CHH-10Q-06.30.2012
Table of Contents

 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 _____________________________________________ 
FORM 10-Q
 _____________________________________________ 
x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED June 30, 2012
OR
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
COMMISSION FILE NO. 001-13393
 _____________________________________________ 
CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
_____________________________________________ 
DELAWARE
 
52-1209792
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
10750 COLUMBIA PIKE
SILVER SPRING, MD. 20901
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(301) 592-5000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
_____________________________________________  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months.    Yes  x     No   o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
x
 
Accelerated filer
o
Non-accelerated filer
o
 
Smaller reporting company
o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  o No  x
CLASS
 
SHARES OUSTANDING AT JUNE 30, 2012
Common Stock, Par Value $0.01 per share
 
57,950,952
 
 
 
 
 
 


Table of Contents

CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX
 
 
 
 
PAGE NO.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


2

Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
    
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
REVENUES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Royalty fees
$
66,064

 
$
61,620

 
$
113,917

 
$
105,414

Initial franchise and relicensing fees
3,178

 
2,779

 
5,706

 
5,500

Procurement services
6,836

 
6,673

 
10,151

 
9,934

Marketing and reservation
94,633

 
90,832

 
165,562

 
153,799

Hotel operations
1,224

 
1,073

 
2,202

 
1,937

Other
1,686

 
2,324

 
5,252

 
3,998

Total revenues
173,621

 
165,301

 
302,790

 
280,582

 

 
 
 
 
 

OPERATING EXPENSES:

 
 
 
 
 

Selling, general and administrative
24,554

 
26,539

 
48,903

 
50,386

Depreciation and amortization
1,977

 
1,948

 
3,994

 
3,903

Marketing and reservation
94,633

 
90,832

 
165,562

 
153,799

Hotel operations
867

 
860

 
1,676

 
1,693

Total operating expenses
122,031

 
120,179

 
220,135

 
209,781

 


 
 
 
 
 


Operating income
51,590

 
45,122

 
82,655

 
70,801

OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES, NET:

 
 
 
 
 

Interest expense
3,540

 
3,267

 
6,657

 
6,491

Interest income
(394
)
 
(221
)
 
(731
)
 
(431
)
Other (gains) and losses
377

 
(38
)
 
(1,626
)
 
1,005

Equity in net (income) loss of affiliates
128

 

 
183

 
(301
)
Total other income and expenses, net
3,651

 
3,008

 
4,483

 
6,764

Income before income taxes
47,939

 
42,114

 
78,172

 
64,037

Income taxes
16,077

 
14,536

 
26,313

 
20,729

Net income
$
31,862

 
$
27,578

 
$
51,859

 
$
43,308

 


 


 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share
$
0.55

 
$
0.46

 
$
0.89

 
$
0.72

Diluted earnings per share
$
0.55

 
$
0.46

 
$
0.89

 
$
0.72

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


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Table of Contents

CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS)
 
        
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
Net income
$
31,862

 
$
27,578

 
$
51,859

 
$
43,308

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of loss on cash flow hedge
216

 
216

 
431

 
431

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net
(432
)
 
498

 
(20
)
 
1,003

Amortization of pension related costs, net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actuarial loss (net of income tax of $12 and $24 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively)
20

 

 
40

 

Actuarial pension loss (net of income tax of $6 for the six months ended June 30, 2011)

 

 

 
(10
)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
(196
)
 
714

 
451

 
1,424

Comprehensive income
$
31,666

 
$
28,292

 
$
52,310

 
$
44,732


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents


CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
June 30,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
485,390

 
$
107,057

Receivables (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $10,943 and $9,979, respectively)
62,643

 
53,012

Investments, employee benefit plans, at fair value
5,184

 
12,094

Other current assets
30,656

 
22,633

Total current assets
583,873

 
194,796

Property and equipment, at cost, net
50,561

 
51,992

Goodwill
65,996

 
66,005

Franchise rights and other identifiable intangibles, net
15,435

 
17,255

Receivable – marketing and reservation fees
64,838

 
54,014

Investments, employee benefit plans, at fair value
12,221

 
11,678

Deferred income taxes
22,017

 
22,665

Other assets
42,797

 
29,284

Total assets
$
857,738

 
$
447,689

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
 
 
 
Current liabilities
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
45,548

 
$
38,389

Accrued expenses
36,137

 
53,851

Deferred revenue
64,422

 
68,825

Deferred compensation and retirement plan obligations
19,276

 
18,935

Current portion of long-term debt
683

 
673

Deferred income taxes
2,820

 
2,784

Income taxes payable
12,854

 
1,108

Total current liabilities
181,740

 
184,565

Long-term debt
651,717

 
252,032

Deferred compensation and retirement plan obligations
19,482

 
20,593

Other liabilities
16,042

 
16,060

Total liabilities
868,981

 
473,250

Commitments and Contingencies


 


SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
 
 
 
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 160,000,000 shares authorized; 95,345,362 shares issued at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 and 57,950,952 and 58,277,646 shares outstanding at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively
580

 
583

Additional paid-in capital
101,719

 
102,665

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(6,350
)
 
(6,801
)
Treasury stock (37,394,410 and 37,067,716 shares at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively), at cost
(932,663
)
 
(916,955
)
Retained earnings
825,471

 
794,947

Total shareholders’ deficit
(11,243
)
 
(25,561
)
Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit
$
857,738

 
$
447,689

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents

CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS)
 
Six Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Net income
$
51,859

 
$
43,308

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
3,994

 
3,903

Provision for bad debts
1,236

 
1,340

Non-cash stock compensation and other charges
4,868

 
7,436

Non-cash interest and other (income) loss
(820
)
 
22

Dividends received from equity method investments
399

 
159

Equity in net (income) loss of affiliates
183

 
(301
)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Receivables
(12,258
)
 
(11,058
)
Receivable – marketing and reservation fees, net
(2,389
)
 
(11,387
)
Accounts payable
6,330

 
6,026

Accrued expenses
(17,659
)
 
(11,004
)
Income taxes payable/receivable
11,808

 
11,404

Deferred income taxes
(194
)
 
40

Deferred revenue
(4,404
)
 
(6,463
)
Other assets
(4,331
)
 
(750
)
Other liabilities
(820
)
 
(624
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
37,802

 
32,051

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Investment in property and equipment
(6,236
)
 
(5,110
)
Equity method investments
(6,315
)
 
(1,600
)
Issuance of notes receivable
(5,820
)
 
(2,651
)
Collections of notes receivable
210

 
13

Purchases of investments, employee benefit plans
(969
)
 
(1,139
)
Proceeds from sales of investments, employee benefit plans
8,969

 
347

Other items, net
(226
)
 
(192
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(10,387
)
 
(10,332
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Net repayments pursuant to revolving credit facility

 
(200
)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
393,444

 
75

Repayments of long-term debt
(333
)
 
(13
)
Purchase of treasury stock
(22,173
)
 
(2,527
)
Dividends paid
(21,396
)
 
(21,922
)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
641

 
1,061

Debt issuance costs
(153
)
 
(2,356
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
445

 
3,132

Net cash provided (used) by financing activities
350,475

 
(22,750
)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
377,890

 
(1,031
)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
443

 
733

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
107,057

 
91,259

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
485,390

 
$
90,961

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
 
 
 
Cash payments during the period for:


 


Income taxes, net of refunds
$
14,391

 
$
7,526

Interest
$
7,699

 
$
7,678

Non-cash investing and financing activities:


 
 
Declaration of dividends
$
21,335

 
$
21,972

Capital lease obligation
$

 
$
430

Issuance of restricted shares of common stock
$
9,267

 
$
8,222

Issuance of treasury stock to employee stock purchase plan
$

 
$
380

Debt issuance costs
$
6,556

 
$

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

1.
Company Information and Significant Accounting Policies
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Choice Hotels International, Inc. and subsidiaries (together the “Company”) have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments that are necessary, in the opinion of management, to fairly present our financial position and results of operations. Except as otherwise disclosed, all adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.
Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been omitted. The year-end balance sheet information was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. The Company believes the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.
The consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2011 and notes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on February 29, 2012 (the “10-K”). Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the entire year results because of seasonal variations. All inter-company transactions and balances between Choice Hotels International, Inc. and its subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation.
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Certain amounts in the prior year’s financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation with no effect on previously reported net income, cash flows or shareholders’ deficit.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. As of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, $3.4 million and $4.4 million respectively, of book overdrafts representing outstanding checks in excess of funds on deposit are included in accounts payable in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
The Company maintains cash balances in domestic banks, which at times, may exceed the limits of amounts insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. In addition, the Company also maintains cash balances in international banks which do not provide deposit insurance.
Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance
The Company adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2011-08, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment" ("ASU No. 2011-08") in the first quarter of 2012. The guidance, which was issued in September 2011, reduces the complexity and costs by allowing an entity the option to make a qualitative evaluation about the likelihood of goodwill impairment to determine whether it should calculate the fair value of a reporting unit. The amendment improves previous guidance by expanding upon the examples of events and circumstances that an entity should consider between annual impairment tests in determining whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Furthermore, the amendment improves the examples of events and circumstances that an entity having a reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount should consider in determining whether to measure an impairment loss, if any, under the second step of the goodwill impairment test. The Company performs its annual goodwill impairment test in the fourth quarter and does not expect the adoption of this ASU to significantly impact its consolidated financial statements.
The Company adopted ASU No. 2011-05 “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income” (“ASU No. 2011-05”) in the first quarter of 2012. ASU No. 2011-05, which was issued in June 2011, amends existing guidance by allowing only two options for presenting the components of net income and other comprehensive income: (1) in a single continuous financial statement, statement of comprehensive income or (2) in two separate but consecutive financial statements, consisting of an income statement followed by a separate statement of other comprehensive income.

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Additionally, the Company adopted ASU No. 2011-12, "Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05” ("ASU 2011-12"), which was issued in December 2011. ASU 2011-12 defers until further notice ASU No. 2011-05's requirement that items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income be presented on the face of the financial statements. ASU No. 2011-05 required retrospective application. The Company has elected to present other comprehensive income in a separate statement following the consolidated statements of income.
The Company adopted ASU No. 2011-04 “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs” (“ASU No. 2011-04”) in the first quarter of 2012. ASU No. 2011-04 generally provides a uniform framework for fair value measurements and related disclosures between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). Additional disclosure requirements in the update include: (1) for Level 3 fair value measurements, quantitative information about unobservable inputs used, a description of the valuation processes used by the entity, and a qualitative discussion about the sensitivity of the measurements to changes in the unobservable inputs; (2) for an entity’s use of a non-financial asset that is different from the asset’s highest and best use, the reason for the difference; (3) for financial instruments not measured at fair value but for which disclosure of fair value is required, the fair value hierarchy level in which the fair value measurements were determined; and (4) the disclosure of all transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The adoption of this update did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

2.
Other Current Assets
Other current assets consist of the following:
 
 
June 30, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
 
(In thousands)
Land held for sale
$
10,172

 
$
10,141

Prepaid expenses
9,544

 
8,202

Notes receivable (See Note 3)
6,413

 
3,104

Other current assets
4,527

 
1,186

Total
$
30,656

 
$
22,633

Land held for sale represents the Company’s purchase of various parcels of real estate as part of its program to incent franchise development in strategic markets for certain brands. The Company has acquired this real estate with the intent to resell it to third-party developers for the construction of hotels operated under the Company’s brands. The real estate is accounted for as assets held for sale and therefore is carried at the lower of its carrying value or its estimated fair value (based on comparable sales), less estimated costs to sell.

3.
Notes Receivable and Allowance for Losses
The Company segregates its notes receivable for the purposes of evaluating allowances for credit losses between two categories: Mezzanine and Other Notes Receivable and Forgivable Notes Receivable. The Company utilizes the level of security it has in the various notes receivable as its primary credit quality indicator (i.e. senior, subordinated or unsecured) when determining the appropriate allowances for uncollectible loans within these categories.

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The following table shows the composition of our notes receivable balances:
 
 
June 30, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
 
($ in thousands)
 
($ in thousands)
Credit Quality Indicator
Forgivable
Notes
Receivable
 
Mezzanine
& Other
Notes
Receivable
 
Total
 
Forgivable
Notes
Receivable
 
Mezzanine
& Other
Notes
Receivable
 
Total
Senior
$

 
$
11,091

 
$
11,091

 
$

 
$
7,900

 
$
7,900

Subordinated

 
14,989

 
14,989

 

 
13,992

 
13,992

Unsecured
8,124

 

 
8,124

 
7,948

 

 
7,948

Total notes receivable
8,124

 
26,080

 
34,204

 
7,948

 
21,892

 
29,840

Allowance for losses on non-impaired loans
812

 
47

 
859

 
795

 
225

 
1,020

Allowance for losses on receivables specifically evaluated for impairment

 
8,315

 
8,315

 

 
8,208

 
8,208

Total loan reserves
812

 
8,362

 
9,174

 
795

 
8,433

 
9,228

Net carrying value
$
7,312

 
$
17,718

 
$
25,030

 
$
7,153

 
$
13,459

 
$
20,612

Current portion, net
$
120

 
$
6,293

 
$
6,413

 
$
102

 
$
3,002

 
$
3,104

Long-term portion, net
7,192

 
11,425

 
18,617

 
7,051

 
10,457

 
17,508

Total
$
7,312

 
$
17,718

 
$
25,030

 
$
7,153

 
$
13,459

 
$
20,612

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The Company classifies notes receivable due within one year as other current assets and notes receivable with a maturity greater than one year as other assets in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
The following table summarizes the activity related to the Company’s Forgivable Notes Receivable and Mezzanine and & Other Notes Receivable allowance for losses from December 31, 2011 through June 30, 2012:
 
 
Forgivable
Notes
Receivable
 
Mezzanine
& Other  Notes
Receivable
 
(In thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2011
$
795

 
$
8,433

Provisions
178

 

Recoveries
(16
)
 
(71
)
Write-offs
(217
)
 

Other(1)
72

 

Balance, June 30, 2012
$
812

 
$
8,362

 
(1) Consists of default rate assumption changes
Forgivable Notes Receivable
As of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the unamortized balance of the Company's forgivable notes receivable totaled $8.1 million and $7.9 million, respectively. The Company recorded an allowance for credit losses on these forgivable notes receivable of $0.8 million at both June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company did not have any forgivable unsecured notes that were past due. Amortization expense included in the accompanying consolidated statements of income related to the notes was $0.6 million and $1.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively. Amortization expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 was $0.6 million and $1.1 million, respectively.

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Mezzanine and Other Notes Receivable
The Company has determined that approximately $12.6 million and $11.2 million of its mezzanine and other notes receivable were impaired at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The Company has recorded allowance for credit losses on these impaired loans at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 totaling $8.3 million and $8.2 million resulting in a carrying value of impaired loans of $4.3 million and $3.0 million, respectively for which we had no related allowance for credit losses. The Company recognized approximately $31 thousand and $62 thousand of interest income on impaired loans during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, on the cash basis. The Company did not recognize any interest on an accrual or cash basis on its impaired loans during the three and six months ended June 30, 2011. The Company had provided loan reserves on non-impaired loans totaling $47 thousand and $0.2 million at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.
Past due balances of mezzanine and other notes receivable by credit quality indicators are as follows:

 
30-89 days
Past Due
 
> 90 days
Past Due
 
Total
Past Due
 
Current
 
Total
Receivables
 
($ in thousands)
As of June 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
11,091

 
$
11,091

Subordinated

 
9,864

 
9,864

 
5,125


14,989

 
$

 
$
9,864

 
$
9,864

 
$
16,216

 
$
26,080

As of December 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
7,900

 
$
7,900

Subordinated

 
9,773

 
9,773

 
4,219

 
13,992

 
$

 
$
9,773

 
$
9,773

 
$
12,119

 
$
21,892


Loans Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality
On December 2, 2011, the Company acquired an $11.5 million mortgage, held on a franchisee hotel asset, from a financial institution for $7.9 million. At both June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the carrying amount of this loan, which is reported under senior mezzanine and other notes receivables, was $7.9 million and there was no allowance for uncollectable amounts. The Company's accretable yield at acquisition was $1.8 million or 7.36% and a reconciliation of the accretable yield for the six months ended June 30, 2012 is as follows:
 
 
Accretable Yield ($ in thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2011
 
$
1,793

Additions
 

Accretion
 
(290
)
Disposals
 

Reclassifications from nonaccretable yield
 

Balance, June 30, 2012
 
$
1,503

4.
Receivable – Marketing and Reservation Fees
The marketing fees receivable from cumulative marketing expenses incurred in excess of cumulative marketing fees earned at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 was $25.3 million and $18.5 million, respectively. As of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the reservation fees receivable related to cumulative reservation expenses incurred in excess of cumulative reservation fees earned was $39.5 million and $35.5 million, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expense attributable to marketing and reservation activities for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 was $3.5 million and $3.3 million, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expense attributable to marketing and reservation activities for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 was $7.0 million and $6.5 million, respectively. Interest expense attributable to marketing and reservation activities was $1.0 million for both the three month periods ended June 30, 2012 and 2011. Interest expense attributable to marketing and reservation activities was $2.2 million and $2.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
The Company evaluates the receivable for marketing and reservation costs in excess of cumulative marketing and reservation

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system revenues earned on a periodic basis for collectibility. The Company will record an allowance when, based on current information and events, it is probable that it will be unable to collect all amounts due for marketing and reservation activities according to the contractual terms of the franchise agreements. The receivables are considered to be uncollectible if the expected net, undiscounted cash flows from marketing and reservation activities are less than the carrying amount of the asset. Based on the Company's analysis of projected net cash flows from marketing and reservation activities for all periods presented, the Company concluded that the receivable for marketing and reservation activities was fully collectible and as a result no allowance for possible losses was recorded.

5.
Other Assets
Other assets consist of the following:
 
 
June 30, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
 
(In thousands)
Notes receivable (see Note 3)
$
18,617

 
$
17,508

Equity method investments
10,069

 
4,338

Deferred financing fees
10,095

 
3,351

Land held for sale
1,300

 
1,300

Other
2,716

 
2,787

Total
$
42,797

 
$
29,284

During the three months ended March 31, 2011, the Company determined that one parcel of land no longer met the criteria to be classified as a current asset held for sale. As a result, the Company reclassified this land to other long-term assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at the lower of its carrying amount or fair value. The Company determined that the carrying amount of the land exceeded its estimated fair value by approximately $1.8 million based on comparable sales. As a result, in the first quarter of 2011, the Company reduced the carrying amount of the land to its estimated fair value and recognized a $1.8 million loss in other gains and losses in the consolidated statements of income.
 
