UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
| x | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | ||||
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024
| o | Transition report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 | ||||
Commission file number: 001-13992
RCI HOSPITALITY HOLDINGS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Texas | 76-0458229 | ||||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | ||||
10737 Cutten Road
Houston, Texas 77066
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(281) 397-6730
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||||||||
| Common stock, $0.01 par value | RICK | The Nasdaq Global Market | ||||||||||||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o No x
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No x
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 x No o
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 (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes x No o
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 o Accelerated filer x Non-accelerated filer o Smaller reporting company o Emerging growth company o
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. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. x
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. o
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant's executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.): Yes o No x
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter was $498,887,736.
As of December 13, 2024, there were approximately 8,900,000 shares of common stock outstanding.
NOTE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, among other things, statements regarding plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts. Forward-looking statements may appear throughout this report, including without limitation, the following sections: Item 1 – “Business,” Item 1A – “Risk Factors,” and Item 7 – “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “projects,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and, in particular, the risks discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in Item 1A and those discussed in other documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Important factors that in our view could cause material adverse effects on our financial condition and results of operations include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties associated with (i) operating and managing an adult business, (ii) the business climates in cities where we operate, (iii) the success or lack thereof in launching and building our businesses, (iv) cyber security, (v) conditions relevant to real estate transactions, (vi) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and (vii) numerous other factors such as laws governing the operation of adult entertainment businesses, competition and dependence on key personnel. We undertake no obligation to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to any forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page No. | ||||||||
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PART I
Item 1. BUSINESS.
OUR COMPANY
RCI Hospitality Holdings, Inc. is a holding company that, through its subsidiaries, engages in businesses that offer live adult entertainment and/or high-quality dining experiences to its guests. Our subsidiaries operated 69 establishments in 13 states as of September 30, 2024. Together with its subsidiaries, RCI Hospitality Holdings, Inc. is collectively referred to as “RCIHH,” "RCI," the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” in this report. We also operate a leading business communications company serving the multibillion-dollar adult nightclubs industry. RCIHH was incorporated in the State of Texas in 1994 and became public in 1995.
Our fiscal year ends on September 30. References to years 2024, 2023, and 2022 are for fiscal years ended September 30, 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively. Our fiscal quarters chronologically end on December 31, March 31, June 30 and September 30.
OUR BUSINESS
Through our subsidiaries, we operate several businesses, which we aggregate for financial reporting purposes into two reportable segments – Nightclubs and Bombshells. Businesses that are not included as Nightclubs or Bombshells are combined as “Other.”
During fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022, consolidated revenues were $295.6 million, $293.8 million, and $267.6 million, respectively, generating diluted earnings per share of $0.33, $3.13, and $4.91, respectively.
The table below shows the number of Nightclubs and Bombshells open by state as of September 30, 2024:
| Nightclubs | Bombshells(1) | Total | |||||||||||||||
| Arizona | 1 | — | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| Colorado | 5 | 1 | 6 | ||||||||||||||
| Florida | 4 | — | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| Illinois | 5 | — | 5 | ||||||||||||||
| Indiana | 1 | — | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| Kentucky | 1 | — | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| Louisiana | 1 | — | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| Maine | 1 | — | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| Minnesota | 3 | — | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| New York | 4 | — | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| North Carolina | 2 | — | 2 | ||||||||||||||
| Pennsylvania | 1 | — | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| Texas | 27 | 12 | 39 | ||||||||||||||
| 56 | 13 | 69 | |||||||||||||||
(1) Includes one food hall location.
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Nightclubs Segment
Our Nightclubs subsidiaries operate our adult entertainment nightclubs through several brands that target many different demographics of customers by providing a unique, quality entertainment environment. Our clubs do business as Rick’s Cabaret, Jaguars Club, Tootsie’s Cabaret, XTC Cabaret, Club Onyx, Hoops Cabaret and Sports Bar, Scarlett’s Cabaret, Diamond Cabaret, Cheetah Gentlemen's Club, PT's Showclub, Playmates Club, Country Rock Cabaret, Temptations Adult Cabaret, Foxy’s Cabaret, Vivid Cabaret, Downtown Cabaret, Cabaret East, The Seville, Silver City Cabaret, Heartbreakers Gentlemen's Club, Kappa Men’s Club, Baby Dolls, and Chicas Locas. We also operate one dance club under the brand name Studio 80.
We generate revenue from our nightclubs through the sale of alcoholic beverages, food, and merchandise items; service in the form of cover charge, licensing fees, and room rentals; and through other related means such as ATM commissions and vending income, among others.
During fiscal 2024, our Nightclub segment sales mix was 40.3% service revenue; 43.3% alcoholic beverages; and 16.4% food, merchandise, and other. Segment gross margin (revenues less cost of goods sold, divided by revenues) was approximately 88.3%. Our Nightclubs segment revenue increased by approximately 3.0% and income from operations decreased by 20.6% compared to the prior year. Same-stores sales for Nightclubs in 2024 was -2.1%.
For a list of our nightclub locations, refer to Item 2—“Properties.”
Bombshells Segment
Our Bombshells segment operates a restaurant and bar concept that sets itself apart with décor that pays homage to all branches of the U.S. military. Locations feature local DJs, large outdoor patios, and more than 75 state-of-the-art flat screen TVs for watching your favorite sports. All food and drink menu items have military names. Bombshell Girls, with their military-inspired uniforms, are a key attraction. Their mission, in addition to waitressing, is to interact with guests and generate a fun atmosphere. During fiscal 2024, we opened one Bombshells location in Stafford, Texas and sold one location in San Antonio, Texas.
During fiscal 2024, Bombshells sales mix was 54.3% alcoholic beverages and 45.7% food, merchandise, and other. Segment gross margin (revenues less cost of goods sold, divided by revenues) was approximately 75.9%. Bombshells segment revenue decreased by 9.2%, while income from operations decreased by 263.7% from prior year. Same-stores sales for Bombshells in 2024 was -18.4%.
For a list of our Bombshells locations, refer to Item 2—“Properties.”
Other Segment
We group together all businesses not belonging to either Nightclubs and Bombshells as Other reportable segment. This is made up of several wholly-owned subsidiaries composed primarily of our Media Group and Drink Robust. Our Media Group is the leading business communications company serving the multibillion-dollar adult nightclubs industry and the adult retail products industry. It owns a national industry convention and trade show; two national industry trade publications; two national industry award shows; and more than a dozen industry and social media websites. Included in the Media Group is ED Publications, publishers of the bimonthly ED Club Bulletin, the only national business magazine serving the 2,200-plus adult nightclubs in North America, which collectively have annual revenues in excess of $5 billion, according to the Association of Club Executives. ED Publications, founded in 1991, also publishes the Annual VIP Guide of adult nightclubs, touring entertainers and industry vendors; and produces the Annual Gentlemen’s Club Owners EXPO, a national convention and trade show. The Media Group produces two nationally recognized industry award shows for the readers of both ED Club Bulletin and StorErotica magazines, and maintains a number of B-to-B and consumer websites for both industries. Drink Robust is licensed to sell Robust Energy Drink in the United States.
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OUR STRATEGY
Our overall objective is to create value for our shareholders by developing and operating profitable businesses in the hospitality and related space. We strive to achieve that by providing an attractive price-value entertainment, dining experience, and top-notch service; by attracting and retaining quality personnel; and by focusing on unit-level operating performance. Aside from our operating strategy, we employ a capital allocation strategy.
Capital Allocation Strategy
Our capital allocation strategy provides us with disciplined guidelines on how we should use our free cash flows; provided however, that we may deviate from this strategy if other strategic rationale warrants. We calculate free cash flow as net cash flows from operating activities minus maintenance capital expenditures. Using the after-tax yield of buying our own stock as baseline, management believes that we are able to make better investment decisions.
Based on our current capital allocation strategy:
•We consider buying back our own stock if the after-tax yield on free cash flow is above 10%;
•We consider acquiring or developing our own clubs or restaurants that we believe have the potential to provide a minimum cash on cash return of 25%-33%, absent an otherwise strategic rationale;
•We consider disposing of underperforming units to free up capital for more productive use;
•We consider paying down our most expensive debt if it makes sense on a tax-adjusted basis, or there is an otherwise strategic rationale.
Over a five-year period from fiscal 2019 through fiscal 2024, our diluted earnings per share declined at a compound annual growth rate (“CAGR”) of 30.9%, which was mainly caused by increasing revenue at a CAGR of 10.3%, with impairment of assets as the most significant offset at a CAGR of 44.9% increase. Excluding noncash and certain nonrecurring items, our non-GAAP diluted earnings per share improved at a CAGR of 14.1%. Net cash provided by operating activities improved at 8.5% and free cash flow also improved at 7.8% CAGR for the same period. See discussions of our non-GAAP financial measures starting on page 44.
During 2022, we achieved our highest financial performance in terms of profitability and cash flow due to government stimulus due to the pandemic and the fact that our restaurants and clubs were among the first to open and resume business operations. Compared to our record net income in 2022, our 2024 net income decreased by 93%. But for the same time period, our net cash from operating activities only decreased by 13%. We are managing this by carefully evaluating our Bombshells program in view of recent performance trends. Currently, we have three locations that are under construction and do not plan to add anymore locations after those. We terminated our franchising program, and are aggressively closing underperforming locations.
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COMPETITION
The adult entertainment and the restaurant/sports bar businesses are highly competitive with respect to price, service and location. All of our nightclubs compete with a number of locally owned adult clubs, some of whose brands may have name recognition that equals that of ours. The names “Rick’s” and “Rick’s Cabaret,” “Tootsie’s Cabaret,” “XTC Cabaret,” “Scarlett’s,” “Silver City,” “Club Onyx,” “Downtown Cabaret,” “Temptations,” “The Seville,” “Jaguars,” “Hoops Cabaret,” “Foxy’s Cabaret,” "Studio 80," “Country Rock Cabaret,” “PT’s,” “Diamond Cabaret,” “Baby Dolls Saloon," "Baby Dolls," "Chicas Locas," "Rick's Rewards," and "Venice Cabaret" are proprietary. In the restaurant/sports bar business, “Bombshells” is also proprietary. We believe that the combination of our existing brand name recognition and the distinctive entertainment environment that we have created allows us to compete effectively in the industry and within the cities where we operate. Although we believe that we are well positioned to compete successfully, there can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain our high level of name recognition and prestige within the marketplace.
GOVERNMENTAL REGULATIONS
We are subject to various federal, state and local laws affecting our business activities. Particularly in Texas, the authority to issue a permit to sell alcoholic beverages is governed by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (“TABC”), which has the authority, in its discretion, to issue the appropriate permits. We presently hold a Mixed Beverage Permit and a Late Hour Permit at numerous Texas locations. Colorado, Minnesota, North Carolina, Louisiana, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Florida, New York, Kentucky, Maine, Indiana, and Illinois have similar laws that may limit the availability of a permit to sell alcoholic beverages or that may provide for suspension or revocation of a permit to sell alcoholic beverages in certain circumstances. It is our policy, prior to expanding into any new market, to take steps to ensure compliance with all licensing and regulatory requirements for the sale of alcoholic beverages, as well as the sale of food.
In addition to various regulatory requirements affecting the sale of alcoholic beverages, in many cities where we operate, the location of an adult entertainment cabaret is subject to restriction by city, county or other governmental ordinance. The prohibitions deal generally with distance from schools, churches and other sexually oriented businesses, and contain restrictions based on the percentage of residences within the immediate vicinity of the sexually oriented business. The granting of a sexually oriented business permit is not subject to discretion; the permit must be granted if the proposed operation satisfies the requirements of the ordinance. In all states where we operate, management believes we are in compliance with applicable city, county, state or other local laws governing the sale of alcohol and sexually oriented businesses.
TRADEMARKS
Our rights to the trade names “RCI Hospitality Holdings, Inc.,” “Rick’s,” “Rick’s Cabaret,” “Tootsie’s Cabaret,” “Club Onyx,” “XTC Cabaret,” “Temptations,” “Jaguars,” “Downtown Cabaret,” “Cabaret East,” “Bombshells Restaurant and Bar,” “Vee Lounge,” “Mile High Men’s Club,” “Country Rock Cabaret,” “PT’s,” and “Diamond Cabaret” are established under common law, based upon our substantial and continuous use of these trade names in interstate commerce, some of which have been in use at least as early as 1987. We have registered our service mark, “RICK’S AND STARS DESIGN,” and the “BOMBSHELLS RESTAURANT & BAR” logo design with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. We have also obtained service mark registrations from the Patent and Trademark Office for “RICK’S AND STARS DESIGN” logo, “RCI HOSPITALITY HOLDINGS, INC.,” “RICK’S,” “RICK’S CABARET,” “CLUB ONYX,” “XTC CABARET,” “SCARLETT’S CABARET,” “SILVER CITY CABARET,” “BOMBSHELLS RESTAURANT AND BAR,” “THE SEVILLE CLUB,” “DOWN IN TEXAS SALOON,” “HOOPS CABARET,” “VEE LOUNGE,” “STUDIO 80,” “FOXY’S CABARET,” “EXOTIC DANCER,” “TOYS FOR TATAS,” "LA BOHEME GENTLEMAN'S CLUB," “MILE HIGH MEN’S CLUB,” “MHMC logo,” “AFTER DARK,” “COUNTRY ROCK CABARET,” “PT’S,” “DIAMOND CABARET,” "CABARET ROYALE," "BABY DOLLS SALOON," "BABY DOLLS TOPLESS SALOON," "BABY DOLLS," "JAGUARS," and “BOMBSHELLS OFFICER’S CLUB” are registered through service mark registrations issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. As of this date, we have pending registration applications for the names “TOOTSIES CABARET,” “RICK'S REWARDS,” “VENICE CABARET,” "CHERRY CREEK FOOD HALL AND BREWERY," and “THE MANSION.” We also own the rights to numerous trade names associated with our media division. There can be no assurance that these steps we have taken to protect our service marks will be adequate to deter misappropriation of our protected intellectual property rights.
