EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 1823794
Filing Year: 2024
Filename: 1823794_10-K_2024_0000950170-24-021416.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Overview
Based in Richmond, VA, ARKO Corp. is a leading independent convenience store operator and, as of December 31, 2023, we were the sixth largest convenience store chain in the United States (“U.S.”) ranked by store count, operating 1,543 retail convenience stores. As of December 31, 2023, we operated our stores under more than 25 regional store brands that have been in existence for an average of approximately 50 years, which we consider “a Family of Community Brands.” We leverage their long-term community involvement, highly recognizable brands and customer loyalty in their respective markets. While maintaining established diversified store brands, our stores derive significant value from the scale, corporate infrastructure and centralized marketing programs associated with our large network, including a common operating platform and a loyalty program network that we use as a platform for promotions and marketing initiatives throughout our convenience stores. Our fas REWARDS® loyalty program with approximately 2.0 million enrolled members is available in the majority of our stores and offers exclusive savings on merchandise and gas to our enrolled members.
We are also a leading wholesale distributor of motor fuel, and as of December 31, 2023, we supplied fuel to 1,825 dealer locations. Additionally, we operate a fleet fueling business that included, as of December 31, 2023, the operation of 298 proprietary and third-party cardlock locations (unstaffed fueling locations) and issuance of proprietary fuel cards that provide customers access to a nationwide network of fueling sites.
We are diversified geographically and, as of December 31, 2023, operated in the District of Columbia and in more than 30 states in the Mid-Atlantic, Midwestern, Northeastern, Southeastern and Southwestern U.S.
We have achieved strong site count growth over the last decade, primarily by implementing a highly successful acquisition strategy. From 2013 through 2023, we completed 25 acquisitions, and our site count has grown from 320 sites in 2011 to 3,666 sites as of December 31, 2023.We believe that our acquired locations combined with our scalable infrastructure create a strong platform for future growth within the highly fragmented convenience store industry through both strategic acquisitions and organic growth. With approximately 69% of the convenience store market composed of chains with 50 or fewer locations as of December 2022, we believe that there is ample opportunity to continue to consolidate. We have traditionally acquired our stores in smaller towns that have lower concentrations of national-chain convenience stores. Approximately 45% of our retail stores are in cities with populations of fewer than 20,000 people, and approximately 24% of our retail stores are in cities with populations between 20,000 and 50,000 people. We believe that our focus on secondary and tertiary markets allows us to preserve “local” brand name recognition and align local market needs with capital investment.
Corporate Information
ARKO Corp. was incorporated under the laws of Delaware on August 26, 2020 for the purpose of facilitating the business combination of Haymaker Acquisition Corp. II, a Delaware corporation, and ARKO Holdings Ltd., a company organized under the laws of the State of Israel. Our shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (“common stock”), and publicly-traded warrants are listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbols “ARKO” and “ARKOW,” respectively.
We own, indirectly, 100% of GPM Investments, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company that was formed on June 12, 2002, which we refer to as GPM, and which is our primary operating entity.
Our Business Segments
Retail Segment
Our primary business is the operation of convenience stores, and we generate a significant portion of our revenue from the retail sale of products and the fuel at our stores. Consequently, our retail stores generate a large proportion of our profitability. We intentionally focus our marketing and merchandising initiatives at our retail stores to offer our customers an assortment of products with an attractive value proposition. Our retail store offering includes a wide array of cold and hot foodservice, beverages, cigarettes and other tobacco products, candy, salty snacks, grocery, beer and general merchandise. We have foodservice offerings at approximately 1,260 retail stores, which include hot and fresh grab-n-go foods, deli, fried chicken, bakery, pizza, roller grill items and other prepared foods. In 2024, we launched an extensive new pizza program that offers private label pizza, at an attractive value of $4.99 for enrolled loyalty members, which is currently offered at more than 1,000 stores as take-and-bake from the freezer, and
currently available at approximately 225 of those stores also as fresh and hot pizza either whole or by the slice. We supplement our foodservice offering with approximately 150 quick service major national brand restaurants. Additionally, we provide a number of traditional convenience store services that generate additional income, including lottery, prepaid products, gift cards, money orders, ATMs, gaming, and other ancillary product and service offerings. We also generate revenues from car washes at approximately 95 of our locations. Almost all stores sell fuel, and we had 70 electric vehicle (“EV”) chargers at 19 stores as of December 31, 2023.
We operate our stores under more than 25 regional store brands (which we consider “a Family of Community Brands”), including 1-Stop, Admiral, Apple Market®, BreadBox, Corner Mart, Dixie Mart, ExpressStop®, E-Z Mart®, fas mart®, fastmarket®, Flash Market, Handy Mart, Jetz, Jiffi Stop®, Jiffy Stop, Li’l Cricket, Market Express, Next Door Store®, Pride, Roadrunner Markets, Rose Mart, Rstore, Scotchman®, shore stop®, Speedy’s, Town Star, Uncle’s, Village Pantry® and Young’s.
Our acquired brands have been in existence for an average of approximately 50 years, and their names are highly recognizable to local customers. By maintaining the regional store branding of our acquired stores, we believe we retain the goodwill associated with the respective brands’ long-term community involvement. Concurrently, our Family of Community Brands benefits significantly from being part of a leading convenience store operator given their access to:
•Centralized merchandising, marketing and procurement programs;
•Fuel price optimization and purchasing functions;
•Common loyalty program under the name fas REWARDS®;
•A comprehensive portfolio of fuel brands with strong consumer recognition through national advertising;
•Common IT and point-of-sale platforms; and
•Centralized environmental management and environmental practices.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, the retail segment generated total revenues of approximately $5.8 billion, including approximately $1.9 billion of in-store sales and other revenues. Gross profit dollars from in-store merchandise accounted for 53.4% of our gross profit dollars from our retail segment for the year ended December 31, 2023. In addition, the retail segment sold a total of more than 1.1 billion gallons of branded and unbranded fuel to our retail customers.
Wholesale Segment
The wholesale segment supplies fuel to dealers, sub-wholesalers and bulk and spot purchasers, on either a consignment or cost plus basis. The wholesale segment adds significant fuel volumes to the Company’s robust retail fuel sales, which we believe enhances our purchasing power for our entire platform, including our retail segment, and improves our competitiveness as an acquirer of choice.
•Consignment contracts - 288 sites as of December 31, 2023. In arrangements of this type, we own the fuel until the date of sale to the final customer (the consumer), and the gross profit created from the sale of the fuel is allocated between us and the dealer based on the terms of the relevant agreement with the dealer. In certain cases, gross profit is split based on a percentage and in others we pay a fixed fee per gallon to the dealer.
•Fuel supply contracts (“Cost Plus”) - 1,537 sites as of December 31, 2023 plus bulk and spot purchasers. In arrangements of this type, the dealer purchases the fuel from us. We make final sales to dealers (referred to as a “lessee-dealer” if the dealer leases the station from us or an “open-dealer” if the dealer controls the site), sub-wholesalers and bulk and spot purchasers on a fixed-fee basis. The sales price to the dealer is determined according to the terms of the relevant agreement with the dealer, which typically reflects our total fuel costs plus the cost of transportation and a margin, with us generally retaining any prompt pay discounts and rebates, largely eliminating our exposure to commodity price movements.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, the wholesale segment sold 969.3 million gallons of fuel (approximately 43.2% of our total gallons sold in 2023), generating revenues of approximately $3.1 billion.
Fleet Fueling Segment
We added our fleet fueling segment as part of our acquisition of certain assets from Quarles Petroleum, Incorporated (“Quarles”) in July 2022 that included 184 cardlock locations, and we added an additional 111 cardlock locations in our 2023 acquisition of the GASCARD fleet fueling operations of WTG Fuels Holdings, LLC (the “WTG Acquisition”), one of the largest fleet fueling operations in West Texas. The fleet fueling segment includes the operation of proprietary and third-party cardlock locations (unstaffed fueling locations) with sales to commercial and municipal entities, and issuance of proprietary fuel cards that provide
customers access to a nationwide network of fueling sites. Fleet fueling complements our retail and wholesale segments, from which we believe we can grow and expand our fleet fueling segment. Commercial companies using the Quarles fleet cards have gradually shifted from the proprietary fleet card useable only at Quarles-branded locations to the “Universal” fleet card which is a cobranded with Voyager (U.S. Bank) and which can be used at more than 230,000 fleet fueling sites.
Diesel fuel accounts for approximately 82% of our fleet fueling sales, and, as opposed to retail volumes, commercial volumes have been less impacted by retail fuel consumption trends. Within our fleet fueling segment, we generally achieve fuel margins that are higher than those in our wholesale segment. The lack of on-site labor required to run these sites also generally offers us compelling economics.
As of December 31, 2023, we operated 298 cardlock locations, and, for the year ended December 31, 2023, the fleet fueling segment sold 140.8 million gallons of fuel, generating revenues of approximately $538.8 million.
GPMP Segment
The GPMP segment engages in the wholesale distribution of fuel to substantially all of our sites that sell fuel in the retail and wholesale segments and a limited number of third-party dealers and bulk purchasers. GPM Petroleum LP (“GPMP”) sells fuel at GPMP’s cost of fuel (including taxes and transportation) plus a fixed margin and charges a fixed fee primarily to sites in the fleet fueling segment which are not supplied by GPMP. We own 100% of the general partner of GPMP and, as of December 31, 2023, 99.8% of the GPMP limited partner units. As of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we own all of the GPMP limited partner units.
Growth Strategy
We believe that continuing to execute on our organic and inorganic strategies provides a significant opportunity to increase our sales and profitability. We constantly monitor macroeconomic factors such as interest rates, material costs, product availability, construction industry pricing, and the availability and cost of labor, and we closely analyze key performance indicators to calibrate our strategies between organic and inorganic initiatives, as described in further detail below.
Organic Growth Opportunities
Our current organic strategies are focused on improving the performance of our retail stores through enhanced marketing and merchandising initiatives across our brands, such as our loyalty program, which deepens our relationship with our customers, expanding our foodservice offering to meet our customers’ needs and enhancing our existing retail store base.
Foodservice Opportunity. Our current foodservice offering, which varies by store, primarily consists of hot and fresh grab-n-go foods, deli, fried chicken, bakery, pizza, roller grill items and other prepared foods. We have historically relied upon a limited number of franchised quick service restaurants and in-store delis to drive customer traffic. As a result, we believe that our under-penetration of foodservice presents an opportunity to expand foodservice offerings and margin in response to changing consumer behavior. In the third quarter of 2023, we created and filled a new role at GPM, Senior Vice President of Food Service, to evaluate our current foodservice offering and to expand our company-wide, cross-functional food strategy to position our stores as a food destination for our customers, scaled across our Family of Community Brands. In 2024, we launched an extensive new pizza program.
Other Enhanced Marketing Initiatives. We pursue numerous in-store sales growth and margin enhancement opportunities through marketing and merchandising initiatives across our expansive footprint, including, among others:
•Using customer centric data-driven decisions to expand our six core destination merchandise categories, which are packaged beverages, candy, salty snacks, packaged sweet snacks, alternative snacks and beer. These categories represented approximately 53% of our merchandise contribution for the year ended December 31, 2023. Because our core destination merchandise categories represent a high concentration of our merchandise contribution, we focus on marketing and merchandising initiatives within these categories because we believe that they will have the greatest impact on our performance. In 2023, we updated approximately 310 of our stores with expanded core categories.
•Development and strengthening of customer relationships through our fas REWARDS® loyalty program, which offers enrolled loyalty members in-store exclusive promotional pricing, in-app member only HOT deals not available in stores, order and delivery, age verified offers on tobacco and alcohol, and a store locator with current gas prices at stores close to members. In the first quarter of 2023, we launched a new enhanced fas REWARDS app to better connect with and understand our customers. Currently, approximately 2.0 million customers are enrolled in our fas REWARDS® loyalty program.
•Continued expansion of the use of third-party delivery services, such as DoorDash and GrubHub, currently offered at more than 1,300 of our stores.
Remodels, Raze-and-Rebuilds and New-to-Industry Opportunities. We believe that we have an expansive, embedded opportunity to enhance our existing store base through several organic growth initiatives, including full and functional remodels, raze-and-rebuild and new-to-industry opportunities. In 2023, we continued to upgrade existing stores through functional remodels, such as adding bean-to-cup coffee offerings (added into more than 390 stores), roller grills (added into 47 stores), enhanced dispensed beverage offerings and our successful grab-n-go and freezer strategy. Further, in 2023, we opened three new Dunkin’ stores and one new Pride location, and we are planning three new-to-industry stores in 2024.
Inorganic Growth Opportunities
Our inorganic strategies focus on growing our store base in existing and contiguous markets through acquisitions.
Pursue Acquisitions in Existing and Contiguous Markets. We have a dedicated in-house M&A team that focuses on identifying, closing and integrating acquisitions. As an experienced acquirer, we have demonstrated our ability to generate strong returns on capital and meaningfully improve target performance post-integration through operating expertise and economies of scale. We believe that our business model provides us with strategic flexibility to acquire chains with retail, dealer and cardlock locations. We believe that our scale has enabled us to become a formidable industry player, enhanced our competitiveness, and positioned us as an acquirer of choice within the industry. As a “super-jobber” wholesaler, we believe we are better positioned to gain and renew supply contracts from dealers in addition to convenience store and wholesale fuel portfolios, and we incentivize our wholesale sales staff based on renewals. Additionally, we believe we can grow and expand the Company’s fleet fueling platform through further acquisitions, including in conjunction with our retail and wholesale acquisitions.
Additionally, as part of our post-acquisition process following the integration of our systems, we implement our store planograms and merchandise assortment in newly acquired stores and expand category footages where necessary in order to improve the performance of acquired stores. We believe our significant size and scale aids our efforts to successfully deploy our organic growth strategies in our acquired assets, which we anticipate will result in value accretion.
EV Opportunity. As part of our overall EV strategy, we pursue grants and subsidies across our footprint to expand our EV charging capacity. As of December 31, 2023, our total EV charging network consisted of 70 charging stations installed at 19 stores across 11 states. We have several potential grants that we are pursuing. Our goal is to offer EV drivers the convenience and amenities they seek in a charging destination away from their homes, at areas where we identify the demand.
Suppliers
In 2023, we purchased merchandise inventory from two primary wholesale distributors, Core-Mark and Grocery Supply Company, as well as approximately 850 direct store delivery supplier distributors. We leverage our relationships to generate economies of scale across our store base.
We purchase motor fuel primarily from large, integrated oil companies and independent refiners under supply agreements. In addition, we purchase unbranded fuel from branded and unbranded fuel suppliers to supply 267 unbranded retail fueling locations and 298 cardlock locations. As of December 31, 2023, approximately 82% of our retail fuel locations sold branded fuel. We sell branded fuel under brand names including, among others, Valero®, Marathon®, BP®, Exxon® and Shell® brand names. In addition to driving customer traffic, we believe that our branded fuel strategy enables us to maintain a secure fuel supply.
Competition
We operate in the highly competitive retail convenience market, which includes businesses with operations and services that are similar to those that we provide, primarily the sale of convenience items and motor fuels. We face significant competition from other large chain operators, such as: 7-Eleven/Speedway; Circle K; Casey’s; Murphy USA; Quik Trip; Royal Farms; Sheetz; and Wawa. We believe that convenience stores managed by individual operators who offer branded or non-branded fuel are also significant competitors in the local markets in which we operate. Often, operators of both chains and individual stores compete by selling unbranded fuel at lower retail prices relative to the market. We believe that the primary competitive factors influencing the retail segment are: site location; competitive prices; convenient access routes; the quality and configuration of the store and the fueling facility; the range of high-quality products and services offered; a convenient store-front; cleanliness; branded fuel; and the degree of capital investment in the store.
The convenience store industry is also experiencing competition from other retail sectors, including grocery stores, large warehouse retail stores, dollar stores and pharmacies. In particular, dollar stores (such as Family Dollar and Dollar General) and
pharmacies (such as CVS and Walgreens) have expanded their product offerings to sell snacks, beer and wine and other products that have traditionally been sold by convenience stores, while grocery and large warehouse stores (such as Costco and Wal-Mart) have expanded their fuel offering adjacent to their stores. In smaller towns and more rural areas, we primarily compete with other local convenience stores, local or regional grocery stores, and to some extent, restaurants, and in more heavily populated areas, we often compete with local retailers as well as major national grocery chains, national drug store and warehouse retail stores brands like those mentioned above, traditional convenience stores, expanded fuel stations, and discount food retailers.
The wholesale business is also competitive. In the wholesale segment, we supply fuel to third-parties both at sites owned or leased by dealers, sites that we own or for which we have a long-term lease, and bulk and spot purchasers. For sites that we do not own or lease, in the renewal of contracts we compete with refiners that distribute their own products, as well as other independent third-party motor fuel distributors. Wholesale fuel distributors typically compete by offering shorter contract commitments, lesser collateral requirements and larger incentives to enter into contracts.
In order to mitigate this competition, we typically offer our dealers competitive pricing within the framework of our existing fuel supply agreements, such as those we have with Valero, BP, Shell, Motiva, Marathon and ExxonMobil, with the advantage that we distribute fuel sourced from a number of major oil company suppliers which allows us to approach a wide variety of branded and unbranded dealers in order to offer a variety of alternative supply arrangements.
Cardlocks compete against retail gas stations, especially those with a significant number of diesel pumps, however, we believe that our cardlock footprint allows for easier access and more efficient fueling for commercial vehicles than traditional retail fueling locations. Site growth in the fleet fueling segment is driven by commercial customers outsourcing the provision of on-site fleet fueling. The primary competitors for third-party sites are companies that provide delivered fuels, with national, regional and local companies offering this service. We believe that we are well positioned in the industry because we combine the ability to utilize our proprietary cardlock sites with our fleet card product sales.
We believe that the primary barriers to entering our industry are the significant financial strength required to enter into agreements with suppliers of fuel products and competition from other fuel companies and retail chains.
Environmental and Other Government Regulations
Our operations are subject to numerous legal and regulatory restrictions and requirements at the federal, state and local levels. With regard to fuel, these restrictions and requirements relate primarily to the transportation, storage, and sale of petroleum products, including stringent environmental protection requirements. In our wholesale and GPMP segments, we are also subject to the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act, which is a federal law that applies to the relationships between fuel suppliers and wholesale distributors, as well as between wholesale distributors and dealers, regarding the marketing of branded fuel.
With regard to non-fuel products, there are legal restrictions at the federal, state and local levels in connection with the sale of food, alcohol, cigarettes and other tobacco products, menu labeling, video retention, money orders, money transfer services, gaming, lottery, and ephedrine. Also, regulatory supervision is exercised by health departments at the federal, state and local levels over the food products that are sold in our stores.
With respect to data collected by us or on our behalf, including credit card information and data related to loyalty customers, we are subject to federal, state and local requirements related to the possession, use and disclosure of personally identifiable information, including mandated procedures to be followed in the event a data breach were to occur.
We hold various federal, state, and local licenses and permits, some of which are perpetual, but most of which must be renewed annually. These include general business licenses, lottery licenses, licenses and permits in connection with the sale of cigarettes, licenses in connection with the operation of gaming machines, licenses in connection with the sale of alcoholic drinks, licenses and permits that are required in connection with the sale of fuel, licenses that are required for the operation of convenience stores and licenses to sell food products.
EMV, which stands for Europay, MasterCard and Visa, is a global standard for credit cards that use computer chips to authenticate and secure chip-card transactions. The liability for fraudulent credit card transactions shifted from the credit card processor to us in October 2015 for transactions processed inside the convenience stores and shifted to us in April 2021 for transactions at the fuel dispensers.
Our operations are subject to federal and state laws governing such matters as minimum wage, overtime, working conditions and employment eligibility requirements. Proposals have emerged at local, state and federal levels to increase minimum wage rates.
With respect to environmental regulations, we are subject to local, state and federal laws and regulations that address our properties and operations, including, without limitation the transportation, storage and sale of fuel, which have a considerable impact on our operations, including compliance with the requirements and regulations of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and comparable state counterparts. We are required to comply with the following regulations, among others: the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980; the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; the Clean Air Act; and the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act.
The EPA, and several states, have established regulations concerning the ownership and operation of underground fuel storage tanks (“USTs”), the release of hazardous substances into the air, water and land, the storage, handling disposal and transportation of hazardous materials, restrictions on exposure to hazardous substances and maintaining safety and health of employees who handle or are exposed to such substances. These regulations require UST owners to demonstrate that they have the financial capacity to pay for environmental cleanup associating with USTs. Several states in which we conduct business have state-sponsored trust fund programs that allow for the sharing and reimbursement of the costs of corrective measures incurred by UST owners. In addition, we are subject to regulations regarding fuel quality and air emissions.
We are committed to compliance with all applicable environmental laws and regulations. We allocate a portion of our capital expenditure program to compliance with environmental laws and regulations and environmental remediation and such capital expenditures were approximately $4.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, and we anticipate expenditures of approximately $9.3 million for the year ending December 31, 2024. Our environmental department maintains direct interaction with federal, state and local environmental agencies for each state in which we operate. As part of our environmental risk management process, we engage environmental consultants and service providers to assist in analyzing our exposure to environmental risks by developing remediation plans, providing other environmental services, and taking corrective actions as necessary.
Human Capital
As of December 31, 2023, we employed 13,481 employees, with 11,960 employed in our stores and 1,521 in corporate and field management positions. To build, and continually improve upon, our corporate culture, we emphasize core values such as integrity, teamwork, and customer focus communicated through various channels such as training programs, internal communications, and employee feedback.
We value our employees and believe that communication, training, and employee development are key elements of our performance. We feel that improving the skills of our current staff through training increases productivity and boosts our bottom line at a fraction of the cost of hiring new employees. We offer training based on our employees’ specific job requirements and employee levels using our new Learning Management System (LMS) designed for delivering online training modules. These include, but are not limited to, a series of short online modules that are completed upon hire and some that are repeated annually to promote consistent compliance. Additionally, our store managers or our Regional Training team conduct on-the-job training activities that we have developed. We continue to refine these training activities, add new training programs for store and district managers, and focus on leadership and other “soft skills.” Our Regional Training team conducts the Company and industry-specific training to ensure store management is well-versed in the latest operating policies, standards, and techniques. Training varies based on employee level, but generally focuses on customer service, safety, compliance, environmental issues, and regulations, as well as our operations and policies. We help identify clear career paths to retain current employees and attract new employees by encouraging them to grow with the Company through educational training programs, matching employees with their interests or identifying a career trajectory other employees have taken.
Our experienced store managers and our regional trainers conduct the training of store managers from acquired sites in a classroom setting pre- and post-acquisition, as well as on-the-job training that extends several weeks once the acquisition is complete.
We have communication vehicles allowing us to send company information and reminders to targeted levels of employees, to keep them informed and improve efficiency, particularly during key times throughout the year such as the 100 days of summer. Employees may also communicate anonymous feedback to the Company, which assists our efforts to improve processes and programs for future and existing employees.
We seek to recruit and retain qualified personnel to work in our stores. Wage rates in the markets in which we operate, including voluntary increases in wages because of current labor market conditions, have increased our costs associated with recruiting and retaining qualified personnel, and may continue to do so in the future. We look to promote employee retention by providing attractive employee benefits such as medical, dental, 401(k) retirement plan and insurance. We believe our benefits offerings are competitive in the markets in which we operate.
We evaluate wages and other opportunities available to employees within our markets, and, as applicable, grant sign-on, retention, referral and other bonus opportunities to our employees based on their respective roles. By researching and understanding hiring trends, we have adopted mobile technology to simplify the application process and we have invested in additional recruiting
resources and implemented virtual recruiting and interviewing methods. We have also deployed enhanced recruiting techniques to optimize the selection of our talent pool. As of December 31, 2023, none of our employees were represented by a labor union or have terms of employment that are subject to a collective bargaining agreement. We consider our relationships with our employees to be good and have not experienced any work stoppages.
Intellectual Property
We rely on trademarks that we own and trademarks we license from third-parties to protect our brands and identify the source of our goods and services. We have registered or applied to register many of our trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. We license various marks in relation to the branded fuels that we supply, including “ExxonMobil,” “Marathon,” “BP,” “Shell,” and “Valero.” In our quick service food offerings, we license trademarks such as “Subway” and “Dunkin’” to use at our applicable franchised or licensed outlets. We also license the “Jetz” trademark for use at certain of our convenience stores in Wisconsin.
We rely on other forms of intellectual property to help establish and maintain our competitive advantage, including proprietary software, trade secrets and other proprietary and confidential information. We receive confidential information from our franchise and fuel supply partners, and use it in the operation of our stores under agreements that we have with our partners. We also rely on our own proprietary and confidential information, including trade secrets and a limited amount of proprietary software, to conduct our business and preserve our position in the market. As a key part of our broader risk management strategy, we use access controls and contractual restrictions in an effort to prevent unauthorized use or disclosure of our proprietary or confidential information.
Environmental, Social and Governance
As a leading operator of convenience stores and gas stations, we are focused on integrating Environmental, Social and Governance principles that are aligned with our long-term business strategy. Our second Sustainability Report issued in 2023 included a description of our baseline governance framework, environmental initiatives and social responsibility initiatives. Our Sustainability Report is available on our website at www.arkocorp.com. The information related to Environmental, Social and Governance on our website, including our Sustainability Report, is not, and shall not be deemed to be, a part hereof or incorporated by reference into this or any of our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
Available Information
We are required to file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Information that we file with the SEC is available at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. We also make available free of charge on or through our website, at www.arkocorp.com, our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with the SEC. The information on our website is not, and shall not be deemed to be, a part hereof or incorporated into this or any of our other filings with the SEC.
Use of our Website and Social Media to Distribute Material Company Information
We use our website as a channel of distribution for important Company information. We routinely post on our website important information, including press releases, investor presentations and financial information, which may be accessed by clicking on the News & Events, Company Info, and Governance sections of www.arkocorp.com. We also use our website to expedite public access to time-critical information regarding our Company in advance of, or in lieu of, distributing a press release or a filing with the SEC disclosing the same information. Therefore, investors should look to the News & Events, Company Info, and Governance sections of our website for important and time-critical information. Visitors to our website can also register to receive automatic e-mail and other notifications alerting them when certain new information is made available on our website. Information contained on, or accessible through, our website is not a part of and is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We encourage investors, the media and other interested parties to review the information we post on our website, together with the information we file with the SEC and announce via press releases, conference calls and webcasts.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.
You should carefully consider the risks described below, as well as other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the audited consolidated financial statements contained in Part II, Item 8 (the “Consolidated Financial
Statements”) and the notes thereto and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” The occurrence of any of the events discussed below could significantly and adversely affect our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows.
Risks Related to Our Business and Industry
Changes in economic conditions and consumer confidence in the U.S. could materially adversely affect our business.
Our operations and the scope of services we provide are affected by changes in the macro-economic situation in the United States, which has a direct impact on consumer confidence and spending patterns. A number of key macro-economic factors, such as high interest rates, inflation and unemployment, could have a negative effect on consumer habits and spending, and lead to lower demand for fuel and other products sold at our convenience stores and gas stations. The U.S. economy has continued to experience inflationary pressures, which reduce consumer purchasing power. If this trend continues or increases, it could negatively impact demand and seasonal travel patterns, which could reduce future sales volumes. Significant negative developments in the macro-economic environment in the United States could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If our acquisitions are not on economically acceptable terms, our future growth may be negatively impacted. Furthermore, any acquisitions we complete are subject to substantial risks that could result in losses.
Our ability to grow depends, in part, on our ability to make acquisitions. However, we may be unable to take advantage of accretive opportunities for any of the following reasons:
•We are unable to identify attractive acquisition opportunities;
•We are outbid by competitors;
•We are unable to reach an agreement regarding the terms of pursued acquisitions;
•We are unable to raise financing for such acquisitions on economically acceptable terms; or
•We may be limited in our ability to acquire new sites due to antitrust regulations, and regulators may require that we effect divestitures as a condition to completing certain acquisitions. Any such required divestitures may be on economically unattractive terms, which could result in losses or otherwise reduce the overall economic value of certain acquisitions.
If our acquisitions are not on economically acceptable terms, our future growth may be negatively impacted. In addition, if we complete any future acquisitions, our capitalization and results of operations may change significantly. We may complete acquisitions, which, contrary to our expectations, ultimately prove to not be accretive. If any of these events were to occur, our future growth would be limited.
We may make acquisitions that we believe are beneficial, which ultimately result in negative financial consequences. Any acquisition involves potential risks, including, among other things:
•We may not be able to achieve the anticipated synergies and financial improvements from the acquired businesses;
•We may not be able to retain key personnel from the acquired businesses;
•We may be unable to discover material liabilities of businesses that we acquire until after the completion of the relevant acquisition;
•We rely on data from the businesses that we acquire and there may be real or perceived inaccuracies in this data;
•Acquisitions may divert the attention of management from focusing on our day-to-day operations;
•We may experience a decrease in liquidity resulting from our use of a significant portion of cash available for investment or borrowing capacity to finance acquisitions;
•Substantial investments in financial controls, information systems, management resources and human resources may be required in order to support future growth;
•We may have difficulties in obtaining the required approvals, permits, licenses and consents for the acquired sites or new lines of business;
•We may have difficulties complying with regulatory requirements related to financial reporting; and
•We may incur additional environmental liabilities and risk from the acquired assets.
We may be unable to successfully integrate acquired operations or otherwise realize the expected benefits from our acquisitions, which could adversely affect the expected benefits from our acquisitions and our results of operations and financial condition.
Any acquisition involves the integration of the business of two companies that have previously operated independently. The difficulties of combining the operations of the two businesses include: integrating personnel with diverse business backgrounds; familiarizing employees with new systems; converting customers to new loyalty platforms; and combining different corporate cultures.
The process of integrating operations could cause an interruption of, or loss of momentum in, the activities of the business, and the loss of key personnel or customers. The diversion of management’s attention and any delay or difficulty encountered in connection with the integration of the two companies’ operations could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
The success of our acquisitions depends, in part, on our ability to realize the anticipated benefits from combining the acquired business with ours. If we are unable to successfully integrate an acquired business, the anticipated benefits of such acquisition may not be realized fully or may take longer to realize than expected which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. For example, we may fail to realize the anticipated increase in earnings anticipated to be derived from an acquisition or the synergies expected, or there could be higher expenses related to the acquired business than expected. In addition, as with any acquisition, a significant decline in asset valuations or cash flows may also cause us not to realize expected benefits.
Our future growth depends on our ability to successfully implement our growth strategies, a part of which consists of upgrading and remodeling our convenience stores.
A part of our growth strategy consists of functional and full remodeling of our convenience stores in order to improve customers’ shopping experience by offering high-quality, convenient and efficient facilities. Such upgrades and remodeling projects, regardless of scale, entail significant risks, including shortages of materials or skilled labor, unforeseen engineering, environmental and/or geological problems, work stoppages, weather interference, unanticipated cost increases and non-availability of construction equipment. Such risks, in addition to potential difficulties in obtaining any required licenses and permits, could lead to significant cost increases and substantial delays in the opening of the remodeled convenience stores. In certain instances, these factors have led to delays and increased costs for our projects and although we believe we are successfully navigating these challenges, there can be no assurance that we will be able to achieve our growth targets by successfully implementing this strategy.
Significant changes in current consumption of cigarettes and other tobacco products and related regulations and litigation could materially adversely affect our business.
Cigarettes and other tobacco products, which accounted for approximately 8% of our total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2023, are a significant revenue source for us. Significant increases in wholesale cigarette and other tobacco product prices, current and future tobacco legislation, including restrictions or bans on flavored and menthol tobacco products and related advertising, national, state and local campaigns to discourage smoking, a decrease in the consumption of cigarettes, increases in retail cigarette prices, lawsuits against manufacturers and retailers of cigarettes and other tobacco products, reductions in manufacturer rebates for the purchase of tobacco products and increases in, and new, taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products could have a material adverse effect on the demand for tobacco products and, in turn, on our financial condition and results of operations.
Our financial condition and results of operations are influenced by changes in the wholesale prices of motor fuel, which may materially adversely impact our sales, operations, customers’ financial condition and the availability of trade credit.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, fuel sales were approximately 79% of our total revenues and approximately 46% of our combined fuel, merchandise and other income margin. Generally, our retail fuel inventory on hand turns quickly in the ordinary course of our business. Our operating results are influenced by prices for motor fuel, variable retail margins and the market for such products. Crude oil and domestic wholesale motor fuel markets are volatile. General political conditions, acts of war or terrorism and instability in oil producing regions, particularly in the Middle East, Russia, Africa and South America, such as the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, could significantly affect crude oil supplies and wholesale fuel prices. Significant increases and volatility in wholesale fuel prices could result in substantial increases in the retail price of motor fuel products, lower fuel gross margin per gallon, lower demand for such products and lower sales to customers and dealers. This volatility makes it extremely difficult to predict the impact future wholesale cost fluctuations will have on our financial condition and results of operations. Increases in fuel prices generally compress retail fuel margin because fuel costs typically increase faster than retailers are able to pass them along to
customers. In addition, when prices for motor fuel rise, some of our dealers may have insufficient credit to purchase motor fuel from us at their historical volumes. Furthermore, when motor fuel prices decrease, so do prompt payment incentives, which are generally calculated as a percentage of the total purchase price of the motor fuel distributed. Additionally, because the interchange fees we pay when credit cards are used to make purchases are based on transaction amounts, higher fuel prices at the pump result in higher credit card expenses. These additional fees increase operating expenses. Additionally, when diesel fuel prices rise, this results in higher truck shipping costs which causes shippers to consider alternative means for transporting freight, which may reduce trucking business and, in turn, may reduce our fuel sales volume. High diesel fuel prices may also cause our trucking customers to seek cost savings throughout their businesses, including measures which reduce total fuel consumption and may in turn reduce our fuel sales volume. Finally, higher prices for motor fuel may reduce our access to trade credit or worsen the terms under which such credit is available to us, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Significant changes in demand for fuel-based modes of transportation and for trucking services could materially adversely affect our business.
The road transportation fuel and convenience business is generally driven by consumer preferences, growth of road traffic, demand for trucking services, and trends in travel and tourism. Automotive, industrial and power generation manufacturers are developing more fuel-efficient engines, hybrid engines, electric vehicles and alternative clean power systems. In 2023, electric vehicles accounted for approximately 7.6% of all light vehicle sales in the United States. In addition, truck and other vehicle manufacturers and our customers continue to focus on ways to improve motor vehicle fuel efficiency and conserve fuel, including use of truck platooning, or the electronic linking of trucks with a lead vehicle, heat and kinetic energy recovery technologies, substantially lighter “super trucks” and higher efficiency motor fuels. Demand for trucking services in the United States generally reflects the amount of commercial activity in the U.S. economy. When the U.S. economy declines, demand for goods moved by trucks usually declines, and in turn demand for diesel fuel supplied by our fleet fueling segment typically declines, which could significantly harm our results of operations and financial condition.
A number of key factors could impact current customer behavior and trends with respect to road transportation and fuel consumption. These include new technologies providing increased access to non-fuel dependent means of transportation, legislation and regulations focused on fuel efficiency and lower fuel consumption, and the public’s general approach with regard to climate change and the effects of greenhouse gas emissions. Significant developments in any of the above-listed factors could lead to substantial changes in the demand for petroleum-based fuel and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We operate in a highly competitive, fragmented industry characterized by many similar competing products and services, and our inability to successfully compete could have a material adverse effect on our business.
We compete with other convenience stores, gas stations, large and small food retailers, quick service restaurants and dollar stores, as well as companies that provide delivered fuels. Because all such competitors offer products and services that are very similar to those offered by us, a number of key factors determine our ability to successfully compete in the marketplace. These include the location of stores, competitive pricing, convenient access routes, the quality, configuration and efficiency of stores and fueling facilities, and a high level of service. In particular, many large convenience store chains have expanded their number of locations and remodeled their existing locations in recent years, enhancing their competitive position. In addition, some of our competitors have greater financial resources and scale than us, which may provide them with competitive advantages in negotiating fuel and other supply arrangements.
Our inability to successfully compete in the marketplace by continuously meeting customer requirements concerning price, quality and service level could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Negative events or developments associated with branded motor fuel suppliers could have a material adverse impact on our revenues.
The success of our operations is dependent, in part, on the continuing favorable reputation, market value and name recognition associated with the motor fuel brands sold at our gas stations and to dealers. An event which adversely affects the value of those brands could have a negative impact on the volumes of motor fuel we distribute, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We depend on several principal suppliers for our fuel purchases and two principal suppliers for merchandise. A failure by a principal supplier to renew its supply agreement, a disruption in supply or an unexpected change in supplier relationships could have a material adverse effect on our business.
We depend on several principal suppliers for our fuel purchases. Our fuel supply agreements expire on various dates through June 2032. If any of our principal suppliers elects not to renew its contracts with us, we may be unable to replace the volume of motor fuel we currently purchase from such supplier on similar terms or at all. We rely upon our suppliers to timely provide the volumes and
types of motor fuels for which they contract. We purchase motor fuels from a variety of suppliers under term contracts. In times of extreme market demand, supply disruption or as a result of futures market and geopolitical conditions, we may be unable to acquire enough fuel, including diesel fuel in particular, to satisfy the demand of our customers. Any disruption in supply or a significant change in our relationship with our principal fuel suppliers could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We depend on two major vendors to supply a majority of our in-store merchandise. A significant disruption or operational failure affecting the operations of our suppliers, including their ability to provide timely deliveries, could materially impact the availability, quality and price of products sold at our convenience stores and cardlock locations, cause us to incur substantial unanticipated costs and expenses, and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
A portion of our revenue is generated under fuel supply agreements with dealers that must be renegotiated or replaced periodically. If we are unable to successfully renegotiate or replace these agreements, then our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.
A portion of our revenue is generated under fuel supply agreements with dealers. As these supply agreements expire, they must be renegotiated or replaced. Our fuel supply agreements generally have an initial term of 10 years and, as of December 31, 2023, had a volume-weighted average remaining term of approximately 5.1 years. Our dealers have no obligation to renew their fuel supply agreements with us on similar terms or at all. We may be unable to renegotiate or replace our fuel supply agreements when they expire, and the terms of any renegotiated fuel supply agreements may not be as favorable as the terms of the agreements they replace. Whether these fuel supply agreements are successfully renegotiated or replaced is frequently subject to factors beyond our control. Such factors include fluctuations in motor fuel prices, a dealer’s ability to pay for or accept the contracted volumes and a competitive marketplace for the services offered by us. If we cannot successfully renegotiate or replace our fuel supply agreements, or must renegotiate or replace them on less favorable terms, revenues from these agreements could decline and our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.
The retail sale, distribution, transportation and storage of motor fuels is subject to environmental protection and operational safety laws and regulations that may expose us or our customers to significant costs and liabilities, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
We and our facilities and operations are subject to various federal, state and local environmental, health and safety laws, and regulations. These laws and regulations continue to evolve and are expected to increase in both number and complexity over time and govern not only the manner in which we conduct our operations, but also the products we sell. For example, international agreements and national, regional, and state legislation and regulatory measures that aim to limit or reduce greenhouse gas emissions or otherwise address climate change are currently in various stages of implementation. Additionally, in March 2022, the SEC proposed new climate-related disclosure rules, which if adopted as proposed, would require significant new climate-related disclosure in SEC filings, including certain climate-related metrics and greenhouse gas emissions data, and third-party attestation requirements. At this time, we cannot predict the costs of compliance with or any potential adverse impacts resulting from, these new rules if adopted as proposed, but compliance with such rules, when they are finalized, could require significant effort and divert management’s attention and resources, which could adversely affect our operating results. There are inherent risks that increasingly restrictive environmental and other regulation could materially impact our results of operations or financial condition. Most of the costs of complying with existing laws and regulations pertaining to our operations and products are embedded in the normal costs of doing business. However, it is not possible to predict with certainty the amount of additional investments in new or existing technology or facilities, or the amounts of increased operating costs to be incurred in the future, to prevent, control, reduce or eliminate releases of hazardous materials or other pollutants into the environment; remediate and restore areas damaged by prior releases of hazardous materials; or comply with new or changed environmental laws or regulations. Although these costs may be significant to the results of operations, we do not presently expect them to have a material adverse effect on our liquidity or financial position. Accidental leaks and spills requiring cleanup may occur in the ordinary course of business. We may incur expenses for corrective actions or environmental investigations at various owned and previously owned facilities, leased or previously leased facilities, at third-party sites we manage, and at third-party-owned waste disposal sites used by us. An obligation may arise when operations are closed or sold or at non-company sites where company products have been handled or disposed of. Expenditures to fulfill these obligations may relate to facilities and sites where past operations followed practices and procedures that were considered acceptable at the time but may require investigative or remedial work or both to meet current or future standards.
Most of our fuel is transported by third-party carriers to our retail, dealer and fleet fueling sites. A portion of fuel is transported in our own trucks, instead of by third-party carriers, therefore, our operations are also subject to hazards and risks inherent in transporting motor fuel. These hazards and risks include, but are not limited to, fires, explosions, traffic accidents, spills, discharges and other releases, and cross-drops, any of which could result in distribution difficulties and disruptions, environmental pollution, governmentally-imposed fines or clean-up obligations, personal injury or wrongful death claims and other damage to our properties and the properties of others.
The transportation of motor fuels, as well as the associated storage of such fuels at locations including convenience stores, are subject to various federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations, including those relating to ownership and operation of storage tanks, the release or discharge of regulated materials into the air, water and soil, the generation, storage, handling, use, transportation and disposal of hazardous materials, the exposure of persons to regulated materials, and the health and safety of employees dedicated to such transportation and storage activities. These laws and regulations may impose numerous obligations and restrictions that are applicable to motor fuels transportation and storage and other related activities, including acquisition of, or applications for, permits, licenses, or other approvals before conducting regulated activities; restrictions on the quality and labeling of the motor fuels that may be sold; restrictions on the types, quantities and concentration of materials that may be released into the environment; required capital expenditures to comply with pollution control requirements; and imposition of substantial liabilities for pollution or non-compliance resulting from these activities. Numerous governmental authorities, such as the DOT and EPA, and analogous state agencies, have the power to monitor and enforce compliance with these laws and regulations and the permits, licenses and approvals issued under them, including fines, which can result in increased pollution control equipment costs or other actions. Failure to comply with these existing laws and regulations, or any newly adopted laws or regulations, may trigger administrative, civil or criminal enforcement measures, including the assessment of monetary penalties or other sanctions, the imposition of investigative, remedial or corrective action obligations, the imposition of additional compliance requirements on certain operations or the issuance of orders enjoining certain operations. Moreover, the trend in environmental regulation is for more restrictions and limitations on activities that may adversely affect the environment, which aligns with a growing trend in investor sentiment, and such regulation may result in increased costs of compliance.
