Healthier Choices Management Corp. - Quarter Report: 2023 March (Form 10-Q)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR
15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2023
Or
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR
15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _____ to _____
Commission file number: 001-36469
HEALTHIER CHOICES MANAGEMENT CORP.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
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84-1070932
|
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(State or other jurisdiction of
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(I.R.S. Employer
|
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incorporation or organization)
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Identification No.)
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3800 North 28Th Way
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||
Hollywood, Florida
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33020
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(Address of principal executive offices)
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(Zip Code)
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Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 305-600-5004
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
☒ Yes ☐ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive
Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
☒ Yes ☐ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller
reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
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☐
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Accelerated filer
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☐
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Non-accelerated filer
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☒
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Smaller reporting company
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☒
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Emerging growth company
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☐
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If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for
complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
☐
Yes ☒ No
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
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Trading Symbol
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Name of each exchange on which registered
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||
Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share
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HCMC
|
|
As of May 4, 2023, there
were 463,266,632,384 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, outstanding.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
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4
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15
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21
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23
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24
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24
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26
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HEALTHIER CHOICES MANAGEMENT CORP.
March 31, 2023 (Unaudited)
|
December 31,
2022
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||||
ASSETS
|
|||||
CURRENT ASSETS
|
|||||
Cash
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$
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19,765,487
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$
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22,911,892
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Accounts receivable, net
|
100,633
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55,815
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|||
Notes receivable
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172,905
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189,225
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|||
Inventories
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3,967,497
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3,817,192
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|||
Prepaid expenses and vendor deposits
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577,569
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322,182
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|||
Investment
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5,314
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9,771
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|||
Other current assets
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944,470
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1,224,171
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|||
Restricted cash
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1,728,232
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1,778,232
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|||
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
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27,262,107
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30,308,480
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|||
Property, plant, and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation
|
3,096,599
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3,112,908
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|||
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization
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4,774,609
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5,005,511
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|||
Goodwill
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5,747,000
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5,747,000
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|||
Right of use asset – operating lease, net
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11,003,033
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10,604,935
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|||
Other assets
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475,425
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476,196
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|||
TOTAL ASSETS
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$
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52,358,773
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$
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55,255,030
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|
LIABILITIES, CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
|
|||||
CURRENT LIABILITIES
|
|||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
|
$
|
4,977,089
|
$
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5,715,234
|
|
Contingent consideration
|
797,000
|
774,900
|
|||
Contract liabilities
|
200,372
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198,606
|
|||
Line of credit
|
453,232
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453,232
|
|||
Current portion of loan payment
|
543,945
|
536,542
|
|||
Operating lease liability, current
|
2,036,415
|
2,228,852
|
|||
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
|
9,008,053
|
9,907,366
|
|||
Loan payable, net of current portion
|
2,239,044
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2,378,061
|
|||
Operating lease liability, net of current
|
8,657,428
|
8,041,504
|
|||
TOTAL LIABILITIES
|
19,904,525
|
20,326,931
|
|||
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (SEE NOTE 13)
|
|||||
CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
|
|||||
Series E redeemable convertible preferred stock, $1,000 par value per share, 14,722 shares authorized, 13,497 shares and 14,722 shares
issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively; aggregate liquidation preference of $13.5 million and $14.7 million as of March 31, 2023 and
December 31, 2022, respectively
|
13,496,525
|
14,722,075
|
|||
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
|
|||||
Series D convertible preferred
stock, $1,000 par value per share, 5,000 shares authorized; 800 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively; aggregate liquidation preference of $0.8 million
|
800,000
|
800,000
|
|||
Common Stock, $0.0001
par value per share, 750,000,000,000 shares authorized; 346,441,632,384 and 339,741,632,384 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022,
respectively
|
34,644,163
|
33,974,163
|
|||
Additional paid-in capital
|
29,034,802
|
29,045,802
|
|||
Accumulated deficit
|
(45,521,242)
|
(43,613,941)
|
|||
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
|
18,957,723
|
20,206,024
|
|||
TOTAL LIABILITIES, CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
|
$
|
52,358,773
|
$
|
55,255,030
|
See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31,
|
|||||
2023
|
2022
|
||||
SALES
|
|||||
Vapor sales, net
|
$
|
38
|
$
|
249,563
|
|
Grocery sales, net
|
13,559,706
|
4,798,990
|
|||
TOTAL SALES, NET
|
13,559,744
|
5,048,553
|
|||
Cost of sales vapor
|
653
|
111,684
|
|||
Cost of sales grocery
|
8,644,700
|
2,964,355
|
|||
GROSS PROFIT
|
4,914,391
|
1,972,514
|
|||
OPERATING EXPENSES
|
6,897,438
|
3,327,420
|
|||
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS
|
(1,983,047)
|
(1,354,906)
|
|||
