NATHANS FAMOUS, INC. - Quarter Report: 2010 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 26,
2010.
|
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.)
|
One Jericho Plaza, Second
Floor – Wing A, Jericho, New York 11753
(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 has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if
any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to
Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required
to submit and post such files). Yes ¨ No
¨
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See
the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller
reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check
One):
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 November 2, 2010, an
aggregate of 5,496,188 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
|
||
Consolidated
Balance Sheets – September 26, 2010 (Unaudited) and
|
||
March
28, 2010
|
3
|
|
Consolidated
Statements of Earnings (Unaudited) - Thirteen Weeks
|
||
Ended
September 26, 2010 and September 27, 2009
|
4
|
|
Consolidated
Statements of Earnings (Unaudited) – Twenty-six Weeks
|
||
Ended
September 26, 2010 and September 27, 2009
|
5
|
|
Consolidated
Statement of Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited) –
|
||
Twenty-six
Weeks Ended September 26, 2010
|
6
|
|
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) –
|
||
Twenty-six
Weeks Ended September 26, 2010 and September 27, 2009
|
7
|
|
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
8
|
|
Item
2.
|
Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial
|
|
Condition
and Results of Operations.
|
14
|
|
Item
3.
|
Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
|
22
|
Item
4.
|
Controls
and Procedures.
|
23
|
PART
II.
|
OTHER
INFORMATION
|
|
Item
1.
|
Legal
Proceedings.
|
24
|
Item
1A.
|
Risk
Factors.
|
24
|
Item
2.
|
Unregistered
Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
|
26
|
Item
5.
|
Other
Information
|
27
|
Item
6.
|
Exhibits.
|
28
|
SIGNATURES
|
29
|
|
Exhibit
Index
|
30
|
-2-
Nathan’s
Famous, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
September
26, 2010 and March 28, 2010
(in
thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Item
1. Financial Statements.
|
Sept. 26, 2010
|
March 28, 2010
|
||||||
(Unaudited)
|
||||||||
ASSETS
|
||||||||
CURRENT
ASSETS
|
||||||||
Cash and cash
equivalents
|
$ | 14,881 | $ | 11,609 | ||||
Marketable
securities
|
23,971 | 24,317 | ||||||
Accounts and other receivables,
net
|
5,144 | 5,225 | ||||||
Note
receivable – current portion
|
104 | 115 | ||||||
Inventories
|
973 | 1,018 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current
assets
|
1,815 | 1,428 | ||||||
Deferred
income taxes
|
112 | 111 | ||||||
Total
current assets
|
47,000 | 43,823 | ||||||
Note receivable
|
1,122 | 1,175 | ||||||
Property and equipment,
net
|
5,665 | 5,467 | ||||||
Goodwill
|
95 | 95 | ||||||
Intangible assets,
net
|
1,353 | 1,353 | ||||||
Deferred income
taxes
|
1,100 | 1,093 | ||||||
Other
assets
|
408 | 368 | ||||||
$ | 56,743 | $ | 53,374 | |||||
LIABILITIES
AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
|
||||||||
CURRENT
LIABILITIES
|
||||||||
Accounts payable
|
$ | 2,689 | $ | 3,069 | ||||
Accrued expenses and other current
liabilities
|
6,332 | 3,771 | ||||||
Deferred
franchise fees
|
285 | 315 | ||||||
Total
current liabilities
|
9,306 | 7,155 | ||||||
Other liabilities
|
1,984 | 1,907 | ||||||
Total
liabilities
|
11,290 | 9,062 | ||||||
COMMITMENTS
AND CONTINGENCIES (Note J)
|
||||||||
STOCKHOLDERS’
EQUITY
|
||||||||
Common stock, $.01 par value;
30,000,000 shares authorized; 8,773,241 shares issued; and
5,530,113 and 5,594,448 shares outstanding at September 26, 2010 and
March 28, 2010, respectively
|
88 | 88 | ||||||
Additional paid-in
capital
|
52,217 | 52,003 | ||||||
Retained
earnings
|
18,608 | 16,797 | ||||||
Accumulated
other comprehensive income
|
734 | 616 | ||||||
71,647 | 69,504 | |||||||
Treasury
stock, at cost, 3,243,128 and 3,178,793 shares at September 26,
2010 and March 28, 2010, respectively.
|
(26,194 | ) | (25,192 | ) | ||||
Total
stockholders’ equity
|
45,453 | 44,312 | ||||||
$ | 56,743 | $ | 53,374 |
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 26, 2010 and September 27, 2009
(in
thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Sept. 26, 2010
|
Sept. 27, 2009
|
|||||||
REVENUES
|
||||||||
Sales
|
$ | 12,956 | $ | 11,758 | ||||
Franchise fees and
royalties
|
1,428 | 1,312 | ||||||
License royalties
|
1,679 | 1,568 | ||||||
Interest income
|
217 | 240 | ||||||
Other income
|
2 | 18 | ||||||
Total
revenues
|
16,282 | 14,896 | ||||||
COSTS
AND EXPENSES
|
||||||||
Cost of sales
|
9,415 | 8,093 | ||||||
Restaurant operating
expenses
|
967 | 973 | ||||||
Depreciation and
amortization
|
225 | 201 | ||||||
General
and administrative expenses
|
2,632 | 2,239 | ||||||
Litigation
accrual (Note J)
|
2,914 | - | ||||||
Total
costs and expenses
|
16,153 | 11,506 | ||||||
Income
before provision for income taxes
|
129 | 3,390 | ||||||
(Benefit)
provision for income taxes
|
(22 | ) | 1,227 | |||||
Net
income
|
$ | 151 | $ | 2,163 | ||||
PER
SHARE INFORMATION
|
||||||||
Basic
income per share:
|
||||||||
Net
income
|
$ | .03 | $ | .40 | ||||
Diluted
income per share:
|
||||||||
Net
income
|
$ | .03 | $ | .39 | ||||
Weighted
average shares used in computing income per
share
|
||||||||
Basic
|
5,573,000 | 5,420,000 | ||||||
Diluted
|
5,677,000 | 5,594,000 |
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 26, 2010 and September 27, 2009
(in
thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Sept. 26, 2010
|
Sept. 27, 2009
|
|||||||
REVENUES
|
||||||||
Sales
|
$ | 25,306 | $ | 22,773 | ||||
Franchise fees and
royalties
|
2,683 | 2,466 | ||||||
License royalties
|
3,478 | 3,375 | ||||||
Interest income
|
425 | 480 | ||||||
Other income
|
16 | 34 | ||||||
Total
revenues
|
31,908 | 29,128 | ||||||
COSTS
AND EXPENSES
|
||||||||
Cost of sales
|
18,903 | 16,202 | ||||||
Restaurant operating
expenses
|
1,792 | 1,796 | ||||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
457 | 400 | ||||||
General
and administrative expenses
|
5,196 | 4,867 | ||||||
Litigation
accrual (Note J)
|
2,914 | - | ||||||
Total
costs and expenses
|
29,262 | 23,265 | ||||||
Income
before provision for income taxes
|
2,646 | 5,863 | ||||||
Provision
for income taxes
|
835 | 2,137 | ||||||
Net
income
|
$ | 1,811 | $ | 3,726 | ||||
PER
SHARE INFORMATION
|
||||||||
Basic
income per share:
|
||||||||
Net
income
|
$ | .32 | $ | .68 | ||||
Diluted
income per share:
|
||||||||
Net
income
|
$ | .32 | $ | .65 | ||||
Weighted
average shares used in computing income per
share
|
||||||||
Basic
|
5,584,000 | 5,516,000 | ||||||
Diluted
|
5,685,000 | 5,737,000 |
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 26, 2010
(in
thousands, except share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Accumulated
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Additional
|
Other
|
Total
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common
|
Common
|
Paid-in
|
Retained
|
Comprehensive
|
Treasury Stock, at Cost
|
Stockholders’
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares
|
Stock
|
Capital
|
Earnings
|
Income
|
Shares
|
Amount
|
Equity
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance,
March 28, 2010
|
8,773,241 | $ | 88 | $ | 52,003 | $ | 16,797 | $ | 616 | 3,178,793 | $ | (25,192 | ) | $ | 44,312 | |||||||||||||||||
Repurchase
of common stock
|
- | - | - | - | - | 64,335 | (1,002 | ) | (1,002 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Share-based
compensation
|
- | - | 214 | - | - | - | - | 214 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized
gains on available for sale securities, net of deferred income taxes of
$77
|
- | - | - | - | 118 | - | - | 118 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net
income
|
- | - | - | 1,811 | - | - | - | 1,811 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance,
September 26, 2010
|
8,773,241 | $ | 88 | $ | 52,217 | $ | 18,608 | $ | 734 | 3,243,128 | $ | (26,194 | ) | $ | 45,453 |
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 26, 2010 and September 27, 2009
(in
thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Sept. 26, 2010
|
Sept. 27, 2009
|
|||||||
Cash
flows from operating activities:
|
||||||||
Net income
|
$ | 1,811 | $ | 3,726 | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net
income to net cash provided
by operating activities
|
||||||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
457 | 400 | ||||||
Amortization
of bond premium
|
141 | 140 | ||||||
Share
based compensation expense
|
214 | 214 | ||||||
Provision
for doubtful accounts
|
- | 181 | ||||||
Deferred
income taxes
|
(85 | ) | (85 | ) | ||||
Changes
in operating assets and liabilities:
|
||||||||
Accounts
and other receivables, net
|
81 | (1,331 | ) | |||||
Inventories
|
45 | (171 | ) | |||||
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets
|
(387 | ) | 634 | |||||
Other
assets
|
(40 | ) | - | |||||
Accounts
payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities
|
2,181 | (930 | ) | |||||
Deferred
franchise fees
|
(30 | ) | 118 | |||||
Other
liabilities
|
77 | 317 | ||||||
Net cash provided by operating
activities
|
4,465 | 3,213 | ||||||
Cash
flows from investing activities:
|
||||||||
Proceeds from sale of
available-for-sale securities
|
400 | 435 | ||||||
Purchase
of property and equipment
|
(655 | ) | (317 | ) | ||||
Payments
received on note receivable
|
64 | 142 | ||||||
Net cash (used in) provided by
investing activities
|
(191 | ) | 260 | |||||
Cash
flows from financing activities:
|
||||||||
Repurchase
of treasury stock
|
(1,002 | ) | (5,019 | ) | ||||
Proceeds
from the exercise of stock options
|
- | 696 | ||||||
Income
tax benefits on stock option exercises
|
- | 862 | ||||||
Net
cash used in financing activities
|
(1,002 | ) | (3,461 | ) | ||||
Net
increase in cash and cash equivalents
|
3,272 | 12 | ||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents, beginning of period
|
11,609 | 8,679 | ||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents, end of period
|
$ | 14,881 | $ | 8,691 | ||||
Cash
paid during the period for:
|
||||||||
Interest
|
$ | - | $ | - | ||||
Income taxes
|
$ | 1,732 | $ | 1,119 |
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
-7-
NATHAN'S
FAMOUS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September
26, 2010
(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
26, 2010 and September 27, 2009 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
28, 2010.
