NATHANS FAMOUS, INC. - Quarter Report: 2006 September (Form 10-Q)
FORM
10-Q
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
DC 20549
x
|
Quarterly
report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Act of 1934
for
the quarterly period ended September
24, 2006.
|
o
|
Transition
report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Act of 1934
for
the transition period from _______________
to
_______________.
|
Commission
File Number 0-3189
NATHAN'S
FAMOUS, INC.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
|
11-3166443
|
(State
or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
|
(IRS
employer identification number)
|
1400
Old Country Road, Westbury, New York 11590
(Address
of principal executive offices including zip code)
(516)
338-8500
(Registrant's
telephone number, including area code)
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 x
No
o
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated
filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check
One):
Large
Accelerated Filer o
Accelerated Filer o
Non-accelerated Filer x
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No
x
At November
3, 2006, an aggregate of 5,903,783 shares of the registrant's common stock,
par
value of $.01, were outstanding.
NATHAN'S
FAMOUS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX
Page
|
|||
Number
|
|||
PART
I.
|
FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
|
||
Item
1.
|
Consolidated
Financial Statements (Unaudited)
|
3
|
|
Consolidated
Balance Sheets - September 24, 2006 and
|
|||
March
26, 2006
|
3
|
||
Consolidated
Statements of Earnings - Thirteen Weeks
|
|||
Ended
September 24, 2006 and September 25, 2005
|
4
|
||
Consolidated
Statements of Earnings - Twenty-six Weeks
|
|||
Ended
September 24, 2006 and September 25, 2005
|
5
|
||
Consolidated
Statement of Stockholders' Equity -
|
|||
Twenty-six
weeks Ended September 24, 2006
|
6
|
||
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows -Twenty-six Weeks
|
|||
Ended
September 24, 2006 and September 25, 2005
|
7
|
||
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
8
|
||
Item
2.
|
Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial
|
||
Condition
and Results of Operations
|
17
|
||
Item
3.
|
Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
|
24
|
|
Item
4.
|
Controls
and Procedures
|
25
|
|
PART
II.
|
OTHER
INFORMATION
|
||
Item
1.
|
Legal
Proceedings
|
26
|
|
Item
1A
|
Risk
Factors
|
26
|
|
Item
2.
|
Unregistered
Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
|
26
|
|
Item
4.
|
Submission
of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
|
27
|
|
Item
5.
|
Other
Information
|
27
|
|
Item
6.
|
Exhibits
|
28
|
|
SIGNATURES
|
29
|
-2-
PART
I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item
1. Consolidated Financial Statements
Nathan’s
Famous, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
(in
thousands, except share and per share amounts)
September
24, 2006
|
March
26, 2006
|
||||||
ASSETS
|
(Unaudited)
|
||||||
CURRENT
ASSETS
|
|||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
$
|
3,696
|
$
|
3,009
|
|||
Marketable
securities
|
21,440
|
16,882
|
|||||
Notes
and accounts receivable, net
|
4,635
|
3,908
|
|||||
Inventories
|
628
|
817
|
|||||
Assets
held for sale
|
50
|
-
|
|||||
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets
|
355
|
1,019
|
|||||
Deferred
income taxes
|
1,187
|
1,364
|
|||||
Total
current assets
|
31,991
|
26,999
|
|||||
Notes
receivable, net
|
60
|
137
|
|||||
Property
and equipment, net
|
4,406
|
4,568
|
|||||
Goodwill
|
95
|
95
|
|||||
Intangible
assets, net
|
3,760
|
3,884
|
|||||
Deferred
income taxes
|
1,469
|
1,484
|
|||||
Other
assets, net
|
247
|
256
|
|||||
$
|
42,028
|
$
|
37,423
|
||||
LIABILITIES
AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
|
|||||||
CURRENT
LIABILITIES
|
|||||||
Current
maturities of capital lease obligation
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
8
|
|||
Accounts
payable
|
2,235
|
2,091
|
|||||
Accrued
expenses and other current liabilities
|
5,510
|
5,606
|
|||||
Deferred
franchise fees
|
491
|
219
|
|||||
Total
current liabilities
|
8,236
|
7,924
|
|||||
Capital
lease obligation, less current maturities
|
-
|
31
|
|||||
Other
liabilities
|
1,353
|
1,420
|
|||||
Total
liabilities
|
9,589
|
9,375
|
|||||
COMMITMENTS
AND CONTINGENCIES (Note J)
|
|||||||
STOCKHOLDERS’
EQUITY
|
|||||||
Common
stock, $.01 par value; 30,000,000 shares authorized;
|
|||||||
7,762,633 and
7,600,399 shares issued; 5,871,533 and 5,709,299
|
|||||||
shares
outstanding at September 24, 2006 and March 26, 2006,
respectively
|
78
|
76
|
|||||
Additional
paid-in capital
|
44,681
|
43,699
|
|||||
Deferred
compensation
|
(172
|
)
|
(208
|
)
|
|||
Accumulated
deficit
|
(4,957
|
)
|
(8,197
|
)
|
|||
Accumulated
other comprehensive loss
|
(33
|
)
|
(164
|
)
|
|||
39,597
|
35,206
|
||||||
Treasury
stock, at cost, 1,891,100 shares at September 24, 2006 and March
26, 2006
|
(7,158
|
)
|
(7,158
|
)
|
|||
Total
stockholders’ equity
|
32,439
|
28,048
|
|||||
$
|
42,028
|
$
|
37,423
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
-3-
Nathan’s
Famous, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
Thirteen
weeks ended September 24, 2006 and September 25, 2005
(in
thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
September
24, 2006
|
September
25, 2005
|
||||||
REVENUES
|
|||||||
Sales
|
$
|
10,229
|
$
|
8,780
|
|||
Franchise
fees and royalties
|
1,756
|
1,738
|
|||||
License
royalties
|
907
|
833
|
|||||
Interest
income
|
150
|
114
|
|||||
Other
income
|
82
|
188
|
|||||
Total
revenues
|
$
|
13,124
|
11,653
|
||||
COSTS
AND EXPENSES
|
|||||||
Cost
of sales
|
6,904
|
6,156
|
|||||
Restaurant
operating expenses
|
859
|
851
|
|||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
198
|
192
|
|||||
Amortization
of intangible assets
|
66
|
66
|
|||||
General
and administrative expenses
|
2,476
|
2,121
|
|||||
Interest
expense
|
-
|
9
|
|||||
Total
costs and expenses
|
10,503
|
9,395
|
|||||
Income
from continuing operations before provision
|
|||||||
for
income taxes
|
2,621
|
2,258
|
|||||
Provision
for income taxes
|
1,039
|
871
|
|||||
Income
from continuing operations
|
1,582
|
1,387
|
|||||
Income
from discontinued operations, including gains on disposal of
discontinued
operations of $400 in 2006 and $2,819 in 2005,
before
income taxes.
|
439
|
2,815
|
|||||
Income
tax expense
|
177
|
1,094
|
|||||
Income
from discontinued operations
|
262
|
1,721
|
|||||
Net
income
|
$
|
1,844
|
$
|
3,108
|
|||
PER
SHARE INFORMATION
|
|||||||
Basic
income per share:
|
|||||||
Income
from continuing operations
|
$
|
.27
|
$
|
.25
|
|||
Income
from discontinued operations
|
.05
|
.31
|
|||||
Net
income
|
$
|
.32
|
$
|
.56
|
|||
Diluted
income per share:
|
|||||||
Income
from continuing operations
|
$
|
.26
|
$
|
.21
|
|||
Income
from discontinued operations
|
.04
|
.27
|
|||||
Net
income
|
$
|
.30
|
$
|
.48
|
|||
Weighted
average shares used in computing income
|
|||||||
per
share
|
|||||||
Basic
|
5,773,000
|
5,566,000
|
|||||
Diluted
|
6,227,000
|
6,527,000
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
-4-
Nathan’s
Famous, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
Twenty-six
weeks ended September 24, 2006 and September 25, 2005
(in
thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
September
24, 2006
|
September
25, 2005
|
||||||
REVENUES
|
|||||||
Sales
|
$
|
19,391
|
$
|
17,002
|
|||
Franchise
fees and royalties
|
3,433
|
3,486
|
|||||
License
royalties
|
2,083
|
1,990
|
|||||
Interest
income
|
282
|
196
|
|||||
Other
income
|
179
|
361
|
|||||
Total
revenues
|
$
|
25,368
|
23,035
|
||||
COSTS
AND EXPENSES
|
|||||||
Cost
of sales
|
13,523
|
12,451
|
|||||
Restaurant
operating expenses
|
1,703
|
1,634
|
|||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
395
|
391
|
|||||
Amortization
of intangible assets
|
131
|
131
|
|||||
General
and administrative expenses
|
4,690
|
4,226
|
|||||
Interest
expense
|
1
|
20
|
|||||
Other
expense, net
|
35
|
-
|
|||||
Total
costs and expenses
|
20,478
|
18,853
|
|||||
Income
from continuing operations before provision
|
|||||||
for
income taxes
|
4,890
|
4,182
|
|||||
Provision
for income taxes
|
1,912
|
1,604
|
|||||
Income
from continuing operations
|
2,978
|
2,578
|
|||||
Income
from discontinued operations, including gains on disposal of
discontinued
operations of $400 in 2006 and $2,819 in 2005,
before
income taxes.
