Comfort Inn 2004 Annual Report Download - page 39

CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
revolving credit facility of $110 million. On September 29, 2001, the Company signed an amendment to the Old
Credit Facility, for an additional $5 million under the revolving credit facility, bringing the total amount of
available commitments to $265 million. The amendment also transferred $35 million from the term loan to the
revolving credit facility. As amended, the initial term loan amount was $115 million and the revolving credit
facility was $150 million. The term loan was scheduled to partially amortize over the three years ending June 30,
2006. The unamortized balance of the term loan and all outstanding revolving loans were scheduled to mature in
June 2006. Borrowings under the Old Credit Facility bore interest, at one of several rates, at the option of the
Company, including LIBOR plus 0.60% to 2.0%, based upon the credit rating of the Company and the loan type.
The Old Credit Facility required the Company to pay annual fees ranging, based upon the credit rating of the
Company, between 1/15 of 1% to 1/2 of 1% of the aggregate available commitment under the revolving credit
facility.
In July 2004, the Company entered into a $265 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the
“Revolver”) with a syndicate of lenders. The proceeds from the Revolver were used to refinance and terminate
the revolving credit facility and term loan outstanding under the Company’s Old Credit Facility. The Revolver
permits the Company to borrow, repay and reborrow revolving loans until the scheduled maturity date in July
2009. Borrowings pursuant to the Revolver bear interest, at one of several rates selected by the Company, based
upon the credit rating of the Company and include LIBOR plus 62
1
⁄ 2 basis points to 125 basis points; prime rate;
and prime rate minus 175 basis points. In addition, the Company has the option to request participating banks to
bid on loan participation at lower rates than those contractually provided by the Revolver. The Revolver requires
the Company to pay a commitment fee ranging, based upon the credit rating of the Company, between 12
1
⁄ 2
basis points and 25 basis points of the average daily-unused portion of the aggregate available commitment. The
Revolver also provides for the issuance of letters of credit on behalf of the Company. The Revolver includes
customary financial and other covenants that require the maintenance of certain ratios including maximum
leverage and interest coverage. As of December 31, 2004 the Company was in compliance with all covenants
under the Revolver. The Revolver restricts the Company’s ability to make certain investments, incur certain debt,
and dispose of assets, among other restrictions. As of December 31, 2004, the Company had $218.2 million of
revolving loans outstanding pursuant to the Revolver.
The proceeds from the Revolver are used for general corporate purposes, including working capital, debt
repayment, stock repurchases and investments.
In 1998, the Company completed a $100 million senior unsecured note offering (“the Notes”) at a discount
of $0.6 million, bearing a coupon rate of 7.13% with an effective rate of 7.22%. The Notes will mature on May 1,
2008, with interest on the Notes to be paid semi-annually. The Company used the net proceeds from the offering
of approximately $99 million to repay amounts outstanding under the Company’s previous credit facility. The
Notes contain a call provision that would require the Company to pay a premium if the Notes were redeemed
prior to their maturity. At December 31, 2004, the call provision would have resulted in a premium of $12.4
million.
The Company has a line of credit with a bank providing up to an aggregate of $10 million of borrowings
which is due upon demand. The line of credit ranks pari-pasu (or equally) with the Revolver. Borrowings under
the line of credit bear interest at rates established at the time of borrowing based on prime minus 175 basis
points. As of December 31, 2004, $10.0 million was outstanding pursuant to this line of credit.
10. Foreign Operations
The Company accounts for foreign currency translation in accordance with SFAS No. 52, “Foreign
Currency Translation.” Revenues generated by foreign operations, including royalty, marketing and reservations
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