ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Summary of Business Results and Plans
Famous Dave’s of America, Inc. (“Famous Dave’s”, the “Company” or “we”) was incorporated as a Minnesota corporation in March 1994 and opened its first restaurant in Minneapolis, Minnesota in June 1995. As of December 29, 2013, there were 194 Famous Dave’s restaurants operating in 34 states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and 1 Canadian province, including 54 company-owned restaurants and 140 franchise-operated restaurants. An additional 60 franchise restaurants were committed to be developed through signed area development agreements at December 29, 2013.
In fiscal 2013, total revenue was $155.4 million, a slight increase from $155.0 million in fiscal 2012. This increase was primarily related to a year over year increase in company-owned restaurant sales partially offset by a decline in franchise royalty revenue and fees. The Company realized a comparable sales increase for company-owned restaurants of 0.2% compared to a comparable sales decrease of 1.8% for fiscal 2012. The franchise-operated restaurants saw a decline in their comparable sales of 2.9%, compared to 2012’s comparable sales decline of 2.0%. During 2013, the Company opened two new company-owned restaurants, including one which was a relocation, and eight new franchise-operated restaurants, including our first location in Puerto Rico.
Fiscal 2013 earnings per diluted share were $0.62, after taking into account charges totaling $0.11 resulting from the non-cash asset impairment of a company-owned restaurant, a lease restructuring at another company-owned restaurant and residual closing costs for a restaurant that was relocated during 2013. This compared to earnings per diluted share of $0.57 in fiscal 2012, which reflected a $0.07 earnings per share impact resulting from the cumulative impact of a favorable tax rate adjustment for employment tax credits, for four open tax years, partially offset by a $0.04 earnings per share impact for closing costs for three company-owned restaurants and a lease reserve for one of the closed restaurants.
Fiscal 2013 earnings per diluted share increased year over year due to several factors. First, our restaurant level cash flow margins were positively impacted by a more favorable commodity price environment that had recovered from historically high commodity prices, in addition to lower levels of discounting in fiscal 2013 compared to fiscal 2012. Second, we discontinued investment in a direct mail program similar to the prior year and redeployed our marketing spend during 2013 in more effective ways, resulting in lower operating expenses. Lower supply costs and repair and maintenance operating costs in fiscal 2013 also positively impacted operating expenses. In total, we realized a 250 basis point increase in restaurant level cash flow margins. This improvement was partially offset by an increase in general and administrative costs year over year reflecting the impact of adding a Chief Operating Officer position, the impact of severance related to a reduction in force of approximately $348,000, and additional stock-based compensation for grants of restricted shares to our former Chief Executive Officer as well as to new board members, partially offset by reductions in overhead.
The Company believes that a focus on the following key areas in fiscal 2014 will generate shareholder value and create long-term sustainable brand value.
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Grow top-line Revenue
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Improve Unit Economics
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Reduce and leverage General & Administrative Expenses
Grow top-line Revenue
In fiscal 2013, the Company created a more precise line of business approach to marketing. The three main drivers of company restaurant revenue: Dine-In, To Go, and Catering sales were now supported by marketing efforts and various programs to grow each line of business. During fiscal 2014, the Company is focused on creating a smaller full-service restaurant that has lower costs to build and operate, higher sales per square foot, and a better beverage alcohol mix. Additionally, the Company will continue its development of a revitalized counter-service concept. In support of the company’s off-premise To Go and Catering businesses, the Company will be launching a new on-line ordering platform with support for mobile web ordering, call center ordering, and a catering call center that will continue to grow its off-premise revenues.
Additionally, in fiscal 2013, the Company worked with a pricing strategy consultancy, RMS, that helped create pricing strategies to aid the Company in optimizing a new menu which was launched in April.
Improve Unit Economics
The Company will be working to further improve restaurant level margins in all of its restaurants in fiscal 2014. In 2013, there was a 250 basis point improvement in unit economics largely due to contract price improvements in food costs, labor cost savings, as well as savings from a more effective redeployment of our marketing spend. Additionally, 2013 operating expenses were positively impacted by lower supply and repair and maintenance costs. In fiscal 2014, this improvement will come predominantly as a result of favorable food contracts and expected deflation on like-contracts of approximately 5.5%. The Company will also continue to analyze labor and operating costs to improve unit economics.
Reduce and Leverage General and Administrative Expenses
The Company will continue to remove general and administrative costs from our business and will leverage these costs primarily through revenue growth in fiscal 2014.
Financial Information about Segments
Since our inception, our revenue, operating income and assets have been attributable to the single industry segment of the foodservice industry. Our revenue and operating income for each of the last three fiscal years, and our assets for each of the last two fiscal years, are set forth elsewhere in this Form 10-K under Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Narrative Description of Business
Famous Dave’s restaurants, a majority of which offer full table service, feature hickory-smoked off-the-grill entrée favorites. We seek to differentiate ourselves by providing high-quality food in distinctive and comfortable environments with signature décor and signage. As of December 29, 2013, 47 of our company-owned restaurants were full-service and 7 were counter-service. Generally, our prototypical design includes the following elements: a designated bar, a signature exterior smokestack, a separate entrance for our category-leading To Go business and a patio (where available). This design enables us to capitalize on a consistent trade-dress and readily identifiable look and feel for our future locations. We have 6,000 and 5,000 square foot packages that can be built as a free standing building, a 4,000 square foot model that most likely would be constructed as an end cap of a building, and a new 3,000 square foot design which would be constructed as a counter-service location.
In 2013, most of our franchise openings were primarily conversions of existing full-service casual dining chains to our concept. One of these was a full-service franchise-operated restaurant in Carolina, Puerto Rico. In 2013, the company opened two restaurants in Maryland that were ground-up construction of full-service restaurants. In 2012, two counter-service restaurants, utilizing our new 3,000 square foot prototype were built; a franchise-operated restaurant in Beaverton, Oregon and a company-owned restaurant in Evergreen Park, Illinois. Additionally, in 2012, a full-service company-owned restaurant was converted from another restaurant concept in Gainesville, Virginia. All other franchise locations opened in fiscal 2012 were full-service restaurants. In fiscal 2011, we built two company-owned restaurants; one a full-service restaurant and the other a counter-service restaurant, both of these restaurants were conversions from other restaurant concepts. All franchise openings in fiscal 2011 were full-service restaurants.
We offer lower cost conversion packages that provide our franchisees with flexibility to build cost effective formats, which includes opportunities to convert existing restaurants and other footprints into a Famous Dave’s restaurant. Due to the flexibility and scalability of our concept, we believe that there are a variety of development opportunities available now and in the future. Additionally in 2013, we worked with a restaurant consulting firm to develop the next evolution in our full-service and counter-service prototypes. Our two openings in fiscal 2013 reflected their insights and suggestions, including a more prominent bar presence.
We pride ourselves on the following:
High Quality Food - Each restaurant features a distinctive selection of authentic hickory-smoked off-the-grill barbecue favorites, such as flame-grilled St. Louis-style and baby back ribs, Texas beef brisket, Georgia chopped pork, country-roasted chicken, and generous signature sandwiches and salads. Also, enticing side items, such as honey-buttered corn bread, potato salad, coleslaw, Shack FriesTM and Wilbur BeansTM, accompany the broad entrée selection. Homemade desserts, including Famous Dave’s Bread Pudding, Hot Fudge Kahlua Brownies, and Banana Pudding, are a specialty. To complement our entrée and appetizer items and to suit different customer tastes, we offer six regional barbeque sauces: Rich & Sassy®, Texas PitTM, Georgia MustardTM, Devil’s Spit®, Sweet and ZestyTM and Wilbur’s RevengeTM. These sauces, in addition to a variety of seasonings, rubs, marinades, and other items are also distributed in retail grocery stores throughout the country under licensing agreements.
We believe that high quality food, a menu that is over 80% “scratch cooking” and the fact that we smoke our meats daily at each of our restaurants are principal points of differentiation between us and other casual dining competitors and are a significant contributing factor to repeat business. We also feel that our focus on barbecue being a noun, a verb and a culture allows for product innovation without diluting our brand. As a noun, barbeque refers to the art of the smoke and sauce. As a verb, barbeque refers to the act of grilling. As a culture, barbeque refers to the competitive spirit. As a result, we see no geographic impediments to scaling our concept and brand.
Distinctive Environment - Décor and Music - Our original décor theme was a nostalgic roadhouse shack (“Original Shack”), as defined by the abundant use of rustic antiques and items of Americana. This format was used for both full-service and counter-service restaurant formats. In late 1997, we introduced the “Lodge” format which featured décor reminiscent of a comfortable “Northwoods” hunting lodge with a full-service dining room and small bar. In addition, we developed a larger “Blues Club” format that featured authentic Chicago Blues Club décor and live music seven nights a week. We have evolved our format to that of a full-service concept with several “Prototypical” designs that incorporate the best attributes of the past restaurants while providing a consistent brand image. In 2011 and 2012, we evolved our counter-service format into a newer, fast casual format that included a new layout for the restaurant, as well as new trade dress, music, décor, ambiance, and menu offerings. In 2013, we opened two new full-service restaurants as part of the evolution of the new Full-Service Prototype with a new layout for the restaurant, new trade dress, décor, and ambiance.
Broad-Based Appeal - We believe that our concept has broad appeal because it attracts customers of all ages, the menu offers a variety of items, and our distinctive sauces allow our guests to customize their experience, appealing to many tastes. We believe that our distinctive barbecue concept, combined with our high-quality food, makes Famous Dave’s appeal to families, children, teenagers and adults of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds.
Operating Strategy
We believe that our ability to achieve sustainable profitable growth is dependent upon us delivering high-quality experiences in terms of both food and hospitality to every guest, every day, and to enhance brand awareness in our markets. Key elements of our strategy include the following:
Operational Excellence - During fiscal 2013, we continued to focus on operational excellence and integrity, and on creating a consistently enjoyable guest experience, both in terms of food and hospitality, across our system. We define operational excellence as an uncompromising attention to the details of our recipes, preparation and cooking procedures, handling procedures, rotation, sanitation, cleanliness and safety. Operational excellence also means an unyielding commitment to provide our guests with superior service during every visit. In our restaurants, we strive to emphasize value and speed of service by employing a streamlined operating system based on a focused menu and simplified food preparation techniques.
Our menu focuses on a number of popular smoked, barbeque, grilled meat, entrée items and delicious side dishes which are prepared using easy-to-operate kitchen equipment and processes that use prepared proprietary seasonings, sauces and mixes. This streamlined food preparation system helps lower the cost of operation by requiring fewer staff; lower training costs, and eliminates the need for highly compensated chefs. Additionally, barbeque has the ability to be batch cooked and held, which enables our award winning food to get to our guests quickly, whether in the restaurant, at their homes, or at a catering event. In order to enhance our appeal, expand our audience, increase frequency, and feature our cravable products, we have assembled a research and development product pipeline designed to generate product news.
During 2013, we offered our guests several new products as well as featured several signature core menu items. Early in 2013, and in support of the Lenten season, we re-launched our catfish entrée. We had taken it off the menu for several years due to an inability to source the product with our key specifications. We also offered an Easter holiday meal program with our own Signature Smoked Hams. In the spring, we did a national launch of “Burnt Ends” - a choice part of the brisket that is a classic barbeque item and launched extensions of this product as a result of its appeal and success. During the holiday season, we featured system-wide a Signature Smoked Ham and Signature Smoked Turkey product available for off-premise occasions.
In 2014, we will continue to use opportunistic commodity purchases of high margin items that make sense to our guests and can be inserted quickly into our promotional calendar as well as promote core menu items or new items that will be added to the menu permanently after their initial launch, such as Burnt Ends. In early 2014, we will again feature our Smoked Hams for the Easter season as well as a product extension promotion of Cheesy Burnt Ends in the spring timeframe.
Human Resources and Training/Development - A key ingredient to our success lies with our ability to hire, train, engage and retain FAMOUS Team Members at all levels of our organization. We place a great deal of importance on creating an exceptional working environment for all of our Team Members. Through our Human Resource, Talent Management and Training/Development resources, tools and programs, we continually enhance and support superior performance within our restaurants and Support Center. Our foundational guiding principle is to have Raving Internal Fans which emphasizes our commitment to doing the right thing for the organization while ensuring we have the right people in the right roles with the right resources and tools.
We are a performance-based organization, committed to recognizing and rewarding performance at all levels of the organization. Our performance management process includes performance calibration at the organizational level as a means of providing measureable, comparative Team Member evaluations relative to peer contribution, taking into account specific core competencies and goals, as well as our core values of Famous PRIDE (Passion, Respect, Innovation, Diversity, Excellence). It is designed to provide a complete picture of performance that is consistent across the organization. We offer a total rewards program that is benchmarked closely against the industry and includes health and welfare coverage, 401(k) and non-qualified deferred compensation with a company match, base pay and incentive pay programs developed to sustain our market competitive position.
We strive to instill enthusiasm and dedication in our Team Members and continually solicit feedback regarding our organization. We conducted three cycles of Talking PRIDE Team Member Engagement feedback during 2010 - 2012. Through our Talking PRIDE Engagement Survey results, we have annually established baseline action plans which are continually benchmarked to enhance our Team Member experience. We conducted two cycles of a Business Conduct Survey in 2011 and 2012 for all Support Center and Restaurant Management Team Members. The results of this survey measured the extent to which “Do the Right Thing” exists in our organization. The results were shared within the organization and we continue to monitor progress in this area in between formal surveys with quarterly town hall meetings and other periodic employee meetings and discussions. During fiscal 2014, we will again complete a formal Talking PRIDE Team Member Engagement survey and also implement ethical workplace training for all Support Center staff and operations managers in our business to allow us to continue to strengthen our strong base as a value and ethics- based organization. In addition, we have an online Team Member ethics compliance tool, which includes a bi-lingual anonymous call center and web-based reporting center and a sophisticated issue tracking and reporting platform across all Famous Dave’s company locations.
We have numerous programs designed to recognize and reward our Team Members for outstanding performance and tenure. These programs include the Famous PRIDE Award, Spirit of the Flame Award, Ring of Fire Program, and service recognition. Service recognition provides acknowledgement and celebration of service milestone achievements. Our Famous PRIDE Award encourages those within the company to submit nominations for fellow Team Members who live and breathe Famous PRIDE. Five individuals receive this prestigious honor each year. Our Spirit of the Flame Award encourages those within the organization to nominate and recognize one winner from our
company operations team or Support Center and one winner from our franchise community. The two individuals receiving this award are selected based on their demonstration of continuous and exemplary FAMOUS behavior and outstanding contributions resulting in a significant and positive impact to Famous Dave’s brand and business. Our Ring of Fire Program recognizes the MOST FAMOUS of the FAMOUS. This program offered to both company and franchise operations, rewards those operating practices that contribute to profitable sales growth and help us grow strong as a system. Exceptional operational performance is defined by consistently adhering to Famous Dave’s programs and systems and also by having a high regard for guests, Team Members, the community and the Famous Dave’s culture.
These initiatives are crucial to our maintaining turnover levels that are below industry averages which we measure using several industry data sources. Our restaurant management turnover for fiscal 2013 was approximately 16% and our restaurant hourly turnover was approximately 65%. Our Human Resource and Training organization focuses on the selection and retention of talent through programs in overall workforce planning, performance management, development, safety and risk reduction, and continued enhancements in our organizational structures for all positions in the business.
In the Training and Development arena, we offer a variety of ongoing on-the-job and classroom training programs for the operations teams (hourly Team Members, Restaurant Managers, and Multi-Unit Managers) in an effort to create defined career paths. Our FD101 University provides our newer restaurant managers a foundational based training for restaurant operations, including ServSafe Food and Alcohol Certification; and several learning sessions focused on the basic behaviors and desired skills of a Famous Dave’s Manager; as well as a comprehensive vignette-based program, Managing with PRIDE, designed to provide managers with an easy-to-remember behavioral model that defines when and how conduct, behavior, and performance are governed by organizational policy and law. We also offer a Famous Dave’s Management Certification program which provides a library of workshop offerings for our operators including the guest experience, orientation to training, leadership, and food focus topics. We also offer a webinar-based Manager Development Program with learning sessions developed specifically for our operators focused around Raving Fans, Salesmanship and Famous Food. In 2013, we developed courses for our new e-learning platform with a goal of introducing it system-wide in 2014. E-learning uses electronic technology to train tasks, skills and processes on-demand. E-learning provides many benefits including: saving costs on printed materials, saving training time with greater knowledge retention, providing a testing platform for training results, and increasing the productivity of tenured staff by keeping skills sharp.
Our system-wide Brand Conference is held annually in March and features a variety of business sessions on Marketing, Guest Experience, Training, Product Innovation, among other relevant topics. Participants include all company-owned restaurant General Managers, Area Directors, and Directors of Operations, as well as many Franchise Partners, Franchise General Managers and Franchise Multi-Unit Operators.
Restaurant Operations
Our ability to manage multiple restaurants in geographically diverse locations is central to our overall success. In each market, we place specific emphasis on the positions of Area Director and General Manager, and seek talented individuals that bring a diverse set of skills, knowledge, and experience to the Company. We strive to maintain quality and consistency in each of our restaurants through the careful training and supervision of team members and the establishment of, and adherence to, high standards relating to performance, food and beverage preparation, and maintenance of facilities.
All Managers must complete an eight -week training program, during which they are instructed in areas such as food quality and preparation, customer service, hospitality, and team member relations. We have prepared operations’ manuals relating to food and beverage quality and service standards. New team members participate in training under the close supervision of our Management. Each General Manager reports to an Area Director, who manages from six to seven restaurants, depending on the region. Our Area Directors have all served as General Managers, either for Famous Dave’s or for other restaurants, and are responsible for ensuring that operational standards are consistently applied in our restaurants, communicating company focus and priorities, and supporting the development of restaurant management teams. In addition to the training that the General Managers are required to complete as noted above, our Area Directors receive additional training through Area Director Workshops that focus specifically on managing multiple locations, planning, time management, staff and management development skills.
We have a Director of Operations who is responsible for overseeing all company-owned restaurants. This individual works closely with the Area Directors to support day-to-day restaurant operations. In addition, the Director of Operations assists in the professional development of our multi-unit supervisors and general managers. The Director of Operations is also instrumental in driving our vision of operational integrity and contributing to the improvement of results achieved at our restaurants, including building sales, developing personnel and growing profits. This Director reported to the Chief Operating Officer.
Staffing levels at each restaurant vary according to the time of day and size of the restaurant. However, in general, each restaurant has approximately 40 to 60 team members.
Off-Premise Occasions - Focus on Convenience - In addition to our lively and entertaining dine-in experience, we provide our guests with maximum convenience by offering expedient take-out service and catering. We believe that Famous Dave’s entrées and side dishes are viewed by guests as traditional American “picnic foods” that maintain their quality and travel particularly well, making them an attractive choice to replace a home-cooked meal. Also, the high quality, reasonable cost and avoidance of preparation time make take-out of our product particularly attractive. Our off-premise sales provide us with revenue opportunities beyond our in-house seating capacity and we continue to seek ways to leverage these segments of our business. During fiscal 2013, our off-premise sales for the casual dining sector were approximately 35.6% of net restaurant sales, compared to 33.4% for fiscal 2012.
