11-K 1 d11k.htm FORM 11-K Form 11-K
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 11-K

 

 

(Mark One)

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004

 

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from              to             

 

Commission File Number 001-13393

 

A. Full title of the plan and address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer named below:

 

 

CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, INC. RETIREMENT, SAVINGS & INVESTMENT PLAN

 

B. Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive office:

 

Choice Hotels International, Inc.

10750 Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, Maryland 20901

 

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    Table of Contents

 

    Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(a) Financial Statements

 

Choice Hotels International, Inc. Retirement, Savings and Investment Plan (the “Plan”) became effective as of October 15, 1997. Filed as a part of this report on Form 11-K are the audited financial statements of the Plan for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

(b) Exhibits

 

Exhibit 23   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

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Choice Hotels International, Inc.

Retirement, Savings and

Investment Plan

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting

Firm on Financial Statements and Supplemental

Schedule

As of December 31, 2004 and 2003 and for the year

ended December 31, 2004

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Choice Hotels International, Inc.

Retirement, Savings and Investment Plan

Table of Contents

December 31, 2004 and 2003

 

     Page(s)

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   1

Financial Statements

     

Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits as of December 31, 2004 and 2003

    2

Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits for the year ended December 31, 2004

    3

Notes to Financial Statements

    4-9

Supplemental Schedule*

     

Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)

   10
* Other schedules required by 29 CFR 2520.103-10 of the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under ERISA have been omitted as they are not applicable.

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Participants and Administrator of the Choice Hotels

  International, Inc. Retirement, Savings and Investment Plan

 

In our opinion, the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits and the related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Choice Hotels International, Inc. Retirement, Savings and Investment Plan (the “Plan”) at December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2004 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

Our audits were conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The supplemental schedule of assets (held at end of year) is presented for the purpose of additional analysis and is not a required part of the basic financial statements but is supplementary information required by the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. This supplemental schedule is the responsibility of the Plan’s management. The supplemental schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audits of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

McLean, VA

June 27, 2005

 

1

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Choice Hotels International, Inc.

Retirement, Savings and Investment Plan

Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits

December 31, 2004 and 2003

 

     2004
    2003

Assets

              

Investments, at fair value

              

Mutual funds

    $ 23,789,642    $ 20,021,419

Common collective trusts

      5,380,859      5,253,278

Common stock

      11,060,257      6,645,020

Participant loans

      509,177      565,474

Money market

      74,157      55,897
    
  
       40,814,092      32,541,088

Receivables

              

Employer contributions, net

      1,531,673      1,262,375

Participant contributions

      —        99,622

Accrued interest and dividends

      7,340      6,916
    
  

Net assets available for benefits

    $ 42,353,105    $ 33,910,001
    
  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

2

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Choice Hotels International, Inc.

Retirement, Savings and Investment Plan

Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits

Year Ended December 31, 2004

 

Additions:

         

Additions to net assets attributed to:

         

Investment income:

         

Net appreciation in fair value of investments (Note 3)

    $ 6,347,423  

Participant loan interest

      30,740  

Dividends and interest

      961,074  
    
       7,339,237  

Contributions:

         

Participant

      3,085,880  

Employer, net

      1,531,673  

Rollover

      255,284  
    

Total additions

      12,212,074  
    

Deductions:

         

Deductions from net assets attributed to:

         

Participant directed expenses

      (2,640 )

Benefits paid to participants

      (3,766,330 )
    

Total deductions

      (3,768,970 )
    

Net increase

      8,443,104  

Net assets available for benefits:

         

Beginning of period

      33,910,001  
    

End of period

    $ 42,353,105  
    

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

3

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Choice Hotels International, Inc.

Retirement, Savings and Investment Plan

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2004 and 2003

 

1. Description of the Plan

 

Choice Hotels International, Inc. (“Choice” or the “Company”) is in the business of hotel franchising. Choice franchises approximately 5,000 hotels operated under the following brand names: Quality, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Clarion, Sleep Inn, Rodeway Inn, EconoLodge, Mainstay Suites, and Flag Hotels. The Choice Hotels International, Inc. Retirement, Savings and Investment Plan (the “Plan”) is a defined contribution, salary deferral plan available to the eligible employees of Choice. Merrill Lynch Trust Company (“Merrill Lynch”) is the Plan trustee.

