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Long-Term Debt | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract] |
Long-Term Debt | Long-Term Debt Long-term debt consists of the following:
| December 31, 2018 |  | December 31, 2017
| (In thousands) |  |
2016 Revolving Credit Facility (1) | $ | — |  | $ | 75,000
5.0% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2023 (the “5.0% Notes”) | 289,273 |  | 289,273
6.125% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2027 (the “6.125% Notes”) | 250,000 |  | 250,000
Mortgage notes to finance companies - fixed rate, bearing interest from 3.51% to 7.03% | 215,196 |  | 199,972
Mortgage notes to finance companies - variable rate, bearing interest at 1.50 to 2.90 percentage points above one-month or three-month LIBOR | 180,959 |  | 219,719
Other | 20,589 |  | 3,947
Subtotal | 956,017 |  | 1,037,911
Debt issuance costs | (10,934) |  | (13,208)
Total debt | 945,083 |  | 1,024,703
Less current maturities | (26,304) |  | (61,314)
Long-term debt | $ | 918,779 |  | $ | 963,389
(1) The interest rate on the 2016 Revolving Credit Facility (as defined below) was 250 and 225 basis points above LIBOR at December 31, 2018 and 2017. Future maturities of long-term debt are as follows:
| Principal
Year Ending December 31, | (In thousands)
2019 | $ | 26,304
2020 | 59,756
2021 | 53,385
2022 | 43,187
2023 | 351,314
Thereafter | 422,071
Total | $ | 956,017
2016 Credit Facilities On November 30, 2016, we entered into an amended and restated syndicated revolving credit facility (the “2016 Revolving Credit Facility”) and amended and restated syndicated new and used vehicle floor plan credit facilities (the “2016 Floor Plan Facilities” and, together with the 2016 Revolving Credit Facility, the “2016 Credit Facilities”), which are scheduled to mature on November 30, 2021. Availability under the 2016 Revolving Credit Facility is calculated as the lesser of $250.0 million or a borrowing base calculated based on certain eligible assets, less the aggregate face amount of any outstanding letters of credit under the 2016 Revolving Credit Facility (the “2016 Revolving Borrowing Base”). The 2016 Revolving Credit Facility may be increased at our option up to $300.0 million upon satisfaction of certain conditions. Based on balances as of December 31, 2018, the 2016 Revolving Borrowing Base was approximately $238.8 million. As of December 31, 2018, we had no outstanding borrowings and approximately $14.8 million in outstanding letters of credit under the 2016 Revolving Credit Facility, resulting in total borrowing availability of approximately $223.9 million under the 2016 Revolving Credit Facility. The 2016 Floor Plan Facilities are comprised of a new vehicle revolving floor plan facility (the “2016 New Vehicle Floor Plan Facility”) and a used vehicle revolving floor plan facility (the “2016 Used Vehicle Floor Plan Facility”), subject to a borrowing base, in a combined amount up to $1.015 billion. We may, under certain conditions, request an increase in the 2016 Floor Plan Facilities to a maximum borrowing limit of up to $1.265 billion, which shall be allocated between the 2016 New Vehicle Floor Plan Facility and the 2016 Used Vehicle Floor Plan Facility as we request, with no more than 30% of the aggregate commitments allocated to the commitments under the 2016 Used Vehicle Floor Plan Facility. Outstanding obligations under the 2016 Floor Plan Facilities are guaranteed by us and certain of our subsidiaries and are secured by a pledge of substantially all of our assets and our subsidiaries’ assets. The amounts outstanding under the 2016 Credit Facilities bear interest at variable rates based on specified percentages above LIBOR. We agreed under the 2016 Credit Facilities not to pledge any assets to any third party (other than those explicitly allowed under the amended terms of the 2016 Credit Facilities), including other lenders, subject to certain stated exceptions, including floor plan financing arrangements. In addition, the 2016 Credit Facilities contain certain negative covenants, including covenants which could restrict or prohibit indebtedness, liens, the payment of dividends, capital expenditures and material dispositions and acquisitions of assets as well as other customary covenants and default provisions. Specifically, the 2016 Credit Facilities permit cash dividends on our Class A and Class B Common Stock so long as no event of default (as defined in the 2016 Credit Facilities) has occurred and is continuing and provided that we remain in compliance with all financial covenants under the 2016 Credit Facilities. 