UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
ý |
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005
OR
o |
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 1-8747
AMC ENTERTAINMENT INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
43-1304369 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
|
920 Main Kansas City, Missouri (Address of principal executive offices) |
64105 (Zip Code) |
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (816) 221-4000
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None.
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 ý No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ý
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o No ý
No voting stock of AMC Entertainment Inc. is held by non-affiliates of AMC Entertainment Inc.
| Title of each class of common stock |
Number of shares Outstanding as of May 27, 2005 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Common Stock, 1¢ par value | 1 |
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
None
AMC ENTERTAINMENT INC.
FORM 10-K
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2005
INDEX
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Page |
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| PART I | ||||
Item 1. |
Business |
4 |
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| Item 2. | Properties | 14 | ||
| Item 3. | Legal Proceedings | 14 | ||
| Item 4. | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders | 17 | ||
PART II |
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Item 5. |
Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities |
17 |
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| Item 6. | Selected Financial Data | 18 | ||
| Item 7. | Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 20 | ||
| Item 7A. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk | 43 | ||
| Item 8. | Financial Statements and Supplementary Data | 45 | ||
| Item 9. | Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure | 103 | ||
| Item 9A. | Controls and Procedures | 103 | ||
| Item 9B. | Other Information | 103 | ||
PART III |
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Item 10. |
Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant |
104 |
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| Item 11. | Executive Compensation | 107 | ||
| Item 12. | Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters | 113 | ||
| Item 13. | Certain Relationships and Related Transactions | 115 | ||
| Item 14. | Principal Accounting Fees and Services | 119 | ||
PART IV |
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Item 15. |
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules |
121 |
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All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K regarding the prospects of our industry and our prospects, plans, financial position and business strategy may constitute forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "plan," "foresee," "believe" or "continue" or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct. All such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the relevant forward-looking statement. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include, among others: (i) our ability to enter into various financing programs; (ii) the cost and availability of films and the
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performance of films licensed by us; (iii) competition; (iv) construction delays; (v) the ability to open or close theatres and screens as currently planned; (vi) the ability to sub-lease vacant retail space; (vii) domestic and international political, social and economic conditions; (viii) demographic changes; (ix) increases in the demand for real estate; (x) changes in real estate, zoning and tax laws; (xi) unforeseen changes in operating requirements; (xii) our ability to identify suitable acquisition candidates and successfully integrate acquisitions into our operations; and (xiii) results of significant litigation. Readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements.
All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements included herein are made only as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and we do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to such forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
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(a) General Development of Business
We are organized as an intermediate holding company. Following the Merger, as discussed below, on December 23, 2004, AMC Entertainment Inc. ("AMCE" or the "Company") became a privately-held company, wholly owned by Marquee Holdings Inc. ("Holdings"). Holdings is wholly owned by J.P. Morgan Partners (BHCA) L.P., Apollo Investment Fund V, L.P., other co-investors and certain members of management. Our principal directly owned subsidiaries are American Multi-Cinema, Inc. ("AMC") and AMC Entertainment International, Inc. ("AMCEI"). We conduct our North American theatrical exhibition business through AMC and its subsidiaries and AMCEI. We are operating theatres outside the United States through AMCEI and its subsidiaries.
Predecessor, as discussed below, was founded in Kansas City, Missouri in 1920. We were incorporated under the laws of the state of Delaware on June 13, 1983 and maintain our principal executive offices at 920 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64105. Our telephone number at such address is (816) 221-4000.
On March 15, 2002, we acquired the operations and related assets of Gulf States Theatres for a cash purchase price of approximately $45.8 million. The acquisition included five theatres with 68 screens in the New Orleans, Louisiana area. Operating results of the acquired theatres are included in our consolidated statements of operations from March 15, 2002.
On March 29, 2002, we acquired GC Companies, Inc. ("GC Companies"), pursuant to the plan of reorganization of GC Companies which we sponsored, for a purchase price of approximately $168.9 million (net of $6.5 million from the sale of GC Companies' portfolio of venture capital investments on the effective date of the plan of reorganization). The acquisition included 66 theatres with 621 screens throughout the United States and a 50% interest in a joint venture that operates 17 theatres with 160 screens in Argentina, Chile, Brazil and Uruguay. Operating results of the acquired theatres are included in our consolidated statements of operations from March 29, 2002. The purchase price for GC Companies includes estimated cash payments of $68.5 million, the issuance of $72.9 million of our 91/2% senior subordinated notes due 2011 with a fair value of $71.8 million and the issuance of $35.2 million of our Predecessor's common stock, or 2.6 million shares based on a fair value of $13.64 per share (the closing price per share on the effective date of the plan of reorganization).
On December 4, 2003, we sold our only theatre in Sweden and incurred a loss on sale of approximately $5.6 million, which included a payment of approximately $5.3 million to the purchaser. We opened our theatre in Sweden during fiscal 2001, and since that time we had incurred pre-tax losses of approximately $17.2 million, including an impairment charge of approximately $4.7 million in fiscal 2002 and a loss on sale of approximately $5.6 million in fiscal 2004. The operations and cash flows of the Sweden theatre have been eliminated from our ongoing operations as a result of the disposal transaction, and we do not have any significant continuing involvement in the operations of the Sweden theatre. The results of operations of the Sweden theatre have been classified as discontinued operations, and information presented for all periods reflects the new classification. The operations of the Sweden theatre were previously reported in our International theatrical exhibition operating segment.
