Cedar Fair Reports 2014 First-Quarter Results

SANDUSKY, Ohio, May 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (NYSE: FUN), a leader in regional amusement parks, water parks and active entertainment, today announced results for the first quarter ended March 30, 2014.  Historically, first quarter results represent less than 5% of the Company's full-year net revenues as the vast majority of its parks and facilities are closed during this quarter.  As a result, the Company typically operates at a loss during this period.

"We are pleased with our early-season trends through the end of April, which for the most part normalizes our operating calendar for the Easter and spring break holidays," said Matt Ouimet, Cedar Fair's president and chief executive officer.  "Comparable-park net revenues through April are up approximately $7 million over the same four-month period last year.  We have experienced strength in all aspects of our business, including early-season pass sales and group event bookings.  At the parks that have been operating, attendance and in-park guest per capita spending are also trending higher than this time last year.  Based on our record performance in 2013 and these strong early-season trends, we remain confident in our ability to execute on our long-term strategy and expect 2014 to be another record year for Cedar Fair."

First-Quarter Results

For the first quarter ended March 30, 2014, Cedar Fair's net revenues decreased 3% to $40.5 million, compared with $41.8 million in the first quarter ended March 31, 2013.  The decrease was entirely driven by the timing shift of the Easter and spring break holidays which occurred in the second quarter of 2014 compared with the first quarter of 2013 and was in line with the Company's expectations.  This was partially offset by a strong performance at Knott's Berry Farm, the Company's only year-round park, during the first quarter.

Operating costs and expenses for the first quarter of 2014 were $106.7 million, an increase of $4.0 million from the prior-year quarter, and were also in line with the Company's expectations. The increased costs for the quarter were largely due to budgeted increases in maintenance expense as the Company continues to invest in the infrastructure of its parks.

The net loss for the quarter totaled $83.5 million, or $1.51 per diluted LP unit, compared with a net loss of $109.1 million, or $1.95 per diluted LP unit, for the first quarter a year ago.  The first-quarter 2013 net loss included a $34.6 million charge related to the Company's March 2013 refinancing.

Cash Flow and Liquidity Remain Strong

As of March 30, 2014, the Company had $618.9 million of variable-rate term debt (before giving consideration to fixed-rate interest rate swaps), $902.0 million of fixed-rate debt, $55.0 million borrowed under its revolving credit facilities and $8.9 million of cash on hand.  The Company believes its credit facilities and cash flows are sufficient to meet working capital needs, debt service, planned capital expenditures and distributions for the foreseeable future.

Distribution Declaration

The Company also announced today the declaration of a cash distribution of $0.70 per LP unit.  The distribution will be paid on June 16, 2014, to unitholders of record as of June 4, 2014.  This distribution reflects the Company's strong performance and growth strategy and is consistent with its targeted record annualized distribution rate of $2.80 per LP unit for 2014.

Outlook

"Our investments to enhance the overall guest experience continue to be a key driver of our success," added Ouimet.  "For example, the launch of Banshee, a world-record-breaking roller coaster at Kings Island, resulted in the best opening weekend in that park's 43-year history.  Beyond our strong capital program, we have many initiatives, including new live entertainment, increased culinary options and improved merchandise offerings, that we believe will further enhance the guest experience.

"Based on early-season trends and our confidence in our business model, we currently anticipate net revenues for the full-year 2014 to be in the range of $1.16 billion to $1.19 billion and Adjusted EBITDA is anticipated to be in the range of $435 million to $450 million," said Ouimet.  "We also remain on track to achieve our FUNforward long-term growth goal of $450 million in Adjusted EBITDA at least one, if not two years, earlier than our original target of 2016."

Ouimet concluded by stating, "With eight of our parks now open, we are seeing first-hand the excitement our guests are experiencing as they leave this winter's snowy, cold weather behind and create new memories with their families and friends."

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call with analysts today, May 8, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, which will be web cast live in "listen only" mode via the Cedar Fair web site (www.cedarfair.com). It will also be available for replay starting at approximately 1:00 p.m. ET, today, until 11:59 p.m. ET, Thursday, May 22, 2014. In order to access the replay of the earnings call, please dial 1-877-870-5176 followed by the access code 4678340.

About Cedar Fair

Cedar Fair is a publicly traded partnership headquartered in Sandusky, Ohio, and one of the largest regional amusement-resort operators in the world.  The Company owns and operates 11 amusement parks, three outdoor water parks, one indoor water park and five hotels.  Its parks are located in Ohio, California, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Missouri, Michigan, and Toronto, Ontario.  Cedar Fair also operates the Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in California under a management contract.  Cedar Fair's flagship park, Cedar Point, has been consistently voted the "Best Amusement Park in the World" in a prestigious annual poll conducted by Amusement Today newspaper.

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements as to the Company's expectations, beliefs and strategies regarding the future.  These statements may involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in such statements.  Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct.  Important factors, including general economic conditions, adverse weather conditions, competition for consumer leisure time and spending, unanticipated construction delays, changes in our capital investment plans and projects and other factors discussed from time to time by the Company in reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") could affect attendance at our parks and cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations. Additional information on risk factors that may affect the business and financial results of the Company can be found in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and in the filings of the Company made from time to time with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

This news release and prior releases are available online at www.cedarfair.com

SOURCE Cedar Fair Entertainment Company