EPR Properties
NYSE:EPR

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NYSE:EPR
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Price: 44.65 USD -0.07% Market Closed
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Earnings Call Analysis

Q4-2023 Analysis
EPR Properties

Increased Dividend & Optimistic 2024 Outlook

The company experienced another strong quarter, though adjusted FFO per share declined from $1.25 to $1.18 compared to the previous year, with reduced out-of-period deferral collections. Ski resort revenues remained flat due to weather, but experiential lodging saw increases, with especially strong performance from Margaritaville Hotel in Nashville. The education portfolio also performed well. Total investment spending for 2023 reached $269.4 million. Looking ahead, the company projects a 3.6% dividend increase and provides a confident 2024 FFO as adjusted per share guidance of $4.76 to $4.96, with investment spending to range from $200 million to $300 million, not requiring additional capital. They expect a lower Q1 due to seasonality and forecast dispositions of $50 million to $75 million, percentage rent, and participating interest between $12 million and $16 million, and slightly lower G&A expenses.

New Partnerships and Expansions Mark Continued Growth

The company continues to partner with top-notch resorts and expand its portfolio. The Springs Resort was recently heralded as a top new wellness retreat by Conde Nast Traveler. With expansions set to be completed by mid-2025, such acclaim bodes well for future performance.

Stable Ski Portfolio and Impressive Lodging Growth

Despite flat year-over-year revenue in its ski portfolio due to weather conditions, the company's experiential lodging portfolio, including the successful Margaritaville Hotel in Nashville, displayed significant growth in 2023.

Investment in Development and Acquisitions for Future Prosperity

The company strategically invested in developments, partnerships, and acquisitions like Murrieta Hot Springs and Mirbeau Inn & Spa resorts, anticipating additional spend in 2024 between $200 million and $300 million. Such investments, funded through 2024 and 2025, signal confidence in the long-term value proposition of experiential investments.

Healthy Asset Disposition and Anticipated Growth

With successful asset sales like the Titanic Museums transaction at a 6% cap rate and a $17 million gain, the company showcases its ability to monetize its portfolio effectively. It also projects disposition proceeds for 2024 in the $50 million to $75 million range, reinforcing its growth capabilities.

Solid Financial Footing and Liquidity Management

The quality of the company's portfolio allowed for over $150 million in collected deferred rents. With sufficient liquidity to cover expenditures and debt payoffs, the company stands on strong financial ground.

Prudent Investments in Joint Ventures

Investments in joint ventures are anticipated to incrementally benefit the company's performance, having a notable impact by 2025 due to the time required for such investments to mature.

Favorable Projections for the Theater Segment

The theater segment is experiencing recovery, with no immediate credit concerns and a proactive strategy to prune underperforming theaters. This positions the portfolio to be healthier and more resilient.

Expectation of Enhanced Internal Growth in 2025

The company anticipates higher internal growth for 2025, driven by factors including industry-wide projections for the theater market and scheduled rent bumps for key tenants like AMC.

Strong Leverage Position to Support Future Investments

With leverage ratios maintained between 5x and 5.6x, the company is well-positioned to invest in new acquisitions without straining its balance sheet.

Projected Seasonality and Potential Revenue Growth

The company's other revenue and expense lines are projected to experience seasonal fluctuations, with the potential for upside beyond the estimated $3 million target.

Sales of Vacant Theaters to Simplify Portfolio

Executed purchase sales agreements for several vacant theaters indicate a simplification strategy for the portfolio, focusing on generating immediate proceeds rather than pursuing new leasing opportunities for these properties.

Concluding Remarks Highlight Optimism for the Future

The closing remarks in the earnings call, although not detailed, left a tone of optimism for the company's direction and prospects as they navigate the upcoming fiscal periods.

Earnings Call Transcript

Earnings Call Transcript
2023-Q4

from 0
Operator

Good day and thank you for standing by. Welcome to the Fourth Quarter 2023 EPR Properties Earnings Conference Call. [Operator Instructions] Please be advised that today's conference is being recorded.

I would now like to hand the conference over to your first speaker today, Brian Moriarty, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications. Please go ahead.

B
Brian Moriarty
executive

Okay. Thank you, Victor. Thanks for joining us today for our fourth quarter 2023 and year-end earnings call and webcast. Participants on today's call are Greg Silvers, Chairman and CEO; Greg Zimmerman, Executive Vice President and CIO; and Mark Peterson, Executive Vice President and CFO.

We'll start the call by informing you that this may include forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995, identified by such words as will be, intend, continue, believe, may, expect, hope, anticipate or other such comparable terms. The company's actual financial condition and the results of operations may vary materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Discussion of those factors that could cause results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements are contained in the company's SEC filings, including the company's reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q.

Additionally, this call will contain references to certain non-GAAP measures, which we believe are useful in evaluating the company's performance. A reconciliation of these measures to the most materially comparable GAAP measures are included in today's earnings release and supplemental information furnished to the SEC under Form 8-K. If you wish to follow along, today's earnings release supplemental and earnings call presentation are all available on the Investor Center page of the company's website, www.eprkc.com.

Now I'll turn the call over to Greg Silvers.

G
Gregory Silvers
executive

Thank you, Brian. Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining us on today's fourth quarter and year-end 2023 earnings call and webcast.

2023 was a year of meaningful progress as we delivered strong earnings growth, executed our investment spending, delivered sector-leading total shareholder return, and positioned the company to achieve sustainable growth in the coming years. During the year, we saw a sustained level of strong performance in our non-theater portfolio as evidenced by a consistent 2.6x coverage level. Additionally, we were pleased to see over 20% growth in 2023 North American box office revenues versus the previous year. This growth translates to an increased coverage level of 1.7x in our theater portfolio, which is squarely in line with pre-COVID coverage levels.

