current operating expenses, (ii) interest expense on long-term debt obligations, (iii) financing lease and operating lease obligations, (iv) declared dividends and (v) the capital expenditures described above. Our ability to draw on our credit facility and the OEG revolving credit facility is subject to the satisfaction of provisions of the credit facility and the OEG revolving credit facility, as applicable.
Our outstanding principal debt agreements are described below. At December 31, 2025, there were no defaults under the covenants related to our outstanding debt.
Principal Debt Agreements
Credit Facility. On May 18, 2023, we entered into a Credit Agreement (as modified pursuant to the First Incremental Agreement, the Second Incremental Agreement and the First Amendment (each as hereinafter defined), the “Credit Agreement”), among the Company, as a guarantor, the Operating Partnership, as borrower, certain other subsidiaries of the Company party thereto, as guarantors, certain subsidiaries of the Company party thereto, as pledgors, the lenders party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent.
The Credit Agreement provides for a senior secured term loan B (the “Term Loan B”) (in the original principal amount of $500.0 million and as of December 31, 2025 with an outstanding principal amount equal to $289.9 million) and a revolving credit facility (the “Revolver”) in an original aggregate principal amount equal to $700.0 million and as of January 28, 2026 increased to $850.0 million pursuant to Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement (the “First Amendment”), as well as an accordion feature that will allow us to increase the facilities by an aggregate of up to $475 million, which may be allocated between the Revolver and the Term Loan B at our option.
Each of the Revolver and Term Loan B is guaranteed by us, each of our subsidiaries that own the Gaylord Hotels properties and the JW Marriott properties and certain of our other subsidiaries. Each of the Revolver and the Term Loan B is secured by equity pledges of our subsidiaries that are the fee owners of Gaylord Opryland and Gaylord Texan, their respective direct and indirect parent entities, and the equity of Ryman Hotel Operations Holdco, LLC, a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of the Company. Assets and equity of OEG are not subject to the liens of the Credit Agreement.
In addition, the Revolver contains certain covenants which, among other things, limit the incurrence of additional indebtedness, investments, dividends, transactions with affiliates, asset sales, acquisitions, mergers and consolidations, liens and encumbrances and other matters customarily restricted in such agreements. Per the First Amendment to the Credit Agreement, the material financial covenants, ratios or tests contained in the Revolver are as follows:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | We must maintain a consolidated net leverage ratio of not greater than 7.25x. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | We must maintain a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.50x. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Our secured indebtedness must not exceed 45% of consolidated total asset value. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Our secured recourse indebtedness must not exceed 10% of consolidated total asset value. |
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| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Unencumbered leverage ratio must not exceed 60% (with the ability to surge to 65% in connection with a material acquisition). |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Unencumbered adjusted NOI to unsecured interest expense ratio of not less than 2.0x. |
If an event of default shall occur and be continuing under the Credit Agreement, the commitments under the Credit Agreement may be terminated and the principal amount outstanding under the Credit Agreement, together with all accrued unpaid interest and other amounts owing in respect thereof, may be declared immediately due and payable.
Revolving Credit Facility. Per the First Amendment to the Credit Agreement, the maturity date of the Revolver is January 28, 2030, with the option to extend the maturity date for a maximum of one additional year through either (i) a single 12-month extension option or (ii) two individual six-month extensions. Borrowings under the Revolver bear interest at an annual rate equal to, at our option, either (i) Term SOFR plus the applicable margin ranging from 1.40% to 2.00%, (ii) Daily Simple SOFR plus the applicable margin ranging from 1.40% to 2.00% or (iii) a base rate as set in the Credit Agreement plus the applicable margin ranging from 0.40% to 1.00%, with each option dependent upon our consolidated net leverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement). Principal is payable in full at maturity.
For purposes of the Revolver, each of Term SOFR and Daily Simple SOFR are subject to a floor of 0.00%.
At December 31, 2025 (prior to the effectiveness of the First Amendment), no amounts were outstanding under the Revolver, and there was $700.0 million of availability under the Revolver as of December 31, 2025 (subject to the satisfaction of debt incurrence tests under the indentures governing our $1 billion in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2032 (the “$1 Billion 6.50% Senior Notes”), our $700 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2027 (the “$700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes”), our $625 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2033 (the “$625 Million 6.50% Senior Notes”), our $600 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2029 (the “$600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes”) and our $400 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2028 (“$400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes”), which we met at December 31, 2025).
Term Loan B. The Term Loan B has a maturity date of May 18, 2030. As of December 31, 2025, the applicable interest rate margin for borrowings under the Term Loan B is, at our option, either (i) 1.75% for SOFR Loans (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and (ii) 0.75% for base rate loans.
At December 31, 2025, the interest rate on the Term Loan B was Term SOFR plus 1.75%. The annual amortization under the Term Loan B is 1% of the refinanced $293.5 million outstanding principal amount, with the balance due at maturity. At December 31, 2025, $289.9 million in borrowings were outstanding under the Term Loan B.
For purposes of the Term Loan B, each of Term SOFR and Daily Simple SOFR are subject to a floor of 0.00%.
$1 Billion 6.50% Senior Notes. On March 28, 2024, the Operating Partnership and RHP Finance Corporation (“Finco”) (collectively, the “issuing subsidiaries”) completed the private placement of $1.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of 6.50% senior notes due 2032, which are guaranteed by the Company and its subsidiaries that guarantee the Credit Agreement. The $1 Billion 6.50% Senior Notes and guarantees were issued pursuant to an indenture by and among the issuing subsidiaries, the guarantors and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee. The $1 Billion 6.50% Senior Notes have a maturity date of April 1, 2032 and bear interest at 6.50% per annum, payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on April 1 and October 1 each year. The $1 Billion 6.50% Senior Notes are general unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the issuing subsidiaries and rank equal in right of payment with such subsidiaries’ existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness, including the $700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes, the $625 Million 6.50% Senior Notes, the $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes and the $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes, and senior in right of payment to future subordinated indebtedness, if any. The $1 Billion 6.50% Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to the issuing subsidiaries’ secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. The guarantees rank equally in right of payment with the applicable guarantor’s existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness of such guarantor. The $1 Billion 6.50% Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness of any guarantor to the extent of the value
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of the assets securing such indebtedness and structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other obligations of the Operating Partnership’s subsidiaries that do not guarantee the $1 Billion 6.50% Senior Notes.
The net proceeds from the issuance of the $1 Billion 6.50% Senior Notes totaled approximately $983 million, after deducting the initial purchasers’ discounts, commissions and offering expenses. We used a portion of these net proceeds to prepay the indebtedness outstanding under our previous $800.0 million Gaylord Rockies term loan and used the remaining proceeds, together with cash on hand, to repay $200.0 million under the Term Loan B.
The $1 Billion 6.50% Senior Notes are redeemable before April 1, 2027, in whole or in part, at 100.00%, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the redemption date, plus a make-whole premium. The $1 Billion 6.50% Senior Notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part, at any time on or after April 1, 2027 at a redemption price expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof, which percentage is 103.250%, 101.625% and 100.000% beginning on April 1 of 2027, 2028, and 2029, respectively, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the redemption date.
$700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes. In September 2019, the Operating Partnership and Finco completed the private placement of $500.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2027, which are guaranteed by the Company and its subsidiaries that guarantee the Credit Agreement. The $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes and guarantees were issued pursuant to an indenture by and among the issuing subsidiaries and the guarantors and U.S. Bank National Association as trustee. The $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes have a maturity date of October 15, 2027 and bear interest at 4.75% per annum, payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year. The $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes are general unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the issuing subsidiaries and rank equal in right of payment with such subsidiaries’ existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness, including the $1 Billion 6.50% Senior Notes, the $625 Million 6.50% Senior Notes, the $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes, and the $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes, and senior in right of payment to future subordinated indebtedness, if any. The $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to the issuing subsidiaries’ secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. The guarantees rank equally in right of payment with the applicable guarantor’s existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness of such guarantor. The $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness of any guarantor to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness and structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other obligations of the Operating Partnership’s subsidiaries that do not guarantee the $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes.
In October 2019, we completed a tack-on private placement of $200.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.75% senior notes due 2027 (the “additional 2027 notes”) at an issue price of 101.250% of their aggregate principal amount plus accrued interest from the September 19, 2019 issue date for the $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes. The additional 2027 notes and the $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes constitute a single class of securities (collectively, the “$700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes”). All other terms and conditions of the additional 2027 notes are identical to the $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes.
The $700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, at 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the redemption date.
We completed a registered offer to exchange the $700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes for registered notes with substantially identical terms as the $700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes in July 2020.
$625 Million 6.50% Senior Notes. On June 4, 2025, the Operating Partnership and Finco completed the private placement of $625.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.50% senior notes due 2033, which are guaranteed by the Company and its subsidiaries that guarantee the Credit Agreement. The $625 Million 6.50% Senior Notes and guarantees were issued pursuant to an indenture by and among the issuing subsidiaries, the guarantors and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee. The $625 Million 6.50% Senior Notes have a maturity date of June 15, 2033 and bear interest at 6.50% per annum, payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on June 15 and December 15 each year, beginning on December 15, 2025. The $625 Million 6.50% Senior Notes are general unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the issuing subsidiaries and rank equal in right of payment with such subsidiaries’ existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness, including the $1 Billion 6.50% Senior Notes, the $700 Million 4.75% Senior
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Notes, the $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes and the $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes, and senior in right of payment to future subordinated indebtedness, if any. The $625 Million 6.50% Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to the issuing subsidiaries’ secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. The guarantees rank equally in right of payment with the applicable guarantor’s existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness of such guarantor. The $625 Million 6.50% Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness of any guarantor to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness and structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other obligations of the Operating Partnership’s subsidiaries that do not guarantee the $625 Million 6.50% Senior Notes.
The net proceeds from the issuance of the $625 Million 6.50% Senior Notes totaled approximately $614 million, after deducting the initial purchasers’ discounts, commissions and offering expenses. We used these net proceeds to fund a portion of the purchase price for JW Marriott Desert Ridge.
The $625 Million 6.50% Senior Notes are redeemable before June 15, 2028, in whole or in part, at 100.00%, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the redemption date, plus a make-whole premium. The $625 Million 6.50% Senior Notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part, at any time on or after June 15, 2028 at a redemption price expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof, which percentage is 103.250%, 101.625%, and 100.000% beginning on June 15 of 2028, 2029, and 2030, respectively, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the redemption date.
$600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes. In February 2021, the Operating Partnership and Finco completed the private placement of $600.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2029, which are guaranteed by the Company and its subsidiaries that guarantee the Credit Agreement. The $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes and guarantees were issued pursuant to an indenture by and among the issuing subsidiaries and the guarantors and U.S. Bank National Association as trustee. The $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes have a maturity date of February 15, 2029 and bear interest at 4.50% per annum, payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on February 15 and August 15 each year. The $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes are general unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the issuing subsidiaries and rank equal in right of payment with such subsidiaries’ existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness, including the $1 Billion 6.50% Senior Notes, the $700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes, the $625 Million 6.50% Senior Notes, and the $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes, and senior in right of payment to future subordinated indebtedness, if any. The $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to the issuing subsidiaries’ secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. The guarantees rank equally in right of payment with the applicable guarantor’s existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness of such guarantor. The $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness of any guarantor to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness and structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other obligations of the Operating Partnership’s subsidiaries that do not guarantee the $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes.
The $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, at a redemption price expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof, which percentage is currently 100.750% and will be 100.000% beginning on February 15 of 2027, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the redemption date.
$400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes. In June 2023, the Operating Partnership and Finco completed the private placement of $400.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.25% senior notes due 2028, which are guaranteed by the Company and its subsidiaries that guarantee the Credit Agreement. The $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes and guarantees were issued pursuant to an indenture by and among the issuing subsidiaries, the guarantors and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association as trustee. The $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes have a maturity date of July 15, 2028 and bear interest at 7.25% per annum, payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on January 15 and July 15 each year. The $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes are general unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the issuing subsidiaries and rank equal in right of payment with such subsidiaries’ existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness, including the $1 Billion 6.50% Senior Notes, the $700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes, the $625 Million 6.50% Senior Notes and $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes, and senior in right of payment to future subordinated indebtedness, if any. The $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to the issuing subsidiaries’ secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. The guarantees rank equally in right of payment with the applicable guarantor’s existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and senior in right of payment to any future
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subordinated indebtedness of such guarantor. The $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness of any guarantor to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness and structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other obligations of the Operating Partnership’s subsidiaries that do not guarantee the $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes.
The $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, at a redemption price expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof, which percentage is currently 103.625% and will be 101.813% and 100.000% beginning on July 15 of 2026 and 2027, respectively, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the redemption date.
Each of the indentures governing the $1 Billion 6.50% Senior Notes, the $700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes, the $625 Million 6.50% Senior Notes, the $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes and the $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes contain certain covenants which, among other things and subject to certain exceptions and qualifications, limit the incurrence of additional indebtedness, investments, dividends, transactions with affiliates, assets sales, acquisitions, mergers and consolidations, liens and encumbrances and other matters customarily restricted in such agreements. In addition, if the Company experiences certain kinds of changes of control, the Company must offer to repurchase some or all of the senior notes at 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, up to, but excluding, the repurchase date.
OEG Credit Agreement. On June 28, 2024, OEG Borrower, LLC (“OEG Borrower”) and OEG Finance, LLC (“OEG Finance”), each a wholly owned direct or indirect subsidiary of OEG, entered into a certain First Amendment, which amends the Credit Agreement dated as of June 16, 2022 among OEG Borrower, as borrower, OEG Finance, certain subsidiaries of OEG Borrower from time to time party thereto as guarantors, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (as amended, the “2024 OEG Credit Agreement”).
The 2024 OEG Credit Agreement provides for (i) a senior secured term loan facility in the aggregate principal amount of $300.0 million (the “2024 OEG Term Loan”) and (ii) a senior secured revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $80.0 million (the “OEG Revolver”). The 2024 OEG Term Loan refinanced and replaced the former term loan in the outstanding principal amount of $294.8 million as of June 28, 2024 and the OEG Revolver replaces the former senior secured revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $65.0 million.
On April 28, 2025, OEG Borrower and OEG Finance entered into a Second Amendment, which amended the 2024 OEG Credit Agreement (as amended, the “OEG Credit Agreement”) in which OEG Borrower obtained an incremental term loan in an aggregate principal amount equal to $130.0 million (the “Incremental OEG Loan”) on the same terms as the 2024 OEG Term Loan. The net proceeds of the Incremental OEG Loan, together with cash on hand, were used to defease the Block 21 CMBS Loan (as defined below) in full, which released the borrower thereunder from the $127.9 million amount outstanding under the Block 21 CMBS Loan. The OEG Credit Agreement provides for (i) a senior secured term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount equal to $428.5 million (the “OEG Term Loan”) and (ii) the OEG Revolver. The Incremental OEG Loan did not change any applicable interest rates or maturity dates of any indebtedness under the 2024 OEG Credit Agreement. In addition, the terms of the Incremental OEG Loan confirm that the annual amortization under the OEG Term Loan is approximately 1% of the refinanced $428.5 million outstanding principal amount, with the balance due at maturity.
At December 31, 2025, $425.3 million was outstanding under the OEG Term Loan, and there were no amounts outstanding under the OEG Revolver.
The OEG Term Loan and OEG Revolver are each secured by substantially all of the assets of OEG Finance and each of its subsidiaries. The OEG Term Loan bears interest at a rate equal to either, at OEG Borrower’s election, as of the closing contemplated by the OEG Credit Agreement, (a) the Alternate Base Rate plus 2.50% or (b) Adjusted Term SOFR plus 3.50% (all as more specifically described in the OEG Credit Agreement). In November 2022, OEG entered into an interest rate swap to fix the SOFR portion of the interest rate on $100.0 million of borrowings at 4.533% through December 2025. In August 2025, OEG entered into an interest rate swap to fix the SOFR portion of the interest rate on $100.0 million of borrowings at 3.214% from December 2025 through December 2028. In September 2025, OEG
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entered into an additional interest rate swap to fix the SOFR portion of the interest rate on $125.0 million of borrowings at 3.17% through December 2028.
Borrowings under the OEG Revolver bear interest at a rate equal to either, at OEG Borrower’s election, as of the closing contemplated by the OEG Credit Agreement, (a) the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate (as defined in the OEG Credit Agreement) or (b) Adjusted Term SOFR plus the Applicable Rate. Under the OEG Credit Agreement, (i) the Applicable Rate for Alternative Base Rate loans will be between 2.75% and 2.25% and (ii) the Applicable Rate for Adjusted Term SOFR loans will be between 3.75% and 3.25%, in each of (i) and (ii) based upon the First Lien Leverage Ratio of OEG Finance and its consolidated subsidiaries (as more specifically described in the OEG Credit Agreement).
The Applicable Rate for borrowings under the OEG Revolver as of December 31, 2025 is 2.50% for Alternative Base Rate Loans and 3.50% for Adjusted Term SOFR loans. The Applicable Rate for borrowings under the OEG Term Loan as of December 31, 2025 is 2.50% for Alternative Base Rate Loans and 3.50% for Adjusted Term SOFR loans.
The OEG Term Loan matures on June 28, 2031, and the OEG Revolver matures on June 28, 2029.
Block 21 CMBS Loan. In connection with the purchase of Block 21 in May 2022, a subsidiary of the Company assumed a $136 million, ten-year, non-recourse term loan secured by a mortgage on Block 21 (the “Block 21 CMBS Loan”).The proceeds of the Incremental OEG Loan described above were used to defease the Block 21 CMBS Loan in full in April 2025.
Additional Debt Limitations. Pursuant to the terms of the management agreements and pooling agreement with Marriott for our Gaylord Hotels properties, excluding Gaylord Rockies, we are subject to certain debt limitations described below.
The management agreements provide for the following limitations on indebtedness encumbering a hotel:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | The aggregate principal balance of all mortgage and mezzanine debt encumbering the hotel shall be no greater than 75% of the fair market value of the hotel; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | The ratio of (a) aggregate Operating Profit (as defined in the management agreement) in the 12 months prior to the closing on the mortgage or mezzanine debt to (b) annual debt service for the hotel shall equal or exceed 1.2:1; but is subject to the pooling agreement described below. |
The pooled limitations on Secured Debt (as defined in the pooling agreement) are as follows:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | The aggregate principal balance of all mortgage and mezzanine debt on Pooled Hotels (as defined in the pooling agreement), shall be no more than 75% of the fair market value of Pooled Hotels. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | The ratio of (a) aggregate Operating Profit (as defined in the pooling agreement) of Pooled Hotels in the 12 months prior to closing on any mortgage or mezzanine debt, to (b) annual debt service for the Pooled Hotels, shall equal or exceed 1.2:1. |
Gaylord Rockies is not a Pooled Hotel for this purpose.
Estimated Interest on Principal Debt Agreements
Based on the stated interest rates on our fixed-rate debt and the rates in effect at December 31, 2025 for our variable-rate debt after considering interest rate swaps, our estimated interest obligations over the next five years are $913.9 million. These estimated obligations are $240.0 million in 2026, $232.6 million in 2027, $192.6 million in 2028, $137.4 million in 2029, and $111.3 million in 2030. Variable rates, as well as outstanding principal balances, could change in future periods. See “Principal Debt Agreements” above for a discussion of our outstanding long-term debt. See “Supplemental
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Cash Flow Information” in Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included herein for a discussion of the interest we paid during 2025, 2024 and 2023.
Inflation
Inflation has had a more meaningful impact on our business during recent periods than in historical periods. However, favorable ADR and outside-the-room spend in our Hospitality segment and business levels in our Entertainment segment in recent years have reduced the impact of increased operating costs on our financial position and results of operations.
Additionally, increased interest rates have driven higher interest expense on our debt than in historical periods, although interest rates on our debt have decreased in 2025, as compared to 2024. In an effort to mitigate the impact of increased interest rates, at December 31, 2025, 88% of our outstanding debt is fixed-rate debt, after considering the impact of interest rate swaps.
A prolonged inflationary environment could adversely affect our operating costs, customer spending and bookings, and our financial results.
Supplemental Guarantor Financial Information
The Company’s $1 Billion 6.50% Senior Notes, $700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes, $625 Million 6.50% Senior Notes, $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes and $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes were each issued by the Operating Partnership and Finco (collectively, the “Issuers”) and are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by the Company (as the parent company), each of the Operating Partnership’s subsidiaries that own the Gaylord Hotels properties, the JW Marriott properties and certain other of the Company’s subsidiaries, each of which also guarantees the Operating Partnership’s Credit Agreement, as amended (such subsidiary guarantors, together with the Company, the “Guarantors”). The Guarantors are 100% owned by the Operating Partnership or the Company, and the guarantees are full and unconditional and joint and several. The guarantees rank equally in right of payment with each Guarantor’s existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and senior in right of payment to all future subordinated indebtedness, if any, of such Guarantor. Not all of the Company’s subsidiaries have guaranteed these senior notes, and the guarantees are structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other obligations of such subsidiaries that have not guaranteed these senior notes.
The following tables present summarized financial information for the Issuers and the Guarantors on a combined basis and the intercompany balances and transactions between these parties, as well as any investments in or equity in earnings from non-guarantor subsidiaries, have been eliminated (amounts in thousands):
| | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| | | December 31, | |
| | | 2025 | |
| Other assets | | $ | 3,932,230 |
| Total assets | | $ | 3,932,230 |
| | | | |
| Net payables due to non-guarantor subsidiaries | | $ | 214,188 |
| Other liabilities | | | 3,850,494 |
| Total liabilities | | $ | 4,064,682 |
| Total noncontrolling interest | | $ | 5,003 |
| | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year Ended | |
| | | December 31, 2025 | |
| Revenues from non-guarantor subsidiaries | | $ | 618,797 |
| Operating expenses (excluding expenses to non-guarantor subsidiaries) | | | 183,364 |
| Expenses to non-guarantor subsidiaries | | | 15,249 |
| Operating income | | | 420,184 |
| Interest income from non-guarantor subsidiaries | | | 2,484 |
| Net income | | | 226,247 |
| Net income available to common stockholders | | | 222,362 |
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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” discusses our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Accounting estimates are an integral part of the preparation of the consolidated financial statements and the financial reporting process and are based upon current judgments. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Certain accounting estimates are particularly sensitive because of their complexity and the possibility that future events affecting them may differ materially from our current judgments and estimates.
This listing of critical accounting policies is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all of our accounting policies. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by generally accepted accounting principles, with no need for management’s judgment regarding accounting policy. We believe that of our significant accounting policies, which are discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included herein, the following involve a higher degree of judgment and complexity.
Impairment of long-lived and other assets. In accounting for our long-lived and other assets, we assess our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets or asset groups may not be recoverable. Factors we consider when assessing whether impairment indicators exist include (i) significant under-performance relative to historical or projected future operating results, (ii) significant changes in the manner of our use of assets or the strategy for our overall business, or (iii) significant negative industry or economic trends.
Recoverability of property and equipment and definite-lived intangible assets that will continue to be used is measured by comparing the carrying amount of the asset or asset group to the related total future undiscounted net cash flows. If an asset or asset group’s carrying value is not recoverable through those cash flows, the asset group is considered to be impaired. The impairment is measured by the difference between the assets’ carrying amount and their fair value, which is estimated using discounted cash flow analyses that utilize comprehensive cash flow projections, as well as observable market data to the extent available. Estimating the total future undiscounted net cash flows, as well as the fair value of assets or asset groups, if necessary, requires management to make assumptions and projections of future cash flows, long-term growth rates, asset holding periods, and other factors. The assumptions used to assess impairment consider historical trends, macroeconomic conditions, and projections consistent with our operating strategy. Changes in these estimates and assumptions can have a significant impact on the assessment, which could result in material impairment losses.
Credit losses on financial assets. We assess our financial assets, including the bonds we received in 2008 related to the Gaylord National construction (“Gaylord National Bonds”), for credit losses utilizing the expected loss model prescribed by ASC 326, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses,” and record a reserve, in the form of an allowance for credit losses, against the amortized cost basis for the portion of the financial asset that will not be recovered due to credit losses.
We provide credit loss reserves for the Gaylord National Bonds by comparing the amortized cost basis to their present value. If the amortized cost basis exceeds the present value, an expected credit loss exists and the allowance for credit losses is measured as the difference between the bonds’ amortized cost basis and present value, which is estimated using discounted cash flow analyses that utilize comprehensive cash flow projections over the contractual life of the bonds, as well as observable market data to the extent available. Our estimate of the present value of the Gaylord National Bonds is sensitive to the significant assumptions of the discounted cash flow analysis, which include the projections of hotel taxes (which are based on expected hotel rooms revenues) and property taxes, both of which are affected by expectations about future market and economic conditions, particularly those in the Washington D.C. market. Further, such assumptions require significant judgment as the Gaylord National Bonds and related projected cash flows continue for an extended period of time through 2037.
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Income taxes. As a REIT, generally we will not be subject to federal corporate income taxes on ordinary taxable income and capital gains income from real estate investments that we distribute to our stockholders. We will continue to be required to pay federal and state corporate income taxes on earnings of our TRSs.
We must assess the likelihood that we will be able to recover our deferred tax assets. If recovery is not likely, the provision for taxes is increased by recording a reserve, in the form of a valuation allowance, against the estimated deferred tax assets that will not ultimately be recoverable.
In addition, we must evaluate uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulations in the calculation of tax liabilities. We provide for uncertain tax positions and the related interest and penalties based upon management’s assessment of whether a tax benefit is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. We make this assessment based on only the technical merits of the tax position. At December 31, 2025 and 2024, we had no accruals for unrecognized tax benefits. We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions, if any, in income tax expense. At December 31, 2025 and 2024, we have accrued no interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions.
Acquisitions and Purchase Price Allocations. Accounting for the acquisition of an entity as a business combination, becoming the primary beneficiary of a previously unconsolidated variable interest entity, or a significant asset acquisition requires an allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed in the transaction based on their respective estimated fair values, which requires us to make estimates and assumptions regarding the fair value of the acquired assets and liabilities assumed. We may engage third parties to provide valuation services to assist in the fair value determinations of the long-lived assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. The most material estimations of individual fair values are those involving long-lived assets, such as property, equipment, and intangible assets, that are assumed as part of the transaction, as well as any noncontrolling interests. When making fair value determinations, we consider market data for similar assets, expected cash flows discounted at risk-adjusted rates, and replacement cost for assets, among other information. Management judgment is required when making the assumptions used to value long-lived and identifiable intangible assets, which include projected revenue growth, estimated cash flows, discount rates, and other factors.
Legal Contingencies. We are subject to various legal proceedings and claims, the outcomes of which are subject to significant uncertainty. We record an accrual for loss contingencies when a loss is probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, the determination of which requires significant judgment. We review these accruals each reporting period and make revisions based on changes in facts and circumstances, but resolution of legal matters in a manner inconsistent with our expectations could have a material impact on our financial condition and operating results.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
For a discussion of recently issued accounting standards, see Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included herein.
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: 0001558370-25-001286.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
This section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K generally discusses 2024 and 2023 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2024 and 2023. Discussions of 2022 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2023 and 2022 that are not included in this Form 10-K can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
Overview
We are a Delaware corporation, originally incorporated in 1956, that, following our REIT conversion in 2012, began operating as a self-advised and self-administered REIT for federal income tax purposes on January 1, 2013, specializing in group-oriented, destination hotel assets in urban and resort markets. Our core holdings include a network of five upscale, meetings-focused resorts totaling 9,917 rooms that are managed by Marriott International, Inc. (“Marriott”) under the Gaylord Hotels brand. These five resorts, which we refer to as our Gaylord Hotels properties, consist of the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee (“Gaylord Opryland”), the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center near Orlando, Florida (“Gaylord Palms”), the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center near Dallas, Texas (“Gaylord Texan”), the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center near Washington D.C. (“Gaylord National”), and the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center near Denver, Colorado (“Gaylord Rockies”). Our other owned hotel assets managed by Marriott include the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa (“JW Marriott Hill Country”) (effective June 30, 2023), the Inn at Opryland, an overflow hotel adjacent to Gaylord Opryland, and the AC Hotel at National Harbor, Washington D.C. (“AC Hotel”), an overflow hotel adjacent to Gaylord National.
Each of our award-winning Gaylord Hotels properties, as well as the JW Marriott Hill Country, incorporates not only high-quality lodging, but also at least 400,000 square feet (268,000 in the case of JW Marriott Hill Country) of meeting, convention and exhibition space, superb food and beverage options and retail and spa facilities within a single self-contained property. As a result, our Gaylord Hotels properties and JW Marriott Hill Country provide a convenient and entertaining environment for convention guests. Our Gaylord Hotels properties and JW Marriott Hill Country focus on the large group meetings market in the United States.
Our goal is to be the nation’s premier hospitality REIT for group-oriented, destination hotel assets in urban and resort markets.
We also own a controlling 70% equity interest in a business comprised of a number of entertainment and media assets, known as the Opry Entertainment Group (“OEG”), which we report as our Entertainment segment. These assets include the Grand Ole Opry, the legendary weekly showcase of country music’s finest performers for 99 years; the Ryman Auditorium, the storied live music venue and former home of the Grand Ole Opry located in downtown Nashville; WSM-AM, the Opry’s radio home; Ole Red, a brand of Blake Shelton-themed bar, music venue and event spaces; Category 10, a Luke Combs-themed bar, music venue and event space that opened in November 2024; as of May 31, 2022, Block 21, a mixed-use entertainment, lodging, office, and retail complex located in Austin, Texas (“Block 21”); and as of January 3, 2025, a majority equity interest in Southern Entertainment, a Charlotte, North Carolina-based national music festival and events production company. Prior to June 16, 2022, we owned 100% of OEG.
See “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” under Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for important information regarding forward-looking statements made in this report and risks and uncertainties we face.
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Significant 2024 and 2023 Activities
Significant activities we have undertaken in 2024 and 2023 include (as well as where you can find more information herein or in the accompanying consolidated financial statements):
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | In March and April 2024, issued $1 billion in 6.50% senior notes due 2032, repaid previously outstanding $800 million Gaylord Rockies term loan, and repaid $200.0 million under our term loan B and reduced the applicable interest rate margins – Note 4, “Debt” |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | In June 2024, refinanced our existing OEG credit facility, including reducing the applicable interest rate margins under each of the $65 million OEG revolver and $300 million OEG term loan B, as well as upsized the OEG revolver to $80 million of potential capacity – Note 4, “Debt” |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | In May 2023, refinanced our previous credit facility by entering into a new credit agreement, which extended the maturity dates and increased the principal balance of the term loan B – Note 4, “Debt” |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | In June 2023, issued $400 million in 7.25% senior notes due 2028 – Note 4, “Debt”, completed an equity offering of 4.4 million shares of our common stock for net proceeds of $395 million – Note 9, “Equity” and purchased JW Marriott Hill Country – Note 1, “Description of the Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | We have continued investment in our existing properties through $407.9 million and $206.8 million in capital expenditures in 2024 and 2023, respectively – “Liquidity and Capital Resources” |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | We have paid $266.1 million and $176.0 million in cash distributions in 2024 and 2023, respectively – Note 9, “Equity” |
Dividend Policy
Our board of directors has approved a dividend policy pursuant to which we will make minimum dividends of 100% of REIT taxable income annually, subject to the board of directors’ future determinations as to the amount of any distributions and the timing thereof. The dividend policy may be altered at any time by our board of directors (as otherwise permitted by our credit agreement) and certain provisions of our agreements governing our indebtedness may prohibit us from paying dividends in accordance with any policy we may adopt.
Our Operations
Our operations are organized into three principal business segments:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Hospitality, consisting of our Gaylord Hotels properties, JW Marriott Hill Country (effective June 30, 2023), the Inn at Opryland, and the AC Hotel. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Entertainment, consisting of the Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman Auditorium, WSM-AM, Ole Red, Block 21 (effective May 31, 2022), Category 10, and our other Nashville-based attractions. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Corporate and Other, consisting of our corporate expenses. |
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For the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, our total revenues were divided among these business segments as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Segment | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | | |||
| Hospitality | 85 | % | 85 | % | 85 | % | |
| Entertainment | 15 | % | 15 | % | 15 | % | |
| Corporate and Other | 0 | % | 0 | % | 0 | % |
Key Performance Indicators
The operating results of our Hospitality segment are highly dependent on the volume of customers at our hotels and the quality of the customer mix at our hotels, which are managed by Marriott. These factors impact the price that Marriott can charge for our hotel rooms and other amenities, such as food and beverage and meeting space. The following key performance indicators are commonly used in the hospitality industry and are used by management to evaluate hotel performance and potentially allocate capital expenditures:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | hotel occupancy – a volume indicator; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | average daily rate (“ADR”) – a price indicator calculated by dividing rooms revenue by the number of rooms sold; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | revenue per available room (“RevPAR”) – a summary measure of hotel results calculated by dividing rooms revenue by room nights available to guests for the period; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | total revenue per available room (“Total RevPAR”) – a summary measure of hotel results calculated by dividing the sum of room, food and beverage and other ancillary service revenue by room nights available to guests for the period; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | net definite room nights booked – a volume indicator which represents the total number of definite bookings for future room nights at our hotels confirmed during the applicable period, net of cancellations. |
In addition to GAAP measures such as revenues, net income and operating income, we also use certain “non-GAAP financial measures,” which are measures of our historical performance that are not calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP within the meaning of applicable SEC rules. These measures include:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Earnings Before Interest Expense, Income Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization for Real Estate (“EBITDAre”), Adjusted EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDAre, Excluding Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Joint Venture, and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Funds from Operations (“FFO”) available to common stockholders and unit holders and Adjusted FFO available to common stockholders and unitholders. |
See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for further discussion.
The results of operations of our Hospitality segment are affected by the number and type of group meetings and conventions scheduled to attend our hotels in a given period. A variety of factors can affect the results of any interim period, including the nature and quality of the group meetings and conventions attending our hotels during such period, which meetings and conventions have often been contracted for several years in advance, the level of attrition our hotels experience, and the level of transient business at our hotels during such period. Increases in costs, including labor costs, insurance costs, costs of food and other supplies, and energy costs have affected our operations in recent years and in the future could negatively affect our results, particularly during an inflationary economic environment. We rely on Marriott, as the manager of our hotels, to manage these factors and to offset any identified shortfalls in occupancy.
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Summary Financial Results
The following table summarizes our financial results for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands, except percentages and per share data):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2024 | % Change | 2023 | % Change | 2022 | ||||||||
| Total revenues | | $ | 2,339,226 | 8.4 | % | $ | 2,158,136 | 19.5 | % | $ | 1,805,969 | ||
| Total operating expenses | | 1,848,392 | 8.4 | % | 1,704,452 | 15.3 | % | 1,478,819 | |||||
| Operating income | | 490,834 | 8.2 | % | 453,684 | 38.7 | % | 327,150 | |||||
| Net income | | 280,190 | (18.0) | % | 341,800 | 153.3 | % | 134,948 | |||||
| Net income available to common stockholders | | | 271,638 | | (12.7) | % | 311,217 | 141.3 | % | 128,993 | |||
| Net income available to common stockholders per share - diluted | | 4.38 | (18.3) | % | 5.36 | 130.0 | % | 2.33 |
2024 Results as Compared to 2023 Results
The increase in our total revenues during 2024, as compared to 2023, is attributable to increases in Hospitality segment and Entertainment segment revenues of $163.6 million and $17.5 million, respectively, as presented in the tables below.
The increase in total operating expenses during 2024, as compared to 2023, is primarily the result of increases in Hospitality segment and Entertainment segment expenses of $99.3 million and $18.2 million, respectively, and an increase in depreciation expense of $24.4 million, as presented in the tables below.
The above factors resulted in a $37.2 million improvement in operating income for 2024, as compared to 2023.
Our $61.6 million decrease in net income in 2024, as compared to 2023, was due primarily to the following factors, each as described more fully below:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | A $13.8 million provision for income taxes in 2024, as compared to a $93.7 million benefit for income taxes in 2023, primarily related to the release of $112.5 million in valuation allowance in 2023. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | A $7.5 million increase in interest expense, net in 2024, as compared to 2023. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | A $17.6 million decrease in loss from unconsolidated joint ventures in 2024, as compared to 2023. |
Factors and Trends Contributing to Performance and Current Environment
Important factors and trends contributing to our performance during 2024, as compared to 2023, were:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | The addition of JW Marriott Hill Country resulted in an increase of $127.7 million in revenues; the property averaged $219.58 in RevPAR and $601.32 in Total RevPAR. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | An increase in same-store (Hospitality segment excluding JW Marriott Hill Country) ADR of 3.7% in 2024 over 2023, reflective of our continued pricing strategy. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | A same-store increase of 3.4% in outside-the-room spend in our Hospitality segment in 2024, as compared to 2023, primarily as a result of increased banquet and technology spending by groups. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Same-store in-the-year-for-the-year cancelled room nights at our hotels decreased 41.3% in 2024, as compared to 2023. |
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| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | A same-store decrease in transient room nights traveled in 2024 of 11.2%, as compared to 2023, due to softness in transient demand at Gaylord Palms, Gaylord Opryland and Gaylord Texan. In addition, the rooms renovation at Gaylord Palms also impacted demand during 2024. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | On a same-store basis, group room nights on the books for all future years at our hotels at December 31, 2024 is approximately 4.8% higher than the number on the books at December 31, 2023. In addition, the estimated ADR on those group room nights on the books at December 31, 2024 is 5.8% higher than the estimated ADR on the books at December 31, 2023. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | An increase in Entertainment segment revenue of 5.4% in 2024, as compared to 2023, related to Ole Red Las Vegas, which opened January 2024, partially offset by a decrease related to the Wildhorse Saloon as it was closed and being rebranded as Category 10 and a decrease at the W Austin, primarily as a result of the disruption caused by the construction of enhancements at the property. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Total operating expenses for 2024 were reduced by a $9.1 million refund of Tennessee franchise tax for prior years caused by a change in tax law, comprised of $5.6 million, $3.4 million and $0.1 million in our Hospitality segment, Entertainment segment and Corporate and Other segment, respectively. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Our strong revenues have partially mitigated increasing costs in the current inflationary environment, which include increased interest rates, which drove higher interest expense on our debt, as well as increased insurance, utilities and other costs. The current inflationary environment is expected to continue in at least the near future. |
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Operating Results – Detailed Segment Financial Information
Hospitality Segment
Total Segment Results. The following presents the financial results of our Hospitality segment for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands, except percentages and performance metrics):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2024 | % Change | 2023 | % Change | 2022 | |||||||||
| Revenues: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | $ | 744,587 | 6.2 | % | $ | 701,138 | 17.7 | % | $ | 595,544 | | ||
| Food and beverage | | 940,827 | 13.1 | % | 831,796 | 24.7 | % | 667,009 | | |||||
| Other hotel revenue | | 311,636 | 3.7 | % | 300,544 | 9.1 | % | 275,421 | | |||||
| Total hospitality revenue | | 1,997,050 | 8.9 | % | 1,833,478 | 19.2 | % | 1,537,974 | | |||||
| Hospitality operating expenses: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | 179,358 | 3.2 | % | 173,749 | 11.5 | % | 155,817 | | |||||
| Food and beverage | | 516,309 | 10.8 | % | 465,963 | 22.3 | % | 381,142 | | |||||
| Other hotel expenses | | 555,554 | 7.0 | % | 519,328 | 13.6 | % | 457,291 | | |||||
| Management fees, net | | 73,531 | 10.7 | % | 66,425 | 53.0 | % | 43,425 | | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | | 205,189 | 9.9 | % | 186,749 | (1.4) | % | 189,375 | | |||||
| Total Hospitality operating expenses | | 1,529,941 | 8.3 | % | 1,412,214 | 15.1 | % | 1,227,050 | | |||||
| Hospitality operating income | | $ | 467,109 | 10.9 | % | $ | 421,264 | 35.5 | % | $ | 310,924 | | ||
| Hospitality performance metrics: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Occupancy | | 69.1 | % | (2.5) | pts | 71.6 | % | 5.4 | pts | 66.2 | % | |||
| ADR | | $ | 257.81 | 4.9 | % | $ | 245.74 | 3.7 | % | $ | 236.86 | | ||
| RevPAR (1) | | $ | 178.24 | 1.3 | % | $ | 175.96 | 12.3 | % | $ | 156.71 | | ||
| Total RevPAR (2) | | $ | 478.05 | 3.9 | % | $ | 460.12 | 13.7 | % | $ | 404.69 | | ||
| Net Definite Group Room Nights Booked | | 2,469,881 | 4.3 | % | 2,369,060 | 31.2 | % | 1,805,598 | | |||||
| Same-store Hospitality performance metrics (3): | | | | | ||||||||||
| Occupancy | | 69.1 | % | (2.8) | pts | 71.9 | % | 5.7 | pts | 66.2 | % | |||
| ADR | | $ | 252.08 | 3.7 | % | $ | 243.19 | 2.7 | % | $ | 236.86 | | ||
| RevPAR (1) | | $ | 174.26 | (0.4) | % | $ | 174.92 | 11.6 | % | $ | 156.71 | | ||
| Total RevPAR (2) | | $ | 466.18 | 1.8 | % | $ | 458.02 | 13.2 | % | $ | 404.69 | | ||
| Net Definite Group Room Nights Booked | | 2,292,558 | (0.4) | % | 2,302,717 | 27.5 | % | 1,805,598 | |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (1) | We calculate Hospitality segment RevPAR by dividing rooms revenue by room nights available to guests for the period. Room nights available to guests include nights that rooms are out of service. Hospitality segment RevPAR is not comparable to similarly titled measures such as revenues. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (2) | We calculate Hospitality segment Total RevPAR by dividing the sum of room, food and beverage, and other ancillary services revenue (which equals Hospitality segment revenue) by room nights available to guests for the period. Room nights available to guests include nights that rooms are out of service. Hospitality segment Total RevPAR is not comparable to similarly titled measures such as revenues. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (3) | Same-store Hospitality segment metrics do not include JW Marriott Hill Country, which we purchased June 30, 2023. |
Total Hospitality revenues in 2024 include $43.0 million in attrition and cancellation fee collections, a $0.8 million decrease from 2023.
The percentage of group versus transient business based on rooms sold for our Hospitality segment for the years ended December 31 was approximately as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| Group | 74 | % | 73 | % | 69 | % | |
| Transient | 26 | % | 27 | % | 31 | % |
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The type of group based on rooms sold for our Hospitality segment for the years ended December 31 was approximately as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| Corporate Groups | 59 | % | 50 | % | 51 | % | |
| Associations | 27 | % | 34 | % | 32 | % | |
| Other Groups | 14 | % | 16 | % | 17 | % |
Other hotel expenses for the following years ended December 31 included (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2024 | % Change | 2023 | % Change | 2022 | ||||||||
| Administrative employment costs | | $ | 196,189 | 11.4 | % | $ | 176,112 | 14.4 | % | $ | 153,882 | ||
| Utilities | | 47,197 | 12.2 | % | 42,055 | 13.3 | % | 37,120 | |||||
| Property taxes | | 44,803 | 12.1 | % | 39,951 | 18.7 | % | 33,650 | |||||
| Other | | 267,365 | 2.4 | % | 261,210 | 12.3 | % | 232,639 | |||||
| Total other hotel expenses | | $ | 555,554 | 7.0 | % | $ | 519,328 | 13.6 | % | $ | 457,291 |
Each of the other hotel expense categories above increased in 2024, as compared to 2023, due to the addition of JW Marriott Hill Country. Administrative employment costs include salaries and benefits for hotel administrative functions, including, among others, senior management, accounting, human resources, sales, conference services, engineering and security. The increase in administrative employment costs during 2024, as compared to 2023, also includes an increase at Gaylord Opryland related to increased employment costs within the marketing and engineering departments. The increase in utility costs during 2024, as compared to 2023, also includes an increase at Gaylord Texan due to increased rates. The increase in other expenses, which include supplies, advertising, maintenance costs and consulting costs, during 2024, as compared to 2023, was partially offset by a decrease at Gaylord Opryland due to a refund of Tennessee franchise tax for prior years caused by a change in tax law, as well as decreases at Gaylord Palms and Gaylord National primarily due to decreased occupancy levels.
