ARKO Corp. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Results

RICHMOND, Va., Feb. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ARKO Corp. (Nasdaq: ARKO) (“ARKO” or the “Company”), a Fortune 500 company and one of the largest convenience store operators in the United States, today announced financial results for the quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023.

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Key Highlights1,2

  • Net income for the quarter was $1.1 million, compared to $12.9 million for the prior year quarter. For the year, net income was $34.6 million, compared to $72.0 million for the prior year.
  • Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $65.5 million, compared to $72.4 million for the prior year quarter, primarily due to reduced fuel contribution at same stores, with retail cents per gallon (“CPG”) of 39.2 in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to retail CPG of 41.4 in the fourth quarter of 2022. For the year, adjusted EBITDA was $290.4 million, compared to $301.1 million for the prior year, primarily due to reduced fuel contribution at same stores, with retail CPG of 38.8 in 2023 compared to retail CPG of 41.4 in 2022.
  • Merchandise revenue for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $446.7 million, an increase of $43.6 million compared to the prior year period. Merchandise revenue for 2023 was $1.84 billion, an increase of $190.4 million compared to 2022.
  • Merchandise contribution increased by $24.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, or 19.6%, and increased by $83.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, or 16.7%, as compared to the respective prior year periods. Merchandise margin expanded, increasing approximately 240 basis points to 32.9% for the quarter and 140 basis points for the full year, primarily due to execution of key marketing and merchandising initiatives.
  • Retail fuel contribution increased 4.8% for the fourth quarter of 2023 to $109.3 million and increased 4.6% for the full year to $435.3 million. Retail same store fuel gallons sold decreased 7.5% for the fourth quarter of 2023 and 5.3% for the year.

1 See Use of Non-GAAP Measures below.
2 All references to fuel contribution and fuel margin per gallon are excluding the estimated fixed margin or fixed fee paid to the Company’s wholesale fuel distribution subsidiary, GPM Petroleum LP (“GPMP”) for the cost of fuel (intercompany charges by GPMP).

Other Key Highlights

  • Completed five acquisitions in the last eighteen months, with the largest one in March 2023.
  • Ended 2023 with more than two million enrolled loyalty members.
  • In January 2024, the Company launched a new pizza program, the culmination of over one year of development, which is currently offered at more than 1,000 of the Company’s stores as take-and-bake from the freezer, offering a great quality whole pizza at a value price for enrolled loyalty members, and as a fresh, hot pizza, either whole or by the slice, at approximately 225 of those stores.
  • ARKO’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.03 per share of common stock to be paid on March 21, 2024, to stockholders of record as of March 11, 2024.
  • Welcomed Robb Giammatteo to the Company to serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, recognizing his experience in relevant financial and transformation roles in retail and convenience.

“Reflecting on our first three years as a public company, we have significantly broadened our geographic footprint through acquisitions, and have delivered approximately $166 million in net income and approximately $850 million in cumulative adjusted EBITDA over this period,” said Arie Kotler, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of ARKO. “For the full year 2023, we delivered $290.4 million in adjusted EBITDA, holding performance within 3.5% of 2022, which was a record retail CPG year of over 41 cents per gallon, in the context of a 3.4% decline in national OPIS fuel gallon demand, with a more pronounced decline in the fourth quarter. As we move into 2024, we are focusing more of our management’s time on driving organic growth and unlocking the value of our retail segment, and I believe we have many levers to pull. Our team is focused on improving the experience of our customers and the productivity of our stores, and later this year, we are planning to host an investor day during which we will share with you our multi-year roadmap and specific milestones to enhance organic performance and drive shareholder value. We continue to execute on our three key merchandise and marketing pillars, including our fas REWARDS loyalty program, which we designed to enhance our relationship with our customers and provide them with extraordinary value, focus on our core destination categories and our food service offering." 

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Segment Highlights

Retail

  For the Three Months
Ended December 31,
  For the Year
Ended December 31,
  2023
  2022
  2023   2022
  (in thousands)  
Fuel gallons sold   279,035       251,658       1,122,321       1,006,469  
Same store fuel gallons sold decrease (%) 1   (7.5 %)     (8.3 %)     (5.3 %)     (8.1 %)
Fuel contribution 2 $ 109,336     $ 104,304     $ 435,322     $ 416,228  
Fuel margin, cents per gallon 3   39.2       41.4       38.8       41.4  
Same store fuel contribution 1,2 $ 86,183     $ 99,778     $ 360,141     $ 406,262  
Same store merchandise sales (decrease)
increase (%) 1
  (2.8 %)     1.2 %     0.4 %     (1.0 %)
Same store merchandise sales excluding
cigarettes (decrease) increase (%) 1
  (1.8 %)     4.3 %     2.5 %     2.6 %
Merchandise revenue $ 446,727     $ 403,084     $ 1,838,001     $ 1,647,642  
Merchandise contribution 4 $ 146,773     $ 122,771     $ 585,122     $ 501,219  
Merchandise margin 5   32.9 %     30.5 %     31.8 %     30.4 %
Same store merchandise contribution 1,4 $ 125,050     $ 120,346     $ 513,112     $ 492,537  
Same store store operating expenses 1 $ 164,925     $ 162,019     $ 660,082     $ 647,396  
                       
1 Same store is a common metric used in the convenience store industry. We consider a store a same store beginning in the first quarter in which the store had a full quarter of activity in the prior year. Refer to Use of Non-GAAP Measures below for discussion of this measure.  
2 Calculated as fuel revenue less fuel costs; excludes the estimated fixed margin or fixed fee paid to GPMP for the cost of fuel.  
3 Calculated as fuel contribution divided by fuel gallons sold.  
4 Calculated as merchandise revenue less merchandise costs.  
5 Calculated as merchandise contribution divided by merchandise revenue.  