It's important to highlight that we achieved this coverage level even as 2023 box office revenues were down approximately 20% from 2019. This coverage data reflects the strength of our theater portfolio along with the sustained trend of increased food and beverage per cap spending and along with operating efficiencies implemented by our tenants. This coverage data is also consistent with our anticipation that we would achieve pre-COVID theater coverage levels prior to reaching pre-COVID box office levels. While last year's strikes will interrupt the linear annual growth in box office revenues due to title delays, the quality of our portfolio continues to endure and positions us well for a very favorable-looking 2025 film slate.

Our investments during the year provided increased diversification and highlight our ability to source what are non-marketed opportunities. We ended the year with positive momentum in our investment spending. And as we move into 2024, we will continue to leverage this strength while remaining disciplined in our capital deployment and delivering reliable earnings growth. Our investment pipeline includes investments across our target property types with both new and existing relationship-based customers.

We are also announcing a 3.6% increase in our monthly dividend to common shareholders. Considering our 2024 earnings guidance, along with our dividend yield, we are positioned to deliver strong returns.

While our equity remains at historically discounted price levels, the fundamentals of our business continue to strengthen, and our thesis on experiential real estate remains intact. Consumers have demonstrated consistent demand for the experiences our customers have to offer. And we look forward to again delivering for our customers and shareholders in 2024.

Now I'll turn the call over to Greg Zimmerman to go over the business in greater detail.

G
Gregory Zimmerman
executive

Greg. At year-end, our total investments were approximately $6.8 billion, with 359 properties that are 99% leased, excluding properties we intend to sell. During the quarter, our investment spending was $133.9 million, bringing the total investment spending for 2023 to $269.4 million. 100% of the spending was in our experiential portfolio.

Our experiential portfolio comprises 289 properties with 50 operators and accounts for 93% of our total investments or approximately $6.3 billion, and, at the end of the quarter, was 99% leased. Our education portfolio comprises 70 properties with 8 operators, and, at the end of the quarter, was 100% leased.

Turning to coverage. The most recent data provided is based on a September trailing 12-month period. Overall portfolio coverage for the trailing 12 months continues to be strong at 2.2x. Trailing 12-month coverage for theaters is 1.7x, with box office at $8.8 billion for the same period. Our theater coverage reporting assumes that the Regal deal was in place for the entire trailing 12-month period. For comparison, our Q3 theater coverage was 1.4x on a trailing 12-month box office of $8.1 billion. Trailing 12-month coverage for the non-theater portion of our portfolio is 2.6x.

Now I'll update you on the operating status of our tenants. Our theater coverage is at 2019 levels, even though North American box office remains well below 2019 levels. We continue to see sustained increases in food and beverage spending and spending on premium large-format screens. Our portfolio is well positioned to capitalize on these trends.

As we have previously discussed, we are actively refining our overall portfolio by continuing to diversify our holdings and increasing our non-theater investments. We are also focused on reducing our number of theaters and improving the quality and coverage of our theater portfolio. In Q4, we took steps on both fronts.

In our Q3 call, we noted an impairment of $20.9 million related to a likely restructuring with a small regional theater chain. In Q4, we finalized a restructuring agreement with Xscape theaters with whom we had 4 theaters. Pursuant to this agreement, we terminated a lease for 1 underperforming theater in exchange for a $2.5 million termination fee and entered into a percentage rent deal with a recapture right for another. For the remaining 2 theaters, we reduced rent, enhanced the percentage rent component and required the exhibitor to spend a minimum of $1 million per theater from its own funds to improve each theater within 1 year.

In addition, in Q4, we sold 2 small market and underperforming Alamo Drafthouses operated by franchisees to the operator. We now have 2 Alamo Drafthouse theaters, both corporately owned, one in San Francisco and the other in Austin.

Turning to box office and the state of the industry. 2023 North American box office was $8.9 billion, a 21% increase over 2022. Q4 total box office was $1.9 billion. Because the Regal resolution has a percentage rent component and because we now have 7 managed theaters, we will provide our view of 2024 North American box office gross each quarter. Based on a review of box office estimates from industry analysts and our own independent analysis, we are estimating 2024 North American box office gross to be in the range of $8 billion to $8.4 billion. We are cautiously optimistic that as the year progresses, more titles will be released than anticipated as studios ramp up production coming out of the delays caused by the writers' and actors' strikes. While it's too early to provide estimates for 2025, we are confident it will be a significant improvement over 2024.

As we have said repeatedly, the box office gross is directly tied to the number of titles released. Given the strong performance of major titles in 2023, consumers clearly want to see movies in theaters. And importantly, our high-quality theater portfolio continues to outperform the industry.

Turning now to an update on our other major customer groups. We continue to see good results and ongoing consumer demand across all segments of our drive to value-oriented destinations. Increases in fixed costs, including labor, insurance and taxes, continue to pressure EBITDARM for many of our operators. In some locations, we are seeing some pullback in attendance from post-COVID highs. Nonetheless, our non-theater coverage remains healthy at 2.6x, the same as we reported on our Q3 call.

Our Eat & Play assets continue their strong performance with portfolio revenue up in 2023 over 5% and EBITDARM up 6% over 2022. Topgolf completed a self-funded refresh of 4 of our venues in 2023 and 3 more are scheduled for 2024.

Our cultural portfolio performed very well in 2023 and with increased revenue and significant increases in attendance. For many of our attractions offerings, attendance was up in 2023 over 2022.

