WINMARK CORP - Quarter Report: 2016 September (Form 10-Q)

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended September 24, 2016

☐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: 000-22012

WINMARK CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Minnesota		41-1622691
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

605 Highway 169 North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55441

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(763) 520-8500

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes ☒ 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.


Large accelerated filer	☐	Accelerated filer ☒

Non-accelerated filer	☐ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	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 ☒

Common stock, no par value, 4,122,037 shares outstanding as of October 7, 2016.

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WINMARK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX

		PAGE

PART I.	FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.	Financial Statements (Unaudited)

	CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
	September 24, 2016 and December 26, 2015	3

	CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
	Three Months Ended September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015
	Nine Months Ended September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015	4

	CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	Three Months Ended September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015
	Nine Months Ended September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015	5

	CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
	Nine Months Ended September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015	6

	NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	7 - 13

Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	14 - 21

Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	21

Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	21

PART II.	OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	22

Item 1A.	Risk Factors	22

Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	22

Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	22

Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	22

Item 5.	Other Information	22

Item 6.	Exhibits	23

	SIGNATURES	24

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1: Financial Statements

WINMARK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)


	September 24, 2016		December 26, 2015
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,120,900	$	1,006,700
Marketable securities		204,100		227,800
Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,300 and $200		1,555,300		1,416,900
Restricted cash		40,000		25,000
Net investment in leases - current		16,264,100		17,741,500
Income tax receivable		769,200		3,290,400
Inventories		95,600		45,200
Prepaid expenses		921,000		677,800
Total current assets		20,970,200		24,431,300
Net investment in leases - long-term		21,070,300		21,246,000
Property and equipment, net		847,700		1,121,500
Goodwill		607,500		607,500
	$	43,495,700	$	47,406,300

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current Liabilities:
Notes payable, net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $10,000 and $10,000	$	1,990,000	$	1,990,000
Accounts payable		1,118,900		1,643,300
Accrued liabilities		2,644,500		1,875,700
Discounted lease rentals		—		38,700
Deferred revenue		1,671,700		1,963,200
Total current liabilities		7,425,100		7,510,900
Long-Term Liabilities:
Line of credit		25,200,000		42,400,000
Notes payable, net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $76,000 and $83,500		20,424,000		21,916,500
Deferred revenue		1,451,200		1,421,600
Other liabilities		1,036,100		1,216,300
Deferred income taxes		3,676,900		3,614,800
Total long-term liabilities		51,788,200		70,569,200
Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit):
Common stock, no par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, 4,122,037 and 4,124,767 shares issued and outstanding		859,200		406,500
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(7,300)		(32,900)
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)		(16,569,500)		(31,047,400)
Total shareholders’ equity (deficit)		(15,717,600)		(30,673,800)
	$	43,495,700	$	47,406,300

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

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WINMARK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 24, 2016		September 26, 2015		September 24, 2016		September 26, 2015
REVENUE:
Royalties	$	11,311,000	$	11,286,100	$	32,140,800	$	31,226,700
Leasing income		4,174,000		3,247,000		12,839,000		16,919,900
Merchandise sales		520,000		762,300		1,882,400		2,182,300
Franchise fees		501,800		483,200		1,367,800		1,253,500
Other		227,500		220,900		984,400		917,900
Total revenue		16,734,300		15,999,500		49,214,400		52,500,300
COST OF MERCHANDISE SOLD		499,100		711,600		1,784,800		2,055,600
LEASING EXPENSE		646,200		173,400		2,010,400		4,941,300
PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES		(29,700)		38,800		(52,000)		(123,400)
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES		5,180,700		5,733,900		17,671,500		18,226,700
Income from operations		10,438,000		9,341,800		27,799,700		27,400,100
INTEREST EXPENSE		(552,300)		(687,700)		(1,786,800)		(1,142,900)
INTEREST AND OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)		(6,300)		(12,400)		(7,300)		(61,800)
Income before income taxes		9,879,400		8,641,700		26,005,600		26,195,400
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES		(3,785,200)		(3,302,100)		(9,954,200)		(10,050,100)
NET INCOME	$	6,094,200	$	5,339,600	$	16,051,400	$	16,145,300
EARNINGS PER SHARE - BASIC	$	1.48	$	1.29	$	3.90	$	3.53
EARNINGS PER SHARE - DILUTED	$	1.41	$	1.23	$	3.72	$	3.39
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING - BASIC		4,116,957		4,128,031		4,113,819		4,568,813
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING - DILUTED		4,328,168		4,338,230		4,320,284		4,758,158

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

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WINMARK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 24, 2016		September 26, 2015		September 24, 2016		September 26, 2015

NET INCOME	$	6,094,200	$	5,339,600	$	16,051,400	$	16,145,300
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), BEFORE TAX:
Unrealized net gains (losses) on marketable securities:
Unrealized holding net gains (losses) arising during period		6,800		(30,700)		41,100		8,000
Reclassification adjustment for net gains included in net income		—		—		—		(2,300)
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), BEFORE TAX		6,800		(30,700)		41,100		5,700
INCOME TAX (EXPENSE) BENEFIT RELATED TO ITEMS OF OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:
Unrealized net gains/losses on marketable securities:
Unrealized holding net gains/losses arising during period		(2,600)		11,600		(15,500)		(3,200)
Reclassification adjustment for net gains included in net income		—		—		—		900
INCOME TAX (EXPENSE) BENEFIT RELATED TO ITEMS OF OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME		(2,600)		11,600		(15,500)		(2,300)
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX		4,200		(19,100)		25,600		3,400
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	$	6,098,400	$	5,320,500	$	16,077,000	$	16,148,700

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

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WINMARK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)


