J&J SNACK FOODS CORP - Quarter Report: 2022 December (Form 10-Q)

PART I.         FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.           Consolidated Financial Statements

J & J SNACK FOODS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position and the results of operations and cash flows.

The results of operations for the three months ended December 24, 2022 and December 25, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year. Sales of our frozen beverages and frozen novelties are generally higher in the fiscal third and fourth quarters due to warmer weather.

While we believe that the disclosures presented are adequate to make the information not misleading, it is suggested that these consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 24, 2022.

Dippin’ Dots is a leading producer of flash-frozen beaded ice cream treats, and the acquisition will leverage synergies in entertainment and amusement locations, theaters, and convenience to continue to expand our business. The acquisition also includes the Doc Popcorn business operated by Dippin’ Dots.

The financial results of Dippin’ Dots have been included in our consolidated financial statements since the date of the acquisition. Sales and net earnings (loss) of Dippin’ Dots were $13.4 million and ($0.7) million for the three months ended December 24, 2022. Dippin’ Dots is reported as part of our Food Service segment.

Upon acquisition, the assets and liabilities of Dippin’ Dots were adjusted to their respective fair values as of the closing date of the transaction, including the identifiable intangible assets acquired. In addition, the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired has been recorded as goodwill. The fair value estimates used in valuing certain acquired assets and liabilities are based, in part, on inputs that are unobservable. For intangible assets, these include, but are not limited to, forecasted future cash flows, revenue growth rates, attrition rates and discount rates.

The purchase price allocation as of the date of acquisition was based on a preliminary valuation and is subject to revision as more detailed analyses are completed and additional information about the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed becomes available.

In fiscal year 2022, we recorded measurement period adjustments to the estimated fair values initially recorded on June 21, 2022, which resulted in an increase to Property, plant, and equipment, net of $6.5 million, and reductions in Goodwill, Identifiable intangible assets, and Inventories of $4.0 million, $2.2 million, and $0.3 million, respectively. The measurement period adjustments were recorded to better reflect market participant assumptions about facts and circumstances existing as of the acquisition date and did not have a material impact on our consolidated statement of income for the year ended September 24, 2022. No measurement period adjustments were recorded in fiscal year 2023.

The major classes of assets and liabilities to which we have preliminarily allocated the purchase price were as follows:

We recognize revenue in accordance with ASC 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.”

When Performance Obligations Are Satisfied

A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer and is the unit of account for revenue recognition. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied.

The singular performance obligation of our customer contracts for product and machine sales is determined by each individual purchase order and the respective products ordered, with revenue being recognized at a point-in-time when the obligation under the terms of the agreement is satisfied and product control is transferred to our customer. Specifically, control transfers to our customers when the product is delivered to, installed or picked up by our customers based upon applicable shipping terms, as our customers can direct the use and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits from the product at this point in time. The performance obligations in our customer contracts for product are generally satisfied within 30 days.

The singular performance obligation of our customer contracts for time and material repair and maintenance equipment service is the performance of the repair and maintenance with revenue being recognized at a point-in-time when the repair and maintenance is completed.

The singular performance obligation of our customer repair and maintenance equipment service contracts is the performance of the repair and maintenance with revenue being recognized over the time the service is expected to be performed. Our customers are billed for service contracts in advance of performance and therefore we have contract liability on our balance sheet.

Significant Payment Terms

In general, within our customer contracts, the purchase order identifies the product, quantity, price, pick-up allowances, payment terms and final delivery terms. Although some payment terms may be more extended, presently the majority of our payment terms are 30 days. As a result, we have used the available practical expedient and, consequently, do not adjust our revenues for the effects of a significant financing component.

Shipping

All amounts billed to customers related to shipping and handling are classified as revenues; therefore, we recognize revenue for shipping and handling fees at the time the products are shipped or when services are performed. The cost of shipping products to the customer is recognized at the time the products are shipped to the customer and our policy is to classify them as Distribution expenses.