|
439
|
2,778
|
|||||
Income
tax expense
|
177
|
1,079
|
|||||
Income
from discontinued operations
|
262
|
1,699
|
|||||
Net
income
|
$
|
3,240
|
$
|
4,277
|
|||
PER
SHARE INFORMATION
|
|||||||
Basic
income per share:
|
|||||||
Income
from continuing operations
|
$
|
.52
|
$
|
.46
|
|||
Income
from discontinued operations
|
.04
|
.31
|
|||||
Net
income
|
$
|
.56
|
$
|
.77
|
|||
Diluted
income per share:
|
|||||||
Income
from continuing operations
|
$
|
.48
|
$
|
.40
|
|||
Income
from discontinued operations
|
.04
|
.26
|
|||||
Net
income
|
$
|
.52
|
$
|
.66
|
|||
Weighted
average shares used in computing income
|
|||||||
per
share
|
|||||||
Basic
|
5,753,000
|
5,560,000
|
|||||
Diluted
|
6,266,000
|
6,501,000
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
-5-
Nathan’s
Famous, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Twenty-six
weeks ended September 24, 2006
(in
thousands, except share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Common
Stock
|
Additional
Paid-in
|
Deferred
|
Accumulated
|
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
|
Treasury
Stock, at Cost
|
Total
Stockholders’
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares
|
Amount
|
Capital
|
Compensation
|
Deficit
|
Loss
|
Shares
|
Amount
|
Equity
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Balance,
March 26, 2006
|
7,600,399
|
$
|
76
|
$
|
43,699
|
$
|
(208
|
)
|
$
|
(8,197
|
)
|
$
|
(164
|
)
|
1,891,100
|
$
|
(7,158
|
)
|
$
|
28,048
|
||||||||
Shares
issued in connection with exercise of employee stock
options
|
162,234
|
2
|
134
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
136
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Income
tax benefit on stock option exercises
|
-
|
-
|
726
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
726
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Share-based
compensation
|
-
|
-
|
122
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
122
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Amortization
of deferred compensation relating to restricted stock
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
36
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
36
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized
gains on marketable securities, net of deferred income tax benefit
of
$87
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
131
|
-
|
-
|
131
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Net
income
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3,240
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3,
240
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Balance,
September 24, 2006
|
7,762,633
|
$
|
78
|
$
|
44,681
|
$
|
(172
|
)
|
$
|
(4,957
|
)
|
$
|
(33
|
)
|
1,891,100
|
$
|
(7,158
|
)
|
$
|
32,439
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
-6-
Nathan’s
Famous, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Twenty-six
weeks ended September 24, 2006 and September 25, 2005
(in
thousands)
(Unaudited)
September
24, 2006
|
September
25, 2005
|
||||||
Cash
flows from operating activities:
|
|||||||
Net
income
|
$
|
3,240
|
$
|
4,277
|
|||
Adjustments
to reconcile net income to net cash
|
|||||||
provided
by operating activities
|
|||||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
395
|
391
|
|||||
Amortization
of intangible assets
|
131
|
131
|
|||||
Amortization
of bond premium
|
127
|
105
|
|||||
Amortization
of deferred compensation
|
36
|
36
|
|||||
Share-based
compensation expense
|
122
|
-
|
|||||
Provision
for doubtful accounts
|
5
|
5
|
|||||
Income
tax benefit on stock option exercises
|
-
|
45
|
|||||
Gain
on disposal of leasehold interest and fixed assets
|
(414
|
)
|
(2,869
|
)
|
|||
Deferred
income taxes
|
105
|
16
|
|||||
Changes
in operating assets and liabilities:
|
|||||||
Notes
and accounts receivable
|
(673
|
)
|
(155
|
)
|
|||
Inventories
|
189
|
47
|
|||||
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets
|
664
|
489
|
|||||
Other
assets
|
9
|
(12
|
)
|
||||
Accounts
payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities
|
48
|
713
|
|||||
Deferred
franchise fees
|
272
|
(14
|
)
|
||||
Other
liabilities
|
(53
|
)
|
(74
|
)
|
|||
Net
cash provided by operating activities
|
4,203
|
3,131
|
|||||
Cash
flows from investing activities:
|
|||||||
Proceeds
from sale of available for sale securities
|
-
|
1,188
|
|||||
Purchase
of available for sale securities
|
(4,467
|
)
|
(5,730
|
)
|
|||
Purchase
of intellectual property
|
(7
|
)
|
-
|
||||
Purchases
of property and equipment
|
(283
|
)
|
(251
|
)
|
|||
Payments
received on notes receivable
|
18
|
295
|
|||||
Proceeds
from sale of leasehold interest and property plant and
equipment
|
400
|
3,521
|
|||||
Net
cash used in investing activities
|
(4,339
|
)
|
(977
|
)
|
|||
Cash
flows from financing activities:
|
|||||||
Principal
repayments of note payable and capitalized lease
obligation
|
(39
|
)
|
(87
|
)
|
|||
Income
tax benefit on stock option exercises
|
726
|
-
|
|||||
Proceeds
from the exercise of stock options and warrants
|
136
|
_238
|
|||||
|
|||||||
Net
cash provided by financing activities
|
823
|
151
|
|||||
Net
change in cash and cash equivalents
|
687
|
2,305
|
|||||
Cash
and cash equivalents, beginning of period
|
3,009
|
2,935
|
|||||
Cash
and cash equivalents, end of period
|
$
|
3,696
|
$
|
5,240
|
|||
Cash
paid during the period for:
|
|||||||
Interest
|
$
|
1
|
$
|
20
|
|||
Income
taxes
|
$
|
925
|
$
|
1,512
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
-7-
NATHAN'S
FAMOUS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September
24, 2006
(Unaudited)
NOTE
A -
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The
accompanying consolidated financial statements of Nathan's Famous, Inc. and
subsidiaries (collectively “Nathan’s”, the “Company” or “we”) for the thirteen
and twenty-six week periods ended September 24, 2006 and September 25, 2005
have
been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted
in the
United States of America. The unaudited financial statements include all
adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) which, in the opinion
of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of financial condition,
results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. However,
these
results are not necessarily indicative of results for any other interim period
or the full fiscal year.
Certain
information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements
in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States
of America have been omitted pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
and
Exchange Commission. Management believes that the disclosures included in
the
accompanying interim financial statements and footnotes are adequate to make
the
information not misleading, but should be read in conjunction with the
consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Nathan’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 26, 2006.
A
summary
of the Company’s significant accounting policies is identified in Note B of the
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s 2006 Annual
Report on Form 10-K. There have been no changes to the Company’s significant
accounting policies subsequent to March 26, 2006, except as disclosed in
Note
E.
NOTE
B -
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS - NOT YET ADOPTED
In
July
2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB
Interpretation No. 48, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” ("FIN 48,")
which clarifies the accounting and disclosures for uncertainty in income
taxes
recognized in the financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 109,
"Accounting for Income Taxes." FIN 48 also provides guidance on the
de-recognition of uncertain tax positions, financial statement classification,
accounting for interest and penalties, accounting for interim periods and
adds
new disclosure requirements. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 2006. We are evaluating the impact the adoption of FIN
48
will have on our consolidated financial statements.
In,
September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value
Measurements”,
(“SFAS
No. 157,”) to eliminate the diversity in practice that exists due to the
different definitions of fair value. SFAS No. 157 retains the exchange price
notion in earlier definitions of fair value, but clarifies that the exchange
price is the price in an orderly transaction between market participants
to sell
an asset or liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the
asset
or liability. SFAS No. 157 states that the transaction is hypothetical at
the
measurement date, considered from the perspective of the market participant
who
holds the asset or liability. As such, fair value is defined as the price
that
would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an
orderly
transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit
price),
as opposed to the price that would be paid to acquire the asset or received
to
assume the liability at the measurement date (an entry price).
SFAS
No.
157 also stipulates that, as a market-based measurement, fair value measurement
should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would
use
in pricing the asset or liability, and establishes a fair value hierarchy
that
distinguishes between (a) market participant assumptions developed based
on
market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity
(observable inputs) and (b) the reporting entity's own assumptions about
market
participant assumptions developed based on the best information available
in the
circumstances (unobservable inputs). SFAS No. 157 expands disclosures about
the
use of fair value to measure assets and liabilities in interim and annual
periods subsequent to initial recognition.
SFAS
No.
157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning
after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years, although
earlier application is encouraged. Additionally, prospective application
of the
provisions of SFAS No. 157 is required as of the beginning of the fiscal
year in
which it is initially applied, except when certain circumstances require
retrospective application. The Company is currently evaluating the impact
of
SFAS No. 157 on its consolidated financial statements.
In
September 2006, the SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108,
“Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying
Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements” (“SAB 108,”) which was
issued to provide consistency between how registrants quantify financial
statement misstatements.
Historically,
there have been two widely used methods for quantifying the effects of financial
statement misstatements. These methods are referred to as the “roll-over”
and “iron curtain” methods. The roll-over method quantifies the amount by
which the current year income statement is misstated. Exclusive reliance
on an income statement approach can result in the accumulation of errors
on the
balance sheet that may not have been material to any individual income
statement, but which may misstate one or more balance sheet accounts. The
iron curtain method quantifies the error as the cumulative amount by which
the
current year balance sheet is misstated. Exclusive reliance on a
balance sheet approach can result in disregarding the effects of errors in
the
current year income statement that results from the correction of an error
existing in previously issued financial statements. We currently use the
roll-over method for quantifying identified financial statement
misstatements.
-8-
SAB
108
established an approach that requires quantification of financial statement
misstatements based on the effects of the misstatement on each of the company’s
financial statements and the related financial statement disclosures. This
approach is commonly referred to as the “dual approach” because it requires
quantification of errors under both the roll-over and iron curtain
methods.
SAB
108
allows registrants to initially apply the dual approach either by (1)
retroactively adjusting prior financial statements as if the dual approach
had
always been used or by (2) recording the cumulative effect of initially applying
the dual approach as adjustments to the carrying values of assets and
liabilities as of the beginning of our fiscal year with an offsetting
adjustment recorded to the opening balance of retained earnings.
Use of this “cumulative effect” transition method requires detailed
disclosure of the nature and amount of each individual error being corrected
through the cumulative adjustment and how and when it arose.
We
will
initially apply SAB 108 using the cumulative effect transition method in
connection with the preparation of our annual financial statements for the
year
ending March 25, 2007 and are currently
evaluating the impact the adoption of SAB 108 will have on our consolidated
financial statements.
NOTE
C -
ADOPTION OF ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In
November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151, “Inventory Costs--an amendment of
ARB No.43” (“SFAS No.151”) which is the result of its efforts to converge U.S.
accounting standards for inventories with International Accounting Standards.
SFAS No.151 requires idle facility expenses, freight, handling costs, and
wasted
material (spoilage) costs to be recognized as current-period charges. It
also
requires that allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of
conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities.
SFAS
No.151 was effective for inventory costs incurred during fiscal years beginning
after June 15, 2005. The adoption of SFAS No. 151 has not had a material
impact
on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
In
June
2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections -
a replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3” (“SFAS No.154”).
Opinion 20 previously required that most voluntary changes in accounting
principles be recognized by including in net income of the period of the
change
the cumulative effect of changing to the new accounting principle. SFAS No.
154
requires retrospective application to prior periods’ financial statements of
changes in accounting principle, unless it is impracticable to determine
either
the period-specific effects or the cumulative effect of the change. SFAS
No. 154
was effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 2005. The adoption of SFAS No. 154 has
not
had a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of
operations.
See
Note
E for a discussion of the impact of SFAS 123R, "Share-based
Payments".
NOTE
D -
INCOME PER SHARE
Basic
income per common share is calculated by dividing income by the weighted-average
number of common shares outstanding and excludes any dilutive effect of stock
options or warrants. Diluted income per common share gives effect to all
potentially dilutive common shares that were outstanding during the period.
Dilutive common shares used in the computation of diluted income per common
share result from the assumed exercise of stock options and warrants, using
the
treasury stock method.
-9-
The
following chart provides a reconciliation of information used in calculating
the
per share amounts for the thirteen and twenty- six week periods ended September
24, 2006 and September 25, 2005, respectively.
Thirteen
weeks
Income
from
Continuing Operations |
Number
of Shares
|
Income
from
Continuing Operations Per Share |
|||||||||||||||||
2006
|
2005
|
2006
|
2005
|
2006
|
2005
|
||||||||||||||
(in
thousands)
|
(in
thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||||
Basic
EPS
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Basic
calculation
|
$
|
1,582
|
$
|
1,387
|
5,773
|
5,566
|
$
|
0.27
|
$
|
0.25
|
|||||||||
Effect
of dilutive employee stock
|
|||||||||||||||||||
options
and warrants
|
-
|
-
|
454
|
961
|
(0.01
|
)
|
(0.04
|
)
|
|||||||||||
Diluted
EPS
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Diluted
calculation
|
$
|
1,582
|
$
|
1,387
|
6,227
|
6,527
|
$
|
0.26
|
$
|
0.21
|
Twenty-six
weeks
Income
from
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Income
from
|
Continuing
Operations
|
||||||||||||||||||
Continuing
Operations
|
Number
of Shares
|
Per
Share
|
|||||||||||||||||
2006
|
2005
|
2006
|
2005
|
2006
|
2005
|
||||||||||||||
(in
thousands)
|
(in
thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||||
Basic
EPS
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Basic
calculation
|
$
|
2,978
|
$
|
2,578
|
5,753
|
5,560
|
$
|
0.52
|
$
|
0.46
|
|||||||||
Effect
of dilutive employee stock
|
|||||||||||||||||||
options
and warrants
|
-
|
-
|
513
|
941
|
(0.04
|
)
|
(0.06
|
)
|
|||||||||||
Diluted
EPS
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Diluted
calculation
|
$
|
2,978
|
$
|
2,578
|
6,266
|
6,501
|
$
|
0.48
|
$
|
0.40
|
Options
and warrants to purchase 197,500 and 19,500 shares of common stock in the
thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended September 24, 2006 and September
25,
2005, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because
the exercise prices exceeded the average market price of common shares during
the respective periods.
NOTE
E -
STOCK BASED COMPENSATION
As
of the
beginning of fiscal 2007, we adopted SFAS 123R, “Share-based Payments”, (“SFAS
No. 123R”) using the modified prospective method. SFAS 123R replaces SFAS 123,
“Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," and supersedes Accounting Principles
Board Opinion 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB
25”). SFAS 123R requires the cost of all share-based payments to employees,
including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the financial
statements based on their fair values measured at the grant date, or the
date of
later modification, over the requisite service period. In addition, under
the
modified prospective approach, SFAS 123R requires unrecognized cost (based
on
the amounts previously disclosed in pro forma footnote disclosures) related
to
awards vesting after the date of initial adoption to be recognized by the
Company in the financial statements over the remaining requisite service
period.
