UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q  
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2019
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ___________to ______________
Commission file number: 001-37534
PLANET FITNESS, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Delaware
 
38-3942097
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
4 Liberty Lane West, Hampton, NH 03842
(Address of Principal Executive Offices and Zip Code)
(603) 750-0001
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:  
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 (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ☒     No  ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes  ☒     No  ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
 
ý
  
Accelerated filer
 
 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
 
☐  
  
Smaller reporting company
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Emerging growth company
 
 
 
 
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ☐    No   ý
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A common stock, $0.0001 Par Value
PLNT
New York Stock Exchange
As of April 26, 2019 there were 84,479,402 shares of the Registrant’s Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, outstanding and 8,588,920 shares of the Registrant’s Class B Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, outstanding.



PLANET FITNESS, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
  

2


Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by us, contain statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, and other future conditions. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “envision,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “potential,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “continue,” “ongoing,” “contemplate” and other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding:
future financial position;
business strategy;
budgets, projected costs and plans;
future industry growth;
financing sources;
Potential return of capital initiatives;
the impact of litigation, government inquiries and investigations; and
all other statements regarding our intent, plans, beliefs or expectations or those of our directors or officers.
We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements we make. Important factors that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following:
our dependence on the operational and financial results of, and our relationships with, our franchisees and the success of their new and existing stores;
risks relating to damage to our brand and reputation;
our ability to successfully implement our growth strategy;
technical, operational and regulatory risks related to our third-party providers’ systems and our own information systems;
our and our franchisees’ ability to attract and retain members;
the high level of competition in the health club industry generally;
our reliance on a limited number of vendors, suppliers and other third-party service providers;
our substantial increased indebtedness as a result of our refinancing and securitization transactions and our ability to incur additional indebtedness or refinance that indebtedness in the future;
our future financial performance and our ability to pay principal and interest on our indebtedness;
risks relating to our corporate structure and tax receivable agreements; and
the other factors identified under the heading “Risk Factors” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2019, and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
The forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q represent our views as of the date of this Report. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

3


PART I-FINANCIAL INFORMATION
1. Financial Statements
Planet Fitness, Inc. and subsidiaries
Condensed consolidated balance sheets
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)  
 
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
Assets
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
335,961

 
$
289,431

Restricted cash
 
30,645

 
30,708

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for bad debts of $86 and $84 at March 31, 2019 and
December 31, 2018, respectively
 
18,919

 
38,960

Inventory
 
3,445

 
5,122

Deferred expenses – national advertising fund
 
6,530

 

Prepaid expenses
 
7,254

 
4,947

Other receivables
 
9,805

 
12,548

Other current assets
 
4,877

 
6,824

Total current assets
 
417,436

 
388,540

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $59,029, as of March 31, 2019 and
$53,086 as of December 31, 2018
 
114,676

 
114,367

Right-of-use assets, net
 
115,745

 

Intangible assets, net
 
228,663

 
234,330

Goodwill
 
199,513

 
199,513

Deferred income taxes
 
431,947

 
414,841

Other assets, net
 
1,612

 
1,825

Total assets
 
$
1,509,592

 
$
1,353,416

Liabilities and stockholders' deficit
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Current maturities of long-term debt
 
$
12,000

 
$
12,000

Accounts payable
 
23,060

 
30,428

Accrued expenses
 
23,679

 
32,384

Equipment deposits
 
12,502

 
7,908

Restricted liabilities – national advertising fund
 
30

 

Deferred revenue, current
 
25,920

 
23,488

Payable pursuant to tax benefit arrangements, current
 
24,765

 
24,765

Other current liabilities
 
12,519

 
430

Total current liabilities
 
134,475

 
131,403

Long-term debt, net of current maturities
 
1,158,483

 
1,160,127

Deferred rent, net of current portion
 

 
10,083

Lease liabilities, net of current portion
 
114,470

 

Deferred revenue, net of current portion
 
27,652

 
26,374

Deferred tax liabilities
 
1,798

 
2,303

Payable pursuant to tax benefit arrangements, net of current portion
 
424,725

 
404,468

Other liabilities
 
2,031

 
1,447

Total noncurrent liabilities
 
1,729,159

 
1,604,802

Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
 

 

Stockholders' equity (deficit):
 
 
 
 
Class A common stock, $.0001 par value - 300,000 authorized, 84,463 and 83,584 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively
 
9

 
9

Class B common stock, $.0001 par value - 100,000 authorized, 8,589 and 9,448 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018, respectively
 
1

 
1

Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
148

 
94

Additional paid in capital
 
22,576

 
19,732

Accumulated deficit
 
(368,714
)
 
(394,410
)
Total stockholders' deficit attributable to Planet Fitness Inc.
 
(345,980
)
 
(374,574
)
Non-controlling interests
 
(8,062
)
 
(8,215
)
Total stockholders' deficit
 
(354,042
)
 
(382,789
)
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit
 
$
1,509,592

 
$
1,353,416

  See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

4


Planet Fitness, Inc. and subsidiaries
Condensed consolidated statements of operations
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 
 
For the three months ended
March 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
Revenue:
 
 

 
 

Franchise
 
$
52,956

 
$
42,162

Commission income
 
994

 
1,989

National advertising fund revenue
 
11,812

 
10,461

Corporate-owned stores
 
38,044

 
32,708

Equipment
 
45,011

 
34,013

Total revenue
 
148,817

 
121,333

Operating costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
Cost of revenue
 
34,486

 
26,500

Store operations
 
20,905

 
18,356

Selling, general and administrative
 
18,154

 
17,623

National advertising fund expense
 
11,812

 
10,461

Depreciation and amortization
 
9,907

 
8,465

Other loss
 
368

 
1,010

Total operating costs and expenses
 
95,632

 
82,415

Income from operations
 
53,185

 
38,918

Other expense, net:
 
 
 
 
Interest income
 
1,798

 
37

Interest expense
 
(14,749
)
 
(8,771
)
Other income (expense)
 
(3,318
)
 
192

Total other expense, net
 
(16,269
)
 
(8,542
)
Income before income taxes
 
36,916

 
30,376

Provision for income taxes
 
5,277

 
6,883

Net income
 
31,639

 
23,493

Less net income attributable to non-controlling interests
 
4,230

 
3,613

Net income attributable to Planet Fitness, Inc.
 
$
27,409

 
$
19,880

Net income per share of Class A common stock:
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
0.33

 
$
0.23

Diluted
 
$
0.32

 
$
0.23

Weighted-average shares of Class A common stock outstanding:
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
83,806

 
87,434

Diluted
 
84,425

 
87,698

 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

5


Planet Fitness, Inc. and subsidiaries
Condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss)
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands)
 
 
 
For the three months ended
March 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
Net income including non-controlling interests
 
$
31,639

 
$
23,493

Other comprehensive income (loss), net:
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gain on interest rate caps, net of tax
 

 
366

Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
54

 
(29
)
Total other comprehensive income, net
 
54

 
337

Total comprehensive income including non-controlling
   interests
 
31,693

 
23,830

Less: total comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests
 
4,230

 
3,671

Total comprehensive income attributable to Planet
   Fitness, Inc.
 
$
27,463

 
$
20,159

 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

6


Planet Fitness, Inc. and subsidiaries
Condensed consolidated statements of cash flows
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands)
 
 
For the three months ended March 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 

 
 

Net income
 
$
31,639

 
$
23,493

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
9,907

 
8,465

Amortization of deferred financing costs
 
1,356

 
484

Amortization of favorable leases
 

 
92

Amortization of asset retirement obligations
 
221

 
1

Amortization of interest rate caps
 

 
195

Deferred tax expense
 
2,165

 
4,909

Loss (gain) on re-measurement of tax benefit arrangement
 
3,373

 
(396
)
Provision for bad debts
 
2

 
(14
)
Loss on reacquired franchise rights
 

 
350

Loss on disposal of property and equipment
 

 
650

Equity-based compensation
 
1,315

 
998

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, excluding effects of acquisitions:
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
 
20,032

 
18,637

Due to and due from related parties
 
(269
)
 
165

Inventory
 
1,677

 
(1,364
)
Other assets and other current assets
 
(2,648
)
 
(1,341
)
National advertising fund
 
(6,500
)
 
(4,586
)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
(14,640
)
 
(16,758
)
Other liabilities and other current liabilities
 
214

 
83

Income taxes
 
1,768

 
1,898

Equipment deposits
 
4,594

 
7,784

Deferred revenue
 
3,668

 
3,536

Leases and deferred rent
 
60

 
853

Net cash provided by operating activities
 
57,934

 
48,134

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
Additions to property and equipment
 
(7,471
)
 
(2,036
)
Acquisition of franchises
 

 
(28,503
)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
 
21

 
40

Net cash used in investing activities
 
(7,450
)
 
(30,499
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
Principal payments on capital lease obligations
 
(12
)
 
(11
)
Repayment of long-term debt
 
(3,000
)
 
(1,796
)
Proceeds from issuance of Class A common stock
 
607

 
242

Dividend equivalent payments
 
(20
)
 
(20
)
Distributions to Continuing LLC Members
 
(1,842
)
 
(1,734
)
Net cash used in financing activities
 
(4,267
)
 
(3,319
)
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
 
250

 
(250
)
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
 
46,467

 
14,066

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period
 
320,139

 
113,080

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period
 
$
366,606

 
$
127,146

Supplemental cash flow information:
 
 
 
 
Net cash paid for income taxes
 
$
1,479

 
$
106

Cash paid for interest
 
$
13,477

 
$
8,146

Non-cash investing activities:
 
 
 
 
Non-cash additions to property and equipment
 
$
4,151

 
$
453

  See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

7


Planet Fitness, Inc. and subsidiaries
Condensed consolidated statements of changes in equity (deficit)
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands)  
 
 
 
Class A
common stock
 
Class B
common stock
 
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
(loss) income
 
Additional paid-
in capital
 
Accumulated
deficit
 
Non-controlling
interests
 
Total (deficit)
equity
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2018
 
83,584

 
$
9

 
9,448

 
$
1

 
$
94

 
$
19,732

 
$
(394,410
)
 
$
(8,215
)
 
$
(382,789
)
Net income
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
27,409

 
4,230

 
31,639

Equity-based compensation expense
 

 

 

 

 

 
1,315

 


 

 
1,315

Exchanges of Class B common stock
 
859

 

 
(859
)
 

 


 
(1,172
)
 

 
1,172

 

Exercise of stock options, vesting of restricted share units and ESPP share purchase
 
20

 

 

 

 

 
505

 

 

 
505

Tax benefit arrangement liability and deferred taxes arising from exchanges of Class B common stock
 

 

 

 

 

 
2,196

 

 

 
2,196

Non-cash adjustments to VIEs
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(3,407
)
 
(3,407
)
Distributions paid to members of Pla-Fit Holdings
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(1,842
)
 
(1,842
)
Cumulative effect adjustment, net of tax (Note 16)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(1,713
)
 

 
(1,713
)
Other comprehensive income
 

 

 

 

 
54

 

 

 


 
54

Balance at March 31, 2019
 
84,463

 
$
9

 
8,589

 
$
1

 
$
148

 
$
22,576

 
$
(368,714
)
 
$
(8,062
)
 
$
(354,042
)
 
 
 
Class A
common stock
 
Class B
common stock
 
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
(loss) income
 
Additional paid-
in capital
 
Accumulated
deficit
 
Non-controlling
interests
 
Total (deficit)
equity
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2017
 
87,188

 
$
9

 
11,193

 
$
1

 
$
(648
)
 
$
12,118

 
$
(130,966
)
 
$
(17,451
)
 
$
(136,937
)
Net income
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
19,880

 
3,613

 
23,493

Equity-based compensation expense
 

 

 

 

 

 
998

 

 

 
998

Exchanges of Class B common stock
 
300

 

 
(300
)
 

 
(1
)
 
(673
)
 

 
674

 

Exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted share units
 
17

 

 