Where releases of motor fuels or other substances or wastes have occurred, federal and state laws and regulations, and our lease agreements, require that contamination caused by such releases be assessed and remediated to meet applicable clean-up standards. Certain environmental laws impose strict, joint and several liability for costs required to clean-up and restore sites where motor fuels or other waste products have been disposed of or otherwise released. The costs associated with the investigation and remediation of contamination, as well as any associated third-party claims for damages or to impose corrective action obligations, could be substantial and could have a material adverse effect on us or our customers who transport motor fuels or own or operate convenience stores or other facilities where motor fuels are stored.
For more information on potential risks arising from environmental and occupational safety and health laws and regulations, please see “Business-Environmental and Other Government Regulations.”
Failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations could result in liabilities, penalties, costs, or license suspension or revocation that could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Our operations are subject to numerous federal, state and local laws and regulations, including regulations related to the sale of alcohol, cigarettes and other tobacco products, lottery/lotto products, other age-restricted products, operation of gaming machines, various food safety and product quality requirements, environmental laws and regulations, and various employment laws, including requirements for various licenses and registrations. To the extent we are not able to provide information that is required under such regulations because owners of our stock do not provide the necessary documentation to comply or fail to comply with such regulations, we may have those licenses suspended or revoked.
Our violation of, or inability to comply with such regulation could expose us to regulatory sanctions ranging from monetary fines to the revocation or suspension of our permits and licenses for the sale of such products. We may also be subject to litigation including class action litigation which may result in substantial costs, expenses and damages related to legal proceedings. Such regulatory action or litigation could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our failure to comply with applicable labor and employment laws pertaining to, among others, minimum wage, mandated healthcare benefits or paid time-off benefits could result in increased regulatory scrutiny, monetary fines and substantial costs and expenses related to legal proceedings.
Our business, particularly the operation of gas stations, and the storage and transportation of fuel products, is directly affected by numerous environmental laws and regulations pertaining, in particular, to the quality of fuel products, the handling and disposal of hazardous wastes and the prevention and remediation of environmental contaminations. Such laws and regulations are constantly evolving and have generally become more stringent over time. Our compliance with such evolving regulation requires significant and continuously increasing capital expenditures. Our business may also be (indirectly) affected by the adoption of environmental laws and regulations intended to address global climate change by limiting carbon emissions and introducing more stringent requirements for the exploration, drilling and transportation of crude oil and petroleum products. Increasingly wide-spread implementation of such laws and regulations may lead to a significant increase in the cost of petroleum-based fuels and, in turn, lower demand for road transportation fuel. Our failure to comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations, or a significant contamination at one of our sites requiring remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater on a large scale, could expose us to substantial fines and
penalties, as well as administrative, civil and criminal charges, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation, financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to extensive tax liabilities imposed by multiple jurisdictions that potentially have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to extensive tax liabilities imposed by multiple jurisdictions, including income taxes, fuel excise taxes, sales and use taxes, payroll taxes, franchise taxes, property taxes and tobacco taxes. Many of these tax liabilities are subject to periodic audits by the respective taxing authorities. Further changes in the tax laws could arise as a result of the base erosion and profit shifting project undertaken by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (“OECD”). In December 2022, the European Union (“EU”) member states reached an agreement to implement the minimum tax component (“Pillar Two”) of the OECD’s tax reform initiative. The directive was enacted into the national law of the EU member states in 2023. If similar directives under Pillar Two are adopted by other taxing authorities, such changes could increase the amount of taxes we pay and therefore decrease our results of operations and cash flow. Additionally, substantial changes or reforms in the current tax regime could result in increased tax expenses and potentially have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
We rely on a large number of store employees. If we do not effectively manage our workforce, our labor costs and results of operations could be adversely affected.
With approximately 12,000 store employees, our labor costs represent one of our largest store operating expenses and our business is dependent on our ability to attract, train, and retain the appropriate mix of qualified employees. Most of our store employees are in entry-level or part-time positions, which have historically high turnover rates. Current employment trends and the prevailing wage rates in the markets in which we operate, including voluntary increases in wages because of current labor market conditions, have increased our costs associated with recruiting and retaining qualified personnel, and may continue to do so in the future. Our ability to meet our changing labor needs while controlling our costs is subject to external factors outside of our control such as labor laws and mandatory requirements at the local, state and federal levels (such as minimum wages, paid leave time, and other social benefits), unemployment levels, prevailing wage rates, benefit costs, changing demographics, and our reputation and relevance within the labor market. If we are unable to attract and retain qualified personnel to work in our stores, do not provide proper training, or provide clear succession planning, our operations, customer service levels, reputation, and competitiveness could suffer and our results of operations could be adversely affected.
The loss of key senior management personnel or the failure to recruit or retain qualified senior management personnel could materially adversely affect our business.
We are dependent on our ability to recruit, train and retain qualified individuals to manage our business. Economic factors, the state of the current labor market and availability of other employment options for our management personnel could impact our ability to recruit and retain qualified personnel that could have a material impact on our results of operations and impact our ability to execute upon our strategic goals. If we do not provide proper training and clear succession planning or are unable to entice the necessary talent to join our company and retain our employees over time, we may not have appropriate staff to be promoted to management roles as they become available. Additionally, we are dependent on certain key employees to operate our business and the loss of any of our executive officers or other key employees could harm our business.
Unfavorable weather conditions could adversely affect our business.
Weather conditions have a significant effect on our sales, as retail customer transactions in higher profit margin products generally increase when weather conditions are favorable. Consequently, our results are seasonal, and we typically earn more during the warmer second and third quarters of the year. In addition, severe weather phenomena, such as hurricanes, may adversely affect our results of operations and could result in significant damage to our gas stations, convenience stores and infrastructure, potentially resulting in substantial costs and expenses. Temporary or long-term disruptions to our supply chain in connection with unfavorable weather conditions could impact our network of suppliers and distributors, significantly impacting the quality, variety and pricing of merchandise sold at our sites.
We are subject to payment-related risks that may result in higher operating costs or the inability to process payments, either of which could harm our brand, reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations.
We accept a variety of credit cards and debit cards in our convenience stores and at our fuel dispensers and, accordingly, we are, and will continue to be, subject to significant and evolving regulations and compliance requirements, including obligations to
implement enhanced authentication processes that could result in increased costs and liability and reduce the ease of use of certain payment methods. Additionally, we pay interchange and other fees, which may increase over time.
Europay, MasterCard and Visa, or EMV, is a global standard for credit cards that uses computer chips to authenticate and secure chip-card transactions. The liability for fraudulent credit card transactions shifted from the credit card processor to us in April 2021 for transactions at the fuel dispensers. As of December 31, 2023, due to the required time and cost necessary to upgrade each site, supply chain constraints related to necessary equipment, and contractor availability, we completed upgrading our fuel dispensers to be EMV-compliant at approximately 75% of our retail locations, and anticipate being substantially complete by the end of 2025. Accordingly, we may be subject to liability for fraudulent credit card transactions processed at fuel dispensers that are now EMV-compliant. We do not believe that this will expose us to material chargeback liability.
We rely on fuel brands and independent service providers for payment processing, including credit and debit cards. If these fuel brands and independent service providers become unwilling or unable to provide these services to us, if the cost of using these providers increases, or if such providers have a data breach or mishandle our data, our business could be harmed. Additionally, there is a trend toward cardless payment methods, which may require additional investment to implement at our locations. As these trends develop, we will need to align our fleet card offering to the new technologies.
We are also subject to payment card association operating rules and agreements, including data security rules and agreements and certification requirements which could change or be reinterpreted to make it difficult or impossible for us to comply. In particular, we must comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, or PCI DSS, a set of requirements designed to ensure that all companies that process, store or transmit payment card information maintain a secure environment to protect cardholder data. If we, or our third-party service providers, fail to comply with any of these rules or requirements, or if our, or our third-party service providers, data security systems are breached or compromised, we may be liable for losses incurred by card issuing banks or customers, subject to fines and higher transaction fees, lose our ability to accept credit or debit card payments from our customers, or process electronic fund transfers or facilitate other types of payments. Any failure to comply with such rules or requirements could significantly harm our brand, reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations.
Significant disruptions of information technology systems, breaches of data security, or compromised data could materially adversely affect our business.
We rely on multiple information technology systems and a number of third-party vendor platforms (collectively, “IT Systems”) in order to run and manage our daily operations, including for fuel pricing, loyalty programs, payroll, accounting, budgeting, reporting, and store operations. Such IT Systems allow us to manage various aspects of our business, communicate with customers, and to provide reliable analytical information to our management. The future operation, success and growth of our business depends on streamlined processes made available through our uninhibited access to information systems, global communications, internet activity and other network processes. Like most other companies, despite our current cybersecurity risk management framework (see “Cybersecurity” for additional detail) and process controls, our information technology systems, and those of our third-party service providers, may be vulnerable to information security breaches, ransomware or extortion, mishandled data, acts of vandalism, computer viruses and interruption or loss of valuable business data. Stored data might be improperly accessed due to a variety of events beyond our control, including, but not limited to, damage and interruption from power loss or natural disasters, computer system and network failures, loss of telecommunications services, physical and electronic loss of access to data and information, terrorist attacks, hackers, security breaches or other security incidents, and computer viruses or attacks. We rely on third-parties to provide maintenance and support of our IT Systems, and to store our data (including customer data) and a failure of any of these third-parties to provide adequate and timely support, or compromise of these third-parties’ systems, could adversely affect the operation of our IT Systems. We have technology security initiatives and disaster recovery plans in place to mitigate our risk to these vulnerabilities, but these measures may not be adequately designed or implemented to ensure that our operations are not disrupted or the data security breaches do not occur.
Hackers and data thieves are increasingly sophisticated and operate large-scale and complex attacks which may remain undetected until after they occur. Any breach of our network or those of our vendors may result in damage to our reputation, the loss of valuable business data, the misappropriation of our valuable intellectual property or trade secret information, misappropriation of our customers’ or employees’ personal information, key personnel being unable to perform duties or communicate throughout the organization, loss of retail sales, significant costs for data restoration and other adverse impacts on our business. Despite our existing security procedures and controls, if our network or the network of one of our service providers was compromised, it could give rise to unwanted media attention, materially damage our customer relationships, harm our business, reputation, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition, result in fines or litigation, and may increase the costs we incur to protect against such information security breaches, such as increased investment in technology, the costs of compliance with consumer protection laws and costs resulting from consumer fraud. In addition, successful cyberattacks, data breaches, or data security incidents, at one of our vendors, other convenience store operators, large retailers or other market participants, whether or not we are directly impacted, could lead to a general loss of customer confidence or affect our supply chain which could negatively affect us, including harming the market
perception of the effectiveness of our security measures or harming the reputation of the industry in general, which could result in reduced use of our products and services.
The costs of mitigating cybersecurity risks are significant and are likely to increase in the future. These costs include, but are not limited to, retaining the services of cybersecurity providers; compliance costs arising out of existing and future cybersecurity, data protection and privacy laws and regulations; costs related to maintaining redundant networks, data backups and other damage-mitigation measures; and extra administrative costs to mitigate risk and deal with any system breaches. While we maintain cyber liability insurance, our insurance may not be sufficient to protect against all losses we may incur due to policy exclusions or if we suffer significant or multiple attacks.
We are subject to evolving laws, regulations, standards, and contractual obligations related to data privacy and security regulations, and our actual or perceived failure to comply with such obligations could harm our reputation, subject us to significant fines and liability, or otherwise adversely affect our business.
As a fuel and merchandise retailer, we collect and store large amounts of data on our network, including personal data from customers and other sensitive information concerning our employees, customers and vendors. As such, we are subject to, or affected by, a number of federal, state, and local laws and regulations, as well as contractual obligations and industry standards, that impose certain obligations and restrictions with respect to data privacy and security, and govern our collection, storage, retention, protection, use, processing, transmission, sharing and disclosure of personal and other information including that of our employees, customers, and others. If we are found to have breached any such laws or regulations, we may be subject to enforcement actions that require us to change our business practices in a manner which may negatively impact our revenue, as well as expose us to litigation, fines, civil and/or criminal penalties and adverse publicity that could cause our customers to lose trust in us, negatively impacting our reputation and business in a manner that harms our financial position.
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (the “FTC”) and state governments expect a company’s data security and privacy measures to be compliant. Such rules may be reasonable and appropriate in light of the sensitivity and volume of customer information we hold, the size and complexity of our business, and the cost of available tools to improve security and reduce vulnerabilities, or may require compliance regardless of the compliance costs as compared to the potential security and privacy issues. Our failure to take any steps perceived by the FTC as appropriate or required to protect customers’ personal information may result in claims by the FTC that we have engaged in unfair or deceptive acts or practices in violation of Section 5(a) of the FTC Act. State consumer protection laws provide similar and additional causes of action which may be brought by state governments or plaintiffs’ counsel for unfair or deceptive practices for alleged privacy, data protection and data security violations.
Further, we make public statements about our use and disclosure of personal information through our privacy policies that are posted on our websites and in our loyalty applications. The publication of our privacy policies and other statements that provide promises and assurances about data privacy and security can subject us to potential government or legal action if they are found to be deceptive, unfair or misrepresentative of our actual practices.
As described above, we are also subject to PCI DSS, which is a standard designed to protect credit card account data as mandated by payment card industry entities. We rely on vendors to handle PCI DSS matters and to ensure PCI DSS compliance. Despite our compliance efforts, we may become subject to claims that we have violated the PCI DSS based on past, present, and future business practices. Our actual or perceived failure to comply with the PCI DSS can subject us to fines, termination of banking relationships, and increased transaction fees.
In addition, numerous states already have, and are looking to expand, data protection and privacy legislation requiring companies like ours to consider solutions to meet differing needs and expectations of customers. Similar laws have been proposed at the federal level, reflecting a trend toward more stringent privacy legislation in the United States. The enactment of such laws could have potentially conflicting requirements that would make compliance challenging and we may not be able to monitor and react to all developments in a timely manner.
Our failure, and/or the failure by the various third-party service providers and partners with which we do business, to comply with applicable privacy policies or federal or state laws and regulations or any other obligations relating to privacy, data protection or information security, or any compromise of security that results in the unauthorized release of personal data or other user data, or the perception that any such failure or compromise has occurred, could negatively harm our brand and reputation, result in a loss sales and/or result in fines and/or proceedings by governmental agencies and/or customers, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our business could suffer if we fail to adequately secure, maintain, and enforce our intellectual property rights.
We rely on our trademarks, trade names, and brand names to distinguish our products and services from those of our competitors, and have registered or applied to register many of these trademarks. We cannot assure you that our trademark applications will be approved. Third-parties may also oppose our trademark applications, or otherwise challenge our use of the
trademarks. In the event that our trademarks are successfully challenged, we could be forced to rebrand our products or services, which could result in loss of brand recognition, and could require us to devote resources advertising and marketing new brands. Further, we cannot assure you that competitors will not infringe our trademarks, or that we will have adequate resources to enforce our trademarks. Any claims of intellectual property infringement, even those without merit, could be expensive and time consuming to defend and divert management’s attention, cause us to cease making, licensing or using the products or services that incorporate the challenged intellectual property, require us to rebrand our products or services, if feasible, or require us to enter into royalty or licensing agreements in order to obtain the right to use a third-party’s intellectual property.
We also rely on trademarks that we license from third-parties to identify the branded fuels that we supply and trademarks in our quick service food offerings. If we violate the terms of these licenses, we could be liable for damages, and the licenses could be terminated. The termination or non-renewal of any of these licenses could require us to rebrand or to replace the licensed goods and services, and accordingly could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation, financial condition and results of operations.
We also rely on unpatented proprietary technology. It is possible that others will independently develop the same or similar technology or otherwise obtain access to our unpatented technology. We use access controls in an effort to prevent unauthorized use or disclosure of our trade secrets and proprietary or confidential information, however, we cannot assure you that these controls will not be circumvented. We also generally require employees, consultants, advisors and collaborators to enter into confidentiality agreements. We cannot assure you that these agreements will provide meaningful protection for our trade secrets, know-how or other proprietary information in the event of any unauthorized use, misappropriation or disclosure of such trade secrets, know-how or other proprietary information. If we are unable to maintain the proprietary nature of our technologies, we could be materially adversely affected.
We depend on third-party transportation providers for the transportation of most of our motor fuel. Thus, a change of providers, a significant incident related to a provider, or a significant change in our relationship with these providers could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Most of the motor fuel we distribute is transported from terminals to gas stations and cardlock locations by third-party transportation providers. Such providers may suspend, reduce or terminate their obligations to us if certain events (such as force majeure) occur. A change of key transportation providers, a disruption or cessation in services provided by such providers, a significant accident or other incident involving a transportation provider, or a significant change in our relationship with such providers could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our operations present risks which may not be fully covered by insurance.
We carry comprehensive insurance against the hazards and risks underlying our operations. We believe our insurance policies are customary in the industry; however, some losses and liabilities associated with our operations may not be covered by our insurance policies. In addition, there can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain similar insurance coverage on favorable terms (or at all) in the future. Significant uninsured losses and liabilities could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, our insurance is subject to high deductibles. As a result, certain large claims, even if covered by insurance, may require a substantial cash outlay by us, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Our variable rate debt could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Certain of our outstanding term loans and revolving credit facilities bear interest at variable rates, subjecting us to fluctuations in the short-term interest rate. The U.S. Federal Reserve Board significantly increased the federal funds rate in 2022 and 2023, which has increased the borrowing costs on our variable rate debt and may increase the cost of any new debt we incur. Any further additional federal fund rate increases could in turn make our financing activities, including those related to our acquisition activity, more costly and limit our ability to refinance existing debt when it matures or pay higher interest rates upon refinancing and increase interest expense on refinanced indebtedness. As of December 31, 2023, approximately 46% of our debt bore interest at variable rates, which is based on CME Group’s forward-looking Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”). Consequently, significant increases in market interest rates would create substantially higher debt service requirements, which could have a material adverse effect on our overall financial condition, including our ability to service our indebtedness.
The agreements governing our indebtedness contain various restrictions and financial covenants that may restrict our business and financing activities.
We depend on the earnings and cash flow generated by our operations in order to meet our debt service obligations. The operating and financial restrictions and covenants in our credit facilities and our 5.125% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “Senior Notes”),
and any future financing agreements, may restrict our ability to finance future operations or expand our business activities. For example, certain of our credit facilities and our Senior Notes restrict our ability to, among other things: incur additional debt or issue guarantees; incur or permit liens to exist on certain property; pay dividends, redeem stock or make other distributions; make certain investments, acquisitions or other restricted payments; enter into certain types of transactions with affiliates; agree to certain restrictions on the ability of restricted subsidiaries to make payments to us; engage in certain asset sales; modify or terminate certain material contracts; and merge or dispose of all or substantially all of certain entities’ assets.
In addition, certain of the credit agreements governing our credit facilities contain covenants requiring us to maintain certain financial ratios. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Contractual Obligations and Indebtedness” for additional information about our credit facilities and our Senior Notes.
Our ability to comply with these restrictions and covenants is uncertain and will be affected by the levels of cash flow from operations and other events or circumstances beyond our control. If market or other economic conditions deteriorate, our ability to comply with these covenants may be impaired. If we violate any provisions of our credit facilities or Senior Notes that are not cured or waived within the appropriate time periods provided in the agreements governing such indebtedness, a significant portion of our indebtedness may become immediately due and payable, and our lenders’ commitment to make further loans to us under certain of our credit facilities may terminate. We might not have, or be able to obtain, sufficient funds to make these accelerated payments.
If we were unable to repay the accelerated amounts, the lenders under our secured credit facilities could proceed against the collateral granted to them to secure such debt. If the payment of our debt is accelerated, our assets may be insufficient to repay such debt in full, which could result in our insolvency.
Risks Related to Our Organizational Structure
The majority of our common stock is held by a limited number of stockholders and management and their interests may conflict with yours in the future.
Our executive officers and directors and a limited number of stockholders beneficially owned approximately 71% of our outstanding voting stock as of December 31, 2023. Each share of common stock entitles its holders to one vote on all matters presented to stockholders. Accordingly, this limited number of stockholders can have a material impact in the election and removal of our directors and thereby determine corporate and management policies, including potential mergers or acquisitions, payment of dividends, asset sales, amendment of the certificate of incorporation and bylaws and other significant corporate transactions for so long as they retain significant ownership. This concentration of ownership may delay or deter possible changes in control, which may reduce the value of an investment in the common stock. So long as they continue to own a significant amount of the combined voting power, even if such amount is less than 50%, they will continue to be able to strongly influence or effectively control our decisions.
Our corporate structure includes Israeli subsidiaries that may have adverse tax consequences and expose us to additional tax liabilities.
Our corporate structure includes Israeli subsidiaries that file tax returns in Israel. Israeli tax authorities may challenge positions taken by such subsidiaries with respect to their tax returns. To the extent such a challenge is sustained, this could increase our worldwide effective tax rate and adversely impact our financial position and results of operations. In addition, tax law or regulations in Israel may be amended and Israeli tax authorities may change their interpretations of existing tax law and regulations such that we may be subject to increased tax liabilities, including upon termination or liquidation of our Israeli subsidiaries. We may face additional tax liabilities in transferring cash through our Israeli subsidiaries by means of dividends or otherwise to support us, primarily due to withholding tax requirements imposed pursuant to the provisions of the Israeli tax law (which may be reduced under the provisions of the convention between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Israel with respect to Taxes on Income), which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation designates specific courts as the exclusive forum for certain litigation that may be initiated by our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us.
Pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is the sole and exclusive forum for any state law claim for (1) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf; (2) any action asserting a claim of or based on a breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of ours to us or our stockholders; (3) any action asserting a claim pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our bylaws; or (4) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine (the “Delaware Forum Provision”). The Delaware Forum Provision
will not apply to any causes of action arising under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation further provides that unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the United States District Court in Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for resolving any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act (the “Federal Forum Provision”). In addition, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of common stock is deemed to have notice of and consented to the Delaware Forum Provision and the Federal Forum Provision; provided, however, that stockholders cannot and will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.
We recognize that the Delaware Forum Provision and the Federal Forum Provision in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation may impose additional litigation costs on stockholders in pursuing any such claims, particularly if the stockholders do not reside in or near the State of Delaware. Additionally, the forum selection clauses in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation may limit our stockholders’ ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that they find favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers or employees, which may discourage the filing of lawsuits against us and our directors, officers and employees, even though an action, if successful, might benefit our stockholders. While the Delaware Supreme Court ruled in March 2020 that federal forum selection provisions purporting to require claims under the Securities Act be brought in federal court were “facially valid” under Delaware law, there is uncertainty as to whether courts in other jurisdictions will enforce the Federal Forum Provision. If the Federal Forum Provision is found to be unenforceable, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters. The Federal Forum Provision may also impose additional litigation costs on stockholders who assert that the provision is not enforceable or invalid. The Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware may also issue different judgments than would other courts, including courts where a stockholder considering an action may be located or would otherwise choose to bring the action, and such judgments may be more or less favorable to us than our stockholders.
Risks Related to Our Securities
If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud. As a result, stockholders could lose confidence in our financial and other public reporting, which is likely to negatively affect our business and the market price of our common stock.
Effective internal control over financial reporting is necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and prevent fraud. Any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in our implementation could cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. In addition, any testing conducted by us, or any testing conducted by our independent registered public accounting firm, may reveal deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting that are deemed to be material weaknesses or that may require prospective or retroactive changes to our financial statements or identify other areas for further attention or improvement. Inferior internal controls could also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which is likely to negatively affect our business and the market price of our common stock.
We are required to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which requires annual management assessments of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and a report by our independent registered public accounting firm on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of year-end. In particular, we are required to perform system and process evaluation and testing of our internal controls over financial reporting to allow management to report on the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting, as required by Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We are also subject to the compliance requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which has resulted in us incurring substantial expenses and expending significant management efforts to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which will continue. We cannot assure you that we will at all times in the future be able to report that our internal controls are effective. Material weaknesses in the design and operation of the internal control over financial reporting of businesses that we acquire could have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results. If we are not able to comply with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act or if we identify or our independent registered public accounting firm identifies deficiencies in our internal controls over financial reporting that are deemed to be material weaknesses, the market price of our common stock could decline and we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by Nasdaq, the SEC, or other regulatory authorities, which would require additional financial and management resources.
The market price and trading volume of our common stock may be volatile and could decline significantly.
The Nasdaq stock market on which we list our common stock, has from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations. Even if an active, liquid and orderly trading market is sustained for our common stock, the market price of our common stock may be volatile and could decline significantly. In addition, the trading volume in our common stock may fluctuate and cause significant price variations to occur. If the market price of our common stock declines significantly, you may be unable to resell your shares at or above the market price of our common stock as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We cannot assure you that the market price of our common stock will not fluctuate widely or decline significantly in the future in response to a number of factors, including, among others: the realization of any of the risk factors presented in this Annual Report on Form 10-K; actual or anticipated differences in our estimates, or in the estimates of securities analysts, or the expectations of stockholders, or changes by securities analysts in their estimates of our future earnings; failure of our operating results to meet our published guidance; the
performance and market valuations of other similar companies; and broad disruptions in the financial markets, including sudden disruptions in the credit markets.
In the past, securities class action litigation has often been instituted against companies following periods of volatility in the market price of their shares. This type of litigation could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s attention and resources, which could have a material adverse effect on us.
Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market could cause the price of our common stock to decline.
As of December 31, 2023, we had 116,171,208 shares of common stock outstanding and warrants to purchase approximately 18.4 million shares of common stock. We have registered shares of common stock that we may issue under our equity compensation plan. These shares may be sold freely in the public market upon issuance, subject to relevant vesting schedules, and applicable securities laws. Additionally, in the past we have issued, and may issue in the future, equity as part of the purchase price for an acquisition.
Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market or the perception that these sales might occur could depress the market price of our common stock and could impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities. We are unable to predict the effect that sales may have on the prevailing market price of our common stock.
We may not continue to declare cash dividends or may reduce the amount of cash dividends in the future.
In February 2022, we announced that our board of directors (the “Board”) authorized a regular dividend program under which we commenced payment of quarterly dividends on our common stock, subject to quarterly declarations in the sole discretion of our Board. Any future declarations of dividends, as well as the amount and timing of such dividends, are subject to capital availability and the discretion of our Board, which must evaluate, among other things, whether cash dividends are in the best interest of our stockholders and are in compliance with all applicable laws and any agreements containing provisions that limit our ability to declare and pay cash dividends.
Our ability to pay dividends in the future and their amount will depend upon, among other factors, our cash balances and potential future capital requirements, debt service requirements, earnings, financial condition, the general economic and regulatory climate, and other factors beyond our control that our Board may deem relevant. Our dividend payments may change from time to time, and we may not continue to declare dividends in the future. A reduction in or elimination of our dividend payments could have a negative effect on our stock price.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.
None.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
As of December 31, 2023, we owned 395 properties, including 267 retail stores, 51 consignment agent locations, 44 lessee-dealer sites and 33 cardlock locations. Additionally, we have long-term control over a leased property portfolio composed of 1,640 locations as of December 31, 2023. Of the leased properties, 1,276 were retail stores, 103 were consignment agent locations, 105 were lessee-dealer sites and 156 were cardlock locations.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
As of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we were not party to any material legal proceedings that would require disclosure pursuant to Item 103 of Regulation S-K.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.
Not applicable.
PART II

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
Our common stock and publicly-traded warrants are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbols “ARKO” and “ARKOW,” respectively.
As of February 23, 2024, there were 17 holders of record of our common stock and eight holders of record of our publicly-traded warrants to purchase one whole share of common stock at a price of $11.50 per share.
Information concerning the dividends called for by this item is incorporated herein by reference to Note 17, “Equity,” in the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
The following table presents our share repurchase activity for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):
Period
Total Number of Shares Purchased
Average Price Paid per Share
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (1)
Maximum Dollar Value that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (1)
October 1, 2023 to October 31, 2023
452,916
$
7.43
452,916
$
34,104
November 1, 2023 to November 30, 2023
450,454
7.43
450,454
30,755
December 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023
227,242
7.74
227,242
28,995
Total
1,130,612
$
7.49
1,130,612
$
28,995
(1)All of the above repurchases were made on the open market at prevailing market rates plus related expenses under our stock repurchase program, which authorizes the repurchase of up to $100 million of our common stock. We publicly announced this program on February 23, 2022 and announced the increased amount authorized to be repurchased on May 16, 2023.
Performance Graph
The following graph compares the performance of our common stock during the period beginning December 23, 2020 through December 31, 2023, assuming an investment of $100 on December 23, 2020, to that of the total return index for the S&P 500, the Russell 2000 and the S&P Retail Select Industry Index. In calculating total annual stockholder return, reinvestment of dividends, if any, is assumed. The indices are included for comparative purposes only. They do not necessarily reflect management’s opinion that such indices are an appropriate measure of the relative performance of our common stock.
The performance graph shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this Annual Report on Form 10-K into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent we specifically incorporate this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such acts.
12/23/2020
12/31/2021
12/31/2022
12/31/2023
ARKO Corp.
$
$
87.70
$
87.47
$
84.61
S&P 500
133.65
109.45
138.22
Russell 2000
124.75
99.26
116.06
S&P Retail Select Industry Index
153.59
104.87
127.46
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“PSLRA”), Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “Exchange Act”), about our expectations, beliefs, plans and intentions regarding our product development efforts, business, financial condition, results of operations, strategies and prospects. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that these statements do not relate to historical or current matters. Rather, forward-looking statements relate to anticipated or expected events, activities, trends or results. Because forward-looking statements relate to matters that have not yet occurred, these statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Many factors could cause our actual activities or results to differ materially from the activities and results anticipated in forward-looking statements. These factors include those contained in “Item 1A - Risk Factors” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Forward-looking statements reflect our views only as of the date they are made. We do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law. We intend that all forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbor provisions of PSLRA.
Overview
Based in Richmond, VA, we are a leading independent convenience store operator and, as of December 31, 2023, we were the sixth largest convenience store chain in the United States (“U.S.”) ranked by store count, operating 1,543 retail convenience stores. As of December 31, 2023, we operated the stores under more than 25 regional store brands, including 1-Stop, Admiral, Apple Market®, BreadBox, Corner Mart, Dixie Mart, ExpressStop, E-Z Mart®, fas mart®, fastmarket®, Flash Market, Handy Mart, Jetz, Jiffi Stop®, Jiffy Stop, Li’l Cricket, Market Express, Next Door Store®, Pride, Roadrunner Markets, Rose Mart, Rstore, Scotchman®, shore stop®, Speedy’s, Town Star, Uncle’s, Village Pantry® and Young’s. As of December 31, 2023, we also supplied fuel to 1,825 dealers and operated 298 cardlock locations (unstaffed fueling locations). We are well diversified geographically and, as of December 31, 2023, operated in the District of Columbia and more than 30 states in the Mid-Atlantic, Midwestern, Northeastern, Southeastern and Southwestern U.S.
Our primary business is the operation of convenience stores, and we generate a significant portion of our revenue from the retail sale of products and the fuel at our stores. Consequently, our retail stores generate a large proportion of our profitability. We intentionally focus our marketing and merchandising initiatives at our retail stores to offer our customers an assortment of products with an attractive value proposition. Our retail offering includes a wide array of cold and hot foodservice, beverages, cigarettes and other tobacco products, candy, salty snacks, grocery, beer and general merchandise. We have foodservice offerings at approximately 1,260 stores, which include hot and fresh grab-n-go foods, deli, fried chicken, bakery, pizza, roller grill items and other prepared foods. In 2024, we launched an extensive new pizza program that offers private label pizza, at an attractive value of $4.99 for enrolled loyalty members, which is currently offered at more than 1,000 stores as take-and-bake from the freezer, and currently available at approximately 225 of those stores also as fresh and hot pizza either whole or by the slice. We supplement our foodservice offering with approximately 150 quick service major national brand restaurants. Relevant and delicious food offerings are a key strategic priority for us, and we expect to maintain a high degree of focus on frozen grab-and-go and enhanced hot food capabilities. Additionally, we provide a number of traditional convenience store services that generate income, including lottery, prepaid products, gift cards, money orders, ATMs, gaming, and other ancillary product and service offerings. We also generate revenues from car washes at approximately 95 of our locations.
Enrolled members in our fas REWARDS® loyalty program increased by approximately 171,000 new enrolled members in the fourth quarter of 2023, representing a year over year increase of 170% from the fourth quarter of 2022. Currently, we have approximately 2.0 million enrolled members in our program. During the second and third quarters of 2023, following the launch of our updated fas REWARDS app in the first quarter of 2023, 491,000 new members enrolled, and we attribute this robust growth in part to execution of a special $10 enrollment campaign that lasted from mid-May 2023 through September 2023. Our fas REWARDS® loyalty program is available in the majority of our stores and offers enrolled loyalty members in store exclusive promotional pricing, in-app member only HOT deals not available in stores, as well as the ability to earn points that can be redeemed for either fuel or merchandise savings. Other in-app features include order and delivery, age verified offers on tobacco and alcohol, and a store locator with current gas prices at GPM stores nearby to members.
We also derive revenue from the wholesale distribution of fuel and the sale of fuel at cardlock locations, and we earn commissions from the sales of fuel using proprietary fuel cards that provide customers access to a nationwide network of fueling sites. We believe these revenues result in stable, ratable cash flows which, together with free cash flow from our retail segment, can be deployed to pursue accretive acquisitions and investments in our retail stores. The wholesale segment adds significant fuel volumes to
our robust retail fuel sales, which we believe enhances our purchasing power for our entire platform, including our retail segment, and improves our competitiveness as an acquirer of choice.
Description of Segments
Our reportable segments are described below.
Retail Segment
Our retail segment includes the operation of a chain of retail stores, which includes convenience stores selling fuel products and other merchandise to retail customers. At our convenience stores, we own the merchandise and fuel inventory and employ personnel to manage the store.
Wholesale Segment
Our wholesale segment supplies fuel to dealers, on either a consignment or cost plus basis. For consignment arrangements, we retain ownership of the fuel inventory at the site, are responsible for the pricing of the fuel to the end consumer and share a portion of the gross profit earned from the sale of fuel by the consignment dealers. For cost plus arrangements, we sell fuel to dealers and bulk and spot purchasers on a fixed-fee basis. The sales price to the dealer is determined according to the terms of the relevant agreement with the dealer, which typically reflects our total fuel costs plus the cost of transportation and a margin, with us generally retaining the prompt pay discounts and rebates.
Fleet Fueling Segment
Our fleet fueling segment includes the operation of proprietary and third-party cardlock locations (unstaffed fueling locations), and issuance of proprietary fuel cards that provide customers access to a nationwide network of fueling sites.
GPMP Segment
Our GPMP segment engages in the wholesale distribution of fuel to substantially all of our sites that sell fuel in the retail and wholesale segments and a limited number of third-party dealers and bulk purchasers. GPM Petroleum LP (“GPMP”) sells fuel at GPMP’s cost of fuel (including taxes and transportation) plus a fixed margin and charges a fixed fee primarily to sites in the fleet fueling segment which are not supplied by GPMP.
Trends Impacting Our Business
We achieved strong store growth over the last decade, driven primarily by a highly successful acquisition strategy, inclusive of 25 completed acquisitions from 2013 through 2023. More recently, on March 1, 2023, we acquired 135 convenience stores and gas stations, 181 dealer locations, a commercial, government, and industrial business, and certain distribution and transportation assets from Transit Energy Group, LLC (the “TEG Acquisition”). On June 6, 2023, we completed our acquisition of 24 Uncle’s convenience stores located across Western Texas, 68 proprietary GASCARD-branded cardlock sites and 43 private cardlock sites for fleet fueling operations located in Western Texas and Southeastern New Mexico from WTG Fuels Holdings, LLC (the “WTG Acquisition”). On August 15, 2023, we acquired seven Speedy’s convenience stores located in Arkansas and Oklahoma, which were previously locations operated by a dealer to which we supplied fuel (the “Speedy’s Acquisition” and, together with the TEG Acquisition and the WTG Acquisition, the “2023 Acquisitions”). For additional information regarding the 2023 Acquisitions, please see Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In July 2022, we completed our acquisition of certain assets from Quarles Petroleum, Incorporated (the “Quarles Acquisition”), which included at closing 121 proprietary Quarles-branded cardlock sites and 63 third-party cardlock sites for fleet fueling operations, and 46 dealer locations, and in December 2022, we completed our acquisition of Pride Convenience Holdings, LLC, which operated 31 Pride convenience stores at closing and had one store under construction that is now opened (the “Pride Acquisition” and together with the Quarles Acquisition, the “2022 Acquisitions”). In May 2021, we completed our acquisition of 60 ExpressStop convenience stores, and, in November 2021, we completed our acquisition of 36 Handy Mart convenience stores.
Our store count has grown from 320 sites in 2011 to 3,666 sites as of December 31, 2023, of which 1,543 were operated as retail convenience stores, 1,825 were locations at which we supplied fuel to dealers and 298 were cardlock locations. Our strategic acquisitions have had, and may continue to have, a significant impact on our reported results and can make period to period comparisons of results difficult. We believe our significant size and scale aids our efforts to successfully deploy our organic growth strategies in our acquired assets, which we anticipate will result in value accretion.
The following table provides a history of our acquisitions, site conversions and site closings for each of the last three years, for the retail, wholesale and fleet fueling segments:
For the Year Ended December 31,
Retail Segment
Number of sites at beginning of period
1,404
1,406
1,330
Acquired sites
Newly opened or reopened sites
-
Company-controlled sites converted to consignment or
fuel supply locations, net
(16
)
(17
)
(9
)
Closed, relocated or divested sites
(15
)
(17
)
(13
)
Number of sites at end of period
1,543
1,404
1,406
For the Year Ended December 31,
Wholesale Segment 1
Number of sites at beginning of period
1,674
1,628
1,597
Acquired sites
-
Newly opened or reopened sites 2
Consignment or fuel supply locations converted
from Company-controlled or fleet fueling sites, net
Closed, relocated or divested sites
(137
)
(91
)
(54
)
Number of sites at end of period
1,825
1,674
1,628
1 Excludes bulk and spot purchasers.
2 Includes all signed fuel supply agreements irrespective of fuel distribution commencement date.
For the Year Ended December 31,
Fleet Fueling Segment
Number of sites at beginning of period
-
Acquired sites
Newly opened or reopened sites
-
Fleet fueling locations converted from fuel supply locations, net
-
Closed, relocated or divested sites
(3
)
(1
)
Number of sites at end of period
In recent years, the convenience store industry has focused on increasing and improving in-store foodservice offerings, including fresh foods, quick service restaurants and proprietary food offerings. We believe consumers may be more likely to patronize convenience stores that include new and improved food offerings, which may also lead to increased inside merchandise sales or fuel sales. Our current foodservice offering, which varies by store, primarily consists of hot and fresh grab-n-go foods, deli, fried chicken, bakery, pizza, roller grill items and other prepared foods. We have historically relied upon a limited number of franchised quick service restaurants and in-store delis to drive customer traffic. As a result, we believe that our under-penetration of foodservice presents an opportunity to expand foodservice offerings and margin in response to changing consumer behavior. In the third quarter of 2023, we created and filled a new role at GPM, Senior Vice President of Food Service, to evaluate our current foodservice offering and to expand our company-wide, cross-functional food strategy to position our stores as a food destination for our customers, scaled across our Family of Community Brands. In 2024, we launched an extensive new pizza program.
Our results of operation are significantly impacted by the retail fuel margins we earn on gallons sold. These fuel margins can change rapidly as they are influenced by many factors, including: the wholesale cost of fuel; interruptions in supply caused by severe weather; supply chain disruptions; refinery mechanical failures; and competition in the local markets in which we operate.
The cost of our main products, gasoline and diesel fuel, is greatly impacted by the wholesale cost of fuel in the United States. We attempt to pass wholesale fuel cost changes through to our customers through retail price changes; however, we are not always able to do so. Competitive conditions primarily affect the timing of any related increase or decrease in retail prices. As a result, we tend to experience lower fuel margins when the cost of fuel is increasing gradually over a longer period and higher fuel margins when the cost of fuel is declining or more volatile over a shorter period of time. For the year ended December 31, 2022, we experienced historically high fuel margins as a result of the volatile market for gasoline and diesel fuel. In particular, in the first quarter of 2022, the war in Ukraine significantly affected market conditions and resulted in substantially higher fuel margins. Depending on future
market and geopolitical conditions, the supply of fuel, including diesel fuel in particular, may become constrained. Accordingly, we maintain terminal storage of diesel fuel for short-term supply needs for our fleet fueling sites.
Additionally, throughout 2023, the U.S. economy continued to endure price inflation and the effect of higher prevailing interest rates, which began in 2022 and which has increased merchandise cost and reduced consumer purchasing power. We have mitigated a portion of these higher costs with retail price increases. The persistence of, or increase in, inflation or high interest rates could negatively impact the demand for our products and services, including due to consumers reducing travel, which could reduce sales volumes. Additionally, because of current labor market conditions and the prevailing wage rates in the markets in which we operate, we have voluntarily increased wages, which has increased our costs associated with recruiting and retaining qualified personnel, and may continue to do so in the future.
We also operate in a highly competitive retail convenience market that includes businesses with operations and services that are similar to those that we provide. We believe that convenience stores managed by individual operators who offer branded or non-branded fuel are also significant competitors in the local markets in which we operate. Often, operators of both chains and individual stores compete by selling unbranded fuel at lower retail prices relative to the market. The convenience store industry is also experiencing competition from other retail sectors including grocery stores, large warehouse retail stores, dollar stores and pharmacies.
We believe that we have a significant opportunity to increase our sales and profitability by continuing to execute on our organic and inorganic strategies, which principally seek to improve the performance of current stores through enhanced offerings to meet our customers’ needs and growing our store base in existing and contiguous markets through acquisitions.
Seasonality
Our business is seasonal, and our operating income in the second and third quarters has historically been significantly greater than in the first and fourth quarters as a result of the generally improved climate and seasonal buying patterns of our customers. Inclement weather, especially in the Midwest and Northeast regions of the U.S. during the winter months, can negatively impact our financial results.
Results of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021
The period-to-period comparisons of our results of operations contained in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation have been prepared using the Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto, and the following discussion should be read in conjunction with such audited annual consolidated financial statements and related notes contained elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. All references to fuel contribution and fuel margin per gallon are excluding the estimated fixed margin or fixed fee paid to GPMP for the cost of fuel (intercompany charges by GPMP).
