☐ | Check the box if the filing relates solely to preliminary communications made before the commencement of a tender offer. |
☐ | Check the box if the filing relates solely to preliminary communications made before the commencement of a tender offer. |
Subject Company Information |
Identity and Background of Filing Person |
• | The “Minimum Tender Condition” – there shall have been validly tendered and not properly withdrawn prior to the expiration of the Offer, a number of shares of Wyndham Common Stock which, together with any other shares of Wyndham Common Stock that Choice (or its controlled affiliates, including Purchaser) then owns or has a right to acquire, is a majority of the total number of outstanding shares of Wyndham Common Stock on a fully diluted basis as of the date that Choice accepts shares of Wyndham Common Stock for exchange pursuant to the Offer; |
• | The “Anti-Takeover Devices Condition” – the impediments to the consummation of the Offer and the Second-Step Mergers which the Wyndham Board can remove shall have been rendered inapplicable to the Offer and the Second-Step Mergers, including the occurrence of following (in the reasonable judgment of Choice): |
○ | the Wyndham Board shall have approved the Offer and the Second-Step Mergers under Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), or Section 203 of the DGCL shall otherwise be inapplicable to the Offer and the Second-Step Mergers or Choice shall acquire in the Offer in excess of 85% of the shares of Wyndham Common Stock outstanding at the time the transaction commenced in accordance with Section 203 of the DGCL; |
○ | the Wyndham Board shall have taken steps to ensure that the Second-Step Mergers can be completed in the short-form manner permitted by Section 251(h) of the DGCL; and |
○ | any other impediments to the consummation of the Offer and Second-Step Mergers of which Choice is (on the date of the Offer to Exchange) unaware and which the Wyndham Board can remove shall have been removed or otherwise rendered inapplicable to the Offer and the Second-Step Mergers; |
• | The “Choice Stockholder Approval Condition” – the stockholders of Choice shall have approved (i) the issuance of Choice Common Stock contemplated in connection with the Offer and the Second-Step Mergers, in accordance with the rules of the NYSE, on which the Choice Common Stock is listed and (ii) other matters ancillary to the Offer and the Second-Step Mergers. According to the Offer to Exchange, Choice expects to file a preliminary proxy statement with respect to a special meeting of Choice stockholders to obtain this approval prior to the Expiration Date, and it is Choice’s intention to obtain this approval prior to the Wyndham 2024 Annual Meeting; |
• | The “Competition Laws and Governmental Approval Condition” – the waiting period applicable to the Offer and the Second-Step Mergers under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the “HSR Act”), shall have expired or been terminated (the “HSR Condition”). The waiting period (or extension thereof) applicable to the Offer and the Second-Step Mergers under any other applicable antitrust laws and regulations, other than the HSR Act, shall have expired or been terminated, and any approvals or clearances, including those required by any international bodies, if applicable, and, in each case, as determined by Choice to be required or advisable thereunder shall have been obtained on terms satisfactory to Choice (together with the HSR Condition, the “Competition Laws Condition”) and any other approval, permit, authorization, extension, action or non-action, waiver or consent of any governmental authority as determined by Choice to be required or advisable shall have been obtained on terms satisfactory to Choice; |
• | The “Diligence Condition” – Choice shall have been given access to Wyndham’s non-public information related to Wyndham’s business, assets, and liabilities to complete its confirmatory due diligence review and Choice shall have concluded, in its reasonable judgment, that there are no material adverse facts or developments concerning or affecting Wyndham’s business, assets and liabilities that have not been publicly disclosed prior to the commencement of the Offer that would result or be reasonably likely to result in a diminution in the value of shares of Wyndham Common Stock or the benefits expected to be derived by Choice as a result of the transactions contemplated by the Offer and the Second-Step Mergers (in either event, a “Diminution of Value”); |
• | The “Financing Condition” – Choice shall have obtained financing proceeds in amounts, together with its cash on hand, sufficient to consummate the Offer and the Second-Step Mergers and pay related fees and expenses; |
• | The “Stock Exchange Listing Condition” – the Choice Common Stock issuable to Wyndham stockholders in connection with the Offer and the Second-Step Mergers shall have been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance; |
• | The “Registration Statement Condition” – the Form S-4 shall have become effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Form S-4 shall have been issued, and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been initiated or be threatened, by the SEC; |
• | The “No Injunction Condition” – no court or other governmental entity of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any law, statute or ordinance, common law, rule, regulation, standard, judgment, order, writ, injunction, decree, arbitration award or agency requirement (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) that is in effect and restrains, enjoins or otherwise prohibits consummation of the Offer and the Second-Step Mergers; and |
• | The “No Wyndham Material Adverse Effect Condition” – since December 31, 2022, there shall not have occurred any change, event, circumstance or development (“Circumstance”), that has had, or would reasonably be likely to have, a Wyndham Material Adverse Effect (as described in Annex A). |
• | the “No Pending Litigation Condition” – there shall be threatened, instituted or pending any action, proceeding or application before any court, government or governmental authority or other regulatory or administrative agency or commission, domestic or foreign, (i) which challenges the acquisition by Choice of Wyndham Common Stock, seeks to restrain, delay or prohibit the consummation of the Offer or the Second-Step Mergers or seeks to obtain any material damages or otherwise directly or indirectly relates to the Offer or the Second-Step Mergers, (ii) which seeks to prohibit or impose material limitations on Choice’s acquisition, ownership or operation of all or any portion of Choice’s or Wyndham’s businesses or assets (including the businesses or assets of their respective affiliates and subsidiaries) or of Wyndham Common Stock (including, without limitation, the right to vote the shares purchased by Choice or an affiliate thereof, on an equal basis with all other shares of Wyndham Common Stock on all matters presented to the stockholders of Wyndham), or seeks to compel Choice |
• | other than the waiting periods under the HSR Act and any other applicable antitrust laws and regulations, any statute, rule, regulation or order or injunction shall be sought, proposed, enacted, promulgated, entered, enforced or deemed or become applicable to the Offer, the Second-Step Mergers or the transactions contemplated by the Offer or the Second-Step Mergers that might, directly or indirectly, result in any of the consequences referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) of the immediately preceding paragraph, except that this condition will not fail to be satisfied as a result of a governmental entity requiring that Choice agree to or effect any Regulatory Action as long as such Regulatory Action would not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, business, operations, assets, liabilities or results of operations of Choice, Wyndham and their respective subsidiaries, taken as a whole; |
• | there shall have occurred (i) any general suspension of, or limitation on times or prices for, trading in securities on any national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market, (ii) any decline in either the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the Standard and Poor’s Index of 500 Industrial Companies or the Nasdaq 100 Index by any amount in excess of 15% measured from the close of business on December 11, 2023, (iii) a declaration of a banking moratorium or any suspension of payments in respect of banks in the United States, (iv) the outbreak or escalation of a war, armed hostilities or other international or national calamity directly or indirectly involving the United States, (v) any limitation (whether or not mandatory) by any governmental authority or other regulatory agency on, or any other event which might affect the extension of credit by, banks or other lending institutions or the availability of the financing of the Offer, (vi) a suspension of or limitation (whether or not mandatory) on the currency exchange markets or the imposition of, or material changes in, any currency or exchange control laws in the United States or (vii) in the case of any of the foregoing existing at the time of the commencement of the Offer, a material acceleration or worsening thereof; |
• | Wyndham or any subsidiary of Wyndham shall have (i) issued, distributed, pledged or sold, or authorized, or proposed the issuance, distribution, pledge or sale of (A) any shares of its capital stock (other than sales or issuances pursuant to the present terms of employee stock awards outstanding on the date of the Offer to Exchange) of any class (including, without limitation, Wyndham Common Stock) or securities convertible into or exchangeable for any such shares of capital stock, or any rights, warrants or options to acquire any such shares or convertible securities or any other securities of Wyndham (other than any employee awards referred to in the financial statements in Wyndham’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022), (B) any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for Wyndham Common Stock or (C) any debt securities or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for debt securities or any rights, warrants or options entitling the holder thereof to purchase or otherwise acquire any debt securities, (ii) purchased or otherwise acquired, or proposed or offered to purchase or otherwise acquire, any outstanding shares of Wyndham Common Stock or other securities, (iii) proposed, recommended, authorized, declared, issued or paid any dividend or distribution on any shares of Wyndham Common Stock or any other security, whether payable in cash, securities or other property, other than Wyndham’s regular quarterly dividend of $0.35 per share of Wyndham Common Stock, (iv) altered or proposed to alter any material term of any |
• | Wyndham or any of its subsidiaries shall have amended or proposed or authorized any amendment to Wyndham’s Second1 Amended & Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Wyndham Certificate of Incorporation”), Wyndham’s Third Amended and Restated By-Laws (the “Wyndham Bylaws”) or similar organizational documents, or Choice shall have learned that Wyndham or any of its subsidiaries shall have proposed, adopted or recommended any such amendment, which has not previously been publicly disclosed by Wyndham and also set forth in filings with the SEC prior to commencement of the Offer, in a manner that, in the reasonable judgment of Choice, might, directly or indirectly, (i) delay or otherwise restrain, impede or prohibit the Offer or the Second-Step Mergers or (ii) prohibit or limit the full rights of ownership of shares of Wyndham Common Stock by Choice or any of its affiliates, including, without limitation, the right to vote any shares of Wyndham Common Stock acquired by Choice pursuant to the Offer or otherwise on all matters properly presented to Wyndham stockholders; |
• | Wyndham or any of its subsidiaries shall have transferred into trust, escrow or similar arrangement any amounts required to fund any existing benefit, employment or severance agreements with any of its employees or shall have entered into or otherwise effected with its officers or any other employees any additional benefit, employment, severance or similar agreements, arrangements or plans other than in the ordinary course of business or entered into or amended any agreements, arrangements or plans so as to provide for increased benefits to such employee or employees as a result of or in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Offer or the Second-Step Mergers; |
• | (i) a tender or exchange offer for some or all of the shares of Wyndham Common Stock has been publicly proposed to be made or has been made by another person (including Wyndham or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, but excluding Choice or any of its affiliates), or has been publicly disclosed, or Choice otherwise learns that any person or “group” (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended, the “Exchange Act”)) has acquired or proposes to acquire beneficial ownership of more than 5% of any class or series of capital stock of Wyndham (including the Wyndham Common Stock), through the acquisition of stock, the formation of a group or otherwise, or is granted any option, right or warrant, conditional or otherwise, to acquire beneficial ownership of more than 5% of any class or series of capital stock of Wyndham (including the Wyndham Common Stock) other than acquisitions for bona fide arbitrage purposes only and other than as disclosed in a Schedule 13D or 13G on file with the SEC on the date of the Offer to Exchange, (ii) any such person or group which, prior to the date of the Offer to Exchange, had filed such a Schedule 13D or 13G with the SEC has acquired or proposes to acquire beneficial ownership of additional shares of any class or series of capital stock of Wyndham, through the acquisition of stock, the formation of a group or otherwise, constituting 1% or more of any such class or series, or is granted any option, right or warrant, conditional or otherwise, to acquire beneficial ownership of additional shares of any class or series of capital stock of Wyndham constituting 1% or more of any such class or series, (iii) any person or group has entered into a definitive agreement or an agreement in principle or made a proposal with respect to a tender or exchange offer or a merger, consolidation or other business combination with or involving Wyndham or (iv) any person has filed a Notification and Report Form under the HSR Act or made a public announcement reflecting an intent to acquire Wyndham or any assets or securities of Wyndham; |
• | the “No Contractual Impairment Condition” – Choice becomes aware (i) that any material contractual right of Wyndham or any of its subsidiaries has been or will be impaired or otherwise adversely |
1 | We assume Choice is referring to Wyndham’s Third Amended & Restated Certificate of Incorporation, which is currently in effect. |
• | Wyndham or any of its subsidiaries shall have (i) granted to any person proposing a merger or other business combination with or involving Wyndham or any of its subsidiaries or the purchase or exchange of securities or assets of Wyndham or any of its subsidiaries any type of option, warrant or right which, in Choice’s reasonable judgment, constitutes a “lock-up” device (including, without limitation, a right to acquire or receive any shares of Wyndham Common Stock or other securities, assets or business of Wyndham or any of its subsidiaries) or (ii) paid or agreed to pay any cash or other consideration to any party in connection with or in any way related to any such business combination, purchase or exchange. |
Past Contacts, Transactions, Negotiations and Agreements |
| | Cash-Based | | | Stock-Based | | | Total | |
Non-Executive Chair | | | $160,000 | | | $160,000 | | | $320,000 |
Lead Director | | | $132,500 | | | $132,500 | | | $265,000 |
Director | | | $105,000 | | | $105,000 | | | $210,000 |
Audit Committee Chair | | | $22,500 | | | $22,500 | | | $45,000 |
Audit Committee Member | | | $12,500 | | | $12,500 | | | $25,000 |
Compensation Committee Chair | | | $17,500 | | | $17,500 | | | $35,000 |
Compensation Committee Member | | | $10,000 | | | $10,000 | | | $20,000 |
Corporate Governance Committee Chair | | | $15,000 | | | $15,000 | | | $30,000 |
Corporate Governance Committee Member | | | $8,750 | | | $8,750 | | | $17,500 |
Executive Committee Member | | | $10,000 | | | $10,000 | | | $20,000 |
The Solicitation or Recommendation |
• | A combination of Wyndham and Choice would create a preeminent house of brands that can become a first choice of the growing volume of leisure and business travelers looking for more lodging options and value; |
• | The combined company would be better positioned in the fast growing, attractive midscale, upper midscale, and extended stay segments, offering guests a broader range of locations, price points, and stay occasions; |
• | The network of franchisees will benefit significantly from the combined company’s ability to drive more customers to their hotels while lowering their customer acquisition and hotel operating costs, thereby increasing the value of its franchisees’ hotel assets and of the combined company’s brands; |
• | Favorable long-term industry trends have created a significant market opportunity for a hotel platform like the combination of Wyndham and Choice. While we are each individually well-positioned to benefit from these trends, the strength, financial health, and attributes of the combined business better position the organization to more effectively compete against larger hotel companies, third-party distributors, and alternative lodging companies; and |
• | These strategic factors, along with the expected cost synergies of approximately $100 million, will contribute to the combined company’s value creation story. |
• | Assertion #1: “This Proposal still substantially undervalues our Company.” |
• | 29% premium to your closing stock price on the Unaffected Date; |
