MONRO, INC. - Quarter Report: 2015 September (Form 10-Q)

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

☒  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended September 26, 2015.

 

OR

 

☐  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from _____________ to _____________

 

Commission File Number: 0-19357

 

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

585-647-6400

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.      ☒  Yes     ☐  No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).      ☒  Yes     ☐  No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, 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):

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).      ☐  Yes     ☒  No

 

As of October 23, 2015, 31,976,755 shares of the registrant's common stock, par value $ .01 per share, were outstanding.

 

 

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MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC.

 

INDEX

 

 

 

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MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC.

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

(UNAUDITED)

 

(Dollars and shares in thousands)

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

 

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Note 1 – Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

The consolidated balance sheets as of September 26, 2015 and March 28, 2015, the consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the quarters and six months ended September 26, 2015 and September 27, 2014, the consolidated statement of changes in shareholders’ equity for the six months ended September 26, 2015, and the consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended September 26, 2015 and September 27, 2014, include financial information for Monro Muffler Brake, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Monro Service Corporation and Car-X, LLC (collectively, “Monro”, “we”, “us”, “our”).  These unaudited, condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by Monro.  We believe all known adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals or adjustments) have been made to fairly state the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the unaudited periods presented.

 

Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.  The year-end consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  The information included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 28, 2015.

 

We report our results on a 52/53 week fiscal year with the fiscal year ending on the last Saturday in March of each year.  The following are the dates represented by each fiscal period reported in these condensed financial statements:

 

 

Fiscal year 2016, ending March 26, 2016, is a 52 week year.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new accounting guidance for the reporting of discontinued operations.  This guidance eliminates certain exceptions from reporting discontinued operations that exist under current guidance, and also requires several new disclosures about disposals that qualify as discontinued operations.  This guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning on or after December 15, 2014, with early adoption permitted.  The adoption of this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2016 did not have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements. 

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued new accounting guidance for the reporting of revenue from contracts with customers.  This guidance provides guidelines a company will apply to determine the measurement of revenue and timing of when it is recognized.  In August 2015, the FASB delayed the effective date of the standard to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017.  Early adoption is permitted, but not before the original effective date for public entities.  We are currently evaluating the potential effect of the adoption of this guidance on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In January 2015, the FASB issued new accounting guidance related to the disclosure requirements for extraordinary items.  The standard eliminates the concept of extraordinary items on the income statement.  This pronouncement is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2015.  The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In February 2015, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that is intended to improve targeted areas of consolidation guidance for reporting organizations that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. This standard simplifies consolidation accounting by reducing the number of consolidation models and will require all entities to re-evaluate consolidation conclusions regarding variable interest entities.  This pronouncement is effective for fiscal years and for interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2015.  The adoption of this guidance is not anticipated to have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In April 2015, the FASB issued new accounting guidance related to the presentation of debt issuance costs.  This standard will require debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability to be presented on the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the debt liability rather than as an asset.  These costs will continue to be amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method.  This pronouncement is effective for fiscal years and for interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2015.  Retrospective adoption is required.  In September 2015, the FASB issued guidance clarifying that debt issuance costs related to revolver and line of credit arrangements can be recorded as an asset and amortized over the term of the arrangement, which is consistent with Monro’s current presentation.  We do not expect this pronouncement to have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

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In April 2015, the FASB issued new accounting guidance related to the measurement date of an employer's defined benefit obligation and plan assets.  The new guidance permits a reporting entity with a fiscal year-end that does not coincide with a month-end to measure defined benefit plan assets and obligations using the month-end that is closest to the entity's fiscal year-end and apply that practical expedient consistently from year to year. The standard is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The new guidance should be applied on a prospective basis. The adoption of this standard will not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In July 2015, the FASB issued new accounting guidance for the reporting of inventory.  This guidance requires that inventory within the scope of the guidance be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value.  This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted.  We are currently evaluating the potential effect of the adoption of this guidance on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In September 2015, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that is intended to simplify the accounting for adjustments made to provisional amounts recognized in a business combination by eliminating the requirement to retrospectively account for those adjustments.  This standard requires an entity to present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the notes the amount recorded in current period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. This pronouncement is effective for fiscal years and for interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2015.  The adoption of this guidance is not anticipated to have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Other recent authoritative guidance issued by the FASB (including technical corrections to the Accounting Standards Codification) and the SEC did not, or are not expected to have a material effect on Monro’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Guarantees

 

We have guaranteed certain lease payments, primarily related to franchisees, amounting to $11 million.  This amount represents the maximum potential amount of future payments under the guarantees as of September 26, 2015.  The leases are guaranteed through April 2020.  In the event of default by the franchise owner, we generally retain the right to assume the lease of the related store, enabling us to re-franchise the location or to operate that location as a company-owned store.  As of September 26, 2015, we do not anticipate any material defaults under the foregoing leases; therefore, no liability has been provided.