Our Murrieta Hot Springs Resort operated by our partner at the very successful Springs Resort in Pagosa Springs opened to the public in early February and is already receiving accolades. Conde Nast Traveler recently ranked it as one of the best new wellness retreats in the world for 2024. Murrieta Hot Springs is midway between Los Angeles and San Diego and boasts over 50 natural hot springs pools and water features, along with numerous historic buildings on 46 acres. Further rooms and amenities will come online through the spring and summer. At the Springs Resort in Pagosa Springs, progress continues on the expansion with completion expected mid-2025.

Midway through the 2023, '24 ski season, year-over-year revenue was essentially flat across the ski portfolio, primarily reflecting challenging weather conditions in November and December at all of our resorts other than Alyeska Resort in Alaska. Room renovations continue at Alyeska, and we are very pleased with the performance of the Nordic Spa.

In our experiential lodging portfolio, revenue and EBITDARM increased year-over-year from 2022 to 2023. Our Margaritaville Hotel in Nashville, proximate to all of Nashville's famous downtown destinations, had an excellent 2023, with significant increases in all metrics. Our Beachcomber and Bellwether resorts in St. Petersburg had year-over-year increases in occupancy and revenue, but there was some pressure on RevPAR and EBITDARM. Our Camp Margaritaville RV Resorts in Pigeon Forge and Breaux Bridge, Louisiana showed strong year-over-year revenue gains.

At Jellystone Warrens, we also saw solid revenue growth as we are seeing positive returns from our completed redevelopment program. Finally, we are underway with a substantial redevelopment at our most recent acquisition, Jellystone Kozy Rest, scheduled to be completed in time for the summer season.

Our education portfolio continues to perform well, with year-over-year increases across the portfolio through Q3 of 6% in revenue, 15% in EBITDARM, and 2% in enrollment. As we indicated last year, our KinderCare portfolio is subject to a rent reset retroactive to January 1, but calculated in the first quarter. We also anticipate receiving 1 additional KinderCare location back to sell in 2024.

Turning to a quick update on capital recycling. During the quarter, in addition to the sale of our 2 Alamo Drafthouse franchise theaters to the operator that I mentioned earlier, we sold the second of our vacant former Regals and the fourth of the 5 KinderCare properties we took back in 2023. The fifth vacant KinderCare location is under a signed purchase and sale agreement. Net proceeds for all transactions in the quarter were $22.2 million, and we recognized a net loss on sale of $3.6 million. Disposition proceeds for 2023 totaled $57.2 million.

Subsequent to the end of the quarter, we sold another of our vacant former Regal theaters, and now have sold 3, with 8 remaining to sell. Of those, we have either a signed purchase and sale agreement or a signed letter of intent for 3. Beyond the vacant former Regal theaters, we have 1 remaining vacant AMC theater, which is under a signed purchase and sale agreement, and a vacant Xscape theater we terminated in Q4.

After the close of the quarter, we sold both of our Titanic Museums in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and Branson, Missouri to a private equity firm at a 6% cap rate on in-place income for a combined $45 million in net proceeds and a gain on sale of approximately $17 million. The cap rate and gain demonstrate the value of our experiential investments.

Finally, we are issuing 2024 disposition guidance in the range of $50 million to $75 million.

During Q4, our investment spending was $133.9 million, and for all of 2023 totaled $269.4 million. In Q4, we closed on the funding of $77 million in convertible mortgage financing for the Mirbeau Companies collection of award-winning Mirbeau Inn & Spa resorts in Skaneateles and Rhinebeck, New York and Plymouth, Massachusetts. EPR has the option to convert the mortgage financing to a traditional sale-leaseback structure. The deal also includes additional commitments of $47.1 million to finance future projects.

Mirbeau's unique assets have received numerous national awards from Conde Nast Traveler, Wine Spectator, Forbes and U.S. News & World Report. We couldn't be more thrilled with our partnership with the Mirbeau Companies and the Dower and Dal Pos families as they expand their award-winning Mirbeau brand. This partnership once again demonstrates our unparalleled ability to source deals because of our deep knowledge and reputation in the industry.

In the quarter, we also closed on a $9.4 million acquisition of our second Movement Climbing Gym and third overall climbing gym in Belmont, California, 20 miles south of San Francisco. Movement is a quality operator, and this real estate is excellent.

Finally, subsequent to the end of the quarter, we closed on a build-to-suit financing for our sixth Andretti Karting location, this one in the greater Kansas City area. The total commitment is $35 million, with $8.8 million funded at closing. Cap rates exceeded 8%, which creates compelling long-term value.

As I mentioned, our total investment spending for 2023 was $269.4 million, entirely in our experiential portfolio. A number of these transactions will be funded through 2024 and 2025. We're extremely pleased with the quality of the experiential investments we made in 2023, while we continued to exercise discipline in our investment spending.

In 2023, with Mirbeau, we added 3 unique and award-winning properties and developed a new partnership for growth. We developed our second natural hot springs resort with Murrieta Hot Springs and continue the expansion of the Springs Resort. We opened a new Topgolf in densely populated King of Prussia, Pennsylvania and added to our growing investment in climbing gyms.

We substantially completed the renovation of our Jellystone Warrens RV Park and successfully rebranded our Cajun Palms RV Resort to Margaritaville, Breaux Bridge. We continued our renovation and reinvestment in our Alyeska Resort in Alaska.

The cadence of investments heading into 2024 is strong. As always, our performance and pipeline are driven by the hard work of our investments and underwriting team, leveraging our unmatched network of tenants and partners. We're issuing investment spending guidance for funds to be deployed in 2024 in a range of $200 million to $300 million. Through year-end, we have committed approximately $240 million for experiential development and redevelopment projects that have closed but are not yet funded, to be deployed over the next 2 years. We anticipate approximately $140 million of that $240 million will be deployed in 2024, and that amount is included at the midpoint of our 2024 guidance range.

