-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, Qr8tUvKTKKYRVrpdTqCJKUqV7P5QRSlDKnLe2VTzTAUGBtv/MNGXH7U7EZOwtTSO 7bIb1ktQzU9Q48peXQs1AQ== 0001104659-06-018202.txt : 20060321 0001104659-06-018202.hdr.sgml : 20060321 20060321142315 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001104659-06-018202 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 8 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20051231 FILED AS OF DATE: 20060321 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20060321 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: MRS FIELDS FAMOUS BRANDS LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001288407 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: RETAIL-FOOD STORES [5400] IRS NUMBER: 800096938 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-115046 FILM NUMBER: 06700916 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2855 EAST COTTONWOOD PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 400 CITY: SALT LAKE CITY STATE: UT ZIP: 84121-1050 BUSINESS PHONE: 8017365600 10-K 1 a06-1952_110k.htm ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 AND 15(D)

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-K

 

(Mark One)

 

ý

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

 

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005

 

OR

 

o

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

 

 

For the transition period from            to           

 

Commission file number:  333-115046

 


 

MRS. FIELDS FAMOUS BRANDS, LLC

(Exact Name of Registrant Specified in Its Charter)

 

Delaware

 

80-0096938

(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

2855 East Cottonwood Parkway, Suite 400

Salt Lake City, Utah 84121-1050

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (801) 736-5600

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 


 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. YES o  NO ý

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. YES o  NO ý

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES ý  NO o

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ý

 

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 ý

 

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

YES o  NO ý

 

On July 2, 2005, none of the registrant’s voting or non-voting equity was held by non-affiliates. There is no established trading market for registrant’s common interests.

 

On March 15, 2006, 100 common interests of registrant were outstanding.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:  None

 

 



 

MRS. FIELDS FAMOUS BRANDS, LLC

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I

 

 

 

Item 1.

Business

 

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

Properties

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

 

 

 

PART II

 

 

 

Item 5.

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer of Purchases of Equity Securities

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

Selected Financial Data

 

 

 

 

Item 7.

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

 

 

 

 

Item 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

 

 

 

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

 

 

 

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

 

 

 

Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures

 

 

 

 

Item 9B.

Other Information

 

 

 

 

PART III

 

 

 

Item 10.

Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

 

 

 

 

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

 

 

 

 

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

 

 

 

 

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

 

 

 

 

Item 14.

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

 

 

 

 

PART IV

 

 

 

Item 15.

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

 

2



 

Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this report to the terms “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” generally refer to Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and its subsidiaries.

 

DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This report includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are those that do not relate solely to historical fact. They include, but are not limited to, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance, achievements or events. They may contain words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “project,” “plan,” “continue,” “will,” “may” or words or phrases of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive and governmental factors outside of our control, that may cause actual results to differ materially from trends, plans or expectations set forth in the forward-looking statements. Factors you should consider that could cause these differences include all factors described elsewhere in this report and in detail under “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”

 

You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s analysis only as of the date of this report. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this report may not occur.

 

3



 

PART I

 

Item 1. Business

 

Overview

 

We are one of the largest franchisors in the premium snack food industry, featuring Mrs. Fieldsâ, Great American Cookiesâ, TCBYâ, Pretzel Timeâ and Pretzelmaker® as our core brands. Through our franchisees’ retail stores, we are the largest retailer of freshly baked, on-premises specialty cookies and brownies in the United States of America (the “United States”); the largest retailer of soft-serve frozen yogurt in the United States; and the second largest retailer of baked on-premises pretzels in the United States. In addition, we operate a growing gifts business and have entered into licensing arrangements that attempt to leverage awareness of our core brands among our retail customer base. We operate through a network of franchised stores, which are located throughout the United States and in approximately 25 foreign countries. As of December 31, 2005, our franchise network consisted of 2,479 retail concept locations.

 

Our History

 

We were formed in March 2004 in connection with the reorganization of certain entities and segments that are under the common control of Mrs. Fields’ Companies, Inc. (“MFC”), formerly known as Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, Inc. We are a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc. (“MFOC”). MFOC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mrs. Fields’ Holding Company, Inc. (“MFH”) and MFH is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MFC. The majority shareholders of MFC are two affiliated private investment management firms: Capricorn Investors II, L.P. (“Capricorn II”) and Capricorn Investors III, L.P. (“Capricorn III” together with Capricorn II, “Capricorn”).

 

In a related series of transactions, we formed or acquired from MFOC new single member domestic limited liability companies that are disregarded entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes for each of our major brands, namely Mrs. Fields Franchising, LLC; Great American Cookie Company Franchising, LLC; TCBY Systems, LLC (“TCBY”); Pretzel Time Franchising, LLC; and Pretzelmaker Franchising, LLC. These subsidiaries hold certain assets of and act as the franchisor for their respective brands. As part of these transactions, MFOC also made a capital contribution to us of all of its interests in several other entities, including Mrs. Fields Gifts, Inc. (which operates our gifts business), as well as the Great American Cookies manufacturing facility, which we then contributed to our subsidiary, Great American Manufacturing, LLC.

 

We are highly leveraged. On March 16, 2004, we issued $80.7 million of 9 percent senior secured notes (the “9 percent Senior Secured Notes”) and $115.0 million of 11½ percent senior secured notes (the “11½  percent Senior Secured Notes” together with the 9 percent Senior Secured Notes, the “Senior Secured Notes”). In addition, certain investors, including Capricorn, limited partners of Capricorn and their affiliates, and the initial purchaser of our Senior Secured Notes, provided an additional $22.5 million to our parent companies, of which $5.0 million was retained by MFOC to fund its operations and $17.5 million was contributed to us as common equity. The proceeds from the equity investment and the Senior Secured Notes were used to retire substantially all of the indebtedness of MFOC.

 

On August 23, 2004, we completed an offer to exchange an aggregate principal amount of up to $80.7 million of our 9 percent Senior Secured Notes which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for a like principal amount of our issued and outstanding 9 percent Senior Secured Notes from the registered holders thereof, and an aggregate principal amount of up to $115.0 million of our 11½ percent Senior Secured Notes which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for a like principal amount of our issued and outstanding 11½ percent Senior Secured Notes from the registered holders thereof. All of our original Senior Secured Notes were tendered and exchanged as a result of this offer.

 

4



 

Business Strategy

 

We believe our business strategy aligns the interests of the Company with the interests of our retail franchisees and focuses our joint efforts on strengthening and broadening the appeal of our brands through satisfying the wants and needs of consumers. That strategy is based upon three continuing objectives:

 

                  build profitable year-over-year franchise sales;

                  accelerate growth of new franchised store development; and

                  grow licensing and gifts operations.

 

We use the following key performance indicators to measure our success and progress:

 

                  year-over-year same store franchise sales;

                  net change in number of retail concept locations; and

                  year-over-year gifts and licensing revenues.

 

Build Profitable Year-Over-Year Franchisee Sales. We believe increasing the sales of our franchisees is critical to the growth of our profitability and it remains a key focus of our marketing and operational initiatives. Our initiatives emphasize the following goals:

 

                  Enhanced Consumer Focus. By concentrating our franchise operations upon our customers’ wants and needs, we expect to continue to increase demand for our premium products. We are currently working to create new excitement within our brands by modernizing and broadening the appeal of our menus, décor and services to distinguish our brands from our competitors’ brands, developing new products for our customers, and improving upon and further promoting products for which we have the strongest market share and a leading reputation. To this end, we have used consumer-based research, testing and analysis to create initiatives designed to help drive sales.

 

                  Continued Investment in Our Brands. In 2005, we invested $3.0 million in marketing and other brand development ideas. In 2006, we intend to invest an additional $1.0 million in similar initiatives. This investment in our brands is aimed at increasing sales at franchised locations. We continue to view TCBY as the brand that offers us the greatest opportunity for increasing profitable sales growth. TCBY’s products are aligned with current health trends and its growth is not limited by mall based locations. We are working to reconcept and reposition the TCBY brand consistent with our consumer and franchisee based strategic framework, building on today’s health conscious consumer and the increasing popularity of yogurt generally among consumers. This reconcepting includes the test of the new dairy concepts as described elsewhere in this report. Additionally, we continue to invest in ideas to increase customer counts and sales in our cookie and pretzel businesses.

 

                  Engage our Franchisees and Employees. A critical part of our efforts to drive profitable year-over-year franchisee sales has been to develop programs that engage the support of our franchisees and employees. We are continuing to develop more lines of communication between the company and franchisees to help strengthen our relationship with those who implement our business strategy. To this end, we have significantly improved the quality of our monthly printed brand communications and have restructured our field organization. We have also implemented regional meetings for franchisees and hold a periodic national convention to which all franchisees are invited. We continue to take advantage of technological advances in an effort to increase the ease and efficiency of communication with and among franchisees. We believe the alignment of our interests with the interests of our franchisees makes a shared vision possible.

 

Accelerate Growth of New Franchised Store Development. We believe that by continuing to focus on improving franchisees’ profitability and reinvesting in our brands, we will create a superior franchise business model for prospective franchisees and promote the development of new franchised stores, carts and kiosks. In recent years the rate of closure of existing locations has exceeded the number of new franchised locations. By promoting ideas to increase the rate of new openings of franchised locations in our current markets and implementing initiatives to improve existing locations, we believe our business strategy will enable us to stabilize and eventually grow the number of franchised locations both within and outside of our current markets.

 

5



 

Grow Licensing and Gifting Operations. We have expanded several of our brands through our licensing and gifting segments. For example, we have granted third parties the exclusive North American rights to manufacture and sell, under our registered trademarks, items such as premium ready-to-eat brownies, chocolate chips, boxed chocolates, gourmet glazed popcorn and dry baking mixes, throughout the supermarket, drugstore and mass merchandise distribution markets. We intend to explore expansion of our licensing business by introducing new products in order to capitalize on our strong brand names and high quality product reputation. We are also making significant investments in our gifting business to provide a solid foundation for growth, including investments in state-of-the-art software, systems management and improved facilities. We have also built a management team with industry expertise in such areas as direct marketing, merchandising and supply chains. Additionally, we are continuing to refine and improve the online shopping experience we offer to customers, including making improvements that better meet the needs of high volume business-to-business customers.

 

Description of Business

 

Our Bakery Brands
 

Mrs. Fields. Debbi Fields opened her first store in Palo Alto, California in 1977. The Mrs. Fields name quickly became associated with quality, freshly baked cookies right out-of-the-oven in a retail setting. The strength of the Mrs. Fields brand name enjoys high consumer brand awareness. By building on its legendary chocolate chip and white chocolate macadamia nut cookies, the Mrs. Fields brand has developed a comprehensive product line that includes many of America’s most beloved snack food treats.

 

Great American Cookies Company. Great American Cookies Company became a retail success in 1977 when the first store opened in Atlanta, Georgia’s Perimeter Mall. Founded on the strength of a generations-old family chocolate chip cookie recipe, Great American Cookies Company has grown throughout malls and shopping centers nationwide. All of the cookies and brownies at Great American Cookies Company begin with carefully tested recipes, highly controlled production and the finest premium ingredients from our batter production facility in Atlanta, Georgia.

 

Pretzel Time. Pretzel Time introduced its famous soft pretzel in 1991 and established itself in regional shopping centers across the country. From the number-one-selling traditional salted and buttered pretzel, to the development of the popular fresh Pretzel Bites, Pretzel Time’s menu provides many tasty choices for customers. Products also include a variety of refreshing beverage options, including sweet, quenching lemonade and the new, popular Breezer Smoothiesä frozen beverage. These delicious beverages are an excellent complement to freshly baked Pretzel Time pretzels.

 

Pretzelmaker. The first Pretzelmaker pretzel was rolled, twisted and baked in 1991. Today, Pretzelmaker stores are found in a variety of venues. Pretzelmaker pretzels are a great low-calorie, convenient snack. Customers can enjoy a freshly prepared pretzel topped with a variety of flavors and sauces, and complemented with beverages like the new Breezer frozen beverage.

 

Our Dairy Brands

 

TCBY. TCBY has been a frozen treats product innovator since its first opening in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1981. The great tasting, low-fat frozen yogurt concept received an enthusiastic response from an increasingly health conscious public and was the first in a line of ground breaking menu items. TCBY product milestones include (i) developing non-fat and no-sugar added frozen treats; (ii) launching a line of frozen yogurt and sorbet novelties; and (iii) introducing frozen yogurt to airports and travel plazas through its joint venture agreement with HMS Host, as successor-in-interest to Host International, Inc., Host Marriott Services USA, Inc., and Host Marriott Tollroads Inc.,  (collectively “HMS Host”).

 

6



 

Two New Yogurt Test Concepts - Yovanaä Yogurt Café (“Yovana”)  and Beriyoä by TCBY (“Beriyo by TCBY”). To take advantage of yogurt’s increasing popularity with consumers and to further explore how we can use yogurt’s continuing growth as a market category to benefit our franchisees and enhance our brands, TCBY is testing two additional yogurt-focused concepts – Beriyo by TCBY and Yovana. These new test concepts focus on different menu offerings, attempt to meet a specific set of consumer needs and appeal to consumers at different times of the day. For example, Beriyo by TCBY is being tested as a smoothie-focused concept to take advantage of consumers’ demand for this product, while also offering TCBY frozen yogurt treats. The Yovana test concept introduces a menu that attempts to appeal to multiple day-parts, and is built around premium yogurt prepared fresh daily in the store, including fresh yogurt, drinkable yogurt blends, smoothies, and frozen yogurt treats featuring seasonally fresh fruit and organic wholegrain granolas. Both concepts are in the very early stages of testing. During 2006 we plan on limiting the Yovana test to a small number of newly developed stores in a few markets, while Beriyo by TCBY will be tested initially in new locations and converted TCBY traditional store locations in several different markets.

 

Our Products

 

Cookies, Brownies, Cookie Cakes and Other Bakery Products.  The franchised cookie retail stores bake continuously and serve numerous varieties of freshly baked cookies, brownies, Cookie Cakes and other bakery products. Although cookie and brownie sales are generally impulse purchases, Cookie Cakes can be decorated with customized messages and designs for any special occasion and provide an opportunity for the cookie stores to become destination locations. Our bakery products are made using high quality ingredients and all dough is centrally manufactured and frozen or refrigerated to maintain product quality and consistency. All products pass strict quality assurance and control steps at both the manufacturing plants and the stores.  Mrs. Fields and Great American Cookies continuously work on and test new products and promotions to give their customers a satisfying experience.

 

Pretzels. Pretzel Time’s primary product is a hand-rolled soft pretzel, freshly baked from our proprietary dry mix at each store location. Pretzel Time stores prepare pretzels with a variety of flavors and specialty toppings, including cheddar cheese and cinnamon and sugar. Pretzelmaker sells hand-rolled soft pretzels freshly baked at each store location, using a proprietary dough shipped frozen to each location. A selected number of Pretzel Time and Pretzelmaker locations are currently participating in tests to identify best practices and potential synergies between the brands. As part of these tests, stores in both concepts may be offering consumers a more similar experience, including a similar menu and a single pretzel dough taste and texture that is appropriate for both the dry mix and frozen methods. The stores also offer lemonade, soft drinks and Breezer frozen beverages.

 

Frozen Soft-Serve and Hand-Dipped Yogurt and Frozen Novelties. We believe our soft-serve frozen yogurt is the only soft-serve frozen yogurt sold widely in retail outlets in the United States that contains live active yogurt cultures, including Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus, which convert pasteurized milk to yogurt during fermentation and which are required by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) standards for a product to be called yogurt. One benefit of these yogurt cultures is that they act as friendly bacteria that “pre-digest” or break down the lactose so that yogurt may be tolerated by many individuals with lactose intolerance.

 

Our TCBY franchised retail stores offer our TCBY brand original 96% fat free soft-serve frozen yogurt, non-fat frozen yogurt, no-sugar added/non-fat frozen yogurt and non-fat/nondairy sorbets. Additionally, to capitalize on yogurt’s continued strong consumer appeal, we are currently planning a launch of a new TCBY hand-dipped product in the second quarter of 2006. Franchised locations serve a variety of menu items based on these products, including waffle cones, parfaits, shakes and sundaes. They also offer a premium line of yogurt cakes and deep-dish pies, and our own TCBY Shiver® and Cappuccino Chiller® products. TCBY yogurt is available in a variety of flavors.

 

Yogurt Test Concepts Products. As described above, we plan to open a small number of newly-developed stores in a few markets to test TCBY’s Yovana and Beriyo by TCBY products. The premium, fresh yogurt served at Yovana test stores, which includes both a 96% fat free and a no-fat, no-sugar added variety, is prepared fresh each day in the store using our proprietary recipes, and contains 7 live active cultures. Beriyo by TCBY test stores will offer a range of products, including smoothies and TCBY frozen yogurt treats.

 

In addition to products sold in our franchised retail stores, we sell novelty frozen food items, such as the TCBY Fruit-N-Yogurt Bars, wholesale to the retail grocery trade.

 

7



 

Beverages. We sell Coca-Cola soft drinks, Dannon bottled water and other products exclusively in all of our retail stores under agreements with Coca-Cola USA Fountain. Some of our bakery stores also sell a Breezer smoothie drink that incorporates certain products provided by Coca-Cola USA Fountain. Our franchised locations may also sell other beverages such as coffee and teas, purchased from one or more of our approved suppliers.

 

Ingredients, Suppliers and Distributors
 

We rely primarily on outside suppliers and distributors for the ingredients used in our products and other items used in our franchisees’ stores.

 

Cookies, Brownies, Muffins and Other Bakery Products. Countryside Baking Company, Inc. (“Countryside”) manufactures the majority of Mrs. Fields brand frozen bakery products, which are made according to our proprietary recipes, for our domestic and international franchised stores and our gifts segment. Countryside manufactures our products strictly in accordance with the standards, procedures, specifications, formulations and recipes established by us, as well as all applicable federal, state and local laws or regulations to which it is subject.

 

Our supply agreement with Countryside gives us the right to oversee the quality of the products, but also requires Countryside to exercise its own quality control to ensure that it meets all applicable standards, including those established by the United States Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, and Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations of the United States related to Food Manufacturing Practices. Countryside’s contract for making frozen products for us expires on December 31, 2006, unless extended by mutual agreement between the parties. We are in preliminary discussions about extending our contract with Countryside.

 

Our products manufactured by Countryside are then sold to our approved distributors, currently Dawn Food Products and Kaleel Brothers, Inc. (“Kaleel Brothers”) for sale and distribution to Mrs. Fields Cookie Stores. The initial term of the Supply and Distribution Agreement with Dawn Food Products expired on August 8, 2003, when it automatically renewed for an additional one-year term. The distribution agreement continues to renew automatically each year unless either party gives 180 days notice of nonrenewal prior to the anniversary date, and is otherwise terminable at will by either party upon 180 days notice. We do not have a supply and distribution agreement with Kaleel Brothers.

 

Great American Cookies Company stores receive “ready to bake” refrigerated batter from our manufacturing facility in Atlanta, Georgia. The batter, which has a shelf life of about 90 days, is stored at the manufacturing facility for an average of one to three weeks, depending on demand, before being shipped to our franchisees’ stores.  Paper products for Great American Cookies stores are distributed by Network Services Company.

 

Pretzels. Our Pretzel Time brand stores buy a proprietary dry mix from our approved supplier, Pizza Blends, or current authorized distributors, Dawn Food Products and Kaleel Brothers. Pretzels are mixed and baked at individual stores. Our Pretzelmaker brand stores purchase our proprietary frozen dough from our approved supplier, Layton Bakery, or current authorized distributors, Dawn Food Products and Kaleel Brothers. Individual stores then thaw, shape and bake the pretzels on site. Some pretzel stores from both brands are currently testing a newly-formulated pretzel dough that is appropriate for both the frozen and dry mix methods and which is designed to allow franchisees to reduce waste, while offering consumers the fresh product they enjoy from all of our Pretzel Time and Pretzelmaker locations.

 

Frozen Soft-Serve and Hand-Dipped Yogurt and Frozen Novelties. Most TCBY brand products currently are produced by Americana Foods Limited Partnership (“Americana”), a former subsidiary of TCBY Enterprises, LLC (“TCBY Enterprises”), under an exclusive Supply Agreement between TCBY and Americana. See “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions—TCBY Supply Agreement.” Americana, which is located in Dallas, Texas and currently is partially owned by a subsidiary of Capricorn III, sells most of the products to our authorized distributors. Franchisees are required to purchase the product from the distributors that we designate. TCBY franchised stores located outside the United States receive products from various manufacturers, including Americana, and distributors approved by TCBY with the capability to distribute products in their respective countries.

 

8



 

On August 5, 2005, TCBY received a notice from Blue Line Distributing (“Blue Line”), TCBY’s principal distributor of TCBY products to its franchisees, exercising Blue Line’s option to terminate the Food Packaging Distribution Agreement between Blue Line and TCBY, dated November 14, 2002 (the “Distribution Agreement”). The effective date of the termination, as provided by the Distribution Agreement, was scheduled to be 180 days from the date that TCBY received the notice. Notwithstanding the notice of termination, the parties negotiated an extension whereby Blue Line would continue to act as TCBY’s distributor beyond the termination date to allow TCBY to fully explore its options and assist in a transition without interruption of service to franchisees. Blue Line continues to provide distribution to some parts of the United States under this extension. TCBY is finalizing negotiations with a number of regional distributors that will eventually replace Blue Line, including Kaleel Brothers in the northeastern United States. TCBY believes it will be able to identify distributors for the remaining regions of the United States before Blue Line ceases its services under the negotiated extension. However, we anticipate the distribution costs to many of our franchisees will increase under the new regional agreements, which may make it more difficult for them to operate profitably, potentially increasing the number of permanent store closures.

 

Yogurt Test Concepts. Our yogurt test concept stores will purchase the frozen yogurt that they serve from TCBY’s approved distributors. Because of the limited number of test locations and the changing nature of the test menus, TCBY plans to identify and approve local and regional suppliers and distributors for many of the other products served at Yovana and Beriyo by TCBY stores.

 

All of the products, supplies and equipment purchased for sale or use by our franchisees must meet our specifications and standards for quality, design, appearance, function and performance. We have the right to designate certain suppliers and distributors for any of these items.

 

Our Business Segments

 

Our business is divided into three primary business segments for financial reporting purposes: franchising, gifts and licensing, which represented 60.9 percent, 34.3 percent and 4.6 percent of total revenues, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2005. The franchising segment consists of revenues received either directly or indirectly from cookie, yogurt and pretzel stores, which are owned and operated by third parties. These revenues include franchise or license fees, monthly royalties based on a percentage of a franchisee’s gross sales, sales of cookie dough that we produce at our Great American Cookies manufacturing facility and certain product formulation fees and supplier allowances which are based upon sales to franchisees. The gifts segment includes sales generated from our mail order gift catalog and website. The licensing segment consists of other licensing from third parties for the sale of products bearing our brand names. For further disclosure of reportable segments, see Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements contained elsewhere in this report.

 

Franchising

 

We operate through a network of franchised stores, which are located throughout the United States and in approximately 25 foreign countries. We actively recruit new franchisees and enter into a number of franchise agreements each year. We believe we will continue to recruit new franchisees who will provide cash flow to our franchising segment by:

 

                  emphasizing the use of proprietary dough, fresh and frozen yogurt, and dessert products, minimizing product quality issues and ensuring a consistent product across all outlets;

 

                  requiring frequent quality, service and cleanliness evaluations of franchised stores by operations support staff; and

 

                  providing initial and continuing training of franchisees to improve their financial and retail sales skills.

 

However, there can be no guarantee that we will be able to successfully recruit a significant number of new franchisees.

 

9



 

As of December 31, 2005, our store portfolio consisted of 1,978 domestic franchised locations, 328 international franchised locations and 173 licensed locations, which are described in more detail below. Our franchisees’ and licensees’ concept locations by concept are distributed as follows:

 

 

 

Domestic

 

International

 

Licensed

 

 

 

 

 

Franchised

 

Franchised

 

Locations

 

Total

 

Mrs. Fields

 

373

 

87

 

49

 

509

 

Great American

 

279

 

1

 

1

 

281

 

Original Cookie

 

 

 

3

 

3

 

Cookie subtotal

 

652

 

88

 

53

 

793

 

Pretzel Time

 

205

 

7

 

6

 

218

 

Pretzelmaker

 

149

 

47

 

2

 

198

 

Hot Sam

 

 

 

3

 

3

 

Pretzel subtotal

 

354

 

54

 

11

 

419

 

Bakery brands subtotal

 

1,006

 

142

 

64

 

1,212

 

TCBY - traditional stores

 

423

 

 

 

423

 

TCBY - non-traditional stores

 

548

 

186

 

109

 

843

 

Yovana - test store

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

Dairy brands subtotal

 

972

 

186

 

109

 

1,267

 

Total

 

1,978

 

328

 

173

 

2,479

 

 

The above table counts each concept location individually. For example, if a physical location had a Mrs. Fields store and a Pretzel Time store together, this would be counted as two concept locations in the table above. If actual physical stores were counted rather than concept locations, total store counts would be reduced by 276 locations to 2,203.

 

MFOC and certain of its subsidiaries own 15 franchised and licensed retail concept locations as of December 31, 2005, representing 0.6 percent of the total retail concept locations. During the year ended December 31, 2005, we recognized $689,000 of franchise royalties and $730,000 of product sales relating to retail concept locations owned by MFOC. MFOC expects that these remaining retail concept locations will be sold to other franchisees or will be closed during fiscal 2006.

 

Store Location and Configuration.

 

Possibilities for franchised locations include high pedestrian traffic areas, including malls, airport concourses, office building lobbies, and shopping and lifestyle centers. We have developed a number of retail configurations designed to adapt to a variety of retail environments. In addition to the stores that have been designed for prime mall locations, we have developed other formats, such as kiosks, in-line retail and carts intended to extend our brands’ presence within and beyond mall locations.

 

Cookies. Mrs. Fields and Great American Cookies Company stores are primarily located in “A” and “B” grade malls in the United States. These stores are uniformly designed in accordance with the Mrs. Fields or Great American Cookies Company prototype, intended to create an upscale, open and inviting look. Individual store sizes typically range from 500 to 800 square feet, while kiosks tend to be somewhat smaller.

 

Pretzels. Pretzel Time and Pretzelmaker outlets have an average size of 500 to 800 square feet in store locations and 200 square feet in kiosk locations. The stores and kiosks are likely to be located in high traffic areas and are designed to enable customers to enjoy watching the pretzels being rolled, twisted and baked in minutes, which underscores freshness and contributes to the product’s appeal.

 

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Frozen Soft-Serve and Hand-Dipped Yogurt. Generally, traditional TCBY domestic franchised stores are located in shopping centers, freestanding locations and shopping malls. TCBY non-traditional locations include TCBY stores operated in conjunction with other concepts, such as Subway, Exxon and other convenience stores and petroleum outlets. TCBY non-traditional locations also include “captive” outlets such as airports, toll road travel plazas, hospitals, office buildings and sports arenas. A traditional TCBY store usually occupies 800 to 1,600 square feet and accommodates both carryout and in-store business. Our traditional TCBY stores are designed as a “destination experience” and generally include some customer seating as well as a display case for yogurt cakes and pies. TCBY non-traditional domestic franchised stores are generally much smaller, offer a limited menu as compared to a traditional TCBY store and often serve TCBY products through kiosks, soft-serve vending carts and counter top units located within other branded premises or captive locations.

 

Yogurt Test Concepts. Both Yovana and Beriyo by TCBY stores are in the early stages of testing and TCBY anticipates that their locations and configuration will evolve during the test period.

 

Franchise Agreements
 

Our franchises are typically granted for a specific site selected by the franchisee and approved by us. Franchisees must offer the products and services that we designate. We provide franchisees with suggested retail pricing for products and services, but franchisees are generally free to set the retail prices at their stores.

 

Cookies. Each Mrs. Fields brand franchisee typically pays an initial franchise fee of $30,000 per Mrs. Fields brand store location and is responsible for funding the build-out of the new store and purchasing initial dough inventory and supplies. Existing franchisees may qualify for certain incentives when they purchase additional franchises. The cost of opening a new store or purchasing an existing store can vary widely based on individual operating and location costs. After a store is established, a franchisee pays weekly royalty fees of six percent of the franchised store’s gross sales for the prior week and a weekly advertising fee of from one to three percent (currently one percent) of such gross sales. Mrs. Fields franchisees are required to purchase proprietary dough from our authorized distributors or suppliers, which may pay us an amount based on total franchisee purchases. Franchises are typically granted for a period of seven years. Franchisees in good standing have an option to renew for an additional seven years at terms set forth in the then-current form of franchise agreement.

 

Each new Great American Cookies Company franchisee typically pays an initial franchise fee of $30,000 per store and is responsible for funding the build-out of the new store and purchasing initial batter inventory and supplies. Existing franchisees may qualify for certain incentives when they purchase additional franchises. The cost of opening a new store or purchasing an existing store can vary widely based on individual operating and location costs. After a store is established, a Great American Cookies Company franchisee pays monthly royalty fees to us of six percent of the franchised store’s gross sales for the prior month and a monthly advertising fee of one percent of such gross sales. Great American Cookies Company franchisees are required to purchase batter from our manufacturing facility, which recognizes a profit on batter sales. The term of the franchise typically runs concurrently with the term of the Great American Cookies Company store lease and may be subject to an option to renew.

 

Pretzels. Each new Pretzel Time or Pretzelmaker franchisee typically pays an initial licensing fee of $25,000 per new Pretzel Time or Pretzelmaker store and is responsible for funding the development of the new store. Existing franchisees may qualify for certain incentives when they purchase additional franchises. The initial investment can vary based on individual operating and location costs. After a store is established, a Pretzel Time franchisee pays weekly royalty fees to Pretzel Time of seven percent of the franchised store’s gross sales for the prior week and a marketing fee of from one to three percent (currently one percent, but may be increased to one and one-half percent after the third quarter of 2006) of such gross sales. Franchisees are required to purchase proprietary dough or dough mix from our authorized suppliers and distributors, which may pay us an amount based on total franchisee purchases. New Pretzelmaker franchisees pay weekly royalty fees to Pretzelmaker of seven percent of the franchised store’s gross sales for the prior week and a marketing fee of from one to three percent (currently one and one-half percent) of such gross sales. However, the majority of the Pretzelmaker system operates under a franchise agreement that provides for payment of a six percent royalty fee, which will remain in effect until the current franchise agreement is transferred, renewed or otherwise modified to change the rate. Franchises are typically granted for an initial term of seven years and franchisees in good standing have an option to renew for an additional seven years upon terms set forth in the then-current form of franchise agreement.

 

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Frozen Soft-Serve and Hand-Dipped Yogurt. Each new TCBY franchisee typically pays an initial franchise fee of $25,000 per traditional store and from $2,500 to $15,000 per non-traditional location and is responsible for funding the build-out of the new store and purchasing initial yogurt inventory and supplies. Existing franchisees may qualify for certain incentives when they purchase additional franchises. The cost for opening a new store varies widely depending upon the size and location of the store. TCBY franchisees purchase TCBY products only from authorized distributors. TCBY receives a formulation fee on purchases of yogurt products by franchisees.

 

Franchises for traditional TCBY stores are usually granted for a period of ten years. Typically, franchisees in good standing have an option to renew for an additional ten years at then-current terms (for non-traditional stores, the initial term is usually five years with a renewal term of five years). Currently, most TCBY franchisees pay an ongoing royalty fee of four percent of its net revenues and an ongoing advertising fee of three percent of its net revenues, though some newer franchise agreements give TCBY the right to charge a five percent royalty and up to a five percent advertising fee. Franchisees currently pay the royalty and advertising fees by way of a surcharge on TCBY products collected by our authorized distributor, which then remits the surcharge to us. We anticipated last year that we would begin transitioning TCBY to a different method of royalty and advertising fee collection for its traditional store franchisees. However, that transition has been postponed pending TCBY’s analysis of the Beriyo by TCBY and Yovana test concepts.

 

Yogurt Test Concepts. The initial franchise fee and other fees for our yogurt test concepts are under review and remain subject to our test results. Test concept locations will report their net revenues weekly to TCBY, will be required to use an approved point-of-sale system and will pay their royalty and advertising fund fees directly to TCBY based on reported sales. Once the test is completed, TCBY will evaluate the data and may include a similar method in an overall plan to revitalize and reconcept qualified existing TCBY Traditional store franchised locations.

 

International. Generally, we adopt a master franchise agreement form of relationship for international distribution of our products. A master franchisee is granted the right to develop a minimum number of locations in the defined territory within a certain time period. We determine, on a country-by-country basis, whether we will export proprietary products from the United States to that country or license the production of products locally or regionally (possibly to the master franchisee). In addition, we may grant to the master franchisee the distribution rights of certain products in the defined country. The master franchisee generally receives sub-franchising rights within the country that is the subject of the master franchise agreement if it maintains a specified level of its own locations. International locations are generally smaller than domestic locations and produce less sales and royalties per location. Revenues from any single country (other than the United States) were not material. In the aggregate, revenues from international locations for fiscal 2005, 2004 and 2003 were $1.5 million, $1.0 million and $1.4 million, respectively, and represented 1.7 percent, 1.1 percent and 1.7 percent of total revenues, respectively.

 

Franchisee Training

 

We believe training the franchisees is a critical component in creating an effective retail environment, and accordingly, each of our brand concepts require new franchisees to complete a training program conducted by our training specialists at our training facility in Salt Lake City. The initial training programs last from 7-9 days depending on the concept. We also make ongoing training programs available to franchisees to improve their quality and effectiveness and may require certain franchisees to attend refresher training at our training facilities as part of operational compliance programs. The training programs provide instruction to franchisees regarding equipment use, food preparation and safety, customer service, employee scheduling, methods of controlling operating costs, management, the job function of hourly employees and other aspects of retail store operations. Ongoing training courses in new products, standards and procedures are available at our training facilities or regional meetings throughout the year to all franchisee personnel. While initial training is provided free of charge to new franchisees, we have the right to charge a reasonable fee for refresher or additional training. Franchisees pay their own costs, such as living expenses and travel costs, to attend training.

 

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Franchise Concept Licensing

 

We have developed a concept licensing program for certain non-mall retail outlets that enables us to enter difficult-to-reach markets and facilitate brand exposure through “presence” and “prestige” marketing. Our licensees duplicate our franchisee store concept and purchase our products from our various approved distributors. Our licensees are generally food service corporations or contract management companies that manage and operate food service in “captive” locations. Our licensees include HMS Host or its successor, which currently has an exclusive license to sell TCBY products in airports and travel plazas under a joint venture agreement with TCBY, and Marriott Management Services Corp. and Sodexho U.S.A., Inc. or their successors, which have non-exclusive licenses to sell certain Mrs. Fields products in licensed stores that they develop and operate in specified locations where they provide food services, such as commercial buildings or complexes, under a month-to-month extension of trademark license agreements with a predecessor of MFOC. Because these arrangements entail the operation of an actual concept location, these licensed locations are included in our franchising business segment rather than in our licensing business segment, which encompasses our brand licensing activities.

 

Gifting

 

We market a variety of freshly baked cookies, brownies, candies and other gift items under our Mrs. Fields brand name on the Internet and through gift catalogs. We began our gifts business with two product offerings.  In fiscal 2005, we generated revenues of approximately $30.1 million and carried more than 250 gifting items which represents 100 product groupings ranging from customized cookie tins with company logos to birthday towers filled with cookies, brownies and jellybeans. Our gifts business segment is run through Mrs. Fields Gifts, Inc., our separate, wholly-owned subsidiary for gifts operations. The gifts segment has four direct sales channels: Internet, telephone, online affiliate programs, and strategic partnerships/corporate accounts.

 

Internet.  We launched our Mrs. Fields website in 1997 and during fiscal 2005 approximately 48 percent of all sales in the gifts segment where placed on-line. Our website allows each customer to establish an account and track each order. Our principal URL is at www.mrsfields.com.

 

Telephone.  Customers also may place orders using a toll-free telephone number “1-800-COOKIES.” While sales from telephone orders continue to be a significant portion of our gifts segment’s revenues, as a percentage of total sales in the gifts segment, they have decreased as customers have migrated to the Internet.

 

Online Affiliate Programs.  In July 2001, we launched an online affiliate program with one of the largest pay-for-performance affiliate marketing networks on the Internet. We now have over 3,000 affiliates who have a text link or banner on their website to www.mrsfields.com. We compensate online affiliates on a commission basis for each sale that originates from its website.

 

Strategic Partnerships/Corporate Accounts.  We have a number of partnerships with large online and catalog retailers that advertise Mrs. Fields brand products to their customers for gifting purposes. Gifts are sold to partners at wholesale prices. The partners are responsible for shipping to the ultimate customer, advertising and customer service costs involved with the Mrs. Fields gift program. We also have corporate gift relationships with a number of large companies who use Mrs. Fields brand products to motivate employees and reward customers.