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
($ in millions)
Description
June 30, 2012
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total  Gains
(Losses)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Land held for sale
$
1.3

 
$

 
$
1.3

 
$

 
$
(1.8
)

6.
Deferred Revenue
Deferred revenue consists of the following:
 
 
June 30,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
 
(In thousands)
Loyalty programs
$
58,907

 
$
64,636

Initial, relicensing and franchise fees
3,998

 
3,198

Procurement service fees
703

 
957

Other
814

 
34

Total
$
64,422

 
$
68,825


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7.
Debt
Debt consists of the following at:
 
 
June 30, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
 
(In thousands)
$400 million senior notes with an effective interest rate of 5.94% at June 30, 2012
$
400,000

 
$

$250 million senior notes with an effective interest rate of 6.19% less discount of $0.5 million and $0.6 million at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively
249,475

 
249,444

Capital lease obligations due 2016 with an effective interest rate of 3.18% at both June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively
2,848

 
3,172

Other notes payable
77

 
89

Total debt
$
652,400

 
$
252,705

Less current portion
683

 
673

Total long-term debt
$
651,717

 
$
252,032

Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2022
On June 27, 2012 the Company completed a $400 million unsecured note offering ("the 2012 Senior Notes") at par, bearing a coupon of 5.75% with an effective rate of 5.94%. The 2012 Senior Notes will mature on July 1, 2022, with interest to be paid semi-annually on January 1st and July 1st. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of this offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses, together with a portion of the proceeds of a proposed new credit facility, to pay the special cash dividend totaling approximately $600 million declared by the Company's board of directors on July 26, 2012 and payable to shareholders on August 23, 2012. The Company's 2012 Senior Notes are guaranteed jointly, severally, fully and unconditionally, subject to certain customary limitations by eight 100%-owned domestic subsidiaries.
The Company incurred debt issuance costs in connection with the 2012 Senior Notes totaling approximately $7.5 million, which are included in other current assets and other assets on the Company's consolidated balance sheets. These debt issuance costs are amortized, on a straight-line basis, which is not materially different than the effective interest method, through the maturity of the 2012 Senior Notes. Amortization of these costs is included in interest expense in the consolidated statements of income.
The Company may redeem the 2012 Senior Notes at its option at a redemption price equal to the greater of (a) 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed and (b) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled principal and interest payments from the redemption date to the date of maturity discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis at the Treasury rate, plus 50 basis points.
Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2020
On August 25, 2010, the Company completed a $250 million senior unsecured note offering (“the 2010 Senior Notes”) at a discount of $0.6 million, bearing a coupon of 5.7% with an effective rate of 6.19%. The 2010 Senior Notes will mature on August 28, 2020, with interest to be paid semi-annually on February 28th and August 28th. The Company used the net proceeds from the offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and other offering expenses, to repay outstanding borrowings and other general corporate purposes. The Company's 2010 Senior Notes are guaranteed jointly, severally, fully and unconditionally, subject to certain customary limitations by eight 100%-owned domestic subsidiaries.
Revolving Credit Facility
On February 24, 2011, the Company entered into a new $300 million senior unsecured revolving credit agreement (the “Revolver”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent and a syndicate of lenders. Simultaneously with the closing of the Revolver, the $350 million unsecured revolving credit agreement dated as of June 2006 was terminated. The Revolver provides for a $300 million unsecured revolving credit facility with a final maturity date on February 24, 2016. Up to $30 million of borrowings under the Revolver may be used for letters of credit and up to $20 million of borrowings under the Revolver may be used for swing-line loans.
The Revolver is unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior unsecured basis by all of the Company's subsidiaries that currently guaranty the obligations under the Company's Indenture governing the terms of its senior notes due

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2020 and 2022.
The Company may at any time prior to the final maturity date increase the amount of the Revolver by up to an additional $150 million to the extent that any one or more lenders commit to being a lender for the additional amount and certain other customary conditions are met.
The Company may elect to have borrowings under the Revolver bear interest at (i) a base rate plus a margin ranging from 5 to 80 basis points based on the Company's credit rating or (ii) LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 105 to 180 basis points based on the Company's credit rating. In addition, the Revolver requires the Company to pay a quarterly facility fee on the full amount of the commitments under the Revolver (regardless of usage) ranging from 20 to 45 basis points based upon the credit rating of the Company.
The Revolver requires that the Company and its restricted subsidiaries comply with various covenants, including with respect to restrictions on liens, incurring indebtedness, making investments and effecting mergers and/or asset sales. In addition, the Revolver imposes financial maintenance covenants requiring the Company to maintain a total leverage ratio of not more than 3.5 to 1.0 and an interest coverage ratio of at least 3.5 to 1.0. The Revolver 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 Revolver to be immediately due and payable. At June 30, 2012 the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the Revolver.
The proceeds of the Revolver are used for general corporate purposes, including working capital, debt repayment, stock repurchases, dividends, investments and other permitted uses. At June 30, 2012, the Company had no amounts outstanding under the Revolver.

8.
Pension Plan
The Company sponsors an unfunded non-qualified defined benefit plan (“SERP”) for certain senior executives. No assets are held with respect to the SERP; therefore benefits are funded as paid to participants. For the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company recorded $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively, in expenses related to the SERP which are included in selling general and administrative ("SG&A") expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. The expenses related to the SERP for each of the six month periods ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 were $0.3 million.
On December 26, 2011, the Company's board of directors approved the termination of the SERP effective immediately. The Company will effectuate the termination of the SERP through the payment of lump sum distributions to all SERP participants based upon the actuarial equivalent commuted lump sum value of the full accrued benefit earned by each such participant, using the actuarial and other assumptions that have not yet been determined. The Company expects to complete the settlement of the plan benefits prior to December 31, 2012. Based on the assumptions chosen to calculate the lump sum value of distributions, the actual settlement of the SERP liability may differ from the Company's current estimate of the projected benefit obligation which totals $12.0 million resulting in a settlement gain or loss in 2012.

The following table presents the components of net periodic benefit costs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
(In thousands)
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
Components of net periodic pension cost:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest cost
$
131

 
$
136

 
$
263

 
$
271

Amortization of actuarial loss
32

 

 
$
64

 
$

Net periodic pension cost
$
163

 
$
136

 
$
327

 
$
271


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The 2012 net periodic pension costs are expected to be approximately $0.7 million. The components of projected pension costs for the year ended December 31, 2012 are as follows:
 
(in thousands)
 
Components of net periodic pension cost:
 
Interest cost
$
526

Amortization of actuarial loss
128

Net periodic pension cost
$
654

The following is a reconciliation of the changes in the projected benefit obligation for the six months ended June 30, 2012:
 
(in thousands)
 
Projected benefit obligation, December 31, 2011
$
11,896

Interest cost
263

Benefit payments
(207
)
Projected benefit obligations, June 30, 2012
$
11,952

The amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) that have not yet been recognized as components of net periodic benefit costs at June 30, 2012 are as follows:
 
(in thousands)
 
Transition asset (obligation)
$

Prior service cost

Accumulated loss
(2,311
)
Total
$
(2,311
)

9.
Non-Qualified Retirement, Savings and Investment Plans
The Company sponsors two non-qualified retirement savings and investment plans for certain employees and senior executives. Employee and Company contributions are maintained in separate irrevocable trusts. Legally, the assets of the trusts remain those of the Company; however, access to the trusts' assets is severely restricted. The trusts' cannot be revoked by the Company or an acquirer, but the assets are subject to the claims of the Company's general creditors. The participants do not have the right to assign or transfer contractual rights in the trusts.
In 2002, the Company adopted the Choice Hotels International, Inc. Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (“EDCP”) which became effective January 1, 2003. Under the EDCP, certain executive officers may defer a portion of their salary into an irrevocable trust. Prior to January 1, 2010, participants could elect an investment return of either the annual yield of the Moody's Average Corporate Bond Rate Yield Index plus 300 basis points, or a return based on a selection of available diversified investment options. Effective January 1, 2010, the Moody's Average Corporate Bond Rate Yield Index plus 300 basis points is no longer an investment option for salary deferrals made on compensation earned after December 31, 2009. The Company recorded current and long-term deferred compensation liabilities of $15.9 million and $17.2 million, as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, related to these deferrals and credited investment returns. Compensation expense is recorded in SG&A expense on the Company's consolidated statements of income based on the change in the deferred compensation obligation related to earnings credited to participants as well as changes in the fair value of diversified investments. Compensation expense recorded in SG&A for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 was $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively. Compensation expense recorded in SG&A for each of the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 was $0.5 million.
The Company has invested the employee salary deferrals in diversified long-term investments which are intended to provide investment returns that partially offset the earnings credited to the participants. The diversified investments held in the trusts totaled $7.4 million and $14.2 million as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, and are recorded at their fair value, based on quoted market prices. At June 30, 2012, the Company expects $5.2 million of the assets held in the trusts to be distributed to participants during the next twelve months. These investments are considered trading securities and therefore the changes in the fair value of the diversified assets is included in other gains and losses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. The Company recorded investment (losses) gains during the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 of approximately ($24 thousand) and $48 thousand, respectively. The Company recorded investment gains during the six

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months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 of approximately $1.1 million and $0.5 million, respectively. In addition, the EDCP Plan held shares of the Company's common stock at a market value of $0.1 million at June 30, 2012 which were recorded as a component of shareholders' deficit.
In 1997, the Company adopted the Choice Hotels International, Inc. Non-Qualified Retirement Savings and Investment Plan (“Non-Qualified Plan”). The Non-Qualified Plan allows certain employees who do not participate in the EDCP to defer a portion of their salary and invest these amounts in a selection of available diversified investment options. As of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had recorded a deferred compensation liability of $10.9 million and $10.4 million, respectively, related to these deferrals. Compensation expense is recorded in SG&A expense on the Company's consolidated statements of income based on the change in the deferred compensation obligation related to earnings credited to participants as well as changes in the fair value of diversified investments. The net decrease in compensation expense recorded in SG&A for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 was $0.3 million and $0.1 million, respectively. The net increase in compensation expense recorded in SG&A during the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 was $0.6 million and $0.2 million, respectively.
The diversified investments held in the trusts were $10.0 million and $9.5 million as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, and are recorded at their fair value, based on quoted market prices. These investments are considered trading securities and therefore the changes in the fair value of the diversified assets is included in other gains and losses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. The Company recorded investment losses during the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 of approximately $0.3 million and $9 thousand, respectively. The Company recorded investment gains during the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 of approximately $0.6 million and $0.3 million, respectively. In addition, the Non-Qualified Plan held shares of the Company's common stock with a market value of $0.9 million at both June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, which are recorded as a component of shareholders' deficit.

10.
Fair Value Measurements
The Company estimates the fair value of its financial instruments utilizing a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. The following summarizes the three levels of inputs, as well as the assets that the Company values using those levels of inputs.
Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities. The Company’s Level 1 assets consist of marketable securities (primarily mutual funds) held in the Company’s EDCP and Non-Qualified Plan deferred compensation plans.
Level 2: Observable inputs, other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable. The Company’s Level 2 assets consist of money market funds held in the Company’s EDCP and Non-Qualified Plan deferred compensation plans and those recorded in cash and cash equivalents.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs, supported by little or no market data available, where the reporting entity is required to develop its own assumptions to determine the fair value of the instrument. The Company does not currently have any assets whose fair value was determined using Level 3 inputs.

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As of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had the following assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
 
Fair Value Measurements at
Reporting Date Using
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Assets (in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of June 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Money market funds, included in cash and cash equivalents
$
20,001

 
$

 
$
20,001

 
$

Mutual funds(1)
11,277

 
11,277

 

 

Money market funds(1)
6,128

 

 
6,128

 

 
$
37,406

 
$
11,277

 
$
26,129

 
$

As of December 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Money market funds, included in cash and cash equivalents
$
20,001

 
$

 
$
20,001

 
$

Mutual funds(1)
21,534

 
21,534

 

 

Money market funds(1)
2,238

 

 
2,238

 

 
$
43,773

 
$
21,534

 
$
22,239

 
$

________________________ 
(1)
Included in Investments, employee benefit plans fair value on the consolidated balance sheets.
During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Company sold approximately $11.8 million of mutual funds (Level 1 assets) held in the employee benefit plan trusts. Approximately $8.4 million of these assets were distributed from the irrevocable trust with the remaining $3.4 million transferred to money market funds (Level 2 assets). There were no transfers between Level 1 and 2 assets during the three months ended June 30, 2012. The Company's policy is to recognize transfers in and transfers out of the three levels of the fair value hierarchy as of the end of each quarterly reporting period.
Other Financial Instruments
The Company believes that the fair value of its current assets and current liabilities approximate their reported carrying amounts due to the short-term nature of these items. In addition, the interest rates of the Company's Revolver adjust frequently based on current market rates; accordingly its carrying amount approximates fair value.
We estimated the fair value of notes receivable which approximate their carrying value, utilizing an analysis of future cash flows and credit worthiness for similar types of arrangements. Based upon the availability of market data, we have classified these notes receivables as Level 3 inputs. The primary sensitivity in these calculations is based on the selection of appropriate interest and discount rates. For further information on the notes receivables see Note 3.
The Company estimates the fair value of the Company's $250 million and $400 million senior notes using quoted market prices, which are directly observable Level 1 inputs. At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the $250 million senior notes had an approximate fair value of $258.8 million and $267.7 million, respectively. At June 30, 2012, the $400 million senior notes, which were entered into in 2012, had an approximate fair value of $419.0 million.

Fair values estimated are made at a specific point in time, are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment.  Settlement of such fair value amounts may not be possible and may not be a prudent management decision.


11.
Income Taxes
The effective income tax rates were 33.5% and 34.5% for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The effective income tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2012 was lower than the effective income tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2011 primarily due to the impact of foreign operations. The effective income tax rates were 33.7% and 32.4% for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The effective income tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2011 reflects a nonrecurring adjustment of $1.4 million to our current federal taxes payable.

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12.
Share-Based Compensation and Capital Stock
Stock Options
No stock options were granted during the three month periods ended June 30, 2012 and 2011. The Company granted 0.2 million and 0.2 million options to certain employees of the Company at a fair value of $1.6 million and $2.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The stock options granted by the Company had an exercise price equal to the market price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. The fair value of the options granted was estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:
 
            
 
2012 Grants
 
2011 Grants
Risk-free interest rate
0.78
%
 
2.10
%
Expected volatility
40.15
%
 
39.51
%
Expected life of stock option
4.4 years

 
4.4 years

Dividend yield
2.08
%
 
1.79
%
Requisite service period
4 years

 
4 years

Contractual life
7 years

 
7 years

Weighted average fair value of options granted
$
9.98

 
$
12.42

The expected life of the options and volatility are based on historical data and are not necessarily indicative of exercise patterns or actual volatility that may occur. Historical volatility is calculated based on a period that corresponds to the expected life of the stock option. The dividend yield and the risk-free rate of return are calculated on the grant date based on the then current dividend rate and the risk-free rate of return for the period corresponding to the expected life of the stock option. Compensation expense related to the fair value of these awards is recognized straight-line over the requisite service period based on those awards that ultimately vest.
The aggregate intrinsic value of the stock options outstanding and exercisable at June 30, 2012 was $11.5 million and $8.7 million, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 was approximately $0.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 was $0.5 million and $2.3 million, respectively.

The Company received approximately $0.1 million and $0.9 million in proceeds from the exercise of 4,988 and 38,600 employee stock options during the three month periods ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Company received $0.4 million and $3.1 million in proceeds from the exercise of 25,204 and 120,931 of employee stock options during the six month periods ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Restricted Stock
The following table is a summary of activity related to restricted stock grants:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
Restricted share grants
20,468

 
20,979

 
258,487

 
201,624

Weighted average grant date fair value per share
$
37.62

 
$
36.71

 
$
35.85

 
$
40.78

Aggregate grant date fair value ($000)
$
770

 
$
770

 
$
9,267

 
$
8,222

Restricted shares forfeited
5,974

 
21,562

 
10,302

 
27,368

Vesting service period of shares granted
12 - 36 months

 
12 - 36 months

 
12 - 68 months

 
12 - 48 months

Grant date fair value of shares vested ($000)
$
1,605

 
$
1,526

 
$
6,618

 
$
6,357

Compensation expense related to the fair value of these awards is recognized straight-line over the requisite service period based on those restricted stock grants that ultimately vest. The fair value of grants is measured by the market price of the Company’s stock on the date of grant. Restricted stock awards generally vest ratably over the service period beginning with the first anniversary of the grant date. Awards granted to retirement eligible board of directors are recognized over the shorter of the

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requisite service period or the length of time until retirement since the terms of the grant provide that the awards will vest upon retirement.
Performance Vested Restricted Stock Units
The Company has granted performance vested restricted stock units (“PVRSU”) to certain employees. The fair value is measured by the market price of the Company's common stock on the date of the grant. The vesting of these stock awards is contingent upon the Company achieving performance targets at the end of specified performance periods and the employees' continued employment. The performance conditions affect the number of shares that will ultimately vest. The range of possible stock-based award vesting is generally between 0% and 200% of the initial target. If a minimum of 50% of the performance target is not attained then no awards will vest under the terms of the various PVRSU agreements. Compensation expense related to these awards is recognized over the requisite service period based on the Company's estimate of the achievement of the various performance targets. The Company has currently estimated that between 100% and 130% of the various award targets will be achieved. Compensation expense is recognized ratably over the requisite service period only on those PVRSUs that ultimately vest.
The following table is a summary of activity related to PVRSU grants:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
Performance vested restricted stock units granted at target
55,433

 

 
93,909

 
25,036

Weighted average grant date fair value per share
$
36.08

 
$

 
$
35.88

 
$
41.25

Aggregate grant date fair value ($000)
$
2,000

 
$

 
$
3,370

 
$
1,033

Stock units forfeited
57,176

 
2,442

 
57,176

 
41,512

Requisite service period
4-5 years

 

 
3-5 years

 
3 years

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, no PVRSU grants vested. During the three months ended June 30, 2012, PVRSU grants totaling 57,176 units were terminated in accordance with an amended and restated employment agreement. During the six months ended June 30, 2011, PVRSU grants totaling 39,070 units were forfeited since the Company did not achieve the minimum performance conditions contained in the stock awards. The remaining 2,442 units were forfeited upon employee termination in the three and six months ended June 30, 2011.
A summary of stock-based award activity as of June 30, 2012 and changes during the six months ended are presented below:
 
Stock Options
 
Restricted Stock
 
Performance Vested
Restricted  Stock Units
 
Options
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
 
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Outstanding at January 1, 2012
1,573,726

 
$
33.30

 
 
 
565,627

 
$
34.43

 
109,769

 
$
35.57

Granted
160,408

 
35.60

 
 
 
258,487

 
35.85

 
93,909

 
35.88

Exercised/Vested
(25,204
)
 
17.65

 
 
 
(195,975
)
 
33.77

 

 

Forfeited/Expired
(3,161
)
 
37.46

 
 
 
(10,302
)
 
36.37

 
(57,176
)
 
34.98

Outstanding at June 30, 2012
1,705,769

 
$
33.74

 
4.3 years
 
617,837

 
$
35.21

 
146,502

 
$
36.00

Options exercisable at June 30, 2012
1,221,256

 
$
33.48

 
3.5 years
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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The components of the Company’s pretax stock-based compensation expense and associated income tax benefits are as follows for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
(in millions)
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
Stock options
$
0.5

 
$
0.7

 
$
1.1

 
$
1.3

Restricted stock
1.9

 
2.0

 
3.9

 
3.7

Performance vested restricted stock units
0.3

 
0.2

 
0.5

 
0.3

Total
$
2.7

 
$
2.9

 
$
5.5

 
$
5.3

Income tax benefits
$
1.0

 
$
1.1

 
$
2.0

 
$
2.0

Dividends
On April 30, 2012, the Company's board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.185 per share (or approximately $10.7 million in the aggregate), which was paid on July 16, 2012 to shareholders of record as of July 2, 2012. On February 20, 2012, the Company's board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.185 per share (or approximately $10.7 million in the aggregate), which was paid on April 16, 2012 to shareholders of record as of April 2, 2012.
On May 5, 2011 the Company's board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.185 per share (or approximately $11.0 million in the aggregate), which was paid on July 15, 2011 to shareholders of record as of July 1, 2011. On February 21, 2011, the Company's board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.185 per share (or approximately $11.0 million in the aggregate), which was paid on April 15, 2011 to shareholders of record as of April 1, 2011.
Share Repurchases and Redemptions
During the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, the Company purchased 0.2 million and 0.5 million shares of common stock under the share repurchase program at a total cost of $7.0 million and $19.9 million, respectively. No shares of common stock were purchased by the Company under the share repurchase program during the three and six months ended June 30, 2011.
During the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, the Company redeemed 7,350 and 62,512 shares of common stock at a total cost of approximately $0.3 million and $2.3 million from employees to satisfy statutory minimum tax requirements from the vesting of restricted stock grants. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, the Company redeemed 8,723 and 64,027 shares of common stock at a total cost of approximately $0.3 million and $2.5 million from employees to satisfy statutory minimum tax requirements from the vesting of restricted stock grants.
These redemptions were outside the share repurchase program initiated in June 1998.