In most of our experiential categories, we continue to see high-quality opportunities for both acquisition and build-to-suit redevelopment and expansion. We have a robust pipeline with new and existing customers and concepts. Given our cost of capital, we will continue to maintain discipline and to fund those investments primarily from cash on hand, cash from operations, proceeds from dispositions and with our borrowing ability under our unsecured revolving credit facility.

I now turn it over to Mark for a discussion of the financials.

M
Mark Peterson
executive

Thank you, Greg. Today, I will discuss our financial performance for the fourth quarter and the year, provide an update on our balance sheet, and close with introducing 2024 guidance.

We had another strong quarter of results with FFOs adjusted $1.18 per share versus $1.25 in the prior year, and AFFO of $1.16 per share compared to $1.27 in the prior year. Note that out-of-period deferral collections from cash basis customers included in income were $0.6 million versus $6.2 million in the prior year, resulting in a decrease versus prior year of $0.07 per share.

I'm pleased to report that as of year-end, we have collected all accrued deferred amounts related to the pandemic. The remaining off-balance sheet amount of $12 million relates to only 2 tenants, one with the balance of approximately $0.6 million that has been paying based upon an agreed-upon schedule which concludes in 2024, and the other with a balance of approximately $11.4 million with payment depending on exceeding an EBITDA threshold.

We believe the fact we have been paid back over $150 million of deferred rents since the pandemic, in addition to current rents, speaks to the strength of our tenants' businesses and validates our approach in managing through that challenging time. We work closely with each of our tenants to develop plans that work with their businesses and help position them for longer-term success.

Now moving to the key variances by line item. Total revenue for the quarter was $172 million versus $178.7 million in the prior year. Within total revenue, rental revenue decreased by $3.9 million versus the prior year. The positive impact of net investment spending in the current and prior years and the $2.5 million lease termination fee recognized during the fourth quarter of 2023 that Greg discussed, were more than offset by the reduction in out-of-period deferral collections that I just mentioned as well as a reduction in rental revenue related to the Regal restructuring that took place in August.

Additionally, percentage rents for the quarter increased to $6.2 million versus $5 million in the prior year, primarily due to increased revenue at 2 attraction properties acquired in June of 2022. Recall that percentage rents are expected to be recognized for the first time for theaters under the Regal master lease beginning in midyear 2024. I will have more on percentage rents when I discuss our 2024 guidance.

The increase in mortgage and other financing income of $1.9 million was due to additional investments in mortgage notes during the year. Both other income and other expense relate primarily to our consolidated operating properties, including the Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark and 7 operating theaters. However, other income for the fourth quarter of 2022 included $9.1 million of sales participation income.

The offsetting increase in other income and the increase in other expense compared to the prior year was due primarily to the additional 5 theaters surrendered by and previously leased to Regal, which have been operated by third parties on EPR's behalf since early August.

On the expense side, G&A expense for the quarter increased to $13.8 million versus $13.1 million in the prior year, due primarily to higher payroll costs, including noncash share-based compensation as well as an increase in professional fees.

Interest expense net for the quarter decreased by $1.5 million compared to the prior year due to an increase in interest income on short-term investments and an increase in capitalized interest on projects under development.

Now shifting to full year results. FFO as adjusted was $5.18 per share versus $4.69 in the prior year, an increase of about 10%. And AFFO was $5.22 per share compared to $4.89 in the prior year, an increase of about 7%.

As shown on the next slide, both 2022 and 2023 results benefited from out-of-period deferral collections from cash basis customers recognized in income of about $0.24 and $0.48 per share, respectively. Excluding these collections from both years, FFOs adjusted per share still grew by nearly 6% and nearly 5% when you also exclude the lease termination fees recognized in all of 2023, totaling $3.4 million.

Turning to the next slide, I'll review some of the company's key credit ratios. As you can see, our coverage ratios continue to be strong with fixed charge coverage at 3.2x, and both interest and debt service coverage ratios at 3.8x. Our net debt to adjusted EBITDAre was 5.3x for the quarter. Additionally, our net debt to gross assets was 39% on a book basis at year-end. Lastly, our common dividend continues to be very well covered with an FFO -- with an AFFO payout ratio for the fourth quarter of 71%.

Now let's move to our balance sheet, which is in great shape. At quarter-end, we had consolidated debt of $2.8 billion, all of which is either fixed-rate debt or debt that has been fixed through interest rate swaps with a blended coupon of approximately 4.3%. In addition, our weighted average consolidated debt maturity is over 4 years with only $136.6 million due in 2024, which we anticipate paying off using our line of credit.

We had $78.1 million of cash on hand at quarter-end and no balance drawn on our $1 billion revolver, which puts us in an enviable position given the continued difficult backdrop of the capital markets.

We are pleased to be announcing our 2024 FFO as adjusted per share guidance of $4.76 to $4.96. Note that given the timing of expected percentage rents, which are heavily weighted to the last 3 quarters of the year as in the past, as well as the fact that the first quarter is the off-season for many of our operating properties, including all of our RV parks, we expect results for the first quarter of 2024 to be lower than the full year divided by 4, by about $0.09 per share.

As we have discussed previously, given our current cost of capital, we have consciously decided to limit our near-term investment spending. We are providing our 2024 investment spending guidance of $200 million to $300 million. And as in 2023, we do not anticipate the need to raise additional capital to fund these amounts.

We are also providing our guidance for disposition proceeds for 2024 of $50 million to $75 million, percentage rent and participating interest of $12 million to $16 million, and G&A expense of $52 million to $55 million. The midpoint of guidance for percentage rents and participating interest reflects an increase of about $2 million versus the prior year. This increase is primarily related to the percentage rents expected from theaters subject to the Regal master lease and is offset by certain properties that have base rent increases in 2024 causing the breakpoint for percentage rents to go up, as well as the cultural property that was sold in February that had percentage rents in 2023.