 

New Facility for Our Gifting Operations

 

Effective as of March 1, 2006, we entered into an Industrial Net Lease with Natomas Meadows Two, LLC, for the lease of approximately 159,000 square feet of space in Salt Lake City, Utah. We will be developing this newly leased space to accommodate our new state-of-the-art gifting operations. This new space will eventually replace approximately 107,000 square feet of space we currently lease in areas throughout Salt Lake City. We will then attempt to terminate the leases for the current space or sublet it. Currently, we anticipate we will open the gifting facility at the new space in the third quarter of 2006.

 

Consulting Fees

 

In January 2005, we engaged a consulting firm with significant experience in the direct marketing industry to assist us in preparing a three to five year strategic plan to promote the growth of our gifts business segment. During fiscal 2005, we incurred expenses of approximately $800,000 for these services. The engagement ended in fiscal 2005 and we therefore do not expect such costs to be incurred in fiscal 2006.

 

13



 

Licensing

 

Over the past few years, we have pursued a “branding” strategy, using the registered trademarks of Mrs. Fields and TCBY brands to reinforce the brand with consumers and improve market share. Branded products target traditional mass market and retail locations, complementing our existing businesses. Examples of licenses granted to third parties include those for Mrs. Fields chocolate chips, boxed chocolates, gourmet glazed popcorn and baking mixes. Additionally, TCBY has entered into a license agreement for the distribution of high quality, yogurt covered pretzel products utilizing certain TCBY trademarks and directly wholesales certain frozen yogurt novelty items to the supermarket, drugstore and mass merchandise distribution markets.

 

During 2005, our largest licensee of Mrs. Fields branded products was Shadewell Grove IP, LLC (“Shadewell”). Shadewell currently has a license to market and distribute high quality, pre-packaged chocolate chips utilizing the Mrs. Fields trademarks, service marks and trade names through designated retail distribution channels. During 2005, royalties earned from this license totaled approximately $126,000. Shadewell also has a license to market and distribute pre-packaged, ready-to-eat shelf stable brownies and ready-to-eat shelf stable dessert toppings and syrups, each utilizing the Mrs. Fields trademarks, service marks and trade names through designated retail distribution channels. Shadewell has until the end of calendar year 2006 to commence distribution of these additional products. In addition, Shadewell does not pay royalties for one year from the date these products are first shipped. Therefore, we may not earn any royalties from this additional license until fiscal 2008.

 

Prior to August 13, 2005, Shadewell and Mrs. Fields Franchising, LLC (“MFF”) were parties to two additional license agreements that granted Shadewell a license to develop, manufacture, distribute and sell ready-to-eat shelf stable cookie products and high quality, prepackaged, ready-to-eat, pre-baked cookie products (the “License Agreements”) using certain Mrs. Fields trademarks, service marks and trade names in designated distribution channels. MFF terminated the License Agreements effective August 13, 2005 for Shadewell’s failure to make certain payments to MFF in a timely manner.

 

On October 5, 2005, Shadewell filed a Verified Complaint, Motion for Restraining Order and related documents (the “Action”) in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware against MFF. In the Action, Shadewell alleges that they did not materially breach the shelf-stable and ready-to-eat, pre-baked cookie licenses, and that the License Agreements were improperly terminated by MFF. Among other relief, Shadewell seeks a court order that the License Agreements remain in full force and effect and that MFF must specifically perform its obligations under the License Agreements. Shadewell also seeks unspecified damages related to its claims that MFF breached certain obligations under the License Agreements. A trial of the Action was held on November 29, 2005, followed by post-trial briefs and arguments in January 2006, but the court has not yet rendered its decision. The Company believes that Shadewell’s allegations in the Action are without merit and intends to vigorously defend its interests. The Company believes that neither the Action nor the termination of the License Agreements will have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations. Pending a decision, the parties continue to fulfill their obligations under the License Agreements. During 2005, royalties earned from the terminated licenses totaled $2.2 million.

 

On December 19, 2005, MFF entered into an Option Agreement and Amendment to License Agreement (the “Option”) with Maxfield Candy Company (“Maxfield”).  Maxfield is one of our licensees, producing and selling Mrs. Fields branded premium candy products in certain distribution channels under a Trademark License Agreement dated January 3, 2000 (the “License”).  The Option grants MFF an option to repurchase the License, excercisable during a period from the second to the fifth anniversary of the date of the Option.  The Option purchase price is $1 million, one-half of which was paid by MFF when the Option was signed by the parties, and one-half of which will be paid to Maxfield on the first anniversary of that date.  The repurchase price for the License is due only if MFF exercises the Option and ranges from $4.5 million to $7.0 million, depending on when the Option is exercised.  One-half of the Option purchase price will be credited to the License repurchase price in a manner described in the Option if MFF exercises the Option.  The parties agreed to certain modifications of the License as part of the Option.

 

14



 

Geographic Information

 

Revenues from franchisees, customers and licensees within the United States were approximately $86.5 million, $86.1 million and $80.6 million for fiscal 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and represented 98.3 percent, 98.9 percent and 98.3 percent of total revenues for fiscal 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Revenues from international franchisees, customers and licensees were approximately $1.5 million, $1.0 million and $1.4 million for fiscal 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and represented 1.7 percent, 1.1 percent and 1.7 percent of total revenues for fiscal 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Revenues from any single foreign country were not material. Providing geographical information regarding long-lived assets is impracticable.

 

Intellectual Property

 

We are the holder of numerous trademarks that have been federally registered in the United States and in other countries located throughout the world. We are not currently a party to any disputes with respect to our trademarks in any foreign jurisdictions, although we are challenging the use of certain registered domain names that may infringe on our trademarks originating from various sources, none of which, in the opinion of management, is material to our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

As of December 31, 2005, we held 87 federal trademark registrations in the United States and 517 trademark registrations in approximately 100 countries and other jurisdictions outside the United States. The trademarks consist of various brand and product names and logos. We have also registered numerous domain names which correspond to our brand and product names. Trademarks are registered under United States laws for initial periods of 6 to 10 years and in other countries for initial periods of 7 to 20 years, and at any time, we may have trademarks whose registration will soon expire and must be renewed. Under some of our license agreements, our licensees receive the rights to use our recipes, proprietary products and/or our registered trademarks. We view our trademarks and the ability to license them to third parties, as some of our most valuable assets.

 

We have pending, or are in the process of filing, applications for trademark registrations in a number of foreign countries. In some of these countries it may not be possible to register the name TCBY where the laws do not permit the registration of acronyms. Similarly, registering offices in some limited jurisdictions may refuse to register the mark EMIT LEZTERPâ or FRESHNESS WITH A TWISTâ by taking the position that it is merely descriptive of the product. In a few foreign countries, unrelated third parties have filed applications for registration of one or more of our trademarks. Upon discovery of such filings, we routinely contest such applications to preserve our ability to register our trademarks in those countries or to protect our existing registrations.

 

Employees

 

As of December 31, 2005, we had approximately 1,000 employees, including approximately 719 temporary seasonal employees whose positions are largely on-call or part-time. We typically employ seasonal labor in connection with our gifts operations in the fourth quarter in response to increased demand around the holidays. None of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements and very few employees, other than some employees engaged in our gifts and manufacturing operations, are paid minimum wage.

 

As of December 31, 2005, of our 1,000 employees, 52 employees provided certain management functions to MFOC in return for a fee in accordance with the provisions of a management agreement with MFOC. This number may decrease as MFOC continues to reduce its store operations. It is intended that the management agreement providing for these services will continue in effect until the expiration of all store leases for MFOC’s company-owned stores.

 

Seasonality

 

Our sales and contribution from franchisees’ store operations are highly seasonal, but our various brands experience counteracting seasonal effects. Our cookie and pretzel stores, primarily located in malls, tend to mirror customer traffic flow trends in malls, which increase significantly during the fourth quarter, primarily between Thanksgiving and the end of the calendar year. Holiday gift purchases also are a significant factor in increased sales in the fourth quarter. However, TCBY stores and products experience their strongest sales periods during the warmer months from late Spring through early Fall. Franchising segment revenues for each quarter as a percentage of total franchising segment revenues for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 were 23.1 percent for the first quarter, 26.1 percent for the second quarter, 24.9 percent for the third quarter and 25.9 percent for the fourth quarter.

 

15



 

Our sales and contribution from our gifts segment are highly seasonal primarily due to holiday gift purchases that increase sales in the fourth quarter. Sales and contribution in the fourth quarter of 2005 were $15.9 million and $2.4 million, respectively, which represents 52.7 percent and 139.8 percent, respectively, of total sales and contribution of the gifts segment for the year ended December 31, 2005.

 

Customers

 

Our franchising segment is not dependent upon any single franchisee.

 

Our gifts segment has one customer that accounted for $3.6 million, $4.2 million and $3.0 million, or 11.8 percent, 16.2 percent and 17.2 percent of revenues of the gifts segment for the years ended December 31, 2005, January 1, 2005 and January 3, 2004, respectively.

 

Our licensing segment has one licensee, Shadewell, that accounted for $2.3 million, $3.1 million and $3.5 million, or 57.6 percent, 62.7 percent and 63.1 percent of the revenues of the licensing segment for the years ended December 31, 2005, January 1, 2005 and January 3, 2004, respectively. A majority of these revenues were attributable to licenses that have been terminated.

 

Competition

 

In our franchising segment, we compete for customers with other cookie, pretzel, yogurt and ice cream retailers, as well as other confectionery, sweet snack and specialty food retailers, including cinnamon rolls, baked goods and candy shops. The specialty retail food and snack industry is highly competitive with respect to price, service, location and food quality and there are many well-established competitors with greater resources than ours. We compete with these retailers on the basis of price, quality, location and service. We face competition from a wide variety of sources, including such companies as Cinnabon, Auntie Anne’s Soft Pretzels, Haagen-Dazs, Baskin-Robbins 31 Flavors and Cold Stone Creamery.

 

In our mall based and captive locations, we tend to compete with a wide variety of food retailers, including both quick service restaurants and, to a lesser extent, sit-down dining establishments and centrally located “food courts.” In our strip mall and stand-alone retail stores, our competition tends to be with other food retailers within a geographical radius of our franchisees’ stores, which vary based on store location.

 

Our gifting segment competes for customers primarily with other food gifting and mail order companies. The food gifting and mail order industry is highly competitive with respect to quality, freshness, selection, uniqueness, customer service and, to a lesser extent, price. There are many well-established competitors with greater resources than ours. Our competitors include such companies as Cheryl and Company (acquired by 1-800-FLOWERS), Harry and David, Omaha Steaks, Popcorn Factory and Mrs. Beasley’s.

 

Environmental Matters

 

We are not aware of any federal, state, or local environmental laws or regulations that will materially affect our earnings or competitive position, or result in material capital expenditures. However, we cannot predict the effect on our operations of possible future environmental legislation or regulations. During 2005, we did not incur any material capital expenditures for environmental control facilities and no such material expenditures are anticipated.

 

Backlog orders

 

We do not have material backlog orders.

 

Additional information

 

We are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Accordingly, we file periodic reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We make our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports available through our Internet site, www.mrsfields.com as soon as reasonably practicable after electronically filing such materials with the Securities and Exchange Commission. They may also be obtained by writing to Mrs. Fields Famous Brands at 2855 East Cottonwood Parkway, Salt Lake City, UT 84121. In addition, copies of these reports may be obtained through the Securities and Exchange Commission website at www.sec.gov or by visiting the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549 or by calling the SEC at 800-SEC-0330.

 

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Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

The following risk factors, among others, could cause our financial performance to differ significantly from the goals, plans, objectives, intentions and expectations expressed in this report. If any of the following risks and uncertainties or other risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or not currently considered to be material actually occur, our business, financial condition or operating results could be harmed substantially.

 

Risks Related to our Business

 

The results of operations of our business in the future will depend upon whether we are able to successfully implement our business strategy, the implementation of which depends on factors that are beyond our control.

 

We believe that the implementation of our business strategy is key to enabling us to grow our revenues and profitability and, ultimately, our future success. Our business strategy is focused on increasing the sales of our franchisees, accelerating the development of new franchised stores, carts and kiosks and growing our licensing and gifts operations, each of which we believe is critical to our success.

 

Our business strategy is dependent in part on our ability to develop, test and implement a reconcepting of our TCBY brand. If we are unsuccessful, our performance will be adversely affected.

 

Our initial focus will include the “repositioning” of our TCBY brand by targeting today’s health conscious consumers and the “reconcepting” of our TCBY brand by redesigning its trademarks, décor and updating its menus. We have begun the process of reviewing how best to develop and implement the reconcepting, including the testing of our Beriyo by TCBY and Yovana concepts. However, we do not know how successful we will be in developing or implementing a reconcepting plan or the extent to which the capital investment required to implement such a reconcepting plan will be available when needed. If we are unable to successfully implement this or any other aspect of our business strategy, our business operations or financial condition could be adversely affected.

 

From time to time, we may be restricted from selling our franchises.

 

The sale of franchises is regulated by various state laws as well as by the Federal Trade Commission. The Federal Trade Commission requires that franchisors make extensive disclosure in a uniform franchise prospectus to prospective franchisees but does not require registration. However, a number of states require annual registration of the uniform franchise prospectus with state authorities or other disclosure in connection with franchise offers and sales. In addition, several states have “franchise relationship laws” or “business opportunity laws” that limit the ability of the franchisors to terminate agreements or to withhold consent to renewal or transfer of these agreements.

 

There are certain events that require us to make certain disclosure to state authorities. Further, renewal of uniform franchise offering circular registrations are required in several states within a certain period of time following our fiscal year end. From time to time in the future, there will be periods of time after certain events or in connection with renewal during which we may be prohibited from selling our franchises in certain states. Without limiting the foregoing, our financial condition requires us to defer collection of certain fees in some states until the store opens, and in Virginia, prohibits us from offering new franchises for sale. If we are unable to sell our franchises for an extended period of time in certain states, our business operations or financial condition could be adversely affected.

 

A decline in mall traffic could cause our bakery brand franchise income to decrease materially.

 

We believe that the amount and proximity of pedestrian traffic near our bakery brand stores strongly influence sales of our products, which we believe are frequently impulse purchases. In recent years, we believe visits to major shopping malls, where at December 31, 2005 the majority of our bakery franchisees’ stores are located, have experienced periods of decline. This trend has had a negative impact on our revenues. We cannot be sure that this trend will not continue or that this trend can be offset by increased sales per customer. A prolonged decline in mall traffic could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

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We believe our brand identity is critical to the success of our business. If we are unable to use any of our trademarks or to protect our trade secrets, our sales and our results of operations will be adversely affected.

 

We believe that our trademarks have significant value and are important to the marketing of our retail outlets and products and the operations of our franchisees’ stores, gifts segment and licensing strategy. Most of our trademarks are federally registered before the United States Patent and Trademark Office and registered or pending in many foreign countries. However, we cannot be sure that our trademarks cannot be circumvented, or that our trademarks do not or will not violate the proprietary rights of others. If a challenge to one of our trademarks is successful, we could be prevented from continuing to use that trademark. A negative ruling concerning our use, or the validity or enforceability of one of our trademarks would adversely affect our sales of the related products and our operating results. In addition, we cannot be sure that we will have the financial resources necessary to police the use of our trademarks by our franchisees and licensees, or enforce or defend our trademarks, which could result in incorrect or unauthorized use of our trademarks. Moreover, we may not be able to use or register our existing trademarks abroad due to the application of foreign laws, which would force us to adopt new trademarks for use in those jurisdictions that initially will not be as recognizable as our existing marks. Despite our efforts to protect our trade secrets, unauthorized parties may attempt to obtain and use information regarding our proprietary recipes and our means of protecting our trade secret rights may not be adequate. The occurrence of any of these factors could diminish the value of our trademark portfolio or trade secrets and negatively impact our sales, business operations and strategies.

 

Our information systems are an integral part of our gifts segment business. Systems disruptions and failures could cause our customers to become dissatisfied with us and may impair our business.

 

Our ability to maintain our website, network system and telecommunications equipment in working order and to reasonably protect them from interruption is critical to the success of our gifts business segment. Our website must accommodate regular traffic, deliver information and complete transactions. Our customers, advertisers and business alliances may become dissatisfied by any systems failure that interrupts our ability to provide our products and services to them.

 

We believe that our relationship with our franchisees and retail licensees is critical to the success of our business. If these franchise and retail license agreements were to be terminated or if we are unable to maintain these relationships, our sales and our results of operations would be adversely affected.

 

Exclusive of MFOC, who as of December 31, 2005 owned and operated 15 franchised locations under franchise agreements with us, 17 of our franchisees or licensees own ten or more retail concept locations. In total, these franchisees own 356 retail concept locations and contributed approximately $4.5 million or 8.4 percent of our franchise revenues for the year ended December 31, 2005. For the same period, franchise revenues made up 60.9 percent of our total revenues. The termination of these key franchise or retail license agreements or lower than anticipated sales may have an adverse affect on our financial condition and results of operations. We cannot be sure that our relations with franchisees and licensees will not change or that our licensees will continue to perform as they have in the past, which could result in franchise or license agreements being terminated by us or by our franchisees or licensees.

 

Generally, we believe our relationship with our franchisees and our licensees is a critical component in the success of our business. As an example, as required by state and federal franchise disclosure rules, we must provide all prospective franchisees with the name and contact information for each of the concept’s existing franchisees. Prospects often contact existing franchisees as part of their due diligence before making a franchise purchase decision. If our relationship with existing franchisees becomes strained, it may slow or suspend franchise development with new franchisees, as well as curtail additional development with existing franchisees.

 

We may be harmed by actions taken by our franchisees or licensees that are beyond our control.

 

Our franchisees and licensees generally are independent contractors and are not our employees. We require our franchisees and licensees to adhere to strict production, display, storage and marketing specifications and procedures, and we provide training and support to franchisees, but the quality of franchised store operations or licensed products may be diminished by any number of factors beyond our control. Consequently, franchisees may not operate stores, or licensees may not produce or market licensed products in a manner consistent with our standards and requirements, or may not hire and train qualified managers and other store personnel. If they do not, our image, reputation and brand may suffer, and our franchise and license revenues as well as our ability to attract prospective franchisees may be adversely affected.

 

18



 

We are vulnerable to fluctuations in the cost, availability and quality of our ingredients.

 

The cost, availability and quality of the ingredients we use to prepare our products at the Great American Cookies manufacturing facility and in our gifts operations are subject to a range of factors, many of which are beyond our control. Fluctuations in economic and political conditions, weather and demand could adversely affect the costs of our ingredients. We have no control over fluctuations in the price of commodities and we may not be able to pass through any cost increases to our customers. We are dependent on frequent deliveries of fresh ingredients, thereby subjecting us to the risk of shortages or interruptions in supply. All of these factors could cause adverse market conditions which could adversely affect our financial results.

 

We depend heavily on our suppliers and distributors.

 

We depend on two primary suppliers, Countryside and Americana, which supply products for our Mrs. Fields brand and TCBY brand, respectively. Americana is a related party. Our agreement with Americana is described in “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions—TCBY Supply Agreement.” We also depend on our primary distributors for distribution of perishable and non-perishable items to our franchisees. As described in “Business—Ingredients, Supplies and Distribution,” our primary distributor to our TCBY system has exercised its right to terminate our distribution agreement with them. Although we believe the distributor will continue to serve the system until we are able to identify other distribution solutions, there can be no assurances of the continued extension, or of our ability to replace their services with a distributor who offers similar pricing. Our reliance on our suppliers subjects us to a number of risks, including possible delays or interruptions in supplies, diminished control over quality and a potential lack of adequate raw material capacity. Any disruption in the supply of or degradation in the quality of the raw materials provided by our suppliers could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition. In addition, such disruptions in supply or degradations in quality could have a long-term detrimental impact on our efforts to develop a strong brand identity and a loyal consumer base. If any supplier or distributor fails to perform as anticipated, or if there is a termination or any disruption in any of these relationships for any reason, it could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

 

If we lose key management personnel, we may have difficulty in implementing the business strategy that current management has developed, and may fail to achieve expected profits as a result.

 

Our success depends on the continued services of our senior management, particularly Stephen Russo, our President and Chief Executive Officer. In addition, our continued growth depends, in part, on attracting and retaining skilled managers and employees as well as management’s ability to utilize effectively our key personnel. If Stephen Russo or any other senior management personnel leaves us, we may have difficulty in implementing the business strategy they have developed and may fail to achieve expected profits as a result. We cannot be sure that management’s efforts to integrate, utilize, attract and retain personnel will be successful.

 

Our failure to respond to demographic trends, changes in consumer preferences and other factors and our failure to implement new marketing strategies could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

 

The specialty and snack food industry is affected by changes in consumer preferences, tastes and eating habits, local, regional, national and international economic conditions, demographic trends and mall traffic patterns. A number of factors, including increased food, labor and benefits costs, the availability of experienced management and hourly employees and difficulties or delays in developing and introducing new products to suit consumer preferences, may adversely affect the specialty retail industry in general and our franchise outlets in particular. Our failure to anticipate, identify and respond to changing consumer preferences and economic conditions and the failure of our customers to respond favorably to our marketing or new products could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

 

There is intense competition in the specialty food retailers industry.

 

The specialty retail food and snack food industry is highly competitive with respect to price, service, location and food quality and within the industry we compete with cookie, pretzel, frozen yogurt and ice cream retailers, as well as other confectionary, sweet snack and specialty foods retailers, many of which have greater resources than we have. Consequently, we cannot be certain that we can compete successfully with these other food retailers.

 

19



 

In addition to the risks we face from current competitors, we cannot be certain that we can successfully compete with any new entrants into the specialty retail food and snack food industry who may introduce new and successful products or marketing. Our inability to compete adequately would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

 

Adverse publicity, particularly about health concerns, could reduce our sales and adversely affect results of operations.

 

Our ability to compete depends in part on maintaining our reputation with consumers. We could be adversely affected by publicity resulting from food quality, illness, injury or other health concerns, including food borne illness claims, or operating issues stemming from one store, a limited number of stores or even a competitor’s store. In addition, we use ingredients in several of our products, such as nuts, to which some people may have allergies, and butter and cream, which are high in fat. There may be adverse publicity about the health risks relating to these or other ingredients. Adverse publicity about these factors could reduce sales of our products and adversely affect results of operations.

 

Our international operations are exposed to various risks that could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

 

We have franchised retail stores in numerous foreign countries. While most of our operations are in the United States, through our franchised retail store locations, we also have operations in numerous other regions, including operations in Canada, South America, the Caribbean, the Middle East and Asia, representing approximately 1.7 percent of our revenue in fiscal 2005. We expect to expand into additional regions in the future. Our international operations are subject to many additional risks, including:

 

                  the burden of complying with multiple and possibly conflicting laws and any unexpected changes in regulatory requirements;

 

                  import and export restrictions and tariffs;

 

                  additional expenses relating to the difficulties and costs of staffing and managing international operations;

 

                  litigation in foreign jurisdictions;

 

                  potentially adverse tax consequences;

 

                  increased competition as a result of subsidies to local companies;

 

                  political instability or war;

 

                  cultural differences;

 

                  the impact of business cycles and economic instability; and

 

                  increased expense as a result of inflation.

 

Any one of these factors could have a material adverse affect our sales of products or services to our international customers and curtail our expansion strategy.

 

20



 

Government regulation of our business could adversely affect the results of our operations.

 

Numerous governmental authorities have issued regulations that apply to us and our franchisees’ stores, including, without limitation, federal, state and local laws and regulations governing health, sanitation, environmental protection, safety, hiring and employment practices, including laws, such as the Fair Labor Standards Act, governing such matters as minimum wages, overtime and other working conditions. The FDA administers regulations that apply to our products. If we fail to obtain or retain the required food licenses or to comply with applicable governmental regulations, or if there is any increase in employee benefit costs or other costs associated with employees, our costs could increase as we attempt to comply with regulations. Our revenues could decrease if we or our suppliers are unable to manufacture or if our franchisees or licensees are unable to sell products in locations in which we do not have required licenses. Our products, the manufacturers and their manufacturing facilities are also subject to periodic inspection. Discovery of problems may reduce our results of operations because of costs of compliance or inability to manufacture or sell products for failure to comply with regulations.

 

In addition, the sale of franchises is regulated by various state laws as well as by the Federal Trade Commission. The Federal Trade Commission requires that franchisors make extensive disclosure in a Uniform Franchise prospectus to prospective franchisees but does not require registration. However, a number of states require registration of the Uniform Franchise prospectus with state authorities or other disclosure in connection with franchise offers and sales. In addition, several states have “franchise relationship laws” or “business opportunity laws” that limit the ability of the franchisors to terminate agreements or to withhold consent to renewal or transfer of these agreements. While we believe that we are in compliance with existing regulations in the jurisdictions where we currently offer franchises, we cannot predict the effect of any future legislation or regulation on our business operations or financial condition. Additionally, bills have occasionally been introduced in Congress which would provide for federal regulation of aspects of franchisor-franchisee relationships. We cannot predict what effect those regulations could have on our business.

 

Any interruption in funding sources used by franchisees to purchase and develop our franchises could adversely impact our ability to market franchises.

 

Many of our franchisees must obtain loans to purchase and develop our franchises. One significant source of this funding is the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”). Any suspension of funding or delays in approval of the SBA’s funding budget will affect our franchisees’ ability to obtain funding from this significant source and adversely impact our ability to market franchises.

 

Litigation, including product liability litigation, could reduce our results of operations or increase our losses because of the cost of paying on successful claims, and we may not be able to continue to obtain adequate insurance.

 

We are involved in routine litigation in the ordinary course of business, including franchise disputes. Although we have not been significantly adversely affected in the past by litigation, there can be no assurance as to the effect of any future disputes.

 

Although we currently are not subject to any product liability litigation, there can be no assurance that product liability litigation will not occur in the future involving our products. Our quality control program is designed to maintain high standards for the food and materials and food preparation procedures used by franchised stores. Products are periodically inspected by our personnel at both the point of sale locations and the manufacturing facilities to ensure that they conform to our standards. In addition to insurance held by our suppliers, we maintain insurance relating to personal injury and product liability in amounts that we consider adequate for the retail food industry. While we have been able to obtain insurance in the past, there can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain these insurance policies in the future. Consequently, any successful claim against us, in an amount materially exceeding our coverage, could adversely affect our operating results.

 

21



 

We experienced a number of franchise store closures since 2002. If this trend continues, our financial position and results of operations could be adversely affected.

 

Since the end of fiscal 2002, 106 retail concept locations were closed by MFOC and 1,335 retail concept locations were closed by other franchisees. These closures represent 43.9 percent of the total number of stores open at the beginning of 2003. In comparison, 636 retail concept locations have opened since 2002. Since the end of fiscal 2002, the number of Mrs. Fields brand locations has decreased by 7.5 percent, the number of Great American Cookies Company brand locations has decreased by 5.1 percent, the number of TCBY brand traditional locations has decreased by 24.3 percent, the number of TCBY brand non-traditional locations has decreased by 37.8 percent, the number of Pretzel Time brand locations has decreased by 12.8 percent and the number of Pretzelmaker brand locations has decreased by 10.8 percent. There can be no assurances that store closures will not occur in the future or that we will be able to successfully open additional stores in the future. If this trend continues, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

 

Quarterly fluctuations and seasonality.

 

Our operating results are subject to quarterly and seasonal fluctuations. Our sales and income from franchisees’ store operations are seasonal given the significant impact of the high number of mall based locations. At these locations, sales tend to mirror customer traffic flow trends in malls, which increase significantly during the fourth quarter, primarily between Thanksgiving and the end of the calendar year. Holiday gift purchases also are a significant factor in increased sales in the fourth quarter. However, with the addition of TCBY franchised stores, we have hedged against this seasonality impact by introducing a concept that tends to have its strongest sales periods during the warmer months from late Spring through early Fall. In addition, by marketing our cookie brands around holidays that occur in late Winter and early Spring, such as Valentine’s Day and Easter as well as holidays in the late Fall, such as Halloween, we hope to continue to decrease the impact of seasonality on our cash flow. However, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in decreasing the impact of seasonality on our cash flow. If we are unable to manage seasonal fluctuations of cash flow, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.

 

Risks Related to our Substantial Indebtedness.

 

Our substantial level of indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations under our Senior Secured Notes.

 

We have substantial indebtedness represented by our Senior Secured Notes. In addition, subject to restrictions in the indenture governing the Senior Secured Notes (the “Indenture”), we may incur additional indebtedness.

 

Our high level of indebtedness could have important consequences, including the following:

 

                  our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or general corporate purposes may be impaired;

 

                  we must use a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to pay interest and required principal on the Senior Secured Notes and, to the extent incurred, our other indebtedness, which will reduce the funds available to us for operations and other purposes;

 

                  our high level of indebtedness could place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that may have proportionately less debt;

 

                  our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate may be limited; and

 

                  our high level of indebtedness makes us more vulnerable to economic downturns and adverse developments in our business.

 

22



 

We expect to obtain the money to pay our expenses and to pay the amounts due under the Senior Secured Notes and our other debt primarily from our operations. Our ability to meet our expenses and make these payments thus depends on our future performance, which will be affected by financial, business, economic and other factors, many of which we cannot control. Our business may not generate sufficient cash flow from operations in the future and our currently anticipated growth in revenue and cash flow may not be realized, either or both of which could result in our being unable to repay indebtedness, including the Senior Secured Notes, or to fund other liquidity needs. If we do not have enough money, we may be required to refinance all or part of our then existing debt (including the Senior Secured Notes), sell assets or borrow more money. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to accomplish any of these alternatives on terms acceptable to us, or at all. In addition, the terms of existing or future debt agreements, including the Indenture, may restrict us from adopting any of these alternatives. The failure to generate sufficient cash flow or to achieve any of these alternatives could materially adversely affect our business and our ability to pay the amounts due under the Senior Secured Notes.

 

The Indenture imposes significant operating and financial restrictions, which may prevent us from pursuing certain business opportunities and taking certain actions.

 

The Indenture imposes significant operating and financial restrictions on us. These restrictions limit or prohibit, among other things, our ability to:

 

                  incur additional indebtedness;

 

                  repay subordinated indebtedness prior to stated maturities;

 

                  pay dividends on or redeem or repurchase our stock;

 

                  issue capital stock;

 

                  make investments;

 

                  create liens;

 

                  sell certain assets or merge with or into other companies;

 

                  enter into certain transactions with stockholders and affiliates;

 

                  sell stock in our subsidiaries;

 

                  restrict dividends, distributions or other payments from our subsidiaries; and

 

                  otherwise conduct necessary corporate activities.

 

These restrictions could adversely affect our ability to finance our future operations or capital needs and pursue available business opportunities. A breach of any of these restrictions could result in a default in respect of the related indebtedness. If a default occurs, the relevant lenders could elect to declare the indebtedness, together with accrued interest and fees, to be immediately due and payable and proceed against any collateral securing that indebtedness. Acceleration of our other indebtedness could result in a default under the terms of the Indenture and our assets may not be sufficient to satisfy our obligations under our indebtedness, including the Senior Secured Notes.

 

23



 

Our parent companies may take actions that conflict with bondholder, franchisee and other interests.

 

As a result of its direct control of our ultimate parent company and indirect control of MFH and MFOC, Capricorn II and Capricorn III together control the power to elect our managers, to appoint members of management and to approve all actions requiring the approval of the holders of our common interests, including adopting amendments to our certificate of formation and limited liability company agreement as well as approving mergers, acquisitions or sales of all or substantially all of our assets. The actions may conflict with the interests of bondholders, franchisees and others. Similarly, the interests of our parent companies could conflict with other stakeholder interests. For example, if we encounter financial difficulties or are unable to pay our debts as they mature, the interests of MFOC as a holder of equity might conflict with holders of the Senior Secured Notes. Our parent companies also may have an interest in pursuing acquisitions, divestitures, financings or other transactions that, in their judgment, could enhance their equity investment, even though such transactions might materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Item 2. Properties

 

We currently lease approximately 43,000 square feet of office space in Salt Lake City, Utah, which is used as our company headquarters and franchisee support center. MFOC uses undivided portions of the space as corporate headquarters pursuant to a sublease between MFOC and us. We also currently lease approximately 120,000 square feet of space in multiple other locations in Salt Lake City, Utah for product development, training and gifts operations. We currently own the Great American Cookies manufacturing facility, located in a building of approximately 32,000 square feet in Atlanta, Georgia. In addition, we lease approximately 5,200 square feet of warehouse space in Atlanta, Georgia, which we use for raw material and supply dry storage. We own substantially all of the equipment used in these facilities. Effective as of March 1, 2006, we entered into an Industrial Net Lease with Natomas Meadows Two, LLC, for the lease of approximately 159,000 square feet of space in Salt Lake City, Utah. We will be developing this newly leased space to accommodate our new state-of-the-art gifting operations. This new space will eventually replace approximately 107,000 square feet of space we currently lease in areas throughout Salt Lake City. We will then attempt to terminate the leases for the current space or sublet it. Currently, we anticipate we will open the gifting facility at the new space in the third quarter of 2006.

 

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

 

We and our products are subject to regulation by numerous governmental authorities, including without limitation, federal, state and local laws and regulations governing franchising, health, sanitation, environmental protection, safety and hiring and employment practices.

 

In the ordinary course of business, we are involved in routine litigation, including franchise disputes and trademark disputes. We are not a party to any legal proceedings (including the matter described below) that, in the opinion of management, after consultation with legal counsel, is material to our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

Effective as of August 13, 2005, our wholly-owned subsidiary, MFF terminated two license agreements with Shadewell for Shadewell’s failure to make certain payments to MFF in a timely manner. These terminated license agreements granted Shadewell a license to develop, manufacture, distribute and sell ready-to-eat, shelf stable cookie products and high quality, prepackaged, ready-to-eat, pre-baked cookie products using certain Mrs. Fields trademarks, service marks and trade names in distribution channels designated in the license agreements.

 

On October 5, 2005, Shadewell filed the Action in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware against MFF. In the Action, Shadewell alleges that they did not materially breach the shelf-stable and ready-to-eat, pre-baked cookie licenses, and that the License Agreements were improperly terminated by MFF. Among other relief, Shadewell seeks a court order that the License Agreements remain in full force and effect and that MFF must specifically perform its obligations under the License Agreements. Shadewell also seeks unspecified damages related to its claims that MFF breached certain obligations under the License Agreements. A trial of the Action was held on November 29, 2005, followed by post-trial briefs and arguments in January 2006, but the court has not yet rendered its decision. The Company believes that Shadewell’s allegations in the Action are without merit and intends to vigorously defend its interests. The Company believes that neither the Action nor the termination of the License Agreements will have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations. During 2005, royalties earned from the terminated licenses totaled $2.2 million.

 

24



 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

None.

 

PART II

 

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

Market Information and Number of Stockholders

 

We are a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc. (“MFOC”). There is no established trading market for MFOC’s or our common equity.

 

Dividends

 

For each of the three fiscal years in the period ended December 31, 2005, we did not declare or pay cash dividends; however, we did pay MFC $1.5 million and $7.1 million during fiscal 2004 and 2003, respectively, for income taxes under a prior tax sharing agreement. Our ability to declare or pay cash dividends is restricted by the indenture pertaining to our Senior Secured Notes. For a description of these restrictions, see Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements contained elsewhere in this report.

 

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

 

The following table presents our historical financial data as of the dates and for the periods indicated. We operate using a 52/53-week year ending on the Saturday closest to December 31. Fiscal 2003 includes 53 weeks; whereas, all other fiscal years include 52 weeks. The selected historical financial data at December 31, 2005, January 1, 2005, January 3, 2004, December 28, 2002 and December 29, 2001 and for fiscal 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002 and 2001 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. The selected historical financial data should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the historical consolidated financial statements and the related notes, contained elsewhere in this report on Form 10-K.

 

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

January 1,

 

January 3,

 

December 28,

 

December 29,

 

 

 

2005

 

2005

 

2004

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Income Statement Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net revenues

 

$

87,952

 

$

87,060

 

$

81,988

 

$

95,392

 

$

99,802

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

(40,716

)

4,816

 

6,916

 

10,881

 

(8,327

)

Balance Sheet Data (at end of period):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

139,897

 

$

181,781

 

$

162,602

 

$

170,656

 

$

216,644

 

Total debt (including capital lease obligations)

 

196,336

 

196,210

 

185,762

 

187,776

 

204,426

 

 

25



 

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Executive Summary

 

Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC (“we”, “us”, “the Company” or similar terms) is one of the largest franchisors in the premium snack-food industry, featuring Mrs. Fields®, Great American Cookies®, TCBY®, Pretzel Time® and Pretzelmaker® as our core brands. Through our franchisees’ retail stores, we are the largest retailer of freshly baked on-premises specialty cookies and brownies in the United States of America (the “United States”); the largest retailer of soft-serve frozen yogurt in the United States; and the second largest retailer of baked on-premises pretzels in the United States. In addition, we operate a growing gifts business and have entered into licensing arrangements that attempt to leverage awareness of our core brands among our retail customer base. We operate through a network of 2,479 retail concept locations, which are located throughout the United States and in approximately 25 foreign countries.