Variable Consideration

In addition to fixed contract consideration, our contracts include some form of variable consideration, including sales discounts, trade promotions and certain other sales and consumer incentives, including rebates and coupon redemptions. In general, variable consideration is treated as a reduction in revenue when the related revenue is recognized. Depending on the specific type of variable consideration, we use the most likely amount method to determine the variable consideration. We believe there will be no significant changes to our estimates of variable consideration when any related uncertainties are resolved with our customers. We review and update our estimates and related accruals of variable consideration each period based on historical experience. Our recorded liability for allowances, end-user pricing adjustments and trade spending was approximately $12.1 million at December 24, 2022 and $14.7 million at September 24, 2022.

Warranties & Returns

We provide all customers with a standard or assurance type warranty. Either stated or implied, we provide assurance the related products will comply with all agreed-upon specifications and other warranties provided under the law. No services beyond an assurance warranty are provided to our customers.

We do not grant a general right of return. However, customers may return defective or non-conforming products. Customer remedies may include either a cash refund or an exchange of the product. We do not estimate a right of return and related refund liability as returns of our products are rare.

Contract Balances

Our customers are billed for service contracts in advance of performance and therefore we have contract liability on our balance sheet as follows:

Disaggregation of Revenue

See Note 11 for disaggregation of our net sales by class of similar product and type of customer.

Allowance for Doubtful Receivables

The Company continuously monitors collections and payments from its customers and maintains a provision for estimated credit losses. The allowance for doubtful accounts considers a number of factors including the age of receivable balances, the history of losses, expectations of future credit losses, and the customers’ ability to pay off obligations. The allowance for doubtful receivables was $2.2 million on December 24, 2022 and September 24, 2022, respectively.

The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes options-pricing model.

Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the price of our common shares over the past 51 months for 5-year options and 10 years for 10-year options. We use historical information to estimate expected life and forfeitures within the valuation model. The expected term of awards represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free rate for periods within the expected life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. Compensation cost is recognized using a straight-line method over the vesting or service period and is net of estimated forfeitures.

The Company did not grant any stock options during the three months ended December 24, 2022 or during the three months ended December 25, 2021.

During the three months ended December 24, 2022, the Company issued 9,900 service share units (“RSU”)’s. Each RSU entitles the awardee to one share of common stock upon vesting. During the three months ended December 25, 2021, the Company issued 8,873 service share units (“RSU”)’s. The fair value of the RSU’s was determined based upon the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.

During the three months ended December 24, 2022, the Company also issued 18,641 performance share units (“PSU”)’s. Each PSU may result in the issuance of up to two shares of common stock upon vesting, dependent upon the level of achievement of the applicable Performance Goal. The fair value of the PSU’s was determined based upon the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Additionally, the Company applies a quarterly probability assessment in computing this non-cash compensation expense, and any change in estimate is reflected as a cumulative adjustment to expense in the quarter of the change. During the three months ended December 25, 2021, the Company issued 8,868 performance share units (“PSU”)’s.

We account for our income taxes under the liability method. Under the liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities as measured by the enacted tax rates that will be in effect when these differences reverse. Deferred tax expense is the result of changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities.

Additionally, we recognize a liability for income taxes and associated penalties and interest for tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return which are more likely than not to be overturned by taxing authorities (“uncertain tax positions”). We have not recognized a tax benefit in our financial statements for these uncertain tax positions.

The total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits is $0.3 million on both December 24, 2022 and September 24, 2022, all of which would impact our effective tax rate over time, if recognized. We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a part of the provision for income taxes. As of December 24, 2022 and September 24, 2022, the Company has $0.3 million of accrued interest and penalties, respectively.

In addition to our federal tax return and tax returns for Mexico and Canada, we file tax returns in all states that have a corporate income tax with virtually all open for examination for three to four years.

Our effective tax rate for the three months ended December 24, 2022 was 26%. Our effective tax rate was 27% in last fiscal year’s quarter.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which changes the impairment model used to measure credit losses for most financial assets. We are required to recognize an allowance that reflects the Company’s current estimate of credit losses expected to be incurred over the life of the financial asset, including trade receivables and held-to-maturity debt securities.

