RICHMOND, Va., Aug. 06, 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 second quarter ended June 30, 2024.

Second Quarter 2024 Key Highlights (vs. Year-Ago Quarter)^1,2

Net income for the quarter was $14.1 million compared to $14.5 million, with recent acquisitions and higher fuel margin partially offsetting continued declines in gallon demand and lower same store merchandise contribution.
Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $83.8 million compared to $86.2 million, which was above the Company's previously issued guidance of $70 million to $77 million, driven by higher retail fuel margin per gallon.
Merchandise revenue decreased by 2.1% to $474.2 million, with incremental merchandise sales from recent acquisitions offset by a mid-single digit decline in same store merchandise sales.
Merchandise margin expanded approximately 90 basis points to 32.8%, supported by key marketing and merchandising initiatives.
Merchandise contribution increased 0.7% to $155.8 million.
Retail fuel contribution increased 1.2% to $118.0 million, driven by the combined impact of margin increases and incremental gallons from recent acquisitions, which more than offset a decline in same store fuel gallons sold.
Retail fuel margin increased to 41.6 cents per gallon from 39.7, while same store fuel gallons sold declined 6.6% compared to a decrease in national OPIS average same-station fuel gallon volume of approximately 4.2%.

________________________

_{¹ See Use of Non-GAAP Measures below.}

_{²All figures for fuel contribution and fuel margin per gallon exclude 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

As part of ARKO's focus on accelerating organic growth, the Company continues to develop its multi-year transformation plan, which is expected to include the following elements:
- Additional targeted capital allocation toward strategic sub-segments of its retail stores intended to drive traffic and improve profitability. The Company plans to allocate capital based in part on a pilot program, currently in development, designed to improve the customer experience and value proposition, potentially including an expanded and refined offering across a larger store network, with a focus on food and an enhanced in-store experience. Currently, the pilot will focus on seven stores within one region, with the goal of a region-wide roll out before, ultimately, the expansion of this program across the Company's retail footprint. The Company expects to begin implementing the new design in our pilot stores in the fourth quarter of 2024.
- Increased focus on both pricing and procurement strategies across the Company's retail stores to support ongoing merchandise margin rate growth.
- Leveraging the Company's unique, multi-segment operating model through more active conversion of retail stores within the Company's retail segment to dealer sites within its wholesale segment. Following the Company's review of its retail store portfolio, a meaningful number of retail locations were identified for potential conversion, which are expected to yield greater profitability after conversion. The Company expects to have converted approximately 40 retail stores to dealer sites by the end of the third quarter of 2024, of which a small number had converted as of the end of the second quarter of 2024.

Additional details of the Company's multi-year transformation plan will be provided at the Company's investor day that is being scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2024. Details will be shared at a later date.

The Company continued its enhanced food program rollout, including expansion of a re-launched hot dog and roller grill program anchored by Nathan's Famous as its supplier of quality, 100% all beef hot dogs, to more than 460 of its retail stores.
The Board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.03 per share of common stock to be paid on August 30, 2024 to stockholders of record as of August 19, 2024.

"This quarter, we continued to navigate a challenging macroeconomic environment alongside our customers," said Arie Kotler, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of ARKO. "We continued to see pressure on consumers as they struggle with inflation and elevated prices for everyday goods, especially in markets with a large percentage of lower income consumers. While this negatively impacted our retail sales, our team worked hard to control same store expenses and leverage our strong vendor partner relationships to deliver another quarter of merchandise margin growth, while providing much-needed value to our customers. When combined with higher fuel margins, we exceeded our Adjusted EBITDA guidance for the second quarter."

Mr. Kotler continued: "Our commitment to strong execution, enhancing customer value, and improving store level economics remain a top priority. We are well positioned to navigate the near-term macro headwinds, and we continue to believe in the long-term opportunities for ARKO. We expect the ongoing enhancements to our operations will guide us through this environment, while also laying the foundation for our multi-year transformation plan."

