NATHANS FAMOUS, INC. - Quarter Report: 2008 September (Form 10-Q)
FORM
10-Q
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
(Mark
One)
x
|
QUARTERLY
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF
1934
|
For
the quarterly period ended September
28, 2008.
OR
¨
|
TRANSITION
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT of
1934
|
For
the transition period from ___________________
to
____________________.
Commission
file number 0-3189
NATHAN’S
FAMOUS, INC.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
|
|
11-3166443
|
(State
or other jurisdiction of
|
|
(I.R.S.
Employer
|
incorporation
or organization)
|
Identification
No.)
|
1400
Old Country Road, Westbury, New York 11590
(Address
of principal executive offices)
(Zip
Code)
(516)
338-8500
(Registrant’s
telephone number, including area code)
(Former
name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last
report)
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to
be
filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required
to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements
for
the past 90 days. Yes x
No
¨
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.
See
the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller
reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check One):
Large
accelerated filer ¨
|
Accelerated
filer x
|
|
Non-accelerated
filer ¨
|
Smaller
reporting company ¨
|
|
(Do
not check if a smaller reporting
company)
|
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨
No
x
At October
31, 2008, an aggregate of 5,741,799 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.
|
Financial
Statements
|
3
|
|
Consolidated
Financial Statements (Unaudited)
|
|||
Consolidated
Balance Sheets – September 28, 2008 (Unaudited) and March 30,
2008
|
3
|
||
Consolidated
Statements of Earnings - Thirteen Weeks
|
|||
Ended
September 28, 2008 and September 23, 2007 (Unaudited)
|
4
|
||
Consolidated
Statements of Earnings - Twenty-six Weeks
|
|||
Ended
September 28, 2008 and September 23, 2007 (Unaudited)
|
5
|
||
Consolidated
Statement of Stockholders’
Equity – Twenty-six Weeks
|
|||
Ended
September 28, 2008 (Unaudited)
|
6
|
||
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows – Twenty-six Weeks
|
|||
Ended
September 28, 2008 and September 23, 2007 (Unaudited)
|
7
|
||
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
8
|
||
Item
2.
|
Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial
|
||
Condition
and Results of Operations
|
16
|
||
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
|
29
|
|
Item
4.
|
Submission
of Matter to a Vote of Security Holders
|
29
|
|
Item
6.
|
Exhibits
|
30
|
|
SIGNATURES
|
31
|
||
Exhibit
Index
|
32
|
-2-
PART
I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item
1. Financial Statements
Nathan’s
Famous, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
September
28, 2008 and March 30, 2008
(in
thousands, except share and per share amounts)
|
September 28,
2008
|
March 30,
2008
|
|||||
(Unaudited)
|
|||||||
ASSETS
|
|||||||
CURRENT
ASSETS
|
|||||||
Cash
and cash
equivalents
|
$
|
14,693
|
$
|
14,371
|
|||
Marketable
securities
|
22,581
|
20,950
|
|||||
Accounts
and other receivables,
net
|
5,031
|
3,830
|
|||||
Note
receivable
|
251
|
606
|
|||||
Inventories
|
666
|
822
|
|||||
Prepaid
expenses and other current
assets
|
693
|
1,493
|
|||||
Deferred
income
taxes
|
697
|
697
|
|||||
Current
assets held for sale
|
-
|
13
|
|||||
Total
current assets
|
44,612
|
42,782
|
|||||
Note
receivable
|
1,613
|
1,305
|
|||||
Property
and equipment,
net
|
4,309
|
4,428
|
|||||
Goodwill
|
95
|
95
|
|||||
Intangible
assets,
net
|
1,353
|
1,353
|
|||||
Deferred
income
taxes
|
704
|
436
|
|||||
Other
assets, net
|
150
|
150
|
|||||
Non-current
assets held for sale
|
-
|
653
|
|||||
$
|
52,836
|
$
|
51,202
|
||||
LIABILITIES
AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
|
|||||||
CURRENT
LIABILITIES
|
|||||||
Accounts
payable
|
$
|
2,316
|
$
|
2,805
|
|||
Accrued
expenses and other current
liabilities
|
4,862
|
4,014
|
|||||
Deferred
franchise
fees
|
311
|
284
|
|||||
Current
liabilities held for sale
|
-
|
29
|
|||||
Total
current liabilities
|
7,489
|
7,132
|
|||||
Other
liabilities
|
1,140
|
1,137
|
|||||
Non-current
liabilities held for
sale
|
-
|
325
|
|||||
Total
liabilities
|
8,629
|
8,594
|
|||||
COMMITMENTS
AND CONTINGENCIES (Note J)
|
|||||||
STOCKHOLDERS’
EQUITY
|
|||||||
Common
stock, $.01 par value;
30,000,000 shares authorized;
|
|||||||
8,225,683 and
8,180,683 shares issued; and 5,924,722 and 6,180,683
|
|||||||
shares
outstanding at September 28, 2008
and March 30, 2008, respectively
|
82
|
82
|
|||||
Additional
paid-in
capital
|
48,266
|
47,704
|
|||||
Deferred
compensation
|
(27
|
)
|
(63
|
)
|
|||
Retained
earnings
|
9,427
|
3,746
|
|||||
Accumulated
other comprehensive income (loss)
|
(44
|
)
|
225
|
||||
57,704
|
51,694
|
||||||
Treasury
stock, at cost, 2,300,961 and 2,000,000 shares at
September 28, 2008 and March 30, 2008, respectively.
|
(13,497
|
)
|
(9,086
|
)
|
|||
Total
stockholders’ equity
|
44,207
|
42,608
|
|||||
$
|
52,836
|
$
|
51,202
|
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 28, 2008 and September 23, 2007
(in
thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
September 28,
2008
|
September 23,
2007
|
||||||
REVENUES
|
|||||||
Sales
|
$
|
11,418
|
$
|
11,257
|
|||
Franchise
fees and royalties
|
1,191
|
1,384
|
|||||
License
royalties
|
1,628
|
1,048
|
|||||
Interest
income
|
275
|
289
|
|||||
Other
income
|
13
|
43
|
|||||
Total
revenues
|
14,525
|
14,021
|
|||||
COSTS
AND EXPENSES
|
|||||||
Cost
of sales
|
8,601
|
7,983
|
|||||
Restaurant
operating expenses
|
964
|
913
|
|||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
200
|
192
|
|||||
General
and administrative expenses
|
2,249
|
2,141
|
|||||
Recovery
of property taxes
|
(441
|
)
|
-
|
||||
Total
costs and expenses
|
11,573
|
11,229
|
|||||
Income
from continuing operations before provision
|
|||||||
for
income taxes
|
2,952
|
2,792
|
|||||
Provision
for income taxes
|
1,093
|
1,035
|
|||||
Income
from continuing operations
|
1,859
|
1,757
|
|||||
Income
from discontinued operations before provision for income
taxes
|
-
|
28
|
|||||
Provision
for income taxes
|
-
|
11
|
|||||
Income
from discontinued operations
|
-
|
17
|
|||||
Net
income
|
$
|
1,859
|
$
|
1,774
|
|||
PER
SHARE INFORMATION
|
|||||||
Basic
income per share:
|
|||||||
Income
from continuing operations
|
$
|
.31
|
$
|
.29
|
|||
Income
from discontinued operations
|
-
|
.00
|
|||||
Net
income
|
$
|
.31
|
$
|
.29
|
|||
Diluted
income per share:
|
|||||||
Income
from continuing operations
|
$
|
.29
|
$
|
.27
|
|||
Income
from discontinued operations
|
-
|
.00
|
|||||
Net
income
|
$
|
.29
|
$
|
.27
|
|||
Weighted
average shares used in computing income
|
|||||||
per
share
|
|||||||
Basic
|
5,984,000
|
6,119,000
|
|||||
Diluted
|
6,309,000
|
6,562,000
|
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 28, 2008 and September 23, 2007
(in
thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
September 28,
2008
|
September 23,
2007
|
||||||
REVENUES
|
|||||||
Sales
|
$
|
22,434
|
$
|
21,078
|
|||
Franchise
fees and
royalties
|
2,343
|
2,606
|
|||||
License
royalties
|
3,243
|
2,496
|
|||||
Interest
income
|
522
|
524
|
|||||
Other
income
|
25
|
56
|
|||||
Total
revenues
|
28,567
|
26,760
|
|||||
COSTS
AND EXPENSES
|
|||||||
Cost
of sales
|
16,933
|
15,411
|
|||||
Restaurant
operating
expenses
|
1,876
|
1,751
|
|||||
Depreciation
and
amortization
|
398
|
374
|
|||||
General
and administrative
expenses
|
4,694
|
4,213
|
|||||
Recovery
of property taxes
|
(441
|
)
|
-
|
||||
Total
costs and expenses
|
23,460
|
21,749
|
|||||
Income
from continuing operations before provision
|
|||||||
for
income taxes
|
5,107
|
5,011
|
|||||
Provision
for income taxes
|
1,893
|
1,846
|
|||||
Income
from continuing operations
|
3,214
|
3,165
|
|||||
Income
from discontinued operations before provision for income
taxes
|
3,914
|
2,765
|
|||||
Provision
for income taxes
|
1,447
|
1,004
|
|||||
Income
from discontinued operations
|
2,467
|
1,761
|
|||||
Net
income
|
$
|
5,681
|
$
|
4,926
|
|||
PER
SHARE INFORMATION
|
|||||||
Basic
income per share:
|
|||||||
Income
from continuing operations
|
$
|
.53
|
$
|
.52
|
|||
Income
from discontinued operations
|
.41
|
.29
|
|||||
Net
income
|
$
|
.94
|
$
|
.81
|
|||
Diluted
income per share:
|
|||||||
Income
from continuing operations
|
$
|
.50
|
$
|
.48
|
|||
Income
from discontinued operations
|
.39
|
.27
|
|||||
Net
income
|
$
|
.89
|
$
|
.75
|
|||
Weighted
average shares used in computing income
|
|||||||
per
share
|
|||||||
Basic
|
6,075,000
|
6,069,000
|
|||||
Diluted
|
6,391,000
|
6,530,000
|
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 28, 2008
(in
thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Accumulated
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Additional
|
Other
|
Total
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common
|
Common
|
Paid-in
|
Deferred
|
Retained
|
Comprehensive
|
Treasury Stock, at Cost
|
Stockholders’
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Shares
|
Stock
|
Capital
|
Compensation
|
Earnings
|
Income (Loss)
|
Shares
|
Amount
|
Equity
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Balance,
March 30, 2008
|
8,180,683
|
$
|
82
|
$
|
47,704
|
$ |
(63
|
)
|
$
|
3,746
|
$
|
225
|
2,000,000
|
$ |
(9,086
|
)
|
$
|
42,608
|
||||||||||
Shares
issued in connection with the exercise of employee stock options
|
45,000
|
-
|
145
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
145
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Income
tax benefit on stock option exercises
|
-
|
-
|
203
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
203
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Share-based
compensation
|
-
|
-
|
214
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
214
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Repurchase
of common stock
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
300,961
|
(4,411
|
)
|
(4,411
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||
Amortization
of deferred compensation relating to restricted stock
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
36
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
36
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized
losses on marketable securities, net of deferred income tax benefit
of
$183
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(269
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
(269
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||
Net
income
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5,681
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5,681
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Balance,
September 28, 2008
|
8,225,683
|
$
|
82
|
$
|
48,266
|
$ |
(27
|
)
|
$
|
9,427
|
$ |
(44
|
)
|
2,300,961
|
$ |
(13,497
|
)
|
$
|
44,207
|
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 28, 2008 and September 23, 2007
(in
thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
September 28,
2008
|
September 23,
2007
|
||||||
Cash
flows from operating activities:
|
|||||||
Net
income
|
$
|
5,681
|
$
|
4,926
|
|||
Adjustments
to reconcile net
income to net cash
|
|||||||
provided
by operating
activities
|
|||||||
Depreciation
and
amortization
|
398
|
377
|
|||||
Amortization
of intangible
assets
|
3
|
61
|
|||||
Gains
on disposals of subsidiaries and leasehold interest
|
(3,906
|
)
|
(2,489
|
)
|
|||
Provision
for doubtful accounts
|
155
|
-
|
|||||
Amortization
of bond premium
|
115
|
145
|
|||||
Amortization
of deferred compensation
|
36
|
36
|
|||||
Share-based
compensation expense
|
214
|
144
|
|||||
Deferred
income taxes
|
(85
|
)
|
(59
|
)
|
|||
Changes
in operating assets and
liabilities:
|
|||||||
Accounts
receivable and other receivables,
net
|
(1,354
|
)
|
(276
|
)
|
|||
Inventories
|
156
|
(381
|
)
|
||||
Prepaid
expenses and other current
assets
|
831
|
259
|
|||||
Other
assets
|
-
|
(116
|
)
|
||||
Accounts
payable, accrued expenses and
other current liabilities
|
318
|
(1,419
|
)
|
||||
Deferred
franchise fees
|
27
|
(27
|
)
|
||||
Other
liabilities
|
6
|
700
|
|||||
Net
cash provided by operating
activities
|
2,595
|
1,881
|
|||||
Cash
flows from investing activities:
|
|||||||
Proceeds
from sale of
available-for-sale securities
|
500
|
300
|
|||||
Purchase
of available-for-sale securities
|
(2,699
|
)
|
(1,089
|
)
|
|||
Purchase
of property and equipment
|
(279
|
)
|
(594
|
)
|
|||
Payments
received on notes
receivable
|
297
|
-
|
|||||
Proceeds
from sales of subsidiary and leasehold interest
|
3,961
|
1,691
|
|||||
Net
cash provided by investing
activities
|
1,780
|
308
|
|||||
Cash
flows from financing activities:
|
|||||||
Repurchase
of common stock
|
(4,411
|
)
|
(1,928
|
)
|
|||
Proceeds
from the exercise of stock options
|
145
|
591
|
|||||
Income
tax benefit on stock option exercises
|
203
|
415
|
|||||
|
|||||||
Net
cash used in financing activities
|
(4,063
|
)
|
(922
|
)
|
|||
Net
increase in cash and cash equivalents
|
312
|
1,267
|
|||||
Cash
and cash equivalents, beginning of period
|
14,381
|
6,932
|
|||||
Cash
and cash equivalents, end of period
|
$
|
14,693
|
$
|
8,199
|
|||
Cash
paid during the period for:
|
|||||||
Interest
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
|||
Income
taxes
|
$
|
1,168
|
$
|
2,506
|
|||
Noncash
Financing Activities:
|
|||||||
Loan
made in connection with the sale of subsidiary
|
$
|
250
|
$
|
2,150
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
-7-
NATHAN'S
FAMOUS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September
28, 2008
(Unaudited)
NOTE
A -
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The
accompanying consolidated financial statements of Nathan's Famous, Inc. and
subsidiaries (collectively “Nathan’s”, the “Company”, “we”, “us” or “our”) as of
and for the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended September 28, 2008 and
September 23, 2007 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 30, 2008.