The midpoint of G&A guidance reflects a decrease from prior year of about $3 million. This is primarily due to a decrease in expected noncash stock grant amortization and, to a lesser degree, the decrease in legal costs associated with the Regal bankruptcy settlement in 2023. Note that this G&A guidance does not include -- does not reflect the $0.02 to $0.03 per share charge expected to be recognized in Q1 related to an executive retirement. This charge is substantially noncash and will also be excluded from FFO as adjusted and AFFO.

On the next slide, guidance for our consolidated operating properties is provided by giving a range for other income and other expense. In addition, we are providing guidance for our operating JVs, both equity and loss from JVs per GAAP, which, of course, is after our share of depreciation, as well as the expected contribution from JVs to FFO as adjusted. The midpoint of guidance for both our consolidated operating properties as well as our operating JVs implies an increase in FFO as adjusted versus 2023. Guidance details can be found on Page 24 of our supplemental.

On the next slide, I thought it would be helpful to illustrate the anticipated impact on growth in FFO as adjusted per share for 2024 at the midpoint of guidance. When you remove the impact of out-of-period cash basis deferral collections from 2023 of $36.4 million or $0.48 per share and the amount expected for 2024 of $0.6 million or $0.01 per share. As you can see on the schedule, FFO as adjusted per share growth without deferral collections from 2023 to 2024 are expected to grow -- is expected to grow by 3.2%. The expected growth is just over 4% when also excluding the impact of lease termination fees recognized in 2023 of $3.4 million. This is consistent with what I said last quarter when I mentioned we could grow our earnings at about 4% without the need to access the capital markets and while maintaining our targeted debt-to-EBITDA range of 5x to 5.6x.

Finally, based on expected 2024 performance, we are pleased to announce a 3.6% increase in our monthly dividend, beginning with the dividend payable April 15 to shareholders of record as of March 28. We expect our 2024 dividend to be well covered with an AFFO per share payout ratio of about 70% at the midpoint of guidance.

Now with that, I'll turn it back over to Greg for his closing remarks.

G
Gregory Silvers
executive

Thank you, Mark. Today's report reflects the continued strengthening of our portfolio, with theater coverage returning to pre-pandemic levels. The quality of our portfolio has allowed us to collect over $150 million in deferred rents, including all accrued amounts related to the pandemic. Additionally, our guidance demonstrates our ability to continue to grow even in a capital-constrained environment.

Finally, I want to take a minute to acknowledge the retirement of Craig Evans, our General Counsel and Secretary. Craig and I have worked together for many years, and he has served as a trusted adviser and respected member of the EPR executive team. His accomplishments are too numerous to mention, but his efforts are much appreciated, and we wish him all the best in his retirement.

Now let's open it up for questions. Victor, are you there?

Operator

[Operator Instructions] Our first question will come from the line of Joshua Dennerlein from Bank of America.

J
Joshua Dennerlein
analyst

Could you remind us what's in your JV bucket and operating assets? I'm assuming all the operating assets are in the JV? And just like how you guys are thinking about those assets on a longer-term basis, whether or not like the guide for 2024 is like where they kind of stabilize out?

M
Mark Peterson
executive

Yes. So you got operating properties in a couple of buckets. You've got consolidated operating properties that are in other income and other expense, and that's the Kartrite hotel and waterpark and you got the 7 operating theaters. So that's other income and other expense. On the JV side, we've got 4 properties -- or 4 sets of properties, 3 of which are JVs -- 3 of which are RV parks, and 1 -- the other 1 is the investment in the 2 hotels in St. Petersburg.

As far as the guidance for '24 on the JVs, because I think that's more what you're asking about, they -- it's up about $400,000 versus actual results for the prior year. And we also have an increase of about $1.2 million in interest expense embedded in that. So from an operating perspective, it's really up more like $1.5 million.

Part of that interest expense increase is things coming off of capitalization. But in the St. Petersburg properties, we also have an interest rate cap that's expiring in June that was kind of capped SOFR at like 3.5%. So that's going to go up.

But beyond that, we do expect -- we've put recent investments in the JVs. I think we spent somewhere upwards of $16 million in 2023. And unlike a lease, it takes a bit of time for that to ultimately result in improved performance. So we were a little bit conservative or cautious, thinking that it would have an immediate impact in 2024 in our guidance. But longer term, we're confident that investments are going to bear fruit. And I think if you move into '25, you'll see an even larger increase.

So to answer your question, we don't think they're at their kind of final endpoint in our 2024 guidance given the recency of the investment and it takes a little time for those to bear fruit.

J
Joshua Dennerlein
analyst

Okay. That's good color. And then maybe just on the operating assets that don't flow through the JV line. How are you thinking about those from, I guess, where they are in the 2024 guide versus like maybe where they can kind of stabilize out?

M
Mark Peterson
executive

Yes, sure. If you kind of look at the guidance for other income and other expense. Last year, that net amount was about $1.1 million, but some of that was income from FX and some miscellaneous income. So it's kind of about breakeven, you put it all together with the operating theaters, just transitioning from Regal and then sort of the Kartrite.

For next year, if you look at the midpoint of our other income and other expense guidance, it's about $3 million. And about $2 million of that is from the theaters -- from the 7 theaters. And we expect that those will start to produce income. Obviously, we were in transition in 2023. As we move into '24, those will start to produce income.

That's a little bit lower than the chart we put out, frankly, for the theaters -- for the operating theaters that we're getting back for -- that we got back in the Regal transition. And frankly, we're just being a little bit conservative on that, takes a little bit of time to transition those to Cinemark in Phoenix, the operator of those 5 theaters. So that's a little below what the chart implied that we put out back when we did Regal.

