European Wax Center, Inc. Prices $400 Million Securitized Financing Facility

Rhea-AI Summary

European Wax Center (NASDAQ:EWCZ) priced $400 million of Series 2022-1 Class A-2 Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes with a fixed interest rate of 5.50%, payable quarterly. The notes are part of a refinancing transaction expected to close in April 2022. The net proceeds, approximately $374 million, will be used to repay existing debt and fund a special dividend to shareholders. The final dividend amount and timing are subject to the board's determination. This issuance aims to enhance liquidity and financial stability amidst market uncertainties.

Positive

• Issuance of $400 million in fixed-rate senior secured notes improves liquidity.
• Approximately $374 million in net proceeds will reduce existing debt, strengthening financial position.
• Potential special dividend could enhance shareholder value.

Negative

• Repayment of $180 million in existing senior secured credit facilities may indicate previous financial stress.
• The timing and amount of the special dividend remain uncertain, reliant on board approval.

PLANO, Texas, March 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- European Wax Center, Inc. (NASDAQ:EWCZ) (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”) today announced that it has priced $400 million of Series 2022-1 Class A-2 Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes (the “Class A-2 Notes”) with an anticipated repayment term of five years, an aggregate principal amount of $400 million and a fixed interest rate of 5.50% per annum, payable quarterly. The Class A-2 Notes are expected to be issued by EWC Master Issuer LLC, a newly-formed, limited-purpose, bankruptcy remote indirect subsidiary of European Wax Center, Inc. in a privately placed securitization transaction.

In addition to the Class A-2 Notes, the refinancing transaction is also expected to include a $40 million variable funding note facility (the “Variable Funding Notes”). As of the closing, none of the Variable Funding Notes are expected to be drawn.

The Company estimates that the net proceeds of the Class A-2 Notes after deducting transaction expenses and original issue discount will be approximately $374 million. The net proceeds are expected to be used:

• to repay all of the existing indebtedness under the existing senior secured credit facilities. As of December 25, 2021, the Company had an outstanding principal amount of term loans under its senior secured credit facilities of $180.0 million; and
• to fund a one-time special dividend to stockholders.
  

The timing and amount of any dividend, including whether to fund in part with available excess cash, remains subject to the determination of the Company’s board of directors.

The Company expects the Class A-2 Notes and the Variable Funding Notes transactions to close in April 2022, subject to satisfaction of various closing conditions. There can be no assurance regarding the timing of closing or that the sale of the Class A-2 Notes will be completed. The Company plans to update its financial outlook provided March 15, 2022 upon closing of the transactions.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the Notes or any other security. The Notes to be offered have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933.

About European Wax Center

European Wax Center, Inc. (NASDAQ: EWCZ) is the largest and fastest-growing franchisor and operator of out-of-home waxing services in the United States providing guests with an unparalleled, professional personal care experience administered by highly trained wax specialists within the privacy of clean, individual waxing suites. European Wax Center, Inc. continues to revolutionize the waxing industry with their innovative Comfort Wax formulated with the highest quality ingredients to make waxing a more efficient and relatively painless experience. Delivering a 360-degree guest experience, it also offers a collection of proprietary products to help enhance and extend waxing results. Founded in 2004, European Wax Center, Inc. is headquartered in Plano, Texas. Its network includes 853 centers in 44 states as of December 25, 2021. For more information, including how to receive your first wax free, please visit: https://waxcenter.com.

Investor Contacts  
Amir Yeganehjoo
Amir.Yeganehjoo@myewc.com
469-217-7486

Bethany Johns
Bethany.Johns@myewc.com
469-270-6888

Media Contact
Creative Media Marketing
Meredith Needle
Ewc@cmmpr.com
212-979-8884

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements in this press release include but are not limited to statements regarding the planned whole business securitization, including the size and timing thereof, and expected proceeds therefrom, and regarding the planned one-time special dividend to stockholders, which is subject to the Board’s determination as well as contractual and legal restrictions. Words including “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “will,” or “would,” or, in each case, the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements or information that refer to expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, performance or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking.

These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: potential future impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including from variants thereof; the operational and financial results of its franchisees; the ability of its franchisees to enter new markets, select appropriate sites for new centers or open new centers; the effectiveness of the Company’s marketing and advertising programs and the active participation of franchisees in enhancing the value of its brand; the failure of its franchisees to participate in and comply with its agreements, business model and policies; the Company’s and its franchisees’ ability to attract and retain guests; the effect of social media on the Company’s reputation; the Company’s ability to compete with other industry participants and respond to market trends and changes in consumer preferences; the effect of the Company’s planned growth on its managements, employees, information systems and internal controls; a significant failure, interruptions or security breach of the Company’s computer systems or information technology; the Company and its franchisees’ ability to attract, train, and retain talented wax specialists and managers; changes in the availability or cost of labor; the Company’s ability to retain its franchisees and to maintain the quality of existing franchisees; failure of the Company’s franchisees to implement business development plans; the ability of the Company’s limited key suppliers, including international suppliers, and distribution centers to deliver its products; changes in supply costs and decreases in the Company’s product sourcing revenue; the Company’s ability to adequately protect its intellectual property; the impact of paying some of the Company’s pre-IPO owners for certain tax benefits it may claim; changes in general economic and business conditions; the Company’s and its franchisees’ ability to comply with existing and future health, employment and other governmental regulations; complaints or litigation that may adversely affect the Company’s business and reputation; the seasonality of the Company’s business resulting in fluctuations in its results of operations; the impact of global crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company’s operations and financial performance; the impact of rising interest rates on the Company’s business; the Company’s access to sources of liquidity and capital to finance its continued operations and growth strategy and the planned one-time special dividend to stockholders and the other important factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Registration Statement filed on Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), as such factors may be updated from time to time in its other filings with the SEC accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and Investors Relations section of the Company’s website at www.waxcenter.com, including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 25, 2021.

These and other important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any forward-looking statement that the Company makes in this press release speaks only as of the date of such statement. Except as required by law, the Company does not have any obligation to update or revise, or to publicly announce any update or revision to, any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

FAQ

What are the details of the recent financing by European Wax Center (EWCZ)?

European Wax Center has priced $400 million of Class A-2 Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes at a 5.50% interest rate, expected to close in April 2022.

How much net proceeds will European Wax Center receive from the notes issuance?

The net proceeds are estimated at approximately $374 million after transaction expenses.

What will European Wax Center do with the proceeds from the notes issuance?

The proceeds will be used to repay existing debt and potentially fund a special dividend to shareholders.

Is there a special dividend planned for European Wax Center shareholders?

Yes, a one-time special dividend is planned, but its amount and timing will depend on the board's approval.

When is the closing date for the Class A-2 Notes transaction by EWCZ?

The transaction is expected to close in April 2022, subject to various closing conditions.