JONES SODA CO - Quarter Report: 2018 March (Form 10-Q)



UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION



Washington, D.C. 20549

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Form 10-Q



Commission File Number: 000-28820

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JONES SODA CO.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

_____________________________________________



_____________________________________________

(206) 624-3357

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)



Indicate by checkmark 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 checkmark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T 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. (Check one):



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 Act).  Yes ☐     No ☒



As of May 11, 2018, there were 41,464,373 shares of the registrant's common stock issued and outstanding.





 

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JONES SODA CO.

FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31,  2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS















 

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EXPLANATORY NOTE

Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, all references in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Report”) to “we,” “us,” “our,” “Jones,” “Jones Soda,” and the “Company” are to Jones Soda Co., a Washington corporation, and our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Jones Soda Co. (USA) Inc. and Jones Soda (Canada) Inc.

In addition, unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, all references in this Annual Report to “Jones Soda” refer to our premium beverages, including Jones® Soda and Lemoncocco® sold under the trademarked brand name “Jones Soda Co.®”

CAUTIONARY NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

We desire to take advantage of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This Report contains a number of forward-looking statements that reflect management’s current views and expectations with respect to our business, strategies, products, future results and events, and financial performance. All statements made in this Report other than statements of historical fact, including statements that address operating performance, the economy, events or developments that management expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including statements related to case sales, revenues, profitability, distributor channels, new products, adequacy of funds from operations, cash flows and financing, our ability to continue as a going concern, potential strategic transactions, statements regarding future operating results and non-historical information, are forward-looking statements. In particular, the words such as “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “may,” “will,” “can,” “plan,” “predict,” “could,” “future,” "continue," variations of such words, and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements and their absence does not mean that the statement is not forward-looking.

Readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are based on management’s current expectations and projections about future events, are not guarantees of future performance, are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions and apply only as of the date of this Report. Our actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from historical results as well as from the results expressed in, anticipated or implied by these forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

In particular, our business, including our financial condition and results of operations and our ability to continue as a going concern may be impacted by a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the following:

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For a discussion of some of the factors that may affect our business, results and prospects, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 29,  2018. Readers are also urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us in this Report and in our other reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our periodic reports on Forms 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, and those described from time to time in our press releases and other communications, which attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business, prospects and results of operations.



 

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PART 1 – FINANCIAL INFORMATION



ITEM 1.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



JONES SODA CO.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS







See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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JONES SODA CO.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)





See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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JONES SODA CO.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited)







See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.



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JONES SODA CO.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)





See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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JONES SODA CO.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)



1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Jones Soda Co. develops, produces, markets and distributes premium beverages which it sells and distributes primarily in the United States and Canada through its network of independent distributors and directly to its national and regional retail accounts.

We are a Washington corporation and have two operating subsidiaries, Jones Soda Co. (USA) Inc. and Jones Soda (Canada) Inc. (together, our “Subsidiaries”).



Basis of presentation and consolidation

The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017, which has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, and unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2018, have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America “GAAP” and the Securities and Exchange Commission “SEC” rules and regulations applicable to interim financial reporting. The condensed consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of our Subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions between us and our Subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all material adjustments, consisting only of those of a normal recurring nature, considered necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position, results of operations and cash flows at the dates and for the periods presented. The operating results for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.



Liquidity

As of March 31, 2018, we had cash and cash-equivalents of approximately $3.0 million and working capital of approximately $3.2 million. Cash used in operations during the three months ended March 31, 2018 totaled $71,000 compared to $371,000 provided by operations for the same period a year ago. The increase in cash used in operations compared to the same period a year ago is primarily due to timing of the collection of receivables. We reported a net loss of $469,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

We have experienced recurring losses from operations and negative cash flows from operating activities.  This situation created uncertainties about the our ability to execute our business plan, finance operations, and initially indicated substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. On March 23, 2018, we received proceeds of $2,800,000 and on April 18, 2018, we received $120,000 in connection with the note purchase agreement described in Note 4 and Note 7. We believe that the recent financing alleviates the conditions which initially indicated substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. However, we have experienced and continue to experience negative cash flows from operations, as well as an ongoing requirement for additional capital to support working capital needs. The amount of additional capital that we may require, the timing of capital needs and the availability of financing to fund those needs will depend on a number of factors, including strategic initiatives and operating plans, the performance of our business and the market conditions for debt or equity financing.