 

The following description of the Plan provides only general information, and participants should refer to the Plan agreement for a more complete description of the Plan’s provisions.

 

General

 

The Plan is a defined contribution plan established effective October 15, 1997, and was restated and amended in its entirety effective January 1, 2001. The Plan is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”).

 

Eligibility and contributions

 

For the periods prior to June 30, 2004, all employees of Choice were eligible to participate in the Plan if they:

 

  •   Were at least 21 years of age

 

  •   Had completed one year of service

 

  •   Had worked at least 1,000 hours in the previous year

 

Effective July 1, 2004, the Plan was amended such that all employees of Choice are eligible to participate in the Plan if they:

 

  •   Are at least 21 years of age

 

  •   Have completed 3 months of service

 

Participants may elect to contribute up to a maximum amount per calendar year subject to IRS limitations, which was $13,000 in 2004. Participants direct the investment of their contributions into various investment options offered by the Plan. The Plan currently offers thirteen mutual funds, one common/collective trust, Choice Hotels International, Inc. common stock (“Choice common stock”) and a self-directed brokerage option as investment options for participants. Employee contributions are recorded in the period during which the Company makes payroll deductions from the participant’s earnings.

 

Choice matches the employees’ contributions, up to a total match of 6 percent of the employees’ salary. Company matching contributions are made in the form of Choice common stock on an annual basis, as described in the Plan document. As a result at times participants’ accounts may be credited with fractional shares. Choice common stock held by the Trustee on behalf of each participant shall be voted by the Trustee as directed by the participant to whose accounts such stock is credited. Fractional shares may be combined and voted by the Trustee to the extent possible to reflect the instructions of the participant credited with such shares. Participants may immediately elect to redirect the Company matching contribution to any of the various investment options offered by the Plan.

 

4

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Choice Hotels International, Inc.

Retirement, Savings and Investment Plan

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2004 and 2003

 

For employees hired on or before December 31, 1999, the following Company matching contributions apply:

 

Length of service

    Percentage match
  

1 – 5 years

    50 %

6 – 9 years

    75 %

10 years or more

    100 %

 

Employees hired on or after January 1, 2000 receive a 50 percent Company match, with no length of service adjustment.

 

Each participant account is credited with participant contributions and allocations of the Company’s matching contributions and Plan earnings (losses). Allocations are based on participant earnings or account balances, as defined. The benefit to which a participant is entitled is the benefit that can be provided from the participant’s vested account.

 

Forfeitures

 

Choice has the right to apply amounts forfeited by employees to reduce future Company matching contributions. At December 31, 2004 and 2003, the fair value of forfeitures held by the Plan was $57,320 and $126,451 respectively. In 2004 and 2003, the Company used $57,320 and $90,000, respectively, of the year end balance to reduce the employer matching contribution made to the Plan after year end.

 

Payment of benefits and vesting

 

Participants are immediately vested in all participant contributions and earnings on such contributions. Participants vest in the Choice contributions and earnings 20 percent per year beginning at the end of their first year, resulting in full vesting at the end of their fifth year.

 

On termination of service due to death, disability or retirement, a participant may elect to receive either a cash lump sum amount equal to the value of the participant’s vested interest in his or her account, or annual, semi-annual, quarterly, or monthly instalments over a fixed period not to exceed twenty years. For termination of service due to other reasons, a participant may receive the value of the vested interest in his or her account as a lump-sum distribution only.

 

Upon separation from service, a participant may also elect that all or a portion of the participant’s common stock account be distributed in the form of shares of Choice common stock, with voting rights applicable to that stock. Such distribution is made entirely in whole shares and any partial shares held by the participant will be distributed in the form of cash.

