CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL INC /DE 10-Q

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") is intended to help the reader understand the consolidated financial condition and the results of operations of Choice Hotels International, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, "Choice" or the "Company", "we", "us", or "our") contained in this report. MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. Overview We are primarily a hotel franchisor operating in 49 states, the District of Columbia, and 46 countries and territories. As of March 31, 2025, we had 7,527 hotels with 647,587 rooms open and operating, and 947 hotels with 95,089 rooms under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development, or committed to future franchise development on outstanding master development agreements (collectively, "pipeline") in our global system. Our brand names include Radisson Blu®, Park Plaza®, Cambria® Hotels, Ascend Hotel Collection®, Radisson RED®, Radisson Individuals®, Radisson®, Radisson Collection®, Clarion®, Clarion Pointe™, Comfort Inn®, Comfort Suites®, Country Inn & Suites® by Radisson, Radisson Inn & Suites SM , Sleep Inn®, Quality®, Park Inn by Radisson®, Everhome Suites®, WoodSpring Suites®, MainStay Suites®, Suburban Studios™, Econo Lodge®, and Rodeway Inn®. The hotel franchising business represents the Company's primary operations. The Company's domestic operations are conducted through direct franchising relationships, the ownership of 13 open and operating hotels, and the management of 13 hotels (inclusive of four owned hotels), while its international franchise operations are conducted through a combination of direct franchising and master franchising relationships. Master franchising relationships are governed by master franchising agreements which generally provide the master franchisee with the right to use our brands and sub-license the use of our brands in a specific geographic region, usually for a fee. As a result of our master franchise relationships and international market conditions, our revenues are primarily concentrated in the United States. Therefore, our description of our business is primarily focused on the domestic operations, which encompasses the United States. Our Company generates revenues, income, and cash flows primarily from our hotel franchising operations. Revenues are also generated from partnerships with qualified vendors and travel partners that provide value-added solutions to our platform of guests and hotels, hotel ownership, and other ancillary sources. Historically, the hotel industry has been seasonal in nature. For most hotels, demand is typically lower in November through February than during the remainder of the year. Our principal source of revenue is franchise fees, which is primarily based on the gross room revenues or the number of rooms at our franchised properties. The Company’s franchise and managed fees, as well as its owned hotels' revenues, normally reflect the industry’s seasonality and historically have been lower in the first and fourth quarters than in the second and third quarters of the year. Because our primary focus is hotel franchising, we benefit from the economies of scale inherent in the franchising business. The fee and cost structure of our franchising business provides opportunities to improve our operating results by increasing the number of franchised hotel rooms and the effective royalty rates in our franchise contracts resulting in increased royalty, licensing and other franchise related fees. In addition, our operating results can also be improved through our company-wide efforts related to improving property-level performance and expanding the number of partnerships with travel-related and other companies with products and services that appeal to our guests. The primary factors that affect the Company’s results are: the number and relative mix of hotel rooms in the various hotel lodging price categories, growth in the number of hotel rooms owned and under franchise, occupancy and room rates achieved by the hotels in our system, the effective royalty rate achieved in our franchise agreements, the level of franchise sales and relicensing activity, the number of qualified vendor arrangements and partnerships and the level of engagement with these partners by our franchisees and guests, and our ability to manage costs. The number of rooms in our hotel system and the occupancy and room rates at those hotel properties significantly affect the Company’s results because our fees are based upon room revenues or the number of rooms at owned and franchised hotels. The key industry standard for measuring hotel-operating performance is revenue per available room ("RevPAR"), which is calculated by multiplying the percentage of occupied rooms by the average daily room rate ("ADR") realized. Our variable overhead costs associated with the franchise system growth of our established brands have historically been less than the incremental royalty fees generated from new franchises. Accordingly, over the long-term, the continued growth of our franchise business should enable us to realize the benefits from the operating leverage in place and improve our operating results. We are required by our franchise agreements to use the marketing and reservation system fees we collect for system-wide marketing and reservation system activities. These expenditures, which include advertising costs and the costs to maintain our central reservations systems, enhance awareness and consumer preference for our brands and deliver guests to our franchisees. 