	Nine Months Ended
	September 24, 2016		September 26, 2015
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$	16,051,400	$	16,145,300
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation		320,600		322,800
Provision for credit losses		(52,000)		(123,400)
Compensation expense related to stock options		1,324,400		1,255,100
Deferred income taxes		62,100		(3,329,900)
Loss on sale of marketable securities		12,600		22,800
Deferred initial direct costs		(421,300)		(332,900)
Amortization of deferred initial direct costs		356,200		491,700
Tax benefits on exercised stock options		(69,700)		(16,600)
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables		(138,400)		14,000
Restricted cash		(15,000)		—
Income tax receivable/payable		2,575,400		3,323,200
Inventories		(50,400)		33,900
Prepaid expenses		(243,200)		(290,100)
Other assets		—		70,000
Accounts payable		(524,400)		(747,100)
Accrued and other liabilities		617,600		1,133,300
Rents received in advance and security deposits		392,300		6,600
Deferred revenue		(261,900)		184,900
Net cash provided by operating activities		19,936,300		18,163,600
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities		52,200		299,000
Purchase of marketable securities		—		(75,800)
Purchase of property and equipment		(46,800)		(121,300)
Purchase of equipment for lease contracts		(16,432,200)		(18,516,900)
Principal collections on lease receivables		17,749,900		22,047,500
Net cash provided by investing activities		1,323,100		3,632,500
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from borrowings on line of credit		10,600,000		56,500,000
Payments on line of credit		(27,800,000)		(28,800,000)
Proceeds from borrowings on notes payable		—		25,000,000
Payments on notes payable		(1,500,000)		(500,000)
Repurchases of common stock		(1,573,900)		(74,261,500)
Proceeds from exercises of stock options		170,900		159,000
Dividends paid		(1,111,900)		(939,200)
Tax benefits on exercised stock options		69,700		16,600
Net cash used for financing activities		(21,145,200)		(22,825,100)
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS		114,200		(1,029,000)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		1,006,700		2,089,700
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	1,120,900	$	1,060,700
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES:
Cash paid for interest	$	1,778,400	$	830,400
Cash paid for income taxes	$	7,316,700	$	10,056,800

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

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WINMARK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Management’s Interim Financial Statement Representation:

The accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared by Winmark Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company), without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company has a 52/53 week year which ends on the last Saturday in December. The information in the consolidated condensed financial statements includes normal recurring adjustments and reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of such financial statements. The consolidated condensed financial statements and notes are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions for Form 10-Q, and therefore do not contain certain information included in the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements and notes. This report should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s latest Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Revenues and operating results for the nine months ended September 24, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications of previously reported amounts have been made to conform to the current year presentation. Such reclassifications did not impact net income or shareholders’ equity (deficit) as previously reported.

2. Organization and Business:

The Company offers licenses to operate franchises using the service marks Plato’s Closet®, Once Upon A Child®, Play It Again Sports®, Style Encore® and Music Go Round®. The Company also operates both middle market and small-ticket equipment leasing businesses under the Winmark Capital® and Wirth Business Credit® marks.

3. Fair Value Measurements:

The Company defines fair value as the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Company uses three levels of inputs to measure fair value:

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.

Level 2 – observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.

Level 3 – unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data available, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.

The Company’s marketable securities were valued based on Level 1 inputs using quoted prices.

Due to their nature, the carrying value of cash equivalents, receivables, payables and debt obligations approximates fair value.

4. Investments:

Marketable Securities

The following is a summary of marketable securities classified as available-for-sale securities:


	September 24, 2016				December 26, 2015
	Cost		Fair Value		Cost		Fair Value
Equity securities	$	215,800	$	204,100	$	280,600	$	227,800

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The Company’s unrealized gains and losses for marketable securities classified as available-for-sale securities in accumulated other comprehensive loss are as follows:


	September 24, 2016		December 26, 2015
Unrealized gains	$	—	$	—
Unrealized losses		(11,700)		(52,800)
Net unrealized losses	$	(11,700)	$	(52,800)

The Company’s realized gains and losses recognized on sales of available-for-sale marketable securities are as follows:


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 24, 2016		September 26, 2015		September 24, 2016		September 26, 2015
Realized gains	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	13,400
Realized losses		—		—		(12,600)		(36,200)
Net realized losses	$	—	$	—	$	(12,600)	$	(22,800)

Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings is determined by using the average cost of the security when sold. Gross realized gains (losses) reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings are included in Interest and Other Income (Expense) and the related tax benefits (expenses) are included in the Provision for Income Taxes lines of the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations.

5. Investment in Leasing Operations:

Investment in leasing operations consists of the following:


	September 24, 2016		December 26, 2015
Direct financing and sales-type leases:
Minimum lease payments receivable	$	35,780,200	$	37,181,600
Estimated residual value of equipment		4,442,900		4,511,000
Unearned lease income net of initial direct costs deferred		(5,351,700)		(4,999,700)
Security deposits		(4,054,300)		(3,640,500)
Equipment installed on leases not yet commenced		7,312,600		6,754,200
Total investment in direct financing and sales-type leases		38,129,700		39,806,600
Allowance for credit losses		(817,700)		(859,100)
Net investment in direct financing and sales-type leases		37,312,000		38,947,500
Operating leases:
Operating lease assets		1,001,700		1,083,300
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		(979,300)		(1,043,300)
Net investment in operating leases		22,400		40,000
Total net investment in leasing operations	$	37,334,400	$	38,987,500

As of September 24, 2016, the $37.3 million total net investment in leases consists of $16.2 million classified as current and $21.1 million classified as long-term. As of December 26, 2015, the $39.0 million total net investment in leases consists of $17.7 million classified as current and $21.3 million classified as long-term.

As of September 24, 2016, leased assets with two customers approximated 18% and 15%, respectively, of the Company’s total assets.

