RFS Reports First Quarter Results

MEMPHIS, Tenn.--RFS Hotel Investors, Inc. RFS today announced its operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2003. Net loss to common shareholders for the first quarter 2003 was $1.7 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $8.3 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, for the first quarter 2002. Funds from operations (FFO) for the first quarter 2003 was $5.7 million, or $0.19 per share, compared to $(2.

Beginning January 1, 2003, for all periods presented, the Company calculates FFO in accordance with the definition of FFO per the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT). Previously, the Company adjusted FFO, as defined by NAREIT, for deferred revenue, deferred income taxes and other unusual and non-recurring transactions. As previously reported in the Company's first quarter 2002 earnings press release, FFO and FFO per share, using the Company's previous definition, were $7.8 million or $0.28 per share.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) declined 15.1% from $15.4 million for the first quarter 2002 to $13.0 million for the first quarter 2003. Approximately $0.8 million of the $2.4 million decline in EBITDA was attributable to three hotels that were undergoing substantial renovations. Exclusive of these three hotels, EBITDA declined 11.0% from $13.8 million in the first quarter of 2002, to $12.2 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2003.

Highlights

  • Total hotel revenue declined 5.0% to $44.6 million for the quarter.
  • Comparable hotel revenue per available room (RevPAR) declined 2.5% for the quarter.
  • The following represents changes in RevPAR as compared to the prior year comparable period by market segment: Full Service (2.5)% - Extended Stay (2.7)% - Limited Service (2.2)% - Total (2.5)%
  • The hotels excluded in the comparable statistics above are the Residence Inns in Fishkill, NY and Sacramento, CA and the Hotel Rex in San Francisco, CA. Aggregate capital expenditures for these three hotel projects are approximately $5.8 million.
  • The Company's five comparable hotels in northern California (excludes the Hotel Rex in San Francisco) consisting of one in San Francisco and four in Silicon Valley, experienced an average decline in quarterly RevPAR of 9.0%. These five northern California hotels represented 14.4% of RFS's EBITDA for the quarter.
  • Exclusive of the five northern California hotels, comparable hotel RevPAR declined 1.0% for the quarter.
  • Hotel operating margins (hotel EBITDA as a percentage of total revenue, excluding deferred revenue), declined 3.1 percentage points to 30.9% for the quarter.
  • The Company realized an unleveraged return on investment of 8.1% on its hotel portfolio for the twelve months ending March 31, 2003. Based upon the Company's approximate 37% leverage and average borrowing costs of 8.7%, the Company realized a leveraged return on investment of 7.8%.

Operating Results

Randy Churchey, president and chief operating officer, said, "The first quarter was very unusual in two respects. First, the war in Iraq started on March 19 following several weeks of military build up. Obviously, this served to reduce the level of economic activity generally and exacerbated already weak demand in the travel/hospitality sector. Second, we made a conscious decision to undertake a substantial portion of our 2003 capital expenditures in the first quarter. This impacted, in the short term, the operations of 10 hotels. For the past three quarters, occupancy has matched or slightly exceeded the prior year while average daily rates (ADR) have declined, resulting in small decreases in RevPAR and reduced operating margins. EBITDA at the three hotels which had a substantial number of rooms out of service declined by $0.8 million or 48.3% from the first quarter of 2002."

Churchey went on to say, "As we have stated previously, our managers continue to focus on four things: increasing market penetration; controlling costs; satisfying our guests; and maintaining our hotels in superb physical condition. This is the best way to position the Company for the expected economic recovery."

Capital

Kevin Luebbers, executive vice president and chief financial officer, stated, "Our credit statistics and balance sheet continue to be strong and compare favorably with other public hotel companies. This is evidenced by the following statistics:

  • Operating cash flow (EBITDA less interest expense) of $37.5 million for the trailing twelve months ended March 31, 2003. This represents funds available for capital expenditures, debt reduction, and dividends.
  • Total debt equal to 4.8 times trailing twelve months EBITDA, one of the least leveraged balance sheets in the industry.
  • EBITDA for the trailing twelve months ended March 31, 2002, was 2.4 times the Company's interest costs.
  • No significant debt maturities until 2008.