Same store merchandise sales excluding cigarettes decreased 1.8% for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the fourth quarter of 2022, reflecting macroeconomic headwinds. Same store merchandise sales decreased 2.8% for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the prior year period. Penetration of the Company’s core destination categories (packaged beverages, candy, salty snacks, packaged sweet snacks, alternative snacks and beer) as a percent of same store merchandise sales increased 90 basis points for the quarter. Total merchandise contribution for the fourth quarter of 2023 increased $24.0 million, or 19.6%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2022, due to $19.7 million in incremental merchandise contribution from the businesses acquired in 2023, and the acquisition of Pride (the “Pride Acquisition”), and an increase in merchandise contribution at same stores of approximately $4.7 million. Merchandise margin increased 240 basis points, to 32.9% for the fourth quarter of 2023 from 30.5% in the fourth quarter of 2022, primarily due to execution of key marketing and merchandising initiatives.

Same store merchandise sales excluding cigarettes increased 2.5% for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to 2022. Same store merchandise sales increased 0.4% for 2023 compared to the prior year. Total merchandise contribution for 2023 increased $83.9 million or 16.7%, compared to 2022, due to $68.6 million in incremental merchandise contribution from the businesses acquired in 2023, and the Pride Acquisition, and an increase in merchandise contribution at same stores of approximately $20.6 million. Merchandise margin increased 140 basis points, to 31.8% for the year ended December 31, 2023 from 30.4% in 2022, primarily due to execution of key marketing and merchandising initiatives.

For the fourth quarter of 2023, retail fuel contribution increased $5.0 million to $109.3 million compared to the prior year period, with resilient fuel margin capture of 39.2 cents per gallon, a decrease of 2.2 cents per gallon for the fourth quarter of 2023 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2022. Same store fuel contribution was $86.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $99.8 million for the prior year quarter. This decrease in same store fuel contribution was fully offset by approximately $19.3 million of incremental fuel contribution from recent acquisitions.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, retail fuel contribution increased $19.1 million to $435.3 million compared to the prior year, with fuel margin of 38.8 cents per gallon, a decrease of 2.6 cents per gallon compared to the prior year. Same store fuel contribution was $360.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $406.3 million for the prior year. This decrease in same store fuel contribution was fully offset by approximately $70.7 million of incremental fuel contribution from recent acquisitions.

Wholesale

  For the Three Months
Ended December 31,
  For the Year
Ended December 31,
  2023   2022   2023   2022
  (in thousands)  
Fuel gallons sold – fuel supply locations   199,861       182,871       801,260       746,513  
Fuel gallons sold – consignment agent locations   40,144       40,921       168,005       156,059  
Fuel contribution1 – fuel supply locations $ 11,499     $ 11,379     $ 48,396     $ 51,065  
Fuel contribution1 – consignment agent locations $ 10,101     $ 10,966     $ 44,512     $ 47,092  
Fuel margin, cents per gallon2 – fuel supply locations   5.8       6.2       6.0       6.8  
Fuel margin, cents per gallon2 – consignment agent locations   25.2       26.8       26.5       30.2  
                       
1 Calculated as fuel revenue less fuel costs; excludes the estimated fixed margin or fixed fee paid to GPMP for the cost of fuel.  
2 Calculated as fuel contribution divided by fuel gallons sold.  


In wholesale, total fuel contribution was approximately $21.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 and $92.9 million for the year. Fuel contribution from fuel supply locations increased by $0.1 million for the quarter and decreased by $2.7 million for the full year compared to the prior year periods, while fuel margin decreased, primarily due to decreased prompt pay discounts related to lower fuel costs and lower volumes at wholesale sites not part of the 2023 and 2022 acquisitions, which was partially offset by the incremental contribution from recent acquisitions.

Fuel contribution from consignment agent locations decreased by $0.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 and $2.6 million for the full year compared to the prior year periods. Fuel margin also decreased for the quarter and for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the prior year periods, primarily due to lower rack-to-retail margins and decreased prompt pay discounts related to lower fuel costs, which was partially offset by the incremental contribution from recent acquisitions.

Fleet Fueling

The fleet fueling segment commenced operations on July 22, 2022; therefore, the year ended December 31, 2022 does not reflect the operations of this segment for the entirety of such period, which affects period-over-period comparability.

  For the Three Months
Ended December 31,
    For the Year
Ended December 31,
 
  2023     2022     2023     2022  
  (in thousands)  
Fuel gallons sold – proprietary cardlock locations   33,285       31,040       130,995       57,104  
Fuel gallons sold – third-party cardlock locations   3,201       1,585       9,832       2,882  
Fuel contribution1 – proprietary cardlock locations $ 13,146     $ 16,742     $ 54,685     $ 27,632  
Fuel contribution1 – third-party cardlock locations $ 245     $ 124     $ 1,215     $ 189  
Fuel margin, cents per gallon2 – proprietary
cardlock locations
  39.5       53.9       41.7       48.4  
Fuel margin, cents per gallon2 – third-party
cardlock locations
  7.6       7.8       12.4       6.5  
                       
1 Calculated as fuel revenue less fuel costs; excludes the estimated fixed fee paid to GPMP for the cost of fuel.  
2 Calculated as fuel contribution divided by fuel gallons sold.  