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13.
Earnings Per Share
The computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share is as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
Computation of Basic Earnings Per Share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
31,862

 
$
27,578

 
$
51,859

 
$
43,308

Income allocated to participating securities
(346
)
 
(274
)
 
(547
)
 
(430
)
Net income available to common shareholders
$
31,516

 
$
27,304

 
$
51,312

 
$
42,878

Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic
57,357

 
59,243

 
57,489

 
59,162

Basic earnings per share
$
0.55

 
$
0.46

 
$
0.89

 
$
0.72

Computation of Diluted Earnings Per Share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
31,862

 
$
27,578

 
$
51,859

 
$
43,308

Income allocated to participating securities
(346
)
 
(274
)
 
(546
)
 
(430
)
Net income available to common shareholders
$
31,516

 
$
27,304

 
$
51,313

 
$
42,878

Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic
57,357

 
59,243

 
57,489

 
59,162

Diluted effect of stock options and PVRSUs
101

 
81

 
101

 
98

Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted
57,458

 
59,324

 
57,590

 
59,260

Diluted earnings per share
$
0.55

 
$
0.46

 
$
0.89

 
$
0.72


The Company's unvested restricted shares contain rights to receive non-forfeitable dividends, and thus are participating securities requiring the two-class method of computing earnings per share (“EPS”). The calculation of EPS for common stock shown above excludes the income attributable to the unvested restricted share awards from the numerator and excludes the dilutive impact of those awards from the denominator.
At June 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company had 1.7 million and 1.6 million outstanding stock options, respectively. Stock options are included in the diluted earnings per share calculation using the treasury stock method and average market prices during the period, unless the stock options would be anti-dilutive. For both the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company excluded 0.4 million of anti-dilutive stock options from the diluted earnings per share calculation.
PVRSUs are also included in the diluted earnings per share calculation assuming the performance conditions have been met at the reporting date. However, at June 30, 2012 and 2011, PVRSUs totaling 146,502 and 111,436, respectively were excluded from the computation since the performance conditions had not been met.


20

Table of Contents

14.
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements
The Company’s Senior Notes due 2020 and 2022 are guaranteed jointly, severally, fully and unconditionally, subject to certain customary limitations, by eight 100%-owned domestic subsidiaries. There are no legal or regulatory restrictions on the payment of dividends to Choice Hotels International, Inc. from subsidiaries that do not guarantee the Senior Notes. As a result of the guarantee arrangements, the following condensed consolidating financial statements are presented. Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

Choice Hotels International, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2012
(Unaudited, in Thousands)
 
Parent
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
REVENUES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Royalty fees
$
59,550

 
$
26,055

 
$
9,798

 
$
(29,339
)
 
$
66,064

Initial franchise and relicensing fees
3,030

 

 
148

 

 
3,178

Procurement services
6,712

 

 
124

 

 
6,836

Marketing and reservation
83,505

 
84,341

 
4,722

 
(77,935
)
 
94,633

Other items, net
1,526

 
1,224

 
160

 

 
2,910

Total revenues
154,323

 
111,620

 
14,952

 
(107,274
)
 
173,621

OPERATING EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative
28,536

 
21,191

 
4,166

 
(29,339
)
 
24,554

Marketing and reservation
83,551

 
84,463

 
4,554

 
(77,935
)
 
94,633

Other items, net
705

 
1,937

 
202

 

 
2,844

Total operating expenses
112,792

 
107,591

 
8,922

 
(107,274
)
 
122,031

Operating income
41,531

 
4,029

 
6,030

 

 
51,590

OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES, NET:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
4,510

 
(972
)
 
2

 

 
3,540

Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries
(8,165
)
 

 

 
8,165

 

Other items, net
(287
)
 
377

 
21

 

 
111

Total other income and expenses, net
(3,942
)
 
(595
)
 
23

 
8,165

 
3,651

Income before income taxes
45,473

 
4,624

 
6,007

 
(8,165
)
 
47,939

Income taxes
13,611

 
2,252

 
214

 

 
16,077

Net income
$
31,862

 
$
2,372

 
$
5,793

 
$
(8,165
)
 
$
31,862



21

Table of Contents

Choice Hotels International, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2011
(Unaudited, in Thousands)

 
Parent
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
REVENUES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Royalty fees
$
55,170

 
$
26,711

 
$
8,525

 
$
(28,786
)
 
$
61,620

Initial franchise and relicensing fees
2,573

 

 
206

 

 
2,779

Procurement services
6,557

 

 
116

 

 
6,673

Marketing and reservation
78,514

 
87,289

 
4,588

 
(79,559
)
 
90,832

Other items, net
1,793

 
1,073

 
531

 

 
3,397

Total revenues
144,607

 
115,073

 
13,966

 
(108,345
)
 
165,301

OPERATING EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative
28,476

 
22,915

 
3,934

 
(28,786
)
 
26,539

Marketing and reservation
81,244

 
84,675

 
4,472

 
(79,559
)
 
90,832

Other items, net
706

 
1,879

 
223

 

 
2,808

Total operating expenses
110,426

 
109,469

 
8,629

 
(108,345
)
 
120,179

Operating income
34,181

 
5,604

 
5,337

 

 
45,122

OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES, NET:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
4,230

 
(965
)
 
2

 

 
3,267

Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries
(8,797
)
 

 

 
8,797

 

Other items, net
(207
)
 
(39
)
 
(13
)
 

 
(259
)
Total other income and expenses, net
(4,774
)
 
(1,004
)
 
(11
)
 
8,797

 
3,008

Income before income taxes
38,955

 
6,608

 
5,348

 
(8,797
)
 
42,114

Income taxes
11,377

 
2,759

 
400

 

 
14,536

Net income
$
27,578

 
$
3,849

 
$
4,948

 
$
(8,797
)
 
$
27,578


























22

Table of Contents



Choice Hotels International, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2012
(Unaudited, in Thousands)
 
Parent
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
REVENUES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Royalty fees
$
101,676

 
$
52,275

 
$
16,856

 
$
(56,890
)
 
$
113,917

Initial franchise and relicensing fees
5,463

 

 
243

 

 
5,706

Procurement services
9,860

 

 
291

 

 
10,151

Marketing and reservation
143,158

 
157,025

 
9,109

 
(143,730
)
 
165,562

Other items, net
4,967

 
2,202

 
285

 

 
7,454

Total revenues
265,124

 
211,502

 
26,784

 
(200,620
)
 
302,790

OPERATING EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative
53,023

 
44,019

 
8,751

 
(56,890
)
 
48,903

Marketing and reservation
145,105

 
155,363

 
8,824

 
(143,730
)
 
165,562

Other items, net
1,411

 
3,838

 
421

 

 
5,670

Total operating expenses
199,539

 
203,220

 
17,996

 
(200,620
)
 
220,135

Operating income
65,585

 
8,282

 
8,788

 

 
82,655

OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES, NET:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
8,726

 
(2,075
)
 
6

 

 
6,657

Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries
(15,046
)
 

 

 
15,046

 

Other items, net
(489
)
 
(1,626
)
 
(59
)
 

 
(2,174
)
Total other income and expenses, net
(6,809
)
 
(3,701
)
 
(53
)
 
15,046

 
4,483

Income before income taxes
72,394

 
11,983

 
8,841

 
(15,046
)
 
78,172

Income taxes
20,535

 
5,310

 
468

 

 
26,313

Net income
$
51,859

 
$
6,673

 
$
8,373

 
$
(15,046
)
 
$
51,859


23

Table of Contents


Choice Hotels International, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2011
(Unaudited, in Thousands)



 
Parent
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
REVENUES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Royalty fees
$
93,671

 
$
53,818

 
$
14,746

 
$
(56,821
)
 
$
105,414

Initial franchise and relicensing fees
5,187

 

 
313

 

 
5,500

Procurement services
9,722

 

 
212

 

 
9,934

Marketing and reservation
128,685

 
156,083

 
8,489

 
(139,458
)
 
153,799

Other items, net
3,040

 
1,937

 
958

 

 
5,935

Total revenues
240,305

 
211,838

 
24,718

 
(196,279
)
 
280,582

OPERATING EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative
52,079

 
46,786

 
8,342

 
(56,821
)
 
50,386

Marketing and reservation
134,016

 
150,730

 
8,511

 
(139,458
)
 
153,799

Other items, net
1,414

 
3,743

 
439

 

 
5,596

Total operating expenses
187,509

 
201,259

 
17,292

 
(196,279
)
 
209,781

Operating income
52,796

 
10,579

 
7,426

 

 
70,801

OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES, NET:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
8,403

 
(1,916
)
 
4

 

 
6,491

Equity earnings of consolidated subsidiaries
(13,870
)
 

 

 
13,870

 

Other items, net
(405
)
 
(762
)
 
1,440

 

 
273

Total other income and expenses, net
(5,872
)
 
(2,678
)
 
1,444

 
13,870

 
6,764

Income before income taxes
58,668

 
13,257

 
5,982

 
(13,870
)
 
64,037

Income taxes
15,360

 
5,293

 
76

 

 
20,729

Net income
$
43,308

 
$
7,964

 
$
5,906

 
$
(13,870
)
 
$
43,308





















Choice Hotels International, Inc.

24

Table of Contents

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2012
(Unaudited, in Thousands)

 
Parent
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
31,862

 
$
2,372

 
$
5,793

 
$
(8,165
)
 
$
31,862

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

 

 

 

 
 
Amortization of loss on cash flow hedge
216

 

 

 

 
216

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net
(1
)
 
(2
)
 
(428
)
 
(1
)
 
(432
)
Amortization of pension related costs, net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Actuarial loss

 
20

 

 

 
20

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
215

 
18

 
(428
)
 
(1
)
 
(196
)
Comprehensive income
$
32,077

 
$
2,390

 
$
5,365

 
$
(8,166
)
 
$
31,666



25

Table of Contents

Choice Hotels International, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2011
(Unaudited, in Thousands)


 
Parent
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
27,578

 
$
3,849

 
$
4,948

 
$
(8,797
)
 
$
27,578

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of loss on cash flow hedge
216

 

 

 

 
216

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net
(5
)
 
13

 
568

 
(78
)
 
498

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
211

 
13

 
568

 
(78
)
 
714

Comprehensive income
$
27,789

 
$
3,862

 
$
5,516

 
$
(8,875
)
 
$
28,292



26

Table of Contents

Choice Hotels International, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2012
(Unaudited, in Thousands)


 
Parent
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
51,859

 
$
6,673

 
$
8,373

 
$
(15,046
)
 
$
51,859

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of loss on cash flow hedge
431

 

 

 

 
431

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net
14

 
4

 
(26
)
 
(12
)
 
(20
)
Amortization of pension related costs, net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actuarial loss

 
40

 

 

 
40

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
445

 
44

 
(26
)
 
(12
)
 
451

Comprehensive income
$
52,304

 
$
6,717

 
$
8,347

 
$
(15,058
)
 
$
52,310







27

Table of Contents

Choice Hotels International, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2011
(Unaudited, in Thousands)


 
Parent
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
43,308

 
$
7,964

 
$
5,906

 
$
(13,870
)
 
$
43,308

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of loss on cash flow hedge
431

 

 

 

 
431

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net
67

 
17

 
1,095

 
(176
)
 
1,003

Actuarial pension loss, net of tax

 
(10
)
 

 

 
(10
)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
498

 
7

 
1,095

 
(176
)
 
1,424

Comprehensive income
$
43,806

 
$
7,971

 
$
7,001

 
$
(14,046
)
 
$
44,732



28

Table of Contents

Choice Hotels International, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of June 30, 2012
(Unaudited, in thousands)
 
 
Parent
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
395,788

 
$
266

 
$
89,336

 
$

 
$
485,390

Receivables, net
54,685

 
2,405

 
5,553

 

 
62,643

Other current assets
15,297

 
22,579

 
5,137

 
(7,173
)
 
35,840

Total current assets
465,770

 
25,250

 
100,026

 
(7,173
)
 
583,873

Property and equipment, at cost, net
8,685

 
40,738

 
1,138

 

 
50,561

Goodwill
60,620

 
5,193

 
183

 

 
65,996

Franchise rights and other identifiable intangibles, net
9,875

 
3,025

 
2,535

 

 
15,435

Receivable – marketing and reservation fees
64,838

 

 

 

 
64,838

Investment in and advances to affiliates
298,571

 
241,701

 
11,021

 
(551,293
)
 

Investments, employee benefit plans, at fair value

 
12,221

 

 

 
12,221

Deferred income taxes

 
28,157

 
442

 
(6,582
)
 
22,017

Other assets
21,520

 
7,832

 
13,445

 

 
42,797

Total assets
$
929,879

 
$
364,117

 
$
128,790

 
$
(565,048
)
 
$
857,738

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
6,778

 
$
34,495

 
$
4,275

 
$

 
$
45,548

Accrued expenses
17,222

 
17,249

 
1,666

 

 
36,137

Deferred revenue
5,759

 
57,849

 
814

 

 
64,422

Current portion of long-term debt

 
664

 
19

 

 
683

Deferred compensation & retirement plan obligations

 
19,276

 

 

 
19,276

Other current liabilities
6,538

 
16,216

 
93

 
(7,173
)
 
15,674

Total current liabilities
36,297

 
145,749

 
6,867

 
(7,173
)
 
181,740

Long-term debt
649,475

 
2,185

 
57

 

 
651,717

Deferred compensation & retirement plan obligations

 
19,475

 
7

 

 
19,482

Advances from affiliates
241,099

 
312

 
9,504

 
(250,915
)
 

Other liabilities
14,251

 
8,114

 
259

 
(6,582
)
 
16,042

Total liabilities
941,122

 
175,835

 
16,694

 
(264,670
)
 
868,981

Total shareholders’ (deficit) equity
(11,243
)
 
188,282

 
112,096

 
(300,378
)
 
(11,243
)
Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit
$
929,879

 
$
364,117

 
$
128,790

 
$
(565,048
)
 
$
857,738



29

Table of Contents

Choice Hotels International, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2011
(In Thousands)
 
 
Parent
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
ASSETS

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents
$
23,370

 
$
432

 
$
83,255

 
$

 
$
107,057

Receivables, net
44,620

 
2,407

 
5,985

 

 
53,012

Other current assets
12,190

 
25,997

 
5,226

 
(8,686
)
 
34,727

Total current assets
80,180

 
28,836

 
94,466

 
(8,686
)
 
194,796

Property and equipment, at cost, net
9,013

 
41,755

 
1,224

 

 
51,992

Goodwill
60,620

 
5,193

 
192

 

 
66,005

Franchise rights and other identifiable intangibles, net
11,061

 
3,334

 
2,860

 

 
17,255

Receivable, marketing and reservation fees
54,014

 

 

 

 
54,014

Investments, employee benefit plans, at fair value

 
11,678

 

 

 
11,678

Investment in and advances to affiliates
285,996

 
235,571

 
8,323

 
(529,890
)
 

Deferred income taxes

 
29,050

 
313

 
(6,698
)
 
22,665

Other assets
13,808

 
7,538

 
7,938

 

 
29,284

Total assets
$
514,692

 
$
362,955

 
$
115,316

 
$
(545,274
)
 
$
447,689

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable
$
5,324

 
$
28,831

 
$
4,234

 
$

 
$
38,389

Accrued expenses
18,288

 
33,584

 
1,979

 

 
53,851

Deferred revenue
13,584

 
54,582

 
659

 

 
68,825

Deferred compensation and retirement plan obligations

 
18,935

 

 

 
18,935

Current portion of long-term debt

 
654

 
19

 

 
673

Other current liabilities

 
11,404

 
1,174

 
(8,686
)
 
3,892

Total current liabilities
37,196

 
147,990

 
8,065

 
(8,686
)
 
184,565

Long-term debt
249,443

 
2,519

 
70

 

 
252,032

Deferred compensation & retirement plan obligations

 
20,587

 
6

 

 
20,593

Advances from affiliates
239,903

 
468

 
9,853

 
(250,224
)
 

Other liabilities
13,711

 
9,027

 
20

 
(6,698
)
 
16,060

Total liabilities
540,253

 
180,591

 
18,014

 
(265,608
)
 
473,250

Total shareholders’ (deficit) equity
(25,561
)
 
182,364

 
97,302

 
(279,666
)
 
(25,561
)
Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit
$
514,692

 
$
362,955

 
$
115,316

 
$
(545,274
)
 
$
447,689



30

Table of Contents

Choice Hotels International, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2012
(Unaudited, in thousands)
 
Parent
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities
$
28,398

 
$
(2,711
)
 
$
12,115

 
$

 
$
37,802

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment in property and equipment
(2,038
)
 
(4,045
)
 
(153
)
 

 
(6,236
)
Equity method investments

 

 
(6,315
)
 

 
(6,315
)
Issuance of notes receivable
(4,136
)
 
(1,684
)
 

 

 
(5,820
)
Collections of notes receivable
63

 
147

 

 

 
210

Purchases of investments, employee benefit plans

 
(969
)
 

 

 
(969
)
Proceeds from sales of investments, employee benefit plans

 
8,969

 

 

 
8,969

Other items, net
(226
)
 

 

 

 
(226
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities
(6,337
)
 
2,418

 
(6,468
)
 

 
(10,387
)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
393,444

 

 

 

 
393,444

Repayments of long-term debt

 
(324
)
 
(9
)
 

 
(333
)
Purchase of treasury stock
(22,173
)
 

 

 

 
(22,173
)
Dividends paid
(21,396
)
 

 

 

 
(21,396
)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
190

 
451

 

 

 
641

Debt issuance costs
(153
)
 

 

 

 
(153
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
445

 

 

 

 
445

Net cash provided (used) by financing activities
350,357

 
127

 
(9
)
 

 
350,475

Net change in cash and cash equivalents
372,418

 
(166
)
 
5,638

 

 
377,890

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 
443

 

 
443

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
23,370

 
432

 
83,255

 

 
107,057

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
395,788

 
$
266

 
$
89,336

 
$

 
$
485,390


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Choice Hotels International, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2011
(Unaudited, in Thousands)

 
Parent
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities
$
31,484

 
$
(12,986
)
 
$
13,553

 
$

 
$
32,051

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment in property and equipment
(1,407
)
 
(3,520
)
 
(183
)
 

 
(5,110
)
Equity method investments

 

 
(1,600
)
 

 
(1,600
)
Issuance of notes receivable
(631
)
 
(2,020
)
 

 

 
(2,651
)
Collections of notes receivable

 
13

 

 

 
13

Purchases of investments, employee benefit plans

 
(1,139
)
 

 

 
(1,139
)
Proceeds from sales of investments, employee benefit plans

 
347

 

 

 
347

Other items, net
(217
)
 
(5
)
 
30

 

 
(192
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Net cash used in investing activities
(2,255
)
 
(6,324
)
 
(1,753
)
 

 
(10,332
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net repayments pursuant to revolving credit facility
(200
)
 

 

 

 
(200
)
Repayments of long-term debt

 

 
(13
)
 

 
(13
)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

 

 
75

 

