United Parks & Resorts Inc. Reports First Quarter 2025 Results
First Quarter 2025 Highlights
- Attendance was 3.4 million guests, a decrease of approximately 59,000 guests or 1.7% from the first quarter of 2024.
- Total revenue was
$286.9 million , a decrease of$10.5 million or 3.5% from the first quarter of 2024. - Net loss was
$16.1 million , a decrease of$4.9 million from the first quarter of 2024. - Adjusted EBITDA[1] was
$67.4 million , a decrease of$11.7 million or 14.8% from the first quarter of 2024. - Total revenue per capita[2] decreased 1.8% to
$84.62 from the first quarter of 2024. Admission per capita[2] decreased 4.2% to$46.04 while in-park per capita spending[2] increased 1.1% to a record$38.58 from the first quarter of 2024.
Other Highlights
- In the first quarter, the Company repurchased approximately 100,000 shares for an aggregate total of approximately
$4.6 million . - During the first quarter of 2025, the Company came to the aid of 205 animals in need in the wild. The total number of animals the Company has helped over its history is more than 42,000.
"We are pleased to report another quarter of strong financial results," said
"As we look ahead to the remainder of the year, we are excited about the significant investments we have made across our parks and business, including the incredible line-up of new, one-of-a kind rides and attractions, popular events, improved in park venues and other offerings across our parks. We are also encouraged by the 2025 bookings for our Discovery Cove property, our 2025 group bookings and our 2025 international ticket sales, all of which are running ahead of 2024. With approximately 75% of our historical attendance and revenue opportunity still ahead of us as of
"We strongly believe we have a clear opportunity to drive substantially more attendance and total per capita spending and we have high confidence in our ability to continue to deliver operational and financial improvements that we expect will lead to meaningful increases in shareholder value. Finally, I want to thank our ambassadors for their ongoing efforts as we prepare for what we anticipate will be another busy summer season," concluded Swanson.
For 2025, the Company has an exciting line-up of new rides, attractions, events and new and improved in park venues and offerings with something new and exciting across its parks. The Company's new rides and attractions include the following:
- SeaWorld San Diego debuted Jewels of the Sea in March, an immersive new aquarium experience featuring multiple galleries, including one of the largest jelly cylinders in the country and an engaging multimedia component. The park also announced the reinvention of Journey to
Atlantis ,San Diego's first coaster, which will honor the beloved original while introducing new storytelling and thrill elements.
[1] This earnings release includes Adjusted EBITDA, Covenant Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow which are financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the
[2] This earnings release includes key performance metrics such as total revenue per capita, admissions per capita and in-park per capita spending. See "Statement Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Key Performance Metrics" section for definitions and further details.
- SeaWorld San Antonio launched Rescue Jr. in March, an all-new, kid-friendly realm celebrating animal rescue. The area features themed rides, interactive play zones, and a water play area designed for young adventurers.
- Sesame Place Philadelphia kicked off its 45th Birthday Celebration in April, offering guests birthday-themed fun all spring and summer. Fan-favorite entertainment has been refreshed with celebratory twists, including the return of the popular Sesame Street Birthday Parade.
- SeaWorld Orlando opened Expedition Odyssey on
May 9 , a groundbreaking, family-friendly attraction that blends cinematic storytelling with ride technology to transport guests on an unforgettable journey from the top of the world to the ocean's depths.
The remaining new attractions include the following:
- Busch Gardens Williamsburg will open The Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf's Revenge, the longest family inverted coaster in
North America will take riders through over 2,500 feet of track at speeds up to 40 miles per hour. -
Water Country USA will openHigh Tide Harbor , an all-new multi-level water play structure designed for families to explore together. This exciting area features over 100 interactive water elements, including cannons, sprayers, and tipping fountains, ensuring endless fun for kids of all ages. With vibrant and dynamic water activities,High Tide Harbor promises to be the ultimate family-friendly destination for staying cool. -
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will open Wild Oasis, an all-new realm featuring the sights and sounds of the rainforest, a newly reimagined drop tower featuring digital and sound effects, an interactive water-play wonderland, a multi-level climbing canopy and an all-new, multi-species animal habitat for up-close encounters.