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EMPLOYEES AND INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS
Our people are employed by the parent company or by its subsidiaries. Executive officers are employed by the registrant (parent company); shared services personnel and managers responsible for multiple clubs or restaurants are employed by RCI Management Services, Inc.; and the rest are employed by the individual operating entities. As of September 30, 2024, we had the following employees:
| Operations | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Managers | Non-Managers | Corporate | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Hourly | 68 | 3,041 | 15 | 3,124 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Salaried | 367 | 44 | 78 | 489 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 435 | 3,085 | 93 | 3,613 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Additionally, as of September 30, 2024, we had independent contractor entertainers who are self-employed and conduct business at our locations on a non-exclusive basis. Our entertainers at Rick’s Cabaret in Minneapolis, Minnesota and at Jaguars Club in Phoenix, Arizona may elect to act as commissioned employees. All employees and independent contractors sign arbitration non-class-action participation agreements, where allowed by federal and state laws. None of our employees are represented by a union. We consider our employee relations to be good.
We believe that the adult entertainment industry standard of treating entertainers as independent contractors provides us with safe harbor protection to preclude payroll tax assessment. We have prepared plans that we believe will protect our profitability in the event that the sexually oriented business industry is required in all states to convert entertainers, who are now independent contractors, into employees. See related discussion in “Risk Factors” below.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
Our corporate website address is www.rcihospitality.com. Upon written request, we make available free of charge our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (www.sec.gov). Information contained in the corporate website shall not be construed as part of this Form 10-K.
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Item 1A. RISK FACTORS.
An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below before deciding to purchase shares of our common stock. If any of the events, contingencies, circumstances or conditions described in the risks below actually occurs, our business, financial condition, or results of operations could be seriously harmed. The trading price of our common stock could, in turn, decline and you could lose all or part of your investment.
A summary of our risk factors is as follows:
Risks related to our business
◦We may deviate from our present capital allocation strategy.
◦We may need additional financing, or our business expansion plans may be significantly limited.
◦There is substantial competition in the nightclub entertainment industry, which may affect our ability to operate profitably or acquire additional clubs.
◦The adult entertainment industry is extremely volatile.
◦Private advocacy group actions targeted at the kind of adult entertainment we offer could result in limitations and our inability to operate in certain locations and negatively impact our business.
◦We rely heavily on information technology in our operations and any material failure, weakness, interruption or breach of security could prevent us from effectively operating our business.
◦We are exposed to risks related to cyber security and protection of confidential information, and failure to protect the integrity and security of payment card or individually identifiable information of our guests and employees or confidential and proprietary information of the Company could damage our reputation and expose us to loss of revenues, increased costs and litigation.
◦Our acquisitions may result in disruptions in our business and diversion of management’s attention.
◦The impact of new club or restaurant openings could result in fluctuations in our financial performance.
◦Our ability to grow sales through delivery orders is uncertain.
◦We incur significant costs as a result of operating as a public company, and our management devotes substantial time to new compliance initiatives.
◦We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting.
◦We may have uninsured risks in excess of our insurance coverage or self-insurance.
◦We are subject to increasing legal complexity and could be party to litigation that could adversely affect us.
◦Our previous liability insurer may be unable to provide coverage to us and our subsidiaries.
◦The protection provided by our service marks is limited.
◦We are dependent on key personnel.
◦If we are not able to hire, develop, and retain qualified club and restaurant employees and/or appropriately plan our workforce, our growth plan and profitability could be adversely affected.
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◦A failure to maintain food safety throughout the supply chain and food-borne illness concerns may have an adverse effect on our business.
◦Our venture, expansion, and renovation projects may face significant inherent risks.
◦Other risk factors may adversely affect our financial performance.
Risks related to general macroeconomic and safety conditions
◦The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted and may continue to disrupt our business, which has and could continue to materially affect our operations, financial condition, and results of operations for an extended period of time.
◦Our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely affected by disruptions in the global economy caused by the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war.
◦If we are unable to maintain compliance with certain of our debt covenants or unable to obtain waivers, we may be unable to make additional borrowings and be declared in default where our debt will be made immediately due and payable. In addition, global economic conditions may make it more difficult to access new credit facilities.
◦We have recorded impairment charges in current and past periods and may record additional impairment charges in future periods.
Risks related to regulations and/or regulatory agencies
◦Our business operations are subject to regulatory uncertainties which may affect our ability to continue operations of existing nightclubs, acquire additional nightclubs, or be profitable.
◦The adult entertainment industry standard is to classify adult entertainers as independent contractors, not employees. If federal or state law mandates that they be classified as employees, our business could be adversely impacted.
◦Our revenues could be significantly affected by limitations relating to permits to sell alcoholic beverages.
◦Activities or conduct at our nightclubs may cause us to lose necessary business licenses, expose us to liability, or result in adverse publicity, which may increase our costs and divert management’s attention from our business.
Risk related to our common stock
◦We must continue to meet NASDAQ Global Market Continued Listing Requirements, or we risk delisting.
◦We may be subject to allegations, defamations, or other detrimental conduct by third parties, which could harm our reputation and cause us to lose customers and/or contribute to a deflation of our stock price.
◦Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate and could fall below the expectations of securities analysts and investors due to seasonality and other factors, some of which are beyond our control, resulting in a decline in our stock price.
◦Anti-takeover effects of the issuance of our preferred stock could adversely affect our common stock.
◦Future sales or the perception of future sales of a substantial amount of our common stock may depress our stock price.
◦Our stock price has been volatile and may fluctuate in the future.
◦Cumulative voting is not available to our stockholders.
◦Our directors and officers have limited liability and have rights to indemnification.
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Details of our risk factors are as follows:
Risks related to our business
We may deviate from our present capital allocation strategy.
We believe that our present capital allocation strategy will provide us with optimized returns. However, implementation of our capital allocation strategy depends on the interplay of several factors such as our stock price, our outstanding common shares, the interest rates on our debt, and the rate of return on available investments. If these factors are not conducive to implementing our present capital allocation strategy, or we determine that adopting a different capital allocation strategy is in the best interest of shareholders, we reserve the right to deviate from this approach. There can be no assurance that we will not deviate from or adopt an alternative capital allocation strategy moving forward.
We may need additional financing, or our business expansion plans may be significantly limited.
If cash generated from our operations is insufficient to satisfy our working capital and capital expenditure requirements, we will need to raise additional funds through the public or private sale of our equity or debt securities. The timing and amount of our capital requirements will depend on a number of factors, including cash flow and cash requirements for nightclub acquisitions and new restaurant development. If additional funds are raised through the issuance of equity or convertible debt securities, the ownership percentage of our then-existing shareholders will be diluted. We cannot ensure that additional financing will be available on terms favorable to us, if at all. Any future equity financing, if available, may result in dilution to existing shareholders; and debt financing, if available, may include restrictive covenants. Any failure by us to procure timely additional financing, if needed, will have material adverse consequences on our business operations.
There is substantial competition in the nightclub entertainment industry, which may affect our ability to operate profitably or acquire additional clubs.
Our nightclubs face substantial competition. Some of our competitors may have greater financial and management resources than we do. Additionally, the industry is subject to unpredictable competitive trends and competition for general entertainment dollars. There can be no assurance that we will be able to remain profitable in this competitive industry.
The adult entertainment industry is extremely volatile.
Historically, the adult entertainment, restaurant and bar industry has been an extremely volatile industry. The industry tends to be extremely sensitive to the general local economy, in that when economic conditions are prosperous, adult entertainment industry revenues increase, and when economic conditions are unfavorable, entertainment industry revenues decline. Coupled with this economic sensitivity are the trendy personal preferences of the customers who frequent adult nightclubs. We continuously monitor trends in our customers’ tastes and entertainment preferences so that, if necessary, we can make appropriate changes which will allow us to remain one of the premiere adult nightclubs. However, any significant decline in general corporate conditions or uncertainties regarding future economic prospects that affect consumer spending could have a material adverse effect on our business. In addition, we have historically catered to a clientele base from the upper end of the market. Accordingly, further reductions in the amounts of entertainment expenses allowed as deductions from income under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended, could adversely affect sales to customers dependent upon corporate expense accounts.
Private advocacy group actions targeted at the kind of adult entertainment we offer could result in limitations in our inability to operate in certain locations and negatively impact our business.
Our ability to operate successfully depends on the protection provided to us under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. From time to time, private advocacy groups have sought to target our nightclubs by petitioning for non-renewal of certain of our permits and licenses. Furthermore, private advocacy groups, which have influence on certain financial institutions, have swayed these institutions to not do business with us. In addition to possibly limiting our operations and financing options, negative publicity campaigns, lawsuits and boycotts could negatively affect our businesses and cause additional financial harm by discouraging investors from investing in our securities or requiring that we incur significant expenditures to defend our business.
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We rely heavily on information technology in our operations and any material failure, weakness, interruption, or breach of security could prevent us from effectively operating our business.
Our operations and corporate functions rely heavily on information systems, including point-of-sale processing, management of our supply chain, payment of obligations, collection of cash, electronic communications, data warehousing to support analytics, finance and accounting systems, mobile technologies to enhance the customer experience, and other various processes and procedures, some of which are handled by third parties. Our ability to efficiently and effectively manage our business depends significantly on the reliability and capacity of these systems. The failure of these systems to operate effectively, maintenance problems, upgrading or transitioning to new platforms, or a breach in security relating to these systems could result in delays in consumer service and reduce efficiency in our operations. These problems could adversely affect our results of operations, and remediation could result in significant, unplanned capital investments.
We are exposed to risks related to cyber security and protection of confidential information, and failure to protect the integrity and security of payment card or individually identifiable information of our guests and employees or confidential and proprietary information of the Company could damage our reputation and expose us to loss of revenues, increased costs, and litigation.
Our technology systems contain personal, financial, and other information that is entrusted to us by our guests and employees, as well as financial, proprietary, and other confidential information related to our business, and a significant portion of our sales are by credit or debit cards. If our technology systems, or those of third-party services providers we rely upon, are compromised as a result of a cyber-attack (including whether from circumvention of security systems, denial-of-service attacks, hacking, “phishing” attacks, computer viruses, ransomware, malware, or social engineering) or other external or internal method, it could result in an adverse and material impact on our reputation, operations, and financial condition. The cyber risks we face range from cyber-attacks common to most industries, to attacks that target us due to the confidential consumer information we obtain through our electronic processing of credit and debit card transactions. Such security breaches could also result in litigation or governmental investigation against us, as well as the imposition of penalties. These impacts could also occur if we are perceived either to have had an attack or to have failed to properly respond to an incident.
We are subject to a variety of continually evolving and developing laws and regulations regarding privacy, data protection, and data security, including those related to the collection, storage, handling, use, disclosure, transfer, and security of personal data. The use and disclosure of such information is regulated and enforced at the federal, state and international levels, and these laws, rules and regulations are subject to change.
As privacy and information security laws and regulations change or cyber risks evolve pertaining to data, we may incur significant additional costs in technology, third-party services, and personnel to maintain systems designed to anticipate and prevent cyber-attacks. As with many public companies, our defenses are under attack regularly. There might be minor intrusions from time to time. We have added certain preventive measures to reduce cyber risks. However, we cannot provide assurance that our security frameworks and measures will be successful in preventing future significant cyber-attacks or data loss.
Our acquisitions may result in disruptions in our business and diversion of management’s attention.
We have made and may continue to make acquisitions of complementary nightclubs, restaurants or related operations. Any acquisitions will require the integration of the operations, products and personnel of the acquired businesses and the training and motivation of these individuals. Such acquisitions may disrupt our operations and divert management’s attention from day-to-day operations, which could impair our relationships with current employees, customers and partners. We may also incur debt or issue equity securities to pay for any future acquisitions. These issuances could be substantially dilutive to our stockholders. In addition, our profitability may suffer because of acquisition-related costs or amortization, or impairment costs for acquired goodwill and other intangible assets. If management is unable to fully integrate acquired business, products, or persons with existing operations, we may not receive the benefits of the acquisitions, and our revenues and stock trading price may decrease.
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The impact of new club or restaurant openings could result in fluctuations in our financial performance.
Performance of any new club or restaurant location will usually differ from its originally targeted performance due to a variety of factors, and these differences may be material. New clubs and restaurants typically encounter higher customer traffic and sales in their initial months, which may decrease over time. Accordingly, sales achieved by new or reconcepted locations may not be indicative of future operating results. Additionally, we incur substantial pre-opening expenses each time we open a new establishment, which expenses may be higher than anticipated. Due to the foregoing factors, results for any one fiscal quarter are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any other fiscal quarter or for a full fiscal year.
Our ability to grow sales through delivery orders is uncertain.
Part of our strategy for restaurant growth is dependent on increased sales from guests that want our food delivered to them. We currently rely on third-party delivery providers for the ordering and payment platforms that receive guest orders and that send orders directly to our point-of-sale system. These platforms could be damaged or interrupted by technological failures, cyber-attacks, or other factors, which may adversely impact our sales through these channels.
Delivery providers generally fulfill delivery orders through drivers that are independent contractors. These drivers may make errors, fail to make timely deliveries, damage our food, or poorly represent our brands, which may lead to customer disappointment, reputational harm and unmet sales expectations. Our sales may also be adversely impacted if there is a shortage of drivers that are willing and available to make deliveries from our restaurants. We also incur additional costs associated with delivery orders, and it is possible that these orders could cannibalize more profitable in-restaurant visits or take-out orders.
We incur significant costs as a result of operating as a public company, and our management devotes substantial time to new compliance initiatives.
We incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that our non-public competition does not incur. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), as well as new rules subsequently implemented by the SEC, have imposed various requirements on public companies, including requiring certain corporate governance practices. Our management and other personnel devote a substantial amount of time to these compliance initiatives. Moreover, these rules and regulations increase our legal and financial compliance costs and will make some activities more time-consuming and costly.
