Dividends
The ability to pay dividends out of the securitisation company (Mitchells & Butlers Retail Limited) is primarily governed by the ratio of free cashflow to debt service cover and the ratio of EBITDA to debt service cover (although other terms also impact on the ability to pay a dividend). These ratios must be at or above 1.3 times and 1.7 times respectively for dividends to be payable up from Mitchells & Butlers Retail Limited to Mitchells & Butlers plc. For the year to 30 September 2023, these ratios were at 1.2 times and 1.4 times respectively.
Disposals
In general, Mitchells & Butlers Retail Limited has the flexibility to make unlimited disposals subject to using the proceeds to repay the debt allocated to those pubs. It can also dispose of 25% of the EBITDA generating pubs over the lifetime of the securitisation, subject to a maximum of 10% in any one year, without the requirement to repay debt subject to certain constraints and has the ability to reset this level with agreement from the Ratings Agencies.
Maintenance of the pub estate
Mitchells & Butlers Retail Limited is required to spend annual maintenance of not less than the higher of 5.7% of prior year turnover or £35k per pub in order to ensure that the assets are well maintained and the consumer offers refreshed and therefore have a similar and continuing income generating ability. This is entirely compatible with Mitchells & Butlers' strategy to maintain the high relative amenity of the estate and is consistent with historical and future maintenance plans.
Net worth
Mitchells & Butlers Retail Limited is required to maintain, as at the end of each financial year, aggregate net assets equal to or greater than £500 million. As of 30 September 2023 the net worth was £2,115m.
Debt service
Mitchells & Butlers Retail Limited must maintain a minimum free cashflow to debt service coverage ratio of no less than 1.1:1 as measured on any financial quarter date. For the year to 30 September 2023 the ratio was 1.2:1.
