10-Q 1 a06-21726_110q.htm QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 13 OR 15(D)

 

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark one)

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2006

OR

o                                 TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File No. 0-23911

Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Maryland

 

52-2081138

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

1410 SW Jefferson Street
Portland, OR 97201

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(503) 721-6500

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.  See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):

Large accelerated filer o

Accelerated filer o

Non-accelerated filer x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange
Act).                                                                                                                                                                                       Yes
o  Nox

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class

 

Outstanding at October 31, 2006

Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share

 

7,957,428 shares

 

 




 

FOG CUTTER CAPITAL GROUP INC.

FORM 10-Q

I N D E X

 

 

 

 

 

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

29

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

 

30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

 

31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

37

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

 

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

37

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

 

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

37

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 5.

 

Other Information

 

37

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

 

37

 

 

 

 

 

Signatures

 

39

 

 

Available information

Our website is www.fogcutter.com.  We make our annual report on Form 10-K, as well as other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, available through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed.  A copy of these reports may also be obtained by writing to us at 1410 SW Jefferson Street, Portland, Oregon, 97201, Attn:  Investor Reporting.

2




 

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

FOG CUTTER CAPITAL GROUP INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

(dollars in thousands, except share data)

 

 

September 30,
2006

 

December 31,
2005

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

1,722

 

$

4,071

 

Accounts receivable

 

2,797

 

1,248

 

Notes receivable, current portion

 

462

 

17

 

Loans to senior executives

 

1,060

 

 

Inventories

 

2,507

 

1,880

 

Investments in real estate, held for sale, net

 

11,309

 

6,355

 

Other current assets

 

1,182

 

1,661

 

Total current assets

 

21,039

 

15,232

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments in real estate, net

 

11,894

 

23,937

 

Notes receivable

 

376

 

976

 

Loans to senior executives

 

 

1,015

 

Investment in Bourne End

 

 

803

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

7,665

 

5,377

 

Intangible assets, net

 

5,331

 

5,586

 

Goodwill

 

10,079

 

9,979

 

Other assets

 

2,025

 

2,414

 

Total assets

 

$

58,409

 

$

65,319

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

$

10,972

 

$

9,536

 

Borrowings and notes payable, current portion

 

9,015

 

4,642

 

Obligations under capital leases, current portion

 

1,511

 

1,548

 

Total current liabilities

 

21,498

 

15,726

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings and notes payable

 

2,290

 

8,294

 

Obligations under capital leases

 

8,839

 

9,309

 

Deferred income

 

3,880

 

4,330

 

Deferred income taxes

 

4,377

 

5,739

 

Total liabilities

 

40,884

 

43,398

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

Minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries

 

643

 

532

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $.0001 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding

 

 

 

Common stock, $.0001 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 11,757,073 shares issued as of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005; 7,957,428 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005

 

168,516

 

168,214

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(139,625

)

(134,977

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

 

161

 

Treasury stock, 3,799,645 common shares as of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, at cost

 

(12,009

)

(12,009

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

16,882

 

21,389

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

58,409

 

$

65,319

 

 

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

3




 

 

FOG CUTTER CAPITAL GROUP INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(dollars in thousands, except share data)

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restaurant and manufacturing sales

 

$

9,810

 

$

6,011

 

$

27,686

 

$

18,048

 

Restaurant franchise and royalty fees

 

591

 

721

 

1,826

 

1,743

 

Real estate rental income

 

928

 

1,031

 

2,978

 

3,194

 

Loan brokerage and servicing fees

 

1,575

 

3,114

 

5,463

 

5,992

 

Total revenue

 

12,904

 

10,877

 

37,953

 

28,977

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restaurant and manufacturing cost of sales

 

5,290

 

3,470

 

15,336

 

10,532

 

Real estate operating expense

 

491

 

391

 

1,163

 

1,231

 

Engineering and development

 

371

 

113

 

1,167

 

113

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

455

 

399

 

1,316

 

1,246

 

Total operating cost and expenses

 

6,607

 

4,373

 

18,982

 

13,122

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General and administrative expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and employee benefits

 

3,873

 

3,960

 

12,730

 

8,990

 

Professional fees

 

1,031

 

1,044

 

2,729

 

2,614

 

Fees paid to related parties

 

47

 

 

279

 

 

Other

 

4,376

 

3,138

 

11,740

 

9,138

 

Total general and administrative expenses

 

9,327

 

8,142

 

27,478

 

20,742

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-operating income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain on sale of real estate

 

1,211

 

195

 

2,905

 

1,784

 

Gain on sale of notes receivable

 

 

 

496

 

 

Interest Income

 

67

 

158

 

247

 

1,139

 

Interest expense

 

(714

)

(527

)

(1,778

)

(1,416

)

Other income (loss)

 

470

 

45

 

1,359

 

(175

)

Total non-operating income (loss)

 

1,034

 

(129

)

3,229

 

1,332

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss before provision for income taxes, minority interests, and equity in income of equity investees

 

(1,996

)

(1,767

)

(5,278

)

(3,555

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority interest in earnings

 

(76

)

(299

)

(333

)

(414

)

Equity in income (loss) of equity investees

 

 

(415

)

748

 

26

 

Income tax benefit

 

1,249

 

 

1,249

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(823

)

$

(2,481

)

$

(3,614

)

$

(3,943

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic loss per share

 

$

(0.10

)

$

(0.31

)

$

(0.45

)

$

(0.49

)

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

 

7,957,428

 

7,957,428

 

7,957,428

 

8,089,692

 

Diluted net loss per share

 

$

(0.10

)

$

(0.31

)

$

(0.45

)

$

(0.49

)

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

 

7,957,428

 

7,957,428

 

7,957,428

 

8,089,692

 

Dividends declared per share

 

$

 

$

0.13

 

$

0.13

 

$

0.39

 

 

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

4




 

 

FOG CUTTER CAPITAL GROUP INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited)

(dollars in thousands, except share data)

 

 

Common Stock

 

Treasury Stock

 

Accumulated

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive

 

 

 

 

 

Shares (1)

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Deficit

 

Income

 

Total

 

Balance at January 1, 2006

 

7,957,428

 

$

168,214

 

3,799,645

 

$

(12,009

)

$

(134,977

)

$

161

 

$

21,389

 

Comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

(3,614

)

 

(3,614

)

Other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

 

 

458

 

458

 

Reclassification adjustment for net losses on securities and foreign currency translation included in net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

(619

)

(619

)

Total comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,775

)

Stock options expensed in net loss

 

 

302

 

 

 

 

 

302

 

Dividends declared

 

 

 

 

 

(1,034

)

 

(1,034

)

Balance at September 30, 2006

 

7,957,428

 

$

168,516

 

3,799,645

 

$

(12,009

)

$

(139,625

)

$

 

$

16,882

 

 


(1)             Issued and outstanding

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

5




 

 

FOG CUTTER CAPITAL GROUP INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(823

)

$

(2,481

)

$

(3,614

)

$

(3,943

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net operating cash flows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in (income) loss of equity investees

 

 

415

 

(748

)

(26

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

651

 

557

 

1,859

 

1,592

 

Loss (gain) on foreign currency translation

 

(114

)

34

 

(619

)

453

 

Gain on sale of loans

 

 

 

(496

)

 

Gain on sale of real estate

 

(1,211

)

(195

)

(2,905

)

(1,784

)

Share based compensation

 

188

 

 

302

 

 

Other

 

152

 

327

 

458

 

292

 

Change in:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income

 

(20

)

(203

)

(70

)

(298

)

Other assets

 

(1,154

)

22

 

(1,517

)

248

 

Deferred income taxes

 

(1,279

)

(12

)

(1,362

)

(38

)

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

1,791

 

(2,527

)

2,813

 

(3,273

)

Net cash used in operating activities

 

(1,819

)

(4,063

)

(5,899

)

(6,777

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from sale of real estate

 

6,004

 

796

 

12,130

 

4,115

 

Proceeds from sale of loans

 

 

 

664

 

 

Investment in loans and discounted loans

 

 

(989

)

 

(2,329

)

Principal repayments on loans and discounted loans

 

 

3,145

 

 

4,254

 

Investment in real estate

 

(362

)

(132

)

(1,552

)

(2,258

)

Purchase of net assets of restaurant operations

 

(240

)

 

(928

)

 

Investments in property, plant, and equipment

 

(1,617

)

(55

)

(2,667

)

(205

)

Distributions from equity investees

 

1,600

 

 

1,600

 

 

Other

 

(12

)

(12

)

(32

)

106

 

Net cash provided by investing activities

 

5,373

 

2,753

 

9,215

 

3,683

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from borrowings

 

3,274

 

46

 

5,673

 

2,289

 

Repayments on borrowings

 

(8,313

)

(99

)

(9,464

)

(191

)

Repayments under capital leases

 

(167

)

(135

)

(507

)

(380

)

Purchase of treasury stock

 

 

 

 

(1,689

)

Minority interests distributions paid

 

(123

)

(176

)

(319

)

(407

)

Dividend payments on common stock

 

 

(998

)

(1,034

)

(3,149

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(5,329

)

(1,362

)

(5,651

)

(3,527

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGE ON CASH

 

(25

)

14

 

(14

)

(65

)

NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

(1,800

)

(2,658

)

(2,349

)

(6,686

)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

 

3,522

 

7,920

 

4,071

 

11,948

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

 

$

1,722

 

$

5,262

 

$

1,722

 

$

5,262

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest

 

$

607

 

$

393

 

$

1,572

 

$

1,176

 

Cash paid for income taxes

 

$

30

 

$

12

 

$

113

 

$

38

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NONCASH FINANCING AND INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Treasury stock acquired through exercise of option

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

593

 

Capital lease obligations terminated with no penalty

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

855

 

Release of assets under capital lease

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

876

 

Noncash business combinations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of assets acquired through business combinations

 

$

 

$

4,141

 

$

 

$

4,141

 

Liabilities assumed through business combinations

 

$

 

$

(2,130

)

$

 

$

(2,130

)

Loans converted to equity interests through business combinations

 

$

 

$

(2,011

)

$

 

$

(2,011

)

 

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

6




 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements of Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc. and Subsidiaries (“FCCG” or the “Company”) are unaudited and have been prepared in conformity with the requirements of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), particularly Rule 10-01 thereof, which governs the presentation of interim financial statements.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements.  The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K.  A summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies is set forth in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.

In the Company’s opinion, all adjustments, comprised of normal recurring accruals necessary for the fair presentation of the interim financial statements, have been included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.  Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2006.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  The Company’s operations and activities are becoming more focused on restaurant and other more typical commercial businesses, and less focused on finance and real estate.  As a result, certain reclassifications of the balances and modifications to the presentation of the financial statements have been made, including the reclassification of certain investments in real estate as held for sale.  None of these changes in presentation affected previously reported results of operations.

At September 30, 2006, certain Company officers and directors had, directly or indirectly, majority voting control of the Company.

Minority interests

The Company applies Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51, “Consolidated Financial Statements” (“ARB 51”), which requires the elimination of all intercompany profit or loss and balances between consolidated companies.  ARB 51 also requires the recognition of minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries.  Consistent with ARB 51, where losses applicable to a minority interest exceed the minority interest in the capital of the subsidiary, such excess and any further losses are charged against the Company.  Should the subsidiary become profitable, the Company will be credited to the extent of such losses previously absorbed.

Long-lived assets, held for sale

The Company classifies its long-lived assets to be sold as held for sale in the period when the following criteria are met:

(i)                   management commits to a plan to sell the asset;

(ii)                the asset is available for immediate sale in its present condition subject only to terms that are usual and customary for sales of such assets;

(iii)             an active program to locate a buyer and other actions required to complete the plan to sell the asset have been initiated;

(iv)            the sale of the asset is probable, and transfer of the asset is expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale, within one year;

(v)               the asset is being actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value; and

(vi)            actions required to complete the plan indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn.

Share-based payments

In 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment” (“FAS 123R”), which requires all share-based awards to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in results of operations based on their fair value.  The Company adopted FAS 123R on January 1, 2006.

Recently issued accounting standards

In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”) clarifying the manner in which enterprises account for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements.  The interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.  FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006.  The Company has not yet determined the effect, if any, of this new standard on its consolidated financial position and results of operations.

NOTE 2 - SIGNIFICANT TRANSACTIONS

The following significant events affected our operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2006:

7




 

Fatburger Holdings, Inc. (“Fatburger”) investment

In the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company invested an additional $5.0 million in Fatburger and increased its voting control to approximately 82%.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2006, Fatburger acquired a controlling interest in one of its franchisees in Virginia for $0.2 million.  Fatburger has also purchased two franchisee locations in 2006, one in Florida for $0.5 million, and one in Louisiana for $0.2 million.  As a result of these transactions, $1.2 million of assets, including $0.1 million of goodwill, $0.2 million of minority interests, and $0.1 million of liabilities were recorded at fair value.

Sale of real estate

In March 2006, the Company sold seven stand-alone retail locations in a single transaction for a sales price of $3.5 million in cash.  The properties had a net book value of $3.0 million at the time of disposal, and the Company recognized gains on the sales totaling $0.5 million.

The Company sold a 10 acre parcel of vacant land for $2.6 million in cash in May 2006.  The property had a net book value of $1.4 million at the time of disposal, and the Company recognized a gain on sale of $1.2 million.  Certain contingencies may result in additional sale proceeds of $0.3 million.  The Company has not recognized the contingent portion of the sales price due to the uncertainty of ultimate realization.

The Company sold its Eugene warehouse property for a sales price of $2.8 million in cash in August 2006.  The property had a net book value of $1.6 million at the time of sale, and the Company recognized a gain on sale of $1.2 million.  The Company used part of the proceeds on the sale to repay a $1.5 million mortgage note payable secured by the property which was obtained in May 2006.

These properties were classified as real estate held for sale in the accompanying Statement of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2005.

Sale of loan

In March 2006, the Company sold its interest in one loan for $0.7 million.  This loan had a carrying value of $0.2 million and provided a gain on sale of $0.5 million.

