RICHMOND, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Bowlero Corp. (NYSE: BOWL), one of the world’s premier operators of location-based entertainment, today provided financial results for the second quarter of the 2024 Fiscal Year, which ended on December 31, 2023.
Quarter Highlights:
- Revenue increased 11.8% to $305.7 million versus the prior year and increased 65.4% versus 2QFY20 (quarter ended December 29, 2019)
- Revenue excluding Service Fee Revenue increased 13.4% to $304.0 million versus the prior year and was up 64.5% versus 2QFY20
- Total Bowling Center Revenue increased 14.5% versus the prior year and was up 69.5% versus 2QFY20
- Same Store Revenue increased 0.2% versus the prior year and grew 27.8% versus 2QFY20
- Net loss of $63.5 million versus prior year income of $1.4 million and income of $6.4 million in 2QFY20, which includes $64.1 million of expense from the non-cash impact of the earnouts for the current period
- Adjusted EBITDA of $103.1 million versus prior year of $97.0 million and $52.9 million in 2QFY20
- Added 3 locations during the quarter, 2 from acquisitions and 1 new build-out, bringing year-to-date new centers to 21
- Total locations in operation as of February 5, 2024 is 350
“Second quarter fiscal year 2024 saw double-digit total growth, amplifying our ability to grow the business despite difficult comparatives as we come out of the record-breaking COVID rebound. Our acquisition of Lucky Strike represents a major milestone for the Company as we focus on higher revenue properties and continue to grow our location count. That deal brought together flagship properties with our best-in-class operators and event sales platform, driving results higher than expectations. We are expanding the well-known Lucky Strike brand by opening our first Lucky Strike new build in Moorpark, California, and the new Lucky Strike Miami will soon follow.,” said Thomas Shannon, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bowlero.
Mr. Shannon continued, “In the quarter, our event business was up over thirty percent and continues to drive the strength of our overall business. Same-store revenue was positive in the quarter, driven by the reset of mid-week promotions, improved pricing dynamics on the weekend, and strong execution from our events team. Acquisitions and new builds contributed $41 million of revenue in the quarter and the Lucky Strike acquisition is ahead of our profitability targets. We are taking a cautious approach to the third quarter due to meaningful weather headwinds in the first three weeks of January but expect to make up that softness in the rest of the third quarter and fourth quarter and continue to expect double-digit revenue growth in fiscal year 2024.”
Bobby Lavan, Chief Financial Officer, added, “In the quarter, we received $409 million net proceeds from our sale-leaseback transaction with Vici. We used proceeds to pay down our revolver balance in full, fund acquisitions including Lucky Strike, and accelerate our capital investment plan. We ended the quarter with $190 million of cash and $412 million of total liquidity.”
Share Repurchases
During the quarter, the Company repurchased approximately 7.5 million shares of Class A common stock for approximately $80 million. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2024, the company repurchased approximately 12.1 million shares for approximately $131 million, bringing total repurchases in the first half of fiscal year 2024 to approximately 19.6 million. Since 2021, the Company has spent approximately $432 million retiring all SPAC-related warrants, repurchasing 31.0 million shares of common stock, and 4.9 million as-converted preferred shares, reducing common stock outstanding by about 20%.
On February 2, 2024, the Board of Directors authorized a time extension and an increase to the share repurchase program, replenishing the authorized repurchase amount to $200 million and removing the program expiration date. The timing of the repurchases and the actual amount repurchased will depend on a variety of factors, including the market price of the Company’s shares, general market and economic conditions, and other factors.
Dividend
The Board of Directors of the Company has approved the initiation of a quarterly dividend program. The Board of Directors declared an initial quarterly cash dividend of $0.055 per share of common stock for the third quarter of fiscal 2024. The dividend will be payable on March 8, 2024, to stockholders of record on February 23, 2024. The Company intends to pay a cash dividend on a quarterly basis going forward, subject to market conditions and approval by the Company’s Board of Directors.
Fiscal Year 2024 and Third Quarter 2024 Guidance
The Company reiterated financial guidance for fiscal year 2024. The Company expects Revenue to be up 10% to 15% in fiscal year 2024, excluding the $21 million of Service Fee Revenue1 from prior year revenue, equating to $1.14 billion to $1.19 billion. Adjusted EBITDA margin is expected to be 32% to 34%, which equates to Adjusted EBITDA of $365 million to $405 million. The Company expects the third quarter of fiscal year 2024 to have Revenue Excluding Service Fee Revenue of $335 million to $350 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $128 million to $143 million.
The Company is updating its investment guidance based on expanding growth opportunities in fiscal year 2025. The Company expects to reinvest heavily in the business in fiscal year 2024, with more than $190 million allocated to acquisitions (up from $160 million), $40 million to new builds, and $80 million to conversions and growth (up from $75 million). Maintenance capital expenditures are expected to be $45 million.
About Bowlero Corp.
Bowlero Corporation is one of the world’s premier operators of location-based entertainment. With approximately 350 locations across North America, the Company serves more than 40 million guest visits annually through a family of brands that include Lucky Strike, Bowlero and AMF. In 2019, Bowlero acquired the Professional Bowlers Association, the major league of bowling and a growing media property that boasts millions of fans around the globe. For more information on Bowlero, please visit BowleroCorp.com.
