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MONRO, INC. - Annual Report: 2010 (Form 10-K)

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
 
     
(MARK ONE)    
þ
  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For Fiscal Year Ended March 27, 2010
OR
o
  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
Commission File Number 0-19357
MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
New York   16-0838627
(State of incorporation)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
200 Holleder Parkway,    
Rochester, New York
(Address of principal executive offices)
  14615
(Zip code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
(585) 647-6400
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
Name of each exchange on which registered: the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
NONE
(Title of Class)
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes o     No þ
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes o     No þ
 
Indicate by check mark if 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 þ     No o
 
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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes o     No o
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
             
Large accelerated filer o
  Accelerated filer þ   Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  Smaller reporting company o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o     No þ
 
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, computed by reference to the closing price as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, September 26, 2009, was approximately $556,947,000.
 
As of May 28, 2010, 19,986,119 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, were outstanding.
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:
 
Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement (to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A) for the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Proxy Statement”) are incorporated by reference into Part III hereof.
 


 

 
PART I
 
Item 1.   Business
 
GENERAL
 
Monro Muffler Brake, Inc. (“Monro” or the “Company”) is a chain of 777 Company-operated stores (as of March 27, 2010), four franchised locations and 14 dealer-operated stores providing automotive undercar repair and tire services in the United States. At March 27, 2010, Monro operated Company stores in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Connecticut, Massachusetts, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Vermont, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Indiana, Rhode Island, Delaware, Maine, Illinois and Missouri under the names “Monro Muffler Brake & Service”, “Tread Quarters Discount Tire”, “Mr. Tire”, “Autotire Car Care Center” and “Tire Warehouse” (together, the “Company Stores”). Company Stores typically are situated in high-visibility locations in suburban areas and small towns, as well as in major metropolitan areas. Company Stores serviced approximately 3.9 million vehicles in fiscal 2010. (References herein to fiscal years are to the Company’s year ended fiscal March [e.g., references to “fiscal 2010” are to the Company’s fiscal year ended March 27, 2010].)
 
The predecessor to the Company was founded by Charles J. August in 1957 as a Midas Muffler franchise in Rochester, New York, specializing in mufflers and exhaust systems. In 1966, the Company discontinued its affiliation with Midas Muffler, and began to diversify into a full line of undercar repair services. An investor group led by Peter J. Solomon and Donald Glickman purchased a controlling interest in the Company in July 1984. At that time, Monro operated 59 stores, located primarily in upstate New York, with approximately $21 million in sales in fiscal 1984. Since 1984, Monro has continued its growth and has expanded its marketing area to include 19 additional states (including dealer locations).
 
In December 1998, the Company appointed Robert G. Gross as President and Chief Executive Officer, who began full-time responsibilities on January 1, 1999.
 
The Company was incorporated in the State of New York in 1959. The Company’s principal executive offices are located at 200 Holleder Parkway, Rochester, New York 14615, and its telephone number is (585) 647-6400.
 
The Company provides a broad range of services on passenger cars, light trucks and vans for brakes (estimated at 20% of fiscal 2010 sales); mufflers and exhaust systems (6%); and steering, drive train, suspension and wheel alignment (11%). The Company also provides other products and services including tires (32%) and routine maintenance services including state inspections (31%). Monro specializes in the repair and replacement of parts which must be periodically replaced as they wear out. Normal wear on these parts generally is not covered by new car warranties. The Company typically does not perform under-the-hood repair services except for oil change services, various “flush and fill” services and some minor tune-up services. The Company does not sell parts or accessories to the do-it-yourself market.
 
All of the Company’s stores, except Tire Warehouse stores, provide the services described above. (Tire Warehouse stores only provide tire related services.) However, a growing number of the Company’s stores are more specialized in tire replacement and service and, accordingly, have a higher mix of sales in the tire category. These stores are described below as tire stores, whereas the majority of the Company’s stores are described as service stores. (See additional discussion under “Operating Strategy”.) At March 27, 2010, there were 551 stores designated as service stores and 226 as tire stores.
 
The Company’s sales mix for fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008 is as follows:
 
                                                                         
    Service Stores     Tire Stores     Total Company  
    FY10     FY09     FY08     FY10     FY09     FY08     FY10     FY09     FY08  
 
Brakes
    27 %     27 %     28 %     11 %     12 %     12 %     20 %     21 %     22 %
Exhaust
    10       10       11       1       1       1       6       6       7  
Steering
    12       13       13       10       10       10       11       12       12  
Tires
    15       14       13       55       54       55       32       29       28  
Maintenance
    36       36       35       23       23       22       31       32       31  
                                                                         
Total
    100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %
                                                                         


1


 

The Company has one wholly-owned subsidiary, Monro Service Corporation, which is a Delaware corporation qualified to do business in the State of New York.
 
Monro Service Corporation holds all assets, rights, responsibilities and liabilities associated with the Company’s warehousing, purchasing, advertising, accounting, office services, payroll, cash management and certain other operations that are performed in New York State, Maryland, Illinois and New Hampshire. The Company believes that this structure has enhanced operational efficiency and provides cost savings.
 
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
 
According to industry reports, demand for automotive repair services, including undercar repair and tire services, has increased due to the general increase in the number of vehicles registered, the increase in the average age of vehicles and the increased complexity of vehicles, which makes it more difficult for a vehicle owner to perform do-it-yourself repairs.
 
At the same time as demand for automotive repair services has grown, the number of general repair outlets has decreased, principally because fewer gas stations now perform repairs, and because there are fewer new car dealers as a result of recent dealership closures by car manufacturers such as Chrysler and General Motors. Monro believes that these factors present opportunities for increased sales by the Company, even though the number of specialized repair outlets (such as those operated by the Company and its direct competitors) has increased to meet the growth in demand.
 
EXPANSION STRATEGY
 
Monro has experienced significant growth in recent years due to acquisitions and, to a lesser extent, the opening of new stores. Management believes that the continued growth in sales and profits of the Company is dependent, in large part, upon its continued ability to open/acquire and operate new stores on a profitable basis. Overall profitability of the Company could be reduced if acquired or new stores do not attain profitability.
 
Monro believes that there are significant expansion opportunities in new as well as existing market areas which will result from a combination of constructing stores on vacant land and acquiring existing store locations. The Company believes that, as the industry consolidates due to the increasingly complex nature of automotive repair and the expanded capital requirements for state-of-the-art equipment, there will be increasing opportunities for acquisitions of existing businesses or store structures, and to open stores in host retailers’ locations.
 
In that regard, the Company has completed several acquisitions in recent years, as follows:
 
Effective March 1, 2004, the Company completed the acquisition of Mr. Tire stores (the “Mr. Tire Acquisition”) from Atlantic Automotive Corp., which added 26 retail tire and automotive repair stores in Maryland and Virginia, as well as a wholesale operation based in Baltimore, Maryland. The Company has closed one of these stores and the wholesale operation.
 
In fiscal 2005, the Company further expanded its presence in Maryland through the acquisition of certain assets of Rice Tire, Inc. (the “Rice Acquisition”) and Henderson Holdings, Inc. (the “Henderson Acquisition”), which added five and ten retail tire and automotive repair stores in the Frederick and southern Maryland markets, respectively. Thirteen of these stores operate under the Mr. Tire brand name and one under the Tread Quarters brand name. The Company has closed one Rice store.
 
On April 29, 2006, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of ProCare Automotive Service Solutions LLC (the “ProCare Acquisition”). The Company acquired 75 ProCare locations that offer automotive maintenance and repair services. The stores are located in eight metropolitan areas throughout Ohio and Pennsylvania. The Company converted 31 of the acquired ProCare stores to tire stores which operate under the Mr. Tire brand. The remaining stores operate as service stores under the Monro brand. In April 2007, the Company closed three of the acquired locations in accordance with its plan for this acquisition, leaving it with 43 service stores and 29 tire stores. The Company closed one additional tire store after 2007.


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On July 21, 2007, the Company acquired 11 retail tire and automotive repair stores located primarily in the Philadelphia, PA market from Valley Forge Tire & Auto Centers (“the Valley Forge Acquisition”); on July 28, 2007, the Company acquired eight retail tire and automotive repair stores located in the northern Virginia market from Craven Tire & Auto (“the Craven Acquisition”); and on January 26, 2008, the Company acquired seven retail tire and automotive repair stores located in Buffalo, NY from the Broad Elm Group (“the Broad Elm Acquisition”). These stores all operate under the Mr. Tire brand name.
 
On June 14, 2009, the Company acquired 26 Autotire Car Care Center retail tire and automotive repair stores located primarily in the St. Louis, MO market from Am-Pac Tire Distributors, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Tire Distributors (“the Autotire Acquisition”); on September 20, 2009, the Company acquired four retail tire and automotive repair stores located in northwest Indiana from Midwest Tire & Auto Repair (“the Midwest Acquisition”); on October 4, 2009, the Company acquired 41 retail tire stores, including one that was under construction, and six franchised locations located in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont, from Tire Warehouse Central, Inc. (“the Tire Warehouse Acquisition”); and on November 29, 2009, the Company acquired a retail tire and automotive repair store located in New Hampshire from Cheshire Tire Center, Inc. (“the Cheshire Acquisition”). These stores operate under the Autotire, Mr. Tire, Tire Warehouse and Cheshire Tire brand names, respectively. Additionally, during January 2010, the Company acquired two of the former Tire Warehouse franchise locations. These stores operate under the Tire Warehouse brand name.
 
The total number of stores that the Company operates in BJ’s Wholesale Clubs is 37 at March 27, 2010.
 
As of March 27, 2010, Monro had 777 Company-operated stores, four franchised locations and 14 dealer locations located in 20 states. The following table shows the growth in the number of Company-operated stores over the last five fiscal years:
 
Store Additions and Closings
 
                                         
    Year Ended Fiscal March  
    2010     2009     2008     2007     2006  
 
Stores open at beginning of year
    710       720       698       625       626  
Stores added during year
    79 (e)     3       31 (d)     84 (c)     10 (b)
Stores closed during year(a)
    (12 )     (13 )     (9 )     (11 )     (11 )
                                         
Stores open at end of year
    777       710       720       698       625  
                                         
Service (including BJ’s) stores
    551       566       579       584       544  
                                         
Tire stores
    226       144       141       114       81  
                                         
 
 
(a) Generally, stores were closed because they failed to achieve or maintain an acceptable level of profitability or because a new Company store was opened in the same market at a more favorable location.
 
(b) Includes four stores opened in BJ’s Wholesale Club locations.
 
(c) Includes 75 stores acquired in the ProCare Acquisition and three stores opened in BJ’s Wholesale Club locations.
 
(d) Includes 11 stores acquired in the Valley Forge Acquisition, eight stores acquired in the Craven Acquisition and seven stores acquired in the Broad Elm Acquisition.
 
(e) Includes 26 stores acquired in the Autotire Acquisition, four stores acquired in the Midwest Acquisition, 41 stores acquired in the Tire Warehouse Acquisition, one store acquired in the Cheshire Tire Acquisition and two franchised locations acquired (the “FY 2010 Acquisitions”).
 
On March 28, 2010, the Company acquired five retail tire and automotive repair stores located in Pittsburgh, PA from Import Export Tire, Co. These stores all operate under the Mr. Tire brand name.
 
The Company plans to add approximately five new greenfield stores in fiscal 2011 and to pursue appropriate acquisition candidates. In future years, should the Company find that there are no suitable acquisition or retail partnership candidates, it might increase its new store (greenfield) openings.


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The Company has developed a systematic method for selecting new greenfield store locations and a targeted approach to marketing new stores. Key factors in market and site selection include population, demographic characteristics, vehicle population and the intensity of competition. The characteristics of each potential site are compared to the profiles of existing stores in projecting sales for that site. Monro attempts to cluster stores in market areas in order to achieve economies of scale in advertising, supervision and distribution costs. All new sites presently under consideration are within Monro’s established market areas.
 
As a result of extensive analysis of its historical and projected store opening strategy, the Company has established major market profiles, as defined by market awareness: mature, existing and new markets. Over the next several years, the Company expects to build a greater percentage of stores in mature and existing markets in order to capitalize on the Company’s market presence and consumer awareness. During fiscal 2010, 75 of the stores added (including acquired stores) were in existing markets. The 26 stores acquired in the Autotire acquisition are considered to be in existing markets as the Autotire name has strong brand awareness in its markets and the Company retained the Autotire name. The four stores acquired in the Midwest acquisition are in new markets as the Mr. Tire name is not established in Indiana where the stores are located.
 
The Company believes that management and operating improvements implemented over the last several fiscal years has enhanced its ability to sustain its growth. The Company has a chain-wide computerized inventory control and electronic point-of-sale (“POS”) management information system, which has increased management’s ability to monitor operations as the number of stores has grown.
 
The Company has customized the POS system to specific service and tire store requirements and deploys the appropriate version in each type of store. Being Windows-based, the system has simplified training of new employees. Additionally, the system includes electronic mail and electronic cataloging, which allows store managers to electronically research the specific parts needed for the make and model of the car being serviced. This enhanced system includes software which contains data that mirrors the scheduled maintenance requirements in vehicle owners’ manuals, specifically by make, model, year and mileage for every major automobile brand. Management believes that this software facilitates the presentation and sale of scheduled maintenance services to customers. Other enhancements include the streamlining of estimating and other processes; graphic catalogs; a feature which facilitates tire searches by size; direct mail support; appointment scheduling; customer service history; a thermometer graphic which guides store managers on the profitability of each job; the ability to view inventory of up to the closest 14 stores or warehouse; and expanded monitoring of price changes. This latter change requires more specificity on the reason for a discount, which management believes has helped to control discounting. Enhancements will continue to be made to the POS system annually in an effort to increase efficiency, improve the quality and timeliness of store reporting and enable the Company to better serve its customers.
 
The financing to open a new greenfield service store location may be accomplished in one of three ways: a store lease for the land and building (in which case, land and building costs will be financed primarily by the lessor), a land lease with the building constructed by the Company (with building costs paid by the Company), or a land purchase with the building constructed by the Company. In all three cases, for service stores, each new store also will require approximately $120,000 for equipment (including a POS system and a truck) and approximately $55,000 in inventory. Because Monro generally does not extend credit to its customers, stores generate almost no receivables and a new store’s actual net working capital investment is nominal. Total capital required to open a new greenfield service store ranges, on average (based upon the last five fiscal years’ openings, excluding the BJ’s locations and the acquired stores), from $300,000 to $900,000 depending on the location and which of the three financing methods is used. In general, tire stores are larger and have more service bays than Monro’s traditional service stores and, as a result, construction costs are at the high end of the range of new store construction costs. Total capital required to open a new greenfield tire (leased) location costs, on average, approximately $600,000, including $220,000 for equipment and $140,000 for inventory. In instances where Monro acquires an existing business, it may pay additional amounts for intangible assets such as customer lists, covenants not-to-compete, trade names and goodwill, but generally will pay less per bay for equipment and real property. Total capital required to open a store within a BJ’s Wholesale Club is substantially less than opening a greenfield store.


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At March 27, 2010, the Company leased the land and/or the building at approximately 71% of its store locations and owned the land and building at the remaining locations. Monro’s policy is to situate new stores in the best locations, without regard to the form of ownership required to develop the locations.
 
New service and tire stores, (excluding acquired stores and BJ’s locations), have average sales of approximately $384,000 and $1,015,000, respectively, in their first 12 months of operation, or $64,000 and $145,000, respectively, per bay.
 
STORE OPERATIONS
 
Store Format
 
The typical format for a Monro repair store is a free-standing building consisting of a sales area, fully-equipped service bays and a parts/tires storage area. In BJ’s locations, the Company and BJ’s both operate counters in the sales area, while the Company operates the service bay area. Most service bays are equipped with above-ground electric vehicle lifts. Generally, each store is located within 25 miles of a “key” store which carries approximately double the inventory of a typical store and serves as a mini-distribution point for slower moving inventory for other stores in its area. Individual store sizes, number of bays and stocking levels vary greatly, even within the service and tire store groups, and are dependent primarily on the availability of suitable store locations, population, demographics and intensity of competition among other factors (See additional discussion under “Store Additions and Closings”). A summary of average store data for service and tire stores is presented below:
 
                                 
                Average
                Number
    Average
  Average
      of Stock
    Number
  Square
  Average
  Keeping
    of Bays   Feet   Inventory   Units (SKUs)
 
Service stores (excluding BJ’s and ProCare)
    6       4,400     $ 99,000       2,800  
Tire stores (excluding Tire Warehouse)
    7       6,000     $ 137,000       1,500  
 
Data for the acquired ProCare service stores has been excluded because the stores’ stock rooms are smaller than those in typical service stores and therefore, they generally carry less than half the amount of inventory of a typical service store.
 
Data for the acquired Tire Warehouse stores has been excluded because most stores have no indoor service bays. The store building houses a waiting room, storage area and an area to mount and balance tires on the car’s wheels once the wheels and tires have been removed from the car. Removal of old tires and wheels from, and installation of new tires and wheels on, customers’ cars are performed outdoors under a carport.
 
Stores generally are situated in high-visibility locations in suburban areas, major metropolitan areas or small towns and offer easy customer access. The typical store is open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday and from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday. Many locations are also open Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
 
Inventory Control and Management Information System
 
All Company stores communicate daily with the central office and warehouse by computerized inventory control and electronic POS management information systems, which enable the Company to collect sales and operational data on a daily basis, to adjust store pricing to reflect local conditions and to control inventory on a near “real-time” basis. Additionally, each store has access, through the POS system, to the inventory carried by up to the 14 stores or warehouse nearest to it. Management believes that this feature improves customer satisfaction and store productivity by reducing the time required to locate out-of-stock parts and tires. It also improves profitability because it reduces the amount of inventory which must be purchased outside the Company from local vendors.
 
Quality Control and Warranties
 
To maintain quality control, the Company conducts audits to rate its employees’ telephone sales manner and the accuracy of pricing information given.


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The Company has a customer survey program to monitor customer attitudes toward service quality, friendliness, speed of service, and several other factors for each store. Customer concerns are addressed via letter and personal follow-up by customer service and field management personnel.
 
The Company uses a “Double Check for Accuracy Program” as part of its routine store procedures. This quality assurance program requires that a technician and supervisory-level employee (or in certain cases, another technician in tire stores) independently inspect a customer’s vehicle, diagnose and document the necessary repairs, and agree on an estimate before presenting it to a customer. This process is formally documented on the written estimate by store personnel.
 
The Company is an active member of the Motorist Assurance Program (“MAP”). MAP is an organization of automotive retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers which was established as part of an industry-wide effort to address the ethics and business practices of companies in the automotive repair industry. Participating companies commit to improving consumer confidence and trust in the automotive repair industry by adopting “Uniform Inspection Communication Standards” (“UICS”) established by MAP. These “UICS” are available in the Company’s stores and serve to provide consistent recommendations to customers in the diagnosis and repair of a vehicle.
 
Monro offers limited warranties on substantially all of the products and services that it provides. The Company believes that these warranties are competitive with industry practices and serve as a marketing tool to increase repeat business at the stores.
 
Store Personnel and Training
 
The Company supervises store operations primarily through its Divisional Vice Presidents who oversee Zone Managers who, in turn, oversee Market Managers. The typical service store is staffed by a Store Manager and four to six technicians, one of whom serves as the Assistant Manager. The typical tire store, except Tire Warehouse stores, is staffed by a Store Manager, an Assistant Manager and/or Service Manager, and four to eight technicians. Larger volume service and tire stores may also have one or two sales people. The higher staffing level at many tire stores is necessary to support their higher sales volume. Tire Warehouse stores are generally staffed by a Store Manager and two to four technicians, one of whom serves as the Assistant Manager. All Store Managers receive a base salary, and Assistant Managers receive hourly compensation. In addition, Store Managers and Assistant Managers may receive other compensation based on their store’s customer relations, gross profit, labor cost controls, safety, sales volume and other factors via a monthly or quarterly bonus based on performance in these areas.
 
Monro believes that the ability to recruit and retain qualified technicians is an important competitive factor in the automotive repair industry, which has historically experienced a high turnover rate. Monro makes a concerted effort to recruit individuals who will have a long-term commitment to the Company and offers an hourly rate structure and additional compensation based on productivity; a competitive benefits package including health, dental, life and disability insurance; a 401(K)/profit-sharing plan; as well as the opportunity to advance within the Company. Many of the Company’s Managers and Market Managers started with the Company as technicians.
 
Many of the Company’s new technicians join the Company in their early twenties as trainees or apprentices. As they progress, they are promoted to technician and eventually master technician, the latter requiring ASE certification in both brakes and suspension. The Company offers a tool purchase program through which trainee technicians can acquire their own set of tools. The Company also will reimburse technicians for the cost of ASE certification registration fees and test fees and encourages all technicians to become certified by providing a higher hourly wage rate following their certification.
 
The Company’s training program provides multiple training sessions to both store managers and technicians in each store, each year.
 
Management training courses are developed and delivered by the Company’s dedicated training department and Operations management, and are supplemented with live and online vendor training courses. Management training covers customer service, sales, human resources (counseling, recruiting, interviewing, etc.), leadership, scheduling, financial and operational areas, and is delivered on a quarterly basis. The Company believes that


6


 

involving Operations management in the development and delivery of these sessions results in more relevant and actionable training for store managers, and will improve overall performance and staff retention.
 
The Company’s training department develops and coordinates technical training courses on critical areas of automotive repair to Company technicians (e.g. Antilock braking systems (“ABS”) brake repair, drivability, tire pressure monitoring system (“TPMS”), etc.) and also conducts required technical training to maintain compliance with inspection licenses, where applicable, and MAP accreditation. Additionally, the Company’s training department holds periodic in-house technical clinics for store personnel and coordinates technician attendance at technical clinics offered by the Company’s vendors. The Company issues technical bulletins to all stores on innovative or complex repair processes, and maintains a centralized database for technical repair problems. In addition, the Company has established a telephone technical hotline to provide assistance to store personnel in resolving problems encountered while diagnosing and repairing vehicles. The help line is available during all hours of store operation.
 
OPERATING STRATEGY
 
Monro’s operating strategy is to provide its customers with a wide range of dependable, high-quality automotive service at a competitive price by emphasizing the following key elements.
 