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
|
|||||
(Loss) gain on investment
|
(4,457)
|
3,514
|
|||
Other (expense) income, net
|
(17,450)
|
16,874
|
|||
Interest income, net
|
97,653
|
16,603
|
|||
Total other income (expense), net
|
75,746
|
36,991
|
|||
Net loss
|
$
|
(1,907,301)
|
$
|
(1,317,915)
|
|
Induced conversions of Preferred Stock
|
(61,000)
|
-
|
|||
Net loss attributable to common stockholders
|
$
|
(1,968,301)
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$
|
-
|
|
NET LOSS PER SHARE-BASIC AND DILUTED
|
$
|
0.00
|
$
|
0.00
|
|
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING-BASIC AND DILUTED
|
341,671,076,830
|
339,741,632,384
|
See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2023
and 2022
(Unaudited)
Series E Convertible Preferred Stock
|
Convertible
Preferred Stock
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Common Stock
|
Additional
Paid-In
|
Accumulated
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares
|
Amount
|
Shares
|
Amount
|
Shares
|
Amount
|
Capital
|
Deficit
|
Total
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance – January 1, 2023
|
14,722
|
$
|
14,722,075
|
800
|
$
|
800,000
|
339,741,632,384
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$
|
33,974,163
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$
|
29,045,802
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$
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(43,613,941
|
)
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$
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20,206,024
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||||||||||||||||||||
Series E convertible preferred stock redeemed
|
(556
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)
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(555,550
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)
|
-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Conversion of series E convertible preferred stock
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(670
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)
|
(670,000
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)
|
-
|
-
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6,700,000,000
|
670,000
|
-
|
-
|
670,000
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|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Induced conversions of preferred stock
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
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-
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(61,000
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)
|
-
|
(61,000
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
50,000
|
-
|
50,000
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(1,907,301
|
)
|
(1,907,301
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance – March 31, 2023
|
13,497
|
$
|
13,496,525
|
800
|
$
|
800,000
|
346,441,632,384
|
$
|
34,644,163
|
$
|
29,034,802
|
$
|
(45,521,242
|
)
|
$
|
18,957,723
|
Series E Convertible Preferred Stock
|
Convertible
Preferred Stock
|
Common Stock
|
Additional
Paid-In
|
Accumulated
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares
|
Amount
|
Shares
|
Amount
|
Shares
|
Amount
|
Capital
|
Deficit
|
Total
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance – January 1, 2022
|
-
|
-
|
800
|
$
|
800,000
|
339,741,632,384
|
$
|
33,974,163
|
$
|
30,855,824
|
$
|
(36,396,330
|
)
|
$
|
29,233,657
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(1,317,915
|
)
|
(1,317,915
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance – March 31, 2022
|
-
|
-
|
800
|
$
|
800,000
|
339,741,632,384
|
$
|
33,974,163
|
$
|
30,855,824
|
$
|
(37,714,245
|
)
|
$
|
27,915,742
|
See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31,
|
|||||
2023
|
2022
|
||||
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
|
|||||
Net loss
|
$
|
(1,907,301)
|
$
|
(1,317,915)
|
|
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
|
|||||
Depreciation and amortization
|
373,462
|
193,322
|
|||
Loss (gain) on investment
|
4,457
|
(3,514)
|
|||
Amortization of right-of-use asset
|
695,192
|
177,643
|
|||
Write-down of obsolete and slow-moving inventory
|
523,087
|
115,842
|
|||
Stock-based compensation expense
|
50,000
|
-
|
|||
Change in contingent consideration
|
22,100
|
-
|
|||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
|
|||||
Accounts receivable
|
(44,818)
|
(9,031)
|
|||
Inventories
|
(673,392)
|
(160,312)
|
|||
Prepaid expenses and vendor deposits
|
(255,387)
|
157,641
|
|||
Other current assets
|
279,701
|
-
|
|||
Other assets
|
771
|
(27,446)
|
|||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
|
(744,145)
|
415,957
|
|||
Contract liabilities
|
1,766
|
(61,965)
|
|||
Lease liability
|
(669,803)
|
(159,851)
|
|||
NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES
|
(2,344,310)
|
(679,629)
|
|||
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
|
|||||
Acquisition of Mother Earth's Storehouse
|
-
|
(5,150,000)
|
|||
Collection of note receivable
|
16,320
|
13,772
|
|||
Purchases of property and equipment
|
(126,251)
|
(127,275)
|
|||
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
|
(109,931)
|
(5,263,503)
|
|||
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
|
|||||
Proceeds from line of credit
|
-
|
35,196
|
|||
Principal payments on loan payable
|
(131,614)
|
(638)
|
|||
Payment of induced conversions of preferred stock
|
(55,000)
|
-
|
|||
Payment for series E preferred stock redemption
|
(555,550)
|
-
|
|||
NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES
|
(742,164)
|
34,558
|
|||
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND RESTRICTED CASH
|
(3,196,405)
|
(5,908,574)
|
|||
CASH AND RESTRICTED CASH— BEGINNING OF PERIOD
|
24,690,124
|
26,496,404
|
|||
CASH AND RESTRICTED CASH — END OF PERIOD
|
$
|
21,493,719
|
$
|
20,587,830
|
|
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
|
|||||
Cash paid for interest
|
$
|
44,478
|
$
|
1,428
|
|
Cash paid for income tax
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
|
NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES
|
|||||
Issuance of common stock in connection with series E preferred stock conversion
|
$
|
670,000
|
$
|
-
|
|
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities
|
$
|
1,093,290
|
$
|
1,797,667
|
|
Accrued payment of induced conversions of preferred stock
|
$
|
6,000
|
$
|
-
|
See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1. ORGANIZATION
Organization
Healthier Choices Management Corp. (the “Company”) is a holding company focused on providing consumers with healthier daily choices with respect to nutrition
and other lifestyle alternatives.
Through its wholly owned subsidiary HCMC Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC, the Company manages and intends to expand on its intellectual property
portfolio.
Through its wholly owned subsidiaries, the Company operates:
• |
Ada’s Natural Market, a natural and organic grocery store offering fresh produce, bulk foods, vitamins and supplements, packaged groceries, meat and seafood, deli, baked
goods, dairy products, frozen foods, health & beauty products and natural household items.
|
• |
Paradise Health & Nutrition’s three stores that likewise
offer fresh produce, bulk foods, vitamins and supplements, packaged groceries, meat and seafood, deli, baked goods, dairy products, frozen foods, health & beauty products and natural household items.
|
• |
Mother Earth’s Storehouse, a two-store organic and health food
and vitamin chain in New York’s Hudson Valley, a business that has been in existence for over 40 years.
|
• |
Greens Natural Foods’ eight stores in New York and New Jersey,
offering a selection of 100% organic produce and all-natural, non-GMO groceries & bulk foods; a wide selection of local products; an organic juice and smoothie bar; a fresh foods department, which offers fresh and healthy “grab & go”
foods; a full selection of vitamins & supplements; as well as health and beauty products
|
Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Healthy Choice Wellness, LLC, the Company operates:
• |
Licensing agreements for Healthy Choice Wellness Centers located at the Casbah Spa and Salon in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Boston Direct Health in Boston, MA and Green Care
Medical Services in Chicago, IL.
|
These centers offer multiple vitamin drip mixes and intramuscular shots for clients to choose from that are designed to help boost immunity, fight fatigue
and stress, reduce inflammation, enhance weight loss, and efficiently deliver antioxidants and anti-aging mixes. Additionally, there are IV vitamin mixes and shots for health, beauty, and re-hydration.
Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Healthy U Wholesale, Inc, the Company sells vitamins and supplements, as well as health, beauty, and personal care
products on its website www.TheVitaminStore.com.
Additionally, the Company markets its patented the Q-Cup™ technology under the vape segment; this patented technology is based on a small, quartz cup called
the Q-Cup™, which a customer partially fills with either cannabis or CBD concentrate (approximately 50mg) purchased from a third party. The Q-Cup™ is then inserted into the Q-Cup™ Tank or Globe, that heats the cup from the outside without coming in
direct contact with the solid concentrate. This Q-Cup™ technology provides significantly more efficiency and an “on the go” solution for consumers who prefer to vape concentrates either medicinally or recreationally.