The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of Fiscal 2021 using the modified retrospective transition method. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In December 2021, the Company entered into an amended and restated loan agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with our existing banks which provided for up to a $50 million revolving credit facility repayable in December 2026.

Interest accrues, at the Company’s election, at (i) the BSBY Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) plus an applicable margin, based upon the Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, or (ii) the Alternate Base Rate (a rate based on the higher of (a) the prime rate announced from time-to-time by the Administrative Agent, (b) the Federal Reserve System’s federal funds rate, plus 0.50% or (c) the Daily BSBY Rate, plus an applicable margin. The Alternate Base Rate is defined in the Credit Agreement.

The Credit Agreement requires the Company to comply with various affirmative and negative covenants, including without limitation (i) covenants to maintain a minimum specified interest coverage ratio and maximum specified net leverage ratio, and (ii) subject to certain exceptions, covenants that prevent or restrict the Company’s ability to pay dividends, engage in certain mergers or acquisitions, make certain investments or loans, incur future indebtedness, alter its capital structure or line of business, prepay subordinated indebtedness, engage in certain transactions with affiliates, or amend its organizational documents. As of December 24, 2022, the Company is in compliance with all financial covenants terms of the Credit Agreement.

On June 21, 2022, the Company entered into an amendment to the Credit Agreement, the “Amended Credit Agreement” which provided for an incremental increase of $175 million in available borrowings. The Amended Credit Agreement also includes an option to increase the size of the revolving credit facility by up to an amount not to exceed in the aggregate the greater of $225 million or, $50 million plus the Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrowers, subject to the satisfaction of certain terms and conditions.

As of December 24, 2022, $92.0 million was outstanding under the Amended Credit Agreement with a weighted average interest rate of 4.84%. These borrowings have been classified as Long-Term Debt on the Company’s Balance Sheet. As of December 24, 2022, the amount available under the Amended Credit Agreement was $123.2 million, after giving effect to the outstanding letters of credit. As of September 24, 2022, $55.0 million was outstanding under the Amended Credit Agreement. As of September 24, 2022, the amount available under the Amended Agreement was $160.2 million, after giving effect to the outstanding letters of credit.

Inventories consist of the following:

We principally sell our products to the food service and retail supermarket industries. Sales and results of our frozen beverages business are monitored separately from the balance of our food service business because of different distribution and capital requirements. We maintain separate and discrete financial information for the three operating segments mentioned below which is available to our Chief Operating Decision Maker.

Our reportable segments are Food Service, Retail Supermarkets and Frozen Beverages. All inter-segment net sales and expenses have been eliminated in computing net sales and operating income. These segments are described below.

Food Service

The primary products sold by the food service segment are soft pretzels, frozen novelties, churros, handheld products and baked goods. Our customers in the food service segment include snack bars and food stands in chain, department and discount stores; malls and shopping centers; casual dining restaurants, fast food outlets; stadiums and sports arenas; leisure and theme parks; convenience stores; movie theatres; warehouse club stores; schools, colleges and other institutions. Within the food service industry, our products are purchased by the consumer primarily for consumption at the point-of-sale or for take-away.

Retail Supermarkets

The primary products sold to the retail supermarket channel are soft pretzel products – including SUPERPRETZEL, frozen novelties including LUIGI’S Real Italian Ice, MINUTE MAID Juice Bars and Soft Frozen Lemonade, WHOLE FRUIT frozen fruit bars and sorbet, DOGSTERS, PHILLY SWIRL cups and sticks, ICEE Squeeze-Up Tubes and handheld products. Within the retail supermarket channel, our frozen and prepackaged products are purchased by the consumer for consumption at home.

Frozen Beverages

The Company markets frozen beverages primarily under the names ICEE, SLUSH PUPPIE and PARROT ICE which are sold primarily in the United States, Mexico and Canada. We also provide repair and maintenance service to customers for customers’ owned equipment.