Second Quarter 2024 Segment Highlights

Retail

	For the Three Months Ended June 30,						For the Six Months Ended June 30,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
	(in thousands)
Fuel gallons sold		283,481			293,584			538,945			542,490
Same store fuel gallons sold decrease (%) ¹		(6.6	%)		(2.6	%)		(6.6	%)		(4.2	%)
Fuel contribution ²	$	117,981		$	116,624		$	210,914		$	204,720
Fuel margin, cents per gallon ³		41.6			39.7			39.1			37.7
Same store fuel contribution ^1,2	$	111,433		$	114,746		$	193,481		$	199,578
Same store merchandise sales (decrease) increase (%) ¹		(5.1	%)		0.7	%		(4.6	%)		2.1	%
Same store merchandise sales excluding cigarettes (decrease) increase (%) ¹		(4.0	%)		3.8	%		(3.5	%)		5.6	%
Merchandise revenue	$	474,248		$	484,561		$	888,903		$	884,849
Merchandise contribution ⁴	$	155,759		$	154,658		$	290,677		$	277,623
Merchandise margin ⁵		32.8	%		31.9	%		32.7	%		31.4	%
Same store merchandise contribution ^1,4	$	148,093		$	152,256		$	266,769		$	270,070
Same store site operating expenses ¹	$	192,258		$	193,185		$	364,877		$	360,297

¹Same 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.

Total merchandise contribution for the second quarter of 2024 increased $1.1 million, or 0.7%, compared to the second quarter of 2023, due to $5.6 million in incremental merchandise contribution from recent acquisitions, which was partially offset by a decrease in same store merchandise contribution. Same store merchandise contribution decreased primarily due to lower contribution from certain core destination categories, as well as cigarettes.

Merchandise margin increased 90 basis points to 32.8% for the second quarter of 2024, supported by key marketing and merchandising initiatives.

For the second quarter of 2024, retail fuel contribution increased $1.4 million to $118.0 million compared to the prior year period, with resilient fuel margin capture of 41.6 cents per gallon, an increase of 1.9 cents per gallon compared to the second quarter of 2023. Incremental fuel contribution from recent acquisitions of approximately $5.0 million was partially offset by same store fuel contribution, which decreased to $111.4 million for the second quarter of 2024, compared to $114.7 million for the prior year quarter.

Wholesale

	For the Three Months Ended June 30,				For the Six Months Ended June 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
	(in thousands)
Fuel gallons sold – fuel supply locations		203,561		213,136		390,292		395,563
Fuel gallons sold – consignment agent locations		39,338		44,534		76,842		82,496
Fuel contribution ¹ – fuel supply locations	$	12,287	$	12,518	$	23,849	$	23,674
Fuel contribution ¹ – consignment locations	$	11,699	$	11,266	$	20,867	$	21,305
Fuel margin, cents per gallon ² – fuel supply locations		6.0		5.9		6.1		6.0
Fuel margin, cents per gallon ² – consignment agent locations		29.7		25.3		27.2		25.8

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 $24.0 million for the second quarter of 2024. Fuel contribution was similar for the second quarters of 2024 and 2023. Other revenues, net increased by approximately $0.7 million primarily due to vendor rebates. For the second quarter of 2024, site operating expenses decreased $0.6 million compared to the prior year period primarily due to lower credit card fees.

Fleet Fueling

	For the Three Months Ended June 30,				For the Six Months Ended June 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
	(in thousands)
Fuel gallons sold – proprietary cardlock locations		35,678		32,417		69,127		63,433
Fuel gallons sold – third-party cardlock locations		3,271		2,036		6,470		3,646
Fuel contribution ¹ – proprietary cardlock locations	$	17,529	$	14,229	$	31,198	$	28,042
Fuel contribution ¹ – third-party cardlock locations	$	331	$	155	$	578	$	177
Fuel margin, cents per gallon ² – proprietary cardlock locations		49.1		43.9		45.1		44.2
Fuel margin, cents per gallon ² – third-party cardlock locations		10.1		7.7		8.9		4.9

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 increased 24.2% to approximately $17.9 million for the second quarter of 2024 compared to the prior year period. At proprietary cardlocks, fuel margin increased by 5.2 cents per gallon compared to the second quarter of 2023. At third-party cardlock locations, fuel margin increased by 2.4 cents per gallon for the second quarter of 2024 compared to the second quarter of 2023. These changes were primarily due to higher volumes and the cardlocks acquired in the WTG Acquisition.

Site Operating Expenses

For the quarter ended June 30, 2024, convenience store operating expenses increased $4.8 million, or 2.4%, as compared to the prior year period, primarily due to $7.4 million of incremental expenses related to recent acquisitions. Same store expenses were down $0.9 million from the prior year period, or 0.5%, primarily related to lower personnel costs and lower credit card fees. The increase in site operating expenses was partially offset by underperforming retail stores that were closed or converted to dealers.