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 2008 Annual
Report on Form 10-K. There have been no changes to the Company’s significant
accounting policies subsequent to March 30, 2008, except as disclosed in Note
C.
On
April
23, 2008, Nathan’s completed the sale of its wholly-owned subsidiary, NF
Roasters Corp. and on June 7, 2007, Nathan’s completed the sale of its
wholly-owned subsidiary, Miami Subs Corporation (See Note D).
NOTE
B -
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS -NOT YET ADOPTED
In
December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued
SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS
No. 141R”), which establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer
recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets
acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in an
acquiree, including the recognition and measurement of goodwill acquired in
a
business combination. The requirements of SFAS No. 141R are effective for fiscal
years beginning on or after December 15, 2008, which for us is fiscal 2010.
Earlier adoption is prohibited. We have not yet evaluated the impact of SFAS
No.
141R on our consolidated financial position and results of operations.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in
Consolidated Financial Statements — an amendment of ARB No. 51” (“SFAS No.
160”). SFAS No. 160 amends ARB No. 51 to establish accounting and reporting
standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the
deconsolidation of a subsidiary. It clarifies that a noncontrolling interest
in
a subsidiary, which is sometimes referred to as minority interest, is an
ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity
in the consolidated financial statements. Among other requirements, this
statement requires consolidated net income to be reported at amounts that
include the amounts attributable to both the parent and the noncontrolling
interest. It also requires disclosure, on the face of the consolidated income
statement, of the amounts of consolidated net income attributable to the parent
and to the noncontrolling interest. SFAS No. 160 is effective for fiscal years
and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after
December 15, 2008, which for us is the first quarter of fiscal 2010.
Earlier adoption is prohibited. Based upon Nathan’s current organization
structure, we do not expect the implementation of SFAS No. 160 to have any
impact on our consolidated financial position and results of
operations.
In
April
2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 142-3 (“FSP No. 142-3”),
“Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets”, which amends the
factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions
used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS
No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”. FSP No. 142-3 is effective for
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, which for us is the first
quarter of fiscal 2010. We do not expect the adoption of FSP No. 142-3 to have
a
material effect on our consolidated financial position and results of
operations.
In
May
2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles” (“SFAS No. 162”). SFAS No. 162 identifies the sources of
accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles to be
used
in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that
are
presented in conformity with GAAP. SFAS No. 162 is effective 60 days following
the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) approval of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board amendments to AU Section 411, “The Meaning of Present
Fairly in Conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles”. We do not
expect the adoption of SFAS No. 162 to have any effect on our consolidated
financial position and results of operations.
-8-
NOTE
C – ADOPTION OF ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
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 establishes a three-level hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize
the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when
measuring fair value.
In
February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 157-2, effective date
of
FASB Statement No. 157, which
delays the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for all non-financial assets and
non-financial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed
at
fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually).
Nathan’s adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 157 on March 31, 2008 and elected
the deferral option for non-financial assets and liabilities. The effect of
adopting this standard was not significant.
In
October 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 157-3, “Determining the
Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active”
(“FSP No. 157-3”). FSP No. 157-3 applies to financial assets within the scope of
accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements in
accordance with SFAS No. 157. FSP No. 157-3 clarifies the application of SFAS
No. 157 in a market that is not active and provides an example to illustrate
key
conditions in determining the fair value of a financial asset when the market
for that financial asset is not active. FSP No. 157-3 became effective upon
issuance including prior periods for which financial statements have not been
issued. Nathan’s adopted the provisions of FSP No. 157-3 effective September 28,
2008. The effect of adopting this standard was not significant.
The
valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation
of
an asset or liability on the measurement date. The three levels are defined
as
follows:
· Level
1 -
inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for an
identical asset or liability in an active market
· Level
2 -
inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for a similar asset
or
liability in an active market or model-derived valuations in which all
significant inputs are observable for substantially the full term of the asset
or liability
· Level
3 -
inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the
fair
value measurement of the asset or liability
The
following table presents assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a
recurring basis as of September 28, 2008 by SFAS No. 157 valuation hierarchy:
(in thousands)
|
|
|
|
Carrying
|
|||||||||
|
Level
1
|
Level
2
|
Level
3
|
Value
|
|||||||||
Marketable
securities
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
22,581
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
22,581
|
|||||
Total
assets at fair value
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
22,581
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
22,581
|
Nathan’s
marketable securities, which primarily represent municipal bonds, are not
actively traded. The valuation of such bonds is based upon quoted market prices
for similar bonds currently trading in an active market.
The
carrying amounts of cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable
approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of the instruments. The
carrying amount of the note receivable approximates fair value as determined
using level three inputs as the current interest rate on such instrument
approximates current market interest rates on similar instruments.
In
February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for
Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities — Including an amendment of FASB
Statement No. 115” (“SFAS No. 159”). This standard amends SFAS No.
115, “Accounting for Certain Investment in Debt and Equity Securities,” with
respect to accounting for a transfer to the trading category for all entities
with available-for-sale and trading securities electing the fair value option.
SFAS No. 159 allows companies to elect fair value accounting for many financial
instruments and other items that currently are not required to be accounted
for
as such, allows different applications for electing the option for a single
item
or groups of items, and requires disclosures to facilitate comparisons of
similar assets and liabilities that are accounted for differently in relation
to
the fair value option. Nathan’s adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 159 on March
31, 2008. The adoption of SFAS No. 159 had no impact on our consolidated
financial position and results of operations as Nathan’s did not elect the fair
value option to report its financial assets and liabilities at fair value and
elected to continue the treatment of its marketable securities as
available-for-sale securities with unrealized gains and losses recorded in
accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
-9-
NOTE
D – 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 components 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, property or
business outlet 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, property or business outlet operations.
1. Sale
of NF Roasters Corp.
On April
23,
2008,
Nathan’s completed the sale of its wholly-owned subsidiary, NF Roasters Corp.
(“NF Roasters”), the franchisor of the Kenny Rogers Roasters
concept, to
Roasters Asia Pacific (Cayman) Limited. Pursuant
to the Stock Purchase Agreement (“NFR Agreement”), Nathan’s sold all of the
stock of NF Roasters for $4,000,000 in cash.
In
connection with the NFR Agreement, Nathan’s and its previously owned
subsidiary, Miami Subs may continue to sell Kenny Rogers products within
the existing restaurant systems without payment of royalties.
The
following is a summary of the assets and liabilities of NF Roasters, as of
the
date of sale, that were sold:
Cash
|
$
|
8,000
|
(A)
|
|
Accounts
receivable, net
|
1,000
|
|||
Deferred
income taxes, net
|
230,000
|
|||
Intangible
assets, net
|
391,000
|
|||
Other
assets, net
|
30,000
|
|||
Total
assets sold
|
660,000
|
|||
|
|
|||
Accrued
expenses
|
27,000
|
(B)
|
||
Other
liabilities
|
328,000
|
|||
Total
liabilities sold
|
355,000
|
|||
|
|
|||
Net
assets sold
|
$
|
305,000
|
(A) –
Represents unexpended marketing funds.
(B) –
Includes unexpended marketing funds of $8,000.
Nathan’s
has realized a gain on the sale of NF Roasters of $3,656,000 net
of
professional fees of $39,000 and
recorded income taxes of $1,352,000 on the gain during the twenty-six weeks
ended September 28, 2008. Nathan’s
has determined that it will not have any significant cash flows or continuing
involvement in the ongoing operations of NF Roasters. Therefore, the results
of
operations for NF Roasters, including the gain on disposal, have been presented
as discontinued operations for all periods presented. The accompanying balance
sheet for the fiscal year ended March 30, 2008, has been revised to reflect
the
assets and liabilities of NF Roasters that were subsequently sold, as held
for
sale as of that date.
2.
Sale of Miami Subs Corporation
On
June
7, 2007, Nathan’s completed the sale of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Miami Subs
Corporation (“Miami Subs”) to Miami Subs Capital Partners I, Inc. (“Purchaser”).
Pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement (“MSC Agreement”), Nathan’s sold all of
the stock of Miami Subs in exchange for $3,250,000, consisting of $850,000
in
cash and the Purchaser’s promissory note in the principal amount of $2,400,000
(the “MSC Note”). The MSC Note bears interest at 8% per annum, which was
initially payable over a four-year term and is secured by a lien on all of
the
assets of Miami Subs and by the personal guarantees of two principals of the
Purchaser. The Purchaser may also prepay the MSC Note at any time. In the event
the MSC Note was fully repaid within one year of the sale, Nathan’s would have
been required to reduce the amount due by $250,000. Due to the ability to prepay
the loan and reduce the amount due, the recognition of $250,000 was initially
deferred. The note was not prepaid within the requisite timeframe and Nathan’s
recognized the deferred revenue of $250,000 as additional gain and recorded
income taxes of $92,000 during the first quarter ended June 29, 2008. Effective
August 31, 2008, Nathan’s and Purchaser agreed to extend the due date of the MSC
Note until April 2014, to reduce the monthly payment and to settle certain
claims under the MSC Agreement. Management evaluated the restructured MSC Note
for impairment by comparing the present value of cash flows to the current
carrying value and determined that no impairment exists. The current and
long-term portions of the MSC Note have been adjusted in the accompanying
financial statements to reflect the terms of the restructured MSC Note. In
accordance with the MSC Agreement, Nathan’s retained ownership of Miami Subs’
then corporate office in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
-10-
The
following is a summary of the assets and liabilities of Miami Subs, as of the
date of sale, that were sold:
Cash
|
$
|
674,000
|
(A)
|
|
Accounts
receivable, net
|
213,000
|
|||
Notes
receivable, net
|
153,000
|
|||
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets
|
119,000
|
|||
Deferred
income taxes, net
|
719,000
|
|||
Property
and equipment, net
|
48,000
|
|||
Intangible
assets, net
|
1,803,000
|
|||
Other
assets, net
|
46,000
|
|||
Total
assets sold
|
3,775,000
|
|||
|
|
|||
Accounts
payable
|
27,000
|
|||
Accrued
expenses
|
1,373,000
|
(A)
|
||
Other
liabilities
|
395,000
|
|||
Total
liabilities sold
|
1,795,000
|
|||
|
|
|||
Net
assets sold
|
$
|
1,980,000
|
(A) –
Includes unexpended marketing funds of $565,000.