Products and Services
 
The typical service or tire store provides a full range of undercar repair services for brakes, steering, mufflers and exhaust systems, drive train, suspension and wheel alignment, as well as tire replacement and service. These services apply to all makes and models of domestic and foreign cars, light trucks and vans. As a percentage of sales, the service stores provide significantly more brake and exhaust service than tire stores, and tire stores provide substantially more tire replacement and related services than service stores.
 
Stores generally provide many of the routine maintenance services (except engine diagnostic), which automobile manufacturers suggest or require in the vehicle owners’ manuals, and which fulfill manufacturers’ requirements for new car warranty compliance. The Company offers “Scheduled Maintenance” services in its stores whereby the aforementioned services are packaged and offered to consumers based upon the year, make, model and mileage of each specific vehicle. Management believes that the Company is able to offer this service in a more convenient and cost competitive fashion than auto dealers can provide.
 
Included in maintenance services are oil change services, heating and cooling system “flush and fill” service, belt installation, fuel system service and a transmission “flush and fill” service. Additionally, most stores replace and service batteries, starters and alternators. Stores in New York, West Virginia, New Hampshire, Maryland, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Virginia and Vermont also perform annual state inspections. Approximately 42% of the Company’s stores also offer air conditioning services.
 
The Company began a program in the third quarter of fiscal year 2007 to increase tire and tire related sales, such as alignments, in its service stores. The goal is to increase the overall sales of these stores by capturing tire and related sales from existing store traffic and eventually drive additional traffic and sales. The program involves increasing the specific sales training of store managers, expanding the tire merchandise selection in these stores, and raising the focus of store advertising in this category. This initiative, which is called “Black Gold”, has now been rolled out to 248 of the Company’s service stores.
 
The format of the Tire Warehouse stores, acquired in fiscal year 2010, is different from Monro’s typical service or tire stores (as described above) in that over 99% of the stores’ sales involve tire services, including the mounting and balancing of tires, and the sale of road hazard warranties, but excluding alignments. The only other service currently provided by these stores is the installation of wiper blades.


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Customer Satisfaction
 
The Company’s vision of being the dominant Auto Service provider in the markets it serves is supported by a set of values displayed in each Company store emphasizing TRUST:
 
  •  Total Customer Satisfaction
 
  •  Respect, Recognize and Reward (employees who are committed to these values)
 
  •  Unparalleled Quality and Integrity
 
  •  Superior Value and
 
  •  Teamwork
 
Additionally, each Company-operated store displays and operates under the following set of customer satisfaction principles: free inspection of brakes, tires, shocks, front end and exhaust systems (as applicable); item-by-item review with customers of problem areas; free written estimates; written guarantees; drive-in service without an appointment; fair and reasonable prices; a 30-day best price guarantee; and repairs by professionally trained undercar and tire specialists. (See additional discussion under “Store Operations: Quality Control and Warranties”.)
 
Competitive Pricing, Advertising and Co-branding Initiatives
 
The Company seeks to set competitive prices for quality services and products. The Company supports its pricing strategy by advertising through direct mail coupon inserts and in-store promotional signage and displays. In addition, the Company advertises through radio, yellow pages, newspapers, service reminders and digital marketing to increase consumer awareness of the services offered. The Company also maintains websites for the Monro, Mr. Tire/Tread Quarters/Autotire and Tire Warehouse brands which allow customers to search for a location, print coupons, make service appointments, search tires for their vehicle and access information and tips on vehicle services offered at the Company’s stores.
 
The Company employs co-branding initiatives to more quickly increase consumer awareness in certain markets. The Company believes that, especially in newer markets, customers may more readily be drawn into its stores because of their familiarity with national brand names. As part of its BJ’s Wholesale Club program, the Company has implemented a series of co-branded initiatives to market the Company’s services to the large number of BJ’s Wholesale Club members where a new Monro store has opened within the BJ’s Wholesale Club service center. Additionally, the Company is promoting the Monro Muffler Brake & Service brand in its Tire Warehouse stores, to encourage Tire Warehouse customers to use Monro stores for their automotive service needs outside of tire replacement.
 
Centralized Control
 
Unlike many of its competitors, the Company operates, rather than franchises, most of its stores (except for the four Tire Warehouse franchises and 14 dealer locations). Monro believes that direct operation of stores enhances its ability to compete by providing centralized control of such areas of operations as service quality, store appearance, promotional activity and pricing. A high level of technical competence is maintained throughout the Company, as Monro requires, as a condition of employment, that employees participate in training programs to keep pace with changes in technology. Additionally, purchasing, distribution, merchandising, advertising, accounting and other store support functions are centralized primarily in the Company’s corporate headquarters in Rochester, New York, and are provided through the Company’s subsidiary, Monro Service Corporation. The centralization of these functions results in efficiencies and gives management the ability to closely monitor and control costs.
 
Comprehensive Training
 
The Company provides ongoing, comprehensive training to its store employees. Monro believes that such training provides a competitive advantage by enabling its technicians to provide quality service to its customers in all areas of undercar repair and tire service. (See additional discussion under “Store Operations: Store Personnel and Training”.)


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PURCHASING AND DISTRIBUTION
 
The Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Monro Service Corporation, selects and purchases tires, parts and supplies for all Company-operated stores on a centralized basis through an automatic replenishment system. Although purchases outside the centralized system (“outside purchases”) are made when needed at the store level, these purchases are low by industry standards, and accounted for approximately 12% of all parts and tires used in fiscal 2010.
 
The Company’s ten largest vendors accounted for approximately 68% of its parts and tire purchases, with the largest vendor accounting for approximately 16% of total stocking purchases in fiscal 2010. The Company purchases parts and tires from approximately 100 vendors. Management believes that the Company’s relationships with vendors are excellent and that alternative sources of supply exist, at comparable cost, for substantially all parts used in the Company’s business. The Company routinely obtains bids from vendors to ensure it is receiving competitive pricing and terms.
 
Most parts are shipped by vendors to the Company’s primary warehouse facility in Rochester, New York, and are distributed to stores through the Company-operated tractor/trailer fleet. Stores are replenished either on a weekly or bi-weekly basis from this warehouse, and such replenishment fills, on the average, 98% of all items ordered by the stores’ automatic POS-driven replenishment system. The Rochester warehouse stocks approximately 7,300 SKUs. The Company also operates warehouses in Maryland, Virginia, Illinois and New Hampshire. These warehouses carry, on average, 4,300, 1,800, 300 and 1,600 SKUs, respectively.
 
The Company has entered into various contracts with parts and tire suppliers, certain of which require the Company to buy up to 100% of its annual purchases of specific products including brakes, exhaust, oil and ride control at market prices. These agreements expire at various dates through January 2013. The Company believes these agreements provide it with high quality, branded merchandise at preferred pricing, along with strong marketing and training support.
 
COMPETITION
 
The Company competes in the retail automotive service industry. This industry is generally highly competitive and fragmented, and the number, size and strength of competitors vary widely from region to region. The Company believes that competition in this industry is based on customer service and reputation, store location, name awareness and price. Monro’s primary competitors include national and regional undercar, tire specialty and general automotive service chains, both franchised and company-operated; car dealerships, mass merchandisers operating service centers; and, to a lesser extent, gas stations, independent garages and internet tire sellers. Monro considers Midas, Inc. and Meineke Discount Mufflers Inc. to be direct competitors. In most of the new markets that the Company has entered, at least one competitor was already present. In identifying new markets, the Company analyzes, among other factors, the intensity of competition. (See “Expansion Strategy” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”.)
 
EMPLOYEES
 
As of March 27, 2010, Monro had 4,926 employees, of whom 4,674 were employed in the field organization, 84 were employed at the warehouses, 151 were employed at the Company’s corporate headquarters and 17 were employed in its Baltimore office. Monro’s employees are not members of any union. The Company believes that its relations with its employees are good.
 
REGULATION
 
The Company stores new oil and recycled antifreeze and generates and/or handles used tires and automotive oils, antifreeze and certain solvents, which are disposed of by licensed third-party contractors. In certain states, as required, the Company also recycles oil filters. Thus, the Company is subject to a number of federal, state and local environmental laws including the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”). In addition, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”), under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”), and various state and local environmental protection agencies regulate


9


 

the Company’s handling and disposal of waste. The EPA, under the Clean Air Act, also regulates the installation of catalytic converters by the Company and all other repair stores by periodically spot checking repair jobs, and has the power to fine businesses that use improper procedures or materials. The EPA has the authority to impose sanctions, including civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation (or up to $25,000 per day for certain willful violations or failures to cooperate with authorities), for violations of RCRA and the Clean Air Act.
 
The Company is subject to various laws and regulations concerning workplace safety, zoning and other matters relating to its business. The Company maintains programs to facilitate compliance with these laws and regulations. The Company believes that it is in substantial compliance with all applicable environmental and other laws and regulations and that the cost of such compliance is not material to the Company.
 
The Company is environmentally conscious, and takes advantage of recycling opportunities both at its headquarters and at its stores. Cardboard, plastic shrink wrap and parts’ cores are returned to the warehouse by the stores on Company stock trucks. There, they are accumulated for sale to recycling companies or returned to parts manufacturers for credit.
 
SEASONALITY
 
Although the Company’s business is not highly seasonal, customers do purchase more undercar service during the period of March through October than the period of November through February, when miles driven tend to be lower. In the tire stores, the better sales months are typically May through August, and October through December. The slowest months are typically January through April and September. As a result, sales and profitability are typically lower during slower sales months.
 
COMPANY INFORMATION AND SEC FILINGS
 
The Company maintains a website at www.monro.com and makes its annual, quarterly and periodic Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings available through the Investor Information section of that website. The Company’s SEC filings are available through this website free of charge, via a direct link to the SEC website at www.sec.gov. The Company’s filings with the SEC are also available to the public at the SEC Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549 or by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.
 
Item 1A.   Risk Factors
 
RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS
 
In addition to the risk factors discussed elsewhere in this annual report, the following are some of the important factors that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward looking statements:
 
We operate in the highly competitive automotive repair industry.
 
The automotive repair industry in which we operate is generally highly competitive and fragmented, and the number, size and strength of our competitors varies widely from region to region. We believe that competition in the industry is based primarily on customer service, reputation, store location, name awareness and price. Our primary competitors include national and regional undercar, tire specialty and general automotive service chains, both franchised and company-operated, car dealerships, mass merchandisers operating service centers and, to a lesser extent, gas stations and independent garages. Some of our competitors have greater financial resources, are more geographically diverse and have better name recognition than we do, which might place us at a competitive disadvantage to those competitors. Because we seek to offer competitive prices, if our competitors reduce prices, we may be forced to reduce our prices, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Further, our success within this industry also depends upon our ability to respond in a timely manner to changes in customer demands for both products and services. We cannot assure that we or any of our stores will be able to compete effectively. If we are unable to compete successfully in new and existing markets, we may not achieve our projected revenue and profitability targets.


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We are subject to seasonality and cycles in the general economy that impact demand for our products and services.
 
Although our business is not highly seasonal, our customers typically purchase more undercar services during the period of March through October than the period of November through February, when miles driven tend to be lower. As a result, our sales and profitability tend to be lower during the latter period. In our tire stores, the slowest months are typically January through April and September. Further, customers may defer or forego vehicle maintenance at any time during periods of inclement weather.
 
The automotive repair industry is subject to fluctuations in the general economy. During a downturn in the economy, customers may defer or forego vehicle maintenance or repair. During periods of good economic conditions, consumers may decide to purchase new vehicles rather than having their older vehicles serviced. Should a significant reduction in the number of miles driven by automobile owners occur, it would likely have an adverse effect on the demand for our products and services. For example, when the retail cost of gasoline increases, the number of miles driven by automobile owners may decrease, which could result in less frequent service intervals and fewer repairs.
 
We depend on our relationships with our vendors.
 
We depend on close relationships with our vendors for parts, tires and supplies and for our ability to purchase products at competitive prices and terms. Our ability to purchase at competitive prices and terms results from the volume of our purchases from these vendors. We have entered into various contracts with parts suppliers that require us to buy from them (at market prices) up to 100% of our annual purchases of specific products including brakes, exhaust, oil and ride control products. These agreements expire at various dates through January 2013. If we fail to purchase sufficient volumes from our vendors, we may obtain parts and supplies on less competitive terms.
 
We believe that alternative sources exist for most of the products we sell or use at our stores, and we would not expect the loss of any one supplier to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. Our dependence on a small number of suppliers, however, subjects us to the risks of shortages and interruptions. If any of our suppliers do not perform adequately or otherwise fail to distribute parts or other supplies to our stores, our inability to replace the suppliers in a timely manner and on acceptable terms could increase our costs and could cause shortages or interruptions that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
Our industry is subject to environmental, consumer protection and other regulation.
 
We are subject to various federal, state and local environmental laws and other governmental regulations regarding the operation of our business. For example, we are subject to rules governing the handling, storage and disposal of hazardous substances contained in some of the products such as motor oil that we sell and use at our stores, the recycling of batteries, tires and used lubricants, and the ownership and operation of real property. These laws and regulations can impose fines and criminal sanctions for violations and require the installation of pollution control equipment or operational changes to decrease the likelihood of accidental hazardous substance releases. Accordingly, we could become subject to material liabilities relating to the investigation and cleanup of contaminated properties, and to claims alleging personal injury or property damage as a result of exposure to, or release of, hazardous substances. In addition, stricter interpretation of existing laws and regulations, new laws and regulations, the discovery of previously unknown contamination or the imposition of new or increased requirements could require us to incur costs or become the basis of new or increased liabilities that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
National automotive repair chains have also been the subject of investigations and reports by consumer protection agencies and the Attorneys General of various states. Publicity in connection with these kinds of investigations could have an adverse effect on our sales and, consequently, our business, financial condition and results of operations. State and local governments have also enacted numerous consumer protection laws with which we must comply.


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The costs of operating our stores may increase if there are changes in laws governing minimum hourly wages, working conditions, overtime, workers’ compensation insurance rates, unemployment tax rates or other laws and regulations. A material increase in these costs that we were unable to offset by increasing our prices or by other means could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
Our business is affected by advances in automotive technology.
 
The demand for our products and services could be adversely affected by continuing developments in automotive technology. Automotive manufacturers are producing cars that last longer and require service and maintenance at less frequent intervals in certain cases. Quality improvement of manufacturers’ original equipment parts has in the past reduced, and may in the future reduce, demand for our products and services, adversely affecting our sales. For example, manufacturers’ use of stainless steel exhaust components has significantly increased the life of those parts, thereby decreasing the demand for exhaust repairs and replacements. Longer and more comprehensive warranty or service programs offered by automobile manufacturers and other third parties also could adversely affect the demand for our products and services. We believe that a majority of new automobile owners have their cars serviced by a dealer during the period that the car is under warranty. In addition, advances in automotive technology continue to require us to incur additional costs to update our diagnostic capabilities and technical training programs.
 
We may not be successful in integrating new and acquired stores.
 
Management believes that our continued growth in sales and profit is dependent, in large part, upon our ability to open/acquire and operate new stores on a profitable basis. In order to do so, we must find reasonably priced new store locations and acquisition candidates that meet our criteria and we must integrate any new stores (opened or acquired) into our system. Our growth and profitability could be adversely affected if we are unable to open or acquire new stores or if new or existing stores do not operate at a sufficient level of profitability. If new stores do not achieve expected levels of profitability, this may adversely impact our ability to remain in compliance with our debt covenants or to make required payments under our credit facility.
 
Store closings result in costs.
 
From time to time, in the ordinary course of our business, we close certain stores, generally based on considerations of store profitability, competition, strategic factors and other considerations. Closing a store could subject us to costs including the write-down of leasehold improvements, equipment, furniture and fixtures. In addition, we could remain liable for future lease obligations.
 
We rely on an adequate supply of skilled field personnel.
 
In order to continue to provide high quality services, we require an adequate supply of skilled field managers and technicians. Trained and experienced automotive field personnel are in high demand, and may be in short supply in some areas. We cannot assure that we will be able to attract, motivate and maintain an adequate skilled workforce necessary to operate our existing and future stores efficiently, or that labor expenses will not increase as a result of a shortage in the supply of skilled field personnel, thereby adversely impacting our financial performance. While the automotive repair industry generally operates with high field employee turnover, any material increases in employee turnover rates in our stores or any widespread employee dissatisfaction could also have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flows from our operations, our liquidity will suffer and we may be unable to satisfy our obligations.
 
We currently rely on cash flow from operations and our revolving credit facility to fund our business. Amounts outstanding on the revolving credit facility are reported as debt on our balance sheet. While we believe that we have the ability to sufficiently fund our planned operations and capital expenditures for the foreseeable future, various risks to our business could result in circumstances that would materially affect our liquidity. For example, cash flows from our operations could be affected by changes in consumer spending habits, the failure to maintain


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favorable vendor payment terms or our inability to successfully implement sales growth initiatives, among other factors. We may be unsuccessful in securing alternative financing when needed on terms that we consider acceptable.
 
In addition, a significant increase in our leverage could have important consequences to an investment in our common stock, including the following risks:
 
  •  our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, store renovations, acquisitions or general corporate purposes may be impaired in the future;
 
  •  our failure to comply with the financial and other restrictive covenants governing our debt, which, among other things, require us to maintain a minimum net worth, comply with certain financial ratios and limit our ability to incur additional debt and sell assets, could result in an event of default that, if not cured or waived, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations; and
 
  •  our exposure to certain financial market risks, including fluctuations in interest rates associated with bank borrowings could become more significant.
 
If we do not perform in accordance with our debt covenants, the institutions providing the funds have the option to withdraw their funding support. We cannot assure that we will remain in compliance with our debt covenants in the future. In addition, our current financing agreement expires in January 2012, and we cannot assure that we will be able to refinance our existing credit facility when it expires.
 
We depend on the services of key executives.
 
Our senior executives are important to our success because they have been instrumental in setting our strategic direction, operating our business, identifying, recruiting and training key personnel, identifying expansion opportunities and arranging necessary financing. Losing the services of any of these individuals could adversely affect our business until a suitable replacement could be found. It may be difficult to replace them quickly with executives of equal experience and capabilities. Although we have employment agreements with selected executives, we can not prevent them from terminating their employment with us. Other executives are not bound by employment agreements with us.
 
Item 1B.   Unresolved Staff Comments
 
None.
 
Item 2.   Properties
 
The Company, through Monro Service Corporation, owns its office/warehouse facility of approximately 95,000 square feet, which is located on 12.7 acres of land in Holleder Technology Park, in Rochester, New York. Monro Service Corporation also owns a second office/warehouse facility of approximately 28,000 square feet, which is located on 11.8 acres of land in Swanzey, New Hampshire. Additionally, the Company leases warehouse space in Maryland, Virginia and Illinois.
 
Of Monro’s 777 Company-operated stores at March 27, 2010, 227 were owned, 429 were leased and for 121, the land only was leased. In general, the Company leases store sites for a ten-year period with several five-year renewal options. Giving effect to all renewal options, approximately 56% of the leases (309 stores) expire after 2020. Certain of the leases provide for contingent rental payments if a percentage of annual gross sales exceeds the base fixed rental amount. The highest contingent percentage rent of any lease is 6.75%, and no such lease has adversely affected profitability of the store subject thereto. An officer of the Company or members of his family are the lessors, or have interests in entities that are the lessors, with respect to six of the leases. No related party leases, other than the six assumed as part of the Mr. Tire Acquisition in March 2004, have been entered into, and no new related party leases are contemplated.
 
As of March 27, 2010, there was $.7 million outstanding under a mortgage held by the City of Rochester, New York, secured by the land on which the headquarters office and warehouse is located.


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Item 3.   Legal Proceedings
 
The Company was the defendant in a lawsuit filed in December 2007, in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, that claimed that the Company violated federal and state laws related to the calculation and payment of overtime to certain headquarters employees. In May 2008, subject to Court approval, the Company and the plaintiffs agreed upon the financial terms of a settlement of all claims in the lawsuit (the “Settlement”). In doing so, the Company did not admit any wrongdoing with respect to the matters involved in the lawsuit. The Company obtained final court approval of the Settlement in March 2009. The Company recorded a reserve for the Settlement, including an estimate of all costs to bring the matter to a close, in the amount of $.9 million in fiscal 2008. This amount was reduced by approximately $.1 million in fiscal 2009 due to lower than anticipated costs to resolve the matter.
 
The Company is not a party or subject to any other legal proceedings other than certain routine claims and lawsuits that arise in the normal course of its business. The Company does not believe that such routine claims or lawsuits, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations.
 
Item 4.   Reserved


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PART II
 
Item 5.   Market for the Company’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters
 
MARKET INFORMATION
 
The Common Stock is traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC under the symbol “MNRO”. The following table sets forth, for the Company’s last two fiscal years, the range of high and low sales prices on the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC for the Common Stock:
 
                                 
    Fiscal 2010     Fiscal 2009  
Quarter Ended
  High     Low     High     Low  
 
June
  $ 29.40     $ 22.70     $ 18.75     $ 15.02  
September
  $ 32.46     $ 23.77     $ 23.88     $ 15.07  
December
  $ 34.85     $ 27.87     $ 24.00     $ 16.50  
March
  $ 37.87     $ 31.15     $ 27.90     $ 21.90  
 
HOLDERS
 
At May 28, 2010, the Company’s Common Stock was held by approximately 4,700 shareholders of record or through nominee or street name accounts with brokers.
 
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
 
As of March 27, 2010, the Company maintained stock option plans under which employees and non-employee directors could be granted common stock options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock. The following table contains information relating to such plans as of March 27, 2010.
 
                         
            Number of Securities
            Remaining Available
            for Future Issuance
    Number of
      Under Equity
    Securities to be
      Compensation Plans
    Issued Upon
  Weighted Average
  (Excluding
    Exercise of
  Exercise Price of
  Securities
    Outstanding
  Outstanding
  Reflected in
    Options
  Options
  Column (a))
Plan Category
  (a)   (b)   (c)
 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
    1,561,632     $ 19.44       126,953  
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
    0       0       0  
                         
Total
    1,561,632     $ 19.44       126,953  
                         
 
DIVIDENDS
 
In May 2008 and 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors declared its intention to pay a regular quarterly cash dividend beginning with the first quarter of fiscal 2009 and 2010, respectively, of $.06 and $.07, respectively. However, the declaration of and any determination as to the payment of future dividends will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, compliance with charter and contractual restrictions, and such other factors as the Board of Directors deems relevant. The terms of the Company’s Credit Facility permit the payment of cash dividends not to exceed 25% of the preceding year’s net income.
 