 

 

 
242

 

 

 
242

Tax benefit arrangement liability and deferred taxes arising from exchanges of Class B common stock
 

 

 

 

 

 
326

 

 

 
326

Forfeiture of dividend equivalents
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
33

 

 
33

Distributions paid to members of Pla-Fit Holdings
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(1,734
)
 
(1,734
)
Cumulative effect adjustment - ASC 606
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(9,192
)
 

 
(9,192
)
Other comprehensive income
 

 

 

 

 
279

 

 
 
 
58

 
337

Balance at March 31, 2018
 
87,505

 
$
9

 
10,893

 
$
1

 
$
(370
)
 
$
13,011

 
$
(120,245
)
 
$
(14,840
)
 
$
(122,434
)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

8

Planet Fitness, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)



(1) Business Organization
Planet Fitness, Inc. (the “Company”), through its subsidiaries, is a franchisor and operator of fitness centers, with more than 13.6 million members and 1,806 owned and franchised locations (referred to as stores) in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Panama and Mexico as of March 31, 2019 .
The Company serves as the reporting entity for its various subsidiaries that operate three distinct lines of business:
Licensing and selling franchises under the Planet Fitness trade name.
Owning and operating fitness centers under the Planet Fitness trade name.
Selling fitness-related equipment to franchisee-owned stores.
The Company was formed as a Delaware corporation on March 16, 2015 for the purpose of facilitating an initial public offering (the “IPO”), which was completed on August 11, 2015 and related transactions in order to carry on the business of Pla-Fit Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries (“Pla-Fit Holdings”). As of August 5, 2015, in connection with the recapitalization transactions that occurred prior to the IPO, the Company became the sole managing member and holder of 100% of the voting power of Pla-Fit Holdings. Pla-Fit Holdings owns 100% of Planet Intermediate, LLC, which has no operations but is the 100% owner of Planet Fitness Holdings, LLC, a franchisor and operator of fitness centers. With respect to the Company, Pla-Fit Holdings and Planet Intermediate, LLC, each entity owns nothing other than the respective entity below it in the corporate structure and each entity has no other material operations.
The Company is a holding company whose principal asset is a controlling equity interest in Pla-Fit Holdings. As the sole managing member of Pla-Fit Holdings, the Company operates and controls all of the business and affairs of Pla-Fit Holdings, and through Pla-Fit Holdings, conducts its business. As a result, the Company consolidates Pla-Fit Holdings’ financial results and reports a non-controlling interest related to the portion of limited liability company units of Pla-Fit Holdings (“Holdings Units”) not owned by the Company. Unless otherwise specified, “the Company” refers to both Planet Fitness, Inc. and Pla-Fit Holdings throughout the remainder of these notes.
As of March 31, 2019 , Planet Fitness, Inc. held 100.0% of the voting interest and 90.8% of the economic interest of Pla-Fit Holdings and the holders of Holdings Units of Pla-Fit Holdings (the “Continuing LLC Owners”) held the remaining 9.2% economic interest in Pla-Fit Holdings.

(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
(a) Basis of presentation and consolidation
The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, these interim financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the periods presented have been reflected. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 are unaudited. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 (the “Annual Report”) filed with the SEC on March 1, 2019 . Operating results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.
As discussed in Note 1, Planet Fitness, Inc. consolidates Pla-Fit Holdings. The Company also consolidates entities in which it has a controlling financial interest, the usual condition of which is ownership of a majority voting interest. The Company also considers for consolidation certain interests where the controlling financial interest may be achieved through arrangements that do not involve voting interests. Such an entity, known as a variable interest entity (“VIE”), is required to be consolidated by its primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is considered to possess the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly

9

Planet Fitness, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)


impact its economic performance and has the obligation to absorb losses or the rights to receive benefits from the VIE that are significant to it. The principal entities in which the Company possesses a variable interest include franchise entities and certain other entities. The Company is not deemed to be the primary beneficiary for Planet Fitness franchise entities. Therefore, these entities are not consolidated.
The results of the Company have been consolidated with Matthew Michael Realty LLC (“MMR”), PF Melville LLC (“PF Melville”), and Planet Fitness NAF, LLC (the “NAF”) based on the determination that the Company is the primary beneficiary with respect to these VIEs. MMR and PF Melville are real estate holding companies that derive a majority of their financial support from the Company through lease agreements for corporate stores. See Note 3 for further information related to the Company’s VIEs. The NAF is an advertising fund on behalf of which the Company collects 2% of gross monthly membership fees from franchisees, in accordance with the provisions of the franchise agreements, and uses the amounts received to support our national marketing campaigns, our social media platforms and the development of local advertising materials.
(b) Use of estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Although these estimates are based on management’s knowledge of current events and actions it may undertake in the future, they may ultimately differ from actual results. Significant areas where estimates and judgments are relied upon by management in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements include revenue recognition, valuation of assets and liabilities in connection with acquisitions, valuation of equity-based compensation awards, the evaluation of the recoverability of goodwill and long-lived assets, including intangible assets, income taxes, including deferred tax assets and liabilities and reserves for unrecognized tax benefits, the liability for the Company’s tax benefit arrangements, and the value of the lease liability and related right-of-use asset recorded in accordance with ASC 842 (see Note 2(d) and 16).
(c) Fair Value
ASC 820,  Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures , establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. Categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels are defined as follows:
Level 1—Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
Level 2—Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
Level 3—Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.
 
The carrying value and estimated fair value of long-term debt as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 were as follows:
 
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
 
Carrying value
 
Estimated fair value (1)
 
Carrying value
 
Estimated fair value (1)
Long-term debt
 
$
1,194,000

 
$
1,223,290

 
$
1,197,000

 
$
1,188,985

(1) The estimated fair value of our long-term debt is estimated primarily based on current bid prices for our long-term debt. Judgment is required to develop these estimates. As such, the fair value of our long-term debt is classified within Level 2, as defined under U.S. GAAP.
(d) Recent accounting pronouncements
In February 2016, the FASB established Topic 842, Leases , by issuing ASU No. 2016-02, Leases , in February 2016. Topic 842 was subsequently amended by ASU No. 2018-01, Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842; ASU No. 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases; and ASU No. 2018-11, Targeted Improvements . This guidance is intended to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. The new guidance requires lessees to recognize the assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for the rights and obligations created by leases with lease terms of more than 12 months, amends various other aspects of accounting for leases by lessees and lessors, and requires enhanced disclosures. Leases will be

10

Planet Fitness, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)


classified as finance or operating, with the classification affecting the pattern and classification of expense recognition within the income statement.
The Company adopted the new standard on January 1, 2019 and used the effective date as our date of initial application. Consequently, financial information has not been updated and the disclosures required under the new standard are not provided for dates and periods before January 1, 2019. The new guidance also provides several practical expedients and policies that companies may elect upon transition. The Company has elected the package of practical expedients under which it did not reassess the classification of its existing leases, reevaluate whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases or reassess initial direct costs under the new guidance. The Company did not elect the practical expedient pertaining to land easements, as it is not applicable to its leases. Additionally, the Company elected to use the practical expedient that permits a reassessment of lease terms for existing leases using hindsight.
The new standard also provides practical expedients for an entity’s ongoing accounting. The Company elected the short-term lease recognition exemption. This means, for those leases that qualify, the Company will not recognize right-of-use ("ROU") assets or lease liabilities, and this includes not recognizing ROU assets or lease liabilities for existing short-term leases of those assets in transition. The Company also elected the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components.
Upon transition to the new guidance on January 1, 2019, the Company recognized approximately $130,000 of operating lease liabilities. Additionally, the Company recorded ROU assets in a corresponding amount, net of amounts reclassified from other assets and liabilities, including deferred rent, tenant improvement allowances, and favorable lease assets, as specified by the new lease guidance. In connection with the election of the hindsight practical expedient related to reassessing lease terms for existing leases as of January 1, 2019, the Company recorded a cumulative transition adjustment of $1,713 through retained earnings, net of tax.
The FASB issued ASU No. 2017-4, Intangibles–Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, in January 2017. This guidance eliminates the requirement to calculate the implied fair value, essentially eliminating step two from the goodwill impairment test. The new standard requires goodwill impairment to be based upon the results of step one of the impairment test, which is defined as the excess of the carrying value of a reporting unit over its fair value. The impairment charge will be limited to the amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. This guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within that year. This new guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
The FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract , in August 2018. The guidance helps align the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). This guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within that year, but allows for early adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

(3) Variable Interest Entities
The carrying values of VIEs included in the consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 are as follows: 
 
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
PF Melville
 
$
2,802

 
$

 
$
4,787

 
$

MMR
 
2,287

 

 
3,563

 

Total
 
$
5,089

 
$

 
$
8,350

 
$

 
The Company also has variable interests in certain franchisees mainly through the guarantee of lease agreements. The Company’s maximum obligation, as a result of its guarantees of leases, is approximately $5,847 and $732 as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , respectively. In 2019, in connection with a real estate partnership, the Company began guaranteeing certain leases of its franchisees up to a maximum period of ten years with earlier expiration dates possible if certain conditions are met.

11

Planet Fitness, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)


The amount of the Company’s maximum obligation represents a loss that the Company could incur from the variability in credit exposure without consideration of possible recoveries through insurance or other means. In addition, the amount bears no relation to the ultimate settlement anticipated to be incurred from the Company’s involvement with these entities, which is estimated at $0 .
(4) Acquisition
Colorado Acquisition
On August 10, 2018, the Company purchased from one of its franchisees certain assets associated with four franchisee-owned stores in Colorado for a cash payment of $17,249 . As a result of the transaction, the Company incurred a loss on unfavorable reacquired franchise rights of $10 , which has been reflected in other operating costs in the statement of operations. The loss incurred reduced the net purchase price to $17,239 . The Company financed the purchase through cash on hand. The acquired stores are included in the Corporate-owned stores segment.
The preliminary purchase consideration was allocated as follows:
 
Amount
Fixed assets
3,873

Reacquired franchise rights
4,610

Customer relationships
140

Favorable leases, net
80

Other assets
143

Goodwill
8,476

Liabilities assumed, including deferred revenues
(83
)
 
17,239

The goodwill created through the purchase is attributable to the assumed future value of the cash flows from the stores acquired. The goodwill is amortizable and deductible for tax purposes over 15 years.
The acquisition was not material to the results of operations of the Company.
Long Island Acquisition
On January 1, 2018, the Company purchased from one of its franchisees certain assets associated with six franchisee-owned stores in New York for a cash payment of $28,503 . As a result of the transaction, the Company incurred a loss on unfavorable reacquired franchise rights of $350 , which has been reflected in other operating costs in the statement of operations. The loss incurred reduced the net purchase price to $28,153 . The Company financed the purchase through cash on hand. The acquired stores are included in the Corporate-owned stores segment.
The purchase consideration was allocated as follows:
 
Amount
Fixed assets
$
4,672

Reacquired franchise rights
7,640

Customer relationships
1,150

Favorable leases, net
520

Reacquired area development rights
150

Other assets
275

Goodwill
14,056

Liabilities assumed, including deferred revenues
(310
)
 
$
28,153

The goodwill created through the purchase is attributable to the assumed future value of the cash flows from the stores acquired. The goodwill is amortizable and deductible for tax purposes over 15 years.