Outlook and Dividends

Robert Solmson, chairman and chief executive officer, stated, "As we have stated previously, the Company's earnings continue to be depressed well below historical levels. Despite the fact that our dividend payout (total dividends as a percentage of FFO) is above historical norms, our balance sheet continues to be strong and industry experts continue to forecast a near-term recovery. The fact that we have been very conservative in managing our balance sheet and circumspect in using shareholder capital for acquisitions or share repurchases has permitted RFS to continue paying a quarterly dividend."

Solmson continued, "Our approach to the dividend has not changed. It is obviously difficult to project future earnings and cash flows. Booking cycles within the industry have shortened and geo-political events have created a cloud of uncertainty overhanging the United States and world economies. However, we continue to believe that the lodging industry, as well as the Company's earnings, are at or near the bottom of a cyclical trough. Furthermore, we are heartened by the short war in Iraq. We are in the process of reforecasting the second quarter and the balance of the year. We will review these projections, and, as appropriate, will provide further guidance in the ensuing months."

RFS Hotel Investors, Inc. (RFS) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns 57 hotels with 8,271 rooms located in 24 states. RFS's hotel portfolio is diversified by geography, brand and segment. Leading brands under which RFS hotels are operated include Sheraton®, Residence Inn by Marriott®, Hilton®, Doubletree®, Holiday Inn®, Hampton Inn®, and Homewood Suites by Hilton®. By segment, RFS receives approximately 36% of its EBITDA from full service hotels, 37% from extended stay hotels, and 27% from limited service hotels. Additional information can be found on the Company's web site at .

RFS invites you to listen to the Company's first quarter 2003 conference call on May 1, 2003, at 9:00 a.m. Central Time. The dial-in number is 312-470-7040 (15 minutes prior to the start of the call); the passcode is RFS; and the leader is Bob Solmson. The conference call will be webcast simultaneously via the Company's website at . A recording of the call also will be archived and available at .

Certain matters discussed in this press release include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. The words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "will", and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the industry and markets in which the Company operates, as well as management's beliefs and assumptions and information currently available to us. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve numerous risks and uncertainties which may cause the Company's actual financial condition, results of operation and performance to be materially different from the results or expectations expressed or implied by such statements. General economic conditions, including the timing and magnitude of recovery from the current economic downturn, future acts of terrorism or war, risks associated with the hotel and hospitality business, the availability of capital, and numerous other factors may affect the Company's future results, performance and achievements. These risks and uncertainties are described in greater detail in the Company's periodic filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Although we believe our current expectations to be based upon reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be attained or that actual results will not differ materially.



                       RFS HOTEL INVESTORS, INC.
                        KEY COMPANY STATISTICS
                     QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2003


                         Operating Statistics

Total Revenues    $   44.6 million      EBITDA           $   13.0
                                                              million
% Decrease in
 Revenues              5.0%         % Decrease in EBITDA     15.1%
FFO               $    5.7 million  % of Hotel EBITDA(1)
                                      Full Service Hotels     36%
% Decrease in FFO      27.1%          Extended Stay Hotels    37%
                                      Limited Service Hotels  27%
FFO per Share     $     0.19

0

                          Capital Statistics

EBITDA/Interest(1)         2.4x         Debt/EBITDA(1)           4.8x
EBITDA/Interest and        2.4x         Percentage of fixed
Preferred Dividends(1)                  interest rate debt       92%

(1) EBITDA information is for the twelve months ended March 31,

2003.