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 2010 Annual
Report on Form 10-K. There have been no changes to the Company’s significant
accounting policies subsequent to March 28, 2010.
NOTE B –
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In July
2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued guidance that will enhance
future disclosure about the credit quality of a creditor’s financing receivables
and the adequacy of its allowance for credit losses. The amended guidance will
be effective beginning with the first quarterly or annual reporting period
ending on or after December 15, 2010. The amended guidance is effective for
activity during a reporting period beginning with the first quarterly or annual
period beginning on or after December 15, 2010. The Company expects the amended
guidance to impact its disclosures beginning with our next quarterly report, but
to otherwise not have a material effect on our consolidated results of
operations or financial position.
NOTE C –
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Nathan’s
follows a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to
measure fair value. This hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of
“observable inputs” and minimize the use of “unobservable inputs.” 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, quoted prices in markets that are not active, 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 26, 2010 based upon the valuation hierarchy (in
thousands):
Level 1
|
Level 2
|
Level 3
|
Carrying Value
|
|||||||||||||
Marketable
securities
|
$ | - | $ | 23,971 | $ | - | $ |
23,971
|
||||||||
Total
assets at fair value
|
$ | - | $ | 23,971 | $ | - | $ | 23,971 |
Nathan’s
marketable securities, which consist primarily of 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 or
model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable for
substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
-8-
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.
Certain
non-financial assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a
nonrecurring basis; that is, the assets and liabilities are not measured at fair
value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain
circumstances, such as when evidence of impairment exists. At September 26,
2010, no fair value adjustment or material fair value measurements were required
for non-financial assets or liabilities.
NOTE D –
MARKETABLE SECURITIES
The
Company determines the appropriate classification of securities at the time of
purchase and reassesses the appropriateness of the classification at each
reporting date. At September 26, 2010 and March 28, 2010, all marketable
securities held by the Company have been classified as available-for-sale and,
as a result, are stated at fair value, based upon quoted market prices for
similar assets as determined in active markets or model-derived valuations in
which all significant inputs are observable for substantially the full-term of
the asset, with unrealized gains and losses included as a component of
accumulated other comprehensive income. Realized gains and losses on the sale of
securities are determined on a specific identification basis.
The cost,
gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair market value for
marketable securities, which consist entirely of municipal bonds that are
classified as available-for-sale securities are as follows (in
thousands):
Cost
|
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
|
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
|
Fair
Market
Value
|
|||||||||||||
September
26, 2010
|
$ | 22,768 | $ | 1,203 | $ | - | $ | 23,971 | ||||||||
March
28, 2010
|
$ | 23,308 | $ | 1,009 | $ | - | $ | 24,317 |
As of
September 26, 2010 and March 28, 2010 none of the securities held by the Company
were in an unrealized loss position.
The
municipal bonds held at September 26, 2010, mature at various dates between
November 2010 and October 2019. The following represents the bond maturities by
period (in thousands):
Fair value of Municipal Bonds
|
Total
|
Less than
1 Year
|
1 – 5 Years
|
5 – 10 Years
|
After
10 Years
|
|||||||||||||||
September
26, 2010
|
$ | 23,971 | $ | 4,636 | $ | 12,517 | $ | 6,818 | $ | - | ||||||||||
March
28, 2010
|
$ | 24,317 | $ | 2,984 | $ | 12,354 | $ | 8,979 | $ | - |
Proceeds
from the sale of available-for-sale securities and the resulting gross realized
gains and losses included in the determination of net income are as follows (in
thousands):
Twenty-six weeks ended
|
||||||||
Sept. 26,
2010
|
Sept. 27,
2009
|
|||||||
Available-for-sale
securities:
|
||||||||
Proceeds
|
$ | 400 | $ | 435 | ||||
Gross
realized gains
|
$ | - | $ | - |
The
change in net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities for the
thirteen-week periods ended September 26, 2010 and September 27, 2009 of $68 and
$356, respectively, which is net of deferred income taxes, has been included as
a component of comprehensive income. The change in net unrealized gains on
available-for-sale securities for the twenty-six week periods ended September
26, 2010 and September 27, 2009 of $118 and $417, respectively, which is net of
deferred income taxes, has been included as a component of comprehensive
income.
-9-
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
26, 2010 and September 27, 2009, respectively.
Thirteen
weeks
Net Income
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Income
|
Number of Shares
|
Per Share
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
2010
|
2009
|
2010
|
2009
|
2010
|
2009
|
|||||||||||||||||||
(in
thousands)
|
(in
thousands)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic EPS
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic
calculation
|
$ | 151 | $ | 2,163 | 5,573 | 5,420 | $ | 0.03 | $ | 0.40 | ||||||||||||||
Effect
of dilutive employee stock options
|
- | - | 104 | 174 | - | (0.01 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Diluted EPS
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted
calculation
|
$ | 151 | $ | 2,163 | 5,677 | 5,594 | $ | 0.03 | $ | 0.39 |
Twenty-six
weeks
Net Income
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Income
|
Number of Shares
|
Per Share
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
2010
|
2009
|
2010
|
2009
|
2010
|
2009
|
|||||||||||||||||||
(in
thousands)
|
(in
thousands)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic EPS
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic
calculation
|
$ | 1,811 | $ | 3,726 | 5,584 | 5,516 | $ | 0.32 | $ | 0.68 | ||||||||||||||
Effect
of dilutive employee stock options
|
- | - | 101 | 221 | - | (0.03 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Diluted EPS
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted
calculation
|
$ | 1,811 | $ | 3,726 | 5,685 | 5,737 | $ | 0.32 | $ | 0.65 |
Options
to purchase 110,000 shares of common stock in the thirteen- and
twenty-six-week periods ended September 26, 2010 and September 27, 2009 were not
included in the computation of diluted EPS because the exercise prices exceeded
the average market price of common shares during the periods.
NOTE F –
INCOME TAXES
The
income tax provisions for the twenty-six week periods ended September 26, 2010
and September 27, 2009 reflect effective tax rates of 31.6% and 36.4%,
respectively, which have been reduced by 5.3% and 2.8% for the differing effects
of tax exempt interest income, respectively. Nathan’s estimates that
its annual tax rate for the fiscal year ending March 27, 2011 will be in the
range of approximately 34.0% to 38.0%. The final annual tax rate is
subject to many variables, including the effect of tax-exempt interest earned,
among other factors, and therefore cannot be determined until the end of the
fiscal year; therefore, the actual tax rate could differ from our current
estimates.
The
amount of unrecognized tax benefits at September 26, 2010 was $332,000, all of
which would impact Nathan’s effective tax rate, if recognized. As of
September 26, 2010, Nathan’s had $356,000 of accrued interest and
penalties in connection with unrecognized tax benefits.
During
the twenty-six-week period ended September 26, 2010, Nathan’s settled uncertain
tax positions with one state jurisdiction and has accordingly reduced the
associated unrecognized tax benefits including the related accrued interest and
penalties by approximately $79,000. During the fiscal year ending March 27,
2011, Nathan’s is seeking to settle additional uncertain tax positions with the
tax authorities. As a result, it is reasonably possible that the amount of
unrecognized tax benefits, including the related accrued interest and penalties,
could be reduced by up to $50,000, which would favorably impact Nathan’s
effective tax rate, although no assurances can be given in this
regard.
-10-
NOTE G –
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
Total
share-based compensation during the thirteen-week periods ended September 26,
2010 and September 27, 2009 was $107,000 and $107,000, respectively. Total
share-based compensation during the twenty-six week periods ended September 26,
2010 and September 27, 2009 was $214,000 and $214,000,
respectively. Total share-based compensation is included in general
and administrative expense in our accompanying Consolidated Statements of
Earnings. As of September 26, 2010, there was $257,000 of unamortized
compensation expense related to stock options. We expect to recognize this
expense over approximately one year, which represents the requisite service
periods for such awards.
On
September 14, 2010, the Company adopted the 2010 Stock Incentive Plan (“the 2010
Plan”) which provides for the ability to issue up to 150,000 additional options
pursuant to the 2010 Plan together with 171,000 shares that have not been issued
under the 2001 Stock Option Plan and the 2002 Stock Incentive Plan plus any
shares subject to any outstanding options or restricted stock grants under
the 2001 Stock Option Plan and the 2002 Stock incentive Plan that
subsequently expire unexercised or are otherwise forfeited up to a maximum of an
additional 100,000 shares.
There
were no share-based awards granted during the thirteen-week or twenty-six-week
periods ended September 26, 2010 or September 27, 2009.