Catering accounted for approximately 9.8% of our net sales for fiscal 2013, as compared to 10.5% in 2012. We see catering as an opportunity for new consumers to sample our product who would not otherwise have had the opportunity to visit our restaurants, and each restaurant has a dedicated vehicle to support our catering initiatives.
To Go accounted for approximately 25.8% of net restaurant sales for fiscal 2013 and grew substantially from 22.9% of net restaurant sales in 2012. Our restaurants have been designed specifically to accommodate a significant level of To Go sales, including a separate To Go entrance with prominent and distinct signage, and for added convenience, we separately staff the To Go counter. We believe our focus on To Go enables Famous Dave’s to capture a greater portion of the “take-out” market and allows consumers to “trade within our brand,” when dining in is not always an option. We pursue efforts to increase awareness of To Go in all company-owned and franchise-operated restaurants by featuring signage and merchandising both inside and outside the restaurants. During 2013, we tested a call center for phone-in orders that alleviated wait times during peak weekend hours. During 2014, we will be rolling this call center to all company-owned restaurants along with mobile and web-based on-line ordering systems, and will look to bring these tools to the full system.
Customer Satisfaction - We believe that we achieve a significant level of repeat business by providing high-quality food, efficient friendly service, and warm caring hospitality in an entertaining environment at moderate prices. We strive to maintain quality and consistency in each of our restaurants through the purposeful hiring, training and supervision of personnel and the establishment of, and adherence to, high standards of performance, food preparation and facility maintenance. We have also built family-friendly strategies into each restaurant’s food, service and design by providing children’s menus, smaller-sized entrees at reduced prices and changing tables in restrooms.
In 2013, we introduced a web-based, mobile-optimized guest feedback system. This system generated a new “Raving Fan” score, which measured guest likelihood to recommend Famous Dave’s to friends, family or coworkers based on a 0-10 rating scale, with 10 being highest. The scores are then tallied using a Net Promoter-style scoring (Promoters-Detractors=Net Promoters), with Promoters scoring 9 and 10 and Detractors scoring 0 through 6. Guests scoring 7 and 8 are considered Passives. The Raving Fan Score for 2013 system-wide was 78.2%, an outstanding result compared to Net Promoter scores across other customer service and retail industries. In 2014, we will continue to monitor results from the new system, work to improve operations engagement and validate the business impact to the system.
Value Proposition and Guest Frequency - We offer high quality food and a distinctive atmosphere at competitive prices to encourage frequent patronage. Lunch and dinner entrees range from $6.99 to $24.99, resulting in a per person dine-in average of $17.18 during fiscal 2013. During fiscal 2013, lunch checks averaged $15.09 and dinner checks averaged $18.47. We intend to use value priced offerings, new product introductions, and the convenience of connecting with guests on their own terms, to drive new and infrequent guests into our restaurants for additional meal occasions.
Marketing, Promotion and Sales
We believe that by specializing in unique and distinctive grilled, smoked, and southern style food, our menu specialty helps set the brand apart from the rest of the crowded field in casual dining. To further develop the advertising and promotional materials and programs designed to create brand awareness and increase the reach of the brand, we have a system-wide marketing fund. All company-owned restaurants, and those franchise-operated restaurants with agreements signed after December 17, 2003 are generally required to contribute 1% of net sales to this fund. In fiscal 2013, predominately due to the carryover of funds from fiscal 2012, the Company made the decision to decrease the 2013 Marketing Ad Fund contribution system-wide to 0.75% of net sales. In 2014, the Marketing Ad Fund contribution system-wide will remain at 0.75% of net sales.
The marketing team, working with outside consultants and other resources, is responsible for the advertising, promotion, creative development, and branding for Famous Dave’s. Franchise-operated restaurants place the advertising and marketing in their local markets based on contractual requirements, while the Famous Dave’s marketing team plans and executes the advertising and marketing for company-owned restaurants. In addition to the traditional marketing and publicity methods, Famous Dave’s uses marketing efforts that include television, internet, radio, email club, direct mail, website marketing promotion and outdoor billboards. During 2013, we reached 1.9 million PIG Club (Pretty Important Guest) members and approximately 387,000 fans on Facebook.
The strategic focus for marketing and promotion for 2013 remained the same - to be the category-defining brand in BBQ, to create a more competitive distinction, and to continue to strengthen the perception of value in the consumer’s mind. We featured four limited time offerings in 2013 that introduced our customers to new flavor profiles, innovative products and provided value and margin opportunity. Additionally, a number of new initiatives were planned around enhancing the menu, the guest experience, events marketing and social media.
Since its inception, Famous Dave’s has won over 710 awards, including some of the following prestigious awards won by our system during 2013:
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“Best Barbeque” - Daily Herald Reader’s Choice - Chicago area restaurants
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“Best Barbeque” - Review Journal - Las Vegas, NV
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“Best Ribs” - BBQ, Bands & Brew - Ft. Myers FL
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“Brisket - 3rd Place” - American Royalty Invitational - Kansas City MO
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“Best Wedding Caterer” - The Knot - Minneapolis-St. Paul MN
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“1st Place - Condiment - Devil’s Spit Bar-B-Que Kettle Chips” - National Barbeque Association Award of Excellence
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“2nd Place - Best BBQ Label - Pineapple Rage” - National Barbeque Association Award of Excellence
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“Best All Around Restaurant” - Yuma Sun - Best of Yuma Reader’s Survey - Yuma AZ
Famous Dave’s is somewhat unique in casual dining having four different occasions to interact with the consumer: Dine-In, To Go, Catering, and Retail. In 2013, we shifted our emphasis to achieving growth by going deeper in connecting with guests on their terms. Each of these dining occasions’ offer unique and often compelling sources of growth, and, each occasion is growing at a different rate. Through this differentiation, we should be able to create a more immediate relevancy and sales opportunities by solving the guest’s daily dinner dilemma and address these differences in our marketing, including menu, promotional outreach, pricing, and new product news. During 2013, we hired a Senior Director of Marketing, Director of Catering Marketing, and a Senior Manager of To Go Marketing. To further support these sales building initiatives, the Digital Services Group has provided expanded social and digital media efforts such as the use of email promotions, online and mobile ordering, as well as a To Go call center. In 2014, the Company will launch an internal catering sales center as well. Additionally, the Company has implemented a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) program to stay in touch, improve the efficiency of the catering process and market to its catering customers.
Location Strategy
We believe that the barbeque segment of the casual dining niche of the restaurant industry continues to offer strong growth opportunities, and we see no impediments to our growth on a geographical basis. Our geographical concentration as of December 29, 2013 was 42% Midwest, 12% Middle Atlantic, 7% South, 30% West, 8% Northeast, 0.5% in Canada and 0.5% in Puerto Rico. We were located in 34 states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and 1 Canadian province as of December 29, 2013.
We prepare an overall market development strategy for each market. The creation of this market strategy starts with identifying trade areas that align demographically with the guest profile. The trade areas are then assessed for viability and vitality and prioritized as initial, second tier, or future development. Since markets are dynamic, the market strategy includes a continual and ongoing assessment of all existing restaurant locations. If financially feasible, a restaurant may be relocated as the retail or residential focus in a trade area shifts.
We have a real estate site selection model to assess the site quality and trade area quality of new locations. This process involves extensive consumer research in our existing restaurants captured in a guest profile, which is updated on an annual basis. Each location is evaluated based on three primary sales drivers, which include: sales potential from the residential base (home quality), employment base (work quality), and retail activity (retail quality). Locations are also evaluated on their site characteristics which include seven categories of key site attributes, including, but not limited to, access, visibility, and parking.
As part of our development strategy, we will seek conversion opportunities for future restaurants in order to streamline the development process and to minimize the up-front investment. We will also evaluate the use of our 6,000, 5,000, 4,000 and 3,000 square foot prototypes where it makes sense. With the redesign and reintroduction of our counter-service restaurant, we believe this format will allow us to access new markets or strategically locate these restaurants in existing markets where a full-service restaurant could not be sustained. We intend to finance development through the use of cash on hand, cash flow generated from operations, and through availability on our revolving line of credit.
Company-Owned Restaurant Expansion - We are planning to open one new company-owned counter service restaurant in 2014. It will serve as a prototype for the growth of our fast-casual restaurants system-wide. In the future, we will continue to build in our existing markets in high profile, heavy traffic retail locations as part of our future operating strategy to continue to build brand awareness. Our plan is to focus on sustainable, controlled growth, primarily in markets where multiple restaurants can be opened, thereby expanding consumer awareness, and creating opportunities for operating, distribution, and marketing efficiencies.
Franchise-Operated Restaurant Expansion - We continue to grow the franchise program and anticipate 6 franchise restaurants will open during fiscal 2014, including our second restaurant in Puerto Rico. Our goal is to continue to improve the economics of our current restaurant prototypes, while providing more cost-effective development options for our franchisees. As of December 29, 2013, we had signed franchise area development agreements with aggregate commitments for 60 additional units that are expected to open over approximately the next five years. However, there can be no assurance that these franchisees will fulfill their commitments or fulfill them within the anticipated timeframe. Our franchise system is a significant part of our brand’s success. As such, another one of our goals is to be a valued franchisor; to enhance communication and recognition of best practices throughout the system and to continue to expand our franchisee network here and outside of the United States.
Generally, we find franchise candidates with prior franchise casual-dining restaurant experience in the markets for which they will be granted. In the past, area development agreements generally ranged from 3 to 15 restaurants, however, due to economic and market conditions, we have been willing to discuss smaller unit agreements as well as individual franchise restaurants in the right markets where it makes sense. Additionally, we have begun to focus on certain strategic international markets where it makes sense. We do believe that the counter service format will allow us to bring new franchisees, with quick-service experience, into the system.
Purchasing
To provide the freshest ingredients and in order to maximize operational efficiencies for our food products, we strive to obtain consistent quality items at competitive prices from reliable sources, including identifying secondary suppliers for many of our key products. Additionally, our secondary suppliers help us assure supply chain integrity and better logistics. Finally, to reduce freight costs, we continually optimize our distribution networks, where the products are shipped directly to the restaurants through our foodservice distributors. Each restaurant’s management team determines the daily quantities of food items needed and orders such quantities to be delivered to their restaurant.
Approximately 84% of our food and non-alcoholic beverage purchases are on contract, with the majority being proteins. Pork represents approximately 37% of our total purchases, while beef, which includes hamburger and brisket, is approximately 15%, chicken is approximately 13%, and seafood is approximately 3%. Our purchasing department contracts, as well as our food and beverage costs and trends associated with each, are discussed under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
Our purchasing team is also responsible for managing the procurement of non-food items for our restaurants, including restaurant equipment, small wares and restaurant supplies. Also, they contract many of our restaurants repair and maintenance services along with strategically managing our utility costs.
Information Technology
Famous Dave’s recognizes the importance of leveraging information and technology to support and extend our competitive position in the restaurant industry. We continue to invest in capabilities that provide secure and efficient operations, maximize the guest experience, and provide the ability to analyze data that describes our operations.
We have implemented a suite of restaurant and support center systems which support operations by providing transactional functions (ordering, card processing, etc.) and reporting at both the unit and support center level. Interfaces between Point-of-Sale (POS), labor management, inventory management, menu management, key suppliers, and team member screening/hiring and financial systems all contribute to the following operator and corporate visibility:
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Average guest check broken down by location, by server, by day part, and by revenue center;
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Daily reports of revenue and labor (both current and forecasted);
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Weekly reports of selected controllable restaurant expenses;
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Monthly reporting of detailed revenue and expenses; and
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Ideal vs. actual usage variance reporting for critical restaurant-level materials;
This visibility enables every level of the Famous Dave’s organization to manage the key controllable costs within our industry, including food and labor costs.
Below are the significant information technology initiatives completed in fiscal 2013:
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Implementation of an enhanced labor management solution providing labor scheduling efficiencies, self-service processes, and more effective integration with other systems.
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The first phase for replacement of the corporate integration and reporting application. This project will be completed in 2014 and will enable a higher level of Business Intelligence and reporting.
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Enhanced Famousdaves.com website with clear pathways to ordering channels, enhanced capabilities for restaurant level customization, and social media integration.
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Implementation of a new digital phone system at corporate headquarters and all of the Minnesota corporate restaurants.
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Wireless access at all corporate restaurants.
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Upgrade of the existing online ordering application to include a new mobile capability.
•
Implementation of a remote call center for To Go.
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Implementation of a text-based Wait List application in 10 of the company-owned restaurants.
•
Implementation of a CRM application for the Catering line of business.
In 2014, in addition to working alongside the Digital Services Group, the department will leverage technology to support the needs of the Company through several initiatives listed below:
•
Roll-out of a new mobile FamousDaves.com website with a responsive user interface designed to automatically size properly according to the device being used.
•
Installation of a new digital phone system at 50% of the remaining restaurants.
•
Installation and rollout of a new online ordering application including a streamlined Call Center interface along with a mobile interface.
•
Implementation of a new data warehouse to enable universal access to data required for analysis and reporting by the corporate and field staff.
•
Continued enhancement of the CRM application to enable automation of numerous marketing functions.
•
Installation and implementation of an updated and enhanced ERP system for accounting and reporting.
Trademarks
Our Company has registered various trademarks, makes use of various unregistered marks, and intends to vigorously defend these marks. “Famous Dave’s” and the Famous Dave’s logo are registered trademarks of Famous Dave’s of America, Inc. The Company highly values its trademarks, trade names and service marks and will defend against any improper use of its marks to the fullest extent allowable by law.
Franchise Program
We are authorized to offer and sell franchises in all 50 states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and have a Canadian franchise disclosure document available. Our growth and success depends in part upon our ability to attract, contract with and retain qualified franchisees. It also depends upon the ability of those franchisees to successfully operate their restaurants with our standards of quality and promote and develop Famous Dave’s brand awareness.
Although we have established criteria to evaluate prospective franchisees, and our franchise agreements include certain operating standards, each franchisee operates his/her restaurants independently. Various laws limit our ability to influence the day-to-day operation of our franchise restaurants. We cannot assure you that franchisees will be able to successfully operate Famous Dave’s restaurants in a manner consistent with our standards for operational excellence, service and food quality.
At December 29, 2013, we had 45 ownership groups operating 140 Famous Dave’s franchise restaurants. Signed area development agreements, representing commitments to open an additional 60 franchise restaurants, were in place as of December 29, 2013. There can be no assurance that these franchisees will fulfill their commitments or fulfill them within the anticipated timeframe. We anticipate 6 additional franchise restaurants will open during fiscal 2014.
As of December 29, 2013, we had franchise-operated restaurants in the following locations:
Our Franchise Operations Department is made up of the Chief Operating Officer, who guides the effort of a Director of Franchise Operations, supported by four Territory Directors. The Director of Franchise Operations has the responsibility for supporting our franchisees throughout the country and plays a critical role for us as well as for our franchise community. The Director of Franchise Operations manages the relationship between the franchisee and the franchisor and provides an understanding of the roles, responsibilities, differences, and accountabilities of that relationship. They are an active participant towards enhancing performance, as they partner in strategic and operational planning sessions with our franchise partners and review the individual strategies and tactics for obtaining superior performance for the franchisee. The Director of Franchise Operations shares best practices throughout the system and works to create a one-system mentality that benefits everyone. In addition, they ensure compliance with obligations under our area development and franchise agreements. Franchisees are encouraged to utilize all available assistance from the Director of Franchise Operations and the Territory Directors and the Support Center but are not required to do so. Additionally, in fiscal 2013, the Company added a new role to the Franchise Operations Department, Director of Franchise Operations Services. This role is responsible for providing operational services to the Franchise Team and Franchise Owners and Operators. This includes facilitating communication by sharing knowledge and best practices, interpreting scorecard results, and acting as a liaison between Franchise, R&D, Purchasing, IT, Training and other departments.
The Company has a comprehensive operations’ scorecard and training tool that we call “FD Powers” that helps us measure our operational effectiveness of our company-owned and franchise-operated restaurants. This scorecard is used to evaluate, monitor and improve operations in areas such as guest satisfaction, health and safety standards, community involvement, and local store marketing effectiveness, among other operating metrics. Also, we generally provide support as it relates to all aspects of franchise operations including, but not limited to, store openings, operating performance, and human resource strategic planning. Finally, the Company solicits feedback from our franchise system by conducting a Franchise Satisfaction Survey every year. The results of this survey are used to better support the needs of the franchise system while maintaining a one-system mindset.
Our franchise-related revenue is comprised of three separate and distinct earnings processes: area development fees, initial franchise fees and continuing royalty payments. Currently, our domestic area development fee for domestic growth consists of a one-time, non-refundable payment of approximately $10,000 per restaurant in consideration for the services we perform in preparation of executing each area development agreement. For our foreign area development agreements the one time, non-refundable payment is negotiated on a per development basis and is determined based on the costs incurred to sell that development agreement. Substantially all of these services, which include, but are not limited to, conducting market and trade area analysis, a meeting with Famous Dave’s Executive Team, and performing a potential franchise background investigation, are completed prior to our execution of the area development agreement and receipt of the corresponding area development fee. As a result, we recognize this fee in full upon receipt. Currently, our initial, non-refundable, franchise fee for domestic growth is $45,000 per restaurant, of which approximately $5,000 is recognized immediately when a franchise agreement is signed, reflecting expenses incurred related to the sale. The remaining non-refundable fee is included in deferred franchise fees and is recognized as revenue when we have performed substantially all of our obligations, which generally occurs upon the franchise entering into a lease agreement for the restaurant(s). Finally, franchisees are also required to pay us a monthly royalty equal to a percentage of their net sales, which has historically varied from 4% to 5%. In general, new franchises pay us a monthly royalty of 5% of their net sales.
Because of the continuing difficult economic environment and scarcity of capital for development, we offered reduced royalty rates, based on a sliding scale, for new restaurants opened during 2011. In 2012 and 2013, there were no reduced royalty rate programs. The Company does not anticipate offering any reduced royalty rate programs for fiscal 2014.
The franchisee’s investment depends primarily upon restaurant size. This investment includes the area development fee, initial franchise fee, real estate and leasehold improvements, fixtures and equipment, POS systems, business licenses, deposits, initial food inventory, small wares, décor and training fees as well as working capital. In 2013, franchisees were required to contribute 0.75% of net sales to a marketing fund dedicated to building system-wide brand awareness. In 2014, franchisees will be required to contribute 0.75% of net sales to the marketing fund. Additionally, franchisees have historically spent 1.5% to 2.0% of their net sales annually on local marketing activities. Currently franchisees are required to spend approximately 1.5% of their net sales annually on local marketing activities.