Each of our management agreements with Marriott requires us to pay Marriott a base management fee based on the gross revenues from the applicable property for each fiscal year or portion thereof. The applicable percentage for our Gaylord Hotels properties, excluding Gaylord Rockies, is approximately 2% of gross revenues, Gaylord Rockies is approximately 3% of gross revenues, and JW Marriott Hill Country is approximately 3.5% of gross revenues. Additionally, we pay Marriott an incentive management fee based on the profitability of our hotels. We incurred $46.7 million, $41.3 million and $33.7 million in total base management fees to Marriott related to our Hospitality segment during 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. We also incurred $29.9 million, $28.3 million and $12.8 million in incentive management fees for our Hospitality segment during 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Management fees are presented throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K net of the amortization of the deferred management rights proceeds discussed in Note 5, “Deferred Management Rights Proceeds,” to the consolidated financial statements included herein.
Hospitality segment depreciation and amortization expense increased in 2024, as compared to 2023, primarily due to the depreciable assets associated with JW Marriott Hill Country, which we purchased June 30, 2023.
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Property-Level Results. The following presents the property-level financial results of our Hospitality segment for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022.
Gaylord Opryland Results. The results of Gaylord Opryland for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (in thousands, except percentages and performance metrics):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2024 | % Change | 2023 | % Change | 2022 | |||||||||
| Revenues: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | $ | 193,803 | 0.3 | % | $ | 193,140 | 8.6 | % | $ | 177,860 | | ||
| Food and beverage | | 213,973 | 12.0 | % | 190,992 | 19.9 | % | 159,359 | | |||||
| Other hotel revenue | | 87,776 | (3.3) | % | 90,752 | 4.3 | % | 86,969 | | |||||
| Total revenue | | 495,552 | 4.4 | % | 474,884 | 12.0 | % | 424,188 | | |||||
| Operating expenses: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | 41,774 | (3.1) | % | 43,112 | 1.7 | % | 42,377 | | |||||
| Food and beverage | | 112,958 | 10.5 | % | 102,213 | 16.0 | % | 88,122 | | |||||
| Other hotel expenses (1) | | 131,852 | (5.0) | % | 138,828 | 9.9 | % | 126,360 | | |||||
| Management fees, net | | 23,484 | 8.4 | % | 21,667 | 54.5 | % | 14,028 | | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | | 32,588 | (2.8) | % | 33,510 | (2.6) | % | 34,406 | | |||||
| Total operating expenses | | 342,656 | 1.0 | % | 339,330 | 11.1 | % | 305,293 | | |||||
| Operating income | | $ | 152,896 | | 12.8 | % | $ | 135,554 | | 14.0 | % | $ | 118,895 | |
| Performance metrics: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Occupancy | | 70.9 | % | (2.1) | pts | 73.0 | % | 3.5 | pts | 69.5 | % | |||
| ADR | | $ | 258.62 | 3.1 | % | $ | 250.96 | 3.4 | % | $ | 242.71 | | ||
| RevPAR | | $ | 183.35 | 0.1 | % | $ | 183.22 | 8.6 | % | $ | 168.73 | | ||
| Total RevPAR | | $ | 468.82 | 4.1 | % | $ | 450.50 | 12.0 | % | $ | 402.41 | |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | Other hotel expenses for 2024 were reduced by a refund of $5.4 million of Tennessee franchise tax for prior years caused by a change in tax law. |
Gaylord Palms Results. The results of Gaylord Palms for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (in thousands, except percentages and performance metrics):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2024 | % Change | 2023 | % Change | 2022 | |||||||||
| Revenues: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | $ | 101,519 | (10.3) | % | $ | 113,235 | 9.2 | % | $ | 103,715 | | ||
| Food and beverage | | 150,109 | 2.9 | % | 145,919 | 19.1 | % | 122,515 | | |||||
| Other hotel revenue | | 50,743 | 0.6 | % | 50,462 | (5.4) | % | 53,348 | | |||||
| Total revenue | | 302,371 | (2.3) | % | 309,616 | 10.7 | % | 279,578 | | |||||
| Operating expenses: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | 24,877 | (0.8) | % | 25,080 | 12.2 | % | 22,357 | | |||||
| Food and beverage | | 81,432 | 2.4 | % | 79,504 | 16.0 | % | 68,564 | | |||||
| Other hotel expenses | | 97,044 | (2.2) | % | 99,179 | 5.4 | % | 94,078 | | |||||
| Management fees, net | | 10,320 | (12.6) | % | 11,814 | 45.7 | % | 8,111 | | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | | 25,470 | 12.5 | % | 22,640 | 1.7 | % | 22,267 | | |||||
| Total operating expenses | | 239,143 | 0.4 | % | 238,217 | 10.6 | % | 215,377 | | |||||
| Operating income | | $ | 63,228 | | (11.4) | % | $ | 71,399 | | 11.2 | % | $ | 64,201 | |
| Performance metrics: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Occupancy | | 64.6 | % | (9.1) | pts | 73.7 | % | 5.3 | pts | 68.4 | % | |||
| ADR | | $ | 249.98 | 2.0 | % | $ | 245.04 | 1.3 | % | $ | 241.85 | | ||
| RevPAR | | $ | 161.45 | (10.6) | % | $ | 180.58 | 9.2 | % | $ | 165.40 | | ||
| Total RevPAR | | $ | 480.88 | (2.6) | % | $ | 493.75 | 10.7 | % | $ | 445.85 | |
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Gaylord Texan Results. The results of Gaylord Texan for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (in thousands, except percentages and performance metrics):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2024 | % Change | 2023 | % Change | 2022 | |||||||||
| Revenues: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | $ | 125,205 | 3.3 | % | $ | 121,178 | 11.2 | % | $ | 109,017 | | ||
| Food and beverage | | 169,401 | (1.5) | % | 171,932 | 23.9 | % | 138,750 | | |||||
| Other hotel revenue | | 56,545 | (13.4) | % | 65,289 | 9.6 | % | 59,551 | | |||||
| Total revenue | | 351,151 | (2.0) | % | 358,399 | 16.6 | % | 307,318 | | |||||
| Operating expenses: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | 26,473 | (0.7) | % | 26,655 | 6.5 | % | 25,034 | | |||||
| Food and beverage | | 89,248 | (2.7) | % | 91,686 | 17.4 | % | 78,065 | | |||||
| Other hotel expenses | | 91,015 | 1.9 | % | 89,341 | 6.9 | % | 83,569 | | |||||
| Management fees, net | | 14,810 | (7.8) | % | 16,067 | 84.8 | % | 8,696 | | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | | 23,189 | 1.1 | % | 22,947 | (3.6) | % | 23,800 | | |||||
| Total operating expenses | | 244,735 | (0.8) | % | 246,696 | 12.6 | % | 219,164 | | |||||
| Operating income | | $ | 106,416 | | (4.7) | % | $ | 111,703 | | 26.7 | % | $ | 88,154 | |
| Performance metrics: | | | | | | | | |||||||
| Occupancy | | 74.6 | % | (0.3) | pts | 74.9 | % | 5.9 | pts | 69.0 | % | |||
| ADR | | $ | 252.65 | 3.5 | % | $ | 244.21 | 2.3 | % | $ | 238.77 | | ||
| RevPAR | | $ | 188.58 | 3.0 | % | $ | 183.02 | 11.2 | % | $ | 164.65 | | ||
| Total RevPAR | | $ | 528.90 | (2.3) | % | $ | 541.30 | 16.6 | % | $ | 464.15 | |
Gaylord National Results. The results of Gaylord National for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (in thousands, except percentages and performance metrics):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2024 | % Change | 2023 | % Change | 2022 | | ||||||||
| Revenues: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | $ | 119,191 | (0.4) | % | $ | 119,700 | 22.2 | % | $ | 97,950 | | ||
| Food and beverage | | 155,836 | 5.8 | % | 147,346 | 24.7 | % | 118,119 | | |||||
| Other hotel revenue | | 36,303 | (9.5) | % | 40,093 | 18.7 | % | 33,780 | | |||||
| Total revenue | | 311,330 | 1.4 | % | 307,139 | 22.9 | % | 249,849 | | |||||
| Operating expenses: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | 41,045 | (2.2) | % | 41,981 | 12.6 | % | 37,299 | | |||||
| Food and beverage | | 90,176 | 2.0 | % | 88,389 | 25.9 | % | 70,209 | | |||||
| Other hotel expenses | | 94,150 | (1.0) | % | 95,100 | 11.9 | % | 84,981 | | |||||
| Management fees, net | | 5,929 | 5.2 | % | 5,635 | 34.6 | % | 4,188 | | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | | 33,724 | 1.1 | % | 33,357 | (0.6) | % | 33,563 | | |||||
| Total operating expenses | | 265,024 | 0.2 | % | 264,462 | 14.9 | % | 230,240 | | |||||
| Operating income | | $ | 46,306 | | 8.5 | % | $ | 42,677 | | 117.6 | % | $ | 19,609 | |
| Performance metrics: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Occupancy | | 64.8 | % | (3.6) | pts | 68.4 | % | 11.9 | pts | 56.5 | % | |||
| ADR | | $ | 251.80 | 4.8 | % | $ | 240.30 | 0.9 | % | $ | 238.13 | | ||
| RevPAR | | $ | 163.16 | (0.7) | % | $ | 164.30 | 22.2 | % | $ | 134.45 | | ||
| Total RevPAR | | $ | 426.17 | 1.1 | % | $ | 421.58 | 22.9 | % | $ | 342.94 | |
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Gaylord Rockies Results. The results of Gaylord Rockies for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (in thousands, except percentages and performance metrics):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2024 | | % Change | | 2023 | | % Change | | 2022 | | |||
| Revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Rooms | | $ | 103,329 | | 5.9 | % | $ | 97,530 | | 11.4 | % | $ | 87,587 | |
| Food and beverage | | | 149,890 | | 13.3 | % | | 132,254 | | 6.3 | % | | 124,463 | |
| Other hotel revenue | | | 36,922 | | (0.1) | % | | 36,953 | | (10.5) | % | | 41,276 | |
| Total revenue | | | 290,141 | | 8.8 | % | | 266,737 | | 5.3 | % | | 253,326 | |
| Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||
| Rooms | | | 23,683 | | (1.0) | % | | 23,931 | | 3.6 | % | | 23,099 | |
| Food and beverage | | | 87,070 | | 11.5 | % | | 78,079 | | 6.8 | % | | 73,121 | |
| Other hotel expenses | | | 57,400 | | 4.2 | % | | 55,095 | | (7.6) | % | | 59,637 | |
| Management fees, net | | | 8,661 | | 9.1 | % | | 7,935 | | 5.6 | % | | 7,514 | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 57,094 | | 0.4 | % | | 56,843 | | (21.9) | % | | 72,777 | |
| Total operating expenses | | | 233,908 | | 5.4 | % | | 221,883 | | (6.0) | % | | 236,148 | |
| Operating income | | $ | 56,233 | | 25.4 | % | $ | 44,854 | | 161.1 | % | $ | 17,178 | |
| Performance metrics: | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||
| Occupancy | | | 74.3 | % | 0.9 | pts | | 73.4 | % | 5.1 | pts | | 68.3 | % |
| ADR | | $ | 253.11 | | 4.4 | % | $ | 242.39 | | 3.5 | % | $ | 234.19 | |
| RevPAR | | $ | 188.09 | | 5.7 | % | $ | 178.02 | | 11.4 | % | $ | 159.87 | |
| Total RevPAR | | $ | 528.14 | | 8.5 | % | $ | 486.87 | | 5.3 | % | $ | 462.39 | |
JW Marriott Hill Country Results. The results of JW Marriott Hill Country for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 are as follows (in thousands, except percentages and performance metrics):
| | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2024 | | % Change (1) | | 2023 | | ||
| Revenues: | | | | | | | | | |
| Rooms | | $ | 80,526 | | 121.4 | % | $ | 36,376 | |
| Food and beverage | | | 97,610 | | 144.6 | % | | 39,910 | |
| Other hotel revenue | | | 42,388 | | 156.5 | % | | 16,527 | |
| Total revenue | | | 220,524 | | 137.6 | % | | 92,813 | |
| Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | |
| Rooms | | | 15,437 | | 118.8 | % | | 7,055 | |
| Food and beverage | | | 51,898 | | 126.5 | % | | 22,915 | |
| Other hotel expenses | | | 75,710 | | 130.8 | % | | 32,805 | |
| Management fees, net | | | 8,878 | | 315.4 | % | | 2,137 | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 30,193 | | 105.1 | % | | 14,718 | |
| Total operating expenses | | | 182,116 | | 128.7 | % | | 79,630 | |
| Operating income | | $ | 38,408 | | 191.3 | % | $ | 13,183 | |
| Performance metrics: | | | | | | | | | |
| Occupancy | | | 69.2 | % | 4.3 | pts | | 64.9 | % |
| ADR | | $ | 317.32 | | 4.4 | % | $ | 304.07 | |
| RevPAR | | $ | 219.58 | | 11.3 | % | $ | 197.30 | |
| Total RevPAR | | $ | 601.32 | | 19.4 | % | $ | 503.41 | |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | We purchased JW Marriott Hill Country on June 30, 2023. |
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Entertainment Segment
Entertainment segment financial results for 2022 include Block 21 beginning May 31, 2022. The following presents the financial results of our Entertainment segment for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands, except percentages):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2024 | % Change | 2023 | % Change (1) | 2022 | ||||||||
| Revenues | | $ | 342,176 | 5.4 | % | $ | 324,658 | 21.1 | % | $ | 267,995 | ||
| Operating expenses (2) | | (241,847) | 8.1 | % | (223,663) | 18.6 | % | (188,545) | |||||
| Preopening costs | | | (4,618) | | 253.1 | % | | (1,308) | | 145.9 | % | | (532) |
| Depreciation and amortization | | (29,519) | 25.0 | % | (23,611) | 28.2 | % | (18,420) | |||||
| Operating income | | $ | 66,192 | (13.0) | % | $ | 76,076 | 25.7 | % | $ | 60,498 |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | We purchased Block 21 on May 31, 2022. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (2) | Operating expenses for 2024 were reduced by a refund of $3.4 million of Tennessee franchise tax for prior years caused by a change in tax law. |
Revenues increased in our Entertainment segment in 2024, as compared to 2023, as incremental revenue from Ole Red Las Vegas, which opened in January 2024, was partially offset by the Wildhorse Saloon as it was closed and being rebranded as Category 10 and a decrease at W Austin, primarily as a result of the disruption caused by the construction of enhancements at the property.
Entertainment segment operating expenses increased in 2024, as compared to 2023, primarily due to the opening of Ole Red Las Vegas, partially offset by the temporary closure of the Wildhorse Saloon, as well as a refund of Tennessee franchise tax for prior years caused by a change in tax law.
Depreciation and amortization increased in 2024, as compared to 2023, primarily due to the addition of depreciable assets associated with Ole Red Las Vegas.
Corporate and Other Segment
The following presents the financial results of our Corporate and Other segment for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands, except percentages):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2024 | % Change | 2023 | % Change | 2022 | ||||||||
| Operating expenses | | $ | 41,819 | (2.3) | % | $ | 42,789 | (0.4) | % | $ | 42,982 | ||
| (Gain) loss on sale of assets | | | (270) | | (100.0) | % | | — | | (100.0) | % | | 469 |
| Depreciation and amortization | | 918 | 5.9 | % | 867 | 5.6 | % | 821 | |||||
| Operating loss | | $ | (42,467) | 2.7 | % | $ | (43,656) | 1.4 | % | $ | (44,272) |
Corporate and Other operating expenses, which consist primarily of costs associated with senior management salaries and benefits, legal, human resources, accounting, pension and other administrative costs, decreased in 2024, as compared to 2023, primarily as a result of a decrease in employment expenses.
Operating Results – Preopening costs
Preopening costs for 2024 primarily include costs associated with Category 10, which opened in November 2024 and Ole Red Las Vegas, which opened in January 2024. Preopening costs for 2023 primarily include costs associated with Ole Red Las Vegas.
Operating Results – Gain (Loss) on Sale of Assets
Gain on sale of assets for 2024 and loss on sale of assets for 2022 includes the sale of miscellaneous corporate assets.
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Non-Operating Results Affecting Net Income
General
The following table summarizes the other factors which affected our net income for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands, except percentages):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2024 | % Change | 2023 | % Change | 2022 | ||||||||
| Interest expense | | $ | 225,395 | 6.6 | % | $ | 211,370 | 42.4 | % | $ | 148,406 | ||
| Interest income | | 27,977 | 30.6 | % | 21,423 | 272.6 | % | 5,750 | |||||
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | | | (2,479) | | (10.1) | % | | (2,252) | | (45.6) | % | | (1,547) |
| Income (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures | | 275 | 101.6 | % | (17,308) | (57.8) | % | (10,967) | |||||
| Other gains and (losses), net | | 2,814 | (28.2) | % | 3,921 | 125.0 | % | 1,743 | |||||
| (Provision) benefit for income taxes | | (13,836) | (114.8) | % | 93,702 | 341.7 | % | (38,775) |
Interest Expense
The following presents interest expense associated with our outstanding borrowings, including the impact of interest rate swaps (in thousands, except percentages):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2024 | % Change | 2023 | % Change | 2022 | ||||||||
| RHP Revolving Credit Facility | | $ | 4,056 | (2.4) | % | $ | 4,156 | (38.3) | % | $ | 6,740 | ||
| RHP Term Loan A | | | — | | — | % | | — | | (100.0) | % | | 3,805 |
| RHP Term Loan B | | 27,703 | (11.8) | % | 31,395 | 134.6 | % | 13,383 | |||||
| RHP Senior Notes | | | 143,592 | | 83.0 | % | | 78,481 | | 25.5 | % | | 62,532 |
| Gaylord Rockies Term Loan | | 15,495 | (72.5) | % | 56,295 | 34.4 | % | 41,891 | |||||
| OEG Revolver | | 2,127 | 66.6 | % | 1,277 | 141.9 | % | 528 | |||||
| OEG Term Loan | | 30,682 | (6.7) | % | 32,881 | 128.9 | % | 14,363 | |||||
| Block 21 CMBS Loan | | | 8,421 | | (0.9) | % | | 8,499 | | 68.2 | % | | 5,052 |
| Other (1) | | | (6,681) | | (313.9) | % | | (1,614) | | (1,541.1) | % | | 112 |
| Total interest expense | | $ | 225,395 | | 6.6 | % | $ | 211,370 | | 42.4 | % | $ | 148,406 |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | Other includes capitalized interest, as well as other miscellaneous items. |
Interest expense increased in 2024, as compared to 2023, due primarily to higher interest rates and higher levels of indebtedness attributable to the $1 billion in 6.50% senior notes, partially offset by the prepayment of the Gaylord Rockies $800 million term loan.
Our weighted average interest rate on our borrowings, excluding capitalized interest, but including the impact of interest rate swaps, was 6.7% and 6.6% in 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Interest Income
Interest income includes amounts earned on our cash balances, as well as the bonds that were received in connection with the development of Gaylord National, which we hold as notes receivable. See Note 3, “Notes Receivable,” to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included herein for additional discussion of interest income on these bonds.
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt
As a result of the March 2024 repayment of the Gaylord Rockies $800 million term loan, the April 2024 repricing of the RHP term loan B, the June 2024 refinancing of the OEG credit agreement, and the December 2024 repricing of the RHP term loan B, we recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $2.5 million in 2024.
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As a result of the May 2023 refinancing of our credit facility and the extension of the Gaylord Rockies $800 million term loan, we recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $2.3 million in 2023.
Income (Loss) from Unconsolidated Joint Ventures
The loss from unconsolidated joint ventures for 2023 represents our equity method share of losses associated with our previous investment in Circle.
In September 2023, we and our joint venture partner agreed to wind down Circle, and operations ceased on December 31, 2023. As a result, we incurred a loss related to Circle of approximately $10.5 million, which is included in loss from unconsolidated joint ventures in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations for 2023.
Other Gains and (Losses), net
Other gains and (losses), net for 2024 and 2023 primarily includes a gain of $3.2 million and $6.1 million, respectively, from a fund associated with the Gaylord National bonds to reimburse us for certain marketing and maintenance expenses.
(Provision) Benefit for Income Taxes
As a REIT, we generally are not subject to federal corporate income taxes on ordinary taxable income and capital gains income from real estate investments that we distribute to our stockholders. We are required to pay federal and state corporate income taxes on earnings of our TRSs.
During 2024 and 2023, we recorded an income tax (provision) benefit of $(13.8) million and $93.7 million, respectively. These results differ from the statutory rate primarily due to the REIT dividends paid deduction for both years and a change in valuation allowance at the TRSs in 2023.
We evaluate our deferred tax assets each reporting period to determine if it is more likely than not that those assets will be realized or if a valuation allowance is needed. In the fourth quarter of 2023, due to continued improvement in our financial results coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic and the projected future taxable income of our TRSs, we determined that the release of a significant portion of our federal and state valuation allowance was appropriate. This release of valuation allowance of $112.5 million was the primary factor in the large income tax benefit for 2023.
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Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We present the following non-GAAP financial measures we believe are useful to investors as key measures of our operating performance:
EBITDAre, Adjusted EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDAre, Excluding Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Joint Venture Definition
We calculate EBITDAre, which is defined by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”) in its September 2017 white paper as net income (calculated in accordance with GAAP) plus interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization, gains or losses on the disposition of depreciated property (including gains or losses on change in control), impairment write-downs of depreciated property and of investments in unconsolidated affiliates caused by a decrease in the value of depreciated property of the affiliate, and adjustments to reflect the entity’s share of EBITDAre of unconsolidated affiliates.
Adjusted EBITDAre is then calculated as EBITDAre, plus to the extent the following adjustments occurred during the periods presented:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | preopening costs; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | non-cash lease expense; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | equity-based compensation expense; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | impairment charges that do not meet the NAREIT definition above; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | credit losses on held-to-maturity securities; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | transaction costs of acquisitions; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | interest income on bonds; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | loss on extinguishment of debt; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | pension settlement charges; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | pro rata Adjusted EBITDAre from unconsolidated joint ventures; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | any other adjustments we have identified herein. |
We then exclude the pro rata share of Adjusted EBITDAre related to noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures to calculate Adjusted EBITDAre, Excluding Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Joint Venture.
We use EBITDAre, Adjusted EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDAre, Excluding Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Joint Venture to evaluate our operating performance. We believe that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to investors regarding our operating performance and debt leverage metrics, and that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures, when combined with the primary GAAP presentation of net income, is beneficial to an investor’s complete understanding of our operating performance. We make additional adjustments to EBITDAre when evaluating our performance because we believe that presenting Adjusted EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDAre, Excluding Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Joint Venture provides useful information to investors regarding our operating performance and debt leverage metrics.
FFO, Adjusted FFO, and Adjusted FFO available to common stockholders and unit holders Definition
We calculate FFO, which definition is clarified by NAREIT in its December 2018 white paper as net income (calculated in accordance with GAAP) excluding depreciation and amortization (excluding amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discounts), gains and losses from the sale of certain real estate assets, gains and losses from a change in control, impairment write-downs of certain real estate assets and investments in entities when the impairment is directly attributable to decreases in the value of depreciated real estate held by the entity, income (loss) from consolidated joint ventures attributable to noncontrolling interest, and pro rata adjustments from unconsolidated joint ventures.
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To calculate Adjusted FFO available to common stockholders and unit holders, we then exclude, to the extent the following adjustments occurred during the periods presented:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | right-of-use asset amortization; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | impairment charges that do not meet the NAREIT definition above; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | write-offs of deferred financing costs; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | amortization of debt discounts or premiums and amortization of deferred financing costs; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | loss on extinguishment of debt; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | non-cash lease expense; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | credit loss on held-to-maturity securities; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | pension settlement charges; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | additional pro rata adjustments from unconsolidated joint ventures; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | (gains) losses on other assets; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | transaction costs of acquisitions; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | deferred income tax expense (benefit); and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | any other adjustments we have identified herein. |
FFO available to common stockholders and unit holders and Adjusted FFO available to common stockholders and unit holders exclude the ownership portion of the joint ventures not controlled or owned by the Company.
We believe that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to investors regarding the performance of our ongoing operations because each presents a measure of our operations without regard to specified non-cash items such as real estate depreciation and amortization, gain or loss on sale of assets and certain other items, which we believe are not indicative of the performance of our underlying hotel properties. We believe that these items are more representative of our asset base than our ongoing operations. We also use these non-GAAP financial measures as measures in determining our results after considering the impact of our capital structure.
We caution investors that non-GAAP financial measures we present may not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by other companies, because not all companies calculate these non-GAAP measures in the same manner. The non-GAAP financial measures we present should not be considered as alternative measures of our net income, operating performance, cash flow or liquidity. These non-GAAP financial measures may include funds that may not be available for our discretionary use due to functional requirements to conserve funds for capital expenditures and property acquisitions and other commitments and uncertainties. Although we believe that these non-GAAP financial measures can enhance an investor’s understanding of our results of operations, these non-GAAP financial measures, when viewed individually, are not necessarily better indicators of any trend as compared to GAAP measures such as net income, operating income, or cash flow from operations.
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The following is a reconciliation of our consolidated GAAP net income to EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDAre for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| Net income | | $ | 280,190 | | $ | 341,800 | | $ | 134,948 |
| Interest expense, net | | | 197,418 | | | 189,947 | | | 142,656 |
| Provision (benefit) for income taxes | | | 13,836 | | | (93,702) | | | 38,775 |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 235,626 | | | 211,227 | | | 208,616 |
| (Gain) loss on sale of assets | | | (270) | | | — | | | 327 |
| Pro rata EBITDAre from unconsolidated joint ventures | | | 5 | | | 25 | | | 89 |
| EBITDAre | | | 726,805 | | | 649,297 | | | 525,411 |
| Preopening costs | | | 4,618 | | | 1,308 | | | 532 |
| Non-cash lease expense | | | 3,501 | | | 5,710 | | | 4,831 |
| Equity-based compensation expense | | | 13,891 | | | 15,421 | | | 14,985 |
| Pension settlement charge | | | 858 | | | 1,313 | | | 1,894 |
| Interest income on Gaylord National bonds | | | 4,616 | | | 4,936 | | | 5,306 |
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | | | 2,479 | | | 2,252 | | | 1,547 |
| Transaction costs of acquisitions | | | 1,209 | | | — | | | 1,348 |
| Pro rata adjusted EBITDAre from unconsolidated joint ventures (1) | | | (272) | | | 10,508 | | | — |
| Adjusted EBITDAre | | | 757,705 | | | 690,745 | | | 555,854 |
| Adjusted EBITDAre of noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint venture | | | (31,746) | | | (29,884) | | | (15,309) |
| Adjusted EBITDAre, excluding noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint venture | | $ | 725,959 | | $ | 660,861 | | $ | 540,545 |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | In 2023, we and our joint venture partner agreed to wind down the Circle joint venture, with operations ceasing December 31, 2023. As a result, we incurred a loss related to Circle of approximately $10.5 million in 2023. |
The following is a reconciliation of our consolidated GAAP net income to FFO and Adjusted FFO for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2024 | | 2023 | | 2022 | |||
| Net income | | $ | 280,190 | | $ | 341,800 | | $ | 134,948 |
| Noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint venture | | | (6,760) | | | (28,465) | | | (5,032) |
| Net income available to common stockholders and unit holders | | | 273,430 | | | 313,335 | | | 129,916 |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 235,437 | | | 211,064 | | | 208,494 |
| Adjustments for noncontrolling interest | | | (8,856) | | | (7,083) | | | (3,346) |
| Pro rata adjustments from joint ventures | | | 5 | | | 73 | | | 92 |
| FFO available to common stockholders and unit holders | | | 500,016 | | | 517,389 | | | 335,156 |
| Right-of-use asset amortization | | | 189 | | | 163 | | | 122 |
| Non-cash lease expense | | | 3,501 | | | 5,710 | | | 4,831 |
| Pension settlement charge | | | 858 | | | 1,313 | | | 1,894 |
| Pro rata adjustments from joint ventures (1) | | | (272) | | | 10,508 | | | — |
| (Gain) loss on other assets | | | (270) | | | — | | | 469 |
| Amortization of deferred financing costs | | | 10,655 | | | 10,663 | | | 9,829 |
| Amortization of debt discounts and premiums | | | 2,397 | | | 2,325 | | | 989 |
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | | | 2,479 | | | 2,252 | | | 1,547 |
| Adjustments for noncontrolling interest | | | (3,137) | | | 18,635 | | | (928) |
| Transaction costs of acquisitions | | | 1,209 | | | — | | | 1,348 |
| Deferred tax provision (benefit) | | | 10,196 | | | (95,825) | | | 8,244 |
| Adjusted FFO available to common stockholders and unit holders | | $ | 527,821 | | $ | 473,133 | | $ | 363,501 |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | In 2023, we and our joint venture partner agreed to wind down the Circle joint venture, with operations ceasing December 31, 2023. As a result, we incurred a loss related to Circle of approximately $10.5 million in 2023. |
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flows Provided By Operating Activities. Cash flow from operating activities is the principal source of cash used to fund our operating expenses, interest payments on debt, maintenance capital expenditures, and dividends to stockholders. During 2024, our net cash flows provided by operating activities were $576.5 million, primarily reflecting our net income before depreciation expense, amortization expense and other non-cash charges of approximately $550.3 million and favorable changes in working capital of approximately $26.2 million. The favorable changes in working capital primarily resulted from an increase in deferred revenues associated with increased advanced room deposits on future hotel room stays and a decrease in accounts receivable associated with a difference in timing of credit card settlements.
During 2023, our net cash flows provided by operating activities were $557.1 million, primarily reflecting our net income before depreciation expense, amortization expense and other non-cash charges of approximately $500.6 million and favorable changes in working capital of approximately $56.5 million. The favorable changes in working capital primarily resulted from an increase in deferred revenues associated with increased advanced room deposits on future hotel room stays.
Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities. During 2024, our primary use of funds for investing activities was the purchase of property and equipment, which totaled $407.9 million, and consisted primarily of enhancements at Gaylord Rockies to construct a new events pavilion, enhance the grand lodge and reposition its food and beverage outlets; enhancements to meeting spaces at Gaylord Opryland; the conversion of the Wildhorse Saloon to Category 10; a rooms renovation at the W Austin and common area enhancements at Block 21; the completion of Ole Red Las Vegas; a rooms and lobby renovation at Gaylord Palms; and ongoing maintenance capital expenditures for each of our existing properties.
During 2023, our primary use of funds for investing activities was the use of $791.5 million in net cash to purchase JW Marriott Hill Country and purchases of property and equipment, which totaled $206.8 million. Purchases of property and equipment consisted primarily of the construction of Ole Red Las Vegas; enhancements at Gaylord Rockies to better position the property for our group customers; a rooms, restaurant and meeting space renovation at Gaylord Palms; enhancements to the offerings at Block 21; and ongoing maintenance capital expenditures for each of our existing properties.
Cash Flows Provided By (Used In) Financing Activities. Our cash flows from financing activities primarily reflect the incurrence and repayment of long-term debt and the payment of cash dividends. During 2024, net cash flows used in financing activities were $290.3 million, primarily reflecting the issuance of $1 billion in 6.50% senior notes, offset by the prepayment of the Gaylord Rockies $800.0 million term loan, the net repayment of $203.5 million under our term loan B, the payment of $266.1 million in cash distributions, and the payment of $23.7 million in deferred financing costs.
During 2023, net cash flows provided by financing activities were $711.9 million, primarily reflecting the issuance of $400.0 million in 7.25% senior notes, $395.4 million in net proceeds from the issuance of approximately 4.4 million shares of our common stock, and the net borrowing of $121.3 million under our refinanced credit facility, partially offset by the payment of $176.0 million in cash distributions, and the payment of $23.4 million in deferred financing costs.
Liquidity
At December 31, 2024, we had $477.7 million in unrestricted cash and $754.7 million available for borrowing in the aggregate under our revolving credit facility and the OEG revolving credit facility. During 2024, we issued $1 billion in 6.50% senior notes, repaid the $800.0 million Gaylord Rockies term loan, incurred capital expenditures of $407.9 million, paid $266.1 million in cash distributions, and repaid $203.5 million under our term loan B. These changes, partially offset by the cash flows provided by operations discussed above, were the primary factors in the decrease in our cash balance from 2023 to 2024.
We anticipate investing in our operations during 2025 by spending between approximately $400 million and $500 million in capital expenditures, which includes projects at Gaylord Opryland for the renovation of a ballroom and pre-
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function space, the development of a sports bar, pavilion and event lawn, and a meeting space expansion; a rooms renovation at Gaylord Texan; and ongoing maintenance capital for each of our current facilities. Further, our dividend policy provides that we will make minimum dividends of 100% of REIT taxable income annually. We currently have no debt maturities until January 2026. We believe we will be able to refinance our debt agreements prior to their maturities.
We believe that our cash on hand and cash flow from operations, together with amounts available for borrowing under each of our revolving credit facility and the OEG revolving credit facility, will be adequate to fund our general short-term commitments, as well as: (i) current operating expenses, (ii) interest expense on long-term debt obligations, (iii) financing lease and operating lease obligations, (iv) declared dividends and (v) the capital expenditures described above. Our ability to draw on our credit facility and the OEG revolving credit facility is subject to the satisfaction of provisions of the credit facility and the OEG revolving credit facility, as applicable.
Our outstanding principal debt agreements are described below. At December 31, 2024, there were no defaults under the covenants related to our outstanding debt.
Principal Debt Agreements
Credit Facility. On May 18, 2023, we entered into a Credit Agreement (as modified pursuant to the First Incremental Agreement and the Second Incremental Agreement (each as hereinafter defined) and as further supplemented, the “Credit Agreement”), among the Company, as a guarantor, the Operating Partnership, as borrower, certain other subsidiaries of the Company party thereto, as guarantors, certain subsidiaries of the Company party thereto, as pledgors, the lenders party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, which replaced the Company’s previous credit facility. The Credit Agreement provides for a $700.0 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolver”) and a senior secured term loan B (the “Term Loan B”) (in the original principal amount of $500.0 million, which was reduced to $295.0 million on March 28, 2024), as well as an accordion feature that will allow us to increase the facilities by an aggregate of up to $475 million, which may be allocated between the Revolver and the Term Loan B at our option.
Each of the Revolver and Term Loan B is guaranteed by us, each of our subsidiaries that own the Gaylord Hotels properties and certain of our other subsidiaries. Each of the Revolver and the Term Loan B is secured by equity pledges of our subsidiaries that are the fee owners of Gaylord Opryland and Gaylord Texan, their respective direct and indirect parent entities, and the equity of Ryman Hotel Operations Holdco, LLC, a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of the Company. Assets and equity of OEG are not subject to the liens of the Credit Agreement.
In addition, each of the Revolver and Term Loan B contains certain covenants which, among other things, limit the incurrence of additional indebtedness, investments, dividends, transactions with affiliates, asset sales, acquisitions, mergers and consolidations, liens and encumbrances and other matters customarily restricted in such agreements. The material financial covenants, ratios or tests contained in the Credit Agreement are as follows:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | We must maintain a consolidated net leverage ratio of not greater than 6.50x. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | We must maintain a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.50x. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Our secured indebtedness must not exceed 30% of consolidated total asset value. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Our secured recourse indebtedness must not exceed 10% of consolidated total asset value. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Unencumbered leverage ratio must not exceed 55% (with the ability to surge to 60% in connection with a material acquisition). |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Unencumbered adjusted NOI to unsecured interest expense ratio of not less than 2.0x. |
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If an event of default shall occur and be continuing under the Credit Agreement, the commitments under the Credit Agreement may be terminated and the principal amount outstanding under the Credit Agreement, together with all accrued unpaid interest and other amounts owing in respect thereof, may be declared immediately due and payable.
Revolving Credit Facility. The maturity date of the Revolver is May 18, 2027, with the option to extend the maturity date for a maximum of one additional year through either (i) a single 12-month extension option or (ii) two individual six-month extensions. Borrowings under the Revolver bear interest at an annual rate equal to, at our option, either (i) Adjusted Term SOFR plus the applicable margin ranging from 1.40% to 2.00%, (ii) Adjusted Daily Simply SOFR plus the applicable margin ranging from 1.40% to 2.00% or (iii) a base rate as set in the Credit Agreement plus the applicable margin ranging from 0.40% to 1.00%, with each option dependent upon our consolidated net leverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement). Principal is payable in full at maturity, and the Revolver was undrawn at closing.
For purposes of the Revolver, Adjusted Term SOFR is calculated as the sum of Term SOFR plus an adjustment of 0.10% (all as more specifically described in the Credit Agreement), subject to a floor of 0.00%. Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR is calculated as the sum of SOFR plus an adjustment of 0.10% (all as more specifically described in the Credit Agreement), subject to a floor of 0.00%.
At December 31, 2024, no amounts were outstanding under the Revolver, and the lending banks had issued $4.3 million of letters of credit under the Credit Agreement, which left $695.7 million of availability under the Revolver (subject to the satisfaction of debt incurrence tests under the indentures governing our $1 billion in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2032 (the $1 Billion 6.50% Senior Notes”), our $700 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2027 (the “$700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes”), our $600 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2029 (the “$600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes”) and our $400 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2028 (“$400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes”), which we met at December 31, 2024).
Term Loan B. The Term Loan B has a maturity date of May 18, 2030. Prior to the effectiveness of the First Incremental Agreement and the Second Incremental Agreement (as hereinafter defined), the applicable interest rate margins for borrowings under the Term Loan B were, at our option, either (i) Term SOFR plus 2.75%, (ii) Daily Simple SOFR plus 2.75% or (iii) a base rate as set in the Credit Agreement plus 1.75%. In addition, if for any fiscal year there is Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the Credit Agreement), an additional principal amount is required. Amounts borrowed under the Term Loan B that are repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed.
On April 12, 2024, we entered into an Incremental Tranche B Term Loan Agreement (the “First Incremental Agreement”), which supplemented the Credit Agreement and included the addition of certain new lenders and the removal of certain other lenders. The First Incremental Agreement reduced the applicable interest rate margins for the loans advanced under the refinanced Term Loan B. The applicable interest rate margins for the refinanced Term Loan B under the First Incremental Agreement were (i) 2.25% for SOFR Loans (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and (ii) 1.25% for base rate loans.
On December 19, 2024, we entered into an additional Incremental Tranche B Term Loan Agreement (the “Second Incremental Agreement”), which supplements the Credit Agreement. The Second Incremental Agreement reduces the applicable interest rate margins for the loans advanced under the refinanced Term Loan B. The applicable interest rate margins for the refinanced Term Loan B under the Second Incremental Agreement are (i) 2.00% for SOFR Loans (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and (ii) 1.00% for base rate loans. Further, the Second Incremental Agreement provides for the applicable interest rate margins to be further reduced by an additional 0.25% upon our meeting certain criteria as set forth in the Second Incremental Agreement.
At December 31, 2024, the interest rate on the Term Loan B was Term SOFR plus 2.00%. Neither the First Incremental Agreement nor the Second Incremental Agreement changed the maturity dates under the Credit Agreement or resulted in any increase in principal indebtedness. In addition, the Second Incremental Agreement confirms that the annual amortization under the Term Loan B is 1% of the refinanced $293.5 million outstanding principal amount, with the balance due at maturity. At December 31, 2024, $292.8 million in borrowings were outstanding under the Term Loan B.
For purposes of the Term Loan B, each of Term SOFR and Daily Simply SOFR are subject to a floor of 0.00%.
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$1 Billion 6.50% Senior Notes. On March 28, 2024, the Operating Partnership and RHP Finance Corporation (“Finco”) (collectively, the “issuing subsidiaries”) completed the private placement of $1.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of 6.50% senior notes due 2032, which are guaranteed by the Company and its subsidiaries that guarantee the Credit Agreement. The $1 Billion 6.50% Senior Notes and guarantees were issued pursuant to an indenture by and among the issuing subsidiaries, the guarantors and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee. The $1 Billion 6.50% Senior Notes have a maturity date of April 1, 2032 and bear interest at 6.50% per annum, payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on April 1 and October 1 each year, beginning October 1, 2024. The $1 Billion 6.50% Senior Notes are general unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the issuing subsidiaries and rank equal in right of payment with such subsidiaries’ existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness, including the $700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes, the $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes and the $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes, and senior in right of payment to future subordinated indebtedness, if any. The $1 Billion 6.50% Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to the issuing subsidiaries’ secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. The guarantees rank equally in right of payment with the applicable guarantor’s existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness of such guarantor. The $1 Billion 6.50% Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness of any guarantor to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness and structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other obligations of the Operating Partnership’s subsidiaries that do not guarantee the $1 Billion 6.50% Senior Notes.
The net proceeds from the issuance of the $1 Billion 6.50% Senior Notes totaled approximately $983 million, after deducting the initial purchasers’ discounts, commissions and offering expenses. We used a portion of these net proceeds to prepay the indebtedness outstanding under our previous $800.0 million Gaylord Rockies term loan and used the remaining proceeds, together with cash on hand, to repay $200.0 million under the Term Loan B.
The $1 Billion 6.50% Senior Notes are redeemable before April 1, 2027, in whole or in part, at 100.00%, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the redemption date, plus a make-whole premium. The $1 Billion 6.50% Senior Notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part, at any time on or after April 1, 2027 at a redemption price expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof, which percentage is 103.250%, 101.625% and 100.000% beginning on April 1 of 2027, 2028, and 2029, respectively, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the redemption date.
$700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes. In September 2019, the Operating Partnership and Finco completed the private placement of $500.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2027, which are guaranteed by the Company and its subsidiaries that guarantee the Credit Agreement. The $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes and guarantees were issued pursuant to an indenture by and among the issuing subsidiaries and the guarantors and U.S. Bank National Association as trustee. The $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes have a maturity date of October 15, 2027 and bear interest at 4.75% per annum, payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year. The $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes are general unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the issuing subsidiaries and rank equal in right of payment with such subsidiaries’ existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness, including the $1 Billion 6.50% Senior Notes, the $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes, and the $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes, and senior in right of payment to future subordinated indebtedness, if any. The $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to the issuing subsidiaries’ secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. The guarantees rank equally in right of payment with the applicable guarantor’s existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness of such guarantor. The $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness of any guarantor to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness and structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other obligations of the Operating Partnership’s subsidiaries that do not guarantee the $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes.
In October 2019, we completed a tack-on private placement of $200.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.75% senior notes due 2027 (the “additional 2027 notes”) at an issue price of 101.250% of their aggregate principal amount plus accrued interest from the September 19, 2019 issue date for the $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes. The additional 2027 notes and the $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes constitute a single class of securities (collectively, the “$700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes”). All other terms and conditions of the additional 2027 notes are identical to the $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes.
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The $700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, at a redemption price expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof, which percentage is 101.188% and 100.00% beginning on October 15 of 2024, and 2025, respectively, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the redemption date.
