John Q. Hammons Hotels, Inc. Reports Basic Earnings of $1.56 Per Share for the First Half of 2005

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. | John Q. Hammons Hotels, Inc. today reported results for the second quarter and first six months of 2005.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. | John Q. Hammons Hotels, Inc. today reported results for the second quarter and first six months of 2005.

Year-to-Date Results

Total revenues from continuing operations for the six months ended July 1, 2005, were $228.9 million, an increase of 4.4 percent compared to the six months ended July 2, 2004. We produced EBITDA from continuing operations for the 2005 six months of $66.6 million, up 6.9 percent compared to $62.3 million in the 2004 six months. (See attached table for reconciliation of net income from continuing operations to EBITDA from continuing operations and for our definition of EBITDA from continuing operations).

Basic earnings per share for the six months ended July 1, 2005, were $1.56, compared to $0.34 for the first half of 2004. Diluted earnings per share for the 2005 six months were $1.26, compared to $0.29 for the same period in 2004. Discontinued operations relating to the sales of the Holiday Inn Bakersfield, California, Holiday Inn Denver Northglenn, Colorado, and Holiday Inn Bay Bridge, Emeryville, California, had a positive effect on basic earnings per share of $0.50 for the 2005 six months and a negative effect on basic earnings per share of $0.86 for the 2004 six months. The positive effect in 2005 was primarily attributable to the gain on the sale of the Holiday Inn Bay Bridge, Emeryville, California.

Net income for the 2005 six-month period was $8.5 million, compared to $1.7 million for the same period in 2004. The 2005 results were positively impacted by $3.1 million of the limited partners' earnings we recaptured from limited partners' losses we absorbed in previous quarters as a result of the inability of the limited partners' net contribution to fall below zero. The 2004 results were positively impacted by $4.7 million of limited partners' earnings for the same reason.

Average Daily Room rate for the 2005 six months increased 6.2 percent to $107.42 from $101.13. Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) was $72.06 for the 2005 six months, up 4.8 percent from the prior year's level of $68.77.

The following represents a reconciliation of the income from continuing operations, as reported, to income from continuing operations, as adjusted (in thousands):

                                   Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
                                    July 1,   July 2,  July 1, July 2,
                                      2005     2004     2005     2004
                                   --------- -------- -------- -------

Income from continuing operations,
 as reported                         $1,589   $1,860   $5,824  $6,130

Subtractions:
Reallocation of minority interest
 earnings                                 -   (1,473)  (3,140) (4,735)
                                   --------- -------- -------- -------

Income from continuing operations,
 as adjusted                         $1,589     $387   $2,684  $1,395
                                   ========= ======== ======== =======

Second Quarter Results

Total revenues from continuing operations for the three months ended July 1, 2005 were $117.5 million, an increase of 6.9 percent compared to the three months ended July 2, 2004. We produced EBITDA from continuing operations for the 2005 quarter of $34.5 million, up compared to $30.0 million in the 2004 quarter. The 2004 results included a $4.5 million loss from discontinued operations during the quarter. (See attached table for reconciliation of net income from continuing operations to EBITDA from continuing operations and for the definition of EBITDA from continuing operations).

Basic earnings per share for the three months ended July 1, 2005, were $0.29 compared to a basic loss per share of $0.51 for the three months ended July 2, 2004. The 2004 results were negatively impacted $0.87 per share by the discontinued operations noted above.

Net income for the 2005 second quarter was $1.6 million compared to a net loss for the 2004 second quarter of $2.6 million. The 2005 results are net of $4.9 million of minority interest in the income of the partnership while the 2004 results were positively impacted by $1.5 million to recapture the limited partners' losses we absorbed in previous quarters.

Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) was $74.71 for the 2005 quarter, up 7.3 percent from the prior year's level of $69.64.

Financing and Investing Activities

Since the beginning of 2004, we have reduced total debt by over $37 million, including scheduled principal amortization. We utilized the proceeds from the sale of our disposition properties to retire a 9 1/2 percent mortgage on the World Golf Village Renaissance Resort property. Our current portion of long-term debt is $16.6 million compared to $25.7 million at the end of fiscal 2004.