Stock options
outstanding:
Transactions
with respect to stock options for the twenty-six weeks ended September 26, 2010
are as follows:
Weighted-
|
Weighted-
|
|||||||||||||||
Average
|
Average
|
Aggregate
|
||||||||||||||
Exercise
|
Remaining
|
Intrinsic
|
||||||||||||||
Shares
|
Price
|
Contractual Life
|
Value
|
|||||||||||||
Options
outstanding at March 28, 2010
|
534,750 | $ | 10.31 | 4.12 | $ | 2,879,000 | ||||||||||
Granted
|
- | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
Expired
|
- | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
Exercised
|
- | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
Options
outstanding at September 26, 2010
|
534,750 | $ | 10.31 | 3.62 | $ | 3,092,000 | ||||||||||
Options
exercisable at September 26, 2010
|
480,250 | $ | 9.86 | 3.50 | $ | 2,986,000 |
NOTE H –
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Beginning
October 2001, through September 26, 2010, Nathan’s purchased a total of
3,243,128 shares of common stock at a cost of approximately $26,194,000
pursuant to its stock repurchase plans previously authorized by the Board of
Directors. During the thirteen- and twenty-six-week- periods ended
September 26, 2010, we repurchased 64,335 shares at a total cost of $1,002,000.
As of September 26, 2010, an aggregate of 756,872 shares are remaining to be
purchased pursuant to such plans.
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 to be made
under these stock-repurchase plans.
On
September 10, 2010, Nathan’s entered into an agreement with Mutual
Securities, Inc. (“MSI”) pursuant to which MSI has
been authorized to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, having a value
of up to an aggregate $4.8 million, which purchases were able to commence
on September 20, 2010 and will terminate on September 19,
2011. The agreement was adopted under the safe harbor provided by
Rule 10b5-1 and Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.
At
September 26, 2010, the Company has reserved 12,252,065 shares of common stock
for issuance upon exercise of the Common Stock Purchase Rights approved by the
Board of Directors on June 4, 2008.
-11-
NOTE I -
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
The
components of comprehensive income are as follows:
Thirteen
weeks ended
September 26,
2010
|
Thirteen
weeks ended
September 27,
2009
|
Twenty-six
weeks ended
September 26,
2010
|
Twenty-six
weeks ended
September 27,
2009
|
|||||||||||||
(in thousands)
|
(in thousands)
|
(in thousands)
|
(in thousands)
|
|||||||||||||
Net income
|
$ | 151 | $ | 2,163 | $ | 1,811 | $ | 3,726 | ||||||||
Unrealized
gain on available-for-sale securities, net of tax provision of $43, $237,
$77, and
$277, respectively
|
68 | 356 | 118 | 417 | ||||||||||||
Comprehensive
income
|
$ | 219 | $ | 2,519 | $ | 1,929 | $ | 4,143 |
Accumulated
other comprehensive income at September 26, 2010 and March 28, 2010 consists
entirely of unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, net of
deferred taxes.
NOTE J -
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
1.
|
Commitments
|
In
February 2010, the Company entered into a commitment, as amended, to purchase
585,000 pounds of hot dogs for approximately $1,012,000 from its primary hot dog
manufacturer. Nathan’s completed the purchase of this product, in addition to
approximately 162,000 pounds of hot dogs pursuant to a prior agreement, during
the fiscal period ended September 26, 2010, in satisfaction of all of its
outstanding purchase commitments. The hot dogs purchased represent
approximately 11.5% of Nathan’s usage during the twenty-six week period. On
October 26, 2010, we entered into a purchase commitment to purchase 500,000
pounds of hot dogs at a total cost not to exceed $858,000 for purchase between
January and April 2011. Nathan’s may enter into additional purchase
commitments in the future as favorable market conditions become
available.
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:
-12-
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 (the “Termination Date”), 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
answered SMG’s complaint in Illinois 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. On June 30,
2009, SMG and Nathan’s each filed motions for summary judgment. Both
motions for summary judgment were ultimately denied on February 25,
2010. On January 28, 2010, SMG filed a motion for leave to file a
Second Amended Complaint and Amended Answer, which sought to assert new claims
and affirmative defenses based on Nathan’s alleged breach of the parties’
License Agreement in connection with the manner in which Nathan’s profits from
the sale of its proprietary seasonings to SMG. On February 25, 2010,
the court granted SMG’s motion for leave, and its Second Amended Complaint and
Amended Answer were filed with the court. On March 29, 2010, Nathan’s
filed an answer to SMG’s Second Amended Complaint, which denied substantially
all of the allegations in the complaint. On September 17, 2010, SMG
filed a motion for summary judgment with respect to the claims relating to the
sale of Nathan’s proprietary seasonings to SMG. On October 5, 2010,
Nathan’s filed an opposition to SMG’s motion for summary judgment, and itself
cross-moved for summary judgment. On October 6, 2010, a trial on the
claims relating to Nathan’s termination of the License Agreement began. The
trial ended on October 13, 2010. The Court has not yet rendered a
decision in the trial. Also, on October 13, 2010, an Order was
entered with the Court denying Nathan’s cross-motion and granting SMG’s motion
for summary judgment with respect to SMG’s claims relating to the sale of
Nathan’s proprietary seasonings to SMG. As a result, Nathan’s may be
liable for damages in an amount that it currently estimates to be $2,914,000 to
$6,068,000 as Nathan’s is unable to determine the amount of damages within that
range, that the court will award SMG . Accordingly, Nathan’s has
recorded a charge to earnings before taxes of $2,914,000 in its second fiscal
quarter ended September 26, 2010 representing the minimum estimate of
damages. A hearing to determine the exact amount of damages is
scheduled for November 22, 2010. Nathan’s does not expect the Court
to issue a judgment with respect to the Order until such time as the Court
issues its decision with respect to all of the issues pending in the litigation,
including Nathan’s right to terminate the License Agreement. If the
Court issues a final ruling for damages in an amount greater that the amount
already accrued, Nathan’s would have to record an additional charge to earnings
as necessary. At that time, Nathan’s will evaluate its available
alternatives, including an appeal of the Order.
On
October 5, 2009, the Company was served with a summons and complaint filed in
the Supreme Court of Suffolk County, New York. The plaintiff, Painted Pieces
LTD, alleged copyright infringement and asserted causes of action for breach of
contract, unjust enrichment, willful wrongful use of plaintiff’s artwork, and
violation of the New York general business law, in each case due to the
reproduction of certain artwork used by the Company in its advertising.
The complaint sought damages of an aggregate $10,500,000. In May 2010,
this action was settled whereby Nathan’s agreed to purchase these assets for
$140,000.
3. Guarantees
On
December 1, 2009, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company executed a Guaranty
of Lease (the “Guaranty”) in connection with its re-franchising of a restaurant
located in West Nyack, New York. The Guaranty could be called upon in
the event of a default by the tenant/franchisee. The Guaranty extends
through the fifth Lease Year, as defined in the lease, and shall not exceed an
amount equal to the highest amount of the annual minimum rent, percentage rent
and any additional rent payable pursuant to the lease and reasonable attorney’s
fees and other costs. We have recorded a liability of $207,700 in
connection with the Guaranty, which does not include potential real estate tax
increases and attorney’s fees and other costs as these amounts are not
reasonably determinable at this time. In connection with Nathan’s
franchise agreement, Nathan’s has received a personal guaranty from the
franchisee for all obligations under the Guaranty. To date, Nathan’s has not
been required to make any payments pursuant to the Guaranty.
NOTE K –
CREDIT LINE
Effective
August 3, 2010, we entered into an agreement with a Bank pursuant to which
the Bank agreed to provide an uncommitted line of credit of $10,000,000 which
would bear interest at either the prime rate (3.25% as of September 26,
2010) or the 1-month LIBOR rate plus 200 basis points (2.25781% as of September
26, 2010), which was set to expire on June 30, 2011. On November 4, 2010, the
Company terminated this agreement.
-13-
Item
2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations.
Forward-Looking
Statements
Statements
in this Form 10-Q quarterly report may be “forward-looking statements” within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that
express our intentions, beliefs, expectations, strategies, predictions or any
other statements relating to our future activities or other future events or
conditions. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and
projections about our business based, in part, on assumptions made by
management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and
involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict.
These risks and uncertainties, many of which are not within our control, include
but are not limited to: the adverse effect that increasing commodity costs have
on our profitability and operating results; the pending litigation with the
primary supplier of hot dogs to our Branded Product Program may result in a
disruption in that supply or increased costs, either of which would
adversely affect our operating results; the outcome of any appeal of the court’s
ruling in such litigation; the timing of any such cash payment under the court
ruling in such litigation and the tax impact of the ruling; current economic
conditions could result in decreased consumer spending on discretionary
products, such as fast food; as well as those risks discussed from time to time
in the Company’s Form 10-K annual report for the year ended March 28, 2010, and
in other documents which we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is
expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements. We generally identify
forward-looking statements with the words “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “expect,”
“anticipate,” “estimate,” “will,” “should” and similar expressions. Any
forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and
we do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to
reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Form 10-Q.
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).
We are
engaged primarily in the marketing of the “Nathan’s Famous” brand and the sale
of products bearing the “Nathan’s Famous” trademarks through several different
channels of distribution. Historically, our business has been the
operation and franchising of quick-service restaurants featuring Nathan’s World
Famous Beef Hot Dogs, crinkle-cut French-fried potatoes, and a variety of other
menu offerings. Our Company-owned and franchised units operate under
the name “Nathan’s Famous,” the name first used at our original Coney Island
restaurant opened in 1916. Nathan’s licensing program began in 1978 by selling
packaged hot dogs and other meat products to retail customers through
supermarkets or grocery-type retailers for off-site consumption. During fiscal
1998, we introduced our Branded Product Program, which currently enables
foodservice retailers and others to sell some of Nathan’s proprietary products
outside of the realm of a traditional franchise relationship. In conjunction
with this program, purchasers of Nathan’s products are granted a limited use of
the Nathan’s Famous trademark with respect to the sale of the purchased
products, including Nathan’s World Famous Beef Hot Dogs, certain other
proprietary food items and paper goods. During fiscal 2008, we launched our
Branded Menu Program, which is a limited franchise program, under which
foodservice operators may sell a greater variety of Nathan’s Famous menu items
than under the Branded Product Program.