12

Planet Fitness, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)


The acquisition was not material to the results of operations of the Company.
(5) Goodwill and Intangible Assets
A summary of goodwill and intangible assets at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 is as follows: 
March 31, 2019
 
Weighted
average
amortization
period (years)
 
Gross
carrying
amount
 
Accumulated
amortization
 
Net carrying
Amount
Customer relationships
 
11.0
 
$
173,063

 
(102,647
)
 
$
70,416

Noncompete agreements
 
5.0
 
14,500

 
(14,500
)
 

Order backlog
 
0.4
 
3,400

 
(3,400
)
 

Reacquired franchise rights
 
7.0
 
21,350

 
(9,403
)
 
11,947

 
 
 
 
212,313

 
(129,950
)
 
82,363

Indefinite-lived intangible:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trade and brand names
 
N/A
 
146,300

 

 
146,300

Total intangible assets
 
 
 
$
358,613

 
$
(129,950
)
 
$
228,663

Goodwill
 
 
 
$
199,513

 
$

 
$
199,513

 
 
December 31, 2018
 
Weighted
average
amortization
period (years)
 
Gross
carrying
amount
 
Accumulated
amortization
 
Net carrying
Amount
Customer relationships
 
11.0
 
$
173,063

 
$
(99,439
)
 
$
73,624

Noncompete agreements
 
5.0
 
14,500

 
(14,500
)
 

Favorable leases
 
8.0
 
4,017

 
(2,345
)
 
1,672

Order backlog
 
0.4
 
3,400

 
(3,400
)
 

Reacquired franchise rights
 
7.0
 
21,349

 
(8,615
)
 
12,734

 
 
 
 
216,329

 
(128,299
)
 
88,030

Indefinite-lived intangible:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trade and brand names
 
N/A
 
146,300

 

 
146,300

Total intangible assets
 
 
 
$
362,629

 
$
(128,299
)
 
$
234,330

Goodwill
 
 
 
$
199,513

 
$

 
$
199,513

 
In connection with the adoption of ASC 842, as of January 1, 2019, the Company has derecognized the favorable leases intangible asset, and the favorable leases balance is now included in the ROU asset, net balance (Note 16). The Company determined that no impairment charges were required during any periods presented and the increase to goodwill was due to the acquisition of six franchisee-owned stores on January 1, 2018, and the acquisition of four franchisee-owned stores on August 10, 2018 (Note 4).
 

13

Planet Fitness, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)


Amortization expense related to the intangible assets totaled $4,005 and $3,966 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. Included within total amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 is $93 related to amortization of favorable leases. Amortization of favorable leases is recorded within store operations as a component of rent expense in the consolidated statements of operations. The anticipated annual amortization expense related to intangible assets to be recognized in future years as of March 31, 2019 is as follows:
 
Amount
Remainder of 2019
$
11,864

2020
14,052

2021
14,124

2022
14,317

2023
14,155

Thereafter
13,851

Total
$
82,363


(6) Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 consists of the following: 
 
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Class A-2-I notes
 
$
572,125

 
$
573,563

Class A-2-II notes
 
621,875

 
623,437

Total debt, excluding deferred financing costs
 
1,194,000

 
1,197,000

Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization
 
(23,517
)
 
(24,873
)
Total debt
 
1,170,483

 
1,172,127

Current portion of long-term debt and line of credit
 
12,000

 
12,000

Long-term debt, net of current portion
 
$
1,158,483

 
$
1,160,127

 
Future annual principal payments of long-term debt as of March 31, 2019 are as follows: 
 
Amount
Remainder of 2019
$
9,000

2020
12,000

2021
12,000

2022
562,563

2023
6,250

Thereafter
592,187

Total
$
1,194,000


On August 1, 2018, Planet Fitness Master Issuer LLC (the “Master Issuer”), a limited-purpose, bankruptcy remote, wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Pla-Fit Holdings, LLC, entered into a base indenture and a related supplemental indenture (collectively, the “Indenture”) under which the Master Issuer may issue multiple series of notes. On the same date, the Master Issuer issued Series 2018-1  4.262%  Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes, Class A-2-I (the “Class A-2-I Notes”) with an initial principal amount of  $575,000 and Series 2018-1  4.666%  Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes, Class A-2-II (the “Class A-2-II Notes” and, together with the Class A-2-I Notes, the “Class A-2 Notes”) with an initial principal amount of  $625,000 . In connection with the issuance of the Class A-2 Notes, the Master Issuer also entered into a revolving financing facility that allows for the issuance of up to $75,000 in Series 2018-1 Variable Funding Senior Notes, Class A-1 (the “Variable Funding Notes” and together with the Class A-2 Notes, the “Series 2018-1 Senior Notes”), and certain letters of credit, all of which was undrawn as of both March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018. The Series 2018-1 Senior Notes were issued in a securitization transaction pursuant to which most of the Company’s domestic revenue-generating assets, consisting principally of franchise-related agreements, certain corporate-owned store assets, equipment supply agreements and intellectual property and license agreements for the use of intellectual property,

14

Planet Fitness, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)


were assigned to the Master Issuer and certain other limited-purpose, bankruptcy remote, wholly-owned indirect subsidiaries of the Company that act as guarantors of the Series 2018-1 Senior Notes and that have pledged substantially all of their assets to secure the Series 2018-1 Senior Notes.

Interest and principal payments on the Class A-2 Notes are payable on a quarterly basis. The requirement to make such quarterly principal payments on the Class A-2 Notes is subject to certain financial conditions set forth in the Indenture. The legal final maturity date of the Class A-2 Notes is in September 2048, but it is anticipated that, unless earlier prepaid to the extent permitted under the Indenture, the Class A-2-I Notes will be repaid in September 2022 and the Class A-2-II Notes will be repaid in September 2025 (together, the "Anticipated Repayment Dates"). If the Master Issuer has not repaid or refinanced the Class A-2 Notes prior to the respective Anticipated Repayment Dates, additional interest will accrue pursuant to the Indenture.

The Variable Funding Notes will accrue interest at a variable interest rate based on (i) the prime rate, (ii) overnight federal funds rates, (iii) the London interbank offered rate for U.S. Dollars, or (iv) with respect to advances made by conduit investors, the weighted average cost of, or related to, the issuance of commercial paper allocated to fund or maintain such advances, in each case plus any applicable margin and as specified in the Variable Funding Note agreement. There is a commitment fee on the unused portion of the Variable Funding Notes of 0.5% based on utilization. It is anticipated that the principal and interest on the Variable Funding Notes will be repaid in full on or prior to September 2023, subject to two additional one -year extensions. Following the anticipated repayment date (and any extensions thereof) additional interest will accrue on the Variable Funding Notes equal to 5.0% per year.

In connection with the issuance of the Series 2018-1 Senior Notes, the Company incurred debt issuance costs of $ 27,133 . The debt issuance costs are being amortized to “Interest expense” through the Anticipated Repayment Dates of the Class A-2 Notes utilizing the effective interest rate method.

The Series 2018-1 Senior Notes are subject to covenants and restrictions customary for transactions of this type, including (i) that the Master Issuer maintains specified reserve accounts to be used to make required payments in respect of the Series 2018-1 Senior Notes, (ii) provisions relating to optional and mandatory prepayments and the related payment of specified amounts, including specified make-whole payments in the case of the Class A-2 Notes under certain circumstances, (iii) certain indemnification payments in the event, among other things, the assets pledged as collateral for the Series 2018-1 Senior Notes are in stated ways defective or ineffective, and (iv) covenants relating to recordkeeping, access to information and similar matters. The Series 2018-1 Senior Notes are also subject to customary rapid amortization events provided for in the Indenture, including events tied to failure to maintain stated debt service coverage ratios, certain manager termination events, an event of default, and the failure to repay or refinance the Class A-2 Notes on the applicable scheduled Anticipated Repayment Dates. The Series 2018-1 Senior Notes are also subject to certain customary events of default, including events relating to non-payment of required interest, principal, or other amounts due on or with respect to the Series 2018-1 Senior Notes, failure to comply with covenants within certain time frames, certain bankruptcy events, breaches of specified representations and warranties, failure of security interests to be effective, and certain judgments.

In accordance with the Indenture, certain cash accounts have been established with the Indenture trustee (the "Trustee") for the benefit of the trustee and the noteholders, and are restricted in their use. The Company holds restricted cash which primarily represents cash collections held by the Trustee, interest, principal, and commitment fee reserves held by the Trustee related to the Company’s Series 2018-1 Senior Notes. As of March 31, 2019 , the Company had restricted cash held by the Trustee of $ 30,645 . Restricted cash has been combined with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning and end of period balances in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

The proceeds from the issuance of the Class A-2 Notes were used to repay all amounts outstanding on the Term Loan B under the Company’s prior credit facility. As a result, the Company recorded a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $ 4,570 in August 2018, primarily consisting of the write-off of deferred costs related to the prior credit facility. In connection with the repayment of the Term Loan B, the Company terminated the related interest rate caps with notional amounts totaling $219,837 , which had been designated as a cash flow hedge. See Note 7 for more information on the interest rate caps.


15

Planet Fitness, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)


(7) Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Prior to the refinancing transactions described in Note 6, the Company used interest-rate-related derivative instruments to manage its exposure related to changes in interest rates on its variable-rate debt instruments. The Company does not enter into derivative instruments for any purpose other than cash flow hedging. The Company does not speculate using derivative instruments.
In order to manage the market risk arising from the previously outstanding term loans, the Company entered into a series of interest rate caps. As of March 31, 2019 , the Company had no interest rate cap agreements outstanding. In connection with the issuance of the Class A-2 Notes, the Company terminated the interest rate caps it had entered into in order to hedge interest expense on its previously outstanding term loans.
The company had no amounts related to interest rate caps recorded within other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 . The Company recorded an increase to the value of its interest rate caps of $366 , net of tax of $125 , within other comprehensive income (loss) during the three months ended March 31, 2018 .
(8) Related Party Transactions
Activity with entities considered to be related parties is summarized below: 
 
 
For the three months ended
March 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
Franchise revenue
 
$
523

 
$
882

Equipment revenue
 

 
591

Total revenue from related parties
 
$
523

 
$
1,473

 
Additionally, the Company had deferred area development agreement revenue from related parties of $325 and $779 as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , respectively.
The Company had payables to related parties pursuant to tax benefit arrangements of $54,676 and $ 59,458 , as of  March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , respectively (see Note 11).
The Company provides administrative services to Planet Fitness NAF, LLC (“NAF”) and charges NAF a fee for providing these services. The services provided include accounting services, information technology, data processing, product development, legal and administrative support, and other operating expenses, which amounted to $674 and $640 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively.

(9) Stockholder’s Equity
Pursuant to the exchange agreement between the Company and the Continuing LLC Owners, the Continuing LLC Owners (or certain permitted transferees thereof) have the right, from time to time and subject to the terms of the exchange agreement, to exchange their Holdings Units, along with a corresponding number of shares of Class B common stock, for shares of Class A common stock (or cash at the option of the Company) on a one -for-one basis, subject to customary conversion rate adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends, reclassifications and similar transactions. In connection with any exchange of Holdings Units for shares of Class A common stock by a Continuing LLC Owner, the number of Holdings Units held by the Company is correspondingly increased as it acquires the exchanged Holdings Units, and a corresponding number of shares of Class B common stock are cancelled.
During the three months ended March 31, 2019 , certain existing holders of Holdings Units exercised their exchange rights and exchanged 858,810 Holdings Units for 858,810 newly-issued shares of Class A common stock. Simultaneously, and in connection with these exchanges, 858,810 shares of Class B common stock were surrendered by the holders of Holdings Units that exercised their exchange rights and canceled. Additionally, in connection with these exchanges, Planet Fitness, Inc. received 858,810 Holdings Units, increasing its total ownership interest in Pla-Fit Holdings.
As a result of the above transactions, as of March 31, 2019 :
Holders of our Class A common stock owned 84,462,761 shares of our Class A common stock, representing 90.8% of the voting power in the Company and, through the Company, 84,462,761 Holdings Units representing 90.8% of the economic interest in Pla-Fit Holdings; and