• | 27% premium over your 60-day average stock price as of the Unaffected Date; |
• | 25% premium to your affected closing stock price on May 31, 2023; |
• | 21% premium to your 52-week average stock price; |
• | premium at the high end of what research analysts have suggested is appropriate for the Transaction (20-30%); and |
• | multiple of 14.7x LTM EBITDA and 14.2x 2023E EBITDA, not including the additional value creation your shareholders will participate in from at least $100 million of annual synergies as a result of the combination. |
• | Assertion #3: “We have substantial concerns about the composition of your offer given our view that your stock is fully valued relative to your growth prospects.” |
• | Assertion #4: “The level of leverage proposed for the pro forma company could negatively impact the value of the company and the stock consideration received by our shareholders.” |
2 | $100 million of synergies x current Choice consensus 2023 EBITDA trading multiple of 15.0x = $1.50B x 35% proforma Wyndham ownership |
• | Reverse termination fee of $435 million, which represents approximately 6.0% of the total equity purchase price. |
• | While we do not anticipate it would be triggered, a regulatory ticking fee of 0.5% of the total equity purchase price per month, accruing daily after the one-year anniversary of the signing of definitive agreements. |
• | Choice agrees to take any actions required by antitrust regulators to close so long as such actions would not have a material adverse effect on the combined company, subject only to agreeing to an outside date 12 months post-signing of a definitive agreement, with two 6-month extensions exercisable by either party, if regulatory approvals have not been obtained by such date. |
• | Wyndham's ability to operate in the ordinary course of business during the pendency of the transaction, subject to limited customary negative covenants. |
• | Equates to $90.00 per Wyndham share based on Choice's stock price as of October 16, 2023 (the “Pre-Release Date”). |
• | Represents a 31% premium to your unaffected share price on May 22, 2023 (prior to WSJ leak) and a 24% premium to your share price as of the Pre-Release Date based on Choice's current stock price, and 37% and 30% premiums, respectively, based on Choice's stock price as of the Pre- Release Date. |
• | Maintains the cash or stock election mechanism, subject to a customary proration mechanism. |
• | Equates to pro forma ownership in the combined company of 35%. |
• | Implies a consensus 2023 Adjusted EBITDA multiple of 14.9x based on the Pre-Release Date value. |
• | The NDA would not prevent the pursuit of an exchange offer or proxy contest in the event we are mutually unable to agree on final terms. |
• | We would be permitted to contact director candidates and prepare for, but not launch, a proxy contest or exchange offer, without prior notice. |
• | No information shared under the NDA would be permitted to be publicly disclosed in the event of a public process. |
(I) | The Offer involves an uncertain regulatory timeline and outcome, and Choice has been unwilling to appropriately address the asymmetrical risks for Wyndham stockholders with adequate protections and compensation. |
• | The Offer involves an extended regulatory timeline for antitrust review, and the outcome is uncertain. Choice’s November Proposal included a two-year period to obtain regulatory approvals, consistent with our assessment of the risk of an extended regulatory review period. The Wyndham |
3 | Unless otherwise noted, all market data is measured as of December 15, 2023. |
○ | U.S. antitrust investigations are at historic highs and a combination between direct competitors, as is the case here, is likely to be subject to rigorous review. |
○ | The combined company would be the largest U.S. provider of hotel franchise services in the chainscales that serve middle-income guests - economy and midscale - with over 55% market share in each, resulting in significant uncertainty as to whether the FTC or courts would ever clear the transaction. |
○ | In November, Wyndham received notice that the FTC opened a preliminary investigation into the proposed transaction, despite there being no formal offer or transaction to investigate. The FTC’s interest in investigating a transaction that did not then exist is unusual and is additional evidence of the FTC’s concerns and the likelihood that the Offer will face a prolonged review process. |
• | The uncertain regulatory timeline presents significant risk to our business with lack of adequate protections. As discussed above, the November Proposal included a two-year period for Choice to obtain regulatory approvals, which is wildly inconsistent with Choice’s position for many months that they would be able to clear regulatory approvals within 60 days. This revised timeline also highlights a change in Choice’s perceived risk of its ability to ultimately close the proposed transaction. The Wyndham Board believes that any extended period between announcement and closing or termination of the transaction exposes Wyndham and its stockholders to meaningful risks, including, among others (i) new business development disruption and deterioration in segment-leading retention rates4 resulting in impaired earnings growth, (ii) competitors (including Choice) capitalizing on franchisee uncertainty, (iii) stagnated development of Wyndham’s fast-growing ECHO Suites brand and (iv) challenges attracting and retaining team members. The Wyndham Board believes that the negative impact associated with an uncertain and extended regulatory review period will lead to lower retention, fewer room openings and a damaged development pipeline (through both fewer new signings added to the pipeline and higher breakage of the existing pipeline) that could have a material impact on Wyndham’s business, reducing its growth rate, EBITDA, cash flow, valuation multiple and, ultimately, the share price of Wyndham Common Stock. |
• | As compensation for the potential value destruction that could occur over a two-year closing period, Choice included a 6% reverse termination fee in the November Proposal, equivalent to only approximately $5 per share of Wyndham Common Stock. The Wyndham Board believes this level of compensation is grossly inadequate in light of the significant asymmetrical risk to Wyndham and its stockholders, which could result in damage far in excess of $5 per share. Recent precedent transactions in sectors with similar competitive dynamics and regulatory risk have included reverse termination fees five to seven points higher than Choice’s5 November Proposal and further support the Wyndham Board’s view that the November Proposal’s 6% reverse termination fee is grossly insufficient. Additionally, even if the transaction is permitted to close, |
4 | Represents the “economy” segment. |
5 | The reverse termination fees associated with JetBlue’s proposed acquisition of Spirit Airlines and Alaska Airlines proposed acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines are 12.9% and 10.8% of the transaction equity value, respectively. |
• | The Additional Consideration offered by Choice as a “ticking fee” does not compensate Wyndham shareholders for the risks associated with a prolonged regulatory review resulting in the transaction not closing and, in any event, is illusory based on how Choice crafted its Offer; the Additional Consideration is not payable if the transaction does not close and therefore is not in any way incremental to the inadequate reverse termination fee included in the November Proposal. Even if the Offer is completed after a prolonged regulatory review, the Additional Consideration will never be payable because Choice’s Offer states that it only begins accruing on the one-year anniversary of the Minimum Tender Condition being satisfied, something that can only happen when the Offer ACTUALLY closes. This continues Choice’s pattern of misrepresenting the value of the “ticking fee” it purports to offer and shows that Choice is not serious about compensating Wyndham stockholders for the harm inflicted by a protracted regulatory process in connection with its Offer. |
• | Franchisees are opposed to the transaction which increases regulatory risk and potential business disruption. The reception to the Choice offers from the Wyndham franchisee community has been overwhelmingly negative, as evidenced by the vehement opposition from the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (“AAHOA”), which represents roughly two-thirds of Wyndham and Choice franchisees. In its published letter expressing deep concerns about the proposed combination, AAHOA referenced that having one franchisor control so many economy and limited service hotels would be “highly disruptive” to AAHOA members’ business practices and significantly limit their ability to ensure fair franchise agreements. Wyndham’s franchisees have vocalized fear of losing Wyndham’s owner-first philosophy, and, according to a recent AAHOA survey of more than one thousand AAHOA members, nearly 80% of Choice and Wyndham franchisees believe a merger would have a “negative impact” on their business and roughly three-quarters of AAHOA members that own both Choice and Wyndham franchised hotels also think the merger would “hurt their business.” The Wyndham Board is concerned that the announcement of a transaction could result in increased franchisee churn and reduced new development activity, highlighting the risks to Wyndham stockholders of a prolonged period of regulatory review with no certainty of outcome. The Wyndham Board believes that this type of dislocation has already occurred following Choice’s acquisition of Radisson, where Choice has seen 6+% of the Radisson6 rooms in the system leave within just over a year of the closing of Choice’s acquisition of Radisson. The Wyndham Board believes that extended regulatory uncertainty will allow competitors to accelerate their growth in the respective chain scales in which we operate, using the uncertainty associated with an announced but at-risk transaction to aggressively pursue franchisees whose contracts are up for renewal. The Wyndham Board also notes the continued misrepresentation by Choice that franchisees are supportive of a combination. While Choice repeatedly quotes and references support from its own franchisees, it misrepresents this support as also coming from Wyndham franchisees, and contradicts the results of AAHOA’s independent survey. |
(II) | The Offer is inadequate and undervalues Wyndham’s superior, standalone growth prospects. |
6 | Represents Radisson U.S. system as Choice has changed reporting and no longer discloses international or total changes. |
• | The Offer represents a mere 4% premium to Wyndham’s 52-week high, and only a 10% premium to where Wyndham stock is currently valued (as of December 15, 2023). Choice’s November Proposal (with its $90 value being calculated as of the Unaffected Date) was an opportunistic attempt to take advantage of point-in-time stock price fluctuations, including a temporary dislocation in Wyndham’s share price, which as of the Unaffected Date was trading near its 52-week low (or 85% of its 52-week high). The timing of Choice’s public disclosure of its unsolicited offer on October 17, 2023 occurred when the broader sector was facing market volatility with downward pressure. Since then, Wyndham’s share price has recovered to 95% of its 52-week high, which is consistent with the broader sector7 performance of 99%. Similarly, the announcement of the August Proposal came at a time when Choice’s multiple was trading at an approximate 2.2x premium to Wyndham’s, which has since contracted, eroding a majority of the premium in Choice’s Offer. Since the Unaffected Date, the average share price and NTM EBITDA multiple of the broader set of publicly traded lodging peers7 have increased by 17% and 1.4x, respectively, while the nominal value of Choice’s offer has decreased by 5%. When viewed in the context of recent market performance, the offer by Choice represents a limited to no premium to this “mark-to-market” unaffected share price. |
• | The Offer does not adequately compensate Wyndham stockholders for the value that Wyndham delivers to Choice in a combination. The Wyndham Board sees the Offer as an attempt by Choice to mask its anemic organic growth by acquiring Wyndham’s capabilities and contributions without paying adequate value to Wyndham stockholders. The Wyndham Board believes Wyndham would meaningfully contribute value to the combined entity, including (i) balance sheet debt capacity, (ii) synergies, (iii) culture and franchisee relationships and (iv) superior organic growth. As Choice does not have sufficient standalone balance sheet capacity to fund the cash portion of the consideration, the Wyndham Board believes that Choice is seeking to utilize Wyndham’s balance sheet capacity and synergies to fund the required cash for the proposed combination. Additionally, Wyndham’s platform drives significant cost synergies in a combination. Choice’s estimate of these cost synergies increased from $100 million to $150 million from the time of the August Proposal to the October public disclosure without any corresponding increase in the Offer price. Furthermore, Choice has highlighted the potential for incremental revenue synergies without any increase in its Offer price. Wyndham’s owner-first philosophy has created a differentiated culture for its franchisees, and Choice is seeking to mitigate its damaged owner relationships by leveraging Wyndham’s industry-leading capabilities. |
• | The Offer undervalues Wyndham’s growth, especially in comparison to Choice’s slower growing business. Since the spin-off from Wyndham Worldwide on May 31, 2018, Wyndham has undertaken a series of initiatives that lay a strong foundation and provide a runway for sustainable long-term organic growth to deliver outsized value to our stockholders. The Wyndham Board believes that the Offer does not take into consideration Wyndham’s upside potential and consequently exposes its stockholders to a Choice business that, in comparison, has underperformed on an organic basis. Wyndham has outpaced Choice in organic net room growth by approximately 92,000 rooms since 2020 and has grown its U.S. portfolio for nine consecutive quarters.8 As of September 30, 2023, Wyndham’s pipeline had expanded 9% year to date and has grown sequentially for 13 consecutive quarters, while under Choice’s self-styled “proven leadership”, Choice’s pipeline contracted over 7% year to date. Moreover, Choice’s RevPAR accretive brands within its pipeline declined 38% over the preceding three years.9 Choice’s lack of organic net room growth and pipeline decline translated into organic adjusted EBITDA growth of just 1% during the first half 2023 while Wyndham’s comparable adjusted EBITDA grew 9% |
7 | Peer group set consists of Marriott International, Hilton and IHG. |
8 | Choice third quarter 2023 global room count adjusted to exclude the approximately 67,000 rooms acquired from Radisson. |
9 | Compares Choice’s most recent publicly available information as of December 31, 2022. Defined as brands having RevPAR higher than system-wide RevPAR as of 2022. |
• | Wyndham’s strong balance sheet presents an opportunity to accelerate growth and drive stockholder value. Wyndham has historically maintained a strong balance sheet and consistently returned capital to stockholders, highlighted by approximately $1.8 billion of capital returned since its spin-off. The Wyndham Board believes that Wyndham’s utilization of its balance sheet presents an opportunity to strategically allocate capital through M&A, pipeline acceleration and incremental stockholder returns. Wyndham expects approximately $1.4 billion of excess cash to be available for capital allocation during the two-year closing period proposed by Choice in its November Proposal.15 |
• | Wyndham has the fastest growing brand in the industry, ECHO Suites by Wyndham. In March 2022, Wyndham launched a new brand, ECHO Suites Extended Stay by Wyndham, which has quickly established itself as the industry’s fastest-growing brand with 265 contracts signed since its launch.16 |
• | Wyndham’s international presence presents significant upside growth potential. Wyndham has global brand recognition which presents significant upside opportunity in contrast to Choice’s predominantly domestic portfolio. With more than 3,000 hotels located outside the U.S. in more than 95 countries, the international segment experienced strong growth with Wyndham’s system increasing by approximately 15% over the past two years. Furthermore, the ongoing shift towards direct franchising provides upside potential for royalty rate and RevPAR growth; since 2019 our international royalty rate grew by more than 30 basis points. |
• | Wyndham has significant embedded upside from its ongoing retention strategy. Wyndham’s signature owner-first philosophy and ongoing enhancements to its franchisee value proposition have resulted in its industry-leading franchisee retention rate improving from 93% at spin-off to more than 95% as of September 30, 2023 with a go-forward target of more than 96%. |
• | Wyndham’s geographic footprint and value proposition align with prevailing secular growth trends. With an industry-leading domestic footprint, Wyndham is expected to disproportionately benefit from the $1.5 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and CHIPS and Science Act spending based on a significant overlap with allocated spend markets, resulting in incremental gross room revenues to franchisees of approximately $3.3 billion and royalties to Wyndham of more than $150 million over the expected spending period. |
• | Wyndham’s pipeline mix and ancillary revenue opportunities provide further upside. The Wyndham Board believes that realization of Wyndham’s pipeline that is approximately 80% new construction, including La Quinta, Microtel and ECHO branded hotels which have higher fees, will help increase royalty rate and RevPARs, while also accelerating net room growth. Wyndham’s strategy continues to focus on growing royalty rate and RevPAR within each region to ensure that |