In
connection with the MSC Agreement, the Purchaser may continue to sell Nathan’s
Famous and Arthur Treachers’ products within the existing restaurant system in
exchange for a royalty payment of $6,000 per month.
Nathan’s
initially realized a gain on the sale of Miami Subs of $983,000, net of
professional fees of $37,000 and recorded income taxes of $334,000 on the gain
during the twenty-six weeks ended September 23, 2007. Nathan’s also recognized
an additional gain of $250,000 or $158,000, net of tax during the twenty-six
weeks ended September 28, 2008, resulting from the contingent consideration
which was deferred at the time of sale. Nathan’s has determined that it will not
have any significant cash flows or continuing involvement in the ongoing
operations of Miami Subs. Therefore, the results of operations for Miami Subs,
including the gains on disposal, have been presented as discontinued operations
for all periods presented.
3.
Sale of Leasehold Interest
During
the twenty-six weeks ended September 23, 2007, Nathan’s completed a Lease
Termination Agreement with respect to three leased properties in Fort
Lauderdale, Florida, with its landlord, and CVS 3285 FL, L.L.C., (“CVS”) to sell
our leasehold interests to CVS for $2,000,000. As the properties were subject
to
certain sublease and management agreements between Nathan’s and the then-current
occupants, Nathan’s made payments to, or forgave indebtedness of, the
then-current occupants of the properties and paid brokerage commissions of
$494,000 in the aggregate. Nathan’s made the property available to the buyer by
May 29, 2007, and Nathan’s received the proceeds of the sale on June 5, 2007.
Nathan’s recognized a gain of $1,506,000 and recorded income taxes of $557,000
during the twenty-six-week period ended September 23, 2007. The results of
operations for these properties, including the gain on disposal, have been
included as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
The
following is a summary of all discontinued operations for the thirteen and
twenty-six week periods ended September 28, 2008 and September 23,
2007:
|
Thirteen
weeks ended
September 28,
2008
|
Thirteen
weeks ended
September 23,
2007
|
Twenty-six
weeks ended
September 28,
2008
|
Twenty-six
weeks ended
September 23,
2007
|
|||||||||
|
(in thousands)
|
(in thousands)
|
(in thousands)
|
(in thousands)
|
|||||||||
Revenues
(excluding gains from dispositions)
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
41
|
$
|
10
|
$
|
511
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Gain
from dispositions before income taxes
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
3,906
|
$
|
2,489
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Income
before income taxes
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
28
|
$
|
3,914
|
$
|
2,765
|
-11-
NOTE
E -
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, as
determined using the treasury stock method.
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
28, 2008 and September 23, 2007, respectively.
Thirteen
weeks
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Income
from
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Income
from
|
Continuing
Operations
|
||||||||||||||||||
Continuing
Operations
|
Number
of Shares
|
Per
Share
|
|||||||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2008
|
2007
|
2008
|
2007
|
||||||||||||||
(in
thousands)
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||
Basic
EPS
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Basic
calculation
|
$
|
1,859
|
$
|
1,757
|
5,984
|
6,119
|
$
|
0.31
|
$
|
0.29
|
|||||||||
Effect
of dilutive employee stock
|
|||||||||||||||||||
options
and warrants
|
-
|
-
|
325
|
443
|
(0.02
|
)
|
(0.02
|
)
|
|||||||||||
Diluted
EPS
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Diluted
calculation
|
$
|
1,859
|
$
|
1,757
|
6,309
|
6,562
|
$
|
0.29
|
$
|
0.27
|
Twenty-six
weeks
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Income
from
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Income
from
|
Continuing
Operations
|
||||||||||||||||||
Continuing
Operations
|
Number
of Shares
|
Per
Share
|
|||||||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2008
|
2007
|
2008
|
2007
|
||||||||||||||
(in
thousands)
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||
Basic
EPS
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Basic
calculation
|
$
|
3,214
|
$
|
3,165
|
6,075
|
6,069
|
$
|
0.53
|
$
|
0.52
|
|||||||||
Effect
of dilutive employee stock
|
|||||||||||||||||||
options
and warrants
|
-
|
-
|
316
|
461
|
(0.03
|
)
|
(0.04
|
)
|
|||||||||||
Diluted
calculation
|
$
|
3,214
|
$
|
3,165
|
6,391
|
6,530
|
$
|
0.50
|
$
|
0.48
|
Options
to purchase 110,000 shares of common stock in the thirteen and twenty-six week
periods ended September 28, 2008 were not included in the computation of diluted
EPS because the exercise prices exceeded the average market price of common
shares during the period. All outstanding options and warrants to purchase
common stock in the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended September 23,
2007 were included in the computation of diluted EPS.
NOTE
F – INCOME TAXES
The
income tax provisions on continuing operations for the twenty-six
week periods ended September 28, 2008 and September 23, 2007, reflect
effective tax rates of 37.1% and 36.8%, respectively. Nathan’s expects its
annual tax rate for its current fiscal year ending March 2009 to be
approximately 37.0% to 38.0%. The final annual tax rate cannot be determined
until the end of the fiscal year; therefore, the actual tax rate could differ
from our current estimates.
Nathan’s
adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for
Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN No. 48”) and FIN No. 48-1, “Definition of
Settlement in FASB Interpretation No. 48”, an amendment of FASB Interpretation
FIN No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN No. 48-1”) on
March 26, 2007 which resulted in a $155,000 adjustment to increase tax
liabilities and decrease opening retained earnings in connection with a
cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle. The amount of
unrecognized tax benefits at September 28, 2008 was
$472,000, all of which, if recognized, would impact Nathan’s effective tax rate.
Nathan’s recognizes accrued interest and penalties associated with unrecognized
tax benefits as part of the income tax provision. As of September 28, 2008,
Nathan’s had $324,000 of
accrued interest and penalties in connection with unrecognized tax benefits.
There
was
no material change in the amount of uncertain tax benefits recognized during
the
twenty-six-week period ended September 28, 2008. It is possible that the amount
of unrecognized tax benefits could change in the next 12 months, however,
Nathan’s does not expect the change to have a significant impact on its results
of operations or financial position during the next 12 months.
-12-
Nathan’s
has received notices from the Internal Revenue Service and the New York State
Department of Taxation and Finance that they would be reviewing our income
tax
returns for the fiscal year ended March 2007 and the fiscal years ended March
2005 through March 2007, respectively. Nathan’s is unable to determine the
impact, if any, on its results of operations or financial position.
NOTE
G
– SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
Total
share-based compensation during the thirteen and twenty-six week periods
ended
September 28, 2008 was $126,000 and $250,000, respectively. Total share-based
compensation during the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended September
23,
2007 was $83,000 and $181,000, respectively. Total share-based compensation
is
included within general and administrative expense in our accompanying
Consolidated Statements of Earnings. As of September 28, 2008, there was
$1,114,000 of
unamortized compensation expense related to stock options. We expect to
recognize this expense over approximately three years, which represents the
requisite service periods for such awards.
There
were no share-based awards granted during the twenty-six week period ended
September 28, 2008.
During
the twenty-six weeks ended September 23, 2007, the Company granted 110,000
stock
options having an exercise price of $17.43 per share, all of which expire
five
years from the date of grant. 60,000 of the options granted will be vested
as
follows: 25% on the first anniversary of the grant, 50% on the second
anniversary of the grant, 75% on the third anniversary of the grant and 100%
on
the fourth anniversary of the grant. 50,000 of the options granted will be
vested as follows: 33.3% on the first anniversary of the grant, 66.7% on
the
second anniversary of the grant and 100% on the third anniversary of the
grant.
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 23, 2007
are
as follows:
Twenty-six
weeks
ended
|
||||
September
23,
|
||||
2007
|
||||
Weighted-average
option fair values
|
$
|
5.8270
|
||
Expected
life (years)
|
4.25
|
|||
Interest
rate
|
4.21
|
%
|
||
Volatility
|
32.93
|
%
|
||
Dividend
yield
|
0
|
%
|
Stock
options outstanding:
Transactions
with respect to stock options for the twenty-six weeks ended September 28,
2008,
are as follows:
Weighted-
|
Weighted-
|
||||||||||||
Average
|
Average
|
Aggregate
|
|||||||||||
Exercise
|
Remaining
|
Intrinsic
|
|||||||||||
Shares
|
Price
|
Contractual Life
|
Value
|
||||||||||
Options
outstanding at March 30, 2008
|
1,152,308
|
$
|
6.54
|
3.67
|
$
|
8,521,000
|
|||||||
Granted
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
Expired
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||||
Exercised
|
45,000
|
3.23
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
Options
outstanding at September 28, 2008
|
1,107,308
|
$
|
6.68
|
3.26
|
$
|
10,389,000
|
|||||||
Options
exercisable at September 28, 2008
|
910,475
|
$
|
4.92
|
2.62
|
$
|
10,054,000
|
The
aggregate intrinsic value of the stock options exercised during the
twenty-six-week period ended September 28, 2008 was $532,000.
-13-
NOTE
H
– STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
On
November 5, 2007, Nathan’s Board of Directors authorized its third stock
repurchase plan for the purchase of up to 500,000 shares of its common stock
on
behalf of the Company. On June 11, 2008, Nathan’s and Mutual Securities, Inc.
(“MSI”) entered into an agreement (the “10b5-1 Agreement”) pursuant to which MSI
has been authorized to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, having a
value of up to an aggregate $6 million. The 10b5-1 Agreement was adopted
under
the safe harbor provided by Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934
in order to assist the Company in implementing its previously announced stock
purchase plan for the purchase of up to 500,000 shares. Future purchases
may be
made from time to time, depending on market conditions, in open market or
privately negotiated transactions, at prices deemed appropriate by management.
There is no set time limit on the repurchases.
Through
September 28, 2008, Nathan’s has purchased a total of 2,300,961 shares
of
common stock at a cost of approximately $13,497,000 pursuant
to the current and previous stock repurchase plans previously authorized
by the
Board of Directors. Of these repurchased shares, 300,961 shares
at
a cost of $4,411,000 were repurchased during the twenty-six weeks ended
September 28, 2008.
Subsequent to September 28, 2008, Nathan’s has continued to repurchase its
common stock in the open market pursuant to the 10b5-1 Agreement, repurchasing
an additional 182,923 shares at a total cost of approximately $2,691,000
through
October 31, 2008. For the period commencing March 31, 2008 and ending October
31, 2008, Nathan’s repurchased 79,255 shares at a cost of approximately
$1,102,000 before the adoption of the 10b5-1 Agreement and purchased 404,629
shares at a cost of approximately $6,000,000 pursuant to the 10b5-1 Agreement
through October 31, 2008, thereby completing the 10b5-1 Agreement. There
are
16,116 remaining shares authorized to be repurchased in order to complete
Nathan’s third stock repurchase plan.
On
June
4, 2008, Nathan’s approved the amendment of its then-existing shareholder rights
plan to accelerate the final expiration date of the common stock purchase
rights
to June, 4, 2008, thereby terminating the then-existing rights, as well as
the
adoption of a new stockholder rights plan (the “New Rights Plan”) under which
all stockholders of record as of June 5, 2008 received rights to purchase
shares
of common stock (the “New Rights”). The New Rights Plan replaced and updated the
Company’s previously existing rights plan, which was in place since 1995, and
which was previously scheduled to expire on June 19, 2010.
The
New
Rights were distributed as a dividend. Initially, the New Rights will attach
to,
and trade with the Company’s common stock. Subject to the terms, conditions and
limitations of the New Rights Plan, the New Rights will become exercisable
if
(among other things) a person or group acquires 15% or more of the Company’s
common stock. Upon such an event and payment of the purchase price of $30
(the
“New Right Purchase Price”), each New Right (except those held by the acquiring
person or group) will entitle the holder to acquire one share of the Company’s
common stock (or the economic equivalent thereof) or, if the then-current
market
price is less than the New Right Purchase Price, a number of shares of the
Company’s common stock which at the time of the transaction has a market value
equal to the New Right Purchase Price. The Company’s Board of Directors may
redeem the New Rights prior to the time they are triggered. At
September 28, 2008, the Company has reserved 13,582,080 shares of common
stock
for issuance upon exercise of the New Rights.