In April 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors increased the quarterly dividend from $.07 to $.09 per common share or common share equivalent beginning with the dividend to be paid in June 2010.


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PERFORMANCE GRAPH
 
Set forth below is a line-graph presentation comparing the cumulative shareholder return on the Company’s Common Stock, on an indexed basis, against the cumulative total returns of the S & P Industrials and the S & P Retail Stores-Specialty Index for the sixty month period from March 26, 2005 to March 27, 2010 (March 26, 2005 = 100):
 
COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
AMONG MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC., THE S & P INDUSTRIALS INDEX
AND THE S & P SPECIALTY STORES INDEX
 
(PERFORMANCE GRAPH)
 
  $100 invested on 3/31/05 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends. Fiscal year ending March 31.  
 
   Copyright© 2010 S & P, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved.
 
                                                             
      3/05     3/06     3/07     3/08     3/09     3/10
Monro Muffler Brake, Inc. 
      100.00         144.63         137.71         100.51         164.71         217.60  
S & P Industrials
      100.00         111.30         119.08         126.76         62.73         108.41  
S & P Specialty Stores
      100.00         131.53         141.26         96.88         64.01         100.77  
                                                             


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Item 6.   Selected Financial Data
 
The following table sets forth selected financial and operating data of the Company for each year in the five-year period ended March 27, 2010. The financial data and certain operating data have been derived from the Company’s audited financial statements. This data should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes included under Item 8 of this report and in conjunction with other financial information included elsewhere in this Form 10-K.
 
                                         
    Year Ended Fiscal March  
    2010     2009     2008     2007     2006  
    (Amounts in thousands, except per share data)  
 
Income Statement Data:
                                       
Sales
  $ 564,639     $ 476,106     $ 439,389     $ 417,226     $ 368,727  
Cost of sales, including distribution and occupancy costs
    333,465       284,640       264,783       250,804       220,915  
                                         
Gross profit
    231,174       191,466       174,606       166,422       147,812  
Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses
    169,896       148,374       137,338       126,660       108,030  
Intangible amortization
    894       490       564       1,051       925  
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets
    1,148       (1,061 )     (1,670 )     (2,846 )     (973 )
                                         
Total operating expenses
    171,938       147,803       136,232       124,865       107,982  
                                         
Operating income
    59,236       43,663       38,374       41,557       39,830  
Interest expense, net
    6,090       5,979       5,753       4,564       3,478  
Other (income) expense, net
    (279 )     (430 )     (799 )     2,529       (454 )
                                         
Income before provision for income taxes
    53,425       38,114       33,420       34,464       36,806  
Provision for income taxes
    20,234       14,026       11,499       12,193       14,140  
                                         
Net income
  $ 33,191     $ 24,088     $ 21,921     $ 22,271     $ 22,666  
                                         
Earnings per share Basic(a)
  $ 1.68     $ 1.27     $ 1.08     $ 1.07     $ 1.12  
                                         
  Diluted(a)
  $ 1.61     $ 1.20     $ 1.00     $ .97     $ 1.01  
                                         
                                         
Weighted average number of Common Stock and equivalents
                                       
  Basic(b)
    19,672       18,837       20,024       20,818       20,296  
                                         
  Diluted(b)
    20,652       20,099       21,871       22,878       22,533  
                                         
Cash dividends per common share or common share equivalent(b)(c)
  $ .34     $ .24     $ .23     $ .17     $ .10  
Selected Operating Data:(d)
                                       
Sales growth:
                                       
Total
    18.6 %     8.4 %     5.3 %     13.2 %     9.3 %
Comparable store(e)
    7.2 %     6.7 %     1.2 %     3.2 %     1.7 %
Stores open at beginning of year
    710       720       698       625       626  
Stores open at end of year
    777       710       720       698       625  
Capital expenditures(f)
  $ 21,333     $ 23,637     $ 20,574     $ 22,319     $ 16,005  
Balance Sheet Data (at period end):
                                       
Net working capital
  $ 24,715     $ 30,389     $ 34,562     $ 29,338     $ 31,949  
Total assets
    444,143       376,866       370,469       339,758       303,395  
Long-term obligations
    96,427       97,098       122,585       52,525       46,327  
Shareholders’ equity
    232,670       194,291       174,848       215,119       192,990  
 
 
(a) See Note 10 for calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share.
 
(b) Adjusted in fiscal year 2006 – 2007 for the effect of the Company’s October 2007 three-for-two stock split.


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(c) All years include four dividend payments other than fiscal year 2006 which has three payments and fiscal year 2010 which has five payments/accruals due to timing.
 
(d) Includes Company-operated stores only — no dealer or franchise locations.
 
(e) Comparable store sales data is calculated based on the change in sales of only those stores open as of the beginning of the preceding fiscal year.
 
(f) Amount does not include the funding of the purchase price related to acquisitions.
 
Item 7.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
The following table sets forth income statement data of the Company expressed as a percentage of sales for the fiscal years indicated:
 
                         
    Year Ended Fiscal March  
    2010     2009     2008  
 
Sales
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
Cost of sales, including distribution and occupancy costs
    59.1       59.8       60.3  
                         
Gross profit
    40.9       40.2       39.7  
                         
Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses
    30.1       31.2       31.3  
Intangible amortization
    .2       .1       .1  
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets
    .2       (.2 )     (.4 )
                         
Total operating expenses
    30.5       31.1       31.0  
                         
Operating income
    10.5       9.2       8.7  
Interest expense, net
    1.1       1.3       1.3  
Other income, net
          (.1 )     (.2 )
                         
Income before provision for income taxes
    9.5       8.0       7.6  
Provision for income taxes
    3.6       2.9       2.6  
                         
Net income
    5.9 %     5.1 %     5.0 %
                         
 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
The statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K that are not historical facts, including (without limitation) statements made in this Item and in “Item 1 — Business”, may contain statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements made pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed. These factors include, but are not necessarily limited to, product demand, dependence on and competition within the primary markets in which the Company’s stores are located, the need for and costs associated with store renovations and other capital expenditures, the effect of economic conditions, the impact of competitive services and pricing, product development, parts supply restraints or difficulties, industry regulation, risks relating to leverage and debt service (including sensitivity to fluctuations in interest rates), continued availability of capital resources and financing, risks relating to integration of acquired businesses, the risks set forth in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and other factors set forth or incorporated elsewhere herein and in the Company’s other SEC filings. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company.
 
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
The Company believes that the accounting policies listed below are those that are most critical to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations, and that required management’s most difficult, subjective and complex judgments in estimating the effect of inherent uncertainties. This section should be read in


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conjunction with Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements which includes other significant accounting policies.
 
Inventory
 
The Company evaluates whether inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market based on historical experience with the carrying value and life of inventory. The assumptions used in this evaluation are based on current market conditions and the Company believes inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market in the consolidated financial statements. In addition, historically the Company has been able to return excess items to vendors for credit or sell such inventory to wholesalers. Future changes by vendors in their policies or willingness to accept returns of excess inventory could require a revision in the estimates.
 
Carrying Values of Goodwill and Long-Lived Assets
 
The Company has a history of growth through acquisitions. Assets and liabilities of acquired businesses are recorded at their estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition. Goodwill represents costs in excess of fair values assigned to the underlying net assets of acquired businesses. Other intangible assets primarily represent allocations of purchase price to identifiable intangible assets of acquired businesses. The carrying values of goodwill, customer list and trade name assets are subject to annual impairment reviews in accordance with accounting guidance on goodwill and other intangible assets, which the Company typically performs in the third quarter of the fiscal year. Impairment reviews may also be triggered by any significant events or changes in circumstances affecting the Company’s business.
 
The Company has one reporting unit. The goodwill impairment test consists of a two-step process, if necessary. The first step is to compare the fair value of the Company’s invested capital to the book value of its invested capital. If the fair value is less than its carrying value, the second step of the impairment test must be performed in order to determine the amount of impairment loss, if any. The second step compares the implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment charge is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. The loss recognized cannot exceed the carrying amount of goodwill.
 
A deterioration of macroeconomic conditions may not only negatively impact the estimated operating cash flows used in the Company’s cash flow models, but may also negatively impact other assumptions used in the Company’s analyses, including, but not limited to, the estimated cost of capital and/or discount rates. Additionally, as discussed above, in accordance with accounting guidance, the Company is required to ensure that assumptions used to determine fair value in the Company’s analyses are consistent with the assumptions a hypothetical marketplace participant would use. As a result, the cost of capital and/or discount rates used in the Company’s analyses may increase or decrease based on market conditions and trends, regardless of whether the Company’s actual cost of capital has changed. Therefore, the Company may recognize an impairment of an intangible asset or assets even though realized actual cash flows are approximately equal to or greater than its previously forecasted amounts.
 
Self-Insurance Reserves
 
The Company is largely self-insured with respect to workers’ compensation, general liability and employee medical claims. In order to reduce its risk and better manage its overall loss exposure, the Company purchases stop-loss insurance that covers individual claims in excess of the deductible amounts. The Company maintains an accrual for the estimated cost to settle open claims as well as an estimate of the cost of claims that have been incurred but not reported. These estimates take into consideration the historical average claim volume, the average cost for settled claims, current trends in claim costs, changes in the Company’s business and workforce, and general economic factors. These accruals are reviewed on a quarterly basis, or more frequently if factors dictate a more frequent review is warranted. For more complex reserve calculations, such as workers compensation, the Company uses the services of an actuary on an annual basis to assist in determining the required reserve for open claims.


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Stock-Based Compensation
 
The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model that uses the following assumptions. Expected volatilities are based on historical changes in the market price of the Company’s common stock. The expected term of options granted is derived from the terms and conditions of the award, as well as historical exercise behavior, and represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free rate is calculated using the implied yield on zero-coupon U.S. Treasury bonds with a remaining maturity equal to the expected term of the awards. The Company uses historical data to estimate forfeitures. The dividend yield is based on historical experience and expected future changes.
 
Income Taxes
 
The Company’s provision for income taxes and effective tax rates are calculated by legal entity and jurisdiction and are based on a number of factors, including the Company’s income, tax planning strategies, differences between tax laws and accounting rules, statutory tax rates and credits, uncertain tax positions and valuation allowances. The Company uses significant judgment and estimates in evaluating its tax positions.
 
Tax law and accounting rules often differ as to the timing and treatment of certain items of income and expense. As a result, the tax rate reflected in the Company’s tax return (the current or cash tax rate) is different from the tax rate reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. Some of the differences are permanent, while other differences are temporary as they reverse over time. The Company records deferred tax assets and liabilities for any temporary differences between the tax reflected in the Company Consolidated Financial Statements and tax bases. The Company establishes valuation allowances when it believes it is more-likely-than-not that some portion of its deferred tax assets will not be realized.
 
At any one time, the Company’s tax returns for several tax years are subject to examination by U.S. Federal and state taxing jurisdictions. The Company establishes tax liabilities in accordance with the accounting guidance on income taxes. The accounting guidance clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attributes of income tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return. Under the accounting guidance, the impact of an uncertain tax position taken or expected to be taken on an income tax return must be recognized in the financial statements at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized in the financial statements unless it is more-likely-than-not to be sustained. The Company adjusts these tax liabilities, as well as the related interest and penalties, based on the latest facts and circumstances, including recently published rulings, court cases and outcomes of tax audits. To the extent the Company’s actual tax liability differs from its established tax liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits, the Company’s effective tax rate may be materially impacted. While it is often difficult to predict the final outcome of, the timing of, or the tax treatment of any particular tax position or deduction, the Company believes that its tax balances reflect the more-likely-than-not outcome of known tax contingencies.
 
Derivative Financial Instruments
 
The guidance on derivatives and hedging instruments requires the Company to recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet and measure those instruments at fair value. The Company recognizes the fair value of all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet and changes in the fair value of such instruments are recognized immediately in earnings unless certain accounting criteria established by the guidance are met. These criteria demonstrate that the derivative is expected to be highly effective at offsetting changes in the fair value or expected cash flows of the underlying exposure at both the inception of the hedging relationship and on an ongoing basis and include an evaluation of the counterparty risk and the impact, if any, on the effectiveness of the derivative. If these criteria are met, which the Company must document and assess at inception and on an ongoing basis, the Company recognizes the changes in fair value of such instruments in accumulated other comprehensive income, a component of shareholders’ equity on the consolidated balance sheet. Changes in the fair value of the ineffective portion of all derivatives are recognized immediately in earnings.


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The Company primarily employs derivative financial instruments to manage its exposure to market risk from interest rate changes and to limit the volatility and impact of interest rate changes on earnings and cash flows.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Fiscal 2010 As Compared To Fiscal 2009
 
Sales for fiscal 2010 increased $88.5 million or 18.6% to $564.6 million as compared to $476.1 million in fiscal 2009. The increase was partially due to a comparable store sales increase of 7.2%. The former Craven and Valley Forge stores acquired in July 2007 and the former Broad Elm stores acquired in January 2008 are now included in comparable store sales numbers. Additionally, there was an increase of $64.0 million related to new stores, of which $58.5 million came from the FY 2010 Acquisitions. Partially offsetting this was a decrease in sales from closed stores amounting to $7.6 million. There were 306 selling days in both fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2009. Selling days are defined as days other than Sundays and certain national holidays, though a significant number of the Company’s stores may be open on such days.
 
During the year, 79 stores were added and 12 were closed. At March 27, 2010, the Company had 777 stores in operation.
 
Management believes that the improvement in comparable store sales resulted from several factors, including an increase in exhaust sales, brake sales, tire sales and maintenance services. It is management’s belief that strong in-store sales execution, highly effective advertising campaigns and price increases in several product categories also contributed to the sales improvement. Comparable store traffic increased over the prior year as well. Soft economic conditions and the related decrease in consumer spending and tightening of credit, resulting in declining automobile sales (as compared to historical levels), helped to contribute to the improved sales. Management believes that consumers are keeping their cars longer and repairing them instead of trading them in for new cars. Additionally, while consumers can and often defer repairs when the economy is weak, most repairs can only be deferred for a period of time. When customers do come in to have their vehicles repaired, it is management’s belief that they spend more on average because the problem with their vehicle has worsened due to additional wear.
 
Management also believes that the recent closings of dealerships by Chrysler and General Motors are driving more business to the Company’s stores as consumers look for alternative, proven, economical and more geographically convenient locations to service their automobiles.
 
Gross profit for fiscal 2010 was $231.2 million or 40.9% of sales as compared with $191.5 million or 40.2% of sales for fiscal 2009. The increase in gross profit for the year ended March 27, 2010, as a percentage of sales, is due to several factors. There was a decrease in labor costs as a percent of sales due partially to a continued shift in mix to tire sales and improved labor productivity.
 
Distribution and occupancy costs decreased as a percentage of sales from the prior year as the Company, with improved sales, was able to better leverage largely fixed costs.
 
Total material costs, including outside purchases, increased as a percentage of sales as compared to the prior fiscal year. This was due to margin pressure caused by a shift in mix to the lower margin categories of tires and maintenance services from the higher margin categories of brakes and exhaust. The fiscal year 2010 Acquisitions, which were all tire stores, have resulted in a more pronounced shift in mix this year. Partially offsetting this were the sale of lower cost import tires, a decrease in the material cost of oil as well as selling price increases.
 
Operating expenses for fiscal 2010 were $171.9 million or 30.5% of sales compared with $147.8 million or 31.1% of sales for fiscal 2009. Within operating expenses, selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses for fiscal 2010 increased by $21.5 million to $169.9 million from fiscal 2009, and were 30.1% of sales, compared with 31.2% in the prior year. Over $12.0 million of the increase in operating expense is directly attributed to the acquired stores’ operating expenses.
 
The largest drivers of the dollar increases in SG&A expenses in fiscal 2010 in both store direct and store support costs (excluding the $12.0 million described above) were as follows: Store manager pay and related benefits increased by approximately $4.9 million, attributable to raises and increased incentives in fiscal 2010 due to improved store performance as compared to the prior year. Store support costs increased by approximately


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$5.4 million including increased management compensation expense as compared to the prior year. Management bonus expense was up due to the Company attaining higher profit goals for fiscal 2010 and thus earning higher bonuses. In addition, benefits expense increased due to an increase in FICA expense related to higher wages paid, as well as increased workers compensation costs.
 
Loss on disposal of assets for fiscal 2010 increased $2.2 million from a gain of $1.1 million for fiscal 2009, to a loss of $1.1 million for fiscal 2010. The increase is due to the closure of underperforming stores as well as the timing of, proceeds from and number of sales of property in one year compared to another.
 
Operating income in fiscal 2010 of $59.2 million increased 35.7% compared to operating income in fiscal 2009, and increased as a percentage of sales from 9.2% to 10.5%.
 
Net interest expense for fiscal 2010 increased by approximately $.1 million as compared to the same period in the prior year, and decreased from 1.3% to 1.1% as a percentage of sales for the same periods. The weighted average debt outstanding for the year ended March 27, 2010 increased by approximately $2.7 million from fiscal 2009, primarily related to additional capital leases recorded with the FY 2010 acquisitions. This was offset by a decrease in debt outstanding under the Company’s Revolving Credit Facility agreement. The weighted average interest rate remained flat compared to the prior year.
 
The Company’s effective tax rate was 37.9% and 36.8%, respectively, of pre-tax income in fiscal 2010 and 2009. The difference in rate relates to the accounting for uncertain tax positions which may vary from year to year.
 
Net income for fiscal 2010 increased by $9.1 million, or 37.8%, from $24.1 million in fiscal 2009, to $33.2 million in fiscal 2010, and earnings per diluted share increased by 34.2% from $1.20 to $1.61 due to the factors discussed above.
 
Fiscal 2009 As Compared To Fiscal 2008
 
Sales for fiscal 2009 increased $36.7 million or 8.4% to $476.1 million as compared to $439.4 million in fiscal 2008. The increase was partially due to an increase of approximately $16.0 million from new stores (which are defined as stores added since March 31, 2007). The former ProCare stores acquired in April 2006 are now included in comparable store sales numbers. The 26 former Craven, Valley Forge and Broad Elm stores acquired in fiscal 2008 contributed $12.6 million of the increase. Comparable store sales increased 6.7%. Partially offsetting this was a decrease in sales from closed stores amounting to $4.1 million. There were 306 selling days in fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008.
 
During the year, three stores were added and 13 were closed. At March 28, 2009, the Company had 710 stores in operation.
 
As occurred in previous years, the Company completed the bulk sale of approximately $1.6 million of slower moving inventory to Icon International, a barter company, in exchange for barter credits. The margin recognized in these transactions is typically less than the Company’s normal profit margin. However, the barter transactions that occurred in fiscal 2009 had no impact on gross margin due to the smaller size of the transaction.
 
The Company has demonstrated its ability to consistently use the barter credits. Since it began doing barter transactions in the late 1990’s, the Company has used over $8.4 million of credits with vendors and the barter company. Barter credits are recorded at their net realizable value.
 
Additionally, the Company continued to reward store employees with pay programs focused on high customer service scores. Management believes that, in spite of the sluggish economic environment, it is continuing to build the trust of its customers, through quality, integrity and fair pricing, and is gaining an advantage over some of its competitors.
 
The new ProCare stores acquired on April 29, 2006 were purchased out of bankruptcy. These stores suffered significant declines in recent years and did not perform at a profitable level in fiscal 2008. However, sales have improved and continue to improve since the acquisition, and efforts continue which focus on increasing sales volumes, reducing costs and improving margins. As a result, these stores made approximately $.03 per share in fiscal 2009, as compared to a loss of approximately $.04 per share in fiscal 2008. Comparable store sales for the ProCare stores in fiscal 2009 increased 10.1%. Gross profit improved by 130 basis points and $1.8 million.


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Operating income improved by 380 basis points and $1.7 million. Additionally, pretax income increased by $2.1 million to a pre-tax profit of $.8 million, as compared to a pre-tax loss of $1.2 million in the prior fiscal year.
 
For the Company, gross profit for fiscal 2009 was $191.5 million or 40.2% of sales as compared with $174.6 million or 39.7% of sales for fiscal 2008. The increase in gross profit for the year ended March 28, 2009, as a percentage of sales, is due to several factors. There was a decrease in labor costs as a percent of sales due partially to a shift in mix to tire sales as well as an improvement in technician productivity chainwide, especially in the tire stores, achieved through right-sizing of crews. When sales improve, and with good control over technician hours, there is less subsidized or guaranteed wages because technicians are more productive, thereby decreasing technician labor as a percent of sales. Additionally, sales per man hour increased in fiscal year 2009 for the sixth consecutive year.
 
Distribution and occupancy costs as a percentage of sales in fiscal 2009 also decreased as compared to fiscal 2008 as the Company, with improved sales, was able to better leverage these largely fixed costs. Additionally, expenditures for building maintenance in fiscal 2009 were slightly less than the prior year.
 
Partially offsetting these cost decreases was an increase in total material costs due to cost increases in oil and tires, as well as a shift in mix from the higher margin categories of brakes, shocks and exhaust to the lower margin categories of tires and maintenance services. Selling price increases helped to mitigate the negative impact of these increases in product costs.
 
Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses for fiscal 2009 increased by $11.0 million to $148.4 million from fiscal 2008, and were 31.2% of sales as compared to 31.3% in the prior year.
 
The largest drivers of the dollar increases in SG&A expenses in fiscal 2009 in both store direct and store support costs were as follows: Store manager pay and related benefits increased by approximately $3.8 million for comparable stores, attributable to raises and increased incentives in fiscal 2009 due to improved store performance as compared to the prior year. There was an additional $1.9 million of increased expense related to a full year of Craven, Valley Forge and Broad Elm manager salary and benefits, including increased incentive pay for improved performance in those stores. Advertising expense increased approximately $2.5 million in connection with the Company’s focused efforts to drive traffic, gain market share and improve comparable store sales.
 