Operations Outlook

We expect the industry to continue its recovery during 2005, generating RevPAR and EBITDA above our 2004 levels. This recovery should continue to enhance our cash generation and produce favorable results as we focus on operational efficiencies into 2005.

Although we are not developing new hotels, Mr. Hammons personally has numerous projects in various stages of development, which we will manage upon completion, including properties in Joplin, Missouri, and Huntsville, Alabama. Mr. Hammons opened properties in Springfield and St. Charles, Missouri, in March and July, respectively, Frisco, Texas, and Albuquerque, New Mexico, in April and Hampton, Virginia, in August.

John Q. Hammons Hotels, Inc. is a leading independent owner and manager of affordable upscale, full service hotels located primarily in key secondary markets. We own 44 hotels located in 20 states, containing 10,853 guest rooms or suites, and manage 19 additional hotels located in 11 states, containing 4,460 guest rooms or suites. The majority of these 63 hotels operate under the Embassy Suites, Holiday Inn and Marriott trade names. Most of our hotels are located near a state capitol, university, convention center, corporate headquarters, office park or other stable demand generator. A copy of this press release announcing our earnings as well as other financial information will be available in the Investor Relations section of our website at www.jqhhotels.com.

NOTE - FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, regarding, among other things, our operations outlook, business strategy, prospects and financial position. These statements contain the words "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "project," "intend," "may," and similar words. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others:

  • General economic conditions, including the speed and strength of the economic recovery;
  • The impact of any serious communicable diseases on travel;
  • Competition;
  • Changes in operating costs, particularly energy and labor costs;
  • Unexpected events, such as the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, or outbreaks of war;
  • Risks of hotel operations, such as hotel room supply exceeding demand, increased energy and other travel costs and general industry downturns;
  • Seasonality of the hotel business;
  • Cyclical over-building in the hotel and leisure industry;
  • Requirements of franchise agreements, including the right of some franchisors to immediately terminate their respective agreements if we breach certain provisions; and
  • Costs of complying with applicable state and federal regulations.

These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating any forward-looking statements contained in this press release. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.

                     JOHN Q. HAMMONS HOTELS, INC.
                            AND COMPANIES
           CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                             (unaudited)
                  (000's omitted, except share data)

                            Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended
                            July 1,    July 2,    July 1,    July 2,
                              2005       2004       2005       2004
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
REVENUES:
  Rooms                      $73,785    $68,804   $142,335   $135,827
  Food and beverage           29,786     28,091     58,986     56,751
  Meeting room rental,
   related party management
   fee and other              13,900     12,985     27,583     26,588
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
    Total revenues           117,471    109,880    228,904    219,166
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

OPERATING EXPENSES:
  Direct operating costs
   and expenses:
    Rooms                     18,169     16,694     35,001     33,088
    Food and beverage         22,997     21,805     44,574     42,710
    Other                        482        547        922      1,133

  General, administrative,
   sales and management
   service expenses           36,421     36,068     72,112     70,678

  Repairs and maintenance      4,940      4,737      9,725      9,212

  Depreciation and
   amortization               12,128     11,636     23,575     23,125
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

   Total operating expenses   95,137     91,487    185,909    179,946
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS        22,334     18,393     42,995     39,220

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
  Interest income                423        159        785        276
  Interest expense and
   amortization of deferred
   financing fees            (16,169)   (16,611)   (32,470)   (33,255)
  Extinguishment of debt
   costs                           -          -       (234)         -
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

INCOME FROM CONTINUING
 OPERATIONS BEFORE MINORITY
 INTEREST AND PROVISION
 FOR INCOME TAXES              6,588      1,941     11,076      6,241
  Minority interest in
   income of partnership      (4,933)         -     (5,153)         -
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

INCOME FROM CONTINUING
 OPERATIONS BEFORE
  PROVISION FOR INCOME
  TAXES                        1,655      1,941      5,923      6,241
  Provision for income
   taxes                         (66)       (81)       (99)      (111)
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

INCOME FROM CONTINUING
 OPERATIONS                    1,589      1,860      5,824      6,130
  Income (loss) from
   discontinued operations,
   net of $8,113 of
   minority interest for 
   six months ended 
   July 1, 2005, and
   no minority interest
   for the three months and
   six months ended July 2,
   2004                            -     (4,482)     2,721     (4,403)
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