10 | Eliminates the impact from the sale of Wyndham’s owned hotels and the exit of its select-service management business, both of which occurred in 2022, as well as quarterly timing variances from Wyndham’s marketing funds, which aligns with Choice’s treatment. As of the third quarter of 2023, Choice no longer reports Radisson contribution of Adjusted EBITDA. See Annex D for a reconciliation of net income to comparable adjusted EBITDA. |
11 | Calculated as net cash from operating activities less capital expenditures as a percentage of adjusted net income. |
12 | Assumes midpoint of Wyndham’s 2023 adjusted EBITDA guidance of $654 million to $664 million. 2023 to 2024 organic growth rates adjusted for $10 million marketing fund contribution in 2023. |
13 | Represents FY2022 margin. Calculation excludes the impact of cost reimbursement and marketing, reservation and loyalty fees. |
14 | Reflects adjusted net income conversion to free cash flow and represents FY2022 free cash flow conversion. |
15 | Free cash flow through 2025; leverage of 3.5x on 2025 EBITDA. |
16 | As of September 30, 2023. |
(III) | Choice’s slower-growing business and post-transaction, higher leverage negatively affects the value of the equity consideration included in the Offer. |
• | The Offer’s $90 nominal value is subject to volatility due to the significant stock component. The 45% stock component of the Offer exposes Wyndham stockholders to excessive risks with respect to the value of the consideration that would be received. Choice stock has already declined by 12% since the Unaffected Date, which may be indicative of the market’s view of pro forma valuation of the combined company. As a result, the Offer currently represents a value of approximately $85 per share of Wyndham Common Stock, below the nominal value of $90 as of the Unaffected Date. The Wyndham Board remains concerned by the Offer’s consideration mix given the negative performance of Choice’s stock and trading multiple relative to the broader sector since the Unaffected Date. |
• | Choice’s stock appears to be fully valued and at risk for further degradation. Industry research analysts view Choice as fully valued with approximately 70% of research analysts having Choice at a “sell” or “hold” rating (compared with 92% of covering analysts rating Wyndham’s stock as a “buy”). When Wyndham first became a public company, Choice was trading at a 5.4x multiple premium to Wyndham. Wyndham’s trading multiple has increased steadily since its spin-off17 and has narrowed the Choice premium to approximately 2.2x as of the Unaffected Date through Wyndham’s multiple expansion of 1.7x and Choice’s multiple contraction of 1.5x.18 The Wyndham Board believes that Choice’s slower-growing business and other fundamental concerns could result in further deterioration of its multiple. At the same time, the Wyndham Board expects Wyndham’s continued execution on organic growth strategies to result in further multiple expansion. The Wyndham Board also believes that the development pipeline offers evidence of future growth prospects for a hotel franchisor. As of September 30, 2023, Choice’s pipeline has contracted 7% year to date, while Wyndham’s pipeline has expanded 9% year to date. Wyndham’s Board is concerned that Choice’s inability to grow organically will result in further deterioration of its trading multiple, which will cause the value of the Offer to degrade further. The Wyndham Board believes Wyndham stockholders are better positioned owning Wyndham’s stock, which has significant upside relative to Choice’s fully valued stock. |
• | The Offer would result in excessive, above-market leverage levels in the combined company, limiting its ability to invest in growth initiatives. The pro forma financial statements in the Form S-4 model the acquisition debt financing at an investment grade interest rate of 7-8%. Choice has not arranged committed financing, despite “numerous calls with potential financing sources” as early as August 2023 (according to its own statements) and has no certainty on the interest rate assumed in their pro forma financial statements. The Wyndham Board, after consultation with its financial advisors, believes that securing debt commitments at those levels will be difficult to achieve under the current debt market conditions, especially if Choice suffers an expected ratings downgrade. In the Form S-4, Choice states that its “anticipated level of indebtedness could, among other things...result in a downgrade in the credit rating of Choice...” The Wyndham Board believes that, if the Offer were consummated, the capital structure of the combined company would create significant risks for the combined company. Moreover, to complete the transaction, Choice would need to raise approximately $6 billion of incremental debt in a historically high interest rate environment. The net debt-to-LTM EBITDA ratio contemplated by the Offer is approximately 6.6x, compared with 3.3x for Wyndham and |
17 | Wyndham’s spin-off date was May 31, 2018. |
18 | NTM EBITDA multiple. |
(IV) | The Offer and other efforts by Choice are subject to numerous conditions (including financing and diligence conditions), requires Wyndham’s support and creates significant uncertainty. |
• | The Offer is subject to a litany of conditions, which make the consummation of the Offer highly uncertain. As described in “Item 2. Identity and Background of Filing Person — Exchange Offer” above and in Annex A to this Statement, the Offer is subject to a litany of conditions, including, among others, the following conditions: |
○ | the Minimum Tender Condition; |
○ | the Anti-Takeover Devices Condition; |
○ | the Choice Stockholder Approval Condition; |
○ | the Competition Laws and Governmental Approval Condition; |
○ | the Diligence Condition; |
○ | the Financing Condition; |
○ | the Stock Exchange Listing Condition; |
○ | the Registration Statement Condition; |
○ | the No Injunction Condition; |
○ | the No Wyndham Material Adverse Effect Condition; |
○ | the No Pending Litigation Condition; and |
○ | the No Contractual Impairment Condition. |
19 | Peer group set consists of Marriott International, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Accor and Choice, and reflects LTM net leverage as of September 30, 2023 for Marriott International, Hilton, Hyatt and Choice and LTM net leverage as of June 30, 2023 for IHG and Accor. LTM net leverage contemplated by offer based on LTM EBITDA and balance sheet data as of September 30, 2023 for Wyndham and Choice and assumes no synergies. |
20 | Includes franchise agreement acquisition cost, issuance and collections of notes receivable, and support for Cambria and Everhome Suites development. |
• | Choice has not arranged committed financing, despite “numerous calls with potential financing sources” as early as August 2023 (according to its own statements). Choice reported only having approximately $36 million of cash on hand and nearly two-thirds of its revolving credit facility drawn, as of September 30, 2023. Choice has since disclosed that it has purchased more than $110 million of Wyndham shares, further depleting liquidity and increasing leverage. Unlike other would-be hostile acquirors in comparable transactions, Choice does not have committed financing lined up or even executed “highly confident” letters with respect to a financing, meaning it has no means of financing the Offer. Additionally, Choice has not indicated what form its “take-out” financing would take – Choice mentions both equity and debt financing options but notes that Choice “has not negotiated the terms of, or entered into, any such financing agreement.” Choice further notes that it may undertake an underwritten equity offering or a private placement of equity, which would dilute the Wyndham shareholders’ stake in Choice if the Offer was completed. |
• | The Offer includes a non-customary “Diligence Condition.” Contrary to Choice’s express statements throughout its bid history on its desire to enhance transaction certainty, the Offer is expressly conditioned on further due diligence by Choice and Choice’s satisfaction with its outcome. The Wyndham Board believes that, given Choice’s presence in the market and the publicly available information on Wyndham, the “Diligence Condition” is designed solely to serve as a one-way exit option to the Offer in favor of Choice and reveals the illusory nature of the Offer. |
(V) | The Wyndham Board has received inadequacy opinions from each of Deutsche Bank and PJT Partners. |
Persons/Assets Retained, Employed, Compensated or Used |
Interest in Securities of the Subject Company |
Name | | | Date | | | No. of Shares | | | Price Per Share | | | Transaction Description |
Myra J. Biblowit | | | 10/27/2023 | | | 458 | | | $70.93 | | | Grant of common stock issued for quarterly retainer fees |
James E. Buckman | | | 10/27/2023 | | | 582 | | | $70.93 | | | Grant of deferred stock units issued for quarterly retainer fees |
Bruce B. Churchill | | | 10/27/2023 | | | 476 | | | $70.93 | | | Grant of deferred stock units issued for quarterly retainer fees |
Mukul V. Deoras | | | 10/27/2023 | | | 445 | | | $70.93 | | | Grant of deferred stock units issued for quarterly retainer fees |
Stephen P. Holmes | | | 10/27/2023 | | | 599 | | | $70.93 | | | Grant of deferred stock units issued for quarterly retainer fees |
Ronald L. Nelson | | | 10/27/2023 | | | 445 | | | $70.93 | | | Grant of deferred stock units issued for quarterly retainer fees |
Pauline D.E. Richards | | | 10/27/2023 | | | 480 | | | $70.93 | | | Grant of common stock issued for quarterly retainer fees |
Name | | | Date | | | No. of Shares | | | Price Per Share(1)(2) | | | Price Range(1)(2) | | | Transaction Description |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 10/19/2023 | | | 40,048 | | | $73.77 | | | $73.01-$74.52 | | | Issuer open market transaction under 10b5-1 Plan |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 10/20/2023 | | | 40,152 | | | $73.58 | | | $72.72-$74.00 | | | Issuer open market transaction under 10b5-1 Plan |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 10/23/2023 | | | 40,135 | | | $73.61 | | | $72.97-$73.95 | | | Issuer open market transaction under 10b5-1 Plan |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 10/24/2023 | | | 36,672 | | | $74.22 | | | $73.62-$74.63 | | | Issuer open market transaction under 10b5-1 Plan |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 10/25/2023 | | | 40,035 | | | $73.80 | | | $73.20-$74.84 | | | Issuer open market transaction under 10b5-1 Plan |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 10/26/2023 | | | 40,579 | | | $72.81 | | | $71.95-$74.69 | | | Issuer open market transaction under 10b5-1 Plan |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 10/27/2023 | | | 35,163 | | | $71.09 | | | $70.39-$72.57 | | | Issuer open market transaction |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 10/30/2023 | | | 34,841 | | | $71.75 | | | $71.06-$72.27 | | | Issuer open market transaction |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 10/31/2023 | | | 34,729 | | | $71.99 | | | $71.03-$72.97 | | | Issuer open market transaction |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 11/1/2023 | | | 34,716 | | | $72.01 | | | $71.47-$72.54 | | | Issuer open market transaction |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 11/2/2023 | | | 34,345 | | | $72.79 | | | $71.93-$73.30 | | | Issuer open market transaction |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 11/3/2023 | | | 33,489 | | | $74.65 | | | $74.11-$75.16 | | | Issuer open market transaction |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 11/6/2023 | | | 33,255 | | | $75.17 | | | $74.56-$75.61 | | | Issuer open market transaction |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 11/7/2023 | | | 32,805 | | | $76.20 | | | $74.10-$76.87 | | | Issuer open market transaction |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 11/8/2023 | | | 33,059 | | | $75.60 | | | $75.32-$76.11 | | | Issuer open market transaction |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 11/9/2023 | | | 33,046 | | | $75.65 | | | $75.00-$76.08 | | | Issuer open market transaction |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 11/10/2023 | | | 32,694 | | | $76.46 | | | $75.46-$76.92 | | | Issuer open market transaction |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 11/13/2023 | | | 32,531 | | | $76.85 | | | $76.45-$77.36 | | | Issuer open market transaction |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 11/14/2023 | | | 32,178 | | | $77.69 | | | $77.36-$78.09 | | | Issuer open market transaction |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 11/21/2023 | | | 16,363 | | | $77.59 | | | $77.36-$77.98 | | | Issuer open market transaction |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 11/22/2023 | | | 16,281 | | | $78.00 | | | $77.64-$78.23 | | | Issuer open market transaction under 10b5-1 Plan |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 11/24/2023 | | | 16,199 | | | $78.40 | | | $78.12-$78.62 | | | Issuer open market transaction under 10b5-1 Plan |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 11/27/2023 | | | 16,262 | | | $78.09 | | | $77.66-$78.51 | | | Issuer open market transaction under 10b5-1 Plan |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 11/28/2023 | | | 16,297 | | | $77.93 | | | $77.70-$78.15 | | | Issuer open market transaction under 10b5-1 Plan |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 11/29/2023 | | | 16,332 | | | $77.75 | | | $77.29-$78.67 | | | Issuer open market transaction under 10b5-1 Plan |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 11/30/2023 | | | 16,380 | | | $77.53 | | | $77.15-$77.90 | | | Issuer open market transaction under 10b5-1 Plan |
Name | | | Date | | | No. of Shares | | | Price Per Share(1)(2) | | | Price Range(1)(2) | | | Transaction Description |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 12/1/2023 | | | 16,172 | | | $78.53 | | | $77.30-$79.03 | | | Issuer open market transaction under 10b5-1 Plan |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 12/4/2023 | | | 16,156 | | | $78.61 | | | $78.20-$79.59 | | | Issuer open market transaction under 10b5-1 Plan |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 12/5/2023 | | | 16,310 | | | $77.87 | | | $77.30-$78.92 | | | Issuer open market transaction under 10b5-1 Plan |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 12/6/2023 | | | 16,415 | | | $77.36 | | | $77.09-$77.87 | | | Issuer open market transaction under 10b5-1 Plan |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 12/7/2023 | | | 16,202 | | | $78.38 | | | $77.45-$78.64 | | | Issuer open market transaction under 10b5-1 Plan |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 12/8/2023 | | | 16,186 | | | $78.46 | | | $78.15-$78.81 | | | Issuer open market transaction under 10b5-1 Plan |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 12/11/2023 | | | 15,989 | | | $79.43 | | | $78.96-$79.93 | | | Issuer open market transaction under 10b5-1 Plan |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 12/12/2023 | | | 16,127 | | | $78.75 | | | $78.17-$79.85 | | | Issuer open market transaction under 10b5-1 Plan |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 12/13/2023 | | | 16,204 | | | $78.37 | | | $77.38-$79.39 | | | Issuer open market transaction under 10b5-1 Plan |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 12/14/2023 | | | 15,919 | | | $79.77 | | | $78.28-$81.71 | | | Issuer open market transaction under 10b5-1 Plan |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 12/15/2023 | | | 16,321 | | | $77.78 | | | $77.21-$78.08 | | | Issuer open market transaction under 10b5-1 Plan |
(1) | Shares were acquired in multiple transactions each day at prices within the price range set forth in the column labeled “Price Range.” The price reported in the column labeled “Price Per Share” is a weighted average price. |
(2) | Excluding commissions. |
Purposes of the Transaction and Plans or Proposals |
Additional Information |
• | December 12, 2023 as the date on which the Offer is consummated, and |
• | A qualifying termination of each NEO’s employment by Wyndham immediately following consummation of the Offer. |
Name | | | Cash ($)(a) | | | Equity ($)(b) | | | Perquisites/Benefits ($)(c) | | | Total ($) |
Mr. Ballotti | | | 8,993,741 | | | 28,442,007 | | | 47,730 | | | 37,483,478 |
Ms. Allen | | | 2,400,000 | | | 6,909,782 | | | 41,873 | | | 9,351,655 |
Mr. Cash | | | 1,919,190 | | | 4,650,149 | | | 47,731 | | | 6,617,070 |
Ms. Checchio | | | 1,821,200 | | | 3,532,948 | | | 45,766 | | | 5,399,914 |
Mr. Strickland | | | 2.120,000 | | | 4,367,505 | | | 39,370 | | | 6,526,875 |
(a) | Represents the value of cash severance payable to each NEO, which is the 200% (or 299%, in case of Mr. Ballotti) of sum of base salary plus the highest annual incentive compensation award paid to the NEO with respect to the three years immediately preceding the employment termination year (but in no event will the annual incentive compensation portion exceed the NEO’s then target annual incentive compensation award in the case of Messrs. Ballotti and Cash and Ms. Allen, or 100% of the NEO’s then-current base salary, in the case of Mr. Strickland and Ms. Checchio). Cash severance is “double-trigger” in nature (i.e., will become payable following the Offer conditioned on the NEO’s qualifying termination of employment). The amounts of the base salary and annual incentive compensation components of the cash severance are set forth in the table below. |
Name | | | Base Salary Severance ($) | | | Annual Incentive Compensation Severance ($) |
Mr. Ballotti(1) | | | 3,459,131 | | | 5,534,610 |
Ms. Allen | | | 1,200,000 | | | 1,200,000 |
Mr. Cash | | | 1,037,400 | | | 881,790 |
Ms. Checchio | | | 910,600 | | | 910,600 |
Mr. Strickland | | | 1,060,000 | | | 1,060,000 |
(1) | Pursuant to the Amended Ballotti Agreement, effective January 1, 2024, Mr. Ballotti’s base salary and target annual incentive compensation award will increase to $1,300,000 and 175% of base salary, respectively. Mr. Ballotti’s base salary and annual incentive compensation components of the cash severance based on these increases would be $3,887,000 and $6,802,250, respectively. |