5.0% Notes On May 9, 2013, we issued $300.0 million in aggregate principal amount of unsecured senior subordinated 5.0% Notes which mature on May 15, 2023. The 5.0% Notes were issued at a price of 100.0% of the principal amount thereof. Our used the net proceeds from the issuance of the 5.0% Notes to repurchase all of the outstanding 9.0% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018. Remaining proceeds from the issuance of the 5.0% Notes were used for general corporate purposes. Balances outstanding under the 5.0% Notes are guaranteed by all of our domestic operating subsidiaries. These guarantees are full and unconditional and joint and several. The parent company has no independent assets or operations. The non-domestic operating subsidiary that is not a guarantor is considered to be minor. Interest on the 5.0% Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year. During 2016, we repurchased approximately $10.7 million of our outstanding 5.0% Notes for approximately $10.6 million in cash, plus accrued and unpaid interest related thereto. We may redeem the 5.0% Notes, in whole or in part, at any time on or after May 15, 2018 at the following redemption prices, which are expressed as percentages of the principal amount:
| Redemption Price
Beginning on May 15, 2018 | 102.500 | %
Beginning on May 15, 2019 | 101.667 | %
Beginning on May 15, 2020 | 100.833 | %
Beginning on May 15, 2021 and thereafter | 100.000 | %
The indenture governing the 5.0% Notes provides that holders of the 5.0% Notes may require us to repurchase the 5.0% Notes at a purchase price equal to 101.0% of the par value of the 5.0% Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase if we undergo a Change of Control (as defined in the indenture governing the 5.0% Notes). The indenture governing the 5.0% Notes contains certain specified restrictive covenants. We have agreed not to pledge any assets to any third-party lender of senior subordinated debt except under certain limited circumstances. We also have agreed to certain other limitations or prohibitions concerning the incurrence of other indebtedness, guarantees, liens, certain types of investments, certain transactions with affiliates, mergers, consolidations, issuance of preferred stock, cash dividends to stockholders, distributions, redemptions and the sale, assignment, lease, conveyance or disposal of certain assets. Specifically, the indenture governing the 5.0% Notes limits our ability to pay quarterly cash dividends on our Class A and Class B Common Stock in excess of $0.10 per share. We may only pay quarterly cash dividends on our Class A and Class B Common Stock if we comply with the terms of the indenture governing the 5.0% Notes. We were in compliance with all restrictive covenants in the indenture governing the 5.0% Notes as of December 31, 2018. Our obligations under the 5.0% Notes may be accelerated by the holders of 25% of the outstanding principal amount of the 5.0% Notes then outstanding if certain events of default occur, including: (1) defaults in the payment of principal or interest when due; (2) defaults in the performance, or breach, of our covenants under the 5.0% Notes; and (3) certain defaults under other agreements under which we or our subsidiaries have outstanding indebtedness in excess of $50.0 million. Balances under Sonic’s 5.0% Notes are guaranteed by all of Sonic’s operating domestic subsidiaries. These guarantees are full and unconditional and joint and several. The parent company has no independent assets or operations. The non-domestic subsidiary that is not a guarantor is considered to be minor. 6.125% Notes On March 10, 2017, we issued $250.0 million in aggregate principal amount of unsecured senior subordinated 6.125% Notes which mature on March 15, 2027. The 6.125% Notes were issued at a price of 100.0% of the principal amount thereof. We used the net proceeds from the issuance of the 6.125% Notes to repurchase all of the outstanding 7.0% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2022 (the “7.0% Notes”) on March 27, 2017. Remaining proceeds from the issuance of the 6.125% Notes were used for general corporate purposes. Balances outstanding under the 6.125% Notes are guaranteed by all of our domestic operating subsidiaries. These guarantees are full and unconditional and joint and several. The parent company has no independent assets or operations. The non-domestic operating subsidiary that is not a guarantor is considered to be minor. Interest on the 6.125% Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year. We may redeem the 6.125% Notes, in whole or in part, at any time on or after March 15, 2022 at the following redemption prices, which are expressed as percentages of the principal amount:
| Redemption Price
Beginning on March 15, 2022 | 103.063 | %
Beginning on March 15, 2023 | 102.042 | %
Beginning on March 15, 2024 | 101.021 | %
Beginning on March 15, 2025 and thereafter | 100.000 | %