As of the date of this Report, we believe that our current cash and cash equivalents, combined with our Loan Facility and anticipated cash from operations, will be sufficient to meet the our anticipated funding requirements for one year after these consolidated financial statements are issued. Additionally, our Loan Facility (described below), is available for our working capital needs.

We have a revolving secured credit facility with CapitalSource Business Finance Group (the “Loan Facility”). The Loan Facility allows us to borrow a maximum aggregate amount of up to $3.2 million based on eligible accounts receivable and inventory. As of March 31, 2018, our accounts receivable and inventory eligible borrowing base was approximately $1.6 million, of which we had drawn down approximately $759,000. See Note 3 for further information.



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We may require additional financing to support our working capital needs in the future. The amount of additional capital we may require, the timing of our capital needs and the availability of financing to fund those needs will depend on a number of factors, including our strategic initiatives and operating plans, the performance of our business and the market conditions for available debt or equity financing. Additionally, the amount of capital required will depend on our ability to meet our sales goals and otherwise successfully execute our operating plan. We believe it is imperative that we meet these sales objectives in order to lessen our reliance on external financing in the future. We intend to continually monitor and adjust our business plan as necessary to respond to developments in our business, our markets and the broader economy. Although we believe various debt and equity financing alternatives will be available to us to support our working capital needs, financing arrangements on acceptable terms may not be available to us when needed. Additionally, these alternatives may require significant cash payments for interest and other costs or could be highly dilutive to our existing shareholders. Any such financing alternatives may not provide us with sufficient funds to meet our long-term capital requirements. If necessary, we may explore strategic transactions that we consider to be in the best interest of the Company and our shareholders, which may include, without limitation, public or private offerings of debt or equity securities, a rights offering, and other strategic alternatives; however, these options may not ultimately be available or feasible when needed.



Seasonality and other fluctuations

Our sales are seasonal and we experience fluctuations in quarterly results as a result of many factors. We historically have generated a greater percentage of our revenues during the warm weather months of April through September. Sales may fluctuate materially on a quarter to quarter basis or an annual basis when we launch a new product or fill the “pipeline” of a new distribution partner or a large retail partner such as 7-Eleven. Sales results may also fluctuate based on the number of SKUs selected or removed by our distributors and retail partners through the normal course of serving consumers in the dynamic, trend-oriented beverage industry. As a result, management believes that period-to-period comparisons of results of operations are not necessarily meaningful and should not be relied upon as any indication of future performance or results expected for the fiscal year.



Revenue Recognition

 

The Company recognizes revenue under ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.  The core principle of the new revenue standard is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Company only applies the five-step model to contracts when it is probable that the Company will collect the consideration it is entitled to in exchange for the goods and services transferred to the customer. The following five steps are applied to achieve that core principle:



Step 1: Identify the contract with the customer

Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract

Step 3: Determine the transaction price

Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract

Step 5: Recognize revenue when the company satisfies a performance obligation



See Note 6, Segment information, for information on revenue disaggregated by geographic area.



Because the Company’s agreements have an expected duration of one year or less, the Company has elected the practical expedient in ASC 606-10-50-14(a) to not disclose information about its remaining performance obligations.



The Company’s performance obligations are satisfied at the point in time when products are received by the customer, which is when the customer has title and the significant risks and rewards of ownership. Therefore, the Company’s contracts have a single performance obligation (shipment of product). The Company primarily receives fixed consideration for sales of product. Shipping and handling amounts paid by customers are primarily for online orders, included in revenue, and total $39,000 and $44,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Sales tax and other similar taxes are excluded from revenue.



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Revenue is recorded net of provisions for discounts, slotting fees and promotion allowances, which are typically agreed to upfront with the customer and do not represent variable consideration. Discounts, slotting fees and promotional allowances vary the consideration the Company is entitled to in exchange for the sale of products to distributors. The Company estimates these discounts, slotting fees and promotional allowances in the same period that the revenue is recognized for products sales to customers. The amount of revenue recognized represents the amount that will not be subject to a significant future reversal of revenue. The liability for promotional allowances is included in accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheets. Amounts paid for slotting fees are recorded as prepaid expenses on the consolidated balance sheets and amortized over the corresponding term. For the quarters ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, our revenue was reduced by $259,000 and $309,000 respectively, for slotting fees and promotion allowances. 