 
75

Purchase of treasury stock
(2,527
)
 

 

 

 
(2,527
)
Debt issuance costs
(2,356
)
 

 

 

 
(2,356
)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
38

 
1,023

 

 

 
1,061

Dividends paid
(21,922
)
 

 

 

 
(21,922
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
3,132

 

 

 

 
3,132

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Net cash used in financing activities
(23,835
)
 
1,023

 
62

 

 
(22,750
)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
5,394

 
(18,287
)
 
11,862

 

 
(1,031
)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 
733

 

 
733

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
4,849

 
18,659

 
67,751

 

 
91,259

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
10,243

 
$
372

 
$
80,346

 
$

 
$
90,961


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15.
Reportable Segment Information
The Company has a single reportable segment encompassing its franchising business. Revenues from the franchising business include royalty fees, initial franchise and relicensing fees, marketing and reservation system fees, procurement services revenue and other revenue. The Company is obligated under its franchise agreements to provide marketing and reservation services appropriate for the operation of its systems. These services do not represent separate reportable segments as their operations are directly related to the Company's franchising business. The revenues received from franchisees that are used to pay for part of the Company's ongoing operations are included in franchising revenues and are offset by the related expenses paid for marketing and reservation activities to calculate franchising operating income. Corporate and other revenue consists of hotel operations. Except as described in Note 4, the Company does not allocate interest income, interest expense or income taxes to its franchising segment.
The following table presents the financial information for the Company's franchising segment:
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2012
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2011
(In thousands)
Franchising
 
Corporate &
Other
 
Consolidated
 
Franchising
 
Corporate &
Other
 
Consolidated
Revenues
$
172,397

 
$
1,224

 
$
173,621

 
$
164,228

 
$
1,073

 
$
165,301

Operating income (loss)
$
63,454

 
$
(11,864
)
 
$
51,590

 
$
57,360

 
$
(12,238
)
 
$
45,122

Income (loss) before income taxes
$
63,326

 
$
(15,387
)
 
$
47,939

 
$
57,360

 
$
(15,246
)
 
$
42,114

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2012
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2011
(In thousands)
Franchising
 
Corporate &
Other
 
Consolidated
 
Franchising
 
Corporate &
Other
 
Consolidated
Revenues
$
300,588

 
$
2,202

 
$
302,790

 
$
278,645

 
$
1,937

 
$
280,582

Operating income (loss)
$
107,806

 
$
(25,151
)
 
$
82,655

 
$
93,437

 
$
(22,636
)
 
$
70,801

Income (loss) before income taxes
$
107,623

 
$
(29,451
)
 
$
78,172

 
$
91,971

 
$
(27,934
)
 
$
64,037



16.
Commitments and Contingencies
The Company is not a party to any litigation other than routine litigation incidental to business. The Company's management and legal counsel do not expect that the ultimate outcome of any of its currently ongoing legal proceedings, individually or collectively, will have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
During 2011, the Company filed suit in United States District Court against a franchisee for breach of contract, trademark infringement, fraudulent inducement and negligent misrepresentation. The franchisee filed an arbitration action against the Company alleging wrongful termination of its franchise agreements.  The parties agreed to litigate all claims in an arbitration action which was settled on April 4, 2012. The settlement of the arbitration action did not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements. 
The Company has the following commitments outstanding:
The Company occasionally provides financing in the form of forgivable promissory notes or cash incentives to franchisees for property improvements, hotel development efforts and other purposes. At June 30, 2012, the Company had commitments to extend an additional $8.8 million for these purposes provided certain conditions are met by its franchisees, of which $2.6 million is expected to be advanced in the next twelve months.
The Company has entered into a joint venture agreement whereby it has committed, subject to the satisfaction of certain contingencies, to make an initial capital contribution of $3.0 million for a 25.5% ownership interest. The Company expects to fund this commitment within the next three years.
The Company has invested $2.6 million in a joint venture and has a commitment to invest an additional $2.6 million which is expected to be funded completely in 2012.

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On June 27, 2012, the Company entered into a purchase agreement for a parcel of land for a total purchase price of $30.0 million.

On July 11, 2011, Choice Hotels International Services Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, as tenant, and F.P. Rockville II Limited Partnership (the “Landlord”), as landlord, executed an Office Lease (the “Lease”) for office space to which the Company intends to relocate its corporate headquarters. The obligations of the tenant under the Lease have been guaranteed by the Company. The relocation is expected to occur upon construction of an office building, completion of other improvements to the property and building, and satisfaction of other conditions and contingencies set forth in the Lease, including significant conditions related to the scope and timing of the construction, development and permitting of the office building.
 
The target commencement date for the Lease, which is the date on which the Company will take occupancy of its leased premises for purposes of commencing an interior fit-out of the premises, is December 1, 2012. The target rent commencement date for the Lease, which is the date on which the Company will begin to make rental payments to the Landlord under the Lease, is June 1, 2013. The Lease runs for an initial term of 10 years from the rent commencement date. The leased premises will consist of approximately 138,000 square feet of office space in a to-be constructed office building located in Rockville, Maryland (the “Building”). The Company has an option to extend the Lease beyond the initial term for up to 15 years at then-current fair market rent.

As part of the consideration to the Company for execution of the Lease, the Landlord agreed to provide the Company, during the Lease term, a cash flow participation and preference in the cash flow of the Landlord (“Cash Flow Participation”). The Cash Flow Participation is equal to the greater of: (1) $1.58 times the total rentable square feet of the initial Leased Premises along with any creditable square footage, each determined one-time only as of the Rent Commencement Date, per lease year (“Fixed Payment Amount”), or (2) seven percent (7%) of the annual distributable cash flow (as defined in the Lease) including excess proceeds of sale or refinancing, provided, however, in the event the distributable cash flow is less than the Fixed Payment Amount in any lease year, such shortfall shall accrue and earn interest at six percent (6%) compounded annually to be paid out from the next available cash flow. The Cash Flow Participation shall be payable in arrears not later than July 31 (beginning July 31, 2014) for the preceding Lease year. The Cash Flow Participation shall continue during the Lease and any extension options unless the Landlord no longer owns the Building, the Company is in default under the Lease or the Company no longer leases at least four floors of the building for office use.
No rent is due under the Lease until the rent commencement date, which is currently targeted to occur on or about June 1, 2013. Thereafter, the annual rent is established at a specific minimum amount and is re-set to a new minimum amount each year. Subject to one or more applicable adjustments set forth in the Lease, the Company's minimum annual rent amount, without set-off, deduction for improvement allowances or abatement of any kind, during the initial term ranges from approximately $5.5 million during the initial year to approximately $7.6 million during the final year. During the initial 10-year term of the Lease, the minimum expected rent payments by the Company are expected to be approximately $67.6 million. In addition, beginning on or about the first anniversary of the rent commencement date, the Company is obligated to pay its proportionate share of increases in the cost of operating, managing and maintaining the Building.
In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into numerous agreements that contain standard indemnities whereby the Company indemnifies another party for breaches of representations and warranties. Such indemnifications are granted under various agreements, including those governing (i) purchases or sales of assets or businesses, (ii) leases of real estate, (iii) licensing of trademarks, (iv) access to credit facilities, (v) issuances of debt or equity securities, and (vi) certain operating agreements. The indemnifications issued are for the benefit of the (i) buyers in sale agreements and sellers in purchase agreements, (ii) landlords in lease contracts, (iii) franchisees in licensing agreements, (iv) financial institutions in credit facility arrangements, (v) underwriters in debt or equity security issuances and (vi) parties under certain operating agreements. In addition, these parties are also generally indemnified against any third party claim resulting from the transaction that is contemplated in the underlying agreement. While some of these indemnities extend only for the duration of the underlying agreement, many survive the expiration of the term of the agreement or extend into perpetuity (unless subject to a legal statute of limitations). There are no specific limitations on the maximum potential amount of future payments that the Company could be required to make under these indemnities, nor is the Company able to develop an estimate of the maximum potential amount of future payments to be made under these indemnifications as the triggering events are not subject to predictability. With respect to certain of the aforementioned indemnities, such as indemnifications of landlords against third party claims for the use of real estate property leased by the Company, the Company maintains insurance coverage that mitigates potential liability.

17.
Termination Charges
During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Company recorded a $0.4 million charge in SG&A and marketing and

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reservation expenses related to salary and continuation benefits provided to employees separating from service with the Company. At June 30, 2012, the Company had approximately $0.2 million of these salary and benefits continuation payments remaining to be remitted. During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Company remitted an additional $3.6 million of termination benefits related to employee termination charges recorded in prior periods and had approximately $1.9 million of these benefits remaining to be paid. At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, total termination benefits of approximately $2.1 million and $5.4 million remained payable and were included in current and non-current liabilities in the Company's consolidated financial statements. The Company expects $1.9 million of these benefits to be paid in the next twelve months.

18.
Subsequent Events

On July 26, 2012, the Company announced that its board of directors declared a special cash dividend in the amount of $10.41 per share or approximately $600 million in the aggregate. The record date for the special cash dividend is August 20, 2012 and the special cash dividend will be paid on August 23, 2012. The Company has been informed by the New York Stock Exchange that, in accordance with its rules, the ex-dividend date is expected to be August 24, 2012. Accordingly, stockholders who sell their shares on or before the payment date will not be entitled to receive the special cash dividend.

On July 25, 2012, the Company entered into a $350 million senior secured credit facility, comprised of a $200 million revolving credit tranche (the "New Revolver") and a $150 million term loan tranche (the "Term Loan") with Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent and a syndication of lenders (the "New Credit Facility"). The New Credit Facility has a final maturity date of July 25, 2016, subject to an optional one-year extension provided certain conditions are met. Up to $25 million of the borrowings under the New Revolver may be used for letters of credit, up to $10 million of borrowings under the New Revolver may be used for swing-line loans and up to $35 million of borrowings under the New Revolver may be used for alternative currency loans. The Term Loan requires quarterly amortization payments (a) during the first two years, in equal installments aggregating 5% of the original principal amount of the Term Loan per year, (b) during the second two years, in equal installments aggregating 7.5% of the original principal amount of the Term Loan per year, and (c) during the one-year extension period (if exercised), equal installments aggregating 10% of the original principal amount of the Term Loan.

As previously announced, the Company intends to use the proceeds from the Term Loan and approximately $50 million in borrowings from the New Revolver, together with the net proceeds from the Company's recently issued senior notes offering, to pay during 2012 the special cash dividend of approximately $600 million in the aggregate to the Company's stockholders payable on August 23, 2012.

The New Credit Facility is unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by certain of the Company's domestic subsidiaries. The subsidiary guarantors currently include all subsidiaries that guarantee the obligations under the Company's Indenture governing the terms of its recently issued 5.75% senior notes due 2022 and its 5.70% senior notes due 2020.
The New Credit Facility is secured by first priority pledges of (i) 100% of the ownership interests in certain domestic subsidiaries owned by the Company and the guarantors, (ii) 65% of the ownership interests in (a) Choice Netherlands Antilles N.V. (“Choice NV”), the top-tier foreign holding company of Choice's foreign subsidiaries, and (b) the domestic subsidiary that owns Choice NV and (iii) all presently existing and future domestic franchise agreements (the “Franchise Agreements”) between the Company and individual franchisees, but only to the extent that the Franchise Agreements may be pledged without violating any law of the relevant jurisdiction or conflicting with any existing contractual obligation of the Company or the applicable franchisee. At the time that the maximum total leverage ratio is required to be no greater than 4.00 to 1.00 (beginning of year 4 of the New Credit Facility), the security interest in the Franchise Agreements will be released.
The Company may at any time prior to the final maturity date increase the amount of the New Credit Facility by up to an additional $100 million to the extent that any one or more lenders commit to being a lender for the additional amount and certain other customary conditions are met. Such additional amounts may take the form of an increased Revolver or Term Loan.
The Company may elect to have borrowings under the New Credit Facility bear interest at a rate equal to (i) LIBOR, plus a margin ranging from 200 to 425 basis points based on the Company's total leverage ratio or (ii) a base rate plus a margin ranging from 100 to 325 basis points based on the Company's total leverage ratio.
The New Credit Facility requires the Company to pay a fee on the undrawn portion of the New Revolver, calculated on the basis the average daily unused amount of the New Revolver multiplied by 0.30% per annum.
The Company may reduce the New Revolver commitment and/or prepay the Term Loan in whole or in part at any time without penalty, subject to reimbursement of customary breakage costs, if any. Any Term Loan prepayments made by the Company

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shall be applied to reduce the scheduled amortization payments in direct order of maturity.
Additionally, the New Credit Facility requires that the Company and its restricted subsidiaries comply with various covenants, including with respect to restrictions on liens, incurring indebtedness, making investments, paying dividends or repurchasing stock, and effecting mergers and/or asset sales. In addition, the New Credit Facility imposes financial maintenance covenants requiring the Company to maintain:
a total leverage ratio of not more than 5.75 to 1.00 in year 1, 5.00 to 1.00 in year 2, 4.50 to 1.00 in year 3 and 4.00 to 1.00 thereafter,
a maximum secured leverage ratio of not more than 2.50 to 1.00 in year 1, 2.25 to 1.00 in year 2, 2.00 to 1.00 in year 3 and 1.75 to 1.00 thereafter, and
a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 2.00 to 1.00 in years 1 and 2, 2.25 to 1.00 in year 3 and 2.50 to 1.00 thereafter.
The New Credit Facility 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 New Credit Facility to be immediately due and payable.
In connection with the entry into the New Credit Facility, the Company's $300 million senior unsecured revolving credit agreement, dated as of February 24, 2011, among the Company, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and a syndicate of lenders (the “Old Credit Facility”), was terminated and replaced by the New Credit Facility. The Old Credit Facility permitted the Company to borrow, repay and re-borrow revolving loans until the scheduled maturity date of February 24, 2016.




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ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following Management's Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) is intended to help the reader understand Choice Hotels International, Inc. and subsidiaries (together the “Company”). 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 a hotel franchisor with franchise agreements representing 6,199 hotels open and 453 hotels under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development as of June 30, 2012, with 497,837 rooms and 37,380 rooms, respectively, in 49 states, the District of Columbia and over 35 countries and territories outside the United States. Our brand names include Comfort Inn®, Comfort Suites®, Quality®, Clarion®, Ascend Collection®, Sleep Inn®, Econo Lodge®, Rodeway Inn®, MainStay Suites®, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel®, and Cambria Suites® (collectively, the “Choice brands”).
The Company's domestic operations are conducted solely through direct franchising relationships 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 in a specific geographic region.
Our business philosophy has been to conduct direct franchising in those international markets where both franchising is an accepted business model and we believe our brands can achieve significant distribution. We elect to enter into master franchise agreements in those markets where direct franchising is currently not a prevalent or viable business model. When entering into master franchising relationships, we strive to select partners that have professional hotel and asset management capabilities together with the financial capacity to invest in building the Choice brands in their respective markets. Master franchising relationships typically provide lower revenues to the Company as the master franchisees are responsible for managing certain necessary services (such as training, quality assurance, reservations and marketing) to support the franchised hotels in the master franchise area and therefore retain a larger percentage of the hotel franchise fees to cover their expenses. In certain circumstances, the Company has and may continue to make equity investments in our master franchisees.
As a result of our use of master franchising relationships and international market conditions, total revenues from international franchising operations comprised 8% of our total revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2012, while representing approximately 19% of hotels open at June 30, 2012. Therefore, our description of the franchise system is primarily focused on the domestic operations.
Our Company generates revenues, income and cash flows primarily from initial, relicensing and continuing royalty fees attributable to our franchise agreements. Revenues are also generated from qualified vendor arrangements, hotel operations and other sources. The hotel industry is seasonal in nature. For most hotels, demand is lower in December through March than during the remainder of the year. Our principal source of revenues is franchise fees based on the gross room revenues of our franchised properties. The Company's franchise fee revenues and operating income reflect the industry's seasonality and historically have been lower in the first quarter than in the second, third or fourth quarters.
With a focus on hotel franchising instead of ownership, we benefit from the economies of scale inherent in the franchising business. The fee and cost structure of our business provides opportunities to improve operating results by increasing the number of franchised hotel rooms and effective royalty rates of our franchise contracts resulting in increased initial fee and relicensing revenue, ongoing royalty fees and procurement services revenues. In addition, our operating results can also be improved through our company-wide efforts related to improving property level performance. The Company currently estimates, based on its current domestic portfolio of hotels under franchise, a 1% change in revenue per available room (“RevPAR”) or rooms under franchise would increase or decrease annual domestic royalty revenues by approximately $2.3 million and a 1 basis point change in the Company's effective royalty rate would increase or decrease annual domestic royalties by approximately $0.5 million. In addition to these revenues, we also collect marketing and reservation system fees to support centralized marketing and reservation activities for the franchise system. As a lodging franchisor, the Company currently has relatively low capital expenditure requirements.
The principal factors that affect the Company's results are: the number and relative mix of franchised hotel rooms in the various hotel lodging price categories; growth in the number of hotel rooms under franchise; occupancy and room rates achieved by the hotels under franchise; the effective royalty rate achieved; the level of franchise sales and relicensing activity; and our ability to manage costs. The number of rooms at franchised properties and occupancy and room rates at those properties significantly affect the Company's results because our fees are based upon room revenues at franchised hotels. The key industry standard for measuring hotel-operating performance is RevPAR, which is calculated by multiplying the percentage of occupied rooms by the average daily room rate realized. Our variable overhead costs associated with franchise system growth of our established

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brands have historically been less than incremental royalty fees generated from new franchises. Accordingly, continued growth of our franchise business should enable us to realize benefits from the operating leverage in place and improve 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 activities. These expenditures, which include advertising costs and costs to maintain our central reservations system, help to enhance awareness and increase consumer preference for our brands. Greater awareness and preference promotes long-term growth in business delivery to our franchisees, which ultimately increases franchise fees earned by the Company.
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 our franchised hotels and reducing costs for our hotel owners.
We believe that executing our strategic priorities creates value for our shareholders. Our Company focuses on two key value drivers:
Profitable Growth. Our success is dependent on improving the performance of our hotels, increasing our system size by selling additional hotel franchises, effective royalty rate improvement and maintaining a disciplined cost structure. We attempt to improve our franchisees' revenues and overall profitability by providing a variety of products and services designed to increase business delivery to and/or reduce operating and development costs for our franchisees. These products and services include national marketing campaigns, a central reservation system, property and yield management systems, quality assurance standards and qualified vendor relationships. We believe that healthy brands, which deliver a compelling return on investment for franchisees, will enable us to sell additional hotel franchises and raise royalty rates. We have established multiple brands that meet the needs of many 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 under franchise, 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 capital structure and uses of capital, are intended to maximize our return on invested capital and create value for our shareholders. We believe our strong and predictable cash flows create a strong financial position that provides us a competitive advantage. Currently, our business does not require significant capital to operate and grow. Therefore, we can maintain a capital structure that generates high financial returns and use our excess cash flow to increase returns to our shareholders.
Historically, we have returned value to our shareholders in two primary ways: share repurchases and dividends. In 1998, we instituted a share repurchase program which has generated substantial value for our shareholders. During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Company repurchased approximately 0.5 million shares of its common stock under the share repurchase program at an average price of $37.02 for a total cost of $19.9 million. Since the program's inception through June 30, 2012, we have repurchased 45.3 million shares (including 33.0 million prior to the two-for-one stock split effected in October 2005) of common stock at a total cost of $1.1 billion. Considering the effect of the two-for-one stock split, the Company has repurchased 78.3 million shares at an average price of $13.89 per share. We currently believe that our cash flows from operations will support our ability to complete the current board of directors repurchase authorization of approximately 1.4 million shares remaining as of June 30, 2012. Upon completion of the current authorization, our board of directors will evaluate the advisability of additional share repurchases.
The Company currently maintains the payment of a quarterly dividend on its common shares outstanding of $0.185 per share, however the declaration of future dividends are subject to the discretion of the board of directors. We expect that regular quarterly cash dividends will continue to be paid at a comparable rate in the future, subject to future business performance, economic conditions, changes in income tax regulations and other factors. During the six months ended June 30, 2012, we paid cash dividends totaling approximately $21.4 million. Based on our present dividend rate and outstanding share count, aggregate annual recurring dividends for 2012 would be approximately $42.7 million.