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 Branded Menu Program) and licensing agreements
for the sale of Nathan’s products within supermarkets and club stores, the
manufacture of certain proprietary spices and the sale of Nathan’s products
directly to other foodservice operators.
In
addition to plans for expansion through franchising, licensing and our Branded
Product Program, Nathan’s continues to seek to co-brand within its restaurant
system. Nathan’s is also the owner of the Arthur Treacher’s brand. At
September 26, 2010, the Arthur Treacher’s brand was being sold within 61 Nathan’s
restaurants.
At
September 26, 2010, our restaurant system consisted of 252 Nathan’s franchised
units, including 75 Branded Menu units and five Company-owned units (including
one seasonal unit), located in 24 states, the Cayman Islands and four foreign
countries. At September 27, 2009, our restaurant system consisted of 241
Nathan’s franchised
units, including 62 Branded Menu locations and seven Company-owned units
(including one seasonal unit), located in 25 states and four foreign countries.
The 42 Miami Subs locations reported in our 10-Q for the period ending September
27, 2009, have been removed for the period ended September 27, 2009, to enhance
the comparability of Nathan’s restaurant system.
-14-
On
October 13, 2010, an Order was entered with the Court denying Nathan’s
cross-motion and granting SMG’s motion for summary judgment (as more fully
described in Note J of the Notes to Consolidated Statements included in Item 1,)
with respect to SMG’s claims relating to the sale of Nathan’s proprietary
seasonings to SMG. As a result, Nathan’s may be liable for damages in
an amount that it currently estimates to be $2,914,000 to $6,068,000 as Nathan’s
is unable to determine the amount of damages within this range, that the court
will award SMG . Accordingly, Nathan’s has recorded a charge to
earnings before taxes of $2,914,000 in its second fiscal quarter ended September
26, 2010 representing the minimum estimate of damages. A hearing to
determine the exact amount of damages is scheduled for November 22,
2010. Nathan’s does not expect the Court to issue a judgment with
respect to the Order until such time as the Court issues its decision with
respect to all of the issues pending in the litigation, including Nathan’s right
to terminate the License Agreement. If the Court issues a final
ruling for damages in an amount greater that the amount already accrued,
Nathan’s would have to record an additional charge as necessary. At
that time, Nathan’s will evaluate its available alternatives, including an
appeal of the Order.
Critical
Accounting Policies and Estimates
As
discussed in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 28, 2010, 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 requires us to
make estimates and assumptions that affect the 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 28, 2010, there have been no changes in our
critical accounting policies or significant changes to the assumptions and
estimates related to them.
Recently
Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In July
2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued guidance that will enhance
future disclosure about the credit quality of a creditor’s financing receivables
and the adequacy of its allowance for credit losses. The amended guidance will
be effective beginning with the first quarterly or annual reporting period
ending on or after December 15, 2010. The amended guidance is effective for
activity during a reporting period beginning with the first quarterly or annual
period beginning on or after December 15, 2010. The Company expects the amended
guidance to impact its disclosures beginning with our next quarterly report, but
to otherwise not have a material effect on our consolidated results of
operations or financial position.
Results
of Operations
Thirteen
weeks ended September 26, 2010 compared to thirteen weeks ended September 27,
2009
Revenues
Total
sales were $12,956,000 for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2010 (“second
quarter fiscal 2011”) as compared to $11,758,000 for the thirteen weeks ended
September 27, 2009 (“second quarter fiscal 2010”). Foodservice
sales from the Branded Product and Branded Menu Programs increased by 15.1% to
$7,334,000 for the second quarter fiscal 2011 as compared to sales of $6,372,000
in the second quarter fiscal 2010. This increase was primarily attributable to
higher volume of products sold. Total Company-owned restaurant sales, which was
comprised of five comparable Nathan’s restaurants in both periods (including one
seasonal restaurant), and two restaurants that we temporarily operated during
part of the second quarter fiscal 2010, increased by 7.4% to $5,286,000 during
the second quarter fiscal 2011 as compared to $4,920,000 during the second
quarter fiscal 2010. Sales increased at our five comparable Company-owned
restaurants by approximately 11.4% due to higher customer counts of
approximately 13.0% which were partly offset by lower check averages of
approximately 1.5%. The sales increase arose primarily at our Coney Island
restaurant, which we believe was attributable to favorable weather conditions
and the success of the first phase of a renovation at a neighboring amusement
park. During the second quarter fiscal 2011, sales to our television
retailer were approximately $130,000 lower than the second quarter fiscal 2010.
Nathan’s products were on air 20 times during the second quarter fiscal 2011 as
compared to 16 times during the second quarter fiscal 2010.
Franchise
fees and royalties increased by 8.8% to $1,428,000 in the second quarter fiscal
2011 as compared to $1,312,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2010. Total
royalties were $1,260,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2011 as compared to
$1,162,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2010. During the second quarter fiscal
2011, we did not recognize revenue of $2,000 for royalties deemed to be
uncollectible as compared to $19,000 of royalty income deemed uncollectible
during the second quarter fiscal 2010. Total royalties, excluding the
adjustments for royalties deemed uncollectible as described above, were
$1,262,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2011 as compared to $1,181,000 in the
second quarter fiscal 2010. Franchise restaurant sales were $25,823,000 in the
second quarter fiscal 2011 as compared to $25,169,000 in the second quarter
fiscal 2010. Comparable domestic franchise sales (consisting of 129
Nathan’s outlets, excluding sales under the Branded Menu Program) were
$21,374,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2011 as compared to $21,499,000 in the
second quarter fiscal 2010, a decrease of 0.6%. Franchise sales
within retail environments have declined by approximately 5.6% due primarily to
the adverse economic environment, however, sales at our travel and entertainment
venues were higher by approximately 1.9% compared to the second quarter fiscal
2010. International franchise sales, principally the Middle East, declined by
approximate $120,000 or 14.9% during the second quarter fiscal 2011 as compared
to the second quarter fiscal 2010. At September 26, 2010, 252 domestic and
international franchised or Branded Menu Program franchise outlets were
operating as compared to 241 domestic and international franchised or Branded
Menu Program franchise outlets at September 27, 2009, excluding 42 Miami
Subs locations that converted to our Branded Product Program, subsequent to
September 27, 2009. Royalty income from three franchised outlets was deemed
unrealizable during the second quarter fiscal 2011 as compared to 10 franchised
outlets during the second quarter fiscal 2010. Total franchise fee income was
$158,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2011 as compared to $150,000 in the second
quarter fiscal 2010. Domestic franchise fee income was $145,000 in the second
quarter fiscal 2011 as compared to $136,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2010.
International franchise fee income was $13,000 in the second quarter fiscal
2011, as compared to $14,000 during the second quarter fiscal 2010. During the
second quarter fiscal 2011, six new franchised outlets opened, including one
re-franchised location and three Branded Menu Program outlets. During the second
quarter fiscal 2010, eight new franchised outlets were opened, including four
Branded Menu Program outlets.
-15-
License
royalties were $1,679,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2011 as compared to
$1,568,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2010. Total royalties earned on sales of
hot dogs from our retail and foodservice license agreements increased 3.5% to
$1,282,000 from $1,239,000 primarily due to increased sales to Sam’s Club by one
of our licensees during the second quarter fiscal 2011. Royalties
earned from our primary licensee, SMG, Inc. primarily from the retail sale of
hot dogs, were $902,000 during the second quarter fiscal 2011 as compared to
$896,000 during the second quarter fiscal 2010. Royalties earned from another
licensee, substantially from sales of hot dogs to Sam’s Club, were $380,000
during the second quarter fiscal 2011 as compared to $343,000 during the second
quarter fiscal 2010. During the second quarter fiscal 2011, we recovered $75,000
of license royalties from one licensee that had been previously deemed
unrealizable. Royalties earned from all other licensing agreements for the
manufacture and sale of Nathan’s products decreased by $7,000 during the second
quarter fiscal 2011, as compared to the second quarter fiscal 2010.
Interest
income was $217,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2011 as compared to $240,000 in
the second quarter fiscal 2010, primarily due to lower interest income on our
cash and cash equivalents as a result of the current reduced interest rate
environment and less interest earned on the reduced balance of the note
receivable received in connection with the sale of Miami Subs on June 7,
2007.
Other
income was $2,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2011 as compared to $18,000 in
the second quarter fiscal 2010.
Costs and
Expenses
Overall,
our cost of sales increased by $1,322,000 to $9,415,000 in the second quarter
fiscal 2011 as compared to $8,093,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2010. Our
gross profit (representing the difference between sales and cost of sales) was
$3,541,000 or 27.3% of sales during the second quarter fiscal 2011 as compared
to $3,665,000 or 31.2% of sales during the second quarter fiscal 2010. The
reduced margin was primarily due to the higher cost of hot dogs for our Branded
Product Program.
Cost of
sales in the Branded Product Program increased by approximately $1,229,000
during the second quarter fiscal 2011 as compared to the second quarter fiscal
2010, primarily as a result of the higher cost of our hot dogs of approximately
6.1%. During the second quarter fiscal 2011, the market price of hot dogs was
approximately 8.3% higher than during the second quarter fiscal 2010. During the
second quarter fiscal 2011, we did not have any purchase commitments in place.