We completed a registered offer to exchange the $700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes for registered notes with substantially identical terms as the $700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes in July 2020.
$600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes. In February 2021, the Operating Partnership and Finco completed the private placement of $600.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2029, which are guaranteed by the Company and its subsidiaries that guarantee the Credit Agreement. The $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes and guarantees were issued pursuant to an indenture by and among the issuing subsidiaries and the guarantors and U.S. Bank National Association as trustee. The $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes have a maturity date of February 15, 2029 and bear interest at 4.50% per annum, payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on February 15 and August 15 each year. The $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes are general unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the issuing subsidiaries and rank equal in right of payment with such subsidiaries’ existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness, including the $1 Billion 6.50% Senior Notes, the $700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes, and the $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes, and senior in right of payment to future subordinated indebtedness, if any. The $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to the issuing subsidiaries’ secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. The guarantees rank equally in right of payment with the applicable guarantor’s existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness of such guarantor. The $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness of any guarantor to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness and structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other obligations of the Operating Partnership’s subsidiaries that do not guarantee the $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes.
The $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, at a redemption price expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof, which percentage is 101.500%, 100.750%, and 100.000% beginning on February 15 of 2025, 2026, and 2027, respectively, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the redemption date.
$400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes. In June 2023, the Operating Partnership and Finco completed the private placement of $400.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.25% senior notes due 2028, which are guaranteed by the Company and its subsidiaries that guarantee the Credit Agreement. The $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes and guarantees were issued pursuant to an indenture by and among the issuing subsidiaries, the guarantors and U.S. Bank Trust Company National Association as trustee. The $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes have a maturity date of July 15, 2028 and bear interest at 7.25% per annum, payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on January 15 and July 15 each year. The $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes are general unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the issuing subsidiaries and rank equal in right of payment with such subsidiaries’ existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness, including the $1 Billion 6.50% Senior Notes, the $700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes and $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes, and senior in right of payment to future subordinated indebtedness, if any. The $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to the issuing subsidiaries’ secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. The guarantees rank equally in right of payment with the applicable guarantor’s existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness of such guarantor. The $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness of any guarantor to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness and structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other obligations of the Operating Partnership’s subsidiaries that do not guarantee the $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes.
The $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes are redeemable before July 15, 2025, in whole or in part, at 100.00%, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the redemption date, plus a make-whole premium. The $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part, at any time on or after July 15, 2025 at a redemption price expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof, which percentage is 103.625%, 101.813% and 100.000% beginning on July 15 of 2025, 2026, and 2027, respectively, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the redemption date.
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Each of the indentures governing the $1 Billion 6.50% Senior Notes, the $700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes, the $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes and the $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes contain certain covenants which, among other things and subject to certain exceptions and qualifications, limit the incurrence of additional indebtedness, investments, dividends, transactions with affiliates, assets sales, acquisitions, mergers and consolidations, liens and encumbrances and other matters customarily restricted in such agreements. In addition, if the Company experiences certain kinds of changes of control, the Company must offer to repurchase some or all of the senior notes at 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, up to, but excluding, the repurchase date.
Previous $800 Million Gaylord Rockies Term Loan. In July 2019, Aurora Convention Center Hotel, LLC and Aurora Convention Center Hotel Lessee, LLC, the entities that comprise Gaylord Rockies, entered into a Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement (the “Gaylord Rockies Loan”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent. The Gaylord Rockies Loan consisted of an $800.0 million secured term loan facility, with a maturity date of July 2, 2024 with two, one-year extension options remaining, subject to certain requirements in the Gaylord Rockies Loan, and bore interest at Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR plus 2.50%. We previously entered into an interest rate swap to fix the SOFR portion of the interest rate at 5.2105% for the fifth year of the loan. We designated this interest rate swap as an effective cash flow hedge.
On March 28, 2024, we paid off the Gaylord Rockies Loan with the proceeds from the $1 Billion 6.50% Senior Notes discussed above and terminated the interest rate swap.
OEG Credit Agreement. On June 28, 2024, OEG Borrower, LLC (“OEG Borrower”) and OEG Finance, LLC (“OEG Finance”), each a wholly owned direct or indirect subsidiary of OEG, entered into a certain First Amendment, which amends the Credit Agreement dated as of June 16, 2022 among OEG Borrower, as borrower, OEG Finance, certain subsidiaries of OEG Borrower from time to time party thereto as guarantors, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (the “Original OEG Credit Agreement”). As amended, the credit facility (the “Amended OEG Credit Agreement”) includes certain amended terms including lower interest rates, extended maturities and modifications to various covenants.
The Amended OEG Credit Agreement provides for (i) a senior secured term loan facility in the aggregate principal amount of $300.0 million (the “OEG Term Loan”) and (ii) a senior secured revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $80.0 million (the “OEG Revolver”). The OEG Term Loan refinances and replaces the former term loan in the outstanding principal amount of $294.8 million as of June 28, 2024 and the OEG Revolver replaces the former senior secured revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $65.0 million. At December 31, 2024, $299.3 million was outstanding under the OEG Term Loan and $21.0 million was outstanding under the OEG Revolver.
The OEG Term Loan and OEG Revolver are each secured by substantially all of the assets of OEG Finance and each of its wholly owned subsidiaries (other than Block 21-related subsidiaries, as more specifically described in the Amended OEG Credit Agreement). The OEG Term Loan bears interest at a rate equal to either, at OEG Borrower’s election, as of the closing contemplated by the Amended OEG Credit Agreement, (a) the Alternate Base Rate plus 2.50% or (b) Adjusted Term SOFR plus 3.50% (all as more specifically described in the Amended OEG Credit Agreement). In November 2022, OEG entered into an interest rate swap to fix the SOFR portion of the interest rate on $100.0 million of borrowings at 4.533% through December 2025. Borrowings under the OEG Revolver bear interest at a rate equal to either, at OEG Borrower’s election, as of the closing contemplated by the Amended OEG Credit Agreement, (a) the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate (as defined in the Amended OEG Credit Agreement) or (b) Adjusted Term SOFR plus the Applicable Rate. Under the Amended OEG Credit Agreement, (i) the Applicable Rate for Alternative Base Rate loans will be between 2.75% and 2.25% and (ii) the Applicable Rate for Adjusted Term SOFR loans will be between 3.75% and 3.25%, in each of (i) and (ii) based upon the First Lien Leverage Ratio of OEG Finance and its consolidated subsidiaries (as more specifically described in the Amended OEG Credit Agreement). The Applicable Rate for borrowings under the OEG Revolver as of December 31, 2024 is 2.50% for Alternative Base Rate Loans and 3.50% for Adjusted Term SOFR loans.
The OEG Term Loan matures on June 28, 2031, and the OEG Revolver matures on June 28, 2029. OEG used the proceeds from the OEG Term Loan to refinance the original term loan under the Original OEG Credit Agreement.
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Block 21 CMBS Loan. At the closing of the purchase of Block 21 on May 31, 2022, a subsidiary of the Company assumed a $136 million, ten-year, non-recourse term loan secured by a mortgage on Block 21 (the “Block 21 CMBS Loan”). The Block 21 CMBS Loan has a fixed interest rate of 5.58% per annum, payable monthly, matures January 5, 2026, and provides for payments due monthly based on a 30-year amortization. At December 31, 2024, $129.0 million was outstanding under the Block 21 CMBS Loan.
The Block 21 CMBS Loan contains customary financial covenants and other restrictions, including sponsor net worth and liquidity requirements, and debt service coverage ratio targets that Block 21 must meet in order to avoid a “Trigger Period,” the occurrence of which does not constitute a default. The disruption caused by a significant renovation of the rooms and public spaces at the W Austin negatively impacted the results of Block 21 and resulted in the Trigger Period being effective starting September 30, 2024. During the Trigger Period, cash in excess of operating expenses, debt service and certain reserves is deposited in a reserve account and held until Block 21 exits the Trigger Period by achieving a specified minimum debt service coverage ratio on a trailing twelve-month basis, at which time the reserved cash will be released to Block 21 and its owner.
Additional Debt Limitations. Pursuant to the terms of the management agreements and pooling agreement with Marriott for our Gaylord Hotels properties, excluding Gaylord Rockies, we are subject to certain debt limitations described below.
The management agreements provide for the following limitations on indebtedness encumbering a hotel:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | The aggregate principal balance of all mortgage and mezzanine debt encumbering the hotel shall be no greater than 75% of the fair market value of the hotel; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | The ratio of (a) aggregate Operating Profit (as defined in the management agreement) in the 12 months prior to the closing on the mortgage or mezzanine debt to (b) annual debt service for the hotel shall equal or exceed 1.2:1; but is subject to the pooling agreement described below. |
The pooled limitations on Secured Debt (as defined in the pooling agreement) are as follows:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | The aggregate principal balance of all mortgage and mezzanine debt on Pooled Hotels (as defined in the pooling agreement), shall be no more than 75% of the fair market value of Pooled Hotels. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | The ratio of (a) aggregate Operating Profit (as defined in the pooling agreement) of Pooled Hotels in the 12 months prior to closing on any mortgage or mezzanine debt, to (b) annual debt service for the Pooled Hotels, shall equal or exceed 1.2:1. |
Gaylord Rockies is not a Pooled Hotel for this purpose.
Estimated Interest on Principal Debt Agreements
Based on the stated interest rates on our fixed-rate debt and the rates in effect at December 31, 2024 for our variable-rate debt after considering interest rate swaps, our estimated interest obligations over the next five years are $837.9 million. These estimated obligations are $205.2 million in 2025, $198.2 million in 2026, $189.4 million in 2027, $148.6 million in 2028, and $96.6 million in 2029. Variable rates, as well as outstanding principal balances, could change in future periods. See “Principal Debt Agreements” above for a discussion of our outstanding long-term debt. See “Supplemental Cash Flow Information” in Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included herein for a discussion of the interest we paid during 2024, 2023 and 2022.
Inflation
Inflation has had a more meaningful impact on our business during recent periods than in historical periods. However, favorable ADR and outside-the-room spend in our Hospitality segment and business levels in our Entertainment segment
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in recent years have reduced the impact of increased operating costs, including increased insurance, utilities and other costs, on our financial position and results of operations.
Additionally, increased interest rates have driven higher interest expense on our debt. In an effort to mitigate the impact of increased interest rates, at December 31, 2024, 85% of our outstanding debt is fixed-rate debt, after considering the impact of interest rate swaps.
We continue to monitor inflationary pressures and may need to consider potential mitigation actions in future periods. A prolonged inflationary environment could adversely affect our operating costs, customer spending and bookings, and our financial results.
Supplemental Guarantor Financial Information
The Company’s $1 Billion 6.50% Senior Notes, the $700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes, $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes and $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes were each issued by the Issuers and are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by the Company (as the parent company), each of the Operating Partnership’s subsidiaries that own the Gaylord Hotels properties and certain other of the Company’s subsidiaries, each of which also guarantees the Operating Partnership’s Credit Agreement, as amended (such subsidiary guarantors, together with the Company, the “Guarantors”). The Guarantors are 100% owned by the Operating Partnership or the Company, and the guarantees are full and unconditional and joint and several. The guarantees rank equally in right of payment with each Guarantor’s existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and senior in right of payment to all future subordinated indebtedness, if any, of such Guarantor. Not all of the Company’s subsidiaries have guaranteed these senior notes, and the guarantees are structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other obligations of such subsidiaries that have not guaranteed these senior notes.
The following tables present summarized financial information for the Issuers and the Guarantors on a combined basis and the intercompany balances and transactions between these parties, as well as any investments in or equity in earnings from non-guarantor subsidiaries, have been eliminated (amounts in thousands):
| | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| | | December 31, | |
| | 2024 | ||
| Other assets | | $ | 3,318,192 |
| Total assets | | $ | 3,318,192 |
| | | | |
| Net payables due to non-guarantor subsidiaries | | $ | 239,157 |
| Other liabilities | | | 3,204,169 |
| Total liabilities | | $ | 3,443,326 |
| Total noncontrolling interest | | $ | 3,657 |
| | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year Ended | |
| | December 31, 2024 | ||
| Revenues from non-guarantor subsidiaries | | $ | 585,855 |
| Operating expenses (excluding expenses to non-guarantor subsidiaries) | | | 168,004 |
| Expenses to non-guarantor subsidiaries | | | 21,724 |
| Operating income | | | 396,127 |
| Interest income from non-guarantor subsidiaries | | | 2,491 |
| Net income | | | 224,218 |
| Net income available to common stockholders | | | 215,666 |
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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” discusses our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Accounting estimates are an integral part of the preparation of the consolidated financial statements and the financial reporting process and are based upon current judgments. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Certain accounting estimates are particularly sensitive because of their complexity and the possibility that future events affecting them may differ materially from our current judgments and estimates.
This listing of critical accounting policies is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all of our accounting policies. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by generally accepted accounting principles, with no need for management’s judgment regarding accounting policy. We believe that of our significant accounting policies, which are discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included herein, the following involve a higher degree of judgment and complexity.
Impairment of long-lived and other assets. In accounting for our long-lived and other assets, we assess our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets or asset groups may not be recoverable. Factors we consider when assessing whether impairment indicators exist include (i) significant under-performance relative to historical or projected future operating results, (ii) significant changes in the manner of our use of assets or the strategy for our overall business, or (iii) significant negative industry or economic trends.
Recoverability of property and equipment and definite-lived intangible assets that will continue to be used is measured by comparing the carrying amount of the asset or asset group to the related total future undiscounted net cash flows. If an asset or asset group’s carrying value is not recoverable through those cash flows, the asset group is considered to be impaired. The impairment is measured by the difference between the assets’ carrying amount and their fair value, which is estimated using discounted cash flow analyses that utilize comprehensive cash flow projections, as well as observable market data to the extent available. Estimating the total future undiscounted net cash flows, as well as the fair value of assets or asset groups, if necessary, requires management to make assumptions and projections of future cash flows, long-term growth rates, asset holding periods, and other factors. The assumptions used to assess impairment consider historical trends, macroeconomic conditions, and projections consistent with our operating strategy. Changes in these estimates and assumptions can have a significant impact on the assessment, which could result in material impairment losses.
Credit losses on financial assets. We assess our financial assets, including the bonds we received in 2008 related to the Gaylord National construction (“Gaylord National Bonds”), and our accounts receivable for credit losses utilizing the expected loss model prescribed by ASC 326, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses,” and record a reserve, in the form of an allowance for credit losses, against the amortized cost basis for the portion of the financial asset that will not be recovered due to credit losses.
We provide credit loss reserves for the Gaylord National Bonds by comparing the amortized cost basis to their present value. If the amortized cost basis exceeds the present value, an expected credit loss exists and the allowance for credit losses is measured as the difference between the bonds’ amortized cost basis and present value, which is estimated using discounted cash flow analyses that utilize comprehensive cash flow projections over the contractual life of the bonds, as well as observable market data to the extent available. Our estimate of the present value of the Gaylord National Bonds is sensitive to the significant assumptions of the discounted cash flow analysis, which include the projections of hotel taxes (which are based on expected hotel rooms revenues) and property taxes, both of which are affected by expectations about future market and economic conditions, particularly those in the Washington D.C. market. Further, such assumptions require significant judgment as the Gaylord National Bonds and related projected cash flows continue for an extended period of time through 2037.
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Income taxes. As a REIT, generally we will not be subject to federal corporate income taxes on ordinary taxable income and capital gains income from real estate investments that we distribute to our stockholders. We will continue to be required to pay federal and state corporate income taxes on earnings of our TRSs.
Our deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.
We must assess the likelihood that we will be able to recover our deferred tax assets. If recovery is not likely, the provision for taxes is increased by recording a reserve, in the form of a valuation allowance, against the estimated deferred tax assets that will not ultimately be recoverable.
In addition, we must evaluate uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulations in the calculation of tax liabilities. We provide for uncertain tax positions and the related interest and penalties based upon management’s assessment of whether a tax benefit is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. We make this assessment based on only the technical merits of the tax position. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, we had no accruals for unrecognized tax benefits. We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions, if any, in income tax expense. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, we have accrued no interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions.
Acquisitions and Purchase Price Allocations. Accounting for the acquisition of an entity as a business combination, becoming the primary beneficiary of a previously unconsolidated variable interest entity, or a significant asset acquisition requires an allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed in the transaction based on their respective estimated fair values, which requires us to make significant estimates and assumptions regarding the fair value of the acquired assets and liabilities assumed. We may engage third parties to provide valuation services to assist in the fair value determinations of the long-lived assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. The most difficult estimations of individual fair values are those involving long-lived assets, such as property, equipment, and intangible assets, that are assumed as part of the transaction, as well as any noncontrolling interests. When making fair value determinations, we consider market data for similar assets, expected cash flows discounted at risk-adjusted rates, and replacement cost for assets, among other information. Management judgment is required when making the significant assumptions used to value long-lived and identifiable intangible assets, which include projected revenue growth, estimated cash flows, discount rates, and other factors.
Legal Contingencies. We are subject to various legal proceedings and claims, the outcomes of which are subject to significant uncertainty. We record an accrual for loss contingencies when a loss is probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, the determination of which requires significant judgment. We review these accruals each reporting period and make revisions based on changes in facts and circumstances, but resolution of legal matters in a manner inconsistent with our expectations could have a material impact on our financial condition and operating results.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
For a discussion of recently issued accounting standards, see Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included herein.
FY 2023 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001558370-24-001613.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
This section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K generally discusses 2023 and 2022 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2023 and 2022. Discussions of 2021 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2022 and 2021 that are not included in this Form 10-K can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
Overview
We are a Delaware corporation, originally incorporated in 1956, that, following our REIT conversion in 2012, began operating as a self-advised and self-administered REIT for federal income tax purposes on January 1, 2013, specializing in group-oriented, destination hotel assets in urban and resort markets. Our core holdings include a network of five upscale, meetings-focused resorts totaling 9,917 rooms that are managed by Marriott International, Inc. (“Marriott”) under the Gaylord Hotels brand. These five resorts, which we refer to as our Gaylord Hotels properties, consist of the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee (“Gaylord Opryland”), the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center near Orlando, Florida (“Gaylord Palms”), the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center
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near Dallas, Texas (“Gaylord Texan”), the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center near Washington D.C. (“Gaylord National”), and the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center near Denver, Colorado (“Gaylord Rockies”), which was previously owned by the Gaylord Rockies joint venture, in which we owned a 65% interest. On May 7, 2021, we purchased the remaining 35% interest in the Gaylord Rockies joint venture. Our other owned hotel assets managed by Marriott include the Inn at Opryland, an overflow hotel adjacent to Gaylord Opryland, the AC Hotel at National Harbor, Washington D.C. (“AC Hotel”), an overflow hotel adjacent to Gaylord National, and effective June 30, 2023, the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa (“JW Marriott Hill Country”).
We also own a controlling 70% equity interest in a business comprised of a number of entertainment and media assets, known as the Opry Entertainment Group (“OEG”), which we report as our Entertainment segment. These assets include the Grand Ole Opry, the legendary weekly showcase of country music’s finest performers for 98 years; the Ryman Auditorium, the storied live music venue and former home of the Grand Ole Opry located in downtown Nashville; WSM-AM, the Opry’s radio home; Ole Red, a brand of Blake Shelton-themed bar, music venue and event spaces; two Nashville-based assets – the Wildhorse Saloon and the General Jackson Showboat; and as of May 31, 2022, Block 21, a mixed-use entertainment, lodging, office, and retail complex located in Austin, Texas (“Block 21”). See “OEG Transaction” below for additional disclosure regarding our sale of a 30% interest in OEG effective June 16, 2022.
Each of our award-winning Gaylord Hotels properties, as well as the JW Marriott Hill Country, incorporates not only high-quality lodging, but also at least 400,000 square feet (268,000 in the case of JW Marriott Hill Country) of meeting, convention and exhibition space, superb food and beverage options and retail and spa facilities within a single self-contained property. As a result, our Gaylord Hotels properties and JW Marriott Hill Country provide a convenient and entertaining environment for convention guests. Our Gaylord Hotels properties and JW Marriott Hill Country focus on the large group meetings market in the United States.
Our goal is to be the nation’s premier hospitality REIT for group-oriented, destination hotel assets in urban and resort markets.
See “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” under Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for important information regarding forward-looking statements made in this report and risks and uncertainties we face.
JW Marriott Hill Country
On June 30, 2023, we purchased JW Marriott Hill Country for approximately $800 million. Located amid approximately 600 acres in the Texas Hill Country region outside of San Antonio, JW Marriott Hill Country, which opened in 2010, is a premier group-oriented resort with 1,002 rooms and 268,000 total square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space. The resort’s amenities include a 26,000 square foot spa; eight food and beverage outlets; a 9-acre water experience; and TPC San Antonio, which features two 18-hole golf courses. We funded the purchase price with approximately $395 million in net proceeds of an underwritten registered public offering of approximately 4.4 million shares of the Company’s common stock, approximately $393 million in net proceeds of a private placement of $400 million aggregate principal amount of 7.25% senior notes due 2028 and cash on hand. JW Marriott Hill Country assets are reflected in our Hospitality segment beginning June 30, 2023.
Credit Facility Refinancing
In May 2023, we completed the refinancing of our previous credit facility by entering into a new credit agreement, which extends the maturity of our $700 million revolving credit facility to 2027 and an increased $500 million term loan B to 2030. The new credit facility also includes an accordion feature that will allow us to increase the facilities by an aggregate total of up to $475 million. A portion of the proceeds of the term loan B were used to repay in full the approximately $370 million balance of our previous term loan B. The revolver was undrawn at closing.
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Issuance of $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes due 2028
In June 2023, the Operating Partnership and RHP Finance Corporation completed the private placement of $400.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.25% senior notes due 2028 (the “$400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes”), which are guaranteed by the Company and its subsidiaries that guarantee our credit agreement.
The net proceeds from the issuance of the $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes totaled approximately $393 million, after deducting the initial purchasers’ discounts, commissions and offering expenses. We used these proceeds to pay a portion of the purchase price for JW Marriott Hill Country discussed above.
Equity Offering
In June 2023, we completed an underwritten public offering of approximately 4.4 million shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share, at a price to the public of $93.25 per share. Our net proceeds, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other expenses paid by us, were approximately $395 million. We used these proceeds to pay a portion of the purchase price for JW Marriott Hill Country discussed above.
OEG Transaction
As more fully described in the “OEG Transaction” section of Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included herein, on June 16, 2022, we and certain of our subsidiaries, including OEG Attractions Holdings, LLC, which directly or indirectly owns the assets that comprise our Entertainment segment, consummated the transactions contemplated by an investment agreement (the “Investment Agreement”) with Atairos Group, Inc. (“Atairos”) and A-OEG Holdings, LLC, an affiliate of Atairos (the “OEG Investor”), pursuant to which OEG issued and sold to the OEG Investor, and the OEG Investor acquired, 30% of the equity interests of OEG for approximately $296.0 million (the “OEG Transaction”). The purchase price for the OEG Transaction may be increased by $30.0 million if OEG achieves certain financial objectives in 2024.
We retained a controlling 70% equity interest in OEG and continue to consolidate OEG and the other subsidiaries comprising our Entertainment segment in our consolidated financial statements. After the payment of transaction expenses, we used substantially all of the net proceeds from the OEG Transaction, together with the net proceeds we received from the OEG Term Loan (as defined in “Principal Debt Agreements” below), to repay the then-outstanding balance of our former $300 million term loan A and to pay down substantially all borrowings then outstanding under our revolving credit facility.
Dividend Policy
In September 2022, our board of directors approved a dividend policy pursuant to which we will make minimum dividends of 100% of REIT taxable income annually, subject to the board of directors’ future determinations as to the amount of any distributions and the timing thereof. The dividend policy may be altered at any time by our board of directors (as otherwise permitted by our credit agreement) and certain provisions of our agreements governing our indebtedness may prohibit us from paying dividends in accordance with any policy we may adopt.
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Our Operations
Our ongoing operations are organized into three principal business segments:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Hospitality, consisting of our Gaylord Hotels properties, JW Marriott Hill Country (effective June 30, 2023), the Inn at Opryland, and the AC Hotel. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Entertainment, consisting of the Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman Auditorium, WSM-AM, Ole Red, Block 21, and our other Nashville-based attractions. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Corporate and Other, consisting of our corporate expenses. |
For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, our total revenues were divided among these business segments as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Segment | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | | |||
| Hospitality | 85 | % | 85 | % | 84 | % | |
| Entertainment | 15 | % | 15 | % | 16 | % | |
| Corporate and Other | 0 | % | 0 | % | 0 | % |
Key Performance Indicators
The operating results of our Hospitality segment are highly dependent on the volume of customers at our hotels and the quality of the customer mix at our hotels, which are managed by Marriott. These factors impact the price that Marriott can charge for our hotel rooms and other amenities, such as food and beverage and meeting space. The following key performance indicators are commonly used in the hospitality industry and are used by management to evaluate hotel performance and potentially allocate capital expenditures:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | hotel occupancy – a volume indicator; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | average daily rate (“ADR”) – a price indicator calculated by dividing rooms revenue by the number of rooms sold; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | revenue per available room (“RevPAR”) – a summary measure of hotel results calculated by dividing rooms revenue by room nights available to guests for the period; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | total revenue per available room (“Total RevPAR”) – a summary measure of hotel results calculated by dividing the sum of room, food and beverage and other ancillary service revenue by room nights available to guests for the period; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | net definite room nights booked – a volume indicator which represents the total number of definite bookings for future room nights at our hotels confirmed during the applicable period, net of cancellations. |
In addition to GAAP measures such as revenues, net income and operating income, we also use certain “non-GAAP financial measures,” which are measures of our historical performance that are not calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP within the meaning of applicable SEC rules. These measures include:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Earnings Before Interest Expense, Income Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization for Real Estate (“EBITDAre”), Adjusted EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDAre, Excluding Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Joint Venture, and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Funds from Operations (“FFO”) available to common stockholders and unit holders and Adjusted FFO available to common stockholders and unitholders. |
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See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for further discussion.
For 2021, as compared to 2022 and historical periods prior to 2020, the closure and pandemic-constrained business levels then experienced by our Gaylord Hotels properties resulted in a significant decrease in performance reflected in these key performance indicators and relevant GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures.
The results of operations of our Hospitality segment are affected by the number and type of group meetings and conventions scheduled to attend our hotels in a given period. A variety of factors can affect the results of any interim period, including the nature and quality of the group meetings and conventions attending our hotels during such period, which meetings and conventions have often been contracted for several years in advance, the level of attrition our hotels experience, and the level of transient business at our hotels during such period. Increases in costs, including labor costs, insurance costs, costs of food and other supplies, and energy costs have affected our operations in 2023 and 2022 and in the future could negatively affect our results, particularly during an inflationary economic environment. We rely on Marriott, as the manager of our hotels, to manage these factors and to offset any identified shortfalls in occupancy.
Summary Financial Results
The following table summarizes our financial results for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands, except percentages and per share data):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2023 | % Change | 2022 | % Change | 2021 | ||||||||
| Total revenues | | $ | 2,158,136 | 19.5 | % | $ | 1,805,969 | 92.3 | % | $ | 939,373 | ||
| Total operating expenses | | 1,704,452 | 15.3 | % | 1,478,819 | 48.2 | % | 998,048 | |||||
| Operating income (loss) | | 453,684 | 38.7 | % | 327,150 | 657.6 | % | (58,675) | |||||
| Net income (loss) | | 341,800 | 153.3 | % | 134,948 | 169.3 | % | (194,801) | |||||
| Net income (loss) available to common stockholders | | | 311,217 | | 141.3 | % | 128,993 | 172.9 | % | (176,966) | |||
| Net income (loss) available to common stockholders per share - diluted | | 5.36 | 130.0 | % | 2.33 | 172.6 | % | (3.21) |
2023 Results as Compared to 2022 Results
The increase in our total revenues during 2023, as compared to 2022, is attributable to increases in our Hospitality segment and Entertainment segment revenues of $295.5 million and $56.7 million, respectively, as presented in the tables below.
The increase in total operating expenses during 2023, as compared to 2022, is primarily the result of increases in Hospitality segment and Entertainment segment expenses of $187.8 million and $35.1 million, respectively, as presented in the tables below.
The above factors resulted in a $126.5 million improvement in operating income for 2023, as compared to 2022.
Our increase in net income of $206.9 million in 2023, as compared to 2022, was due to the change in our operating income described above, and the following factors, each as described more fully below:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | A $93.7 million benefit for income taxes in 2023, as compared to a $38.8 million provision for income taxes in 2022, primarily related to the release of $112.5 million in valuation allowance in 2023. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | A $47.3 million increase in net interest expense in 2023, as compared to 2022. |
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Factors and Trends Contributing to Performance and Current Environment
Important factors and trends contributing to our performance during 2023, as compared to 2022, which was partially impacted by the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in the first quarter of 2022, were:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | The addition of JW Marriott Hill Country on June 30, 2023, including $92.8 million in revenues; the property averaged $197.30 in RevPAR and $503.41 in Total RevPAR. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Same-store (Hospitality segment excluding JW Marriott Hill Country) hotel occupancy of 71.9% and ADR of $243.19 in 2023, an increase of 5.7 points of occupancy and 2.7%, respectively, over 2022. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | An increase in same-store group rooms traveled in 2023 of 16.0% over 2022. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | A same-store increase of 14.2% in outside-the-room spend in our Hospitality segment in 2023, as compared to 2022, with group catering revenue particularly strong. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | A decrease in same-store cancelled room nights at our hotels of 33.8% in 2023, as compared to 2022, and a decrease in same-store group attrition at our hotels from 20.6% in 2022 to 15.2% in 2023. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | A decrease in attrition and cancellation fee collections of $13.5 million in 2023, as compared to 2022, as cancellations and the related fee collections continue to decline. As these collections have no direct associated expenses, this decrease has had a negative impact on operating income as a percentage of revenue, or margin. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | An increase in same-store incentive management fees incurred by the Company of 127.7% in 2023, as compared to 2022, primarily due to improved full year results. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | On a same-store basis, group room nights on the books for all future years at our hotels at December 31, 2023 is approximately 4.0% greater than those on the books at December 31, 2022, and the ADR on those group room nights on the books at December 31, 2023 is approximately 6.3% higher than ADR on the books at December 31, 2022. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | An increase in Entertainment segment revenue of 21.1% in 2023, as compared to 2022, primarily attributable to the addition of Block 21 with a full year of results in 2023, as well as revenue increases throughout our other OEG businesses as a result of increased attendance or volume, as applicable. Excluding the addition of Block 21, Entertainment segment revenue increased 12.1% in 2023, as compared to 2022. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | The improved revenue performance noted above has mitigated increasing costs, which include increased interest rates, which drove higher interest expense on our higher debt levels, as well as increased wages, insurance, and other costs, which are expected to continue in the current inflationary environment. |
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Operating Results – Detailed Segment Financial Information
Hospitality Segment
Total Segment Results. The following presents the financial results of our Hospitality segment for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands, except percentages and performance metrics):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2023 | % Change | 2022 | % Change | 2021 | |||||||||
| Revenues: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | $ | 701,138 | 17.7 | % | $ | 595,544 | 81.1 | % | $ | 328,874 | | ||
| Food and beverage | | 831,796 | 24.7 | % | 667,009 | 138.7 | % | 279,489 | | |||||
| Other hotel revenue | | 300,544 | 9.1 | % | 275,421 | 54.5 | % | 178,220 | | |||||
| Total hospitality revenue | | 1,833,478 | 19.2 | % | 1,537,974 | 95.5 | % | 786,583 | | |||||
| Hospitality operating expenses: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | 173,749 | 11.5 | % | 155,817 | 76.6 | % | 88,244 | | |||||
| Food and beverage | | 465,963 | 22.3 | % | 381,142 | 99.7 | % | 190,855 | | |||||
| Other hotel expenses | | 519,328 | 13.6 | % | 457,291 | 39.5 | % | 327,791 | | |||||
| Management fees, net | | 66,425 | 53.0 | % | 43,425 | 209.5 | % | 14,031 | | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | | 186,749 | (1.4) | % | 189,375 | (7.0) | % | 203,675 | | |||||
| Total Hospitality operating expenses | | 1,412,214 | 15.1 | % | 1,227,050 | 48.8 | % | 824,596 | | |||||
| Hospitality operating income (loss) (1)(2) | | $ | 421,264 | 35.5 | % | $ | 310,924 | 917.9 | % | $ | (38,013) | | ||
| Hospitality performance metrics (3): | | | | | ||||||||||
| Occupancy | | 71.6 | % | 5.4 | pts | 66.2 | % | 26.7 | pts | 39.5 | % | |||
| ADR | | $ | 245.74 | 3.7 | % | $ | 236.86 | 7.0 | % | $ | 221.33 | | ||
| RevPAR (4) | | $ | 175.96 | 12.3 | % | $ | 156.71 | 79.0 | % | $ | 87.53 | | ||
| Total RevPAR (5) | | $ | 460.12 | 13.7 | % | $ | 404.69 | 93.3 | % | $ | 209.34 | | ||
| Net Definite Group Room Nights Booked (6) | | 2,369,060 | 31.2 | % | 1,805,598 | 50.3 | % | 1,201,268 | | |||||
| Same-store Hospitality performance metrics (3)(7): | | | | | ||||||||||
| Occupancy | | 71.9 | % | 5.7 | pts | 66.2 | % | 26.7 | pts | 39.5 | % | |||
| ADR | | $ | 243.19 | 2.7 | % | $ | 236.86 | 7.0 | % | $ | 221.33 | | ||
| RevPAR (4) | | $ | 174.92 | 11.6 | % | $ | 156.71 | 79.0 | % | $ | 87.53 | | ||
| Total RevPAR (5) | | $ | 458.02 | 13.2 | % | $ | 404.69 | 93.3 | % | $ | 209.34 | | ||
| Net Definite Group Room Nights Booked (6) | | 2,302,717 | 27.5 | % | 1,805,598 | 50.3 | % | 1,201,268 | |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (1) | Hospitality segment operating loss for 2021 does not include preopening costs of $0.7 million. Hospitality segment operating loss for 2021 also does not include gain on sale of assets of $0.3 million. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (2) | Hospitality segment operating loss for 2021 includes approximately $4.6 million in net credits directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which are primarily related to employment costs. This amount includes $4.1 million of payroll tax credits afforded under the 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”). |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (3) | Hospitality segment metrics for each year include the addition of 302 additional guest rooms at Gaylord Palms beginning June 1, 2021. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (4) | We calculate Hospitality segment RevPAR by dividing rooms revenue by room nights available to guests for the period. Room nights available to guests include nights the hotels are closed. Hospitality segment RevPAR is not comparable to similarly titled measures such as revenues. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (5) | We calculate Hospitality segment Total RevPAR by dividing the sum of room, food and beverage, and other ancillary services revenue (which equals Hospitality segment revenue) by room nights available to guests for the period. Room nights available to guests include nights the hotels are closed. Hospitality segment Total RevPAR is not comparable to similarly titled measures such as revenues. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (6) | Hospitality segment net definite room nights booked for 2023, 2022 and 2021 includes approximately 0.3 million, 0.4 million and 0.8 million group room cancellations, respectively. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (7) | Same-store Hospitality segment metrics do not include JW Marriott Hill Country, which we purchased June 30, 2023. |
Total Hospitality revenues in 2023 include $43.8 million in attrition and cancellation fee collections, a $13.5 million decrease from 2022.
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The percentage of group versus transient business based on rooms sold for our Hospitality segment for the years ended December 31 was approximately as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||
| Group | 73 | % | 69 | % | 46 | % | |
| Transient | 27 | % | 31 | % | 54 | % |
The type of group based on rooms sold for our Hospitality segment for the years ended December 31 was approximately as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||
| Corporate Groups | 50 | % | 51 | % | 43 | % | |
| Associations | 34 | % | 32 | % | 34 | % | |
| Other Groups | 16 | % | 17 | % | 23 | % |
Other hotel expenses for the following years ended December 31 included (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2023 | % Change | 2022 | % Change | 2021 | ||||||||
| Administrative employment costs | | $ | 176,112 | 14.4 | % | $ | 153,882 | 51.2 | % | $ | 101,771 | ||
| Utilities | | 42,055 | 13.3 | % | 37,120 | 36.8 | % | 27,128 | |||||
| Property taxes | | 39,951 | 18.7 | % | 33,650 | (0.9) | % | 33,947 | |||||
| Other | | 261,210 | 12.3 | % | 232,639 | 41.0 | % | 164,945 | |||||
| Total other hotel expenses | | $ | 519,328 | 13.6 | % | $ | 457,291 | 39.5 | % | $ | 327,791 |
Administrative employment costs include salaries and benefits for hotel administrative functions, including, among others, senior management, accounting, human resources, sales, conference services, engineering and security. Administrative employment costs increased during 2023, as compared to 2022, primarily due to the addition of JW Marriott Hill Country, as well as increases at Gaylord Opryland, Gaylord National and Gaylord Texan associated with increased business levels. Utility costs increased during 2023, as compared to 2022, primarily due to the addition of JW Marriott Hill Country, as well as an increase at Gaylord Opryland associated with increased utility rates. Property taxes increased during 2023, as compared to 2022, primarily due to the addition of JW Marriott Hill Country. Other expenses, which include supplies, advertising, maintenance costs and consulting costs, increased during 2023, as compared to 2022, primarily due to the addition of JW Marriott Hill Country, as well as various increases at Gaylord Opryland, Gaylord National, Gaylord Texan and Gaylord Palms due to increased business levels.
Each of our management agreements with Marriott requires us to pay Marriott a base management fee based on the gross revenues from the applicable property for each fiscal year or portion thereof. The applicable percentage for our Gaylord Hotels properties, excluding Gaylord Rockies, is approximately 2% of gross revenues, Gaylord Rockies is approximately 3% of gross revenues, and JW Marriott Hill Country is approximately 3.5% of gross revenues. Additionally, we pay Marriott an incentive management fee based on the profitability of our hotels. We incurred $41.3 million, $33.7 million and $17.1 million in total base management fees to Marriott related to our Hospitality segment during 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. We also incurred $28.3 million, $12.8 million and $0 in incentive management fees for our Hospitality segment during 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Management fees are presented throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K net of the amortization of the deferred management rights proceeds discussed in Note 5, “Deferred Management Rights Proceeds,” to the consolidated financial statements included herein.
Hospitality segment depreciation and amortization expense decreased in 2023, as compared to 2022, primarily as a result of the intangible asset associated with advanced bookings at Gaylord Rockies when we purchased an additional interest in Gaylord Rockies in 2018 becoming fully amortized in 2022, partially offset by the increase related to JW Marriott Hill Country.
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Property-Level Results. The following presents the property-level financial results of our Hospitality segment for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021. In 2021, these properties experienced higher levels of attrition and cancellations and lower occupancy levels, which are directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and experienced heavily transient business. Therefore, the property-level financial results for 2021 are not comparable to 2023, 2022 or to historical periods prior to 2020. Total revenue at each of our Gaylord Hotels properties was lower for 2021 than that of historical periods due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Operating costs at each of our properties were lower for 2021 as a result of cost containment initiatives and lower variable costs due to lower occupancies.