On July 26, 2012, the Company announced that its board of directors declared a special cash dividend in the amount of $10.41 per share or approximately $600 million in the aggregate. The record date for the special cash dividend is August 20, 2012 and the special cash dividend will be paid on August 23, 2012. The Company has been informed by the New York Stock Exchange that, in accordance with its rules, the ex-dividend date is expected to be August 24, 2012. Accordingly, stockholders who sell their shares on or before the payment date will not be entitled to receive the special cash dividend.


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The special cash dividend is being paid with the proceeds from the Company's recent offering of the $400 million, 5.75% unsecured senior notes and its new senior secured credit facility. On July 25, 2012, the Company entered into a senior secured credit facility consisting of a $200 million revolving credit tranche and a $150 million term loan tranche, with a four year term. The Company will utilize the proceeds from the term loan as well as $50 million under the revolving credit tranche for payment of the special dividend. As a result of entering into the senior secured credit facility, the company's existing $300 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility was terminated.
Our board of directors previously authorized us to enter into programs which permit us to offer investment, financing and guaranty support to qualified franchisees as well as to acquire and resell real estate to incent franchise development for certain brands in strategic markets. Recent market conditions have resulted in an increase in opportunities to incentivize development under these programs and as a result over the next several years, we expect to deploy capital opportunistically pursuant to these programs to promote growth of our emerging brands. The amount and timing of the investment in these programs will be dependent on market and other conditions. Our current expectation is that our annual investment in these programs will range from $20 million to $40 million. Notwithstanding these programs, the Company expects to continue to return value to its shareholders through a combination of share repurchases and dividends, subject to business performance, economic conditions, changes in income tax regulations and other factors.
We believe these value drivers, 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 Operation: Royalty fees, operating income, net income and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) represent key measurements of these value drivers. In the three months ended June 30, 2012, royalty fees revenue totaled $66.1 million, a 7% increase from the same period in 2011. Operating income totaled $51.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012, a $6.5 million or 14% increase from the same period in 2011. Net income increased 16% from the same period of the prior year to $31.9 million. Diluted earnings per share for the quarter ended June 30, 2012 were $0.55 compared to $0.46 for the three months ended June 30, 2011. These measurements will continue to be a key management focus in 2012 and beyond.
Refer to MD&A heading “Operations Review” for additional analysis of our results.
Liquidity and Capital Resources: Historically, the Company has generated significant cash flows from operations. Since our business does not currently require significant reinvestment of capital, we typically utilize cash in ways that management believes provide the greatest returns to our shareholders, which include share repurchases and dividends. We believe the Company's cash flow from operations and available financing capacity is sufficient to meet the expected future operating, investing, and financing needs of the business.
Refer to MD&A heading “Liquidity and Capital Resources” for additional analysis.

Operations Review
Comparison of Operating Results for the Three-Month Periods Ended June 30, 2012 and 2011
The Company recorded net income of $31.9 million for the three month period ended June 30, 2012, a 16% increase from the $27.6 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2011. The increase in net income for the three months ended June 30, 2012 is primarily attributable to the $6.5 million or 14% increase in operating income.

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Table of Contents

Summarized financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
2012
 
2011
REVENUES:
 
 
 
Royalty fees
$
66,064

 
$
61,620

Initial franchise and relicensing fees
3,178

 
2,779

Procurement services
6,836

 
6,673

Marketing and reservation
94,633

 
90,832

Hotel operations
1,224

 
1,073

Other
1,686

 
2,324

Total revenues
173,621

 
165,301

OPERATING EXPENSES:

 
 
Selling, general and administrative
24,554

 
26,539

Depreciation and amortization
1,977

 
1,948

Marketing and reservation
94,633

 
90,832

Hotel operations
867

 
860

Total operating expenses
122,031

 
120,179

Operating income
51,590

 
45,122

OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES, NET:
 
 
 
Interest expense
3,540

 
3,267

Interest income
(394
)
 
(221
)
Other (gains) and losses
377

 
(38
)
Equity in net loss of affiliates
128

 

Total other expenses, net
3,651

 
3,008

Income before income taxes
47,939

 
42,114

Income taxes
16,077

 
14,536

Net income
$
31,862

 
$
27,578

Diluted earnings per share
$
0.55

 
$
0.46


On occasion, the Company utilizes certain measures such as adjusted net income, adjusted diluted EPS, adjusted selling, general and administration expenses ("SG&A"), adjusted operating margin and franchising revenues which do not conform to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) when analyzing and discussing its results with the investment community. This information should not be considered as an alternative to any measure of performance as promulgated under GAAP, such as net income, diluted EPS, SG&A, operating income and total revenues. The Company's calculation of these measures may be different from the calculations used by other companies and therefore comparability may be limited. We have included below a reconciliation of the measures utilized during this period to the comparable GAAP measures as well as our reason for reporting these non-GAAP measures.
Franchising Revenues: The Company utilizes franchising revenues which exclude marketing and reservation system revenues and hotel operations rather than total revenues when analyzing the performance of the business. Marketing and reservation activities are excluded from revenues since the Company is required by its franchise agreements to use these fees collected for marketing and reservation activities; as such, no income or loss to the Company is generated. Cumulative marketing and reservation system fees not expended are recorded as a payable on the Company's financial statements and are carried over to the next fiscal year and expended in accordance with the franchise agreements. Cumulative marketing and reservation expenditures in excess of fees collected for marketing and reservation activities are recorded as a receivable on the Company's financial statements. Hotel operations are excluded since they do not reflect the most accurate measure of the Company's core franchising business. This non-GAAP measure is a commonly used measure of performance in our industry and facilitates comparisons between the Company and its competitors.

40

Table of Contents

Calculation of Franchising Revenues
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
($ amounts in thousands)
 
2012
 
2011
Franchising Revenues:
 
 
 
Total Revenues
$
173,621

 
$
165,301

Adjustments:
 
 
 
     Marketing and reservation system revenues
(94,633
)
 
(90,832
)
     Hotel operations
(1,224
)
 
(1,073
)
Franchising Revenues
$
77,764

 
$
73,396


The Company recorded net income of $31.9 million for the three month period ended June 30, 2012, a 16% increase from the $27.6 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2011. The increase in net income for the three months ended June 30, 2012 is primarily attributable to the $6.5 million or 14% increase in operating income partially offset by a $0.6 million increase in other income and expenses, net. The increase in other income and expenses, net is primarily due to a $0.4 million decline in the fair value of investments held in the Company's non-qualified benefit plans compared to a $38 thousand increase in the fair value of these investments in the prior year period. Operating income increased $6.5 million as the Company's franchising revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2012 increased $4.4 million or 6% from the same period of the prior year and SG&A expenses decreased $2.0 million or 7%.
Franchising Revenues: Franchising revenues were $77.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $73.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011, an increase of 6%. The increase in franchising revenues is primarily due to a 7% increase in royalty revenues and a 14% increase in initial franchise and relicensing fees.
Domestic royalty fees for the three months ended June 30, 2012 increased $4.4 million to $59.8 million from $55.4 million in the three months ended June 30, 2011, an increase of 8%. The increase in royalties is attributable to a combination of factors including a 7.7% increase in RevPAR, a 1.0% increase in the number of domestic franchised hotel rooms, partially offset by a decline in the effective royalty rate of the domestic hotel system from 4.33% to 4.32%. System-wide RevPAR increased due to a combination of a 2.8% increase in average daily rates and a 250 basis point increase in occupancy.
A summary of the Company's domestic franchised hotels operating information is as follows:

 
For the Three Months Ended
June 30, 2012*
 
For the Three Months Ended
June 30, 2011*
 
Change
 
Average
Daily
Rate
 
Occupancy
 
RevPAR
 
Average
Daily
Rate
 
Occupancy
 
RevPAR
 
Average
Daily
Rate
 
Occupancy
 
RevPAR
Comfort Inn
$
79.87

 
60.2
%
 
$
48.05

 
$
77.54

 
57.7
%
 
$
44.73

 
3.0
%
 
250

bps
 
7.4
%
Comfort Suites
85.71

 
64.2
%
 
55.01

 
83.89

 
60.3
%
 
50.55

 
2.2
%
 
390

bps
 
8.8
%
Sleep
72.52

 
58.7
%
 
42.56

 
69.95

 
55.0
%
 
38.45

 
3.7
%
 
370

bps
 
10.7
%
Quality
68.43

 
52.5
%
 
35.95

 
66.58

 
50.4
%
 
33.58

 
2.8
%
 
210

bps
 
7.1
%
Clarion
74.71

 
50.2
%
 
37.53

 
73.14

 
47.9
%
 
35.01

 
2.1
%
 
230

bps
 
7.2
%
Econo Lodge
54.14

 
49.2
%
 
26.62

 
53.10

 
47.4
%
 
25.14

 
2.0
%
 
180

bps
 
5.9
%
Rodeway
51.10

 
50.4
%
 
25.76

 
49.34

 
47.7
%
 
23.55

 
3.6
%
 
270

bps
 
9.4
%
MainStay
69.06

 
72.9
%
 
50.32

 
66.31

 
69.2
%
 
45.87

 
4.1
%
 
370

bps
 
9.7
%
Suburban
41.58

 
71.9
%
 
29.89

 
41.13

 
69.7
%
 
28.68

 
1.1
%
 
220

bps
 
4.2
%
Ascend Collection
114.40

 
66.4
%
 
75.94

 
113.44

 
60.4
%
 
68.50

 
0.8
%
 
600

bps
 
10.9
%
Total
$
72.69

 
56.6
%
 
$
41.16

 
$
70.72

 
54.1
%
 
$
38.22

 
2.8
%
 
250

bps
 
7.7
%
___________________
*Operating statistics represent hotel operations from March through May
The number of domestic rooms on-line increased by 4,035 rooms or 1% to 393,315 as of June 30, 2012 from 389,280 as of

41

Table of Contents

June 30, 2011. The total number of domestic hotels on-line increased by 1.3% to 5,024 as of June 30, 2012 from 4,961 as of June 30, 2011.
A summary of domestic hotels and rooms on-line at June 30, 2012 and 2011 by brand is as follows:

 
June 30, 2012
 
June 30, 2011
 
Variance
 
Hotels
 
Rooms
 
Hotels
 
Rooms
 
Hotels
 
Rooms
 
%
 
%
Comfort Inn
1,379
 
107,895
 
1,416
 
110,736
 
(37
)
 
(2,841
)
 
(2.6
)%
 
(2.6
)%
Comfort Suites
608
 
46,903
 
613
 
47,441
 
(5
)
 
(538
)
 
(0.8
)%
 
(1.1
)%
Sleep
391
 
28,327
 
394
 
28,625
 
(3
)
 
(298
)
 
(0.8
)%
 
(1.0
)%
Quality
1,082
 
93,655
 
1,027
 
89,571
 
55

 
4,084

 
5.4
 %
 
4.6
 %
Clarion
189
 
27,534
 
193
 
28,335
 
(4
)
 
(801
)
 
(2.1
)%
 
(2.8
)%
Econo Lodge
801
 
49,114
 
778
 
48,197
 
23

 
917

 
3.0
 %
 
1.9
 %
Rodeway
401
 
22,671
 
377
 
20,506
 
24

 
2,165

 
6.4
 %
 
10.6
 %
MainStay
40
 
3,083
 
39
 
3,007
 
1

 
76

 
2.6
 %
 
2.5
 %
Suburban
62
 
7,260
 
61
 
7,255
 
1

 
5

 
1.6
 %
 
0.1
 %
Ascend Collection
52
 
4,652
 
44
 
3,392
 
8

 
1,260

 
18.2
 %
 
37.1
 %
Cambria Suites
19
 
2,221
 
19
 
2,215
 

 
6

 
 %
 
0.3
 %
Total Domestic Franchises
5,024
 
393,315
 
4,961
 
389,280
 
63

 
4,035

 
1.3
 %
 
1.0
 %
International royalties increased by $0.1 million or 1% from $6.2 million in the second quarter of 2011 to $6.3 million for the same period of 2012 primarily due to global RevPAR increases and an increase in the number of rooms in the international system, partially offset by the impact of foreign currency fluctuations.
International available rooms increased 2.4% to 104,522 as of June 30, 2012 from 102,086 as of June 30, 2011. The total number of international hotels increased 1.6% from 1,156 as of June 30, 2011 to 1,175 as of June 30, 2012.
As of June 30, 2012, the Company had 378 franchised hotels with 30,653 rooms under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in its domestic system as compared to 451 hotels and 37,892 rooms at June 30, 2011. The number of new construction franchised hotels in the Company's domestic pipeline declined 27% to 235 at June 30, 2012 from 322 at June 30, 2011. The number of conversion franchised hotels in the Company's domestic pipeline increased by 14 units or 11% from June 30, 2011 to 143 hotels at June 30, 2012. The domestic system hotels under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development declined 16% from the prior year due to the decline in the number of new construction hotels which have been negatively impacted by the limited availability of hotel construction financing. As a result, the ability of existing projects to obtain financing and commence construction has been significantly impacted and has resulted in the termination of franchise agreements related to hotels that have not yet opened. The Company had an additional 75 franchised hotels with 6,727 rooms under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in its international system as of June 30, 2012 compared to 103 hotels and 8,720 rooms at June 30, 2011. While the Company's hotel pipeline provides a strong platform for growth, a hotel in the pipeline does not always result in an open and operating hotel due to various factors.

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Table of Contents

A summary of the domestic franchised hotels under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development at June 30, 2012 and 2011 by brand is as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Variance
 
June 30, 2012
Units
 
 
June 30, 2011
Units
 
 
Conversion
 
New Construction
 
Total
 
Conversion
 
New
Construction
 
Total
 
Conversion
 
New
Construction
 
Total
 
Units
 
%
 
Units
 
%
 
Units
 
%
Comfort Inn
25

 
40

 
65

 
27

 
50

 
77

 
(2
)
 
(7
)%
 
(10
)
 
(20
)%
 
(12
)
 
(16
)%
Comfort Suites
2

 
82

 
84

 
3

 
108

 
111

 
(1
)
 
(33
)%
 
(26
)
 
(24
)%
 
(27
)
 
(24
)%
Sleep Inn
1

 
40

 
41

 

 
62

 
62

 
1

 
NM

 
(22
)
 
(35
)%
 
(21
)
 
(34
)%
Quality
39

 
3

 
42

 
25

 
5

 
30

 
14

 
56
 %
 
(2
)
 
(40
)%
 
12

 
40
 %
Clarion
14

 
1

 
15

 
16

 
2

 
18

 
(2
)
 
(13
)%
 
(1
)
 
(50
)%
 
(3
)
 
(17
)%
Econo Lodge
20

 
1

 
21

 
34

 
1

 
35

 
(14
)
 
(41
)%
 

 
0
 %
 
(14
)
 
(40
)%
Rodeway
31

 
1

 
32

 
15

 
1

 
16

 
16

 
107
 %
 

 
0
 %
 
16

 
100
 %
MainStay
1

 
22

 
23

 
4

 
37

 
41

 
(3
)
 
(75
)%
 
(15
)
 
(41
)%
 
(18
)
 
(44
)%
Suburban
2

 
14

 
16

 

 
22

 
22

 
2

 
NM

 
(8
)
 
(36
)%
 
(6
)
 
(27
)%
Ascend Collection
8

 
5

 
13

 
5

 
3

 
8

 
3

 
60
 %
 
2

 
67
 %
 
5

 
63
 %
Cambria Suites

 
26

 
26

 

 
31

 
31

 

 
NM

 
(5
)
 
(16
)%
 
(5
)
 
(16
)%
Total
143

 
235

 
378

 
129

 
322

 
451

 
14

 
11
 %
 
(87
)
 
(27
)%
 
(73
)
 
(16
)%
Domestic hotels open and operating increased by 18 hotels during the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to a net decline of 9 domestic hotels open and operating during the three months ended June 30, 2011. Gross domestic franchise additions declined from 75 for the three months ended June 30, 2011 to 73 for the same period of 2012. New construction hotels represented 9 of the gross domestic additions during three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to 11 hotels in the same period of the prior year. Gross domestic additions for conversion hotels during the three months ended June 30, 2012 remained at 64 for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011. The Company expects the number of new franchise units that will open during 2012 to decline from 256 in 2011 to approximately 243 hotels as openings will continue to be impacted by the restrictive lending environment, retention efforts implemented by other hotel brand companies and increased competition for existing hotels seeking a new brand affiliation.
Net domestic franchise terminations decreased from 84 in the three months ended June 30, 2011 to 55 for the three months ended June 30, 2012 primarily due to a decline number of terminations related to the removal of hotels for non-payment of franchise fees and increased retention efforts implemented by the Company to reduce the number of terminations as the overall industry supply growth continues to be lower than historical levels.
New domestic franchise agreements executed in the three months ended June 30, 2012 totaled 106 representing 8,970 rooms compared to 69 agreements representing 6,569 rooms executed in the second quarter of 2011. During the second quarter of 2012, 21 of the executed agreements were for new construction hotel franchises representing 1,487 rooms compared to 8 contracts representing 647 rooms for the three months ended June 30, 2011. Conversion hotel executed franchise agreements totaled 85 representing 7,483 rooms for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to 61 agreements representing 5,922 rooms for the same period a year ago. Domestic initial fee revenue, included in the initial franchise and relicensing fees caption above, generated from executed franchise agreements increased $0.2 million to $2.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 from $1.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. Domestic initial fee revenue increased approximately 14% due to a 54% increase in the number of executed new franchise agreements partially offset by an increase in the number of these new franchise agreements containing developer incentives. Revenues associated with agreements including incentives are deferred and recognized when the incentive criteria are met or the agreement is terminated, whichever comes first.