Store support costs increased by approximately $2.4 million including increased management compensation expense as compared to the prior year. Management bonus expense was up due to the Company attaining required profit goals for fiscal 2009, which it did not attain in fiscal 2008. Benefits expense was up primarily due to increased FICA expense related to higher wages paid, as well as increased workers compensation costs.
 
Gain on disposal of assets for fiscal 2009 decreased $.6 million to $1.1 million from fiscal 2008, and was .2 as a percent of sales as compared to .4 as a percent of sales in the prior year. This decrease is strictly a function of lower gains on property disposals in fiscal 2009 as compared to fiscal 2008. Effectively, the Company sells one or more properties annually, but there will be differences in the timing from one year to the next.
 
Operating income in fiscal 2009 of $43.7 million increased 13.8% compared to operating income in fiscal 2008, and increased as a percentage of sales from 8.7% to 9.2%.
 
Net interest expense for fiscal 2009 increased by approximately $.2 million as compared to the same period in the prior year, and remained flat at 1.3% as a percentage of sales. The weighted average debt outstanding for the year ended March 28, 2009 increased by approximately $26 million from fiscal 2008, primarily related to the funding of the Valley Forge, Craven and Broad Elm acquisitions and the funding of the Company’s stock repurchase program which all occurred in fiscal year 2008. However, the weighted average interest rate decreased by approximately 170 basis points from the prior year. This decrease is primarily due to a decrease in the LIBOR and prime bank borrowing rates.
 
The Company’s effective tax rate was 36.8% and 34.4%, respectively, of pre-tax income in fiscal 2009 and 2008. In fiscal 2008, income tax expense was reduced by $.9 million related to the resolution of federal and state tax accounting matters. Offsetting this was a $.2 million charge resulting from a reduction in the Company’s state income tax rate used to calculate deferred taxes. The Company’s previously recorded deferred tax assets were reduced, with a corresponding increase in income tax expense. These items had the net effect of lowering the Company’s tax rate by 1.9%.


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Net income for fiscal 2009 increased by $2.2 million, or 9.9%, from $21.9 million in fiscal 2008, to $24.1 million in fiscal 2009, and earnings per diluted share increased by 20.0% from $1.00 to $1.20 due to the factors discussed.
 
CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY
 
Capital Resources
 
The Company’s primary capital requirements for fiscal 2010 were divided among the funding of acquisitions for $46.1 million, as well as the upgrading of facilities and systems and funding of its store expansion program totaling $21.3 million. In fiscal 2009, the Company’s primary capital requirements were the upgrading of facilities and systems and the funding of its store expansion program totaling $23.6 million. Additionally, in 2010 and 2009, the Company spent approximately $7.5 million and $9.6 million, respectively, to acquire 24 properties previously leased. (This amount is included in the aforementioned capital expenditures amounts.) In both fiscal years 2010 and 2009, these capital requirements were primarily met by cash flow from operations.
 
In fiscal 2011, the Company intends to open approximately five new stores. Total capital required to open a new service store ranges, on average (based upon the last five fiscal years’ openings — excluding the acquired stores and BJ’s locations), from $300,000 to $900,000 depending on whether the store is leased, owned or land leased. Total capital required to open a new greenfield tire (leased) location costs, on average, approximately $600,000 including $220,000 for equipment and $140,000 for inventory.
 
The Company paid dividends of $5.4 million in fiscal 2010. In April 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors declared its intention to pay a regular quarterly cash dividend of $.09 per common share or common share equivalent beginning with the first quarter of fiscal year 2011.
 
On March 28, 2010, the Company acquired five retail tire and automotive repair stores located in Pittsburgh, PA from Import Export Tire, Co. The purchase price was approximately $6 million and was funded primarily through the Company’s existing line of credit.
 
The Company also plans to continue to seek suitable acquisition candidates. Management believes that the Company has sufficient resources available (including cash flow from operations and bank financing) to expand its business as currently planned for the next several years.
 
Contractual Obligations
 
Payments due by period under long-term debt, other financing instruments and commitments are as follows:
 
                                         
          Within
    Within 2 to
    Within 4 to
    After
 
    Total     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     5 Years  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Long-term debt
  $ 52,660     $ 0     $ 52,000     $ 660     $ 0  
Capital lease commitments
    46,700       2,933       6,378       7,078       30,311  
Operating lease commitments
    109,605       25,017       41,156       24,139       19,293  
Purchase obligations(1)
    39,293       39,293       0       0       0  
                                         
Total
  $ 248,258     $ 67,243     $ 99,534     $ 31,877     $ 49,604  
                                         
 
 
(1) This represents obligations for purchases of inventory.
 
In July 2005, the Company entered into a five-year, $125 million Revolving Credit Facility agreement with five banks. A sixth bank was added in June 2008. Interest only is payable monthly throughout the Credit Facility’s term. The facility included a provision allowing the Company to expand the amount of the overall facility to $160 million. Amendments in January 2007 and June 2008 were made to these amounts which increased the overall facility to $200 million. Currently, the committed sum is $163.3 million and the accordion feature is $36.7 million. There was $52 million outstanding at March 27, 2010. The facility expires in January 2012.
 
The terms of the Credit Facility permit the payment of cash dividends not to exceed 25% of the preceding year’s net income, and allow stock buybacks subject to the Company being able to meet its existing financial


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covenants. The agreement requires the maintenance of specified interest and rent coverage ratios and amounts of net worth. The Company is in compliance with these requirements at March 27, 2010, and does not foresee a risk of being out of compliance for the foreseeable future. These agreements permit mortgages and specific lease financing arrangements with other parties with certain limitations.
 
The Credit Facility is not secured by the Company’s real property, although the Company has agreed not to encumber its real property, with certain permissible exceptions.
 
Within the aforementioned $163.3 million Revolving Credit Facility, the Company has available a sub-facility of $20 million for the purpose of issuing standby letters of credit. The line requires fees aggregating .88% annually of the face amount of each standby letter of credit, payable quarterly in arrears. There were $15.3 million in outstanding letters of credit under this line at March 27, 2010.
 
In addition, the Company has financed certain store properties and vehicles with capital leases, which amount to $46.7 million and are due in installments through 2039.
 
The Company enters into interest rate hedge agreements, which involve the exchange of fixed and floating rate interest payments periodically over the life of the agreement without the exchange of the underlying principal amounts. The differential to be paid or received is accrued as interest rates change and is recognized over the life of the agreements as an offsetting adjustment to interest expense. The Company entered into three $10 million interest rate swap agreements in July 2008 which expire in July 2010.
 
The purpose of these agreements is to limit the interest rate exposure in the Company’s floating rate debt. Fixed rates under these agreements range from 3.27% to 3.29%.
 
INFLATION
 
The Company does not believe its operations have been materially affected by inflation. The Company has been successful, in many cases, in mitigating the effects of merchandise cost increases principally through the use of volume discounts and alternative vendors, as well as selling price increases. See additional discussion under Risk Factors.
 
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
 
See “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the impact of recently issued accounting standards on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of March 27, 2010 and for the year then ended, as well as the expected impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements for future periods.
 
Item 7A.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
 
The Company is exposed to market risk from potential changes in interest rates. At year end March 2010 and 2009, approximately 58% and 47%, respectively, of the Company’s long-term debt, excluding capital leases, was at fixed interest rates and therefore, the fair value is affected by changes in market interest rates. The Company’s cash flow exposure on floating rate debt, which is not supported by interest rate swap agreements, would result in interest expense fluctuating approximately $.2 million based upon the Company’s debt position at fiscal year ended March 27, 2010 and $.4 million for fiscal year ended March 28, 2009, given a 1% change in LIBOR.
 
The Company regularly evaluates these risks and has entered into three interest rate swap agreements, expiring in July 2010, with an aggregate notional amount of $30.0 million. These agreements limit the interest rate exposure on the Company’s floating rate debt, related specifically to the Revolving Credit Facility, via the exchange of fixed and floating rate interest payments periodically over the life of the agreements without the exchange of the underlying principal amount. The fixed rates paid by the Company under these agreements range from 3.27% to 3.29%.
 
The Company believes the amount of risk and the use of derivative financial instruments described above are not material to the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
 
Long-term debt, including current portion, had a carrying amount of $52.7 million and a fair value of $52.6 million as of March 27, 2010, as compared to a carrying amount of $65.7 million and a fair value of $65.6 million as of March 28, 2009.


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Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
 
         
    Page
 
    27  
Audited Financial Statements:
       
    28  
    29  
    30  
    31  
    32  
    61  


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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Monro Muffler Brake, Inc.:
 
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Monro Muffler Brake, Inc. and its subsidiaries at March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 27, 2010 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 27, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
 
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
/s/  PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
 
Rochester, New York
June 10, 2010


27


 

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
 
                 
    March 27,
    March 28,
 
    2010     2009  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
ASSETS
Current assets:
               
Cash and equivalents
  $ 11,180     $ 3,336  
Trade receivables
    1,922       2,051  
Federal and state income taxes receivable
            1,268  
Inventories
    85,817       71,443  
Deferred income tax asset
    7,800       4,076  
Other current assets
    17,373       19,655  
                 
Total current assets
    124,092       101,829  
                 
Property, plant and equipment
    386,238       353,113  
Less − Accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (183,492 )     (168,052 )
                 
Net property, plant and equipment
    202,746       185,061  
Goodwill
    90,372       71,816  
Intangible assets
    13,888       4,400  
Other non-current assets
    13,045       12,001  
Deferred income tax asset
            1,759  
                 
Total assets
  $ 444,143     $ 376,866  
                 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
               
Current portion of long-term debt
  $ 2,933     $ 1,696  
Trade payables
    43,229       34,751  
Federal and state income taxes payable
    4,169          
Accrued payroll, payroll taxes and other payroll benefits
    16,730       13,534  
Accrued insurance
    15,595       9,610  
Warranty reserves
    5,510       4,569  
Other current liabilities
    11,211       7,280  
                 
Total current liabilities
    99,377       71,440  
Long-term debt
    96,427       97,098  
Accrued rent expense
    6,473       6,552  
Other long-term liabilities
    4,551       4,350  
Deferred income tax liability
    560          
Long-term income taxes payable
    4,085       3,135  
                 
Total liabilities
    211,473       182,575  
                 
Commitments
               
Shareholders’ equity:
               
Class C Convertible Preferred Stock, $1.50 par value, $.096 conversion value, 150,000 shares authorized; 32,500 shares issued and outstanding
    49       49  
Common Stock, $.01 par value, 45,000,000 shares authorized; 23,646,460 and 22,999,313 shares issued at March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009, respectively
    236       230  
Treasury Stock, 3,682,429 and 3,580,829 shares at March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009, respectively, at cost
    (70,590 )     (67,454 )
Additional paid-in capital
    88,377       74,443  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (2,237 )     (3,485 )
Retained earnings
    216,835       190,508  
                 
Total shareholders’ equity
    232,670       194,291  
                 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 444,143     $ 376,866  
                 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


28


 

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
 
                         
    Year Ended Fiscal March  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (Amounts in thousands,
 
    except per share data)  
 
Sales
  $ 564,639     $ 476,106     $ 439,389  
Cost of sales, including distribution and occupancy costs
    333,465       284,640       264,783  
                         
Gross profit
    231,174       191,466       174,606  
Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses
    169,896       148,374       137,338  
Intangible amortization
    894       490       564  
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets
    1,148       (1,061 )     (1,670 )
                         
Total operating expenses
    171,938       147,803       136,232  
                         
Operating income
    59,236       43,663       38,374  
Interest expense, net of interest income of $68 in 2010, $32 in 2009 and $43 in 2008
    6,090       5,979       5,753  
Other income, net
    (279 )     (430 )     (799 )
                         
Income before provision for income taxes
    53,425       38,114       33,420  
Provision for income taxes
    20,234       14,026       11,499  
                         
Net income
  $ 33,191     $ 24,088     $ 21,921  
                         
Earnings per share:
                       
Basic
  $ 1.68     $ 1.27     $ 1.08  
                         
Diluted
  $ 1.61     $ 1.20     $ 1.00  
                         
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding used in computing earnings per share:
                       
Basic
    19,672       18,837       20,024  
                         
Diluted
    20,652       20,099       21,871  
                         
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


29


 

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
                                                         
    Class C
                            Accumulated
       
    Convertible
                Additional
          Other
       
    Preferred
    Common
    Treasury
    Paid-In
    Retained
    Comprehensive
       
 
  Stock     Stock     Stock     Capital     Earnings     Income     Total  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Balance at March 31, 2007
  $ 97     $ 143     $ (2,143 )   $ 62,866     $ 155,634     $ (1,478 )   $ 215,119  
Net income
                                    21,921               21,921  
Other comprehensive income:
                                                       
Pension liability adjustment ($493 pre-tax)(1)
                                            296       296  
                                                         
Total comprehensive income
                                                    22,217  
Dividends:
                                                       
Preferred ($.23 per CSE)(3)
                                    (230 )             (230 )
Common ($.23 per share)
                                    (4,570 )             (4,570 )
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options
                            587                       587  
Exercise of stock options
            2               1,542                       1,544  
Shares issued in connection with three-for-two stock split (See Note 1)
            72                       (72 )             0  
Stock option compensation
                            1,761                       1,761  
Purchase of treasury shares
                    (60,017 )                             (60,017 )
Adoption of ASC 740
                                    (1,563 )             (1,563 )
                                                         
Balance at March 29, 2008
    97       217       (62,160 )     66,756       171,120       (1,182 )     174,848  
Net income
                                    24,088               24,088  
Other comprehensive loss
                                                       
Unrealized loss on derivatives contracts ($1,008 pre-tax)(2)
                                            (625 )     (625 )
Pension liability adjustment
($2,602 pre-tax)(1)
                                            (1,678 )     (1,678 )
                                                         
Total comprehensive income
                                                    21,785  
Dividends:
                                                       
Preferred ($.24 per CSE)(3)
                                    (213 )             (213 )
Common ($.24 per share)
                                    (4,487 )             (4,487 )
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options
                            2,266                       2,266  
Conversion of Class C preferred stock
    (48 )     5               43                       0  
Exercise of stock options(5)
            8       (5,294 )     3,648                       (1,638 )
Stock option compensation
                            1,730                       1,730  
                                                         
Balance at March 28, 2009
    49       230       (67,454 )     74,443       190,508       (3,485 )     194,291  
Net income
                                    33,191               33,191  
Other comprehensive income
                                                       
Unrealized gain on derivatives contracts ($702 pre-tax)(2)
                                            435       435  
Pension liability adjustment
($1,311 pre-tax)(1)
                                            813       813  
                                                         
Total comprehensive income
                                                    34,438  
Dividends:
                                                       
Preferred ($.34 per CSE)(3)(4)
                                    (172 )             (172 )
Common ($.34 per share)(4)
                                    (6,692 )             (6,692 )
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options
                            2,990                       2,990  
Exercise of stock options(5)
            6       (3,136 )     8,967                       5,837  
Stock option compensation
                            1,977                       1,977  
                                                         
Balance at March 27, 2010
  $ 49     $ 236     $ (70,590 )   $ 88,377     $ 216,835     $ (2,237 )   $ 232,670  
                                                         
 
 
(1) The balance related to the pension liability was $(2,047), $(2,860) and $(1,182), respectively, at March 27, 2010, March 28, 2009 and March 29, 2008.
(2) The balance related to the derivatives contracts was $(190), $(625) and $0, respectively, at March 27, 2010, March 28, 2009 and March 29, 2008.
(3) CSE − Common stock equivalent
(4) This includes five payments/accruals due to timing.
(5) This includes the receipt of treasury stock for funding of taxes.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


30


 

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
 
                         
    Year Ended Fiscal March  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (Dollars in thousands)
 
    Increase (Decrease) in Cash  
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
                       
Net income
  $ 33,191     $ 24,088     $ 21,921  
                         
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
                       
by operating activities -
                       
Depreciation and amortization
    22,505       20,429       20,421  
Stock-based compensation expense
    1,977       1,730       1,761  
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements
    (2,367 )     (2,856 )     (148 )
Net change in deferred income taxes
    1,004       2,603       (1,796 )
Loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment
    1,148       (1,061 )     (1,670 )
Decrease in trade receivables
    671       65       109  
Increase in inventories
    (655 )     (5,260 )     (2,820 )
Decrease in other current assets
    3,538       569       305  
Decrease (increase) in other non-current assets
    404       (791 )     (461 )
Increase (decrease) in trade payables
    8,348       7,183       (61 )
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses
    7,266       3,360       (1,498 )
Increase in federal and state income taxes payable
    8,457       70       636  
Increase (decrease) in other long-term liabilities
    36       (1,606 )     (408 )
Increase in long-term income taxes payable
    1,004       61       661  
                         
Total adjustments
    53,336       24,496       15,031  
                         
Net cash provided by operating activities
    86,527       48,584       36,952  
                         
Cash flows from investing activities:
                       
Capital expenditures
    (21,333 )     (23,637 )     (20,574 )
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
    (46,103 )             (20,243 )
Proceeds from the disposal of property, plant and equipment
    780       1,969       1,084  
                         
Net cash used for investing activities
    (66,656 )     (21,668 )     (39,733 )
                         
Cash flows from financing activities:
                       
Proceeds from borrowings
    166,301       127,759       193,630  
Principal payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations
    (181,894 )     (153,329 )     (126,581 )
Purchase of common stock
                    (60,017 )
Exercise of stock options
    6,629       1,726       1,544  
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements
    2,367       2,856       148  
Dividends paid
    (5,430 )     (4,700 )     (4,800 )
                         
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities
    (12,027 )     (25,688 )     3,924  
                         
Increase in cash
    7,844       1,228       1,143  
Cash at beginning of year
    3,336       2,108       965  
                         
Cash at end of year
  $ 11,180     $ 3,336     $ 2,108  
                         
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


31


 

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
NOTE 1 — SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Background
 
Monro Muffler Brake, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Monro Service Corporation (the “Company”), is engaged principally in providing automotive undercar repair services in the United States. The Company had 777 Company-operated stores, four franchises and 14 dealer-operated automotive repair centers located primarily in the northeast region of the United States as of March 27, 2010. The Company’s operations are organized and managed in one operating segment.
 
Accounting estimates
 
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with such principles requires the use of estimates by management during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
Fiscal year
 
The Company reports its results on a 52/53 week fiscal year ending on the last Saturday of March of each year. The following are the dates represented by each fiscal period:
 
“Year ended Fiscal March 2010”: March 29, 2009 − March 27, 2010 (52 weeks)
 
“Year ended Fiscal March 2009”: March 30, 2008 − March 28, 2009 (52 weeks)
 
“Year ended Fiscal March 2008”: April 1, 2007 − March 29, 2008 (52 weeks)
 
Consolidation
 
The consolidated financial statements include the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Monro Service Corporation, after the elimination of intercompany transactions and balances.
 
Revenue recognition
 
Sales are recorded upon completion of automotive undercar repair and tire services provided to customers. The following was the Company’s sales mix for fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008:
 
                         
    Year Ended
 
    Fiscal March  
    2010     2009     2008  
 
Brakes
    20 %     21 %     22 %
Exhaust
    6       6       7  
Steering
    11       12       12  
Tires
    32       29       28  
Maintenance
    31       32       31  
                         
Total
    100 %     100 %     100 %
                         
 
Revenue from the sale of tire road hazard warranty agreements is recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract period or other method where costs are not incurred ratably.
 
Cash equivalents
 
The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.


32


 

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Inventories
 
The Company’s inventories consist of automotive parts and tires. Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market value using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method.
 
Barter credits
 
In accordance with the guidance on nonmonetary transactions, the Company values barter credits at the fair market value of the inventory exchanged, as determined by reference to price lists for buying groups and jobber pricing. The Company uses these credits primarily to pay vendors for purchases (mainly inventory vendors for the purchase of parts and tires) or to purchase other goods or services from the barter company such as advertising and travel.
 
Property, plant and equipment
 
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is provided on the straight-line basis. Buildings and improvements related to owned locations are depreciated over lives varying from 10 to 39 years; machinery, fixtures and equipment over lives varying from 5 to 15 years; and vehicles over lives varying from 3 to 8 years. Computer software is depreciated over lives varying from 3 to 7 years. Buildings and improvements related to leased locations are depreciated over the shorter of the asset’s useful life or the reasonably assured lease term, as defined in the accounting guidance on leases. When property is sold or retired, the cost and accumulated depreciation are eliminated from the accounts and a gain or loss is recorded in the Statement of Income. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred.
 
Certain leases have been capitalized and are classified on the balance sheet as fixed assets. These assets are being amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated lives, which coincide with the terms of the leases. (See Note 4.)
 
Long-lived assets
 
The Company evaluates the ability to recover long-lived assets whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. In the event assets are impaired, losses are recognized to the extent the carrying value exceeds the fair value. In addition, the Company reports assets to be disposed of at the lower of the carrying amount or the fair market value.
 
Store opening and closing costs
 
New store opening costs are charged to expense in the fiscal year when incurred. When the Company closes a store, the estimated unrecoverable costs, including the remaining lease obligation net of sublease income, if any, are charged to expense.
 
Leases
 
The Company recognizes rent expense, including rent escalations, on a straight-line basis over the reasonably assured lease term, as defined in the accounting guidance on leases. Generally, the lease term is the base lease term plus certain renewal option periods for which renewal is reasonably assured.
 
Goodwill and intangible assets
 
The Company has a history of growth through acquisitions. Assets and liabilities of acquired businesses are recorded at their estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition. Goodwill represents costs in excess of fair values assigned to the underlying net assets of acquired businesses. Other intangible assets primarily represent allocations of purchase price to identifiable intangible assets of acquired businesses. The carrying values of goodwill, customer


33


 

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
list and trade name assets are subject to annual impairment reviews in accordance with accounting guidance on goodwill and other intangible assets, which the Company typically performs in the third quarter of the fiscal year. Impairment reviews may also be triggered by any significant events or changes in circumstances affecting the Company’s business.
 
The Company has one reporting unit. The goodwill impairment test consists of a two-step process, if necessary. The first step is to compare the fair value of the Company’s invested capital to the book value of its invested capital. If the fair value is less than its carrying value, the second step of the impairment test must be performed in order to determine the amount of impairment loss, if any. The second step compares the implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment charge is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. The loss recognized cannot exceed the carrying amount of goodwill.
 
