The Marcus Corporation (NYSE:MCS) is a diversified entertainment and hospitality company that operates movie theaters and hotels/resorts across the United States. Despite facing short-term headwinds in its theater division due to a disruption in the film production pipeline, the company's diversified business model has provided a counterbalance, with its hotels and resorts segment delivering solid performance in the latest quarter.
For the fiscal year 2023, The Marcus Corporation reported annual net income of $14,794,000, annual revenue of $729,575,000, annual operating cash flow of $102,629,000, and annual free cash flow of $63,855,000. In the latest quarter (Q1 2024), the company's consolidated revenues decreased 9% year-over-year to $138.5 million, while operating loss widened to $16.7 million, compared to an $8.9 million operating loss in the prior-year quarter.
Business Overview
The Marcus Corporation operates in two primary business segments: Theatres and Hotels/Resorts. The Theatres division operates 993 company-owned screens in 79 theaters, while the Hotels/Resorts division owns and operates 7 distinct hotels and resorts, primarily located in the Midwest region.
Theatres Segment
The company's Theatres division faced significant headwinds in the first quarter of fiscal 2024, with revenues declining 15.7% year-over-year to $81.3 million. This was primarily due to a weaker film slate, which resulted in a 17.5% decrease in comparable theater attendance. The top-performing films in the quarter included Dune: Part Two, Kung Fu Panda 4, and Wonka, but the overall film mix was less appealing to audiences in the company's Midwestern markets compared to the prior-year period.
Despite the revenue decline, the Theatres division was able to manage expenses well, with operating loss of $5.7 million, compared to operating income of $1.5 million in the prior-year quarter. The company's average ticket price increased 4.9% during the quarter, while average concession revenue per person grew 0.8%. However, the less concentrated film slate resulted in a 3 percentage point decrease in overall film cost as a percentage of admission revenues.
Looking ahead, the company expects the film slate to improve, with a robust lineup of summer blockbusters, including The Fall Guy, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. The company also anticipates a stronger film slate in 2025, with several high-profile franchises scheduled for release, such as Superman, Fast & Furious, and Avatar 3.
Hotels/Resorts Segment
In contrast to the Theatres division, the Hotels/Resorts segment delivered solid performance in the first quarter of fiscal 2024, with revenues increasing 2.5% year-over-year to $57.2 million. The segment's operating loss of $5.2 million was slightly higher than the prior-year quarter, primarily due to an increase in depreciation expense from recent hotel renovations.
The company's hotels and resorts experienced a 2.1% increase in RevPAR (revenue per available room) during the quarter, driven by a 2.9 percentage point increase in occupancy, partially offset by a 3.4% decrease in average daily rate (ADR). The decline in ADR was primarily due to an increase in the mix of group business, which typically carries lower rates but is accretive to overall RevPAR.
The company's group bookings remain strong, with group room revenue bookings for the remainder of fiscal 2024 running approximately 11% ahead of the prior-year period, excluding the impact of the upcoming Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. Looking ahead, the company's group room revenue bookings for fiscal 2025 are running over 60% ahead of the prior-year period.
Recent Developments
In March 2024, The Marcus Corporation formed a joint venture to acquire the Loews Minneapolis Hotel, a 251-room full-service lifestyle hotel. The company invested $5.6 million for a 33.3% equity interest in the joint venture and entered into a management agreement for the hotel. The property was subsequently rebranded as The Lofton, a Tapestry Collection by Hilton Hotel.
Liquidity
As of March 28, 2024, The Marcus Corporation had a cash balance of $17.3 million and $220.2 million of availability under its $225 million revolving credit facility. The company's debt-to-capitalization ratio was 0.27, and its net leverage ratio (net debt to Adjusted EBITDA) was 1.65x.
The company's strong liquidity position, combined with cash generated from operations, is expected to provide sufficient resources to meet its obligations and fund its capital requirements, including planned capital expenditures of $60 million to $75 million for fiscal 2024.
Risks and Challenges
The Marcus Corporation faces several risks and challenges, including:
1. Dependence on the availability and performance of motion pictures: The company's Theatres division is heavily dependent on the quantity, quality, and timing of motion picture releases, which can be disrupted by events such as strikes by actors, writers, or directors.
2. Competitive landscape: The company operates in highly competitive markets, both in the theater and hotel/resort industries, which can impact occupancy rates, room rates, and overall profitability.
3. Seasonality: The company's hotel and resort business is subject to significant seasonal fluctuations, with the first quarter typically being the weakest due to reduced winter travel in the Midwest.
4. Macroeconomic conditions: Adverse economic conditions, such as a recession, can impact consumer spending on travel, leisure, and entertainment, which could negatively affect both the Theatres and Hotels/Resorts divisions.
Outlook
Despite the short-term challenges faced by the Theatres division, The Marcus Corporation remains optimistic about the long-term prospects for both its business segments. The company's diversified business model, strong liquidity position, and strategic investments in its hotel portfolio position it well to navigate the current environment and capitalize on future growth opportunities.
In the Theatres division, the company expects a robust film slate in the coming quarters, including several high-profile releases, which should drive improved performance. In the Hotels/Resorts segment, the company's focus on group business and strategic renovations of its properties are expected to continue driving growth and profitability.
Overall, The Marcus Corporation's diversified business model, financial strength, and strategic initiatives make it well-positioned to weather the current industry headwinds and deliver long-term value for its shareholders.