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Future minimum lease payments receivable under lease contracts and the amortization of unearned lease income, net of initial direct costs deferred, is as follows for the remainder of fiscal 2016 and the full fiscal years thereafter as of September 24, 2016:


	Direct Financing and Sales-Type Leases				Operating Leases
	Minimum Lease		Income		Minimum Lease
Fiscal Year	Payments Receivable		Amortization		Payments Receivable
2016	$	6,594,500	$	1,297,400	$	14,200
2017		19,031,000		3,152,900		18,000
2018		8,444,600		843,600		—
2019		1,682,100		54,800		—
2020		8,400		1,500		—
Thereafter		19,600		1,500		—
	$	35,780,200	$	5,351,700	$	32,200

The activity in the allowance for credit losses for leasing operations during the first nine months of 2016 and 2015, respectively, is as follows:


	September 24, 2016		September 26, 2015
Balance at beginning of period	$	859,100	$	386,000
Provisions charged to expense		(52,000)		(123,400)
Recoveries		39,800		628,700
Deductions for amounts written-off		(29,200)		(9,300)
Balance at end of period	$	817,700	$	882,000

The Company’s investment in direct financing and sales-type leases (“Investment In Leases”) and allowance for credit losses by loss evaluation methodology are as follows:


	September 24, 2016				December 26, 2015
	Investment		Allowance for		Investment		Allowance for
	In Leases		Credit Losses		In Leases		Credit Losses
Collectively evaluated for loss potential	$	38,129,700	$	817,700	$	39,806,600	$	859,100
Individually evaluated for loss potential		—		—		—		—
Total	$	38,129,700	$	817,700	$	39,806,600	$	859,100

The Company’s key credit quality indicator for its investment in direct financing and sales-type leases is the status of the lease, defined as accruing or non-accrual. Leases that are accruing income are considered to have a lower risk of loss. Non-accrual leases are those that the Company believes have a higher risk of loss. The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s accruing and non-accrual leases. Delinquent balances are determined based on the contractual terms of the lease.


	September 24, 2016
	0-60 Days		61-90 Days		Over 90 Days
	Delinquent		Delinquent		Delinquent and
	and Accruing		and Accruing		Accruing		Non-Accrual		Total
Middle-Market	$	37,052,300	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	37,052,300
Small-Ticket		1,077,400		—		—		—		1,077,400
Total Investment in Leases	$	38,129,700	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	38,129,700


	December 26, 2015
	0-60 Days		61-90 Days		Over 90 Days
	Delinquent		Delinquent		Delinquent and
	and Accruing		and Accruing		Accruing		Non-Accrual		Total
Middle-Market	$	38,616,600	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	38,616,600
Small-Ticket		1,185,800		4,200		—		—		1,190,000
Total Investment in Leases	$	39,802,400	$	4,200	$	—	$	—	$	39,806,600

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6. Recent Accounting Pronouncements:

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which provides guidance for revenue recognition that supersedes existing revenue recognition guidance (but does not apply to nor supersede accounting guidance for lease contracts). The ASU’s core principle is that an entity will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The ASU also requires more detailed disclosures to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The ASU is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and should be applied retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the ASU recognized at the date of initial application. In July 2015, the FASB affirmed its proposal to defer the effective date by one year. The new standard will become effective for the Company beginning with the first quarter of fiscal 2018. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Statements – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which requires equity investments in unconsolidated entities (other than those accounted for using the equity method of accounting) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. There will no longer be an available-for-sale classification for equity securities with readily determinable fair values. The new guidance is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which provides guidance on accounting for leases that supersedes existing lease accounting guidance. The ASU’s core principle is that a lessee should recognize lease assets and lease liabilities for those leases classified as operating leases under existing lease accounting guidance. The new standard also makes targeted changes to lessor accounting. This guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The provisions of this guidance are to be applied using a modified retrospective approach, with elective reliefs, which requires application of the guidance for all periods presented. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which simplifies the accounting for the taxes related to stock based compensation, including adjustments to how excess tax benefits should be classified. This guidance will be effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses of Financial Instruments, which changes the methodology for measuring credit losses on financial instruments and the timing of when such losses are recorded. This guidance will be effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

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7. Earnings Per Share:

The following table sets forth the presentation of shares outstanding used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”):


	Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
	September 24, 2016	September 26, 2015	September 24, 2016	September 26, 2015
Denominator for basic EPS — weighted average common shares	4,116,957	4,128,031	4,113,819	4,568,813
Dilutive shares associated with option plans	211,211	210,199	206,465	189,345
Denominator for diluted EPS — weighted average common shares and dilutive potential common shares	4,328,168	4,338,230	4,320,284	4,758,158
Options excluded from EPS calculation — anti-dilutive	12,868	5,309	18,348	16,961

8. Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit):

Dividends

On January 27, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the payment of a $0.07 per share quarterly cash dividend to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 10, 2016, which was paid on March 1, 2016.

On April 27, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the payment of a $0.10 per share quarterly cash dividend to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 11, 2016, which was paid on June 1, 2016.

On July 27, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the payment of a $0.10 per share quarterly cash dividend to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 10, 2016, which was paid on September 1, 2016.

Repurchase of Common Stock

In the first nine months of 2016 the Company repurchased 17,194 shares of its common stock. Under the Board of Directors’ authorization, as of September 24, 2016, the Company has the ability to repurchase additional 142,988 shares of its common stock. Repurchases may be made from time to time at prevailing prices, subject to certain restrictions on volume, pricing and timing.

Stock Option Plans and Stock-Based Compensation

The Company had authorized up to 750,000 shares of common stock be reserved for granting either nonqualified or incentive stock options to officers and key employees under the Company’s 2001 Stock Option Plan (the “2001 Plan”). The 2001 Plan expired on February 20, 2011. The Company has authorized up to 500,000 shares of common stock to be reserved for granting either nonqualified or incentive stock options to officers and key employees under the Company’s 2010 Stock Option Plan (the “2010 Plan”).

The Company also sponsors a Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee Directors (the “Nonemployee Directors Plan”) and has reserved a total of 350,000 shares for issuance to directors of the Company who are not employees.