NOTE
I -
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
The
components of comprehensive income are as follows:
Thirteen
weeks ended
September 28,
2008
|
Thirteen
weeks ended
September 23,
2007
|
Twenty-six
weeks ended
September 28,
2008
|
Twenty-six
weeks ended
September 23,
2007
|
||||||||||
(in thousands)
|
(in thousands)
|
(in thousands)
|
(in thousands)
|
||||||||||
Net
income
|
$
|
1,859
|
$
|
1,774
|
$
|
5,681
|
$
|
4,926
|
|||||
Unrealized
(loss) gain on available-for-sale securities, net of tax (benefit)
provision of ($84), $125, ($183) and $44, respectively
|
(126
|
)
|
183
|
(269
|
)
|
64
|
|||||||
Comprehensive
income
|
$
|
1,733
|
$
|
1,957
|
$
|
5,412
|
$
|
4,990
|
Accumulated
other comprehensive income at September 28, 2008 and March 30, 2008 consists
entirely of unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities,
net of
deferred taxes.
-14-
NOTE
J -
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
1. Commitments
In
January 2008, the Company entered into a commitment to purchase 1,785,000
pounds
of hot dogs for $2,740,000 from its primary hot dog manufacturer between
April
through August 2008. As of September 28, 2008, Nathan’s fulfilled its entire
commitment to acquire these hot dogs yielding savings of approximately $462,000
as compared to the then-current market prices during the twenty-six week
period ended September 28, 2008. Nathan’s may enter into new commitments to
purchase hot dogs in the future, based upon market conditions.
2.
Contingencies
The
Company and its 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 the Company’s 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
the
Company’s results of operations for the period in which the ruling occurs.
The
Company is also involved in the following legal proceedings:
On
March
20, 2007, a personal injury lawsuit was initiated seeking unspecified
damages against the Company's subtenant and the Company's master
landlord at a leased property in Huntington, New York. The claim relates
to damages suffered by an individual as a result of an alleged "trip and
fall"
on the sidewalk in front of the leased property, maintenance of which is
the
subtenant's responsibility. Although the Company was not named as a
defendant in the lawsuit, under its master lease agreement the Company may
have
an obligation to indemnify the master landlord in connection with this
claim. The Company did not maintain its own insurance on the property
concerned at the time of the incident; however, the Company is named as an
additional insured under its subtenant's liability policy.
Accordingly, if the master landlord is found liable for damages and seeks
indemnity from the Company, the Company believes that it would be entitled
to
coverage under the subtenant's insurance policy. Additionally, under
the terms of the sublease, the subtenant is required to indemnify the
Company, regardless of insurance coverage.
The
Company is party to a License Agreement with SMG, Inc. ("SMG") dated as of
February 28, 1994, as amended (the "License Agreement") pursuant to which:
(i)
SMG acts as the Company's exclusive licensee for the manufacture, distribution,
marketing and sale of packaged Nathan's Famous frankfurter product at
supermarkets, club stores and other retail outlets in the United States;
and
(ii) the Company has the right, but not the obligation, to require SMG to
produce frankfurters for the Company's Nathan's Famous restaurant system
and
Branded Product Program. On July 31, 2007, the Company provided notice to
SMG
that the Company has elected to terminate the License Agreement, effective
July
31, 2008, due to SMG's breach of certain provisions of the License Agreement.
SMG has disputed that a breach has occurred and has commenced, together with
certain of its affiliates, an action in state court in Illinois seeking,
among
other things, a declaratory judgment that SMG did not breach the License
Agreement. The Company filed its own action on August 2, 2007, in New York
State
court seeking a declaratory judgment that SMG has breached the License Agreement
and that the Company has properly terminated the License Agreement. On January
23, 2008, the New York court granted SMG’s motion to dismiss the Company’s case
in New York on the basis that the dispute was already the subject of a pending
lawsuit in Illinois. The Company has answered SMG's complaint and asserted
its
own counterclaims which seek, among other things, a declaratory judgment
that
SMG did breach the License Agreement and that the Company has properly
terminated the License Agreement. On July 31, 2008, SMG and Nathan’s entered
into a stipulation pursuant to which Nathan’s agreed that it would not
effectuate the termination of the License Agreement on the grounds alleged
in
the present litigation until such litigation has been successfully adjudicated,
and SMG agreed that in such event, Nathan’s shall have the option to require SMG
to continue to perform under the License Agreement for an additional period
of
up to six months to ensure an orderly transition of the business to a new
licensee/supplier. The parties are currently proceeding with the discovery
process.
3.
Guarantee
At
the
time of the sale of Miami Subs, a severance agreement, previously entered
into
between Miami Subs and one executive of Miami Subs, remained in force along
with
the guaranty by Nathan’s of Miami Subs’ obligations under that agreement. The
agreement provided for a severance payment of $115,000 payable in six (6)
monthly installments and payment for post-employment health benefits for
the
employee and dependants for the maximum period permitted under Federal Law.
The
executive terminated his employment with Miami Subs, effective October 5,
2007
and agreed to receive his severance payment over a 56-week period. Nathan’s has
the right to seek reimbursement from Miami Subs in the event that Nathan’s must
make payments under the guarantee of the agreement. Nathan’s initially recorded
a liability of $115,000 at the date of sale in connection with this guarantee,
of which $31,000 remains
outstanding at September 28, 2008 due to payments made by Miami Subs. Nathan’s
has not been required to make any payments under this guarantee.
-15-
Item
2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of
Operations
Forward-Looking
Statements
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
restaurant concept, including the Arthur Treacher’s brand, and licensing the
sale of Nathan’s products within supermarkets and other retail venues. The
Branded Product Program enables foodservice operators to offer Nathan’s 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
Nathan’s trademark with respect to the sale of hot dogs and certain other
proprietary food items and paper goods.
During
the fiscal year ended March 25, 2007, we established a new franchising program,
to offer limited-menu "Nathan's Famous" ("limited-menu franchise outlets")
products to be included into new or existing food service establishments.
We
began to market limited-menu franchise outlets during the fiscal year ended
March 30, 2008. Pursuant to this program, operators are permitted to make
limited use of the "Nathan's Famous" trade dress, trademarks and design for
the
purpose of adding "Nathan's Famous" hot dogs, crinkle-cut French fries and
a
limited number of other approved "Nathan's Famous" menu items to the menu
of a
new or existing food service establishment. The location of the new or existing
food service establishment, the specific manner in which the limited-menu
franchise outlet is incorporated into the operation of the food service
establishment and the specific use of our trade dress, trademarks and design
are
all subject to our prior written approval and must meet our specifications.
The
initial fee for a limited-menu franchise outlet is $7,500. Operators
participating in this program are not required to pay any royalties on their
sale of "Nathan's Famous" products, or make any contributions to the “Nathan’s
Famous” advertising fund; however, substantially all products offered through
the limited-menu franchise outlet must be purchased through a distributor
approved by us, and we will make a profit on all such sales. In certain
instances, Nathan’s may pay a fee to the sponsoring organization in exchange for
their operational assistance or for marketing support.
On
April
23, 2008, Nathan’s completed the sale of its subsidiary, NF Roasters Corp.
(“Roasters”). Nathan’s previously concluded the sale of its subsidiary, Miami
Subs Corporation (“Miami Subs”) on June 7, 2007. The following discussion of
continuing operations excludes all of the Miami Subs and Roasters operations
which were not retained by us. Nathan’s has determined that it will not have any
significant cash flows or continuing involvement in the ongoing operations
of
Roasters or Miami Subs and accordingly, has reflected such results in
discontinued operations.
See
Note
D to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 1 for a description
of the terms of such sales.
In
order
to help the reader better understand Nathan’s continuing operations, certain
non-financial information, which was previously reported on a combined basis
has
also been included in this Management Discussion and Analysis. At September
28,
2008, our restaurant system consisted of 235
Nathan’s franchised or licensed outlets, including 46 limited-menu franchise
outlets and six Company-owned outlets (including one seasonal outlet), located
in 25 states and five foreign countries. At September 23, 2007, our restaurant
system consisted of 204 Nathan’s franchised
or licensed outlets including 12 limited-menu franchise outlets and six
Company-owned outlets (including one seasonal outlet), located in 21 states
and
four foreign countries. The Roasters restaurant system included approximately
97
outlets operating in eight foreign countries and one outlet operating in
the
United States at September 23, 2007.
-16-
The
following summary reflects the franchise openings and closings, excluding
the
Roasters franchise system which was sold on April 23, 2008, for the fiscal
years
ended March 30, 2008, March 25, 2007, March 26, 2006, March 27, 2005 and
March
28, 2004.
March 30,
2008
|
March 25,
2007
|
March 26,
2006
|
March 27,
2005
|
March 28,
2004
|
||||||||||||
Franchised
restaurants operating at the beginning of the period
|
196
|
192
|
174
|
147
|
140
|
|||||||||||
New
franchised restaurants opened during the period
|
46
|
21
|
(A)
|
27
|
36
|
21
|
||||||||||
Franchised
restaurants closed during the period
|
(18
|
)
|
(17
|
)
|
(
9
|
)
|
(
9
|
)
|
(14
|
)
|
||||||
Franchised
restaurants operating at the end of the period
|
224
|
196
|
192
|
174
|
147
|
(A)
Includes the opening of two test Limited-Menu Franchise Outlets.
Impact
of Economic Environment on Nathan’s Results of Operations
During
the quarter ended September 28, 2008, Nathan’s experienced reduced sales in both
its Company-owned restaurants and at its franchised restaurants, particularly
during the five-week period ended September 28, 2008, which we believe is
due to
the effects of the slowing economy.
Nathan’s
has also experienced some slow-down in collections of accounts receivable
during
the second quarter ended September 28, 2008, as further described within
the
following results of operations. During the quarter, we were notified of
four
bankruptcy filings and that a certain existing franchisee and a potential
new
franchisee have been unable to secure funding due to the credit
crisis.
Preliminary
results at our Company-owned restaurants subsequent to September 28, 2008,
lead
us to believe that we will experience reduced sales as compared to the prior
fiscal period in our Company-owned restaurants during the four-week period
ending October 26, 2008. In addition, we anticipate that franchisees whose
restaurants are located in malls, shopping plazas, airports, travel plazas
and
various destination venues, may also experience sales declines due to the
current economic slow-down.
Critical
Accounting Policies and Estimates
As
discussed in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 30, 2008, the
discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations
are
based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared
in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
of
America. The preparation of these financial statements require us to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets,
liabilities, revenues and expenses reported in those financial statements.
These
judgments can be subjective and complex, and consequently, actual results
could
differ from those estimates. Our most critical accounting policies and estimates
relate to revenue recognition; impairment of goodwill and other intangible
assets; impairment of long-lived assets; impairment of notes receivable;
share-based compensation and income taxes (including uncertain tax positions).
Since March 30, 2008, there have been no changes in our critical accounting
policies or significant changes to the assumptions and estimates related
to
them, except for the accounting for fair value measurements of financial
assets
and liabilities and related disclosures, which is discussed in Note C to
our
Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.
Adoption
of Accounting Pronouncements
See
Note
C to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 1, for a complete
discussion of the impact of SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS No.
157”) and SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and
Financial Liabilities – Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115”,
(“SFAS No. 159”) on the Company’s financial position and results of
operations.
Recently
Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
See
Note
B to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 1 for a discussion
of recently issued accounting standards not yet adopted.
-17-
Results
of Operations
Thirteen
weeks ended September 28, 2008 compared to thirteen weeks ended September
23,
2007
Revenues
from Continuing Operations
Total
sales increased by $161,000 or 1.4% to $11,418,000 for
the
thirteen weeks ended September 28, 2008 (“second quarter fiscal 2009 period”) as
compared to $11,257,000 for
the
thirteen weeks ended September 23, 2007 ("second quarter fiscal 2008 period").
Sales from the Branded Product Program increased by
20.8%
to $6,282,000 for the second quarter fiscal 2009 period as compared to sales
of
$5,199,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2008 period. This increase was primarily
attributable to increased sales
volume of approximately 11.8% and price increases of approximately 6.5%,
beginning in July 2008. Total Company-owned restaurant sales (representing
five
comparable Nathan’s restaurants and one seasonal restaurant) decreased by
$253,000 or 5.1% to $4,681,000 as compared to $4,934,000 during the second
quarter fiscal 2008 period. The sales decline at our Company-owned restaurants
during the five-week period ended September 28, 2008, was approximately $290,000
which we believe to be due to the effects of the slowing economy. During
the
second quarter fiscal 2009 period, sales to our television retailer were
approximately $669,000 lower than the second quarter fiscal 2008 period.