First Quarter 2025 Results
In the first quarter of 2025, the Company hosted approximately 3.4 million guests, generated total revenues of
The decrease in total revenue of
|
|
For the Three Months Ended |
|
|
Change |
|
||||||
|
|
2025 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
% |
|
|||
(Unaudited, in millions, except per share and per capita amounts) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Total revenues |
|
$ |
286.9 |
|
|
$ |
297.4 |
|
|
|
(3.5) |
% |
Net loss |
|
$ |
(16.1) |
|
|
$ |
(11.2) |
|
|
|
(44.0) |
% |
Net loss per share, diluted |
|
$ |
(0.29) |
|
|
$ |
(0.17) |
|
|
|
(70.6) |
% |
Adjusted EBITDA |
|
$ |
67.4 |
|
|
$ |
79.2 |
|
|
|
(14.8) |
% |
Net cash provided by operating activities |
|
$ |
25.7 |
|
|
$ |
71.4 |
|
|
|
(64.0) |
% |
Attendance |
|
|
3.39 |
|
|
|
3.45 |
|
|
|
(1.7) |
% |
Total revenue per capita |
|
$ |
84.62 |
|
|
$ |
86.21 |
|
|
|
(1.8) |
% |
Admission per capita |
|
$ |
46.04 |
|
|
$ |
48.06 |
|
|
|
(4.2) |
% |
|
|
$ |
38.58 |
|
|
$ |
38.15 |
|
|
|
1.1 |
% |
Share Repurchases
In the first quarter, the Company repurchased approximately 100,000 shares for an aggregate total of approximately
Rescue Efforts
In the first quarter of 2025, United Parks' rescue teams aided 205 animals in need across the country. To date, the Company has helped more than 42,000 animals in its decades-long commitment to wildlife welfare.
Conference Call
The Company will hold a conference call today,
Statement Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This earnings release and accompanying financial statement tables include several non-GAAP financial measures, including Adjusted EBITDA, Covenant Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow. Adjusted EBITDA, Covenant Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow are not recognized terms under GAAP, should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for a measure of financial performance or liquidity prepared in accordance with GAAP and are not indicative of net income or loss or net cash provided by operating activities as determined under GAAP.
Adjusted EBITDA, Covenant Adjusted EBITDA, Free Cash Flow and other non-GAAP financial measures have limitations that should be considered before using these measures to evaluate a company's financial performance or liquidity. Adjusted EBITDA, Covenant Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow as presented, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies due to varying methods of calculation.
Management believes the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA is appropriate as it eliminates the effect of certain non-cash and other items not necessarily indicative of the Company's underlying operating performance. Management uses Adjusted EBITDA in connection with certain components of its executive compensation program. In addition, investors, lenders, financial analysts and rating agencies have historically used EBITDA-related measures in the Company's industry, along with other measures, to estimate the value of a company, to make informed investment decisions and to evaluate companies in the industry.
Management believes the presentation of Covenant Adjusted EBITDA for the last twelve months is appropriate as it provides additional information to investors about the calculation of, and compliance with, certain financial covenants in the Company's credit agreement governing its Senior Secured Credit Facilities and the indentures governing its Senior Notes and First-Priority Senior Secured Notes (collectively, the "Debt Agreements"). Covenant Adjusted EBITDA is a material component of these covenants.
Management believes that Free Cash Flow is useful to investors, equity analysts and rating agencies as a liquidity measure. The Company uses Free Cash Flow to evaluate its ability to generate cash flow from business operations. Free Cash Flow does not represent the residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures, as it excludes certain expenditures such as mandatory debt service requirements, which are significant. Free Cash Flow is not defined by GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to net cash provided by (used in) operating, investing and financing activities or other financial data prepared in accordance with GAAP. Free Cash Flow as defined above may differ from similarly titled measures presented by other companies.