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Table of Contents

A summary of executed domestic franchise agreements by brand for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2012
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2011
 
 
% Change
 
 
New
Construction
 
Conversion
 
Total
 
New
Construction
 
Conversion
 
Total
 
New
Construction
 
Conversion
 
Total
Comfort Inn
 
5

 
4

 
9

 
3

 
11

 
14

 
67
 %
 
(64
)%
 
(36
)%
Comfort Suites
 
6

 
2

 
8

 
1

 
2

 
3

 
500
 %
 
 %
 
167
 %
Sleep
 
8

 
1

 
9

 
1

 
1

 
2

 
700
 %
 
 %
 
350
 %
Quality
 

 
36

 
36

 

 
11

 
11

 
NM

 
227
 %
 
227
 %
Clarion
 

 
5

 
5

 

 
3

 
3

 
NM

 
67
 %
 
67
 %
Econo Lodge
 

 
14

 
14

 

 
12

 
12

 
NM

 
17
 %
 
17
 %
Rodeway
 

 
19

 
19

 

 
13

 
13

 
NM

 
46
 %
 
46
 %
MainStay
 
1

 
1

 
2

 

 
3

 
3

 
NM

 
(67
)%
 
(33
)%
Suburban
 

 
1

 
1

 
2

 
1

 
3

 
(100
)%
 
 %
 
(67
)%
Ascend Collection
 

 
2

 
2

 

 
4

 
4

 
NM

 
(50
)%
 
(50
)%
Cambria Suites
 
1

 

 
1

 
1

 

 
1

 
 %
 
NM

 
 %
Total Domestic System
 
21

 
85

 
106

 
8

 
61

 
69

 
163
 %
 
39
 %
 
54
 %
Relicensing fees include fees charged to the new owners of a franchised property whenever an ownership change occurs and the property remains in the franchise system as well as fees required to renew expiring franchise contracts. Domestic relicensing and renewal contracts increased 27% from 37 in the second quarter of 2011 to 47 for the three months ended June 30, 2012. As a result of the increase in contracts, domestic relicensing revenues increased $0.2 million or 25% from $0.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011 to $1.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses: The cost to operate the franchising business is reflected in SG&A on the consolidated statements of income. SG&A expenses were $24.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012, a decrease of $2.0 million or 7% from the three months ended June 30, 2011. SG&A for the three months ended June 30, 2012 declined due to measures implemented by the Company in the fourth quarter of 2011 to increase its productivity and streamline services as well as a $0.3 million decline in employee termination benefits incurred.
Marketing and Reservations: The Company's franchise agreements require the payment of franchise fees, which include marketing and reservation system fees. The fees, which are primarily based on a percentage of the franchisees' gross room revenues, are used exclusively by the Company for expenses associated with providing franchise services such as central reservation systems, national marketing and media advertising. The Company is contractually obligated to expend the marketing and reservation system fees it collects from franchisees in accordance with the franchise agreements; as such, no income or loss to the Company is generated.
Total marketing and reservation system fees were $94.6 million and $90.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Depreciation and amortization attributable to marketing and reservation activities was $3.5 million and $3.3 million for the three month periods ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Interest expense attributable to marketing and reservation activities was approximately $1.0 million for both three month periods ended June 30, 2012 and 2011.
As of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company's balance sheet includes a receivable of $64.8 million and $54.0 million, respectively from cumulative marketing and reservation expenses incurred in excess of cumulative marketing and reservations system fee revenues earned. These receivables are recorded as an asset in the financial statements as the Company has the contractual authority to require that the franchisees in the system at any given point repay the Company for any deficits related to marketing and reservation activities. The Company's current franchisees are legally obligated to pay any assessment the Company imposes on its franchisees to obtain reimbursement of such deficit regardless of whether those constituents continue to generate gross room revenue and whether or not they joined the system following the deficit's occurrence. The Company has no present intention to accelerate repayment of the deficit from current franchisees. Conversely, cumulative marketing and reservation system fees not expended are recorded as a payable in the financial statements and are carried over to the next fiscal year and expended in accordance with the franchise agreements.
Our ability to recover these receivables may be adversely impacted by certain factors, including, among others, declines in the ability of our franchisees to generate revenues at properties they franchise from us, lower than expected franchise system

44

Table of Contents

growth of certain brands and/or lower than expected international franchise system growth. An extended period of occupancy or room rate declines or a decline in the number of hotel rooms in our franchise system could result in the generation of insufficient funds to recover marketing and reservation advances as well as meet the ongoing marketing and reservation needs of the overall system.
Other Income and Expenses, Net: Other income and expenses, net increased from an expense of $3.0 million during the three months ended June 30, 2011 to an expense of $3.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 primarily due to the following items:
Other gains and losses, net decreased from a gain of $38 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2011 to an expense of $0.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 primarily due to fluctuations in the fair value of investments held in the Company's non-qualified employee benefit plans.
As discussed in the accompanying critical accounting policies, the Company sponsors two non-qualified retirement and savings plans: the Non-Qualified Plan and the EDCP plan. The fair value of the Non-Qualified Plan investments decreased by $0.3 million during the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to a decline of $9 thousand during the three months ended June 30, 2011. The fair value of the Company's investments held in the EDCP plan decreased by $24 thousand during the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to an increase in fair value of $48 thousand during the same period of the prior year.
The Company accounts for the EDCP Plan and Non-Qualified Plan in accordance with accounting for deferred compensation arrangements when investments are held in a rabbi trust and invested. Therefore, the Company also recognizes compensation expense or benefits in SG&A related to changes in the fair value of investments held in the Non-Qualified Plan and a portion of the investments held in the EDCP Plan, excluding investments in the Company's stock. As a result, during the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company's SG&A expense was reduced by $0.3 million and $0.1 million, respectively, due to the change in the fair value of these investments.
Interest expense increased $0.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 to $3.5 million due to the issuance of the Company's $400 million senior notes due in 2022 with an effective rate of 5.94% on June 27, 2012. The proceeds will be used to pay the $600 million special cash dividend declared by the Company's board of directors on July 26, 2012 and payable on August 23, 2012.
Income Taxes: The effective income tax rates were 33.5% and 34.5% for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and June 30, 2011, respectively. The effective income tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2012 was lower than the effective income tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2011 primarily due to the impact of foreign operations.
Net income: Net income for the three months ended June 30, 2012 increased by 16% to $31.9 million from $27.6 million in the same period of the prior year.
Diluted EPS: Diluted EPS increased 20% to $0.55 for the three months ended June 30, 2012 from $0.46 for the same period of the prior year. The increase in diluted EPS primarily reflects the items discussed above as well as repurchases of the Company's common stock.

45

Table of Contents

Comparison of Operating Results for the Six-Month Periods Ended June 30, 2012 and 2011
The Company recorded net income of $51.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012, an $8.6 million, or 20% increase from the $43.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The increase in net income for the six months ended June 30, 2012 is primarily attributable to an $11.9 million or 17% increase in operating income and a $2.3 million decline in other income and expenses, net partially offset by an increase in the effective income tax rate. The decline in other income and expenses, net is primarily due to a $1.6 million appreciation in the fair value of investments held in the Company's non-qualified benefit plans compared to a $0.8 million increase in the fair value of these investments in the prior year and a $1.8 million loss on assets held for sale incurred in the prior year period.

Summarized financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 and are as follows:

(in thousands, except per share amounts)
2012
 
2011
REVENUES:
 
 
 
Royalty fees
$
113,917

 
$
105,414

Initial franchise and relicensing fees
5,706

 
5,500

Procurement services
10,151

 
9,934

Marketing and reservation
165,562

 
153,799

Hotel operations
2,202

 
1,937

Other
5,252

 
3,998

Total revenues
302,790

 
280,582

OPERATING EXPENSES:
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative
48,903

 
50,386

Depreciation and amortization
3,994

 
3,903

Marketing and reservation
165,562

 
153,799

Hotel operations
1,676

 
1,693

Total operating expenses
220,135

 
209,781

Operating income
82,655

 
70,801

OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES, NET:
 
 
 
Interest expense
6,657

 
6,491

Interest income
(731
)
 
(431
)
Other (gains) and losses
(1,626
)
 
1,005

Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates
183

 
(301
)
Total other income and expenses, net
4,483

 
6,764

Income before income taxes
78,172

 
64,037

Income taxes
26,313

 
20,729

Net income
$
51,859

 
$
43,308

Diluted earnings per share
$
0.89

 
$
0.72



The Company utilizes certain measures such as adjusted net income, adjusted diluted EPS, adjusted SG&A, adjusted operating income and franchising revenues which do not conform to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) when analyzing and discussing its results with the investment community. This information should not be considered as an alternative to any measure of performance as promulgated under GAAP, such as net income, diluted EPS, SG&A, operating income and total revenues. The Company's calculation of these measurements may be different from the calculations used by other companies and therefore comparability may be limited. We have included a reconciliation of the measures utilized during this period to the comparable GAAP measurement below as well as our reason for reporting these non-GAAP measures.

Franchising Revenues: The Company utilizes franchising revenues which exclude marketing and reservation system revenues and hotel operations rather than total revenues when analyzing the performance of the business. Marketing and reservation activities are excluded from revenues since the Company is contractually required by its franchise agreements to use these fees collected for marketing and reservation activities; as such, no income or loss to the Company is generated. Cumulative marketing and reservation system fees not expended are recorded as a payable on the Company's financial statements and are carried over to the next fiscal year and expended in accordance with the franchise agreements. Cumulative marketing and

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reservation expenditures in excess of fees collected for marketing and reservation activities are recorded as a receivable on the Company's financial statements. Hotel operations are excluded since they do not reflect the most accurate measure of the Company's core franchising business. This non-GAAP measure is a commonly used measure of performance in our industry and facilitates comparisons between the Company and its competitors.

Calculation of Franchising Revenues
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
($ amounts in thousands)
 
2012
 
2011
Franchising Revenues:
 
 
 
Total Revenues
$
302,790

 
$
280,582

Adjustments:
 
 
 
Marketing and reservation system revenues
(165,562
)
 
(153,799
)
Hotel operations
(2,202
)
 
(1,937
)
Franchising Revenues
$
135,026

 
$
124,846

Adjusted Net Income & Adjusted Diluted EPS: We also use adjusted net income and adjusted diluted EPS which exclude a $1.8 million loss on assets held for sale resulting from the Company reducing the carrying amount of a parcel of land held for sale to its estimated fair value during the six months ended June 30, 2011. The Company utilizes these non-GAAP measures to enable investors to perform meaningful comparisons of past, present and future operating results.
Calculation of Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
2012
 
2011
Net Income
$
51,859

 
$
43,308

Adjustments, net of tax:
 
 
 
Loss on land held for sale

 
1,111

Adjusted Net Income
$
51,859

 
$
44,419

Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted
58,204

 
59,854

Diluted EPS
$
0.89

 
$
0.72

Adjustments:
 
 
 
Loss on land held for sale

 
0.02

Adjusted Diluted EPS
$
0.89

 
$
0.74


The Company recorded net income of $51.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012; a $7.5 million increase compared to an adjusted net income of $44.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The increase in net income for the six months ended June 30, 2012 is primarily attributable to an $11.9 million increase in operating income and a $1.6 million appreciation in the fair value of investments held in the Company's non-qualified employee benefit plans compared to an increase of $0.8 million in the fair value of these investments during the six months ended June 30, 2011. These increases were partially offset by an increase in the effective tax rate from 32.4% during the six months ended June 30, 2011 to 33.7% in the same period of the current year.
Franchising Revenues: Franchising revenues were $135.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $124.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011, an increase of 8%. The increase in franchising revenues is primarily due to an 8% increase in royalty fees, a 4% increase in initial franchise and relicensing fees and a $1.3 million increase in other income.
Domestic royalty fees for the six months ended June 30, 2012 increased $8.0 million to $102.1 million from $94.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 an increase of 8.5%. The increase in royalties is attributable to a combination of factors including an 8.0% increase in RevPAR and a 1.0% increase in the number of domestic franchised hotel rooms partially offset by a decline in the effective royalty rate of the domestic hotel system from 4.34% to 4.33%. System-wide RevPAR increased due to a combination of a 250 basis point increase in occupancy as well as a 2.6% increase in average daily rates.

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A summary of the Company's domestic franchised hotels operating information is as follows:

 
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2012*
 
For the Six Months Ended
June 30, 2011*
 
Change
 
Average
Daily
Rate
 
Occupancy
 
RevPAR
 
Average
Daily
Rate
 
Occupancy
 
RevPAR
 
Average
Daily
Rate
 
Occupancy
 
RevPAR
Comfort Inn
$
77.48

 
53.6
%
 
$
41.52

 
$
75.27

 
51.1
%
 
$
38.47

 
2.9%
 
250

bps
 
7.9%
Comfort Suites
83.15

 
57.6
%
 
47.92

 
81.82

 
53.7
%
 
43.96

 
1.6%
 
390

bps
 
9.0%
Sleep
69.90

 
52.0
%
 
36.32

 
67.81

 
48.7
%
 
33.03

 
3.1%
 
330

bps
 
10.0%
Quality
66.29

 
46.8
%
 
31.03

 
64.47

 
44.7
%
 
28.81

 
2.8%
 
210

bps
 
7.7%
Clarion
71.85

 
44.6
%
 
32.07

 
70.89

 
42.4
%
 
30.07

 
1.4%
 
220

bps
 
6.7%
Econo Lodge
52.48

 
44.0
%
 
23.09

 
51.60

 
42.4
%
 
21.89

 
1.7%
 
160

bps
 
5.5%
Rodeway
49.36

 
46.2
%
 
22.81

 
47.78

 
43.2
%
 
20.66

 
3.3%
 
300

bps
 
10.4%
MainStay
67.02

 
67.4
%
 
45.16

 
64.06

 
61.8
%
 
39.57

 
4.6%
 
560

bps
 
14.1%
Suburban
40.48

 
67.3
%
 
27.24

 
39.82

 
65.3
%
 
25.99

 
1.7%
 
200

bps
 
4.8%
Ascend Collection
109.96

 
59.4
%
 
65.28

 
106.96

 
55.3
%
 
59.19

 
2.8%
 
410

bps
 
10.3%
Total
$
70.38

 
50.7
%
 
$
35.66

 
$
68.57

 
48.2
%
 
$
33.02

 
2.6%
 
250

bps
 
8.0%
___________________
*
Operating statistics represent hotel operations from December through May.
Domestic hotels open and operating increased by 23 hotels during the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to a decline of 32 domestic hotels open and operating during the six months ended June 30, 2011. Gross domestic franchise additions decreased from 117 for the six months ended June 30, 2011 to 112 for the same period in 2012. New construction hotels represented 14 of the gross domestic additions during the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to 15 hotels in the same period of the prior year. Gross domestic additions for conversion hotels declined from 102 hotels during the six months ended June 30, 2011 to 98 hotels during the same period of the current year. The decline in hotel openings is primarily due to the impact of the restrictive lending environment; retention efforts implemented by other hotel brand companies and increased competition for existing hotels seeking a new brand affiliation.
Net domestic franchise terminations declined from 149 for the six months ended June 30, 2011 to 89 for the same period of the current year. The decline in net terminations is primarily due to a decline in the number of hotels removed for non-payment of franchise fees and non-compliance with the Company's rules, regulations and standards as well as increased retention efforts implemented by the Company to reduce the number of terminations as the overall industry supply growth continues to be lower than historical levels.
International royalties increased by $0.5 million from $11.3 million in the six months ended June 30, 2011 to $11.8 million for the same period of 2012 primarily due to global RevPAR increases and an increase in the number of rooms in the international system, partially offset by the impact of foreign currency fluctuations.
New domestic franchise agreements executed in the six months ended June 30, 2012 totaled 170 representing 13,628 rooms compared to 125 agreements representing 11,727 rooms executed during the same period of the prior year. During the six months ended June 30, 2012, 28 of the executed agreements were for new construction hotel franchises, representing 1,930 rooms, compared to 14 contracts, representing 1,219 rooms for the same period a year ago. Conversion hotel franchise executed contracts totaled 142 representing 11,698 rooms for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to 111 agreements representing 10,508 rooms for the same period a year ago. Domestic initial fee revenue, included in the initial franchise and relicensing fees caption above, generated from executed franchise agreements decreased 13% to $3.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 from $3.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. Initial fee revenue declined despite a 36% increase in the number of executed new franchise agreements primarily due to the recognition of deferred revenue during 2011 related to franchise agreements containing developer incentives that were executed in prior years. Revenues associated with agreements including incentives are deferred and recognized when the incentive criteria are met or the agreement is terminated, whichever comes first.
 





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A summary of executed domestic franchise agreements by brand for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:

 
 
For the Six Months Ended
June 30, 2012
 
For the Six Months Ended
June 30, 2011
 
 
% Change
 
 
New
Construction
 
Conversion
 
Total
 
New
Construction
 
Conversion
 
Total
 
New
Construction
 
Conversion
 
Total
Comfort Inn
 
6

 
12

 
18

 
5

 
18

 
23

 
20
 %
 
(33
)%
 
(22
)%
Comfort Suites
 
7

 
4

 
11

 
1

 
4

 
5

 
600
 %
 
 %
 
120
 %
Sleep
 
11

 
1

 
12

 
3

 
1

 
4

 
267
 %
 
 %
 
200
 %
Quality
 

 
63

 
63

 

 
35

 
35

 
NM

 
80
 %
 
80
 %
Clarion
 

 
7

 
7

 

 
8

 
8

 
NM

 
(13
)%
 
(13
)%
Econo Lodge
 

 
18

 
18

 

 
18

 
18

 
NM

 
 %
 
 %
Rodeway
 

 
31

 
31

 

 
18

 
18

 
NM

 
72
 %
 
72
 %
MainStay
 
1

 
1

 
2

 
1

 
3

 
4

 
 %
 
(67
)%
 
(50
)%
Suburban
 

 
1

 
1

 
2

 
1

 
3

 
(100
)%
 
 %
 
(67
)%
Ascend Collection
 
1

 
4

 
5

 

 
5

 
5

 
NM

 
(20
)%
 
 %
Cambria Suites
 
2

 

 
2

 
2

 

 
2

 
 %
 
NM

 
 %
Total Domestic System
 
28

 
142

 
170

 
14

 
111

 
125

 
100
 %
 
28
 %
 
36
 %

Relicensing fees include fees charged to the new owners of a franchised property whenever an ownership change occurs and the property remains in the franchise system as well as fees required to renew expiring franchise contracts. Domestic relicensing and renewal contracts increased from 51 during the six months ending June 30, 2011 to 96 for the same period of 2012. Although the Company increased the number of contracts by 88%, relicensing revenues increased 62% from $1.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 to $2.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 primarily due to lower average relicensing fees charged per property.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses: The cost to operate the franchising business is reflected in SG&A on the consolidated statements of income. SG&A expenses were $48.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012, a $1.5 million or 3% decline from the six months ended June 30, 2011. The $1.5 million decline in SG&A was primarily attributable to measures implemented by the Company in the fourth quarter of 2011 to increase its productivity and streamline services as well as a $0.4 million decline in employee termination benefits. These reductions were partially offset by approximately $1.5 million related to a litigation settlement with a former franchisee as well as a $0.5 million increase in compensation expense recognized on deferred compensation arrangements as described in more detail in Other Income and Expenses, Net.
Marketing and Reservations: The Company's franchise agreements require the payment of franchise fees, which include marketing and reservation system fees. The fees, which are primarily based on a percentage of the franchisees' gross room revenues, are used exclusively by the Company for expenses associated with providing franchise services such as central reservation systems, national marketing and media advertising. The Company is contractually obligated to expend the marketing and reservation system fees it collects from franchisees in accordance with the franchise agreements; as such, no income or loss to the Company is generated.
Total marketing and reservations revenues were $165.6 million and $153.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Depreciation and amortization attributable to marketing and reservation activities was $7.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $6.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. Interest expense attributable to marketing and reservation activities was $2.2 million and $2.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
As of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company's balance sheet includes a receivable of $64.8 million and $54.0 million, respectively from cumulative marketing and reservation expenses incurred in excess of cumulative marketing and reservations system fee revenues earned. These receivables are recorded as an asset in the financial statements as the Company has the contractual authority to require that the franchisees in the system at any given point repay the Company for any deficits related to marketing and reservation activities. The Company's current franchisees are legally obligated to pay any assessment

49

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the Company imposes on its franchisees to obtain reimbursement of such deficit regardless of whether those constituents continue to generate gross room revenue and whether or not they joined the system following the deficit's occurrence. The Company has no present intention to accelerate repayment of the deficit from current franchisees. Conversely, cumulative marketing and reservation system fees not expended are recorded as a payable in the financial statements and are carried over to the next fiscal year and expended in accordance with the franchise agreements.
Our ability to recover these receivables may be adversely impacted by certain factors, including, among others, declines in the ability of our franchisees to generate revenues at properties they franchise from us, lower than expected franchise system growth of certain brands and/or lower than expected international franchise system growth. An extended period of occupancy or room rate declines or a decline in the number of hotel rooms in our franchise system could result in the generation of insufficient funds to recover marketing and reservation advances as well as meet the ongoing marketing and reservation needs of the overall system.
Other Income and Expenses, Net: Other income and expenses, net, decreased $2.3 million to $4.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $6.8 million in the same period of the prior year primarily due to the following items:
Other gains and losses decreased $2.6 million from a loss of $1.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 to a gain of $1.6 million in the same period of the current year. The decrease in the loss reflects a $1.8 million loss on assets held for sale recorded in the six months ended June 30, 2011 resulting from the Company reducing the carrying amount of a parcel of land held for sale to its estimated fair value. In addition, the decline in other gains and losses reflects fluctuations in the fair value of investments held in the Company's non-qualified employee benefit plans. This activity included a $1.6 appreciation in the fair value of these investments during the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to a $0.8 million appreciation of the fair value of these investments in the same period of the prior year.
As discussed in the accompanying critical accounting policies, the Company sponsors two non-qualified retirement and savings plans: the Non-Qualified Plan and the EDCP plan. The fair value of the Non-Qualified Plan investments increased $0.6 million during the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to a $0.3 million increase in fair value during the same period of 2011. The fair value of the Company's investments held in the EDCP plan appreciated by $1.1 million during the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to an increase in fair value of $0.5 million during the same period of the prior year.
The Company accounts for the EDCP Plan and Non-Qualified Plan in accordance with accounting for deferred compensation arrangements when investments are held in a rabbi trust and invested. Therefore, the Company also recognizes compensation expense or benefits in SG&A related to changes in the fair value of investments held in the Non-Qualified Plan and a portion of the investments held in the EDCP Plan, excluding investments in the Company's stock. As a result, during the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company's SG&A expense was increased by $0.8 million and $0.3 million, respectively, due to the change in fair value of these investments.
Interest expense increased $0.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 to $6.7 million due to the issuance of the Company's $400 million senior notes due in 2022 with an effective rate of 5.94% on June 27, 2012. The proceeds will be used to pay the $600 million special cash dividend declared by the Company's board of directors on July 26, 2012 and payable on August 23, 2012.
Income taxes: The effective income tax rate was 33.7% and 32.4% for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The effective income tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2011 reflects a nonrecurring adjustment of $1.4 million to our current federal taxes payable.
Net income: Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2012 increased by $8.6 million to $51.9 million from $43.3 million in the same period of the prior year. Excluding certain items described above, net income increased by $7.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 to $51.9 million from $44.4 million for the same period of the prior year.
Diluted EPS: Diluted EPS were $0.89 for six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $0.72 for the six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively. Excluding certain items described above, diluted EPS totaled $0.89 for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $0.74 for the same period of the prior year. The increase in diluted EPS primarily reflects the items discussed above as well as repurchases of the Company's common stock.