 

Our business is divided into three primary business segments for financial reporting purposes: franchising, gifts and licensing, which represented 60.9 percent, 34.3 percent and 4.6 percent of total revenues, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2005.

 

We believe our business strategy aligns the interests of the Company with the interests of our retail franchisees and focuses our joint efforts on strengthening and broadening the appeal of our brands through satisfying the wants and needs of consumers. That strategy is based upon three continuing objectives:

 

                  build profitable year-over-year franchise sales;

                  accelerate growth of new franchised store development; and

                  grow licensing and gifts operations.

 

We use the following key performance indicators to measure our success and progress:

 

                  year-over-year same store franchise sales;

                  net change in number of retail concept locations; and

                  year-over-year gifts and licensing revenues.

 

Our performance against these key performance indicators is presented and discussed throughout the management’s discussion and analysis.

 

As of December 31, 2005, our store portfolio consisted of 1,978 domestic franchised locations, 328 international franchised locations and 173 licensed locations. Our franchisees’ and licensees’ concept locations by brand are distributed as follows:

 

 

 

Domestic

 

International

 

Licensed

 

 

 

 

 

Franchised

 

Franchised

 

Locations

 

Total

 

Mrs. Fields

 

373

 

87

 

49

 

509

 

Great American

 

279

 

1

 

1

 

281

 

Original Cookie

 

 

 

3

 

3

 

Cookie subtotal

 

652

 

88

 

53

 

793

 

Pretzel Time

 

205

 

7

 

6

 

218

 

Pretzelmaker

 

149

 

47

 

2

 

198

 

Hot Sam

 

 

 

3

 

3

 

Pretzel subtotal

 

354

 

54

 

11

 

419

 

Bakery brands subtotal

 

1,006

 

142

 

64

 

1,212

 

TCBY - traditional stores

 

423

 

 

 

423

 

TCBY - non-traditional stores

 

548

 

186

 

109

 

843

 

Yovana - test store

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

Dairy brands subtotal

 

972

 

186

 

109

 

1,267

 

Total

 

1,978

 

328

 

173

 

2,479

 

 

26



 

The previous table counts each concept location individually. For example, if a physical location had a Mrs. Fields store and a Pretzel Time store together, this would be counted as two concept locations in the table above. If actual physical stores were counted rather than concept locations, total store counts would be reduced by 276 locations to 2,203.

 

MFOC and certain of its subsidiaries own 15 franchised and licensed retail concept locations as of December 31, 2005, representing 0.6 percent of the total retail concept locations. During the year ended December 31, 2005, we recognized $689,000 of franchise royalties and $730,000 of product sales relating to the retail concept locations owned by MFOC. MFOC expects that these retail concept locations will be sold to other franchisees or will be closed during fiscal 2006.

 

During the three-year period from December 28, 2002 to December 31, 2005, our store portfolio declined from 3,284 concept locations to 2,479 concept locations, as follows:

 

 

 

Total Company

 

 

 

Domestic

 

International

 

Licensed

 

 

 

 

 

Franchised

 

Franchised

 

Locations

 

Total

 

Balance December 28, 2002

 

2,592

 

366

 

326

 

3,284

 

New development openings

 

203

 

48

 

7

 

258

 

Permanent closings

 

(410

)

(38

)

(71

)

(519

)

Other openings, net

 

(5

)

2

 

7

 

4

 

Balance, January 3, 2004

 

2,380

 

378

 

269

 

3,027

 

New development openings

 

147

 

57

 

2

 

206

 

Permanent closings

 

(397

)

(97

)

(62

)

(556

)

Other openings, net

 

15

 

 

(4

)

11

 

Balance, January 1, 2005

 

2,145

 

338

 

205

 

2,688

 

New development openings

 

78

 

59

 

2

 

139

 

Permanent closings

 

(259

)

(74

)

(33

)

(366

)

Other openings, net

 

14

 

5

 

(1

)

18

 

Balance, December 31, 2005

 

1,978

 

328

 

173

 

2,479

 

 

The following tables provide additional detail of new development openings and permanent closings of our concept locations during the three-year period from December 28, 2002 to December 31, 2005:

 

 

 

Domestic Franchised

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Traditional

 

Traditional

 

 

 

 

 

Bakery

 

Dairy

 

Dairy

 

Total

 

Balance December 28, 2002

 

1,120

 

560

 

912

 

2,592

 

New development openings

 

69

 

27

 

107

 

203

 

Permanent closings

 

(114

)

(72

)

(224

)

(410

)

Other openings, net

 

(6

)

(13

)

14

 

(5

)

Balance, January 3, 2004

 

1,069

 

502

 

809

 

2,380

 

New development openings

 

63

 

21

 

63

 

147

 

Permanent closings

 

(93

)

(61

)

(243

)

(397

)

Other openings, net

 

6

 

7

 

2

 

15

 

Balance, January 1, 2005

 

1,045

 

469

 

631

 

2,145

 

New development openings

 

49

 

15

 

14

 

78

 

Permanent closings

 

(93

)

(61

)

(105

)

(259

)

Other openings, net

 

5

 

1

 

8

 

14

 

Balance, December 31, 2005

 

1,006

 

424

 

548

 

1,978

 

 

27



 

 

 

International Franchised

 

 

 

 

 

Non-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Traditional

 

 

 

 

 

Bakery

 

Dairy

 

Total

 

Balance December 28, 2002

 

116

 

250

 

366

 

New development openings

 

27

 

21

 

48

 

Permanent closings

 

(16

)

(22

)

(38

)

Other openings, net

 

(1

)

3

 

2

 

Balance, January 3, 2004

 

126

 

252

 

378

 

New development openings

 

23

 

34

 

57

 

Permanent closings

 

(19

)

(78

)

(97

)

Other openings, net

 

 

 

 

Balance, January 1, 2005

 

130

 

208

 

338

 

New development openings

 

30

 

29

 

59

 

Permanent closings

 

(19

)

(55

)

(74

)

Other openings, net

 

1

 

4

 

5

 

Balance, December 31, 2005

 

142

 

186

 

328

 

 

 

 

Licensed Locations

 

 

 

 

 

Non-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Traditional

 

 

 

 

 

Bakery

 

Dairy

 

Total

 

Balance December 28, 2002

 

132

 

194

 

326

 

New development openings

 

1

 

6

 

7

 

Permanent closings

 

(30

)

(41

)

(71

)

Other openings, net

 

 

7

 

7

 

Balance, January 3, 2004

 

103

 

166

 

269

 

New development openings

 

2

 

 

2

 

Permanent closings

 

(21

)

(41

)

(62

)

Other openings, net

 

(4

)

 

(4

)

Balance, January 1, 2005

 

80

 

125

 

205

 

New development openings

 

1

 

1

 

2

 

Permanent closings

 

(16

)

(17

)

(33

)

Other openings, net

 

(1

)

 

(1

)

Balance, December 31, 2005

 

64

 

109

 

173

 

 

Numerous factors have contributed to this declining store count over the past three fiscal years. Some of the more significant factors may include periods of declining mall traffic, several significant shifts in consumer tastes and preferences, and challenges faced by some franchises in lower volume, non-traditional venues, primarily in the TCBY franchise system. We believe our current business strategies, described in more detail in Item 1 of this annual report on Form 10-K, will stabilize our store base and address many of these factors by (i) increasing the rate of new openings of franchised locations; (ii) developing new products and menu items designed to align our concepts with consumer preferences; (iii) creating incentives for qualified, existing franchisees to open new stores; and (iv) implementing initiatives to improve operations and customer service at existing locations. However, our ability to stabilize our store base is uncertain and if stores continue to close, it could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

28



 

Throughout this discussion, we refer to the total weeks that our franchised locations operate in any given period as “franchised unit weeks” and use that term comparatively when describing factors that may affect performance. Fewer franchised locations translate naturally to fewer total franchised unit weeks that our franchisees operate and contribute revenues to us. Other occurrences or considerations, such as the fact that our fiscal year sometimes includes 53 weeks instead of the standard 52, may increase the relative number of total weeks from period to period. Because the TCBY system is comprised of both larger, traditional locations and a significant number of smaller, non-traditional locations, we measure franchise unit weeks a bit differently for the TCBY system, based on our calculation that it takes approximately three average non-traditional locations to equal the revenues of one average traditional location. We therefore refer to “traditional equivalent unit weeks” to describe the total number of weeks that TCBY franchised locations operate in any given period, adjusted to account for the different impact that non-traditional TCBY store openings and closings may have on the system when compared to similar events affecting traditional TCBY stores.

 

Recent Developments

 

Impairment of Goodwill and Intangible Assets

 

On an annual basis (in the fourth quarter), we perform an assessment for impairment of our carrying value of goodwill associated with each of our reporting units defined as Bakery Franchising, Dairy Franchising, Gifts and Licensing. We engaged an independent appraisal firm to assist us in determining the fair value of each of our reporting units and compared it to the carrying amount of the reporting unit. As of December 31, 2005, the carrying amount of the Dairy Franchising reporting unit exceeded the fair value of the reporting unit indicating goodwill impairment.

 

Additionally, as of December 31, 2005, we determined the carrying value of our definite-lived intangible assets associated with our Dairy Franchising reporting unit to be greater than the fair value of those assets. Therefore, we recorded a charge for impairment to the carrying value of the definite-lived intangibles, specifically trade names and franchise relationships of $1.7 million and $7.2 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2005. We determined the fair value of these assets through the assistance of an independent valuation firm.

 

We compared the implied fair value of the Dairy Franchising reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of the goodwill and determined an impairment of Dairy Franchising goodwill of $34.8 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005. The implied fair value of the goodwill is determined by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit to all of the assets (recognized and unrecognized) and liabilities of the reporting unit in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation, in accordance with SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations.”  As a result, we recorded a charge of $34.8 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 to reduce the carrying value of the goodwill associated with our Dairy Franchising reporting unit.

 

These impairments were principally a result of an eroding TCBY franchise system due to fewer locations, consistent negative year-over-year same store sales by our TCBY franchisees and our inability to locate and open a significant number of new or additional franchise locations. These factors have resulted in continued decreases in franchise royalties and yogurt formulation revenues from our TCBY franchise system.

 

We anticipate that our dairy unit weeks will continue to decline in the near future, at least until our reconcepting tests are completed and we have developed a plan to implement the reconcepting in qualified TCBY traditional stores. We anticipate our reconcepting tests will be completed in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006. While we are encouraged by the consumer data we have collected, there can be no assurances that our reconcepting plans or implementation will be successful, or that a reconcepting will slow or reverse the declining TCBY store count or contribution, which may adversely affect our results of operations.

 

29



 

Dairy Test Concepts

 

Two New Yogurt Test Concepts - Yovanaä Yogurt Café (“Yovana”), and Beriyoä by TCBY (“Beriyo by TCBY”). To take advantage of yogurt’s increasing popularity with consumers and to further explore how we can use yogurt’s continuing growth as a market category to benefit our franchisees and enhance our brands, TCBY is testing two additional yogurt-focused concepts – Beriyo by TCBY and Yovana. These new test concepts focus on different menu offerings, attempt to meet a specific set of consumer needs and appeal to consumers at different times of the day. For example, Beriyo by TCBY is being tested as a smoothie-focused concept to take advantage of consumers’ increasing demand for this product, while also offering TCBY frozen yogurt treats. The Yovana test concept introduces a menu that attempts to appeal to multiple day-parts and is built around premium yogurt prepared fresh daily in the store, including fresh yogurt, drinkable yogurt blends, smoothies and frozen yogurt treats featuring seasonally fresh fruit and organic wholegrain granolas. Both concepts are in the very early stages of testing. We plan on limiting the Yovana test during 2006 to a small number of newly developed stores in a few markets with high fresh yogurt consumption, while Beriyo by TCBY will be tested initially in new locations and converted TCBY traditional store locations in several different markets during 2006.

 

New Gifting Facility Lease

 

Effective as of March 1, 2006, we entered into an Industrial Net Lease with Natomas Meadows Two, LLC, for the lease of approximately 159,000 square feet of space in Salt Lake City, Utah. We will be developing this newly leased space to accommodate our new state-of-the-art gifting operations. This new space will eventually replace approximately 107,000 square feet of space we currently lease in areas throughout Salt Lake City. We will then attempt to terminate the leases for the current space or sublet it. Currently, we anticipate we will open the gifting facility at the new space in the third quarter of 2006.

 

Termination of License Agreement

 

Prior to August 13, 2005, Shadewell Grove IP, LLC (“Shadewell”) and Mrs. Fields Franchising, LLC (“MFF”) were parties to two license agreements that granted Shadewell a license to develop, manufacture, distribute and sell ready-to-eat shelf stable cookie products and high quality, prepackaged, ready-to-eat pre-baked cookie products using the Mrs. Fields trademarks, service marks and trade names in distribution channels designated in the license agreements. MFF terminated the License Agreements effective August 31, 2005 for Shadewell’s failure to make certain payments to MFF in a timely manner.

 

On October 5, 2005, Shadewell filed a Verified Complaint, Motion for Restraining Order and related documents (the “Action”) in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware against MFF. In the Action, Shadewell alleges that they did not materially breach the shelf-stable and ready-to-eat pre-baked cookie licenses, and that the License Agreements were improperly terminated by MFF. Among other relief, Shadewell seeks a court order that the License Agreements remain in full force and effect and that MFF must specifically perform its obligations under the License Agreements. Shadewell also seeks unspecified damages related to its claims that MFF breached certain obligations under the License Agreements. A trial of the Action was held on November 29, 2005, followed by post-trial briefs and arguments in January 2006, but the court has not yet rendered its decision. We believe that Shadewell’s allegations in the Action are without merit and intend to vigorously defend our interests. We believe that neither the Action nor the termination of the License Agreements will have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations. During 2005, royalties earned from the terminated licenses totaled $2.2 million.

 

30



 

Blue Line Distributing

 

On August 5, 2005, TCBY received a notice from Blue Line Distributing (“Blue Line”), TCBY’s principal distributor of TCBY products to its franchisees, exercising Blue Line’s option to terminate the Food Packaging Distribution Agreement between Blue Line and TCBY, dated November 14, 2002 (the “Distribution Agreement”). The effective date of the termination, as provided by the Distribution Agreement, was scheduled to be 180 days from the date that TCBY received the notice. Notwithstanding the notice of termination, the parties negotiated an extension whereby Blue Line would continue to act as TCBY’s distributor beyond the termination date to allow TCBY to fully explore its options and assist in a transition without interruption of service to franchisees. Blue Line continues to provide distribution to some parts of the United States under this extension. TCBY is finalizing negotiations with a number of regional distributors who will eventually replace Blue Line, including Kaleel Brothers, in the northeastern United States. TCBY believes it will be able to identify distributors for the remaining regions of the United States before Blue Line ceases its services under the negotiated extension. However, we anticipate the distribution costs to many of our franchisees will increase under the new regional agreements, which may make it more difficult for them to operate profitably, potentially increasing the number of permanent store closures.

 

Carve-Out Accounting

 

The historical consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this report on Form 10-K reflect, for the periods indicated, the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the businesses transferred or contributed from MFOC and TCBY Systems, LLC (“TCBY”) to us. The consolidated financial statements assume that the Company, for all periods presented, had existed as a separate legal entity with the following three business segments: franchising, gifts and licensing. The consolidated financial statements, which have been carved out from the consolidated financial statements of MFOC and TCBY using the historical results of operations and assets and liabilities of these businesses and activities and which exclude the company-owned stores segment of MFOC, reflect the accounting policies adopted by MFOC and TCBY in the preparation of their consolidated financial statements and thus do not necessarily reflect the accounting policies which we might have adopted had we been an independent company. The historical consolidated financial statements of the Company include those accounts specifically attributable to the Company, substantially all of the indebtedness of MFOC and TCBY, and allocations of expenses relating to shared services and administrative functions incurred at MFOC.

 

Historically, MFOC has not allocated its various corporate overhead expenses, and common general and administrative expenses to its operating business units. However, an allocation of such expenses has been included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. MFOC’s general and administrative expenses represent portions of MFOC’s corporate functions such as human resources, legal, accounting and finance, treasury and information technology systems, that have been allocated to us based on percentage of labor hours devoted by the functional department. These allocated costs are not necessarily indicative of the costs that we would have incurred had we operated as an independent, stand-alone entity for all periods presented.

 

This “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section is presented as if we had existed as a stand-alone company on a historical basis and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this report on Form 10-K.

 

31



 

Results of Operations

 

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain information relating to our operations and percentage changes from period to period. We operate using a 52/53-week year ending on the Saturday closest to December 31. Fiscal 2003 includes 53 weeks; whereas, fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2004 include 52 weeks.

 

 

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

January 1,

 

%

 

January 3,

 

%

 

 

 

2005

 

2005

 

Change

 

2004

 

Change

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Statement of Operations Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REVENUES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Franchising

 

$

53,528

 

$

55,913

 

(4.3

)

$

58,645

 

(4.7

)

Gifts

 

30,136

 

25,849

 

16.6

 

17,405

 

48.5

 

Licensing

 

4,016

 

4,945

 

(18.8

)

5,464

 

(9.5

)

Other

 

272

 

353

 

(22.9

)

474

 

(25.5

)

Total revenues

 

87,952

 

87,060

 

1.0

 

81,988

 

6.2

 

OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Franchising

 

21,746

 

21,893

 

(0.7

)

20,040

 

9.2

 

Gifts

 

28,418

 

20,733

 

37.1

 

13,207

 

57.0

 

Licensing

 

1,132

 

1,516

 

(25.3

)

1,155

 

31.3

 

General and administrative

 

8,527

 

9,727

 

(12.3

)

10,811

 

(10.0

)

Stock compensation expense

 

 

75

 

NM

 

50

 

50.0

 

Costs associated with debt refinancing, net

 

 

249

 

NM

 

684

 

(63.6

)

Depreciation

 

1,145

 

1,221

 

(6.2

)

1,973

 

(38.1

)

Amortization

 

2,831

 

2,832

 

(0.0

)

1,780

 

59.1

 

Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets

 

43,707

 

 

NM

 

 

NM

 

Other operating expenses, net

 

219

 

147

 

49.0

 

331

 

(55.6

)

Total operating costs and expenses

 

107,725

 

58,393

 

84.5

 

50,031

 

16.7

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

(19,773

)

28,667

 

NM

 

31,957

 

(10.3

)

Interest expense, net

 

(20,943

)

(24,905

)

(15.9

)

(25,041

)

(0.5

)

Other income

 

 

1,054

 

NM

 

 

NM

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

(40,716

)

4,816

 

NM

 

6,916

 

(30.4

)

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

(2,808

)

2,254

 

NM

 

2,403

 

(6.2

)

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

(37,908

)

2,562

 

NM

 

4,513

 

(43.2

)

Income from discontinued operations (net of income taxes of $0, $65 and $158, respectively)

 

 

104

 

NM

 

255

 

(59.2

)

Net income (loss)

 

$

(37,908

)

$

2,666

 

NM

 

$

4,768

 

(44.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

$

6,564

 

$

7,437

 

(11.7

)

$

15,155

 

(50.9

)

Cash flows from investing activities

 

$

(2,674

)

$

195

 

NM

 

$

(220

)

NM

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

$

(72

)

$

10,918

 

NM

 

$

(16,525

)

NM

 

 

32



 

Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2005 (Fiscal 2005)

Compared to the Fiscal Year Ended January 1, 2005 (Fiscal 2004)

 

Income From Operations—Overview. Loss from operations was $19.8 million for fiscal 2005, a decrease of $48.8 from income from operations of $28.7 million for fiscal 2004. This decrease was attributable to impairment of goodwill and intangible assets of $43.7 million and a decrease in contribution from our business segments of $6.2 million partially offset by reductions in general and administrative expenses of $1.2 million and costs associated with our debt refinancing in 2004 of $200,000. Decreases in contribution from our business segments of $6.2 million was comprised of decreases in our franchising segment contribution of $2.2 million or 6.6 percent, our gifting segment contribution of $3.4 million or 66.4 percent and our licensing segment contribution of $600,000 or 15.9 percent.

 

The decrease in contribution from our franchising segment of $2.2 million was primarily due to lower product formulation revenues of $2.3 million and royalties of $1.5 million due to approximately 7,400 fewer unit weeks offset by an increase in product sales to franchisees from our Great American Cookies manufacturing facility of $1.6 million.

 

The decrease in contribution from our gifting segment of $3.4 million was due to increased sales of $4.3 million offset by increases in costs of goods sold of $2.0 million related to the increase in sales, selling and marketing costs of $2.8 million principally due to increased circulation of our catalogs and general and administrative costs of $2.9 million principally due to increased professional fees of $1.3 million, costs associated with our new gifting management team of $1.3 million including compensation, recruiting and relocation costs, and other general and administrative costs of $300,000.

 

The decrease in contribution from our licensing segment of $500,000 was principally due to increased legal costs associated with the litigation and termination of our license agreements for the sale of Mrs. Fields branded shelf stable cookies and ready-to-eat pre-baked cookie products.

 

Segment Contribution. The following table sets forth the contribution from each of our reporting segments. Franchising contribution is comprised of sales of new franchises and royalties from existing franchises less direct operating expenses. Gifts contribution is comprised of sales of products through our catalog and Internet business less direct operating expenses. Licensing contribution is comprised of licensing fees received from third parties for the sale of products bearing our brand names less direct operating expenses.

 

 

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

January 1,

 

%

 

Reporting Segment

 

2005

 

2005

 

Change

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Franchising

 

$

31,782

 

$

34,020

 

(6.6

)

Gifts

 

1,718

 

5,116

 

(66.4

)

Licensing

 

2,884

 

3,429

 

(15.9

)

Total segment contribution

 

$

36,384

 

$

42,565

 

(14.5

)

 

33



 

Franchising

 

The following table details the revenues and operating expenses of the franchising segment for the years ended December 31, 2005 and January 1, 2005 (in thousands):

 

 

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

December, 31

 

January 1,

 

%

 

 

 

2005

 

2005

 

Change

 

Bakery revenues

 

$

38,945

 

$

37,809

 

3.0

 

Dairy revenues

 

14,583

 

18,104

 

(19.4

)

Total Franchising Revenues

 

53,528

 

55,913

 

(4.3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bakery operating expenses

 

17,129

 

16,203

 

5.7

 

Dairy operating expenses

 

4,617

 

5,690

 

(18.9

)

Total Franchising Operating Expenses

 

21,746

 

21,893

 

(0.7

)

Total Franchising Contribution

 

$

31,782

 

$

34,020

 

(6.6

)

 

The following table details the year-over-year (“YOY”) percentage increase (decrease) in same store sales for the years ended December 31, 2005 and January 1, 2005:

 

 

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

January 1,

 

 

 

YOY % Change by Concept

 

2005

 

2005

 

 

 

Mrs. Fields

 

(0.6

)

(1.2

)

 

 

Great American Cookies

 

4.8

 

7.2

 

 

 

Pretzel Time

 

2.7

 

(2.6

)

 

 

Pretzelmaker

 

10.7

 

(1.0

)

 

 

Total Bakery

 

3.0

 

1.3

 

 

 

TCBY

 

(0.8

)

(2.6

)

 

 

Total Company

 

1.9

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

Year-Over-Year Same Store Sales. We had significant improvement in our year-over-year same store sales in fiscal 2005 from all of our concepts except Great American Cookies. Year-over-year same store sales for all concepts were 1.9 percent for fiscal 2005 compared to a negative 0.1 percent for fiscal 2004. This positive year-over-year same store sales in 2005 was due to our bakery concepts while our TCBY concept continued with negative year-over-over-year sales.

 

Our Mrs. Fields concept year-over-year same store sales were a negative 0.6 percent for fiscal 2005 compared to a negative 1.2 percent for fiscal 2004. This improvement in the trend was due to new product introductions such as our ice blended drinks (Breezer smoothies and Chillers) and renewed emphasis on decorated Big Cookie Cakes. Our Great American Cookies concept year-over-year same store sales were 4.8 percent for fiscal 2005 compared to 7.2 percent for fiscal 2004. The continued positive in year-over-year sales was due to continued focus on cookie cakes from fiscal 2004 and our stronger focus on our “Cookie Express” decorating table for key holidays.

 

Our Pretzel concepts, Pretzel Time and Pretzelmaker had positive year-over-year sales of 2.7 percent and 10.7 percent for fiscal 2005 compared to a negative 2.6 percent and a negative 1.0 percent for fiscal 2004, respectively. These improvements were due to the introduction of bite-sized pretzels by our Pretzelmaker franchisees in late fiscal 2004, and continued participation by our Pretzel Time franchisees and the launch of Breezers smoothies. We believe sales at our Pretzel concepts also benefited from a decrease in popularity of “low carb” diets that appear to have peaked in 2003.

 

Our TCBY concept year-over-year same store sales were a negative 0.8 percent for fiscal 2005 compared to a negative 2.6 percent for fiscal 2004. This improvement was due to the introduction of cakes and pies which tend to increase the average customer ticket and a renewed emphasis on local store marketing, including product sampling and coupons.

 

34



 

Franchising Revenues. Franchising revenues were $53.5 million for fiscal 2005, a decrease of $2.4 million or 4.3 percent, from $55.9 million for fiscal 2004. This decrease was principally due to lower revenues from our dairy franchise system of $3.5 million or 19.4 percent offset by an increase in revenues from our bakery franchise system of $1.1 million or 3.0 percent.

 

The decrease in our dairy franchise system revenues of $3.5 million was principally comprised of decreases in product formulation revenues generated by purchases of TCBY products by franchisees of $1.8 million or 16.5 percent, royalties of $1.4 million or 22.3 percent and initial franchise fees of $300,000 or 32.5 percent. The decrease in royalties and product formulation is principally attributable to approximately 4,700 or 12.2 percent fewer unit weeks and a decrease in our franchisees’ year-over-year same store sales of 0.8 percent. We anticipate that our dairy unit weeks will continue to decline in the near future, at least until our reconcepting tests are completed and we have developed a plan to implement the reconcepting in qualified TCBY traditional stores. We anticipate our reconcepting tests will be completed in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006. While we are encouraged by the consumer data we have collected, there can be no assurances that our reconcepting tests or implementation will be successful, or that a reconcepting will slow or reverse the declining TCBY store count or contribution, which may adversely affect our results of operations.

 

The increase in our bakery franchise system revenues was principally attributable to increases in sales of products by our Great American Cookies manufacturing facility to our franchisees of $1.6 million or 10.3 percent and initial franchise fees of $300,000 or 18.1 percent, partially offset by reductions of product formulation revenues generated by purchases of certain bakery products by franchisees of $500,000 or 11.4 percent, lower royalties of $100,000 or 0.6 percent and other bakery franchising revenues of $100,000. The increase in sales by our Great American Cookies manufacturing facility was primarily due to a price increase to our franchisees of 8.3 percent effective April 2005. Lower royalties and product formulation revenues earned through our bakery franchise system was primarily due to approximately 2,700 fewer unit weeks or 4.8 percent.

 

Franchising Expenses. Franchising expenses are comprised of operation and supervision expense wherein we provide support, direction and supervision to the franchisees; development and support expenses including product development costs, expenses relating to new franchise development, marketing and advertising, bad debt expense and other direct franchising expenses; and cost of product sales associated with our Great American Cookies manufacturing facility including raw ingredients, labor and other manufacturing costs. Franchising expenses were $21.7 million for fiscal 2005, a decrease of $200,000 or 0.7 percent, from $21.9 million for fiscal 2004. This decrease was attributable to decreases in franchise operations and supervision of $800,000 or 20.1 percent partially offset by increases in franchise development and support costs of $100,000 or 1.9 percent and an increase in product cost of sales associated with our Great American Cookies manufacturing facility of $500,000 or 4.4 percent.

 

The decrease in operations and supervision expense of $800,000 was principally due to decreases in salaries and related employee costs of $600,000, travel costs of $100,000 and other supervisory costs of $100,000. The decrease in franchise development and support costs of $100,000 was due to reductions in expenses for brand initiatives of $700,000, advertising of $600,000, recruiting and relocations costs of $300,000, bad debt expense of $200,000, and product development costs of $100,000 offset by increases in development salaries and related costs of $1.4 million, staffing and administrative costs of $300,000 relating to documentation of audits of franchisees and other direct franchising costs of $100,000. The increase in product cost of sales associated with our Great American Cookies manufacturing facility of $500,000 is principally due to increased raw ingredients costs of $400,000 or 5.6 percent and manufacturing labor of $100,000 or 10.0 percent.

 

Gifts

 

Gifts Revenues. Gifts revenues were $30.1 million for fiscal 2005, an increase of $4.3 million or 16.6 percent, from $25.8 million for fiscal 2004. Gifts revenues consist of sales through our catalog and website as well as affiliations with other websites and sales to large corporate accounts for gifting purposes and commercial airlines. The increase in revenues in fiscal 2005 was due to increases in sales through our catalog and website of $3.1 million, Internet search engines of $1.4 million, and national accounts of $200,000 offset by a reduction in sales through our partners of $200,000 and airline customers of $200,000.

 

35



 

Gifts Expenses. Gifts expenses were $28.4 million for fiscal 2005, an increase of $7.7 million or 37.1 percent, from $20.7 million for fiscal 2004. This increase in expenses was due to increases in cost of goods sold of $2.0 million, selling expenses of $2.8 million comprised of $2.6 million for increased circulation of our catalogs and $200,000 for bank and credit card fees associated with the increased sales, and general and administrative expenses of $2.9 million. The increase in general and administrative expenses was due to increases in compensation and related costs of $700,000, recruiting and relocation costs of $600,000 associated with the hiring of the President, Vice President of Operations and the Director of Merchandising, professional fees of $800,000 due to consulting fees to assist us in preparing a five-year strategic plan, the write-off of certain software of $400,000, bad debt expense of $200,000 and other operating expenses of $200,000.

 

Licensing

 

Licensing Revenues. Licensing revenues were $4.0 million for fiscal 2005, a decrease of $900,000 or 18.8 percent, from $4.9 million for fiscal 2004. This decrease was due to decreases in licensing royalties earned under our licensing agreement for the sale of Mrs. Fields branded shelf stable cookies of $800,000 and TCBY frozen food specialty products through retail channels of $200,000 partially offset by an increase in royalties earned under our licensing agreement for the sale of TCBY yogurt covered pretzels of $100,000.

 

Licensing Expenses. Licensing expenses were $1.1 million for fiscal 2005, a decrease of $400,000 or 25.3 percent, from $1.5 million for fiscal 2004. This decrease was due one-time expense in 2004 for a termination fee of $1.1 million paid to Shadewell to terminate the frozen dough license partially offset by increases in fiscal 2005 of legal fees associated litigation surrounding the termination of our license agreements for the sale of Mrs. Fields branded shelf stable cookies and ready-to-eat, pre-baked cookie products of $400,000 and costs associated with writing-off obsolete packaging for our TCBY frozen specialty products that did not comply with the new labeling requirements mandated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration effective January 1, 2006 of $200,000.

 

Other

 

General and Administrative Expense. General and administrative expenses were $8.5 million for fiscal 2005, a decrease of $1.2 million or 12.3 percent, from $9.7 million for fiscal 2004. This decrease was primarily due to reductions in incentive compensation of $1.4 million, severance costs associated with termination of certain members of our executive management team in 2004 of $500,000, property, casualty and workers compensation’ insurance of $100,000 and other operating costs of $100,000 partially offset by increases in professional fees of $300,000, health insurance costs of $200,000, compensation and related payroll costs of $200,000, and recruiting and relocation expense of $200,000.

 

Depreciation and Amortization Expense. Total depreciation and amortization expense was $4.0 million for fiscal 2005, a decrease of $100,000 or 1.9 percent, from $4.1 million for fiscal 2004. Depreciation expense was $1.1 million for fiscal 2005, a decrease of $100,000 or 6.2 percent, from $1.2 million for fiscal 2004. Amortization expense for fiscal 2005 was $2.8 million consistent with fiscal 2004.

 

Impairment of Goodwill and Intangible Assets. For 2005, we recorded a charge of $43.7 million to reduce the carrying value of the goodwill and other intangible assets associated with our Dairy Franchising reporting unit. This impairment was principally the result of an eroding Dairy franchise system due to fewer locations, consistent negative year-over-year same store sales by our Dairy franchisees and our inability to locate and open a significant number of new or additional franchise locations. These factors have resulted in continued decreases in franchise royalties and yogurt formulation revenues from our Dairy franchise system. See “Business – Impairment of Goodwill and Intangible Assets.”

 

Interest Expense, Net. Interest expense, net was $20.9 million for fiscal 2005, a decrease of $4.0 million or 15.9 percent, from $24.9 million for fiscal 2004. This decrease was primarily due to the write-off of deferred loan costs of $2.8 million in the first quarter of 2004 associated with our previous debt. These deferred loan costs were written off due to the completion of our debt refinancing on March 16, 2004. Additionally, the decrease in interest expense, net was the result of a reduction in amortization of deferred loan costs of $1.0 million as a result of the lower deferred loan costs associated with new borrowings and a lower effective interest rate on the new borrowings and an increase of $300,000 in interest income earned on our cash balances offset by an increase in interest expense of $100,000 associated with our capital lease obligations.

 

36



 

Consolidated Financial Condition. Total assets at December 31, 2005 were $139.9 million, a decrease of $41.9 million or 23.0 percent, from $181.8 million at January 1, 2005. This decrease was primarily attributable to decreases in goodwill of $34.8 million, net trademarks and other intangible assets of $10.7 million, net deferred loan costs of $900,000, prepaid expenses of $300,000 and deferred tax assets of $200,000 partially offset by an increase in cash and cash equivalents of $3.8 million, inventories of $300,000 and net property and equipment of $900,000.

 

Total liabilities at December 31, 2005 were $221.3 million, a decrease of $4.0 million from $225.3 million at January 1, 2005. This decrease was primarily due to decreases in deferred tax liability of $3.9 million, accrued liabilities of $2.4 million and deferred revenues of $1.2 million partially offset by increases in accounts payable of $2.2 million, amounts due to affiliates of $1.2 million and capital lease obligations of $100,000.

 

Fiscal Year Ended January 1, 2005 (Fiscal 2004)

Compared to the Fiscal Year Ended January 3, 2004 (Fiscal 2003)

 

Income From Operations—Overview. Income from operations was $28.7 million for fiscal 2004, a decrease of $3.3 million or 10.3 percent, from $32.0 million for fiscal 2003. This decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in contribution from our franchising segment of $4.6 million, which was primarily attributable to $2.9 million of expenses incurred for brand investment initiatives, a decrease in franchising revenues of $2.7 million as a result of fewer franchised unit weeks, partially offset by a decrease in other direct franchising expenses of $1.0 million. In addition, our licensing contribution decreased $900,000 primarily as a result of a termination fee paid to Shadewell to terminate a license agreement for Mrs. Fields branded frozen cookie dough for the food service industry and depreciation and amortization expense increased $300,000. These reductions in operating income of $5.8 million were partially offset by an increase in contribution from our gifts segment of $900,000 and decreases in general and administrative expenses of $1.1 million, costs associated with our debt refinancing of $400,000 and other operating expenses of $100,000.

 

Segment Contribution. The following table sets forth the contribution from each of our reporting segments. Franchising contribution is comprised of sales of new franchises and royalties from existing franchises less direct operating expenses. Gifts contribution is comprised of sales of our products through our catalog and Internet business less direct operating expenses. Licensing contribution is comprised of licensing fees received from third parties for the sale of products bearing our brand names less direct operating expenses.

 

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

 

 

January 1,

 

January 3,

 

%

 

Reporting Segment

 

2005

 

2004

 

Change

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Franchising

 

$

34,020

 

$

38,605

 

(11.9

)

Gifts

 

5,116

 

4,198

 

21.9

 

Licensing

 

3,429

 

4,309

 

(20.4

)

Total segment contribution

 

$

42,565

 

$

47,112

 

(9.7

)

 

37



 

Franchising

 

The following table details the revenues and operating expenses of the franchising segment for the years ended January 1, 2005 and January 3, 2004 (in thousands):

 

 

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

January 1,

 

January 3,

 

%

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

Change

 

Bakery revenues

 

$

37,809

 

$

39,051

 

(3.2

)

Dairy revenues

 

18,104

 

19,594

 

(7.6

)

Total Franchising Revenues

 

55,913

 

58,645

 

(4.7

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bakery operating expenses

 

16,203

 

14,279

 

13.5

 

Dairy operating expenses

 

5,690

 

5,761

 

(1.2

)

Total Franchising Operating Expenses

 

21,893

 

20,040

 

9.2

 

Total Franchising Contribution

 

$

34,020

 

$

38,605

 

(11.9

)

 

The following table details YOY percentage increase (decrease) in same store sales for the years ended January 1, 2005 and January 3, 2004:

 

 

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

 

 

January 1,

 

January 3,

 

 

 

YOY % Change by Concept

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

Mrs. Fields

 

(1.2

)

(3.9

)

 

 

Great American Cookies

 

7.2

 

(1.4

)

 

 

Pretzel Time

 

(2.6

)

(6.8

)

 

 

Pretzelmaker

 

(1.0

)

(7.7

)

 

 

Total Bakery

 

1.3

 

(5.0

)

 

 

TCBY

 

(2.6

)

(7.1

)

 

 

Total company

 

(0.1

)

(5.7

)

 

 

 

Year-Over-Year Same Store Sales. Year-over-year same store sales for all concepts were a negative 0.1 percent for fiscal 2004 compared to a negative 5.7 percent for fiscal 2003. This improvement was due to our bakery concepts which experienced positive year-over-year sales of 1.3 percent while our TCBY concept continued with year-over-over-year sales of a negative 2.6 percent.

