Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt consists of the following (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of December 31, |
| | 2024 | | 2023 |
| Term Loan B | $ | 4,726 | | | $ | 5,175 | |
| Term Loan A | 1,275 | | | 1,275 | |
| | | |
3.875% First Lien Senior Notes due 2028 | 1,550 | | | 1,550 | |
3.50% First Lien Senior Notes due 2029 | 750 | | | 750 | |
5.75% First Lien Senior Notes due 2025 | — | | | 500 | |
6.125% First Lien Senior Notes due 2029 | 1,200 | | | — | |
5.625% First Lien Senior Notes due 2029 | 500 | | | — | |
4.375% Second Lien Senior Notes due 2028 | 750 | | | 750 | |
4.00% Second Lien Senior Notes due 2030 | 2,900 | | | 2,900 | |
| TH Facility and other | 108 | | | 143 | |
| Less: unamortized deferred financing costs and deferred issuance discount | (117) | | | (122) | |
| Total debt, net | 13,642 | | | 12,921 | |
| Less: current maturities of debt | (187) | | | (67) | |
| Total long-term debt | $ | 13,455 | | | $ | 12,854 | |
Credit Facilities
On September 21, 2023, two of our subsidiaries (the “Borrowers”) entered into a seventh amendment (the “7th Amendment”) to the credit agreement governing our senior secured term loan A facility (the “Term Loan A”), our senior secured term loan B facility (the “Term Loan B” and together with the Term Loan A, the “Term Loan Facilities”) and our senior secured revolving credit facility (including revolving loans, swingline loans and letters of credit) (the “Revolving Credit Facility” and together with the Term Loan Facilities, the “Credit Facilities”). Under the 7th Amendment we (i) amended the existing Revolving Credit Facility to increase the availability from $1,000 million to $1,250 million and extended the maturity of the facility to September 21, 2028 without changing the leverage-based spread to adjusted SOFR (Secured Overnight Financing Rate); (ii) increased the Term Loan A to $1,275 million and extended the maturity of the Term Loan A to September 21, 2028 without changing the leverage-based spread to adjusted SOFR; (iii) increased the Term Loan B to $5,175 million, extended the maturity of the Term Loan B to September 21, 2030, and changed the interest rate applicable to borrowings under our Term Loan B to term SOFR, subject to a floor of 0.00%, plus an applicable margin of 2.25%; and (iv) made certain other changes as set forth therein, including removing the 0.10% adjustment to the term SOFR rate across the facilities and changes to certain covenants to provide increased flexibility. On December 28, 2023, we entered into an eighth amendment (the “8th Amendment” and together with the 7th Amendment, the “2023 Amendments”) to the credit agreement whereby Partnership and its subsidiaries became guarantors, subject to the covenants applicable to the Credit Facilities. The 2023 Amendments made no other material changes to the terms of the credit agreement.
On May 16, 2024, the Borrowers entered into a sixth incremental facility amendment and a ninth amendment (the “First 2024 Amendment”) to the credit agreement governing our Credit Facilities. The First 2024 Amendment increased the existing Term Loan B by $750 million to $5,912 million on the same terms as the existing Term Loan B. The First 2024 Amendment also amended the interest rate applicable to the Canadian dollar loans under the credit agreement to be based on Term Canadian Overnight Repo Rate Average (“CORRA”). The security and guarantees under the amended Credit Agreement are the same as those under the existing facilities. The First 2024 Amendment made no other material changes to the terms of the Credit Agreement. The proceeds from the increase in the Term Loan B were used, along with cash on hand, to complete the Carrols Acquisition, the repayment of amounts outstanding under the Carrols' credit agreement and the redemption and discharge of Carrols' outstanding senior notes.
On June 17, 2024, the Borrowers entered into a tenth amendment to the credit agreement governing our Credit Facilities (the “Second 2024 Amendment”). The Second 2024 Amendment repriced our Term Loan B from an interest rate equal to the Adjusted Term SOFR plus 2.25% to an interest rate equal to the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate plus 1.75% and reduced the outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan B facility from $5,912 million to $4,750 million using a portion of the net proceeds from the issuance of the 6.125% First Lien Senior Notes due 2029 (defined below). There were no changes to the maturity of the Term Loan B following this repricing and all other terms are substantially unchanged.