 

Note 2 – Acquisitions

 

Monro’s acquisitions are strategic moves in our plan to fill in and expand our presence in existing and contiguous markets, and leverage fixed operating costs such as distribution and advertising.

 

Fiscal 2016

 

During fiscal 2016, we acquired the following businesses for an aggregate purchase price of $49.4 million.  The acquisitions were financed through our existing credit facility.  The results of operations for these acquisitions are included in Monro’s financial results from the respective acquisition dates.

 

In July and August 2015, we acquired three retail tire and automotive repair stores located in Illinois and Indiana from two former Car-X franchisees.  These stores operate under the Car-X name.

 

On August 16, 2015, we acquired 27 retail tire and automotive repair stores located in Central New York and Pennsylvania from Kost Tire.  These stores operate under the Mr. Tire name.

 

On July 12, 2015, we acquired four retail tire and automotive repair stores located in Massachusetts from Windsor Tire Co., Inc.  These stores operate under the Monro Brake & Tire name.

 

On April 25, 2015, we acquired the Car-X Brand, as well as the franchise rights for 146 auto service centers from Car-X Associates Corp., a subsidiary of Tuffy Associates Corp.  At the time of acquisition, the Car-X stores were owned and operated by 32 independent Car-X franchisees in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin.  The franchise locations operate under the Car-X name.  Monro operates as the franchisor through a standard royalty agreement, while Car-X remains a separate and independent brand and business through Car-X, LLC, Monro’s wholly-owned subsidiary, with franchise operations based in Illinois.

 

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The acquisitions resulted in goodwill related to, among other things, growth opportunities, synergies and economies of scale expected from combining this business with ours, and unidentifiable intangible assets.  All of the goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.  We have recorded finite-lived intangible assets at their estimated fair value related to customer relationships, trade name, favorable leases and franchise agreements.

 

We expensed all costs related to acquisitions in the six months ended September 26, 2015.  The total costs related to completed acquisitions were $.3 million and $.5 million for the three and six months ended September 26, 2015, respectively. These costs are included in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income primarily under operating, selling, general and administrative expenses.

 

Sales for the fiscal 2016 acquired entities, including franchise royalty income, for the three and six months ended September 26, 2015 totaled $5.3 million and $6.0 million, respectively, for the period from acquisition date through September 26, 2015.

 

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 Monro.

 

The preliminary fair values of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed were based on preliminary valuations and estimates.  The excess of the net purchase price over net tangible and intangible assets acquired was recorded as goodwill.  The preliminary allocation of the aggregate purchase price as of September 26, 2015 was as follows:

 

 

 

The total consideration of $49.4 million is comprised of $43.4 million in cash, and a $6.0 million payable to a seller.  The payable is being liquidated via equal monthly payments through August 2022.

 

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The following are the intangible assets acquired and their respective fair values and weighted average useful lives:

 

 

 

Fiscal 2015

 

During fiscal 2015, we acquired the following businesses for an aggregate purchase price of $64.3 million.  The acquisitions were financed through our existing credit facility.  The results of operations for these acquisitions were included in Monro’s financial results for the period from acquisition date through September 27, 2014.

 

On August 8, 2014, we acquired 35 retail tire and automotive repair stores located in Florida from Hennelly Tire & Auto, Inc.  These stores operate under The Tire Choice name. 

 

On June 15, 2014, we acquired ten and nine retail tire and automotive repair stores located in Michigan from Lentz U.S.A. Service Centers, Inc. and Kan Rock Tire Company, Inc., respectively.  Two of the acquired stores never opened. These stores operate under the Monro Brake & Tire name.

 

On April 13, 2014, we acquired two retail tire and automotive repair stores located in New Hampshire from Bald Tire & Auto, Inc.  These stores were previously Tire Warehouse franchise locations and continue to operate under the Tire Warehouse name.