Sale of property by equity investee

In June 2006, the Company’s equity investee, Bourne End Properties Plc. (“Bourne End”) completed the sale of its last remaining shopping center in Speke, England.  Bourne End recognized a gain under U.S. financial reporting standards of approximately $1.1 million, of which, the Company’s share was approximately $0.3 million.  The Company was also allocated additional income from Bourne End in the approximate amount of $0.5 million under a revenue sharing agreement with the other investors as a result of exceeding certain profitability measures.  The Company has recognized $0.7 million in income from equity investees during the nine months ended September 30, 2006.  In July 2006, Bourne End distributed the majority of its net assets to its investors, and the Company received $1.6 million for its share.

Investment in Barcelona, Spain properties

During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company invested an additional $5.2 million in its Variable Interest Entities (“VIE”) in Barcelona, Spain.  During the period, the VIE spent approximately $1.4 million for improvements and carrying costs on its three apartment buildings, and repaid a $4.2 million mortgage loan on one property, thus releasing a third party’s security interest in the property.  In July 2006, the VIE sold one of three properties that it owned for cash proceeds of $3.3 million.  The property had a net book value of $3.3 million, including capital improvements and carrying costs, at the time of disposal.  At September 30, 2006, the Company’s total investment in the remaining two entities is $10.3 million.

Borrowings on note payable

In July 2006, the Company borrowed $2.5 million from a lender.  The promissory note is secured by the Company’s interest in the VIE, bears interest at a variable rate of prime minus 1.25% plus 10.0% (17.125% at September 30, 2006) payable monthly in arrears, and is due January 2007.  The proceeds of the note were used as part of the Company’s additional investment in the VIE.

Centrisoft Corporation (“Centrisoft”) investment

In June 2006, the Company increased its voting control in Centrisoft to 79% and has invested an additional $2.8 million in Centrisoft during the nine months ended September 30, 2006.

Dividends

On February 28, 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a $0.13 per share dividend.  The dividend was paid on March 14, 2006 to shareholders of record on March 9, 2006.  No other dividends have been declared or paid in 2006.

8




 

NOTE 3 - COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES & OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK

Shareholder Derivative Complaint

On July 6, 2004, Jeff Allen McCoon, derivatively on behalf of the Company, filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court for the State of Oregon (Multnomah County case number 0407-06900) which named the Company and all of its directors as defendants.  The lawsuit alleged that members of the Company’s Board of Directors breached their duties to the Company in a number of ways, primarily relating to the leave of absence agreement with Andrew Wiederhorn.  The lawsuit generally sought restitution of payments made under the leave of absence agreement plus attorney fees and costs.  On January 6, 2006, the Circuit Court dismissed the entire derivative lawsuit, ruling that Mr. McCoon was unfit to represent the Company’s shareholders.  Mr. McCoon has filed an appeal to this ruling.

Delisting

Effective October 14, 2004, due to a NASDAQ staff determination to delist the Company’s common stock, the Company’s stock began trading in the over-the-counter (“OTC”) market.  Prior to the delisting, the Company’s common stock was quoted on the NASDAQ National Market.

Liquidity

The Company considers the sale of real estate and other investments to be a normal, recurring part of operations and expects these transactions to generate adequate cash flow to meet the Company’s liquidity needs for the next year.  The Company has experienced losses from operations since its 2004 fiscal year.  During this period, the Company’s operations and activities have become more focused on restaurant and other more typical commercial business activities and have been transitioning away from finance and real estate activities.  The growth strategies for the restaurant and other commercial operations, as well as administrative cost burdens may threaten the Company’s liquidity position.

If the Company’s existing liquidity position were to prove insufficient, and it was unable to repay, renew or replace maturing indebtedness on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Company, it may be required to sell (potentially on short notice) a portion of its assets, and could incur losses as a result.  Specific risks to the Company’s liquidity include, but are not limited to, Fatburger’s non-compliance with debt covenants, Fatburger’s expansion, Centrisoft’s operations, infrastructure costs, and the declaration and payment of dividends.

Dividends

The Company does not have a fixed dividend policy, and may declare and pay new dividends on common stock, subject to financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors.  One factor the Board of Directors may consider is the impact of dividends on the Company’s liquidity.  As the Company implements its strategy of focusing efforts on the development of Fatburger, the Board of Directors may determine to reduce any future dividend amount to a level that is more typical of the restaurant industry, or eliminate the dividend in its entirety.  On February 28, 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a $0.13 per share dividend.  The dividend was paid on March 14, 2006 to shareholders of record on March 9, 2006.  No other dividends have been declared or paid in 2006.

Fatburger Debt Covenant

At December 31, 2005, Fatburger was not in compliance with all obligations under the agreements evidencing its indebtedness, as defined in the applicable agreements.  Fatburger failed to meet the prescribed fixed charge coverage ratio and the prescribed debt-coverage ratio in two notes payable at December 31, 2005.  Due to Fatburger’s non-compliance, the lender has the right to demand repayment of the notes after serving notice.  As such, on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, $4.0 million and $4.2 million of long-term debt at September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively, have been classified as current.  The lender has not demanded early repayment of the loans; however, if the lender exercises its right to demand payment, the Company’s liquidity could be negatively affected.

Fatburger operations

The Company expects that Fatburger will require capital resources and have negative cash flow in the near term while it pursues a growth strategy through developing additional franchisee and Company-owned restaurants.  Fatburger development involves substantial risks that the Company intends to manage; however, it cannot be assured that present or future development will perform in accordance with the Company’s expectations or that any restaurants will generate the Company’s expected returns on investment.  The Company’s inability to expand Fatburger in accordance with planned expansion or to manage that growth could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations and financial condition.  In addition, if Fatburger or its franchisees are unsuccessful in obtaining capital sufficient to fund this expansion, the timing of restaurant openings may be delayed and Fatburger’s results may be harmed.

9




 

Centrisoft operations

The Company expects that Centrisoft will require capital resources and have negative cash flow in the near term.  Since Centrisoft is in the early stages of its marketing, there can be no assurance that it will be successful in attracting a significant customer base.  Centrisoft is currently marketing its software to potential customers both directly and through re-seller relationships.  There can be no assurance that Centrisoft will be successful in generating sufficient cash flow to support its own operations in the near term.

Related Party Transactions

During the three months ended September 30, 2006, the Company accepted assignment of a fractional interest lease, between NetJets Services Inc. and an entity controlled by the Company’s chief executive officer, Andrew A. Wiederhorn, for the lease of a 6.25% undivided interest in an aircraft.  The lease calls for annual payments of approximately $420,000 plus specific costs relating to the operation of the aircraft.  The lease expires in December 2010, however, the Company has the right to terminate the lease with 90 days notice beginning in December 2008. The future minimum lease payments are as follows (dollars in thousands):

2006

 

$

105

 

2007

 

420

 

2008

 

420

 

2009

 

70

 

 

Other

The Company may utilize a wide variety of off-balance sheet financial techniques to manage its risk.  In hedging the interest rate or foreign currency exchange rate exposure, the Company may enter into hedge transactions to counter movements in interest rates and foreign currencies.  These hedges may be in the form of currency and interest rate swaps, options, and forwards or combinations thereof.  At September 30, 2006, approximately 59% of the Company’s equity was invested in net assets located outside of the United States, primarily denominated in the euro.  The Company has no outstanding derivative instruments held for trading or hedging purposes.

In order to facilitate the development of franchise locations, Fatburger has guaranteed the annual minimum lease payments of five restaurant sites owned and operated by franchisees.  As of September 30, 2006, the amount of the guarantees total approximately $1.5 million plus certain contingent rental payments as defined in the respective leases.  These leases expire at various times through 2015.

The Company did not have any other off balance sheet arrangements in place as of September 30, 2006.

NOTE 4 – GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Primarily as a result of the acquisitions of Fatburger, Centrisoft, and DAC, the Company has goodwill in the amount of $10.1 million and investments in intangible assets of $5.3 million.  In accordance with FAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“FAS 142”), goodwill is not amortized, but is subject to an annual impairment test.  Since the acquisitions of Fatburger and Centrisoft by the Company, both operations have experienced operating losses and have conducted their operations with limited liquidity.  The Company believes that these conditions are temporary in nature, however, should these conditions not be corrected, the Company may be required to recognize impairment losses on its recorded goodwill.  As of September 30, 2006, the Company was not aware of any events or changes in circumstances that would require the impairment of the recorded goodwill.

Net intangible assets included operating manuals, franchise agreements, leasehold interests, and sales contracts.  Summarized information for acquired intangible assets is as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

September 30, 2006

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Franchise agreements

 

$

1,162

 

Other intangible assets

 

986

 

Total amortized intangible assets

 

2,148

 

Less: accumulated amortization

 

(787

)

Net amortized intangible assets

 

1,361

 

 

 

 

 

Trademarks

 

3,970

 

 

 

 

 

Total intangible assets

 

$

5,331

 

 

10




 

Trademarks, which have indefinite lives, are not subject to amortization.  All other intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets of five to fifteen years.  Estimated amortization expense for the remainder of 2006 and the five succeeding years is as follows (dollars in thousands):

2006

 

$

69

 

2007

 

274

 

2008

 

274

 

2009

 

252

 

2010

 

217

 

2011

 

164

 

 

The recorded values of goodwill and other intangible assets may become impaired in the future.  The determination of the value of such intangible assets requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the consolidated financial statements.  Potential impairments to intangible assets are assessed when there is evidence that events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recovered.  This assessment is based on the operational performance of acquired businesses, market conditions and other factors including future events.  Any resulting impairment loss could have an adverse impact on the results of operations of the Company.

NOTE 5 – STOCK OPTIONS AND RIGHTS

The Company has a non-qualified stock option plan (the “Option Plan”) which provides for options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock.  The maximum number of shares of common stock that may be issued pursuant to options granted under the Option Plan is 3,500,000 shares.  Each independent director receives, on the last day of each quarter, an automatic non-statutory option grant to purchase 1,500 shares of common stock at 110% of the fair market value on that day.  Automatic grants will vest one third on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date and expire on the tenth anniversary of the grant date.  In addition, on August 8, 2006, the Company granted to certain officers and directors of the Company options to purchase 1,450,000 shares of common stock at 110% of the fair market value on that day.  These grants will vest one third on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date and expire on the tenth anniversary of the grant date.

There were no options granted with exercise prices below the market value of the stock at the grant date.  Fair values for 2006 were estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions used: 0% dividend yield, expected volatility of 60%, risk-free interest rate of 5.0% and expected lives of five years.

A summary of our stock options activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 is presented below:

 

Shares

 

Weighted Average
Exercise
Price

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2005

 

1,303,000

 

$

4.44

 

Granted

 

1,463,500

 

$

2.64

 

Exercised

 

 

$

 

Cancelled/forfeited

 

(9,000

)

$

5.61

 

Outstanding at September 30, 2006

 

2,757,500

 

$

3.48

 

 

A summary of our stock options outstanding as of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 is presented below:

 

September 30, 2006

 

December 31, 2005

 

Range of
Exercise Prices

 

 

 

Shares

 

Weighted Average
Remaining
Life

 

Weighted Average
Exercise
Price

 

Shares

 

Weighted Average
Remaining
Life

 

Weighted Average
Exercise
Price

 

$2.00 – 4.00

 

1,494,000

 

9.8

 

$

2.65

 

30,500

 

7.6

 

$

3.22

 

$4.01 – 6.00

 

1,257,500

 

5.2

 

$

4.44

 

1,265,000

 

6.0

 

$

4.45

 

$6.01 – 20.00

 

6,000

 

7.5

 

$

6.55

 

7,500

 

8.3

 

$

6.55

 

 

The Company adopted FAS 123R effective January 1, 2006, using the modified prospective transition method.  Under that transition method, compensation cost recognized in 2006 includes (a) compensation cost for all share based awards granted prior to, but not yet vested as of January 1, 2006, based on the attribution method and grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of FAS 123, and (b) compensation cost for all share based awards granted subsequent to January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of FAS 123R, all recognized as the requisite service periods are rendered.  Results for prior periods have not been restated.

11




 

The adoption of FAS 123R resulted in the Company’s net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 being approximately $0.3 million higher, and caused basic and diluted loss per share as reported for the same period to be $0.03 higher (higher net loss of $0.2 million and $0.02 per share for the three months then ended) than if the Company had continued to account for share based compensation under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB 25”).

Prior to January 1, 2006, the Company applied APB 25 and related interpretations in accounting for the Option Plan.  Accordingly, no compensation expense was recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations prior to January 1, 2006 for grants under the Option Plan.  Had compensation expense for the Option Plan been determined based on the fair value at the grant date consistent with the methods of FAS 123, the Company’s net loss and loss per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 would have been as indicated below:

 

Nine months ended
September 30, 2005

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands,
except share data)

 

Net loss:

 

 

 

As reported

 

$

(3,944

)

Pro forma compensation expense from stock based compensation, net of tax

 

(219

)

Pro forma net loss

 

$

(4,163

)

Net loss per common and common share equivalent:

 

 

 

Basic loss per share:

 

 

 

As reported

 

$

(0.49

)

Pro forma

 

$

(0.51

)

Diluted loss per share:

 

 

 

As reported

 

$

(0.49

)

Pro forma

 

$

(0.51

)

 

The effect on the Company’s net loss and loss per share for the three months ended September 30, 2005 was insignificant.

NOTE 6 – VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

As of September 30, 2006, the Company has funded loans totaling $10.3 million to two related Spanish entities formed to purchase, reposition and sell apartment buildings in Barcelona, Spain.  Under the terms of the loans, the Company receives a preferred 30% return on its investment, and, after a similar return is paid to another minority investor, the Company receives an 80% share in additional profits generated by the investment.  The investment meets the definition of a Variable Interest Entity under FASB Interpretation No. 46 (“FIN 46”) and the Company is the primary beneficiary of the VIE.  As a result, the assets, liabilities, and results of operations of the VIE have been consolidated into the accompanying consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2006.