As of December 31, 2024, the interest rate applicable to the Term Loan A and Revolving Credit Facility is, at our option, either (a) a base rate, subject to a floor of 1.00%, plus an applicable margin varying from 0.00% to 0.50%, or (b) term SOFR, subject to a floor of 0.00%, plus an applicable margin varying between 0.75% and 1.50%, in each case, determined by reference to a net first lien leverage-based pricing grid. The commitment fee on the unused portion of the Revolving Credit Facility is 0.15%. As of December 31, 2024, the interest rate on the Term Loan A was 5.61%. The principal amount of the Term Loan A amortizes in quarterly installments equal to $8 million beginning March 31, 2025 and $16 million beginning March 31, 2027 until maturity, with the balance payable at maturity.
As of December 31, 2024, the interest rate applicable to the Term Loan B is, at our option, either (a) a base rate, subject to a floor of 1.00%, plus an applicable margin of 0.75%, or (b) term SOFR, subject to a floor of 0.00%, plus an applicable margin of 1.75%. As of December 31, 2024, the interest rate on the Term Loan B was 6.11%. The principal amount of the Term Loan B amortizes in quarterly installments equal to $12 million until maturity, with the balance payable at maturity.
Revolving Credit Facility
As of December 31, 2024, we had no amounts outstanding under our Revolving Credit Facility. Funds available under the Revolving Credit Facility may be used to repay other debt, finance debt or share repurchases, to fund acquisitions or capital expenditures and for other general corporate purposes. We have a $125 million letter of credit sublimit as part of the Revolving Credit Facility, which reduces our borrowing availability thereunder by the cumulative amount of outstanding letters of credit. The interest rate applicable to amounts drawn under each letter of credit is 0.75% to 1.50%, depending on our net first lien leverage ratio. As of December 31, 2024, we had $2 million of letters of credit issued against the Revolving Credit Facility, and our borrowing availability was $1,248 million.
Obligations under the Credit Facilities are guaranteed on a senior secured basis, jointly and severally, by the Partnership and substantially all of its Canadian and U.S. subsidiaries, including The TDL Group Corp., Burger King Company LLC, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc., FRG, LLC and substantially all of their respective Canadian and U.S. subsidiaries (the “Guarantors”). Amounts borrowed under the Credit Facilities are secured on a first priority basis by a perfected security interest in substantially all of the present and future property (subject to certain exceptions) of each Borrower and the Guarantors.
Senior Notes
3.875% First Lien Senior Notes due 2028
On September 24, 2019, the Borrowers entered into an indenture (the “3.875% First Lien Senior Notes Indenture”) in connection with the issuance of $750 million of 3.875% first lien senior notes due January 15, 2028 (the “2019 3.875% Senior Notes”). On July 6, 2021, the Borrowers issued an additional $800 million under the 3.875% First Lien Senior Notes Indenture (the “Additional Notes” and together with the 2019 3.875% Senior Notes, the “3.875% First Lien Senior Notes due 2028”). No principal payments are due until maturity and interest is paid semi-annually. The Additional Notes were priced at 100.250% of their face value. The net proceeds from the offering of the Additional Notes were used to redeem the remaining $775 million principal amount outstanding of 4.25% first lien senior notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon, and pay related redemption premiums, fees and expenses.
3.50% First Lien Senior Notes due 2029
On November 9, 2020, the Borrowers entered into an indenture (the “3.50% First Lien Senior Notes Indenture”) in connection with the issuance of $750 million of 3.50% first lien notes due February 15, 2029 (the “3.50% First Lien Senior Notes due 2029”). No principal payments are due until maturity and interest is paid semi-annually. The proceeds from the offering of the 3.50% First Lien Senior Notes due 2029, together with cash on hand, were used to redeem $725 million of 4.25% first lien senior notes and pay related redemption premiums, fees and expenses.
6.125% First Lien Senior Notes due 2029
On June 17, 2024, the Borrowers entered into an indenture (the “6.125% First Lien Senior Notes Indenture”) in connection with the issuance of $1,200 million of 6.125% first lien senior notes due June 15, 2029 (the “6.125% First Lien Senior Notes due 2029”). No principal payments are due until maturity and interest is paid semi-annually. The net proceeds from the offering of the 6.125% First Lien Senior Notes due 2029 were used to refinance a portion of the Term Loan B, pay related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes.