Therefore, the amount of compensation costs to be recognized over the requisite
service period on a prospective basis after March 26, 2006 will include:
(i) previously unrecognized compensation cost for all share-based payments
granted prior to, but not yet vested as of, March 26, 2006 based on their
fair
values measured at the grant date, (ii) compensation cost of all
share-based payments granted subsequent to March 26, 2006 based on their
respective grant date fair value, and (iii) the incremental fair value of
awards modified subsequent to March 26, 2006 measured as of the date of such
modification.
When
recording compensation cost for equity awards, SFAS 123R requires companies
to
estimate at the date of grant the number of equity awards granted that are
expected to be forfeited and to subsequently adjust the estimated forfeitures
to
reflect actual forfeitures.
For
tax purposes, Nathan’s expects to be entitled to a tax deduction, subject to
certain limitations, based on the fair value of the underlying equity award
when
the stock options vest or are exercised. SFAS 123R requires that compensation
cost be recognized in the financial statements based on the fair value measured
at the grant date, or the date of later modification, over the requisite
service
period. The cumulative compensation cost recognized for equity awards pursuant
to SFAS 123R and amounts that ultimately will be deductible for tax purposes
are
temporary differences as prescribed by SFAS 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”.
The tax effect of compensation deductions for tax purposes in excess of
compensation cost recognized in the financial statements, if any, will be
recorded as an increase to additional paid-in capital when realized. A deferred
tax asset recorded for compensation cost recognized in the financial statements
that exceeds the amount that is ultimately realized on the tax return, if
any,
will be charged to income tax expense when the stock options vest or are
exercised or expire unless we have an available additional paid-in capital
pool,
as defined pursuant to SFAS 123R (“APIC Pool”). Nathan’s is required to assess
whether there is an available APIC Pool when the restrictions lapse or stock
options are exercised or expire.
-10-
SFAS
123R also amends SFAS 95, “Statement of Cash Flows,” to require companies to
change the classification in the statement of cash flows of any tax benefits
realized upon the exercise of stock options or issuance of nonvested share
unit
awards in excess of that which is associated with the expense recognized
for
financial reporting purposes. These amounts are required to be reported as
a
financing cash inflow rather than as a reduction of income taxes paid in
operating cash flows.
In
October 2005, the FASB issued Staff Position No. FAS 123R-2, "Practical
Accommodation to the Application of Grant Date as Defined in FASB Statement
No.
123R.” As a practical accommodation, in determining the grant date of an
award subject to Statement 123R, assuming all other criteria in the grant
date
definition have been met, a mutual understanding of the key terms and conditions
of an award to an individual employee shall be presumed to exist at the date
the
award is approved in accordance with the relevant corporate governance
requirements if both of the following conditions are met: (a) the award is
a
unilateral grant and, therefore, the recipient does not have the ability
to
negotiate the key terms and conditions of the award with the employer; and
(b)
the key terms and conditions of the award are expected to be communicated
to an
individual recipient within a relatively short time period from the date
of
approval.
In
November 2005, the FASB issued Staff Position No. FAS 123R-3, "Transition
Election Related to Accounting for the Tax Effects of Share-Based Payment
Awards." FAS 123R-3 provides that companies may elect to use a specified
alternative method to calculate the historical APIC Pool of excess tax benefits
available to absorb tax deficiencies recognized upon adoption of SFAS No.
123R.
The option to use the alternative method is available regardless of whether
SFAS
No. 123R was adopted using the modified prospective or modified retrospective
application transition method, and whether it is has the ability to calculate
its pool of excess tax benefits in accordance with the guidance in paragraph
81
of SFAS No. 123R. This method only applies to awards that are fully vested
and
outstanding upon adoption of SFAS No. 123R.
The
adoption of these staff positions has not had a material impact on our financial
position or results of operations.
The
incremental pre-tax share-based compensation expense recognized pursuant
to the
adoption of SFAS 123R for the thirteen weeks ended September 24, 2006 was
$87,000. The incremental share-based compensation expense caused income before
income taxes to decrease by $87,000. Net income decreased by $52,000 and
basic
and diluted earnings per share decreased by $0.01 for the thirteen weeks
ended
September 24, 2006. Total share-based compensation expense recognized under
SFAS
123R, including the incremental pre-tax share-based compensation expense
above,
was $105,000, with an associated tax benefit of $43,000, and was included
in
general and administrative expense in our accompanying Consolidated Statement
of
Earnings for the thirteen weeks ended September 24, 2006.
The
incremental pre-tax share-based compensation expense recognized pursuant
to the
adoption of SFAS 123R for the twenty-six weeks ended September 24, 2006 was
$122,000. The incremental share-based compensation expense caused income
before
income taxes to decrease by $122,000. Net income decreased by $73,000 and
basic
and diluted earnings per share decreased by $0.01 for the twenty-six weeks
ended
September 24, 2006. Total share-based compensation expense recognized under
SFAS
123R, including the incremental pre-tax share-based compensation expense
above,
was $158,000, with an associated tax benefit of $64,000, and was included
in
general and administrative expense in our accompanying Consolidated Statement
of
Earnings for the twenty-six weeks ended September 24, 2006.
As
of
September 24, 2006, there was $1,218,000 of unamortized compensation expense
related to stock options. We expect to recognize this expense over a period
of
4.75 years, which represents the requisite service period for such
awards.
During
the twenty-six weeks ended September 24, 2006, the Company granted 197,500
options having an exercise price of $13.08 per share. All of the options
granted
will be vested as follows: 20% on the first anniversary of the grant, 40%
on the
second anniversary of the grant, 60% on the third anniversary of the grant,
80%
on the fourth anniversary of the grant and 100% on the fifth anniversary
of the
grant. All options have an expiration date of ten years from the date of
grant.
No options were granted during the twenty-six weeks ended September 25, 2005.
The
weighted-average option fair values, as determined using the Black-Scholes
option valuation model, and the assumptions used to estimate these values
for
stock options granted during the twenty-six weeks ended September 24, 2006
are
as follows:
2006
|
||||
Weighted-average
option fair values
|
$
|
6.1686
|
||
Expected
life (years)
|
7.0
|
|||
Interest
rate
|
5.21
|
%
|
||
Volatility
|
34.33
|
%
|
||
Dividend
yield
|
0
|
%
|
Prior
to
March 26, 2006, Nathan’s accounted for share-based compensation plans in
accordance with the provisions of APB 25, as permitted by SFAS 123, and
accordingly, did not recognize compensation expense for stock options with
an
exercise price equal to or greater than the market price of the underlying
stock
at the date of grant.
-11-
The
following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per
share had the fair value-based method prescribed by SFAS No. 123,
“Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” been applied to stock-based employee
compensation during the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended September 25,
2005.
Additional compensation expense, net of tax, of $22,000 and $45,000 would
have
been recognized for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended September 25,
2005,
respectively, and the effect on net income and net income per share would
have
been as follows:
Thirteen
Weeks
ended September 25, 2005 |
Twenty-six
Weeks
ended September 25, 2005 |
||||||
(in
thousands except per share amounts)
|
|||||||
Net
income, as reported
|
$
|
3,108
|
$
|
4,277
|
|||
Add:
Stock-based compensation included in net income
|
11
|
22
|
|||||
Deduct:
Total stock-based employee compensation expense
|
|||||||
determined
under fair value-based method for all awards
|
(33
|
)
|
(67
|
)
|
|||
Pro
forma net income
|
$
|
3,086
|
$
|
4,232
|
|||
Earnings
per Share
|
|||||||
Basic
- as reported
|
$
|
0.56
|
$
|
0.77
|
|||
Diluted
- as reported
|
$
|
0.48
|
$
|
0.66
|
|||
Basic
- pro forma
|
$
|
0.55
|
$
|
0.76
|
|||
Diluted
- pro forma
|
$
|
0.47
|
$
|
0.65
|
Stock
Incentive Plans and
Warrants
On
December 15, 1992, the Company adopted the 1992 Stock Option Plan (the “1992
Plan”), which provides for the issuance of incentive stock options (“ISOs”) to
officers and key employees and nonqualified stock options to directors, officers
and key employees. Up to 525,000 shares of common stock have been reserved
for
issuance under the 1992 Plan. The terms of the options are generally ten
years,
except for ISOs granted to any employee, whom prior to the granting of the
option, owns stock representing more than 10% of the voting rights, for which
the option term will be five years. The exercise price for nonqualified stock
options outstanding under the 1992 Plan can be no less than the fair market
value, as defined, of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant. For ISOs,
the exercise price can generally be no less than the fair market value of
the
Company’s common stock at the date of grant, with the exception of any employee
who prior to the granting of the option owns stock representing more than
10% of
the voting rights, for which the exercise price can be no less than 110%
of fair
market value of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant. The 1992 Plan
expired with respect to the granting of new options on December 2,
2002.
On
May
24, 1994, the Company adopted the Outside Director Stock Option Plan (the
“Directors’ Plan”), which provides for the issuance of nonqualified stock
options to non-employee directors, as defined, of the Company. Under the
Directors’ Plan, 200,000 shares of common stock have been authorized and issued.
Options awarded to each non-employee director are fully vested, subject to
forfeiture under certain conditions and shall be exercisable upon vesting.
The
Directors’ Plan expired with respect to the granting of new options on December
31, 2004. As of September 24, 2006, there are no options outstanding under
this
plan.
In
April
1998, the Company adopted the Nathan’s Famous, Inc. 1998 Stock Option Plan (the
“1998 Plan”), which provides for the issuance of nonqualified stock options to
directors, officers and key employees. Up to 500,000 shares of common stock
have
been reserved for issuance upon the exercise of options granted under the
1998
Plan.
As
of
September 24, 2006, no shares are available to be issued in the future under
this plan.
In
June
2001, the Company adopted the Nathan’s Famous, Inc. 2001 Stock Option Plan (the
“2001 Plan”), which provides for the issuance of nonqualified stock options to
directors, officers and key employees. Up to 350,000 shares of common stock
have
been reserved for issuance upon the exercise of options granted and for future
issuance in connection with awards under the 2001 Plan. As of September 24,
2006, there are 3,500 shares available to be issued in the future under this
plan.
In
June
2002, the Company adopted the Nathan’s Famous, Inc. 2002 Stock Incentive Plan
(the “2002 Plan”), which provides for the issuance of nonqualified stock options
or restricted stock awards to directors, officers and key employees. Up to
300,000 shares of common stock have been reserved for issuance in connection
with awards under the 2002 Plan. As of September 24, 2006, there are 2,500
shares available to be issued in the future under this plan.
-12-
The
1998
Plan, the 2001 Plan and the 2002 Plan expire on April 5, 2008, June 13, 2011
and
June 17, 2012, respectively, unless terminated earlier by the Board of Directors
under conditions specified in the respective Plan.
On
October 1, 1999, the Company issued 478,584 stock options to employees of
Miami
Subs to replace 957,168 of previously issued Miami Subs options pursuant
to the
acquisition by Nathan’s and issued 47,006 new options. All options were fully
vested upon consummation of the merger. Exercise prices range from a low
of
$3.1875 to a high of $18.6120 per share and expire at various times through
September 30, 2009.
On
July
17, 1997, the Company granted to its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
a
warrant to purchase 150,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise
price of $3.25 per share, representing the market price of the Company’s common
stock on the date of grant. The shares vested at a rate of 25% per annum
commencing July 17, 1998 and the warrant expires in July 2007.
In
January 2005, Nathan’s issued 50,000 shares of restricted common stock to its
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in connection with a new employment
agreement. These shares vest ratably over 5 years. A charge of $362,500,
representing the market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of
grant, was recorded to deferred compensation and is being amortized to earnings
ratably over the vesting period.
In
general, our stock incentive plans have terms of ten years and vest over
periods
of between three and five years. We have historically issued new shares of
common stock for options that have been exercised and determined the grant
date
fair value of options and warrants granted using the Black-Scholes option
valuation model.