16 Table of Contents Greater awareness and preference promote long-term growth in business delivery to our franchisees and increases the desirability of our brands to hotel owners and developers, which ultimately increases the franchise fees earned by the Company. Additionally, the Company's management agreements include cost reimbursements, which is primarily related to payroll costs at the managed hotels where the Company is the employer. Our Company articulates its mission as a commitment to our franchisees’ profitability by providing our franchisees with hotel franchises that strive to generate the highest return on investment of any hotel franchise. We have developed an operating system dedicated to our franchisees’ success that focuses on delivering guests to their hotels and reducing hotel operating costs. We believe that executing on our strategic priorities creates value for our shareholders. Our Company focuses on the following strategic priorities: Profitable Growth - Our success is dependent on improving the performance of our hotels, increasing the size of our system by selling additional hotel franchises with a focus on revenue-intense chain scales and markets, improving our effective royalty rate, expanding our qualified vendor and partnership platform programs and maintaining a disciplined cost structure. We attempt to improve our revenues and overall profitability by providing a variety of products and services designed to increase business delivery and/or reduce operating and development costs. These products and services include national marketing campaigns, a guest loyalty program, a central reservation system, property and yield management programs and systems, revenue management services, quality assurance standards, and qualified vendor relationships and partnerships with companies that provide products and services to our franchisees and guests. We believe that healthy brands, which deliver a compelling return on investment, will enable us to sell additional hotel franchises and raise royalty rates. We have multiple brands that meet the needs of many different types of guests, and can be developed at various price points and applied to both new and existing hotels. This ensures that we have brands suitable for creating growth in a variety of market conditions. Improving the performance of the hotels in our system, strategically growing the system through additional franchise sales, and improving franchise agreement pricing while maintaining a disciplined cost structure are the keys to profitable growth. Maximizing Financial Returns and Creating Value for Shareholders - Our capital allocation decisions, including our capital structure and the uses of capital, are intended to maximize our return on invested capital and create value for our shareholders. Since our business has not historically required significant reinvestment of capital, we typically utilize cash in ways that management believes provides the greatest returns to our shareholders, which include acquisitions, share repurchases and dividends. Refer to the Liquidity and Capital Resources section in MD&A for more information regarding our capital returns to shareholders. In addition to our hotel franchising business, we have also developed or acquired 13 open and operating hotels. We intend to continue to strategically develop hotels to increase the presence of our newly introduced brands in the United States, drive greater guest satisfaction and brand preference, and ultimately increase the number of franchise agreements awarded. When developing hotels, we seek key markets with strong growth potential that will deliver strong operating performance and improve the recognition of our brands. Our hotel development and ownership efforts currently focus on the Cambria Hotels and Everhome Suites brands. We believe our owned hotels provide us the opportunity to support and accelerate the growth of these brands. We do not anticipate owning hotels on a permanent basis and we expect to target dispositions to a franchisee encumbered with a long-term Choice franchise agreement in the future. A key component of our strategy for owned hotels is to maximize revenues and manage costs. We strive to optimize revenues by focusing on revenue management, increasing guest loyalty, expanding brand awareness with targeted customer groupings, and providing superior guest service. Other than four owned hotels, we currently do not manage our owned hotels but utilize the services of third-party hotel management companies that provide their own employees. We manage costs by setting performance goals for our hotel management companies and optimizing distribution channels. The Company also allocates capital to financing, investment and guaranty support to incentivize franchise development for certain brands in strategic markets. The timing and amount of these investments are subject to market and other conditions. We believe our growth investments and strategic priorities, when properly implemented, will enhance our profitability, maximize our financial returns, and continue to generate value for our shareholders. The ultimate measure of our success will be reflected in the items below. Results of Operations - Franchise and management fees, operating income, net income, and diluted earnings per share represent the key measures of our financial performance. These measures are primarily driven by the operations of our hotel franchise system and therefore, our analysis of the Company's results of operations is primarily focused on the size, performance, and the potential growth of the hotel franchise system as well as our variable overhead costs. 