Spin-Off
The Company has commenced steps to spin off ("Spin-Off") its grocery segment and wellness business into a new publicly traded company (hereinafter referred
to as “NewCo”). NewCo will continue the path of growth in the wellness verticals started by HCMC and explore other growth opportunities that comport with HCMC’s healthier lifestyle mission. Following the Spin-Off, HCMC will retain its entire patent
suite, the Q-Cup® brand, and continue to develop its patent suite through R&D as well as continuing its path of enforcing its patent rights against infringers and attempting to monetize said patents through licensing deals.
At the time of the Spin-Off, HCMC will distribute all the outstanding shares of Common Stock held by it on a pro rata basis to holders of HCMC’s common
stock. Shares of HCMC’s common stock outstanding as of the record date for the Spin-Off (the “Record Date”), will entitle the holder thereof to receive a certain number of shares of Common Stock in NewCo. The distribution will be made in book-entry
form by a distribution agent. Fractional shares of Common Stock will not be distributed in the Spin-Off and any fractional amounts will be rounded down. Please see more disclosure in Note 12 Stockholder Equity.
Note 2. LIQUIDITY
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America (“GAAP”), which contemplate continuation of the Company as a going concern and realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business and do not include any adjustments that might result from the
outcome of any uncertainties related to our going concern assessment. The carrying amounts of assets and liabilities presented in the financial statements do not necessarily purport to represent realizable or settlement values.
The Company currently and historically has reported net losses and cash outflows
from operations. As of March 31, 2023, the Company had cash of approximately $19.8 million and working capital of $18.3 million. In the past, the Company financed its operations primarily through issuances of common stock and convertible preferred stock. The Company believes current cash on hand is
sufficient to meet its obligations and capital requirements for at least the next twelve months from the date of filing.
Note 3. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and
Regulation S-X and do not include all the information and disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The Company has made estimates and judgments affecting the amounts reported in the
Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. The actual results experienced by the Company may differ materially from the Company’s estimates. The condensed consolidated financial information is
unaudited but reflects all normal adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to provide a fair statement of results for the interim periods presented. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction
with the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 30, 2023. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as
of December 31, 2022 was derived from the Company’s audited 2022 financial statements contained in the above referenced Form 10-K. Results of the three months ended March 31, 2023, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the
full year ending December 31, 2023.
Significant Accounting Policies
There have been no material changes in the Company’s significant accounting policies to those previously disclosed in the 2022 Annual Report.
Reclassification
Certain amounts in the condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
Such reclassifications do not impact the Company's previously reported financial position or net income (loss). $75,000 inventory shrink was
originally presented in the statement of cash flow under change in operating assets inventory in cash used in operating activities for three months ended March 31, 2022, it was reclassified to under cash used in operating activities in the statement of cash
flow.
Note 4. CONCENTRATIONS
Cash and Restricted Cash
The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less, when purchased, to be cash and cash equivalents. The
majority of the Company’s cash is concentrated in one large financial institution, which is in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
(FDIC) coverage. The Company did not have any cash equivalent as of March 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022.
A summary of the financial institution that had cash in excess of FDIC limits of $250,000 on March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 is presented below:
March 31, 2023
|
December 31, 2022
|
|||||||
Total cash in excess of FDIC limits of $250,000
|
$
|
18,646,360
|
$
|
21,682,144
|
The Company continually monitors its positions with, and the credit quality of, the financial institutions with which it invests, as deposits are held in
excess of federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and restricted cash to amounts shown
in unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flow:
March 31, 2023
|
March 31, 2022
|
|||||||
Cash
|
$
|
19,765,487
|
$
|
20,587,830
|
||||
Restricted cash
|
1,728,232
|
-
|
||||||
Total cash and restricted cash
|
$
|
21,493,719
|
$
|
20,587,830
|
Restricted Cash
The Company's restricted cash consisted of cash balances which were restricted as to withdrawal or usage under the August 18, 2022 securities purchase
agreement for the purpose of funding any amounts due under the Series E Certificate of Designation upon the redemption of the Series E Preferred Stock. The balance also
included cash held in the collateral account to cover the cash draw from the line of credit.
Note 5. SEGMENT INFORMATION AND DISAGGREGATION OF REVENUES
In accordance with FASB ASC 280, "Disclosures about Segment of an enterprise and related information", the Company determined it has two reportable segments: grocery and vapor. There are no inter-segment revenues.
The Company's general and administrative costs are not segment specific. As a result, all operating expenses are not managed on segment basis.
The Company reports the following segments in accordance with management guidance: Vapor and Grocery. When the Company prepares its
internal management reporting to evaluate business performance, we disaggregate revenue into the following categories that depict how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors.
Three Months Ended March 31,
|
||||||||
2023
|
2022
|
|||||||
Vapor
|
$
|
38
|
$
|
249,563
|
||||
Grocery
|
13,559,706
|
4,798,990
|
||||||
Total revenue
|
$
|
13,559,744
|
$
|
5,048,553
|
||||
Retail Vapor
|
$
|
38
|
$
|
249,563
|
||||
Retail Grocery
|
11,613,730
|
4,283,288
|
||||||
Food service/restaurant
|
1,943,914
|
509,810
|
||||||
Online/eCommerce
|
2,062
|
5,892
|
||||||
Total revenue
|
$
|
13,559,744
|
$
|
5,048,553
|
||||
Loss from operations - Vapor
|
(6,672
|
)
|
(18,967
|
)
|
||||
(Loss) income from operations - Grocery
|
(276,842
|
)
|
163,936
|
|||||
Corporate items
|
(1,699,533
|
)
|
(1,499,875
|
)
|
||||
Total loss from operations
|
$
|
(1,983,047
|
)
|
$
|
(1,354,906
|
)
|
Note 6. NOTES RECEIVABLE AND OTHER INCOME
On September 6, 2018, the Company entered into a secured, 36-month promissory note (the “Note”) with VPR Brands L.P. for $582,260. The Note bears an interest rate of 7.00%, which payments thereunder are $4,141 weekly. The
Company records all proceeds related to the interest of the Note as interest income as proceeds are received.
On August 31, 2022, the Company amended and restated the Note (the "Amended
Note") with VPR Brands L.P. to extend the maturity date for one year. The outstanding balance for the Amended Note is $211,355. The Amended Note bears an interest rate of 7.00%, which payments thereunder are $1,500 weekly, with such payments commencing as of September 3, 2022. The Amended Note has a balloon payment of $145,931 for all remaining accrued interest and principal balance due in the
final week of the 1-year extension of the Amended Note.