 

Our Mrs. Fields concept year-over-year same store sales were a negative 1.2 percent for fiscal 2004 compared to a negative 3.9 percent for fiscal 2003. This improvement in same store sales was due to various promotions which were to attract customers back to the store and reacquaint the customer to our product. Our Great American Cookies concept year-over-year same store sales were 7.2 percent for fiscal 2004 compared to a negative 1.4 percent for fiscal 2003. The improvement in year-over-year sales was due to promotions such as “5 for $5.00” and renewed focus on cookie cakes sales.

 

Our pretzel concepts’, Pretzel Time and Pretzelmaker,  year-over-year sales were a negative 2.6 percent and a negative 1.0 percent for fiscal 2004 compared to a negative 6.8 percent and a negative 7.7 percent for fiscal 2003, respectively. These improvements were due to introduction of bite-sized pretzels to our Pretzelmaker franchisees in late fiscal 2004 and a refocus on the bite-sized pretzels by our Pretzel Time franchisees. Additionally, as the “low carb” diets faded in 2003 sales at our pretzel concept improved.

 

Our TCBY concept year-over-year same store sales were a negative 2.6 percent for fiscal 2004 compared to a negative 7.1 percent for fiscal 2003. This improvement was due to the introduction of “low carb” yogurt during the surge of low carb consumer activity and an increased focus on public relations marketing.

 

38



 

Franchising Revenues. Franchising revenues were $55.9 million for fiscal 2004, a decrease of $2.7 million or 4.7 percent, from $58.6 million for fiscal 2003. This decrease was principally due to a $1.5 million or 7.6 percent decrease in revenues from our dairy franchise system as a result of approximately 5,300 or 12.1 percent fewer traditional equivalent unit weeks and $1.2 million or 3.2 percent decrease in revenues from our bakery franchise system as a result of approximately 4,700 fewer franchised unit weeks or 7.8 percent.

 

The decrease in our dairy franchise system revenues was principally comprised of decreases in product formulation revenues generated by purchases of TCBY products by franchisees of $1.0 million or 8.6 percent, royalties of $400,000 or 6.6 percent and initial franchise fees of $100,000 or 11.3 percent. The decrease in product formulation revenues and royalties was primarily attributable to approximately 5,300 fewer traditional equivalent unit weeks or 12.1 percent and a decrease in our franchisees year-over-year same store sales of 2.6 percent.

 

The decrease in our bakery franchise system revenues was principally comprised of decreases in initial franchise fees of $600,000 or 27.8 percent, product formulation revenues generated by purchases of certain bakery products by franchisees of $400,000 or 9.1 percent and royalties of $500,000 or 3.1 percent, partially offset by increases in sales of products by our Great American Cookies manufacturing facility to our franchisees of $200,000 and other bakery franchising revenues of $200,000. The decrease in product formulation revenues and royalties was principally due to approximately 4,700 fewer unit weeks or 7.8 percent partially offset by an increase in our franchisees year-over-year same store sales of 1.3 percent.

 

Franchising Expenses. Franchising expenses were $21.9 million for fiscal 2004, an increase of $1.9 million or 9.2 percent, from $20.0 million for fiscal 2003. This increase was principally due to increases in expenses for brand investment initiatives of $2.9 million, product cost of sales associated with our Great American Cookies manufacturing facility of $900,000 principally due to rising raw ingredients costs, product development expenses of $300,000, and franchisee training expenses of $100,000, partially offset by reductions in franchise development and selling expenses of $1.2 million, franchise operations and supervision expenses of $900,000 and marketing and advertising expenses of $200,000.

 

Gifts

 

Gifts Revenues. Gifts revenues were $25.8 million for fiscal 2004, an increase of $8.4 million or 48.5 percent, from $17.4 million for fiscal 2003. Gifts revenues consist of sales through our catalog and website as well as affiliations with other websites and sales to large corporate accounts for gifting purposes and commercial airlines. The increase in revenues in fiscal 2004 was due to increases in sales through our catalogs and website of $6.8 million or 64.0 percent, significant corporate accounts of $1.1 million or 38.2 percent and our affiliations with other websites of $700,000 or 26.4 percent, partially offset by a reduction in sales to commercial airlines of $200,000 or 24.2 percent.

 

Gifts Expenses. Gifts expenses were $20.7 million for fiscal 2004, an increase of $7.5 million or 57.0 percent, from $13.2 million for fiscal 2003. This increase in expenses was due to increases in cost of sales of $4.4 million associated with the increased sales volume and increased cost of product, advertising and marketing expenses of $2.2 million due to increased circulation of catalogs, salaries and wages expenses of $300,000, banking and credit card fees of $200,000 due to increased sales volume, expenses incurred for brand investment initiatives of $100,000 and other operating expenses of $300,000.

 

Licensing

 

Licensing Revenues. Licensing revenues were $4.9 million for fiscal 2004, a decrease of $500,000 or 9.5 percent, from $5.4 million for fiscal 2003. This decrease was due to decreases in licensing royalties earned under our licensing agreement for the sale of TCBY frozen food specialty products through retail channels of $500,000.

 

Licensing Expenses. Licensing expenses were $1.5 million for fiscal 2004, an increase of $400,000 or 31.3 percent, from $1.1 million for fiscal 2003. This increase was due to a termination fee of approximately $1.1 million paid to Shadewell to terminate a license agreement for the sale of Mrs. Fields branded frozen cookie dough through certain food service distribution channels, partially offset by reduced licensing expenses of $700,000 incurred under our licensing agreement for TCBY frozen food specialty products and marketing and spoilage allowances that were incurred in fiscal 2003 as a result of distribution through a retail chain. This distribution channel was terminated in 2003.

 

39



 

Other

 

General and Administrative Expense. General and administrative expenses were $9.7 million for fiscal 2004, a decrease of $1.1 million or 10.0 percent, from $10.8 million for fiscal 2003. This decrease was primarily due to decreases in professional and legal fees of $600,000, severance costs associated with the terminations of certain members of our executive management team of $300,000, health insurance costs of $300,000 and banking fees of $200,000, partially offset by increases in property and casualty insurance expenses of $200,000 and workers compensation insurance expenses of $100,000.

 

Costs Associated with Debt Refinancing. We incurred $13.9 million of costs that were directly related to our debt refinancing completed on March 16, 2004. Generally, these costs would be deferred and amortized as interest expense over the term of the borrowings. However, approximately $5.0 million of these costs related to the exchange in March 2004 of $80.7 million of the existing senior notes for $80.7 million of the newly issued 9 percent Senior Secured Notes. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 15, “Accounting by Debtors and Creditors for Troubled Debt Restructurings,” these costs were expensed net of the gain recognized on retirement of the senior notes of $4.8 million.

 

Depreciation and Amortization Expense. Total depreciation and amortization expense was $4.1 million for fiscal 2004 and $3.8 million for fiscal 2003. Depreciation expense was $1.2 million for fiscal 2004, a decrease of $800,000 or 38.1 percent, from $2.0 million for fiscal 2003. This decrease was principally due to the write-off of equipment relating to distribution of TCBY yogurt product in convenience stores in the third quarter of 2003. Amortization expense was $2.8 million for fiscal 2004, an increase of $1.0 million or 59.1 percent from $1.8 million for fiscal 2003. This increase was due to the amortization associated with the TCBY franchise relationships, which were previously considered to be indefinite-lived assets and are now amortized over a 12 year life.

 

Interest Expense, Net. Interest expense, net was $24.9 million for fiscal 2004, a decrease of $100,000 or 0.5 percent, from $25.0 million for fiscal 2003. This decrease was primarily due to lower interest expense incurred as a result of the refinancing of our debt in March 2004 resulting in a lower effective interest rate on our outstanding debt for fiscal 2004 compared to the effective interest rate on our outstanding debt for fiscal 2003. This decrease was partially offset by the write-off of deferred loan costs of $2.7 million associated with our previous debt. These deferred loan costs were written off due to the completion of our debt refinancing on March 16, 2004.

 

Other Income. Other income was $1.1 million for fiscal 2004. Other income represents gain on the sale of certain equity warrants of Nonni’s Food Company, a predecessor-in-interest to Shadewell.

 

Consolidated Financial Condition. Total assets at January 1, 2005 were $181.8 million, an increase of $19.2 million or 11.8 percent, from $162.6 million at January 3, 2004. This increase was primarily attributable to increases in cash and cash equivalents of $18.6 million, net deferred loan costs of $3.7 million, inventories of $700,000 and net property and equipment of $300,000, partially offset by decreases in accounts receivable of $1.0 million, net trademarks and other intangible assets of $2.7 million and deferred tax assets of $400,000.

 

Total liabilities at January 1, 2005 were $225.3 million, an increase of $6.9 million or 3.1 percent, from $218.4 million at January 3, 2004. This increase was primarily due to an increase in long-term debt of $10.0 million, accrued liabilities of $1.4 million and capital lease obligations of $500,000, partially offset by decreases in accounts payable of $2.4 million, deferred revenues of $900,000, deferred tax liability of $900,000, amounts due to affiliates of $400,000 and liabilities of discontinued operations of $400,000.

 

Consolidated Cash Flows for Fiscal 2005 Compared to Fiscal 2004
 

Net cash flows provided by operating activities were $6.6 million for fiscal 2005, a decrease of $800,000, from net cash flows provided by operating activities of $7.4 million for fiscal 2004. This decrease was principally due to decreases in contribution by our operating segments partially offset by increases in cash provided from changes in working capital of $1.3 million and from discontinued operations of $300,000 and a decrease in general and administrative expenses of $1.2 million.

 

40



 

Net cash flows provided by operating activities were $7.4 million for fiscal 2004, a decrease of $7.8 million, from net cash flows provided by operating activities of $15.2 million for fiscal 2003. This decrease was principally due to decreases in contribution by our operating segments of $4.5 million primarily as a result of brand investment expenses and payment of license termination fee of $1.1 million as previously discussed, cash provided from changes in working capital of $3.5 million and cash provided from activities of discontinued operations of $800,000 offset by a decrease in general and administrative expenses of $1.1 million.

 

Net cash flows used in investing activities were $2.7 million for fiscal 2005, an increase of $2.9 million, from cash provided by investing activities of $200,000 for fiscal 2004. This increase was attributable to increases in purchases of property and equipment of $1.3 million and license repurchase option of $500,000 in fiscal 2005 and a reduction in proceeds from the sale of equity warrants in Nonni’s Food Company of $1.0 million that occurred in fiscal 2004.

 

Net cash flows provided by investing activities were $200,000 for fiscal 2004, an increase of $400,000, from cash used in investing activities of $200,000 for fiscal 2003. This increase was attributable to proceeds from the sale of equity warrants in Nonni’s Food Company of $1.1 million offset by an increase in capital expenditures primarily for our gifts business segment of $700,000.

 

Net cash flows used in financing activities were $100,000 for fiscal 2005, a decrease of $11.0 million from cash provided by financing activities of $10.9 million for fiscal 2004. This decrease was principally due to principal payments on our capital lease obligations of $100,000 and the completion of our debt refinancing on March 16, 2004 which resulted in $115.0 million in proceeds from the issuance of our 11½ percent Senior Secured Notes and a capital contribution by MFOC of $17.5 million partially offset by payments to retire our previous debt of $101.5 million, payments of debt issuance costs of $12.0 million, other activity with parent of $8.0 million and payments to repurchase stock options of MFC of $100,000.

 

Net cash flows provided by financing activities were $10.9 million for fiscal 2004, an increase of $27.4 million from cash used in financing activities of $16.5 million for fiscal 2003. This increase was principally due to the completion of our debt refinancing on March 16, 2004 which resulted in $115.0 million in proceeds from the issuance of our 11½ percent Senior Secured Notes, a capital contribution by MFOC of $17.5 million and a decrease in other activity with parent of $2.9 million, partially offset by increases in payments to retire our previous debt of $98.3 million, payments of debt issuance costs of $9.6 million and payments to repurchase stock options of MFC of $100,000.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources
 

Our principal sources of liquidity are cash flows from operating activities and cash on hand. At December 31, 2005, we had $23.7 million of cash on hand. During fiscal 2006, we expect that our principal uses of cash will be for working capital, capital expenditures of approximately $4.0 million primarily for leasehold improvements and equipment for our new gifts facility and interest payments on our Senior Secured Notes of $20.5 million. At December 31, 2005, we had no material commitments for capital expenditures. During 2006, we will not be required but we may offer to repurchase a portion of the Senior Secured Notes as described below. In addition, to the extent we have cash available and it is permitted by the indenture agreement, we may pay dividends to our parent companies for uses such as acquisitions, debt repayments and dividends. We believe that cash provided by operating activities and cash on hand will be adequate to meet our cash requirements for the next 12 months.

 

We are highly leveraged. At December 31, 2005, we had $195.7 million of long-term debt represented by the Senior Secured Notes. The Senior Secured Notes mature on March 15, 2011, with interest payable semi-annually on March 15 and September 15. Due to borrowing restrictions under the indenture governing the Senior Secured Notes, our ability to obtain additional debt financing is significantly limited. The Senior Secured Notes require us to offer to repurchase a portion of the notes at 100 percent of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of purchase, with 50 percent of our “excess cash flow”, as defined in the indenture agreement, when the ratio of our net indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA is above 3.75 to 1.0 and the cumulative unpaid excess cash flow offer amount exceeds $10.0 million. For a more detailed description of the material terms of the Senior Secured Notes, see Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report on Form 10-K.

 

The following table reflects our future contractual obligations as of December 31, 2005 (dollars in thousands).

 

 

 

Payments Due by Fiscal Year

 

Contractual Obligations

 

Total

 

2006

 

2007 - 2008

 

2009 - 2010

 

After 2010

 

Senior Secured Notes

 

$

195,747

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

195,747

 

Interest-Senior Secured Notes

 

112,706

 

20,492

 

40,984

 

40,984

 

10,246

 

Capital lease obligations

 

801

 

158

 

274

 

170

 

199

 

Operating leases

 

8,324

 

1,617

 

3,046

 

2,991

 

670

 

Total Contractual Obligations

 

$

317,578

 

$

22,267

 

$

44,304

 

$

44,145

 

$

206,862

 

 

The Company has entered into supply agreements to buy frozen dough products and for the purchase of yogurt-based products, novelties and ice cream. The frozen dough product supply agreement stipulates minimum annual purchase commitments of not less than 15 million pounds of products, approximately $19.7 million based on weighted average prices in effect December 31, 2005, each year through the end of the contract, December 2006. These annual purchase commitments are satisfied primarily through the direct purchase of frozen dough products by our franchisees. Should the Company not meet the annual minimum commitment, the supplier’s sole remedy is to cancel the supply agreement. Since these purchase commitments do not represent cash obligations to us, we have not included them in our contractual obligations table.

 

41



 

TCBY’s supply agreement with Americana Foods Limited Partnership (“Americana”) for the purchase of yogurt-based products, novelties and ice cream (the “TCBY Supply Agreement”) stipulates minimum annual purchase commitments of at least 75 percent of the product volumes contained in the agreement through the term of the agreement, November 2007. These annual purchase commitments are satisfied through the direct purchase of frozen yogurt-based products, novelties and ice cream by TCBY’s distributors and franchisees. This purchase commitment does not represent a contractual cash obligation to us, but rather represents a triggering event that provides Americana the right to propose a new pricing structure. Therefore, the minimum annual purchase commitments under this supply agreement have not been included in the above contractual obligations table.

 

Certain Information Concerning Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

As of December 31, 2005, we did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. We are, therefore, not materially exposed to financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in such relationships.

 

Inflation

 

The impact of inflation on our business has not been significant in recent years. Some of our employees are paid hourly wages at the Federal minimum wage level. Minimum wage increases will negatively impact our payroll costs in the short term, but management believes such impact can be offset in the long term through lower staffing of operations and, if necessary, through product price increases.

 

Seasonality

 

Our sales and contribution from franchisees’ store operations are highly seasonal, but our various brands experience counteracting seasonal effects. Our cookie and pretzel stores, primarily located in malls, tend to mirror customer traffic flow trends in malls, which increase significantly during the fourth quarter, primarily between Thanksgiving and the end of the calendar year. Holiday gift purchases also are a significant factor in increased sales in the fourth quarter. However, TCBY stores and products experience their strongest sales periods during the warmer months from late Spring through early Fall. Franchising segment revenues for each quarter as a percentage of total franchising segment revenues for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 were 23.1 percent for the first quarter, 26.1 percent of the second quarter, 24.9 percent in the third quarter and 25.9 percent for the fourth quarter.

 

Our sales and contribution from our gifts segment are highly seasonal primarily due to holiday gift purchases that increase sales in the fourth quarter. Sales and segment contribution in the fourth quarter of 2005 were $15.9 million and $2.4 million, respectively, which represents 52.7 percent and 139.8 percent, respectively, of total sales and contribution of the gifts segment for the year ended December 31, 2005.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses in our consolidated financial statements. Management has reviewed with our Audit Committee the accounting policies that it uses to prepare our consolidated financial statements and believes that the following policies are the most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and the results of our operations while requiring the use of judgments and estimates about the effects of matters that are inherently uncertain.

 

Impairment of Goodwill. Goodwill is not amortized, but is subject to an annual assessment for impairment, or more frequently if circumstances indicate potential impairment, through a comparison of fair value to its carrying amount. The two-step approach to assess our goodwill impairment requires that we first compare the estimated fair value of each reporting unit with goodwill to the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s assets and liabilities, including its goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit is below its carrying amount, then the second step of the impairment test is performed, in which the current fair value of the reporting unit’s assets and liabilities will determine the current implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill.

 

42



 

On an annual basis (in the fourth quarter), we complete an evaluation of goodwill associated with our various reporting units. To the extent that the fair value associated with goodwill is determined to be less than the recorded value, we write down the value of the related goodwill. The estimated fair value of goodwill is affected by, among other things, our business plan for the future, estimated results of future operations and the comparable companies and transactions that are used to estimate the fair value of our goodwill. Changes in the business plan or operating results that are different than the projections used to develop the valuation of goodwill may have an impact on the valuation of the goodwill.

 

In conducting our impairment analyses, we perform analyses and tests of our goodwill with respect to our reporting units. The test methods employed involve assumptions concerning useful lives of intangible assets, interest and discount rates, projections and other assumptions of future business conditions. The assumptions employed are based on management’s judgment using internal and external data.

 

Impairment of Long-lived and Certain Identifiable Intangible Assets. We review our long-lived assets for impairment when circumstances indicate that the book value of an asset may not be fully recovered by the undiscounted net cash flow generated over the remaining life of the related asset or group of assets. If the cash flows generated by the asset are not sufficient to recover the remaining book value of the asset, we are required to write down the value of the asset to its estimated fair value. In evaluating whether the asset will generate sufficient cash flow to recover its book value, we estimate the amount of cash flow that will be generated by the asset and the remaining life of the asset. In making our estimate, we consider the performance trends related to the asset, the likelihood that the trends will continue or change, both at the asset level as well as at the national economic level, and the length of time that we expect to retain the asset.

 

43



 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. We sell products to and receive royalties from our franchisees and sell products to other customers. Sometimes these franchisees and customers are unable or unwilling to pay for the products that they receive or royalties that they owe. Factors that affect our ability to collect amounts that are due to us include the financial strength of a franchisee or customer and its operations, the economic strength of the mall where the franchisee is located and the overall strength of the retail economy. We are required to establish an estimated allowance for the amounts included in accounts receivable that we will not be able to collect in the future. To establish this allowance, we evaluate the customer’s or franchisee’s financial strength, payment history, reported sales and the availability of collateral to offset potential losses. If the assumptions that are used to determine the allowance for doubtful accounts change, we may have to provide for a greater level of expense in future periods or to reverse amounts provided in prior periods.

 

Revenue Recognition. We recognize revenues from our initial franchising fees and licensing and other fees when all material services or conditions relating to the revenues have been substantially performed or satisfied, which is generally upon the opening of a store. We recognize franchise and license royalties, which are based on a percentage of gross sales, as earned, which is generally upon sale of product by our franchisee or licensee. Minimum royalty payments under our licensing agreements are deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the agreement. We recognize revenues from the sale of cookie dough that we produce and sell to franchisees at the time of shipment and classify them as franchising revenues. We recognize revenues from gift sales at the time of shipment.

 

We receive cash payments for product formulation fees and allowances from suppliers based on the amount of product purchased directly by our distributors and franchisees. These product formulation fees and allowances represent cash payments to us for the right to use our proprietary formulations and recipes to manufacture the frozen dough, dough mixes and TCBY products these suppliers sell to our franchisees. Formulation fees and allowances are recorded as franchising revenues upon shipment of product to our distributors or franchisees.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In May 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 154 (“SFAS 154”), “Accounting for Changes and Errors Corrections - a Replacement of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 20 (“APB” 20) and FASB Statement No. 3.”  Previously, APB 20, “Accounting Changes” and SFAS No. 3, “Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements” required the inclusion of the cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles in net income of the period of the change. SFAS 154 requires companies to recognize changes in accounting principles, including changes required by new accounting pronouncements when the pronouncement does not include specific transition provisions, retrospectively to prior periods’ financial statements. We will assess the impact of a retrospective application of a change in accounting principle in accordance with SFAS 154 if the need for such a change arises after the effective date of January 1, 2006.

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004) (“SFAS 123R”), “Share-Based Payment,” which is a revision of SFAS No. 123 (“SFAS 123”), “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.” SFAS 123R supersedes Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” and amends SFAS No. 95, “Statement of Cash Flows.” Generally, the approach in SFAS 123R is similar to the approach described in SFAS 123. However, SFAS 123R requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the income statement based upon their fair values. Pro forma disclosure is no longer an alternative. The new standard will be effective for us beginning January 1, 2006. The adoption of SFAS 123R is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

In November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151 (“SFAS 151”), “Inventory Costs, an amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4,” which clarifies the types of costs that should be expensed rather than capitalized as inventory. This statement also clarifies the circumstances under which fixed overhead costs associated with operating facilities involved in inventory processing should be capitalized. The new standard will be effective for us beginning January 1, 2006. The adoption of SFAS 151 is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

44



 

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Our major market risk exposure is changing interest rates. We do not hedge against changes in interest rates.

 

The table below provides information about our financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates in the event of refinancing including principal cash flows and related weighted average interest rates by year of expected maturity dates, based on the amount of indebtedness at December 31, 2005.

 

 

 

2006

 

2007

 

2008

 

2009

 

2010

 

Thereafter

 

Total

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Long-term debt, including current portion (fixed rate)

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

195,747

 

$

195,747

 

Weighted average interest rate

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.47

%

10.47

%

 

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

Our consolidated financial statements and supplementary data are listed in the index appearing under Item 15A.

 

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

None.

 

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

 

The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Accounting Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report, are functioning effectively to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. A controls system, no matter how well designed and operated, cannot provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the controls system are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.

 

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that occurred during our fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2005, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 9B. Other Information

 

None.

 

45



 

PART III

 

Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

 

Managers and Executive Officers

 

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the managers, executive officers and certain other officers, of the Company as of March 1, 2006. Each of the managers and executive officers serve for a one-year term and until their successors are elected and qualified.

 

Name

 

Age

 

Position

Stephen Russo

 

56

 

Manager, President and Chief Executive Officer

Dara Dejbakhsh

 

48

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer

John Lauck

 

50

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer

Michael R. Ward

 

47

 

Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary

Mark C. McBride

 

44

 

Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer

Greg Berglund

 

39

 

President, Mrs. Fields Gifts, Inc.

Alexander Coleman

 

39

 

Manager

John D. Collins

 

67

 

Manager

Richard M. Ferry

 

68

 

Manager

George N. Fugelsang

 

65

 

Manager

Walker Lewis

 

61

 

Manager

Peter W. Mullin

 

65

 

Manager

John D. Shafer

 

61

 

Manager

Christopher Wright

 

48

 

Manager

 

Mr. Russo has been President, Chief Executive Officer and Manager of the Company since March 2004, and has been President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc. (“MFOC”), Mrs. Fields’ Holding Company, Inc. (“MFH”) and Mrs. Fields’ Companies, Inc. (“MFC”) since May 2003. From July 1997 to April 2003, Mr. Russo was Retail Brands Operations Officer for Allied Domecq QSR, where he was responsible for 10,700 units and total system wide sales of $4.2 billion for brands such as Dunkin’ Donuts, Baskin Robbins and Togo’s. From January 1978 to June 1997, he served in various capacities for Dunkin’ Donuts. He also has experience serving as President of Mister Donut and a multi unit supervisor of a McDonald’s licensee.

 

Mr. Dejbakhsh has been Chief Operations Officer of the Company since February 2006 and Executive Vice President of Operations & Development of the Company since June 2004. Since December 2004, he has been a Director of MFOC. He served as Vice President of Operations of the Company from March 2004 to June 2004, and as Vice President of Operations of MFOC from January 2004 to June 2004. Immediately before joining the Company, Mr. Dejbakhsh spent six months on sabbatical. From January 1996 to June 2003, Mr. Dejbakhsh was Area Vice President covering operations, development and field marketing for the western U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific, and Australia for Allied Domecq QSR in Randolph, Massachusetts.

 

Mr. Lauck has been Chief Marketing Officer of the Company since February 2006 and Executive Vice President of Marketing of the Company since April 2004. From September 2001 to April 2004, Mr. Lauck served as President and Chief Marketing Officer for Arby’s Franchise Association. Prior to joining Arby’s, Mr. Lauck was on a one-year sabbatical. From February 2000 to July 2001 Mr. Lauck was Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Groceryworks.com, a home grocery delivery start-up. Between November 1998 and January 2000 Mr. Lauck was the Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Footaction and from November 1997 to November 1998 was the Vice President of Corporate Development for Blockbuster Video. Prior to Blockbuster, Mr. Lauck served in various marketing positions at Pizza Hut and General Mills. Mr. Lauck is a director of Shadewell Grove Holdings, LLC, which is a parent of Shadewell Grove IP, LLC, a licensee of the Company.

 

46



 

Mr. Ward has been Chief Legal Officer of the Company since February 2006 and Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company, MFOC, MFH and MFC since June 2004. Since December 2004, he has been a Director of MFOC. From March 2004 to June 2004, Mr. Ward was Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company. Mr. Ward was Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of MFOC from June 2000 to June 2004 and of MFC from its inception in September 2001 to June 2004. Mr. Ward was Vice President of Administration and the Legal Department of MFOC from September 1996 to May 2000, and Secretary of MFOC since April 1999. Between 1991 and 1996, Mr. Ward’s responsibilities were overseeing the Legal Department and Human Resources Department for Mrs. Fields, Inc., a predecessor to MFOC. He currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Prime Alliance Bank. He is admitted to practice law in the State of Utah.

 

Mr. McBride was appointed Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer of the Company in March 2006. He was Vice President and Corporate Controller of the Company from August 2002 to March 2006 and he was appointed Interim Chief Accounting Officer and Interim Treasurer of the Company from May 2005 to March 2006. Prior to joining the Company, he was Chief Financial Officer of Ovid Technologies, Inc. from April 2001 to July 2002. Mr. McBride was Vice President and Corporate Controller of Evans & Sutherland Computer Corporation from September 1996 to April 2001. He was also the Corporate Secretary from March 1998 to March 2001. He was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of HealthRider, Inc from September 1993 to September 1996. Mr. McBride is a Certified Public Accountant.

 

Mr. Berglund has been President of Mrs. Fields Gifts since August 2005. From April 2001 to August 2005, Mr. Berglund was Senior Vice President and General Manager of Disney Direct Marketing Services, Inc. in charge of the Walt Disney Company’s product-based catalog and e-commerce business.  Mr. Berglund added global responsibilities his last two years at Disney, overseeing the company’s licensed direct marketing business in Japan.  From July 1997 to April 2001, Mr. Berglund was Vice President, Marketing for Cinmar, Inc., a Cornerstone Brands company. There he was a part of the Frontgate catalog and e-commerce business.

 

Mr. Coleman has been a Manager of the Company and a Director of MFH and MFC since May 2004. From May 2004 to December 2004, Mr. Coleman was a Director of MFOC. Since October 2004, Mr. Coleman has served as Managing Partner of Annex Capital Management LLC, a private equity firm specializing in the purchase of direct investments in the secondary market. Prior to joining Annex Capital, Mr. Coleman served as Managing Investment Partner of Dresdner Kleinwort Capital from 1996 to 2004, and held various positions at Citibank, NA and its affiliates, including Citicorp Venture Capital, from 1989 to 1995. Mr. Coleman serves as a Director of Remy, Inc., Gardenburger, Inc. and KMC Telecom, Inc.

 

Mr. Collins has been a Manager of the Company and a Director of MFH and MFC since December 2004. Since July 1999, Mr. Collins has worked as a consultant to non-public companies. From June 1999 to June 2000, Mr. Collins was a consultant to KPMG LLP. Prior to June 1999, he was a partner for KPMG LLP. He currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Excelsior Funds. Mr. Collins is also a member of the Board of Trustees and Chairman of the Finance Committee of LeMoyne College in Syracuse, New York.

 

Mr. Ferry has been a Manager of the Company since March 2004, and has been a Director of MFH since September 1996 and of MFC since its inception in September 2001. From September 1996 to December 2004, Mr. Ferry was a Director of MFOC. Mr. Ferry is Founder Chairman of Korn/Ferry International, an international executive search firm, where he served as Chairman from May 1997 to July 2001 and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from May 1991 to May 1997. Mr. Ferry serves on the Boards of Directors of Avery Dennison, Dole Food Company, Castle & Cooke, Inc. and Pacific Life Insurance Company. Mr. Ferry is an investor in both Capricorn Investors II, L.P. (“Capricorn II”) and Capricorn Investors III, L.P. (“Capricorn III”, together with Capricorn II, “Capricorn”).

 

Mr. Fugelsang has been a Manager of the Company and a Director of MFH and MFC since May 2004. From May 2004 to December 2004, Mr. Fugelsang was a Director of MFOC. From 1994 through 2001, Mr. Fugelsang was Chief Executive Officer North America for the Dresdner Bank Group, based in New York City. Mr. Fugelsang serves as trustee and chairman of the finance committee at Thunderbird, the Garvin School of International Management, and is also a director of ART, Advanced Research Technologies. He is also a member of the international advisory board of the Monterey Institute of International Studies.

 

47



 

Mr. Lewis has been a Manager of the Company since March 2004, and has been a Director of MFH since September 1996 and of MFC since its inception in September 2001. From September 1996 to May 2004, Mr. Lewis was a Director of MFOC.  Mr. Lewis has served as the Chairman of Devon Value Advisers since January 1997. Mr. Lewis serves as a director of Ameriprise, Owens Corning and Applied Predictive Technologies.

 

Mr. Mullin has been a Manager of the Company since March 2004, and has been a Director of MFH since September 1996 and of MFC since its inception in September 2001. From September 2001 to December 2004, Mr. Mullin was a Director of MFOC. Mr. Mullin founded Mullin Consulting, Inc., an executive compensation, benefit planning and corporate insurance consulting firm, in 1969 and serves as its Chairman. Mr. Mullin is a Director of Avery Dennison Corporation. Mr. Mullin is an investor in Capricorn II and Capricorn III.

 

Mr. Shafer has been Manager of the Company and Director of MFH and MFC since April 2005. Mr. Shafer has been retired since 2003. He served as Chief Executive Officer of Allied Domecq, QSR from 1998 through January 2003, and served as Chief Operating Officer from1996 to1998 of Allied Retailing. He served in various capacities of Dunkin’ Donuts, Inc from 1972 to 1996 including President from 1992 to 1996. Mr. Shafer also serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee for Plymouth Plantation, and is an Overseer and Advisory Board Member of the Plymouth Philharmonic.

 

Mr. Wright has been a Manager of the Company since March 2004, and has been a Director of MFH and MFC since February 2002. From February 2002 until December 2004, Mr. Wright was a Director of MFOC. Since 2003, he has been an Advisory Director at Campbell Lutyens and Company, Ltd. From 1995 to June 2002, Mr. Wright served as CEO of Dresdner Kleinwort Capital, LLC, the private equity business of Dresdner Bank Group and from 2002 to June 2003 as Managing Director of Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein LLC. He is a Director and serves on the corporate governance and audit committees of the Board of Directors of Roper Industries, Inc. Mr. Wright has also been a Director of Merifin Capital, a private investment group since 1989 and serves as director and advisory board member of several other privately-held companies in the United States and Europe.

 

Board Committees

 

Three functioning committees of the Board of Managers have been organized: an Executive Committee, a Compensation Committee and an Audit Committee. Following is a brief description of each of these committees.

 

Executive Committee. The Executive Committee is composed of Messrs. Russo (Chairperson), Ferry and Fugelsang. The purpose of this committee is to act on behalf of the entire Board of Managers between Board meetings.

 

Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee is composed of Messrs. Ferry (Chairperson), Lewis,  Mullin and Shafer. The purpose of this committee is to ensure that the Company has a broad plan of executive compensation that is competitive and motivating to the degree that it will attract, hold and inspire performance of managerial and other key personnel of a quality and nature that will enhance the growth and profitability of the Company.

 

Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is composed of Messrs. Fugelsang (Chairperson), Wright and Collins. The purpose of the Audit Committee is to provide assistance to the Board of Managers in fulfilling their oversight responsibilities relating to the Company financial statements and financial reporting process and internal controls in consultation with the Company’s independent registered public accountants and internal auditors. The committee also is responsible for ensuring that the independent registered public accountants submit a formal written statement to the Company regarding relationships and services which may affect the auditors’ objectivity and independence.

 

Audit Committee Financial Expert

 

The Board of Managers of the Company has determined that Messrs. Fugelsang and Collins are the Company’s audit committee financial experts, as defined by SEC rules, and that they are “independent” as the term is used in Item 7(e)(3)(iv) of Schedule 14A of the proxy rules under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

48



 

Code of Ethics

 

The Company has adopted a Code of Ethical Conduct (the “Code”) that applies to all directors, officers and employees of the Company, MFOC and its subsidiaries. The Code requires that all of our employees act ethically when conducting business. The Code provides a summary of the conduct required from all employees of the Company, and is a source for guidance, accountability for and enforcement of its provisions. A complete copy of the Code has been posted on our website at www.mrsfields.com/privacy/ethics/. We will satisfy any disclosure requirements under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding an amendment to, or waiver from, any provision of the Code with respect to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and any persons performing similar functions by disclosing the nature of such amendments or waiver on our website.

 

Item 11. Executive Compensation

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

The following table sets forth information with regard to compensation for services rendered in all capacities to the Company and its subsidiaries by the Chief Executive Officer, the three executive officers of the Company other than the CEO who were serving as executive officers at the end of the last completed fiscal year and one additional individual who was among the four most highly compensated employees of the Company other than the CEO, (collectively, the “Named Executive Officers”). The information set forth in the table reflects compensation earned by such individuals for services with MFC and its subsidiaries during the covered periods.

 

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

 

 

 

 

 

Annual

 

Long - Term

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation

 

Compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

Restricted

 

Underlying

 

 

 

Name and Principal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annual

 

Stock

 

Options/

 

All Other

 

Position

 

Year

 

Salary

 

Bonus (5)

 

Compensation

 

Awards

 

SARS

 

Compensation (6)

 

 

 

 

 

($)

 

($)

 

($)

 

($)

 

(#)

 

($)

 

Stephen Russo (1)

 

2005

 

440,625

 

 

 

 

 

31,616

 

President and Chief

 

2004

 

430,000

 

139,320

 

 

 

 

28,601

 

Executive Officer

 

2003

 

270,263

 

162,158

 

 

 

 

10,000

 

Dara Dejbakhsh (2)

 

2005

 

307,438

 

 

 

 

 

8,520

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer

 

2004

 

252,848

 

158,000

 

 

 

 

109,060

 

John Lauck (3)

 

2005

 

358,677

 

 

 

 

 

5,415

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer

 

2004

 

253,312

 

175,000

 

 

 

 

122,449

 

Michael R. Ward

 

2005

 

276,499

 

 

 

 

 

18,184

 

Executive Vice President,

 

2004

 

270,667

 

106,750

 

 

 

 

120,546

 

Chief Legal Officer and Secretary

 

2003

 

260,192

 

199,500

 

 

 

 

10,192

 

Greg Berglund (4)

 

2005

 

139,854

 

134,000

 

 

 

 

199,611

 

President, Mrs. Fields Gifts, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(1)                                  Mr. Russo began his employment with MFOC in May 2003 and with the Company at its inception in March 2004.