Before March 15, 2022, we may redeem all or a part of the 6.125% Notes at a redemption price equal to 100.0% of the principal amount of the 6.125% Notes redeemed, plus the Applicable Premium (as defined in the indenture governing the 6.125% Notes) and any accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date. In addition, on or before March 15, 2020, we may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 6.125% Notes at a redemption price equal to 106.125% of the par value of the 6.125% Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date with proceeds from certain equity offerings. The indenture governing the 6.125% Notes also provides that holders of the 6.125% Notes may require us to repurchase the 6.125% Notes at a purchase price equal to 101.0% of the par value of the 6.125% Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase if we undergo a Change of Control (as defined in the indenture governing the 6.125% Notes). The indenture governing the 6.125% Notes contains certain specified restrictive covenants. We have agreed not to pledge any assets to any third-party lender of senior subordinated debt except under certain limited circumstances. We also have agreed to certain other limitations or prohibitions concerning the incurrence of other indebtedness, guarantees, liens, certain types of investments, certain transactions with affiliates, mergers, consolidations, issuance of preferred stock, cash dividends to stockholders, distributions, redemptions and the sale, assignment, lease, conveyance or disposal of certain assets. Specifically, the indenture governing the 6.125% Notes limits our ability to pay quarterly cash dividends on our Class A and Class B Common Stock in excess of $0.12 per share. We may only pay quarterly cash dividends on our Class A and Class B Common Stock if we comply with the terms of the indenture governing the 6.125% Notes. We were in compliance with all restrictive covenants in the indenture governing the 6.125% Notes as of December 31, 2018. Our obligations under the 6.125% Notes may be accelerated by the holders of 25% of the outstanding principal amount of the 6.125% Notes then outstanding if certain events of default occur, including: (1) defaults in the payment of principal or interest when due; (2) defaults in the performance, or breach, of our covenants under the 6.125% Notes; and (3) certain defaults under other agreements under which we or our subsidiaries have outstanding indebtedness in excess of $50.0 million. Balances under Sonic’s 6.125% Notes are guaranteed by all of Sonic’s operating domestic subsidiaries. These guarantees are full and unconditional and joint and several. The parent company has no independent assets or operations. The non-domestic subsidiary that is not a guarantor is considered to be minor. Mortgage Notes During 2018, we obtained approximately $21.1 million in mortgage financing related to three of our operating locations. As of December 31, 2018, the weighted average interest rate was 4.70% and the total outstanding mortgage principal balance was approximately $396.2 million, related to approximately 50% of our operating locations. These mortgage notes require monthly payments of principal and interest through their respective maturities, are secured by the underlying properties and contain certain cross-default provisions. Maturity dates for these mortgage notes range between 2019 and 2033. Covenants We agreed under the 2016 Credit Facilities not to pledge any assets to any third party (other than those explicitly allowed under the amended terms of the 2016 Credit Facilities), including other lenders, subject to certain stated exceptions, including floor plan financing arrangements. In addition, the 2016 Credit Facilities contain certain negative covenants, including covenants which could restrict or indebtedness, liens, prohibit the payment of dividends, capital expenditures and material dispositions and acquisitions of assets, as well as other customary covenants and default provisions. We were in compliance with the financial covenants under the 2016 Credit Facilities as of December 31, 2018. Financial covenants include required specified ratios (as each is defined in the 2016 Credit Facilities) of:
| Covenant |  |  |  |
| Minimum Consolidated Liquidity Ratio |  | Minimum Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio |  | Maximum Consolidated Total Lease Adjusted Leverage Ratio
Required ratio | 1.05 |  | 1.20 |  | 5.75
December 31, 2018 actual | 1.10 |  | 1.43 |  | 5.25
The 2016 Credit Facilities contain events of default, including cross defaults to other material indebtedness, change of control events and other events of default customary for syndicated commercial credit facilities. Upon the future occurrence of an event of default, we could be required to immediately repay all outstanding amounts under the 2016 Credit Facilities. After giving effect to the applicable restrictions on the payment of dividends under our debt agreements, as of December 31, 2018, we had at least $171.1 million of net income and retained earnings free of such restrictions. We were in compliance with all restrictive covenants as of December 31, 2018. In addition, many of our facility leases are governed by a guarantee agreement between the landlord and us that contains financial and operating covenants. The financial covenants under the guarantee agreement are identical to those under the 2016 Credit Facilities with the exception of one financial covenant related to the ratio of EBTDAR to rent (as defined in the guarantee agreement) with a required ratio of no less than 1.50 to 1.00. As of December 31, 2018, the ratio was 3.36 to 1.00. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Prior to March 9, 2018, we had outstanding interest rate cash flow swap agreements to effectively convert a portion of our LIBOR-based variable rate debt to a fixed rate (these interest rate cash flow swap agreements were terminated on March 9, 2018 with a net $4.8 million payment to us from the counterparties that is being amortized into interest expense, other, net in the accompanying consolidated statements of income over the initial term of the interest rate swap agreements). As of both December 31, 2018 and 2017, we had interest rate cap agreements to limit our exposure to increases in LIBOR rates above certain levels. Under the terms of these cash flow swaps and interest rate cap agreements, interest rates reset monthly. We paid cash premiums of approximately $2.8 million and $1.9 million in the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, upon entering into new interest rate cap agreements, and the cash premiums were reflected in operating cash flows for the periods in which the premiums were paid. The unamortized premium amounts related to the outstanding interest rate caps were approximately $4.6 million and $1.9 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and will be amortized through interest expense, other, net in the accompanying consolidated statements of income over the remaining term of the interest rate cap agreements. The fair value of the interest rate cap positions at December 31, 2018 was a net asset of approximately $4.8 million, with approximately $1.8 million included in other current assets and approximately $3.0 million included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of the interest rate swap and interest rate cap positions at December 31, 2017 was an asset of approximately $4.7 million, with approximately $0.9 million included in other current assets and approximately $5.1 million included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, offset partially by approximately $1.0 million included in other accrued liabilities and approximately $0.3 million included in other long-term liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Under the terms of these agreements, we will receive and pay interest based on the following:
Notional Amount |  | Pay Rate (1) |  | Receive Rate (1) (2) |  | Start Date |  | Maturing Date
(In millions) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
$ | 375.0 |  | 2.000% |  |  | one-month LIBOR |  | July 1, 2018 |  | June 30, 2019
$ | 375.0 |  | 3.000% |  |  | one-month LIBOR |  | July 1, 2018 |  | June 30, 2019
$ | 312.5 |  | 2.000% |  |  | one-month LIBOR |  | July 1, 2019 |  | June 30, 2020
$ | 250.0 |  | 3.000% |  |  | one-month LIBOR |  | July 1, 2019 |  | June 30, 2020
$ | 225.0 |  | 3.000% |  |  | one-month LIBOR |  | July 1, 2020 |  | June 30, 2021
$ | 150.0 |  | 2.000% |  |  | one-month LIBOR |  | July 1, 2020 |  | July 1, 2021
$ | 250.0 |  | 3.000% |  |  | one-month LIBOR |  | July 1, 2021 |  | July 1, 2022
(1) Under these interest rate caps, no payment will occur unless the stated receive rate exceeds the stated pay rate. If this occurs, a net payment to us from the counterparty based on the spread between the receive rate and the pay rate will be recognized as a reduction of interest expense, other, net in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. (2) The one-month LIBOR rate was approximately 2.503% at December 31, 2018. The interest rate caps are designated as cash flow hedges, and the changes in the fair value of these instruments are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income and are disclosed in the supplemental schedule of non-cash financing activities in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows. The incremental interest income or expense (the difference between interest paid and interest received) related to these instruments was income of approximately $0.2 million for 2018 and expense of approximately $3.1 million and $5.5 million for 2017 and 2016, respectively, and is included in interest expense, other, net in the accompanying consolidated statements of income and the interest amount is disclosed in the supplemental disclosures of cash flow information in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows. The estimated net benefit expected to be reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into results of operations during the next 12 months is approximately $2.9 million related to the interest rate swaps and interest rate caps.

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