However, during the second quarter fiscal 2010 our purchase commitments added
approximately $93,000 to our costs due to the market’s decline. If the cost of
beef and beef trimmings increases and we are unable to pass on these higher
costs through price increases, our margins will be adversely
impacted.
With
respect to our Company-owned restaurants, our cost of sales during the second
quarter fiscal 2011 was $2,765,000 or 52.3% of restaurant sales, as compared to
$2,588,000 or 52.6% of restaurant sales in the second quarter fiscal
2010. The primary reason for the decrease in the cost of sales
percentage in the second quarter fiscal 2011 was due to better profit margins
that were achieved from higher sales on food and labor costs as a percentage of
sales. Cost of sales to our television retailer declined by $84,000 in the
second quarter fiscal 2011, primarily due to lower sales volume.
Restaurant
operating expenses were $967,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2011 as compared
to $973,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2010. The difference in restaurant
operating costs was due primarily to cost savings of $109,000 from not operating
two restaurants during the second quarter fiscal 2011 which were mostly offset
at our five comparable restaurants for higher costs of utilities of $30,000,
maintenance of $29,000, operating supplies of $16,000 and marketing of $11,000.
During the second quarter fiscal 2011, our utility costs were approximately
17.0% higher than the second quarter fiscal 2010. We continue to be concerned
about the uncertain market conditions for oil and natural gas.
Depreciation
and amortization was $225,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2011 as compared to
$201,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2010. This increase is primarily
attributable to higher depreciation expense at our corporate office and to
newly-added consigned equipment by our Branded Product Program, which were
partly offset by lower restaurant depreciation.
General
and administrative expenses increased by $393,000 or 17.6% to $2,632,000 in the
second quarter fiscal 2011 as compared to $2,239,000 in the second quarter
fiscal 2010. The increase in general and administrative expenses was due
primarily to the incremental cost of the litigation with SMG, Inc. of $325,000
in preparation for the trial that began in October 2010. Additionally, we
incurred higher personnel costs of $44,000, other professional fees of $18,000,
and the effect of reversing an un-leased property expense of $48,000 during the
second quarter fiscal 2010.
-16-
During
the second quarter fiscal 2011, we recorded a litigation accrual of $2,914,000
as a result of the unfavorable ruling by the court in connection with our
litigation with SMG, Inc. (refer to Note J of the Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements in Item 1) representing the minimum estimate of
damages.
Provision for Income
Taxes
In the
second quarter fiscal 2011, the income tax (benefit) was $(22,000) or (17.1)% of
income before income taxes as compared to the income tax provision of $1,227,000
or 36.2% of income before income taxes in the second quarter fiscal 2010.
Nathan’s effective tax rate was reduced by 52.5% and 2.3% during the second
quarter fiscal 2011 and second quarter fiscal 2010, respectively, due to the
differing effects of tax-exempt interest income. Additionally, during the second
quarter fiscal 2010, Nathan’s resolved uncertain tax positions, reducing the
associated unrecognized tax benefits, along with the related accrued interest
and penalties, by approximately $51,000, which lowered the effective tax rate by
1.5%. Nathan’s effective tax rates without these adjustments would have been
35.5% for the second quarter fiscal 2011 and 40.0% for the second quarter fiscal
2010.
Twenty-six
weeks ended September 26, 2010 compared to twenty-six weeks ended September 27,
2009
Revenues
Total
sales were $25,306,000 for the twenty-six weeks ended September 26, 2010
(“fiscal 2011 period”) as compared to $22,773,000 for the twenty-six weeks ended
September 27, 2009 (“fiscal 2010 period”). Foodservice sales
from the Branded Product and Branded Menu Programs increased by 14.9% to
$15,184,000 for the fiscal 2011 period as compared to sales of $13,215,000 in
the fiscal 2010 period. This increase was primarily attributable to higher
volume of product sold. Total Company-owned restaurant sales, which was
comprised of five comparable Nathan’s restaurants in both periods (including one
seasonal restaurant), and two restaurants that we temporarily operated during
part of the second quarter fiscal 2010, increased by 10.7% to $9,313,000 during
the fiscal 2011 period as compared to $8,416,000 during the fiscal 2010 period.
Sales increased at our five comparable Company-owned restaurants by
approximately 13.0% due to higher customer counts of approximately 11.6% and
higher check averages of approximately 1.3%. The sales increase arose primarily
at our Coney Island restaurant, which we believe was primarily attributable to
favorable weather conditions throughout the summer season and due to the success
of the first phase of a renovation at a neighboring amusement park. During the
fiscal 2011 period, sales to our television retailer were approximately $333,000
lower than the fiscal 2010 period. Nathan’s products were on air 55 times during
the fiscal 2011 period as compared to 57 times during the fiscal 2010 period.
During the fiscal 2011 period our products were not featured in any special
airings as they were during the fiscal 2010 period.
Franchise
fees and royalties increased by 8.8% to $2,683,000 in the fiscal 2011 period as
compared to $2,466,000 in the fiscal 2010 period. Total royalties were
$2,339,000 in the fiscal 2011 period as compared to $2,199,000 in the fiscal
2010 period. During the fiscal 2011 period, we did not recognize revenue of
$5,000 for royalties deemed to be uncollectible as compared to $125,000 of
royalty income deemed uncollectible during the fiscal 2010 period. Total
royalties, excluding the adjustments for royalties deemed uncollectible as
described above, were $2,344,000 in the fiscal 2011 period as compared to
$2,324,000 in the fiscal 2010 period. Franchise restaurant sales were
$48,846,000 in the fiscal 2011 period as compared to $49,167,000 in the fiscal
2010 period. Comparable domestic franchise sales (consisting of 129
Nathan’s outlets, excluding sales under the Branded Menu Program) were
$40,430,000 in the fiscal 2011 period as compared to $40,970,000 in the fiscal
2010 period, a decrease of 1.3%. Franchise sales within retail
environments have declined by approximately 7.1% primarily due to the adverse
economic environment, however sales at our travel and entertainment venues were
higher by approximately 2.7% compared to the fiscal 2010 period. International
franchise sales, principally the Middle East, declined by approximately $410,000
or 21.4% during the fiscal 2011 period as compared to the fiscal 2010 period. At
September 26, 2010, 252 domestic and international franchised or Branded Menu
Program franchise outlets were operating as compared to 241 domestic and
international franchised or Branded Menu Program franchise outlets at
September 27, 2009, excluding 42 Miami Subs locations that converted to our
Branded Product Program subsequent to September 27, 2009. Royalty income from
four franchised outlets was deemed unrealizable during the fiscal 2011 period as
compared to 10 franchised outlets during the fiscal 2010 period. Total franchise
fee income was $334,000 in the fiscal 2011 period as compared to $267,000 in the
fiscal 2010 period. Domestic franchise fee income was $307,000 in the fiscal
2011 period as compared to $204,000 in the fiscal 2010 period due primarily to
higher opening fees earned from conventional franchised locations opened during
the fiscal 2011 period. International franchise fee income was $27,000 in the
fiscal 2011 period, as compared to $63,000 during the fiscal 2010 period
primarily due to fewer openings of international franchised restaurants. During
the fiscal 2011 period, 18 new franchised outlets opened, including one
re-franchised location and nine Branded Menu Program outlets. During the fiscal
2010 period, 15 new franchised outlets were opened, including eight Branded Menu
Program outlets, one unit in Kuwait and one unit in the Dominican
Republic.
-17-
License
royalties were $3,478,000 in the fiscal 2011 period as compared to $3,375,000 in
the fiscal 2010 period. Total royalties earned on sales of hot dogs from our
retail and foodservice license agreements decreased 0.5% to $2,750,000 from
$2,755,000. Royalties earned from our primary licensee, SMG, Inc. primarily from
the retail sale of hot dogs, were $1,967,000 during the fiscal 2011 period as
compared to $2,020,000 during the fiscal 2010 period. Royalties earned from
another licensee, substantially from sales of hot dogs to Sam’s Club, were
$773,000 during the fiscal 2011 period as compared to $735,000 during the fiscal
2010 period. During the second quarter fiscal 2011, we recovered $75,000 of
license royalties from one licensee that had been previously deemed
unrealizable. Royalties earned from all other licensing agreements for the
manufacture and sale of Nathan’s products increased by $43,000 during the fiscal
2011 period, as compared to the fiscal 2010 period.
Interest
income was $425,000 in the fiscal 2011 period as compared to $480,000 in the
fiscal 2010 period, primarily due to lower interest income on our cash and cash
equivalents as a result of the current reduced interest rate environment and
less interest earned on the reduced balance of the note receivable received in
connection with the sale of Miami Subs on June 7, 2007.
Other
income was $16,000 in the fiscal 2011 period as compared to $34,000 in the
fiscal 2010 period.
Costs and
Expenses
Overall,
our cost of sales increased by $2,701,000 to $18,903,000 in the fiscal 2011
period as compared to $16,202,000 in the fiscal 2010 period. Our gross profit
(representing the difference between sales and cost of sales) was $6,403,000 or
25.3% of sales during the fiscal 2011 period as compared to $6,571,000 or 28.9%
of sales during the fiscal 2010 period. The reduced margin was primarily due to
the higher cost of hot dogs for our Branded Product Program.
Cost of
sales in the Branded Product Program increased by approximately $2,435,000
during the fiscal 2011 period as compared to the fiscal 2010 period, primarily
as a result of the higher cost of our hot dogs of approximately 7.1% as a
percentage of sales. During the fiscal 2011 period, the market price of hot dogs
was approximately 9.0% higher than during the fiscal 2010 period. The Company’s
purchase commitments reduced the impact of the increased market price in the
fiscal 2011 period. During the fiscal 2011 period, our purchase commitments to
acquire 747,000 pounds of hot dogs yielded savings of approximately $146,000 as compared to
adding to our cost of approximately $52,000 due to the market’s decline during
the fiscal 2010 period. If the cost of beef and beef trimmings increases and we
are unable to pass on these higher costs through price increases or otherwise
reduce the impact of such increased costs, our margins will be adversely
impacted.