16

Planet Fitness, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)


the Continuing LLC Owners collectively owned 8,588,920 Holdings Units, representing 9.2% of the economic interest in Pla-Fit Holdings, and 8,588,920 shares of our Class B common stock, representing 9.2% of the voting power in the Company.
Share repurchase program
On August 3, 2018, our board of directors approved an increase to the total amount of the previously approved share repurchase program to $ 500,000 .
On November 13, 2018, the Company entered into a $ 300,000 accelerated share repurchase agreement (the “ASR Agreement”) with Citibank, N.A. (“the Bank”). Pursuant to the terms of the ASR Agreement, on November 14, 2018, the Company paid the Bank $ 300,000 upfront in cash and received 4,607,410 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, which were retired, and the Company elected to record as a reduction to retained earnings of $ 240,000 . The final number of shares to be repurchased will be determined based on the volume-weighted average stock price of our common stock during the term of the transaction, less a discount and subject to adjustments pursuant to the terms and conditions of the ASR Agreement, and will also be retired upon delivery to us. This had been evaluated as an unsettled forward contract indexed to our own stock, with $ 60,000 classified as a reduction to retained earnings. Final settlement of the ASR Agreement occurred after the March 31, 2019 balance sheet date on April 30, 2019. At final settlement, the Bank delivered 524,124 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock.
The timing of the purchases and the amount of stock repurchased pursuant to its remaining share repurchase authorization is subject to the Company’s discretion and depends on market and business conditions, the Company’s general working capital needs, stock price, applicable legal requirements and other factors. Our ability to repurchase shares at any particular time is also subject to the terms of the indenture governing the Series 2018-1 Senior Notes. Purchases may be effected through one or more open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions, transactions structured through investment banking institutions, or a combination of the foregoing. Planet Fitness is not obligated under the program to acquire any particular amount of stock and can suspend or terminate the program at any time.
(10) Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share of Class A common stock is computed by dividing net income attributable to Planet Fitness, Inc. by the weighted-average number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding during the same period. Diluted earnings per share of Class A common stock is computed by dividing net income attributable to Planet Fitness, Inc. by the weighted-average number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding adjusted to give effect to potentially dilutive securities.
Shares of the Company’s Class B common stock do not share in the earnings or losses attributable to Planet Fitness, Inc. and are therefore not participating securities. As such, separate presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share of Class B common stock under the two-class method has not been presented. Shares of the Company’s Class B common stock are, however, considered potentially dilutive shares of Class A common stock because shares of Class B common stock, together with the related Holdings Units, are exchangeable into shares of Class A common stock on a one -for-one basis.

17

Planet Fitness, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)


The following table sets forth reconciliations used to compute basic and diluted earnings per share of Class A common stock:  
 
 
Three months ended
March 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
Numerator
 
 

 
 

Net income
 
$
31,639

 
$
23,493

Less: net income attributable to non-controlling interests
 
4,230

 
3,613

Net income attributable to Planet Fitness, Inc.
 
$
27,409

 
$
19,880

Denominator
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average shares of Class A common stock outstanding - basic
 
83,805,545

 
87,434,384

Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
Stock options
 
569,864

 
255,527

Restricted stock units
 
49,866

 
7,774

Weighted-average shares of Class A common stock outstanding - diluted
 
84,425,275

 
87,697,685

Earnings per share of Class A common stock - basic
 
$
0.33

 
$
0.23

Earnings per share of Class A common stock - diluted
 
$
0.32

 
$
0.23

Weighted average shares of Class B common stock of 9,238,948 and 10,953,521 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively, were evaluated under the if-converted method for potential dilutive effects and were not determined to be dilutive. Weighted average stock options outstanding of 29,285 and 0 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively, were evaluated under the treasury stock method for potential dilutive effects and were determined to be anti-dilutive.
(11) Income Taxes
The Company is the sole managing member of Pla-Fit Holdings, which is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal and certain state and local income taxes. As a partnership, Pla-Fit Holdings is not subject to U.S. federal and certain state and local income taxes. Any taxable income or loss generated by Pla-Fit Holdings is passed through to and included in the taxable income or loss of its members, including the Company, on a pro-rata basis.
Planet Fitness, Inc. is subject to U.S. federal income taxes, in addition to state and local income taxes with respect to our allocable share of any taxable income of Pla-Fit Holdings. The Company’s effective tax rate was 14.3% and 22.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2019 differed from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21% primarily due the recognition of a tax benefit from the remeasurement of the Company's net deferred tax assets, and income attributable to non-controlling interest, offset by state and local taxes. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2018 differed from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21% primarily due to state and local taxes, offset by income attributable to non-controlling interest. The Company was also subject to taxes in foreign jurisdictions. Undistributed earnings of foreign operations were not material for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 .
Net deferred tax assets of $ 430,149 and $ 412,538 as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , respectively, relate primarily to the tax effects of temporary differences in the book basis as compared to the tax basis of our investment in Pla-Fit Holdings as a result of the secondary offerings, other exchanges, recapitalization transactions and the IPO. As of March 31, 2019 , the Company does not have any material net operating loss carryforwards.
As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , the total liability related to uncertain tax positions was $ 370 and $ 300 , respectively. The Company recognizes interest accrued and penalties, if applicable, related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. Interest and penalties for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 were not material.
Tax benefit arrangements
The Company’s acquisition of Holdings Units in connection with the IPO and future and certain past exchanges of Holdings Units for shares of the Company’s Class A common stock (or cash at the option of the Company) are expected to produce and have produced favorable tax attributes. In connection with the IPO, the Company entered into two tax receivable agreements. Under the first of those agreements, the Company generally is required to pay to certain existing and previous equity owners of Pla-Fit

18

Planet Fitness, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)


Holdings (the “TRA Holders”) 85% of the applicable tax savings, if any, in U.S. federal and state income tax that the Company is deemed to realize as a result of certain tax attributes of their Holdings Units sold to the Company (or exchanged in a taxable sale) and that are created as a result of (i) the exchanges of their Holdings Units for shares of Class A common stock and (ii) tax benefits attributable to payments made under the tax receivable agreement (including imputed interest). Under the second tax receivable agreement, the Company generally is required to pay to TSG AIV II-A L.P and TSG PF Co-Investors A L.P. (the "Direct TSG Investors") 85% of the amount of tax savings, if any, that the Company is deemed to realize as a result of the tax attributes of the Holdings Units held in respect of the Direct TSG Investors’ interest in the Company, which resulted from the Direct TSG Investors’ purchase of interests in Pla-Fit Holdings in 2012, and certain other tax benefits. Under both agreements, the Company generally retains the benefit of the remaining 15% of the applicable tax savings.
During the three months ended March 31, 2019 , 858,810 Holdings Units were exchanged by the TRA Holders for newly issued shares of Class A common stock, resulting in an increase in the tax basis of the net assets of Pla-Fit Holdings subject to the provisions of the tax receivable agreements. As a result of the change in Planet Fitness, Inc.’s ownership percentage of Pla-Fit Holdings that occurred in conjunction with the exchanges, we recorded a decrease to our net deferred tax assets of $666 during the three months ended March 31, 2019 . As a result of these exchanges, during the three months ended March 31, 2019 , we also recognized deferred tax assets in the amount of $19,766 , and corresponding tax benefit arrangement liabilities of $16,904 , representing approximately 85% of the tax benefits due to the TRA Holders. The offset to the entries recorded in connection with exchanges was to equity.
As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , the Company had a liability of $ 449,490 and $ 429,233 , respectively, related to its projected obligations under the tax benefit arrangements. Projected future payments under the tax benefit arrangements are as follows:
 
Amount
Remainder of 2019
$
24,765

2020
26,284

2021
26,744

2022
27,276

2023
27,790

Thereafter
316,631

Total
$
449,490


(12) Commitments and contingencies
From time to time, and in the ordinary course of business, the Company is subject to various claims, charges, and litigation, such as employment-related claims and slip and fall cases. The Company is not currently aware of any legal proceedings or claims that the Company believes will have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or result of operations.
(13) Segments
The Company has three reportable segments: (i) Franchise; (ii) Corporate-owned stores; and (iii) Equipment.  
The Company’s operations are organized and managed by type of products and services and segment information is reported accordingly. The Company’s chief operating decision maker (the “CODM”) is its Chief Executive Officer. The CODM reviews financial performance and allocates resources by reportable segment. There have been no operating segments aggregated to arrive at the Company’s reportable segments.
The Franchise segment includes operations related to the Company’s franchising business in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Panama and Mexico, including revenues and expenses from the NAF beginning on January 1, 2018 (see Note 15). The Corporate-owned stores segment includes operations with respect to all Corporate-owned stores throughout the United States and Canada. The Equipment segment includes the sale of equipment to franchisee-owned stores.
The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in Note 2. The Company evaluates the performance of its segments and allocates resources to them based on revenue and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, referred to as Segment EBITDA. Revenues for all operating segments include only transactions with unaffiliated customers and include no intersegment revenues.

19

Planet Fitness, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)


The tables below summarize the financial information for the Company’s reportable segments for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 . The “Corporate and other” category, as it relates to Segment EBITDA, primarily includes corporate overhead costs, such as payroll and related benefit costs and professional services which are not directly attributable to any individual segment.
 
 
 
Three months ended
March 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
Revenue
 
 

 
 

Franchise segment revenue - U.S.
 
$
64,396

 
$
53,445

Franchise segment revenue - International
 
1,366

 
1,167

Franchise segment total
 
65,762

 
54,612

Corporate-owned stores - U.S.
 
36,949

 
31,573

Corporate-owned stores - International
 
1,095

 
1,135

Corporate-owned stores total
 
38,044

 
32,708

Equipment segment - U.S.
 
45,011

 
34,013

Equipment segment total
 
45,011

 
34,013

Total revenue
 
$
148,817

 
$
121,333

Franchise segment revenue includes franchise revenue, NAF revenue, and commission income.
Franchise revenue includes revenue generated from placement services of $2,765 and $2,097 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively.
 
 
Three months ended
March 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
Segment EBITDA
 
 

 
 

Franchise
 
$
47,360

 
$
36,677

Corporate-owned stores
 
15,569

 
12,170

Equipment
 
10,407

 
7,469

Corporate and other
 
(13,562
)
 
(8,741
)
Total Segment EBITDA
 
$
59,774

 
$
47,575

 
The following table reconciles total Segment EBITDA to income before taxes:
 
 
Three months ended
March 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
Total Segment EBITDA
 
$
59,774

 
$
47,575

Less:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
9,907

 
8,465

Other income (expense)
 
(3,318
)
 
192

Income from operations
 
53,185

 
38,918

Interest income
 
1,798

 
37

Interest expense
 
(14,749
)
 
(8,771
)
Other income (expense)
 
(3,318
)
 
192

Income before income taxes
 
$
36,916

 
$
30,376


20

Planet Fitness, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)


The following table summarizes the Company’s assets by reportable segment: 
 
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Franchise
 
$
332,811

 
$
319,422

Corporate-owned stores
 
354,606

 
243,221

Equipment
 
201,705

 
210,462

Unallocated
 
620,470

 
580,311

Total consolidated assets
 
$
1,509,592

 
$
1,353,416

The table above includes $1,823 and $1,892 of long-lived assets located in the Company’s corporate-owned stores in Canada as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , respectively. All other assets are located in the U.S.
The following table summarizes the Company’s goodwill by reportable segment: 
 
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Franchise
 
$
16,938

 
$
16,938

Corporate-owned stores
 
89,909

 
89,909

Equipment
 
92,666

 
92,666

Consolidated goodwill
 
$
199,513

 
$
199,513


(14) Corporate-Owned and Franchisee-Owned Stores

The following table shows changes in our corporate-owned and franchisee-owned stores for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 :
 
 
For the three months ended
March 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
Franchisee-owned stores:
 
 
 
 
Stores operated at beginning of period
 
1,666

 
1,456

New stores opened
 
65

 
47

Stores debranded, sold or consolidated (1)
 
(1
)
 
(6
)
Stores operated at end of period
 
1,730

 
1,497

 
 
 
 
 
Corporate-owned stores:
 
 
 
 
Stores operated at beginning of period
 
76

 
62

Stores acquired from franchisees
 

 
6

Stores operated at end of period
 
76

 
68

 
 
 
 
 
Total stores:
 
 
 
 
Stores operated at beginning of period
 
1,742

 
1,518

New stores opened
 
65

 
47

Stores acquired, debranded, sold or consolidated (1)
 
(1
)
 

Stores operated at end of period
 
1,806

 
1,565

 (1)
The term “debrand” refers to a franchisee-owned store whose right to use the Planet Fitness brand and marks has been terminated in accordance with the franchise agreement. We retain the right to prevent debranded stores from continuing to operate as fitness centers. The term “consolidated” refers to the combination of a franchisee’s store with another store located in close proximity with our prior approval. This often coincides with an enlargement, re-equipment and/or refurbishment of the remaining store.