All sales to distributors and customers are generally final. In limited instances the Company may accept returned product due to quality issues or distributor terminations and the Company would have variable consideration. To date, returns have not been material. The Company’s customers generally pay within 30 days from the receipt of a valid invoice. The Company offers prompt pay discounts of up to 2% to certain customers typically for payments made within 15 days. Prompt pay discounts are estimated in the period of sale based on experience with sales to eligible customers. Early pay discounts are recorded as a deduction to the accounts receivable balance presented on the consolidated balance sheets.



The accounts receivable balance primarily includes balances from trades sales to distributors and retail customers. The allowance for doubtful accounts is the best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in existing accounts receivable . The Company determines the allowance for doubtful accounts based primarily on historical write-off experience. Account balances that are deemed uncollectible, are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recover is considered remote. Allowances for doubtful accounts of $10 and $7 as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, are netted against accounts receivable. No impairment losses were recognized as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Changes in accounts receivable are primarily due to the timing and magnitude of orders of products, the timing of when control of products is transferred to distributors and the timing of cash collections. 



Deferred financing costs

        We defer costs related to the issuance of debt which are included on the accompanying balance sheets as a deduction from the debt liability. Deferred financing costs are amortized  over the term of the related loan and are included as a component of interest expense on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.





Use of estimates



The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include, but are not limited to, inventory valuation, depreciable lives and valuation of capital assets, valuation allowances for receivables, trade promotion liabilities, stock-based compensation expense, valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets, contingencies, and forecasts supporting the going concern assumption and related disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates.



Recent accounting pronouncements



In July 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-11, which allows companies to exclude a down round feature when determining whether a financial instrument is considered indexed to the entity’s own stock. As a result, financial instruments with down round features are no longer classified as liabilities and embedded conversion options with down round features are no longer bifurcated. For equity-classified freestanding financial instruments, such as warrants, an entity will treat the value of the effect of the down round, when triggered, as a dividend and a reduction of income available to common shareholders in computing basic earnings per share. For convertible instruments with embedded conversion options that have down round features, an entity will recognize the intrinsic value of the feature only when the feature becomes beneficial. The guidance in ASU 2017-11 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We early adopted ASU 2017-11 effective January 1, 2018 without a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606),” (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC 605 - Revenue Recognition (“ASC 605”) and most industry-specific guidance throughout ASC 605. The FASB has issued numerous updates that provide clarification on a number of specific issues as well as requiring additional disclosures. The core principle of ASC 606 requires that an entity recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. We adopted ASC 606 effective January 1, 2018 using the full retrospective approach. The adoption of ASU 2014-09 did not have a

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material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, equity or cash flows and there were no other significant changes impacting the timing or measurement of the Company’s Revenue or business processes and controls. 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases: Topic 842 (“ASU 2016-2”), which replaces existing lease guidance. ASU 2016-2 requires lessees to recognize a lease liability and a lease asset for all leases, including operating leases, with a term greater than twelve months to its balance sheets. ASU 2016-2 also expands the required quantitative and qualitative disclosures surrounding leases. ASU 2016-2 is effective for us  beginning January 1, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. While we expect adoption to lead to an increase in the assets and liabilities recorded on our balance sheets, we are still evaluating the overall impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments: Credit Losses, which changes the impairment model for most financial instruments, including trade receivables from an incurred loss method to a new forward-looking approach, based on expected losses. The estimate of expected credit losses will require entities to incorporate considerations of historical information, current information and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This ASU is effective for us in the first quarter of 2020 and must be adopted using a modified retrospective transition approach. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact the adoption of ASU 2016-13 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows: Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which clarifies how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The ASU is effective for us in the first quarter of 2018 with early adoption permitted and must be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. We adopted ASU 2016-15 during 2018 without a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

  

2. Inventory

Inventory consisted of the following (in thousands):



Finished goods primarily include product ready for shipment, as well as promotional merchandise held for sale. Raw materials primarily include ingredients, concentrate and packaging.