Liquidity and Capital Resources
Operating Activities
During the six months ended June 30, 2012, net cash provided by operating activities totaled $37.8 million compared to $32.1

50

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million during the six months ended June 30, 2011. The increase in cash flows from operating activities primarily reflects improvements in operating income partially offset by the timing of working capital items.
Net cash advanced for marketing and reservation activities totaled $2.4 million and $11.4 million during the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Cash advances during the six months ended June 30, 2012 related primarily to planned advertising and promotional cost spending in excess of fees collected and investments in information technology initiatives. Based on the current economic conditions, the Company expects marketing and reservation activities to provide cash flows from operations ranging between $7 million and $11 million in 2012.
Investing Activities
Cash utilized for investing activities totaled $10.4 million and $10.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2012 reflect an increase in capital expenditures, an increase in net financing provided to franchisees and equity method investments entered into during the six months ended June 30, 2012. These increases were partially offset by the proceeds from the sale of investments held in trust related to the Company's deferred compensation plans during the six months ended June 30, 2012. The proceeds were utilized to reimburse the Company for participant distributions made on behalf of the trust in prior years.
During the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, capital expenditures totaled $6.2 million and $5.1 million, respectively. Capital expenditures for 2012 primarily include upgrades of system-wide property and yield management systems, upgrades to information systems infrastructure and the purchase of computer software and equipment.
The Company occasionally provides financing to franchisees for property improvements, hotel development efforts and other purposes. During the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company advanced $5.8 million and $2.7 million, respectively, for these purposes. At June 30, 2012, the Company had commitments to extend an additional $8.4 million for these purposes provided certain conditions are met by its franchisees, of which $2.4 million is expected to be advanced in the next twelve months.
During the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company invested $6.3 million and $1.6 million in joint ventures accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The Company's investment in these joint ventures primarily pertain to ventures that either support the Company's efforts to increase business delivery to its franchisees or promote growth of our emerging brands.
Financing Activities
Financing cash flows relate primarily to the Company's borrowings, treasury stock purchases and dividends.
Debt
Senior Unsecured Notes due 2022
On June 27, 2012 the Company completed a $400 million unsecured note offering ("the 2012 Senior Notes") at par, bearing a coupon of 5.75% with an effective rate of 5.94%. The 2012 Senior Notes will mature on July 1, 2022, with interest to be paid semi-annually on January 1st and July 1st. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of this offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses, together with a portion of the proceeds of a proposed new credit facility, to pay the special cash dividend totaling approximately $600 million declared by the Company's board of directors on July 26, 2012 and payable to shareholders on August 23, 2012. The Company's 2012 Senior Notes are guaranteed jointly, severally, fully and unconditionally, subject to certain customary limitations by eight 100%-owned domestic subsidiaries.
The Company incurred debt issuance costs in connection with the 2012 Senior Notes totaling approximately $7.5 million. These debt issuance costs are amortized, on a straight-line basis, which is not materially different than the effective interest method, through the maturity of the 2012 Senior Notes. Amortization of these costs is included in interest expense in the consolidated statements of income.
The Company may redeem the 2012 Senior Notes at its option at a redemption price equal to the greater of (a) 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed and (b) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled principal and interest payments from the redemption date to the date of maturity discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis at the Treasury rate, plus 50 basis points.


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Senior Unsecured Notes due 2020
On August 25, 2010, the Company completed a $250 million senior unsecured note offering (“the 2010 Senior Notes”) at a discount of $0.6 million, bearing a coupon of 5.7% with an effective rate of 6.19%. The 2010 Senior Notes will mature on August 28, 2020, with interest on the 2010 Senior Notes to be paid semi-annually on February 28th and August 28th. The Company used the net proceeds from the offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and other offering expenses, to repay outstanding borrowings and other general corporate purposes. The Company's 2010 Senior Notes are guaranteed jointly, severally, fully and unconditionally, subject to certain customary limitations, by eight 100%-owned domestic subsidiaries.
The Company may redeem the 2010 Senior Notes at its option at a redemption price equal to the greater of (a) 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed and (b) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled principal and interest payments from the redemption date to the date of maturity discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis at the Treasury rate, plus 45 basis points.
Revolving Credit Facility
On February 24, 2011, the Company entered into a new $300 million senior unsecured revolving credit agreement (the “Revolver”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent and a syndicate of lenders. Simultaneously with the closing of the Revolver, the $350 million unsecured revolving credit agreement dated as of June 2006 was terminated. The Revolver provides for a $300 million unsecured revolving credit facility with a final maturity date on February 24, 2016. Up to $30 million of borrowings under the Revolver may be used for letters of credit and up to $20 million of borrowings under the Revolver may be used for swing-line loans.
The Revolver is unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior unsecured basis by all of the Company's subsidiaries that currently guarantee the obligations under the Company's Indenture governing the terms of its senior notes due 2020 and 2022.
The Company may at any time prior to the final maturity date increase the amount of the Revolver by up to an additional $150 million to the extent that any one or more lenders commit to being a lender for the additional amount and certain other customary conditions are met.
The Company may elect to have borrowings under the Revolver bear interest at (i) a base rate plus a margin ranging from 5 to 80 basis points based on the Company's credit rating or (ii) LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 105 to 180 basis points based on the Company's credit rating. In addition, the Revolver requires the Company to pay a quarterly facility fee on the full amount of the commitments under the Revolver (regardless of usage) ranging from 20 to 45 basis points based upon the credit rating of the Company.
The Revolver requires that the Company and its restricted subsidiaries comply with various covenants, including with respect to restrictions on liens, incurring indebtedness, making investments and effecting mergers and/or asset sales. In addition, the Revolver imposes financial maintenance covenants requiring the Company to maintain a total leverage ratio of not more than 3.5 to 1.0 and interest coverage ratio of at least 3.5 to 1.0. At June 30, 2012, the Company maintained a total leverage ratio of approximately 3.2x and an interest ratio coverage of approximately 11.9x. At June 30, 2012, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the Revolver.
The proceeds of the Revolver are used for general corporate purposes, including working capital, debt repayment, stock repurchases, dividends, investments and other permitted uses. As of June 30, 2012, the Company had no amounts outstanding under the Revolver.
New Senior Credit Facility

On July 25, 2012, the Company entered into a $350 million senior secured credit facility, comprised of a $200 million revolving credit tranche ("the New Revolver") and a $150 million term loan tranche (the "Term Loan") with Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and a syndication of lenders (the "New Credit Facility"). The New Credit Facility has a final maturity date of July 25, 2016, subject to an optional one-year extension, provided certain conditions are met. Up to $25 million of the borrowings under the New Revolver may be used for letters of credit, up to $10 million of borrowings under the New Revolver may be used for swing-line loans and up to $35 million of borrowings under the New Revolver may be used for alternative currency loans. The Term Loan requires quarterly amortization payments (a) during the first two years, in equal installments aggregating 5% of the original principal amount of the Term Loan per year, (b) during the second two years, in equal installments aggregating 7.5% of the original principal amount of the Term Loan per year, and (c) during the one-year extension period (if exercised), equal installments aggregating 10% of the original principal amount of the Term Loan.

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As previously announced, the Company intends to use the proceeds from the Term Loan and approximately $50 million in borrowings from the New Revolver, together with the net proceeds from the Company's recently issued senior notes offering, to pay during 2012 the special cash dividend of approximately $600 million in the aggregate to the Company's stockholders payable on August 23, 2012.

The New Credit Facility is unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by certain of the Company's domestic subsidiaries. The subsidiary guarantors currently include all subsidiaries that guarantee the obligations under the Company's Indenture governing the terms of its recently issued 5.75% senior notes due 2022 and its 5.70% senior notes due 2020.
The New Credit Facility is secured by first priority pledges of (i) 100% of the ownership interests in certain domestic subsidiaries owned by the Company and the guarantors, (ii) 65% of the ownership interests in (a) Choice Netherlands Antilles N.V. (“Choice NV”), the top-tier foreign holding company of Choice's foreign subsidiaries, and (b) the domestic subsidiary that owns Choice NV and (iii) all presently existing and future domestic franchise agreements (the “Franchise Agreements”) between the Company and individual franchisees, but only to the extent that the Franchise Agreements may be pledged without violating any law of the relevant jurisdiction or conflicting with any existing contractual obligation of the Company or the applicable franchisee. At the time that the maximum total leverage ratio is required to be no greater than 4.00 to 1.00 (beginning of year 4 of the New Credit Facility), the security interest in the Franchise Agreements will be released.
The Company may at any time prior to the final maturity date increase the amount of the New Credit Facility by up to an additional $100 million to the extent that any one or more lenders commit to being a lender for the additional amount and certain other customary conditions are met. Such additional amounts may take the form of an increased Revolver or Term Loan.
The Company may elect to have borrowings under the New Credit Facility bear interest at a rate equal to (i) LIBOR, plus a margin ranging from 200 to 425 basis points based on the Company's total leverage ratio or (ii) a base rate plus a margin ranging from 100 to 325 basis points based on the Company's total leverage ratio.
The New Credit Facility requires the Company to pay a fee on the undrawn portion of the New Revolver, calculated on the basis the average daily unused amount of the New Revolver multiplied by 0.30% per annum.
The Company may reduce the New Revolver commitment and/or prepay the Term Loan in whole or in part at any time without penalty, subject to reimbursement of customary breakage costs, if any. Any Term Loan prepayments made by the Company shall be applied to reduce the scheduled amortization payments in direct order of maturity.
Additionally, the New Credit Facility requires that the Company and its restricted subsidiaries comply with various covenants, including with respect to restrictions on liens, incurring indebtedness, making investments, paying dividends or repurchasing stock, and effecting mergers and/or asset sales. In addition, the New Credit Facility imposes financial maintenance covenants requiring the Company to maintain:
a total leverage ratio of not more than 5.75 to 1.00 in year 1, 5.00 to 1.00 in year 2, 4.50 to 1.00 in year 3 and 4.00 to 1.00 thereafter,
a maximum secured leverage ratio of not more than 2.50 to 1.00 in year 1, 2.25 to 1.00 in year 2, 2.00 to 1.00 in year 3 and 1.75 to 1.00 thereafter, and
a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 2.00 to 1.00 in years 1 and 2, 2.25 to 1.00 in year 3 and 2.50 to 1.00 thereafter.
The New Credit Facility 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 New Credit Facility to be immediately due and payable.
In connection with the entry into the New Credit Facility, the Company's $300 million senior unsecured revolving credit agreement, dated as of February 24, 2011, among the Company, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and a syndicate of lenders (the “Old Credit Facility”), was terminated and replaced by the New Credit Facility. The Old Credit Facility permitted the Company to borrow, repay and re-borrow revolving loans until the scheduled maturity date of February 24, 2016.

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Dividends

Regular Quarterly Dividends
The Company currently maintains the payment of a quarterly dividend on its common shares outstanding, however, the declaration of future dividends are subject to the discretion of our board of directors. During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Company declared and paid cash dividends at a quarterly rate of $0.185 per share. The Company's quarterly dividend rate declared during the six months ended June 30, 2012 has remained unchanged from the previous quarterly declarations. During the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company paid cash dividends totaling $21.4 million and $21.9 million, respectively. We expect that cash dividends will continue to be paid in the future, subject to future business performance, economic conditions, changes in tax regulations and other matters. Based on our present dividend rate and outstanding share count, aggregate annual regular dividends for 2012 would be approximately $42.7 million.
Special Cash Dividend

On July 26, 2012, the Company announced that its board of directors declared a special cash dividend in the amount of $10.41 per share or approximately $600 million in the aggregate. The record date for the special cash dividend is August 20, 2012 and the special cash dividend will be paid on August 23, 2012. The Company has been informed by the New York Stock Exchange that, in accordance with its rules, the ex-dividend date is expected to be August 24, 2012. Accordingly, stockholders who sell their shares on or before the payment date will not be entitled to receive the special cash dividend. The Company expects to utilize the proceeds from the 2012 Senior Notes and the New Credit Facility for payment of the special cash dividend.
Share Repurchases
During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Company repurchased 0.5 million shares of its common stock under the share repurchase program at a total cost of $19.9 million for an average price of $37.02 per share. Since the program's inception through June 30, 2012, we have repurchased 45.3 million shares (including 33.0 million prior to the two-for-one stock split effected in October 2005) of common stock at a total cost of $1.1 billion. Considering the effect of the two-for-one stock split, the Company has repurchased 78.3 million shares at an average price of $13.89 per share through June 30, 2012. At June 30, 2012 the Company had approximately 1.4 million shares remaining under the current stock repurchase authorization. Upon completion of the current authorization, our board of directors will evaluate the advisability of additional share repurchases.
Other items
Our board of directors previously authorized us to enter into programs which permit us to offer financing, investment and guaranty support to qualified franchisees as well as to acquire and resell real estate to incent franchise development for certain brands in strategic markets. Recent market conditions have resulted in an increase in opportunities to incentivize development under these programs. Over the next several years, we expect to continue to deploy capital opportunistically pursuant to these programs to promote growth of our emerging brands. The amount and timing of the investment in these programs will be dependent on market and other conditions. Our current expectation is that our annual investment in these programs will range from $20 million to $40 million. Notwithstanding these programs, the Company expects to continue to return value to its shareholders through a combination of share repurchases and dividends, subject to market and other conditions.
Approximately $89.3 million of the Company's cash and cash equivalents at June 30, 2012 pertains to undistributed earnings of the Company's consolidated foreign subsidiaries. Since the Company's intent is for such earnings to be reinvested by the foreign subsidiaries, the Company has not provided additional United States income taxes on these amounts. While the Company has no intention to utilize these cash and cash equivalents in its domestic operations, any change to this policy would result in the Company incurring additional United States income taxes on any amounts utilized domestically.
During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Company recorded one-time employee termination charges totaling $0.4 million in SG&A and marketing and reservation expenses. These charges related to salary and benefits continuation payments for employees separating from service with the Company. At June 30, 2012, the Company had approximately $0.2 million of these salary and benefits continuation payments remaining to be remitted. During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Company remitted an additional $3.6 million of termination benefits related to employee termination charges recorded in prior periods and had approximately $1.9 million of these benefits remaining to be paid. At June 30, 2012, total termination benefits of approximately $2.1 million remained to be paid and the Company expects $1.9 million of these benefits to be paid in the next twelve months. In addition, the Company expects to satisfy approximately $19.3 million of deferred compensation and retirement plan obligations during the next twelve months.
The Company believes that cash flows from operations and available financing capacity are adequate to meet the expected future operating, investing and financing needs of the business.