21

Planet Fitness, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)


(15) Revenue recognition

Contract Liabilities

Contract liabilities consist of deferred revenue resulting from initial and renewal franchise fees and ADA fees paid by franchisees, as well as transfer fees, which are generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the underlying franchise agreement. Also included are corporate-owned store enrollment fees, annual fees and monthly fees as well as deferred equipment rebates relating to our equipment business. We classify these contract liabilities as deferred revenue in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. The following table reflects the change in contract liabilities between December 31, 2018 and  March 31, 2019 .

 
Contract liabilities
Balance at December 31, 2018
$
49,862

Revenue recognized that was included in the contract liability at the beginning of the year
(11,678
)
Increase, excluding amounts recognized as revenue during the period
15,388

Balance at March 31, 2019
$
53,572


The following table illustrates estimated revenues expected to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) as of  March 31, 2019 . The Company has elected to exclude short term contracts, sales and usage based royalties and any other variable consideration recognized on an "as invoiced" basis.

Contract liabilities to be recognized in:
 
Amount
Remainder of 2019
 
$
23,208

2020
 
5,026

2021
 
2,674

2022
 
2,559

2023
 
2,479

Thereafter
 
17,626

Total
 
$
53,572


(16) Leases

The Company leases space to operate corporate-owned stores, equipment, office, and warehouse space. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet; we recognize lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. For leases beginning in 2019 and later, we account for fixed lease and non-lease components together as a single, combined lease component. Variable lease costs, which may include common area maintenance, insurance, and taxes are not included in the lease liability and are expensed in the period incurred.
Our corporate-owned store leases generally have remaining terms of one to ten years , and typically include one or more renewal options, with renewal terms that can generally extend the lease term from three to ten years or more. The exercise of lease renewal options is at our sole discretion. The Company includes options to renew in the expected term when they are reasonably certain to be exercised. The depreciable life of assets and leasehold improvements are limited by the expected lease term.
Operating lease assets and liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date. Operating lease liabilities represent the present value of lease payments not yet paid. Operating lease ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset and are based upon the operating lease liabilities adjusted for prepayments or accrued lease payments, initial direct costs and lease incentives. To determine the present value of lease payments not yet paid, we estimate incremental secured borrowing rates corresponding to the maturities of the leases based upon interpolated rates using our Class A-2 Notes.
The Company has certain non-real estate leases that are accounted for as finance leases under ASC 842, which is similar to the accounting for capital leases under the previous standard. These leases are immaterial, and therefore the Company has not included them in them in the tables below, except for their location on the consolidated balance sheet.

22

Planet Fitness, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)


Our leases typically contain rent escalations over the lease term. We recognize expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Additionally, tenant incentives used to fund leasehold improvements are recognized when earned and reduce our ROU asset related to the lease. These tenant incentives are amortized as reduction of rent expense over the lease term.
Our lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.
For periods prior to January 1, 2019, the Company recognized rent expense related to leases on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. The difference between rent expense and rent paid, if any, as a result of escalation provisions and lease incentives, such as tenant improvements provided by lessors, was recorded as deferred rent in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
Leases
 
Classification
 
March 31, 2019
Assets
 
 
 
 
Operating lease assets
 
Right of use asset, net
 
$
115,745

Finance lease assets
 
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation
 
123

Total lease assets
 
 
 
$
115,868

 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
Current:
 
 
 
 
Operating
 
Other current liabilities
 
$
12,519

Noncurrent:
 
 
 
 
Operating
 
Lease liabilities, net of current portion
 
114,470

Financing
 
Other liabilities
 
121

Total lease liabilities
 
 
 
$
127,110

 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years) - operating leases
 
8.5

 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average discount rate - operating leases
 
5.0
%

During the three months ended March 31, 2019 , the components of lease cost were as follows:
 
 
Amount
Operating lease cost
 
$
4,845

Variable lease cost
 
1,941

Total lease cost
 
$
6,786


The Company's costs related to short-term leases, those with a duration between one and 12 months, were immaterial.

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information related to leases were as follows:
 
 
Three months ended March 31, 2019
Cash paid for lease liabilities
 
$
4,647

Operating assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities
 




23

Planet Fitness, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)


As of March 31, 2019 , maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:
 
 
Amount
Remainder of 2019
 
$
13,944

2020
 
19,055

2021
 
19,488

2022
 
19,165

2023
 
18,008

Thereafter
 
67,802

Total lease payments
 
$
157,462

Less: imputed interest
 
30,352

Present value of lease liabilities
 
$
127,110


As of March 31, 2019, operating lease payments exclude approximately $21,027 of legally binding minimum lease payments for leases signed by not yet commenced.

As of December 31, 2018, under the previous accounting guidance for leases, approximate annual future commitments under noncancelable operating leases were as follows:
 
Amount
2019
$
15,911

2020
15,219

2021
13,454

2022
12,561

2023
11,133

Thereafter
45,324

Total
$
113,602



24


ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this report to the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Planet Fitness, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Overview
We are one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the United States by number of members and locations, with a highly recognized national brand. Our 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, where anyone—and we mean anyone—can feel they belong. Our bright, clean stores are typically 20,000 square feet, with a large selection of high-quality, purple and yellow Planet Fitness-branded cardio, circuit- and weight-training equipment and friendly staff trainers who offer unlimited free fitness instruction to all our members in small groups through our PE@PF program. We offer this differentiated fitness experience at only $10 per month for our standard membership. This exceptional value proposition is designed to appeal to a broad population, including occasional gym users and the approximately 80% of the U.S. and Canadian populations over age 14 who are not gym members, particularly those who find the traditional fitness club setting intimidating and expensive. We and our franchisees fiercely protect Planet Fitness’ community atmosphere—a place where you do not need to be fit before joining and where progress toward achieving your fitness goals (big or small) is supported and applauded by our staff and fellow members.
As of March 31, 2019 , we had more than 13.6 million members and 1,806 stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Panama, and Mexico. Of our 1,806 stores, 1,730 are franchised and 76 are corporate-owned. As of March 31, 2019 , we had commitments to open more than 1,000 new stores under existing ADAs.
Our segments
We operate and manage our business in three business segments: Franchise, Corporate-owned stores and Equipment. Our Franchise segment includes operations related to our franchising business in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Panama and Mexico, including revenues and expenses from the NAF. Our Corporate-owned stores segment includes operations with respect to all corporate-owned stores throughout the United States and Canada. The Equipment segment includes the sale of equipment to our United States franchisee-owned stores. We evaluate the performance of our segments and allocate resources to them based on revenue and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, referred to as Segment EBITDA. Revenue and Segment EBITDA for all operating segments include only transactions with unaffiliated customers and do not include intersegment transactions. The tables below summarize the financial information for our segments for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 . “Corporate and other,” as it relates to Segment EBITDA, primarily includes corporate overhead costs, such as payroll and related benefit costs and professional services that are not directly attributable to any individual segment.
 
 
 
Three months ended
March 31,
(in thousands)
 
2019
 
2018
Revenue
 
 
 
 
Franchise segment
 
$
65,762

 
$
54,612

Corporate-owned stores segment
 
38,044

 
32,708

Equipment segment
 
45,011

 
34,013

Total revenue
 
$
148,817

 
$
121,333

 
 
 
 
 
Segment EBITDA
 
 
 
 
Franchise
 
$
47,360

 
$
36,677

Corporate-owned stores
 
15,569

 
12,170

Equipment
 
10,407

 
7,469

Corporate and other
 
(13,562
)
 
(8,741
)
Total Segment EBITDA (1)
 
$
59,774

 
$
47,575


(1)
Total Segment EBITDA is equal to EBITDA, which is a metric that is not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Refer to “—Non-GAAP financial measures” for a definition of EBITDA and a reconciliation to net income, the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure.


25


A reconciliation of income from operations to Segment EBITDA is set forth below: 
(in thousands)
 
Franchise
 
Corporate-owned
stores
 
Equipment
 
Corporate and
other
 
Total
Three months ended March 31, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from operations
 
$
45,365

 
$
9,652

 
$
9,148

 
$
(10,980
)
 
$
53,185

Depreciation and amortization
 
1,996

 
5,713

 
1,259

 
939

 
9,907

Other income (expense)
 
(1
)
 
204

 

 
(3,521
)
 
(3,318
)
Segment EBITDA (1)
 
$
47,360

 
$
15,569

 
$
10,407

 
$
(13,562
)
 
$
59,774

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended March 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from operations
 
$
34,697

 
$
7,605

 
$
6,213

 
$
(9,597
)
 
$
38,918

Depreciation and amortization
 
1,992

 
4,777

 
1,256

 
440

 
8,465

Other income (expense)
 
(12
)
 
(212
)
 

 
416

 
192

Segment EBITDA (1)
 
$
36,677

 
$
12,170

 
$
7,469

 
$
(8,741
)
 
$
47,575

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(1)
Total Segment EBITDA is equal to EBITDA, which is a metric that is not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Refer to “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a definition of EBITDA and a reconciliation to net income, the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure.
How we assess the performance of our business
In assessing the performance of our business, we consider a variety of performance and financial measures. The key measures for determining how our business is performing includes the number of new store openings, same store sales for both corporate-owned and franchisee-owned stores, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Segment EBITDA, Adjusted net income, and Adjusted net income per share, diluted. See “—Non-GAAP financial measures” below for our definition of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income, and Adjusted net income per share, diluted and why we present EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income, and Adjusted net income per share, diluted, and for a reconciliation of our EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted net income to net income, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and a reconciliation of Adjusted net income per share, diluted to net income per share, diluted, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Number of new store openings
The number of new store openings reflects stores opened during a particular reporting period for both corporate-owned and franchisee-owned stores. Opening new stores is an important part of our growth strategy and we expect the majority of our future new stores will be franchisee-owned. Before we obtain the certificate of occupancy or report any revenue for new corporate-owned stores, we incur pre-opening costs, such as rent expense, labor expense and other operating expenses. Some of our stores open with an initial start-up period of higher than normal marketing and operating expenses, particularly as a percentage of monthly revenue. New stores may not be profitable and their revenue may not follow historical patterns.