Fuel contribution was approximately $13.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 and $55.9 million for the year, a decrease of $3.5 million for the quarter and an increase of $28.1 million for the year, compared to the prior year periods reflecting a full year of operations from the Quarles Acquisition, which closed in July 2022, as compared to a partial year of operations in the prior year, and the WTG Acquisition, which closed in June 2023. At proprietary cardlocks, fuel margin per gallon decreased as compared to 2022, which year was impacted by historically high rack-to-retail margins and fuel price volatility.

Store Operating Expenses

For the fourth quarter of 2023, convenience store operating expenses increased $31.0 million, or 18.2% as compared to the prior year period, primarily due to $31.5 million of incremental expenses related to recent acquisitions. Same store expenses were up less than 2%, with increases in repairs and maintenance expenses, rent and personnel expenses partially offset by lower credit card fees. At same stores, personnel expenses for the fourth quarter of 2023 were up $0.7 million from the prior year period, or 1.1%, with wage increases partially offset by reduced overtime and incentives. The total increase in store operating expenses was partially offset by underperforming retail stores that the Company closed or converted to dealer locations.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, convenience store operating expenses increased by $109.6 million, or 16.4%, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to $110.7 million of incremental expenses related to recent acquisitions and an increase in expenses at same stores, including approximately $11.1 million, or 4.1%, of higher personnel costs. The increase in store operating expenses was partially offset by lower credit card fees at same stores and underperforming retail stores that the Company closed or converted to dealer locations.

Long-Term Growth Strategy Updates

Acquisitions and M&A

The Company continued to execute its long-term growth strategy, closing three transactions in 2023, marking 25 total acquisitions since 2013. In December 2022, the Company completed its acquisition of Pride, which operated 31 Pride retail convenience stores at closing and had one store under construction that is now opened. Since closing the Pride Acquisition, the Company has earned back in Adjusted EBITDA approximately 65% of its consideration paid for that transaction. 

Liquidity and Capital Expenditures

As of December 31, 2023, the Company’s total liquidity was approximately $831 million, consisting of approximately $218 million of cash and cash equivalents and approximately $613 million of availability under lines of credit. Outstanding debt was $845 million, resulting in net debt, excluding lease related financing liabilities, of approximately $627 million. On May 2, 2023, the Company amended its program agreement (the “Program Agreement”) with affiliates of Oak Street, a division of Blue Owl Capital (“Oak Street”). This amendment extended the term of the Program Agreement and provides for an aggregate up to $1.5 billion of capacity, almost all of which is currently available to the Company through September 30, 2024. Capital expenditures were approximately $111.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, including the purchase of certain fee properties, upgrades to fuel dispensers and other investments in stores.

Quarterly Dividend and Share Repurchase Program

The Company’s ability to return cash to its stockholders through its cash dividend program and share repurchase program is consistent with its capital allocation framework and reflects the Company’s confidence in the strength of its cash generation ability and financial position.

The Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.03 per share of common stock to be paid on March 21, 2024 to stockholders of record as of March 11, 2024.

During the quarter, the Company repurchased approximately 1.1 million shares of common stock under the repurchase program for approximately $8.5 million, or an average share price of $7.49. There was approximately $29 million remaining under the expanded share repurchase program as of December 31, 2023.

Company-Operated Retail Store Count and Segment Update

The following tables present certain information regarding changes in the retail, wholesale and fleet fueling segments for the periods presented:

  For the Three Months
Ended December 31,
  For the Year
Ended December 31,
Retail Segment 2023   2022   2023   2022
Number of sites at beginning of period   1,552       1,383       1,404       1,406  
Acquired sites         32       166       32  
Newly opened or reopened sites               4        
Company-controlled sites converted to                      
consignment or fuel supply locations, net   (3 )     (8 )     (16 )     (17 )
Closed, relocated or divested sites   (6 )     (3 )     (15 )     (17 )
Number of sites at end of period   1,543       1,404       1,543       1,404  


  For the Three Months
Ended December 31,
  For the Year
Ended December 31,
Wholesale Segment 1 2023   2022   2023   2022
Number of sites at beginning of period   1,825       1,670       1,674       1,628  
Acquired sites               190       46  
Newly opened or reopened sites 2   25       14       83       74  
Consignment or fuel supply locations converted                      
from Company-controlled or fleet fueling sites, net   2       8       15       17  
Closed, relocated or divested sites   (27 )     (18 )     (137 )     (91 )
Number of sites at end of period   1,825       1,674       1,825       1,674  
                       
1 Excludes bulk and spot purchasers.  
2 Includes all signed fuel supply agreements irrespective of fuel distribution commencement date.  


  For the Three Months
Ended December 31,
  For the Year
Ended December 31,
Fleet Fueling Segment 2023   2022   2023   2022
Number of sites at beginning of period   295       183       183        
Acquired sites               111       184  
Newly opened or reopened sites   2             6        
Fleet fueling locations converted from fuel supply
locations, net
  1             1        
Closed, relocated or divested sites               (3 )     (1 )
Number of sites at end of period   298       183       298       183  


2024 Full Year Guidance Range

The following table provides the Company’s guidance for the year ending December 31, 2024, including a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA:

  For the Year Ending December 31, 2024 (E)  
  Low     High  
  (in millions)  
Net income $ 2     $ 29  
Interest and other financing expenses, net 1   89       89  
Income tax expense 2   1       10  
Depreciation and amortization   134       134  
EBITDA   226       262  
Non-cash rent expense 3   13       13  
Share-based compensation expense 4   11       15  
Adjusted EBITDA $ 250     $ 290  
           