17 Table of Contents Our discussion of our results of operations excludes reimbursable franchise marketing and reservation system revenues and expenses and the management agreement cost reimbursements and expenses included in the Company's revenue for reimbursable costs from franchised and managed properties and reimbursable expenses from franchised and managed properties . The Company's franchise agreements require the payment of marketing and reservation system fees to be used by the Company for the expenses associated with providing franchise services, such as national marketing, media advertising, and central reservation systems. The Company is obligated to expend the marketing and reservation system fees it collects from its franchisees in accordance with the franchise agreements. Furthermore, the franchisees are required to reimburse the Company for any deficits generated by these marketing and reservation system activities. Over time, the Company expects the cumulative revenues and expenses of reimbursable components to break even and, therefore, no income or loss will be generated from the reimbursable marketing and reservation system activities. Additionally, the Company's management agreements include cost reimbursements, which is primarily related to payroll costs at the managed hotels where the Company is the employer. As a result, the Company generally excludes the revenue for reimbursable costs from franchised and managed properties and reimbursable expenses from franchised and managed properties from the analysis of our results of operations. Due to the seasonal nature of the Company’s hotel franchising and management business and the multi-year investments required to support the franchise operations, quarterly and/or annual surpluses or deficits may be generated. During the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, reimbursable expenses from franchised and managed properties exceeded revenue for reimbursable costs from franchised and managed properties by $20.4 million and $22.6 million, respectively. Refer to the Operations Review section in MD&A for additional analysis of our results of operations. Liquidity and Capital Resources - Historically, the Company has generated significant cash flows from operations . Since our business has not historically required a significant reinvestment of capital, we typically utilize cash in ways that management believes provide the greatest returns to our shareholders, which include acquisitions, share repurchases, and dividends. We believe the Company’s cash on hand, available borrowing capacity under the senior unsecured revolving credit facility, cash flows from operations, and access to additional capital in the debt markets is sufficient to meet the expected future operating, investing, and financing needs of the business. Refer to the Liquidity and Capital Resources section in MD&A for additional analysis. Inflation - We believe that moderate increases in the rate of inflation will generally result in comparable or greater increases in hotel room rates. We continue to monitor future inflation trends along with the corresponding impacts to our business. 18 Table of Contents Operations Review Comparison of the Operating Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 Three Months Ended March 31, (in thousands) 2025 2024 REVENUES Franchise and management fees $ 145,068 $ 143,410 Partnership services and fees 25,381 19,844 Owned hotels 27,860 24,991 Other 11,127 14,717 Revenue for reimbursable costs from franchised and managed properties 123,424 128,987 Total revenues 332,860 331,949 OPERATING EXPENSES Selling, general and administrative 74,210 72,269 Business combination, diligence and transition costs 99 15,844 Depreciation and amortization 13,748 12,815 Owned hotels 21,060 19,323 Reimbursable expenses from franchised and managed properties 143,811 151,549 Total operating expenses 252,928 271,800 Operating income 79,932 60,149 OTHER EXPENSES AND INCOME, NET Interest expense 21,242 20,181 Interest income (1,559) (1,731) Other loss 436 1,336 Equity in net loss of affiliates 51 155 Total other expenses and income, net 20,170 19,941 Income before income taxes 59,762 40,208 Income tax expense 15,228 9,199 Net income $ 44,534 $ 31,009 Results of Operations For the three months ended March 31, 2025, the Company recognized income before income taxes of $59.8 million, which is a $19.6 million increase from the same period in the prior year. The increase in income before income taxes was primarily due to a $19.8 million increase in operating income. Operating income increased $19.8 million primarily due to a $5.5 million increase in partnership services and fees, a $15.7 million decrease in business combination, diligence and transition costs, and a $1.7 million increase in franchise and management fees, all of which were partially offset by a $3.6 million decrease in other revenues. The primary reasons for these fluctuations are described in more detail below. Franchise and Management Fees Domestic royalty fees increased $1.7 million to $94.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 from $92.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The increase in domestic royalty fees was primarily due to a 2.3% domestic system-wide RevPAR increase as a result of a 1.7% increase in average daily rates and a 30 basis points increase in occupancy during the current period, and a system-wide 8 basis points increase in the effective royalty rate from 5.03% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 to 5.11% for the three months ended March 31, 2025. 19 Table of Contents A summary of the operating performance for the Company's domestic franchised hotels, organized by chain scale, was as follows: Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Change March 31, 2025 March 31, 2024 Average Daily Rate Occupancy RevPAR Average Daily Rate Occupancy RevPAR Average Daily Rate Occupancy RevPAR Upscale & Above (1) $ 139.54 49.9 % $ 69.70 $ 142.91 51.0 % $ 72.85 (2.4) % (110) bps (4.3) % Midscale & Upper Midscale (2) 94.29 49.8 % 46.95 93.15 49.6 % 46.18 1.2 % 20 bps 1.7 % Extended Stay (3) 66.68 67.9 % 45.25 61.44 68.9 % 42.36 8.5 % (100) bps 6.8 % Economy (4) 69.98 43.7 % 30.60 66.61 42.9 % 28.56 5.1 % 80 bps 7.1 % Total $ 90.78 51.0 % $ 46.28 $ 89.29 50.7 % $ 45.25 1.7 % 30 bps 2.3 % (1) Includes Ascend Hotel Collection, Cambria, Park Plaza, Radisson, Radisson Blu, Radisson Individuals, and Radisson RED brands. (2) Includes