                      RFS HOTEL INVESTORS, INC.
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
            FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2003 AND 2002
                (in thousands, except per share data)

                                                Quarter Ended
                                           March 31,     March 31,
                                             2003          2002
                                         ------------- 
Revenue:
   Rooms                                      $38,363        $40,409
   Food and beverage                            4,171          4,203
   Other operating departments                  1,409          1,593
   Lease revenue (1)                            1,615          1,634
   Deferred revenue (1)                          (987)        (1,012)
   Other                                           39            154
                                         ------------- 
         Total hotel revenue                   44,610         46,981
                                         ------------- 

Hotel operating expenses by department:
   Rooms                                        8,252          8,337
   Food and beverage                            3,001          3,161
   Other operating departments                    426            466
   Undistributed operating expenses:
   Property operating costs                     5,720          5,260
   Property taxes, insurance and other          2,928          3,335
   Franchise costs                              3,721          3,813
   Maintenance and repair                       2,520          2,281
   Management fees                              1,344          1,251
   General and administrative                   3,603          3,654
                                         ------------- 
         Total hotel operating expenses        31,515         31,558
                                         ------------- 

Net hotel operating income (Hotel EBITDA)      13,095         15,423

Corporate expenses:
   Depreciation                                 7,521          7,246
   Amortization of deferred expenses and
    unearned compensation                         649            676
   Interest expense                             6,658          6,044
   General and administrative                   1,050          1,085
   Debt extinguishment and swap
    termination costs                               -         10,122
   Minority interest in loss of Operating
    Partnership                                  (140)          (795)
                                         ------------- 

Loss before income taxes                       (2,643)        (8,955)
Benefit from income taxes                        (997)          (510)
                                         ------------- 

Loss from continuing operations                (1,646)        (8,445)
Discontinued operations:
   Loss from discontinued operations,
    net (2)                                         -            (75)
   Loss (gain) on sale of assets                    9           (972)
                                         ------------- 

Net loss                                       (1,655)        (7,548)
Preferred stock dividends                           -           (781)
                                         ------------- 

Net loss applicable to common
 shareholders                                 $(1,655)       $(8,329)
                                         ============= ==============

   Loss per diluted share                      $(0.06)        $(0.32)
   Weighted average common dilutive
    shares outstanding                         28,516         25,761



    (1) Deferred revenue is recorded for the Company's hotels which
        are leased to third parties in accordance with Staff
        Accounting Bulletin 101 which requires deferral of certain
        revenue until the third and fourth quarters. For the quarter
        ended March 31, 2003 and 2002, five hotels were leased to
        third-party lessees, respectively. SAB 101 has no effect on
        rent payments under the Company's third-party leases or the
        Company's cash flow and no impact on full year revenue.

    (2) Represents the earnings (loss) on the Comfort Inn in Fort
        Mill, South Carolina which was sold on November 22, 2002.
        Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 144, Accounting
        for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, requires
        the results of operations of sold hotels to be reported as
        discontinued operations.

0

                      RFS HOTEL INVESTORS, INC.
                    CALCULATION OF FFO AND EBITDA
            FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2003 AND 2002
                (in thousands, except per share data)

                                                   Quarter Ended
                                               March 31,   March 31,
                                                 2003        2002
                                              ------------ 
Funds from operations:
Net loss                                          $(1,655)   $(7,548)
Minority interest in loss of Operating
 Partnership                                         (140)      (795)
Loss (gain) on sale of assets                           9       (972)
Depreciation (including depreciation on
 discontinued operations)                           7,521      7,321
                                              ------------ 

     Funds from operations (1)                     $5,735    $(1,994)
                                              ============ ==========

Weighted average common shares, partnership
 units
   and potential dilutive shares outstanding       30,939     28,353

     FFO per share (1)                              $0.19     $(0.07)
                                              ============ ==========

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
 amortization (EBITDA):
FFO, as defined by NAREIT                           5,735     (1,994)
Interest expense                                    6,658      6,044
Amortization                                          649        676
Benefit from income taxes                            (997)      (510)
Debt extinguishment and swap termination
 costs                                                  -     10,122
Deferred revenue                                      987      1,012
                                              ------------ 

    EBITDA (2)                                    $13,032    $15,350
                                              ============ ==========