A deterioration of macroeconomic conditions may not only negatively impact the estimated operating cash flows used in the Company’s cash flow models, but may also negatively impact other assumptions used in the Company’s analyses, including, but not limited to, the estimated cost of capital and/or discount rates. Additionally, as discussed above, in accordance with accounting guidance, the Company is required to ensure that assumptions used to determine fair value in the Company’s analyses are consistent with the assumptions a hypothetical marketplace participant would use. As a result, the cost of capital and/or discount rates used in the Company’s analyses may increase or decrease based on market conditions and trends, regardless of whether the Company’s actual cost of capital has changed. Therefore, the Company may recognize an impairment of an intangible asset or assets even though realized actual cash flows are approximately equal to or greater than its previously forecasted amounts.
 
There were no impairments as a result of the Company’s annual impairment tests in the third quarter of fiscal year 2010 and there have been no triggering events as of the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2010.
 
Self-Insurance Reserves
 
The Company is largely self-insured with respect to workers’ compensation, general liability and employee medical claims. In order to reduce its risk and better manage its overall loss exposure, the Company purchases stop-loss insurance that covers individual claims in excess of the deductible amounts. The Company maintains an accrual for the estimated cost to settle open claims as well as an estimate of the cost of claims that have been incurred but not reported. These estimates take into consideration the historical average claim volume, the average cost for settled claims, current trends in claim costs, changes in the Company’s business and workforce, and general economic factors. These accruals are reviewed on a quarterly basis, or more frequently if factors dictate a more frequent review is warranted. For more complex reserve calculations, such as workers compensation, the Company uses the services of an actuary on an annual basis to assist in determining the required reserve for open claims.
 
Warranty
 
The Company provides an accrual for estimated future warranty costs based upon the historical relationship of warranty costs to sales. Warranty expense related to all product warranties at and for the fiscal years ended March 2010, 2009 and 2008 was not material to the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
 
Derivative financial instruments
 
The Company recognizes all derivatives at fair value, whether designated in hedging relationships or not, in the balance sheet as either an asset or liability. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, depends on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation. If the derivative is designated as a fair value hedge, the changes in the fair value of the derivative and the hedged item are recognized in the Statement of Income. If the derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative are recorded in other comprehensive income and are


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MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
recognized in the Statement of Income when the hedged item affects net income. If a derivative does not qualify as a hedge, it is marked to fair value through the Statement of Income. (See Notes 7 and 16).
 
Comprehensive income
 
As it relates to the Company, comprehensive income is defined as net earnings as adjusted for pension liability adjustments and unrealized gains or losses on financial instruments qualifying for cash flow hedge accounting, and is reported net of related taxes in the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity.
 
Income taxes
 
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using tax rates based on currently enacted rules and legislation and anticipated rates that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse.
 
Treasury stock
 
In January and November 2007, the Board of Directors approved two separate share repurchase programs authorizing the Company to purchase up to $30 million each of its common stock at market prices. Each share repurchase program had a term of 12 months.
 
Treasury stock is accounted for using the par value method. During the years ended March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer surrendered 92,000 and 258,000 shares, respectively, of Monro common stock at fair market value to pay the exercise price and to partially satisfy tax withholding obligations on the exercise of 120,000 and 556,000 stock options, respectively. During the year ended March 29, 2008, the Company repurchased 2.8 million shares of its outstanding common stock for $60.0 million including commissions. The Company’s purchases of common stock are recorded as “Treasury Stock” and result in a reduction of “Shareholders’ Equity”.
 
Stock-based compensation
 
In accordance with the guidance on accounting for stock options issued to employees, the Company measures compensation cost arising from the grant of share-based payments to an employee at fair value, and recognizes such cost in income over the period during which the employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award, usually the vesting period. Forfeitures are estimated on the grant date and revised in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.
 
The Company recognizes compensation expense related to stock options using the straight-line approach. Option awards generally vest equally over the service period established in the award, typically four years. The Company estimates fair value using the Black-Scholes valuation model. Assumptions used to estimate the compensation expense are determined as follows:
 
  •  Expected life of an award is based on historical experience and on the terms and conditions of the stock awards granted to employees;
 
  •  Expected volatility is measured using historical changes in the market price of the Company’s common stock;
 
  •  Risk-free interest rate is equivalent to the implied yield on zero-coupon U.S. Treasury bonds with a remaining maturity equal to the expected term of the awards;
 
  •  Forfeitures are based substantially on the history of cancellations of similar awards granted by the Company in prior years; and,
 
  •  Dividend yield is based on historical experience and expected future changes.


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MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
 
The weighted average fair value of options granted during fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008 was $8.07, $5.29 and $6.36, respectively. The fair values of the options granted were estimated on the date of their grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:
 
             
    Year Ended Fiscal March
    2010   2009   2008
 
Risk-free interest rate
  2.24%   3.10%   4.45%
Expected life
  5 years   5 years   5 years
Expected volatility
  32.8%   30.2%   28.3%
Expected dividend yield
  1.04%   1.38%   1.45%
 
Total stock-based compensation expense included in selling, general and administrative and distribution expenses in the Company’s Statement of Income for the years ended March 27, 2010, March 28, 2009 and March 29, 2008 was $1,977,000, $1,730,000 and $1,761,000, respectively. The related income tax benefit was $751,000, $657,000 and $669,000, respectively.
 
Stock split effected in the form of a stock dividend
 
On August 22, 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a three-for-two stock split to be effected in the form of a 50% stock dividend. The stock split was distributed on October 1, 2007 to shareholders of record as of September 21, 2007. The stock split was subject to shareholder approval of an increase in the number of authorized common shares from 20,000,000 to 45,000,000. Shareholders voted in favor of this increase at the Company’s regularly scheduled Annual Shareholders’ Meeting on August 21, 2007. All basic and diluted earnings per share, average shares outstanding information and all applicable footnotes have been adjusted to reflect the aforementioned stock split.
 
Earnings per share
 
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income less preferred stock dividends by the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock and equivalents outstanding during the year. Common Stock equivalents represent shares issuable upon assumed exercise of stock options. (See Note 10.)
 
Advertising
 
The Company expenses the production costs of advertising the first time the advertising takes place, except for direct response advertising which is capitalized and amortized over its expected period of future benefits.
 
Direct response advertising consists primarily of coupons for the Company’s services. The capitalized costs of this advertising are amortized over the period of the coupon’s validity, which ranges from six weeks to one year.
 
Prepaid advertising at fiscal year end March 2010 and 2009, and advertising expense for the fiscal years ended March 2010, 2009 and 2008, were not material to these financial statements.
 
Vendor rebates and cooperative advertising credits
 
The Company accounts for vendor rebates and cooperative advertising credits as a reduction of the cost of products purchased, except where the rebate or credit is a reimbursement of costs incurred to sell the vendor’s product, in which case it is offset against the costs incurred.


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MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Guarantees
 
At the time the Company issues a guarantee, it recognizes an initial liability for the fair value, or market value, of the obligations it assumes under that guarantee.
 
Reclassifications
 
Certain amounts in these financial statements have been reclassified to maintain comparability among the periods presented.
 
Recent accounting pronouncements
 
In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued new accounting guidance on business combinations and non-controlling interests in consolidated financial statements. The new guidance revises the method of accounting for a number of aspects of business combinations and noncontrolling interests, including acquisition costs, contingencies (including contingent assets, contingent liabilities and contingent purchase price), the impacts of partial and step-acquisitions (including the valuation of net assets attributable to non-acquired minority interests) and post-acquisition exit activities of acquired businesses. The new guidance was effective for the Company beginning March 29, 2009. (See Note 2.)
 
In December 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued new accounting guidance on disclosures about employers’ pension plan assets. New disclosures include more information on investment strategies, major categories of plan assets, concentrations of risk with plan assets and valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of plan assets. This new guidance requires new disclosures only, and will have no impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. This new guidance is effective for the Company for fiscal 2010. (See Note 12.)
 
NOTE 2 — ACQUISITIONS
 
The Company’s acquisitions are strategic moves in its plan to fill in and expand its presence in its existing and contiguous markets, and leverage fixed operating costs such as distribution and advertising.
 
Subsequent Event
 
On March 28, 2010, the Company acquired five retail tire and automotive repair stores located in Pennsylvania from Import Export Tire, Co. These stores produced approximately $10 million in sales annually based on unaudited pre-acquisition historical information. The total purchase price was approximately $6 million in cash and the assumption of certain liabilities. The acquisition was financed through the Company’s existing bank facility. The stores will operate under the Mr. Tire brand name.
 
Fiscal 2010
 
In January 2010, the Company acquired two retail tire stores from Me & Dad’s Tire & Auto Parts located in New Hampshire and TND Tires and Auto Parts located in Massachusetts. These were former Tire Warehouse franchisees which produced approximately $2.0 million in sales annually based on unaudited pre-acquisition historical information. The total purchase price was approximately $1.0 million in cash and the assumption of certain liabilities. The acquisition was financed through the Company’s existing bank facility. These stores operate under the Tire Warehouse brand name. The results of operations of these stores are included in the Company’s results from January 24, 2010 and January 31, 2010, respectively.
 
On November 29, 2009, the Company acquired a retail tire and automotive repair store located in New Hampshire from Cheshire Tire Center, Inc. (“Cheshire”). This store produced approximately $3 million in sales annually based on unaudited pre-acquisition historical information. The total purchase price was approximately $1.9 million in cash and the assumption of certain liabilities. The acquisition was financed through the Company’s


37


 

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
existing bank facility. This store operates under the Mr. Tire brand name. The results of operations of Cheshire are included in the Company’s results from November 30, 2009.
 
On October 4, 2009, the Company acquired 41 retail tire stores, including one that was under construction, located in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont, from Tire Warehouse Central, Inc. (“Tire Warehouse”). These stores produced approximately $48 million in sales annually based on unaudited pre-acquisition historical information. In addition, six franchisees and a distribution center in New Hampshire were acquired. The total purchase price was approximately $34.0 million in cash and the assumption of certain liabilities. The acquisition was financed through the Company’s existing bank facility. These stores all operate under the Tire Warehouse brand name. The results of operations of Tire Warehouse are included in the Company’s results from October 4, 2009.
 
On September 20, 2009, the Company acquired four retail tire and automotive repair stores located in northwest Indiana from Midwest Tire & Auto Repair (“Midwest”). These stores produced approximately $6 million in sales annually based on unaudited pre-acquisition historical information. The total purchase price of these stores was approximately $2 million in cash and the assumption of certain liabilities. The acquisition was financed through the Company’s existing bank facility. These stores all operate under the Mr. Tire brand name. The results of operations of Midwest are included in the Company’s results from September 20, 2009.
 
On June 14, 2009, the Company acquired 26 Autotire Car Care Center (“Autotire”) retail tire and automotive repair stores located primarily in the St. Louis, MO market from Am-Pac Tire Distributors, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Tire Distributors. These stores produced approximately $31 million in sales annually based on unaudited pre-acquisition historical information. The total purchase price of these stores was approximately $7.4 million in cash and the assumption of certain liabilities. The acquisition was financed through the Company’s existing bank facility. These stores all operate under the Autotire brand name. The results of operations of Autotire are included in the Company’s results from June 14, 2009.
 
The acquisitions resulted in goodwill related to, among other things, growth opportunities and unidentified intangible assets. All of the goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. The Company has recorded finite-lived intangible assets at their estimated fair value related to customer relationships, trade names and favorable leases.
 
In accordance with accounting guidance on business combinations, the Company expensed all costs related to the acquisitions in fiscal 2010. The total costs related to the acquisitions were $.7 million for the fiscal year ended March 27, 2010. These costs are included in the Consolidated Statement of Income primarily under operating, selling, general and administrative expenses.


38


 

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
The purchase price of the acquisitions has been allocated to the net tangible and intangible assets acquired, with the remainder recorded as goodwill on the basis of estimated fair values, as follows:
 
         
    As of Acquisition Date  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Other current assets
  $ 15,585  
Intangible assets
    10,645  
Other noncurrent assets
    20,238  
Current liabilities
    (4,951 )
Long-term liabilities
    (12,854 )
         
Total net identifiable assets acquired
  $ 28,663  
         
Total consideration transferred
  $ 47,219  
Less: total net identifiable assets acquired
    28,663  
         
Goodwill
  $ 18,556  
         
 
Intangible assets consist of customer lists ($970,000), trade names ($4,610,000), favorable leases ($4,945,000) and franchise agreements ($120,000). Customer lists, trade names and franchise agreements are being amortized over their estimated useful lives. The weighted average useful lives are approximately five, 16 and 1.5 years, respectively. Favorable lease intangible assets are being amortized over their respective lease terms, ranging from one to 36 years. The weighted average useful life of all intangible assets is 15 years.
 
Sales and net income for the fiscal 2010 acquired entities totaled $58.5 million and $3.3 million, respectively for the period from acquisition date through March 27, 2010.
 
Supplemental pro forma information for the current or prior reporting periods has not been presented due to the impracticability of obtaining detailed, accurate or reliable data for the periods the acquired entities were not owned by the Company.
 
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010, the Company substantially completed the purchase price allocation for the fiscal year 2010 acquisitions. Some of the amounts previously estimated have changed during the measurement period. The significant changes in estimates included a decrease in inventory of $1.4 million for the third quarter; an increase in deferred income tax assets of $1.1 million and $2.6 million for the second and third quarters, respectively; an increase in property, plant and equipment of $2.0 and $2.5 million for the first and second quarters, respectively and a decrease of $1.7 million for the third quarter; an increase in goodwill of $10.1 million for the third quarter; an increase in intangible assets of $1.1 million, $1.7 million and $3.4 million for the first, second and third quarters, respectively; an increase in current portion of long-term debt of $1.3 million for the third quarter; and an increase in long-term debt of $3.9 million, $4.6 million and $11.4 million for the first, second and third quarters, respectively. The measurement period adjustments represent updates made to the purchase price allocation based on revisions to valuation estimates in quarters subsequent to the quarter of acquisition and initial accounting. There were no significant adjustments to the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Income.
 
The purchase price allocation remains preliminary due to the finalization of the valuation of real estate, real property leases and intangible assets. The Company believes that this will be finalized in the first quarter of fiscal 2011 and that any adjustments to the purchase price allocation will not be material.
 
Fiscal 2008
 
On July 21, 2007, the Company acquired 11 retail tire and automotive repair stores located primarily in the Philadelphia, PA market from Valley Forge Tire & Auto Centers (“Valley Forge”), on July 28, 2007, the Company acquired eight retail tire and automotive repair stores located in the northern Virginia market from Craven Tire &


39


 

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Auto (“Craven”) and on January 26, 2008 the Company acquired seven retail tire and automotive repair stores located in Buffalo, NY from the Broad Elm Group (“Broad Elm”). These stores produce approximately $27 million in sales annually based on unaudited pre-acquisition historical information. The Company purchased the business and substantially all of the operating assets of these stores, which consist mainly of inventory and equipment, and assumed certain liabilities. The total purchase price of these stores was approximately $20.2 million in cash which was financed through the Company’s existing bank facility. These stores all operate under the Mr. Tire brand name. The results of operations of Valley Forge, Craven and Broad Elm are included in the Company’s results from July 21, 2007, July 28, 2007 and January 26, 2008, respectively.
 
NOTE 3 — OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
 
The composition of other current assets is as follows:
 
                 
    Year Ended
 
    Fiscal March  
    2010     2009  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Vendor rebates receivable
  $ 5,723     $ 5,912  
Barter credit receivable
    2,450       2,850  
Prepaid real estate taxes
    1,927       1,824  
Other receivables
    1,533       1,769  
Prepaid advertising
    1,530       1,203  
Prepaid insurance
    1,319       1,269  
Notes receivable
    1,085       561  
Receivable for inventory returns
    741       733  
Insurance receivable
    83       1,014  
Prepaid inventory
    40       1,746  
Other
    942       774  
                 
    $ 17,373     $ 19,655  
                 
 
NOTE 4 — PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
 
The major classifications of property, plant and equipment are as follows:
 
                                                 
    March 27, 2010     March 28, 2009  
          Assets
                Assets
       
          Under
                Under
       
    Assets
    Capital
          Assets
    Capital
       
    Owned     Lease     Total     Owned     Lease     Total  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Land
  $ 53,642             $ 53,642     $ 45,833             $ 45,833  
Buildings and Improvements
    146,153     $ 38,059       184,212       137,063     $ 31,222       168,285  
Equipment, signage and fixtures
    133,197               133,197       122,507               122,507  
Vehicles
    13,976       67       14,043       13,017       67       13,084  
Construction-in-progress
    1,144               1,144       3,404               3,404  
                                                 
      348,112       38,126       386,238       321,824       31,289       353,113  
Less − Accumulated depreciation and amortization
    173,789       9,703       183,492       159,602       8,450       168,052  
                                                 
    $ 174,323     $ 28,423     $ 202,746     $ 162,222     $ 22,839     $ 185,061  
                                                 


40


 

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Capitalized interest costs aggregated $18,000 and $68,000 in fiscal 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Amortization expense recorded under capital leases totaled $2,912,000, $2,162,000 and $2,128,000 for the fiscal years ended March 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
NOTE 5 — GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
 
The changes in goodwill during fiscal 2010 and 2009 were as follows:
 
         
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Balance at March 29, 2008
  $ 71,472  
Other adjustments
    344  
         
Balance at March 28, 2009
    71,816  
Acquisitions
    18,556  
         
Balance at March 27, 2010
  $ 90,372  
         
 
In fiscal 2009, the other adjustments relates to purchase accounting adjustments for the Valley Forge, Craven and Broad Elm Acquisitions.
 
The Company performed its required annual impairment test of goodwill during the third quarter of fiscal 2010. No impairment loss resulted from that annual impairment test.
 
The composition of other intangible assets and other non-current assets is as follows:
 
                                 
    Year Ended Fiscal March  
    2010     2009  
    Gross
          Gross
       
    Carrying
    Accumulated
    Carrying
    Accumulated
 
    Amount     Amortization     Amount     Amortization  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Customer list
  $ 6,981     $ 2,276     $ 6,011     $ 1,659  
Trade name
    6,932       2,556       2,322       2,322  
Favorable leases
    4,953       254                  
Other intangible assets
    171       63       84       36  
                                 
Total intangible assets
  $ 19,037     $ 5,149     $ 8,417     $ 4,017  
                                 
Barter receivable
  $ 7,997             $ 9,363          
Prepaid pension asset
    1,888               907          
Other non-current assets
    3,160               1,731          
                                 
Total non-current assets
  $ 13,045             $ 12,001          
                                 
 
The Company’s intangible assets are being amortized over their estimated useful lives. The weighted average useful lives of the Company’s intangible assets are 12.5 years for customer lists, 12.0 years for trade names, 18.1 years for favorable leases and 6.9 years for other intangible assets.
 
Also included in other non-current liabilities as of March 27, 2010 are unfavorable lease intangibles with a net carrying amount of $1.0 million. There were no unfavorable lease intangibles at March 28, 2009.
 
Amortization of intangible assets during fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008 totaled $.9 million, $.5 million and $.6 million, respectively.


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MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Estimated future amortization of intangible assets is as follows:
 
         
Year Ending Fiscal March
  (Dollars in thousands)  
 
2011
  $ 1,144  
2012
    961  
2013
    929  
2014
    923  
2015
    786  
 
NOTE 6 — LONG-TERM DEBT
 
Long-term debt consists of the following:
 
                 
    March 27,
    March 28,
 
    2010     2009  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Revolving Credit Facility, LIBOR-based(a)
  $ 52,000     $ 65,050  
Mortgage Note Payable, non-interest bearing, secured by warehouse and office land, due in one installment in 2015
    660       660  
Obligations under capital leases at various interest rates, secured by store properties and certain equipment, due in installments through 2039
    46,700       33,084  
                 
      99,360       98,794  
Less − Current portion
    2,933       1,696  
                 
    $ 96,427     $ 97,098  
                 
 
 
(a) The London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) at March 27, 2010 was .25%.
 
In July 2005, the Company entered into a five-year, $125 million Revolving Credit Facility agreement with five banks. A sixth bank was added in June 2008. Interest only is payable monthly throughout the Credit Facility’s term. The facility included a provision allowing the Company to expand the amount of the overall facility to $160 million. Amendments in January 2007 and June 2008 were made to these amounts which increased the overall facility to $200 million. Currently, the committed sum is $163.3 million and the accordion feature is $36.7 million. There was $52 million outstanding at March 27, 2010. The facility expires in January 2012.
 
The interest rate on the facility fluctuated between 75 and 100 basis points over LIBOR during fiscal year 2010. Additionally, the Company has three $10 million interest rate swap agreements at interest rates ranging from 3.27% to 3.29%, replacing the LIBOR rate on that portion of the debt.
 
The terms of the Credit Facility permit the payment of cash dividends not to exceed 25% of the preceding year’s net income, and allow stock buybacks subject to the Company being able to meet its existing financial covenants. The Agreement requires the maintenance of specified interest and rent coverage ratios and amounts of net worth. The Company is in compliance with these requirements at March 27, 2010. These agreements permit mortgages and specific lease financing arrangements with other parties with certain limitations.
 
The Credit Facility is not secured by the Company’s real property, although the Company has agreed not to encumber its real property, with certain permissible exceptions.
 
Within the aforementioned $163.3 million Revolving Credit Facility, the Company has available a sub-facility of $20 million for the purpose of issuing standby letters of credit. The line requires fees aggregating .88% annually of the face amount of each standby letter of credit, payable quarterly in arrears. There were $15.3 million in outstanding letters of credit under this line at March 27, 2010.


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MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
In addition, the Company has financed certain store properties and vehicles with capital leases, which amount to $46.7 million and are due in installments through 2039.
 
During fiscal 1995, the Company purchased 12.7 acres of land for $.7 million from the City of Rochester, New York, on which its office/warehouse facility is located. The City has provided financing for 100% of the cost of the land via a 20-year non-interest bearing mortgage, all due and payable in 2015.
 