Seasonality
Our restaurants typically generate higher revenue in the second and third quarters of our fiscal year as a result of seasonal traffic increases and high catering sales experienced during the summer months, and lower revenue in the first and fourth quarters of our fiscal year, due to possible adverse weather which can disrupt guest and team member transportation to our restaurants.
Government Regulation
Our Company is subject to extensive state and local government regulation by various governmental agencies, including state and local licensing, zoning, land use, construction and environmental regulations and various regulations relating to the sale of food and alcoholic beverages, sanitation, disposal of refuse and waste products, public health, safety and fire standards. Our restaurants are subject to periodic inspections by governmental agencies to ensure conformity with such regulations. Any difficulty or failure to obtain required licensing or other regulatory approvals could delay or prevent the opening of a new restaurant, and the suspension of, or inability to renew a license, could interrupt operations at an existing restaurant, any of which would adversely affect our operations. Restaurant operating costs are also affected by other government actions that are beyond our control, including increases in minimum hourly wage requirements, workers compensation insurance rates, health care insurance costs, property and casualty insurance, and unemployment and other taxes. We are also subject to “dram-shop” statutes, which generally provide a person injured by an intoxicated person the right to recover damages from an establishment that wrongfully served alcoholic beverages to the intoxicated person.
As a franchisor, we are subject to federal regulation and certain state laws that govern the offer and sale of franchises. Many state franchise laws impose substantive requirements on franchise agreements, including limitations on non-competition provisions and the termination or non-renewal of a franchise. Bills have been introduced in Congress from time to time that would provide for federal regulation of substantive aspects of the franchisor-franchisee relationship. As proposed, such legislation would limit, among other things, the duration and scope of non-competition provisions, the ability of a franchisor to terminate or refuse to renew a franchise, and the ability of a franchisor to designate sources of supply.
The 1990 Federal Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in public accommodations and employment. We could be required to incur costs to modify our restaurants in order to provide service to, or make reasonable accommodations for, disabled persons. Our restaurants are currently designed to be accessible to the disabled, and we believe we are in substantial compliance with all current applicable regulations relating to this Act.
Team Members
As of December 29, 2013, we employed approximately 3,013 team members of which approximately 303 were full-time. None of our team members are covered by a collective bargaining agreement. We consider our relationships with our team members to be good.
ITEM 1A.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Famous Dave’s makes written and oral statements from time to time, including statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K regarding its business and prospects, such as projections of future performance, statements of management’s plans and objectives, forecasts of market trends and other matters that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Sections 27A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Statements containing the words or phrases “will likely result,” “anticipates,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “estimates,” “projects,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “target,” “goal,” “plans,” “objective,” “should” or similar expressions identify forward-looking statements which may appear in documents, reports, filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, news releases, written or oral presentations made by our officers or other representatives to analysts, shareholders, investors, news organizations, and others, and discussions with our management and other Company representatives. For such statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Our future results, including results related to forward-looking statements, involve a number of risks and uncertainties. No assurance can be given that the results reflected in any forward-looking statements will be achieved. Any forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf speak only as of the date on which such statement is made. Our forward-looking statements are based upon our management’s current estimates and projections of future results or trends. Although we believe that our plans and objectives reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we may not achieve these plans or objectives. In addition, forward-looking statements may reflect assumptions that are sometimes based upon estimates, data, communications and other information from suppliers, government agencies and other sources that may be subject to revision. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, we do not undertake any obligation to update or keep current either (i) any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date of such statement, or (ii) the important factors that could cause our future results to differ materially from historical results or trends, results anticipated or planned by us, or which are reflected from time to time in any forward-looking statement which may be made by us or on our behalf.
In addition to other matters identified or described by us from time to time in filings with the SEC, including the risks described below and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, there are several important factors that could cause our future results to differ materially from historical results or trends, results anticipated or planned by us, or results that are reflected from time to time in any forward-looking statement that may be made by us or on our behalf.
The state of the economy and the volatility of the financial markets may adversely impact our business and results of operations and cash flows and may impact our ability to comply with our credit facility’s financial covenants.
The restaurant industry is still affected by macro-economic factors, including changes in national, regional, and local economic conditions, employment levels and consumer spending patterns. The recent economic recession, and the slow economic recovery, has kept consumer confidence low, and consequently, has affected the frequency of consumers’ dining out occasions, which has been harmful to our results of operations and cash flows, and has negatively impacted our financial position which has resulted in asset impairment charges being recorded and if it continues in the future, may result in further impairment of the company’s assets. Depending on the duration and severity of the continued economic downturn and the pace of recovery, it may adversely affect our ability to comply with financial covenants under our credit facility on a continuing basis. These financial covenants include, without limitation, maximum target capital expenditures and stock buy-backs, cash flow ratios, adjusted leverage ratios, and in certain circumstances, a maximum aged royalty receivable. There can be no assurances that government responses to the disruptions in the financial markets and overall economy will restore consumer confidence, stabilize the markets or increase liquidity and the availability of credit. As of December 29, 2013, we were in compliance with all of our covenants during fiscal 2013.
In the event we fail to comply with these or other financial covenants in the future and are unable to obtain similar amendments or waivers, our lender will have the right to demand repayment of all principal amounts outstanding under the credit facility and term loan, which were approximately $11.4 million and $4.7 million, respectively, at December 29, 2013, and to terminate the existing credit facility and term loan. If we were unable to repay outstanding amounts, either using current cash reserves, a replacement facility or another source of capital, our lender would have the right to foreclose on our personal property, which serves as collateral for the credit facility. Replacement financing may be unavailable to us on similar terms or at all, especially if current credit market conditions persist. Termination of our existing credit facility without adequate replacement, either through a similar facility or other sources of capital, would have a material and adverse impact on our ability to continue our business operations.
Our future revenue, operating income, and cash flows are dependent on consumer preference and our ability to successfully execute our plan.
Our Company’s future revenue and operating income will depend upon various factors, including continued and additional market acceptance of the Famous Dave’s brand, the quality of our restaurant operations, our ability to grow our brand, our ability to successfully expand into new and existing markets, our ability to successfully execute our franchise program, our ability to raise additional financing as needed, discretionary consumer spending, the overall success of the venues where Famous Dave’s restaurants are or will be located, economic conditions affecting disposable consumer income, general economic conditions and the continued popularity of the Famous Dave’s concept. An adverse change in any or all of these conditions would have a negative effect on our operations and the market value of our common stock.
Our plan is to open one new company-owned restaurant in 2014, and we are anticipating the opening of 6 new franchise restaurants during the course of the year. There is no guarantee that any of the company-owned or franchise-operated restaurants will open when planned, or at all, due to many factors that may affect the development and construction of our restaurants, including landlord delays, weather interference, unforeseen engineering problems, environmental problems, construction or zoning problems, local government regulations, modifications in design to the size and scope of the project, and other unanticipated increases in costs, any of which could give rise to delays and cost overruns. There can be no assurance that we will successfully implement our growth plan for our company-owned and franchise-operated restaurants. In addition, we also face all of the risks, expenses and difficulties frequently encountered in the development of an expanding business.
Competition may reduce our revenue, operating income, and cash flows.
Competition in the restaurant industry is intense. The restaurant industry is affected by changes in consumer preferences, as well as by national, regional and local economic conditions, including real estate, and demographic trends, traffic patterns, the cost and availability of qualified labor, and product availability. Discretionary spending priorities, traffic patterns, tourist travel, weather conditions, and the type, number and location of competing restaurants, among other factors, will also directly affect the performance of our restaurants. Changes in any of these factors in the markets where we currently operate our restaurants could adversely affect the results of our operations.
Increased competition by existing or future competitors may reduce our sales. Our restaurants compete with moderately-priced restaurants primarily on the basis of quality of food and service, atmosphere, location and value. In addition to existing barbeque restaurants, we face competition from steakhouses and other restaurants featuring protein-rich foods. We also compete with other restaurants and retail establishments for quality sites.
Many of our competitors have substantially greater financial, marketing and other resources than we do. Regional and national restaurant companies continue to expand their operations into our current and anticipated market areas. We believe our ability to compete effectively depends on our ongoing ability to promote our brand and offer high quality food and hospitality in a distinctive and comfortable environment. If we are unable to respond to, or unable to respond in a timely manner, to the various competitive factors affecting the restaurant industry, our revenue and operating income could be adversely affected.
Our failure to execute our franchise program may negatively impact our revenue, operating income and cash flows.
Our growth and success depends in part upon increasing the number of our franchised restaurants, through execution of area development and franchise agreements with new and existing franchisees in new and existing markets. Our ability to successfully franchise additional restaurants will depend on various factors, including our ability to attract, contract with and retain quality franchisees, the availability of suitable sites, the negotiation of acceptable leases or purchase terms for new locations, permitting and regulatory compliance, the ability to meet construction schedules, the financial and other capabilities of our franchisees, our ability to manage this anticipated expansion, and general economic and business conditions. Many of the foregoing factors are beyond the control of the Company or our franchisees.
Our growth and success also depends upon the ability of our franchisees to operate their restaurants successfully to our standards and promote the Famous Dave’s brand. Although we have established criteria to evaluate prospective franchisees, and our franchise agreements include certain operating standards, each franchisee operates his/her restaurant independently. Various laws limit our ability to influence the day-to-day operation of our franchise restaurants. We cannot assure you that our franchisees will be able to successfully operate Famous Dave’s restaurants in a manner consistent with our concepts and standards, which could reduce their sales and correspondingly, our franchise royalties, and could adversely affect our operating income and our ability to leverage the Famous Dave’s brand. In addition, there can be no assurance that our franchisees will have access to financial resources necessary to open the restaurants required by their respective area development agreements, which would negatively impact our growth plans.
The restaurant industry is subject to extensive government regulation that could negatively impact our business.
The restaurant industry is subject to extensive federal, state, and local government regulation by various government agencies, including state and local licensing, zoning, land use, construction and environmental regulations and various regulations relating to the preparation and sale of food and alcoholic beverages, sanitation, disposal of refuse and waste products, public health, safety and fire standards, adjustments to tip credits, increases to minimum wage requirements, workers’ compensation and citizenship requirements. Due to the fact that we offer and sell franchises, we are also subject to federal regulation and certain state laws which govern the offer and sale of franchises. Many state franchise laws impose substantive requirements on franchise agreements, including limitations on non-competition provisions and termination or non-renewal of a franchise. We may also be subject in certain states to “dram-shop” statutes, which provide a person injured by an intoxicated person the right to recover damages from an establishment that wrongfully served alcoholic beverages to the intoxicated person.
Any change in the current status of such regulations, including an increase in team member benefits costs, any and all insurance rates, or other costs associated with team members, could substantially increase our compliance and labor costs. Because we pay many of our restaurant-level team members rates based on either the federal or the state minimum wage, increases in the minimum wage would lead to increased labor costs. In addition, our operating results would be adversely affected in the event we fail to maintain our food and liquor licenses. Furthermore, restaurant operating costs are affected by increases in unemployment tax rates and similar costs over which we have no control.
During 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 were signed into law in the United States. Our restaurants will be covered by these national requirements when they go into effect, which may be as early as 2014. This legislation mandates menu labeling of certain nutritional aspects of restaurant menu items such as caloric, sugar, sodium, and fat content. There is a risk that consumers’ dining preferences may be impacted by such menu labeling. If we elect to alter our recipes in response to such a change in dining preferences, doing so could increase our costs and/or change the flavor profile of our menu offerings which could have an adverse impact on our results of operations.
Healthcare reform legislation could have a negative impact on our business.
Certain of the provisions of recent health care legislation that have increased our healthcare costs include the removal of annual plan limits and the mandate that health plans provide 100% coverage on expanded preventative care. In addition, our healthcare costs could increase significantly as the new legislation and accompanying regulations require us to automatically enroll employees in health coverage, potentially cover more variable hour employees than we do currently or pay penalty amounts in the event that employees do not elect our offered coverage. Additionally, minimum employee health care coverage mandated by state or federal legislation could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. While much of the cost of the recent healthcare legislation enacted will occur in or after 2014 due to provisions of the legislation being phased in over time, changes to our healthcare cost structure could have an impact on our business and operating costs.
We are subject to the risks associated with the food services industry, including the risk that incidents of food-borne illnesses or food tampering could damage our reputation and reduce our restaurant sales.
Our industry is susceptible to the risk of food-borne illnesses. As with any restaurant operation, however, we cannot guarantee that our internal controls and training will be fully effective in preventing all food-borne illnesses. Furthermore, our reliance on third-party food suppliers and distributors increases the risk that food-borne illness incidents could be caused by third-party food suppliers and distributors outside of our control and/or multiple locations being affected rather than a single restaurant. New illnesses resistant to any precautions may develop in the future, or diseases with long incubation periods could arise that could give rise to claims or allegations on a retroactive basis. Reports in the media or on social media of one or more instances of food-borne illness in one of our company-owned restaurants, one of our franchise-operated restaurants or in one of our competitor’s restaurants could negatively affect our restaurant sales, force the closure of some of our restaurants and conceivably have a national impact if highly publicized. This risk exists even if it were later determined that the illness had been wrongly attributed to the restaurant. Furthermore, other illnesses could adversely affect the supply of some of our food products and significantly increase our costs. A decrease in guest traffic as a result of these health concerns or negative publicity could materially harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our ability to exploit our brand depends on our ability to protect our intellectual property, and if any third parties make unauthorized use of our intellectual property, our competitive position and business could suffer.
We believe that our trademarks and other intellectual proprietary rights are important to our success and our competitive position. Accordingly, we have registered various trademarks and make use of various unregistered marks. However, the actions we have taken or may take in the future to establish and protect our trademarks and other intellectual proprietary rights may be inadequate to prevent others from imitating our products and concept or claiming violations of their trademarks and proprietary rights by us. Although we intend to defend against any improper use of our marks to the fullest extent allowable by law, litigation related to such defense, regardless of the merit or resolution, may be costly and time consuming and divert the efforts and attention of our management. As a franchisor, we are subject to additional reputation risk associated with data breaches that could occur at one of our franchise locations, that could potentially harm the Famous Dave’s brand reputation.
Our financial performance is affected by our ability to contract with reliable suppliers at competitive prices.
In order to maximize operating efficiencies, we have entered into arrangements with food manufacturers and distributors pursuant to which we obtain approximately 85% of the products used by the Company, including, but not limited to, pork, poultry, beef, and seafood. We believe that our relationships with our food manufacturers and distributors are excellent. We anticipate no interruption in the supply of product delivered by these companies; however, we have arrangements with several secondary suppliers in the case of a supply disruption. Although we may be able to obtain competitive products and prices from alternative suppliers, an interruption in the supply of products delivered by our food suppliers could adversely affect our operations in the short term. Due to the rising market price environment, our food costs may increase without the desire and/or ability to pass that price increase to our customers.
While we do contract for utilities in all available states, the costs of these energy-related items will fluctuate due to factors that may not be predictable, such as the economy, current political/international relations and weather conditions. Because we cannot control these types of factors, there is a risk that prices of energy/utility items will increase beyond our current projections and adversely affect our operations.
We could be adversely impacted if our information technology and computer systems do not perform properly or if we fail to protect our customers’ credit card information or our employees’ personal data.
We rely heavily on information technology to conduct our business, and any material failure, interruption of service, or compromised data security could adversely affect our operations. While we take it very seriously and expend significant resources to ensure that our information technology operates securely and effectively, any security breaches could result in disruptions to operations or unauthorized disclosure of confidential information. Additionally, if our guests’ credit card or other personal information or our team members’ personal data are compromised, our operations could be adversely affected, our reputation could be harmed, and we could be subjected to litigation or the imposition of penalties.
Pursuant to its authority to designate and issue shares of our stock as it deems appropriate, our board of directors may assign rights and privileges to currently undesignated shares which could adversely affect the rights of existing shareholders.
Our authorized capital consists of 100,000,000 shares of capital stock. Our Board of Directors, without any action by the shareholders, may designate and issue shares in such classes or series (including classes or series of preferred stock) as it deems appropriate and establish the rights, preferences and privileges of such shares, including dividends, liquidation and voting rights. As of March 11, 2014, we had 7,102,336 shares of common stock outstanding.
The rights of holders of preferred stock and other classes of common stock that may be issued could be superior to the rights granted to the current holders of our common stock. Our Board’s ability to designate and issue such undesignated shares could impede or deter an unsolicited tender offer or takeover proposal. Further, the issuance of additional shares having preferential rights could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of holders of common stock.
ITEM 1B.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The development cost of our restaurants varies depending primarily on the size and style of the restaurant, whether the property is purchased or leased, and whether it is a conversion of an existing building or a newly constructed restaurant. We have 6,000 and 5,000 square foot packages that can be built as a free standing building, a 4,000 square foot model that most likely would be constructed as an end cap of a building and a 2,500-3,000 square foot design which would be constructed as a counter service location in an existing building or as an in-line location. Additionally, we offer lower cost conversion packages that provide our franchisees with the flexibility to build in cost effective formats, such as opportunities to convert existing restaurants into a Famous Dave’s restaurant.
In fiscal 2013, the company opened two free-standing, full-service restaurants, one in a 5,000 square foot building constructed by the landlord and the second in a 5,600 square foot prototype building constructed by the company. In addition to the company locations, franchisees opened eight full-service restaurants during fiscal 2013 including five conversions, two ground-up free-standing buildings, and one end-cap. In fiscal 2012, the company opened a 6,000 square foot full-service restaurant and a 3,600 square foot counter-service restaurant, both of which were conversions of other restaurant concepts. In 2012, several franchisees successfully converted restaurants from existing casual dining concepts In 2011, the company opened a 5,400 square foot full-service restaurant and a 3,000 square foot counter-service restaurant, both of which were conversions of other restaurant concepts. Due to the flexibility and scalability of our concept, there are a variety of development opportunities available now and in the future. In 2014, we expect to open 1 company-owned restaurant, and 6 franchise-operated restaurants.
Our leased restaurant facilities are occupied under agreements with remaining terms ranging from 2 to 34 years, including renewal options. Such leases generally provide for fixed rental payments plus operating expenses associated with the properties. Several leases also require the payment of percentage rent based on net sales.
Our executive offices are currently located in approximately 28,600 square feet in Minnetonka, Minnesota. Our executive office lease expires November 2018, with two five-year renewal options. The minimum annual rent commitment remaining over the lease term, including renewal options, is approximately $4.4 million. Additionally, we have leased warehouse space to house our décor. This lease expires September 2015.
We believe that our properties will be suitable for our needs and adequate for operations for the foreseeable future. The following table sets forth certain information about our existing company-owned restaurant locations, as of December 29, 2013, sorted by opening date:
All seat count and square footage amounts are approximate.
(1) Restaurant is collateral in a financing lease.
(2) Restaurant land and building are owned by the Company.
