ARKO - ARKO Corp. Reports Third Quarter 2023 Results

RICHMOND, Va., Nov. 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ARKO Corp. (Nasdaq: ARKO) (“ARKO” or the “Company”), a Fortune 500 company and one of the largest convenience store operators in the United States, today announced financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2023.

Third Quarter 2023 Key Highlights ¹

• Net income for the quarter was $21.5 million, compared to $25.0 million for the prior year quarter.
• Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $91.2 million, compared to $99.5 million for the prior year quarter, primarily due to reduced fuel contribution at same stores, with retail cents per gallon (“CPG”) of 40.3 in the current quarter compared to retail CPG of 44.8 in Q3 2022.
• Same store merchandise sales excluding cigarettes increased 1.0% for the quarter compared to the prior year period; same store merchandise sales for the quarter increased 0.1% compared to the prior year period, and were impacted by approximately $2 million in increased loyalty investments in customer acquisition related to expanding membership in the fas REWARDS® loyalty program, other loyalty promotions, and growth in the total loyalty membership base - a long-term goal of the Company. This caused a reduction in same store merchandise sales of approximately 0.4%, and same store merchandise sales excluding cigarettes of approximately 0.6%.
• Merchandise gross profit contribution grew by $21.8 million for the quarter, or 15.7%, as compared to the prior year period.
• Merchandise margin expanded, increasing approximately 50 basis points to 31.7% for the quarter compared to 31.2% for the prior year period, due to execution of key marketing and merchandising initiatives.
• Total retail gallons increased 14.8% in Q3 2023 compared to Q3 2022.

Other Key Highlights

• The Company closed its 25 ^th acquisition, marking five closed acquisitions since the beginning of Q3 2022, increasing the total number of locations by approximately 720.
• Added more than 365,000 enrolled fas REWARDS® members during Q3 2023, while offering a special $10 enrollment promotion commencing in mid-May 2023 through September 2023. As of the end of Q3, 2023, the Company had 1.85 million total enrolled fas REWARDS® members, representing a 50% increase in enrolled members since the end of Q3 2022.
  
• Announced the expansion of the executive ranks at our subsidiary, GPM Investments, LLC (“GPM”), with the hiring of Richard Guidry as GPM’s Senior Vice President of Food Service, who was hired to expand its food strategy and scale it to the Family of Community Brands.
• Current available liquidity for future acquisitions of more than $2 billion, including cash, lines of credit and availability under the Oak Street program agreement.
• ARKO Corp.’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.03 per share of common stock to be paid on December 1, 2023, to stockholders of record as of November 17, 2023.

“I am very pleased with our third quarter performance, which we believe compares favorably to what was a strong prior year quarter,” said Arie Kotler, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of ARKO. “In the third quarter, our entire team continued to execute on our three key marketing and merchandise pillars including, significantly expanding the number of enrolled members in our fas REWARDS loyalty program, which we designed to enhance our relationship with our customers and provide them with extraordinary value. We continue to implement the ARKO way in the five acquisitions closed over the last year, adding merchandise assortment and growing sales in these stores’ core destination categories while capturing synergies. Our retail fuel margin was lower than the prior year quarter’s elevated fuel margins, which we expected, and we continue to execute our strategy of optimizing retail fuel gross profit dollars.”

¹ See Use of Non-GAAP Measures below.

Third Quarter 2023 Segment Highlights

Retail

The table below shows financial information and certain key metrics of recent acquisitions in the Retail Segment that do not have comparable information for the prior periods.

For the third quarter, retail fuel profitability (excluding intercompany charges by the Company’s wholesale fuel distribution subsidiary, GPM Petroleum LP (“GPMP”)) increased $3.8 million to $121.3 million compared to the prior year period, with resilient fuel margin capture of 40.3 cents per gallon, a decrease of 4.5 cents per gallon for the third quarter of 2023 compared to the prior year period. Same store fuel profit was $99.4 million (excluding intercompany charges by GPMP), compared to $116.1 million for the prior year quarter. This decrease in same store fuel profit was fully offset by approximately $21.7 million incremental fuel profit from recent acquisitions.

