GreenTree’s Q4 & FY 2023 Financials Revealed!

GreenTree Hospitality Group Ltd. (NYSE: GHG) (“GreenTree”, the “Company”, “we”, “us” and “our”), a leading hospitality and restaurant management group in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year of 2023. As Da Niang Dumplings and Bellagio, two leading restaurant chain businesses in China, were all under the control of GreenTree Inns Hotel Management Group, Inc., until their acquisition by the Company, the acquisition was accounted for a common-control acquisition in a manner similar to the pooling -of-interests method. The consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss) include the results of each of the combining entities or businesses from the earliest date presented or since the date when the combining entities or businesses first came under common control. In this report, the comparative financial data have been restated to reflect the business combinations under common control.

Fourth Quarter of 2023 Operational Highlights

Hotels 

• A total of 4,238 hotels with 309,495 hotel rooms were in operation as of December 31, 2023.
• The Company opened 107 hotels and had a pipeline of 963 hotels contracted for or under development as of December 31, 2023.
• The average daily room rate was RMB177, an increase of 7.3% from RMB165 in the fourth quarter of 2022.
• The occupancy rate was 72.4%, up from63.0% in the fourth quarter of 2022.
• Revenue per available room, or RevPAR, was RMB128, a 23.3% year-over-year increase.

Restaurants

• A total of 194 restaurants were in operation as of December 31, 2023.
• The AC (average check) was RMB54, a 19.3% year-over-year increase.
• The ADT (average daily tickets) was 101, down from 105 in the fourth quarter of 2022.
• The ADS (average daily sales per store) was RMB5,433, an increase of 14% from RMB4,780 in the fourth quarter of 2022.

“2023 marked a return to more normal times in the hospitality industry in China as we left the COVID pandemic behind us and focused on growing our hotel business again in terms of revenues, profitability, and hotel openings, while we continued to diversify geographically. For the full year, revenues came in at RMB1,627 million and net income was RMB310.6 million compared to a loss of RMB446.1 million in 2022. We ended the year with 4,238 hotels in operation and 963 in our pipeline.”

“It was also a year of transformation in our restaurant business with a greater focus on leveraging our expertise to attract and support franchisees as we continue to grow our footprint in local communities.”

“We are very thankful to our team, franchisees, and partners who worked extremely hard under difficult conditions and to our customers who remained loyal to our many brands. We believe the China travel market will remain robust and we look confidently to a better future for all our stakeholders,” said Mr. Alex S. Xu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GreenTree.

Fourth Quarter of 2023 Financial Results

 

 

2023 Financial Results

 

 

Total revenues were RMB372.2 million (US$52.4 million)，a 3.2% year-over-year increase.

Hotel revenues were RMB289.6 million (US$40.8 million), a 21.7% year-over-year increase. The increase was mainly attributable to the recovery in RevPAR and the increase in the number of hotels.

Restaurant revenues were RMB87.7 million (US$12.4 million), a 29.2% year-over-year decrease. The decrease was mainly due to the closure of L&O stores, and partially offset by an increase in ADS.

Total revenues for the year were RMB1,627.3 million (US$229.2 million)^[1], a 10.8% year-over-year increase.

Total revenues from leased-and-operated, or L&O, hotels and restaurants were RMB174.8 million (US$24.6 million)^[1], a 9.0% year-over-year increase.

Total revenues from L&O hotels were RMB125.5 million (US$17.7 million)^[1], an 48.9% year-over-year increase. The increase was primarily attributable to a 24.0% year-over-year increase in the fourth quarter RevPAR of L&O hotels and four newly opened L&O hotels in the fourth quarter of 2023 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2022.

Total revenues from L&O restaurants were RMB48.2 million (US$6.8 million)^[1], a 37.6 % year-over-year decrease. The decrease was mainly due to the closure of L&O stores, and partially offset by an increase in ADS .

Total revenues from L&O hotels and restaurants for the year were RMB787.8 million (US$111.0 million)^[1], a 12.5% year-over-year increase.

Total revenues from franchised-and-managed, or F&M, hotels and restaurants were RMB172.5 million (US$24.3 million), a 7.9% year-over-year increase.

Total revenues from F&M hotels were RMB162.9 million (US$22.9 million), a 6.5% year-over-year increase. Initial franchise fees increased 104.4% year-over-year, mainly because of the increase in the gross opening number of F&M hotels. Recurring franchisee management fees and others increaesed by 2.6% year-over-year, primarily due to a 20.6% increase in F&M hotels’ Revpar,and offset by the a waving of franchisee management fees for refurbished hotels.

Total revenues from F&M restaurants were RMB9.7 million (US$1.4 million), a 39.3% year-over-year increase. The increase was mainly due to the increase in ADS, and a net increase of 12 F&M restaurants. Total revenues from F&M restaurants for the year were RMB44.2 million (US$6.2 million)^[1], an 12.6% year-over-year increase.