Stock option activity under the 2001 Plan, 2010 Plan and Nonemployee Directors Plan (collectively, the “Option Plans”) as of September 24, 2016 was as follows:

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				Weighted Average
				Remaining
	Number of	Weighted Average		Contractual Life
	Shares	Exercise Price		(years)		Intrinsic Value
Outstanding, December 26, 2015	668,740	$	53.73	6.41		25,582,300
Granted	34,300		98.25
Exercised	(17,437)		26.84
Forfeited	(3,501)		80.31
Outstanding, September 24, 2016	682,102	$	56.52	5.96	$	33,470,500
Exercisable, September 24, 2016	473,817	$	44.82	4.92	$	28,790,800

The fair value of options granted under the Option Plans during the first nine months of 2016 and 2015 were estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions and results:


	Nine Months Ended
	September 24, 2016			September 26, 2015
Risk free interest rate		1.52	%		1.68	%
Expected life (years)		6			6
Expected volatility		27.1	%		30.8	%
Dividend yield		1.38	%		1.34	%
Option fair value	$	23.78		$	25.48

During the nine months ended September 24, 2016, options holders surrendered 2,973 shares of previously owned common shares as payment for option shares exercised as provided for by the Option Plans. All unexercised options at September 24, 2016 have an exercise price equal to the fair market value on the date of the grant.

Compensation expense of $1,324,400 and $1,255,100 relating to the vested portion of the fair value of stock options granted was expensed to “Selling, General and Administrative Expenses” in the first nine months of 2016 and 2015, respectively. As of September 24, 2016, the Company had $3.5 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options that is expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted average vesting period of approximately 2.3 years.

9. Debt:

Line of Credit

As of September 24, 2016, there were $25.2 million in borrowings outstanding under the Company’s Line of Credit with the PrivateBank and Trust Company and BMO Harris Bank N.A., bearing interest ranging from 2.78% to 3.50%, leaving $29.8 million available for additional borrowings.

The Line of Credit has been and will continue to be used for general corporate purposes. The Line of Credit is secured by a lien against substantially all of the Company’s assets, contains customary financial conditions and covenants, and requires maintenance of minimum levels of debt service coverage and tangible net worth and maximum levels of leverage (all as defined within the Line of Credit). As of September 24, 2016, the Company was in compliance with all of its financial covenants.

Notes Payable

As of September 24, 2016, the Company had $22.5 million in principal outstanding from the $25.0 million Note Agreement (the “Note Agreement”) entered into in May 2015 with Prudential Investment Management, Inc., its affiliates and managed accounts (“Prudential”).

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The final maturity of the notes is 10 years. Interest at a rate of 5.50% per annum on the outstanding principal balance is payable quarterly, along with required prepayments of the principal of $500,000 quarterly for the first five years, and $750,000 quarterly thereafter until the principal is paid in full. The notes may be prepaid, at the option of the Company, in whole or in part (in a minimum amount of $1.0 million), but prepayments require payment of a Yield Maintenance Amount, as defined in the Note Agreement.

The Company’s obligations under the Note Agreement are secured by a lien against substantially all of the Company’s assets (as the notes rank pari passu with the Line of Credit), and the Note Agreement contains customary financial conditions and covenants, and requires maintenance of minimum levels of fixed charge coverage and tangible net worth and maximum levels of leverage (all as defined within the Note Agreement). As of September 24, 2016, the Company was in compliance with all of its financial covenants.

In connection with the Note Agreement, the Company incurred debt issuance costs, of which unamortized amounts are presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related liability.

10. Segment Reporting:

The Company currently has two reportable business segments, franchising and leasing. The franchising segment franchises value-oriented retail store concepts that buy, sell, trade and consign merchandise. The leasing segment includes (i) Winmark Capital Corporation, a middle-market equipment leasing business and (ii) Wirth Business Credit, Inc., a small ticket financing business. Segment reporting is intended to give financial statement users a better view of how the Company manages and evaluates its businesses. The Company’s internal management reporting is the basis for the information disclosed for its business segments and includes allocation of shared-service costs. Segment assets are those that are directly used in or identified with segment operations, including cash, accounts receivable, prepaid expenses, inventory, property and equipment and investment in leasing operations. Unallocated assets include corporate cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, current and deferred tax amounts and other corporate assets. Inter-segment balances and transactions have been eliminated. The following tables summarize financial information by segment and provide a reconciliation of segment contribution to operating income:


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 24, 2016		September 26, 2015		September 24, 2016		September 26, 2015
Revenue:
Franchising	$	12,560,300	$	12,752,500	$	36,375,400	$	35,580,400
Leasing		4,174,000		3,247,000		12,839,000		16,919,900
Total revenue	$	16,734,300	$	15,999,500	$	49,214,400	$	52,500,300

Reconciliation to operating income:
Franchising segment contribution	$	8,058,800	$	7,827,500	$	20,833,600	$	19,679,000
Leasing segment contribution		2,379,200		1,514,300		6,966,100		7,721,100
Total operating income	$	10,438,000	$	9,341,800	$	27,799,700	$	27,400,100

Depreciation:
Franchising	$	79,700	$	85,900	$	248,200	$	255,800
Leasing		23,600		22,700		72,400		67,000
Total depreciation	$	103,300	$	108,600	$	320,600	$	322,800


	As of
	September 24, 2016		December 26, 2015
Identifiable assets:
Franchising	$	3,538,000	$	3,100,900
Leasing		38,089,000		39,687,400
Unallocated		1,868,700		4,618,000
Total	$	43,495,700	$	47,406,300

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ITEM 2: Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

As of September 24, 2016, we had 1,184 franchises operating under the Plato’s Closet, Once Upon A Child, Play It Again Sports, Style Encore and Music Go Round brands and had a leasing portfolio of $37.3 million. Management closely tracks the following financial criteria to evaluate current business operations and future prospects: royalties, leasing activity, and selling, general and administrative expenses.

Our most significant source of franchising revenue is royalties received from our franchise partners. During the first nine months of 2016, our royalties increased $0.9 million or 2.9% compared to the first nine months of 2015.