A summary of the Amended Note as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 is
presented below:
Description
|
March 31, 2023
|
December 31, 2022
|
||||
Promissory Note
|
$
|
172,905
|
$
|
189,225
|
Note 7. ACQUISITION
On October 14, 2022, the Company through its wholly owned subsidiary, Healthy Choice Markets IV, LLC, entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase
Agreement”) with Dean’s Natural Food Market of Shrewsbury, Inc., a New Jersey corporation, Green’s Natural Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Dean’s Natural Food Market of Chester, LLC, a New Jersey limited liability company, Dean’s Natural Food
Market of Basking Ridge, LLC, a New Jersey limited liability company, and Dean’s Natural Food Market, Inc., a New Jersey corporation (collectively, the “Sellers”), and shareholders of the Sellers. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company
acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of an organic and natural health food and vitamin chain with eight store locations in
New York and northern and central New Jersey (the “Stores”).
The cash purchase price under the Asset Purchase Agreement was $5,142,000, with $3,000,000 seller financing in the form of promissory note. In addition, the seller is entitled to a
contingent earn-out based on a certain revenue threshold within the one-year period of the closing.
The Company recorded $1,108,000 of contingent
consideration based on the estimated financial performance for the one year following closing. The contingent consideration was discounted at an interest rate of 3.8%, which represents the Company's weighted average discount rate. Contingent consideration related to the acquisition is recorded at fair value (level 3) with changes in fair value recorded
in other expense (income), net.
The following table summarizes the change in fair value of contingent consideration from acquisition date to March 31, 2023:
Fair Market Value - Level 3
|
||||
Balance as of October 14, 2022
|
$
|
1,108,000
|
||
Remeasurement
|
(333,100
|
)
|
||
Balance as of December 31, 2022
|
$
|
774,900
|
||
Remeasurement
|
22,100
|
|||
Balance as of March 31, 2023
|
$
|
797,000
|
The following table summarizes the purchase price allocation based on fair values of the net assets acquired at the acquisition
date:
October 14, 2022
|
||||
Purchase Consideration
|
||||
Cash consideration paid
|
$
|
5,142,000
|
||
Promissory note
|
3,000,000
|
|||
Contingent consideration issued to Green's Natural seller
|
1,108,000
|
|||
Total Purchase Consideration
|
$
|
9,250,000
|
||
Purchase price allocation
|
||||
Inventory
|
$
|
1,642,000
|
||
Property and equipment
|
1,478,000
|
|||
Intangible assets
|
3,251,000
|
|||
Right of use asset - Operating lease
|
6,427,000
|
|||
Other liabilities
|
(211,000
|
)
|
||
Operating lease liability
|
(6,427,000
|
)
|
||
Goodwill
|
3,090,000
|
|||
Net assets acquired
|
$
|
9,250,000
|
||
Finite-lived intangible assets
|
||||
Trade Names (8
years)
|
$
|
1,133,000
|
||
Customer Relationships (6 years)
|
1,103,000
|
|||
Non-Compete Agreement (5 years)
|
1,015,000
|
|||
Total intangible assets
|
$
|
3,251,000
|
The acquisition is structured as asset purchase in a business combination, and goodwill is tax-deductible, and amortizable over 15 years for tax purpose.
Revenue and Earnings
The following table represents the combined pro forma revenue and net loss for
the three months ended March 31, 2022:
For Three Months Ended
March 31, 2022
|
|||
Sales
|
$
|
13,156,447
|
|
Net loss
|
$
|
(1,585,281)
|
The combined proforma revenue and net loss for the three month period ended March 31, 2022 were prepared as though acquisition occurred as of January 1,
2022.
Note 8. PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant, and equipment consist of the following:
March 31, 2023
|
December 31, 2022
|
||||||
Displays
|
$
|
312,146
|
$
|
312,146
|
|||
Building
|
575,000
|
575,000
|
|||||
Furniture and fixtures
|
572,224
|
560,256
|
|||||
Leasehold improvements
|
1,910,719
|
1,910,719
|
|||||
Computer hardware & equipment
|
177,652
|
160,210
|
|||||
Other
|
684,443
|
587,602
|
|||||
4,232,184
|
4,105,933
|
||||||
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization
|
(1,135,585)
|
(993,025)
|
|||||
Total property, plant, and equipment
|
$
|
3,096,599
|
$
|
3,112,908
|
The Company incurred approximately $142,560 and $49,936 of depreciation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Note 9. INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Intangible assets, net are as follows:
March 31, 2023
|
Useful Lives (Years)
|
Gross
Carrying Amount
|
Accumulated
Amortization
|
Net
Carrying Amount
|
||||||||
Trade names
|
8-10 years
|
$
|
2,569,000
|
$
|
(800,880)
|
$
|
1,768,120
|
|||||
Customer relationships
|
4-6 years
|
2,669,000
|
(1,107,722)
|
1,561,278
|
||||||||
Patents
|
10 years
|
384,665
|
(169,587)
|
215,078
|
||||||||
Non-compete
|
4-5 years
|
1,602,000
|
(371,867)
|
1,230,133
|
||||||||
Intangible assets, net
|
$
|
7,224,665
|
$
|
(2,450,056)
|
$
|
4,774,609
|
December 31, 2022
|
Useful Lives (Years)
|
Gross
Carrying Amount
|
Accumulated
Amortization
|
Net
Carrying Amount
|
||||||||
Trade names
|
8-10 years
|
$
|
2,569,000
|
(725,723)
|
$
|
1,843,277
|
||||||
Customer relationships
|
4-6 years
|
2,669,000
|
(1,033,306)
|
1,635,694
|
||||||||
Patents
|
10 years
|
384,665
|
(159,658)
|
225,007
|
||||||||
Non-compete
|
4-5 years
|
1,602,000
|
(300,467)
|
1,301,533
|
||||||||
Intangible assets, net
|
$
|
7,224,665
|
$
|
(2,219,154)
|
$
|
5,005,511
|
Intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Amortization expense was approximately $230,902 and $143,386 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Future annual estimated amortization expense is as follows:
Years ending December 31,
|
||||
2023 (remaining nine months)
|
$
|
692,706
|
||
2024
|
923,608
|
|||
2025
|
918,108
|
|||
2026
|
840,127
|
|||
2027
|
695,498
|
|||
Thereafter
|
704,562
|
|||
Total
|
$
|
4,774,609
|
Note 10. CONTRACT LIABILITIES
A summary of the contract liabilities activity at March 31, 2023
and December 31, 2022 is presented below:
March 31, 2023
|
December 31, 2022
|
|||||||
Beginning balance as January 1,
|
$
|
198,606
|
$
|
23,178
|
||||
Issued
|
695,438
|
859,383
|
||||||
Redeemed
|
(640,160
|
)
|
(628,012
|
)
|
||||
Breakage recognized
|
(53,512
|
)
|
(55,943
|
)
|
||||
Ending balance
|
$
|
200,372
|
$
|
198,606
|
Note 11. DEBT
The following table provides a breakdown of the Company's debt as of March 31, 2023
and December 31, 2022 is presented below:
_
|
March 31, 2023
|
December 31, 2022
|
||||||
Promissory note
|
$
|
2,782,847
|
$
|
2,913,788
|
||||
Other debt
|
142
|
815
|
||||||
Total debt
|
$
|
2,782,989
|
$
|
2,914,603
|
||||
Current portion of long-term debt
|
(543,945
|
)
|
(536,542
|
)
|
||||
Long-term debt
|
$
|
2,239,044
|
$
|
2,378,061
|
Note 12. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Series E Convertible Preferred Stock
On August 18, 2022, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement ("Series
E Preferred Stock") pursuant to which the Company sold and issued 14,722 shares of its Series E Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock
to institutional investors for $1,000 per share or an aggregate subscription of $13.25 million. The number of shares issued to each participant is based on subscription amount multiplied by conversion rate of 1.1111. The Company also incurred offering costs of approximately $410,000, which
covers legal and consulting fee.