26


The following table shows the change in our corporate-owned and franchisee-owned store base for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 :  
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
Franchisee-owned stores:
 
 
 
 
Stores operated at beginning of period
 
1,666

 
1,456

New stores opened
 
65

 
47

Stores debranded, sold or consolidated (1)
 
(1
)
 
(6
)
Stores operated at end of period
 
1,730

 
1,497

 
 
 
 
 
Corporate-owned stores:
 
 
 
 
Stores operated at beginning of period
 
76

 
62

Stores acquired from franchisees
 

 
6

Stores operated at end of period
 
76

 
68

 
 
 
 
 
Total stores:
 
 
 
 
Stores operated at beginning of period
 
1,742

 
1,518

New stores opened
 
65

 
47

Stores acquired, debranded, sold or consolidated (1)
 
(1
)
 

Stores operated at end of period
 
1,806

 
1,565


(1)
The term “debrand” refers to a franchisee-owned store whose right to use the Planet Fitness brand and marks has been terminated in accordance with the franchise agreement. We retain the right to prevent debranded stores from continuing to operate as fitness centers. The term “consolidated” refers to the combination of a franchisee’s store with another store located in close proximity with our prior approval. This often coincides with an enlargement, re-equipment and/or refurbishment of the remaining store.
Same store sales
Same store sales refers to year-over-year sales comparisons for the same store sales base of both corporate-owned and franchisee-owned stores. We define the same store sales base to include those stores that have been open and for which monthly membership dues have been billed for longer than 12 months. We measure same store sales based solely upon monthly dues billed to members of our corporate-owned and franchisee-owned stores.
Several factors affect our same store sales in any given period, including the following:
the number of stores that have been in operation for more than 12 months;
the percentage mix of PF Black Card and standard memberships in any period;
growth in total net memberships per store;
consumer recognition of our brand and our ability to respond to changing consumer preferences;
overall economic trends, particularly those related to consumer spending;
our and our franchisees’ ability to operate stores effectively and efficiently to meet consumer expectations;
marketing and promotional efforts;
local competition;
trade area dynamics; and
opening of new stores in the vicinity of existing locations.
Consistent with common industry practice, we present same store sales as compared to the same period in the prior year. Same store sales of our international stores are calculated on a constant currency basis, meaning that we translate the current year’s same store sales of our international stores at the same exchange rates used in the prior year. Since opening new stores will be a significant component of our revenue growth, same store sales is only one measure of how we evaluate our performance.
Stores acquired from or sold to franchisees are removed from the franchisee-owned or corporate-owned same store sales base, as applicable, upon the ownership change and for the 12 months following the date of the ownership change. These stores are included in the corporate-owned or franchisee-owned same store sales base, as applicable, following the 12 th month after the acquisition or sale. These stores remain in the system-wide same store sales base in all periods.
The following table shows our same store sales for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 :

27


 
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
Same store sales data
 
 

 
 

 
Same store sales growth:
 
 

 
 

 
Franchisee-owned stores
 
10.3
%
 
11.4
%
 
Corporate-owned stores
 
8.0
%
 
5.0
%
 
Total stores
 
10.2
%
 
11.1
%
 
Number of stores in same store sales base:
 
 
 
 
 
Franchisee-owned stores
 
1,476

 
1,285

 
Corporate-owned stores
 
68

 
58

 
Total stores
 
1,548

 
1,349

 

Total monthly dues and annual fees from members (system-wide sales)
We review the total amount of dues we collect from our members on a monthly basis, which allows us to assess changes in the performance of our corporate-owned and franchisee-owned stores from period to period, any competitive pressures, local or regional membership traffic patterns and general market conditions that might impact our store performance. We collect monthly dues on or around the 17 th of every month. We collect annual fees once per year from each member based upon when the member signed his or her membership agreement. System-wide sales were $798 million and $670 million, during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively.

Non-GAAP financial measures
We refer to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as we use these measures to evaluate our operating performance and we believe these measures provide useful information to investors in evaluating our performance. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are supplemental measures of our performance that are neither required by, nor presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as substitutes for U.S. GAAP metrics such as net income or any other performance measures derived in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Also, in the future we may incur expenses or charges such as those used to calculate Adjusted EBITDA. Our presentation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or nonrecurring items. We have also disclosed Segment EBITDA as an important financial metric utilized by the Company to evaluate performance and allocate resources to segments in accordance with ASC 280, Segment Reporting . As part of such disclosure in “Our Segments” within Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, the Company has provided a reconciliation from income from operations to Total Segment EBITDA, which is equal to the Non-GAAP financial metric EBITDA.
We define EBITDA as net income before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. We believe that EBITDA, which eliminates the impact of certain expenses that we do not believe reflect our underlying business performance, provides useful information to investors to assess the performance of our segments as well as the business as a whole. Our Board of Directors also uses EBITDA as a key metric to assess the performance of management. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, adjusted for the impact of certain additional non-cash and other items that we do not consider in our evaluation of ongoing performance of the Company’s core operations. These items include certain purchase accounting adjustments, stock offering-related costs, and certain other charges and gains. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA is an appropriate measure of operating performance in addition to EBITDA because it eliminates the impact of other items that we believe reduce the comparability of our underlying core business performance from period to period and is therefore useful to our investors in comparing the core performance of our business from period to period. Four-wall EBITDA is an assessment of store-level profitability for stores included in the same-store-sales base, which adjusts for certain administrative and other items that we do not consider in our evaluation of individual store-level performance.

28


A reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA is set forth below for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 :
 
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
(in thousands)
 
 

 
 

Net income
 
$
31,639

 
$
23,493

Interest income
 
(1,798
)
 
(37
)
Interest expense
 
14,749

 
8,771

Provision for income taxes
 
5,277

 
6,883

Depreciation and amortization
 
9,907

 
8,465

EBITDA
 
$
59,774

 
$
47,575

Purchase accounting adjustments-revenue (1)
 
74

 
443

Purchase accounting adjustments-rent (2)
 
123

 
182

Loss on reacquired franchise rights (3)
 

 
350

Pre-opening costs (4)
 
1

 
21

Tax benefit arrangement remeasurement (5)
 
3,373

 
(396
)
Other (6)
 
14

 
597

Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
63,359

 
$
48,772

 
(1)
Represents the impact of revenue-related purchase accounting adjustments associated with the 2012 Acquisition. At the time of the 2012 Acquisition, the Company maintained a deferred revenue account, which consisted of deferred ADA fees, deferred franchise fees, and deferred enrollment fees that the Company billed and collected upfront but recognizes for U.S. GAAP purposes at a later date. In connection with the 2012 Acquisition, it was determined that the carrying amount of deferred revenue was greater than the fair value assessed in accordance with ASC 805—Business Combinations, which resulted in a write-down of the carrying value of the deferred revenue balance upon application of acquisition push-down accounting under ASC 805. These amounts represent the additional revenue that would have been recognized in these periods if the write-down to deferred revenue had not occurred in connection with the application of acquisition pushdown accounting.
(2)
Represents the impact of rent-related purchase accounting adjustments. In accordance with guidance in ASC 805 – Business Combinations, in connection with the 2012 Acquisition, the Company’s deferred rent liability was required to be written off as of the acquisition date and rent was recorded on a straight-line basis from the acquisition date through the end of the lease term. This resulted in higher overall recorded rent expense each period than would have otherwise been recorded had the deferred rent liability not been written off as a result of the acquisition push down accounting applied in accordance with ASC 805. Adjustments of $44 and $90 in the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively, reflect the difference between the higher rent expense recorded in accordance with U.S. GAAP since the acquisition and the rent expense that would have been recorded had the 2012 Acquisition not occurred. Adjustments of $79 and $92 in the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively, are due to the amortization of favorable and unfavorable lease intangible assets. All of the rent related purchase accounting adjustments are adjustments to rent expense which is included in store operations on our consolidated statements of operations.
(3)
Represents the impact of a non-cash loss recorded in accordance with ASC 805 - Business Combinations related to our acquisition of six franchisee-owned stores on January 1, 2018. The loss recorded under GAAP represents the difference between the fair value of the reacquired franchise rights and the contractual terms of the reacquired franchise rights and is included in other (gain) loss on our consolidated statements of operations.
(4)
Represents costs associated with new corporate-owned stores incurred prior to the store opening, including payroll-related costs, rent and occupancy expenses, marketing and other store operating supply expenses.
(5)
Represents gains and losses related to the adjustment of our tax benefit arrangements primarily due to changes in our effective tax rate.
(6)
Represents certain other charges and gains that we do not believe reflect our underlying business performance. In the three months ended March 31, 2018 , this amount includes expense of $590 related to the write off of certain assets that were being tested for potential use across the system.
Our presentation of Adjusted net income and Adjusted net income per share, diluted, assumes that all net income is attributable to Planet Fitness, Inc., which assumes the full exchange of all outstanding Holdings Units for shares of Class A common stock of Planet Fitness, Inc., adjusted for certain non-recurring items that we do not believe directly reflect our core operations. Adjusted net income per share, diluted, is calculated by dividing Adjusted net income by the total shares of Class A common stock outstanding

29


plus any dilutive options and restricted stock units as calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP and assuming the full exchange of all outstanding Holdings Units and corresponding Class B common stock as of the beginning of each period presented. Adjusted net income and Adjusted net income per share, diluted, are supplemental measures of operating performance that do not represent, and should not be considered, alternatives to net income and earnings per share, as calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We believe Adjusted net income and Adjusted net income per share, diluted, supplement U.S. GAAP measures and enable us to more effectively evaluate our performance period-over-period. A reconciliation of Adjusted net income to net income, the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure, and the computation of Adjusted net income per share, diluted, are set forth below.
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
2019
 
2018
Net income
 
$
31,639

 
$
23,493

Provision for income taxes, as reported
 
5,277

 
6,883

Purchase accounting adjustments-revenue (1)
 
74

 
443

Purchase accounting adjustments-rent (2)
 
123

 
182

Loss on reacquired franchise rights (3)
 

 
350

Pre-opening costs (4)
 
1

 
21

Tax benefit arrangement remeasurement (5)
 
3,373

 
(396
)
Other (6)
 
14

 
597

Purchase accounting amortization (7)
 
3,999

 
3,921

Adjusted income before income taxes
 
$
44,500

 
$
35,494

Adjusted income taxes (8)
 
11,837

 
9,335

Adjusted net income
 
$
32,663

 
$
26,159

 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted net income per share, diluted
 
$
0.35

 
$
0.27

 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding (9)
 
93,664

 
98,651

 
(1)
Represents the impact of revenue-related purchase accounting adjustments associated with the 2012 Acquisition. At the time of the 2012 Acquisition, the Company maintained a deferred revenue account, which consisted of deferred ADA fees, deferred franchise fees, and deferred enrollment fees that the Company billed and collected upfront but recognizes for U.S. GAAP purposes at a later date. In connection with the 2012 Acquisition, it was determined that the carrying amount of deferred revenue was greater than the fair value assessed in accordance with ASC 805—Business Combinations, which resulted in a write-down of the carrying value of the deferred revenue balance upon application of acquisition push-down accounting under ASC 805. These amounts represent the additional revenue that would have been recognized in these periods if the write-down to deferred revenue had not occurred in connection with the application of acquisition pushdown accounting.
(2)
Represents the impact of rent-related purchase accounting adjustments. In accordance with guidance in ASC 805 – Business Combinations, in connection with the 2012 Acquisition, the Company’s deferred rent liability was required to be written off as of the acquisition date and rent was recorded on a straight-line basis from the acquisition date through the end of the lease term. This resulted in higher overall recorded rent expense each period than would have otherwise been recorded had the deferred rent liability not been written off as a result of the acquisition push down accounting applied in accordance with ASC 805. Adjustments of $44 and $90 in the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively, reflect the difference between the higher rent expense recorded in accordance with U.S. GAAP since the acquisition and the rent expense that would have been recorded had the 2012 Acquisition not occurred. Adjustments of $79 and $92 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively, are due to the amortization of favorable and unfavorable lease intangible assets. All of the rent related purchase accounting adjustments are adjustments to rent expense which is included in store operations on our consolidated statements of operations.
(3)
Represents the impact of a non-cash loss recorded in accordance with ASC 805 - Business Combinations related to our acquisition of six franchisee-owned stores on January 1, 2018. The loss recorded under GAAP represents the difference between the fair value of the reacquired franchise rights and the contractual terms of the reacquired franchise rights and is included in other (gain) loss on our consolidated statements of operations.
(4)
Represents costs associated with new corporate-owned stores incurred prior to the store opening, including payroll-related costs, rent and occupancy expenses, marketing and other store operating supply expenses.
(5)
Represents gains and losses related to the adjustment of our tax benefit arrangements primarily due to changes in our effective tax rate.