On December 19, 2003, we acquired certain of the operations and related assets of MegaStar Cinemas, LLC ("MegaStar") for a cash purchase price of approximately $15.0 million. The acquisition included three theatres with 48 screens in the Minneapolis, Minnesota and Atlanta, Georgia areas. Operating results of the acquired theatres are included in our consolidated statements of operations from December 19, 2003.
On December 23, 2004, we completed a merger (the "Merger") in which we were acquired by Holdings, a newly created investment vehicle owned by J.P. Morgan Partners (BHCA) L.P. and certain
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other affiliated funds managed by J.P. Morgan Partners, LLC (collectively, "JPMP") and Apollo Investment Fund V, L.P. and certain related investment funds (collectively, "Apollo," and together with JPMP, the "Sponsors") and certain other co-investors. Marquee Inc. ("Marquee"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdings merged with and into us, with AMCE as the surviving entity. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger, each issued and outstanding share of our common stock and Class B stock was converted into the right to receive $19.50 in cash and each issued and outstanding share of our preferred stock was converted into the right to receive $2,727.27 in cash. The total amount of consideration paid in the Merger was approximately $1.67 billion. Marquee is a company formed on July 16, 2004. On December 23, 2004, pursuant to a merger agreement, Marquee merged with AMCE (the "Predecessor"). Upon the consummation of the Merger between Marquee and AMCE on December 23, 2004, Marquee merged with and into AMCE, with AMCE as the surviving reporting entity (the "Successor"). The merger was treated as a purchase with Marquee being the "accounting acquiror" in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141 Business Combinations. As a result, the Successor applied the purchase method of accounting to the separable assets, including goodwill, and liabilities of the accounting acquiree, AMCE, as of December 23, 2004, the merger date. The consolidated financial statements presented herein are those of the accounting acquiror from its inception on July 16, 2004 through March 31, 2005, and those of its Predecessor, AMCE, for all prior periods through the merger date. See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements under Part II Item 8. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
On March 29, 2005, the Company and Regal Entertainment Group announced that we are combining our respective cinema screen advertising businesses into a new joint venture company called National CineMedia, LLC. The new company will engage in the marketing and sale of cinema advertising and promotions products; business communications and training services; and the distribution of digital alternative content. We contributed fixed assets and exhibitor agreements of our cinema screen advertising subsidiary National Cinema Network ("NCN") to National CineMedia, LLC. Additionally, we will pay termination benefits related to the displacement of certain NCN associates. In consideration of the NCN contributions described above, National CineMedia, LLC issued a 37% interest in its Class A units to NCN.
On March 24, 2005 we commenced an organizational restructuring related to functions at our home office and our film office, intended to flatten management structure and align systems, resources and areas of expertise to promote faster communication. The primary goal of the restructuring is to create a simplified organizational structure. We recorded $4,926,000 of expenses related to one-time termination benefits and other costs related to the displacement of approximately 200 associates as part of the organizational restructuring and the contribution of assets by NCN to NCM. We expect to complete the restructuring including payment of related costs by the end of our first fiscal quarter of 2006.
Subsequent to March 31, 2005, we agreed to sell four of our five theatres in Japan for a sales price of approximately $46 million. This pending transaction is expected to close during our second fiscal quarter of 2006.
On June 21, 2005, our parent, Holdings, entered into a merger agreement with LCE Holdings, Inc., the parent of Loews Cineplex Entertainment Corporation ("Loews"), pursuant to which LCE Holdings will merge with Holdings, with Holdings continuing as the holding company for the merged businesses, and Loews will merge with AMCE, with AMCE continuing after the merger. The mergers are expected to close during our fourth fiscal quarter of 2006 and are subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions for transactions of this type, including antitrust approval and completion of financing to refinance our amended credit facility and Loews' senior secured credit facility. Upon completion of the mergers, the existing stockholders of Holdings would hold approximately 60% of its outstanding capital stock, and the current stockholders of LCE Holdings, including affiliates of Bain Capital Partners, LLC, The Carlyle Group and Spectrum Equity Investors, would hold approximately 40% of the outstanding capital stock.
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(b) Financial Information about Segments
For information about our operating segments, see Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements under Part II Item 8. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(c) Narrative Description of Business
We are one of the world's leading theatrical exhibition companies based on revenues. As of March 31, 2005, we operated 229 theatres with a total of 3,546 screens, with 93%, or 3,308, of our screens in North America, and 7%, or 238, of our screens in China (Hong Kong), Japan, France, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom. For the successor period from inception on July 16, 2004 through March 31, 2005, we had revenues of $468.8 million, net losses of $34.8 million and net cash used in operating activities of $58.6 million. For the predecessor period from April 2, 2004 through December 23, 2004, we had revenues of $1.3 billion, net losses of $35.9 million and net cash provided by operating activities of $141.7 million. For the 52 weeks ended April 1, 2004, we had revenues of $1.8 billion, a net loss of $10.7 million and net cash provided by operating activities of $183.3 million.