Gaylord Opryland Results. The results of Gaylord Opryland for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 are as follows (in thousands, except percentages and performance metrics):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2023 | % Change | 2022 | % Change | 2021 | |||||||||
| Revenues: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | $ | 193,140 | 8.6 | % | $ | 177,860 | 63.1 | % | $ | 109,067 | | ||
| Food and beverage | | 190,992 | 19.9 | % | 159,359 | 117.6 | % | 73,246 | | |||||
| Other hotel revenue | | 90,752 | 4.3 | % | 86,969 | 54.6 | % | 56,254 | | |||||
| Total revenue | | 474,884 | 12.0 | % | 424,188 | 77.8 | % | 238,567 | | |||||
| Operating expenses: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | 43,112 | 1.7 | % | 42,377 | 56.9 | % | 27,001 | | |||||
| Food and beverage | | 102,213 | 16.0 | % | 88,122 | 89.6 | % | 46,490 | | |||||
| Other hotel expenses | | 138,828 | 9.9 | % | 126,360 | 36.2 | % | 92,793 | | |||||
| Management fees, net | | 21,667 | 54.5 | % | 14,028 | 273.7 | % | 3,754 | | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | | 33,510 | (2.6) | % | 34,406 | 0.8 | % | 34,117 | | |||||
| Total operating expenses (1) | | 339,330 | 11.1 | % | 305,293 | 49.5 | % | 204,155 | | |||||
| Operating income | | $ | 135,554 | | 14.0 | % | $ | 118,895 | | 245.5 | % | $ | 34,412 | |
| Performance metrics: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Occupancy | | 73.0 | % | 3.5 | pts | 69.5 | % | 25.3 | pts | 44.2 | % | |||
| ADR | | $ | 250.96 | 3.4 | % | $ | 242.71 | 3.7 | % | $ | 234.15 | | ||
| RevPAR | | $ | 183.22 | 8.6 | % | $ | 168.73 | 63.1 | % | $ | 103.47 | | ||
| Total RevPAR | | $ | 450.50 | 12.0 | % | $ | 402.41 | 77.8 | % | $ | 226.32 | |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | Gaylord Opryland operating expenses do not include a gain on sale of assets of $0.3 million in 2021. |
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Gaylord Palms Results. Gaylord Palms results include 302 expansion rooms beginning in June 2021. The results of Gaylord Palms for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 are as follows (in thousands, except percentages and performance metrics):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2023 | % Change | 2022 | % Change | 2021 | |||||||||
| Revenues: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | $ | 113,235 | 9.2 | % | $ | 103,715 | 80.3 | % | $ | 57,510 | | ||
| Food and beverage | | 145,919 | 19.1 | % | 122,515 | 132.1 | % | 52,782 | | |||||
| Other hotel revenue | | 50,462 | (5.4) | % | 53,348 | 85.0 | % | 28,838 | | |||||
| Total revenue | | 309,616 | 10.7 | % | 279,578 | 100.9 | % | 139,130 | | |||||
| Operating expenses: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | 25,080 | 12.2 | % | 22,357 | 77.3 | % | 12,608 | | |||||
| Food and beverage | | 79,504 | 16.0 | % | 68,564 | 100.7 | % | 34,158 | | |||||
| Other hotel expenses | | 99,179 | 5.4 | % | 94,078 | 45.3 | % | 64,766 | | |||||
| Management fees, net | | 11,814 | 45.7 | % | 8,111 | 266.0 | % | 2,216 | | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | | 22,640 | 1.7 | % | 22,267 | 5.5 | % | 21,112 | | |||||
| Total operating expenses (1) | | 238,217 | 10.6 | % | 215,377 | 59.7 | % | 134,860 | | |||||
| Operating income | | $ | 71,399 | | 11.2 | % | $ | 64,201 | | 1,403.5 | % | $ | 4,270 | |
| Performance metrics: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Occupancy | | 73.7 | % | 5.3 | pts | 68.4 | % | 23.8 | pts | 44.6 | % | |||
| ADR | | $ | 245.04 | 1.3 | % | $ | 241.85 | 9.5 | % | $ | 220.90 | | ||
| RevPAR | | $ | 180.58 | 9.2 | % | $ | 165.40 | 68.0 | % | $ | 98.46 | | ||
| Total RevPAR | | $ | 493.75 | 10.7 | % | $ | 445.85 | 87.2 | % | $ | 238.19 | |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | Gaylord Palms operating expenses do not include preopening costs of $0.7 million in 2021. |
Gaylord Texan Results. The results of Gaylord Texan for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 are as follows (in thousands, except percentages and performance metrics):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2023 | % Change | 2022 | % Change | 2021 | |||||||||
| Revenues: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | $ | 121,178 | 11.2 | % | $ | 109,017 | 51.7 | % | $ | 71,854 | | ||
| Food and beverage | | 171,932 | 23.9 | % | 138,750 | 97.0 | % | 70,429 | | |||||
| Other hotel revenue | | 65,289 | 9.6 | % | 59,551 | 57.8 | % | 37,748 | | |||||
| Total revenue | | 358,399 | 16.6 | % | 307,318 | 70.7 | % | 180,031 | | |||||
| Operating expenses: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | 26,655 | 6.5 | % | 25,034 | 56.9 | % | 15,957 | | |||||
| Food and beverage | | 91,686 | 17.4 | % | 78,065 | 68.5 | % | 46,319 | | |||||
| Other hotel expenses | | 89,341 | 6.9 | % | 83,569 | 36.5 | % | 61,237 | | |||||
| Management fees, net | | 16,067 | 84.8 | % | 8,696 | 204.3 | % | 2,858 | | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | | 22,947 | (3.6) | % | 23,800 | (3.7) | % | 24,712 | | |||||
| Total operating expenses | | 246,696 | 12.6 | % | 219,164 | 45.1 | % | 151,083 | | |||||
| Operating income | | $ | 111,703 | | 26.7 | % | $ | 88,154 | | 204.5 | % | $ | 28,948 | |
| Performance metrics: | | | | | | | | |||||||
| Occupancy | | 74.9 | % | 5.9 | pts | 69.0 | % | 19.9 | pts | 49.1 | % | |||
| ADR | | $ | 244.21 | 2.3 | % | $ | 238.77 | 8.0 | % | $ | 221.00 | | ||
| RevPAR | | $ | 183.02 | 11.2 | % | $ | 164.65 | 51.7 | % | $ | 108.52 | | ||
| Total RevPAR | | $ | 541.30 | 16.6 | % | $ | 464.15 | 70.7 | % | $ | 271.91 | |
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Gaylord National Results. The results of Gaylord National for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 are as follows (in thousands, except percentages and performance metrics):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2023 | % Change | 2022 | % Change | 2021 | | ||||||||
| Revenues: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | $ | 119,700 | 22.2 | % | $ | 97,950 | 206.0 | % | $ | 32,005 | | ||
| Food and beverage | | 147,346 | 24.7 | % | 118,119 | 315.2 | % | 28,450 | | |||||
| Other hotel revenue | | 40,093 | 18.7 | % | 33,780 | 78.1 | % | 18,964 | | |||||
| Total revenue | | 307,139 | 22.9 | % | 249,849 | 214.6 | % | 79,419 | | |||||
| Operating expenses: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | 41,981 | 12.6 | % | 37,299 | 142.4 | % | 15,390 | | |||||
| Food and beverage | | 88,389 | 25.9 | % | 70,209 | 198.7 | % | 23,501 | | |||||
| Other hotel expenses | | 95,100 | 11.9 | % | 84,981 | 49.7 | % | 56,758 | | |||||
| Management fees, net | | 5,635 | 34.6 | % | 4,188 | 454.0 | % | 756 | | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | | 33,357 | (0.6) | % | 33,563 | 10.2 | % | 30,462 | | |||||
| Total operating expenses (1) | | 264,462 | 14.9 | % | 230,240 | 81.5 | % | 126,867 | | |||||
| Operating income (loss) | | $ | 42,677 | | 117.6 | % | $ | 19,609 | | 141.3 | % | $ | (47,448) | |
| Performance metrics: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Occupancy | | 68.4 | % | 11.9 | pts | 56.5 | % | 37.4 | pts | 19.1 | % | |||
| ADR | | $ | 240.30 | 0.9 | % | $ | 238.13 | 3.5 | % | $ | 230.12 | | ||
| RevPAR | | $ | 164.30 | 22.2 | % | $ | 134.45 | 206.1 | % | $ | 43.93 | | ||
| Total RevPAR | | $ | 421.58 | 22.9 | % | $ | 342.94 | 214.6 | % | $ | 109.01 | |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | Gaylord National operating expenses for 2021 include approximately $2.7 million in credits directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes $2.5 million in payroll tax credits afforded under the CARES Act. |
Gaylord Rockies Results. The results of Gaylord Rockies for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 are as follows (in thousands, except percentages and performance metrics):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2023 | | % Change | | 2022 | | % Change | | 2021 | | |||
| Revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Rooms | | $ | 97,530 | | 11.4 | % | $ | 87,587 | | 86.1 | % | $ | 47,061 | |
| Food and beverage | | | 132,254 | | 6.3 | % | | 124,463 | | 135.9 | % | | 52,761 | |
| Other hotel revenue | | | 36,953 | | (10.5) | % | | 41,276 | | 14.3 | % | | 36,120 | |
| Total revenue | | | 266,737 | | 5.3 | % | | 253,326 | | 86.3 | % | | 135,942 | |
| Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||
| Rooms | | | 23,931 | | 3.6 | % | | 23,099 | | 70.7 | % | | 13,533 | |
| Food and beverage | | | 78,079 | | 6.8 | % | | 73,121 | | 89.1 | % | | 38,662 | |
| Other hotel expenses | | | 55,095 | | (7.6) | % | | 59,637 | | 32.2 | % | | 45,102 | |
| Management fees, net | | | 7,935 | | 5.6 | % | | 7,514 | | 102.3 | % | | 3,714 | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 56,843 | | (21.9) | % | | 72,777 | | (19.7) | % | | 90,687 | |
| Total operating expenses | | | 221,883 | | (6.0) | % | | 236,148 | | 23.2 | % | | 191,698 | |
| Operating income (loss) | | $ | 44,854 | | 161.1 | % | $ | 17,178 | | 130.8 | % | $ | (55,756) | |
| Performance metrics: | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||
| Occupancy | | | 73.4 | % | 5.1 | pts | | 68.3 | % | 28.4 | pts | | 39.9 | % |
| ADR | | $ | 242.39 | | 3.5 | % | $ | 234.19 | | 8.8 | % | $ | 215.17 | |
| RevPAR | | $ | 178.02 | | 11.4 | % | $ | 159.87 | | 86.1 | % | $ | 85.90 | |
| Total RevPAR | | $ | 486.87 | | 5.3 | % | $ | 462.39 | | 86.3 | % | $ | 248.13 | |
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JW Marriott Hill Country Results. We purchased JW Marriott Hill Country June 30, 2023. The results of JW Marriott Hill Country for the period ended December 31, 2023 are as follows (in thousands, except percentages and performance metrics):
| | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2023 | | |
| Revenues: | | | | |
| Rooms | | $ | 36,376 | |
| Food and beverage | | | 39,910 | |
| Other hotel revenue | | | 16,527 | |
| Total revenue | | | 92,813 | |
| Operating expenses: | | | | |
| Rooms | | | 7,055 | |
| Food and beverage | | | 22,915 | |
| Other hotel expenses | | | 32,805 | |
| Management fees, net | | | 2,137 | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 14,718 | |
| Total operating expenses | | | 79,630 | |
| Operating income | | $ | 13,183 | |
| Performance metrics: | | | | |
| Occupancy | | | 64.9 | % |
| ADR | | $ | 304.07 | |
| RevPAR | | $ | 197.30 | |
| Total RevPAR | | $ | 503.41 | |
Entertainment Segment
Due to temporary closures and reopenings of various assets related to COVID-19 in 2021, the Entertainment segment financial results for 2021 are not comparable to 2023, 2022 or to historical periods prior to 2020. Entertainment segment financial results for 2023 and 2022 include Block 21 beginning May 31, 2022. The following presents the financial results of our Entertainment segment for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands, except percentages):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2023 | % Change | 2022 | % Change | 2021 | ||||||||
| Revenues | | $ | 324,658 | 21.1 | % | $ | 267,995 | 75.4 | % | $ | 152,790 | ||
| Operating expenses | | 223,663 | 18.6 | % | 188,545 | 60.1 | % | 117,753 | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | | 23,611 | 28.2 | % | 18,420 | 25.7 | % | 14,655 | |||||
| Operating income (1) | | $ | 77,384 | 26.8 | % | $ | 61,030 | 199.4 | % | $ | 20,382 |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | Entertainment segment operating income does not include preopening costs of $1.3 million and $0.5 million in 2023 and 2022, respectively. Entertainment segment operating income also does not include loss from unconsolidated joint ventures of $17.3 million, $11.0 million and $9.0 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, related to our television network joint venture (“Circle”). |
Revenues, operating expenses and depreciation and amortization increased in our Entertainment segment in 2023, as compared to 2022, primarily due to Block 21, which we acquired in May 2022. In addition, Entertainment segment revenues increased in 2023, as compared to 2022, due to increased revenues throughout our other OEG businesses as a result of increased attendance or volume, as applicable. Entertainment segment operating expenses also increased in 2023, as compared to 2022, due to increased variable expenses associated with higher business levels.
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Corporate and Other Segment
The following presents the financial results of our Corporate and Other segment for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands, except percentages):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2023 | % Change | 2022 | % Change | 2021 | ||||||||
| Operating expenses | | $ | 42,789 | (0.4) | % | $ | 42,982 | 11.4 | % | $ | 38,597 | ||
| Depreciation and amortization | | 867 | 5.6 | % | 821 | (59.5) | % | 2,027 | |||||
| Operating loss (1) | | $ | (43,656) | 0.3 | % | $ | (43,803) | (7.8) | % | $ | (40,624) |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | Corporate segment operating loss for 2022 does not include a loss on sale of assets of $0.5 million. |
Corporate and Other operating expenses, which consist primarily of costs associated with senior management salaries and benefits, legal, human resources, accounting, pension and other administrative costs, decreased slightly in 2023, as compared to 2022.
Operating Results – Preopening costs
We expense the costs associated with start-up activities and organization costs as incurred. Our preopening costs for 2023 primarily include costs associated with Ole Red Las Vegas, which opened in January 2024. Our preopening costs for 2022 primarily include costs associated with Ole Red Nashville International Airport, which opened in May 2022.
Operating Results – Loss on Sale of Assets
Loss on sale of assets for 2022 includes the sale of a parcel of land in Nashville, Tennessee.
Non-Operating Results Affecting Net Income (Loss)
General
The following table summarizes the other factors which affected our net income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands, except percentages):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2023 | % Change | 2022 | % Change | 2021 | ||||||||
| Interest expense | | $ | 211,370 | 42.4 | % | $ | 148,406 | 18.4 | % | $ | 125,347 | ||
| Interest income | | 21,423 | 272.6 | % | 5,750 | 1.1 | % | 5,685 | |||||
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | | | (2,252) | | (45.6) | % | | (1,547) | | 47.5 | % | | (2,949) |
| Loss from unconsolidated joint ventures | | (17,308) | (57.8) | % | (10,967) | (22.4) | % | (8,963) | |||||
| Other gains and (losses), net | | 3,921 | 125.0 | % | 1,743 | 330.4 | % | 405 | |||||
| (Provision) benefit for income taxes | | 93,702 | 341.7 | % | (38,775) | (682.2) | % | (4,957) |
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased $63.0 million in 2023, as compared to 2022, due primarily to higher interest rates and higher levels of indebtedness attributable to the 2022 OEG Term Loan and the Block 21 CMBS loan, as well as the May 2023 refinancing and increase of the term loan B and the June 2023 issuance of the $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes. Our weighted average interest rate on our borrowings, excluding capitalized interest, but including the impact of interest rate swaps, was 6.6% and 5.0% in 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Cash interest expense increased $63.1 million to $200.8 million in 2023, as compared to 2022, and non-cash interest expense, which includes amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discounts or premiums and is offset by capitalized interest, decreased $0.1 million to $10.5 million in 2023, as compared to 2022.
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Interest Income
Interest income for 2023 primarily includes amounts earned on our larger than historical cash balances, as well as the bonds that were received in connection with the development of Gaylord National, which we hold as notes receivable. Interest income for 2022 primarily includes amounts earned on the bonds associated with Gaylord National.
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt
As a result of the May 2023 refinancing of our credit facility and the extension of the Gaylord Rockies $800 million term loan, we recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $2.3 million in 2023.
As a result of the June 2022 repayment of our previous $300 million term loan A with the proceeds from a $300 million OEG term loan, we recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $1.5 million in 2022.
Loss from Unconsolidated Joint Ventures
The loss from unconsolidated joint ventures for 2023 and 2022 represents our equity method share of losses associated with Circle.
In September 2023, we determined to pivot from television network ownership in favor of a distribution approach. Therefore, we and our joint venture partner agreed to wind down Circle, and operations ceased on December 31, 2023. As a result, we incurred a loss related to Circle of approximately $10.5 million, which is included in loss from unconsolidated joint ventures in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations for 2023.
Other Gains and (Losses), net
Other gains and (losses), net for 2023 and 2022 primarily includes a gain of $6.1 million and $2.9 million, respectively, from a fund associated with the Gaylord National bonds to reimburse us for certain marketing and maintenance expenses.
(Provision) Benefit for Income Taxes
As a REIT, we generally are not subject to federal corporate income taxes on ordinary taxable income and capital gains income from real estate investments that we distribute to our stockholders. We are required to pay federal and state corporate income taxes on earnings of our TRSs.
During 2023 and 2022, we recorded an income tax (provision) benefit of $93.7 million and $(38.8) million, respectively. These results differ from the statutory rate primarily due to the REIT dividends paid deduction for both years and a change in valuation allowance at the TRSs in 2023.
We evaluate our deferred tax assets each reporting period to determine if it is more likely than not that those assets will be realized or if a valuation allowance is needed. In the fourth quarter of 2023, due to continued improvement in our financial results coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic and the projected future taxable income of our TRSs, we determined that the release of a significant portion of our federal and state valuation allowance was appropriate. This release of valuation allowance of $112.5 million was the primary factor in the large income tax benefit for 2023.
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Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We present the following non-GAAP financial measures, which we believe are useful to investors as key measures of our operating performance:
EBITDAre, Adjusted EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDAre, Excluding Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Joint Venture Definition
We calculate EBITDAre, which is defined by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”) in its September 2017 white paper as net income (calculated in accordance with GAAP) plus interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization, gains or losses on the disposition of depreciated property (including gains or losses on change in control), impairment write-downs of depreciated property and of investments in unconsolidated affiliates caused by a decrease in the value of depreciated property of the affiliate, and adjustments to reflect the entity’s share of EBITDAre of unconsolidated affiliates.
Adjusted EBITDAre is then calculated as EBITDAre, plus to the extent the following adjustments occurred during the periods presented:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Preopening costs; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Non-cash lease expense; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Equity-based compensation expense; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Impairment charges that do not meet the NAREIT definition above; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Credit losses on held-to-maturity securities; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Transaction costs of acquisitions; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Interest income on bonds; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Loss on extinguishment of debt; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Pension settlement charges; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Pro rata Adjusted EBITDAre from unconsolidated joint ventures; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Any other adjustments we have identified herein. |
We then exclude the pro rata share of Adjusted EBITDAre related to noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures to calculate Adjusted EBITDAre, Excluding Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Joint Venture.
We use EBITDAre, Adjusted EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDAre, Excluding Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Joint Venture to evaluate our operating performance. We believe that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to investors regarding our operating performance and debt leverage metrics, and that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures, when combined with the primary GAAP presentation of net income, is beneficial to an investor’s complete understanding of our operating performance. We make additional adjustments to EBITDAre when evaluating our performance because we believe that presenting Adjusted EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDAre, Excluding Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Joint Venture provides useful information to investors regarding our operating performance and debt leverage metrics.
FFO, Adjusted FFO, and Adjusted FFO available to common stockholders and unit holders Definition
We calculate FFO, which definition is clarified by NAREIT in its December 2018 white paper as net income (calculated in accordance with GAAP) excluding depreciation and amortization (excluding amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discounts), gains and losses from the sale of certain real estate assets, gains and losses from a change in control, impairment write-downs of certain real estate assets and investments in entities when the impairment is directly attributable to decreases in the value of depreciated real estate held by the entity, income (loss) from consolidated joint ventures attributable to noncontrolling interest, and pro rata adjustments for unconsolidated joint ventures.
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To calculate Adjusted FFO available to common stockholders and unit holders, we then exclude, to the extent the following adjustments occurred during the periods presented:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Right-of-use asset amortization; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Impairment charges that do not meet the NAREIT definition above; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Write-offs of deferred financing costs; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Amortization of debt discounts or premiums and amortization of deferred financing costs; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Loss on extinguishment of debt; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Non-cash lease expense; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Credit loss on held-to-maturity securities; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Pension settlement charges; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Additional pro rata adjustments from unconsolidated joint ventures; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | (Gains) losses on other assets; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Transaction costs of acquisitions; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Deferred income tax expense (benefit); and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Any other adjustments we have identified herein. |
FFO available to common stockholders and unit holders and Adjusted FFO available to common stockholders and unit holders exclude the ownership portion of the joint ventures not controlled or owned by the Company.
We believe that the presentation of FFO available to common stockholders and unit holders and Adjusted FFO available to common stockholders and unit holders provides useful information to investors regarding the performance of our ongoing operations because they are a measure of our operations without regard to specified non-cash items such as real estate depreciation and amortization, gain or loss on sale of assets and certain other items, which we believe are not indicative of the performance of our underlying hotel properties. We believe that these items are more representative of our asset base than our ongoing operations. We also use these non-GAAP financial measures as measures in determining our results after considering the impact of our capital structure.
We caution investors that amounts presented in accordance with our definitions of Adjusted EBITDAre, Adjusted EBITDAre, Excluding Noncontrolling Interest, FFO available to common stockholders and unit holders, and Adjusted FFO available to common stockholders and unit holders may not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by other companies, because not all companies calculate these non-GAAP measures in the same manner. These non-GAAP financial measures, and any related per share measures, should not be considered as alternative measures of our Net Income (Loss), operating performance, cash flow or liquidity. These non-GAAP financial measures may include funds that may not be available for our discretionary use due to functional requirements to conserve funds for capital expenditures and property acquisitions and other commitments and uncertainties. Although we believe that these non-GAAP financial measures can enhance an investor’s understanding of our results of operations, these non-GAAP financial measures, when viewed individually, are not necessarily better indicators of any trend as compared to GAAP measures such as Net Income (Loss), Operating Income (Loss), or cash flow from operations.
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The following is a reconciliation of our consolidated GAAP net income (loss) to EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDAre for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||
| Net income (loss) | | $ | 341,800 | | $ | 134,948 | | $ | (194,801) |
| Interest expense, net | | | 189,947 | | | 142,656 | | | 119,662 |
| Provision (benefit) for income taxes | | | (93,702) | | | 38,775 | | | 4,957 |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 211,227 | | | 208,616 | | | 220,357 |
| (Gain) loss on sale of assets | | | — | | | 327 | | | (315) |
| Pro rata EBITDAre from unconsolidated joint ventures | | | 25 | | | 89 | | | 73 |
| EBITDAre | | | 649,297 | | | 525,411 | | | 149,933 |
| Preopening costs | | | 1,308 | | | 532 | | | 737 |
| Non-cash lease expense | | | 5,710 | | | 4,831 | | | 4,375 |
| Equity-based compensation expense | | | 15,421 | | | 14,985 | | | 12,104 |
| Pension settlement charge | | | 1,313 | | | 1,894 | | | 1,379 |
| Interest income on Gaylord National bonds | | | 4,936 | | | 5,306 | | | 5,502 |
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | | | 2,252 | | | 1,547 | | | 2,949 |
| Transaction costs of acquisitions | | | — | | | 1,348 | | | 360 |
| Pro rata adjusted EBITDAre from unconsolidated joint ventures (1) | | | 10,508 | | | — | | | — |
| Adjusted EBITDAre | | | 690,745 | | | 555,854 | | | 177,339 |
| Adjusted EBITDAre of noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint venture | | | (29,884) | | | (15,309) | | | 1,017 |
| Adjusted EBITDAre, excluding noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint venture | | $ | 660,861 | | $ | 540,545 | | $ | 178,356 |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | In September 2023, we determined to pivot from television network ownership in favor of a distribution approach. Therefore, we and our joint venture partner agreed to wind down the Circle joint venture, with operations ceasing December 31, 2023. As a result, we incurred a loss related to Circle of approximately $10.5 million in 2023. |
The following is a reconciliation of our consolidated GAAP net income (loss) to FFO and Adjusted FFO for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 | |||
| Net income (loss) | | $ | 341,800 | | $ | 134,948 | | $ | (194,801) |
| Noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint venture | | | (28,465) | | | (5,032) | | | 16,501 |
| Net income (loss) available to common stockholders and unit holders | | | 313,335 | | | 129,916 | | | (178,300) |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 211,064 | | | 208,494 | | | 220,211 |
| Adjustments for noncontrolling interest | | | (7,083) | | | (3,346) | | | (11,069) |
| Pro rata adjustments from joint ventures | | | 73 | | | 92 | | | 73 |
| FFO available to common stockholders and unit holders | | | 517,389 | | | 335,156 | | | 30,915 |
| Right-of-use asset amortization | | | 163 | | | 122 | | | 146 |
| Non-cash lease expense | | | 5,710 | | | 4,831 | | | 4,375 |
| Pension settlement charge | | | 1,313 | | | 1,894 | | | 1,379 |
| Pro rata adjustments from joint ventures (1) | | | 10,508 | | | — | | | — |
| (Gain) loss on other assets | | | — | | | 469 | | | (317) |
| Amortization of deferred financing costs | | | 10,663 | | | 9,829 | | | 8,790 |
| Amortization of debt discounts and premiums | | | 2,325 | | | 989 | | | (279) |
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | | | 2,252 | | | 1,547 | | | 2,949 |
| Adjustments for noncontrolling interest | | | 18,635 | | | (928) | | | (294) |
| Transaction costs of acquisitions | | | — | | | 1,348 | | | 360 |
| Deferred tax provision (benefit) | | | (95,825) | | | 8,244 | | | 4,006 |
| Adjusted FFO available to common stockholders and unit holders | | $ | 473,133 | | $ | 363,501 | | $ | 52,030 |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | In September 2023, we determined to pivot from television network ownership in favor of a distribution approach. Therefore, we and our joint venture partner agreed to wind down the Circle joint venture, with |
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| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| operations ceasing December 31, 2023. As a result, we incurred a loss related to Circle of approximately $10.5 million in 2023. |
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flows Provided By Operating Activities. Cash flow from operating activities is the principal source of cash used to fund our operating expenses, interest payments on debt, maintenance capital expenditures, and dividends to stockholders. During 2023, our net cash flows provided by operating activities were $557.1 million, primarily reflecting our net income before depreciation expense, amortization expense and other non-cash charges of approximately $500.6 million and favorable changes in working capital of approximately $56.5 million. The favorable changes in working capital primarily resulted from an increase in deferred revenues associated with increased advanced room deposits on future hotel room stays.
During 2022, our net cash flows provided by operating activities were $419.9 million, primarily reflecting our net income before depreciation expense, amortization expense and other non-cash charges of approximately $387.6 million, and favorable changes in working capital of approximately $32.3 million. The favorable changes in working capital primarily resulted from an increase in deferred revenues associated with increased advanced ticket purchases at our OEG venues and advanced room deposits on future hotel room stays, and an increase in general accrued expenses, including an increase in management fees and incentive compensation, as a result of the increase in business levels. These favorable changes in working capital were partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable due to an increase in group business at our Gaylord Hotels properties.
Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities.
During 2023, our primary use of funds for investing activities was the use of $791.5 million in net cash to purchase JW Marriott Hill Country and purchases of property and equipment, which totaled $206.8 million. Purchases of property and equipment consisted primarily of the construction of Ole Red Las Vegas, enhancements at Gaylord Rockies to better position the property for our group customers, a rooms, restaurant and meeting space renovation at Gaylord Palms, enhancements to the offerings at Block 21, and ongoing maintenance capital expenditures for each of our existing properties.
During 2022, our primary use of funds for investing activities was the use of $94.0 million in net cash to fund a portion of the purchase price of Block 21 and purchases of property and equipment, which totaled $89.5 million. Purchases of property and equipment consisted primarily of enhancements at Gaylord Rockies to better position the property for our group customers, a re-concepting of the food and beverage options at Gaylord National, the construction of our Ole Red locations in Las Vegas and the Nashville International Airport, and ongoing maintenance capital expenditures for our existing properties.
Cash Flows Provided By Financing Activities. Our cash flows from financing activities primarily reflect the incurrence and repayment of long-term debt and the payment of cash dividends. During 2023, net cash flows provided by financing activities were $711.9 million, primarily reflecting the issuance of the $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes, $395.4 million in net proceeds from the issuance of approximately 4.4 million shares of our common stock, and the net borrowing of $121.3 million under our refinanced credit facility, partially offset by the payment of $176.0 million in cash distributions and the payment of $23.4 million in deferred financing costs.
During 2022, net cash flows provided by financing activities were $50.7 million, primarily reflecting the net proceeds of the OEG Transaction of $285.9 million and the incurrence of the OEG Term Loan and the repayment of our former term loan A, partially offset by the repayment of $195.0 million under our credit facility and the payment of $15.4 million in deferred financing costs.
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Liquidity
At December 31, 2023, we had $591.8 million in unrestricted cash and $745.4 million available for borrowing in the aggregate under our revolving credit facility and the OEG revolving debt facility. During 2023, we issued $400 million in new senior notes for net proceeds of $393 million, received net proceeds of $395.4 million from the issuance of approximately 4.4 million shares of our common stock, net borrowed $121.3 million as part of the May 2023 upsizing of our Term Loan B from $370.0 million to $500.0 million, used $791.5 million in net cash to purchase JW Marriott Hill Country, incurred capital expenditures of $206.8 million and paid $176.0 million in cash distributions. These changes, as well as the cash flows provided by operations discussed above, were the primary factors in the increase in our cash balance from 2022 to 2023.
We anticipate investing in our operations during 2024 by spending between approximately $360 million and $440 million in capital expenditures, which includes projects at Gaylord Rockies to construct a new events pavilion, enhance the grand lodge and reposition its food and beverage outlets; enhancements to meeting spaces at Gaylord Opryland to further appeal to our target group customers; a rooms renovation at the W Hotel and common area enhancements at Block 21; the conversion of the Wildhorse Saloon to Category 10; the completion of Ole Red Las Vegas; a rooms renovation at Gaylord Palms; and ongoing maintenance capital for each of our current facilities. Further, our dividend policy provides that we will make minimum dividends of 100% of REIT taxable income annually. Following completion of the one-year extension of the Gaylord Rockies Loan (as defined and discussed below), we currently have no debt maturities until July 2024. We believe we will be able to refinance our debt agreements prior to their maturities, including extension options.
We believe that our cash on hand and cash flow from operations, together with amounts available for borrowing under each of our revolving credit facility and the OEG revolving credit facility, will be adequate to fund our general short-term commitments, as well as: (i) current operating expenses, (ii) interest expense on long-term debt obligations, (iii) financing lease and operating lease obligations, (iv) declared dividends and (v) the capital expenditures described above. Our ability to draw on our credit facility and the OEG revolving credit facility is subject to the satisfaction of provisions of the credit facility and the OEG revolving credit facility, as applicable.
Our outstanding principal debt agreements are described below. At December 31, 2023, there were no defaults under the covenants related to our outstanding debt.
Principal Debt Agreements
Credit Facility. On May 18, 2023, we entered into a Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) among the Company, as a guarantor, the Operating Partnership, as borrower, certain other subsidiaries of the Company party thereto, as guarantors, certain subsidiaries of the Company party thereto, as pledgors, the lenders party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, which replaced the Company’s previous credit facility. The Credit Agreement provides for a $700.0 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolver”) and a $500.0 million senior secured term loan B (the “Term Loan B”), as well as an accordion feature that will allow us to increase the facilities following the closing date by an aggregate of up to $475 million, which may be allocated between the Revolver and the Term Loan B at our option.
Each of the Revolver and Term Loan B is guaranteed by us, each of our subsidiaries that own the Gaylord Hotels properties, other than Gaylord Rockies, and certain of our other subsidiaries. Each of the Revolver and the Term Loan B is secured by equity pledges of our subsidiaries that are the fee owners of Gaylord Opryland and Gaylord Texan, their respective direct and indirect parent entities, and the equity of Ryman Hotel Operations Holdco, LLC, a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of the Company. Assets and equity of Gaylord Rockies and OEG are not subject to the liens of the Credit Agreement.
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In addition, each of the Revolver and Term Loan B contains certain covenants which, among other things, limit the incurrence of additional indebtedness, investments, dividends, transactions with affiliates, asset sales, acquisitions, mergers and consolidations, liens and encumbrances and other matters customarily restricted in such agreements. The material financial covenants, ratios or tests contained in the Credit Agreement are as follows:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | We must maintain a consolidated net leverage ratio of not greater than 6.50x. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | We must maintain a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.50x. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Our secured indebtedness must not exceed 30% of consolidated total asset value. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Our secured recourse indebtedness must not exceed 10% of consolidated total asset value. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Unencumbered leverage ratio must not exceed 55% (with the ability to surge to 60% in connection with a material acquisition). |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Unencumbered adjusted NOI to unsecured interest expense ratio must not exceed 2.0x. |
If an event of default shall occur and be continuing under the Credit Agreement, the commitments under the Credit Agreement may be terminated and the principal amount outstanding under the Credit Agreement, together with all accrued unpaid interest and other amounts owing in respect thereof, may be declared immediately due and payable.
Revolving Credit Facility. The maturity date of the Revolver is May 18, 2027, with the option to extend the maturity date for a maximum of one additional year through either (i) a single 12-month extension option or (ii) two individual six-month extensions. Borrowings under the Revolver bear interest at an annual rate equal to, at our option, either (i) Adjusted Term SOFR plus the applicable margin ranging from 1.40% to 2.00%, dependent upon our funded debt to total asset value ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement), (ii) Adjusted Daily Simply SOFR plus the applicable margin ranging from 1.40% to 2.00%, dependent on our funded debt to total asset value ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) or (iii) a base rate as set in the Credit Agreement plus the applicable margin ranging from 0.40% to 1.00%, dependent upon our funded debt to asset value ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement). Principal is payable in full at maturity, and the Revolver was undrawn at closing.
For purposes of the Revolver, Adjusted Term SOFR is calculated as the sum of Term SOFR plus an adjustment of 0.10% (all as more specifically described in the Credit Agreement), subject to a floor of 0.00%. Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR is calculated as the sum of SOFR plus an adjustment of 0.10% (all as more specifically described in the Credit Agreement), subject to a floor of 0.00%.
At December 31, 2023, no amounts were outstanding under the Revolver, and the lending banks had issued $14.6 million of letters of credit under the Credit Agreement, which left $685.4 million of availability under the Revolver (subject to the satisfaction of debt incurrence tests under the indentures governing our $600 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2029 (the “$600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes”), our $700 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2027 (the “$700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes”) and our $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes, which we met at December 31, 2023).
Term Loan B. The Term Loan B has a maturity date of May 18, 2030. The applicable interest rate margins for borrowings under the Term Loan B are, at our option, either (i) Term SOFR plus 2.75%, (ii) Daily Simple SOFR plus 2.75% or (iii) a base rate as set in the Credit Agreement plus 1.75%. At December 31, 2023, the interest rate on the Term Loan B was Term SOFR plus 2.75%. The Term Loan B amortizes in equal quarterly installments in aggregate annual amounts equal to 1.0% of the original principal amount of $500.0 million, with the balance due at maturity. In addition, if for any fiscal year there is Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the Credit Agreement), an additional principal amount is required. Amounts borrowed under the Term Loan B that are repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed. At December 31, 2023, $496.3 million in borrowings were outstanding under the Term Loan B. A portion of the proceeds from the Term Loan B were used to repay in full the approximately $370 million balance of our previous term loan B.
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For purposes of the Term Loan B, each of Term SOFR and Daily Simply SOFR are subject to a floor of 0.00%.
$700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes. In September 2019, the Operating Partnership and RHP Finance Corporation (“Finco”) completed the private placement of $500.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2027, which are guaranteed by the Company and its subsidiaries that guarantee the Credit Agreement. The $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes and guarantees were issued pursuant to an indenture by and among the issuing subsidiaries and the guarantors and U.S. Bank National Association as trustee. The $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes have a maturity date of October 15, 2027 and bear interest at 4.75% per annum, payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year. The $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes are general unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the issuing subsidiaries and rank equal in right of payment with such subsidiaries’ existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness, including the $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes, and senior in right of payment to future subordinated indebtedness, if any. The $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to the issuing subsidiaries’ secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. The guarantees rank equally in right of payment with the applicable guarantor’s existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness of such guarantor. The $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness of any guarantor to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness and structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other obligations of the Operating Partnership’s subsidiaries that do not guarantee the $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes.
In October 2019, we completed a tack-on private placement of $200.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.75% senior notes due 2027 (the “additional 2027 notes”) at an issue price of 101.250% of their aggregate principal amount plus accrued interest from the September 19, 2019 issue date for the $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes. The additional 2027 notes and the $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes constitute a single class of securities (collectively, the “$700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes”). All other terms and conditions of the additional 2027 notes are identical to the $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes.
The $700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes are currently redeemable, in whole or in part, at a redemption price expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof, which percentage is 102.375%, 101.188%, and 100.00% beginning on October 15 of 2023, 2024, and 2025, respectively, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the redemption date.
We completed a registered offer to exchange the $700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes for registered notes with substantially identical terms as the $700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes in July 2020.
$400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes. On June 22, 2023, the Operating Partnership and Finco completed the private placement of $400.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.25% senior notes due 2028, which are guaranteed by the Company and its subsidiaries that guarantee the Credit Agreement. The $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes and guarantees were issued pursuant to an indenture by and among the issuing subsidiaries, the guarantors and U.S. Bank Trust Company National Association as trustee. The $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes have a maturity date of July 15, 2028 and bear interest at 7.25% per annum, payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on January 15 and July 15 each year, beginning January 15, 2024. The $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes are general unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the issuing subsidiaries and rank equal in right of payment with such subsidiaries’ existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness, including the $700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes and $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes, and senior in right of payment to future subordinated indebtedness, if any. The $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to the issuing subsidiaries’ secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. The guarantees rank equally in right of payment with the applicable guarantor’s existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness of such guarantor. The $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness of any guarantor to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness and structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other obligations of the Operating Partnership’s subsidiaries that do not guarantee the $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes.
The $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes are redeemable before July 15, 2025, in whole or in part, at 100.00%, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the redemption date, plus a make-whole premium. The $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part, at any time on or after July 15, 2025 at a redemption price expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof, which percentage is 103.625%, 101.813% and
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100.000% beginning on July 15 of 2025, 2026, and 2027, respectively, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the redemption date.
$600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes. On February 17, 2021, the Operating Partnership and Finco completed the private placement of $600.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2029, which are guaranteed by the Company and its subsidiaries that guarantee the Credit Agreement. The $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes and guarantees were issued pursuant to an indenture by and among the issuing subsidiaries and the guarantors and U.S. Bank National Association as trustee. The $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes have a maturity date of February 15, 2029 and bear interest at 4.50% per annum, payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on February 15 and August 15 each year. The $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes are general unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the issuing subsidiaries and rank equal in right of payment with such subsidiaries’ existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness, including the $700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes, and senior in right of payment to future subordinated indebtedness, if any. The $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to the issuing subsidiaries’ secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. The guarantees rank equally in right of payment with the applicable guarantor’s existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness of such guarantor. The $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness of any guarantor to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness and structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other obligations of the Operating Partnership’s subsidiaries that do not guarantee the $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes.
The $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes are redeemable before February 15, 2024, in whole or in part, at 100.00%, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the redemption date, plus a make-whole premium. The $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part, at any time on or after February 15, 2024 at a redemption price expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof, which percentage is 102.250%, 101.500%, 100.750%, and 100.000% beginning on February 15 of 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027, respectively, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the redemption date.
Each of the indentures governing the $700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes, the $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes and the $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes contain certain covenants which, among other things and subject to certain exceptions and qualifications, limit the incurrence of additional indebtedness, investments, dividends, transactions with affiliates, assets sales, acquisitions, mergers and consolidations, liens and encumbrances and other matters customarily restricted in such agreements. In addition, if the Company experiences certain kinds of changes of control, the Company must offer to repurchase some or all of the senior notes at 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, up to, but excluding, the repurchase date.
$800 Million Term Loan (Gaylord Rockies). On July 2, 2019, Aurora Convention Center Hotel, LLC (“Hotel Owner”) and Aurora Convention Center Hotel Lessee, LLC (“Tenant” and collectively with Hotel Owner, the “Loan Parties”), subsidiaries of the entities comprising the previous Gaylord Rockies joint venture, entered into a Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement (the “Gaylord Rockies Loan”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, which refinanced Gaylord Rockies’s existing $500 million construction loan and $39 million mezzanine loan, which were scheduled to mature in December 2019. The Gaylord Rockies Loan consists of an $800.0 million secured term loan facility and matures July 2, 2024 with two, one-year extension options remaining, subject to certain requirements in the Gaylord Rockies Loan. The first one-year extension option was successfully completed in May 2023. The Gaylord Rockies Loan bears interest at Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR plus 2.50%. We have entered into an interest rate swap to fix the SOFR portion of the interest rate at 5.2105% for the fifth year of the loan. We have designated this interest rate swap as an effective cash flow hedge.
The Gaylord Rockies Loan is secured by a deed of trust lien on the Gaylord Rockies real estate and related assets. Generally, the Gaylord Rockies Loan is non-recourse to the Company, subject to customary non-recourse carve-outs.
On June 30, 2020, the Loan Parties entered into Amendment No. 1 (the “Loan Amendment”) to the Gaylord Rockies Loan, by and among the Loan Parties, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and the lenders from time to time party thereto. The Loan Amendment modified the Gaylord Rockies Loan to (i) provide for the ability to use cash for certain purposes, even during a Cash Sweep Period (as defined in the Loan Agreement) and (ii) provide
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favorable changes to the debt service coverage ratio provisions. The Loan Amendment includes restrictions on distributions to our subsidiaries that own Gaylord Rockies.
Further, on May 2, 2023, the Loan Parties entered into a Benchmark Replacement Modification Agreement to the Gaylord Rockies Loan Agreement, which replaced LIBOR with Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR.
OEG Credit Agreement. On June 16, 2022, OEG Borrower, LLC (“OEG Borrower”) and OEG Finance, LLC (“OEG Finance”), each a wholly owned direct or indirect subsidiary of OEG, entered into a credit agreement (the “OEG Credit Agreement”) among OEG Borrower, as borrower, OEG Finance, certain subsidiaries of OEG Borrower from time to time party thereto as guarantors, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent. The OEG Credit Agreement provides for (i) a senior secured term loan facility in the aggregate principal amount of $300.0 million (the “OEG Term Loan”) and (ii) a senior secured revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $65.0 million (the “OEG Revolver”). The OEG Term Loan matures on June 16, 2029, and the OEG Revolver matures on June 16, 2027. The OEG Term Loan bears interest at a rate equal to either, at OEG Borrower’s election, (i) the Alternate Base Rate plus 4.00% or (ii) Adjusted Term SOFR plus 5.00% (all as specifically more described in the OEG Credit Agreement). In November 2022, OEG entered into an interest rate swap to fix the SOFR portion of the interest rate on $100.0 million of borrowings at 4.533% through December 2025. The OEG Revolver bears interest at a rate equal to either, at OEG Borrower’s election, (i) the Alternate Base Rate plus 3.75% or (ii) Adjusted Term SOFR plus 4.25%, which shall be subject to reduction in the applicable margin based upon OEG’s First Lien Leverage Ratio (all as specifically more described in the OEG Credit Agreement). The OEG Term Loan and OEG Revolver are each secured by substantially all of the assets of OEG Finance and each of its subsidiaries (other than Block 21 and Circle, as more specifically described in the OEG Credit Agreement). The net proceeds we received from the OEG Term Loan were used to repay the outstanding balance of our former term loan A. At December 31, 2023, $296.3 million was outstanding under the OEG Term Loan and $5.0 million was outstanding under the OEG Revolver.
Block 21 CMBS Loan. At the closing of the purchase of Block 21 on May 31, 2022, a subsidiary of the Company assumed a $136 million, ten-year, non-recourse term loan secured by a mortgage on Block 21 (the “Block 21 CMBS Loan”). The Block 21 CMBS Loan has a fixed interest rate of 5.58% per annum, payable monthly, matures January 5, 2026, and provides for payments due monthly based on a 30-year amortization. At December 31, 2023, $131.9 million was outstanding under the Block 21 CMBS Loan.
The Block 21 CMBS Loan contains customary financial covenants and other restrictions, including sponsor net worth and liquidity requirements, and debt service coverage ratio targets that Block 21 must meet in order to avoid a “Trigger Period,” the occurrence of which does not constitute a default. During the Trigger Period, any cash generated in excess of amounts necessary to fund loan obligations, budgeted operating expenses and specified reserves will not be distributed to Block 21. Block 21 was in a Trigger Period as of our purchase date but exited the Trigger Period with first quarter 2023 results.
Additional Debt Limitations. Pursuant to the terms of the management agreements and pooling agreement with Marriott for our Gaylord Hotels properties, excluding Gaylord Rockies, we are subject to certain debt limitations described below.
The management agreements provide for the following limitations on indebtedness encumbering a hotel:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | The aggregate principal balance of all mortgage and mezzanine debt encumbering the hotel shall be no greater than 75% of the fair market value of the hotel; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | The ratio of (a) aggregate Operating Profit (as defined in the management agreement) in the 12 months prior to the closing on the mortgage or mezzanine debt to (b) annual debt service for the hotel shall equal or exceed 1.2:1; but is subject to the pooling agreement described below. |
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The pooled limitations on Secured Debt (as defined in the pooling agreement) are as follows:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | The aggregate principal balance of all mortgage and mezzanine debt on Pooled Hotels (as defined in the pooling agreement), shall be no more than 75% of the fair market value of Pooled Hotels. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | The ratio of (a) aggregate Operating Profit (as defined in the pooling agreement) of Pooled Hotels in the 12 months prior to closing on any mortgage or mezzanine debt, to (b) annual debt service for the Pooled Hotels, shall equal or exceed 1.2:1. |
Gaylord Rockies is not a Pooled Hotel for this purpose.
Estimated Interest on Principal Debt Agreements
Based on the stated interest rates on our fixed-rate debt and the rates in effect at December 31, 2023 for our variable-rate debt after considering interest rate swaps, our estimated interest obligations over the next five years are $783.9 million. These estimated obligations are $198.5 million in 2024, $166.4 million in 2025, $158.5 million in 2026, $150.6 million in 2027, and $110.0 million in 2028. Variable rates, as well as outstanding principal balances, could change in future periods. See “Principal Debt Agreements” above for a discussion of our outstanding long-term debt. See “Supplemental Cash Flow Information” in Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included herein for a discussion of the interest we paid during 2023, 2022 and 2021.
Inflation
Inflation has had a more meaningful impact on our business during recent periods than in historical periods. However, favorable occupancy, ADR and outside-the-room spend in our Hospitality segment and business levels in our Entertainment segment have reduced the impact of increased operating costs, including increased wages and increased insurance and food and beverage costs, on our financial position and results of operations.
Additionally, increased interest rates have driven higher interest expense on our higher debt levels. In an effort to mitigate the impact of increased interest rates, at December 31, 2023, 80% of our outstanding debt is fixed-rate debt, after considering the impact of interest rate swaps.