 

(2)                                  Mr. Dejbakhsh began his employment with MFOC in January 2004 and with the Company at its inception in March 2004.

 

(3)                                  Mr. Lauck began his employment with the Company in April 2004.

 

(4)                                  Mr. Berglund began his employment with the Company in August 2005.

 

49



 

(5)                                  Bonus amounts reported are amounts earned during the applicable year, although they may have been paid in subsequent periods. Further, bonus amounts do not include performance units granted under MFC’s Phantom Stock Plan (“Phantom Plan”). The Company does not expect to pay bonuses to the Named Executive Officers during 2006 for performance during 2005. Mr. Berglund’s bonus includes a signing bonus of $40,000 and a guaranteed bonus of $94,000.

 

(6)                                  Amounts represent (i) matching contributions to the MFOC 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan of $11,616 and $8,601 for Mr. Russo for fiscal years 2005 and 2004 respectively (there were no matching contributions for any plan participant during 2003); $7,494 and $6,625 for Mr. Ward for fiscal years 2005 and 2004, respectively; $5,549 and $1,875 for Mr. Dejbakhsh for fiscal years 2005 and 2004 respectively; and $5,415 for Mr. Lauck for fiscal year 2005; (ii) reimbursement of relocation expenses of $2,971 and $100,935 for Mr. Dejbakhsh for fiscal years 2005 and 2004 respectively; $122,449 for Mr. Lauck for fiscal year 2004; and $199,611 for Mr. Berglund for fiscal year 2005; (iii) housing allowance of $20,000, $20,000 and $10,000 for Mr. Russo for fiscal 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively; (iv) car allowance of $6,250 for Mr. Dejbakhsh for fiscal 2004; (v) cash compensation in lieu of paid time off of $10,690, $5,250, and $10,192 for Mr. Ward for fiscal years 2005, 2004 and 2003 respectively; and (vi) payments for voluntary termination of vested in-the-money options of $108,671 for Mr. Ward during fiscal 2004.

 

Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) Awards Table

 

Effective as of May 23, 2004, the Board of Directors of MFC approved adoption of the Phantom Plan. The purpose of the Phantom Plan is to provide long-term incentives to certain key employees of MFC or its subsidiaries (“Participants”) as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”). The Phantom Plan is unfunded, and Participants do not receive any payment under the Phantom Plan until the completion of a Triggering Event (defined below). Participants receive performance units in amounts recommended by the CEO and determined by the Committee. Upon the completion of a Triggering Event, Participants receive payments reflecting the number and value of their performance units at the time of the completion of the Triggering Event. Payments to Participants may be made in cash or through issuance of equity securities of MFC, as determined by the Committee. The value of a performance unit at the completion of a Triggering Event is the value of one share of Common Stock of MFC as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors. If the Board determines the need, it may seek the advice of an independent advisor.

 

Maximum number of performance units that may be granted under the Phantom Plan is one million units. Subdivisions, splits, or combinations involving MFC’s Common Stock will proportionately affect the number of performance units that have been awarded under the Phantom Plan. In May 2004, the Committee approved the grant of up to 392,418 performance units allocated among Participants as determined by the Committee. Future grants, if any, shall also be as determined by the Committee. As of December 31, 2005, 341,400 performance units have been granted to Participants.

 

The following table sets forth information regarding the Phantom Plan awards granted to Named Executive Officers during the last fiscal year:

 

LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLANS—AWARDS IN FISCAL YEAR 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-
Stock Price-Based Plans (2)

 

(a)

 

(b)

 

(c)

 

(d)

 

(e)

 

(f)

 

 

 

Number of

 

Performances or Other
Period Until Maturation

 

Threshold

 

Target

 

Maximum

 

Name and Principal Position

 

Units (#)

 

or Payout

 

($ or #)

 

($ or #)

 

($ or #)

 

Greg Berglund

 

23,544

 

Upon Triggering Event (1)

 

 

 

 

President, Mrs. Fields Gifts, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(1)                                  A Triggering Event is the first to occur of:  (i) a sale of substantially all of the assets of MFC; (ii) a public offering of MFC’s Common Stock where MFC receives proceeds, net of any underwriter’s discounts and expenses, of not less than $50 million; or (iii)  any stock sale, merger or other transaction where the owners of Common Stock immediately before the transaction do not own in excess of 50 percent of the common stock of the entity surviving such sale, merger or other transaction (“Triggering Event”).

 

(2)                                  The Phantom Plan is a stock price-based plan.

 

50



 

Compensation of Managers

 

The Board of Managers of the Company meets regularly on a quarterly basis and more often as required. Board members, other than officers of the Company, are compensated for services rendered annually in the form of a payment of $15,000 in cash and the grant of options to purchase common stock of MFC under the MFC’s Director Stock Option Plan, as more fully described immediately below. Members of the Audit Committee and Compensation Committee of the Board of Managers of the Company also receive the following compensation for their service on such committees:  (a) the chairperson of each committee receives an annual cash retainer fee of $5,000; and (b) each member who does not serve as chair receives a cash fee of $750 for each committee meeting that they attend.

 

Director Stock Option Plans

 

Members of the Company’s Board of Managers, other than officers of the Company, are qualified to participate in MFC’s Director Stock Option Plan. Under MFC’s Director Stock Option Plan, a committee of the Board of MFC is authorized to administer the Plan and has the power, among other things, to grant awards of options for common stock of MFC to outside directors of MFC and its subsidiaries, including the Company. MFC’s Director Stock Option Plan provides for the issuance of time vested options, which vest 25.0 percent per year on the anniversaries of the dates on which they are granted and vest in full upon a change of control of MFC or the Company. A total of 100,000 shares of common stock of MFC are reserved for issuance under MFC’s Director Stock Option Plan and as of March 1, 2006 there were outstanding options providing for the issuance of up to 68,842 of those shares. Common stock of MFC issued under the Director Stock Option Plan is subject to customary restrictions on transfer.

 

Changes to MFC’s Director Stock Option Plan currently are under consideration by the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors of MFC. As of the date of this report, such changes have not been determined.

 

Employment Agreements

 

MFC’s Board of Directors named Stephen Russo as the President and CEO of MFC and its subsidiaries effective May 15, 2003. Mr. Russo receives a base salary of $440,625 under his amended and restated employment agreement dated effective as of March 16, 2004. His employment agreement provides for a period of employment of three years from the date of the agreement, subject to termination provisions and to automatic extension of the agreement. The employment agreement permits Mr. Russo to participate in any incentive compensation plan adopted by the Company, in its benefit plans and in an equity-based plan or arrangement. If the Company terminates employment for cause or if Mr. Russo terminates employment without good reason, the Company has no further obligation to pay him. If the Company terminates his employment without cause or he terminates employment with good reason, Mr. Russo can receive severance pay of 24 months of his then-current salary, plus a portion of any discretionary bonus that would otherwise have been payable. The severance would be paid in 12 equal monthly installments. The employment agreement prohibits Mr. Russo, for a year from the date of termination of employment under the agreement, from becoming an employee, owner, officer, agent or director of a firm or person that directly competes with the Company in a line or lines of business of the Company that accounts for 10.0 percent or more of the Company’s gross sales, revenues or earnings before taxes. An exception is made for investments of not more than 3.0 percent of the equity of a company listed or traded on a national securities exchange or an over-the-counter securities exchange. The employment agreement has customary provisions for vacation, fringe benefits, payment of expenses and automobile allowances.

 

51



 

The Company also has an amended and restated employment agreement dated effective as of March 16, 2004 with Michael R. Ward, Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary. Mr. Ward’s current base salary is $310,000. Mr. Ward’s employment agreement provides for a period of employment of two years from the date of the agreement, subject to termination provisions and to automatic extension of the agreement. The employment agreement permits the employee to participate in any incentive compensation plan adopted by the Company, in its benefit plans and in an equity-based plan or arrangement. If the Company terminates employment for cause or if the employee terminates employment without good reason, the Company has no further obligation to pay the employee. If the Company terminates the employee’s employment without cause or the employee terminates employment with good reason, the employee can receive severance pay of 18 months of his then-current salary, plus a portion of any discretionary bonus that would otherwise have been payable. The severance would be paid in 12 equal monthly installments. The employment agreement prohibits the employee, for a year from the date of termination of employment under the agreement, from becoming an employee, owner, officer, agent or director of a firm or person that directly competes with the Company in a line or lines of business of the Company that accounts for 10.0 percent or more of the Company’s gross sales, revenues or earnings before taxes. An exception is made for investments of not more than 3.0 percent of the equity of a company listed or traded on a national securities exchange or an over-the-counter securities exchange. The employment agreement has customary provisions for vacation, fringe benefits, payment of expenses and automobile allowances.

 

No other executive has an employment agreement with the Company, but each of the executives except Messrs. Russo and Ward have an arrangement with the Company granting them the right to participate in the Company’s bonus program and benefit plans and providing certain severance payments to them in the event of termination without cause.

 

Certain Severance Obligations with Past Management

 

On May 7, 2003, the Board of Directors of MFOC accepted the resignation of Larry A. Hodges as its President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, which resignation was effective on May 14, 2003. Pursuant to the terms of a Separation Agreement, dated August 6, 2003, by and among MFC, MFOC and Mr. Hodges, and a Severance Assumption Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and among MFC, MFOC, the Company and Mr. Hodges (the “ Separation Agreements”), Mr. Hodges received 28 months of salary as severance, which was paid semi-monthly through the end of 2004, and the balance became due in a lump sum in January 2005. All severance obligations have been paid to Mr. Hodges under the Separation Agreements.

 

In addition, under the Separation Agreements, Mr. Hodges and MFC also agreed that in lieu of Mr. Hodges having exercised vested options to purchase 110,710.50 shares of MFC’s common stock prior to their lapse, MFC will pay to Mr. Hodges a transaction fee of $272,127 in the event that there is a change of control or initial public offering (as defined in MFC’s Employee Stock Option Plan) of MFC at a price per share of MFC common stock of at least $10.00, such price per share being subject to equitable adjustment under the circumstances set forth in Section 4(b) of MFC’s Employee Stock Option Plan. Additionally, Mr. Hodges holds 100 shares of preferred stock of MFC.

 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation in Compensation Decisions

 

As of December 31, 2005, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Managers of the Company and the Board of Directors of MFH and MFC, was comprised of Richard Ferry, Chairperson, Walker Lewis, Peter Mullin, and John Shafer. No disclosures concerning any member of the Compensation Committee is required to be included in this Report.

 

52



 

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

 

As of the date of this report, all of our common interests are owned by MFOC, which is wholly owned, through MFH, by MFC. The address of MFOC, MFH, MFC and the executive officers and managers of the Company is 2855 East Cottonwood Parkway, Suite 400, Salt Lake City, Utah 84121. The following table sets forth certain information, based on actual ownership as of March 1, 2006, believed by us to be accurate based on information provided to us concerning the beneficial ownership of capital stock of MFC by each stockholder who is known by us to own beneficially in excess of five percent of the outstanding voting stock and by each director, the Named Executive Officers and all executive officers and directors as a group. The stockholders listed below are deemed beneficial owners of the common interests of the Company as a result of their ownership of capital stock of MFC. Except as otherwise indicated, all persons listed below have (1) sole voting power and investment power with respect to their shares, except to the extent that authority is shared by spouses under applicable law, and (2) record and beneficial ownership with respect to their shares. The shares and percentages described below include shares of common stock which were outstanding or issuable within 60 days upon the exercise of options outstanding as of March 1, 2006, and give effect to the exercise of warrants issued by MFC. See “Executive Compensation” and “Compensation of Managers.”

 

As of March 1, 2006, there were 37 record holders of MFC’s common stock.

 

 

 

Common Stock **

 

Preferred Stock ***

 

Aggregate

 

 

 

Number

 

Percentage

 

Number

 

Percentage

 

Voting

 

Name of Beneficial Owner

 

of Shares

 

of Class

 

of Shares

 

of Class

 

Power

 

Capricorn Investors II, L.P.(1)(8)

 

3,245,918

 

50.89

%

 

 

50.74

%

Capricon Investors III, L.P.(1)(8)

 

2,056,228

 

32.24

%

 

 

32.53

%

Annex Holdings I LP-Delaware(2)

 

355,242

 

5.57

%

4,995

 

33.93

%

5.94

%

Charlesbank Equity Fund II LP(3)

 

164,774

 

2.58

%

5,000

 

33.96

%

2.97

%

Affilates of Stewart Resnick(4)

 

164,912

 

2.59

%

1,000

 

6.79

%

2.65

%

Alexander Coleman(5)(6)

 

152

 

 

*

 

 

 

John D. Collins(5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Richard M. Ferry(5)(6)(7)

 

18,379

 

 

*

50

 

 

*

 

*

George N. Fugelsang(5)(6)

 

152

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

Walker Lewis(5)(6)

 

15,845

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

Peter W. Mullin(5)(6)(7)

 

24,865

 

 

*

163

 

1.00

%

 

*

John D. Shafer(5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christopher Wright(5)(6)

 

1,330

 

 

*

 

 

 

*

Herbert Winokur, Jr.(5)(7)(8)

 

6,729

 

 

*

899

 

6.10

%

 

*

Stephen Russo(5)

 

152

 

 

*

20

 

 

*

 

*

Dara Dejbakhsh

 

152

 

 

*

20

 

 

*

 

*

John Lauck

 

152

 

 

*

20

 

 

*

 

*

Michael Ward

 

451

 

 

*

60

 

 

*

 

*

Greg Berglund

 

 

 

 

 

 

All executive officers and directors as a
group(5)(6)(7)

 

68,697

 

1.08

%

1,233

 

8.33

%

1.17

%

 


*              Less than 1%.

 

**           Common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of MFC.

 

***         16.5% cumulative preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, of MFC.

 

(1)           The address of Capricorn is 30 East Elm Street, Greenwich, CT 06830.

 

(2)           The address of Annex Holdings I LP-Delaware is c/o Annex Capital Management LLC, 599 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022.

 

(3)           The address of Charlesbank Equity Fund II LP is c/o Charlesbank Capital Partners, LLC, 600 Atlantic Ave., 26th Floor, Boston, MA 02210 2203.

 

53



 

(4)           Stewart Resnick holds 7,485 common shares and 1,000 preferred shares individually; 157,427 common shares are held by the Stewart and Lynda Resnick Revocable Trust. The address of both Mr. Resnick and the Trust is 11444 W. Olympic Blvd., 10th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90064.

 

(5)           Mr. Russo, Mr. Coleman, Mr. Collins, Mr. Ferry, Mr. Fugelsang, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Mullin, Mr. Shafer and Mr. Wright are directors of MFC and Managers of the Company. Mr. Winokur is managing member of Capricorn Holdings, LLC, the General Partner of Capricorn II, and Capricorn Holdings III, LLC, the General Partner of Capricorn III, and is a director of MFC. See “Management.”

 

(6)           The common share amounts and percentages include common shares subject to options granted to Managers of the Company that are currently exercisable or will be exercisable on or before May 1, 2006, as follows:  Mr. Coleman, 152 shares; Mr. Ferry, 8,345 shares; Mr. Lewis, 8,345 shares; Mr. Mullin, 8,345 shares; Mr. Wright, 1,330 shares; and all executive officers and directors as a group, 26,668 shares.

 

(7)           Includes common and preferred shares held by Mr. Ferry, Mr. Mullin and Mr. Winokur in individual retirement accounts, family trusts or family charitable foundations.

 

(8)           Options granted to Mr. Winokur under MFC’s Director Stock Option Plan are issued to Capricorn II and Capricorn III. Capricorn II has 15,694 option and Capricorn III has 996 options for shares currently exercisable or exercisable on or before May 1, 2006.

 

Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

The following table sets forth information relating to compensation plans under which equity securities of MFC are authorized for issuance, as of December 31, 2005. The equity compensation plans that have been approved by security holders are the Mrs. Fields’ Companies, Inc. Employee Stock Option Plan and the Mrs. Fields’ Companies, Inc. Director Stock Option Plan. The Employee Stock Option Plan was terminated effective September 1, 2004.

 

Plan Category

 

Number of
securities to be
issued upon exercise
of outstanding
options
 and rights

 

Weighted-average
exercise price
of outstanding
options and rights

 

Number of securities
remaining for future
issuance under
equity compensation
plans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs. Fields’ Companies, Inc. Employee Stock Option Plan

 

10,000

 

$

22.60

 

 

Mrs. Fields’ Companies, Inc. Director Stock Option Plan

 

68,842

 

15.13

 

31,158

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

78,842

 

$

16.07

 

31,158

 

 

In addition to the plans reflected in the table above, MFC has a Phantom Plan discussed elsewhere in this report on Form 10-K. The Phantom Plan has not been approved by security holders and such approval is not required. The value of awards under the Phantom Plan reflect the value of MFC’s equity securities, but Participants may receive cash payments in lieu of securities for performance units that they hold upon certain triggering events. The maximum number of performance units that may be granted under the Phantom Plan is one million units. In May 2004, the committee administering the Phantom Plan approved the grant of up to 392,418 performance units, and as of December 31, 2005, 341,400 performance units have been granted to Participants.

 

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

 

The Stockholders’ Agreement

 

MFC has entered into a stockholders’ agreement, as of September 29, 2001, with its stockholders. The stockholders’ agreement provides that stockholders may not transfer their shares of MFC, except to certain permitted transferees. If at any time after seven years from the date of the stockholders’ agreement any stockholder other than Capricorn II or Capricorn III receives an offer to purchase shares of common stock, that stockholder must first offer the shares to MFC and other stockholders at the same price and on substantially the same terms. MFC has a right of first refusal with respect to such shares, with the stockholders having the right, if MFC does not buy all of the shares, to purchase such shares on a pro rata basis.

 

54



 

If both Capricorn II and Capricorn III approve a sale or exchange of at least a majority of the outstanding common stock to a third party that is not an affiliate of either Capricorn II or Capricorn III, then either Capricorn entity has the right to require the other stockholders to (i) if the sale is structured as a sale of stock, sell all of such stockholders’ shares of common stock; or (ii) if the sale is structured as a merger requiring the consent of stockholders, vote such stockholders’ shares in favor of the sale. The stockholders’ agreement also gives certain rights to certain stockholders upon an initial public offering consummated by MFC and includes other provisions as set forth in the stockholders agreement.

 

Control by Capricorn

 

Capricorn II and Capricorn III, MFC’s majority stockholders, together hold an aggregate of approximately 83 percent of MFC’s common stock. In addition to Capricorn’s rights under the stockholders’ agreement described above, Capricorn also has corporate law rights stemming from its majority ownership of MFC. As a result of its direct control of MFC, and indirect control of MFH and MFOC, Capricorn II and Capricorn III together control the power to elect our managers, to appoint members of management and to approve all actions requiring the approval of the holders of our common interests, including adopting amendments to our certificate of formation and limited liability company operating agreement as well as approving mergers, acquisitions or sales of all or substantially all of our assets. In addition, Capricorn currently has one managing director, Herbert S. Winokur, Jr., serving as a director of MFC.

 

Management Agreement

 

On March 16, 2004, we entered into a management agreement with MFOC, pursuant to which we provide business and organizational strategy, financial and investment management, and other executive level management services to MFOC and its subsidiaries (other than us) upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the management agreement. As compensation for these services, MFOC reimburses us the sum of the actual allocated costs of the fixed general and administrative functions plus the variable general and administrative functions dedicated to the provision of these services as determined in good faith by us and MFOC. For the year ended December 31, 2005, MFOC reimbursed us $2.4 million for management services provided under the management agreement. These reimbursement amounts are intended to reflect the actual costs of providing these services and are not intended to generate revenues for us. We expect that the reimbursement amounts will decrease over time as MFOC reduces its store operations. The management agreement also provides that any amounts received by a party to the management agreement that, pursuant to its terms, is the property of the other party, promptly shall be remitted to such other party. It is intended that this management agreement will continue in effect until the expiration of all store leases for which MFOC is the lessee.

 

Franchise Agreements with MFOC

 

On March 16, 2004, certain of our brand franchisor subsidiaries entered into franchise agreements with MFOC, which permit MFOC to sell and distribute our products in its owned stores upon payment of franchise royalties and other amounts required under the franchise agreements. These franchise agreements are similar to our standard form of franchise agreement, except that we did not charge an up-front franchising fee for stores open as of the date of the franchise agreements in recognition of the fact that the stores owned and operated by MFOC were operated prior to entering into the franchise agreements. These franchise agreements are terminable by us in the event of non-payment of the franchise fees for a period of 10 days, followed by a 10-day opportunity to cure, or other material violation of the franchise agreements. The aggregate amount of franchise royalties paid to us by MFOC during fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2004 was $689,000 and $2.8 million, respectively.

 

TCBY Supply Agreement

 

TCBY entered into an exclusive supply agreement with a former subsidiary of TCBY Enterprises, Americana Foods Limited Partnership (“Americana”), on November 19, 2002 (the “TCBY Supply Agreement”). A subsidiary of Capricorn III is a limited partner in Americana, the general partner of which is an affiliate of Coolbrands International, Inc., which also manages the business and operations of Americana pursuant to a management agreement.

 

55



 

The TCBY Supply Agreement requires that TCBY, through its distributor and franchisees, purchase at least 75 percent of the product volumes contained in the agreement. If purchases fall below 75 percent of the quantity, then Americana has the right to propose a new pricing structure. If TCBY does not agree to the new pricing structure, then Americana has the right to terminate the agreement by giving 180 days of written notice.

 

Americana produces all of the domestic TCBY branded products and some of the international TCBY branded products at its production facility in Dallas, Texas. Americana sells most of its TCBY branded products to TCBY’s franchisees through Blue Line Distributing, in respect of which, TCBY receives yogurt formulation fees, royalties and advertising funds billed to the franchisees from Blue Line Distributing. Americana also sells TCBY branded products to TCBY’s franchisees through other distributors, in respect of which Americana pays TCBY yogurt formulation fees, royalties and advertising funds that it bills TCBY’s franchisees through these other distributors. TCBY purchases TCBY branded products from Americana and resells these products to certain international distributors and franchisees. TCBY recognized revenues related to the product manufactured by Americana of $9.6 million, $11.7 million and $13.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2005, January 1, 2005 and January 3, 2004, respectively. In addition, Americana sells TCBY branded frozen specialty products and private label products through retail channels and pays TCBY a portion of the sales price under the TCBY Supply Agreement. TCBY invoiced Americana $711,000, $930,000 and $1.9 million for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2005, January 1, 2005 and January 3, 2004, respectively, relating to TCBY’s portion of these sales. As a result of these sales, TCBY must reimburse Americana for certain costs. Americana invoiced TCBY $180,000, $381,000 and $892,000 for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2005, January 1, 2005 and January 3, 2004, respectively, relating to the reimbursement of these costs.

 

MFOC Sublease

 

On March 16, 2004, we entered into an assignment agreement whereby the lease for the corporate headquarters was assigned from MFOC to us. MFOC then entered into a sublease with us and will pay us, over the term of the sublease, agreed rental payments that have been established based on estimated usage of the headquarters by their personnel. For the year ended December 31, 2005 and the period from March 16, 2004 to January 1, 2005, MFOC paid rent of $289,000 and $220,000, respectively, to us. Management expects that MFOC’s aggregate rental payments to us will be approximately $88,000 in fiscal 2006. MFOC’s share is expected to decrease over time with corresponding reduced operations. It is intended that the sublease will continue in effect until the expiration of all store leases for which MFOC is the lessee, following which the MFOC sublease will be terminated and we would thereafter be responsible for all rental payments.

 

MFOC Collection Agency Agreement

 

On March 16, 2004, we and MFOC entered into a collection agency agreement under which we agreed to act as MFOC’s collection agent for subtenant rental payments made by our franchisees who operate stores previously owned by MFOC on which MFOC remains as the tenant. We do not charge MFOC separately for this service, but certain costs associated with our performance of this agreement may be allocated to MFOC pursuant to our management agreement with MFOC.

 

Insurance Allocation Agreement

 

On March 16, 2004, we entered into an insurance allocation agreement under which we agreed to make certain payments to MFC in respect of our share of certain insurance costs, allocated based on our estimation of the appropriate risk of loss of each of MFC’s subsidiaries. The insurance allocation agreement also provides for the allocation of workers’ compensation costs based on the respective employee payroll and employment category risk factor of each of MFC’s subsidiaries that generate payroll. For the year ended December 31, 2005, we paid MFC approximately $1.3 million, respectively, for our share of insurance costs.

 

Benefits Agreement

 

On March 16, 2004, we and MFOC entered into a benefits agreement with MFOC under which we agreed to make certain payments to MFOC in respect of our share of employee benefits costs based on the number of our employees. Costs associated with our employees providing services to MFOC under the management agreement will be allocated consistent with shared expenses under the management agreement. For the year ended December 31, 2005, we paid MFOC approximately $2.9 million, for our share of employee benefit costs.

 

56



 

Korn/Ferry International

 

From time to time, we have engaged Korn/Ferry International, an executive recruiting firm for which Richard Ferry, one of the members of our board of managers, holds the honorary title of Founder Chairman. For the year ended December 31, 2005, we paid recruiting fees to Korn/Ferry International of $158,000.

 

Tax Allocation Agreement

 

On March 16, 2004 we entered into a tax allocation agreement with MFC pursuant to which we agreed to make payments to MFC, after taking into account payments we make directly to tax authorities, based on our hypothetical stand alone consolidated federal income tax liability, determined as if we and our subsidiaries constituted our own consolidated group for federal income tax purposes. We are not be permitted to make payments under the tax allocation agreement in respect of our hypothetical consolidated federal taxable income, to the extent that such payments exceed the consolidated federal income taxes (including estimated taxes) payable in respect of MFC’s consolidated federal income tax group, until and only while our ratio of Net Indebtedness to Consolidated EBITDA (each as defined in the indenture governing the Senior Secured Notes) is less than 3.75:1.0 and we are otherwise in compliance with the terms of the indenture governing the Senior Secured Notes. Instead, we will accrue these amounts otherwise payable to MFC as a liability to MFC until we meet these conditions. As of December 31, 2005, our ratio of Net Indebtedness to Consolidated EBITDA was approximately 6.07:1.0.

 

Managers’ and Officers’ Indemnification

 

The Company’s limited liability agreement provides customary provisions providing for indemnification of our managers and officers in the performance of their duties to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

 

KPMG LLP served as our independent accountants for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2005 and January 1, 2005. During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2005 and January 1, 2005, fees for services provided by KPMG LLP were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,

 

January, 1

 

 

 

2005

 

2005

 

Audit fees

 

$

210

 

$

193

 

Audit-related fees

 

 

153

 

Tax fees

 

63

 

58

 

Total

 

$

273

 

$

404

 

 

The aggregate fees included in the audit fees category are fees for the respective fiscal years for the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements and review of financial statements and statutory and regulatory filings or engagements. The aggregate fees for each of the other categories are fees billed in the respective fiscal years.

 

Audit Fees

 

Audit fees consist of fees billed for professional services rendered in connection with the audit of our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and for the review of our consolidated financial statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

 

Audit-Related Fees

 

Audit-related fees consist of fees billed in the fiscal year ended January 1, 2005 for professional services rendered in reviewing our debt offering documents and our debt registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form S-4 totaling approximately $136,000. Also included are fees billed in the fiscal year ended January 1, 2005 for professional services associated with re-auditing our consolidated financial statements for periods prior to fiscal 2003 that were previously audited by another accounting firm totaling approximately $17,000.

 

57



 

Tax Fees

 

Tax fees consist of fees billed for professional services rendered in connection with the review of tax returns and tax compliance.

 

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

 

The Audit Committee pre-approves the services provided to us by KPMG LLP in connection with the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements, the review of our quarterly financial statements and tax review and planning services. If management proposes to engage KPMG LLP for other audit or permitted non-audit services, the Audit Committee pre-approves these services on a case-by-case basis. The Audit Committee approved all the services provided to us by KPMG LLP described above.

 

PART IV

 

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

(a) Document List

 

1. Financial Statements

 

The following consolidated financial statements of Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC are included in Part II, Item 8:

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2005 and January 1, 2005

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended
December 31, 2005, January 1, 2005 and January 3, 2004

 

Consolidated Statements of Member’s Deficit for the years ended December 31, 2005, January 1, 2005 and January 3, 2004

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2005, January 1, 2005 and
January 3, 2004

 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

2. Financial Statement Schedules

 

Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 

 

All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required or the required information has been included within the consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto.

 

58



 

(b)           Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

3.1*

 

Certificate of Formation of Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC

 

3.2*

 

Limited Liability Agreement of Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC, dated as of February 4, 2004, by Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc.

 

3.3*

 

Certificate of Incorporation of Mrs. Fields Financing Company, Inc.

 

3.4*

 

Bylaws of Mrs. Fields Financing Company, Inc.

 

3.5*

 

Certificate of Formation of Great American Cookies Company Franchising, LLC

 

3.6*

 

Limited Liability Agreement of Great American Cookies Company Franchising, LLC, dated as of February 4, 2004, by Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC

 

3.7*

 

Certificate of Formation of Great American Manufacturing, LLC

 

3.8*

 

Limited Liability Agreement of Great American Manufacturing, LLC, dated as of February 4, 2004, by Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC

 

3.9*

 

Articles of Incorporation of Mrs. Fields Cookies Australia

 

3.10*

 

Bylaws of Mrs. Fields Cookies Australia

 

3.11*

 

Certificate of Formation of Mrs. Fields Franchising, LLC

 

3.12*

 

Limited Liability Agreement of Mrs. Fields Franchising, LLC, dated as of February 4, 2004, by Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC

 

3.13*

 

Articles of Incorporation of Mrs. Fields Gifts, Inc.

 

3.14*

 

Bylaws of Mrs. Fields Gifts, Inc.

 

3.15*

 

Certificate of Formation of Pretzelmaker Franchising, LLC

 

3.16*

 

Limited Liability Agreement of Pretzelmaker Franchising, LLC, dated as of February 4, 2004, by Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC

 

3.17*

 

Certificate of Formation of Pretzel Time Franchising, LLC

 

3.18*

 

Limited Liability Agreement of Pretzel Time Franchising, LLC, dated as of February 4, 2004, by Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC

 

3.19*

 

Certificate of Incorporation of The Mrs. Fields’ Brand, Inc.

 

3.20*

 

Bylaws of The Mrs. Fields’ Brand, Inc.

 

3.21*

 

Articles of Incorporation of TCBY International, Inc. (f/k/a TCBY Preparation, Inc.)

 

3.22*

 

Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of TCBY International, Inc. (f/k/a TCBY Preparation, Inc.) changing name to TCBY International, Inc.

 

3.23*

 

Bylaws of TCBY International, Inc. (f/k/a TCBY Preparation, Inc.)

 

3.24*

 

Articles of Incorporation of TCBY of Texas, Inc.

 

3.25*

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws of TCBY of Texas, Inc.

 

3.26*

 

Certificate of Formation of TCBY Systems, LLC

 

3.27*

 

Amended and Restated Limited Liability Agreement of TCBY Systems, LLC, dated as of March 16, 2004, by Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC

 

4.1*

 

Purchase Agreement, dated March 9, 2004, by and among Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC, Mrs. Fields Financing Company, Inc., Jefferies & Company, Inc. as the Initial Purchaser, and the subsidiary guarantors named therein

 

59



 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

4.2*

 

Indenture, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and among Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC, Mrs. Fields Financing Company, Inc., the Guarantors identified therein and The Bank of New York, as Trustee

 

4.3*

 

Form of 11½% Senior Secured Notes due 2011 (included in Exhibit 4.2)

 

4.4*

 

Form of 9% Senior Secured Notes due 2011 (included in Exhibit 4.2)

 

4.5*

 

Form of Subsidiary Guarantees related to the 11½% Senior Secured Notes due 2011 (included in Exhibit 4.2)

 

4.6*

 

Form of Subsidiary Guarantees related to the 9% Senior Secured Notes due 2011 (included in Exhibit 4.2)

 

4.7*

 

Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 16, 2004, by and among Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC, Mrs. Fields Financing Company, Inc, the Subsidiary Guarantors named therein and Jefferies & Company, Inc., as Initial Purchaser related to the 11½% Senior Secured Notes due 2011

 

4.8*

 

9% Notes Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 16, 2004, by and among Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC, Mrs. Fields Financing Company, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors named therein and the holders of the 9% Senior Secured Notes due 2011 related to the 9% Senior Secured Notes due 2011

 

4.9*

 

Pledge Agreement, dated March 16, 2004, by and among Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC, TCBY Systems, LLC and The Bank of New York, as Trustee

 

4.10*

 

Security Agreement, dated March 16, 2004, by and among Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC, Mrs. Fields Financing Company, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York, as Trustee

 

4.11*

 

Trademark Security Agreement, dated March 16, 2004, by and among Great American Cookies Company Franchising, LLC, Pretzelmaker Franchising, LLC, Pretzel Time Franchising, LLC, TCBY Systems, LLC, The Mrs. Fields’ Brand, Inc. and The Bank of New York, as Trustee

 

4.12*

 

Account Control Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and among LaSalle Bank, National Association, Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC and The Bank of New York, as Trustee

 

4.13*

 

Restricted Account Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and among Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC and The Bank of New York, as Trustee

 

4.14*

 

Restricted Account Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and among Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., TCBY Systems, LLC and The Bank of New York, as Trustee

 

4.15*

 

Deed to Secure Debt, Security Agreement, and Assignment of Leases and Rents, dated as of March , 2004, by and between Great American Manufacturing, LLC and The Bank of New York, as Trustee

 

4.16

 

First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 9, 2005, by and among Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC, Mrs. Fields Financing Company, Inc., the Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture) and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, included as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 11, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference.

 

10.1*

 

Contribution Agreement between TCBY Enterprises, Inc. and TCBY Systems, LLC dated as of March 16, 2004

 

10.2*

 

Contribution Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and among Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc., the subsidiaries of Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc. named therein, Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC and the subsidiaries of Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC named therein

 

10.3**

 

United States Trademark Assignment, dated March 16, 2004, between Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc. and The Mrs. Fields’ Brand, Inc.

 

60



 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

10.4**

 

International Trademark Assignment, dated March 16, 2004, between Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc. and The Mrs. Fields’ Brand, Inc.

 

10.5*

 

United States Trademark Assignment, dated March 16, 2004, between Great American Cookies Company, LLC, and Great American Cookies Company Franchising, LLC

 

10.6*

 

International Trademark Assignment, dated March 16, 2004, between Great American Cookies Company, LLC, and Great American Cookies Company Franchising, LLC

 

10.7*

 

United States Trademark Assignment, dated March 16, 2004, between Pretzel Time, LLC, and Pretzel Time Franchising, LLC

 

10.8*

 

International Trademark Assignment, dated March 16, 2004, between Pretzel Time, LLC and Pretzel Time Franchising, LLC

 

10.9*

 

United States Trademark Assignment, dated March 16, 2004, between Pretzelmaker, LLC and Pretzelmaker Franchising, LLC

 

10.10*

 

International Trademark Assignment, dated March 16, 2004, between Pretzelmaker, LLC and Pretzelmaker Franchising, LLC

 

10.11**

 

United States Trademark Assignment, dated March 16, 2004, between TCBY Enterprises, Inc. and TCBY Systems, LLC

 

10.12**

 

International Trademark Assignment, dated March 16, 2004, between TCBY Enterprises, Inc. and TCBY Systems, LLC

 

10.13*

 

Severance Assumption Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and among Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc., Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC, Larry A. Hodges and Mrs. Fields’ Companies, Inc.

 

10.14*

 

Management Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and between Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC and Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc.

 

10.15*

 

Tax Allocation Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and among Mrs. Fields’ Companies, Inc., Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC and the subsidiaries of Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC named therein

 

10.16*

 

Insurance Allocation Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and among Mrs. Fields’ Companies, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries

 

10.17*

 

Benefits Allocation Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and among Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc., Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC and the subsidiaries of Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC named therein

 

10.18*

 

Collection Agency Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and between Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc. and Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC

 

10.19*

 

Expense Reimbursement Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, among Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC, Mrs. Fields’ Companies, Inc., Mrs. Fields’ Holding Company, Inc., Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc., Capricorn Investors II, L.P., and Capricorn Investors III, L.P.

 

10.20*

 

Lease Agreement, dated January 19, 1998, as amended by Lease Addendum No. 1 dated June 4, 1998, and Lease Addendum No. 2, dated October 19, 2000, between 2855 E. Cottonwood Parkway L.C. and Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc.

 

10.21*

 

Assignment and Assumption of Lease, dated as of March 16, 2004, between Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc. and Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC, pertaining to the Cottonwood Parkway Headquarters Lease

 

10.22*

 

Sublease, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and between Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC and Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc.