Consolidated Results
The table below shows our consolidated results for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, together with certain key metrics.
For the Year Ended December 31,
Revenues:
(in thousands)
Fuel revenue
$
7,464,372
$
7,401,090
$
5,714,333
Merchandise revenue
1,838,001
1,647,642
1,616,404
Other revenues, net
110,358
94,067
86,661
Total revenues
9,412,731
9,142,799
7,417,398
Operating expenses:
Fuel costs
6,876,084
6,856,651
5,275,907
Merchandise costs
1,252,879
1,146,423
1,143,494
Store operating expenses
860,134
721,174
630,518
General and administrative expenses
165,294
139,969
124,667
Depreciation and amortization
127,597
101,752
97,194
Total operating expenses
9,281,988
8,965,969
7,271,780
Other expenses, net
12,729
9,816
3,536
Operating income
118,014
167,014
142,082
Interest and other financial expenses, net
(71,243
)
(59,405
)
(71,207
)
Income before income taxes
46,771
107,609
70,875
Income tax expense
(12,166
)
(35,557
)
(11,634
)
(Loss) income from equity investment
(39
)
(74
)
Net income
$
34,566
$
71,978
$
59,427
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests
Net income attributable to ARKO Corp.
$
34,369
$
71,747
$
59,198
Series A redeemable preferred stock dividends
(5,750
)
(5,750
)
(5,735
)
Net income attributable to common shareholders
$
28,619
$
65,997
$
53,463
Fuel gallons sold
2,241,805
1,971,011
2,019,206
Fuel margin, cents per gallon 1
26.2
27.6
21.7
Merchandise contribution 2
$
585,122
$
501,219
$
472,910
Merchandise margin 3
31.8
%
30.4
%
29.3
%
Adjusted EBITDA 4
$
290,428
$
301,054
$
256,575
1 Calculated as fuel revenue less fuel costs divided by fuel gallons sold.
2 Calculated as merchandise revenue less merchandise costs.
3 Calculated as merchandise contribution divided by merchandise revenue.
4 Refer to “Use of Non-GAAP Measures” below for discussion of this non-GAAP performance measure and related reconciliation to net income.
For the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022
For the year ended December 31, 2023, fuel revenue increased by $63.3 million, or 0.9%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in fuel revenue was attributable primarily to incremental gallons sold related to the 2023 Acquisitions and the 2022 Acquisitions, which was partially offset by a decrease in the average price of fuel compared to 2022, and fewer gallons sold at same stores in 2023 compared to 2022.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, merchandise revenue increased by $190.4 million, or 11.6%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to the 2023 Acquisitions and the Pride Acquisition and an increase in same store merchandise revenues. Offsetting these increases was a decrease in merchandise revenue from underperforming retail stores that we closed or converted to dealers.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, other revenues, net increased by $16.3 million, or 17.3%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to additional revenue from the 2023 Acquisitions and the 2022 Acquisitions, partially offset by the loss of income from skill gaming machines in Virginia.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, total operating expenses increased by $316.0 million, or 3.5%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. Fuel costs increased $19.4 million, or 0.3% as compared to 2022 due to incremental gallons related to the 2023 Acquisitions and the 2022 Acquisitions, which were partially offset by both fewer gallons sold and a lower average cost of fuel on a same store basis. Merchandise costs increased $106.5 million, or 9.3%, as compared to 2022, primarily due to increased costs related to the 2023 Acquisitions and the Pride Acquisition and a corresponding increase in same store merchandise sales. For the year ended December 31, 2023, store operating expenses increased $139.0 million, or 19.3%, as compared to 2022 due to incremental expenses as a result of the 2023 Acquisitions, the 2022 Acquisitions and an increase in expenses at same stores, including higher personnel costs partially offset by lower credit card fees.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, general and administrative expenses increased $25.3 million, or 18.1%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to incremental expenses associated with the 2023 Acquisitions and the 2022 Acquisitions, annual wage increases and an increase in share-based compensation expense, partially offset by lower incentive accruals.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, depreciation and amortization expenses increased $25.8 million, or 25.4%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 primarily due to assets acquired in the past two years, largely in connection with the 2023 Acquisitions and the 2022 Acquisitions.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, other expenses, net increased by $2.9 million, or 29.7%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 primarily due to an increase in acquisition costs and lower income recorded for the fair value adjustment of contingent consideration in 2023.
Operating income was $118.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to $167.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to lower fuel contribution from retail same stores and wholesale sites not part of the 2023 and 2022 Acquisitions (the “comparable wholesale sites”), and an increase in store operating expenses at same stores, which was partially offset by incremental income from the 2023 Acquisitions and the 2022 Acquisitions and an increase in merchandise contribution at same stores.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, interest and other financial expenses, net increased by $11.8 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 primarily due to higher average outstanding debt balances and a higher average interest rate for 2023 and higher interest expenses related to financial liabilities, which was partially offset by an increase of $9.6 million in income, net recorded for fair value adjustments related to the Ares Put Option, Public Warrants, Private Warrants and Additional Deferred Shares (each of which is defined in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements) and additional interest income generated in 2023.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, income tax expense was $12.2 million compared to $35.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, and our effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was 26.0% and 33.1%, respectively. The decrease was primarily due to a one-time non-cash tax expense in the amount of approximately $8.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 the Company recorded in connection with its internal entity realignment and streamlining.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, net income attributable to the Company was $34.4 million compared to $71.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, Adjusted EBITDA was $290.4 million, as compared to $301.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. This decrease primarily resulted from approximately $62.2 million of lower fuel contribution from retail same stores and comparable wholesale sites, as well as higher personnel costs at same stores, partially offset by incremental Adjusted EBITDA from the 2023 Acquisitions and the 2022 Acquisitions and an increase in same store merchandise contribution of $20.6 million. Refer to “Use of Non-GAAP Measures” below for discussion of this non-GAAP performance measure and related reconciliation to net income.
For the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021
For a discussion of the comparative results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, refer to Part II, Item 7 “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on February 28, 2023.
Segment Results
Retail Segment
The table below shows the results of the retail segment for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, together with certain key metrics for the segment.
For the Year Ended December 31,
Revenues:
(in thousands)
Fuel revenue
$
3,858,777
$
3,887,549
$
3,048,893
Merchandise revenue
1,838,001
1,647,642
1,616,404
Other revenues, net
74,406
67,280
63,271
Total revenues
5,771,184
5,602,471
4,728,568
Operating expenses:
Fuel costs
3,479,531
3,521,648
2,750,940
Merchandise costs
1,252,879
1,146,423
1,143,494
Store operating expenses
779,448
669,848
593,901
Total operating expenses
5,511,858
5,337,919
4,488,335
Operating income
$
259,326
$
264,552
$
240,233
Fuel gallons sold
1,122,321
1,006,469
1,038,561
Same store fuel gallons sold decrease (%) 1
(5.3
%)
(8.1
%)
(1.3
%)
Fuel margin, cents per gallon 2
38.8
41.4
33.7
Same store merchandise sales increase (decrease) (%) 1
0.4
%
(1.0
%)
1.6
%
Same store merchandise sales excluding cigarettes increase (%) 1
2.5
%
2.6
%
4.8
%
Merchandise contribution 3
$
585,122
$
501,219
$
472,910
Merchandise margin 4
31.8
%
30.4
%
29.3
%
1 Same 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 divided by fuel gallons sold; excludes the estimated fixed margin or fixed fee paid to GPMP for the cost of fuel.
3 Calculated as merchandise revenue less merchandise costs.
4 Calculated as merchandise contribution divided by merchandise revenue.
The table below shows financial information and certain key metrics of recent acquisitions in the retail segment that do not have (or have only partial) comparable information for the prior period.
For the Year Ended December 31, 2023
Pride 1
TEG 2
Uncle's (WTG) 3
Speedy's 4
Total
(in thousands)
Date of Acquisition:
Dec 6, 2022
Mar 1, 2023
Jun 6, 2023
Aug 15, 2023
Revenues:
Fuel revenue
$
279,396
$
324,361
$
48,827
$
7,550
$
660,134
Merchandise revenue
59,440
128,728
21,627
3,749
213,544
Other revenues, net
5,521
4,489
10,548
Total revenues
344,357
457,578
70,918
11,373
884,226
Operating expenses:
Fuel costs
249,183
298,332
40,828
6,722
595,065
Merchandise costs
39,221
88,147
14,036
2,532
143,936
Store operating expenses
40,554
60,151
10,983
1,945
113,633
Total operating expenses
328,958
446,630
65,847
11,199
852,634
Operating income
$
15,399
$
10,948
$
5,071
$
$
31,592
Fuel gallons sold
73,452
98,228
13,382
2,202
187,264
Merchandise contribution 5
20,219
40,581
7,591
1,217
69,608
Merchandise margin 6
34.0
%
31.5
%
35.1
%
32.5
%
1 Pride Acquisition.
2 Includes only the retail stores acquired in the TEG Acquisition.
3 Includes only the retail stores acquired in the WTG Acquisition.
4 Acquisition of seven Speedy’s retail stores.
5 Calculated as merchandise revenue less merchandise costs.
6 Calculated as merchandise contribution divided by merchandise revenue.
For the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022
Retail Revenues
For the year ended December 31, 2023, fuel revenue decreased by $28.8 million, or 0.7%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease in fuel revenue was attributable to a $0.42 per gallon decrease in the average retail price of fuel in 2023 as compared to 2022, primarily due to market factors, as well as a decrease in gallons sold at same stores of approximately 5.3%, or 52.1 million gallons. Offsetting these decreases, the 2023 Acquisitions and the Pride Acquisition contributed 182.0 million incremental gallons sold, or $639.0 million in fuel revenue. Underperforming retail stores, which we closed or converted to dealers during 2023 in order to optimize profitability, also negatively impacted gallons sold during 2023.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, merchandise revenue increased by $190.4 million, or 11.6%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The 2023 Acquisitions and the Pride Acquisition contributed approximately $209.5 million of incremental merchandise revenue. Same store merchandise sales increased $6.0 million, or 0.4%, for 2023 compared to 2022. Same store merchandise sales increased primarily due to higher revenue from the Company’s six core destination categories (packaged beverages, candy, salty snacks, packaged sweet snacks, alternative snacks and beer), other tobacco products and franchises as a result of marketing initiatives, including expanded category assortments, new franchise food offerings and investments in coolers and freezers, which was partially offset by lower revenue from cigarettes. In addition, there was a decrease in merchandise revenue from underperforming retail stores that we closed or converted to dealers.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, other revenues, net increased by $7.1 million, or 10.6%, from the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily related to additional income from the 2023 Acquisitions and the Pride Acquisition, partially offset by the loss of income from skill gaming machines in Virginia.
Retail Operating Income
For the year ended December 31, 2023, fuel contribution increased as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, while fuel margin per gallon decreased. Incremental fuel profit from the 2023 Acquisitions and the Pride Acquisition of approximately $70.7 million was partially offset by a decrease in same store fuel contribution of $46.1 million. Fuel margin per gallon at same stores for 2023 decreased to 38.6 cents per gallon from 41.3 cents per gallon for 2022 primarily due to historically high fuel margins in 2022 resulting from volatile market conditions for gasoline and diesel fuel, including the war in Ukraine, which significantly affected market conditions and resulted in substantially higher fuel margins, particularly during the first quarter of 2022. A decrease in fuel contribution related to underperforming retail stores that we closed or converted to dealers also partially offset the increase in fuel contribution compared to 2022.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, merchandise contribution increased $83.9 million, or 16.7%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, and merchandise margin increased to 31.8% in 2023 as compared to 30.4% in 2022. The increase was due to $68.6 million in incremental merchandise contribution from the 2023 Acquisitions and the Pride Acquisition and an increase in merchandise contribution at same stores of $20.6 million. Merchandise contribution at same stores increased in 2023 primarily due to higher contribution from the Company’s six core destination categories, franchises and cigarettes. Merchandise margin at same stores was 31.7% in 2023 compared to 30.6% in 2022.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, store operating expenses increased $109.6 million, or 16.4%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to $110.7 million of incremental expenses related to the 2023 Acquisitions and the Pride Acquisition and an increase in expenses at same stores, including approximately $11.1 million, or 4.1%, of higher personnel costs. The increase in store operating expenses was partially offset by lower credit card fees at same stores and underperforming retail stores that we closed or converted to dealers.
Wholesale Segment
The table below shows the results of the wholesale segment for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, together with certain key metrics for the segment.
For the Year Ended December 31,
Revenues:
(in thousands)
Fuel revenue
$
3,039,904
$
3,234,145
$
2,659,706
Other revenues, net
25,775
23,451
22,298
Total revenues
3,065,679
3,257,596
2,682,004
Operating expenses:
Fuel costs
2,995,398
3,181,189
2,620,102
Store operating expenses
39,703
42,543
39,904
Total operating expenses
3,035,101
3,223,732
2,660,006
Operating income
$
30,578
$
33,864
$
21,998
Fuel gallons sold - fuel supply locations
801,260
746,513
814,628
Fuel gallons sold - consignment agent locations
168,005
156,059
163,391
Fuel margin, cents per gallon 1 - fuel supply locations
6.0
6.8
5.8
Fuel margin, cents per gallon 1 - consignment agent locations
26.5
30.2
25.4
1 Calculated as fuel revenue less fuel costs, divided by fuel gallons sold; excludes 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 do not have (or have only partial) comparable information for the prior period.
For the Year Ended December 31, 2023
Quarles 1
TEG 2
WTG 3
Total
(in thousands)
Date of Acquisition:
Jul 22, 2022
Mar 1, 2023
Jun 6, 2023
Revenues:
Fuel revenue
$
74,960
$
335,477
$
6,594
$
417,031
Other revenues, net
1,103
2,229
3,347
Total revenues
76,063
337,706
6,609
420,378
Operating expenses:
Fuel costs
72,357
332,129
6,227
410,713
Store operating expenses
1,884
2,798
4,835
Total operating expenses
74,241
334,927
6,380
415,548
Operating income
$
1,822
$
2,779
$
$
4,830
Fuel gallons sold
22,825
109,156
1,869
133,850
1 Quarles Acquisition; includes only the wholesale business acquired in the Quarles Acquisition.
2 Includes only the wholesale business acquired in the TEG Acquisition.
3 Includes only the wholesale business acquired in the WTG Acquisition.
For the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022
Wholesale Revenues
For the year ended December 31, 2023, fuel revenue decreased by $194.2 million, or 6.0%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. Wholesale revenues were negatively impacted by a decrease in the average price of fuel in 2023 as compared to 2022, which was partially offset by a 7.4% increase in gallons sold. Of total gallons sold, the 2023 Acquisitions and the Quarles Acquisition contributed approximately 122.8 million incremental gallons, which were offset by lower volumes at comparable wholesale sites.
Wholesale Operating Income
For the year ended December 31, 2023, wholesale operating income decreased $3.3 million, caused by a decline in fuel contribution of approximately $5.3 million. At fuel supply locations, fuel contribution decreased by $2.7 million, and fuel margin per gallon decreased for 2023 as compared to 2022, primarily due to decreased prompt pay discounts related to lower fuel costs and lower
volumes at comparable wholesale sites, which was partially offset by the incremental contribution from the 2023 Acquisitions and the Quarles Acquisition. At consignment agent locations, fuel contribution decreased $2.6 million and fuel margin per gallon also decreased for 2023 as compared to 2022, primarily due to lower rack-to-retail margins and decreased prompt pay discounts related to lower fuel costs, which was partially offset by the incremental contribution from the 2023 Acquisitions and the Quarles Acquisition. In total, the 2023 Acquisitions and the Quarles Acquisition added approximately $11.0 million of incremental total fuel contribution.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, store operating expenses decreased $2.8 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2022.
Fleet Fueling Segment
The table below shows the results of the fleet fueling segment for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, together with certain key metrics for the segment. We added the fleet fueling segment only upon consummation of the Quarles Acquisition on July 22, 2022; therefore, the year ended December 31, 2022 does not reflect the operations of this segment for the entirety of 2022, which affects year-over-year comparability, and there are no comparable period results for the year ended December 31, 2021.
For the Year Ended December 31,
Revenues:
(in thousands)
Fuel revenue
$
530,937
$
270,670
Other revenues, net
7,818
2,178
Total revenues
538,755
272,848
Operating expenses:
Fuel costs
481,885
245,733
Store operating expenses
22,298
8,733
Total operating expenses
504,183
254,466
Operating income
$
34,572
$
18,382
Fuel gallons sold - proprietary cardlock locations
130,995
57,104
Fuel gallons sold - third-party cardlock locations
9,832
2,882
Fuel margin, cents per gallon1 - proprietary cardlock locations
41.7
48.4
Fuel margin, cents per gallon1 - third-party cardlock locations
12.4
6.5
1 Calculated as fuel revenue less fuel costs divided by fuel gallons sold; excludes 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 do not have (or have only partial) comparable information for the prior period.
For the Year Ended December 31, 2023
Quarles 1
WTG 2
Total
(in thousands)
Date of Acquisition:
Jul 22, 2022
Jun 6, 2023
Revenues:
Fuel revenue
$
491,642
$
39,295
$
530,937
Other revenues, net
4,841
2,977
7,818
Total revenues
496,483
42,272
538,755
Operating expenses:
Fuel costs
447,010
34,875
481,885
Store operating expenses
20,003
2,295
22,298
Total operating expenses
467,013
37,170
504,183
Operating income
$
29,470
$
5,102
$
34,572
Fuel gallons sold
130,382
10,445
140,827
1 Includes only the fleet fueling business acquired in the Quarles Acquisition.
2 Includes only the fleet fueling business acquired in the WTG Acquisition.
For the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022
Fleet Fueling Revenues
For the year ended December 31, 2023, fuel revenue increased by $260.3 million, or 96.2%, and other revenues, net increased by $5.6 million, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, with both increases primarily reflecting a full year of operations from the Quarles Acquisition, as compared to a partial year of operations in the prior year, and the WTG Acquisition.
Fleet Fueling Operating Income
For the year ended December 31, 2023, fuel contribution increased by $28.1 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, reflecting a full year of operations from the Quarles Acquisition, as compared to a partial year of operations in the prior year, and the WTG Acquisition. At proprietary cardlocks, fuel contribution increased by $27.1 million, while fuel margin per gallon decreased for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, which period was impacted by historically high rack-to-retail margins and fuel price volatility.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, store operating expenses increased $13.6 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 due to incremental expenses from the Quarles Acquisition and the addition of the WTG Acquisition.
GPMP Segment
The table below shows the results of the GPMP segment for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, together with certain key metrics for the segment.
For the Year Ended December 31,
Revenues:
(in thousands)
Fuel revenue - inter-segment
$
5,149,228
$
5,674,516
$
4,384,227
Fuel revenue - external customers
3,681
5,160
5,734
Other revenues, net
1,024
1,092
Other revenues, net - inter-segment
10,918
3,651
-
Total revenues
5,164,766
5,684,351
4,391,053
Operating expenses:
Fuel costs
5,052,391
5,585,050
4,289,092
General and administrative expenses
3,162
2,897
2,970
Depreciation and amortization
7,365
7,369
7,372
Total operating expenses
5,062,918
5,595,316
4,299,434
Other (income), net
(598
)
-
-
Operating income
$
102,446
$
89,035
$
91,619
Fuel gallons sold - inter-segment
2,017,522
1,890,946
2,015,907
Fuel gallons sold - external customers
1,364
1,592
2,626
Fuel margin, cents per gallon 1
5.0
5.0
5.0
1 Calculated as fuel revenue less fuel costs divided by fuel gallons sold.
For the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022
GPMP Revenues
For the year ended December 31, 2023, fuel revenue decreased by $526.8 million, or 9.3%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease in fuel revenue was attributable to a decrease in the average price of fuel, which was partially offset by an increase in gallons sold as compared to the prior year.
For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, other revenues, net were similar and primarily related to rental income from certain sites leased to dealers. Inter-segment other revenues, net primarily related to the fixed fee primarily charged to sites in the fleet fueling segment (currently 5.0 cents per gallon sold), which began in July 2022.
GPMP Operating Income
Fuel margin increased by $5.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to greater gallons sold to the retail and wholesale segments at a fixed margin.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, total general, administrative, depreciation and amortization expenses increased slightly from those in the year ended December 31, 2022.
Use of Non-GAAP Measures
We disclose 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. We believe that this information provides greater comparability regarding our 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”).
We define 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, other non-cash items, and other unusual or non-recurring charges. Both EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures.
We use EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for operational and financial decision-making and believe these measures are useful in evaluating our performance because they eliminate certain items that we do not consider indicators of our operating performance. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are also used by many of our investors, securities analysts, and other interested parties in evaluating our operational and financial performance across reporting periods. We believe that the presentation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors by allowing an understanding of key measures that we use internally for operational decision-making, budgeting, evaluating acquisition targets, and assessing our operating performance.
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 our results as reported under GAAP. We strongly encourage investors to review our 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, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, as defined by us, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. It therefore may not be possible to compare our use of these non-GAAP financial measures with those used by other companies.
The following table contains a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
For the Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)
Net income
$
34,566
$
71,978
$
59,427
Interest and other financing expenses, net
71,243
59,405
71,207
Income tax expense
12,166
35,557
11,634
Depreciation and amortization
127,597
101,752
97,194
EBITDA
245,572
268,692
239,462
Non-cash rent expense (a)
14,168
7,903
6,359
Acquisition costs (b)
9,079
8,162
5,366
Loss on disposal of assets and impairment charges (c)
6,203
5,731
1,384
Share-based compensation expense (d)
15,015
12,161
5,804
Loss (income) from equity investment (e)
(186
)
Adjustment to contingent consideration (f)
(604
)
(2,204
)
(1,740
)
Internal entity realignment and streamlining (g)
-
-
Other (h)
Adjusted EBITDA
$
290,428
$
301,054
$
256,575
(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, which has been impacted by our recent acquisitions. 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.
(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 our Board.
(e)Eliminates our share of loss (income) attributable to our unconsolidated equity investment.
(f)Eliminates fair value adjustments to the contingent consideration owed to the seller for the 2020 Empire acquisition.
(g)Eliminates non-recurring charges related to our internal entity realignment and streamlining.
(h)Eliminates other unusual or non-recurring items that we do not consider to be meaningful in assessing operating performance.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary sources of liquidity are cash flows from operations, availability under our credit facilities and our cash balances. Our principal liquidity requirements are the financing of current operations, funding capital expenditures (including acquisitions), and servicing debt. We finance our inventory purchases primarily from customary trade credit aided by relatively rapid inventory turnover, as well as cash generated from operations. Rapid inventory turnover allows us to conduct operations without the need for large amounts of cash and working capital. We largely rely on internally generated cash flows and borrowings for operations, which we believe are sufficient to meet our liquidity needs for the foreseeable future.
Our ability to meet our debt service obligations and other capital requirements, including capital expenditures, as well as the cost of acquisitions, will depend on our future operating performance which, in turn, will be subject to general economic, financial, business, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other conditions, many of which are beyond our control. As a normal part of our business, we will from time to time consider opportunities to repay, redeem, repurchase or refinance our indebtedness, depending on market conditions. Changes in our operating plans, lower than anticipated sales, increased expenses, acquisitions, or other events may cause us to seek additional debt or equity financing. Additional debt financing could impose increased cash payment obligations, as well as covenants that may restrict our operations. There can be no guarantee that financing will be available on acceptable terms or at all. As of December 31, 2023, approximately 46% of our debt bore interest at variable rates, an increase from approximately 38% from the prior year, which has increased our interest rate risk and may require that we use more of our cash flow for the payment of interest if prevailing interest rates continue to increase or we incur additional indebtedness under our variable rate facilities or otherwise. See also “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk-Interest Rate Risk.”
As of December 31, 2023, we were in a strong liquidity position of approximately $831 million, consisting of approximately $218 million of cash and cash equivalents and approximately $613 million of availability under our lines of credit available for certain purposes. This liquidity position currently provides us with adequate funding to satisfy our contractual and other obligations from our existing cash balances. As of December 31, 2023, we had no outstanding borrowings under our $140.0 million PNC Line of Credit (as defined below), $19.5 million of unused availability under the M&T equipment line of credit, described below, and $461.2 million of unused availability under our $800 million Capital One Line of Credit (as defined below), which we may elect to increase up to $1.0 billion, subject to obtaining additional financing commitments from current lenders or other banks, and subject to certain other terms.
The Board declared, and the Company paid, dividends of $0.03 per share of common stock on each of March 21, 2023, June 1, 2023, September 1, 2023 and December 1, 2023, totaling approximately $14.3 million. Additionally, the Board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.03 per share of common stock, to be paid on March 21, 2024 to stockholders of record as of March 11, 2024. The amount and timing of dividends payable on our common stock are within the sole discretion of our Board, which will evaluate dividend payments within the context of our overall capital allocation strategy on an ongoing basis, giving consideration to our current and forecast earnings, financial condition, cash requirements and other factors. There can be no assurance that we will continue to pay such dividends or the amounts of such dividends.
In May 2023, we announced that our Board authorized an increase to our share repurchase program from $50 million to up to an aggregate of $100.0 million of our outstanding shares of common stock. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we repurchased approximately 4.2 million shares of common stock under the repurchase program for approximately $32.0 million, or an average share price of $7.54. The share repurchase program does not have a stated expiration date. Whether and the extent to which we repurchase shares depends on a number of factors, including our financial condition, capital requirements, cash flows, results of operations, future business prospects and other factors management may deem relevant. The timing, volume, and nature of repurchases are subject to market conditions, applicable securities laws, and other factors, and the program may be amended, suspended or discontinued at any time. Repurchases may be effected from time to time through open market purchases, including
pursuant to a pre-set trading plan meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c) of the Exchange Act, privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to accelerated share repurchase agreements entered into with one or more counterparties, or otherwise.
To date, we have funded capital expenditures primarily through funds generated from operations, funds received from vendors, sale-leaseback transactions, the issuance of debt and existing cash. Future capital required to finance operations, acquisitions, and raze-and-rebuild, functionally remodel and fully remodel and update stores is expected to come from cash on hand, cash generated by operations, availability under lines of credit and additional long-term debt and equipment leases, as circumstances may dictate. In both the short-term and long-term, we currently expect that our capital spending program will be primarily focused on expanding our store base through acquisitions, razing-and-rebuilding, remodeling and updating stores, and maintaining our owned properties and equipment, including upgrading all fuel dispensers to be EMV-compliant. We expect to spend a total of approximately $12 million in 2024 to upgrade a portion of our remaining fuel dispensers to be EMV-compliant. We do not expect such capital needs to adversely affect liquidity.
Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, investing activities and financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:
For the Year Ended December 31,
Net cash provided by (used in):
(in thousands)
Operating activities
$
136,094
$
209,256
$
159,191
Investing activities
(296,822
)
(175,488
)
(171,777
)
Financing activities
85,357
10,555
(26,384
)
Effect of exchange rates
(97
)
(1,464
)
Total
$
(75,348
)
$
44,226
$
(40,434
)
For a discussion of the comparison of our cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, refer to Part II, Item 7“Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on February 28, 2023, under the subheading “Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020.”
Operating Activities
Cash flows provided by operations are our main source of liquidity. We have historically relied primarily on cash provided by operating activities, supplemented as necessary from time to time by borrowings on our credit facilities and other debt or equity transactions to finance our operations and to fund our capital expenditures. Cash flow provided by operating activities is primarily impacted by our net income and changes in working capital.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, cash flows provided by operating activities were $136.1 million compared to $209.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily the result of approximately $18.8 million of higher net interest payments, approximately $22.2 million of higher net tax payments, a decrease in Adjusted EBITDA of $10.6 million and changes in working capital.
Investing Activities
Cash flows used in investing activities primarily reflect capital expenditures for acquisitions and replacing and maintaining existing facilities and equipment used in the business.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, cash used in investing activities increased by $121.3 million to $296.8 million from $175.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. For the year ended December 31, 2023, we utilized $111.2 million for capital expenditures, including the purchase of certain fee properties, upgrades to fuel dispensers and other investments in our stores. We paid $111.5 million in net consideration for our recent acquisitions, reflecting $494.9 million in aggregate purchase consideration, offset by $383.4 million paid by an affiliate of Oak Street Real Estate Capital Net Lease Property Fund, LP (including its affiliates, “Oak Street”) under the Company’s standby real estate purchase, designation and lease program agreement with Oak Street, dated as of May 3, 2021, as amended.
Financing Activities
Cash flows from financing activities primarily consist of increases and decreases in the principal amount of our lines of credit and debt, distributions to non-controlling interests and issuance of common and preferred stock, net of dividends paid and common stock repurchases.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, financing activities consisted primarily of net proceeds of $77.5 million from long-term debt and $80.4 million of consideration paid by Oak Street related to the 2023 Acquisitions, which transactions were accounted for as sale-leasebacks (see Note 4 to Consolidated Financial Statements), offset by payment of approximately $9.8 million in cash to Ares in full satisfaction of the Company’s obligations related to the Ares Put Option, repayments of $5.5 million for financing leases, $3.5 million for additional consideration payments related to the 2020 acquisition of the business of Empire Petroleum Partners, LLC, $14.3 million for dividend payments on common stock, $5.8 million for dividend payments on the Series A redeemable preferred stock and $33.7 million for common stock repurchases.
Contractual Obligations and Indebtedness
Contractual Obligations
The table below presents our significant contractual obligations as of December 31, 2023:
Obligations due by Period
Contractual Obligations (1)
Total
Less than
1 year
1-3 years
3-5 years
More than
5 years
(in thousands)
Debt obligations (2)
$
1,129,395
$
72,698
$
147,498
$
435,774
$
473,425
Additional and contingent consideration related to
the 2020 Empire acquisition (non-discounted)
9,864
5,779
4,085
-
-
Deferred payments (non-discounted) (3)
51,214
25,534
25,680
-
-
Other financial obligations (4)
323,886
16,836
33,942
34,232
238,876
Operating lease obligations
2,489,942
176,101
353,719
342,835
1,617,287
Financing lease obligations
514,658
26,032
47,669
41,776
399,181
$
4,518,959
$
322,980
$
612,593
$
854,617
$
2,728,769
Purchase commitments (in gallons) (5)
1,710,938
323,453
421,167
373,024
593,294
(1)Excludes asset retirement obligations due to the uncertain nature of the timing of these liabilities.
(2)Includes principal and interest payments. Assumes an interest rate of 8.2% on the $338.3 million of the Capital One Line of Credit utilized as of December 31, 2023 and a zero balance on the PNC Line of Credit.
(3)Deferred payments related to the TEG Acquisition and the Speedy’s Acquisition.
(4)Includes financial liabilities related to the 2023 Acquisitions of TEG and WTG, the 2022 Acquisitions of Quarles and Pride and the 2021 acquisition of ExpressStop stores, assuming lease purchase option is not exercised.
(5)Our fuel vendor agreements with suppliers require minimum volume purchase commitments of branded and unbranded gasoline and distillates annually. The future minimum volume purchase requirements under the existing supply agreements are based on gallons, with a purchase price at prevailing market rates for wholesale distribution.
Credit Facilities and Senior Notes
Senior Notes
As of December 31, 2023, the Company had outstanding $450 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.125% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “Senior Notes”). Issued in October 2021, the Senior Notes are guaranteed, on an unsecured senior basis, by certain of the Company’s wholly owned domestic subsidiaries (the “Guarantors”). The indenture governing the Senior Notes contains customary restrictive covenants that, among other things, generally limit the ability of the Company and substantially all of its subsidiaries to (i) create liens, (ii) pay dividends, acquire shares of capital stock and make payments on subordinated debt, (iii) place limitations on distributions from certain subsidiaries, (iv) issue or sell the capital stock of certain subsidiaries, (v) sell assets, (vi) enter into transactions with affiliates, (vii) effect mergers and (viii) incur indebtedness. The Senior Notes and the guarantees rank equally in right of payment with all of the Company’s and the Guarantors’ respective existing and future senior unsubordinated indebtedness and are effectively subordinated to all of the Company’s and the Guarantors’ existing and future secured indebtedness to the extent of the
value of the collateral securing such indebtedness; and are structurally subordinated to any existing and future obligations of subsidiaries of the Company that are not Guarantors.
Financing Agreement with PNC
GPM and certain subsidiaries have a financing arrangement (as amended, the “PNC Credit Agreement”) with PNC Bank National Association (“PNC”) to provide a line of credit with an aggregate principal amount of up to $140 million for purposes of financing working capital (the “PNC Line of Credit”).
The PNC Line of Credit bears interest, as elected by GPM at: (a) SOFR Adjusted plus Term SOFR (as defined in the PNC Credit Agreement) plus a margin of 1.25% to 1.75% or (b) a rate per annum equal to the alternate base rate (as defined in the PNC Credit Agreement) plus a margin of 0% to 0.50%. Every quarter, the SOFR margin rate and the alternate base rate margin rate are updated based on the quarterly average undrawn availability of the line of credit. The calculation of the availability under the PNC Line of Credit is determined monthly subject to terms and limitations as set forth in the PNC Credit Agreement, taking into account the balances of receivables, inventory and letters of credit, among other things. As of December 31, 2023, $7.3 million of letters of credit were outstanding under the PNC Credit Agreement.
Financing Agreements with M&T Bank
GPM has a financing arrangement with M&T Bank that provides a line of credit for up to $45.0 million to purchase equipment on or before September 2026, which may be borrowed in tranches, as well as an aggregate principal amount of $44.4 million of real estate loans (the “M&T Term Loans”). As of December 31, 2023, approximately $19.5 million remained available under the equipment line of credit. An additional M&T Term Loan for the purchase of real estate for $5.1 million closed in January 2024.
Each additional equipment loan tranche under such financing agreement will have a term of up to five years from the date it is advanced, payable in equal monthly payments of principal plus interest of SOFR (as defined in the agreement) plus 2.75%. The M&T Term Loans bear interest at SOFR Adjusted (as defined in the agreement) plus 2.75% to 3.00% (depending on the loan), mature in June 2026 or November 2028 (depending on the loan) and are payable in monthly installments based on a fifteen-year amortization schedule, with the balance of each loan payable at maturity.
Financing Agreement with a Syndicate of Banks Led by Capital One, National Association (“Capital One”)
GPMP has a revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks led by Capital One, National Association, in an aggregate principal amount of up to $800 million (the “Capital One Line of Credit”). At GPMP’s request, the Capital One Line of Credit can be increased up to $1.0 billion, subject to obtaining additional financing commitments from current lenders or from other banks, and subject to certain terms as detailed in the Capital One Line of Credit. The Capital One Line of Credit is available for general GPMP purposes, including working capital, capital expenditures and permitted acquisitions. The Capital One Line of Credit matures on May 5, 2028. As of December 31, 2023, approximately $338.3 million was drawn on the Capital One Line of Credit, $0.5 million of letters of credit were outstanding under the Capital One Line of Credit and approximately $461.2 million was available thereunder.
The Capital One Line of Credit bears interest, as elected by GPMP at: (a) Adjusted Term SOFR (as defined in the agreement) plus a margin of 2.25% to 3.25% or (b) a rate per annum equal to the alternate base rate (as defined in the agreement) plus a margin of 1.25% to 2.25%. The margin is determined according to a formula in the Capital One Line of Credit that depends on GPMP’s leverage.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with GAAP and the Company’s discussion and analysis of its financial condition and operating results require the Company’s management to make judgments, assumptions and estimates that affect the amounts reported. Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” of the Consolidated Financial Statements describes the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. We believe the following critical accounting estimates affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
Application of ASC 842, Leases (“ASC 842”)
The lease liabilities and right-of-use assets are significantly impacted by the following:
•Our determination of whether it is reasonably certain that an extension option will be exercised.
•Our determination of whether it is reasonably certain a purchase option will be exercised.
•Some of the lease agreements include an increase in the consumer price index coupled with a multiplier and a percentage increase cap effectively assures the cap will be reached each year. We determine, based on past experience and consumer price index increase expectations, if these types of variable payments are in-substance fixed payments, in which case such payments are included in the lease payments and measurement of the lease liabilities.
•The discount rates used in the calculations of the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are based on our incremental borrowing rates and are primarily affected by economic environment, differences in the duration of each lease and the nature of the leased asset.
Environmental provision and reimbursement assets
We estimate the anticipated environmental costs with respect to contamination arising from the operation of gasoline marketing operations and the use of aboveground and underground storage tanks as well as the costs of other exposures and recognize a liability when these losses are anticipated and can be reasonably estimated. Reimbursement for these expenses from various state underground storage tank trust funds or from insurance companies is recognized as an asset and included in other current assets or non-current assets, as appropriate. The scope of the reimbursement asset and liability is estimated by a third-party at least twice a year and adjustments are made according to past experience, changing conditions and changes in governmental policies.
Liability for dismantling and removing aboveground and underground storage tanks and restoring the site on which the storage tanks are located
The liability is based on our estimates with respect to the external costs which will be necessary to remove the aboveground and underground storage tanks in the future, regulatory requirements, discount rate and an estimate of the length of the useful life of the storage tanks.
Property and equipment and amortizable intangible assets
We evaluate property and equipment and amortizable intangible assets for impairment when facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying values of such assets may not be recoverable. When evaluating for impairment, we first compare the carrying value of the asset to the asset’s estimated future undiscounted cash flows. If the estimated undiscounted future cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset, we determine if we have an impairment loss by comparing the carrying value of the asset to the asset's estimated fair value and recognize an impairment charge when the asset’s carrying value exceeds its estimated fair value. The adjusted carrying amount of the asset becomes its new cost basis and is depreciated over the asset’s remaining useful life.
Impairment of goodwill
We evaluate the need for impairment with regard to goodwill once a year or with greater frequency if there are indicators of impairment exist. Goodwill is tested for impairment by first comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. The fair value of a reporting unit is determined according to assumptions and computations we set.
We perform an annual assessment to evaluate whether an impairment of goodwill exists. We performed the evaluation with the assistance of independent assessor which, for purposes of determining the fair value of the retail and GPMP reporting units to which the goodwill was attributed, utilized the income approach, namely, the present value of the future cash flows forecasted to be derived from the reporting units, as well as the market approach.
For the 2023 annual impairment test, the data used for the income approach was directly linked to our internal projections for 2024 through 2028. The long-term growth rate used in the terminal year was (0.2)% for the GPMP reporting unit, and was 2.6% for the retail reporting unit, in accordance with the relevant weighted average long-term nominal growth rate. The cash flows used assumed an unlevered, debt-free basis with no deduction for interest of debt principal to present the cash flows available for debt and equity holders. The discount rate for each reporting unit was determined based on the risk profile of each of the reporting units, and was derived from its weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”) as assessed by management with the assistance of an independent assessor. The WACC took into account both debt and equity. The discount rate applied to the cash flow projections for the GPMP and the retail reporting units was approximately 9.0% and 11.0%, respectively.
The impairment review was sensitive to changes in the key assumptions used. Our key assumptions included revenue and profit growth, capital expenditures, external industry data and past experiences. The major assumptions that could result in significant sensitivities were the discount rate, the long-term growth rate and capital expenditures. Sensitivity analyses were performed by applying various reasonable scenarios whereby the long-term growth rate and discount rate were adjusted within a reasonable range. None of the sensitivity scenarios indicated a potential impairment in any of the reporting units.
Deferred tax assets
We account for income taxes and the related accounts in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”). Deferred tax liabilities and assets are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted rates expected to be in effect during the year in which the differences reverse. Deferred tax assets are recognized for future tax benefits and credit carryforwards to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilized. We periodically assess the likelihood that we will be able to recover our deferred tax assets and reflect any changes in estimates in the valuation allowance. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
We are required to make judgments, estimates and assumptions to establish the amount of deferred tax assets to be recognized based on timing differences, the expected taxable income and its sources and the tax planning strategy.
ITEM 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Commodity Price Risk
We have limited exposure to commodity price risk as a result of the payment and volume-related discounts in certain of our fuel supply contracts with our fuel suppliers, which are based on the market price of motor fuel. Significant increases in fuel prices could result in significant increases in the retail price of fuel and in lower sales to consumers and dealers. When fuel prices rise, some of our dealers may have insufficient credit to purchase fuel from us at their historical volumes. In addition, significant and persistent increases in the retail price of fuel could also diminish consumer demand, which could subsequently diminish the volume of fuel we distribute. A significant percentage of our sales are made with the use of credit cards. Because the interchange fees we pay when credit cards are used to make purchases are based on transaction amounts, higher fuel prices at the pump and higher gallon movements result in higher credit card expenses. These additional fees increase operating expenses. In connection with the Quarles Acquisition, we began to use derivative commodity instruments to manage risks associated with an immaterial number of gallons designed to offset changes in the price of fuel that are directly tied to firm commitments to purchase diesel fuel.
Interest Rate Risk
We may be subject to market risk from exposure to changes in interest rates based on our financing, investing, and cash management activities. The Senior Notes bear a fixed rate of interest; therefore, an increase or decrease in prevailing interest rates has no impact on our debt service for the Senior Notes. As of December 31, 2023, the interest rate on our Capital One Line of Credit was 8.2%, the interest rate on our M&T Term Loans was 8.4% and the interest rate on the variable portion of our M&T equipment loan was 8.1% (approximately $16.4 million of the total loan). As of December 31, 2022, the interest rate on our Capital One Line of Credit was 6.6% and the interest rate on our M&T Term Loans was 7.3% (the entire M&T equipment loan had a fixed rate). As of December 31, 2023, approximately 46% of our debt bore interest at variable rates. Based on our outstanding balances at December 31, 2023, if our applicable interest rates increase by 1%, then our debt service on an annual basis would increase by approximately $3.9 million. Interest rates on commercial bank borrowings and debt offerings could be higher than current levels, causing our financing costs to increase accordingly. Although this could limit our ability to raise funds in the debt capital markets, we expect to remain competitive with respect to acquisitions and capital projects, as our competitors would likely face similar circumstances. For additional information regarding our interest rate risk, see “Risk Factors-Risks Related to Our Business and Industry-Our variable rate debt could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.”
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Page
Report of Independent Registered Certified Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID Number 248)
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), that are designed to ensure that information that is required to be disclosed in Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision, and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2023. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2023 and designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined effective could provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
Management under the supervision of, and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 based on the framework and criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. This evaluation included review of the documentation of controls, evaluation of the design effectiveness of controls, testing of the operating effectiveness of controls and a conclusion on this evaluation.
Based on the foregoing evaluation, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2023 based on the specified criteria.
Our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 has been audited by Grant Thornton LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which appears in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
From time to time, certain of our executive officers and directors have, and we expect they will in the future, enter into, amend or terminate written trading arrangements pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities and Exchange Act or otherwise.