Aggregate debt maturities over the next five years are as follows:
 
                                 
    Capital Leases        
    Aggregate
  Imputed
  All Other
   
Year Ending Fiscal March
  Amount   Interest   Debt   Total
    (Dollars in thousands)
 
2011
  $ 7,069     $ (4,136 )           $ 2,933  
2012
    6,933       (3,899 )   $ 52,000       55,034  
2013
    6,987       (3,643 )             3,344  
2014
    6,987       (3,347 )             3,640  
2015
    6,460       (3,022 )     660       4,098  
 
NOTE 7 — FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
The guidance on fair value measurements, among other things, defines fair value, establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure for each major asset and liability category measured at fair value on either a recurring or nonrecurring basis. The guidance clarifies that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell 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 guidance establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:
 
Level 1. Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets;
 
Level 2. Inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and
 
Level 3. Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.
 
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are based on one or more of the following three valuation techniques:
 
a.) Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.
 
b.) Cost approach. Amount that would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset (replacement cost).
 
c.) Income approach. Techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount based on market expectations (including present value techniques, option-pricing and excess earnings models).
 
A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The following table represents the financial assets and liabilities on the


43


 

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
consolidated balance sheet as of March 27, 2010 that are subject to fair value accounting and the valuation approach applied to each of these items.
 
         
    Significant
    Other
    Observable
    Inputs
    (Level 2)
    Amount
    (Dollars in thousands)
 
Liabilities
       
Derivatives
  $ 307  
 
Financial instruments consist of the following:
 
                                                 
    March 27, 2010   March 28, 2009
    Notional
  Carrying
  Fair
  Notional
  Carrying
  Fair
    Amount   Amount   Value   Amount   Amount   Value
    (Dollars in thousands)
 
Liabilities
                                               
Long-term debt, including current portion and excluding capital leases
           $ 52,660     $ 52,578              $ 65,710     $ 65,554  
 
The fair value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximated book value at March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009 because their maturity is generally less than one year in duration. The fair value of long-term debt was estimated based on discounted cash flow analyses using either quoted market prices for the same or similar issues, or the current interest rates offered to the Company for debt with similar maturities.
 
See Note 16 for additional disclosures regarding financial instruments.
 
NOTE 8 — INCOME TAXES
 
The components of the provision for income taxes are as follows:
 
                         
    Year Ended Fiscal March  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Current –
                       
Federal
  $ 17,202     $ 10,404     $ 12,653  
State
    2,028       1,019       642  
                         
      19,230       11,423       13,295  
                         
Deferred –
                       
Federal
    1,206       2,840       (1,776 )
State
    (202 )     (237 )     (20 )
                         
      1,004       2,603       (1,796 )
                         
Total
  $ 20,234     $ 14,026     $ 11,499  
                         


44


 

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Deferred tax (liabilities) assets consist of the following:
 
                         
    March 27,
    March 28,
    March 29,
 
    2010     2009     2008  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Goodwill
  $ (5,319 )   $ (3,832 )   $ (2,384 )
Property and equipment
    (2,636 )     (690 )     (168 )
Prepaid expenses
    (852 )     (896 )     (839 )
Pension
    (685 )     (305 )     (1,231 )
Other
    (194 )     (168 )     (136 )
                         
Total deferred tax liabilities
    (9,686 )     (5,891 )     (4,758 )
                         
Insurance reserves
    5,692       2,466       2,885  
Deferred rent
    2,286       2,319       2,363  
Stock options
    2,176       1,508       1,742  
Warranty and other reserves
    1,993       1,198       1,590  
Accrued compensation
    1,426       1,457       1,025  
Indirect effect of unrecognized tax benefits in other jurisdictions
    787       778       729  
Inventory capitalization
    460       369       367  
Other
    2,106       1,631       1,073  
                         
Total deferred tax assets
    16,926       11,726       11,774  
                         
Net deferred tax assets
  $ 7,240     $ 5,835     $ 7,016  
                         
 
The Company has $1.9 million of state net operating loss carryforwards available as of March 27, 2010. The carryforwards expire in varying amounts through 2030. Based on all available evidence, the Company has determined that sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character within the carryforward period will exist for the realization of the tax benefits on existing state net operating loss carryforwards.
 
The Company believes it is more likely than not that all other future tax benefits will be realized as a result of current and future income.
 
A reconciliation between the U.S. Federal statutory tax rate and the effective tax rate reflected in the accompanying financial statements is as follows:
 
                                                 
    Year Ended Fiscal March  
    2010     2009     2008  
    Amount     Percent     Amount     Percent     Amount     Percent  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Federal income tax based on statutory tax rate applied to income before taxes
  $ 18,699       35.0     $ 13,340       35.0     $ 11,697       35.0  
State income tax, net of federal income tax benefit
    1,155       2.2       425       1.1       416       1.2  
Other
    380       .7       261       .7       (614 )     (1.8 )
                                                 
    $ 20,234       37.9     $ 14,026       36.8     $ 11,499       34.4  
                                                 
 
At the beginning of fiscal 2008, the Company adopted the accounting guidance for uncertain tax positions, which requires that a tax benefit from an uncertain tax position not be recognized in the financial statements unless it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination. The cumulative effect of adopting this guidance of $1.6 million was recorded as a reduction to retained earnings.


45


 

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
The following is a rollforward of the Company’s liability for income taxes associated with unrecognized tax benefits:
 
         
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Balance at April 1, 2007
  $ 2,796  
Tax positions related to current year:
       
Additions
    1,109  
Reductions
       
Tax positions related to prior years:
       
Additions
    280  
Reductions
       
Settlements
       
Lapses in statutes of limitations
    (315 )
         
Balance at March 29, 2008
    3,870  
Tax positions related to current year:
       
Additions
    1,175  
Reductions
       
Tax positions related to prior years:
       
Additions
    39  
Reductions
    (400 )
Settlements
       
Lapses in statutes of limitations
    (191 )
         
Balance at March 28, 2009
    4,493  
Tax positions related to current year:
       
Additions
    1,415  
Reductions
       
Tax positions related to prior years:
       
Additions
       
Reductions
    (16 )
Settlements
       
Lapses in statutes of limitations
    (306 )
         
Balance at March 27, 2010
  $ 5,586  
         
 
The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $5.6 million at March 27, 2010, the majority of which, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate.
 
In the normal course of business, the Company provides for uncertain tax positions and the related interest and penalties, and adjusts its unrecognized tax benefits and accrued interest and penalties accordingly. During the years ended March 27, 2010, March 28, 2009 and March 29, 2008, the Company recognized interest and penalties of approximately $.1 million for each year in income tax expense. Additionally, the Company had approximately $.6 million and $.5 million of interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax benefits accrued as of March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009, respectively.
 
The Company is currently under audit by the Internal Revenue Service for the fiscal 2008 tax year, and also currently under audit by certain state tax jurisdictions for the fiscal 2001 to 2007 tax years. It is reasonably possible that the examination phase of the audits for these years may conclude in the next 12 months, and that the related


46


 

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
unrecognized tax benefits for tax positions taken regarding previously filed tax returns may change from those recorded as liabilities for uncertain tax positions in the Company’s financial statements as of March 27, 2010. However, based on the status of the examinations, it is not possible to estimate the effect of any amount of such change to previously recorded uncertain tax positions.
 
The Company files U.S. Federal income tax returns and income tax returns in various state jurisdictions. The Company’s fiscal 2007 through fiscal 2009 U.S. Federal tax years and various state tax years remain subject to income tax examinations by tax authorities.
 
NOTE 9 — CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK AND COMMON STOCK
 
A summary of the changes in the number of shares of common stock, Class C preferred stock and treasury stock is as follows:
 
                         
          Class C
       
    Common
    Convertible
       
    Stock
    Preferred
    Treasury
 
    Shares
    Stock Shares
    Stock
 
    Issued     Issued     Shares  
 
Balance at March 31, 2007
    14,342,051       65,000       334,128  
Shares issued in connection with three-for-two stock split
    7,219,595               280,445  
Stock options exercised
    122,213                  
Purchase of treasury shares
                    2,707,819  
                         
Balance at March 29, 2008
    21,683,859       65,000       3,322,392  
Conversion of preferred shares
    506,755       (32,500 )        
Stock options exercised
    808,699               258,437  
                         
Balance at March 28, 2009
    22,999,313       32,500       3,580,829  
Stock options exercised
    647,147               101,600  
                         
Balance at March 27, 2010
    23,646,460       32,500       3,682,429  
                         
 
In August 2007, the Board of Directors authorized an amendment to the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock from 20,000,000 to 45,000,000. This amendment was approved by the Company’s shareholders in August 2007.
 
Additionally, the Board authorized a three-for-two stock split that was paid in October 2007 to shareholders of record as of September 21, 2007. All share amounts have been adjusted for this stock split.
 
Holders of at least 60% of the Class C preferred stock must approve any action authorized by the holders of common stock. In addition, there are certain restrictions on the transferability of shares of Class C preferred stock. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, the holders of the Class C preferred stock would be entitled to receive $1.50 per share out of the assets of the Company before any amount would be paid to holders of common stock. The conversion value of the Class C convertible preferred stock is $.096 per share at March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009.
 
In November 1998, the Board of Directors authorized the 1998 Incentive Stock Option Plan, reserving 1,687,500 shares (as retroactively adjusted for stock splits) of common stock for issuance to officers and key employees. The Plan was approved by shareholders in August 1999.
 
In May 2003, the Board of Directors authorized an additional 450,000 shares (as retroactively adjusted for stock splits) for issuance under the 1998 Plan, which was approved by shareholders in August 2003. In June 2005, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”) authorized an additional 540,000 shares (as retroactively adjusted for the stock splits), which were approved by shareholders in August 2005.


47


 

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Generally, employee options vest within the first five years of their term, and have a duration of six to ten years. Outstanding options are exercisable for various periods through October 2019.
 
In August 1994, the Board of Directors authorized a non-employee directors’ stock option plan which was approved by shareholders in August 1995. The Plan initially reserved 150,417 shares of common stock (as retroactively adjusted for stock dividends and stock splits), and provides for (i) the grant to each non-employee director as of August 1, 1994 of an option to purchase 6,839 shares of the Company’s common stock (as retroactively adjusted for stock dividends and the stock splits) and (ii) the annual grant to each non-employee director of an option to purchase 6,839 shares (as retroactively adjusted for stock dividends and the stock splits) on the date of the annual meeting of shareholders beginning in 1995. The options expire ten years from the date of grant at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Options issued to directors generally vest immediately upon issuance.
 
In May 1997 and May 1999, the Board of Directors authorized an additional 153,563 and 146,250 shares, respectively (both amounts as retroactively adjusted for stock dividends and stock splits) for issuance under the Plan. These amounts were approved by shareholders in August 1997 and August 1999, respectively.
 
In May 2003, the Board of Directors authorized the 2003 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan, reserving 135,000 shares (as retroactively adjusted for stock splits) of common stock for issuance to outside directors, which was approved by shareholders in August 2003. The provisions of the Plan are similar to the 1994 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan, except that options expire five years from the date of grant.
 
In June 2005, the Compensation Committee authorized an additional 75,000 shares (as retroactively adjusted for stock splits), which were approved by shareholders in August 2005.
 
In June 2007, the Board of Directors authorized the 2007 Incentive Stock Option Plan, reserving 582,000 shares (as retroactively adjusted for stock splits) of common stock for issuance to eligible employees and all non-employee directors. This 2007 Plan replaced the Company’s 1998 Employee Stock Option Plan and 2003 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plans. Immediately upon the shareholders’ approval of the 2007 Plan, all shares of Common Stock available for award under either the 1998 or 2003 Plans were transferred to, and made available for award under the 2007 Plan. Stock options currently outstanding under the 1998 and 2003 Plans will remain outstanding in accordance with the terms of those plans and the stock option agreements entered into under those plans. The 2007 Plan was approved by shareholders in August 2007.


48


 

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
A summary of changes in outstanding stock options is as follows:
 
                                 
    Weighted Average
                Available
 
    Exercise Price     Outstanding     Exercisable     For Grant  
 
At March 31, 2007
  $ 10.37       2,236,266       2,063,466       543,035  
Authorized
                            582,000  
Granted
  $ 21.97       716,958       141,630       (716,958 )
Became exercisable
                    41,709          
Exercised
  $ 9.03       (170,834 )     (170,834 )        
Canceled
  $ 19.62       (35,611 )     (17,689 )     18,873  
                                 
At March 29, 2008
  $ 13.36       2,746,779       2,058,282       426,950  
Granted
  $ 18.66       141,430       47,880       (141,430 )
Became exercisable
                    205,841          
Exercised
  $ 4.52       (808,698 )     (808,698 )        
Canceled
  $ 21.75       (22,451 )     (7,337 )     4,275  
                                 
At March 28, 2009
  $ 17.11       2,057,060       1,495,968       289,795  
Granted
  $ 26.84       170,280       47,880       (170,280 )
Became exercisable
                    223,368          
Exercised
  $ 13.87       (647,147 )     (647,147 )        
Canceled
  $ 22.49       (18,561 )     (5,436 )     7,438  
                                 
At March 27, 2010
  $ 19.44       1,561,632       1,114,633       126,953  
                                 
 
The weighted average contractual term of all options outstanding at March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009 was 4.3 years and 4.0 years, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of all options outstanding at March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009 was $25.8 million and $18.3 million, respectively.
 
The weighted average contractual term of all options exercisable at March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009 was 3.5 years and 3.3 years, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of all options exercisable at March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009 was $19.9 million and $15.7 million, respectively.
 
A summary of the status of and changes in nonvested stock options granted as of and during fiscal years 2010 and 2009 is presented below:
 
                 
          Weighted Average
 
          Grant-Date Fair Value
 
    Shares     (per Share)  
 
Nonvested at March 31, 2007
    172,800     $ 7.87  
Granted
    716,958     $ 6.36  
Vested
    (183,339 )   $ 7.09  
Canceled
    (17,922 )   $ 7.54  
                 
Nonvested at March 29, 2008
    688,497     $ 6.54  
Granted
    141,430     $ 5.29  
Vested
    (253,721 )   $ 6.33  
Canceled
    (15,114 )   $ 6.80  
                 
Nonvested at March 28, 2009
    561,092     $ 6.32  
Granted
    170,280     $ 8.07  
Vested
    (271,248 )   $ 6.55  
Canceled
    (13,125 )   $ 7.17  
                 
Nonvested at March 27, 2010
    446,999     $ 6.74  
                 


49


 

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
The following table summarizes information about fixed stock options outstanding at March 27, 2010:
 
                                         
    Options Outstanding   Options Exercisable
        Weighted
  Weighted
      Weighted
        Average
  Average
      Average
Range of
  Shares
  Remaining
  Exercise
  Shares
  Exercise
Exercise Prices
  Under Option   Life   Price   Under Option   Price
 
$ 3.55 - $10.00
    262,468       2.13     $ 7.63       262,468     $ 7.63  
$10.01 - $18.50
    344,189       4.56     $ 17.17       209,138     $ 16.75  
$18.51 - $23.00
    521,256       2.72     $ 22.24       416,444     $ 22.10  
$23.01 - $25.31
    433,719       7.16     $ 25.03       226,583     $ 24.44  
 
During the fiscal years ended March 27, 2010, March 28, 2009 and March 29, 2008, the fair value of awards vested under the Company’s stock plans was $1.8 million, $1.6 million and $1.3 million, respectively.
 
The aggregate intrinsic value in the preceding tables is based on the Company’s closing stock price of $35.99, $26.01 and $16.36 as of the last trading day of the periods ended March 27, 2010, March 28, 2009 and March 29, 2008, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of options (the amount by which the market price of the stock on the date of exercise exceeded the exercise price of the option) exercised during the fiscal years ended March 27, 2010, March 28, 2009 and March 29, 2008 was $10.1 million, $12.5 million and $2.5 million, respectively. As of March 27, 2010, March 28, 2009 and March 29, 2008, there was $1.8 million, $2.7 million and $3.7 million, respectively, of unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested fixed stock options that is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.9 years for both fiscal years.
 
Cash received from option exercises under all stock option plans was $6.6 million, $1.7 million and $1.5 million for the fiscal years ended March 27, 2010, March 28, 2009 and March 29, 2008, respectively. The actual tax benefit realized for the tax deductions from option exercises was $3.0 million, $2.3 million and $.6 million for the fiscal years ended March 27, 2010, March 28, 2009 and March 29, 2008, respectively.
 
The Company issues new shares of common stock upon exercise of stock options.
 
NOTE 10 — EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
 
The following is a reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per common share for the respective years:
 
                         
    Year Ended Fiscal March  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (Amounts in thousands, except per share data)  
 
Numerator for earnings per common share calculation:
                       
Net Income
  $ 33,191     $ 24,088     $ 21,921  
Less: Preferred stock dividends
    (172 )     (213 )     (230 )
                         
Income available to common stockholders
  $ 33,019     $ 23,875     $ 21,691  
                         
Denominator for earnings per common share calculation:
                       
Weighted average common shares, basic
    19,672       18,837       20,024  
Effect of dilutive securities:
                       
Preferred stock
    507       812       1,013  
Stock options
    473       450       834  
                         
Weighted average common shares, diluted
    20,652       20,099       21,871  
                         
Basic earnings per common share:
  $ 1.68     $ 1.27     $ 1.08  
                         
Diluted earnings per common share:
  $ 1.61     $ 1.20     $ 1.00  
                         


50


 

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
The computation of diluted earnings per common share for fiscal years 2010, 2009 and 2008 excludes the effect of assumed exercise of approximately 100,000, 921,000 and 873,000, respectively, of stock options, as the exercise price of these options was greater than the average market value of the Company’s Common Stock for those periods, resulting in an anti-dilutive effect on diluted earnings per share.
 
NOTE 11 — OPERATING LEASES AND OTHER COMMITMENTS
 
The Company leases retail facilities under noncancellable lease agreements which expire at various dates through fiscal year 2032. In addition to stated minimum payments, certain real estate leases have provisions for contingent rentals when retail sales exceed specified levels. Generally, the leases provide for renewal for various periods at stipulated rates. Most of the facilities’ leases require payment of property taxes, insurance and maintenance costs in addition to rental payments, and several provide an option to purchase the property at the end of the lease term.
 
In recent years, the Company has entered into agreements for the sale/leaseback of certain stores. Realized gains are deferred and are credited to income as rent expense adjustments over the lease terms. The Company has lease renewal options under the real estate agreements at projected future fair market values.
 
Future minimum payments required under noncancellable leases (including closed stores) are as follows:
 
                         
          Less –
       
          Sublease
       
Year Ending Fiscal March
  Leases     Income     Net  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
2011
  $ 25,511     $ (494 )   $ 25,017  
2012
    22,946       (397 )     22,549  
2013
    18,834       (227 )     18,607  
2014
    14,173       (93 )     14,080  
2015
    10,139       (80 )     10,059  
Thereafter
    19,529       (236 )     19,293  
                         
Total
  $ 111,132     $ (1,527 )   $ 109,605  
                         
 
Rent expense under operating leases, net of sublease income, totaled $25,586,000, $24,030,000 and $22,842,000 in fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, including contingent rentals of $117,000, $103,000 and $323,000 in each respective fiscal year. Sublease income totaled $442,000, $446,000 and $460,000, respectively, in fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008.
 
The Company has entered into various contracts with parts and tire suppliers, certain of which require the Company to buy up to 100% of its annual purchases of specific products including brakes, exhaust, oil and ride control at market prices. The agreements expire at various dates through January 2013. The Company believes these agreements provide it with high quality, branded merchandise at preferred pricing, along with strong marketing and training support.
 
On October 1, 2007, the Company entered into a new Employment Agreement with its Chief Executive Officer. The Agreement became effective on October 1, 2007 and has a five-year term. Under the Agreement, Mr. Gross (i) is paid a base salary of $840,000; (ii) is eligible to earn a target annual bonus, pursuant to the terms of the Company’s Management Incentive Compensation Plan, of up to 150% of his base salary upon the achievement of certain predetermined corporate objectives and (iii) participates in the Company’s other incentive and welfare and benefit plans made available to executives. Mr. Gross also receives a special bonus of $750,000, payable in five annual installments of $150,000, which began on October 1, 2007 (the “Special Bonus”). If the Agreement terminates before October 1, 2012 either for Cause (as defined therein) or as the result of Mr. Gross’s resignation without Good Reason (as defined therein), then Mr. Gross will be required to repay a portion of the last-received


51


 

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
annual installment of the Special Bonus, pro-rata to the date of termination. In consideration for Mr. Gross’s covenant not-to-compete with the Company or to solicit its employees, the Company will pay him an additional $750,000, payable in five equal installments of $150,000, beginning on October 1, 2012 or the earlier termination of the Agreement (the “Non-Compete Payment”). Finally, Mr. Gross is entitled to certain payments upon death, disability, a termination without Cause (as defined therein), a resignation by Mr. Gross for Good Reason (as defined therein) or a termination in the event of a Change in Control of the Company (as defined therein), all as set forth in detail in the Agreement.
 
On October 2, 2007, and in consideration for Mr. Gross’s execution of the Agreement, the Company’s Compensation Committee awarded to Mr. Gross an option to purchase 375,000 shares of Common Stock (calculated following the Company’s three-for-two stock split) at an exercise price of $22.80 per share (the closing price of the Company’s stock on the date of the award), pursuant to the Company’s 2007 Stock Incentive Plan.
 
The Company amended its employment agreement effective May 19, 2005, with Catherine D’Amico, its Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and, in July 2005, entered into an employment agreement with Joseph Tomarchio Jr., its Executive Vice President of Store Operations, effective May 19, 2005. The agreements each provided a base salary to be reviewed annually, plus a bonus, based upon the Company’s achievement of performance targets set by the Compensation Committee. Ms. D’Amico’s and Mr. Tomarchio’s agreements both were set to expire on June 30, 2008. The agreements included a covenant against competition with the Company for up to two years after termination. The agreements provided Ms. D’Amico and Mr. Tomarchio with a minimum of one year’s salary and certain additional rights in the event of a termination without cause (as defined therein), or a termination in the event of a change in control (as defined therein).
 
In January 2008, the Company entered into Employment Agreements with Ms. D’Amico and Mr. Tomarchio, as well as with its President, John W. Van Heel. All three Agreements became effective on January 1, 2008 and have a three-year term.
 