(b) | Represents the value of unvested options, RSUs and PSUs held by the NEO that would fully vest upon consummation of the Offer, calculated using a price per share of $73.672 (the average closing price of shares of Wyndham Common Stock on the five business days following October 17, 2023, the date Choice first publicly announced the Offer). These amounts are “single-trigger” in nature (i.e., will become payable solely by reason of a change-in-control of Wyndham triggered by the consummation of the Offer, whether or not the NEO’s employment is terminated). The amounts of each type of unvested equity award held by the NEOs that would vest upon the consummation of the Offer are set forth in the table below. |
Name | | | RSUs ($) | | | PSUs ($) | | | Options ($) |
Mr. Ballotti | | | 14,475,443 | | | 12,293,352 | | | 1,673,212 |
Ms. Allen | | | 4,843,492 | | | 1,845,042 | | | 221,249 |
Mr. Cash | | | 3,025,635 | | | 1,440,140 | | | 184,374 |
Ms. Checchio | | | 2,287,810 | | | 1,097,639 | | | 147,499 |
Mr. Strickland | | | 3,037,644 | | | 1,182,362 | | | 147,499 |
(c) | Represents 18 months’ reimbursement for continued health plan coverage in accordance with COBRA if elected by the NEO and is “double-trigger” in nature (i.e., will become payable following the Offer conditioned on the NEO’s qualifying termination of employment). |
• | prior to such time the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder; |
• | upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting |
• | at or subsequent to such time the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66-2/3% of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder. |
Exhibits |
| | | | Incorporated by Reference to Filings Indicated | | | ||||||||||||
Exhibit Number | | | Exhibit Description | | | Form | | | File No. | | | Exhibit | | | Filing Date | | | Filed Herewith |
| | Press release issued by Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc., dated December 12, 2023 | | | 8-K | | | 001-38432 | | | 99.1 | | | December 12, 2023 | | | ||
| | E-mail to Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. employees | | | 8-K | | | 001-38432 | | | 99.2 | | | December 12, 2023 | | | ||
| | Press release issued by Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc., dated December 18, 2023 | | | | | | | | | | | X | |||||
| | Letter to Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. team members, dated December 18, 2023 | | | | | | | | | | | X | |||||
| | Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. investor slide | | | | | | | | | | | X | |||||
| | Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. antitrust presentation | | | | | | | | | | | X | |||||
| | Opinion of Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., dated December 17, 2023 (included as Annex B to this Statement) | | | | | | | | | | | X | |||||
| | Opinion of PJT Partners, LP, dated December 17, 2023 (included as Annex C to this Statement) | | | | | | | | | | | X | |||||
| | Excerpts from Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc.’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, dated and filed with the SEC on March 28, 2023 | | | | | | | | | | | X | |||||
| | Third Amended & Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 8-K | | | 001-38432 | | | 3.1 | | | May 10, 2023 | | | ||
| | Third Amended and Restated By-Laws of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 8-K | | | 001-38432 | | | 3.1 | | | January 6, 2023 | | | ||
| | Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. 2018 Equity and Incentive Plan | | | 8-K | | | 001-38432 | | | 10.11 | | | June 4, 2018 | | | ||
| | Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. Officer Deferred Compensation Plan | | | 8-K | | | 001-38432 | | | 10.12 | | | June 4, 2018 | | | ||
| | Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. Non-Employee Directors Deferred Compensation Plan | | | 8-K | | | 001-38432 | | | 10.13 | | | June 4, 2018 | | | ||
| | Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. Savings Restoration Plan | | | 8-K | | | 001-38432 | | | 10.14 | | | June 4, 2018 | | | ||
| | Form of Award Agreement for Restricted Stock Units for U.S. employees | | | 10-12B/A | | | 001-38432 | | | 10.11 | | | April 19, 2018 | | |
| | | | Incorporated by Reference to Filings Indicated | | | ||||||||||||
Exhibit Number | | | Exhibit Description | | | Form | | | File No. | | | Exhibit | | | Filing Date | | | Filed Herewith |
| | Form of Award Agreement for Restricted Stock Units for non-employee Directors | | | 10-12B/A | | | 001-38432 | | | 10.13 | | | April 19, 2018 | | | ||
| | Form of Award Agreement for Stock-Settled Stock Appreciation Rights | | | 10-12B/A | | | 001-38432 | | | 10.14 | | | April 19, 2018 | | | ||
| | Form of Award Agreement for Performance Restricted Stock Units | | | 10-Q | | | 001-38432 | | | 10.1 | | | April 27, 2023 | | | ||
| | Form of Award Agreement for Non-Qualified Stock Options | | | 10-12B/A | | | 001-38432 | | | 10.16 | | | April 19, 2018 | | | ||
| | Letter Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2018, between Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. and Stephen P. Holmes | | | 8-K | | | 001-38432 | | | 10.5 | | | June 4, 2018 | | | ||
| | Amended & Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of November 14, 2023, between Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. and Geoffrey A. Ballotti | | | | | | | | | | | X | |||||
| | Amended & Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of November 7, 2022, between Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. and Michele Allen | | | 10-K | | | 001-38432 | | | 10.19 | | | February 16, 2023 | | | ||
| | Amended & Restated Employment Letter, dated as of February 13, 2023, between Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. and Paul F. Cash | | | 10-Q | | | 001-38432 | | | 10.3 | | | April 27, 2023 | | | ||
| | Amended & Restated Employment Letter, dated as of February 13, 2023, between Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. and Lisa Checchio | | | 10-Q | | | 001-38432 | | | 10.4 | | | April 27, 2023 | | | ||
| | Amended & Restated Employment Letter, Dated as of February 13, 2023, between Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. and Scott Strickland | | | 10-Q | | | 001-38432 | | | 10.5 | | | April 27, 2023 | | |
| | WYNDHAM HOTELS & RESORTS, INC. | ||||
| | | ||||
| | By: | | | /s/ Paul F. Cash | |
| | Name: | | | Paul F. Cash | |
| | Title: | | | General Counsel |
• | There shall have been validly tendered and not properly withdrawn prior to the expiration of the Offer, a number of shares of Wyndham Common Stock which, together with any other shares of Wyndham Common Stock that Choice (or its controlled affiliates, including Purchaser) then owns or has a right to acquire, is a majority of the total number of outstanding shares of Wyndham Common Stock on a fully diluted basis as of the date that Choice accepts shares of Wyndham Common Stock for exchange pursuant to the Offer. |
• | The impediments to the consummation of the Offer and the Second-Step Mergers which the Wyndham Board can remove shall have been rendered inapplicable to the Offer and the Second-Step Mergers. The following shall have occurred (in the reasonable judgment of Choice): |
○ | the Wyndham Board shall have approved the Offer and the Second-Step Mergers under Section 203 of the DGCL, or Section 203 of the DGCL shall otherwise be inapplicable to the Offer and the Second-Step Mergers or Choice shall acquire in the Offer in excess of 85% of the shares of Wyndham Common Stock outstanding at the time the transaction commenced in accordance with Section 203 of the DGCL; |
○ | the Wyndham Board shall have taken steps to ensure that the Second-Step Mergers can be completed in the short- form manner permitted by Section 251(h) of the DGCL; and |
○ | any other impediments to the consummation of the Offer and Second-Step Mergers of which Choice is (on the date of the Offer to Exchange) unaware and which the Wyndham Board can remove shall have been removed or otherwise rendered inapplicable to the Offer and the Second-Step Mergers. |
• | The stockholders of Choice shall have approved (i) the issuance of Choice Common Stock contemplated in connection with the Offer and the Second-Step Mergers, in accordance with the rules of the NYSE, on which the Choice Common Stock is listed and (ii) other matters ancillary to the Offer and the Second-Step Merger. According to the Offer to Exchange, Choice expects to file a preliminary proxy statement with respect to a special meeting of Choice stockholders to obtain this approval promptly prior to the Expiration Date, and it is Choice’s intention to obtain this approval prior to the Wyndham 2024 Annual Meeting. |
• | The waiting period applicable to the Offer and the Second-Step Mergers under the HSR Act shall have expired or been terminated. In addition: |
○ | the waiting period (or extension thereof) applicable to the Offer and the Second- Step Merger under any applicable antitrust laws and regulations (other than the HSR Act) applicable to the Offer and the Second-Step Mergers under any other applicable antitrust laws and regulations, other than the HSR Act, shall have expired or been terminated, and any approvals or clearances, including those required by any international bodies, if applicable, and, in each case, as determined by Choice to be required or advisable thereunder shall have been obtained on terms satisfactory to Choice, and |
○ | any other approval, permit, authorization, extension, action or non-action, waiver or consent of any governmental authority as determined by Choice to be required or advisable shall have been obtained on terms satisfactory to Choice. |
• | The Choice Common Stock issuable to Wyndham stockholders in connection with the Offer and the Second-Step Mergers shall have been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance. |
• | The Form S-4 shall have become effective under the Securities Act. No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Form S-4 shall have been issued, and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been initiated or threatened, by the SEC. |
• | No court or other governmental entity of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any law, statute or ordinance, common law, rule, regulation, standard, judgment, order, writ, injunction, decree, arbitration award or agency requirement (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) that is in effect and restrains, enjoins or otherwise prohibits consummation of the Offer and the Second-Step Mergers. |
• | Since December 31, 2022, there shall not have occurred any Circumstance that has had, or would reasonably be likely to have, a Wyndham Material Adverse Effect. |
○ | A “Wyndham Material Adverse Effect” means any Circumstance that, individually or in the aggregate, (i) has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a materially adverse effect on the financial condition, business, operations, assets, liabilities or results of operations of Wyndham and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) would, or would reasonably be expected to, materially impair the ability of Wyndham or any of its subsidiaries to consummate the Offer or the Second-Step Mergers; provided, however, that solely for purposes of the foregoing clause (i) only, to the extent any Circumstance results from the following items, then it will be excluded in determining whether there has been a Wyndham Material Adverse Effect: (A) changes after the date hereof in GAAP or the official interpretation or enforcement thereof or any other accounting requirements generally applicable to the industry in which Wyndham or any of its subsidiaries operates, (B) changes after the date hereof generally affecting the financial, securities, debt or financing markets or general economic or political conditions, (C) changes after the date hereof in law of general applicability to companies in the industry in which Wyndham or any of its subsidiaries operates, (D) acts or declarations of war or other armed hostilities, sabotage or terrorism, and (E) any failure by Wyndham or any of its subsidiaries to meet any internal or published estimates, budgets, projections, forecasts or predictions of financial performance for any period (it being understood that the underlying cause of any such failure described in this clause (E) may be considered in determining whether or not a Wyndham Material Adverse Effect has occurred); provided that, in the case of clauses (A), (B), (C) and (D), any such Circumstances may be taken into account in determining whether or not there has been a Wyndham Material Adverse Effect to the extent any such Circumstance has been, or is reasonably likely to be, disproportionately adverse to such person and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as compared to other participants in the industry in which such person and any of its subsidiaries operate. |
• | Choice shall have been given access to Wyndham’s non-public information related to Wyndham’s business, assets, and liabilities to complete its confirmatory due diligence review and Choice shall have concluded, in its reasonable judgment, that there are no material adverse facts or developments concerning or affecting Wyndham’s business, assets and liabilities that have not been publicly disclosed prior to the commencement of the Offer that would result or be reasonably likely to result in a Diminution of Value. |
• | Choice shall have obtained financing proceeds in amounts, together with its cash on hand, sufficient to consummate the Offer and the Second-Step Mergers and pay related fees and expenses. |
• | there shall be threatened, instituted or pending any action, proceeding or application before any court, government or governmental authority or other regulatory or administrative agency or commission, domestic or foreign, (i) which challenges the acquisition by Choice of Wyndham Common Stock, seeks to restrain, delay or prohibit the consummation of the Offer or the Second-Step Mergers or seeks to |
• | other than the waiting periods under the HSR Act and any other applicable antitrust laws and regulations, any statute, rule, regulation or order or injunction shall be sought, proposed, enacted, promulgated, entered, enforced or deemed or become applicable to the Offer, the Second-Step Mergers or the transactions contemplated by the Offer or the Second-Step Mergers that might, directly or indirectly, result in any of the consequences referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) of the immediately preceding paragraph, except that this condition will not fail to be satisfied as a result of a governmental entity requiring that Choice agree to or effect any regulatory requirement as long as such requirement would not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, business, operations, assets, liabilities or results of operations of Choice, Wyndham and their respective subsidiaries, taken as a whole; |
• | there shall have occurred (i) any general suspension of, or limitation on times or prices for, trading in securities on any national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market, (ii) any decline in either the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the Standard and Poor’s Index of 500 Industrial Companies or the Nasdaq 100 Index by any amount in excess of 15% measured from the close of business on December 11, 2023, (iii) a declaration of a banking moratorium or any suspension of payments in respect of banks in the United States, (iv) the outbreak or escalation of a war, armed hostilities or other international or national calamity directly or indirectly involving the United States, (v) any limitation (whether or not mandatory) by any governmental authority or other regulatory agency on, or any other event which might affect the extension of credit by, banks or other lending institutions or the availability of the financing of the Offer, (vi) a suspension of or limitation (whether or not mandatory) on the currency exchange markets or the imposition of, or material changes in, any currency or exchange control laws in the United States or (vii) in the case of any of the foregoing existing at the time of the commencement of the Offer, a material acceleration or worsening thereof; |
• | Wyndham or any subsidiary of Wyndham shall have (i) issued, distributed, pledged or sold, or authorized, or proposed the issuance, distribution, pledge or sale of (A) any shares of its capital stock (other than sales or issuances pursuant to the present terms of employee stock awards outstanding on the date of the Offer to Exchange) of any class (including, without limitation, Wyndham Common Stock) or securities convertible into or exchangeable for any such shares of capital stock, or any rights, warrants or options to acquire any such shares or convertible securities or any other securities of Wyndham (other than any employee awards referred to in the financial statements in Wyndham’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022), (B) any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for Wyndham Common Stock or (C) any debt securities or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for debt securities or any rights, warrants or options entitling the holder thereof to purchase or otherwise acquire any debt securities, (ii) purchased or otherwise acquired, or proposed or offered to purchase or otherwise acquire, any outstanding shares of Wyndham Common Stock or other securities, (iii) proposed, recommended, authorized, declared, issued or paid any dividend or distribution on any shares of Wyndham Common Stock or any other security, whether payable in cash, securities or other property, other than Wyndham’s regular quarterly dividend of $0.35 |