I will say on the percentage rent side, we do have the full number kind of baked in from that chart on the theaters that didn't have to go through that transition that we took back from Regal where we did the percentage rent deals. So that kind of gives you a little color.

I do expect those -- if you move to '25 and you see the increase in box office as expected for '25, those should -- both in the percentage rents line and in the operating profits line, should increase quite a bit as box office is scheduled to go up anywhere from $8 billion to $8.4 billion, to something like $9.5 billion-ish for '25. So growth in '25 on those ought to be pretty good.

Operator

And our next question will come from the line of Todd Thomas from KeyBanc Capital Markets.

T
Todd Thomas
analyst

First question, Mark, I just wanted to follow up on sort of the guidance and the theater commentary. Just looking for a little clarity. You outlined the box office projections for the calendar year '24, $8 billion to $8.4 billion, but also noted that the box office is running a little behind in the near term due to the strikes. What's the contribution to percentage rents from the Regal lease specifically in that $12 million to $16 million percentage rent assumption? And can you just talk a little bit, I guess, about how you think the box office shakes out for the Regal lease which runs through July 31?

G
Gregory Silvers
executive

Sure. And I'll jump in, Mark, before. This is Greg, Todd. I think what we would say is, we think for the lease year that -- the box office is going to be $8.3 billion, for the lease year. So again, as Mark indicated otherwise, we think if you follow -- if you go and look at our chart that we supplied when we do that, those numbers are consistent with what we think on the Regal contribution.

Again, that's -- remember, that's an August 1 to July 31 lease year, so we kind of have broken it out, both giving you our view on kind of what the full year box office will be and then kind of the lease year. So again, those are clearly impacted by the strike, but still think that it will be a nice contribution, as Mark indicated in his comments, of what it will add.

M
Mark Peterson
executive

Yes, the percentage rents from Regal, for the chart and what we have in our guidance, is about $3.8 million.

T
Todd Thomas
analyst

Okay. That's helpful. Got it. So $8 billion to $8.4 billion for 2024 and $8.3 billion is sort of the assumption for the Regal lease here. I just wanted to make sure...

G
Gregory Silvers
executive

Lease year, yes, that's correct.

T
Todd Thomas
analyst

Got it. And then you discussed the lease restructuring with Xscape that took place during the quarter. Should we expect additional lease restructurings in the theater portfolio in the near term? And is there a percentage rent that you're expecting from Xscape in 2024 within that $12 million to $16 million guide?

G
Gregory Silvers
executive

I don't know -- and Todd, this is Greg. I don't know that we have any other planned restructuring, but we -- Greg and his team take the opportunity. If we can -- if we think we can improve the overall portfolio and save or create capital by taking theaters back and selling them and still create an overall stronger -- we'll definitely take a look at it. I don't think that there's a meaningful contribution for that theater. I think the long-term plan is probably to sell that theater as either for a different use or theater use but...

G
Gregory Zimmerman
executive

Yes, let me clarify. So there is a percentage rent component to 1 theater and then we also enhanced the percentage rent on the 2 theaters that we're going to continue, Todd. And like Mark said about our investments into our RV park, I mentioned that the operator is going to refurbish both of those theaters. So we would hope that, if there would be a percentage rent, that would come after those refurbishments.

T
Todd Thomas
analyst

Okay. Got it. That's helpful. And then, Mark, just in terms of the August '24 maturity, $135 million, 4.35%, I think you mentioned that you plan to retire that on the line, which I think is consistent with what you said last quarter. But debt costs have come in somewhat. Just curious if that's still the plan or if your thought process has evolved a bit.

M
Mark Peterson
executive

So, it's still the plan. If you kind of look at our cash flows for the year, we start with cash on hand. We have excess cash flow in excess of $100 million. We have dispositions. And then we can fund CapEx -- maintenance CapEx and pay off that private placement and still only end up with about $150 million drawn on our line given our current plan. So still a modest draw. But yes, the plan, as I said -- as you said, and as I said last quarter, is to pay it off the line and not have to access the capital markets. Now should the capital markets be there, we can look at longer-term financing. But our plan right now is to pay it off the line.

Operator

Our next question will come from the line of Anthony Paolone from JPMorgan.

A
Anthony Paolone
analyst

Can you talk just generally as you're looking out to '24 where the coverage levels are lowest or what might be on the watchlist outside of, say, the theater stuff, just your non-theater assets?

G
Gregory Silvers
executive

Again, I'll let Greg jump in. But really, it's -- our watchlist is very diminished. Again, I don't know that we have anything that's jumping up. Greg's shaking his head, so you can't hear that.

But I think, again, and it points to the idea of -- when we reflected last quarter, we talked about a theater coverage in the 1.4x, 1.5x range on an -- that was on an $8.1 billion box office. So I think our thoughts are relatively, Tony, we've seen the low watermark of theater coverage if we talk somewhere between $8 billion and $8.4 billion.

So that is -- things are clearly improving in that sector. And as we've talked about earlier, even with and in the face of some increased expense pressure, our coverages have remained high in our non-theater space. So I don't think we see really -- we don't have any credit worries that we're addressing right now.

G
Gregory Zimmerman
executive

And Tony, also, as I said in my script and we keep repeating, we're very thoughtful on the theater side about pruning what I would call underperforming or small market theaters, which kind of, by definition, had poor coverage. So I think overall, our portfolio is healthier because of the steps we've taken.

A
Anthony Paolone
analyst

Okay. So then, I mean if we think about just -- put aside sort of the operating assets and percentage rents, but if you think about just the contractual organic growth in the portfolio, I mean, what should that number look like? Because it seems like '24 might be down because you did the theater -- you got the term fee, and so you did the theater restructuring, it sounds like you're getting a KinderCare back. I'm just trying to understand like how to think about organic growth going forward.

