Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Brookdale achieved a RevPAR growth of 5.7% for 2025, finishing at the top end of the initial guidance of 4.75%-5.75% [7] - Adjusted EBITDA for 2025 was reported at $458 million, exceeding the midpoint of the guidance range of $430 million-$445 million [10][26] - Adjusted Free Cash Flow for 2025 was $23 million, marking the first positive cash flow since 2020, although it fell short of the guidance of $30 million-$50 million due to timing issues [11][26][38] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated fourth quarter occupancy reached a weighted average of 82.5%, a 310 basis point improvement year-over-year [8][30] - The percentage of communities with occupancy below 70% decreased from 23% in Q1 2025 to 15% in Q4 2025 [9] - Communities exceeding 90% occupancy increased from 25% in Q1 2025 to 34% in Q4 2025 [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The senior housing supply growth was reported at a historical low of 0.6% at the end of 2025, while the population of Americans aged 80 and above is expected to grow at a compounded annual rate of over 4% for the next decade [22] - The demand outlook for senior living is robust, particularly as the first baby boomers turn 80 in 2026, which is a critical age for Brookdale's move-ins [21][22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Brookdale's strategic priorities include excelling operationally, optimizing the real estate portfolio, reinvesting capital, reducing leverage, and elevating quality for residents and associates [11][12] - The company plans to reduce its consolidated portfolio to 517 communities by mid-2026, focusing on communities with the strongest long-term value creation potential [14][15] - Capital investment for 2026 is projected to be between $175 million and $195 million, aimed at enhancing occupancy growth and community-level NOI [16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the intrinsic value of the company, emphasizing the importance of specialized real estate and the ability to serve seniors effectively [24] - The outlook for 2026 includes projected RevPAR growth of 8%-9% and Adjusted EBITDA growth to between $502 million and $516 million, driven by occupancy and pricing improvements [40][41] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining a stable labor cost environment and reducing leverage to below 6x by the end of 2028 [44] Other Important Information - The company has implemented a new regional operating structure with six distinct leadership teams to enhance operational efficiency [12] - The Net Promoter Score (NPS) has improved significantly, indicating better service delivery quality and resident satisfaction [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Progress on transition to an operating company - Management discussed the establishment of a dedicated COO and regional teams to enhance operational focus and performance [49][50] Question: Expected progress on Health Plus - Health Plus was rolled out in 58 additional communities in 2025, with plans to fill market gaps and improve resident retention [55][57] Question: Centralized pricing strategy and rent increases - In-place rent increases for 2026 are expected to be in the high single digits, with favorable attrition rates observed [62][64] Question: CapEx plans and project details - Future capital expenditures will focus on high-impact projects, with ongoing reinvestment in real estate to maintain property value [66][68] Question: Occupancy bands and earnings potential - Management acknowledged the importance of improving occupancy in the 70%-80% band, with efforts focused on enhancing performance in that segment [75]