• | Wyndham or any of its subsidiaries shall have amended or proposed or authorized any amendment to the Wyndham Certificate of Incorporation, the Wyndham Bylaws or similar organizational documents, or Choice shall have learned that Wyndham or any of its subsidiaries shall have proposed, adopted or recommended any such amendment, which has not previously been publicly disclosed by Wyndham and also set forth in filings with the SEC prior to commencement of the Offer, in a manner that, in the reasonable judgment of Choice, might, directly or indirectly, (i) delay or otherwise restrain, impede or prohibit the Offer or the Second-Step Mergers or (ii) prohibit or limit the full rights of ownership of shares of Wyndham Common Stock by Choice or any of its affiliates, including, without limitation, the right to vote any shares of Wyndham Common Stock acquired by Choice pursuant to the Offer or otherwise on all matters properly presented to Wyndham stockholders; |
• | Wyndham or any of its subsidiaries shall have transferred into trust, escrow or similar arrangement any amounts required to fund any existing benefit, employment or severance agreements with any of its employees or shall have entered into or otherwise effected with its officers or any other employees any additional benefit, employment, severance or similar agreements, arrangements or plans other than in the ordinary course of business or entered into or amended any agreements, arrangements or plans so as to provide for increased benefits to such employee or employees as a result of or in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Offer or the Second-Step Mergers; |
• | (i) a tender or exchange offer for some or all of the shares of Wyndham Common Stock has been publicly proposed to be made or has been made by another person (including Wyndham or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, but excluding Choice or any of its affiliates), or has been publicly disclosed, or Choice otherwise learns that any person or “group” (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) has acquired or proposes to acquire beneficial ownership of more than 5% of any class or series of capital stock of Wyndham (including the Wyndham Common Stock), through the acquisition of stock, the formation of a group or otherwise, or is granted any option, right or warrant, conditional or otherwise, to acquire beneficial ownership of more than 5% of any class or series of capital stock of Wyndham (including the Wyndham Common Stock) other than acquisitions for bona fide arbitrage purposes only and other than as disclosed in a Schedule 13D or 13G on file with the SEC on the date of the Offer to Exchange, (ii) any such person or group which, prior to the date of the Offer to Exchange, had filed such a Schedule 13D or 13G with the SEC has acquired or proposes to acquire beneficial ownership of additional shares of any class or series of capital stock of Wyndham, through the acquisition of stock, the formation of a group or otherwise, constituting 1% or more of any such class or series, or is granted any option, right or warrant, conditional or otherwise, to acquire beneficial ownership of additional shares of any class or series of capital stock of Wyndham constituting 1% or more of any such class or series, (iii) any person or group has entered into a definitive agreement or an agreement in principle or made a proposal with respect to a tender or exchange offer or a merger, consolidation or other business combination with or involving Wyndham or (iv) any person has filed a Notification and Report Form under the HSR Act or made a public announcement reflecting an intent to acquire Wyndham or any assets or securities of Wyndham; |
• | Choice becomes aware (i) that any material contractual right of Wyndham or any of its subsidiaries has been or will be impaired or otherwise adversely affected or that any material amount of indebtedness of Wyndham or any of its subsidiaries has been accelerated or has otherwise become due or become subject to acceleration prior to its stated due date, in each case with or without notice or the lapse of |
• | Wyndham or any of its subsidiaries shall have (i) granted to any person proposing a merger or other business combination with or involving Wyndham or any of its subsidiaries or the purchase or exchange of securities or assets of Wyndham or any of its subsidiaries any type of option, warrant or right which, in Choice’s reasonable judgment, constitutes a “lock-up” device (including, without limitation, a right to acquire or receive any shares of Wyndham Common Stock or other securities, assets or business of Wyndham or any of its subsidiaries) or (ii) paid or agreed to pay any cash or other consideration to any party in connection with or in any way related to any such business combination, purchase or exchange. |
(i) | reviewed certain publicly available information concerning the business, financial condition and operations of the Company and Choice; |
(ii) | reviewed certain internal information concerning the business, financial condition and operations of the Company prepared and furnished to us by the management of the Company; |
(iii) | reviewed certain internal financial analyses, estimates and forecasts relating to the Company, including projections that were prepared by or at the direction of and approved for our use by the management of the Company (collectively, the “Company Projections”); |
(iv) | reviewed certain internal financial analyses, estimates and forecasts relating to Choice, including projections that were prepared by or at the direction of and approved for our use by the management of the Company (collectively, the “Company Choice Projections”); |
(v) | held discussions with members of senior management of the Company concerning, among other things, their evaluation of the Offer, the Company’s business, operating and regulatory environment, financial condition, prospects and strategic objectives and Choice’s business, operating and regulatory environment, financial condition, prospects and strategic objectives, including Company management’s assessment of Choice’s strategic rationale for, and the potential benefits to Choice from, the Transactions; |
(vi) | reviewed the historical market prices and trading activity for the Shares and the Choice Common Stock; |
(vii) | compared certain publicly available financial and stock market data for the Company and Choice with similar information for certain other companies that we deemed to be relevant; |
(viii) | compared the proposed financial terms of the Transactions with publicly available financial terms of certain other business combinations that we deemed to be relevant; |
(ix) | reviewed the terms and conditions of the Offer as set forth in the Offer Documents; |
(x) | reviewed a draft, dated December 17, 2023, of the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement of the Company to be filed on Schedule 14D-9; and |
(xi) | performed such other financial studies, analyses and investigations, and considered such other matters, as we deemed necessary or appropriate for purposes of rendering this opinion. |
| | Very truly yours, | |
| | ||
| | /s/ PJT Partners LP | |
| | PJT Partners LP |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2023 | | | Year Ended December 31, 2022 | |
Net income | | | $137 | | | $355 |
Gain on asset sale, net(a) | | | — | | | (35) |
Transaction-related(b) | | | 4 | | | — |
Acquisition-related amortization expense(c) | | | 14 | | | 31 |
Foreign currency impact of highly inflationary countries(d) | | | 3 | | | 4 |
Early extinguishment of debt(e) | | | 3 | | | 2 |
Separation-related expenses(f) | | | — | | | 1 |
Income tax provision/(benefit)(g) | | | 6 | | | (2) |
Adjusted net income | | | $155 | | | $360 |
(a) | In 2022, represents net gain on sale of Wyndham’s owned hotel, the Wyndham Grand Bonnet Creek Resort. There was no gain or loss on sale of the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Resort as the proceeds received approximated adjusted net book value. |
(b) | Represents costs related to corporate transactions, including Wyndham’s refinancing of its term loan B. |
(c) | Reflected in depreciation and amortization on the income statement. |
(d) | Relates to the foreign currency impact from hyper-inflation, primarily in Argentina, which is reflected in operating expenses on the income statement. |
(e) | Amount in 2023 relates to non-cash charges associated with the Company's refinancing of its term loan B. Amount in 2022 relates to non-cash charges associated with Wyndham’s extension of its revolving credit facility and the prepayment of $400 million of its term loan B. |
(f) | Represents costs associated with Wyndham’s spin-off from Wyndham Worldwide. |
(g) | Reflects the estimated tax effects of the adjustments. |
| | Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2023 | | | Year Ended December 31, 2022 | |
Net income | | | $296 | | | $355 |
Provision for income taxes | | | 99 | | | 121 |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 75 | | | 77 |
Interest expense, net | | | 94 | | | 80 |
Early extinguishment of debt(a) | | | 3 | | | 2 |
Stock-based compensation expense | | | 36 | | | 33 |
Development advance notes amortization(b) | | | 14 | | | 12 |
Gain on asset sale, net(c) | | | — | | | (35) |
Transaction-related expenses(d) | | | 5 | | | — |
Separation-related (income)/expenses(e) | | | 1 | | | 1 |
Foreign currency impact of highly inflationary countries(f) | | | 8 | | | 4 |
Adjusted EBITDA | | | $631 | | | $650 |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2023 | | | Six Months Ended June 30, 2022 | |
Net income | | | $137 | | | $198 |
Provision for income taxes | | | 50 | | | 65 |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 37 | | | 41 |
Interest expense, net | | | 46 | | | 40 |
Early extinguishment of debt(a) | | | 3 | | | 2 |
Stock-based compensation expense | | | 18 | | | 17 |
Development advance notes amortization(b) | | | 7 | | | 6 |
Gain on asset sale, net(c) | | | — | | | (35) |
Transaction-related expenses(d) | | | 4 | | | — |
Separation-related (income)/expenses(e) | | | — | | | (1) |
Foreign currency impact of highly inflationary countries(f) | | | 3 | | | 1 |
CPLG/Owned asset contribution(g) | | | — | | | (18) |
Marketing fund variability(h) | | | 38 | | | — |
Comparable Adjusted EBITDA | | | $343 | | | $316 |
(a) | Amount in 2023 relates to non-cash charges associated with the Company’s refinancing of its term loan B. Amount in 2022 relates to non-cash charges associated with Wyndham’s extension of its revolving credit facility and the prepayment of $400 million of its term loan B. |
(b) | Represents the non-cash amortization of development advance notes, which is now excluded from adjusted EBITDA to reflect how Wyndham’s chief operating decision maker reviews operating performance. |
(c) | Represents net gain on sale of Wyndham’s owned hotel, the Wyndham Grand Bonnet Creek Resort. There was no gain or loss on sale of the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Resort as the proceeds received approximated adjusted net book value. |
(d) | Represents costs related to corporate transactions, including Wyndham’s refinancing of its term loan B. |
(e) | Represents costs associated with Wyndham’s spin-off from Wyndham Worldwide. |
(f) | Relates to the foreign currency impact from hyper-inflation, primarily in Argentina, which is reflected in operating expenses on the income statement. |
(g) | Relates to the impact of the sale of Wyndham’s owned hotels and the exit of its select-service management business. |
(h) | Relates to the quarterly timing variances from Wyndham’s marketing funds. |
| | Year Ended December 31, 2022 | |
Operating income margin | | | 41% |
Depreciation and amortization. | | | 6% |
Impact from adjustments to arrive at adjusted EBITDA | | | 1% |
Marketing, reservation and loyalty fees | | | 33% |
Adjusted EBITDA margin | | | 81% |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2023 | | | Year Ended December 31, 2022 | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | | | $176 | | | $399 |
Less: Property and equipment additions | | | (18) | | | (39) |
Free cash flow | | | $158 | | | $360 |
Adjusted net income (see table above) | | | $155 | | | $360 |
Free cash flow conversion | | | 102% | | | 100% |
•
|
The Offer involves an uncertain regulatory timeline and outcome and does not provide sufficient protections and compensation for the asymmetrical risks Wyndham shareholders would face.
|
o
|
Choice's Offer would create the largest U.S. provider of hotel franchise services in the chainscales that serve middle-income guests - economy and midscale - with over 55% market share in each, resulting in significant uncertainty as
to whether the FTC or courts would ever clear the transaction.
|
o
|
This complex merger would require an extended period of time to review relative to businesses that are smaller in scope, scale, or competitive intensity.
|
◾
|
The FTC opened a preliminary investigation into the transaction – even before there was an exchange offer or transaction – additional evidence of antitrust concerns and a potential prolonged review process.
|
o
|
Any extended period between the announcement and closing (or termination) of the transaction exposes Wyndham and its shareholders to meaningful risks, including:
|
◾
|
New business development disruption and deterioration in segment-leading retention rates resulting in impaired earnings growth;
|
◾
|
Competitors (including Choice) capitalizing on franchisee uncertainty;
|
◾
|
Stagnated development of Wyndham’s fast-growing ECHO Suites brand; and
|
◾
|
Increased employee turnover and reduced ability to attract and retain team members.
|
o
|
Franchisees have vehemently expressed their opposition to a proposed transaction, which heightens the level of business risk and FTC scrutiny.
|
◾
|
The reception from franchisees has been extremely negative.
|
◾
|
AAHOA, which represents roughly two-thirds of Wyndham and Choice franchisees, has been strongly opposed to a potential combination, noting that having one franchisor control so many economy and midscale hotels would be “highly
disruptive.”
|
◾
|
The Wyndham Board is concerned that the announcement of a transaction could result in increased franchisee churn and reduced new development activity.
|
o
|
Choice’s public offer in October has amplified the antitrust risk across the franchisee community and with the FTC. As a result, it has become apparent that the risk and the potential damage to Wyndham and its shareholders would be
overwhelming.
|
•
|
The Offer is inadequate and undervalues Wyndham’s superior, standalone growth prospects.
|
o
|
The Wyndham Board believes the Company can deliver long-term shareholder value in excess of the $85 per share offered by Choice by continuing to execute on its existing business plan.
|
◾
|
Wyndham has significant embedded upside from its ongoing retention strategy.
|
◾
|
The attractive mix of Wyndham’s record pipeline provides additional opportunity for accelerated net room growth, above-market RevPAR growth and royalty rate expansion.
|
◾
|
Wyndham’s geographic domestic footprint is best positioned to capture unprecedented hotel demand in markets receiving the largest allocation of the Federal Government’s $1.5 trillion Infrastructure Bill.
|
◾
|
Wyndham has launched the fastest-growing brand in the industry, ECHO Suites Extended Stay by Wyndham, appealing to this infrastructure demand.
|
◾
|
Wyndham expects to benefit from ancillary revenue growth including new credit card products, new strategic marketing partnerships and other monetization opportunities.
|
•
|
Choice’s Offer mischaracterizes Wyndham's growth potential.
|
◾
|
Choice portrays Wyndham’s growth potential as $9 per share, which is an egregious mischaracterization and fails to reflect the outlook Wyndham provided in its October investor presentation, which provides the roadmap for an incremental
$20 per share from EBITDA growth potential over the next two years with an additional $16 per share from the deployment of available capital during that period.
|
◾
|
Importantly this standalone plan does not rely on overleveraging Wyndham’s balance sheet. Rather, Wyndham’s plan can be achieved with leverage remaining in the lower half of Wyndham’s stated target range at 3.5x.
|
◾
|
Additionally, there is further upside from continued multiple expansion. Since completing its spin-off in 2018, Wyndham’s multiple has expanded and continues to close the gap to its peer set average, which currently stands at 15.7
times. Every 1.0x multiple increase could translate into as much as $8 per share of additional value.
|
o
|
The Offer represents a mere 4% premium to Wyndham’s 52-week high and a 10% premium to Wyndham’s current stock price (as of December 15, 2023).
|
◾
|
Importantly, since the announcement of Choice’s proposal on October 17, 2023, Wyndham’s share price has recovered to 95% of its 52-week high, which is generally consistent with the broader lodging sector performance of 99%.
|
o
|
Choice’s proposed “ticking fee” is illusory as crafted.
|
•
|
Choice’s stock is at significant risk for further price degradation, with a slower-growing business. Post-transaction, Choice’s leverage level would surpass all other lodging peers’ average leverage ratios –
negatively affecting not only the value of the equity consideration in the Offer, but also limiting Choice’s ability to invest in future growth.
|
o
|
The Wyndham Board sees the Offer as an attempt by Choice to mask its anemic organic growth by acquiring Wyndham’s global system and capabilities without paying adequate consideration for it to Wyndham shareholders.
|
o
|
The 45% stock component is subject to volatility and exposes Wyndham shareholders to excessive risks with respect to the value of the consideration received. Choice stock has already dropped by 12% since its initial public offer.
|
o
|
Choice’s stock appears to be fully valued with significant risk for further degradation. Approximately 70% of covering research analysts rate Choice as a “sell” or “hold” stock. Over 90% of covering analysts rate Wyndham as a “buy.”
|
•
|
The Offer is subject to a litany of conditions, which make the consummation of the Offer highly uncertain.
|
o
|
Choice has not arranged committed financing, despite “numerous calls with potential financing sources” (according to its own statements) for more than four months.
|
o
|
The Offer includes a non-customary “Diligence Condition,” which the Wyndham Board believes is designed solely to serve as a one-way exit option to the Offer in favor of Choice.
