Planet Fitness' (PLNT 1.07%) $10-per-month memberships and non-intimidating atmosphere are proving popular with gym-goers, which, in turn, is driving robust revenue and earnings growth. The company reported first-quarter results this week.
Planet Fitness results: The raw numbers
|
Metric |
Q1 2018 |
Q1 2017 |
Year-Over-Year Change |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Revenue |
$121.33 million |
$91.10 million |
33% |
|
Operating income |
$38.92 million |
$33.05 million |
18% |
|
Earnings per share |
$0.23 |
$0.14 |
64% |
Data source: Planet Fitness Q1 2018 earnings press release.
What happened with Planet Fitness this quarter?
Planet Fitness' systemwide same-store sales maintained their torrid rate of growth, rising a blistering 11.1%. Combined with the nearly 200 new stores Planet Fitness opened during the past year -- including 47 locations in the first quarter -- this helped to fuel a 33.2% rise in total revenue, to $121 million.
Planet Fitness expanded its store count to 1,565 locations in the first quarter. Image source: Planet Fitness.
"Our success is being fueled by the expansion of our high value, low cost non-intimidating fitness concept in existing and new markets combined with growing brand awareness from increased investments in national and local advertising," CEO Chris Rondeau said in a press release.
Corporate-owned stores revenue jumped 21% to $32.7 million -- driven by same-store sales growth and Planet Fitness' acquisition of six franchisee-owned stores during the quarter -- while equipment revenue leapt 24.8% to $34 million, boosted by new store openings.
Additionally, franchise segment revenue soared 48.4% to $54.6 million, though it should be noted that $10.5 million of this increase is from advertising revenue, which Planet Fitness began reporting in the first quarter in connection with its adoption of a new U.S. GAAP revenue recognition standard, and which the company uses to fund marketing campaigns on behalf of franchisees.
All told, adjusted net income, which benefited from a lower effective tax rate due to tax reform, climbed 42.3% to $26.2 million, or $0.27 per share. And adjusted EBITDA -- or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization -- increased 15.4% to $48.8 million.
Looking forward
Planet Fitness reiterated its full-year financial guidance, which includes:
- Total revenue growth of approximately 20%.
- Systemwide same-store sales growth in the "high single-digit range."
- Adjusted net income and adjusted EPS growth of approximately 40%.
"We continue to explore ways to strengthen our offering, including utilizing technology to provide more immersive workout experiences and personalized workout recommendations," Rondeau said. "By targeting casual and first-time gym users, we believe Planet Fitness has a long runway for growth based on the fact that the vast majority of the U.S. population does not own a gym membership."