Our North American and international theatrical exhibition revenues are generated primarily from box office admissions and theatre concession sales, which represented approximately 68% and 26%, respectively, of our revenues during the Successor period ended March 31, 2005 and during the Predecessor period ended December 23, 2004. The balance of our revenues is generated from ancillary sources, including on-screen advertising, rental of theatre auditoriums, fees and other revenues generated from the sale of gift certificates and theatre tickets and arcade games located in theatre lobbies.
Our Competitive Strengths
Key characteristics of our business that we believe make us a particularly effective competitor against other theatrical exhibition companies and other providers of entertainment with whom we compete are:
Modern Theatre Circuit. We are an industry leader in the development and operation of megaplex theatres, typically defined as having 14 or more screens and offering amenities to enhance the movie-going experience, such as stadium seating providing unobstructed viewing, digital sound and enhanced seat design. We believe that the megaplex format provides the operator with enhanced revenue opportunities and better asset utilization while creating convenience for patrons by increasing film choice and the number of film starting times. We believe that our introduction of the megaplex in 1995 has led to the current industry replacement cycle, which has accelerated the obsolescence of older, smaller theatres by setting new standards for moviegoers. We continually upgrade the quality of our theatre circuit by adding new screens through new builds (including expansions) and acquisitions and by disposing of older screens through closures and sales. From April 1995 through March 31, 2005, we added 114 theatres with 2,387 new screens, acquired 80 theatres with 786 screens and disposed of 197 theatres with 1,257 screens. As of March 31, 2005, approximately 74%, or 2,641, of our screens were located in megaplex theatres. As of March 31, 2005, our average number of screens per theatre was 15.5, which we believe was the highest among the major North America theatre exhibitors and indicative of the extent to which we have developed our theatre circuit, compared with 6.4 (according to the National Association of Theatre Operators) for all North America theatrical exhibition companies.
Highly Productive Theatres. Our theatres are generally among the most productive in the markets in which they operate. As measured by AC Nielsen EDI, Inc. ("EDI"), we operated 21 of the top 50 theatres in the United States in terms of box office revenues for the 52 weeks ended March 31, 2005. Our next
6
closest competitor operated seven. Our theatre circuit in North America also produces box office revenues per screen at rates approximately 30% higher than the industry average, as measured by EDI.
Broad Major Market Coverage with Prime Theatre Locations. In addition to our asset quality and the high levels of productivity of our theatres, our theatres are generally located in large, urban markets, giving us a breadth of market coverage that places us in most major markets in the United States. We operate in 88% of the Top 25 "Designated Market Areas," or "DMAs" (television market areas as defined by EDI). Our theatres are usually located near or within developments that include retail stores, restaurants and other activities that complement the movie-going experience.
The following table provides detail with respect to the geographic location of our theatre circuit as of March 31, 2005:
| North America |
Total Screens |
Total Theatres |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 489 | 31 | |||
| Florida | 428 | 29 | |||
| Texas | 409 | 21 | |||
| Georgia | 165 | 10 | |||
| Illinois | 157 | 8 | |||
| Arizona | 148 | 7 | |||
| Pennsylvania | 129 | 12 | |||
| Ohio | 107 | 8 | |||
| Missouri | 103 | 7 | |||
| Virginia | 100 | 6 | |||
| Massachusetts | 78 | 7 | |||
| New Jersey | 78 | 7 | |||
| Minnesota | 75 | 6 | |||
| Maryland | 73 | 7 | |||
| Colorado | 72 | 4 | |||
| Louisiana | 68 | 5 | |||
| Michigan | 66 | 4 | |||
| New York | 58 | 4 | |||
| Washington | 56 | 6 | |||
| Kansas | 55 | 3 | |||
| North Carolina | 46 | 2 | |||
| Oklahoma | 44 | 2 | |||
| Indiana | 38 | 4 | |||
| South Carolina | 28 | 3 | |||
| Nebraska | 24 | 1 | |||
| Kentucky | 20 | 1 | |||
| Wisconsin | 18 | 1 | |||
| District of Columbia | 16 | 2 | |||
| Total United States | 3,148 | 208 | |||
| Canada | 160 | 7 | |||
| Total North America | 3,308 | 215 | |||
International |
Total Screens |
Total Theatres |
|||
| China (Hong Kong) | 11 | 1 | |||
| Japan | 79 | 5 | |||
| France | 14 | 1 | |||
| Portugal | 20 | 1 | |||
| Spain | 86 | 4 | |||
| United Kingdom | 28 | 2 | |||
| Total International | *238 | *14 | |||
| Total Theatre Circuit | *3,546 | *229 | |||
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The following table sets forth information concerning new builds (including expansions), acquisitions and dispositions and end of period theatres and screens operated.
