You can find original article here Nrn. Subscribe to our free daily Nrn newsletters. David McKillips has been named chief executive officer of Topgolf International, effective Feb. 23. He is tasked with overseeing the eatertainment chain’s strategic vision and growth. McKillips has more than 30 years of experience in family entertainment, media, and theme park industries. He most recently served as president and CEO of CEC Entertainment, parent company of Chuck E. Cheese and Peter Piper Pizza. There, he ...

Six Flags Entertainment (NYSE:FUN) Q4 2025 Earnings call February 19, 2026 08:00 AM ET Company ParticipantsAdam Fox - Equity Research AssociateAnthony Berni - Senior Equity Research AssociateArpine Kocharyan - Managing DirectorBrian Witherow - CFOJohn Reilly - President and CEOMichael Russell - Corporate Director of Investor RelationsSteve Wieczynski - Managing DirectorThomas Yeh - Executive Director of Equity ResearchConference Call ParticipantsJames Hardiman - Director of Leisure and Travel AnalystOperato ...

Can Travis Kelce, the three-time Super Bowl champion tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs and the fiance of the world's biggest pop star, Taylor Swift, turn around Six Flags Entertainment, North America's largest regional amusement park operator. Now, if you asked me that question a little over a month ago, I would have said, "What are you smoking here?" But because you got to believe it or not, this is now a real question investors are grappling with. See, Six Flags as we know it today was created last yea ...

Core Viewpoint - The potential involvement of Travis Kelce, a prominent NFL player, in the turnaround of Six Flags Entertainment is being considered by investors, especially following a significant decline in the company's stock since the merger with Cedar Fair [1][2][15]. Company Performance - Six Flags has experienced a dramatic 73% decline in stock value since the merger with Cedar Fair in July 2022 [2]. - Attendance at Six Flags parks was down 9% year-over-year in the second quarter, and for the period ending November 2, attendance further declined by 11% [10][16]. - The company reported a poor second quarter, leading to a slashed full-year EBITD forecast [16]. Operational Challenges - Severe weather conditions, including thunderstorms and heat waves, negatively impacted attendance early in the season [3][4]. - The introduction of new rides, such as Siren's Curse, faced operational issues, including breakdowns that affected customer experience [6][7]. - Management has struggled to deliver on promises made during the merger, with no significant revenue boost from season pass sales observed [9]. Financial Health - Six Flags has a high leverage ratio of 6.3%, indicating precarious financial health, as anything above 4 is considered very high [12]. - The company is facing challenges in generating revenue from food and beverage sales due to lower attendance [10]. Leadership Changes - CEO Richard Zim is set to step down at the end of the year, with John Riley from Palace Entertainment being appointed as the new CEO, bringing turnaround experience from the theme park industry [13][17]. - Jana Partners, an activist investor firm, has taken a 9% stake in Six Flags, potentially influencing the company's direction [14][15]. Future Outlook - There is cautious optimism regarding the potential for a turnaround with new management and support from Jana Partners, although significant challenges remain [18][19]. - The company may need to clean up its balance sheet and possibly close underperforming parks to improve its situation [19].

Can Travis Kelce, the three-time Super Bowl champion tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs and the fiance of the world's biggest pop star, Taylor Swift, turn around Six Flags Entertainment, North America's largest regional amusement park operator. Now, if you asked me that question a little over a month ago, I would have said, "What are you smoking here?" But because you got to believe it or not, this is now a real question investors are grappling with. See, Six Flags as we know it today was created last yea ...

Can Travis Kelce, the three-time Super Bowl champion tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs and the fiance of the world's biggest pop star, Taylor Swift, turn around Six Flags Entertainment, North America's largest regional amusement park operator. Now, if you asked me that question a little over a month ago, I would have said, "What are you smoking here?" But because you got to believe it or not, this is now a real question investors are grappling with. See, Six Flags as we know it today was created last yea ...

Company Overview - Six Flags Entertainment operates approximately 27 amusement parks, 15 water parks, and nine resort properties across 17 states in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, providing memorable experiences with coasters, themed rides, and a portfolio of intellectual properties like Looney Tunes and DC Comics [1] Activist Involvement - Jana Partners, an activist investor with approximately 9% ownership, has partnered with notable figures to engage with Six Flags' board and management to enhance shareholder value and improve guest experience [2][3][8] - Jana's strategy includes addressing operational issues and exploring options such as monetizing real estate or selling the company [9] Recent Developments - In November 2023, Six Flags announced a merger with Cedar Fair, which was completed in July 2024, aiming to combine strengths and generate synergies [4] - The merger faced backlash from some investors, particularly due to operational challenges and a significant drop in share price, which fell over 58% post-merger completion [5] Operational Challenges - Six Flags has struggled with severe weather impacting attendance and EBITDA during peak seasons, exacerbating balance sheet issues [5][6] - The company has not effectively integrated consumer-facing technology, operating over 10 different apps, leading to unreliable transactions [10] - There is a need for a more disciplined capital expenditure framework and a reexamination of operating strategies during inclement weather [11] Future Opportunities - Jana believes Six Flags can leverage its real estate for year-round experiences, such as indoor skydiving and trampoline parks, to enhance revenue [12]

Core Insights - Activist investor Jana Partners has acquired a 9% stake in Six Flags Entertainment and is collaborating with NFL star Travis Kelce to advocate for improvements in marketing and customer experiences [1][5] - Following the announcement, Six Flags' shares increased by 17%, although the stock has declined by 58% since its merger with Cedar Fair in July 2024 [2][7] - The current market capitalization of Six Flags is approximately $2.6 billion, and the company has faced challenges this year due to adverse weather conditions affecting visitor attendance [3] Company Developments - Jana Partners is joining other activist investors in proposing strategies to enhance Six Flags' share price [3] - The company recently appointed an executive from Sachem Head Capital Management to its board, indicating a shift towards addressing shareholder concerns [4] - Alongside Kelce, consumer executive Glenn Murphy and technology executive Dave Habiger are also collaborating with Jana Partners and may be considered for board nominations [6]

Core Viewpoint - An investor group, including activist investor Jana Partners and NFL player Travis Kelce, has acquired approximately 9% of Six Flags Entertainment and aims to engage with the company's leadership to enhance business performance and shareholder value [1][2]. Group 1: Ownership and Engagement - The investor group now holds an economic interest of about 9% in Six Flags [2]. - The group plans to engage with Six Flags' management and board to discuss strategies for improving shareholder value and visitor experience [2]. Group 2: Market Reaction - Following the announcement, Six Flags' shares increased by 17.7%, with an additional 5.1% gain in after-hours trading [2]. - Despite the recent rally, the company's shares have declined approximately 47% year-to-date [2]. Group 3: Financial Performance - Six Flags reported a loss of $319.4 million for the first half of the year [3]. - Attendance at Six Flags fell by 9% in the three months ending June 29, attributed to adverse weather conditions and a challenging consumer environment [3]. Group 4: Investor Background - The investor group includes notable figures such as consumer executive Glenn Murphy and technology executive Dave Habiger [3]. - Travis Kelce expressed a personal connection to Six Flags, stating his desire to help improve the parks for future generations [4].

Exclusive: Activist investor Land & Buildings Investment Management plans to pressure Six Flags Entertainment to spin out or sell its real estate and make other changes https://t.co/cLcvxmI5f5 ...