1 Excludes fair value adjustments of financial assets and liabilities. For variable rate debt, assumes that SOFR remains at 5.34%  
2 Assumes an effective tax rate of 25%  
3 Eliminates the expected non-cash portion of rent, which reflects the extent to which our GAAP rent expense recognized exceeds (or is less than) our cash rent payments. The GAAP rent expense adjustment varies depending on the terms of our lease portfolio, which has been impacted by our recent acquisitions. For newer leases, our rent expense recognized typically exceeds our cash rent payments, whereas, for more mature leases, rent expense recognized is typically less than our cash rent payments.  
4 Eliminates expected non-cash share-based compensation expense related to the equity incentive program in place to incentivize, retain, and motivate our employees, certain non-employees and members of our Board.  


The 2024 full year earnings guidance assumes a range of average retail fuel margin from 36 CPG to 40 CPG. 

Based on quarter-to-date trends, the Company expects its first quarter to contribute less to the full year Adjusted EBITDA than in prior years, representing 12% to 14% of the 2024 full year rather than the approximately 16.5% historical contribution to the full year. The Company’s full year guidance framework anticipates current trends to normalize coming out of the first quarter of 2024. The first quarter guidance corresponds to a range of average retail fuel margin from 35 CPG to 39 CPG.

Conference Call and Webcast Details

The Company will host a conference call to discuss these results at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on February 28, 2024. Investors and analysts interested in participating in the live call can dial 877-605-1792 or 201-689-8728.

A simultaneous, live webcast will also be available on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at https://www.arkocorp.com/news-events/ir-calendar. The webcast will be archived for 30 days.

About ARKO Corp.

ARKO Corp. (Nasdaq: ARKO) is a Fortune 500 company that owns 100% of GPM Investments, LLC and is one of the largest operators of convenience stores and wholesalers of fuel in the United States. Based in Richmond, VA, we operate A Family of Community Brands that offer delicious, prepared foods, beer, snacks, candy, hot and cold beverages, and multiple popular quick serve restaurant brands. Our high value fas REWARDS® loyalty program offers exclusive savings on merchandise and gas. We operate in four reportable segments: retail, which includes convenience stores selling merchandise and fuel products to retail customers; wholesale, which supplies fuel to independent dealers and consignment agents; GPM Petroleum, which sells and supplies fuel to our retail and wholesale sites and charges a fixed fee, primarily to our fleet fueling sites; and fleet fueling, which includes the operation of proprietary and third-party cardlock locations, and issuance of proprietary fuel cards that provide customers access to a nationwide network of fueling sites. To learn more about GPM stores, visit: www.gpminvestments.com. To learn more about ARKO, visit: www.arkocorp.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This document includes certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may address, among other things, the Company’s expected financial and operational results and the related assumptions underlying its expected results. These forward-looking statements are distinguished by use of words such as “anticipate,” “aim,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “guidance,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and the negative of these terms, and similar references to future periods. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations due to, among other things, changes in economic, business and market conditions; the Company’s ability to maintain the listing of its common stock and warrants on the Nasdaq Stock Market; changes in its strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects and plans; expansion plans and opportunities; changes in the markets in which it competes; changes in applicable laws or regulations, including those relating to environmental matters; market conditions and global and economic factors beyond its control; and the outcome of any known or unknown litigation and regulatory proceedings. Detailed information about these factors and additional important factors can be found in the documents that the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements were made. The Company does not undertake an obligation to update forward-looking information, except to the extent required by applicable law.

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

The Company discloses certain measures on a “same store basis,” which is a non-GAAP measure. Information disclosed on a “same store basis” excludes the results of any store that is not a “same store” for the applicable period. A store is considered a same store beginning in the first quarter in which the store had a full quarter of activity in the prior year. The Company believes that this information provides greater comparability regarding its ongoing operating performance. Neither this measure nor those described below should be considered an alternative to measurements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”).

The Company defines EBITDA as net income before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA further adjusts EBITDA by excluding the gain or loss on disposal of assets, impairment charges, acquisition costs, other non-cash items, and other unusual or non-recurring charges. Each of Operating Income, as adjusted, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure.

At the segment level, the Company defines Operating Income, as adjusted as operating income excluding the estimated fixed margin or fixed fee paid to GPMP for the cost of fuel.

The Company uses EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for operational and financial decision-making and believe these measures are useful in evaluating its performance because they eliminate certain items that it does not consider indicators of its operating performance. Additionally, the Company believes Operating Income, as adjusted provides greater comparability regarding its ongoing segment operating performance by eliminating intercompany charges at the segment level. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are also used by many of its investors, securities analysts, and other interested parties in evaluating its operational and financial performance across reporting periods. The Company believes that the presentation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors by allowing an understanding of key measures that it uses internally for operational decision-making, budgeting, evaluating acquisition targets, and assessing its operating performance.

Operating Income, as adjusted, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not recognized terms under GAAP and should not be considered as a substitute for net income or any other financial measure presented in accordance with GAAP. These measures have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of its results as reported under GAAP. The Company strongly encourages investors to review its financial statements and publicly filed reports in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure.

Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, same store measures, Operating Income, as adjusted, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, as defined by the Company, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. It therefore may not be possible to compare the Company’s use of these non-GAAP financial measures with those used by other companies.