We continue to monitor inflationary pressures and may need to consider potential mitigation actions in future periods. A prolonged inflationary environment could adversely affect our operating costs, customer spending and bookings, and our financial results.
Supplemental Guarantor Financial Information
The Company’s $400 Million 7.25% Senior Notes, $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes and $700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes were each issued by the Issuers and are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by the Company (as the parent company), each of the Operating Partnership’s subsidiaries that own the Gaylord Hotels properties, excluding Gaylord Rockies, and certain other of the Company’s subsidiaries, each of which also guarantees the Operating Partnership’s Credit Agreement, as amended (such subsidiary guarantors, together with the Company, the “Guarantors”). The Guarantors are 100% owned by the Operating Partnership or the Company, and the guarantees are full and unconditional and joint and several. The guarantees rank equally in right of payment with each Guarantor’s existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and senior in right of payment to all future subordinated indebtedness, if any, of such Guarantor. Not all of the Company’s subsidiaries have guaranteed these senior notes, and the guarantees are structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other obligations of such subsidiaries that have not guaranteed these senior notes.
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The following tables present summarized financial information for the Issuers and the Guarantors on a combined basis and the intercompany balances and transactions between these parties, as well as any investments in or equity in earnings from non-guarantor subsidiaries, have been eliminated (amounts in thousands):
| | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| | | December 31, | |
| | 2023 | ||
| Net receivables due from non-guarantor subsidiaries | | $ | 8,593 |
| Other assets | | 2,485,488 | |
| Total assets | | $ | 2,494,081 |
| | | | |
| Other liabilities | | | 2,392,671 |
| Total liabilities | | $ | 2,392,671 |
| Total noncontrolling interest | | $ | 3,624 |
| | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year Ended | |
| | December 31, 2023 | ||
| Revenues from non-guarantor subsidiaries | | $ | 459,749 |
| Operating expenses (excluding expenses to non-guarantor subsidiaries) | | | 133,522 |
| Expenses to non-guarantor subsidiaries | | | 13,554 |
| Operating income | | | 312,673 |
| Interest income from non-guarantor subsidiaries | | | 1,252 |
| Net income | | | 208,217 |
| Net income available to common stockholders | | | 177,634 |
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” discusses our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Accounting estimates are an integral part of the preparation of the consolidated financial statements and the financial reporting process and are based upon current judgments. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Certain accounting estimates are particularly sensitive because of their complexity and the possibility that future events affecting them may differ materially from our current judgments and estimates.
This listing of critical accounting policies is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all of our accounting policies. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by generally accepted accounting principles, with no need for management’s judgment regarding accounting policy. We believe that of our significant accounting policies, which are discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included herein, the following involve a higher degree of judgment and complexity.
Impairment of long-lived and other assets. In accounting for our long-lived and other assets, we assess our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets or asset groups may not be recoverable. Factors we consider when assessing whether impairment indicators exist include (i) significant under-performance relative to historical or projected future operating results, (ii) significant changes in the manner of our use of assets or the strategy for our overall business, or (iii) significant negative industry or economic trends.
Recoverability of property and equipment and definite-lived intangible assets that will continue to be used is measured by comparing the carrying amount of the asset or asset group to the related total future undiscounted net cash flows. If an asset or asset group’s carrying value is not recoverable through those cash flows, the asset group is considered to be impaired. The impairment is measured by the difference between the assets’ carrying amount and their fair value, which is estimated using discounted cash flow analyses that utilize comprehensive cash flow projections, as well as observable
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market data to the extent available. Estimating the total future undiscounted net cash flows, as well as the fair value of assets or asset groups, if necessary, requires management to make assumptions and projections of future cash flows, long-term growth rates, asset holding periods, and other factors. The assumptions used to assess impairment consider historical trends, macroeconomic conditions, and projections consistent with our operating strategy. Changes in these estimates and assumptions can have a significant impact on the assessment, which could result in material impairment losses.
Credit losses on financial assets. We assess our financial assets, including the bonds we received in 2008 related to the Gaylord National construction (“Gaylord National Bonds”), and our accounts receivable for credit losses utilizing the expected loss model prescribed by ASC 326, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses,” and record a reserve, in the form of an allowance for credit losses, against the amortized cost basis for the portion of the financial asset that will not be recovered due to credit losses.
We provide credit loss reserves for the Gaylord National Bonds by comparing the amortized cost basis to their fair value. If the amortized cost basis exceeds the fair value, an expected credit loss exists and the allowance for credit losses is measured as the difference between the bonds’ amortized cost basis and fair value, which is estimated using discounted cash flow analyses that utilize comprehensive cash flow projections over the contractual life of the bonds, as well as observable market data to the extent available. Our estimate of the fair value of the Gaylord National Bonds is sensitive to the significant assumptions of the discounted cash flow analysis, which include the projections of hotel taxes (which are based on expected hotel rooms revenues) and property taxes, both of which are affected by expectations about future market and economic conditions, particularly those in the Washington D.C. market. Further, such assumptions require significant judgment as the Gaylord National Bonds and related projected cash flows continue for an extended period of time through 2037.
We provide for credit loss reserves for trade receivables based upon a percentage of accounts receivable that considers historical write-offs, current economic conditions, and management’s expectations about future economic conditions, as well as periodic evaluations of the aging of accounts receivable.
Income taxes. As a REIT, generally we will not be subject to federal corporate income taxes on ordinary taxable income and capital gains income from real estate investments that we distribute to our stockholders. We will continue to be required to pay federal and state corporate income taxes on earnings of our TRSs.
Our deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.
We must assess the likelihood that we will be able to recover our deferred tax assets. If recovery is not likely, the provision for taxes is increased by recording a reserve, in the form of a valuation allowance, against the estimated deferred tax assets that will not ultimately be recoverable.
In addition, we must evaluate uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulations in the calculation of tax liabilities. We provide for uncertain tax positions and the related interest and penalties based upon management’s assessment of whether a tax benefit is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. We make this assessment based on only the technical merits of the tax position. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, we had no accruals for unrecognized tax benefits. We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions, if any, in income tax expense. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, we have accrued no interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions.
Acquisitions and Purchase Price Allocations. Accounting for the acquisition of an entity as a business combination, becoming the primary beneficiary of a previously unconsolidated variable interest entity, or a significant asset acquisition requires an allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed in the transaction based on their respective estimated fair values, which requires us to make significant estimates and assumptions regarding the fair value of the acquired assets and liabilities assumed. We may engage third parties to provide valuation services to assist in the fair value determinations of the long-lived assets acquired and the liabilities
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assumed. The most difficult estimations of individual fair values are those involving long-lived assets, such as property, equipment, and intangible assets, that are assumed as part of the transaction, as well as any noncontrolling interests. When making fair value determinations, we consider market data for similar assets, expected cash flows discounted at risk-adjusted rates, and replacement cost for assets, among other information. Management judgment is required when making the significant assumptions used to value long-lived and identifiable intangible assets, which include projected revenue growth, estimated cash flows, discount rates, and other factors.
Legal Contingencies. We are subject to various legal proceedings and claims, the outcomes of which are subject to significant uncertainty. We record an accrual for loss contingencies when a loss is probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, the determination of which requires significant judgment. We review these accruals each reporting period and make revisions based on changes in facts and circumstances, but resolution of legal matters in a manner inconsistent with our expectations could have a material impact on our financial condition and operating results.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
For a discussion of recently issued accounting standards, see Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included herein.
FY 2022 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001558370-23-002012.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
This section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K generally discusses 2022 and 2021 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2022 and 2021. Discussions of 2020 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2021 and 2020 that are not included in this Form 10-K can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
Overview
We are a Delaware corporation, originally incorporated in 1956, that, following our REIT conversion in 2012, began operating as a self-advised and self-administered REIT for federal income tax purposes on January 1, 2013, specializing in group-oriented, destination hotel assets in urban and resort markets. Our core holdings include a network of five upscale, meetings-focused resorts totaling 9,917 rooms that are managed by Marriott International, Inc. (“Marriott”) under the Gaylord Hotels brand. These five resorts, which we refer to as our Gaylord Hotels properties, consist of the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee (“Gaylord Opryland”), the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center near Orlando, Florida (“Gaylord Palms”), the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center near Dallas, Texas (“Gaylord Texan”), the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center near Washington D.C. (“Gaylord National”), and the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center near Denver, Colorado (“Gaylord Rockies”), which was previously owned by the Gaylord Rockies joint venture, in which we owned a 65% interest. On May 7, 2021, we purchased the remaining 35% interest in the Gaylord Rockies joint venture. Our other owned hotel assets managed by Marriott include the Inn at Opryland, an overflow hotel adjacent to Gaylord Opryland, and the AC Hotel at National Harbor, Washington D.C. (“AC Hotel”), an overflow hotel adjacent to Gaylord National.
We also own a controlling 70% equity interest in a business comprised of a number of entertainment and media assets, known as the Opry Entertainment Group (“OEG”), which we report as our Entertainment segment. These assets include the Grand Ole Opry, the legendary weekly showcase of country music’s finest performers for 97 years; the Ryman Auditorium, the storied live music venue and former home of the Grand Ole Opry located in downtown Nashville; WSM-AM, the Opry’s radio home; Ole Red, a brand of Blake Shelton-themed bar, music venue and event spaces; two Nashville-based assets managed by Marriott – the Wildhorse Saloon and the General Jackson Showboat (“General Jackson”); and as of May 31, 2022, Block 21, a mixed-use entertainment, lodging, office, and retail complex located in Austin, Texas (“Block 21”). We also own a 50% interest in a joint venture that creates and distributes a linear multicast
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and over-the-top channel dedicated to the country music lifestyle (“Circle”). See “OEG Transaction” below for additional disclosure regarding our sale of a 30% interest in OEG effective June 16, 2022.
Each of our award-winning Gaylord Hotels properties incorporates not only high quality lodging, but also at least 400,000 square feet of meeting, convention and exhibition space, superb food and beverage options and retail and spa facilities within a single self-contained property. As a result, our Gaylord Hotels properties provide a convenient and entertaining environment for convention guests. Our Gaylord Hotels properties focus on the large group meetings market in the United States.
Our goal is to be the nation’s premier hospitality REIT for group-oriented, destination hotel assets in urban and resort markets.
See “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” under Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for important information regarding forward-looking statements made in this report and risks and uncertainties we face.
Recovery from COVID-19; Current Economic Environment
COVID-19 has caused, and may in the future cause, unprecedented levels of disruption to our business. Although our business levels have generally recovered and improved in 2022, there remains significant uncertainty surrounding the extent to which COVID-19 may in the future impact our results of operations and financial position, as increased labor costs, broad inflationary pressures and rising interest rates continue to impact the economy.
All of our assets were open and fully operational throughout 2022, and most of our businesses were open and operating throughout 2021; however, Gaylord National remained closed during the first half of 2021 and reopened July 1, 2021, the Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium reopened for full-capacity publicly attended performances in May 2021, and, subsequent to the December 2020 downtown Nashville bombing, the Wildhorse Saloon reopened in April 2021.
Cancelled room nights in 2022 decreased 47.7% from 2021. Occupancy and average daily rate (“ADR”) increased 26.7 points of occupancy and 7.0%, respectively, in 2022, as compared to 2021. Outside-the-room spend in 2022 increased 105.9% from 2021. This improved performance has mitigated increasing costs in the current inflationary environment.
Group stays increased during 2021 and 2022 and group nights on the books at December 31, 2022 for the next five years is approximately 98% of total group room nights that were on the books at December 31, 2019 for the corresponding following five years. In addition, the ADR of group room nights on the books at December 31, 2022 is over 9% higher than the ADR for the corresponding group room nights at December 31, 2019.
Throughout 2020, 2021 and 2022, and continuing to date, we have paid all required debt service payments on our indebtedness, lease payments, taxes and other payables. At December 31, 2022, we had $754.6 million available for borrowing under our revolving credit facility and the OEG revolving credit facility and $334.2 million in unrestricted cash on hand. We reinstated our cash dividend in September 2022. Our interim dividend policy provides that we will make minimum dividends of 100% of REIT taxable income annually, subject to our board of directors’ determinations as to the amount of any distributions and the timing thereof.
For additional discussion of the risks related to COVID-19, see “Risk Factors” under Part I, Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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OEG Transaction
As more fully described in the “OEG Transaction” section of Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included herein, on June 16, 2022, we and certain of our subsidiaries, including OEG Attractions Holdings, LLC, which directly or indirectly owns the assets that comprise our Entertainment segment (“OEG”), consummated the transactions contemplated by an investment agreement (the “Investment Agreement”) with Atairos Group, Inc. (“Atairos”) and A-OEG Holdings, LLC, an affiliate of Atairos (the “OEG Investor”), pursuant to which OEG issued and sold to the OEG Investor, and the OEG Investor acquired, 30% of the equity interests of OEG for approximately $296.0 million (the “OEG Transaction”). The purchase price for the OEG Transaction may be increased by $30.0 million if OEG achieves certain financial objectives in 2023 or 2024.
We retained a controlling 70% equity interest in OEG and will continue to consolidate OEG and the other subsidiaries comprising our Entertainment segment in our consolidated financial statements. After the payment of transaction expenses, we used substantially all of the net proceeds from the OEG Transaction, together with the net proceeds we received from the OEG Term Loan (as defined below), to repay the then-outstanding balance of our former $300 million term loan A and to pay down substantially all borrowings then outstanding under our revolving credit facility.
In connection with the OEG Transaction, OEG Borrower, LLC (“OEG Borrower”) and OEG Finance, LLC (“OEG Finance”), each a wholly owned direct or indirect subsidiary of OEG, entered into a credit agreement (the “OEG Credit Agreement”) with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, that provides for (i) a senior secured term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $300.0 million (the “OEG Term Loan”) and (ii) a senior secured revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $65.0 million (the “OEG Revolver”). The OEG Term Loan matures on June 16, 2029 and the OEG Revolver matures on June 16, 2027. The OEG Term Loan bears interest at a rate equal to either, at OEG Borrower’s election, (i) the Alternate Base Rate plus 4.00% or (b) Adjusted Term SOFR plus 5.00% (all as specifically more described in the OEG Credit Agreement). The OEG Revolver bears interest at a rate equal to either, at OEG Borrower’s election, (i) the Alternate Base Rate plus 3.75% or (b) Adjusted Term SOFR plus 4.75%, which shall be subject to reduction in the applicable margin based upon OEG’s First Lien Leverage Ratio (all as specifically more described in the OEG Credit Agreement). The OEG Term Loan and OEG Revolver are each secured by substantially all of the assets of OEG Finance and each of its subsidiaries (other than Block 21 and Circle, as more specifically described in the OEG Credit Agreement). No revolving credit advances were made under the OEG Revolver at closing and none are currently outstanding.
Block 21 Acquisition
On May 31, 2022, we purchased Block 21 for a stated purchase price of $260 million, as subsequently adjusted to $255 million pursuant to the terms of the purchase agreement, which includes the assumption of approximately $136 million of existing mortgage debt (the “Block 21 Acquisition”). Block 21 is the home of the Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater (“ACL Live”), a 2,750-seat entertainment venue that serves as the filming location for the Austin City Limits television series. The Block 21 complex also includes the 251-room W Austin Hotel, the 3TEN at ACL Live club and approximately 53,000 square feet of other Class A commercial space. We funded the cash portion of the purchase price with cash on hand and borrowings under our revolving credit facility. Block 21 assets are reflected in our Entertainment segment beginning May 31, 2022.
Gaylord Rockies Joint Venture
In May 2021, we purchased the remaining 35% ownership interest in the Gaylord Rockies joint venture. Prior to May 2021, we had a 65% interest in the Gaylord Rockies joint venture, and we concluded that the Company was the primary beneficiary of the previous variable interest entity (“VIE”). The financial position and results of operations of this previous VIE have been consolidated in the accompanying consolidated financial statements included herein. We also purchased 130 acres of undeveloped land adjacent to Gaylord Rockies in May 2021.
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Gaylord Palms Expansion
In April 2021, we completed a $158 million expansion of Gaylord Palms, which includes an additional 302 guest rooms and 96,000 square feet of meeting space, an expanded resort pool and events lawn, and a new multi-level parking structure.
Gaylord National Projects
In 2021, we completed a renovation of all of the guestrooms at Gaylord National, and in 2022 we completed a re-concepting of Gaylord National’s food and beverage options.
Interim Dividend Policy
Following the suspension of our regular quarterly dividend payments in March 2020 in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, in September 2022, our board of directors approved an interim dividend policy pursuant to which we will make minimum dividends of 100% of REIT taxable income annually, subject to the board of directors’ future determinations as to the amount of any distributions and the timing thereof. The dividend policy may be altered at any time by our board of directors (as otherwise permitted by our credit agreement) and certain provisions of our agreements governing our other indebtedness may prohibit us from paying dividends in accordance with any policy we may adopt.
Our Operations
Our ongoing operations are organized into three principal business segments:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Hospitality, consisting of our Gaylord Hotels properties, the Inn at Opryland, and the AC Hotel, each of which is managed by Marriott. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Entertainment, consisting of the Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman Auditorium, WSM-AM, Ole Red, Block 21, our equity investment in Circle, and our other Nashville-based attractions. We own our Entertainment businesses in TRSs, and Marriott manages the General Jackson, Wildhorse Saloon and W Austin. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Corporate and Other, consisting of our corporate expenses. |
For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, our total revenues were divided among these business segments as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Segment | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | | |||
| Hospitality | 85 | % | 84 | % | 89 | % | |
| Entertainment | 15 | % | 16 | % | 11 | % | |
| Corporate and Other | 0 | % | 0 | % | 0 | % |
Key Performance Indicators
The operating results of our Hospitality segment are highly dependent on the volume of customers at our hotels and the quality of the customer mix at our hotels, which are managed by Marriott. These factors impact the price that Marriott can charge for our hotel rooms and other amenities, such as food and beverage and meeting space. The following key performance indicators are commonly used in the hospitality industry and are used by management to evaluate hotel performance and potentially allocate capital expenditures:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | hotel occupancy – a volume indicator; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | average daily rate (“ADR”) – a price indicator calculated by dividing rooms revenue by the number of rooms sold; |
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| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Revenue per Available Room (“RevPAR”) – a summary measure of hotel results calculated by dividing rooms revenue by room nights available to guests for the period; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Total Revenue per Available Room (“Total RevPAR”) – a summary measure of hotel results calculated by dividing the sum of room, food and beverage and other ancillary service revenue by room nights available to guests for the period; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Net Definite Room Nights Booked – a volume indicator which represents the total number of definite bookings for future room nights at our hotels confirmed during the applicable period, net of cancellations. |
The method of calculation of these indicators has not been changed as a result of impacts related to COVID-19 and the Gaylord National closure and is consistent with prior periods. As such, performance metrics include closed hotel room nights available.
In addition to GAAP measures such as revenues, net income and operating income, we also use certain “non-GAAP financial measures,” which are measures of our historical performance that are not calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP within the meaning of applicable SEC rules. These measures include:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Earnings Before Interest Expense, Income Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization for Real Estate (“EBITDAre”), Adjusted EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDAre, Excluding Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Joint Venture, and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Funds from Operations (“FFO”) available to common shareholders and unit holders and Adjusted FFO available to common shareholders and unitholders. |
See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for further discussion.
For 2021, as compared to 2022 and historical periods prior to 2020, the closure and pandemic-constrained business levels then experienced by our Gaylord Hotels properties resulted in a significant decrease in performance reflected in these key performance indicators and relevant GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures.
The results of operations of our Hospitality segment are affected by the number and type of group meetings and conventions scheduled to attend our hotels in a given period. A variety of factors can affect the results of any interim period, including the nature and quality of the group meetings and conventions attending our hotels during such period, which meetings and conventions have often been contracted for several years in advance, the level of attrition our hotels experience, and the level of transient business at our hotels during such period. Increases in costs, including labor costs, costs of food and other supplies, and energy costs have affected our operations in 2022 and in the future could negatively affect our results, particularly during a continued or prolonged inflationary economic environment. We rely on Marriott, as the manager of our hotels, to manage these factors and to offset any identified shortfalls in occupancy.
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Summary Financial Results
The following table summarizes our financial results for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands, except percentages and per share data):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2022 | % Change | 2021 | % Change | 2020 | ||||||||
| Total revenues | | $ | 1,805,969 | 92.3 | % | $ | 939,373 | 79.1 | % | $ | 524,475 | ||
| Total operating expenses | | 1,478,819 | 48.2 | % | 998,048 | 20.5 | % | 828,306 | |||||
| Operating income (loss) | | 327,150 | 657.6 | % | (58,675) | 80.7 | % | (303,831) | |||||
| Net income (loss) | | 134,948 | 169.3 | % | (194,801) | 57.7 | % | (460,821) | |||||
| Net income (loss) available to common stockholders | | | 128,993 | | 172.9 | % | (176,966) | 57.6 | % | (417,391) | |||
| Net income (loss) available to common stockholders per share - diluted | | 2.33 | 172.6 | % | (3.21) | 57.7 | % | (7.59) |
2022 Results as Compared to 2021 Results
The increase in our total revenues during 2022, as compared to 2021, is attributable to increases in our Hospitality segment and Entertainment segment revenues of $751.4 million and $115.2 million, respectively, as presented in the tables below.
The increase in total operating expenses during 2022, as compared to 2021, is primarily the result of increases in Hospitality segment and Entertainment segment expenses of $416.8 million and $70.8 million, respectively, as presented in the tables below.
The above factors resulted in a $385.8 million improvement in operating income for 2022, as compared to 2021.
Our net income of $134.9 million in 2022, as compared to our net loss of $194.8 million in 2021, was due to the change in our operating income described above, and the following factors, each as described more fully below:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | A $33.8 million increase in the provision for income taxes in 2022. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | A $23.1 million increase in interest expense in 2022. |
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Operating Results – Detailed Segment Financial Information
Hospitality Segment
Total Segment Results. The following presents the financial results of our Hospitality segment for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands, except percentages and performance metrics):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2022 | % Change | 2021 | % Change | 2020 | |||||||||
| Revenues: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | $ | 595,544 | 81.1 | % | $ | 328,874 | 91.5 | % | $ | 171,718 | | ||
| Food and beverage | | 667,009 | 138.7 | % | 279,489 | 49.0 | % | 187,538 | | |||||
| Other hotel revenue | | 275,421 | 54.5 | % | 178,220 | 66.9 | % | 106,789 | | |||||
| Total hospitality revenue | | 1,537,974 | 95.5 | % | 786,583 | 68.8 | % | 466,045 | | |||||
| Hospitality operating expenses: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | 155,817 | 76.6 | % | 88,244 | 49.7 | % | 58,943 | | |||||
| Food and beverage | | 381,142 | 99.7 | % | 190,855 | 30.6 | % | 146,141 | | |||||
| Other hotel expenses | | 457,291 | 39.5 | % | 327,791 | 25.7 | % | 260,690 | | |||||
| Management fees, net | | 43,425 | 209.5 | % | 14,031 | 98.6 | % | 7,066 | | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | | 189,375 | (7.0) | % | 203,675 | 2.8 | % | 198,073 | | |||||
| Total Hospitality operating expenses | | 1,227,050 | 48.8 | % | 824,596 | 22.9 | % | 670,913 | | |||||
| Hospitality operating income (loss) (1)(2) | | $ | 310,924 | 917.9 | % | $ | (38,013) | 81.4 | % | $ | (204,868) | | ||
| Hospitality performance metrics (3): | | | | | ||||||||||
| Occupancy | | 66.2 | % | 26.7 | pts | 39.5 | % | 16.3 | pts | 23.2 | % | |||
| ADR | | $ | 236.86 | 7.0 | % | $ | 221.33 | 10.7 | % | $ | 200.02 | | ||
| RevPAR (4) | | $ | 156.71 | 79.0 | % | $ | 87.53 | 88.6 | % | $ | 46.41 | | ||
| Total RevPAR (5) | | $ | 404.69 | 93.3 | % | $ | 209.34 | 66.2 | % | $ | 125.95 | | ||
| Net Definite Group Room Nights Booked (6) | | 1,805,598 | 50.3 | % | 1,201,268 | 253.4 | % | (783,304) | |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (1) | Hospitality segment operating income (loss) does not include preopening costs of $0.7 million and $0.3 million in 2021 and 2020, respectively. Hospitality segment operating loss also does not include gain on sale of assets of $0.3 million and $1.2 million in 2021 and 2020, respectively, or credit losses on held-to-maturity securities of $32.8 million in 2020. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (2) | Hospitality segment operating loss for 2021 and 2020 includes approximately $4.6 million in net credits and $34.5 million in expenses, respectively, directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which are primarily employment costs. These amounts are net of $4.1 million and $7.9 million, respectively, of payroll tax credits afforded under the 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”). |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (3) | Hospitality segment metrics for 2022 and 2021 include the addition of 302 additional guest rooms at Gaylord Palms beginning June 1, 2021. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (4) | We calculate Hospitality segment RevPAR by dividing rooms revenue by room nights available to guests for the period. Room nights available to guests include nights the hotels are closed. Hospitality segment RevPAR is not comparable to similarly titled measures such as revenues. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (5) | We calculate Hospitality segment Total RevPAR by dividing the sum of room, food and beverage, and other ancillary services revenue (which equals Hospitality segment revenue) by room nights available to guests for the period. Room nights available to guests include nights the hotels are closed. Hospitality segment Total RevPAR is not comparable to similarly titled measures such as revenues. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (6) | Hospitality segment net definite room nights booked for 2022, 2021 and 2020 includes approximately 0.4 million, 0.8 million and 2.4 million group room cancellations, respectively. |
Total Hospitality revenues in 2022 include $57.3 million in attrition and cancellation fee collections, an $8.8 million increase from 2021. Since the beginning of 2020, we have recorded $138.6 million in attrition and cancellation fee revenue, which due to cancellations resulting from COVID-19, is higher than historical periods.
The percentage of group versus transient business based on rooms sold for our Hospitality segment for the years ended December 31 was approximately as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||
| Group | 69 | % | 46 | % | 52 | % | |
| Transient | 31 | % | 54 | % | 48 | % |
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The type of group based on rooms sold for our Hospitality segment for the years ended December 31 was approximately as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||
| Corporate Groups | 51 | % | 43 | % | 61 | % | |
| Associations | 32 | % | 34 | % | 24 | % | |
| Other Groups | 17 | % | 23 | % | 15 | % |
Other hotel expenses for the following years ended December 31 included (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2022 | % Change | 2021 | % Change | 2020 | ||||||||
| Administrative employment costs | | $ | 153,882 | 51.2 | % | $ | 101,771 | 20.3 | % | $ | 84,599 | ||
| Utilities | | 37,120 | 36.8 | % | 27,128 | 14.8 | % | 23,628 | |||||
| Property taxes | | 33,650 | (0.9) | % | 33,947 | (7.8) | % | 36,823 | |||||
| Other | | 232,639 | 41.0 | % | 164,945 | 42.6 | % | 115,640 | |||||
| Total other hotel expenses | | $ | 457,291 | 39.5 | % | $ | 327,791 | 25.7 | % | $ | 260,690 |
Administrative employment costs include salaries and benefits for hotel administrative functions, including, among others, senior management, accounting, human resources, sales, conference services, engineering and security. Administrative employment costs increased during 2022, as compared to 2021, primarily due to an increase at Gaylord National, which reopened July 1, 2021, as well as increases at each of our other Gaylord Hotels properties associated with increased business levels. Utility costs increased during 2022, as compared to 2021, primarily due to an increase at Gaylord National, which reopened July 1, 2021, as well as increased utility usage at each of our other Gaylord Hotels properties. Property taxes decreased slightly during 2022, as compared to 2021, as an increase at Gaylord Palms as a result of increased property taxes related to the 2021 expansion was offset by a decrease at Gaylord National due to a settlement of an appeal from prior tax years. Other expenses, which include supplies, advertising, maintenance costs and consulting costs, increased during 2022, as compared to 2021, primarily due to increased levels of operations at each of our Gaylord Hotels properties.
As discussed above, each of our management agreements with Marriott for our Gaylord Hotels properties, excluding Gaylord Rockies, requires us to pay Marriott a base management fee of approximately 2% of gross revenues from the applicable property for each fiscal year or portion thereof. Additionally, an incentive fee is based on the profitability of our Gaylord Hotels properties, excluding Gaylord Rockies, calculated on a pooled basis. The Gaylord Rockies’ management agreement with Marriott requires Gaylord Rockies to pay a base management fee of 3% of gross revenues for each fiscal year or portion thereof, as well as an incentive management fee based on the profitability of the hotel. We incurred $33.7 million, $17.1 million and $10.2 million in total base management fees to Marriott related to our Hospitality segment during 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. We also incurred $12.8 million in incentive management fees for our Hospitality segment during 2022 and did not incur any such fees in 2021 or 2020. Management fees are presented throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K net of the amortization of the deferred management rights proceeds discussed in Note 5, “Deferred Management Rights Proceeds,” to the consolidated financial statements included herein.
Hospitality segment depreciation and amortization expense decreased in 2022, as compared to 2021, primarily as a result of the intangible asset associated with advanced bookings at Gaylord Rockies when we purchased an additional interest in Gaylord Rockies in 2018 becoming fully amortized in 2022. This decrease was partially offset by the expansion of Gaylord Palms and the rooms renovation at Gaylord National and the associated increase in depreciable asset levels.
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Property-Level Results. The following presents the property-level financial results for our Gaylord Hotels properties for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020. In 2021 and 2020, the Gaylord Hotels properties experienced higher levels of attrition and cancellations and lower occupancy levels, which are directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and experienced heavily transient business. Therefore, the property-level financial results for 2021 and 2020 are not comparable to 2022 or to historical periods. Total revenue at each of our Gaylord Hotels properties was lower for 2021 and 2020 than that of historical periods due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Operating costs at each of our Gaylord Hotels properties were lower for 2021 and 2020 as a result of cost containment initiatives and lower variable costs due to lower occupancies and, for 2020, the temporary property closures that began in late-March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gaylord Opryland Results. The results of Gaylord Opryland for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 are as follows (in thousands, except percentages and performance metrics):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2022 | % Change | 2021 | % Change | 2020 | |||||||||
| Revenues: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | $ | 177,860 | 63.1 | % | $ | 109,067 | 104.7 | % | $ | 53,272 | | ||
| Food and beverage | | 159,359 | 117.6 | % | 73,246 | 52.3 | % | 48,086 | | |||||
| Other hotel revenue | | 86,969 | 54.6 | % | 56,254 | 75.9 | % | 31,975 | | |||||
| Total revenue | | 424,188 | 77.8 | % | 238,567 | 78.9 | % | 133,333 | | |||||
| Operating expenses: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | 42,377 | 56.9 | % | 27,001 | 67.5 | % | 16,119 | | |||||
| Food and beverage | | 88,122 | 89.6 | % | 46,490 | 24.6 | % | 37,309 | | |||||
| Other hotel expenses | | 126,360 | 36.2 | % | 92,793 | 27.8 | % | 72,601 | | |||||
| Management fees, net | | 14,028 | 273.7 | % | 3,754 | 123.3 | % | 1,681 | | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | | 34,406 | 0.8 | % | 34,117 | (2.9) | % | 35,126 | | |||||
| Total operating expenses (1)(2) | | 305,293 | 49.5 | % | 204,155 | 25.4 | % | 162,836 | | |||||
| Performance metrics: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Occupancy | | 69.5 | % | 25.3 | pts | 44.2 | % | 19.2 | pts | 25.0 | % | |||
| ADR | | $ | 242.71 | 3.7 | % | $ | 234.15 | 16.0 | % | $ | 201.82 | | ||
| RevPAR | | $ | 168.73 | 63.1 | % | $ | 103.47 | 105.3 | % | $ | 50.40 | | ||
| Total RevPAR | | $ | 402.41 | 77.8 | % | $ | 226.32 | 79.4 | % | $ | 126.14 | |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | Gaylord Opryland operating expenses do not include a gain on sale of assets of $0.3 million and $1.2 million in 2021 and 2020, respectively. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (2) | Gaylord Opryland operating expenses for 2020 include approximately $7.1 million in expenses directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which are primarily employment costs, and is net of $2.1 million in payroll tax credits afforded under the CARES Act. Gaylord Opryland operating expenses for 2021 include approximately $1.0 million in credits directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes $0.5 million in payroll tax credits afforded under the CARES Act. |
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Gaylord Palms Results. Gaylord Palms results include 302 expansion rooms beginning in June 2021. The results of Gaylord Palms for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 are as follows (in thousands, except percentages and performance metrics):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2022 | % Change | 2021 | % Change | 2020 | |||||||||
| Revenues: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | $ | 103,715 | 80.3 | % | $ | 57,510 | 102.1 | % | $ | 28,455 | | ||
| Food and beverage | | 122,515 | 132.1 | % | 52,782 | 76.7 | % | 29,876 | | |||||
| Other hotel revenue | | 53,348 | 85.0 | % | 28,838 | 48.0 | % | 19,488 | | |||||
| Total revenue | | 279,578 | 100.9 | % | 139,130 | 78.8 | % | 77,819 | | |||||
| Operating expenses: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | 22,357 | 77.3 | % | 12,608 | 61.6 | % | 7,802 | | |||||
| Food and beverage | | 68,564 | 100.7 | % | 34,158 | 59.4 | % | 21,434 | | |||||
| Other hotel expenses | | 94,078 | 45.3 | % | 64,766 | 22.4 | % | 52,909 | | |||||
| Management fees, net | | 8,111 | 266.0 | % | 2,216 | 117.9 | % | 1,017 | | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | | 22,267 | 5.5 | % | 21,112 | 27.3 | % | 16,586 | | |||||
| Total operating expenses (1)(2) | | 215,377 | 59.7 | % | 134,860 | 35.2 | % | 99,748 | | |||||
| Performance metrics: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Occupancy | | 68.4 | % | 23.8 | pts | 44.6 | % | 18.4 | pts | 26.2 | % | |||
| ADR | | $ | 241.85 | 9.5 | % | $ | 220.90 | 5.6 | % | $ | 209.22 | | ||
| RevPAR | | $ | 165.40 | 68.0 | % | $ | 98.46 | 79.3 | % | $ | 54.91 | | ||
| Total RevPAR | | $ | 445.85 | 87.2 | % | $ | 238.19 | 58.6 | % | $ | 150.15 | |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | Gaylord Palms operating expenses do not include preopening costs of $0.7 million and $0.3 million in 2021 and 2020, respectively. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (2) | Gaylord Palms operating expenses for 2020 include approximately $4.6 million in expenses directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which are primarily employment costs, and is net of $1.2 million in payroll tax credits afforded under the CARES Act. Gaylord Palms operating expenses for 2021 include approximately $0.1 million in credits directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes $0.5 million in payroll tax credits afforded under the CARES Act. |
Gaylord Texan Results. The results of Gaylord Texan for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 are as follows (in thousands, except percentages and performance metrics):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2022 | % Change | 2021 | % Change | 2020 | |||||||||
| Revenues: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | $ | 109,017 | 51.7 | % | $ | 71,854 | 80.5 | % | $ | 39,819 | | ||
| Food and beverage | | 138,750 | 97.0 | % | 70,429 | 61.5 | % | 43,611 | | |||||
| Other hotel revenue | | 59,551 | 57.8 | % | 37,748 | 35.8 | % | 27,806 | | |||||
| Total revenue | | 307,318 | 70.7 | % | 180,031 | 61.8 | % | 111,236 | | |||||
| Operating expenses: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | 25,034 | 56.9 | % | 15,957 | 61.9 | % | 9,854 | | |||||
| Food and beverage | | 78,065 | 68.5 | % | 46,319 | 59.7 | % | 29,005 | | |||||
| Other hotel expenses | | 83,569 | 36.5 | % | 61,237 | 19.7 | % | 51,138 | | |||||
| Management fees, net | | 8,696 | 204.3 | % | 2,858 | 89.1 | % | 1,511 | | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | | 23,800 | (3.7) | % | 24,712 | (3.3) | % | 25,546 | | |||||
| Total operating expenses (1) | | 219,164 | 45.1 | % | 151,083 | 29.1 | % | 117,054 | | |||||
| Performance metrics: | | | | | | | | |||||||
| Occupancy | | 69.0 | % | 19.9 | pts | 49.1 | % | 19.8 | pts | 29.3 | % | |||
| ADR | | $ | 238.77 | 8.0 | % | $ | 221.00 | 8.1 | % | $ | 204.38 | | ||
| RevPAR | | $ | 164.65 | 51.7 | % | $ | 108.52 | 81.0 | % | $ | 59.97 | | ||
| Total RevPAR | | $ | 464.15 | 70.7 | % | $ | 271.91 | 62.3 | % | $ | 167.54 | |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | Gaylord Texan operating expenses for 2020 include approximately $3.6 million in expenses directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which are primarily employment costs, and is net of $1.3 million in payroll tax credits afforded under the CARES Act. Gaylord Texan operating expenses for 2021 include approximately $0.6 million in credits directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes $0.4 million in payroll tax credits afforded under the CARES Act. |
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Gaylord National Results. The results of Gaylord National for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 are as follows (in thousands, except percentages and performance metrics):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2022 | % Change | 2021 | % Change | 2020 | | ||||||||
| Revenues: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | $ | 97,950 | 206.0 | % | $ | 32,005 | 63.9 | % | $ | 19,531 | | ||
| Food and beverage | | 118,119 | 315.2 | % | 28,450 | 15.1 | % | 24,716 | | |||||
| Other hotel revenue | | 33,780 | 78.1 | % | 18,964 | 143.8 | % | 7,779 | | |||||
| Total revenue | | 249,849 | 214.6 | % | 79,419 | 52.7 | % | 52,026 | | |||||
| Operating expenses: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | 37,299 | 142.4 | % | 15,390 | 16.6 | % | 13,197 | | |||||
| Food and beverage | | 70,209 | 198.7 | % | 23,501 | (20.7) | % | 29,626 | | |||||
| Other hotel expenses | | 84,981 | 49.7 | % | 56,758 | 30.6 | % | 43,449 | | |||||
| Management fees, net | | 4,188 | 454.0 | % | 756 | 250.0 | % | 216 | | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | | 33,563 | 10.2 | % | 30,462 | 10.2 | % | 27,641 | | |||||
| Total operating expenses (1)(2) | | 230,240 | 81.5 | % | 126,867 | 11.2 | % | 114,129 | | |||||
| Performance metrics: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Occupancy | | 56.5 | % | 37.4 | pts | 19.1 | % | 6.2 | pts | 12.9 | % | |||
| ADR | | $ | 238.13 | 3.5 | % | $ | 230.12 | 11.1 | % | $ | 207.12 | | ||
| RevPAR | | $ | 134.45 | 206.1 | % | $ | 43.93 | 64.3 | % | $ | 26.74 | | ||
| Total RevPAR | | $ | 342.94 | 214.6 | % | $ | 109.01 | 53.1 | % | $ | 71.22 | |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | Gaylord National operating expenses for 2020 do not include credit losses on held-to-maturity securities of $32.8 million. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (2) | Gaylord National operating expenses for 2020 include approximately $16.0 million in expenses directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which are primarily employment costs, and is net of $2.2 million in payroll tax credits afforded under the CARES Act. Gaylord National operating expenses for 2021 include approximately $2.7 million in credits directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes $2.5 million in payroll tax credits afforded under the CARES Act. |
Gaylord Rockies Results. The results of Gaylord Rockies for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 are as follows (in thousands, except percentages and performance metrics):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2022 | | % Change | | 2021 | | % Change | | 2020 | | |||
| Revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Rooms | | $ | 87,587 | | 86.1 | % | $ | 47,061 | | 87.9 | % | $ | 25,041 | |
| Food and beverage | | | 124,463 | | 135.9 | % | | 52,761 | | 31.2 | % | | 40,224 | |
| Other hotel revenue | | | 41,276 | | 14.3 | % | | 36,120 | | 85.7 | % | | 19,450 | |
| Total revenue | | | 253,326 | | 86.3 | % | | 135,942 | | 60.5 | % | | 84,715 | |
| Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||
| Rooms | | | 23,099 | | 70.7 | % | | 13,533 | | 44.0 | % | | 9,400 | |
| Food and beverage | | | 73,121 | | 89.1 | % | | 38,662 | | 40.9 | % | | 27,435 | |
| Other hotel expenses | | | 59,637 | | 32.2 | % | | 45,102 | | 31.2 | % | | 34,373 | |
| Management fees, net | | | 7,514 | | 102.3 | % | | 3,714 | | 13.3 | % | | 3,277 | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 72,777 | | (19.7) | % | | 90,687 | | 0.2 | % | | 90,533 | |
| Total operating expenses (1) | | | 236,148 | | 23.2 | % | | 191,698 | | 16.2 | % | | 165,018 | |
| Performance metrics: | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||
| Occupancy | | | 68.3 | % | 28.4 | pts | | 39.9 | % | 16.3 | pts | | 23.6 | % |
| ADR | | $ | 234.19 | | 8.8 | % | $ | 215.17 | | 11.6 | % | $ | 192.89 | |
| RevPAR | | $ | 159.87 | | 86.1 | % | $ | 85.90 | | 88.5 | % | $ | 45.58 | |
| Total RevPAR | | $ | 462.39 | | 86.3 | % | $ | 248.13 | | 60.9 | % | $ | 154.21 | |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | Gaylord Rockies operating expenses for 2020 include approximately $3.0 million in expenses directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which are primarily employment costs, and is net of $1.1 million in payroll tax credits afforded under the CARES Act. Gaylord Rockies operating expenses for 2021 include approximately $0.2 million in credits directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes $0.3 million in payroll tax credits afforded under the CARES Act. |
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Entertainment Segment
Due to temporary closures and reopenings of various assets related to COVID-19 in 2021 and 2020, the Entertainment segment financial results for 2021 and 2020 are not comparable to 2022 or to historical periods. Entertainment segment financial results for 2022 include Block 21 beginning May 31, 2022. The following presents the financial results of our Entertainment segment for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands, except percentages):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2022 | % Change | 2021 | % Change | 2020 | ||||||||
| Revenues | | $ | 267,995 | 75.4 | % | $ | 152,790 | 161.5 | % | $ | 58,430 | ||
| Operating expenses | | 188,545 | 60.1 | % | 117,753 | 50.4 | % | 78,301 | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | | 18,420 | 25.7 | % | 14,655 | 2.0 | % | 14,371 | |||||
| Operating income (loss) (1)(2) | | $ | 61,030 | 199.4 | % | $ | 20,382 | 159.5 | % | $ | (34,242) |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | Entertainment segment operating income (loss) does not include preopening costs of $0.5 million and $1.4 million in 2022 and 2020, respectively. Entertainment segment operating income (loss) also does not include loss from unconsolidated joint ventures of $11.0 million, $9.0 million and $6.5 million in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively, related to Circle. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (2) | Entertainment segment operating loss for 2020 includes approximately $4.6 million in expenses directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which are primarily employment costs. |
Corporate and Other Segment
The following presents the financial results of our Corporate and Other segment for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands, except percentages):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2022 | % Change | 2021 | % Change | 2020 | ||||||||
| Operating expenses | | $ | 42,982 | 11.4 | % | $ | 38,597 | 34.0 | % | $ | 28,795 | ||
| Depreciation and amortization | | 821 | (59.5) | % | 2,027 | (23.2) | % | 2,638 | |||||
| Operating loss (1)(2) | | $ | (43,803) | (7.8) | % | $ | (40,624) | (29.2) | % | $ | (31,433) |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | Corporate segment operating loss for 2022 does not include a loss on sale of assets of $0.5 million. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (2) | Corporate segment operating loss for 2020 includes approximately $0.6 million in expenses directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which are primarily employment costs. |
Corporate and Other operating expenses, which consist primarily of costs associated with senior management salaries and benefits, legal, human resources, accounting, pension and other administrative costs, increased in 2022, as compared to 2021, primarily as a result of an increase in employment expenses associated with the hiring of additional employees and increased wages to support the Company’s growth.