Stock
options and warrants outstanding:
Transactions
under all plans for the twenty-six weeks ended September 24, 2006, are as
follows:
Shares
|
Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
|
Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
|
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
|
||||||||||
Options
outstanding at March 26, 2006
|
1,332,024
|
$
|
3.78
|
3.6
|
|||||||||
Granted
|
197,500
|
$
|
13.08
|
||||||||||
Expired
|
(3,750
|
)
|
$
|
6.20
|
|||||||||
Exercised
|
(206,666
|
)
|
$
|
3.47
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
Options
outstanding at September 24, 2006
|
1,319,108
|
$
|
5.08
|
4.4
|
$
|
10,299,000
|
|||||||
Options
exercisable at September 24, 2006
|
1,081,608
|
$
|
3.61
|
3.3
|
$
|
10,000,000
|
|||||||
Weighted-average
fair value of options granted
|
$
|
6.1686
|
|||||||||||
Warrants
outstanding at March 26, 2006
|
150,000
|
$
|
3.25
|
1.3
|
|||||||||
Granted
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||||
Expired
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||||
Exercised
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||||
Warrants
outstanding at September 24, 2006
|
150,000
|
$
|
3.25
|
0.8
|
$
|
1,440,000
|
|||||||
Warrants
exercisable at September 24, 2006
|
150,000
|
0.8
|
$
|
1,440,000
|
|||||||||
Weighted-average
fair value of warrants granted
|
$
|
-
|
The
aggregate intrinsic value of the stock options exercised during the thirteen
weeks ended September 24, 2006 and September 25, 2005 was $1,605,000 and
$67,000, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of the stock options
exercised during the twenty-six weeks ended September 24, 2006 and September
25,
2005 was $1,794,000 and $115,000, respectively.
NOTE
F -
ACQUISITION
On
February 28, 2006, the Company acquired all trademarks and other intellectual
property relating to the Arthur Treacher’s brand from PAT Franchise Systems,
Inc. (“PFSI”) for $1,250,000 in cash plus related expenses of approximately
$100,000 and terminated its Co-Branding Agreement with PFSI. Since fiscal
2000,
the Company has successfully co-branded certain Arthur Treacher’s signature
products in the Nathan’s franchise system. Based upon such co-branding success,
the Company acquired these assets to continue its co-branding efforts and
seek
new means of distribution.
-13-
The
Company simultaneously granted back to PFSI a limited license to use the
Arthur
Treacher’s intellectual property solely for the purposes of: (a) PFSI continuing
to permit the operation of its existing Arthur Treacher’s franchised restaurant
system (approximately 60 restaurants); and (b) PFSI granting rights to
third parties who wish to develop new traditional Arthur Treacher’s quick
service restaurants in Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania,
Virginia, Washington D.C. and areas of Northern New York State (collectively,
the “PFSI Markets”). The Company also retained certain rights to sell franchises
for the operation of Arthur Treacher’s restaurants in certain circumstances
within the geographic scope of the PFSI Markets. PFSI has no obligation to
pay
fees or royalties to the Company in connection with its use of any Arthur
Treacher’s intellectual property within the PFSI Markets.
NF
Treacher’s Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary, was created for the purpose of
acquiring these assets. The acquired assets have been recorded at fair value
as
trademarks and trade names based upon the preliminary purchase price allocation,
which is subject to adjustment based upon finalization of a valuation, and
which
will be subject to periodic impairment testing. No restaurants were acquired
in
this transaction.
NOTE
G -
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET
1.
Sale of Restaurant
The
Company observes the provisions of SFAS No. 66, “Accounting for Sales of Real
Estate,” which establishes accounting standards for recognizing profit or loss
on sales of real estate. SFAS No. 66 provides for profit recognition by the
full
accrual method, provided (a) the profit is determinable, that is, the
collectibility of the sales price is reasonably assured or the amount that
will
not be collectible can be estimated, and (b) the earnings process is virtually
complete, that is, the seller is not obligated to perform significant activities
after the sale to earn the profit. Unless both conditions exist, recognition
of
all or part of the profit shall be postponed and other methods of profit
recognition shall be followed. In accordance with SFAS No. 66, the Company
recognizes profit on sales of restaurants under the full accrual method,
the
installment method and the deposit method, depending on the specific terms
of
each sale. The Company continues to record depreciation expense on the property
subject to the sales contracts that are accounted for under the deposit method
and records any principal payments received as a deposit until such time
that
the transaction meets the sales criteria of SFAS No. 66.
During
the twenty-six weeks ended September 25, 2005, the Company sold one
Company-owned restaurant that it had previously leased to the operator pursuant
to a management agreement, for total cash consideration of $515,000 and entered
into a franchise agreement with the buyer to continue operating the restaurant.
As the Company expects to have a continuing stream of cash flows from this
restaurant, the results of operations for this restaurant are included in
“Income from continuing operations before income taxes” in the accompanying
consolidated statements of earnings for the twenty-six week period ended
September 25, 2005 through the date of sale. There were no sales of
Company-owned restaurants during the twenty-six weeks ended September 24,
2006.
The
results of operations for this restaurant for the thirteen and twenty-six
weeks
ended September 25, 2005 are as follows:
Thirteen
Weeks
|
Twenty-six
Weeks
|
||||||
(in
thousands)
|
(in
thousands)
|
||||||
Total
revenues
|
$
|
2
|
$
|
61
|
|||
Income
from continuing operations before income taxes
|
$
|
2
|
$
|
59
|
2.
Discontinued Operations
The
Company follows the provisions of SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment
or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets" ("SFAS No.144"), related to the accounting
and
reporting for segments of a business to be disposed of. In accordance with
SFAS
No. 144, the definition of discontinued operations includes components of
an
entity whose cash flows are clearly identifiable. SFAS No. 144 requires the
Company to classify as discontinued operations any restaurant or property
that
Nathan’s sells, abandons or otherwise disposes of where the Company will have no
further involvement in the operation of, or cash flows from, such restaurant's
operations.
On
July
13, 2005, Nathan’s sold all of its right, title and interest in and to a vacant
real estate parcel previously utilized as a parking lot, adjacent to a
Company-owned restaurant, located in Brooklyn, New York, in exchange for
a cash
payment of $3,100,000. A gain of $2,819,000 was recognized into income during
the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended September 25, 2005. Nathan’s also
entered into an agreement pursuant to which an affiliate of the buyer has
assumed all of Nathan’s rights and obligations under a lease for an adjacent
property and has agreed to pay $500,000 to Nathan’s for its leasehold interest
on the earlier of (i) three years after closing or (ii) six months after
the
closing of the adjacent property, $100,000 of which was paid and recognized
into
income in the fiscal year ended March 26, 2006. On January 17, 2006, the
adjacent property was sold and the remaining balance of $400,000 was received
in
October 2006, after period end, and is included as a gain from discontinued
operations during fiscal 2007. Recovery of $39,000 of reimbursable expenses
have
been included in discontinued operations for the thirteen and twenty-six
weeks
ended September 24, 2006. The operating expenses for these properties have
been
included in discontinued operations for the thirteen and twenty-six week
periods
ended September 25, 2005 as the Company has no continuing involvement in
the
operation of, or cash flows from, these properties.
-14-
Results
of operations for these properties are as follows:
Thirteen
Weeks Ended
|
Twenty-six
Weeks Ended
|
||||||||||||
Sept.
24, 2006
|
Sept,
25, 2005
|
Sept
24, 2006
|
Sept
25, 2005
|
||||||||||
(in
thousands)
|
(in
thousands)
|
||||||||||||
Total
revenue
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
|||||
Income
from discontinued operations before income taxes
|
|||||||||||||
(including
gains on disposal of $400 in 2006, and $2,819 in 2005)
|
$
|
439
|
$
|
2,815
|
$
|
439
|
$
|
2,778
|
NOTE
H-
STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM
On
September 14, 2001, Nathan’s was authorized to purchase up to one million shares
of its common stock. Pursuant to its stock repurchase program, it repurchased
one million shares of common stock in open market transactions and a private
transaction at a total cost of $3,670,000 through the quarter ended September
29, 2002. On October 7, 2002, Nathan’s was authorized to purchase up to one
million additional shares of its common stock. Through September 24, 2006,
Nathan’s purchased 891,100 shares of common stock at a cost of approximately
$3,488,000. To date, Nathan’s has purchased a total of 1,891,100 shares of
common stock at a cost of approximately $7,158,000. There were no repurchases
of
the Company’s common stock during the twenty-six weeks ended September 24, 2006.
Nathan’s expects to make additional purchases of stock from time to time,
depending on market conditions, in open market or in privately negotiated
transactions, at prices deemed appropriate by management. There is no set
time
limit on the purchases. Nathan’s expects to fund these stock repurchases from
its operating cash flow.
NOTE
I -
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
The
components of comprehensive income are as follows:
Thirteen
Weeks Ended
|
Twenty-six
Weeks Ended
|
||||||||||||
September
24, 2006
|
September
25, 2005
|
September
24, 2006
|
September
25, 2005
|
||||||||||
(in
thousands)
|
(in
thousands)
|
||||||||||||
Net
income
|
$
|
1,844
|
$
|
3,108
|
$
|
3,240
|
$
|
4,277
|
|||||
Unrealized
gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax provision
(benefit) of $118, ($35), $87 and $19, respectively
|
$
|
189
|
$
|
(56
|
)
|
$
|
131
|
$
|
27
|
||||
Comprehensive
income
|
$
|
2,033
|
$
|
3,052
|
$
|
3,371
|
$
|
4,304
|
Accumulated
other comprehensive loss at September 24, 2006 and March 26, 2006 consists
entirely of unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities,
net of
deferred taxes.
NOTE
J -
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
1.
Contingencies
We
and
our subsidiaries are from time to time involved in ordinary and routine
litigation. Management presently believes that the ultimate outcome of these
proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse
effect on our financial position, cash flows or results of operations.
Nevertheless, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties and unfavorable
rulings could occur. An unfavorable ruling could include money damages and,
in
such event, could result in a material adverse impact on our financial position
or our results of operations for the period in which the ruling occurs.
2.
Guarantees
The
Company guarantees certain equipment financing for certain franchisees with
a
third-party lender. The Company’s maximum obligation, should all of the
franchisees default on the required monthly payment to the third-party lender
for loans funded by the lender, as of September 24, 2006, would be approximately
$1,000. The equipment financing expires at various dates through fiscal
2007.
-15-
The
Company also guarantees a franchisee’s note payable with a bank. The note
payable matured in August 2006, and the franchisee is currently seeking to
refinance this loan with the bank. We have advised the lender that upon
completion of the refinancing, we will no longer guarantee this loan. The
Company’s maximum obligation, should the franchisee default on the loan, would
be approximately $184,000 as of September 24, 2006.
The
guarantees referred to above were entered into by the Company prior to December
31, 2002 and have not been modified since that date, which was the effective
date for FIN 45 “Guarantors Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for
Guarantees, Including Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others.”
NOTE
K -
RECLASSIFICATIONS
Certain
reclassifications of prior period balances have been made to conform to the
September 24, 2006 presentation.
NOTE
L -
SUBSEQUENT EVENT
On
November 1, 2006, Howard M. Lorber, currently, Chairman of the Board and
Chief
Executive Officer, was appointed to the newly created position of Executive
Chairman of the Board of Nathan’s Famous, Inc., effective January 1, 2007.
Additionally, Eric Gatoff, currently, Vice President and Corporate Counsel
was
appointed as Chief Executive Officer Nathan’s Famous, Inc., effective January 1,
2007.
In
connection with the foregoing, the Company has agreed to enter into an
employment agreement with each of Messrs. Lorber (the “Lorber Employment
Agreement”) and Gatoff (the “Gatoff Employment Agreement”). Under the terms of
the Lorber Employment Agreement as proposed, Mr. Lorber will serve as Executive
Chairman of the Board from January 1, 2007 until December 31, 2012, unless
his
employment is terminated in accordance with the terms of the Lorber Employment
Agreement. Pursuant to the Lorber Employment Agreement, Mr. Lorber will receive
a base salary of $400,000, and will not receive a contractual bonus; provided
that, for the fiscal year ending March 25, 2007, Mr. Lorber will be entitled
to
receive a pro rata portion of the bonus payable to him under his existing
agreement. The Lorber Employment Agreement will further provide for a three-year
consulting period after the termination of employment during which Mr. Lorber
will receive a consulting fee of $200,000 per year in exchange for his agreement
to provide no less than 30 days of consulting services. The Lorber Employment
Agreement will also provide Mr. Lorber the right to participate in employment
benefits offered to other Nathan’s executives. During and after the contract
term, Mr. Lorber is subject to certain confidentiality, non-solicitation
and
non-competition provisions in favor of the Company.