During
the first quarter fiscal 2008 period Nathan’s participated in 15 “Try Me”
airings. Under this “Try Me” format, most of the sales were shipped in our
second quarter fiscal 2008. No similar promotional offerings were made during
fiscal 2009. Nathan’s products were on air 13 times during the second quarter
fiscal 2009 period as compared to 12 times during the second quarter fiscal
2008
period.
Franchise
fees and royalties decreased by $193,000 or 13.9% to $1,191,000 in
the
second quarter fiscal 2009 period compared to $1,384,000 in the second quarter
fiscal 2008 period. Total royalties were $1,058,000 in the second quarter
fiscal
2009 period as compared to $1,131,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2008 period.
During the second quarter fiscal 2009 period, we did not recognize revenue
of
$70,000 for royalties deemed to be uncollectible as compared to the second
quarter fiscal 2008 period, when we did not recognize revenue of $22,000
for
royalties deemed to be uncollectible. Total royalties, excluding the adjustments
for royalties deemed uncollectible as described above, were $1,128,000 in
the
second quarter fiscal 2009 period as compared to $1,153,000 in the second
quarter fiscal 2008 period. During the second quarter fiscal 2009 period,
Nathan’s earned $50,000 of higher royalties from our manufacturers and primary
distributor on sales to our limited-menu franchisees. Franchise
restaurant sales were $25,143,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2009 period
as
compared to $27,007,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2008 period. Comparable
domestic franchise sales (consisting of 140 Nathan’s restaurants, excluding
sales of the limited-menu franchised outlets) were $19,647,000 in the second
quarter fiscal 2009 period as compared to $20,837,000 in the second quarter
fiscal 2008 period. Sales at our comparable franchised restaurants declined
by
approximately $658,000 during the five-week period ended September 28, 2008.
At
September 28, 2008, 235 domestic
and international franchised or limited-menu franchised outlets were operating
as compared to
204 domestic
and international franchised or limited-menu franchised outlets at
September 23, 2007. Royalty income from 15 franchised
outlets was deemed unrealizable during the thirteen weeks ended September
28,
2008, as compared to six franchised outlets during the thirteen weeks ended
September 23, 2007. Domestic franchise fee income was $79,000 in the second
quarter fiscal 2009 period as compared to $137,000 in the second quarter
fiscal
2008 period due to fewer openings during the second quarter fiscal 2009 period.
International franchise fee income was $9,000 in the second quarter fiscal
2009
period, as compared to $31,000 during the second quarter fiscal 2008 period.
During the second quarter fiscal 2009 period, nine new
franchised outlets opened, including seven limited-menu franchised
outlets. During
the second quarter fiscal 2008 period, 11 new franchised outlets were opened
including seven limited-menu franchised outlets and one unit in Kuwait. We
also
recognized $45,000 and $85,000 during the second fiscal quarters 2009 and
2008,
respectively, in connection with forfeited franchise and development
agreements.
License
royalties increased by $580,000 or 55.3% to $1,628,000 in the second quarter
fiscal 2009 period as compared to $1,048,000 in the second quarter fiscal
2008
period. Total royalties earned on sales of hot dogs from our retail and
foodservice license agreements of $1,085,000 increased by $267,000 or 32.6%
as a
result of higher licensee sales during the second quarter fiscal 2009 period.
Royalties earned from our primary licensee, primarily from the retail sale
of
hot dogs, were $786,000 during the second quarter fiscal 2009 period as compared
to $700,000 during the second quarter fiscal 2008 period.
Royalties
earned from another licensee, primarily from sales to Sam’s Club, were $299,000
during the second quarter fiscal 2009 period as compared to $118,000 during
the
second quarter fiscal 2008 period. Beginning March 2008, Nathan’s hot dogs were
introduced into over 500 of the foodservice cafes operating in Sam’s Clubs
throughout the United States. We earned higher revenues of $301,000 from
our
agreement for the manufacture of Nathan’s proprietary ingredients, including
$234,000 from the settlement of a multi-year dispute under that agreement
related to the unauthorized use of certain ingredients. Net royalties from
all
other license agreements in the second quarter fiscal 2009 period were $12,000
more than the second quarter fiscal 2008 period.
Interest
income was $275,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2009 period as compared
to
$289,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2008 period. The decrease was primarily
due to lower interest earned on our MSC Note (as defined) receivable, received
in connection with the sale of Miami Subs on June 7, 2007. Interest income
on
the MSC Note was $38,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2009 period as
compared to $48,000 during the second quarter fiscal 2008 period, resulting
primarily from the ongoing repayments of the outstanding principal.
Interest income on our invested cash and marketable securities was approximately
$3,000 less than the second quarter fiscal 2008 period, due primarily to
the
reduced interest rate environment during the second quarter fiscal
2009.
-18-
Other
income was $13,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2009 period as compared to
$43,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2008 period. During the second quarter
fiscal 2008 period, Nathan’s earned a $30,000 consent fee in connection with a
licensee’s refinancing.
Costs
and Expenses from Continuing Operations
Overall,
our cost of sales increased by $618,000 to $8,601,000 in the second quarter
fiscal 2009 period as compared to $7,983,000 in the second quarter fiscal
2008
period. Our gross profit (representing the difference between sales and cost
of
sales) was $2,817,000 or 24.7% of sales during the second quarter fiscal
2009
period as compared to $3,274,000 or 29.1% of sales during the second quarter
fiscal 2008 period. In the Branded Product Program, our costs of sales increased
by approximately $1,281,000 during the second quarter fiscal 2009 period
when
compared to the second quarter fiscal 2008 period, primarily as a result
of
product cost increases of 18.4%. However, that percentage increase in costs
would have been approximately 22.2% but for the purchase commitment we entered
into in January 2008, which locked in a fixed cost on approximately 1.8 million
pounds of hot dogs resulting in savings of approximately $158,000 during
the
second quarter
fiscal 2009 period. These savings helped offset some of the effects of the
substantially higher commodity costs for beef and beef trimmings, such that,
our
average cost per pound in the Branded Product Program was approximately 18.4%
higher during the second quarter fiscal 2009 period as compared to the second
quarter fiscal 2008 period. We concluded this purchase commitment during
August
2008. Throughout the second quarter fiscal 2009 period, the cost of beef
and
beef trimmings continued to advance to the highest level since the inception
of
the Branded Product Program, which significantly reduced our gross profit.
In
response, we increased prices in our Branded Product Program during the second
quarter fiscal 2009 period, although we have not been able to pass along
all of
the increased costs. If the cost of beef and beef trimmings do not decline
and
we are unable to further pass on these higher costs through price increases,
our
margins will continue to be significantly impacted. Beginning in mid-August
2008, we began to see a modest softening of these costs, which still remain
at
very high levels. With respect to our six Company-owned restaurant outlets,
our
cost of sales during the second quarter fiscal 2009 period was $2,523,000
or
53.9% of restaurant sales, as compared to $2,661,000 or 53.9% of restaurant
sales in the second quarter fiscal 2008 period. During the second quarter
fiscal
2009 period, we experienced higher food costs, which were offset by lower
labor
and labor-related costs as a percentage of sales. The higher food cost as
a
percentage of sales was primarily due to the higher cost of our hot dogs
and
other products such as cooking oil, bread, hamburgers and fish. Cost of sales
to
our television retailer decreased by $525,000 in the second quarter fiscal
2009
period primarily due to lower sales volume, which was partly offset by our
higher cost of hot dogs.
Restaurant
operating expenses increased by $51,000, to $964,000 in the second quarter
fiscal 2009 period as compared to $913,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2008
period. The increase during
the second quarter fiscal 2009 period when compared to the second quarter
fiscal
2008 period resulted primarily from higher utility
costs of $51,000, and various other costs of $25,000, which were partly offset
by lower insurance costs of $25,000. During the second quarter fiscal 2009
period, our utility costs were approximately 23.6% higher than the second
quarter fiscal 2008 period. Despite recent reductions in the cost of oil
and
natural gas, we remain concerned over the uncertain market conditions of
these
products. We may continue to incur high utility costs in the future.
Depreciation and
amortization was $200,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2009 period as compared
to $192,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2008 period.
General
and administrative expenses were $2,249,000 in the second quarter fiscal
2009
period as compared to $2,141,000 in
the
second quarter fiscal 2008 period. The difference in general and administrative
expenses was due primarily to an increased number of bad debts of $155,000
and increased stock compensation expense of $43,000, which were partly offset
by
lower legal fees of $51,000 during the second quarter fiscal 2009 period,
primarily associated with Nathan’s litigation against SFG (see Part II, Item 1)
and lower audit
fees of $31,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2009 period. The actual amount
and
timing of future SFG litigation costs is not presently determinable.
Recovery
of property taxes in the second quarter fiscal 2009 period, represents the
settlement of a multi-year certiorari proceeding at one of Nathan’s
Company-operated restaurants, net of fees.
Provision
for Income Taxes from Continuing Operations
In
the
second quarter fiscal 2009 period, the income tax provision was $1,093,000
or
37.0% of income from continuing operations before income taxes as compared
to
$1,035,000 or 37.1% of income from continuing operations before income taxes
in
the second quarter fiscal 2008 period. For the thirteen weeks ended September
28, 2008 and September 23, 2007, Nathan’s tax provisions, excluding the effects
of tax-exempt interest income, were 40.2% and 40.5%, respectively.
-19-
Twenty-six
weeks ended September 28, 2008 compared to twenty-six weeks ended September
23,
2007
Revenues
from Continuing Operations
Total
sales increased by $1,356,000 or 6.4% to $22,434,000 for
the
twenty-six weeks ended September 28, 2008 (“fiscal 2009 period”) as compared to
$21,078,000 for
the
twenty-six weeks ended September 23, 2007 ("fiscal 2008 period"). Sales from
the
Branded Product Program increased by
16.0%
to $12,900,000 for the fiscal 2009 period as compared to sales of $11,124,000
in
the fiscal 2008 period. This increase was primarily attributable to
increased sales
volume of approximately 11.4% and of price increases of approximately 6.5%,
which took effect beginning July 2008. Total Company-owned restaurant sales
(representing five comparable Nathan’s restaurants and one seasonal restaurant)
were $8,540,000 as compared to $8,567,000 during the fiscal 2008 period.
During
the fiscal 2009 period, sales to our television retailer were approximately
$393,000 lower than the fiscal 2008 period. Nathan’s products were on air 31
times during the fiscal 2009 period as compared to 35 times during the fiscal
2008 period, which included airings of 15 “Try Me” special promotions and two,
half-hour food shows.
Franchise
fees and royalties decreased by $263,000 or 10.1% to $2,343,000 in
the
fiscal 2009 period compared to $2,606,000 in the fiscal 2008 period. Total
royalties were $2,093,000 in the fiscal 2009 period as compared to $2,189,000
in
the fiscal 2008 period. During the fiscal 2009 period, we did not recognize
revenue of $98,000 for royalties deemed to be uncollectible as compared to
the
fiscal 2008 period, when we did recognize $55,000 of royalty income that
was
previously deemed to be uncollectible. Total royalties, excluding the
adjustments for royalties deemed uncollectible as described above, were
$2,191,000 in the fiscal 2009 period as compared to $2,134,000 in the fiscal
2008 period. During the fiscal 2009 period, Nathan’s earned $114,000 of higher
royalties from our manufacturers and primary distributor on sales to our
limited-menu franchisees. Franchise restaurant sales were $48,900,000 in
the
fiscal 2009 period as compared to $50,771,000 in the fiscal 2008 period.
Comparable domestic franchise sales (consisting of 140 Nathan’s outlets,
excluding sales of the limited-menu franchisees) were $38,970,000 in the
fiscal
2009 period as compared to $40,136,000 in the fiscal 2008 period. At September
28, 2008, 235 domestic
and international franchised or limited-menu franchised outlets were operating
as compared to
204 domestic
and international franchised or limited-menu franchised outlets at September
23,
2007. Royalty income from 16 franchised
outlets was deemed unrealizable during the twenty-six weeks ended September
28,
2008, as compared to four franchised outlets during the twenty-six weeks
ended September 23, 2007. Domestic franchise fee income was $126,000 in the
fiscal 2009 period as compared to $250,000 in the fiscal 2008 period.
International franchise fee income was $79,000 in the fiscal 2009 period,
as
compared to $82,000 during the fiscal 2008 period due primarily to fewer
openings of larger franchised restaurants. During the fiscal 2009 period,
23 new
franchised outlets opened, including 16 limited-menu franchised outlets,
two units
in
Kuwait and one unit in Dubai. During
the fiscal 2008 period, 20 new franchised outlets were opened including ten
limited-menu franchised outlets and three units in Kuwait.