Operating Results – Preopening costs
We expense the costs associated with start-up activities and organization costs as incurred. Our preopening costs for 2022 primarily include costs associated with Ole Red Nashville International Airport, which was completed in May 2022. Our preopening costs for 2021 primarily include costs associated with the Gaylord Palms expansion, which was completed in April 2021.
Operating Results – Gain (Loss) on Sale of Assets
Loss on sale of assets for 2022 includes the sale of a parcel of land in Nashville, Tennessee. Gain on sale of assets during 2021 primarily represents the sale of certain assets at Gaylord Opryland.
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Non-Operating Results Affecting Net Income (Loss)
General
The following table summarizes the other factors which affected our net income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands, except percentages):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2022 | % Change | 2021 | % Change | 2020 | ||||||||
| Interest expense | | $ | 148,406 | 18.4 | % | $ | 125,347 | 8.3 | % | $ | 115,783 | ||
| Interest income | | 5,750 | 1.1 | % | 5,685 | (22.2) | % | 7,304 | |||||
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | | | (1,547) | | 47.5 | % | | (2,949) | | (100.0) | % | | — |
| Loss from unconsolidated joint ventures | | (10,967) | (22.4) | % | (8,963) | (38.9) | % | (6,451) | |||||
| Other gains and (losses), net | | 1,743 | 330.4 | % | 405 | 102.7 | % | (14,976) | |||||
| Provision for income taxes | | (38,775) | (682.2) | % | (4,957) | 81.7 | % | (27,084) |
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased $23.1 million in 2022, as compared to 2021, due primarily to the new OEG Term Loan and the Block 21 CMBS loan. In addition, 2021 included $2.7 million in capitalized interest that did not recur in 2022. Our weighted average interest rate on our borrowings, excluding the write-off of deferred financing costs and capitalized interest, was 5.0% and 4.4% in 2022 and 2021, respectively. Cash interest expense increased $18.0 million to $137.7 million in 2022, as compared to 2021, and non-cash interest expense, which includes amortization and write-off of deferred financing costs and is offset by capitalized interest, increased $5.0 million to $10.7 million in 2022, as compared to 2021.
Interest Income
Interest income for 2022 and 2021 primarily includes amounts earned on the bonds that we received in 2008 in connection with the development of Gaylord National, which we hold as notes receivable.
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt
As a result of our repayment of our $300 million term loan A with the proceeds from the OEG Term Loan, we recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $1.5 million in 2022.
In February 2021, we commenced a cash tender offer for any and all outstanding $400 Million 5% Senior Notes at a redemption price of $1,005.00 per $1,000 principal amount. Pursuant to the tender offer, $161.9 million aggregate principal amount of these notes were validly tendered. As a result of our purchase of these tendered notes, and the subsequent redemption of all untendered $400 Million 5% Senior Notes, we recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $2.9 million in 2021.
Loss from Unconsolidated Joint Ventures
The loss from unconsolidated joint ventures for 2022 and 2021 represents our equity method share of losses associated with Circle.
Other Gains and (Losses), net
Other gains and (losses), net for 2022 primarily includes a gain of $2.9 million from a fund associated with the Gaylord National bonds to reimburse us for certain marketing and maintenance expenses. Other gains and (losses), net for 2021 includes various miscellaneous items.
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Provision for Income Taxes
As a REIT, we generally will not be subject to federal corporate income taxes on ordinary taxable income and capital gains income from real estate investments that we distribute to our stockholders. We will continue to be required to pay federal and state corporate income taxes on earnings of our TRSs.
During 2022 and 2021, we recorded an income tax provision of $38.8 million and $5.0 million, respectively. These results differ from the statutory rate primarily due to the REIT dividends paid deduction and changes to the valuation allowance in both periods.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We present the following non-GAAP financial measures, which we believe are useful to investors as key measures of our operating performance:
EBITDAre, Adjusted EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDAre, Excluding Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Joint Venture Definition
We calculate EBITDAre, which is defined by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”) in its September 2017 white paper as net income (calculated in accordance with GAAP) plus interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization, gains or losses on the disposition of depreciated property (including gains or losses on change in control), impairment write-downs of depreciated property and of investments in unconsolidated affiliates caused by a decrease in the value of depreciated property or the affiliate, and adjustments to reflect the entity’s share of EBITDAre of unconsolidated affiliates.
Adjusted EBITDAre is then calculated as EBITDAre, plus to the extent the following adjustments occurred during the periods presented:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Preopening costs; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Non-cash lease expense; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Equity-based compensation expense; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Impairment charges that do not meet the NAREIT definition above; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Credit losses on held-to-maturity securities; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Transaction costs of acquisitions; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Loss on extinguishment of debt; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Pension settlement charges; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Pro rata Adjusted EBITDAre from unconsolidated joint ventures; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Any other adjustments we have identified herein. |
We then exclude the pro rata share of Adjusted EBITDAre related to noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures to calculate Adjusted EBITDAre, Excluding Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Joint Venture.
We use EBITDAre, Adjusted EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDAre, Excluding Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Joint Venture to evaluate our operating performance. We believe that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to investors regarding our operating performance and debt leverage metrics, and that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures, when combined with the primary GAAP presentation of net income, is beneficial to an investor’s complete understanding of our operating performance. We make additional adjustments to EBITDAre when evaluating our performance because we believe that presenting Adjusted EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDAre, Excluding Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Joint Venture provides useful information to investors regarding our operating performance and debt leverage metrics.
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FFO, Adjusted FFO, and Adjusted FFO available to common shareholders and unit holders Definition
We calculate FFO, which definition is clarified by NAREIT in its December 2018 white paper as net income (calculated in accordance with GAAP) excluding depreciation and amortization (excluding amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discounts), gains and losses from the sale of certain real estate assets, gains and losses from a change in control, impairment write-downs of certain real estate assets and investments in entities when the impairment is directly attributable to decreases in the value of depreciated real estate held by the entity, income (loss) from consolidated joint ventures attributable to noncontrolling interest, and pro rata adjustments for unconsolidated joint ventures.
To calculate Adjusted FFO available to common shareholders and unit holders, we then exclude, to the extent the following adjustments occurred during the periods presented:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Right-of-use asset amortization; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Impairment charges that do not meet the NAREIT definition above; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Write-offs of deferred financing costs; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Amortization of debt discounts or premiums and amortization of deferred financing costs; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Loss on extinguishment of debt; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Non-cash lease expense; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Credit loss on held-to-maturity securities; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Pension settlement charges; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Additional pro rata adjustments from unconsolidated joint ventures; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | (Gains) losses on other assets; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Transaction costs of acquisitions; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Deferred income tax expense (benefit); and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Any other adjustments we have identified herein. |
FFO available to common shareholders and unit holders and Adjusted FFO available to common shareholders and unit holders exclude the ownership portion of the joint ventures not controlled or owned by the Company.
We believe that the presentation of FFO available to common shareholders and unit holders and Adjusted FFO available to common shareholders and unit holders provides useful information to investors regarding the performance of our ongoing operations because they are a measure of our operations without regard to specified non-cash items such as real estate depreciation and amortization, gain or loss on sale of assets and certain other items, which we believe are not indicative of the performance of our underlying hotel properties. We believe that these items are more representative of our asset base than our ongoing operations. We also use these non-GAAP financial measures as measures in determining our results after considering the impact of our capital structure.
We caution investors that amounts presented in accordance with our definitions of Adjusted EBITDAre, Adjusted EBITDAre, Excluding Noncontrolling Interest, FFO available to common shareholders and unit holders, and Adjusted FFO available to common shareholders and unit holders may not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by other companies, because not all companies calculate these non-GAAP measures in the same manner. These non-GAAP financial measures, and any related per share measures, should not be considered as alternative measures of our Net Income (Loss), operating performance, cash flow or liquidity. These non-GAAP financial measures may include funds that may not be available for our discretionary use due to functional requirements to conserve funds for capital expenditures and property acquisitions and other commitments and uncertainties. Although we believe that these non-GAAP financial measures can enhance an investor’s understanding of our results of operations, these non-GAAP financial measures, when viewed individually, are not necessarily better indicators of any trend as compared to GAAP measures such as Net Income (Loss), Operating Income (Loss), or cash flow from operations.
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The following is a reconciliation of our consolidated GAAP net income (loss) to EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDAre for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||
| Net income (loss) | | $ | 134,948 | | $ | (194,801) | | $ | (460,821) |
| Interest expense, net | | | 142,656 | | | 119,662 | | | 108,479 |
| Provision for income taxes | | | 38,775 | | | 4,957 | | | 27,084 |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 208,616 | | | 220,357 | | | 215,082 |
| (Gain) loss on sale of assets | | | 327 | | | (315) | | | (1,154) |
| Pro rata EBITDAre from unconsolidated joint ventures | | | 89 | | | 73 | | | 48 |
| EBITDAre | | | 525,411 | | | 149,933 | | | (111,282) |
| Preopening costs | | | 532 | | | 737 | | | 1,665 |
| Non-cash lease expense | | | 4,831 | | | 4,375 | | | 4,474 |
| Equity-based compensation expense | | | 14,985 | | | 12,104 | | | 8,732 |
| Pension settlement charge | | | 1,894 | | | 1,379 | | | 1,740 |
| Credit loss on held-to-maturity securities | | | — | | | — | | | 32,784 |
| Interest income on Gaylord National bonds | | | 5,306 | | | 5,502 | | | 6,171 |
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | | | 1,547 | | | 2,949 | | | — |
| Transaction costs of acquisitions | | | 1,348 | | | 360 | | | 15,437 |
| Adjusted EBITDAre | | | 555,854 | | | 177,339 | | | (40,279) |
| Adjusted EBITDAre of noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint venture | | | (15,309) | | | 1,017 | | | (3,989) |
| Adjusted EBITDAre, excluding noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint venture | | $ | 540,545 | | $ | 178,356 | | $ | (44,268) |
The following is a reconciliation of our consolidated GAAP net income (loss) to FFO and Adjusted FFO for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 | |||
| Net income (loss) | | $ | 134,948 | | $ | (194,801) | | $ | (460,821) |
| Noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint venture | | | (5,032) | | | 16,501 | | | 42,474 |
| Net income (loss) available to common shareholders and unit holders | | | 129,916 | | | (178,300) | | | (418,347) |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 208,494 | | | 220,211 | | | 214,933 |
| Adjustments for noncontrolling interest | | | (3,346) | | | (11,069) | | | (33,213) |
| Pro rata adjustments from joint ventures | | | 92 | | | 73 | | | 50 |
| FFO available to common shareholders and unit holders | | | 335,156 | | | 30,915 | | | (236,577) |
| Right-of-use asset amortization | | | 122 | | | 146 | | | 149 |
| Non-cash lease expense | | | 4,831 | | | 4,375 | | | 4,474 |
| Pension settlement charge | | | 1,894 | | | 1,379 | | | 1,740 |
| Credit loss on held-to-maturity securities | | | — | | | — | | | 32,784 |
| (Gain) loss on other assets | | | 469 | | | (317) | | | (1,161) |
| Write-off of deferred financing costs | | | — | | | — | | | 281 |
| Amortization of deferred financing costs | | | 9,829 | | | 8,790 | | | 7,948 |
| Amortization of debt discounts and premiums | | | 989 | | | (279) | | | (267) |
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | | | 1,547 | | | 2,949 | | | — |
| Adjustments for noncontrolling interest | | | (928) | | | (294) | | | (932) |
| Transaction costs of acquisitions | | | 1,348 | | | 360 | | | 15,437 |
| Deferred tax expense | | | 8,244 | | | 4,006 | | | 26,526 |
| Adjusted FFO available to common shareholders and unit holders | | $ | 363,501 | | $ | 52,030 | | $ | (149,598) |
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flows from Operating Activities. Historically, cash flow from operating activities has been the principal source of cash used to fund our operating expenses, interest payments on debt, maintenance capital expenditures, and dividends to stockholders. During 2022, our net cash flows provided by operating activities were $419.9 million, primarily reflecting our net income before depreciation expense, amortization expense and other non-cash charges of approximately $387.6
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million, and favorable changes in working capital of approximately $32.3 million. The favorable changes in working capital primarily resulted from an increase in deferred revenues associated with increased advanced ticket purchases at our OEG venues and advanced room deposits on future hotel room stays, an increase in general accrued expenses, including an increase in management fees and an increase in incentive compensation, as a result of the increase in business levels, and an increase in accrued dividends payable. These favorable changes in working capital were partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable due to an increase in group business at our Gaylord Hotels properties.
During 2021, our net cash flows provided by operating activities were $111.3 million, primarily reflecting our net loss before depreciation expense, amortization expense and other non-cash charges of approximately $59.4 million and favorable changes in working capital of approximately $51.8 million. The favorable changes in working capital primarily resulted from an increase in deferred revenues associated with advanced room deposits at our Gaylord Hotels properties and an increase in accrued employment costs and general accrued liabilities as a result of increased business levels, partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable due to an increase in group business at our Gaylord Hotels properties.
Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities.
During 2022, our primary use of funds for investing activities were the use of $94.0 million in net cash to fund a portion of the purchase price of Block 21 and purchases of property and equipment, which totaled $89.5 million. Purchases of property and equipment consisted primarily of enhancements at Gaylord Rockies to better position the property for our group customers, a re-concepting of the food and beverage options at Gaylord National, the construction of our Ole Red locations in Las Vegas and the Nashville International Airport, and ongoing maintenance capital expenditures for our existing properties.
During 2021, our primary use of funds for investing activities was the $210.0 million purchase of the remaining 35% interest in the Gaylord Rockies joint venture and adjacent, undeveloped land. In addition, we spent $77.4 million for purchases of property and equipment, which consisted primarily of a rooms renovation at Gaylord National, the expansion of Gaylord Palms, and ongoing maintenance capital expenditures for our existing properties.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities. Our cash flows from financing activities reflect primarily the incurrence of and the repayment of long-term debt and the payment of cash dividends. During 2022, net cash flows provided by financing activities were $50.7 million, primarily reflecting the net proceeds of the OEG Transaction of $285.9 million and the incurrence of the OEG Term Loan and the repayment of our former term loan A, partially offset by the repayment of $195.0 million under our credit facility and the payment of $15.4 million in deferred financing costs.
During 2021, net cash flows provided by financing activities were $261.7 million, primarily reflecting net senior note borrowing of $200.0 million and net borrowings under our credit facility of $79.0 million, partially offset by the payment of $10.6 million in deferred financing costs.
Liquidity
At December 31, 2022, we had $334.2 million in unrestricted cash and $754.6 million available for borrowing under our revolving credit facility and the OEG revolving debt facility. During 2022, we received net proceeds of $285.9 million related to the OEG Transaction, repaid $497.3 million under our various debt agreements, borrowed $288.0 million under the new OEG Term Loan, paid $94.0 million in net cash for the purchase of Block 21 after the assumption of the Block 21 CMBS loan, and incurred capital expenditures of $89.5 million. These changes, and the cash flows from operations discussed above, were the primary factors in the increase in our cash balance from 2021 to 2022.
We anticipate investing in our operations during 2023 by spending between approximately $225 million and $275 million in capital expenditures, which primarily includes enhancements at Gaylord Rockies, the construction of Ole Red Las Vegas, enhancements to the offerings at Block 21, and ongoing maintenance capital of our current facilities. In addition, we intend to contribute up to an additional $12.2 million in capital to the Circle joint venture for working capital needs. We currently have no debt maturities until July 2023. We believe we will be able to refinance our debt agreements prior to their maturities, including extension options.
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We believe that our cash on hand and cash flow from operations, together with amounts available for borrowing under our revolving credit facility and the OEG revolving credit facility, will be adequate to fund our general short-term commitments, as well as: (i) current operating expenses, (ii) interest expense on long-term debt obligations, (iii) financing lease and operating lease obligations, (iv) declared dividends and (v) the capital expenditures described above. Our ability to draw on our credit facility and the OEG revolving credit facility is subject to the satisfaction of provisions of the credit facility, as amended, and the OEG revolving credit facility, as applicable.
Our outstanding principal debt agreements are described below. At December 31, 2022, there were no defaults under the covenants related to our outstanding debt.
Principal Debt Agreements
Credit Facility. On October 31, 2019, we entered into a Sixth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Base Credit Agreement”) among the Company, as a guarantor, the Operating Partnership, as borrower, certain other subsidiaries of the Company party thereto, as guarantors, certain subsidiaries of the Company party thereto, as pledgors, the lenders party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, which amended and restated the Company’s prior credit facility. As amended, our credit facility consists of a $700.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Revolver”), prior to its repayment on June 16, 2022, a $300.0 million senior secured term loan A (the “Term Loan A”), and a $500.0 million senior secured term loan B (the “Term Loan B”), each as discussed below. In 2020, we entered into two amendments (the “2020 Amendments”) to the Base Credit Agreement among the same parties, as discussed below. Additionally, we further amended the Base Credit Agreement in May 2021 and October 2021 to permit an acquisition during the Credit Agreement’s Restricted Period (as defined below) and an assumption of indebtedness, subject to certain conditions (such amendments, together with the 2020 Amendments, the “Amendments”; the Base Credit Agreement, as amended by the Amendments, the “Existing Credit Agreement”; the Existing Credit Agreement, as amended by the Fifth Amendment (as hereinafter defined), the “Credit Agreement”).
Each of the Revolver and Term Loan B is guaranteed by us, each of our subsidiaries that own the Gaylord Hotels properties, other than Gaylord Rockies, and certain of our other subsidiaries. Each is secured by (i) a first mortgage lien on the real property of each of our Gaylord Hotels properties, excluding Gaylord Rockies, (ii) pledges of equity interests in our subsidiaries that own the Gaylord Hotels properties, excluding Gaylord Rockies, (iii) pledges of equity interests in the Operating Partnership, our subsidiaries that guarantee the Credit Agreement, and certain other of our subsidiaries, (iv) our personal property and the personal property of the Operating Partnership and our guarantor subsidiaries and (v) all proceeds and products from our Gaylord Hotels properties, excluding Gaylord Rockies. Advances are subject to a 55% borrowing base, based on the appraisal value of the Gaylord Hotels properties (reduced to 50% in the event one of the Gaylord Hotel properties is sold), in each case, excluding Gaylord Rockies. Assets of Gaylord Rockies and OEG are not subject to the liens of our credit facility.
Each of the Revolver and Term Loan B contains certain covenants which, among other things, limit the incurrence of additional indebtedness, investments, dividends, transactions with affiliates, asset sales, acquisitions, mergers and consolidations, liens and encumbrances and other matters customarily restricted in such agreements. The material financial covenants, ratios or tests contained in the Credit Agreement are as follows (the “Compliance Covenants”):
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | We must maintain a consolidated funded indebtedness to total asset value ratio as of the end of each calendar quarter of not more than .65 to 1.0. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | We must maintain a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, of not less than 1.50 to 1.00. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | We must maintain an implied debt service coverage ratio (the ratio of adjusted net operating income to monthly principal and interest that would be required if the outstanding balance were amortized over 25 years at an assumed fixed rate) of not less than 1.60 to 1.00. |
The Amendments provided for a waiver of the foregoing Compliance Covenants through March 31, 2022 (the “Temporary Waiver Period”) and modified certain covenants through June 30, 2022. In addition, the Amendments
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contain a covenant that we must maintain unrestricted liquidity (in the form of unrestricted cash on hand or undrawn availability under the Revolver) of at least $100 million. In the event we are unable to comply with the Credit Agreement’s Compliance Covenants, we expect to further amend the Credit Agreement or take other mitigating actions prior to a potential breach.
Beginning with the quarter ended June 30, 2022, we calculate compliance with the Compliance Covenants in the Credit Agreement using a designated annualized calculation based on our most recently completed fiscal quarter. Beginning with the quarter ended September 30, 2022, we are required to satisfy the Compliance Covenants at the levels set forth in the Credit Agreement using a designated annualized calculation based on our most recently completed fiscal quarters, as applicable. Pursuant to the Amendments, we were required to use any proceeds from borrowings drawn until we demonstrated financial covenant compliance following the expiration of the Temporary Waiver Period (the “Restricted Period”) to fund operating expenses, debt service of the Company and its subsidiaries, and permitted capital expenditures and investments. We demonstrated such financial compliance in May 2022 and thereby ended the Restricted Period; thereafter, we are required to satisfy the Compliance Covenants set forth in the Credit Agreement and described above.
On April 4, 2022, we entered into Amendment No. 5 (the “Fifth Amendment”) to the Existing Credit Agreement, among the Company, as a guarantor, its subsidiary RHP Hotel Properties, LP, as borrower, certain other subsidiaries of the Company party thereto, as guarantors, certain subsidiaries of the Company party thereto, as pledgors, the lenders party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent. The Fifth Amendment provides for certain amendments to the Existing Credit Agreement, each of which was effective upon the closing of the OEG Transaction. These amendments include, among others, the exclusion of OEG from negative covenants and certain restrictions related to certain equity issuances, investments, acquisitions, dispositions and indebtedness; changes to certain financial covenant requirements through December 2022; and a requirement that, following January 1, 2023, the Company satisfy the Compliance Covenants currently provided for in the Credit Agreement.
If an event of default shall occur and be continuing under the Credit Agreement, the commitments under the Credit Agreement may be terminated and the principal amount outstanding under the Credit Agreement, together with all accrued unpaid interest and other amounts owing in respect thereof, may be declared immediately due and payable.
Revolving Credit Facility. The maturity date of the Revolver is March 31, 2024, with two additional six-month extension options, at our election. Borrowings under the Revolver bear interest at an annual rate equal to, at our option, either (i) LIBOR plus the applicable margin ranging from 1.40% to 1.95%, dependent upon our funded debt to total asset value ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) or (ii) a base rate as set in the Credit Agreement. At December 31, 2022, the interest rate on LIBOR-based borrowings under the Revolver is LIBOR plus 1.55%. Principal is payable in full at maturity.
At December 31, 2022, no amounts were outstanding under the Revolver, and the lending banks had issued $10.4 million of letters of credit under the Credit Agreement, which left $689.6 million of availability under the Revolver (subject to the satisfaction of debt incurrence tests under the indentures governing our $600 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2029 (the “$600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes”) and our $700 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2027 (the “$700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes”), which we met at December 31, 2022).
Term Loan A Facility. The original maturity date of the Term Loan A was March 31, 2025. Borrowings bore interest at an annual rate equal to, at our option, either (i) LIBOR plus the applicable margin ranging from 1.35% to 1.90%, dependent upon our funded debt to total asset value ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) or (ii) a base rate as set in the Credit Agreement. As discussed below, in June 2022, we paid off the Term Loan A with proceeds from the OEG Term Loan.
Term Loan B Facility. The Term Loan B has a maturity date of May 11, 2024. The applicable interest rate margins on borrowings under the Term Loan B are, at our option, either (i) LIBOR plus 2.00% or (ii) a base rate as set in the Credit Agreement. At December 31, 2022, the interest rate on the Term Loan B was LIBOR plus 2.00%. In October 2019, we entered into four interest rate swaps with a total notional amount of $350.0 million to fix the LIBOR portion of the
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interest rate, at rates between 1.2235% and 1.2315%, through May 11, 2023. We have designated these interest rate swaps as effective cash flow hedges. The Term Loan B amortizes in equal quarterly installments in aggregate annual amounts equal to 1.0% of the original principal amount of $500.0 million, with the balance due at maturity. In addition, if for any fiscal year there is Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the Credit Agreement), an additional principal amount is required. Amounts borrowed under the Term Loan B that are repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed. At December 31, 2022, $371.3 million in borrowings were outstanding under the Term Loan B.
$700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes. In September 2019, the Operating Partnership and RHP Finance Corporation (“Finco”) completed the private placement of $500.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2027, which are guaranteed by the Company and its subsidiaries that guarantee the Credit Agreement. The $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes and guarantees were issued pursuant to an indenture by and among the issuing subsidiaries and the guarantors and U.S. Bank National Association as trustee. The $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes have a maturity date of October 15, 2027 and bear interest at 4.75% per annum, payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year. The $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes are general unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the issuing subsidiaries and rank equal in right of payment with such subsidiaries’ existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness, including the $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes, and senior in right of payment to future subordinated indebtedness, if any. The $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to the issuing subsidiaries’ secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. The guarantees rank equally in right of payment with the applicable guarantor’s existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness of such guarantor. The $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness of any guarantor to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness and structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other obligations of the Operating Partnership’s subsidiaries that do not guarantee the $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes.
In October 2019, we completed a tack-on private placement of $200.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.75% senior notes due 2027 (the “additional 2027 notes”) at an issue price of 101.250% of their aggregate principal amount plus accrued interest from the September 19, 2019 issue date for the $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes. The additional 2027 notes and the $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes constitute a single class of securities (collectively, the “$700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes”). All other terms and conditions of the additional 2027 notes are identical to the $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes.
The $700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, at a redemption price expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof, which percentage is 103.563%, 102.375%, 101.188%, and 100.00% beginning on October 15 of 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025, respectively, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the redemption date.
We completed a registered offer to exchange the $700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes for registered notes with substantially identical terms as the $700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes in July 2020.
$600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes. On February 17, 2021, the Operating Partnership and Finco completed the private placement of $600.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2029, which are guaranteed by the Company and its subsidiaries that guarantee the Credit Agreement. The $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes and guarantees were issued pursuant to an indenture by and among the issuing subsidiaries and the guarantors and U.S. Bank National Association as trustee. The $600 Million 5% Senior Notes have a maturity date of February 15, 2029 and bear interest at 4.50% per annum, payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on February 15 and August 15 each year. The $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes are general unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the issuing subsidiaries and rank equal in right of payment with such subsidiaries’ existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness, including the $700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes, and senior in right of payment to future subordinated indebtedness, if any. The $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to the issuing subsidiaries’ secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. The guarantees rank equally in right of payment with the applicable guarantor’s existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness of such guarantor. The $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness of any guarantor to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness and structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other obligations of the Operating Partnership’s subsidiaries that do not guarantee the $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes.
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The $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes are redeemable before February 15, 2024, in whole or in part, at 100.00%, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the redemption date, plus a make-whole premium. The $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part, at any time on or after February 15, 2024 at a redemption price expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof, which percentage is 102.250%, 101.500%, 100.750%, and 100.000% beginning on February 15 of 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027, respectively, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the redemption date.
$800 Million Term Loan (Gaylord Rockies). On July 2, 2019, Aurora Convention Center Hotel, LLC (“Hotel Owner”) and Aurora Convention Center Hotel Lessee, LLC (“Tenant” and collectively with Hotel Owner, the “Loan Parties”), subsidiaries of the entities comprising the previous Gaylord Rockies joint venture, entered into a Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement (the “Gaylord Rockies Loan”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, which refinanced Gaylord Rockies’s existing $500 million construction loan and $39 million mezzanine loan, which were scheduled to mature in December 2019. The Gaylord Rockies Loan consists of an $800.0 million secured term loan facility, which matures July 2, 2023 with three, one-year extension options, subject to certain requirements in the Gaylord Rockies Loan, and bears interest at LIBOR plus 2.50%. Simultaneous with closing, Gaylord Rockies entered into an interest rate swap to fix the LIBOR portion of the interest rate at 1.65% for the first three years of the loan. Additionally, we have entered into an additional interest rate swap to fix the LIBOR portion of the interest rate at 3.3410% for the fourth year of the loan. We have designated these interest rate swaps as effective cash flow hedges.
The Gaylord Rockies Loan is secured by a deed of trust lien on the Gaylord Rockies real estate and related assets. We have entered into limited repayment and carry guaranties that, in the aggregate, guarantee repayment of 10% of the principal debt, together with interest and operating expenses, which are to be released once Gaylord Rockies achieves a certain debt service coverage threshold as defined in the Gaylord Rockies Loan. Generally, the Gaylord Rockies Loan is non-recourse to the Company, subject to (i) those limited guaranties, (ii) a completion guaranty in the event the expansion is pursued, and (iii) customary non-recourse carve-outs.
On June 30, 2020, the Loan Parties entered into Amendment No. 1 (the “Loan Amendment”) to the Gaylord Rockies Loan, by and among the Loan Parties, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and the lenders from time to time party thereto. The Loan Amendment modified the Gaylord Rockies Loan to (i) provide for the ability to use cash for certain purposes, even during a Cash Sweep Period (as defined in the Loan Agreement), which Gaylord Rockies was in beginning in July 2020 through December 2022, (ii) extend the deadline for Hotel Owner to commence construction of an expansion to Gaylord Rockies, and (iii) provide favorable changes to the debt service coverage ratio provisions.
The Loan Amendment includes restrictions on distributions to our subsidiaries that own Gaylord Rockies and requires a certain level of equity financing for a Gaylord Rockies expansion.
OEG Credit Agreement. On June 16, 2022, OEG Borrower, LLC (“OEG Borrower”) and OEG Finance, LLC (“OEG Finance”), each a wholly owned direct or indirect subsidiary of OEG, entered into a credit agreement (the “OEG Credit Agreement”) among OEG Borrower, as borrower, OEG Finance, certain subsidiaries of OEG Borrower from time to time party thereto as guarantors, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent. The OEG Credit Agreement provides for (i) a senior secured term loan facility in the aggregate principal amount of $300.0 million (the “OEG Term Loan”) and (ii) a senior secured revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $65.0 million (the “OEG Revolver”). The OEG Term Loan matures on June 16, 2029, and the OEG Revolver matures on June 16, 2027. The OEG Term Loan bears interest at a rate equal to either, at OEG Borrower’s election, (i) the Alternate Base Rate plus 4.00% or (b) Adjusted Term SOFR plus 5.00% (all as specifically more described in the OEG Credit Agreement). In November 2022, OEG entered into an interest rate swap to fix the SOFR portion of the interest rate on $100.0 million of borrowings at 4.533% through December 2025. The OEG Revolver bears interest at a rate equal to either, at OEG Borrower’s election, (i) the Alternate Base Rate plus 3.75% or (b) Adjusted Term SOFR plus 4.75%, which shall be subject to reduction in the applicable margin based upon OEG’s First Lien Leverage Ratio (all as specifically more described in the OEG Credit Agreement). The OEG Term Loan and OEG Revolver are each secured by substantially all of the assets of OEG Finance and each of its subsidiaries (other than Block 21 and Circle, as more specifically described in the OEG Credit Agreement). The net proceeds we received from the OEG Term Loan
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were used to repay the outstanding balance of our former Term Loan A. No revolving credit advance was made under the OEG Revolver at closing, and no amounts were outstanding under the OEG Revolver at December 31, 2022.
Block 21 CMBS Loan. At the closing of the purchase of Block 21 on May 31, 2022, a subsidiary of the Company assumed a $136 million, ten-year, non-recourse term loan secured by a mortgage on Block 21 (the “Block 21 CMBS Loan”). The Block 21 CMBS Loan has a fixed interest rate of 5.58% per annum, payable monthly, matures January 5, 2026, and provides for payments due monthly based on a 30-year amortization.
The Block 21 CMBS Loan contains customary financial covenants and other restrictions, including sponsor net worth and liquidity requirements, and debt service coverage ratio targets that Block 21 must meet in order to avoid a “Trigger Period,” the occurrence of which does not constitute a default. Block 21 was in a Trigger Period as of our purchase date and remains as such as of December 31, 2022. During the Trigger Period, any cash generated in excess of amounts necessary to fund loan obligations, budgeted operating expenses and specified reserves will not be distributed to Block 21.
Additional Debt Limitations. Pursuant to the terms of the management agreements and pooling agreement with Marriott for our Gaylord Hotels properties, excluding Gaylord Rockies, we are subject to certain debt limitations described below.
The management agreements provide for the following limitations on indebtedness encumbering a hotel:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | The aggregate principal balance of all mortgage and mezzanine debt encumbering the hotel shall be no greater than 75% of the fair market value of the hotel; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | The ratio of (a) aggregate Operating Profit (as defined in the management agreement) in the 12 months prior to the closing on the mortgage or mezzanine debt to (b) annual debt service for the hotel shall equal or exceed 1.2:1; but is subject to the pooling agreement described below. |
The pooled limitations on Secured Debt (as defined in the pooling agreement) are as follows:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | The aggregate principal balance of all mortgage and mezzanine debt on Pooled Hotels (as defined in the pooling agreement), shall be no more than 75% of the fair market value of Pooled Hotels. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | The ratio of (a) aggregate Operating Profit (as defined in the pooling agreement) of Pooled Hotels in the 12 months prior to closing on any mortgage or mezzanine debt, to (b) annual debt service for the Pooled Hotels, shall equal or exceed 1.2:1. |
Gaylord Rockies is not a Pooled Hotel for this purpose.
Estimated Interest on Principal Debt Agreements
Based on the stated interest rates on our fixed-rate debt and the rates in effect at December 31, 2022 for our variable-rate date after considering interest rate swaps, our estimated interest obligations over the next five years are $506.6 million. These estimated obligations are $137.8 million in 2023, $104.6 million in 2024, $95.4 million in 2025, $88.0 million in 2026, and $80.8 million in 2027. Variable rates, as well as outstanding principal balances, could change in future periods. See “Principal Debt Agreements” above for a discussion of our outstanding long-term debt. See “Supplemental Cash Flow Information” in Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included herein for a discussion of the interest we paid during 2022, 2021 and 2020.
Inflation
Inflation has had a more meaningful impact on our business during 2022 than in recent historical periods. However, favorable occupancy, ADR and outside-the-room spend in our Hospitality segment and business levels in our
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Entertainment segment reduced the impact of increased operating costs, including increased wages and food and beverage costs, on our financial position and results of operations. We continue to monitor inflationary pressures and may need to consider potential mitigation actions in future periods. A prolonged inflationary environment could adversely affect our operating costs, customer spending and bookings, and our financial results.
Supplemental Guarantor Financial Information
The Company’s $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes and $700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes were each issued by the Issuers and are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by the Company (as the parent company), each of the Operating Partnership’s subsidiaries that own the Gaylord Hotels properties, excluding Gaylord Rockies, and certain other of the Company’s subsidiaries, each of which also guarantees the Operating Partnership’s Credit Agreement, as amended (such subsidiary guarantors, together with the Company, the “Guarantors”). The Guarantors are 100% owned by the Operating Partnership or the Company, and the guarantees are full and unconditional and joint and several. The guarantees rank equally in right of payment with each Guarantor’s existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and senior in right of payment to all future subordinated indebtedness, if any, of such Guarantor. Not all of the Company’s subsidiaries have guaranteed the Company’s $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes and $700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes, and the guarantees are structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other obligations of such subsidiaries that have not guaranteed the Company’s $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes and $700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes.
The following tables present summarized financial information for the Issuers and the Guarantors on a combined basis and the intercompany balances and transactions between these parties, as well as any investments in or equity in earnings from non-guarantor subsidiaries, have been eliminated (amounts in thousands):
| | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| | | December 31, | |
| | 2022 | ||
| Total assets | | $ | 1,653,841 |
| | | | |
| Net payables due to non-guarantor subsidiaries | | | 17,709 |
| Other liabilities | | | 1,805,587 |
| Total liabilities | | $ | 1,823,296 |
| Total noncontrolling interest | | $ | 625 |
| | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year Ended | |
| | December 31, 2022 | ||
| Revenues from third-parties | | $ | 365 |
| Revenues from non-guarantor subsidiaries | | | 239,283 |
| Operating expenses (excluding expenses to non-guarantor subsidiaries) | | | 118,255 |
| Expenses to non-guarantor subsidiaries | | | 14,259 |
| Operating income | | | 107,134 |
| Interest income from non-guarantor subsidiaries | | | 12,468 |
| Net income | | | 51,539 |
| Net income available to common stockholders | | | 48,865 |
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” discusses our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Accounting estimates are an integral part of the preparation of the consolidated financial statements and the financial reporting process and are based upon current judgments. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Certain accounting estimates are particularly sensitive because of their complexity and the possibility that future events affecting them may differ materially from our current judgments and estimates.
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This listing of critical accounting policies is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all of our accounting policies. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by generally accepted accounting principles, with no need for management’s judgment regarding accounting policy. We believe that of our significant accounting policies, which are discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included herein, the following involve a higher degree of judgment and complexity.
Revenue recognition. Revenues from occupied hotel rooms are recognized over time as the daily hotel stay is provided to hotel groups and guests. Revenues from concessions, food and beverage sales, and group meeting services are recognized over the period or at the time those goods or services are delivered to the hotel group or guest. Revenues from ancillary services at our hotels, such as spa, parking, and transportation services, are generally recognized at the time the goods or services are provided. Cancellation fees and attrition fees, which are charged to groups when they do not fulfill the minimum number of room nights or minimum food and beverage spending requirements originally contracted for, are generally recognized as revenue in the period we determine it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of revenue recognized will not occur, which is typically the period these fees are collected. We generally recognize revenues from the Entertainment segment at the point in time that services are provided or goods are delivered or shipped to the customer, as applicable. Entertainment segment revenues from licenses of content are recognized at the point in time the content is delivered to the licensee and the licensee can use and benefit from the content. Revenue related to content provided to Circle is eliminated for the portion of Circle that the Company owns.
Impairment of long-lived and other assets. In accounting for our long-lived and other assets, we assess our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets or asset group may not be recoverable. Factors we consider when assessing whether impairment indicators exist include (i) significant under-performance relative to historical or projected future operating results, (ii) significant changes in the manner of our use of assets or the strategy for our overall business, or (iii) significant negative industry or economic trends.
Recoverability of property and equipment and definite-lived intangible assets that will continue to be used is measured by comparing the carrying amount of the asset or asset group to the related total future undiscounted net cash flows. If an asset or asset group’s carrying value is not recoverable through those cash flows, the asset group is considered to be impaired. The impairment is measured by the difference between the assets’ carrying amount and their fair value, which is estimated using discounted cash flow analyses that utilize comprehensive cash flow projections, as well as observable market data to the extent available. Estimating the total future undiscounted net cash flows, as well as the fair value of assets or asset groups, if necessary, requires management to make assumptions and projections of future cash flows, long-term growth rates, asset holding periods, and other factors. The assumptions used to assess impairment consider historical trends, macroeconomic conditions, and projections consistent with our operating strategy. Changes in these estimates and assumptions can have a significant impact on the assessment, which could result in material impairment losses.
Credit losses on financial assets. We assess our financial assets, including the bonds we received in 2008 related to the Gaylord National construction (“Gaylord National Bonds”), and our accounts receivable for credit losses utilizing the expected loss model prescribed by ASC 326, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses,” and record a reserve, in the form of an allowance for credit losses, against the amortized cost basis for the portion of the financial asset that will not be recovered due to credit losses.
We provide credit loss reserves for the Gaylord National Bonds by comparing the amortized cost basis to their fair value. If the amortized cost basis exceeds the fair value, an expected credit loss exists and the allowance for credit losses is measured as the difference between the bonds’ amortized cost basis and fair value, which is estimated using discounted cash flow analyses that utilize comprehensive cash flow projections over the contractual life of the bonds, as well as observable market data to the extent available. Our estimate of the fair value of the Gaylord National Bonds is sensitive to the significant assumptions of the discounted cash flow analysis, which include the projections of hotel taxes (which are based on expected hotel rooms revenues) and property taxes, both of which are affected by expectations about future market and economic conditions, particularly those in the Washington D.C. market. Further, such assumptions require significant judgment as the Gaylord National Bonds and related projected cash flows continue for an extended period of time through 2037 and include the uncertainty of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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We provide for credit loss reserves for trade receivables based upon a percentage of accounts receivable that considers historical write-offs, current economic conditions, and management’s expectations about future economic conditions, as well as periodic evaluations of the aging of accounts receivable.
Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation expense is based on the estimated useful life of our fixed assets. Amortization expense for leasehold improvements is based on the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the related assets, and amortization expense for intangibles acquired as part of a business combination is based on the specific circumstances of each intangible asset. The lives of the assets are based on a number of assumptions, including cost and timing of capital expenditures to maintain and refurbish the assets, as well as specific market and economic conditions. While management believes its estimates are reasonable, a change in the estimated lives could affect our depreciation expense in future periods.
Income taxes. As a REIT, generally we will not be subject to federal corporate income taxes on ordinary taxable income and capital gains income from real estate investments that we distribute to our stockholders. We will continue to be required to pay federal and state corporate income taxes on earnings of our TRSs.
Our deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.
We must assess the likelihood that we will be able to recover our deferred tax assets. If recovery is not likely, the provision for taxes is increased by recording a reserve, in the form of a valuation allowance, against the estimated deferred tax assets that will not ultimately be recoverable.
In addition, we must evaluate uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulations in the calculation of tax liabilities. We provide for uncertain tax positions and the related interest and penalties based upon management’s assessment of whether a tax benefit is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. We make this assessment based on only the technical merits of the tax position. At December 31, 2022 and 2021, we had no accruals for unrecognized tax benefits. We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions, if any, in income tax expense. At December 31, 2022 and 2021, we have accrued no interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions.
Pension plans. The costs and obligations of our pension plans recognized in our consolidated financial statements are determined from actuarial valuations, which are dependent on significant assumptions, judgments, and estimates. These assumptions, judgments, and estimates, which include discount rates at which the liabilities could be settled at the measurement date, expected return on plan assets and mortality rates, are evaluated at each annual measurement date. In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, actual results that differ from these assumptions, judgments, and estimates are accumulated and amortized over future periods and, therefore, affect expense recognized and obligations recorded in future periods.
The discount rate utilized for determining future benefit obligations is based on the market rate of a broad-based index of high-quality bonds receiving an AA- or better rating from a recognized rating agency on our annual measurement date that is matched to the future expected cash flows of the benefit plans by annual periods. The resulting discount rate for the pension plan increased from 2.42% at December 31, 2021 to 4.85% at December 31, 2022.
We determine the overall expected long-term return on plan assets based on our estimate of the return that plan assets will provide over the period that benefits are expected to be paid out. In preparing this estimate, we assess the rates of return on each allocation of plan assets and advice by our third-party actuary and investment consultants. The expected return on plan assets is a long-term assumption that is determined at the beginning of each year and generally does not significantly change annually. While historical returns are considered, the rate of return assumption is primarily based on projections of expected returns, using economic data and financial models to estimate the probability of returns. The probability distribution of annualized returns for the portfolio using current asset allocations is used to determine the expected range of returns for a ten-to-twenty-year horizon. While management believes that the assumptions used are appropriate, differences in actual experience or changes in assumptions may affect our pension expense. The expected
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return on plan assets assumption used for determining net periodic pension expense for 2022 and 2021 was 6.0%. Actual return on plan assets for 2022 and 2021 was (18.6)% and 13.0%, respectively. Our historical actual return averaged 6.8% for the ten-year period ended December 31, 2022. In the future, we may make additional discretionary contributions to the plan or we could be required to make mandatory cash funding payments.
The mortality rate assumption used for determining future benefit obligations as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 was based on the Pri-2012 Total Dataset Mortality Table.
While management believes that the assumptions used are appropriate, differences in actual experience or changes in assumptions may affect our pension obligations and expense. For example, holding all other assumptions constant, a 1% increase or decrease in the assumed discount rate related to the retirement plan would increase (decrease) 2022 net periodic pension expense by approximately $0.1 million and $(0.2) million, respectively. Likewise, a 1% increase or decrease in the assumed rate of return on plan assets would (decrease) increase 2021 net periodic pension expense by approximately $0.7 million.