The Chief Operating Decision Maker for Food Service, Retail Supermarkets and Frozen Beverages reviews monthly detailed operating income statements and sales reports in order to assess performance and allocate resources to each individual segment. Sales and operating income are key variables monitored by the Chief Operating Decision Maker and management when determining each segment’s, and the Company’s, financial condition and operating performance. In addition, the Chief Operating Decision Maker reviews and evaluates depreciation, capital spending and assets of each segment on a quarterly basis to monitor cash flow and asset needs of each segment. Information regarding the operations in these three reportable segments is as follows:

Our reportable segments are Food Service, Retail Supermarkets and Frozen Beverages.

The carrying amounts of acquired intangible assets for the Food Service, Retail Supermarkets and Frozen Beverages segments as of December 24, 2022 and September 24, 2022 are as follows:

Amortizing intangible assets are being amortized by the straight-line method over periods ranging from 2 to 20 years and amortization expense is reflected throughout operating expenses. Aggregate amortization expense of intangible assets for the three months ended December 24, 2022 and December 25, 2021 was $1.7 million and $0.6 million, respectively.

Estimated amortization expense for the next five fiscal years is approximately $4.9 million in 2023 (excluding the three months ended December 24, 2022), $6.2 million in 2024, $5.6 million in 2025 and 2026, and $4.6 million in 2027.

The weighted amortization period of the intangible assets, in total, is 10.4 years. The weighted amortization period by intangible asset class is 10 years for Technology, 10 years for Customer relationships, 20 years for Licenses & rights, and 10 years for Franchise agreements.

Goodwill

The carrying amounts of goodwill for the Food Service, Retail Supermarket and Frozen Beverages segments are as follows:

We have classified our investment securities as marketable securities held to maturity and available for sale. The FASB defines fair value as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, the FASB has established three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1         Observable input such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

Level 2         Observable inputs, other than Level 1 inputs in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and

Level 3         Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.

Marketable securities held to maturity and available for sale consist primarily of investments in mutual funds, preferred stock and corporate bonds.  The fair values of mutual funds are based on quoted market prices in active markets and are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.  The fair values of preferred stock, corporate bonds and certificates of deposit are based on quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active.  As a result, preferred stock, corporate bonds and certificates of deposit are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. 

The amortized cost, unrealized gains and losses, and fair market values of our investment securities held to maturity at December 24, 2022 are summarized as follows:

The amortized cost, unrealized gains and losses, and fair market values of our investment securities available for sale at December 24, 2022 are summarized as follows:

The mutual funds seek current income with an emphasis on maintaining low volatility and overall moderate duration. The Fixed-to-Floating Perpetual Preferred Stock generate fixed income to call dates in 2025 and then income is based on a spread above LIBOR if the securities are not called. The mutual funds and Fixed-to-Floating Perpetual Preferred Stock do not have contractual maturities; however, we classify them as long-term assets as it is our intent to hold them for a period of over one year, although we may sell some or all of them depending on presently unanticipated needs for liquidity or market conditions. The corporate bonds generate fixed income with all remaining $2 million maturing within our fiscal year 2023. Our expectation is that we will hold the corporate bonds to their maturity dates and redeem them at our amortized cost.

The amortized cost, unrealized gains and losses, and fair market values of our investment securities held to maturity at September 24, 2022 are summarized as follows:      

The amortized cost, unrealized gains and losses, and fair market values of our investment securities available for sale at September 24, 2022 are summarized as follows:

The amortized cost and fair value of the Company’s held to maturity securities by contractual maturity at December 24, 2022 and September 24, 2022 are summarized as follows:

Proceeds from the redemption and sale of marketable securities were $3.3 million in the three months ended December 24, 2022, and $7.2 million in the three months ended December 25, 2021, respectively. Losses of $37,000 and $44,000 were recorded in the three months ended December 24, 2022 and December 25, 2021, respectively, which included unrealized losses on marketable securities of $39,000 and $5,000 in the three months ended December 24, 2022 and December 25, 2021, respectively. We use the specific identification method to determine the cost of securities sold.