This earnings release includes several key performance metrics including total revenue per capita (defined as total revenue divided by attendance), admission per capita (defined as admissions revenue divided by attendance) and in-park per capita spending (defined as food, merchandise and other revenue divided by attendance). These performance metrics are used by management to assess the operating performance of its parks on a per attendee basis and to make strategic operating decisions. Management believes the presentation of these performance metrics is useful and relevant for investors as it provides investors the ability to review financial performance in the same manner as management and provides investors with a consistent methodology to analyze revenue between periods on a per attendee basis. In addition, investors, lenders, financial analysts and rating agencies have historically used similar per-capita related performance metrics to evaluate companies in the industry.
About
Copies of this and other news releases as well as additional information about
Forward-Looking Statements
In addition to historical information, this press release contains statements relating to future results (including certain projections and business trends) that are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. The Company generally uses the words such as "might," "will," "may," "should," "estimates," "expects," "continues," "contemplates," "anticipates," "projects," "plans," "potential," "predicts," "intends," "believes," "forecasts," "future," "guidance," "targeted," "goal" and variations of such words or similar expressions in this press release and any attachment to identify forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical facts included in this press release, including statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, expectations, beliefs, business strategies, future events, business conditions, results of operations, financial position, business outlook, earnings guidance, business trends and other information are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based upon current expectations, beliefs, estimates and projections, and various assumptions, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond management's control. All expectations, beliefs, estimates and projections are expressed in good faith and the Company believes there is a reasonable basis for them. However, there can be no assurance that management's expectations, beliefs, estimates and projections will result or be achieved and actual results may vary materially from what is expressed in or indicated by the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors, many of which are beyond management's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, including among others: various factors beyond the Company's control adversely affecting attendance and guest spending at the Company's theme parks, including, but not limited to, weather, natural disasters, labor shortages, inflationary pressures, supply chain delays or shortages, foreign exchange rates, consumer confidence, the potential spread of travel-related health concerns including pandemics and epidemics, travel related concerns, adverse general economic related factors including increasing interest rates, economic uncertainty, and recent geopolitical events outside of
CONTACT:
Investor Relations:
Investor Relations
888-410-1812
Investors@unitedparks.com
Media:
Nicole.Bott@unitedparks.com
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands, except per share amounts) |
||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
|
|
For the Three Months Ended |
|
|
Change |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2025 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
# |
|
|
% |
|
||||
Net revenues: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Admissions |
|
$ |
156,115 |
|
|
$ |
165,809 |
|
|
$ |
(9,694) |
|
|
|
(5.8) |
% |
Food, merchandise and other |
|
|
130,834 |
|
|
|
131,614 |
|
|
|
(780) |
|
|
|
(0.6) |
% |
Total revenues |