Liquidity and Capital Expenditures

As of June 30, 2024, the Company's total liquidity was approximately $806 million, consisting of approximately $232 million of cash and cash equivalents and approximately $574 million of availability under lines of credit. Outstanding debt was $890 million, resulting in net debt, excluding lease related financing liabilities, of approximately $658 million. Capital expenditures were approximately $19.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024.

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 strong financial position.

The Board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.03 per share of common stock to be paid on August 30, 2024 to stockholders of record as of August 19, 2024.

During the second quarter, the Board approved the expansion of the Company's share repurchase program to $125 million, up from $100 million. There was approximately $25.7 million remaining under the share repurchase program as of June 30, 2024.

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 June 30,						For the Six Months Ended June 30,
Retail Segment	2024			2023			2024			2023
Number of sites at beginning of period		1,540			1,531			1,543			1,404
Acquired sites		21			24			21			159
Newly opened or reopened sites		—			2			1			3
Company-controlled sites converted to
consignment or fuel supply locations, net		(2	)		(6	)		(2	)		(11	)
Closed, relocated or divested sites		(11	)		(4	)		(15	)		(8	)
Number of sites at end of period		1,548			1,547			1,548			1,547

	For the Three Months Ended June 30,						For the Six Months Ended June 30,
Wholesale Segment ¹	2024			2023			2024			2023
Number of sites at beginning of period		1,816			1,841			1,825			1,674
Acquired sites		—			9			—			190
Newly opened or reopened sites ²		11			17			20			24
Consignment or fuel supply locations converted
from Company-controlled or fleet fueling sites, net		2			6			2			11
Closed, relocated or divested sites		(35	)		(49	)		(53	)		(75	)
Number of sites at end of period		1,794			1,824			1,794			1,824

¹ Excludes bulk and spot purchasers.
² Includes all signed fuel supply agreements irrespective of fuel distribution commencement date.

	For the Three Months Ended June 30,						For the Six Months Ended June 30,
Fleet Fueling Segment	2024			2023			2024			2023
Number of sites at beginning of period		296			183			298			183
Acquired sites		—			111			-			111
Closed, relocated or divested sites		(2	)		(1	)		(4	)		(1	)
Number of sites at end of period		294			293			294			293

Changes in Non-GAAP Definitions; Third Quarter and Full Year 2024 Guidance

Beginning in the third quarter of 2024, the Company has made certain changes to its definitions for Adjusted EBITDA that impact the comparability of the metric to prior periods. Specifically, the Company will no longer include non-cash rent expense adjustments in its calculation of Adjusted EBITDA. Accordingly, the Company's third quarter 2024 Adjusted EBITDA and full year 2024 Adjusted EBITDA guidance reflects the Company's updated definition of Adjusted EBITDA. See "Supplemental Disclosure of Non-GAAP Financial Information" below for a reconciliation of the definitions prior to the third quarter of 2024 to allow for like-for-like comparisons to the new definitions for all periods presented.

The Company currently expects third quarter 2024 Adjusted EBITDA, using the revised methodology to calculate Adjusted EBITDA, to range between $70 million and $86 million, with an assumed range of average retail fuel margin from 38 to 44 cents per gallon, and which now includes approximately $3.5 million of non-cash rent expense.

The Company currently expects full year 2024 Adjusted EBITDA, using the revised methodology to calculate Adjusted EBITDA, to range between $235 million and $275 million, which now includes approximately $15 million of non-cash rent expense. This guidance translates directly to the Company maintaining its full year Adjusted EBITDA range of $250 million to $290 million using the historical methodology. The Company's full year Adjusted EBITDA range assumes a range of average retail fuel margin from 37 to 45 cents per gallon for the back half of the year.

The Company is not providing guidance on net income at this time due to the volatility of certain required inputs that are not available without unreasonable efforts, including future fair value adjustments associated with its stock price, as well as depreciation and amortization related to its capital allocation as part of its focus on accelerating organic growth.

Conference Call and Webcast Details

The Company will host a conference call today to discuss these results at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Investors and analysts interested in participating in the live call can dial 800-245-3047 or 203-518-9765.

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, share-based compensation expense, 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.

Change in Non-GAAP Definitions

Beginning on July 1, 2024, the Company has made certain changes to its calculation of Adjusted EBITDA that impact the comparability of the metrics to prior periods. Specifically, the Company will no longer include non-cash rent expense adjustments in its calculation of Adjusted EBITDA. Accordingly, the Company's third quarter of 2024 and full year 2024 Adjusted EBITDA guidance reflect the Company's updated definition of Adjusted EBITDA. See "Supplemental Disclosure of Non-GAAP Financial Information" below for a reconciliation of the definitions prior to July 1, 2024 to allow for like-for-like comparisons to the new definitions for all periods presented.

Company Contact

Jordan Mann

ARKO Corp.

investors@gpminvestments.com

Investor Contact

Sean Mansouri, CFA

Elevate IR

(720) 330-2829

ARKO@elevate-ir.com


	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

	For the Three Months Ended June 30,						For the Six Months Ended June 30,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
	(in thousands)
Revenues:
Fuel revenue	$	1,887,531		$	1,957,100		$	3,518,863		$	3,618,764
Merchandise revenue		474,248			484,561			888,903			884,849
Other revenues, net		26,384			27,480			52,851			53,904
Total revenues		2,388,163			2,469,141			4,460,617			4,557,517
Operating expenses:
Fuel costs		1,726,761			1,801,103			3,229,063			3,338,985
Merchandise costs		318,489			329,903			598,226			607,226
Site operating expenses		223,691			218,002			442,622			410,685
General and administrative expenses		42,436			42,660			84,594			83,076
Depreciation and amortization		33,577			32,837			65,293			61,236
Total operating expenses		2,344,954			2,424,505			4,419,798			4,501,208
Other expenses, net		261			4,956			2,737			7,676
Operating income		42,948			39,680			38,082			48,633
Interest and other financial income		3,384			2,428			25,297			9,630
Interest and other financial expenses		(24,751	)		(22,588	)		(49,121	)		(43,392	)
Income before income taxes		21,581			19,520			14,258			14,871
Income tax expense		(7,546	)		(5,014	)		(839	)		(2,856	)
Income (loss) from equity investment		28			(27	)		50			(63	)
Net income	$	14,063		$	14,479		$	13,469		$	11,952
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests		—			48			—			101
Net income attributable to ARKO Corp.	$	14,063		$	14,431		$	13,469		$	11,851
Series A redeemable preferred stock dividends		(1,445	)		(1,434	)		(2,859	)		(2,852	)
Net income attributable to common shareholders	$	12,618		$	12,997		$	10,610		$	8,999
Net income per share attributable to common shareholders – basic	$	0.11		$	0.11		$	0.09		$	0.07
Net income per share attributable to common shareholders – diluted	$	0.11		$	0.11		$	0.09		$	0.07
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		115,758			119,893			116,512			120,073
Diluted		116,880			121,280			117,073			120,767


	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

	June 30, 2024			December 31, 2023
	(in thousands)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	231,647		$	218,120
Restricted cash		19,392			23,301
Short-term investments		4,860			3,892
Trade receivables, net		155,578			134,735
Inventory		251,142			250,593
Other current assets		107,145			118,472
Total current assets		769,764			749,113
Non-current assets:
Property and equipment, net		740,004			742,610
Right-of-use assets under operating leases		1,418,778			1,384,693
Right-of-use assets under financing leases, net		160,280			162,668
Goodwill		299,972			292,173
Intangible assets, net		194,151			214,552
Equity investment		2,935			2,885
Deferred tax asset		60,822			52,293
Other non-current assets		53,163			49,377
Total assets	$	3,699,869		$	3,650,364
Liabilities
Current liabilities:
Long-term debt, current portion	$	18,184		$	16,792
Accounts payable		239,169			213,657
Other current liabilities		151,434			179,536
Operating leases, current portion		68,725			67,053
Financing leases, current portion		10,856			9,186
Total current liabilities		488,368			486,224
Non-current liabilities:
Long-term debt, net		871,678			828,647
Asset retirement obligation		86,872			84,710
Operating leases		1,434,238			1,395,032
Financing leases		211,760			213,032
Other non-current liabilities		233,852			266,602
Total liabilities		3,326,768			3,274,247