The VIE currently owns two apartment buildings, consisting of 33 residential units with a book value of approximately $10.9 million, including capital improvements and carrying costs.  These acquisitions, and related operational expenditures, were funded with bank loans totaling $0.9 million, the Company’s $10.3 million investment and a $0.3 million contribution from the project managers.  Neither the creditors nor the other beneficial interest holders have recourse to the Company with regard to these investments and, as a result, the maximum limit of the Company’s exposure to loss on this investment was $10.3 million as of September 30, 2006.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company funded loans of $5.2 million to the VIE, while the VIE spent approximately $1.4 million for improvements and carrying costs on its three apartment buildings, and repaid a $4.2 million mortgage loan on one property, thus releasing a third party’s security interest in the property.  In July 2006, the VIE sold one of the three properties that it owned for cash proceeds of $3.3 million.  The property had a net book value of $3.3 million, including capital improvements and carrying costs, at the time of disposal.  At September 30, 2006, the Company’s total investment in the remaining two entities is $10.3 million.  The two remaining properties met the criteria to be classified as “held for sale”, and were classified as such on the Statement of Financial Condition at September 30, 2006.  Assets and liabilities of the VIE included in the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition are summarized as follows:

Investment in real estate, held for sale, net

 

$

10,938,000

 

Other assets

 

69,000

 

Borrowings and notes payable (included in current liabilities at September 30, 2006)

 

904,000

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

10,000

 

Minority interest

 

349,000

 

 

12




 

NOTE 7 – OPERATING SEGMENTS

Operating segments consist of (i) restaurant operations conducted through Fatburger, (ii) commercial real estate mortgage brokerage activities conducted through George Elkins Mortgage Banking Company (“George Elkins”), (iii) manufacturing activities conducted through DAC International, (iv) real estate and financing activities, and (v) software development and sales conducted through Centrisoft Corporation.  Each segment operates with its own management and personnel, and there are no indirect allocations of overhead or other costs.  The following is a summary of each of the operating segments:

Restaurant Operations

As of September 30, 2006, the Company owned approximately 82% of the voting control of Fatburger, which operates or franchises 86 hamburger restaurants located primarily in California and Nevada.  Franchisees currently own and operate 54 of the Fatburger locations.  Seven new restaurants were opened during the nine months ended September 30, 2006, four franchise locations and three company-owned locations.  In addition, Fatburger purchased three restaurants from franchisees during the nine months ended September 30, 2006.

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Company-owned restaurant sales

 

$

7,426

 

$

6,003

 

$

20,494

 

$

18,041

 

Royalty revenue

 

551

 

498

 

1,662

 

1,292

 

Franchise fee revenue

 

40

 

223

 

164

 

451

 

Total revenue

 

8,017

 

6,724

 

22,320

 

19,784

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales

 

(3,915

)

(3,469

)

(11,378

)

(10,532

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

(427

)

(337

)

(1,202

)

(1,048

)

Other general & administrative costs

 

(4,001

)

(3,032

)

(10,666

)

(8,646

)

Interest expense

 

(187

)

(161

)

(627

)

(471

)

Minority interest in losses

 

5

 

 

70

 

 

Segment loss

 

$

(508

)

$

(275

)

$

(1,483

)

$

(913

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

1,465

 

$

27

 

$

2,449

 

$

114

 

Segment assets

 

 

 

 

 

21,214

 

19,120

 

Minority interests

 

 

 

 

 

117

 

 

 

Commercial Real Estate Mortgage Brokerage Operations

The Company holds a 51% ownership interest in George Elkins, a California mortgage banking operation, which provided brokerage services related to the production of over $806 million in commercial real estate mortgages in the first nine months of 2006, a 3% increase over the same period in 2005.  George Elkins is headquartered in Los Angeles, with satellite offices located throughout the southern California area.  The mortgage brokerage operation also manages a commercial loan servicing portfolio in excess of $1.1 billion for various investors.

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loan brokerage fees

 

$

1,358

 

$

2,825

 

$

4,755

 

$

5,255

 

Loan servicing fees

 

217

 

289

 

708

 

737

 

Total revenue

 

1,575

 

3,114

 

5,463

 

5,992

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

(8

)

(26

)

(22

)

(50

)

Other general & administrative costs

 

(1,498

)

(2,626

)

(5,181

)

(5,508

)

Interest income

 

2

 

2

 

5

 

4

 

Other non-operating income

 

4

 

67

 

283

 

162

 

Minority interest in earnings

 

(82

)

(299

)

(404

)

(414

)

Segment income (loss)

 

$

(7

)

$

232

 

$

144

 

$

186

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

6

 

$

28

 

$

6

 

$

91

 

Segment assets

 

 

 

 

 

1,130

 

1,732

 

Minority interests

 

 

 

 

 

178

 

238

 

 

13




 

Manufacturing Operations

The Company conducts manufacturing activities through its wholly-owned subsidiary, DAC International.  The Company assumed 100% voting control of DAC in November 2005 and began reporting the operations of DAC on a consolidated basis as of November 1, 2005.  DAC is a supplier of computer controlled lathes and milling machinery for the production of eyeglass, contact, and intraocular lenses.

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manufacturing sales

 

$

2,370

 

$

 

$

7,159

 

$

 

Cost of sales

 

(1,375

)

 

(3,958

)

 

Engineering and development

 

(214

)

 

(655

)

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

(22

)

 

(42

)

 

Other general & administrative costs

 

(446

)

 

(1,322

)

 

Interest expense

 

 

 

(6

)

 

Other non-operating income

 

46

 

 

53

 

 

Segment income

 

$

359

 

$

 

$

1,229

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

145

 

$

 

$

205

 

$

 

Segment assets

 

 

 

 

 

5,427

 

 

 

Real Estate and Financing Operations

The Company owns various interests in real estate and notes receivable.  At September 30, 2006, real estate is comprised of leasehold interests in 75 freestanding retail buildings located throughout the United States and two apartment buildings located in Barcelona, Spain.  At September 30, 2006, notes receivable have a carrying value of $1.9 million and are primarily secured by real estate.

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rental income

 

$

928

 

$

1,031

 

$

2,978

 

$

3,194

 

Operating expenses

 

(491

)

(391

)

(1,163

)

(1,231

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

(97

)

(135

)

(328

)

(436

)

Other general & administrative costs

 

(205

)

(182

)

(609

)

(494

)

Interest income

 

66

 

156

 

242

 

1,135

 

Interest expense

 

(442

)

(283

)

(1,038

)

(862

)

Other non-operating income

 

1,678

 

173

 

4,469

 

1,447

 

Equity in income of equity investees

 

 

(415

)

748

 

26

 

Segment income (loss)

 

$

1,437

 

$

(46

)

$

5,299

 

$

2,779

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

362

 

$

132

 

$

1,552

 

$

2,258

 

Segment assets

 

 

 

 

 

26,879

 

39,309

 

Investment in equity investees

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,753

 

Minority interests

 

 

 

 

 

349

 

355

 

 

Other non-operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 includes gain on sale of real estate ($2.9 million), gain on sale of loans ($0.5 million), foreign currency gains ($0.6 million), and commission and other non-operating revenue ($0.4 million).

Software Development and Sales

The Company holds a 79% ownership interest in Centrisoft, which conducts software development and sales activities.  The Company began reporting the operations of Centrisoft on a consolidated basis as of July 1, 2005, when majority voting control was obtained.  Centrisoft develops and sells software that controls and enhances the productivity of enterprise networks and provides first level security against unauthorized applications and users.

14




 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Software sales

 

$

13

 

$

8

 

$

34

 

$

8

 

Engineering and development

 

(157

)

(113

)

(513

)

(113

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

(98

)

(59

)

(265

)

(59

)

Other general & administrative costs

 

(340

)

(284

)

(1,222

)

(284

)

Interest expense

 

(38

)

(83

)

(104

)

(83

)

Other non-operating expense

 

(46

)

 

(46

)

 

Segment loss

 

$

(666

)

$

(531

)

$

(2,116

)

$

(531

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

 

$

 

$

7

 

$

 

Segment assets

 

 

 

 

 

3,759

 

4,101

 

 

Reconciliation to total net income (loss)

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segment income (loss) from operations

 

$

615

 

$

(620

)

$

3,073

 

$

1,521

 

Corporate expenses

 

(2,687

)

(1,861

)

(7,936

)

(5,464

)

Income tax benefit

 

1,249

 

 

1,249

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(823

)

$

(2,481

)

$

(3,614

)

$

(3,943

)

 

Corporate expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 includes $0.3 million (less than $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006) paid to Peninsula Capital Partners LLC (“Peninsula Capital”), an entity owned by the Company’s chief executive officer, as reimbursement of costs for the Company’s business use of certain private aircraft.  The Board of Directors is aware of the relationship and approved the fees for the use of the aircraft.

NOTE 8 – INCOME TAXES

As of September 30, 2006, the Company had, for U.S. Federal tax purposes, a net operating loss (“NOL”) carry forward of approximately $77.7 million, including $3.4 million relating to Fatburger and $7.6 million relating to Centrisoft.  The Company’s NOL begins to expire in 2018.  Fatburger’s NOL began to expire in 2004 and Centrisoft’s will begin to expire in 2020.  The Fatburger NOL carry forward is net of approximately $4.1 million disallowed as a result of an examination completed by the Internal Revenue Service in September 2006.  The disallowed NOL carry forward relates to years in which Fatburger filed a consolidated return with a parent company that is currently unaffiliated with Fatburger.  As a result, documents substantiating the NOL carry forward were not within Fatburger’s control.  Fatburger may appeal the results of this IRS examination.  There can be no assurance that such an appeal would be successful.  No tax benefit had been recognized for financial reporting purposes relating to the disallowed NOL carry forward.

The Fatburger and Centrisoft NOLs are generally subject to an annual limitation under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, Section 382, Limitation on Net Operating Loss Carryovers and Certain Built-In Losses Following Change in Control.  In addition, to the extent the Fatburger or Centrisoft NOLs are utilized, the recognition of the related tax benefits on certain of the NOLs utilized would first reduce goodwill related to those acquisitions, then other non-current intangible assets related to those acquisitions, and then income tax expense in accordance with Statement on Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes.

United States tax regulations impose limitations on the use of NOL carry forwards following certain changes in ownership.  If such a change were to occur with respect to the Company, the limitation could significantly reduce the amount of benefits that would be available to offset future taxable income each year, starting with the year of ownership change.  To reduce the likelihood of such ownership changes, the Company established a Shareholder Rights Plan dated as of October 18, 2002, which discourages, under certain circumstances, ownership changes which would trigger the NOL limitations.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company determined that it was more likely than not that certain NOL carryovers would be available to offset prior taxable income.  As a result, the Company recognized an income tax benefit of $1.2 million and reduced the deferred tax liability by the same amount.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, a provision for income taxes was not required due to the net operating loss generated during the period.

15




 

NOTE 9 – LOANS TO SENIOR EXECUTIVES

As of September 30, 2006, the Company had $1.1 million in two outstanding loans to its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Wiederhorn.  Both loans were made on February 21, 2002 (prior to the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002).  The loans are due on February 21, 2007, and are classified as current on the Statement of Financial Condition as of September 30, 2006.

NOTE 10 – INVENTORIES

Inventories consist of the following:

 

September 30,
2006

 

December 31,
2005

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raw materials

 

$

1,369

 

$

1,326

 

Work in progress

 

866

 

288

 

Finished goods

 

272

 

266

 

Total inventories

 

$

2,507

 

$

1,880

 

 

NOTE 11 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Restaurant openings

Subsequent to September 30, 2006, Fatburger opened one additional franchisee location.

Sale of retail property

Subsequent to September 30, 2006, the Company contracted to sell one commercial property for a sales price of $0.4 million in cash.  The property had a net book value of $0.4 million at the time of the contract, and is classified as held for sale on the accompanying Statements of Financial Condition.  The sale is expected to close in November 2006.

Aircraft lease

Subsequent to September 30, 2006, the Company entered into a capital lease of a private aircraft.  The agreement calls for monthly lease payments of $6,409 and the Company is responsible for all operating and maintenance costs of the aircraft.  The lessor has the option to require the Company to purchase the aircraft for $2.0 million between August 1, 2008 and July 31, 2009.  The Company’s chief executive officer, Andrew A. Wiederhorn, owns 25% of the lessor.

Borrowings

Subsequent to September 30, 2006, the Company borrowed $2.1 million from a lender.  The promissory note is secured by certain assets of the Company, bears interest at a fixed rate of 13.00% payable monthly in arrears, and is due April 2007.  The proceeds of the note were used for general business operations, including the Company’s continued investment in Fatburger.

Also subsequent to September 30, 2006, the Company borrowed $2.0 million from a lender.  The promissory note is secured by certain assets of the Company, bears interest at a fixed rate of 15.00% payable monthly in arrears, and is due November 2007.  The proceeds of the note were used for general business operations, including the Company’s continued investment in Fatburger.

16




ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Certain statements contained herein and certain statements contained in future filings by the Company with the SEC may not be based on historical facts and are “Forward-Looking Statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Forward-Looking Statements which are based on various assumptions (some of which are beyond the Company’s control) may be identified by reference to a future period or periods, or by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as “may,” “will,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “continue,” or similar terms or variations on those terms, or the negative of those terms.  Actual results could differ materially from those set forth in Forward-Looking Statements due to a variety of factors, including, but not limited to the following:

·                  economic factors, particularly in the market areas in which the Company operates;

·                  the financial and securities markets and the availability of and costs associated with sources of liquidity;

·                  competitive products and pricing;

·                  the real estate market, including the real estate market in Barcelona, Spain and the commercial real estate market in California;

·                  the ability to sell assets to maintain liquidity;

·                  fiscal and monetary policies of the U.S. Government;

·                  changes in prevailing interest rates;

·                  changes in currency exchange rates;

·                  acquisitions and the integration of acquired businesses;

·                  performance of retail/consumer markets, including consumer preferences and concerns about diet;

·                  effective expansion of the Company’s restaurants in new and existing markets;

·                  profitability and success of franchisee restaurants;

·                  availability of quality real estate locations for restaurant expansion;

·                  the market for Centrisoft’s software products;

·                  credit risk management; and

·                  asset/liability management.