|
|
286,949 |
|
|
|
297,423 |
|
|
|
(10,474) |
|
|
|
(3.5) |
% |
Costs and expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Cost of food, merchandise and other revenues |
|
|
22,959 |
|
|
|
23,047 |
|
|
|
(88) |
|
|
|
(0.4) |
% |
Operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization |
|
|
161,270 |
|
|
|
164,883 |
|
|
|
(3,613) |
|
|
|
(2.2) |
% |
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
|
44,137 |
|
|
|
47,877 |
|
|
|
(3,740) |
|
|
|
(7.8) |
% |
Severance and other separation costs(a) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
293 |
|
|
|
(293) |
|
|
NM |
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
41,695 |
|
|
|
39,182 |
|
|
|
2,513 |
|
|
|
6.4 |
% |
Total costs and expenses |
|
|
270,061 |
|
|
|
275,282 |
|
|
|
(5,221) |
|
|
|
(1.9) |
% |
Operating income |
|
|
16,888 |
|
|
|
22,141 |
|
|
|
(5,253) |
|
|
|
(23.7) |
% |
Other (income) expense, net |
|
|
(23) |
|
|
|
180 |
|
|
|
(203) |
|
|
NM |
|
|
Interest expense |
|
|
34,107 |
|
|
|
38,777 |
|
|
|
(4,670) |
|
|
|
(12.0) |
% |
Loss before income taxes |
|
|
(17,196) |
|
|
|
(16,816) |
|
|
|
(380) |
|
|
|
(2.3) |
% |
Benefit from income taxes |
|
|
(1,063) |
|
|
|
(5,615) |
|
|
|
4,552 |
|
|
|
81.1 |
% |
Net loss |
|
$ |
(16,133) |
|
|
$ |
(11,201) |
|
|
$ |
(4,932) |
|
|
|
(44.0) |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Loss per share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Net loss per share, basic |
|
$ |
(0.29) |
|
|
$ |
(0.17) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net loss per share, diluted |
|
$ |
(0.29) |
|
|
$ |
(0.17) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Basic |
|
|
55,017 |
|
|
|
64,016 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Diluted (b) |
|
|
55,017 |
|
|
|
64,016 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (In thousands) |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
For the Three Months Ended |
|
|
Change |
|
|
Last Twelve |
|
|||||||||||
|
|
2025 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
# |
|
|
% |
|
|
2025 |
|
|||||
Net (loss) income |
|
$ |
(16,133) |
|
|
$ |
(11,201) |
|
|
$ |
(4,932) |
|
|
|
(44.0) |
% |
|
$ |
222,565 |
|
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes |
|
|
(1,063) |
|
|
|
(5,615) |
|
|
|
4,552 |
|
|
|
81.1 |
% |
|
|
68,581 |
|
Loss on early extinguishment of debt and write-off of |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
3,939 |
|
Interest expense |
|
|
34,107 |
|
|
|
38,777 |
|
|
|
(4,670) |
|
|
|
(12.0) |
% |
|
|
163,092 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
41,695 |
|
|
|
39,182 |
|
|
|
2,513 |
|
|
|
6.4 |
% |
|
|
165,951 |
|
Equity-based compensation expense (d) |
|
|
4,333 |
|
|
|
4,291 |
|
|
|
42 |
|
|
|
1.0 |
% |
|
|
14,659 |
|
Loss on impairment or disposal of assets and certain non-cash |
|
|
1,091 |
|
|
|
5,604 |
|
|
|
(4,513) |
|
|
|
(80.5) |
% |
|
|
28,899 |
|
Business optimization, development and strategic initiative costs (f) |
|
|
1,264 |
|
|
|
3,534 |
|
|
|
(2,270) |
|
|
|
(64.2) |
% |
|
|
16,128 |
|
Certain investment costs and other taxes |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
3,120 |
|
|
|
(3,117) |
|
|
NM |
|
|
|
475 |
|
|
COVID-19 related incremental costs(g) |
|
|
288 |
|
|
|
506 |
|
|
|
(218) |
|
|
NM |
|
|
|
(3,260) |
|
|
Other adjusting items |
|
|
1,855 |
|
|
|
956 |
|
|
|
899 |
|
|
|
94.0 |
% |
|
|
7,447 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA (h) |
|
$ |
67,440 |
|
|
$ |
79,154 |
|
|
$ |
(11,714) |
|
|
|
(14.8) |
% |
|
$ |
688,476 |
|
Items added back to Covenant Adjusted EBITDA as defined |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Estimated cost savings (i) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,600 |
|
||||
Other adjustments as defined in the Debt Agreements (j) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,622 |
|
||||
Covenant Adjusted EBITDA (k) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
703,698 |
|
|
|
For the Three Months Ended |
|
|
Change |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2025 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