In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we maintain effective internal control over financial reporting and effective disclosure controls and procedures. In particular, under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, we are required to perform system and process evaluation and testing on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, and our independent registered public accounting firm is required to report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. In performing this evaluation and testing, both our management and our independent registered public accounting firm concluded that our internal control over financial reporting is not effective as of September 30, 2024. We are, however, addressing this issue and remediating our material weaknesses. When we were to identify a material weakness, correcting that issue, and thereafter our continued compliance with Section 404 require that we incur substantial accounting expense and expend significant management efforts. Moreover, if we are not able to correct an internal control issue and comply with the requirements of Section 404 in a timely manner, or if in the future we or our independent registered public accounting firm identifies deficiencies in our internal controls over financial reporting that are deemed to be material weaknesses, the market price of our stock could decline, and we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by the SEC or other regulatory authorities, which would require additional financial and management resources.
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We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting.
Management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2024, and concluded that we did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting. Management identified material weaknesses related to (1) ineffective design and operation of controls over certain information technology general controls, including change management, user access, and vendor management controls; (2) ineffective design and operation of controls , which include management review controls, over the accounting for business combinations; and (3) ineffective design and operation of controls, which include management review controls, over the Company's assessments of potential impairment. See Item 9A, “Controls and Procedures,” below. While certain actions have been taken to implement a remediation plan to address these material weaknesses and to enhance our internal control over financial reporting, if these material weaknesses are not remediated, it could adversely affect our ability to report our financial condition and results of operations in a timely and accurate manner, which could negatively affect investor confidence in our Company, and, as a result, the value of our common stock could be adversely affected.
We may have uninsured risks in excess of our insurance coverage or self-insurance.
Historically, we have maintained insurance in amounts we consider adequate for personal injury and property damage to which the business of the Company may be subject. As of October 1, 2024, however, we discontinued general liability and liquor insurance coverage in a number of establishments due to increasingly prohibitive costs of such coverage, and we are currently in the process of establishing self-insurance for the claims for which third-party insurance coverage is financially prohibitive. However, we still carry at least the minimum insurance coverage where it is required by law for licensing requirements. There can be no assurance that we will not have uninsured liabilities or liabilities in excess of the coverage provided by insurance or self-insurance, which liabilities may be imposed pursuant to the Texas “dram shop” statute or similar “dram shop” statutes or common law theories of liability in other states where we operate or expand. For example, the Texas “dram shop” statute provides a person injured by an intoxicated person the right to recover damages from an establishment that wrongfully served alcoholic beverages to such person if it was apparent to the server that the individual being sold, served or provided with an alcoholic beverage was obviously intoxicated to the extent that he presented a clear danger to himself and others. An employer is not liable for the actions of its employee who over-serves if (i) the employer requires its employees to attend a seller training program approved by the TABC; (ii) the employee has actually attended such a training program; and (iii) the employer has not directly or indirectly encouraged the employee to violate the law. It is our policy to require that all servers of alcohol working at our clubs in Texas be certified as servers under a training program approved by the TABC, which certification gives statutory immunity to the sellers of alcohol from damage caused to third parties by those who have consumed alcoholic beverages at such establishment pursuant to the TABC. There can be no assurance, however, that uninsured liabilities may not arise in the markets in which we operate which could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
We are subject to increasing legal complexity and could be party to litigation that could adversely affect us.
Increasing legal complexity will continue to affect our operations and results. We could be subject to legal proceedings that may adversely affect our business, including class actions, administrative proceedings, government investigations, employment and personal injury claims, claims alleging violations of federal and state laws regarding consumer, workplace and employment matters, wage and hour claims, discrimination and similar matters, landlord/tenant disputes, disputes with current and former suppliers, claims by current and former franchisees, contractors, data privacy claims and intellectual property claims (including claims that we infringed upon another party’s trademarks, or copyrights). Inconsistent standards imposed by governmental authorities can adversely affect our business and increase our exposure to litigation which could result in significant judgments, including punitive and liquidated damages, and injunctive relief.
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Occasionally, our guests file complaints or lawsuits against us alleging that we are responsible for an illness or injury they suffered as a result of a visit to our clubs or restaurants, or that we have problems with food quality or operations. As a Company, we take responsible alcohol service seriously. However, we are subject to "dram shop" statutes. These statutes generally allow a person injured by an intoxicated person to recover damages from an establishment that served alcoholic beverages to the intoxicated person. Some litigation against restaurant chains has resulted in significant judgments, including punitive damages, under dram shop statutes. Because a plaintiff may seek punitive damages, which may not be covered by insurance, this type of action could have an adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
Litigation involving our relationship with contractors and the legal distinction between our contractors and us for employment law purposes, if determined adversely, could increase costs, negatively impact the business prospects of our operations and subject us to incremental liability for their actions.
Our operating results could also be affected by the following:
•The relative level of our defense costs and nature and procedural status of pending proceedings;
•The cost and other effects of settlements, judgments or consent decrees, which may require us to make disclosures or to take other actions that may affect perceptions of our brands and products;
•Adverse results of pending or future litigation, including litigation challenging the composition and preparation of our products, or the appropriateness or accuracy of our marketing or other communication practices; and
•The scope and terms of insurance or indemnification protections that we may have (if any).
Claims brought by government authorities have the potential to be especially disruptive to our business and operations. As described further under “Legal Matters” in Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements, in 2024, the New York State Attorney General (“NY AG”) and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance (“NY DTF”) has executed search warrants on the Company’s corporate headquarters in Houston, Texas, three separate clubs in New York, New York, and has sent the Company a subpoena requesting documents and other information with respect to certain clubs in New York and Florida. The investigation appears to be related to the Company’s New York State tax filings and possible entertainment benefits provided to NY DTF personnel. The Company is cooperating with the NY AG and its investigation. As a result of this investigation, a non-executive corporate employee was placed on administrative leave during the pendency of an internal review process. It is not possible at this time to determine whether the Company will incur any fines, penalties, or liabilities in connection with the investigation. If, however, a government authority was to allege that illegal conduct was committed by the Company or any of its employees or executives, regardless of whether any such claims are valid, such claims have the potential to affect our business and defending such claims may be expensive and may divert time, attention and money away from our operations and hurt our performance. Further, adverse publicity resulting from these claims may hurt our business.
Regardless of whether any claims against us are valid or whether we are liable, claims may be expensive to defend and may divert time, attention and money away from our operations and hurt our performance. A judgment significantly in excess of any applicable insurance coverage could have significant adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. Further, adverse publicity resulting from these claims may hurt our business.
Our previous liability insurer may be unable to provide coverage to us and our subsidiaries.
As previously reported, the Company and its subsidiaries were insured under a liability policy issued by Indemnity Insurance Corporation, RRG (“IIC”) through October 25, 2013. The Company and its subsidiaries changed insurance companies on that date.
On November 7, 2013, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware entered a Rehabilitation and Injunction Order (“Rehabilitation Order”), which declared IIC impaired, insolvent and in an unsafe condition and placed IIC under the supervision of the Insurance Commissioner of the State of Delaware (“Commissioner”) in her capacity as receiver (“Receiver”). The Rehabilitation Order empowered the Commissioner to rehabilitate IIC through a variety of means, including gathering assets and marshaling those assets, as necessary. Further, the order stayed or abated pending lawsuits involving IIC as the insurer until May 6, 2014.
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On April 10, 2014, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware entered a Liquidation and Injunction Order With Bar Date (“Liquidation Order”), which ordered the liquidation of IIC and terminated all insurance policies or contracts of insurance issued by IIC. The Liquidation Order further ordered that all claims against IIC must have been filed with the Receiver before the close of business on January 16, 2015 and that all pending lawsuits involving IIC as the insurer were further stayed or abated until October 7, 2014. As a result, the Company and its subsidiaries no longer had insurance coverage under the liability policy with IIC. The Company has retained counsel to defend against and evaluate these claims and lawsuits. We are funding 100% of the costs of litigation and will seek reimbursement from the bankruptcy receiver. The Company filed the appropriate claims against IIC with the Receiver before the January 16, 2015 deadline and has provided updates as requested; however, there are no assurances of any recovery from these claims. It is unknown at this time what effect this uncertainty will have on the Company. As of September 30, 2024, we have 1 remaining unresolved claim out of the original 71 claims.
The protection provided by our service marks is limited.
Our rights to the trade names “RCI Hospitality Holdings, Inc.,” “Rick’s,” “Rick’s Cabaret,” “Tootsie’s Cabaret,” “Club Onyx,” “XTC Cabaret,” “Temptations,” “Jaguars,” “Downtown Cabaret,” “Cabaret East,” “Bombshells Restaurant and Bar,” “Vee Lounge,” “Mile High Men’s Club,” “Country Rock Cabaret,” “PT’s,” and “Diamond Cabaret” are established under common law, based upon our substantial and continuous use of these trade names in interstate commerce, some of which have been in use at least as early as 1987. We have registered our service mark, “RICK’S AND STARS DESIGN,” and the “BOMBSHELLS RESTAURANT & BAR” logo design with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. We have also obtained service mark registrations from the Patent and Trademark Office for “RICK’S AND STARS DESIGN” logo, “RCI HOSPITALITY HOLDINGS, INC.,” “RICK’S,” “RICK’S CABARET,” “CLUB ONYX,” “XTC CABARET,” “SCARLETT’S CABARET,” “SILVER CITY CABARET,” “BOMBSHELLS RESTAURANT AND BAR,” “THE SEVILLE CLUB,” “DOWN IN TEXAS SALOON,” “HOOPS CABARET,” “VEE LOUNGE,” “STUDIO 80,” “FOXY’S CABARET,” “EXOTIC DANCER,” “TOYS FOR TATAS,” “MILE HIGH MEN’S CLUB,” “MHMC logo,” “AFTER DARK,” “COUNTRY ROCK CABARET,” “PT’S,” “DIAMOND CABARET,” "CABARET ROYALE," BABY DOLLS SALOON," "BABY DOLLS TOPLESS SALOON," "BABY DOLLS," "JAGUARS," and BOMBSHELLS OFFICER’S CLUB are registered through service mark registrations issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. As of this date, we have pending registration applications for the names “TOOTSIES CABARET,” "RICK'S REWARDS," "VENICE CABARET," “CHERRY CREEK FOOD HALL AND BREWERY”, and “THE MANSION.” We also own the rights to numerous trade names associated with our media division. There can be no assurance that these steps we have taken to protect our service marks will be adequate to deter misappropriation of our protected intellectual property rights. Litigation may be necessary in the future to protect our rights from infringement, which may be costly and time consuming. The loss of the intellectual property rights owned or claimed by us could have a material adverse effect on our business.
We are dependent on key personnel.
Our future success is dependent, in a large part, on retaining the services of Eric Langan, our President and Chief Executive Officer, and Bradley Chhay, our Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Langan possesses a unique and comprehensive knowledge of our industry. While Mr. Langan has no present plans to leave or retire in the near future, his loss could have a negative effect on our operating, marketing and financial performance if we are unable to find an adequate replacement with similar knowledge and experience within our industry. Mr. Chhay possesses thorough familiarity with our accounting system and how it affects our operations. Mr. Chhay is also vital in our due diligence efforts when acquiring clubs. We maintain key-man life insurance with respect to Mr. Langan but not for Mr. Chhay. Although Messrs. Langan and Chhay have signed employment agreements with us (as described herein), there can be no assurance that Mr. Langan or Mr. Chhay will continue to be employed by us.
If we are not able to hire, develop, and retain qualified club and restaurant employees and/or appropriately plan our workforce, our growth plan and profitability could be adversely affected.
We rely on our restaurant and club-level employees to consistently provide high-quality food and positive experiences to our guests. In addition, our ability to continue to open new restaurants depends on us attracting, hiring, developing, and retaining high-quality managers. Maintaining appropriate staffing in our restaurants requires precise workforce planning, which planning has become more complex due to predictive scheduling laws (also called “fair workweek” or “secure scheduling”) and “just cause” termination legislation in certain geographic areas where we operate, and the so-called “great resignation” trend. The market for qualified talent continues to be competitive and we must ensure that we continue to offer competitive wages, benefits, and workplace conditions to retain qualified employees. We have experienced and may continue to experience challenges in hiring and retaining restaurant and club employees and in maintaining full restaurant
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and or club staffing in various locations, which has resulted in longer wait times for guest orders and potentially decreased employee satisfaction. A shortage of qualified candidates who meet all legal work authorization and training requirements, failure to hire and retain new restaurant or club employees in a timely manner or higher than expected turnover levels could affect our ability to open new restaurants, grow sales at existing restaurants and clubs or meet our labor cost objectives. In addition, failure to adequately monitor and proactively respond to employee dissatisfaction could lead to poor guest satisfaction, higher turnover, litigation and unionization efforts, which could negatively impact our ability to meet our growth targets.
A failure to maintain food safety throughout the supply chain and food-borne illness concerns may have an adverse effect on our business.
Food safety is a top priority, and we dedicate substantial resources to ensuring that our guests enjoy safe, quality food products. However, food safety issues could be caused at the point of source or by food suppliers or distributors and, as a result, be out of our control. In addition, regardless of the source or cause, any report of food-borne illnesses such as E. coli, hepatitis A, trichinosis or salmonella, and other food safety issues including food tampering or contamination, at one of our restaurants or clubs could adversely affect the reputation of our brands and have a negative impact on our sales. Even instances of food-borne illness, food tampering or food contamination occurring solely at restaurants of our competitors could result in negative publicity about the food service industry generally and adversely impact our sales. The occurrence of food-borne illnesses or food safety issues could also adversely affect the price and availability of affected ingredients, resulting in higher costs and lower margins.
Our venture, expansion, and renovation projects may face significant inherent risks.
Investment in certain projects we may undertake will be subject to the many risks inherent in the expansion or renovation of an existing enterprise or construction of a new enterprise, including unanticipated design, construction, regulatory, environmental and operating problems and lack of demand for our projects.