30


(6)
Represents certain other charges and gains that we do not believe reflect our underlying business performance. In the three months ended March 31, 2018 , this amount includes expense of $590 related to the write off of certain assets that were being tested for potential use across the system.
(7)
Includes $3,096 and $3,096 of amortization of intangible assets, other than favorable leases, for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively, recorded in connection with the 2012 Acquisition, and $903 and $825 of amortization of intangible assets for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively, recorded in connection with prior acquisitions of franchisee-owned stores. The adjustment represents the amount of actual non-cash amortization expense recorded, in accordance with U.S. GAAP, in each period.
(8)
Represents corporate income taxes at an assumed effective tax rate of 26.6% and 26.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively, applied to adjusted income before income taxes.
(9)
Assumes the full exchange of all outstanding Holdings Units and corresponding shares of Class B common stock for shares of Class A common stock of Planet Fitness, Inc.

A reconciliation of net income per share, diluted, to Adjusted net income per share, diluted is set forth below for three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 :
 
 
For the three months ended
March 31, 2019
 
For the three months ended
March 31, 2018
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Net income
 
Weighted Average Shares
 
Net income per share, diluted
 
Net income
 
Weighted Average Shares
 
Net income per share, diluted
Net income attributable to Planet Fitness, Inc. (1)
 
$
27,409

 
84,425

 
$
0.32

 
$
19,880

 
87,698

 
$
0.23

Assumed exchange of shares (2)
 
4,230

 
9,239

 
 
 
3,613

 
10,953

 
 
Net Income
 
31,639

 
 
 
 
 
23,493

 
 
 
 
Adjustments to arrive at adjusted income
   before income taxes (3)
 
12,861

 
 
 
 
 
12,001

 
 
 
 
Adjusted income before income taxes
 
44,500

 
 

 
 
 
35,494

 
 
 
 
Adjusted income taxes (4)
 
11,837

 
 
 
 
 
9,335

 
 
 
 
Adjusted Net Income
 
$
32,663

 
93,664

 
$
0.35

 
$
26,159

 
98,651

 
$
0.27

(1)
Represents net income attributable to Planet Fitness, Inc. and the associated weighted average shares, diluted of Class A common stock outstanding.
(2)
Assumes the full exchange of all outstanding Holdings Units and corresponding shares of Class B common stock for shares of Class A common stock of Planet Fitness, Inc. Also assumes the addition of net income attributable to non-controlling interests corresponding with the assumed exchange of Holdings Units and Class B common shares for shares of Class A common stock.
(3)
Represents the total impact of all adjustments identified in the adjusted net income table above to arrive at adjusted income before income taxes.
(4)
Represents corporate income taxes at an assumed effective tax rate of 26.6% and 26.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively, applied to adjusted income before income taxes.




31


Results of operations
The following table sets forth our condensed consolidated statements of operations as a percentage of total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 :
 
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
Revenue:
 
 

 
 

Franchise revenue
 
35.6
 %
 
34.8
 %
Commission income
 
0.7
 %
 
1.6
 %
National advertising fund revenue
 
7.9
 %
 
8.6
 %
Franchise segment
 
44.2
 %
 
45.0
 %
Corporate-owned stores
 
25.6
 %
 
27.0
 %
Equipment
 
30.2
 %
 
28.0
 %
Total revenue
 
100.0
 %
 
100.0
 %
Operating costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
Cost of revenue
 
23.2
 %
 
21.8
 %
Store operations
 
14.0
 %
 
15.1
 %
Selling, general and administrative
 
12.2
 %
 
14.5
 %
National advertising fund expense
 
7.9
 %
 
8.6
 %
Depreciation and amortization
 
6.7
 %
 
7.0
 %
Other loss
 
0.2
 %
 
0.8
 %
Total operating costs and expenses
 
64.2
 %
 
67.8
 %
Income from operations
 
35.8
 %
 
32.2
 %
Other income (expense), net:
 
 
 
 
Interest income
 
1.2
 %
 
 %
Interest expense
 
(9.9
)%
 
(7.2
)%
Other income (expense)
 
(2.2
)%
 
0.2
 %
Total other expense, net
 
(10.9
)%
 
(7.0
)%
Income before income taxes
 
24.9
 %
 
25.2
 %
Provision for income taxes
 
3.5
 %
 
5.7
 %
Net income
 
21.4
 %
 
19.5
 %
Less net income attributable to non-controlling interests
 
2.8
 %
 
3.0
 %
Net income attributable to Planet Fitness, Inc.
 
18.6
 %
 
16.5
 %


32


The following table sets forth a comparison of our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 :
 
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
(in thousands)
 
 

 
 

Revenue:
 
 
 
 

Franchise revenue
 
$
52,956

 
$
42,162

Commission income
 
994

 
1,989

National advertising fund revenue
 
11,812

 
10,461

Franchise segment
 
65,762

 
54,612

Corporate-owned stores
 
38,044

 
32,708

Equipment
 
45,011

 
34,013

Total revenue
 
148,817

 
121,333

Operating costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
Cost of revenue
 
34,486

 
26,500

Store operations
 
20,905

 
18,356

Selling, general and administrative
 
18,154

 
17,623

National advertising fund expense
 
11,812

 
10,461

Depreciation and amortization
 
9,907

 
8,465

Other loss
 
368

 
1,010

Total operating costs and expenses
 
95,632

 
82,415

Income from operations
 
53,185

 
38,918

Other income (expense), net:
 
 
 
 
Interest income
 
1,798

 
37

Interest expense
 
(14,749
)
 
(8,771
)
Other income (expense)
 
(3,318
)
 
192

Total other expense, net
 
(16,269
)
 
(8,542
)
Income before income taxes
 
36,916

 
30,376

Provision for income taxes
 
5,277

 
6,883

Net income
 
31,639

 
23,493

Less net income attributable to non-controlling interests
 
4,230

 
3,613

Net income attributable to Planet Fitness, Inc.
 
$
27,409

 
$
19,880

Comparison of the three months ended March 31, 2019 and three months ended March 31, 2018
Revenue
Total revenues were $ 148.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019 , compared to $ 121.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018 , an increase of $ 27.5 million, or 22.7% .
Franchise segment revenue was $ 65.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019 , compared to $ 54.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018 , an increase of $ 11.2 million, or 20.4% .
Franchise revenue was $ 53.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to $ 42.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018 , an increase of $ 10.8 million or 25.6% . Included in franchise revenue is royalty revenue of $ 44.7 million, franchise and other fees of $ 5.4 million, and placement revenue of $ 2.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 , compared to royalty revenue of $ 34.4 million, franchise and other fees of $ 5.7 million, and placement revenue of $ 2.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 . The $ 10.3 million increase in royalty revenue was primarily driven by a $ 4.0 million increase attributable to a same store sales increase of 10.3% in franchisee-owned stores and $ 3.0 million was attributable to royalties from new stores in 2019 , as well as stores that opened in 2018 that were not included in the same store sales base. Additionally, $ 2.3 million was due to higher royalty rates on monthly dues and $ 1.1 million due to higher royalties on annual fees, primarily as a result of the franchise agreements that were amended to increase royalty rates by 1.59%, offset by a corresponding decrease in franchise and other fees as well as reduced commission income (the "Rebate to Royalty Amendment").

33


Commission income, which is included in our franchise segment, was $ 1.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to $ 2.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018 . The $ 1.0 million decrease was primarily attributable to the Rebate to Royalty Amendment mentioned above.
National advertising fund revenue was $ 11.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019 , compared to $ 10.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018 , as a result of the higher store count and same store sales growth. This revenue is offset by national advertising fund expenses below.
Revenue from our corporate-owned stores segment was $ 38.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019 , compared to $ 32.7  million in the three months ended March 31, 2018 , an increase of $ 5.3 million, or 16.3% . The increase was due to higher revenue of $ 2.4 million from new corporate-owned stores opened or acquired since January 1, 2018, higher same store sales from corporate-owned stores which increased 8.0% in the three months ended March 31, 2019 and contributed incremental revenues of $ 2.0 million, and higher annual fee revenue of $ 0.9 million.
Equipment segment revenue was $ 45.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019 , compared to $ 34.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018 , an increase of $ 11.0 million, or 32.3% . The increase was driven by higher equipment sales to new franchisee-owned stores related to 15 additional new equipment sales in the three months ended March 31, 2019 , as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018 , as well as an increase in replacement equipment sales to existing franchisee-owned stores in the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018 .
Cost of revenue
Cost of revenue was $ 34.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to $ 26.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018 , an increase of $ 8.0 million, or 30.1% . Cost of revenue, which relates to our equipment segment, increase d due to 15 additional equipment sales to new franchisee-owned stores, in addition to an increase in replacement equipment sales to existing franchisee-owned stores in the three months ended March 31, 2019 , as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018 .
Store operations
Store operation expenses, which relate to our corporate-owned stores segment, were $ 20.9 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to $ 18.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018 , an increase of $ 2.5 million, or 13.9% . The increase was primarily attributable to the acquisition of four franchisee-owned stores on August 10, 2018, and the opening of four new corporate-owned stores since January 1, 2018.
Selling, general and administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses were $ 18.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to $ 17.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018 , an increase of $ 0.5 million, or 3.0% . The $ 0.5 million increase was primarily due to additional expenses incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2019 to support our growing operations, including additional headcount, higher variable and equity-based compensation, partially offset by lower costs associated with our franchisee conference held in the first quarter of 2018 and which we hold every approximately 18 months. With respect to our growing operations, we anticipate that our selling, general and administrative expenses will continue to increase as our franchisee-owned store count continues to grow.
National advertising fund expense
National advertising fund expense was $ 11.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to $ 10.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018 , as a result of the higher store count and same store sales growth. This expense is offset by national advertising fund revenue as described above.
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense consists of the depreciation of property and equipment, including leasehold and building improvements and equipment. Amortization expense consists of amortization related to our intangible assets, including customer relationships and non-compete agreements.
Depreciation and amortization expense was $ 9.9 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to $ 8.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018 , an increase of $ 1.4 million, or 17.0% . The increase was primarily attributable to the acquisition and opening of corporate-owned stores since January 1, 2018 as well as higher depreciation expense related to certain information technology capital investments.
Other loss
Other loss was $ 0.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to $ 1.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018 . Included in other loss in the three months ended March 31, 2018 was the write off of $0.6 million of certain assets that were being tested for potential use across the system.

34


Interest income
Interest income was $1.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019 , compared to $0 in the three months ended March 31, 2018 . The increase was due to the increase in the cash and restricted cash balances on our condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Interest expense
Interest expense primarily consists of interest on long-term debt as well as the amortization of deferred financing costs.  
Interest expense was $ 14.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to $ 8.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018 . The increase in interest expense is due to higher interest expense related to the issuance of $1.2 billion of Class A-2 Notes.
Other income (expense)
Other expense was $ 3.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to income of $ 0.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018 , a decrease of $ 3.5 million. The $ 3.3 million of expense in the three months ended March 31, 2019 , was primarily due to the remeasurement of our tax benefit arrangements due to changes in our effective tax rate.
Provision for income taxes
Income tax expense was $ 5.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019 , compared to $ 6.9 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018 , a decrease of $ 1.6 million. The decrease in the provision for income taxes was primarily attributable to a $3.8 million deferred tax benefit from the remeasurement of our net deferred tax assets in the three months ended March 31, 2019 .
Segment results
Franchise
Segment EBITDA for the franchise segment was $ 47.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to $ 36.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018 , an increase of $ 10.7 million, or 29.1% . This increase was primarily the result of growth in our franchise segment revenue of $ 4.0 million attributable to a same store sales increase of 10.3% in franchisee-owned stores and $ 3.0 million was attributable to royalties from new stores in 2019 , as well as stores that opened in 2018 that were not included in the same store sales base. Additionally, as a result of the Rebate to Royalty Amendment, $ 2.3 million was due to higher royalty rates on monthly dues and $ 1.1 million was due to higher royalties on annual fees. Also contributing to the increase in segment EBITDA was $0.9 million of lower franchise segment selling general and administrative expense associated with the timing of our franchisee conference and $0.7 million of higher equipment placement revenue. The increase in EBITDA was partially offset by $ 1.0 million of lower commission income in connection with the Rebate to Royalty Amendment. Depreciation and amortization was $ 2.0 million and $ 2.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively.
Corporate-owned stores
Segment EBITDA for the corporate-owned stores segment was $ 15.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to $ 12.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018 , an increase of $ 3.4 million, or 27.9% . Of this increase , $2.2 million was from stores included in our same store sales base in the three months ended March 31, 2019 , compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018 . An additional $0.3 million increase was attributable to the stores acquired and opened since January 1, 2018. Also contributing to the higher EBITDA in the three months ended March 31, 2019 was write off of $0.6 million of certain assets that were being tested for potential use across the system during the three months ended March 31, 2018. Depreciation and amortization was $ 5.7 million and $ 4.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. The increase in depreciation and amortization was primarily attributable to the stores acquired and opened since January 1, 2018.
Equipment
Segment EBITDA for the equipment segment was $ 10.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to $ 7.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018 , an increase of $ 2.9 million, or 39.3% , primarily driven by 15 additional equipment sales to new franchisee-owned stores in the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018 , in addition to an increase in replacement equipment sales to existing franchisee-owned stores in the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018 . Depreciation and amortization was $ 1.3 million and $ 1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively.