License
royalties increased by $747,000 or 29.9% to $3,243,000 in the fiscal 2009
period
as compared to $2,496,000 in the fiscal 2008 period. Total royalties earned
on
sales of hot dogs from our retail and foodservice license agreements of
$2,443,000 increased 27.8% from $1,911,000 as a result of higher licensee
sales
during the fiscal 2009 period. Royalties earned from our primary licensee,
primarily from the retail sale of hot dogs, were $1,838,000 during the fiscal
2009 period as compared to $1,671,000 during the fiscal 2008 period.
Royalties
earned from another licensee, primarily from sales to Sam’s Club, were $605,000
during the fiscal 2009 period as compared to $240,000 during the fiscal 2008
period. Beginning March 2008, Nathan’s hot dogs were introduced into over 500 of
the foodservice cafes operating in Sam’s Clubs throughout the United States. We
earned higher revenues of $274,000 from our agreement for the manufacture
of
Nathan’s proprietary ingredients, including $234,000 which was as a result of
the settlement of a multi-year dispute under that agreement related to the
unauthorized use of certain ingredients. We earned lower royalties of $56,000
from our agreement for the sale of Nathan’s pet treats. Last year, there was a
sales promotion supporting the introduction of our pet treats into Wal-Mart.
Net
royalties from all other license agreements in the fiscal 2009 period were
$3,000 less than the fiscal 2008 period.
Interest
income was $522,000 in the fiscal 2009 period as compared to $524,000 in
the
fiscal 2008 period, primarily due to lower interest income on our invested
cash
and marketable securities of approximately $25,000 due primarily to the reduced
interest rate environment and the liquidity crisis which caused Nathan’s to
shift its short-term investments into secure, but low yielding, Treasury
Bills.
Interest earned on our MSC Note (as defined) receivable, received in connection
with the sale of Miami Subs on June 7, 2007 was $80,000 in the fiscal 2009
period as compared to $59,000 in the fiscal 2008 period. This increase was
primarily due to the MSC Note being outstanding for six months during the
fiscal
2009 period as compared to four months during the fiscal 2008 period.
Other
income was $25,000 in the fiscal 2009 period as compared to $56,000 in
the fiscal 2008 period. During the second quarter fiscal 2008 period, Nathan’s
earned a $30,000 consent fee in connection with a licensee’s
refinancing.
-20-
Costs
and Expenses from Continuing Operations
Overall,
our cost of sales increased by $1,522,000 to $16,933,000 in the fiscal 2009
period as compared to $15,411,000 in the fiscal 2008 period. Our gross profit
(representing the difference between sales and cost of sales) was $5,501,000
or
24.5% of sales during the fiscal 2009 period as compared to $5,667,000 or
26.9%
of sales during the fiscal 2008 period. In the Branded Product Program, our
cost
of sales increased by approximately $1,792,000 during the fiscal 2009 period
when compared to the fiscal 2008 period, primarily as a result of increased
sales volume and also to the higher cost of our hot dogs of approximately
7.7%.
However, that percentage increase in costs would have been approximately
12.6%
but for the purchase commitment we entered into in January 2008, which locked
in
a fixed cost on approximately 1.8 million pounds of hot dogs and resulted
in a
savings of approximately $462,000 during the fiscal 2009 period. These savings
offset some of the effects of the substantially higher commodity costs for
beef
and beef trimmings such that our average cost per pound in the Branded Product
Program was approximately 7.7% higher during the fiscal 2009 period as compared
to the fiscal 2008 period. Furthermore, the underlying cost of beef and beef
trimmings has continued to advance throughout the fiscal period, reaching
the
highest level since the inception of the Branded Product Program. In response,
we have initiated price increases in our Branded Product Program during the
second quarter fiscal 2009 period. Beginning in mid-August 2008, we have
seen a
modest softening of these costs, which still remain at very
high levels. If the cost of beef and beef trimmings does not decline and we
are unable to pass on these higher costs through price increases, our margins
will continue to be significantly impacted. With respect to our six
Company-owned restaurant outlets, our cost of sales during the fiscal 2009
period was $4,760,000 or 55.7% of restaurant sales, as compared to $4,737,000
or
55.3% of restaurant sales in the fiscal 2008 period. During the fiscal 2009
period, we experienced higher food and direct labor costs, which were partly
offset by slightly lower labor-related costs as a percentage of sales. The
higher food cost as a percentage of sales was due primarily to the higher
commodity cost of our hot dogs, hamburgers, cooking oil, bread and fish,
which
were partly mitigated by our sales price increases for select menu items
of
between 3.0% and 7.3%. Cost of sales to our television retailer declined
by
$293,000 in the fiscal 2009 period, primarily due to lower sales volume which
was partly offset by our higher cost of hot dogs.
Restaurant
operating expenses increased by $125,000 to $1,876,000 in the fiscal 2009
period, as compared to $1,751,000 in the fiscal 2008 period. The
increase during
the fiscal 2009 period when compared to the fiscal 2008 period resulted
primarily from higher utility
costs of $69,000, occupancy costs of $24,000 and various other costs of $39,000,
which were partly offset by lower insurance costs of $33,000. During the
fiscal
2009 period our utility costs were approximately 18.0% higher than the fiscal
2008 period. Despite recent reductions in the cost of oil and natural gas,
we
remain concerned over the uncertain market conditions for oil and natural
gas.
We may continue to incur higher utility costs in the future.
Depreciation and
amortization was $398,000 in the fiscal 2009 period as compared to $374,000
in
the fiscal 2008 period.
General
and administrative expenses increased by $481,000 to $4,694,000 in the fiscal
2009 period as compared to $4,213,000 in
the
fiscal 2008 period. The difference in general and administrative expenses
was
due to an increase in the number of bad debts of $154,000, higher legal fees
of
$97,000 during the fiscal 2009 period primarily associated with Nathan’s
litigation against SFG (see Part II, Item 1), higher audit
fees of $48,000 in the fiscal 2009 period related to Nathan’s first audit under
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, requiring Nathan’s auditor to
audit Nathan’s internal controls over financial reporting, a $70,000 increase in
Nathan’s stock-based compensation expense, higher compensation costs of $80,000
and higher occupancy costs of $14,000. The actual amount and timing of future
SFG litigation costs is not presently determinable.
Recovery
of property taxes in the second quarter fiscal 2009 period, represents the
settlement of a multi-year certiorari proceeding at one of Nathan’s
Company-operated restaurants, net of fees.
Provision
for Income Taxes from Continuing Operations
In
the
fiscal 2009 period, the income tax provision was $1,893,000 or 37.1% of income
from continuing operations before income taxes as compared to $1,846,000
or
36.8% of income from continuing operations before income taxes in the fiscal
2008 period. For the twenty-six-week periods ended September 28, 2008 and
September 23, 2007, Nathan’s tax provision, excluding the effects of tax-exempt
interest income, was 40.4% and 40.6%, respectively.
Discontinued
Operations
On April
23,
2008,
Nathan’s completed the sale of its wholly-owned subsidiary, NF Roasters Corp, to
Roasters Asia Pacific (Cayman) Limited. Pursuant
to the NFR Agreement, Nathan’s sold all of the stock of NF Roasters for
$4,000,000 in cash.
Nathan’s
realized a gain on the sale of Roasters of $3,656,000 net
of
professional fees of $39,000 and
recorded income taxes of $1,352,000 on the gain during the twenty-six weeks
ended September 28, 2008. Nathan’s
has determined that it will not have any significant cash flows or continuing
involvement in the ongoing operations of NF Roasters. Therefore, the results
of
operations for NF Roasters, including the gains on disposal, have been presented
as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
On
June
7, 2007, Nathan’s completed the sale of Miami Subs to Miami Subs Capital
Partners I, Inc. (“Purchaser”). Pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement (“MSC
Agreement”), Nathan’s sold all of the stock of Miami Subs in exchange for
$3,250,000, consisting of $850,000 in cash and the Purchaser’s promissory note
in the principal amount of $2,400,000 (the “MSC Note”). The MSC Note bears
interest at 8% per annum, is secured by a lien on all of the assets of the
Purchaser and by the personal guarantees of two principals of the Purchaser.
The
Purchaser may also prepay the MSC Note at any time. In the event the MSC
Note
was fully repaid within one year of the sale, Nathan’s had agreed to reduce the
amount due by $250,000. Due to the ability to prepay the loan and reduce
the
amount due, the recognition of the additional $250,000 was initially deferred.
The MSC Note was not prepaid within the requisite timeframe and Nathan’s
recognized the deferred revenue of $250,000 as additional gain and recorded
income taxes of $92,000 during the first quarter ended June 29, 2008. Effective
August 31, 2008, Nathan’s and the Purchaser agreed to extend the due date of the
MSC Note until April 2014, to reduce the monthly payments and to settle certain
claims under the MSC Agreement. In accordance with the MSC Agreement, Nathan’s
retained ownership of Miami Subs’ then corporate office in Fort Lauderdale,
Florida.
-21-
Nathan’s
initially realized a gain on the sale of Miami Subs of $983,000, net of
professional fees of $37,000 and recorded income taxes of $334,000 on the
gain
during the twenty-six weeks ended September 23, 2007. Nathan’s also recognized
an additional gain of $250,000 or $158,000, net of tax during the twenty-six
weeks ended September 28, 2008, resulting from the contingent consideration
which was deferred at the time of sale. Nathan’s has determined that it will not
have any significant cash flows or continuing involvement in the ongoing
operations of Miami Subs. Therefore, the results of operations for Miami
Subs,
including the gains on disposal, have been presented as discontinued operations
for all periods presented.
During
the twenty-six weeks ended September 23, 2007, Nathan’s completed a Lease
Termination Agreement with respect to three leased properties in Fort
Lauderdale, Florida, with its landlord, and CVS 3285 FL, L.L.C., (“CVS”) to sell
our leasehold interests to CVS for $2,000,000. As the properties were subject
to
certain sublease and management agreements between Nathan’s and the then-current
occupants, Nathan’s made payments to, or forgave indebtedness of, the
then-current occupants of the properties and paid brokerage commissions of
$494,000 in the aggregate. Nathan’s made the property available to the buyer by
May 29, 2007, and Nathan’s received the proceeds of the sale on June 5, 2007.
Nathan’s recognized a gain of $1,506,000 and recorded income taxes of $557,000
during the twenty-six-week period ended September 23, 2007. The results of
operations for these properties, including the gain on disposal, have been
included as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
We
are
not a party to any off-balance sheet arrangements, other than a guarantee
of a
severance agreement of which $31,000 has been recorded on the accompanying
balance sheet. We have concluded our purchase commitment to acquire a total
of
1,785,000 lbs of hot dogs through August 2008. Refer to Note J to the
Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on these
transactions.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
Cash
and
cash equivalents at September 28, 2008 aggregated $14,693,000, increasing
by
$312,000 during the fiscal 2009 period. At September 28, 2008, marketable
securities were $22,581,000 and net working capital increased to $37,123,000
from $35,650,000 at March 30, 2008.
Cash
provided by operations of $2,595,000 in the fiscal 2009 period is primarily
attributable to net income of $5,681,000 less gains of $3,906,000 from the
sales
of Roasters and Miami Subs, plus other non-cash items of $836,000. Changes
in Nathan’s operating assets and liabilities decreased cash by $16,000,
resulting principally from increased accounts and other receivables of
$1,354,000, which were partly offset by an increase in accounts payable of
$318,000, decreased prepaid expenses of $831,000 and decreased inventory
of
$156,000. The net increase in accounts and other receivables relates primarily
to sales from the Branded Product Program of approximately $676,000, receivable
for a property tax recovery of $516,000 and advances made to the Nathan’s Famous
Advertising Fund of $320,000. The net increase in accounts payable, accrued
expenses and other current liabilities is primarily due to the increase in
accrued income taxes payable, resulting primarily from the gain on the sale
of
NF Roasters Corp. which was partly offset by a reduction in accounts payable
and
the annual payment of accrued compensation.
Cash
was
provided from investing activities of $1,780,000 in the fiscal 2009 period,
primarily from cash proceeds from the sale of Roasters in the amount of
$3,961,000, the redemption of $500,000 of maturing available-for-sale securities
and receipt of all scheduled payments of $297,000 on the MSC Note receivable.
We
invested $2,699,000 in available-for-sale securities and incurred capital
expenditures of $279,000.