Under the Agreements, Messrs. Van Heel and Tomarchio and Ms. D’Amico (i) are paid a base salary; (ii) are eligible to earn a target bonus, pursuant to the terms of the Company’s bonus plan, equal to up to 87.5% of the executive’s base salary upon the achievement of certain predetermined corporate objectives and (iii) participate in the Company’s other incentive and welfare and benefit plans made available to executives.
 
Finally, each executive is entitled to certain payments upon death, disability, a termination without Cause (as defined therein), a resignation by the executive for Good Reason (as defined therein) or a termination in the event of a Change in Control of the Company (as defined therein), all as set forth in detail in the Agreements.
 
Also, on January 10, 2008 and in consideration of the executives’ execution of the Agreements, the Company’s Compensation Committee awarded to Messrs. Van Heel and Tomarchio an option to purchase 75,000 and 40,000 shares of Common Stock, respectively, at an exercise price of $18.17 per share (the closing price of the Company’s stock on the date of the award), pursuant to the Company’s 2007 Stock Incentive Plan. On January 11, 2008 and in consideration of Ms. D’Amico’s execution of the Agreement, the Company’s Compensation Committee awarded her an option to purchase 30,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $17.53 per share (the closing price of the Company’s stock on the date of the award), pursuant to the Company’s 2007 Stock Incentive Plan.
 
NOTE 12 — EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT AND PROFIT SHARING PLANS
 
The Company sponsors a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan for Monro employees and the former Kimmel Automotive, Inc. employees. In fiscal 2005, the previously separate Monro and Kimmel pension plans were merged. The plan provides benefits to certain full-time employees who were employed with Monro and with Kimmel prior to April 2, 1998 and May 15, 2001, respectively. Effective as of those dates, each company’s Board of Directors approved plan amendments whereby the benefits of each of the defined benefit plans would be frozen and


52


 

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
the plans would be closed to new participants. Prior to these amendments, coverage under the plans began after employees completed one year of service and attainment of age 21. Benefits under both plans, and now the merged plans, are based primarily on years of service and employees’ pay near retirement. The funding policy for the Company’s merged plan is consistent with the funding requirements of Federal law and regulations. The measurement date used to determine the pension plan measurements disclosed herein is March 31 for both 2010 and 2009.
 
The overfunded status of the Company’s defined benefit plan is recognized as an asset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009.
 
The funded status of each plan is set forth below:
 
                 
    Year Ended
 
    Fiscal March  
    2010     2009  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Change in Plan Assets:
               
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
  $ 11,631     $ 14,742  
Actual return on plan assets
    4,262       (2,544 )
Employer contribution
    0       0  
Benefits paid
    (532 )     (567 )
                 
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
    15,361       11,631  
                 
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation:
               
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
    10,724       11,399  
Interest cost
    769       751  
Actuarial gain
    2,512       (859 )
Benefits paid
    (532 )     (567 )
                 
Benefit obligation at end of year
    13,473       10,724  
                 
Funded status of plan
  $ 1,888     $ 907  
                 
 
The projected and accumulated benefit obligations were equivalent at March 28, 2009 and March 27, 2010.
 
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss consist of:
 
                 
    Year Ended
 
    Fiscal March  
    2010     2009  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Unamortized transition obligation
  $ 0     $ 0  
Unamortized prior service cost
    0       0  
Unamortized net loss
    3,301       4,612  
                 
Total
  $ 3,301     $ 4,612  
                 


53


 

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) consist of:
 
                 
    Year Ended
 
    Fiscal March  
    2010     2009  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Net transition obligation
  $ 0     $ 0  
Prior service cost
    0       0  
Net actuarial gain (loss)
    1,311       (2,642 )
                 
Total
  $ 1,311     $ (2,642 )
                 
 
Pension expense (income) included the following components:
 
                         
    Year Ended Fiscal March  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
  $ 769     $ 751     $ 728  
Expected return on plan assets
    (824 )     (1,013 )     (1,178 )
Amortization of unrecognized actuarial loss
    384       56       93  
                         
Net pension expense (income)
  $ 329     $ (206 )   $ (357 )
                         
 
The weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations are as follows:
 
                 
    Year Ended
    Fiscal March
    2010   2009
 
Discount rate
    6.14 %     7.36 %
 
The weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic pension costs are as follows:
 
                         
    Year Ended
    Fiscal March
    2010   2009   2008
 
Discount rate
    7.36 %     6.75 %     6.00 %
Expected long-term return on assets
    7.25 %     7.00 %     8.00 %
 
The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is established based upon assumptions related to historical returns and the future expectations for returns for each asset class, as well as the target asset allocation of the pension portfolio.
 
The investment strategy of the plan is to conservatively manage the assets in order to meet the plan’s long-term obligations while maintaining sufficient liquidity to pay current benefits. This is achieved by holding equity investments while investing a portion of assets in long duration bonds to match the long-term nature of the liabilities. Going forward, the Company’s general target allocation for the plan is 40% fixed income and 60% equity securities.
 
The Company’s asset allocations, by asset category, are as follows at the end of each year:
 
                 
    March 27,
    March 28,
 
    2010     2009  
 
Cash and cash equivalents
    4.2 %     2.9 %
Fixed income
    43.2 %     41.6 %
Equity securities
    52.6 %     55.5 %
                 
Total
    100.0 %     100.0 %
                 


54


 

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The following table provides fair value measurement information for the Company’s major categories of defined benefit plan assets at March 27, 2010:
 
                                 
    Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using  
          Quoted Prices
             
          in Active
    Significant
       
          Markets for
    Other
    Significant
 
          Identical
    Observable
    Unobservable
 
          Assets
    Inputs
    Inputs
 
    Total     (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Equity securities:
                               
U.S. companies
  $ 6,001     $ 6,001                  
International companies
    2,067       2,067                  
Fixed income:
                               
U.S. treasuries/agencies
    953             $ 953          
U.S. corporate bonds
    5,690               5,690          
Cash equivalents
    650               650          
                                 
Total
  $ 15,361     $ 8,068     $ 7,293          
                                 
 
There are no required or expected contributions in fiscal 2011 to the plan.
 
The following pension benefit payments are expected to be paid:
 
         
    Year Ended
 
    Fiscal March  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
2011
  $ 537  
2012
    555  
2013
    570  
2014
    567  
2015
    596  
2016-2020
    3,668  
         
Total
  $ 6,493  
         
 
The Company has a 401(K)/Profit Sharing Plan that covers full-time employees who meet the age and service requirements of the plan. The 401(K) salary deferral option was added to the plan during fiscal 2000. The first employee deferral occurred in March 2000. The Company makes matching contributions consistent with the provisions of the plan. Charges to expense for the Company’s matching contributions for fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008 amounted to approximately $597,000, $642,000 and $675,000, respectively. The Company may also make annual profit sharing contributions to the plan at the discretion of the Company’s Compensation Committee.
 
The Company has a deferred compensation plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”) to provide an opportunity for additional tax-deferred savings to a select group of management or highly compensated employees. The Deferred Compensation Plan permits participants to defer all or any portion of the compensation that would otherwise be payable to them for the calendar year. In addition, the Company will credit to the participants’ accounts such amounts as would have been contributed to the Company’s 401(K)/Profit Sharing Plan but for the limitations that are imposed under the Internal Revenue Code based upon the participants’ status as highly compensated employees. The Company may also make such additional discretionary allocations as are determined by the Compensation Committee. The Plan is an unfunded arrangement and the participants or their beneficiaries


55


 

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
have an unsecured claim against the general assets of the Company to the extent of their Plan benefits. The Company maintains accounts to reflect the amounts owed to each participant. At least annually, the accounts are credited with earnings or losses calculated on the basis of an interest rate or other formula as determined by the Company’s Compensation Committee. The total liability recorded in the Company’s financial statements at March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009 related to the Deferred Compensation Plan was $799,000 and $662,000, respectively.
 
The Company’s management bonus plan provides for the payment of annual cash bonus awards to participating employees, as selected by the Board of Directors, based primarily on the Company’s attaining pre-tax income targets established by the Board of Directors. Charges to expense applicable to the management bonus plan totaled $2,660,000, $2,034,000 and $225,000 for the fiscal years ended March 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
NOTE 13 — RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
The Company is currently a party to leases for certain facilities where the lessor is an officer of the Company, or family members of such officer. Six leases were assumed in March 2004 in connection with the Mr. Tire Acquisition. These payments under such operating and capital leases amounted to $624,000, $605,000 and $591,000 for the fiscal years ended March 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. No amounts were payable at March 27, 2010 or March 28, 2009. No related party leases, other than the six assumed as part of the Mr. Tire Acquisition in March 2004, have been entered into, and no new leases are contemplated.
 
The Company has a management agreement with an investment banking firm associated with a principal shareholder/director of the Company to provide financial advice. The agreement provides for an annual fee of $300,000, plus reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses. During each of the fiscal years 2010, 2009 and 2008, the Company incurred fees of $300,000, under this agreement. In addition, this investment banking firm, from time to time, provides additional investment banking services to the Company for customary fees. Approximately half of all payments made to the investment banking firm under the management agreement are paid to another principal shareholder/director of the Company.
 
NOTE 14 — SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
 
The following transactions represent non-cash investing and financing activities during the periods indicated:
 
Year ended March 27, 2010
 
In connection with the FY10 acquisitions (Note 2), liabilities were assumed as follows:
 
         
Fair value of assets acquired
  $ 45,352,000  
Goodwill
    18,556,000  
Cash paid, net of cash acquired
    (46,103,000 )
         
Liabilities assumed
  $ 17,805,000  
         
 
In connection with recording the value of the Company’s interest rate swap contracts, other comprehensive income and other current liabilities increased by $435,000 and $307,000, respectively, and other long-term liabilities and long-term deferred tax assets decreased by $1,008,000 and $266,000, respectively.
 
In connection with the recording of capital leases, the Company increased both fixed assets and long-term debt by $3,500,000.
 
In connection with the recording of the pension liability adjustment, the Company increased other non-current assets by $1,311,000 and decreased other comprehensive income and long-term deferred taxes by $813,000 and $498,000, respectively.


56


 

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
In connection with the accounting for income tax benefits related to the exercise of stock options, the Company decreased current liabilities and increased paid-in capital by $2,990,000.
 
In connection with the termination of capital leases, the Company reduced debt and fixed assets by $72,000 and $13,000, respectively, and increased other long-term liabilities by $59,000.
 
In connection with the exercise of stock options and the satisfaction of tax withholding obligations by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and other members of the Company’s Board of Directors, the Company increased current liabilities, common stock, paid-in capital and treasury stock by $792,000, $1,000, $2,343,000 and $3,136,000, respectively.
 
In connection with the declaration of cash dividends, the Company increased other current liabilities and decreased retained earnings by $1,434,000.
 
Year ended March 28, 2009
 
During the year ended March 28, 2009, the Company recorded purchase accounting adjustments for the Valley Forge, Craven and Broad Elm Acquisitions that increased goodwill by $386,000 and current liabilities by $23,000 and decreased fixed assets by $60,000 and intangible assets by $303,000. Adjustments were related to the finalization of fixed asset appraisals and customer list valuations, and were recorded within one year of the acquisition.
 
In connection with recording the value of the Company’s interest rate swap contracts, other comprehensive income decreased by $625,000 and other long-term liabilities and long-term deferred tax assets increased by $1,008,000 and $383,000, respectively.
 
In connection with the recording of capital leases, the Company increased both fixed assets and long-term debt by $550,000.
 
In connection with the termination of capital leases, the Company decreased debt and fixed assets by $378,000, and $171,000, respectively, and increased other long-term liabilities by $207,000.
 
In connection with the recording of the pension liability adjustment, the Company increased other comprehensive income and long term deferred taxes by $1,678,000 and $1,004,000, respectively, and decreased other non-current assets by $2,682,000.
 
In connection with the accounting for income tax benefits related to the exercise of stock options, the Company decreased current liabilities and long-term deferred tax assets by $2,280,000 and $14,000, respectively, and increased paid-in capital by $2,266,000.
 
In connection with the exercise of stock options by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (see Note 1), the Company increased current liabilities, common stock, paid-in capital and treasury stock by $3,364,000, $5,000, $1,925,000 and $5,294,000, respectively.
 
In connection with the conversion of preferred stock to common stock (see Note 17), the Company increased common stock and paid-in capital by $5,000 and $43,000, respectively, and decreased preferred stock by $48,000.


57


 

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Year ended March 29, 2008
 
In connection with the Craven, Valley Forge and Broad Elm Acquisitions (see Note 2), liabilities were assumed as follows:
 
         
Fair value of assets acquired
  $ 4,661,000  
Goodwill
    18,124,000  
Cash paid, net of cash acquired
    (20,243,000 )
         
Liabilities assumed
  $ 2,542,000  
         
 
During the year ended March 29, 2008, the Company recorded purchase accounting adjustments for the ProCare Acquisition that increased goodwill, debt and long-term deferred taxes by $823,000, $142,000 and $549,000, respectively, and decreased fixed assets, current liabilities and long-term liabilities by $1,592,000, $31,000 and $331,000, respectively. (All material adjustments occurred in the first quarter of fiscal 2008, including the finalization of fixed asset appraisals, and within one year of the acquisition.)
 
In connection with the recording of capital leases, the Company increased both fixed assets and long-term debt by $1,485,000.
 
In connection with the termination of capital leases, the Company decreased debt and fixed assets by $785,000.
 
In connection with the recording of the pension liability adjustment, the Company increased other non-current assets and other comprehensive income by $493,000 and $296,000, respectively, and decreased long-term deferred tax assets by $197,000.
 
In connection with the accounting for income tax benefits related to the exercise of stock options, the Company decreased current liabilities and increased paid-in capital by $587,000.
 
Interest and Income Taxes Paid
 
                         
    Year Ended Fiscal March
    2010   2009   2008
    (Dollars in thousands)
 
Cash paid during the year:
                       
Interest, net
  $ 5,880     $ 5,702     $ 5,406  
Income taxes, net
  $ 9,584     $ 11,355     $ 12,394  
 
NOTE 15 — LITIGATION
 
The Company was the defendant in a lawsuit filed in December 2007, in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, that claimed that the Company violated federal and state laws related to the calculation and payment of overtime to certain headquarters employees. In May 2008, subject to Court approval, the Company and the plaintiffs agreed upon the financial terms of a settlement of all claims in the lawsuit (the “Settlement”). In doing so, the Company did not admit any wrongdoing with respect to the matters involved in the lawsuit. The Company obtained final court approval of the Settlement in March 2009. The Company recorded a reserve for the Settlement, including an estimate of all costs to bring the matter to a close, in the amount of $.9 million in fiscal 2008. This amount was reduced by approximately $.1 million in fiscal 2009 due to lower than anticipated costs to resolve the matter.
 
The Company is not a party or subject to any other legal proceedings other than certain routine claims and lawsuits that arise in the normal course of its business. The Company does not believe that such routine claims or lawsuits, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations.


58


 

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
NOTE 16 — DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
Current accounting guidance requires that all derivative instruments be recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded each period in current earnings or other comprehensive income, depending on whether the derivative is designated as part of a hedge transaction, and if it is, depending on the type of hedge transaction.
 
The notional amount of derivative financial instruments, which consisted solely of three interest rate swaps used to minimize the risk and/or costs associated with changes in interest rates, was $30 million at March 27, 2010. These swaps mature in July 2010. Fixed rates under these agreements range from 3.27% to 3.29%.
 
The Company manages exposure to changes in market interest rates. The Company’s use of derivative instruments is limited to highly effective interest rate swaps to hedge the risk of changes in cash flows (future interest payments) attributable to changes in LIBOR swap rates, the designated benchmark interest rate being hedged on certain of the Company’s LIBOR-indexed variable-rate debt. The interest rate swaps effectively fix the Company’s interest payments on certain LIBOR-indexed variable-rate debt.
 
The Company reflects the current fair value of all interest rate hedge instruments in its consolidated balance sheets as a component of current liabilities. All of the Company’s interest rate hedge instruments are designated as cash flow hedges.
 
The related gains and losses related to the fair value of interest rate hedges are deferred in stockholders’ equity as a component of other comprehensive income or loss. The deferred loss at March 27, 2010 was $190,000. These deferred gains and losses are recognized in income as a decrease or increase to interest expense in the period in which the related cash flows being hedged are recognized in expense. However, to the extent that the change in value of an interest rate hedge instrument does not perfectly offset the change in the value of the cash flows being hedged, that ineffective portion is immediately recognized in the income statement. The Company’s hedge instruments have been determined to be highly effective as of March 27, 2010.
 
The Company primarily executes derivative transactions of relatively short duration with strong creditworthy counterparties. These counterparties expose the Company to credit risk in the event of non-performance. The amount of such exposure is limited to the unpaid portion of amounts due to the Company pursuant to the terms of the derivative financial instruments, if any. Although there are no collateral requirements, if a downgrade in the credit rating of these counterparties occurs, management believes that this exposure is mitigated by provisions in the derivative agreements which allow for the legal right of offset of any amounts due to the Company from the counterparties with amounts payable, if any, to the counterparties by the Company. Management considers the risk of counterparty default to be minimal.
 
The following table presents the Company’s derivative financial instruments measured at fair value at March 27, 2010:
 
                                         
    Notional
                         
    Amount of
                         
    Underlying
    Fixed Rate
    Year of
             
Interest Rate Swaps
  Debt     Received     Transaction     Maturity     Fair Value  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Swaps associated with:
                                       
1 month U.S. LIBOR
  $ 10,000       3.29 %     2008       2010     $ (103 )
1 month U.S. LIBOR
    10,000       3.27 %     2008       2010       (102 )
1 month U.S. LIBOR
    10,000       3.27 %     2008       2010       (102 )
                                         
    $ 30,000                             $ (307 )
                                         


59


 

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
The location and amounts of derivative fair values in the balance sheet as of March 27, 2010 were as follows:
 
                 
    Balance Sheet Location   Fair Value
    (Dollars in thousands)
 
Interest rate contracts designated as hedging instruments under accounting guidance on derivative instruments and hedging activities
    Current liabilities     $ 307  
 
The effect of derivative instruments in cash flow hedge relationships on the financial statements for the year ended March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009 were as follows:
 
                                         
    Amount of Gain or (Loss)
    Location of Gain or
    Amount of Gain or (Loss)
 
    Recognized in Other
    (Loss) Reclassified from
    Reclassified From Other
 
Derivatives in
  Comprehensive Income on
    Accumulated Other
    Comprehensive Income into
 
Subtopic 815-20 Cash
  Derivatives
    Comprehensive Income
    Income
 
Flow Hedging
  (Effective Portion)     into Income
    (Effective Portion)  
Relationships
  2010     2009     (Effective Portion)     2010     2009  
    (Dollars in thousands)           (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Interest rate contracts
  $ 435     $ (625 )     Interest income (expense )   $ (902 )   $ (313 )
 
While it is not the Company’s intention to terminate its derivative financial instruments, fair values were estimated based on quotes from financial institutions, which represented the amounts that the Company would receive or pay if the instruments were terminated at the respective balance sheet date. These fair values indicated that the termination of interest rate swaps would result in a $307,000 loss as of March 27, 2010.
 
See Note 7 for additional disclosure regarding financial instruments.
 
NOTE 17 — PREFERRED STOCK CONVERSION
 
In FY 2009, preferred stockholders converted 32,500 shares of Class C preferred stock to 506,755 shares of common stock.
 
NOTE 18 — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
In April 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $.09 per common share or common share equivalent to be paid to shareholders of record as of June 8, 2010. The dividend will be paid on June 18, 2010.
 
See Note 2 for a discussion of the Import Export Tire acquisition which was announced in March 2010.


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MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
 
The following table sets forth consolidated statement of income data by quarter for the fiscal years ended March 2010 and 2009. Earnings per share and weighted average share information has been adjusted for the Company’s three-for-two stock split. Individual line items summed by quarters may not agree to the annual amounts reported due to rounding.
 
                                 
    June
    Sept.
    Dec.
    March
 
    2009     2009     2009     2010  
    (Amounts in thousands, except per share data)  
 
Sales
  $ 128,045     $ 136,634     $ 152,729     $ 147,231  
Cost of sales
    71,636       77,781       94,171       89,877  
                                 
Gross profit
    56,409       58,853       58,558       57,354  
Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses
    39,158       41,148       43,531       46,059  
Intangible amortization
    133       198       374       189  
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets
    139       (20 )     402       627  
                                 
Total operating expenses
    39,430       41,326       44,307       46,875  
                                 
Operating income
    16,979       17,527       14,251       10,479  
Interest expense, net
    1,897       1,442       998       1,753  
Other income, net
    (43 )     (75 )     (71 )     (90 )
                                 
Income before provision for income taxes
    15,125       16,160       13,324       8,816  
Provision for income taxes
    5,714       6,158       5,417       2,946  
                                 
Net income
  $ 9,411     $ 10,002     $ 7,907     $ 5,870  
                                 
Basic earnings per share
  $ .48     $ .51     $ .40     $ .29  
                                 
Diluted earnings per share(a)
  $ .46     $ .49     $ .38     $ .28  
                                 
Weighted average number of common shares used in computing earnings per share
                               
Basic
    19,440       19,568       19,766       19,906  
Diluted
    20,436       20,546       20,779       20,926  
 


61


 

                                 
    Fiscal Quarter Ended  
    June
    Sept.
    Dec.
    March
 
    2008     2008     2008     2009  
    (Amounts in thousands, except per share data)  
 
Sales
  $ 120,369     $ 119,912     $ 118,680     $ 117,144  
Cost of sales
    69,480       69,511       73,465       72,184  
                                 
Gross profit
    50,889       50,401       45,215       44,960  
Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses
    36,852       36,786       35,694       39,043  
Intangible amortization
    123       133       112       121  
Gain on disposal of assets
    (32 )     (286 )     (510 )     (233 )
                                 
Total operating expenses
    36,943       36,633       35,296       38,931  
                                 
Operating income
    13,946       13,768       9,919       6,029  
Interest expense, net
    1,519       1,592       1,536       1,330  
Other income, net
    (72 )     (188 )     (99 )     (70 )
                                 
Income before provision for income taxes
    12,499       12,364       8,482       4,769  
Provision for income taxes
    4,705       4,692       2,904       1,725  
                                 
Net income
  $ 7,794     $ 7,672     $ 5,578     $ 3,044  
                                 
Basic earnings per share
  $ .42     $ .41     $ .29     $ .16  
                                 
Diluted earnings per share(a)
  $ .39     $ .38     $ .28     $ .15  
                                 
Weighted average number of common shares used in computing earnings per share
                               
Basic
    18,387       18,531       19,040       19,390  
Diluted
    20,105       20,230       20,095       20,199  
 
 
(a) Earnings per share for each period was computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock and Common Stock Equivalents outstanding during the respective quarters.
 