    (1) Funds from operations ("FFO") is defined by The National
        Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT) as net
        income (computed in accordance with generally accepted
        accounting principles or GAAP), excluding extraordinary items
        as defined by GAAP, and gains (or losses) from sales of
        depreciable operating property, plus real estate related
        depreciation and amortization and after comparable adjustments
        for the Company's portion of these items related to
        unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures. The Company
        recently adopted Regulation G, Disclosure of Non-GAAP
        Financial Measures, and beginning with this release, will
        report FFO in accordance with the NAREIT definition for all
        periods presented. Prior to adopting Regulation G, the Company
        made adjustments to FFO, as defined by NAREIT, for deferred
        revenue, deferred income taxes and other unusual and
        non-recurring transactions. Had the Company continued to
        report FFO as in prior years, FFO and FFO per share would have
        been $7,849 or $0.28 per share for the quarter ended March 31,
        2002. FFO should not be considered as an alternative to net
        income or loss, determined in accordance with GAAP, as an
        indication of the Company's financial performance or to cash
        flow from operating activities, determined in accordance with
        GAAP, as a measure of the company's liquidity or is it
        indicative of funds available to fund the Company's cash
        needs, including the Company's ability to make cash
        distributions. The Company's method of calculating FFO may be
        different from the method used by other companies and
        therefore, comparability may be limited.

    (2) EBITDA is computed by adding FFO, interest expense,
        amortization expense, benefit from income taxes, debt
        extinguishment and swap termination costs and deferred
        revenue. The Company uses EBITDA as a supplemental measure of
        performance because the Company believes it gives the reader a
        more complete understanding of the Company's operating results
        before the impact of investing and financing transactions.
        EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative measure of
        operating results or cash flow from operations, as determined
        in accordance with GAAP. Additionally, the Company's method of
        calculating EBITDA may be different from the method used by
        other companies and therefore, comparability may be limited.

0

                      RFS HOTEL INVESTORS, INC.
                     CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                            (in thousands)
                                                   March 31, December
                                                                31,
                                                     2003      2002
                                                   --------- 
                      ASSETS
Investment in hotel properties, net                $592,233  $593,289
Cash and cash equivalents                             3,048     1,938
Restricted cash                                       5,363     4,383
Accounts receivable                                   5,519     4,698
Deferred expenses, net                                8,328     8,805
Other assets                                          4,069     3,712
Deferred income taxes                                26,827    25,830
                                                   --------- 
             Total assets                          $645,387  $642,655
                                                   --------- 

                 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable and accrued expenses               $20,181   $22,160
Borrowings on Line of Credit                         24,800     6,950
Long-term obligations                               279,802   284,279
Minority interest in Operating Partnership, 2,422
 and 2,459 units issued and outstanding at
 March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively   27,473    28,047
                                                   --------- 
             Total liabilities                      352,256   341,436
                                                   --------- 

Commitments and contingencies

Shareholders' equity:
  Common Stock, $.01 par value, 100,000 shares
   authorized, 29,093 and 29,043 shares issued
   at March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002,
   respectively                                         291       290
  Additional paid-in capital                        408,712   408,017
  Treasury stock, at cost, 576 shares                (8,100)   (8,100)
  Distributions in excess of earnings              (107,772)  (98,988)
                                                   --------- 
          Total shareholders' equity                293,131   301,219
                                                   --------- 
             Total liabilities, preferred stock and
              shareholders' equity                 $645,387  $642,655
                                                   ========= =========

0

                      RFS Hotel Investors, Inc.
                    Market Segment Diversification
                        Comparable Hotels (1)


For the quarter ended March 31, 2003

                              ADR         Occupancy        REVPAR
                        --------------- ------------- 

                                Variance      Variance        Variance
                                   vs.           vs              vs
        Segment           2003    2002  2003    2002    2003     2002
 ------- ------- ----- ------- ------- 

