Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Resort net revenue increased by 4% year over year, driven by improved visitation at Australian resorts due to favorable weather and the introduction of the Epic Australia four-day pass [19] - Fiscal first quarter resort reported EBITDA remained flat year over year, reflecting benefits from the Resource Efficiency Transformation Plan offset by inflation, increased marketing spend, and one-time costs [20] - North American pass product selling period saw units down by 2% but sales dollars up by 3%, with an acceleration in pass sales trends noted [21][22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a 55% growth in pass units over the past five years, indicating increased guest commitment and financial stability [23] - The introduction of Epic Friends Tickets and advanced discount offerings for lift tickets aims to drive lift ticket visitation, which is critical for long-term guest lifetime value [9][10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has approximately 2.3 million guests committed to its resorts, expected to generate around $1 billion in revenue, accounting for about 74% of all skier visits [23] - Snowfall was down almost 60% compared to the prior year at Western North American resorts, impacting local pass sales [22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on modernizing its marketing approach, increasing media spending, and engaging younger consumers through social and digital channels [12][13] - A capital investment plan of $215-$220 million for 2026 aims to enhance guest experience through technology and multi-year initiatives [28][29] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the strategies being implemented to drive growth, despite a slow start to the season due to challenging weather conditions [16][26] - The company reiterated its guidance for net income and resort-reported EBITDA for fiscal year 2026, factoring in price increases and efficiencies from the Resource Efficiency Transformation Plan [24][25] Other Important Information - The company is investing in technology to enhance guest experience, including improvements to the My Epic app and e-commerce platform [31][32] - The new Chief Revenue Officer is expected to contribute significantly to growth and marketing modernization [15] Q&A Session Summary Question: How do you expect the new initiatives to play out between price and volume? - Management indicated that the initiatives aim to make lift tickets more accessible and competitive, with expectations of increased volume offsetting price reductions [37][40] Question: What is the impact of weather on pass sales and guidance? - Management acknowledged that challenging weather conditions impacted pass sales but noted a positive turnaround in revenue trends post-Labor Day [42][43] Question: How do you view third-party benefits to the pass? - Management stated that while third-party benefits are considered, the primary focus remains on pricing and access to resorts [49] Question: Will there be more advanced lift ticket discounts in the future? - Management clarified that while the current initiative is unique, they are open to exploring creative pricing strategies [92] Question: How do technology investments impact returns? - Management highlighted that technology investments improve guest experience and conversion rates, making it easier to track returns compared to traditional investments [56] Question: What is the potential for AI in pricing strategies? - Management noted that AI can help analyze data for better pricing decisions, but ultimately, business judgment will guide pricing strategies [93]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenues in Q1 2025 were $1,050 million, down 1.8% from 2024, primarily due to restaurant closures and a decrease in comparable restaurant sales [22][24] - U.S. comparable restaurant sales were negative 50 basis points, with traffic down 390 basis points [22] - Q1 GAAP diluted earnings per share were $0.50 compared to negative $1 in 2024, while adjusted diluted earnings per share were $0.59 versus $0.64 in 2024 [24][25] - Adjusted operating margins were 6.1%, down from 7.8% last year, driven by a decline in restaurant level margin and inflationary pressures [25][26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Positive comparable sales were noted at Carrabba's and Fleming's, but overall performance was below industry standards [8][10] - Off-premises sales accounted for 23% of total U.S. sales, with third-party delivery making up 11% [23] - Menu simplification efforts included reducing menu items by approximately 10% at Outback and Carrabba's, with further reductions planned [12][13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced a disappointing February, including a weaker Valentine's Day week, and noted a consumer pullback during the Easter holiday [9][10] - Households earning under $100,000 were identified as the most pressured demographic affecting sales [43][79] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on three operating priorities: simplifying the agenda, delivering a consistent guest experience, and turning around Outback [10][18] - A third-party consulting firm has been hired to assist with strategy and cost-saving initiatives [20] - The company aims to reduce debt leverage below 3.0 times lease-adjusted net leverage and reinvest in restaurants [21][20] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed dissatisfaction with financial and market share results, acknowledging the need for improvement [9][10] - The outlook for the remainder of the year assumes a continuation of a choppy macro environment and cautious consumer behavior [38][30] - Management is committed to transparency regarding results and business progress throughout the year [10][19] Other Important Information - The Board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share, payable on June 4, 2025 [28] - The company expects to be at the low end of its full-year adjusted diluted earnings per share range of $1.20 to $1.40 [28][29] Q&A Session Summary Question: Outlook for the remainder of the year and learnings from recent weeks - Management acknowledged underperformance compared to industry benchmarks and emphasized progress on operational priorities [37][38] Question: Value mix at Outback and profitability of value offers - Management noted that Outback is currently priced higher than competitors and is working on improving the value proposition [40] Question: Softer holiday special occasion trends - Management indicated that while some brands performed well, results were below expectations, particularly among households under $100,000 [43][44] Question: Same store sales and traffic performance - Management stated that share trends are cumulative and require improvements in food quality, value, and execution consistency [46] Question: Price and mix component of same store sales - Management reported that mix was relatively flat in Q1 but expects a slight decline in Q2 due to promotional impacts [50] Question: Employee feedback on execution and complexity - Employees expressed a desire for simpler execution processes and less complexity in operations [61] Question: Test stores performance and rollout timing - Management is encouraged by results from test stores and is focused on learning before a full rollout [88] Question: Current value construct effectiveness - Management confirmed that the current value proposition needs to be addressed, especially at Outback, and will continue to iterate based on customer feedback [93]