PLANET FITNESS COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF SUNSHINE FITNESS AND REFINANCING TRANSACTION

Rhea-AI Summary

Planet Fitness has successfully completed the acquisition of Sunshine Fitness Growth Holdings, which includes 114 fitness locations across several southeastern states. This move, valued at up to $325 million, aligns with Planet Fitness's strategy to increase its corporate store ownership to 10 percent of its portfolio, enhancing its asset-light model. Additionally, the Company issued $900 million in Senior Secured Notes to finance the acquisition and refinance existing debt. CEO Chris Rondeau emphasized the long-term opportunities for growth within the fitness industry amidst current market challenges.

Positive

• Acquisition of Sunshine Fitness expands corporate portfolio by 114 locations.
• Transaction value of up to $325 million enhances growth potential.
• Increase in corporate store ownership to 10% aligns with asset-light strategy.
• CEO highlights long-term growth opportunities despite market challenges.

Negative

• Increased indebtedness from a $900 million securitized note issuance.
• Potential risks associated with COVID-19 impacting store operations and membership.

HAMPTON, N.H., Feb. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Planet Fitness, Inc. (NYSE:PLNT) (together with its subsidiaries, the "Company") today announced that it has completed its previously announced acquisition of Sunshine Fitness Growth Holdings, LLC ("Sunshine Fitness") and refinancing transaction.

Sunshine Fitness was the first franchisee in the Planet Fitness system and has been backed by TSG Consumer Partners since 2017. Sunshine Fitness operates 114 locations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina that are now combined into the current Planet Fitness company-owned portfolio, which is predominantly located in the Northeast. Shane McGuiness, co-founder and CEO of Sunshine Fitness, who has been an owner and operator in the Planet Fitness system for nearly 20 years, will now serve as President, Corporate Clubs, and will oversee operations of the combined corporate store portfolio.

"While many brands are retracting, we believe that there's tremendous long-term untapped opportunity for our brand to help people begin their wellness journey, which is why we're making strategic investments such as the acquisition of Sunshine Fitness, one of our best-performing franchisees in the system," said Chris Rondeau, Chief Executive Officer of Planet Fitness. "We now own more than 200 corporate stores, or approximately 10 percent of our total system, which is our target ownership level that allows us to retain our asset-light business model -- an important part of our shareholder value proposition."

The new series of securitized notes (the "2022 Notes") include $900 million Class A-2 Senior Secured Notes (the "Senior Notes"), which consist of two tranches: the Class A-2-I Senior Secured Notes with an anticipated repayment date of five years, with a principal amount of $425 million and a fixed interest rate of 3.251% per annum, payable quarterly; and the Class A-2-II Senior Secured Notes with an anticipated repayment date of ten years, with a principal amount of $475 million and a fixed interest rate of 4.008% per annum, payable quarterly. The 2022 Notes also include a revolving financing facility that allows for the issuance of up to $75 million in variable funding notes, which was drawn in full in connection with the closing.

The proceeds from the placement of the Senior Notes will be used as follows:

• to repay in full the approximately $556.3 million in aggregate principal amount of the Series 2018-1 Class A-2-I Notes (together with any accrued and unpaid interest on such Series 2018-1 Class A-2-I Notes),
• to pay the transaction costs and fund the reserve accounts associated with the securitized financing facility, and
• to fund a portion of the acquisition of Sunshine Fitness in an amount up to $325 million.

The Company will discuss the financial impacts of this transaction during its fourth quarter 2021 earnings call on February 24, 2022. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the 2022 Notes or any other security. The 2022 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 Planet Fitness

Founded in 1992 in Dover, NH, Planet Fitness is one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the United States by number of members and locations. As of December 31, 2021, Planet Fitness had 15.2 million members and 2,254 stores in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, Panama, Mexico and Australia. The Company's mission is to enhance people's lives by providing a high-quality fitness experience in a welcoming, non-intimidating environment, which we call the Judgement Free Zone®. More than 90% of Planet Fitness stores are owned and operated by independent business men and women.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws, which involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include the Company's statements with respect to the expected use of proceeds from the sale of the Class A-2 Notes and to the acquisition of Sunshine Fitness and potential benefits therefrom, as well as other statements, estimates and projections that do not relate solely to historical facts. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "believe," "expect," "goal," "plan," "will," "prospects," "future," "strategy" and similar references to future periods, although not all forward-looking statements include these identifying words. Forward-looking statements are not assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on the Company's current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding its ability to successfully complete the refinancing transactions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of the Company's control. Actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially include risks and uncertainties associated with the duration and impact of COVID-19, which has resulted and may continue to result in store closures and a decrease in the Company's net membership base and may give rise to or heighten one or more of the other risks and uncertainties described herein, the Company's ability to consummate the refinancing transactions on terms acceptable to the Company, on the timeline anticipated or at all, capital markets conditions, the Company's substantial increased indebtedness as a result of the transactions and its ability to incur additional indebtedness or refinance that indebtedness in the future, the Company's future financial performance and the Company's ability to pay principal and interest on its indebtedness, competition in the fitness industry, the Company's and franchisees' ability to attract and retain members, the Company's and franchisees' ability to identify and secure suitable sites for new franchise stores, changes in consumer demand, changes in equipment costs, the Company's ability to expand into new markets domestically and internationally, operating costs for the Company and franchisees generally, availability and cost of capital for franchisees, acquisition activity, developments and changes in laws and regulations, the Company's corporate structure and tax receivable agreements, failures, interruptions or security breaches of the Company's information systems or technology, general economic conditions and the other factors described in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, and the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In light of the significant risks and uncertainties inherent in forward-looking statements, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect the Company's views only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, neither the Company nor any of its affiliates or representatives undertake any obligation to provide additional information or to correct or update any information set forth in this release, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. All forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements.

 

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SOURCE Planet Fitness, Inc.

FAQ

What is the purpose of Planet Fitness's acquisition of Sunshine Fitness?

The acquisition aims to expand Planet Fitness's corporate portfolio and enhance its growth strategy in the fitness industry.

How much did Planet Fitness pay for Sunshine Fitness?

Planet Fitness's acquisition of Sunshine Fitness is valued at up to $325 million.

What impact does the acquisition have on Planet Fitness's corporate structure?

The acquisition increases Planet Fitness's corporate store ownership to 10% of its total system, supporting its asset-light business model.

When will Planet Fitness discuss the financial impacts of this acquisition?

Planet Fitness will discuss the financial impacts during its fourth quarter 2021 earnings call on February 24, 2022.

What financing method did Planet Fitness use for the acquisition?

Planet Fitness issued $900 million in Senior Secured Notes to finance the acquisition and refinance existing debt.