Total marketable securities held to maturity as of December 24, 2022 with credit ratings of BBB/BB/B had an amortized cost basis totaling $2.0 million. This rating information was obtained on December 31, 2022.

Changes to the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss are as follows:

General Lease Description

We have operating leases with initial noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year covering the rental of various facilities and equipment. Certain of these leases contain renewal options and some provide options to purchase during the lease term. Our operating leases include leases for real estate for some of our office and manufacturing facilities as well as manufacturing and non-manufacturing equipment used in our business. The remaining lease terms for these operating leases range from 1 month to 12 years.

We have finance leases with initial noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year covering the rental of various equipment. These leases are generally for manufacturing and non-manufacturing equipment used in our business. The remaining lease terms for these finance leases range from 1 year to 5 years.

Significant Assumptions and Judgments

Contract Contains a Lease

In evaluating our contracts to determine whether a contract is or contains a lease, we considered the following:

Allocation of Consideration

In determining how to allocate consideration between lease and non-lease components in a contract that was deemed to contain a lease, we used judgment and consistent application of assumptions to reasonably allocate the consideration.

Options to Extend or Terminate Leases

We have leases which contain options to extend or terminate the leases. On a lease-by-lease basis, we have determined if the extension should be considered reasonably certain to be exercised and thus a right-of-use asset and a lease liability should be recorded.

Discount Rate

The discount rate for leases, if not explicitly stated in the lease, is the incremental borrowing rate, which is the rate of interest that we would have to pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment.

We used the discount rate to calculate the present value of the lease liability at the date of adoption. In the development of the discount rate, we considered our incremental borrowing rate as provided by our lender which was based on cash collateral and credit risk specific to us, and our lease portfolio characteristics.

As of December 24, 2022, the weighted-average discount rate of our operating and finance leases was 3.4% and 3.2%, respectively. As of September 24, 2022, the weighted-average discount rate of our operating and finance leases was 3.3% and 3.2%, respectively.

Practical Expedients and Accounting Policy Elections

We elected the package of practical expedients that permits us not to reassess our prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs and made an accounting policy election to exclude short-term leases with an initial term of 12 months or less from our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Amounts Recognized in the Financial Statements

The components of lease expense were as follows:

Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases is as follows:

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases is as follows:

We have related party expenses for distribution and shipping related costs with NFI Industries, Inc. Our director, Sidney R. Brown, is CEO and an owner of NFI Industries, Inc. In the three months ended December 24, 2022 and December 25, 2021, the Company paid NFI $14.3 million and $1.3 million, respectively. Of the amounts paid to NFI, the amount related to management services performed by NFI was $0.1 million in the three months ended December 24, 2022 and $0.1 million in the three months ended December 25, 2021. The remainder of the costs related to amounts that were passed through to the third-party distribution and shipping vendors that are being managed on the Company’s behalf by NFI. The agreements with NFI include terms that are consistent with those that we believe would have been negotiated at an arm’s length with an independent party. As of December 24, 2022 and September 24, 2022, our consolidated balance sheet included related party trade payables of approximately $4.0 million and $2.9 million, respectively.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Statements made in this Form 10-Q that are not historical or current facts are “forward-looking statements” made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”, that involve substantial risks or uncertainties. These statements often can be identified by the use of terms such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “projects,” “seek,” “intend,” “predict,” “approximate,” or “continue,” or other similar references to future periods or the negative thereof. Statements addressing our future operating performance and statements addressing events and developments that we expect or anticipate will occur are also considered as forward-looking statements. We intend that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors for such statements. We wish to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Any forward-looking statements represent management’s best judgment as to what may occur in the future. However, forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and important factors beyond our control that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from historical results of operations and events and those presently anticipated or projected. We disclaim any obligation subsequently to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statement or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Three months ended December 24, 2022

The following discussion provides a review of results for the three months ended December 24, 2022 as compared with the three months ended December 25, 2021.