Clarion, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Country Inn & Suites, Park Inn, Quality Inn, and Sleep Inn brands. (3) Includes Everhome Suites, Mainstay Suites, Suburban Studios, and WoodSpring Suites brands. (4) Includes Econo Lodge and Rodeway brands. A summary of the domestic hotels and rooms by brand in our franchise system as of March 31, 2025 and 2024 was as follows: March 31, 2025 March 31, 2024 Variance Hotels Rooms Hotels Rooms Hotels % Rooms % Ascend Hotel Collection 232 38,657 202 22,833 30 14.9 % 15,824 69.3 % Cambria Hotels 76 10,344 73 10,094 3 4.1 % 250 2.5 % Radisson (1) 57 10,593 60 14,154 (3) (5.0) % (3,561) (25.2) % Comfort (2) 1,668 130,964 1,672 131,285 (4) (0.2) % (321) (0.2) % Quality Inn 1,608 116,779 1,622 119,219 (14) (0.9) % (2,440) (2.0) % Country 416 33,342 426 33,990 (10) (2.3) % (648) (1.9) % Sleep Inn 409 28,662 424 29,775 (15) (3.5) % (1,113) (3.7) % Clarion (3) 190 19,519 183 19,561 7 3.8 % (42) (0.2) % Park Inn 26 2,822 4 363 22 550.0 % 2,459 677.4 % WoodSpring Suites 265 31,912 240 28,960 25 10.4 % 2,952 10.2 % MainStay Suites 141 10,157 127 8,918 14 11.0 % 1,239 13.9 % Suburban Studios 112 9,232 108 9,226 4 3.7 % 6 0.1 % Everhome Suites 11 1,247 3 335 8 266.7 % 912 272.2 % Econo Lodge 625 36,579 665 39,243 (40) (6.0) % (2,664) (6.8) % Rodeway 443 24,792 464 26,140 (21) (4.5) % (1,348) (5.2) % Total Domestic Franchises 6,279 505,601 6,273 494,096 6 0.1 % 11,505 2.3 % (1) Includes the Radisson, Radisson Blu, Radisson Individuals, and Radisson RED brands. (2) Includes the Comfort family of brand extensions, including Comfort Inn and Comfort Suites. (3) Includes the Clarion family of brand extensions, including Clarion and Clarion Pointe. International royalty fees decreased $0.3 million to $6.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 from $6.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The decrease in international royalty fees was primarily due to a decrease in international RevPAR, which was partially offset by an increase in the international franchise system size by 33 hotels (from 1,215 hotels as of March 31, 2024 to 1,248 hotels as of March 31, 2025) and 5,954 rooms (from 136,032 rooms as of March 31, 2024 to 141,986 rooms as of March 31, 2025). Partnership Services and Fees Partnership services and fees increased $5.5 million primarily due to an increase in the fees generated from the Company's co-branded credit card agreement and qualified vendors. Other Revenues Other revenues decreased $3.6 million primarily due to a decrease in liquidated damages resulting from the early termination of franchise agreements. 20 Table of Contents Business Combination, Diligence and Transition Costs Business combination, diligence and transition costs decreased $15.7 million primarily due to the termination of the Wyndham acquisition pursuit on March 8, 2024. Income Tax Expense The Company's effective income tax rates were 25.5% and 22.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The effective income tax rates were higher than the U.S. federal income tax rate of 21.0% primarily due to the impact of state income taxes. Liquidity and Capital Resources Our Company historically generates strong and predictable operating cash flows primarily from our hotel franchising operations. Our capital allocation decisions, including capital structure and our uses of capital, are intended to maximize our return on invested capital and create value for our shareholders, while maintaining a strong balance sheet and financial flexibility. The Company's short-term and long-term liquidity requirements primarily arise from working capital needs, debt obligations, income tax payments, dividend payments, share repurchases, capital expenditures, and investments in growth opportunities. As of March 31, 2025, the Company's primary sources of liquidity consisted of $593.8 million in cash and cash equivalents and available borrowing capacity under the senior unsecured revolving credit facility. As of March 31, 2025, the Company was in compliance with all of its financial covenants under its credit agreements and the Company expects to remain in such compliance. The Company believes that its cash on hand, available borrowing capacity under the senior unsecured revolving credit facility, cash flows from operations, and access to additional capital in the debt markets will provide sufficient liquidity to meet the expected future operating, investing, and financing needs of the business. Our board of directors authorized a program which permits us to offer financing, investment, and guaranty support to qualified franchisees, and to acquire or develop and then resell hotels to incentivize franchise development of our brands in strategic markets. We primarily engage in these financial support activities to encourage acceleration of the growth of our Cambria Hotels and Everhome Suites brands. With respect to these activities, the Company had approximately $636.6 million in financial support of the Cambria Hotels and Everhome Suites brands reflected in the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2025. The Company is generally targeting to recycle these investments within a five year period, and expects our outstanding investments to not exceed $1.2 billion at any point in time based on the current board of directors' authorization. The deployment and annual pace of future financial support activities will depend upon market and other conditions, including among others, our franchise sales results, the environment for new construction hotel development, and the hotel lending environment. The Company also strategically deploys capital in the form of franchise agreement acquisition costs across our brands to incentivize franchise development. The timing and the amount of the franchise agreement acquisition cost payments are dependent on various factors including the implementation of various development and brand incentive programs, the level of