|
• | Wyndham Hotels does not currently employ and has not within the last three years employed the Director or any of his or her immediate family members (except in the case of immediate family members, in a non-executive officer capacity). |
• | The Director is not currently and has not within the last three years been employed by Wyndham Hotels’ present auditors nor has any of his or her immediate family members been so employed (except in a non-professional capacity not involving Wyndham Hotels’ business). |
• | Neither the Director nor any of his or her immediate family members is or has been within the last three years part of an interlocking directorate in which an executive officer of Wyndham Hotels serves on the compensation or equivalent committee of another company that employs the Director or his or her immediate family member as an executive officer. |
• | The Director is not a current employee nor is an immediate family member a current executive officer of a company that has made payments to or received payments from Wyndham Hotels for property or services in an amount in any of the last three fiscal years exceeding the greater of $750,000 or 1% of such other company’s consolidated gross revenues. |
• | The Director currently does not have and has not had within the past three years a personal services contract with Wyndham Hotels or its executive officers. |
• | The Director has not received and the Director’s immediate family member has not received during any twelve-month period within the last three years more than $100,000 in direct compensation from Wyndham Hotels other than Board fees. |
• | The Director is not currently an officer or director of a foundation or other non-profit organization to which Wyndham Hotels within the last three years gave directly or indirectly through the provision of services more than the greater of 2% of the consolidated gross revenues of such organization during any single fiscal year or $1,000,000. |
• | Heavy weighting on equity pay to align Director compensation with our stockholders’ long-term interests |
• | Annual time-based restricted stock unit (“RSU”) grants subject to 4-year vesting |
• | Opportunity to defer all cash and equity compensation in the form of deferred stock units (“DSUs”) under our deferred compensation plan which are not paid out until the Director’s retirement or other cessation of service from the Board |
• | For 2022, 100% of our non-management Directors elected to receive a portion of their total compensation in DSUs to further align their interests with our stockholders for the long term. |
• | Limit on annual equity grants under our stockholder-approved equity incentive plan |
• | No fees paid per meeting |
• | No retirement benefits |
• | Robust stock ownership guidelines |
Boyd Gaming Corp. | | | Marriott International |
Brinker International, Inc. | | | Penn National Gaming, Inc. |
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. | | | Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. |
Choice Hotels International, Inc. | | | TripAdvisor, Inc. |
Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. | | | Wynn Resorts, Limited |
Hyatt Hotels Corporation | | | YUM! Brands, Inc. |
| | Cash-Based | | | Stock-Based | | | Total | |
Non-Executive Chair | | | $160,000 | | | $160,000 | | | $320,000 |
Lead Director | | | $132,500 | | | $132,500 | | | $265,000 |
Director | | | $105,000 | | | $105,000 | | | $210,000 |
Audit Committee chair | | | $22,500 | | | $22,500 | | | $45,000 |
Audit Committee member | | | $12,500 | | | $12,500 | | | $25,000 |
Compensation Committee chair | | | $17,500 | | | $17,500 | | | $35,000 |
Compensation Committee member | | | $10,000 | | | $10,000 | | | $20,000 |
Corporate Governance Committee chair | | | $15,000 | | | $15,000 | | | $30,000 |
Corporate Governance Committee member | | | $8,750 | | | $8,750 | | | $17,500 |
Executive Committee member | | | $10,000 | | | $10,000 | | | $20,000 |
Name | | | Fees Paid in Cash ($) | | | Stock Awards ($) | | | All Other Compensation ($)(a) | | | Total ($)(a) |
Myra J. Biblowit | | | 130,000(b) | | | 229,950(c) | | | 63,713(d) | | | 423,663 |
James E. Buckman | | | 165,000(b) | | | 264,950(c) | | | 78,253(d) | | | 508,203 |
Bruce B. Churchill | | | 135,000(b) | | | 234,950(c) | | | 77,553(d) | | | 447,503 |
Mukul V. Deoras | | | 126,250(b) | | | 226,200(c) | | | 1,735(d) | | | 354,185 |
Stephen P. Holmes | | | 170,000(b) | | | 269,950(c) | | | 40,664(d) | | | 480,614 |
Ronald L. Nelson | | | 126,250(b) | | | 226,200(c) | | | 75,248(d) | | | 427,698 |
Pauline D.E. Richards | | | 136,250(b) | | | 236,200(c) | | | 51,148(d) | | | 423,598 |
(a) | SEC rules require the reporting of charitable matching contributions as compensation to Directors. The below supplemental table is provided to show “All Other Compensation” and “Total” Director compensation excluding charitable matching contributions and donations, which are paid directly to the charitable organization as part of our non-employee Director charitable match program. |
Name | | | Fees Paid in Cash ($) | | | Stock Awards ($) | | | All Other Compensation, Excluding Charitable Donations(i) ($) | | | Total, Excluding Charitable Donations(i) ($) |
Ms. Biblowit | | | 130,000 | | | 229,950 | | | 3,563 | | | 363,513 |
Mr. Buckman | | | 165,000 | | | 264,950 | | | 3,253 | | | 433,203 |
Mr. Churchill | | | 135,000 | | | 234,950 | | | 2,553 | | | 372,503 |
Mr. Deoras | | | 126,250 | | | 226,200 | | | 1,735 | | | 354,185 |
Mr. Holmes | | | 170,000 | | | 269,950 | | | 40,664 | | | 480,614 |
Mr. Nelson | | | 126,250 | | | 226,200 | | | 248 | | | 352,698 |
Ms. Richards | | | 136,250 | | | 236,200 | | | 5,248 | | | 377,698 |
(i) | Excludes charitable matching donations which are paid by the Company directly to the selected 501(c)(3) organization under our three-for-one Company match program for our non-employee Directors. |
(b) | Reflects the cash-based fees paid in 2022. |
(c) | Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of stock awards computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718. Each non-management Director was granted a time-vesting RSU award with a grant date fair value of $99,950 on March 10, 2022 which vests ratably over four years. The remaining amount in each row represents the aggregate grant date fair value of retainer fees paid on a quarterly basis in the form of common stock and/or DSUs. |
(d) | The amounts reported in the All Other Compensation column of the 2022 Director Compensation table include the following: The value of Wyndham Rewards Points granted to each Director was as follows: Ms. Biblowit, $3,563; Mr. Buckman, $3,253; Mr. Churchill, $2,553; Mr. Deoras, $1,735; Mr. Holmes, $3,612; Mr. Nelson, $248; and Ms. Richards, $620. The value of charitable matching contributions made by Wyndham Hotels were as follows: Ms. Biblowit, $60,150; Mr. Buckman, $75,000; Mr. Churchill, $75,000; Mr. Nelson, $75,000; and Ms. Richards, $45,900. For Ms. Richards, this amount also includes $4,628 in life insurance premiums paid by us under a legacy Wyndham Worldwide program. |
Name | | | Number of Shares | | | %of Class |
The Vanguard Group | | | 8,150,815(a) | | | 9.23% |
BlackRock, Inc. | | | 7,948,112(b) | | | 9.0% |
Capital Research Global Investors | | | 7,665,288(c) | | | 8.7% |
Michele Allen | | | 45,971(d)(e) | | | * |
Geoffrey A. Ballotti | | | 932,237(d)(e) | | | 1.08% |
Myra J. Biblowit | | | 92,092(d)(f) | | | * |
James E. Buckman | | | 86,287(d)(f) | | | * |
Paul F. Cash | | | 70,573(d)(e) | | | * |
Lisa Checchio | | | 63,761(d)(e) | | | * |
Bruce B. Churchill | | | 17,386(d)(f) | | | * |
Mukul V. Deoras | | | 16,640(d)(f) | | | * |
Stephen P. Holmes | | | 456,945(d)(f) | | | * |
Ronald L. Nelson | | | 39,362(d)(f) | | | * |
Pauline D.E. Richards | | | 67,174(d)(f) | | | * |
Scott Strickland | | | 64,974(d)(e) | | | * |
All Directors and executive officers as a group (14 persons) | | | 2,008,524(g) | | | 2.29% |
* | Amount represents less than 1% of outstanding common stock. |
(a) | We have been informed by a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC dated February 9, 2023 by The Vanguard Group that The Vanguard Group beneficially owns, as of December 31, 2022, 8,150,815 shares of our common stock with sole voting power over no shares, shared voting power over 39,088 shares, sole dispositive power over 8,023,114 shares and shared dispositive power over 127,701 shares. The principal business address for The Vanguard Group is 100 Vanguard Boulevard, Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355. |
(b) | We have been informed by a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC dated January 25, 2023 by BlackRock, Inc. and affiliates named in such report that BlackRock, Inc. beneficially owns, as of December 31, 2022, 7,948,112 shares of our common stock with sole voting power over 7,695,017 shares, shared voting power over no shares, sole dispositive power over 7,948,112 shares and shared dispositive power over no shares. The principal business address for BlackRock, Inc. is 55 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10055. |
(c) | We have been informed by a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC dated February 13, 2023 by Capital Research Global Investors that Capital Research Global Investors beneficially owns, as of December 31, 2022, 7,665,288 shares of our common stock with sole voting power over 7,665,288 shares, shared voting power over no shares, sole dispositive power over 7,665,288 shares and shared dispositive power over no shares. The principal business address for Capital Research Global Investors is 333 South Hope Street, 55th Floor, Los Angeles, California 90071. |
(d) | Includes shares of our common stock issuable upon vesting of time-vesting RSUs within 60 days of December 31, 2022 as follows: Ms. Allen, 15,147; Mr. Ballotti, 38,470; Ms. Biblowit, 1,328; Mr. Buckman, 1,328; Mr. Cash, 14,355; Ms. Checchio, 10,889; Mr. Churchill, 1,328; Mr. Deoras, 1,328; Mr. Holmes, 1,328; Mr. Nelson, 851; Ms. Richards, 1,328; and Mr. Strickland 9,941. |
(e) | Includes shares of our common stock underlying stock options which are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of December 31, 2022 as follows: Ms. Allen, 30,769; Mr. Ballotti, 641,821; Mr. Cash, 51,184; Ms. Checchio, 39,752; and Mr. Strickland, 42,906. |
(f) | Includes shares of our common stock issuable for DSUs: Ms. Biblowit, 82,840; Mr. Buckman, 75,652; Mr. Churchill, 16,058; Mr. Deoras, 11,521; Mr. Holmes, 9,723; Mr. Nelson, 7,571; and Ms. Richards, 53,568. |
(g) | Includes or excludes, as the case may be, shares of common stock as indicated in the preceding footnotes. In addition, with respect to our other executive officers who are not named executive officers, this amount includes 12,258 shares of our common stock and 12,565 shares and 4,681 shares of our common stock issuable with respect to unvested RSUs and PSUs, respectively, scheduled to vest within 60 days of December 31, 2022 and 30,299 stock options that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of December 31, 2022. This amount excludes 32,326 shares, 11,603 shares and 7,276 shares of our common stock issuable with respect to unvested RSUs, PSUs and unvested stock options, respectively, after 60 days from December 31, 2022. |
• | Geoffrey A. Ballotti, President and Chief Executive Officer |
• | Michele Allen, Chief Financial Officer |
• | Paul F. Cash, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary |
• | Lisa Borromeo Checchio, Chief Marketing Officer |
• | Scott Strickland, Chief Information Officer |
• | Fee-related and other revenues were $1,354 million, which exceeded our full-year outlook of $1,280 million to $1,310 million. |
• | Diluted earnings per share were $3.91, and adjusted diluted earnings per share* were $3.96, which exceeded our full-year outlook of $3.39 to $3.51. |
• | Net income was $355 million for 2022, and adjusted net income* was $360 million, which exceeded our full-year outlook of $317 million to $329 million. |
• | Adjusted EBITDA* was $650 million, which exceeded our full-year outlook of $605 million to $625 million. |
• | We generated $399 million of net cash provided by operating activities. |
• | Free cash flow* for 2022 was $360 million, converting from adjusted EBITDA at 55%, which was in line with our target. |
• | Global RevPAR increased 20% year-over-year in constant currency, or 7% of 2019 levels, and domestic RevPAR increased by 12% year-over-year or 9% of 2019 levels. |
• | System-wide rooms increased 4% year-over-year, including 1% of growth in the U.S. and 9% of growth internationally. |
• | We grew our global development pipeline by 12% year-over-year to a record level of 219,000 rooms. |
• | We also continued to make progress on our strategy to invest more heavily in the future growth of the business, including $18 million of higher year-over-year key money investments to attract hotels to our system. |
* | Please see Appendix A to the proxy statement for reconciliations of non-GAAP measures. |
• | We continued to pay a regular dividend in 2022, with four quarterly payments of $0.32, in line with the pre-pandemic per share payout. Our Board also authorized a 9% increase in the quarterly cash dividend to $0.35 per share beginning with the dividend declared in first quarter 2023. |
• | We repurchased a total of $445 million of our common stock during the year. In October 2022, our Board also increased the Company’s share repurchase authorization by $400 million. |
• | During 2022, we returned 7% of our beginning market capitalization through dividend payments and share repurchases. |
• | Total stockholder return* for the year ended December 31, 2022 (assuming reinvestment of dividends) and for the last three years compared to S&P 500 Index and S&P Hotels, Resorts & Cruise Lines Index was: |
| | 1 Year | | | 3 Year | |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts | | | (19%) | | | 18% |
S&P Hotels, Resorts & Cruise Lines Index | | | (29%) | | | (30%) |
S&P 500 Index | | | (12%) | | | 13% |
* | Calculated as share appreciation plus dividends paid for the period stated as a percentage of opening share price at beginning of the period |
• | Improved for the second consecutive year to a record-high global retention rate of 95.3%. |
• | Launched our 24th brand, ECHO Suites Extended Stay by Wyndham, and awarded 170 contracts in nine months since it was launched in March 2022. |
• | Completed the acquisition of the Vienna House brand, adding an upscale and midscale portfolio of over 40 hotels and more than 6,400 rooms to our existing footprint in the EMEA region. |
• | Grew our Registry Collection brand by 14 hotels and 6,500 rooms through the addition of luxury all-inclusive resorts across Mexico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Brazil. |
• | Continued investing in technology solutions to optimize franchisee top-line performance and reduce owner labor and operating costs including a cloud-based, mobile-first revenue management system, a mobile tipping solution and digital contactless capabilities including check-in/check-out, loyalty enrollments and room keys. |
• | Simplified our business model by completing the exit of select-service management business and the sale of two owned hotels while preserving long-term franchise agreements. |
• | All of our Directors stand for election to the Board on an annual basis. |
• | All of our Directors, other than our Chair and our CEO, are independent Directors. |
• | We maintain a majority voting standard for uncontested Director elections in our By-Laws. |
• | Our annual incentive compensation program requires achievement of rigorous performance metrics to incentivize high performance and achievement of short-term financial goals and thus enhance value for our stockholders in the near term. |
• | Commencing in 2019, we began incorporating a strategic objective based on global “net room growth,” providing a specific incentive for our executives to achieve a core strategic goal of increasing our global system size, that we believe, in turn, drives long-term growth. We seek to achieve our net room growth objectives through a combination of new franchise sales and existing hotel retention efforts. Through new sales efforts we look to either expand our franchisee base to new owners or expand the relationships we have with existing franchisees through new hotel additions. These efforts come in the form of new construction and conversion projects. Our retention efforts stem from a disciplined, focused approach to providing our franchisees with best-in-class service and support in an effort to enhance their profitability. |
• | We provide a maximum cap of 150% of target opportunity on annual incentive awards. |
• | Equity awards granted to our named executive officers, which constitute a majority of our executives’ target annual total compensation and vest over multi-year periods, align the interests of our executives and stockholders. |
• | We grant our named executive officers RSUs subject to multi-year vesting to retain our executives, align the interests of our stockholders and executives and incentivize our executives to achieve longer-term stock price appreciation. |
• | We may not reprice stock options unless we first obtain stockholder approval, nor have we historically repriced stock options. |
• | No dividends are paid on PSUs and RSUs unless and until the awards vest. |
• | Our CEO receives no tax gross-ups for perquisites. |
• | We have policies prohibiting our Directors and executive officers from engaging in any hedging transactions in our equity securities and from pledging, or using as collateral, our securities to secure personal loans or other obligations, including holding shares in margin accounts. |
• | In the event of a change-in-control, our named executive officers receive cash severance only upon a termination of employment. |
• | None of our named executive officers are entitled to any tax gross-up in connection with severance payments upon termination of employment. |
• | We maintain robust executive and director stock ownership guidelines, which are reviewed twice each year for compliance. |
• | With our commitment to acting with integrity in making hotel travel possible for all, we were named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by Ethisphere for 2023, marking the third time we have been recognized for this award. |
• | We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. |
• | Our Board is diverse. Assuming the election of our Director nominees at this Annual Meeting, based on gender, Directors who self-identify as female represent 25% of our Board, and based on race/ethnicity, Directors who self-identify as Black or Asian represent 25% of our Board. |