3. Line of Credit

We have a revolving secured Loan Facility with CapitalSource Business Finance Group  (“CapitalSource”), pursuant to which we, through our Subsidiaries, may borrow a maximum aggregate amount of up to $3.2 million, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions. The current term of the Loan Facility expires on December 27, 2018,  unless renewed.



Under this Loan Facility, as amended in January and December 2016, we may periodically request advances equal to the lesser of: (a) $3.2 million, or (b) the Borrowing Base which is, in the following priority, the sum of: (i) 85% of eligible U.S. accounts receivable, plus (ii) 50% of eligible Canadian accounts receivable not to exceed $300,000 (subject to any reserve amount established by CapitalSource), plus (iii) 35% of finished goods inventory not to exceed $475,000 or 50% of eligible accounts receivable collateral.  As of March 31, 2018, our accounts receivable and inventory eligible borrowing base was approximately $1.6 million, of which we had drawn down approximately $759,000.  As amended by the December 2016 renewal, advances under the Loan Facility bear interest at the prime rate plus 0.75%, where prime may not be less than 0%, and a loan fee of 0.10% on the daily loan balance and is payable monthly. The Loan Facility provides for a minimum cumulative amount of interest of $30,000 per year to be paid to CapitalSource, regardless of whether or not we draw on the Loan Facility. 



CapitalSource has the right to terminate the Loan Facility at any time upon 120 days’ prior written notice. All present and future obligations of our Subsidiaries under the Loan Facility are guaranteed by us and are secured by a first priority security interest in all of our assets. The Loan Facility contains customary representations and warranties as well as affirmative and negative covenants. As of March 31, 2018, we were in compliance with all covenants under the Loan Facility. The draws on the Loan Facility were used to fulfill working capital needs. We will continue to utilize the Loan Facility, as needed, for working capital needs in the future.    



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4. Convertible Subordinated Notes Payable

On March 23, 2018, we issued and sold an aggregate principal amount of $2,800,000 of convertible subordinated promissory notes (the “Convertible Notes”) to institutional investors, our management team, and other individual accredited investors.

The Convertible Notes have a four-year term from the date of issuance and bear interest at 6% per annum until maturity. The holders can convert the Convertible Notes at any time to the number of shares of our common stock, no par value, equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the amount of the unpaid principal and interest on such Convertible Note by (ii) $0.32 (the “Conversion Price”). The Conversion Price is subject to anti-dilution adjustment on a broad-based, weighted average basis if the Company issues shares or equity-linked instruments at a conversion price below $0.32 per share. No payments of principal or interest are due until the maturity.

The Convertible Notes are subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all of our Senior Indebtedness, which is defined  as amounts due in connection with the indebtedness for borrowed money of the Company to banks, commercial finance lenders (CapitalSource), or other lending institutions regularly engaged in the business of lending money, with certain restrictions.

The fair value of our common stock on the closing date for the issuance of the convertible notes was $0.36 per share, therefore, the Convertible Notes contained a beneficial conversion feature with an aggregate intrinsic value of $350,000. The resulting debt discount is presented as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the Convertible Notes and was recorded with an increase to additional paid-in capital. The discount along with the related closing costs amounting to $43,996 will be amortized through interest expense over the term of the Convertible Notes. We intend to use the proceeds from the Convertible Notes to fund our Lemoncocco and Fountain initiatives and for working capital and general corporate purposes. The accrued interest and principal balance of notes payable from related parties amounted to $100,000 at March 31, 2018.



5.Shareholders’ Equity

Under the terms of our 2011 Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), the number of shares authorized under the Plan may be increased each January 1st by an amount equal to the least of (a) 1,300,000 shares, (b) 4.0% of our outstanding common stock as of the end of our immediately preceding fiscal year, and (c) a lesser amount determined by the Board of Directors (the “Board”), provided that the number of shares that may be granted pursuant to awards in a single year may not exceed 10% of our outstanding shares of common stock on a fully diluted basis as of the end of the immediately preceding fiscal year. Effective January 1, 2018, the total number of shares of common stock authorized under the Plan was 10,784,032 shares.