Under
the
terms of the Gatoff Employment Agreement as proposed, Mr. Gatoff has agreed
to
serve as Chief Executive Officer effective from January 1, 2007 until December
31, 2008, which period shall extend for additional one-year periods unless
either party delivers notice of non-renewal no less than 180 days prior to
the
end of the term then in effect. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Gatoff will
receive a base salary of $225,000 and an annual bonus equal in an amount
of up
to 100% of his base salary, depending upon the Company’s achievement of
performance goals established and agreed to by the Compensation Committee
and
Mr. Gatoff for each fiscal year during the employment term, provided that
the
bonus payable to Mr. Gatoff for the fiscal year ending March 25, 2007 is
to be determined by the Compensation Committee in its discretion, based on
Mr. Gatoff’s status as Vice President and Corporate Counsel through
December 31, 2006 and provided, further, that Mr. Gatoff will be entitled
to a
minimum bonus of 50% of his base salary for the first two years of the Gatoff
Employment Agreement. The agreement will further provide for an automobile
allowance in the amount provided to other executive officers, currently $1,250
per month and the right of Mr. Gatoff to participate in employment benefits
offered to other Nathan’s executives. During and after the contract term, Mr.
Gatoff is subject to certain confidentiality, non-solicitation and
non-competition provisions in favor of the Company.
-16-
Item
2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of
Operations
Introduction
As
used
in this Report, the terms “we”, “us”, “our”, “Nathan’s” or “the Company” mean
Nathan’s Famous, Inc. and its subsidiaries (unless the context indicates a
different meaning).
Our
revenues are generated primarily from selling products under Nathan’s Branded
Product Program, operating Company-owned restaurants, franchising the Nathan’s,
Miami Subs, Arthur Treacher’s and Kenny Rogers restaurant concepts and brands,
along with licensing the sale of Nathan’s products within supermarkets and other
retail venues. The Branded Product Program enables foodservice operators
to
offer Nathans’ hot dogs and other proprietary items for sale within their
facilities. In conjunction with this program, foodservice operators are granted
a limited use of the Nathans’ trademark with respect to the sale of hot dogs and
certain other proprietary food items and paper goods.
In
addition to plans for expansion of our Branded Product Program and through
franchising, Nathan’s continues to co-brand within its restaurant system.
Currently, the Arthur Treacher’s products are being sold within 107 Nathan’s
and Miami Subs restaurants, the Nathan’s brand is included on the menu of 50
Miami Subs restaurants, while the Kenny Rogers Roasters products are being
sold
within 99 Nathan’s and Miami Subs restaurants.
At
September 24, 2006, our combined restaurant system consisted of 360 franchised
or licensed units and six Company-owned units (including one seasonal unit),
located in 22 states and 11 foreign countries. At September 24, 2006, and
September 25, 2005, our Company-owned restaurant system included six Nathan’s
units (including one seasonal unit).
Critical
Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our
consolidated financial statements and the notes to our consolidated financial
statements contain information that is pertinent to management’s discussion and
analysis. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to
make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. We believe
the
following critical accounting policies involve additional management judgment
due to the sensitivity of the methods, assumptions and estimates necessary
in
determining the related asset and liability amounts.
Impairment
of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible
Assets,” (“SFAS No. 142") requires that goodwill and intangible assets with
indefinite lives be reviewed annually (or more frequently if impairment
indicators arise) for impairment. The most significant assumptions, which
are
used in this test, are estimates of future cash flows. We typically use the
same
assumptions for this test as we use in the development of our business plans.
If
these assumptions differ significantly from actual results, additional
impairment expenses may be required. No goodwill or other intangible assets
were
determined to be impaired during the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended
September 24, 2006.
Impairment
of Long-Lived Assets
Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or
Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” (“SFAS No. 144") requires management judgments
regarding the future operating and disposition plans for under-performing
assets, and estimates of expected realizable values for assets to be sold.
The
application of SFAS No. 144 has affected the amounts and timing of charges
to
operating results in recent years. We evaluate possible impairment of each
restaurant individually and record an impairment charge whenever we determine
that impairment factors exist. We consider a history of restaurant operating
losses to be the primary indicator of potential impairment of a restaurant’s
carrying value. No restaurants were determined to be impaired during the
thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended September 24, 2006.
Impairment
of Notes Receivable
Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 114, “Accounting by Creditors for
Impairment of a Loan,” requires management judgments regarding the future
collectibility of notes receivable and the underlying fair market value of
collateral. We consider the following factors when evaluating a note for
impairment: a) indications that the borrower is experiencing business problems,
such as operating losses, marginal working capital, inadequate cash flow
or
business interruptions; b) whether the loan is secured by collateral that
is not
readily marketable; or c) whether the collateral is susceptible to deterioration
in realizable value. When determining possible impairment, we also assess
our
future intention to extend certain leases beyond the minimum lease term and
the
debtor’s ability to meet its obligation over that extended term. No notes
receivable were determined to be impaired during the thirteen and twenty-six
weeks ended September 24, 2006.
-17-
Revenue
Recognition
Sales
by
Company-owned restaurants, which are typically paid in cash by the customer,
are
recognized upon the performance of services.
In
connection with its franchising operations, the Company receives initial
franchise fees, development fees, royalties, and in certain cases, revenue
from
sub-leasing restaurant properties to franchisees.
Franchise
and area development fees, which are typically received prior to completion
of
the revenue recognition process, are recorded as deferred revenue. Initial
franchise fees, which are non-refundable, are recognized as income when
substantially all services to be performed by Nathan’s and conditions relating
to the sale of the franchise have been performed or satisfied, which generally
occurs when the franchised restaurant commences operations. The following
services are typically provided by the Company prior to the opening of a
franchised restaurant:
· |
Approval
of all site selections to be developed.
|
· |
Provision
of architectural plans suitable for restaurants to be
developed.
|
· |
Assistance
in establishing building design specifications, reviewing construction
compliance and equipping the restaurant.
|
· |
Provision
of appropriate menus to coordinate with the restaurant design and
location
to be developed.
|
· |
Provide
management training for the new franchisee and selected
staff.
|
· |
Assistance
with initial operations and marketing of restaurants being
developed.
|
Development
fees are non-refundable and the related agreements require the franchisee
to
open a specified number of restaurants in the development area within a
specified time period or the agreements may be canceled by the Company. Revenue
from development agreements is deferred and recognized as restaurants in
the
development area commence operations on a pro rata basis to the minimum number
of restaurants required to be open, or at the time the development agreement
is
effectively canceled.
Nathan’s
recognizes franchise royalties when they are earned and deemed collectible.
Franchise fees and royalties that are not deemed to be collectible are not
recognized as revenue until paid by the franchisee, or until collectibility
is
deemed to be reasonably assured. The number of non-performing units is
determined by analyzing the number of months that royalties have been paid
during a period. When royalties have been paid for less than the majority
of the
time frame being reported, such location is deemed non-performing. Accordingly,
the number of non-performing units may differ between the quarterly results
and
year to date results. Revenue from sub-leasing properties is recognized as
income as the revenue is earned and becomes receivable and deemed collectible.
Sub-lease rental income is presented net of associated lease costs in the
consolidated statements of earnings.
Nathan’s
recognizes revenue from the Branded Product Program when it is determined
that
the products have been delivered via third party common carrier to Nathans’
customers.
Nathan’s
recognizes revenue from royalties on the licensing of the use of its name
on
certain products produced and sold by outside vendors. The use of Nathans’ name
and symbols must be approved by Nathan’s prior to each specific application to
ensure proper quality and project a consistent image. Revenue from license
royalties is recognized when it is earned and deemed collectible.
In
the
normal course of business, we extend credit to trade customers of our Branded
Product Program, franchisees for the payment of ongoing royalties and retail
licensees. Notes and accounts receivable, net, as shown on our consolidated
balance sheets are net of allowances for doubtful accounts. An allowance
for
doubtful accounts is determined through analysis of the aging of accounts
receivable at the date of the financial statements, assessment of collectibility
based upon historical trends and an evaluation of the impact of current and
projected economic conditions. In the event that the collectibility of a
receivable at the date of the transaction is doubtful, the associated revenue
is
not recorded until the facts and circumstances change in accordance with
Staff
Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 104, “Revenue Recognition.”
Share-based
Compensation
We
have various share-based compensation plans that provide stock options and
restricted stock awards for certain employees and non-employee
directors to purchase shares of our common stock. Prior to our adoption of
SFAS
123R at the beginning of fiscal 2007, we accounted for share-based compensation
in accordance with APB 25, which utilized the intrinsic value method of
accounting for share-based compensation, as compared to using the fair-value
method prescribed in SFAS 123R. Nathan’s uses the Black-Scholes option valuation
model in order to determine the fair value of options granted. The Black-Scholes
option pricing model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions
about
the future, including the expected option life, expected option forfeitures
and
future stock price volatility. As such, changes in the Company’s assumptions
could result in a different fair value. During the thirteen and twenty-six
weeks
ended September 24, 2006, we recorded share-based compensation expense of
$87,000 and $122,000, respectively in connection with the vesting of options.
No
share-based compensation expense attributable to stock option grants was
recorded during the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended September 25, 2005.
Nathan’s also expects to incur quarterly expenses of approximately $87,000 for
the remainder of fiscal 2007, principally in connection with its June 2006
option grants.
-18-
Income
Taxes
When
necessary, we record a valuation allowance to reduce our net deferred tax
assets
to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. In considering
the
need for a valuation allowance against some portion or all of our deferred
tax
assets, we must make certain estimates and assumptions regarding future taxable
income, the feasibility of tax planning strategies and other factors. Changes
in
facts and circumstances or in the estimates and assumptions that are involved
in
establishing and maintaining a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets
could result in adjustments to the valuation allowance in future quarterly
or
annual periods.
As
of March 26, 2006 and September 24, 2006, we maintained a valuation allowance
of
$346,000 for deferred tax assets related to certain federal and certain state
net operating loss carryforwards and AMT tax credit carryforwards. Even though
we expect to generate taxable income, realization of the tax benefit of such
deferred tax assets may remain uncertain for the foreseeable future, since
they
are subject to various limitations and may only be used to offset income
of
certain entities or of a certain character.
We
use an estimate of our annual income tax rate to recognize a provision for
income taxes in financial statements for interim periods. However, changes
in
facts and circumstances could result in adjustments to our effective tax
rate in
future quarterly or annual periods.
Adoption
of Accounting Pronouncements
In
November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151, “Inventory Costs--an amendment of
ARB No.43” (“SFAS No.151”) which is the result of its efforts to converge U.S.
accounting standards for inventories with International Accounting Standards.
SFAS No.151 requires idle facility expenses, freight, handling costs, and
wasted
material (spoilage) costs to be recognized as current-period charges. It
also
requires that allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of
conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities.
SFAS
No.151 was effective for inventory costs incurred during fiscal years beginning
after June 15, 2005. The adoption of SFAS No. 151 has not had a material
impact
on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
In
June
2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections -
a replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3” (“SFAS No.154”).
Opinion 20 previously required that most voluntary changes in accounting
principle be recognized by including in net income of the period of the change
the cumulative effect of changing to the new accounting principle. SFAS No.
154
requires retrospective application to prior periods’ financial statements of
changes in accounting principle, unless it is impracticable to determine
either
the period-specific effects or the cumulative effect of the change. SFAS
No. 154
was effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 2005. The adoption of SFAS No. 154 has
not
had a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of
operations.
See
Note
E, beginning on page 10 of this Form 10-Q for a complete discussion of the
impact of SFAS 123R on the Company’s financial position and results of
operations.
Recently
Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
See
Note
B, beginning on page 8 of this Form 10-Q for a discussion of recently issued
accounting standards not yet adopted.