Cash
was
used in financing activities of $4,063,000 in the fiscal 2009 period, primarily
for the purchase of 300,961 treasury shares of Company Common Stock at a
cost of
$4,411,000 pursuant to the stock repurchase plan as authorized by the Board
of
Directors on November 5, 2007. Cash was received from the proceeds of employee
stock option exercises of $145,000 and the expected realization of the
associated tax benefit of $203,000.
From
the
commencement of its stock repurchase program in September 2001 through March
30,
2008, Nathan’s purchased a total of 2,000,000 shares of common stock at a cost
of approximately $9,086,000, concluding the second stock repurchase plan
previously authorized by the Board of Directors.
-22-
On
November 5, 2007, Nathan’s Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to
an additional 500,000 shares of its common stock on behalf of the Company.
On
June 11, 2008, Nathan’s and Mutual Securities, Inc. (“MSI”) entered into an
agreement (the “10b5-1 Agreement”) pursuant to which MSI has been authorized to
purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $.01 per share (“Common
Stock”) having a value of up to an aggregate $6 million. The 10b5-1 Agreement
was adopted under the safe harbor provided by Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 in order to assist the Company in implementing its
previously announced stock purchase plan for the purchase of up to 500,000
shares. There is no set time limit on the repurchases. Future purchases may
be
made from time to time, depending on market conditions, in open market or
privately-negotiated transactions, at prices deemed appropriate by management.
Through September 28, 2008, the Company had repurchased 221,706 shares of
its
Common Stock at a total cost of $3,309,000 pursuant to the 10b5-1 Agreement.
Subsequent to September 28, 2008, Nathan’s has continued to repurchase its
Common Stock in the open market pursuant to the 10b5-1 Agreement, having
repurchased an additional 182,923 shares at a total cost of approximately
$2,691,000 through October 31, 2008. For the period commencing March 31,
2008
and ending October 31, 2008, Nathan’s repurchased 79,255 shares at a cost of
approximately $1,102,000 before the adoption of the 10b5-1 Agreement and
purchased 404,629 shares at a cost of approximately $6,000,000 pursuant to
the
10b5-1 Agreement through October 31, 2008, thereby completing the purchases
authorized under the 10b5-1 Agreement. There are 16,116 remaining shares
authorized to be repurchased under Nathan’s third stock repurchase
plan.
Management
believes that available cash, marketable securities and cash generated from
operations should provide sufficient capital to finance our operations and
stock
repurchases for at least the next twelve months. Effective October 2008,
Nathan’s decided that it would not extend its $7,500,000 uncommitted bank line
of credit, having never borrowed any funds under that line of
credit.
Nathan’s
philosophy with respect to maintaining a balance sheet with a significant
amount
of cash and marketable securities reflects our views of maintaining readily
available capital to expand our existing business and pursue any new business
opportunities which might present themselves to expand our business. Nathan’s
believes in the value of returning its cash to its shareholders through the
repurchase of its outstanding common stock and continuously evaluates this
opportunity. Nathan’s routinely assesses its investment management approach with
respect to our current and potential capital requirements.
We expect
that we will continue the stock repurchase program, 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 28, 2008, there were three properties that we lease from third
parties
which we sublease to franchisees and a non-franchisee. 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.
The
following schedule represents Nathan’s cash contractual obligations and
commitments by maturity (in thousands):
Payments
Due by Period
|
||||||||||||||||
Less than
|
More than
|
|||||||||||||||
Cash Contractual Obligations
|
Total
|
1 Year
|
1 - 3 Years
|
3
-
5 Years
|
5 Years
|
|||||||||||
Employment
Agreements
|
$
|
3,293
|
$
|
1,236
|
$
|
957
|
$
|
500
|
$
|
600
|
||||||
Operating
Leases
|
11,719
|
1,520
|
1,771
|
1,102
|
7,326
|
|||||||||||
Gross
Cash Contractual Obligations
|
15,012
|
2,756
|
2,728
|
1,602
|
7,926
|
|||||||||||
Sublease
Income
|
1,195
|
344
|
541
|
292
|
18
|
|||||||||||
Net
Cash Contractual Obligations
|
$
|
13,817
|
$
|
2,412
|
$
|
2,187
|
$
|
1,310
|
$
|
7,908
|
Inflationary
Impact
We
do not
believe that general inflation has materially impacted earnings during fiscal
2008, 2007 and 2006. However, during the fiscal 2009 period, we have experienced
significant cost increases for certain food products, distribution costs
and
utilities. Our commodity costs for beef have been very volatile since fiscal
2004 and the cost of beef has continued to set new highs during the quarter,
having increased significantly during the fiscal 2009 period. Nathan’s was able
to partly mitigate some of the increase by entering into a purchase commitment
in January 2008 for approximately 35% of its projected hot dog purchases
during
the period from April through August 2008. As
a
result of the purchase commitment, Nathan’s actual cost of hot dogs for its
Branded Product Program were approximately 7.7% higher than its twenty-six
weeks
ended September 23, 2007, instead of being approximately 12.6% higher. In
addition, the cost of beef for our fiscal year ended March 30, 2008 was
approximately 8.2% higher than our prior fiscal year.
We
are
unable to predict the future cost of our hot dogs, however, we expect to
experience continued
price volatility for our beef products during the rest of fiscal
2009. Since
January 2008, we have experienced cost increases for a number of our other
food
products. We expect to incur higher commodity costs for cooking oil, fish,
potatoes and paper products during fiscal 2009. As previously discussed,
Nathan’s increased prices in response to the increased commodity costs. In
addition, for the past four years we have continued to experience the impact
of
higher oil prices in the form of higher distribution costs for our food products
and higher utility costs in our Company-owned restaurants.
-23-
From
time
to time, various Federal and New York State legislators have proposed changes
to
the minimum wage requirements. On May 25, 2007, President Bush signed
legislation which increased the Federal minimum wage to $5.85 per hour,
effective July 24, 2007, with increases to $6.55 per hour effective July
24,
2008 and to $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009. The New York State minimum
wage, where our Company-owned restaurants are located, was increased to $7.15
per hour on January 1, 2007 and will increase to $7.25 per hour on July 24,
2009. These wage increases have not had a material impact on our results
of
operations or financial position as the vast majority of our employees are
paid
at a rate higher than the minimum wage. Although we only operate six
Company-owned restaurants, we believe that significant increases in the minimum
wage could have a significant financial impact on our financial results and
the
results of our franchisees. Continued increases in labor, food and other
operating expenses could adversely affect our operations and those of the
restaurant industry and we might have to further reconsider our pricing strategy
as a means to offset reduced operating margins.
The
Company’s business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows can be
impacted by a number of factors, including but not limited to those set forth
above in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations,” any one of 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, also see
the
discussions in “Forward-Looking Statements,” “Risk Factors” and “Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements” in this Form 10-Q and “Risk Factors” in this
Form 10-Q and in our Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended March 30,
2008.
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 28, 2008,
Nathan’s cash and cash equivalents aggregated $14,693,000. Earnings on these
cash and cash equivalents would increase or decrease by approximately $37,000
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 28, 2008, the market value
of
Nathan’s marketable securities aggregated $22,581,000. Interest income on these
marketable securities would increase or decrease by approximately $56,000
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 28, 2008 that are sensitive to interest rate fluctuations
(in
thousands):
Valuation of securities
|
Valuation of securities
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Given an interest rate
|
Given an interest rate
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Decrease of X Basis points
|
Fair
|
Increase of X Basis points
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(150BPS)
|
(100BPS)
|
(50BPS)
|
Value
|
+50BPS
|
+100BPS
|
+150BPS
|
||||||||||||||||
Municipal
notes and bonds
|
$
|
23,794
|
$
|
23,388
|
$
|
22,984
|
$
|
22,581
|
$
|
22,183
|
$
|
21,792
|
$
|
21,408
|
Borrowings
The
interest rate on our prior borrowings was generally determined based upon
the
prime rate and was subject to market fluctuation as the prime rate changed,
as
determined within each specific agreement. At September 28, 2008, we had
no
outstanding indebtedness. If we were to borrow money in the future, such
borrowings would be based upon the then prevailing interest rates. We do
not
anticipate entering into interest rate swaps or other financial instruments
to
hedge our borrowings. We maintained a $7,500,000 credit line at the prime
rate
(5.0% as of September 28, 2008), which we decided to let expire as of October
1,
2008. 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.
Commodity
Costs
The
cost
of commodities is subject to market fluctuation. In January 2008, we entered
into a purchase commitment to acquire approximately 1,785,000 lbs of hot
dogs at
$1.535 per lb through August 2008. We may attempt to enter into similar
arrangements in the future. With the exception of that commitment, 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,
we
expect that the majority of our future commodities purchases will be subject
to
changes in the prices of such commodities. Generally, we have attempted 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 28, 2008 would have increased
or decreased our cost of sales by approximately $1,357,000.
-24-
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
of 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 twenty-six weeks ended September 28, 2008 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.
-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 such
ordinary and routine litigation 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
results of operations for the period in which the ruling occurs.
On
March
20, 2007, a personal injury lawsuit was initiated seeking unspecified
damages against the Company's subtenant and the Company's master
landlord at a leased property in Huntington, New York. The claim relates
to damages suffered by an individual as a result of an alleged "trip and fall"
on the sidewalk in front of the leased property, maintenance of which is the
subtenant's responsibility. Although the Company was not named as a
defendant in the lawsuit, under its master lease agreement the Company may
have
an obligation to indemnify the master landlord in connection with this
claim. The Company did not maintain its own insurance on the property
concerned at the time of the incident; however, the Company is named as an
additional insured under its subtenant's liability policy.
Accordingly, if the master landlord is found liable for damages and seeks
indemnity from the Company, the Company believes that it would be entitled
to
coverage under the subtenant's insurance policy. Additionally, under
the terms of the sublease, the subtenant is required to indemnify the
Company, regardless of insurance coverage.
The
Company is party to a License Agreement with SMG, Inc. ("SMG") dated as of
February 28, 1994, as amended (the "License Agreement") pursuant to which:
(i)
SMG acts as the Company's exclusive licensee for the manufacture, distribution,
marketing and sale of packaged Nathan's Famous frankfurter product at
supermarkets, club stores and other retail outlets in the United States; and
(ii) the Company has the right, but not the obligation, to require SMG to
produce frankfurters for the Nathan's Famous restaurant system and Branded
Product Program. On July 31, 2007, the Company provided notice to SMG that
the
Company has elected to terminate the License Agreement, effective July 31,
2008,
due to SMG's breach of certain provisions of the License Agreement. SMG has
disputed that a breach has occurred and has commenced, together with certain
of
its affiliates, an action in state court in Illinois seeking, among other
things, a declaratory judgment that SMG did not breach the License Agreement.
The Company's filed its own action on August 2, 2007, in New York State court
seeking a declaratory judgment that SMG has breached the License Agreement
and
that the Company has properly terminated the License Agreement. On January
23,
2008, the New York court granted SMG’s motion to dismiss the Company’s case in
New York on the basis that the dispute was already the subject of a pending
lawsuit in Illinois. The Company has answered SMG's complaint and asserted
its
own counterclaims which seek, among other things, a declaratory judgment that
SMG did breach the License Agreement and that the Company has properly
terminated the License Agreement. On July 31, 2008, SMG and Nathan’s entered
into a stipulation pursuant to which Nathan’s agreed that it would not
effectuate the termination of the License Agreement on the grounds alleged
in
the present litigation until such litigation has been successfully adjudicated,
and SMG agreed that in such event, Nathan’s shall have the option to require SMG
to continue to perform under the License Agreement for an additional period
of
up to six months to ensure an orderly transition of the business to a new
licensee/supplier. The parties are currently proceeding with the discovery
process.
Item
1A. Risk Factors
In
addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully
consider the factors described below, as well as those discussed in Part I,
“Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended March 30, 2008, which could materially affect our business, financial
condition or future results. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form
10-K are not the only risks facing Nathan's. Additional risks and uncertainties
not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may
materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating
results.
Increases
in the cost of food and paper products could harm our profitability and
operating results.
The
cost
of the food and paper products we use depends on a variety of factors, many
of
which are beyond our control. We purchase large quantities of beef and our
beef
costs in the United States represent approximately 80% to 85% of our food costs.
The market for beef is particularly volatile and is subject to significant
price
fluctuations due to seasonal shifts, climate conditions, industry demand and
other factors beyond our control. For example, in the past, reduced supply
and
increased demand in beef resulted in shortages, which required us to pay
significantly higher prices for the beef we purchased. We were unable to pass
all of the price increases to our customers. As the price of beef or other
food
products that we use in our operations increases significantly, particularly
in
the Branded Product Program, and we choose not to pass, or cannot pass, such
increases on to our customers, our operating margins would decrease. Food and
paper products typically represent approximately 25% to 30% of our cost of
restaurant sales.