| |
New Builds |
Acquisitions |
Dispositions |
Total Theatres Operated |
||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiscal Year |
Number of Theatres |
Number of Screens |
Number of Theatres |
Number of Screens |
Number of Theatres |
Number of Screens |
Number of Theatres |
Number of Screens |
||||||||
| 1996 | 7 | 150 | | | 13 | 61 | 226 | 1,719 | ||||||||
| 1997 | 17 | 314 | | | 15 | 76 | 228 | 1,957 | ||||||||
| 1998 | 24 | 608 | | | 23 | 123 | 229 | 2,442 | ||||||||
| 1999 | 17 | 351 | 3 | 29 | 16 | 87 | 233 | 2,735 | ||||||||
| 2000 | 20 | 450 | | | 42 | 279 | 211 | 2,906 | ||||||||
| 2001 | 6 | 115 | | | 37 | 250 | 180 | 2,771 | ||||||||
| 2002 | 8 | 146 | 5 | 68 | 12 | 86 | 181 | 2,899 | ||||||||
| 2003 | 5 | 95 | *69 | *641 | 16 | 111 | *239 | *3,524 | ||||||||
| 2004 | 7 | 114 | 3 | 48 | 17 | 142 | *232 | *3,544 | ||||||||
| 2005 | 3 | 44 | | | 6 | 42 | *229 | *3,546 | ||||||||
| 114 | 2,387 | 80 | 786 | 197 | 1,257 | |||||||||||
Our Strategy
Our strategic plan has three principal elements:
Maximizing Operating Efficiencies. We believe the fundamentals of our business include maximizing revenues and managing our costs. Since fiscal 1999 we have implemented initiatives in key areas which have resulted in improvement in our operating margins.
We continue to evaluate opportunities for further revenue and cost savings in these and other areas.
Optimizing Our Theatre Portfolio. Asset quality is a function of our selective new build, acquisition and theatre disposition strategies.
As a recognized leader in the development and operation of megaplex theatres and based upon our financial resources, we believe that we will continue to have attractive new build opportunities presented to us by real estate developers and others. We intend to selectively pursue new build opportunities where the characteristics of the location and the overall market meet our strategic and financial return criteria. As of March 31, 2005, we had nine theatres with 148 screens under construction in North America. Since April 1995, we have added 2,387 screens in high performing state-of-the-art theatres.
We believe that a major factor that further differentiates us from our competitors and has contributed to our overall theatre portfolio quality has been our proactive efforts to close older, underperforming theatres. Since fiscal 1995, our last fiscal year before the first megaplex theatre opened, we have disposed of 1,257 screens. In order to maintain a modern, high quality theatre circuit, we will continue to evaluate our theatre portfolio and, where appropriate, dispose of theatres through closures, lease terminations, lease buyouts, sales or subleases. We have identified 30 underperforming multiplex theatres with 261 screens that we may close over the next one to three years due to expiration of leases or early lease terminations.
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There are approximately 550 theatrical exhibitors in North America, and the top five exhibitors account for approximately 50% of the industry's screens. This statistic is up from 31% in 1999 and evidences that the theatrical exhibition business in North America has been consolidating. We played a key role in this consolidation process in 2002, 2003 and 2004 by acquiring three domestic theatre operators with a total of 757 screens.
Enhancing and Extending Our Business and Brands. We believe there are opportunities to increase our core and ancillary revenues and build brand equity through enhancements of our business, new product offerings and strategic marketing. For example:
Film Licensing
We predominantly license "first-run" motion pictures from distributors owned by major film production companies and from independent distributors. We license films on a film-by-film and theatre-by-theatre basis. We obtain these licenses based on several factors, including number of seats and screens available for a particular picture, revenue potential and the location and condition of our theatres. We pay rental fees on a negotiated basis.
North American film distributors typically establish geographic film licensing zones and generally allocate available film to one theatre within that zone. Film zones generally encompass a radius of three to five miles in metropolitan and suburban markets, depending primarily upon population density. In film zones where we are the sole exhibitor, we obtain film licenses by selecting a film from among those offered and negotiating directly with the distributor. In film zones where there is competition, a distributor generally will allocate its films among the exhibitors in the zone. As of March 31, 2005, approximately 82% of our screens in the United States were located in non-competitive film zones.
Licenses that we enter into typically state that rental fees are based on either firm terms established prior to the opening of the picture or on a mutually agreed settlement upon the conclusion of the picture run. Under a firm terms formula, we pay the distributor a specified percentage of box office receipts, with the percentages declining over the term of the run.
There are several distributors which provide a substantial portion of quality first-run motion pictures to the exhibition industry. These include Buena Vista Pictures (Disney), Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros. Distribution, New Line Cinema, SONY Pictures Releasing, Miramax, MGM, Twentieth Century Fox and DreamWorks. Films licensed from these distributors accounted for approximately 91% of our North American admissions revenues during fiscal 2005. Our revenues attributable to individual distributors may vary significantly from year to year depending upon the commercial success of each distributor's motion pictures in any given year. In fiscal 2005, no single distributor accounted for more than 6% of the motion pictures that we licensed or for more than 15% of our box office admissions.
During the period from 1990 to 2004, the annual number of first-run motion pictures released by distributors in the United States ranged from a low of 370 in 1995 to a high of 490 in 1998, according to the Motion Picture Association of America. During 2004, 475 first-run motion pictures were released by distributors in the United States.
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Concessions
Concessions sales are our second largest source of revenue after box office admissions. Concessions items include popcorn, soft drinks, candy, hot dogs and other products. Different varieties of candy and soft drinks are offered at our theatres based on preferences in that particular geographic region. We have also implemented "combo-meals" for patrons which offer a pre-selected assortment of concessions products and offer co-branded and private label products that are unique to us.