# |
|
|
% |
|
||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
|
$ |
25,715 |
|
|
$ |
71,446 |
|
|
$ |
(45,731) |
|
|
|
(64.0) |
% |
Capital expenditures |
|
|
56,903 |
|
|
|
87,286 |
|
|
|
(30,383) |
|
|
|
(34.8) |
% |
Free Cash Flow (l) |
|
$ |
(31,188) |
|
|
$ |
(15,840) |
|
|
$ |
(15,348) |
|
|
|
(96.9) |
% |
UNAUDITED BALANCE SHEET DATA (In thousands) |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
|
As of |
|
|
As of |
|
||
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
75,665 |
|
|
$ |
115,893 |
|
Total assets |
|
$ |
2,570,802 |
|
|
$ |
2,573,578 |
|
Deferred revenue |
|
$ |
195,878 |
|
|
$ |
152,655 |
|
Long-term debt, including current maturities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Term B-3 Loans |
|
$ |
1,534,586 |
|
|
$ |
1,538,442 |
|
Senior Notes |
|
|
725,000 |
|
|
|
725,000 |
|
Total long-term debt, including current maturities |
|
$ |
2,259,586 |
|
|
$ |
2,263,442 |
|
Total stockholders' deficit |
|
$ |
(478,285) |
|
|
$ |
(461,540) |
|
UNAUDITED CAPITAL EXPENDITURES DATA (In thousands) |
|||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
|
For the Three Months Ended |
|
|
Change |
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
2025 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
# |
|
|
% |
|
|
||||
Capital Expenditures: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Core(m) |
|
|
49,851 |
|
|
|
60,108 |
|
|
|
(10,257) |
|
|
|
(16.1) |
% |
|
Expansion/ROI projects(n) |
|
|
7,052 |
|
|
|
27,178 |
|
|
|
(20,126) |
|
|
|
(74.1) |
% |
|
Capital expenditures, total |
|
$ |
56,903 |
|
|
$ |
87,286 |
|
|
$ |
(30,383) |
|
|
|
(34.8) |
% |
|
UNAUDITED OTHER DATA (In thousands, except per capita amounts) |
||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
|
|
For the Three Months Ended |
|
|
Change |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2025 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
# |
|
|
% |
|
||||
Attendance |
|
|
3,391 |
|
|
|
3,450 |
|
|
|
(59) |
|
|
|
(1.7) |
% |
Total revenue per capita (o) |
|
$ |
84.62 |
|
|
$ |
86.21 |
|
|
$ |
(1.59) |
|
|
|
(1.8) |
% |
Admission per capita (p) |
|
$ |
46.04 |
|
|
$ |
48.06 |
|
|
$ |
(2.02) |
|
|
|
(4.2) |
% |
|
|
$ |
38.58 |
|
|
$ |
38.15 |
|
|
$ |
0.43 |
|
|
|
1.1 |
% |
|
|
NM-Not meaningful. |
|
(a) |
Reflects restructuring and other separation costs and/or adjustments. |
(b) |
During the three months ended |
(c) |
Reflects a loss on early extinguishment of debt and write-off of discounts and debt issuance costs associated with the refinancing |
(d) |
Reflects non-cash equity compensation expenses and related payroll taxes associated with the grants of equity-based compensation. |
(e) |
For the three months ended
related to asset write-offs and costs related to certain rides and equipment which were removed from service. Also includes |
(f) |
For the three months ended |
(g) |
For the three months ended |
(h) |
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net (loss) income before income tax expense, interest expense, depreciation and amortization, as |
(i) |
The Company's Debt Agreements permit the calculation of certain covenants to be based on Covenant Adjusted EBITDA, as |
(j) |
The Debt Agreements permit the Company's calculation of certain covenants to be based on Covenant Adjusted EBITDA as |
(k) |
Covenant Adjusted EBITDA is defined in the Debt Agreements as Adjusted EBITDA for the last twelve-month period further |
(l) |
Free Cash Flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures. |
(m) |
Reflects capital expenditures during the respective period for park rides, attractions and maintenance activities. Certain amounts |
(n) |
Reflects capital expenditures during the respective period for park expansion, new properties, revenue and/or expense return on |
(o) |
Calculated as total revenues divided by attendance. |
(p) |
Calculated as admissions revenue divided by attendance. |
(q) |
Calculated as food, merchandise and other revenue divided by attendance. |
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