(3) Counter service restaurant
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From time-to-time, we are involved in various legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of our management, the ultimate dispositions of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position and results of operations. Currently, there are no significant legal matters pending.
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not Applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5.
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information
Our common stock has traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market since July 24, 1997 under the symbol DAVE. Currently, our common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Market. The following table summarizes the high and low sale prices per share of our common stock for the periods indicated, as reported on the NASDAQ Global Market.
Holders
As of March 5, 2014, we had approximately 327 shareholders of record and approximately 3,449 beneficial shareholders.
Dividends
Our Board of Directors has not declared any dividends on our common stock since our inception, and does not intend to pay out any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. We presently intend to retain all earnings, if any, to provide for growth, reduce our debt levels, and repurchase our common stock. The payment of cash dividends in the future, if any, will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend upon such factors as earnings levels, capital requirements, loan agreement restrictions, our financial condition and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors.
Stock Performance Graph
Below is a line-graph presentation that compares the cumulative, five-year return to the Company’s shareholders (based on appreciation of the market price of the Company’s common stock) on an indexed basis with (i) a broad equity market index and (ii) an appropriate published industry or line-of-business index, or Peer Group Index constructed by the Company. The following presentation compares the Company’s common stock price for the period from December 28, 2008 through December 29, 2013, to the S&P 500 Stock Index and to the S&P Small Cap Restaurant Index.
The Company has elected to use the S&P Small Cap Restaurant Index in compiling its stock performance graph because it believes the S&P Small Cap Restaurant Index represents a comparison to competitors’ with similar market capitalization to the Company.
The presentation assumes that the value of an investment in each of the Company’s common stock, the S&P 500 Index and S&P Small Cap Restaurants was $100 on December 28, 2008, and that any dividends paid were reinvested in the same security.
COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
Among Famous Dave’s of America, Inc., the S&P 500 Index, and S&P Small Cap
Restaurants
* $100 invested on 12/28/08 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends. Fiscal year ending 12/29/13 with previous specific fiscal year ends at January 3, 2010, January 2, 2011, January 1, 2012, December 30, 2012, and December 29, 2013.
Copyright© 2014 S&P, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer
On May 1, 2012, our Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program that authorized the repurchase of up to 1.0 million shares of our common stock in both the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. Since the program was adopted in May 2012, we have repurchased 702,635 shares under this program for approximately $10.3 million at an average market price per share of $14.66, excluding commissions. During fiscal 2013, we repurchased 378,773 shares under this program for approximately $6.9 million at an average market price per share of $18.22, excluding commissions. Additionally, excluded from this table, employees forfeited 10,080 shares of restricted stock during fiscal 2013, at a price of $16.14 per share, to cover withholding taxes that were due from the employees at the time that applicable forfeiture restrictions lapsed.
The following table includes information about the stock repurchase program approved on May 1, 2012 for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2013:
(1) Excluding commissions.
(2) Shares purchased under the 1.0 million share publically announced repurchase plan adopted May 1, 2012.
(3) Reflects the maximum number of shares that may be purchased in the future under the publicly announced share repurchase plan adopted May 1, 2012.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The selected financial data presented below should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included elsewhere in this Form 10-K, and in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this Form 10-K.
The selected financial data as of and for the fiscal years ended December 29, 2013 (fiscal 2013), December 30, 2012 (fiscal 2012), January 1, 2012 (fiscal 2011), January 2, 2011 (fiscal 2010), and January 3, 2010 (fiscal 2009) have been derived from our consolidated financial statements as audited by Grant Thornton LLP, independent registered public accounting firm.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(1) Fiscal 2009 consisted of 53 weeks. Fiscal 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010 all consisted of 52 weeks.
(2) Fiscal 2013 reflects non-cash impairment charges for one company-owned restaurant, a lease restructuring at another company-owned restaurant, and residual closing costs for a restaurant relocated in 2013. Fiscal 2012 primarily reflects closing costs for three company-owned restaurants as well as a lease reserve for one of the closed restaurants. Fiscal 2011 primarily reflects impairment charges for three company-owned restaurants. One is still operating and two have closed. Fiscal 2009 primarily reflects closing costs for two company-owned restaurants.
(3) Reflects gain on acquisition of New York and New Jersey restaurants in March of 2010, of $0.15 per diluted share.
(4) Our comparable store sales includes company-owned and franchise-operated restaurants that are open year round and have been open more than 24 months.
(5) For purposes of computing comparable store sales, this computation assumes fiscal 2009 was a 52-week year.
ITEM 7.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Certain statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All such forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to us as of the date of this Annual Report, and we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as otherwise required by applicable law. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors may include, among others, those factors listed in Item 1A of and elsewhere in this Annual Report and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with “Selected Financial Data” above (Item 6 of this Annual Report) and our financial statements and related footnotes appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report.
OVERVIEW
Famous Dave’s of America, Inc. was incorporated as a Minnesota corporation in March 1994 and opened its first restaurant in Minneapolis in June 1995. As of December 29, 2013, there were 194 Famous Dave’s restaurants operating in 34 states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and 1 Canadian province, including 54 company-owned restaurants and 140 franchise-operated restaurants. An additional 60 franchise restaurants were committed to be developed through signed area development agreements as of December 29, 2013.
Fiscal Year
Our fiscal year ends on the Sunday nearest December 31st of each year. Our fiscal year is generally 52 weeks; however it periodically consists of 53 weeks. The fiscal years ended December 29, 2013 (fiscal 2013), December 30, 2012 (fiscal 2012), and January 1, 2012 (fiscal 2011) all consisted of 52 weeks. Fiscal 2014, which ends on December 28, 2014, will consist of 52 weeks.
Basis of Presentation - The financial results presented and discussed herein reflect our results and the results of our wholly-owned and majority-owned consolidated subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to the current year’s presentation.
During fiscal 2013, in order to be more comparable to other public restaurant companies, the Company made the decision to reflect multi-unit supervision expenses within general and administrative expenses as opposed to operating expenses, where it previously had been reflected. All prior years’ results shown have been reclassified to be comparable with the current fiscal year’s presentation. For each of fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011, this adjustment was approximately $1.9 million.
Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates - The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations is based upon its financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amount of assets, liabilities and expenses, and related disclosures. On an on-going basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments. By their nature, these estimates and judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience, observance of trends in the industry, information provided by customers and other outside sources and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Management believes the following critical accounting policies reflect its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Our Company’s significant accounting policies are described in (Note 1) to the consolidated financial statements included herein.
We have discussed the development and selection of the following critical accounting estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors and the Audit Committee has reviewed our disclosures relating to such estimates in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Recognition of Franchise-Related Revenue - Initial franchise fee revenue is recognized when we have performed substantially all of our obligations as franchisor. Franchise royalties are recognized when earned.
Our franchise-related revenue is comprised of three separate and distinct earnings processes: area development fees, initial franchise fees and continuing royalty payments. Currently, our domestic area development fee for domestic growth consists of a one-time, non-refundable payment of approximately $10,000 per restaurant in consideration for the services we perform in preparation of executing each area development agreement. For our foreign area development agreements the one time, non-refundable payment is negotiated on a per development basis and is determined based on the costs incurred to sell that development agreement. Substantially all of these services, which include, but are not limited to, a review of the potential franchisee’s current operations, conducting market and trade area analysis, a meeting with Famous Dave’s Executive Team, and performing a potential franchise background investigation, are completed prior to our execution of the area development agreement and receipt of the corresponding area development fee. As a result, we recognize this fee in full upon receipt. Currently, our initial, non-refundable, franchise fee for domestic growth is $45,000 per restaurant, of which approximately $5,000 is recognized immediately when a franchise agreement is signed, reflecting expenses incurred related to the sale. The remaining non-refundable fee is included in deferred franchise fees and is recognized as revenue when we have performed substantially all of our obligations, which generally occurs upon the franchise entering into a lease agreement for the restaurant(s). Finally, franchisees are also required to pay us a monthly royalty equal to a percentage of their net sales, which has historically varied from 4% to 5%. In general, new franchises pay us a monthly royalty of 5% of their net sales.
Because of the continuing difficult economic environment and scarcity of capital for development, we offered reduced royalty rates, based on a sliding scale, for new restaurants opened during 2011. In 2012 and 2013, there were no reduced royalty rate programs. The company does not anticipate offering any reduced royalty rate programs for fiscal 2014.
Asset Impairment and Estimated Lease Termination and Other Closing Costs - We evaluate restaurant sites and long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of restaurant sites to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the restaurant site to the undiscounted future net cash flows expected to be generated on a restaurant-by-restaurant basis. If a restaurant is determined to be impaired, the loss is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the restaurant site exceeds its fair value. Fair value is estimated based on the best information available including estimated future cash flows, expected growth rates in comparable restaurant sales, remaining lease terms, discount rate and other factors. If these assumptions change in the future, we may be required to take additional impairment charges for the related assets. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate future cash flows. Accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from such estimates. Restaurant sites that are operating, but have been previously impaired, are reported at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less estimated costs to sell.
Lease Accounting - We recognize lease expense for our operating leases over the entire lease term including lease renewal options where the renewal is reasonably assured and the build-out period takes place prior to the restaurant opening or lease commencement date. We account for construction allowances by recording a receivable when its collectability is considered probable, depreciating the leasehold improvements over the lesser of their useful lives or the full term of the lease, including renewal options and build-out periods, amortizing the construction allowance as a credit to rent expense over the full term of the lease, including renewal options and build-out periods, and relieving the receivable once the cash is obtained from the landlord for the construction allowance. We record rent expense during the build-out period and classify this expense in pre-opening expenses in our consolidated statements of operations.
Liquor licenses - The Company owns transferable liquor licenses in jurisdictions with a limited number of authorized liquor licenses. These licenses were capitalized as indefinite-lived intangible assets and are included in intangible assets, net in our consolidated Balance Sheets (see note 4 to our consolidated financial statements) at December 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012. We annually review the liquor licenses for impairment and in fiscal 2013 and 2012, no impairment charges were required to be recorded. Additionally, the costs of obtaining non-transferable liquor licenses that are directly issued by local government agencies for nominal fees are expensed as incurred. Annual liquor license renewal fees are expensed over the renewal term.
Accounts receivable, net - We provide an allowance for uncollectible accounts on accounts receivable based on historical losses and existing economic conditions, when relevant. We provide for a general bad debt reserve for franchise receivables due to increases in days’ sales outstanding and deterioration in general economic market conditions. This general reserve is based on the aging of receivables meeting specified criteria and is adjusted each quarter based on past due receivable balances. Additionally, we have periodically established a specific reserve on certain receivables as necessary. Any changes to the reserve are recorded in general and administrative expenses. The allowance for uncollectible accounts was approximately $72,000 and $236,000, at December 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012, respectively. In 2013, the decrease in the allowance for doubtful accounts was primarily due to payments received throughout fiscal 2013 for balances previously reserved for. Accounts receivable are written off when they become uncollectible, and payments subsequently received on such receivables are credited to allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts receivable balances written off have not exceeded allowances provided. We believe all accounts receivable in excess of the allowance are fully collectible. If accounts receivable in excess of provided allowances are determined uncollectible, they are charged to expense in the period that determination is made. Outstanding past due accounts receivable are subject to a monthly interest charge on unpaid balances which is recorded as interest income in our consolidated statements of operations. In assessing recoverability of these receivables, we make judgments regarding the financial condition of the franchisees based primarily on past and current payment trends, as well as other variables, including annual financial information, which the franchisees are required to submit to us.
Stock-based compensation - We recognize compensation cost for share-based awards granted to team members based on their fair values at the time of grant over the requisite service period. Additionally, our board members receive share-based awards for their board service. Our pre-tax compensation cost for stock options and other incentive awards is included in general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations (see Note 9 to our financial statements).
Income Taxes - We provide for income taxes based on our estimate of federal and state income tax liabilities. These estimates include, among other items, effective rates for state and local income taxes, allowable tax credits for items such as taxes paid on reported tip income, estimates related to depreciation and amortization expense allowable for tax purposes, and the tax deductibility of certain other items. Our estimates are based on the information available to us at the time that we prepare the income tax provision. We generally file our annual income tax returns several months after our fiscal year-end. Income tax returns are subject to audit by federal, state, and local governments, generally years after the tax returns are filed. These returns could be subject to material adjustments or differing interpretations of the tax laws. Accounting for uncertain tax positions requires significant judgment including estimating the amount, timing, and likelihood of ultimate settlement. Although the Company believes that its estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ from these estimates. Additionally, uncertain positions may be re-measured as warranted by changes in facts or law. During 2012, we realized the benefit from the cumulative impact of tax credits for employee reported tips for 2012 as well as four previous tax years that were amended, or in the case of fiscal 2011, initially filed. This resulted from a more precise calculation methodology for this tax credit, and will continue to benefit us in the future.
Results of Operations
Revenue - Our revenue consists of four components: company-owned restaurant sales, franchise-related revenue from royalties and franchise fees, licensing revenue from the retail sale of our sauces and rubs, and other revenue from the opening assistance we provide to franchise partners. We record restaurant sales at the time food and beverages are served. Our revenue recognition policies for franchising are discussed under “Recognition of Franchise-Related Revenue” above. Our franchise-related revenue consists of area development fees, initial franchise fees and continuing royalty payments. We record sales of merchandise items at the time items are delivered to the customer.
We have a licensing agreement for our retail products, with renewal options of five years, subject to the licensee’s attainment of identified minimum product sales levels. Based on achievement of the required minimum product sales, the agreement will be in force until April 2015 at which time these levels will be re-evaluated.
Periodically, we provide additional services, beyond the general franchise agreement, to our franchise operations, such as new restaurant training and décor installation services. The cost of these services is billed to the respective franchisee, is recorded as other income when the service is provided, and is generally payable on net 30-day terms. Since 2010, the franchise agreements require a 50% deposit be paid in advance for these services.
Costs and Expenses - Restaurant costs and expenses include food and beverage costs, labor and benefits costs, operating expenses which include occupancy costs, repair and maintenance costs, supplies, advertising and promotion, and restaurant depreciation and amortization. Certain of these costs and expenses are variable and will increase or decrease with sales volume. The primary fixed costs are corporate and restaurant management salaries and occupancy costs. Our experience is that when a new restaurant opens, it incurs higher than normal levels of labor and food costs until operations stabilize, usually during the first three to four months of operation. As restaurant management and team members gain experience following a restaurant’s opening, labor scheduling, food cost management and operating expense control typically improve to levels similar to those at our more established restaurants.
General and Administrative Expenses - General and administrative expenses include all corporate and administrative functions that provide an infrastructure to support existing operations and support future growth. Salaries, including restaurant-level supervision, bonuses, team member benefits, legal fees, accounting fees, consulting fees, travel, rent, and general insurance are major items in this category. Additionally, we record expenses for Managers in Training (“MITs”) in this category for approximately six weeks prior to a restaurant opening. We also provide franchise services, the revenue of which are included in other revenue and the expenses of which are included in general and administrative expenses.
The following table presents items in our consolidated statements of operations as a percentage of total revenue or net restaurant sales, as indicated, for the following fiscal years:(6)
(1) As a percentage of restaurant sales, net
(2) As a percentage of total revenue
(3) In order to be consistent with what the Company believes to be a more prevalent practice among other public restaurant companies, the Company has decided to reflect multi-unit supervision expenses within general and administrative expenses, rather than as operating expenses, where they previously have been reflected. Both fiscal years ended 2012 and 2011 had an adjustment of approximately $1.9 million.
(4) Restaurant level margin is equal to taking restaurant sales, net less restaurant level costs and expenses. Restaurant level costs and expenses include food and beverage costs, labor and benefit costs, operating expenses, restaurant level depreciation and amortization, asset impairment and estimated lease termination and other closing costs, pre-opening expenses and net loss on disposal of equipment.
(5) Restaurant level cash flow margin is equal to taking restaurant sales, net less restaurant level food and beverage costs, labor and benefit costs, and operating expenses.
(6) Data regarding our restaurant operations as presented in this table includes sales, costs and expenses associated with our Rib Team, which netted a loss of $54,000, $69,000, and $26,000, respectively, in fiscal years 2013, 2012, and 2011. Our Rib Team travels around the country introducing people to our brand of barbeque and building brand awareness.
Fiscal Year 2013 Compared to Fiscal Year 2012
On February 10, 2014, we appointed Edward H. Rensi to serve as our interim Chief Executive Officer. Following this recent change, and under Mr. Rensi’s leadership, we are in the process of evaluating and assessing various aspects of our business that may impact our budgets and expected financial performance for fiscal 2014. As a result, we believe that it is premature to provide any guidance for fiscal 2014 in this report and have elected not to do so. We will re-assess the advisability of providing guidance in the future commencing with our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the first fiscal quarter of 2014.
Total Revenue
Total revenue of approximately $155.4 million for fiscal 2013 increased approximately $444,000, or 0.3%, from total revenue of $155.0 in fiscal 2012. Fiscal 2013 and 2012 both consisted of 52 weeks.
Restaurant Sales, net
Restaurant sales for fiscal 2013 were approximately $136.9 million, compared to approximately $135.7 million for fiscal 2012 reflecting a 0.9% increase. Total restaurant sales reflected a 0.2% comparable sales increase, by the annualized impact of two company-owned restaurants that opened in fiscal 2012, and the partial year impact of two company-owned restaurants that opened in fiscal 2013, as well as a weighted average price increase of approximately 2.5%. This increase was partially offset by the closure of one company owned restaurant. The overall 0.2% comparable sales increase was, on a weighted basis, comprised of a 1.9% comparable sales decrease for dine-in sales, a
0.6% comparable sales decrease for catering, partially offset by a comparable sales increase for To Go of 2.6%. For fiscal 2013, off-premise sales were 35.6% of total sales, with catering at 9.8% and To Go at 25.8%. This compares to 2012’s off-premise sales of 33.4 % with catering at 10.5% and To Go at 22.9%. As a percentage of dine-in sales, our adult beverage sales at our company-owned restaurants were approximately 9.5% for both fiscal 2013 and 2012.
Franchise-Related Revenue
Franchise-related revenue consists of royalty revenue and franchise fees, which includes initial franchise fees and area development fees. Franchise-related revenue was approximately $17.4 million for fiscal 2013, compared to $18.1 million for 2012. The decrease in franchise-related revenue is primarily related to decreases in franchise fees and royalty revenue resulting from a franchise comparable sales decrease of 2.9%, partially offset by revenue generated from a net five new franchise restaurants year over year. Although our committed units to be developed decreased by two units year over year; the commitments were reflected by the execution of several smaller agreements. Fiscal 2013 included 6,971 franchise operating weeks, compared to 6,848 franchise operating weeks in fiscal 2012. There were 140 franchise-operated restaurants open at December 29, 2013, compared to 135 at December 30, 2012.