Our strategy emphasizes prominent and appealing concessions counters designed for rapid service and efficiency. We design our megaplex theatres to have more concessions capacity to make it easier to serve larger numbers of customers. In addition, our megaplexes generally feature the "pass-through" concept, which enables the concessionist serving patrons to simply sell concessions items instead of also preparing them, thus providing more rapid service to customers. Strategic placement of large concessions stands within theatres heightens their visibility, aids in reducing the length of lines, allows flexibility to introduce new concepts and improves traffic flow around the concessions stands.
We negotiate prices for our concessions products and supplies directly with concessions vendors on a national or regional basis to obtain high volume discounts or bulk rates and marketing incentives.
Theatre Management and Support
We use a centralized structure for policy development, strategic planning, asset management, marketing, human resources, finance, accounting and information systems. These systems are managed at our corporate office located in Kansas City, Missouri.
We staff our theatres with personnel capable of making day-to-day operating decisions. A portion of management's compensation at each theatre is linked to the operating results of that theatre. All theatre level personnel complete formal training programs to maximize both customer service and the efficiency of our operations. Theatre managers receive market-based training within their first 18 months with us which focuses on operations administration, marketing and information systems interpretation.
Theatre staffing varies depending on the size and configuration of the theatre and levels of attendance. For example, a typical 10-screen movie theatre may have four managers with 50 associates while a megaplex theatre may have eight managers and 125 associates. We are committed to developing the strongest possible management teams and seek college graduates for career management positions.
Employees
As of March 31, 2005, we had approximately 1,000 full-time and 14,600 part-time employees. Approximately 1.7% of our part-time employees were minors that were paid the minimum wage.
Approximately 1% of our domestic employees, consisting primarily of motion picture projectionists, are represented by a union, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stagehand Employees and Motion Picture Machine Operators (and affiliated local unions). We believe that our relationship with this union is satisfactory.
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Theatrical Exhibition Industry and Competition
Motion picture theatres are a primary initial distribution channel for new motion picture releases and we believe that the theatrical success of a motion picture is often an important factor in establishing its value in the DVD/videocassette, cable television and other ancillary markets.
Moviegoing has demonstrated steady growth, with North American box office revenues increasing by a 5.5% compound average growth rate, ("CAGR") over the last 30 years. Since the introduction of the megaplex in 1995, these positive growth trends have become more pronounced, with box office revenues growing by a 6.3% CAGR from 1995 to 2004. In 2004, industry box office revenues were $9.5 billion, a decrease of less than 1% from the prior year, and attendance was 1.54 billion, a decrease of 2.4% from the prior year but the third highest attendance level in 45 years.
As a result of the economic appeal of megaplex theatres and exhibitors' development of new megaplexes without a corresponding closure of older multiplexes, from 1995 to 1999 the industry's indoor screen count grew by a CAGR of 8%, from 27,000 to 36,500 screens. However, attendance per screen declined during this period by a CAGR of 4%. We believe that this decline reflects the industry's excess screen capacity, in which older multiplexes or less competitively positioned theatres were effectively rendered obsolete by newer megaplexes, resulting in declining profitability.
In 2004, there were approximately 436 fewer screens than in 1999, as many competitors in the industry closed older multiplexes. As a result, from 1999 to 2004 the industry's screen count decreased by a CAGR of less than 1% and attendance per screen increased during this period by a CAGR of 1%.
The following table represents information about the exhibition industry obtained from the National Association of Theatre Owners and Motion Picture Association 2004 MPA Market Statistics.
| Calendar Year |
Box Office Revenues (In millions) |
Attendance (In millions) |
Average Ticket Price |
Number of Theatres |
Indoor Screens |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | $ | 9,539 | 1,536 | $ | 6.21 | 5,629 | 36,012 | |||||
| 2003 | 9,488 | 1,574 | 6.03 | 5,700 | 35,361 | |||||||
| 2002 | 9,520 | 1,639 | 5.80 | 5,712 | 35,170 | |||||||
| 2001 | 8,413 | 1,487 | 5.65 | 5,813 | 34,490 | |||||||
| 2000 | 7,661 | 1,421 | 5.39 | 6,550 | 35,567 | |||||||
| 1999 | 7,448 | 1,465 | 5.06 | 7,031 | 36,448 | |||||||
| 1998 | 6,949 | 1,481 | 4.69 | 6,894 | 33,418 | |||||||
| 1997 | 6,365 | 1,388 | 4.59 | 6,903 | 31,050 | |||||||
| 1996 | 5,911 | 1,339 | 4.42 | 7,215 | 28,905 | |||||||
| 1995 | 5,493 | 1,263 | 4.35 | 7,151 | 26,995 | |||||||
There are approximately 550 companies competing in the North American theatrical exhibition industry, approximately 330 of which operate four or more screens. Industry participants vary substantially in size, from small independent operators to large international chains. Based on information obtained from the National Association of Theatre Owners 2004-05 Encyclopedia of Exhibition, we believe that the ten largest exhibitors (in terms of number of screens) operated approximately 61% of the indoor screens in 2004.