35


Liquidity and capital resources
As of March 31, 2019 , we had $ 336.0 million of cash and cash equivalents. In addition, as of March 31, 2019 , we had borrowing capacity of $75.0 million under our Variable Funding Note.
We require cash principally to fund day-to-day operations, to finance capital investments, to service our outstanding debt and tax benefit arrangements and to address our working capital needs. Based on our current level of operations and anticipated growth, we believe that with the available cash balance, the cash generated from our operations, and amounts available under our Variable Funding Note will be adequate to meet our anticipated debt service requirements and obligations under the tax benefit arrangements, capital expenditures and working capital needs for at least the next 12 months. We believe that we will be able to meet these obligations even if we experience no growth in sales or profits. Our ability to continue to fund these items and continue to reduce debt could be adversely affected by the occurrence of any of the events described under “Risk factors” in the Annual Report and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. There can be no assurance, however, that our business will generate sufficient cash flows from operations or that future borrowings will be available under our Variable Funding Note or otherwise to enable us to service our indebtedness, including our Class A-2 Notes, or to make anticipated capital expenditures. Our future operating performance and our ability to service, extend or refinance the senior secured credit facility will be subject to future economic conditions and to financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.
The following table presents summary cash flow information for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 :
 
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
( in thousands )
 
2019
 
2018
Net cash (used in) provided by:
 
 

 
 

Operating activities
 
$
57,934

 
$
48,134

Investing activities
 
(7,450
)
 
(30,499
)
Financing activities
 
(4,267
)
 
(3,319
)
Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash
 
250

 
(250
)
Net increase in cash
 
$
46,467

 
$
14,066

Operating activities
For the three months ended March 31, 2019 , net cash provided by operating activities was $ 57.9 million compared to $ 48.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018 , an increase of $ 9.8 million. Of the increase , $ 10.8 million was due to higher net income after adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities, and $ 1.0 million was due to lower cash used for working capital in the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018 .
Investing activities
For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , cash flow used in investing activities related to the following capital expenditures: 
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
( in thousands )
 
2019
 
2018
New corporate-owned stores and corporate-owned stores not yet opened
 
$
883

 
$

Existing corporate-owned stores
 
2,613

 
1,604

Information systems
 
3,936

 
337

Corporate and all other
 
39

 
95

Total capital expenditures
 
$
7,471

 
$
2,036

 
For the three months ended March 31, 2019 , net cash used in investing activities was $7.5 million compared to $30.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018 , a decrease of $23.0 million, and was primarily related to the acquisition of six franchisee-owned stores on January 1, 2018 for $28.5 million, partially offset by $ 5.4 million higher cash used for additions to property, plant and equipment.

36


Financing activities
For the three months ended March 31, 2019 , net cash used in financing activities was $4.3 million compared to cash used of $3.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018 , an increase of $0.9 million. The increase was primarily due higher quarterly principal payments under the Company's securitized financing facility during the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to its Term Loan B financing facility during the three months ended March 31, 2018 .
2018 Refinancing
On August 1, 2018, Planet Fitness Master Issuer LLC (the “Master Issuer”), a limited-purpose, bankruptcy remote, wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Pla-Fit Holdings, LLC, entered into a base indenture and a related supplemental indenture (collectively, the “Indenture”) under which the Master Issuer may issue multiple series of notes. On the same date, the Master Issuer issued Series 2018-1 4.262% Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes, Class A-2-I (the “Class A-2-I Notes”) with an initial principal amount of $575 million and Series 2018-1 4.666% Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes, Class A-2-II (the “Class A-2-II Notes” and, together with the Class A-2-I Notes, the “Class A-2 Notes”) with an initial principal amount of $625 million. In connection with the issuance of the Class A-2 Notes, the Master Issuer also entered into a revolving financing facility that allows for the issuance of up to $75 million in Series 2018-1 Variable Funding Senior Notes, Class A-1 (the “Variable Funding Notes” and together with the Class A-2 Notes, the "Series 2018-1 Senior Notes"), and certain letters of credit, all of which is currently undrawn. The Series 2018-1 Senior Notes were issued in a securitization transaction pursuant to which most of the Company’s domestic revenue-generating assets, consisting principally of franchise-related agreements, certain corporate-owned store assets, equipment supply agreements and intellectual property and license agreements for the use of intellectual property, were assigned to the Master Issuer and certain other limited-purpose, bankruptcy remote, wholly-owned indirect subsidiaries of the Company that act as guarantors of the Series 2018-1 Senior Notes and that have pledged substantially all of their assets to secure the Series 2018-1 Senior Notes.
The legal final maturity date of the Class A-2 Notes is in August 2048, but it is anticipated that, unless earlier prepaid to the extent permitted under the Indenture, the Class A-2-I Notes will be repaid in August 2022 and the Class A-2-II Notes will be repaid in August 2025.
A portion of the proceeds of the Class A-2 Notes was used to repay the remaining $705.9 million of principal outstanding on the then-existing senior secured credit facility. The additional proceeds, net of transaction costs, are being used for general corporate purposes, and may include a return of capital to the Company’s shareholders. See Note 6 for further information related to the Company's refinancing.
Off-balance sheet arrangements
As of March 31, 2019 , our off-balance sheet arrangements consisted of certain guarantees. In a limited number of cases, we have guaranteed certain leases and debt agreements of entities related through common ownership. These guarantees relate to leases for operating space, equipment and other operating costs of franchises operated by the related entities. Our maximum total commitment under these agreements is approximately $ 5.8 million and would only require payment upon default by the primary obligor. The estimated fair value of these guarantees at March 31, 2019 was not material, and no accrual has been recorded for our potential obligation under these arrangements. In 2019, in connection with a real estate partnership, the Company began guaranteeing certain leases of its franchisees up to a maximum period of ten years with earlier expiration dates possible if certain conditions are met.
Critical accounting policies and use of estimates
There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies and use of estimates from those described under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our Annual Report.  
 
ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk
Interest rate risk
The securitized financing facility includes the Series 2018-1 Senior Class A-2 Notes which are comprised of fixed interest rate notes and the Variable Funding Notes which allow for the issuance of up to $75.0 million of Variable Funding Notes. The issuance of the fixed-rate Class A-2 Notes has reduced the Company's exposure to interest rate increases that could adversely affect its earnings and cash flows. However, the Company is exposed to interest rate increases on future borrowings under the Variable Funding Notes.
Foreign exchange risk
We are exposed to fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the Canadian dollar, which is the functional currency of our Canadian entities. Our sales, costs and expenses of our Canadian subsidiaries, when translated into U.S. dollars, can fluctuate

37


due to exchange rate movement. As of March 31, 2019 , a 10% increase or decrease in the exchange rate of the U.S. and Canadian dollar would increase or decrease net income by a negligible amount.
Inflation risk
Although we do not believe that inflation has had a material effect on our income from continuing operations, we have a substantial number of hourly employees in our corporate-owned stores that are paid wage rates at or based on the applicable federal or state minimum wage. Any increases in these minimum wages will subsequently increase our labor costs. We may or may not be able to offset cost increases in the future.

38


ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.
Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of March 31, 2019 , our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits with the Securities and Exchange Commission is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in internal control over financial reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


39


PART II-OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings
We are currently involved in various claims and legal actions that arise in the ordinary course of business, most of which are covered by insurance. We do not believe that the ultimate resolution of these actions will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or capital resources nor do we believe that there is a reasonable possibility that we will incur material loss as a result of such actions. However, a significant increase in the number of these claims or an increase in amounts owing under successful claims could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
 
ITEM 1A. Risk Factors.
For a discussion of our potential risks and uncertainties, see the information under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Annual Report.  
ITEM 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
 
The following table provides information regarding purchases of shares of our Class A common stock by us and our “affiliated purchasers” (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Exchange Act) during the three months ended March 31, 2019 .
 
 
 
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Period
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased
 
Average Price Paid Per Share
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (1,2)
 
Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (1,2)
01/01/19 - 01/31/19
 

 

 

 
$157,910,178
02/01/19 - 02/28/19
 

 
$

 

 
$157,910,178
03/01/19 - 03/31/19
 

 
$

 

 
$157,910,178
Total
 

 
$

 

 
$157,910,178

(1) On August 3, 2018, our board of directors approved an increase to the total amount of the previously announced share repurchase program from $100,000,000 to $500,000,000. Purchases may be effected through one or more open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions, transactions structured through investment banking institutions, or a combination of the foregoing.
(2) On November 13, 2018, the Company entered into a $300 million accelerated share repurchase ("ASR") agreement (the “ASR Agreement”) with Citibank, N.A. (the “Bank”). Pursuant to the terms of the ASR Agreement, on November 14, 2018, the Company paid the Bank $300 million in cash and received 4,607,410 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock. At final settlement, the Bank may be required to deliver additional shares to the Company, or, under certain circumstances, the Company may be required to deliver shares of its Class A common stock or may elect to make a cash payment to the Bank, based generally on the average of the daily volume-weighted average prices of the Company’s Class A common stock during the term of the ASR Agreement. The ASR Agreement contains provisions customary for agreements of this type, including provisions for adjustments to the transaction terms, the circumstances generally under which the ASR Agreement may be accelerated, extended or terminated early by the Bank and various acknowledgments, representations and warranties made by the parties to one another. Final settlement of the ASR Agreement occurred on April 30, 2019. At final settlement, the Bank delivered 524,124 shares of the Company's Class A common stock.

In connection with our IPO, we and the existing holders of Holdings Units entered into an exchange agreement under which they (or certain permitted transferees) have the right, from time to time and subject to the terms of the exchange agreement, to exchange their Holdings Units, together with a corresponding number of shares of Class B common stock, for shares of our Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to customary conversion rate adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends, reclassifications and other similar transactions. As an existing holder of Holdings Units exchanges Holdings Units for shares of Class A common stock, the number of Holdings Units held by Planet Fitness, Inc. is correspondingly increased, and a corresponding number of shares of Class B common stock are canceled.
 
ITEM 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
None.
 
ITEM 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

40


None.
 
ITEM 5. Other Information.
None.
 
ITEM 6. Exhibits
 
 
 
 
Description of Exhibit Incorporated
 
 
 
 
Herein by Reference
Exhibit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit
 
Filed
Number
 
Exhibit Description
 
Form
 
File No.
 
Filing Date
 
Number
 
Herewith
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.3
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.4
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
31.1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
31.2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
32.1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
32.2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101
 
Interactive Data Files pursuant to Rule 405 of regulation S-T (XBRL)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
X


41


Signatures
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.
 
 
 
 
 
Planet Fitness, Inc.
 
 
 
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
Date: May 8, 2019
 
 
 
/s/ Dorvin Lively
 
 
 
 
Dorvin Lively
 
 
 
 
President and Chief Financial Officer
(On behalf of the Registrant and as Principal Financial Officer)


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