Same store merchandise sales excluding cigarettes increased 1.0% for the quarter compared to the third quarter of 2022. Same store merchandise sales increased 0.1% compared to the strong prior year period, which were impacted by increased loyalty investments. Same store sales were positively impacted as revenue from the Company’s six core destination categories (packaged beverages, candy, salty snacks, packaged sweet snacks, alternative snacks and beer) continued to grow. Total merchandise contribution for the quarter increased $21.8 million, or 15.7%, compared to the third quarter of 2022, due to $21.9 million in merchandise contribution from the businesses we acquired in 2023, as well as the Pride Acquisition, and an increase in merchandise contribution at same stores of approximately $1.2 million. Merchandise margin increased 50 basis points, to 31.7% from 31.2% in the third quarter of 2022, primarily due to execution of key marketing and merchandising initiatives.

Wholesale

The table below shows financial information and certain key metrics of recent acquisitions in the Wholesale Segment that do not have (or have only partial) comparable information for the prior periods.

In wholesale, fuel contribution from fuel supply locations (excluding intercompany charges by GPMP) increased by $0.1 million for the quarter compared to the prior year quarter, while margin decreased, primarily due to decreased prompt pay discounts related to lower fuel costs and lower volumes at legacy wholesale sites, which was partially offset by the incremental contribution from recent acquisitions.

Fuel contribution from consignment agent locations (excluding intercompany charges by GPMP) decreased approximately $0.3 million for the quarter compared to the prior year quarter and margin also decreased, primarily due to lower rack-to-retail margins and decreased prompt pay discounts related to lower fuel costs, which was partially offset by the incremental contribution from recent acquisitions.

Fleet Fueling

The fleet fueling segment commenced operations on July 22, 2022; therefore, neither the three nor nine months ended September 30, 2022 reflects the operations of this segment for the entirety of such period, which affects period-over-period comparability.

The table below shows financial information and certain key metrics of recent acquisitions in the Fleet Fueling Segment that do not have (or have only partial) comparable information for the prior periods.

The Company recognized strong cash flow from the fleet fueling segment during the third quarter of 2023. Fuel profitability (excluding intercompany charges by GPMP) increased by $3.3 million compared to the prior year quarter, and was approximately $14.3 million for the quarter.

Store Operating Expenses

For the third quarter of 2023, convenience store operating expenses increased $30.2 million, or 17.2% as compared to the prior year period, primarily due to $34.4 million of expenses related to recent acquisitions, partially offset by a decrease of $1.7 million in expenses at same stores, mainly driven by lower credit card fees. Same store personnel expenses were similar to the prior year period, increasing by only $0.1 million, or 0.1%, as the Company has continued to appropriately balance labor expenses and providing superior customer service. The total increase in store operating expenses was partially offset by underperforming retail stores that the Company closed or converted to dealer locations.

Long-Term Growth Strategy Updates

Food and Beverage

On October 3, 2023, the Company announced that GPM expanded its leadership team and named Richard Guidry in the newly created role of Senior Vice President of Food Service. This expansion tracks the Company’s commitment to growing its food service offering.

Acquisitions and M&A

The Company is currently well-positioned to continue executing its long-term growth strategy with a deep pipeline of potential acquisition opportunities and the liquidity to pursue deals. ARKO believes its successful track record of making disciplined and accretive acquisitions will continue to enhance value for stockholders. On May 2, 2023, the Company amended its program agreement (the “Program Agreement”) with affiliates of Oak Street, a division of Blue Owl Capital (“Oak Street”). This amendment extended the term of the Program Agreement and provides for an aggregate up to $1.5 billion of capacity, almost all of which is currently available to the Company through September 30, 2024.

Liquidity

As of September 30, 2023, the Company’s total liquidity was approximately $827 million, consisting of cash and cash equivalents of approximately $204 million and approximately $623 million of availability under lines of credit. Outstanding debt was $828 million, resulting in net debt, excluding financing leases, of approximately $624 million. Capital expenditures were approximately $25.6 million for the quarter.

Sustainability Report

On September 5, 2023, ARKO published its 2022 Sustainability Report, highlighting information about its Environmental, Social and Governance priorities. This report shows the progress the Company has made since publishing its first report, covering the year ended December 31, 2021, in 2022. To read the 2022 Sustainability Report, visit this link: https://www.arkocorp.com/company-information/responsibility .