Fluctuations
in weather, supply and demand and economic conditions could adversely affect
the
cost, availability and quality of some of our critical products, including
beef.
Our inability to obtain requisite quantities of high-quality ingredients would
adversely affect our ability to provide the menu items that are central to
our
business, and the highly competitive nature of our industry may limit our
ability to pass through increased costs to our customers. Continuing increases
in the cost of fuel would increase the distribution costs of our prime products
thereby increasing food and paper costs to us and to our franchisees, thereby
negatively affecting our profitability.
-26-
Nathan’s
does not have the ability to effectively hedge all of its beef purchases using
futures or forward contracts without incurring undue financial risk, although
Nathan’s had entered into a commitment to purchase 1,785,000 pounds of hot dogs
for the period April through August 2008. Nathan’s may seek to enter into
similar commitments to purchase in the future.
The
loss of one or more of our key suppliers could lead to supply disruptions,
increased costs and lower operating results.
The
Company relies on one supplier for the majority of its frankfurters and another
supplier for its supply of frozen French fries. An interruption in the supply
of
product from either one of these suppliers without the Company obtaining an
alternative source of supply on comparable terms could lead to supply
disruptions, increased costs and lower operating results.
The
Company is currently engaged in litigation with its primary supplier of
frankfurters for each of the Company’s major lines of business seeking a
judicial declaration that the Company is entitled to terminate its License
Agreement with such supplier. In anticipation of such termination, the Company
is seeking one or more alternative sources of supply to commence immediately
following the termination of the License Agreement (or sooner if necessary);
however, the termination of the License Agreement presents a number of risks
to
the Company and its operations.
Although
the Company believes that its frankfurter supplier is contractually obligated
to
perform its obligations under the License Agreement until its termination and
the Company expects its frankfurter supplier to continue to discharge those
obligations, there is no assurance that the supplier will do so. In the event
that the frankfurter supplier breaches its contractual obligations under the
License Agreement by failing or refusing to manufacture and supply frankfurters
for the Company’s restaurant and Branded Product Program operations or to
manufacture, distribute, market and sell Nathan’s
Famous
frankfurters to the retail trade, there is no assurance that the Company could
secure an alternate source of supply in a timely manner.
Additionally,
all of the frozen French fries sold through its franchised restaurants are
obtained from one supplier. In the event that the French fry supplier is unable
to fulfill Nathan’s requirements for any reasons, including due to a significant
interruption in its manufacturing operations, whether as a result of a natural
disaster or for other reasons, such interruption could significantly impair
the
Company’s ability to operate its business on a day-to-day basis.
In
the
event that the Company is unable to find one or more alternative suppliers
of
frankfurters or French fries on a timely basis, there could be a disruption
in
the supply of product to Company-owned restaurants, franchised restaurants
and Branded Product accounts, which would damage the Company, its franchisees
and Branded Product customers and, in turn, negatively impact the Company’s
financial results. In addition, any gap in supply to retail customers would
result in lost royalty payments to the Company, which could have a significant
adverse financial impact on the Company’s results from operations. Furthermore,
any gap in supply to retail customers may damage the Nathan’s
Famous
trademarks in the eyes of consumers and the retail trade, which damage might
negatively impact the Company’s overall business in general and impair the
Company’s ability to continue its retail licensing program.
Additionally,
once secured, there is no assurance that any alternate sources of supply would
be capable of meeting the Company’s specifications and quality standards on a
timely and consistent basis or that the financial terms of such supply
arrangement will be as favorable as the Company’s present terms with its
frankfurter or French fry supplier, as the case may be.
Any
of
the foregoing occurrences may cause disruptions in supply of the Company’s
frankfurter or French fry products, as the case may be, damage the Company’s
franchisees and Branded Product customers, adversely impact the Company’s
financial results and/or damage the Nathan’s
Famous
trademarks.
The
closure of a Coney Island amusement park, and the redevelopment of the Coney
Island amusement district, may have a material adverse effect on Nathan's
financial results.
The
original, flagship Nathan's Famous restaurant is located in the Coney Island
amusement district in Coney Island, New York. We believe that
customer traffic at this location depends, in part, on the operation of the
various area amusements and attractions. One such attraction, the
Astroland Amusement Park, has reportedly been closed permanently as of September
2008. Additionally, the City of New York and a private real estate
developer have proposed competing plans to redevelop the entire Coney Island
amusement district. We are unable to determine the impact of the
closing of Astroland and/or the redevelopment of the Coney Island amusement
district; however, any substantial decrease in the number of visitors to Coney
Island would likely have a material adverse effect on our financial
results.
-27-
Recent
turmoil in the credit markets and the financial services industry may negatively
impact the Company’s profitability and operating results.
Recently,
the credit markets and the financial services industry have been experiencing
a
period of unprecedented turmoil and upheaval characterized by the bankruptcy,
failure, collapse or sale of various financial institutions and an unprecedented
level of intervention from the United States federal government. While the
ultimate outcome of these events cannot be predicted, they may have a material
adverse effect on the Company’s liquidity and financial condition if the recent
economic crisis results in reduced sales at our Company-owned and franchised
restaurants or of licensed products for which we receive royalties or if it
adversely impacts franchisees’ ability to finance purchases or restructurings of
restaurant franchises, any of which may negatively impact the Company’s business
and operating results.
-28-
Item
2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of
Proceeds.
ISSUER
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Period
|
(a) Total Number of
Shares Purchased
|
(b) Average Price
Paid per Share
|
(c) Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
|
(d) Maximum
Number of Shares
that May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plan
|
|||||||||
June
30, 2008
July
27, 2008
|
73,957
|
$
|
14.6612
|
73,957
|
322,185
|
||||||||
July
28, 2008
August
24, 2008
|
90,865
|
$
|
14.9635
|
90,865
|
231,320
|
||||||||
August
25, 2008
September
28, 2008
|
32,281
|
$
|
15.5358
|
32,281
|
199,039
|
||||||||
Total
|
197,103
|
$
|
14.9744
|
197,103
|
199,039
|
On
September 14, 2001, Nathan’s was authorized to purchase up to 1,000,000 shares
of its common stock. Pursuant to this first stock repurchase program, we
repurchased 1,000,000 shares of common stock in open-market transactions and
a
private transaction at a total cost of $3,670,000. On October 7, 2002, Nathan’s
was authorized to purchase up to 1,000,000 additional shares of its common
stock. Nathan’s concluded the second authorized stock repurchase program of
1,000,000 shares of common stock at a cost of approximately $5,416,000. On
November 5, 2007, Nathan’s Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to
an additional 500,000 shares of its common stock on behalf of the Company.
On
June 11, 2008, Nathan’s and MSI entered into the 10b5-1 Agreement pursuant to
which MSI has been authorized to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock
having a value of up to an aggregate $6 million. The 10b5-1 Agreement was
adopted under the safe harbor provided by Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 in order to assist the Company in implementing its previously
announced stock purchase plan for the purchase of up to 500,000 shares. Through
September 28, 2008, Nathan’s purchased a total of 2,300,961 shares
of
common stock at a cost of approximately $13,497,000 pursuant
to the current and previous stock repurchase plans authorized by the Board
of
Directors. Of these repurchased shares, 300,961 shares
at
a cost of $4,411,000 were repurchased during the twenty-six weeks ended
September 28, 2008.
Subsequent to September 28, 2008, Nathan’s has continued to repurchase its
common stock in the open market pursuant to the 10b5-1 Agreement, repurchasing
an additional 182,923 shares at a total cost of approximately $2,691,000 through
October 31, 2008. For the period commencing March 31, 2008 and ending October
31, 2008, Nathan’s repurchased 79,255 shares at a cost of approximately
$1,102,000 before the adoption of the 10b5-1 Agreement and purchased 404,629
shares at a cost of approximately $6,000,000 pursuant to the 10b5-1 Agreement
through October 31, 2008, thereby completing the purchases authorized under
the
10b5-1 Agreement. There are 16,116 remaining shares to be repurchased in order
to complete Nathan’s third stock repurchase plan. Future purchases may be made
from time to time, depending on market conditions, in open market or
privately-negotiated transactions, at prices deemed appropriate by management.
There is no set time limit on the repurchases.
Item
4. Submission
of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
(a) |
The
Company held its Annual Meeting of Stockholders on September 9,
2008.
|
(b) |
Nine
Directors were elected at the Annual Meeting to serve until the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders in 2009. The names of these Directors and
votes
cast in favor of their election and shares withheld are as
follows:
|
FOR
|
WITHHELD
|
||||||
HOWARD
M. LORBER
|
4,496,557
|
222,301
|
|||||
WAYNE
NORBITZ
|
4,605,789
|
113,069
|
|||||
ROBERT
J. EIDE
|
4,513,364
|
205,494
|
|||||
ERIC
GATOFF
|
4,605,914
|
112,944
|
|||||
BRIAN
S. GENSON
|
4,622,271
|
96,587
|
|||||
BARRY
LEISTNER
|
4,630,897
|
87,961
|
|||||
DONALD
L. PERLYN
|
4,494,798
|
224,060
|
|||||
A.F.
PETROCELLI
|
4,571,526
|
147,332
|
|||||
CHARLES
RAICH
|
4,514,220
|
204,638
|
-29-
Item
6. Exhibits.
3.1
|
|
Certificate
of Incorporation. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to
Registration Statement on Form S-1 No. 33-56976.)
|
3.2
|
Amendment
to the Certificate of Incorporation, filed December 15, 1992.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Registration Statement
on
Form S-1 No. 33-56976.)
|
|
3.3
|
By-Laws,
as amended. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Form 10-K
for the
fiscal year ended March 27, 2005.)
|
|
4.1
|
Specimen
Stock Certificate. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to
Registration Statement on Form S-1 No. 33-56976.)
|
|
4.2
|
Form
of Rights Certificate. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to
Exhibit
4.2 to Form 8-K dated June 6, 2008.)
|
|
4.3
|
Rights
Agreement dated as of June 4, 2008 between Nathan’s Famous, Inc. and
American Stock Transfer and Trust Company. (Incorporated by reference
to
Exhibit 4.2 to Form 8-K dated June 6, 2008.)
|
|
10.1
|
*Settlement
Agreement and Release between Miami Subs Capital Partners I, Inc.
and
Nathan’s Famous, Inc.
|
|
10.2
|
*Amended
and Restated Promissory Note of Miami Subs Capital Partners I,
Inc.
|
|
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 Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
|
32.1
|
*Certification
by Eric Gatoff, 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.
|
|
*Filed herewith. |
-30-
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 7, 2008
|
By:
|
/s/Eric
Gatoff
|
Eric
Gatoff
|
||
Chief
Executive Officer
|
||
(Principal Executive Officer)
|
||
Date:
November 7, 2008
|
By:
|
/s/Ronald
G. DeVos
|
Ronald
G. DeVos
|
||
Vice
President - Finance
|
||
and
Chief Financial Officer
|
||
(Principal Financial and Accounting
Officer)
|
-31-
Exhibit
Index
3.1
|
|
Certificate
of Incorporation. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to
Registration Statement on Form S-1 No. 33-56976.)
|
3.2
|
Amendment
to the Certificate of Incorporation, filed December 15, 1992.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Registration Statement
on
Form S-1 No. 33-56976.)
|
|
3.3
|
By-Laws,
as amended. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Form 10-K
for the
fiscal year ended March 27, 2005.)
|
|
4.1
|
Specimen
Stock Certificate. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to
Registration Statement on Form S-1 No. 33-56976.)
|
|
4.2
|
Form
of Rights Certificate. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to
Exhibit
4.2 to Form 8-K dated June 6, 2008.)
|
|
4.3
|
Rights
Agreement dated as of June 4, 2008 between Nathan’s Famous, Inc. and
American Stock Transfer and Trust Company. (Incorporated by reference
to
Exhibit 4.2 to Form 8-K dated June 6, 2008.)
|
|
10.1
|
*Settlement
Agreement and Release between Miami Subs Capital Partners I, Inc.
and
Nathan’s Famous, Inc.
|
|
10.2
|
*Amended
and Restated Promissory Note of Miami Subs Capital Partners I,
Inc.
|
|
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 Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
|
32.1
|
*Certification
by Eric Gatoff, 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.
|
|
*Filed
herewith.
|
-32-