For the quarter ended December 31, 2023, none of our officers or directors adopted or terminated any contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of our securities that was intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) under the Exchange Act and/or any “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K.
ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
Not applicable.
PART III
ITEM 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information about directors required for this item is incorporated by reference from our Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
We have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics, called the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, that applies to all of our directors, officers, including our principal executive, financial and accounting officers, and employees. The full text of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available in the Governance section of our website at www.arkocorp.com under the tab “Governance” and is available in print to any stockholder who requests it. We intend to provide amendments or waivers to our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for any of our directors and principal officers on our website within four business days after such amendment or waiver. The reference to our website address does not constitute incorporation by reference of any of the information contained on the website, and such information is not a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required for this item is incorporated by reference from our Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS
The information required for this item is incorporated by reference from our Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required for this item is incorporated by reference from our Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
The information required for this item is incorporated by reference from our Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
PART IV.
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
(a) (1) Financial Statements: See Part II, Item 8 of this report.
(2) Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant. Additionally, the financial statement schedule entitled “Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts” has been omitted since the information required is included in the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. Other schedules are omitted because they are not required.
(3) Exhibits: See below.
Exhibit No.
Description (1)
2.1*
Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 9, 2022, by and among GPM Investments, LLC, Transit Energy Group, LLC and the other parties thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on September 12, 2022).
2.2*
Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of October 19, 2022, by and between GPM Investments, LLC and Pride Parent, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on October 24, 2022).
2.3*
First Amendment to Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated December 5, 2022, by and between GPM Investments, LLC and Pride Parent LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.6 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on February 28, 2023).
3.1
Composite Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of ARKO Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed on August 7, 2023).
3.2
Bylaws of ARKO Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on December 31, 2020).
4.1
Warrant Assignment, Assumption and Amendment Agreement, dated as of December 22, 2020, by and among Haymaker, ARKO Corp. and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on December 31, 2020).
4.2
Registration Rights and Lock-up Agreement, dated as of December 22, 2020, by and among ARKO Corp. and each of the persons or entities listed on Schedule A thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on December 31, 2020).
4.3
Form of ARKO Corp. Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the proxy statement/prospectus on Form S-4/A, filed with the SEC on November 6, 2020).
4.4
Description of Registrant’s Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on March 25, 2021).
4.5
Warrant Agreement, dated June 6, 2019, by and between the Haymaker Acquisition Corp. II and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent, (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on June 12, 2019, by Haymaker Acquisition Corp. II (File No. 001-38931)).
4.6
Indenture, dated October 21, 2021, by and among ARKO Corp., the Guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on October 26, 2021).
4.7
Form of 5.125% Senior Note due 2029 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on October 26, 2021).
4.8+
First Supplemental Indenture, dated July 28, 2022, by and among GPM Transportation Company, LLC, the New Guarantor party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee.
4.9+
Second Supplemental Indenture, dated December 30, 2022, by and among Pride Convenience Holdings, LLC, Pride Operating, LLC, Pride Logistics, LLC and Pride Management, LLC, the New Guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee.
10.1
Form of Indemnification for Directors and Officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on December 31, 2020).
10.2**
ARKO Corp. 2020 Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on December 31, 2020).
10.3**
Employment Agreement, dated as of September 8, 2020, by and between ARKO Corp. and Arie Kotler (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the proxy statement/prospectus on Form S-4/A, filed with the SEC on November 6, 2020).
10.4
Letter Agreement dated June 15, 2018, by and between Grocery Supply Company and GPM Southeast, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.45 to the proxy statement/prospectus on Form S-4/A, filed with the SEC on November 6, 2020).
10.5
Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of GPM Petroleum LP, dated December 3, 2019 by and among GPM Petroleum GP, LLC and the limited partners party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.55 to the proxy statement/prospectus on Form S-4/A, filed with the SEC on November 6, 2020).
10.6**
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the Company’s 2020 Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on March 8, 2021 (filed at 4:58 p.m. EST)).
10.7**
Form of Director Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the Company’s 2020 Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on March 8, 2021 (filed at 4:58 p.m. EST)).
10.8**
Form of Performance-Based RSU Award Agreement under the Company’s 2020 Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on March 8, 2021 (filed at 4:58 p.m. EST)).
10.9**
Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement with Arie Kotler under the Company’s 2020 Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on March 8, 2021 (filed at 4:58 p.m. EST)).
10.10**
Employment Agreement, dated as of January 3, 2020, by and between GPM INVESTMENTS, LLC and Maury Bricks. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.53 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on March 25, 2021).
10.11
Fourth Amendment to Third Amended, Restated and Consolidated Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated April 30, 2021, by and among GPM Investments, LLC and certain of its subsidiaries as other borrowers and guarantors thereto, the lenders party thereto and PNC Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on May 6, 2021 (filed at 4:36 p.m. EDT)).
10.12*
Standby Real Estate Purchase, Designation and Lease Program, dated as of May 3, 2021, by and between GPM Investments, LLC and Oak Street Real Estate Capital Net Lease Property Fund, LP. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on May 6, 2021 (filed at 4:30 p.m. EDT))
10.13
First Amendment to Standby Real Estate Purchase, Designation and Lease Program, dated as of April 7, 2022, by and between GPM Investments, LLC and GPM Portfolio Owner LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on April 13, 2022).
10.14
Second Amended and Restated Master Covenant Agreement, dated June 24, 2021, by and between GPM Investments, LLC and M&T Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on June 24, 2021).
10.15
Fifth Amendment to Third Amended, Restated and Consolidated Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated October 14, 2021, by and among GPM Investments, LLC and certain of its subsidiaries as other borrowers and guarantors thereto, the lenders party thereto and PNC Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on October 18, 2021).
10.16*
Sixth Amendment and Joinder to Third Amended, Restated and Consolidated Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated July 22, 2022, by and among GPM Investments, LLC and certain of its subsidiaries as other borrowers and guarantors thereto, the lenders party thereto and PNC Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 8, 2022).
10.17**
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2020, by and between GPM INVESTMENTS, LLC and Eyal Nuchamovitz (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on February 25, 2022).
10.18
Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Master Covenant Agreement, dated October 14, 2021, by and between GPM Investments, LLC and M&T Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on October 18, 2021).
10.19
Second Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Master Covenant Agreement, dated October 3, 2022, by and between GPM Investments, LLC and M&T Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 7, 2022).
10.20
Seventh Amendment and Joinder to Third Amended, Restated and Consolidated Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated December 6, 2022, by and among GPM Investments, LLC and certain of its subsidiaries as other borrowers and guarantors thereto, the lenders party thereto and PNC Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on February 28, 2023).
10.21
Eighth Amendment to Third Amended, Restated and Consolidated Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated December 20, 2022, by and among GPM Investments, LLC and certain of its subsidiaries as other borrowers and guarantors thereto, the lenders party thereto and PNC Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 22, 2022).
10.22
Third Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Master Covenant Agreement, dated April 5, 2023, by and between GPM Investments, LLC and M&T Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed on May 5, 2023) .
10.23
Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 1, 2023, by and between ARKO Corp. and Transit Energy Group, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on March 1, 2023)
10.24
Second Amendment as of March 28, 2023 to Standby Real Estate Purchase, Designation and Lease Program by and between GPM Investments, LLC and GPM Portfolio Owner LLC and Oak Street Real Estate Capital Fund VI OP, LP. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on March 29, 2023)
10.25
Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated May 5, 2023, by and among GPM Petroleum LP, the guarantors party thereto, Capital One, National Association, and the lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on May 8, 2023).
10.26
Third Amendment dated as of May 2, 2023 to Standby Real Estate Purchase, Designation and Lease Program by and between GPM Investments, LLC and GPM Portfolio Owner LLC and Oak Street Real Estate Capital Fund VI OP, LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on May 8, 2023).
10.27+
Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated November 21, 2023, by and among GPM Investments, LLC, and the other borrowers party thereto and M&T Bank
10.28**
Employment Agreement, dated as of December 19, 2023, by and between ARKO Corp. and GPM Investments, LLC and Robb Giammatteo (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on December 21, 2023).
10.29*+
Fourth Amendment dated as of July 11, 2023 to Standby Real Estate Purchase, Designation and Lease Program by and between GPM Investments, LLC and GPM Portfolio Owner LLC and Oak Street Real Estate Capital Fund VI OP, LP.
10.30*+
Fifth Amendment dated as of January 19, 2024 to Standby Real Estate Purchase, Designation and Lease Program by and between GPM Investments, LLC and GPM Portfolio Owner LLC and Oak Street Real Estate Capital Fund VI OP, LP.
21.1+
List of Subsidiaries
23.1+
Consent of Grant Thornton LLP
31.1+
Certification of Principal Executive Officer of ARKO Corp. pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2+
Certification of Principal Financial Officer of ARKO Corp. pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley act of 2002
32.1++
Certification of Principal Executive Officer of ARKO Corp. pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2++
Certification of Principal Financial Officer of ARKO Corp. pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley act of 2002
97.1+
ARKO Corp. Clawback Policy
101.INS
Inline XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document With Embedded Linkbase Documents
Inline XBRL for the cover page of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, included in the Exhibit 101 Inline XBRL Document Set.
(1) 	SEC file number for all Securities Exchange Act reports referenced in the exhibit list is 001-39828.
*	Pursuant to Item 601(b)(10)(iv) of Regulation S-K, portions of this exhibit have been omitted because the Company 		customarily and actually treats the omitted portions as private or confidential, and such portions are not material and would likely cause competitive harm to the Company if publicly disclosed. The Company will supplementally provide a copy of an unredacted copy of this exhibit to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
** 	Indicates management contract or compensatory plan arrangement.
+ 	Filed herewith.
++	Furnished herewith.
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: February 27, 2024
ARKO CORP.
By:
/s/ Arie Kotler
Arie Kotler
President, Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Name
Title
Date
/s/ Arie Kotler
President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
February 27, 2024
Arie Kotler
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Robert Giammatteo
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
February 27, 2024
Robert Giammatteo
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
/s/ Sherman K. Edmiston III
Director
February 27, 2024
Sherman K. Edmiston III
/s/ Avram Friedman
Director
February 27, 2024
Avram Friedman
/s/ Michael J. Gade
Director
February 27, 2024
Michael J. Gade
/s/ Andrew R. Heyer
Director
February 27, 2024
Andrew R. Heyer
/s/ Steven J. Heyer
Director
February 27, 2024
Steven J. Heyer
/s/ Laura Karet
Director
February 27, 2024
Laura Karet
Report of Independent registered public accounting firm
Board of Directors and Shareholders
ARKO Corp.
Opinion on the financial statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of ARKO Corp. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes and financial statement schedule included under Item 15(a) (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”), and our report dated February 27, 2024 expressed an unqualified opinion.
Basis for opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical audit matters
Critical audit matters are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. We determined that there are no critical audit matters.
/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2003.
Charlotte, North Carolina
February 27, 2024
Report of Independent registered public accounting firm
Board of Directors and Shareholders
ARKO Corp.
Opinion on internal control over financial reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of ARKO Corp. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by COSO.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023, and our report dated February 27, 2024 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
Basis for opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and limitations of internal control over financial reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP
Charlotte, North Carolina
February 27, 2024
ARKO Corp.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except per share data)
As of December 31,
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
218,120
$
298,529
Restricted cash
23,301
18,240
Short-term investments
3,892
2,400
Trade receivables, net
134,735
118,140
Inventory
250,593
221,951
Other current assets
118,472
87,873
Total current assets
749,113
747,133
Non-current assets:
Property and equipment, net
742,610
645,809
Right-of-use assets under operating leases
1,384,693
1,203,188
Right-of-use assets under financing leases, net
162,668
182,113
Goodwill
292,173
217,297
Intangible assets, net
214,552
197,123
Equity investment
2,885
2,924
Deferred tax asset
52,293
22,728
Other non-current assets
49,377
36,855
Total assets
$
3,650,364
$
3,255,170
Liabilities
Current liabilities:
Long-term debt, current portion
$
16,792
$
11,944
Accounts payable
213,657
217,370
Other current liabilities
179,536
154,097
Operating leases, current portion
67,053
57,563
Financing leases, current portion
9,186
5,457
Total current liabilities
486,224
446,431
Non-current liabilities:
Long-term debt, net
828,647
740,043
Asset retirement obligation
84,710
64,909
Operating leases
1,395,032
1,218,045
Financing leases
213,032
225,907
Other non-current liabilities
266,602
178,945
Total liabilities
3,274,247
2,874,280
Commitments and contingencies - see Note 13
Series A redeemable preferred stock (no par value) - authorized: 1,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding: 1,000,000 and 1,000,000 shares, respectively; redemption value: $100,000 and $100,000, in the aggregate, respectively
100,000
100,000
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock (par value $0.0001) - authorized: 400,000,000 shares; issued: 125,268,525 and 124,727,496 shares, respectively; outstanding: 116,171,208 and 120,074,542 shares, respectively
Treasury stock, at cost - 9,097,317 and 4,652,954 shares, respectively
(74,134
)
(40,042
)
Additional paid-in capital
245,007
229,995
Accumulated other comprehensive income
9,119
9,119
Retained earnings
96,097
81,750
Total shareholders' equity
276,101
280,834
Non-controlling interest
Total equity
276,117
280,890
Total liabilities, redeemable preferred stock and equity
$
3,650,364
$
3,255,170
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
ARKO Corp.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except per share data)
For the Year Ended December 31,
Revenues:
Fuel revenue
$
7,464,372
$
7,401,090
$
5,714,333
Merchandise revenue
1,838,001
1,647,642
1,616,404
Other revenues, net
110,358
94,067
86,661
Total revenues
9,412,731
9,142,799
7,417,398
Operating expenses:
Fuel costs
6,876,084
6,856,651
5,275,907
Merchandise costs
1,252,879
1,146,423
1,143,494
Store operating expenses
860,134
721,174
630,518
General and administrative expenses
165,294
139,969
124,667
Depreciation and amortization
127,597
101,752
97,194
Total operating expenses
9,281,988
8,965,969
7,271,780
Other expenses, net
12,729
9,816
3,536
Operating income
118,014
167,014
142,082
Interest and other financial income
20,273
3,178
3,005
Interest and other financial expenses
(91,516
)
(62,583
)
(74,212
)
Income before income taxes
46,771
107,609
70,875
Income tax expense
(12,166
)
(35,557
)
(11,634
)
(Loss) income from equity investment
(39
)
(74
)
Net income
$
34,566
$
71,978
$
59,427
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests
Net income attributable to ARKO Corp.
$
34,369
$
71,747
$
59,198
Series A redeemable preferred stock dividends
(5,750
)
(5,750
)
(5,735
)
Net income attributable to common shareholders
$
28,619
$
65,997
$
53,463
Net income per share attributable to common shareholders - basic
$
0.24
$
0.54
$
0.43
Net income per share attributable to common shareholders - diluted
$
0.24
$
0.53
$
0.42
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic
118,782
121,476
124,412
Diluted
119,605
123,224
125,437
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
ARKO Corp.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
(in thousands, except share data)
Common Stock
Treasury
Shares
Par
Value
Stock, at Cost
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
Retained Earnings
(Accumulated Deficit)
Total
Shareholders'
Equity
Non-
Controlling
Interests
Total
Equity
Balance at December 31, 2020
124,131,655
$
$
-
$
212,103
$
9,119
$
(29,653
)
$
191,581
$
(161
)
$
191,420
Share-based compensation
-
-
-
5,804
-
-
5,804
-
5,804
Transactions with non-controlling
interests
-
-
-
(396
)
-
-
(396
)
-
Distributions to non-controlling interests
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(240
)
(240
)
Dividends on redeemable preferred stock
-
-
-
(2,836
)
-
(2,899
)
(5,735
)
-
(5,735
)
Issuance of shares
296,150
-
-
3,000
-
-
3,000
-
3,000
Net income
-
-
-
-
-
59,198
59,198
59,427
Balance at December 31, 2021
124,427,805
$
$
-
$
217,675
$
9,119
$
26,646
$
253,452
$
$
253,676
Share-based compensation
-
-
-
12,161
-
-
12,161
-
12,161
Transactions with non-controlling
interests
-
-
-
-
-
(159
)
-
Distributions to non-controlling interests
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(240
)
(240
)
Dividends on redeemable preferred stock
-
-
-
-
-
(5,750
)
(5,750
)
-
(5,750
)
Dividends declared (9 cents per share)
-
-
-
-
-
(10,893
)
(10,893
)
-
(10,893
)
Common stock repurchased
(4,652,954
)
-
(40,042
)
-
-
-
(40,042
)
-
(40,042
)
Vesting of restricted share units
286,359
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Issuance of shares to employees
13,332
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Net income
-
-
-
-
-
71,747
71,747
71,978
Balance at December 31, 2022
120,074,542
$
$
(40,042
)
$
229,995
$
9,119
$
81,750
$
280,834
$
$
280,890
Share-based compensation
-
-
-
15,015
-
-
15,015
-
15,015
Transactions with non-controlling
interests
-
-
-
(3
)
-
-
(3
)
-
Distributions to non-controlling interests
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(240
)
(240
)
Dividends on redeemable preferred stock
-
-
-
-
-
(5,750
)
(5,750
)
-
(5,750
)
Dividends declared (12 cents per share)
-
-
-
-
-
(14,272
)
(14,272
)
-
(14,272
)
Common stock repurchased
(4,444,363
)
-
(34,092
)
-
-
-
(34,092
)
-
(34,092
)
Vesting and settlement of restricted
share units
541,029
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Net income
-
-
-
-
-
34,369
34,369
34,566
Balance at December 31, 2023
116,171,208
$
$
(74,134
)
$
245,007
$
9,119
$
96,097
$
276,101
$
$
276,117
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
ARKO Corp.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
For the Year Ended December 31,
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income
$
34,566
$
71,978
$
59,427
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
127,597
101,752
97,194
Deferred income taxes
(4,680
)
22,300
4,848
Loss on disposal of assets and impairment charges
6,203
5,731
1,384
Foreign currency loss (gain)
(1,320
)
Amortization of deferred financing costs, debt discount and premium
2,518
2,514
9,304
Amortization of deferred income
(8,142
)
(9,724
)
(10,327
)
Accretion of asset retirement obligation
2,399
1,833
1,705
Non-cash rent
14,168
7,903
6,359
Charges to allowance for credit losses
1,265
Loss (income) from equity investment
(186
)
Share-based compensation
15,015
12,161
5,804
Fair value adjustment of financial assets and liabilities
(10,785
)
(3,396
)
3,821
Other operating activities, net
2,631
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Increase in trade receivables
(17,937
)
(50,229
)
(16,003
)
Increase in inventory
(2,013
)
(6,850
)
(21,816
)
(Increase) decrease in other assets
(29,386
)
1,476
(5,421
)
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable
(6,169
)
31,645
16,813
Increase in other current liabilities
6,884
7,867
Decrease in asset retirement obligation
(23
)
(95
)
(130
)
Increase (decrease) in non-current liabilities
7,809
11,638
(1,410
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
136,094
$
209,256
$
159,191
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
ARKO Corp.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (cont’d)
(in thousands)
For the Year Ended December 31,
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment
$
(111,164
)
$
(98,595
)
$
(226,205
)
Purchase of intangible assets
(45
)
(176
)
(246
)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
310,240
287,901
284,854
Business acquisitions, net of cash
(494,871
)
(419,726
)
(203,070
)
Prepayment for acquisitions
(1,000
)
(4,000
)
-
Decrease (increase) of investments
-
58,934
(27,110
)
Loans to equity investment, net
-
Net cash used in investing activities
(296,822
)
(175,488
)
(171,777
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Receipt of long-term debt, net
99,643
70,896
484,089
Repayment of debt
(22,157
)
(45,948
)
(531,834
)
Principal payments on financing leases
(5,497
)
(6,543
)
(8,094
)
Proceeds from sale-leaseback
80,397
54,988
44,188
Payment of Additional Consideration
(3,505
)
(5,913
)
(3,828
)
Payment of merger transaction issuance costs
-
-
(4,773
)
Payment of Ares Put Option
(9,808
)
-
-
Common stock repurchased
(33,694
)
(40,042
)
-
Dividends paid on common stock
(14,272
)
(10,893
)
-
Dividends paid on redeemable preferred stock
(5,750
)
(5,750
)
(5,892
)
Distributions to non-controlling interests
-
(240
)
(240
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
85,357
10,555
(26,384
)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents and
restricted cash
(75,371
)
44,323
(38,970
)
Effect of exchange rate on cash and cash equivalents and restricted
cash
(97
)
(1,464
)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of year
316,769
272,543
312,977
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of year
$
241,421
$
316,769
$
272,543
Reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
$
298,529
$
252,141
$
293,666
Restricted cash, beginning of year
18,240
20,402
16,529
Restricted cash with respect to bonds, beginning of
year
-
-
2,782
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of year
$
316,769
$
272,543
$
312,977
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
$
218,120
$
298,529
$
252,141
Restricted cash, end of year
23,301
18,240
20,402
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of year
$
241,421
$
316,769
$
272,543
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
ARKO Corp.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (cont’d)
(in thousands)
For the Year Ended December 31,
Supplementary cash flow information:
Cash received for interest
$
7,944
$
1,964
$
Cash paid for interest
82,477
57,653
51,495
Cash received for taxes
Cash paid for taxes
29,456
6,747
14,912
Supplementary noncash activities:
Prepaid insurance premiums financed through notes payable
10,711
6,668
8,210
Purchases of equipment in accounts payable and accrued expenses
14,888
9,007
7,569
Purchase of property and equipment under leases
7,870
21,534
23,730
Disposals of leases of property and equipment
22,986
19,885
4,465
Deferred consideration related to business acquisitions
47,100
-
-
Issuance of shares
-
-
3,000
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
ARKO Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1. General
ARKO Corp. (the “Company”) is a Delaware corporation whose common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“common stock”) and publicly-traded warrants are listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbols “ARKO” and “ARKOW,” respectively.
The Company’s operations are primarily performed by its subsidiary, GPM Investments, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“GPM”). Formed in 2002, GPM is primarily engaged directly and through fully owned and controlled subsidiaries (directly or indirectly) in retail activity, which includes the operations of a chain of convenience stores, most of which include adjacent gas stations. GPM is also engaged in wholesale activity, which includes the supply of fuel to gas stations operated by third-parties and, in fleet fueling, which includes the operation of proprietary and third-party cardlock locations (unstaffed fueling locations) and issuance of proprietary fuel cards that provide customers access to a nationwide network of fueling sites. As of December 31, 2023, GPM’s activity included the operation of 1,543 retail convenience stores, the supply of fuel to 1,825 gas stations operated by dealers and the operation of 298 cardlock locations, in the District of Columbia and throughout more than 30 states in the Mid-Atlantic, Midwestern, Northeastern, Southeastern and Southwestern United States (“U.S.”).
The Company has four reportable segments: retail, wholesale, fleet fueling, and GPMP. Refer to Note 23 below for further information with respect to the segments.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements, which are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).
Use of Estimates
In the preparation of consolidated financial statements, management may make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates include right-of-use assets and lease liabilities; impairment of goodwill, intangible, right-of-use and fixed assets; environmental assets and liabilities; deferred tax assets; and asset retirement obligations.
Foreign Currency Translation
Transactions and balances that are denominated in currencies that differ from the functional currencies have been remeasured into US dollars in accordance with principles set forth in ASC 830, Foreign Currency Matters. At each balance sheet date, monetary items denominated in foreign currencies are translated at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. All exchange gains and losses from the remeasurement mentioned above are reflected in the statement of operations as financial expenses or income, as appropriate.
The revenues of the Company and most of its subsidiaries are generated in US dollars. In addition, most of the costs of the Company and most of its subsidiaries are incurred in US dollars. The Company’s management believes that the US dollar is the primary currency of the economic environment in which the Company and most of its subsidiaries operate. Thus, the functional currency of the Company and most of its subsidiaries is the US dollar.
For subsidiaries whose functional currency has been determined to be other than the US dollar, assets and liabilities are translated at year-end exchange rates, and statement of operations items are translated at average exchange rates prevailing during the year. Resulting translation differences are recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in equity.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all unrestricted highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents, of which there were $144.3 million and $207.5 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, $1.4 million and $0.5 million of cash and cash equivalents, respectively, were denominated in New Israeli Shekels. Cash and cash equivalents are maintained at several financial institutions, and in order to have sufficient working
capital on hand, the Company maintains concentrations of cash at several financial institutions in amounts that are above the FDIC standard deposit insurance limit of $250,000.
Restricted Cash
The Company classifies as restricted cash any cash and cash equivalents that are currently restricted from use in order to comply with agreements with third-parties, including cash related to net lottery proceeds.
Trade Receivables
The majority of trade receivables are typically from dealers, fleet fueling customers, customer credit accounts and credit card companies in the ordinary course of business. Balances due in respect of credit cards processed through the Company’s fuel suppliers and other providers are collected within two to three days depending upon the day of the week of the purchase and time of day of the purchase. Receivables from dealers and customer credit accounts are typically due within one to 30 days and are stated as amounts due. Accounts that are outstanding longer than the payment terms are considered past due.
At each balance sheet date, the Company recognizes a loss allowance for expected credit losses on trade receivables. The amount of expected credit losses is updated at each reporting date to reflect changes in credit risk since initial recognition of the respective financial instrument. The expected credit losses on trade receivables are estimated based on historical credit loss experience, adjusted for factors that are specific to the debtors, general economic conditions and an assessment of both the current as well as the forecasted direction of conditions at the reporting date, including time value of money where appropriate. The expected credit loss is estimated as the difference between all contractual cash flows that are due to the Company in accordance with the contract and all the cash flows that the Company expects to receive, discounted at the original effective interest rate, as long as the discount impact is material. The Company records an impairment gain or loss in profit or loss for all financial instruments with a corresponding adjustment to their carrying amount through a loss allowance account.
The Company writes off receivable amounts when there is information indicating that the debtor is in severe financial difficulty and there is no realistic prospect of recovery. Financial assets written off may still be subject to enforcement activities under the Company’s recovery procedures, taking into account legal advice where appropriate. Any recoveries made are recognized in profit or loss. The Company has not experienced significant write-offs for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
Inventory
Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The majority of merchandise inventory is accounted for under the retail inventory accounting method, using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis. Fuel inventory cost is determined using the average cost on a FIFO basis. Inventory cost is net of vendor rebates or discounts in the event that they can be attributed to inventory. The net realizable value is an estimate of the sales price in the ordinary course of business less an estimate of the costs required in order to execute the sale. The Company periodically reviews inventory for obsolescence and records a charge to merchandise costs for any amounts required to reduce the carrying value of inventories to net realizable value.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are carried at cost or, if acquired through a business combination, at the fair value of the assets as of the acquisition date, less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged directly to expense when incurred and major improvements are capitalized. Depreciation is recognized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets as follows:
Range in Years
Buildings and leasehold improvements
15 to 40
Signs
5 to 15
Other equipment (primarily office equipment)
5 to 7
Computers, software and licenses
3 to 5
Motor vehicles
Fuel equipment
5 to 30
Equipment in convenience stores
5 to 15
Amortization of leasehold improvements is recorded using the straight-line method based upon the shorter of the remaining terms of the leases including renewal periods that are reasonably assured or the estimated useful lives.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets
The Company reviews its long-lived assets, including property and equipment, right-of-use assets and amortizable intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If a review indicates that the assets will not be recoverable, based on the expected undiscounted net cash flows of the related asset, an impairment loss is recognized to the extent carrying value of the assets exceeds their estimated fair value and the asset’s carrying value is reduced to fair value. Impairment losses related to property and equipment and right-of-use assets of $7.9 million, $3.7 million and $3.2 million were recorded in relation to closed and non-performing sites as an expense within other expenses, net in the consolidated statements of operations during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. No impairment was recognized for long-lived intangible assets during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
Business Combinations
The Company applies the provisions of ASC 805, Business Combinations, and allocates the fair value of purchase consideration to the tangible and intangible assets acquired, and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values. When determining the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, management makes significant estimates and assumptions, especially with respect to intangible assets. The excess of the fair value of purchase consideration over the fair values of these identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill. In subsequent periods, the goodwill is measured at cost less accumulated impairment losses.
If, after reassessment, the net of the acquisition-date amounts of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed exceeds the sum of the consideration transferred, the excess is recognized immediately within other expenses, net in the consolidated statements of operations as a gain on bargain purchase.
When the consideration transferred in a business combination includes assets or liabilities resulting from a contingent consideration arrangement, the contingent consideration is measured at its acquisition-date fair value and included as part of the consideration transferred in a business combination.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill represents the excess of cost over fair value of net assets of businesses acquired. For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to each reporting unit (or groups of reporting units) expected to benefit from the synergies of the business combination. Intangible assets acquired in a business combination are recorded at fair value as of the date acquired. Amortization of finite lived intangible assets is provided using the straight-line method of amortization over the estimated useful lives of the intangible assets, with a weighted average remaining amortization period as of December 31, 2023, as follows:
Range in Years
Weighted Average Remaining Amortization Period
Goodwill
Indefinite life
Indefinite life
Trade names
Wholesale fuel supply contracts
3 to 14
Third-party cardlock site contracts
Option to acquire ownership rights
10 to 15
Non-contractual customer relationships
Liquor licenses
Indefinite life
Indefinite life
Franchise rights
3 to 20
Goodwill is reviewed annually on October 1 for impairment, or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist, such as disruptions in the business, unexpected significant declines in operating results or a sustained market capitalization decline. In the goodwill impairment test, the reporting unit’s carrying amount (including goodwill) and its fair value are compared. If the estimated fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, an impairment charge is recognized for the deficit up to the amount of goodwill recorded.
The Company completed the annual impairment analyses for goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, and no impairment was recognized.
Non-controlling Interest
These consolidated financial statements reflect the application of ASC 810, Consolidation, which establishes accounting and reporting standards that require: (i) the ownership interest in subsidiaries held by parties other than the parent to be clearly identified
and presented in the consolidated balance sheet within shareholders’ equity, but separate from the parent’s equity, (ii) the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and the non-controlling interest to be clearly identified and presented on the face of the consolidated statements of operations, and (iii) changes in a parent’s ownership interest while the parent retains its controlling financial interest in its subsidiary to be accounted for consistently.
A non-controlling interest is recorded for the interests owned in the Company’s subsidiary, GPM Petroleum LP (“GPMP”), by the seller in the 2019 acquisition of 64 sites from a third-party (the “Riiser Seller”) and was classified in the consolidated statements of changes in equity as ‘Non-controlling interests.’
Equity Investment
For equity investments that are not required to be consolidated, the Company evaluates the level of influence it is able to exercise over the investee’s operations to determine whether to use the equity method of accounting. Investees over which the Company determines that the Company has significant influence are accounted for as equity method investment. The Company evaluates its equity method investment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of such investment may be impaired.
Since January 2014, the Company has held joint control (50%) of Ligad Investments and Construction Ltd. (“Ligad”), which is presented on the Company’s books using the equity method of accounting. As of December 31, 2023, Ligad owed the Company approximately $0.6 million, bearing interest at the prime rate plus 1%, and payable on December 31, 2024.
Ligad has granted a third-party an option to purchase certain properties held by it for consideration of approximately $6.5 million plus value-added taxes. The option, as extended in December 2023, is exercisable until the earlier of (i) February 28, 2026 and (ii) 120 days from receiving certain permit for the leased properties. The properties are leased to a third-party until February 2026 in consideration of an annual rent payment of approximately $0.3 million (linked to consumer price index increases).
Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). These valuation techniques involve some level of management estimation and judgment, the degree of which is dependent on the item being valued.
Significant estimates of fair value include, among other items, tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed through business combinations, certain leases, contingent consideration in business combinations, financial derivative instruments, the Public Warrants (as defined below), the Private Warrants (as defined below), the Additional Deferred Shares (as defined below) and the Ares Put Option (as defined below). The Company also uses fair value measurements to routinely assess impairment of long-lived assets, intangible assets and goodwill.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to the customers. This requires the Company to identify contractual performance obligations and determine whether revenue should be recognized at a single point in time or over time, based on when control of goods and services transfers to a customer. Control is transferred to the customer over time if the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided by the Company’s performance. If a performance obligation is not satisfied over time, the Company satisfies the performance obligation at a single point in time.
Revenue is recognized in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for goods or services.
When the Company satisfies a performance obligation by transferring control of goods or services to the customer, revenue is recognized against contract assets in the amount of consideration to which the Company is entitled. When the consideration amount received from the customer exceeds the amounts recognized as revenue, the Company recognizes a contract liability for the excess.
An asset is recognized related to the costs incurred to obtain a contract (i.e. sales commissions) if the costs are specifically identifiable to a contract, the costs will result in enhancing resources that will be used in satisfying performance obligations in the future and the costs are expected to be recovered. These capitalized costs are recorded as a part of other current assets and other non-current assets and are amortized on a systematic basis consistent with the pattern of transfer of the goods or services to which such costs relate. The Company expenses the costs to obtain a contract, as and when they are incurred, in cases where the expected amortization period is one year or less.
The Company evaluates if it is a principal or an agent in a transaction to determine whether revenue should be recorded on a gross or a net basis. In performing this analysis, the Company considers first whether it controls the goods before they are transferred to the
customers and if it has the ability to direct the use of the goods or obtain benefits from them. The Company also considers the following indicators: (1) the primary obligor, (2) the latitude in establishing prices and selecting suppliers, and (3) the inventory risk borne by the Company before and after the goods have been transferred to the customer. When the Company acts as principal, revenue is recorded on a gross basis. When the Company acts as agent, revenue is recorded on a net basis.
Certain fuel and sales taxes are invoiced by fuel suppliers or collected from customers and remitted to governmental agencies either directly, or through suppliers, by the Company. Whether these taxes are presented on a gross or net basis is dependent on whether the Company is acting as a principal or agent in the sales transaction. Fuel excise taxes are presented on a gross basis for fuel sales because the Company is acting as the primary obligor, has pricing latitude, and is also exposed to inventory and credit risks. Fuel revenue and fuel cost of revenue included fuel taxes of $1,173.9 million, $1,015.2 million and $1,004.8 million for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Revenue recognition patterns are described below by reportable segment:
Retail
•Fuel revenue and merchandise revenue-Revenues from the sale of merchandise and fuel less discounts given and returns are recognized upon delivery, which is the point at which control and title is transferred, the customer has accepted the product and the customer has significant risks and rewards of owning the product. The Company typically has a right to payment once control of the product is transferred to the customer. Transaction prices for these products are typically at market rates for the product at the time of delivery. Payment terms require customers to pay at delivery and do not contain significant financing components.
•Customer loyalty program-The customer loyalty program provides the Company’s customers rights to purchase products at a lower price or at no cost in future periods. The sale of products in accordance with the loyalty program are recognized as multiple performance obligations. The consideration for the sale is allocated to each performance obligation identified in the contract (the actual purchases and the future purchases) on a relative stand-alone selling price basis. Revenue for the rights granted is deferred and recognized on the date on which the Company completes its obligations in respect thereof or when it expires. The related contract liability for the customer loyalty program was approximately $1.1 million and $0.9 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and was included in other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.
•Commissions on sales of lottery products, money orders and prepaid value cards-The Company recognizes a commission on the sale of lottery products, money orders, and sales of prepaid value cards (gift or cash cards) at the time of the sale to the customer.
Wholesale
•Consignment arrangements-In arrangements of this type, the Company owns the fuel until the date of sale to the final customer, and the gross profit created from the sale of the fuel is allocated between the Company and the dealer based on the terms of the relevant agreement with the dealer. In certain cases, gross profit is split based on a percentage and in others, the Company pays a fixed fee per gallon to the dealer. The Company recognizes revenues on the date of the sale to the final customer (namely, upon dispensing of the fuel by the consumer which is the date of transfer of control, risks and rewards to the final customer).
•Fuel supply arrangements (“Cost Plus”)-In arrangements of this type, the dealer purchases the fuel from the Company. The Company recognizes revenue upon delivery of the fuel to the dealer which is the date of transfer of ownership of the fuel to the dealer. The sales price to the dealer is determined according to the terms of the relevant agreement with the dealer, which generally includes a stated price of the fuel plus the cost of transportation and a margin, with the Company generally retaining any prompt pay discounts and rebates.
Fleet Fueling
•Fuel revenue from cardlock locations-Revenues from the sale of fuel, less applicable discounts, are recognized upon delivery of the fuel, which is the point at which control and title are transferred, the customer has accepted the product and the customer has significant risks and rewards of owning the product. The Company typically has a right to payment once control of the product is transferred to the customer. At third-party cardlock locations, the Company remains the owner of the fuel until the date of sale to the final customer. Transaction prices for these products are typically at market rates for the products at the time of delivery. Payment terms require customers to pay shortly after delivery and do not contain significant financing components.
•Commissions on proprietary fuel cards-The Company receives a commission on the sale of fuel from proprietary fuel cards that provide customers access to a nationwide network of fueling sites. The commission is recognized at the time of the sale to the customer.
GPMP
•GPMP recognizes fuel revenue primarily upon delivery of the fuel to substantially all of GPM’s sites that sell fuel in the retail and wholesale segments and charges a fixed fee primarily to sites in the fleet fueling segment which are not supplied by GPMP, all of which is eliminated in consolidation.
Refer to Note 23 for disclosure of the revenue disaggregated by segment and product line, as well as a description of the reportable segment operations.
Fuel Costs and Merchandise Costs
The Company records discounts and rebates received from suppliers as a reduction of inventory cost if the discount or rebate is based upon purchases or to merchandise costs if the discount relates to product sold. Discounts and rebates conditional upon the volume of the purchases or on meeting certain other goals are included in the consolidated financial statements on a basis relative to the progress toward the goals required to obtain a discount or rebate, as long as receiving the discounts or rebates is reasonably assured and its amount can be reasonably estimated. The estimate of meeting the goals is based, among other things, on contract terms and historical purchases/sales as compared to required purchases/sales.
The Company includes in fuel costs all costs incurred to acquire fuel, including the costs of purchasing and transporting inventory prior to delivery to customers. The Company primarily utilizes third-party carriers to transport fuel inventory to each location. Fuel costs do not include any depreciation of property and equipment as there are no significant amounts that could be attributed to fuel costs. Accordingly, depreciation is separately classified in the consolidated statements of operations.
The Company recognizes merchandise vendor rebates based upon the period of time in which it has completed the unit purchases and/or sales as specified in the merchandise vendor agreements. The Company records such rebates as a reduction of merchandise costs.
Certain upfront amounts paid to the Company by merchandise suppliers and amounts paid to the Company by fuel suppliers for renovation and upgrade costs associated with the rebranding of gas stations are presented as a liability and are recorded to operations as a reduction of merchandise or fuel costs on a straight-line basis relative to the period of the agreement. In the event that the Company does not comply with the conditions of the agreement with the supplier, the Company may be required to repay the unamortized balance of the amount received or grant to the supplier based on the amortization schedule as defined in each applicable agreement. These amounts are classified in other non-current liabilities, except for the current maturity which is classified in other current liabilities.
Total purchases from suppliers who accounted for 10% or more of total purchases for the periods presented were as follows:
For the Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)
Fuel products - Supplier A
$
864,021
$
974,156
$
776,314
Fuel products - Supplier B
800,932
758,856
*
Fuel products - Supplier C
708,764
870,982
638,928
Merchandise products - Supplier D
734,638
664,438
645,257
* Purchases did not exceed 10% in period
Environmental Costs
Environmental expenditures related to existing conditions, resulting from past or current operations and from which no current or future benefit is discernible, are expensed. A liability for environmental matters is established when it is probable that an environmental obligation exists and the cost can be reasonably estimated. If there is a range of reasonably estimated costs, the most likely amount will be recorded, or if no amount is most likely, the minimum of the range is used. Related expenditures are charged against the liability. Expenditures that extend the life of the related property or prevent future environmental contamination are capitalized.
Advertising Costs
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs, net of co-op advertising reimbursement from certain vendors/suppliers, for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 were $5.1 million, $5.2 million and $4.4 million, respectively, and were included in store operating and general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the provisions of ASC 740, Income Taxes. Current and deferred taxes are recognized in profit or loss, except when they arise from the initial accounting for a business acquisition, in which case the tax effect is included in the accounting for the business acquisition. The current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date. Deferred tax is provided using the asset and liability method on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts. Deferred tax assets are recognized for future tax benefits and credit carryforwards to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilized. The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each balance sheet date. Deferred tax liabilities are not recognized if the temporary difference arises from the initial recognition of goodwill. Deferred tax liabilities and assets are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period in which the liability is settled or the asset realized, based on the tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted by the end of the reporting periods. After determining the total amount of deferred tax assets, a determination is made as to whether it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. If it is determined that a deferred tax asset is not likely to be realized, a valuation allowance is established. Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are offset if the Company had a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets against current tax liabilities and the deferred tax relates to the same taxable entity and the same tax authority.
Uncertain tax positions meeting the more likely than not recognition threshold are measured and recognized in the consolidated financial statements at the largest amount of benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement.
The Company classifies interest and penalties related to income tax matters as a component of income tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
The Company accounts for financial derivative instruments at fair value and applies hedge accounting rules when applicable. The Company utilizes derivative instruments related to ultra-low sulfur diesel to offset changes in the fair value of its firm commitments to purchase diesel fuel that is ultimately delivered to certain of its fleet fueling sites.
These instruments are accounted for as fair value hedges of a firm commitment upon proper qualification. The Company assesses at inception and on an ongoing basis whether a derivative instrument accounted for as a hedge is highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair value of the hedged item (that is, the unrecognized firm commitment). The gain or loss on the hedging instrument is recognized currently in earnings within fuel costs in the consolidated statement of operations, for the period in which the changes in fair value occur. The gain or loss (that is, the change in fair value) on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk designated as being hedged adjusts the carrying amount of the related hedged item and is simultaneously recognized in earnings within fuel costs in the consolidated statement of operations, as an adjustment to the carrying amount of that hedged item (that is, the Company recognizes as assets or liabilities the changes in the fair value of the firm commitment that are attributable to the risk being hedged and that arise while the hedge of the firm commitment exists). When the underlying assets are purchased in accordance with the terms of the hedged firm commitment, the initial cost basis in the acquired assets is adjusted by the amount of the firm commitment that was recognized as an asset or liability under the fair value hedging model. See Note 21 and Note 22 for further information about the Company’s derivatives.
Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share are calculated in accordance with ASC 260, Earnings Per Share, by dividing net income (loss) attributable to the Company by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per share are calculated, if applicable, by adjusting net income (loss) attributable to the Company and the weighted average number of common shares, taking into effect all potential dilutive common shares.