The HCMC Series E Preferred Stock shall have voting rights on as converted basis
at the Company’s next stockholders’ meeting. However, as long as any shares of HCMC Series E Preferred Stock are outstanding, the Company shall not, without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the then outstanding shares of the HCMC
Series E Preferred Stock, (a) alter or change adversely the powers, preferences or rights given to the HCMC Series E Preferred Stock or alter or amend the Certificate of Designation, (b) increase the number of authorized shares of HCMC Series E
Preferred Stock, or (c) enter into any agreement with respect to any of the foregoing. Each share of Series E Preferred Stock shall be convertible, at any time and from time to time at the option of the Holder thereof, into that number of
shares of Common Stock (subject to the beneficial ownership limitations). The initial conversion price for the HCMC Series E Preferred Stock shall equal $0.0001.
Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary that is not a Fundamental Transaction (as defined in the
Certificate of Designation), the holders of HCMC Series E Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive out of the assets, whether capital or surplus, of the Company an amount equal to $1,000 per share of Series E Preferred Stock.
Unless earlier converted or extended as set forth below, a holder may require the redemption of all or a portion of the stated value of the HCMC Series E
Preferred Stock either (1) six months after closing or (2) the time at which the balance is due and payable upon an event of default.
On March 1, 2023, the Company entered into a First Amendment to HCMC Series E Preferred Stock with each purchaser ("Purchaser") identified as those who
participated in the HCMC Series E Preferred Stock, dated as of August 18, 2022. The parties amended the HCMC Preferred Stock related to the conversion payment whereby upon conversion of the Series E Preferred Stock prior to the record date for the
Spin-Off, the Company will pay the Purchaser ten percent (10%) of the stated value of the Series E Preferred Stock converted. The record date is May 1, 2023.
As of March 31, 2023, 6,700,000,000 shares of common stock were issued as a result of the Series E preferred stock conversion. 556 shares of Series E preferred stock was redeemed and approximately $556,000 was
paid for redemption.
Pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, purchasers of the Series E Convertible Preferred Stock will also be required to purchase Series A Convertible
Preferred Stock of NewCo resulting from spin off of HCMC’s grocery and wellness businesses in the same subscription amounts that the Purchasers paid for the HCMC Series E Preferred Stock.
Stock Options
During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, no
stock options of the Company were exercised into common stock.
During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recognized stock-based compensation of approximately $50,000 and $0, respectively in connection with amortization of restricted stock and stock options. Stock based compensation is included as part of selling, general and administrative expense in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Income (Loss) Per Share
The following table summarizes the Company’s securities, in common share equivalents, which have been excluded
from the calculation of dilutive loss per share as their effect would be anti-dilutive:
As of March 31,
|
||||||||
2023
|
2022
|
|||||||
Preferred stock
|
136,215,000,000
|
1,250,000,000
|
||||||
Stock options
|
67,587,000,000
|
67,587,000,000
|
||||||
Restricted stock
|
5,500,000,000
|
-
|
||||||
Total
|
209,302,000,000
|
68,837,000,000
|
Note 13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Legal Proceedings
Two lawsuits were filed against the Company and
its subsidiaries in connection with alleged claimed battery defects for an electronic cigarette device. Plaintiffs claim these batteries were sold by a store of the Company’s subsidiary and have sued for an undetermined amount of damages (other than a
total of $0.4 million of medical costs). The initial complaints were filed between January 2019 and April 2019. We responded to the complaints
in 2019 and we exchanged additional support information with the plaintiff for one of the lawsuits in 2021. Given the lack of information presented by the plaintiffs to date, the Company is unable to predict the outcome of these matters and, at this
time, cannot reasonably estimate the possible loss or range of loss with respect to these legal proceedings.
On November 30, 2020, the Company filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Philip Morris USA, Inc. and Philip Morris Products S.A. in the U.S. District
Court for the Northern District of Georgia. The lawsuit alleges infringement on HCMC-owned patent(s) by the Philip Morris product known and marketed as “IQOS®”. Philip Morris claims that it is currently approaching 14 million users of its IQOS® product and has reportedly invested over $3 billion in their smokeless tobacco products. On December 3, 2021, the District Court for the Northern District of Georgia effectively dismissed HCMC’s patent infringement action against Philip
Morris USA, Inc. and Philip Morris Products S.A. On December 14, 2021, the Company filed a notice of appeal of the District Court for the Northern District of Georgia’s dismissal of the Company’s patent infringement action against Philip Morris USA,
Inc. and Philip Morris Products S.A. The appeal brief was filed on February 28, 2022.
On December 3, 2021, the District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
effectively dismissed HCMC’s patent infringement action against Philip Morris USA, Inc. and Philip Morris Products S.A. In connection with such dismissal, the defendants sought to recover attorney’s fees from the Plaintiff. On February 22, 2022, the
District Court for the Northern District of Georgia granted the defendant’s an award of approximately $575,000 in attorneys’ fees to be paid by the Company. The Company has fully provisioned this amount as of December 31, 2022. HCMC appealed this ruling on June 22, 2022. Refer to Note 14 Subsequent Event.
From time to time the Company is involved in legal proceedings arising in the
ordinary course of our business. We believe that there is no other litigation pending that is likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse
effect on our financial condition or results of operations as of March 31, 2023. With respect to legal costs, we record such costs as incurred.
Note 14.