G
Gregory Silvers
executive

Sure. I mean, I think, generally, we've said somewhere in that 1.5% to 2% is kind of -- next year, in '25, we'll be impacted by that because of our AMC lease restructure, we have a lease bump for AMC next year in '25, which because of the fact that we're -- they're cash basis, we're not straight lining. So that will be a more meaningful bump as we get into '25. But on a run rate basis, that kind of 1.5% to 2% is generally...

M
Mark Peterson
executive

Yes. As Greg said, it can vary depending on whether it's every 5 years it actually hits. And then, like you said, in the case of AMC, it's our first bump and it would be pretty meaningful in 2025. So we should see more kind of higher internal growth in '25 than '24.

Operator

Our next question comes from the line of Smedes Rose from Citi.

B
Bennett Rose
analyst

I just wanted to ask you a little bit about the Mirbeau Spa relationship. It sounds like a mortgage going in, you mentioned you can convert it into a more sort of traditional sale leaseback. Is that your option? And would you expect to do that? And could you just talk about the kind of yields that you're getting on that investment?

G
Gregory Zimmerman
executive

Sure, Smedes. Yes, it is at our option. There are a couple of triggers that would take -- we get to make a decision over time as the performance goes out. And then some of it also relates to the forward commitment that we have with them to fund future operations. We don't get into the cap rates on individual deals. But as I said early on in the script, most of our deals last year were 8% or above 8% cap rate.

B
Bennett Rose
analyst

Okay. And then the leverage looks like it moved up sequentially. I was just wondering where you expect that to be maybe by year-end in your guidance. And could you just repeat what the goal is on the leverage side?

M
Mark Peterson
executive

Sure. Leverage is 5x to 5.6x. And with our plan, we'll be squarely within that, perhaps even at the lower end of that in our plan going into '24. So we've always kind of maintained that 5x to 5.6x. And I kind of laid out the cash flows for next year. A lot of our funding is being financed by free cash flow and even, to some extent, disposition. So that's why leverage can remain low, and we could still invest in new acquisitions and so forth.

Operator

Our next question comes from the line of Michael Carroll from RBC.

M
Michael Carroll
analyst

I just wanted to touch on the Xscape theaters and the Alamo Drafthouse transitions. I guess, generally, why were those theaters underperforming? I mean, I think, Greg, you kind of highlighted in your prepared remarks that generally you've been getting rid of the theaters in smaller towns. Is that the reason that drove those underperformance of those assets? Or is there something else there?

G
Gregory Zimmerman
executive

I think it's a couple of things. The Alamo Drafthouses, in particular, were in smaller markets in Texas. They were actually in Laredo and Corpus Christi. And again, I would say, Michael, we don't necessarily think that every small market is bad, but smaller market theaters sometimes have more pressure on them.

And then the same with Xscape, one -- the one that we terminated was actually attached to a dying mall in Cincinnati. So they're just -- we didn't see a lot of opportunity for growth there. And the one that we have a percentage rent deal on is in a highly competitive zone and, frankly, other theaters [indiscernible]. So I hope that answers the question.

It's a combination of everything. We look at the performance and we also look at what we think the performance cadence can be over the next couple of years when we make those decisions.

G
Gregory Silvers
executive

I think a couple of things I'll add to that, and Greg can chime in. First of all, you look at the underlying credit. As Greg mentioned, the 2 Alamo Drafthouses were franchisees. So the other 2 that we kept are corporate credits.

So again, the fundamental -- next to that is what we saw at Xscape. We have a firm belief of operators need to continue to commit capital to improving these theaters and whether that's expanded offerings in the terms of recliners or premium screens, IMAX, that sort of thing. And some of these smaller operators don't have access to capital. When we did the Xscape, we got a commitment for $1 million per theater that kept for them to improve those theaters.

And so when you look at all of those things, it's not just are they doing well now, but how are they going to do and perform over the life of the lease. And are they going to be able to put the money in them to keep them as competitive as we think they need to be, Michael.

M
Michael Carroll
analyst

Okay. And then that $1 million commitment, I mean, how significant is that per theater? I mean can they do those significant upgrades that you kind of were just mentioning?

G
Gregory Silvers
executive

Yes. I mean, yes, they definitely can. I mean if you think about a upgrade, a full kind of renovation for seats and things, it's about $250,000. So you can get significant improvements with this capital.

M
Michael Carroll
analyst

Okay. And then within your remaining theater portfolio, I mean, how many kind of fit that market where there are smaller town-type theaters where you're concerned that you might have to potentially transition or do something with?

G
Gregory Silvers
executive

I think Greg and his team are doing a great job of kind of, as he talks, pruning those out.

G
Gregory Zimmerman
executive

And again, Michael, I said a minute ago and I'll reiterate, there's nothing wrong with small markets. If the theater has a good footprint and it's been upgraded, small markets perform very well. So we tend to look at everything. And I would say we feel pretty good about where we are now. We've taken a lot of steps since COVID. We've disposed of 16 theaters in the past 3.5 years.

M
Michael Carroll
analyst

Okay. Great. And then just last one for me. I guess, Mark, related to your guidance on the other revenue and other expense lines. Obviously, there's big ranges between both those. And then can we assume that your other income guidance is $3 million? Or does it -- or can other revenues trend differently within that range and the same with other expenses and we can get something lower or higher than that $3 million target?

M
Mark Peterson
executive

So you're talking about the net $3 million target, right?

M
Michael Carroll
analyst

Correct.

