ARKO Corp. Negotiates Enhanced Value for Stockholders in Final Payment for TEG Acquisition
28 March 2024 - 10:00PM
ARKO Corp. (Nasdaq: ARKO) (“ARKO” or the “Company”), a Fortune 500
company and one of the largest convenience store operators in the
United States, announced today that it has negotiated improved
deferred payment terms and value related to the Company’s
previously reported acquisition of the assets of Transit Energy
Group and its affiliates (“TEG”).
As previously disclosed, on March 1, 2023, the
Company closed on the acquisition from TEG of 135 convenience
stores and gas stations, contracts to supply fuel to 181 dealer
locations, and certain other assets. The purchase agreement
originally provided for a total purchase price of approximately
$370 million plus the value of inventory, of which $50 million was
deferred and payable in two annual payments of $25 million on the
first and second anniversaries of the closing, which ARKO could
elect to pay in either cash or, subject to certain conditions,
shares of ARKO’s common stock.
Pursuant to the original asset purchase agreement,
on March 1, 2024, ARKO issued 3,417,915 shares of ARKO common stock
to TEG (the “First Installment Shares”) at a price per share of
$7.31 which was based on a 10-day volume weighted average price
calculation outlined in the purchase agreement. The closing price
of ARKO’s common stock on the date ARKO notified TEG of its
election to pay the first $25.0 million installment in shares was
$8.36 per share, and the closing price on the date prior to the
date of issuance was $6.53 per share.
Subsequently, on March 26, 2024, ARKO entered into
an amendment to the original purchase agreement with TEG, providing
for ARKO’s repurchase of the First Installment Shares at $5.66 per
share, a 22.6% discount to the price at which the shares were
issued, for a payment of approximately $19.3 million. ARKO and TEG
also agreed to settle the second $25 million installment payment
(which would have been due on March 1, 2025) for approximately
$17.2 million in cash. In aggregate, ARKO satisfied the $50 million
deferred purchase price for the TEG transaction for $36.5 million
and the release of certain obligations and liabilities, which was
fully funded by ARKO’s existing liquidity through its Capital One
Line of Credit. ARKO repurchased the First Installment Shares as
part of its previously announced $100 million share repurchase
program.
“Prior to the March 1, 2024 deferred purchase price
payment being due, we chose to satisfy the $25 million liability
through issuing shares to create additional liquidity in the stock
and to deploy cash against strategic investments,” said Arie
Kotler, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of ARKO.
“However, we believe that the post-issuance decline in the price of
ARKO’s common stock created a unique opportunity for us to buy back
these recently issued shares at a value well below what we believe
is ARKO’s intrinsic value. At the same time, we were able to also
satisfy a future $25 million deferred payment for a reduced price
of $17.2 million. We believe that our ability to be agile capital
allocators and take advantage of changing market conditions and
business opportunities continues to be one of our key strengths,”
Kotler continued.
About ARKO Corp.
ARKO Corp. (Nasdaq: ARKO) is a Fortune 500 company
that owns 100% of GPM Investments, LLC and is one of the largest
operators of convenience stores and wholesalers of fuel in the
United States. Based in Richmond, VA, our highly recognizable
family of community brands offers delicious, prepared foods, beer,
snacks, candy, hot and cold beverages, and multiple popular quick
serve restaurant brands. Our high value fas REWARDS® loyalty
program offers exclusive savings on merchandise and gas. We operate
in four reportable segments: retail, which includes convenience
stores selling merchandise and fuel products to retail customers;
wholesale, which supplies fuel to independent dealers and
consignment agents; GPM Petroleum, which sells and supplies fuel to
our retail and wholesale sites and charges a fixed fee, primarily
to our fleet fueling sites; and fleet fueling, which includes the
operation of proprietary and third-party cardlock locations, and
issuance of proprietary fuel cards that provide customers access to
a nationwide network of fueling sites. To learn more about GPM
stores, visit: www.gpminvestments.com. To learn more about ARKO,
visit: www.arkocorp.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This document includes certain “forward-looking
statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may address,
among other things, the Company’s expected financial and
operational results and the related assumptions underlying its
expected results. These forward-looking statements are
distinguished by use of words such as “anticipate,” “aim,”
“believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “guidance,”
“intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,”
“predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and the negative of
these terms, and similar references to future periods. These
statements are based on management’s current expectations and are
subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results
may differ materially from these expectations due to, among other
things, changes in economic, business and market conditions; the
Company’s ability to maintain the listing of its common stock and
warrants on the Nasdaq Stock Market; changes in its strategy,
future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and
losses, projected costs, prospects and plans; expansion plans and
opportunities; changes in the markets in which it competes; changes
in applicable laws or regulations, including those relating to
environmental matters; market conditions and global and economic
factors beyond its control; and the outcome of any known or unknown
litigation and regulatory proceedings. Detailed information about
these factors and additional important factors can be found in the
documents that the Company files with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, such as Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements
were made. The Company does not undertake an obligation to update
forward-looking information, except to the extent required by
applicable law.
Media Contact & Investor Contact
Jordan Mann, Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy, Capital Markets and Investor Relations
ARKO Corp.
investors@gpminvestments.com
ARKO (NASDAQ:ARKO)
Historical Stock Chart
From Dec 2024 to Jan 2025
ARKO (NASDAQ:ARKO)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jan 2024 to Jan 2025