Licensing and Other Revenue
Licensing revenue includes royalties from a retail line of business, including sauces, rubs, marinades and seasonings. Other revenue includes opening assistance and training we provide to our franchise partners. Licensing royalty revenue was approximately $805,000 for fiscal 2013 as compared to $731,000 for fiscal 2012.
Other revenue for fiscal 2013 was approximately $311,000 compared to approximately $443,000 for the comparable period of fiscal 2012. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in the number of franchise openings year over year and a corresponding decrease in the opening assistance required.
Same Store Net Sales
It is our policy to include in our same store net sales base, restaurants that are open year round and have been open at least 24 months. Same store net sales for company-owned restaurants open at least 24 months ended December 29, 2013 increased 0.2%, compared to fiscal 2012’s decrease of 1.8%. For fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, there were 48 and 49 restaurants, respectively, included in the company-owned 24 month comparable sales base.
Same store net sales on a 24 month basis for franchise-operated restaurants for fiscal 2013 decreased 2.9%, compared to fiscal 2012’s comparable sales which were down 2.0%. For fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, there were 114 and 107 restaurants, respectively, included in the franchise-operated 24 month comparable sales base.
Average Weekly Net Sales and Operating Weeks
The following table shows company-owned and franchise-operated average weekly net sales for fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012:
Food and Beverage Costs
Food and beverage costs for fiscal 2013 were approximately $41.4 million or 30.3% of net restaurant sales compared to approximately $42.4 million or 31.3% of net restaurant sales for fiscal 2012. This decrease is primarily due to more favorable food contracts compared to fiscal 2012.
For 2014, we currently anticipate an approximate 5.5% deflation for our contracted food and beverage costs for comparable restaurants, based on what we have contracted to date and based on a projection of the remainder of the year. Late in 2013, we locked in a majority of our pork contracts for all of fiscal 2014 which positions us to capitalize on future savings should we see further opportunities in 2014 to blend and extend our contract into fiscal 2015. As we move through 2014, we will determine whether or not we will take any menu price increases in 2014.
Labor and Benefits Costs
Labor and benefits costs for fiscal 2013 were approximately $44.3 million or 32.4% of net restaurant sales, compared to approximately $44.3 million or 32.6% of net restaurant sales for fiscal 2012. This decrease was primarily due to lower direct labor costs, somewhat offset by sales deleverage on manager labor.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses for fiscal 2013 were approximately $35.0 million or 25.6% of net restaurant sales, compared to approximately $36.5 million or 26.9% of net restaurant sales for fiscal 2012. This decrease was primarily due to the redeployment of our marketing spend during 2013 in more effective ways, such as discontinuing investing in a direct mail program similar to the prior year. Additionally, 2013 operating expenses were positively impacted by lower supply and repair and maintenance costs.
In fiscal 2013, advertising, as a percentage of sales, was approximately 2.5%, compared to fiscal 2012’s percentage at 3.4%. Due to a carryover of funds, the Company had decreased the Marketing Fund contribution system-wide, to 0.75% for fiscal 2013, from 1.0% for fiscal 2012. For 2014, the Marketing Fund contribution will remain at the 0.75% level.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense for fiscal 2013 and 2012 was approximately $6.2 million and $6.0 million, respectively, and was 4.0% and 3.9%, respectively, of total revenue reflecting prior years capital expenditures partially offset by slightly lower current year capital expenditures and a slightly elevated total revenue base year over year.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses for fiscal 2013 were approximately $18.9 million or 12.2% of total revenue compared to approximately $18.7 million or 12.1% of total revenue for fiscal 2012. The slight increase year over year, reflects the impact from the addition of a Chief Operating Officer position, the impact of $348,000 related to severance costs, and additional stock based compensation for grants of restricted shares to our former Chief Executive Officer and to two new board members. This increase was partially offset by reductions in overhead. Neither fiscal 2012 nor fiscal 2013 included a cash bonus accrual.
For fiscal 2013 and 2012, stock-based compensation and board of director cash compensation expense was approximately $2.0 million and $1.7 million, respectively.
Asset Impairment and Estimated Lease Termination and Other Closing Costs
We evaluate restaurant sites and long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of restaurant sites to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the restaurant site to the undiscounted future net cash flows expected to be generated on a restaurant-by-restaurant basis. If a restaurant is determined to be impaired, the loss is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the restaurant site exceeds its fair value. Fair value is estimated based on the best information available including estimated future cash flows, expected growth rates in comparable restaurant sales, remaining lease terms and other factors. If these assumptions change in the future, we may be required to take additional impairment charges for the related assets. Considerable management judgment is
necessary to estimate future cash flows. Accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from such estimates. Restaurant sites that are operating, but have been previously impaired, are reported at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less estimated costs to sell. Here is a summary of these events and situations for fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012:
2013 Asset Impairment and Estimated Lease Termination and Other Closing Costs (in thousands):
(1) Based on the Company’s assessment of expected cash flows, an asset impairment charge was recorded for this restaurant. The remaining asset balance can be transferred to other restaurants.
(2) Lease costs associated with terminating, and then entering into a new lease for this restaurant.
(3) The Company incurred various costs for this restaurant which closed at the end of its natural lease term.
2012 Asset Impairment and Estimated Lease Termination and Other Closing Costs (in thousands):
(1) The Company incurred various costs for closed restaurants, primarily related to its Tulsa, OK, Vernon Hills, IL, and Yorktown, IL restaurants.
(2) The lease reserve equals the net present value of the remaining lease obligations for the Vernon Hills, IL restaurant, net of expected sublease income, equal to zero.
Pre-opening Expenses
Pre-opening expenses consist of labor, food, utilities, training and rent costs incurred prior to the opening of a restaurant. Included in pre-opening costs is pre-opening rent for approximately 16 weeks prior to opening but this will vary based on lease terms. During fiscal 2013 and 2012, we had $646,000 and $474,000, respectively, of pre-opening expenses which included pre-opening rent and other pre-opening expenses.
Interest Expense
Interest expense was approximately $1.0 million or 0.6% of total revenue for fiscal 2013, and $1.1 million or 0.7% of total revenue for fiscal 2012. Interest expense was slightly favorable compared to 2012 primarily due to lower balances on our line of credit, term loan and financing lease obligations.
Interest Income
Interest income was approximately $7,000 for both fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012. Interest income reflects interest received on short-term cash and cash equivalent balances as well as on outstanding accounts receivable balances.
Provision for Income Taxes
For fiscal 2013, our tax provision was approximately $2.0 million, or 29.7% of income before income taxes, compared to the prior year comparable period of approximately $805,000, or 15.6% of income before income taxes. Our effective tax rate for fiscal 2013 reflected a higher level of pre-tax income. During 2012, we realized the benefit from the cumulative impact of tax credits for employee reported tips for the current year as well as four previous tax years that were amended. This resulted from a more precise calculation methodology for this tax credit, and will continue to benefit us in the future.
Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Common Share
Net income for fiscal 2013 was approximately $4.8 million, or $0.65 per basic share and $0.62 per diluted share, on approximately 7,367,000 weighted average basic shares outstanding and approximately 7,648,000 weighted average diluted shares outstanding, respectively. Net income for fiscal 2012 was approximately $4.4 million, or $0.58 per basic share and $0.57 per diluted share, on approximately 7,455,000 weighted average basic shares outstanding and approximately 7,650,000 weighted average diluted shares outstanding, respectively.
Fiscal Year 2012 Compared to Fiscal Year 2011
Total Revenue
Total revenue of approximately $155.0 million for fiscal 2012 increased approximately $200,000, or 0.1%, from total revenue of $154.8 in fiscal 2011. Fiscal 2012 and 2011 both consisted of 52 weeks.
Restaurant Sales, net
Restaurant sales for fiscal 2012 were approximately $135.7 million, compared to approximately $136.9 million for fiscal 2011 reflecting a 0.9% decrease. Total restaurant sales reflected a 1.8% comparable sales decrease and the closure of three company-owned restaurants. This was partially offset by the full year impact of two company-owned restaurants that opened in fiscal 2011, and the partial year impact of two company-owned restaurants that opened in fiscal 2012, as well as a weighted average price increase of approximately 2.85%. The overall 1.8% comparable sales decrease was, on a weighted basis, comprised of a 2.1% comparable sales decrease for dine-in sales which was partially offset by a comparable sales increase for catering of 0.3%, while To Go comparable sales remained flat. For fiscal 2012, off-premise sales were 33.4% of total sales, with catering at 10.5% and To Go at 22.9%. This compares to 2011’s off-premise sales of 32.0 % with catering at 9.9% and To Go at 22.1%. As a percentage of dine-in sales, our adult beverage sales at our company-owned restaurants were approximately 9.5% and 9.4% for fiscal 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Franchise-Related Revenue
Franchise-related revenue consists of royalty revenue and franchise fees, which includes initial franchise fees and area development fees. Franchise-related revenue was approximately $18.1 million for fiscal 2012, compared to $16.9 million for 2011. The increase in franchise-related revenue is primarily related to an increase in franchise fees which reflects a net increase of two franchise restaurants year over year partially offset by a comparable sales decrease of 2.0%. Ten new franchise restaurants opened in fiscal 2012 at higher sales volumes than the eight restaurants that closed. Additionally, while our committed units to be developed decreased by one unit year over year; it did reflect the execution of two significant area development agreements as well as several smaller agreements. Fiscal 2012 included 6,848 franchise operating weeks, compared to 6,691 franchise operating weeks in fiscal 2011. There were 135 franchise-operated restaurants open at December 30, 2012, compared to 133 at January 1, 2012.
Licensing and Other Revenue
Licensing revenue includes royalties from a retail line of business, including sauces, rubs, marinades and seasonings. Other revenue includes opening assistance and training we provide to our franchise partners. Licensing royalty revenue was approximately $731,000 for fiscal 2012 as compared to $702,000 for fiscal 2011.
Other revenue for fiscal 2012 was approximately $443,000 compared to approximately $282,000 for the comparable period of fiscal 2011. The increase was primarily due to an increase in the number of franchise openings and an increase in the opening assistance required.
Same Store Net Sales
It is our policy to include in our same store net sales base, restaurants that are open year round and have been open at least 24 months. Same store net sales for company-owned restaurants open at least 24 months ended December 30, 2012 decreased 1.8%, compared to fiscal 2011’s increase of 1.5%. For fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011, there were 49 and 44 restaurants, respectively, included in the company-owned 24 month comparable sales base.
Same store net sales on a 24 month basis for franchise-operated restaurants for fiscal 2012 decreased 2.0%, compared to fiscal 2011’s comparable sales which were flat. For fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011, there were 107 and 102 restaurants, respectively, included in the franchise-operated 24 month comparable sales base.
Average Weekly Net Sales and Operating Weeks
The following table shows company-owned and franchise-operated average weekly net sales for fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011:
Food and Beverage Costs
Food and beverage costs for fiscal 2012 were approximately $42.4 million or 31.3% of net restaurant sales compared to approximately $40.8 million or 29.8% of net restaurant sales for fiscal 2011. This increase is primarily due to expected commodity cost increases combined with a shift in higher sales of lower-priced, lower-margin items compared to fiscal 2011. Additionally, we strategically slowed the progress of certain initiatives for further testing. These initiatives were intended to positively impact food costs in 2012; however, to ensure their long-term success, both in terms of dollar savings, as well as delivering a value proposition to our guests, they were delayed until fiscal 2013.
Labor and Benefits Costs
Labor and benefits costs for fiscal 2012 were approximately $44.3 million or 32.6% of net restaurant sales, compared to approximately $43.2 million or 31.5% of net restaurant sales for fiscal 2011. This increase was primarily due to higher direct labor costs, as well as higher medical claims, payroll taxes, and workers’ compensation premiums year over year in addition to sales deleverage.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses for fiscal 2012 were approximately $36.5 million or 26.9% of net restaurant sales, compared to approximately $36.5 million or 26.6% of net restaurant sales for fiscal 2011. This increase was primarily due to sales deleverage partially offset by lower utility and repair and maintenance costs year over year. In fiscal 2012, advertising, as a percentage of sales, was approximately 3.4% which was flat to fiscal 2011.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense for fiscal 2012 and 2011 was approximately $6.0 million and $5.6 million, respectively, and was 3.9% and 3.6%, respectively, of total revenue due to a year over year increase in capital expenditures.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses for fiscal 2012 were approximately $18.7 million or 12.1% of total revenue compared to approximately $18.4 million or 11.9% of total revenue for fiscal 2011. The increase is primarily due to additions and changes to our corporate infrastructure to support our lines of business strategy as well as a year over year increase in required franchise opening assistance. Additionally, 2012 did not contain a bonus accrual compared to fiscal 2011, which contained a bonus accrual of approximately $1.3 million.
For fiscal 2012 and 2011, stock-based compensation and board of director cash compensation expense was approximately $1.7 million for each fiscal year.
Asset Impairment and Estimated Lease Termination and Other Closing Costs
We evaluate restaurant sites and long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of restaurant sites to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the restaurant site to the undiscounted future net cash flows expected to be generated on a restaurant-by-restaurant basis. If a restaurant is determined to be impaired, the loss is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the restaurant site exceeds its fair value. Fair value is estimated based on the best information available including estimated future cash flows, expected growth rates in comparable restaurant sales, remaining lease terms and other factors. If these assumptions change in the future, we may be required to take additional impairment charges for the related assets. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate future cash flows. Accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from such estimates. Restaurant sites that are operating, but have been previously impaired, are reported at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less estimated costs to sell. Here is a summary of these events and situations for fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011:
2012 Asset Impairment and Estimated Lease Termination and Other Closing Costs (in thousands):
(1) The Company incurred various costs for closed restaurants, primarily related to its Tulsa, OK, Vernon Hills, IL and Yorktown, IL restaurants.
(2) The lease reserve equals the net present value of the remaining lease obligations for the Vernon Hills, IL restaurant, net of expected sublease income, equal to zero.
2011 Asset Impairment and Estimated Lease Termination and Other Closing Costs (in thousands):
(1) The Company incurred various costs for previously closed restaurants, net of recapture of accrued expenses for approximately $30,000, in Palatine, IL and Carpentersville, IL.
(2) Based on the Company’s assessment of expected cash flows, an asset impairment charge was recorded for this restaurant which, we relocated to Germantown, MD in the third quarter of 2013.
(3) Based on the Company’s assessment of expected cash flows, an asset impairment charge was recorded for this restaurant which is still operating.
(4) In fiscal 2011, the Company entered into a purchase agreement for the sale of its Tulsa, OK restaurant for approximately $1.2 million. These assets had a net book value of approximately $1.4 million and were accounted for as held for sale and an impairment charge was recorded since the net book value of the assets exceeded the sales price. On March 2, 2012, these assets were sold.
Pre-opening Expenses
Pre-opening expenses consist of labor, food, utilities, training and rent costs incurred prior to the opening of a restaurant. Included in pre-opening costs is pre-opening rent for approximately 16 weeks prior to opening but this will vary based on lease terms. During fiscal 2012 and 2011, we had $474,000 and $412,000, respectively, of pre-opening expenses which included pre-opening rent and other pre-opening expenses.
Interest Expense
Interest expense was approximately $1.1 million or 0.7% of total revenue for fiscal 2012 and 2011. Interest expense was flat compared to 2011 primarily due to lower balances on our term loan and financing lease obligations along with a lower weighted average interest rate on our term loan partially offset by a higher average balance and a higher weighted average interest rate on our line of credit.
Interest Income
Interest income was approximately $7,000 and $22,000 for fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011, respectively. Interest income reflects interest received on short-term cash and cash equivalent balances as well as on outstanding notes receivable and accounts receivable balances. The year over year decrease is due to the full recovery of outstanding notes receivable in fiscal 2012.
Provision for Income Taxes
For fiscal 2012, our tax provision was approximately $805,000, or 15.6% of income before income taxes, compared to the prior year comparable period of approximately $2.8 million, or 33.2% of income before income taxes. During 2012, we realized the benefit from the cumulative impact of tax credits for employee reported tips for the current year as well as four previous tax years that were amended. This resulted from a more precise calculation methodology for this tax credit, and will continue to benefit us in the future.
Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Common Share
Net income for fiscal 2012 was approximately $4.4 million, or $0.58 per basic share and $0.57 per diluted share, on approximately 7,455,000 weighted average basic shares outstanding and approximately 7,650,000 weighted average diluted shares outstanding, respectively. Net income for fiscal 2011 was approximately $5.6 million, or $0.70 per basic share and $0.68 per diluted share, on approximately 7,972,000 weighted average basic shares outstanding and approximately 8,149,000 weighted average diluted shares outstanding, respectively.
Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 29, 2013, our Company held cash and cash equivalents of approximately $1.3 million compared to approximately $2.1 million as of December 30, 2012. Our cash balance reflects a net paydown of $2.2 million on our line of credit, the use of approximately $6.8 million for the repurchase of common stock, including commissions, and the purchases of property, equipment, and leasehold improvements for approximately $6.6 million. The cash expenditures were partially offset by net cash flows from operations of $15.6 million.
Our current ratio, which measures our immediate short-term liquidity, was 0.84 at December 29, 2013, compared to 1.02 at December 30, 2012. The current ratio is computed by dividing total current assets by total current liabilities. The change in our current ratio was primarily due to a decrease in cash and cash equivalents, prepaid expenses, and deferred tax assets predominately as a result of previously amended tax returns. Additionally, there was an increase in accounts payable due to changes in certain vendor terms. As is true with most restaurant companies, we often operate in a negative working capital environment due to the fact that we receive cash up front from customers and then pay our vendors on a delayed basis.
Net cash provided by operations for each of the last three fiscal years was approximately $15.6 million in fiscal 2013, $9.6 million in fiscal 2012, and $11.9 million in fiscal 2011. Cash generated in fiscal 2013 was primarily from net income of approximately $4.8 million, depreciation and amortization of approximately $6.2 million, asset impairment, lease reserve and closing costs of $1.2 million, accounts payable of approximately $2.4 million, stock-based compensation of $1.5 million, and an increase in deferred rent of approximately $1.1 million. These net increases were partially offset by a decrease in accrued compensation and benefits of $788,000, a tax benefit for equity awards issued of $513,000, and a decrease in restricted cash of $412,000.
Cash generated in fiscal 2012 was primarily from depreciation and amortization of approximately $6.0 million, net income of approximately $4.4 million, an increase in accounts payable of approximately $1.6 million, stock-based compensation of $1.3 million, a tax benefit for equity awards issued of approximately $990,000, an increase in deferred rent of approximately $912,000, and an increase in other liabilities of approximately $518,000. These net increases were partially offset by a decrease in accrued compensation and benefits of approximately $2.4 million and a decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets of approximately $1.0 million.
Cash generated in fiscal 2011 was primarily from net income of approximately $5.6 million, depreciation and amortization of approximately $5.6 million, stock-based compensation of $1.3 million, an increase in deferred rent of approximately $911,000, deferred taxes of approximately $659,000, a decrease in prepaid expenses of approximately $604,000 and asset impairment and estimated lease termination and other closing costs of $513,000. These net increases were partially offset by an approximate $2.0 million decrease in accounts payable and a decrease of $740,000 in other current liabilities.
