ARKO Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020 Financial Results

RICHMOND, Va., March 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ARKO Corp. (Nasdaq: ARKO) (“ARKO” or the “Company”), a growing leader in the U.S. convenience store industry, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2020.

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020 Key Highlights

• Net earnings improvement of 66% for the quarter to a loss of $6.7 million compared to the prior quarter in 2019, and net income for the year of $30.1 million, an increase of 164%.
• Operating cash flow generated of $47.3 million for the quarter, an increase of 774%, and $173.8 million for 2020, an increase of 302%.
• Retail fuel margin for the quarter increase of 48% to 29.3 cents per gallon and increase for the full year of 54% to 31.9 cents per gallon, which more than offset reduced same stores gallons sold of 15.8% and 16.5% for the quarter and full year, respectively.
• Same store merchandise sales increase of 3.3% and 3.5% for the fourth quarter and full year, respectively, with an increase of 4.5% in the period from April to December 2020, compared to the same period in the prior year. Same store merchandise margin increased to 27.1% from 26.6% for the quarter and increased to 27.1% from 27.0% for the full year.
• Adjusted EBITDA, net of incremental bonuses for the quarter was $40.6 million, an increase of 249%; Adjusted EBITDA, net of incremental bonuses for the year was $183.4 million, an increase of 135%, which was in line with the Company’s previously increased expectations for full year 2020.  
• Completed the purchase of the business of Empire Petroleum Partners, LLC (the “Empire Acquisition”), materially enhancing our wholesale business and providing a future opportunity to meaningfully reduce fuel procurement costs. Added 1,453 wholesale sites to our network in addition to 84 retail sites, which increased our footprint through expansion into 10 new states and will double our gallons sold.
• On December 22, 2020, ARKO acquired all minority interests in GPM Investments, LLC (GPM), our operating company. Additionally, we purchased all of the minority interests with the exception of a third-party with a 0.29% holding in one of our subsidiaries that distributes fuel to our locations (GPMP).
  

Arie Kotler, Chief Executive Officer of ARKO Corp., commented, “This quarter marked an important milestone as we became a U.S.-listed public company, and we are pleased to have reported strong financial results in the midst of a challenging operating environment. Our industry is highly fragmented and ripe for consolidation, and we are proud that we have built a large platform with our strong track record of acquisitions. We recently announced the pending acquisition of 61 sites from ExpressStop and remain focused on driving the next chapter of growth through our multi-year remodel program and other compelling organic growth opportunities that we expect will deliver long-term value for all of our stakeholders.”

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020 Segment Highlights

Retail

For the fourth quarter and full year, retail fuel profitability (excluding intercompany charges by our wholesale fuel distribution subsidiary, GPM Petroleum (“GPMP”)) increased approximately $21.8 million and approximately $84.0 million, respectively, compared to the prior year periods. This was due to a higher retail fuel margin that more than offset the decline in gallons sold, which decline in gallons was primarily a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. These increases were also enhanced by the Empire Acquisition and the full year impact of acquisitions made in 2019. Retail fuel gallons sold decreased 3.7% for the quarter and 10.0% for the full year, as compared to 2019, primarily driven by the impact of lower traffic levels due to COVID-19. Similarly, on a same store basis, fourth quarter and full year retail fuel gallons sold declined 15.8% and 16.5%, respectively, as compared to 2019.

Same stores merchandise sales increased 3.3% for the quarter and 3.5% for the year. Total merchandise contribution increased $12.0 million for the quarter and $33.8 million for the year compared to the prior year primarily due to increases in core merchandise categories. These increases were also enhanced by the Empire Acquisition and the full year impact of acquisitions made in 2019.

Wholesale

For the fourth quarter and full year, wholesale fuel profitability (excluding intercompany charges by GPMP) increased approximately $15.2 million for the quarter and approximately $16.1 million for the full year compared to the prior year, with the Empire Acquisition accounting for the majority of the growth. Wholesale fuel margin calculated as cents per gallon were down for the quarter and full year versus prior year due to the Empire Acquisition as a majority of the acquired gallons are sold on a fixed markup basis as opposed to a consignment agent relationship which involves a profit split with the dealer.