• | We actively create a culture of inclusion for our team members, partners, and guests, and we have been widely recognized as a leader in diversity. We have been named a best place to work for LGBTQ Equality by earning a perfect score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s most recently published Corporate Equality Index—a national benchmarking survey on practices related to LGBTQ equality. We were also named a 2022 Diversity Inc. Noteworthy Company, one of The Best Employers for Diversity 2022 by Forbes and one of America’s 2023 Greatest Workplaces for Diversity by Newsweek. |
• | Our CEO has also signed on to the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™, the largest CEO-driven business commitment to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace. |
• | We were also named a 2022 Military Friendly Employer by VIQTORY. |
• | We foster Company-wide diversity through a focus on diverse recruiting, training and supporting diverse business partners, with focused efforts to use certified diverse suppliers. |
• | We have established seven separate Affinity Business Groups within the Company that serve as fully inclusive networks where team members actively engage to foster innovation, drive growth, demonstrate our culture and enhance diversity and inclusion globally. |
• | Specific Affinity Business Groups have been developed to support women, African-American/Black/People of Color, Hispanic/Latine, LGBTQIA+, veteran, multi-cultural, and intergenerational team members |
• | Our Executive Committee members serve as “Executive Sponsors” to each of the Affinity Business Groups and the ABG co-chairs are members of our Social Responsibility Council. |
• | Women leaders globally constitute approximately 44%*of our leadership team. |
• | The Company remains on track to achieve its gender pay equity goals by 2025. |
• | We have added a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion goal to the performance reviews of all team members. |
* | Leadership team is comprised of our Leadership and Senior Management bands. |
• | We provide Diversity, Equity and Inclusion training throughout the development cycle of all team members, from onboarding to executive leadership. |
• | We recorded approximately 75,000 training impressions viewed by our team members and franchisees in 2022, including classes on anti-sexual harassment, safety and security, human trafficking, diversity and anti-discrimination. |
• | We are dedicated to combatting human trafficking in our communities. We have partnered with Polaris, BEST and ECPAT-USA and provide training to all our team members in an effort to prevent and combat human trafficking. Further, we are committed to the 5-Star Promise for Employee Safety with the American Hotel & Lodging Association. |
• | We partner with Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking (BEST) to provide anti-human trafficking training to the Company’s corporate team members. All franchised property general managers are required, as part of brand standards, to take the training every two years and certify that they have trained their hotel staff. The Company’s new hire orientation reflects its commitment to Social Responsibility by focusing on protecting human rights. In addition, the Company makes information about child labor and human trafficking available to its team members at its owned and managed properties, its corporate team members, and franchisees through webinars, and online portals. As part of its ongoing Business Continuity Plan Emergency Preparedness Guide and Training, the Company includes checklists, escalation protocols and information to assist property management and staff in identifying the key warning signs of human trafficking and guidance on how to report cases. |
• | We foster environmental sustainability. We are committed to preserving our natural resources while developing innovative solutions to mitigate our impact on climate change through the Wyndham Green program. The Corporate Governance Committee of our Board provides oversight for our Social Responsibility program, which includes providing input into the strategy and direction of our sustainability, climate and energy programs. |
• | Our corporate headquarters has been recognized as one of the highest performing green buildings in the country by the U.S. Green Building Council having received three LEED certifications including its current Gold LEED Existing Buildings Operations and Maintenance Certification and Energy Star Certification. |
• | The Wyndham Green Program continues to support our efforts to engage owners and operators to address energy and water conservation, waste diversion, operational efficiency as well as guest and team member education and engagement to help deliver additional value through reduced operating costs and increased revenue from environmentally conscious travelers. |
• | The Wyndham Green Toolbox, our proprietary online environmental management system, is specifically designed to track, measure and report energy, emissions, water and waste diversion performance globally. |
• | We actively support the UN Sustainable Development Goals framework, prioritizing action toward specific goals as part of our long-term social responsibility roadmap. |
• | We diligently review climate risks using Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures to prepare annual CDP Climate Change disclosures. |
• | We were named among Newsweek’s 2022 “Most Responsible Companies,” which honors companies with superior environmental and social responsibility practices and were included among global sustainability leaders in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index, released by the S&P Global and Corporate Sustainability Assessment. We also scored in the management band on our 2022 CDP Response for Climate Change, which was ahead of the North American, Global and Sector average and in our 2022 CDP Response for Water Security, which was ahead of the North American average. |
• | We published and posted on our corporate website our 2022 ESG report, which highlights our commitment to operating our business in a socially, ethically and environmentally responsible manner. As our ESG report also highlights, we are committed to supporting our franchisees in terms of achieving environmentally-sensitive goals, by helping them become certified in our Wyndham Green Program. The information contained in our ESG Report is not incorporated by reference into this proxy statement. |
• | We support our communities. We continue to promote a Company-wide culture of team member volunteerism and philanthropy. |
• | Reflecting our culture of giving and service, we support various charitable programs, including youth and education, military, community and environmental programs. Our philanthropy captures the dedication of our team members, leaders and business partners who have pledged to make lasting, important contributions to the communities in which we operate. |
• | Wyndham Rewards and its members have donated over approximately 170 million points to charities since inception. |
• | We care about one of our most valuable assets – our team members. We continue to focus on attracting, retaining and engaging our team members. In 2022, we were named to Forbes’ lists of World’s Best Employers and in 2023, we were named to their list of America’s Best Large Employers for the second consecutive year. We were also named among Newsweek Magazine’s “Most Loved Workplaces”, among the top 100 companies recognized for employee happiness and satisfaction at work, as well as one of the Best Places to Work in New Jersey by New Jersey Business Magazine in 2022, for the third consecutive year. |
• | Wellness – We are committed to offering programs that focus on nutrition, exercise, lifestyle management, physical and emotional wellness, financial health and the quality of the environment in which we work and live. We believe that health and wellness promotes both professional and personal productivity, achievement and fulfillment. To support all of our team members to lead healthier lifestyles while balancing family, work and other responsibilities, we offer several resources under our Be Well program, including free clinic services, an onsite Fitness Facility and a Wyndham Relief Fund to help team members who are facing financial hardship. |
• | Attract and retain superior senior management talent. We believe that attracting and retaining superior senior managers are integral to our ongoing success. Our named executive officers possess extensive experience in our industry and demonstrate the exceptional leadership skills and commitment to excellence that we believe are critical to our success. Accordingly, our compensation strategy was designed in part to promote a long-term commitment from our named executive officers. |
• | Provide our executives with compensation that is consistent and competitive with compensation provided by comparable hospitality-focused companies consisting of base salary, cash-based annual incentive compensation and equity-based incentive compensation. We also provide our team members with health, welfare and retirement benefits which we believe are market-competitive. |
• | Support a high-performance environment by linking compensation with performance. Our broad objectives are to increase our earnings, cash flow and stockholder value. Consistent with these goals, we believe a significant portion of our executive compensation should be contingent on actual results. |
• | Support a long-term focus that aligns the interests of our executives and stockholders. Equity incentive compensation is intended to align the interests of our named executive officers and stockholders as well as support our goal of retaining our key personnel. |
• | The Committee reviews and compares executive compensation against our peer group to confirm that compensation is within an acceptable range relative to the external market. |
• | Our performance-based compensation is generally keyed to our earnings and operating performance, aligning interests of stockholders and management, and designed to improve our core operating results as opposed to using leverage or other high-risk strategies. |
• | Our annual incentive compensation opportunities are capped at a specified maximum as a countermeasure to excessive risk-taking. |
• | Our commission-based sales programs are monitored by management for compliance with law and internal policies. |
• | We entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with Michele Allen, our Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Allen’s original employment agreement was set to expire on December 3, 2022. Under the terms of the amended and restated agreement, Ms. Allen’s term of employment was extended to May 31, 2026. Ms. Allen also received a one-time retention award in the form of restricted stock units covering 13,170 shares of common stock granted October 31, 2022, which is scheduled to cliff vest on October 31, 2025, the third anniversary of the grant date. |
Boyd Gaming Corporation | | | Hyatt Hotels Corporation |
Brinker International, Inc. | | | Marriott International, Inc. |
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. | | | Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation |
Choice Hotels International, Inc. | | | Penn National Gaming, Inc. |
| | Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. | |
| | Travel + Leisure Co. | |
Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. | | | TripAdvisor, Inc. |
Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. | | | Wynn Resorts, Limited |
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | YUM! Brands, Inc. |
• | Financial Objective (weighted 75%): Adjusted EBITDA |
• | Strategic Objective (weighted 25%): Global Net Room Growth |
Performance Achievement as % of EBIT Per Share Target | | | Level of Vesting as % of Total PSUs |
100% of Target Level | | | 100% of PSUs |
101.1% of Target Level | | | 120% of PSUs |
102.2% of Target Level | | | 140% of PSUs |
103.2% of Target Level | | | 160% of PSUs |
105.5% of Target Level | | | 200% of PSUs |
Name & Principal Position | | | Year | | | Salary ($) | | | Bonus ($) | | | Stock Awards ($)(a) | | | Option Awards ($)(a) | | | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(b) | | | All Other Compensation ($)(c) | | | Total ($) |
Geoffrey A. Ballotti President and Chief Executive Officer | | | 2022 | | | 1,063,291 | | | — | | | 5,999,974 | | | — | | | 2,392,406 | | | 277,118 | | | 9,732,789 |
| 2021 | | | 1,030,011 | | | — | | | 13,000,000 | | | 1,600,000 | | | 2,317,524 | | | 262,004 | | | 18,209,539 | ||
| 2020 | | | 676,775 | | | — | | | 2,250,000 | | | 2,250,000 | | | 1,158,750 | | | 168,638 | | | 6,504,163 | ||
Michele Allen Chief Financial Officer | | | 2022 | | | 525,393 | | | — | | | 2,749,866 | | | — | | | 591,068 | | | 141,257 | | | 4,007,584 |
| 2021 | | | 500,009 | | | — | | | 2,609,375 | | | — | | | 562,510 | | | 127,553 | | | 3,799,447 | ||
| 2020 | | | 500,000 | | | — | | | 1,125,000 | | | 375,000 | | | 281,255 | | | 110,046 | | | 2,391,301 | ||
Paul F. Cash General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary | | | 2022 | | | 490,348 | | | — | | | 1,374,891 | | | — | | | 551,642 | | | 133,899 | | | 2,550,780 |
| 2021 | | | 475,002 | | | — | | | 2,083,334 | | | — | | | 534,377 | | | 122,758 | | | 3,215,471 | ||
| 2020 | | | 463,463 | | | — | | | 937,500 | | | 312,500 | | | 260,698 | | | 121,449 | | | 2,095,610 | ||
Lisa Checchio Chief Marketing Officer | | | 2022 | | | 435,311 | | | — | | | 1,099,863 | | | — | | | 489,725 | | | 118,604 | | | 2,143,503 |
| 2021 | | | 425,006 | | | — | | | 1,531,250 | | | — | | | 478,132 | | | 100,928 | | | 2,535,316 | ||
| 2020 | | | 413,468 | | | — | | | 750,000 | | | 250,000 | | | 222,479 | | | 63,670 | | | 1,699,617 | ||
Scott Strickland(d) Chief Information Officer | | | 2022 | | | 412,935 | | | — | | | 1,599,862 | | | — | | | 464,553 | | | 53,007 | | | 2,530,357 |
| 2021 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | ||
| 2020 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — |
(a) | Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of equity awards computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (“ASC 718”). A discussion of the assumptions used in calculating the fair value of such awards may be found in Note 14 to our 2022 audited financial statements of our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 16, 2023. |
(b) | For 2022, represents annual incentive compensation for 2022 paid in 2023. For 2021, represents annual incentive compensation for 2021 paid in 2022. For 2020, represents annual incentive compensation for 2020 paid in 2021. |
(c) | See All Other Compensation Table below for a description of compensation included in this column. |
(d) | Information is not reported for Mr. Strickland for 2020 or 2021 because he was not previously a named executive officer for those years. |
| | Mr. Ballotti ($) | | | Ms. Allen ($) | | | Mr. Cash ($) | | | Ms. Checchio ($) | | | Mr. Strickland ($) | |
Personal use of aircraft(a) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — |
Company automobile(b) | | | 41,195 | | | 21,981 | | | 16,355 | | | 16,594 | | | 22,418 |
Financial planning services(c) | | | 8,033 | | | 6,700 | | | 6,700 | | | — | | | — |
401(k) Company match | | | 15,250 | | | 15,250 | | | 15,250 | | | 15,250 | | | 15,250 |
Deferred compensation Company match | | | 207,342 | | | 66,988 | | | 62,520 | | | 55,502 | | | — |
Annual physical(d) | | | 4,500 | | | 4,500 | | | 11,000 | | | 11,000 | | | 4,500 |
Aggregate tax gross-up(e) | | | — | | | 24,820 | | | 21,056 | | | 19,240 | | | 9,617 |
Other(f) | | | 798 | | | 1,018 | | | 1,018 | | | 1,018 | | | 1,222 |
Total | | | 277,118 | | | 141,257 | | | 133,899 | | | 118,604 | | | 53,007 |
(a) | On certain occasions, a spouse, family member or other guests may accompany a named executive officer on a flight. In 2021 the Compensation Committee approved limited personal use of aircraft for the CEO of up to 20 hours each year. There was no personal use of the aircraft in 2022 by the CEO. The executive is fully responsible for all personal income taxes associated with such personal use of aircraft. |
(b) | Aggregate incremental cost to us of automobile benefit calculated as the aggregate Company payment less any executive contribution. The amounts for Company payment include insurance, repair costs and other charges and exclude tax gross-up described below. |
(c) | Amounts exclude tax gross-up described below. |
(d) | Aggregate incremental cost to us of annual physical exams for our named executive officers. |
(e) | Aggregate tax gross-up for our named executive officers consisted of the following: Ms. Allen, automobile, $17,574, financial planning, $7,015 and Wyndham Rewards points awarded, $231; Mr. Cash, automobile, $13,810, financial planning, $7,015 and Wyndham Rewards points awarded, $231; Ms. Checchio, automobile, $19,009 and Wyndham Rewards points awarded, $231; and Mr. Strickland, automobile, $9,378, Wyndham Rewards points awarded, $231, and service award earned, $8. |
(f) | Includes the value of Wyndham Rewards Points awarded to our named executive officers as well as an American Express credit card annual fee paid on behalf of our named executive officers. |
Name | | | Award Type(a) | | | Grant Date | | | Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non- Equity Incentive Plan Awards(b) | | | Estimated Possible Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards(c) | | | All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#) | | | All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options (#) | | | Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards ($) | | | Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($) | ||||||||||||
| Threshold ($) | | | Target ($) | | | Maximum ($) | | | Threshold (#) | | | Target (#) | | | Maximum (#) | | |||||||||||||||||||
Mr. Ballotti | | | RSU | | | 3/10/22 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 36,258 | | | — | | | — | | | 2,999,987 |
| PSUs | | | 3/10/22 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 36,258 | | | 36,258 | | | 72,516 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 2,999,987 | ||
| 2022 AIP | | | (b) | | | 398,734 | | | 1,594,937 | | | 2,392,406 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | ||
Ms. Allen | | | RSU | | | 3/10/22 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 15,862 | | | — | | | — | | | 1,312,422 |