Share-Based Compensation
ASC 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation, requires the cost of all share-based payments to employees to be recognized in the statement of operations and establishes fair value as the measurement objective in accounting for share-based payment arrangements. ASC 718 requires the use of a valuation model to calculate the fair value of stock-based awards on the date of grant.
Restricted share units are valued based on the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date of grant. The Company records compensation expense for these awards based on the grant date fair value of the award, recognized ratably over the vesting period of the award. Additionally, certain awards include performance and market conditions. For these awards, share-based compensation expense is estimated based on the probable outcome of shares to be awarded adjusted as necessary at each reporting period.
The Company recognizes compensation expense related to stock-based awards with graded vesting on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The Company’s share-based compensation expense is adjusted for forfeitures when they are incurred.
Employee Benefits
The Company has a 401(k) retirement plan for its employees who may contribute up to 75% of eligible wages as defined in the plan, subject to limitations defined in the plan and applicable law. The Company matches a percentage of employee contributions according to the plan. The Company has a deferred compensation plan for certain employees who may contribute up to 90% of eligible wages as defined in the plan, subject to limitations defined in the plan and applicable law. The Company matches a percentage of employee contributions according to the plan. The expense for matching contributions for both of these plans was approximately $1.5 million, $1.0 million and $1.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Leases
The Company as Lessee
The Company assesses whether a contract is, or contains, a lease at inception of the contract. A contract contains a lease on the basis of whether the Company has the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. While assessing whether a contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset, the Company assesses whether, throughout the period of use, it has both of the following:
•the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from use of the identified assets; and
•the right to direct the use of the identified asset.
The lease term is the non-cancellable period of a lease together with periods covered by an option to extend the lease if the Company is reasonably certain it will exercise that option.
In assessing the lease term, the Company takes into account extension options that, at initial recognition, it is reasonably certain that it will exercise. The likelihood of the exercise of the extension options is examined considering, among other things, the lease payments during the extension periods in relation to the market prices, significant improvements in the leased properties that are expected to have a significant economic benefit during the extension period, actual profitability characteristics and expected profitability of the sites, the remaining non-cancellable period, the number of years under the extension periods, location of the leased property and the availability of suitable alternatives.
Because the interest rate implicit in the lease cannot be readily determined, the Company generally utilizes the incremental borrowing rates of the Company. These rates are defined as the interest rates that the Company would have to pay, on the commencement date of the lease, to borrow, over a similar term and with a similar security, the funds necessary to obtain an asset of a similar value to the right-of-use asset in the lease agreement and in a similar economic environment.
Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability consist of:
•fixed lease payments (including in-substance fixed payments), including those in extension option periods which are reasonably certain to be exercised;
•variable lease payments that depend on an index, initially measured using the index at the commencement date; and
•the exercise price of purchase options, if the Company is reasonably certain it would exercise the options.
Variable rents that do not depend on an index or rate and which are not in-substance fixed lease payments (for example, payments that are determined as a percentage of sales) are not included in the measurement of the lease liability and the right-of-use asset. The related payments are recognized as an expense in the period in which the event or condition that triggers those payments occurs and are included in store operating expenses in the statements of operations.
For variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate (such as the consumer price index or a market interest rate), on the commencement date, the lease payments were initially measured using the index or rate at the commencement date. The Company does not remeasure the lease liability for changes in future lease payments arising from changes in an index or rate unless the lease
liability is remeasured for another reason. Therefore, after initial recognition, such variable lease payments are recognized in statements of operations as they are incurred.
The Company determines if the lease is an operating lease or a financing lease and recognizes right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for all leases, except for short-term leases (lease term of one year or less) and leases of low value assets. For these leases, the Company recognizes lease expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
At the commencement date, the lease liability is measured at the present value of future lease payments that are not paid at that date (not including payments made at the commencement date of the lease), discounted generally using the relevant incremental borrowing rate, and presented as a separate line item in the consolidated balance sheets. The operating lease liability is subsequently remeasured each period at the present value of future lease payments that are not paid at that date. The financing lease liability is subsequently measured by increasing the carrying amount to reflect interest on the lease liability (using the effective interest method) and by reducing the carrying amount to reflect the lease payments made.
Some of the lease agreements include an increase in the consumer price index coupled with a multiplier and a percentage increase cap effectively assures the cap will be reached each year. The Company determined, based on past experience and consumer price index increase expectations, that these types of variable payments are in-substance fixed payments and such payments are included in the measurement of the lease liabilities as of the date of the initial lease liability measurement.
The Company remeasures the lease liability (and makes corresponding adjustments to the related right-of-use asset) whenever the following occurs:
•the lease term has changed as a result of, among other factors, a change in the assessment of exercising an extension option or a purchase option that results from the occurrence of a significant event or a significant change in circumstances that is within the Company’s control, in which case the lease liability is remeasured by discounting the revised lease payments using a revised discount rate; or
•a lease contract is modified and the lease modification is not accounted for as a separate lease, in which case the lease liability is remeasured by discounting the revised lease payments using a revised discount rate. For lease modifications that decrease the scope of the lease, the lessee recognizes in profit or loss any gain or loss relating to the partial or full termination of the lease.
The right-of-use asset is measured at cost and presented as a separate line item in the consolidated balance sheets. The cost of the right-of-use asset comprises the initial measurement of the corresponding lease liability, lease payments made at or before the commencement date, and any initial direct costs. In business combinations, the amount is adjusted to reflect favorable or unfavorable terms of the lease relative to market terms. Subsequently, the right-of-use asset under operating leases is measured at the carrying amount of the lease liability, adjusted for prepaid or accrued lease payments, unamortized lease incentives received and accumulated impairment losses. The right-of-use asset under financing leases is measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses.
Whenever the Company incurs an obligation for costs (either on the commencement date or consequently) to dismantle and remove a leased asset, restore the site on which it is located, or restore the underlying asset to the condition required by the terms and conditions of the lease, a provision is recognized. The costs are included in the related right-of-use asset.
Right-of-use assets under financing leases are depreciated based on the straight-line method over the shorter period of the lease term and the useful life of the underlying asset, with weighted average depreciation periods as follows:
Years
Leasehold improvements, buildings and real estate assets
Equipment
If the lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset to the Company by the end of the lease term or if the cost of the right-of-use asset reflects that the Company will exercise a purchase option, the Company will depreciate the right-of-use asset from the commencement date to the end of the useful life of the underlying asset.
The Company adjusts the right-of-use asset and as a result, the depreciation period in the following periods if it remeasures the respective lease liability.
The Company as Lessor
Leases for which the Company is a lessor are classified as financing or operating leases. When the Company is an intermediate lessor, it accounts for the head lease and the sublease as separate contracts. The sublease is classified as a financing or operating lease by reference to the head lease’s underlying asset.
Rental income from operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the relevant lease. Initial direct costs incurred in negotiating and arranging an operating lease are added to the carrying amount of the leased asset and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Rental income on leased and subleased property to dealers and other third-parties is recognized on a straight-line basis based upon the term of the tenant’s lease or sublease.
New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
Segment Reporting - In November 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. The amendments improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. In addition, the amendments enhance interim disclosure requirements, clarify circumstances in which an entity can disclose multiple segment measures of profit or loss, provide new segment disclosure requirements for entities with a single reportable segment, and contain other disclosure requirements. The enhanced segment disclosure requirements apply retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. The amendments in ASU 2023-07 are effective for annual periods beginning January 1, 2024, and interim periods beginning on January 1, 2025 for the Company. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of adopting this standard on its consolidated financial statements.
Income Taxes - In December 2023, the FASB issued a new standard to improve income tax disclosures. The guidance requires disclosure of disaggregated income taxes paid, prescribes standardized categories for the components of the effective tax rate reconciliation, and modifies other income tax-related disclosures. The standard will be effective for annual periods beginning January 1, 2025 for the Company, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of adopting this standard on its income tax disclosures.
3. Limited Partnership
GPMP commenced its operation in January 2016, and thereafter the following has applied:
i.Fuel distribution agreements - GPMP is a party to the majority of the agreements with fuel suppliers relating to the supply of fuel to GPM and its subsidiaries in the retail and wholesale segments, and GPM guarantees the obligations under certain of such agreements.
ii.Distribution agreement with GPM - GPM and its subsidiaries related to substantially all of its sites in the retail and wholesale segments are engaged with GPMP in an exclusive supply agreement pursuant to which they purchase fuel from GPMP at GPMP’s cost of fuel including taxes and transportation, plus a fixed margin. Such supply arrangements are in effect until May, 15, 2028 or with respect to sites acquired in June 2018 or later, for 10 years from the date of the applicable acquisition.
iii.GPMP charges a fixed fee to sites in the fleet fueling segment and certain GPM sites which are not supplied by GPMP.
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, GPM, directly and through certain of its wholly owned subsidiaries, held approximately 99.8% of the limited partnership interests in GPMP and all of the rights in the general partner of GPMP.
The Riiser Seller owed GPM approximately $3.375 million with respect to a post-closing adjustment, in addition to other amounts, including interest and expenses, at December 31, 2023. The Riiser Seller satisfied $3.0 million of such adjustment by tendering all of its limited partnership units in GPMP to GPM in January 2024. As a result, GPM, directly and through certain of its wholly owned subsidiaries, now holds 100% of the limited partnership interests in GPMP.
4. Acquisitions
Transit Energy Group, LLC
On March 1, 2023, the Company completed the acquisition of certain assets from Transit Energy Group, LLC and certain of its affiliated entities (collectively, “TEG”) pursuant to a purchase agreement entered on September 9, 2022, as amended (the “TEG Purchase Agreement”), including (i) 135 convenience stores and gas stations, (ii) fuel supply rights to 181 dealer locations, (iii) a commercial, government, and industrial business, including certain bulk plants, and (iv) certain distribution and transportation assets, all in the southeastern United States (the “TEG Acquisition”).
The purchase price for the TEG Acquisition was approximately $370 million, as adjusted in accordance with the terms of the TEG Purchase Agreement, plus the value of inventory at the closing, of which $50 million was deferred and is payable in two annual payments of $25 million, which the Company may elect to pay in either cash or, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, shares of common stock (the “Installment Shares”), on the first and second anniversaries of the closing. Pursuant to the TEG Purchase Agreement, at closing, ARKO and TEG entered into a registration rights agreement, pursuant to which ARKO agreed to prepare and file a registration statement with the SEC, registering the Installment Shares, if any, for resale by TEG.
The Company paid approximately $81.8 million of the non-deferred purchase price, including the value of inventory and other closing adjustments, in cash, of which $55.0 million was financed with the Capital One Line of Credit (as defined in Note 12 below). Oak Street under the Company’s Program Agreement (as both are defined in Note 8 below) paid the balance of the non-deferred purchase price for fee simple ownership in 104 sites. At the closing, pursuant to the Program Agreement, the Company entered into a master lease with Oak Street for the sites Oak Street acquired in the transaction under customary lease terms. For accounting purposes, the transaction with Oak Street was treated as a sale-leaseback. Because the sale-leaseback was off-market, a financial liability of $51.6 million was recorded, resulting in interest expense recognized over the lease term. Additionally, right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities of approximately $131.3 million were recorded in connection with the operating lease, after reducing for accounting purposes from the contractual lease payments the amount attributable to the repayment of the additional financing.
The details of the TEG Acquisition were as follows:
Amount
(in thousands)
Fair value of consideration transferred:
Cash
$
26,796
GPMP Capital One Line of Credit
55,000
Liability resulting from deferred purchase price
45,886
Receivable from TEG
(156
)
Consideration provided by Oak Street
258,019
Total consideration
$
385,545
Assets acquired and liabilities:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
Inventory
20,259
Other assets
1,304
Property and equipment, net
266,387
Intangible assets
17,200
Right-of-use assets under operating leases
69,254
Environmental receivables
2,664
Deferred tax asset
20,404
Total assets
397,851
Other liabilities
(2,086
)
Environmental liabilities
(2,939
)
Asset retirement obligations
(10,923
)
Operating leases
(57,569
)
Total liabilities
(73,517
)
Total identifiable net assets
324,334
Goodwill
$
61,211
Consideration paid in cash
$
81,796
Consideration provided by Oak Street
258,019
Less: cash and cash equivalent balances acquired
(379
)
Net cash outflow
$
339,436
The Company included identifiable tangible and intangible assets and identifiable liabilities at their respective fair values based on the information available to the Company’s management on the TEG Acquisition closing date, including, among other things, a valuation performed by external consultants for this purpose. Specifically, the valuation of the wholesale fuel supply contracts was performed by an external consultant using the income approach with a weighted average discount rate of 10.5%. The useful life of the wholesale fuel supply contracts on the date of acquisition was 10 years. The useful life of the trade name on the date of acquisition was five years.
As a result of the accounting treatment of the TEG Acquisition, the Company recorded goodwill of approximately $61.2 million, all of which was allocated to the GPMP segment attributable to the opportunity to add significant volume to the GPMP segment. None of the goodwill recognized is tax deductible for U.S. income tax purposes.
Acquisition-related costs of approximately $3.3 million and $1.5 million have been excluded from the consideration transferred and have been recognized as an expense within other expenses, net in the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. No acquisition-related costs were recognized for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Results of operations for the TEG Acquisition for the period subsequent to the acquisition closing date were included in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023. For the period from the TEG Acquisition closing date through December 31, 2023, the Company recognized $819.4 million in revenues and $13.7 million of net loss related to the TEG Acquisition.
WTG Fuels Holdings, LLC
On June 6, 2023, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries completed the acquisition of certain assets from WTG Fuels Holdings, LLC and certain other sellers party thereto (collectively, “WTG”) pursuant to an asset purchase agreement entered on December 6, 2022, including (i) 24 Uncle’s convenience stores located across Western Texas, and (ii) 68 proprietary GASCARD-branded cardlock sites and 43 private cardlock sites for fleet fueling operations located in Western Texas and Southeastern New Mexico (the “WTG Acquisition”).
The purchase price for the WTG Acquisition was approximately $140.0 million, plus the value of inventory at the closing. The Company paid approximately $30.6 million of the purchase price including the value of inventory and other closing adjustments in cash, of which $19.2 million was financed with the Capital One Line of Credit (as defined in Note 12 below). Oak Street, under the Program Agreement, paid the balance of the purchase price for fee simple ownership in 33 properties. At the closing, pursuant to the Program Agreement, the Company entered into master leases with Oak Street for the sites Oak Street acquired in the transaction under customary lease terms. For accounting purposes, the transaction with Oak Street was treated as a sale-leaseback. Because the sale-leaseback was off-market, a financial liability of $28.8 million was recorded, resulting in interest expense recognized over the lease term. Additionally, right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities of approximately $49.0 million were recorded in connection with the operating lease, after reducing for accounting purposes from the contractual lease payments the amount attributable to the repayment of the additional financing.
The details of the WTG Acquisition were as follows:
Amount
(in thousands)
Fair value of consideration transferred:
Cash
$
11,396
GPMP Capital One Line of Credit
19,200
Consideration provided by Oak Street
115,041
Total consideration
$
145,637
Assets acquired and liabilities:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
Inventory
5,694
Other assets
Property and equipment, net
109,741
Intangible assets
23,550
Right-of-use assets under operating leases
2,756
Environmental receivables
Deferred tax asset
3,265
Total assets
145,219
Other liabilities
(598
)
Environmental liabilities
(136
)
Asset retirement obligations
(6,749
)
Operating leases
(1,895
)
Total liabilities
(9,378
)
Total identifiable net assets
135,841
Goodwill
$
9,796
Consideration paid in cash
$
30,596
Consideration provided by Oak Street
115,041
Less: cash and cash equivalent balances acquired
(60
)
Net cash outflow
$
145,577
The initial accounting treatment of the WTG Acquisition reflected in these consolidated financial statements is provisional as the Company has not yet finalized the initial accounting treatment of the business combination, and, in this regard, has not finalized the valuation of some of the assets and liabilities acquired and the goodwill resulting from the WTG Acquisition, mainly due to the limited period of time between the WTG Acquisition closing date and the date of these consolidated financial statements. Therefore, some of the financial information presented with respect to the WTG Acquisition in these consolidated financial statements remains subject to change.
The Company included identifiable tangible and intangible assets and identifiable liabilities at their respective fair values based on the information available to the Company’s management on the WTG Acquisition closing date, including, among other things, a preliminary valuation performed by external consultants for this purpose. The useful life of the customer relationships related to the proprietary cardlock sites and the proprietary fuel cards that give customers access to a nationwide network of fueling sites was estimated at 20 years. The useful life of the wholesale fuel supply contracts was estimated at three years and the useful life of the trade name was estimated at five years.
As a result of the accounting treatment of the WTG Acquisition, the Company recorded goodwill of approximately $9.8 million, all of which was allocated to the GPMP segment attributable to the opportunity to add significant volume to the GPMP segment. None of the goodwill recognized is tax deductible for U.S. income tax purposes.
Acquisition-related costs of approximately $2.6 million and $0.6 million have been excluded from the consideration transferred and have been recognized as an expense within other expenses, net in the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. No acquisition-related costs were recognized for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Results of operations for the WTG Acquisition for the period subsequent to the acquisition closing date were included in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023. For the period from the WTG Acquisition closing date through December 31, 2023, the Company recognized $119.9 million in revenues and $4.0 million of net income related to the WTG Acquisition.
Speedy’s Acquisition
On August 15, 2023, the Company acquired from a third-party seven convenience stores located in Arkansas and Oklahoma (the “Speedy’s Acquisition” and together with the TEG Acquisition and WTG Acquisition, the “2023 Acquisitions”). Prior to the acquisition, the Company had supplied fuel to these sites, which had been operated by a dealer. The consideration at closing was approximately $13.7 million including cash and inventory in the stores on the closing date, of which approximately $10.4 million was paid by Oak Street under the Program Agreement for fee simple ownership in three of the properties. At the closing, pursuant to the Program Agreement, the Company entered into a master lease with Oak Street for the sites Oak Street acquired under customary lease terms. For accounting purposes, the transaction with Oak Street was treated as a sale-leaseback and the Company recorded right of use assets and operating lease liabilities of approximately $8.8 million in connection therewith. As of the closing, the Company leases under financing leases the remaining four sites from the seller and Oak is expected to purchase the fee simple ownership in these sites from the seller, for approximately $10.3 million, within twenty months from the closing of the Speedy’s Acquisition, and then lease these sites to the Company.
Quarles Acquisition
On July 22, 2022, the Company consummated its acquisition from Quarles Petroleum, Incorporated (“Quarles”) of certain assets (the “Quarles Acquisition”), including 121 proprietary Quarles-branded cardlock sites and 63 third-party cardlock sites for fleet fueling operations, and 46 dealer locations, including certain lessee-dealer sites.
The total consideration for the Quarles Acquisition as set forth in the purchase agreement was approximately $170 million plus the value of inventory on the closing date, subject to customary closing adjustments. The Company financed $40 million of the purchase price with the Capital One Line of Credit (as defined in Note 12 below), and Oak Street, under the Program Agreement, paid approximately $129.3 million of the consideration in exchange for fee simple ownership in 39 sites. At the closing, pursuant to the Program Agreement, the Company amended one of its master leases with Oak Street to add the sites Oak Street acquired in the transaction under customary lease terms. For accounting purposes, the transaction with Oak Street was treated as a sale-leaseback. Because the sale-leaseback was off-market, a financial liability of $20.2 million was recorded, resulting in interest expense recognized over the lease term. Additionally, right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities of approximately $61.6 million were recorded in connection with the operating lease, after reducing for accounting purposes from the contractual lease payments the amount attributable to the repayment of the additional financing.
The details of the Quarles Acquisition were as follows:
Amount
(in thousands)
Fair value of consideration transferred:
Cash
$
14,847
GPMP Capital One Line of Credit
40,000
Liability resulting from contingent consideration
Consideration provided by Oak Street
129,316
Total consideration
$
184,989
Assets acquired and liabilities:
Inventory
$
12,300
Other assets
1,181
Property and equipment, net
146,055
Right-of-use assets under operating leases
32,916
Intangible assets
30,010
Environmental receivables
Total assets
222,470
Other liabilities
(1,168
)
Environmental liabilities
(316
)
Asset retirement obligations
(5,195
)
Operating leases
(30,802
)
Total liabilities
(37,481
)
Total identifiable net assets
184,989
Goodwill
$
-
Consideration paid in cash
$
54,847
Consideration provided by Oak Street
129,316
Net cash outflow
$
184,163
The Company included identifiable tangible and intangible assets and identifiable liabilities at their respective fair values based on the information available to the Company’s management on the Quarles Acquisition closing date, including, among other things, a valuation performed by external consultants for this purpose. The useful life of the wholesale fuel supply contracts was 4.3 years, the useful life of the contracts related to the third-party cardlock sites was two years, and the useful life of the customer relationships related to the proprietary cardlock sites and the proprietary fuel cards that give customers access to a nationwide network of fueling sites was 20 years.
The Company’s accounting treatment of the Quarles Acquisition resulted in no goodwill being recorded.
Acquisition-related costs of approximately $0.2 million, $2.3 million and $0.6 million have been excluded from the consideration transferred and have been recognized as an expense within other expenses, net in the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Results of operations for the Quarles Acquisition for the period subsequent to the acquisition closing date were reflected in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022. For the period from the Quarles Acquisition closing date through December 31, 2022, the Company recognized $317.2 million in revenues and $13.7 million in net income related to the Quarles Acquisition.
Pride Convenience Holdings, LLC Acquisition
On December 6, 2022, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding membership interests in Pride Convenience Holdings, LLC (“Pride”), which operates 31 convenience stores and gas stations in Connecticut and Massachusetts (the “Pride Acquisition” and together with the Quarles Acquisition, the “2022 Acquisitions”), pursuant to its purchase agreement with Pride Parent, LLC.
The total purchase price for the Pride Acquisition was approximately $230.0 million plus the value of inventory at the closing, subject to certain closing adjustments. The Company financed approximately $30.0 million of the cash consideration including the value of inventory and other closing adjustments with the Capital One Line of Credit and cash on hand. Oak Street, under the Program Agreement, paid the remaining consideration to acquire the entity holding certain real estate assets of Pride immediately prior to the closing of the Pride Acquisition. At the closing, pursuant to the Program Agreement, the Company entered into a master lease with Oak Street for the sites Oak Street acquired in the transaction under customary lease terms. Although Oak Street acquired the entity holding certain real estate assets immediately prior to the Company consummating the Pride Acquisition, for accounting purposes, the transaction with Oak Street was treated as a sale-leaseback. Because the sale-leaseback was off-market, a financial liability of $34.8 million was recorded, resulting in interest expense recognized over the lease term. Additionally, right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities of approximately $105.5 million were recorded in connection with the operating lease, after reducing for accounting purposes from the contractual lease payments the amount attributable to the repayment of the additional financing.
The details of the Pride Acquisition were as follows:
Amount
(in thousands)
Fair value of consideration transferred:
Cash
$
10,617
GPMP Capital One Line of Credit
20,000
Payable to Pride Parent, LLC
1,460
Consideration provided by Oak Street
201,654
Total consideration
$
233,731
Assets acquired and liabilities:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
3,586
Trade receivables
6,151
Inventory
5,035
Other assets
1,056
Property and equipment
199,786
Right-of-use assets under operating leases
2,245
Intangible assets
1,824
Environmental receivables
Deferred tax asset
7,556
Total assets
227,281
Accounts payable
(13,310
)
Other liabilities
(141
)
Environmental liabilities
(70
)
Asset retirement obligations
(675
)
Operating leases
(2,245
)
Total liabilities
(16,441
)
Total identifiable net assets
210,840
Goodwill
$
22,891
Consideration paid in cash by the Company
$
30,617
Consideration provided by Oak Street
201,654
Less: cash and cash equivalent balances acquired
(3,586
)
Net cash outflow
$
228,685
The Company included identifiable tangible and intangible assets and identifiable liabilities at their respective fair values based on the information available to the Company’s management on the Pride Acquisition closing date, including, among other things, a valuation performed by external consultants for this purpose. The useful life of the trade name was five years. The liquor licenses have indefinite useful lives.
In 2023, the Company finalized the accounting treatment of the Pride Acquisition, including the valuation of some of the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and the goodwill resulting from the acquisition. As a result, the Company primarily reduced property and equipment by approximately $4.8 million, increased accounts payable and other liabilities by a net $1.1 million and increased the deferred tax asset by approximately $1.0 million. In addition, the consideration decreased by approximately $1.6 million. The adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed resulted in an increase in goodwill of approximately $3.3 million. These adjustments resulted in a reduction in depreciation and amortization expenses recorded of approximately $0.2 million that related to amounts recorded for the year ended December 31, 2022.
As a result of the accounting treatment of the Pride Acquisition, the Company recorded goodwill of approximately $22.9 million, of which $20.0 million was allocated to the GPMP segment and the remainder to the retail segment, and attributable to the opportunities to expand into new geographic locations and add significant volume to the GPMP segment. None of the goodwill recognized is tax deductible for U.S. income tax purposes.
Acquisition-related costs of approximately $0.7 million and $2.2 million have been excluded from the consideration transferred and have been recognized as an expense within other expenses, net in the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. No acquisition-related costs were recognized for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Results of operations for the Pride Acquisition for the period subsequent to the acquisition closing date were reflected in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022. For the period from the Pride Acquisition closing date through December 31, 2022, the Company recognized $25.7 million in revenues and $1.1 million in net income related to the Pride Acquisition.
ExpressStop Acquisition
On May 18, 2021, the Company acquired, in conjunction with two U.S. real estate funds that are unrelated third-parties (each a “Real Estate Fund,” collectively the “Real Estate Funds”), 60 convenience stores and gas stations located in the Midwestern U.S. for consideration of approximately $87 million plus the value of inventory and cash in stores on the closing date (the “ExpressStop Acquisition”). The Company financed its share of the consideration from its own sources and the Real Estate Funds paid the purchase price for the seller’s real estate they acquired as described below.
At the closing of the transaction, (i) the Company purchased and assumed, among other things, certain vendor agreements, fee simple ownership in 10 sites, equipment in the sites, inventory and goodwill with regard to the acquired activity; and (ii) in accordance with agreements between the Company and each of the Real Estate Funds, in consideration of approximately $78 million, the Real Estate Funds purchased the fee simple ownership in 44 of the sites, which are leased to the Company under customary lease terms. One of the Real Estate Funds granted the Company an option to purchase the fee simple ownership in 24 of the sites following an initial four-year period for a purchase price agreed upon between the parties. For accounting purposes, the transaction with this Real Estate Fund was treated as a failed sale-leaseback and resulted in recording a financial liability of approximately $44.2 million, which included an additional site added to the agreement with the Real Estate Fund in October 2021. For accounting purposes, the transaction with the other Real Estate Fund, which purchased 20 of the sites, was treated as a sale-leaseback and the Company recorded right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities of approximately $30.0 million in connection therewith.
The details of the business combination were as follows:
Amount
(in thousands)
Fair value of consideration transferred:
Cash
$
16,191
Consideration provided by the Real Estate Funds
78,496
Total consideration
$
94,687
Assets acquired and liabilities:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
Inventory
7,507
Other assets
Property and equipment
76,550
Intangible assets
2,740
Environmental receivables
Deferred tax asset
2,435
Total assets
89,862
Other liabilities
(213
)
Environmental liabilities
(70
)
Asset retirement obligations
(2,448
)
Total liabilities
(2,731
)
Total identifiable net assets
87,131
Goodwill
$
7,556
Consideration paid in cash by the Company
$
16,191
Consideration provided by the Real Estate Funds
78,496
Less: cash and cash equivalent balances acquired
(258
)
Net cash outflow
$
94,429
The Company included identifiable tangible and intangible assets and identifiable liabilities at their respective fair values based on the information available to the Company’s management on the acquisition closing date, including, among other things, a valuation
performed by external consultants for this purpose. The useful life of the trade name on the date of acquisition was five years. The liquor licenses have indefinite useful lives.
As a result of the ExpressStop Acquisition, the Company recorded goodwill of approximately $7.6 million, all of which was allocated to the GPMP segment and attributable to the opportunity to add significant volume to the GPMP segment. None of the goodwill recognized is tax deductible for U.S. income tax purposes.
Acquisition-related costs of approximately $2.5 million have been excluded from the consideration transferred and have been recognized as an expense within other expenses, net in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021. No acquisition-related costs for the ExpressStop Acquisition were recognized for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
Results of operations for the ExpressStop Acquisition for the period subsequent to the acquisition closing date were reflected in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021. For the period from the ExpressStop Acquisition closing date through December 31, 2021, the Company recognized $130.0 million in revenues and $2.0 million in net income related to the ExpressStop Acquisition.
Handy Mart Acquisition
On November 9, 2021, the Company acquired the operations and leasehold interest of 36 convenience stores and gas stations and one development parcel, located in North Carolina (the “Handy Mart Acquisition” and together with the ExpressStop Acquisition, the “2021 Acquisitions”). The total consideration for the transaction, including the purchase of real estate by Oak Street pursuant to the Program Agreement, was approximately $112 million plus the value of inventory and cash in the stores on the closing date. The Company financed the consideration for the acquired operations from its own sources, and Oak Street agreed to pay the remaining consideration for certain of the seller’s sites it has agreed to acquire as described below.
At the closing of the transaction, the Company purchased and assumed, among other things, certain vendor agreements, equipment, inventory and goodwill with regard to the acquired assets and paid approximately $12 million plus the value of inventory and cash in the stores on the closing date. In the fourth quarter of 2021, Oak Street purchased the fee simple ownership in 28 of the sites for approximately $93.2 million and in the first quarter of 2022, Oak Street purchased the fee simple ownership in the remaining leased site from the seller for approximately $6.7 million. Additionally, at the closing, pursuant to the Program Agreement, the Company entered into a master lease with Oak Street under customary lease terms for the sites Oak Street acquired in the Handy Mart Acquisition. As of the closing of the transaction, the Company leases one site, the development parcel and a maintenance facility from the seller and the remaining six sites from other third-parties.
The details of the business combination were as follows:
Amount
(in thousands)
Fair value of consideration transferred:
Cash
$
17,626
Consideration provided by Oak Street
93,202
Total consideration
$
110,828
Assets acquired and liabilities:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
Inventory
4,754
Other assets
Property and equipment
105,824
Right-of-use assets under operating leases
12,047
Intangible assets
1,290
Total assets
124,636
Other liabilities
(437
)
Environmental liabilities
(40
)
Asset retirement obligations
(1,348
)
Operating leases
(12,047
)
Total liabilities
(13,872
)
Total identifiable net assets
110,764
Goodwill
$
Consideration paid in cash by the Company
$
17,626
Consideration provided by Oak Street
93,202
Less: cash and cash equivalent balances acquired
(50
)
Net cash outflow
$
110,778
The Company included identifiable tangible and intangible assets and identifiable liabilities at their respective fair values based on the information available to the Company’s management on the acquisition closing date, including, among other things, a valuation performed by external consultants for this purpose. The useful life of the trade name on the date of acquisition was five years.
As a result of the Handy Mart Acquisition, the Company recorded goodwill of approximately $0.06 million, all of which was allocated to the GPMP segment and attributable to the opportunity to add volume to the GPMP segment. None of the goodwill recognized is tax deductible for U.S. income tax purposes.
Acquisition-related costs of approximately $0.6 million have been excluded from the consideration transferred and have been recognized as an expense within other expenses, net in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021. No acquisition-related costs were recognized for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
Results of operations for the Handy Mart Acquisition for the period subsequent to the acquisition closing date were reflected in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021. For the period from the Handy Mart Acquisition closing date through December 31, 2021, the Company recognized $32.7 million in revenues and $0.9 million in net income related to the Handy Mart Acquisition.
Impact of Acquisitions (unaudited)
The unaudited supplemental pro forma financial information was prepared based on the historical information of the Company and the acquired operations and gives pro forma effect to the acquisitions using the assumption that the 2023 Acquisitions, the 2022 Acquisitions, and the 2021 Acquisitions had occurred on January 1, 2021. The unaudited supplemental pro forma financial information does not give effect to the potential impact of current financial conditions, any anticipated synergies, operating efficiencies or cost savings that may result from the acquisitions or any integration costs. The unaudited pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of what the actual results of operations would have been had the acquisitions occurred on January 1, 2021 nor is it indicative of future results.
For the Year Ended December 31,
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
Total revenue
$
9,836,586
$
11,534,397
$
9,521,297
Net income
29,168
65,634
41,690
5. Trade Receivables, Net
Trade receivables consisted of the following:
As of December 31,
(in thousands)
Credit card receivables
$
54,190
$
42,806
Fleet fueling customer credit accounts receivables, net
44,705
33,082
Dealers and customer credit accounts receivables, net
35,840
42,252
Total trade receivables, net
$
134,735
$
118,140
An allowance for credit losses is provided based on management’s evaluation of outstanding accounts receivable. The Company had reserved $2.2 million and $1.8 million for uncollectible fleet fueling customers, dealers and customer credit accounts receivables as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
6. Inventory
Inventory consisted of the following:
As of December 31,
(in thousands)
Fuel inventory
$
91,720
$
80,004
Merchandise inventory
147,595
132,080
Lottery inventory
11,278
9,867
Total inventory
$
250,593
$
221,951
Merchandise inventory consisted primarily of cigarettes, other tobacco products, beer, wine, non-alcoholic drinks, candy, snacks, dairy products, prepackaged food and other grocery items.
7. Other Current Assets
Other current assets consisted of the following:
As of December 31,
(in thousands)
Vendor receivables
$
53,926
$
42,711
Asset resulting from contingent consideration
3,930
4,533
Prepaid expenses
21,398
15,543
Environmental receivables
2,228
1,083
Income tax receivable
8,450
Due from related parties
1,151
Other current assets
27,605
22,052
Total other current assets
$
118,472
$
87,873
8. Property and Equipment, Net
Property and equipment consisted of the following:
As of December 31,
(in thousands)
Land
$
125,047
$
115,276
Buildings and leasehold improvements
281,074
242,265
Equipment
775,472
633,511
Accumulated depreciation
(438,983
)
(345,243
)
Total property and equipment, net
$
742,610
$
645,809
Depreciation expense was $93.3 million, $68.8 million and $60.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Standby Real Estate Program
On May 3, 2021, GPM entered into a standby real estate purchase, designation and lease program agreement (as amended, the “Program Agreement”) with Oak Street Real Estate Capital Net Lease Property Fund, LP (including its affiliates, “Oak Street”), which Program Agreement was amended on April 7, 2022, March 28, 2023, May 2, 2023, July 11, 2023, and January 19, 2024.
Pursuant to and subject to the terms of the Program Agreement, during the second year of its term, through September 30, 2024, Oak Street has agreed to purchase up to $1.5 billion of convenience store and gas station real property, cardlock locations and, subject to Oak Street’s consent, other types of real property that GPM or an affiliate thereof may acquire, including in connection with GPM’s acquisitions of businesses from third-parties (each, a “Property”). The $1.5 billion limit does not include the funding Oak Street provided for the WTG Acquisition as described in Note 4 or any prior funding provided by Oak Street.
Pursuant to the Program Agreement, upon any acquisition of a Property by Oak Street, or an affiliate thereof, GPM, or an affiliate thereof, would enter into a triple-net lease agreement with Oak Street or such affiliate pursuant to which GPM or such affiliate would lease such Property from Oak Street or such affiliate based upon commercial terms contained in the Program Agreement. The purchase price for any Property would similarly be subject to commercial terms agreed upon by GPM and Oak Street in the Program Agreement and if in connection with the acquisition of convenience stores and gas stations from third-parties, consistent with the agreed upon purchase price or designation rights with the seller of the real estate. During the program term, GPM may not sell or designate any Property pursuant to a sale-leaseback or similar transaction without first offering such Property to Oak Street in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Program Agreement. Certain Properties specified by GPM are not subject to the foregoing right of first offer, and the Program Agreement does not obligate GPM to sell any Property, or acquire any property from a third-party for purposes of its sale, to Oak Street or assign the right to acquire the third-party’s real estate to Oak Street, unless GPM elects, in its sole discretion, to enter into a sale-leaseback, designation or similar transaction governed by the Program Agreement.
9. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill
The Company reports revenue and operating results for its operating segments: retail, wholesale, fleet fueling and GPMP (see Note 23 for a description of these operating segments). The following summarizes the activity in goodwill, by segment:
Retail
GPMP
Total
(in thousands)
Beginning balance, January 1, 2022
$
14,861
$
182,787
$
197,648
Goodwill attributable to acquisitions during the year
-
19,585
19,585
Goodwill adjustment - Handy Mart Acquisition
-
Ending balance, December 31, 2022
$
14,861
$
202,436
$
217,297
Goodwill attributable to acquisitions during the year
-
71,570
71,570
Goodwill adjustment - Pride Adjustment
2,891
3,306
Ending balance, December 31, 2023
$
17,752
$
274,421
$
292,173
Intangible Assets, Net
Intangible assets consisted of the following:
As of December 31,
(in thousands)
Wholesale fuel supply agreements
$
219,262
$
202,512
Trade names
39,584
37,084
Options to acquire ownership rights
3,241
6,372
Non-contractual customer relationships
46,720
25,220
Other intangibles
21,825
21,690
Accumulated amortization - Wholesale fuel supply agreements
(59,383
)
(40,645
)
Accumulated amortization - Trade names
(34,891
)
(33,060
)
Accumulated amortization - Options to acquire ownership rights
(1,377
)
(3,939
)
Accumulated amortization - Non-contractual customer relationships
(2,413
)
(525
)
Accumulated amortization - Other intangibles
(18,016
)
(17,586
)
$
214,552
$
197,123
Franchise rights and liquor licenses of $3.1 million and $3.1 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, were not being amortized.
Amortization expense related to definite lived intangible assets was $23.4 million, $20.9 million and $23.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Estimated amortization expense for each of the next five years and thereafter is expected to be as follows:
Future Amortization Expense
Amount
(in thousands)
$
23,296
22,885
22,524
21,235
20,652
Thereafter
100,869
$
211,461
10. Other Current Liabilities
The components of other current liabilities were as follows:
As of December 31,
(in thousands)
Accrued employee costs
$
22,015
$
28,298
Fuel and other taxes
40,392
30,491
Accrued insurance liabilities
10,464
9,881
Accrued expenses
50,798
42,955
Environmental liabilities
4,100
3,425
Deferred vendor income
13,134
12,101
Accrued income taxes payable
-
4,056
Liabilities resulting from Additional and Contingent Consideration
5,524
5,674
Deferred payments related to acquisitions (see Note 4)
25,291
-
Ares Put Option
-
8,575
Other accrued liabilities
7,818
8,641
Total other current liabilities
$
179,536
$
154,097
Additional and Contingent Consideration
Part of the consideration to the sellers in the acquisition of the business of Empire Petroleum Partners, LLC (“Empire”) in 2020 was as follows:
•On each of the first five anniversaries of October 6, 2020, the Empire sellers will be paid an amount of $4.0 million (total of $20.0 million) (the “Additional Consideration”). If the Empire sellers are entitled to amounts on account of the Contingent Consideration (as defined below), these amounts will initially be applied to accelerate payments on account of the Additional Consideration. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company paid the Empire sellers $4.0 million, $6.1 million and $4.0 million of Additional Consideration, respectively.
•An amount of up to $45.0 million (the “Contingent Consideration”) will be paid to the Empire sellers according to mechanisms set forth in the Empire purchase agreement, with regard to the occurrence of the following events during the five years following October 6, 2020 (the “Earnout Period”): (i) sale and lease to third-parties or transfer to company operation by GPM of sites with leases to third-parties that expired or are scheduled to expire during the Earnout Period, (ii) renewal of agreements with dealers at sites not leased or owned by GPM which agreements expired or are scheduled to expire during the Earnout Period, (iii) improvement in the terms of the agreements with fuel suppliers (with regard to Empire’s and/or GPM’s sites as of the closing date), (iv) improvement in the terms of the agreements with transportation companies (with regard to Empire’s and/or GPM’s sites as of the closing date), and (v) the closing of additional wholesale transactions that the sellers had engaged in prior to the closing date. The measurement and payment of the Contingent Consideration will be made once a year.
Ares Put Option
On September 8, 2020, the Company entered into an agreement with Ares Capital Corporation (“Ares”) and certain of its affiliates (the “Ares Put Option”), which guaranteed Ares a value of approximately $27.3 million (including all dividend payments received by Ares) at the end of February 2023 for the shares of common stock that the Company issued in consideration for its acquisition in December 2020 of equity in GPM (the “Ares Shares”). The embedded derivative recorded for the Ares Put Option was evaluated under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and was determined to not be clearly and closely related to the host instrument. The embedded derivative (a put option) was classified as liability. For further details, see Note 22 below. On April 3, 2023, the Company and Ares agreed that in lieu of the Company issuing to Ares additional shares of common stock in accordance with the Ares Put Option or purchasing the Ares Shares, Ares would retain the Ares Shares, and the Company would pay approximately $9.8 million in cash to Ares in full satisfaction of the Company’s obligations related to the Ares Put Option. The Company made this payment on April 14, 2023, and the Ares Put Option terminated.
11. Other Non-current Liabilities
The components of other non-current liabilities were as follows:
As of December 31,
(in thousands)
Environmental liabilities
$
9,315
$
8,639
Deferred vendor income
28,860
26,715
Liabilities resulting from Additional and Contingent Consideration
3,514
7,256
Deferred payments related to acquisitions (see Note 4)
24,056
-
Public Warrants
16,316
25,894
Private Warrants
2,450
4,515
Additional Deferred Shares
1,326
1,436
Financial liabilities
172,398
96,864
Other non-current liabilities
8,367
7,626
Total other non-current liabilities
$
266,602
$
178,945
Public and Private Warrants
As of December 31, 2023, there were 17.3 million warrants to purchase common stock outstanding for an exercise price of $11.50 per share, consisting of approximately 14.8 million public warrants (the “Public Warrants”) and approximately 2.5 million private warrants (the “Private Warrants”). Prior to the merger with Haymaker Acquisition Corp. II (“Haymaker”) on December 22, 2020, the warrants were for the purchase of the common stock of Haymaker. The warrants will expire five years after December 22, 2020, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.
The Company may redeem not less than all of the outstanding Public Warrants:
•in whole and not in part;
•at a price of $0.01 per warrant;
•upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption (the “30-day redemption period”) to each warrant holder; and
•if, and only if, the reported last sale price of the common stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganization, recapitalization and the like) for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the Company sends the notice of redemption to the warrant holders.
If the Company calls the Public Warrants for redemption as described above, the Company’s management will have the option to require any holder that wishes to exercise its warrant to do so on a “cashless basis.”