5.625% First Lien Senior Notes due 2029
On September 13, 2024, the Borrowers entered into an indenture (the “5.625% First Lien Senior Notes Indenture”) in connection with the issuance of $500 million of 5.625% first lien senior notes due September 15, 2029 (the “5.625% First Lien Senior Notes due 2029”). No principal payments are due until maturity and interest is paid semi-annually. The net proceeds from the offering of the 5.625% First Lien Senior Notes due 2029, together with cash on hand, were used to redeem in full our outstanding 5.750% first lien senior notes due 2025 and pay related fees and expenses.
5.75% First Lien Senior Notes due 2025
On April 7, 2020, the Borrowers entered into an indenture (the “5.75% First Lien Senior Notes Indenture”) in connection with the issuance of $500 million of 5.75% first lien notes due April 15, 2025 (the “5.75% First Lien Senior Notes due 2025”). During 2024, we redeemed the entire outstanding principal balance of $500 million of the 5.75% First Lien Senior Notes due 2025 using proceeds from the offering of the 5.625% First Lien Senior Notes due 2029.
4.375% Second Lien Senior Notes due 2028
On November 19, 2019, the Borrowers entered into an indenture (the “4.375% Second Lien Senior Notes Indenture”) in connection with the issuance of $750 million of 4.375% second lien senior notes due January 15, 2028 (the “4.375% Second Lien Senior Notes due 2028”). No principal payments are due until maturity and interest is paid semi-annually.
4.00% Second Lien Senior Notes due 2030
During 2020, the Borrowers entered into an indenture (the “4.00% Second Lien Senior Notes Indenture”) in connection with the issuance of $2,900 million of 4.00% second lien notes due October 15, 2030 (the “4.00% Second Lien Senior Notes due 2030”). No principal payments are due until maturity and interest is paid semi-annually. The proceeds from the offering of the 4.00% Second Lien Senior Notes due 2030 were used to redeem the entire outstanding principal balance of $2,800 million of 5.00% second lien senior notes due October 15, 2025 (the “5.00% Second Lien Senior Notes due 2025”), pay related redemption premiums, fees and expenses.
Obligations under the 3.875% First Lien Senior Notes due 2028, the 3.50% First Lien Senior Notes due 2029, the 6.125% First Lien Senior Notes due 2029 and the 5.625% First Lien Senior Notes due 2029 (collectively, the “First Lien Senior Note”) are guaranteed on a senior secured basis, jointly and severally, by the Guarantors. The First Lien Senior Notes are first lien senior secured obligations and rank equal in right of payment with all of the existing and future first lien senior debt of the Borrowers and Guarantors, including borrowings and guarantees under our Credit Facilities.
Obligations under the 4.375% Second Lien Senior Notes due 2028 and the 4.00% Second Lien Senior Notes due 2030 (together, the “Second Lien Senior Notes” and together with the First Lien Senior Notes, the “Senior Notes”) are guaranteed on a second priority senior secured basis, jointly and severally, by the Guarantors. The Second Lien Senior Notes are second lien senior secured obligations and rank equal in right of payment with all of the existing and future senior debt of the Borrowers and Guarantors, including borrowings and guarantees of the Credit Facilities, and effectively subordinated to all of the existing and future first lien senior debt of the Borrowers and Guarantors.
The Borrowers may redeem a series of Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at any time at the redemption prices set forth in the applicable Senior Notes Indenture; provided that if the redemption is prior to October 15, 2025 for the 4.00% Second Lien Senior Notes due 2030, June 15, 2026 for the 6.125% First Lien Senior Notes due 2029, and September 15, 2026 for the 5.625% First Lien Senior Notes due 2029, it will instead be at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount redeemed plus a “make-whole” premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date. The Senior Notes Indentures (as defined below) also contain redemption provisions related to tender offers, change of control and equity offerings, among others.