franchise sales, and the ability of our franchisees to complete construction or convert their hotels to one of the Company’s brands. The Company has historically generated cash flows from operating activities that are in excess of the capital needed to invest in growth opportunities and to service debt obligations. As a result, the Company maintains a share repurchase program and typically pays a quarterly dividend. On March 11, 2024, the Company's board of directors approved an increase of 5 million shares in the number of shares authorized to be repurchased under its share repurchase program. As of March 31, 2025, the Company had 3.4 million shares remaining under the current share repurchase authorization. The projected 2025 annual dividend rate is $1.15 per share or approximately $53.6 million in aggregate dividend payments, which is subject to future declarations by our board of directors. Cash Flows from Operating Activities During the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, the net cash provided by operating activities was $20.5 million and $1.7 million, respectively. Our operating cash flows increased $18.8 million primarily due to a decrease in business combination, diligence and transition costs associated with the timing of the termination of the Wyndham acquisition pursuit during the first quarter of 2024 and a decrease in the franchise agreement acquisition cost payments, all of which were partially offset by the timing of working capital items. 21 Table of Contents In conjunction with brand and development programs, we strategically make certain franchise agreement acquisition cost payments to franchisees as an incentive to enter into new franchise agreements or perform-designated improvements to properties under existing franchise agreements. If the franchisee remains in the franchise system in good standing over the term specified in the incentive agreement, then the Company forgives the incentive ratably. If the franchisee exits our franchise system or is not operating their franchise in accordance with our quality or credit standards and is terminated, then the franchisee must repay the unamortized franchise agreement acquisition cost payment plus interest to the Company. During the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company's net franchise agreement acquisition costs were $26.3 million and $33.5 million, respectively. The Company’s franchise agreements require the payment of marketing and reservation system fees to be used by the Company for the expenses associated with providing franchise services, such as national marketing, media advertising, and central reservation systems. Additionally, the Company's management agreements include cost reimbursements, primarily related to the payroll costs at the managed hotels where the Company is the employer. These activities are reflected in revenue for reimbursable costs from franchised and managed properties and reimbursable expenses from franchised and managed properties. During the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, reimbursable expenses from franchised and managed properties exceeded revenue for reimbursable costs from franchised and managed properties by $20.4 million and $22.6 million, respectively. Cash Flows from Investing Activities The net cash used in investing activities was $53.0 million and $42.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, investments in owned hotel properties totaled $35.5 million and $25.6 million, respectively. These investments related to the ongoing hotel development efforts to support the continued growth of the Cambria Hotels and Everhome Suites brands. During the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, investments in other property and equipment totaled $10.5 million and $7.2 million, respectively. These investments primarily related to leasehold improvements, office equipment, and capitalized software. The Company has equity method investments in affiliates related to the Company's program to offer equity support to qualified franchisees to develop and operate Cambria Hotels and Everhome Suites branded-hotels in strategic markets. During the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company invested $5.4 million and $9.3 million, respectively, to support these efforts. The Company provides financing to franchisees for hotel development efforts and other purposes in the form of notes receivable loans. The loans bear interest and are expected to be repaid in accordance with the terms of the loan agreements. During the three months ended March 31, 2025, the Company issued $2.0 million in notes receivable loans and received $1.5 million in notes receivable loan repayments. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company issued $1.0 million in notes receivable loans and received $0.9 million in notes receivable loan repayments. Cash Flows from Financing Activities Cash flows from financing activities primarily relate to the proceeds or payments on the Company's borrowings, treasury stock repurchases, acquisition of shares in connection with the exercise or vesting of equity awards, and the payment of dividends. Debt Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility On June 28, 2024, the Company entered into a Second Amended and Restated Senior Unsecured Credit Agreement (the "Restated Credit Agreement"), which amended and restated the Company’s existing amended and restated senior unsecured credit agreement dated August 20, 2018 (the “Former Credit Agreement”). The Former Credit Agreement provided for an $850 million unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Revolver”) with a final maturity date of August 20, 2026. The Restated Credit Agreement increased the commitments under the Revolver to $1 billion and extended the final maturity date of the Revolver to June 28, 2029, subject to optional one-year extensions that can be requested by the Company prior to each of the third, fourth, and fifth anniversaries of the closing date of the Restated Credit Agreement. The effectiveness of such extension is subject to the consent of the lenders under the Restated Credit Agreement and certain customary conditions. The Restated Credit Agreement also provides that up to $50 million of borrowings under the Revolver may be used for alternative currency loans, up to $10 million of capacity under the Revolver may be used for the issuance of letters of credit, and up to $25 million of borrowings under the Revolver may be used for swingline loans. The Company may from time to time designate one or more wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company as additional borrowers under the Restated Credit Agreement, subject to the consent of the lenders and certain customary conditions. 