M
Mark Peterson
executive

Yes. So yes, I mean, these are operating properties. So there certainly is a range that they could operate in. For example, part of that is these operating theaters. And we think we've been fairly conservative projecting that for 2024 given the fact that they were shut down for a bit in -- sort of in 2023 and the operators are now getting a full year under their belt. So yes, that can vary.

And of course, Kartrite which is another part of other income and expense, can vary. We think the $3 million is fair, achievable, but we're hopeful that there is upside to that, and that's why there's a range.

G
Gregory Silvers
executive

I think the other thing that -- and I'll ask Mark to comment, is the seasonality of that number. I would not expect that to divide by 4 and lay that in there. Because whether it's theaters or Kartrite, theaters generally out -- their busy seasons are kind of the second and fourth quarter. And similarly -- so it's just -- it will be -- Mark's tried to give you kind of an annual look on this, but there will be some movement.

So generally speaking, the first quarter in the theater business is not nearly as strong as the second quarter. So seeing those numbers flow through for the whole year, it will be what's important, but there will be seasonality to that on a quarter-to-quarter basis.

M
Mark Peterson
executive

Yes. And just to add to that, we don't give quarterly guidance, but I said in my prepared comments that the first quarter will be below the kind of the annual number guidance midpoint divided by 4 by about $0.09. And it's in part to what Greg just said with the theaters, but also the off-season for our operating properties, particularly RV parks and so forth, as well as percentage rents is much lower in Q1 than it is for the remainder of the year. So it's important to understand that seasonality, if you will, in terms of projecting quarterly results.

Operator

Our next question comes from line of Ki Bin Kim from Truist.

K
Ki Bin Kim
analyst

Just going back to your theater projections, you made a comment that you think 2025 will be a much bigger year. Can you just provide like a range of outcomes that you're thinking about, and what you're seeing that makes you believe that?

G
Gregory Silvers
executive

Again, Ki Bin, it's really about titles. And again, when we come to our estimates, we're using a variety of industry pundits, including for -- some of the major theater analysts at some of the banks who are on the line here. And I think, again, when we say $8 billion to $8.4 billion, I think, there's probably no analyst out there that doesn't have at least $9 billion to $10 billion in the '25 number. And it's fully -- as Greg said, it's really about the number of titles.

So as the production ramps back up from the writers' and actors' strike, we're seeing, again -- and an acknowledgment -- when you combine that with an acknowledgment by all the studios that they need the theater exhibition business. I mean, almost -- I think, other than Netflix, almost all the streamers are losing money on their businesses, and they need the cash flow that's generated from the theater exhibition movie, and they've all kind of re- kind of committed to that. And so we're getting really good visibility into titles right now, beginning right now into '25, and it looks very strong.

And again, that's not just our numbers. That's kind of pretty much industry-wide. You see some above $10 billion, but generally, I think everyone is in the range of $9 billion to $10 billion. So at a midpoint at $9.5 billion, that's a pretty strong year compared to what we're seeing this year.

G
Gregory Zimmerman
executive

Yes, and theater coverage was 1.7x at $8.8 billion trailing 12 months. So we'll be in good shape.

M
Mark Peterson
executive

To put some numbers, if you look at the chart that we put out, which we probably would have been at $9.4 billion or so forth this year but for the strike. So if you kind of think about that as just a year delayed. The chart suggests that the percentage rent could be another $5 million higher than what we're guiding to this year at $8.7 million (sic) [ $8.7 billion ]. And of course, the operating profits will go up as well, given if the performance of those theaters follows the box office, which we think it...

K
Ki Bin Kim
analyst

Yes, you read my mind on the next question. Is that chart still -- is that still the base case? There are some rent restructurings from other theaters. So I wasn't sure if there are some movement in this...

G
Gregory Silvers
executive

That's just Regal in the operating theaters. So we still think it's the base case that we're operating under. As Mark said earlier, our operating theaters are a little off that, but we really think that's a ramping-up period of time that we will be there. And our percentage rent number is holding true to that case this coming year.

K
Ki Bin Kim
analyst

Okay. On the AMC ramp bump that's coming in '25, can you just remind us what that is? The amount?

G
Gregory Silvers
executive

It's a 7.5% bump. So again, I don't have their actual rent number. Mark, do you have that? It's a 7.5%. Roughly, let's -- we'll refine this, but I think it's roughly on $90 million.

M
Mark Peterson
executive

Yes, so every -- every 5 years.

G
Gregory Silvers
executive

Yes, 7.5% on $90 million. So -- and that occurs in August, July -- July or August.

K
Ki Bin Kim
analyst

Okay. And just one more. The executed LOIs or purchase sales agreements for the 3 of the remaining 8 Regals and the 1 AMC that you have under PSA, just high level, does this mean you're just assigning a lease and you're going to get rent in? And if you can just provide some color on what that NOI increase would be...

G
Gregory Zimmerman
executive

Yes. So for the vacant Regals and vacant AMCs, we are selling them. We're not going to enter into a lease. They're vacant. So there's no lease to assign. And we have a cadence of selling about 6 a year, and I think that's probably what it will be this year. A lot of it depends on whether people need to get entitlements, how long that process takes.

Of the 16 we've sold over the past 3.5 years, roughly 50% are being used -- reused as theaters, and the other 50% are not. So -- and as I said many times, we're agnostic. We just market and take the highest price and move on.

Operator

And I'm not showing any further questions in the queue. I'd like to turn the call back over to Greg Silvers for any closing remarks.

G
Gregory Silvers
executive

Well, we really appreciate everyone's time and attention. Look forward to talk to you in the coming year. And thanks, everyone, and appreciate it. Have a great day.

Operator

Thank you for your participation in today's conference. This does conclude the program. You may now disconnect. Everyone, have a great day.