  Consolidated Statements of Operations  
           
  For the Three Months Ended December 31,     For the Year Ended December 31,  
  2023     2022     2023     2022  
  (in thousands)  
Revenues:                      
Fuel revenue $ 1,759,216     $ 1,752,136     $ 7,464,372     $ 7,401,090  
Merchandise revenue   446,727       403,084       1,838,001       1,647,642  
Other revenues, net   27,217       24,858       110,358       94,067  
Total revenues   2,233,160       2,180,078       9,412,731       9,142,799  
Operating expenses:                      
Fuel costs   1,613,230       1,606,546       6,876,084       6,856,651  
Merchandise costs   299,954       280,313       1,252,879       1,146,423  
Store operating expenses   222,751       186,977       860,134       721,174  
General and administrative expenses   38,102       39,274       165,294       139,969  
Depreciation and amortization   32,648       26,702       127,597       101,752  
Total operating expenses   2,206,685       2,139,812       9,281,988       8,965,969  
Other expenses, net   1,168       6,547       12,729       9,816  
Operating income   25,307       33,719       118,014       167,014  
Interest and other financial income   2,197       2,721       20,273       3,178  
Interest and other financial expenses   (25,099 )     (19,016 )     (91,516 )     (62,583 )
Income before income taxes   2,405       17,424       46,771       107,609  
Income tax expense   (1,317 )     (4,497 )     (12,166 )     (35,557 )
Income (loss) from equity investment   38       (67 )     (39 )     (74 )
Net income $ 1,126     $ 12,860     $ 34,566     $ 71,978  
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests   48       49       197       231  
Net income attributable to ARKO Corp. $ 1,078     $ 12,811     $ 34,369     $ 71,747  
Series A redeemable preferred stock dividends   (1,449 )     (1,449 )     (5,750 )     (5,750 )
Net (loss) income attributable to common
shareholders
$ (371 )   $ 11,362     $ 28,619     $ 65,997  
Net (loss) income per share attributable to common shareholders - basic $ (0.00 )   $ 0.09     $ 0.24     $ 0.54  
Net (loss) income per share attributable to common shareholders - diluted $ (0.00 )   $ 0.09     $ 0.24     $ 0.53  
Weighted average shares outstanding:                      
Basic   116,638       120,074       118,782       121,476  
Diluted   116,638       121,508       119,605       123,224  



  Consolidated Balance Sheets  
           
  December 31, 2023     December 31, 2022  
  (in thousands)  
Assets          
Current assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents $ 218,120     $ 298,529  
Restricted cash   23,301       18,240  
Short-term investments   3,892       2,400  
Trade receivables, net   134,735       118,140  
Inventory   250,593       221,951  
Other current assets   118,472       87,873  
Total current assets   749,113       747,133  
Non-current assets:          
Property and equipment, net   742,610       645,809  
Right-of-use assets under operating leases   1,384,693       1,203,188  
Right-of-use assets under financing leases, net   162,668       182,113  
Goodwill   292,173       217,297  
Intangible assets, net   214,552       197,123  
Equity investment   2,885       2,924  
Deferred tax asset   52,293       22,728  
Other non-current assets   49,377       36,855  
Total assets $ 3,650,364     $ 3,255,170  
Liabilities          
Current liabilities:          
Long-term debt, current portion $ 16,792     $ 11,944  
Accounts payable   213,657       217,370  
Other current liabilities   179,536       154,097  
Operating leases, current portion   67,053       57,563  
Financing leases, current portion   9,186       5,457  
Total current liabilities   486,224       446,431  
Non-current liabilities:          
Long-term debt, net   828,647       740,043  
Asset retirement obligation   84,710       64,909  
Operating leases   1,395,032       1,218,045  
Financing leases   213,032       225,907  
Other non-current liabilities   266,602       178,945  
Total liabilities   3,274,247       2,874,280  
           
Series A redeemable preferred stock   100,000       100,000  
           
Shareholders' equity:          
Common stock   12       12  
Treasury stock   (74,134 )     (40,042 )
Additional paid-in capital   245,007       229,995  
Accumulated other comprehensive income   9,119       9,119  
Retained earnings   96,097       81,750  
Total shareholders' equity   276,101       280,834  
Non-controlling interest   16       56  
Total equity   276,117       280,890  
Total liabilities, redeemable preferred stock and equity $ 3,650,364     $ 3,255,170  



  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows  
  For the Three Months Ended December 31,     For the Year
Ended December 31,
 