 

The acquisitions resulted in goodwill related to, among other things, growth opportunities, synergies and economies of scale expected from combining these businesses with ours, and unidentifiable intangible assets.  All of the goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.  We have recorded finite-lived intangible assets at their estimated fair value related to trade names, customer relationships and favorable leases.

 

We expensed all costs related to acquisitions in the six months ended September 27, 2014.  The total costs related to completed acquisitions were $.3 million and $.7 million for the three and six months ended September 27, 2014, respectively.  These costs are included in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income primarily under operating, selling, general and administrative expenses.

 

Sales for the fiscal 2015 acquired entities for the three and six months ended September 27, 2014 totaled $9.7 million and $10.6 million, respectively, for the period from acquisition date through September 27, 2014.

 

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 Monro.

 

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We have recorded the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their estimated fair value as of their respective acquisition dates, with the remainder recorded as goodwill as follows:

 

 

 

The following are the intangible assets acquired and their respective fair values and weighted average useful lives:

 

 

 

As a result of the updated purchase price allocations, certain of the fair value amounts previously estimated were adjusted during the measurement period. These measurement period adjustments related to updated valuation reports and appraisals received from our external valuation specialists, as well as revisions to internal estimates. The changes in estimates include an increase in property, plant and equipment of $3.0 million; a decrease in intangible assets of $1.9 million; an increase in long-term deferred income tax assets of $1.4 million; an increase in current liabilities of $.7 million; an increase in long-term capital leases and financing obligations of $6.7 million;  and an immaterial change in various assets and liabilities netting to $.1 million. The measurement period adjustments resulted in an increase to goodwill of $4.8 million.

 

We continue to refine the valuation data and estimates primarily related to inventory, road hazard warranty, intangible assets, real estate and real property leases for fiscal 2015 acquisitions subsequent to September 27, 2014, and for the fiscal 2016 acquisitions, and expect to complete valuations no later than the first anniversary date of the respective acquisition.  We anticipate that adjustments will continue to be made to the fair values of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed and those adjustments may or may not be material.

 

Note 3 – Earnings Per Share

 

Basic earnings per common share (“EPS”) amounts are computed by dividing income available to common shareholders, after deducting preferred stock dividends, by the average number of common shares outstanding.  Diluted EPS amounts assume the issuance of common stock for all potentially dilutive equivalent securities outstanding.

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The following is a reconciliation of basic and diluted EPS for the respective periods:

 

 

 

The computation of diluted EPS excludes the effect of the assumed exercise of approximately 168,000 and 172,000 stock options for the three and six months ended fiscal September 26, 2015, respectively, and 126,000 and 125,000 for the three and six months ended September 27, 2014, respectively.  Such amounts were excluded as the exercise prices of these stock options were greater than the average market value of our Common Stock for those periods, resulting in an anti-dilutive effect on diluted EPS.

 

Note 4 – Income Taxes

 

In the normal course of business, we provide for uncertain tax positions and the related interest and penalties, and adjust our unrecognized tax benefits and accrued interest and penalties accordingly.  The total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits were $8.3 million and $7.5 million at September 26, 2015 and March 28, 2015, respectively, the majority of which, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate.  As of September 26, 2015, we had approximately $.5 million of interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits.

 

We file U.S. federal income tax returns and income tax returns in various state jurisdictions.  Our fiscal 2012 through fiscal 2014 U.S. federal tax years and various state tax years remain subject to income tax examinations by tax authorities.

 

Note 5 – Fair Value

 

Long-term debt had a carrying amount and a fair value of $145.0 million as of September 26, 2015, as compared to a carrying amount and a fair value of $122.5 million as of March 28, 2015.  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 Monro for debt with similar maturities.

 

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Note 6 – Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information

 

The following represents non-cash investing and financing activities during the periods indicated:

 

Six Months Ended September 26, 2015:

 

In connection with the fiscal 2016 acquisitions, liabilities were assumed as follows:

 

 

 

Six Months Ended September 27, 2014:

 

In connection with the fiscal 2015 acquisitions, liabilities were assumed as follows:

 

 

 

Note 7 – Cash Dividend

 

In May 2015, our Board of Directors declared its intention to pay a regular quarterly cash dividend during fiscal 2016 of $.15 per common share or common share equivalent to be paid beginning with the first quarter of fiscal 2016.  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 our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, compliance with charter and credit facility restrictions, and such other factors as the Board of Directors deems relevant.