Our theatres are subject to varying degrees of competition in the geographic areas in which they operate. Competition is often intense with respect to attracting patrons, licensing motion pictures and finding new theatre sites. Where real estate is readily available, there are few barriers preventing another company from opening a theatre near one of our theatres, which may adversely effect operations at our theatre.
The theatrical exhibition industry faces competition from other forms of out-of-home entertainment, such as concerts, amusement parks and sporting events, and from other distribution channels for filmed
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entertainment, such as cable television, pay per view and home video systems, as well as from all other forms of entertainment.
Regulatory Environment
The distribution of motion pictures is, in large part, regulated by federal and state antitrust laws and has been the subject of numerous antitrust cases. The consent decrees resulting from one of those cases, to which we were not a party, have a material impact on the industry and us. Those consent decrees bind certain major motion picture distributors and require the motion pictures of such distributors to be offered and licensed to exhibitors, including us, on a film-by-film and theatre-by-theatre basis. Consequently, we cannot assure ourselves of a supply of motion pictures by entering into long-term arrangements with major distributors, but must compete for our licenses on a film-by-film and theatre-by-theatre basis.
Our theatres must comply with Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (the "ADA"). Compliance with the ADA requires that public accommodations "reasonably accommodate" individuals with disabilities and that new construction or alterations made to "commercial facilities" conform to accessibility guidelines unless "structurally impracticable" for new construction or technically infeasible for alterations. Non-compliance with the ADA could result in the imposition of injunctive relief, fines, awards of damages to private litigants or additional capital expenditures to remedy such noncompliance. Although we believe that our theatres are in substantial compliance with the ADA, in January 1999, the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice filed suit against us alleging that certain of our theatres with stadium-style seating violate the ADA. See "Legal Proceedings" under Part I Item 3. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
As an employer covered by the ADA, we must make reasonable accommodations to the limitations of employees and qualified applicants with disabilities, provided that such reasonable accommodations do not pose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. In addition, many of our employees are covered by various government employment regulations, including minimum wage, overtime and working conditions regulations.
Our operations also are subject to federal, state and local laws regulating such matters as construction, renovation and operation of theatres as well as wages and working conditions, citizenship, health and sanitation requirements and licensing. We believe our theatres are in material compliance with such requirements.
We also own and operate theatres and other properties which may be subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to environmental protection. Certain of these laws and regulations may impose joint and several liability on certain statutory classes of persons for the costs of investigation or remediation of contamination, regardless of fault or the legality of original disposal. We believe our theatres are in material compliance with such requirements.
Seasonality
Our revenues are dependent upon the timing of motion picture releases by distributors. The most marketable motion pictures are usually released during the summer and the year-end holiday seasons. Therefore, our business can be seasonal, with higher attendance and revenues generally occurring during the summer months and holiday seasons. Our results of operations may vary significantly from quarter to quarter.
(d) Financial Information About Geographic Areas
For information about the geographic areas in which we operate, see Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements under Part II Item 8. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. During fiscal 2005, revenues from our theatre operations outside the United States accounted for 10% of our total revenues.
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Our North American operations include megaplexes in Canada as well. There are significant differences between the theatrical exhibition industry in the United States and in these international markets. These include:
Other risks associated with our foreign operations include:
There are also other risks that may limit or disrupt motion picture exhibition and markets, restrict the movement of funds or result in the deprivation of contract rights or the taking of property by nationalization or appropriation without fair compensation. Such differences in industry structure and regulatory and trade practices may adversely affect our ability to expand internationally or to operate at a profit following such expansion.
(e) Available Information.
We make available on our web site (www.amctheatres.com) under "Investor ResourcesSEC Filings", free of charge, our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file or furnish such material with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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The following table sets forth the general character and ownership classification of our theatre circuit as of March 31, 2005:
| Property Holding Classification |
Total Theatres |
Total Screens |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owned | 5 | 48 | ||
| Leased pursuant to ground leases | 14 | 157 | ||
| Leased pursuant to building leases | 208 | 3,326 | ||
| Managed | 2 | 15 | ||
| Total | *229 | *3,546 | ||
Our theatre leases generally have initial terms ranging from 10 to 25 years, with options to extend the lease for up to 20 additional years. The leases typically require escalating minimum annual rent payments and additional rent payments based on a percentage of the leased theatre's revenue above a base amount and require us to pay for property taxes, maintenance, insurance and certain other property-related expenses. In some instances our escalating minimum annual rent payments are contingent upon increases in the consumer price index. In some cases, our rights as tenant are subject and subordinate to the mortgage loans of lenders to our lessors, so that if a mortgage were to be foreclosed, we could lose our lease. Historically, this has never occurred.
We lease our corporate headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri.
The majority of the concessions, projection, seating and other equipment required for each of our theatres is owned.
Jose Vargas and Maria Victoria Vargas v. R.K. Butler and EPT DOWNREIT II and American Multi-Cinema, Inc. d/b/a AMC Theatres Studio 30 and Houston Police Department (No. 2003-61045 filed in the District Court of Harris County, Texas). On November 3, 2003, Jose Vargas and Maria Victoria Vargas as beneficiaries of Jose Vargas, Jr. filed a wrongful death action seeking damages related to the death of their minor son. The case arises from a shooting death that occurred approximately one and a half blocks away from the premises of the AMC Studio 30 in Houston, Texas on October 31, 2003. The Vargas youth was shot by a Houston Police officer who was working as an off-duty security officer at the AMC Studio 30. The Vargas youth had been driving around the AMC parking lot with friends in an automobile prior to the shooting. The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified damages on a variety of legal theories.