Our current and future projects could also experience:
•delays and significant cost increases;
•delays in obtaining or inability to obtain necessary permits, licenses and approvals;
•lack of sufficient, or delays in the availability of, financing;
•shortages of materials;
•shortages of skilled labor, work stoppages or labor disputes;
•poor performance or nonperformance by any third parties on whom we place reliance;
•unforeseen construction scheduling, engineering, environmental, permitting, construction or geological problems, including defective plans and specifications;
•weather interference, floods, fires or other casualty losses; and
•COVID-19 related delays.
The completion dates of any of our projects could differ significantly from expectations for construction-related or other reasons. Actual costs and construction periods for any of our projects can differ significantly from initial expectations. Our initial project costs and construction periods are based upon budgets, conceptual design documents and construction schedule estimates prepared at inception of the project in consultation with architects and contractors. Many of these costs can increase over time as the project is built to completion.
We can provide no assurance that any project will be completed on time, if at all, or within established budgets, or that any project will result in increased earnings to us. Significant delays, cost overruns, or failures of our projects to achieve market acceptance could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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Other risk factors may adversely affect our financial performance.
Other risk factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements by affecting, among many things, pricing, consumer spending and consumer confidence, include, without limitation, changes in economic conditions and financial and credit markets, credit availability, increased fuel costs and availability for our employees, customers and suppliers, health epidemics or pandemics or the prospects of these events (such as reports on avian flu or COVID-19), consumer perceptions of food safety, changes in consumer tastes and behaviors, governmental monetary policies, changes in demographic trends, terrorist acts, energy shortages and rolling blackouts, and weather (including, major hurricanes and regional snow storms) and other acts of God.
We are also subject to the general risks of inflation, increases in minimum wage, health care, and other benefits that may have a material adverse effect on our cost structure, and the disruption in our supply chain caused by several factor, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
Risks related to general macroeconomic and safety conditions
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted and may continue to disrupt our business, which has and could continue to materially affect our operations, financial condition and results of operations for an extended period of time.
The COVID-19 pandemic had an adverse effect that was material on our business. The COVID-19 pandemic, federal, state and local government responses to COVID-19, our customers’ responses to the pandemic, and our Company’s responses to the pandemic all disrupted our business. In the United States, state and local governments imposed a variety of restrictions on people and businesses and public health authorities offered regular guidance on health and safety. Once COVID-19 vaccines were approved and moved into wider distribution in the United States in early 2021, public health conditions improved and almost all of the COVID-19 restrictions on businesses eased. During fiscal 2022, increases in the numbers of cases of COVID-19 throughout the United States including the Omicron variant which impacted our restaurants in the second quarter, mostly in January 2022, subjected some of our restaurants to other COVID-19-related restrictions such as mask and/or vaccine requirements for team members, guests or both. Exclusions and quarantines of restaurant team members or groups thereof disrupt an individual restaurant’s operations and often come with little or no notice to the local restaurant management. In the last couple of years, along with COVID-19, our operating results were impacted by geopolitical and other macroeconomic events, leading to higher than usual inflation on wages and other cost of goods sold. These events further impacted the availability of team members needed to staff our restaurants and caused additional disruptions in our product supply chain.
Our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely affected by disruptions in the global economy caused by the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war.
The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine and the more recent Israel-Hamas war could have adverse effects on global macroeconomic conditions which could negatively impact our business, financial condition, and results of operations. These conflicts are highly unpredictable and have already resulted in significant volatility in oil and natural gas prices worldwide.
If we are unable to maintain compliance with certain of our debt covenants or unable to obtain waivers, we may be unable to make additional borrowings and be declared in default where our debt will be made immediately due and payable. In addition, global economic conditions may make it more difficult to access new credit facilities.
Our liquidity position is, in part, dependent upon our ability to borrow funds from financial institutions and/or private individuals. Certain of our debts have financial covenants that require us to maintain certain operating income to debt service ratios. As of September 30, 2024, we were in compliance with all covenants. Due to the impact of macroeconomic, geopolitical, and health and safety factors, and the potential economic slowdown, our financial performance in future periods could be negatively impacted. A failure to comply with the financial covenants under our credit facility or obtain waivers would give rise to an event of default under the terms of certain of our debts, allowing the lenders to accelerate repayment of any outstanding debt.
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We have recorded impairment charges in current and past periods and may record additional impairment charges in future periods.
Our nightclubs are often acquired with a purchase price based on historical EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization). This results in certain nightclubs carrying a substantial amount of intangible asset value, mostly allocated to licenses and goodwill. Generally accepted accounting principles require periodic impairment review of indefinite-lived intangible assets, long-lived assets, and goodwill to determine if, or when events and circumstances indicate that, the fair value of these assets is not recoverable. As a result of our periodic impairment reviews, we recorded impairment charges of $38.5 million in 2024 (representing $8.9 million of goodwill impairment on four clubs, $11.8 million of SOB license impairment on seven clubs, $10.6 million of property and equipment impairment on four clubs and nine Bombshells units, $6.5 million of operating lease right-of-use assets impairment on five Bombshells units, $693,000 of tradename impairment on one club, and $68,000 related to other assets); $12.6 million in 2023 (representing $4.2 million of goodwill impairment on four clubs, $6.5 million of SOB license impairment on eight clubs, $1.0 million of operating lease right-of-use asset on one club, $814,000 of software impairment on two investment projects, and $58,000 of property and equipment impairment on one club); and $1.9 million in 2022 (representing $566,000 of goodwill impairment on one club, $293,000 of SOB license impairment on one club, and $1.0 million of property and equipment impairment on one club and one Bombshells unit). If difficult market and economic conditions materialize over the next year and/or we experience a decrease in revenue at one or more nightclubs or restaurants, we could incur a decline in fair value of one or more of our nightclubs or restaurants. This could result in future impairment charges of up to the total value of our tangible and intangible assets, including goodwill. We actively monitor our clubs and restaurants for any indication of impairment.
Risks related to regulations and/or regulatory agencies
Our business operations are subject to regulatory uncertainties which may affect our ability to continue operations of existing nightclubs, acquire additional nightclubs, or be profitable.
Adult entertainment nightclubs are subject to local, state and federal regulations. Our business is regulated by local zoning, local and state liquor licensing, local ordinances, and state and federal time place and manner restrictions. The adult entertainment provided by our nightclubs has elements of speech and expression and, therefore, enjoys some protection under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. However, the protection is limited to the expression, and not the conduct of an entertainer. While our nightclubs are generally well established in their respective markets, there can be no assurance that local, state and/or federal licensing and other regulations will permit our nightclubs to remain in operation or profitable in the future.
The adult entertainment industry standard is to classify adult entertainers as independent contractors, not employees. If federal or state law mandates that they be classified as employees, our business could be adversely impacted.
The adult entertainment industry standard is to classify adult entertainers as independent contractors, not employees. The Internal Revenue Service regulations and applicable state law guidelines regarding independent contractor classification are subject to judicial and agency interpretation, and it could be determined that the independent contractor classification is inapplicable. Further, if legal standards for classification of independent contractors change, it may be necessary to modify our compensation structure for these adult entertainers, including by paying additional compensation or reimbursing expenses. While we take steps to ensure that our adult entertainers are deemed independent contractors, if our adult entertainers are determined to have been misclassified as independent contractors, we would incur additional exposure under federal and state law, workers’ compensation, unemployment benefits, labor, employment and tort laws, including for prior periods, as well as potential liability for employee benefits and tax withholdings. Any of these outcomes could result in substantial costs to us, could significantly impair our financial condition and our ability to conduct our business as we choose, and could damage our ability to attract and retain other personnel.
Our revenues could be significantly affected by limitations relating to permits to sell alcoholic beverages.
We derive a significant portion of our revenues from the sale of alcoholic beverages. States in which we operate may have laws which may limit the availability of a permit to sell alcoholic beverages, or which may provide for suspension or revocation of a permit to sell alcoholic beverages in certain circumstances. The temporary or permanent suspension or revocations of any such permits would have a material adverse effect on our revenues, financial condition and results of operations. In all states where we operate, management believes we are in compliance with applicable city, county, state or other local laws governing the sale of alcohol.
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Activities or conduct at our nightclubs may cause us to lose necessary business licenses, expose us to liability, or result in adverse publicity, which may increase our costs and divert management’s attention from our business.
We are subject to risks associated with activities or conduct at our nightclubs that are illegal or violate the terms of necessary business licenses. Some of our nightclubs operate under licenses for sexually oriented businesses and are afforded some protection under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. While we believe that the activities at our nightclubs comply with the terms of such licenses, and that the element of our business that constitutes an expression of free speech under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is protected, activities and conduct at our nightclubs may be found to violate the terms of such licenses or be unprotected under the U.S. Constitution. This protection is limited to the expression and not the conduct of an entertainer. An issuing authority may suspend or terminate a license for a nightclub found to have violated the license terms. Illegal activities or conduct at any of our nightclubs may result in negative publicity or litigation. Such consequences may increase our cost of doing business, divert management’s attention from our business and make an investment in our securities unattractive to current and potential investors, thereby lowering our profitability and our stock price.
We have developed comprehensive policies aimed at ensuring that the operation of each of our nightclubs is conducted in conformance with local, state and federal laws. We have a “no tolerance” policy on illegal drug use in or around our facilities. We continually monitor the actions of entertainers, waitresses and customers to ensure that proper behavior standards are met. However, such policies, no matter how well designed and enforced, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the policies’ objectives are being achieved. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems and policies, there can be no assurance that our policies will prevent deliberate acts by persons attempting to violate or circumvent them. Notwithstanding the foregoing limitations, management believes that our policies are reasonably effective in achieving their purposes.
Risk related to our common stock
We must continue to meet NASDAQ Global Market Continued Listing Requirements, or we risk delisting.
Our securities are currently listed for trading on the NASDAQ Global Market. We must continue to satisfy NASDAQ’s continued listing requirements or risk delisting which would have an adverse effect on our business. If our securities are ever delisted from NASDAQ, they may trade on the over-the-counter market, which may be a less liquid market. In such case, our shareholders’ ability to trade or obtain quotations of the market value of shares of our common stock would be severely limited because of lower trading volumes and transaction delays. These factors could contribute to lower prices and larger spreads in the bid and ask prices for our securities.
We may be subject to allegations, defamations, or other detrimental conduct by third parties, which could harm our reputation and cause us to lose customers and/or contribute to a deflation of our stock price.
We have been subject to allegations by third parties or purported former employees, negative internet postings, and other adverse public exposure on our business, operations and staff compensation. We may also become the target of defamations or other detrimental conduct by third parties or disgruntled former or current employees. Such conduct may include complaints, anonymous or otherwise, to regulatory agencies, media or other organizations. We may be subject to government or regulatory investigation or other proceedings as a result of such third-party conduct and may be required to spend significant time and incur substantial costs to address such third-party conduct, and there is no assurance that we will be able to conclusively refute each of the allegations within a reasonable period of time, or at all. Any government or regulatory investigations initiated as a result of the above may cause a deflation in our stock price. Additionally, allegations, directly or indirectly against us, may be posted on the internet, including social media platforms by anyone, whether or not related to us, on an anonymous basis. Any negative publicity on us or our management can be quickly and widely disseminated. Social media platforms and devices immediately publish the content of their subscribers and participants post, often without filters or checks on accuracy of the content posted. Information posted may be inaccurate and adverse to us, and it may harm our reputation, business or prospects. The harm may be immediate without affording us an opportunity for redress or correction. Our reputation may be negatively affected as a result of the public dissemination of negative and potentially false information about our business and operations, which in turn may cause us to lose customers.
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Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate and could fall below the expectations of securities analysts and investors due to seasonality and other factors, some of which are beyond our control, resulting in a decline in our stock price.
Our nightclub operations are affected by seasonal factors. Historically, we have experienced reduced revenues from April through September with the strongest operating results occurring from October through March. As a result, our quarterly and annual operating results and comparable restaurant sales may fluctuate significantly as a result of seasonality and the factors discussed above. Accordingly, results for any one fiscal quarter are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any other fiscal quarter or for any fiscal year and same-store sales for any particular future period may decrease. In the future, operating results may fall below the expectations of securities analysts and investors. In that event, the price of our common stock would likely decrease.
Anti-takeover effects of the issuance of our preferred stock could adversely affect our common stock.
Our board of directors has the authority to issue up to 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series, to fix the number of shares constituting any such series, and to fix the rights and preferences of the shares constituting any series, without any further vote or action by the stockholders. The issuance of preferred stock by the board of directors could adversely affect the rights of the holders of our common stock. For example, such issuance could result in a class of securities outstanding that would have preferences with respect to voting rights and dividends and in liquidation over the common stock, and could (upon conversion or otherwise) enjoy all of the rights appurtenant to common stock. The board’s authority to issue preferred stock could discourage potential takeover attempts and could delay or prevent a change in control of the Company through merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise by making such attempts more difficult to achieve or costlier. There are no issued and outstanding shares of preferred stock; there are no agreements or understandings for the issuance of preferred stock; and the board of directors has no present intention to issue preferred stock.
Future sales or the perception of future sales of a substantial amount of our common stock may depress our stock price.
The market price of our common stock could decline as a result of sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market, or as a result of the perception that these sales could occur. In addition, these factors could make it more difficult for us to raise funds through future offerings of common stock.
Our stock price has been volatile and may fluctuate in the future.
The trading price of our securities may fluctuate significantly. This price may be influenced by many factors, including:
•our performance and prospects;
•the depth and liquidity of the market for our securities;
•investor perception of us and the industry in which we operate;
•changes in earnings estimates or buy/sell recommendations by analysts;
•general financial and other market conditions; and
•domestic economic conditions.
Public stock markets have experienced, and may experience, extreme price and trading volume volatility. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our securities.
Cumulative voting is not available to our stockholders.
Cumulative voting in the election of directors is expressly denied in our Articles of Incorporation. Accordingly, the holder or holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock may elect all of our directors.
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Our directors and officers have limited liability and have rights to indemnification.
Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws provide, as permitted by governing Texas law, that our directors and officers shall not be personally liable to us or any of our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer, with certain exceptions. The Articles further provide that we will indemnify our directors and officers against expenses and liabilities they incur to defend, settle, or satisfy any civil litigation or criminal action brought against them on account of their being or having been its directors or officers unless, in such action, they are adjudged to have acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct.
The inclusion of these provisions in the Articles may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and officers and may discourage or deter stockholders or management from bringing a lawsuit against directors and officers for breach of their duty of care, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise have benefited us and our stockholders.
The Articles provide for the indemnification of our officers and directors, and the advancement to them of expenses in connection with any proceedings and claims, to the fullest extent permitted by Texas law. The Articles include related provisions meant to facilitate the indemnitee’s receipt of such benefits. These provisions cover, among other things: (i) specification of the method of determining entitlement to indemnification and the selection of independent counsel that will in some cases make such determination, (ii) specification of certain time periods by which certain payments or determinations must be made and actions must be taken, and (iii) the establishment of certain presumptions in favor of an indemnitee.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Item 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.
None.
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Item 1C. CYBERSECURITY.
We rely heavily on information technology systems to operate and manage all key aspects of our business. We also process substantial volumes of sensitive customer and employee personal information, which if impacted by cyber threats could result in financial and reputational harms and regulatory sanction. We have developed and implemented, and update on an ongoing basis, a risk-based information security program designed to identify, assess and manage material risks from cybersecurity threats.
Risk Management and Strategy
We assess, identify, and manage material risks related to potential cyber attacks on or through our information systems that could adversely affect the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of our information systems or the information residing on those systems through various processes. These processes include a wide variety of controls, technologies, methods, systems, and other processes that are designed to prevent, detect, or mitigate data loss, theft, and misuse, and unauthorized access to, or other cyber attacks or vulnerabilities affecting, our data.
The assessment of cyber risk is integrated into our overall risk management processes and cybersecurity is identified as a key risk within our enterprise risk management program. We strive to implement cyber policies, standards, processes, and controls for assessing, identifying, and managing material risks from cyber threats and responding to cyber attacks that are aligned with industry best practices.
We have an information technology team, led by our director of information technology, that is responsible for implementing and maintaining cybersecurity and data protection practices at the Company in close coordination with our senior management team. We seek to address cyber risks through a cross-functional approach, including relevant training for applicable employees and regular reviews and tests of our cybersecurity program that leverage work done by internal audit.
We use processes to oversee and identify material risks from cyber threats associated with our use of third-party technology and systems. We maintain processes to reduce the impact of a cyber attack at a third-party vendor. We maintain a cybersecurity incident response plan, which details the incident response procedures and points of contact related to the response processes. The response plan includes a decision-tree-based playbook, which is a supplement to the plan, and focuses on specific types of incidents and the appropriate response steps.
As of the date of this report, we are not aware of any recent cybersecurity attacks that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company, including our business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition.
See Item 1A—"Risk Factors” for additional information about the risks to our business associated with a breach or compromise to our information security systems.
Governance
Our board of directors has ultimate risk oversight responsibility for the Company and administers this responsibility both directly and with assistance from its committees. The Audit Committee oversees our overall enterprise risk management program and assists the entire board in fulfilling its oversight responsibility with respect to our information security and technology risks. The Audit Committee actively reviews and discusses our information security and technology risk management programs and regularly reports to the entire board on our relevant strengths and opportunities.
The Audit Committee receives periodic updates from our director of information technology. These updates include matters such as ongoing changes in our external and internal cyber threat landscape, new technology trends and regulatory developments, evolving internal policies and practices used to manage and mitigate cyber and technology-related risks, and trends in various metrics that are used to help assess our overall cybersecurity program effectiveness.
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Item 2. PROPERTIES.
As of September 30, 2024, we own 87 real estate properties. On 57 of these properties, we operate clubs or restaurants, including those temporarily closed. We lease multiple other properties to third-party tenants. Eight of our owned properties are in locations where we previously operated clubs or are adjacent to acquired clubs, but now lease the buildings to third parties. Twenty two are non-income-producing properties for corporate use (including our corporate office) or future club or restaurant locations, or may be offered for sale in the future. Thirteen of our clubs and restaurants are in leased locations.
Our principal corporate office is located at 10737 Cutten Road, Houston, Texas 77066, consisting of a 21,000-square foot corporate office and an 18,000-square foot warehouse facility.
Below is a list of locations we operated as of September 30, 2024:
| Name of Establishment | Fiscal Year Acquired/Opened | ||||||||||
| Club Onyx, Houston, TX | 1995 | ||||||||||
| Rick’s Cabaret, Minneapolis, MN | 1998 | ||||||||||
| XTC Cabaret, Austin, TX | 1998 | ||||||||||
| Scarlett's Cabaret, San Antonio, TX | 1998 | ||||||||||
| Rick’s Cabaret, New York City, NY | 2005 | ||||||||||
| Club Onyx, Charlotte, NC | 2005 | (1) | |||||||||
| Jaguars Club, San Antonio, TX | 2006 | ||||||||||
| Rick’s Cabaret, Fort Worth, TX | 2007 | ||||||||||
| Tootsie’s Cabaret, Miami Gardens, FL | 2008 | ||||||||||
| Dallas Showclub, Dallas, TX | 2008 | ||||||||||
| Rick’s Cabaret, Round Rock, TX | 2009 | ||||||||||
| Cabaret East, Fort Worth, TX | 2010 | ||||||||||
| Rick’s Cabaret DFW, Fort Worth, TX | 2011 | ||||||||||
| Downtown Cabaret, Minneapolis, MN | 2011 | ||||||||||
| Silver City Cabaret, Dallas, TX | 2012 | ||||||||||
| Jaguars Club, Odessa, TX | 2012 | ||||||||||
| Jaguars Club, Phoenix, AZ | 2012 | ||||||||||
| Jaguars Club, Longview, TX | 2012 | ||||||||||
| Baby Dolls, Tye, TX | 2012 | ||||||||||
| Jaguars Club, Edinburg, TX | 2012 | ||||||||||
| Chicas Locas, El Paso, TX | 2012 | ||||||||||
| Chicas Locas, Harlingen, TX | 2012 | ||||||||||
| Studio 80, Fort Worth, TX | 2013 | (1) | |||||||||
| Bombshells, Dallas, TX | 2013 | ||||||||||
| Scarlett's Cabaret, Sulphur, LA | 2013 | ||||||||||
| Temptations, Beaumont, TX | 2013 | ||||||||||
| Vivid Cabaret, New York, NY | 2014 | (1) | |||||||||
| Bombshells, Austin, TX | 2014 | (1) | |||||||||
| Rick’s Cabaret, Odessa, TX | 2014 | ||||||||||
| Bombshells, Spring, TX | 2014 | (1) | |||||||||
| Bombshells Fuqua, Houston, TX | 2014 | (1) | |||||||||
| Foxy’s Cabaret, Austin TX | 2015 | ||||||||||
| The Seville, Minneapolis, MN | 2015 | ||||||||||
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| Hoops Cabaret and Sports Bar, New York, NY | 2016 | (1) | |||||||||
| Bombshells, Highway 290 Houston, TX | 2017 | (1) | |||||||||
| Scarlett’s Cabaret, Washington Park, IL | 2017 | ||||||||||
| Scarlett’s Cabaret, Miami, FL | 2017 | ||||||||||
| Bombshells, Pearland, TX | 2018 | ||||||||||
| Kappa Men’s Club, Kappa, IL | 2018 | ||||||||||
| Rick’s Cabaret, Chicago, IL | 2019 | ||||||||||
| Rick’s Cabaret, Pittsburgh, PA | 2019 | ||||||||||
| Bombshells I-10, Houston, TX | 2019 | ||||||||||
| Bombshells 249, Houston, TX | 2019 | ||||||||||
| Bombshells, Katy, TX | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Bombshells 59, Houston, TX | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Diamond Cabaret, Denver, CO | 2022 | (1) | |||||||||
| Scarlett's Cabaret, Denver, CO | 2022 | ||||||||||
| PT's Showclub, Denver, CO | 2022 | ||||||||||
Rick's Cabaret, Denver, CO | 2022 | (1) | |||||||||
| Diamond Cabaret, St. Louis, IL | 2022 | (1) | |||||||||
| Country Rock Cabaret, St. Louis, IL | 2022 | (1) | |||||||||
| PT's Showclub, Indianapolis, IN | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Rick's Cabaret, Raleigh, NC | 2022 | (1) | |||||||||
| Rick's Cabaret, Portland, ME | 2022 | ||||||||||
| PT's Showclub, Louisville, KY | 2022 | ||||||||||
| PT's Centerfold, Denver, CO | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Mansion Gentlemen's Club & Steakhouse, Newburgh, NY | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Bombshells, Arlington, TX | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Playmates Club, Miami, FL | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Cheetah Gentlemen's Club, Miami, FL | 2022 | ||||||||||
| PT's Showclub, Odessa, TX | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Heartbreakers Gentlemen's Club, Dickinson, TX | 2023 | ||||||||||
| Cherry Creek Food Hall, Denver, CO | 2023 | ||||||||||
| Baby Dolls, Dallas, TX | 2023 | ||||||||||
| Chicas Locas, Dallas, TX | 2023 | ||||||||||
| Chicas Locas, Arlington, TX | 2023 | ||||||||||
| Chicas Locas, Houston, TX | 2023 | ||||||||||
| Baby Dolls, Fort Worth, TX | 2023 | (2) | |||||||||
| PT's Centerfold, Lubbock, TX | 2024 | ||||||||||
| Bombshells, Stafford, TX | 2024 | ||||||||||
(1)Leased location.
(2)Temporarily closed due to fire.
Our property leases are typically for a fixed rental rate with contingent rent for certain locations. The lease terms generally have initial terms of 10 to 20 years with renewal terms of 5 to 20 years. At September 30, 2024, certain of the properties we own were collateral for mortgage debt amounting to approximately $151.1 million. We believe that our existing facilities, both owned and leased, are in good condition and adequate and suitable for the conduct of our business.
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Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
See the “Legal Matters” section within Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements within this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the requirements of this Item, which section is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.
Not applicable.
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PART II
Item 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
Our common stock is quoted on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “RICK.”
Holders
On December 13, 2024, the closing stock price for our common stock as reported by NASDAQ was $52.09, and there were 87 stockholders of record of our common stock (excluding broker held shares in “street name”). Currently, we estimate that there are approximately 11,700 stockholders having beneficial ownership in street name.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Colonial Stock Transfer Company, Inc., 66 Exchange Place, 1st Floor, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111.
Dividend Policy
Prior to 2016, we had not paid cash dividends on our common stock. Starting in March 2016, in conjunction with our share buyback program (see discussion below), our board of directors declared regular quarterly cash dividends. Below are our historical dividend payments:
| Quarterly Dividend per Share | |||||
| Second quarter 2016 through third quarter 2019 | $0.03 | ||||
| Fourth quarter 2019 | $0.04 | ||||
| First quarter 2020 | $0.03 | ||||
| Second quarter 2020 | $0.04 | ||||
| Third quarter 2020 | $0.03 | ||||
| Fourth quarter 2020 through first quarter 2022 | $0.04 | ||||
| Second quarter 2022 through first quarter 2023 | $0.05 | ||||
| Second quarter 2023 though third quarter 2024 | $0.06 | ||||
| Fourth quarter 2024 through current | $0.07 | ||||
During fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022, we paid cash dividends totaling $2.3 million, $2.1 million, and $1.8 million, respectively.
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Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer
Our share repurchase activity during the three months ended September 30, 2024 was as follows:
| Period | Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased | Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit)(1) | Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs(2) | Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) That May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| July 1-31, 2024 | 130,244 | $ | 44.85 | 130,244 | $ | 23,025,567 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| August 1-31, 2024 | 21,895 | $ | 45.23 | 21,895 | $ | 22,035,349 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| September 1-30, 2024 | 22,651 | $ | 44.16 | 22,651 | $ | 21,035,109 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 174,790 | 174,790 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Prices include any commissions and transaction costs, excluding excise tax on stock buybacks.
(2) All shares were purchased pursuant to the repurchase plans approved by the board of directors. On July 9, 2024, the board of directors approved a $25.0 million increase in the Company's share repurchase program.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
On February 7, 2022, our board of directors approved the 2022 Stock Option Plan (the “2022 Plan”). The board’s adoption of the 2022 Plan was approved by the shareholders during the annual stockholders' meeting on August 23, 2022. The 2022 Plan provides that the maximum aggregate number of shares of common stock underlying options that may be granted under the 2022 Plan is 300,000. The options granted under the 2022 Plan may be either incentive stock options or non-qualified options. The 2022 Plan is administered by the compensation committee of the board of directors. The compensation committee has the exclusive power to select individuals to receive grants, to establish the terms of the options granted to each participant, provided that all options granted shall be granted at an exercise price not less than the fair market value of the common stock covered by the option on the grant date, and to make all determinations necessary or advisable under the 2022 Plan. On February 9, 2022, the board of directors approved a grant of 50,000 stock options each to six members of management subject to the approval of the 2022 Plan.