The Private Warrants will not be redeemable by the Company so long as they are held by certain of the Haymaker Founders (as defined in Note 17 below) or their permitted transferees. Otherwise, the Private Warrants have terms and provisions that are substantially identical to those of the Public Warrants, including as to exercise price, exercisability and exercise period. If the Private Warrants are held by holders other than certain of the Haymaker Founders or its permitted transferees, the Private Warrants will be redeemable by the Company and exercisable by the holders on the same basis as the Public Warrants.
Financial Liabilities
The non-current portion of financial liabilities is related to off-market sale-leaseback transactions with Oak Street related to the 2023 Acquisitions of TEG and WTG, the 2022 Acquisitions of Quarles and Pride, and a failed sale-leaseback transaction related to the 2021 ExpressStop Acquisition, as further described in Note 4 above.
12. Debt
The components of debt were as follows:
As of December 31,
(in thousands)
Senior Notes
$
444,432
$
443,648
M&T debt
65,228
49,023
Capital One line of credit
332,027
256,430
Insurance premium notes
3,752
2,886
Total debt, net
$
845,439
$
751,987
Less current portion
(16,792
)
(11,944
)
Total long-term debt, net
$
828,647
$
740,043
Financing Agreements
Type of financing
Amount of
financing
Financing payment terms
Interest rate
Interest
rate as of
December 31,
Amount
financed as
of
December 31,
(in thousands)
Balance as
of
December 31,
(net of
deferred
financing
costs)
(in thousands)
ARKO Corp.
Senior Notes
$450 million
The full amount of principal is due on maturity date of November 15, 2029.
Fixed rate
5.125%
$
450,000
$
444,432
GPM Investments, LLC
PNC Line of Credit
Up to $140 million
Maturity date of December 22, 2027.
For revolving advances that are Term SOFR Loans: SOFR Adjusted plus Term SOFR (as defined in the agreement) plus 1.25% to 1.75%
For revolving advances that are domestic rate loans: Alternate Base Rate (as defined in the agreement) plus 0% to 0.5%
Every quarter, the margin rates are updated based on the quarterly average undrawn availability of the line of credit.
Unused fee - 0.375% or 0.25% if usage is 25% or more
6.60%
None
$132,576 unused based on borrowing base
None
M&T Term Loans
$44.4 million
$35.0 million of principal is paid in equal monthly installments of approximately $194 thousand based on a 15-year amortization schedule with a balance of $23.1 million due on the maturity date of June 10, 2026.
$9.4 million of principal is paid in equal monthly installments of approximately $52 thousand based on a 15-year amortization schedule with a balance of $6.4 million due on the maturity date of November 10, 2028.
SOFR (as defined in the agreement) plus 3.0% (until September 28, 2023 - LIBOR plus 3.0%)
SOFR (as defined in the agreement) plus 2.75%
8.49%
8.06%
$
38,087
$
37,493
M&T Equipment Line of Credit
Up to $45 million
$9.1 million of the current balance is being paid in equal monthly installments of approximately $590 thousand (principal and interest) with the balance due on various maturity dates through September 2025.
$16.4 million of the current balance is being paid in equal monthly principal installments of approximately $330 thousand with the balance due on various maturity dates through September 2028.
Each additional equipment loan tranche borrowed from September 28, 2023 will have a term of up to five years from the date it is advanced.
Fixed rate
SOFR (as defined in the agreement) plus 2.75%
3.58% to 6.90%
8.07%
$25,484
$19,516 unused
$
25,216
Other M&T Term Loans
$3.3 million
The principal is being paid in equal monthly installments including interest of approximately $37 thousand with the remaining balance due on various maturity dates through August 2031.
Fixed rate
3.91% to 6.62%
$
2,536
$
2,519
GPMP
Capital One Line of Credit
Up to $800 million
The full amount of the principal is due on the maturity date of May 5, 2028.
For SOFR Loans: Adjusted Term SOFR (as defined in the agreement) plus 2.25% to 3.25%
For alternate base rate loans: Alternate Base Rate (as defined in the agreement) plus 1.25% to 2.25%
The margin is determined according to a formula that depends on GPMP's leverage.
Unused fee ranges from 0.3% to 0.50%
8.18%
$338,300 No borrowings under the Alternate Base rate
$461,200 unused
$
332,027
Total
$
841,687
Senior Notes
On October 21, 2021, the Company completed a private offering of $450 million aggregate principal amount of 5.125% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “Senior Notes”), pursuant to a note purchase agreement dated October 14, 2021, by and among the Company, certain of the Company’s wholly owned domestic subsidiaries (the “Guarantors”), and BofA Securities, Inc., as representative of the several initial purchasers named therein. The Senior Notes are guaranteed, on an unsecured senior basis, by all of the Guarantors.
The indenture governing the Senior Notes contains customary restrictive covenants that, among other things, generally limit the ability of the Company and substantially all of its subsidiaries to (i) create liens, (ii) pay dividends, acquire shares of capital stock and make payments on subordinated debt, (iii) place limitations on distributions from certain subsidiaries, (iv) issue or sell the capital stock of certain subsidiaries, (v) sell assets, (vi) enter into transactions with affiliates, (vii) effect mergers and (viii) incur indebtedness.
The Senior Notes and the guarantees rank equally in right of payment with all of the Company’s and the Guarantors’ respective existing and future senior unsubordinated indebtedness and are effectively subordinated to all of the Company’s and the Guarantors’ existing and future secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness; and are structurally subordinated to any existing and future obligations of subsidiaries of the Company that are not Guarantors.
Financing Agreements with PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC”)
PNC Credit Agreement
GPM and certain subsidiaries have a financing arrangement with PNC (as amended, the “PNC Credit Agreement”) that provides a line of credit for purposes of financing working capital (the “PNC Line of Credit”). The calculation of the availability under the PNC Credit Agreement is determined monthly subject to terms and limitations as set forth in the PNC Credit Agreement, taking into account the balances of receivables, inventory and letters of credit, among other things. PNC has a first priority lien on receivables, inventory and rights in bank accounts (other than assets that cannot be pledged due to regulatory or contractual obligations).
On December 20, 2022, GPM entered into an eighth amendment to the PNC Credit Agreement (the “Eighth Amendment”) which effected the following primary changes: (1) extended the maturity date by five years to December 22, 2027; (2) replaced LIBOR with SOFR (as defined in the Eighth Amendment) as an interest rate benchmark, including the replacement of LIBOR Rate Loans, with interest periods of one, two and three months, with adjusted Term SOFR Rate Loans (as defined in the Eighth Amendment), with interest periods of one and three months; (3) revised certain negative covenants to provide additional flexibility, including increased fixed dollar baskets and introduction of basket increases based on average undrawn availability; (4) added cardlock receivables as a portion of the borrowing base under certain circumstances; and (5) increased certain thresholds for events of default. The Company did not incur additional debt or receive any proceeds in connection with the Eighth Amendment.
Prior to the Eighth Amendment, the PNC Line of Credit bore interest, as elected by GPM at: (a) LIBOR plus a margin of 1.75% or (b) a rate per annum equal to the alternate base rate plus a margin of 0.5%, which was equal to the greatest of (i) the PNC base rate, (ii) the overnight bank funding rate plus 0.5%, and (iii) LIBOR plus 1.0%, subject to the definitions set in the agreement. Every quarter, the LIBOR margin rate and the alternate base rate margin rate were updated based on the quarterly average undrawn availability of the PNC Line of Credit.
The PNC Line of Credit contains customary restrictive covenants and events of default.
GPMP PNC Term Loan
On August 15, 2022, GPMP repaid in its entirety and voluntarily terminated its term loan and security agreement, dated January 12, 2016 (as amended, the “GPMP PNC Term Loan Agreement”), by and among GPMP, as borrower, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries as guarantors, the lenders party thereto, and PNC, as agent, which had provided for a secured term loan in the aggregate principal amount of $32.4 million (the “GPMP PNC Term Loan”). The GPMP PNC Term Loan was scheduled to mature on December 22, 2022; however, the Company elected to prepay all amounts outstanding under the GPMP PNC Term Loan Agreement, upon which prepayment all related security interests were terminated and released. The Company did not incur any early termination penalties in connection with the termination of the GPMP PNC Term Loan Agreement.
M&T Bank Credit Agreement
On September 28, 2023, GPM amended its credit agreement with M&T Bank (the “M&T Credit Agreement”) to increase the line of credit for purchases of equipment thereunder from $20.0 million to $45.0 million, which line may be borrowed in tranches until September 28, 2026.
On November 21, 2023, GPM further amended and restated the M&T Credit Agreement to increase the aggregate principal amount of real estate loans from $35.0 million to $44.4 million (the “M&T Term Loans”). An additional M&T Term Loan for the purchase of real estate for $5.1 million closed in January 2024.
The Company has pledged the property of 43 sites and certain fixtures at these sites as collateral to support the M&T Term Loans. The equipment loans are secured by the equipment acquired with the proceeds of such loans.
Financing agreement with a syndicate of banks led by Capital One, National Association
On May 5, 2023, GPMP renewed the credit agreement governing its revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks led by Capital One, National Association, to increase the aggregate principal amount of availability thereunder from $500 million to $800 million (as amended, the “Capital One Line of Credit”) and extend the maturity date from July 15, 2024 to May 5, 2028. At GPMP’s request, availability under the Capital One Line of Credit can be increased up to $1.0 billion, subject to obtaining additional financing commitments from current lenders or from other banks, and subject to certain other terms as detailed in the Capital One Line of Credit.
The Capital One Line of Credit is available for general partnership purposes, including working capital, capital expenditures and permitted acquisitions. All borrowings and letters of credit under the Capital One Line of Credit are subject to the satisfaction of certain customary conditions, including the absence of any default or event of default and the accuracy of representations and warranties. The Capital One Line of Credit is secured by substantially all of GPMP and its subsidiaries’ properties and assets, and pledges of the equity interests in all present and future subsidiaries (subject to certain exceptions as permitted under the Capital One Line of Credit).
On December 9, 2022, GPMP entered into an amendment to the Capital One Line of Credit to replace LIBOR with SOFR as an interest rate benchmark. Prior to the amendment, the Capital One Line of Credit bore interest, as elected by GPMP at: (a) LIBOR plus a margin of 2.25% to 3.25% or (b) a rate per annum equal to base rate plus a margin of 1.25% to 2.25%, which was equal to the greatest of (i) Capital One’s prime rate, (ii) the one-month LIBOR plus 1.0%, and (iii) the federal funds rate plus 0.5%, subject to the definitions set in the agreement. The margin was determined according to a formula in the Capital One Line of Credit that depends on GPMP’s leverage.
Letters of Credit
Financing Facility
Amount
available for
letters
of credit
Letters of
credit issued
as of
December 31,
PNC Line of Credit
$40.0 million
$7.3 million
Capital One Credit Facility
$40.0 million
$0.5 million
The letters of credit were issued in connection with certain workers’ compensation and general insurance liabilities and fuel purchases from one supplier. The letters of credit will be drawn upon only if the Company does not comply with the time schedules for the payment of associated liabilities.
Insurance Premium Notes
During the ordinary course of business, the Company finances insurance premiums with notes payable. These notes are generally entered into for a term of 24 months or less.
Total scheduled future principal payments required and amortization of deferred financing costs under all of the foregoing debt agreements were as follows as of December 31, 2023:
Amount
(in thousands)
$
17,063
10,361
29,451
4,764
346,176
Thereafter
450,343
858,158
Deferred financing costs
(12,719
)
Total debt
$
845,439
Deferred Financing Costs
Deferred financing costs of $6.3 million and $0.6 million were incurred in the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the gross value of deferred financing costs of $16.6 million and $14.1 million, respectively, and accumulated amortization of $3.5 million and $4.8 million, respectively, were recorded as a direct reduction from the carrying amount of the associated debt liabilities, with the exception of $0.4 million and $0.5 million which were recorded as a prepaid asset related to the unused PNC Line of Credit, respectively. Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discount, including the write-off of deferred financing costs due to the early repayment of debt, was $2.5 million, $2.5 million and $9.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Such amounts were classified as a component of interest and other financial expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
Financial Covenants
As part of the PNC Credit Agreement, increased reporting requirements were set in cases where the usage of the PNC Line of Credit exceeds certain thresholds, and also it is required that the undrawn availability of the PNC Line of Credit will equal to or be greater than 10%, subject to exceptions included in the PNC Credit Agreement.
The M&T Credit Agreement requires GPM to maintain a leverage ratio and a debt service coverage ratio.
The Capital One Line of Credit requires GPMP to maintain certain financial covenants, including a leverage ratio and an interest coverage expense ratio.
As of December 31, 2023, the Company was in compliance with all of the obligations and financial covenants under the terms and provisions of its loans with financial institutions.
13. Commitments and Contingencies
Environmental Liabilities and Contingencies
The Company is responsible for certain environmental costs and legal expenses arising in the ordinary course of business. See Note 15 for further discussion.
Asset Retirement Obligation
As part of the fuel operations at its retail convenience stores, at most of the other owned and leased locations leased to dealers, certain other dealer locations and proprietary cardlock locations, there are aboveground and underground storage tanks for which the Company is responsible. The future cost to remove a storage tank is recognized over the estimated remaining useful life of the storage tank or the termination of the applicable lease. A liability for the fair value of an asset retirement obligation with a corresponding increase to the carrying value of the related long-lived asset is recorded at the time a storage tank is installed. The amount added to equipment or right-of-use asset is amortized and accretion expense is recognized in connection with the discounted liability over the remaining life of the respective storage tanks. The accretion of the asset retirement obligation is recorded in interest and other financial expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
The estimated liability is based upon historical experience in removing storage tanks, estimated tank useful lives, external estimates as to the cost to remove the tanks in the future and current and anticipated federal and state regulatory requirements governing the removal of tanks, and discounted. The asset retirement obligations are re-evaluated annually and revisions to the liability could occur due to changes in estimates of tank removal costs or timing, tank useful lives or whether federal or state regulators enact new guidance on the removal of such tanks.
A reconciliation and roll forward of the liability for the removal of its storage tanks was as follows:
(in thousands)
Beginning Balance as of January 1,
$
65,309
$
58,428
Acquisitions in year
18,016
5,870
Accretion expense
2,399
1,833
Adjustments
(269
)
(727
)
Retirement of tanks
(23
)
(95
)
Ending Balance as of December 31, (*)
$
85,432
$
65,309
(*) $722 thousand and $400 thousand were recorded to other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Fuel Vendor Agreements
GPMP enters into fuel supply contracts with various major fuel suppliers. These fuel supply contracts have expiration dates at various times through June 2032. In connection with certain of these fuel supply and related incentive agreements, upfront payments and other vendor assistance payments for rebranding costs and other incentives were received. If GPMP defaults under the terms of any contract, including not purchasing committed fuel purchase volume, or terminates any supply agreement prior to the end of the applicable term, GPMP must refund and reimburse the respective fuel supplier for the unearned unamortized portion of the payments received to date, based on the amortization schedule outlined in each respective agreement and refund other benefits from each supplier subject to the terms that were set in the incentive agreement, as well as pay a penalty with regard to the early termination if applicable. The payments are amortized and recognized as a reduction to fuel costs using the straight-line method based on the term of each agreement or based on fuel volume purchased. The amount of the unamortized liability was $32.8 million and $31.4 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, which were recorded in other current and non-current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. The legal liability period in these fuel supply agreements can extend beyond the amortization period, and differ in the amortization schedule, used for book purposes.
Purchase Commitments
In the ordinary course of business, the Company has entered into agreements with fuel suppliers to purchase inventories for varying periods of time. The fuel vendor agreements with suppliers require minimum volume purchase commitments of branded gasoline, which vary throughout the period of supply agreements and distillates annually. The future minimum volume purchase requirements under the existing supply agreements are based on gallons, with a purchase price at prevailing market rates for wholesale distributions. If the Company fails to purchase the required minimum volume during a contract year, the underlying supplier’s exclusive remedies (depending on the magnitude of the failure) are either termination of the supply agreement and/or an agreed monetary compensation. Based upon GPMP’s current and future expected purchases, the Company does not anticipate incurring penalties for volume shortfalls with isolated de minimis exceptions.
The total future minimum gallon volume purchase requirements from fuel vendors were as follows:
Gallons
(in thousands)
323,453
221,405
199,762
196,762
176,262
Thereafter
593,294
Total
1,710,938
Merchandise Vendor Agreements
The Company enters into various merchandise product supply agreements with major merchandise vendors. The Company receives incentives for agreeing to exclusive distribution rights for the suppliers of certain products.
Legal Matters
The Company is a party to various legal actions, as both plaintiff and defendant, in the ordinary course of business. The Company’s management believes, based on estimations with support from legal counsel for these matters, that these legal actions are routine in nature and incidental to the operation of the Company’s business and that it is not reasonably possible that the ultimate
resolution of these matters will have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
14. Leases
Lessee
As of December 31, 2023, the Company leased 1,276 of the convenience stores that it operates, 208 dealer locations, 156 cardlock locations and certain office and storage spaces, including land and buildings in certain cases. Most of the lease agreements are for long-term periods, ranging from 15 to 20 years, and generally include several renewal options for extension periods for five to 25 years each. Additionally, the Company leases certain store equipment, office equipment, automatic tank gauges and fuel dispensers.
As of December 31, 2023, there are approximately 940 sites which are leased under 45 separate master lease agreements. Master leases with nine lessors encompass a total of approximately 895 sites. Master leases with the same landlord contain cross-default provisions, in most cases. In most instances of leases of multiple stores from one landlord, each one under a separate lease agreement, the lease agreements contain cross-default provisions between all or some of the other lease agreements with the same landlord.
The lease agreements include lease payments that are set at the beginning of the lease, but which may increase by a specified increment or pursuant to a formula both during the course of the initial period and any additional option periods.
Some of the lease agreements include escalation clauses based on the consumer price index, with the majority of these lease agreements including an increase in the consumer price index coupled with a multiplier and a percentage increase cap which effectively assures the cap will be reached each year. Lease payments determined as in-substance fixed payments are included in the lease payments used for the measurement of the lease liabilities. Some of the lease agreements include lease payments which are contingent upon fuel and merchandise sales (these amounts were not material during the above periods). In some of the lease agreements, the right of first refusal to purchase the sites from the lessor is given and in some of the lease agreements an option to purchase the sites from the lessor is given.
The leases are typically triple net leases whereby the lessor is responsible for the repair and maintenance at the site, insurance and property taxes in addition to environmental compliance.
The components of lease cost recorded on the consolidated statements of operations were as follows:
For the Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)
Finance lease cost:
Depreciation of right-of-use assets
$
10,919
$
12,061
$
13,393
Interest on lease liabilities
16,837
17,041
17,515
Operating lease costs included in store operating expenses
181,164
142,730
131,106
Operating lease costs included in general and administrative expenses
2,206
1,753
1,652
Lease cost related to variable lease payments, short-term leases
and leases of low value assets
2,681
2,390
2,037
Right-of-use asset impairment charges and loss on disposals of leases
6,116
1,661
1,799
Total lease costs
$
219,923
$
177,636
$
167,502
For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, total cash outflows for leases amounted to approximately $171.9 million, $139.0 million and $128.4 million for operating leases, respectively, and $22.3 million, $23.6 million and $25.0 million for financing leases, respectively.
Supplemental balance sheet data related to leases was as follows:
As of December 31,
(in thousands)
Operating leases
Assets
Right-of-use assets under operating leases
$
1,384,693
$
1,203,188
Liabilities
Operating leases, current portion
67,053
57,563
Operating leases
1,395,032
1,218,045
Total operating leases
1,462,085
1,275,608
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years)
14.0
14.1
Weighted average discount rate
7.8
%
7.7
%
Financing leases
Assets
Right-of-use assets
$
215,174
$
232,986
Accumulated amortization
(52,506
)
(50,873
)
Right-of-use assets under financing leases, net
162,668
182,113
Liabilities
Financing leases, current portion
9,186
5,457
Financing leases
213,032
225,907
Total financing leases
222,218
231,364
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years)
21.2
23.4
Weighted average discount rate
7.9
%
7.2
%
As of December 31, 2023, maturities of lease liabilities for operating lease obligations and financing lease obligations having an initial or remaining non-cancellable lease terms in excess of one year were as follows. The minimum lease payments presented below include periods where an option is reasonably certain to be exercised and do not take into consideration any future consumer price index adjustments for these agreements.
Operating
Financing
(in thousands)
$
176,101
$
26,032
177,162
26,983
176,557
20,686
174,576
20,738
168,259
21,038
Thereafter
1,617,287
399,181
Gross lease payments
$
2,489,942
$
514,658
Less: imputed interest
(1,027,857
)
(292,440
)
Total lease liabilities
$
1,462,085
$
222,218
Lessor
The Company leases and subleases owned and leased properties to dealers and other tenants and subtenants which are accounted for as operating subleases. The majority of leases and subleases are for periods of up to 10 years, which may be a fixed period or a shorter period with an option or series of renewal options, and in certain cases with additional renewal options past such 10-year period. Some of the lease agreements include lease payments which are based upon such tenant’s or subtenants’ sales subject to fixed minimum lease payments. At the time that an agreement is entered into, the dealers and other tenants and subtenants often post a security deposit as collateral. Total operating sublease income was approximately $27.3 million, $22.1 million and $20.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Sublease income is included in other revenues, net in the consolidated statements of operations.
As of December 31, 2023, the future minimum cash payments to be received under these operating subleases that have initial or remaining non-cancelable terms in excess of one year were as follows:
Amount
(in thousands)
$
25,435
21,476
18,050
14,936
10,691
Thereafter
34,282
$
124,870
15. Environmental Liabilities
The Company is subject to certain federal and state environmental laws and regulations associated with sites at which it stores and sells fuel and other fuel products, as well as at owned and leased locations leased or subleased to dealers.
Costs incurred to comply with federal and state environmental regulations are accounted for as follows:
•Annual payments for registration of storage tanks are recorded as prepaid expenses when paid and expensed throughout the year.
•Environmental compliance testing costs of storage tanks are expensed as incurred.
•Payments for upgrading and installing corrosion protection for tank systems and installation of leak detectors and overfill/spill devices are capitalized and depreciated over the expected remaining useful life of the relevant equipment, UST or the lease period of the relevant site in which the UST is installed, whichever is shorter.
•Costs for removal of storage tanks located at the convenience stores, selected dealer locations and certain cardlock locations are classified under the asset retirement obligation section as described in Note 13.
•A liability for future remediation costs of contaminated sites related to storage tanks as well as other exposures, is established when such losses are probable and reasonably estimable. Reimbursement for these expenses from government funds or from insurance companies is recognized as a receivable. The liabilities and receivables are not discounted to their present value. The net change in the reimbursement asset and liability for future remediation costs is recorded in store operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. The adequacy of the reimbursement asset and liability is evaluated by a third-party at least twice annually and adjustments are made based on past experience, changing environmental conditions and changes in government policy.
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, environmental obligations totaled $13.4 million and $12.1 million, respectively. These amounts were recorded as other current and non-current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. Environmental reserves have been established on an undiscounted basis based upon internal and external estimates in regard to each site. It is reasonably possible that these amounts will be adjusted in the future due to changes in estimates of environmental remediation costs, the timing of the payments or changes in federal and/or state environmental regulations.
The Company maintains certain environmental insurance policies and participates in various state underground storage tank funds that entitle it to be reimbursed for environmental loss mitigation. Estimated amounts that will be recovered from its insurance policies and various state funds for the exposures totaled $7.5 million and $4.9 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and were recorded as other current and non-current assets in the consolidated balance sheets.
The undiscounted amounts of future estimated payments and anticipated recoveries from insurance policies and various state funds as of December 31, 2023 were as follows:
Payments
Recoveries
Net
Obligations
(in thousands)
$
4,100
$
2,228
$
1,872
3,804
2,322
1,482
2,572
1,769
Thereafter
1,652
1,053
Total Future Payments and Recoveries
$
13,415
$
7,517
$
5,898
16. Income Taxes
The Company and its subsidiaries file federal, state, local and foreign income tax returns in jurisdictions with varying statutes of limitation. The Company and its subsidiaries are classified as a Corporation and file on a consolidated, unitary or combined basis for U.S. federal and most state jurisdictions for income tax purposes. The Company’s subsidiary, GPM, had been classified through July 31, 2022 as a partnership for U.S. federal and state jurisdictions for income tax purposes.
In the third quarter of 2022, the Company, in order to streamline business operations and provide long term synergies and other cost savings, approved an internal entity realignment and streamlining of certain direct and indirect subsidiaries. The internal realignment involved a series of steps, the majority of which were completed by the end of the third quarter of 2022. As part of the internal restructuring plan, the tax status of certain subsidiaries changed from nontaxable to taxable. Accordingly, the recognition and derecognition of certain deferred taxes was reflected in the continuing operations as of the date on which the change in tax status occurred. The Company recorded a one-time non-cash tax expense in the amount of approximately $8.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 in connection with the internal entity realignment. The recording of this deferred tax expense aligned the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities to reflect the temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities at the time of the change in status. As a result of the internal entity realignment, effective July 31, 2022, Arko Convenience Stores, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, became the 100% owner of GPM, which was then classified as a disregarded entity for U.S. federal tax purposes.
The Company has income tax net operating losses (“NOL”) and tax credit carryforwards related to both domestic and international operations. As of December 31, 2023, the Company has recorded a deferred tax asset of $4.6 million reflecting the benefit of $31.0 million in loss carryforwards and $2.9 million in tax credits. The deferred tax assets expire as follows:
Amount
Expiration Date
(in thousands)
Domestic state NOL
$
12,493
2032 - Indefinite
Foreign NOL
13,000
Indefinite life
Foreign capital loss
5,503
Indefinite life
Foreign tax credits
2,910
2023 - 2027
At each balance sheet date, the Company’s management assesses available positive and negative evidence to estimate if sufficient future taxable income will be generated to use the existing deferred tax assets. This assessment is performed tax jurisdiction by tax jurisdiction. Based on this assessment, a valuation allowance has been recorded to reflect the portion of the deferred tax asset that is more likely than not to be realized.
The Company recorded a valuation allowance related to U.S. jurisdictions in the amount of $0.4 million as of both December 31, 2023 and 2022 to recognize that a portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized based on the more likely than not standard. The Company has recorded a 100% valuation allowance against its foreign subsidiaries’ deferred tax assets in the amount of $8.1 million to recognize that the deferred tax asset will not be realized based on the more likely than not standard. A significant piece of objective negative evidence evaluated was the cumulative loss incurred over the respective three-year period in this jurisdiction. Such objective evidence limits the ability to consider other subjective evidence such as the Company’s projections for future growth.
The benefits of tax positions are not recorded unless it is more likely than not the tax position would be sustained upon challenge by the appropriate tax authorities. As of both December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company and its subsidiaries have recorded $0.3 million for unrecognized tax benefits related to state exposures. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of uncertain tax positions included in other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets was as follows:
(in thousands)
Beginning balance as of January 1,
$
$
Additions for tax positions taken in prior years
-
-
Reductions of tax positions taken in prior years
-
-
Reductions for settlements on tax positions of prior years
-
(339
)
Ending balance as of December 31,
$
$
Each of the Company’s subsidiaries is subject to examination in their respective filing jurisdiction. For the Company’s U.S. subsidiaries, tax years ending after December 31, 2019 remain open. The Company’s foreign subsidiaries’ tax returns up to and including tax year 2018 are considered closed due to the statute of limitations.
Earnings before income taxes were as follows:
For the Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)
Domestic (U.S.)
$
46,038
$
106,365
$
73,338
Foreign (Israel)
1,170
(2,277
)
Total
$
46,732
$
107,535
$
71,061
The components of the income tax provision were as follows:
For the Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)
Current:
Domestic federal
$
10,501
$
6,907
$
1,535
Domestic state and local
6,345
6,350
5,251
Total current
16,846
13,257
6,786
Deferred:
Domestic federal
(3,316
)
19,830
7,550
Domestic state and local
(1,364
)
2,470
(2,702
)
Total deferred
(4,680
)
22,300
4,848
Total income tax expense
$
12,166
$
35,557
$
11,634
The reconciliation of significant differences between income tax expense applying the US statutory rate and the actual income tax expense at the effective rate were as follows:
For the Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)
Income tax expense at the statutory rate
$
9,814
21.0
%
$
22,582
21.0
%
$
14,923
21.0
%
Increases (decreases):
Internal entity realignment, change in entity
status (*)
-
0.0
%
8,880
8.3
%
-
0.0
%
Non-controlling interest in partnership
(49
)
(0.1
)%
(58
)
(0.1
)%
(48
)
(0.1
)%
State income taxes, net of federal income tax
benefit
3,822
8.2
%
6,470
6.0
%
3,444
4.8
%
International rate differential
0.0
%
0.0
%
(425
)
(0.6
)%
Non-deductible expenses
(329
)
(0.7
)%
1,392
1.3
%
1,941
2.7
%
Valuation allowance
(2,620
)
(5.6
)%
(2,222
)
(2.1
)%
(3,892
)
(5.5
)%
Credits
(1,296
)
(2.8
)%
(1,319
)
(1.2
)%
(1,880
)
(2.6
)%
Expired attributes
2,540
5.4
%
-
0.0
%
-
0.0
%
Other rate differentials
0.6
%
(191
)
(0.1
)%
(2,429
)
(3.4
)%
Total
$
12,166
26.0
%
$
35,557
33.1
%
$
11,634
16.3
%
(*) refer to details above.
Significant components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities consisted of the following:
As of December 31,
(in thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Asset retirement obligation
$
21,320
$
16,290
Inventory
Lease obligations
420,100
375,299
Financial liabilities
43,991
24,607
Accrued expenses
4,570
4,054
Deferred income
10,712
9,868
Fuel supply agreements
79,151
61,816
Environmental liabilities
1,406
1,780
Transaction costs
2,052
2,224
Investment in partnership
17,698
13,754
Share-based compensation
3,954
3,936
Net operating loss carryforwards
4,626
5,291
Credits
2,910
5,136
Other
2,619
2,302
Total deferred tax assets
615,398
526,733
Valuation allowance
(8,523
)
(11,142
)
Total deferred tax assets, net
606,875
515,591
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment
(134,958
)
(123,931
)
Intangible assets
(28,247
)
(19,810
)
Right-of-use assets
(386,691
)
(345,902
)
Prepaid expenses
(4,602
)
(3,208
)
Other
(84
)
(12
)
Total deferred tax liabilities
(554,582
)
(492,863
)
Net deferred tax asset
$
52,293
$
22,728
17. Equity and Temporary Equity
Dividends
The Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) declared, and the Company paid, dividends of $0.12 per share of common stock in 2023, totaling $14.3 million, and dividends of $0.09 per share in 2022, totaling $10.9 million. The amount and timing of dividends payable on the common stock are within the sole discretion of the Board, which will evaluate dividend payments within the context of the Company’s overall capital allocation strategy on an ongoing basis, giving consideration to its current and forecasted earnings, financial condition, cash requirements and other factors. As a result of the aggregate amount of dividends paid on the common stock through December 31, 2023, the conversion price of the Company’s Series A convertible preferred stock has been adjusted from $12.00 to $11.79 per share, as were the threshold share prices in the Deferred Shares agreement (as discussed below). The Board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.03 per share of common stock, to be paid on March 21, 2024 to stockholders of record as of March 11, 2024.
Share Repurchase Plan
In February 2022, the Board authorized a share repurchase program for up to an aggregate of $50 million of outstanding shares of common stock and in May 2023, the Board increased the size of the share repurchase program to $100.0 million. The share repurchase program does not have an expiration date. In the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company repurchased approximately 4.2 million shares of common stock under the repurchase program for approximately $32.0 million, or an average share price of $7.54. In the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company repurchased approximately 4.5 million shares of common stock under the repurchase program for approximately $39.0 million, or an average share price of $8.60.
Series A Redeemable Preferred Stock
On November 18, 2020, the Company entered into a subscription agreement with certain investors (the “Subscription Agreement”) for the purchase by such investors of 700,000 shares of the Company’s Series A convertible preferred stock, par value
$0.0001 per share (the “Series A Stock”) and up to an aggregate of additional 300,000 shares of the Company’s Series A Stock if, and to the extent the Company exercises its right to sell such additional shares (which the Company exercised on December 14, 2020), so that on December 22, 2020, 1,000,000 shares of Series A Stock were issued. The shares of the Series A Stock were issued at a price per share of $100.
The key terms of the Series A Stock are as follows:
•Conversion: Each share of Series A Stock is convertible into shares of the Company at the holder’s option at any time after the date of issuance of such share for a conversion price equal to $12.00 per share of Series A Stock, adjusted for customary recapitalization events including common stock dividends (the “Conversion Rate”), which Conversion Rate was $11.79 as of December 31, 2023. Holders are entitled to up to a total of 1.2 million additional shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Bonus Shares”) upon any optional conversion of Series A Stock by the holder for which notice of conversion is provided after June 1, 2027, but prior to August 31, 2027. The specific number of Bonus Shares will be determined according to the Company’s volume weighted average price (the “VWAP”) for the 30 trading days prior to June 1, 2027, adjusted for customary recapitalization events. Each share of Series A Stock will automatically convert into fully paid and nonassessable shares of the Company’s common stock at the then-applicable Conversion Rate, if, at any time during target periods as set forth in the amended and restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (the “Charter”), the VWAP of the Company’s common stock equals or exceeds the applicable target price as agreed in the Charter for that period (ranging between $15.50 to $17.50 per share for the period until March 31, 2025 and $18 thereafter, adjusted for any customary recapitalization events), provided that the average daily trading volume for the Company’s common stock at the agreed VWAP period is at least $7.5 million.
•Dividends: Holders are entitled to receive, when, if, and as declared by the Board, cumulative dividends at the annual rate of 5.75% of the then-applicable Liquidation Preference (as defined below) per share of Series A Stock, paid or accrued quarterly in arrears (the “Dividend Rate”). If the Company fails to pay a dividend for any quarter at the then-prevailing Dividend Rate, then for purposes of calculating the accrual of unpaid dividends for such quarter then ended, dividends will be calculated to have accrued at the then-prevailing Dividend Rate plus 3% on an annual basis provided that the Dividend Rate will, in no event, exceed an annual rate of 14.50%, and will revert to 5.75% upon the Company paying in cash all then-accrued and unpaid dividends on the Series A Stock. If the Company breaches any of the protective provisions set forth below or fails to redeem the Series A Stock upon the proper exercise of any redemption right by the holders, the Dividend Rate will increase to an annual rate of 15% for so long as such breach or failure to redeem remains in effect.
•Redemption: At any time on or after August 31, 2027, holders of at least a majority of the then outstanding shares of the Series A Stock or the Company may deliver written notice requesting or notifying of redemption of all or a portion of shares of the Series A Stock at a price equal to the Liquidation Preference (as defined below).
In addition, if the Company undergoes a change of control (as defined in the Charter), each holder, at such holder’s election, may require the Company to purchase all or a portion of such holder’s shares of Series A Stock that have not been converted, at a purchase price per share of Series A Stock, payable in cash, equal to the greater of (A) the sum of (x) the product of 101% multiplied by $100.00 per share of Series A Stock, adjusted for any customary recapitalization events, plus (y) all accrued but unpaid dividends in respect of such share as of the effective date of the change of control or (B) the amount payable in respect of such share in such change of control if such share of Series A Stock had been converted into common stock immediately prior to such change of control. In the event that a holder shall be entitled to redemption or a payment under this section and such payment is prohibited by Delaware law, then the Dividend Rate will be raised as set forth above to 15%.
•Voting Rights: Except as required by Delaware law or with regard to matters relating to their rights, holders are not entitled to vote on any matter presented to the holders of the Company’s common stock for their action or consideration. Provided that at any time, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Series A Stock are entitled to provide written notification to the Company that such holders are electing, on behalf of all holders, to activate their voting rights so that holders and holders of the Company’s common stock will vote as a single class on an as converted basis. Holders will be and continue to be entitled to vote their shares of Series A Stock unless and until holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Series A Stock provide further written notice to the Company that they are electing to deactivate their voting rights.
•Liquidation Preference: Upon the occurrence of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, either voluntary or involuntary, or a change of control of the Company (a “Liquidation Event”), holders of Series A Stock will be entitled to receive, prior and in preference to any distribution of any of the Company’s assets to the holders of the Company’s common stock, an amount equal to the greater of (x) $100 per share of Series A Stock, plus all accrued
and unpaid dividends thereon, if any (the “Liquidation Preference”), for such holders’ shares of Series A Stock or (y) the amount such holder would have received if such holder had converted such holders’ shares of Series A Stock into the Company’s common stock immediately prior to such Liquidation Event.
•Protective Rights: As long as the Series A Stock is outstanding, the Company will not be permitted without the consent of the holders of a majority of the then outstanding shares of such Series A Stock to: (i) incur indebtedness if the incurrence of such indebtedness results in the leverage ratio (as defined in the agreement) being greater than 7:00:1:00, (ii) change or amend or waive the Charter or the Company’s by laws if that will result in the rights, preference or privileges with respect to the Series A Stock being changed or diminish in a material way, and (iii) issuance or undertaking to issue any new class of equity rights that are entitled to dividends or payments upon liquidation senior to or pari passu with the Series A Stock.
•Transfer Restrictions: Commencing from December 22, 2023, shares of Series A Stock may be transferred without the prior written consent of the Company.
•Short Position: Each holder undertook that it and certain of its affiliates are not be permitted to hold a “put equivalent position” (as defined under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) or other short position in the Company’s common stock at periods specified in the Charter.
•Registration Rights and Lock Up: The investors joined the Registration and Lock Up Agreement as signed by some of the Company’s common shareholders.
Classification of Convertible Preferred Stock - The Series A Stock is considered contingently redeemable based on events that are not solely within the Company’s control. Accordingly, the Series A Stock is presented outside of permanent equity in the temporary equity section of the consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Series A Stock was accreted to its full redemption value.
Deferred Shares
Two million common shares will be issued to the founders of Haymaker subject to the share price of the Company’s common shares reaching $13.00 or higher within five years from December 22, 2020; an additional 2.0 million common shares will be issued subject to the share price of the Company’s common shares reaching $15.00 or higher within seven years from December 22, 2020 and additional up to 200 thousand common shares of the Company (the “Additional Deferred Shares”) will be issued subject to the number of Bonus Shares as defined above issued to the holders of Series A Stock not being higher than an amount determined.
Ares Warrants
On December 22, 2020, certain entities affiliated with Ares exchanged their warrants to acquire membership interests in GPM for warrants (the “Ares Warrants”) to purchase 1.1 million shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Ares Warrant Shares”). Each Ares Warrant may be exercised to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price of $10.00 per share, subject to adjustment as described below (the “Ares Warrants Price”). Each Ares Warrant may be exercised until December 22, 2025.
The Ares Warrants Price and the number of Ares Warrant Shares for which each Ares Warrant remains exercisable will each be proportionally adjusted on an equitable basis in the event of a stock split, reverse stock split or similar recapitalization event.
An Ares Warrant and all rights thereunder may not be transferred by the holder thereof, in whole or in part, without the written consent of the Company, which written consent may be withheld or given in the Company’s sole discretion; provided, however, no such written consent of the Company shall be required with respect to a transfer of such warrant by such holder to an affiliate thereof.
18. Share-Based Compensation
The Compensation Committee of the Board has approved the grant of non-qualified stock options, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), and shares to certain employees, non-employees and members of the Board under the ARKO Corp. 2020 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”). The total number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the Plan is 12.4 million. As of December 31, 2023, 4.9 million shares of common stock were available for future grants. Stock options granted under the Plan expire no later than ten years from the date of grant and the exercise price may not be less than the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant. Vesting periods are assigned to stock options and restricted share units on a grant-by-grant basis at the discretion of the Board. The Company issues new shares of common stock upon exercise of stock options and vesting of RSUs.
Additionally, a non-employee director may receive RSUs in lieu of up to 100% of his or her cash fees, which are vested immediately and which RSUs will be settled in common stock upon the director’s departure from the Board or an earlier change in control of the Company.
Stock Options
The following table summarizes share activity related to stock options:
Stock Options
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Weighted Average Fair Value
Remaining Average Contractual Term (Years)
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
(in thousands)
(in thousands)
Options Outstanding, January 1, 2022
$
10.00
Granted
9.11
2.70
Options Outstanding, December 31, 2022
$
9.24
9.0
$
Granted
8.58
3.27
Options Outstanding, December 31, 2023
1,306
$
9.03
8.4
$
-
Exercisable at December 31, 2023
$
9.48
7.9
$
-
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2023
1,306
$
9.03
8.4
$
-
The aggregate intrinsic value is the difference between the exercise price and the closing price of the Company’s common stock on December 31.
In the year ended December 31, 2023, 394 thousand stock options vested.
As of December 31, 2023, total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options was approximately $1.5 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.8 years.
The fair value of each stock option award is estimated by management on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The following table summarizes the assumptions utilized in the valuation of the stock option awards granted for the periods noted.
For the Year Ended December 31,
Expected dividend rate
1.4
%
0.9
%
Expected stock price volatility
28.8
%
28.3
%
Risk-free interest rate
4.0
%
1.7
%
Expected term of options (years)
10.0
10.0
The expected stock price volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock price plus the Company’s peer group’s stock price for the period prior to the Company’s listing on Nasdaq. The volatilities are estimated for a period of time equal to the expected term of the related option. The risk-free interest rate is based on the implied yield of U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with an equivalent remaining term. The expected term of the options represents the estimated period of time until exercise and is determined by considering the contractual terms, vesting schedule and expectations of future employee behavior.
Restricted Stock Units
The following table summarizes share activity related to RSUs:
Restricted Stock Units
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
(in thousands)
Nonvested RSUs, January 1, 2022
1,606
$
9.60
Granted
1,923
8.41
Released
(395
)
9.38
Forfeited
(19
)
8.49
Nonvested RSUs, December 31, 2022
3,115
$
8.90
Granted
1,788
8.38
Released
(647
)
8.93
Forfeited
(37
)
9.22
Performance-based share adjustment
(350
)
9.17
Nonvested RSUs, December 31, 2023
3,869
$
8.65
In the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, 141,764 and 108,600 RSUs were issued to non-employee directors. These awards are included in the table above under restricted stock units as both granted and released units. There were 303,850 and 198,170 RSUs issued to non-employee directors outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The fair value of RSUs released during 2023 and 2022 was $5.5 million and $3.5 million, respectively.