Acquisitions and Purchase Price Allocations. Accounting for the acquisition of an entity as a business combination, or becoming the primary beneficiary of a previously unconsolidated variable interest entity, requires an allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed in the transaction at their respective estimated fair values, which requires us to make significant estimates and assumptions regarding the fair value of the acquired assets and liabilities assumed. We may engage third parties to provide valuation services to assist in the fair value determinations of the long-lived assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. The most difficult estimations of individual fair values are those involving long-lived assets, such as property, equipment, and intangible assets, that are assumed as part of the transaction, as well as any noncontrolling interests. When making fair value determinations, we consider market data for similar assets, expected cash flows discounted at risk-adjusted rates, and replacement cost for assets, among other information. Management judgment is required when making the significant assumptions used to value long-lived and identifiable intangible assets, which include projected revenue growth, estimated cash flows, discount rates, and other factors.
Legal Contingencies. We are subject to various legal proceedings and claims, the outcomes of which are subject to significant uncertainty. We record an accrual for loss contingencies when a loss is probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, the determination of which requires significant judgment. We review these accruals each reporting period and make revisions based on changes in facts and circumstances, but resolution of legal matters in a manner inconsistent with our expectations could have a material impact on our financial condition and operating results.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
For a discussion of recently issued accounting standards, see Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included herein.
FY 2021 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001558370-22-002101.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
This section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K generally discusses 2021 and 2020 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2021 and 2020. Discussions of 2019 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2020 and 2019 that are not included in this Form 10-K can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.
Overview
We are a Delaware corporation, originally incorporated in 1956, that, following our REIT conversion in 2012, began operating as a self-advised and self-administered REIT for federal income tax purposes on January 1, 2013, specializing in group-oriented, destination hotel assets in urban and resort markets. Our core holdings include a network of five upscale, meetings-focused resorts totaling 9,917 rooms that are managed by Marriott International, Inc. (“Marriott”) under the Gaylord Hotels brand. These five resorts, which we refer to as our Gaylord Hotels properties, consist of the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee (“Gaylord Opryland”), the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center near Orlando, Florida (“Gaylord Palms”), the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center near Dallas, Texas (“Gaylord Texan”), the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center near Washington D.C. (“Gaylord National”), and the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center near Denver, Colorado (“Gaylord Rockies”), which was previously owned by the Gaylord Rockies joint venture, in which we owned a 65% interest. On May 7, 2021, we purchased the remaining 35% interest in the Gaylord Rockies joint venture. Our other owned hotel assets managed by Marriott include the Inn at Opryland, an overflow hotel adjacent to Gaylord Opryland, and the AC Hotel at National Harbor, Washington D.C. (“AC Hotel”), an overflow hotel adjacent to Gaylord National.
We also own and operate media and entertainment assets including the Grand Ole Opry, the legendary weekly showcase of country music’s finest performers for 96 years; the Ryman Auditorium, the storied live music venue and former home of the Grand Ole Opry located in downtown Nashville; WSM-AM, the Opry’s radio home; Ole Red, a brand of Blake Shelton-themed bar, music venue and event spaces; and three Nashville-based assets managed by Marriott – Gaylord Springs Golf Links (“Gaylord Springs”), the Wildhorse Saloon, and the General Jackson Showboat (“General Jackson”). We also own a 50% interest in a joint venture that creates and distributes a linear multicast and over-the-top channel dedicated to the country music lifestyle (“Circle”).
Each of our award-winning Gaylord Hotels properties incorporates not only high quality lodging, but also at least 400,000 square feet of meeting, convention and exhibition space, superb food and beverage options and retail and spa facilities within a single self-contained property. As a result, our Gaylord Hotels properties provide a convenient and entertaining environment for convention guests. Our Gaylord Hotels properties focus on the large group meetings market in the United States.
Our goal is to be the nation’s premier hospitality REIT for group-oriented, destination hotel assets in urban and resort markets.
See “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” under Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for important information regarding forward-looking statements made in this report and risks and uncertainties we face.
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Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has been and continues to be a complex and evolving situation, causing unprecedented levels of disruption to our business. Although our assets are currently open and operating without capacity restrictions, there remains significant uncertainty surrounding the full extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our future results of operations and financial position.
In late February 2020, when the gravity of the COVID-19 pandemic became apparent, we formed an internal task force, which included members of management and our board of directors, to formulate and implement responses to COVID-19. The task force, in consultation with local governmental authorities, first determined to close our Nashville-based entertainment venues in mid-March 2020.
Impact on Operations. As a direct result of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and as cancellations at our Gaylord Hotels properties began to increase, we, with our hotel manager, Marriott, implemented a series of operational changes, culminating with the suspension of operations at our Gaylord Hotels properties in late-March 2020. Gaylord Texan reopened June 8, 2020, and Gaylord Opryland, Gaylord Palms and Gaylord Rockies reopened June 25, 2020. Gaylord National reopened July 1, 2021. The suspension of operations resulted in the loss of approximately 0.4 million and 1.2 million available room nights in 2021 and 2020, respectively.
In our Entertainment segment, in addition to the temporary closure of our entertainment assets in spring 2020, we have taken steps to reduce operating costs in all areas. Many of our Tennessee-based attractions reopened at reduced capacities in May and June 2020. The Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium began offering limited-capacity tours in June 2020, reopened for limited-capacity publicly attended performances in September 2020, and reopened for full-capacity publicly attended performances in May 2021. After the April 2021 reopening of the Wildhorse Saloon, which was closed through March 2021 subsequent to the December 2020 downtown Nashville bombing, all of our entertainment assets are open.
We and Marriott’s sales teams have been working closely with our customers to rebook previously cancelled business as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cancelled room nights in 2021 decreased 67% from 2020. Group attrition as a percentage of contracted block decreased in each sequential quarter since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the exception of the third quarter of 2021 as a result of the COVID-19 Delta variant. Occupancy and average daily rate (“ADR”) increased 16.3 points of occupancy and 10.7%, respectively, in 2021 as compared to 2020.
Group business has declined relative to historical periods. However, group stays steadily increased in 2021 and group nights on the books for the next five years is approximately ninety-five percent of total group room nights that were on the books at December 31, 2019 for the corresponding following five years. In addition, the ADR on group room nights on the books at December 31, 2021 is approximately five percent higher than the ADR on the corresponding group room nights at December 31, 2019. This combined impact yields projected group rooms revenue on-the-books for future years that we estimate will be at or above pre-pandemic levels.
On March 27, 2020, the U.S. government enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), which among other things, provides employer payroll tax credits for wages paid to employees who are unable to work during the COVID-19 pandemic and options to defer payroll tax payments. Based on our evaluation of the CARES Act, we qualify for certain employer payroll tax credits, which we have accounted for as government subsidies to offset related operating expenses, as well as the deferral of payroll and other tax payments in the future. During 2021 and 2020, qualified payroll tax credits reduced our operating expenses by $4.2 million and $10.2 million, respectively. We are deferring qualified payroll and other tax payments as permitted by the CARES Act.
Our results for 2021 and 2020 include approximately $4.8 million in net credits and $39.7 million of operating costs, respectively, specifically related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which is primarily comprised of employment costs, including for laid-off or furloughed employees, and is net of $4.2 million and $10.2 million, respectively, in payroll tax credits provided by the CARES Act. The payroll credits provided by the CARES Act are included in other hotel expenses, entertainment expenses and corporate expenses, as applicable, in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for 2021 and 2020 included herein.
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Actions to Preserve Liquidity. We continue taking steps to preserve liquidity in order to weather the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to pay all required debt service payments on our indebtedness, lease payments, taxes and other payables. At December 31, 2021, we had $509.8 million available for borrowing under our revolving credit facility and $140.7 million in unrestricted cash on hand. In 2021 and 2020, we took steps to preserve our liquidity as follows:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Suspension of Dividend. Following the payment of our first quarter 2020 dividend on April 15, 2020 to stockholders of record on March 31, 2020, we suspended our regular quarterly cash dividend payments to stockholders. At this time, we do not anticipate declaring quarterly dividends during 2022. Our board of directors will consider a future dividend as permitted by our credit agreement. Our credit facility amendments described below permit payment of dividends as necessary to maintain our REIT status and permit us to pay a dividend of $0.01 per share each quarter. Any future dividend is subject to our board of director’s determinations as to the amount of distributions and the timing thereof. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Deferral of Capital Expenditures. With the exception of the Gaylord Palms expansion project and the renovation of the rooms at Gaylord National, we deferred non-essential capital projects, in addition to delaying the Gaylord Rockies expansion project, which was scheduled to begin construction in second quarter 2020. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Amendments to Principal Debt Agreements. In 2020, we successfully obtained a temporary waiver of financial covenants in the credit agreement governing our $700 million revolving credit facility, $300 million term loan A facility and the original $500 million term loan B facility through March 31, 2022, which confirmed our continued ability to borrow the remaining amounts available under the revolving credit facility (subject to a minimum liquidity covenant). Additionally, we further amended the credit agreement in October 2021 to permit an acquisition during the credit agreement’s restricted period, and an associated assumption of indebtedness, subject to certain conditions. For additional discussion of the amendments to our credit agreement, see “Principal Debt Agreements” below. We currently anticipate being in compliance with the financial covenants in our credit facility upon the expiration of the temporary waiver period on March 31, 2022. On June 30, 2020, Gaylord Rockies completed an amendment to its $800 million term loan to (i) provide for the ability to use cash for certain purposes, even during a Cash Sweep Period (as defined in the Loan Agreement), (ii) extend the deadline to commence construction of an expansion to Gaylord Rockies, and (iii) provide favorable changes to the debt service coverage ratio provisions. Gaylord Rockies is currently in a Cash Sweep Period pursuant to the Loan Agreement. For additional discussion of this amendment, see “Principal Debt Agreements” below. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Suspension of FF&E Reserve Requirement. With respect to our properties that are operated under management agreements with Marriott, we are obligated to maintain an FF&E reserve account for future planned and emergency-related capital expenditures at these properties. The amount funded into each of these reserve accounts is determined pursuant to the management agreements and is generally 5.0% of the respective property’s total annual revenue. Marriott previously suspended this obligation from March 2020 through December 2021, although we made voluntary contributions during this period to fund various maintenance capital expenditures, including the rooms renovation at Gaylord National. |
For additional discussion of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and associated risk, see “Risk Factors” under Part I, Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Gaylord Rockies Joint Venture
In May 2021, we purchased the remaining 35% ownership interest in the Gaylord Rockies joint venture. Prior to May 2021, we had a 65% interest in the Gaylord Rockies joint venture, and our management concluded that the Company was the primary beneficiary of the previous variable interest entity (“VIE”). The financial position and results of operations of this previous VIE have been consolidated in the accompanying consolidated financial statements included herein. We also purchased 130 acres of undeveloped land, adjacent to Gaylord Rockies in May 2021.
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Gaylord Palms Expansion
In April 2021, we completed a $158 million expansion of Gaylord Palms, which includes an additional 302 guest rooms and 96,000 square feet of meeting space, an expanded resort pool and events lawn, and a new multi-level parking structure.
Gaylord Rockies Expansion
In February 2020, we announced an $80 million expansion of Gaylord Rockies, which was intended to include an additional 317 guest rooms. The expansion was expected to begin in the second quarter of 2020, but, as discussed under “Impact of COVID-19 pandemic” above, the expansion was deferred in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Circle
In 2019, we acquired a 50% equity interest in Circle and we have made $21.0 million in capital contributions through December 31, 2021. We intend to contribute up to an additional $12.0 million to Circle in 2022 for working capital needs. Circle launched its broadcast network on January 1, 2020, with sixteen original shows and two major distribution partnerships. As of February 2022, Circle is available to more than 70% of U.S. television households via over-the-air and cable television and is available through multiple online streaming services covering over 193 million monthly average users.
Potential Acquisition of Block 21; Termination of Previous Block 21 Acquisition Agreement
In October 2021, we entered into an agreement (the “Block 21 Agreement”) to purchase Block 21, a mixed-use entertainment, lodging, office and retail complex located in Austin, Texas, for $260 million, which includes the assumption of approximately $135 million of existing mortgage debt. In addition, we will receive approximately $11 million of existing cash reserves attributable to the assets. Block 21 is the home of the Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater (“ACL Live”), a 2,750-seat entertainment venue that serves as the filming location for the Austin City Limits television series. The Block 21 complex also includes the 251-room W Austin Hotel, the 3TEN at ACL Live club and approximately 53,000 square feet of other Class A commercial space. The acquisition is expected to close in first quarter 2022, subject to customary closing conditions including, but not limited to, consent to our assumption of the existing mortgage loan by the loan servicer and the consent of the hotel property manager, an affiliate of Marriott, to our assignment and assumption of the existing hotel management agreement. We have the capacity to finance the transaction under our revolving credit facility and may use cash on hand, including from any sales of stock under our ATM program, and will make a determination of funding sources prior to closing.
In December 2019, we entered into a previous agreement to purchase Block 21. In May 2020, in response to the then-existing capital markets and economic environment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we determined it was not in the best interest of shareholders to focus resources and capital on the project and terminated the related purchase agreement. We forfeited a nonrefundable December 2019 deposit of $15 million and recorded a loss, which is included in other gains and (losses), net in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations for 2020.
Dividend Policy; Suspension of Dividend
On February 25, 2020, our board of directors declared our first quarter 2020 cash dividend in the amount of $0.95 per share of common stock, or an aggregate of approximately $52.2 million in cash, which was paid on April 15, 2020 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 31, 2020. Following payment of our first quarter 2020 cash dividend, we suspended our regular quarterly dividend payments, and our board of directors will consider a future dividend as permitted by our credit agreement. Our credit facility amendment described below under “Principal Debt Agreements” permits payment of dividends as necessary to maintain our REIT status and permits us to pay a dividend of $0.01 per share each quarter. Prior to the suspension of dividends as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we had planned to continue to pay a quarterly cash dividend to shareholders in an amount equal to an annualized payment of at least 50% of adjusted funds from operations (as defined by us) less maintenance capital expenditures or 100% of REIT
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taxable income, whichever is greater. Any future dividend is subject to our board of directors’ determinations as to the amount of distributions and the timing thereof.
During 2019, the Company’s board of directors declared quarterly dividends totaling $3.60 per share of common stock, or an aggregate of $188.3 million in cash.
Senior Note Refinancing
In February 2021, the Operating Partnership and RHP Finance Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Finco” and together with the Operating Partnership, collectively, the “Issuers”) completed the private placement of $600 million aggregate principal amount of 4.50% senior notes due 2029 (the “$600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes”). The aggregate net proceeds from the sale of the $600 Million 4.5% Senior Notes were approximately $591 million, after deducting the initial purchasers’ discounts and commissions and offering expenses. After using a significant portion of these net proceeds to tender and redeem the $400 Million 5% Senior Notes, we used the remaining net proceeds to repay all of the amounts then outstanding under our $700 million revolving credit facility and for general corporate purposes.
In February 2021, we also completed a cash tender offer for any and all outstanding $400 million 5% senior notes due 2023 (the “$400 Million 5% Senior Notes”). Pursuant to the tender offer, $161.9 million aggregate principal amount of the $400 Million 5% Senior Notes were validly tendered. Subsequent to expiration of the tender offer, in February 2021 we gave irrevocable notice of the redemption of all remaining $400 Million 5% Senior Notes not tendered in the tender offer.
We used a portion of the proceeds from the issuance of the $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes to fund the tender offer and redemption. As a result of our purchase of tendered $400 Million 5% Senior Notes and the redemption of all untendered $400 Million 5% Senior Notes, we recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $2.9 million in 2021.
Our Current Operations
Our ongoing operations are organized into three principal business segments:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Hospitality, consisting of our Gaylord Hotels properties, the Inn at Opryland, and the AC Hotel, each of which is managed by Marriott. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Entertainment, consisting of the Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman Auditorium, WSM-AM, Ole Red, and our other Nashville-based attractions, as well as our investment in the Circle joint venture. We own our Entertainment businesses in TRSs, and Marriott manages the General Jackson, Wildhorse Saloon and Gaylord Springs. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Corporate and Other, consisting of our corporate expenses. |
For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, our total revenues were divided among these business segments as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Segment | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | | |||
| Hospitality | 84 | % | 89 | % | 89 | % | |
| Entertainment | 16 | % | 11 | % | 11 | % | |
| Corporate and Other | 0 | % | 0 | % | 0 | % |
As described above, our hotels and entertainment assets were closed for a period of time in 2020, and Gaylord National reopened July 1, 2021. While facilities were closed, we recorded negligible revenue, and we incurred expenses as described above under “Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic.” Our short-term strategy is to safely operate our businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic and work with Marriott to rebook business in our hotels. While all of our assets have reopened and are operating, there is significant uncertainty surrounding the full extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our future results of operations and financial position.
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Key Performance Indicators
The operating results of our Hospitality segment are highly dependent on the volume of customers at our hotels and the quality of the customer mix at our hotels, which are managed by Marriott. These factors impact the price that Marriott can charge for our hotel rooms and other amenities, such as food and beverage and meeting space. The following key performance indicators are commonly used in the hospitality industry and are used by management to evaluate hotel performance and potentially allocate capital expenditures:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | hotel occupancy – a volume indicator; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | average daily rate (“ADR”) – a price indicator calculated by dividing rooms revenue by the number of rooms sold; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Revenue per Available Room (“RevPAR”) – a summary measure of hotel results calculated by dividing rooms revenue by room nights available to guests for the period; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Total Revenue per Available Room (“Total RevPAR”) – a summary measure of hotel results calculated by dividing the sum of room, food and beverage and other ancillary service revenue by room nights available to guests for the period; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Net Definite Room Nights Booked – a volume indicator which represents the total number of definite bookings for future room nights at our hotels confirmed during the applicable period, net of cancellations. |
For 2021 and 2020, the method of calculation of these indicators has not been changed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting hotel closures and is consistent with prior periods. As such, performance metrics include closed hotel room nights available.
We also use certain “non-GAAP financial measures,” which are measures of our historical performance that are not calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, within the meaning of applicable SEC rules. These measures include:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Earnings Before Interest Expense, Income Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization for Real Estate (“EBITDAre”), Adjusted EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDAre, Excluding Noncontrolling Interest, and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Funds from Operations (“FFO”) available to common shareholders and unit holders and Adjusted FFO available to common shareholders and unitholders. |
See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for further discussion.
The closure, limited reopening and pandemic-constrained business levels of our Gaylord Hotels properties have resulted in the significant decrease in performance reflected in these key performance indicators and non-GAAP financial measures for 2021 and 2020, as compared to historical periods.
Hospitality segment revenue from our occupied hotel rooms is recognized over time as the daily hotel stay is provided to hotel groups and guests. Revenues from concessions, food and beverage sales, and group meeting services are recognized over the period or at the point in time those goods or services are delivered to the group or hotel guest. Revenues from ancillary services at our hotels, such as spa, parking, and transportation services, are generally recognized at the time the goods or services are provided. Cancellation fees, as well as attrition fees that are charged to groups when they do not fulfill the minimum number of room nights or minimum food and beverage spending requirements originally contracted for, are generally recognized as revenue in the period we determine it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of revenue recognized will not occur, which is typically the period these fees are collected.
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Almost all of our Hospitality segment revenues are either cash-based or, for meeting and convention groups that meet our credit criteria, billed and collected on a short-term receivables basis. The hospitality industry is capital intensive, and we rely on the ability of our hotels to generate operating cash flow to repay debt financing and fund maintenance capital expenditures.
The results of operations of our Hospitality segment are affected by the number and type of group meetings and conventions scheduled to attend our hotels in a given period. A variety of factors can affect the results of any interim period, including the nature and quality of the group meetings and conventions attending our hotels during such period, which meetings and conventions have often been contracted for several years in advance, the level of attrition our hotels experience, and the level of transient business at our hotels during such period. We rely on Marriott, as the manager of our hotels, to manage these factors and to offset any identified shortfalls in occupancy.
Summary Financial Results
The following table summarizes our financial results for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands, except percentages and per share data):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2021 | % Change | 2020 | % Change | 2019 | ||||||||
| Total revenues | | $ | 939,373 | 79.1 | % | $ | 524,475 | (67.3) | % | $ | 1,604,566 | ||
| Total operating expenses | | 998,048 | 20.5 | % | 828,306 | (38.0) | % | 1,337,035 | |||||
| Operating income (loss) | | (58,675) | 80.7 | % | (303,831) | (213.6) | % | 267,531 | |||||
| Net income (loss) | | (194,801) | 57.7 | % | (460,821) | (459.2) | % | 128,294 | |||||
| Net income (loss) available to common stockholders | | | (176,966) | | 57.6 | % | (417,391) | (386.3) | % | 145,794 | |||
| Net income (loss) available to common stockholders per share - diluted | | (3.21) | 57.7 | % | (7.59) | (370.1) | % | 2.81 |
2021 Results as Compared to 2020 Results
The increase in our total revenues during 2021, as compared to 2020, is attributable to increases in our Hospitality segment and Entertainment segment revenues of $320.5 million and $94.4 million, respectively, as discussed more fully below.
The increase in total operating expenses during 2021, as compared to 2020, is primarily the result of increases in Hospitality segment, Entertainment segment, and Corporate and Other segment expenses of $148.1 million, $39.5 million, and $9.8 million, respectively, partially offset by a credit loss on held-to-maturity investments in 2020 that did not occur in 2021 of $32.8 million.
The above factors resulted in a $245.2 million improvement in operating loss for 2021, as compared to 2020.
Our net loss of $194.8 million in 2021, as compared to our net loss of $460.8 million in 2020, was due to the change in our operating income described above, and the following factors, each as described more fully below:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | A $22.1 million decrease in the provision for income taxes in 2021. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | The $15.0 million loss in 2020 related to the forfeiture of the earnest deposit associated with the previously terminated potential acquisition of Block 21. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | A $9.6 million increase in interest expense in 2021. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | A $2.9 million loss on extinguishment of debt in 2021 that did not occur in 2020. |
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Operating Results – Detailed Segment Financial Information
Hospitality Segment
Total Segment Results. The following presents the financial results of our Hospitality segment for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands, except percentages and performance metrics):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2021 | % Change | 2020 | % Change | 2019 | |||||||||
| Revenues: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | $ | 328,874 | 91.5 | % | $ | 171,718 | (69.2) | % | $ | 557,562 | | ||
| Food and beverage | | 279,489 | 49.0 | % | 187,538 | (71.6) | % | 660,770 | | |||||
| Other hotel revenue | | 178,220 | 66.9 | % | 106,789 | (47.4) | % | 203,114 | | |||||
| Total hospitality revenue | | 786,583 | 68.8 | % | 466,045 | (67.2) | % | 1,421,446 | | |||||
| Hospitality operating expenses: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | 88,244 | 49.7 | % | 58,943 | (59.3) | % | 144,834 | | |||||
| Food and beverage | | 190,855 | 30.6 | % | 146,141 | (59.7) | % | 362,850 | | |||||
| Other hotel expenses | | 327,791 | 25.7 | % | 260,690 | (36.4) | % | 409,883 | | |||||
| Management fees, net | | 14,031 | 98.6 | % | 7,066 | (82.2) | % | 39,608 | | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | | 203,675 | 2.8 | % | 198,073 | (1.5) | % | 201,068 | | |||||
| Total Hospitality operating expenses | | 824,596 | 22.9 | % | 670,913 | (42.1) | % | 1,158,243 | | |||||
| Hospitality operating income (loss) (1)(2) | | $ | (38,013) | 81.4 | % | $ | (204,868) | (177.8) | % | $ | 263,203 | | ||
| Hospitality performance metrics (3): | | | | | ||||||||||
| Occupancy | | 39.5 | % | 16.3 | pts | 23.2 | % | (52.6) | pts | 75.8 | % | |||
| ADR | | $ | 221.33 | 10.7 | % | $ | 200.02 | 0.4 | % | $ | 199.26 | | ||
| RevPAR (4) | | $ | 87.53 | 88.6 | % | $ | 46.41 | (69.3) | % | $ | 151.09 | | ||
| Total RevPAR (5) | | $ | 209.34 | 66.2 | % | $ | 125.95 | (67.3) | % | $ | 385.20 | | ||
| Net Definite Group Room Nights Booked (6) | | 1,201,268 | 253.4 | % | (783,304) | (135.3) | % | 2,216,214 | |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (1) | Hospitality segment operating income (loss) does not include preopening costs of $0.7 million, $0.3 million and $1.3 million in 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Hospitality segment operating loss also does not include gain on sale of assets of $0.3 million and $1.2 million in 2021 and 2020, respectively, or credit losses on held-to-maturity securities of $32.8 million in 2020. See the discussion of the 2021 items below. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (2) | Hospitality segment operating loss for 2021 and 2020 includes approximately $4.6 million in net credits and $34.5 million in expenses, respectively, directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which are primarily employment costs. These amounts are net of $4.1 million and $7.9 million, respectively, of payroll tax credits afforded under the 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”). |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (3) | Hospitality segment metrics for 2021 include the addition of 302 additional guest rooms at Gaylord Palms beginning June 1, 2021. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (4) | We calculate Hospitality segment RevPAR by dividing rooms revenue by room nights available to guests for the period. Room nights available to guests include nights the hotels are closed. Hospitality segment RevPAR is not comparable to similarly titled measures such as revenues. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (5) | We calculate Hospitality segment Total RevPAR by dividing the sum of room, food and beverage, and other ancillary services revenue (which equals Hospitality segment revenue) by room nights available to guests for the period. Room nights available to guests include nights the hotels are closed. Hospitality segment Total RevPAR is not comparable to similarly titled measures such as revenues. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (6) | Hospitality segment net definite room nights booked for 2021 and 2020 includes approximately 0.8 million and 2.4 million group room cancellations, respectively. |
Total Hospitality revenues in 2021 include $48.5 million in attrition and cancellation fee collections, a $15.6 million increase from 2020. Since the beginning of 2020, we have recorded $81.3 million in attrition and cancellation fee revenue, which due to cancellations resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, is higher than historical periods.
The percentage of group versus transient business based on rooms sold for our Hospitality segment for the years ended December 31 was approximately as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||
| Group | 46 | % | 52 | % | 72 | % | |
| Transient | 54 | % | 48 | % | 28 | % |
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As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting concerns related to group travel, our group business has declined relative to historical periods. However, group stays steadily increased in 2021 and group room nights on the books for the next five years is approximately ninety-five percent of total group room nights that were on the books at December 31, 2019 for the corresponding following five years. In addition, the ADR on group room nights on the books at December 31, 2021 is approximately five percent higher than the ADR on the corresponding group room nights at December 31, 2019.
The type of group based on rooms sold for our Hospitality segment for the years ended December 31 was approximately as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||
| Corporate Groups | 43 | % | 61 | % | 51 | % | |
| Associations | 34 | % | 24 | % | 29 | % | |
| Other Groups | 23 | % | 15 | % | 20 | % |
Other hotel expenses for the following years ended December 31 included (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2021 | % Change | 2020 | % Change | 2019 | ||||||||
| Administrative employment costs | | $ | 101,771 | 20.3 | % | $ | 84,599 | (42.6) | % | $ | 147,302 | ||
| Utilities | | 27,128 | 14.8 | % | 23,628 | (25.3) | % | 31,624 | |||||
| Property taxes | | 33,947 | (7.8) | % | 36,823 | 3.0 | % | 35,736 | |||||
| Other | | 164,945 | 42.6 | % | 115,640 | (40.8) | % | 195,221 | |||||
| Total other hotel expenses | | $ | 327,791 | 25.7 | % | $ | 260,690 | (36.4) | % | $ | 409,883 |
Administrative employment costs include salaries and benefits for hotel administrative functions, including, among others, senior management, accounting, human resources, sales, conference services, engineering and security. Administrative employment costs increased during 2021, as compared to 2020, primarily due to increased levels of operations at each of our Gaylord Hotels properties. Utility costs increased during 2021, as compared to 2020, primarily due to increased utility usage at Gaylord Palms and Gaylord Opryland. Property taxes decreased during 2021, as compared to 2020, primarily due to a reduction in assessed value driven by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic at Gaylord Texan. Other expenses, which include supplies, advertising, maintenance costs and consulting costs, increased during 2021, as compared to 2020, primarily due to increased levels of operations at each of our Gaylord Hotels properties.
As discussed above, each of our management agreements with Marriott for our Gaylord Hotels properties, excluding Gaylord Rockies, requires us to pay Marriott a base management fee of approximately 2% of gross revenues from the applicable property for each fiscal year or portion thereof. Additionally, an incentive fee is based on the profitability of our Gaylord Hotels properties, excluding Gaylord Rockies, calculated on a pooled basis. The Gaylord Rockies’ management agreement with Marriott requires Gaylord Rockies to pay a base management fee of 3% of gross revenues for each fiscal year or portion thereof, as well as an incentive management fee based on the profitability of the hotel. We incurred $17.1 million, $10.2 million and $30.9 million in total base management fees to Marriott related to our Hospitality segment during 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. We also incurred $11.8 million related to incentive management fees for our Hospitality segment during 2019. Management fees are presented throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K net of the amortization of the deferred management rights proceeds discussed in Note 5, “Deferred Management Rights Proceeds,” to the consolidated financial statements included herein.
Hospitality segment depreciation and amortization expense increased in 2021, as compared to 2020, primarily as a result of the expansion of Gaylord Palms and the rooms renovation at Gaylord National and the associated increase in depreciable asset levels.
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Property-Level Results. The following presents the property-level financial results for our Gaylord Hotels properties for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019. In 2021 and 2020, the Gaylord Hotels properties experienced higher levels of attrition and cancellations and lower occupancy levels, which are directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and experienced heavily transient business. Therefore, the property-level financial results for 2021 and 2020 are not comparable to historical periods. Total revenue at each of our Gaylord Hotels properties was lower than that of historical periods due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Operating costs at each of our Gaylord Hotels properties were lower for 2021 and 2020 as a result of cost containment initiatives and lower variable costs due to lower occupancies and, for 2020, the temporary property closures that began in late-March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gaylord Opryland Results. The results of Gaylord Opryland for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 are as follows (in thousands, except percentages and performance metrics):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2021 | % Change | 2020 | % Change | 2019 | |||||||||
| Revenues: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | $ | 109,067 | 104.7 | % | $ | 53,272 | (67.2) | % | $ | 162,577 | | ||
| Food and beverage | | 73,246 | 52.3 | % | 48,086 | (69.6) | % | 157,933 | | |||||
| Other hotel revenue | | 56,254 | 75.9 | % | 31,975 | (50.9) | % | 65,100 | | |||||
| Total revenue | | 238,567 | 78.9 | % | 133,333 | (65.4) | % | 385,610 | | |||||
| Operating expenses: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | 27,001 | 67.5 | % | 16,119 | (56.7) | % | 37,203 | | |||||
| Food and beverage | | 46,490 | 24.6 | % | 37,309 | (55.8) | % | 84,351 | | |||||
| Other hotel expenses | | 92,793 | 27.8 | % | 72,601 | (36.7) | % | 114,716 | | |||||
| Management fees, net | | 3,754 | 123.3 | % | 1,681 | (86.0) | % | 12,024 | | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | | 34,117 | (2.9) | % | 35,126 | 1.0 | % | 34,794 | | |||||
| Total operating expenses (1)(2) | | 204,155 | 25.4 | % | 162,836 | (42.5) | % | 283,088 | | |||||
| Performance metrics: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Occupancy | | 44.2 | % | 19.2 | pts | 25.0 | % | (53.5) | pts | 78.5 | % | |||
| ADR | | $ | 234.15 | 16.0 | % | $ | 201.82 | 2.7 | % | $ | 196.54 | | ||
| RevPAR | | $ | 103.47 | 105.3 | % | $ | 50.40 | (67.3) | % | $ | 154.23 | | ||
| Total RevPAR | | $ | 226.32 | 79.4 | % | $ | 126.14 | (65.5) | % | $ | 365.81 | |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | Gaylord Opryland operating expenses do not include a gain on sale of assets of $0.3 million and $1.2 million in 2021 and 2020, respectively, and preopening costs of $0.1 million in 2019. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (2) | Gaylord Opryland operating expenses for 2020 include approximately $7.1 million in expenses directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which are primarily employment costs, and is net of $2.1 million in payroll tax credits afforded under the CARES Act. Gaylord Opryland operating expenses for 2021 include approximately $1.0 million in credits directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes $0.5 million in payroll tax credits afforded under the CARES Act. |
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Gaylord Palms Results. The results of Gaylord Palms for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 are as follows (in thousands, except percentages and performance metrics):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2021 | % Change | 2020 | % Change | 2019 | |||||||||
| Revenues: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | $ | 57,510 | 102.1 | % | $ | 28,455 | (63.7) | % | $ | 78,392 | | ||
| Food and beverage | | 52,782 | 76.7 | % | 29,876 | (69.8) | % | 98,831 | | |||||
| Other hotel revenue | | 28,838 | 48.0 | % | 19,488 | (37.3) | % | 31,075 | | |||||
| Total revenue | | 139,130 | 78.8 | % | 77,819 | (62.6) | % | 208,298 | | |||||
| Operating expenses: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | 12,608 | 61.6 | % | 7,802 | (53.2) | % | 16,662 | | |||||
| Food and beverage | | 34,158 | 59.4 | % | 21,434 | (58.7) | % | 51,865 | | |||||
| Other hotel expenses | | 64,766 | 22.4 | % | 52,909 | (28.3) | % | 73,837 | | |||||
| Management fees, net | | 2,216 | 117.9 | % | 1,017 | (82.7) | % | 5,868 | | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | | 21,112 | 27.3 | % | 16,586 | (14.5) | % | 19,393 | | |||||
| Total operating expenses (1)(2) | | 134,860 | 35.2 | % | 99,748 | (40.5) | % | 167,625 | | |||||
| Performance metrics (3): | | | | | ||||||||||
| Occupancy | | 44.6 | % | 18.4 | pts | 26.2 | % | (51.2) | pts | 77.4 | % | |||
| ADR | | $ | 220.90 | 5.6 | % | $ | 209.22 | 6.7 | % | $ | 196.06 | | ||
| RevPAR | | $ | 98.46 | 79.3 | % | $ | 54.91 | (63.8) | % | $ | 151.68 | | ||
| Total RevPAR | | $ | 238.19 | 58.6 | % | $ | 150.15 | (62.7) | % | $ | 403.02 | |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | Gaylord Palms operating expenses do not include preopening costs of $0.7 million and $0.3 million in 2021 and 2020, respectively. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (2) | Gaylord Palms operating expenses for 2020 include approximately $4.6 million in expenses directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which are primarily employment costs, and is net of $1.2 million in payroll tax credits afforded under the CARES Act. Gaylord Palms operating expenses for 2021 include approximately $0.1 million in credits directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes $0.5 million in payroll tax credits afforded under the CARES Act. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (3) | Gaylord Palms metrics for 2021 include the addition of 302 additional guest rooms beginning June 1, 2021. |
Gaylord Texan Results. The results of Gaylord Texan for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 are as follows (in thousands, except percentages and performance metrics):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2021 | % Change | 2020 | % Change | 2019 | |||||||||
| Revenues: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | $ | 71,854 | 80.5 | % | $ | 39,819 | (60.8) | % | $ | 101,604 | | ||
| Food and beverage | | 70,429 | 61.5 | % | 43,611 | (70.6) | % | 148,154 | | |||||
| Other hotel revenue | | 37,748 | 35.8 | % | 27,806 | (35.0) | % | 42,790 | | |||||
| Total revenue | | 180,031 | 61.8 | % | 111,236 | (62.0) | % | 292,548 | | |||||
| Operating expenses: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | 15,957 | 61.9 | % | 9,854 | (54.1) | % | 21,469 | | |||||
| Food and beverage | | 46,319 | 59.7 | % | 29,005 | (59.7) | % | 72,008 | | |||||
| Other hotel expenses | | 61,237 | 19.7 | % | 51,138 | (34.4) | % | 77,989 | | |||||
| Management fees, net | | 2,858 | 89.1 | % | 1,511 | (83.6) | % | 9,189 | | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | | 24,712 | (3.3) | % | 25,546 | (3.1) | % | 26,362 | | |||||
| Total operating expenses (1) | | 151,083 | 29.1 | % | 117,054 | (43.5) | % | 207,017 | | |||||
| Performance metrics: | | | | | | | | |||||||
| Occupancy | | 49.1 | % | 19.8 | pts | 29.3 | % | (48.9) | pts | 78.2 | % | |||
| ADR | | $ | 221.00 | 8.1 | % | $ | 204.38 | 4.1 | % | $ | 196.26 | | ||
| RevPAR | | $ | 108.52 | 81.0 | % | $ | 59.97 | (60.9) | % | $ | 153.45 | | ||
| Total RevPAR | | $ | 271.91 | 62.3 | % | $ | 167.54 | (62.1) | % | $ | 441.84 | |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | Gaylord Texan operating expenses for 2020 include approximately $3.6 million in expenses directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which are primarily employment costs, and is net of $1.3 million in payroll tax credits afforded under the CARES Act. Gaylord Texan operating expenses for 2021 include approximately $0.6 million in credits directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes $0.4 million in payroll tax credits afforded under the CARES Act. |
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Gaylord National Results. The results of Gaylord National for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 are as follows (in thousands, except percentages and performance metrics):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2021 | % Change | 2020 | % Change | 2019 | | ||||||||
| Revenues: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | $ | 32,005 | 63.9 | % | $ | 19,531 | (83.4) | % | $ | 117,977 | | ||
| Food and beverage | | 28,450 | 15.1 | % | 24,716 | (81.0) | % | 130,210 | | |||||
| Other hotel revenue | | 18,964 | 143.8 | % | 7,779 | (76.6) | % | 33,180 | | |||||
| Total revenue | | 79,419 | 52.7 | % | 52,026 | (81.5) | % | 281,367 | | |||||
| Operating expenses: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Rooms | | 15,390 | 16.6 | % | 13,197 | (68.5) | % | 41,863 | | |||||
| Food and beverage | | 23,501 | (20.7) | % | 29,626 | (64.3) | % | 83,101 | | |||||
| Other hotel expenses | | 56,758 | 30.6 | % | 43,449 | (50.8) | % | 88,336 | | |||||
| Management fees, net | | 756 | 250.0 | % | 216 | (95.4) | % | 4,736 | | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | | 30,462 | 10.2 | % | 27,641 | (0.5) | % | 27,776 | | |||||
| Total operating expenses (1)(2) | | 126,867 | 11.2 | % | 114,129 | (53.6) | % | 245,812 | | |||||
| Performance metrics: | | | | | ||||||||||
| Occupancy | | 19.1 | % | 6.2 | pts | 12.9 | % | (62.2) | pts | 75.1 | % | |||
| ADR | | $ | 230.12 | 11.1 | % | $ | 207.12 | (4.0) | % | $ | 215.74 | | ||
| RevPAR | | $ | 43.93 | 64.3 | % | $ | 26.74 | (83.5) | % | $ | 161.94 | | ||
| Total RevPAR | | $ | 109.01 | 53.1 | % | $ | 71.22 | (81.6) | % | $ | 386.21 | |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | Gaylord National operating expenses for 2020 do not include credit losses on held-to-maturity securities of $32.8 million. See discussion of this item below. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (2) | Gaylord National operating expenses for 2020 include approximately $16.0 million in expenses directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which are primarily employment costs, and is net of $2.2 million in payroll tax credits afforded under the CARES Act. Gaylord National operating expenses for 2021 include approximately $2.7 million in credits directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes $2.5 million in payroll tax credits afforded under the CARES Act. |
Gaylord Rockies Results. The results of Gaylord Rockies for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 are as follows (in thousands, except percentages and performance metrics):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2021 | | % Change | | 2020 | | % Change | | 2019 | | |||
| Revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Rooms | | $ | 47,061 | | 87.9 | % | $ | 25,041 | | (66.8) | % | $ | 75,475 | |
| Food and beverage | | | 52,761 | | 31.2 | % | | 40,224 | | (66.7) | % | | 120,634 | |
| Other hotel revenue | | | 36,120 | | 85.7 | % | | 19,450 | | (36.2) | % | | 30,467 | |
| Total revenue | | | 135,942 | | 60.5 | % | | 84,715 | | (62.6) | % | | 226,576 | |
| Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||
| Rooms | | | 13,533 | | 44.0 | % | | 9,400 | | (57.5) | % | | 22,127 | |
| Food and beverage | | | 38,662 | | 40.9 | % | | 27,435 | | (59.4) | % | | 67,565 | |
| Other hotel expenses | | | 45,102 | | 31.2 | % | | 34,373 | | (26.8) | % | | 46,930 | |
| Management fees, net | | | 3,714 | | 13.3 | % | | 3,277 | | (63.5) | % | | 8,987 | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 90,687 | | 0.2 | % | | 90,533 | | 0.5 | % | | 90,038 | |
| Total operating expenses (1)(2) | | | 191,698 | | 16.2 | % | | 165,018 | | (30.0) | % | | 235,647 | |
| Performance metrics: | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||
| Occupancy | | | 39.9 | % | 16.3 | pts | | 23.6 | % | (45.6) | pts | | 69.2 | % |
| ADR | | $ | 215.17 | | 11.6 | % | $ | 192.89 | | (3.0) | % | $ | 198.94 | |
| RevPAR | | $ | 85.90 | | 88.5 | % | $ | 45.58 | | (66.9) | % | $ | 137.76 | |
| Total RevPAR | | $ | 248.13 | | 60.9 | % | $ | 154.21 | | (62.7) | % | $ | 413.56 | |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | Gaylord Rockies operating expenses do not include preopening costs of $0.6 million for 2019. |
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| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (2) | Gaylord Rockies operating expenses for 2020 include approximately $3.0 million in expenses directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which are primarily employment costs, and is net of $1.1 million in payroll tax credits afforded under the CARES Act. Gaylord Rockies operating expenses for 2021 include approximately $0.2 million in credits directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes $0.3 million in payroll tax credits afforded under the CARES Act. |
Entertainment Segment
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we temporarily closed our Entertainment segment assets in mid-March 2020 and reopened in stages in the summer and fall of 2020 with limited capacity. The Wildhorse Saloon was again closed subsequent to the December 2020 downtown Nashville bombing and reopened in April 2021. In May 2021, all venues returned to full capacity. Therefore, the Entertainment segment financial results for 2021 and 2020 are not comparable to historical periods. The following presents the financial results of our Entertainment segment for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands, except percentages):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2021 | % Change | 2020 | % Change | 2019 | ||||||||
| Revenues | | $ | 152,790 | 161.5 | % | $ | 58,430 | (68.1) | % | $ | 183,120 | ||
| Operating expenses | | 117,753 | 50.4 | % | 78,301 | (38.2) | % | 126,609 | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | | 14,655 | 2.0 | % | 14,371 | 28.9 | % | 11,150 | |||||
| Operating income (loss) (1)(2) | | $ | 20,382 | 159.5 | % | $ | (34,242) | (175.5) | % | $ | 45,361 |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | Entertainment segment operating income (loss) does not include preopening costs of $1.4 million and $1.9 million in 2020 and 2019, respectively. Entertainment segment operating income (loss) also does not include loss from unconsolidated joint ventures of $9.0 million, $6.5 million and $1.1 million in 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, related to Circle. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (2) | Entertainment segment operating loss for 2020 includes approximately $4.6 million in expenses directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which are primarily employment costs. |
Corporate and Other Segment
The following presents the financial results of our Corporate and Other segment for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands, except percentages):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2021 | % Change | 2020 | % Change | 2019 | ||||||||
| Operating expenses | | $ | 38,597 | 34.0 | % | $ | 28,795 | (20.6) | % | $ | 36,282 | ||
| Depreciation and amortization | | 2,027 | (23.2) | % | 2,638 | 61.9 | % | 1,629 | |||||
| Operating loss (1) | | $ | (40,624) | 29.2 | % | $ | (31,433) | (17.1) | % | $ | (37,911) |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | Corporate segment operating loss for 2020 includes approximately $0.6 million in expenses directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which are primarily employment costs. |
Corporate and Other operating expenses, which consist primarily of costs associated with senior management salaries and benefits, legal, human resources, accounting, pension and other administrative costs, increased in 2021, as compared to 2020, primarily as a result of increased consulting and employment expenses. In addition, 2020 included voluntary temporary compensation decreases for senior management.