Liquidity and Capital Expenditures

As of December 31, 2020, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents were $296.4 million, plus $31.8 million of restricted investments, and outstanding debt was $749.8 million, resulting in net debt of $421.6 million and a net debt to Adjusted EBITDA, net of incremental bonuses, leverage ratio of 2.3x. Capital expenditures were $44.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to $58.3 million for the prior year. As of December 31, 2020, there were 124.1 million shares of common stock outstanding.

Empire Acquisition

In October 2020, we consummated the Empire Acquisition, which at the time of the acquisition added to our business the direct operation of 84 convenience stores and supply of fuel to 1,453 independently operated fueling stations in 30 states and the District of Columbia. As a result of the closing of the Empire Acquisition, we now operate stores or supply fuel in 33 states and the District of Columbia.

Store Network Update

The following tables present certain information regarding changes in our store network for the time periods presented:

Business Combination

On December 22, 2020, ARKO Holdings Ltd., an Israeli public company, and Haymaker Acquisition Corp. II, a special purpose acquisition company, completed their business combination to form ARKO Corp. The common stock and warrants of ARKO Corp. began trading on Nasdaq under the new ticker symbols “ARKO” and “ARKOW,” respectively, on December 23, 2020. Please see the press release dated December 22, 2020 on ARKO Corp.’s Investor Relations website for more details related to the business combination at https://www.arkocorp.com/news-events/press-releases.

Conference Call and Webcast Details

The Company will host a conference call to discuss these results today at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Investors interested in participating in the live call can dial 877-605-1792 or 201-689-8728. A telephone replay will be available approximately two hours after the call concludes through April 8, 2021, by dialing 877-660-6853 or 201-612-7415 and entering confirmation code 13717487.

There will also be a simultaneous, live webcast available on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at https://www.arkocorp.com/. The webcast will be archived for 30 days.

About ARKO Corp.

ARKO Corp. (Nasdaq: ARKO) owns 100% of GPM Investments, LLC (“GPM”). Based in Richmond, VA, GPM was founded in 2003 with 169 stores and has grown through acquisitions to become the 7^th largest convenience store chain in the United States, operating or supplying fuel to approximately 2,950 locations in 33 states and the District of Columbia, comprised of approximately 1,350 company-operated stores and approximately 1,600 dealer sites to which we supply fuel. We operate in three reportable segments: retail, which consists of fuel and merchandise sales to retail consumers; wholesale, which supplies fuel to third-party dealers and consignment agents; and GPMP, which supplies fuel to our sites (both in the retail and wholesale segments). Our stores offer fas REWARDS® high value loyalty program, a large selection of beverages, coffee, fountain drinks, candy, salty snacks, and many other products to meet the needs of the everyday customer.

Forward-Looking Statements

This document includes certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may address, among other things, our expected financial and operational results and the related assumptions underlying our expected results. These forward-looking statements are distinguished by use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and the negative of these terms, and similar references to future periods. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations due to, among other things, changes in economic, business and market conditions; our ability to maintain the listing of our common stock and warrants on the Nasdaq Stock Market; changes in our strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects and plans; expansion plans and opportunities; changes in the markets in which we compete; changes in applicable laws or regulations, including those relating to environmental matters; market conditions and global and economic factors beyond our control, including the potential adverse effects of the ongoing global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on capital markets, general economic conditions, unemployment and our liquidity, operations and personnel; and the outcome of any known or unknown litigation and regulatory proceedings. Detailed information about these factors and additional important factors can be found in the documents that ARKO files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements were made. ARKO assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law.