 

 

 

 

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

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

The statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that are not historical facts, including (without limitation) statements made in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, 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.  When used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the words “anticipates”, “believes”, “contemplates”, “see”, “could”, “estimate”, “appear”, “intend”, “plans” and variations thereof and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  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 Monro’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, 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, disruption or unauthorized access to our computer systems, risks relating to protection of customer and employee personal data, risks relating to litigation, risks relating to integration of acquired businesses, including goodwill impairment and the risks set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 28, 2015.  Except as required by law, we do not undertake and specifically disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

 

Results of Operations

 

The following table sets forth income statement data of Monro Muffler Brake, Inc. expressed as a percentage of sales for the fiscal periods indicated:

 

 

 

Second Quarter and Six Months Ended September 26, 2015 Compared to Second Quarter and Six Months Ended

September 27, 2014

 

Sales were $239.2 million for the quarter ended September 26, 2015 as compared with $221.3 million for the quarter ended September 27, 2014.  The sales increase of $17.9 million or 8.1% was partially due to a comparable store sales increase of 2.1%. Additionally, there was an increase of $18.5 million related to new stores, of which $17.5 million came from the fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2016 acquisitions.  Partially offsetting this was a decrease in sales from closed stores amounting to $5.2 million.  There were 91 selling days in both the quarters ended September 26, 2015 and September 27, 2014. 

 

Barter sales of slower moving inventory totaled approximately $2.0 million and $2.9 million for the quarters ended September 26, 2015 and September 27, 2014, respectively.  There were no barter sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 or fiscal 2016.

 

Sales were $475.7 million for the six months ended September 26, 2015 as compared with $438.8 million for the six months ended September 27, 2014.  The sales increase of $36.9 million or 8.4%, was partially due to a comparable store sales increase of .8%.  Additionally, there was an increase of $43.8 million related to new stores of which $40.7 million came from fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2016 acquisitions.  Partially offsetting this was a decrease in sales from closed stores amounting to $11.3 million.  There were 181 selling days in the first six months of fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015. 

 

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At September 26, 2015, we had 1,029 company-operated stores and 143 franchised locations as compared with 1,003 company-operated stores and one franchised location at September 27, 2014.  During the quarter ended September 26, 2015, we added 35 company-operated stores and closed five stores.  Year-to-date, we have added 39 stores and closed nine stores.

 

We believe the increase in comparable store sales, including increased comparable store tire, brake and alignment sales, demonstrates that needed repairs cannot be deferred indefinitely.

 

Gross profit for the quarter ended September 26, 2015 was $100.7 million or 42.1% of sales as compared with $89.5 million or 40.4% of sales for the quarter ended September 27, 2014.  The increase in gross profit for the quarter ended September 26, 2015, as a percentage of sales, is due to several factors, as discussed below. 

 

Total material costs, including outside purchases, decreased as a percentage of sales as compared to the prior year.  This was largely due to a decrease in oil prices and tire costs.  Additionally, the barter sale in the quarter ended September 2015 had a small positive impact on gross profit as a percentage of sales, while the sale in the prior year second quarter had a small negative impact on gross profit.

 

Distribution and occupancy costs decreased as a percentage of sales from the prior year as we gained leverage on these largely fixed costs with higher sales.  Additionally, the recording of some new leases as operating versus capital leases under generally accepted accounting principles reduced occupancy costs and increased interest expense.  Labor costs decreased as a percent of sales as compared to the prior year through focused payroll control.

 

Gross profit for the six months ended September 26, 2015 was $200.4 million or 42.1% of sales as compared with $179.5 million or 40.9% of sales for the six months ended September 27, 2014.  The year-to-date increase in gross profit as a percent of sales is largely due to decreased material costs as described above.  Additionally, labor costs as a percentage of sales improved as compared to the prior year.

 

Operating expenses for the quarter ended September 26, 2015 were $66.6 million or 27.9% of sales as compared with $60.5 million or 27.4% of sales for the quarter ended September 27, 2014.  The increase is primarily due to increased due diligence costs and increased incentive compensation (related to improved performance) as compared to the prior year quarter.

 

For the six months ended September 26, 2015, operating expenses increased by $11.6 million to $132.7 million from the comparable period of the prior year and were 27.9% of sales as compared to 27.6% of sales for the six months ended September 27, 2014.  The increase as a percentage of sales is due primarily to an increase in due diligence and incentive compensation expense, as well as a small increase in benefits costs as a percent of sales as compared to the prior year six months.

