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Planet Fitness(PLNT) - 2024 Q4 - Annual Report

Membership and Club Operations - As of December 31, 2024, Planet Fitness had approximately 19.7 million members, with 82% of membership fee payments collected via ACH direct debit[22]. - The company operated 2,722 clubs system-wide as of December 31, 2024, including 2,445 franchised and 277 corporate-owned locations[23]. - PF Black Card membership penetration increased from 61% as of December 31, 2020, to 64% as of December 31, 2024, with average monthly dues per member rising from 17.01to17.01 to 19.01[1]. - Monthly membership dues start at 15forthestandardClassicCardand15 for the standard Classic Card and 24.99 for the PF Black Card, with current standard annual fees at 49[24].AsofDecember31,2024,thecompanyhad96franchiseegroupsoperating2,445clubs,indicatingasubstantialfranchisenetwork[115].MarketingandBrandStrategyPlanetFitnessspent49[24]. - As of December 31, 2024, the company had 96 franchisee groups operating 2,445 clubs, indicating a substantial franchise network[115]. Marketing and Brand Strategy - Planet Fitness spent 88.6 million in 2024 on national marketing campaigns and local advertising, with franchisees required to contribute 2% of their gross monthly membership dues to the National Advertising Fund[1]. - The company plans to enhance its free fitness training program and provide over 500 workouts via its mobile application to attract new members[1]. - Planet Fitness aims to increase brand investment to drive awareness and growth, leveraging significant marketing expenditures from both franchisees and corporate[1]. - Franchisees in the U.S. and Canada are required to spend 7% of their monthly dues on local marketing to support branding efforts[47]. - The company has aligned with high-profile media partners, reaching over one billion TV viewers annually through sponsorships[48]. Financial Performance and Royalties - The average royalty rate for Planet Fitness was 6.6% in 2024, up from 6.3% in 2020, with only 57% of clubs paying royalties at the current franchise agreement rate[1]. - The company's financial results are heavily reliant on royalties from franchisees, which are based on a percentage of gross monthly membership dues and annual fees[115]. - Economic conditions such as recession, inflation, and decreased consumer confidence could materially harm franchisees' financial conditions, adversely affecting the company's revenues[115]. Challenges and Risks - The health club industry is highly competitive, with various fitness and non-fitness alternatives vying for consumer discretionary spending[51]. - The company and its franchisees face challenges in attracting and retaining members, which could adversely impact business operations and financial condition[91]. - The company is exposed to risks related to cybersecurity, which could disrupt operations and damage reputation if data integrity is compromised[15]. - The company must effectively respond to changing consumer preferences in health and fitness to avoid adverse impacts on business[89]. - The company faces increased risks of cybersecurity incidents due to geopolitical events, which could disrupt operations and affect member services[97]. Debt and Financial Obligations - As of December 31, 2024, the Master Issuer had approximately 2.2billionofoutstandingdebt[173].TheMasterIssuerissued2.2 billion of outstanding debt[173]. - The Master Issuer issued 575 million in Series 2018-1 Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes and 625millioninSeries20181FixedRateSeniorSecuredNotesonAugust1,2018[165].Thecompanyexpectssubstantialpaymentsundertaxreceivableagreements,whichmayaffectfuturecashflowandoperationaldecisions[180].Thefinancialcovenantsmaylimittheabilitytoincuradditionalindebtednessinthefuture,intensifyingexistingrisks[177].Thecompanyhassignificantoutstandingdebt,whichcouldaffectfinancialconditionandoperationalresults[84].EmployeeandOperationalManagementThecompanyemployed3,806employeesatcorporateownedclubsand367employeesacrossCorporateSupportCentersasofDecember31,2024[55].Thecompanyemphasizesacompetitivepayandbenefitsstructuretosupportteammembersfinancial,physical,andmentalwellbeing[62].Competitionforqualifiedemployeesisintense,andtheinabilitytoattractandretainkeypersonnelcouldhinderthecompanysstrategicobjectives[112].Thecompanymusteffectivelymanagegrowthtoavoidstrainsonmanagement,employees,andinternalcontrols,whichcouldadverselyimpactbusinessoperations[110].RegulatoryandComplianceIssuesCompliancewithnumerouslawsandregulationsisrequired,andfailuretodosomayresultinfines,damages,andreducedroyaltyrevenue[136].Thecompanyissubjecttoextensiveregulationsregardingindoortanningservices,whichcouldharmreputationandprofitabilityduetonegativepublicperception[143].Changesindataprivacylawscouldimposeadditionalcostsandoperationalconstraints,adverselyaffectingbusinessmodelsandrevenue[141].Thehandlingofpersonallyidentifiableinformationisregulatedatmultiplelevels,andnoncompliancecouldleadtomaterialadverseeffectsonbusinessandfinancialcondition[103].StrategicGrowthandExpansionThecompanyisexpandinginternationally,whichpresentsrisksincludinginadequatebrandinfrastructureandpoliticalinstabilityinforeignmarkets[113].Thegrowthstrategyisdependentonfranchiseesabilitytoaccessfundsfornewclubdevelopment,whichcouldbeadverselyaffectediffinancingisnotavailable[107].Thecompanymusteffectivelymarketandpromoteitsbrandinnewmarketstoensurethesuccessofnewclubs,orgrowthmaybesignificantlydelayed[108].Failuretoopennewclubsasanticipatedcouldhinderrevenuegrowthandadverselyaffectoperatingincome[109].TechnologyandInnovationThecompanyutilizesacomputerizedclubmanagementsystemtotrackandanalyzesales,membershipstatistics,anddemographicprofiles[66].Since2019,thecompanyhasdevelopedanewcustomizedmobileapplicationandrolledoutanewinclubmediasolutiontoenhancedigitalexperiences[96].Theadoptionofartificialintelligencetechnologiesmayrequiresubstantialresourcesandcouldimpactfinancialperformanceifnotmanagedproperly[163].FinancialVolatilityandMarketRisksThestockpriceofClassAcommonstockhasfluctuatedbetween625 million in Series 2018-1 Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes on August 1, 2018[165]. - The company expects substantial payments under tax receivable agreements, which may affect future cash flow and operational decisions[180]. - The financial covenants may limit the ability to incur additional indebtedness in the future, intensifying existing risks[177]. - The company has significant outstanding debt, which could affect financial condition and operational results[84]. Employee and Operational Management - The company employed 3,806 employees at corporate-owned clubs and 367 employees across Corporate Support Centers as of December 31, 2024[55]. - The company emphasizes a competitive pay and benefits structure to support team members' financial, physical, and mental well-being[62]. - Competition for qualified employees is intense, and the inability to attract and retain key personnel could hinder the company's strategic objectives[112]. - The company must effectively manage growth to avoid strains on management, employees, and internal controls, which could adversely impact business operations[110]. Regulatory and Compliance Issues - Compliance with numerous laws and regulations is required, and failure to do so may result in fines, damages, and reduced royalty revenue[136]. - The company is subject to extensive regulations regarding indoor tanning services, which could harm reputation and profitability due to negative public perception[143]. - Changes in data privacy laws could impose additional costs and operational constraints, adversely affecting business models and revenue[141]. - The handling of personally identifiable information is regulated at multiple levels, and noncompliance could lead to material adverse effects on business and financial condition[103]. Strategic Growth and Expansion - The company is expanding internationally, which presents risks including inadequate brand infrastructure and political instability in foreign markets[113]. - The growth strategy is dependent on franchisees' ability to access funds for new club development, which could be adversely affected if financing is not available[107]. - The company must effectively market and promote its brand in new markets to ensure the success of new clubs, or growth may be significantly delayed[108]. - Failure to open new clubs as anticipated could hinder revenue growth and adversely affect operating income[109]. Technology and Innovation - The company utilizes a computerized club management system to track and analyze sales, membership statistics, and demographic profiles[66]. - Since 2019, the company has developed a new customized mobile application and rolled out a new in-club media solution to enhance digital experiences[96]. - The adoption of artificial intelligence technologies may require substantial resources and could impact financial performance if not managed properly[163]. Financial Volatility and Market Risks - The stock price of Class A common stock has fluctuated between 13.23 and $102.01 since the IPO, indicating potential volatility[205]. - The company’s financial forecasting may differ materially from actual results, potentially causing a decline in stock price[212]. - The company faces potential litigation costs and management distraction due to securities class action litigation following stock price volatility[209]. - Inflationary conditions may lead to increased shipping, labor, and equipment costs, impacting profitability, particularly due to minimum wage increases affecting labor costs[337].