In the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company granted a target of 1,151,084, 1,120,354 and 644,867 performance-based RSUs (“PSUs”), respectively. The PSUs were awarded to certain members of senior management and cliff vest, generally at the end of a three-year period, subject to the achievement of specific performance criteria measured over such period. The number of PSUs which will ultimately vest is contingent upon the recipient continuing to be in the continuous service of the Company and related entities through the last day of the performance period and that the Compensation Committee of the Board determines the performance criteria has been met and certifies the extent to which they have been met. The Company assesses the probability of achieving the performance criteria on a quarterly basis. As of December 31, 2023, the number of PSUs was adjusted for the probability of achieving the performance criteria, resulting in a net reduction of share-based compensation cost of approximately $2.8 million being recorded in 2023. No adjustment was made in 2022. As of December 31, 2021, the number of PSUs was adjusted for the probability of achieving the performance criteria, resulting in additional expense of $1.0 million being recorded in 2021 based on the grant date fair value. For PSUs with market conditions, the Company recognizes the fair value expense ratably over the performance and vesting period.
As of December 31, 2023, total unrecognized compensation cost related to RSUs and PSUs was approximately $13.9 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.7 years.
Stock Grants
In the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company granted 13,332 shares of immediately vested common stock to certain members of senior management, with a weighted average grant date fair value of $7.58 per share, or $0.1 million.
Share-Based Compensation Cost
Total share-based compensation cost recorded for employees, non-employees and members of the Board for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $15.0 million, $12.2 million and $5.8 million, respectively, and included in general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations.
19. Related Party Transactions
Balances outstanding with related parties were as follows:
As of December 31,
(in thousands)
Current assets:
Due from equity investment
$
$
Loan to equity investment
Due from related parties
20. Earnings per Share
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per share of common stock:
For the Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)
Net income available to common stockholders
$
28,619
$
65,997
$
53,463
Change in fair value of Ares Put Option
-
(329
)
(927
)
Net income available to common stockholders after
assumed conversions
$
28,619
$
65,668
$
52,536
Weighted average common shares outstanding - Basic
118,782
121,476
124,412
Effect of dilutive securities:
Restricted share units
Ares Put Option
-
Weighted average common shares outstanding - Diluted
119,605
123,224
125,437
Net income per share available to
common stockholders - Basic
$
0.24
$
0.54
$
0.43
Net income per share available to
common stockholders - Diluted
$
0.24
$
0.53
$
0.42
The following potential shares of common stock have been excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would be antidilutive:
As of December 31,
(in thousands)
Ares Warrants
1,100
1,100
1,100
Public and private warrants
17,333
17,333
17,333
Series A redeemable preferred stock
8,482
8,396
8,333
Stock options
1,306
21. Financial Derivative Instruments
The Company makes limited use of derivative instruments (futures contracts) to manage certain risks related to diesel fuel prices. The Company does not hold any derivatives for speculative purposes and it does not use derivatives with leveraged or complex features. The Company currently uses derivative instruments that are traded primarily over national exchanges such as the New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”). For accounting purposes, the Company has designated its derivative contracts as fair value hedges of firm commitments.
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had fuel futures contracts in place to hedge approximately 1.2 million gallons and 2.5 million gallons, respectively, of diesel fuel for which the Company had a firm commitment to purchase. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had an asset derivative with a fair value of approximately $0.1 million and $0.5 million, respectively, recorded in other current assets and a firm commitment with a fair value of approximately $0.1 million and $0.5 million, respectively, recorded in other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, there was $0 and approximately $0.5 million, respectively, of cash collateral provided to counterparties that was classified as restricted cash on the consolidated balance sheet. All cash flows associated with purchasing and selling fuel derivative instruments are classified as other operating activities, net cash flows in the consolidated statements of cash flows.
22. Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments
The Company utilizes fair value measurement guidance prescribed by accounting standards to value its financial instruments. The guidance specifies a three-level hierarchy that is used when measuring and disclosing fair value. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices available in active markets (i.e. observable inputs) and the lowest priority to data lacking transparency (i.e. unobservable inputs). An instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of significant input to its valuation. The following is a description of the three hierarchy levels.
Level 1: Inputs to the valuation methodology are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
Level 2: Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted market prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
Level 3: Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value adjustment.
The fair value of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term investments, trade receivables, accounts payable and other current liabilities approximated their carrying values as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 primarily due to the short-term maturity of these instruments. Based on market trades of the Senior Notes close to year-end (Level 1 fair value measurement), the fair value of the Senior Notes was estimated at approximately $391.8 million and $354.7 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, compared to a gross carrying value of $450 million. The fair value of the other long-term debt approximated their carrying values as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 due to the frequency with which interest rates are reset based on changes in prevailing interest rates. The fair value of fuel futures contracts was determined using NYMEX quoted values.
The Contingent Consideration from the Empire acquisition in 2020 is measured at fair value at the end of each reporting period and amounted to $3.4 million and $3.7 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The fair value methodology for the Contingent Consideration liability is categorized as Level 3 because inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and
significant to the fair value adjustment. Approximately $(0.3) million, $0.3 million and $(0.5) million were recorded as a component of interest and other financial (expenses) income in the consolidated statements of operations for the change in the fair value of the contingent consideration for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and approximately $0.6 million, $2.2 million and $1.7 million of income were recorded as a component of other expenses, net in the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The Public Warrants (as defined in Note 11), of which approximately 14.8 million were outstanding as of December 31, 2023, are measured at fair value at the end of each reporting period and amounted to $16.3 million and $25.9 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The fair value methodology for the Public Warrants is categorized as Level 1. Approximately $(9.6) million, $(0.3) million and $5.5 million were recorded as a component of interest and other financial (income) expenses in the consolidated statements of operations for the change in the fair value of the Public Warrants for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The Private Warrants (as defined in Note 11), of which approximately 2.5 million were outstanding as of December 31, 2023, are measured at fair value at the end of each reporting period and amounted to $2.5 million and $4.5 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The fair value methodology for the Private Warrants is categorized as Level 2 because certain inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value adjustment. The Private Warrants have been recorded at fair value based on a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following material assumptions based on observable and unobservable inputs:
As of December 31,
Expected term (in years)
2.0
3.0
Volatility
39.2
%
41.9
%
Risk-free interest rate
4.2
%
4.2
%
Expected dividend yield
1.5
%
1.4
%
Strike price
$
11.50
$
11.50
For the change in the fair value of the Private Warrants, approximately $(2.0) million, $(0.1) million and $0.6 million were recorded as components of interest and other financial (income) expenses in the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The Additional Deferred Shares (as defined in Note 17) are measured at fair value at the end of each reporting period and amounted to $1.3 million and $1.4 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The fair value methodology for the Additional Deferred Shares is categorized as Level 3 because inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value adjustment. The Additional Deferred Shares have been recorded at fair value based on a Monte Carlo pricing model with the following material assumptions based on observable and unobservable inputs:
As of December 31,
Expected term (in years)
3.4
4.4
Volatility
33.3
%
42.0
%
Risk-free interest rate
4.0
%
4.1
%
Stock price
$
8.25
$
8.66
For the change in the fair value of the Additional Deferred Shares, approximately $0.1 million was recorded as a component of interest and other financial income in the consolidated statements of operations for each of the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
The Ares Put Option (as defined in Note 10), which terminated in 2023, was measured at fair value at the end of each reporting period and amounted to $8.6 million as of December 31, 2022. The fair value methodology for the Ares Put Option was categorized as Level 3 because inputs to the valuation methodology were unobservable and significant to the fair value adjustment. The Ares Put Option was recorded at its fair value based on a Monte Carlo pricing model with the following material assumptions based on observable and unobservable inputs:
As of December 31,
Expected term (in years)
0.2
Volatility
25.9
%
Risk-free interest rate
4.3
%
Strike price
$
12.845
Approximately $1.2 million, $(0.3) million and $(0.9) million were recorded as components of interest and other financial expenses (income) in the consolidated statements of operations for the change in the fair value of the Ares Put Option for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
23. Segment Reporting
The reportable segments were determined based on information reviewed by the chief operating decision maker for operational decision-making purposes, and the segment information is prepared on the same basis that the Company’s chief operating decision maker reviews such financial information. The Company’s reportable segments are retail, wholesale, fleet fueling and GPMP. The Company defines segment earnings as operating income.
The retail segment includes the operation of a chain of retail stores, which includes convenience stores selling fuel products and other merchandise to retail customers. At its retail convenience stores, the Company owns the merchandise and fuel inventory and employs personnel to manage the store.
The wholesale segment supplies fuel to dealers, sub-wholesalers and bulk and spot purchasers, on either a cost plus or consignment basis. For consignment arrangements, the Company retains ownership of the fuel inventory at the site, is responsible for the pricing of the fuel to the end consumer, and shares the gross profit with the dealers.
The fleet fueling segment, which was added to the Company’s business upon the closing of the Quarles Acquisition on July 22, 2022, includes the operation of proprietary and third-party cardlock locations (unstaffed fueling locations), and commissions from the sales of fuel using proprietary fuel cards that provide customers access to a nationwide network of fueling sites.
The GPMP segment includes GPMP and includes its sale and supply of fuel to substantially all of GPM’s sites that sell fuel in the retail and wholesale segments, at GPMP’s cost of fuel (including taxes and transportation) plus a fixed margin (currently 5.0 cents per gallon), and charges a fixed fee primarily to sites in the fleet fueling segment which are not supplied by GPMP (currently 5.0 cents per gallon sold). GPMP also supplies fuel to a limited number of dealers and bulk purchasers.
The “All Other” segment includes the results of non-reportable segments which do not meet both quantitative and qualitative criteria as defined under ASC 280, Segment Reporting. The Company revised the composition of the “All Other” segment in the third quarter of 2022 in conjunction with the closing of the Quarles Acquisition.
The majority of general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization, net other expenses, net interest and other financial expenses, income taxes and minor other income items including intercompany operating leases are not allocated to the segments.
With the exception of goodwill as described in Note 9 above, assets and liabilities relevant to the reportable segments are not assigned to any particular segment, but rather, managed at the consolidated level. All reportable segment revenues were generated from sites within the U.S. and substantially all of the Company’s assets were within the U.S. No external customer represented more than 10% of revenues.
Inter-segment transactions primarily included the distribution of fuel by GPMP to substantially all of GPM’s sites that sell fuel (both in the retail and wholesale segments) and charges by GPMP to sites that sell fuel in the fleet fueling segment and certain
Company sites which are not supplied by GPMP. The effect of these inter-segment transactions was eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.
Year Ended December 31, 2023
Retail
Wholesale
Fleet Fueling
GPMP
All Other
Total
(in thousands)
Revenues
Fuel revenue
$
3,858,777
$
3,039,904
$
530,937
$
3,681
$
31,073
$
7,464,372
Merchandise revenue
1,838,001
-
-
-
-
1,838,001
Other revenues, net
74,406
25,775
7,818
1,420
110,358
Total revenues from external customers
5,771,184
3,065,679
538,755
4,620
32,493
9,412,731
Inter-segment
-
-
-
5,160,146
19,643
5,179,789
Total revenues from segments
5,771,184
3,065,679
538,755
5,164,766
52,136
14,592,520
Operating income
259,326
30,578
34,572
102,446
427,352
Interest and other financial expenses, net
(29,487
)
-
(29,487
)
Loss from equity investment
(39
)
(39
)
Net income from segments
$
397,826
Year Ended December 31, 2022
Retail
Wholesale
Fleet Fueling
GPMP
All Other
Total
(in thousands)
Revenues
Fuel revenue
$
3,887,549
$
3,234,145
$
270,670
$
5,160
$
3,566
$
7,401,090
Merchandise revenue
1,647,642
-
-
-
-
1,647,642
Other revenues, net
67,280
23,451
2,178
1,024
94,067
Total revenues from external customers
5,602,471
3,257,596
272,848
6,184
3,700
9,142,799
Inter-segment
-
-
-
5,678,167
4,264
5,682,431
Total revenues from segments
5,602,471
3,257,596
272,848
5,684,351
7,964
14,825,230
Operating income
264,552
33,864
18,382
89,035
406,625
Interest and other financial expenses, net
(11,654
)
-
(11,654
)
Income tax benefit
Loss from equity investment
(74
)
(74
)
Net income from segments
$
395,074
Year Ended December 31, 2021
Retail
Wholesale
GPMP
All Other
Total
(in thousands)
Revenues
Fuel revenue
$
3,048,893
$
2,659,706
$
5,734
$
-
$
5,714,333
Merchandise revenue
1,616,404
-
-
-
1,616,404
Other revenues, net
63,271
22,298
1,092
-
86,661
Total revenues from external customers
4,728,568
2,682,004
6,826
-
7,417,398
Inter-segment
-
-
4,384,227
1,264
4,385,491
Total revenues from segments
4,728,568
2,682,004
4,391,053
1,264
11,802,889
Operating income
240,233
21,998
91,619
1,264
355,114
Interest and other financial expenses, net
(14,363
)
-
(14,363
)
Income tax expense
(221
)
(221
)
Income from equity investment
Net income from segments
$
340,716
A reconciliation of total revenues from segments to total revenues on the consolidated statements of operations was as follows:
For the Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)
Total revenues from segments
$
14,592,520
$
14,825,230
$
11,802,889
Elimination of inter-segment revenues
(5,179,789
)
(5,682,431
)
(4,385,491
)
Total revenues
$
9,412,731
$
9,142,799
$
7,417,398
A reconciliation of net income from segments to net income on the consolidated statements of operations was as follows:
For the Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)
Net income from segments
$
397,826
$
395,074
$
340,716
Amounts not allocated to segments:
Store operating expenses
(13,647
)
2,264
3,287
General and administrative expenses
(162,132
)
(137,072
)
(121,697
)
Depreciation and amortization
(120,232
)
(94,383
)
(89,822
)
Other expenses, net
(13,327
)
(9,816
)
(3,536
)
Interest and other financial expenses, net
(41,756
)
(48,355
)
(58,108
)
Income tax expense
(12,166
)
(35,734
)
(11,413
)
Net income
$
34,566
$
71,978
$
59,427
24. Store Operating Expenses
Store operating expenses consisted of the following:
For the Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)
Salaries and wages
$
341,381
$
287,185
$
242,692
Rent
183,845
145,120
133,143
Credit card fees
109,258
101,434
83,757
Utilities, upkeep, and taxes
75,927
63,121
57,497
Repairs and maintenance
52,906
43,873
37,345
Insurance
26,361
19,308
20,537
Other store operating expenses
70,456
61,133
55,547
Total store operating expenses
$
860,134
$
721,174
$
630,518
SCHEDULE I
ARKO Corp. (Parent Company Only)
Condensed Balance Sheets
(in thousands)
As of December 31,
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
27,220
$
93,721
Other current assets
11,983
16,168
Total current assets
39,203
109,889
Non-current assets:
Investment in subsidiaries
356,048
312,708
Loans to subsidiaries
450,000
450,000
Deferred tax asset
1,941
2,239
Total assets
$
847,192
$
874,836
Liabilities
Current liabilities:
Long-term debt, current portion
$
$
1,145
Other current liabilities
5,896
17,364
Total current liabilities
6,567
18,509
Non-current liabilities:
Long-term debt, net
444,432
443,648
Other non-current liabilities
20,092
31,845
Total liabilities
$
471,091
$
494,002
Series A redeemable preferred stock
100,000
100,000
Shareholders' equity
276,101
280,834
Total liabilities, redeemable preferred stock and shareholders' equity
$
847,192
$
874,836
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed financial statements.
SCHEDULE I
ARKO Corp. (Parent Company Only)
Condensed Statements of Operations
(in thousands)
For the Year Ended December 31,
Income:
Income from loans to subsidiaries and other investee
$
23,063
$
23,645
$
6,016
23,063
23,645
6,016
Expenses:
General and administrative
7,419
7,437
6,152
7,419
7,437
6,152
Income (loss) before interest and financial income (expenses)
15,644
16,208
(136
)
Interest and other financial income
14,314
1,577
1,005
Interest and other financial expenses
(25,106
)
(23,641
)
(10,855
)
Income (loss) before income taxes
4,852
(5,856
)
(9,986
)
Income tax (expense) benefit
(249
)
3,579
(2,771
)
Equity income from subsidiaries
29,766
74,024
71,955
Net income
$
34,369
$
71,747
$
59,198
Series A redeemable preferred stock dividends
(5,750
)
(5,750
)
(5,735
)
Net income attributable to common shareholders
$
28,619
$
65,997
$
53,463
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed financial statements.
SCHEDULE I
ARKO Corp. (Parent Company Only)
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
For the Year Ended December 31,
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income
$
34,369
$
71,747
$
59,198
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Equity income from subsidiaries
(29,766
)
(74,024
)
(71,955
)
Deferred income taxes
(164
)
Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discount
Foreign currency loss (gain) and interest related to intercompany balances
-
1,693
(4,656
)
Share-based compensation
1,172
Fair value adjustment of financial liabilities
(10,520
)
(887
)
5,021
Other operating activities, net
(116
)
-
-
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Decrease (increase) in other current assets
4,856
(11,542
)
(1,586
)
(Decrease) increase in other current liabilities
(2,910
)
6,752
3,713
Net cash used in operating activities
$
(1,832
)
$
(4,711
)
$
(8,726
)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Loans to investees
$
-
$
-
$
(450,000
)
Repayments of loans to subsidiaries and other investees
-
40,000
-
Distribution from subsidiary
-
28,109
-
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
-
68,109
(450,000
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net
-
-
442,737
Payment of merger transaction issuance costs
-
-
(4,773
)
Common stock repurchased
(33,694
)
(40,042
)
-
Dividends paid on common stock
(14,272
)
(10,893
)
-
Dividends paid on redeemable preferred stock
(5,750
)
(5,750
)
(5,892
)
Payment of Ares Put Option
(9,808
)
-
-
Repayment of long-term debt
(1,145
)
(1,500
)
(2,017
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
(64,669
)
(58,185
)
430,055
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents and
restricted cash
(66,501
)
5,213
(28,671
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
93,721
88,508
117,179
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
$
27,220
$
93,721
$
88,508
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed financial statements.
SCHEDULE I
ARKO Corp. (Parent Company Only)
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (cont’d)
(in thousands)
For the Year Ended December 31,
Supplementary cash flow information:
Cash received for interest
$
25,623
$
26,028
$
1,404
Cash paid for interest
23,089
24,610
Cash paid for taxes
-
6,175
Supplementary noncash activities:
Prepaid insurance premiums financed through notes payable
1,145
1,765
Issuance of shares
-
-
3,000
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed financial statements.
ARKO Corp. (Parent Company Only)
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements
1. General
The condensed financial statements represent the financial information required by SEC Regulation S-X Rule 5-04 for ARKO Corp. (the “Company”), which requires the inclusion of parent company only financial statements if the restricted net assets of consolidated subsidiaries exceed 25% of total consolidated net assets as of the last day of its most recent fiscal year. As of December 31, 2023, the Company’s restricted net assets of its consolidated subsidiary, GPM Investments, LLC (“GPM”), were approximately $747.6 million and exceeded 25% of the Company’s total consolidated net assets. The primary restrictions as of December 31, 2023 were driven by GPM’s financing agreement with PNC which restrict the transfer of non-cash assets from GPM to the Company. This financing agreement also includes restrictions on distributions according to which, among other things, GPM’s ability to distribute is subject to certain conditions as defined in the underlying agreement. For more information about GPM’s financing agreement with PNC, refer to Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The accompanying condensed financial statements have been prepared to present the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company on a stand-alone basis as a holding company. Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for using the equity method. The condensed parent company only financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's consolidated financial statements.
3. Long-Term Debt
Senior Notes
On October 21, 2021, the Company completed a private offering of $450 million aggregate principal amount of 5.125% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “Senior Notes”), pursuant to a note purchase agreement dated October 14, 2021, by and among the Company, certain of the Company’s wholly owned domestic subsidiaries (the “Guarantors”), and BofA Securities, Inc., as representative of the several initial purchasers named therein. The Senior Notes are guaranteed, on an unsecured senior basis, by all of the Guarantors. Refer to Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements for further details.
Insurance Premium Notes
The debt outstanding related to premium financing agreements are due within one year. Refer to Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements for further details.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“PSLRA”), Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “Exchange Act”), about our expectations, beliefs, plans and intentions regarding our product development efforts, business, financial condition, results of operations, strategies and prospects. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that these statements do not relate to historical or current matters. Rather, forward-looking statements relate to anticipated or expected events, activities, trends or results. Because forward-looking statements relate to matters that have not yet occurred, these statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Many factors could cause our actual activities or results to differ materially from the activities and results anticipated in forward-looking statements. These factors include those contained in “Item 1A - Risk Factors” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Forward-looking statements reflect our views only as of the date they are made. We do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law. We intend that all forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbor provisions of PSLRA.
Overview
Based in Richmond, VA, we are a leading independent convenience store operator and, as of December 31, 2023, we were the sixth largest convenience store chain in the United States (“U.S.”) ranked by store count, operating 1,543 retail convenience stores. As of December 31, 2023, we operated the stores under more than 25 regional store brands, including 1-Stop, Admiral, Apple Market®, BreadBox, Corner Mart, Dixie Mart, ExpressStop, E-Z Mart®, fas mart®, fastmarket®, Flash Market, Handy Mart, Jetz, Jiffi Stop®, Jiffy Stop, Li’l Cricket, Market Express, Next Door Store®, Pride, Roadrunner Markets, Rose Mart, Rstore, Scotchman®, shore stop®, Speedy’s, Town Star, Uncle’s, Village Pantry® and Young’s. As of December 31, 2023, we also supplied fuel to 1,825 dealers and operated 298 cardlock locations (unstaffed fueling locations). We are well diversified geographically and, as of December 31, 2023, operated in the District of Columbia and more than 30 states in the Mid-Atlantic, Midwestern, Northeastern, Southeastern and Southwestern U.S.
Our primary business is the operation of convenience stores, and we generate a significant portion of our revenue from the retail sale of products and the fuel at our stores. Consequently, our retail stores generate a large proportion of our profitability. We intentionally focus our marketing and merchandising initiatives at our retail stores to offer our customers an assortment of products with an attractive value proposition. Our retail offering includes a wide array of cold and hot foodservice, beverages, cigarettes and other tobacco products, candy, salty snacks, grocery, beer and general merchandise. We have foodservice offerings at approximately 1,260 stores, which include hot and fresh grab-n-go foods, deli, fried chicken, bakery, pizza, roller grill items and other prepared foods. In 2024, we launched an extensive new pizza program that offers private label pizza, at an attractive value of $4.99 for enrolled loyalty members, which is currently offered at more than 1,000 stores as take-and-bake from the freezer, and currently available at approximately 225 of those stores also as fresh and hot pizza either whole or by the slice. We supplement our foodservice offering with approximately 150 quick service major national brand restaurants. Relevant and delicious food offerings are a key strategic priority for us, and we expect to maintain a high degree of focus on frozen grab-and-go and enhanced hot food capabilities. Additionally, we provide a number of traditional convenience store services that generate income, including lottery, prepaid products, gift cards, money orders, ATMs, gaming, and other ancillary product and service offerings. We also generate revenues from car washes at approximately 95 of our locations.
Enrolled members in our fas REWARDS® loyalty program increased by approximately 171,000 new enrolled members in the fourth quarter of 2023, representing a year over year increase of 170% from the fourth quarter of 2022. Currently, we have approximately 2.0 million enrolled members in our program. During the second and third quarters of 2023, following the launch of our updated fas REWARDS app in the first quarter of 2023, 491,000 new members enrolled, and we attribute this robust growth in part to execution of a special $10 enrollment campaign that lasted from mid-May 2023 through September 2023. Our fas REWARDS® loyalty program is available in the majority of our stores and offers enrolled loyalty members in store exclusive promotional pricing, in-app member only HOT deals not available in stores, as well as the ability to earn points that can be redeemed for either fuel or merchandise savings. Other in-app features include order and delivery, age verified offers on tobacco and alcohol, and a store locator with current gas prices at GPM stores nearby to members.
We also derive revenue from the wholesale distribution of fuel and the sale of fuel at cardlock locations, and we earn commissions from the sales of fuel using proprietary fuel cards that provide customers access to a nationwide network of fueling sites. We believe these revenues result in stable, ratable cash flows which, together with free cash flow from our retail segment, can be deployed to pursue accretive acquisitions and investments in our retail stores. The wholesale segment adds significant fuel volumes to
our robust retail fuel sales, which we believe enhances our purchasing power for our entire platform, including our retail segment, and improves our competitiveness as an acquirer of choice.
Description of Segments
Our reportable segments are described below.
Retail Segment
Our retail segment includes the operation of a chain of retail stores, which includes convenience stores selling fuel products and other merchandise to retail customers. At our convenience stores, we own the merchandise and fuel inventory and employ personnel to manage the store.
Wholesale Segment
Our wholesale segment supplies fuel to dealers, on either a consignment or cost plus basis. For consignment arrangements, we retain ownership of the fuel inventory at the site, are responsible for the pricing of the fuel to the end consumer and share a portion of the gross profit earned from the sale of fuel by the consignment dealers. For cost plus arrangements, we sell fuel to dealers and bulk and spot purchasers on a fixed-fee basis. The sales price to the dealer is determined according to the terms of the relevant agreement with the dealer, which typically reflects our total fuel costs plus the cost of transportation and a margin, with us generally retaining the prompt pay discounts and rebates.
Fleet Fueling Segment
Our fleet fueling segment includes the operation of proprietary and third-party cardlock locations (unstaffed fueling locations), and issuance of proprietary fuel cards that provide customers access to a nationwide network of fueling sites.
GPMP Segment
Our GPMP segment engages in the wholesale distribution of fuel to substantially all of our sites that sell fuel in the retail and wholesale segments and a limited number of third-party dealers and bulk purchasers. GPM Petroleum LP (“GPMP”) sells fuel at GPMP’s cost of fuel (including taxes and transportation) plus a fixed margin and charges a fixed fee primarily to sites in the fleet fueling segment which are not supplied by GPMP.
Trends Impacting Our Business
We achieved strong store growth over the last decade, driven primarily by a highly successful acquisition strategy, inclusive of 25 completed acquisitions from 2013 through 2023. More recently, on March 1, 2023, we acquired 135 convenience stores and gas stations, 181 dealer locations, a commercial, government, and industrial business, and certain distribution and transportation assets from Transit Energy Group, LLC (the “TEG Acquisition”). On June 6, 2023, we completed our acquisition of 24 Uncle’s convenience stores located across Western Texas, 68 proprietary GASCARD-branded cardlock sites and 43 private cardlock sites for fleet fueling operations located in Western Texas and Southeastern New Mexico from WTG Fuels Holdings, LLC (the “WTG Acquisition”). On August 15, 2023, we acquired seven Speedy’s convenience stores located in Arkansas and Oklahoma, which were previously locations operated by a dealer to which we supplied fuel (the “Speedy’s Acquisition” and, together with the TEG Acquisition and the WTG Acquisition, the “2023 Acquisitions”). For additional information regarding the 2023 Acquisitions, please see Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In July 2022, we completed our acquisition of certain assets from Quarles Petroleum, Incorporated (the “Quarles Acquisition”), which included at closing 121 proprietary Quarles-branded cardlock sites and 63 third-party cardlock sites for fleet fueling operations, and 46 dealer locations, and in December 2022, we completed our acquisition of Pride Convenience Holdings, LLC, which operated 31 Pride convenience stores at closing and had one store under construction that is now opened (the “Pride Acquisition” and together with the Quarles Acquisition, the “2022 Acquisitions”). In May 2021, we completed our acquisition of 60 ExpressStop convenience stores, and, in November 2021, we completed our acquisition of 36 Handy Mart convenience stores.
Our store count has grown from 320 sites in 2011 to 3,666 sites as of December 31, 2023, of which 1,543 were operated as retail convenience stores, 1,825 were locations at which we supplied fuel to dealers and 298 were cardlock locations. Our strategic acquisitions have had, and may continue to have, a significant impact on our reported results and can make period to period comparisons of results difficult. We believe our significant size and scale aids our efforts to successfully deploy our organic growth strategies in our acquired assets, which we anticipate will result in value accretion.
The following table provides a history of our acquisitions, site conversions and site closings for each of the last three years, for the retail, wholesale and fleet fueling segments:
For the Year Ended December 31,
Retail Segment
Number of sites at beginning of period
1,404
1,406
1,330
Acquired sites
Newly opened or reopened sites
-
Company-controlled sites converted to consignment or
fuel supply locations, net
(16
)
(17
)
(9
)
Closed, relocated or divested sites
(15
)
(17
)
(13
)
Number of sites at end of period
1,543
1,404
1,406
For the Year Ended December 31,
Wholesale Segment 1
Number of sites at beginning of period
1,674
1,628
1,597
Acquired sites
-
Newly opened or reopened sites 2
Consignment or fuel supply locations converted
from Company-controlled or fleet fueling sites, net
Closed, relocated or divested sites
(137
)
(91
)
(54
)
Number of sites at end of period
1,825
1,674
1,628
1 Excludes bulk and spot purchasers.
2 Includes all signed fuel supply agreements irrespective of fuel distribution commencement date.
For the Year Ended December 31,
Fleet Fueling Segment
Number of sites at beginning of period
-
Acquired sites
Newly opened or reopened sites
-
Fleet fueling locations converted from fuel supply locations, net
-
Closed, relocated or divested sites
(3
)
(1
)
Number of sites at end of period
In recent years, the convenience store industry has focused on increasing and improving in-store foodservice offerings, including fresh foods, quick service restaurants and proprietary food offerings. We believe consumers may be more likely to patronize convenience stores that include new and improved food offerings, which may also lead to increased inside merchandise sales or fuel sales. Our current foodservice offering, which varies by store, primarily consists of hot and fresh grab-n-go foods, deli, fried chicken, bakery, pizza, roller grill items and other prepared foods. We have historically relied upon a limited number of franchised quick service restaurants and in-store delis to drive customer traffic. As a result, we believe that our under-penetration of foodservice presents an opportunity to expand foodservice offerings and margin in response to changing consumer behavior. In the third quarter of 2023, we created and filled a new role at GPM, Senior Vice President of Food Service, to evaluate our current foodservice offering and to expand our company-wide, cross-functional food strategy to position our stores as a food destination for our customers, scaled across our Family of Community Brands. In 2024, we launched an extensive new pizza program.
Our results of operation are significantly impacted by the retail fuel margins we earn on gallons sold. These fuel margins can change rapidly as they are influenced by many factors, including: the wholesale cost of fuel; interruptions in supply caused by severe weather; supply chain disruptions; refinery mechanical failures; and competition in the local markets in which we operate.
The cost of our main products, gasoline and diesel fuel, is greatly impacted by the wholesale cost of fuel in the United States. We attempt to pass wholesale fuel cost changes through to our customers through retail price changes; however, we are not always able to do so. Competitive conditions primarily affect the timing of any related increase or decrease in retail prices. As a result, we tend to experience lower fuel margins when the cost of fuel is increasing gradually over a longer period and higher fuel margins when the cost of fuel is declining or more volatile over a shorter period of time. For the year ended December 31, 2022, we experienced historically high fuel margins as a result of the volatile market for gasoline and diesel fuel. In particular, in the first quarter of 2022, the war in Ukraine significantly affected market conditions and resulted in substantially higher fuel margins. Depending on future
market and geopolitical conditions, the supply of fuel, including diesel fuel in particular, may become constrained. Accordingly, we maintain terminal storage of diesel fuel for short-term supply needs for our fleet fueling sites.
Additionally, throughout 2023, the U.S. economy continued to endure price inflation and the effect of higher prevailing interest rates, which began in 2022 and which has increased merchandise cost and reduced consumer purchasing power. We have mitigated a portion of these higher costs with retail price increases. The persistence of, or increase in, inflation or high interest rates could negatively impact the demand for our products and services, including due to consumers reducing travel, which could reduce sales volumes. Additionally, because of current labor market conditions and the prevailing wage rates in the markets in which we operate, we have voluntarily increased wages, which has increased our costs associated with recruiting and retaining qualified personnel, and may continue to do so in the future.
We also operate in a highly competitive retail convenience market that includes businesses with operations and services that are similar to those that we provide. We believe that convenience stores managed by individual operators who offer branded or non-branded fuel are also significant competitors in the local markets in which we operate. Often, operators of both chains and individual stores compete by selling unbranded fuel at lower retail prices relative to the market. The convenience store industry is also experiencing competition from other retail sectors including grocery stores, large warehouse retail stores, dollar stores and pharmacies.
We believe that we have a significant opportunity to increase our sales and profitability by continuing to execute on our organic and inorganic strategies, which principally seek to improve the performance of current stores through enhanced offerings to meet our customers’ needs and growing our store base in existing and contiguous markets through acquisitions.
Seasonality
Our business is seasonal, and our operating income in the second and third quarters has historically been significantly greater than in the first and fourth quarters as a result of the generally improved climate and seasonal buying patterns of our customers. Inclement weather, especially in the Midwest and Northeast regions of the U.S. during the winter months, can negatively impact our financial results.
Results of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021
The period-to-period comparisons of our results of operations contained in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation have been prepared using the Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto, and the following discussion should be read in conjunction with such audited annual consolidated financial statements and related notes contained elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. All references to fuel contribution and fuel margin per gallon are excluding the estimated fixed margin or fixed fee paid to GPMP for the cost of fuel (intercompany charges by GPMP).
Consolidated Results
The table below shows our consolidated results for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, together with certain key metrics.
For the Year Ended December 31,
Revenues:
(in thousands)
Fuel revenue
$
7,464,372
$
7,401,090
$
5,714,333
Merchandise revenue
1,838,001
1,647,642
1,616,404
Other revenues, net
110,358
94,067
86,661
Total revenues
9,412,731
9,142,799
7,417,398
Operating expenses:
Fuel costs
6,876,084
6,856,651
5,275,907
Merchandise costs
1,252,879
1,146,423
1,143,494
Store operating expenses
860,134
721,174
630,518
General and administrative expenses
165,294
139,969
124,667
Depreciation and amortization
127,597
101,752
97,194
Total operating expenses
9,281,988
8,965,969
7,271,780
Other expenses, net
12,729
9,816
3,536
Operating income
118,014
167,014
142,082
Interest and other financial expenses, net
(71,243
)
(59,405
)
(71,207
)
Income before income taxes
46,771
107,609
70,875
Income tax expense
(12,166
)
(35,557
)
(11,634
)
(Loss) income from equity investment
(39
)
(74
)
Net income
$
34,566
$
71,978
$
59,427
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests
Net income attributable to ARKO Corp.
$
34,369
$
71,747
$
59,198
Series A redeemable preferred stock dividends
(5,750
)
(5,750
)
(5,735
)
Net income attributable to common shareholders
$
28,619
$
65,997
$
53,463
Fuel gallons sold
2,241,805
1,971,011
2,019,206
Fuel margin, cents per gallon 1
26.2
27.6
21.7
Merchandise contribution 2
$
585,122
$
501,219
$
472,910
Merchandise margin 3
31.8
%
30.4
%
29.3
%
Adjusted EBITDA 4
$
290,428
$
301,054
$
256,575
1 Calculated as fuel revenue less fuel costs divided by fuel gallons sold.
2 Calculated as merchandise revenue less merchandise costs.
3 Calculated as merchandise contribution divided by merchandise revenue.
4 Refer to “Use of Non-GAAP Measures” below for discussion of this non-GAAP performance measure and related reconciliation to net income.
For the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022
For the year ended December 31, 2023, fuel revenue increased by $63.3 million, or 0.9%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in fuel revenue was attributable primarily to incremental gallons sold related to the 2023 Acquisitions and the 2022 Acquisitions, which was partially offset by a decrease in the average price of fuel compared to 2022, and fewer gallons sold at same stores in 2023 compared to 2022.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, merchandise revenue increased by $190.4 million, or 11.6%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to the 2023 Acquisitions and the Pride Acquisition and an increase in same store merchandise revenues. Offsetting these increases was a decrease in merchandise revenue from underperforming retail stores that we closed or converted to dealers.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, other revenues, net increased by $16.3 million, or 17.3%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to additional revenue from the 2023 Acquisitions and the 2022 Acquisitions, partially offset by the loss of income from skill gaming machines in Virginia.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, total operating expenses increased by $316.0 million, or 3.5%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. Fuel costs increased $19.4 million, or 0.3% as compared to 2022 due to incremental gallons related to the 2023 Acquisitions and the 2022 Acquisitions, which were partially offset by both fewer gallons sold and a lower average cost of fuel on a same store basis. Merchandise costs increased $106.5 million, or 9.3%, as compared to 2022, primarily due to increased costs related to the 2023 Acquisitions and the Pride Acquisition and a corresponding increase in same store merchandise sales. For the year ended December 31, 2023, store operating expenses increased $139.0 million, or 19.3%, as compared to 2022 due to incremental expenses as a result of the 2023 Acquisitions, the 2022 Acquisitions and an increase in expenses at same stores, including higher personnel costs partially offset by lower credit card fees.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, general and administrative expenses increased $25.3 million, or 18.1%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to incremental expenses associated with the 2023 Acquisitions and the 2022 Acquisitions, annual wage increases and an increase in share-based compensation expense, partially offset by lower incentive accruals.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, depreciation and amortization expenses increased $25.8 million, or 25.4%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 primarily due to assets acquired in the past two years, largely in connection with the 2023 Acquisitions and the 2022 Acquisitions.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, other expenses, net increased by $2.9 million, or 29.7%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 primarily due to an increase in acquisition costs and lower income recorded for the fair value adjustment of contingent consideration in 2023.
Operating income was $118.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to $167.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to lower fuel contribution from retail same stores and wholesale sites not part of the 2023 and 2022 Acquisitions (the “comparable wholesale sites”), and an increase in store operating expenses at same stores, which was partially offset by incremental income from the 2023 Acquisitions and the 2022 Acquisitions and an increase in merchandise contribution at same stores.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, interest and other financial expenses, net increased by $11.8 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 primarily due to higher average outstanding debt balances and a higher average interest rate for 2023 and higher interest expenses related to financial liabilities, which was partially offset by an increase of $9.6 million in income, net recorded for fair value adjustments related to the Ares Put Option, Public Warrants, Private Warrants and Additional Deferred Shares (each of which is defined in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements) and additional interest income generated in 2023.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, income tax expense was $12.2 million compared to $35.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, and our effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was 26.0% and 33.1%, respectively. The decrease was primarily due to a one-time non-cash tax expense in the amount of approximately $8.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 the Company recorded in connection with its internal entity realignment and streamlining.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, net income attributable to the Company was $34.4 million compared to $71.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, Adjusted EBITDA was $290.4 million, as compared to $301.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. This decrease primarily resulted from approximately $62.2 million of lower fuel contribution from retail same stores and comparable wholesale sites, as well as higher personnel costs at same stores, partially offset by incremental Adjusted EBITDA from the 2023 Acquisitions and the 2022 Acquisitions and an increase in same store merchandise contribution of $20.6 million. Refer to “Use of Non-GAAP Measures” below for discussion of this non-GAAP performance measure and related reconciliation to net income.
For the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021
For a discussion of the comparative results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, refer to Part II, Item 7 “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on February 28, 2023.
Segment Results
Retail Segment
The table below shows the results of the retail segment for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, together with certain key metrics for the segment.
For the Year Ended December 31,
Revenues:
(in thousands)
Fuel revenue
$
3,858,777
$
3,887,549
$
3,048,893
Merchandise revenue
1,838,001
1,647,642
1,616,404
Other revenues, net
74,406
67,280
63,271
Total revenues
5,771,184
5,602,471
4,728,568
Operating expenses:
Fuel costs
3,479,531
3,521,648
2,750,940
Merchandise costs
1,252,879
1,146,423
1,143,494
Store operating expenses
779,448
669,848
593,901
Total operating expenses
5,511,858
5,337,919
4,488,335
Operating income
$
259,326
$
264,552
$
240,233
Fuel gallons sold
1,122,321
1,006,469
1,038,561
Same store fuel gallons sold decrease (%) 1
(5.3
%)
(8.1
%)
(1.3
%)
Fuel margin, cents per gallon 2
38.8
41.4
33.7
Same store merchandise sales increase (decrease) (%) 1
0.4
%
(1.0
%)
1.6
%
Same store merchandise sales excluding cigarettes increase (%) 1
2.5
%
2.6
%
4.8
%
Merchandise contribution 3
$
585,122
$
501,219
$
472,910
Merchandise margin 4
31.8
%
30.4
%
29.3
%
1 Same 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 divided by fuel gallons sold; excludes the estimated fixed margin or fixed fee paid to GPMP for the cost of fuel.
3 Calculated as merchandise revenue less merchandise costs.
4 Calculated as merchandise contribution divided by merchandise revenue.
The table below shows financial information and certain key metrics of recent acquisitions in the retail segment that do not have (or have only partial) comparable information for the prior period.
For the Year Ended December 31, 2023
Pride 1
TEG 2
Uncle's (WTG) 3
Speedy's 4
Total
(in thousands)
Date of Acquisition:
Dec 6, 2022
Mar 1, 2023
Jun 6, 2023
Aug 15, 2023
Revenues:
Fuel revenue
$
279,396
$
324,361
$
48,827
$
7,550
$
660,134
Merchandise revenue
59,440
128,728
21,627
3,749
213,544
Other revenues, net
5,521
4,489
10,548
Total revenues
344,357
457,578
70,918
11,373
884,226
Operating expenses:
Fuel costs
249,183
298,332
40,828
6,722
595,065
Merchandise costs
39,221
88,147
14,036
2,532
143,936
Store operating expenses
40,554
60,151
10,983
1,945
113,633
Total operating expenses
328,958
446,630
65,847
11,199
852,634
Operating income
$
15,399
$
10,948
$
5,071
$
$
31,592
Fuel gallons sold
73,452
98,228
13,382
2,202
187,264
Merchandise contribution 5
20,219
40,581
7,591
1,217
69,608
Merchandise margin 6
34.0
%
31.5
%
35.1
%
32.5
%
1 Pride Acquisition.
2 Includes only the retail stores acquired in the TEG Acquisition.
3 Includes only the retail stores acquired in the WTG Acquisition.
4 Acquisition of seven Speedy’s retail stores.
5 Calculated as merchandise revenue less merchandise costs.
6 Calculated as merchandise contribution divided by merchandise revenue.
For the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022
Retail Revenues
For the year ended December 31, 2023, fuel revenue decreased by $28.8 million, or 0.7%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease in fuel revenue was attributable to a $0.42 per gallon decrease in the average retail price of fuel in 2023 as compared to 2022, primarily due to market factors, as well as a decrease in gallons sold at same stores of approximately 5.3%, or 52.1 million gallons. Offsetting these decreases, the 2023 Acquisitions and the Pride Acquisition contributed 182.0 million incremental gallons sold, or $639.0 million in fuel revenue. Underperforming retail stores, which we closed or converted to dealers during 2023 in order to optimize profitability, also negatively impacted gallons sold during 2023.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, merchandise revenue increased by $190.4 million, or 11.6%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The 2023 Acquisitions and the Pride Acquisition contributed approximately $209.5 million of incremental merchandise revenue. Same store merchandise sales increased $6.0 million, or 0.4%, for 2023 compared to 2022. Same store merchandise sales increased primarily due to higher revenue from the Company’s six core destination categories (packaged beverages, candy, salty snacks, packaged sweet snacks, alternative snacks and beer), other tobacco products and franchises as a result of marketing initiatives, including expanded category assortments, new franchise food offerings and investments in coolers and freezers, which was partially offset by lower revenue from cigarettes. In addition, there was a decrease in merchandise revenue from underperforming retail stores that we closed or converted to dealers.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, other revenues, net increased by $7.1 million, or 10.6%, from the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily related to additional income from the 2023 Acquisitions and the Pride Acquisition, partially offset by the loss of income from skill gaming machines in Virginia.