United States of America v. AMC Entertainment Inc. and American Multi-Cinema, Inc. (No. 99-01034 FMC (SHx), filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California). On January 29, 1999, the Department of Justice (the "Department") filed suit alleging that our stadium-style theatres violate the ADA and related regulations. The Department alleges that we have failed to provide persons in wheelchairs seating arrangements with lines of sight comparable to the general public. The Department alleges various non-line of sight violations as well. The Department seeks declaratory and injunctive relief regarding existing and future theatres with stadium-style seating, compensatory damages in the approximate amount of $75,000 and a civil penalty of $110,000.
On November 20, 2002 the trial court entered summary judgment in favor of the Justice Department on the line of sight aspects of this case. The trial court ruled that wheelchair spaces located solely on the sloped floor portion of the stadium-style auditoriums fail to provide lines of sight comparable to the
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general public. The trial court did not address specific changes that might be required of our existing stadium-style auditoriums, holding that per se rules are simply not possible because the requirements of comparable lines of sight will vary based on theatre layout. We filed a request for interlocutory appeal on January 23, 2003. The trial court denied our request but postponed any further line of sight proceedings pending the Ninth Circuit and eventually the United States Supreme Court's ruling in a case with similar facts and issues, Oregon Paralyzed Veterans of America v. Regal Cinemas, Inc. In Regal, the Oregon District Court held that the exhibitor had provided comparable lines of sight to its wheelchair-bound patrons. On August 13, 2003, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the decision of the Oregon District Court. On June 28, 2004, the Supreme Court denied certiorari in the Regal case. Accordingly, we are preparing for the remedies phase of the litigation and have renewed settlement discussions with the Department. The trial court has scheduled a status conference for July 18, 2005.
We have recorded a liability related to estimated losses for the Department of Justice line-of-sight aspect of the case in the amount of $179,350 (comprised primarily of compensatory damages and the civil penalty) and estimate the range of loss to be between $179,350 and $273,938 at this time.
On January 21, 2003, the trial court entered summary judgment in favor of the Department on non-line of sight aspects of the case, which involve such matters as parking areas, signage, ramps, location of toilets, counter heights, ramp slopes, companion seating and the location and size of handrails. In its non-line of sight decision, the trial court concluded that we have violated numerous sections of the ADA and engaged in a pattern and practice of violating the ADA.
On December 5, 2003 a consent order and final judgment on non-line of sight issues was entered by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The consent order and final judgment resolves matters regarding the non-line of sight aspects of the case. Under the terms of the consent order and final judgment, we have agreed to remedy certain violations at twelve of our stadium-style theatres surveyed by the Department. Additionally, we have agreed to survey and make similar improvements at 101 stadium-style theatres across the country and at certain theatres we may open or acquire in the future. We estimate that the cost of these betterments will be $26.3 million, which is expected to be incurred over the term of the consent order of five years. The estimate is based on the improvements at the twelve theatres surveyed by the Department. The actual cost of betterments may vary based on the results of surveys of the remaining theatres.
Derivative Suits. On July 22, 2004, two lawsuits purporting to be class actions were filed in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, one naming AMCE, AMCE's directors, Apollo Management and certain entities affiliated with Apollo as defendants and the other naming AMCE, AMCE's directors, Apollo Management and Holdings as defendants. Those actions were consolidated on August 17, 2004. The plaintiffs in the consolidated action filed an amended complaint in the Chancery Court on October 22, 2004 and moved for expedited proceedings on October 29, 2004.
On July 23, 2004, three more lawsuits purporting to be class actions were filed in the Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri, each naming AMCE and AMCE's directors as defendants. These lawsuits were consolidated on September 27, 2004. The plaintiffs in the consolidated action filed an amended complaint in the Circuit Court of Jackson County on October 29, 2004. AMCE filed a motion to stay the case in deference to the prior-filed Delaware action and a separate motion to dismiss the case in the alternative on November 1, 2004.
In both the Delaware action and the Missouri action, the plaintiffs generally allege that the individual defendants breached their fiduciary duties by agreeing to the merger, that the transaction is unfair to the minority stockholders of AMCE, that the merger consideration is inadequate and that the defendants pursued their own interests at the expense of the stockholders. The lawsuits seek, among other things, to recover unspecified damages and costs and to enjoin or rescind the Merger and related transactions.