Net cash used for investing activities for each of the last three fiscal years was approximately $6.8 million in fiscal 2013, $5.5 million in fiscal 2012, and $5.1 million in fiscal 2011. In fiscal 2013, we used approximately $6.6 million for capital expenditures for the construction of two new company-owned restaurants, continued investments in our existing restaurants, and various corporate infrastructure projects. Additionally, we purchased a liquor license for a new location for $229,000. In fiscal 2012, we used approximately $6.7 million for capital expenditures for the construction of two new company-owned restaurants, continued investments in, and remodeling projects for our existing restaurants and various corporate infrastructure projects. This was partially offset by $1.2 million in proceeds from the sale of restaurant assets. In fiscal 2011, we used approximately $5.5 million for capital expenditures for the construction of two new company-owned restaurants, continued investments in, and remodeling projects for our existing restaurants and various corporate infrastructure projects.
Net cash used for financing activities was approximately $9.6 million in fiscal 2013, $3.2 million in fiscal 2012, and $8.2 million in fiscal 2011. In fiscal 2013, we had draws on our line of credit of approximately $23.9 million and had repayments of approximately $26.1 million. The maximum balance on our line of credit during fiscal 2013 was $16.0 million. Additionally, we used approximately $6.8 million to repurchase approximately 379,000 shares of our common stock at an average price of $18.22 per share, including commissions. In fiscal 2012, we had draws on our line
of credit of approximately $30.4 million and had repayments of approximately $27.8 million. The maximum balance on our line of credit during fiscal 2012 was $16.2 million. Additionally, we used approximately $5.9 million to repurchase approximately 541,000 shares of our common stock at an average price of $10.68 per share, including commissions. In fiscal 2011, we had draws on our line of credit of approximately $28.6 million and had repayments of approximately $30.6 million. The maximum balance on our line of credit during fiscal 2011 was $16.0 million. Additionally, we used approximately $5.7 million to repurchase approximately 610,000 shares of our common stock at an average price of $9.42 per share, including commissions. We are still under a stock repurchase authorization, and our three primary uses for capital will be to grow our system, reduce our debt levels, and when appropriate, repurchase our shares.
The Company and certain of its subsidiaries (collectively known as the “Borrower”) currently have a Credit Agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent and lender (the “Lender”). The Credit Agreement will expire on July 5, 2016, and contains a $30.0 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) with an opportunity, subject to the Company meeting identified covenants and elections, to increase the commitment to $50.0 million, and a term loan (the “Term Loan”).
Principal amounts outstanding under the Facility bear interest either at an adjusted Eurodollar rate plus an applicable margin or at a Base Rate plus an applicable margin. The Base Rate is defined in the Credit Agreement as the greater of the Federal Funds Rate (0.25% at December 29, 2013) plus 0.5% or Wells Fargo’s prime rate (3.25% at December 29, 2013). The applicable margin will depend on the Company’s Adjusted Leverage Ratio, as defined, at the end of the previous quarter and will range from 1.50% to 2.50% for Eurodollar Rate Loans and from 0.00% to 1.00% for Base Rate Loans. Unused portions of the Facility will be subject to an unused Facility fee which will be equal to either 0.25% or 0.375% of the unused portion, depending on the Company’s Adjusted Leverage Ratio. Our rate for the unused portion of the Facility as of December 29, 2013, was 0.375%. An increase option exercise fee will apply to increased amounts between $30.0 and $50.0 million. Our current weighted average interest rate under the Facility for fiscal years ended December 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012 was 3.24% and 2.82%, respectively.
Principal amounts outstanding under the Term Loan bear interest at the same rate as the Facility. The weighted average interest rate of the Term Loan for fiscal years ended December 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012 was 2.68% and 2.43%, respectively. The Company is required to make minimum annual amortization payments of 10.0% of the principal balance of the Term Loan.
The Facility contains customary affirmative and negative covenants for credit facilities of this type, including limitations on the Borrower with respect to indebtedness, liens, investments, distributions, mergers and acquisitions, dispositions of assets and transactions with affiliates of the Borrower, among others. The Facility also includes various financial covenants that have maximum target capital expenditures, cash flow ratios, and adjusted leverage ratios. If the Company’s Adjusted Leverage Ratio is greater than 4.00 to 1.00, an additional covenant applies that limits the maximum royalty receivable aged past 30 days. In addition, capital expenditure limits include permitted stock repurchase limits (limited to $10.0 million in aggregate during any 12 month period, and $30.0 million in aggregate during the term of the agreement).
The Credit Agreement currently provides for up to $3.0 million in letters of credit to be used by the Company, with any amounts outstanding reducing our availability for general corporate purchases, and also allows for the termination of the Facility by the Borrower without penalty at any time. At December 29, 2013 we had $11.4 million in borrowings under this Facility, $4.7 million outstanding principal under the Term Loan, and approximately $620,000 in letters of credit for real estate locations. As of December 29, 2013, we were in compliance with all of our covenants under our credit facility.
If the bank were to call the Facility prior to expiration, the Company believes there are multiple options available to obtain other sources of financing. Although possibly at different terms, the Company believes there would be other lenders available and willing to finance a new credit facility. However, if replacement financing were unavailable to us, termination of the Facility without adequate replacement would have a material and adverse impact on our ability to continue our business operations.
We expect to use any borrowings under the Credit Agreement for general working capital purchases as needed. Under the Facility, the Borrower has granted the Lender a security interest in all current and future personal property of the Borrower.
Contractual Obligations
(In thousands)
Payments Due by Period (including interest)
(1) This is variable interest rate debt and the interest expense assumption was based on projected interest rates ranging from 2.4% to 2.9% over the term of the loan at December 29, 2013.
(2) Includes $1.7 million of land to be turned over at the end of the lease term.
(3) The Company pays interest on the outstanding line balance in accordance with the terms contained in our Credit Facility (see note 7 to our financial statements and appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report). However, the Company has excluded interest payments from this commitment table because it uses the Line of Credit for working capital purposes, as such, it will periodically draw upon and partially repay the line of credit throughout any given year. This results in fluctuations in the annual outstanding balance, therefore, making it difficult to accurately estimate future principal balances and interest payments as of December 29, 2013. Additionally, the Company is contractually required to repay the balance at maturity, July 5, 2016.
See Notes 7 and 8 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for details of our contractual obligations.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Our Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements (as such term is defined in Item 303 of regulation S-K) that are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition or changes in financial condition, operating results, or liquidity.
Income Taxes
In 2013, we had cumulative state net operating loss carry-forwards for tax reporting purposes of approximately $32.4 million for state purposes, which if not used, will begin to expire in fiscal 2020. This amount may be adjusted when we file our fiscal 2013 income tax returns in 2014.
Inflation
The primary inflationary factors affecting our operations include food, beverage, and labor costs. In addition, our leases require us to pay taxes, maintenance, repairs and utilities and these costs are subject to inflationary increases. In some cases, some of our lease commitments are tied to consumer price index (CPI) increases. We are also subject to interest rate changes based on market conditions.
We believe that increasing inflation rates have contributed to some price instability. There is no assurance, however, that inflation rates will continue at their current levels or decrease.
Item 7A.
Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Our Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents and long-term debt. Our Company includes as unrestrictive cash and cash equivalents, investments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased and which are readily convertible into known amounts of cash. Our Company’s unrestricted cash and cash equivalents are not subject to significant interest rate risk due to the short maturities of these instruments. We have no derivative financial instruments or derivative commodity instruments in our cash and cash equivalents. The total outstanding long-term debt of all our Company as of December 29, 2013 was approximately $18.9 million, including our line of credit, our term loan with Wells Fargo and financing lease obligations. The terms of our credit facility with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent and lender are discussed above under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
Some of the food products purchased by us are affected by commodity pricing and are, therefore, subject to price volatility caused by weather, production problems, delivery difficulties and other factors that are outside our control. To control this risk in part, we have fixed-price purchase commitments for food from vendors. In addition, we believe that substantially all of our food is available from several sources, which helps to control food commodity risks. We now have secondary and in some cases tertiary source suppliers for key items in order to protect the supply chain and to ensure a more fair and competitive pricing environment. We believe we have some ability to increase menu prices, or vary the menu options offered, if needed, in response to a food product price increase.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The consolidated financial statements of Famous Dave’s of America, Inc. are included herein, beginning on page.
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of such date our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 29, 2013. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in the 1992 Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Our management has concluded that, as of December 29, 2013, our internal control over financial reporting is effective based on these criteria.
Grant Thorton, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has issued an attestation report on our internal control over financial reporting as of December 29, 2013. That report is included in this annual report on Form 10-K.
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal controls will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within Famous Dave’s of America have been detected.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during our most recently-completed fiscal quarter ended December 29, 2013 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
PART III
ITEM 10.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE OF THE REGISTRANT
Information in response to this Item is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this form 10-K.
The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics specifically applicable to its CEO, COO, CFO and Key Financial & Accounting Management. In addition, there is a more general Code of Ethics applicable to all team members. The Code of Ethics is available on our website at www.famousdaves.com and a copy is available free of charge to anyone requesting it.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Information in response to this Item is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this form 10-K.
ITEM 12.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
The Company maintains the 1995 Stock Option and Compensation Plan (the “Management Plan”), the 1997 Employee Stock Option Plan (the “Employee Plan”), the 1998 Director Stock Option Plan (the “Director Plan”) and the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”). We have also granted stock incentives outside of these equity compensation plans in limited situations. The Management Plan prohibits the granting of incentives after December 29, 2005, the tenth anniversary of the date the Management Plan was approved by the Company’s shareholders. Similarly, the Employee Plan prohibits the granting of incentives after June 24, 2007, the tenth anniversary of the date the Employee Plan was approved by the Company’s board of directors. The Director Plan prohibits the granting of incentives after June 10, 2008, the tenth anniversary of the date the Director Plan was approved by the Company’s shareholders. As such, no further grants of incentives may be made under the Management Plan, the Employee Plan or the Director Plan. Nonetheless, these plans will remain in effect until all outstanding incentives granted there-under have either been satisfied or terminated.
The purpose of the 2005 Plan is to increase shareholder value and to advance the interests of the Company by furnishing a variety of economic incentives designed to attract, retain and motivate team members (including officers), certain key consultants and directors of the Company. Under the 2005 Plan, an aggregate of 76,385 shares of our Company’s common stock remained unreserved and available for issuance at December 29, 2013.
The Management Plan, the Director Plan and the 2005 Plan have each been approved by the Company’s shareholders. The Employee Plan was not submitted for approval to the Company’s shareholders. The following table sets forth certain information as of December 29, 2013 with respect to the Management Plan, the Employee Plan, the Director Plan and the 2005 Plan.
(1) The number of securities reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding awards granted under the 2005 Plan includes 388,414 performance shares, 75,000 restricted shares, and 5,000 stock options.
Additional information in response to this Item is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this form 10-K.
ITEM 13.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Information in response to this Item is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this form 10-K.
ITEM 14.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Information in response to this Item is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this form 10-K.
PART IV
ITEM 15.
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Documents filed as part of this Form 10-K:
Exhibits:
See “exhibit index” on the page following the consolidated financial statements and related footnotes and the signature page to this Form 10-K
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Board of Directors and Shareholders
Famous Dave’s of America, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Famous Dave’s of America, Inc. (a Minnesota corporation) and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 29, 2013. Our audits of the basic consolidated financial statements included the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Famous Dave’s of America, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 29, 2013 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 29, 2013, based on criteria established in the 1992 Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 14, 2014 expressed an unqualified opinion.
/s/ Grant Thorton LLP
Minneapolis, MN
March 14, 2014
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Board of Directors and Shareholders
Famous Dave’s of America, Inc.
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Famous Dave’s of America, Inc. (a Minnesota corporation) and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 29, 2013, based on criteria established in the 1992 Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 29, 2013, based on criteria established in the 1992 Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by COSO.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the year ended December 29, 2013, and our report dated March 14, 2014 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
/s/ Grant Thorton LLP
Minneapolis, MN
March 14, 2014
FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 29, 2013 AND DECEMBER 30, 2012
(in thousands, except per share data)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 29, 2013, DECEMBER 30, 2012, AND JANUARY 1, 2012
(in thousands, except per share data)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 29, 2013, DECEMBER 30, 2012, AND JANUARY 1, 2012
(in thousands)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 29, 2013, DECEMBER 30, 2012, AND JANUARY 1, 2012
(in thousands)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(1) NATURE OF BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Nature of business - We, Famous Dave’s of America, Inc. (“Famous Dave’s” or the “Company”), were incorporated in Minnesota on March 14, 1994. We develop, own, operate and franchise restaurants under the name “Famous Dave’s”. As of December 29, 2013, there were 194 Famous Dave’s restaurants operating in 34 states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and 1 Canadian province, including 54 company-owned restaurants and 140 franchise-operated restaurants. An additional 60 franchise restaurants were committed to be developed through signed area development agreements as of December 29, 2013.
Seasonality - Our restaurants typically generate higher revenue in the second and third quarters of our fiscal year as a result of seasonal traffic increases and high catering sales experienced during the summer months, and lower revenue in the first and fourth quarters of our fiscal year, due to possible adverse weather which can disrupt customer and team member transportation to our restaurants.
Principles of consolidation - The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. Any inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Management’s use of estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Reclassifications - Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to the current year’s presentation.
During fiscal 2013, in order to be more comparable to other public restaurant companies, the Company made the decision to reflect multi-unit supervision expenses within general and administrative expenses as opposed to operating expenses, where it previously had been reflected. The prior year’s results have been reclassified to be comparable with the current fiscal year’s presentation. For fiscal 2012 and 2011, the reclassification from operating expenses to general and administrative expenses was approximately $1.9 million each year.
Financial instruments - Due to their short-term nature, the carrying value of our current financial assets and liabilities approximates their fair value. The fair value of long-term debt approximates the carrying amount based upon our expected borrowing rate for debt with similar remaining maturities and comparable risk.
Segment reporting - We have company-owned and franchise-operated restaurants in the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and Manitoba, Canada, and operate within the single industry segment of foodservice. We make operating decisions on behalf of the Famous Dave’s brand which includes both company-owned and franchise-operated restaurants. In addition, all operating expenses are reported in total and are not allocated to franchising operations for either external or internal reporting. We believe we meet the criteria for aggregating our operating segments into a single reporting segment.
Fiscal year - Our fiscal year ends on the Sunday nearest December 31st of each year. Our fiscal year is generally 52 weeks; however it periodically consists of 53 weeks. The fiscal years ended December 29, 2013 (fiscal 2013), December 30, 2012 (fiscal 2012), and January 1, 2012 (fiscal 2011) all consisted of 52 weeks.
FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Cash and cash equivalents - Cash equivalents include all investments with original maturities of three months or less or which are readily convertible into known amounts of cash and are not legally restricted. Accounts at each institution are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $250,000, while the remaining balances are uninsured at December 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents.
Restricted cash and marketing fund - We have a system-wide marketing fund where Company-owned restaurants in addition to franchise-operated restaurants, that entered into franchise agreements with the Company after December 17, 2003, are required to contribute a percentage of net sales to the fund that is used for public relations and marketing development efforts throughout the system. These restaurants were required to contribute 0.75% and 1.00% of net sales to this fund during fiscal 2013 and 2012, respectively. In fiscal 2014, the contribution will remain at 0.75% of net sales. The assets held by this fund are considered restricted and are in an interest bearing account. Accordingly, we reflected the cash related to this fund in restricted cash and the liability is included in accounts payable on our consolidated balance sheets. As of December 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012, we had approximately $1.1 million and $689,000 in this fund, respectively.
Accounts receivable, net - We provide an allowance for uncollectible accounts on accounts receivable based on historical losses and existing economic conditions, when relevant. We provide for a general bad debt reserve for franchise receivables due to increases in days’ sales outstanding and deterioration in general economic market conditions. This general reserve is based on the aging of receivables meeting specified criteria and is adjusted each quarter based on past due receivable balances. Additionally, we have periodically established a specific reserve on certain receivables as necessary. Any changes to the reserve are recorded in general and administrative expenses. The allowance for uncollectible accounts was approximately $72,000 and $236,000, at December 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012, respectively. In fiscal 2013, the decrease in the allowance for doubtful accounts was primarily due to payments received throughout fiscal 2013 for balances previously reserved. Accounts receivable are written off when they become uncollectible, and payments subsequently received on such receivables are credited to allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts receivable balances written off have not exceeded allowances provided. We believe all accounts receivable in excess of the allowance are fully collectible. If accounts receivable in excess of provided allowances are determined uncollectible, they are charged to expense in the period that determination is made. Outstanding past due accounts receivable are subject to a monthly interest charge on unpaid balances which is recorded as interest income in our consolidated statements of operations. In assessing recoverability of these receivables, we make judgments regarding the financial condition of the franchisees based primarily on past and current payment trends, as well as other variables, including annual financial information, which the franchisees are required to submit to us.
Inventories - Inventories consist principally of small wares and supplies, food and beverages, and retail goods, and are recorded at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market.
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net - Property, equipment and leasehold improvements are capitalized at a level of $250 or greater and are recorded at cost. Repair and maintenance costs are charged to operations when incurred. Furniture, fixtures, and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives ranging from 3-7 years, with the exception of restaurant signage which, is included in furniture, fixtures, and equipment and is depreciated over 10 to 15 years, while buildings are depreciated over 30 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease term, including reasonably assured renewal options, or the estimated useful life of the assets. Décor that has been installed in the restaurants is recorded at cost and is depreciated using the straight-line method over seven years.
FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Liquor licenses - The Company has transferable liquor licenses in jurisdictions with a limited number of authorized liquor licenses. These licenses were capitalized as indefinite-lived intangible assets and are included in intangible assets, net in our consolidated balance sheets (see note 4) at December 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012. We annually review the liquor licenses for impairment and in fiscal 2013 and 2012, no impairment charges were recorded. Additionally, the costs of obtaining non-transferable liquor licenses that are directly issued by local government agencies for nominal fees are expensed as incurred. Annual liquor license renewal fees are expensed over the renewal term.
Debt issuance costs - Debt issuance costs are amortized to interest expense over the term of the related financing. The carrying value of our deferred debt issuance costs, classified in other long-term assets, is approximately $210,000, and $221,000 respectively, net of accumulated amortization of $737,000 and $668,000, respectively, as of December 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012, respectively.
Construction overhead and capitalized interest - We capitalize construction overhead costs until the time a building is turned over to operations, which is approximately two weeks prior to opening. In fiscal 2013, 2012, and 2011, we capitalized construction overhead costs of approximately $138,000, $203,000, and $196,000, respectively. The decrease is primarily due to no remodel projects taking place in fiscal 2013 compared to 3 remodels in fiscal 2012 and 4 in 2011. In fiscal 2013 and 2012, we capitalized interest costs of approximately $30,000 and $28,000, respectively. There were no capitalized interest costs in fiscal year 2011. We depreciate and amortize construction overhead and capitalized interest over the same useful life as leasehold improvements.