Series A redeemable preferred stock		100,000			100,000

Shareholders' equity:
Common stock		12			12
Treasury stock		(106,123	)		(74,134	)
Additional paid-in capital		270,455			245,007
Accumulated other comprehensive income		9,119			9,119
Retained earnings		99,638			96,097
Total shareholders' equity		273,101			276,101
Non-controlling interest		—			16
Total equity		273,101			276,117
Total liabilities, redeemable preferred stock and equity	$	3,699,869		$	3,650,364


	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

	For the Three Months Ended June 30,						For the Six Months Ended June 30,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
	(in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	14,063		$	14,479		$	13,469		$	11,952
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		33,577			32,837			65,293			61,236
Deferred income taxes		4,146			(3,885	)		(5,929	)		(14,115	)
Loss on disposal of assets and impairment charges		721			2,991			3,385			3,278
Foreign currency loss		30			24			57			58
Gain from issuance of shares as payment of deferred consideration related to business acquisition		—			—			(2,681	)		—
Gain from settlement related to business acquisition		—			—			(6,356	)		—
Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discount		668			621			1,332			1,213
Amortization of deferred income		(4,423	)		(2,069	)		(6,369	)		(3,929	)
Accretion of asset retirement obligation		627			627			1,243			1,118
Non-cash rent		3,687			3,760			7,171			6,558
Charges to allowance for credit losses		314			290			641			573
(Income) loss from equity investment		(28	)		27			(50	)		63
Share-based compensation		2,784			4,555			6,113			8,624
Fair value adjustment of financial assets and liabilities		(1,434	)		(1,020	)		(12,206	)		(5,248	)
Other operating activities, net		62			647			686			976
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Decrease (increase) in trade receivables		2,820			(6,991	)		(21,484	)		(18,173	)
Decrease (increase) in inventory		2,584			(5,363	)		2,772			(8,208	)
Decrease (increase) in other assets		748			(14,510	)		5,843			(10,965	)
Increase in accounts payable		5,130			8,640			26,477			14,580
Decrease in other current liabilities		(1,772	)		(7,524	)		(5,924	)		(7,651	)
(Decrease) increase in asset retirement obligation		(65	)		(21	)		(120	)		46
Increase in non-current liabilities		12,980			1,988			16,611			4,000
Net cash provided by operating activities		77,219			30,103			89,974			45,986
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment		(19,284	)		(26,658	)		(48,512	)		(50,038	)
Purchase of intangible assets		—			(35	)		—			(35	)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		48,256			88,049			50,295			296,485
Business acquisitions, net of cash		(53,458	)		(143,294	)		(54,458	)		(481,636	)
Loans to equity investment, net		14			—			28			—
Net cash used in investing activities		(24,472	)		(81,938	)		(52,647	)		(235,224	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Receipt of long-term debt, net		5,968			19,233			47,556			74,233
Repayment of debt		(7,214	)		(4,919	)		(13,849	)		(10,511	)
Principal payments on financing leases		(1,171	)		(1,494	)		(2,306	)		(2,912	)
Early settlement of deferred consideration related to business acquisition		—			—			(17,155	)		—
Proceeds from sale-leaseback		—			28,793			—			80,397
Payment of Ares Put Option		—			(9,808	)		—			(9,808	)
Common stock repurchased		(68	)		(11,253	)		(31,989	)		(13,563	)
Dividends paid on common stock		(3,473	)		(3,607	)		(7,069	)		(7,216	)
Dividends paid on redeemable preferred stock		(1,445	)		(1,434	)		(2,859	)		(2,852	)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(7,403	)		15,511			(27,671	)		107,768
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash		45,344			(36,324	)		9,656			(81,470	)
Effect of exchange rate on cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash		(19	)		—			(38	)		(21	)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period		205,714			271,602			241,421			316,769
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period	$	251,039		$	235,278		$	251,039		$	235,278