 

61



 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

10.23*

 

Lease Agreement, dated May 31, 2003, between Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc. and Transwestern Commercial Services LP, pertaining to the Training Facility

 

10.24*

 

Assignment and Assumption of Lease, dated as of March 16, 2004, between Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc. and Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC, pertaining to the Training Facility Lease

 

10.25*

 

Lease Agreement, dated March 31, 2001, between Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc. and Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC, pertaining to the Mrs. Fields Gifts Facility

 

10.26*

 

Assignment and Assumption of Lease, dated as of March 16, 2004, between Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc. and Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC, pertaining to the Mrs. Fields Gifts Facility Lease

 

10.27*

 

Mrs. Fields Franchise Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and among Mrs. Fields Franchising, LLC and Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc.

 

10.28*

 

Great American Cookies Company Franchise Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and between Great American Cookies Company Franchising, LLC and Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc.

 

10.29*

 

Pretzel Time Franchise Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and between Pretzel Time Franchising, LLC and Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc.

 

10.30*

 

Pretzelmaker Franchise Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and between Pretzelmaker Franchising, LLC and Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc.

 

10.31**

 

TCBY Franchise Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and between TCBY Systems, LLC and Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc.

 

10.32**

 

License Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and between Mrs. Fields Franchising, LLC and Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc., related to the Hot Sam brand

 

10.33*

 

License Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, between Mrs. Fields Franchising, LLC and Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc., related to the Original Cookie Company brand

 

10.34*

 

Purchase Agreement, dated December 1, 1999, between The Mrs. Fields’ Brand, Inc. and Nonni’s Food Company, Inc.

 

10.35*

 

Amendment Number One to Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 28, 2000, between The Mrs. Fields’ Brand, Inc. and Nonni’s Food Company, Inc.

 

10.36*

 

Amendment Number Two to Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 17, 2002, between The Mrs. Fields’ Brand, Inc. and Nonni’s Food Company, Inc.

 

10.37*

 

Trademark License Agreement, dated January 3, 2000, between The Mrs. Fields’ Brand, Inc. and Nonni’s Food Company, Inc.

 

10.38*

 

Amendment No. 1, dated December 29, 2000, to Trademark License Agreement dated January 3, 2000, between The Mrs. Fields’ Brand, Inc. and Nonni’s Food Company, Inc.

 

10.39*

 

Trademark License Agreement, dated February 21, 2001, between The Mrs. Fields’ Brand, Inc. and Nonni’s Food Company, Inc.

 

10.40*

 

Amendment No. 1, dated January 17, 2002, to Trademark License Agreement dated February 21, 2001, between The Mrs. Fields’ Brand, Inc. and Nonni’s Food Company, Inc.

 

10.41*

 

Amendment No. 2, dated March 31, 2003, to Trademark License Agreement dated February 21, 2001, between Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc. and Nonni’s Food Company, Inc.

 

10.42*

 

Trademark License Agreement, dated as of January 2, 2002, between The Mrs. Fields’ Brand, Inc. and Nonni’s Food Company, Inc.

 

10.43*

 

Trademark License Agreement, dated March 31, 2003, between Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc. and Nonni’s Food Company, Inc.

 

62



 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

10.44*

 

Marriott-TCBY Joint Venture Agreement, dated May 25, 1989, among TCBY Enterprises, Inc., TCBY Systems, Inc. and Host International, Inc., Host Marriott Services USA, Inc., and Host Marriott Tollroads, Inc.

 

10.45*

 

First Amendment to Marriott-TCBY Joint Venture Agreement, dated as of January 1, 1990, among TCBY Enterprises, Inc., TCBY Systems, Inc. and Host International, Inc., Host Marriott Services USA, Inc., and Host Marriott Tollroads, Inc.

 

10.46*

 

Second Amendment to Marriott-TCBY Joint Venture Agreement, dated as of March 1, 1991, among TCBY Enterprises, Inc., TCBY Systems, Inc. and Host International, Inc., Host Marriott Services USA, Inc., and Host Marriott Tollroads, Inc.

 

10.47*

 

Third Amendment to Marriott-TCBY Joint Venture Agreement, dated as of October 1, 1991, among TCBY Enterprises, Inc., TCBY Systems, Inc. and Host International, Inc., Host Marriott Services USA, Inc., and Host Marriott Tollroads, Inc.

 

10.48*

 

Fourth Amendment to Host Marriott-TCBY Joint Venture Agreement, dated as of November 30, 1998, among TCBY Enterprises, Inc., TCBY Systems, Inc. and Host International, Inc., Host Marriott Services USA, Inc., and Host Marriott Tollroads, Inc.

 

10.49***

 

Supply Agreement, dated December 31, 2002, between Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc. and Countryside Baking Company, Inc.

 

10.50***

 

Exclusive Supply Agreement, dated as of November 19, 2002, by and between TCBY Systems, LLC and Americana Foods Limited Partnership

 

10.51**

 

Beverage Marketing Agreement, dated March 7, 2003, between Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc. and Coca-Cola Fountain, part of The Coca-Cola Company

 

10.52*

 

Assignment Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and among Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc., Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC and Coca-Cola Fountain

 

10.53*

 

Supply and Distribution Agreement, dated August 9, 1998, between Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc. and Dawn Food Products

 

10.54*

 

Assignment Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and among Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc., Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC and Dawn Food Products

 

10.55*

 

Food and Packaging Distribution Agreement, dated November 14, 2002, between TCBY Systems, LLC and Blue Line Distributing

 

10.56*

 

Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated March 16, 2004, by and among Stephen Russo, Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC and Mrs. Fields’ Companies, Inc.

 

10.57

 

[Reserved]

 

10.58*

 

Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated March 16, 2004, by and between Michael R. Ward and Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC

 

10.59**

 

Mrs. Fields’ Companies, Inc. Director Stock Option Plan (f/k/a Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, Inc. Director Stock Option Plan)

 

10.60**

 

Mrs. Fields’ Companies, Inc. Employee Stock Option Plan (f/k/a Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, Inc. Employee Stock Option Plan)

 

10.61

 

Mrs. Fields’ Companies, Inc. Phantom Stock Plan, effective as of May 25, 2004, and form of performance unit Grant Agreement, included as Exhibit 10.61 to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 16, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference.

 

63



 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

10.62****

 

Termination Agreement and Release, dated as of December 24, 2004, between Mrs. Fields Franchising, LLC and Shadewell Grove IP, LLC, pertaining to termination of a Trademark License Agreement between their predecessors-in-interest dated January 2, 2002

 

10.63****

 

Amendment to Trademark License Agreements, dated as of December 24, 2004, between Mrs. Fields Franchising, LLC and Shadewell Grove IP, LLC, amending certain Trademark License Agreements between their predecessors-in-interest

 

10.64****

 

Marketing Allowance Agreement, dated as of December 24, 2004, between Mrs. Fields Franchising, LLC and Shadewell Grove IP, LLC

 

10.65****

 

Trademark License Agreement, dated December 24, 2004, between Mrs. Fields Franchising, LLC and Shadewell Grove IP, LLC

 

10.66

 

Option Agreement and Amendment to License Agreement, dated December 12, 2005 between Maxfield Candy Company and Mrs. Fields Franchising, LLC

 

10.67

 

Industrial Net Lease Agreement, effective as of March 1, 2006 by and between Natomas Meadows Two, LLC and Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC filed as exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 6, 2006

 

10.68

 

Extension to Distribution Agreement, dated effective as of November 15, 2005, between Blue Line Distributing, a division of Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc., and TCBY Systems, LLC.

 

12.1

 

Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges of Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC

 

21.1

 

Subsidiaries of Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC

 

31.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended

 

31.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended

 

32

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 


*

Included as an exhibit with corresponding exhibit number to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-115046) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

**

Included as an exhibit, with corresponding exhibit number to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-115046) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 2, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

***

Included as an exhibit, with corresponding exhibit number to Amendment No. 2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-115046) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 12, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

****

Included as an exhibit with corresponding exhibit number to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

Filed herewith.

 

64



 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

MRS. FIELDS FAMOUS BRANDS, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Stephen Russo

 

March 20, 2006

 

Stephen Russo, President and
Date
Chief Executive Officer
 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Mark C. McBride

 

March 20, 2006

 

Mark C. McBride
Date

Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer

 

 

65



 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Stephen Russo

 

President, Chief Executive Officer

 

March 20, 2006

Stephen Russo

 

and Manager

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Mark C. McBride

 

Chief Accounting Officer

 

March 20, 2006

Mark C. McBride

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Alexander Coleman

 

Manager

 

March 20, 2006

Alexander Coleman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ John D. Collins

 

Manager

 

March 20, 2006

John D. Collins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/  Richard M. Ferry

 

Manager

 

March 20, 2006

Richard M. Ferry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ George N. Fugelsang

 

Manager

 

March 20, 2006

George N. Fugelsang

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Walker Lewis

 

Manager

 

March 20, 2006

Walker Lewis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Peter W. Mullin

 

Manager

 

March 20, 2006

Peter W. Mullin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ John D. Shafer

 

Manager

 

March 20, 2006

John D. Shafer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Christopher Wright

 

Manager

 

March 20, 2006

Christopher Wright

 

 

 

 

 

66



 

MRS. FIELDS FAMOUS BRANDS, LLC

SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

 

 

 

Balance at

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at

 

 

 

beginning

 

 

 

 

 

end of

 

Description

 

of period

 

Additions

 

Deductions

 

period

 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2005

 

$

1,295,000

 

$

(74,000

)

$

609,000

 

$

612,000

 

Year ended January 1, 2005

 

$

1,948,000

 

$

161,000

 

$

814,000

 

$

1,295,000

 

Year ended January 3, 2004

 

$

2,434,000

 

$

48,000

 

$

534,000

 

$

1,948,000

 

 

S-1




 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Board of Managers

Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC:

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC (see Note 1) as of December 31, 2005 and January 1, 2005, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), member’s deficit and cash flows for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2005, January 1, 2005 and January 3, 2004. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we also have audited financial statement schedule II. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

As described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the accompanying consolidated financial statements prior to formation of the Company on March 16, 2004 were prepared solely to present the assets contributed and the liabilities assumed pursuant to the formation of the Company through the combination of certain assets and liabilities of Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc. and subsidiaries (MFOC) and all of the assets and liabilities of TCBY Systems, LLC and subsidiaries, and are not intended to be a complete historical presentation of all the assets and liabilities of MFOC.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC as of December 31, 2005 and January 1, 2005, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2005, January 1, 2005 and January 3, 2004 in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

 

 

KPMG LLP

 

Salt Lake City, Utah

March 17, 2006

 

F-2



 

MRS. FIELDS FAMOUS BRANDS, LLC

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

December 31,

 

January 1,

 

 

 

2005

 

2005

 

ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

23,664

 

$

19,859

 

Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $612 and $1,295, respectively

 

8,061

 

8,039

 

Amounts due from affiliates

 

 

23

 

Inventories

 

2,869

 

2,626

 

Prepaid expenses and other

 

932

 

1,200

 

Deferred tax asset

 

780

 

1,120

 

Total current assets

 

36,306

 

32,867

 

Property and equipment, net

 

4,360

 

3,486

 

Goodwill

 

78,683

 

113,456

 

Trademarks and other intangible assets, net

 

12,755

 

23,419

 

Deferred loan costs, net of accumulated amortization of $9,964 and $9,043, respectively

 

6,964

 

7,885

 

Deferred tax asset

 

151

 

 

Other assets

 

678

 

668

 

 

 

$

139,897

 

$

181,781

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND MEMBER’S DEFICIT:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

6,496

 

$

4,334

 

Accrued liabilities

 

12,289

 

14,646

 

Amounts due to affiliates

 

3,949

 

2,780

 

Current portion of capital lease obligations

 

104

 

36

 

Current portion of deferred revenues

 

1,074

 

2,049

 

Total current liabilities

 

23,912

 

23,845

 

Long-term debt

 

195,747

 

195,747

 

Capital lease obligations, net of current portion

 

485

 

427

 

Deferred revenues, net of current portion

 

1,175

 

1,387

 

Deferred tax liability

 

 

3,876

 

Total liabilities

 

221,319

 

225,282

 

Member’s deficit

 

(81,273

)

(43,365

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(149

)

(136

)

Total member’s deficit

 

(81,422

)

(43,501

)

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

$

139,897

 

$

181,781

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-3



 

MRS. FIELDS FAMOUS BRANDS, LLC

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

January 1,

 

January 3,

 

 

 

2005

 

2005

 

2004

 

REVENUES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Franchising

 

$

53,528

 

$

55,913

 

$

58,645

 

Gifts

 

30,136

 

25,849

 

17,405

 

Licensing

 

4,016

 

4,945

 

5,464

 

Other

 

272

 

353

 

474

 

Total revenues

 

87,952

 

87,060

 

81,988

 

OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Franchising

 

21,746

 

21,893

 

20,040

 

Gifts

 

28,418

 

20,733

 

13,207

 

Licensing

 

1,132

 

1,516

 

1,155

 

General and administrative

 

8,527

 

9,727

 

10,811

 

Stock compensation expense

 

 

75

 

50

 

Costs associated with debt refinancing, net

 

 

249

 

684

 

Depreciation

 

1,145

 

1,221

 

1,973

 

Amortization

 

2,831

 

2,832

 

1,780

 

Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets

 

43,707

 

 

 

Other operating expenses, net

 

219

 

147

 

331

 

Total operating costs and expenses

 

107,725

 

58,393

 

50,031

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

(19,773

)

28,667

 

31,957

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

(20,943

)

(24,905

)

(25,041

)

Other income

 

 

1,054

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

(40,716

)

4,816

 

6,916

 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

(2,808

)

2,254

 

2,403

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

(37,908

)

2,562

 

4,513

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from discontinued operations (net of income taxes of $0, $65 and $158, respectively)

 

 

104

 

255

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(37,908

)

$

2,666

 

$

4,768

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(37,908

)

$

2,666

 

$

4,768

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

(13

)

9

 

(10

)

Comprehensive income (loss)

 

$

(37,921

)

$

2,675

 

$

4,758

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-4



 

MRS. FIELDS FAMOUS BRANDS, LLC

Consolidated Statements of Member’s Deficit

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

Member’s

 

Stock

 

Comprehensive

 

 

 

 

 

Deficit

 

Compensation

 

Loss

 

Total

 

Balance at December 28, 2002

 

$

(47,641

)

$

(329

)

$

(135

)

$

(48,105

)

Stock compensation expense

 

 

50

 

 

50

 

Unvested options returned to plan

 

(204

)

204

 

 

 

Distribution to parent under tax sharing agreement

 

(1,555

)

 

 

(1,555

)

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

(10

)

(10

)

Net income

 

4,768

 

 

 

4,768

 

Other activity with parent

 

(10,969

)

 

 

(10,969

)

Balance at January 3, 2004

 

(55,601

)

(75

)

(145

)

(55,821

)

Stock compensation expense

 

 

75

 

 

75

 

Contribution by parent

 

17,500

 

 

 

17,500

 

Repurchase of stock options in parent

 

(108

)

 

 

(108

)

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

9

 

9

 

Net income

 

2,666

 

 

 

2,666

 

Other activity with parent

 

(7,822

)

 

 

(7,822

)

Balance at January 1, 2005

 

(43,365

)

 

(136

)

(43,501

)

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

(13

)

(13

)

Net loss

 

(37,908

)

 

 

(37,908

)

Balance at December 31, 2005

 

$

(81,273

)

$

 

$

(149

)

$

(81,422

)

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-5



 

MRS. FIELDS FAMOUS BRANDS, LLC

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

January 1,

 

January 3,

 

 

 

2005

 

2005

 

2004

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(37,908

)

$

2,666

 

$

4,768

 

Net income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

 

 

(104

)

(255

)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) from to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss on disposal of assets

 

353

 

 

 

Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets

 

43,707

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

3,976

 

4,053

 

3,753

 

Amortization of deferred loan costs

 

921

 

3,518

 

4,578

 

Stock compensation expense

 

 

75

 

50

 

Amortization of discount on notes

 

 

1,245

 

596

 

Gain on sale of equity warrants

 

 

(1,054

)

 

Non-cash debt increases associated with PIK interest

 

 

 

585

 

Deferred income taxes

 

(3,687

)

(523

)

(846

)

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables, net

 

(22

)

1,031

 

249

 

Amounts due to/from affiliates, net

 

1,192

 

(378

)

(4,652

)

Inventories, net

 

(243

)

(664

)

(590

)

Prepaid expenses and other

 

268

 

(78

)

(539

)

Other assets

 

(111

)

(158

)

59

 

Accounts payable

 

2,162

 

(2,455

)

594

 

Accrued liabilities

 

(2,857

)

1,436

 

6,356

 

Deferred revenue

 

(1,187

)

(872

)

(92

)

Net cash provided by continuing operating activities

 

6,564

 

7,738

 

14,614

 

Net cash (used in) provided by discontinued operating activities

 

 

(301

)

541

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

6,564

 

7,437

 

15,155

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from sale of equity warrants

 

 

1,054

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

(2,174

)

(859

)

(220

)

Purchase of license repurchase option

 

(500

)

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

 

(2,674

)

195

 

(220

)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net borrowings (payments) under line of credit

 

 

(3,452

)

2,480

 

Principal payments on long-term debt

 

 

(98,014

)

(5,609

)

Payment of debt financing costs

 

 

(11,975

)

(2,351

)

Proceeds from issuance of Senior Secured Notes

 

 

115,000

 

 

Principal payments on capital lease

 

(72

)

(37

)

 

Contribution by parent

 

 

17,500

 

 

Repurchase of stock options in parent

 

 

(108

)

 

Distribution to parent under tax sharing agreement and merger costs

 

 

 

(76

)

Other activity with parent

 

 

(7,996

)

(10,969

)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

(72

)

10,918

 

(16,525

)

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash

 

(13

)

9

 

(10

)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

3,805

 

18,559

 

(1,600

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

19,859

 

1,300

 

2,900

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

23,664

 

$

19,859

 

$

1,300

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-6



 

 

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

January 1,

 

January 3,

 

 

 

2005

 

2005

 

2004

 

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest

 

$

20,562

 

$

16,541

 

$

19,050

 

Cash paid for income taxes

 

85

 

50

 

317

 

Cash paid to parent for income taxes

 

 

1,450

 

7,050

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental Disclosures of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets acquired under capital lease

 

$

198

 

$

500

 

$

 

Property and equipment contributed by parent

 

 

174

 

 

Distributions payable to parent under tax sharing agreement

 

 

 

1,555

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-7



 

MRS. FIELDS FAMOUS BRANDS, LLC

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

 

1. Basis of Presentation and Description of Business

 

Basis of Presentation

 

Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC (the “Company” or “Mrs. Fields”) is an entity that was formed in March 2004 in connection with the reorganization of certain entities and segments that are under the common control of Mrs. Fields’ Companies, Inc. (“MFC”), formerly known as Mrs. Fields’ Famous Brands, Inc. The Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc., (“MFOC”). MFOC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mrs. Fields’ Holding Company, Inc. (“MFH”), and MFH is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MFC. Prior to the reorganization, TCBY Systems, LLC (“TCBY”) was a wholly-owned subsidiary of TCBY Enterprises, LLC (“TCBY Enterprises”), whose parent was also MFC.

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements prior to the formation of the Company on March 16, 2004 include the accounts of TCBY and the franchising, gifts and licensing segments of MFOC. In March 2004, MFC completed a reorganization whereby TCBY and the franchising, gifts and licensing segments of MFOC were contributed to the Company. These financial statements have been prepared to reflect this reorganization as if it had occurred on December 29, 2002 (the beginning of fiscal 2003.)

 

The consolidated financial statements assume that Mrs. Fields, for all periods presented, had existed as a separate legal entity with the following three business segments: franchising, gifts and licensing. The consolidated financial statements, which have been carved out from the consolidated financial statements of MFOC and TCBY prior to the reorganization using the historical results of operations and assets and liabilities of these businesses and activities and which exclude the company-owned stores segment of MFOC, reflect the accounting policies adopted by MFOC and TCBY in the preparation of their consolidated financial statements and thus do not necessarily reflect the accounting policies which Mrs. Fields might have adopted had it been an independent company. The historical consolidated financial statements of Mrs. Fields include those accounts specifically attributable to Mrs. Fields, substantially all of the indebtedness of MFOC and TCBY, and allocations of expenses relating to shared services and administrative functions incurred at MFOC.

 

Historically, MFOC has not allocated its various corporate overhead expenses, and common general and administrative expenses to its operating business units. However, an allocation of such expenses has been included in general and administrative expenses for the periods prior to the reorganization in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The Company’s general and administrative expenses represent portions of MFOC’s corporate functions such as human resources, legal, accounting and finance, treasury and information technology systems, that have been allocated to Mrs. Fields based on percentage of labor hours devoted by the functional department. These allocated costs are not necessarily indicative of the costs that Mrs. Fields would have incurred had it operated as an independent, stand-alone entity for all periods presented.

 

The other activity with parent line items on the consolidated statements of member’s deficit and the consolidated statements of cash flows represent the net activity between the Company and MFOC prior to the reorganization in March 2004.

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. All transactions and balances between the consolidated entities and segments have been eliminated.

 

F-8



 

Description of Business

 

The Company develops and franchises retail stores which sell core products including cookies, brownies, frozen yogurt, ice cream and pretzels through five specialty branded concepts: Mrs. Fields, Great American Cookie Company, TCBY, Pretzel Time and Pretzelmaker.

 

In connection with its franchising activities, the Company authorizes third-party licensees and franchisees to use certain business formats, systems, methods, procedures, designs, layouts, specifications, trade names and trademarks in the United States of America (the “United States”) and other countries. Additionally, the Company licenses the use of its trademarks, logos and recipes to third parties for distribution of Mrs. Fields and TCBY branded products through non-bakery stores and cafes. The Company also markets and distributes products through catalogs and the Internet.

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Accounting Periods

 

The Company operates using a 52/53-week fiscal year ending on the Saturday closest to December 31. Fiscal 2005 and 2004 are 52-week years ending December 31, 2005 and January 1, 2005, respectively. Fiscal 2003 is a 53-week year ending January 3, 2004.

 

Foreign Currency Translation

 

The balance sheet accounts of foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars using the applicable balance sheet date exchange rates, while revenues and expenses are translated using the average exchange rates for the period presented.

 

Related-Party Transactions

 

Mrs. Fields has contractual relationships with various affiliates, primarily MFOC, MFH, TCBY Enterprises and MFC, which are intended to be fair to the parties involved in the transactions and on terms similar to what could be negotiated with independent third parties. Sometimes the Company is required to negotiate the agreements for both sides of the transaction. Also, inherent in any contractual relationship is the interpretation of the intent of the agreement at a later time when unanticipated events occur. When situations like these occur, the Company attempts objectively to determine the terms of the transaction or interpret the intent of the agreement on a fair and independent basis. However, there is no guarantee that the Company will be successful in doing so. Individual affiliate transactions or a series of related transactions in excess of $1.0 million require a resolution by the Board of Managers and individual affiliate transactions or a series of related transactions in excess of $5.0 million require an “opinion of fairness” by an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

The Company’s significant accounting estimates include estimates for employee benefits and related insurances, reserves for doubtful accounts and obsolete and excessive inventories, asset valuation allowances, depreciation and amortization.

 

F-9



 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Cash and cash equivalents include all cash balances and highly liquid investments with an initial maturity of three months or less. The Company places its temporary cash investments with high credit quality financial institutions. At times such investments may be in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance limit.

 

Receivables

 

Most of the Company’s receivables are due from domestic and international franchisees, distributors, licensees and corporate customers of our gifts segment. These receivables consist of normal trade accounts receivable and longer-term notes receivable. Service charges may be assessed on past due invoices but any revenue associated with these charges is only recognized when collected. The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts to cover potential losses. This allowance is the Company’s best estimate of the amount of probable collection losses in the Company’s existing trade accounts receivable. The Company determines the allowance based upon historical write-off experience and individual facts and circumstances associated with individual debtors. If the assumptions that are used to determine the allowance for doubtful accounts change, the Company may have to provide for a greater level of expense in future periods or reverse amounts provided in prior periods.

 

Prior to fiscal 2001, TCBY extended credit from time to time in the form of notes receivable to franchisees and certain of these notes receivable remain outstanding. Notes receivable from franchisees are primarily collateralized by equipment located at the franchisees’ stores. These notes bear interest at market rates and mature at various dates through April 2009. TCBY regularly reviews the notes for non-performance. Notes that are considered non-performing are placed on a non-accrual status when the collectability of principal or interest becomes uncertain. During the years ended December 31, 2005, January 1, 2005 and January 3, 2004, TCBY recognized no interest income pertaining to these notes receivable.

 

Prior to fiscal 2001, TCBY factored various notes receivable aggregating $2.1 million. Under the terms of the factoring agreement, TCBY is ultimately responsible to the factoring agent for the realizability of the notes receivable. In the event of non-performance, the factoring agent has recourse against TCBY to a maximum level of $478,000 and $701,000 as of December 31, 2005 and January 1, 2005, respectively. The Company has reserves of $478,000 and $569,000 as of December 31, 2005 and January 1, 2005, respectively, for this potential recourse liability. This reserve is included in accrued liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

 

Notes receivable at December 31, 2005 and January 1, 2005 comprised the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,

 

January 1,

 

 

 

2005

 

2005

 

Non-performing notes

 

$

 

$

521

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

 

(521

)

Non-performing notes, net

 

 

 

Performing notes

 

195

 

225

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

(69

)

(76

)

Performing notes, net

 

126

 

149

 

 

 

$

126

 

$

149

 

 

F-10



 

The activity in the allowance for notes receivable for the years ended December 31, 2005 and January 1, 2005 is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,

 

January 1,

 

 

 

2005

 

2005

 

Beginning balance

 

$

(597

)

$

(713

)

Write-offs

 

528

 

116

 

 

 

$

(69

)

$

(597

)

 

Inventories

 

Inventories consist of raw materials, finished goods, packaging and novelties and are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or market value. Inventories at December 31, 2005 and January 1, 2005 are comprised of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,

 

January 1,

 

 

 

2005

 

2005

 

Raw materials

 

$

1,283

 

$

958

 

Finished goods

 

770

 

643

 

Packaging

 

548

 

653

 

Novelties

 

268

 

372

 

 

 

$

2,869

 

$

2,626

 

 

Property and Equipment

 

Equipment and fixtures are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and are depreciated over three to seven years using the straight-line method. Leasehold improvements are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and are depreciated over the term of the lease using the straight-line method. Property and equipment at December 31, 2005 and January 1, 2005 are comprised of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,

 

January 1,

 

 

 

2005

 

2005

 

Leasehold improvements

 

$

4,241

 

$

3,879

 

Equipment and fixtures

 

7,927

 

9,801

 

Land

 

240

 

240

 

 

 

12,408

 

13,920

 

Less accumulated depreciation

 

(8,048

)

(10,434

)

 

 

$

4,360

 

$

3,486

 

 

Property and equipment at December 31, 2005 and January 1, 2005 includes gross assets acquired under a capital lease of $698,000 and $500,000, respectively, and related accumulated depreciation of $139,000 and $53,000, respectively.

 

Expenditures that materially extend useful lives of property and equipment are capitalized. Routine maintenance, repairs and renewal costs are expensed as incurred. Gains or losses from the sale or retirement of property and equipment are recorded in current operations.

 

F-11



 

Goodwill, Trademarks and Other Intangible Assets

 

The Company accounts for goodwill and other intangible assets in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 142 (“SFAS 142”), “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.”  Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a purchase business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but are tested for impairment at least annually in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 142. SFAS 142 also requires that intangible assets with estimable useful lives be amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values and be reviewed for impairment in accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.”

 

On an annual basis (in the fourth quarter), the Company performs an assessment for impairment of its carrying value of goodwill associated with each of its reporting units defined as Bakery Franchising, Dairy Franchising, Gifts and Licensing by comparing each reporting unit’s fair value with its carrying value. The estimated fair value of goodwill is affected by, among other things, operating results, the Company’s business plan for the future, estimated results of future operations and the comparable companies and transactions that are used to estimate the fair value of the goodwill. To the extent that the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds it fair value, goodwill is written down to its implied fair value. Changes in the business plan or operating results that are different than the projections used to develop the reporting units fair value may have an impact on the valuation of the goodwill. The Company engaged an independent valuation firm to assist us in determining the fair value of each of the Company’s reporting units and compared it to the carrying amount of the reporting unit as of December 31, 2005. The carrying amount of the Dairy Franchising reporting unit exceeded its fair value.

 

The Company compared the implied fair value of the Dairy Franchising reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of the goodwill and determined an impairment of Dairy Franchising goodwill of $34.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. The implied fair value of the goodwill is determined by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit to all of the assets (recognized and unrecognized) and liabilities of the reporting unit in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation, in accordance with SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations.”

 

Additionally, the Company determined that a triggering event had occurred under SFAS No. 144 as a result of an eroding TCBY franchise system, fewer locations, consistent negative year-over-year same store sales by our TCBY franchisees and the Company’s inability to locate and open a significant number of new or additional franchise locations. These factors have resulted in continued decreases in franchise royalties and yogurt formulation revenues from the Company’s TCBY franchise system. Therefore, the Company recorded charges to write-down the TCBY trade names and franchise relationships of $1.7 million and $7.2 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2005. In addition, the fair value becomes the new basis of the assets and they are amortized over the remaining useful life of the assets pursuant to SFAS No. 144.

 

The Company anticipates that the TCBY locations will continue to decline in the near future, at least until the reconcepting tests are completed and a plan has been developed to implement the reconcepting in qualified TCBY traditional stores. The Company anticipates the reconcepting tests will be completed in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006. While management is encouraged by the consumer data we have collected, there can be no assurances that the reconcepting plans or implementation will be successful, or that a reconcepting will slow or reverse the declining TCBY store count or contribution, which may adversely affect the Company’s results of operations.

 

F-12



 

The following outlines the Company’s goodwill by reporting unit as of December 31, 2005 and January 1, 2005 (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,

 

January 1,

 

 

 

2005

 

2005

 

Bakery Franchising

 

$

60,404

 

$

60,404

 

Dairy Franchising

 

14,568

 

49,341

 

Gifts

 

1,859

 

1,859

 

Licensing

 

1,852

 

1,852

 

Total

 

$

78,683

 

$

113,456

 

 

Trademarks and other intangible assets are comprised of definite-lived assets and are amortized over 5 to 15 years. The following outlines the Company’s trademarks and other intangibles as of December 31, 2005 and January 1, 2005 (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,

 

January 1,

 

 

 

2005

 

2005

 

Trademarks and trade names

 

$

15,404

 

$

19,761

 

Franchise relationships

 

2,600

 

13,370

 

Recipes

 

4,150

 

4,150

 

Reacquired franchise and license rights

 

1,528

 

528

 

Covenant not to compete

 

 

60

 

 

 

23,682

 

37,869

 

Less accumulated amortization

 

(10,927

)

(14,450

)

 

 

$

12,755

 

$

23,419

 

 

During 2005, the Company, through Mrs. Fields Franchising, LLC (“MFF”), entered into an Option Agreement and Amendment to License Agreement (the “Option”) with Maxfield Candy Company (“Maxfield”), one of our licensees, who produces and sells Mrs. Fields branded premium candy products in certain distribution channels under a trademark license agreement (the “License”).  The Option grants MFF an option to repurchase the License, excercisable during a period from the second to the fifth anniversary of the Option date.  The Option purchase price is $1 million, one-half of which was paid by MFF when the Option was signed by the parties, and one-half of which will be paid to Maxfield on the first anniversary of that date.  The repurchase price for the License is due only if MFF exercises the Option and ranges from $4.5 million to $7.0 million, depending on when the Option is exercised.  One-half of the Option purchase price will be credited to the License repurchase price in a manner described in the Option if MFF exercises the Option. The parties also agreed to certain modifications of the License as part of the Option. At December 31, 2005, the Option purchase price is included in reacquired franchise and license rights and is being amortized over the term of the Option.

 

F-13



 

Amortization expense of the intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2005, January 1, 2005 and January 3, 2004 was $2.7 million, $2.7 million and $1.7 million, respectively. Future amortization expense of the intangible assets as of December 31, 2005, is estimated to be as follows (in thousands):

 

Fiscal Year

 

 

 

2006

 

$

2,010

 

2007

 

1,968

 

2008

 

1,968

 

2009

 

1,827

 

2010

 

1,686

 

Thereafter

 

3,296

 

 

 

$

12,755

 

 

Deferred Loan Costs

 

Deferred loan costs are amortized over the life of the related debt using the effective interest method. During the years ended December 31, 2005, January 1, 2005 and January 3, 2004, the Company amortized deferred loan costs of approximately $921,000, $3.5 million and $4.6 million, respectively, to interest expense.

 

Long-Lived Assets

 

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the book value of an asset may not be fully recovered. The Company uses an estimate of future undiscounted net cash flows of the related asset or group of assets over the remaining life in measuring whether the assets are recoverable. Impairment of long-lived assets is assessed at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are independent of other groups of assets. Impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. The impairment of long-lived assets requires judgments and estimates. If circumstances change, such estimates could also change.

 

Accrued Liabilities

 

Accrued liabilities consist of the following at December 31, 2005 and January 1, 2005 (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,

 

January 1,

 

 

 

2005

 

2005

 

Accrued liabilities

 

$

4,778

 

$

4,701

 

Accrued compensation and benefits

 

1,534

 

3,968

 

Accrued interest payable

 

5,977

 

5,977

 

 

 

$

12,289

 

$

14,646

 

 

On June 24, 2004, the Company announced a reorganization of its executive management team effective June 28, 2004. As a result of this reorganization, the Company terminated the employment of two Senior Vice Presidents effective June 28, 2004 and accrued approximately $600,000 related to severance expenses. As of December 31, 2005, there were no remaining severance payments. As of January 1, 2005, remaining severance payments of $466,000 were included in accrued compensation and benefits.

 

F-14



 

On May 7, 2003, the Board of Directors of MFOC accepted the resignation of Larry A. Hodges as its President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, which resignation was effective on May 14, 2003. Pursuant to the terms of a Separation Agreement dated August 6, 2003 and a Severance Assumption Agreement dated March 16, 2004 among MFC, MFOC, the Company and Mr. Hodges (the “Separation Agreements”), Mr. Hodges received 28 months of salary as severance, which was paid semi-monthly through the end of 2004, and the balance was paid in a lump sum in January 2005. An aggregate of $321,000 in severance payments were due to Mr. Hodges and were included in accrued compensation and benefits as of January 1, 2005.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Initial franchising and licensing fees are recognized when all material services or conditions relating to the franchising or licensing have been substantially performed or satisfied, which is generally upon the opening of a store by a franchisee or licensee. Franchise and license royalties, which are based on a percentage of gross store sales, are recognized as earned, which is generally upon sale of product by franchisees or licensees. Minimum royalty payments under certain licensing agreements are deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the agreement. Revenues from the sale of cookie dough that the Company produces and sells to certain franchisees are recognized at the time of shipment and are classified in franchising revenues. Revenues from the sale of cookie dough to grocery stores and wholesale clubs are recognized upon shipment and are included in other revenues. Revenues from gifts are recognized at the time of shipment.

 

The Company receives cash payments for product formulation fees and allowances from suppliers based on the amount of product purchased directly by our distributors and franchisees. The product formulation fees include cash payments to the Company for the right to use the Company’s proprietary formulations and recipes to manufacture the frozen dough, dough mixes and TCBY products these suppliers sell to our franchisees. Formulation fees and allowances are recorded as franchising revenues upon shipment of product to the Company’s distributors or franchisees. During fiscal 2005, 2004 and 2003, we included in franchising revenues $12.8 million, $15.1 million and $16.5 million, respectively, for product formulation fees and allowances.

 

In March 2003, the Company received $2.0 million from a supplier as an advance to maintain and expand beverage concepts at the Company’s franchised store locations. This advance is being recognized as franchising revenues on a ratable basis over the six-year term of the agreement.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Franchising operating expenses consist of costs incurred to generate franchising revenues which include (i) franchise development and support expenses including expenses relating to brand investment initiatives; (ii) operations and supervision expenses; and (iii) product cost of sales of our manufacturing facility.

 

Gifts operating expenses consist of costs incurred to generate gift revenues which include (i) cost of sales; (ii) selling and advertising costs; and (iii) general and administrative expenses directly related to the gifts segment. Cost of sales includes inbound freight charges, purchasing and receiving costs, inspection costs, warehousing costs and other costs of our distribution network.

 

Licensing operating expenses consist of costs incurred to generate licensing revenues, which primarily are selling expenses, which include (i) payroll and payroll-related costs; (ii) outside commissions; and (iii) professional fees.

 

F-15



 

General and administrative expenses include (i) payroll and payroll-related costs of corporate employees such as executive, accounting, legal, human resources and information systems personnel; (ii) travel and travel-related expenses of corporate employees; (iii) professional and legal fees, bank charges, insurance costs and facility costs not related to the generation of revenues. These costs are associated with providing management support for all of our business segments.

 

Shipping and Handling Costs

 

The Company charges its gifts and manufacturing facility customers for shipping and handling costs and records the revenues in gifts revenues and franchising revenues, respectively. The costs for shipping and handling are included in gifts expense and franchising expense, respectively.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company is organized as a single-member limited liability company and will not elect to be taxed as a corporation for federal income tax purposes. As such, for federal income tax purposes, the Company will be “disregarded” and will be treated as a division of MFOC, its sole member. Although the Company is not expected to be a tax-paying entity, the assets of the Company could be subject to income tax claims against any member of its parent’s consolidated group.