Leasing income net of leasing expense during the first nine months of 2016 was $10.8 million compared to $12.0 million in the same period last year. Fluctuations in period-to-period leasing income and leasing expense result primarily from the manner and timing in which leasing income and leasing expense is recognized over the term of each particular lease in accordance with accounting guidance applicable to leasing. For this reason, we believe that more meaningful levels of leasing activity are the purchases of equipment for lease customers and the medium- to long-term trend in the size of the leasing portfolio. During the first nine months of 2016, we purchased $16.4 million in equipment for lease customers compared to $18.5 million in the first nine months of 2015. Our leasing portfolio (net investment in leases — current and long-term) decreased to $37.3 million at September 24, 2016 from $39.0 million at December 26, 2015.

Management continually monitors the level and timing of selling, general and administrative expenses. The major components of selling, general and administrative expenses include salaries, wages and benefits, advertising, travel, occupancy, legal and professional fees. During the first nine months of 2016, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $0.6 million, or 3.0%, compared to the first nine months of 2015.

Management also monitors several nonfinancial factors in evaluating the current business operations and future prospects including franchise openings and closings and franchise renewals. The following is a summary of our franchising activity for the first nine months ended September 24, 2016:


					AVAILABLE
	TOTAL			TOTAL	FOR	COMPLETED
	12/26/2015	OPENED	CLOSED	9/24/16	RENEWAL	RENEWALS
Plato’s Closet
Franchises - US and Canada	456	14	(4)	466	23	22
Once Upon A Child
Franchises - US and Canada	326	22	(2)	346	21	21
Play It Again Sports
Franchises - US and Canada	297	1	(13)	285	12	11
Style Encore
Franchises - US	38	15	(1)	52	—	—
Music Go Round
Franchises - US	33	2	—	35	4	4
Total Franchised Stores	1,150	54	(20)	1,184	60	58

Renewal activity is a key focus area for management. Our franchisees sign 10-year agreements with us. The renewal of existing franchise agreements as they approach their expiration is an indicator that management monitors to determine the health of our business and the preservation of future royalties. During the first nine months of 2016, we renewed 58 of the 60 franchise agreements available for renewal.

Our ability to grow our operating income is dependent on our ability to: (i) effectively support our franchise partners so that they produce higher revenues, (ii) open new franchises, (iii) increase lease originations and minimize write-offs in our leasing portfolio, and (iv) control our selling, general and administrative expenses.

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Results of Operations

The following table sets forth selected information from our Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations expressed as a percentage of total revenue:


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 24, 2016		September 26, 2015		September 24, 2016		September 26, 2015
Revenue:
Royalties	67.6	%	70.5	%	65.3	%	59.5	%
Leasing income	24.9		20.3		26.1		32.2
Merchandise sales	3.1		4.8		3.8		4.2
Franchise fees	3.0		3.0		2.8		2.4
Other	1.4		1.4		2.0		1.7
Total revenue	100.0		100.0		100.0		100.0

Cost of merchandise sold	(3.0)		(4.5)		(3.6)		(3.9)
Leasing expense	(3.9)		(1.1)		(4.1)		(9.4)
Provision for credit losses	0.2		(0.2)		0.1		0.2
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(31.0)		(35.8)		(35.9)		(34.7)
Income from operations	62.3		58.4		56.5		52.2
Interest expense	(3.3)		(4.3)		(3.7)		(2.2)
Interest and other income (expense)	—		(0.1)		—		(0.1)
Income before income taxes	59.0		54.0		52.8		49.9
Provision for income taxes	(22.6)		(20.6)		(20.2)		(19.1)
Net income	36.4	%	33.4	%	32.6	%	30.8	%

Comparison of Three Months Ended September 24, 2016 to Three Months Ended September 26, 2015

Revenue

Revenues for the quarter ended September 24, 2016 totaled $16.7 million compared to $16.0 million for the comparable period in 2015.

Royalties and Franchise Fees

Royalties of $11.3 million were comparable to $11.3 million for the third quarter of 2015.

Franchise fees of $0.5 million for the third quarter of 2016 were comparable to $0.5 million for the third quarter of 2015.

Leasing Income

Leasing income increased to $4.2 million for the third quarter of 2016 compared to $3.2 million for the same period in 2015. The increase is primarily due to the classification of certain leases in the 2016 period as sales-type leases in accordance with accounting guidance applicable to lessors.

Merchandise Sales

Merchandise sales include the sale of product to franchisees either through our Computer Support Center or through the Play It Again Sports buying group (together, “Direct Franchisee Sales”). Direct Franchisee Sales decreased to $520,000 for the third quarter of 2016 compared to $762,300 in the same period of 2015. The decrease is primarily due to a decrease in technology purchases by our franchisees.

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Cost of Merchandise Sold

Cost of merchandise sold includes in-bound freight and the cost of merchandise associated with Direct Franchisee Sales. Cost of merchandise sold decreased to $499,100 for the third quarter of 2016 compared to $711,600 in the same period of 2015. The decrease was due to a decrease in Direct Franchisee Sales discussed above. Cost of merchandise sold as a percentage of Direct Franchisee Sales for the third quarter of 2016 and 2015 was 96.0% and 93.3%, respectively.

Leasing Expense

Leasing expense increased to $0.6 million for the third quarter of 2016 compared to $0.2 million for the third quarter of 2015. The increase is primarily due to the cost associated with those leases in the 2016 period classified as sales-type leases noted above.

Provision for Credit Losses

Provision for credit losses was $(29,700) for the third quarter of 2016 compared to $38,800 for the third quarter of 2015. Provision for credit losses during the 2015 period was impacted by the increase in the size of the portfolio during the third quarter of 2015.

Selling, General and Administrative

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 9.6% to $5.2 million in the third quarter of 2016 from $5.7 million in the same period of 2015. The decrease was primarily due to decreases in outside services, advertising production and compensation and benefits expenses.

Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased to $552,300 for the third quarter of 2016 compared to $687,700 for the third quarter of 2015. The decrease is primarily due to lower average corporate borrowings when compared to the same period last year.

Interest and Other Income (Expense)

During the third quarter of 2016, we had interest and other expense of $(6,300) compared to $(12,400) of interest and other expense in the third quarter of 2015.

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes was calculated at an effective rate of 38.3% and 38.2% for the third quarter of 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Comparison of Nine Months Ended September 24, 2016 to Nine Months Ended September 26, 2015

Revenue

Revenues for the first nine months of 2016 totaled $49.2 million compared to $52.5 million for the comparable period in 2015.

Royalties and Franchise Fees

Royalties increased to $32.1 million for the first nine months of 2016 from $31.2 million for the first nine months of 2015, a 2.9% increase. The increase was due to higher Once Upon A Child, Plato’s Closet and Style Encore royalties of $0.6 million, $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively. The increase in royalties for these brands is primarily from having 26 additional Once Upon A Child, 16 additional Plato’s Closet and 17 additional Style Encore franchise stores in the first nine months of 2016 compared to the same period last year.

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Franchise fees increased to $1.4 million for the first nine months of 2016 compared to $1.3 million for the first nine months of 2015, primarily as a result of opening more franchises in the 2016 period compared to the same period in 2015.

Leasing Income

Leasing income decreased to $12.8 million for the first nine months of 2016 compared to $16.9 million for the same period in 2015. The decrease is primarily due to a lower level of equipment sales to customers.

Merchandise Sales

Merchandise sales include the sale of product to franchisees either through our Computer Support Center or through the Play It Again Sports buying group (together, “Direct Franchisee Sales”). Direct Franchisee Sales decreased to $1.9 million for the first nine months of 2016 compared to $2.2 million in the same period of 2015. The decrease is primarily due to a decrease in technology purchases by our franchisees.

Cost of Merchandise Sold

Cost of merchandise sold includes in-bound freight and the cost of merchandise associated with Direct Franchisee Sales. Cost of merchandise sold decreased $1.8 million for the first nine months of 2016 compared to $2.1 million in the same period of 2015. The decrease was due to a decrease in Direct Franchisee Sales discussed above. Cost of merchandise sold as a percentage of Direct Franchisee Sales for the first nine months of 2016 and 2015 was 94.8% and 94.2%, respectively.

Leasing Expense

Leasing expense decreased to $2.0 million for the first nine months of 2016 compared to $4.9 million for the first nine months of 2015. The decrease is primarily due to a decrease in the associated cost of equipment sales to customers discussed above.

Provision for Credit Losses

Provision for credit losses was $(52,000) for the first nine months of 2016 compared to $(123,400) for the first nine months of 2015. The provision level for the first nine months of 2015 was impacted by net recoveries in the leasing portfolio. During the first nine months of 2015, we had total net recoveries of $619,400.

Selling, General and Administrative

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to $17.7 million in the first nine months of 2016 compared to $18.2 million in the same period of 2015. The decrease was primarily due to decreases in outside services, advertising production and compensation and benefits expenses.

Interest Expense

Interest expense increased to $1.8 million for the first nine months of 2016 compared to $1.1 million for the first nine months of 2015. The increase is primarily due to higher average corporate borrowings when compared to the same period last year.

Interest and Other Income (Expense)

During the first nine months of 2016, we had interest and other expense of $(7,300) compared to $(61,800) of interest and other expense in the first nine months of 2015. Interest and other expense during the first nine months of 2015 included larger losses on sales of marketable securities. (See Note 4 — “Investments”).

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Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes was calculated at an effective rate of 38.3% and 38.4% for the first nine months of 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Segment Comparison of Three Months Ended September 24, 2016 to Three Months Ended September 26, 2015

Franchising Segment Operating Income

The franchising segment’s operating income for the third quarter of 2016 increased by $0.3 million to $8.1 million from $7.8 million for the third quarter of 2015. The increase in segment contribution was primarily due to a decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses.

Leasing Segment Operating Income

The leasing segment’s operating income for the third quarter of 2016 increased by $0.9 million to $2.4 million from $1.5 million for the third quarter of 2015. The increase in segment contribution was primarily due to an increase in leasing income net of leasing expense as well as a decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses.

Segment Comparison of Nine Months Ended September 24, 2016 to Nine Months Ended September 26, 2015

Franchising Segment Operating Income

The franchising segment’s operating income for the first nine months of 2016 increased by $1.1 million to $20.8 million from $19.7 million for the first nine months of 2015. The increase in segment contribution was primarily due to increased royalty revenue.

Leasing Segment Operating Income

The leasing segment’s operating income for the first nine months of 2016 decreased by $0.7 million to $7.0 million from $7.7 million for the first nine months of 2015. The decrease in segment contribution was primarily due to a decrease in leasing income net of leasing expense.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary sources of liquidity have historically been cash flow from operations and borrowings. The components of the consolidated condensed statements of operations that reduce our net income but do not affect our liquidity include non-cash items for depreciation and compensation expense related to stock options.

We ended the third quarter of 2016 with $1.1 million in cash and cash equivalents compared to $1.1 million in cash and cash equivalents at the end of the third quarter of 2015.

Operating activities provided $19.9 million of cash during the first nine months of 2016 compared to $18.2 million provided during the same period last year. The increase in cash provided by operating activities in the first nine months of 2016 compared to 2015 was primarily due to a decrease in cash paid for income taxes.

Investing activities provided $1.3 million of cash during the first nine months of 2016. The 2016 activities consisted primarily of the purchase of equipment for lease customers of $16.4 million and principal collections on lease receivables of $17.7 million.

Financing activities used $21.1 million of cash during the first nine months of 2016. Our most significant financing activities during the first nine months of 2016 consisted of net payments on our line of credit and notes payable of $18.7 million, $1.6 million to repurchase 17,194 shares of our common stock and $1.1 million for the payment of dividends. (See Note 8 — “Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit)” and Note 9 — “Debt”).