With
respect to our Company-owned restaurants, our cost of sales during the fiscal
2011 period was $5,054,000 or 54.3% of restaurant sales, as compared to
$4,585,000 or 54.5% of restaurant sales in the fiscal 2010
period. The primary reason for the decrease in the cost as a
percentage of sales in the fiscal 2011 period, was the greater margins achieved
from higher sales on food and labor costs and an opportunistic purchase of
certain paper products below market. Cost of sales to our
television retailer declined by $203,000 in the fiscal 2011 period, primarily
due to lower sales volume.
Restaurant
operating expenses were $1,792,000 in the fiscal 2011 period as compared to
$1,796,000 in the fiscal 2010 period. The difference in restaurant operating
costs was primarily due to cost savings of $109,000 due to the elimination of
the costs of operating two restaurants during the second quarter fiscal 2011
which were refranchised, mostly offset by higher costs at our five comparable
restaurants for higher maintenance costs of $40,000, operating supply costs of
$34,000, utility costs of $19,000 and occupancy costs of $10,000 from higher
sales at one location. During the fiscal 2011 period our utility costs were
approximately 5.6% higher than the fiscal 2010 period. We continue to be
concerned about the uncertain market conditions for oil and natural
gas.
Depreciation
and amortization was $457,000 in the fiscal 2011 period as compared to $400,000
in the fiscal 2010 period. This increase is primarily attributable to higher
depreciation expense at our corporate office and for newly-added consigned
equipment by our Branded Product Program, which were partly offset by lower
restaurant depreciation.
General
and administrative expenses increased by $329,000 to $5,196,000 in the fiscal
2011 period as compared to $4,867,000 in the fiscal 2010 period. The increase in
general and administrative expenses was due primarily to the incremental cost of
the litigation with SMG, Inc. of $283,000 in preparation for the trial that
began in October 2010. Additionally, we incurred higher personnel costs of
$107,000 and marketing costs of $80,000, which were partly offset by lower bad
debts of $195,000 and other professional fees of $36,000.
During
the second quarter fiscal 2011, we recorded a litigation accrual of $2,914,000
as the result of the unfavorable ruling by the court in connection our
litigation with SMG, Inc. (Refer to Note J of the Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements in Item 1,) representing the minimum estimate of
damages.
-18-
Provision for Income
Taxes
In the
fiscal 2011 period, the income tax provision was $835,000 or 31.6% of income
before income taxes as compared to $2,137,000 or 36.4% of income before income
taxes in the fiscal 2010 period. Nathan’s effective tax rate was reduced by 5.3%
and 2.8% during the fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010 periods, respectively, due to
the differing effects of tax-exempt interest income. Additionally, during the
fiscal 2011 period, Nathan’s resolved uncertain tax positions, reducing the
associated unrecognized tax benefits, along with the related accrued interest
and penalties, by approximately $79,000, which lowered the effective tax rate by
3.0%. During the fiscal 2010 period, Nathan’s also resolved uncertain
tax positions, reducing the associated unrecognized tax benefits, along with the
related accrued interest and penalties, by approximately $51,000, which lowered
the effective tax rate by 0.9%. Nathan’s effective tax rates without these
adjustments would have been 40.0% for the fiscal 2011 period and 40.1% for the
fiscal 2010 period. Nathan’s is seeking to resolve additional
uncertain tax positions during the year ending March 27, 2011. Nathan’s
estimates that its unrecognized tax benefits and the related accrued interest
and penalties could be further reduced by up to $50,000 during the remainder of
this fiscal year, although no assurances can be given in this
regard.
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
On
October 26, 2010, we entered into a purchase commitment to purchase 500,000
pounds of hot dogs at a total cost not to exceed $858,000 for purchase between
January and April 2011. Nathan’s may enter into additional purchase
commitments in the future as favorable market conditions become
available. See Note J to the Consolidated Financial Statements
contained in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
Cash and
cash equivalents at September 26, 2010 aggregated $14,881,000, increasing by
$3,272,000 during the fiscal 2011 period. At September 26, 2010,
marketable securities were $23,971,000 compared to $24,317,000 at March 28, 2010
and net working capital increased to $37,694,000 from $36,668,000 at March 28,
2010.
Cash
provided by operations of $4,465,000 in the fiscal 2011 period is primarily
attributable to net income of $1,811,000 and other non-cash items of $727,000, net. Changes in Nathan’s
operating assets and liabilities increased cash by $1,927,000, primarily
resulting from increased accounts payable and accrued expenses of $2,181,000,
which were partly offset by increased prepaid expenses and other current assets
of $387,000. The increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses primarily
relates to the litigation accrual arising from the unfavorable ruling in
connection with the SMG, Inc. litigation. The increase in prepaid
expenses is primarily due to the increased prepaid income taxes of $744,000
which was partly offset by the utilization of prepaid insurance costs of
$222,000 and other prepaid expenses of $135,000.
Cash used
in investing activities was $191,000 in the fiscal 2011 period. We incurred
capital expenditures of $655,000 primarily in connection with our Branded
Product Program and capital maintenance projects at our restaurants. We received
cash proceeds of $400,000 from the redemption of a maturing available-for-sale
security and $64,000 from the receipt of payments on the note receivable
received in connection with the sale of Miami Subs.
Cash used
in financing activities was $1,002,000 in the fiscal 2011 period for the
purchase of 64,335 treasury shares of Company Common Stock
Beginning
October 2001 through September 26, 2010, Nathan’s purchased a total of 3,243,128
shares of common stock at a cost of approximately $26,194,000 pursuant to
its stock repurchase plans previously authorized by the Board of
Directors. Of these repurchased shares, 64,335 shares of common stock
were repurchased at a cost of approximately $1,002,000 during the
twenty-six-week period ended September 26, 2010.
On
November 13, 2008, Nathan’s Board of Directors authorized
a fourth stock repurchase plan for the purchase of up to 500,000
shares of the Company’s common stock, under which 240,740 shares were
repurchased at a cost of $3,123,000 as of September 26, 2010.
On
November 6, 2009, Nathan’s and Mutual Securities Inc. (“MSI”) amended
the terms of the Company’s original 10b5-1 Agreement dated February 5, 2009, to
increase the aggregate amount to $4.2 million and extend the termination date to
no later than August 10, 2010. 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 fourth stock
repurchase plan, for the purchase of up to 500,000 shares. The 10b5-1
Agreement was terminated on August 10, 2010.
On June
30, 2009, Nathan’s Board of Directors authorized its fifth stock repurchase plan
for the purchase of up to 500,000 shares of its common stock on behalf of the
Company and the Company repurchased 238,129 shares of common stock at a cost of
$3,015,000 in a privately-negotiated transaction with Prime Logic Capital, LLC.
As of September 26, 2010, the Company has completed its repurchase of 500,000
shares at a cost of $6,637,000 under the fifth stock repurchase
plan.
On
November 3, 2009, Nathan’s Board of Directors authorized its sixth stock
repurchase plan for the purchase of up to 500,000 shares of its common stock on
behalf of the Company. As of September 26, 2010, the Company has repurchased
2,388 shares at a cost of $38,000 under the sixth stock repurchase
plan.
-19-
On
September 10, 2010, Nathan’s entered into a new 10b5-1 Agreement with MSI,
authorizing the purchase of shares of the Company’s common stock,
having a value of up to an aggregate $4.8 million. Such purchases were able
to commence on September 20, 2010 and the new 10b5-1 Agreement will
terminate on September 19, 2011. The new 10b5-1 Agreement was adopted
under the safe harbor provided by Rule 10b5-1 and Rule 10b-18 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
As of
September 26, 2010, an aggregate of 756,872 shares are remaining to be purchased
pursuant to the Company’s previously-adopted stock repurchase plans. 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 to be made
under these stock-repurchase plans.
Effective
August 3, 2010, we entered into an agreement with a Bank pursuant to which the
Bank agreed to provde an uncommitted line of credit of $10,000,000 which would
bear interest either the prime rate (3.25% as of September 26, 2010) or the
1-month LIBOR rate plus 200 basis points (2.25625% as of September 26, 2010),
which was set to expire on June 30, 2011. At September 26, 2010, we had no
outstanding bank indebtedness. On November 4, 2010, the Company terminated this
agreement.
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.
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 routinely assesses its investment management
approach with respect to our current and potential capital
requirements.
We expect that in the
future we will continue the stock repurchase programs, make investments in
certain existing restaurants, support the growth of the Branded Product and
Branded Menu Programs and fund those investments from our operating cash flow.
We may also incur capital and other expenditures or engage in investing
activities in connection with opportunistic situations that may arise on a
case-by-case basis.
At
September 26, 2010, there were three properties that we lease from third parties
which we sublease to two 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
|
$ | 2,383 | $ | 1,148 | $ | 635 | $ | 400 | $ | 200 | ||||||||||
Operating
Leases
|
18,104 | 1,273 | 2,684 | 2,757 | 11,390 | |||||||||||||||
Gross
Cash Contractual Obligations
|
20,487 | 2,421 | 3,319 | 3,157 | 11,590 | |||||||||||||||
Sublease
Income
|
557 | 197 | 240 | 58 | 62 | |||||||||||||||
Net
Cash Contractual Obligations
|
$ | 19,930 | $ | 2,224 | $ | 3,079 | $ | 3,099 | $ | 11,528 |
Inflationary
Impact
We do not
believe that general inflation has materially impacted earnings since 2006.