Significant fourth quarter adjustments
 
There were no material, extraordinary, unusual or infrequently occurring items recognized in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 or fiscal 2009.

62


 

 
Item 9.   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
 
None.
 
Item 9A.   Controls and Procedures
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports that the Company files or submits pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
In conjunction with the close of each fiscal quarter and under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Company conducts an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. It is the conclusion of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, based upon an evaluation completed as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter reported on herein, and subject to the limitations discussed below, that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were sufficiently effective in ensuring that any material information relating to the Company was recorded, processed, summarized and reported to its principal officers to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
 
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
Management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of March 27, 2010, the end of our fiscal year. Management has reviewed the results of its assessment with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 27, 2010 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears herein.
 
Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls
 
The Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that its disclosure controls and procedures or its internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. The design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Further, because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments


63


 

in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Controls can also be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls is based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Projections of any evaluation of controls’ effectiveness to future periods are subject to risks. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures.
 
Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
 
There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 27, 2010 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.


64


 

 
PART III
 
Item 10.   Directors and Executive Officers of the Company and Corporate Governance
 
Information concerning the directors and executive officers of the Company is incorporated herein by reference to the section captioned “Election of Directors” and “Executive Officers”, respectively, in the Proxy Statement.
 
Information concerning required Section 16(a) disclosure is incorporated herein by reference to the section captioned “Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act” in the Proxy Statement.
 
The Company’s directors and executive officers are subject to the provisions of the Company’s Code of Ethics for Management Employees, Officers and Directors (the “Code”), which is available in the Investor Information section of the Company’s web site, www.monro.com. Changes to the Code and any waivers are also posted on the Company’s web site in the Investor Information section.
 
Item 11.   Executive Compensation
 
Information concerning executive compensation is incorporated herein by reference to the section captioned “Executive Compensation” in the Proxy Statement.
 
Item 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
 
Information concerning the Company’s shares authorized for issuance under its equity compensation plans at March 27, 2010 and security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is incorporated herein by reference to the sections captioned “Security Ownership of Principal Shareholders, Directors and Executive Officers” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information” in the Proxy Statement.
 
Item 13.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
 
Information concerning certain relationships and related transactions is incorporated herein by reference to the sections captioned “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” and “Certain Transactions” in the Proxy Statement.
 
Item 14.   Principal Accountant Fees and Services
 
Information concerning the Company’s principal accounting fees and services is incorporated herein by reference to the section captioned “Approval of Independent Accountants” in the Proxy Statement.


65


 

 
PART IV
 
Item 15.   Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
 
Financial Statements
 
Reference is made to Item 8 of Part II hereof.
 
Financial Statement Schedules
 
Schedules have been omitted because they are inapplicable, not required, the information is included elsewhere in the Financial Statements or the notes thereto or is immaterial. Specific to warranty reserves and related activity, as stated in the Financial Statements, these amounts are immaterial.
 
Exhibits
 
Reference is made to the Index to Exhibits accompanying this Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company will furnish to any shareholder, upon written request, any exhibit listed in such Index to Exhibits upon payment by such shareholder of the Company’s reasonable expenses in furnishing any such exhibit. The agreements accompanying this Form 10-K or incorporated herein by reference may contain representations, warranties and other provisions that were made, among other things, to provide the parties thereto with specified rights and obligations and to allocate risk among them, and such agreements should not be relied upon by buyers, sellers or holders of the Company’s securities.


66


 

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
 
MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC.
(Registrant)
 
  By 
/s/  Robert G. Gross
Robert G. Gross
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
 
Date: June 10, 2010
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.
 
             
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
/s/  Catherine D’Amico

Catherine D’Amico
  Executive Vice President-Finance
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
  June 10, 2010
         
/s/  Richard A. Berenson

Richard A. Berenson
  Director   June 10, 2010
         
/s/  Frederick M. Danziger

Frederick M. Danziger
  Director   June 10, 2010
         
/s/  Donald Glickman

Donald Glickman
  Director   June 10, 2010
         
/s/  Peter J. Solomon

Peter J. Solomon
  Director   June 10, 2010
         
/s/  Lionel B. Spiro

Lionel B. Spiro
  Director   June 10, 2010
         
/s/  Robert E. Mellor

Robert E. Mellor
  Director   June 10, 2010
         
/s/  Elizabeth A. Wolszon

Elizabeth A. Wolszon
  Director   June 10, 2010


67


 

INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
The following is a list of all exhibits filed herewith or incorporated by reference herein:
 
         
Exhibit No.
 
Document
 
  3 .01*   Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, dated July 23, 1991, with Certificate of Amendment, dated November 1, 1991. (1992 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 3.01)
  3 .01a*   Certificate of Change of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, dated January 26, 1996. (August 2004 Form S-3, Exhibit 4.1(b))
  3 .01b*   Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation, dated April 15, 2004. (August 2004 Form S-3, Exhibit No. 4.1(c))
  3 .01c*   Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation, dated October 10, 2007. (2008 Form 10-K, Exhibit 3.01c)
  3 .02*   Restated By-Laws of the Company, dated July 23, 1991. (Amendment No. 1, Exhibit No. 3.04)
  10 .01*   2007 Stock Incentive Plan, effective as of June 29, 2007. (May 2008 Form S-8, Exhibit No. 4)**
  10 .01a*   Amendment No. 1 to the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan, dated August 9, 2007. (May 2008 Form S-8, Exhibit No. 4.1)**
  10 .01b*   Amendment No. 2 to the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan, dated September 27, 2007. (May 2008 Form S-8, Exhibit No. 4.2)**
  10 .02*   1994 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan. (March 2001 Form S-8, Exhibit No. 4.1)**
  10 .02a*   Amendment, dated as of May 12, 1997, to the 1994 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan. (March 2001 Form S-8, Exhibit No. 4.2)**
  10 .02b*   Amendment, dated as of May 18, 1999, to the 1994 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan. (March 2001 Form S-8, Exhibit No. 4.3)**
  10 .02c*   Amendment, dated as of August 2, 1999, to the 1994 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan. (2002 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.02c)**
  10 .02d*   Amendment, dated as of June 12, 2002, to the 1994 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan. (2002 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.02d)**
  10 .03*   1989 Employees’ Incentive Stock Option Plan, as amended through December 23, 1992. (December 1992 Form S-8, Exhibit No. 4.3)**
  10 .03a*   Amendment, dated as of January 25, 1994, to the 1989 Employees’ Incentive Stock Option Plan. (1994 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.03a and March 2001 Form S-8, Exhibit No. 4.2)**
  10 .03b*   Amendment, dated as of May 17, 1995, to the 1989 Employees’ Incentive Stock Option Plan. (1995 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.03b and March 2001 Form S-8, Exhibit No. 4.3)**
  10 .03c*   Amendment, dated as of May 12, 1997, to the 1989 Employees’ Incentive Stock Option Plan. (1997 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.03c and March 2001 Form S-8, Exhibit No. 4.4)**
  10 .03d*   Amendment, dated as of January 29, 1998, to the 1989 Employees’ Incentive Stock Option Plan. (1998 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.03d)**
  10 .03e*   Amendment, dated as of September 26, 2007, to the 1989 Employees’ Incentive Stock Option Plan. (2008 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10.03e)**
  10 .04*   GUST Amendment and Restatement of the Monro Muffler Brake, Inc. Retirement Plan, dated April 1, 2002. (2007 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.04)**
  10 .04a*   Amendment No. 1 to GUST Restatement, dated as of July 31, 2002. (2007 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.04a)**
  10 .04b*   Amendment No. 2 to GUST Restatement, dated July 31, 2002. (2007 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.04b)**
  10 .04c*   Amendment No. 3 to GUST Restatement, dated March 29, 2005. (2007 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.04c)**
  10 .04d*   Amendment No. 4 to GUST Restatement, dated December 21, 2006. (2007 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.04d)**
  10 .05*   Profit Sharing Plan, amended and restated as of April 1, 1993. (1995 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.05)**
  10 .05a*   Amendment, dated as of March 1, 2000, to the Profit Sharing Plan. (June 2001 Form S-8, Exhibit No. 4)**


 

         
Exhibit No.
 
Document
 
  10 .06*   Employment Agreement, dated October 1, 2007, between the Company and Robert G. Gross. (October 2007 Form 8-K, Exhibit No. 99.1)**
  10 .07*   Employment Agreement, dated January 10, 2008 and effective January 1, 2008, between the Company and Joseph Tomarchio, Jr. (January 2008 Form 8-K, Exhibit No. 99.1)**
  10 .08*   1998 Employee Stock Option Plan, effective November 18, 1998. (December 1998 Form 10-Q, Exhibit No. 10.3 and March 2001 Form S-8, Exhibit No. 4)**
  10 .08a*   Amendment, dated May 20, 2003, to the 1998 Employee Stock Option Plan. (2004 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.08a)**
  10 .08b*   Amendment, dated June 8, 2005, to the 1998 Employee Stock Option Plan. (April 2006 Form S-8 for the 1998 Plan, Exhibit No. 4.2)**
  10 .08c*   Amendment, dated September 26, 2007, to the 1998 Employee Stock Option Plan. (2008 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10.08c)**
  10 .09*   Kimmel Automotive, Inc. Pension Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 1989, adopted December 29, 1994. (2003 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.09)**
  10 .09a*   First amendment, dated January 1, 1989, to the Kimmel Automotive, Inc. Pension Plan. (2003 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.09a)**
  10 .09b*   Second amendment, dated January 1, 1989, to the Kimmel Automotive, Inc. Pension Plan. (2003 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.09b)**
  10 .09c*   Third amendment, dated May 2001, to the Kimmel Automotive, Inc. Pension Plan. (2003 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.09c)**
  10 .10*   2003 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan, effective August 5, 2003. (2004 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.10)**
  10 .10a*   Amendment, dated June 8, 2005, to the 2003 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan. (April 2006 Form S-8 for the 2003 Plan, Exhibit No. 4.1)**
  10 .11*   Credit Agreement, dated as of July 13, 2005, by and among the Company, Charter One Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and certain lenders party thereto. (June 2005 Form 10-Q, Exhibit No. 10.1)
  10 .11a*   Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement, dated January 12, 2007, by and among the Company, Charter One Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and certain lenders party thereto. (December 2006 Form 10-Q, Exhibit No. 10.11a)
  10 .11b*   Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement, dated June 6, 2008, by and among Monro Muffler Brake, Inc. and RBS Citizens, N.A. (successor by merger to Charter One Bank, N.A.), as Administrative Agent for lenders party thereto. (June 2008 Form 8-K, Exhibit No. 10.11b)
  10 .12*   Security Agreement, dated as of July 13, 2005, by and among the Company, Monro Service Corporation, Monro Leasing, LLC and Charter One Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent for the lenders party to the Credit Agreement. (June 2005 Form 10-Q, Exhibit No. 10.2)
  10 .13*   Guaranty, dated as of July 13, 2005, of Monro Service Corporation. (June 2005 Form 10-Q, Exhibit No. 10.3)
  10 .15*   Negative Pledge Agreement, dated as of July 13, 2005, by and among the Company, Monro Service Corporation, Monro Leasing, LLC and Charter One Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent for the lenders party to the Credit Agreement. (June 2005 Form 10-Q, Exhibit No. 10.5)
  10 .18*   Resale Restriction Agreement by and between the Company and each of its executive officers and certain senior-level managers, effective as of March 24, 2006. (March 2006 Form 8-K/A, Exhibit No. 10.1)
  10 .62*   Mortgage Agreement, dated September 28, 1994, between the Company and the City of Rochester, New York. (1995 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.60)
  10 .63*   Lease Agreement, dated October 11, 1994, between the Company and the City of Rochester, New York. (1995 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.61)
  10 .66*   Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated September 19, 1995, between the Company and the County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency. (September 1995 Form 10-Q, Exhibit No. 10.00)
  10 .67*   Employment Agreement, dated January 10, 2008 and effective as of January 1, 2008, between the Company and John W. Van Heel. (January 2008 Form 8-K, Exhibit No. 99.2)**


 

         
Exhibit No.
 
Document
 
  10 .68*   Employment Agreement, dated January 11, 2008 and effective as of January 1, 2008, between the Company and Catherine D’Amico. (January 2008 Form 8-K, Exhibit No. 99.3)**
  10 .69*   Supply Agreement, by and between the Company and The Valvoline Company, dated July 10, 2006 and effective as of April 1, 2006. (September 2006 Form 10-Q, Exhibit No. 10.1)
  10 .70*   Agreement of Purchase and Sale, by and among the Company, as Buyer, and BSA II LLC, CJA I LLC, Lane Dworkin Properties, LLC, AA&L II LLC, Seven Cousins of Rochester, LLC, Forus Properties LLC, Stoneridge 7 Partnership, 35 Howard Road Joint Venture, August, August, Lane of Rochester, LLC, The Charles J. and Burton S. August Family Foundation, Barbara S. Lane and Wendy Dworkin as Trustees under the Will of Sheldon A. Lane f/b/o Barbara A. Lane, Charles J. August and Burton S. August, as Sellers, dated as of March 14, 2008, with respect to Store Nos. 3, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 23, 25, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35, 36, 43, 44, 48, 49, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 57, 58 and 60. (2009 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.70)
  10 .70a   Amendment to Purchase and Sale, by and among the Company, as Buyer, and BSA II LLC, CJA I LLC, Lane Dworkin Properties, LLC, AA&L II LLC, Seven Cousins of Rochester, LLC, Forus Properties LLC, Stoneridge 7 Partnership, 35 Howard Road Joint Venture, August, August, Lane of Rochester, LLC, The Charles J. and Burton S. August Family Foundation, Barbara S. Lane and Wendy Dworkin as Trustees under the Will of Sheldon A. Lane f/b/o Barbara A. Lane, Charles J. August and Burton S. August, as Sellers, dated as of March 14, 2008, with respect to Store Nos. 3, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 23, 25, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35, 36, 43, 44, 48, 49, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 57, 58 and 60.
  10 .71*   Supply Agreement, dated April 11, 2007 and effective as of February 1, 2007, by and between Monro Service Corporation and AP Exhaust Products, Inc. (2007 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.71)
  10 .71a*   Amendment to Supply Agreement, dated as of February 20, 2009. (2009 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.71a)
  10 .76*   Tenneco Automotive Ride Control Products Supply Agreement between Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc. and Monro Service Corporation, effective July 1, 2001. (2002 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.76)
  10 .77*   Management Incentive Compensation Plan, effective as of June 1, 2002. (2002 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.77)**
  10 .79*   Agreement, dated January 1, 1998, between F&J Properties, Inc. and Mr. Tire, Inc., as predecessor-in-interest to the Company, effective January 1, 1998, with respect to Store No. 750. (2004 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.79)
  10 .79a*   Assignment and Assumption of Lease, dated March 1, 2004, between Mr. Tire, Inc. and the Company, with respect to Store No. 750. (2004 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.79a)
  10 .79b*   Landlord’s Consent and Estoppel Certificate, dated as of February 27, 2004, by F&J Properties, Inc., with respect to Store No. 750. (2004 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.79b)
  10 .79c*   Renewal letter, dated April 16, 2007, from the Company to F&J Properties, Inc. with respect to No. Store 750. (2007 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.79c)
  10 .80*   Agreement, dated January 1, 1997, between The Three Marquees and Mr. Tire, Inc., as predecessor-in-interest to the Company, with respect to Store No. 753. (2004 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.80)
  10 .80a*   Assignment and Assumption of Lease, dated March 1, 2004, between Mr. Tire, Inc. and the Company, with respect to Store No. 753. (2004 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.80a)
  10 .80b*   Landlord’s Consent and Estoppel Certificate, dated as of February 27, 2004, by The Three Marquees, with respect to Store No. 753. (2004 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.80b)
  10 .80c*   Renewal Letter, dated March 6, 2006, from the Company to The Three Marquees, with respect to Store No. 753. (2006 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.80c)
  10 .81*   Agreement, dated April 1, 1998, between 425 Manchester Road, LLC and Mr. Tire, Inc., as predecessor-in-interest to the Company, with respect to Store No. 754. (2004 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.81)
  10 .81a*   Assignment and Assumption of Lease, dated March 1, 2004, between Mr. Tire, Inc. and the Company, with respect to Store No. 754. (2004 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.81a)
  10 .81b*   Landlord’s Consent and Estoppel Certificate, dated as of February 27, 2004, by 425 Manchester Road, LLC, with respect to Store No. 754. (2004 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.81b)


 

         
Exhibit No.
 
Document
 
  10 .81c*   Renewal Letter, dated June 8, 2007, from the Company to 425 Manchester Road LLC, with respect to Store No. 754. (2008 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.81c)
  10 .82*   Agreement, dated January 1, 1997, between The Three Marquees and Mr. Tire, Inc., as predecessor-in-interest to the Company, with respect to Store No. 756. (2004 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.82)
  10 .82a*   Assignment and Assumption of Lease, dated March 1, 2004, between Mr. Tire, Inc. and the Company, with respect to Store No. 756. (2004 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.82a)
  10 .82b*   Landlord’s Consent and Estoppel Certificate, dated as of February 27, 2004, by The Three Marquees, with respect to Store No. 756. (2004 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.82b)
  10 .82c*   Renewal Letter, dated March 6, 2006, from the Company to The Three Marquees, with respect to Store No. 756. (2006 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.82c)
  10 .83*   Agreement, dated January 1, 1997, between The Three Marquees and Mr. Tire, Inc., as predecessor-in-interest to the Company, with respect to Store No. 758. (2004 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.83)
  10 .83a*   Assignment and Assumption of Lease, dated March 1, 2004, between Mr. Tire, Inc. and the Company, with respect to Store No. 758. (2004 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.83a)
  10 .83b*   Landlord’s Consent and Estoppel Certificate, dated as of February 27, 2004, by The Three Marquees, with respect to Store No. 758. (2004 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.83b)
  10 .83c*   Renewal Letter, dated March 6, 2006, from the Company to The Three Marquees, with respect to Store No. 758. (2006 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.83c)
  10 .84*   Agreement, dated September 2, 1999, between LPR Associates and Mr. Tire, Inc., as predecessor-in-interest to the Company, with respect to Store No. 765. (2004 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.84)
  10 .84a*   Assignment and Assumption of Lease, dated March 1, 2004, between Mr. Tire, Inc. and the Company, with respect to Store No. 765. (2004 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.84a)
  10 .84b*   Landlord’s Consent and Estoppel Certificate, dated as of February 27, 2004, by LPR Associates, with respect to Store No. 765. (2004 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.84b)
  10 .84c*   Renewal Letter, dated October 29, 2008, from the Company to LPR Associates with respect to Store No. 765. (2009 Form 10-K, Exhibit No. 10.84c)
  10 .86*   Supply Agreement by and between the Company and Wagner Brake, a division of Federal-Mogul Corporation, dated as of November 2, 2004 and effective as of February 1, 2005. (December 2004 Form 10-Q, Exhibit No. 10.86)
  21 .01   Subsidiaries of the Company.
  23 .01   Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
  24 .01   Powers of Attorney.
  31 .1   Certification of Robert G. Gross, Chief Executive Officer.
  31 .2   Certification of Catherine D’Amico, Executive Vice President — Finance and Chief Financial Officer.
  32 .1   Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002).
 
 
** Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit to this Form 10-K pursuant to Item 14(c) hereof.
 
  •  An asterisk “*” following an exhibit number indicates that the exhibit is incorporated herein by reference to an exhibit to one of the following documents: (1) the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-41290), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 19, 1991 (“Form S-1”); (2) Amendment No. 1 thereto, filed July 22, 1991 (“Amendment No. 1”); (3) the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1992 (“1992 Form 10-K”); (4) the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 24, 1992 (“December 1992 Form S-8”); (5) the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1994 (“1994 Form 10-K”); (6) the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1995 (“1995 Form 10-K”); (7) the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 1995 (“September 1995 Form 10-Q”); (8) the


 

  Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997 (“1997 Form 10-K”); (9) the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998 (“1998 Form 10-K”); (10) the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 1998 (“December 1998 Form 10-Q”); (11) the Company’s Registration Statements on Forms S-8, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 2001 (each a “March 2001 Form S-8”); (12) the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 26, 2001 (“June 2001 Form S-8”); (13) the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 30, 2002 (“2002 Form 10-K”); (14) the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 28, 2003 (“2003 Form 10-K”); (15) the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 27, 2004 (“2004 Form 10-K”); (16) the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-118176), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 12, 2004 (“August 2004 Form S-3”); (17) the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended December 25, 2004 (“December 2004 Form 10-Q”); (18) the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 25, 2005 (“June 2005 Form 10-Q”); (19) the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed March 31, 2006 (“March 2006 Form 8-K/A”); (20) the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-133044) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 6, 2006. (“April 2006 Form S-8 for 2003 Plan”); (21) the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-133045) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 6, 2006. (“April 2006 Form S-8 for 1998 Plan”); (22) the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 25, 2006 (“2006 Form 10-K”); (23) the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 23, 2006 (“September 2006 Form 10-Q”); (24) the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended December 23, 2006 (“December 2006 Form 10-Q”); (25) the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 (“2007 Form 10-K”); (26) the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed October 4, 2007 (“October 2007 Form 8-K”); (27) the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed January 14, 2008 (“January 2008 Form 8-K”); (28) the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended March 29, 2008 (“2008 Form 10-K”); (29) the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-151196) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 27, 2008 (“May 2008 Form S-8”); (30) the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on June 11, 2008 (“June 2008 Form 8-K”); and (31) the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 28, 2009 (“2009 Form 10-K”). The appropriate document and exhibit number are indicated in parentheses.