Restructuring Program and Separation Costs

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]

Restructuring Program and Separation Costs

4. RESTRUCTURING PROGRAM AND SEPARATION COSTS

Restructuring Program

In December 2014, the Company implemented a restructuring program in an effort to centralize certain functions and reduce duplication to increase efficiencies (the “Restructuring Program”). The Restructuring Program involved the elimination of approximately 300 positions across the Company’s eleven theme parks and corporate headquarters. As a result, the Company recorded $11,834 in pre-tax restructuring and other related costs associated with this Restructuring Program, of which $11,567 was incurred in 2014 and $267 was incurred in 2015 on the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The Company will not incur any additional costs associated with the Restructuring Program as all continuing service obligations were completed as of June 30, 2015.

The Restructuring Program activity for the year ended December 31, 2015 was as follows:

	Severance and Other Employment Expenses
Liability as of December 31, 2014	$	7,691
Costs incurred		267
Payments made		(7,958	)
Liability as of December 31, 2015	$	—

Costs incurred in 2015 and 2014 related to the Restructuring Program primarily consist of severance and other employment expenses.  Other related restructuring expenses incurred in 2014 include third party consulting costs associated with the development of the cost savings plan and the Restructuring Program.  The liability as of December 31, 2014 related to severance and other employment expenses is included in accrued salaries, wages and benefits as of December 31, 2014 on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

Separately, in the fourth quarter of 2015, as part of a cost savings initiative and ongoing review of departmental structures, certain additional positions were eliminated.  The severance costs related to these positions of $2,001 was included in restructuring and other related costs for the year ended December 31, 2015 on the accompanying consolidated statement of comprehensive income.  Restructuring and other related costs do not include any costs associated with the separation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and President effective January 15, 2015 (the “Former CEO”) as discussed below.

Separation Costs

On December 11, 2014, the Company announced that its Chief Executive Officer would resign from his role effective on January 15, 2015.  Pursuant to a separation and consulting agreement entered into by the Company and the Former CEO on December 10, 2014, the Former CEO will remain involved with the Company as a member of the Board and in a consulting capacity to the Company for a three-year consulting term.  The Company recorded $2,574 as separation costs on the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2014 related to this separation.  This amount is included in accrued salaries, wages and benefits as of December 31, 2014 on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet and was paid in January 2015.

Additionally, in connection with the Restructuring Program and the separation of the Former CEO, conditions for eligibility on certain unvested performance restricted shares of common stock were modified to allow those participants who are separating from the Company, including the Former CEO, to vest in their respective awards if the performance conditions are achieved after their employment ends with the Company.  See Note 18–Equity-Based Compensation for further details.