Quarterly Dividend and Share Repurchase Program

The Company’s ability to return cash to its stockholders through its cash dividend program and share repurchase program is consistent with its capital allocation framework and reflects the Company’s confidence in the strength of its cash generation ability and financial position.

The Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.03 per share of common stock, to be paid on December 1, 2023, to stockholders of record as of November 17, 2023.

During the quarter, the Company repurchased approximately 1.5 million shares of common stock under the repurchase program for approximately $11.6 million, or an average share price of $7.53. There was approximately $37 million remaining under the expanded share repurchase program as of September 30, 2023.

Company-Operated Retail Store Count and Segment Update

The following tables present certain information regarding changes in the retail, wholesale and fleet fueling segments for the periods presented:

Conference Call and Webcast Details

The Company will host a conference call to discuss these results at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on November 7, 2023. Investors and analysts interested in participating in the live call can dial 877-605-1792 or 201-689-8728.

A simultaneous, live webcast will also be available on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at https://www.arkocorp.com/news-events/ir-calendar. The webcast will be archived for 30 days.

About ARKO Corp.

ARKO Corp. (Nasdaq: ARKO) is a Fortune 500 company that owns 100% of GPM Investments, LLC and is one of the largest operators of convenience stores and wholesalers of fuel in the United States. Based in Richmond, VA, we operate A Family of Community Brands that offer delicious, prepared foods, beer, snacks, candy, hot and cold beverages, and multiple popular quick serve restaurant brands. Our high value fas REWARDS® loyalty program offers exclusive savings on merchandise and gas. We operate in four reportable segments: retail, which includes convenience stores selling merchandise and fuel products to retail customers; wholesale, which supplies fuel to independent dealers and consignment agents; GPM Petroleum, which sells and supplies fuel to our retail and wholesale sites and charges a fixed fee, primarily to our fleet fueling sites; and fleet fueling, which includes the operation of proprietary and third-party cardlock locations, and issuance of proprietary fuel cards that provide customers access to a nationwide network of fueling sites. To learn more about GPM stores, visit: www.gpminvestments.com. To learn more about ARKO, visit: www.arkocorp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This document includes certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may address, among other things, the Company’s expected financial and operational results and the related assumptions underlying its expected results. These forward-looking statements are distinguished by use of words such as “anticipate,” “aim,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and the negative of these terms, and similar references to future periods. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations due to, among other things, changes in economic, business and market conditions; the Company’s ability to maintain the listing of its common stock and warrants on the Nasdaq Stock Market; changes in its strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects and plans; expansion plans and opportunities; changes in the markets in which it competes; changes in applicable laws or regulations, including those relating to environmental matters; market conditions and global and economic factors beyond its control; and the outcome of any known or unknown litigation and regulatory proceedings. Detailed information about these factors and additional important factors can be found in the documents that the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements were made. The Company does not undertake an obligation to update forward-looking information, except to the extent required by applicable law.

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

The Company discloses certain measures on a “same store basis,” which is a non-GAAP measure. Information disclosed on a “same store basis” excludes the results of any store that is not a “same store” for the applicable period. A store is considered a same store beginning in the first quarter in which the store had a full quarter of activity in the prior year. The Company believes that this information provides greater comparability regarding its ongoing operating performance. Neither this measure nor those described below should be considered an alternative to measurements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”).

The Company defines EBITDA as net income before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA further adjusts EBITDA by excluding the gain or loss on disposal of assets, impairment charges, acquisition costs, other non-cash items, and other unusual or non-recurring charges. Each of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure.

The Company uses EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for operational and financial decision-making and believe these measures are useful in evaluating its performance because they eliminate certain items that it does not consider indicators of its operating performance. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are also used by many of its investors, securities analysts, and other interested parties in evaluating its operational and financial performance across reporting periods. The Company believes that the presentation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors by allowing an understanding of key measures that it uses internally for operational decision-making, budgeting, evaluating acquisition targets, and assessing its operating performance.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not recognized terms under GAAP and should not be considered as a substitute for net income or any other financial measure presented in accordance with GAAP. These measures have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of its results as reported under GAAP. The Company strongly encourages investors to review its financial statements and publicly filed reports in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure.

Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, same store measures, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, as defined by the Company, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. It therefore may not be possible to compare the Company’s use of these non-GAAP financial measures with those used by other companies.