New Acquisitions Of Raging Waves And Boomers Will Expand Entertainment Offerings

Key Takeaways

• Strategic acquisitions and expansion plans are likely to drive future revenue growth and improve margins through operational improvements.
  
• Enhanced food and beverage offerings and data-driven operations are expected to increase customer spending and control costs, boosting net margins.
  
• The company's aggressive acquisition strategy and increased financial leverage pose risks to earnings stability and flexibility amid economic and environmental challenges.

Catalysts

Operates location-based entertainment business under the AMF, Bowlero, and Lucky Strike brand names.

• Strategic acquisitions such as Raging Waves and Boomers are expected to drive future revenue growth and EBITDA expansion through operational improvements and capital deployment. These initiatives are likely to enhance earnings as the company intends to leverage its procurement and labor models.
  
• New build and expansion plans, including new Lucky Strike locations, are projected to contribute significantly to future revenue by increasing the company's market presence and capitalizing on attractive demographics. This expansion can drive revenue growth and potential margin improvements as the new locations mature.
  
• Increased focus on the food and beverage segment, with improved menus and mobile ordering, is expected to enhance revenue and net margins through higher per capita spend across Bowlero’s locations by increasing customer spend beyond the core bowling activities.
  
• The implementation of data-driven decision-making and the hiring of a Chief Procurement Officer are anticipated to increase operational efficiencies and control costs, which could positively impact net margins and support EBITDA growth moving forward.
  
• Bowlero’s continued strategy to capitalize on M&A opportunities to acquire undervalued assets at attractive multiples is expected to contribute to revenue growth, margin expansion, and ultimately earnings growth as the company integrates its operational best practices and enhances asset performance.

Bowlero Future Earnings and Revenue Growth

Assumptions

• Analysts are assuming Lucky Strike Entertainment's revenue will grow by 6.5% annually over the next 3 years.
• Analysts assume that profit margins will increase from -0.9% today to 3.4% in 3 years time.
• Analysts expect earnings to reach $48.5 million (and earnings per share of $0.28) by about August 2028, up from $-10.3 million today.
• In order for the above numbers to justify the analysts price target, the company would need to trade at a PE ratio of 46.4x on those 2028 earnings, up from -134.2x today. This future PE is greater than the current PE for the US Hospitality industry at 23.3x.
• Analysts expect the number of shares outstanding to decline by 4.91% per year for the next 3 years.
• To value all of this in today's terms, we will use a discount rate of 12.32%, as per the Simply Wall St company report.

Bowlero Future Earnings Per Share Growth

Risks

• The company's reliance on acquisitions for growth, such as Raging Waves and Boomers, carries execution risks. Mismanagement of these acquisitions or failure to realize expected synergies could negatively impact net margins and earnings.
  
• The seasonal nature of certain acquisitions, like water parks, introduces potential volatility in revenue and EBITDA, particularly in off-season periods, which may affect overall earnings stability.
  
• Increased net debt to $1.1 billion raises concerns about financial leverage, potentially impacting net margins and limiting future capital allocation flexibility, including investments or buybacks.
  
• Adverse weather events significantly affect same-store sales and comps, as seen in the impact of hurricanes, posing risks to consistent revenue generation and profitability.
  
• Pressure from inflation, especially in food costs, remains a headwind. Inability to manage or mitigate these costs could squeeze margins, affecting net earnings.

Valuation

• The analysts have a consensus price target of $13.25 for Lucky Strike Entertainment based on their expectations of its future earnings growth, profit margins and other risk factors. However, there is a degree of disagreement amongst analysts, with the most bullish reporting a price target of $18.0, and the most bearish reporting a price target of just $9.0.
• In order for you to agree with the analyst's consensus, you'd need to believe that by 2028, revenues will be $1.4 billion, earnings will come to $48.5 million, and it would be trading on a PE ratio of 46.4x, assuming you use a discount rate of 12.3%.
• Given the current share price of $9.87, the analyst price target of $13.25 is 25.5% higher.
• We always encourage you to reach your own conclusions though. So sense check these analyst numbers against your own assumptions and expectations based on your understanding of the business and what you believe is probable.