 

The Company will be included in the consolidated federal income tax return of MFC, the Company’s ultimate parent. For historical financial reporting purposes, the Company has recognized income tax expense and deferred tax assets and liabilities as if it were filing a separate tax return. The Company has recognized deferred tax assets or liabilities for expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred tax assets or liabilities have been determined based upon the difference between the financial and income tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates expected to apply when differences are expected to be settled or realized.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The Company estimates that the total fair market value of its 9 percent Senior Secured Notes (see Note 3) and its 11½ percent Senior Secured Notes (see Note 3) was approximately $56.5 million and $92.0 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2005. These estimates are based on quoted market prices. The book values of the Company’s other financial instruments, including accounts receivable and accounts payable, approximate fair values at the respective balance sheet dates because of the relatively short maturity of these instruments or valuation allowances which have been recorded to report the balances at fair value. The carrying amount of other long-term debt obligations approximates its fair value because the related interest rates are at market rates.

 

Advertising

 

The Company administers advertising funds collected from its franchisees. The Company directs the expenditures of the advertising funds in connection with advertising and marketing campaigns for the benefit of the respective concepts. The advertising funds and their related activities are not included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

 

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. During the years ended December 31, 2005, January 1, 2005, and January 3, 2004, the Company incurred advertising expenses excluding the expenditures of the advertising funds totaling approximately $6.0 million, $4.5 million and $1.7 million, respectively.

 

F-16



 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In May 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 154 (“SFAS 154”), “Accounting for Changes and Errors Corrections - a Replacement of APB Opinion 20 and FASB Statement No. 3.”  Previously, Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 20 (“APB 20”), “Accounting Changes” and SFAS No. 3, “Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements” required the inclusion of the cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles in net income of the period of the change. SFAS 154 requires companies to recognize changes in accounting principles, including changes required by new accounting pronouncements when the pronouncement does not include specific transition provisions, retrospectively to prior periods’ financial statements. The Company will assess the impact of a retrospective application of a change in accounting principle in accordance with SFAS 154 if the need for such a change arises after the effective date of January 1, 2006.

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004) (“SFAS 123R”), “Share-Based Payment,” which is a revision of SFAS No. 123 (“SFAS 123”), “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.” SFAS 123R supersedes Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”. Generally, the approach in SFAS 123R is similar to the approach described in SFAS 123. However, SFAS 123R requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the income statement based upon their fair values. Pro forma disclosure is no longer an alternative. The new standard will be effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2006. The adoption of SFAS 123R is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

In November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151 (“SFAS 151”), “Inventory Costs, an amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4,” which clarifies the types of costs that should be expensed rather than capitalized as inventory. This statement also clarifies the circumstances under which fixed overhead costs associated with operating facilities involved in inventory processing should be capitalized. The new standard will be effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2006. The adoption of SFAS 151 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

3. Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

 

Long-Term Debt

 

Long-term debt consists of the following at December 31, 2005 and January 1, 2005 (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,

 

January 1,

 

 

 

2005

 

2005

 

Senior Secured Notes, interest at 11 1/2 percent payable semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15, due
March 15, 2011

 

$

115,000

 

$

115,000

 

Senior Secured Notes, interest at 9 percent payable semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15, due March 15, 2011

 

80,747

 

80,747

 

 

 

$

195,747

 

$

195,747

 

 

F-17



 

Debt Refinancing

 

On March 16, 2004, the Company issued $80.7 million of 9 percent senior secured notes (the “9 percent Senior Secured Notes”) in exchange for $80.7 million of existing senior notes (the “Senior Notes”) and issued $115.0 million of 11½ percent senior secured notes (the “11½ percent Senior Secured Notes” together with the 9 percent Senior Secured Notes, the “Senior Secured Notes”). The proceeds from the 11½ percent Senior Secured Notes were used to retire substantially all of the Company’s indebtness, except capital lease obligations.

 

The Senior Secured Notes will mature March 15, 2011, with interest payable semi-annually. The Senior Secured Notes rank senior in right of payment to all subordinated indebtedness of the Company and rank equal in right of payment with all existing and future senior indebtedness of the Company. The Senior Secured Notes are secured by all of the tangible and intangible assets of the Company and its subsidiaries.

 

The Senior Secured Notes are redeemable at the option of the Company anytime on or after March 15, 2008. The Company may redeem up to 35 percent of the aggregate principal amount of the notes with the net proceeds of certain equity offerings prior to March 15, 2007. The Senior Secured Notes require the Company to offer to repurchase a portion of the notes at 100 percent of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of purchase, with 50 percent of the Company’s “excess cash flow”, as defined in the indenture agreement, when the ratio of the Company’s Net Indebtedness to Consolidated EBITDA is above 3.75 to 1.0 and the cumulative unpaid excess cash flow offer amount exceeds $10.0 million. In the event of a change in control, the holders of the Senior Secured Notes will have the right to put the notes to the Company at 101 percent of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, provided at least 65 percent of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Secured Notes originally issued remain outstanding.

 

The Senior Secured Notes contain certain covenants that limit among other things, the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to (i) incur additional indebtedness; (ii) make certain investments or enter into sale and leaseback transactions; (iii) pay dividends, redeem subordinated debt, repurchase the Company’s or its subsidiaries stock or make any other restricted payments as defined in the indenture; (iv) enter into certain transactions with affiliates; (v) create or incur liens; (vi) transfer or sell assets; (vii) make dividends, distributions or other payments from the Company’s subsidiaries; (viii) consummate a merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets; and (ix) engage in unrelated business.

 

As of January 1, 2005, the Company had incurred $13.9 million of costs directly related to the debt refinancing. Generally, these costs would be deferred and amortized as interest expense over the term of the Senior Secured Notes. However, for the years ended January 1, 2005 and January 3, 2004, respectively, approximately $5.0 million and $684,000 of these costs related to the exchange of $80.7 million of Senior Notes for $80.7 million of Senior Secured Notes and were expensed, net of the gain recognized on the early retirement of the remaining indebtedness of $4.8 million during the year ended January 1, 2005, in the respective period in accordance with SFAS No. 15, “Accounting by Debtors and Creditors for Troubled Debt Restructurings” and included in the caption “costs associated with debt refinancing, net” in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

F-18



 

Capital Lease Obligations

 

As of December 31, 2005, the future minimum lease payments, including interest, for capital lease obligations are as follows (in thousands):

 

Fiscal Year

 

 

 

2006

 

$

158

 

2007

 

158

 

2008

 

116

 

2009

 

85

 

2010

 

85

 

Thereafter

 

199

 

Total minimum lease payments

 

801

 

Less amount representing interest

 

(212

)

Present value of net minimum lease payments

 

$

589

 

 

4. Income Taxes

 

Provision for Income Taxes

 

The components of the provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2005 January 1, 2005 and January 3, 2004 are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

January 1,

 

January 3,

 

 

 

2005

 

2005

 

2004

 

Current

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

693

 

$

2,180

 

$

2,697

 

State

 

150

 

517

 

552

 

Foreign

 

36

 

80

 

 

 

 

879

 

2,777

 

3,249

 

Deferred

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

(3,061

)

(434

)

(670

)

State

 

(626

)

(89

)

(176

)

 

 

(3,687

)

(523

)

(846

)

Total provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

$

(2,808

)

$

2,254

 

$

2,403

 

 

F-19



 

The differences between income taxes at the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate and income taxes reported in the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2005, January 1, 2005 and January 3, 2004 are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

January 1,

 

January 3,

 

 

 

2005

 

2005

 

2004

 

Federal statutory income tax rate

 

$

(13,843

)

$

1,637

 

$

2,299

 

State income taxes

 

(315

)

209

 

269

 

Impairment of goodwill and intangibles

 

11,301

 

 

 

Foreign taxes

 

 

80

 

 

Deferred compensation adjustment

 

 

572

 

 

Other

 

49

 

(244

)

(165

)

Effective income tax rate

 

$

(2,808

)

$

2,254

 

$

2,403

 

 

The significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2005 and January 1, 2005 are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,

 

January 1,

 

 

 

 

 

2005

 

2005

 

 

 

Deferred tax assets - current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

$

232

 

$

411

 

 

 

Deferred revenues

 

52

 

198

 

 

 

Accrued expenses

 

304

 

407

 

 

 

Other

 

192

 

104

 

 

 

Deferred tax assets - current:

 

$

780

 

$

1,120

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities - long-term:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intangibles

 

$

(2,084

)

$

(6,682

)

 

 

Other

 

(95

)

(134

)

 

 

Total deferred tax liabilities - long-term

 

(2,179

)

(6,816

)

 

 

Deferred tax assets - long-term:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loan costs

 

1,575

 

1,888

 

 

 

Reserves

 

23

 

391

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

455

 

350

 

 

 

Other

 

277

 

311

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets - long-term

 

2,330

 

2,940

 

 

 

Deferred tax asset (liability), net - long-term

 

$

151

 

$

(3,876

)

 

 

 

A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that all or some of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized. Management has concluded that it is more likely than not that the Company will realize its deferred income tax assets.

 

F-20



 

In connection with the reorganization described in Note 1, the Company entered into a tax allocation agreement with MFC pursuant to which the Company agreed to make payments to MFC, after taking into account payments the Company makes directly to tax authorities, based on the Company’s stand-alone consolidated federal income tax liability, determined as if the Company and its subsidiaries constituted their own consolidated group for federal income tax purposes. The Company will not be permitted to make these payments to MFC, unless the MFC federal tax liability exceeds the Company’s stand-alone federal tax liability, until it meets certain financial ratios and is otherwise in compliance with the terms of the indenture governing the Senior Secured Notes.

 

5. Long-Term Incentive Plans

 

Effective as of May 23, 2004, the Board of Directors of MFC approved adoption of the Phantom Stock Plan of Mrs. Fields’ Companies, Inc. (the “Phantom Plan”). The purpose of the Phantom Plan is to provide long-tem incentives to key employees of MFC or its subsidiaries (the “Participants”) as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”). The Phantom Plan is unfunded, and Participants do not receive any payment under the Phantom Plan until the completion of the first to occur of (i) a sale of substantially all of the assets of MFC; (ii) a public offering of MFC’s Common Stock where MFC receives proceeds, net of any underwriter’s discounts and expenses, of not less than $50 million; or (iii) any stock sale, merger or other transaction where the owners of Common Stock immediately before the transaction do not own in excess of 50 percent of the common stock of the entity surviving such sale, merger or other transaction (a “Triggering Event”).

 

Participants receive performance units in amounts recommended by the CEO and determined by the Committee. Upon the completion of a Triggering Event, Participants receive payments reflecting the number and value of their performance units at the time of the completion of the Triggering Event. Payments to Participants may be made in cash or through issuance of equity securities of MFC, as determined by the Committee, at which time compensation expense will be recognized. The value of a performance unit at the completion of a Triggering Event is the value of one share of common stock of MFC as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors. If the Board of Directors determines the need, it may seek the advice of an independent advisor.

 

The maximum number of performance units that may be granted under the Phantom Plan is one million units. Subdivisions, splits, or combinations involving MFC’s Common Stock will proportionately affect the number of performance units that have been awarded under the Phantom Plan. In May 2004, the Committee approved the grant of up to 392,418 performance units allocated among Participants as determined by the Committee. Future grants, if any, shall also be determined by the Committee. As of December 31, 2005, 341,400 performance units have been granted to Participants.

 

Effective as of September 1, 2004, MFC terminated its Employee Stock Option Plan pursuant to the provisions of the plan. No further options will be granted under the plan. Valid and outstanding options granted to plan participants prior to termination were unaffected by the termination. Concurrent with the termination, the Company paid $108,000 for the repurchase of certain stock options from the plan participants. Concurrent with the issuance of the performance units of the Phantom Plan, most of the outstanding stock options were cancelled. At December 31, 2005, there are 10,000 stock options outstanding.

 

F-21



 

During the years ended January 1, 2005 and January 3, 2004, the Company recognized $75,000 and $50,000 of compensation expense, respectively, related to the fiscal 2001 issuance of MFC stock options to certain employees of the Company. Because the employees of the Company are the beneficiaries of the grant of options in MFC stock, the related expense has been reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

6. Commitments and Contingencies

 

Legal Matters

 

The Company and its products are subject to regulation by numerous governmental authorities, including without limitation, federal, state and local laws and regulations governing franchising, health, sanitation, environmental protection, safety and hiring and employment practices.

 

In the ordinary course of business, the Company is involved in routine litigation, including franchise disputes and trademark disputes. The Company is not a party to any legal proceedings (including the matter described below) which, in the opinion of management, after consultation with legal counsel, is material to its business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

Effective as of August 13, 2005, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, MFF, terminated two license agreements (the “License Agreements”) with Shadewell Grove IP, LLC (“Shadewell”) for Shadewell’s failure to make certain payments to MFF in a timely manner. These terminated License Agreements granted Shadewell a license to develop, manufacture, distribute and sell ready-to-eat shelf stable cookie products and high quality, prepackaged, ready-to-eat, pre-baked cookie products using certain Mrs. Fields trademarks, service marks and trade names in distribution channels designated in the License Agreements.

 

On October 5, 2005, Shadewell filed a Verified Complaint, Motion for Restraining Order and related documents (the “Action”) in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware against MFF. In the Action, Shadewell alleges that they did not materially breach the shelf-stable and ready-to-eat, pre-baked cookie licenses, and that the License Agreements were improperly terminated by MFF. Among other relief, Shadewell seeks a court order that the License Agreements remain in full force and effect and that MFF must specifically perform its obligations under the License Agreements. Shadewell also seeks unspecified damages related to its claims that MFF breached certain obligations under the License Agreements. A trial of the Action was held on November 29, 2005, followed by post-trial briefs and arguments in January 2006, but the court has not yet rendered its decision. The Company believes that Shadewell’s allegations in the Action are without merit and intends to vigorously defend its interests. The Company believes that neither the Action nor the termination of the License Agreements will have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations. During 2005, royalties earned from the terminated licenses totaled $2.2 million.

 

Operating Leases

 

The Company leases office space, facilities and equipment under long-term non-cancelable operating lease agreements with remaining terms of one to eight years. Rent expense, net of sublease payments, was $1.3 million, $1.2 million and $1.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2005, January 1, 2005 and January 3, 2004, respectively.

 

F-22



 

As of December 31, 2005, the future minimum lease payments due under operating leases are as follows (in thousands):

 

Fiscal Year

 

 

 

2006

 

$

1,617

 

2007

 

1,547

 

2008

 

1,499

 

2009

 

1,486

 

2010

 

1,505

 

Thereafter

 

670

 

 

 

$

8,324

 

 

As of December 31, 2005, the future minimum sublease payments due to the Company under these operating leases are as follows (in thousands):

 

Fiscal Year

 

 

 

2006

 

$

253

 

2007

 

163

 

2008

 

123

 

2009

 

39

 

 

 

$

578

 

 

Contractual Arrangements

 

The Company has entered into supply agreements to purchase frozen dough products, yogurt-based products, novelties and ice cream. The frozen dough product supply agreement stipulates minimum annual purchase commitments of not less than 15 million pounds of products, approximately $19.7 million based on weighted average prices in effect December 31, 2005, each year through the end of the contract, December 2006. These annual purchase commitments are satisfied primarily through the direct purchase of frozen dough products by franchisees. Should the Company not meet the annual minimum commitment, the supplier’s sole remedy is to cancel the supply agreement. The Company did not meet the annual minimum purchase commitment for the year ended December 31, 2005; however, management does not expect the supplier to cancel the supply agreement.

 

The supplier of the frozen dough product manufactures its products in one location. A production disruption or the supplier’s inability to secure the raw materials used in the production of its products could adversely affect the operating results of the Company and its franchisees. Although management believes that other suppliers could provide similar products on comparable terms, a change in suppliers could cause a delay in manufacturing and a possible loss of sales, which could adversely affect the financial position, results of operations or liquidity of the Company and its franchisees.

 

F-23



 

TCBY’s supply agreement with Americana Foods Limited Partnership (“Americana”) for the purchase of yogurt-based products, novelties and ice cream (the “TCBY Supply Agreement”) stipulates minimum annual purchase commitments of at least 75 percent of the product volumes contained in the agreement through the term of the agreement, November 2007. These annual purchase commitments are satisfied through the direct purchase of frozen yogurt-based products, novelties and ice cream by TCBY’s distributors and franchisees. If the purchases fall below 75 percent of the quantity, then Americana has the right to propose a new pricing structure. If TCBY doesn’t agree to the new pricing structure, then Americana has the right to terminate the agreement by giving written notice 180 days prior to termination. The Company did not meet the minimum annual purchase commitment for the year ended December 31, 2005; however, management does not expect Americana to propose a new pricing structure.

 

Americana manufactures its products in one location. A production disruption or Americana’s inability to secure the raw materials used in the production of its products could adversely affect the operating results of TCBY and its franchisees. Although management believes that other suppliers could provide similar products on comparable terms, a change in suppliers could cause a delay in manufacturing and a possible loss of sales, which could adversely affect the financial position, results of operations or liquidity of TCBY and its franchisees.

 

7. Related-Party Transactions

 

Due To/From Affiliates

 

The amounts due to/from affiliates are comprised of amounts due to/from MFOC, MFH, TCBY Enterprises and affiliates and MFC at December 31, 2005 and January 1, 2005 (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,

 

January 1,

 

 

 

2005

 

2005

 

Amounts due from affiliates:

 

 

 

 

 

MFC

 

$

 

$

23

 

Amounts due to affiliates:

 

 

 

 

 

MFC - tax sharing

 

$

3,138

 

$

2,382

 

MFH

 

273

 

273

 

MFOC

 

538

 

125

 

 

 

$

3,949

 

$

2,780

 

 

The Company has from time-to-time engaged Korn/Ferry International (“Korn/Ferry”), an international executive recruiting firm for which Richard Ferry, one of the members of the board of managers, is also Founder Chairman. For the years ended December 31, 2005, January 1, 2005 and January 3, 2004, recruiting fees paid to Korn/Ferry totaled $158,000, $132,000 and $362,000, respectively.

 

The Company has periodically engaged Applied Predictive Technologies (“APT”) to evaluate the economic and demographic trends of certain mall and retail site locations. Walker Lewis, one of the members of the board of managers, is Chairman of the Board of APT. For the year ended January 3, 2004, the Company paid APT $68,000. There were no amounts paid to APT in fiscal 2005 or 2004.

 

F-24



 

Franchise Agreements with MFOC

 

Concurrent with the completion of the reorganization (see Note 1), certain of the Company’s brand franchisor subsidiaries entered into franchise agreements with MFOC, which permit MFOC to sell and distribute the Company’s products in its owned stores upon payment of franchise royalties and other amounts required under the franchise agreements. These franchise agreements are similar to the Company’s standard form of franchise agreement, except that the Company did not charge an up-front franchising fee for stores open as of the date of the franchise agreements in recognition of the fact that the stores owned and operated by MFOC were operated prior to giving effect to the reorganization.

 

These franchise agreements are terminable by the Company in the event of non-payment of the franchise royalties for a period of 10 days, followed by a 10-day opportunity to cure, or other material violation of the franchise agreements. The aggregate amount of franchise royalties paid to the Company by MFOC during fiscal 2005 and 2004 was $689,000 and $2.8 million, respectively. The aggregate amount of franchise royalties that would have been required to be paid to the Company by MFOC, had these franchise agreements been in effect, would have been $4.8 million for fiscal 2003.

 

Management Agreement with MFOC

 

In connection with the reorganization (see Note 1), the Company entered into a management agreement with MFOC, pursuant to which the Company provides business and organizational strategy, financial and investment management and other executive-level management services to MFOC and its subsidiaries (other than the Company) upon the terms and conditions set forth in the management agreement. As compensation for these services, on a monthly basis, MFOC reimburses the Company the allocated costs of the general and administrative functions dedicated to providing these services as determined in good faith by the Company and MFOC. These reimbursement amounts are intended to reflect the actual costs of providing these services and are not intended to generate revenues for the Company. Management expects that the reimbursement amounts will decrease over time as MFOC reduces its store operations. It is intended that this management agreement will continue in effect until the expiration of all store leases for which MFOC is the lessee. For the year ended December 31, 2005 and the period from the reorganization through January 1, 2005, MFOC reimbursed the Company $2.4 million and $2.8 million, respectively, for management services provided under the management agreement.

 

MFOC Sublease

 

Concurrent with the completion of the reorganization (see Note 1), the Company entered into an assignment agreement whereby the lease for the corporate headquarters was assigned from MFOC to the Company. MFOC entered into a sublease with the Company to pay the Company, over the term of the sublease, agreed rental payments that have been established based on estimated usage of the headquarters by their personnel. For the year ended December 31, 2005 and the period from the reorganization through January 1, 2005, MFOC paid rent of $289,000 and $220,000, respectively, to the Company. Management estimates that MFOC’s aggregate rental payments will be approximately $88,000 in fiscal 2006. MFOC’s share is expected to decrease over time with corresponding reduced operations. It is intended that the sublease will continue in effect until the expiration of all store leases for which MFOC is the lessee, following which the MFOC sublease will be terminated and the Company would therefore be responsible for all rental payments.

 

MFOC Collection Agency Agreement

 

Concurrent with the completion of the reorganization (see Note 1), the Company entered into a collection agency agreement with MFOC under which the Company agreed to act as MFOC’s collection agent for subtenant rental payments made by the Company’s franchisees who operate stores previously owned by MFOC on which MFOC remains as the tenant.

 

F-25



 

Benefits Agreement with MFOC

 

Concurrent with the completion of the reorganization (see Note 1), the Company entered into a benefits agreement with MFOC under which the Company agreed to make certain payments to MFOC in respect to the Company’s share of employee benefits costs based on the number of the Company’s employees. Costs associated with the Company’s employees providing services to MFOC under the management agreement are allocated consistent with the shared expenses under the management agreement. For the year ended December 31, 2005 and the period from the reorganization through January 1, 2005, the Company paid MFOC $2.9 million and $1.9 million, respectively, for the Company’s share of employee benefits costs.

 

Insurance Allocation Agreement with MFC

 

Concurrent with the completion of the reorganization (see Note 1), the Company entered into an insurance allocation agreement with MFC under which the Company agreed to make certain payments to MFC in respect to the Company’s share of certain insurance costs, allocated based on the Company’s estimation of the appropriate risk of loss of each of MFC’s subsidiaries. The insurance allocation agreement also provides for the allocation of workers’ compensation costs based on the respective employee payroll and employment category risk factor of each of MFC’s subsidiaries that generates payroll. For the year ended December 31, 2005 and the period from the reorganization through January 1, 2005, the Company paid MFC $1.3 million and $925,000, respectively, for the Company’s share of insurance costs.

 

Shadewell Grove Holdings, LLC and Shadewell Grove IP, LLC

 

Prior to 2004, the Company had entered into various trademark license agreements and exclusively licensed certain recipes to Nonni’s Food Company, Inc. (“Nonni’s”), a manufacturer and distributor of soft baked cookies. In addition, the Company owned warrants to purchase 111,111 shares of Nonni’s common stock at an exercise price of $10.775. In March 2004, Nonni’s was acquired by a third party investor in a stock purchase (the “Nonni’s Purchase”). As part of the Nonni’s Purchase, in consideration for the sale of the warrants to purchase 111,111 shares of Nonni’s common stock, the Company was to receive an aggregate of $1.3 million, of which approximately $200,000 was being held in an escrow account pending post-closing adjustments related to the Nonni’s Purchase. As a result, the Company recorded a gain on the sale of these warrants of $1.1 million in other income in the consolidated statement of operations during the year ended January 1, 2005. The Company received $122,000 in January 2006 from Nonni’s as final settlement related to the amount previously held in escrow and will record a gain on the sale of the warrants in other income in the consolidated statement of operations during the first quarter of fiscal 2006.

 

Immediately prior to the Nonni’s Purchase, the Mrs. Fields product division of Nonni’s and its related assets were contributed to a newly-formed entity, Shadewell Grove Holdings, LLC (“Shadewell Holdings”). The Company received from Shadewell Holdings its pro-rata share of preferred units in Shadewell Holdings, approximately 4.1 percent, as if the warrants in Nonni’s common stock had been exercised immediately prior the Nonni’s purchase.

 

In March 2005 and December 2004, the Company paid Shadewell Holdings approximately $48,000 and $102,000, respectively, for additional preferred units of Shadewell Holdings to maintain its pro-rata ownership of Shadewell Holdings. This investment is recorded in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2005 and January 1, 2005. The Company has appointed John Lauck, one of its executive officers, to represent the Company as a director of Shadewell Holdings.

 

F-26



 

Shadewell, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shadewell Holdings, has licenses to develop, manufacture and distribute ready-to-eat shelf stable cookie products utilizing the Mrs. Fields trademarks, service marks and trade names through retail distribution channels and designated food service distribution channels. Shadewell also has a license to market and distribute high quality, pre-packaged chocolate chips utilizing the Mrs. Fields trademarks, service marks and trade names through designated retail distribution channels. For the years ended December 31, 2005, January 1, 2005, and January 3, 2004, the Company earned royalty and licensing revenues associated with the licensing and recipe sales agreements of $2.3 million, $3.1 million and $3.5 million, respectively.

 

On December 24, 2004, the Company terminated the license agreement with Shadewell to market and distribute high quality, frozen cookie dough products utilizing the Mrs. Fields trademarks, service marks and trade names to the food away from home industry through designated food service distribution channels. Among other reasons, the Company pursued the termination of this license to better align the Company’s interests with those of the Company’s franchisees. The Company paid Shadewell a termination fee of $1.1 million and in return received from Shadewell an indemnification and release of any and all claims arising from the license agreement. The termination fee was recorded in licensing expenses in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended January 1, 2005.

 

Co-marketing and Supply Agreement

 

Americana is owned by an entity in which a limited partner of the entity is a subsidiary of a significant shareholder of MFC. Americana manufactures yogurt-based products, ice cream and novelty items for sale and distribution to TCBY’s franchisees and distributors under the TCBY Supply Agreement dated November 20, 2002 (see Note 6). Under the TCBY Supply Agreement, the Company recognized revenues related to the product manufactured by Americana of $9.6 million, $11.7 million and $13.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2005, January 1, 2005 and January 3, 2004, respectively. In addition, Americana sells TCBY branded frozen specialty products and private label products through retail channels and pays TCBY a portion of the sales price under the TCBY Supply Agreement. TCBY invoiced Americana $711,000, $930,000 and $1.9 million for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2005, January 1, 2005 and January 3, 2004, respectively, relating to TCBY’s portion of these sales. As a result of these sales, TCBY must reimburse Americana for certain costs. Americana invoiced TCBY $180,000, $381,000 and $892,000 for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2005, January 1, 2005 and January 3, 2004, respectively, relating to the reimbursement of these costs.

 

8. Employee Benefit Plans

 

MFOC sponsors the Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc. 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan (the “Plan”) for all eligible employees of MFOC and its subsidiaries. Under the terms of the Plan, employees may make contributions to the Plan. During 2005 and 2004, a portion of the employee contributions to the Plan were matched by contributions from the Company at the rate of 100 percent of the first three percent of employee contributions plus 50 percent of the next two percent of employee contributions. The total matching contributions made by the Company to the Plan for the years ended December 31, 2005 and January 1, 2005  were approximately $349,000 and $294,000, respectively. No contributions were made to the Plan by the Company for the year ended January 3, 2004.

 

F-27



 

9. Reportable Segments

 

Operating segments are components of the Company for which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by management in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. This information is reported on the basis that it is used internally for evaluating segment performance. The Company has three reportable operating segments; namely, franchising, gifts and licensing. The franchising segment consists of revenues received either directly or indirectly from cookie, yogurt and pretzel stores, which are owned and operated by third parties. These revenues include initial franchise or license fees, monthly royalties based on a percentage of a franchisee’s gross sales, sales of cookie dough that the Company produces and certain product formulation fees and supplier allowances which are based upon sales to franchisees. The gifts segment includes sales generated from the Company’s mail order gift catalog and website. The licensing segment consists of other licensing activity from third parties for the sale of products bearing the Company’s brand names. The accounting policies for the segments are the same as those discussed in the summary of significant accounting policies (see Note 2). Sales and transfers between segments are eliminated in consolidation.

 

The Company evaluates performance of each segment based on contribution. Contribution is computed as the difference between the revenues generated by a reportable segment and the selling and occupancy expenses, cost of sales and direct general and administrative expenses related to that reportable segment. Contribution is used as a measure of the operating performance of an operating segment. The Company does not allocate any indirect general and administrative expense, other operating income (expense), interest expense, depreciation and amortization or assets to its reportable operating segments.

 

Segment revenues and contribution for the years ended December 31, 2005, January 1, 2005 and January 3, 2004 are presented in the following table (in thousands):

 

 

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

January 1,

 

January 3,

 

Total Company

 

2005

 

2005

 

2004

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Franchising

 

$

53,528

 

$

55,913

 

$

58,645

 

Gifts

 

30,136

 

25,849

 

17,405

 

Licensing

 

4,016

 

4,945

 

5,464

 

 

 

$

87,680

 

$

86,707

 

$

81,514

 

Contribution:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Franchising

 

$

31,782

 

$

34,020

 

$

38,605

 

Gifts

 

1,718

 

5,116

 

4,198

 

Licensing

 

2,884

 

3,429

 

4,309

 

 

 

$

36,384

 

$

42,565

 

$

47,112

 

 

F-28



 

The reconciliation of contribution to net income for the years ended December 31, 2005, January 1, 2005 and January 3, 2004 is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

January 1,

 

January 3,

 

 

 

2005

 

2005

 

2004

 

Contribution

 

$

36,384

 

$

42,565

 

$

47,112

 

Other operating revenue

 

272

 

353

 

474

 

General and administrative expense

 

(8,527

)

(9,727

)

(10,811

)

Stock compensation expense

 

 

(75

)

(50

)

Other operating expense, net

 

(219

)

(396

)

(1,015

)

Interest expense, net

 

(20,943

)

(24,905

)

(25,041

)

Other income

 

 

1,054

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

(3,976

)

(4,053

)

(3,753

)

Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets

 

(43,707

)

 

 

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

 

2,808

 

(2,254

)

(2,403

)

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

(37,908

)

2,562

 

4,513

 

Income from discontinued operations (net of income taxes of $0, $65 and $458, respectively)

 

 

104

 

255

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(37,908

)

$

2,666

 

$

4,768

 

 

The fixed assets and inventory of the Company primarily relate to the Company’s Great American Cookies manufacturing facility and gifts business segment and related activities. Assets relating to franchising and licensing activity are primarily amounts due from franchisees and licensees and goodwill relating to franchising concepts.

 

Revenues from franchisees, customers and licensees within the United States were $86.5 million, $86.1 million and $80.6 million or 98.3 percent, 98.9 percent and 98.3 percent of total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2005, January 1, 2005 and January 3, 2004, respectively. Revenues from international franchisees, customers and licensees were $1.5 million, $1.0 million and $1.4 million or 1.7 percent, 1.1 percent and 1.7 percent of total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2005, January 1, 2005 and January 3, 2004, respectively. Revenues from any single foreign country were not material. Providing geographical information regarding long-lived assets is impracticable.

 

The Company has one licensee that accounted for $2.3 million, $3.1 million and $3.5 million, or 57.6 percent, 62.7 percent and 63.1 percent of the revenues of the licensing segment for the years ended December 31, 2005, January 1, 2005 and January 3, 2004, respectively. The Company has one customer in its gifts business segment that accounted for $3.6 million, $4.2 million and $3.0 million, or 11.8 percent, 16.2 percent and 17.2 percent of revenues of the gifts business segment for the years ended December 31, 2005, January 1, 2005 and January 3, 2004, respectively. There were no other customers or licensees that accounted for more than ten percent of Mrs. Fields’ total revenues or any individual segment’s revenues.

 

F-29



 

10. Discontinued Operations

 

TCBY transitioned its equipment sales segment (“Riverport”) to a third party equipment and smallwares distributor during the quarter ended March 29, 2003. The distributor purchased certain of Riverport’s inventory at cost, subject to certain slow moving inventory purchase price adjustments. The segment’s assets that were subject to depreciation and amortization were being periodically expensed over the remaining estimated useful life. The results of operations and financial position of Riverport are classified as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The Company does not anticipate any further activity relating to Riverport in future periods

 

11. Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information

 

The Senior Secured Notes were issued by the Company and Mrs. Fields Financing Company, Inc., as co-issuers. Mrs. Fields Financing Company, Inc. is a wholly-owned finance subsidiary of Mrs. Fields Famous Brands. The Senior Secured Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis by all of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries other than minor subsidiaries. Mrs. Fields Famous Brands has no independent assets or operations. Therefore, supplemental financial information on a condensed consolidating basis of the guarantor subsidiaries is not required. There are no restrictions on the Company’s ability to obtain cash dividends or other distributions of funds from the guarantor subsidiaries, except those imposed by applicable law.

 

12. Subsequent Event

 

Effective as of March 1, 2006, we entered into an Industrial Net Lease (“Lease”) with Natomas Meadows Two, LLC, for the lease of approximately 159,000 square feet of space in Salt Lake City, Utah. Each month during the 120-month initial term under the Lease, commencing on May 1, 2006, the Company is required to remit base rent of $69,872. The Lease also requires additional payments, including a $100,000 security deposit, common area maintenance charges, taxes, maintenance and utilities. We will be developing this newly leased space to accommodate our new state-of-the-art gifting operations. This new space will eventually replace approximately 107,000 square feet of space we currently lease in areas throughout Salt Lake City. We will then attempt to terminate the leases for the current space or sublet it. Currently, we anticipate we will open the gifting facility at the new space in the third quarter of 2006.

 

F-30



 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

3.1*

 

Certificate of Formation of Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC

3.2*

 

Limited Liability Agreement of Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC, dated as of February 4, 2004, by Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc.

3.3*

 

Certificate of Incorporation of Mrs. Fields Financing Company, Inc.

3.4*

 

Bylaws of Mrs. Fields Financing Company, Inc.

3.5*

 

Certificate of Formation of Great American Cookies Company Franchising, LLC

3.6*

 

Limited Liability Agreement of Great American Cookies Company Franchising, LLC, dated as of February 4, 2004, by Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC

3.7*

 

Certificate of Formation of Great American Manufacturing, LLC

3.8*

 

Limited Liability Agreement of Great American Manufacturing, LLC, dated as of February 4, 2004, by Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC

3.9*

 

Articles of Incorporation of Mrs. Fields Cookies Australia

3.10*

 

Bylaws of Mrs. Fields Cookies Australia

3.11*

 

Certificate of Formation of Mrs. Fields Franchising, LLC

3.12*

 

Limited Liability Agreement of Mrs. Fields Franchising, LLC, dated as of February 4, 2004, by Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC

3.13*

 

Articles of Incorporation of Mrs. Fields Gifts, Inc.

3.14*

 

Bylaws of Mrs. Fields Gifts, Inc.

3.15*

 

Certificate of Formation of Pretzelmaker Franchising, LLC

3.16*

 

Limited Liability Agreement of Pretzelmaker Franchising, LLC, dated as of February 4, 2004, by Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC

3.17*

 

Certificate of Formation of Pretzel Time Franchising, LLC

3.18*

 

Limited Liability Agreement of Pretzel Time Franchising, LLC, dated as of February 4, 2004, by Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC

3.19*

 

Certificate of Incorporation of The Mrs. Fields’ Brand, Inc.

3.20*

 

Bylaws of The Mrs. Fields’ Brand, Inc.

3.21*

 

Articles of Incorporation of TCBY International, Inc. (f/k/a TCBY Preparation, Inc.)

3.22*

 

Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of TCBY International, Inc. (f/k/a TCBY Preparation, Inc.) changing name to TCBY International, Inc.

3.23*

 

Bylaws of TCBY International, Inc. (f/k/a TCBY Preparation, Inc.)

3.24*

 

Articles of Incorporation of TCBY of Texas, Inc.

3.25*

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws of TCBY of Texas, Inc.