However, since then, we have experienced volatility in our costs for certain
food products, distribution costs and utilities. Our commodity costs for beef
have been especially volatile since fiscal 2004. During the fiscal 2011 period,
the market price of hot dogs was approximately 9.0% higher than during the
fiscal 2010 period. However, as a result of the effects of the Company’s
purchase commitments during fiscal 2011, our cost of beef was only approximately
7.1% higher than the fiscal 2010 period. The purchase commitments yielded a
higher benefit to the Company during the fiscal 2011 period as compared to the
purchase commitment in effect during the fiscal 2010 period. During the fiscal
2011 period, our costs were approximately 1.2% lower than if our purchases were
made at the prevailing market prices as compared to the fiscal 2010 period, when
our costs were higher by 0.6%. During the first six months of calendar 2010, the
cost of beef and beef trimmings has risen significantly, well ahead of the
normal seasonal fluctuations, testing the all-time highs reached in the summer
of 2008. Beginning September 2010, prices have begun to decline. We are unable
to predict the future cost of our hot dogs and expect to experience price
volatility for our beef products during the balance of fiscal 2011. We may
attempt to enter into similar purchase arrangements for hot dogs and other
products in the future. Additionally, we expect to continue experiencing
volatility in oil and gas prices on our distribution costs for our food products
and utility costs in the Company-owned restaurants.
-20-
In March
2010, the Federal government passed new legislation to reform the U.S. health
care system. As part of the plan, employers will be expected to
provide their employees with minimum levels of healthcare coverage or incur
certain financial penalties. As Nathan’s workforce includes numerous part-time
workers that typically are not offered healthcare coverage, we may be forced to
expand healthcare coverage or incur these new penalties which may increase our
health care costs. In addition to the cost of expanded coverage, we are
concerned that the overall cost of insurance for existing employees may
significantly increase, further increasing our cost of providing healthcare
coverage. We have recently received notification from our health insurer that it
will be requesting rate increases of up to 86% from the State Insurance
Commissioner. If these rate increases are approved, we may incur significant
cost increases to provide health insurance to our employees.
From time
to time, various Federal and New York State legislators have proposed changes to
the minimum wage requirements. Although we only operate five 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, including health care,
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” and “Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements” in this Form 10-Q and “Risk Factors” in this Form 10-Q and our Form
10-K for our fiscal year ended March 28, 2010.
-21-
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 generally 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 26, 2010, Nathan’s cash and cash equivalents aggregated
$14,881,000. Earnings on this 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 26, 2010, the market value of
Nathan’s marketable securities aggregated $23,971,000. These
marketable securities are considered at risk with respect to interest rates to
determine their current market value. Our future rate of return could be also
affected at the time of reinvestment as a result of fluctuating interest
rates. Interest
income on these marketable securities would increase or decrease by
approximately $60,000 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 26, 2010 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
bonds
|
$ | 24,335 | $ | 24,314 | $ | 24,197 | $ | 23,971 | $ | 23,683 | $ | 23,388 | $ | 23,097 |
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. Effective August 3, 2010,
we established an uncommitted line of credit of $10,000,000 at either the prime
rate (3.25% as of September 26, 2010) or the 1-month LIBOR
rate plus 200 basis points (2.25625% as of September 26, 2010), which was set to
expire on June 30, 2011. On November 4, 2010, the Company terminated this
agreement. We do not anticipate entering into interest rate swaps or other
financial instruments to hedge our borrowings. At September 26, 2010, we had no
outstanding bank indebtedness. If we were to borrow money in the future, such
borrowings would be based upon the then-prevailing interest rates. 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. Our commodity costs for beef
have been especially volatile since fiscal 2004. In January 2008, we began
a program of entering into purchase commitments with our primary supplier to
produce and deliver hot dogs at agreed-upon prices. In January 2009,
we entered a purchase commitment, as amended, to acquire 2,592,000 pounds
of hot dogs for $4,368,000 which were purchased between April 2009 and September
2009. In February 2010, we entered into a purchase commitment to acquire 585,000
pounds of hot dogs for $1,013,000, in addition to the remaining product to be
purchased pursuant to our prior purchase commitment for approximately 162,000
pounds of hot dogs for approximately $262,000, including over-production. All of
this product was purchased between April 2010 and June 2010. During the fiscal
2011 period, the market price of hot dogs was approximately 9.0% higher than
during the fiscal 2010 period. However, during that same period, due to our
purchase commitments, our cost of beef was only approximately 7.1% higher than
the fiscal 2010 period. On
October 26, 2010, we entered into a purchase commitment to purchase 500,000
pounds of hot dogs at a total cost not to exceed $858,000 for purchase between
January and April 2011. We may
attempt to enter into similar arrangements for hot dogs and other products in
the future. With the exception of those commitments, 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 commodity purchases will be
subject to market 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 26, 2010 would have
increased or decreased our cost of sales by approximately
$1,513,000.
Foreign
Currencies
Foreign
franchisees generally conduct business with us and make payments in United
States dollars, reducing the risks inherent with changes in the values of
foreign currencies. As a result, we have not purchased future
contracts, options or other instruments to hedge against changes in values of
foreign currencies and we do not believe fluctuations in the value of foreign
currencies would have a material impact on our financial
results.
-22-
Item
4. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation
of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our
management, with the participation of our Chief Executive 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 and
Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered
by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure
that the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file
or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported
within the time periods specified by the SEC’s rules and forms and that such
information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our
principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow
timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes
in Internal Controls
There
were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred
during the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2010 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 and Chief
Financial Officer have concluded that such controls and procedures are effective
at the reasonable assurance level.
-23-
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.
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 (the “Termination Date”), 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 in Illinois 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. On June 30,
2009, SMG and Nathan’s each filed motions for summary judgment. Both
motions for summary judgment were ultimately denied on February 25,
2010. On January 28, 2010, SMG filed a motion for leave to file a
Second Amended Complaint and Amended Answer, which sought to assert new claims
and affirmative defenses based on Nathan’s alleged breach of the parties’
License Agreement in connection with the manner in which Nathan’s profits from
the sale of its proprietary seasonings to SMG. On February 25, 2010,
the court granted SMG’s motion for leave, and its Second Amended Complaint and
Amended Answer were filed with the court. On March 29, 2010, Nathan’s
filed an answer to SMG’s Second Amended Complaint, which denied substantially
all of the allegations in the complaint. On September 17, 2010, SMG
filed a motion for summary judgment with respect to the claims relating to the
sale of Nathan’s proprietary seasonings to SMG. On October 5, 2010,
Nathan’s filed an opposition to SMG’s motion for summary judgment, and itself
cross-moved for summary judgment. On October 6, 2010, a trial on the
claims relating to Nathan’s termination of the License Agreement began. The
trial ended on October 13, 2010. The Court has not yet rendered a
decision in the trial. Also, on October 13, 2010, an Order was
entered with the Court denying Nathan’s cross-motion and granting SMG’s motion
for summary judgment with respect to SMG’s claims relating to the sale of
Nathan’s proprietary seasonings to SMG. As a result, Nathan’s may be
liable for damages in an amount that it currently estimates to be $2,914,000 to
$6,068,000 as Nathan’s is unable to determine what amount of damages within this
range that the court will award SMG. Accordingly, Nathan’s has
recorded a charge to earnings before taxes of $2,914,000 in its second fiscal
quarter ended September 26, 2010 representing the minimum estimate of
damages. A hearing to determine the exact amount of damages is
scheduled for November 22, 2010. Nathan’s does not expect the Court
to issue a judgment with respect to the Order until such time as the Court
issues its decision with respect to all of the issues pending in the litigation,
including Nathan’s right to terminate the License Agreement. If the
Court issues a final ruling for damages in an amount greater that the amount
already accrued, Nathan’s would then have to record an additional charge to
earnings. At that time, Nathan’s will evaluate its available
alternatives, including an appeal of the Order.
On
October 5, 2009, the Company was served with a summons and complaint filed in
the Supreme Court of Suffolk County, New York. The plaintiff, Painted Pieces
LTD, alleged copyright infringement and asserted causes of action for breach of
contract, unjust enrichment, willful wrongful use of plaintiff’s artwork, and
violation of the New York general business law, in each case due to the
reproduction of certain artwork used by the Company in its advertising.
The complaint sought damages of an aggregate $10,500,000. In May
2010, this action was settled whereby Nathan’s agreed to purchase these assets
for $140,000.
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 28, 2010, which could materially affect our business, financial
condition or future results. The risks described below and 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.
-24-
Changes
in the U.S. healthcare system could increase our cost of doing
business.
In March
2010, the Federal government passed new legislation to reform the U.S. health
care system. As part of the plan, employers will be expected to
provide their employees with minimum levels of healthcare coverage or incur
certain financial penalties. As Nathan’s workforce includes numerous part-time
workers that typically are not offered healthcare coverage, we may be forced to
expand healthcare coverage or incur these new penalties which may increase our
health care costs. In addition to the cost of expanded coverage, we are
concerned that the overall cost of insurance for existing employees may
significantly increase, further increasing our cost of providing healthcare
coverage. We have recently received notification from our health insurer, that
they will be requesting rate increases of up to 86% from the State Insurance
Commissioner. If these rate increases are approved, we may incur significant
cost increases to provide health insurance to our employees beginning March
2011.
Nathan’s
earnings and business growth strategy depends in large part on the success of
its restaurant franchisees and on new restaurant openings. Nathan’s or its
brand’s reputation may be harmed by actions taken by restaurant franchisees that
are otherwise outside of Nathans’ control.
A
significant portion of Nathans’ earnings comes from royalties, fees and other
amounts paid by Nathan’s restaurant franchisees. Nathan’s franchisees are
independent contractors, and their employees are not employees of Nathan’s.
Nathan’s provides training and support to, and monitors the operations of, its
franchisees, but the quality of their restaurant operations may be diminished by
any number of factors beyond Nathans’ control. Consequently, the franchisees may
not successfully operate their restaurants in a manner consistent with Nathans’
high standards and requirements, and franchisees may not hire and train
qualified managers and other restaurant personnel. Any operational shortcoming
of a franchised restaurant is likely to be attributed by consumers to an entire
brand or Nathan’s system, thus damaging Nathan’s or a brand’s reputation,
potentially adversely affecting Nathans’ business, results of operations and
financial condition.