 

Participants who leave Choice with a balance of less than $5,000 are required to roll the money over into another 401(k) or IRA account, or receive a direct payment after withholding of applicable federal and state tax provisions. If the participant’s balance is greater than $5,000, the participant may retain their investment in the Plan for as long as IRS regulations allow.

 

Participant Loans

 

Participant loans are made available to all participants who have a vested account balance. The minimum loan amount is $750 and the maximum loan amount is the lesser of $50,000 or 50 percent of a participant’s vested account balance. Interest rates are equal to 1 percent above the Prime Rate

 

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Choice Hotels International, Inc.

Retirement, Savings and Investment Plan

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2004 and 2003

 

on the date the loan is issued and there is a $50 processing fee per loan. Participants may not have more than one loan outstanding at any time. Each loan by its terms shall be required to be repaid within five (5) years of the date the loan is made; provided however, that a residential home mortgage loan may, in the discretion of the Administrative Committee, be repaid over a reasonable period of time in excess of five (5) years.

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Use of estimates

 

The Plan’s financial statements are prepared on the accrual basis of accounting. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and changes therein and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Investment valuation and income recognition

 

The Plan’s investments are stated at fair value based on quoted market prices at the balance sheet date. The investment in the common collective trusts, which consists primarily of guaranteed investment contracts, is stated at contract value, which approximates fair value as determined by the Trustee. Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on a trade-date basis. Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest earned on investments are recorded on an accrual basis. All income (losses) are allocated daily.

 

Participant loans are valued at cost, which approximates fair value.

 

The Plan presents in the statement of changes in net assets the net appreciation in the fair value of its investments, which consists of the realized gains or losses and the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on those investments.

 

Risks and uncertainties

 

The Plan provides for various mutual fund investment options in stocks, bonds, money market, and fixed income securities as well as for direct common stock investment. Investments are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, market and credit risk. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities and the level of uncertainty related to changes in the value of investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect participants’ account balances and the amounts reported in the statements of net assets available for benefits.

 

Trustee fees

 

Investment management fees are netted against investment earnings in each fund. Participant accounts are also charged loan-processing fees and self-directed investment account fees. Trustee fees and certain administrative expenses of the Plan are currently paid by Choice. Choice currently has no intention to seek reimbursement from the Plan for prior or future expenses paid by Choice.

 

Payment of benefits

 

Benefit claims are recorded when paid.

 

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Choice Hotels International, Inc.

Retirement, Savings and Investment Plan

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2004 and 2003

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain amounts in the prior year financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation.

 

3. Investments

 

The following presents investments that represent 5 percent or more of the Plan’s net assets:

 

     December 31,
     2004
     2003

AllianceBernstein Premier Growth Fund

    $ 3,108,010     $ 3,304,218

Choice Hotels International, Inc. Common Stock*

      10,930,811       6,586,363

Merrill Lynch Balanced Capital Fund

      1,848,757 **     2,096,454

Merrill Lynch International Value Fund

      2,821,951       2,360,404

Merrill Lynch S&P 500 Index Fund

      2,518,516       2,114,292

Merrill Lynch Retirement Preservation Trust

      5,380,859       5,253,278

Pimco Small Cap Value Fund

      2,551,877       1,770,059

Pimco Total Return Fund

      3,095,982       2,347,393
  * Nonparticipant-directed investment
** Investment was not in excess of 5% of net assets at December 31, 2004

 

During 2004, the Plan’s investments (including gains and losses on investments bought and sold, as well as held during the year) appreciated in value as follows:

 

     2004

Mutual funds

    $ 1,990,107

Common stock

      4,357,316
    
     $ 6,347,423
    

 

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Choice Hotels International, Inc.