NET INCOME (LOSS) ALLOCABLE
 TO THE COMPANY               $1,589    $(2,622)    $8,545     $1,727
                           ========== ========== ========== ==========

BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER
 SHARE:
  Net earnings (loss)
   allocable to Company        $0.29     $(0.51)     $1.56      $0.34
                           ========== ========== ========== ==========

BASIC WEIGHTED AVERAGE
 SHARES OUTSTANDING        5,538,659  5,143,119  5,485,765  5,127,195
                           ========== ========== ========== ==========

DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER
 SHARE:
  Net earnings (loss)
   allocable to Company        $0.23     $(0.51)     $1.26      $0.29
                           ========== ========== ========== ==========

DILUTED  WEIGHTED AVERAGE
 SHARES OUTSTANDING        6,854,430  5,143,119  6,793,606  5,902,355
                           ========== ========== ========== ==========
                     JOHN Q. HAMMONS HOTELS, INC.
                            AND COMPANIES
 (Amounts in thousands except earnings per share and operating data)

                                  Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended
                                  July 1,   July 2,   July 1,  July 2,
                                    2005     2004      2005     2004
                                  --------- -------- -------- --------

Reconciliation of Net Income from
 Continuing Operations to EBITDA:
Income from continuing operations   $1,589   $1,860   $5,824   $6,130
Provision for income taxes              66       81       99      111
Minority interest in income of
 partnership                         4,933        0    5,153        0
Extinguishment of debt costs             0        0      234        0
Interest expense and amortization
 of deferred financing fees, net
 of interest income                 15,746   16,452   31,685   32,979
Depreciation and amortization       12,128   11,636   23,575   23,125
                                  --------- -------- -------- --------
EBITDA from continuing 
 operations(a)                     $34,462  $30,029  $66,570  $62,345
                                  ========= ======== ======== ========

EBITDA Margin (% of Total
 Revenue)                             29.3%    27.3%    29.1%    28.4%

(a) EBITDA from continuing operations is defined as income from
    continuing operations before interest expense, net, income tax
    expense, depreciation and amortization, minority interest and
    extinguishment of debt costs. Management considers EBITDA to be
    one measure of operating performance for the Company before debt
    service that provides a relevant basis for comparison, and EBITDA
    is presented to assist investors in analyzing the performance of
    the Company. This information should not be considered as an
    alternative to any measure of performance as promulgated under
    accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, nor
    should it be considered as an indicator of the overall financial
    performance of the Company. The Company's calculation of EBITDA
    may be different from the calculation used by other companies and,
    therefore, comparability may be limited.


                                 Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
                                 July 1,   July 2,    July 1,  July 2,
                                  2005      2004       2005     2004
                                --------- ---------  -------- --------
Total Owned Hotels:
Occupancy from continuing
 operations                         69.7%     68.9%     67.1%    68.0%
Average Room Rate from
 continuing operations           $107.21   $101.15   $107.42  $101.13
RevPAR (Room Revenue per
 available room) from
 continuing operations            $74.71    $69.64    $72.06   $68.77

                                 July 1,  Dec. 31,   Jan. 2,
                                  2005      2004      2004
                                -----------------------------
Selected Balance Sheet Data
---------------------------    
Current Assets                   $85,232   $91,108   $54,022

Total Assets                    $814,158  $816,499  $822,183

Current Liabilities Excluding
 Debt                            $52,245   $48,836   $41,043

Current Portion of Long-Term
 Debt                            $16,628   $25,719    $7,423

Total Long-Term Debt Including
 Current Portion                $743,926  $765,204  $781,072

Total Cash and Equivalents,
 Restricted Cash and
 Marketable Securities           $93,946   $93,958   $61,222

Net Debt (Total Long-Term Debt
 less Total Cash and Equivalents, 
 Restricted Cash and Marketable 
 Securities)                    $649,980  $671,246  $719,850

Finance Finance

Springfield, Mo.-based John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts, LLC is the nation's leading independent builder, developer, owner and manager of upscale, full-service hotels, resorts and suites, including: Embassy Suites Hotels, Renaissance, Marriott, Radisson, Residence Inn, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Holiday Inn and Courtyard by Marriott brands. With 65 hotels strategically located near demand generators, such as state capitals, universities,...