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On April 12, 2023, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled in favor of HCMC on two separate appeals it had filed in its patent infringement action against Philip Morris USA, Inc. and Philip Morris Products S.A. pending in the district court for the Northern District of
Georgia.
In the first appeal, HCMC appealed the ruling of the District Court dismissing HCMC’s patent infringement action and denying HCMC’s motion to amend its
pleading. In the second appeal, HCMC appealed the District Court’s award of attorneys’ fees to Philip Morris. In its decisions, the Federal Circuit ruled for HCMC by reversing both of those decisions and remanded the case back to the District Court for
further proceedings.
As of the date of filing, 9,150,000,000 shares of
common stock were subsequently issued since March 31, 2023 as a result of HCMC Series E Preferred Stock conversions.
On April 23, 2023, the Board of Directors of HCMC approved the Second Amendment to the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan which increased the number of shares of
HCMC common stock authorized for issuance under the Amended Plan to 225,000,000,000 shares. The board of directors also approved the issuance of
an additional 107,675,000,000 shares of restricted common stock to the employees and executive officers of HCMC. The grants of restricted common
stock will commence vesting at 12.5% of the award on February 1, 2024 and will vest in 2.5% increments on the last day of each calendar quarter thereafter through September 30, 2025.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes
appearing elsewhere in this report on Form 10-Q. In addition to historical information, this discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from
those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. The terms “we,” “us,” “our,” and the “Company” refer to Healthier Choices Management Corp. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Healthy Choice Markets, Inc., Healthy Choice Markets 2, LLC (“Paradise Health and Nutrition”), Healthy Choice Markets 3, LLC (“Mother Earth’s Storehouse”), Healthy Choices Markets 3 Real Estate LLC, Healthy Choice Markets IV, LLC (“Green's
Natural Foods”), HCMC Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC, Healthy Choice Wellness, LLC, The Vitamin Store, LLC, Healthy U Wholesale, Inc., and The Vape Store, Inc. (“Vape Store”). All intercompany accounts and transactions have been
eliminated in consolidation.
Company Overview
Healthier Choices Management Corp. is a holding company focused on
providing consumers with healthier daily choices with respect to nutrition and other lifestyle alternatives.
Through its wholly owned subsidiary HCMC Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC, the Company manages and intends to expand on its intellectual property
portfolio.
Through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Healthy Choice Markets, Inc., Healthy Choice Markets 2, LLC, and Healthy Choice Markets 3, LLC, and Healthy Choice Markets IV, LLC respectively, the Company operates:
•
|
Ada’s Natural Market, a natural and organic grocery store offering fresh produce, bulk foods, vitamins and supplements,
packaged groceries, meat and seafood, deli, baked goods, dairy products, frozen foods, health & beauty products and natural household items.
|
•
|
Paradise Health & Nutrition’s three stores that likewise offer fresh produce, bulk foods, vitamins and supplements,
packaged groceries, meat and seafood, deli, baked goods, dairy products, frozen foods, health & beauty products and natural household items.
|
•
|
Mother Earth’s Storehouse, a two store organic and health food and vitamin chain in New York’s Hudson Valley, which has been
in existence for over 40 years.
|
•
|
Green's Natural Foods’ eight stores in New York
and New Jersey, offering a selection of 100% organic produce and all-natural, non-GMO groceries & bulk foods; a wide selection of local products; an organic juice and smoothie bar; a fresh foods department, which offers fresh and
healthy “grab & go” foods; a full selection of vitamins & supplements; as well as health and beauty products (www.Greensnaturalfoods.com).
|
Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Healthy Choice Wellness, LLC, the Company has licensing agreements for Healthy Choice Wellness Centers at the Casbah Spa
and Salon in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and Boston Direct Health in Boston, MA. These centers offer multiple IV drip “cocktails” for clients to choose from that are designed to help boost immunity, fight fatigue and stress, reduce inflammation, enhance
weight loss, and efficiently deliver antioxidants and anti-aging mixes. Additionally, there are cocktails for health, beauty, and re-hydration. (www.HealthyChoiceWellness.com).
Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Healthy U Wholesale Inc., the Company sells vitamins and supplements, as well as health, beauty and personal care
products on its website www.TheVitaminStore.com.
Additionally, the Company markets its patented Q-Unit™ and Q-Cup® technology. Information on these products and the technology is available on the Company’s
website at www.theQcup.com.
Liquidity
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q have been prepared in conformity with GAAP, which contemplate
continuation of the Company as a going concern and realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business and do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of any uncertainties related to our going
concern assessment. The carrying amounts of assets and liabilities presented in the financial statements do not necessarily purport to represent realizable or settlement values. The unaudited consolidated financial statements do not include any
adjustments that might result from the outcome of these uncertainties.
The Company incurred a loss from operations of approximately $2.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. As of March 31, 2023, cash totaled approximately $19.8 million. The Company expects to continue incurring losses for the foreseeable future but we anticipate that our
current cash and additional cash to be generated from operations will be sufficient to cover our projected operating expenses for the foreseeable future. Management does not believe there are any substantial doubts about the Company’s ability
to continue as a going concern within a year and a day from the issuance of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Factors Affecting Our Performance
We believe the following factors affect our performance:
Retail: We believe the operating
performance of our retail stores will affect our revenue and financial performance. The Company has four natural and organic groceries and dietary supplement stores located in Florida, as well as ten located in New York and New Jersey. The Company has
closed retail vape stores, as management has shifted its retail sales focus to the wholesale and online channel. The adverse industry trends and increasing federal and state regulations that, if implemented, may negatively impact future wholesale and
online operations in vapor segment.