Growth in
our restaurant revenue and earnings is significantly dependent on new restaurant
openings. Numerous factors beyond our control may affect restaurant
openings. These factors include but are not limited to:
|
·
|
our
ability to attract new franchisees;
|
|
·
|
the
availability of site locations for new
restaurants;
|
|
·
|
the
ability of potential restaurant owners to obtain financing, which has
become more difficult due to current market conditions and operating
results;
|
|
·
|
the
ability of restaurant owners to hire, train and retain qualified operating
personnel;
|
|
·
|
construction
and development costs of new restaurants, particularly in
highly-competitive markets;
|
|
·
|
the
ability of restaurant owners to secure required governmental approvals and
permits in a timely manner, or at all;
and
|
|
·
|
adverse
weather conditions.
|
Nathan’s
earnings and business growth strategy depends in large part on the success of
its product licensees, and product manufacturers. Nathan’s or its brand’s
reputation may be harmed by actions taken by its product licensees or
product manufacturers that are otherwise outside of Nathans’
control.
A
significant portion of Nathans’ earnings comes from royalties paid by Nathan’s
product licensees such as SMG, Inc., John Morrell and Company and ConAgra Foods
Lamb Weston, Inc. Although these agreements contain numerous controls and
safeguards, and Nathan’s monitors the operations of its product licensees,
Nathan’s licensees are independent contractors, and their employees are not
employees of Nathan’s. Accordingly, Nathan’s cannot necessarily control the
performance of its licensees under their license agreements, including without
limitation, the licensee’s continued best efforts to manufacture Nathan’s
products for retail distribution and our foodservice businesses, market the
licensed products and assure the quality of the licensed products produced
and/or sold by a product licensee. Any shortcoming to the quality and or
quantity of a licensed product is likely to be attributed by consumers to an
entire brand’s reputation, potentially adversely affecting Nathans’ business,
results of operations and financial condition.
Nathan’s
future investment income is dependent on the interest rate environment with
respect to its marketable securities.
Nathan’s
investment in marketable securities consists of fixed rate, highly rated and
highly liquid instruments having a remaining term of up to 10 years. The current
market value of these marketable securities may increase or decrease with
fluctuating interest rates. Accordingly, in the event that we
determine to sell any of our marketable securities, we may not be able to
recover the entire principal amount invested in those securities. In addition,
our future rate of return as these securities mature could be adversely affected
in the event of a reduction in then prevailing interest
rates.
-25-
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity
Securities and Use of Proceeds.
ISSUER
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Period (A)
|
(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
Plans
|
||||||||||||
June
28, 2010
|
||||||||||||||||
July
25, 2010
|
-0- | $ | -0- | -0- | 821,207 | |||||||||||
July
26, 2010
|
||||||||||||||||
August
22, 2010
|
8,470 | $ | 15.4837 | 8,470 | 812,737 | |||||||||||
August
23, 2010
|
||||||||||||||||
September
26, 2010
|
55,865 | $ | 15.5908 | 55,865 | 756,872 | |||||||||||
Total
|
64,335 | $ | 15.5456 | 64,335 | 756,872 |
A) Represents the Company’s fiscal
periods during the second quarter ended September 26, 2010.
On
September 14, 2001, Nathan’s was authorized to purchase up to 1,000,000 shares
of its common stock. Pursuant to its first stock repurchase program, Nathan’s
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 Mutual Securities, Inc.
(“MSI”) entered into an agreement (the “first 10b5-1 Agreement”) pursuant to
which MSI was authorized to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock having
a value of up to an aggregate $6 million. Purchases under the first
10b5-1 Agreement have been completed. On February 5, 2009, Nathan’s and MSI
entered into a second agreement (the “second 10b5-1 Agreement”) pursuant to
which MSI was authorized to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock,
having a value of up to an aggregate $3.6 million, which purchases commenced on
March 16, 2009. Both the first and the second 10b5-1 Agreements were
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 repurchase plans, for the purchase of up to 500,000
shares. The first 10b5-1 plan was completed. The second
10b5-1 Agreement was originally due to terminate no later than March 15,
2010. On November 6, 2009, Nathan’s and MSI amended the terms of the
second 10b5-1 Agreement to increase the aggregate amount to $4.2 million and
extend the termination date to no later than August 10, 2010, which at such time
did terminate. On September 10, 2010, Nathan’s entered into its third agreement
(the “third 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 $4.8 million, which purchases commenced on September 20, 2010. The
third 10b5-1 Agreement is scheduled to expire on September 19,
2011.
On
November 13, 2008, Nathan’s Board of Directors authorized
a fourth stock repurchase plan for the purchase of up to 500,000
shares of the Company’s common stock, under which 240,740 shares were
repurchased at a cost of $3,123,000 as of September 26, 2010.
On June
30, 2009, Nathan’s Board of Directors authorized its fifth stock repurchase plan
for the purchase of up to 500,000 shares of its common stock on behalf of the
Company and the Company repurchased 238,129 shares of common stock at a cost of
$3,015,000 in a privately-negotiated transaction with Prime Logic Capital, LLC.
The Company has completed its repurchase of 500,000 shares at a cost of
$6,637,000 as of September 26, 2010, under the fifth stock repurchase
plan.
On
November 3, 2009, Nathan’s Board of Directors authorized its sixth stock
repurchase plan for the purchase of up to 500,000 shares of its common stock on
behalf of the Company. As of September 26, 2010,
the Company has repurchased 2,388 shares at a cost of $38,000 under the sixth
stock repurchase plan.
Through
September 26, 2010, Nathan’s purchased a total of 3,243,128 shares of common
stock at a cost of approximately $26,194,000 pursuant to its stock
repurchase plans previously authorized by the Board of Directors.
As of
September 26, 2010, an aggregate of 756,872 shares are remaining to be purchased
pursuant to such plans. 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 to be made under these stock-repurchase
plans.
-26-
Item
5. Other Information.
Item 1.02 Termination of Material
Definitive Agreement.
On
November 4, 2010, the Company terminated its agreement with Citibank, N.A. for
an uncommitted line of credit in the amount of $10,000,000 (the “Credit
Agreement”).
The
Credit Agreement, which was entered into on August 3, 2010, provided that any
request for advances or extensions of credit under the Credit Agreement would be
approved at the discretion of the Bank and evidenced by a Master Note (the
“Note”). Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Note was to bear
interest at either the LIBOR Rate or Prime Rate, in each case determined as
follows: the LIBOR rate shall be equal to the LIBOR rate (as defined in the
Note) plus 200 basis points for an interest period of one month; and the Prime
Rate shall be equal, each day, to the greater of the (i) prime rate of interest
announced by the Bank from time to time as its commercial lending rate or (ii)
two hundred (200) basis points in excess of the rate of interest determined by
the Bank in accordance with its customary procedures and utilizing such
electronic or other quotation sources as it considers appropriate to be the
prevailing rate per annum in effect each banking day at which deposits in United
States dollars for a one month period, determined by the Bank in its sole
discretion, are offered to the Bank by first class banks in the London Interbank
Market shortly after 11:00 a.m. (London time) two banking days prior to the date
such rate of interest shall be effective and applied to existing and future
advances under the Credit Agreement. Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, interest
payments on the unpaid principal balance were to be payable in the time and
manner specified by the Note. In addition, the Credit Agreement was
required to be guaranteed by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries and secured
by a security interest in all assets of the Company and such subsidiary
guarantors. The line of credit was to be available until June 30,
2011. The Company terminated the Credit Agreement due to its
inability to satisfactorily negotiate the terms of the requisite guarantees and
security agreements. The Company continues
to negotiate with Citibank in an attempt to reach an agreement for an
uncommitted line of credit on terms satisfactory to our
Company;
however, there is no assurance that the Company and Citibank will reach such an
agreement with respect to such terms.
-27-
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 3.1 to Form 8-K dated
November 1, 2006.)
|
|
4.1
|
Specimen
Stock Certificate. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to
Registration Statement on
|
|
Form
S-1 No. 33-56976.)
|
||
4.2
|
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 Current Report filed on Form 8-K dated June 6,
2008.)
|
|
10.1
|
Amendment
to Employment Agreement with Eric Gatoff dated August 3, 2010.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q for the fiscal
quarter ended June 27, 2010.)
|
|
10.2
|
Line
of Credit Agreement dated August 3, 2010 (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.2 to Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 27,
2010.)
|
|
10.3
|
2010 Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the Registrant's Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A dated July 23, 2010) | |
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.
-28-
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has
duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized.
|
NATHAN'S
FAMOUS, INC.
|
|
Date:
November 5, 2010
|
By:
|
/s/ Eric Gatoff
|
Eric
Gatoff
|
||
Chief
Executive Officer
|
||
(Principal
Executive Officer)
|
||
Date:
November 5, 2010
|
By:
|
/s/ Ronald G. DeVos
|
Ronald
G. DeVos
|
||
Vice
President - Finance
|
||
and
Chief Financial Officer
|
||
(Principal
Financial and Accounting
Officer)
|
-29-
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 3.1 to Form 8-K dated
November 1, 2006.)
|
4.1
|
Specimen
Stock Certificate. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to
Registration Statement on Form S-1 No.
33-56976.)
|
4.2
|
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 Current Report filed on Form 8-K dated June 6,
2008.)
|
10.1
|
Amendment
to Employment Agreement with Eric Gatoff dated August 3, 2010.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q for the fiscal
quarter ended June 27, 2010.)
|
10.2
|
Line
of Credit Agreement dated August 3, 2010 (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.2 to Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 27,
2010.)
|
10.3
|
2010 Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the Registrant's Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A dated July 23, 2010) |
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-