Total revenues from F&M hotels and restaurants for the year were RMB740.5 million (US$104.3 million)^[1], a 19.1% year-over-year increase.

Total revenues from wholesale and others were RMB24.8 million (US$3.5 million), a 38.5% year-over-year decrease, mainly because of reduced business from supermarkets, partially offset by increased business through distributors. Total revenues from wholesale and others for the year were RMB98.9 million (US$13.9 million), a 32.9% year-over-year decrease.

Total operating costs and expenses

 

 

 

 

Operating costs were RMB211.6 million (US$ 29.8 million)^[1], a 18.1% year-over-year decrease.

Operating costs of the hotel business were RMB154.6 million (US$21.8million)^[1], a 7.6% year-over-year increase. The increase was mainly due to higher consumables and higher costs for general managers of franchised-and-managed hotels due to the increase in F&M hotels, and partially offset by lower utilities.

Operating costs of the restaurant business were RMB66.9million (US$9.4 million)^[1], a 41.8% year-over-year decrease. The decrease was due to closure of L&O stores.

For the year, operating costs were RMB 944.3 million (US$133.0 million) ^[1], representing an 11.1% decrease.

Selling and marketing expenses were RMB11.1 million (US$1.6 million)[1], a 7.3% year-over-year increase.

Selling and marketing expenses of the hotel business were RMB8.3 million (US$1.2  million)[1], a 0.9% year-over-year increase.

Selling and marketing expenses of the restaurant business were RMB2.8 million (US$0.4  million)[1], a 33.7% year-over-year increase. The increase was mainly attributable to  higher sales-channel commissions.

For the year, selling and marketing expenses were RMB71.6 million (US$10.1 million) [1], a 4.6% increase.

General and administrative, or G&A expenses were RMB58.0 million (US$ 8.2 million)[1], a  12.5% year-over-year decrease.

G&A expenses of the hotel business were RMB49.7 million (US$7.0 million)[1], a 12.5 % year-over-year decrease. The decrease was mainly due to lower staff related expenses and lower bad debts.

G&A expenses of the restaurant business were RMB8.4 million (US$1.2 million)[1], a 8.7% year-over-year decrease. The decrease was mainly due to lower staff related expenses.

Other general expenses were RMB76.2 million (US$10.7 million)[1], a 235.4% year-over-year decrease. These expenses include provisions for trademarks especially due to the acquisition of the restaurant business, loan receivables related to franchisee loans, and impairment of assets.

Gross profit was RMB160.6 million (US$22.6 million)^[1], a year-over-year increase of 57.0%. Gross margin was 43.1%, compared to 28.4% a year ago. The gross profit of the hotel business was RMB135.1 million (US$19.0 million)^[1], an 43.2% year-over-year increase. The gross profit of the restaurant business was RMB20.8 million (US$2.9 million)^[1], a 128.5% year-over-year increase. Gross profit for the year was RMB679.8 million (US$95.8 million) ^[1], a 68.9% year-over-year increase.

Income from operations was RMB23.1 million (US$3.2 million)^[1] , compared to loss from operations of RMB5.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, with a margin of 6.2%. Excluding other general expenses, income from operations turned positive at RMB99.2 million(US$14.0 million) with a margin of 6.2%.

Income from operations of the hotel business was RMB47.4 million (US$6.7 million)^[1], compared to an income from operations of RMB13.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, with a margin of 16.3%.  Excluding other general expenses, income from operations of the hotel business was RMB83.6 million(US$11.8 million), an increase of 137.4%, with a margin of 28.9%.

Loss from operations of the restaurant business was RMB29.0 million (US$4.1 million)^[1], compared to loss from operations of RMB17.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, with a margin of -33.1%. Excluding other general expenses, income from operations of the restaurant  business turned positive at RMB10.9 million(US$1.5 million) with a margin of 12.4%.

Income from operations for the year was RMB315.8 million (US$44.5 million) ^[1] compared to loss from operations of RMB471.9 million in 2022, with a margin of 19.4%

Net income was RMB7.4 million (US$1.0 million)^[1], compared to a net income of RMB-3.8  million in the fourth quarter of 2022, and net margin was 2.0%. Excluding other general expenses, net income of the hotel business was RMB161.3 million(US$22.7 million), an increase of 41.6%, with a margin of 43.4%.

Net income of the hotel business was RMB21.0 million (US$3.0 million)^[1], compared to a net income of RMB7.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, and net margin was 7.2%. Excluding other general expenses, net income of the restaurant business was RMB57.2 million(US$8.1 million), an increase of 94.7%, with a margin of 19.8%.

Net loss of the restaurant business was RMB18.2 million (US$2.6 million)^[1], compared to a net loss of RMB10.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, and net margin was -20.7%.Excluding other general expenses, net income of the restaurant business was RMB21.7 million(US$3.1 million), an increase of 604.5%, with a margin of 24.8%.

Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)^[2] was RMB116.3 million (US$16.4 million)^[1], a year-over-year increase of 2.1%. Adjusted EBITDA margin, defined as adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) as a percentage of total revenues, was 14.0%, compared to 31.6% a year ago. Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) for the year was RMB516.6 million (US$72.8 million), a year-over-year increase of 112.9%.

Core net income (non-GAAP) was RMB88.7 million (US$12.5 million)^[1], a year-over-year increase of 70.3%. The core net margin, defined as core net income (non-GAAP) as a percentage of total revenues, was 23.8%, compared to 14.4% one year ago. Core net income (non-GAAP) for the year was RMB340.8 million (US$48.0 million)^[1], a year-over-year increase of 144.9%.

Earnings per American Depositary Share, or ADS, (basic and diluted) were RMB0.11 (US$0.01 )[1], up from RMB-0.05 one year ago. Core net income per ADS (basic and diluted) (non-GAAP) was RMB0.87 (US$0.12 )[1], up from RMB0.51 a year ago. Earnings per ADS (basic and diluted) for the year was RMB2.6 (US$0.37)[1] up from RMB-3.71 one year ago. Core net income per ADS (basic and diluted) (non-GAAP) was RMB3.34  (US$0.47 )[1] for the year, a increase from RMB1.35 a year ago.

Cash flow Operating cash outflow was RMB 12.8 million (US$1.8 million)^[1] as a result of income from operations. Investing cash outflow for the full year 2023 was RMB 126.8million (US$17.9million)^[1], which was primarily attributable to purchases of short-term investments and increase of long-term time deposits . The investing cash outflow was partially offset  repayment from franchisees. Financing cash inflow was RMB 29.9 million (US$4.2 million)^[1], mainly attributable to proceeds from bank borrowings

Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term investments, investments in equity securities and time deposits. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had total cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, short term investments, investments in equity securities and time deposits of RMB 1,337.1 million (US$188.3 million)^[1],compared to RMB1,331.4million as of September 30, 2023. The decrease was primarily due to investment in property and repurchase of ordinary shares, partially offset by primarily by bank loans and repayments from franchisees.

Guidance

Taking into account the recovery in long-term trends and short-term industry fluctuations, we expect total revenues of our organic hotel business for the full year of

2024 to grow 7%~12% over the 2023 levels. Furthermore, considering the closure of restaurant LO stores and stores in shopping malls, we expect total revenues from our restaurant and organic hotel businesses for the full year of 2024 to grow 3-5% over the 2023 levels.

The guidance set forth above reflects the Company’s current and preliminary views based on its recovery and may not be indicative of the final financial results for any future periods or the full year.

Conference Call

GreenTree’s management will hold an earnings conference call at 9:00 PM U.S. Eastern Time on March 25, 2024, (9:00 AM Beijing/Hong Kong Time on November 26, 2023).

Dial-in numbers for the live conference call are as follows:

Participants should ask to join the GreenTree call, please dial in approximately 10 minutes before the scheduled time of the call.

A telephone replay of the conference call will be available after the conclusion of the live conference call until April 1, 2024.

Dial-in numbers for the replay are as follows:

Additionally, a live and archived webcast of this conference call will be available at http://ir.998.com.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We believe that Adjusted EBITDA and core net income, as we present them, are useful financial metrics to assess our operating and financial performance before the impact of investing and financing transactions, income taxes and certain non-core and non-recurring items in our financial statements.

The presentation of Adjusted EBITDA and core net income should not be construed as an indication that our future results will be unaffected by other charges and gains we consider to be outside the ordinary course of our business.

The use of Adjusted EBITDA and core net income has certain limitations because it does not reflect all items of income and expenses that affect our operations. Items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA and core net income are significant components in understanding and assessing our operating and financial performance. Depreciation and amortization expense for various long-term assets, income tax and share-based compensation have been and will be incurred and are not reflected in the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA. Each of these items should also be considered in the overall evaluation of our results. Additionally, Adjusted EBITDA and core net income do not consider capital expenditures and other investing activities and should not be considered as a measure of our liquidity. We compensate for these limitations by providing the relevant disclosure of our depreciation and amortization, interest expense/income, gains/losses from investments in equity securities, income tax expenses, share-based compensation, share of loss in equity investees, government subsidies and other relevant items both in our reconciliations to the corresponding U.S. GAAP financial measures and in our consolidated financial statements, all of which should be considered when evaluating our performance.

The terms Adjusted EBITDA and core net income are not defined under U.S. GAAP, and Adjusted EBITDA and core net income are not measures of net income, operating income, operating performance or liquidity presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. When assessing our operating and financial performance, you should not consider this data in isolation or as a substitute for our net income, operating income or any other operating performance measure that is calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, our Adjusted EBITDA and core net income may not be comparable to Adjusted EBITDA and core net income or similarly titled measures utilized by other companies since such other companies may not calculate Adjusted EBITDA and core net income in the same manner as we do.

Reconciliations of the Company’s non-GAAP financial measures, including Adjusted EBITDA and core net income, to the consolidated statement of operations information are included at the end of this press release.