Results
of Operations
Thirteen
weeks ended September 24, 2006 compared to thirteen
weeks ended September 25, 2005
Revenues
from Continuing Operations
Total
sales increased by $1,449,000 or 16.5% to $10,229,000 for the thirteen weeks
ended September 24, 2006 ("second quarter fiscal 2007") as compared to
$8,780,000 for the thirteen weeks ended September 25, 2005 ("second quarter
fiscal 2006"). Sales from the Branded Product Program increased by 14.2%
to
$4,864,000 for the second quarter fiscal 2007 as compared to sales of $4,258,000
in the second quarter fiscal 2006. This increase was primarily attributable
to
increased volume of approximately 14%. Total Company-owned restaurant sales
(representing six comparable Nathan’s restaurants) increased by 5.5% to
$4,341,000 as compared to $4,115,000 during the second quarter fiscal 2006.
During the second quarter fiscal 2007, sales, predominantly to our television
retailer were approximately $617,000 higher than the second quarter fiscal
2006
resulting from the timing of this years “Today’s Special Value,” the
introduction of new products offered and more airings.
Franchise
fees and royalties were $1,756,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2007 compared
to
$1,738,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2006. Franchise royalties were
$1,637,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2007 as compared to $1,574,000 in
the
second quarter fiscal 2006. Domestic franchise restaurant sales decreased
by
2.5% to $40,780,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2007 as compared to $41,813,000
in the second quarter fiscal 2006. This decline of $1,033,000 represents
the net
sales difference between new units that have opened and the units that have
closed between the two periods, and lower sales from our comparable restaurants.
Comparable domestic franchise sales (consisting of 200 restaurants)
decreased by $461,000 or 1.3% to $35,653,000 in the second quarter fiscal
2007
as compared to $36,114,000 in
the
second quarter fiscal 2006. During the second quarter fiscal 2007, we received
$104,000 of royalties that were previously deemed to be uncollectable and
recorded increased royalty income of $32,000 as a result of our acquisition
of the Arthur Treacher’s intellectual property. At September 24, 2006, 360
domestic and international franchised or licensed units were operating as
compared to 361 domestic and international franchised or licensed units at
September 25, 2005. During the thirteen weeks ended September 24, 2006, royalty
income from 17 domestic
franchised locations has been deemed unrealizable as compared to 26 domestic
franchised locations during the thirteen weeks ended September 25, 2005.
Domestic franchise fee income was $58,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2007
as
compared to $87,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2006. International franchise
fee income was $61,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2007, as compared to
$74,000
during the second quarter fiscal 2006. During the second quarter fiscal
2007,
three new
franchised units opened, including one unit in Kuwait. During the second
quarter
fiscal 2006, six new franchised units were opened, including one unit in
the
Dominican Republic and one in the United Arab Emirates.
-19-
License
royalties were $907,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2007 as compared to
$833,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2006. This increase was attributable
to
higher royalties for the sale of hot dogs and pursuant to a new agreement
to
license our name for use with snack foods and other items.
Interest
income was $150,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2007 versus $114,000 in
the
second quarter fiscal 2006 primarily due to higher interest earned on the
increased amount of marketable securities owned during the second quarter
fiscal
2007 as compared to the second quarter fiscal 2006.
Other
income was $82,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2007 versus $188,000 in the
second quarter fiscal 2006. This reduction was primarily due to lower revenues
under supplier contracts of $67,000 and lower income from subleasing activities
of $42,000.
Costs
and Expenses from Continuing Operations
Cost
of
sales increased by $748,000 to $6,904,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2007
from
$6,156,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2006. Our gross profit (representing
the
difference between sales and cost of sales) was $3,325,000 or 32.5% during
the
second quarter fiscal 2007 as compared to $2,634,000 or 30.0% during the
second
quarter fiscal 2006. The primary reason for this improved margin has been
due to
the impact that the lower cost of beef has had on our Branded Product Program
during the second quarter fiscal 2007. Commodity costs of our hot dogs had
continuously risen during the prior three consecutive years. Beginning in
the
summer of 2005, prices began to soften and have continued that trend during
the
past quarter. Our cost of hot dogs was approximately 12.4% lower during the
second quarter fiscal 2007 than the second quarter fiscal 2006; however,
there
is no assurance that the current pricing will continue. Overall, our Branded
Product Program incurred higher costs totaling approximately $103,000. This
increase is the result of the higher volume during the second quarter fiscal
2007 than in the second quarter fiscal 2006; however, that increase was
significantly offset by the lower cost of product during the second quarter
fiscal 2007, as described above. During the second quarter fiscal 2007, the
cost
of restaurant sales at our six comparable Company-owned units was $2,365,000,
or
54.5% of restaurant sales, as compared to $2,211,000, or 53.7% of restaurant
sales, in the second quarter fiscal 2006. The increase was primarily due
to
higher labor costs. Cost of sales also increased by $491,000 in the second
quarter fiscal 2007 due primarily to higher sales volume to our television
retailer.
Restaurant
operating expenses were $859,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2007 as compared
to $851,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2006.
Depreciation
and amortization was $198,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2007 as compared
to
$192,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2006.
Amortization
of intangible assets was $66,000 in both the second quarter fiscal 2007 and
second quarter fiscal 2006.
General
and administrative expenses increased by $355,000 to $2,476,000 in the second
quarter fiscal 2007 as compared to $2,121,000 in
the
second quarter fiscal 2006. During the second quarter fiscal 2007, we incurred
$92,000 for professional services in connection with our Sarbanes-Oxley Section
404 compliance efforts and an expense of $87,000 in connection with the adoption
of SFAS No. 123R “Share Based Payment,” which now requires Nathan’s to record an
expense for the fair value of options granted over the vesting period (See
Note
E). Additionally, we incurred severance costs of $73,000, higher business
development costs of $44,000, higher salaries and related costs of $33,000
and
higher incentive compensation of $15,000 in connection with increased earnings
by the Company during the second quarter fiscal 2007, compared to the second
quarter fiscal 2006.
-20-
There
was
no interest
expense during the second quarter fiscal 2007 as compared to interest expense
of
$9,000 during the second quarter fiscal 2006. The elimination of interest
expense relates primarily to the early repayment of an outstanding bank loan
in
January 2006 and the capital lease obligation in July 2006.
Provision
for Income Taxes from Continuing Operations
In
the
second quarter fiscal 2007, the income tax provision was $1,039,000 or 39.6%
of
income from continuing operations before income taxes as compared to $871,000
or
38.6% of income from continuing operations before income taxes in the second
quarter fiscal 2006.
Discontinued
Operations
On
July
13, 2005, we sold a vacant piece of property in Brooklyn, New York, to a
third
party, which was classified as “held-for-sale” at March 27, 2005. We also sold
our leasehold interest in an adjacent property on January 17, 2006 to the
same
buyer. At March 26, 2006, the buyer owed Nathan’s $439,000 from the sale of our
leasehold interest and certain reimbursable operating expenses, whose
collectability was not then reasonably assured and therefore not included
in
income. In July 2006, we received $39,000 for the reimbursement of operating
expenses from December 2005 and January 2006. In October 2006, we received
$400,000 relating to the sale of our leasehold interest, which was due in
July
2006. During the second quarter fiscal 2007, income of $39,000 and gain of
$400,000 were recorded into income from discontinued operations. During the
second quarter fiscal 2006, we recognized a gain of $2,819,000, net of
associated expenses in connection with the sale of our vacant piece of property,
which was partly offset by an operating loss of $4,000 during the second
quarter
2006 in connection with this property.
Results
of Operations
Twenty-six
weeks ended September 24, 2006 compared to twenty-six
weeks ended September 25, 2005
Revenues
from Continuing Operations
Total
sales increased by $2,389,000 or 14.1% to $19,391,000 for the twenty-six
weeks
ended September 24, 2006 ("fiscal 2007 period") as compared to $17,002,000
for
the twenty-six weeks ended September 25, 2005 (“fiscal 2006 period"). Sales from
the Branded Product Program increased by 16.0% to $9,937,000 for the fiscal
2007
period as compared to sales of $8,563,000 in the fiscal 2006 period. This
increase was primarily attributable to increased volume of approximately
17.2%
and higher average selling prices, which were partly offset by higher
rebates.
During
the fiscal 2007 period, approximately 1,600 new points of distribution were
opened under our Branded Product Program, including approximately 750
units within
K-Mart stores. Total Company-owned restaurant sales (representing six comparable
Nathan’s restaurants) increased by 2.3% to $7,595,000 as compared to $7,421,000
during the fiscal 2006 period. During the fiscal 2007 period, sales,
predominantly to our television retailer were approximately $841,000 higher
than
the fiscal 2006 period resulting from the introduction of new products offered
and more airings.
Franchise
fees and royalties were $3,433,000 in the fiscal 2007 period compared to
$3,486,000 in the fiscal 2006 period. Franchise royalties were $3,189,000
in the
fiscal 2007 period as compared to $3,086,000 in the fiscal 2006 period. Domestic
franchise restaurant sales decreased by 2.0% to $81,219,000 in the fiscal
2007
period, as compared to $82,858,000 in the fiscal 2006 period. This decline
of
$1,639,000 represents the net sales difference between new units that have
opened and the units that have closed between the two periods, and lower
sales
from our comparable restaurants. Comparable domestic franchise sales (consisting
of 200 restaurants)
decreased by $527,000 or 0.7% to $70,653,000 in the fiscal 2007 period as
compared to $71,180,000 in
the
fiscal 2006 period. During the fiscal 2007 period, we received $125,000 of
royalties that were previously deemed to be uncollectable and recorded increased
royalty income of $58,000 as a result of our acquisition of the Arthur
Treacher’s intellectual property. At September 24, 2006, 360 domestic and
international franchised or licensed units were operating as compared to
361 domestic
and international franchised or licensed units at September 25, 2005. During
the
twenty-six weeks ended September 24, 2006, royalty income from 21 domestic
franchised locations has been deemed unrealizable as compared to 26 domestic
franchised locations during the twenty-six weeks ended September 25, 2005.
Domestic franchise fee income was $132,000 in the fiscal 2007 period as compared
to $146,000 in the fiscal 2006 period. International franchise fee income
was
$112,000 in the fiscal 2007 period, as compared to $185,000 during the fiscal
2006 period. During the fiscal 2007 period,
seven
new
franchised units opened, including one unit in Japan and one unit in Kuwait.
During the fiscal 2006 period, 16 new franchised units were opened, including
three units in Japan, one unit in Kuwait, one unit in the Dominican Republic
and
two in the United Arab Emirates, and we franchised one unit that previously
operated pursuant to a management agreement. During the fiscal 2006 period,
Nathan’s also recognized $69,000 in connection with three forfeited franchise
fees.
-21-
License
royalties were $2,083,000 in the fiscal 2007 period as compared to $1,990,000
in
the fiscal 2006 period. This increase was attributable to higher royalties
from
the sale of our hot dogs and our new snack food agreement, which were partly
offset by reduced royalties from the sale of Bratwurst and breakfast
sausages.
Interest
income was $282,000 in the fiscal 2007 period versus $196,000 in the fiscal
2006
period, primarily due to higher interest earned on the increased amount of
marketable securities owned during the fiscal 2007 period as compared to
the
fiscal 2006 period.
Other
income was $179,000 in the fiscal 2007 period versus $361,000 in the fiscal
2006
period. This reduction was primarily due to lower revenues under supplier
contracts of $94,000, and lower income from subleasing activities of
$73,000.
Costs
and Expenses from Continuing Operations
Cost
of
sales increased by $1,072,000 to $13,523,000 in the fiscal 2007 period from
$12,451,000 in the fiscal 2006 period. Our gross profit (representing the
difference between sales and cost of sales) was $5,868,000 or 30.3% during
the
fiscal 2007 period as compared to $4,551,000 or 26.8% during the fiscal 2006
period. The primary reason for this improved margin is the impact that the
lower
cost of beef has had on our Branded Product Program during the fiscal 2007
period. Commodity costs of our hot dogs had continuously risen to increase
during the prior three consecutive years. Beginning in the summer of 2005,
prices began to soften and have continued that trend during the fiscal 2007
period. Our cost of hot dogs was approximately 13.6% lower during the fiscal
2007 period than the fiscal 2006 period; however, there is no assurance that
the
current pricing will continue. Overall, our Branded Product Program incurred
higher costs totaling approximately $275,000. This increase is the result
of the
higher volume during the fiscal 2007 period than in the fiscal 2006 period;
however, that increase was significantly reduced because of the lower cost
of
product during the fiscal 2007 period, as described above. During the fiscal
2007 period, the cost of restaurant sales at our six comparable Company-owned
units was $4,246,000, or 55.9% of restaurant sales, as compared to $4,076,000,
or 54.9% of restaurant sales in the fiscal 2006 period. The increase was
primarily due to higher labor costs. Cost of sales also increased by $627,000
in
the fiscal 2007 period primarily due to higher sales volume to our television
retailer.