Full Service            $92.63   (7.5%) 63.6% 3.2 pts $58.92    (2.5%)
Extended Stay           $89.32   (3.4%) 76.7% 0.6 pts $68.53    (2.7%)
Limited Service                                 (1.5
                        $72.40     0.3% 60.3%    pts) $43.63    (2.2%)
                        ------- ------- ----- ------- ------- 

Total                   $84.51   (3.6%) 65.5% 0.8 pts $55.35    (2.5%)
                        ======= ======= ===== ======= ======= ========


    (1) Includes 54 of the 57 hotels owned. Excludes the Hotel Rex in
        San Francisco, which closed in November 2002 and reopened in
        late March 2003 after undergoing an earthquake retrofit and
        renovation, and the Residence Inns in Fishkill, NY and
        Sacramento, CA, which were undergoing substantial renovations
        resulting in meaningful rooms out of service.

0

                       RFS Hotel Investors, Inc.
                         Brand Diversification
                         Comparable Hotels (1)


                                           First
                                           Quarter          Percentage
                                 Hotel     RevPAR   Hotel     of Total
                              Properties  vs. 2002 EBITDA(1) EBITDA(1)
                              ----------  -------- -------- 
Residence Inn                         12    (3.1%) $16,662         27%
TownePlace Suites                      3    (3.6%)   2,378          4%
Courtyard                              1      5.3%     907          1%
                                                            
                                                                   32%
                                                            

Hampton Inn                           17    (1.2%)  12,905         21%
Hilton                                 2      1.0%   2,268          4%
Doubletree                             1      2.8%   2,171          3%
Homewood Suites                        1      6.6%     574          1%
                                                            
                                                                   29%
                                                            

Sheraton                               3    (4.8%)   7,337         12%
Four Points                            2      3.8%   3,614          6%
                                                            
                                                                   18%
                                                            

Holiday Inn                            5    (1.0%)   7,516         12%
Holiday Inn Express                    5    (2.2%)   3,618          6%
                               ---------- -------- -------- 
                                                                   18%
                                                            

                                      52    (1.2%)  59,950         97%
Other                                  2   (26.1%)   1,809          3%
                               ---------- -------- -------- 

     Portfolio Total                  54    (2.5%) $61,759        100%
                               ========== ======== ======== ==========


    (1) For the trailing twelve months ended March 31, 2003. Includes
        54 of the 57 hotels owned. Excludes the Hotel Rex in San
        Francisco, which closed in November and reopened in late March
        2003 after undergoing an earthquake retrofit and renovation,
        and the Residence Inns in Fishkill, NY and Sacramento, CA,
        which were undergoing substantial renovations resulting in
        meaningful rooms out of service.

0

                       RFS Hotel Investors, Inc.
                      Geographic Diversification
                         Comparable Hotels (1)

                                           First
                                           Quarter          Percentage
                                 Hotel     RevPAR   Hotel    of Total
                               Properties vs. 2002 EBITDA(1) EBITDA(1)
                               ---------- -------- -------- 
California (see below)                 8    (4.4%) $17,251         28%
Florida                                7    (3.3%)   6,748         11%
Texas                                  6      4.5%   6,014         10%
Michigan                               3    (6.2%)   3,614          6%
Illinois                               3    (2.4%)   3,392          5%
Missouri                               2      7.0%   3,139          5%
Minnesota                              3   (17.4%)   2,523          4%
Rhode Island                           1    (4.7%)   1,666          3%
Louisiana                              1      5.8%   1,662          3%
Delaware                               1      9.6%   1,652          3%
Georgia                                2   (13.7%)   1,631          3%
Oklahoma                               2    (5.6%)   1,602          2%
Arizona                                3      5.2%   1,489          2%
Nebraska                               2    (3.7%)   1,449          2%
Others (2)                            10    (0.8%)   7,927         13%
                               ---------- -------- -------- 

     Portfolio Total                  54    (2.5%) $61,759        100%
                               ========== ======== ======== ==========