Except as may be required by law, the Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to publicly release the results of any revisions which may be made to any Forward-Looking Statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Interim Consolidated Financial Statements of Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc. and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this filing.  References in this filing to “the Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc. and its subsidiaries unless the context indicates otherwise.

Executive Overview

Business Overview

Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc. is primarily engaged in the operations of its Fatburger restaurant business.  Fatburger, “The Last Great Hamburger Stand”®, opened its first restaurant in Los Angeles in 1952.  There are currently 86 Fatburger restaurants located in 14 states and in Canada.  The restaurants specialize in fresh, made to order hamburgers and other specialty sandwiches.  French fries, homemade onion rings, hand-scooped ice cream shakes and soft drinks round out the menu.

We acquired the controlling interest in Fatburger in August 2003.  We plan to open additional Fatburger restaurants throughout the United States, Canada, and China.  While we will continue to open company-owned restaurants in strategic markets, our primary strategy with respect to Fatburger is to increase the number of franchises, thus increasing our franchise fee and royalty income.  Franchisees currently own and operate 54 of the Fatburger locations and we have agreements for approximately 230 new franchise locations.  As is typical for our industry, the identification of qualified franchisees and quality locations has an impact on the rate of growth in the number of our restaurants.

In addition to our restaurant operation, we also conduct commercial mortgage brokerage activities, manufacturing activities, software development and sales activities, and make real estate and other real estate-related investments through various controlled subsidiaries.

17




Operating Segments

Our operating segments are:

(i)             Restaurant Operations – conducted through our Fatburger subsidiary,

(ii)          Commercial Real Estate Mortgage Brokerage Operations – conducted through our subsidiary, George Elkins Mortgage Banking,

(iii)       Manufacturing Operations – conducted through our wholly owned subsidiary, DAC International,

(iv)      Real Estate and Finance Operations, and

(v)         Software Development and Sales Operations – conducted through our subsidiary, Centrisoft Corporation.

Due to the varied nature of our operations, we do not utilize a standard array of key performance indicators in evaluating our results of operations.  Our evaluation instead focuses on an investment-by-investment or asset-by-asset analysis within our operating segments.

Significant Events

The following significant events affected our operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2006:

·                  Fatburger investment – In March 2006, we invested an additional $2.5 million in Fatburger, and increased our voting control to 76%.  In April 2006, we increased our voting control to 82% through the investment of an additional $2.5 million.

·                  Investment in Boo Yaa Burger – In February 2006, we invested, through our Fatburger subsidiary, $0.2 million in Boo Yaa Burger, a Fatburger franchisee.  Through this transaction, Fatburger acquired approximately $0.4 million in property, plant, and equipment and other assets, and recognized $0.2 million in minority interest.

·                  Purchase of Fatburger franchisee locations – In March 2006, Fatburger paid $0.5 million to purchase the net assets of one franchisee that owned and operated one location in Florida.  Through this transaction, Fatburger purchased $0.4 million in net assets and recognized $0.1 million in goodwill.  In July 2006, Fatburger paid $0.2 million to purchase the net assets of one franchisee that owned an operated one location in Louisiana.

·                  Sale of retail properties – In March 2006, we sold seven stand-alone retail locations in a single transaction for a sales price of $3.5 million in cash.  The properties had a net book value of $3.0 million at the time of disposal, and we recognized gains on the sales totaling $0.5 million.

·                  Sale of vacant land - In May 2006, we sold a 10 acre parcel of vacant land for $2.6 million in cash.  The property had a net book value of $1.4 million at the time of disposal, and we recognized a gain on sale of $1.2 million.  Certain contingencies may result in additional sale proceeds of $0.3 million.  However, we have not recognized the contingent portion of the sales price.

·                  Sale of warehouse – In August 2006, we sold our Eugene warehouse property for $2.8 million in cash.  The property had a net book value of $1.6 million at the time of disposal, and we recognized a gain on sale of $1.2 million.  We used part of the proceeds on the sale to repay a $1.5 million mortgage note payable, obtained in May 2006, which was secured by this property.

·                  Sale of loan – In March 2006, we sold our interest in one loan for $0.7 million.  This loan had a carrying value of $0.2 million and provided a gain on sale of $0.5 million.

·                  Sale of property by equity investee – In June 2006, our equity investee, Bourne End sold its last remaining shopping center in Speke, England.  Bourne End recognized a gain under U.S. financial reporting standards of approximately $1.1 million, of which, our share was approximately $0.3 million.  We were also allocated additional income from Bourne End in the approximate amount of $0.5 million under a revenue sharing agreement with the other investors as a result of exceeding certain profitability measures.  We have recognized $0.7 million in income from Bourne End during the nine months ended September 30, 2006.  In July 2006, Bourne End distributed the majority of its net assets to its investors, and we received $1.6 million for our share.

·                  Investment in Barcelona, Spain properties – During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we invested an additional $5.2 million in our Variable Interest Entities in Barcelona, Spain.  During the period, the VIE spent approximately $1.2 million for improvements and carrying costs on the three apartment buildings owned, and repaid a $4.2 million mortgage loan on one property, thus releasing a third party’s security interest in the property.  In July 2006, the VIE sold one of three properties that it owned for cash proceeds of $3.3 million.  The property had a net book value of $3.3 million, including capital improvements and carrying costs, at the time of disposal.

18




·                  Borrowings on note payable – In July 2006, we borrowed $2.5 million from a lender in the form of a note, which we then used as part of our additional investment in the VIE.

·                  Centrisoft investment – In June 2006, we increased our voting control in Centrisoft to 79% and have invested an additional $2.8 million in Centrisoft during the nine months ended September 30, 2006.

·                  Dividends – On February 28, 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a $0.13 per share dividend.  The dividend was paid on March 14, 2006 to stockholders of record on March 9, 2006.  No other dividends have been declared or paid in 2006.

Results of operations

Our operations have resulted in a net loss as follows:

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

Net Loss

 

$

(823

)

$

(2,481

)

$

(3,614

)

$

(3,943

)

Net Loss Per Share

 

$

(0.10

)

$

(0.31

)

$

(0.45

)

$

(0.49

)

 

Our net loss was $3.6 million (or $0.45 per share) for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, and $0.8 million (or $0.10 per share) for the three months then ended.  The loss is primarily due to operating expenses associated with our management infrastructure.  We have put in place a management structure which we believe will enable us to significantly expand our operations, notably our Fatburger subsidiary.  However, until the growth in operations is realized, the cost of our management structure will be borne by our existing operations.  Our net loss for the comparable period in 2005 was also primarily attributable to our operating expenses as we transitioned the balance sheet and began focusing on our restaurant operations and other subsidiaries.

The following sections describe the results of operations of our operating segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006.

Restaurant Segment Operations

The following table shows our operating margin for company-owned restaurants for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005:

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(% to Company-owned restaurant sales)

 

Restaurant Sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Company-owned restaurant sales

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

Cost of sales – food, paper, merchandise

 

(21.8

)%

(27.6

)%

(24.9

)%

(27.9

)%

Cost of sales – wages and benefits

 

(30.9

)%

(30.2

)%

(30.7

)%

(30.4

)%

Restaurant depreciation and amortization

 

(4.9

)%

(4.6

)%

(4.9

)%

(4.7

)%

Operating margin (restaurant sales only)

 

42.4

%

37.6

%

39.5

%

37.0

%

 

The following table shows our total operating results from the restaurant segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005:

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(% to total revenue)

 

Total Restaurant Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Company-owned restaurant sales

 

92.6

%

89.3

%

91.8

%

91.2

%

Royalty revenue

 

6.9

%

7.4

%

7.5

%

6.5

%

Franchise fee revenue

 

0.5

%

3.3

%

0.7

%

2.3

%

Total revenue

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales

 

(53.4

)%

(55.7

)%

(55.5

)%

(57.5

)%

General & administrative costs

 

(50.7

)%

(46.0

)%

(48.7

)%

(44.7

)%

Interest expense

 

(2.3

)%

(3.0

)%

(2.8

)%

(3.0

)%

Minority interest in losses

 

0.1

%

%

0.3

%

%

Segment loss

 

(6.3

)%

(4.7

)%

(6.7

)%

(5.2

)%

 

19




For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, company-owned restaurant sales increased 13.9% to $20.5 million from $18.0 million for the same period in 2005.  For the three months ended September 30, 2006, company-owned restaurant sales increased 23.3% to $7.4 million from $6.0 million for the third quarter of 2005.  This increase was primarily the result of the addition of six company-owned restaurants in the first nine months of 2006.  Same store sales for company-owned restaurants increased 2.0% for the first nine months of 2006 compared to the same period in 2005.

Royalty revenue increased 30.8%, from $1.3 million for the first nine months of 2005 to $1.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, as a result of our franchise restaurant growth strategy.  We added 4 franchise locations during the nine months ended September 30, 2006.  Same store sales for franchise restaurants decreased 3.9% for the first nine months of 2006 compared to the same period in 2005.

System-wide same store sales decreased 1.1% for the first nine months of 2006 compared to the same period in 2005.  Our loss from restaurant operations was 6.7% of total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 6.3% for the third quarter, due to the increased General and Administrative expenses as we continue to set up our infrastructure to support our planned expansion.

Our primary strategy with respect to Fatburger is to grow both company-owned and franchised locations in the U.S. and internationally, thus increasing our operating income as well as franchise fees and future royalty income.  Since we acquired our interest in Fatburger in August 2003, Fatburger has added 33 new restaurants.  While we seek to expand the number of existing restaurants, the identification of qualified franchisees and quality locations has an effect on the rate of growth in the number of our restaurants.

Commercial Real Estate Mortgage Brokerage Segment Operations

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(% to total revenue)

 

Loan brokerage fees

 

86.0

%

88.8

%

82.7

%

85.3

%

Loan servicing and other revenue

 

14.0

%

11.2

%

17.3

%

14.7

%

Total revenue

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation expense

 

(79.5

)%

(75.0

)%

(78.5

)%

(78.6

)%

Other operating expense

 

(15.8

)%

(8.3

)%

(12.0

)%

(11.7

)%

Minority interest in earnings

 

(5.2

)%

(9.4

)%

(7.0

)%

(6.7

)%

Segment income (loss)

 

(0.5

)%

7.3

%

2.5

%

3.0

%

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, total revenue for this business segment decreased 6.5% to $5.8 million from $6.2 million for the comparable period in 2005.  Over the same period, our income from this segment decreased to $0.1 million in 2006 (2.5% of segment revenue) from $0.2 million (3.0% of segment revenue) in 2005.  For our third fiscal quarter of 2006, segment revenue decreased 50.0% to $1.6 million from $3.2 million in the third quarter of 2005.  In the third quarter of 2006, we had a loss in this segment of less than $0.1 million (0.5% of segment revenue), compared to income of $0.2 million (7.3% of segment revenue) in the third quarter of 2005.  While loan production volume has increased slightly during 2006, the decrease in earnings has resulted from a competitive reduction in brokerage fees, due to an overall slowdown of the commercial real estate market in California.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, George Elkins provided brokerage services resulting in the origination of over $806 million in commercial real estate loans.  This represents an increase of 3% over the comparable period in 2005.  Of the loans brokered in 2006, 40% were funded by conduit lenders, 17% were funded by banks or other thrifts, 10% were funded by insurance companies, with the balance funded by bridge lenders and other investors.  The servicing and loan administration department manages a portfolio of $1.1 billion comprised of 454 loans for approximately 16 clients as of September 30, 2006.

Manufacturing Segment Operations

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(% to total revenue)

 

Manufacturing sales

 

100.0

%

 

100.0

%

 

Manufacturing cost of sales

 

(58.0

)%

 

(55.3

)%

 

Engineering and development

 

(9.0

)%

 

(9.1

)%

 

Operating margin

 

33.0

%

 

35.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation expense

 

(12.6

)%

 

(13.4

)%

 

Depreciation expense

 

(0.9

)%

 

(0.6

)%

 

Other operating expense

 

(4.3

)%

 

(4.4

)%

 

Segment income

 

15.2

%

 

17.2

%

 

 

20




Total revenue for this segment was $7.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, and $2.4 million for the three months then ended.  Net income for this segment was $1.2 million for the first nine months of 2006, and $0.4 for the third fiscal quarter of 2006.  We began consolidating DAC’s operations in November 2005.  Accordingly, no amounts are shown for the comparable periods in 2005.

Real Estate and Finance Segment Operations

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

Real Estate Operations:

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenue

 

$

928

 

$

1,031

 

$

2,978

 

$

3,194

 

Operating expenses

 

(491

)

(391

)

(1,163

)

(1,231

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

(92

)

(124

)

(311

)

(396

)

Operating margin

 

345

 

516

 

1,504

 

1,567

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General and administrative expenses

 

(101

)

(175

)

(484

)

(468

)

Interest expense

 

(442

)

(283

)

(1,038

)

(862

)

Gain on sale of real estate

 

1,211

 

195

 

2,905

 

1,784

 

Income from real estate operations

 

$

1,013

 

$

253

 

$

2,887

 

$

2,021

 

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, our operating margin on real estate decreased less than $0.1 million, to $1.5 million, compared to $1.6 million for the same period of 2005.  Our operating margin on real estate operations for the third quarter of 2006 decreased $0.2 million, to $0.3 million, compared to $0.5 million in the third quarter of 2005.  Although we have continued to sell certain real estate investments, we have been able to maintain our operating margin at relatively stable levels due to our success in reducing vacancies and increasing lease rates.  In the first quarter of 2006, we sold seven buildings for total proceeds of $3.5 million, resulting in a net gain on sale of approximately $0.5 million.  In the second quarter of 2006, we sold a parcel of vacant land for total proceeds of $2.6 million, resulting in a gain on sale of approximately $1.2 million.  In the third quarter of 2006, we sold our Eugene warehouse property for total proceeds of $2.8 million, resulting in a gain on sale of approximately $1.2 million.  Interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 has increased compared to the same period of 2005 as we have borrowed money on various notes payable secured by certain real estate investments in 2006.