  2023     2022     2023     2022  
  (in thousands)  
Cash flows from operating activities:                      
Net income $ 1,126     $ 12,860     $ 34,566     $ 71,978  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:                      
Depreciation and amortization   32,648       26,702       127,597       101,752  
Deferred income taxes   (652 )     1,572       (4,680 )     22,300  
Loss on disposal of assets and impairment charges   660       2,342       6,203       5,731  
Foreign currency (gain) loss   (101 )     (14 )     29       227  
Amortization of deferred financing costs, debt discount and premium   661       620       2,518       2,514  
Amortization of deferred income   (1,840 )     (2,455 )     (8,142 )     (9,724 )
Accretion of asset retirement obligation   709       574       2,399       1,833  
Non-cash rent   3,750       2,189       14,168       7,903  
Charges to allowance for credit losses   244       186       1,265       659  
(Income) loss from equity investment   (38 )     67       39       74  
Share-based compensation   1,777       3,134       15,015       12,161  
Fair value adjustment of financial assets and liabilities   842       452       (10,785 )     (3,396 )
Other operating activities, net   352       (80 )     2,631       775  
Changes in assets and liabilities:                      
Decrease (increase) in trade receivables   44,550       9,638       (17,937 )     (50,229 )
Decrease (increase) in inventory   15,373       7,720       (2,013 )     (6,850 )
(Increase) decrease in other assets   (957 )     8,843       (29,386 )     1,476  
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable   (35,836 )     (5,848 )     (6,169 )     31,645  
(Decrease) increase in other current liabilities   (8,002 )     (747 )     990       6,884  
Decrease in asset retirement obligation   (69 )     (1 )     (23 )     (95 )
Increase in non-current liabilities   2,090       1,739       7,809       11,638  
Net cash provided by operating activities   57,287       69,493       136,094       209,256  
Cash flows from investing activities:                      
Purchase of property and equipment   (35,561 )     (25,693 )     (111,164 )     (98,595 )
Purchase of intangible assets               (45 )     (176 )
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment   3,134       147,521       310,240       287,901  
Business acquisitions, net of cash   33       (228,523 )     (494,871 )     (419,726 )
Prepayment for acquisitions   (1,000 )     (4,000 )     (1,000 )     (4,000 )
Decrease in investments                     58,934  
Loans to equity investment, net   18             18       174  
Net cash used in investing activities   (33,376 )     (110,695 )     (296,822 )     (175,488 )
Cash flows from financing activities:                      
Receipt of long-term debt, net   20,810       19,446       99,643       70,896  
Repayment of debt   (5,640 )     (3,576 )     (22,157 )     (45,948 )
Principal payments on financing leases   (1,260 )     (1,529 )     (5,497 )     (6,543 )
Proceeds from sale-leaseback         54,988       80,397       54,988  
Payment of Additional Consideration   (3,505 )     (3,828 )     (3,505 )     (5,913 )
Payment of Ares Put Option               (9,808 )      
Common stock repurchased   (8,495 )           (33,694 )     (40,042 )
Dividends paid on common stock   (3,497 )     (3,602 )     (14,272 )     (10,893 )
Dividends paid on redeemable preferred stock   (1,449 )     (1,449 )     (5,750 )     (5,750 )
Distributions to non-controlling interests         (60 )           (240 )
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities   (3,036 )     60,390       85,357       10,555  
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash   20,875       19,188       (75,371 )     44,323  
Effect of exchange rate on cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash   106       12       23       (97 )
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period   220,440       297,569       316,769       272,543  
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period $ 241,421     $ 316,769     $ 241,421     $ 316,769  



Supplemental Disclosure of Non-GAAP Financial Information

  Reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA  
  For the Three Months
Ended December 31,
    For the Year
Ended December 31,
 
  2023     2022     2023     2022     2021  
  (in thousands)        
Net income $ 1,126     $ 12,860     $ 34,566     $ 71,978     $ 59,427  
Interest and other financing expenses, net   22,902       16,295       71,243       59,405       71,207  
Income tax expense   1,317       4,497       12,166       35,557       11,634  
Depreciation and amortization   32,648       26,702       127,597       101,752       97,194  
EBITDA   57,993       60,354       245,572       268,692       239,462  
Non-cash rent expense 1   3,750       2,189       14,168       7,903       6,359  
Acquisition costs 2   1,099       4,985       9,079       8,162       5,366  
Loss on disposal of assets and impairment charges 3   660       2,342       6,203       5,731       1,384  
Share-based compensation expense 4   1,777       3,134       15,015       12,161       5,804  
(Income) loss from equity investment 5   (38 )     67       39       74       (186 )
Adjustment to contingent consideration 6   68       (128 )     (604 )     (2,204 )     (1,740 )
Internal entity realignment and streamlining 7         67             475        
Other 8   230       (577 )     956       60       126  
Adjusted EBITDA $ 65,539     $ 72,433     $ 290,428     $ 301,054     $ 256,575  
                             
Eliminates the non-cash portion of rent, which reflects the extent to which our GAAP rent expense recognized exceeded (or was less than) our cash rent payments. The GAAP rent expense adjustment varies depending on the terms of our lease portfolio, which has been impacted by our recent acquisitions. For newer leases, our rent expense recognized typically exceeds our cash rent payments, whereas, for more mature leases, rent expense recognized is typically less than our cash rent payments.  
                             
Eliminates costs incurred that are directly attributable to business acquisitions and salaries of employees whose primary job function is to execute our acquisition strategy and facilitate integration of acquired operations.  
                             
3 Eliminates the non-cash loss from the sale of property and equipment, the loss recognized upon the sale of related leased assets, and impairment charges on property and equipment and right-of-use assets related to closed and non-performing sites.  
                             
Eliminates non-cash share-based compensation expense related to the equity incentive program in place to incentivize, retain, and motivate our employees, certain non-employees and members of the Board.  
                             
5 Eliminates our share of (income) loss attributable to our unconsolidated equity investment.  
                             
6 Eliminates fair value adjustments to the contingent consideration owed to the seller for the 2020 acquisition of Empire.  
                             
7 Eliminates non-recurring charges related to our internal entity realignment and streamlining.  
                             
8 Eliminates other unusual or non-recurring items that we do not consider to be meaningful in assessing operating performance.  