Operating Results – Preopening costs
We expense the costs associated with start-up activities and organization costs as incurred. Our preopening costs for 2021 primarily include costs associated with the Gaylord Palms expansion, which was completed in April 2021. Our preopening costs for 2020 include costs associated with Ole Red Orlando, which opened in June 2020, and the Gaylord Palms expansion.
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Operating Results – Gain on Sale of Assets
Gain on sale of assets during 2021 and 2020 primarily represents the sale of certain assets at Gaylord Opryland.
Operating Results – Credit Losses on Held-to-Maturity Securities
Credit losses on held-to-maturity securities of $32.8 million during 2020 relate to the bonds we received in 2008 related to the Gaylord National construction, which we hold as notes receivable. See further discussion regarding these credit losses in Note 3, “Notes Receivable,” to the consolidated financial statements included herein.
Non-Operating Results Affecting Net Income (Loss)
General
The following table summarizes the other factors which affected our net income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands, except percentages):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 2021 | % Change | 2020 | % Change | 2019 | ||||||||
| Interest expense | | $ | 125,347 | 8.3 | % | $ | 115,783 | (12.0) | % | $ | 131,620 | ||
| Interest income | | 5,685 | (22.2) | % | 7,304 | (37.9) | % | 11,769 | |||||
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | | | (2,949) | | (100.0) | % | | — | | 100.0 | % | | (494) |
| Loss from unconsolidated joint ventures | | (8,963) | (38.9) | % | (6,451) | (481.2) | % | (1,110) | |||||
| Other gains and (losses), net | | 405 | 102.7 | % | (14,976) | (2,261.0) | % | 693 | |||||
| Provision for income taxes | | (4,957) | (81.7) | % | (27,084) | 46.6 | % | (18,475) |
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased $9.6 million in 2021, as compared to 2020, due primarily to increased principal balances outstanding under our senior notes. Our weighted average interest rate on our borrowings, excluding the write-off of deferred financing costs and capitalized interest, was 4.4% in each of 2021 and 2020. Cash interest expense increased $8.2 million to $119.7 million in 2021, as compared to 2020, and non-cash interest expense, which includes amortization and write-off of deferred financing costs and the effects of interest rate swaps, and is offset by capitalized interest, increased $1.4 million to $5.6 million in 2021, as compared to 2020.
Interest Income
Interest income for 2021 and 2020 primarily includes amounts earned on the bonds that we received in 2008 in connection with the development of Gaylord National, which we hold as notes receivable.
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt
In February 2021, we commenced a cash tender offer for any and all outstanding $400 Million 5% Senior Notes at a redemption price of $1,005.00 per $1,000 principal amount. Pursuant to the tender offer, $161.9 million aggregate principal amount of these notes were validly tendered. As a result of our purchase of these tendered notes, and the subsequent redemption of all untendered $400 Million 5% Senior Notes, we recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $2.9 million in 2021.
Loss from Unconsolidated Joint Ventures
The loss from unconsolidated joint ventures for 2021 and 2020 represents our equity method share of losses associated with Circle.
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Other Gains and (Losses), net
Other gains and (losses), net for 2021 includes various miscellaneous items. Other gains and (losses), net for 2020 includes the forfeiture of the $15.0 million deposit associated with the previously terminated Block 21 acquisition. See “Potential Acquisition of Block 21; Termination of Previous Block 21 Acquisition Agreement” above for additional discussion.
Provision for Income Taxes
As a REIT, we generally will not be subject to federal corporate income taxes on ordinary taxable income and capital gains income from real estate investments that we distribute to our stockholders. We will continue to be required to pay federal and state corporate income taxes on earnings of our TRSs.
During 2021 and 2020, we recorded an income tax provision of $5.0 million and $27.1 million, respectively. The income tax provision for 2020 includes $26.7 million in expense related to the recording of a valuation allowance on the 2020 beginning net deferred tax assets of our TRSs, as discussed in Note 10, “Income Taxes,” to the consolidated financial statements included herein.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We present the following non-GAAP financial measures, which we believe are useful to investors as key measures of our operating performance:
EBITDAre, Adjusted EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDAre, Excluding Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Joint Venture Definition
We calculate EBITDAre, which is defined by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”) in its September 2017 white paper as net income (calculated in accordance with GAAP) plus interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization, gains or losses on the disposition of depreciated property (including gains or losses on change in control), impairment write-downs of depreciated property and of investments in unconsolidated affiliates caused by a decrease in the value of depreciated property or the affiliate, and adjustments to reflect the entity’s share of EBITDAre of unconsolidated affiliates.
Adjusted EBITDAre is then calculated as EBITDAre, plus to the extent the following adjustments occurred during the periods presented:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Preopening costs; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Non-cash lease expense; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Equity-based compensation expense; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Impairment charges that do not meet the NAREIT definition above; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Credit losses on held-to-maturity securities; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Any transaction costs of acquisitions; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Loss on extinguishment of debt; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Pension settlement charges; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Pro rata Adjusted EBITDAre from unconsolidated joint ventures; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Any other adjustments we have identified herein. |
We then exclude the pro rata share of Adjusted EBITDAre related to noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures to calculate Adjusted EBITDAre, Excluding Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Joint Venture.
We use EBITDAre, Adjusted EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDAre, Excluding Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Joint Venture to evaluate our operating performance. We believe that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to investors regarding our operating performance and debt leverage metrics, and
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that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures, when combined with the primary GAAP presentation of net income, is beneficial to an investor’s complete understanding of our operating performance. We make additional adjustments to EBITDAre when evaluating our performance because we believe that presenting Adjusted EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDAre, Excluding Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Joint Venture provides useful information to investors regarding our operating performance and debt leverage metrics.
FFO, Adjusted FFO, and Adjusted FFO available to common shareholders and unit holders Definition
We calculate FFO, which definition is clarified by NAREIT in its December 2018 white paper as net income (calculated in accordance with GAAP) excluding depreciation and amortization (excluding amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discounts), gains and losses from the sale of certain real estate assets, gains and losses from a change in control, impairment write-downs of certain real estate assets and investments in entities when the impairment is directly attributable to decreases in the value of depreciated real estate held by the entity, income (loss) from consolidated joint ventures attributable to noncontrolling interest, and pro rata adjustments for unconsolidated joint ventures.
To calculate Adjusted FFO available to common shareholders and unit holders, we then exclude, to the extent the following adjustments occurred during the periods presented:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Right-of-use asset amortization; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Impairment charges that do not meet the NAREIT definition above; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Write-offs of deferred financing costs; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Amortization of debt discounts or premiums and amortization of deferred financing costs; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Loss on extinguishment of debt; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Non-cash lease expense; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Credit loss on held-to-maturity securities; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Pension settlement charges; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Additional pro rata adjustments from unconsolidated joint ventures; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | (Gains) losses on other assets; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Transaction costs on acquisitions; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Deferred income tax expense (benefit); and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Any other adjustments we have identified herein. |
FFO available to common shareholders and unit holders and Adjusted FFO available to common shareholders and unit holders exclude the ownership portion of the Gaylord Rockies joint venture not controlled or owned by the Company.
We believe that the presentation of FFO available to common shareholders and unit holders and Adjusted FFO available to common shareholders and unit holders provides useful information to investors regarding the performance of our ongoing operations because they are a measure of our operations without regard to specified non-cash items such as real estate depreciation and amortization, gain or loss on sale of assets and certain other items, which we believe are not indicative of the performance of our underlying hotel properties. We believe that these items are more representative of our asset base than our ongoing operations. We also use these non-GAAP financial measures as measures in determining our results after considering the impact of our capital structure.
We caution investors that amounts presented in accordance with our definitions of Adjusted EBITDAre, Adjusted EBITDAre, Excluding Noncontrolling Interest, FFO available to common shareholders and unit holders, and Adjusted FFO available to common shareholders and unit holders may not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by other companies, because not all companies calculate these non-GAAP measures in the same manner. These non-GAAP financial measures, and any related per share measures, should not be considered as alternative measures of our Net Income (Loss), operating performance, cash flow or liquidity. These non-GAAP financial measures may include funds that may not be available for our discretionary use due to functional requirements to conserve funds for capital expenditures and property acquisitions and other commitments and uncertainties. Although we believe that these non-GAAP financial measures can enhance an investor’s understanding of our results of operations, these non-GAAP
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financial measures, when viewed individually, are not necessarily better indicators of any trend as compared to GAAP measures such as Net Income (Loss), Operating Income (Loss), or cash flow from operations.
The following is a reconciliation of our consolidated GAAP net income (loss) to EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDAre for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||
| Net income (loss) | | $ | (194,801) | | $ | (460,821) | | $ | 128,294 |
| Interest expense, net | | | 119,662 | | | 108,479 | | | 119,851 |
| Provision for income taxes | | | 4,957 | | | 27,084 | | | 18,475 |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 220,357 | | | 215,082 | | | 213,847 |
| (Gain) loss on sale of assets | | | (315) | | | (1,154) | | | 1 |
| Pro rata EBITDAre from unconsolidated joint ventures | | | 73 | | | 48 | | | (11) |
| EBITDAre | | | 149,933 | | | (111,282) | | | 480,457 |
| Preopening costs | | | 737 | | | 1,665 | | | 3,122 |
| Non-cash lease expense | | | 4,375 | | | 4,474 | | | 4,910 |
| Equity-based compensation expense | | | 12,104 | | | 8,732 | | | 7,833 |
| Pension settlement charge | | | 1,379 | | | 1,740 | | | 1,904 |
| Credit loss on held-to-maturity securities | | | — | | | 32,784 | | | — |
| Interest income on Gaylord National bonds | | | 5,502 | | | 6,171 | | | 10,272 |
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | | | 2,949 | | | — | | | 494 |
| Transaction costs of acquisitions | | | 360 | | | 15,437 | | | 417 |
| Pro rata adjusted EBITDAre from unconsolidated joint ventures | | | — | | | — | | | 1,121 |
| Adjusted EBITDAre | | | 177,339 | | | (40,279) | | | 510,530 |
| Adjusted EBITDAre of noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint venture | | | 1,017 | | | (3,989) | | | (31,138) |
| Adjusted EBITDAre, excluding noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint venture | | $ | 178,356 | | $ | (44,268) | | $ | 479,392 |
The following is a reconciliation of our consolidated GAAP net income (loss) to FFO and Adjusted FFO for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 | |||
| Net income (loss) | | $ | (194,801) | | $ | (460,821) | | $ | 128,294 |
| Noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint venture | | | 16,501 | | | 42,474 | | | 17,500 |
| Net income (loss) available to common shareholders and unit holders | | | (178,300) | | | (418,347) | | | 145,794 |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 220,211 | | | 214,933 | | | 213,690 |
| Adjustments for noncontrolling interest | | | (11,069) | | | (33,213) | | | (34,538) |
| Pro rata adjustments from joint ventures | | | 73 | | | 50 | | | — |
| FFO available to common shareholders and unit holders | | | 30,915 | | | (236,577) | | | 324,946 |
| Right-of-use asset amortization | | | 146 | | | 149 | | | 157 |
| Non-cash lease expense | | | 4,375 | | | 4,474 | | | 4,910 |
| Pension settlement charge | | | 1,379 | | | 1,740 | | | 1,904 |
| Credit loss on held-to-maturity securities | | | — | | | 32,784 | | | — |
| Gain on other assets | | | (317) | | | (1,161) | | | (4) |
| Write-off of deferred financing costs | | | — | | | 281 | | | 3,079 |
| Amortization of deferred financing costs | | | 8,790 | | | 7,948 | | | 7,662 |
| Amortization of debt premiums | | | (279) | | | (267) | | | (66) |
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | | | 2,949 | | | — | | | 494 |
| Adjustments for noncontrolling interest | | | (294) | | | (932) | | | (1,282) |
| Transaction costs of acquisitions | | | 360 | | | 15,437 | | | 417 |
| Deferred tax expense | | | 4,006 | | | 26,526 | | | 14,414 |
| Adjusted FFO available to common shareholders and unit holders | | $ | 52,030 | | $ | (149,598) | | $ | 356,631 |
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flows from Operating Activities. Historically, cash flow from operating activities has been the principal source of cash used to fund our operating expenses, interest payments on debt, maintenance capital expenditures, and dividends to stockholders. During 2021, our net cash flows provided by operating activities were $111.3 million, primarily reflecting our net loss before depreciation expense, amortization expense and other non-cash charges of approximately $59.4 million and favorable changes in working capital of approximately $51.8 million. The favorable changes in working capital primarily resulted from an increase in deferred revenues associated with advanced room deposits at our Gaylord Hotels properties and an increase in accrued employment costs and general accrued liabilities as a result of increased business levels, partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable due to an increase in group business at our Gaylord Hotels properties.
During 2020, with our hotels and other assets operating at limited capacity, our net cash flows used in operating activities were $161.5 million, primarily reflecting cash used in our net loss before depreciation expense, amortization expense and other non-cash charges of approximately $148.0 million and unfavorable changes in working capital of approximately $13.5 million. The unfavorable changes in working capital primarily resulted from a decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities associated with the payment of incentive compensation and general payables due to property closures or reduced business levels, partially offset by a decrease in accounts receivable due to the collection of previous receivables and the decrease of new receivables due to property closures and a decrease in business for properties that had reopened.
Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities.
During 2021, our primary use of funds for investing activities was the $210.0 million purchase of the remaining 35% interest in the Gaylord Rockies joint venture and adjacent, undeveloped land. In addition, we spent $77.4 million for purchases of property and equipment, which consisted primarily of a rooms renovation at Gaylord National, the expansion of Gaylord Palms, and ongoing maintenance capital expenditures for our existing properties.
During 2020, our primary uses of funds for investing activities were purchases of property and equipment, which totaled $165.5 million, and consisted primarily of the expansion of Gaylord Palms and ongoing maintenance capital expenditures for our existing properties.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities. Our cash flows from financing activities reflect primarily the incurrence of and the repayment of long-term debt and, during 2020, the payment of dividends. During 2021, net cash flows provided by financing activities were $261.7 million, primarily reflecting net senior note borrowing of $200.0 million and net borrowings under our credit facility of $79.0 million, partially offset by the payment of $10.6 million in deferred financing costs.
During 2020, net cash flows used in financing activities were $6.5 million, primarily reflecting the payment of $102.3 million in cash dividends, partially offset by $101.0 million in net borrowings under our credit facility.
Liquidity
At December 31, 2021, we had $140.7 million in unrestricted cash and $509.8 million available for borrowing under our revolving credit facility. During 2021, we net borrowed $84.0 million under our revolving credit facility, tendered for and redeemed $400.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes, issued $600.0 million in aggregate principal amount of new senior notes, purchased the remaining 35% of the Gaylord Rockies joint venture that we did not previously own and undeveloped land adjacent to Gaylord Rockies for $210.0 million, and incurred capital expenditures of $77.4 million. These net outflows, offset by cash flows from operations discussed above, were the primary factors in the increase in our cash balance from 2020 to 2021.
We anticipate investing in our operations during 2022 by spending between approximately $150 million and $180 million in capital expenditures, which primarily includes the construction of Ole Red Las Vegas, a re-concepting of the food and beverage options at Gaylord National, enhancements to the offerings at Block 21, and ongoing maintenance
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capital of our current facilities. In addition, we plan to spend approximately $125 million, after assumption of existing mortgage debt, to complete the anticipated Block 21 acquisition and intend to contribute up to an additional $12.0 million in capital to the Circle joint venture for working capital needs. We currently have no debt maturities until July 2023. We believe we will be able to refinance our debt agreements prior to their maturities.
We believe that our cash on hand, together with amounts available for borrowing under our revolving credit facility, will be adequate to fund our general short-term commitments, as well as: (i) current operating expenses, (ii) interest expense on long-term debt obligations, and (iii) financing lease and operating lease obligations until our assets are able to operate at pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels. Our ability to draw on our credit facility is subject to the satisfaction of provisions of the credit facility, as amended.
Our outstanding principal debt agreements are described below. At December 31, 2021, there were no defaults under the covenants related to our outstanding debt based on the amended terms of our credit agreement.
Principal Debt Agreements
Credit Facility. On October 31, 2019, we entered into a Sixth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) among the Company, as a guarantor, the Operating Partnership, as borrower, certain other subsidiaries of the Company party thereto, as guarantors, certain subsidiaries of the Company party thereto, as pledgors, the lenders party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, which amended and restated the Company’s existing credit facility. As amended, our credit facility consists of a $700.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Revolver”), a $300.0 million senior secured term loan A (the “Term Loan A”), and a $500.0 million senior secured term loan B (the “Term Loan B”), each as discussed below. The Credit Agreement also includes an accordion feature of $600 million and a $50.0 million letter of credit sublimit. In 2020, we entered into two amendments (the “Amendments”) to the Credit Agreement among the same parties, each as discussed below. Additionally, we further amended the Credit Agreement in October 2021 to permit an acquisition during the Credit Agreement’s restricted period (as defined below) and an assumption of indebtedness, subject to certain conditions.
Each of the Revolver, Term Loan A and Term Loan B is guaranteed by us, each of our subsidiaries that own the Gaylord Hotels properties, other than Gaylord Rockies, and certain of our other subsidiaries. Each is secured by (i) a first mortgage lien on the real property of each of our Gaylord Hotels properties, excluding Gaylord Rockies, (ii) pledges of equity interests in our subsidiaries that own the Gaylord Hotels properties, excluding Gaylord Rockies, (iii) pledges of equity interests in the Operating Partnership, our subsidiaries that guarantee the Credit Agreement, and certain other of our subsidiaries, (iv) our personal property and the personal property of the Operating Partnership and our guarantor subsidiaries and (v) all proceeds and products from our Gaylord Hotels properties, excluding Gaylord Rockies. Advances are subject to a 55% borrowing base, based on the appraisal value of the Gaylord Hotels properties (reduced to 50% in the event one of the Gaylord Hotel properties is sold), in each case, excluding Gaylord Rockies. Assets of Gaylord Rockies are not subject to the liens of our credit facility.
In addition, each of the Revolver, Term Loan A and Term Loan B contains certain covenants which, among other things, limit the incurrence of additional indebtedness, investments, dividends, transactions with affiliates, asset sales, acquisitions, mergers and consolidations, liens and encumbrances and other matters customarily restricted in such agreements. The material financial covenants, ratios or tests contained in the Credit Agreement are as follows:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | We must maintain a consolidated funded indebtedness to total asset value ratio as of the end of each calendar quarter of not more than .65 to 1.0. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | We must maintain a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, of not less than 1.50 to 1.00. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | We must maintain an implied debt service coverage ratio (the ratio of adjusted net operating income to monthly principal and interest that would be required if the outstanding balance were amortized over 25 years at an assumed fixed rate) of not less than 1.60 to 1.00. |
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The Amendments provide for a waiver of the foregoing financial covenants through March 31, 2022 (the “Temporary Waiver Period”). In addition, the Amendments contain a covenant that we must maintain unrestricted liquidity (in the form of unrestricted cash on hand or undrawn availability under the Revolver) of at least $100 million. In the event we are unable to comply with the Credit Agreement’s financial covenants, we expect to further amend the Credit Agreement or take other mitigating actions prior to a potential breach.
We may elect to terminate the Temporary Waiver Period prior to expiration. For the first quarter following expiration or termination of the Temporary Waiver Period, we will calculate compliance with the financial covenants in the Credit Agreement using a designated annualized calculation based on our most recently completed fiscal quarter. Thereafter, we will be required to satisfy financial covenants at the levels set forth in the Credit Agreement using a designated annualized calculation based on our most recently completed fiscal quarters, as applicable. Pursuant to the Amendments, we are required to use any proceeds from borrowings drawn during the Temporary Waiver Period and until we demonstrate financial covenant compliance following the expiration or earlier termination of the Temporary Waiver Period (the “Restricted Period”) to fund operating expenses, debt service of the Company and its subsidiaries, and permitted capital expenditures and investments.
If an event of default shall occur and be continuing under the Credit Agreement, the commitments under the Credit Agreement may be terminated and the principal amount outstanding under the Credit Agreement, together with all accrued unpaid interest and other amounts owing in respect thereof, may be declared immediately due and payable.
Revolving Credit Facility. Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, we extended the maturity of the Revolver to March 31, 2024, with two additional six-month extension options, at our election. Borrowings under the Revolver bear interest at an annual rate equal to, at our option, either (i) LIBOR plus the applicable margin ranging from 1.40% to 1.95%, dependent upon our funded debt to total asset value ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) or (ii) a base rate as set in the Credit Agreement. Pursuant to the Amendments, beginning April 1, 2021 through the end of the Restricted Period, the interest rate on LIBOR-based borrowings under the Revolver will be LIBOR plus 2.25%. Principal is payable in full at maturity.
At December 31, 2021, $190.0 million of borrowings were outstanding under the Revolver, and the lending banks had issued $0.2 million of letters of credit under the Credit Agreement, which left $509.8 million of availability under the Revolver (subject to the satisfaction of debt incurrence tests under the indentures governing our $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes and our $700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes, which we met at December 31, 2021).
Term Loan A Facility. Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, we extended the maturity date of the Term Loan A to March 31, 2025. Borrowings bear interest at an annual rate equal to, at our option, either (i) LIBOR plus the applicable margin ranging from 1.35% to 1.90%, dependent upon our funded debt to total asset value ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) or (ii) a base rate as set in the Credit Agreement. Pursuant to the Amendments, beginning April 1, 2021 through the end of the Restricted Period, the interest rate on LIBOR-based borrowings under the Term Loan A will be LIBOR plus 2.25%. Amounts borrowed under the Term Loan A that are repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed.
Term Loan B Facility. The Term Loan B has a maturity date of May 11, 2024. The applicable interest rate margins on borrowings under the Term Loan B are, at our option, either (i) LIBOR plus 2.00% or (ii) a base rate as set in the Credit Agreement. At December 31, 2021, the interest rate on the Term Loan B was LIBOR plus 2.00%. In October 2019, we entered into four interest rate swaps with a total notional amount of $350.0 million to fix the LIBOR portion of the interest rate, at rates between 1.2235% and 1.2315%, through May 11, 2023. We have designated these interest rate swaps as effective cash flow hedges. The Term Loan B amortizes in equal quarterly installments in aggregate annual amounts equal to 1.0% of the original principal amount of $500.0 million, with the balance due at maturity. In addition, if for any fiscal year there is Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the Credit Agreement), an additional principal amount is required. Amounts borrowed under the Term Loan B that are repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed. At December 31, 2021, $376.3 million in borrowings were outstanding under the Term Loan B.
$700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes. In September 2019, the Operating Partnership and Finco completed the private placement of $500.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2027, which are guaranteed by the Company and its subsidiaries that guarantee the Credit Agreement. The $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes and
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guarantees were issued pursuant to an indenture by and among the issuing subsidiaries and the guarantors and U.S. Bank National Association as trustee. The $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes have a maturity date of October 15, 2027 and bear interest at 4.75% per annum, payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year. The $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes are general unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the issuing subsidiaries and rank equal in right of payment with such subsidiaries’ existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness, including the $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes, and senior in right of payment to future subordinated indebtedness, if any. The $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to the issuing subsidiaries’ secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. The guarantees rank equally in right of payment with the applicable guarantor’s existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness of such guarantor. The $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness of any guarantor to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness and structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other obligations of the Operating Partnership’s subsidiaries that do not guarantee the $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes.
In October 2019, we completed a tack-on private placement of $200.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.75% senior notes due 2027 (the “additional 2027 notes”) at an issue price of 101.250% of their aggregate principal amount plus accrued interest from the September 19, 2019 issue date for the $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes. The additional 2027 notes and the $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes constitute a single class of securities (collectively, the “$700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes”). All other terms and conditions of the additional 2027 notes are identical to the $500 Million 4.75% Senior Notes.
The $700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes are redeemable before October 15, 2022, in whole or in part, at 100.00%, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the redemption date, plus a make-whole premium. The $700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part, at any time on or after October 15, 2022 at a redemption price expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof, which percentage is 103.563%, 102.375%, 101.188%, and 100.00% beginning on October 15 of 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025, respectively, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the redemption date.
We completed a registered offer to exchange the $700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes for registered notes with substantially identical terms as the $700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes in July 2020.
$600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes. On February 17, 2021, the Operating Partnership and Finco completed the private placement of $600.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2029, which are guaranteed by the Company and its subsidiaries that guarantee the Credit Agreement. The $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes and guarantees were issued pursuant to an indenture by and among the issuing subsidiaries and the guarantors and U.S. Bank National Association as trustee. The $600 Million 5% Senior Notes have a maturity date of February 15, 2029 and bear interest at 4.50% per annum, payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on February 15 and August 15 each year, beginning on August 15, 2021. The $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes are general unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the issuing subsidiaries and rank equal in right of payment with such subsidiaries’ existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness, including the $700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes, and senior in right of payment to future subordinated indebtedness, if any. The $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to the issuing subsidiaries’ secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. The guarantees rank equally in right of payment with the applicable guarantor’s existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness of such guarantor. The $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness of any guarantor to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness and structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other obligations of the Operating Partnership’s subsidiaries that do not guarantee the $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes.
The net proceeds from the issuance of the $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes totaled approximately $591 million, after deducting the initial purchasers’ discounts, commissions and offering expenses. We used a significant portion of these proceeds to tender and redeem our previous $400 Million 5% Senior Notes, as discussed below, and to repay all of the amounts then outstanding under the Revolver. We used the remaining net proceeds for general corporate purposes.
The $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes are redeemable before February 15, 2024, in whole or in part, at 100.00%, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the redemption date, plus a make-whole premium. The $600
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Million 4.50% Senior Notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part, at any time on or after February 15, 2024 at a redemption price expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof, which percentage is 102.250%, 101.500%, 100.750%, and 100.000% beginning on February 15 of 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027, respectively, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the redemption date.
Tender for and Redemption of $400 Million 5% Senior Notes. In February 2021, we completed a cash tender offer for any and all outstanding $400 Million 5% Senior Notes. Pursuant to the tender offer, $161.9 million aggregate principal amount of the $400 Million 5% Senior Notes were validly tendered. Subsequent to the expiration of the tender offer, in February 2021 we gave irrevocable notice of the redemption of all remaining $400 Million 5% Senior Notes not tendered in the tender offer. We used a portion of the proceeds from the issuance of the $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes to fund the tender offer and redemption.
$800 Million Term Loan (Gaylord Rockies). On July 2, 2019, Aurora Convention Center Hotel, LLC and Aurora Convention Center Hotel Lessee, LLC, subsidiaries of the entities comprising the previous Gaylord Rockies joint venture, entered into a Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement (the “Gaylord Rockies Loan”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, which refinanced Gaylord Rockies’s existing $500 million construction loan and $39 million mezzanine loan, which were scheduled to mature in December 2019. The Gaylord Rockies Loan consists of an $800.0 million secured term loan facility and also includes the option for an additional $80.0 million of borrowing capacity should we pursue a future expansion of Gaylord Rockies, which was announced in February 2020 but has been postponed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Gaylord Rockies Loan matures July 2, 2023 with three, one-year extension options, subject to certain requirements in the Gaylord Rockies Loan, and bears interest at LIBOR plus 2.50%. Simultaneous with closing, Gaylord Rockies entered into an interest rate swap to fix the LIBOR portion of the interest rate at 1.65% for the first three years of the loan. We have designated this interest rate swap as an effective cash flow hedge.
The Gaylord Rockies Loan is secured by a deed of trust lien on the Gaylord Rockies real estate and related assets. We have entered into limited repayment and carry guaranties that, in the aggregate, guarantee repayment of 10% of the principal debt, together with interest and operating expenses, which are to be released once Gaylord Rockies achieves a certain debt service coverage threshold as defined in the Gaylord Rockies Loan. Generally, the Gaylord Rockies Loan is non-recourse to the Company, subject to (i) those limited guaranties, (ii) a completion guaranty in the event the expansion is pursued, and (iii) customary non-recourse carve-outs.
On June 30, 2020, the Gaylord Rockies Loan was amended (the “Loan Amendment”) to modify the Gaylord Rockies Loan to (i) provide for the ability to use cash for certain purposes, even during a Cash Sweep Period (as defined in the Loan Agreement), which Gaylord Rockies was in beginning in July 2020, (ii) extend the deadline for construction of an expansion to Gaylord Rockies to commence, and (iii) provide favorable changes to the debt service coverage ratio provisions.
The Loan Amendment includes restrictions on distributions to our subsidiaries that own Gaylord Rockies and requires a certain level of equity financing for a Gaylord Rockies expansion.
Additional Debt Limitations. Pursuant to the terms of the management agreements and pooling agreement with Marriott for our Gaylord Hotels properties, excluding Gaylord Rockies, we are subject to certain debt limitations described below.
The management agreements provide for the following limitations on indebtedness encumbering a hotel:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | The aggregate principal balance of all mortgage and mezzanine debt encumbering the hotel shall be no greater than 75% of the fair market value of the hotel; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | The ratio of (a) aggregate Operating Profit (as defined in the management agreement) in the 12 months prior to the closing on the mortgage or mezzanine debt to (b) annual debt service for the hotel shall equal or exceed 1.2:1; but is subject to the pooling agreement described below. |
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The pooled limitations on Secured Debt (as defined in the pooling agreement) are as follows:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | The aggregate principal balance of all mortgage and mezzanine debt on Pooled Hotels (as defined in the pooling agreement), shall be no more than 75% of the fair market value of Pooled Hotels. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | The ratio of (a) aggregate Operating Profit (as defined in the pooling agreement) of Pooled Hotels in the 12 months prior to closing on any mortgage or mezzanine debt, to (b) annual debt service for the Pooled Hotels, shall equal or exceed 1.2:1. |
Gaylord Rockies is not a Pooled Hotel for this purpose.
Estimated Interest on Principal Debt Agreements
Based on the stated interest rates on our fixed-rate debt and the rates in effect at December 31, 2021 for our variable-rate date after considering interest rate swaps, our estimated interest obligations over the next five years are $401.2 million. These estimated obligations are $114.4 million in 2022, $92.6 million in 2023, $71.8 million in 2024, $62.1 million in 2025, and $60.3 million in 2026. Variable rates, as well as outstanding principal balances, could change in future periods. See “Principal Debt Agreements” above for a discussion of our outstanding long-term debt. See “Supplemental Cash Flow Information” in Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included herein for a discussion of the interest we paid during 2021, 2020 and 2019.
Supplemental Guarantor Financial Information
The Company’s $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes and $700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes were each issued by the Issuers and are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by the Company (as the parent company), each of the Operating Partnership’s subsidiaries that own the Gaylord Hotels properties, excluding Gaylord Rockies, and certain other of the Company’s subsidiaries, each of which also guarantees the Operating Partnership’s Credit Agreement, as amended (such subsidiary guarantors, together with the Company, the “Guarantors”). The Guarantors are 100% owned by the Operating Partnership or the Company, and the guarantees are full and unconditional and joint and several. The guarantees rank equally in right of payment with each Guarantor’s existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and senior in right of payment to all future subordinated indebtedness, if any, of such Guarantor. Not all of the Company’s subsidiaries have guaranteed the Company’s $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes and $700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes, and the guarantees are structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other obligations of such subsidiaries that have not guaranteed the Company’s $600 Million 4.50% Senior Notes and $700 Million 4.75% Senior Notes.
The following tables present summarized financial information for the Issuers and the Guarantors on a combined basis and the intercompany balances and transactions between these parties, as well as any investments in or equity in earnings from non-guarantor subsidiaries, have been eliminated (amounts in thousands):
| | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| | | December 31, | |
| | 2021 | ||
| Net receivables due from non-guarantor subsidiaries | | $ | 552,246 |
| Other assets | | 1,603,226 | |
| Total assets | | $ | 2,155,472 |
| | | | |
| Total liabilities | | $ | 2,274,640 |
| Total noncontrolling interest | | $ | (159) |
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| | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year Ended | |
| | December 31, 2021 | ||
| Revenues from third-parties | | $ | 499 |
| Revenues from non-guarantor subsidiaries | | | 175,769 |
| Operating expenses (excluding expenses to non-guarantor subsidiaries) | | | 114,468 |
| Expenses to non-guarantor subsidiaries | | | 10,897 |
| Operating income | | | 50,903 |
| Interest income from non-guarantor subsidiaries | | | 18,805 |
| Net loss | | | (22,396) |
| Net loss available to common stockholders | | | (21,062) |
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” discusses our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Accounting estimates are an integral part of the preparation of the consolidated financial statements and the financial reporting process and are based upon current judgments. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Certain accounting estimates are particularly sensitive because of their complexity and the possibility that future events affecting them may differ materially from our current judgments and estimates.
This listing of critical accounting policies is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all of our accounting policies. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by generally accepted accounting principles, with no need for management’s judgment regarding accounting policy. We believe that of our significant accounting policies, which are discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included herein, the following involve a higher degree of judgment and complexity.
Revenue recognition. Revenues from occupied hotel rooms are recognized over time as the daily hotel stay is provided to hotel groups and guests. Revenues from concessions, food and beverage sales, and group meeting services are recognized over the period or at the time those goods or services are delivered to the hotel group or guest. Revenues from ancillary services at our hotels, such as spa, parking, and transportation services, are generally recognized at the time the goods or services are provided. Cancellation fees and attrition fees, which are charged to groups when they do not fulfill the minimum number of room nights or minimum food and beverage spending requirements originally contracted for, are generally recognized as revenue in the period we determine it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of revenue recognized will not occur, which is typically the period these fees are collected. We generally recognize revenues from the Entertainment segment at the point in time that services are provided or goods are delivered or shipped to the customer, as applicable. Entertainment segment revenues from licenses of content are recognized at the point in time the content is delivered to the licensee and the licensee can use and benefit from the content. Revenue related to content provided to Circle is eliminated for the portion of Circle that the Company owns.
Impairment of long-lived and other assets. In accounting for our long-lived and other assets, we assess our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets or asset group may not be recoverable. Factors we consider when assessing whether impairment indicators exist include (i) significant under-performance relative to historical or projected future operating results, (ii) significant changes in the manner of our use of assets or the strategy for our overall business, or (iii) significant negative industry or economic trends.
Recoverability of property and equipment and definite-lived intangible assets that will continue to be used is measured by comparing the carrying amount of the asset or asset group to the related total future undiscounted net cash flows. If an asset or asset group’s carrying value is not recoverable through those cash flows, the asset group is considered to be impaired. The impairment is measured by the difference between the assets’ carrying amount and their fair value, which
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is estimated using discounted cash flow analyses that utilize comprehensive cash flow projections, as well as observable market data to the extent available. Estimating the total future undiscounted net cash flows, as well as the fair value of assets or asset groups, if necessary, requires management to make assumptions and projections of future cash flows, long-term growth rates, asset holding periods, and other factors. The assumptions used to assess impairment consider historical trends, macroeconomic conditions, and projections consistent with our operating strategy. Changes in these estimates and assumptions can have a significant impact on the assessment, which could result in material impairment losses.
Credit losses on financial assets. We assess our financial assets, including the bonds we received in 2008 related to the Gaylord National construction (“Gaylord National Bonds”), and our accounts receivable for credit losses utilizing the expected loss model prescribed by ASC 326, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses,” and record a reserve, in the form of an allowance for credit losses, against the amortized cost basis for the portion of the financial asset that will not be recovered due to credit losses.
We provide credit loss reserves for the Gaylord National Bonds by comparing the amortized cost basis to their fair value. If the amortized cost basis exceeds the fair value, an expected credit loss exists and the allowance for credit losses is measured as the difference between the bonds’ amortized cost basis and fair value, which is estimated using discounted cash flow analyses that utilize comprehensive cash flow projections over the contractual life of the bonds, as well as observable market data to the extent available. Our estimate of the fair value of the Gaylord National Bonds is sensitive to the significant assumptions of the discounted cash flow analysis, which include the projections of hotel taxes (which are based on expected hotel rooms revenues) and property taxes, both of which are affected by expectations about future market and economic conditions, particularly those in the Washington D.C. market. Further, such assumptions require significant judgment as the Gaylord National Bonds and related projected cash flows continue for an extended period of time through 2037 and include the uncertainty of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We provide for credit loss reserves for trade receivables based upon a percentage of accounts receivable that considers historical write-offs, current economic conditions, and management’s expectations about future economic conditions, as well as periodic evaluations of the aging of accounts receivable.
Stock-based compensation. For awards of restricted stock units, we measure compensation expense based on the fair value of the awards on the date of grant. The fair value of time-based awards is determined based on the closing trading price of our common shares on the measurement date, which is generally the date of grant. The fair value of performance-based awards is determined using a Monte Carlo simulation. A Monte Carlo simulation requires the use of a number of assumptions, including historical volatility and correlation of the price of our common shares and the price of the common shares of a peer group, a risk-free rate of return, and an expected term. For each award, compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. For both time-based awards and performance-based awards, once the total amount of compensation expense is determined on the date of the grant, no adjustments are made to the amount recognized each period, unless there is a change to a non-market condition assumption. No compensation expense is recognized for awards for which employees do not render the requisite service.
Derivative financial instruments. We have entered into and may in the future enter into additional interest rate swap agreements to hedge against interest rate fluctuations. The Company does not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes and currently does not hold any derivatives that are not designated as hedges.
For derivatives designated as and that qualify as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk, the gain or loss on the derivative resulting from recording each instrument at estimated fair value is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss and subsequently reclassified to interest expense in the same period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. These amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the related variable-rate debt.
We determine the fair values of our interest rate swap contracts based on a widely accepted valuation methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash flows and the discounted expected variable cash flow, using interest rates derived from observable market interest rate curves and volatilities, with appropriate adjustments for any significant impact of non-performance risk of the parties to the swap contracts. We believe it is unlikely that materially different
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estimates for the fair value of financial derivative instruments would be made or reported based on other reasonable assumptions or conditions suggested by actual historical experience and other data available at the time the estimates were made.
Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation expense is based on the estimated useful life of our fixed assets. Amortization expense for leasehold improvements is based on the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the related assets, and amortization expense for intangibles acquired as part of a business combination is based on the specific circumstances of each intangible asset. The lives of the assets are based on a number of assumptions, including cost and timing of capital expenditures to maintain and refurbish the assets, as well as specific market and economic conditions. While management believes its estimates are reasonable, a change in the estimated lives could affect our depreciation expense in future periods.
Income taxes. As a REIT, generally we will not be subject to federal corporate income taxes on ordinary taxable income and capital gains income from real estate investments that we distribute to our stockholders. We will continue to be required to pay federal and state corporate income taxes on earnings of our TRSs.
Our deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.
We must assess the likelihood that we will be able to recover our deferred tax assets. If recovery is not likely, the provision for taxes is increased by recording a reserve, in the form of a valuation allowance, against the estimated deferred tax assets that will not ultimately be recoverable.
In addition, we must evaluate uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulations in the calculation of tax liabilities. We provide for uncertain tax positions and the related interest and penalties based upon management’s assessment of whether a tax benefit is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. We make this assessment based on only the technical merits of the tax position. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, we had no accruals for unrecognized tax benefits. We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions, if any, in income tax expense. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, we have accrued no interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions.
Pension plans. The costs and obligations of our pension plans recognized in our consolidated financial statements are determined from actuarial valuations, which are dependent on significant assumptions, judgments, and estimates. These assumptions, judgments, and estimates, which include discount rates at which the liabilities could be settled at the measurement date, expected return on plan assets and mortality rates, are evaluated at each annual measurement date. In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, actual results that differ from these assumptions, judgments, and estimates are accumulated and amortized over future periods and, therefore, affect expense recognized and obligations recorded in future periods.
The discount rate utilized for determining future benefit obligations is based on the market rate of a broad-based index of high-quality bonds receiving an AA- or better rating from a recognized rating agency on our annual measurement date that is matched to the future expected cash flows of the benefit plans by annual periods. The resulting discount rate for the pension plan increased from 1.95% at December 31, 2020 to 2.42% at December 31, 2021.
We determine the overall expected long-term return on plan assets based on our estimate of the return that plan assets will provide over the period that benefits are expected to be paid out. In preparing this estimate, we assess the rates of return on each allocation of plan assets and advice by our third-party actuary and investment consultants. The expected return on plan assets is a long-term assumption that is determined at the beginning of each year and generally does not significantly change annually. While historical returns are considered, the rate of return assumption is primarily based on projections of expected returns, using economic data and financial models to estimate the probability of returns. The probability distribution of annualized returns for the portfolio using current asset allocations is used to determine the expected range of returns for a ten-to-twenty-year horizon. While management believes that the assumptions used are appropriate, differences in actual experience or changes in assumptions may affect our pension expense. The expected
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return on plan assets assumption used for determining net periodic pension expense for 2021 and 2020 was 6.0% and 6.5%, respectively. Actual return on plan assets for 2021 and 2020 was 13.0% and 16.8%, respectively. Our historical actual return averaged 10.6% for the ten-year period ended December 31, 2021. In the future, we may make additional discretionary contributions to the plan or we could be required to make mandatory cash funding payments.
The mortality rate assumption used for determining future benefit obligations as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 was based on the Pri-2012 Total Dataset Mortality Table.
While management believes that the assumptions used are appropriate, differences in actual experience or changes in assumptions may affect our pension obligations and expense. For example, holding all other assumptions constant, a 1% increase or decrease in the assumed discount rate related to the retirement plan would increase (decrease) 2021 net periodic pension expense by approximately $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively. Likewise, a 1% increase or decrease in the assumed rate of return on plan assets would (decrease) increase 2021 net periodic pension expense by approximately $0.7 million.
Acquisitions and Purchase Price Allocations. Accounting for the acquisition of an entity as a business combination, or becoming the primary beneficiary of a previously unconsolidated variable interest entity, requires an allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed in the transaction at their respective estimated fair values, which requires us to make significant estimates and assumptions regarding the fair value of the acquired assets and liabilities assumed. We may engage third parties to provide valuation services to assist in the fair value determinations of the long-lived assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. The most difficult estimations of individual fair values are those involving long-lived assets, such as property, equipment, and intangible assets, that are assumed as part of the transaction, as well as any noncontrolling interests. When making fair value determinations, we consider market data for similar assets, expected cash flows discounted at risk-adjusted rates, and replacement cost for assets, among other information. Management judgment is required when making the significant assumptions used to value long-lived and identifiable intangible assets, which include projected revenue growth, estimated cash flows, discount rates, and other factors.
Legal Contingencies. We are subject to various legal proceedings and claims, the outcomes of which are subject to significant uncertainty. We record an accrual for loss contingencies when a loss is probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, the determination of which requires significant judgment. We review these accruals each reporting period and make revisions based on changes in facts and circumstances, but resolution of legal matters in a manner inconsistent with our expectations could have a material impact on our financial condition and operating results.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
For a discussion of recently issued accounting standards, see Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included herein.