Our net interest income on interest bearing assets is as follows:

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

Interest Income:

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands, except yields)

 

Loan portfolios (1):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

$

32

 

$

47

 

$

133

 

$

820

 

Average asset balance

 

$

1,890

 

$

6,700

 

$

1,920

 

$

8,575

 

Average yield

 

6.8

%

2.8

%

9.2

%

12.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Deposits and other investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

$

33

 

$

109

 

$

109

 

$

314

 

Average asset balance

 

$

2,640

 

$

7,661

 

$

2,706

 

$

8,809

 

Average yield

 

5.0

%

5.7

%

5.4

%

4.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

$

65

 

$

156

 

$

242

 

$

1,134

 

Average asset balance

 

$

4,530

 

$

14,361

 

$

4,626

 

$

17,384

 

Average yield

 

5.7

%

4.3

%

6.9

%

8.7

%


(1)          Includes loans to senior officers.

21




Our interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $0.2 million, compared with $1.1 million for the same period in 2005.  For the third quarter of 2006, interest income was $0.1 million, compared with $0.2 million for the same period in 2005.  The decrease is primarily attributable to the sale or repayment of loans in our loan portfolio, mostly since June 30, 2005.

Equity in Earnings of Equity Investees – In June 2006, Bourne End sold its last remaining shopping center and recognized a gain under U.S. financial reporting standards of approximately $1.1 million, of which, our share was approximately $0.3 million.  We were also allocated additional income from Bourne End in the approximate amount of $0.5 million under a revenue sharing agreement with the other investors as a result of exceeding certain profitability measures.  As a result, we have recognized $0.7 million in income from Bourne End during the nine months ended September 30, 2006.

Gain on Sale of Loans – In March 2006, we sold our interest in one loan for proceeds of $0.7 million.  This loan had a carrying value of $0.2 million and provided a gain on sale of $0.5 million.

Foreign Exchange Gains – Changes in foreign currency exchange rates resulted in a net gain of approximately $0.6 million in this segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared to losses of $0.5 million for the same period in 2005.  At September 30, 2006, approximately 59% of our equity was invested in net assets located outside of the United States, primarily denominated in the euro.  See Item 3 – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk for further analysis.

Software Development and Sales Segment Operations

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Software sales

 

$

13

 

$

8

 

$

34

 

$

8

 

Engineering and development

 

(157

)

(113

)

(513

)

(113

)

Compensation expense

 

(128

)

(192

)

(646

)

(192

)

Depreciation expense

 

(98

)

(59

)

(265

)

(59

)

Other operating expense

 

(212

)

(92

)

(576

)

(92

)

Interest expense

 

(38

)

(83

)

(104

)

(83

)

Other non-operating expense

 

(46

)

 

(46

)

 

Segment loss

 

$

(666

)

$

(531

)

$

(2,116

)

$

(531

)

 

We acquired voting control of Centrisoft in July 2005 and began consolidating Centrisoft’s operations at that time.  Accordingly, the comparable amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 only include results of Centrisoft’s operations from the date of consolidation.

Corporate expenses

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Compensation and employee benefits

 

$

1,425

 

$

620

 

$

4,435

 

$

1,866

 

Travel and entertainment

 

323

 

143

 

943

 

392

 

Insurance

 

161

 

258

 

571

 

678

 

Professional fees

 

499

 

559

 

1,214

 

1,614

 

Occupancy costs

 

49

 

72

 

139

 

179

 

Directors fees

 

109

 

105

 

269

 

282

 

Other expenses

 

121

 

104

 

365

 

453

 

Total operating expenses

 

$

2,687

 

$

1,861

 

$

7,936

 

$

5,464

 

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we incurred corporate operating expenses of $7.9 million, compared to $5.5 million for the same period in 2005.  For the third quarter of 2006, corporate operating expenses were $2.7 million, compared to $1.9 million for the third quarter of 2005.  These increases are primarily due to an increase in recognized compensation expenses.  All compensation costs relating to our chief executive officer during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 were accrued and expensed in 2004 under his leave of absence agreement.  Accordingly, his compensation costs began to accrue again upon his return in November 2005.  Travel and entertainment expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 includes $0.3 million paid to Peninsula Capital Partners LLC (“Peninsula Capital”), an entity owned by our chief executive officer, as reimbursement of costs for the Company’s business use of certain private aircraft.  The Board of Directors is aware of the relationship and approved the fees for the use of the aircraft.

22




Income taxes

During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we determined that it was more likely than not that certain NOL carryovers would be available to offset prior taxable income.  As a result, we recognized an income tax benefit of $1.2 million and reduced the deferred tax liability by the same amount.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, a provision for income taxes was not required due to the net operating loss generated during the period.

Changes in financial condition

Our assets, liabilities and stockholders’ equity can be summarized as follows:

 

September 30, 2006

 

December 31, 2005

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Total assets

 

$

58,409

 

$

65,319

 

Total liabilities

 

$

40,884

 

$

43,398

 

Total minority interests

 

$

643

 

$

532

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

$

16,882

 

$

21,389

 

 

The decrease in total assets during the first nine months of 2006 is primarily due to a decrease in investment in real estate as we sold ten properties during the period.  Total liabilities decreased over the first nine months of 2006, primarily due to the repayment of borrowings on properties that have been sold and the recognition of $1.2 million in deferred tax benefit in the third quarter of 2006.  The cash received from the sale of assets or from operations was used to support our operating activities and for the payment of dividends.

We do not have a fixed dividend policy, and may declare and pay new dividends on common stock, subject to financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors.  One factor the Board of Directors may consider is the impact of dividends on our liquidity.  As we implement our strategy of focusing our efforts on the development of Fatburger, the Board of Directors may determine to reduce any future dividend amount to a level that is more typical of the restaurant industry, or eliminate the dividend in its entirety.  On February 28, 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a $0.13 per share dividend.  The dividend was paid on March 14, 2006 to shareholders of record on March 9, 2006.  No other dividends have been declared or paid in 2006.  Stockholders’ equity decreased during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 by approximately $4.5 million, mainly resulting from our net loss of $3.6 million and dividends paid of $1.0 million.  These changes are described in more detail as follows:

Cash

Our cash decreased $2.3 million from December 31, 2005 to September 30, 2006.  Significant sources and uses of cash during this period include:

·                  $5.9 million of cash used in operations – comprised primarily of our net loss of $3.6 million adjusted for non-cash income and expense items of $2.1 million;

·                  $9.2 million of cash provided by investing activities – including $12.1 million from the sale of real estate, $1.6 million distributed from our equity investee, and a net $0.7 million received from our loan portfolio, partially offset by a $1.6 million investment in real estate and a total of $2.7 million invested in restaurant assets and other property, plant & equipment, and Fatburger’s $0.9 million investment in subsidiaries and franchisee operations; and

·                  $5.6 million of cash used in financing activities – includes repayments of borrowings and capital leases (net of proceeds on borrowings) of $4.3 million, net distributions to minority interests of $0.3 million, and $1.0 million in dividends paid.

Net Investments in Real Estate, and related liabilities

Our investments in real estate can be summarized as follows:

 

September 30, 2006

 

December 31, 2005

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

US based investments – held for sale (1):

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase price / improvements

 

$

403

 

$

7,032

 

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

(32

)

(677

)

Net book value

 

371

 

6,355

 

Foreign-based investments – held for sale (2):

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase price / improvements

 

10,938

 

 

Total investments in real estate, held for sale

 

$

11,309

 

$

6,355

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

US based investments – held for use (3):

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase price / improvements

 

$

13,179

 

$

13,141

 

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

(1,285

)

(1,032

)

Net book value

 

11,894

 

12,109

 

Foreign-based investments – held for use (2):

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase price / improvements

 

 

11,828

 

Total investments in real estate, held for use

 

$

11,894

 

$

23,937

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total investments in real estate, net

 

$

23,203

 

$

30,292

 

 

23





(1)     Includes 1 commercial property within the United States at September 30, 2006, 10 properties at December 31, 2005.

(2)     Includes 2 apartment buildings in Barcelona, Spain at September 30, 2006, 3 properties at December 31, 2005.  Based on a change in circumstances, the remaining 2 properties were reclassified as held for sale at September 30, 2006.

(3)     Includes 32 commercial properties under capital lease throughout the United States at September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005.

Borrowings related to our investments in real estate were as follows:

 

September 30, 2006

 

December 31, 2005

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Obligations on real estate under capital lease

 

$

10,149

 

$

10,551

 

Borrowings on Barcelona properties

 

3,404

 

6,020

 

Total borrowings related to real estate

 

$

13,553

 

$

16,571

 

 

The decrease in US properties owned at September 30, 2006 compared to December 31, 2005 is due to the sale of nine properties with a net book value of $6.0 million in three separate transactions.  There was a mortgage note payable obtained in May 2006 on one property which was repaid when the property was sold in August 2006.  Investments in properties under capital lease decreased $0.2 million at September 30, 2006 due to depreciation during the first nine months of 2006.  Obligations under capital leases related to these properties decreased $0.4 million primarily due to scheduled monthly payments during the same period.  Our investment in apartment buildings in Barcelona, Spain decreased $0.9 million since December 31, 2005.  This was the result of the sale of one building in July 2006 that had a net book value of $3.3 million, partially offset by $1.4 million of additional investment in the properties and increases in unrealized foreign currency translation of $1.0 million.  The carrying value of borrowings related to the Barcelona investments has decreased $2.6 million due to the repayment of a $1.4 million mortgage on one property that was sold in July 2006 and the repayment of another $4.2 million mortgage in July 2006 on one property to release a third party’s security interest in the property.  These decreases were partially offset by new borrowings of $2.5 million and an increase of $0.5 million due to unrealized foreign currency translation.

Net Property, Plant and Equipment

Net property, plant and equipment increased $2.2 million at September 30, 2006 compared to December 31, 2005, primarily due to the addition of six company-owned restaurants in the first nine months of 2006.  Obligations on property, plant, and equipment under capital lease decreased $0.1 million to $0.2 million at September 30, 2006 primarily due to scheduled monthly payments.

Goodwill and Net Intangible Assets

 

September 30, 2006

 

December 31, 2005

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Goodwill – Fatburger

 

$

7,163

 

$

7,063

 

Goodwill – Centrisoft acquisition

 

1,999

 

1,999

 

Goodwill – DAC International acquisition

 

917

 

917

 

Total Goodwill

 

$

10,079

 

$

9,979

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Intangible Assets – Fatburger

 

$

4,990

 

$

5,134

 

Net Intangible Assets – Centrisoft

 

341

 

452

 

Total Net Intangible Assets

 

$

5,331

 

$

5,586

 

 

As a result of the Fatburger’s acquisition and consolidation of the net assets of one franchisee location, goodwill increased $0.1 million from December 31, 2005 to September 30, 2006.  Net intangible assets decreased $0.3 million over the same period due to amortization.  Net intangible assets at September 30, 2006 consists of trademark rights of approximately $4.0 million, franchise agreements of approximately $0.7 million, sales contracts for Centrisoft of approximately $0.3 million, and other miscellaneous intangible assets of approximately $0.3 million.  We do not believe that there is any impairment of goodwill or net intangible assets at September 30, 2006.

24




Notes Receivable

As of September 30, 2006, our notes receivable portfolio (excluding loans to senior executives) consists of three individual loans with a combined carrying value of $0.8 million.  Two of the loans are secured by real estate consisting of commercial property located in Texas and Arizona, and one loan is secured by stock in a restaurant business.  The loans have a weighted average interest rate (excluding fees and points) of 10.9% and a weighted average maturity of 18 months.  In March 2006, we sold our interest in one loan for proceeds of $0.7 million.  This loan had a carrying value of $0.2 million and provided a gain on sale of $0.5 million.

Loans to Senior Executives

We currently have two loans to our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Wiederhorn for a total of $1.1 million.  Both loans were made on February 21, 2002 (prior to the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002).  The loans are due on February 21, 2007, and bear interest at the prime rate, as published in the Wall Street Journal, which interest is added to the principal.

Investment in Bourne End Properties, Ltd.

Bourne End sold its last remaining shopping center in Speke, England in June 2006, and distributed the majority of its net assets to its investors in July 2006.  We received $1.6 million for our share and adjusted our investment in Bourne End to zero at that time.

Other Assets

 

September 30, 2006

 

December 31, 2005

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Trade receivables

 

$

2,797

 

$

1,248

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inventories

 

$

2,507

 

$

1,880

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Prepaid expenses

 

$

392

 

$

389

 

Other restaurant segment assets

 

721

 

894

 

Other Barcelona VIE-related assets

 

69

 

266

 

Other

 

 

112

 

Total other current assets

 

$

1,182

 

$

1,661

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Software costs

 

$

1,301

 

$

1,484

 

Capitalized deferred compensation

 

230

 

508

 

Mortgage servicing rights

 

219

 

234

 

Investment in operating leases

 

68

 

126

 

Other

 

207

 

62

 

Total other assets

 

$

2,025

 

$

2,414

 

 

The increase in trade receivables and inventories at September 30, 2006 relate primarily to the operations of DAC.

Deferred Income

Our deferred income relating to the collection of unearned Fatburger franchise fees was $3.9 million at September 30, 2006, compared with $4.3 million at December 31, 2005.  The decrease is due to the recognition of deferred fees relating to the opening of three franchise locations in 2006, as well as the discharge of deferred franchise fees involved in the purchase of one franchisee’s operations.  As of September 30, 2006, nearly all of the deferred income was comprised of the non-refundable franchise fee received by Fatburger for each future franchise location.  These initial fees generally represent half of the total fee per location.  The balance of the franchise fee (approximately an additional $3.9 million) will be collected in the future when leases on these specific franchise locations are signed.

25




Notes Payable

As of September 30, 2006, our notes payable (excluding borrowings on real estate) totaled $7.9 million, including $6.7 million of debt held at Fatburger, $0.7 million at Centrisoft, and $0.5 million at DAC.  This compares to $6.9 million at December 31, 2005.  The increase was primarily due to additional net borrowings of $0.9 million and the assumption of notes payable in the amount of $0.1 million relating to the purchase of one franchisee location.

Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities

Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities totaled $11.0 million at September 30, 2006, compared with $9.5 million at December 31, 2005.

 

September 30, 2006

 

December 31, 2005

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Accounts payable

 

$

5,483

 

$

3,591

 

Sales deposits

 

1,408

 

803

 

Accrued wages, bonus and commissions

 

1,395

 

581

 

Other

 

2,686

 

4,561

 

Total accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

$

10,972

 

$

9,536

 

 

Deferred Income Taxes

Deferred income taxes decreased $1.3 million to $4.4 million at September 30, 2006, compared to $5.7 million at December 31, 2005.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we determined that it was more likely than not that certain NOL carryovers would be available to offset prior taxable income.  As a result, we recognized an income tax benefit of $1.2 million and reduced the deferred tax liability by the same amount.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, a provision for income taxes was not required due to the net operating loss generated during the period.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity is a measurement of our ability to meet potential cash requirements, including ongoing commitments to repay borrowings, fund business operations, acquisitions, and expansion (including growth of company-owned and franchised restaurant locations), engage in loan acquisition and lending activities and for other general business purposes.  In addition to our cash on hand, our primary sources of funds for liquidity during the first nine months of 2006 consisted of cash provided by proceeds from the sale of real estate and loans, new borrowings, and the repayments to us from borrowers.  As of September 30, 2006, we had cash or cash equivalents of $1.7 million, which, together with projected borrowings and proceeds from the sales of assets, we believe will be sufficient to meet our current liquidity needs.

At September 30, 2006, we had total consolidated secured indebtedness of $21.7 million, as well as $19.2 million of other liabilities.  Our consolidated secured indebtedness consisted of:

·                  $10.4 million in capital leases maturing between 2010 and 2040 which are secured by real estate;

·                  mortgage notes payable of $3.4 million secured by our two Barcelona properties;

·                  notes payable and other debt of Fatburger of $6.7 million secured by the assets of Fatburger;

·                  $0.5 million of short-term borrowings secured by the assets of DAC International; and

·                  $0.7 million of notes payable secured by the assets of Centrisoft.

We consider the sale of assets to be a normal, recurring part of our operations and we are currently generating adequate cash flow as a result of these transactions.  However, excluding the sale of assets from time to time, we are currently operating with negative cash flow, since many of our operations do not currently generate sufficient cash to cover operating and overhead expenses.  We believe that our existing sources of funds will be adequate to meet our liquidity needs; however, there can be no assurance that this will be the case.

Liquidity Risks

If our existing liquidity position were to prove insufficient, and we were unable to repay, renew or replace maturing indebtedness on terms reasonably satisfactory to us, we may be required to sell (potentially on short notice) a portion of our assets, and could incur losses as a result.  Specific risks to our liquidity position include the following:

26




Interest rate risk

Our borrowings and the availability of further borrowings are substantially affected by, among other things, changes in interest rates, changes in market spreads or decreases in credit quality of our assets.  Material increases in interest expense from variable-rate funding sources, or material decreases in monthly cash receipts from operations, generally would negatively impact our liquidity.  On the other hand, material decreases in interest expense from variable-rate funding sources would positively affect our liquidity.  Fluctuations in interest rates will impact our net income to the extent our operations and our fixed rate assets are funded by variable rate debt.  We may also be impacted to the extent that our variable rate assets re-price on a different schedule or in relation to a different index than any floating rate debt.  See Item 3 – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk for further analysis.

Fatburger debt covenant

At December 31, 2005, Fatburger was not in compliance with all obligations under the agreements evidencing its indebtedness, as defined in the applicable agreements.  Fatburger failed to meet the prescribed fixed charge coverage ratio and the prescribed debt-coverage ratio at December 31, 2005.  Due to Fatburger’s non-compliance, the lender has the right to demand repayment of the notes after serving notice.  As such, on our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, $4.0 million of long-term debt has been classified as current at September 30, 2006, and $4.2 million at December 31, 2005, that would otherwise be classified as non-current.  The lender has not demanded early repayment of the loans, however, if the lender exercises its right to demand repayment, our liquidity could be negatively affected.

Fatburger expansion

Fatburger is involved in a nationwide expansion of franchise and company-owned locations, which will require significant liquidity.  If real estate locations of sufficient quality cannot be located, the timing of restaurant openings may be delayed.  Additionally, if Fatburger or its franchisees cannot obtain capital sufficient to fund this expansion, the timing of restaurant openings may be delayed.

Centrisoft operations

We expect that Centrisoft will require capital resources and have negative cash flow for the near term.  Since Centrisoft is in the early stages of its marketing, there can be no assurance that it will be successful in attracting a significant customer base.  Centrisoft is currently marketing its software to potential customers both directly and through re-seller relationships.  There can be no assurance that Centrisoft will be successful in generating sufficient cash flow to support its own operations in the near term.

Dividends

In the first quarter of 2006, we declared a cash distribution of $0.13 per share (approximately $1.0 million in total).  No dividends were declared or paid in the second or third quarters of 2006.  While we do not have a fixed dividend policy, we may declare and pay new dividends on our common stock, subject to our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors.  One factor the Board of Directors may consider is the impact of dividends on our liquidity.  As we implement our strategy of focusing our efforts on the development of Fatburger, we may determine to reduce the future dividend amount to a level that is more typical of the restaurant industry, or eliminate the dividend in its entirety.

NASDAQ delisting

Effective October 14, 2004, due to a NASDAQ staff determination to delist our common stock, our stock began trading in the over-the-counter (“OTC”) market.  Prior to that, we were quoted on the NASDAQ National Market.  We appealed the decision with NASDAQ at various levels, but were informed on April 21, 2005 that the NASDAQ decision was final.  We are continuing to appeal the decision, but there can be no assurance that the appeal will be successful.

Trading of our common stock on the OTC market may reduce the liquidity of our common stock compared to quotation on the NASDAQ National Market.  Also, the coverage of the Company by security analysts and media could be reduced, which could result in lower prices for our common stock than might otherwise prevail and could also result in increased spreads between the bid and ask prices for our common stock.  Additionally, certain investors will not purchase securities that are not quoted on the NASDAQ Stock Market, which could materially impair our ability to raise funds through the issuance of common stock or other securities convertible into common stock.

Common stock trading price

If the trading price of our common stock is less than $5.00 per share, trading in our common stock could be subject to Rule 15g-9 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Under that Rule, brokers who recommend such securities to persons other than established customers and accredited investors must satisfy special sales practice requirements, including an individualized written suitability determination for the purchaser and the purchaser’s written consent prior to any transaction.  The Securities Enforcement Remedies and Penny Stock Reform Act of 1990 also requires additional disclosure in connection with any trades involving a stock defined as a penny stock (generally, any equity security not traded on an exchange or quoted on NASDAQ that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share), including the delivery of a disclosure schedule explaining the penny stock market and the associated risks.  Such requirements could severely limit the market liquidity of our common stock.  There can be no assurance that our common stock will not become treated as penny stock.

27




Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

In order to facilitate the development of franchise locations, as of September 30, 2006, Fatburger had guaranteed the annual minimum lease payments of five restaurant sites owned and operated by franchisees.  The guarantees approximate $1.5 million plus certain contingent rental payments as defined in the respective leases.  These leases expire at various times through 2015.

The lease guarantees by Fatburger do not provide us with a material source of liquidity, capital resources or other benefits. There are no revenues, expenses or cash flows connected with the lease guarantees other than the receipt of normal franchise royalties.

In October 2006, one franchisee, whose lease is partially guaranteed by Fatburger, failed to make the monthly lease payment. As a result, Fatburger made the payment under the guarantee. The total amount of our obligation under the guarantee on this lease is approximately $200,000. We are considering our options to formally assume the lease and operation of the restaurant location.

As of September 30, 2006, we were not aware of any other event or demand that was likely to trigger the guarantee by Fatburger.

We have various operating leases for office and retail space which expire through 2015.  The leases provide for varying minimum annual rental payments including rent increases and free rent periods.  We have future minimum rental payments under non-cancelable operating leases with initial or remaining terms of one year or more of approximately $12.6 million as of September 30, 2006.

28




ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Our market risk results from instruments entered into other than for trading purposes and consists primarily of exposure to loss resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

Our exposure to foreign currency fluctuations arises mainly from our investment in Barcelona real estate.  As of September 30, 2006, approximately 59% of our equity is invested in net assets located outside of the United States, primarily denominated in the euro.  The following table illustrates the projected effect on our net asset value as a result of hypothetical changes in foreign currency rates as of September 30, 2006:

Change in Foreign
Exchange Rates (1)

 

Projected Change in
Net Asset
Fair Value

 

Projected Percentage
Change in Net Asset
Fair Value

 

Decrease 20%

 

$

(2,065,000

)

-11.8

%

Decrease 10%

 

$

(1,032,000

)

-5.9

%

No Change

 

$

 

0.0

%

Increase 10%

 

$

1,032,000

 

5.9

%

Increase 20%

 

$

2,065,000

 

11.8

%


(1)    Assumes that uniform percentage changes occur instantaneously in both the Great Britain pound and the euro.  A decrease in the foreign exchange rate indicates a strengthening of the U.S. dollar against that currency.  An increase in the foreign exchange rate indicates a weakening of the U.S. dollar against that currency.

We can utilize a wide variety of financial techniques to assist in the management of currency risk, including currency swaps, options, and forwards, or combinations thereof.  No such currency hedging techniques were in use as of September 30, 2006.

Interest Rate Risk

Changes in interest rates can affect net income by increasing the cost associated with operating and expanding our restaurant operation.  Changes in the level of interest rates can also affect, among other things, the value of our interest-earning assets (and the associated default rates), our ability to acquire loans and general levels of consumer spending.

Other Market Risks

Our restaurant operations are exposed to the impact of commodity and utility price fluctuations related to unpredictable factors such as weather and various other market conditions outside our control.  Our ability to recover increased costs through higher prices is limited by the competitive environment in which we operate.

29




ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

Our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this report, have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective and designed to ensure that material information relating to us and our consolidated subsidiaries is accumulated and communicated to our management to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting

There were no significant changes in our internal control over financial reporting in connection with an evaluation that occurred during our third fiscal quarter of 2006 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

NASDAQ Delisting

Effective October 14, 2004, our common stock began trading in the over-the-counter market.  Prior to that, our common stock was quoted on the NASDAQ National Market.  On July 20, 2004, we were notified by NASDAQ of a staff determination to delist our common stock effective July 29, 2004.  We were unsuccessful in appealing the determination and our common stock was delisted from the NASDAQ National Market on October 14, 2004.  We subsequently requested a review of the delisting by NASDAQ’s Listing and Hearing Review Council and by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  Those appeals were also unsuccessful.  On February 17, 2006, we filed a petition for review of the SEC decision with the United States Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit.  Oral argument is scheduled for November 20, 2006.  There can be no assurance that our petition for review will be successful.

Shareholder Derivative Complaint

On July 6, 2004, Jeff Allan McCoon, derivatively on behalf of Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc., filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court for the State of Oregon (Multnomah County) which named us and all of our directors as defendants. The lawsuit, as amended, alleged that the Company’s Board of Directors breached their fiduciary duties to us and our stockholders in a number of ways, primarily relating to the leave of absence agreement with Mr. Wiederhorn.  On January 6, 2006, the Circuit Court dismissed the entire derivative lawsuit, ruling that Mr. McCoon was unfit to represent our stockholders.  Mr. McCoon has filed an appeal to this ruling.

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information contained in this quarterly report, you should carefully read and consider the following risk factors.  If any of these risks actually occur, our business, financial condition or operating results could be materially adversely affected and the trading price of our common stock could decline.

The delisting of our common stock from the NASDAQ Stock Market could impair our ability to finance our operations through the sale of common stock or securities convertible into common stock.

Effective October 14, 2004, due to a NASDAQ staff determination to delist our common stock, our stock began trading in the over-the-counter (“OTC”) market.  Prior to the delisting, our common stock was quoted on the NASDAQ National Market.  The liquidity of our common stock is reduced by trading on the OTC market as compared to quotation on the NASDAQ National Market.  The coverage of the Company by security analysts and media could be reduced, which could result in lower prices for our common stock than might otherwise prevail and could also result in increased spreads between the bid and ask prices for our common stock.  Additionally, certain investors will not purchase securities that are not quoted on the NASDAQ Stock Market, which could materially impair our ability to raise funds through the issuance of common stock or other securities convertible into common stock.

Because the trading price of our common stock is current below $5.00 per share, trading in our common stock is subject to certain restrictions and the market for our common stock could diminish.

Because the trading price of our common stock is less than $5.00 per share, trading in our common stock is subject to Rule 15g-9 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Under that Rule, brokers who recommend such securities to persons other than established customers and accredited investors must satisfy special sales practice requirements, including an individualized written suitability determination for the purchaser and the purchaser’s written consent prior to any transaction.  The Securities Enforcement Remedies and Penny Stock Reform Act of 1990 also requires additional disclosure in connection with any trades involving a stock defined as a penny stock (generally, any equity security not traded on an exchange or quoted on NASDAQ that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share), including the delivery of a disclosure schedule explaining the penny stock market and the associated risks.  Such requirements could severely limit the market liquidity of our common stock.

Changes in interest rates and currency exchange rates affect our net income.

Our borrowings and the availability of further borrowings are substantially affected by, among other things, changes in interest rates.  Fluctuations in interest rates will affect our net income to the extent our operations and our fixed rate assets are funded by variable rate debt.

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We are also affected by foreign currency exchange rate changes, as a significant portion of our assets are invested in foreign currencies, mainly the euro.  See Item 3 - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk for further analysis.

If we do not retain our key employees and management team our ability to execute our business strategy will be limited.