Supplemental Disclosures of Segment Information

Retail Segment

  For the Three Months
Ended December 31,
    For the Year
Ended December 31,
 
  2023     2022     2023     2022  
  (in thousands)  
Revenues:                      
Fuel revenue $ 913,534     $ 886,710     $ 3,858,777     $ 3,887,549  
Merchandise revenue   446,727       403,084       1,838,001       1,647,642  
Other revenues, net   17,104       17,638       74,406       67,280  
Total revenues   1,377,365       1,307,432       5,771,184       5,602,471  
Operating expenses:                      
Fuel costs   818,125       794,986       3,479,531       3,521,648  
Merchandise costs   299,954       280,313       1,252,879       1,146,423  
Store operating expenses   200,952       169,956       779,448       669,848  
Total operating expenses   1,319,031       1,245,255       5,511,858       5,337,919  
Operating income   58,334       62,177       259,326       264,552  
Intercompany charges by GPMP 1   13,927       12,580       56,076       50,327  
Operating income, as adjusted $ 72,261     $ 74,757     $ 315,402     $ 314,879  
                       
1 Represents the estimated fixed margin or fixed fee paid to GPMP for the cost of fuel.  



The tables below shows financial information and certain key metrics of recent acquisitions in the Retail Segment that do not have (or have only partial) comparable information for the prior periods.

  For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2023  
  Pride 1     TEG 2     Uncle's
(WTG) 3
    Speedy's 4     Total  
  (in thousands)  
Date of Acquisition: Dec 6, 2022     Mar 1, 2023     Jun 6, 2023     Aug 15, 2023        
Revenues:                            
Fuel revenue $ 66,952     $ 88,309     $ 20,802     $ 4,412     $ 180,475  
Merchandise revenue   14,219       36,628       9,156       2,349       62,352  
Other revenues, net   1,351       1,367       207       51       2,976  
Total revenues   82,522       126,304       30,165       6,812       245,803  
Operating expenses:                            
Fuel costs   58,066       81,122       17,011       3,924       160,123  
Merchandise costs   9,315       24,803       5,851       1,583       41,552  
Store operating expenses   10,372       18,202       4,611       1,249       34,434  
Total operating expenses   77,753       124,127       27,473       6,756       236,109  
Operating income   4,769       2,177       2,692       56       9,694  
Intercompany charges by GPMP 5   884       1,402       293       69       2,648  
Operating income, as adjusted $ 5,653     $ 3,579     $ 2,985     $ 125     $ 12,342  
Fuel gallons sold   17,688       28,045       5,859       1,372       52,964  
Fuel contribution 6 $ 9,770     $ 8,589     $ 4,084     $ 557     $ 23,000  
Merchandise contribution 7 $ 4,904     $ 11,825     $ 3,305     $ 766     $ 20,800  
Merchandise margin 8   34.5 %     32.3 %     36.1 %     32.6 %      



  For the Year Ended December 31, 2023  
    Pride 1       TEG 2       Uncle's
(WTG) 3
      Speedy's 4       Total  
                                    (in thousands)  
Date of Acquisition:   Dec 6, 2022       Mar 1, 2023       Jun 6, 2023       Aug 15, 2023          
Revenues:                                      
Fuel revenue $ 279,396     $ 324,361     $ 48,827     $ 7,550     $ 660,134  
Merchandise revenue   59,440       128,728       21,627       3,749       213,544  
Other revenues, net   5,521       4,489       464       74       10,548  
Total revenues   344,357       457,578       70,918       11,373       884,226  
Operating expenses:                                      
Fuel costs   249,183       298,332       40,828       6,722       595,065  
Merchandise costs   39,221       88,147       14,036       2,532       143,936  
Store operating expenses   40,554       60,151       10,983       1,945       113,633  
Total operating expenses   328,958       446,630       65,847       11,199       852,634  
Operating income $ 15,399     $ 10,948     $ 5,071     $ 174     $ 31,592  
Intercompany charges by GPMP 5   3,673       4,911       669       111       9,364  
Operating income, as adjusted $ 19,072     $ 15,859     $ 5,740     $ 285     $ 40,956  
Fuel gallons sold   73,452       98,228       13,382       2,202       187,264  
Fuel contribution 6 $ 33,886     $ 30,940     $ 8,668     $ 939     $ 74,433  
Merchandise contribution 7 $ 20,219     $ 40,581     $ 7,591     $ 1,217     $ 69,608  
Merchandise margin 8   34.0 %     31.5 %     35.1 %     32.5 %        
                                       
1 Acquisition of Pride Convenience Holdings, LLC.  
2 Acquisition from Transit Energy Group and affiliates ("TEG"); includes only the retail stores acquired in the TEG acquisition.  
3 Acquisition from WTG Fuels Holdings, LLC ("WTG"); includes only the retail stores acquired in the WTG acquisition.  
4 Acquisition of seven Speedy's retail stores.  
5 Represents the estimated fixed margin or fixed fee paid to GPMP for the cost of fuel.  
6 Calculated as fuel revenue less fuel costs; excludes the estimated fixed margin or fixed fee paid to GPMP for the cost of fuel.  
7 Calculated as merchandise revenue less merchandise costs.  
8 Calculated as merchandise contribution divided by merchandise revenue.  



Wholesale Segment

  For the Three Months
Ended December 31,
    For the Year
Ended December 31,
 
  2023     2022     2023     2022  
  (in thousands)  
Revenues:                      
Fuel revenue $ 700,026     $ 712,578     $ 3,039,904     $ 3,234,145  
Other revenues, net   6,909       6,303       25,775       23,451  
Total revenues   706,935       718,881       3,065,679       3,257,596  
Operating expenses:                      
Fuel costs   690,300       701,571       2,995,398       3,181,189  
Store operating expenses   10,400       11,104       39,703       42,543  
Total operating expenses   700,700       712,675       3,035,101       3,223,732  
Operating income   6,235       6,206       30,578       33,864  
Intercompany charges by GPMP 1   11,874       11,338       48,402       45,201  
Operating income, as adjusted $ 18,109     $ 17,544     $ 78,980     $ 79,065  
                       
1 Represents the estimated fixed margin or fixed fee paid to GPMP for the cost of fuel.  



The tables below shows financial information and certain key metrics of recent acquisitions in the Wholesale Segment that do not have (or have only partial) comparable information for prior periods.