Under the terms of the Plan, the Board may grant awards to employees, officers, directors, consultants, agents, advisors and independent contractors. Awards may consist of stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock awards, restricted stock, stock units, performance awards or other stock or cash-based awards. Stock options are granted with an exercise price equal to the closing price of our stock on the date of grant, and generally have a ten-year term and vest over a period of 48 months with the first 25.0% of the shares subject to the option vesting one year from the grant date and the remaining 75.0% of the shares subject to the option vesting in equal monthly increments over the subsequent 36 months. As of March 31, 2018, there were 4,310,900 shares of unissued common stock authorized and available for future awards under the Plan.

A summary of our stock option activity is as follows:





Effective as of January 1, 2018, equity compensation for non-employee director service will be an annual restricted stock unit award with a value of $15,000 based on the closing share price of the first business day in January.

A summary of our restricted stock activity is as follows:



 (c)Stock-based compensation expense:

Stock-based compensation expense is recognized using the straight-line attribution method over the employees’ requisite service period. We recognize compensation expense for only the portion of stock options or restricted stock expected to vest. Therefore, we apply estimated forfeiture rates that are derived from historical employee attrition. If the actual number of forfeitures differs from those estimated by management, additional adjustments to stock-based compensation expense may be required in future periods.

At March 31, 2018, we had unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options and non-vested restricted stock of $276,000 to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.2 years.

The following table summarizes the stock-based compensation expense (in thousands):





We employ the following key weighted-average assumptions in determining the fair value of stock options, using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the simplified method to estimate the expected term of “plain vanilla” options:





The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options outstanding at March 31, 2018 and 2017 was $48,000 and $210,000, respectively, and for options exercisable was $46,000 and $188,000, respectively. The intrinsic value of outstanding and exercisable stock options is calculated as the quoted market price of the stock at the balance sheet date less the exercise price of the option. There were 0 and 38,646 options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of the options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 was $0 and $3,000, respectively.    



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6. Segment Information

We have one operating segment with operations primarily in the United States and Canada. Sales are assigned to geographic locations based on the location of customers. Sales by geographic location are as follows (in thousands):







During the three months ended March 31,  2018 and 2017, two and three of our customers represented approximately 45%  and 53%, of our revenue, respectively.



7.Subsequent Events



On April 18, 2018, we completed the second and final closing and issued additional convertible subordinated promissory notes with an aggregate principal amount of $120,000.





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ITEM 2.MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

You should read the following discussion and analysis in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Report and the 2017 audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which was filed with the SEC on March 29,  2018.

This Report contains forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “may,” “will,” “can,” “plan,” “predict,” “could,” “future,” “continue,” variations of such words, and similar expressions. These statements are only predictions. Actual events or results may differ materially. In evaluating these statements, you should specifically consider various factors, including the risks outlined at the beginning of this Report under “Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and in Item 1A of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. These factors may cause our actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Overview

We develop, produce, market and distribute premium beverages that we sell and distribute primarily in the United States and Canada through our network of independent distributors and directly to our national and regional retail accounts. We also sell our products in select international markets. Our products are sold in grocery stores, convenience and gas stores, on fountain in restaurants, “up and down the street” in independent accounts such as delicatessens and sandwich shops, as well as through our national accounts with several large retailers. We refer to our network of independent distributors as our direct store delivery (DSD) channel, and we refer to our national and regional accounts who receive shipments directly from us as our direct to retail (DTR) channel. We do not directly manufacture our products, but instead outsource the manufacturing process to third-party contract manufacturers. We also sell various products online, including soda with customized labels, wearables, candy and other items, and we license our trademarks for use on products sold by other manufacturers.

Our Focus: Sales Growth

Our focus is sales growth through the execution of the following key initiatives:



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Results of Operations

The following selected financial and operating data are derived from our condensed consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our condensed consolidated financial statements.



Quarter Ended March 31, 2018 Compared to Quarter Ended March 31, 2017

Revenue

For the quarter ended March 31, 2018,  revenue was approximately $2.8 million, a decrease of $698,000, or 19.7% from approximately $3.5 million in revenue for the quarter ended March 31, 2017.   The primary reasons for the revenue decline were timing of our 7-Select pipeline fill during the first quarter of 2017, timing of international orders and the delisting of our 12-oz. can business by a larger grocery customer during the second quarter of 2017.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, trade spend and promotion allowances, which offset revenue, totaled $259,000, a decrease of 16.2% compared to $309,000 for the quarter ended March 31,  2017, due to timing of programs.  