Our future performance will depend largely on the efforts and abilities of our key executive, finance and accounting, and managerial personnel, and on our ability to attract and retain them.  The loss of one or more of our senior management personnel may adversely affect our business, financial condition or operating results.  When we lose key employees, new employees must spend a significant amount of time learning our business model in addition to performing their regular duties and integration of these individuals often results in some disruption to our business.  In addition, our ability to execute our business strategy will depend on our ability to recruit and retain key personnel.  Our key employees are not obligated to continue their employment with us and could leave at any time.  As part of our strategy to attract and retain personnel, we offer stock option grants to certain employees.  However, given the fluctuations of the market price of our common stock, potential employees may not perceive our equity incentives such as stock options as attractive, and current employees whose options are no longer priced below market value may choose not to remain employed by us.  In addition, due to the intense competition for qualified employees, we may be required to increase the level of compensation paid to existing and new employees, which could materially increase our operating expenses.

We are the subject of litigation, which may be expensive and may be time consuming for our management team.

On July 6, 2004, one of our stockholders, Jeff Allan McCoon, derivatively on behalf of Fog Cutter, filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court for the State of Oregon (Multnomah County) which named us and all of our directors as defendants.  The lawsuit, as amended, alleged that our Board of Directors breached their fiduciary duties to us and our stockholders in a number of ways, primarily relating to the leave of absence agreement with Mr. Wiederhorn.  On January 6, 2006, the Circuit Court dismissed the entire derivative lawsuit, ruling that Mr. McCoon was unfit to represent the Company’s stockholders.  Mr. McCoon has filed an appeal to this ruling.  We are obligated to indemnify our officers and directors to the extent permitted by applicable law in connection with this action, and have insurance for such individuals, to the extent of the limits of the applicable insurance policies and subject to potential reservations of rights.  We are unable, however, to predict the ultimate outcome of the matter.  We cannot assure you that we will be successful in defending against this action and, if we are unsuccessful, we may be subject to significant damages that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.  Even if we are successful, defending against this action has been, and will likely continue to be, expensive, time consuming and may divert management’s attention from other business concerns and harm our business.

Changes to our liquidity may affect our net income and future business plans.

The Company considers the sale of real estate and other investments to be a normal, recurring part of operations and expects these transactions to generate adequate cash flow to meet the Company’s liquidity needs for the next year. The Company has experienced losses from operations since its 2004 fiscal year. During this period, the Company’s operations and activities have become more focused on restaurant and other more typical commercial business activities and have been transitioning away from finance and real estate activities. The growth strategies for the restaurant and other commercial operations, as well as administrative cost burdens may threaten the Company’s liquidity position.

If our existing liquidity position were to prove insufficient, and we were unable to repay, renew or replace maturing indebtedness on terms reasonably satisfactory to us, we may be required to sell (potentially on short notice) a portion of our assets, and could incur losses as a result.  Specific risks to our liquidity position include, but are not limited to, currency and interest rate risk, Fatburger’s non-compliance with debt covenants, Fatburger’s expansion, Centrisoft’s operations, and the declaration and payment of dividends.

Risks related to Fatburger

Fatburger debt covenant

At December 31, 2005, Fatburger was not in compliance with all obligations under the agreements evidencing its indebtedness, as defined in the applicable agreements.  Fatburger failed to meet the prescribed fixed charge coverage ratio and the prescribed debt-coverage ratio at December 31, 2005.  Due to Fatburger’s non-compliance, the lender has the right to demand repayment of the notes after serving notice.  As such, on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, $4.0 million of long-term debt has been classified as current at September 30, 2006, and $4.2 million at December 31, 2005, that would otherwise be classified as non-current.  The lender has not demanded early repayment of the loans, however, if the lender exercises its right to demand repayment, our liquidity could be negatively affected.

Fatburger may not be able to achieve its planned expansion.

We intend to grow Fatburger primarily through developing additional new franchisee and Company-owned restaurants.  Development involves substantial risks, including:

·                  the availability of financing to Fatburger and to franchisees at acceptable rates and upon acceptable terms;

·                  the availability of sufficient liquidity to fund continued expansion;

·                  development costs exceeding budgeted or contracted amounts;

·                  delays in the completion of construction;

·                  the inability to identify, or the unavailability of, suitable sites on acceptable leasing or purchase terms;

·                  developed properties not achieving desired revenue or cash flow levels once opened;

·                  incurring substantial unrecoverable costs in the event that a development project is abandoned prior to completion;

·                  the inability to obtain all required governmental permits;

·                  changes in governmental rules, regulations and interpretations; and

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·                  changes in general economic and business conditions.

Although we intend to manage Fatburger’s development to reduce such risks, we cannot assure you that present or future development will perform in accordance with our expectations.  We cannot assure you that we will complete the development and construction of the restaurants, or that any such development will be completed in a timely manner or within budget, or that any restaurants will generate our expected returns on investment.  Our inability to expand Fatburger in accordance with our plans or to manage our growth could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

We may not be able to obtain financing sufficient to fund our planned expansion of Fatburger.

We are implementing a nationwide and international expansion of franchise and company-owned locations of Fatburger, which will require significant liquidity.  If Fatburger or its franchisees are unsuccessful in obtaining capital sufficient to fund this expansion, the timing of restaurant openings may be delayed and Fatburger’s results may be harmed.

Fatburger’s success depends on its ability to locate a sufficient number of suitable new restaurant sites.

One of the biggest challenges in meeting our growth objectives for Fatburger will be to secure an adequate supply of suitable new restaurant sites.  We have experienced delays in opening some Fatburger restaurants and may experience delays in the future.  There can be no assurance that sufficient suitable locations will be available for our planned expansion in any future period.  Delays or failures in opening new restaurants could materially adversely affect Fatburger’s performance and our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows.  In addition, Fatburger is contemplating expanding into international markets in Asia, which may have additional challenges and requirements.

New restaurants, once opened, may not be profitable, if at all, for several months.

We anticipate that new Fatburger restaurants will generally take several months to reach normalized operating levels due to inefficiencies typically associated with new restaurants, including lack of market awareness, the need to hire and train a sufficient number of team members, operating costs, which are often materially greater during the first several months of operation than thereafter, pre-opening costs and other factors.  Further, some, or all of the new restaurants may not attain anticipated operating results or results similar to those of Fatburger’s existing restaurants.  In addition, restaurants opened in new markets may open at lower average weekly sales volumes than restaurants opened in existing markets, and may have higher restaurant-level operating expense ratios than in existing markets.  Sales at restaurants opened in new markets may take longer to reach average annual company-owned restaurant sales, if at all, thereby affecting the profitability of these restaurants.

Fatburger’s existing systems and procedures may be inadequate to support our growth plans.

We face the risk that Fatburger’s existing systems and procedures, restaurant management systems, financial controls, information and accounting systems, management resources and human resources will be inadequate to support our planned expansion of company-owned and franchised restaurants.  Expansion may strain Fatburger’s infrastructure and other resources, which could slow restaurant development or cause other problems.  We may not be able to respond on a timely basis to all of the changing demands that our planned expansion will impose on Fatburger’s infrastructure and other resources.  Any failure by us to continue to improve our infrastructure or to manage other factors necessary for us to achieve Fatburger’s expansion objectives could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.

The quick service restaurant segment is highly competitive, and that competition could lower revenues, margins and market share.

The quick-service restaurant industry is highly competitive with respect to price, service, location, personnel and the type and quality of food, and there are many well-established competitors.  Each of Fatburger’s restaurants competes directly and indirectly with a large number of national and regional restaurant chains, as well as with locally-owned quick-service restaurants, fast casual restaurants, and sandwich shops and other similar types of businesses.  The trend toward a convergence in grocery, deli and restaurant services may increase the number of Fatburger’s competitors.  Such increased competition could have a material adverse affect on Fatburger’s financial condition and results of operations.  Some of Fatburger’s competitors have substantially greater financial, marketing, operating and other resources than we have, which may give them a competitive advantage.  Certain of Fatburger’s competitors have introduced a variety of new products and engaged in substantial price discounting in recent years and may continue to do so in the future.  There can be no assurance as to the success of any of Fatburger’s new products, initiatives or overall strategies, or assurance that competitive product offerings, pricings and promotions will not have an adverse effect upon Fatburger’s financial condition and results of operations.

Changes in economic, market and other conditions could adversely affect Fatburger and its franchisees, and thereby our operating results.

The quick-service restaurant industry is affected by changes in international, national, regional, and local economic conditions, consumer preferences and spending patterns, demographic trends, consumer perceptions of food safety, weather, traffic patterns, the type, number and location of competing restaurants, and the effects of war or terrorist activities and any governmental responses thereto. Factors such as inflation, food costs, labor and benefit costs, legal claims, and the availability of management and hourly employees also affect restaurant operations and administrative expenses.  The ability of Fatburger and its franchisees to finance new restaurant development, improvements and additions to existing restaurants, and the acquisition of restaurants from, and sale of restaurants to, franchisees is affected by economic conditions, including interest rates and other government policies impacting land and construction costs and the cost and availability of borrowed funds.

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Increases in the minimum wage may have a material adverse effect on Fatburger’s business and financial results.

Fatburger has a substantial number of employees who are paid wage rates at or slightly above the minimum wage.  As federal and state minimum wage rates increase, Fatburger may need to increase not only the wages of its minimum wage employees, but also the wages paid to the employees at wage rates which are above minimum wage.  If competitive pressures or other factors prevent Fatburger from offsetting the increased costs by price increases, profitability may decline.  In addition, various other proposals that would require employers to provide health insurance for all of their employees are being considered from time to time in Congress and various states. The imposition of any requirement that Fatburger provide health insurance to all employees on terms materially different from its existing programs could have a material adverse impact on the results of operations and financial condition of Fatburger.

Events reported in the media, such as incidents involving food-borne illnesses or food tampering, whether or not accurate, can cause damage to Fatburger’s brand’s reputation and swiftly affect sales and profitability.

Reports, whether true or not, of food-borne illnesses (such as e-coli, avian flu, bovine spongiform encephalopathy, hepatitis A, trichinosis or salmonella) and injuries caused by food tampering have in the past severely injured the reputations of participants in the quick service restaurant segment and could in the future affect Fatburger as well.  Fatburger’s brand reputation is an important asset to the business; as a result, anything that damages the brand’s reputation could immediately and severely hurt sales and, accordingly, revenues and profits.  If customers become ill from food-borne illnesses, Fatburger could also be forced to temporarily close some restaurants.  In addition, instances of food-borne illnesses or food tampering, even those occurring solely at the restaurants of competitors, could, by resulting in negative publicity about the restaurant industry, adversely affect sales on a local, regional or system-wide basis.  A decrease in customer traffic as a result of these health concerns or negative publicity, or as a result of a temporary closure of any Fatburger restaurants, could materially harm Fatburger’s business.

Changing health or dietary preferences may cause consumers to avoid products offered by Fatburger in favor of alternative foods.

The foodservice industry is affected by consumer preferences and perceptions.  Fatburger’s success depends, in part, upon the popularity of burgers and quick-service dining.  Shifts in consumer preferences away from this cuisine or dining style could have a material adverse affect on our future profitability.  The restaurant industry is characterized by the continual introduction of new concepts and is subject to rapidly changing consumer preferences, tastes and eating and purchasing habits.  While burger consumption in the United States has grown over the past 20 years, the demand may not continue to grow or taste trends may change.  Fatburger’s success will depend in part on our ability to anticipate and respond to changing consumer preferences, tastes and eating and purchasing habits, as well as other factors affecting the food service industry, including new market entrants and demographic changes.  If prevailing health or dietary preferences and perceptions cause consumers to avoid these products offered by Fatburger restaurants in favor of alternative or healthier foods, demand for Fatburger’s products may be reduced and its business could be harmed.

Fatburger is subject to health, employment, environmental and other government regulations, and failure to comply with existing or future government regulations could expose Fatburger to litigation, damage Fatburger’s reputation and lower profits.

Fatburger and its franchisees are subject to various federal, state and local laws affecting their businesses.  The successful development and operation of restaurants depend to a significant extent on the selection and acquisition of suitable sites, which are subject to zoning, land use (including the placement of drive-thru windows), environmental (including litter), traffic and other regulations. Restaurant operations are also subject to licensing and regulation by state and local departments relating to health, food preparation, sanitation and safety standards, federal and state labor laws (including applicable minimum wage requirements, overtime, working and safety conditions and citizenship requirements), federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination and other laws regulating the design and operation of facilities, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.  If Fatburger fails to comply with any of these laws, it may be subject to governmental action or litigation, and its reputation could be accordingly harmed.  Injury to Fatburger’s reputation would, in turn, likely reduce revenues and profits.

In recent years, there has been an increased legislative, regulatory and consumer focus on nutrition and advertising practices in the food industry, particularly among quick service restaurants.  As a result, Fatburger may become subject to regulatory initiatives in the area of nutrition disclosure or advertising, such as requirements to provide information about the nutritional content of its food products, which could increase expenses.  The operation of Fatburger’s franchise system is also subject to franchise laws and regulations enacted by a number of states and rules promulgated by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. Any future legislation regulating franchise relationships may negatively affect Fatburger’s operations, particularly its relationship with its franchisees.  Failure to comply with new or existing franchise laws and regulations in any jurisdiction or to obtain required government approvals could result in a ban or temporary suspension on future franchise sales.  Changes in applicable accounting rules imposed by governmental regulators or private governing bodies could also affect Fatburger’s reported results of operations, and thus cause our stock price to fluctuate or decline.

Fatburger’s earnings and business growth strategy depends in large part on the success of its franchisees, and Fatburger’s reputation may be harmed by actions taken by franchisees that are outside of its control.

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A portion of Fatburger’s earnings comes from royalties and other amounts paid by Fatburger’s franchisees.  Franchisees are independent contractors, and their employees are not employees of Fatburger.  Fatburger provides training and support to, and monitors the operations of, its franchisees, but the quality of their restaurant operations may be diminished by any number of factors beyond Fatburger’s control.  Consequently, franchisees may not successfully operate stores in a manner consistent with Fatburger’s high standards and requirements and franchisees may not hire and train qualified managers and other restaurant personnel.  Any operational shortcoming of a franchise restaurant is likely to be attributed by consumers to an entire brand, thus damaging Fatburger’s reputation and potentially affecting revenues and profitability.