Increased Competition: Food retail is a large and competitive industry. Our competition varies and includes national, regional, and local conventional supermarkets, national superstores, alternative
food retailers, natural foods stores, smaller specialty stores, and farmers’ markets. In addition, we compete with restaurants and other dining options in the food-at-home and food-away-from-home markets. The opening and closing of competitive
stores, as well as restaurants and other dining options, in regions where we operate will affect our results. In addition, changing consumer preferences with respect to food choices and to dining out or at home can impact us. We also expect increased
product supply and downward pressure on prices to continue and impact our operating results in the future.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth our unaudited condensed consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 that is used in the following discussions of our results of operations:
Three Months Ended March 31,
|
2023 to 2022
|
|||||||
2023
|
2022
|
Change $
|
||||||
SALES
|
||||||||
Vapor sales, net
|
$
|
38
|
$
|
249,563
|
$
|
(249,525)
|
||
Grocery sales, net
|
13,559,706
|
4,798,990
|
8,760,716
|
|||||
TOTAL SALES, NET
|
13,559,744
|
5,048,553
|
8,511,191
|
|||||
Cost of sales vapor
|
653
|
111,684
|
(111,031)
|
|||||
Cost of sales grocery
|
8,644,700
|
2,964,355
|
5,680,345
|
|||||
GROSS PROFIT
|
4,914,391
|
1,972,514
|
2,941,877
|
|||||
OPERATING EXPENSES
|
||||||||
Selling, general and administrative
|
6,897,438
|
3,327,420
|
3,570,018
|
|||||
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS
|
(1,983,047)
|
(1,354,906)
|
(628,141)
|
|||||
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
|
||||||||
(Loss) gain on investment
|
(4,457)
|
3,514
|
(7,971)
|
|||||
Other (expense) income, net
|
(17,450)
|
16,874
|
(34,324)
|
|||||
Interest income
|
97,653
|
16,603
|
81,050
|
|||||
Total other income (expense), net
|
75,746
|
36,991
|
38,755
|
|||||
NET LOSS
|
$
|
(1,907,301)
|
$
|
(1,317,915)
|
$
|
(589,386)
|
Net vapor sales decreased approximately $0.2 million to $0.0 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2023 as compared to $0.2 million for the same period in 2022. The decrease in sales is primarily due to closing all retail vape store, as management has shifted its retail sales focus to the wholesale and online channel. The sales for the three months
ended March 31, 2023, were significantly impacted by technical issues associated with the processing of credit card payments. Management is continuing to work with the third-party provider to address the matter.
Net grocery sales increased $8.8 million to $13.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 as compared
to $4.8 million for the same period in 2022.
The $8.8 million increase in grocery sales was primarily due to the acquisition of Mother Earth's Storehouse and Green's Natural Foods.
Vapor cost of goods sold for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 were $1.0 thousand and $0.1 million, respectively,
a decrease of $0.1 million. The decrease is primarily due to closing retail vape stores, as management has shifted its retail sales focus to the wholesale and online channel. Gross
(loss) profit was $(0.6) thousand and $0.1
million for three months ended March 31, 2023
and 2022, respectively.
Grocery cost of goods sold for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 were $8.6 million and $3.0 million, respectively. The increase of $5.6 million is primarily due to the acquisition of Mother Earth's Storehouse and Green's Natural Foods stores. Gross profit was $4.9 million and
$1.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Gross margin as a percentage of sales decreased approximately 2.0% as compared to the
same period in prior year as a result of increased inventory shrink and inventory reserve.
Total operating expenses increased $3.6 million to $6.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to
$3.3 million for the same period in 2022.
The increase is due to the acquisition of Mother Earth's Storehouse and Green's Natural Foods stores, and increases in professional fees of $0.1 million, and stock compensation expense of $0.05
million.
Total net other income increased $39,000 to $76,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to $37,000 for the same period in 2022. The increase
in net other income is mainly attributable to increase in interest income as a result of an increase in interest rates, offset by increase in remeasurement on contingent liability.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Three Months Ended March 31,
|
|||||
2023
|
2022
|
||||
Net cash (used in) provided by
|
|||||
Operating activities
|
$
|
(2,344,310)
|
$
|
(679,629)
|
|
Investing activities
|
(109,931)
|
(5,263,503)
|
|||
Financing activities
|
(742,164)
|
34,558
|
|||
$
|
(3,196,405)
|
$
|
(5,908,574)
|
Our net cash used in operating activities of approximately $2.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 resulted from a net loss of $1.9 million, offset by a non-cash adjustment of $1.7 million and a net cash usage of $2.1 million from changes in operating assets and liabilities. Our net cash
used in operating activities of $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 resulted from a net loss of $1.3 million and a net cash provided by operation of $0.2 million from
changes in operating assets and liabilities, offset by a non-cash adjustment of $0.5 million.
The net cash used in investing activities of $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 resulted from collection on a note receivable and purchases of property and equipment. The net cash used in investing activities of $5,264,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2022 resulted from the acquisition of Mother Earth's Storehouse, collection of a note receivable, and purchases of property and equipment.
The net cash used in financing activities of $742,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 is due to Series E Preferred Stock redemption and exercise and principle payment on loan payable. The
net cash provided by financing activities of $35,000 for
the three months ended March 31, 2022 is due to proceeds received from the line of credit.
At March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we did not have any material financial guarantees or other contractual commitments with vendors that are reasonably likely to have an
adverse effect on liquidity.
Our cash balances are kept liquid to support our growing acquisition and infrastructure needs for operational expansion. Most of our cash is concentrated in
several financial institutions and is generally in excess of the FDIC insurance limit. The Company has not experienced any losses on its cash. The following table presents the Company’s cash position as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
March 31, 2023
|
December 31, 2022
|
||||
Cash
|
$
|
19,765,487
|
$
|
22,911,892
|
|
Total assets
|
$
|
52,358,773
|
$
|
55,255,030
|
|
Percentage of total assets
|
37.75%
|
41.47%
|
The Company reported a net loss of $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The Company also had positive working capital of $18.3 million. The Company expects to continue incurring losses for the foreseeable future, but we
do not believe there are any substantial doubts about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The Company's current cash and cash generated from operations will
be sufficient to meet the projected operating expenses for the foreseeable future through at least the next twelve months from the issuance of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial
statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements requires us to exercise considerable judgment with
respect to establishing sound accounting policies and in making estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of our assets and liabilities, our recognition of revenues and expenses, and disclosure of commitments and contingencies at the
date of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
We base our estimates on our historical experience, knowledge of our business and industry, current and expected economic conditions, the attributes of our
products, the regulatory environment, and in certain cases, the results of outside appraisals. We periodically re-evaluate our estimates and assumptions with respect to these judgments and modify our approach when circumstances indicate that
modifications are necessary. These estimates and assumptions form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.
While we believe that the factors we evaluate provide us with a meaningful basis for establishing and applying sound accounting policies, we cannot guarantee
that the results will always be accurate. Since the determination of these estimates requires the exercise of judgment, actual results could differ from such estimates.
There have been no material changes to the Company’s critical accounting policies and estimates as compared to the critical accounting policies and estimates
described in the 2022 Annual Report, which we believe are the most critical to our business and the understanding of our results of operations
and affect the more significant judgments and estimates that we use in the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Seasonality
We do not consider our business to be seasonal.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This report includes forward-looking statements including statements regarding retail expansion, the future demand for our products, the transition to
vaporizer and other products, competition, the adequacy of our cash resources and our authorized Common Stock, and our continued ability to raise capital.
The words “believe,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “could,” “target,” “potential,” “is likely,” “will,” “expect”
and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we
believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs.