Gross Profit

For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, gross profit decreased by $237,000 or 27.8%, to $616,000 compared to $853,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2017.   For the quarter ended March 31, 2018 gross margin as a percentage of revenue decreased to 21.7% from 24.1% for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, due primarily to escalating freight costs.

Selling and Marketing Expenses

Selling and marketing expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 were $554,000,  an increase of $10,000, or 1.8%, from $544,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2017.  Selling and marketing expenses as a percentage of revenue increased to 19.5%   for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, from 15.4% in 2017. We will continue to balance selling and marketing expenses with our working capital resources. For both the three months ended March 31,  2018 and 2017, non-cash expenses included in selling and marketing expense (stock compensation and depreciation) were $17,000, respectively. 

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General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 were $539,000, an increase of $56,000 or 11.6%, compared to $483,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2017,  primarily due to stock compensation costs and one-time corporate costs incurred during the quarter. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue increased to 19.0% for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 from 13.7% in 2017. We will continue to carefully manage general and administrative expenses with our working capital resources. For the three months ended March 31,  2018 and 2017, non-cash expenses included in general and administrative expense (stock compensation and depreciation) were $36,000 and $27,000, respectively. 

Income Tax Expense

We had $5,000 of income tax expense for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, compared to $7,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, primarily related to the tax provision on income from our Canadian operations. We have not recorded any tax benefit for the loss in our U.S. operations as we have recorded a full valuation allowance on our U.S. net deferred tax assets. We expect to continue to record a full valuation allowance on our U.S. net deferred tax assets until we sustain an appropriate level of taxable income through improved U.S. operations. Our effective tax rate is based on recurring factors, including the forecasted mix of income before taxes in various jurisdictions, estimated permanent differences and the recording of a full valuation allowance on our U.S. net deferred tax assets.

Net loss

Net loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 was  $469,000 compared to net loss of $197,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 primarily due to timing of certain items and the delisting of our 12-oz. can business, as discussed above under “Revenue.”



Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of March 31, 2018, we had cash and cash-equivalents of approximately $3.0 million and working capital of approximately $3.2 million. Cash used in operations during the three months ended March 31, 2018 totaled $71,000 compared to $371,000 provided by operations for the same period a year ago. The increase in cash used in operations compared to the same period a year ago is primarily due to timing of the collection of receivables. We reported a net loss of $469,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

We have experienced recurring losses from operations and negative cash flows from operating activities.  This situation created uncertainties about the our ability to execute our business plan, finance operations, and initially indicated substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. On March 23, 2018, we received proceeds of $2,800,000 and on April 18, 2018, we received $120,000 in connection with the note purchase agreement described in Note 4 and Note 7. We believe that the recent financing alleviates the conditions which initially indicated substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. However, we have experienced and continue to experience negative cash flows from operations, as well as an ongoing requirement for additional capital to support working capital needs. The amount of additional capital that we may require, the timing of capital needs and the availability of financing to fund those needs will depend on a number of factors, including strategic initiatives and operating plans, the performance of our business and the market conditions for debt or equity financing.

As of the date of this Report, we believe that our current cash and cash equivalents, combined with our Loan Facility and anticipated cash from operations, will be sufficient to meet the our anticipated funding requirements for one year after these consolidated financial statements are issued. Additionally, our Loan Facility (described below and in Note 3 to Consolidated Financial Statements), is available for our working capital needs.

We have a revolving secured credit facility with CapitalSource Business Finance Group (the “Loan Facility”). The Loan Facility allows us to borrow a maximum aggregate amount of up to $3.2 million based on eligible accounts receivable and inventory. As of March 31, 2018, our accounts receivable and inventory eligible borrowing base was approximately $1.6 million, of which we had drawn down approximately $759,000.