| RSU | | | 10/31/22 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 13,170 | | | — | | | — | | | 999,998 | ||
| PSUs | | | 3/10/22 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 5,287 | | | 5,287 | | | 10,574 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 437,446 | ||
| 2022 AIP | | | (b) | | | 98,511 | | | 394,045 | | | 591,068 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | ||
Mr. Cash | | | RSU | | | 3/10/22 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 12,463 | | | — | | | — | | | 1,031,189 |
| PSUs | | | 3/10/22 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 4,154 | | | 4,154 | | | 8,308 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 343,702 | ||
| 2022 AIP | | | (b) | | | 91,940 | | | 367,761 | | | 551,642 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | ||
Ms. Checchio | | | RSU | | | 3/10/22 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 9,970 | | | — | | | — | | | 824,918 |
| PSUs | | | 3/10/22 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 3,323 | | | 3,323 | | | 6,646 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 274,945 | ||
| 2022 AIP | | | (b) | | | 81,621 | | | 326,483 | | | 489,725 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | ||
Mr. Strickland | | | RSU | | | 3/10/22 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 9,970 | | | — | | | — | | | 824,918 |
| RSU | | | 10/31/22 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 6,585 | | | — | | | — | | | 499,999 | ||
| PSUs | | | 3/10/22 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 3,323 | | | 3,323 | | | 6,646 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 274,945 | ||
| 2022 AIP | | | (b) | | | 77,425 | | | 309,702 | | | 464,553 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — |
(a) | RSU: RSU awards granted on March 10, 2022 which vest ratably over four years subject to continued employment through the vesting date. For Ms. Allen and Mr. Strickland, also includes one-time retention awards in the form of RSUs granted on October 31, 2022 which will cliff vest on October 31, 2025. |
(b) | Represents potential threshold, target and maximum annual incentive compensation for 2022 under the annual incentive program. See “Annual Incentive Compensation” in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis for more information. Amounts actually paid for 2022 are reported in the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column of the Summary Compensation Table above. |
(c) | The amounts in these columns represent the range of PSUs that may be earned based on cumulative adjusted EBIT per share performance measured over the three-year performance period. The threshold amount reflects the minimum number of shares that may be earned for achievement of target performance, and the maximum amount reflects the number of shares that may be earned based on achievement at or above 105.5% of target. Where performance is achieved between the specified performance tiers, the number of vested PSUs is interpolated. The actual number of PSUs earned pursuant to these awards will be determined and paid following the completion of the three-year performance period based on our actual performance against the performance goal established at the time of grant as adjusted. PSUs, if earned, convert to our common stock on a one-for-one basis. |
| | | | Option Awards | | | Stock Awards | ||||||||||||||||||||
Name | | | Grant Date | | | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) | | | Option Exercise Price ($) | | | Option Expiration Date | | | Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) | | | Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)(a) | | | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares or Units That Have Not Vested (#) | | | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market Value of Unearned Shares, or Units That Have Not Vested ($)(a) | |||
| Exercisable | | | Unexercisable | | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Mr. Ballotti | | | 6/01/2018 | | | 213,310 | | | —(b) | | | 61.40 | | | 6/01/2024 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — |
| 2/27/2019 | | | 143,403 | | | 47,801(c) | | | 52.44 | | | 2/27/2029 | | | 9,535(d) | | | 679,941 | | | — | | | — | ||
| 2/25/2020 | | | 130,966 | | | 130,966(e) | | | 53.40 | | | 2/25/2026 | | | 21,067(f) | | | 1,502,288 | | | 0(g) | | | — | ||
| 2/23/2021 | | | 20,429 | | | 61,287(h) | | | 65.21 | | | 2/23/2027 | | | 55,206(i) | | | 3,936,740 | | | 49,072(j) | | | 3,499,324 | ||
| 2/23/2021 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 76,675(k) | | | 5,467,694 | | | — | | | |||
| 3/10/2022 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 36,258(l) | | | 2,585,558 | | | 36,258(n) | | | 2,585,558 | ||
Ms. Allen | | | 6/01/2018 | | | 2,667 | | | —(b) | | | 61.40 | | | 6/01/2024 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — |
| 2/27/2019 | | | 3,137 | | | 3,137(c) | | | 52.44 | | | 2/27/2029 | | | 1,877(d) | | | 133,849 | | | — | | | — | ||
| 2/25/2020 | | | 10,914 | | | 21,828(e) | | | 53.40 | | | 2/25/2026 | | | 10,534(f) | | | 751,180 | | | 0(g) | | | — | ||
| 2/23/2021 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 24,009(i) | | | 1,712,082 | | | 8,002(j) | | | 570,623 | ||
| 3/10/2022 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 15,862(l) | | | 1,131,119 | | | 5,287(n) | | | 377,016 | ||
| 10/31/2022 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 13,170(m) | | | 939,153 | | | — | | | — | ||
Mr. Cash | | | 2/27/2019 | | | 17,925 | | | 5,975(c) | | | 52.44 | | | 2/27/2029 | | | 3,576(d) | | | 255,005 | | | — | | | — |
| 2/25/2020 | | | 18,189 | | | 18,190(e) | | | 53.40 | | | 2/25/2026 | | | 8,778(f) | | | 625,959 | | | 0(g) | | | — | ||
| 2/23/2021 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 19,169(i) | | | 1,366,941 | | | 6,389(j) | | | 455,600 | ||
| 3/10/2022 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 12,463(l) | | | 888,737 | | | 4,154(n) | | | 296,222 | ||
Ms. Checchio | | | 2/27/2019 | | | 13,443 | | | 4,482(c) | | | 52.44 | | | 2/27/2029 | | | 2,682(d) | | | 191,253 | | | — | | | — |
| 2/25/2020 | | | 14,551 | | | 14,552(e) | | | 53.40 | | | 2/25/2026 | | | 7,022(f) | | | 500,739 | | | 0(g) | | | — | ||
| 2/23/2021 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 14,089(i) | | | 1,004,687 | | | 4,696(j) | | | 334,872 | ||
| 3/10/2022 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 9,970(l) | | | 710,961 | | | 3,323(n) | | | 236,963 | ||
Mr. Strickland | | | 6/01/2018 | | | 8,532 | | | —(b) | | | 61.40 | | | 6/01/2024 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — |
| 2/27/2019 | | | 9,410 | | | 3,137(c) | | | 52.44 | | | 2/27/2029 | | | 1,877(d) | | | 133,849 | | | — | | | — | ||
| 2/25/2020 | | | 14,551 | | | 14,552(e) | | | 53.40 | | | 2/25/2026 | | | 7,022(f) | | | 500,739 | | | 0(g) | | | — | ||
| 2/23/2021 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 13,658(i) | | | 973,952 | | | 4,552(j) | | | 324,603 | ||
| 3/10/2022 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 9,970(l) | | | 710,961 | | | 3,323(n) | | | 239,963 | ||
| 10/31/2022 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 6,585(m) | | | 469,576 | | | — | | | — |
(a) | Calculated using closing price of Wyndham Hotels common stock on the NYSE on December 30, 2022 of $71.31. |
(b) | Grant of stock options, which vest ratably over a period of four years on each anniversary of June 1, 2018. |
(c) | Grant of stock options, which vest ratably over a period of four years on each anniversary of February 27, 2019. |
(d) | Grant of RSUs, which vest ratably over a period of four years on each anniversary of February 27, 2019. |
(e) | Grant of stock options, which vest ratably over a period of four years on each anniversary of February 27, 2020. |
(f) | Grant of RSUs, which vest ratably over a period of four years on each anniversary of February 27, 2020. |
(g) | Grant of PSUs which was scheduled to vest following the conclusion of a three-year performance period ending on December 31, 2022, based on actual three-year cumulative EBIT, as adjusted, as measured against the pre-established performance tiers. Our cumulative three-year EBIT performance, as adjusted, resulted in zero payout under these PSU awards. |
(h) | Grant of stock options, which vest ratably over a period of four years on each anniversary of February 27, 2021. |
(i) | Grant of RSUs, which vest ratably over a period of four years on each anniversary of February 27, 2021. |
(j) | Grant of PSUs, which vest following the conclusion of a three-year performance period ending on December 31, 2023, based on actual EBIT, as adjusted, for fiscal 2023, as measured against the pre-established performance tiers. Amount reported represents the maximum number of shares which may be earned. |
(k) | Grant of RSUs, which cliff vest on February 27, 2024. |
(l) | Grant of RSUs, which vest ratably over a period of four years on each anniversary of March 10, 2022. |
(m) | One-time grant of RSUs, which cliff vest on October 31, 2025. |
(n) | Grant of PSUs, which vest following the conclusion of a three-year performance period ending on December 31, 2024, based on actual three-year cumulative EBIT per share, as adjusted, as measured against the pre-established performance tiers. Amount reported represents the number of shares which may be earned at target achievement level. Actual shares that may be issued can range from 0% to 200% of target based upon performance. |
| | Option Awards | | | Stock Awards | |||||||||||||
Name | | | Date | | | Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) | | | Value Realized on Exercise ($)(a) | | | Date | | | Number of Wyndham Hotels Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) | | | Value Realized on Vesting ($)(b) |
Mr. Ballotti | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 6/01/2022(c) | | | 10,179 | | | 804,039 |
| | — | | | — | | | — | | | 2/27/2022(d)(e) | | | 38,470 | | | 3,361,124 | |
Ms. Allen | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 6/01/2022(c) | | | 1,527 | | | 120,618 |
| | — | | | — | | | — | | | 2/27/2022(d)(e) | | | 15,146 | | | 1,323,306 | |
Mr. Cash | | | 6/01/2022 | | | 21,331 | | | 395,477 | | | 6/01/2022(c) | | | 3,054 | | | 241,235 |
| | — | | | — | | | — | | | 2/27/2022(d)(e) | | | 14,353 | | | 1,254,022 | |
Ms. Checchio | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 6/01/2022(c) | | | 1,222 | | | 96,526 |
| | — | | | — | | | — | | | 2/27/2022(d)(e) | | | 10,888 | | | 951,285 | |
Mr. Strickland | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 6/01/2022(c) | | | 1,222 | | | 96,526 |
| | — | | | — | | | — | | | 2/27/2022(d)(e) | | | 9,940 | | | 868,458 |
(a) | Amount in this column reflects the number of options exercised multiplied by the excess of the fair market value per share at the time of exercise over the exercise price. |
(b) | Amounts in this column reflect the number of shares vested multiplied by the closing market price per share on the vesting date or settlement date (or the immediately preceding trading day if the vesting or settlement date fell on a date on which there was no trading on the NYSE), as applicable, as follows: February 25, 2022, $87.37; and June 1, 2022, $78.99. |
(c) | RSUs granted on June 1, 2018, 25% of which vested on June 1, 2022. |
(d) | RSUs granted on February 27, 2019, 25% of which vested on February 27, 2022. |
(e) | RSUs granted on February 25, 2020, 25% of which vested on February 27, 2022. |
Name | | | Executive Contributions in 2022 ($)(a) | | | Company Contributions in 2022 ($)(b) | | | Aggregate Earnings in 2022 ($)(c) | | | Aggregate Withdrawals/ Distributions ($) | | | Aggregate Balance at 12/31/2022 ($)(d) |
Mr. Ballotti | | | 207,342 | | | 207,342 | | | (1,563,692) | | | — | | | 5,508,883 |
Ms. Allen | | | 66,988 | | | 66,988 | | | 3,930 | | | — | | | 541,927 |
Mr. Cash | | | 62,520 | | | 62,520 | | | (169,982) | | | — | | | 795,538 |
Ms. Checchio | | | 55,502 | | | 55,502 | | | (42,055) | | | — | | | 243,407 |
Mr. Strickland | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — |
(a) | All amounts are included as 2022 compensation in the Summary Compensation Table above. Includes amounts applicable to 2022 annual incentive compensation paid in 2023. |
(b) | All amounts are reported as 2022 compensation in the All Other Compensation Table above. Includes amounts applicable to 2022 annual incentive compensation paid in 2023. |
(c) | Represents gains or losses in 2022 on investment of aggregate balance. |
(d) | Salary and annual incentive compensation deferred under the Officer Deferred Compensation Plan, as well as Company contributions, are reported as compensation in the Summary Compensation Table for the respective year in which the salary or annual incentive compensation was paid or earned. |
Name | | | Termination Event | | | Cash Severance ($)(a) | | | Continuation Of Medical Benefits ($)(b) | | | Acceleration of Equity Awards ($)(c) | | | Total Termination Payments ($) |
Mr. Ballotti | | | Voluntary Resignation, Retirement, Involuntary Termination for Cause | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — |
| Death or Disability | | | — | | | — | | | 26,883,135 | | | 26,883,135 | ||
| Termination without Cause or Constructive Discharge | | | 8,007,220 | | | 45,701 | | | 13,816,677 | | | 21,869,598 | ||
| Qualifying Termination Following Change-in-Control | | | 8,007,220 | | | 45,701 | | | 26,883,135 | | | 34,936,056 | ||
Ms. Allen | | | Voluntary Resignation, Retirement, Involuntary Termination for Cause | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — |
| Death or Disability | | | — | | | — | | | 6,565,894 | | | 6,565,894 | ||
| Termination without Cause or Constructive Discharge | | | 2,100,000 | | | 40,151 | | | 2,940,200 | | | 5,080,351 | ||
| Qualifying Termination Following Change-in-Control | | | 2,100,000 | | | 40,151 | | | 6,565,894 | | | 8,706,045 | ||
Mr. Cash | | | Voluntary Resignation, Retirement, Involuntary Termination for Cause | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — |
| Death or Disability | | | — | | | — | | | 4,744,300 | | | 4,744,300 | ||
| Termination without Cause or Constructive Discharge | | | 1,729,000 | | | 45,701 | | | 2,591,789 | | | 4,366,490 | ||
| Qualifying Termination Following Change-in-Control | | | 1,729,000 | | | 45,701 | | | 4,744,300 | | | 6,519,001 |
Name | | | Termination Event | | | Cash Severance ($)(a) | | | Continuation Of Medical Benefits ($)(b) | | | Acceleration of Equity Awards ($)(c) | | | Total Termination Payments ($) |
Ms. Checchio | | | Voluntary Resignation, Retirement, Involuntary Termination for Cause | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — |
| Death or Disability | | | — | | | — | | | 3,658,478 | | | 3,658,478 | ||
| Termination without Cause or Constructive Discharge | | | 1,751,000 | | | — | | | 1,995,713 | | | 3,746,713 | ||
| Qualifying Termination Following Change-in-Control | | | 1,751,000 | | | — | | | 3,658,478 | | | 5,409,478 | ||
Mr. Strickland | | | Voluntary Resignation, Retirement, Involuntary Termination for Cause | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — |
| Death or Disability | | | — | | | — | | | 4,004,267 | | | 4,004,267 | ||
| Termination without Cause or Constructive Discharge | | | 1,664,000 | | | — | | | 1,892,462 | | | 3,556,462 | ||
| Qualifying Termination Following Change-in-Control | | | 1,664,000 | | | — | | | 4,004,267 | | | 5,668,267 |
(a) | Cash severance payable upon a Qualifying Termination Following Change-in-Control assumes that the employment of the named executive officer was terminated on a change-in-control as a termination without cause or, as applicable, a constructive discharge. |
(b) | Represents 18 months’ reimbursement for continued health plan coverage in accordance with COBRA if elected by the executive officer. |
(c) | Calculated using closing price of Wyndham Hotels common stock on the NYSE on December 30, 2022 of $71.31. This table assumes that all unvested equity awards to which the executive would be entitled vested on December 31, 2022. Upon a change-in-control, all grants made under our 2018 Equity and Incentive Plan fully vest and any performance conditions imposed with respect to awards are deemed to be fully achieved whether or not the executive’s employment is terminated. Upon a termination without cause or constructive discharge, the number of PSUs that each NEO would ultimately receive would be subject to performance achievement, but solely for purposes of this table, maximum performance achievement is assumed. |
• | A termination of an executive officer is for cause if it is for any of the following reasons: the executive’s willful failure to substantially perform his or her duties as our employee (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness); any act of fraud, misappropriation, dishonesty, embezzlement or similar conduct against us or the executive’s conviction of a felony or any crime involving moral turpitude (which conviction, due to the passage of time or otherwise, is not subject to further appeal); the executive’s gross negligence in the performance of his or her duties; or the executive purposefully or negligently makes (or has been found to have made) a false certification to us pertaining to our financial statements. |
• | Under the employment agreements of Mr. Ballotti and Ms. Allen, a constructive discharge means the occurrence of any material breach or failure by us to fulfill our obligations under the executive’s employment agreement; any material reduction in base salary or target award opportunity under our annual incentive plan; any material diminution in the executive’s authority, duties or responsibilities; a required relocation of over fifty miles; not offering to renew his or her employment agreement on substantially similar terms prior to the end of the employment period; or an acquiring company does not agree to assume the executive’s employment agreement. |
• | A without cause termination occurs if the executive’s employment is terminated other than due to death, disability or for cause. |
| | WYNDHAM HOTELS & RESORTS, INC. | |||||||
| | | | | | ||||
| | By: | | | /s/ Paul F. Cash | ||||
| | | | Name: | | | Paul F. Cash | ||
| | | | Title: | | | EVP, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary | ||
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| | | | | | ||||
| | /s/ Geoffrey Ballotti | |||||||
| | Geoffrey Ballotti |
1 | Note: The Company reserves the right to edit the Release to provide as full a release of claims as is possible under applicable law at the time of the termination of employment. |
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