Advertising costs - Advertising costs are charged to expense as incurred. Advertising costs were approximately $3.4 million, $4.6 million, and $4.7 million for fiscal years 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively, and are included in operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. The decrease in advertising costs from the prior fiscal years was primarily due to the discontinuation of the aggressive direct mail program.
Software implementation costs - We capitalize labor costs associated with the implementation of significant information technology infrastructure projects based on actual labor rates per person including benefits, for all time spent on the implementation of software and are depreciated over 5 years. In fiscal 2013 and 2011, we capitalized software implementation costs of $134,000 and $48,000, respectively. In fiscal 2012, we did not capitalize any software implementation costs.
Research and development costs - Research and development costs represent salaries and expenses of personnel engaged in the creation of new menu and promotional offerings, recipe enhancements and documentation activities. Research and development costs were approximately $388,000, $348,000, and $342,000, for fiscal years 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively, and are included in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
Pre-opening expenses - All start-up and pre-opening costs are expensed as incurred. In fiscal 2013, 2012, 2011, we had pre-opening expenses of approximately $646,000, $474,000, and $412,000 respectively, related to two Company-owned restaurants opened per year. Also, included in pre-opening expenses is pre-opening rent during the build-out period. The increase in fiscal 2013 compared to fiscal 2012 and 2011 was primarily due to the opening of two full-service restaurants compared to the opening of one full-service restaurant and one counter- service restaurant in fiscal 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Lease accounting - We recognize lease expense on a straight-line basis for our operating leases over the entire lease term including lease renewal options and build-out periods where the renewal is reasonably assured and the build-out period takes place prior to the restaurant opening or lease commencement date. Rent expense recorded during the build-out period is reported as pre-opening expense. We account for construction allowances by recording a receivable when its collectability is considered probable, and relieve the receivable once the cash is obtained from the landlord for the construction allowance. Construction allowances are amortized as a credit to rent expense over the full term of the lease, including reasonably assured renewal options and build-out periods.
FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Recoverability of property, equipment and leasehold improvements, impairment charges, and exit and disposal costs - We evaluate restaurant sites and long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of restaurant sites to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the restaurant site to the undiscounted future net cash flows expected to be generated on a restaurant-by-restaurant basis. If a restaurant is determined to be impaired, the loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the restaurant exceeds its fair value. Fair value, as determined by the discounted future net cash flows, is estimated based on the best information available including estimated future cash flows, expected growth rates in comparable restaurant sales, remaining lease terms and other factors. If these assumptions change in the future, we may be required to take additional impairment charges for the related assets. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate future cash flows. Accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from the estimates.
Exit or disposal activities, including restaurant closures, include the cost of disposing of the assets as well as other facility-related expenses from previously closed restaurants. These costs are generally expensed as incurred. Additionally, at the date we cease using a property under an operating lease, we record a liability for the net present value of any remaining lease obligations, net of estimated sublease income. Any subsequent adjustments to that liability as a result of lease termination or changes in estimates of sublease income are recorded in the period incurred. Upon disposal of the assets associated with a closed restaurant, any gain or loss is recorded in the same caption as the original impairment within our consolidated statements of operations.
Asset retirement obligation - We recognize a liability for the fair value of a required asset retirement obligation (“ARO”) when such obligation is incurred. The Company’s AROs are primarily associated with leasehold improvements which, at the end of a lease, the Company is contractually obligated to remove in order to comply with the lease agreement. The net ARO liability included in other long term liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets was $107,000 at December 29, 2013 and $101,000 at December 30, 2012.
Gift cards - We record a liability in the period in which a gift card is issued and proceeds are received. As gift cards are redeemed, this liability is reduced and revenue is recognized. We recognize gift card breakage income as an offset to operating expense based on a stratified breakage rate per year. This breakage rate is based on a percentage of sales when the likelihood of the redemption of the gift card becomes remote.
Interest income - We recognize interest income when earned.
Net income per common share - Basic net income per common share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the reporting period. Diluted EPS equals net income divided by the sum of the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding plus all additional common stock equivalents, such as stock options and restricted stock units, when dilutive.
FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Following is a reconciliation of basic and diluted net income per common share:
All options outstanding as of December 29, 2013 were included in the computation of diluted earnings per share. There were 15,000 and 25,500 options outstanding as of December 30, 2012, and January 1, 2012, respectively, that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because they were anti-dilutive.
Stock-based compensation - We recognize compensation cost for share-based awards granted to team members and Board members based on their fair values at the time of grant over the requisite service period. Our pre-tax compensation cost for stock options and other incentive awards is included in general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations (see Note 9).
Cash flows from the exercise of stock options resulting from tax benefits in excess of recognized cumulative compensation cost (excess tax benefits) is classified as cash flows from financing activities. There were no stock options granted during fiscal years 2013, 2012, or 2011.
Income Taxes - We provide for income taxes based on our estimate of federal and state income tax liabilities. These estimates include, among other items, effective rates for state and local income taxes, allowable tax credits for items such as taxes paid on reported tip income, estimates related to depreciation and amortization expense allowable for tax purposes, and the tax deductibility of certain other items. Our estimates are based on the information available to us at the time that we prepare the income tax provision. We generally file our annual income tax returns several months after our fiscal year-end. Income tax returns are subject to audit by federal, state, and local governments, generally years after the tax returns are filed. These returns could be subject to material adjustments or differing interpretations of the tax laws.
Revenue recognition - We record restaurant sales at the time food and beverages are served. We record sales of merchandise items at the time items are delivered to the guest. All sales taxes are presented on a net basis and are excluded from revenue. We have detailed below our revenue recognition policies for franchise and licensing agreements.
Franchise arrangements - Initial franchise fee revenue is recognized when we have performed substantially all of our obligations as franchisor. Franchise royalties are recognized when earned.
Our franchise-related revenue is comprised of three separate and distinct earnings processes: area development fees, initial franchise fees and continuing royalty payments. Currently, our domestic area development fee for domestic growth consists of a one-time, non-refundable payment of approximately $10,000 per restaurant in consideration for the services we perform in preparation of executing each area development agreement. For our foreign area development agreements the one time, non-refundable payment is negotiated on a per development basis and is determined based on the costs incurred to sell that development agreement. Substantially all of these services, which include, but are not limited to, conducting market and trade area analysis, a meeting with Famous Dave’s Executive
FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Team, and performing a potential franchise background investigation, are completed prior to our execution of the area development agreement and receipt of the corresponding area development fee. As a result, we recognize this fee in full upon receipt. Currently, our initial, non-refundable, franchise fee for domestic growth is $45,000 per restaurant, of which approximately $5,000 is recognized immediately when a franchise agreement is signed, reflecting expenses incurred related to the sale. The remaining non-refundable fee is included in deferred franchise fees and is recognized as revenue when we have performed substantially all of our obligations, which generally occurs upon the franchise entering into a lease agreement for the restaurant(s). Finally, franchisees are also required to pay us a monthly royalty equal to a percentage of their net sales, which has historically varied from 4% to 5%. In general, new franchises pay us a monthly royalty of 5% of their net sales.
Because of the continuing difficult economic environment and scarcity of capital for development, we offered reduced royalty rates, based on a sliding scale, for new restaurants opened during 2011. In 2012 and 2013, there were no reduced royalty rate programs. The Company does not anticipate offering any reduced royalty rate programs for fiscal 2014.
Licensing and other revenue - We have a licensing agreement for our retail products, the initial term of which expires in April 2015 with renewal options of five years, subject to the licensee’s attainment of identified minimum product sales levels. Licensing revenue is recorded based on royalties earned by the Company in accordance with our agreement. Licensing revenue for fiscal years 2013, 2012, and 2011 was approximately $805,000, $731,000, and $702,000, respectively.
Periodically, we provide additional services, beyond the general franchise agreement, to our franchise operations, such as new restaurant training, information technology setup and décor installation services. The cost of these services is recognized upon completion and is billed to the respective franchisee and is generally payable on net 30-day terms. Other revenue related to these services for fiscal years 2013, 2012, and 2011 was approximately $311,000, $443,000, and $282,000, respectively.
(2) INVENTORIES
Inventories consisted approximately of the following at:
FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(3) PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT, AND LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS, NET
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net, consisted approximately of the following at:
(4) INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The Company has intangible assets that consist of liquor licenses and lease interest assets. The liquor licenses are indefinite lived assets (see note 1) and are not subject to amortization. The lease interest assets are amortized, to occupancy costs, on a straight-line basis over the remaining term of each respective lease. Amortization for each of the next five years is expected to be approximately $47,500.
A reconciliation of beginning and ending amounts of intangible assets for the years ended December 30, 2012 and December 29, 2013, respectively, is presented in a table below:
(1) The company purchased a liquor license for a new company-owned restaurant, opened in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, for a total of $250,000: $21,000 was recorded in fiscal 2012 and $229,000 was recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2013.
(2) The current portion of lease interest assets are recorded in prepaid expenses and other current assets.
FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(5) OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
Other current liabilities consisted of the following at:
(6) OTHER LIABILITIES
Other liabilities consisted of the following at:
(7) CREDIT FACILITY AND DEBT COVENANTS, LONG-TERM DEBT, AND FINANCING LEASE OBLIGATIONS
The Company and certain of its subsidiaries (collectively known as the “Borrower”) currently have a Credit Agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent and lender (the “Lender”). The Credit Agreement was amended on March 14, 2013 and will expire on July 5, 2016, and contains a $30.0 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) with an opportunity, subject to the Company meeting identified covenants and elections, to increase the commitment to $50.0 million, and a term loan (the “Term Loan”). See “Long-Term Debt” below.
Principal amounts outstanding under the Facility bear interest either at an adjusted Eurodollar rate plus an applicable margin or at a Base Rate plus an applicable margin. The Base Rate is defined in the Credit Agreement as the greater of the Federal Funds Rate (0.25% at December 29, 2013) plus 0.5% or Wells Fargo’s prime rate (3.25% at December 29, 2013). The applicable margin will depend on the Company’s Adjusted Leverage Ratio, as defined, at the end of the previous quarter and will range from 1.50% to 2.50% for Eurodollar Rate Loans and from 0.00% to 1.00% for Base Rate Loans. Unused portions of the Facility will be subject to an unused Facility fee which will be equal to either 0.25% or 0.375% of the unused portion, depending on the Company’s Adjusted Leverage Ratio. Our rate for the unused portion of the Facility as of December 29, 2013, was 0.375%. An increase option exercise fee will apply to increased amounts between $30.0 and $50.0 million. Our current weighted average rate for the fiscal years ended December 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012 was 3.24% and 2.82%, respectively.
The Facility contains customary affirmative and negative covenants for credit facilities of this type, including limitations on the Borrower with respect to indebtedness, liens, investments, distributions, mergers and acquisitions, dispositions of assets and transactions with affiliates of the Borrower, among others. The Facility also includes various financial covenants that have maximum target capital expenditures, cash flow ratios, and adjusted leverage ratios. If the Company’s Adjusted Leverage Ratio is greater than 4.00 to 1.00, an additional covenant applies that limits the maximum royalty receivable aged past 30 days. In addition, capital expenditure limits include permitted stock repurchase limits (limited to $10.0 million in aggregate during any 12 month period, and $30.0 million in aggregate during the term of the agreement).
FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Credit Agreement currently provides for up to $3.0 million in letters of credit to be used by the Company, with any amounts outstanding reducing our availability for general corporate purchases, and also allows for the termination of the Facility by the Borrower without penalty at any time. At December 29, 2013 we had $11.4 million in borrowings under this Facility, $4.7 million of outstanding principal under the Term Loan, and approximately $620,000 in letters of credit for real estate locations. As of December 29, 2013, we were in compliance with all of our covenants.
If the bank were to call the Facility prior to expiration, the Company believes there are multiple options available to obtain other sources of financing. Although possibly at different terms, the Company believes there would be other lenders available and willing to finance a new credit facility. However, if replacement financing were unavailable to us, termination of the Facility without adequate replacement would have a material and adverse impact on our ability to continue our business operations.
We expect to use any borrowings under the Credit Agreement for general working capital purchases as needed. Under the Facility, the Borrower has granted the Lender a security interest in all current and future personal property of the Borrower.
Our credit facility consisted of the following at:
Required principal payments under our credit facility are as follows:
Long-Term Debt
Principal amounts outstanding under the Term Loan bear interest at the same rate as the Facility. The weighted average interest rate of the Term Loan for fiscal years ended December 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012 was 2.68% and 2.43%, respectively. The Company is required to make minimum annual amortization payments of 10.0% of the principal balance of the Term Loan.
FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Long-term debt consisted approximately of the following at:
Required principal payments on long-term debt are as follows:
Financing Lease Obligation
On March 31, 1999, the Company completed a $4.5 million financing obligation involving three existing restaurants as part of a sale/leaseback transaction. Under this financing, we are obligated to make monthly payments of $54,428 (which increases 4.04% every two years) for a minimum of 20 years. At the end of the 20 year lease term, we may extend the lease for up to two additional five year terms. We also have the option to purchase the leased restaurants on the 20th anniversary of the lease term and between the first and second five year option terms. The option purchase price is the greater of $4.5 million or the fair market value, as defined in the agreement, of the properties at the time the purchase option is exercised. Based upon our continued involvement in the leased property and its purchase option, the transaction has been accounted for as a financing arrangement. Accordingly, the three existing restaurants are included in property, equipment and leasehold improvements, and are being depreciated over a 20 year term. In addition, as the monthly lease payments are made, the obligation will be reduced by the 20 year amortization table.
Financing lease obligations consisted of the following at:
FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Required future minimum payments under our financing leases are as follows:
(8) OPERATING LEASE OBLIGATIONS
We have various operating leases for existing and future restaurants and corporate office space with remaining lease terms ranging from 2 to 34 years, including lease renewal options. Of the total operating leases, 14 require percentage rent between 3% and 7% of annual gross sales, typically above a natural breakeven point, in addition to the base rent. All of these leases contain provisions for payments of real estate taxes, insurance and common area maintenance costs. Total occupancy lease costs for fiscal years 2013 and 2012 including rent, common area maintenance costs, real estate taxes and percentage rent, were each approximately $9.8 million. In fiscal 2011, the total occupancy lease costs were $9.5 million. Rent expense was approximately $5.9 million, $5.7 million, and $5.6 million, for fiscal years 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. Percentage rent was approximately $17,000, $28,000, and $71,000 for fiscal years 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.
The Company sublet 2,100 square feet of its corporate office space from December 2009 to August 2013. Sublease income has reduced the future minimum lease payments. In 2013, 2012, and 2011, the Company recognized $23,000, $34,000, and $32,000, respectively, of sublease income which partially offset our total rent expense.
Future minimum lease payments (including reasonably assured renewal options) existing at December 29, 2013 were:
(9) PERFORMANCE SHARES, STOCK OPTIONS, OTHER FORMS OF COMPENSATION, AND COMMON SHARE REPURCHASES
Stock-based Compensation
We have adopted a 1995 Stock Option and Compensation Plan, a 1997 Employee Stock Option Plan, a 1998 Director Stock Option Plan and a 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plans”), pursuant to which we may grant stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, performance shares, and other stock and cash awards to eligible participants. Under the Plans, an aggregate of 76,385 shares of our Company’s common stock remained unreserved and available for issuance at December 29, 2013.
FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
We recognized stock-based compensation expense in our consolidated statements of operations for the years ended 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively, as follows:
(1) The 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 Program’s consisted entirely of performance shares.
(2) For fiscal year 2013, the 2013 Program’s stock-based compensation reflected approximately $478,000 related to performance shares and $104,000 related to performance stock units.
Performance Shares and Performance Stock Units
During the first quarter of fiscal 2013, we issued 146,900 shares upon satisfaction of conditions under the 2010 performance share program, representing the achievement of approximately 86.9% of the target payout for this program. Recipients elected to forfeit 59,801 of those shares to satisfy tax withholding obligations, resulting in a net issuance of 87,099 shares.
For fiscal 2011 and 2012, performance under the Company’s performance share programs was measured by comparing actual earnings per share to a target earnings per share amount. For fiscal 2013, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors had elected to replace earnings per share with Adjusted EBITDA as the metric by which to measure performance. For these purposes, “Adjusted EBITDA” was defined as income from operations of the Company, plus depreciation, and amortization, non-cash adjustments (such as asset impairment, lease termination and other closing costs) and other non-cash items as approved by the Company’s Compensation Committee. Adjusted EBITDA was subject to adjustment by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion for non-recurring items.
We recognize compensation cost for performance share awards over the requisite service period (i.e. fixed treatment) based on their fair value, which is the closing stock price at the date of grant. Participants in each performance share program are entitled to receive a number of shares of our common stock (“Performance Shares”) based upon the extent to which we achieve the cumulative total of the earnings per share or Adjusted EBITDA goals established by our Compensation Committee for each fiscal year within a three-year performance period (the “Cumulative EPS Goal” or “Cumulative Adjusted EBITDA Goal”). Receipt of any performance shares is contingent upon us achieving a specified minimum percentage of the Cumulative EPS Goal or Cumulative Adjusted EBITDA Goal (as applicable).
FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
We recognize compensation cost for performance stock unit awards over the requisite service period based on their initial fair value, which is the closing stock price at the date of grant. This award is adjusted to fair value based on the closing stock price at the end of each fiscal quarter. Recipients of performance stock unit awards are entitled to receive a cash payout based on a number of our stock units awarded (“Performance Stock Unit”) to the extent we achieve the Cumulative Adjusted EBITDA Goal, and the market value of our common stock.
At December 29, 2013, the following performance share programs were in progress:
(1) Assumes achievement of 100% of the applicable Cumulative EPS Goal or Adjusted EBITDA Goal.
(2) If the Company achieves the minimum Cumulative EPS Goal, then each recipient will be entitled to receive a percentage of the “Target” number of Performance Shares granted that is equal to the percentage of the Cumulative EPS Goal achieved, up to the maximum payout, up to 100%.
(3) Net of employee forfeitures.
(4) Program completed its vesting in 2013, the attainment percentage was 86.7%.
(5) Assumes an estimated payout equal to 87.5% of the applicable Cumulative EPS Goal.
(6) Assumes an estimated payout equal to 90% of the applicable Cumulative Adjusted EBITDA Goal.