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Stock Performance Graph
The following chart compares the five-year cumulative total stock performance of our common stock; the NASDAQ Composite Index (IXIC); the Russell 2000 Index (RUT); and the Dow Jones U.S. Restaurant & Bar Index (DJUSRU), our peer index. The graph assumes a hypothetical investment of $100 on September 30, 2019 in each of our common stock and each of the indices, and that all dividends were reinvested. The measurement points utilized in the graph consist of the last trading day as of September 30 each year, representing the last day of our fiscal year. The calculations exclude trading commissions and taxes. We have selected the Dow Jones U.S. Restaurant & Bar Index as our peer index since it represents a broader group of restaurant and bar operators that are more aligned to our core business operations. RICK is a component of the NASDAQ Composite Index and the Russell 2000 Index. The historical stock performance presented below is not intended to and may not be indicative of future stock performance.
| 9/30/2019 | 9/30/2020 | 9/30/2021 | 9/30/2022 | 9/30/2023 | 9/30/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| RCI Hospitality Holdings, Inc. | $ | 100.00 | $ | 98.88 | $ | 332.43 | $ | 315.45 | $ | 293.07 | $ | 215.37 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| NASDAQ Composite Index | $ | 100.00 | $ | 139.61 | $ | 180.62 | $ | 132.21 | $ | 165.26 | $ | 227.38 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dow Jones U.S. Restaurant & Bar Index | $ | 100.00 | $ | 101.30 | $ | 124.18 | $ | 106.75 | $ | 121.60 | $ | 148.63 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Russell 2000 Index | $ | 100.00 | $ | 98.97 | $ | 144.70 | $ | 109.28 | $ | 117.18 | $ | 146.38 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Item 6. [RESERVED]
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Item 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
OVERVIEW
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is intended to help the reader understand RCI Hospitality Holdings, Inc., our operations and our present business environment. MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto contained in Item 8 – “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this report. This overview summarizes the MD&A, which includes the following sections:
•Our Business — a general description of our business and the adult nightclub industry, our objective, our strategic priorities, our core capabilities, and challenges and risks of our business.
•Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates — a discussion of accounting policies that require critical judgments and estimates.
•Operations Review — an analysis of our Company’s consolidated results of operations for the three years presented in our consolidated financial statements.
•Liquidity and Capital Resources — an analysis of cash flows, aggregate contractual obligations, and an overview of financial position.
OUR BUSINESS
The following are our operating segments:
| Nightclubs | Our wholly-owned subsidiaries own and/or operate upscale adult nightclubs. These nightclubs are in Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth, Beaumont, Longview, Harlingen, Edinburg, Tye, Lubbock, Round Rock, El Paso and Odessa, Texas; Denver, Colorado; Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina; Minneapolis, Minnesota; New York and Newburgh, New York; Miami Gardens, Pembroke Park and Miami, Florida; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Phoenix, Arizona; Louisville, Kentucky; Portland, Maine; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Washington Park, Kappa, Sauget and Chicago, Illinois. No sexual contact is permitted at any of our locations. We also own and operate a Studio 80 dance club in Fort Worth, Texas. We also own and lease to third parties real properties that are adjacent to (or used to be locations of) our clubs. | ||||
| Bombshells | Our wholly-owned subsidiaries own and operate restaurants and sports bars in Houston, Dallas, Austin, Spring, Pearland, Tomball, Katy, Arlington, and Stafford, Texas under the brand name Bombshells Restaurant & Bar. Bombshells also operates a food hall in Denver, Colorado. | ||||
| Other | Our wholly-owned subsidiaries own a media division (“Media Group”), including the leading trade magazine serving the multibillion-dollar adult nightclubs industry and the adult retail products industry. We also own an industry trade show, an industry trade publication and more than a dozen industry and social media websites. Included here is Drink Robust, which is licensed to sell Robust Energy Drink in the United States. | ||||
We generate our revenues from the sale of liquor, beer, wine, food, and merchandise; service revenues such as cover charges, membership fees, and facility use fees; and other revenues such as commissions from vending and ATM machines, real estate rental, valet parking, and other products and services for both nightclub and restaurant/sports bar operations. Other revenues include Media Group revenues for the sale of advertising content and revenues from our annual Expo convention, and Drink Robust sales. Our fiscal year-end is September 30.
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Same-Store Sales. We calculate same-store sales by comparing year-over-year revenues from nightclubs and restaurants/sports bars starting in the first full quarter of operations after at least 12 full months for Nightclubs and at least 18 full months for Bombshells. We consider the first six months of operations of a Bombshells unit to be the “honeymoon period” where sales are significantly higher than normal. We exclude from a particular month’s calculation units previously included in the same-store sales base that have closed temporarily for more than 15 days until its next full quarter of operations. We also exclude from the same-store sales base units that are being reconcepted or are closed due to renovations or remodels. Acquired units are included in the same-store sales calculation as long as they qualify based on the definitions stated above. Revenues outside of our Nightclubs and Bombshells reportable segments’ core business are excluded from same-store sales calculation.
Our goal is to use our Company’s assets—our brands, financial strength, and the talent and strong commitment of our management and employees—to become more competitive and to accelerate growth.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires our management to make assumptions and estimates about future events and apply judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. These estimates are based on management’s historical and industry experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. On a regular basis, we evaluate these accounting policies, assumptions, estimates and judgments to ensure that our financial statements are presented fairly and in accordance with GAAP. However, because future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty, actual results may differ from our estimates, and such differences could be material.
A full discussion of our significant accounting policies is contained in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements, which is included in Item 8 – “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this report. We believe that the following accounting estimates are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our financial results. These estimates require our most difficult, subjective or complex judgments because they relate to matters that are inherently uncertain. We have reviewed these critical accounting policies and estimates and related disclosures with our Audit Committee.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
We review long-lived assets, such as property and equipment, and intangible assets subject to amortization, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. These events or changes in circumstances include, but are not limited to, significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results, significant changes in the manner of use of the acquired assets or the strategy for the overall business, and significant negative industry or economic trends. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset group to the estimated undiscounted cash flows over the estimated remaining useful life of the primary asset included in the asset group. If the asset group is not recoverable, the impairment loss is calculated as the excess of the carrying value over the fair value. We define our asset group as an operating club or restaurant location, which is also our reporting unit or the lowest level for which cash flows can be identified. Key estimates in the undiscounted cash flow model include management’s estimate of the projected revenues and operating margins. Fair value is determined using the market, income, or cost approaches. If fair value is used to determine using the income approach, an additional key assumption is the selection of a weighted-average cost of capital to discount cash flows. Assets to be disposed of are separately presented in the balance sheet and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell and are no longer depreciated.
During the third quarter of 2024, we impaired six properties for $4.8 million in property and equipment and $5.7 million in operating lease right-of-use assets. During the fourth quarter of 2024, we impaired ten properties for $5.8 million in property and equipment and $747,000 in operating lease right-of-use assets. These properties are predominantly comprised of leased Bombshells locations.
During the third quarter of 2023, we impaired one property for $58,000 for its property and equipment and $1.0 million for its operating lease right-of-use asset before the club's permanent closure. During the fourth quarter of 2023, we also recognized software impairments amounting to $814,000 related to two venture projects.
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During the third quarter of 2022, we impaired two properties for a total of $1.0 million one due to eminent domain by the state of Texas and the other due to underperformance.
Key assumptions and estimates used in long-lived asset impairment testing, the most significant of which is our estimated future cash flows, may produce materially different amounts of fair value, which could significantly impact our results of operations.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill and other intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives are tested annually for impairment during our fourth fiscal quarter and are tested for impairment more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired.
Our impairment calculations require management to make assumptions and to apply judgment in order to estimate fair values. If our actual results are not consistent with our estimates and assumptions, we may be exposed to impairments that could be material. We do not believe that there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a change in the estimates or assumptions we used that could cause a material change in our calculated impairment charges.
For our goodwill impairment review, we have the option to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value. This assessment is based on several factors, including industry and market conditions, overall financial performance, including an assessment of cash flows in comparison to actual and projected results of prior periods. If it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value based on our qualitative analysis, or if we elect to skip this step, we perform a Step 1 quantitative analysis to determine the fair value of the reporting unit. The fair value is determined using market-related valuation models, including discounted cash flows and comparable asset market values. Key estimates in the discounted cash flow model include management’s estimate of the projected revenues and operating margins, along with the selection of a weighted-average cost of capital to discount cash flows. We recognize goodwill impairment in the amount that the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, not to exceed the amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit, based on the results of our Step 1 analysis. For the year ended September 30, 2024, we identified four reporting units that were impaired and recognized a total goodwill impairment of $8.9 million. For the year ended September 30, 2023, we identified four reporting units that were impaired and recognized a total goodwill impairment of $4.2 million. For the year ended September 30, 2022, we identified one reporting unit that was impaired and recognized a goodwill impairment loss of $566,000.
For indefinite- and definite-lived intangibles, specifically SOB licenses, we determine fair value by estimating the multiperiod excess earnings of the asset with key assumptions being similar to those used in the goodwill impairment valuation model. We recorded impairment charges for SOB licenses amounting to $11.8 million in 2024 related to seven clubs, $6.5 million in 2023 related to eight clubs, and $293,000 in 2022 related to one club. For indefinite-lived tradename, we determine fair value by using the relief from royalty method. The fair value is then compared to the carrying value and an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the asset. We recorded impairment charges for tradenames amounting to $693,000 in 2024 related to one club, $0 in 2023, and $0 in 2022.
Business Combinations
The Company accounts for business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting, which requires the recognition of acquired tangible and identifiable intangible assets and assumed liabilities at their acquisition date fair values. These fair values are a result of valuation techniques that use significant assumptions that are subject to a high degree of judgment. The excess of the acquisition price over the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. Results of operations related to acquired entities are included prospectively beginning with the date of acquisition. Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred.
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Stock-based Compensation
We recognize expense for stock-based compensation awards, which is equal to the fair value of the awards at grant date, ratably in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of income over their requisite service period. Calculating the grant date fair value of stock-based compensation awards requires the input of subjective assumptions. We determine the fair value of each stock option grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with assumptions based primarily on historical data. Specific inputs to the model include the expected term of the stock options, stock price volatility, dividend yield, and risk-free interest rate.
We used our historical exercise and post-vesting expiration behavior of grantees on stock options awarded prior to the 2022 Plan which may not be reflective of current stock market environment and current mix of grantees. We estimated expected volatility based on historical volatility of the Company's stock price for a period equal to the award's expected term. We estimated expected dividend yield based on the current dividend payout activity and the exercise price (that is, the expected dividends that would likely be reflected in an amount at which the stock option would be exchanged). The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. We recognize forfeitures when they occur.
Income Taxes
We estimate certain components of our provision for income taxes including the recoverability of deferred tax assets that arise from temporary differences between the tax and book carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. These estimates include depreciation and amortization expense allowable for tax purposes, allowable tax credits for items such as taxes paid on employee tip income, effective rates for state and local income taxes, and the deductibility of certain other items, among others. We adjust our annual effective income tax rate as additional information on outcomes or events becomes available. When necessary, we record a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to a balance that is more likely than not to be realized.
Legal and Other Contingencies
As mentioned in Item 3 – “Legal Proceedings” and in a more detailed discussion in Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements, we are involved in various suits and claims in the normal course of business. We record a liability when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount is reasonably estimable. There is significant judgment required in both the probability determination and as to whether an exposure can be reasonably estimated. In the opinion of management, there was not at least a reasonable possibility that we may have incurred a material loss, or a material loss in excess of a recorded accrual, with respect to loss contingencies for asserted legal and other claims. However, the outcome of legal proceedings and claims brought against the Company is subject to significant uncertainty. Therefore, although management considers the likelihood of such an outcome to be remote, if one or more of these legal matters were resolved against the Company in a reporting period for amounts in excess of management’s expectations, the Company’s consolidated financial statements for that reporting period could be materially adversely affected. In matters where there is insurance coverage, in the event we incur any liability, we believe it is unlikely we would incur losses in connection with these claims in excess of our insurance coverage.
33
OPERATIONS REVIEW
Highlights of operations from fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022 are as follows (in thousands, except percentages and per share amounts):
| 2024 | Inc (Dec) | 2023 | Inc (Dec) | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated | $ | 295,604 | 0.6 | % | $ | 293,790 | 9.8 | % | $ | 267,620 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Nightclubs | $ | 243,864 | 3.0 | % | $ | 236,748 | 14.8 | % | $ | 206,251 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Bombshells | $ | 50,578 | (9.2) | % | $ | 55,723 | (7.0) | % | $ | 59,925 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Same-store sales | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated | -5.1 | % | -6.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nightclubs | -2.1 | % | -3.5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bombshells | -18.4 | % | -14.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from operations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated | $ | 18,805 | (63.5) | % | $ | 51,484 | (28.0) | % | $ | 71,459 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Nightclubs | $ | 58,094 | (20.6) | % | $ | 73,187 | (11.6) | % | $ | 82,798 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Bombshells | $ | (10,646) | (263.7) | % | $ | 6,502 | (43.5) | % | $ | 11,504 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per share | $ | 0.33 | (89.5) | % | $ | 3.13 | (36.3) | % | $ | 4.91 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share* | $ | 4.72 | (3.6) | % | $ | 4.90 | (8.9) | % | $ | 5.38 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 55,884 | (5.5) | % | $ | 59,130 | (8.3) | % | $ | 64,509 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Free cash flow* | $ | 48,421 | (8.9) | % | $ | 53,176 | (9.7) | % | $ | 58,911 | |||||||||||||||||||
*Reconciliation and discussion of non-GAAP financial measures are included under the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of this Item. These measures should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, U.S. GAAP measures.
34
The following common size tables present a comparison of our results of operations as a percentage of total revenues for the three most recently completed fiscal years:
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||
| Revenues | |||||||||||||||||
| Sales of alcoholic beverages | 45.0 | % | 43.3 | % | 42.3 | % | |||||||||||
| Sales of food and merchandise | 15.1 | % | 14.9 | % | 16.6 | % | |||||||||||
| Service revenues | 33.3 | % | 35.3 | % | 35.1 | % | |||||||||||
| Other | 6.6 | % | 6.5 | % | 6.0 | % | |||||||||||
| Total revenues | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | |||||||||||
| Operating expenses | |||||||||||||||||
| Cost of goods sold | |||||||||||||||||
| Alcoholic beverages sold | 18.2 | % | 18.3 | % | 17.8 | % | |||||||||||
| Food and merchandise sold | 36.7 | % | 35.1 | % | 35.1 | % | |||||||||||
| Service and other | 0.3 | % | 0.2 | % | 0.3 | % | |||||||||||
| Total cost of goods sold (exclusive of items shown separately below) | 13.9 | % | 13.3 | % | 13.5 | % | |||||||||||
| Salaries and wages | 28.5 | % | 27.1 | % | 25.6 | % | |||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 33.7 | % | 31.7 | % | 29.5 | % | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 5.2 | % | 5.2 | % | 4.6 | % | |||||||||||
| Impairments and other charges, net | 12.4 | % | 5.3 | % | 0.2 | % | |||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 93.6 | % | 82.5 | % | 73.3 | % | |||||||||||
| Income from operations | 6.4 | % | 17.5 | % | 26.7 | % | |||||||||||
| Other income (expenses) | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | (5.6) | % | (5.4) | % | (4.5) | % | |||||||||||
| Interest income | 0.2 | % | 0.1 | % | 0.2 | % | |||||||||||
| Non-operating gains, net | — | % | — | % | 0.1 | % | |||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 0.9 | % | 12.2 | % | 22.5 | % | |||||||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | (0.1) | % | 2.3 | % | 5.3 | % | |||||||||||
| Net income | 1.0 | % | 9.9 | % | 17.2 | % | |||||||||||
†Percentages may not foot due to rounding in this and in all of the succeeding tables presenting percentages in this report. Percentage of revenue for individual cost of goods sold items pertains to their respective revenue line.