Restaurant
operating expenses were $1,703,000 in the fiscal 2007 period as compared
to
$1,634,000 in the fiscal 2006 period. During the fiscal 2007 period, we incurred
higher costs of $47,000 in connection with recruiting and maintenance at
our
Coney Island restaurant in preparation for the summer season.
Depreciation
and amortization was $395,000 in the fiscal 2007 period as compared to $391,000
in the fiscal 2006 period.
Amortization
of intangible assets was $131,000 in both the fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006
periods.
General
and administrative expenses increased by $464,000 to $4,690,000 in the fiscal
2007 period as compared to $4,226,000 in
the
fiscal 2006 period. During the fiscal 2007 period we incurred an expense
of
$122,000 in connection with the adoption of SFAS No. 123R “Share Based Payment,”
which now requires Nathan’s to record an expense for the fair the value of
options granted over the vesting period (See Note E). In June 2006, Nathan’s
granted 197,500 options having a total fair value of $1,218,000. Pursuant
to
SFAS No. 123R, Nathan’s expects to incur quarterly expenses of approximately
$87,000 for the remainder of fiscal 2007 primarily in connection with its
June
2006 option grants. We also incurred $92,000 for professional services in
connection with our Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 compliance efforts, higher
salaries and related costs of $75,000, severance costs of $73,000, higher
incentive compensation of $40,000 in connection with increased earnings by
the
Company, higher professional fees of $26,000 and higher business development
costs of $17,000 during the fiscal 2007 period than during the fiscal 2006
period.
Interest
expense was $1,000 during the fiscal 2007 period as compared to interest
expense
of $20,000 during the fiscal 2006 period. The reduction of interest expense
primarily relates to the early repayment of an outstanding bank loan in January
2006 and the capital lease obligation in July 2006.
Provision
for Income Taxes from Continuing Operations
In
the
fiscal 2007 period, the income tax provision was $1,912,000 or 39.1% of income
from continuing operations before income taxes as compared to $1,604,000
or
38.4% of income from continuing operations before income taxes in the fiscal
2006 period.
Discontinued
Operations
On
July
13, 2005, we sold a vacant piece of property in Brooklyn, New York, to a
third
party, which was classified as “held-for-sale” at March 27, 2005. We also sold
our leasehold interest in an adjacent property on January 17, 2006 to the
same
buyer. At March 26, 2006, the buyer owed Nathan’s $439,000 from the sale of our
leasehold interest and certain reimbursable operating expenses, whose
collectability was not then reasonably assured and therefore not included
in
income. In July 2006, we received $39,000 for the reimbursement of operating
expenses from December 2005 and January 2006. In October 2006, we received
$400,000 relating to the sale of our leasehold interest, which was due in
July
2006. During the fiscal 2007 period, income of $39,000 and gain of $400,000
were
recorded into income from discontinued operations. During the fiscal 2006
period, we recognized a gain of $2,819,000, net of associated expenses in
connection with the sale of our vacant piece of property, which was partly
offset by an operating loss of $41,000 during the fiscal 2006 period, in
connection with this property.
-22-
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
We
are
not a party to any off-balance sheet arrangements, other than the loan
guarantees discussed under the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section of this
Management Discussion and Analysis.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
Cash
and
cash equivalents at September 24, 2006 aggregated $3,696,000, increasing
by
$687,000 during the fiscal 2007 period. At September 24, 2006, marketable
securities were $21,440,000 and net working capital increased to $23,755,000
from $19,075,000 at March 26, 2006.
Cash
provided by operations of $4,203,000 in the fiscal 2007 period is primarily
attributable to net income of $3,240,000, plus non-cash items and gains on
sales
of leasehold interest and fixed assets of $507,000. Changes in Nathan’s
operating assets and liabilities increased cash by $456,000 principally due
to
decreased prepaid expenses and other current assets of $664,000, primarily
by
reducing our current year tax installments by the amount of our prepaid
income taxes as of March 26, 2006, and utilization of prepaid insurance.
Deferred franchise fees increased by $272,000 from cash received in connection
with future restaurant openings, and the sale of inventory on hand by our
Branded Product Program and our television retailer. Cash was reduced from
increased accounts receivable and notes receivable of $673,000 primarily
resulting from increased royalties from retail licensees and higher sales
of the
Branded Product Program.
We
used
cash for investment purposes of $4,339,000 in the fiscal 2007 period, primarily
due to our purchase of “available for sale” securities of $4,467,000, investment
of $290,000 in capital expenditures which were partly offset
with proceeds received from the sale of leasehold interest of $400,000
and the receipt of $18,000 from notes receivable.
We
generated cash from our financing activities of $823,000 in the fiscal 2007
period. We received net proceeds of $136,000 from the exercise of employee
stock
options, and expect to receive an income tax benefit from the exercise of
stock
options of $726,000, which were partly offset by our payments made to terminate
our capitalized lease obligation of $39,000.
On
September 14, 2001, Nathan’s was authorized to purchase up to one million shares
of its common stock. Pursuant to its stock repurchase program, we repurchased
one million shares of common stock in open market transactions and a private
transaction at a total cost of $3,670,000 through the quarter ended September
29, 2002. On October 7, 2002, Nathan’s was authorized to purchase up to one
million additional shares of its common stock. Through September 24, 2006,
Nathan’s purchased 891,100 shares of common stock at a cost of approximately
$3,488,000. To date, Nathan’s has purchased a total of 1,891,100 shares of
common stock at a cost of approximately $7,158,000. There were no repurchases
of
the Company’s common stock during the twenty-six weeks ended September 24, 2006.
Nathan’s expects to make additional purchases of stock from time to time,
depending on market conditions, in open market or in privately negotiated
transactions, at prices deemed appropriate by management. There is no set
time
limit on the purchases. Nathan’s expects to fund these stock repurchases from
its operating cash flow.
We
expect
that we will make additional investments in certain existing restaurants
and
support the growth of the Branded Product Program in the future and fund
those
investments from our operating cash flow. We may also incur capital expenditures
in connection with opportunistic investments on a case-by-case
basis.
At
September 24, 2006, there were 26 properties that we either own or lease
from
third parties which we lease or sublease to franchisees, operating managers
and
non-franchisees. There is also one vacant property that we lease that is
not
currently leased to a third party. We remain contingently liable for all
costs
associated with these properties including: rent, property taxes and insurance.
We may incur future cash payments with respect to such properties, consisting
primarily of future lease payments, including costs and expenses associated
with
terminating any of such leases. Additionally, we guaranteed financing on
behalf
of certain franchisees with two third-party lenders. Our maximum obligation
for
loans funded by the lenders as of September 24, 2006 was
approximately $185,000.
-23-
The
following schedules represent Nathan’s cash contractual obligations and the
expiration of other contractual commitments by maturity at September 24, 2006
(in thousands):
|
|
Payments
Due by Period
|
|
|||||||||||||
Cash
Contractual Obligations
|
|
Total
|
|
Less
than
1
Year
|
|
1
-
3 Years
|
|
4-5
Years
|
|
After
5 Years
|
|
|||||
Employment
Agreements
|
|
$
|
1,383
|
|
$
|
749
|
$
|
572
|
$
|
62 |
$
|
-
|
||||
Operating
Leases
|
9,988
|
3,170
|
3,999
|
1,750
|
1,069 | |||||||||||
Gross
Cash Contractual Obligations
|
11,371
|
3,919
|
4,571
|
1,812
|
1,069 | |||||||||||
Sublease
Income
|
5,971
|
1,762
|
2,152
|
1,212 |
845
|
|||||||||||
Net
Cash Contractual Obligations
|
$
|
5,400
|
$
|
2,157
|
$
|
2,419
|
$
|
600 |
$
|
224
|
Amount
of Commitment Expiration Per Period
|
||||||||||||||||
Other
Contractual Commitments
|
Total
Amounts
Committed
|
Less
than
1
Year
|
1
-
3 Years
|
4-5
Years
|
After
5 Years
|
|||||||||||
Loan
Guarantees
|
$
|
185
|
$
|
185
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
||||||
Total
Other Contractual Commitments
|
$
|
185
|
$
|
185
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
Management
believes that available cash, marketable securities and cash generated from
operations should provide sufficient capital to finance our operations for
at
least the next twelve months. We currently maintain a $7,500,000 uncommitted
bank line of credit and have never borrowed any funds under this line of
credit.
Item
3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Cash
and cash equivalents
We
have
historically invested our cash and cash equivalents in short term, fixed rate,
highly rated and highly liquid instruments which are reinvested when they mature
throughout the year. Although our existing investments are not considered at
risk with respect to changes in interest rates or markets for these instruments,
our rate of return on short-term investments could be affected at the time
of
reinvestment as a result of intervening events. As of September 24, 2006,
Nathans’ cash and cash equivalents aggregated $3,696,000. Earnings on these cash
and cash equivalents would increase or decrease by approximately $9,200 per
annum for each 0.25% change in interest rates.
Marketable
securities
We
have
invested our marketable securities in intermediate term, fixed rate, highly
rated and highly liquid instruments. These investments are subject to
fluctuations in interest rates. As of September 24, 2006, the market value
of
Nathans’ marketable securities aggregated $21,440,000. Interest income on these
marketable securities would increase or decrease by approximately $54,000 per
annum for each 0.25% change in interest rates. The following chart presents
the
hypothetical changes in the fair value of the marketable investment securities
held at September 24, 2006 that are sensitive to interest rate fluctuations
(in
thousands):
Valuation
of securities
Given
an interest rate
Decrease
of X Basis points
|
Fair
|
Valuation
of securities
Given
an interest rate
Increase
of X Basis points
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(150BPS)
|
|
(100BPS)
|
|
(50BPS)
|
|
Value
|
|
+50BPS
|
|
+100BPS
|
|
+150BPS
|
||||||||||
Municipal
notes and bonds
|
$
|
22,793
|
$
|
22,331
|
$
|
21,881
|
$
|
21,440
|
$
|
21,007
|
$
|
20,581
|
$
|
20,163
|
Borrowings
The
interest rate on our borrowings are generally determined based upon the prime
rate and may be subject to market fluctuation as the prime rate changes, as
determined within each specific agreement. We do not anticipate entering into
interest rate swaps or other financial instruments to hedge our borrowings.
At
September 24, 2006, we had no outstanding debt. If we were to borrow money
in
the future, such borrowings would be based upon the then prevailing interest
rates. We also maintain a $7,500,000 credit line at the prime rate (8.25% as
of
September 24, 2006). We have never borrowed any funds under this credit
line.
Accordingly,
we do not believe that fluctuations in interest rates would have a material
impact on our financial results.
-24-
Commodity
Costs
The
cost
of commodities is subject to market fluctuation. We have not attempted to hedge
against fluctuations in the prices of the commodities we purchase using future,
forward, option or other instruments. As a result, our future commodities
purchases are subject to changes in the prices of such commodities. Generally,
we attempt to pass through permanent increases in our commodity prices to our
customers, thereby reducing the impact of long-term increases on our financial
results. A short term increase or decrease of 10.0% in the cost of our food
and
paper products for the twenty-six weeks ended September 24, 2006 would have
increased or decreased our cost of sales by approximately
$1,015,000.
Foreign
Currencies
Foreign
franchisees generally conduct business with us and make payments in United
States dollars, reducing the risks inherent with changes in the values of
foreign currencies. As a result, we have not purchased future contracts, options
or other instruments to hedge against changes in values of foreign currencies
and we do not believe fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies would
have
a material impact on our financial results.