(7) The participants’ rights to receive Performance Shares are contingent on the Company achieving cumulative earnings per share for fiscal 2012-2014 that are equal to at least the sum of the amounts achieved by the Company during fiscal 2011-2013 (as adjusted by the Compensation Committee, if applicable). If the Company achieves this minimum threshold, then participants will be entitled to receive a percentage of their “Target” number of Performance Shares equal to the percentage of the Cumulative EPS Goal achieved by the Company, up to 100%. If the Company achieves more than 100% of the Cumulative EPS Goal, then participants will be entitled to receive 100% of their “Target” number of Performance Shares, plus an additional percentage equal to twice the incremental percentage increase in the Cumulative EPS Goal achieved over 100% (e.g., if the Company achieves 103% of the Cumulative EPS Goal, then participants will be entitled to receive 106% of their “Target” number of Performance Shares); provided that the maximum payout under the fiscal 2012 program is capped at 110% of the “Target” number of Performance Shares.
(8) This program consists of 167,845 performance shares and 18,205 performance stock units originally granted and an estimated payout of 157,383 performance shares and 16,385 performance stock units.
(9) The participants’ rights to receive Performance Shares or Performance Stock Units are contingent on the Company achieving Cumulative Adjusted EBITDA for fiscal 2013-2015 that are equal to at least the sum of the amounts achieved by the Company during fiscal 2012-2014 (as adjusted by the Compensation Committee, if applicable). If the Company achieves this threshold, then participants will be entitled to receive a percentage of their “Target” number of Performance Shares and Performance Stock Units equal to the percentage of the Adjusted EBITDA Goal achieved by the Company, up to 100%.
FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Board of Directors’ Compensation
We recognized Board of Directors’ Compensation expense in our consolidated statement of operations for the years ended 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively, as follows:
(1) On May 5, 2009, and September 29, 2009 one-time 25,000 share restricted stock awards were granted to Lisa A. Kro and Wallace B. Doolin, respectively, upon joining the Board of Directors. The grants to Ms. Kro and Mr. Doolin had grant date fair values of $168,000 and $150,000, respectively, and will vest ratably over a period of five years beginning on the commencement date of their Board service.
(2) On August 2, 2011, a one-time 15,000 share restricted stock award was granted to John F. Gilbert III, upon assuming his new position on the Board of Directors. The grant to Mr. Gilbert had a grant date fair value of $154,000. Subsequent to the end of fiscal 2013, Mr. Gilbert resigned from the Board of Directors and all unvested restricted shares have been forfeited and returned to the company.
(3) On April 30, 2013, a one-time 13,575 share restricted stock award was granted to Patrick Walsh, upon joining the board of directors. The grant to Mr. Walsh had a grant date fair value of $150,000 and will vest ratably over a period of five years which began on the commencement date of his board service.
(4) On November 27, 2013, a one-time 7,640 share restricted stock award was granted to Adam Wright, upon joining the board of directors. The grant to Mr. Wright had a grant date fair value of $150,000 and will vest ratably over a period of five years which began on the commencement date of his board service.
Stock Options
The stock options we had issued under the Plans were fully vested as of January 3, 2010 and expire 10 years from the date of grant. The 1995 Stock Option and Compensation Plan expired on December 29, 2005, the 1997 Employee Stock Option Plan expired on June 24, 2007, and the 1998 Director Stock Option Plan expired on June 19, 2008. Although incentives are no longer eligible for grant under these plans, each such plan will remain in effect until all outstanding incentives granted thereunder have either been satisfied or terminated.
FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Information regarding our Company’s stock options is summarized below:
(1) In 2011, option holders elected to forfeit approximately 13,000 shares to satisfy the strike price and tax withholding obligations, resulting in a net issuance of approximately 41,000 shares.
(2) In 2012, option holders elected to forfeit approximately 47,000 shares to satisfy the strike price and tax withholding obligations, resulting in a net issuance of approximately 33,000 shares.
(3) In 2013, option holders elected to forfeit approximately 23,000 shares to satisfy the strike price and tax withholding obligations, resulting in a net issuance of approximately 31,000 shares.
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at December 29, 2013:
(number outstanding and number exercisable in thousands)
The aggregate intrinsic value of options (the amount by which the market price of the stock on the date of exercise exceeds the exercise price of the option) exercised during fiscal 2013 was approximately $203,000. As of December 29, 2013, the aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable was approximately $538,000.
Restricted Stock
On October 8, 2012, John Gilbert III, was named Chief Executive Officer by the Company’s Board of Directors. Pursuant to the agreement governing Mr. Gilbert’s employment, the Company granted 150,000 shares of restricted stock having an aggregate grant date fair value of $1.5 million. Subsequent to the end of fiscal 2013, Mr. Gilbert resigned as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and all unvested restricted shares have been forfeited and returned to the Company.
FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Restricted Stock Units
On October 8, 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors named Christopher O’Donnell President and Chief Operating Officer. Prior to his appointment, he was the President and Chief Executive Officer from September 11, 2008 until October 8, 2012. Pursuant to the agreement dated September 11, 2008, governing Mr. O’Donnell’s employment, the Company granted 50,000 restricted stock units having an aggregate grant date fair value of $454,000. These restricted stock units vested in three equal installments on the three, four and five year anniversaries of the grant date provided that Mr. O’Donnell remains employed by the Company through the applicable vesting date. To the extent vested, Mr. O’Donnell will have the right to receive shares comprising the restricted stock units upon a termination of his employment that is a “separation from service” (as determined by Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended), at which point the restricted stock units will become issued and outstanding shares. If Mr. O’Donnell is a “specified employee” (as determined under Section 409A) as of the date of his separation from service, the issuance of shares will occur six months following such separation from service (or, if earlier, upon his death). The compensation expense for this grant was recognized in equal quarterly installments as general and administrative expense in our consolidated statements of operations through the applicable service period which expired in the third quarter of fiscal 2013.
In addition, on September 11, 2008, the Company made a grant of 25,000 restricted stock units to the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, Diana Purcel, for a grant date fair value of $227,000. This grant is subject to the same terms and conditions as Mr. O’Donnell’s grant.
Common Share Repurchases
On November 4, 2010, our Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program that authorized the repurchase of up to 1.0 million shares of our common stock in both the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. As of May 1, 2012 we had repurchased all of the shares under this program for approximately $8.8 million at an average market price per share of $9.91, excluding commissions.
On May 1, 2012, our Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program that authorized the repurchase of up to 1.0 million shares of our common stock in both the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. Since the program was adopted in May 2012, we had repurchased 702,635 shares for approximately $10.3 million at an average market price per share of $14.66, excluding commissions. As of December 29, 2013, we had repurchased 378,773 shares under this program for approximately $6.9 million at an average market price per share of $18.22, excluding commissions.
In addition, Employees forfeited 10,080 shares of restricted stock during fiscal 2013, at a price of $16.14 per share, to cover withholding taxes that were due from the employees at the time that the applicable forfeiture restrictions lapsed.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
The Company maintains an Employee Stock Purchase Plan, which gives eligible team members the option to purchase Common Stock (total purchases in a year may not exceed 10% of a team member’s current year compensation) at 100% of the fair market value of the Common Stock at the end of each calendar quarter. For the year ended December 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012, there were approximately 2,793 shares and 4,725 shares purchased, respectively, with a weighted average fair value of $14.22 and $10.51, respectively. For the fiscal years ended December 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012, the Company did not recognize any expense related to the stock purchase plan due to it being non-compensatory as defined by IRS Section 423. The Company chose to eliminate this program effective fiscal 2014.
FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(10) RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLANS
401(k) Plan
We have a pre-tax salary reduction/profit-sharing plan under the provisions of Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code, which covers employees meeting certain eligibility requirements. In fiscal 2013, 2012, and 2011 we matched 25.0%, of the employee’s contribution up to 4.0% of their earnings. Team member contributions were approximately $522,000, $541,000, and $564,000, for fiscal 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. The employer match was $131,000, $89,000, and $86,000 for fiscal 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. There were no discretionary contributions to the plan in fiscal 2013 and 2012. There were approximately $11,000 in discretionary contributions to the Plan during fiscal 2011.
Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan
We have a Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan effective as of February 25, 2005 (the “Plan”). Eligible participants are those team members who are at the “director” level and above and who are selected by the Company to participate in the Plan. Participants must complete a deferral election each year to indicate the level of compensation (salary, bonus and commissions) they wish to have deferred for the coming year. This deferral election is irrevocable except to the extent permitted by the Plan Administrator, and the Regulations promulgated by the IRS. During fiscal 2013, 2012, and 2011, we matched 25.0% of the first 4.0% contributed and paid a declared interest rate of 6.0% on balances outstanding. The Board of Directors administers the Plan and may change the rate or any other aspects of the Plan at any time.
Deferral periods are limited to the earlier of termination of employment or not less than three calendar years following the end of the applicable Plan Year. Extensions of the deferral period for a minimum of five years are allowed provided an election for extension is made at least one year before the first payment affected by the change. Payments can be in a lump sum or in equal payments over a two-, five- or ten-year period, plus interest from the commencement date.
The Plan assets are kept in an unsecured account that has no trust fund. In the event of bankruptcy, participants entitled to future payments under the Plan would have no greater rights than that of an unsecured general creditor of the Company and the Plan confers no legal rights for interest or claim on any specific assets of the Company. Benefits provided by the Plan are not insured by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) under Title IV of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), because the pension insurance provisions of ERISA do not apply to the Plan.
For fiscal years ended December 29, 2013, December 30, 2012 and January 1, 2012, eligible participants contributed approximately $129,000, $144,000 and $134,000 to the Plan and the Company provided matching funds and interest of approximately $75,000, $76,000 and $66,000, net of distributions of approximately $187,000, $65,000 and $40,000, respectively. The distributions were due to executive departures and required distributions in accordance with our Plan. The outstanding deferred compensation balance at December 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012, was approximately $895,000 and $878,000 respectively.
FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(11) INCOME TAXES
The following table summarizes the income tax expense for the last three fiscal years:
The impact of uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken on income tax returns must be recognized in the financial statements at the largest amount that is more likely than not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant taxing authority. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized in the financial statements unless it is more likely than not of being sustained.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of gross unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 29, 2013, December 30, 2012, and January 1, 2012, respectively, is presented in the table below:
The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. During fiscal 2013 and 2012, we recognized $3,000 and less than $1,000, respectively, in additional interest and penalties. Excluded from the above reconciliation were $14,000, $11,000 and $11,000, of accrued interest and penalties, net of tax benefit, for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. The preparation of these income tax returns requires the Company to interpret and apply relevant federal and state income tax laws. It is common for federal and state taxing authorities to periodically examine filed tax returns. During these examinations, it is possible for taxing authorities to interpret facts or tax law differently than the Company. As a result, the Company may be required to adjust tax liabilities affecting its effective tax rate. Federal income tax exams have been completed through the 2010 taxable year. Generally, all state examination periods are closed through the 2009 taxable year.
FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
It is possible that the liability associated with the unrecognized tax benefits will increase or decrease within the next 12 months. These changes may be the result of new audits or the expiration of statutes of limitations and could range up to $34,000 based on current estimates.
Deferred taxes, detailed below, recognize the impact of temporary differences between the amounts of assets and liabilities recorded for financial statement purposes and such amounts measured in accordance with tax laws. Realization of the net operating loss carry forwards and other deferred tax temporary differences are contingent on future taxable earnings. During fiscal years 2013 and 2012, our deferred tax asset was reviewed for expected utilization using a “more likely than not” approach as required by assessing the available positive and negative evidence surrounding its recoverability.
At December 29, 2013, it is more likely than not that all deferred tax assets attributable to temporary differences taken on federal and consolidated state income tax returns will be realized based on our consolidated taxable income for fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012 as well as the expectation that our Company will generate the necessary taxable income in future years. However, there is a portion of deferred tax assets attributable to temporary differences taken on stand-alone state returns and stand-alone state net operating losses and credit carry forwards that are unlikely to be realized due to insufficient future earnings. For these deferred tax assets, the Company has created a valuation allowance listed in the table below.
FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
In 2013, we had cumulative net operating loss carry-forwards for tax reporting purposes of approximately $32.4 million for state purposes, which if not used, will begin to expire in fiscal 2020. This amount may be adjusted when we file our fiscal 2013 income tax returns in 2014.
We made federal income tax payments, net of federal refunds, of $577,000, $1.1 million, and $1.8 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. State and foreign income taxes paid by the Company, net of refunds, totaled $522,000, $461,000, and $589,000 in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
During 2012, we realized a benefit from the cumulative impact of a revision to the calculation methodology for tax credits related to the Company’s portion of payroll tax paid on employee reported tips. The more precise calculation methodology was utilized on the originally filed 2012 and 2011 income tax returns, as well as the three previous tax years through amended tax returns. The revised calculation methodology will continue to benefit us in the future. Reconciliation between the statutory rate and the effective tax rate is as follows:
FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(1) Increase for fiscal 2013 and 2012 attributable to the larger add-back of employment tax credits due to increased credit.
(2) The decrease in favorable effect of general business credits on effective tax rate is the result of an increase in pre-tax income from 2012 to 2013. The general business credits remained materially consistent between 2012 and 2013 but pre-tax income increased $1.6 million.
(3) The decrease in the effective income tax rate from 2011 to 2012 was primarily attributable to an increase in the impact of employment tax credits on employee reported tips for the previous open tax years. The Company amended certain tax returns to capture the additional credit during the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2012. The impact was treated discretely in the periods the amended returns were filed. The effective rate then increased from 2012 to 2013 as the effect from the amendments was only applicable in fiscal 2012.
(12) SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOWS INFORMATION
(1) The decrease in cash paid for taxes was primarily due to the benefit realized in the third and fourth quarter of 2012 from the cumulative impact of tax credits for employee reported tips for fiscal 2012 as well as the four previous tax years that were amended resulting in an over payment that reduced the cash paid for taxes in fiscal 2013.
FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(13) SELECTED QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)
The following represents selected quarterly financial information for fiscal years 2013 and 2012 (in thousands except per-share data).
(1) To reflect catering related fees as revenue, a reclassification from operating expense and labor and benefits to restaurant sales, net, of approximately $122,000 and $91,000, respectively, was made for the second quarter of fiscal 2013 and $165,000 and $155,000, respectively, was made for the third quarter of fiscal 2013.
(14) LITIGATION
In the normal course of business, the Company is involved in a number of litigation matters that are incidental to the operation of the business. These matters generally include, among other things, matters with regard to employment and general business-related issues. The Company currently believes that the resolution of any of these pending matters will not have a material adverse effect on its financial position or liquidity, but an adverse decision in more than one of the matters could be material to its consolidated results of operations.
(15) ASSET IMPAIRMENT AND ESTIMATED LEASE TERMINATION AND OTHER CLOSING COSTS
Restaurant sites that are operating, but have been previously impaired, are reported at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less estimated costs to sell. The following is a summary of impairment for fiscal 2013, fiscal 2012, and fiscal 2011.
2013 Asset Impairment and Estimated Lease Termination and Other Closing Costs (in thousands):
(1) Based on the Company’s assessment of expected cash flows, an asset impairment charge was recorded for this restaurant. The remaining asset balance can be transferred to other restaurants.
(2) Lease costs associated with terminating, and then entering into a new lease for this restaurant.
(3) The Company incurred various costs for this restaurant which closed at the end of its natural lease term.
FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2012 Asset Impairment and Estimated Lease Termination and Other Closing Costs (in thousands):
(1) The Company incurred various costs for closed restaurants primarily related to its Tulsa, OK, Vernon Hills, IL, and Yorktown, IL restaurants which closed in 2012.
(2) The lease reserve equals the net present value of the remaining lease obligations for the Vernon Hills, IL restaurant, net of expected sublease income, equal to zero.
2011 Asset Impairment and Estimated Lease Termination and Other Closing Costs (in thousands):
(1) The Company incurred various costs for previously closed restaurants, net of a recapture of accrued expenses for approximately $30,000, in Palatine, IL and Carpentersville, IL.
(2) Based on the Company’s assessment of expected cash flows, an asset impairment charge was recorded for this restaurant which, we relocated to Germantown, MD in the third quarter of 2013.
(3) Based on the Company’s assessment of expected cash flows for this restaurant over the remainder of its respective lease term, an asset impairment charge was recorded.
(4) In fiscal 2011, the Company entered into a purchase agreement for the sale of its Tulsa, OK restaurant for approximately $1.2 million. These assets had a net book value of approximately $1.4 million and were accounted for as held for sale and an impairment charge was recorded since the net book value of the assets exceeded the sale price. On March 2, 2012, these assets were sold.
FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Below reflects the change in our reserve for lease termination costs for fiscal 2013 and 2012:
These amounts were recorded in other current liabilities or other liabilities depending on when we expected the amounts to be paid.
(16) FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value measurement framework establishes a three-tier hierarchy. The three levels, in order of priority, are as follows:
Level 1:
Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date. Level 1 measurements are determined by observable inputs which include data sources and market prices available and visible outside of the entity.
Level 2:
Observable inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.
Level 3:
Inputs that are used to estimate the fair value of the asset or liability. Level 3 measurements are determined by unobservable inputs, which include data and analyses developed within the entity to assess the fair value.
Transfers in and out of levels will be based on our judgment of the availability of unadjusted quoted prices in active markets, other observable inputs, and non-observable inputs.
The following table (in thousands) summarizes the performance stock units measured at fair value in our consolidated balance sheet as of December 29, 2013:
FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The performance stock units are measured on a recurring basis and classified as other long-term liabilities on our balance sheet. There were no performance stock units as of December 30, 2012.
(17) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Company Director Adam Wright’s brother, Michael B. Wright, owns and controls Famous Products, Inc., a corporation that licenses a line of retail products from the Company, including sauces, rubs, marinades and seasonings, pursuant to a licensing agreement with a current term that expires in April 2015 and is subject to renewal options of five years, contingent upon the licensee’s attainment of identified minimum product sales levels. The Company received licensing revenue from Famous Products, Inc. under the agreement of approximately $805,000 for fiscal year 2013. Michael B. Wright also owns DTSG, Inc., a corporation that owns or controls five franchised Famous Dave’s restaurants. DTSG, Inc. paid an aggregate of approximately $640,000 in franchise royalties and contributions to the Company’s system-wide Public Relations and Marketing Development Fund for fiscal year 2013.
(18) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company evaluated for the occurrence of subsequent events through the issuance date of the Company’s financial statements. No other recognized or non-recognized subsequent events occurred that require recognition or disclosure in the financial statements except as noted below.
The Company announced that Edward H. Rensi, Director, has been appointed as the Company’s Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective February 10, 2014. He succeeds John F. Gilbert III, who resigned. All of Mr. Gilbert’s unvested restricted shares have been forfeited and returned to the Company.
During the first quarter of fiscal 2014, the Company decided to close its Corporate Warehouse and as a result, it will be selling the décor inventory located there. The sale is anticipated to occur by the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2014. The inventory has a net book value of approximately $531,000 at the end of fiscal 2013 and was accounted for as assets held and used.
FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Financial Statement Schedule
SCHEDULE II. VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
(in thousands)
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed on March 14, 2014 by the following persons on behalf of the registrant, in the capacities indicated.
EXHIBITS
EXHIBITS
EXHIBITS