 

Operating income for the quarter ended September 26, 2015 of approximately $34.1 million increased by 17.9% as compared to operating income of approximately $28.9 million for the quarter ended September 27, 2014, and increased as a percentage of sales from 13.1% to 14.3% for the reasons described above.

 

Operating income for the six months ended September 26, 2015 of approximately $67.7 million increased by 16.1% as compared to operating income of approximately $58.3 million for the six months ended September 27, 2014, and increased as a percentage of sales from 13.3% to 14.2% for the reasons described above.

 

Net interest expense for the quarter ended September 26, 2015 increased by approximately $1.0 million as compared to the same period in the prior year, and increased from 1.3% to 1.6% as a percentage of sales for the same periods.  The weighted average debt outstanding for the quarter ended September 26, 2015 increased by approximately $43 million as compared to the quarter ended September 27, 2014.  This increase is primarily related to an increase in capital lease debt recorded in connection with the fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2016 acquisitions.  There was also an increase in the weighted average interest rate of approximately 70 basis points from the prior year, largely due to capital lease debt.

 

Net interest expense for the six months ended September 26, 2015 increased by approximately $2.2 million as compared to the same period in the prior year, and increased from 1.1% to 1.5% as a percentage of sales for the same periods.  Weighted average debt increased by approximately $43 million and the weighted average interest rate increased by approximately 100 basis points as compared to the same period of the prior year due to an increase in capital lease debt.

 

The effective tax rate was 38% of pre-tax income for the quarter and six months ended September 26, 2015 and was 38.1% of pre-tax income for the same periods ended September 27, 2014.

 

Net income for the quarter ended September 26, 2015 of $18.9 million increased 15.6% from net income for the quarter ended September 27, 2014.  Earnings per share on a diluted basis for the quarter ended September 26, 2015 of $.57 increased 14.0%.

 

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For the six months ended September 26, 2015, net income of $37.7 million increased 13.3% and diluted earnings per share of $1.14 increased 12.9%.

 

Capital Resources and Liquidity

 

Capital Resources

 

Our primary capital requirements in fiscal 2016 are the upgrading of facilities and systems and the funding of our store expansion program, including potential acquisitions of existing store chains.  For the six months ended September 26, 2015, we spent approximately $66.5 million on these items.  Capital requirements were met primarily by cash flow from operations and from our revolving credit facility.

 

In May 2015, our Board of Directors declared its intention to pay a regular quarterly cash dividend of $.15 per common share or common share equivalent beginning with the first quarter of fiscal 2016.  We paid dividends of $9.8 million during the six months ended September 26, 2015.  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 Monro’s financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, compliance with charter and credit facility restrictions, and such other factors as the Board of Directors deems relevant.

 

We also plan to continue to seek suitable acquisition candidates.  We believe we have sufficient resources available (including cash flow from operations and bank financing) to expand our business as currently planned for the next twelve months.

 

Liquidity

 

In June 2011, we entered into a five-year, $175 million Revolving Credit Facility agreement with seven banks (the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility amended and restated, in its entirety, the Credit Facility previously entered into by Monro as of July 2005 and amended from time to time. The Credit Facility also provided an accordion feature permitting us to request an increase in availability of up to an additional $75 million.

 

In December 2012, the Credit Facility was amended to include the following: the committed sum was increased by $75 million to $250 million; the term was extended for another one and a half years, such that the Facility now expires in December 2017; and the $75 million accordion feature was maintained.  There were no other changes in terms including those related to covenants or interest rates.  There are now six banks participating in the syndication.  There was $145.0 million outstanding under the Credit Facility at September 26, 2015.

 

Within the Credit Facility, we have a sub-facility of $40 million available for the purpose of issuing standby letters of credit.  There was an outstanding letter of credit for $23.7 million at September 26, 2015.

 

The net availability under the Credit Facility at September 26, 2015 was $81.3 million.

 

Specific terms of the Credit Facility permit the payment of cash dividends not to exceed 50% of the prior year’s net income, and permit mortgages and specific lease financing arrangements with other parties with certain limitations.  Additionally, the Credit Facility is not secured by our real property, although we have agreed not to encumber our real property, with certain permissible exceptions.  The agreement also requires the maintenance of specified interest and rent coverage ratios.  We were in compliance with all debt covenants at September 26, 2015.