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On November 23, 2004, the parties in this litigation entered into a Memorandum of Understanding providing for the settlement of both the Missouri action and the Delaware action. Pursuant to the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding, the parties agreed, among other things, that: (i) Holdings would waive Section 6.4(a)(C) of the merger agreement to permit AMCE to provide non-public information to potential interested parties in response to any bona fide unsolicited written acquisition proposals by such parties (which it did), (ii) AMCE would make certain disclosures requested by the plaintiff in the proxy statement and the related Schedule 13E-3 in connection with the special meeting to approve the Merger (which it did) and (iii) AMCE would pay, on behalf of the defendants, fees and expenses of plaintiffs' counsel in the amount of $1.7 million (which such amounts AMCE has accrued but believes are covered by its existing directors and officers insurance policy). In reaching this settlement, AMCE confirmed to the plaintiffs that Lazard and Goldman Sachs had each been provided with the financial information included in AMCE's earnings press release, issued on the same date as the announcement of the merger agreement. The Memorandum of Understanding also provides for the dismissal of the Missouri action and the Delaware action with prejudice and release of all related claims against AMCE, the other defendants and their respective affiliates. The settlement as provided for in the Memorandum of Understanding is contingent upon, among other things, approval by the court.
Conrad Grant v. American Multi-Cinema, Inc. and DOES 1 TO 100; Orange County California Superior Court, Case No: 03CC00429. On September 26, 2003, plaintiff filed this suit as a purported class action on behalf of himself and other current and former "senior managers," "salary operations managers" and persons holding similar positions who claim that they were improperly classified by the Company as exempt employees over the prior four years. On April 28, 2004, additional plaintiffs filed a related case titled William Baer and Anlsnara Hanczonek v. American Multi-Cinema, Inc. and DOES 1 to 100; Orange County California Superior Court, Case No. 04CC00507. On December 9, 2004, the Baer Court denied plaintiffs' motion for class certification, and on January 7, 2005, the Grant Court granted AMCE's motion to strike the class allegations. In the Baer proceeding, we have reached a settlement on the individual wage and hour claims against us but the settlement agreement is still being negotiated. In the Grant case, individual wage and hour claims against us remain to be resolved.
Ernesto Galindo v. American Multi-Cinema, Inc. et al. (Case No. BC328770, Los Angeles County Superior Court). On February 15, 2005, Ernesto Galindo, a former employee, filed this suit on behalf of all current and former non-exempt hourly workers in the State of California who allegedly did not receive statutory meal or rest breaks. Plaintiffs seek back wages, penalties and other unspecified damages.
American Multi-Cinema, Inc. v. Midwest Drywall Company, Inc., Haskell Constructors, Ltd. et al. (Case No. 00CV84908, Circuit Court of Platte County, Missouri) and American Multi-Cinema, Inc. v. Bovis Construction Corp. et al. (Civil Action No. 0207139, Court of Common Pleas of Bucks County, Pennsylvania). We are plaintiffs in these and related suits in which we seek to recover damages from the construction manager, the architect, certain fireproofing applicators and other parties to correct the defective application of certain fireproofing materials at 23 theatres. We currently estimate our claim for repair costs at these theatres will aggregate approximately $34.6 million, of which we have expended approximately $25.3 million through fiscal 2005. The remainder is for projected costs of repairs yet to be performed. We also are seeking additional damages for lost profits, interest and legal and other expenses incurred.
Certain parties to the Missouri litigation have filed counterclaims against us, including Ammon Painting Company, Inc., which asserts claims to recover monies for services provided in an amount not specified in the pleadings but which it has expressed in discovery to aggregate to approximately $950,000. We currently estimate that our claim against Ammon is for approximately $6.0 million. Based on presently available information, we do not believe such matters will have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity. During fiscal 2005, we received settlement payments of $2,610,000 from various parties in connection with this matter and subsequent to March 31, 2005, we received additional settlement payments of $675,000 bringing the aggregate amount received to $4,210,000.
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We have also agreed to additional settlements totaling $560,000 for which payments have not been received.
We are a party to various other legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business, none of which is expected to have a material adverse effect on us.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
There has been no submission of matters to a vote of security holders during the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2005.
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Our common equity consists of Common Stock. There is currently no established public trading market for our Common Stock.
Common Stock
On May 27, 2005, there was one stockholder of record of Common Stock (Marquee Holdings Inc.).
We have not declared a dividend on shares of Common Stock since fiscal 1989. Any payment of cash dividends on Common Stock in the future will be at the discretion of the Board and will also depend upon such factors as compliance with debt covenants, earnings levels, capital requirements, our financial condition and other factors deemed relevant by the Board.
Issuer Purchase of Equity Securities
This information has been previously provided in our Form 10-Q's for fiscal 2005.
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Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
| |
Years Ended(1)(4)(7) |
||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands, except operating data) |
From Inception July 16, 2004 through March 31, 2005(5)(8) |
April 2, 2004 through December 23, 2004(5)(8) |
52 Weeks Ended April 1, 2004(5) |
53 Weeks Ended April 3, 2003 |
52 Weeks Ended March 28, 2002 |
52 Weeks Ended March 29, 2001 |
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| |
(Successor) |
(Predecessor) |
(Predecessor) |
(Predecessor) |
(Predecessor) |
(Predecessor) |
|||||||||||||||
| Statement of Operations Data: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Admissions | $ | 320,025 | $ | 907,509 | $ | 1,219,393 | $ | 1,212,204 | $ | 898,040 | $ | 810,519 | |||||||||
| Concessions | 123,117 | 344,685 | 456,990 | 468,578 | 358,107 | 334,072 | |||||||||||||||
| Other theatre | 15,193 | 46,840 | 53,983 | 48,600 | |||||||||||||||||