Media Contact

Andrew Petro
Matter on behalf of ARKO
(978) 518-4531
apetro@matternow.com

Investor Contact

Chris Mandeville
(203) 682-8200
ARKO@icrinc.com

In the Business Combination, Arko Holdings was deemed the accounting acquirer. As such, the historical financial statements of Arko Holdings became the historical financial statements of the combined company. As a result, the financial information included herein reflect the historical operating results of Arko Holdings prior to the closing of the business combination and the combined results of the Company following the closing of the business combination.  Additionally, the Company’s equity structure has been reclassified in all comparative periods up to the closing of the business combination to reflect the number of shares of the Company’s common stock issued to Arko Holdings’ stockholders in connection with the recapitalization transaction. As such, the share counts, corresponding common stock amounts and earnings per share related to Arko Holdings’ common stock prior to the business combination have been retroactively reclassified as shares reflecting the exchange ratio established in accordance with the Business Combination.

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

We disclose non-GAAP measures on a “same store basis,” which exclude the results of any store that is not a “same store” for the applicable period. A store is considered a same store beginning in the first quarter in which the store has a full quarter of activity in the prior year. We believe that this information provides greater comparability regarding our ongoing operating performance. These measures should not be considered an alternative to measurements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and are non-GAAP financial measures.

We define EBITDA as net income (loss) before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA further adjusts EBITDA by excluding the gain or loss on disposal of assets, impairment charges, acquisition costs, other non-cash items, and other unusual or non-recurring charges. Adjusted EBITDA, net of incremental bonuses further adjusts Adjusted EBITDA by excluding incremental bonuses based on 2020 performance. None of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA or Adjusted EBITDA, net of incremental bonuses are presented in accordance with GAAP and are non-GAAP financial measures.

We use EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, net of incremental bonuses for operational and financial decision-making and believe these measures are useful in evaluating our performance because they eliminate certain items that we do not consider indicators of our operating performance. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, net of incremental bonuses are also used by many of our investors, securities analysts, and other interested parties in evaluating our operational and financial performance across reporting periods. We believe that the presentation of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, net of incremental bonuses provides useful information to investors by allowing an understanding of key measures that we use internally for operational decision-making, budgeting, evaluating acquisition targets, and assessing our operating performance.

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, net of incremental bonuses are not recognized terms under GAAP and should not be considered as a substitute for net income (loss), cash flows from operating activities, or other income or cash flow statement data. These measures have limitations as analytical tools, and should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. We strongly encourage investors to review our financial statements and publicly filed reports in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure.

Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, same stores measures, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, net of incremental bonuses, as defined by us, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. It therefore may not be possible to compare our use of these non-GAAP financial measures with those used by other companies.

The following table contains a reconciliation of net income (loss) to EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, net of incremental bonuses for the time periods presented:

(a) Eliminates the non-cash portion of rent, which reflects the extent to which our GAAP rent expense recognized exceeds (or is less than) our cash rent payments. The GAAP rent expense adjustment can vary depending on the terms of our lease portfolio, which has been impacted by our recent acquisitions. For newer leases, our rent expense recognized typically exceeds our cash rent payments, while for more mature leases, rent expense recognized is typically less than our cash rent payments.

(b) Eliminates costs incurred that are directly attributable to historical business acquisitions and salaries of employees whose primary job function is to execute our acquisition strategy and facilitate integration of acquired operations.

(c) Eliminates the gain on bargain purchase recognized as a result of the Town Star acquisition in 2019 and E-Z Mart acquisition in 2018.

(d) Eliminates the non-cash loss (gain) from the sale of property and equipment, the gain recognized upon the sale of related leased assets, including $6.0 million related to the sale of eight stores in 2019, and impairment charges on property and equipment and right-of-use assets related to closed and non-performing stores.

(e) Eliminates non-cash share-based compensation expense related to the equity incentive program in place to incentivize, retain, and motivate our employees and officers.

(f) Eliminates our share of loss attributable to our unconsolidated equity investment.

(g) Eliminates non-beneficial cost related to potential initial public offering of master limited partnership.

(h) Eliminates the impact of mainly timing differences related to amounts paid in settlement of a pension fund claim filed against GPM.

(i) Eliminates the one-time expense associated with our global merchandising optimization efforts in 2019.

(j) Eliminates the payment of historical fuel tax liabilities owed for multiple prior periods.

(k) Eliminates other unusual or non-recurring items that we do not consider to be meaningful in assessing operating performance.

(l) Eliminates incremental bonuses based on 2020 performance.