 

We have financed certain store properties and equipment with capital leases/financing obligations, which amounted to $170.8 million at September 26, 2015 and are due in installments through fiscal year 2045.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new accounting guidance for the reporting of discontinued operations.  This guidance eliminates certain exceptions from reporting discontinued operations that exist under current guidance, and also requires several new disclosures about disposals that qualify as discontinued operations.  This guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning on or after December 15, 2014, with early adoption permitted.  The adoption of this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2016 did not have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued new accounting guidance for the reporting of revenue from contracts with customers.  This guidance provides guidelines a company will apply to determine the measurement of revenue and timing of when it is recognized.  In August 2015, the FASB delayed the effective date of the standard to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017.  Early adoption is permitted, but not before the original effective date for public entities.  We are currently evaluating the potential effect of the adoption of this guidance on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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In January 2015, the FASB issued new accounting guidance related to the disclosure requirements for extraordinary items.  The standard eliminates the concept of extraordinary items on the income statement.  This pronouncement is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2015.  The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In February 2015, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that is intended to improve targeted areas of consolidation guidance for reporting organizations that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. This standard simplifies consolidation accounting by reducing the number of consolidation models and will require all entities to re-evaluate consolidation conclusions regarding variable interest entities.  This pronouncement is effective for fiscal years and for interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2015.  The adoption of this guidance is not anticipated to have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In April 2015, the FASB issued new accounting guidance related to the presentation of debt issuance costs.  This standard will require debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability to be presented on the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the debt liability rather than as an asset.  These costs will continue to be amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method.  This pronouncement is effective for fiscal years and for interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2015.  Retrospective adoption is required.  In September 2015, the FASB issued guidance clarifying that debt issuance costs related to revolver and line of credit arrangements can be recorded as an asset and amortized over the term of the arrangement, which is consistent with Monro’s current presentation.  We do not expect this pronouncement to have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In April 2015, the FASB issued new accounting guidance related to the measurement date of an employer's defined benefit obligation and plan assets.  The new guidance permits a reporting entity with a fiscal year-end that does not coincide with a month-end to measure defined benefit plan assets and obligations using the month-end that is closest to the entity's fiscal year-end and apply that practical expedient consistently from year to year. The standard is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The new guidance should be applied on a prospective basis. The adoption of this standard will not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In July 2015, the FASB issued new accounting guidance for the reporting of inventory.  This guidance requires that inventory within the scope of the guidance be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value.  This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted.  We are currently evaluating the potential effect of the adoption of this guidance on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In September 2015, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that is intended to simplify the accounting for adjustments made to provisional amounts recognized in a business combination by eliminating the requirement to retrospectively account for those adjustments.  This standard requires an entity to present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the notes the amount recorded in current period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. This pronouncement is effective for fiscal years and for interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2015.  The adoption of this guidance is not anticipated to have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Other recent authoritative guidance issued by the FASB (including technical corrections to the Accounting Standards Codification) and the SEC did not, or are not expected to have a material effect on Monro’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

We are exposed to market risk from potential changes in interest rates.  There was no fixed rate debt outstanding at September 26, 2015.  Our cash flow exposure on floating rate debt would result in annual interest expense fluctuations of approximately $1.5 million based upon our debt position at September 26, 2015 and $1.2 million for the fiscal year ended March 28, 2015, given a 1% change in LIBOR.

 

Debt financing had a carrying amount and a fair value of $145.0 million as of September 26, 2015, as compared to a carrying amount and a fair value of $122.5 million as of March 28, 2015.

 

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

 

Disclosure controls and procedures

 

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports that we file or submit to the Securities and Exchange Commission 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 rules and forms,

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and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our 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 our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conduct an update, a review and an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures.  It is the conclusion of our 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, that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

 

Changes in internal controls over financial reporting

 

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 26, 2015 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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MONRO MUFFLER BRAKE, INC.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

 

We are not a party or subject to any legal proceedings other than certain claims and lawsuits that arise in the normal course of our business.  We do not believe that such claims or lawsuits, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

 

Item 6.  Exhibits

 

Exhibits

 

31.1 – Certification of John W. Van Heel pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes – Oxley Act of 2002

 

31.2 – Certification of Catherine D’Amico pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes – Oxley Act of 2002

 

32.1 – Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes – Oxley Act of 2002

 

101.CAL - XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase

 

101.INS - XBRL Instance Document

 

101.LAB - XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase

 

101.PRE - XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

 

101.SCH - XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Linkbase

 

101.DEF - XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 

 

 

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