As of September 24, 2016, we had no off balance sheet arrangements.

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As of September 24, 2016, our borrowing availability under our Line of Credit was $55.0 million (the lesser of the borrowing base or the aggregate line of credit). There were $25.2 million in borrowings outstanding at September 24, 2016 under the Line of Credit bearing interest ranging from 2.78% to 3.50%, leaving $29.8 million available for additional borrowings.

The Line of Credit has been and will continue to be used for general corporate purposes. In May 2016 and each subsequent May thereafter through the term of the facility, the aggregate commitments under the Line of Credit automatically reduce by $5.0 million. The Line of Credit is secured by a lien against substantially all of our assets, contains customary financial conditions and covenants, and requires maintenance of minimum levels of debt service coverage and tangible net worth and maximum levels of leverage (all as defined within the Line of Credit).

As of September 24, 2016, we had $22.5 million in principal outstanding from the $25.0 million Note Agreement entered into in May 2015 with Prudential.

The final maturity of the notes is 10 years. Interest at a rate of 5.5% per annum on the outstanding principal balance is payable quarterly, along with required prepayments of the principal of $500,000 quarterly for the first five years, and $750,000 quarterly thereafter until the principal is paid in full. The notes may be prepaid, at our option, in whole or in part (in a minimum amount of $1.0 million), but prepayments require payment of a Yield Maintenance Amount, as defined in the Note Agreement.

Our obligations under the Note Agreement are secured by a lien against substantially all of our assets, and the Note Agreement contains customary financial conditions and covenants, and requires maintenance of minimum levels of fixed charge coverage and tangible net worth and maximum levels of leverage (all as defined within the Note Agreement).

As of September 24, 2016, we were in compliance with all of the financial covenants under the Line of Credit and Note Agreement.

We expect to generate the cash necessary to pay our expenses, finance our leasing business and to pay the principal and interest on our outstanding debt from cash flows provided by operating activities and by opportunistically using other means to repay or refinance our obligations as we determine appropriate. Our ability to pay our expenses, finance our leasing business and meet our debt service obligations depends on our future performance, which may be affected by financial, business, economic, and other factors including the risk factors described under Item 1A of our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2015. If we do not have enough money to pay our debt service obligations, we may be required to refinance all or part of our existing debt, sell assets, borrow more money or raise equity. In such an event, we may not be able to refinance our debt, sell assets, borrow more money or raise equity on terms acceptable to us or at all. Also, our ability to carry out any of these activities on favorable terms, if at all, may be further impacted by any financial or credit crisis which may limit access to the credit markets and increase our cost of capital.

We may utilize discounted lease financing to provide funds for a portion of our leasing activities. Rates for discounted lease financing reflect prevailing market interest rates and the credit standing of the lessees for which the payment stream of the leases are discounted. We believe that discounted lease financing will continue to be available to us at competitive rates of interest through the relationships we have established with financial institutions.

We believe that the combination of our cash on hand, the cash generated from our franchising business, cash generated from discounting sources and our Line of Credit will be adequate to fund our planned operations through 2017.

Critical Accounting Policies

The Company prepares the consolidated condensed financial statements of Winmark Corporation and Subsidiaries in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. As such, the Company is required to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions that it believes are reasonable based on information available. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the periods presented. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ from these estimates. The critical accounting policies that the Company believes are most important to aid in fully understanding and evaluating the reported financial results include the following:

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Revenue Recognition — Royalty Revenue and Franchise Fees

The Company collects royalties from each retail franchise based on a percentage of retail store gross sales. The Company recognizes royalties as revenue when earned. At the end of each accounting period, estimates of royalty amounts due are made based on applying historical weekly sales information to the number of weeks of unreported franchisee sales. If there are significant changes in the actual performance of franchisees versus the Company’s estimates, its royalty revenue would be impacted. During the first nine months of 2016, the Company collected $104,700 less than it estimated at December 26, 2015. As of September 24, 2016, the Company’s royalty receivable was $1,315,100.

The Company collects initial franchise fees when franchise agreements are signed and recognizes the initial franchise fees as revenue when the franchise is opened, which is when the Company has performed substantially all initial services required by the franchise agreement. Franchise fees collected from franchisees but not yet recognized as income are recorded as deferred revenue in the liability section of the consolidated condensed balance sheet. As of September 24, 2016, deferred franchise fees were $1,382,500.

Leasing Income Recognition

Leasing income for direct financing leases is recognized under the effective interest method. The effective interest method of income recognition applies a constant rate of interest equal to the internal rate of return on the lease. Generally, when a lease is more than 90 days delinquent (where more than three monthly payments are owed), the lease is classified as being on non-accrual and the Company stops recognizing leasing income on that date. Payments received on leases in non-accrual status generally reduce the lease receivable. Leases on non-accrual status remain classified as such until there is sustained payment performance that, in the Company’s judgment, would indicate that all contractual amounts will be collected in full.

In certain circumstances, the Company may re-lease equipment in its existing portfolio. As this equipment may have a fair value greater than its carrying amount when re-leased, the Company may be required to account for the lease as a sales-type lease. At inception of a sales-type lease, revenue is recorded that consists of the present value of the future minimum lease payments discounted at the rate implicit in the lease. In subsequent periods, the recording of income is consistent with the accounting for a direct financing lease.

For leases that are accounted for as operating leases, income is recognized on a straight-line basis when payments under the lease contract are due.

Allowance for Credit Losses

The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses at an amount that it believes to be sufficient to absorb losses inherent in its existing lease portfolio as of the reporting dates. Leases are collectively evaluated for potential loss. The Company’s methodology for determining the allowance for credit losses includes consideration of the level of delinquencies and non-accrual leases, historical net charge-off amounts and review of any significant concentrations.

A provision is charged against earnings to maintain the allowance for credit losses at the appropriate level. If the actual results are different from the Company’s estimates, results could be different. The Company’s policy is to charge-off against the allowance the estimated unrecoverable portion of accounts once they reach 121 days delinquent. (See Note 5 — “Investment in Leasing Operations”).