3.26*

 

Certificate of Formation of TCBY Systems, LLC

3.27*

 

Amended and Restated Limited Liability Agreement of TCBY Systems, LLC, dated as of March 16, 2004, by Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC

4.1*

 

Purchase Agreement, dated March 9, 2004, by and among Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC, Mrs. Fields Financing Company, Inc., Jefferies & Company, Inc. as the Initial Purchaser, and the subsidiary guarantors named therein

 



 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

4.2*

 

Indenture, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and among Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC, Mrs. Fields Financing Company, Inc., the Guarantors identified therein and The Bank of New York, as Trustee

4.3*

 

Form of 11½% Senior Secured Notes due 2011 (included in Exhibit 4.2)

4.4*

 

Form of 9% Senior Secured Notes due 2011 (included in Exhibit 4.2)

4.5*

 

Form of Subsidiary Guarantees related to the 11½% Senior Secured Notes due 2011 (included in Exhibit 4.2)

4.6*

 

Form of Subsidiary Guarantees related to the 9% Senior Secured Notes due 2011 (included in Exhibit 4.2)

4.7*

 

Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 16, 2004, by and among Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC, Mrs. Fields Financing Company, Inc, the Subsidiary Guarantors named therein and Jefferies & Company, Inc., as Initial Purchaser related to the 11½% Senior Secured Notes due 2011

4.8*

 

9% Notes Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 16, 2004, by and among Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC, Mrs. Fields Financing Company, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors named therein and the holders of the 9% Senior Secured Notes due 2011 related to the 9% Senior Secured Notes due 2011

4.9*

 

Pledge Agreement, dated March 16, 2004, by and among Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC, TCBY Systems, LLC and The Bank of New York, as Trustee

4.10*

 

Security Agreement, dated March 16, 2004, by and among Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC, Mrs. Fields Financing Company, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York, as Trustee

4.11*

 

Trademark Security Agreement, dated March 16, 2004, by and among Great American Cookies Company Franchising, LLC, Pretzelmaker Franchising, LLC, Pretzel Time Franchising, LLC, TCBY Systems, LLC, The Mrs. Fields’ Brand, Inc. and The Bank of New York, as Trustee

4.12*

 

Account Control Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and among LaSalle Bank, National Association, Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC and The Bank of New York, as Trustee

4.13*

 

Restricted Account Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and among Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC and The Bank of New York, as Trustee

4.14*

 

Restricted Account Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and among Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., TCBY Systems, LLC and The Bank of New York, as Trustee

4.15*

 

Deed to Secure Debt, Security Agreement, and Assignment of Leases and Rents, dated as of March , 2004, by and between Great American Manufacturing, LLC and The Bank of New York, as Trustee

4.16

 

First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 9, 2005, by and among Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC, Mrs. Fields Financing Company, Inc., the Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture) and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, included as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 11, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference.

10.1*

 

Contribution Agreement between TCBY Enterprises, Inc. and TCBY Systems, LLC dated as of March 16, 2004

10.2*

 

Contribution Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and among Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc., the subsidiaries of Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc. named therein, Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC and the subsidiaries of Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC named therein

10.3**

 

United States Trademark Assignment, dated March 16, 2004, between Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc. and The Mrs. Fields’ Brand, Inc.

 



 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

10.4**

 

International Trademark Assignment, dated March 16, 2004, between Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc. and The Mrs. Fields’ Brand, Inc.

10.5*

 

United States Trademark Assignment, dated March 16, 2004, between Great American Cookies Company, LLC, and Great American Cookies Company Franchising, LLC

10.6*

 

International Trademark Assignment, dated March 16, 2004, between Great American Cookies Company, LLC, and Great American Cookies Company Franchising, LLC

10.7*

 

United States Trademark Assignment, dated March 16, 2004, between Pretzel Time, LLC, and Pretzel Time Franchising, LLC

10.8*

 

International Trademark Assignment, dated March 16, 2004, between Pretzel Time, LLC and Pretzel Time Franchising, LLC

10.9*

 

United States Trademark Assignment, dated March 16, 2004, between Pretzelmaker, LLC and Pretzelmaker Franchising, LLC

10.10*

 

International Trademark Assignment, dated March 16, 2004, between Pretzelmaker, LLC and Pretzelmaker Franchising, LLC

10.11**

 

United States Trademark Assignment, dated March 16, 2004, between TCBY Enterprises, Inc. and TCBY Systems, LLC

10.12**

 

International Trademark Assignment, dated March 16, 2004, between TCBY Enterprises, Inc. and TCBY Systems, LLC

10.13*

 

Severance Assumption Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and among Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc., Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC, Larry A. Hodges and Mrs. Fields’ Companies, Inc.

10.14*

 

Management Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and between Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC and Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc.

10.15*

 

Tax Allocation Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and among Mrs. Fields’ Companies, Inc., Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC and the subsidiaries of Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC named therein

10.16*

 

Insurance Allocation Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and among Mrs. Fields’ Companies, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries

10.17*

 

Benefits Allocation Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and among Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc., Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC and the subsidiaries of Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC named therein

10.18*

 

Collection Agency Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and between Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc. and Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC

10.19*

 

Expense Reimbursement Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, among Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC, Mrs. Fields’ Companies, Inc., Mrs. Fields’ Holding Company, Inc., Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc., Capricorn Investors II, L.P., and Capricorn Investors III, L.P.

10.20*

 

Lease Agreement, dated January 19, 1998, as amended by Lease Addendum No. 1 dated June 4, 1998, and Lease Addendum No. 2, dated October 19, 2000, between 2855 E. Cottonwood Parkway L.C. and Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc.

10.21*

 

Assignment and Assumption of Lease, dated as of March 16, 2004, between Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc. and Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC, pertaining to the Cottonwood Parkway Headquarters Lease

10.22*

 

Sublease, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and between Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC and Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc.

 



 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

10.23*

 

Lease Agreement, dated May 31, 2003, between Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc. and Transwestern Commercial Services LP, pertaining to the Training Facility

10.24*

 

Assignment and Assumption of Lease, dated as of March 16, 2004, between Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc. and Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC, pertaining to the Training Facility Lease

10.25*

 

Lease Agreement, dated March 31, 2001, between Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc. and Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC, pertaining to the Mrs. Fields Gifts Facility

10.26*

 

Assignment and Assumption of Lease, dated as of March 16, 2004, between Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc. and Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC, pertaining to the Mrs. Fields Gifts Facility Lease

10.27*

 

Mrs. Fields Franchise Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and among Mrs. Fields Franchising, LLC and Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc.

10.28*

 

Great American Cookies Company Franchise Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and between Great American Cookies Company Franchising, LLC and Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc.

10.29*

 

Pretzel Time Franchise Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and between Pretzel Time Franchising, LLC and Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc.

10.30*

 

Pretzelmaker Franchise Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and between Pretzelmaker Franchising, LLC and Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc.

10.31**

 

TCBY Franchise Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and between TCBY Systems, LLC and Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc.

10.32**

 

License Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and between Mrs. Fields Franchising, LLC and Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc., related to the Hot Sam brand

10.33*

 

License Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, between Mrs. Fields Franchising, LLC and Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc., related to the Original Cookie Company brand

10.34*

 

Purchase Agreement, dated December 1, 1999, between The Mrs. Fields’ Brand, Inc. and Nonni’s Food Company, Inc.

10.35*

 

Amendment Number One to Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 28, 2000, between The Mrs. Fields’ Brand, Inc. and Nonni’s Food Company, Inc.

10.36*

 

Amendment Number Two to Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 17, 2002, between The Mrs. Fields’ Brand, Inc. and Nonni’s Food Company, Inc.

10.37*

 

Trademark License Agreement, dated January 3, 2000, between The Mrs. Fields’ Brand, Inc. and Nonni’s Food Company, Inc.

10.38*

 

Amendment No. 1, dated December 29, 2000, to Trademark License Agreement dated January 3, 2000, between The Mrs. Fields’ Brand, Inc. and Nonni’s Food Company, Inc.

10.39*

 

Trademark License Agreement, dated February 21, 2001, between The Mrs. Fields’ Brand, Inc. and Nonni’s Food Company, Inc.

10.40*

 

Amendment No. 1, dated January 17, 2002, to Trademark License Agreement dated February 21, 2001, between The Mrs. Fields’ Brand, Inc. and Nonni’s Food Company, Inc.

10.41*

 

Amendment No. 2, dated March 31, 2003, to Trademark License Agreement dated February 21, 2001, between Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc. and Nonni’s Food Company, Inc.

10.42*

 

Trademark License Agreement, dated as of January 2, 2002, between The Mrs. Fields’ Brand, Inc. and Nonni’s Food Company, Inc.

10.43*

 

Trademark License Agreement, dated March 31, 2003, between Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc. and Nonni’s Food Company, Inc.

 



 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

10.44*

 

Marriott-TCBY Joint Venture Agreement, dated May 25, 1989, among TCBY Enterprises, Inc., TCBY Systems, Inc. and Host International, Inc., Host Marriott Services USA, Inc., and Host Marriott Tollroads, Inc.

10.45*

 

First Amendment to Marriott-TCBY Joint Venture Agreement, dated as of January 1, 1990, among TCBY Enterprises, Inc., TCBY Systems, Inc. and Host International, Inc., Host Marriott Services USA, Inc., and Host Marriott Tollroads, Inc.

10.46*

 

Second Amendment to Marriott-TCBY Joint Venture Agreement, dated as of March 1, 1991, among TCBY Enterprises, Inc., TCBY Systems, Inc. and Host International, Inc., Host Marriott Services USA, Inc., and Host Marriott Tollroads, Inc.

10.47*

 

Third Amendment to Marriott-TCBY Joint Venture Agreement, dated as of October 1, 1991, among TCBY Enterprises, Inc., TCBY Systems, Inc. and Host International, Inc., Host Marriott Services USA, Inc., and Host Marriott Tollroads, Inc.

10.48*

 

Fourth Amendment to Host Marriott-TCBY Joint Venture Agreement, dated as of November 30, 1998, among TCBY Enterprises, Inc., TCBY Systems, Inc. and Host International, Inc., Host Marriott Services USA, Inc., and Host Marriott Tollroads, Inc.

10.49***

 

Supply Agreement, dated December 31, 2002, between Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc. and Countryside Baking Company, Inc.

10.50***

 

Exclusive Supply Agreement, dated as of November 19, 2002, by and between TCBY Systems, LLC and Americana Foods Limited Partnership

10.51**

 

Beverage Marketing Agreement, dated March 7, 2003, between Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc. and Coca-Cola Fountain, part of The Coca-Cola Company

10.52*

 

Assignment Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and among Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc., Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC and Coca-Cola Fountain

10.53*

 

Supply and Distribution Agreement, dated August 9, 1998, between Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc. and Dawn Food Products

10.54*

 

Assignment Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and among Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies, Inc., Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC and Dawn Food Products

10.55*

 

Food and Packaging Distribution Agreement, dated November 14, 2002, between TCBY Systems, LLC and Blue Line Distributing

10.56*

 

Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated March 16, 2004, by and among Stephen Russo, Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC and Mrs. Fields’ Companies, Inc.

10.57

 

[Reserved]

10.58*

 

Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated March 16, 2004, by and between Michael R. Ward and Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC

10.59**

 

Mrs. Fields’ Companies, Inc. Director Stock Option Plan (f/k/a Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, Inc. Director Stock Option Plan)

10.60**

 

Mrs. Fields’ Companies, Inc. Employee Stock Option Plan (f/k/a Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, Inc. Employee Stock Option Plan)

10.61

 

Mrs. Fields’ Companies, Inc. Phantom Stock Plan, effective as of May 25, 2004, and form of performance unit Grant Agreement, included as Exhibit 10.61 to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 16, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference.

 



 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

10.62****

 

Termination Agreement and Release, dated as of December 24, 2004, between Mrs. Fields Franchising, LLC and Shadewell Grove IP, LLC, pertaining to termination of a Trademark License Agreement between their predecessors-in-interest dated January 2, 2002

10.63****

 

Amendment to Trademark License Agreements, dated as of December 24, 2004, between Mrs. Fields Franchising, LLC and Shadewell Grove IP, LLC, amending certain Trademark License Agreements between their predecessors-in-interest

10.64****

 

Marketing Allowance Agreement, dated as of December 24, 2004, between Mrs. Fields Franchising, LLC and Shadewell Grove IP, LLC

10.65****

 

Trademark License Agreement, dated December 24, 2004, between Mrs. Fields Franchising, LLC and Shadewell Grove IP, LLC

10.66

 

Option Agreement and Amendment to License Agreement, dated December 12, 2005 between Maxfield Candy Company and Mrs. Fields Franchising, LLC

10.67

 

Industrial Net Lease Agreement effective as of March 1, 2006 by and between Natomas Meadows Two, LLC and Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC filed as exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 6, 2006

10.68

 

Extension to Distribution Agreement, dated effective as of November 15, 2005, between Blue Line Distributing, a division of Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc., and TCBY Systems, LLC.

12.1

 

Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges of Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC

21.1

 

Subsidiaries of Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC

31.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended

31.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended

32

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 


*

Included as an exhibit with corresponding exhibit number to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4
(No. 333-115046) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

**

Included as an exhibit, with corresponding exhibit number to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-115046) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 2, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

***

Included as an exhibit, with corresponding exhibit number to Amendment No. 2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-115046) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 12, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

****

Included as an exhibit with corresponding exhibit number to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

Filed herewith.

 


EX-10.66 2 a06-1952_1ex10d66.htm MATERIAL CONTRACTS

Exhibit 10.66

 

OPTION AGREEMENT AND
AMENDMENT TO LICENSE AGREEMENT

 

This OPTION AGREEMENT AND AMENDMENT TO LICENSE AGREEMENT (“Agreement”), dated effective as of December 12, 2005 (the “Effective Date”), is entered into by and between MRS. FIELDS FRANCHISING, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Mrs. Fields”) and MAXFIELD CANDY CO., a Utah corporation (“Maxfield”). Mrs. Fields and Maxfield are sometimes referred to collectively herein as the “parties.”

 

A.            Maxfield and Mrs. Fields’ predecessor-in-interest entered into a Trademark License Agreement dated January 3, 2000, as amended by the First Amendment (the “First Amendment”) to Trademark License Agreement dated July 1, 2004 (as so amended, the “License Agreement”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the License Agreement.

 

B.            Effective August 13, 2005, Mrs. Fields delivered a Notice of Default and Termination (the “2005 Disputed Termination Notice”) to Maxfield for an alleged failure to pay timely certain royalties for guaranteed minimum sales. Maxfield disputes Mrs. Fields’ allegations and claims set forth in the 2005 Disputed Termination Notice.

 

C.            The parties now wish to come to an understanding where Mrs. Fields would withdraw the 2005 Disputed Termination Notice and Maxfield would grant to Mrs. Fields an option to repurchase all of Maxfield’s rights and interests under the License Agreement in exchange for certain payments, all subject and pursuant to this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the respective representations, warranties, agreements and conditions contained herein, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

1.             Withdrawal of the Termination; Amendment to the License Agreement.

 

(a)           As of the Effective Date, Mrs. Fields withdraws the 2005 Disputed Termination Notice and acknowledges the continued effectiveness of the License Agreement.

 

(b)           The License Agreement is hereby amended to delete any and all references and requirements therein, to any Volume Commitments, minimum requirements for Royalty Bearing Products, minimum Running Royalties, any Guaranteed Amounts and/or Maxfield’s obligations to make any royalty payments to Mrs. Fields, to retain the license or to exercise any Option Periods in connection with such minimum requirements, including, without limitation, those contained in Sections 6(a), 6(b) and 7. This amendment shall not affect Maxfield’s obligations to pay timely the other Running Royalties and amounts due to Mrs. Fields under the License Agreement in accordance with the terms thereof, as amended by this Agreement.

 

(c)           The License Agreement is further amended by replacing Section 16(b)(i)

 

1



 

thereof with the following:

 

“(i)          If MCC defaults in the payment of any Running Royalties, adjustments or other payment provisions set forth in this Agreement (including the First Amendment or any additional amendments hereto) and such default continues unremedied for ten (10) days after the date on which MCC receives written notice of such payment default from MFB, then this Agreement and the license granted hereunder may be terminated upon notice by MFB effective thirty (30) days after receipt of such notice, without prejudice to any and all other rights and remedies MFB may have hereunder or by law provided.”

 

Except as otherwise amended or modified by this Agreement, the License Agreement shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

2.             The Option; Option Purchase Price.  Maxfield hereby grants to Mrs. Fields an option (the “Option”) to repurchase the license and to terminate the License Agreement prior to the expiration of the term (and any exercised Option Periods) thereof. The purchase price for the Option (the “Option Purchase Price”) is $1,000,000, payable by Mrs. Fields to Maxfield in immediately available funds as follows:  (a) $500,000 on the Effective Date, and (b) $500,000 on the first anniversary of the Effective Date. One-half of the Option Purchase Price ($500,000) (the “Option Credit”) shall be credited and applied to the License Repurchase Price (defined below) if  Mrs. Fields exercises the Option as provided herein. Any portion of the License Repurchase Price paid to Maxfield shall become non-refundable upon Maxfield’s receipt thereof. $500,000 of the Option Purchase Price shall become non-refundable upon the date hereof and the remaining $500,000 (the “Remaining Amount”) shall become non-refundable upon the earlier to occur of (x) the Option Exercise Date and (y) an additional $100,000 of the Remaining Amount shall become non-refundable on each anniversary of this Agreement.

 

3.             Option Exercise and Repurchase Price.

 

(a)           Option Exercise.  Mrs. Fields may exercise the Option following the second anniversary, but prior to the fifth anniversary, of the Effective Date (the “Option Period”) by delivering written notice of its election to exercise the Option (the “Option Exercise Notice”), at least 6 months prior to the expiration of each anniversary of the Effective Date (but no sooner than 12 months prior to such anniversary). Mrs. Fields shall set forth its intended “Option Exercise Date” in the Option Exercise Notice. The Option Exercise Date (i) may not be any date prior to the commencement of the Option Period, (ii) may not be sooner than 6 months after the date Mrs. Fields delivers the Option Exercise Notice, and (iii) may not be later than 190 days after the date Mrs. Fields delivers the Option Exercise Notice; provided, however, Mrs. Fields shall be permitted to deliver the Option Exercise Notice within 6 months prior to the commencement of the Option Period in accordance with the first sentence of this Section 3(a) hereof. Once Mrs. Fields has delivered the Option Exercise Notice, the exercise of the Option may not be rescinded, cancelled or otherwise terminated. The License Repurchase Price shall be paid to Maxfield in accordance with Section 3(c).

 

2



 

(b)           License Repurchase Price.  The amount due to Maxfield upon Mrs. Fields’ exercise of the Option (the “License Repurchase Price”) during the Option Period shall be calculated and paid as follows:

 

If the Option Exercise Notice is delivered in accordance with Section 3(a):

 

License Repurchase
Price

 

Prior to the end of the Second Anniversary (i.e., December 12, 2007)

 

$

7.0 million

 

Prior to the end of the Third Anniversary (i.e., December 12, 2008)

 

$

6.0 million

 

Prior to the end of the Fourth Anniversary (i.e., December 12, 2009)

 

$

5.0 million

 

Prior to the end of the Fifth Anniversary (i.e., December 12, 2010)

 

$

4.5 million

 

 

In the event that the Option Exercise Notice is not delivered in accordance with Section 3(a) on or prior to the date that is 6 months prior to the end of the Option Period (the “Option Termination Date”), the Option shall expire and be of no further force or effect.

 

(c)           The License Repurchase Price shall be paid in three equal annual installments. The first installment shall be paid on the Option Exercise Date, and the second and third installments shall be paid on the second and third anniversaries of the Option Exercise Date respectively. The Option Credit shall be applied to the License Repurchase Price equally over the three installments.

 

(d)           License Termination; Wind-Down.  If Mrs. Fields exercises the Option, Maxfield shall have a period of 12 months from the Option Exercise Date to wind down its operations under the License Agreement (the “Wind-Down Period”). During the Wind-Down Period, Maxfield and Mrs. Fields will continue to fulfill their obligations under the License Agreement, including without limitation, with respect to Maxfield, payment of Running Royalties that become due during such period. Following the end of the Wind-Down Period, any outstanding Running Royalties or other amounts due to Mrs. Fields under the License Agreement shall be paid in accordance with Section 18 of the License Agreement. Maxfield will have the option to end the Wind-Down Period at any time prior to its expiration upon 30 days written notice to Mrs. Fields. At the end of the Wind-Down Period, the License Agreement shall terminate (the “Termination Effective Date”) and be of no further force and effect, except that parties’ post-termination obligations set forth in Sections 16 (c), 16 (d), 16(e), 18 and 21 of the License Agreement shall survive the termination in accordance with its terms. The Wind-Down Period shall replace Maxfield’s post-termination right to sell inventory as set forth in Section 17 of the License Agreement.

 

(e)           Option Termination.  The Option shall terminate on the Option Termination Date if Mrs. Fields has not properly exercised it. Upon any termination of the Option, without exercise, (i) the amendment to the License Agreement set forth in Section 1(b) above shall be rescinded and the Volume Commitment and minimum Running Royalties for the Option Periods set forth in Section 6(a) of the License Agreement shall be amended to read as follows:

 

3



 

1st OPTION PERIOD

 

Time Period

 

Sales

 

Minimum Royalties

 

Year Six - Ten

 

$

7,500,000.00

 

$

375,000.00

 

 

2nd OPTION PERIOD

 

Time Period

 

Sales

 

Minimum Royalties

 

Year 11 (7/1/2010)

 

$

7,500,000.00

 

$

375,000.00

 

Year 12 (7/1/2011)

 

$

7,500,000.00

 

$

400,000.00

 

Year 13 (7/1/2012)

 

$

9,000,000.00

 

$

475,000.00

 

Year 14 (7/1/2013)

 

$

12,500,000.00

 

$

650,000.00

 

Year 15 (7/1/2014)

 

$

15,000,000.00

 

$

750,000.00

 

 

; and (ii) the Option Purchase Price shall be fully earned and Mrs. Fields shall have no rights to the Option Credit or any refund or offset against the Option Purchase Price.

 

4.             Effect of Performance under the License Agreement upon this Agreement.  Any default committed by a party under the License Agreement shall constitute a default by such party hereunder, and if such default is not cured within any cure periods provided in the License Agreement, as amended herein, the non-defaulting party shall have the right to terminate this Agreement in the same manner such party has the right to terminate the License Agreement. If Mrs. Fields properly terminates the License Agreement in accordance with this section before the Option Exercise Date, Maxfield will return to Mrs. Fields any portion of the Option Purchase Price that it has already received that has not become non-refundable in accordance with Section 2 hereof.

 

5.             Mrs. Fields Candy Venture.  From the Effective Date, and notwithstanding the License Agreement but subject to the following sentence, Mrs. Fields and its subsidiaries shall have the right to begin developing branded candy and confection products (the “New Candy Products”), or licensing other parties to do so, and marketing and selling such New Candy Products to and through each of its company-owned and franchised store locations and its gifting, catalog, mail order and e-tailing operations (such specific locations being referred to herein as the “Permitted New Candy Product Channels”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no New Candy Products or other Royalty Bearing Products may be licensed, marketed or sold (other than by Maxfield) in such a manner that any such New Candy Products or other Royalty Bearing Products would be sold or otherwise offered in any Designated Distribution Channel (other than a Permitted New Candy Product Channel). From and after the Termination Effective Date, Mrs. Fields would be free to begin developing, marketing and selling branded candy and confection products, or licensing other parties to do so, through any and all distribution channels, including the channels listed above. Upon any termination of the Option, without exercise, this Section 5 shall be immediately terminated and rescinded.

 

6.             Kookie Kake Trademark.  Maxfield and its affiliates and parent entities agree not to contest registration and the current use (or any use permitted pursuant to Section 5 hereof) by Mrs. Fields and/or its subsidiaries, affiliates and franchisees, of the trademarks “Cookie Cake” or “Home

 

4



 

of the Original Cookie Cake,” or any other mark that includes such marks, in any and all domestic and international jurisdictions, and further will not impede or limit, or assign any rights it may have to impede or limit such registration or use. Mrs. Fields and its affiliates and assigns agree not to contest registration and the current use by Maxfield and/or its subsidiaries, affiliates and franchisees, of the trademarks “Kookie Kake” or any related usage thereof ,or any other mark that includes such marks, in any and all domestic and international jurisdictions, and further will not impede or limit, or assign any rights it may have to impede or limit such registration or use.

 

7.             Further Assurances.  From time to time, as and when requested by a party hereto, the other party, as requested, shall execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all such documents and instruments and shall take, or cause to be taken all such further or other actions, as such other party may reasonably deem necessary or desirable to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

8.             Assignment.  This Agreement may be assigned together with the License Agreement in accordance with the provisions of Section 4 of the License Agreement.

 

9.             No Third-Party Beneficiaries.  This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their permitted assigns and nothing herein expressed or implied shall give or be construed to give to any person or entity, other than the parties hereto and such assigns, any legal or equitable rights hereunder.

 

10.           Interpretation.  The headings contained in this Agreement, in any exhibit or schedule hereto are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. Both parties have been represented by counsel and shall the terms of this Agreement shall not be construed against or to the benefit of either party by virtue of their drafting or negotiation of this Agreement.

 

11.           Severability.  Section 23(c) of the License Agreement is incorporated herein by this reference thereto.

 

12.           Attorney’s Fees.  Section 23(j) of the License Agreement is incorporated herein by this reference thereto.

 

13.           Governing Law. Section 23(k) of the License Agreement is incorporated herein by this reference thereto.

 

5



 

14.           Remedies.  Each of the parties acknowledges and agrees that each other party would be damaged irreparably in the event any of the provisions of this Agreement are not performed in accordance with their specific terms or otherwise are breached. Accordingly, each of the parties agrees that each other party shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of the provisions of this Agreement and to enforce specifically this Agreement and the terms and provisions hereof in any action instituted in any court of the United States or any state thereof, having jurisdiction over the parties and the matter, in addition to any other remedy to which it may be entitled, at law or in equity.

 

15.           Submission to Jurisdiction.  Section 23(l) of the License Agreement is incorporated herein by this reference thereto.

 

16.           Waiver of Trial by Jury; Limitations of Claims.  The parties agree that neither shall be entitled to nor shall demand a jury trial in the event of litigation. Furthermore, Section 23(m) of the License Agreement is incorporated herein by this reference thereto.

 

17.           Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the License Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to such subject matter.

 

18.           Expenses.  Whether or not the Option is exercised by Mrs. Fields, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the Disputed Termination Notice incurred through the date hereof, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein shall be paid by the party incurring such costs and expenses.

 

19.           Amendments.  No amendment to this Agreement shall be effective unless it shall be in writing and signed by all parties hereto.

 

20.           Notices.  All notices or other communications required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be given in accordance with Section 22 of the License Agreement; provided that Maxfield hereby gives formal notice that its current address for such notice is as follows:

 

Maxfield Candy Co.

c/o Alpine Confections, Inc.

Attn.: Taz Murray

119 East 200 North

Alpine, UT 84004

 

21.           Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement.

 

6



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

Maxfield:

Mrs. Fields:

 

 

 

 

MAXFIELD CANDY CO.

MRS. FIELDS FRANCHISING, LLC.

 

(successor in interest to The Mrs. Fields’
Brand, Inc.)

 

 

 

 

By:

 /s/ Taz Murray

 

By:

 /s/ Michael Ward

 

Its: President

Its: E.V.P

 

7


EX-10.68 3 a06-1952_1ex10d68.htm MATERIAL CONTRACTS

Exhibit 10.68

 

EXTENSION TO DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

 

This Extension to Distribution Agreement (the “Extension Agreement”) is made and entered into effective as of this 2nd day of February, 2006, by and between the parties to that certain Food and Packaging Distribution Agreement dated November 14, 2002 (the “Distribution Agreement”) between Blue Line Distributing, a division of Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc. (“BLD”) and TCBY Systems, LLC (“TCBY”). BLD and TCBY are sometimes collectively referred to in this Extension Agreement as the “parties.”  Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meaning given to them in the Distribution Agreement.

 

A.                                   On August 5, 2005, TCBY received a notice from BLD (the “Termination Notice”), exercising BLD’s option to terminate the Distribution Agreement, effective 180 days from the date of such notice (the “Termination Effective Date”).

 

B.                                     The parties thereafter entered into negotiations about the possibility of amending the Distribution Agreement and/or extending the Termination Effective Date, and the parties now wish to enter into this Extension Agreement to document their understanding.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants set forth herein, the parties agree as follows:

 

1.                                       Extension of Termination Effective Date; Rescission of Price Increase.  Subject to each of the covenants and conditions set forth herein, BLD will continue to perform under the Distribution Agreement, notwithstanding the Termination Notice, until the earlier to occur of (a) 30 days following the date when TCBY notifies BLD in writing that it has obtained a new distributor, and (b) 30 days following the date, if any, when BLD notifies TCBY in writing that BLD reasonably determines that TCBY is no longer making best efforts and progress to obtain a new distributor (the “Final Termination Date”). The period from the date of this Extension Agreement to the Final Termination Date is referred to herein as the “Extension Period”. During the Extension Period, the Distribution Agreement will remain in full force and effect as modified by this Extension Agreement. BLD hereby rescinds its notice of price increase dated September 23, 2005.

 

2.                                       TCBY Payments to BLD; Guarantees.

 

(a)                                  TCBY Account Balance.  Upon full execution of this Extension Agreement, TCBY shall pay to BLD the amount of $98,983, in full payment of BLD’s bad debt balance.

 

(b)                                 Monthly Payment – Price Increase.  BLD shall receive a monthly amount of $100,000 (the “Monthly Payment”), payable as set forth below. For purposes of this provision, the effective date of this Agreement

 

1



 

shall be November 15, 2005 and the Monthly Payment shall be due for each monthly period thereafter during the Extension Period. In consideration of the Monthly Payment, BLD shall provide services under the Distribution Agreement during the entire Extension Period at the rates in effect as of the date of this Extension Agreement, and agrees not to impose any further price increase to BLD’s fees and costs collected pursuant to Section 3 of the Distribution Agreement during the Extension Period.

 

The Monthly Payment shall be paid as follows:  (a) upon execution of this Agreement, TCBY shall remit to BLD an amount equal to two Monthly Payments; and (b) on the 15th day of each month during the Extension Period commencing February 15, 2006, TCBY shall remit to BLD an amount equal to one Monthly Payment. For any partial period at the end of the Extension Period, TCBY shall pay to BLD a prorated amount of the Monthly Payment within 15 days of the Final Termination Date.

 

(c )                               Guarantee of Future Receivables. TCBY will guarantee payment of all amounts owed to BLD by TCBY’s franchisees during the Extension Period (the “Franchisee Receivables”). BLD will continue to use reasonable efforts to collect Franchisee Receivables from franchisees in the ordinary course of business, including ACH drafting and COD, where applicable. BLD will submit to TCBY a monthly aging report detailing any past-due Franchisee Receivables. TCBY will remit to BLD any Franchisee Receivables that remain unpaid on the Final Termination Date within 15 days thereof, and BLD will execute a mutually acceptable agreement assigning to TCBY all of its rights to the Franchisee Receivables upon BLD’s receipt of TCBY’s payment.

 

(d)                                 Change in Collection Method. TCBY acknowledges that some time during March or April, 2006, BLD will no longer have the systems in place to prepay for the royalty and advertising component upon purchase of product from TCBY’s designated manufacturer. If this systems change occurs during the Extension Period, the parties will implement billing and collections changes required by BLD. BLD will give TCBY as much notice as possible of (i) the date that the systems change will be implemented, and (ii) the nature of the billing and collection changes that will be necessary.

 

3.                                       Early Withdrawal From Distribution Centers; Pro-Rata Reduction in Monthly Payment.  TCBY may be able to identify distribution solutions that would allow transition and full withdrawal from certain BLD distribution centers during the Extension Period, prior to the Final Termination Date. Without limiting the foregoing, TCBY shall complete an early withdrawal from the Swedesborough distribution center by March 15, 2006. Upon the completion of each early full withdrawal, the Monthly Payment shall be decreased by an amount that corresponds with the pro-rata reduction in services formerly provided by the exited

 

2



 

centers. By way of example, if Distribution Center A represents 3% of the total distribution network provided by BLD to TCBY under the Distribution Agreement (based on delivered case volume), and TCBY completes a full withdrawal from Distribution Center A before the end of the Extension Period, the Monthly Payment will be decreased by $3,000 as of the date that the parties accomplish the early withdrawal from Distribution Center A.

 

4.                                       Inventory Upon Expiration or Termination.  Section 9.3 of the Distribution Agreement is hereby amended to provide that upon delivery of the written notices set forth in Section 1 above, BLD shall provide to TCBY an accounting of BLD’s  TCBY Product inventory. On the Final Termination Date, TCBY or its designee shall purchase all BLD’s existing Product inventory other than defective, non-conforming or damaged Products and remove the purchased Products from the remaining BLD Distribution Centers. The final two sentences of Section 9 will remain in effect and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

5.                                       Transition.  TCBY will keep BLD apprised of TCBY’s efforts and progress toward identifying a new distributor. The parties will continue to cooperate to ensure a smooth transition from BLD to TCBY’s new distributor.

 

6.                                       Counterparts; Distribution Agreement.  This Extension Agreement may be signed in counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The provisions of Sections 13 through 21 of the Distribution Agreement are incorporated herein by this reference.

 

The parties have caused this Extension Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives effective as of the date first set forth above.

 

 

BLD:

TCBY:

BLUE LINE DISTRIBUTING

TCBY SYSTEMS, LLC

 

 

 

 

By

 /s/ Charles Sciandra

 

By

 /s/ Michael Ward

 

Its President

Its E.V.P.

 

3


EX-12.1 4 a06-1952_1ex12d1.htm STATEMENTS REGARDING COMPUTATION OF RATIOS

Exhibit 12.1

 

MRS. FIELDS FAMOUS BRANDS, LLC

COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS (LOSS) TO FIXED CHARGES

 

 

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

January 1,

 

January 3,

 

December 28,

 

December 29,

 

 

 

2005

 

2005

 

2004

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Fixed Charges:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest on debt and capitalized leases

 

$

21,482

 

$

25,073

 

$

25,080

 

$

25,363

 

$

25,194

 

Interest in rental expenses

 

169

 

145

 

157

 

124

 

134

 

Total Fixed Charges

 

$

21,651

 

$

25,218

 

$

25,237

 

$

25,487

 

$

25,328

 

Earnings:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pretax income (loss) from continuing operations

 

$

(40,716

)

$

4,816

 

$

6,916

 

$

10,881

 

$

(8,237

)

Fixed charges

 

21,651

 

25,218

 

25,237

 

25,487

 

25,328

 

Total Earnings (Loss)

 

$

(19,065

)

$

30,034

 

$

32,153

 

$

36,368

 

$

17,091

 

Ratio of Earnings (Loss) to Fixed Charges

 

N/A

 

1.19

 

1.27

 

1.43

 

N/A

 

Amount by Which Earnings Were Insufficient to Cover Fixed Charges

 

$

40,716

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

$

8,327

 

 


EX-21.1 5 a06-1952_1ex21d1.htm SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT

Exhibit 21.1

 

SUBSIDIARIES OF MRS. FIELDS FAMOUS BRANDS, LLC

 

The subsidiaries of Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC* and their respective state or jurisdiction of incorporation or organization are as follows:

 

Mrs. Fields Financing Company, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Mrs. Fields Franchising, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Great American Cookie Company Franchising, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Pretzelmaker Franchising, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Pretzel Time Franchising, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Great American Manufacturing, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

TCBY Systems, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

The Mrs. Fields= Brand, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Mrs. Fields Gifts, Inc.

 

Utah

 

 

 

Mrs. Fields Cookies Australia

 

Utah

 

 

 

TCBY International, Inc.

 

Utah

 

 

 

TCBY of Texas, Inc.

 

Texas

 

Each of these subsidiaries does business under its respective corporate name.

 


*Excludes certain indirect subsidiaries which, considered in the aggregate, would not constitute a significant subsidiary as of the end of fiscal year 2005.

 


EX-31.1 6 a06-1952_1ex31d1.htm 302 CERTIFICATION

Exhibit 31.1

 

SARBANES-OXLEY SECTION 302(a) CERTIFICATION

 

I, Stephen Russo, certify that:

 

1.                     I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC;

 

2.                     Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.                     Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.                     The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15e and 15d-15e) for the registrant and have:

 

a)              Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b)             Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

c)              Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.                     The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

 

a)                    All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

b)                   Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

Date:

March 20, 2006

/s/ Stephen Russo

 

 

 

Stephen Russo

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 


EX-31.2 7 a06-1952_1ex31d2.htm 302 CERTIFICATION

Exhibit 31.2

 

SARBANES-OXLEY SECTION 302(a) CERTIFICATION

 

I, Mark C. McBride, certify that:

 

1.                     I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC;

 

2.                     Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.                     Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.                     The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15e and 15d-15e) for the registrant and have:

 

a)              Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b)             Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

c)              Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.                     The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

 

a)                    All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

b)                   Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

Date:   March 20, 2006

/s/ Mark C. McBride

 

 

Mark C. McBride

 

Chief Accounting Officer

 


EX-32 8 a06-1952_1ex32.htm 906 CERTIFICATION

Exhibit 32

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer
and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to
18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC (the “Company”) for the year ended December 31, 2005 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Annual Report”), Stephen Russo, as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Mark C. McBride, as Chief Accounting Officer of the Company, each hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

(1) The Annual Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2) The information contained in the Annual Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

 

/s/ Stephen Russo

 

Stephen Russo

Chief Executive Officer

March 20, 2006

 

 

/s/ Mark C. McBride

 

Mark C. McBride

Chief Accounting Officer

March 20, 2006

 

This certification accompanies the Annual Report pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not, except to the extent required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, be deemed filed by the Company for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

A signed original of this statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC and will be retained by Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

 


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