                      California Diversification

                                           First
                                           Quarter          Percentage
                                 Hotel     RevPAR   Hotel    of Total
                               Properties vs. 2002 EBITDA(1) EBITDA(1)
                               ---------- -------- -------- 
Silicon Valley                         4   (11.8%)   8,242         13%
Los Angeles Area                       2      3.9%   5,390          9%
San Diego                              1      2.8%   2,171          4%
San Francisco                          1      2.2%   1,448          2%
                               ---------- -------- -------- 

     California Total                  8    (4.4%) $17,251         28%
                               ========== ======== ======== ==========


    (1) For the trailing twelve months ended March 31, 2003. Includes
        54 of the 57 hotels owned. Excludes the Hotel Rex in San
        Francisco, which closed in November and reopened in late March
        2003 after undergoing an earthquake retrofit and renovation,
        and the Residence Inns in Fishkill, NY and Sacramento, CA,
        which were undergoing substantial renovations resulting in
        meaningful rooms out of service.

    (2) We own hotels in each of the following states which
        individually represent less than 2% of total Hotel EBITDA:
        Alabama (1), Colorado (2), Indiana (1), Kentucky (1),
        Mississippi (1), North Carolina (1), South Carolina (1),
        Tennessee (1) and Wisconsin (1).

0

                      RFS Hotel Investors, Inc.
                  RETURN ON INVESTMENT ANALYSIS (1)
                        As of March 31, 2003
                       (Amounts in thousands)

                  Unleveraged Return on Investment

                         Total
                      Investment,       EBITDA for the   Unleveraged
                         Before           TTM ended       Return on
                    Depreciation (2)    March 31, 2003   Investment
                  -------------------- ---------------- 

Full Service                 $364,352          $24,034           6.6%

Extended Stay                $184,594          $19,614          10.6%

Limited Service              $210,034          $18,111           8.6%
                  -------------------- ---------------- 

Total                        $758,980          $61,759           8.1%
                  ==================== ================ =============

                   Leveraged Return on Investment

EBITDA for the TTM ended March 31, 2003        $61,759
Less:  Interest expense                        (24,734)(3)
                                        
                                               $37,025
                                        ================

Equity investment after 37% leverage          $475,984
                                        ================

Leveraged Return on Investment                     7.8%
                                        ================


    (1) For the trailing twelve months ended March 31, 2003. Includes
        54 of the 57 hotels owned. Excludes the Hotel Rex in San
        Francisco, which closed in November and reopened in late March
        2003 after undergoing an earthquake retrofit and renovation,
        and the Residence Inns in Fishkill, NY and Sacramento, CA,
        which were undergoing substantial renovations resulting in
        meaningful rooms out of service.

    (2) Total investment includes original cost and all capital
        expenditures since acquisition. Also includes the costs
        associated with the Hilton lease termination of approximately
        $60 million. These costs were required to be written-off as a
        cancellation of executory contracts and therefore are not
        included on the balance sheet. However, for return on
        investment analysis, this amount is included in the total
        investment.

    (3) $304.6 million at an average annual rate of 8.7% (weighted
        average cost of debt at March 31, 2003).

0

                      RFS HOTEL INVESTORS, INC.
                          OUTSTANDING DEBT
                           March 31, 2003


                   Balance              Interest Rate     Maturity
                   -------              -------------     
                 (in thousands)

 Line of Credit         $24,800  LIBOR + 250bp Variable   July 2005
 Senior Notes           121,220        9.75%    Fixed    March 2012
 Mortgage                90,185        7.83%    Fixed   December 2008
 Mortgage                17,873        8.22%    Fixed   November 2007
 Mortgage                50,524        8.00%    Fixed    August 2010
               

                       $304,602
               =================



                            Debt Maturities
                             (in millions)

                           2003        $2.0
                           2004         2.9
                           2005        28.0
                           2006         3.4
                           2007        19.7
                       Thereafter     248.7
                                 

                                     $304.6
                                 ===========

    Weighted average maturity of fixed rate debt is 7.3 years.
Finance Finance