22 Table of Contents At any time prior to the final maturity date, the Company may increase the amount of the Revolver or add one or more term loan facilities under the Restated Credit Agreement by up to an additional $500 million in the aggregate to the extent that any one or more lenders commit to being a lender for the additional amount of such increase or the term loan facility and certain other customary conditions are met. The Restated Credit Agreement allows the Company to elect to have the Revolver bear interest at a rate equal to (i) the secured overnight financing rate (subject to a credit spread adjustment of 0.10% and a 0.00% floor) plus a margin ranging from 0.90% to 1.50% or (ii) a base rate plus a margin ranging from 0.00% to 0.50%. In each case, the margin is determined according to the Company’s senior unsecured long-term debt rating or under circumstances as set forth in the Restated Credit Agreement if the Company’s total leverage ratio is less than 2.5 to 1.0. The Restated Credit Agreement requires the Company to pay a fee on the total commitments under the Revolver, calculated on the basis of the actual daily amount of the commitments under the Revolver (regardless of usage) times a percentage per annum ranging from 0.075% to 0.25% (depending on the Company’s senior unsecured long-term debt rating or under specific circumstances as set forth in the Restated Credit Agreement if the Company’s total leverage ratio is less than 2.5 to 1.0). The Restated Credit Agreement requires that the Company and its restricted subsidiaries comply with various covenants, including with respect to restrictions on liens, incurring indebtedness, making dividends and stock repurchases, making investments and effecting mergers and/or asset sales. The Restated Credit Agreement imposes financial maintenance covenants requiring the Company to maintain a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 2.5 to 1.0 and a total leverage ratio of not more than 4.5 to 1.0, which may be increased up to two nonconsecutive occasions to 5.5 to 1.0 for up to four consecutive fiscal quarters commencing with the fiscal quarter in which certain material acquisitions are consummated. So long as the Company maintains an Investment Grade Rating, as defined in the Restated Credit Agreement, then the Company will not need to comply with the consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio covenant. The Restated Credit Agreement includes customary events of default, the occurrence of which, following any applicable cure period, would permit the lenders to, among other things, declare the principal, accrued interest and other obligations of the Company under the Restated Credit Agreement to be immediately due and payable. As of March 31, 2025, the Company maintained a total leverage ratio of 2.89x, including outstanding debt of approximately $442.1 million on the senior unsecured revolving credit facility. The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants under the Restated Credit Agreement. Debt issuance costs incurred in connection with the Restated Credit Agreement are amortized on a straight-line basis, which is not materially different from the effective interest method, through the loan's maturity date. The amortization of the debt issuance costs is included in interest expense in the consolidated statements of income. The proceeds of the Restated Credit Agreement are expected to be used for general corporate purposes, including working capital, debt repayment, stock repurchases, dividends, investments, and other permitted uses as set forth in the Restated Credit Agreement. 2024 Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2034 On July 2, 2024, the Company issued unsecured senior notes with a principal amount of $600 million (the "2024 Senior Notes”) at a discount of $6.4 million, bearing a coupon of 5.85%, with an effective rate of 6.11%, and mature on August 1, 2034. Interest on the 2024 Senior Notes is payable semi-annually on February 1 st and August 1 st of each year, commencing on February 1, 2025. The interest rate payable on the 2024 Senior Notes will be subject to adjustment based on certain rating events. The Company may redeem the 2024 Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at any time prior to their maturity at the redemption price, which includes a make-whole premium. If the 2024 Senior Notes are redeemed on or after May 1, 2034 (three months prior to the applicable maturity date), then the redemption price will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2024 Senior Notes being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the redemption date. Additionally, at the option of the holders of the 2024 Senior Notes, the Company may be required to repurchase all or a portion of the holder's 2024 Senior Notes upon the occurrence of a change of control event, at a price equal to 101% of their aggregate principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, to the date of repurchase. 