Item
4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation
and Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our
management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer, Chief
Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the
effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and
procedures, as required by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15. Based on that evaluation,
the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer
have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our
disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that the information
required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under
the
Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time
periods specified by the SEC’s rules and forms and that such information is
accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal
executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely
decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes
in Internal Controls
There
were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred
during the thirteen weeks ended September 24, 2006 that have materially
affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control
over financial reporting.
Limitations
on the Effectiveness of Controls
We
believe that a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, cannot
provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the control system are met,
and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control
issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.
Our
disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance
of achieving their objectives and our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating
Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that such controls and
procedures are effective at the reasonable assurance level.
Forward
Looking Statements
Certain
statements contained in this report are forward-looking statements. We generally
identify forward-looking statements with the words “believe,” “intend,” “plan,”
“expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “will,” “should” and similar expressions.
Forward-looking statements represent our current judgment regarding future
events. Although we would not make forward-looking statements unless we believe
we have a reasonable basis for doing so, we cannot guarantee their accuracy
and
actual results may differ materially from those we anticipated due to a number
of risks and uncertainties, many of which we are not aware and / or cannot
control. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the
effect on sales over concerns relating to bovine spongiform encephalopathy;
the
effect on costs resulting from the availability and cost of gasoline and other
petrochemicals; economic, weather, legislative and business conditions; the
collectibility of receivables; the availability of suitable restaurant sites
on
reasonable rental terms; changes in consumer tastes; the ability to continue
to
attract franchisees; our ability to attract competent restaurant and managerial
personnel, and the other risks described under “Risk Factors” under Item 1A of
our Form 10-K and this Form 10-Q.
-25-
PART
II.
OTHER INFORMATION
Item
1: Legal Proceedings
We
and
our subsidiaries are from time to time involved in ordinary and routine
litigation. Management presently believes that the ultimate outcome of these
proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse
effect on our financial position, cash flows or results of operations.
Nevertheless, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties and unfavorable
rulings could occur. An unfavorable ruling could include money damages and,
in
such event, could result in a material adverse impact on our financial position
or results of operations for the period in which the ruling occurs.
Item
1A: Risk Factors
Our
business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows can be impacted
by a number of factors, including but not limited to those set forth below,
which could cause our actual results to vary materially from recent results
or
from our anticipated future results. For a discussion identifying additional
risk factors and important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those anticipated, see the discussions in “Risk Factors, “
“Forward-Looking Statements,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations” and “Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements” in our Form 10-K for fiscal 2006 and in this Form 10-Q. There can be
no assurance that we have correctly identified and appropriately assessed all
factors affecting our business operations or that the publicly available and
other information with respect to these matters is complete and correct.
Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we
currently believe to be immaterial also may adversely impact the business.
Should any risks or uncertainties develop into actual events, these developments
could have material adverse effects on our business, financial condition and
results of operations.
Nathan’s
earnings and business growth strategy depends in large part on the success
of
its licensees, and Nathan’s or its brand’s reputation may be harmed by actions
taken by licensees that are outside of Nathan’s
control.
A
portion
of Nathan’s earnings comes from royalties and fees paid by Nathan’s licensees.
Licensees are independent contractors, and their employees are not employees
of
Nathan’s. Although Nathan’s monitors many of the activities of its licensees as
they relate specifically to the manufacture, distribution, advertising and
sale
of products using a Nathan’s brand, there are many aspects of such licensees’
businesses that are beyond Nathan’s control. Consequently, licensees may not
conduct their business in a manner consistent with Nathan’s high standards and
requirements. Any shortcomings in the manner in which Nathan’s licensees conduct
their businesses may be attributed by consumers to an entire brand or Nathan’s
system, thus damaging Nathan’s or a brand’s reputation and potentially adversely
affecting Nathan’s business, results of operations and financial
condition.
Item
2: Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of
Proceeds
(c) We
have
not repurchased any equity securities during the quarter ended September 24,
2006
-26-
Item
4: Submission of Matter to a Vote of Security Holders
(a) |
The
Company held its Annual Meeting of Stockholders on September 14,
2006.
|
(b)
|
Nine
Directors were elected at the Annual Meeting to serve until the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders in 2007. The names of these Directors and
votes
cast in favor of their election and shares withheld are as
follows:
|
FOR
|
WITHHELD
|
||||||
HOWARD
M. LORBER
|
4,779,733
|
231,667
|
|||||
WAYNE
NORBITZ
|
4,690,770
|
320,630
|
|||||
ROBERT
J. EIDE
|
4,690,508
|
320,892
|
|||||
ERIC
GATOFF
|
4,780,470
|
230,930
|
|||||
BRIAN
S. GENSON
|
4,779,722
|
231,678
|
|||||
BARRY
LEISTNER
|
4,779,333
|
232,067
|
|||||
DONALD
L. PERLYN
|
4,779,653
|
231,747
|
|||||
A.F.
PETROCELLI
|
4,780,433
|
230,967
|
|||||
CHARLES
RAICH
|
4,689,661
|
321,739
|
(c)
|
The
stockholders were asked to vote on the ratification of the appointment
of
Grant Thornton, LLP as the auditors for the Company for the fiscal
year
ending March 25, 2007.
|
The
proposal was approved as follows:
|
FOR
|
AGAINST
|
ABSTAIN
|
||
4,994,556
|
11,677
|
5,068
|
The
stockholders were asked to vote on the stockholder proposal presented
by
the organization known as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
(“PETA”).
|
The
proposal was defeated as follows:
|
FOR
|
AGAINST
|
ABSTAIN
|
||
337,361
|
2,807,837
|
18,224
|
(d) Not
applicable.
Item
5: Other Information
On
November 1, 2006, Howard M. Lorber was appointed as Executive Chairman of the
Board of the Company, effective January 1, 2007. Mr. Lorber has served as
the Company’s Chairman of the Board since 1990, Chief Executive Officer since
1993 and a Director since 1987. He will continue to serve as a Director.
Additionally, on November 1, 2006, Eric Gatoff was appointed as Chief Executive
Officer of the Company effective January 1, 2007. Mr. Gatoff has served as
the Company’s Vice President and Corporate Counsel since October 2003 and as a
Director since 2005. Prior to joining us, Mr. Gatoff was a partner at
Grubman, Indursky & Schindler, P.C., a law firm specializing in intellectual
property, media and entertainment law.
In
connection with the foregoing, the Company has agreed to enter into an
employment agreement with each of Messrs. Lorber (the “Lorber Employment
Agreement”) and Gatoff (the “Gatoff Employment Agreement”). Under the terms of
the Lorber Employment Agreement as proposed, Mr. Lorber will serve as
Executive Chairman of the Board from January 1, 2007 until December 31, 2012,
unless his employment is terminated in accordance with the terms of the Lorber
Employment Agreement. Pursuant to the Lorber Employment Agreement,
Mr. Lorber will receive a base salary of $400,000, and will not receive a
contractual bonus; provided that, for the fiscal year ending March 25, 2007,
Mr. Lorber will be entitled to receive a pro rata portion of the bonus
payable to him under his existing agreement. The Lorber Employment Agreement
will further provide for a three-year consulting period after the termination
of
employment during which Mr. Lorber will receive a consulting fee of
$200,000 per year in exchange for his agreement to provide no less than 30
days
of consulting services. The Lorber Employment Agreement will also provide
Mr. Lorber the right to participate in employment benefits offered to other
Nathan’s executives. During and after the contract term, Mr. Lorber is
subject to certain confidentiality, non-solicitation and non-competition
provisions in favor of the Company.
In
the
event that Mr. Lorber’s employment is terminated without cause, he will be
entitled to receive his salary and bonus for the remainder of the contract
term.
The Lorber Employment Agreement will further provide that in the event there
is
a change in control, as defined in the agreement, Mr. Lorber will have the
option, exercisable within one year after such event, to terminate his
employment agreement. Upon such termination, will have the right to receive
a
lump sum cash payment equal to the greater of (A) his salary and annual bonuses
for the remainder of the employment term (including a prorated bonus for any
partial fiscal year), which bonus shall be equal to the average of the annual
bonuses awarded to him during the three fiscal years preceding the fiscal year
of termination; or (B) 2.99 times his salary and annual bonus for the fiscal
year immediately preceding the fiscal year of termination, as well as a lump
sum
cash payment equal to the difference between the exercise price of any
exercisable options having an exercise price of less than the then current
market price of our common stock and such then current market price. In
addition, the Company will provide Mr. Lorber with a tax gross-up payment
to cover any excise tax due. In the event of termination due to
Mr. Lorber’s death or disability, he is entitled to receive an amount equal
to his salary and annual bonuses for a three-year period, which bonus shall
be
equal to the average of the annual bonuses awarded to him during the three
fiscal years preceding the fiscal year of termination. Until the effective
date
of the Lorber Employment Agreement, Mr. Lorber shall continue to provide
services under the terms of his existing employment agreement.
-27-
Under
the
terms of the Gatoff Employment Agreement as proposed, Mr. Gatoff has agreed
to serve as Chief Executive Officer effective from January 1, 2007 until
December 31, 2008, which period shall extend for additional one-year periods
unless either party delivers notice of non-renewal no less than 180 days prior
to the end of the term then in effect. Pursuant to the agreement,
Mr. Gatoff will receive a base salary of $225,000 and an annual bonus equal
in an amount of up to 100% of his base salary, depending upon the Company’s
achievement of performance goals established and agreed to by the Compensation
Committee and Mr. Gatoff for each fiscal year during the employment term,
provided that the bonus payable to Mr. Gatoff for the fiscal year ending
March 25, 2007 is to be determined by the Compensation Committee in
its discretion, based on Mr. Gatoff’s status as Vice President and
Corporate Counsel through December 31, 2006 and provided, further, that
Mr. Gatoff will be entitled to a minimum bonus of 50% of his base salary
for the first two years of the Gatoff Employment Agreement. The agreement
will further provide for an automobile allowance in the amount provided to
other
executive officers, currently $1,250 per month and the right of Mr. Gatoff
to
participate in employment benefits offered to other Nathan’s executives. During
and after the contract term, Mr. Gatoff is subject to certain
confidentiality, non-solicitation and non-competition provisions in favor of
the
Company.
In
the
event that Mr. Gatoff’s employment is terminated without cause, he will be
entitled to receive his salary for the remainder of the contract term. The
Gatoff Employment Agreement will further provide that in the event there is
a
change in control, as defined in the agreement, Mr. Gatoff will have the
option, exercisable within one year after such event, to terminate his
employment agreement. Upon such termination, he will have the right to receive
a
lump sum cash payment equal to his salary and annual bonus for a one-year
period, in an amount equal to the bonus paid or payable to Mr. Gatoff
for the most recently completed fiscal year. In the event of termination due
to
Mr. Gatoff’s death or disability, he will be entitled to receive an amount
equal to his salary and annual bonus for the balance of the contract term,
which
bonus shall be equal to the minimum bonus of 50% of his base
compensation in the event of a termination during the initial two-year term
and the amount of the bonus paid or payable to the Executive for the preceding
fiscal year in the event of such termination during any renewal
term.
In
connection with foregoing, the Board of Directors amended the Company’s By-laws
to establish the office of Executive Chairman of the Board and to separate
the
offices of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer.
Item
6: Exhibits
(a)
Exhibits
|
|
||
31.1
|
Certification
of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
|
31.2
|
Certification
of the Chief Operating Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
|
31.3
|
Certification
of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
|
32.1
|
Certification
by Howard M. Lorber, CEO, Nathan’s Famous, Inc., pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act
of 2002.
|
|
32.2
|
Certification
by Ronald G. DeVos, CFO, Nathan’s Famous, Inc., pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act
of 2002.
|
-28-
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.
NATHAN’S FAMOUS, INC. | ||
|
|
|
Date: November 6, 2006 | By: | /s/ Wayne Norbitz |
Wayne
Norbitz
President
and Chief Operating Officer
(Principal
Executive Officer)
|
Date: November 6, 2006 | By: | /s/ Ronald G. DeVos |
Ronald
G. DeVos
Vice
President - Finance
and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal
Financial and Accounting Officer)
|
-29-