Risks related to Centrisoft

If Centrisoft is unable to compete successfully in the highly competitive market for network productivity and security products for any reason, its business will fail.

Centrisoft is an early stage company that currently has a limited customer base.  The market for enterprise network productivity and security products is intensely competitive and we expect competition to intensify in the future.  An increase in competitive pressures in this market or Centrisoft’s failure to compete effectively may result in pricing reductions, reduced gross margins and a failure to obtain market share.  Other competitors offering similar products have longer operating histories, greater name recognition, larger customer bases and significantly greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources than Centrisoft does.  In addition, larger competitors may bundle products competitive with Centrisoft’s with other products that they may sell to our potential customers.  These customers may accept these bundled products rather than separately purchasing our products.

Customer demand, competitive pressure and rapid changes in technology and industry standards could render Centrisoft’s products and services unmarketable or obsolete, and Centrisoft may be unable to introduce new or improved products and services, or update existing products or services, timely and successfully.

To succeed, Centrisoft must continually change and improve its products, add new products and services, provide updates to products and services and replace existing products and services in response to changes in customer demand, competitive pressure, rapid technological developments and changes in operating systems, Internet access and communications, application and networking software, computer and communications hardware, programming tools, computer language technology and computer hacker techniques. Centrisoft may be unable to successfully and timely develop and introduce these new, improved or updated products and services or achieve and maintain market acceptance for new, improved or updated products and services we develop and introduce.

The development and introduction of new, enterprise network and security products or providing updates to existing products, is a complex and uncertain process that requires great innovation, the ability to anticipate technological and market trends, the ability to deliver updates in a timely fashion and the ability to obtain required domestic and foreign governmental and regulatory certifications.

Releasing new or improved products and services, or updates to products or services, prematurely may result in quality problems, and releasing them late may result in loss of customer confidence and market share.  When Centrisoft introduces new or enhanced products and services, it may be unable to successfully manage the transition from its existing products and services to deliver enough new products and services to meet customer demand.

Undetected product errors or defects could result in loss of revenues, delayed market acceptance and claims against Centrisoft.

Centrisoft’s products and services may contain undetected errors or defects, especially when first released.  Despite extensive testing, some errors are discovered only after a product has been installed and used by customers.  Any errors discovered after commercial release could result in loss of revenues or claims against Centrisoft or its resellers.

Centrisoft may be required to defend lawsuits or pay damages in connection with the alleged or actual failure of Centrisoft’s products and services.

Because Centrisoft’s products provide and monitor network security and may protect valuable information, Centrisoft may face claims for product liability, tort or breach of warranty relating to its products and services.  Anyone who circumvents Centrisoft’s security measures could misappropriate the confidential information or other property of end-users using our products and services or interrupt their operations.  If that happens, affected end-users or channel customers may sue Centrisoft.  In addition, Centrisoft may face liability for breaches caused by faulty installation and implementation of its products by end-users or channel customers.  Although Centrisoft attempts to reduce the risk of losses from claims through contractual warranty disclaimers and liability limitations, these provisions may be unenforceable.  Some courts, for example, have found contractual limitations of liability in standard software licenses to be unenforceable because the licensee does not sign the license.  Defending a suit, regardless of its merit, could be costly and could divert management attention.  Although Centrisoft currently maintains business liability insurance, this coverage may be inadequate or may be unavailable in the future on acceptable terms, if at all.

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Centrisoft may be unable to adequately protect our proprietary rights, which may limit its ability to compete effectively.

Despite Centrisoft’s efforts to protect its proprietary rights, unauthorized parties may misappropriate or infringe on its patents, trade secrets, copyrights, trademarks, service marks and similar proprietary rights.  Centrisoft may, however, be unsuccessful in protecting its trade secrets or, even if successful, any required litigation may be costly and time consuming, which could harm our business.

If Centrisoft fails to obtain and maintain patent protection for our technology, we may be unable to compete effectively.  In addition, Centrisoft relies on unpatented proprietary technology.  Because this proprietary technology does not have patent protection, Centrisoft may be unable to meaningfully protect this technology from unauthorized use or misappropriation by a third party.  Centrisoft’s competitors may independently develop similar or superior technologies or duplicate any unpatented technologies that we have developed which could significantly reduce the value of its proprietary technology or threaten its market position.

Risks related to our real estate holdings and our mortgage brokerage business

Our performance and value are subject to risks associated with our real estate assets and with the real estate industry.

Our economic performance and the value of our real estate assets, and consequently the value of our stock, are subject to the risk that if our real estate properties do not generate revenues sufficient to meet our operating expenses, including debt service and capital expenditures, our cash flow will be adversely affected.  The following factors, among others, may adversely affect the income generated by our real estate properties:

 

·                  downturns in the international, national, regional and local economic conditions (particularly increases in unemployment);

·                  competition from other office and commercial buildings;

·                  local real estate market conditions, particularly in Barcelona, Spain and southern California, such as oversupply or reduction in demand for office or other commercial or residential space;

·                  changes in interest rates and availability of attractive financing;

·                  vacancies, changes in market rental rates and the need to periodically repair, renovate and re-let space;

·                  increased operating costs, including insurance expense, utilities, real estate taxes, state and local taxes and heightened security costs;

·                  civil disturbances, natural disasters, or terrorist acts or acts of war which may result in uninsured or underinsured losses;

·                  significant expenditures associated with each investment, such as debt service payments, real estate taxes, insurance and maintenance costs which are generally not reduced when circumstances cause a reduction in revenues from a property;

·                  declines in the financial condition of our tenants and our ability to collect rents from our tenants; and

·                  decreases in the underlying value of our real estate.

Acquired properties may expose us to unknown liability.

We may acquire properties subject to liabilities and without any recourse, or with only limited recourse against the prior owners or other third parties, with respect to unknown liabilities.  As a result, if a liability were asserted against us based upon ownership of those properties, we might have to pay substantial sums to settle or contest it, which could adversely affect our results of operations and cash flow.  Unknown liabilities with respect to acquired properties might include:

 

·                  liabilities for clean-up of undisclosed environmental contamination;

·                  claims by tenants, vendors or other persons against the former owners of the properties;

·                  liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business; and

·                  claims for indemnification by general partners, directors, officers and others indemnified by the former owners of the properties.

 

Because we rely on our ability to sell assets to generate liquidity, fluctuations in the real estate market could negatively affect our cash flow.

We currently generate a substantial portion of our liquidity from sales of assets, including real estate assets.  If we are unable to sell assets at effective prices, it may affect our liquidity and profitability.

We may have difficulty selling our properties, which may limit our flexibility.

Properties like the ones that we own could be difficult to sell.  This may limit our ability to change our portfolio promptly in response to changes in economic or other conditions.  In addition, tax laws limit our ability to sell properties and this may affect our ability to sell properties without adversely affecting our performance or returns.  These restrictions reduce our ability to respond to changes in the performance of our investments and could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Exposure to the Southern California commercial real estate market could affect results for George Elkins.

Our mortgage brokerage business, George Elkins, relies on activity in the Southern California commercial real estate market.  If this market weakens, we will have fewer sales, resulting in less brokerage commissions.

Competitive pressures in the commercial mortgage business could harm our business.

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The commercial mortgage brokerage is highly competitive, and George Elkins competes with larger, better established competitors who often have greater resources than George Elkins.  If George Elkins is unable to successfully compete against its competitors, its business will be harmed and our financial results could suffer.

ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

ITEM 3.  DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

Not applicable.

ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None.

ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION

Related Party Transactions

During the three months ended September 30, 2006, the Company accepted assignment of a fractional interest lease, between NetJets Services Inc. and an entity controlled by the Company’s chief executive officer, Andrew A. Wiederhorn, for the lease of a 6.25% undivided interest in an aircraft.  The lease calls for annual payments of approximately $420,000 plus specific costs relating to the operation of the aircraft.  The lease expires in December 2010, however, the Company can terminate the lease with 90 days notice beginning in December 2008.

Subsequent to September 30, 2006, the Company entered into a capital lease of a private aircraft.  The agreement calls for monthly lease payments of $6,409 and the Company is responsible for all operating and maintenance costs of the aircraft.  The lessor has the option to require the Company to purchase the aircraft for $2.0 million between August 1, 2008 and July 31, 2009.  The Company’s chief executive officer, Andrew A. Wiederhorn, owns 25% of the lessor.

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS

3.1                                 Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 1999, as previously filed with the SEC on November 22, 1999.

3.2                                 Bylaws of the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement (Registration No. 333-39035) on Form S-11, as previously filed with the SEC on March 30, 1998.

4.1                                 Common Stock Certificate Specimen, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement (Registration No. 333-39035) on Form S-11, as previously filed with the SEC on March 30, 1998.

4.2                                 Form of Registration Rights Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement (Registration No. 333-39035) on Form S-11, as previously filed with the SEC on March 30, 1998.

4.3                                 Form of Stock Option Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement (Registration No. 333-39035) on Form S-11, as previously filed with the SEC on March 30, 1998.

4.4                                 Waiver, Release, Delegation and Amendment to Stock Option and Voting Agreement among Andrew A. Wiederhorn, Lawrence A. Mendelsohn, Joyce Mendelsohn, Tiffany Wiederhorn, and the Registrant, dated July 31, 2002, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Form 8-K dated August 8, 2002, as previously filed with the SEC on August 15, 2002.

4.5                                 Summary of Rights to Purchase Shares, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Form 8-K dated October 18, 2002, as previously filed with the SEC on October 18, 2002.

4.6                                 Rights Agreement dated as of October 18, 2002 between the Registrant and The Bank of New York, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to Form 8-A, as previously filed with the SEC on October 29, 2002.

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4.7                                 Amendment to the Rights Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2004, by and between the Registrant and The Bank of New York, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, as previously filed with the SEC on March 30, 2005.

4.8                                 Long Term Vesting Trust Agreement among the Registrant and Lawrence Mendelsohn, Andrew Wiederhorn and David Egelhoff, dated October 1, 2000, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, as previously filed with the SEC on March 3, 2003.

4.9                                 Amendment Number 1 to the Long Term Vesting Trust Agreement dated as of September 19, 2002, by and between the Registrant and Andrew Wiederhorn, Don Coleman, and David Dale-Johnson, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, as previously filed with the SEC on March 30, 2005.

4.10                           Amendment Number 2 to the Long Term Vesting Trust Agreement, dated as of May 26, 2004, by and between the Registrant and Andrew Wiederhorn, Don Coleman, and David Dale-Johnson, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, as previously filed with the SEC on March 30, 2005.

10.1                           Amended and restated employment agreement between Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc. and Andrew A. Wiederhorn effective as of June 1, 2006, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated July 21, 2006, as previously filed with the SEC on July 25, 2006.

10.2                           Employment agreement between Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc. and R. Scott Stevenson effective as of June 1, 2006, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K dated July 21, 2006, as previously filed with the SEC on July 25, 2006.

11.1         Computation of Per Share Earnings.

31.1                           Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2                           Certification of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1                           Certification of the Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2                           Certification of the Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

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SIGNATURES

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

FOG CUTTER CAPITAL GROUP INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: /s/ Andrew A. Wiederhorn

 

 

 

Andrew A. Wiederhorn

 

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: /s/ R. Scott Stevenson

 

 

 

R. Scott Stevenson

 

 

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

Date:  November 13, 2006

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EXHIBIT INDEX

3.1                               Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 1999, as previously filed with the SEC on November 22, 1999.

3.2                                 Bylaws of the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement (Registration No. 333-39035) on Form S-11, as previously filed with the SEC on March 30, 1998.

4.1                                 Common Stock Certificate Specimen, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement (Registration No. 333-39035) on Form S-11, as previously filed with the SEC on March 30, 1998.

4.2                                 Form of Registration Rights Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement (Registration No. 333-39035) on Form S-11, as previously filed with the SEC on March 30, 1998.

4.3                                 Form of Stock Option Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement (Registration No. 333-39035) on Form S-11, as previously filed with the SEC on March 30, 1998.

4.4                                 Waiver, Release, Delegation and Amendment to Stock Option and Voting Agreement among Andrew A. Wiederhorn, Lawrence A. Mendelsohn, Joyce Mendelsohn, Tiffany Wiederhorn, and the Registrant, dated July 31, 2002, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Form 8-K dated August 8, 2002, as previously filed with the SEC on August 15, 2002.

4.5                                 Summary of Rights to Purchase Shares, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Form 8-K dated October 18, 2002, as previously filed with the SEC on October 18, 2002.

4.6                                 Rights Agreement dated as of October 18, 2002 between the Registrant and The Bank of New York, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to Form 8-A, as previously filed with the SEC on October 29, 2002.

4.7                                 Amendment to the Rights Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2004, by and between the Registrant and The Bank of New York, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, as previously filed with the SEC on March 30, 2005.

4.8                                 Long Term Vesting Trust Agreement among the Registrant and Lawrence Mendelsohn, Andrew Wiederhorn and David Egelhoff, dated October 1, 2000, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, as previously filed with the SEC on March 3, 2003.

4.9                                 Amendment Number 1 to the Long Term Vesting Trust Agreement dated as of September 19, 2002, by and between the Registrant and Andrew Wiederhorn, Don Coleman, and David Dale-Johnson, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, as previously filed with the SEC on March 30, 2005.

4.10                           Amendment Number 2 to the Long Term Vesting Trust Agreement, dated as of May 26, 2004, by and between the Registrant and Andrew Wiederhorn, Don Coleman, and David Dale-Johnson, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, as previously filed with the SEC on March 30, 2005.

10.1                           Amended and restated employment agreement between Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc. and Andrew A. Wiederhorn effective as of June 1, 2006, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated July 21, 2006, as previously filed with the SEC on July 25, 2006.

10.2                           Employment agreement between Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc. and R. Scott Stevenson effective as of June 1, 2006, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K dated July 21, 2006, as previously filed with the SEC on July 25, 2006.

11.1                           Computation of Per Share Earnings.

31.1                           Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2                           Certification of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1                           Certification of the Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

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32.2                           Certification of the Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

41