2023 Term Loan Due 2024 On December 18, 2023, the Company entered into a $500 million unsecured term loan with an effective interest rate of 6.83% and a maturity date of December 16, 2024 (the "2023 Term Loan"). 23 Table of Contents The term loan agreement required that the Company comply with various covenants, including restrictions on liens, incurring indebtedness, making dividends, stock repurchases, investments, and completing mergers and/or asset sales. The term loan agreement had financial covenants which required the Company to maintain a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 2.5 to 1.0, and a total leverage ratio of not more than 4.5 to 1.0 which may have been increased to 5.5 to 1.0 for up to three consecutive fiscal quarters commencing with the fiscal quarter in which certain material acquisitions are consummated. As long as the Company maintained an Investment Grade Rating, as defined in the term loan agreement, then the Company would not need to comply with the consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio covenant. The Company was in compliance with all covenants upon the repayment in full of the 2023 Term Loan. On July 2, 2024, the Company used a portion of the net proceeds from the sale of the 2024 Senior Notes, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses, to repay in full the 2023 Term Loan. 2020 Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2031 On July 23, 2020, the Company issued unsecured senior notes with a principal amount of $450 million (the "2020 Senior Notes") bearing a coupon of 3.70%. The 2020 Senior Notes will mature on January 15, 2031, with interest to be paid semi-annually on January 15 th and July 15 th of each year. The Company used the net proceeds of the 2020 Senior Notes, after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions, and offering expenses, to repay in full the $250 million term loan entered in April 2020 and to fund the purchase price of the 2012 Senior Notes. The interest rate payable on the 2020 Senior Notes is subject to adjustment based on certain rating events. The Company may redeem the 2020 Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at its option at the applicable redemption price before the maturity date. If the Company redeems the 2020 Senior Notes prior to October 15, 2030 (three months prior to the maturity date) (the “2020 Notes Par Call Date”), the redemption price will be equal to the greater of (a) 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, or (b) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled principal and interest payments that would have been payable had the 2020 Senior Notes matured on the 2020 Notes Par Call Date, discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis at the applicable Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points, plus accrued and unpaid interest. If the Company redeems the 2020 Senior Notes on or after the 2020 Notes Par Call Date, the redemption price will equal 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest. Additionally, at the option of the holders of the 2020 Senior Notes, the Company may be required to repurchase all or a portion of the 2020 Senior Notes upon the occurrence of a change of control event at a price equal to 101% of their aggregate principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, to the date of repurchase. 2019 Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2029 On November 27, 2019, the Company issued unsecured senior notes with a principal amount of $400 million (the "2019 Senior Notes") at a discount of $2.4 million, bearing a coupon of 3.70% with an effective rate of 3.88%. The 2019 Senior Notes will mature on December 1, 2029, with interest to be paid semi-annually on December 1 st and June 1 st of each year. The Company used the net proceeds of this offering, after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions, and offering expenses, to repay the previously outstanding senior notes with a principal amount of $250 million due August 28, 2020, and for working capital and other general corporate purposes. The Company may redeem the 2019 Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at its option at the applicable redemption price before maturity. If the Company redeems the 2019 Senior Notes prior to September 1, 2029 (three months prior to the maturity date) (the “2019 Notes Par Call Date”), the redemption price will be equal to the greater of (a) 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, or (b) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled principal and interest payments that would have been payable had the 2019 Senior Notes matured on the 2019 Notes Par Call Date, discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis at the applicable Treasury Rate plus 30 basis points, plus accrued and unpaid interest. If the Company redeems the 2019 Senior Notes on or after the 2019 Notes Par Call Date, the redemption price will equal 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest. Additionally, at the option of the holders of the 2019 Senior Notes, the Company may be required to repurchase all or a portion of the 2019 Senior Notes upon the occurrence of a change of control event at a price equal to 101% of their aggregate principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, to the date of repurchase. Dividends During the three months ended March 31, 2025, the Company paid $13.5 million in cash dividends. Based on the current per share dividend amount and our outstanding share count, the aggregate annual dividends for the year ended December 31, 2024 is projected to be $1.15 per share or approximately $53.6 million in aggregate dividend payments. 