Retirement, Savings and Investment Plan

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2004 and 2003

 

4. Nonparticipant-Directed Investments

 

Information about the net assets and the significant components of the changes in net assets relating to the nonparticipant-directed investments is as follows:

 

     December 31,
  
     2004
    2003
  

Net assets

                

Choice Hotels International, Inc. common stock

    $ 10,930,811    $ 6,586,363  
          Year ended
December 31,
2004
  

Balance beginning of period

           $ 6,586,363  

Changes in net assets

                

Contributions

             1,469,811  

Dividends

             162,386  

Net unrealized appreciation

             4,351,297  

Benefits paid to participants

             (544,496 )

Transfers to participant-directed investments, net

             (1,094,550 )
           

Balance end of period

           $ 10,930,811  
           

 

5. Federal Income Tax Status

 

Management believes that the Plan, as designed and operated, is in compliance with the applicable requirements of Section 401 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code. On April 7, 2003, the Plan received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service, which stated that the Plan is designed in accordance with applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code and the related trust established under the Plan is tax-exempt. Although the Plan has been amended since receiving the determination letter, the Plan administrator believes that the Plan is designed and is currently being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the IRC. As such, no provision for income taxes has been included in the Plan’s financial statements.

 

6. Plan Termination

 

Although it has not expressed any intent to do so, Choice has the right under the Plan to discontinue its contributions at any time and to terminate the Plan subject to the provisions of ERISA. In the event of Plan termination, participants would become 100% vested in the Choice matching contributions and earnings thereon.

 

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Choice Hotels International, Inc.

Retirement, Savings and Investment Plan

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2004 and 2003

 

7. Related-Party Transactions

 

The investment in Choice common stock constitutes a party-in-interest transaction, as Choice is the Plan sponsor. Total purchases and sales of Choice common stock during 2004 were $1,958,388 (42,761 shares) and $1,798,739 (37,525 shares), respectively. In addition an in-kind distribution of 3,621 shares was made during the year. As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, the Plan held 188,462 and 186,847 shares of Choice common stock with a fair value of $10,930,811 and $6,586,363, respectively.

 

In addition, certain Plan investments are shares of mutual funds and a common collective trust managed by Merrill Lynch. As Merrill Lynch is the trustee, these transactions also qualify as party-in-interest transactions.

 

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Choice Hotels International, Inc.

Retirement, Savings and Investment Plan

Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)

December 31, 2004

 

Identity of Issue

    Description
    Cost
   

Current

Value

AllianceBernstein Growth and Income Fund

    Mutual fund    $ 1,742,212    $ 1,966,982

AllianceBernstein Premier Growth Fund

    Mutual fund      4,256,443      3,108,010

American Growth Fund of America R3

    Mutual fund      1,332,183      1,550,914

Fidelity Advisor Small Cap Fund

    Mutual fund      813,419      1,051,507

ING International Small Cap Growth Fund

    Mutual fund      525,576      688,103

Merrill Lynch Retirement Preservation Trust*

    Common/collective trust      5,380,859      5,380,859

Merrill Lynch Balanced Capital Fund*

    Mutual fund      2,206,758      1,848,757

Merrill Lynch S&P 500 Index Fund*

    Mutual fund      2,386,488      2,518,516

Merrill Lynch International Value Fund *

    Mutual fund      2,403,344      2,821,951

Pimco Small Cap Value Fund

    Mutual fund      1,909,000      2,551,877

Pimco Innovation Fund

    Mutual fund      730,157      390,309

Pimco Total Return Fund

    Mutual fund      3,103,028      3,095,982

Van Kampen Equity & Income Fund

    Mutual fund      1,718,749      2,002,410

Choice Hotels International Stock*

    Common stock      4,380,140      10,930,811

Money Market

    Money market      22,628      22,628

Self-Directed Account

    Self-directed      376,947      375,299

Participant Loans **

    Participant Loans      —        509,177
                

Total assets held for investment purposes

                $ 40,814,092
                
* Denotes a party-in-interest.
** Maturing at various dates ranging from January 2005 to June 2033 with interest rates ranging from 5.0% to 10.5%.

 

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SIGNATURE

 

The Plan. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the trustees (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plan) have duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.

 

Dated: June 27, 2005  

CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

RETIREMENT, SAVINGS & INVESTMENT PLAN

    By:  

/s/ THOMAS MIRGON

       

Thomas Mirgon

Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Administration

Choice Hotels International, Inc.