We may require additional financing to support our working capital needs in the future. The amount of additional capital we may require, the timing of our capital needs and the availability of financing to fund those needs will depend on a number of factors, including our strategic initiatives and operating plans, the performance of our business and the market conditions for available debt or equity financing. Additionally, the amount of capital required will depend on our ability to meet our sales goals and otherwise successfully execute our operating plan. We believe it is imperative that we meet these sales objectives in order to lessen our reliance on external financing in the future. We intend to continually monitor and adjust our business plan as necessary to respond to developments in our business, our markets and the broader economy. Although we believe various debt and equity financing alternatives will be available to us to support our working capital needs, financing arrangements on acceptable terms may not be available to us when needed. Additionally, these alternatives may require significant cash payments for interest and other costs or could be highly dilutive to our existing shareholders. Any such financing alternatives

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may not provide us with sufficient funds to meet our long-term capital requirements. If necessary, we may explore strategic transactions that we consider to be in the best interest of the Company and our shareholders, which may include, without limitation, public or private offerings of debt or equity securities, a rights offering, and other strategic alternatives; however, these options may not ultimately be available or feasible when needed.

Seasonality and Other Fluctuations

Our sales are seasonal and we experience fluctuations in quarterly results as a result of many factors. We historically have generated a greater percentage of our revenues during the warm weather months of April through September. Sales may fluctuate materially on a quarter to quarter basis or an annual basis when we launch a new product or fill the “pipeline” of a new distribution partner or a large retail partner such as 7-Eleven. Sales results may also fluctuate based on the number of SKUs selected or removed by our distributors and retail partners through the normal course of serving consumers in the dynamic, trend-oriented beverage industry. As a result, management believes that period-to-period comparisons of results of operations are not necessarily meaningful and should not be relied upon as any indication of future performance or results expected for the fiscal year.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements.

Critical Accounting Policies



See the information concerning our critical accounting policies included under “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation – Critical Accounting Policies” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, filed with the SEC on March 29,  2018. There have been no material changes in our critical accounting policies during the three months ended March 31, 2018.



ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.



Procedures



(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined under Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Management, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(b) as of  March 31, 2018.  Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2018.



(b) Changes in internal controls

There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during the three months ended  March 31, 2018 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.



PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

        We are or may be involved from time to time in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business, including proceedings involving employee claims, contract disputes, product liability and other general liability claims, as well as trademark, copyright, and related claims and legal actions. In the opinion of our management, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

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ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS



         On March 23, 2018 and April 18, 2018, the Company issued and sold an aggregate principal amount of $2,920,000 of Convertible Notes to institutional and individual accredited investors, including members of the Company’s management team, in exchange for cash of equal amount. The Convertible Notes have a four-year term from the date of issuance and bear interest at 6% per annum until maturity. No payments of principal or interest are due until the maturity. The Convertible Notes are convertible at the election of the holder into shares of our common stock at an initial conversion price of $0.32 per share, which is subject to anti-dilution adjustment on a broad-based, weighted average basis. The Company issued and sold the Convertible Notes without registration pursuant to, inter alia, Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated thereunder.



          We will use the proceeds from the Convertible Notes to fund our Lemoncocco and Fountain initiatives and for working capital and general corporate purposes.



          No offering expenses were paid directly or indirectly to any of our directors or officers (or their associates) or persons owning ten percent or more of any class of our equity securities or to any other affiliates. There has been no material change in the planned use of proceeds from the private placement as described in the March Form 8-K.





ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION



2018 Annual Meeting – Submission of Matters to a Vote of Shareholders

At our 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May 10, 2018, the following matters were submitted to a vote of our shareholders:

The shareholders elected the following five directors, who received the number of votes set forth opposite their respective names:







The shareholders ratified the appointment of Peterson Sullivan LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year 2018 by a vote of  36,758,074 shares For, 1,627,301shares Against, and 293,679 shares abstaining. There were no broker non-votes in connection with this matter.

The shareholders approved a non-binding advisory resolution (commonly referred to as a “say-on-pay” resolution) on our executive compensation for fiscal year 2017 by a vote of 7,136,498 shares For, 1,011,288 shares Against, and 137,258 shares abstaining. There were 30,394,010 broker non-votes in connection with this matter.



ITEM 6. EXHIBITS











**   Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and otherwise are not subject to liability.

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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.

May 11, 2018 





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