Supplemental Disclosure of Non-GAAP Financial Information

	Reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

	For the Three Months Ended June 30,						For the Six Months Ended June 30,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
	(in thousands)
Net income	$	14,063		$	14,479		$	13,469		$	11,952
Interest and other financing expenses, net		21,367			20,160			23,824			33,762
Income tax expense		7,546			5,014			839			2,856
Depreciation and amortization		33,577			32,837			65,293			61,236
EBITDA		76,553			72,490			103,425			109,806
Non-cash rent expense (a)		3,687			3,760			7,171			6,558
Acquisition costs (b)		1,510			3,277			2,190			6,853
Loss on disposal of assets and impairment charges (c)		721			2,991			3,385			3,278
Share-based compensation expense (d)		2,784			4,555			6,113			8,624
(Income) loss from equity investment (e)		(28	)		27			(50	)		63
Fuel taxes received in arrears (f)		—			—			(565	)		—
Adjustment to contingent consideration (g)		(310	)		(922	)		(292	)		(1,624	)
Other (h)		(1,160	)		64			(971	)		168
Adjusted EBITDA, as defined through June 30, 2024	$	83,757		$	86,242		$	120,406		$	133,726
Non-cash rent expense (a)		(3,687	)		(3,760	)		(7,171	)		(6,558	)
Adjusted EBITDA, as defined beginning July 1, 2024	$	80,070		$	82,482		$	113,235		$	127,168

(a) 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. 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. Beginning July 1, 2024, such expenses will no longer be an adjustment in the definition of Adjusted EBITDA.

(b) 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.

(c) 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.

(d) 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.

(e) Eliminates our share of (income) loss attributable to our unconsolidated equity investment.

(f) Eliminates the receipt of historical fuel tax amounts for multiple prior periods.

(g) Eliminates fair value adjustments to the contingent consideration owed to the seller for the 2020 Empire acquisition.

(h) 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 June 30,				For the Six Months Ended June 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
	(in thousands)
Revenues:
Fuel revenue	$	976,372	$	1,015,365	$	1,800,800	$	1,858,838
Merchandise revenue		474,248		484,561		888,903		884,849
Other revenues, net		16,735		18,997		33,414		37,552
Total revenues		1,467,355		1,518,923		2,723,117		2,781,239
Operating expenses:
Fuel costs		872,493		913,437		1,616,734		1,681,245
Merchandise costs		318,489		329,903		598,226		607,226
Site operating expenses		202,550		197,726		400,567		373,280
Total operating expenses		1,393,532		1,441,066		2,615,527		2,661,751
Operating income		73,823		77,857		107,590		119,488
Intercompany charges by GPMP ¹		14,102		14,696		26,848		27,127
Operating income, as adjusted	$	87,925	$	92,553	$	134,438	$	146,615

¹ Represents the estimated fixed margin or fixed fee paid to GPMP for the cost of fuel.

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

	For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2024
	Uncle's (WTG) ¹			Speedy's ²			SpeedyQ ³			Total
	(in thousands)
Date of Acquisition:	Jun 6, 2023			Aug 15, 2023			Apr 9, 2024
Revenues:
Fuel revenue	$	20,928		$	5,086		$	13,356		$	39,370
Merchandise revenue		10,204			2,644			6,738			19,586
Other revenues, net		263			54			227			544
Total revenues		31,395			7,784			20,321			59,500
Operating expenses:
Fuel costs		17,373			4,578			11,814			33,765
Merchandise costs		6,505			1,651			4,873			13,029
Site operating expenses		4,603			922			3,058			8,583
Total operating expenses		28,481			7,151			19,745			55,377
Operating income		2,914			633			576			4,123
Intercompany charges by GPMP ⁴		294			79			193			566
Operating income, as adjusted	$	3,208		$	712		$	769		$	4,689
Fuel gallons sold		5,872			1,587			3,857			11,316
Fuel contribution ⁵	$	3,849		$	587		$	1,735		$	6,171
Merchandise contribution ⁶	$	3,699		$	993		$	1,865		$	6,557
Merchandise margin ⁷		36.3	%		37.6	%		27.7	%

	For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2024
	Uncle's (WTG) ¹			Speedy's ²			SpeedyQ ³			Total
	(in thousands)
Date of Acquisition:	Jun 6, 2023			Aug 15, 2023			Apr 9, 2024
Revenues:
Fuel revenue	$	40,697		$	9,354		$	13,356		$	63,407
Merchandise revenue		19,351			4,909			6,738			30,998
Other revenues, net		491			106			227			824
Total revenues		60,539			14,369			20,321			95,229
Operating expenses:
Fuel costs		34,437			8,473			11,814			54,724
Merchandise costs		12,378			3,093			4,873			20,344
Store operating expenses		9,293			2,112			3,058			14,463
Total operating expenses		56,108			13,678			19,745			89,531
Operating income	$	4,431		$	691		$	576		$	5,698
Intercompany charges by GPMP ⁴		585			150			193			928
Operating income, as adjusted	$	5,016		$	841		$	769		$	6,626
Fuel gallons sold		11,693			3,003			3,857			18,553
Fuel contribution ⁵	$	6,845		$	1,031		$	1,735		$	9,611
Merchandise contribution ⁶	$	6,973		$	1,816		$	1,865		$	10,654
Merchandise margin ⁷		36.0	%		37.0	%		27.7	%