  For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2023  
  Quarles 1     TEG 2     WTG 3     Total  
  (in thousands)  
Date of Acquisition: Jul 22, 2022     Mar 1, 2023     Jun 6, 2023        
Revenues:                      
Fuel revenue $ 17,252     $ 91,340     $ 3,050     $ 111,642  
Other revenues, net   240       730       9       979  
Total revenues   17,492       92,070       3,059       112,621  
Operating expenses:                      
Fuel costs   16,600       90,500       2,899       109,999  
Store operating expenses   454       871       72       1,397  
Total operating expenses   17,054       91,371       2,971       111,396  
Operating income $ 438     $ 699     $ 88     $ 1,225  
Intercompany charges by GPMP 4   284       1,542       43       1,869  
Operating income, as adjusted $ 722     $ 2,241     $ 131     $ 3,094  
Fuel gallons sold   5,521       31,207       862       37,590  



  For the Year Ended December 31, 2023  
  Quarles 1     TEG 2     WTG 3     Total  
  (in thousands)  
Date of Acquisition: Jul 22, 2022     Mar 1, 2023     Jun 6, 2023        
Revenues:                      
Fuel revenue $ 74,960     $ 335,477     $ 6,594     $ 417,031  
Other revenues, net   1,103       2,229       15       3,347  
Total revenues   76,063       337,706       6,609       420,378  
Operating expenses:                      
Fuel costs   72,357       332,129       6,227       410,713  
Store operating expenses   1,884       2,798       153       4,835  
Total operating expenses   74,241       334,927       6,380       415,548  
Operating income $ 1,822     $ 2,779     $ 229     $ 4,830  
Intercompany charges by GPMP 4   1,171       5,379       93       6,643  
Operating income, as adjusted $ 2,993     $ 8,158     $ 322     $ 11,473  
Fuel gallons sold   22,825       109,156       1,869       133,850  
                       
1 Acquisition from Quarles Petroleum, Incorporated ("Quarles"); includes only the wholesale business acquired in the Quarles acquisition.  
2 Includes only the wholesale business acquired in the TEG acquisition.  
3 Includes only the wholesale business acquired in the WTG acquisition.  
4 Represents the estimated fixed margin or fixed fee paid to GPMP for the cost of fuel.  



Fleet Fueling Segment

  For the Three Months
Ended December 31,
    For the Year
Ended December 31,
 
  2023     2022     2023     2022  
  (in thousands)  
Revenues:                      
Fuel revenue $ 136,801     $ 149,857     $ 530,937     $ 270,670  
Other revenues, net   2,616       1,255       7,818       2,178  
Total revenues   139,417       151,112       538,755       272,848  
Operating expenses:                      
Fuel costs   125,182       134,571       481,885       245,733  
Store operating expenses   6,259       4,788       22,298       8,733  
Total operating expenses   131,441       139,359       504,183       254,466  
Operating income   7,976       11,753       34,572       18,382  
Intercompany charges by GPMP 1   1,772       1,580       6,848       2,884  
Operating income, as adjusted $ 9,748     $ 13,333     $ 41,420     $ 21,266  
                       
1 Represents the estimated fixed fee paid to GPMP for the cost of fuel.  



The table below shows financial information and certain key metrics of recent acquisitions in the Fleet Fueling Segment that do not have (or have only partial) comparable information for the prior periods.

  For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2023     For the Year Ended December 31, 2023  
  Quarles 1     WTG 2     Total     Quarles 1     WTG 2     Total  
  (in thousands)  
Date of Acquisition: Jul 22, 2022     Jun 6, 2023           Jul 22, 2022     Jun 6, 2023        
Revenues:                                  
Fuel revenue $ 120,857     $ 15,944     $ 136,801     $ 491,642     $ 39,295     $ 530,937  
Other revenues, net   941       1,675       2,616       4,841       2,977       7,818  
Total revenues   121,798       17,619       139,417       496,483       42,272       538,755  
Operating expenses:                                  
Fuel costs   110,815       14,367       125,182       447,010       34,875       481,885  
Store operating expenses   5,043       1,216       6,259       20,003       2,295       22,298  
Total operating expenses   115,858       15,583       131,441       467,013       37,170       504,183  
Operating income $ 5,940     $ 2,036     $ 7,976     $ 29,470     $ 5,102     $ 34,572  
Intercompany charges by GPMP 3   1,563       209       1,772       6,313       536       6,849  
Operating income, as
adjusted
$ 7,503     $ 2,245     $ 9,748     $ 35,783     $ 5,638     $ 41,421  
Fuel gallons sold   32,246       4,240       36,486       130,382       10,445       140,827  
                                   
1 Includes only the fleet fueling business acquired in the Quarles acquisition.  
2 Includes only the fleet fueling business acquired in the WTG acquisition.  
3 Represents the estimated fixed fee paid to GPMP for the cost of fuel.        

 


Investor and Media Contact
Jordan Mann
ARKO Corp.
investors@gpminvestments.com

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Source: ARKO CORP.