35
Below is a table presenting the changes in each line item of the income statement for the last three fiscal years (dollar amounts in thousands)
| Better (Worse) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | % | Amount | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales of alcoholic beverages | $ | 5,862 | 4.6 | % | $ | 13,946 | 12.3 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Sales of food and merchandise | 700 | 1.6 | % | (388) | (0.9) | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Service revenues | (5,122) | (4.9) | % | 9,689 | 10.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Other | 374 | 2.0 | % | 2,923 | 18.1 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 1,814 | 0.6 | % | 26,170 | 9.8 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of goods sold | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alcoholic beverages sold | (937) | (4.0) | % | (3,136) | (15.6) | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Food and merchandise sold | (931) | (6.0) | % | 108 | 0.7 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Service and other | (115) | (40.8) | % | 35 | 11.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Total cost of goods sold (exclusive of items shown separately below) | (1,983) | (5.1) | % | (2,993) | (8.3) | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Salaries and wages | (4,677) | (5.9) | % | (11,053) | (16.1) | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | (6,648) | (7.1) | % | (14,177) | (18.0) | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | (244) | (1.6) | % | (2,760) | (22.3) | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Impairments and other charges, net | (20,941) | (134.0) | % | (15,162) | (3,246.7) | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | (34,493) | (14.2) | % | (46,145) | (23.5) | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Income from operations | (32,679) | (63.5) | % | (19,975) | (28.0) | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Other income/expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | (753) | (4.7) | % | (3,976) | (33.3) | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest income | 94 | 24.2 | % | (23) | (5.6) | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Non-operating gains/losses, net | — | — | % | (211) | (100.0) | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Income/loss before income taxes | (33,338) | (92.7) | % | (24,185) | (40.2) | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense/benefit | 7,256 | 106.0 | % | 7,225 | 51.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | (26,082) | (89.6) | % | $ | (16,960) | (36.8) | % | |||||||||||||||
*Not meaningful.
Revenues
Consolidated revenues increased by $1.8 million, or 0.6%, from 2023 to 2024 due mainly from recently acquired clubs and a newly opened Bombshells, partially offset by a decrease in same-store sales and a sales decrease from locations that were closed or rebranded in 2024. From 2022 to 2023, consolidated revenues increased by $26.2 million, or 9.8%, due mainly to newly acquired locations, partially offset by a decrease in same-store sales and a sales decrease from locations closed in 2023.
36
Segment contribution to total revenues was as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):
| 2024 | Inc (Dec) | 2023 | Inc (Dec) | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nightclubs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales of alcoholic beverages | $ | 105,669 | 9.7 | % | $ | 96,325 | 20.4 | % | $ | 80,001 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Sales of food and merchandise | 22,129 | 10.7 | % | 19,995 | 9.3 | % | 18,289 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service revenues | 98,233 | (4.8) | % | 103,217 | 10.4 | % | 93,481 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other revenues | 17,833 | 3.6 | % | 17,211 | 18.9 | % | 14,480 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 243,864 | 3.0 | % | 236,748 | 14.8 | % | 206,251 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bombshells | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales of alcoholic beverages | 27,455 | (11.3) | % | 30,937 | (7.1) | % | 33,315 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales of food and merchandise | 22,477 | (6.0) | % | 23,911 | (8.1) | % | 26,005 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service revenues | 222 | (38.3) | % | 360 | (11.5) | % | 407 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other revenues | 424 | (17.7) | % | 515 | 160.1 | % | 198 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 50,578 | (9.2) | % | 55,723 | (7.0) | % | 59,925 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other revenues | 1,162 | (11.9) | % | 1,319 | (8.7) | % | 1,444 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 295,604 | 0.6 | % | $ | 293,790 | 9.8 | % | $ | 267,620 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Nightclubs segment revenues. Nightclubs revenues increased by 3.0% from 2023 to 2024 and by 14.8% from 2022 to 2023, as explained below.
| 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | ||||||||||
Impact of 2.1% and 3.5% decrease in same-store sales, respectively, to total revenues | (2.0) | % | (3.2) | % | |||||||
| Newly acquired units | 7.6 | % | 18.4 | % | |||||||
| Closed units | (1.4) | % | (0.4) | % | |||||||
| Other | (1.3) | % | — | % | |||||||
| Net Nightclubs revenue increase | 3.0 | % | 14.8 | % | |||||||
Nightclubs segment sales mix for the three fiscal years, below:
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||
| Sales of alcoholic beverages | 43.3 | % | 40.7 | % | 38.8 | % | |||||||||||
| Sales of food and merchandise | 9.1 | % | 8.4 | % | 8.9 | % | |||||||||||
| Service revenues | 40.3 | % | 43.6 | % | 45.3 | % | |||||||||||
| Other | 7.3 | % | 7.3 | % | 7.0 | % | |||||||||||
| 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||
The 2023 new units include six clubs, one of which was acquired in October 2022 and five acquired in March 2023. The 2022 new units include fifteen clubs, of which eleven were acquired in October 2021, one acquired in November 2021, one acquired in May 2022, and two acquired in July 2022. See Note 14 to our consolidated financial statements for more information on our club acquisitions. No new clubs were acquired in 2024.
Included in other revenues of the Nightclubs segment is real estate rental revenue amounting to $1.7 million in 2024, $1.8 million in 2023, and $1.6 million in 2022.
37
Bombshells segment revenues. Bombshells revenues decreased by 9.2% from 2023 to 2024 and decreased by 7.0% from 2022 to 2023, as explained below.
| 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | ||||||||||
Impact of 18.4% and 14.6% decrease in same-store sales, respectively, to total revenues | (16.9) | % | (13.5) | % | |||||||
| New units | 9.0 | % | 6.5 | % | |||||||
| Closed units | (1.1) | % | — | % | |||||||
| Other | (0.2) | % | — | % | |||||||
| Net Bombshells revenue decrease | (9.2) | % | (7.0) | % | |||||||
Bombshells segment sales mix for the three fiscal years is as follows:
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||
| Sales of alcoholic beverages | 54.3 | % | 55.5 | % | 55.6 | % | |||||||||||
| Sales of food and merchandise | 44.4 | % | 42.9 | % | 43.4 | % | |||||||||||
| Service and other revenues | 1.3 | % | 1.6 | % | 1.0 | % | |||||||||||
| 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||
Bombshells Arlington was opened in the first quarter of 2022. Bombshells San Antonio was acquired from our franchisee in the second quarter of 2023. We also acquired a food hall in Greenwood Village, Colorado during the first quarter of 2023. We opened Bombshells Stafford in the first quarter of 2024 and sold Bombshells San Antonio in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Other segment revenues. Other revenues included revenues from Drink Robust in all three fiscal years presented. Drink Robust sales were $131,000, $145,000, and $201,000 in fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively, which exclude intercompany sales to Nightclubs and Bombshells units amounting to $270,000, $254,000, and $261,000 in fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively. Media business revenues were $1.0 million, $1.1 million, and $1.2 million in fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively.
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses, as a percent of consolidated revenues, were 93.6%, 82.5%, and 73.3% for the fiscal year 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively. Significant contributors to the change in operating expenses as a percent of revenues are explained below.
Cost of goods sold. Cost of goods sold includes cost of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, food, cigars and cigarettes, merchandise, media printing/binding, and Drink Robust. As a percentage of consolidated revenues, consolidated cost of goods sold was 13.9%, 13.3%, and 13.5% for fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively. See page 34 above for the breakdown of percentages for each line item of consolidated cost of goods sold as it relates to the respective consolidated revenue line. For the Nightclubs segment, cost of goods sold was 11.7%, 11.1%, and 10.5% for fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively, which was primarily caused by shifts in sales mix among the three fiscal years. Bombshells cost of goods sold was 24.1%, 22.4%, and 23.5% for fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively, which was mainly driven by food cost inflation.
Salaries and wages. Consolidated salaries and wages increased by $4.7 million, or 5.9%, from 2023 to 2024 and increased by $11.1 million, or 16.1%, from 2022 to 2023. The dollar increases are mostly from newly acquired or constructed locations. As a percentage of revenues, consolidated salaries and wages were 28.5%, 27.1%, and 25.6% in 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively, mainly due to sales trend and the impact of fixed salaries on change in sales.
38
By reportable segment, salaries and wages are broken down as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):
| 2024 | Inc (Dec) | 2023 | Inc (Dec) | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nightclubs | $ | 54,217 | 7.4 | % | $ | 50,489 | 23.6 | % | $ | 40,859 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Bombshells | 14,643 | (2.0) | % | 14,949 | 2.5 | % | 14,585 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 571 | (5.5) | % | 604 | 0.5 | % | 601 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate | 14,746 | 9.6 | % | 13,458 | 8.5 | % | 12,402 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 84,177 | 5.9 | % | $ | 79,500 | 16.1 | % | $ | 68,447 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Unit-level manager payroll is included in salaries and wages of each location, while payroll for regional manager and above are included in Corporate.
Salaries and wages as a percentage of segment revenue (except Corporate, which is based on consolidated revenues):
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||
| Nightclubs | 22.2 | % | 21.3 | % | 19.8 | % | |||||||||||
| Bombshells | 29.0 | % | 26.8 | % | 24.3 | % | |||||||||||
| Other | 49.1 | % | 45.8 | % | 41.6 | % | |||||||||||
| Corporate | 5.0 | % | 4.6 | % | 4.6 | % | |||||||||||
| 28.5 | % | 27.1 | % | 25.6 | % | ||||||||||||
Bombshells and Other segment salaries and wages decreased in 2024 but as a percentage of revenue they increased due to their decrease in revenue.
Selling, general and administrative expenses. The components of consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses are in the tables below (dollar amounts in thousands):
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | % | Amount | % | Amount | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Taxes and permits | $ | 16,177 | 5.5 | % | $ | 11,966 | 4.1 | % | $ | 9,468 | 3.5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Advertising and marketing | 12,461 | 4.2 | % | 11,928 | 4.1 | % | 9,860 | 3.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Supplies and services | 10,896 | 3.7 | % | 10,724 | 3.7 | % | 8,614 | 3.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Insurance | 13,059 | 4.4 | % | 10,268 | 3.5 | % | 10,152 | 3.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lease | 7,099 | 2.4 | % | 7,206 | 2.5 | % | 6,706 | 2.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Legal | 4,155 | 1.4 | % | 3,742 | 1.3 | % | 1,995 | 0.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Utilities | 6,075 | 2.1 | % | 5,760 | 2.0 | % | 4,585 | 1.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Charge card fees | 6,968 | 2.4 | % | 7,090 | 2.4 | % | 6,292 | 2.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Security | 5,080 | 1.7 | % | 5,618 | 1.9 | % | 4,404 | 1.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accounting and professional fees | 4,260 | 1.4 | % | 4,286 | 1.5 | % | 3,909 | 1.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Repairs and maintenance | 4,690 | 1.6 | % | 4,924 | 1.7 | % | 3,754 | 1.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | 1,882 | 0.6 | % | 2,588 | 0.9 | % | 2,353 | 0.9 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 6,870 | 2.3 | % | 6,924 | 2.4 | % | 6,755 | 2.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 99,672 | 33.7 | % | $ | 93,024 | 31.7 | % | $ | 78,847 | 29.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
39
By reportable segment, selling, general and administrative expenses are broken down as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):
| 2024 | Inc (Dec) | 2023 | Inc (Dec) | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nightclubs | $ | 68,546 | 11.7 | % | $ | 61,350 | 19.6 | % | $ | 51,285 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Bombshells | 18,475 | (2.4) | % | 18,928 | 9.4 | % | 17,295 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 709 | 17.8 | % | 602 | 44.0 | % | 418 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate | 11,942 | (1.7) | % | 12,144 | 23.3 | % | 9,849 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 99,672 | 7.1 | % | $ | 93,024 | 18.0 | % | $ | 78,847 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of segment revenue (except Corporate, which is based on consolidated revenues):
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||
| Nightclubs | 28.1 | % | 25.9 | % | 24.9 | % | |||||||||||
| Bombshells | 36.5 | % | 34.0 | % | 28.9 | % | |||||||||||
| Other | 61.0 | % | 45.6 | % | 28.9 | % | |||||||||||
| Corporate | 4.0 | % | 4.1 | % | 3.7 | % | |||||||||||
| 33.7 | % | 31.7 | % | 29.5 | % | ||||||||||||
The significant variances in selling, general and administrative expenses are as follows:
As a percentage of revenues, relatively fixed expenses tend to be higher in rate due to lower sales, while more variable expenses tend to keep their rates even if dollar amounts are increasing. Nightclubs expenses increased as a percentage of segment revenue due to newly acquired clubs. Bombshells expenses increased as a percentage of segment revenue due to lower sales.
Taxes and permits increased mainly due to the increase in the Texas patron tax. Insurance expense increased due to additional clubs and restaurants, with additional impact from insurance premium refunds received in 2023.
Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization increased by $244,000, or 1.6%, from 2023 to 2024 and increased by $2.8 million, or 22.3%, from 2022 to 2023. The increase from 2022 to 2023 was mainly from newly acquired clubs, while the smaller increase from 2023 to 2024 was mainly caused by a decrease in the amortization of intangibles due to previous impairment.
Impairments and other charges, net. The components of impairments and other charges, net are in the table below (dollars in thousands):
| 2024 | Inc (Dec) | 2023 | Inc (Dec) | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment of assets | $ | 38,517 | 205.0 | % | $ | 12,629 | 568.9 | % | $ | 1,888 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Settlement of lawsuits | 520 | (86.2) | % | 3,759 | 165.3 | % | 1,417 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain on sale of businesses and assets | (2,140) | 213.8 | % | (682) | (71.3) | % | (2,375) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain on insurance | (327) | 324.7 | % | (77) | (83.4) | % | (463) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 36,570 | 134.0 | % | $ | 15,629 | 3,246.7 | % | $ | 467 | ||||||||||||||||||||
40
The significant variances in impairments and other charges, net are discussed below:
During 2024, we recorded aggregate impairment charges amounting to $38.5 million related to goodwill of four clubs ($8.9 million), SOB licenses of seven clubs ($11.8 million), operating lease right-of-use assets of five Bombshells locations ($6.5 million), tradename of one club ($693,000), property and equipment of four clubs and nine Bombshells locations ($10.6 million). During 2023, we recorded aggregate impairment charges amounting to $12.6 million related to goodwill of four clubs ($4.2 million), SOB licenses of eight clubs ($6.5 million), operating lease right-of-use asset and property and equipment of a closed club ($1.1 million), and software of two investment projects ($814,000). During 2022, we recorded aggregate impairment charges amounting to $1.9 million related to goodwill of one club ($566,000), SOB license of one club ($293,000), and property and equipment of one club and one Bombshells unit ($1.0 million).
In 2023, we recognized settlements with the New York Department of Labor amounting to $3.1 million related to the assessment by the New York Department of Labor for state unemployment insurance. In 2022, we settled several cases including the image infringement lawsuit and the securities class actions part of which was paid by insurance. See Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements. Going forward, settlements might be more volatile and higher in value due to self-insurance.
Refer to dispositions in Note 14 to our consolidated financial statement for details on gains or losses on sale of businesses and assets.
In relation to insurance claims and recoveries, we recognized a $77,000 gain in 2023 and $463,000 gain in 2022 mainly related to a fire in one of our clubs in Washington Park, Illinois, toward the end of fiscal 2018 and a hurricane that damaged one of our clubs in Sulphur, Louisiana, in August 2020. The rest of the claims for the Sulphur club were received in 2022. Gains related to insurance recoveries are recognized when the contingencies related to the insurance claims have been resolved, which may be in a subsequent reporting period. We also partially recovered and recognized a $327,000 gain related to a fire in one of our clubs in Fort Worth, Texas, during the fourth quarter of 2024. See Note 13 to our consolidated financial statements.
Income from Operations
During fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022, our consolidated operating margin was 6.4%, 17.5%, and 26.7%, respectively.
Below is a table which reflects segment contribution to income from operations (in thousands):
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||
| Nightclubs | $ | 58,094 | $ | 73,187 | $ | 82,798 | |||||||||||
| Bombshells | (10,646) | 6,502 | 11,504 | ||||||||||||||
| Other | (523) | (1,446) | 57 | ||||||||||||||
| Corporate | (28,120) | (26,759) | (22,900) | ||||||||||||||
| $ | 18,805 | $ | 51,484 | $ | 71,459 | ||||||||||||
Nightclubs operating margin was 23.8%, 30.9%, and 40.1% in 2024, 2023, and 2022. Bombshells operating margin was (21.0)%, 11.7%, and 19.2% in 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively.
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Excluding certain items, non-GAAP operating income (loss) and non-GAAP operating margin are computed in the tables below (dollars in thousands). Refer to discussion of Non-GAAP Financial Measures on page 41.
| 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nightclubs | Bombshells | Other | Corporate | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from operations | $ | 58,094 | $ | (10,646) | $ | (523) | $ | (28,120) | $ | 18,805 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of intangibles | 2,334 | 137 | — | 23 | 2,494 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Settlement of lawsuits | 465 | 25 | — | 30 | 520 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment of assets | 22,691 | 15,826 | — | — | 38,517 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss (gain) on sale of businesses and assets | (56) | (2,322) | — | 238 | (2,140) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain on insurance | (327) | — | — | — | (327) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | 1,882 | 1,882 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-GAAP operating income (loss) | $ | 83,201 | $ | 3,020 | $ | (523) | $ | (25,947) | $ | 59,751 | |||||||||||||||||||
| GAAP operating margin | 23.8 | % | (21.0) | % | (45.0) | % | (9.5) | % | 6.4 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Non-GAAP operating margin | 34.1 | % | 6.0 | % | (45.0) | % | (8.8) | % | 20.2 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nightclubs | Bombshells | Other | Corporate | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from operations | $ | 73,187 | $ | 6,502 | $ | (1,446) | $ | (26,759) | $ | 51,484 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of intangibles | 2,497 | 530 | 484 | 17 | 3,528 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Settlement of lawsuits | 3,552 | 207 | — | — | 3,759 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment of assets | 11,815 | — | 814 | — | 12,629 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss (gain) on sale of businesses and assets | (734) | 77 | — | (25) | (682) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain on insurance | (48) | — | — | (29) | (77) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | 2,588 | 2,588 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-GAAP operating income (loss) | $ | 90,269 | $ | 7,316 | $ | (148) | $ | (24,208) | $ | 73,229 | |||||||||||||||||||
| GAAP operating margin | 30.9 | % | 11.7 | % | (109.6) | % | (9.1) | % | 17.5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Non-GAAP operating margin | 38.1 | % | 13.1 | % | (11.2) | % | (8.2) | % | 24.9 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nightclubs | Bombshells | Other | Corporate | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from operations | $ | 82,798 | $ | 11,504 | $ | 57 | $ | (22,900) | $ | 71,459 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of intangibles | 2,042 | 6 | 61 | 9 | 2,118 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Settlement of lawsuits | 1,287 | 18 | — | 112 | 1,417 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment of assets | 1,238 | 650 | — | — | 1,888 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss (gain) on sale of businesses and assets | (2,010) | 17 | — | (382) | (2,375) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain on insurance | (463) | — | — | — | (463) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | 2,353 | 2,353 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-GAAP operating income (loss) | $ | 84,892 | $ | 12,195 | $ | 118 | $ | (20,808) | $ | 76,397 | |||||||||||||||||||
| GAAP operating margin | 40.1 | % | 19.2 | % | 3.9 | % | (8.6) | % | 26.7 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Non-GAAP operating margin | 41.2 | % | 20.4 | % | 8.2 | % | (7.8) | % | 28.5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
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Other Income/Expenses
Interest expense increased by approximately $753,000 from 2023 to 2024 and by approximately $4.0 million from 2022 to 2023. The increase in interest expense was primarily caused by the significantly higher average debt balance from borrowings to finance our acquisitions in 2023 and the additional interest expense from construction loans in 2024 related to build-out projects.
We consider lease plus interest expense as our occupancy costs since most of our debts are for real properties where our clubs and restaurants are located. For occupancy cost purposes, we exclude non-real-estate-related interest expense. Total occupancy cost rate (total occupancy cost as a percentage of revenues) is shown in the table below.
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||
| Lease | 2.4 | % | 2.5 | % | 2.5 | % | |||||||||||
| Interest | 5.6 | % | 5.4 | % | 4.5 | % | |||||||||||
| Total occupancy cost | 8.0 | % | 7.9 | % | 7.0 | % | |||||||||||
Income Taxes
Income tax was approximately a $410,000 benefit in 2024, a $6.8 million expense in 2023, and a $14.1 million expense in 2022. Our effective income tax rate was (15.7)% in 2024, 19.0% in 2023, and 23.4% in 2022. The components of our annual effective income tax rate are the following:
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||
| Federal statutory income tax expense/benefit | 21.0 | % | 21.0 | % | 21.0 | % | |||||||||||
| State income taxes, net of federal benefit | 8.6 | % | 4.5 | % | 3.0 | % | |||||||||||
| Permanent differences | 18.7 | % | 1.7 | % | 0.2 | % | |||||||||||
| Change in tax rates | (4.2) | % | (0.7) | % | 1.5 | % | |||||||||||
| Change in valuation allowance | 5.5 | % | (0.5) | % | 0.6 | % | |||||||||||
| Tax credits | (87.8) | % | (5.9) | % | (3.0) | % | |||||||||||
| Other | 22.6 | % | (1.0) | % | 0.2 | % | |||||||||||
| Total effective income tax rate | (15.7) | % | 19.0 | % | 23.4 | % | |||||||||||
The effective income tax rate difference from the statutory federal corporate tax rate of 21% comes from offsetting impact of state income tax, net of federal benefit, changes in the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, and tax credits that are mostly FICA tip credits. The effective income tax rate for fiscal 2024 was also affected by the low pretax income that caused a high offsetting rate for tax credits, whose dollar value does not change based on pretax income.
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Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to our financial information presented in accordance with GAAP, management uses certain non-GAAP financial measures, within the meaning of the SEC Regulation G, to clarify and enhance understanding of past performance and prospects for the future. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company’s operating performance, financial position or cash flows that excludes or includes amounts that are included in or excluded from the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. We monitor non-GAAP financial measures because it describes the operating performance of the Company and helps management and investors gauge our ability to generate cash flow, excluding (or including) some items that management believes are not representative of the ongoing business operations of the Company, but are included in (or excluded from) the most directly comparable measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Relative to each of the non-GAAP financial measures, we further set forth our rationale as follows:
Non-GAAP Operating Income and Non-GAAP Operating Margin. We calculate non-GAAP operating income and non-GAAP operating margin by excluding the following items from income from operations and operating margin: (a) amortization of intangibles, (b) impairment of assets, (c) gains or losses on sale of businesses and assets, (d) gains or losses on insurance, (e) settlement of lawsuits, and (f) stock-based compensation. We believe that excluding these items assists investors in evaluating period-over-period changes in our operating income and operating margin without the impact of items that are not a result of our day-to-day business and operations.
Non-GAAP Net Income and Non-GAAP Net Income per Diluted Share. We calculate non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net income per diluted share by excluding or including certain items to net income attributable to RCIHH common stockholders and diluted earnings per share. Adjustment items are: (a) amortization of intangibles, (b) impairment of assets, (c) gains or losses on sale of businesses and assets, (d) gains or losses on insurance, (e) settlement of lawsuits, (f) gain on debt extinguishment, (g) stock-based compensation, (h) the income tax effect of the above-described adjustments, and (i) change in deferred tax asset valuation allowance. Included in the income tax effect of the above adjustments is the net effect of the non-GAAP provision for income taxes, calculated at 0.0%, 20.6%, and 22.8% effective tax rate of the pre-tax non-GAAP income before taxes for 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively, and the GAAP income tax expense. We believe that excluding and including such items help management and investors better understand our operating activities.
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Adjusted EBITDA. We calculate adjusted EBITDA by excluding the following items from net income attributable to RCIHH common stockholders: (a) depreciation and amortization, (b) income tax expense, (c) net interest expense, (d) gains or losses on sale of businesses and assets, (e) gains or losses on insurance, (f) impairment of assets, (g) settlement of lawsuits, (h) gain on debt extinguishment, and (i) stock-based compensation. We believe that adjusting for such items helps management and investors better understand our operating activities. Adjusted EBITDA provides a core operational performance measurement that compares results without the need to adjust for federal, state and local taxes which have considerable variation between domestic jurisdictions. The results are, therefore, without consideration of financing alternatives of capital employed. We use adjusted EBITDA as one guideline to assess the unleveraged performance return on our investments. Adjusted EBITDA multiple is also used as a target benchmark for our acquisitions of nightclubs.
We also use certain non-GAAP cash flow measures such as free cash flow. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section for further discussion.
The following tables present our non-GAAP performance measures for the periods indicated (in thousands, except per share amounts and percentages):
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||
| Reconciliation of GAAP net income to Adjusted EBITDA | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to RCIHH common stockholders | $ | 3,011 | $ | 29,246 | $ | 46,041 | |||||||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | (410) | 6,846 | 14,071 | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | 16,197 | 15,538 | 11,539 | ||||||||||||||
| Settlement of lawsuits | 520 | 3,759 | 1,417 | ||||||||||||||
| Impairment of assets | 38,517 | 12,629 | 1,888 | ||||||||||||||
| Gain on sale of businesses and assets | (2,140) | (682) | (2,375) | ||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 15,395 | 15,151 | 12,391 | ||||||||||||||
| Gain on debt extinguishment | — | — | (138) | ||||||||||||||
| Gain on insurance | (327) | (77) | (463) | ||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | 1,882 | 2,588 | 2,353 | ||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 72,645 | $ | 84,998 | $ | 86,724 | |||||||||||
| Reconciliation of GAAP net income to non-GAAP net income | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to RCIHH common stockholders | $ | 3,011 | $ | 29,246 | $ | 46,041 | |||||||||||
| Amortization of intangibles | 2,494 | 3,528 | 2,118 | ||||||||||||||
| Settlement of lawsuits | 520 | 3,759 | 1,417 | ||||||||||||||
| Impairment of assets | 38,517 | 12,629 | 1,888 | ||||||||||||||
| Gain on sale of businesses and assets | (2,140) | (682) | (2,375) | ||||||||||||||
| Gain on debt extinguishment | — | — | (138) | ||||||||||||||
| Gain on insurance | (327) | (77) | (463) | ||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | 1,882 | 2,588 | 2,353 | ||||||||||||||
| Change in deferred tax asset valuation allowance | 143 | (176) | 343 | ||||||||||||||
| Net income tax effect | (410) | (5,068) | (729) | ||||||||||||||
| Non-GAAP net income | $ | ||||||||||||||||