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Critical Accounting Policies
Our accounting policies comply with principles generally accepted in the United States. We have described below those policies that we believe are critical or require the use of complex judgment or significant estimates in their application. Additional discussion of these policies is included in Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2011 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Revenue Recognition.
We recognize continuing franchise fees, including royalty, marketing and reservations system fees, when earned and receivable from our franchisees. Franchise fees are typically based on a percentage of gross room revenues of each franchisee. Our estimate of the allowance for uncollectible royalty fees is charged to SG&A expense and our estimate of the allowance for uncollectible marketing and reservation fees is charged to marketing and reservation expenses.
Initial franchise and relicensing fees are recognized, in most instances, in the period the related franchise agreement is executed because the initial franchise and relicensing fees are non-refundable and the Company is not required to provide initial services to the franchisee prior to hotel opening. We defer the initial franchise and relicensing fee revenue related to franchise agreements which include incentives until the incentive criteria are met or the agreement is terminated, whichever occurs first.
The Company may also enter into master development agreements (“MDAs”) with developers that grant limited exclusive development rights and preferential franchise agreement terms for one-time, non-refundable fees. When these fees are not contingent upon the number of agreements executed under the MDA, the Company recognizes the up-front fees over the MDA's contractual life. Fees that are contingent upon the execution of franchise agreements under the MDA are recognized upon execution of the franchise agreement.
The Company recognizes procurement services revenues from qualified vendors when the services are performed or the product delivered, evidence of an arrangement exists, the fee is fixed and determinable and collectibility is probable. We defer the recognition of procurement services revenues related to certain upfront fees and recognize them over a period corresponding to the Company's estimate of the life of the arrangement.
Marketing and Reservation Revenues and Expenses.
The Company's franchise agreements require the payment of certain marketing and reservation system fees, which are used exclusively by the Company for expenses associated with providing franchise services such as national marketing, media advertising, central reservation systems and technology services. The Company is contractually obligated to expend the marketing and reservation system fees it collects from franchisees in accordance with the franchise agreements; as such, no income or loss to the Company is generated. In accordance with our contracts, we include in marketing and reservation expenses an allocation of costs for certain activities, such as human resources, facilities, legal, accounting, etc., required to carry out marketing and reservation activities.
The Company records marketing and reservation system revenues and expenses on a gross basis since the Company is the primary obligor in the arrangement, maintains the credit risk, establishes the price and nature of the marketing or reservation services and retains discretion in supplier selection. In addition, net advances to and repayments from the franchise system for marketing and reservation activities are presented as cash flows from operating activities.
Marketing and reservation system fees not expended in the current year are carried over to the next fiscal year and expended in accordance with the franchise agreements. Shortfall amounts are similarly recovered in subsequent years. Cumulative excess or shortfall amounts from the operation of these programs are recorded as a marketing and reservation system fee payable or receivable. Under the terms of the franchise agreements, the Company may advance capital as necessary for marketing and reservation activities and recover such advances through future fees. Our current assessment is that the credit risk associated with the marketing and reservation system fees receivable is mitigated due to our contractual right to recover these amounts from a large geographically dispersed group of franchisees. However, our ability to recover these receivables may be adversely impacted by certain factors, including, among others, declines in the ability of our franchisees to generate revenues at properties they franchise from us, lower than expected franchise system growth of certain brands and/or lower than expected international franchise system growth. An extended period of occupancy or room rate declines or a decline in the number of hotel rooms in our franchise system could result in the generation of insufficient funds to recover marketing and reservation advances as well as meet the ongoing marketing and reservation needs of the overall system.
The Company evaluates the receivable for marketing and reservation costs in excess of cumulative marketing and reservation system fees earned on a periodic basis for collectibility. The Company will record an allowance when, based on current information and events, it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due for marketing and reservation activities

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according to the contractual terms of the franchise agreements. The receivables are considered to be uncollectible if the expected net, undiscounted cash flows from marketing and reservation activities are less than the carrying amount of the asset.
Choice Privileges is our frequent guest incentive marketing program. Choice Privileges enables members to earn points based on their spending levels with our franchisees and, to a lesser degree, through participation in affiliated partners' programs, such as those offered by credit card companies. The points, which we accumulate and track on the members' behalf, may be redeemed for free accommodations or other benefits.
We provide Choice Privileges as a marketing program to franchised hotels and collect a percentage of program members' room revenue from franchises to operate the program. Revenues are deferred in an amount equal to the estimated fair value of the future redemption obligation. A third-party actuary estimates the eventual redemption rates and point values using various actuarial methods. These judgmental factors determine the required liability attributable to outstanding points. Upon redemption of points, the Company recognizes the previously deferred revenue as well as the corresponding expense relating to the cost of the awards redeemed. Revenues in excess of the estimated future redemption obligation are recognized when earned to reimburse the Company for costs incurred to operate the program, including administrative costs, marketing, promotion and performing member services. Costs to operate the program, excluding estimated redemption values, are expensed when incurred.
Valuation of Intangibles and Long-Lived Assets
The Company evaluates the potential impairment of property and equipment and other long-lived assets, including franchise rights and other definite-lived intangibles, on an annual basis or whenever an event or other circumstances indicates that we may not be able to recover the carrying value of the asset. Recoverability is measured based on net, undiscounted expected cash flows. Assets are considered to be impaired if the net, undiscounted expected cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the assets. Impairment charges are recorded based upon the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the asset. Significant management judgment is involved in developing these projections, and they include inherent uncertainties. If different projections are used in the current period, the balances for non-current assets could be materially impacted. Furthermore, if management uses different projections or if different conditions occur in future periods, future-operating results could be materially impacted.
The Company evaluates the impairment of goodwill and trademarks with indefinite lives on an annual basis, or during the year if an event or other circumstance indicate that we may not be able to recover the carrying amount of the asset. In evaluating these assets for impairment, the Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If we conclude that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, then no further testing is required. If the conclusion is that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, then a two-step impairment test is performed. Since the Company has one reporting unit, the fair value of the Company's net assets is used to determine if goodwill may be impaired. Indefinite life trademarks are considered to be impaired if the net, undiscounted expected cash flows associated with the trademark are less than their carrying amount.
Loan Loss Reserves
The Company segregates its notes receivable for the purposes of evaluating allowances for credit losses between two categories: Mezzanine and Other Notes Receivable and Forgivable Notes Receivable. The Company utilizes the level of security it has in the various notes receivable as its primary credit quality indicator (i.e. senior, subordinated or unsecured) when determining the appropriate allowances for uncollectible loans within these categories.
Mezzanine, and Other Notes Receivables
The Company has provided financing to franchisees in support of the development of properties in strategic markets. The Company expects the owners to repay the loans in accordance with the loan agreements, or earlier as the hotels mature and capital markets permit. The Company estimates the collectibility and records an allowance for loss on its mezzanine and other notes receivable when recording the receivables in the Company's financial statements. These estimates are updated quarterly based on available information.
The Company considers a loan to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that a creditor will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. All amounts due according to the contractual terms means that both the contractual interest payments and the contractual principal payments of a loan will be collected as scheduled in the loan agreement. The Company measures loan impairment based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's original effective interest rate or the estimated fair value of the collateral. For impaired loans, the Company establishes a specific impairment reserve for the difference between the recorded investment in the loan and the present value of the expected future cash flows or the estimated fair value of the collateral. The Company

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applies its loan impairment policy individually to all mezzanine and other notes receivable in the portfolio and does not aggregate loans for the purpose of applying such policy. For impaired loans, the Company recognizes interest income on a cash basis. If it is likely that a loan will not be collected based on financial or other business indicators it is the Company's policy to charge off these loans to SG&A expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income in the quarter when it is deemed uncollectible. Recoveries of impaired loans are recorded as a reduction of SG&A expenses in the quarter received.
The Company assesses the collectibility of its senior notes receivable by comparing the market value of the underlying assets to the carrying value of the outstanding notes. In addition, the Company evaluates the property's operating performance, the borrower's compliance with the terms of the loan and franchise agreements, and all related personal guarantees that have been provided by the borrower. For subordinated or unsecured receivables, the Company assesses the property's operating performance, the subordinated equity available to the Company, the borrower's compliance with the terms of loan and franchise agreements, and the related personal guarantees that have been provided by the borrower.
The Company considers loans to be past due and in default when payments are not made when due. Although the Company considers loans to be in default if payments are not received on the due date, the Company does not suspend the accrual of interest until those payments are more than 30 days past due. The Company applies payments received for loans on non-accrual status first to interest and then principal. The Company does not resume interest accrual until all delinquent payments are received.
Forgivable Notes Receivable
In certain instances, the Company may provide financing to franchisees for property improvements and other purposes in the form of forgivable promissory notes which bear interest at market rates. Under these promissory notes, the franchisee promises to repay the principal sum together with interest upon maturity unless certain conditions are met throughout the term of the promissory note. The principal sum and related interest are forgiven ratably over the term of the promissory note if the franchisee remains in the system in good standing. If during the term of the promissory note, the franchisee exits our franchise system or is not operating their franchise in accordance with our quality or credit standards, the Company may declare a default under the promissory note and commence collection efforts with respect to the full amount of the then-current outstanding principal and interest.

In accordance with the terms of the promissory notes, the initial principal sum and related interest are ratably reduced over the term of the loan on each anniversary date until the outstanding amounts are reduced to zero as long as the franchisee remains within the franchise system and operates in accordance with our quality and brand standards. As a result, the amounts recorded as an asset on the Company's consolidated balance sheet are also ratably reduced since the amounts forgiven no longer represent probable future economic benefits to the Company. The Company records the reduction of its recorded assets through amortization expense on its consolidated statements of income.

The Company fully reserves all defaulted notes in addition to recording a reserve on the estimated uncollectible portion of the remaining notes. For those notes not in default, the Company calculates an allowance for losses and determines the ultimate collectibility on these forgivable notes based on the historical default rates for those unsecured notes that are not forgiven but are required to be repaid. The Company records bad debt expense in SG&A expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income in the quarter when the note is deemed uncollectible.
Stock Compensation.
The Company's policy is to recognize compensation cost related to share-based payment transactions in the financial statements based on the fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued. Compensation expense related to the fair value of share-based awards is recognized over the requisite service period based on an estimate of those awards that will ultimately vest. The Company estimates the share-based compensation expense for awards that will ultimately vest upon inception of the grant and adjusts the estimate of share-based compensation for those awards with performance and/or service requirements that will not be satisfied so that compensation cost is recognized only for awards that ultimately vest.
Income Taxes.
Income taxes are recorded using the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. A valuation allowance is provided for deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not such assets will be unrealized. Deferred U.S. income taxes have not been recorded for temporary differences related to investments in certain foreign subsidiaries and corporate affiliates. The temporary differences consist primarily of undistributed earnings that are considered permanently reinvested in operations outside the U.S. If management's intentions change in the future, deferred taxes may need to be provided.

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With respect to uncertain income tax positions, a tax liability is recorded in full when management determines that the position does not meet the more likely than not threshold of being sustained on examination. A tax liability may also be recognized for a position that meets the more likely than not threshold, based upon management's assessment of the position's probable settlement value. The Company records interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits in the provision for income taxes.
Pension, Profit Sharing and Incentive Plans
The Company sponsors two non-qualified retirement savings and investment plans for certain employees and senior executives. Employee and Company contributions are maintained in separate irrevocable trusts. Legally, the assets of the trusts remain those of the Company; however, access to the trusts' assets is severely restricted. The trusts' cannot be revoked by the Company or an acquirer, but the assets are subject to the claims of the Company's general creditors. The participants do not have the right to assign or transfer contractual rights in the trusts.
In 2002, the Company adopted the Choice Hotels International, Inc. Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (“EDCP”) which became effective January 1, 2003. Under the EDCP, certain executive officers may defer a portion of their salary into an irrevocable trust. Prior to January 1, 2010, participants could elect an investment return of either the annual yield of the Moody's Average Corporate Bond Rate Yield Index plus 300 basis points, or a return based on a selection of available diversified investment options. Effective January 1, 2010, the Moody's Average Corporate Bond Rate Yield Index plus 300 basis points is no longer an investment option for salary deferrals made on compensation earned after December 31, 2009. The Company recorded current and long-term deferred compensation liabilities of $15.9 million and $17.2 million, as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, related to these deferrals and credited investment returns. Compensation expense is recorded in SG&A expense on the Company's consolidated statements of income based on the change in the deferred compensation obligation related to earnings credited to participants as well as changes in the fair value of diversified investments. Compensation expense recorded in SG&A for each of the six month periods ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 was $0.5 million.
The Company has invested the employee salary deferrals in diversified long-term investments which are intended to provide investment returns that partially offset the earnings credited to the participants. The diversified investments held in the trusts totaled $7.4 million and $14.2 million as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, and are recorded at their fair value, based on quoted market prices. At June 30, 2012, the Company expects $5.2 million of the assets held in the trust to be distributed to participants during the next twelve months. These investments are considered trading securities and therefore the changes in the fair value of the diversified assets is included in other gains and losses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. The Company recorded investment gains during the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 of approximately $1.1 million and $0.5 million, respectively. In addition, the EDCP Plan held shares of the Company's common stock at a market value of $0.1 million at June 30, 2012 which were recorded as a component of shareholders' deficit.
In 1997, the Company adopted the Choice Hotels International, Inc. Non-Qualified Retirement Savings and Investment Plan (“Non-Qualified Plan”). The Non-Qualified Plan allows certain employees who do not participate in the EDCP to defer a portion of their salary and invest these amounts in a selection of available diversified investment options. As of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had recorded a deferred compensation liability of $10.9 million and $10.4 million, respectively related to these deferrals. Compensation expense is recorded in SG&A expense on the Company's consolidated statements of income based on the change in the deferred compensation obligation related to earnings credited to participants as well as changes in the fair value of diversified investments. The net increase in compensation expense recorded in SG&A for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 was $0.6 million and $0.2 million respectively.
The diversified investments held in the trusts were $10.0 million and $9.5 million as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, and are recorded at their fair value, based on quoted market prices. These investments are considered trading securities and therefore the changes in the fair value of the diversified assets is included in other gains and losses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. The Company recorded investment gains during the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 of approximately $0.6 million and $0.3 million, respectively. In addition, the Non-Qualified Plan held shares of the Company's common stock with a market value of $0.9 million at both June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, which are recorded as a component of shareholders' deficit.
New Accounting Standards
See Footnote No. 1 “Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance” of the Notes to our Financial Statements for information related to our adoption of new accounting standards in 2012 and for information on our anticipated adoption of recently issued accounting standards.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain matters discussed in this quarterly report constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private

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Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Generally, our use of words such as "expect," "estimate," "believe," "anticipate," "will," "forecast," "plan”," project," "assume" or similar words of futurity identify such 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 the Company's revenue, earnings and other financial and operational measures, Company debt levels, ability to repay outstanding indebtedness, payment of dividends, and future operations, 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 actual results, performance or achievements of the Company 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;  operating risks common in the lodging and 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; our ability to keep pace with improvements in technology utilized for reservations systems and other operating systems; fluctuations in the supply and demand for hotels rooms; and our ability to manage effectively our indebtedness.  These and other risk factors are discussed in detail in the Risk Factors section of the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 29, 2012.  We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


ITEM 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates and the impact of fluctuations in foreign currencies on the Company's foreign investments and operations. The Company manages its exposure to these market risks through the monitoring of its available financing alternatives including in certain circumstances the use of derivative financial instruments. We are also subject to risk from changes in debt and equity prices from our non-qualified retirement savings plan investments in debt securities and common stock, which have a carrying value of $17.4 million and $23.8 million at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively which we account for as trading securities. The Company will continue to monitor the exposure in these areas and make the appropriate adjustments as market conditions dictate.
At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company did not have any borrowings outstanding under is variable interest rate debt instrument. The Company expects to refinance its fixed and variable long-term debt obligations prior to their scheduled maturities.
The Company does not presently have any derivative financial instruments.

ITEM 4.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The Company has a disclosure review committee whose membership includes the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), among others. The CEO and CFO consider the disclosure review committee's procedures in performing their evaluations of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) and in assessing the accuracy and completeness of the Company's disclosures.
An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's CEO and CFO of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, the Company's management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 30, 2012.
There has been no change in the Company's internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2012, that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect the Company's internal controls over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is not a party to any litigation other than routine litigation incidental to business. The Company's management and legal counsel do not expect that the ultimate outcome of any of its currently ongoing legal proceedings, individually or collectively, will have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
During 2011, the Company filed suit in United States District Court against a franchisee for breach of contract, trademark infringement, fraudulent inducement and negligent misrepresentation. The franchisee filed an arbitration action against the Company alleging wrongful termination of its franchise agreements.  The parties agreed to litigate all claims in an arbitration action which was settled on April 4, 2012. The settlement of the arbitration action did not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements. 

ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in Part I, Item 1A to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, except as disclosed below. In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K as well as the risk factor described below are not the only risks facing our Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.
Our increased leverage could adversely affect our financial health; future cash flows may not be sufficient to meet our obligations and we may have difficulty obtaining additional financing; and we may experience adverse effects of interest rate fluctuations
As the result of our recent offering of 5.75% Senior Notes due 2022 and consummation of a new credit facility, we have substantially increased our level of indebtedness.
There can be no assurance in the future that we will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or through asset sales to meet our debt service obligations. Our present indebtedness and future borrowings could have important adverse consequences to us, such as:
making it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our existing indebtedness;
limiting our ability to obtain additional financing without restructuring the covenants in our existing indebtedness to permit the incurrence of such financing;
requiring a substantial portion of our cash flow to be used for principal and interest payments on the debt, thereby reducing our ability to use cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures and general corporate requirements;
limiting our ability to respond to changing business, industry and economic conditions and to withstand competitive pressures, which may affect our financial condition;
causing us to incur higher interest expense in the event of increases in interest rates on our borrowings that have variable interest rates or in the event of refinancing existing debt at higher interest rates;
limiting our ability to make investments, dispose of assets, pay cash dividends or repurchase stock;
increasing our vulnerability to downturns in our business, our industry or the general economy and restricting us from making improvements or acquisitions or exploring business opportunities;
placing us at a competitive disadvantage to competitors with less debt or greater resources; and
subjecting us to financial and other restrictive covenants in our indebtedness the non-compliance with which could result in an event of default.
We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations to enable us to pay our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs. If we fail to generate sufficient cash flow from future operations to meet our debt service obligations, we may need to refinance all or a portion of our debt on or before maturity. We cannot assure you that we will be able to refinance any of our debt on attractive terms, commercially reasonable terms or at all, particularly because of our anticipated increased levels of debt and the debt incurrence restrictions that we expect to be imposed by the agreements governing our debt. Our future operating performance and our ability to service, extend or refinance our indebtedness will be subject to future economic conditions and to financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.

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The borrowings under our new credit facility are at variable rates of interest, and to the extent not protected with interest rate hedges, could expose us to market risk from adverse changes in interest rates. Unless we enter into interest rate hedges, if interest rates increase, our debt service obligations on the variable-rate indebtedness could increase significantly even though the amount borrowed would remain the same.


ITEM 2.
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The following table sets forth purchases and redemptions of Choice Hotels International, Inc. common stock made by the Company during the six months ended June 30, 2012:
 
Month Ending
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
or Redeemed
 
Average Price
Paid per Share
 
Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs(1),(2)
 
Maximum Number of
Shares that may yet be
Purchased Under  the Plans
or Programs, End of Period
January 31, 2012
 
90,978

 
$
36.42

 
90,978

 
1,865,584

February 29, 2012
 
161,241

 
36.29

 
110,077

 
1,755,507

March 31, 2012
 
152,302

 
37.35

 
148,304

 
1,607,203

April 30, 2012
 
162,025

 
37.28

 
161,927

 
1,445,276

May 31, 2012
 
33,537

 
38.11

 
26,285

 
1,418,991

June 30, 2012
 

 

 

 
1,418,991

Total
 
600,083

 
$
36.95

 
537,571

 
1,418,991

 _______________________
(1)
The Company’s share repurchase program was initially approved by the board of directors on June 25, 1998. The program has no fixed dollar amount or expiration date.
(2)
During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Company redeemed 62,512 shares of common stock from employees to satisfy minimum tax-withholding requirements related to the vesting of restricted stock grants. These redemptions were not part of the board repurchase authorization.

ITEM 3.
DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.

ITEM 4.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
None

ITEM 5.
OTHER INFORMATION
None.

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Table of Contents

ITEM 6.
EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number and Description

Exhibit
Number
 
Description
 
 
 
3.01(a)
 
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Choice Hotels Franchising, Inc. (renamed Choice Hotels International, Inc.)
 
 
 
3.02(b)
 
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Choice Hotels International, Inc.
 
 
 
4.01(c)
 
Second Supplemental Indenture, dated June 27, 2012, among Choice Hotels International, Inc., the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association
 
 
 
10.01(d)
 
Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated May 24, 2012, between Choice Hotels International, Inc. and Stephen P. Joyce
 
 
 
31.1*
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a)
 
 
 
31.2*
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a)
 
 
 
32*
 
Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
 
 
 
101.INS*
 
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
 
101.SCH*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
 
101.CAL*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
101.DEF*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
 
101.LAB*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document
 
 
 
101.PRE*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document
 
 
 

We advise users of this data that pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T this interactive data file is deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.
 _______________________
*
Filed herewith
(a)
Incorporated by reference to the identical document filed as an exhibit to Choice Hotels International, Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed August 30, 1998 (Reg. No. 333-62543).
(b)
Incorporated by reference to the identical document filed as an exhibit to Choice Hotels international, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 16, 2010.
(c)
Incorporated by reference to the identical document filed as an exhibit to Choice Hotels International, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 27, 2012.
(d)
Incorporated by reference to the identical document filed as an exhibit to Choice Hotels International, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed May 25, 2012.


62

Table of Contents

SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
 
 
 
August 9, 2012
By:
/S/ DAVID L. WHITE
 
 
David L. White
 
 
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer


63