The results anticipated by any or all of these forward-looking statements might not occur. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from
those in the forward-looking statements include our future common stock price, the timing of future Series D preferred stock exercises and stock sales, customer acceptance of our products, and proposed federal and state regulation. We undertake no
obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as the result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Not applicable to smaller reporting companies.
We are required to report under Section 404(a) of Sarbanes-Oxley regarding the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, did not carry out an evaluation on internal controls as of March 31, 2023 in regard to the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act. As an evaluation was not carried out, our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were ineffective as of the end of the period covered
by this report.
The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Under the supervision and with
the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Company evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of its internal control over financial reporting based on the
framework established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework). Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was ineffective as of March 31, 2023 and noted the material weaknesses as follows:
● |
Failure to have properly documented and designed disclosure controls and procedures and testing of the operating effectiveness of our internal control over financial
reporting.
|
● |
Failure to perform periodic and year-end inventory observations in a timely manner and
adequate controls to sufficiently perform required rollback procedures of inventory counts to the year-end.
|
● |
Weakness around our purchase orders and inventory procedures, inclusive of year-end physical
inventory observation procedures as well as physical count procedures.
|
● |
Segregation of duties due to lack of personnel.
|
● |
Information technology general controls (ITGCs) were not designed effectively to ensure that appropriate access security controls, change management and data center and
network operations ITGCs were in place.
|
Our management concluded that considering internal control deficiencies that, in the aggregate, rise to the level of material weaknesses, we did not maintain
effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2023 based on the criteria set forth in Internal Control-Integrated
Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”).
Planned Remediation
Management continues to work to improve its controls related to our material weaknesses listed above. In order to achieve the timely implementation of the
above, management has commenced the following actions and will continue to assess additional opportunities for remediation on an ongoing basis:
● |
Continuing to increase headcount across the Company, with a particular focus on hiring individuals with strong internal control backgrounds and inventory expertise.
|
● |
Increasing its focus on the Company’s purchase order process in order to better manage inventory thereby improving cash management and ultimately leading to more
reliable and precise financial reporting.
|
● |
Establishing policies and procedures in the IT area to mitigate data breach,
unauthorized access, and address segregation of duties.
|
We are currently working to improve and simplify our internal processes and implement enhanced controls, as discussed above, to address the material
weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting and to remedy the ineffectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures. These material weaknesses will not be considered to be remediated until the applicable remediated controls are
operating for a sufficient period of time and management has concluded, through testing, that these controls are operating effectively.
Changes in Internal Controls over Financing Reporting
Except as detailed above, during the quarter ended March 31, 2023, there were no significant changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as
such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Two lawsuits were filed against the Company and
its subsidiaries in connection with alleged claimed battery defects for an electronic cigarette device. Plaintiffs claim these batteries were sold by a store of the Company’s subsidiary and have sued for an undetermined amount of damages (other than a
total of $0.4 million of medical costs). The initial complaints were filed between January 2019 and April 2019. We responded to the complaints
in 2019 and we exchanged additional support information with the plaintiff for one of the lawsuits in 2021. Given the lack of information presented by the plaintiffs to date, the Company is unable to predict the outcome of these matters and, at this
time, cannot reasonably estimate the possible loss or range of loss with respect to these legal proceedings.
On November 30, 2020, the Company filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Philip Morris USA, Inc. and Philip Morris Products S.A. in the U.S. District
Court for the Northern District of Georgia. The lawsuit alleges infringement on HCMC-owned patent(s) by the Philip Morris product known and marketed as “IQOS®”. Philip Morris claims that it is currently approaching 14 million users of its IQOS®
product and has reportedly invested over $3 billion in their smokeless tobacco products. On December 3, 2021, the District Court for the Northern District of Georgia effectively dismissed HCMC’s patent infringement action against Philip Morris USA,
Inc. and Philip Morris Products S.A. On December 14, 2021, the Company filed a notice of appeal of the District Court for the Northern District of Georgia’s dismissal of the Company’s patent infringement action against Philip Morris USA, Inc. and
Philip Morris Products S.A. The appeal brief was filed on February 28, 2022.
On December 3, 2021, the District Court for the Northern District of Georgia effectively dismissed HCMC’s patent infringement action against Philip Morris
USA, Inc. and Philip Morris Products S.A. In connection with such dismissal, the defendants sought to recover attorney’s fees from the Plaintiff. On February 22, 2022, the District Court for the Northern District of Georgia granted the defendant’s an
award of approximately $575,000 in attorneys’ fees to be paid by the Company. HCMC appealed this ruling on June 22, 2022.
On April 12, 2023, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled in favor of HCMC on two separate appeals it had filed in its patent infringement
action against Philip Morris USA, Inc. and Philip Morris Products S.A. pending in the district court for the Northern District of Georgia.
In the first appeal, HCMC appealed the ruling of the District Court dismissing HCMC’s patent infringement action and denying HCMC’s motion to amend its
pleading. In the second appeal, HCMC appealed the District Court’s award of attorneys’ fees to Philip Morris. In its decisions, the Federal Circuit ruled for HCMC by reversing both of those decisions and remanded the case back to the District Court for
further proceedings.
From time to time the Company is involved in legal proceedings arising in the
ordinary course of our business. We believe that there is no other litigation pending that is likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations as of March 31, 2023. With respect to legal costs, we record such costs as
incurred.
Not Applicable.
None.
None.
Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
See the exhibits listed in the accompanying “Index to Exhibits.”
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit
|
Incorporated by Reference
|
Filed or Furnished
|
||||||||
No.
|
Exhibit Description
|
Form
|
Date
|
Number
|
Herewith
|
|||||
31.1
|
Filed
|
|||||||||
31.2
|
Filed
|
|||||||||
32.1
|
Furnished *
|
|||||||||
32.2
|
Furnished *
|
|||||||||
101.INS
|
XBRL Instance Document
|
Filed
|
||||||||
101.SCH
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
|
Filed
|
||||||||
101.CAL
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
|
Filed
|
||||||||
101.DEF
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
|
Filed
|
||||||||
101.LAB
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
|
Filed
|
||||||||
101.PRE
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
|
Filed
|
||||||||
104
|
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
|
Filed
|
* |
This exhibit is being furnished rather than filed and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing, in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K.
|
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
thereunto duly authorized.
HEALTHIER CHOICES MANAGEMENT CORP.
|
||
Date: May 5, 2023
|
By:
|
/s/ Jeffrey Holman
|
Jeffrey Holman
|
||
Chief Executive Officer
|
||
Date: May 5, 2023
|
By:
|
/s/ John Ollet
|
John Ollet
|
||
Chief Financial Officer
|