Restrictions and Covenants
Our Credit Facilities, as well as the 3.875% First Lien Senior Notes Indenture, 3.50% First Lien Senior Notes Indenture, 6.125% First Lien Senior Notes, 5.625% First Lien Senior Notes, 4.375% Second Lien Senior Notes Indenture and 4.00% Second Lien Senior Notes Indenture (all together the “Senior Notes Indentures”) contain a number of customary affirmative and negative covenants that, among other things, limit or restrict our ability and the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to: incur additional indebtedness; incur liens; engage in mergers, consolidations, liquidations and dissolutions; sell assets; pay dividends and make other payments in respect of capital stock; make investments, loans and advances; pay or modify the terms of certain indebtedness; and engage in certain transactions with affiliates. In addition, under the Credit Facilities, the Borrowers are not permitted to exceed a first lien senior secured leverage ratio of 6.50 to 1.00 when, as of the end of any fiscal quarter beginning with the first fiscal quarter of 2020, (1) any amounts are outstanding under the Term Loan A and/or (2) the sum of (i) the amount of letters of credit outstanding exceeding $50 million (other than those that are cash collateralized); (ii) outstanding amounts under the Revolving Credit Facility and (iii) outstanding amounts of swing line loans, exceeds 30.0% of the commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility.
The restrictions under the Credit Facilities and the Senior Notes Indentures have resulted in substantially all of our consolidated assets being restricted.
As of December 31, 2024, we were in compliance with applicable financial debt covenants under the Credit Facilities and the Senior Notes Indentures and there were no limitations on our ability to draw on the remaining availability under our Revolving Credit Facility.
TH Facility
One of our subsidiaries entered into a non-revolving delayed drawdown term credit facility in a total aggregate principal amount of C$225 million with a maturity date of October 4, 2025 (the “TH Facility”). Prior to June 30, 2024, the interest rate applicable to the TH Facility was the Canadian Bankers’ Acceptance rate plus an applicable margin equal to 1.40% or the Prime Rate plus an applicable margin equal to 0.40%, at our option. Beginning July 1, 2024, the interest rate applicable to the TH Facility is the Adjusted Term CORRA rate plus an applicable margin equal to 1.40% or the Prime Rate plus an applicable margin equal to 0.40%, at our option. Obligations under the TH Facility are guaranteed by three of our subsidiaries, and amounts borrowed under the TH Facility are secured by certain parcels of real estate. As of December 31, 2024, we had approximately C$154 million outstanding under the TH Facility with a weighted average interest rate of 5.37%.
Debt Issuance Costs
During 2024, we incurred aggregate deferred financing costs of $41 million in connection with the First 2024 Amendment, the Second 2024 Amendment, the issuance of the 6.125% First Lien Senior Notes due 2029 and the issuance of the 5.625% First Lien Senior Notes due 2029. During 2023, we incurred aggregate deferred financing costs of $44 million in connection with the 7th Amendment. We did not incur any significant deferred financing costs during 2022.
Loss on Early Extinguishment of Debt
During 2024, we recorded a $33 million loss on early extinguishment of debt that primarily reflects expensing of fees and the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs in connection with various amendments to our credit agreement and the full redemption of our outstanding 5.750% first lien senior notes due 2025. During 2023, we recorded a $16 million loss on early extinguishment of debt that primarily reflects expensing of fees in connection with the 7th Amendment and the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs.
Maturities
The aggregate maturities of our long-term debt as of December 31, 2024 are as follows (in millions):
| | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, | Principal Amount |
| 2025 | $ | 187 | |
| 2026 | 79 | |
| 2027 | 111 | |
| 2028 | 3,495 | |
| 2029 | 2,498 | |
| Thereafter | 7,389 | |
| Total | $ | 13,759 | |
Interest Expense, net
Interest expense, net consists of the following (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2024 | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| Debt (a) | $ | 572 | | | $ | 576 | | | $ | 493 | |
| Finance lease obligations | 19 | | | 19 | | | 19 | |
| Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt issuance discount | 25 | | | 27 | | | 28 | |
| Interest income | (39) | | | (40) | | | (7) | |
| Interest expense, net | $ | 577 | | | $ | 582 | | | $ | 533 | |
(a)Amount includes $135 million and $83 million benefit during 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $54 million of expense during 2022 related to our interest rate swaps. Amount includes $53 million, $61 million and $56 million benefit during 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively, related to the quarterly net settlements of our cross-currency rate swaps and amortization of the Excluded Component as defined in Note 12, Derivative Instruments.