24 Table of Contents We expect that cash dividends will continue to be paid in the future, subject to the declaration by our board of directors, future business performance, economic conditions, changes in tax regulations, and other matters. In accordance with the Restated Credit Agreement, the Company may not declare or make any dividend payments if there is an existing event of default or if the dividend payment would create an event of default. Share Repurchases & Redemptions The Company has a share repurchase program. Treasury stock activity is recorded at cost in the consolidated balance sheets. During the three months ended March 31, 2025, the Company repurchased 0.4 million shares of its common stock under the share repurchase program at a total cost, including accrued excise tax, of $55.3 million. In total, the Company has repurchased 61.6 million shares of its common stock (including 33.0 million shares prior to the two-for-one stock split effected in October 2005) under the share repurchase program at a total cost of $2.7 billion. Considering the effect of the two-for-one stock split, the Company has repurchased 94.6 million shares at an average price of $28.45 per share. As of March 31, 2025, the Company had 3.4 million shares remaining under the current share repurchase authorization. During the three months ended March 31, 2025, the Company redeemed 0.1 million shares of common stock at a total cost of $9.3 million from employees to satisfy the option exercise price and the statutory minimum tax-withholding requirements related to the exercising of stock options and the vesting of PVRSUs and restricted stock grants. These redemptions were outside the share repurchase program. During the three months ended March 31, 2025, the Company received proceeds of $4.8 million from stock options exercised by employees. Critical Accounting Estimates The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements, the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods, and the related disclosures in the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying footnotes. We have discussed the estimates that we believe are critical because they involve a higher degree of judgment in their application and are based on information that is inherently uncertain in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. During the three months ended March 31, 2025, there were no material changes to the critical accounting estimates that were previously disclosed. New Accounting Standards Refer to the "Recently Issued Accounting Standards" section of Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements for information related to our evaluation of new accounting standards. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Certain matters discussed in this quarterly report constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Certain, but not necessarily all, of such forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as "expect," "estimate," "believe," "anticipate," "should," "will," "forecast," "plan," "project," "assume," or similar words of futurity. All statements other than historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current beliefs, assumptions and expectations regarding future events, which, in turn, are based on information currently available to management. Such statements may relate to projections of our revenue, expenses, earnings, debt levels, ability to repay outstanding indebtedness, payment of dividends, repurchases of common stock, and other financial and operational measures, including occupancy and open hotels, revenue per available room, and our liquidity, among other matters. We caution you not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements do not guarantee future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. Several factors could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Such risks include, but are not limited to, changes to general, domestic and foreign economic conditions, including access to liquidity and capital; changes in consumer demand and confidence, including consumer discretionary spending and the demand for travel, transient and group business; the timing and amount of future dividends and share repurchases; future domestic or global outbreaks of epidemics, pandemics or contagious diseases or fear of such outbreaks, and the related impact on the global hospitality industry, particularly but not exclusively the U.S. travel market; changes in law and regulation applicable to the travel, lodging or franchising industries, including with respect to the status of our relationship with employees of our franchisees; foreign currency fluctuations; impairments or declines in the value of our assets; operating risks common in the travel, lodging or franchising industries; changes to the desirability of our brands as viewed by hotel operators and customers; changes to the terms or termination of our contracts with franchisees and our 25 Table of Contents relationships with our franchisees; our ability to keep pace with improvements in technology utilized for our marketing and reservation systems and other operating systems; our ability to grow our franchise system; exposure to risks related to our hotel development, financing, franchise agreement acquisition costs and ownership activities; exposures to risks associated with our investments in new businesses; fluctuations in the supply and demand for hotel rooms; our ability to realize anticipated benefits from acquired businesses; impairments or losses relating to acquired businesses; the level of acceptance of alternative growth strategies we may implement; the impact of inflation; cyber security and data breach risks; climate change and sustainability related concerns; ownership and financing activities; hotel closures or financial difficulties of our franchisees; operating risks associated with our international operations; labor shortages; the outcome of litigation; and our ability to effectively manage our indebtedness and secure our indebtedness. These and other risk factors are discussed in detail in Item 1A. Risk Factors of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on February 20, 2025. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.