Parks! America, Inc. Reports 2019 Fiscal Year Results

PINE MOUNTAIN, Ga., Dec. 12, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Parks! America, Inc. PRKA, today announced the results for its fourth fiscal quarter and fiscal year ended September 29, 2019.

Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2019 Highlights

Total net sales for the fourth fiscal quarter ended September 29, 2019 were $2,027,072, a decrease of $36,273, compared to $2,063,345 for the prior year fourth fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2018. Park attendance based net sales decreased by $11,456 or 0.6%, and animal sales decreased by $24,817.

The Company reported net income of $527,533 for the fourth fiscal quarter ended September 29, 2019, compared to reported net income of 551,130 for the prior year fourth fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2018, resulting in a decrease of $23,597. Excluding one-time items related to the after-tax effect of the tornado damage asset write-offs and cleanup and repair expenses at the Company's Missouri Park in the 2019 fiscal year, and the after-tax effect associated with the write-off of deferred loan fees in the 2018 fiscal year, the Company's adjusted net income for its fourth fiscal quarter of the 2019 fiscal year decreased by $99,868, primarily due to higher legal fees and lower net sales, partially offset by lower operating expenses.

2019 Fiscal Year Highlights

Total net sales for the 2019 fiscal year were $6,184,254, an increase of $137,496, compared to $6,046,758 for the 2018 fiscal year. Park attendance based net sales increased by $181,143 or 3.1%, while animal sales decreased by $43,647.

The Company reported net income of $1,096,538 for the 2019 fiscal year compared to reported net income of $1,011,192 for the 2018 fiscal year, resulting in an increase of $85,346. Excluding one-time items related to the after-tax effect of the tornado damage asset write-offs and cleanup and repair expenses at the Company's Missouri Park in the 2019 fiscal year, and the after-tax effect associated with the write-off of deferred loan fees in the 2018 fiscal year, the Company's adjusted net income for its 2019 fiscal year improved by $56,261. The improvement in the Company's adjusted net income during its 2019 fiscal year is primarily attributable to an increase in attendance based net sales, lower interest expense and a lower adjusted income tax provision, partially offset by higher legal fees and depreciation expense, as well as lower animal sales.

"Our internal goal entering our 2019 fiscal year was to get back to the record attendance sales and pre-tax income levels we generated for our 2017 fiscal year," commented Dale Van Voorhis, Chairman & CEO. "Our attendance sales nearly reached that goal. Due to several expense headwinds, we fell short of our goal for pre-tax income. Nonetheless, we are pleased with the progress we made during our 2019 fiscal year, including the quick recovery from the tornado that damaged our Missouri Park on May 21, 2019. Our Georgia Park continues to perform well and our Missouri Park generated attendance sales growth of 6.8% for the last two quarters of our 2019 fiscal year, which is our high season. These are positive trends we intend to build on for our 2020 fiscal year."

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

The Company had working capital of $3.45 million as of September 29, 2019, compared to working capital of $2.54 million as of September 20, 2018. The Company's debt to equity ratio was 0.15 to 1.0 as of September 29, 2019, compared to 0.20 to 1.0 as of September 30, 2018.

"We are very pleased with our continuing strong operating cash flow," noted Mr. Van Voorhis. "This has allowed us to continue to make reasonable capital investments in our wild animal safari guest experience, as well as prudently manage our debt levels. Our balance sheet is well positioned for a strong 2020 fiscal year."

About Parks! America, Inc.

Parks! America, Inc. PRKA, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, owns and operates two regional theme parks - the Wild Animal Safari theme park in Pine Mountain, Georgia, and the Wild Animal Safari theme park located in Strafford, Missouri.

Additional information, including our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 29, 2019, is available on the Company's website, http://www.animalsafari.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Except for historical information contained herein, this news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of U.S. securities laws. You are cautioned to not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements; actual results or outcomes could differ materially due to factors including, but not limited to: general market conditions, adverse weather, and industry competition. The Company believes that expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, however it can give no assurances that such expectations will be realized and actual results could differ materially. The Company assumes no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law. A further description of these risks, uncertainties and other matters can be found in the Company's annual report and other reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 29, 2019.

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SOURCE Parks! America, Inc.