¹ Acquisition from WTG Fuels Holdings, LLC ("WTG"); includes only the retail stores acquired in the WTG acquisition.

² Acquisition of seven Speedy's retail stores.

³ Acquisition of 21 SpeedyQ retail stores.

⁴Represents the estimated fixed margin paid to GPMP for the cost of fuel.

⁵ Calculated as fuel revenue less fuel costs; excludes the estimated fixed margin paid to GPMP for the cost of fuel.

⁶ Calculated as merchandise revenue less merchandise costs.

⁷ Calculated as merchandise contribution divided by merchandise revenue.

Wholesale Segment

	For the Three Months Ended June 30,				For the Six Months Ended June 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
	(in thousands)
Revenues:
Fuel revenue	$	762,693	$	811,139	$	1,427,207	$	1,495,987
Other revenues, net		6,850		6,110		13,708		12,601
Total revenues		769,543		817,249		1,440,915		1,508,588
Operating expenses:
Fuel costs		750,846		800,286		1,405,959		1,474,977
Site operating expenses		9,566		10,196		18,865		19,294
Total operating expenses		760,412		810,482		1,424,824		1,494,271
Operating income		9,131	$	6,767	$	16,091	$	14,317
Intercompany charges by GPMP ¹		12,139		12,931		23,468		23,969
Operating income, as adjusted	$	21,270	$	19,698	$	39,559	$	38,286

¹ Represents the estimated fixed margin or 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 Wholesale Segment that have only partial comparable information for prior periods.

	For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2024		For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2024
	WTG ¹
	(in thousands)
Date of Acquisition:	Jun 6, 2023
Revenues:
Fuel revenue	$	2,882	$	5,966
Other revenues, net		14		29
Total revenues		2,896		5,995
Operating expenses:
Fuel costs		2,741		5,700
Site operating expenses		68		136
Total operating expenses		2,809		5,836
Operating income		87		159
Intercompany charges by GPMP ²		40		84
Operating income, as adjusted	$	127	$	243
Fuel gallons sold		811		1,682

¹ Includes only the wholesale business acquired in the WTG acquisition.

² Represents the estimated fixed margin paid to GPMP for the cost of fuel.

Fleet Fueling Segment

	For the Three Months Ended June 30,				For the Six Months Ended June 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
	(in thousands)
Revenues:
Fuel revenue	$	140,140	$	121,146	$	272,333	$	248,640
Other revenues, net		2,284		1,676		4,669		2,627
Total revenues		142,424		122,822		277,002		251,267
Operating expenses:
Fuel costs		124,149		108,435		244,207		223,666
Site operating expenses		6,442		5,043		12,985		9,833
Total operating expenses		130,591		113,478		257,192		233,499
Operating income		11,833		9,344		19,810		17,768
Intercompany charges by GPMP ¹		1,869		1,673		3,650		3,245
Operating income, as adjusted	$	13,702	$	11,017	$	23,460	$	21,013

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 have only partial comparable information for the prior periods.

	For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2024		For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2024
	WTG ¹
	(in thousands)
Date of Acquisition:	Jun 6, 2023
Revenues:
Fuel revenue	$	18,535	$	34,770
Other revenues, net		1,028		2,198
Total revenues		19,563		36,968
Operating expenses:
Fuel costs		16,065		30,803
Site operating expenses		1,152		2,263
Total operating expenses		17,217		33,066
Operating income		2,346		3,902
Intercompany charges by GPMP ²		250		482
Operating income, as adjusted	$	2,596	$	4,384
Fuel gallons sold		5,177		9,733

¹ Includes only the fleet fueling business acquired in the WTG acquisition.

² Represents the estimated fixed fee paid to GPMP for the cost of fuel.

ARKO Corp. Reports Second Quarter 2024 Results