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company currently uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options. The determination of the fair value of the awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of complex and subjective variables. These variables include implied volatility over the term of the awards, actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors, risk-free interest rate and expected dividends.

The Company evaluates the assumptions used to value awards on an annual basis. If factors change and the Company employs different assumptions for estimating stock-based compensation expense in future periods or if the Company

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decides to use a different valuation model, the future periods may differ significantly from what it has recorded in the current period and could materially affect operating income, net income and earnings per share.

Forward Looking Statements

The statements contained in this Item 2 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” that are not strictly historical fact, including without limitation, the Company’s belief that it will have adequate capital and reserves to meet its current and contingent obligations and operating needs, as well as its disclosures regarding market rate risk are forward looking statements made under the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations as of the date of this Report, but involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward looking statements. Investors are cautioned to consider these forward looking statements in light of important factors which may result in material variations between results contemplated by such forward looking statements and actual results and conditions. See the section appearing in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2015 entitled “Risk Factors” and Part II, Item 1A in this Report for a more complete discussion of certain factors that may cause the Company’s actual results to differ from those in its forward looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.

ITEM 3: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Company incurs financial market risk in the form of interest rate risk. Risk can be quantified by measuring the financial impact of a near-term adverse increase in short-term interest rates. At September 24, 2016, the Company had available a $55.0 million line of credit with The PrivateBank and Trust Company and BMO Harris Bank, N.A. The interest rates applicable to this agreement are based on either the bank’s base rate or LIBOR for short-term borrowings (twelve months or less). The Company had $25.2 million of debt outstanding at September 24, 2016 under this line of credit, all of which was in the form of short-term borrowings subject to daily changes in the bank’s base rate or LIBOR. The Company’s earnings would be affected by changes in these short-term interest rates. With the Company’s borrowings at September 24, 2016, a one percent increase in short-term rates would reduce annual pretax earnings by $252,000. The Company had no interest rate derivatives in place at September 24, 2016.

None of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents at September 24, 2016 was invested in money market mutual funds, which are subject to the effects of market fluctuations in interest rates. The Company’s portfolio of marketable securities is subject to customary equity market risk.

Foreign currency transaction gains and losses were not material to the Company’s results of operations for the nine months ended September 24, 2016. During fiscal 2015, less than 5% of the Company’s total revenues and 1% of expenses were denominated in a foreign currency. Based upon these revenues and expenses, a 10% increase or decrease in the foreign currency exchange rates would impact annual pretax earnings by approximately $350,000. To date, the Company has not entered into any foreign currency forward exchange contracts or other derivative financial instruments to hedge the effects of adverse fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.

ITEM 4: Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of its disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Based upon, and as of the date of that evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. There was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during its most recently completed fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1: Legal Proceedings

We are not a party to any material litigation and are not aware of any threatened litigation that would have a material adverse effect on our business.

ITEM 1A: Risk Factors

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, including the important information in “Forward-Looking Statements,” you should carefully consider the “Risk Factors” discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 26, 2015. If any of those factors were to occur, they could materially adversely affect our financial condition or future results, and could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in its forward-looking statements in this report. We are aware of no material changes to the Risk Factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 26, 2015.

ITEM 2: Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Purchase of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers


				Total Number of	Maximum Number
				Shares Purchased as	of Shares that may
	Total Number of	Average Price		Part of a Publicly	yet be Purchased
Period	Shares Purchased	Paid Per Share		Announced Plan(1)	Under the Plan

June 26, 2016 to July 30, 2016	—	$	—	—	142,988
July 31, 2016 to August 27, 2016	—	$	—	—	142,988
August 28, 2016 to September 24, 2016	—	$	—	—	142,988

(1)

The Board of Directors’ authorization for the repurchase of shares of the Company’s common stock was originally approved in 1995 with no expiration date. The total shares approved for repurchase has been increased by additional Board of Directors’ approvals and is currently limited to 5,000,000 shares, of which 142,988 may still be repurchased

ITEM 3: Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

ITEM 4: Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

ITEM 5: Other Information

All information required to be reported in a report on Form 8-K during the period covered by this Form 10-Q has been reported.

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ITEM 6: Exhibits

3.1		Articles of Incorporation, as amended (Exhibit 3.1)(1)

3.2		By-laws, as amended and restated to date (Exhibit 3.2)(2)

31.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*

31.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*

32.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*

32.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*

101		Interactive Data Files Pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: Financial statements from the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Winmark Corporation and Subsidiaries for the quarter ended September 24, 2016, formatted in XBRL: (i) Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations, (iii) Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

*Filed Herewith

(1)

Incorporated by reference to the specified exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, effective August 24, 1993 (Reg. No. 333-65108).

(2)

Incorporated by reference to the specified exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2006.

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SIGNATURES

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

		WINMARK CORPORATION


Date: October 18, 2016	By:	/s/ Brett D. Heffes
		Brett D. Heffes Chief Executive Officer and Director (principal executive officer)


Date: October 18, 2016	By:	/s/ Anthony D. Ishaug
		Anthony D. Ishaug Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (principal financial and accounting officer)

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EXHIBIT INDEX

WINMARK CORPORATION

FORM 10-Q FOR QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 24, 2016


Exhibit No.		Description

3.1		Articles of Incorporation, as amended (Exhibit 3.1)(1)

3.2		By-laws, as amended and restated to date (Exhibit 3.2)(2)

31.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*

31.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*

32.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*

32.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*

101		Interactive Data Files Pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: Financial statements from the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Winmark Corporation and Subsidiaries for the quarter ended September 24, 2016, formatted in XBRL: (i) Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations, (iii) Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

*Filed Herewith

(1)

Incorporated by reference to the specified exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, effective August 24, 1993 (Reg. No. 333-65108).

(2)

Incorporated by reference to the specified exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2006.