Retail Operating Income
For the year ended December 31, 2023, fuel contribution increased as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, while fuel margin per gallon decreased. Incremental fuel profit from the 2023 Acquisitions and the Pride Acquisition of approximately $70.7 million was partially offset by a decrease in same store fuel contribution of $46.1 million. Fuel margin per gallon at same stores for 2023 decreased to 38.6 cents per gallon from 41.3 cents per gallon for 2022 primarily due to historically high fuel margins in 2022 resulting from volatile market conditions for gasoline and diesel fuel, including the war in Ukraine, which significantly affected market conditions and resulted in substantially higher fuel margins, particularly during the first quarter of 2022. A decrease in fuel contribution related to underperforming retail stores that we closed or converted to dealers also partially offset the increase in fuel contribution compared to 2022.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, merchandise contribution increased $83.9 million, or 16.7%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, and merchandise margin increased to 31.8% in 2023 as compared to 30.4% in 2022. The increase was due to $68.6 million in incremental merchandise contribution from the 2023 Acquisitions and the Pride Acquisition and an increase in merchandise contribution at same stores of $20.6 million. Merchandise contribution at same stores increased in 2023 primarily due to higher contribution from the Company’s six core destination categories, franchises and cigarettes. Merchandise margin at same stores was 31.7% in 2023 compared to 30.6% in 2022.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, store operating expenses increased $109.6 million, or 16.4%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to $110.7 million of incremental expenses related to the 2023 Acquisitions and the Pride Acquisition and an increase in expenses at same stores, including approximately $11.1 million, or 4.1%, of higher personnel costs. The increase in store operating expenses was partially offset by lower credit card fees at same stores and underperforming retail stores that we closed or converted to dealers.
Wholesale Segment
The table below shows the results of the wholesale segment for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, together with certain key metrics for the segment.
For the Year Ended December 31,
Revenues:
(in thousands)
Fuel revenue
$
3,039,904
$
3,234,145
$
2,659,706
Other revenues, net
25,775
23,451
22,298
Total revenues
3,065,679
3,257,596
2,682,004
Operating expenses:
Fuel costs
2,995,398
3,181,189
2,620,102
Store operating expenses
39,703
42,543
39,904
Total operating expenses
3,035,101
3,223,732
2,660,006
Operating income
$
30,578
$
33,864
$
21,998
Fuel gallons sold - fuel supply locations
801,260
746,513
814,628
Fuel gallons sold - consignment agent locations
168,005
156,059
163,391
Fuel margin, cents per gallon 1 - fuel supply locations
6.0
6.8
5.8
Fuel margin, cents per gallon 1 - consignment agent locations
26.5
30.2
25.4
1 Calculated as fuel revenue less fuel costs, divided by fuel gallons sold; excludes 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 do not have (or have only partial) comparable information for the prior period.
For the Year Ended December 31, 2023
Quarles 1
TEG 2
WTG 3
Total
(in thousands)
Date of Acquisition:
Jul 22, 2022
Mar 1, 2023
Jun 6, 2023
Revenues:
Fuel revenue
$
74,960
$
335,477
$
6,594
$
417,031
Other revenues, net
1,103
2,229
3,347
Total revenues
76,063
337,706
6,609
420,378
Operating expenses:
Fuel costs
72,357
332,129
6,227
410,713
Store operating expenses
1,884
2,798
4,835
Total operating expenses
74,241
334,927
6,380
415,548
Operating income
$
1,822
$
2,779
$
$
4,830
Fuel gallons sold
22,825
109,156
1,869
133,850
1 Quarles Acquisition; includes only the wholesale business acquired in the Quarles Acquisition.
2 Includes only the wholesale business acquired in the TEG Acquisition.
3 Includes only the wholesale business acquired in the WTG Acquisition.
For the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022
Wholesale Revenues
For the year ended December 31, 2023, fuel revenue decreased by $194.2 million, or 6.0%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. Wholesale revenues were negatively impacted by a decrease in the average price of fuel in 2023 as compared to 2022, which was partially offset by a 7.4% increase in gallons sold. Of total gallons sold, the 2023 Acquisitions and the Quarles Acquisition contributed approximately 122.8 million incremental gallons, which were offset by lower volumes at comparable wholesale sites.
Wholesale Operating Income
For the year ended December 31, 2023, wholesale operating income decreased $3.3 million, caused by a decline in fuel contribution of approximately $5.3 million. At fuel supply locations, fuel contribution decreased by $2.7 million, and fuel margin per gallon decreased for 2023 as compared to 2022, primarily due to decreased prompt pay discounts related to lower fuel costs and lower
volumes at comparable wholesale sites, which was partially offset by the incremental contribution from the 2023 Acquisitions and the Quarles Acquisition. At consignment agent locations, fuel contribution decreased $2.6 million and fuel margin per gallon also decreased for 2023 as compared to 2022, primarily due to lower rack-to-retail margins and decreased prompt pay discounts related to lower fuel costs, which was partially offset by the incremental contribution from the 2023 Acquisitions and the Quarles Acquisition. In total, the 2023 Acquisitions and the Quarles Acquisition added approximately $11.0 million of incremental total fuel contribution.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, store operating expenses decreased $2.8 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2022.
Fleet Fueling Segment
The table below shows the results of the fleet fueling segment for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, together with certain key metrics for the segment. We added the fleet fueling segment only upon consummation of the Quarles Acquisition on July 22, 2022; therefore, the year ended December 31, 2022 does not reflect the operations of this segment for the entirety of 2022, which affects year-over-year comparability, and there are no comparable period results for the year ended December 31, 2021.
For the Year Ended December 31,
Revenues:
(in thousands)
Fuel revenue
$
530,937
$
270,670
Other revenues, net
7,818
2,178
Total revenues
538,755
272,848
Operating expenses:
Fuel costs
481,885
245,733
Store operating expenses
22,298
8,733
Total operating expenses
504,183
254,466
Operating income
$
34,572
$
18,382
Fuel gallons sold - proprietary cardlock locations
130,995
57,104
Fuel gallons sold - third-party cardlock locations
9,832
2,882
Fuel margin, cents per gallon1 - proprietary cardlock locations
41.7
48.4
Fuel margin, cents per gallon1 - third-party cardlock locations
12.4
6.5
1 Calculated as fuel revenue less fuel costs divided by fuel gallons sold; excludes 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 do not have (or have only partial) comparable information for the prior period.
For the Year Ended December 31, 2023
Quarles 1
WTG 2
Total
(in thousands)
Date of Acquisition:
Jul 22, 2022
Jun 6, 2023
Revenues:
Fuel revenue
$
491,642
$
39,295
$
530,937
Other revenues, net
4,841
2,977
7,818
Total revenues
496,483
42,272
538,755
Operating expenses:
Fuel costs
447,010
34,875
481,885
Store operating expenses
20,003
2,295
22,298
Total operating expenses
467,013
37,170
504,183
Operating income
$
29,470
$
5,102
$
34,572
Fuel gallons sold
130,382
10,445
140,827
1 Includes only the fleet fueling business acquired in the Quarles Acquisition.
2 Includes only the fleet fueling business acquired in the WTG Acquisition.
For the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022
Fleet Fueling Revenues
For the year ended December 31, 2023, fuel revenue increased by $260.3 million, or 96.2%, and other revenues, net increased by $5.6 million, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, with both increases primarily reflecting a full year of operations from the Quarles Acquisition, as compared to a partial year of operations in the prior year, and the WTG Acquisition.
Fleet Fueling Operating Income
For the year ended December 31, 2023, fuel contribution increased by $28.1 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, reflecting a full year of operations from the Quarles Acquisition, as compared to a partial year of operations in the prior year, and the WTG Acquisition. At proprietary cardlocks, fuel contribution increased by $27.1 million, while fuel margin per gallon decreased for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, which period was impacted by historically high rack-to-retail margins and fuel price volatility.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, store operating expenses increased $13.6 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 due to incremental expenses from the Quarles Acquisition and the addition of the WTG Acquisition.
GPMP Segment
The table below shows the results of the GPMP segment for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, together with certain key metrics for the segment.
For the Year Ended December 31,
Revenues:
(in thousands)
Fuel revenue - inter-segment
$
5,149,228
$
5,674,516
$
4,384,227
Fuel revenue - external customers
3,681
5,160
5,734
Other revenues, net
1,024
1,092
Other revenues, net - inter-segment
10,918
3,651
-
Total revenues
5,164,766
5,684,351
4,391,053
Operating expenses:
Fuel costs
5,052,391
5,585,050
4,289,092
General and administrative expenses
3,162
2,897
2,970
Depreciation and amortization
7,365
7,369
7,372
Total operating expenses
5,062,918
5,595,316
4,299,434
Other (income), net
(598
)
-
-
Operating income
$
102,446
$
89,035
$
91,619
Fuel gallons sold - inter-segment
2,017,522
1,890,946
2,015,907
Fuel gallons sold - external customers
1,364
1,592
2,626
Fuel margin, cents per gallon 1
5.0
5.0
5.0
1 Calculated as fuel revenue less fuel costs divided by fuel gallons sold.
For the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022
GPMP Revenues
For the year ended December 31, 2023, fuel revenue decreased by $526.8 million, or 9.3%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease in fuel revenue was attributable to a decrease in the average price of fuel, which was partially offset by an increase in gallons sold as compared to the prior year.
For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, other revenues, net were similar and primarily related to rental income from certain sites leased to dealers. Inter-segment other revenues, net primarily related to the fixed fee primarily charged to sites in the fleet fueling segment (currently 5.0 cents per gallon sold), which began in July 2022.
GPMP Operating Income
Fuel margin increased by $5.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to greater gallons sold to the retail and wholesale segments at a fixed margin.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, total general, administrative, depreciation and amortization expenses increased slightly from those in the year ended December 31, 2022.
Use of Non-GAAP Measures
We disclose 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. We believe that this information provides greater comparability regarding our 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”).
We define 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, other non-cash items, and other unusual or non-recurring charges. Both EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures.
We use EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for operational and financial decision-making and believe these measures are useful in evaluating our performance because they eliminate certain items that we do not consider indicators of our operating performance. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are also used by many of our investors, securities analysts, and other interested parties in evaluating our operational and financial performance across reporting periods. We believe that the presentation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors by allowing an understanding of key measures that we use internally for operational decision-making, budgeting, evaluating acquisition targets, and assessing our operating performance.
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 our results as reported under GAAP. We strongly encourage investors to review our 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, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, as defined by us, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. It therefore may not be possible to compare our use of these non-GAAP financial measures with those used by other companies.
The following table contains a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
For the Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)
Net income
$
34,566
$
71,978
$
59,427
Interest and other financing expenses, net
71,243
59,405
71,207
Income tax expense
12,166
35,557
11,634
Depreciation and amortization
127,597
101,752
97,194
EBITDA
245,572
268,692
239,462
Non-cash rent expense (a)
14,168
7,903
6,359
Acquisition costs (b)
9,079
8,162
5,366
Loss on disposal of assets and impairment charges (c)
6,203
5,731
1,384
Share-based compensation expense (d)
15,015
12,161
5,804
Loss (income) from equity investment (e)
(186
)
Adjustment to contingent consideration (f)
(604
)
(2,204
)
(1,740
)
Internal entity realignment and streamlining (g)
-
-
Other (h)
Adjusted EBITDA
$
290,428
$
301,054
$
256,575
(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, which has been impacted by our recent acquisitions. 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.
(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 our Board.
(e)Eliminates our share of loss (income) attributable to our unconsolidated equity investment.
(f)Eliminates fair value adjustments to the contingent consideration owed to the seller for the 2020 Empire acquisition.
(g)Eliminates non-recurring charges related to our internal entity realignment and streamlining.
(h)Eliminates other unusual or non-recurring items that we do not consider to be meaningful in assessing operating performance.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary sources of liquidity are cash flows from operations, availability under our credit facilities and our cash balances. Our principal liquidity requirements are the financing of current operations, funding capital expenditures (including acquisitions), and servicing debt. We finance our inventory purchases primarily from customary trade credit aided by relatively rapid inventory turnover, as well as cash generated from operations. Rapid inventory turnover allows us to conduct operations without the need for large amounts of cash and working capital. We largely rely on internally generated cash flows and borrowings for operations, which we believe are sufficient to meet our liquidity needs for the foreseeable future.
Our ability to meet our debt service obligations and other capital requirements, including capital expenditures, as well as the cost of acquisitions, will depend on our future operating performance which, in turn, will be subject to general economic, financial, business, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other conditions, many of which are beyond our control. As a normal part of our business, we will from time to time consider opportunities to repay, redeem, repurchase or refinance our indebtedness, depending on market conditions. Changes in our operating plans, lower than anticipated sales, increased expenses, acquisitions, or other events may cause us to seek additional debt or equity financing. Additional debt financing could impose increased cash payment obligations, as well as covenants that may restrict our operations. There can be no guarantee that financing will be available on acceptable terms or at all. As of December 31, 2023, approximately 46% of our debt bore interest at variable rates, an increase from approximately 38% from the prior year, which has increased our interest rate risk and may require that we use more of our cash flow for the payment of interest if prevailing interest rates continue to increase or we incur additional indebtedness under our variable rate facilities or otherwise. See also “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk-Interest Rate Risk.”
As of December 31, 2023, we were in a strong liquidity position of approximately $831 million, consisting of approximately $218 million of cash and cash equivalents and approximately $613 million of availability under our lines of credit available for certain purposes. This liquidity position currently provides us with adequate funding to satisfy our contractual and other obligations from our existing cash balances. As of December 31, 2023, we had no outstanding borrowings under our $140.0 million PNC Line of Credit (as defined below), $19.5 million of unused availability under the M&T equipment line of credit, described below, and $461.2 million of unused availability under our $800 million Capital One Line of Credit (as defined below), which we may elect to increase up to $1.0 billion, subject to obtaining additional financing commitments from current lenders or other banks, and subject to certain other terms.
The Board declared, and the Company paid, dividends of $0.03 per share of common stock on each of March 21, 2023, June 1, 2023, September 1, 2023 and December 1, 2023, totaling approximately $14.3 million. Additionally, the Board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.03 per share of common stock, to be paid on March 21, 2024 to stockholders of record as of March 11, 2024. The amount and timing of dividends payable on our common stock are within the sole discretion of our Board, which will evaluate dividend payments within the context of our overall capital allocation strategy on an ongoing basis, giving consideration to our current and forecast earnings, financial condition, cash requirements and other factors. There can be no assurance that we will continue to pay such dividends or the amounts of such dividends.
In May 2023, we announced that our Board authorized an increase to our share repurchase program from $50 million to up to an aggregate of $100.0 million of our outstanding shares of common stock. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we repurchased approximately 4.2 million shares of common stock under the repurchase program for approximately $32.0 million, or an average share price of $7.54. The share repurchase program does not have a stated expiration date. Whether and the extent to which we repurchase shares depends on a number of factors, including our financial condition, capital requirements, cash flows, results of operations, future business prospects and other factors management may deem relevant. The timing, volume, and nature of repurchases are subject to market conditions, applicable securities laws, and other factors, and the program may be amended, suspended or discontinued at any time. Repurchases may be effected from time to time through open market purchases, including
pursuant to a pre-set trading plan meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c) of the Exchange Act, privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to accelerated share repurchase agreements entered into with one or more counterparties, or otherwise.
To date, we have funded capital expenditures primarily through funds generated from operations, funds received from vendors, sale-leaseback transactions, the issuance of debt and existing cash. Future capital required to finance operations, acquisitions, and raze-and-rebuild, functionally remodel and fully remodel and update stores is expected to come from cash on hand, cash generated by operations, availability under lines of credit and additional long-term debt and equipment leases, as circumstances may dictate. In both the short-term and long-term, we currently expect that our capital spending program will be primarily focused on expanding our store base through acquisitions, razing-and-rebuilding, remodeling and updating stores, and maintaining our owned properties and equipment, including upgrading all fuel dispensers to be EMV-compliant. We expect to spend a total of approximately $12 million in 2024 to upgrade a portion of our remaining fuel dispensers to be EMV-compliant. We do not expect such capital needs to adversely affect liquidity.
Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, investing activities and financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:
For the Year Ended December 31,
Net cash provided by (used in):
(in thousands)
Operating activities
$
136,094
$
209,256
$
159,191
Investing activities
(296,822
)
(175,488
)
(171,777
)
Financing activities
85,357
10,555
(26,384
)
Effect of exchange rates
(97
)
(1,464
)
Total
$
(75,348
)
$
44,226
$
(40,434
)
For a discussion of the comparison of our cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, refer to Part II, Item 7“Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on February 28, 2023, under the subheading “Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020.”
Operating Activities
Cash flows provided by operations are our main source of liquidity. We have historically relied primarily on cash provided by operating activities, supplemented as necessary from time to time by borrowings on our credit facilities and other debt or equity transactions to finance our operations and to fund our capital expenditures. Cash flow provided by operating activities is primarily impacted by our net income and changes in working capital.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, cash flows provided by operating activities were $136.1 million compared to $209.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily the result of approximately $18.8 million of higher net interest payments, approximately $22.2 million of higher net tax payments, a decrease in Adjusted EBITDA of $10.6 million and changes in working capital.
Investing Activities
Cash flows used in investing activities primarily reflect capital expenditures for acquisitions and replacing and maintaining existing facilities and equipment used in the business.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, cash used in investing activities increased by $121.3 million to $296.8 million from $175.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. For the year ended December 31, 2023, we utilized $111.2 million for capital expenditures, including the purchase of certain fee properties, upgrades to fuel dispensers and other investments in our stores. We paid $111.5 million in net consideration for our recent acquisitions, reflecting $494.9 million in aggregate purchase consideration, offset by $383.4 million paid by an affiliate of Oak Street Real Estate Capital Net Lease Property Fund, LP (including its affiliates, “Oak Street”) under the Company’s standby real estate purchase, designation and lease program agreement with Oak Street, dated as of May 3, 2021, as amended.
Financing Activities
Cash flows from financing activities primarily consist of increases and decreases in the principal amount of our lines of credit and debt, distributions to non-controlling interests and issuance of common and preferred stock, net of dividends paid and common stock repurchases.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, financing activities consisted primarily of net proceeds of $77.5 million from long-term debt and $80.4 million of consideration paid by Oak Street related to the 2023 Acquisitions, which transactions were accounted for as sale-leasebacks (see Note 4 to Consolidated Financial Statements), offset by payment of approximately $9.8 million in cash to Ares in full satisfaction of the Company’s obligations related to the Ares Put Option, repayments of $5.5 million for financing leases, $3.5 million for additional consideration payments related to the 2020 acquisition of the business of Empire Petroleum Partners, LLC, $14.3 million for dividend payments on common stock, $5.8 million for dividend payments on the Series A redeemable preferred stock and $33.7 million for common stock repurchases.
Contractual Obligations and Indebtedness
Contractual Obligations
The table below presents our significant contractual obligations as of December 31, 2023:
Obligations due by Period
Contractual Obligations (1)
Total
Less than
1 year
1-3 years
3-5 years
More than
5 years
(in thousands)
Debt obligations (2)
$
1,129,395
$
72,698
$
147,498
$
435,774
$
473,425
Additional and contingent consideration related to
the 2020 Empire acquisition (non-discounted)
9,864
5,779
4,085
-
-
Deferred payments (non-discounted) (3)
51,214
25,534
25,680
-
-
Other financial obligations (4)
323,886
16,836
33,942
34,232
238,876
Operating lease obligations
2,489,942
176,101
353,719
342,835
1,617,287
Financing lease obligations
514,658
26,032
47,669
41,776
399,181
$
4,518,959
$
322,980
$
612,593
$
854,617
$
2,728,769
Purchase commitments (in gallons) (5)
1,710,938
323,453
421,167
373,024
593,294
(1)Excludes asset retirement obligations due to the uncertain nature of the timing of these liabilities.
(2)Includes principal and interest payments. Assumes an interest rate of 8.2% on the $338.3 million of the Capital One Line of Credit utilized as of December 31, 2023 and a zero balance on the PNC Line of Credit.
(3)Deferred payments related to the TEG Acquisition and the Speedy’s Acquisition.
(4)Includes financial liabilities related to the 2023 Acquisitions of TEG and WTG, the 2022 Acquisitions of Quarles and Pride and the 2021 acquisition of ExpressStop stores, assuming lease purchase option is not exercised.
(5)Our fuel vendor agreements with suppliers require minimum volume purchase commitments of branded and unbranded gasoline and distillates annually. The future minimum volume purchase requirements under the existing supply agreements are based on gallons, with a purchase price at prevailing market rates for wholesale distribution.
Credit Facilities and Senior Notes
Senior Notes
As of December 31, 2023, the Company had outstanding $450 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.125% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “Senior Notes”). Issued in October 2021, the Senior Notes are guaranteed, on an unsecured senior basis, by certain of the Company’s wholly owned domestic subsidiaries (the “Guarantors”). The indenture governing the Senior Notes contains customary restrictive covenants that, among other things, generally limit the ability of the Company and substantially all of its subsidiaries to (i) create liens, (ii) pay dividends, acquire shares of capital stock and make payments on subordinated debt, (iii) place limitations on distributions from certain subsidiaries, (iv) issue or sell the capital stock of certain subsidiaries, (v) sell assets, (vi) enter into transactions with affiliates, (vii) effect mergers and (viii) incur indebtedness. The Senior Notes and the guarantees rank equally in right of payment with all of the Company’s and the Guarantors’ respective existing and future senior unsubordinated indebtedness and are effectively subordinated to all of the Company’s and the Guarantors’ existing and future secured indebtedness to the extent of the
value of the collateral securing such indebtedness; and are structurally subordinated to any existing and future obligations of subsidiaries of the Company that are not Guarantors.
Financing Agreement with PNC
GPM and certain subsidiaries have a financing arrangement (as amended, the “PNC Credit Agreement”) with PNC Bank National Association (“PNC”) to provide a line of credit with an aggregate principal amount of up to $140 million for purposes of financing working capital (the “PNC Line of Credit”).
The PNC Line of Credit bears interest, as elected by GPM at: (a) SOFR Adjusted plus Term SOFR (as defined in the PNC Credit Agreement) plus a margin of 1.25% to 1.75% or (b) a rate per annum equal to the alternate base rate (as defined in the PNC Credit Agreement) plus a margin of 0% to 0.50%. Every quarter, the SOFR margin rate and the alternate base rate margin rate are updated based on the quarterly average undrawn availability of the line of credit. The calculation of the availability under the PNC Line of Credit is determined monthly subject to terms and limitations as set forth in the PNC Credit Agreement, taking into account the balances of receivables, inventory and letters of credit, among other things. As of December 31, 2023, $7.3 million of letters of credit were outstanding under the PNC Credit Agreement.
Financing Agreements with M&T Bank
GPM has a financing arrangement with M&T Bank that provides a line of credit for up to $45.0 million to purchase equipment on or before September 2026, which may be borrowed in tranches, as well as an aggregate principal amount of $44.4 million of real estate loans (the “M&T Term Loans”). As of December 31, 2023, approximately $19.5 million remained available under the equipment line of credit. An additional M&T Term Loan for the purchase of real estate for $5.1 million closed in January 2024.
Each additional equipment loan tranche under such financing agreement will have a term of up to five years from the date it is advanced, payable in equal monthly payments of principal plus interest of SOFR (as defined in the agreement) plus 2.75%. The M&T Term Loans bear interest at SOFR Adjusted (as defined in the agreement) plus 2.75% to 3.00% (depending on the loan), mature in June 2026 or November 2028 (depending on the loan) and are payable in monthly installments based on a fifteen-year amortization schedule, with the balance of each loan payable at maturity.
Financing Agreement with a Syndicate of Banks Led by Capital One, National Association (“Capital One”)
GPMP has a revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks led by Capital One, National Association, in an aggregate principal amount of up to $800 million (the “Capital One Line of Credit”). At GPMP’s request, the Capital One Line of Credit can be increased up to $1.0 billion, subject to obtaining additional financing commitments from current lenders or from other banks, and subject to certain terms as detailed in the Capital One Line of Credit. The Capital One Line of Credit is available for general GPMP purposes, including working capital, capital expenditures and permitted acquisitions. The Capital One Line of Credit matures on May 5, 2028. As of December 31, 2023, approximately $338.3 million was drawn on the Capital One Line of Credit, $0.5 million of letters of credit were outstanding under the Capital One Line of Credit and approximately $461.2 million was available thereunder.
The Capital One Line of Credit bears interest, as elected by GPMP at: (a) Adjusted Term SOFR (as defined in the agreement) plus a margin of 2.25% to 3.25% or (b) a rate per annum equal to the alternate base rate (as defined in the agreement) plus a margin of 1.25% to 2.25%. The margin is determined according to a formula in the Capital One Line of Credit that depends on GPMP’s leverage.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with GAAP and the Company’s discussion and analysis of its financial condition and operating results require the Company’s management to make judgments, assumptions and estimates that affect the amounts reported. Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” of the Consolidated Financial Statements describes the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. We believe the following critical accounting estimates affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
Application of ASC 842, Leases (“ASC 842”)
The lease liabilities and right-of-use assets are significantly impacted by the following:
•Our determination of whether it is reasonably certain that an extension option will be exercised.
•Our determination of whether it is reasonably certain a purchase option will be exercised.
•Some of the lease agreements include an increase in the consumer price index coupled with a multiplier and a percentage increase cap effectively assures the cap will be reached each year. We determine, based on past experience and consumer price index increase expectations, if these types of variable payments are in-substance fixed payments, in which case such payments are included in the lease payments and measurement of the lease liabilities.
•The discount rates used in the calculations of the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are based on our incremental borrowing rates and are primarily affected by economic environment, differences in the duration of each lease and the nature of the leased asset.
Environmental provision and reimbursement assets
We estimate the anticipated environmental costs with respect to contamination arising from the operation of gasoline marketing operations and the use of aboveground and underground storage tanks as well as the costs of other exposures and recognize a liability when these losses are anticipated and can be reasonably estimated. Reimbursement for these expenses from various state underground storage tank trust funds or from insurance companies is recognized as an asset and included in other current assets or non-current assets, as appropriate. The scope of the reimbursement asset and liability is estimated by a third-party at least twice a year and adjustments are made according to past experience, changing conditions and changes in governmental policies.
Liability for dismantling and removing aboveground and underground storage tanks and restoring the site on which the storage tanks are located
The liability is based on our estimates with respect to the external costs which will be necessary to remove the aboveground and underground storage tanks in the future, regulatory requirements, discount rate and an estimate of the length of the useful life of the storage tanks.
Property and equipment and amortizable intangible assets
We evaluate property and equipment and amortizable intangible assets for impairment when facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying values of such assets may not be recoverable. When evaluating for impairment, we first compare the carrying value of the asset to the asset’s estimated future undiscounted cash flows. If the estimated undiscounted future cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset, we determine if we have an impairment loss by comparing the carrying value of the asset to the asset's estimated fair value and recognize an impairment charge when the asset’s carrying value exceeds its estimated fair value. The adjusted carrying amount of the asset becomes its new cost basis and is depreciated over the asset’s remaining useful life.
Impairment of goodwill
We evaluate the need for impairment with regard to goodwill once a year or with greater frequency if there are indicators of impairment exist. Goodwill is tested for impairment by first comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. The fair value of a reporting unit is determined according to assumptions and computations we set.
We perform an annual assessment to evaluate whether an impairment of goodwill exists. We performed the evaluation with the assistance of independent assessor which, for purposes of determining the fair value of the retail and GPMP reporting units to which the goodwill was attributed, utilized the income approach, namely, the present value of the future cash flows forecasted to be derived from the reporting units, as well as the market approach.
For the 2023 annual impairment test, the data used for the income approach was directly linked to our internal projections for 2024 through 2028. The long-term growth rate used in the terminal year was (0.2)% for the GPMP reporting unit, and was 2.6% for the retail reporting unit, in accordance with the relevant weighted average long-term nominal growth rate. The cash flows used assumed an unlevered, debt-free basis with no deduction for interest of debt principal to present the cash flows available for debt and equity holders. The discount rate for each reporting unit was determined based on the risk profile of each of the reporting units, and was derived from its weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”) as assessed by management with the assistance of an independent assessor. The WACC took into account both debt and equity. The discount rate applied to the cash flow projections for the GPMP and the retail reporting units was approximately 9.0% and 11.0%, respectively.
The impairment review was sensitive to changes in the key assumptions used. Our key assumptions included revenue and profit growth, capital expenditures, external industry data and past experiences. The major assumptions that could result in significant sensitivities were the discount rate, the long-term growth rate and capital expenditures. Sensitivity analyses were performed by applying various reasonable scenarios whereby the long-term growth rate and discount rate were adjusted within a reasonable range. None of the sensitivity scenarios indicated a potential impairment in any of the reporting units.
Deferred tax assets
We account for income taxes and the related accounts in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”). Deferred tax liabilities and assets are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted rates expected to be in effect during the year in which the differences reverse. Deferred tax assets are recognized for future tax benefits and credit carryforwards to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilized. We periodically assess the likelihood that we will be able to recover our deferred tax assets and reflect any changes in estimates in the valuation allowance. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
We are required to make judgments, estimates and assumptions to establish the amount of deferred tax assets to be recognized based on timing differences, the expected taxable income and its sources and the tax planning strategy.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Commodity Price Risk
We have limited exposure to commodity price risk as a result of the payment and volume-related discounts in certain of our fuel supply contracts with our fuel suppliers, which are based on the market price of motor fuel. Significant increases in fuel prices could result in significant increases in the retail price of fuel and in lower sales to consumers and dealers. When fuel prices rise, some of our dealers may have insufficient credit to purchase fuel from us at their historical volumes. In addition, significant and persistent increases in the retail price of fuel could also diminish consumer demand, which could subsequently diminish the volume of fuel we distribute. A significant percentage of our sales are made with the use of credit cards. Because the interchange fees we pay when credit cards are used to make purchases are based on transaction amounts, higher fuel prices at the pump and higher gallon movements result in higher credit card expenses. These additional fees increase operating expenses. In connection with the Quarles Acquisition, we began to use derivative commodity instruments to manage risks associated with an immaterial number of gallons designed to offset changes in the price of fuel that are directly tied to firm commitments to purchase diesel fuel.
Interest Rate Risk
We may be subject to market risk from exposure to changes in interest rates based on our financing, investing, and cash management activities. The Senior Notes bear a fixed rate of interest; therefore, an increase or decrease in prevailing interest rates has no impact on our debt service for the Senior Notes. As of December 31, 2023, the interest rate on our Capital One Line of Credit was 8.2%, the interest rate on our M&T Term Loans was 8.4% and the interest rate on the variable portion of our M&T equipment loan was 8.1% (approximately $16.4 million of the total loan). As of December 31, 2022, the interest rate on our Capital One Line of Credit was 6.6% and the interest rate on our M&T Term Loans was 7.3% (the entire M&T equipment loan had a fixed rate). As of December 31, 2023, approximately 46% of our debt bore interest at variable rates. Based on our outstanding balances at December 31, 2023, if our applicable interest rates increase by 1%, then our debt service on an annual basis would increase by approximately $3.9 million. Interest rates on commercial bank borrowings and debt offerings could be higher than current levels, causing our financing costs to increase accordingly. Although this could limit our ability to raise funds in the debt capital markets, we expect to remain competitive with respect to acquisitions and capital projects, as our competitors would likely face similar circumstances. For additional information regarding our interest rate risk, see “Risk Factors-Risks Related to Our Business and Industry-Our variable rate debt could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.”

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Page
Report of Independent Registered Certified Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID Number 248)
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), that are designed to ensure that information that is required to be disclosed in Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision, and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2023. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2023 and designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined effective could provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
Management under the supervision of, and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 based on the framework and criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. This evaluation included review of the documentation of controls, evaluation of the design effectiveness of controls, testing of the operating effectiveness of controls and a conclusion on this evaluation.
Based on the foregoing evaluation, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2023 based on the specified criteria.
Our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 has been audited by Grant Thornton LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which appears in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
From time to time, certain of our executive officers and directors have, and we expect they will in the future, enter into, amend or terminate written trading arrangements pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities and Exchange Act or otherwise.
For the quarter ended December 31, 2023, none of our officers or directors adopted or terminated any contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of our securities that was intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) under the Exchange Act and/or any “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K.

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ITEM 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information about directors required for this item is incorporated by reference from our Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
We have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics, called the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, that applies to all of our directors, officers, including our principal executive, financial and accounting officers, and employees. The full text of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available in the Governance section of our website at www.arkocorp.com under the tab “Governance” and is available in print to any stockholder who requests it. We intend to provide amendments or waivers to our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for any of our directors and principal officers on our website within four business days after such amendment or waiver. The reference to our website address does not constitute incorporation by reference of any of the information contained on the website, and such information is not a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required for this item is incorporated by reference from our Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS
The information required for this item is incorporated by reference from our Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required for this item is incorporated by reference from our Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
The information required for this item is incorporated by reference from our Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
PART IV.

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
(a) (1) Financial Statements: See Part II, Item 8 of this report.
(2) Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant. Additionally, the financial statement schedule entitled “Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts” has been omitted since the information required is included in the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. Other schedules are omitted because they are not required.
(3) Exhibits: See below.
Exhibit No.
Description (1)
2.1*
Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 9, 2022, by and among GPM Investments, LLC, Transit Energy Group, LLC and the other parties thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on September 12, 2022).
2.2*
Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of October 19, 2022, by and between GPM Investments, LLC and Pride Parent, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on October 24, 2022).
2.3*
First Amendment to Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated December 5, 2022, by and between GPM Investments, LLC and Pride Parent LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.6 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on February 28, 2023).
3.1
Composite Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of ARKO Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed on August 7, 2023).
3.2
Bylaws of ARKO Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on December 31, 2020).
4.1
Warrant Assignment, Assumption and Amendment Agreement, dated as of December 22, 2020, by and among Haymaker, ARKO Corp. and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on December 31, 2020).
4.2
Registration Rights and Lock-up Agreement, dated as of December 22, 2020, by and among ARKO Corp. and each of the persons or entities listed on Schedule A thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on December 31, 2020).
4.3
Form of ARKO Corp. Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the proxy statement/prospectus on Form S-4/A, filed with the SEC on November 6, 2020).
4.4
Description of Registrant’s Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on March 25, 2021).
4.5
Warrant Agreement, dated June 6, 2019, by and between the Haymaker Acquisition Corp. II and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent, (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on June 12, 2019, by Haymaker Acquisition Corp. II (File No. 001-38931)).
4.6
Indenture, dated October 21, 2021, by and among ARKO Corp., the Guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on October 26, 2021).
4.7
Form of 5.125% Senior Note due 2029 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on October 26, 2021).
4.8+
First Supplemental Indenture, dated July 28, 2022, by and among GPM Transportation Company, LLC, the New Guarantor party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee.
4.9+
Second Supplemental Indenture, dated December 30, 2022, by and among Pride Convenience Holdings, LLC, Pride Operating, LLC, Pride Logistics, LLC and Pride Management, LLC, the New Guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee.
10.1
Form of Indemnification for Directors and Officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on December 31, 2020).
10.2**
ARKO Corp. 2020 Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on December 31, 2020).
10.3**
Employment Agreement, dated as of September 8, 2020, by and between ARKO Corp. and Arie Kotler (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the proxy statement/prospectus on Form S-4/A, filed with the SEC on November 6, 2020).
10.4
Letter Agreement dated June 15, 2018, by and between Grocery Supply Company and GPM Southeast, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.45 to the proxy statement/prospectus on Form S-4/A, filed with the SEC on November 6, 2020).
10.5
Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of GPM Petroleum LP, dated December 3, 2019 by and among GPM Petroleum GP, LLC and the limited partners party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.55 to the proxy statement/prospectus on Form S-4/A, filed with the SEC on November 6, 2020).
10.6**
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the Company’s 2020 Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on March 8, 2021 (filed at 4:58 p.m. EST)).
10.7**
Form of Director Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the Company’s 2020 Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on March 8, 2021 (filed at 4:58 p.m. EST)).
10.8**
Form of Performance-Based RSU Award Agreement under the Company’s 2020 Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on March 8, 2021 (filed at 4:58 p.m. EST)).
10.9**
Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement with Arie Kotler under the Company’s 2020 Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on March 8, 2021 (filed at 4:58 p.m. EST)).
10.10**
Employment Agreement, dated as of January 3, 2020, by and between GPM INVESTMENTS, LLC and Maury Bricks. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.53 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on March 25, 2021).
10.11
Fourth Amendment to Third Amended, Restated and Consolidated Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated April 30, 2021, by and among GPM Investments, LLC and certain of its subsidiaries as other borrowers and guarantors thereto, the lenders party thereto and PNC Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on May 6, 2021 (filed at 4:36 p.m. EDT)).
10.12*
Standby Real Estate Purchase, Designation and Lease Program, dated as of May 3, 2021, by and between GPM Investments, LLC and Oak Street Real Estate Capital Net Lease Property Fund, LP. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on May 6, 2021 (filed at 4:30 p.m. EDT))
10.13
First Amendment to Standby Real Estate Purchase, Designation and Lease Program, dated as of April 7, 2022, by and between GPM Investments, LLC and GPM Portfolio Owner LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on April 13, 2022).
10.14
Second Amended and Restated Master Covenant Agreement, dated June 24, 2021, by and between GPM Investments, LLC and M&T Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on June 24, 2021).
10.15
Fifth Amendment to Third Amended, Restated and Consolidated Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated October 14, 2021, by and among GPM Investments, LLC and certain of its subsidiaries as other borrowers and guarantors thereto, the lenders party thereto and PNC Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on October 18, 2021).
10.16*
Sixth Amendment and Joinder to Third Amended, Restated and Consolidated Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated July 22, 2022, by and among GPM Investments, LLC and certain of its subsidiaries as other borrowers and guarantors thereto, the lenders party thereto and PNC Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 8, 2022).
10.17**
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2020, by and between GPM INVESTMENTS, LLC and Eyal Nuchamovitz (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on February 25, 2022).
10.18
Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Master Covenant Agreement, dated October 14, 2021, by and between GPM Investments, LLC and M&T Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on October 18, 2021).
10.19
Second Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Master Covenant Agreement, dated October 3, 2022, by and between GPM Investments, LLC and M&T Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 7, 2022).
10.20
Seventh Amendment and Joinder to Third Amended, Restated and Consolidated Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated December 6, 2022, by and among GPM Investments, LLC and certain of its subsidiaries as other borrowers and guarantors thereto, the lenders party thereto and PNC Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on February 28, 2023).
10.21
Eighth Amendment to Third Amended, Restated and Consolidated Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated December 20, 2022, by and among GPM Investments, LLC and certain of its subsidiaries as other borrowers and guarantors thereto, the lenders party thereto and PNC Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 22, 2022).
10.22
Third Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Master Covenant Agreement, dated April 5, 2023, by and between GPM Investments, LLC and M&T Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed on May 5, 2023) .
10.23
Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 1, 2023, by and between ARKO Corp. and Transit Energy Group, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on March 1, 2023)
10.24
Second Amendment as of March 28, 2023 to Standby Real Estate Purchase, Designation and Lease Program by and between GPM Investments, LLC and GPM Portfolio Owner LLC and Oak Street Real Estate Capital Fund VI OP, LP. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on March 29, 2023)
10.25
Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated May 5, 2023, by and among GPM Petroleum LP, the guarantors party thereto, Capital One, National Association, and the lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on May 8, 2023).
10.26
Third Amendment dated as of May 2, 2023 to Standby Real Estate Purchase, Designation and Lease Program by and between GPM Investments, LLC and GPM Portfolio Owner LLC and Oak Street Real Estate Capital Fund VI OP, LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on May 8, 2023).
10.27+
Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated November 21, 2023, by and among GPM Investments, LLC, and the other borrowers party thereto and M&T Bank
10.28**
Employment Agreement, dated as of December 19, 2023, by and between ARKO Corp. and GPM Investments, LLC and Robb Giammatteo (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on December 21, 2023).
10.29*+
Fourth Amendment dated as of July 11, 2023 to Standby Real Estate Purchase, Designation and Lease Program by and between GPM Investments, LLC and GPM Portfolio Owner LLC and Oak Street Real Estate Capital Fund VI OP, LP.
10.30*+
Fifth Amendment dated as of January 19, 2024 to Standby Real Estate Purchase, Designation and Lease Program by and between GPM Investments, LLC and GPM Portfolio Owner LLC and Oak Street Real Estate Capital Fund VI OP, LP.
21.1+
List of Subsidiaries
23.1+
Consent of Grant Thornton LLP
31.1+
Certification of Principal Executive Officer of ARKO Corp. pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2+
Certification of Principal Financial Officer of ARKO Corp. pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley act of 2002
32.1++
Certification of Principal Executive Officer of ARKO Corp. pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2++
Certification of Principal Financial Officer of ARKO Corp. pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley act of 2002
97.1+
ARKO Corp. Clawback Policy
101.INS
Inline XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document With Embedded Linkbase Documents
Inline XBRL for the cover page of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, included in the Exhibit 101 Inline XBRL Document Set.
(1) 	SEC file number for all Securities Exchange Act reports referenced in the exhibit list is 001-39828.
*	Pursuant to Item 601(b)(10)(iv) of Regulation S-K, portions of this exhibit have been omitted because the Company 		customarily and actually treats the omitted portions as private or confidential, and such portions are not material and would likely cause competitive harm to the Company if publicly disclosed. The Company will supplementally provide a copy of an unredacted copy of this exhibit to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
** 	Indicates management contract or compensatory plan arrangement.
+ 	Filed herewith.
++	Furnished herewith.